Last days

Nancy is my sister's mother-law. She lived in Texas until a few years ago when she came to live with my sister and her husband. Nancy loves mystery books, "The bloodier, the better!" she'd tell me. She went to the Humane Society and adopted a cat. She hoped for a lap cat, but chose an independent wild cat, who comes in to eat and then is gone. She visited with us at my parents' house on holidays. Nancy has been in and out of hospitals and rehab for the last months and now, the end is quite near. My sister brought her home yesterday to live her last few days.

Tournament Day

I had packed my sports bag and lunch, and headed out into the beautiful spring day. The sun shone brightly in the early morning sky. I arrived at the venue to see that the trailer with the mats and other equipment was parked at the curb I helped carry in the equipment, directed by the tournament director as to the preferred placement. The tournament began with Little Ninjas, 3 and 4 year olds, breaking boards. I then helped referee the high and long jumps. A quick lunch break, a change into my uniform, and it was time to compete. My niece and I competed in family forms, a synchronized floor routine. There were 7 other groups. We did not medal, but received an honorable mention. I know now what the judges are looking for. There were 6 other competitors in my division for forms. I ki-yuped and showed the judges four combat forms. Placing was not a sure thing, but I won 3rd place, a bronze medal. Icing on the cake! More important were the positive comments from the other competitors. The tournament director convinced my friend to spar with me. She borrowed some equipment, and we were first to spar, She called it, "Geriatric Comedic Effect." Hehe! We sparred for two minutes, she made some good kicks and punches to secure points. She was declared the gold winner. I won the silver. I helped load the equipment back into the van and headed home, so happy to particpate in a sport I love and happy to spend the day with supportive friends.

Tornado

Last evening, a tornado touched down destroying or damaging 100 homes. Fortunately, everyone is safe. The irony is that today the sun is shining brightly in the blue sky. A young man came into the flower shop to buy flowers. He told me that the creek near his home had flooded, creating a lake and that it totaled his car. I told him how sorry I was, and that I couldn't do much, but would give him some flowers at a discounted price. How to help the families whose lives were so drastically affected by the tornado? Maybe I can't do much alone, but together as a community we can accomplish a lot.

A Realization and A New Adventure

Someone has scolded me (boss, customer, sister) the last three days in a row. It almost makes me want to live by myself on an island, and enjoy contact with the flora and fauna. However, being alone with my own thoughts is detrimental to my mental health. Instead of working through the bruising, I dwell on it. It is other nice considerate people that distract me and reassure me that there are pleasant folk around.

I called to make an appointment for my yearly physical only to discover that my nurse practicioner is heading off on a new adventure, to an allergy clinic. Best wishes to her!

The only constant in life is change. (my boss' quote)

A career move

For the past seven years, I have been working at the main floral shop. Last week, I offered to manage the small branch store. This means giving up zumba and Saturday morning forms and sparring class. I will miss those activities. However, I find it a challenge to make the store viable, and to be able to try a fledgling hand at designing. The president of the company had a long chat with me last Friday. He was impressed with my floral designs and offered suggestions to improve them. I will begin working three days at the branch store next week. The president of the company was hoping to provide continuity by having two managers, each working 3 days. I will miss my coworkers at the main store.

Trying to face life with faith, hope and courage

When I was 7, my dear grandfather gave me an inspirational book. He had drawn lines on the flyleaf with pencil, and after carefully printing out his message, he erased them. " By the teachings....may you meet life's challenges with faith, hope and courage." The beginning of this year has been particularly difficult. Many sacrfices, the death of a dear friend, home invasions and stolen laptops, unexpected expensive dental work, children with stolen ID and difficult life changes... So today I dusted off my grandparents' gift to me an read his message. I read a blog recently about a police officer who was shot in the face. Though the doctors tried to save his vision, he was blinded. He lost his job, wife, sight. In agony, he eventually took his own life. Am hoping to be there and make a difference for the Davids of the world.

Up Bright and Early

Woke up early, so decided to get up and enjoy the early morning quiet. A busy day. My friend's birthday was a week ago, and I want to send her a card with a money gift. Had to wait 'til pay day. However, I now need to go to the bank and the store to get some stamps. Nothing is ever very easy. Have a problem at work. I coded an order incorrectly; it needs to get to another shop immediately for delivery this afternoon. Will leave work a few minutes early to make a dentist appointment. Then off to the high school to pay the "pay to play" fee and mandatory insurance fee. A short break for dinner and then referee training for hapkido/taekwondo and my hapkido class.