Days Off!

After opening the store nine days straight, I had 1 1/2 days off.  I worked Sunday and Monday, and now I have two days off.  Two days to regroup.  I am putting nothing on my plate except a visit to the nursing home.  I plan to sleep, read, train on Wednesday evening, chat with friends online.   I can't believe what my life has become.  Oh, wait a minute, yes I can!  Work, chores, nursing home visits, a run to a caregiver seminar, and when I get the chance, the opportunity to train in hapkido.  I need to go to the dojang and use up this excess energy.  How am I doing you may ask, with balancing all the different facets of my life?  Work is fine, certainly don't spend as much time with my husband and daughter as I should, but then for the first time in a long time, I cooked dinner.  I had a good training session the other night.  I remembered most of my forms.  It is bad though, that I can hardly think two days ahead, let alone about graduation, a party and a wedding.

Spring Tulips

The sun warmed my arm as it shone on the sleeve of my sweater...a sure sign that spring is around the corner.

What is my purpose?

Every now and again, I enjoy introspecting.  Today I came across the question, "Why I am I here?  What is my purpose?"  I can't answer this question.  Was it the time I was sitting in the parking lot of a bank and noticed the little car next to me start to roll down the hill?  So I hopped out and held the car in place, until the driver came out.  It saved the car from crashing into the cars below.  I don't identify myself as daughter, wife, mother, sales associate, martial artist.  All these can change in a moment's time.  I remember the old Baltimore Catechism question, Why did God make me?  To know Him, love Him, serve Him , so that we could be happy in this world and the next.  Maybe not exact, but close enough.  So I'm right back where I started.

1991 Sebring Convertible

Shepherd Me, O God by Marty Haugen

Refrain:

Shepherd me, O God, beyond my wants
beyond my needs, from death into life.

God is my shepherd, so nothing shall I want
I rest in the meadows of faithfulness and love.
I walk by the quiet waters of peace.

Gently you raise me and heal my weary soul.
You lead me by pathways of righteousness and truth.
My spirit shall sing the music of your Name.

Though I shall wander the valley of death.
I fear no evil for you are at my side.
Your rod and staff, my comfort and my hope.

You have set me a banquet of love in the face of hatred.
crowning me with love beyond my pow'r to hold.

Surely your kindness and mercy follow me all the days of my life.
I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forevermore.

Corsages and Boutonnieres

On Saturday, I mind the branch store.  Normally, the city folk don't get up til late, and so I never expect too many people before noon.  I watered the planters and blooming plants, vacuumed the carpet, swept the floor.  Later, I restocked arrangements and cut flowers.  Since it is nearing spring (hurray!) a church was sponsoring a dance, "High School Prom."  There was also a daddy/daughter dance and godparents day.  A family came in looking for a corsage and boutonniere.  I didn't have any available and they were so disappointed!  I can make a decent boutonnniere and pin-on corsage, but though I've tried, I can't attach the flowers to the wristlet for a wrist corsage.  I practiced and gave the boutonniers to the fathers who were taking their daughters to the dance.  Next time I'm near a designer at the main store, I will take wrist corsage lessons.

I'm not sure that the computer posted the daily totals properly.  It seemed to freeze mid post.  Wonder if the owner can post after the fact.

Throwing shoes into a pile

Yesterday my daughter called for a health status update on her grandmother.  In the course of the conversation, she told me that her friend's  mother, our neighbor, has been diagnosed with leukemia.  It is a common form, but very aggresive, so she is in the hospital for six weeks for daily chemo.  On another sad note, I met the mother of a 5 month old infant who is on life support.  I have never heard of this but her blood was draining into the baby's lungs in utero, and he was drowning.  The baby had a discharge date from the hospital.  It was postponed as he developed pneumonia.  She has five other children, 18, 16, 12, 10 and 2 years old.  This reminds me of the story that if everyone threw their shoes with their problems into a big pile, and had the option to choose different problem shoes,  they would chose to take their own shoes back.
 
My husband, son and I went to the Japanese restaurant.  We sat at a hibachi grill and enjoyed a meal of edemame, clear soup, salad, and fried rice and seafood...hot tea to drink.  It is always amazing to watch the artistry of the chef.