A New Favorite

Podcasts!

I'm listening to a podcast called "Start-up" hosted by Alex Blumberg (from "This American Life").

And he finally defined for me what I like about podcasts.

They are about storytelling.

Then I think Really? It's like listening to the old radio shows before television took over as entertainment in the home.

But it's simplified entertainment. No busy-ness for my computer-tired eyes. The stories must be descriptive enough to help me visualize with "my mind's eye." (Less eye strain you see.)

Creative enough to capture my attention, hold it, and reveal some sort of information that I hadn't before known. Information I walk away with and it's made me think or re-think my opinion, educates and/or entertains me.

Here are a few I subscribe to:


http://sortaawesomemegan.tumblr.com/



http://www.kathilipp.com/podcast/



http://jamieivey.com/category/podcast-2/



http://knoxandjamie.com/

I hope you'll listen to a couple episodes and get back to me with what you think about podcasts.

I love the portability listening on my iphone because one day I cleaned out my closet and dresser drawers and when all was said and done, it didn't seem like a huge chore. It was a win-win that day!

(By the way, my 3 year old granddaughter asked me, "Grammy, are you listening to your codpasts?" I just loved that!)

And please share...do you already listen to podcasts and if so, would you recommend any to me?

July 2015

Summer life has been hard.

In July our daughter (Young Sweetie) had shoulder surgery to tighten her tendons and ligaments. She's been in a sling ever since and goes back to the doctor tomorrow to hopefully get an OK to go back to work.

We took a family vacation in July to Wildwood Crest, NJ.

Wonderful Husband, the Teacher (our son), Young Sweetie, Youngest Sweetie (our granddaughter) and I had a wonderful time. Beach, pool, Boardwalk, golf and just the right amount of a cloudy/sprinkley day for our stay so no one came back with sunburn.

On the Boardwalk

Since we've been back, Wonderful Husband got bronchitis then a few days later I'm sitting here with bronchitis and ear infections.

I read this post from Emily Freeman: "What Everybody Ought to Know About Stress"

http://emilypfreeman.com/everybody-know-stress/

And it made me acknowledge that our being run down probably explains our bronchial issues. Our bodies are telling us that stress is wearing us down.

I find Emily's words (both written and spoken) to be wise and comforting.

And I'm looking forward to August and good health.

How's your summer been?

My Cure for Winter Fatigue

Today brought more snow.

About an inch when all was said and done.

My brother in TX sent me a text message:

"How are you?"

My answer?

"Snowing again."

I have winter fatigue.

And here is my cure for my winter fatigue:

Next week Wonderful Husband and I leave for Puerto Rico,

where the high is 84 degrees and the low is 73 degrees.

This trip could possibly save my sanity.

No pressure.

Is February the Toughest Month?

After the winter we've had in PA so far.....

I would say yes.

Last week began with a snow measuring 9 inches deep.

Mid week was 3 inches of ice and the loss of electricity for 31 hours.

Here is the ice left over from Wednesday on the front walk.

Don't come to my front door for a visit or you'll land on your "tooshie" for sure. (Ha! I borrowed a vocab word from my 2 year old granddaughter!)

I took a picture of the front yard this morning encased in snow and covered with ice.

During a conversation with a co-worker I remembered the first snowfall of this winter with fondness. It made me happy. Snow covering everything looks pristine. Snow can be playful and outline tree limbs so while I'm driving down the road it seems like I'm in a fairy land.

But then I look outside a few minutes ago and see a few flakes begin to fall. And all I can think is, "Are you kidding me?"

The snow dusting begins on the back patio steps.

This winter has been brutal and February (for me) is the toughest month so far.

Has winter been tough where you are?

Texas Family

In August I flew to Texas to stay with my mom while she was recuperating from hip replacement surgery. Although my brother and sister weren't able to stay with her 24/7, it provided an opportunity to spend time together that we haven't had for years.

My sister, brother and I posed with a picture that was taken around 30 years ago. Wow! We haven't changed much at all! (That's the story I'm sticking with! Hee hee!)

********

My sister was a great help running errands, picking up items and always delivering them with a smile. I told her that in 20 years I'm going to hire her as my personal shopper. She was amazing!

My brother was just as phenomenal because when we needed a handrail installed to the lower level of mom's home he had his crew come over the next day and boom! New handrail! He came over that weekend to sand and paint it too.

He was also my chauffeur to and from the airport and took me shopping the first day so I could pick up some items that I didn't want to lug from PA to TX. He showed great patience while I ran into Bath & Body Works and Walmart.

May I show you one thing I love about the local Walmart in Texas?

The state of Texas and a football made from cases of Coke Classic and Mr. Pibb. Creative!

********

It was a blessing to spend time with my brother and sister and our mom. We reminisced about our memories of our dad who died 21 years ago. It was interesting how the three of us each had unique memories of our dad too.

My brother had the "strict dad" who was trying to mold him into a man.

I had the dad who tried to "toughen me up" so I could face the world.

My sister (who is nine years younger than me) had the "fun dad" who was older, worked less hours, and found enjoyment in a multitude of hobbies.

Do you have siblings that although you were raised by the same parents....everyone seems different from each other? Have you ever asked yourself, "How are we all so different? We were raised by the same parents!"

Listening to each others' memories explained the quirkiness we each have and who we've become as adults.

And the delightful insight is that although we are different, we love each other and got along quite well.

We are family.

*********

Finally, a picture of my sister, mom and me on the back deck of my mom's home:

I am thankful for our mom's successful hip replacement surgery! She showed great endurance while I was there and I admired her strength and determination during her recovery.

Yea Mom!

Yea Texas Family!

The Storm That Wasn't

The first Nor'easter predictions:
2-4 inches of snow
followed by
1-2 inches of rain/sleet.

The storm was named Athena and I thought really? They're naming Nor'easters like hurricanes now?

I discovered that the people at the weather channel were the ones who came up with the name.

And that brings me to one of my pet peeves that instead of reporting news, reporters manufacture news.

Stepping off my soapbox now.

I have to tell you that I had a whole new respect for the weather forecasters after they correctly gave us ample warning of Hurricane Sandy. But I guess a hurricane is easier to track and predict than a Nor'easter since I woke up on Thursday morning and here is the accumulation from Athena:

Athena?

We hardly knew you.

Preparation with Sugar

I asked Wonderful Husband to stop at a store on Friday to pick up "important stuff" like soda and a gift card.

After work he texted me with the question, "Soda and what else?" I replied, "Gift card."

A few minutes later I texted, "Still there?" but didn't receive a reply. I was going to suggest a couple more items but no big deal. I wonder if he knew why I asked and decided to "not get" the text? Hmmmm....

When he arrived home he said he bought more than what I asked for and we both started laughing when he brought in the bags and started unloading them.

You see, Hurricane Sandy is in the news with plenty of notice before her arrival. We're fortunate to live inland and to have plenty of water, flashlights, food, and all the laundry is washed, dried and put away. We're expecting a lot of rain and high winds and if you're nearby....come on over to what is now known as "The Sugar House."

We have crackers, cookies, and candy corn to share.

Note to self: Keep Wonderful Husband off the aisle with
merchandise which begins with the letter "C."

We have enough to be on a sugar-high for a few days if the electricity goes out.

Here's a picture of the sky at 10:00 a.m. on Sunday. They're forecasting heavy rain to begin around 11:00 p.m. tonight, through Monday and into Tuesday. Sustained winds of 50-80 mph are in our forecast too.

Awfully dark and gray for 10:00 a.m.

My questions are:

Would you add us to your Prep Team?

Or only invite us to participate if you're running low on sugar?

I think we have the sugar "food group" covered!

Fellowship Part One

I chose the word "fellowship" to focus on during 2012.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer from his book Life Together wrote:
"The first service that one owes to others in the fellowship consists of listening to them. Just as love of God begins with listening to his word, so the beginning of love for our brothers and sisters is learning to listen to them."

Listening to others. A good beginning.

This past week, Ann Voskamp had a great post at (in)courage called, "Why You Need to Find Community (even when you're really hurting)." I began reading the comments from some women who have been hurt by community and some women who are alone and desire to be a part of community.

God made us a relational people. He wants us to be in relationship with Him and with others, and one thing that captured my attention is that some women who lack community are looking for someone to focus on them and their problems.

I believe that the way to find community is to turn my focus and care toward others. To step outside of myself and my problems and readjust my vision to others, listen to them, and hear where they are in their lives. Then a relationship can begin and maybe flourish.

Not every relationship or fellowship opportunity leads to community, yet it can move me forward in my journey of being a servant of Christ. A more pro-active servant. I believe that God places every person in my life for His purpose and my benefit. I learn something from each person...mostly good things but occasionally I leave a relationship and chalk it up to "a life lesson."

When days of sadness or loneliness come (and they will) I know it's time to shift my focus from myself....toward others. My burden ends and I become spiritually lighter when I invest in relationship and fellowship with others and with God.

"Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man."
Proverbs 3:3-4

This year I am challenging myself to bring love and faithfulness into my relationships, into my fellowship opportunities, into my community(ies).

What do you think? 
Do you long for community?
Will you share what fellowship and community look like to you?


I'd really like to listen...

Contrast

contrast - to compare in order to show unlikeness or differences; note the opposite natures, purposes, etc.

We were in North Carolina last week for vacation. I was lounging on a chair beside a swimming pool, the temperature was delightful, a palm tree and pine trees were nearby, and the blue sky was amazing.....

This week I am back at work, standing in the parking lot, dressed for the brisk temperature and although the sky is mostly cloudy, the sun peeks out for the picture. I admire the beautiful, red leaves.....

I drive past New Britain Baptist Church and read the words on their sign:
"When you're reluctant to change, think of the beauty of Autumn."

North Carolina and Pennsylvania are beautiful and different during Autumn.

Amen.

Gray Hair and Grace

On Monday night I went for my usual hair color and cut from Joanne. It had been seven weeks since my last appointment and I told her she'd need an extra large batch of color to cover all my gray hair. A couple customers came and went during my long process and then it was just me with Joanne, Hope, and Debbie.

Beautification takes a long time at my age.

The latest book I'm reading (and so far loving) What's So Amazing About Grace? by Philip Yancey, lay on the ledge at Joanne's station. Who knew it would begin a conversation about being judged, faith, grace, and where I went to church?

Answer: God.

Hope and her friend traveled to Lancaster, Pennsylvania to shop around the farmers' market and a man asked them if they knew what "being born again" meant.  Hope's friend must have been sharing quite a dramatic personal experience because Hope kept saying, "Oh my God."

Eventually the man turned to Hope and asked her if she realized that she was cursing God with that phrase, and she asked me it I had heard of that before. For those who know me well (my kids)...I never say that phrase. I do believe that is using the Lord's name in vain. Yet this year I had chosen the word "grace" to focus on, and to live through. So I explained that I say, "Oh my gosh."

Hope and her friend talked about the man and the conversation on their drive home and her friend told her that God knows what she means/is on the inside. I nodded in agreement with what her friend said and then Hope noticed that her friend said the phrase twice on the way home. I told her that I thought it was interesting that she now was aware of someone saying the phrase and remembering how many times it was said. (Like God was shining a spotlight on it for her, I thought.)

She turned to me and asked, "Am I going to hell?"

That startled me!

My answer was, "I have learned that I am not the judge of who goes to heaven or hell." I pointed upward and said, "He is." And then I smiled because my words weren't meant to sting, they were meant to soothe, because the older I become, the more I draw great comfort knowing God is in charge, not me.

Our conversation moved toward why I bought the book and my explanation about how I realized the abundant grace I receive from God is meant to be shared with others. (Side note: I also told her that my word for 2010 was her name. Hope. She smiled.)

Hope asked if I went to church, I said yes and she asked where.

Today I was reading What's So Amazing About Grace? and on page 40 he wrote, "The world starves for grace."

Yes. I believe we do.

And I believe that with God's help some of Hope's "hunger pangs" were fed on Monday night.

A conversation about God and no more gray hair. It was a win/win night.

So what's so amazing about grace?

Today I think my answer is everything.

God's grace shows up in quiet moments and in shared moments in a beauty shop. He continues to surprise and amaze me.

Has God surprised or amazed you lately?

A Tree

We have lived in our home for 15 years. When we moved in, we had little "stick trees" and we chose where they would be placed on our property. It seemed like we chose wisely since 15 years ago we were in the midst of a drought and were watering the trees carefully in order for them to have a chance of surviving.

Fast forward 15 years and we have an ash tree that looks like it is trying to "climb in" to our home through the upstairs window!

It provides wonderful shade for this section of the house and (in my opinion) cuts down on our air conditioner running more than in past years. But I had to call a tree service to cut some of the branches so that they wouldn't damage the soffits and gutter.

The tree service owner was wonderful and running two weeks behind. So once I signed the contract I would be placed on their schedule.

Where do I sign?



They did a great job!

I left the house one morning for work and came home to the completed job.

I wish that would happen with laundry and dishes!

A girl can dream...



Are Wild Animals Crazy?

I live in a suburban neighborhood about 25 miles outside of Philadelphia. We are fortunate because our neighborhood has open grassy fields and green, leafy, mature trees surrounding it and you would think that the wild animals would have plenty of "real estate" to build their homes and just have to battle each other for survival instead of our suburban lawnmowers, sprinklers, and cars pulling in and out of driveways.

Our backyard neighbors have a vegetable garden on both sides of their deck. They built a framed fence structure that has chicken wire to keep out pesky animals. They are growing corn, tomatoes, zucchini, and tons of other stuff that I have no clue about since I'm not Mrs. Kravitz. (Remember her from "Bewitched"?)

Our neighbors also have two large white dogs that roam their fenced in backyard and no one walks by their house or in front of ours without the dogs sounding barking the alarm. I love the dogs since they are free entertainment for me. (All fun and no responsiblity.)

The other night Wonderful Husband and I visited with our neighbors through their wrought iron fence and heard that a rabbit had been building a nest in their fenced-in garden. The rabbit was spotted with a large amount of grass sticking out from her mouth since she wanted to line the hole she'd dug near one of their zucchini plants.

And the first thing that popped out of my mouth was, "How crazy is that? With all the open fields around here, the mother decides to have her bunnies in your garden where you have two enormous dogs patrolling your property?"

My neighbor pointed out that the dogs would have "busted through the fencing" to get at the mother rabbit once they discovered her too.

I started thinking about Peter Rabbit and Mr. McGregor's garden. Remember his adventures?

Yet maybe the mother rabbit was crazy smart trying to build her nest in a fenced-in area with free "groceries" readily available.

Hmmmmm....what do you think? 

Crazy or crazy smart?

Photo credit to our daughter (Young Sweetie) who took this picture with her cell phone.
Thank you Young Sweetie!

Maybe The Best Post Ever

I've written about the rough winter weather we've had in PA this year. Lots of snow, shoveling, Wonderful Husband using the snowblower...well, you get the picture.

I've also written about coming home from work and seeing that our mailbox had been knocked into the middle of our front yard. I don't know if it was hit by the snowplow or if the heavy snow smacked it hard enough to break the post but after 15 years, the wooden post finally "bit the dust."

Wonderful Husband knew he couldn't dig out the old post and install a new one since the ground was frozen solid with all the below 30 degree temps we'd had, so he did a temporary fix of bolting the broken post and of course more snow fell and the post was fully encased in snow for a couple weeks.

We experienced a slow thaw and were watching the mailbox lean more and more while the snow melted around it. And then the expected happened. We had strong, wind gusts for about 24 hours and when I looked out Saturday morning, this is what I saw:

So I told Wonderful Husband the news and then I left to meet a friend for breakfast. (That's how I roll. Give an update and off I go. Ha!)

When I came home I noticed our neighbor's mailbox had taken a tumble too. Here's the evidence:

No. I didn't go over to tell my neighbors. I don't like being the Bearer of Bad Tidings. :)

Darn wind.

So the reason the name of this post is "Maybe The Best Post Ever"? Keep looking:

Ta da! A post! So pretty! So strong! So hopeful that it will last 15 years like the last one!

And just so you don't think that Wonderful Husband stopped the job there:



Way to go Wonderful Husband! A job well done!

Bring on the mail!
Bring on Spring!
We're ready!

How did your outdoor stuff survive your winter weather?

Snow Thoughts

For the second time this week, we've had a weather event.

Picnic anyone?

Tuesday morning we woke up to about 4 inches of snow encased in a layer of ice. Wonderful Husband and I geared up and I was naive enough to think it would be easy going like the last fluffy snow where I didn't even break a sweat.

Wrong.

It was
heavy,
icy,
and slippery.

We finished the job though and since the temperature finally rose above freezing, the wetness left on the driveway evaporated while we were at work.

Good job!

Now it's Friday morning.

View from the back of our house.

View from the front of our house.

Another weather event.
Snow.
4 or 5 inches.
Not fluffy.
Heavy, stick-to-the-shovel-type of work.

I cleared off the front porch and walkway. Wonderful husband shoveled snow from behind my van so he could pull it out of the garage and reach the snowblower.

We've finished the job again but now I'm wondering....

Are we not shoveling properly so God wants us to have more practice in snow removal?

I miss my "kids" being home since they were the best snow shovelers ever!
Which really means that I didn't have to do it. :)

Any snow stories you want to share?

The Struggle Continues

I've written before about my struggle with technology.

The New Year has brought with it a new and interesting struggle:

Appliances.

Wonderful Husband gave me an espresso machine for Christmas. I was really surprised since we had talked about it before the holiday and he went online and discovered that they cost hundreds of dollars.

Enter Mr. Coffee. Not hundreds of dollars and by the way I need to explain that I don't drink espresso in tiny little cups. I use it to make "an iced semi-skinny vanilla latte" from...well, you know like that other place. *wink*

After reading the instruction manual, we successfully made a whopping two ounces of the wonderful elixir. And you know what? My drink wasn't bitter like I get from the other place so it was wonderful in its deliciousness.

The second time I used the espresso machine it wouldn't work. I followed the same step-by-step instructions and turned the knob to brew. Nothing happened. The good news is that Wonderful Husband messed around with it and voila! it worked and gave me two ounces of espresso.

For those who have read about my discovery that by eating less and moving more, I was able to lose weight in 2010 and become more healthy, the sad news is that "my best friend," my treadmill, died at the end of last year. (RIP Tready)




Old Dead Tready


On New Year's Eve, Wonderful Husband, our son "Evil Genius," and I went to the mall to purchase a new tready for me. Our last tready had been loaded up in my van, lugged upstairs by the four of us (daughter Young Sweetie was included), put together and well, you get the picture. It was hard on our bodies and so very good for mine when all was said and done.

The plan this time (since we're all a bit older and wiser) was to have it delivered, pay $10 for the old one to be removed, and the new one would be assembled by "the professionals." Come on, you know you want to pat us on the back at this point. Don't you?

But wait.

Wonderful Husband took off from work and used his one remaining day of vacation from 2010 and volunteered to be at home on January 6th to open the door for my wonderful "new best friend." (Now you know why I use the name Wonderful Husband in my blog.)

I called from my work and was told that they (the professionals) had just arrived so I hung up quickly so he could let them "work their magic."

When I arrived home from work I asked, "Well is my tready ready to go?"

And Wonderful Husband said, "No. Not really."

WHAT?

They lugged out the old tready (best $10 we've ever spent). Struggled up the stairs with the new tready, unpacked it, assembled it, plugged it in.....

and nothing happened.

New Dead Tready

They left the broken tready, and will be coming back this Wednesday, January 12th, to lug out the broken tready, lug up the new tready, unpackage it, assemble it and....hopefully....I will have a "new best friend" this year.

I'm hoping that I don't need to purchase any new appliances ever again for the rest of this year. I don't know if my last good nerve can take it!

Here are my questions for you:
Have you ever struggled with appliances?
Who won?

A Time For Everything

Some weeks are meant to be spent in quiet contemplation.

On Monday, our daughter told me that she didn't make it past her academic probation so she'll be out of college after this semester. She's made a lot of plans about moving into a different apartment, working six days a week to save up for gas money and rent, and I'm assuming we'll hear more when she comes home for the family Christmas party on December 18th. Being a parent is hard. Yet I've come to the conclusion that everyone must take their own path through life. I'm wondering where our daughter's path will take her.

On Tuesday (my 5th day of work), my van broke down on the way there. It was towed to the shop and my kind neighbor (Diane) came and picked me up to take me to work. All that and I was only 30 minutes late, but I had called and told them what was happening. Wonderful Husband picked me up after work and took me to retrieve my repaired van. I'm thankful that my van broke down locally instead of on a road trip.

Wednesday marked the one year anniversary of Wonderful Husband's nephew's death. It was a solemn day remembering Gregory's death one year ago. He was 30 years old, had just celebrated his 4th wedding anniversary, and left behind his wife, 2 month old son, a large family, and many friends. I'm thankful for my faith in God who comforts and strengthens me during times of loss.

There are times that life can be messy.

There are times of joy in starting a new job, and there are times of once again turning my worries, problems, and sadness over to God who knows the future and has His perfect plan for each and every one of us.

Thank you Lord for being with me all the time!

There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under heaven:
a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain,
a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

A time for everything.

I believe God is with me at all times and during everything.

I am thankful.

Better Vision

I went for an eye appointment a couple weeks ago and imagine my non-surprise when I was told that I needed a new prescription for my glasses.

When I was asked if I was having trouble reading or with distance....I just answered Yes and Yes.

So the exciting news (to me) is that I also ordered new frames.

Here is the before picture:

Here is the after picture:

Watch out world! I can see you now!


P.S. Getting older just keeps getting better and better.

I've Been Thinking...

I've been thinking about what my blog represents. The only theme I see is that it's my online journal about whatever I'm experiencing in life.

A few months ago, I was talking to Terri about the Relevant 2010 conference. I wished I could attend to hear Ann Voskamp (one of the keynote speakers) and this year it was close by in Hershey, PA. But I'm glad I didn't go since I'm not a professional blogger, just an amateur and I'm comfortable with that definition. Monica (The Homespun Heart) put a link to MomTV where at certain times they have live video-stream of the speakers. Ann is scheduled for today (Saturday) at 6:00 p.m. I'll be watching! (Update at 6:52 p.m.: The internet connection at the hotel is not good tonight. They are having trouble pulling bandwith for streaming. I didn't get to see Ann's presentation.)

The wind was blowing hard yesterday morning and since I had my window cracked-open I kept putting on and taking off a sweat jacket. Today is supposed to be sunny and 66 degrees. I'm planning on laying out on the patio and getting some Vitamin D. I am kooky.

Both my kids have been sick this week. It is strange to know about their illnesses and not be around to "doctor them back to health."

Readings from The One Year Chronological Bible yesterday had me praying for God to allow me to see, understand, and serve. (I highly recommend Wendy Pope's blog. She vlogs Monday-Fridays and I visit her site after my daily reading. I love her southern accent and her Christian wisdom is awesome!)

I've been sending out encouraging cards lately. It makes my soul feel good, yet my main purpose is let others know that I care for them.

I met Sue at Starbucks on Thursday. I haven't had my latte in a couple weeks. It was a tasty experience (the latte) and wonderful to sit and chat for a couple hours.

Since we've purchased my new washer and dryer...I love doing laundry. How strange is that?

My house is easier to keep clean with two people in residence instead of four (and there is less laundry).

The Phillies won Game 5 of the National League Championship Series. So the series score is Phillies 2 Giants 3. Tonight is game 6 and I'm hoping for a Phillies win. (The Texas Rangers are the American League Champions and will be playing in the World Series.) Could it be a Texas vs. Philadelphia World Series? If so, I might not be taking any phone calls from my side of the family during the World Series!

Lastly, I've been doing some early Christmas shopping (online). For the past couple years (at least) I assigned Wonderful Husband the job, so this year I think he'll be happy with my being a more active shopping contributor. The only problem is figuring out what to get him. Any suggestions?

My brain cell is exhausted....

Insurance

I just don't get it.

Our son went off our auto insurance so I was able to move our daughter from the van to the compact car and our insurance rates are going up $300 every 6 months?

With one less person being insured?

How can this be??????

Stop the world.

I want to get off.

Partial Definition of Me

I learned an interesting lesson about myself while I was in Virginia with our son. An observation that surprised me and disappointed me too.

After placing my order at Starbucks for a
Venti,
Iced,
Skinny,
Vanilla latte,
Triple shot,
6 pump
beverage,
the barista said, "Don't forget your receipt. And by the way, did you know that if you come back after 2:00 today...."

Then I interrupted him.

I said, "That's ok. I'm heading to Pennsylvania in a little while so I won't be in the area after 2:00."
He said, "Oh, that's ok because the offer is good at any participating Starbucks."
"Oh...thank you for telling me then."

I picked up my drink and then went to settle into a soft leathery-type chair where I thought about what had just happened. I've always prided myself on having good manners and using common sense especially with servers (after all they prepare my drinks/food).

But instead of letting the barista just finish saying another sentence, or two tops....I was rude and cut him off.

I didn't even have the (bad) excuse of being in a hurry. I knew I was going to be sitting there for at least and hour waiting for our son to finish his interview and come and pick me up.

There wasn't a big line behind me. No people waiting impatiently while the barista was sticking to his closing script.

It was just me.
Being rude.
Now ashamed.

I can't take back that moment, yet will try to live more gently and courteously in the moments to come.

Have you had a similar experience lately?

After posting this, I read Karen Ehman's post called "Dead-heading". She's one of my favorite Proverbs 31 Ministries women whose blog I read all the time. I think it's time to "dead-head" my rudeness, then let God's Word bring gentleness and  good manners "to bloom."