Scrambled Eggs...they're what's for dinner tonight, and tomorrow, and the next day...

Well folks, I've got GREAT news and not so good news. GREAT news: I have a new job!!! I start next Monday, 7/30. That will be 1 year and 1 day after being laid off from my previous job. I am so thankful to God and so excited for this new opportunity. NOT SO GOOD news: EDD stopped my benefits COLD TURKEY! So I have NOTHING! Not a penny to my name. I hate the way that they stop the benefits and then schedule an interview for me to tell them where I am with my job search. Instead, they should send the questionnaire and/or set up an appointment while CONTINUING the benefits. THEN, if AFTER the interview, they determine that I am no longer eligible, THEN they can stop the benefits. They're approach is "shoot first, ask questions later." Well, they got me, and it hurts pretty bad...FINANCIALLY. Rent is due on the 1st, and the electric bill needs to be paid. Oh...and the refrigerator is practically empty. I mean really...I can name everything that's in there. A carton of eggs, a jar of jelly, a container of yogurt, a jar of mayonnaise, 2 cucumbers, one bottle of Italian salad dressing, and a stick of butter. That's all folks. Once all that's gone...it's gone. So I'm in an interesting spot. I am thankful for my new job yet I am still one of America's poor. Kind of oxymoronic. Nevertheless, I am thankful that I was able to have scrambled eggs for dinner. And when the eggs are gone, I will STILL give God praise. Even with a growling stomach...I will give Him praise. Because He is a good God whether I have food in my fridge or not. My circumstances may change, but He NEVER does. He is good, loving, merciful...ALWAYS! So with that, I say...to God be the glory...even if I am evicted from my home...even if I run out of food...even if my car gets repo'd. To God be the glory! Let the DIALOGUE begin: What did YOU have for dinner tonight? Talk to me! Til next time...

Happy 44th Birthday to ME!!!

There are 10 minutes left in this day, July 14, 2012...my 44th birthday! It's been a great day and I look forward to what year 44 has in store. Nothing but GREATNESS and BLESSINGS my friends...GREATNESS and BLESSINGS! Let the DIALOGUE begin: Have you turned 44 yet? Simple question, I know. Talk to me! Til next time...

Different, yet EQUAL

So I was at the grocery store the other day and as I was shopping I noticed a woman wearing a surgical mask, kind of like the one that people were wearing during the SARS outbreak a few years back. I thought it was interesting and wondered what her reason was for wearing it. I came to the conclusion that she probably had a lowered immune system and was more susceptible to germs than most people. At that moment, I thanked God that I have a normal immune system and don't have to wear a mask like that. As as left the store, I put my sunglasses on...as I do ANYTIME I go outside. For me, and MY eyes, going anywhere without sunglasses (solar shields to be exact) is no longer an option. I MUST protect my eyes now...at ALL times. Since I've begun wearing my sunglasses, I've become greatly aware of how many people DON'T need to wear them. I see kids at the park playing...no sunglasses. People at the beach...no sunglasses. People driving down the street...no sunglasses. I am not able to do ANY of those things without sunglasses anymore. As much as I need prescription glasses in order to see clearly, I also need the sunglasses to protect my extra sensitive retina and make sure that I don't cause any damage to them. Since January 29, 2009... everyday that I've been able to SEE has been an absolute GIFT from God, because according to the retina specialist, my "vision clock" is ticking and I'm not supposed to be able to see for much longer. Well, PRAISE BE TO GOD...it's 3 years later and I'm still typing words on the screen, driving myself wherever I need to go and am fully independent with EYES THAT FUNCTION. My observation at the grocery store made me realize that we are all different in one way or another, yet at the same time...we are EQUAL. The lady wearing the mask may not ever need to wear sunglasses while going outside, and I may never need to wear the mask that she has to wear, yet at the same time...she and I are equal. I think that's amazing. In our UNIQUENESS...we are still EQUAL. Wow! How 'bout that! Let the DIALOGUE begin: What do YOU have to do differently that most people don't? Talk to me! Til next time...

The search continues...

Wow! I can hardly believe how long it's been since my last post. Gotta admit...I've been in a bit of a funk. This unemployment situation has begun to wear on me. I apply for lots of positions but don't hear back. I've even interviewed for some and just get the standard, "Thank you for coming in. The hiring manager will be in touch." And I don't hear anything. When I follow up to get an update, they act like they don't know me. It sucks! So I'm doing my best to stay encouraged. I still want a position in the human services/social service field, but no one will look at me without a degree (which I'm in school working toward). So I think I'll be relegated to another inside sales position. If that's the case I know that a piece of me will die just a little bit each day...sitting in a drab cubicle...dialing for dollars, but if that's what it takes to pay these bills that have all piled up...then so be it. I'll just have to do the things that make me happy (helping and serving others) on the weekends. So there you have it folks. Not the most uplifting post, I know...but certainly one of the most transparent. Somethin's gotta give. My breakthrough has GOT to be around the corner. It just HAS to be. Let the DIALOGUE begin:Are you a job seeker? If so, how's the search coming? Talk to me! Til next time (and I promise...it won't be so long)

Bye Bye "Boob Tube"

Today is day 4 of no television in our home. The truth of the matter is that I simply can no longer afford cable, so it had to go. And since our television won't get any channels (not even the local ones) without cable, we've said goodbye to it all. Gotta tell ya...I've never experienced so much quiet in my life. For as long as I can remember there has always been a television in my home, and most of the time, it was on. Have I noticed any changes now that the television is gone (not the set itself, but the ability to view it)? Yes, I have. 1. It's super quiet now. 2. The communication has increased with me & my children, and amongst themselves. 3. I am more aware. Aware of birds chirping outside. Aware of cars driving by. Aware of my neighbors. Simply...aware. Do I find myself having more time. Oddly enough, I don't. Even without a job my days are completely filled. My daughter once said to me, "You don't act like a person without a job. You still get up early and you do stuff...all day. Most unemployed people sleep more

. You don't." She's right. I work just as hard and do just as much without a job as I do when I have one. Sometimes I joke and say, "how am I going to fit a REAL job into my schedule?" The answer is this: I look forward to the challenge. Bring it on! So anyway. That's the latest change in our home. Will I re-instate cable once I'm back to work and can afford it? Maybe. Maybe not. We'll jump that hurdle when we get to it. Let the DIALOGUE begin: How long would YOU be able to go without television? Talk to me! Til next time...

Whelmed

What a day this has been! I'm working on writing a mission statement for an organization that I work with, I also need to figure out how to upload a slideshow onto the website for the same organization. I have a huge chapter to read for school and a power point presentation due on Friday (right now it's 10:35 pm on Wednesday...urgh.) I had to enroll my son in the high school that he'll be attending in the fall. I get there and they tell me that I'm missing paperwork. So I have to go to my son's current school and get it. Then, when school got out I had to take my son to the high school so that he could meet with his 9th grade counselor. We do that and come home. I sit for a few minutes and then it's off to Bible study. I get back home and start working again on the mission statement for the organization. Not sure if I got it right this time but I gave it my all. I think it turned out pretty good, but I don't make the final decision. And now...I'm cooking dinner for tomorrow, about to read my homework assignment, will come up with ideas for the power point and be prepared to meet with my classmates tomorrow. Oh yeah, and I have an interview with an employment agency at 2:00 Needless to say...I am OVERWHELMED. And it got me to thinking...what would it like to be simply WHELMED. Right about now I would so totally settle for just WHELMED. Funny though, you never hear about anyone being WHELMED...it's always overWHELMED. Anyhoo...that was my day. Wish I could say that I'm about to turn in but "lights out" is a long way a way for me. I'll try for WHELMED tomorrow. Let the DIALOGUE begin: Which are you most often, UNDERwhelmed, WHELMED, or OVERwhelmed? Talk to me! Til next time...

God's Clock

I know that you won't believe what I'm about to say, but then again, if you are a believer in Christ then what I'm about to say will come as no surprise at all. A few days ago a wrote about how I was down to my last and that rent was due in just a matter of days. Well. Today is May 1st and THE RENT IS PAID!

I repeat...THE RENT IS PAID! Did I rob a bank? No. Did I win the Lotto? No. Did I borrow money from friends or family? No. Did I gain an inheritance? No God showed up, and showed out. I checked my account just this morning and there it was. Enough money to pay the rent and a few other bills. I won't go into the details of where it came from, I'll just tell you that it came...and right on time. Here ye, Here ye: If you have never trusted God before, I urge you to begin doing so TODAY. God is real! His power is real! He still works miracles today the way that He worked them in the days that we read of in The Bible. If you don't know Him, get to know Him through His Son Jesus. It will be the BEST decision you will EVER make. No, life won't be without problems, issues, heartache...no those will still come. But the difference is that through a relationship with Christ, you will have hope when those things occur. And with that hope will come peace. A peace that can be found no where else. Accept Christ today and give God your problems. He'll solve them...on His own time...on His clock. Let the DIALOGUE begin: What supernatural thing has God done for YOU lately? Talk to me! Til next time...