wife of a star

Yesterday was a most lovely day.

In the afternoon, I decided to take my book and read on a coffee shop patio.

When I ordered my coffee, the guy behind the counter looked at me a little strange. Then he finally said, "Is that a Blissed shirt you're wearing?"

I looked down - sure enough - that's what it was.

"Yup," I said. "Do you know Blissed?"

"Oh yes," he said. "I'm a fan!"

"That's cool," I said. "I'm the guitar player's wife."

"Wow," he said.

I might have to start wearing sunglasses or something. It's tough being married to a celebrity.

~~~

Also, someone out there might want this information, so I just pass it along.

I heard that Rita MacNeil's Christmas Special is coming up. Apparently, we don't want to miss it.

a day off

I don't have to do ANYTHING today.

There are things I could do.

But nothing I MUST do.

Yay!!!!!!!!!!!!

Windows are open, with a delicious breeze blowing through the house. Birds are singing, and there is no other sound. It is wonderful.

This is a day for PJ's, coffee, and Father Brown: The Essential Tales.

I may not even answer the phone today.

TTYL!

post #100

I'm having one of those stupid days.

Left the house at 9:30 AM to go to the office and do some things that don't get done when people know I'm there. After a few hours, I was done what I wanted to do. Just one quick errand - I need a spray bottle - and then home again.

Background - A couple of weeks ago, I went to a party to spend money on cleaning products that are "to die for". I've never considered housecleaning to even be worth injury or extra effort for, but there I was. And I did spend.

But I balked at buying the little spray bottle for the product, as it seemed fairly overpriced. After all, you can just grab a little spray bottle at the dollar store, right?

So - back to today. I need a spray bottle. One quick trip to the dollar store.

Except now I am ravenously hungry. When I become ravenously hungry, there is no warning, and there is no relief or thought of anything else, until I eat. I rummage around the church at first, but we don't keep food there. Consider eating a tea bag - seems wrong.

So I will grab some food on the way to the dollar store. Just a little addition to my quick errand.

Except I have no cash, for food or for the dollar store, which is always "cash only". And even if I did, I just can't face another Horton's bagel. (One can only eat so many of those.)

So now I need a bank machine. After all, I really should deposit a cheque I've been carrying around. And since there's a bank machine, and a Wendy's, and a dollar store all in the same place up the mountain in Meadowlands, I will make the trip there.

I drive up the mountain. I drive up to the bank machine. It is out of service. I park the car and go inside to the other bank machine. It is also out of service.

Back in the car, no time for reconsiderations, I will die RIGHT NOW if I don't get some food. Into the Wendy's drive-through. The guy in front of me has apparently never been to Wendy's, or in a drive-through. I roll the windows up and yell in frustration. He moves on, I place my order, pay for my order with interac, pick up my order, drive away...

No fries. WHERE ARE MY FRIES???!!!!

Can't stop now, others are behind me. Search for a parking spot in a full parking lot. Walk up to the window, and pound gently on it. "Oh," says the guy. "You didn't get your fries did you?" I mumble something nice, and he gives me my fries.

Now I'm eating. Still no cash, although I am sitting in my car, looking at the cash-only dollar store right in front of me. Resign myself to going into an oversized department store instead, which will take longer, but I can get cat food as well, and maybe they will have a spray bottle.

I wonder in a fog (because now all my energy is focused on digesting fries) through the department store. They don't have the right kind of cat food. I buy the wrong kind, because the cat doesn't care. I search through Storage, Food Storage, Seasonal, Health and Beauty, and other departments. They don't have spray bottles. I pay for the wrong cat food, and get cash back.

NOW I can go to the cash-only dollar store!

I go to the dollar store, and buy my little spray bottle. By the way - the dollar store now has interac (this branch only). I refuse to consider how much easier this trip could have been if I had only known that.

And now it is 3:00 and I am home again, wondering how this stupid day became so unproductive.

By the way, when I left this morning, there was a kid in a hard hat guarding a street with construction on it, just in case anyone decided to ram through the pylons that are blocking it off. He has no other duties, apparently, except to smoke and consider if this is how he REALLY wants to spend his life.

When I came home, almost 6 hours later, nothing had changed.

I have decided that my stupid day maybe isn't so bad after all.

volunteering

Today, I got a copy of a magazine for church leaders, from our denomination.

Normally...dare I confess...I skim it. IF I have the time and inclincation. Otherwise, it gets "filed".

But this issue is a good one! A really great article on women in ministry (did you hear my cheers?). And a zinger of an article on volunteers. I thought I'd share part of it with you, but if you're going to read it, you MUST HEAR ME SAY, that I DO NOT think this describes CF volunteers!

It has described me from time to time, though. And it has described people I've worked with from time to time in the past. And I just enjoyed its zinginess.

Here's an excerpt (within the context of why the writer doesn't ask for "volunteers"):

In practical terms, volunteering is a pleasant way of doing things - for the volunteer that is. I am in control! To start with, I decide if I want to do anything at all, and then if I wish to do much or little. I set the terms regarding how much time I'll give to the project or task and I also reserve my right to discontinue any involvement for any reason whatsoever. And you need to be careful how you treat me. If I don't like the person with whom I'm working, I may quit. Be sure to show the appreciation I crave, or I'll pull back. Supervision over me must be of the kind I can accept by people I'm willing to follow and without any pressure as well. Furthermore, I may just demand the deciding vote on how things will be done. After all, I did volunteer; I made the decision to help; I can quit; you need me and you are dependant on me. Finally, don't think of dismissing me, because you didn't hire me. You can ask me to serve, but heaven help you if you ask me to step down. I'm a volunteer and therefore I serve at my own free will.

If this depicts how volunteering works, and I think it does too often, then God can't work with such in His church.

Whoa! Do I hear an "ouch"?!

Before you all crucify me, let me reiterate - I'm not aiming this at anyone, really and truly. AND this magazine regularly goes after the leaders just as thoroughly. AND the article ends with saying God's call is on everyone's life, and we serve at His pleasure, not ours. AND it says that Jesus does not treat us as volunteers or as employees - He treats us as friends.

Which I think CF tries to do.....

Anyway. Just wanted to share!

voting

The election is tomorrow. I'm still undecided. This is not like me. I know who I'm NOT voting for, but I can't decide who I AM voting for.

I don't like voting AGAINST someone. Bugs me. Doesn't seem like the purest form of voting.

I recognize the value of "strategic" voting, but I don't like it. Sometimes I do it, sometimes I don't. Again - bugs me.

I just want to vote the way a vote was meant to be, one vote for who I want, and have that vote matter. That's all I want. IS THAT SO WRONG??

(pause to turn off my whining voice)

When I do decide, I won't tell you for WHOM I've decided, because I don't want to abuse my tremendous influence as a powerful spiritual authority in all of your lives.

(pause for hysterical giggling)

Have you decided? Care to share? Want to rant? Got any thoughts on the referendum? Did you even know there IS a referendum?? Predictions?

You've got 24 hours to speak your mind, and try to influence all the rest of us - ready ... set ... GO!!!

look closely

May your Thanksgiving dinner be full of family and friends around the table.

Not on it.

Happy Thanksgiving!