When I find myself complaining about other people, I'm always "encouraged"
 to take a good hard look at myself.
****

I had to run an errand today and as I was putting some things into my car  a man who had parked next to me decided to leave, I said to him, "I hope I'm not in your way." and he said, "No, your fine." then he proceeded to back up while I stood right next to his truck with only a few inches to spare. I thought well maybe he'll wait until I move my cart but he didn't , so  I hurriedly shoved the shopping cart into my car and I rammed my side mirror to get out of his way. I was worried about my cart damaging his truck but as for my car "Christine" I couldn't have cared less.  I  was shocked at  how rude he was and how he couldn't have cared less for my personal safety even though I had been concerned about his truck and for  being in his way. A little  later on when I was in a different parking lot a woman had drove past me and again she also just missed me, so I began to wonder what my problem was and why I couldn't seem to get out of other peoples way but what I mostly thought about  were the times when I was unconcerned for other people, or when I had been rude to them, or even the times when I really didn't even give a crap about how other people might have felt. I'm  sorry God for  the people who I've hurt in this life - you know the people who you continue to show to me while I'm complaining about others and all while I'm minding my own business. (hahaha) I  also feel bad for the people who are so wrapped up within themselves that no one else even seems to matter to them.

I need to stop idolizing people because they're  a continual disappointment.
I'm expecting to much from people and I expect for them to be greater people than they really are
but they aren't and neither am I.

Caramel  flung a mouse in a trap at me this morning 

 because he was trying to dislodge the little beast from the trap.

His plan didn't work and my Animal control officer had to wake up early to save me.

Caramel, I love you baby, but that's just not how I roll.

What would Jesus do?

After spending the past week with my children (some of whom are grown now) I would like to offer a few "refresher" suggestions about  some rudeness I happened to notice. ( I would'a  noticed even if I were comatose.)  I would like to remind my children that it's  important to act like a "Lady" ( or a "gentleman" ) and even around family or close friends. It's not okay to be rude just because your comfy around the people your offending. ( I'm flattered)

If you want to have long lasting relationships (with spouses or friends) it's important to treat the people you love with the same amount of respect  and consideration that  you would give to your local  Walmart "grocery checker". You wouldn't even consider doing some of the things I've seen lately in front of your friends but if you do these things then you can't use the excuse .....  "My friends should take me as I am"   because I know we can do better.

1) Belching like whales is soooo unattractive and to say, "Mom, I 'm just being myself " doesn't cut it. Sure it was cute when you were babies but I'm over it now and if  you should accidentally happen to go there then you had better not derive any humor from it because it's gross. Apologize and  at least pretend to have remorse.

2) Passing um ,  unattractive smells is never ever allowed in public and if it should happen blame your brother. He still takes pride in those kind of things and it makes you come off smelling like a rose but the best plan would be for you to excuse yourself then go and take care of your business.  No"chem trails" are allowed either as you must always try to be polite.

3) Allowing  doors to slam into your younger siblings for pleasure or otherwise when we are out and about  is never a good idea. They look up to you for guidance and  besides your supposed to be setting a good example. I can't afford  medical co-pays for injuries nor  psychiatric bills from your lapse in good judgement. Help the little ones as you have been helped by your older siblings. I can't be everywhere at once no matter how hard I try to bi-locate.

4) When you speak to your friends on the computer with "Live Chat" or on the telephone  it would be considerate to announce to your family that you've invited a friend into our home so that as with any guest we can be on our best behavior. We never betray one another as we respect the dignity and privacy of each of our family members. And never text someone while your chatting with yet another person it's incredibly rude.

5) I'm not allowed to cuss so neither are you. Your dad hates it and finds it distasteful. Your not allowed to blame your parents for your "failures" either and not even if we happened to be sailors on shore leave. Grown ups shouldn't blame their "Mommy and Daddy"  for their sins because they assess and correct their sins on their own as adults should. (Anyway it makes you look like a fool when you  blame your parents for your problems.)

6) Just because you get married or have a great boyfriend it doesn't mean you can be impolite. You have to always say, "Please" and "Thank you" and treat the person you care about with the utmost respect. Inconsideration can lead to divorce and broken relationships. It's not about being yourself , it's about having enough love, respect  and consideration for the people your with to think about their feelings and perhaps they're feeling like they really don't want to smell you today nor deal with your crap.

7) It's rude to run around the house in your unmentionables and it's not acceptable to say "It's just my family"  because some family members may feel  uncomfortable and even if you may feel quite at ease. It's about consideration for others.

8) Relieving yourself out side must be done on cloudy days and behind something and never in the wide open field and always facing away from the neighbors house. Remember,  family members  don't want to "Catch" you either nor do we want to have to explain what your doing to the neighbors. (whom we love) Although they may have already caught a clue.

9) Do not crack your knuckles it's disgusting and you it makes you sound old and  brittle and it's not amusing or charming in any way.

10) Don't fight with your siblings or anyone else in public and no public meltdowns. You must control your emotions.  I know I haven't always set a good example here but keep in mind I only yell at people in public  about social justice issues. (someone mistreating another person etc...)  but remember there is always a price to be paid for non- compliance or confrontations with others. You could get hurt or worse.

Keep in mind that if your Dad and I argued even a fraction of the amount that you and your siblings argue you would all need immediate counseling. Ask yourselves - if your really being fair to your parents? Am I the son or daughter that God intends for me to be?

11) You must respect the property of other family members. Your not allowed to touch your sibling things without asking- again it's an issue of respect.

Your parents aren't perfect people but this is as good as it gets so let's  shape up around here because  people watch us more closely than other families and often times they try to find any excuse to ridicule
larger families as they consider us to be fools. Let's not give anyone else a lame excuse for using birth control ,...okay?

Mark 12:30-31

30 ) Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. 31) The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these."

*If  Jesus commands us to love our neighbor as ourselves, don't we then have an obligation to try to be lovable? 
Never forget that we worship God by the way we treat the people who he's created for himself.

My financial adviser bought a coin from the 1893 worlds fair for me yesterday and I love it!

But not as much as I love my financial adviser.

He probably used the last of his lunch money too.

You may be wondering how many coins I have in my coin collection now.

-Just one really nice one.

"Our daughter Elizabeth"

Elizabeth was interviewed by a Japanese televison show. She's the beautiful woman with the long red hair.

I can no longer post titles on my blog and my administrator is not available for help.

(His administrative talents aren't so great anyway . It's more of an honorary position  as he has limited administrative abilities) 

But boy.. oh, boy is he cute

and he's funny too but not on purpose.

I'm a very, very white girl and I don't sing.

I went to a bar with my activities director to help him celebrate his friends 50Th birthday.

I've only been to about three bars in my entire life and once as a child and I've been disapointed each and every time because they don't serve ice cream.

My activity director assumed that I would sing a song especially for him during the Karaoke portion of the evening.

He continues to claim that he's never heard me sing in our 30 years of marriage.

How could he have thought that I might sing for him then and there, and in front of people? What was he thinking?

Where does he come up with this stuff?

You should be glad that you had a date to go with you mister.

I was.
Besides I sing every single night - after you've gone to sleep. ;)

Home depot is the last place on the planet to buy your appliances.

When I walked into the garage and saw the new washer and dryer sitting in the middle of the garage floor and not in the laundry closet I choked back the tears and realized I wont be able to wash laundry for two more days

and now I can't go to communion without going to confession first .

Maybe I should hang the dirty laundry on my makeshift clothes lines and " Febreze" them thoroughly.

*When they haul me off to hell I will exclaim, " I was a christian , Honest..... I was !!"
Demons will say in reply, "Who knew!"

James chapter 1 verse 26
And if any man think himself to be religious, not bridling his tongue, but deceiving his own heart, this man's religion is vain.

I'm having a pity party. Your all invited. Some of you may want to change outta your jammies or perhaps put some clothes on first.

Above you'll find your personalized invitation-see photo.

Consider bringing a side dish but please make it entertaining .

We'll be creating fun party hats.

With hot women and beer.

(I'm just saying that so that the guys will want to come too. There's no beer in Kansas.
Remember Carrie Nation?)

Here's what threw me into my party mood.

My washing machine, dishwasher ,and dryer wont be delivered until tomorrow , even so I plan on being disappointed. I woke up this morning to find TWO beds that had been wet upon. Apparently it feels bad to sleep in a wet bed so

you get up and find yourself another nice and dry one.

Then after my short order cook prepared breakfast,
our son vomits in the bathroom and of course his aim was off.
(Rose has the sick bug too)
I washed the bedding and the bathroom rug outside with detergent and a garden hose then I hung them out to dry and when I tried to clean out the wood stove
I didn't have what I needed to do that job either.
I also tried to use the vacuum on our rugs but apparently it doesn't work either.
(that's what happens when you vacuum the sidewalk/ garage)

So I sat on the front porch and cried.

I've decided I'm going to make myself a chocolate cake.
I'll make enough for everybody but I'm not going to wash the dishes afterwards even
though the rest of my house is practically sterile, but not alphabetized.

Please try to ignore my giant dirty laundry pile.

Can any of you bloggers sing ,"I've got a cross eyed Papa?"
Bring your instruments.