An Adventure

Dear Friends~

Yesterday was officially the first day of the Christmas season. The day is famously known as Black Friday. I have always wanted to participate, at least once, in the famous holiday tradition. So when a friend of mine from the nursing home invited me to go with herself, daughter, and a daughter's friend, I accepted. She said, "I will pick you up at 3 am." I said, "Great, I will be ready!" As I turned and walked away, I thought I was going to faint. 3 AM....that meant I would HAVE to be out of bed by 2 AM...0200...two chimes on the grandfather clock...2...A...M! I have never in my life been up that early. I whole heartily feel that people should not be up at 7am, and if they are, they're crazy.
Before I left work, my last night at the nursing home, my friend reminded me of our early morning meeting time.

When I arrived home I devised a plan of attack. I would stay up really late that night and then get up early Thanksgiving morning. I would get ready for dinner and not take a nap after no matter how bad the turkey coma wanted it to happen. Then, go to be early that night. That was the plan.

I stopped by the living room and talked to my sister long enough for her to help me decided what to wear to dinner, and then went to the basement to watch a couple movies. I was able to watch one movie, and then went to be around 12 am. Not as late as I hoped. Next morning I was up around 830 am, a really good time, for me anyway, and had a small breakfast with my parents, sister, and nieces. When my sister and the girls left, I went to the basement and started to get ready. Because Thanksgiving is such a special holiday to me, it was going to take extra time. I was ready to roll by 1030, reservations were at 1130. We arrived at the restaurant by 1115, and had a wonderful dinner with great conversation. Arrived home around 230pm. I was tired and wanted to take a nap. But I remembered my Black Friday plan of attack...NO NAP. So I busied myself with a task I had been dreading for a long time. When that was finished, I decided that if I stayed in the house, the need for a nap would get to me. So I decided to go outside. I went for a walk...a long and fast paced one. When I returned home, it was around 630 pm and I was getting tired. By 900 pm, I was beat. My eyes were falling shut, and I couldn't stop yawning. I told everyone I was going to bed (never do I remember going to bed before 1000pm). I set my alarm for 200am, and I slept very soundly.

During the night, my alarm started to make such an annoying sound, that I wanted to roll over and throw it across the room. So I violently rolled over in my bed to hurl the evil piece of plastic across the room...until I saw the time...2am. It was time to get up. I looked at the ceiling and told my self what a moron I was in agreeing to take part in this crazy tradition called Black Friday, and rolled out of bed. I ate a little breakfast, and took a shower. At 3am, I was ready and half awake. My friend with her hyper daughter and daughter's friend in the back seat arrived to pick me up. With a quick stop at Kum and Go for bodily fuel, 1 liter bottle of Diet Pepsi for me, and off we went.

We arrived at the Mason City Wal Mart at 345am. I grabbed a cart and perused the ailes until I found what I wanted, and it was on special for Black Friday. Normally $50, it was on sale for $13!! I thought I had died and gone to shopping heaven, there were already around 20 people waiting by the pallet of the item I wanted. It was only 415am and the sale didn't start until 5 am, or so Wal Mart said. So I got comfortable. I picked out a corner on the pallet, that was wrapped in plastic, of my beloved gift, put my arm on it, and waited. For those of you who have read one of my other blogs, know I do not speak highly of waiting. I waited until another anxious shopper decided to jump the gun. Plastic was torn and and the frenzy began. Since I had strategically decided to get comfortable on top of the item I wanted, I tore the plastic and grabbed it, besides, I wasn't the one that started it. Between the flailing arms and abandoned carts, I made it out of the feeding frenzy alive. What a rush. I felt sorry for the employees that were trying to up hold the rules, but what were they going to do?? Actually stop 50 frenzied shoppers...I think not.

Since my mission was accomplished, I, with cell phone in hand, communicated with my friend in helping her find the deals on her gift list plus do a little more personal shopping for myself. I found a shirt and a pair of pants, that I liked, but decided that I would have to try them on at home, and then return them if need be. I was not going to leave behind the $13 item that I had just fought tooth and nail for unattended.

When I was finished shopping, I worked my way to the check out. After seeing the mass of carts and people at the main check out, I opted to go back around the store and get in line at the pharmacy check out. I entered the line by the tooth and hair care, and an hour later, I was just around the corner of the cough drops and on the home stretch, I then looked to see how long the line was behind me, and it was back to the Christmas decorations ( the back of the store). While waiting to check out, myself and the lady behind me became quiet good acquaintances. She was from Clarion, and oddly enough was up at 2am as well. We then people watched together, and one step at a time worked our way to the cash register. To make things go a little faster for me, and therefore the people behind me, I put on my coat before reaching the register. Unzipped my purse and found my wallet. I got to the register. The person was friendly and I paid for my purchase. Before leaving I wished the woman good luck, and left. After the greeter at the front door checked my slip, I was out in the fresh air. Met my friend at the car, and it was only 630am.

As we drove to our last destination, we drove through Burger King for a breakfast sandwich. When we arrived at the store, a fabric store, it was the same thing all over again, but it was with fleece, notions, and quilting fabric. I, myself stayed out if that this time and headed for the yarn, knitting and crocheting isle. I checked out and then played the caddy for my friend as she picked and chose, from the cutting line, the fleece she wanted for her blankets because that line as well, was to the end of the store.

When she was finished checking out, we left and were on the highway riding into the sunrise, an hour and a half later. I arrived home at 9 am, and very tired. I showed off my goods, and then took a nap. Got up and then help mom with the nieces until early evening. I then went to bed at my normal time..1230 am.

Thats my story and sticking to it~
Crystal

Tests

Dear Friends~

Tests come in different ways. Some are hard copies, such as an academic test that a teacher or professor sets in front of you. They also come in ways that you cannot necessarily see. These types of tests are the most difficult, for me anyway. When I cannot see that I am going through a test, life becomes scary and unprecidtable. We need to have faith when going through these tests.

Last Wednesday, I had an interview. I think it really went well. There were two people interviewing, but it did not feel much like an interview. They had questions that I had to think about, but I believe I had good and coherent answers. The interview ran smoothly. Tomorrow, I will receive a phone call telling me whether or not I indeed had the best interview. I will find out if the chose me for the position.

I have been praying very hard about this since I sent the company my resume. I prayed for an interview, and God granted me the request. Since the interview went so well, I have now been praying for God to grant me yet one more desire... the job. As I have been praying for my last desire to be granted, I have also been praying that, if I am denied the position, He help me understand why it wasn't meant to be mine. If I do not get the position, I will be heart broken. It is the type of position I have been looking for since I graduated from college six years ago. I believe it would be the perfect fit.

As I was praying in the car after reading my bible the other day, some verses came to me. I looked them up; they were in the third chapter of Ecclesiates, verses 1-8. Those of you who are not familiar with the bible will probably recognize these verses as well. This it what the say:

To every thing there is a season,
A time for every purpose under heaven:

A time to be born,
And a time to die;

A time to plant,
And a time to pluck what is planted;

A time to kill,
And a time to heal;

A time to break down,
And a time to build up;

A time to weep,
And a time to laugh;

A time to mourn.
And a time to dance;

A time to cast away stones,
And a time to gather stones;

A time to embrace,
And a time to refrain from embracing;

A time to gain,
And a time to lose;

A time to keep,
And a time to throw away;

A time to tear,
And a time to sew;

A time to keep silence,
And a time to speak;

A time to love,
And a time to hate;

A time of way,
And a time of peace.

To some, this is a wonderful poem from the bible that speaks of life... and it does, but it also means more. In this list of opposites, so eloquently stated, there is another message. Things do not come in our time, but in God's time. Tonight I will pray again for my desire to be granted, but I also will know that it may not be time. With that realization, I have not only gained wisdom, but I will have to walk in faith as well. Faith is the key. Everything other than faith is false.

My prayer for you is that you allow these verses to touch your heart, and then gain the wisdom that comes with the practice of faith.

Blessings~
Crystal

The Weekend

So, this weekend was one of the more interesting weekends I have experienced in a while. First, my sister and brother in-law moved out of the motor home because it was getting too cold to sleep in it. They were sleeping in it, in the first place, because they are renovating their new house. Next, because there was no place for them to sleep, they stayed with my parents and I. When we went to turn the heat on because it was cold in the house, the furnace ticked and creaked from lack of use during the summer. We waited for the sound of the ignition of the boiler, and....nothing. That's right, no heat. After trying several times and knocking, kicking and shouting at the furnace, it just was not going to start. Now, if it were just us adults, it would not have been such a big deal, but there were 15 mo. little girls to consider as well. So, we bundled up the girls in their pjs by leaving there socks on in their footy pjs. Then I went to the basement to gather all blankets that could be used by my sister and brother in law. Before going to bed, we also turned on the stove for heat, turned on the ceiling fans to circulate the heat. All in all, it worked really well. On Saturday, the repair guy was called, and visited the monster in the basement. Took a look and stated that he needed to order a part. That night, the same process was gone through again, and Sunday was the same.

Well, that's all folks. Hope your weekend was better than mine.

Talk to you soon~
Crystal

Fall Food

I am so sorry it has been so long since my last entry. Between taking care of my life and spraines ankel, ouch, it has been a long week or more. Today is Wednesday, and that means cooking class day.

Since it is a nice windy, chilly fall day, I thought I would suprise the family with chili for supper. I was thinking about it last night and trying to decided how I was going to make it. I have made it several ways, and everyone has their own. Look through a cook book, and you will find beef, chicken, pork, vegetarian, hot, mild, bean, no bean, and the list goes on. I have even seen a reciepe for carribean chili with pineapple in it.

Any way, this is the recipe I decided on:

2 lb. hamburger
2 cans tomatoes with peppers
1 can tomatoes with out peppers
1 large or 2 small cans chili beans
1 can black beans rinsed
onion
garlic
dried cilantro
beef broth
chili powder

Throw all in crock pot and turn on low. If making in the afternoon, on high, and forget about it until ready to eat and house/apartment etc. smells like soup.

Enjoy.

~Chio

a relationship on the rocks

I have been neglecting a relationship for a long while. The relationship is with my Father in Heaven. My life the last couple months has been difficult, to say the least. I lost everything that I thought defined me. Because God allowed this to happen, I was lost. People told me that God had a plan for me, and I asked Him, "what exactly is this plan." I could not see God in my life at all.

I figured, that if God was ignoring my pain, then I would ignore Him. I quit praying. I thought, He wasn't listening anyway, so what was the point. In fact, I turned away, and refused to look back. In the process, everything got worse. The pain got worse, and life was not getting any better. I was sinking further and further into the abyss of loneliness. I was hurt, broken and beaten. I was engulfed in a sea of lies, put there by Satan, and I fell for them hook, line and sinker.

Not to long ago I went to visit my pastor, and he said, I had a choice. I could believe the lies and take myself further and further into the hole, or fight against Satan and start looking towards Heaven. I told him that I had ignored God so long, I didn't even know why he would want me back. Pastor said that God always takes back his children if we repent; He loves me enough to take me back no matter how many times I get angry. He sent his son to die for me. Pastor also said that reading my bible would help me protect myself from Satan. I was leery, but I did repent. A weight of months of grief and turmoil was lifted. Things weren't sunny looking, but I felt like I had a chance.

I started reading my bible. I have had a schedule of bible readings I copied from another bible of mine, and decided to dig them out. I realized that I could read my bible before work. I tried it for a few days, and it was the perfect time.

When I arrive at work, I have around an hour and a half to read a few of the assigned scriptures. I usually am able to ready two or three of the assignments at a time. When I am done reading, I pray as well. Sometimes they are tearful prayers, and sometimes they are thankful because he has kept my family safe through the chaos of life. Today, I finished the first schedule, and am now on to the second. I am excited.

Since I started reading my bible, praying and watching for the lies Satan tries to put in my head, my heart has become even lighter. When something happens, I may be disappointed, but I am still okay.

In conclusion, my relationship with God will never be perfect. There will be times when I will feel forgotten, but I will also know that it is Satan that is making me feel that way because God loves me too much to leave me alone. He will ALWAYS be there.

That is the random thought for today.

~To heavenly relationships

Food

Wednesday, the 23, was my first cooking class. My group made pan fried tilapia with broccoli and mustard sauce, and a California salad. It was delicious.

I love to cook. Taking a recipe, buying the ingredients, and then putting together the puzzle by building the flavors one ingredient at a time until I end up with a masterpiece that is hot and bubbly. I then scoop out a portion and savor the work of art. Fantastic.

A lot of times, I do not like to cook, because it is only for myself. However, every once in a while, I have a small dinner party with friends. I ask my friends several days in advance. I then scour through my cookbooks and find the recipes that will fit my guests, and fit the theme I feel like bringing out for the night. It takes me a few days to build a menu that I am satisfied because I want it perfect. I plan everything from the salad course to the dessert and wine, a red for beef or red sauces, white for white sauces, chicken, and fish. My main dish is always complete with at least two side dishes that match the meat or theme of the dinner. I want it perfect. The day of, I do my prep work several hours before so I have time to get ready and cook before the party.

About an hour before people arrive, I make the food so the smell of deliciousness fills my apartment. While the food is in the oven, crock pot, or simmering on the stove, I set the table with my best dishes and silverware and some nice napkins.

When my friends arrive, and the menu is ready, I dish it up by course, and then I watch them as they eat. A cook always likes to see their guests enjoy the food they made.

I take pride in the food I make because I think I am good at it. I hope that you have something you take pride in as well. Whether it be something personal or a hobby. It does not matter. Living a life with just a little bit of pride in yourself, is self esteem. Everybody needs to feel they bring something to others' lives. Otherwise why do we live.

I use my love of cooking to give back to those I love and consider friends. What do you do??

~to giving back

Fall

Fall by far is my favorite time of the year. I love nights so crisp and calm that you can hear what is going on across town. I love walking through the leaves and listening to them crunch under my feet as I go for a walk down the street. The idea that I soon get to bring out my sweaters and come in from the outside with rosy cheeks makes me smile. Going to the apple orchards to drink homemade apple cider and eat an apple turnover for a snack after picking out your favorite pumpkin makes for one of the best Saturday afternoons.

What brought this up?? Today is the first day of fall. The beginning of a change in our weather. Even though on the flip side of fall is winter, which I do not mind, it is something we cannot change. Life is also that way. Changes come and go and not always with our permission. But life changes can also bring out qualities in ourselves that may change our lives for the better, like the color in the leaves before they fall of the trees and turn brown. Changes can be for the worst, like the snow that comes at the end of fall that so many of you despise. As of late, myself and my family have embarked on some changes. My changes started a few months ago, and felt like they were for the worst. Even though my circumstances have not changed lately, like I had hoped, I am more at peace than I ever have. As for my family, their change is and will be for the good. But like all best laid plans, not everything works out like you hoped. In the end, my family will be better off and have accomplished one of their dreams, but in amongst the change, there has been frustration, tears, and other problems to compound the situation.

Life changes can be tiring and bleak, but still bring out abilities in people that they never new they had. Just like the leaves on the trees. When they first bud in the spring, they are green. But as September rolls around, we get to see the changes the leaves bring...color and beauty amongst the wet and sometimes cold that the reigns over most of the season.

~To life and Fall

Waiting, and waiting, and waiting

I went to the Mc Donalds in town the other night before going to the movie. I waited in line to get to the counter, made my order, and then had my tray pushed over to the side so I could wait for my food. Doesn't fast food mean you should be able to get your food without having to stand with two other people waiting to get their food? I don't get it.

Why when I pull up to the 20 items or less line in the grocery store do I end up waiting behind someone with a cart full of groceries? Was the sign not read by the customer, or did the person at the lane think that a customer with the correct amount of items not come through? What's the deal?

After planning a get together, with some friends or acquaintances, do you have to wait because not everyone is there yet? I don't mind waiting five, even ten minutes, but twenty to thirty? No way! I say...lets get the show on the road folks.

I don't miss understand me, I do have patients. But only when the patients is for people that really need me to wait for them, such as people who are new at their jobs, or happen to have an accident along the way. However, if the person made me wait just because they did not start out soon enough or decided to look over the rules, and then made a mess of things, that makes me very inpatient.

Some people I know think I am crazy for wanting to leave or get ready around two hours early and get there 15 to 20 min. early. It is because I would rather wait for them or the event to start before the designated time rather after the time agreed upon.Well friends, now you know why.

~to being early

socks

I like to wear socks. I wear them in the winter time to keep my feet warm but not sweaty. I also like to wear socks in my work shoes because there is nothing more uncomfortable than feeling like you have soggy shoes. On wash day, I gather my clothes, put them in the washer and let it run its cycle. Next the clothes goes in to the dryer and then taken out to be folded later. When I decide to fold my clothes, I am missing a sock. Did it make it into the washer to begin with? Did it fall between the washer and dryer? Or did it not get taken out of the dryer? After checking all those places it still cannot be found. Where did it go??? Well, I believe it went to sock heaven. Yes, I know you had no idea a place like that existed, but it does.

In sock heaven, the sock must first be allowed in. While standing in front of the fluffy cotton gates, St. Sock checks the book of lint to find its master's name, size and color. If all categories are met, the sock is allowed into sock heaven. The sock the patiently waits to see it's mate the next day it's master does laundry. So, the next time you are doing the wash and come up short one sock....it has most likely gone to sock heaven.

Yes, I know that the entry is really cheesy. However it is, none the less, a random thought.

~Good luck washing.

Lucy

I personally do not have a pet, but my family has a pet and I treat her as my own. She is a dog named Lucy. She is a German Shepard and Golden Retriever mix; she is a mut. While I was walking Lucy tonight after I came home from the movie, I was told of some family trouble. Since I promised to walk Lucy, I went to her pen and let her out. She jumped at me, and licked my hand. Even though I try, key word try, to scold her for jumping up, I really do not mean it because it is her greeting. No matter what, since she was a little pup, she could not be broke of the habbit.
While walking, I thought about the times where we would stop in the park and just hang out. She would lick and jump all over me, but when she settled down, she would sit there and looke at me panting, her head cocked to one side, and looking at me as if saying... talk, I have all the time in the world; so I talked. I told her all the secret thoughts on my mind, every hope and disappointment. Every once in a while to remind me she was still listening, she would lick me on the face. At times when I cried, she would let me bury my face in her thick soft fur. When my face was red, and she heard all my secrets, she would look at me...as if saying its okay, things will get better. We would get up and start towards home. As we would walk, Lucy would look up at me and remind me that she would will always be loyal and love me.
After hearing the news about my family, I was worried. But because it was dark, I often reached down to pet her head. And she was there, like always.
The day Lucy dies, I will be heart broken. But all the secrets she knows, will go with her. If our pets will be in heaven, I will look forward to seeing her there.
She is my pet, my friend, and my counselor.

~Until next time

resumes & my learning process

I have lately been looking for a different job, like a lot of people. Because I spent 5 years at the same job, I have not had to send out many resumes. Doing a resume for some people maybe easy, but for me, it has been an adventure and many lessons learned. The first resume I sent out, had miss spellings and font that was not the same boldness. Woops! The next version had good spelling, but had the wrong name of the contact person because I had several different versions of my resume open at the same time. How could I have done that??? Next, even though I thought I had reviewed it well, I ended up have the wrong objective at the top, but the spelling and contact person was correct. On the last resume I sent out, I decided that I would use a fax machine. Since I thought it would be more reliable than e-mail and faster than the mail. But... instead of making a cover sheet on the computer, I wrote on a sheet of paper, what I thought was good hand writing. Before making the mistake again, someone mentioned to me that I could make a cover sheet on the computer instead of having to worry about trying to make my awful handwriting decent. Why did I not think of that???
Some people may read this and wonder why I was so slow in figuring out what sounded like simple things. Well, I guess I was in a hurry because I wanted to get as many sent out as possible, and because I was desperate in finding a different job. Therefor, I did not slow down enough to think through what might look good to potential employers.
Even though I made these mistakes with my resume, I have learned to slow down, not be desperate and fix the mistakes made so they are not made again.
I am proud to say that my resume looks perfect. All spelling is correct, objectives are looked at twice or three times as are the contact persons information, and I have a fax cover sheet typed and ready to be used.
As of lately, I have not found a job that fits my credentials; when I do, I will be ready with a cover letter, resume, and ,if need be, a fax sheet ready to impress. The process I am working though in the area of job hunting, has stretched me to a better person. Also, there have been lessons learned.