I know, you might think this is really a goofy thing to be thankful for, but today I am thankful for the customer service at Pitney Bowes, and for ink! On Friday, I noticed that our postage machine’s “low ink” indicator was on. Naturally, I ordered more ink immediately from Pitney Bowes. Apparently, when the low ink indicator is on, it means you have about 2 envelopes to go, because on Monday, the machine indicated “out of ink” and would not put postage on anything. Last night at 2:30 here (5:30 back East, where Pitney is) I called and ordered an ink cartridge to be sent overnight because my order hadn’t arrived. I told everyone I talked to that the indicator just lit up on Friday, and already we were out, but they said there was nothing they could do; the soonest it would get here is Wednesday. So we would have a day without mailing, which is not good.
So this morning, I’m sitting here worrying about mailing stuff, while panicking about homework I don’t understand, while stuffing envelopes and reading the chapters I need to read. And suddenly, in walks the UPS guy, with my overnighted ink cartridge! I looked at him like had had 3 heads, because I couldn’t believe it was here! But, see, I had prayed too, about the ink situation. Kind of. It was “one of those days” yesterday, and I think I said to God, “Look. I’m one person. I just am not capable of being everybody’s mommy and taking inventory of everything in the office and getting supplies here when needed. I can’t do this. (Those are always key words for God!) I said, "I need ink for this machine, and I just don’t have any. Help me, Lord.”
Well, I’m thankful I can’t do this, because God can. He takes care of our every need, when we ask him.
Praise God from whom all blessings (and ink!) flow!!
Edited to add: I know, not all my problems are over for today. But the ink reminds me ('cause I need a lot of reminding, apparently) that God is in control. And that I shouldn't obsess over one problem out of an assignment. 'Cause there's other parts I will get more credit for.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Monday, September 29, 2008
Why Men are Happier
WHY MEN ARE NEVER DEPRESSED:Men Are Just Happier People-- What do you expect from such simple creatures?Your last name stays put. The garage is all yours. Wedding plans take care of themselves. Chocolate is just another snack. You can be President. You can never be pregnant. You can wear a white T-shirt to a water park. You can wear NO shirt to a water park.
Car mechanics tell you the truth. The world is your urinal. You never have to drive to another gas station restroom because this one is just too icky. You don't have to stop and think of which way to turn a nut on a bolt. Same work, more pay. Wrinkles add character. Wedding dress $5000. Tux rental-$100.
People never stare at your chest when you're talking to them. New shoes don't cut, blister, or mangle your feet. One mood all the time. Phone conversations are over in 30 seconds flat. You know stuff about tanks.
A five-day vacation requires only one suitcase. You can open all your own jars. You get extra credit for the slightest act of thoughtfulness. If someone forgets to invite you, he or she can still be your friend. Your underwear is $8.95 for a three-pack. Three pairs of shoes are more than enough. You almost never have strap problems in public. You are unable to see wrinkles in your clothes.
Everything on your face stays its original color. The same hairstyle lasts for years, maybe decades. You only have to shave your face and neck. You can play with toys all your life. One wallet and one pair of shoes--one color for all seasons.
You can wear shorts no matter how your legs look. You can 'do' your nails with a pocket knife. You have freedom of choice concerning growing a mustache. You can do Christmas shopping for 25 relatives on December 24 in 25 minutes.
No wonder men are happier.
Car mechanics tell you the truth. The world is your urinal. You never have to drive to another gas station restroom because this one is just too icky. You don't have to stop and think of which way to turn a nut on a bolt. Same work, more pay. Wrinkles add character. Wedding dress $5000. Tux rental-$100.
People never stare at your chest when you're talking to them. New shoes don't cut, blister, or mangle your feet. One mood all the time. Phone conversations are over in 30 seconds flat. You know stuff about tanks.
A five-day vacation requires only one suitcase. You can open all your own jars. You get extra credit for the slightest act of thoughtfulness. If someone forgets to invite you, he or she can still be your friend. Your underwear is $8.95 for a three-pack. Three pairs of shoes are more than enough. You almost never have strap problems in public. You are unable to see wrinkles in your clothes.
Everything on your face stays its original color. The same hairstyle lasts for years, maybe decades. You only have to shave your face and neck. You can play with toys all your life. One wallet and one pair of shoes--one color for all seasons.
You can wear shorts no matter how your legs look. You can 'do' your nails with a pocket knife. You have freedom of choice concerning growing a mustache. You can do Christmas shopping for 25 relatives on December 24 in 25 minutes.
No wonder men are happier.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
I know I should, but...
I just can't keep reading my homework. It's finance homework. It's a bunch of formulas and equations and it's 9:39 p.m. I'm at Unlimited Coffee on 12th-ish Street and Glendale, because it is supposed to be quieter than my house, which has kids in it.
Did you know kids are not conducive to quiet homework time? They're not. They're fabulous at many, many other things, like bringing joy and happiness, painting/coloring/drawing really cool pictures, and hugging. But not so much on the quiet homework time.
But Unlimited Coffee has this fabulous music playing. It's all stuff from the '50s and '60s, and it's that great "Who Put the Bomp in the Bomp...etc", and "Turn around, look at me," and stuff. So I'm trying to concentrate on percentage of something-or-other, and on the time value of money, really I am. But I'm listening to music instead. And having great coffee with pumpkin flavoring. And a cranberry-orange scone.
I have my homework done. It's just reading the chapters that I'm not caught up on. I'm a chapter behind. I hope it will be okay, and I think it will be. Besides, "Mr. Tambourine Man" is playing...how bad could life be?
Did you know kids are not conducive to quiet homework time? They're not. They're fabulous at many, many other things, like bringing joy and happiness, painting/coloring/drawing really cool pictures, and hugging. But not so much on the quiet homework time.
But Unlimited Coffee has this fabulous music playing. It's all stuff from the '50s and '60s, and it's that great "Who Put the Bomp in the Bomp...etc", and "Turn around, look at me," and stuff. So I'm trying to concentrate on percentage of something-or-other, and on the time value of money, really I am. But I'm listening to music instead. And having great coffee with pumpkin flavoring. And a cranberry-orange scone.
I have my homework done. It's just reading the chapters that I'm not caught up on. I'm a chapter behind. I hope it will be okay, and I think it will be. Besides, "Mr. Tambourine Man" is playing...how bad could life be?
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Dear you,
We miss you. It has been a long seven years without you, and every day we think of you. It has been hard since you left us. There are big holes in our lives where you used to be. We were so scared when you left us. We were numb with shock and grief, and then there was this terrible pain. Such pain, for such a senseless act of violence.
It's hard for us to dwell on your last moments, but we know they must have been very frightening. We're glad that is over for you now, and we hope you are in a much better place.
I just want you to know, America didn't give up. There were people on the streets that day, walking out of Manhattan, and they were cheering on the police and the firefighters who kept going in to help. After that, people lined up at blood banks around the country. Big musical stars and celebrities got together and raised money for the families you had to leave behind. People flooded into New York City from every state, police officers and firefighters and military people and regular citizens, just wanting to do whatever it took to help. Do you know, they had the World Trade Center Plaza cleaned up more quickly than anyone expected? People worked night and day, to keep America's spirits up and to move forward. Not to forget you, you understand. America needed to know that the country could recover, and move forward, but never forget. Never.
We couldn't forget you. Ever. You were brave, you were doing what you were supposed to do, and your life was ripped from you much too soon. We miss you so much. Every day.
And then, to show our enemies that America wouldn't give up, and to help those of us left here, people designed a beautiful building to stand where the World Trade Center used to be. They made a beautiful memorial at the Pentagon, and one in Pennsylvania, where Flight 93 crashed. It's not enough, really. Nothing can ever replace you. But it helps, some. We grieved and grieved, but eventually we came to understand that we had to go on, while we remembered.
I just wanted you to know, I'm so very sorry we lost you, and we won't ever forget.
Rest in peace. We will never forget.
We miss you. It has been a long seven years without you, and every day we think of you. It has been hard since you left us. There are big holes in our lives where you used to be. We were so scared when you left us. We were numb with shock and grief, and then there was this terrible pain. Such pain, for such a senseless act of violence.
It's hard for us to dwell on your last moments, but we know they must have been very frightening. We're glad that is over for you now, and we hope you are in a much better place.
I just want you to know, America didn't give up. There were people on the streets that day, walking out of Manhattan, and they were cheering on the police and the firefighters who kept going in to help. After that, people lined up at blood banks around the country. Big musical stars and celebrities got together and raised money for the families you had to leave behind. People flooded into New York City from every state, police officers and firefighters and military people and regular citizens, just wanting to do whatever it took to help. Do you know, they had the World Trade Center Plaza cleaned up more quickly than anyone expected? People worked night and day, to keep America's spirits up and to move forward. Not to forget you, you understand. America needed to know that the country could recover, and move forward, but never forget. Never.
We couldn't forget you. Ever. You were brave, you were doing what you were supposed to do, and your life was ripped from you much too soon. We miss you so much. Every day.
And then, to show our enemies that America wouldn't give up, and to help those of us left here, people designed a beautiful building to stand where the World Trade Center used to be. They made a beautiful memorial at the Pentagon, and one in Pennsylvania, where Flight 93 crashed. It's not enough, really. Nothing can ever replace you. But it helps, some. We grieved and grieved, but eventually we came to understand that we had to go on, while we remembered.
I just wanted you to know, I'm so very sorry we lost you, and we won't ever forget.
Rest in peace. We will never forget.
Monday, September 01, 2008
And Finally...
My sister is a fabulous shopper. I don't mean that she spends hours and hours and too much money because she loves to shop; I mean that she has seven kids and a mother-in-law living with her and her husband, and she manages to have plenty of food in the house, and plenty of gifts for everyone for birthdays and Christmases. This is because she is a fabulous, or smart, shopper. At the place where I took the picture of the hearse in the last post, for instance, we bought fudge.
Now, Mackinac Island is well-known for its fudge. When people go there, they generally buy fudge. It's what you do. My sister, however, found the ONE and ONLY fudge shop on all of Mackinac Island that had a sale on. Yes, campers...we got our fudge for 15% off. I never had any idea there was a less expensive place to buy fudge on the island. Heidi found it, though.
After we bought ridiculous, copious amounts of fudge, our carriage tour took us to Arch Rock, one of the niftiest landmarks I've ever seen. One can stand at the observation platform, look through the hole that Arch Rock creates, and see the beautiful lake.
While standing at Arch Rock, I noticed the storm below. It was huge. It never did affect us, but I thought it was a cool picture. The Straits of Mackinac is famous for its storms in the winter, and a lot of ships have sunk in these very waters.
We enjoyed the rest of the day walking around and looking at all the historical places, and of course shopping (because my awesome sister found a discount souvenir shop--hey, how else are you going to buy souvenirs for seven kids, a husband and mother-in-law?)
We drove back to Heidi's friends' house that night, and back to her house the following day, which was Thursday. On Friday, we went to a zoo and to Bronner's CHRISTmas Wonderland. I am always happy at this place...how could I not be? Here are Ben and Julie outside the store...
And the Silent Night Chapel. I know it's weird, but I loved how the picture of the sign came out, so I had to use it. This is a replica of a chapel in Germany, built with permission of the original chapel by Wally Bronner, the late owner of Bronner's. He went home to heaven in July of this year.
...and Finally, here is Heidi (and Ed and Krystal and Eddie and Caitlin and Jason and Megan and Noah)'s house. This is our last day there, when Heidi and I were both crying because we had to go home. :(
I have to say that I've been ridiculously sad since I've been home. My husband and I have decided to move back to Michigan, in fact. I know it's not right, but I so miss Michigan. It is my home. I was made to be there. I have even heard God tell me it is right for us to be there. If and when we go, it will be when God says that it is right. It's pitiful how much I cry these days, and how much I want to be back there, setting up our life. I feel like I've been wondering what to do with my life for 20 years, and now I know, but I can't go yet.
But hey, I didn't mean this post to get all morose. We had a great trip. We had a lot of fun. I'm truly grateful for it. And I'm grateful for my husband, who puts up with my weepiness and still manages to love me anyway.
Thanks, honey, for the great trip, and for loving me. :)
Now, Mackinac Island is well-known for its fudge. When people go there, they generally buy fudge. It's what you do. My sister, however, found the ONE and ONLY fudge shop on all of Mackinac Island that had a sale on. Yes, campers...we got our fudge for 15% off. I never had any idea there was a less expensive place to buy fudge on the island. Heidi found it, though.
After we bought ridiculous, copious amounts of fudge, our carriage tour took us to Arch Rock, one of the niftiest landmarks I've ever seen. One can stand at the observation platform, look through the hole that Arch Rock creates, and see the beautiful lake.
While standing at Arch Rock, I noticed the storm below. It was huge. It never did affect us, but I thought it was a cool picture. The Straits of Mackinac is famous for its storms in the winter, and a lot of ships have sunk in these very waters.
We enjoyed the rest of the day walking around and looking at all the historical places, and of course shopping (because my awesome sister found a discount souvenir shop--hey, how else are you going to buy souvenirs for seven kids, a husband and mother-in-law?)
We drove back to Heidi's friends' house that night, and back to her house the following day, which was Thursday. On Friday, we went to a zoo and to Bronner's CHRISTmas Wonderland. I am always happy at this place...how could I not be? Here are Ben and Julie outside the store...
And the Silent Night Chapel. I know it's weird, but I loved how the picture of the sign came out, so I had to use it. This is a replica of a chapel in Germany, built with permission of the original chapel by Wally Bronner, the late owner of Bronner's. He went home to heaven in July of this year.
...and Finally, here is Heidi (and Ed and Krystal and Eddie and Caitlin and Jason and Megan and Noah)'s house. This is our last day there, when Heidi and I were both crying because we had to go home. :(
I have to say that I've been ridiculously sad since I've been home. My husband and I have decided to move back to Michigan, in fact. I know it's not right, but I so miss Michigan. It is my home. I was made to be there. I have even heard God tell me it is right for us to be there. If and when we go, it will be when God says that it is right. It's pitiful how much I cry these days, and how much I want to be back there, setting up our life. I feel like I've been wondering what to do with my life for 20 years, and now I know, but I can't go yet.
But hey, I didn't mean this post to get all morose. We had a great trip. We had a lot of fun. I'm truly grateful for it. And I'm grateful for my husband, who puts up with my weepiness and still manages to love me anyway.
Thanks, honey, for the great trip, and for loving me. :)
The Story that Wouldn't Die
When we left our crusading vacationers last, they were enjoying a day in the author's hometown, Alden, Michigan.
After we reached Alden, we did some things that would probably bore most readers, so I skipped telling you about things like buying an ice cream cone at Higgins' Store, where I worked all through high school dipping ice cream, and oddly, never once whining that I couldn't scoop Superman ice cream because it was "too frozen." Sadly, the cutesy chick behind the counter didn't have the same resolve. We also went to the cemetery to visit old (REALLY old) relatives, and to visit the new high school. We spent the night with friends of my sister, in order to be able to go to Mackinac Island without driving four hours each way the day we were at the island.
The next morning, we set out for Mackinac Island. My nephew, seated next to me in the front seat of the van, took this picture as we approached Mackinac Bridge.
And this picture...
Once on the ferry boat required to access the island, I took this picture of the bridge...
...and once on the island, we took a carriage tour! I figure I can use this picture to introduce a new element to my blog...the occasional Horses' @$$ Award! Much like Tori's Tad Awards.
No cars are allowed on Mackinac Island (except they now have a couple of fire trucks and an ambulance-type vehicle, I believe), and so when someone dies, this is the hearse. I don't know why I wanted a picture of a hearse, except this one was cool.
After we reached Alden, we did some things that would probably bore most readers, so I skipped telling you about things like buying an ice cream cone at Higgins' Store, where I worked all through high school dipping ice cream, and oddly, never once whining that I couldn't scoop Superman ice cream because it was "too frozen." Sadly, the cutesy chick behind the counter didn't have the same resolve. We also went to the cemetery to visit old (REALLY old) relatives, and to visit the new high school. We spent the night with friends of my sister, in order to be able to go to Mackinac Island without driving four hours each way the day we were at the island.
The next morning, we set out for Mackinac Island. My nephew, seated next to me in the front seat of the van, took this picture as we approached Mackinac Bridge.
And this picture...
Once on the ferry boat required to access the island, I took this picture of the bridge...
...and once on the island, we took a carriage tour! I figure I can use this picture to introduce a new element to my blog...the occasional Horses' @$$ Award! Much like Tori's Tad Awards.
No cars are allowed on Mackinac Island (except they now have a couple of fire trucks and an ambulance-type vehicle, I believe), and so when someone dies, this is the hearse. I don't know why I wanted a picture of a hearse, except this one was cool.
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