Unplanned

This morning we went to see the movie "Unplanned".  The first showing was at 11:30.  We arrived at the theater at 11 and sat through the opening advertisements and trailers.  

Abby is an innocent, naive and gullible young adult who starts volunteering with Planned Parenthood.  She rises in rank to become the youngest clinic director.  Throughout the movie not only does one see Abby's family and the clinic workers but one also sees the pro-life people standing outside the gate praying for the ladies and encouraging them there is hope.  They do not have to carry through with their plans.  One can understand the frustration of the clinic workers as they try to help the ladies inside and deal with the pro lifers standing outside the gate.  A group Coalition for Life stands out from the Bible thumpers and costumed people there (one is dressed as the grim reaper).  The Coalition for Life group wants to surround the ladies who feel they have no other choice with love and hope.  Abby becomes friends with the people from this group.

One learns how money is the motivator for the clinics and the scarer of anyone wanting to leave the group.  Abby does get out from Planned Parenthood and is the founder of a ministry designed to help clinic workers transitioning out of the abortion industry -  And Then There Were None.

My one advice is take facial tissue.  I cried throughout almost the entirety of the movie.  

 

Daylily Trip

Today found us going on a road trip to Blue Ridge Daylilies over in Asheville, NC.  They were hosting a multi-club day in the garden.  Several different daylily clubs attended the event.  There were about 13 from our club in attendance.  

We parked the car across the road from the garden.  As we crossed the little footbridge into the garden, these ducks greeted us on the right side.  They were fun to watch.  As we were winding down our time at the garden, I spent a bit of time with my eyes glued on the ducks.

The garden's layout was pleasing to the eyes.  The daylilies were in the center with large plants around the edges.  The large plants made it easy to forget that you were right on the side of a road.  The fragrance from the daylilies was intoxicating.  With it being morning when we arrived the ground was still wet.  So grass, mud and other debris was easily collected on one's shoes.

Every hour a drawing was held for a 2017 daylily introduction.  They were worth at least $100.  Neither John nor I won a daylily.  A lunch of pork barbecue, hamburger and hot dogs was provided.  One's stomach appreciated the refreshment after working up an appetite wandering around the gardens.

One of the things I enjoyed was the garden art. Here are two samples of the many works of art seen throughout the garden.

                                                     

The TN welcome center provided a rest stop on the way back home.  These are 2 quilts that were on display in the welcome center.  I always think it feels good to see the sign that says Welcome to Tennessee.

Bridal Shower

After I graduated college, I went to FL for a possible job.  The job did not work out but I had some neat experiences during that process.  I was able to spend a little time with a former counselor from the camp which I attended during my childhood and teen years.  I do not remember this counselor but my great-uncle, Martin Perry, told me I needed to get in touch with her.  He may have even called her to tell her to take care of me.

For a few weeks during my stay in FL, I stayed with this former camp counselor and her family.  She and her husband had been married ten years at that point.  One afternoon she told me that at the ten year marriage celebration, a bride should be thrown another bridal shower.  By that time most of the things received at your shower were on their last leg if not already disposed.  I remember thinking that was kind of silly.  But....

When we had been married ten years I thought back to that stay thought yes I understood.  My kitchen and bath towels are looking very used.  Move forward another nine years...it will be twenty years next April.  Some of those very used kitchen and bath towels have been disposed of.  Some are saved for emergencies.  There are other things I think I'd like to get another one of that or some more of those.

One item that has disappeared is the lid to our blender.  

We spent out twelfth year of marriage living in an apartment.  While there I sent the insert to our blender lid down the food disposal.  I love my glass blender (a gift from a brother and sister in law) so I improvise.  I place a salad plate face down on top of the lid before I hit the start button.

 

Another item I would like to replace is a nesting bowl.

Another brother gave us a set of four nesting bowls.  They have been well used.  The large bowl broke several years ago as we were mixing up some Christmas presents.  It was used for mixing cakes, cookies, salads, etc. and also storing food items in the fridge.  It is missed. 

 Some other items I'd like are more small glass lidded bowls in which to store small amounts of leftovers (or my next day lunch), another food processor, some new spatulas, etc.

If you could have another bridal shower what are some things you'd like to replace, replenish, restock? 

What to do on a Snow Day

Even though we celebrated our family Christmas before Christmas because one sister was in town, there were still a few things under Mom & Dad's tree on Christmas day.  That was nice because John is working out of town and had not been in for the family Christmas.  This green bowl was the gift for me.  I came very close to crying.  You see this bowl holds many memories from my pre-teen to teen years when I was learning how to bake.  I always hoped I would inherit this bowl.  

 

 

 

35-40 years ago we girls were each given a book titles "How to _________".  The book I received was How To Bake Bread or something very similar.  I was just getting interested in baking or had reached the age that Mother felt safe letting me learn.  I read the book which was a bread recipe with pictures of each step.  When I would make the bread, I needed a large bowl in which to let the bread rise until doubled in size.  The green bowl was the go-to bowl for the bread rising.  

 

So because of the snow and staying in the house today I decided to use the green bowl and make the bread.  Now I have 3 loaves of bread and I'm the only one here.  I may share some...but first I'll have to eat some hot bread.  There is nothing like homemade bread fresh out of the oven. 

 

Here are some pictures of the bread during the process.

 

after the bread was kneaded

 

rising in the bowl

after rise

 

after being punched down (this helps take your frustrations out...such as hubby being gone for extended periods of time)

 

 

pans greased

 

bread in pans (I never get my bread exactly even so I always end up with different sized loaves).

fresh out of the oven

 

cooling on the racks

 

Yummmm!  I think I'll go have a slice of bread now.

 

 

My Best Friend

I was 13.  He was 15.  We were 2 of the non-athletic campers seated underneath the large shade tree (I don't know what kind it was.  Only that it was welcome relief from the hot sun during summer afternoon days.)  This was my first weekend at Teen Retreat.  My first time to be a camper the same time there were boys as campers.  I had been looking forward to attending Teen activities at camp for about 2 years.  One reason was that I could get away from my younger sisters.  The other reason was that there would be boys.

As we sat under that tree, we shared our backgrounds with each other.  He was in 8 grade.  I was in 7 grade.  He had visited family who lived in east Germany.  I had visited family who lived in northern parts of the US.  We shared our mutual dislike for gym class at school because it was not an encouragement to those of us who were athletically-challenged. 

I left Bible camp that weekend excited about a new friend I had made.  I couldn't wait until the summer camp week.  I looked forward to becoming reacquainted with this boy.  Unbeknownst to me we were going to visit Grandma during the teen week.  It would be alright for me to attend a junior week (with just girls...and with my sisters).  So I missed him that summer.  The next summer arrived and he was in east Germany visiting his family.  I'm sure we must have attended spring and fall teen retreats together but I was looking forward to spending a whole week with him as campers.  2 years later we finally were together at teen week.  But by that time I had become very shy around boys & had difficulty talking with them...unless they were someone whom I had known for several years on a somewhat consistent basis. 

I observed him from a distance though.  And slowly realized over time that he might be a potential lifelong mate.  He was sensitive to other's feelings, a good listener, would go out of his way to make the load a little easier, to name a few.  One big plus was that he was willing to help the older staff members in whatever way they needed help.  But the most important quality was that he loved the Lord and wanted to serve Him in whatever way He directed.

We went our separate ways but stayed in touch through camp.  I started teaching school and one year decided to counsel at camp that summer.  He ended up counseling also.  Sitting in counselor training week, I remember thinking (it was like I was hit over the head with this thought), "if you're going to marry this boy, you'll have to be able to talk with him".  I remember making it a point to seek him out to talk with him.  And would you believe our conversations were just as easy flowing as they had been that very first spring retreat under that shade tree.  

One August day I had taken a lady from church to an appointment.  Upon arriving home there was a message on my answering machine that this boy had been in an accident.  He had been almost to his job site when the accident occurred.  I arranged to go to the hospital the next day.  I would ride over with the ministry director (from the camp we attended).  I didn't know this boy's parents so wasn't sure how they would respond to my being there.  We stayed only a short time.  I chose to go back 2-3 days later.  Every 2-3 days I would make a trek to the hospital.  But not before much time in prayer making sure this was what I should do.  My one fear was that I would ruin the friendship we had.

During his stay in the hospital there was a news report that a set of parents had died and the children ages 5 and 3 years were in that same hospital.  That brought back too many memories of many years earlier when I was the 5 year old in a different hospital with my 3 year old sister.  All sorts of emotions rushed through my head.  What if I saw those children (I knew I probably wouldn't but what if)?  Would I be able to handle it?  Would it be like seeing myself 21 years earlier?  So I stayed home.  I couldn't force myself to go to the hospital.

Very shortly I received a call from his mother.  Would I please come visit him?  So I took a deep breath and drove myself over there.  Praying the whole time that I would not see those children.  I also prayed that if I should see those children that the Lord would give me the stamina I needed to get my visiting done and get myself home.  I did not see those children and had a wonderful time visiting him.

He was released from the hospital and we started doing a few things together just as friends.  A Thursday evening might find us grocery shopping together.  Saturday might find us at a local warehouse club with his parents.  Sunday we might decide to combine our lunches so as not to eat alone. 

Two years later he placed a ring on my finger and then five months later, he gave me his last name.  This adventure has lasted for 18 years already and I'm looking forward to many, many more.  I never knew that my love for him would continue to grow.  He is truly my best friend and I am thankful we are traveling this road together.   

Starting a New Job

I debated what to title this post...should I title it "Ask & It Will Be Given...Eventually"?  Or how about "Patience Is a Virtue"?  I even thought about "Not My Timing".  I finally settled on the above "Starting a New Job".

About 20 years ago, I had my first experience with a temp agency.  Out of desperation because substituting wasn't paying the bills, I walked into a temp agency.  The older lady was very nice and immediately placed me in a job.  The company was looking for a full-time employee so when the required number of days were completed, they hired me full time.  I could have been hired before the required number of days but there would be a buy-out fee the company would have to pay to the temp agency.  Most companies are willing to let the temp agency have their required days.  That company down-sized a few years later and since I was the last one hired into my department I was the first one to go from that department.  I was getting married in a little less than two months so didn't really look for a job until after the wedding.  I did do some more temp jobs but they were just temp jobs...moving the previous year's records to storage, etc.  

Two and a half years ago while I was subbing & before I worked at the radio station, I applied through another temp agency.  The one I had used previously was going out of business...or at least the owner wasn't pursuing jobs.  Working through this temp agency has been a little different...some may be because it's a different place but I think the majority has been the eighteen years since I last did work through a temp agency.  This agency would call when there was a potential job, ask if I were interested in the job and then set up a time for me to go interview with the company.  I had one interview shortly after applying but that was not for me.  During the next two years, I had an opportunity for at least 2 other interviews but for some reason an interview could never be set up.  I was a little disappointed but kept telling myself the Lord did not want me in that position.  Then last summer, I received THE CALL.

Very nervously I went for an interview with this company and was hired (through the temp agency) on the spot.  I started working part-time the following week so I could serve out a two week notice to the radio station.  I worked at the radio station in the afternoon so that was able to be worked out.  Ninety days after beginning temporary employment the company hired me full-time. 

Starting a new job is both exciting and scary.  There are things to be learned even if you've done similar jobs.  The computer program with which I am working is one I'm familiar with but there are still things I am learning.  Ways this company uses the program that I've not used in the other two jobs.  Learning people is also another part of a new job.  Much clarification has to go on when beginning a new job until you get some understanding what the new people mean when they say such & such.  There are still questions asked but I have learned now how to ask questions to different people.  You know you might be able to ask one person "why is the pricing different?" and they will be able to tell you...whereas another person you might have to be more specific "the pricing on line 3 on the invoice is $x more than listed on the purchase order..is it okay to go ahead with getting the invoice ready to be paid or should I wait on different pricing?".  

While I feel I have settled into this job pretty well, there are still times I feel like a newbie.  Sometimes it's something I have only done once or twice since I've been there and have to ask is this how I do this.  I have just been given another responsibility so I am having the operations manager sit beside me while I go through this new responsibility just so I get it done correctly.  I actually tried to do one of these on my own and did something incorrectly so tomorrow we will sit together and he will walk me through the process again.  I have more than one of this type of invoice to process so hopefully doing more than one will solidify the process more in my mind.

I'm also trying to remember to pray for the business, the owner and my co-workers.  I heard a speaker on the radio the other day say something to the effect what business owner wouldn't want a Christian praying for his business.  He then listed several outcomes of an employee praying for the company and I have felt compelled to pray for this company.  I have prayed for the Christian businesses for which I have worked but never had I prayed for a secular business as a whole.  I prayed for different co-workers as they had need but never a conscious effort to pray for a secular business.  Now as I lay in bed at night waiting for sleep to come either at the beginning of the night or after awakening in the middle of the night, I pray for my husband and then the company and all there.  Then if I'm still awake I pray as the Lord brings to mind.

I think I've done enough rambling for the night so will close for now.  As always thank you, my family & friends, for your prayers. 

A Country Church

Along a winding road in the hills and hollows (pronounced holl-ers) of northeast Tennessee sits a small church.  From the days of no indoor air conditioning to now, this church despite its building and attendance size has shown love and created many pleasant memories.  Summer Sunday evenings would find the windows open and funeral home fans being used while the elderly gentleman from down the road led the singing.  The before Sunday School assembly found the second grade teacher leading a few songs and asking who had birthdays.  The birthday person would get to walk in front of the church and place money in a small Tupperware cup.  Usually this consisted of change equaling the child's new age.  When it was an adult's birthday having the exact change for the new age may not have been as important.  "Happy Birthday" was usually sung as one was walking to the front to put in her change.  The preacher had a very commanding voice.  His voice did not make you feel like you were in trouble...you just sat mesmerized by it...whether you understood the sermon or not.  As a side note we girls must have been very wiggly one morning.  I remember coming home after church and Mother telling us it would not surprise her if Uncle Guy walked down from the pulpit and took us outside to spank us.  He had done that with a boy one time.  I remember the next few weeks being scared to move.  Not necessarily from fear of Uncle Guy spanking me but more from the embarrassment of if it were me he took outside to spank.

The pastor's wife had a vision for a Sunday evening program for the children who were not old enough for the youth group.  The first Sunday evening each child was handed a strip of paper.  We were given three choices for a name for the group....Young Learners, Happy Growers and I can't remember the other one (maybe Eager Explorers).  We were to each write the name we wanted the group to be called.  The votes were tallied and Happy Growers became the name of the program for the new group.  Sunday evenings found us listening to flannelgraph or flashcard stories.  Aunt Evelyn & Uncle Guy both could tell a story.  We were especially fond of Sunday School Charlie and his adventures.   The most exciting part of the evening was the golden nuggets.  What's a golden nugget?  Well I'm glad you asked.  A golden nugget was just a piece of gravel that had been spray painted gold.  But to us children it was worth gold.  We earned golden nuggets for memorizing verses, bringing our offering, Bible, attendance, bringing a friend, etc.  Every so often we got to spend the golden nuggets we had earned.  Aunt Evelyn made sure there was something that every child could purchase.  So for the ones that may have very few nuggets (because of not being there every Sunday or not having as much help from home) there was a small trinket they could purchase.  And for the ones who had earned every nugget possible there was something of a greater value.  Now to an adult these may have seemed to be items which were junky or not really necessary.  But to us Happy Growers they were the best thing (second only to being out of school for a holiday or snow day).  

One Sunday Aunt Evelyn announced that every month we would send our offering to a missionary.  We were then each handed a fold out brochure that had the name, country and picture of each missionary/family for the denomination.  We looked at the brochure and each wrote down which missionary we wanted to help support.  It was decided we would help a single lady in Taiwan (I believe).   She reached out to us Happy Growers.  You know the month change could not have equaled more than $5 but she treated us like we were the group that gave her the most money every month.  We had fun learning of Taiwan and preparing packages to send her.  I'm sure the church probably helped us in that endeavor.

Happy Growers would not have been the same without Edna and Ruby.  They were twin sisters who were the food committee for us children.  If we decided to have a cook out they were the ones to organize & in my mind they prepared all the food for the cook-out.  (Now maybe they organized and church members helped contribute, I'm not sure).  I looked forward to the evening closest to my birthday.  You see Edna and Ruby would have a cake for me (as well as for each child when it was their birthday).  It would be a doll cake.  (The cake would be the dress of a non-name brand barbie doll).  Edna and Ruby made sure the icing was your favorite color also.  

The faith is now sight of each of these ladies who were so instrumental in organizing and running the early days of Happy Growers.  I thank the Lord for them & Uncle Guy (because I'm sure he helped Aunt Evelyn plan and prepare).  I pray that the children I now teach will see the Lord in me just as I saw Him in Aunt Evelyn, Edna, Ruby and Uncle Guy.