Wordless Wednesday

Ten Years

 Ten years ago, I started a new job.  I had applied through a temp agency and after having interviewed with the company they offered me a job.  I would work through the temp agency until the contract was over and then would have the possibility of being hired by the company.  I know some people do not like the thought of working through a temp agency but I have always enjoyed it.  You have an opportunity to try out the work environment and see how you fit with the company.  

The last Monday in July (it was the 27), I started working part time.  Two weeks later I went full time (well 37.5 hours a week) and then in Oct when the contract was over was hired full time by the company.  

Starting a new job has many emotions…there is excitement, anxiousness, relief, dread, etc.  I was all those in one.  Would I learn the product?  I was familiar with the program I was going to use and I knew I would not be working with the product like the salesmen would but still would I learn it well enough?

Today as I sat at work I thought about that.  I really enjoy this company and am glad I went for that interview.  Hopefully I will be able to put another 10 years in.  

5 Countries

 Here are 5 areas (plus 1 extra) my DNA test showed I am from

• Scotland 
• Belgium
• England & Northwestern Europe
• Ireland
• Denmark 
• Sweden

Ancestry DNA

We recently took advantage of an Ancestry site DNA sale.  We have eagerly awaited our results.  Last Saturday late morning/early afternoon John received his results.  Having sent our samples off at the same time, I thought mine would be along shortly.  I stayed up until 10 that night waiting to see if mine would come.  Finally I decided I needed to give up waiting and go to bed.  I did not want to fall asleep in church the next day.  I woke up Sunday morning and checked my email before getting ready.  My results were available and I also had a message from someone who our DNA showed we were 3rd cousins on our paternal side.

I quickly looked at the results and replied to this cousin who lives in England.  We continue to correspond although we do not yet know how we are cousins - we have not found the common surname.  I looked forward to diving into my results after church.

We got home from church, ate lunch and before settling down for a Sunday afternoon nap, I reviewed my results.  What did I want to look at first?  Did I want to see where my family had come from?  Did I want to see potential relatives?  Did I want to see which traits I had inherited from which parent?

I first looked at my family’s history.  Having heard from where family had come to the United States, that was really not a surprise.  The exciting thing was seeing which countries made up my DNA and from which parent those had come.

Then there were the potential relatives - 50,000 on both sides.  20,000+ on each side.  An aunt was listed.  Then a first cousin from each side.  The potential relatives are listed on a card.  Name is on the first line, relation on second line (the aunt was listed as close family), whether Parent 1 or Parent 2’s side, if that person has a tree in the ancestry site, how many people are on the tree and who manages the tree.  

Next I looked at the traits.  This was interesting.  From what I understand Ancestry has given out surveys regarding the traits.  Somehow they put the traits with the DNA.  Most were spot on.  This was the most freeing part of the test for me.  I was not wrong.  I did belong.  Growing up (and still to this day) I have felt like I did not belong.  And being a people pleaser that is hard.  As I was talking to my sister I was in tears as I said, “you don’t know how freeing this is for me.  We do belong.  We are not wrong.”  We both commented we have felt like square pegs being pounded into round holes.  

This was a great experience.  We took advantage of a Father’s Day sale so got the test for a discounted price.  If you would like to do this I would suggest looking at the Ancestry site and waiting for a sale.  You may be able to purchase them from amazon and other shopping sites as well.  There is a 6-8 week waiting period from the time you send off your sample until you get the results, but it’s well worth it.  I think you will enjoy seeing where you are from and how many cousins you may have.

The Schoolhouse

The empty schoolhouse was old, worn and no longer functional.  The building was in disarray.  It was hard for the passerby to imagine that children had once roamed the halls.  But the school remembered.  The school remembered children arriving early in the morning - still asleep yet eager to talk with their friends.  Children sharpening their pencils before the school day began.  The talk around the hooks on the wall where coats, backpacks and lunchboxes were hung for the day.  The groans when tests were announced or given.  The tears when hard lessons were not quite mastered - whether those hard lessons be book lessons or life lessons in general.  First best friends.  First friends not being friends anymore.  Blue, red and white ribbons from art shows.  Band practices and concerts.  Learning to crawl under the desk for tornado drills, then learning to sit on one’s knees in the hallway with one’s head against the wall, then sitting on the floor in the hallway and putting one’s hands over one’s head.  Learning to line up and walk single file down the hallway, out the door, down the steps and into the play area to wait during a fire drill.  Children being reprimanded for aimlessly wandering the hallway.  Children being congratulated for mastering a subject which had been very hard.  Teachers teaching the lessons, passing out candy as rewards for good behavior, good grades or any other area of motivation needed.  Children gathering in the lunchroom to hurriedly eat their lunch so they could talk with their friends before going back to class.  Outside playtime - whether it be an organized game of tag, kickball, softball, frisbee or just free play.  There were many more minutes of the day the school house could remember.  But now there were just memories. Memories for the school.  Memories for the children.  Memories for the community.  Memories which may have been not too pleasant when they were happening but looking back on them they were good memories - maybe even great memories.  As you drive past that old, worn, no longer functional schoolhouse which is in disarray, listen carefully.  You may hear the faint sounds of the children who once ran the halls.  You may hear a game of kickball, hear giggling as children swing in the swings or ride the merry-go-round.  You may even hear a teacher calling her class to come in from recess.  The school is no longer being used but the lessons learned and friends made stick with each student for a life time.

Week In Review

This week has been a crazy week so let's see what I can remember

Monday - walked into work.  The building was as quiet as could be.  I breathed a quick sigh of relief for the quiet but then realized the heat pump was what made the noise.  This could only mean one thing - we did not have any air.  My suspicions were confirmed when I heard the General Manager talking to the sales guys saying he had called the landlord to report no air.  Fortunately I had taken a small fan to work last year and it was still there.  The weather was forecasting it to be a hot day - maybe the hottest day of the year so far.  I am near a large glass door so turned the lights off in my area.  When I left work the air people had not been there yet and it was 94* outside.  Stopped in to see Mother between work and home.

Tuesday - still no air.  Turned my small fan on.  Continued working on payables.  It is a never ending task.  Received notice that one of our overdue accounts had submitted payment so I forwarded that on to corporate.  The air people came around lunch.  A short in the compressor.  They would order a new compressor and currently have the air set to operate at 50%.  It had cooled down just a smidgeon when we left.

Wednesday - walked into the office and there was coolness.  By the end of the day though I wished I had turned my fan on around noon and maybe turned off the lights.  Continued working on payables and scanning.  Stopped in to see Mother on my way home.

Thursday - it was much cooler.  I don't think it got as hot outside.  I did not need my fan on at all during the day.  Worked on payables and scanning.  Also sent a few customer statements to our General Manager so he could contact the customer.

Friday - the blue screen of death greeted me when I arrived at work.  I shredded and then piddled around.  About 8:30-8:45 I restarted my computer and it worked.  Most everyone else's was operational around noon.  There were a few that had wait for IT to contact them with a code.  Went home.  John & I left.  We stopped in and visited with Mother a few minutes.  I took her my Jude Precept Upon Precept study.  Also I had a few family pictures I wanted to show her to have her tell me who they were.  She was able to tell me each one.  We ate at Chick-fil-A.  Then went and had the CRV washed.  John had received a pass for so many free washes at one of the area car washes.  We left there for John's parents and then ended the day at Wal-Mart.  It felt good to walk around some.

Saturday - we were to get our new washer.  I went and got my hair trimmed.  Shortly after I returned home a box truck backed up the driveway with our washer.  It had some damage so John refused it.  They should deliver another one this week (?).  I think they will contact John tomorrow with a delivery date.

Sunday - we visited a church in which a friend's husband is the music minister.  This morning a few songs re' faith were sung.  I was reminded of the song leader from my summer camp days.  I could see him standing at the front of the chapel and leading us in those songs.  Also could see his smile.  He is rejoicing and singing in the Lord's presence now.

Hope you all have a great week

5 Cool Treats

With the past few weeks being so hot I have been thinking of foods/drinks which do not take much preparation

1. Water
2. Watermelon
3. Ice Cream
   
4. Sweet tea
5. Sandwiches - not really a treat but not much preparation
   

What would you add to the list?

Week in Review

Monday  -  was very hard to go back to work after being off Thursday & Friday for the 4th holiday.  Our check run is next week so all payables had to be to corporate by Thursday morning.  My goal with payables is to have them all turned in the evening before they are due.  Then if there is an emergency - one which I receive for the first time and it is due this check run - I only have to worry about those the day they are due.  I had hoped to devote most of Monday to payables but there were documents to scan in the computer and other things to do for the others so not many payables were completed.

Tuesday  -  the week is starting to make sense.  Feels more like a work week.  I was able to devote time to payables.  Got a little over 1/2 way through the alphabet - I organize payables alphabetically by vendor.  I'm not sure what we did Tuesday evening after I got home from work.  I think for supper John had fixed the scrambled eggs, bacon, macaroni mix we sometimes have.  Our chickens are being very productive.  We had not had this for a while for a meal.  We use a pound of bacon, macaroni and a dozen eggs.  We were able to use a few eggs for that.

Wednesday  -  I woke up thinking that Wednesday last week was our last work day for the week.  This week it's just half way through the week.  We would be finishing the upward climb for the week and then by noon reach the hump at the top and start the downward slide.  It was still a little hard to get motivated but I did make it to work.  Finished the alphabet for the payables.  When I got home we went to a big box store and purchased a clothes washer with a gift card we had received when the extended warranty people said our washer would take more to fix than purchase a new one.  We were very thankful for the extended warranty we had purchased and purchased one for this washer.

Thursday  -  received one bill that was due this check run so was able to get that submitted in time to get on the check run.  I worked on scanning documents into the computer the rest of the day - well until it was time to do the customer billing.

Friday  -  we are always excited on Friday.  I worked on scanning into the computer.  The last few days before the check run due date seem to have many more documents to scan.  This evening we visited Mother and John's parents.  Mother is leading a devotional on Sunday afternoon.  She had asked me to print 25 copies of Psalm 100 for her.  I took those to her this evening.

The weekend promises to be busy.  Niece is having a birthday get together.  John has an open house on Sunday.  Then there is a funeral and a wedding reception (close to the same time).  Not sure if we will go to one, both or neither.  I will hopefully be able to rest a little before starting next week.

Hope your weeks were good ones.

Paper Shredder

This October 19 will be the start to my 10th year at the location I work.  Well I actually started working there the end of July but that was with a temporary agency.  When the contract period was finished, I was hired full time.  

Fast forward 3 years and my office mate had a difficult year.  She was sick at the beginning of the year.  Her mother passed away shortly after she came back to work.  Then she had appendicitis.  She was out for several weeks after her surgery.  After all that was finished, it was decided she would just stay home and not work with us anymore.  I missed her terribly but had learned to do both our jobs while she was out.

Before I came to work there, she had researched and purchased a paper shredder.  Actually the company had purchased the paper shredder.  The paper shredder did not see daily use.  Some days of use were very little.  Others were quite a bit.  Last year we started storing our documents online so I no longer needed to store those documents in folders in the file cabinet to be put in banker boxes at the end of the year and moved to storage.  I started shredding every day.

This year I noticed that shredder was sounding horrible.  I prayed the sound would stop and I would not have to purchase a shredder but the day came that I had to purchase one.  We purchase our office supplies from Quill.  I went home and for a few nights researched paper shredders and looked to see if they were available from the Quill website.  I had John look at ones to see if what I was reading was actually what the product specs were.  With a deep breath and approval from the General Manager I purchased a shredder.  This shredder has an auto feed!  I did not know shredders came with auto feeds.  You can put up to 100 sheets on the auto feed area - it takes 2-3 at a time.  The shredder has a much quieter sound than the other shredder.  The auto-feed does shred a little slower than the previous non auto-feed one but to me the value of the auto-feed outweighs the slow shredding.  I do stay close to the shredder while it is auto-feeding just in case it gets jammed.  It has happened occasionally - usually on a very humid day.

The things that make administrative assistants happy.

Wordless Wednesday

 

Washing Machine

 A few months after moving back in this house we purchased a washing machine.  This would have been the summer/fall of 2012.  It was a good washing machine.  Fast forward about 9 years and our washing machine started making horrible noises and would viciously rock back & forth.  We tried to balance it but to no avail.  Called the repair guy.  He came out.  His recommendation - appliances are built to last 10 years.  The amount of money you would need to pay to fix this would be the price of a new washer.  So we went and purchased a new washing machine.  We always get a top load with an agitator.  

Maybe a month ago, John noticed the washer was making a strange noise.  He asked me if I noticed.  I did not but trusted him and agreed he should call the big box store from which we purchased the washer.  They gave us the number for the extended warranty repair center.  After a few weeks of trying to get scheduled they were to come out the last week in June.  The guy came out, looked at the washer, could not exactly figure out what was causing the noise but did notice oil in the bottom of the washer.  He said when he sent the report in he would make sure to mention they would need the parts to fix that oil.  It seemed like forever but last week we received the word they were not pursuing fixing the washer any longer.  We would receive money to purchase a new washer.  It would be sent through an e-gift card from the big box store.

So now we start the process of shopping for a new washing machine.  I am very thankful we purchased the extended warranty for this washer.  It has definitely paid for itself.

Do you have a top load w/agitator brand you would recommend?

 

5 Places I'd Like to Visit

Do you have dreams of visiting outside our country?  Here are 5 of the non-American continent places I'd love to visit:

• Israel 
• Scotland
• Cyprus
• Germany
• Paul's journeys 

 

Where are some places you'd love to go?

Who am I? A look into my family heritage

If the 4th of July falls on a Thursday we get both Thursday and Friday off work.  We forego getting Good Friday as a holiday so the time between New Year's and Memorial Day seems so long but when July 4&5 finally arrive it feels worth it.

We had a good fourth.  John's parents and a brother came.  John grilled hamburgers.  His mother brought German potato salad and we had ice cream bars for dessert.  Food City had the ice cream bars on sale - buy one (box of 6) get one (box of 6) free.  We bought a selection so we had a good variety to offer.

A few years ago (maybe 5) I received a box in the mail.  It contained the book "15 Main Street" which a cousin had put together.  15 Main Street is the street on which our grandparents lived.  This cousin had created the book for her mother and aunts (known as the Perry Girls).  Our Aunt JoNette had sent her book to me.  She had asked a sister what she should do with it and the sister had suggested sending it to me.  The notebook was full to overflowing.  Some sheets were not in sheet protectors.  Some pages in sheet protectors were not secured in the 3 ring binder but just placed in the notebook.  Some of those sheets had a sticky note with another aunt's handwriting stating where that page fit in the notebook.  For some time I have wanted to compare it with Mother's to see if all were in order.   Yesterday I sat down and went through both notebooks two times.  I hope to go through them at least one more time - just to make sure.

From going through the 2 books this weekend, I have realized each aunt has personalized their notebook.  Aunt JoNette had pictures of my 3rd great-grandparents (pictured below) and letters she received after placing 3rd in a school speech contest.  She also included 2 different school projects - one was a speech in which she received 1st place.  Mother had Grandmother's obituary which was in our area newspaper.  Mother also had  Grandma and Grandpa's marriage certificate (a copy) in hers and a few things related to Uncle Martin.  I have copied the marriage certificate to place in my "15 Main Street" and plan on looking closely at what she has related to Uncle Martin.  I may copy & include those also.

In going through the book this weekend I have been reminded of the Godly heritage we cousins have been given.  The aunts shared about growing up - quoting Scripture before eating a meal, trying to stump their father by reading a verse and then he would have to give them the Scripture reference from memory, one sister would start tapping a hymn on the headboard of her bed and the others would have to guess which hymn was being tapped.  We cousins also shared the memories we had of visiting 15 Main Street.  We each knew we were loved by our grandparents.  

Fond memories are not created by how much we spend on others but by the simple acts showing we love them.  

 

Isaac Voorhees VanLiew  

 August 11, 1811 - April 18, 1887

married January 8, 1834

 Catharine Lamoreaux VanLiew

June 14, 1816 -  April 16, 1886

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.