I was paying for a few grocery items at the (un-named) store this morning, and I chose to go through the "do it yourself" register... the "self scan" if you will.
After I set my bag of onions on the scale, and looked up the item code... "Onions, white"... I saw that it came up as .94/lb rather than the posted .88/lb.
WHY did I look?!! It was only three pounds of onions, so it is only .18 cents that I am talking about here.
I've done enough reading {about how big giant stores will have many scanning "errors" that never get corrected, because they count on the fact that most people will not go to the hassle of bringing up the incorrectness when it's usually just a few cents} that, even if I tried to just ignore the "few cents" of overcharge, I knew I wouldn't.
When a company does billions of dollars worth of business, and millions of people are paying just a few cents more than they are supposed to... well then... it needs to be addressed!
So I said to the Self Scan Monitor Woman, "these onions are supposed to be .88/lb and it's coming up .94/lb."
I had no intention of getting my 18 cents back, it just felt good to tell her... so that she knew that I KNEW.
But she smilingly came right over to my register with her badge in hand.
Which makes me think of the self-scan register at the local grocery store in the small town where my son & his family live... if you run into a snag there, the computer voice, which is about 50 times louder than it needs to be says "STAND BY!!! HELP IS ON THE WAY!!!!"
...this never fails to reduce me to giggles, and I always feel like standing at attention with a hopeful look on my face until someone rescues me!
Anyway, over she came and began to furiously touch all kinds of screen, describing to me exactly what she was doing, while I stood {helplessly} by.
"How much did it scan?"
".94"
"What is it supposed to be?"
".88"
...a few more touches, a few more times of clearing the screen, and it was obvious that what she was doing was not going to work. So she exasperatedly just typed in ONION and then asked me "how much is 3 times .88?"
Since I don't have the lightening fast calculating in my head speed that my husband does, my answer of $2.64 was not fast enough to suit her. "How much was the total scanned?" THAT I did not have to figure... but my answer of "$2.82" was still not quick enough for her.
She punched in, after ONIONS... $2.00... and that's what I paid for my produce.
"THERE!" she said, "you saved 82 cents... does that make you happy"??
"YES!! YES it does make me HAPPY!!!!"
Actually, I was quite content before all of this started too... and I only "saved" 64 cents.
But who's counting?
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Friday, December 7, 2012
throwing the baby out with the bathwater?
I used to watch a certain pastor on TV. The words he preached always seemed to "hit the mark". The few times that I tuned in, he seemed to be talking about something that I was struggling with. The preaching was so good to me that I thought I would buy a book that this pastor wrote.
So off to the bookstore I went, found the book and brought it home. Later, as I picked the book up to begin reading... I noticed the cover. Had I not noticed this when I bought the book?
There was nothing on the cover except the {short} title and a huge picture of the pastor. It kind of bugged me, but I didnt' dwell on it.
I mentioned this fact, about the cover photo, to a friend of mine who also reads this pastors material. I asked him if it wasn't a bit disconcerting that this guys mug was all over the cover of the book. His response was "well, it is kind of strange, but he has good things to say so I don't pay much attention to it"
Later I began subscribing to an email feed from this pastors ministry, because it's true... he does have good things to say.
But this morning I just unsubscribed. At the top of every email, there is a HUGE header, and it's shot of the pastor, who happens to be quite good looking, lounging in a comfy chair with what I deem to be a "come hither" smirk on his face.
I can't get past it! Something about how this guy has his face all over his ministry bugs the heck out of me. It takes away from any wise words he has to share! The church he leads is HUGE with thousands of members. So it would appear that God has blessed his ministry. So why does the visual focus always seem to be on this pastor?
I realize, obviously, that he can't put a picture of God on his books or his blogs, but does it have to be him?
I started thinking about several other "big time" pastors that I have read, or listened to. A few of them seem to follow this same bent... the visible focus, the "marketing strategy" of their ministry is themselves.
These people could be completely obedient servants of Christ, I don't know them personally, I don't know their hearts. They preach and teach what I would deem to be the truth of Gods word and how to live a Godly life... but there just seems to be a bit too much of themselves involved.
So I've decided to stop reading and listening to what this guy has to say. Am I throwing the baby out with the bathwater? Am I missing important truths that would benefit my spiritual journey?
Maybe.
But I prefer to learn from ministries in which the focus is totally on Jesus. The humility does not appear to be false. The authors name is on the book or the blog, but the focus is not their face. The focus is on what God has to say through them. When I finish reading what they've said, or listening to what they've taught or preached, I feel closer to God, I see Jesus more.
I don't see them smiling at me from a comfy chair.
So off to the bookstore I went, found the book and brought it home. Later, as I picked the book up to begin reading... I noticed the cover. Had I not noticed this when I bought the book?
There was nothing on the cover except the {short} title and a huge picture of the pastor. It kind of bugged me, but I didnt' dwell on it.
I mentioned this fact, about the cover photo, to a friend of mine who also reads this pastors material. I asked him if it wasn't a bit disconcerting that this guys mug was all over the cover of the book. His response was "well, it is kind of strange, but he has good things to say so I don't pay much attention to it"
Later I began subscribing to an email feed from this pastors ministry, because it's true... he does have good things to say.
But this morning I just unsubscribed. At the top of every email, there is a HUGE header, and it's shot of the pastor, who happens to be quite good looking, lounging in a comfy chair with what I deem to be a "come hither" smirk on his face.
I can't get past it! Something about how this guy has his face all over his ministry bugs the heck out of me. It takes away from any wise words he has to share! The church he leads is HUGE with thousands of members. So it would appear that God has blessed his ministry. So why does the visual focus always seem to be on this pastor?
I realize, obviously, that he can't put a picture of God on his books or his blogs, but does it have to be him?
I started thinking about several other "big time" pastors that I have read, or listened to. A few of them seem to follow this same bent... the visible focus, the "marketing strategy" of their ministry is themselves.
These people could be completely obedient servants of Christ, I don't know them personally, I don't know their hearts. They preach and teach what I would deem to be the truth of Gods word and how to live a Godly life... but there just seems to be a bit too much of themselves involved.
So I've decided to stop reading and listening to what this guy has to say. Am I throwing the baby out with the bathwater? Am I missing important truths that would benefit my spiritual journey?
Maybe.
But I prefer to learn from ministries in which the focus is totally on Jesus. The humility does not appear to be false. The authors name is on the book or the blog, but the focus is not their face. The focus is on what God has to say through them. When I finish reading what they've said, or listening to what they've taught or preached, I feel closer to God, I see Jesus more.
I don't see them smiling at me from a comfy chair.
Monday, December 3, 2012
Yikes!
My daughter and I have been talking for awhile about a blog that we could share. We would both be administrators and we would both make posts. It sounds like great fun!!!
Well now the rubber has hit the road. She is going to set it up. I just checked my "blogger dashboard" for this blog.
{the blog I've renewed my committment to for more times than I can recall!}
I have 6, SIX!! drafts that are waiting to be posted.
and I almost left the computer without posting this.
:)
Well now the rubber has hit the road. She is going to set it up. I just checked my "blogger dashboard" for this blog.
{the blog I've renewed my committment to for more times than I can recall!}
I have 6, SIX!! drafts that are waiting to be posted.
and I almost left the computer without posting this.
:)
Monday, October 15, 2012
When did this happen?
I heard, quite frequently in my younger years, many of my aunts, and my mom, and my grandma say "I don't know where the time went." or "I look in the mirror and I can't believe what I see!!" or "I know I'm older, but I still feel the same inside."
...you get the idea. I don't recall hearing anything like this from my dad, or my uncles, or my grandpa. I think it's just because they really didn't talk much... unless it was to say "bring me a sandwich" or "hey, how 'bout those Cubs? this is our year!" or ...no, that's about it.
Recently, I have caught myself thinking or saying the exact same thing! What is it about getting older that seems to surprise us so much?
When I look in the mirror, I see me, I look the same as I always have. But when I see a picture of myself, Yikes!!! Who IS that?
I've been dying my hair for quite a few years... and I've decided to let it all grow out so I can see just how much gray hair has sprouted. I doubt if I'll make it much longer. (I mean, I don't think I'll make it much longer until I get my hair dyed again!) There is way too much gray on my head. I don't mind gray hair, and I will wear it proudly... just not now. Thank you dear God, for hair dye.
There! just the fact that I said hair "dye" instead of hair "color" shows my age. And I'm married to a man who says "lavatory" instead of "sink".
I forget sometimes. I have to ask my husband or my children how old I am. It's not such a great idea to ask my hubby... he's older than I am and can barely remember his own age. He recently told me that I was 59, and argued with me when I told him I wasn't!! I didn't argue vehemently, because he had me wondering there for a minute, until he realized... "no wait! '59 is the year you were born, not your age."
Okay then.
The other night we were at a friends house, it happened to be her birthday. There were several in the group there and we were discussing our birth dates... I was aghast to find out how old all of our friends are!!! Like I said, I forget sometimes. Of course our friends are old, we're old! It was the same shock I got when we were invited to join the "over 50" group at church.
Sometimes I say things... and then I wonder, "can I say that? ...should someone my age say something like that?" There are people on this earth who call me "grandma". Should grandmas say the things I say?
A good baker?!!? What makes someone look like they would be a good baker?!
and what kind of someone tells someone they look like they would be a good baker?!!?
A youngster, that's who! A kid who has no respect for the elderly.
...you get the idea. I don't recall hearing anything like this from my dad, or my uncles, or my grandpa. I think it's just because they really didn't talk much... unless it was to say "bring me a sandwich" or "hey, how 'bout those Cubs? this is our year!" or ...no, that's about it.
Recently, I have caught myself thinking or saying the exact same thing! What is it about getting older that seems to surprise us so much?
When I look in the mirror, I see me, I look the same as I always have. But when I see a picture of myself, Yikes!!! Who IS that?
I've been dying my hair for quite a few years... and I've decided to let it all grow out so I can see just how much gray hair has sprouted. I doubt if I'll make it much longer. (I mean, I don't think I'll make it much longer until I get my hair dyed again!) There is way too much gray on my head. I don't mind gray hair, and I will wear it proudly... just not now. Thank you dear God, for hair dye.
There! just the fact that I said hair "dye" instead of hair "color" shows my age. And I'm married to a man who says "lavatory" instead of "sink".
I forget sometimes. I have to ask my husband or my children how old I am. It's not such a great idea to ask my hubby... he's older than I am and can barely remember his own age. He recently told me that I was 59, and argued with me when I told him I wasn't!! I didn't argue vehemently, because he had me wondering there for a minute, until he realized... "no wait! '59 is the year you were born, not your age."
Okay then.
The other night we were at a friends house, it happened to be her birthday. There were several in the group there and we were discussing our birth dates... I was aghast to find out how old all of our friends are!!! Like I said, I forget sometimes. Of course our friends are old, we're old! It was the same shock I got when we were invited to join the "over 50" group at church.
Sometimes I say things... and then I wonder, "can I say that? ...should someone my age say something like that?" There are people on this earth who call me "grandma". Should grandmas say the things I say?
- I do NOT go up or down steps unless I look at them first... and a railing is just an extra bonus!
- After soaping up in the shower, I don't turn around to rinse unless I have my hand on the wall.
- When I ride my bike, I ALWAYS wear my helmet!
- If something is on sale at the grocery store, I stock up!!
- Toothpicks have become a necessity.
- I've developed a very methodical way of getting up after I've been sitting on the floor. (at least I can still sit on the floor, right?!
A good baker?!!? What makes someone look like they would be a good baker?!
and what kind of someone tells someone they look like they would be a good baker?!!?
A youngster, that's who! A kid who has no respect for the elderly.
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Speak up? ...or SHUTTY! ?
I've got a lot of life experience under my belt (as well as more adipose tissue than I would like) and as the years go by, I often find myself amazed at how my perspective on so many things has changed.
Like what is and isn't appropriate to be spoken out loud.
When I graduated from college I did not attend the large gathering of the entire university... instead I chose to attend only the smaller group from the college of dentistry... it was more personal. It was so personal that after the official walk across stage and conferring of the degree, my class had a program and dinner together.
Awards were handed out... awards and "awards".
I won the "Miss Tell it Like it Is" "award". A fairly accurate assessment on what came out of my mouth back then.
I'm still a staunch of supporter of "telling it like it is" only these days my sincere desire is to "tell the truth in love".
Sometimes that means keeping my mouth closed.
Sometimes that means having a difficult conversation.
I always ask myself a question before I speak if what I have to say falls under the category of "difficult".
Do I want to say it because it is going to be for the benefit of the person who is going to hear it?
Or do I want to say it because it's going to make me feel better to get it off my chest? This has been a very good gauge for me to determine whether I should speak what's on my mind concerning another person.
"Don't use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them." Ephesians 4:29 (NLT)
I like the NIV translation of this verse too... because it emphasizes someone elses benefit, not my own.
"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen."
A book I read a few years ago, "Fierce Conversations" by Susan Scott, was very helpful to me. In it she says "While no single conversation is guaranteed to change the trajectory of a career, a business, a marriage, or a life, any single conversation can."
One truly does not know how specific words and conversations will affect someones thinking and in turn, their life... words are powerful.
The old saying "Sticks and stones can break my bones, but words will never hurt me" is a big load of crap, straight from the pit of hell. Careless words hurt people.
Like what is and isn't appropriate to be spoken out loud.
When I graduated from college I did not attend the large gathering of the entire university... instead I chose to attend only the smaller group from the college of dentistry... it was more personal. It was so personal that after the official walk across stage and conferring of the degree, my class had a program and dinner together.
Awards were handed out... awards and "awards".
I won the "Miss Tell it Like it Is" "award". A fairly accurate assessment on what came out of my mouth back then.
I'm still a staunch of supporter of "telling it like it is" only these days my sincere desire is to "tell the truth in love".
Sometimes that means keeping my mouth closed.
Sometimes that means having a difficult conversation.
I always ask myself a question before I speak if what I have to say falls under the category of "difficult".
Do I want to say it because it is going to be for the benefit of the person who is going to hear it?
Or do I want to say it because it's going to make me feel better to get it off my chest? This has been a very good gauge for me to determine whether I should speak what's on my mind concerning another person.
"Don't use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them." Ephesians 4:29 (NLT)
I like the NIV translation of this verse too... because it emphasizes someone elses benefit, not my own.
"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen."
A book I read a few years ago, "Fierce Conversations" by Susan Scott, was very helpful to me. In it she says "While no single conversation is guaranteed to change the trajectory of a career, a business, a marriage, or a life, any single conversation can."
One truly does not know how specific words and conversations will affect someones thinking and in turn, their life... words are powerful.
The old saying "Sticks and stones can break my bones, but words will never hurt me" is a big load of crap, straight from the pit of hell. Careless words hurt people.
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Change?
This is going to sound silly, but it's true. I've been thinking about my blog almost every day, several times a day, for the past couple of months. I am shocked to see that it has been seven months since I posted anything new. Self-discipline has never been one of my strong points. I do a lot of journaling and that may be part of the reason I don't write on my blog very often.
God gave me a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. It's time I believed and accepted. With Gods grace, I intend on changing some things.
Changing the frequency with which I blog is a small thing. But when you can be successful at changing small things, it's encouragement and motivation for changing bigger things.
I don't think that blogging is as popular as it once was, but there are still a lot of bloggers out there, and I enjoy reading/commenting on a few. I especially enjoy the blogs that my daughter and my daughter-in-law write. I think that sometimes we can be more precise and more clear and more personal when we write, at least that's the case with me, and so I enjoy reading others thoughts and writing my own down. I hope that when I begin to blog more frequently, more of my friends and family, and maybe even people I don't know will follow my blog... and make some comments.
I do love a good discussion... or even a good argue-scussions, as my brother-in-law calls them!
I've been thinking about the name of my blog. I admit it seems a very strange title, perhaps offensive to some, and seemingly having nothing to do with anything I've written, or might write. I smile or chuckle nearly everytime I look at the title, and the picture that is posted up there near it is greatly amusing to me.
Is it too silly? Is it offensive? Should I change it?
Most of all, I want words I say (or write) to be pleasing to God, and so I've been praying, asking God... and listening to what He might have to say about it... is the title of my blog offensive to you Lord?
Honestly, I haven't been convicted one way or another. A couple of years ago, when I first decided to start a blog, this is the title that came to my mind. At that time I prayed about it too. I have a vivid memory of getting the go-ahead from the Lord. :) I am not a fan of cuss words and there are many words that lots of people use as part of their everyday language that I find highly offensive. However "ass" is not one of them. I imagine some people find the word offensive.
Also, the reference to one's weight, and obsession with how one looks could be deemed insensitive. I've never been all that concerned about my weight and I've not been bothered greatly by how my ass looks, fat or not. When it concerns myself, I tend to call a spade a spade, and I sometimes forget that one's weight is a very painful subject for some. I really don't want to make light of it, regardless of my own personal thoughts on my own personal ass.
One of my most favorite things are typos, play on word type of jokes, mixed up words, and speaking/writing one thing when you actually mean another. This title employs all of those entertaining tidbits.
So... should I change the title of my blog?
I have no idea, right now, if I should or if I shouldn't. And I also think that right now, it doesn't matter... it may never. Until I am convicted one way or another, I'll leave it.
As always, I'm amazed at my ability to talk a lot about nothing! Imagine how it will be when I talk about something! And I will! I hope that others will join me here.
God gave me a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. It's time I believed and accepted. With Gods grace, I intend on changing some things.
Changing the frequency with which I blog is a small thing. But when you can be successful at changing small things, it's encouragement and motivation for changing bigger things.
I don't think that blogging is as popular as it once was, but there are still a lot of bloggers out there, and I enjoy reading/commenting on a few. I especially enjoy the blogs that my daughter and my daughter-in-law write. I think that sometimes we can be more precise and more clear and more personal when we write, at least that's the case with me, and so I enjoy reading others thoughts and writing my own down. I hope that when I begin to blog more frequently, more of my friends and family, and maybe even people I don't know will follow my blog... and make some comments.
I do love a good discussion... or even a good argue-scussions, as my brother-in-law calls them!
I've been thinking about the name of my blog. I admit it seems a very strange title, perhaps offensive to some, and seemingly having nothing to do with anything I've written, or might write. I smile or chuckle nearly everytime I look at the title, and the picture that is posted up there near it is greatly amusing to me.
Is it too silly? Is it offensive? Should I change it?
Most of all, I want words I say (or write) to be pleasing to God, and so I've been praying, asking God... and listening to what He might have to say about it... is the title of my blog offensive to you Lord?
Honestly, I haven't been convicted one way or another. A couple of years ago, when I first decided to start a blog, this is the title that came to my mind. At that time I prayed about it too. I have a vivid memory of getting the go-ahead from the Lord. :) I am not a fan of cuss words and there are many words that lots of people use as part of their everyday language that I find highly offensive. However "ass" is not one of them. I imagine some people find the word offensive.
Also, the reference to one's weight, and obsession with how one looks could be deemed insensitive. I've never been all that concerned about my weight and I've not been bothered greatly by how my ass looks, fat or not. When it concerns myself, I tend to call a spade a spade, and I sometimes forget that one's weight is a very painful subject for some. I really don't want to make light of it, regardless of my own personal thoughts on my own personal ass.
One of my most favorite things are typos, play on word type of jokes, mixed up words, and speaking/writing one thing when you actually mean another. This title employs all of those entertaining tidbits.
So... should I change the title of my blog?
I have no idea, right now, if I should or if I shouldn't. And I also think that right now, it doesn't matter... it may never. Until I am convicted one way or another, I'll leave it.
As always, I'm amazed at my ability to talk a lot about nothing! Imagine how it will be when I talk about something! And I will! I hope that others will join me here.
Thursday, January 26, 2012
perspective
"Many of us have the blessed privilege of being at the same time mother and child, able to let the one interpret the other to us until our understanding of both is full and rich." - Laura Ingalls Wilder
I had a fun telephone conversation with my mom this morning, and I also received a wonderful email from my daughter. As so often happens, they were both on my mind... and I mused... what an interesting time of my life this is, being both a mom and a daughter.
When I am with my mom I often find myself feeling like a child again. A longing fills my heart to hear her say "I love you" and give me a hug, and I wish that I could bask in the shadow of her protection, free from responsibility.
But when I am with my daughter, who will always be my little girl no matter how old she is, my heart aches to protect her from pain & suffering. I want to gather her on my lap, and never let her go.
At the same time I see how my mom could have done more for me, I see also, how much more I could have done for my daughter. If I notice anything in the attitude of my daughter toward me, that I wish was different, I turn my thoughts and wonder if there is, in my ways toward my own mother, room for improvement?
I remember that, while I fell short many times in meeting my daughters needs, there was absolutely nothing that I wouldn't have done to insure her well-being and despite my faults, I did the best I knew how at the time. Much of my best came from the love my mom had for me as I was growing up.
Perhaps her love wasn't shown always in a way that would have been best for me, but it was the best she knew how at the time. During a recent conversation, my mom said to me that there was not a mother on earth that loved her children more than she did. Words deep with emotion that struck my heart, not only for the girl in me, but for the mother in me as well. I often wonder if my daughter understands how much she is loved by me.
As my daughter has grown into adulthood, no longer am I curious about my mom's concern for her adult daughter! An appreciation for, and understanding of, her position and feelings toward me continues to be fresh... as I learn how to relate to my daughter as the adult she is. I trust that in the light of my experience, and in the test of passing years, clarity will continue.
I am a daughter and a mom, and I believe my relationship with each of them is better because of the other.
Yes, it's indeed a blessed season in my life.
.
I had a fun telephone conversation with my mom this morning, and I also received a wonderful email from my daughter. As so often happens, they were both on my mind... and I mused... what an interesting time of my life this is, being both a mom and a daughter.
When I am with my mom I often find myself feeling like a child again. A longing fills my heart to hear her say "I love you" and give me a hug, and I wish that I could bask in the shadow of her protection, free from responsibility.
But when I am with my daughter, who will always be my little girl no matter how old she is, my heart aches to protect her from pain & suffering. I want to gather her on my lap, and never let her go.
At the same time I see how my mom could have done more for me, I see also, how much more I could have done for my daughter. If I notice anything in the attitude of my daughter toward me, that I wish was different, I turn my thoughts and wonder if there is, in my ways toward my own mother, room for improvement?
I remember that, while I fell short many times in meeting my daughters needs, there was absolutely nothing that I wouldn't have done to insure her well-being and despite my faults, I did the best I knew how at the time. Much of my best came from the love my mom had for me as I was growing up.
Perhaps her love wasn't shown always in a way that would have been best for me, but it was the best she knew how at the time. During a recent conversation, my mom said to me that there was not a mother on earth that loved her children more than she did. Words deep with emotion that struck my heart, not only for the girl in me, but for the mother in me as well. I often wonder if my daughter understands how much she is loved by me.
As my daughter has grown into adulthood, no longer am I curious about my mom's concern for her adult daughter! An appreciation for, and understanding of, her position and feelings toward me continues to be fresh... as I learn how to relate to my daughter as the adult she is. I trust that in the light of my experience, and in the test of passing years, clarity will continue.
I am a daughter and a mom, and I believe my relationship with each of them is better because of the other.
Yes, it's indeed a blessed season in my life.
.
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