I just finished reading my son's (Ralphd00d's) blog about stopping over here the other day. It made me smile as I read and remembered his visit - for whatever reason he was out in this area - it brought me joy then, and it brought me joy again as I read his story of it. I really had to smile at the dialogue he shared with his wife. My child!
I had a great lunch with my boss yesterday down in Tempe and a good trip there and back. It's about 45 miles one way. I took my time coming back and stopped to get my car washed. I decided to go with the 'unlimited' washings because I like my car clean. It had gotten pretty bad. I can go as many times as I want each month, for the price I would pay for one car wash. Win-win. The inside of my car doesn't get too bad - mainly the front seat where feet get on the carpet, and in the back/trunk area where I place anything I'm buying - groceries, plants, boxes, etc. I had dirt back there from the plants I had bought on Sunday It had been over a month since my car was washed and driving in the rain (when we had it before), had left dirt spots all over the car. It looks so nice now.
Peoria Ford keeps calling me and leaving voicemails, and sending letters, and even sending emails - wanting me to trade in my car for a newer one. Nope. Not going to happen. It's a 2017; I bought it in 2020 and I can't remember the mileage it had then - less than 20K I think - but I have about 40,480 miles on it now. I keep up with the oil changes, tire rotations, etc. And, I don't drive it that much. And even better - I had it paid off in a little over a year by applying all I could towards it. It costs me nothing but gas and upkeep. And it's a gorgeous blue. Why would I want to trade it in for a newer, different color, car when I'd then have a car payment? Naw, not going to happen. I quit taking their phone calls; throw the mail away (after checking to see what they are trying to bribe me with - last time was $1500 over what I still owed on my car. Well, duh, it's paid for.), and emails I just delete.
I have numerous emails to take care of today for work and daggone it - the chair of the board I have to take minutes at decided to take that week off on vacation and I have to move that board meeting - and I can not find any dates andMy times that will work. I'm hoping I can get my boss to just cancel it. The next one is August 9th. But I have looked through May and June and there just isn't any time available. Will see if he makes me overlap meetings to get it in. Got to take care of it today.
My daughter took me to a new salad place last night - I would go there again. It's called Salad World and it's at 83rd & Cactus. You go in and choose what size you want (regular $9.99 or large $12.99) and trust me, regular is big enough for me - and I love salad! You tell them what kind of lettuce you want - they have 4 trays of different kinds, I think. Then there is cut up fruit if you want that added. Then they have about 36 (?) different kinds of toppings. Now mind you, the toppings are cut in very small pieces - like 1/2 inch squares, and they only put one tablespoon in the metal bowl they are adding everything to. Then you add meat - ham; chicken; steak; - again, in very small pieces for $1.99. There is also a lot of different kinds of nuts to add. Then you tell them what kind of dressing you want, either on the salad or on the side, and they stir it all up together and put in the plastic container to give to you. AND, on Tuesdays they have 2 for $22, including the protein. We really didn't save as we both got the regular size, numerous toppings (all free) and the chicken (normally $1.99) - so for us it was about the same cost. But the salad was very good. I would go back. I had a salad for lunch that was smaller, at the restaurant, and it was $11.25 I think - and I enjoyed this one just as much. I told hubby about it so you know he has to go because he always wants to experience the things I do.
I read a former pastor's blog this morning and he mentioned he was in Ohio to do a funeral of a young woman who had passed away. She was born on the day of the Oklahoma bombing which left 168 dead and over 600 wounded. He shared about the tragedy of that bombing - and yet, here was this child born that very day. He talked about how this young woman, now grown and married, had a smile on her face always; was always so full of life. He didn't say how she passed away, or what happened, but that she lived life. And loved life. Reminds me of 'The Dash' story. Do you remember it?
The Dash (by Linda Ellis)
I read of a man who stood to speak / at the funeral of a friend / He referred to the dates on the tombstone / from the beginning.... to the end.
He noted that first came the date of birth / and spoke the following date with tears, / But he said what mattered most of all / Was the dash between those years.
For that dash represents all the time / That they spent alive on earth. / And now only those who loved them / Know what that little line is worth.
For it matters not, how much we own, / The cars...the house...the cash. / What matters is how we live and love / And how we spend our dash.
So, think about this long and hard. / Are there things you'd like to change? / For you never know how much time is left / That still can be rearranged.
If we could just slow down enough / To consider what's true and real / And always try to understand / The way other people feel.
And be less quick to anger / And show appreciation more / And love the people in our lives / Like we've never loved before.
If we treat each other with respect / And more often wear a smile, / Remembering this special dash / Might only last a little while.
So, when your eulogy is being read / With your life's actions to rehash..... / Would you be proud of the things they say / About how you spent YOUR dash?
Blessings!
