Beauty & the Beast

Sometimes life is all about focus. What we choose to deal with/focus on determines our attitude. That attitude helps determine our quality of life.

Yesterday I just about died when a snotty 20 something trucker decided his right to exceed the speed limit overrode any concerns for my safety. It's a considerably longer story but the end analysis is (and this is a true "hat's off to road rage" moment)... if I'd had a handgun in the glove compartment you might be reading about me in the newspaper today, but (thankfully) I didn't - so you won't.

However, shortly after that, while running an errand I stopped by a small hardware store that has operated in our area for years and years. I cruised in with minutes to spare before their closing time. Was greeted with a smile, a polite 17 year old salesman, and a watchful boss. I spent a pleasant five minutes as the young man guided me through the aisles, found my part for the flashlight, offered to remove the shattered bulb, cleaned everything up, replaced the bulb and packed up the spare for me. All the while being charmingly conversant, helpful and when I commented on some of their displays and mentioned that they'd be great stocking stuffers - with the ease of a born salesman he pointed out other items that I might be interested in as he walked me to the door. Granted, my young man was probably the owners son but for the $3.57 spent I got the full meal deal. I was impressed by him. I was a very happy customer. I'll be back for those stocking stuffers.

Two young men.  Both doing their "jobs." Night and day. I could focus on my desire to mangle the first one's stiff middle finger or let it go and let my heart swell with hope for tomorrow because of a 17 year old boy.

I choose the latter.
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Bumper Snicker

         "I love you more today than yesterday." 

 

                                          "Seriously...

                       Yesterday you annoyed the hell out of me."
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I'm In Love

Ummmmm ....

The container from Costco is labeled: McCormick Gourmet Collection, Table Grind, Malabar Black Pepper. Vine Ripened on India's Tropical Malabar Coast, these peppercorns have a clean, bold bite and fruity aroma that complement savory and sweet foods.

What?

You know, I've bought pepper and other spices in bulk from Costco for a long time. Never had any complaints about them. They're functional and cost effective. And other than identifying what's in the jar, can, etc. I seldom read the entire label.

This time though, I looked at the label and wondered "what's Malabar?" Humph. Opened it, looked at it, tasted it. Yup, looks and tastes like pepper and then the smell....

Oh my heavens. What is that glorious smell. It was rich, it was fruity, it was - it's hard to describe the complex delight that hit my olfactory senses, it was....my!

Pepper?

Yup, pepper. Not just any pepper mind you. Malabar Black Pepper or Pimienta Negra Malabar Molido De Mesa, if you will.

Excuse me if I don't get up when you come in. I'll  be a little busy sniffing my pepper. I think it's  going to be my new favorite hobby.
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Rudolph, Is That You?

Wednesday nite. Mutual. I'm up @ the Ward Bldg. doing geneology. The Teachers & Priests are playing Capture the Flag. My son wants to borrow the church keys so he can open the utility areas so they can hide.   ?????    Ummm, no. See son, they are locked for a reason. People on one side, mechanical stuff, wiring on the other...both sides safe. (Especially the side that has the: 14-17 year old, I can't remember where I left my brain today, male types...)

15 minutes later. The echo of heavy, running footsteps reverberate through the ceiling. Didn't make it into the utility areas. Noooooo. Instead they're on top of the building. The tall building. The one with the steep chapel. Then a loud thwump & scuffle as they trip followed immediately by all three computers crashing.

BISHOP!!!!  "Please get your young men off the roof."

The poor man gets this look on his face and goes to track down our intrepid teens. Then  thump, thump, thump, the miscreants clomp back to the side to get down. Bishop comes back and reports..."they're okay, nothing happened, they didn't fall or trip or anything..."

????

"Uh, yeah they did. We heard them stumble, plus it appears they took out the satellite wire for the internet."

He gets that look on his face again...Leaves. Clomp, clomp, clomp on the roof again. When he finally reappears he asks, "Everything good here?"

"Yeah, but...I thought it had been made clear to them that the roof wasn't a play place???"

"Yes. We have to keep reminding them though. They forget."
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Cynic

Oh goodness. I just cruised some Mommy Blogs. They are so happy. So full of hope.  So impossibly ...young.

And then there is me ... and my editorials:

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Crab Cakes

My. I have been crabby lately. But the upside is - letting off steam here makes me able to be sooooo much sweeter there. Yes, I'm batting my eyelashes and going all Southern Belle on y'all.

LOL

Kittens. Let's talk about kittens. Is there anything sweeter than a 6 week old kitten???

So we found homes for five of One Ear's babies and are currently keeping two - Blackie & Tippers. (If you look close, you'll find all seven. Blackie has crawled on top of one of his siblings and the only thing you can see is an extra Siamese ear sticking out by Tipper's head.) Have been bringing them inside to play with them and socialize them. They are hilarious to watch. Tipper's has a little size on Blackie. Blackie is kinda like the scrawny street tough and Tippers is the chubby nerd.

I pulled them both up into my lap. Blackie was tormenting Tippers. Finally just sunk his teeth into Tippers ripe, juicy bottom and liked to tear a big ol' hunk out of his hind end. I pulled Blackie off and Tippers immediately turned to face him, reversed until his vulnerable backside was firmly snugged down in the crook of my arm, opened his mouth and CHOMPED down on Blackie's tail.

Never mind the saying about "revenge being a dish best served cold."  Immediate gratification appears to be the watch word phrase of the day!
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Really?

During scripture reading this morning I highlighted 1 Thessalonians 5:15 which says: 

"See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men."

Okay, quit laughing. Obviously I spend a fair amount of time thinking about letting the air out of peoples tires, BUT I DON'T DO IT. Still I get no points, in my book,  because I figure if I were a really good person the thought wouldn't cross my mind...sigh.

Unfortunately it does. But! I usually get over myself on the way to getting even. Hopefully Heavenly Father appreciates (cringe) my restraint. Still, I've spent some time this week shaking my head at people and their antics so... why stop now?

Last night attended a seminar by a local gal named Kathy James. She is always very informative and I look forward to learning about the subjects she presents.

There were ~ 80 people in attendance. She wasn't quite set up and was asking for help to complete small tasks so we could get under way. You've seen in a large group, I'm sure, when a request is made, people kinda look at each other and it takes a few seconds for someone to pop up and volunteer. That's normal. There was a small space of time so I got up to work on the first task and one or two other people started on others. No big deal.

It was a very nice program and at its conclusion she requested additional help with cleanup,  so I put my supplies and papers in a pile and went to do my part. One of those many hands make light work.

Now in every group you've always got the folks who have other obligations and they hit the door running. Too hip, gotta go. I understand. Totally. I, myself, have nothing better to do with my time than pick up after you so - why not?

However, what really chapped my hide was when I went back to my belongings.....the handout that I had carefully place underneath/with, the rest of my stuff was gone. No, it hadn't fluttered to the floor or been accidently misplaced. It was gone. Here we were in a throng of good, church going women and someone has sticky fingers.

Really?  

Yes, I know there weren't any more handouts left on the table but the paper you stole borrowed was so obviously already taken ....

Excuse me while I take a moment to hyperventilate...

ARGGGH!  What's up with some people?  Okay, fume, rant, rave.

I'm thru now.

Really.

Except...

Hey.  You. Yeh. I'm talk to you. The one who has my orignial handout?  

 Ummm, you wouldn't know where my 9x13 pan from the last church function is??????????
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