J.J. Devine's Blog, page 18
January 26, 2018
My early early...
Good morning, everyone!!!It's my early early weekend again. So yes, I'm up hours before the sun wakes up. Fortunately, we were able to fire back up the fountain pop and coffee makers yesterday :) So all is right with the world once again :)
The big boss was there yesterday checking things out :) Our store got 100% which is so exciting for us. We're his first store to receive a 100% so that makes us super happy :) They have a check list they come in and go over every so often to ensure we are up to par, we managed to have everything on this check list in order :)
We have one more change coming in the very near future, cooler reset. Then we should be good for another year :) So, that means we'll have another reset to do on our back stock, fun fun. But it's all good :)
Just three more work days before I get three days off!!! Then work a day and two days off :) I sorta like these days off falling this way. Feels like little mini vacations in between my work days.
I have already decided what work gets done over this time off. I'm getting things in my upstairs office put back together so I can get back to using the walking machine on a daily basis. Something I should have been doing for awhile now, but will get back to it without question and after some major organizing :)
It's definitely good to have days off after my early early shifts. It gives me time to catch up and rest up before I get back to the bump and grind of regular work days.
Then there is this writing with other authors a few days a week. This week I didn't get as many words in as I would have liked, however, the second day instead of writing I did some major research on a topic I would like to incorporate into a new idea. Not that I will be writing this one anytime soon, there's a ton more research to do, but the desire was strong enough that I needed to begin the research just because :)
Well it is almost time for this old girl to get to work. So I guess I should really stop rambling and get ready to start this day.
Everyone have a lovely day!!!
Blessings to all!!!
Positivity does make a difference...
Good morning, everyone!!!I received what I would consider a very wonderful compliment yesterday. Maybe it stood out in the midst of all this negative surrounding our days lately, or maybe it stood out because this person went out of their way to say something.
It started off with them saying, "You may find this odd coming from a complete stranger..."
This alone made me smile, because even though I may not know each and every customer by their given name, I know my regulars by face each and every day. I know if you come into my store or if you've never been in on my shift. So for this person to say, 'complete stranger' well I just don't consider them that because I see them quite often.
Anyway...
As they proceeded to finish they mentioned they look forward to seeing me each morning to start their day. I always have a smile to greet everyone coming through the door, with a good morning and how are you today. Followed up by have a lovely day.
This person said it changes their entire day when I'm working. That when I'm not working it makes them a bit sad. Even though my girl that works in my place does her very best, they said it is not the same.
I'm told I bring a bit of positive to their day, making the rest of the day look a little brighter.
Customers have teased me in the past about my positive attitude and bright nature. Yet, this one stood out. I really believe this one stood out because so many have come in over the last few days so angry, so upset, and of course we get the brunt of this. So to have someone say something nice in the midst of this was refreshing.
We have a few different customers that drive miles past other stores just to come to our store. Of course they make sure we know this. They like how personable we are at our store. The truth of the matter is we enjoy being personable. A customer the other day seen us getting things for regular customers without the customer asking. Her comment was, "I want my order known like that."
Now mind you, every day is not sunshine and roses. Yes, we all have our bad days, even those of us who work my store. We get upset, we get angry, we even want to lash out at times. However, our customers are not a target, but people just trying to get what they need and get on with their day.
Greeting them, being pleasant, and positive is something I always feel is a must. It can turn a bad day for someone around. You don't know what life is like for someone outside your doors, so be mindful of your words. If you greet others in a positive manner, it may just turn your own day around.
This doesn't just apply to those who work with the public, but everyone in general. Smile at a stranger. Say good morning or good afternoon. Let the vibes you put off be of positive nature. It may just give you a brighter outlook on the world around you.
Everyone have a lovely day!!!
Blessings to all!!!
January 25, 2018
Kindness is a choice...
Good morning, everyone!!!This week has brought to the table opportunities to witness some pretty hateful aspects to human nature. Aspects that are these days all too common. Kindness and respect for others has taken a backseat in society anymore. No one practices think before you speak anymore. That is too sad.
Why does everyone feel it is their right to belittle and degrade people around them for things beyond anyone's control? As if belittling and degrading someone is their god given right?
Beyond popular belief, being angry, mean, and hateful to others is not your right. Your right is to calm down before trying to have a conversation with someone. Your right is to practice being an adult when adult situations happen. Your right is to try to find solutions not make a problem worse.
This week we had a horrible water main break in our town. The entire town ended up with no water for a short period of time. In that time the cops had to be called to settle customers down at the water office, my staff had to deal with people screaming at them because they couldn't get their fountain pop, and the likes. What the hell, people????
It is sad that people's lives have become so dependent on store bought sodas that they have to express their feelings in anger towards people who have no control over the situation.
Let's look at this rationally...
It was not like someone in the town said, oh let's get people fired up today, let's go break a main and see how many people we can get riled up.
First of all, it is winter in Indiana. We live in a very old town. They cannot go through the town digging up streets and replacing all the water pipes that feed our homes on a whim. People bitch about water bills now, what would happen if the town decided, we need to re plumb the entire town and update all the pipes??? I can tell you what would happen, more anger, more hate, more bullshit.
So when a main breaks, they work tirelessly to fix it. After hours if necessary just to ensure you have water feeding into your home. I'm sure these guys would rather be home in their warm houses, in the middle of January, rather than soaking wet, in the cold, working on pipelines. But does anyone think about that? No, they think about themselves and their own wants and needs with no thought to others whatsoever.
After water is shut off in a town, a water boil goes into effect. Because of course the town just wants to make things that more difficult for it's customers. No, because it is a safety issue.
When our town is under a water boil, for your safety and health, my store shuts down all water based machines. We have no way to boil enough water to run a coffee maker, a cappuccino machine, a fountain pop machine, froster machines, or iced coffee machines. But instead of thinking about this, you would rather come in screaming and yelling versus understanding we are doing this for your health and safety, rather than trying to find a way to piss you off.
I wish we lived in a world today where people just thought before they opened their mouths. Where people practice a little kindness and consideration, versus the opposite.
The girls who work at the water department know there are problems. They've been working tirelessly to fix these problems. They came into a mess when they took over and no nothing in this life is perfect. However, these girls deserve a little respect and kindness for all they do. They don't deserve people screaming at them for things they have no control over.
If your water bill is way up there, ask yourself, how can I cut back. I hear people saying my water bill is $300 and there are only one or two people living in the household. I also hear others say, my bill is $150 for a family of five. I honestly do not believe a family of five can live cheaper on water than a family of one or two. So, how are the one or two using their water, do you have a water leak? What are your water habits? Be somewhat responsible for those actions. And by no means do you have the right to scream at someone who doesn't use your water because they print and mail your bill. If you have a question on your bill, go up and talk to the ladies like they are people. Sit down with them, go over your bill, learn what is going on. Things go so much smoother when you actually talk out an issue not scream at someone.
Society has become so dependent on screaming and yelling they forget they have some control over their lives. It is not always someone else's fault. It saddens me to see how negative society has become. How placing the blame instead of taking responsibility is so common place.
I looked through some pictures yesterday on how children were raised in previous generations. The writer of the captions actually thought some of these pictures should appall it's readers. I laughed to myself. All I could think is you poor thing, you were never given the chance to live if you think children going to play with neighbor kids, the kid walking alone to the neighbor's house, was something to be appalled about.
Society has become weak. We blame instead of taking responsibility or action. By taking action I do not mean protesting every little thing, but sitting down finding a solution and working toward making that solution happen. Protesting to me is just a glorified way of sitting around the kitchen table complaining about the problem without fixing it. More public, but still the same results.
Society has become so dependent on someone else fixing the problem, they've forgotten how to fix issues. How to look at things rationally, and how to take some responsibility upon themselves.
So maybe today, try putting the complaining aside. The whining, the bellyaching, and the hate. Try finding solutions, try using a bit of kindness and thinking about what comes out of your mouth. If a solution cannot be found, then maybe try looking for the positive side of things. Just because you're in a bad mood, does not give you the right to be hurtful and hateful to others.
Stepping off my soapbox now...
Everyone have a good day!!!
Blessings to all!!!
January 24, 2018
Happy Birthday in Heaven, my angel...
Good morning, everyone!!!Today would be my lovely angel granddaughter's fifth birthday. They say time heals all wounds, but the loss of a grandchild is one of those deep seeded wounds one can never quite get past. No, I don't spend every day in mourning, but everyday her short lived life is still very present in my soul. Even though time goes by and she should be a preschooler in life, she is now forever that tiny little girl who impacted my life in such a way that I am forever altered.
The day she was born I was sitting with my daughter and hubby in a hospital room. We had been trying for weeks to keep her inside the warmth of her mother where she would have a better chance of living life when she did come into the world. The monitors would go crazy if you mentioned chocolate cake, :) So we had brought her mother a lava cake for dessert that day. Because grandma's little angel loved when mommy ate chocolate cake.
I will be forever grateful to the quick reacting doctor who brought her into this world. Otherwise, today would not only be the day of her birth, but the death of her and her mother.
I remember like yesterday the first time I laid eyes on her just a few short hours later. Tubes and monitors, a baby cave, diaper, and no blankets. I was so worried she would get cold, but was assured the baby cave was quite warm. She was so tiny. Her head no bigger than one of those 'cuties' oranges.
I am a firm believer in miracles, but somehow even then I knew this little girl would only have a short time on this earth. She came down from Heaven with a message and then she would be gone.
What was her message?
It was to remind me life is way too short to put off until tomorrow. To love with all your heart even if you know your heart will be broken in the end. That when you are brought to your knees you can still rise and come out stronger than you ever imagined.
When faced with a pain in your soul such as knowing you are powerless to stop what God has started, you buckle under the pressure. I will never forget trying to act strong and inside feeling so helpless and powerless. I remember the night I just knew and how the pain was so horrible I wasn't sure I would make it until the next day. I didn't want to bear that pain. I didn't know how.
I cried out to my ancestors who've gone before us. I begged them to help ease the pain of knowing my little angel would soon be with them. I needed to know she wouldn't be going into the abyss alone. That she has people to love her and care for her in the beyond.
Things began to happen then. Strange things. Things that made me know my ancestors were listening and helping. After her death, so many called me to tell me of their dreams of our loved ones holding a beautiful baby girl, singing to her, playing with her, rocking her. My prayers were answered.
Every year on January 24th I allow myself this day to be absorbed in this loss. I allow myself to remember the pain but I also allow myself to remember the powerful love you brought into my soul. I allow myself to be reminded that the love between grandparent and child is something that can never be broken even with time and distance.
So Happy Birthday in Heaven, my angel. Grandma is so blessed to have known you. To have held you. To have the beauty you brought into my world. I will forever hold you close in my heart.
Everyone have a lovely day!!!
Blessings to all!!!
January 23, 2018
Adventures yet to come...
Good morning, everyone!!!I ran to my sister's after work yesterday to drop off egg money and pick up more eggs for customers and also myself. While there we discussed more egg recipes because frankly, there are so many eggs and we're not in the good laying season quite yet. So we are trying to build up avenues for selling these eggs and homemade egg products.
I picked up a couple of dozen eggs for myself along with duck eggs. This afternoon after work I will be spending some time putting together a huge batch of noodles for dinner tomorrow and for the freezer for future dinners.
My sister and I discussed so many ideas for some of our homemade goodies. Not only for family but for others as well. We've come up with some plans and more adventures revolving around these ideas.
Adventures are wonderful to plan for. Things to keep you looking into the future and not always sitting still. I love finding new things and when combined with things I enjoy doing, well it makes the pot even sweeter. I love finding new recipes, making things from scratch, and I love the wilderness. So combining all of these things into one big adventure just seems like the thing to do :)
I believe this is why I enjoy writing historicals so much. Because you combine your love of doing things naturally with bringing life to a story. I love getting my hands dirty so to speak. Working with the earth, working in the kitchen to create goodies. Sure I have the advantage of modern day ovens and appliances :) thank goodness, because I can only imagine what our ancestors had to go through to make delicious goodies for their families.
Our plans this summer include a community garden. Which I believe I've mentioned before. Beginning Feb. 3rd we will be sitting down discussing what all we will be putting into this community garden and how much of each item we will be planting. I'm very excited about this. We have also discussed an outlet for our homegrown goodies and I'm sure we'll have more ideas as we move forward with this plan.
Well work comes an hour earlier today so I guess I should start preparing for this day.
Remember adventures don't have to be huge undertakings. They can be a simple idea. All you have to do is make a plan and then go after it.
Everyone have a lovely day!!!
Blessings to all!!!
January 22, 2018
A walk in the woods...
Good morning, everyone!!!Sometimes you just need to take an afternoon and go for a walk no matter what the weather. That's exactly what I did the other day.
My sister texted me and said hey, it's going to be nice want to come over and maybe go for a walk in the woods this afternoon. Of course I was game. The temps were close to 40 degrees which is so much better than the below zero stuff we've had recently :) So we ventured out Saturday afternoon with her husband as our guide.
It was so cool. He was able to tell us the signs of nature we'd not really noticed before. Such as how rabbits sometimes leave tracks that look like flowers and the difference between a squirrel foraging for food and a deer.
We saw how water can flow over solid ice in a stream giving a stream a completely different appearance. We also saw how smaller creatures of the woods enjoy running up and down the ice on a frozen stream versus running around the forest floor.
It's so cool checking out the differences the same place takes on in different seasons. Something I encourage anyone who enjoys such walks to do.
Back in the fall my sister and I took a two hour walk through the same woods. We saw many things then we hadn't noticed in the warmer months. We decided then if there was a warm day in the winter we should do this again. I'm so glad we got that opportunity this winter to do so.
There is so much of doing things like this that I can add to my historical works. Even my writing in general. Things I can use to enhance my writing in ways I could not if I hadn't experienced such things as a simple walk in the woods.
We were out there for three and a half hours. We got the pleasure of seeing things through my brother-in-law's eyes which gave a whole new perspective on the walk. We didn't give ourselves a time limit, but instead, just went to enjoy the day and the walk.
So many things can be seen in the different seasons in the same place. Strange how that works. We found so many raspberry patches we'd looked for last summer and never saw. We found puff balls and chickens of the woods, we'd missed during our fall walk. We found signs of life that always amazes me. How many creatures make these places their homes.
If ever you get the chance and you enjoy a walk in the woods, do so at different times of the year. Take your time, notices things, let your inner child take over for a few moments and explore that world as they would. The experience is something you will be glad you took.
Everyone have a lovely day!!!
Blessings to all!!!
January 19, 2018
Just one work day...
Good morning, everyone!!!I so didn't want to get out of that bed this morning. It was nice and cozy there. But just one work day and I'm off again for two days. That's what I keep telling myself anyway :)
The stuffed peppers were a hit yesterday. I sent enough home with the daughter and the oldest son and daughter-in-law for another meal and also put three in the freezer for another meal here. Yeah, I over do it sometimes with the recipes :)
While lil Zoe took her nap yesterday hubby and I watched the new It. Oh my word, so good. If you're into those kind of movies and haven't seen it yet, watch it!!! They did an excellent job on it.
Lil Zoe kept papaw and I on our toes yesterday. She also kept us in stitches laughing so much. She definitely has her own personality. She helped me with cooking, papaw with cleaning the fish tanks, and was just a busy little bee all day. As I was cooking biscuits and gravy and hashbrowns yesterday morning, I had the butter sitting in the middle of the table. The next thing I know she has slid across the table, pulled the butter to her, and was announcing, "Mmmmm, it's good." I look and sure enough she is standing there dipping her little finger into the butter.
She definitely keeps you on your toes LOL.
She helped me ice cakes and of course had to taste the icing for both. They were also, "Mmmmm good." LOL
I really didn't want to get up this morning at all. But here I am sitting at the computer with only fifteen more minutes before I have to start getting ready to go. With the new truck schedule we're trying out having me come in an hour earlier. Once I get there I will be fine, it's just waking up enough to get ready this morning that's killing me. I know it's the last two days off that is hindering this process. But the coffee is almost down, so that will help I'm sure.
I have my writing meeting tomorrow. I am pretty excited about our speaker. She will be talking about turning your work into scripts. Which will be cool :) Then who knows from there what I will get into :)
Well I guess I should really get off of here and get ready to go soon.
Everyone have a lovely day!!!
Blessings to all!!!
January 18, 2018
Cooking like a crazy woman...
Good morning, everyone!!!What's on the menu for today??? Well, cooking of course, LOL. We're doing daughter's birthday dinner this evening so cake will be on the menu. Two cakes because hubby also requested lemon cake LOL.
Daughter requested stuffed peppers made from scratch, so, stuffed peppers it will be. This is why I like doing things like this on my days off.
Since hubby and I are home today and we're entertaining our two year old granddaughter, I'm also fixing up biscuits and gravy and hashbrowns for breakfast. That is whenever she and papaw decide to wake up.
She had us rolling last night. Oh my, I had forgotten how funny two year olds can be. Her humorous little walks. Her hilarious little looks. Her vocabulary has picked up a great deal, so yes, she does say the darnedest things LOL. Hubby and I just enjoyed her entertainment the entire evening.
Of course I am sure she will be a big help in the kitchen today. Which I can't wait to see how many laughs we have as this day moves forward. Hopefully she's in just as good a mood as she was yesterday.
I got up early this morning to get in that quiet time before everyone got up to start their day. The youngest son took two of the grandkids to school for me and hubby and lil Zoe continued to sleep. So now I'm finishing up on the computer so I can get started in the kitchen. I can't wait to smell cakes baking :) Which will be my first project this morning unless hubby and lil Zoe get up before I'm finished here, then it will be breakfast :)
Yep, this is how I'm spending a day off from the day job :) Then another work day and off for two more days. Ahhhh, life gotta love it!!!
Everyone have a lovely day!!!
Blessings to all!!!
January 17, 2018
There is nothing more freeing than choosing not to participate...
Good morning, everyone!!!Well a different sort of blog came over me yesterday after I blogged. I had full intentions of blogging on the topic of Aids and how it was different from the myths of our yesterdays. Then it hit me, why are you falling trap to the drama that someone else is trying to bring to you?
So, instead, I thought about, what is the motive of someone trying to bring this to your doorstep? Why now? Why after years of so many other things going on and happening in and around my life, why this, why now? It made no sense to me. Sure Aids is a scary topic, but we've learned so much over the course of the years about the truths that surround this illness that really it isn't as scary as it once was.
What about all the time mental and physical abuse was happening? Where were these 'concerned' people then? When my daughter looked like she was already in the grave from being subjected to this behavior for so long. Why suddenly out of nowhere does 'concerned' citizens decide to try to start drama where drama doesn't need to be started.
So after some thought and some consideration, I asked myself, "What is the end game here?" It's surely not out of friendship, because I gave plenty of time for the friendship aspect of this relationship to present itself. Two years worth. Nothing. So why now? To start drama, is all I can come up with.
I do my best to live in a drama free zone. I keep to myself most of the time. I'm learning important lessons on how to react to situations I have no control over.
So after some careful consideration over this situation, I sent the text to my daughter I received and let it go. It is her battle not mine. Sure, I could have just kept the text, deleted the text, or even just ignored it. But sometimes you have to protect yourself. Especially with people who would try to put words into your mouth. So hence the reason I sent the text. I'm not in this. This is not my situation.
I do my best NOT to live my children's lives. They are adults. They make their own choices and decisions. I am just their mom. I step in when they need me to, such as the very violent situation in my daughter's recent past. I try to help heal the wounds and try to be there for them. However, they live their lives and it is my job as their mom to just support them in any decision they make, whether or not I like it, that is of little concern.
Mothers need to learn to let go sometimes. This has always been the hardest aspect of my children growing up. Letting go. We're not needed as much as we once were and that is okay. We finally have received that freedom we've always longed for after a hard day of parenting. However, most times we don't know what to do with this freedom, LOL.
This is where my writing has been helpful. I fill my days living for me and what I want to do. I fill my days going after my dreams. A busy mind is very helpful in minding your own business.
Sure I vent things out. Who doesn't. But when it all boils away, the reality is the only things I control are myself and my reactions.
So to the people out there who wish to stick their nose into other people's business. Ask yourself, why are you doing this? Don't say it is because you are concerned or care after so long. Because that doesn't fly. If you are avoiding something in your own life that needs attention, maybe pay closer attention to that. If you are just trying to see if you can still cause trouble, well, sorry, this drama free zone isn't playing that game any longer. Don't expect me to buy into the 'concern' or bullshit.
Everyone have a lovely day!!!
Blessings to all!!!
January 16, 2018
It's my FRIDAY!!!
Good morning, everyone!!!I know I know it is actually only Tuesday but it's my FRIDAY!!! The boss and I are trying something a bit different today, we are having me come in an hour early on truck days seeing as our truck is supposed to be here in the early hours of the mornings now.
So the good news is, my Friday starts an hour earlier, but it also ends an hour earlier :) Hubby will be coming in this evening or tonight. So, finally we have two days off together and can actually, hopefully, spend it the way we want to for a change :)
My writer friends and I met up again online in our secret group to do another write in. We managed a couple of these last week so hopefully we'll get a few of these in this week. It is really helping to move the story forward for me. This I love so much!!! It is also helping me to get back in the habit of writing often, maybe not every day but often enough to make things worth while again.
Nothing like starting a few days off with such a zest for the things I enjoy. The only housework I have to catch up on is washing my sheets and blankets on my bed, folding a bit of laundry, and the regular dusting and vacuuming. So I consider this a win win :) Not too much time during the next two days will be spent on housecleaning. I know surprising, huh?!?
I feel another deeper blog coming on. However, I need to do some research before I write this one. It is a very deep subject matter with a lot of information to process. A LOT of myths to be debunked. Something I haven't had time to process other than everyone deserves to be cared about. It will probably be a long one, so I guess during my time off this will be something I need to research and then get off my mind. So you guessed it, you'll be reading it :)
Well I woke up a bit late this morning, so I really should be thinking about getting things ready to go.
Everyone have a lovely day!!!
Blessings to all!!!
