Farewell, 2016

Dear 2016:

You'll be gone in about 12 hours, and your descendant 2017 will take over where you left off.  I honestly can't say that I'm glad to see you go, but I know a lot of people that are going tell you good riddance.  

You were pretty good to me and my family.  You helped see Mom and Dad through another year of being healthy and happy, and for that I'm thankful.  

You helped me make it through another year at work, which in itself, was a pretty big feat.  There were a few times this year when I was one step away from typing out my letter or resignation, but you challenged me and helped me to change my attitude to hang in there.  And for that I am thankful. 

You gave me the opportunity to start a new venture.  I never thought that when I painted my first barn art quilt pattern picture that it would snowball into a side business.  You gave me and Dad the opportunity to work together. And for that I am thankful.  

You reminded me that things aren't always what they seem.  When I bought our used 99 Ranger truck this summer, we thought we were getting a good deal.  I wish you'd also reminded me that if something seems too good to be true, it usually is.  But you taught me to be aware. Yes, I will be the first to admit that I got screwed over buying the truck, but thanks to lessons learned from one dishonest mechanic, and from one very reputable and trustworthy mechanic, it's roadworthy and ready to haul home more plywood for us to paint in 2017.  And for that I am thankful. 

Farewell, 2016.  Welcome 2017.

Happy National Bacon Day

TWIT and I would like to wish you, faithful readers, a very Happy National Bacon Day.  

It's not too late to celebrate.  All you need to do is stop by your favorite grocery store and pick up a pack of bacon and come home and fry it up and eat it up in your favorite way. 

The 'Rents and I have celebrated by having bacon with our pancakes this morning, and again having some slices crumbled up on our baked potatoes tonight.  And we will keep the celebration going tomorrow morning with breakfast. 

Bring On My Mini Vacation

It's only been a three-day week at work this week, but I sure am glad that I am off for the next four days.  All I can say is bring on our next mini-vacation.  That's about all I can say tonight.

What A Day, Part 2

It might be silly to some, but I am still reeling from losing my wallet yesterday.  It wasn't the fact that I would have lost a lot of money; I had a twenty dollar bill and a few coins, but it's the fact that I would have had to call and cancel my debit card, my HSA card, my AAA card, and get new Anthem insurance cards, library card, and a couple of gas station rewards cards.  And I would have had to get a new drivers license, and a new conceal carry license, which I just got last Thursday.

But it all turned out perfect.  I am giving the credit to answered prayers from the Lord.  I had quite a few people praying about this yesterday morning.  

I'm hoping I will calm down enough and get a good night's sleep tonight.

What A Day

Thank the Lord that this day ended up better than it started out. 

I stopped at Walmart on my way to work this morning, only to realize that my wallet wasn't in my purse. At first I thought it was in the bottom of my purse, so I didn't think much of it.  When I got to work, I dumped my purse out onto my desk, and when I didn't find my wallet, panic set in.  I ran out to the Blazer and looked in the front, back and hatch and didn't find it. I came back in and attempted to work but I couldn't focus.  

At 9:00, I called home like I usually do every morning, and asked the 'Rents to look on the kitchen table and around the house, but they didn't find it either.  Then full-fledged panic set in. 

The last time I knew for sure I had my wallet was when I picked up our carry-out last night at Tumbleweed.  I called them at 10:00 this morning, and the person that answered said that nobody turned in a wallet yesterday.  By this time I had been to the bathroom and thrown up a few times.  

On a whim, I got on Facebook at the Dixie Highway page, and posted a picture of my wallet with a note about where I thought I lost it.  A few ladies on the page shared the post.  One of the ladies that shared the post's mother happened to be a manager at Tumbleweed and saw the post.  She saw the post and called her daughter and told her to get in touch with me because she found my wallet and had put it in the restaurant's safe until they could get in touch with me.  What are the chances????

It turns out that as I was leaving the carry-out area, my wallet fell out of my raincoat pocket. A few minutes after I left, another customer came in and saw my wallet and picked it up and handed it to the manager.  Once again, what are the chances?

I picked it up after work, and not a dime or card was missing.  Once again, what are the chances?

My faith is restored, and I am lucky, blessed, overjoyed, ______ fill in the blank, at what happened.  There are still some honest people in this crazy old world.

Happy Boxing Day

TWIT and I would like to wish a very happy Boxing Day to our Canadian faithful readers. 

It originated in the United Kingdom, and is celebrated in a number of countries that previously belonged to the British Empire and Canada. It is the second day of Christmastide.

Regardless, happy Boxing Day to all.

Merry Christmas

The 'Rents and I would like to wish you, faithful readers, a very Merry Christmas.  

I hope that you are able to spend the day with the ones you love - whether it's in person, or by phone or text or the iternet.