HAPPY NEW YEAR

To all my blog buddies, friends and family

I wish you a
HAPPY NEW YEAR.

may 2020 be a year of hope,  peace of mind and good fortune.

CHRISTMAS IS HERE

Christmas is a wonderful time to celebrate life and the things that are important. I have been plagued with bad health and am tired of the blood tests, MRI’s, hospital visits and doctor appointments, etc.  I was diagnosed with an auto-immune disease. Living with pain is something I’m now used to. So I’m putting better health on the top of my list to Santa.  And on a whim... I’m also telling him to note that… I dream of living in a coastal town, one day… where I can eat seafood to my hearts content. Where I can start my life over. Perhaps own a little secondhand clothing store where I sell my wares and jewelry. I know it’s kind of farfetched, to think this will happen in my lifetime, ‘cause I’m getting too old to make life changing decisions. But it's up to Santa. It's on my list. I've been GOOD, not BAD. However, I know the reality of the situation. But at this time of year… I get nostalgic and have the wonderment of that small child, I used to be. "Anything is possible”, I tell myself. Anything at all. To my friends, family and blog buddies. I wish you love, peace of mind and a glorious holiday filled with special moments. Take care. I’ll see you in the new year.

KINDNESS DURING THE HOLIDAYS

I was at a Verizon store waiting, when a woman came in to pay her mother’s bill. It was about 186 dollars. The clerk told her she needed three more dollars, because they charged a fee to process the order. The woman told her she had no extra money and couldn't pay it. Then she called her mother. Though the conversation was one-sided on this end, it appeared they were both afraid to let the bill go, to the next month, because the mother would then owe double. And at this time of year, she would likely need the money for something else. The clerk was adamant that unless that extra three bucks was paid, she couldn’t do the transaction.  I had been sitting there, patiently waiting my turn, listening to the conversation… and decided to help. I reached into my change purse and removed three ones. I got up, went to the counter and laid the three singles... there in front of both of them.The clerk’s jaw dropped.The woman who needed the money was shocked… her eyes flew open wide, and she told her mom on the cell phone, that a stranger had just paid the fee.   When she hung up, she gave me a big hug with tears in her eyes and told me to have a wonderful holiday. I wished her the same and went back to my chair waiting for the clerk to finish. As she was leaving, the woman thanked me again and I said, “you’re welcome.” When she left the store… the Verizon clerk came over to wait on me, and said ,”You know you didn’t have to do that.” I told her that I believe in kindness and paying it forward. And while three dollars isn’t a big deal, to the woman who needed it,… it made a difference. And she supposed I was right. The clerk then dealt with my phone problem and told me she had to go in the back to finish up our business.  When she returned,  she gave me… one of those cordless chargers for my phone. I told her I didn’t have enough to pay for it and she said, ”I’m paying it forward. You did something nice, now I am. It’s yours... free of charge.” I was speechless. Thanking her,  I too left the building. Though I must admit, while driving home in my car,  I wondered why the clerk just hadn’t waived the fee to begin with? Then she wouldn’t have felt obligated to give me the cordless charger which was over fifty dollars. Or... maybe I was being too cynical. Perhaps there was a lesson learned by all of us that day. That a kind gesture is the glue that binds us all together. And none of us should take it for granted.

(CLICK ON ON PHOTO)

TO MAKE LARGER

THE LITTLE CHRISTMAS TREE

Back in October or November… I was looking at Christmas decorations in Menards via my scooter…  and I saw the most charming Christmas Tree I had ever seen in my entire life. It was a 3ft flocked tree with multi-colored lights that shimmered. I instantly fell in love. The best part was it’s price. It was $24.99. But for a limited time only… it was on sale for $19.99. I snapped it up right away… knowing I had the perfect spot to put it.  I couldn’t wait to get home.  When I did… I ripped open the box, rustling the branches into shape and setting it up on my long dresser top. It was beautiful. Made my day. And it was going to make the holidays sweeter. I just adored this tree. It conjured up good thoughts and great feelings. Over the next couple months… I would turn off the lights, light the tree and turn on the old fashioned radio, I had in the bedroom… blasting Christmas music. It was wonderful. I would lay there thinking about Christmas past and the ones to come in the future. We have been through some difficult times this year and though things haven’t improved and instead have seemingly gotten worse… this little tree, gave me a spark of hope. It brought sheer JOY to me and I felt lucky to be alive. I realize giving all these kudos to an inanimate object probably sounds crazy, but the truth is… it really did make a significant difference in my daily life. Unfortunately the feelings didn’t last. The little tree suddenly stopped lighting. It was dead in the water. I was devastated. My hubby checked the fuses. And checked the wires.  Took out each individual light (which was a tiresome chore) to make sure they were making the proper connection. And further to assess if a bulb might be burned out. They were firmly in the sockets and no burnouts. The outlet it was plugged into was working… so the problem seemed to be coming from the tree. So what to do? I called the store where I bought it… asking if I could return the tree and exchange it for a new one. They said I needed a receipt… which had long since been tossed away. So I wouldn’t be able to get credit back to replace the tree… but I could still buy a new one, out the cash I originally paid. Well, that sounded ok in theory, but the trouble was that particular tree was sold out. They offered to sell me the floor model… but the truth is… those trees on display… are on 24/7 and I was worried it too would fail. So I was left with no 3ft flocked multi-colored Christmas Tree for the upcoming holiday. It hit me hard. I frantically searched online for another one, from any source.  They were all cost prohibitive, and mostly had clear lights. I had to accept my idyllic Christmas dream was now shattered. In the big scheme of things I knew I needed to let it go. Things happen. But the truth is... little things mean a lot, and this little tree meant the world to me. Especially in light of all the problems that have been compounding my life, health wise. So… I now have to move forward… wrapping the last gifts to be boxed and shipped… without the same enthusiasm I had. Christmas will still come and go. And I’ll get through the holidays one way or another. But things won’t be the same without that little flocked tree. I’m afraid my disappointment will overshadow the main event and make this Christmas… one I will remember for the WRONG reason. Have you ever had something ruin your holiday?

PS) We'll be driving 40 to 60 miles away today... to try to find the same liittle tree, in stock at another Menards. Wish me luck. The computer says they're there. Fingers crossed they are and I can bring one home.