The Class or Vanity is Vain!

"Hmmm," I pondered staring in my closet..."should I wear my awesome long skirt with the cool corduroy jacket?  No," I thought to myself, "It's such a great outfit...I'll wear it next Tuesday when I teach the career workshop class.  I'll just wear this red top I bought in China; it's not that cool, but it doesn't matter...no one really sees me or cares, and it'll keep me warm enough."

8:30 a.m.

"Okay, who's teaching today?" someone asked.

"It's Brother Anderson," I said.  "He's today and I'm next week."

"He's very ill...he called yesterday and he sounded terrible!  I don't think he will be coming in.  Looks like you're on!"

"But," to myself I stammered, "I'm NOT DRESSED FOR IT!"

Ah, vanity...where do you come from?

Where do you sneak into our lives??!?!?!?!?!?!?

And, truthfully, who cares anyway...really?!?!??!

Obviously, vainly, I did and do....so sad.

In An Instant....

a person's life is changed.

And, they have a felony on their record.  And, it haunts them and bites them for a very long time to come.

So, how do we tell our children about that one critical moment when they make a very very poor, STUPID choice?!?!?!??!?!?!?

I wish I knew the answer.

Because if I did, I could save a great deal of heartache and grief all around.

A Surprise Around Every Corner

HE had a great German accent that was fun to listen to.

He had previously worked for the US State Department, but now, he needed a job; in his 50s, sharp looking, pleasant, fantastic resume, BUT he is a convicted felon.  He said, "I made a very very STUPID decision when I was drinking that night."

So, his prospects are limited.  Oh, it's going to be a challenge for him.

SHE has been looking for a job for several years.  She has a very definite skill; she is an RN.

But, this town is full of them...she told me that the three near-by colleges each graduate 80 nurses a year, and most of them want to stick around after graduation, so she can't get a job.

The lady wanted to fill out a resume online.  She had some place to be.  But, she started.  About an hour and a half later, she was still sitting at the computer filling out the form.  The questions were ridiculous and proved nothing of value to a future employer.  The questions startled and amazed me...truly, they all seemed rather inane and truthfully, rather unfair.

So, I was surprised:
that HE was a felon,
that SHE couldn't get a job as an RN
that THE ONLINE APPLICATION was so ridiculous.

And, once again, I came home so very grateful for Allen's job, my job, my children's jobs.

Thank you Heavenly Father.

The Problem is Purses

When Carisa posted on Facebook that her new year's goal was to downsize in purses, I have to tell you that I burst out laughing -  loud.

For you see, I understand the
P.U.R.S.E.   D.I.L.E.M.M.A.


It is actually well known to most women...

Should I carry a BIG purse that will hold: my make-up, my Kindle, my wallet, my yogurt, a banana, bus schedule, brush, mirror, nuts, gum, candy bar, breath mints, tissue, hand sanitizer, notebook, pens, pencils, scissors, flashlight, nail clippers, band-aids, phone, phone charger, IPad, family photos, camera, mini laptop, MACE, sunglasses, reading glasses, car and house keys, and a few other miscellaneous items?

Or should I opt for absolutely SMALL with room for only the bare minimum: credit card, driver's license, mini notebook, mini pen, and if squeezed tightly, one crumpled tissue, and a small flip phone?

But, there is a third option...the IN BETWEEN size...
it will hold slightly more than the mini, but not nearly as much as the large...

It is a very serious dilemma...

To the non-pursey person, they would say simply: why don't you just use the one you need for a certain occasion?

Oh, that is easy for the non-pursey person to say, but it's simply not as simple as that...oh no.

For you see, it takes a great deal of time and thought to decide exactly what should be discarded and included when downsizing from the large to anything smaller?  It can be gut-wrenching to have all the contents spilled out on the bed awaiting a firm decision...

I mean, how can I possibly get along without many of the necessities from the large bag, if I am going to downsize to the teeny bag on the right?  Sometimes, it is quite overwhelming.

This is a dilemma that has plagued women for many years...it will probably continue on into the next century.  Granted, it is not as important, say, as choosing what to have for dinner, but it can give a woman some serious reflection time.

And, that is why, even though I was laughing at Carisa's post, I understand it and sympathize completely!

Some Friends Are Like That...

Just plain fun

and funny

and inspiring

and uplifting.

So, thanks Judi and Dave...it was so good to connect after several years of not seeing each other on a daily basis at the family history center.

And, BTW, you were one of two couples who inspired us to go to China.  I owe you big time for the encouragement, enthusiasm, and telling us we should do it.

Thanks for that and for your friendship.

Thought for the Day

Ahhhh, good reminder.

Lowest Day Yet

I'm in shock,
hurting,
sorrowful.

Some days it's all too overwhelming.  A very sad thing happened today.  I'm still reeling with the emotions of it all.

And, if I am in this much pain, what about the people who come in?