Life seems different....

HOBL is back at work after 6 months home 

with a broken back.

It hasn't been an easy 6 months but we got used to each other,

quiet mornings drinking coffee and playing on computers.

HOBL always has  a project going and if I don't help

I always feel quilty about not doing enough

but I like to play more than he does,

or maybe working is his play.

So the house is quiet, yesterday I stayed in my PJ's and

worked in my scraproom all day.

I probably would not have done that had he been home

but when the dark came, I was lonesome for our time.

Today he goes for his BP physical and if all goes well

he will be part of the working class again.

I know we will get used to this again.

Not all of the last 6 months was easy but

at least I know now that we will survive retirement.

Well wishes to HOBL for his physical today

as he really wants to return to his old job.

patience at Christmas.

Yesterday I had to take HOBL to the airport as he returns

to work this week after a 6 months recuperation from  a broken back.

I needed a few things at Michael's and crowds were thick everywhere

but most were in the holiday spirit, patient and happy.

I decided to eat at Subway since it was lunch time and 

I love me some "Tuna a' la" Subway.

From the moment I walked in I knew it was 

going to take some time as the line was long and

there were just two hard working women behind the counter

to serve all. They were not very talkative as they had their

game on, organized and making no mistakes.

Yes, I was hungry and yes, it was past 12 but still,

I was pretty impressed on how well they were running.

The cashier was also the one who was responsible for adding

the toppings to the sandwiches that the first worker had prepared.

Yet, she also had to wash her hands and reglove each time she

went from preparing sandwiches to handling money.

No one was complaining until the man two people in front of me

seemed to have an issue. Never did he acknowledge the girls were swamped

and maybe he doesn't know OSHA law about gloving and 

handwashing when dealing with money.

As she washed her hands, in front of us, and regloved,

she asked what he wanted on his sandwich. She fixed it just

as he ordered it then, before checking him out,

began to complete the sandwich of the patron behind him.

Then he rudely said,

"Listen here, I want my sandwich, I have been waiting her

for a long time and I don't want my sandwich to get cold.

Check me out right now so I can eat"

Really, was he not aware of the short staff that was happening

as well as the line that was now almost to the door?

I knew that young girl was pissed,  she said nothing.

However, I knew he was not going to get his demands.

Instead of ungloving and checking him out, she totally ignored his request

and continued on my own sandwich. Ugh, I become uncomfortable

with situations like this, mostly because it's hard for me not to

try and add my two cents to the scene. 

So what did the customer do?

He said, "Keep your sandwich, I am not paying"

He walked out quickly, red-faced and speaking under his breath.

The worker took his sandwich out of the line and continued

to do her job, efficiently without a word.

I thought about this whole scenario as I ate my tuna and continued

to watch the big line of people get served.

I thought of how stupid that man was, there was no sweat off her back

and now, no matter where he went, he was going to wait for a meal

and probably just as long if not longer unless he goes home.

I thought of that poor worker, who probably makes sandwiches for minimum

wages dealing with workers who did not show up.

I left a tip, I thanked both of the women for their time.

I wanted to apologize for all the impatient a-holes in the world.

Remember that during this holiday season to have much patience with others.

To realize that those people behind registers are busy trying 

to raise money to feed their families or save for Xmas gifts for others.

Yes, she maybe could have addressed the guy, explained 

how time management and washing of her hands between each encounter

would be slower for him.

She didn't, why should she?

Patience my dear friend, patience...

greener grass.

Just read a blog that I follow where she listed things

of differences that people feel.

For instance, she posted things like,

"for every mother who fusses about her pregnancy, another mother longs to be pregnant"

and 

"For every mother who fusses about staying home with children,

another mother wishes she could stay home to raise her children"

Things like that, to get your mind thinking.

Her point was, we in America, many of us, have a bad habit

of comparing our grass to that of others and thinking

it's greener on the other side.

Surely got me thinking.

Tomorrow we will gather as a family, which has become

very big, to celebrate my own Mommy's 92nd birthday.

What an honor to be able to say, that not only do we still have

our Mommy/Mommee but that she is well and looking forward to this birthday.

HOBL is much better, going to be able to return to work 

next week after many months healing a broken back. 

Another thing to be thankful for. I could complain

about not sleeping much last night, but would rather

be thankful, that I can stay home today, having slept late this AM

and know that tomorrow will be a better day.

Holidays are tough for many and easy to say be thankful for 

what you have, living it is just a tad bit harder.

So, I think of the Mothers who are thankful to have their children

still with them, like Nicol,

and I think of all those out there, young couples who are finding

out they are having babies, how happy they are,

and then the Mothers that have lost and long for the nights of no sleep

with their children who have died.

Holidays are not easy for many, spend some time thinking

of your own green grass during this holiday season.

If there are some brown patches is some areas, don't fret,

as grass does grow back.

Love the life you were given and help those who may be 

struggling with the grass growing in their own yard.

Oh, and this is just for my bestie, Laurie.....
This would definitely make her grass green, green, green!

One Kings Lane

https://www.onekingslane.com/?utm_campaign=19629&utm_content=12%2F4%2F2012.5777595&utm_medium=Email&utm_source=Daily&utm_term=Header.OKL_Logo.1

Hoping this link works for those of you who are

in love with shopping. 

I love shopping, even though I may buy nothing.

One Kings Lane has the very best things and most

are well priced.  Their site is like eye candy to me.

Each day when I see and email for them, 

I have to browse their specials.

I have not bought anything from them as of yet,

so I can't speak for their service.

I can tell you that I see lots I would love to have.

Yes, they have things for each room of the house and

being in this new big home has me longing for  a few of

their wares. Enjoy the site as Christmas approaches!
okay link didn't work, just google One Kings Lane.

Beth, a miracle in the making

I was raised in a very close neighborhood with many children all the same age.

We played on Dursette street like no body's business and although we are all

grown now, all with families of our own, we still have a connection 

to each other. We rarely see each other any more but when one 

suffers, we all remember the old days and rally with prayer.

With that said, it was disheartening for all of us to hear of

Beth Doucet Felarise's terrible car accident last Monday.

For many of us, it has been on our minds and prayers since.

As I began to read and keep up to date on her progress via 

her Mom, Nicole's, facebook updates I began to understand that

we have all been witness to a miracle.

(Beth with her two baby girls at the birth of the baby, before accident)

Now many will not see it this way as some have trouble seeing

the difference between coincidence and miracle.

Beth being alive today, even though she has a very hard road ahead,

is a miracle, can be called nothing else.

Her mother, Nicole has given me permission to blog and share with all.

Beth was alone on Monday when she was involved in a car accident

in Houma.  The fact that she was alone is amazing, she has two little girls

who were not with her on this day.

By all accounts of the first responders as well as

the police, not only should she not have survived the accident but

they did not expect her to survive the injuries for much longer.

Her mother was told that at the scene, there was a Catholic priest

who prayed over her in her unconscious state.

She later found out that this priest was Father Joshua Rodrigue.

Here is another miracle.

you see, my children and Beth as well as her whole family 

have always attended Our Lady of Prompt Succor Church in Golden Meadow.

When they were all younger, we knew Father Joshua because

he would spend summers at our church while going to the seminary.

Fr. Joshua may have not known it at the time he was praying

at the accident that this woman had been a child in one of the 

many masses he assisted.

What are the odds that this very same man would be at the scene.

Again, Beth should not have survived this accident and I don't

think many thought she would but Father Josh told

people at the scene she was going to make it. She was going to survive.

Amazing that he was the only one who felt that at the time.

Nicole also posted that there were others at the scene who held Beth's hand,

spoke reassuring thoughts to her. They did not know who she was

and I can only imagine how comforting this was not only to Beth but

to her Mother to know that someone was comforting her baby 

when she could not. This makes me want to shed tears just thinking of it.

Nicole was a young mother to Beth, I think she would agree that they grew up

together and their bond is close. 

Nicole must feel like she has been on a roller coaster since Monday

but feels very sure that her baby is going to survive and she

will do all she can to make this road the easiest it can be for her.

Almost immediately upon entering the hospital Beth began to improve,

from her Mothers accounts almost by the minutes she began to fight.

Was off the ventilator and beginning to talk, was out of ICU 

quicker than anyone would have ever believed.

You see, Beth is a mother of two precious little girls, one just

a few months old that she was still breastfeeding.

I find it is amazing the fight a young mother has in her when it comes

to her babies. One of her first worries was pumping her breasts so 

that her precious baby could continue breast feeding,

still in much pain, with foggy thoughts, she still was able 

to pump her milk to be given to her baby.

On the day her little girls were to visit, her Mother

posts about the hours she took to get ready for them,

even with all the pain she was in, she took the hours to prepare

so they would not be alarmed when seeing her.

She put a smile on her face, reassured her older daughter, snuggled with 

her baby. Once they left and only then did she speak of pain.

Beth has a long road to recovery and yet, I know she will do this.

With her husband, parents, extended family, she will make a full recovery

and she will speak of the miracle of her life.

She will share with many that God spared her because her work here is not done.

Her days are becoming filled with more pain now that her concussion is healing

and the fog of what happened lifts.

She has many surgeries ahead of her and yet, she will smile always

when her little girls are there to see her.

Please pray for Beth and her hubby, Ramsey who has also been so thankful 

and supportive and for their whole extended family.

Being raised on Dursette street has molded so many of us and we are all bonded.

The Cheramie/Doucet/ Felarise families ask and thank all for prayers in abundance.

(Beth the day before her accident)

(Nicole, Beth's mom)
Continue to pray and watch the miracle of Beth transpire.