MERRY CHRISTMAS OR XMAS

Xmas, ☧mas, XTmas or Christmas: I'm just going to get this out of the way ahead of time, since it's something that we start flipping out about seeing this time of year.First: "The "-mas" part is from the Latin-derived Old English word for "Mass",[1] while the "X" comes from the Greek letter Chi, which is the first letter of the Greek word Χριστός, translated as "Christ. (Also) The X and P version arose as the uppercase forms of the Greek letters χ and ρ used in ancient abbreviations for Χριστος (Greek for "Christ")," I'm glad I did some research a while back. Now if I see this, instead of getting Belligerent and allowing it to bring me down, or to anger, I will see one thing.the ancient symbol for CHRIST. NOT someone Xing out our Lord. So if any of you want to say Merry 'Xmas' to me, know that this is ALL I will see. If you do this in malice, know that your intent will not sway what I know him and his symbol to be, and that it will not change MY heart, but I will pray for you and watch him change YOUR heart. So in advance MERRY CHRISTMAS, MERRY X MAS.

If you like trivia, please visit my trivia blog and engage! http://triviatrain.blogspot.com/

or to read some of my poems you can visit http://ofverseandrhyme.blogspot.com/

Thank you for visiting!

POLITE POLICE

 

How many times have you made a call,

or written an email, to complain about bad service? 

OK....Now how many times have you made a call, or written an email, to praise someone's outstanding service?

That's what I thought.  (Whew! I'm not alone)

One of my recent blogs got me thinking. How have I gone all these years and not bothered to write One letter, or make One call to a manager and let them know about an employee who really stepped up, or gave me great service? OK, I’m sure I’ve done that here and there, but not enough to really brag, or blog (lol) about.

Not to make excuses, but there seems to be a real problem, in recent years, with actually experiencing great service. It seems to be especially bleak where I live. However, after calling the manager at the KIA dealership, and telling him about one outstanding employee, I’ve become more alert. Instead of expecting horrible service and complaining about it, I am remembering to praise people. Even when someone is being extremely polite, it Stands out to me! That should Not go without commendation either. How hard is it to at Least speak to a manager? Not hard at all, as I've recently learned. My next venture is to start sending emails.

Today my polite police target was a young Wal-Mart Pharmacy employee.  (Insert loud siren) I was greeted, over the phone, by someone who sounded like a teenager. However, this girl was Extremely nice And helpful. I had to call back and speak with the Pharmacist about something else, and I let Him know that she was terrific. He seemed very pleased. I’ve had a few people, write, or call in, over the years, to let my managers know how well I served them. People don’t seem to take the time to do this anymore and that has Got to stop! Maybe we are all so focused on the bad, and comforted in complaining, that we don’t really recognize the good anymore. We just expect it, and complain when we don't get it. In the Wal-Mart case, she was just being genuinely polite, and offered to hand me over to the pharmacist for something she couldn't answer. But just being nice can make ALL the difference in the world. So many people are rude when dealing with the public. Also, keeping your job isn’t as easy as it used to be, with the economy as it is. There’s always someone standing in line to take it away from you, and employers know this. So step up and report good service. Help someone keep their job. It will brighten your day and may bring you some good karma along the way.

THE SEA, THE SOLACE

The sea is a place where I find much peace, love and great memories. Growing up, my dad mostly lived on, or near the beach. This was his favorite place. He was a Great artist and the sea was probably his fondest subject, in oils. When things were not going well at home with mom, dad would always rescue me. We would take long walks on the beach, where we had some of our best conversations. I wish I could remember some of them. So much is a blur to me now. He always said he was a lover, not a fighter. He required a peaceful existence. He tried to pass this way of life on to me, as much as he could. I had a little too much fire in me though, and still do, to some degree. :) He used to call me the kid with ants in her pants, always on the go. Not a lot has changed. Just try keeping me in one spot for any great length of time. The great thing about that relationship was that I could do no wrong in his eyes. That was probably the worst thing about it also. As I grew up, I could hardly understand why Any person, or man, would have issues with me. After all, I was perfect. Just ask my dad :) A friend of mine, from where dad lived, made a comment to me not too long ago, when I mentioned dad and I. He said, "Yeah, daddy's spoiled little girl". Hmmm. What could I say? He was right. He didn't spoil me at All with material things, but he did spoil me with unconditional love. How bad could that be? Yes, he did let me get my way a Lot also. Like the time my best friend and I snuck out in the middle of the night, hitched a ride to a bon fire on a beach Towns away, and then walked home. That was a beautiful sunrise that day. I think he shook his head, gave me a 2 line lecture and moved on. But he didn't see me often and I think he was trying to make up for the other part of my life, which he understood was very difficult. In the end, I wouldn't change a thing. The love and the memories are treasures that could never be replaced. Having someone love you That much is a wonderful thing.  There was one painting called Genesis. It was always my favorite and he had MANY offers on it. Oddly, it was the smallest one he ever painted, and possibly one of the most beautiful. A house on a hill, on a beach with the sun rising behind it.  I know he needed the money, but he never sold it. He passed when I was just 19 years old and it, along with many of his other paintings, have been in my possession ever since. I believe he is still out there, and every now and then he makes his presence known to me. It's been a long time since the last visit, and I hope for another one soon. I know it every time because the smell of his oil paints, flows by me briefly and is So powerful that it almost knocks me over and brings a tear to my eyes. The smell of oils and the sea give me a great sense of love and peace. I love you dad and always will.

PARENTAL LOVE

In my experience, each parent means something different to us. Mom's post, on The Piano, The Bridge, was my tie to her. The sea was my tie to my dad (Blog still to come). I loved them both in different ways, and for different reasons. I always thought that I loved my father more. As an adult, I'm learning that the relationships with each didn't mean that I loved one more than the other. I thought I loved dad more because he brought out the love in me more and mom 'seemed' to bring out the anger. And I know I brought out hers in my teen years. But the truth is that the love flowed the same for both.

 We just learn to relate to people, on a certain level, because of each personality and individual emotional makeup. So each relationship blends into something different. But at the core of them, especially with our parents, is nonetheless love, and love is simply love. At it's core, it is not different, less or more. It is always the same. It's the fears embedded in each of us that creates the illusion of a different kind of love. So embrace each person that you 'feel' love for, regardless of what you 'think' the 'relationship' is about. The bottom line is Always the love.

STOLEN SANDWICH. ALERT THE AUTHORITIES!

I'm guessing a lot of you saw the story of a husband, pregnant wife and their two year old child who were separated over a $5.00 freaking sandwich. Breaking it down for those who did Not hear, they Just moved to a new town and were famished. They went looking for a grocery store and found a Safeway. While shopping, they ate the sandwiches and held onto the labels for checkout. They checked out, but completely forgot to pay for the sandwiches. They get called back in, explained they forgot and tried to pay. Instead of accepting the money, the Obvious mistake and being DECENT, the police were called, the couple was arrested and social services took the 2 year old girl who remained separated from them for about 18 hours. I was SOOO fired up about this and telling my coworker. She stated that she would basically cause physical harm if they tried to take her child. LoL. ME TOO!! This poor couple. I was ranting about how Easy it is to do that and that most people have done that at some point in their lives, inadvertently. I thought about this couple tonight when I went to 7-Eleven. I had $5 cash for a pack of cigarettes, but decided I wanted a lottery ticket. Bought the lottery ticket with the cash and went to use the debit card for the cigs. It was declined. Yikes! What did I do with that account? No idea. I told the cashier that I was running to the bank and would be right back. "OK". Ran to the bank, got back in the car and Freaked out!!! There sat the cigarettes that I NEVER paid for, on my car seat. "AAAAAHHH!" I didn't know if I should laugh or start ducking from any cops......I ran Back to the store and paid for them. I asked the cashier if he realized that I left with them and he said he did not, till later on. See??? It HAPPENS. I happen to know the owner of this particular store so I was not concerned about arrest, but after that headline story, I suppose that I should have been worried. What in the World are people thinking!? Having this couple arrested over an honest mistake, resulting in their CHILD being taken from them. Over a lousy $5 Sandwich!! This poor woman said that she remained calm so that her child didn't get freaked out, but after she was taken, the woman went straight to the restroom and got sick over it. I'm not big on suing people, but I hope they can find some way to sue the pants off that store! At the very least, I hope Safeway does Something to make this better. Oh, and they were apparently banned from shopping there for some great length of time too. Grrrrr.

FREE PIZZA ANYWHERE?

A coworker and I ordered pizza one day. It took over an hour to get here. Afterward, they called me back to say the next pizza's are on them. Yippy! Today we decided to take them up on that offer. We were discussing the name of the place, which I got All wrong. She comically commented that I should just call a bunch of pizza joints till I find one that gives me free pizza. Then I got on the net, to get their phone number and made the call. I was told that the manager was out on a delivery and would be back in 15 min. I explained the situation and that I'm calling to cash in on the offer. He took my number to have the mgr call me back. I thought it was odd that the manager was male, as originally I spoke with a female, but maybe there are 2 managers.... Sometime went by with no return call. Back to their web page for the number. I BUSTED out laughing when I saw that I called THE WRONG PLACE!! I just had to tell my coworkers what I had done. The response was that I must have taken her seriously about finding free pizza anywhere. As I sit here eating my pizza from the Right place, I wonder why the wrong place had not called me back. Hmm. That is Not good customer service. Maybe I should call and complain about That. I think I see more free pizza in my future.... 

If you like trivia, please visit my trivia blog and engage!

http://triviatrain.blogspot.com/

or to read some of my poems you can visit 

http://ofverseandrhyme.blogspot.com/

Thank you for visiting!

BABES LOST

Sinful whispers looming, lost,

transgressing mind, heart & thought

Power raging, battles rise,

demons thriving, angels cry

Dark & light, we sway about,

side to side, now way out.

Beaten, battered by the wind,

screams of pain, from deep within.

Body arching, thrust in rage,

to my knees, my Lord I praise!

Blazing light rushes in,

warm & loving, weakend limbs.

Bowed in awe, I raise my hand,

to loving whispers of, "I Am".

As a doe in early morn',

feeling alive, renewed, reborn.

Still on pastures rippling with life

void of pain sorrow & strife.

I take a moment just to breathe

and feel God's loving hold on me

Knowing well what lies ahead

more sinful whispers preying the dead.

THE KISS by Kym Harrison

The air between us seemed to shift, 

as gently he moved toward my lips.

Eyelids drowsing, near to close, 

hypnotized me to my toes.

Skin to skin, soul to soul, 

the world around us was no more.

THE MOZART EFFECT (Smarter babies?)

Did you know this is a real thing? That listening to Mozart, or most classical music, can Actually make you smarter? This subject has been heavily debated, and experiments are ongoing. The general consensus is that there is a positive affect on spatial–temporal tasks. Paper-pencil mazes were tested and completed faster after listening to Mozart, and other positive effects were found. But it all seems to be related to short-term memory. Not turning low IQ persons into geniuses. In any case, there is truth that this type of music has a positive affect on body, mind and spirit, in some fashion.

Remembering this, I revamped some of my presets in my car today on classical settings. I realize that I can spare precious little brain power at this point in my life, and so every little thing Could help! Plus it makes me calmer when I’m driving. Being from NJ originally, this is a good thing. 

I learned of the affects of classical music, on the brain, when I had my first baby. I played classical music for them at bedtime, naptime and various other times. They Are smart kids, who tend to excel in music. DNA Is also on their side with all the musical talent down both lines.  I would venture to guess that hearing the music, from such a young age, helped to enhance their gifts. However, nothing can replace good study skills and discipline. 

But if you are into healthy living, it might be a good thing to add to your list. So don't forget a little Bach, or Beethoven with the organic Broccoli....

THE PIANO, THE BRIDGE

Mom and I were not as close as I would have liked, most of my life, but we always had the piano. As a young child, mom gave me lessons. I was not her best student as sitting for that long, in one place, was quite a challenge for me. I would go to bed and it was concert time. Mom would have at it. I remember the soothing classical pieces and the tunes from The sting. They were some of my favorite. I would sneak out of my room and make a request now and then. Eventually I stopped lessons. I’m not sure if she gave up on trying to tie me to the bench, or I just refused in my stubborn, spoiled rotten way.  Time went by, pre-teen to teen years came along and the battles ensued. To say we didn’t get along would be a huge understatement. At this point though, I was capable of buying my own sheet music and muddling through. I'll show her. I don't need anyone to tell me what to do. I was not interested in any more scales, metronomes or classical crap. I wanted to learn songs that I knew and liked. It also made it easier because I automatically learned by memorizing what I played. This was helpful since I could not read music. 

F A C E was my home. By the time I deciphered one measure, another person, who could read the music, would have played the whole song. But there was always something I didn’t know. Then came the occasional shout out to the kitchen. “Mom, can you come here? I’m not sure what this means..”. She would sit just long enough to tell me what I needed to know and move on. She was learning…Didn’t want to be next to the hormonal teenager for too long. I could snap her head off at any moment. Then came the grunts from the kitchen when my lead foot was Laying on the pedal. I remember hearing those same grunts in the car with mom during Those lessons too.  

Mom’s piano was to go to my older sister, upon moms passing. I used to beg her to change it to me. I don’t know if mom understood why, but I think she did. I loved hearing her play. Even through the tough years I would come sit down and listen. When I was mad, I didn’t make my interest as known. I would pretend to eat a sandwich in the kitchen, or clean something. The cleaning may have tipped her off. I didn’t do that without a gun to my head. 

Later in life, mom and I became closer. Unfortunately, when this began she was diagnosed with Dementia. We lost mom last year, to a terrible disease. She even passed on my birthday. My niece comforted me in the thought that it was her gift to me knowing how badly I wanted her set free from this terrible disease. When the codicil was read, tears came as I saw that she left the piano to me. I guess mom also knew that it was our bridge.

HEART IN HAND

With heart in hand I bowed to you,

sobbing, seathing aching fire.

You cast your spear and off it flew

while grasping for you from the pyre.

Leaps and bounds I raise my sword,

slit my throat as I drew

Nothing measured, nothing scored

the blade so mighty meant for you.

In the dust of my despair,

you flaunt a victor's swagger

I ached to find you unaware,

blood dripping from your dagger.

Wiping drops of my own blood

with tears upon the ground,

My heart beat one last thud,

for the love I never found.

With heart in hand I bow to you,

my knight in shining armor

hard and long the days I grew,

because of you I'm stronger.

DATING SITE KLUTZ ANNOUNCEMENT

I created a profile on a dating site and read part of it to my daughter. She half smiled at me and said, "So you aren't REALLY trying to attract any men, right?" lol. Here is part of what I wrote in the 'I'm really good at...' section" 

"I'm really good at Ignoring and laughing at insane people when they start going off the deep end about things that are just not that important. So if you have an anger problem expect to be laughed at and ridiculed horribly, and I will be sure to lock up all the sharp objects. I'm also very good at laughing at myself. I do it a LOT! I seem to trip over things quite often. You know, like the napkin on the floor, in the restaurant, or the piece of toilet paper that just sailed off someone's shoe in front of me. Really, I'm not kidding. LOL. So if you embarrass easily, just look the other way, pretend you don't know me and I'll meet you out back. It seems to work for my friends."

The other night I went to see my son play at battle of the bands. He was following me out the door and told me to stop. Of course I almost tripped trying to stop myself from walking. Why did he stop me? Because he had to remove the napkin that was trailing off the back of my shoe. I wasn't on a date, but my ex-husband was also trailing behind with his girlfriend.I thought of my profile and laughed so hard. And my blog name of Daily Dribbles should be becoming a bit more clear...There Will be more of this :)

The Planted Stone by Kym Harrison

Kindred is the rising sun

with a love that's just begun.

Kindred is the howling wind,

to the soul riddled in sin.

Kindred is the spackling rain,

with the haunting of your name.

Kindred is the raging sea,

to the heart born of deceipt.

Kindred is the silent storm,

with the broken left to mourn.

Kindred is the way of life,

with love, joy, pain and strife.

Kindred are the earth and moon,

to all who hate, love and swoon.

Kindred is the planted stone,

to death, and love unknown.

Regurgitating Education

My daughter graduated 2 years ago and my son is a senior this year. Yesterday he and I had a discussion about things he’s learning. He said, “Everything I’ve been learning in H.S. is just regurgitation of what I learned up through 4^th grade.” Oddly, my daughter once said the Same thing! THEN…last night my daughter and her boyfriend come over. He’s talking about college. He says that It’s easy because everything you learn is just regurgitated from H.S. REALLY? How disappointing. So I say Have at it home schooling parents! Your children will probably be more challenged and better educated than those of ours in the public school systems.

June 2008: Kids say the darndest things

One more oldie: I was sitting on the couch talking to my daughter one night. Suddenly, one of the words I said came out as jiberish. Did I swallow my tongue? As any teenager would do, she looked at me like I was insane. I laughed at my stammer and said, "Jeez, I'm regressing, I'm loosing my speech, and lately I've been talking with more of the Jersey accent I lost a long time ago....Soon I will be talking like a baby, then I'll be in diapers and you'll be taking care of me"!! lol. Of course I was told what she would do to me when That happens. We'll skip over that part. :) My 15 year old son walked in, and she said, "Austin, would you rather change your moms diapers, or change your babies diapers"? He immediately said "I'd rather have my mom change my babies diapers" hee hee. Smart kid :)

Daily Dribbles

For those of you who know me....Um, my one follower, Leslie (lol) the title of this blog is self explanatory. Other future followers will see why, and soon picture me in their heads wearing a full apron, whether I'm at work, shopping or even in bed. Full body armor seems to be in my near future as well.