Worldly Woman

Holiday Shopping

2008-11-18T18:25:00.000-08:00

Today I started my holiday shopping. I was very excited to go to one of my favorite stores Macy's for one of their many sale days.
I was prepared to shop with list in hand and several of their coupons and gift certificates.
I was shopping for our adopt a family and wanted to make each dollar count.
Everything was fine til I got to the long line and noticed that the lady at the register was not one of the regulars but holiday help. She did not know which coupons could be used and was the only one at the register and stopped several times to answer questions on the phone.
Several times she had to get the manager or re ring the sale. She was taking the wind out of my sales waiting for twenty minutes in line. I met several people I had not seen since last year.
Holiday shopping is always a good way to see people you have not seen for quite some time.
I later went to housewares to get blenders for the two mom's.I could not believe you would need a blender for a Christmas gift. All was well the cashiers were the regulars and they knew how the coupons worked and worked quickly and friendly. To my surprise the shoppers were wild I got into what I thought was the line and two woman yelled at me to go to the end of the line I had to look hard to see what they meant since there were four cashiers.
One shopper was kind enough to point out the end of the line. Those woman acted like they would eat their young or me if I did not get into the correct line. Dan one of the sales people that knew me apologised and some more lines were opened.
We are not in December and people are angry already. In another line a woman yelled at the cashier. The woman was using a credit card not the store card which she should have been using to get the price deduction. The clerk was very calm and kind and let the woman get the discount any way. I feel if she did not get her way there would have been a big fight.
I was the next in line and then a woman came from somewhere and she tried to go in front of me and I just smile at her and proceeded to speak kindly to the clerk and handed her my purchases. Luckily I went through this line with out any trouble.
It seems to me that people will be very angry about making holiday purchases this year.
If you are short on money and kindness do not go shopping.
My friend noticed how many clerks I knew in the store and I said its because I always call people by their names and always ask how they are and say thank you and mean it.
My dad would always tell me that people like to be acknowledged and to do so with each meeting and I have and it works well for me. I call them by their names that makes people accountable since you know who they are and that works as well.
Rarely do I have poor service anywhere.
When the lines are long I often go into my comedy routine or chat or hand out my business card and that keeps the natives from attacking.
Keep the true meaning of Christmas in mind when shopping.

Atlantic City

2008-11-18T17:40:00.000-08:00

Well my foot is getting better due to my great physical therapist. This past weekend we went to Atlantic City. It is not my old A.C. trip. This time I am not in the V.I.P. line and am made to wait in the line with the rest of the people. Long are the days of being a hotel guest.
No limosenes, V.I.P. check in, special key to the elevator, no V.I.P. lounge, no butler service and no one at the end of the phone calling me by name and asking me what can I do to help.
Yes it is hard to come down and see how the other half live. There are good and bad with both.
When you have money you do not know if people like you for yourself or for the fact that you have money. When you do not have money some people do not have time for you if they think you do not.
I noticed that the majority of the people seemed like they were there to get rich. Most were elderly and still seemed to be trying to make the big dream come true. They seemed tired.
I went to the buffet for lunch and saw that most of the servers were elderly woman and some appeared to be distracted the entire time. I waited ten minutes for her to come back with a coke and she only had two tables.
I also noted several woman who had plastic food containers for food to take with them from the buffet.
Is this what is left for the elderly? Working beyond their years and stealing food to take home??
Atlantic City supposedly is loosing money well if they charged for the buffet by the weight of the plate and not per person they would be better off. If they charged the rich instead giving them so many free gifts that would also help their bottom line.. So many people took two plates of food each time they went to the buffet. As you pass the tables you see so much food wasted by people. I also understand that the hotels can not give food away to shelters. Their is so much waste in this country that I do not understand.
I have learned so much by being the person that has had and not had.
My daughter has asked would I like to be Oprah and I thought about it for awhile and said no because she does not have you and your brother and I feel my children are the greatest gifts I have and no amount of money could duplicate them.
I wish people would acknowledge people for their presence in the world as another human and not so much for color of skin or the amount of money you have or the money they think you have.
I wish the elderly would have a better life in their later years and have enough food. I would not mind having my old V.I.P. privileges back at least a few times a year.

Obama President Elec

2008-11-10T18:37:00.000-08:00

It is truly a new day. I was so happy with this election. I could not believe so many people were so happy with the results. I feel he will do an excellent job.
I wish my dad was here to see this day and inauguration day. My dad new he was running but at the time of his death he did not feel Obama had a chance.
When I saw Obama give his speech I thought back to the days as a child when I saw in Jet magazine the hanging of the black students and one white student in trying to get people registered to vote in the south. I will never forget seeing those men hanging from trees.
I was always afraid when we visited the south that my dad would be hung or we would all be killed.
When we moved to Delaware in 1967 there was a cross burned on our front yard and I later found out that the KKK was strong in Elkton.
As I drove to work the day after election day I was passed by a man driving a white car with two Confederate flags flying from each window.
I have never been able to understand the idea that the color of your skin which we have no control of makes such a big difference to some people.
We are all the same and want the same things in life no matter what color we are and there are so many other truly important things we need to address as people.

Great Day

2008-10-29T15:34:00.000-07:00

Today has been wonderful. My foot feels better and I toured a new home with one of my clients.
It always make me feel good to help someone especially when they buy a home of their dreams.
The home had only small things to address.
My clients were so happy. This was one of my stressful deals but I learned so much.
I feel as if all my clients are family, I get so into their lives and fight to get them what they want.
I have had nightmares about settling this deal.
On settlement day we are having Champagne in Waterford crystal.
Some time being a Diva is a good thing.
Beni

Man's Best Friend

2008-10-26T18:48:00.000-07:00

My girls (two jack russells) are wonderful. Today I had a sad day and did not feel like getting up.
It was beautiful out but I did not want to deal today.
My foot remains swollen and a little sore and the housing market is in a slump..
Yesterday I attended a woman's conference on money and listened to all these powerful woman.
May be I am jealous or tired or crazy but today I feel like a failure.
I know deep down I am not but today I am over whelmed.
I wish I could go see my daughter but it would be some trip for the day.
I wish I could have all my family live with me. I miss the day's when it was just the three of us on Sundays and we would play games or watch movies.
Mia and Bandit were helpful today. They laid with me and I spoke to them and they stared at me as if they knew what I was thinking and saying . It is amazing how they like to snuggle and keep me warm. We slept most of the day. They get so cozy and don't want to move they just like being with me no matte what my mood may be.
I also like the fact that they do not ask me to cook dinner or when are you getting up for the day.
I should have attended church today I probably would have felt better.

Secret Life of Bee's

2008-10-26T18:38:00.000-07:00

Thursday I saw Secret Life of Bee's. It was an all star cast. I found the move very sad. It was the time in the 1960's before desegregation. I have a hard time with those movies. I still can not understand such anger people had for black people. It was also hard for me to believe it has been over forty years have passed. I guess sometimes I forget. Discrimination is something I feel I should never forget.
I feel the actor Dakota (little girl) played her part well. It was a good movie about family and that part I did love.
I also learned a great deal about bee's .

Giving Back

2008-10-18T12:23:00.000-07:00

Wednesday was one week since foot surgery. It was such a lovely day. I took a lengthy drive on the back roads to enjoy the autumn colors. Autumn is one of my favorite times of the year. I love the crisp smell of the air, the changing colors, and my Christmas club check.

In the afternoon I took an older gentleman dinner. I was accompanied by my dogs, whom I refer to as the girls . He loved their visit and the food as well. Earlier that morning he was told he has a terminal illness and he asked me how long do you think I will live? I said no one knows for sure except God.

My thoughts going home were about him and the beautiful ride I had earlier. I am glad I witnessed death at an early age. I told myself I will always try to stay in the moment and do all the things I feel like doing and speak my mind when I please.

Why do so many of us wait until the end to worry about the length of time we have on this earth when we all know our time is limited and we will all die at some point? What stops us from telling those we love how we feel about them? Why do so many say "when I retire..." or "maybe tomorrow," or "I can do it later?"

We are only guaranteed this moment. Don't live a life of regret.

Sundays

2008-10-12T17:05:00.000-07:00

Remember when you were young and you had to go to the family dinners?

Today I bet more of us wish we could have them again.

Today we had a nice old-fashion Sunday-minus going to church.

I kept my foot elevated, read the paper, and later in the day family and friends came over for the supper they provided. We talked and watched a football game and it was so comforting to have loved ones around.

We took time to breathe and just be with each other.

For some reason food always taste better when it is shared with people we love.

What have you shared today?????

Wealth

2008-10-11T17:16:00.000-07:00

I had foot surgery this week and listened to all the reports on TV about how the market is falling and all the money we are losing.

I understand some people have killed themselves and one person killed his family due to loss of money, and worldly possessions.

I was reminded it is our friendships and connections with people that we should fear losing.

I have had numerous calls, meals provided, and help around the house from friends. And I did not pay a dime for any of these lovely gifts.

Ms. Irene is praying for me using the rosary beads I received from the Pope which I gave her when I thought she was dying in May.

Life has surprises for all of us. Good friends and good health are priceless.