Career Change

Fourteen years ago I went beyond my comfort zone by starting a new career in hearing aid sales.  I was a hometown girl who dared drive beyond my city limits yet alone hundreds of miles away training for a new job.

But I was empowered by a desire to succeed in something bigger than what I had become comfortable with.  My life's mistakes were burying me and it was time to pick myself up, dust myself off, and start all over again.

I prayed fervently that God would bring me success in this life changing endeavor.  

To be promoted from secretary to Hearing Aid Specialist in sales would not be easy.  There was a lot of work involved.  First,  convincing my boss that I would be a good candidate for the job.  (Turns out I was a good sales person after all - because I sold him, persuading him to send me for training for the open sales position.)

Studies.  Tests.  Traveling. Training.  

My new sales position June, 2000

All the while, my church prayed me through it.  And God saw me through it.

I bring this up to ask for prayer once again as I embark on yet another life changing, career challenge.  It is exciting and scary.  And just as I knew fourteen years ago that there was no way I could make it without God being with me every step of the way, I know today that He must be with me still for me to succeed.

Gary will be retiring in September, leaving me to be sole owner and operator of All About Hearing.

I have an absolute peace about it all.  But it will be a lot.


So I ask for your prayers...  Please pray for me to have a clear mind and good health as I go into sales/marketing/finances and all else that is involved in running a business.

And also, pray that this arrangement works for Gary and I and that it brings us closer as a couple and that he can be content in retirement.

Dear Diary,

I hear tell that Dad's going to be spending more time rubbing my belly and less time rubbing mom the wrong way...  whatever that means.  Oh well, as long as he is rubbing my belly I don't care.  Gracie.  

Little Girl Gone

Some days I try to turn off the hustle bustle of traffic up and down our road and take my mind back to a simpler place and time.

For a moment I forget about the hectic, adult obligations of the here and now ~ and I smell lilacs in full bloom in our yard just clear of the clothes line where Mom is hanging clothes on the line.

Its quiet there, in my once upon a time world.  Paying attention to detail, I notice the green grass and even the patches of dirt where grass won't grow.  My hands and arms are dirty from a full day of play.

There are no worries.  No obligations.  No deadlines.  The only drama is kids stuff, and it all washes away with our weekly bath.  (ugh!  Did I say weekly?)

The old four room house is hot in the summer and cold in the winter.  There is a path out back to the outhouse when we need to go.  But we don't complain.  We make do.

I think about my life.  I've come a long way since those once-a-week baths and the outhouse path.

But somehow... somewhere along the way...  I seem to have lost the innocent little girl who thought life was all good... once upon a time.

To Samson, my virtual fiance' and soon to be much younger husband!! from Gracie.

This very erotic pose, for your eyes only...  

my sweet Samson...

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

P.S.  I hope you are old enough to see this PG 13 pose...  from a much older girl.

Flipping Houses

"Ken, I've been thinking.  We need to move out of this castle and into a bigger house.  Our family has grown and we need more space."

"Well, Barbie... if your sisters and their husbands and their kids, and your best friend didn't live with us we'd have plenty of room. And just how are we going to afford a bigger house?!"  

Meanwhile, a lady in LaVale checks flip house off 

her bucket list.   

And Ken finds the perfect home for an affordable price.

And everyone lives happily ever after.

Well, everyone except for Ken that is.

"When is your sister going to find a job?"

"All she ever does is sleep!"

Dear Diary,

Mom left the house yesterday to go to what she calls yard sales.  She came back with a big wooden box that she said she paid fifteen dollars for.  Every time I turned around she was doing something with that darn wooden box.  Soon her and Dad were carrying it through the house and into the back room.  I hope she gets over her obsession with that big thing, cause I want to go for a walk.  Gracie.

Bittersweet

My mom died nineteen years ago just hours after July 4th had come to an end.  The memory of standing inside her hospital room and watching her take her last breaths while hearing the booms and bangs of the fireworks beyond the hospital window will forever be with me.  

I don't think of Mom much anymore.  As time marches on memories fade and we tend to get on with our lives.  July 4th memories are mostly made up of picnics, sparklers, swimming and fireworks.  But on that tragic forth of July nineteen years ago the memories that flash in my mind are grand mal seizures,  coma, family gathered...  waiting...  and tears falling onto the windowsill as I looked out into the dark night trying to imagine what my life would be like without my mom in it.   

I loved my mom and dad so much.  I may not have agreed with everything they did but I had respect for them.  They shaped my life with their love and for that I am forever grateful.  Both Mom and Dad have been gone for a very long time.   I find myself oftentimes just wanting to pick up the phone and give Mom a call.  But today...  maybe I'll drop her a line instead.

Dear Mom,

So much has happened since you died.  It would take me forever to fill  you in, so I won't even try.  Let me instead, introduce you to a few great grandchildren whom you never got to meet.  Today was July 4th.  You remember how we always liked to celebrate with picnics, ice cream and fireworks?   Well, we had a cookout here at the house today and oh the fun!!

Jake is Jackie's boy and Marissa is Lindsey's girl.  Can you see the resemblance's?

Below you will see Lindsey all grown up.  Remember when  you used to call her Gabby Geary because she would talk your ear off?  Call it karma if you like....  But now her girl Marissa talks her ear off.

That's Jack below, holding his newest son Jasper.  Jasper is an angel with the most adorable curls! Jack was your favorite, remember?  Well, he has turned out to be a wonderful guy.  A great father to his children and a good hard worker.  You would be proud!

It's too bad you were never able to meet your great grandchildren.  You would love them so much! Each one is  precious and special in his or her own way.  

It's funny how life goes on...  even when someone you don't think you can live without leaves this world.

I never thought I'd be able to go on, not having you in my life.  But really...  you are still here.

The love that you taught me.  The morals that were taught me. The way you taught me to be kind to everyone, always.  The things in life that are most important live in my heart to this day.  And will live through your grandchildren and even the great grandchildren.  

That was Summer (above).  Oh, is she a sweetheart!  She loves to cuddle and has a special little way about her.

And Jake (above) is Jackie all over again.  So thoughtful and grown up at times.  He learned to swim today!!!

The girls (below) love to dance.  

They are special, Mom.  Very, very special.  I wish you were here to enjoy them.

Oh, and one last thing.  Your granddog. You would absolutely LOVE Gracie!

July 4th ~ Bittersweet ~ Always  

10 Tips for a Successful July 4th by Gracie Phillip

Tip #1:  Get up early and don't fill up on the dry stuff.  The kiddies should arrive soon and you want to make sure you have room for their droppings if ya know what I mean.

Tip # 2:  Don't get underfoot.  You don't want to get stepped on.

Tip #3:  Follow the smell.  It will usually lead to the outside grill.

Tip #4:  Do not leave the kiddies unattended.  There is a 95% chance that they are carrying food of some sort.  The minute you turn your back, it will all be shoved into their mouths and they will forget about how you sit, looking longingly into their faces for your share.  

Tip #5:  Do not ...  I repeat..  Do not allow your people to leave the house after dark.  You will need someone to protect you from the bangs and booms of the night.  

Tip #6:  Keep your head held high and your chin in the air.  If guests refers to you as "The Dog", pee on their shoe when they are not looking.  Remember, Mom calls you her baby.  You are no dog!

Tip #7:  Be quick.  My all time record for removing a hotdog from the plate of an  unsuspecting guest when they look up from their plate is 2 seconds.  Remember though, once you grab the dog you need to be able to run fast and gulp down your prize while en route to a safe place.   

Tip #8:  Food will be plentiful.  Pace yourself.  Whatever you do don't make the same mistake I made last year when I tried to bury a chunk of hamburger under Mom's pillow.  Saving it for later = Not a good idea.  

Tip #9:  Don't go near the pool.  Too much splashing going on inside the pool makes for one wet dog.  Too much like getting a bath for my liking. 

Tip #10:  Wear your red, white and blue well!

Happy 4th of July Every-doggy!