Gracie's Post: Why Mom Washed Her Feet In The Middle of the Day

It started out like an ordinary, boring day.  But then Mom mentioned that I would be going to see Dr. Fox.  This was reason for me to cock my head and listen more closely.  

It did not go well.  Dr. Fox's kitteh hissed and swatted at my face just because.  I was insulted.

Then, Mom made a scene.  

She sat on the bench above me yakkety yakking to another people-person and didn't notice that I was exploding with nervousness (if ya know what I mean)...

Paying no attention to her poor little anxiety ridden pup under the bench, she talked and she laughed and she rubbed and grinded her foot through the big ol' pile of poop that I dropped beside her foot.  Then, her misfortune 

became my fault. 

I confess, it was one of my bigger dumps.  

Half way through her 'clean up' as she was washing her feet with the wipes that were brought to her, I heard the man across from us telling her she missed some underneath her big toe.  (I had to laugh).  Flip flops + Dog poop + paying no attention to what is going on = one big mess.  If she were looking for someone to blame I would suggest she look in the mirror.

I was in no mood for her shenanigans, so when I heard her tell Dr. Fox it would be best to muzzle me from the get-go, I turned on all of 'em.  Mom shut me up just in time.  

Doc said I checked out just fine and I'm healthy as can be.  Then he gave me rabies.  Or a shot for them....  or something like that.  

Mom went home and washed her feet in soapy water. 

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.