Ellen & George

I woke this morning to an article shared on Facebook about Ellen DeGeneres and George Bush sitting side by side during a sports event. Apparently, Ellen received back lash for sitting and actually laughing and enjoying the event with a person who opposes her beliefs.


"When we were invited, I knew that I was going to be surrounded with people from very different views and beliefs,". She stated as well as, "I'm friends with George Bush. In fact, I'm friends with a lot of people who don't share the same beliefs that I have," she said. "We're all different and I think we've forgotten that it's OK that we're all different."


She at one point explained she wasn't there to talk politics but to enjoy the game. This all made my heart so happy. This is what life is about. Loving people. Not because they look like us, live like us, believe like us. Loving them because they are soul. They have life and life needs love. Life needs acceptance and nurture.


I am a person who loves people. I just naturally want to mother all living things. I have been in many uncomfortable situations but that didn't make me love the person any less. I have sat on couches in homes that were filthy and covered in messes and things I still don't care to know what it was all over the furniture and floors. But, I had the chance to encourage a young mother with many children. She was discouraged and struggling in her confidence.  I hugged one of her little kids and we talked. Her hug at the end when I went to leave was better than ever! A true affection and affirmation that I had just made a difference.


I don't share this story to brag but to encourage you. Love others like they are a part of you. Like that is their last human interaction before they die. Show them mercy, patience, kindness, gentleness, goodness. Humble yourself that others might love you too even when they believe different than you.


To me there is only a rainbow of skin shades, flesh with a heart inside, souls who need true love, and my arms are ready to hug. My I woke this morning to an article shared on Facebook about Ellen DeGeneres and George Bush sitting side by side during a sports event. Apparently, Ellen received back lash for sitting and actually laughing and enjoying the event with a person who opposes her beliefs.




"When we were invited, I knew that I was going to be surrounded with people from very different views and beliefs,". She stated as well as, "I'm friends with George Bush. In fact, I'm friends with a lot of people who don't share the same beliefs that I have," she said. "We're all different and I think we've forgotten that it's OK that we're all different."




She at one point explained she wasn't there to talk politics but to enjoy the game. This all made my heart so happy. This is what life is about. Loving people. Not because they look like us, live like us, believe like us. Loving them because they are soul. They have life and life needs love. Life needs acceptance and nurture.




I am a person who loves people. I just naturally want to mother all living things. I have been in many uncomfortable situations but that didn't make me love the person any less. I have sat on couches in homes that were filthy and covered in messes and things I still don't care to know what it was all over the furniture and floors. But, I had the chance to encourage a young mother with many children. She was discouraged and struggling in her confidence.  I hugged one of her little kids and we talked. Her hug at the end when I went to leave was better than ever! A true affection and affirmation that I had just made a difference.




I don't share this story to brag but to encourage you. Love others like they are a part of you. Like that is their last human interaction before they die. Show them mercy, patience, kindness, gentleness, goodness. Humble yourself that others might love you too even when they believe different than you.




To me there is only a rainbow of skin shades, flesh with a heart inside, souls who need true love, and my arms are ready to hug. My ears are ready to listen, my heart is ready to accept you.




Let's love each other.










https://www.newsweek.com/ellen-degeneres-hits-back-sitting-george-bush-criticism-1463752

I just like people....

One of my favorite things to read about is relationships. It doesn't really matter if it is about finding people to love, new friendships, or dramatic things like divorce and even facing the grief from death. The way that people interact with each other amazes me. From love to hate, good and bad, you name it and if it has to do with what can be felt between two people, I will probably be gobbling it up. This has really helped me in my life, especially in my marriage. I think reading book on divorce was the best thing ever for me. Not because I wanted to learn how to get one, but because it opened up my eyes to how special, precious, valuable and delicate that relationship is between a man and woman. One slip up, intended or not, can cause irreversible damage between the husband and wife.

I read something once that has forever stuck with me about casual relationships too. This particular article talked about how even the way we interact with the person at the grocery store who bags our groceries can affect us forever and of course the opposite is true about them being affected by us. It really made me stop to think about how I can be a good or bad effect on someone even for a moment in time, but to them it might be just the thing to push them in a good or bad way.  In the movie "What Women Want" there is a part where because Nick (Mel Gibson) can read women's minds and at work reads the mind of Erin (Judy Greer) and learns that she feels like a nobody, overlooked and unnoticed. This really brought a clear picture of how my time around others can make or break them. Do I want to be just another person who doesn't notice them or do I want to be someone who can say hello and make them feel alive. It really doesn't take much. All people want is to be accepted for who they are. No one longs for a friend or spouse or anyone to just come along and point out all the things they need to change.

I work in the fast food industry. People around me are working there for many reasons. Some it is the only place that will hire them due to age, school schedules, or as a career choice. There are some who are just young teens and others who are grandparents. What a chance to meet people and learn more about who this human race really is....I soak up so much in my mind about people just by being around them. Each one so unique and yet so much just like everyone one else.

"it is all about the customer"

We hear all the time in training for the food industry that "it is all about the customer." I agree, it really is, but what about the ones making your food, coordinating the way your food is made, scheduling people to be there so you can be served? Does the general public take advantage and abuse the restaurant industry? I say, YES!

I have work for a couple different fast food places in my day. My family has a history of working for various fast food chains some as step up jobs and some as careers, as well as my friends and I am saddened and sometime sickened by the selfish attitude of many the customers. After returning to fast food again recently for employment, I am still seeing the same issues from 20 years ago just like when I was just out of high school. So, I have decided to try and help. Here are some things that will help not only your blood pressure from skyrocketing while you are trying to get your dinner, but you will find your service "with a smile" will be more and more from those serving you. I will focus on the fast food orders although some of these can very well be applied to any place serving you food.

1. Patience is a virtue.
   We are stressed more than you can imagine. Orders are filling the screen, we are being timed on how long the whole process takes us to take the order, make the order, and serve the order. We really do want you to have your food fast and accurate, please understand that it takes several minutes (more for special orders) to get things done. We beg you to be patient with us. 
2. Know what you want.
   Before you step up to the counter, or just ask for a moment before you start placing your order in the drive thru. Once we start pressing buttons the stress of getting that order completed in about 15-20 seconds starts counting down. After being in the food industry and seeing/understanding the stress I now will take a seat at a table, or pull off and park so I can write down my family's order that way I can walk up with a clear order ready. With 7 of us, it is going to be lengthy and the longer the order the more room for errors. (This also applies to items ordered specially made.) 
3. When we get it wrong, please let us know with respect.
   When an order is messed up, it isn't always the front counter person's fault. Please don't "bite our heads off" because you didn't get your added sauces or received the onions you specifically asked not to be there. We want you to be a happy customer that comes back and if we make an error let us make it right for you and not feel like we have just been slapped with your words or those eyes that are burning through us. If contacting a manager, please let them know what we did wrong, but give them respect so they can walk away respecting you. I promise that they will be addressing the error with the person(s) who were accountable. Yelling and cursing at them isn't going to bring on more wrath to the employee because they aren't allowed to yell and curse at us. It just stresses them out more making the whole place tense. And no one wants to work with a tense and stressed our co-worker. 
4. Pick up your trash.
   Don't let lil' Johnny throw his food and then leave it. We are not allowed to hand you a towel to wash a table or items to manage clean floors, of course that is our job and we take pride in a tidy restaurant. But, when a guest comes in and leaves a huge mess and a littered floor, we have to step away from other tasks to clean it up. I know you are already paying very high prices for your food, but we are not scheduled to bus tables like a family style restaurant.
   This also, and especially, applies to a restroom visit. Please don't leave tissue on the floors, remember to flush, and wash and dry hands thoroughly before leaving. Usually most places that I know have a standard 30 minute check for restrooms. Well, that is a long time for certain items to be left waiting and it is rude to us, but mostly rude to the next person who needs to go and can't because of the mess. 
5. Call ahead.
   Stop in to get our number or look us up online. Add our phone number to your favorites, or just save it to your phone and call ahead for large orders or special orders. This helps give us time to get your order ready and you just pay and go. Everyone is happy. One of the worst things is when someone is in a hurry to get to work or return to work and gets stuck in line behind the mom with lots of kids and a long order. 
6. Compliment. 
   You may not realize it but we LOVE to hear things like thank you, have a nice day, see you next time....anything that is nice. If you don't want to hear grumbling, then we don't either. If you don't have something nice to say then don't say anything at all. We don't know you are having a bad day, grieving the loss of a loved one, or just having a bad day, but those things aren't our fault, we just want to know we are doing a good job. (Besides, if I know you have something bad going on, I would want to stop everything and hug you. I know there their are others who feel the same about customers. We really do care about you.)
7. SMILE! :)
   This makes SO much of a difference. I have had customers who tell me they can have a worst of days, but when I smile at them, they can't help but smile back. WOW! That makes me feel amazing that just me greeting them with a smile can encourage them or brighten their day. Well, guess what? So can yours. Maybe I am there serving you while my child is home sick without me. I might be working 3 jobs to make ends meet and with aching feet, sore back, feeling terrible, your smile can make me feel special, valued and not taken for granted. Smiles are contagious and that is the only thing contagious we want spreading around our place of business! :) 
8. Use the 800#.
   I think the use of the toll free numbers are greatly misunderstood. Each store has a General or Store Manager, an Assistant Manager, then shift managers. When having trouble or getting terrible service, please start at the bottom of the chain and work your way up, unless it is a positive comment. We need to have more positives go straight to the top, but for getting problems solved it is actually more efficient to start with a manager inside that store. Other wise working down the chain of command is harder to track backwards delaying getting the results you want. (Of course there are rare situations that just need to be called in and I am not talking about those.) One more thing I think that many don't understand here is that many food chains are franchises. Corporate is still in overall control, but the local owners need the chance to handle things before corporate is brought in. (This is also why you can find one special at one place and not at another.)
9. Waste not....
   Please only take what you need. Supplies are not free. Napkins, sauces, ketchup, ice, fountain soda, straws....these things still cost the business and it all adds up. Taking 20 napkins and using 2 then leaving the rest of the table is still a waste. We can't put those back...they are trashed after you leave. That might mean you have to get up during your meal and get more of something, but just that alone is saving us LOTS of money and there for keeping prices lower for you. On the subject of saving money, remember too that the person behind the counter or over that speaker has no say in what our prices are for your food. We also run understaffed many times because of illness, family emergencies, or even training newbies and the more minimum wage goes up, the more you will pay for it in purchases. I know of one restaurant in particular that struggles to even stay open because they can't hire the help they need and not raise prices so high to afford a full staff. Sadly, this stresses our staff and customers. 
10. Exceptions to the rules...
    We understand that things happen, questions need asked, misunderstandings take place. All these things do take more time and need to be fixed. It isn't all about us, our times and our happiness, it really IS about customer satisfaction. We want a well rounded relationship with our customers, we want you happy and fed and our staff happy and ready to serve you accurately. I also understand that some privately owned places or even corporate run locations have owners/managers that aren't making the place a great place to enjoy your meal. But, we hope that the ones that work hard are the ones you will return to and trust. The customer is always right, but we don't want walked on, taken advantage of, and misused.

I hope this helps our customers see a "bigger picture" to what is happening in the process of getting fed. I also hope this inspires employees to take an extra step in customer service. I love seeing people happy and satisfied in life and that goes for not only those getting their bellies full, but those who are preparing, cleaning, serving, and managing restaurants.

KNOWLEDGE really IS POWER!

"Enjoy your meal and please come back and see us soon!"

Valentine's Day

Each year people run around trying to find the perfect give for their Valentine. Everything from expensive jewelry to those little conversation hearts with "be mine" printed on it.

This year I am making a challenge to you. Why not give a gift that will never let your love die? A gift that will be just as rewarding to you as it is to your Valentine. Spouses, boy-friends, girl-friends, parents, sibling, children...the list goes on of who might hold the strings of your heart in this world. Best news of all, it doesn't cost a thing.

What is this amazing gift? The answer is easier to type than live, but the answer is selflessness.

What would our relationships with others be like if we had the attitude of  "Will this help them more than me?" or "Will this encourage them and motivate them?" In a world with feelings of I want it now, I want it yesterday, I want more, gimme-gimme-gimme, we have hurt or are hurting those we love. Love should be about the other person's happiness, not our own. Although, as I have found in my life, the more I give to someone else the more joy I actually receive.

Long is gone the attitude of "better to give than to receive," or "it is the thought that counts."

I have a dear husband who hates telling me no about something. Many times in the past I have found out how much it crushes his heart when I ask if we can get dinner out and he has to tell me no. He isn't intentionally being cruel, he is being financially responsible. It took me awhile to really understand that he really hated saying no. I even learned that sometimes he would take us out anyhow, then later have to figure things out to make the bills even out. I was ashamed when I realized this...he still said yes, even though it made more work and stress on him. But, he did it because he loves me and wants to see me happy. Now I try to remember this before I ask.  I try hard to not ask of him what he can't give easily. In order for us to take care of our family as a whole, I have to do without. Sometimes this is so hard. I am tired, I am emotional, and the last thing I want to do it cook. But the key words in the latter is I WANT. How pathetic is that? What about him. Working hard, paying bills on time and supporting our family mainly on his income. Shouldn't I think about him more than myself? Wouldn't he like to come home and relax and have a nice meal with his family after working all day? I love my husband and I am so grateful for his love to me. Lord knows, he has endured many years of my selfishness, my hormones, my mood swings, my bad attitudes.

I do not write this to brag about myself or flatter my husband. I honestly want others to feel the joy and the freedom that doing for others will bring. It breaks my heart when I hear a tired husband complaining that their wife is just impossible to please. How tired they are and just want help. Wives who won't work or don't contribute to the financial freedom by spending money carelessly or foolishly are destroying their husbands. or wives who complain that their husbands are too tight with money and lazy wanting to come home and rest after work. It is no surprise when one day they find them self in a loveless home. Sadly, they just can't see that they are the ones that caused their home to digress to that. Blame, of course, is also usually a form of selfishness.

What if we lived each day as if we are trying to win their love again? Taking a moment to do something to show how important they are to us. Nothing that is impossible, but just looking around for the little things that helps them feel loved an appreciated.
I have seen this displayed by my kids. Little notes left for me when I wake up or get home from work. One of them running to the kitchen to surprise me with my cup of coffee as soon as they heard my feet on the steps coming downstairs. Even going into my room, making my bed and laying a coloring page right on my pillow. Let me just say that those things make me feel incredible and so very loved.


I have a sister-in-law and brother who do little cutesy things for each other all the time. One day as my sister-in-law was going out the back door to work, she saw on his patio table that her husband had used his finger in the frost a heart with their initials inside it. Some might think this is childish or a waste of time but it really reflects a man who wants to keep a reminder to his woman that he is still her love.                                                                                       All of these things can be applied with the relationships and hearts of any one in our life, our home, our church, our work place. You might never know who needs someone to example selfless love and respect and if you haven't figured it out by now, the phrase, "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." applies perfectly there. We shouldn't give to get, but thankfully, we will benefit from giving.

Happy Valentine's Day to everyone who reads this and I hope that this year will be the start of self less and more rewarding life. 

 

Why do you want to go to Heaven?

Do you have your mind set that you need to see loved ones that have already died? Do you want rescued from this life and the terrible things you have had to endure here? Are you just wanting a ticket out of hell and into paradise?

I am not so sure that many people really ponder this question. I meet people from all walks of life and basically most of them tell me that they are going to Heaven. I usually hear things like they can't wait to see Uncle George, or their Mom or Dad, spouses, grandparents and some to even meet their child(ren) or see them again. But, you know I have never once heard anyone say that they can't wait to get to Heaven to worship Christ, or to have the honor of bowing at His feet. To see Him for ourselves and to spend time in His presence.

I loved my Dad. As most people who loose their battle with cancer, our family felt he was taken too early. At just 55 years his life ended. There are times I miss him so badly and of course I look forward to seeing him again in Heaven. But, will I really end this life and be in the presence of Christ, look around and ask, "Where is my Dad?" I doubt it! Honestly, I sure hope not! I think I will be in awe of Christ and that I am actually in His presence and fall on my face in worship and humility. I won't deserve to be there. I deserve Hell! If not for Him and His sacrifice on the cross, I wouldn't be there. That is how I think I will, how I should react. Do I want to see my Dad again? Yes! Of course, I do. But, here is a question we all should think about.

If I die and go to Heaven and never see anyone I loved here on earth again, would I still be ready and excited to get there?

Now that takes us in a different direction. Is my focus on seeing Christ or seeing my loved ones? Gratifying my emptiness from loss here on earth or having the honor to bow at my Creator and Master? 

We need to take seriously the reason behind our motives. We need to read the Bible and understand what salvation is really about. Not everyone we know is going to Heaven or is already there. Only those who have trusted Christ as their personal Savior and repented (Which means they have admitted they sin and need a Savior.) will enter Heaven.

Do I believe that we will see our Christian family members and friends again in Heaven? Yes, I do. But that cannot and should not be our motive for wanting Heaven. Neither should we see our salvation as a "ticket" from hell.

One sin I keep coming back to in each struggle in my life is selfishness. I want, I feel, I know, I have.... over and over I hear my voice in my head saying things that reflect my selfishness. It is the one root that is so deep and twisted around everything and every sin I commit has it rooted so deep. So, even with my afterlife, I am tempted to think about what I want.

But, it isn't about me. It is about Christ. It is about my Creator making me for His glory and His pleasure, and His will. Not mine and not yours.

• There will be no longer any curse; and the throne of God and the Lamb will be in it, and His bond-servants will serve Him. Revelation 22:3 
• “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. - Matthew 7:21
• And the Lord said: “Because this people draw near with their mouth and honor me with their lips, while their hearts are far from me, and their fear of me is a commandment taught by men... - Isaiah 29:13
• Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” John 3:3
• For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God.. 2 Timothy 3:2-4
• For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. -Philippians 2:21 

Thrifty moments

As a mom of 5, I am always looking for new ways to save money or at least make a dollar stretch as far as I can. So, here are some things that I have found that work well for me.

Home made laundry soap. No grating, no cooking, easy liquid method:
http://www.onegoodthingbyjillee.com/2013/03/super-concentrated-no-grate-liquid-laundry-detergent.html

Foil balls for fabric softening and static removal:
http://lifehacker.com/5533418/use-aluminum-foil-to-keep-clothes-static-free

Dry Erase Markers:
These are great because you can always just wipe them off. Here are some things around the house I like them for:

• Leave notes on the top of the washer for items that need to be line dried. Never forget and toss that expensive dress or slack into to the dryer again! 
• Labeling items on the edges of glass plates. For my daughter's birthday we decided to do little finger food and for the roll up wraps we needed to have things labeled. One plate vegan, one for ham, one for turkey, etc. Worked out well so that the kids with dairy sensitivities didn't get cheese and the vegans didn't get meat. 
• Parties. Want to make notes of photos without keeping them there forever? Just grab your DE Marker and a picture frame....TA-DA! Lil' Suzie's kindergarten picture is labeled for her High School graduation party and once it is over, just wipe off with a napkin. 
• Notes to kids/hubby/room mate on bathroom mirror. Who doesn't need to tinkle first thing in the morning and a note in front of you face is the best place! "Don't forget your check up today at 3:45!"
• Customize stem wear...serving guest drinks. Opt for the stem wear even for iced tea and lemonade. This way you can write an backwards initial on the bottom edge of the glass. When set upright to fill, the letter shows through and doesn't wear off from touching or condensation. Even just a simple star or mark in a certain color can help identify glasses.
  

Houseplants:
When a busy week or just a simple trip away from home for a few days means your poor lil' plants will dry out, just place ice cubes on top of the soil. They melt slowly into the top and trickle water down to the roots. Is is also nice because by then the water is warmed a bit. You can also take a tub or sink and just set the plants down into a very shallow bath. This allows the roots to draw up the water while keeping the soil from getting too wet and soggy or having run off of the plants. No one like to find ruined furniture or carpet.

Magic cleaning erasers:
How on earth did my mom with 4 kids ever survive without these!? Just about anything scuff, smear, and caked on mess can be clean up with these priceless gems. I rarely buy the brand name, but even if I did it would be worth it. I sometime rip or cut them into smaller pieces so they last longer and are easier to hold for small spaces. Certain toys have those little textured grooves that make dirt stick and water just run off, but these little things clean the nooks and crannies so well. *Careful to test on a out of sight spot first. Flat paint especially tends to come right off and expose sheet rock. And the point is less work, not more.

Google:
There are so many sites on line that have do-it-yourself (DIY) and home made recipes for things. I have been called the Google Queen because I rarely ask people questions about things. I look up basically everything that I am curious about. Home made cleaners, movie reviews, medical issues, teaching helps, organizing tips....the list is really endless. So, next time you are pondering something, search it and see what you find. It not only saves money, but also trips to the store for groceries. Just remember that if you can buy it, it can be made by you. :)

Seeing the Big Picture

                              Jeremy Robert, Shelby, Grace, Anastasia, Beth 


Here are five of the most important people in my life. I am so blessed to be a mom and build a life with these wonderful souls. I can't think of anything else I would rather do with my earthly time than get to know these wonderful people. Sadly, too many people only see their offspring as their children, but they are so much more. Don't waste your days focusing on your children. Focus on the wonderful people that God has placed into your life. They are of course, your children, but they are also people with dreams, goals, ideas, and choices all their own. Don't underestimate how valuable your time with them is and also be sure to teach them from the start how to be responsible people, citizens and workers. One day they will leave your arms and take their first steps...when that happens it is the start of them doing things their own way and making choices for themselves. If you only focus on them being your child, you have lost the whole picture. One you don't want to miss, because it is beautiful when you step back many years from now and see who they are and how wonderful they have become.

                                                    ~Proverbs 22:6 ~
                                      "Train up a child in the way he should go, 
                                  even when he is old he will not depart from it."