The Witness Protection Program

This has nothing to do with my statement recently "For the first time in my life I want to run away"...Really... BUT…


Here are the reasons why I think I would be a good candidate for the Witness Protection Program.

1. A new identity would not be a problem. I can’t remember my own name half the time.
2. I remember all faces. (In case you want to kill me, I will remember your face….)
3. I can keep a secret... whatever you tell me. (Actually I forget it right after your admission.)
4. I can barely find my way home, hence the help of Agnes (GPS). So a new location is fine.
5. I like to travel.
6. I am suspicious of everyone and every circumstance.
7. A new career might be nice. 
8. Every day is a new day for me. (Actually, every blink is a new day.)
9. I love mysteries.
10. I might, just maybe or perhaps make a good witness. The jury is still out on that one.

However, there may be a problem with my theory of being a good candidate for the WPP....and this might make me nervous.

There are many people out there that believe they know me and recognize me. I guess it's my fairly common looking plain kind of face... because everyone (yes everyone in the whole wide world) "thinks" I am familiar to them.

• I look like their niece.
• I look like their daughter.
• I look like their best friend.

However, I want to point out that absolutely no one has EVER said “Hey, you look like Julia Roberts or Sandra Bullock.” Nope, not one person.

A few years ago when I worked for a bank an older gentlemen customer came to my teller window. “Are you Tracy?”

“No, my name is Teresa.” I pointed to my little name plaque.

“Well you look like a Tracy I know.” He said.

I just nodded politely.

He called me Tracy for the next year every time he visited the bank. Not only that, he wouldn't let anyone take care of his banking needs except me...Tracy.

When my sweet beautiful Mama was in the hospital almost two years ago, a woman walked up to me while I was there...at the hospital.

“How are you?” she sang with excitement.

My brain scanned her face like a good computer for recognition. I cleared all checkpoints of her face in my mind. No recognition. So, I just nodded.

She continued to talk.

I listened. I don’t remember what she said, though. I was stressed trying to place her in my mind.

Then at some point she realized I wasn’t who she thought. She said, “I thought you were someone I use to know, but you're not. You REALLY look like her.”

I smiled and shrugged and said, “Sorry.”

She was clearly embarrassed and left.

She looked like a nice person, maybe I should have tried harder to be her friend.

That, dear Blogger friends, is why I would and would not be a good candidate for the Witness Protection Program.

Am I the only one? Are you ever mistaken for another person?



Photo source: Me

Bloggywood and other MM Ramblings

Monday darling, I dislike you more this week than ever -because I have been on a wonderful break from work - job work- for 2 weeks. Why you ask did I not give you credit for the past two Mondays that I enjoyed? Well...the answer is... I don't know.

What's been happening in JW's life?

Update on Kiki: Please add another fear to Kiki's list. She hates cameras? I normally give her a good petting before I go back in the main house and she accepts it before she eats. Well like a good Blogger I wanted a photo of her serene face as I scratched her head, but not on that day. The petting went fine. But then...she closed her eyes and....I whipped out the camera from behind my back and...she saw it and got THE look and she nailed me...literally. It wasn't that bad and she didn't mean it. She just wanted me in my place, so I returned quickly...to my place.

So I rested during the break sort of, after Christmas. Before that I cleaned and cooked like a tornado if they indeed cleaned and cooked. But I did sleep in most days to 8:50 a.m. What happened to the days of sleeping until 1:00 p.m. Oh yeah, I was under the age of 21 and prechildren.

From visiting the blogs I found that many people were glad to get 2009 behind them. Me too.

Now it's Bloggywood time... and the Awards go to Teresa at Journaling Woman.

I have been so fortunate to receive three new awards because I have the best blogging friends in the world.Due to the Martha like behavior on my behalf during Christmas and that I took a break, I nearly forgot about this wonderful award from Lesley at Life at Number 10. I keep threatening to go visit this blogger friend ...no really... I mean literally. But you can visit right now virtually and see for yourself how interesting it is in her neck of the woods across the big pond.

I am suppose to give you a happiness list. You know how I love lists so here goes.

Ten things that make me happy.

1. Seeing the familiar faces of my family.
2. Writing.
3. Sewing and decorating.
4. Traveling then going home again.
5. Painting anything - walls...furniture.
6. Drawing.
7. Listening to music.
8. Playing my guitar.
9. Drinking coffee.
10.Shopping with my best shopping buddy, my daughter.

My next award came from Mason Canyon over at Thoughts in Progress. Visit her. If you like to read go...goooo.... Wait, not yet. She has an incredible blog with lots of information about books. Her blog is so pretty it should be in an art museum. Thanks Mason, I truly appreciate you and this award.

She posted 10 interesting things about herself and I am suppose to do this, but I want to warn you that I am NOT interesting.

Ten things about myself
1. I've played the guitar since I was 16. I taught myself.
2. I grew up in the country...way out in the country. Everyone should be so privileged.
3. I love to sing.
4. I sew and rather well if I must tell the story.
5. I have never been on an airplane and really really want to fly before I die. (my new campaign: Fly before I die.)
6. I am a Christian and am totally and completely in love with the Lord and am not ashamed of my faith.
7. I worked as a proofreader once for a newspaper. (Please don't judge me on my typos here.)
8. I volunteered (about three years) with a domestic violence facility.
9. The first place I would like to visit after getting off that airplane is New York City.
10. For the first time in my adult life I have no indoor pets. I have owned (which isn't true they owned me) a Samoyed, Yorkie, Boxer and two cats. I had three finches, several hamsters and many aquariums with fish...oh and a Beta Fish.


The next award comes from Cop Mama. I like so many things about her blog, one of which is that she shows her faith through what she writes as so many that I follow do. I really like that. Also, I appreciate that she was a police officer for 15 years... a very difficult job. I enjoy visiting her.

The list she wanted is the happy list...listed above. But don't be disappointed becuz... since I love making lists I will treat you to a -no cost -absolutely free to you list of ...hates, loves, thinks and wouldn'ts.

1. I hate cooking, love eating. (But I'm a good cook, my sister said so and she is a fabulous cook.)
2. I love blogging.
3. I think I have the best Mom and Dad in the world.
4. I think I have the best children in the world.

5. You need to know that I wouldn't really marry George Clooney, not really...but don't test me.

After all those lists, if you don't know me by now, you will never never never know me. What song am I belting out right now?

My blogger friends have each pretty much let me off the hook for passing the awards on, but I reserve the right to do so later... after I think about it. It's very difficult to choose between ...those I love. (wink wink)

Here's a question for you or rather a fill in the blank:

For the first time in my life (fill in the blank please). I'll go first. For the first time in my life...I want to run away. Seriously, is that too much information?

Now your turn.


Photo source: unknown

New Beginnings, No Returns

But it was your own eyes that saw all these great things the Lord has done.

Observe therefore all the commands I am giving you today, so that you may have the strength to go in and take over the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess,

and so that you may live long in the land that the Lord swore to your forefathers to give to them and their descendants, a land flowing with milk and honey.

The land you are entering to take over is not like the land of Egypt, from which you have come, where you planted your seed and irrigated it by foot as in a vegetable garden.

But the land you are crossing the Jordan to take possession of is a land of mountains and valleys that drinks rain from heaven.

It is a land the Lord your God cares for; the eyes of the Lord your God are continually on it from the beginning of the year to its end. Deuteronomy 11:7-12


JW's thoughts: Let this be your year of New Beginnings and No Returns. No returns to accepting negative talk or ideas- not from yourself and certainly not from others. No returns to making the bad decisions you might repeat every year. No returns to giving up. No returns to harmful behaviors.

It seems to be human nature to do what we should not do rather than do what we need to do (Romans 7:19-20). But it is OUR choice. Every day, like a new year, is a second chance to improve our life.

“Oh God of Second Chances and New Beginnings, here I am again.” (Source unknown)

Want a new beginning? Try these things: 1. Try, Try, and Try again. 2. Forgive yourself if you fail. 3. Replace negative self-talk with constructive talk. 4. Position yourself with positive people. 5. Take it one day at a time.

We have been given the gift of a new year and God's eyes are on it from beginning to end (Deuteronomy 11:12).

New Beginnings. No Returns.

For Your Saturday Viewing

It snowed in MO on Wednesday.

I tried to see the beauty in the fluffy snow outside my front door, but my teeth were chattering so that it interfered with my sight.

There is life in this winter wonderland trying to find a way to the deck at the back of my house. But where is Waldo (Kiki)?

I would like to see lovers sit in that swing together in my backyard. In fact, I dare ya's.

...a whispering bush, only found in Missouri, says, "Spring where art thou?" Yes we say "art" and "thou" in MO, bushes and all.

I have had enough winter so I too would like Spring, please.

Something like this?

I will wait for thee O my Spring with mittens on wrapped around a mug of hot cocoa.

From Me to You

May the New Year inspire you to bring your dreams to fruition.

But don't just be inspired...set your goals on paper or post-its (my favorite) and work on them.

According to USA.gov some popular New Year's resolutions are:

Losing weight
Better money management
Saving Money
Getting a better job
Getting in Shape
Going back to school
Drinking less
Quitting smoking
Reduce Stress
Take a Trip
Volunteer more

I'm not sure what my goals are for 2010. This is what I would like to work on, though.

1. Set up special dates with individual family members- if they will. (Have you noticed life is short?)
2. Find a Bible study I can join again. (I would like to teach one again someday.)
3. Write more. I'm just asking myself to write at least 1000 words a day, 5 or 6 days a week. I know I can do that if I would just do it.
4. Budget money... better.
5. Work on liking myself at this time in life.

6. Work on forgiveness.
7. Baby steps back to exercising again.

8. Make less lists. (Just kidding, I can't do it. I won't do it. I need lists.)

That's all I can think of for now.

Oh... and (to myself privately -so don't read this one) may this year include a marriage proposal from George Clooney. Of course, first he has to know I exist. Secondly, I will have to back up my age by 20 some years to fit his type or hope his vision gets worse. (Hey it's doable) Oh and thirdly, I might have to move to Italy. But don't worry, they have Internet there. Now, don't hold your breath on this one. Please, please exhale, JW, don't hold your breath.

Happy New Year, my dear Blogger Friends. I am so glad I found you or you found me. Nevertheless, I am glad to know you.

Don't Go Breaking My Heart

Sometimes we are taken advantage of because of our good nature. And worse, we let them take advantage.


Let me ask you:

Have you ever had a relative that outstayed their welcome or a friend who doesn’t know the etiquette of visiting and won’t leave? During their visit, you feed them, you give them cushy places to dwell and then you cannot get rid of them. Or…or you treat them well and you don’t hear from them again until they need something? Have you had any experience with this type of visitor?

I confess I don’t know many freeloaders, except for one...just recently. Let me tell you about her.

Years ago she needed me. I gave her a place to stay and she ate my food and slept here. She was well- demanding. One day she decided she didn't like some of my "other" friends and left- as if my feelings didn't matter. That hurt.

But in my heart, I still loved her.

After all, I’ve known her since she was a baby. I even….well… considered her more like family than friend. I’ve always tried to be there for her. And from time to time she would beat a path to my door usually for a...handout. I didn't really mind.

About 6 months ago, I called her. I had to call more than once before she came. In fact, it was evening before she arrived. One of her close (and only) friends had died and I was concerned, so I invited her over again. When she arrived, I met her at the door with a smile on my face and fondness in my heart.

I don’t know if I had said something to offend her, but she didn’t stay long that evening. She just ate and left.

But since that day, I believe she has decided that I am now “worthy” because our visits are no longer awkward. And now...she comes to visit every day.

•As long as I feed her.
•As long as I don’t replaced the rickety door that she can open on her own when she wishes to leave... then we can friends. She likes her freedom.

Kiki Dee was born from a feral cat in my shed a few years ago. She has personality problems. But then what cat doesn’t have issues, I ask you?

She doesn’t like other cats.

She’s not that fond of people, except me of course.




I have fed her since she was old enough to eat on her own. But she has always been a little scared of everything: Other cats, random noises, the wind, people, cars , dogs, floppy clothing, and lawnmowers.

I can pet her, but I can’t pick her up without consequences. (And I can't wipe that muck away from her eye: see first photo.)

When the last of the feral cats (that I felt sorry for and fed) -Ginger- died earlier in 2009, I started feeding Kiki inside my screened in breezeway instead of outside on the deck. She was freaky at first.

But one day, when I forgot to let her back outside, she learned quickly how to push the old screen door open and let herself out.

It got better after that day...our relationship. For months now we have been doing this thing, learning how to trust.

She's always been a very sweet cat. But if I go in the house too soon...you know not on her terms or timing... she has been known to reach out with claws and snag my pant leg.

Now back to freeloaders. December 28, 2009 Kiki Dee decided after eating to... stay and stay and almost wear out her welcome. She stayed inside for hours. She ran through the breezeway over and over again with her tail straight up in happiness! She ran on top of all the tables and over the backs of the wicker chairs. She ran into the garage and atop my car. (NOT so great.)

This made me happy that she was happy so... I fed her again…oh and again. I'm not above buying her love.

Why?

Because just like every other pet that has decided to live with me…they pretty much rule.







Besides, what's wrong with buying the love of my pets, family and friends and strangers as long as it's legal. Yes, that includes George Clooney…if he could be bought…and if he needed the money…which he doesn’t.




Sometimes freeloaders are just temperamental cats that come and go as they please. I just hope she doesn't go breaking my heart (again).... (get it, Kiki Dee and Elton John-and a song?) It's playing if you have your speakers on.



Hey, thank you for your nice comments. I needed some down time. Can you believe 2009 is about to end? Are you sad about that? Or are you glad for a new year?

Photo source: learnnc.org

I am...

taking a small break... I hope...small...a day or two.

Will return soon.