Robert Plant & Alison Krauss : Your Long Journey

Watching Out For Each Other

As she headed out to work on a very cold February morning, she felt especially fortunate to be driving in her newly purchased car. The seats were extra cushy and the heater was blowing nice warm air. As she rounded the corner, she noticed a pedestrian struggling not to slip on the icy street. The wind was fierce and the freshly fallen snow was blowing. The pedestrian appeared to be very cold, by the way he was hunched over and kept reaching for the hood of his thin jacket. As she drove closer, she also noticed that the young man wasn't wearing boots, nor did he have gloves on. She thought about how comfortable she was, and felt bad that the young man looked so cold. In a split second, she decided to pull the car over and ask if the young man needed a ride. The young man surprisingly said, "Yeah, sure". She then asked where he was heading, and he replied, "Well, I'm headed to the corner, to catch a bus to the mall". She said, "Hop in, I'm headed in that direction, I can take you there". The frozen young man entered the car and buckled the seatbelt. He thanked her for the ride, and proceeded to tell her his name. He was very appreciative and friendly. He explained that he lived a few doors down from her and told how he didn't own a car, and that he and his wife were expecting a baby in the spring. He also told about how he had returned from Iraq a few months back and that he was very glad to be back and to have finally found a job, after a very long search.

She glanced over at him and noticed that he wasn't wearing any gloves. "Gee, you're not even wearing any gloves, you've got to be pretty cold?" He smiled and said, "Well, um, pay day isn't until Friday".  She took off her warm black gloves and handed them to him, like an overly protective Mom. She said, "Here, take 'em, I've got another pair just like 'em at home", He replied "Hey thanks, I really appreciate it, hey thanks". She was munching on her morning slice of toast and realized that it wasn't very polite to be eating in front of him, so she asked if he'd had any breakfast, and he hadn't. She then reached out and offered him her second piece of toast and he smiled again, and took it and took a bite. At that point, they were entering the freeway. As she merged into the busy morning traffic, she realized that since she had another passenger, she could take advantage of the speedy car pool lane. They chatted about the slow job market, the neighborhood and his pregnant wife. As they approached the mall, she mentioned that she would look for him in the morning, and if she saw him, she would be willing to drop him off at work again. They both talked about the importance of  helping out fellow people and he again expressed his gratitude to her for the ride. They exchanged names and phone numbers and wished each other a good day.
As he walked away, they both smiled and waved goodbye.

Watching out for each other, paying it forward, whatever you want to call it. We should all try and help each other out. Showing a little kindness, offering help to someone. People are usually so guarded and quick to question why people offer to help out complete strangers. I hope I made this young man's day, I know it made my day.

Polar Bear Plunge_0001.wmv

Happy New Year 2011 From Roxi Thoughts!

Happy New Year 2011!

Well it's here, a fresh new year!

May you find happiness in the little things. 

May you notice, appreciate and 

give thanks for everything positive 

happening in your world. 

May you think twice before 

uttering unkind words. 

May you remember to think of those 

less fortunate than yourself.

May you have enough faith,hope and love 

to get you through your struggles.

May you have good health 

and make time to enjoy your loved ones.

May you find peace. 

And may 2011 be your best year yet! 

A New Perspective On Matrimony

Since half of all marriages end in divorce, I've often pondered the thought of a marriage license that has an expiration date. Think about it, it makes perfect sense. You get married and start out by signing say, a one year contract. The first year goes well, then your marriage license expires. You both decide to renew for an additional five years. Then, the kids start coming, bills are mounting, your once adoring spouse suddenly takes to drinking too much, staying out all night and isn't holding his end up on your marriage contract. The resentment grows deeper and deeper, but you know that you've only got a few months to go in your current marriage contract before it expires, so you hang in there and in a short while you are free of the bum. No messy divorce, no costly attorneys fees, no guilt, no shame. The marriage is over and done. Of course you would have to have a prenuptial agreement in place to determine custody and visitation issues, along with all financial issues spelled out. You'll take the cat, and the bum takes the dog. How simple would that be? 

It could go something like this; "No Marge, Henry and I have decided not to renew, he's moving to Vegas with his bimbo and I'm taking the poodles and moving back to Tucson".

Or this; "Rafael  and I are still madly in love". "We have renewed our marriage license for the fourth time now".

A couple of empty nester's sit together, pondering the thought of "renewing" their marriage license. They've been married for 25 years, raised several great kids, and they are still in love, and very pleased with each other's contributions of their precious union. They mutually decide to renew their license, and sign up for another decade together.

You can bet the divorce attorneys and marriage counselors wouldn't be pleased at all about this policy, but the longer I ponder the concept, it seems more feasible than the way marriages end now days.

The Bistro

As a sort of congratulatory gesture, my other sister created the following newspaper articles. It sure cracked me up. We were having so much fun dancing in the one photo, just like we used to do when we were kids. 

My other sister bought me a darling pink "Hello Kitty" lunch box in anticipation of the big event. 

As you can see, there is no shortage of sweets. Pastries, pies, cookies, muffins, ice cream sundaes, malts, cones. 

The chandelier sets the mood for the upscale gift shop.

Many upscale holiday gift ideas are available for purchase.

Several convenient necessities available, without ever having to leave the campus.

What a nice cozy place to enjoy a cup of soup and a sandwich.

This area is quite lovely, tucked under the grand stairway with the player piano and the light streaming in.

Yes, it's a beautiful place and the staff and residents are so friendly and fun to interact with. It sort of feels like family.  .