Good morning! I hope everyone has a sweet start to this day.
I spoke with my neighbor who I had assumed was moving, and they are. After 30+ years they are moving to the coast of Georgia. I will miss them. He said we will still exchange Christmas cards as they always look forward to that. He had seen me walking last night and initiated conversation about that. He told me where I could walk to and turn around to make a three mile walk. He said it takes about an hour. I only do two miles so far.
It’s closer to Friday than yesterday was. We’re chasing down assigned high schools to try to arrange for graduation photos. I’ll be glad when this time of year is behind us.
I was glad that son’s university got done earlier rather than later. But he is teaching an online class for part of the summer and has a week+ of another gig to make some summer money.
He played a board game with some friends that he’d never played before. The game is Calico and involves tiles that are quilt blocks. Players build a quilt and it sounds like they earn rewards that are little cat figures that get to sleep on the quilts. I may have it all wrong in my understanding, but it sounds cute. Thinking Kathaleena might know of it. People who don’t like cats would not like it. AJ’s family might enjoy it.
The weather is picture perfect for a USAFA graduation. I feel sad for the graduates to have to listen to yet another clueless speaker this year. The highlight will be another amazing Thunderbird flyover.
The moths have invaded our forest and the birds and cats are happy! So far only one has invaded my house but they are plentiful in the garage. After the moths leave then the pine pollen covers everything yellow…achoo! Nj
Been there done that on the yucky pine pollen. Worse every year! The ligustrum pollen is past and noe we are near the end of the stinky chestnut pollen.
The day was perfect for mowing. So thankful to get it done early. Someone is grilling something that smells even better than the usual. Made me want some of it!
Still no tax refunds – and no response from my tax person. I last emailed him on Tuesday (before that had emailed him the week before).
I can’t guess what is wrong but I think he must know and is trying to straighten it all out before talking to me. I’ll call him tomorrow if I still haven’t heard anything.
Kizzie, I got an email about a new book that might be of interest to you. I did not read all about it, but might like to listen to it myself on Audinle.
Dj, in a regular time and place, I’d say it sounds a bit strange. But these days are so different from former times.
Art does not share so much with me about his work load lately. He even stopped asking me to order supplies thos year. I think because of my vision difficulties. I did fine with ordering supplies because it was all set up with Amazon to keep ordering what I had ordered in previpus years.
I did have opportunity to talk to the other preparer recently, and she said it was the hardest year ever. She said there were more extensions than ever.
Maybe its because everyone is getting older: in our case, both the preparers, and the clients. But as you know, IRS can makd it difficult on people in the tax prep business. They want to end that industry and have a monopoly where IRS prepares tax returns for people. Sometimes it could also be that a preparer has put off a surgery or any other important event until after tax season.
If the office is not too far from you, I’d just stop by and see if anyone is there. They probably have a drop slot on their door. Leave a thank you card (thinking the best and to encourage) and put a note explaining your concern. A lot of people might express great anger, but kindness might help them feel motivated to act more quickly.
Janice – Thank you for that book recommendation. I may buy that and then pass it along to a friend, Jen, when I finish reading it (if I feel it may help her). Jen’s daughter has broken off contact with her, and it is breaking her heart. (As I can understand from when Chickadee did that for a year.) We were just praying with her about that last night at ladies’ Bible study.
Janice, thank you — an editor friend said it happened to him a few years back, so maybe not entirely unheard of.
But I did call the preparer (he’s not close by) and he picked up, said my name and then said I’d called “at just the right time” as he had things squared away with the IRS and I could expect to see my refunds (both state and fed) in “5 to 10 days.”
So I guess all’s well, though I did request (via email) an explanation of what happened this time.
I didn’t mind the extension he needed, figured those things happen. But not being able after that to find info on my refund on those sites for so long had me more worried.
So glad you got him on the phone at the right time. And yes, it does seem that he should inform you with an explanation. I know Art would give that courtesy.
On another subject, a lady in my Bible study recommended the book, Praying Grace: 52 Meditations and Declarations on the Finished Work of Christ, by David A. Holland. Those of us reading it are liking it very much. I bought the nicer leather like version which would make a beautiful gift for someone.
So I just talked to my close friend and she confirmed everything I was feeling so I will share with you.
Last evening I went to a school play put on by my grandson’s class, third grade. I had asked my daughter a couple of months ago if Archie had any school events I would like to go. So she gave me the info for this play. The play was nice.
My ex and his wife were there and my other daughter came too. They all had flowers and balloons. I have been going to all of the soccer games and they have not. I got the impression that they had been going to these things all along, but I had never been told or invited. Sort of a club that I wasn’t a part of. I was friendly and kind, but it felt a little weird to not have been a part.
Last weekend my Colorado daughter flew out to surprise her sister for her 40th birthday. I did not know she was coming until I got to the pool party and she was in the pool. A total surprise. My sister invited me over on Monday for dinner with her husbands mother and my stepmom. When I mentioned that Katie had come out, they both said, yeah, didn’t you know that. So I was left out of that one too. In some ways I am not a part of this family. Yet I will gratefully take the parts where they are willing to include me. I can’t force them, just show up faithfully when I can or am invited.
It was such a blessing to have my friend confirm my feelings
Pulling for you in it all, Jo. You are doing the right thing by showing up and proving yourself worthy of more invites. I sense they might be easing you into things, like testing the waters. Go prepared to have fun and be fun. When possible maybe introduce a new fun activity that can be appreciated by all.
Why am I reminded of the time I was fairly new on a job and took in a cake to enjoy with the group, and the co-workers waited until I had left for lunch to cut the cake and have it without me? I totally had forgotten that until now. Why do I, in my seventies, still remember that from my twenties? It was just so blatently absurd!
These were the same co-workers who spilled a heart shaped box of valentine chocolate candies on the floor, stuffed them back in the box, and offered them to the Christian sales rep that they poked fun at behind his back. Cruelty knows no limits.
Hey Jo, it isn’t the same situation, but I’m thinking of the 14 years I lived in Chicago, and had an uncle and his family in the same city. We got together for lunch two or three times my first year there, and got together when my mom came to town that same year.
And then I got a bit tired of being the one initiating all the contact, but I continued to call my uncle if we had family news like my mother (his sister) going into the hospital. And then my uncle and his daughter, my cousin, had hospitalizations the same year, and I showed up for both. (I happened to hear about them through my work, since his son-in-law worked in my company, and his family news would be mentioned on work emails.)
Showing up for those two hospital visits, after years of trying but not really having my initiation met with response, finally clicked to them that I was family, and after that my uncle and I were in touch the rest of his life, my girl cousin and I are in irregular contact, and I met her brother in Phoenix when I visited last month.
It wasn’t through any fault of yours that you weren’t present in their daily lives while you were on the mission field, but they’ve been in the habit of living life without you, and if you come across as a bit independent they may well think that you prefer being alone. (I faced that particular issue quite a lot when I was younger, for example bosses purposely putting me on shifts where I worked alone because they mistakenly thought I preferred that, and once–outrageously–being given the only single bedroom in a house for a women’s retreat. At that one I protested and said a single woman going on a women’s retreat doesn’t do so to be by herself! And they changed my room with someone who thought it a blessing to have some time alone.) Anyway, I echo the advice to simply continue being present, and let your children and grandchildren continue to see them. And continue to invite them, yourself. If you can do it without resenting them, but just see it as you’re on different pages and it may take a while to be reading from the same music, it may be smoother.
BTW, I have a brother who naturally draws children to him; even children who don’t know him somehow instinctively knows he loves children. I love children, too, but they aren’t drawn to me in the same way. Eventually I realized we simply play different roles in the body. The quieter children, maybe the children who are hurting, are going to come to someone like me–my brother is surrounded by too many children, and the quiet children will get lost in a crowd like that. They navigate toward the person like me, who will see the individual child. And hurting adults often are drawn to come to me, too. It’s not a showy place in the body, but then again, I’ve never actually wanted the “showy” place, because I’m the quiet girl who’d rather have a quiet conversation in the corner, too.
just the pain of being deliberately excluded and not allowed to be a part. I will graciously take what I’m offered. It is obvious that they have talked about this and left me out
I was so excited to come home and be a part of my family
Wandering Views 
Good morning! I hope everyone has a sweet start to this day.
I spoke with my neighbor who I had assumed was moving, and they are. After 30+ years they are moving to the coast of Georgia. I will miss them. He said we will still exchange Christmas cards as they always look forward to that. He had seen me walking last night and initiated conversation about that. He told me where I could walk to and turn around to make a three mile walk. He said it takes about an hour. I only do two miles so far.
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Good morning. I hope everyone has a great day.
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Good morning n this bright sunny day.
mumsee
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It’s closer to Friday than yesterday was. We’re chasing down assigned high schools to try to arrange for graduation photos. I’ll be glad when this time of year is behind us.
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I was glad that son’s university got done earlier rather than later. But he is teaching an online class for part of the summer and has a week+ of another gig to make some summer money.
He played a board game with some friends that he’d never played before. The game is Calico and involves tiles that are quilt blocks. Players build a quilt and it sounds like they earn rewards that are little cat figures that get to sleep on the quilts. I may have it all wrong in my understanding, but it sounds cute. Thinking Kathaleena might know of it. People who don’t like cats would not like it. AJ’s family might enjoy it.
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Janice that sounds like a fun game!
The weather is picture perfect for a USAFA graduation. I feel sad for the graduates to have to listen to yet another clueless speaker this year. The highlight will be another amazing Thunderbird flyover.
The moths have invaded our forest and the birds and cats are happy! So far only one has invaded my house but they are plentiful in the garage. After the moths leave then the pine pollen covers everything yellow…achoo! Nj
LikeLiked by 4 people
Been there done that on the yucky pine pollen. Worse every year! The ligustrum pollen is past and noe we are near the end of the stinky chestnut pollen.
The day was perfect for mowing. So thankful to get it done early. Someone is grilling something that smells even better than the usual. Made me want some of it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Still no tax refunds – and no response from my tax person. I last emailed him on Tuesday (before that had emailed him the week before).
I can’t guess what is wrong but I think he must know and is trying to straighten it all out before talking to me. I’ll call him tomorrow if I still haven’t heard anything.
Getting just a little bit nervous. …
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Janice, does this sound strange to you?
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Kizzie, I got an email about a new book that might be of interest to you. I did not read all about it, but might like to listen to it myself on Audinle.
https://40099644.hs-sites.com/loving-your-adult-children?ecid=ACsprvs0NudFiBmHXf0yoA8fDIKYpKcXprp-GV1nl8RsUlDIaMRiCWKzjioc1aH2OJmoTo9nzWBe&utm_campaign=Books&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_y-EWJRAVlsOhSR9HmGLJihC1K86znUOg4UvUMcDt78VzSNW7Q-qYFUyMru2Ab6KmLqWzsvxMHx8aK5bIgrEWc6Q7DBQ&_hsmi=303253989&utm_content=303253989&utm_source=hs_email
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Dj, in a regular time and place, I’d say it sounds a bit strange. But these days are so different from former times.
Art does not share so much with me about his work load lately. He even stopped asking me to order supplies thos year. I think because of my vision difficulties. I did fine with ordering supplies because it was all set up with Amazon to keep ordering what I had ordered in previpus years.
I did have opportunity to talk to the other preparer recently, and she said it was the hardest year ever. She said there were more extensions than ever.
Maybe its because everyone is getting older: in our case, both the preparers, and the clients. But as you know, IRS can makd it difficult on people in the tax prep business. They want to end that industry and have a monopoly where IRS prepares tax returns for people. Sometimes it could also be that a preparer has put off a surgery or any other important event until after tax season.
If the office is not too far from you, I’d just stop by and see if anyone is there. They probably have a drop slot on their door. Leave a thank you card (thinking the best and to encourage) and put a note explaining your concern. A lot of people might express great anger, but kindness might help them feel motivated to act more quickly.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Janice – Thank you for that book recommendation. I may buy that and then pass it along to a friend, Jen, when I finish reading it (if I feel it may help her). Jen’s daughter has broken off contact with her, and it is breaking her heart. (As I can understand from when Chickadee did that for a year.) We were just praying with her about that last night at ladies’ Bible study.
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Janice, thank you — an editor friend said it happened to him a few years back, so maybe not entirely unheard of.
But I did call the preparer (he’s not close by) and he picked up, said my name and then said I’d called “at just the right time” as he had things squared away with the IRS and I could expect to see my refunds (both state and fed) in “5 to 10 days.”
So I guess all’s well, though I did request (via email) an explanation of what happened this time.
I didn’t mind the extension he needed, figured those things happen. But not being able after that to find info on my refund on those sites for so long had me more worried.
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That would worry me, too!
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So glad you got him on the phone at the right time. And yes, it does seem that he should inform you with an explanation. I know Art would give that courtesy.
On another subject, a lady in my Bible study recommended the book, Praying Grace: 52 Meditations and Declarations on the Finished Work of Christ, by David A. Holland. Those of us reading it are liking it very much. I bought the nicer leather like version which would make a beautiful gift for someone.
LikeLiked by 1 person
So I just talked to my close friend and she confirmed everything I was feeling so I will share with you.
Last evening I went to a school play put on by my grandson’s class, third grade. I had asked my daughter a couple of months ago if Archie had any school events I would like to go. So she gave me the info for this play. The play was nice.
My ex and his wife were there and my other daughter came too. They all had flowers and balloons. I have been going to all of the soccer games and they have not. I got the impression that they had been going to these things all along, but I had never been told or invited. Sort of a club that I wasn’t a part of. I was friendly and kind, but it felt a little weird to not have been a part.
Last weekend my Colorado daughter flew out to surprise her sister for her 40th birthday. I did not know she was coming until I got to the pool party and she was in the pool. A total surprise. My sister invited me over on Monday for dinner with her husbands mother and my stepmom. When I mentioned that Katie had come out, they both said, yeah, didn’t you know that. So I was left out of that one too. In some ways I am not a part of this family. Yet I will gratefully take the parts where they are willing to include me. I can’t force them, just show up faithfully when I can or am invited.
It was such a blessing to have my friend confirm my feelings
Jo
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Off to the pool for more exercise.
Jo
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Exactly, Jo. Continue to be faithful. Your grandchildren will notice who attends their games.
mumsee
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Pulling for you in it all, Jo. You are doing the right thing by showing up and proving yourself worthy of more invites. I sense they might be easing you into things, like testing the waters. Go prepared to have fun and be fun. When possible maybe introduce a new fun activity that can be appreciated by all.
Why am I reminded of the time I was fairly new on a job and took in a cake to enjoy with the group, and the co-workers waited until I had left for lunch to cut the cake and have it without me? I totally had forgotten that until now. Why do I, in my seventies, still remember that from my twenties? It was just so blatently absurd!
These were the same co-workers who spilled a heart shaped box of valentine chocolate candies on the floor, stuffed them back in the box, and offered them to the Christian sales rep that they poked fun at behind his back. Cruelty knows no limits.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hey Jo, it isn’t the same situation, but I’m thinking of the 14 years I lived in Chicago, and had an uncle and his family in the same city. We got together for lunch two or three times my first year there, and got together when my mom came to town that same year.
And then I got a bit tired of being the one initiating all the contact, but I continued to call my uncle if we had family news like my mother (his sister) going into the hospital. And then my uncle and his daughter, my cousin, had hospitalizations the same year, and I showed up for both. (I happened to hear about them through my work, since his son-in-law worked in my company, and his family news would be mentioned on work emails.)
Showing up for those two hospital visits, after years of trying but not really having my initiation met with response, finally clicked to them that I was family, and after that my uncle and I were in touch the rest of his life, my girl cousin and I are in irregular contact, and I met her brother in Phoenix when I visited last month.
It wasn’t through any fault of yours that you weren’t present in their daily lives while you were on the mission field, but they’ve been in the habit of living life without you, and if you come across as a bit independent they may well think that you prefer being alone. (I faced that particular issue quite a lot when I was younger, for example bosses purposely putting me on shifts where I worked alone because they mistakenly thought I preferred that, and once–outrageously–being given the only single bedroom in a house for a women’s retreat. At that one I protested and said a single woman going on a women’s retreat doesn’t do so to be by herself! And they changed my room with someone who thought it a blessing to have some time alone.) Anyway, I echo the advice to simply continue being present, and let your children and grandchildren continue to see them. And continue to invite them, yourself. If you can do it without resenting them, but just see it as you’re on different pages and it may take a while to be reading from the same music, it may be smoother.
BTW, I have a brother who naturally draws children to him; even children who don’t know him somehow instinctively knows he loves children. I love children, too, but they aren’t drawn to me in the same way. Eventually I realized we simply play different roles in the body. The quieter children, maybe the children who are hurting, are going to come to someone like me–my brother is surrounded by too many children, and the quiet children will get lost in a crowd like that. They navigate toward the person like me, who will see the individual child. And hurting adults often are drawn to come to me, too. It’s not a showy place in the body, but then again, I’ve never actually wanted the “showy” place, because I’m the quiet girl who’d rather have a quiet conversation in the corner, too.
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just the pain of being deliberately excluded and not allowed to be a part. I will graciously take what I’m offered. It is obvious that they have talked about this and left me out
I was so excited to come home and be a part of my family
thankful for the friends I’ve made in BSF
jo
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you have to realize that I’ve now been home for two years. They never even wanted to see my house or help in anyway
lots of anger there
but God is leading me and He knows
so the youngest asked about me watching the kids this summer. I’m allowed to meet some needs but not be a part
jo
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