Only in America

I had a busy day today - and it is still going on.  Today our kitchen is getting plastered - This is a BIG deal. We have not has a full kitchen for 3 years.  We have what I like to refer to as a New York City Kitchen.  That is the romantic name I give my small space with a sink, fridge, toaster over, crockpot, griddle, foreman grill, washer and dryer. There is no oven and no dishwaher. I have the hands to prove it. 

Today I got up early to go to an appointment, get coal for the coal stove, and get a cake.  Since our bakery deserted us (see post in October!) I have to find a new one.  Today I decided to hit BJ's.  Not my smartest moment, since the Superbowl is tomorrow and the crowds needed to get jumbo packages of doritos and salsa and corn dogs.

At BJ's they made an announcememt, "attention BJ shoppers..." at that point I should have stopped listening. "at the end of aisle 15 we are giving away free peelers!!" So my cart takes a immediate detour to aisle 15. I cannot even believe I wanted a free peeler.  I find it even funnier that about 40 people wanted a free peeler. But as anything free goes, there is always a catch. And since I was 1 - tired, 2 - without kids, and 3 - interested -  I decided to join the crowd. 

The suave speaker told us all about the Euro slicer and how it will change your life. I learned how to have  the best french fries, cry-free onions, and perfectly even tomato slices. I totally bought into it.  I wanted slaw  and I wanted to make it with ease.  I found myself thinking of all of the things I could make. I was going to be very impressive.  A regular "Fancy Nancy" in my new kitchen.

Then, I started laughing. I started really laughing. The kind of laugh that got me kicked out of Yoga. I thought of the Euro slicer and the fact I was quite certain that there were no old ladies in villages in Europe waiting for their butcher and their freshly cut meat or their produce from the farm stand ooogling over a Euro slicer.  Only in America would we stand around with our mouths open watching a man in a slick suit peel carrots and slice cucumbers - and then we would grab the package so we can peel our own.  Funny I saw none of those people even have a vegetable in their cart.  Maybe you can slice Twinkies!

In fact, I think the only people ooogling were the dozens of people who grabbed the entire "special offer" "only today" package of Euro Slicer gifts.  I took only the free slicer with a smile.  If I am being honest, I have to say, if Michael was working I would have grabbed the whole package. I don't know if I am sad that I won't have a perfect tomato pie or relieved I walked away knowing that it is not about perfect slices.  I do know I am still laughing!

Words Matter

The past few weeks have been very stressful for me. With Michael out of work, I find myself over worrying about money and how it will all work. The emergency fund I carefully funded - has now been tested. Emergencies have popped up on top of other emergencies. I did not know it was allowed to work that way. My little bubble of safety and all things easy has been hit by a pin. I guess I did not know how easy it was.

This weekend I went to a Valentine's Tea at one of our oldest friends. We have shared mother/daughter teas with this group of women for many, many years. The conversation picks up where it left off and we catch up on our lives. Our hair color has changed, we have had babies, our moms have become grammies, and we (the kids) have become adults.

There is one woman I love to catch up with each tea. Peggy has a neurologial disease. Not MS, but another bunch of letters that mean crappy deal. I don't need to know the initials to know how she feels. I have first-hand knowledge.

Years ago, Peggy and I talked about MS and she asked if I would talk to her friend's daughter who also has MS. I did. I have talked to many men and women with MS. Sharing my journey and hearing theirs. My attitude is positive - not denial positive - just simply positive. But at this tea, Peggy shared with me my words. How she remembered all that I said to her. I was shocked that she could quote me and things I said. I was shocked that I sounded so sure. So sure that it would be ok.  So sure that we are all playing this game of cards and I just know my hand.  So sure that I know. I know how she feels. I know how it feels.

I walked away knowing that I made a difference. Words matter. They may be the "thing" that someone holds on to. It reminded me to choose carefully becuause you never know when you are making a difference.