Back when we were first married...

Mik had an amusing post which he ended with this question: "have you ever went into a situation expecting one thing and something comes out of left field and your jaw drops?? "

And that brings me to this entry. Back when we were first married, Pete and I went to a party one night that is typical of the kind folks throw around here. Band or DJ set up in a swept out shop. Everyone brings their own refreshments. Lots of mingling from tail gates to the concrete shop floor.

Now my Pete has never been one for dancing, but I love to and had always danced often in my younger years. So, he turns me over to his brother and a trusted friend to dance me around and Pete goes off to talk and mingle. When I and my partners stop for a break, I go off to find a port-a-pottie. On my walk back up to the shop I see my Pete in the light by the shop door standing facing me. He's smiling and laughing. Standing directly in front of him is a short little thing with long dark hair. Hand on the hip. The other hand occasionally touching Pete on the shoulder. As I proceed towards them, I begin to think it looks like Pete is enjoying himself entirely too much with this person! And this person is acting entirely too casual with my Petie-Pete! Why doesn't she know he's married and off the market now!!! And if not, why hasn't he told her?!?!

By the time I am within a few feet of them, my jealousy and my anger are at full tilt. I access that the way they are standing my best bet is to pull her by the shoulder on the side that keeps reaching out to touch Pete, sliding past her at the same time, where I will step beside Pete, put my arm through his, give him a kiss on the cheek and then say "Sweetie, introduce me to your friend." with a sparkling smile on my face.

I approach carefully timing my steps and stride so that my fool-proof plan to stake my claim and protect my property can be carried off without a hitch. I reach up with my right hand and "gently" push this person back to one side about a step and half, at the same time stepping forward, turning and slipping my left arm through Pete's. I plant the kiss on his cheek, and turn to my gaze to face my foe.

Imagine my astonishment when I see a male face with a beard! I feel heat begin to rise to my face as I hear Pete saying "Here she is now! Barbara this is So & So..." I have no idea what name Pete stated. My ears were ringing by now. I muttered a hello and watched as he said goodnight and turned to climb into a short bed truck with huge monster tires on it.

This is how I learned what a tricky beast jealousy can be.

Barbara

A Referral

I haven't done this in quite some time. But Linda did such a hilarious entry on warnings that I just have to point her out to you. She was stepjammer at AOL. Her new blog is called Bad Hair Days. Stop by and hook up with her and read through her beginning entries at her new home, and leave a little encouragement behind.

Just click my title....it should point you over her way.

Sound Advice for Hard Times

Got an email the other day from my friend and ex-neighbor, Lloyd. A joke I found absolutely hilarious. And I'll tell you why just as soon as I share it with you:

If you had purchased $1,000 of AIG stock one year ago, you would have $42 left. With Lehman, you would have $6.60 left. With Fannie or Freddie, you would have less than $5 left. But if you had purchased$1,000 worth of beer one year ago, drank all of the beer, then turned in the cans for the aluminum recycling REFUND, you would have had $214. Based on the above, the best current investment advice is to drink heavily and recycle. It's called the 401-Keg!

Now, I come from a stiff Baptist heritage and in no way condone or advocate the drinking of beer or other alcohol. To borrow a line from Larry the Cable guy, "I don't care who you are, that's funny!"

It appeals to me because I have known so many po' boys who would collect, scrape and save every can they could to haul in when the price was up. I have also know the pressed suit types that would sneer at the thought of such a thing. Now, comes full circle around in the joke that the best and wisest investment they could of made was collecting and hauling! I don't know that it actually all works out financially or not, but it is poetic.

Are we headed for a real depression along the lines of the Great Depression? I can't say. But I can pass on some tips I picked up from living with a mama who had survived it and the rationing of WWII.

Here's few to get you started as the finances begin to choke-hold:

• 
  
  Mold isn't necessarily the end of it. If bread has the white mold, pinch it off and toast the bread. If cheese has some of that whitish or bluish stuff, simply cut it off and proceed.


• 
  
  Substitute hamburger everywhere you possibly can for other cuts of beef and use tuna instead of salmon.


• 
  
  Always save leftovers! If they won't eat them, stop cooking. When they get hungry enough they will.


• 
  
  Stale cereal? Place on cookie sheet and toast in oven just a little to give it back it's crunch.


• 
  
  Save every bread sack, twisty tie and rubber band that ever comes your way. Cuts down on the number of baggies you have to buy.


• 
  
  Soap never gets too small. Save pieces and then get them all wet and mushy when you have a handful and press together. Voila! A new bar.


• 
  
  Out of buttermilk? Use sweet milk with a tablespoon of vinegar added to curdle it to substitute in recipes.


• 
  
  Stock up on staples like baking soda, flour, meal and such and make things from scratch.


• 
  
  Strain and save all grease.


• 
  
  Don't forget about evaporated milk! Richer flavor to recipes and can dilute with half water.

Well, that should get you started and thinking in the right vein. Until next time, God bless and keep you.

Barbara

Looks Like We Are Moving On

  I chose this graphic because there has been an explosion in my email, folks frantic, sad, angry, etc. over AOL's decision to do away with hosting journals.  I understand where you are all coming from.  It's been great here.  We've been blessed.  But I want to encourage you all to reflect on the fact that all too often we neglect or ignore new opportunities and directions because we are comfy where we are.  Often God will move us out of our comfort zone so that we can experience new blessings or that He may lead us on to new ministries.  The old word for alive is quick.  To be quick actually means to be able to change.  When we loose the ability to change, a part of us dies.  I pray comfort, peace and God's direction to you all at this time.

To answer many of the questions I am getting:

1.  Will I still have the group Sisters in Christ?  Yes.  It is in no way dependent upon AOL Journals.

2.  Will I move Life & Faith in Caneyhead?  Yes, I plan to migrate it over according to the instructions AOL is providing through Magic Smoke.  (See link at the top of the page.)

3.  I don't want to loose contact, can we stay in touch?  Yes!  I will be at the same email address:  bhbner2him@aol.com.  I am on Myspace, Facebook and use Plaxo.  (Tip:  You can find me on Myspace and Facebook by my screen name:  bhbner2him.)  Also, I plan to bookmark new journal addresses and join any groups or lists of migrated J-landers that is available.

Chin up, friends.  We'll migrate and explore new territories together. 

Barbara

United States

San Francisco, California

1,688 miles from Caneyhead,

                           SALUTE!!!!!!!!!!!

Tags: J-land, AOL Journals