Rescue

The last day I was able to use my laptop was January 29, 2012. On January 30, it would not start, no  matter how many corrective measures I tried. I realized this was far beyond my limited computer repair expertise, so I called my tech-savvy brother and tried to fit myself into his repair schedule. A few years ago, it would not have mattered too much to me not to have daily access to my laptop, but  my life has changed.  I'm a writer/author, a blogger, and at the start of a marketing campaign for my 2nd novel, BEYOND CHURCH DOORS- and no working computer?!?
While I waited for my brother to get to my laptop, I borrowed my significant other's a couple of days, but he needed it himself most days. I used my small tablet, but it doesn't have all the capacity I need for my work. I was tempted to go to the local library, to a friend's house, or to a corner  of some facility's computer lab. However, my brother came through yesterday, traveled more than an hour and  half one way,  picked up my sick laptop, and left me a loaner. Yay! It's not the same as having my own- the one I'm so used to I can work it with one eye open- but it's the next best thing!  
Hooray for rescuers!
Take care,
Sylvia

Returns

I'm one of those women who carries a large purse for some outings and a smaller, more casual purse for other outings. For example, if I'm about to  zip out to the grocery store, I put my wallet in a small purse and head out the door. Conversely, if I'm about to attend a business meeting, I pack a larger and more chic purse.
On Saturday, I purchased a replacement small purse that was on sale. I didn't take the paper stuffing out of it until today, right before I left to run errands. I unzipped an inside pocket and found a new dime inside. This made me smile and think of an old tradition. Long ago, I was told to put a new coin inside a gift wallet or handbag before I gave the gift. This was to wish prosperity to the recipient. Now, I don't say that this worked, but it was a kind gesture.
Anyway, I'll keep the dime until I return to the local shop where I bought the purse. I'll even offer to return the dime to the shop owner, and we'll likely share a laugh about it.
I wonder if I'd offer the money to the shop owner if it was a 100 dollar bill instead of a dime. Would you? Something to think about.
Smiles,
Sylvia

Kitchen Floor

Here's a real quick tip.
If you want your roommate, children, spouse, or any other member of your household to abruptly return home, all you have to do is mop and wax the kitchen floor. Gone are the dirt and grit from shoe soles, the old spills  and stains that appear to be visible only to you, because your floor is now clean! It is almost a guarantee that once you finish the floor and admire it while it dries, one or more of your people will come home. And of course, they will have to go into the kitchen because they need to go  to the  refrigerator or the cabinet or any other place in the kitchen.  As you watch them track up your clean floor, smile, and remember how much you love them...
Smiles,
Sylvia

Bathroom Tissue

I'm still trying to figure out what to think about this one.
I saw promotional bathroom tissue paper for the first time last week. It looked like regular tissue, but it had a message repeated on one side of each square. The message was from a group that apparently believes humans should go vegan.
The text indicated that slaughterhouses are unclean and that certain bacteria contaminates half of all meat from slaughterhouses.
It seems like a strange place to put information. I've heard of reading while in the bathroom, but reading the tissue?...
Smiles,
Sylvia

The Finish Line

Happy New Year 2013!  Sending out good wishes to all.
True story. As I was leaving the gym today, a fellow member I hadn't seen in a few weeks entered. We exchanged hugs and greetings, then she exclaimed, "Hey Sylvia, I'm still reading your book! For real, want to see?" She pulled Behind Church Doors from her tote bag and flipped through the pages to show me how far she was into the novel.  I was impressed, because she's told me that it takes her forever to finish a book. Then she said, " I really like NikkiMac!"  She was referring to the main character in my first and second novels. I'm fine tuning the second novel, which is coming out in a few weeks.
The lady at the gym encouraged me today, and I want to encourage anyone who is currently working on a positive project. Keep at it.  Pray about it.  Go for the finish line.  Give God thanks for your talent and energy.
Keep the faith,
Sylvia

A Sudden Cry

I was an elementary school classroom teacher in an urban school district for more than 30 years. Most teachers I know are clear about the instinct to protect our students. In our school, we protected them from aggressive dogs that wandered onto the playground, from bullies, and from some parents who wanted to give them physical discipline in the classroom. We teachers shielded them from shady persons who occasionally slipped into the building. We sometimes had to protect them from other students or the bigger siblings of other students. I've faced many circumstances in defending and shielding students, but I never had to face an assault rifle.
Yesterday, I thought I was dealing with the news concerning the little children and school staff tragedy in CT. I  prayed when I heard about it on Friday. At church on Sunday, we prayed for all involved. But yesterday, the event came across the television screen with the faces and names of those now stilled. Suddenly, this teacher burst into tears.
Still praying,
Sylvia

On The Receipt

There's a controversy about the notes a waiter supposedly wrote on his order tab to help him identify the customers at his tables. I don't know if this is a practice among wait staff; I thought they just went by the numbered tables in a section. I remember seeing something like room/table maps with numbers at some restaurants. I know I'd need help remembering tables if I was working as a server. I'd really need the numbers. Anyway, this waiter allegedly wrote FAT GIRLS on his order tab. The problem is it was printed on the receipt which was given to the three female customers. Needless to say, the women customers were not amused.
This made me wonder what a wait staff person would write on his/her receipt about me to help remember the group at my table in a restaurant.
Woman with Afro?
Eyeglasses?
Short Lady?
Laughing Lady?
FITB?  (This is an old term: Fly in the buttermilk, for when I'm with my friends who aren't African American.)
Water drinker?
What would the wait staff write on the receipt about you?
Smiles,
Sylvia