Head Math

I'm a Baby Boomer, and when I was growing up, I counted my pennies before I went to the corner store. I needed to be sure I could afford those 5 pretzel sticks at 2 cents each, or that piece of bubble gum at 1 cent each, and that licorice twirl at 1 cent each. Money was tight, so when our parents gave us a few pennies or a whole dime, it was a big deal. My friends and I learned to count our pennies carefully. We hated for the store clerk to say, "You don't have enough money for this."
I found myself counting my pennies again today because I forgot to put shopping money in my wallet before I went to the farm market. I needed kale, nectarines, apples, and bananas to make my green smoothies this week. I put each piece of fruit into my cart and was about to splurge on a basket of fresh strawberries. A small voice in my head said, "Sylvia, check how much money you have." I did. I only had 10 one-dollar bills in my wallet. So, I reverted to my growing up shopping habit. I did head math and counted my pennies to determine if I could pay for the fruit in my cart. I figured that my bill was under 5 dollars. I could afford the strawberries. Nice!
Do you also use head math when you shop?
Smiles,
Sylvia
www.sylviabrownroberts.com

Writing & Chocolate

This author is mulling over a chapter rewrite. I have to bring a character back to life, because writing her out isn't necessary to make the plot flow well. It's not that she's a pivotal character, but there's another way.
Wait a minute, is that a miniature box of chocolates on my lap top's screen, distracting me from my writing task?  Are those new flavors: Red Velvet, Chocolate, Carrot Cake, and Wedding Cake? Who dares sabotage my progress for today? Excuse me, people in my story. I'll be right back after a sweet chocolate break...

Smiles,
Sylvia
www.sylviabrownroberts.com

Catching Up To Myself

Here's the ground I covered since last Wednesday:
Went on annual sisters birthday bonding trip with my only biological sister on Wednesday through Friday. On Thursday, we had Swedish massages at a wonderful spa. YES!
Drove back home on Friday in time to join our brother, who visited from ALA, for a seafood meal at Eat at Joe's. YUM!
After our Friday meal, I went home to complete writing and practicing my speech.( I'd been asked earlier this month to be the keynote speaker at the church Graduates Brunch on Saturday.)
On Saturday, I attended the Graduates Brunch (3 precious high school graduates)  and gave my speech and ate a delicious cupcake creation from Sister P. YUM!  I just missed a visit and movie time with my other brother who visited from upstate NJ.
On Sunday, attended Sunday School, morning church service, had early dinner at Mom's with her, my sister, and my 3rd brother. Attended Ladies Bible Class and evening worship service.
Monday (today), slept in, did morning Bible devotional. Went  to Zumba class. Wrote a chapter in my new novel. Treated to curry chicken dinner by spouse, writing this blog post before I run off to church singing group practice.
Gotta slow down. I'm a woman of  a particular age.
Smiles,
Sylvia
www.sylviabrownroberts.com

Agree/Disagree

Life is a series of lessons. You know the saying, "We can disagree, but we should  disagree agreeably."  I first heard it from a professor, and I refer to it from time to time. Sometimes, it's easier to say it than to do it.
The other day, a colleague and I had a disagreement. The colleague saw a situation one way. I saw it a different way.  On principle, I could not agree but I could not dismiss the colleague's view, because that view was valid to the individual. I simply didn't see it the same way from my experience with the situation. We'll both make a concession for the good of all concerned. And life will go on.
Peace,
Sylvia
www.sylviabrownroberts.com

Bust You Up

While in a waiting room last week, I sat near a mother, a grandmother, and two children. One of the children was in a stroller and was quiet. The other girl, who looked to be about 5 or 6 years old, was very boisterous. She ignored her mother and grandmother. Against their warnings, she sat on a toy chair that was too small for her. She pounded the toys in the play area.
"Get off that chair. You're too big for it, the legs are bending!"
"Stop talking so loud."
"Leave the baby alone. She's trying to sleep."
"Cut it out. You know better."
The older girl's response to all these words: laughter and sassy words.
The grandmother finally took the older girl by the arm and sat the child on her lap.The child began to make slapping motions at the grandmother's face. At first, the grandmother blocked the girl's hands, then she became annoyed and said, "Just 'cause I let you mess with me, that don't mean I won't bust you up! Keep it up and I'm gonna punch you in the..."
Just then, the nurse assistant called my name. As I walked to the examination room, I wondered if the little girl was still laughing and slapping at her grandmother's face.
I do know this, if  I  had tried to slap my grandmother or my mother when I was little, it would have only happened once. There also would have been some serious consequences.
Take care,
Sylvia
www.sylviabrownroberts.com

Sister Survivors

Have you ever decided to skip an invitation to an event, but changed your mind at the last minute?
Did you attend and come away glad that you did attend?  This happened to me last Saturday. Capital Health Systems for Oncology Services held a 2014 Cancer Survivors Day: Finding Your Source of  Strength event. I waited until the last minute to register. I've had a  blessed first year as a survivor. I know the Lord Jesus is the source of my strength. Why should I attend? I found out why.
Interaction with women who have walked the same path is powerful. I hugged a woman who had radiation appointments the same mornings as me a year ago. We could not remember first names, yet on Saturday we reconnected like long-lost sisters. Neither of us had to discuss how we felt sitting in the waiting room in our lovely cancer robes. We knew, no words necessary. I listened to female survivors who had many more challenges than I did, and they are still standing.

 Our guest speaker: an Oncology Social Worker, Psychotherapist, Cancer Guide, and Cancer Survivor. We  had a delicious and healthy lunch. Plus, I won a candle basket!

I left feeling more energized, resolved to continue caring for my health, and thankful to my sisters and as always, God.
Sylvia @www.sylviabrownroberts.com

Please and Thank you

Like many Baby Boomers, I was raised during the days of Please and Thank you. Back then, if someone gave us something or did something for us and we didn't respond, our parents would ask, "What do you say?" Prompted, we'd respond, "Thank you." Even then, our parents would give us a look that said we shouldn't have needed to be prompted to speak our appreciation.
Our elders often said, "You should show appreciation when something is done for you, because no one has to do anything for you."  Adults routinely taught children to say Please, when the children made a request.
It seems this prompt show of appreciation has diminished in today's time, both in adults and children. It can be annoying when you go out of your way to do a  niceness and the recipient acts as if you've done nothing or that you should have done it anyway.
A remedy for the annoyance: when you do a niceness, thank God that He gave you the grace to do a niceness. He sees what you do and He knows your heart. Give God the praise, even if the recipient does not thank you.
Take care,
Sylvia
www.sylviabrownroberts.com