Stand Up For Yourself

I know that none of us are perfect and everyone makes decisions at times that they shouldn't. What we fail to realize at the time is that there are consequences, or repercussions of those decisions. Our choices can make us, or break us.

When we make questionable decisions we forget how others see us. We all at some point proclaim that we don't care how others view us, but we are human after all and we do care on some level no matter what you try to say.

I know that I've disappointed people, but I have been disappointed as well and I for one have a difficult time forgetting. I've learned through time when something bothers me I should confront the issue as soon as possible so life can go on.

I've made the mistake of not confronting the issues and I'm still bothered by not standing up for myself. It wouldn't be so bad, but little things keep happening that bring up the issues which in turn bring back the bitter feelings that I have harbored.

Most of the time it is too late to bring up something that has happened, but I have also learned that timing is everything. In some cases I have experienced that something happens that gives me the perfect opportunity to say what has bothered me in a way that is not threatening, or melodramatic to the person who I feel needs to hear me. I love it when that happens.

There are two things I will say however, because I just need to get them off of my chest even thought it is too late to do anything about ...

It pisses me off that I never got paid for jury duty. I was denied because of technicalities, though I did find out later I could have fought it.
Also, when I had a death in the family, I was not paid eight hours of bereavement per day that I was out. I was only given the scheduled hours I would have worked which was less. Eight hours of bereavement is a benefit for full time employees, in which I was a full time employee. I asked about this from benefits much later and learned that I should have gotten eight hours per day I was out. I felt hurt at the time. I was already down because of the loss of a loved one and when that happens I felt as if I have been kicked in the gut as well. I never brought it up to my supervisor, because I had already lost faith in this person standing up for me. They spend too much time saying what can't be done rather than standing up for me and saying what I could do.


I'm still waiting for a few opportunities in other cases where the timing will be perfect for me to say what has been on my mind for so long.

In my perspective because of my experiences if you have something to say to someone, don't wait until it is too late. Otherwise, like me you'll have to chalk it up to a learning experience and move on. After all we are not perfect and we must find a way to move forward.

Be nice to yourself and love who you are. Have a Blessed day.

My Daughter Is Married

On May 11, 2017 my beautiful daughter got married to Shayne Hudson. My husband and I gained a son-in-law. Shayne is a hard working young man who like my daughter is strong in his faith in God. As Shayne and Nicole start their life together in the journey of life my husband Russ and I wish them well and we pray that God bless them in every step they take.

We love you!

It has been quite awhile since I've written in my blog. It has been a long time since I have written at all. Real life has inserted itself the last four and a half years and I haven't had it in me to do much of anything except work and spend time with family.

I guess you can say I've sat back and have gained a new insight, or perspective on life. I've learned more about myself and I know I will keep learning. Even though I am considered "older", I think it is important to keep evolving while life experiences teaches me the kind of person I want to be. I just want to impart with whoever reads this is that learning is a part of life and you should never stop.

I will be writing blogs sharing parts of my life and my perspectives, so stay tuned.

Have a good day and may God Bless You.

9/11 Fourteen Years Ago Today

Fourteen years ago today the twin towers in New York were hit by planes overtaken by terrorists. Let's not forget the the Pentagon and the downed plane in Pennsylvania that was destined to hit the White House, but was instead diverted, because of the heroic actions of the passengers who knew they'd never come out alive when they realized the terror that was already gripping out country.

It sickens me when I think about that day and on the anniversary. The tears still fall for the senseless deaths of so many innocent people. I remember seeing news clips of middle eastern people clapping and shouting for joy that America was under attack. It was then I realized how evil some people really are on such a mass scale and how much we westerners are hated because of the very freedoms and beliefs our country was founded on.

It truly sickens me as those same middle eastern people are infiltrating America and fundamentally changing what America was built on. They dare to use our own laws and liberties against us. Evil truly exists. Some of our own leaders are directly involved and are just as guilty for allowing and encouraging the growing evil.

My heart will forever be heavy and I still cry. 9/11 happened 14 years ago and I was in California at the time. It doesn't matter that I was on the opposite coast of where it happened. My life has been forever changed and the anger I feel towards the people who caused this is still alive.

I pray for our country everyday, for our leaders and for God to come back in the hearts of every American who lives here. After all our country was based on our belief in God. Without God it has been proven our way of life in America is not possible and it is slipping away.

Here is a link to the Guardian that shows the stats of that day. http://www.theguardian.com/world/2002/aug/18/usa.terrorism

This is my humble opinion and I give thanks to God and all he does.

Angel in the Night

The other morning, 6-24-2015 I woke up in the middle of the night. I'm not sure what it was that woke me up. I sat up upon noticing that our room was illuminated in a light blue light, and on the ceiling above our bed was a blue light. I thought it was a reflection of something, but I could not figure out what it was or where it was coming from. I stared at it for quite awhile and it seemed to move over me. I can tell you that I was not scared. It was more fascinating than anything else. I grew very tired and closed my eyes and fell back asleep. The next morning there was nothing.

The last couple of days I have contemplated what it could have been. I tried to replicate the blue light and nothing comes close to what I saw that night. I do believe in God and in his angels and I'm thinking that we were being watched over.

God is good and I feel very blessed.

My take on the illegal imigration problem

I grew up in a family that had a lot of struggles. Some of my earliest memories are of looking through the cupboards and not finding much of anything to eat. My grandparents took us kids in during a time my mother and father couldn't provide. With time, things got better, but without the help of family and welfare, life would have been even more difficult. I remember mom making my clothes and me having to wear hand me downs, because we couldn't afford new clothes. I never had underclothes that properly fit and socks that didn't have holes in them. I leaned to use a needle and thread, because I used to mend my own clothes when mom didn't have time to do it.

There was a combination of reasons as to why I was so shy growing up. One of the reasons was I didn't feel as if I fit in. I didn't have the latest styles in shoes and jeans my friends had and what new clothes I did get, were from the sale rack and not in style. Even with all of that, I was thankful I had clothes to wear. I was proud of my mother for trying to make my clothes. I was only embarrassed when I had to wear a bathing suit my mom made, because she couldn't afford a new one for me. I do remember getting new gym clothes every year, I was glad I fit in there.

Now, it wasn't bad like that every year, we had our good years and bad years.

After I grew up I got my first job, and started to pay taxes, even before I had graduated high school. When I moved to California after I graduated from high school, I had to find a job. I didn't have anyone to really help me financially. Though I must say, without the help of my Aunt Kay and Uncle Jim, my sister Kathy and her husband giving me a place to stay and the chance to save my money, I'm not sure what I would have done. I will always be thankful for them and what they gave me.

Now, the point of my post. My mother got help from the government to help with our needs at different times, through money that was paid in taxes by taxpayers. My parents paid in with the jobs they had, before and after their difficulties. They eventually didn't need help from government and was able to make it with the money they earned with their jobs.

I became a productive person in society, working and paying my own taxes with my husband and I'm thankful that we have not had to rely on government handouts to help us through.

It is the height of arrogance that any illegal that comes to the United States expecting our government to hand them money from programs they have not paid into from our taxes. It is an insult and flat out steeling. If someone were to enter my home and take what I have worked my whole life for, it would be against the law. How in the world is is okay, that illegals come into our country, and freely take what isn't theirs?

The government has no right to give our money away to illegals who disrespect our system. They are breaking the law. They are a drain on the system and causing it to go bankrupt, taking away from the American people who have worked hard to pay their taxes.

The programs that the American government has set up by it's people was set up to take care of their own. We have many American citizens that need help from the programs that were set up for them. We have our Veterans, disabled, people between jobs, infrastructure, our prisons etc.

We have our share of Americans that steal, scam and fraudulently take from our government programs that we need to clamp down on.

I look back on my life and am thankful that my mother had the help she needed when she needed it the most. Mom overcame the difficulties and became a productive part of society and all of her children are productive in society as well.

This country can be a great place if everyone worked together and stopped giving away the taxpayers money.

If you want the benefits of the programs that America has to offer, come to our country legally. Pay, your taxes and stop stealing from the American people.

Reflections on this past year. 2014

I sit here this morning reflecting on this last year. There have been a lot of struggles for my personal journey in life and I feel as if I have not moved forward with what I have been trying to achieve. I may not have liked the left curves of life, the dead ends and the heartaches I have endured, but then I look at the lessons I have learned and how much stronger I have become for having gone through them.

I strongly believe that the trials in life can make you a better person if you choose to allow that to happen. It is all in the attitude. I am human, so sometimes my own attitude isn't the best, but when I take the time like this morning to look back on everything and try to see the larger picture I take comfort in the fact that I am a better person because of it.

We just had Thanksgiving with my family. I am grateful that I have been able to take the time off from work to spend with them. It gave me the balance I know that has been missing in my life. I love my family and though we spend our lives in different states working and living our daily lives, we are together in spirit and are only a phone call away. When we get together it is like we were never apart. I know for a fact that we don't take our time together for granted, because we are never promised a tomorrow. The laughter, the tears, the hugs, and the looks of understanding when our eyes met when words just couldn't express what was being said is a gift that is forever engraved in all of our hearts.

My personal journey will continue and I'll pray everyday giving thanks for the blessings I have. I'll keep praying for the courage and the strength to face each day, and to be given the insight to know how to handle each situation as they arise. I pray for health and to stay strong through the difficult times. Above all, I'll continue to pray for my family and friends for the same thing, because we are all in this together.

I am thankful for my family and friends, because I know I am a better person for having you in my life, so thank you. I also want to give thanks to anyone who takes the time to read this. I pray for you to have a very blessed day, no matter what you believe.