Changing the World by Pastor Blue Jeans....

I found an inspiring blogger that I would like to share one of his older posts with everyone who happens to read my blog. He is a pastor at a Methodist church in New Jersey and calls himself Pastor Blue Jeans. I like helping homeless people and those less fortunate than myself so I enjoyed reading this post of his.
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Changing the World
It's funny how the Spirit works. We have been talking on and off about ReThinking Church for 6 months or so at West Grove. At times I feel as if I have been simply spinning my wheels at times, yet today something happened.


We activated something we are calling the Brown Bag Brigade at church. It is a group of volunteers who come in and make some brown bag lunches for us. Today we decided to make 50 bag lunches to coincide with the Change the World event that was being promoted throughout the United Methodist Church.


We themed our day's events around Feeding the World. We also had a group at church holding a bake sale to raise money for an organization that is focusing on solving the problem of childhood hunger.


So with the Brown Bag brigade activated it was my job to find a place to deliver the brown bag lunches. I figured that it would be easy to find a group in the area that was in need of some lunches. However, as the lunches were being made I found myself scrambling to find a place that could use the lunches. I told Ginny off handedly that I would simply let the "Spirit" lead me. I was trying to be funny, as often happens God had other ideas.


It was then I remembered several stories I had read in the newspaper recently about a place called Tent City in Lakewood. It was described as being off in the woods and a place where people who were homeless or transient would try and find some community and safety and help.


So with the lunches packed I headed off on my quest to find Tent city and it was not exactly easy. I traveled up and down the streets of Lakewood, I stopped in the local laundromat and stopped a few people on the road and still could not find anyone that could give me directions. I finally made a phone call to a colleague of mine from Lakewood and he was able to give me directions.


I found the entrance into the woods where I was told that I would find Tent City, as I went down the long dirt road I realized that my little car was probably not the best vehicle to be making this trip. I finally pulled up into an opening in the woods and I came upon what I can only describe as a little community.


All around me I found various homemade structures and a few vehicles as well as several chickens. As I got out of my car I soon found myself talking to two of the most engaging gentleman that I had ever met, Danny and Stormy.


Stormy was a former resident of Tent city who now had a place of his own. Danny was a resident of Tent City. They seemingly were great friends and shared with me a little of their stories. I found myself just standing there listening and sharing with them and became more and more encouraged. I was encouraged with the spirit of these men and of the sense of community that I felt as I stood there with them and a few other people.


I hope that today was the beginning of a relationship of sorts between myself, Stormy, Danny, West Grove and the people of Tent City. However that turns out I do know one thing, today was truly a Change the World event. My world did change just as it does every time that I trust God.


So I ask you, did you help Change the World today?
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I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I did. He and his wife took a trip to Jerusalem last Feb/Mar and wrote about his trip and how he walked in the same places that Jesus walked. Interesting reading as well.

I need another pair of shoes like I need.........

I went to PayLess Shoes today to look for these shoes that my girfriend in the Caseville area wants but she can't find them in her size at the Bay City or Saginaw store. So my store has her size and I called her and left a message but she hasn't called me back yet. They are having a BOGO sale and they have the cutest little black shoe/boots with a sexy heel that I want to buy so I figure if she wants me to buy her the shoes then I can get the boots half off....but I'll split the difference with her and we can both save. I may go tomorrow and buy the boots whether I hear from her or not. I WANT THESE SHOE/BOOTS!! I was wearing shorts when I tried them on and damn....they looked so damn cute even with shorts on. I want them...I HAVE TO HAVE THEM!! I'm gonna buy those cute little black boots and wear them with my jean shorts....with Fall coming, it will look so much sexier than wearing sandals. Of course, I have to lose a few pounds or my big huge ass will take away the sexy look.....

My "Cheeseburger Days"

I've been back from Caseville since Thursday and the "Cheeseburgers in Caseville" 10-day event was a total blast! We were busy pretty much every day.

Friday.....Hubby came up and we went to the concert in the park and watched the "Tribute to the U.S. Armed Forces" and then "Marty Viers and the Music Doctors" play onstage. Afterwards they had the 'spectacular laser light show' which was pretty awesome to see. I had 2 cheeseburgers on this first day of Cheeseburger....one in town at the Key North place and one at the concert.

Saturday....I went to the animal clinic in town and watched the "Whooz Dog Got Talent" combined with a pet fashion show. People had their dogs dressed up and had them perform their favorite tricks. Keno can do a 'high five' and smile with his teeth but he won't do it on command in front of anybody when you want him to so I didn't bother entering him. Mini Sue doesn't do much of anything except lift her left paw up to get a treat. I didn't stick around for the whole thing cause it was so damn hot out. So I left after awhile and drove up to the school where they were having a craft show going on.

We decided to skip the Saturday night concert in the park and went up to the Eagles instead to have one of their cheeseburgers. And I had a Walking Taco earlier in the day. I love those!

Sunday.....Didn't feel good at all Sunday and layed around most of the day.

Monday.....Went into town to the village park and watched the kid's parade and the caribbean street dance with dancing, limbo and hula hooping. I had a hot dog at the Key North place.

Tuesday....My son and his girlfriend were up and we all went to the Wooded Island as they call it and watched the "Sea Cruisers" play 50's and 60's music. They were pretty good and did a great rendition of 'Johnny Be Good'. I bought their CD. We got Cheeseburgers from the 'Brew Moon' place near the Wooded Island. They had really good burgers and onion rings.

Wednesday....Parade Day! The new rule this year is that nobody can start setting their chairs up in their favorite spots until 6:00 a.m. the day of the parade. In years past, there are chairs all over town and in the streets as early as Monday! So I got up at 6:00 in the morning and drove into town with our chairs and got them set up in the Village Park in our favorite spot...front row seats! Then later we went up to sit and wait for the parade to start. Son and his g'friend and her daughter and neice also came. It was the best parade ever this year. It was almost 2 hours long with lots of really neat floats. My favorite was this giant pig that shot water out of it's butt at the crowd...LOL. Had a cheeseburger from the beer tent.

After the parade I took hubby home and then I went up to the condo where the kids were staying and partied with them and some of the owners at a bonfire until 2:30 in the morning!!

Thursday.....Thursday night I went up to the park to watch the concert. "The Mysterians" were playing. Way back in the day "? and the Mysterians" had a one hit wonder called "96 Tears". Well...same band but without Question Mark. And they played "96 Tears" twice. I just LOVE that song!! It was exciting to see them perform it. We had cheeseburgers at the Key North place in town.

Friday.....I went over to my girlfriends house for awhile. And later hubby and I and my son and his girlfriend and the girls all went up to the Fireside Inn for pizza. Then later that night hubby and I went to the condo and partied with them and some renters until 2:30 in the morning again! Drank waaayyyy too much beer AGAIN! Had a cheeseburger and a Walking Taco in town.

Saturday.....First the kids came over and we barbequed burgers, brats, chicken and steak, and then we all went to the main park to watch the last concert of the festival. It was a band called "Jimmy and the Parrots". It's the first time they have played the Cheeseburger festival. The park was jammed with people for this last concert. And this band totally blew everybody away...they were THAT good! They did some Jimmy Buffett tribute songs for the occasion but they also jammed out alot of great tunes. When they did a Journey song the crowd went crazy. And they also did the old tune "Wipeout" by the Ventures and I couldn't believe the drummer's drum solo. OMG was he good! He was flying on those drums and lights were flashing and it was just so amazing to watch him. I swear, he's the best drummer I have ever seen. And they even did some Beatles' tunes. They were really rockin' the place, that's for sure.

Sunday.....The last day of Cheeseburger came to an end. Hubby was worn out and decided to just chill at home. I went into town to see the classic car show at the county beach. And then I walked through town one last time taking it all in and I had one last cheeseburger. Then I went home and started taking my decorations down. Well, actually I went home AFTER I watched my son get his car towed out of the lake! He was trying to get one of his jet ski's out of the water and backed in too far and got stuck. So by trying to save $7.00 to do it at the marina, he ended up paying $120 to get his car out of the water. Oh well.....

And that was our Cheeseburger week in Caseville.

Hubby left for home on Monday and I stuck around for a few more days getting things cleaned up and I got together for lunch with my girlfriend. Then I drove home on Thursday.

We decided to stay home for Labor Day weekend. Then we'll probably head back up and spend our anniversary (9-18) going to the Kinde Polka Fest....or maybe the 50's-60's dance at the Eagles which is the same night. And then also that same weekend is the Elkton "Born to be Wild" festival when all the bikers come into town and everybody parties in the beer tent. Damn....just too much going on in the same weekend. I can't be everywhere at the same time!!! I wish they would space things out better. But summer is ending and there are just so many weekends left to get all the festivals and partying in.

I hope the weather stays good...

Good weekend...

Last night was fun. Hubby and I went up to this local bar and grill where we met up with my brother and a friend of his and his son and his girlfriend. His friend is a local singer at a nice restaurant and her daughter is in a band called "KT's Alibi", and they were playing at Timberwolf last night. They are a really really good band. She is a super singer just like her mother. She does Madonna, Lady Gaga, Michael Jackson...some old motown...and alot of new songs..some I didn't even recognize cause I've been so out of the loop. They don't have music at the Eagles in Caseville and that seems to be the only place I go to anymore. I haven't seen my brother in a very long time since he lives so far away from me...but he called to say he was going to be in town and I thought it would be fun to get out and hear a good band for a change. And they were also doing a breast cancer auction to raise money. I think they raised $1000 last night.

Tomorrow I go in for my bone density test....and Tuesday I'm leaving for Caseville. It's time for the "CHEESEBURGER IN CASEVILLE" week! It'll be a busy week. I'm going to get there before the weekend to start getting my cottage all decorated with my monkees, palm trees, parrots, lights, etc.....and hubby will get up there by Friday. We'll be busy hanging with friends the first weekend, and then my youngest son and his girlfriend and her daughter will be up by the following Monday at our condo for the rest of the week. I'm looking forward to it but it also marks the beginning of the end of summer. By the time I get back home, it'll only be a couple weeks til Labor Day....BOOOOOOOHHOOOOOOOOO!!!!!! I'm just loving this summer and I don't want it to end. The weather has been great. And I love the heat...better than the winter cold...and I got A/C anyway.

So today I start washing clothes for the trip and I got water all over my laundry room floor....WHERE THE HELL IS IT COMING FROM??? Hubby found that there is a major leak in the pipe of our laundry tub where the water drains...it's like pouring out. So another problem to deal with...

The kitties are still around...sometimes the mama cat comes by. But then sometimes they are gone for a day or two, but then they come back. I bought another one of those feeders that you put lots of dry food in and it lasts for awhile...so that makes two I have for them when we leave. They'll be left alone for almost 2 weeks depending on when one of us gets home. I'll worry about them, but they will have two feeder containers of food...water...and they can always hunt for mice like their mama does. And if they are gone when we get back, then they're gone....

Gonna go watch Madmen...this is the first season I am watching it so I'm trying to figure it all out and who is who...but seems like a good show.

Doctor, Doctor, Give me some news.....

I had a doctor's appointment today to have my blood pressure checked and adjust my meds. I think their nurses or whatever you call the girls that come in to take your BP must be fresh out of nursing school. So she comes in and takes my BP and says it's 118 over something....and I told her 'no way' cause it's never been that low and I had just taken it before I came and it was my usual 140 over 85. So she tries the other arm and this time she tells me it's 110 over something! What??...Maybe I'm dead and don't know it.

Well, Doc comes in and he's looking at my chart and shaking his head. I told her what the reading she just told me she got and he even said 'no way' and he took it again himself and it was 140 over 85 or thereabouts. I told him they need to train their girls better on how to take a blood pressure.....

So he adjusted my meds cause I told him the new ones he had me on was causing swelling in my legs. Hopefully, these are better.....but then I'm reading the CAUTIONS and SIDE EFFECTS on this sheet they give ya and it says something about 'avoiding the sun and tanning booths'!....and 'avoid alcohol' while taking this med......yeah right! He knows my lifestyle in Caseville....tanning and drinking beer. Whatever! Anyway, I'll give the new meds a try but I ain't changing my lifestyle.

And he gave me a different statin drug for my cholestrol even though I don't think I really need it anyway. I told him to first see what the blood tests say and then see if I even need it. Well, he gave me one anyway....suppose to be a lower type of statin or something. I just better not get muscle pain in my back, hips and down my legs like before or I'll stop taking that prescription as well. I quit the other one way back in March. He said I should have called him. But I knew if I called, I would have just been told to make an appointment and I don't have time for appointments. He's lucky I come in when I do....

Okay....so then I go to the lab department to get my blood drawn....and again, another incompetent nurse or whatever they're called does it. She draws the blood and doesn't have me put pressure on the spot and hold my arm in the air for awhile....no, she just pulls the needle out and slaps a gauze and tape over the 'hole' in my arm. So while I'm driving home, it starts bleeding like a mother-youknowwhat, and I have to pull off into a parking lot and stop and I have blood all over my arm, my hand and on my clothes! Luckily, I had some napkins in the car and put pressure on it and put my arm up for a few minutes and it stopped bleeding. WHO THE HELL IS WORKING IN THE MEDICAL PROFESSION NOWADAYS??

I still have to get a bone density test and I made another appointment for that next Monday. I haven't had one in a few years. There again, I know I have some osteoporosis and I'm suppose to be taking meds for it and I did for awhile but didn't like the side effects so I quit taking them....have refused to take them for a couple years now. I told my OB/GYN that there is no sense in me having a bone density test done and waste my insurance company's money cause I ain't gonna take the meds for it anyway. So I've been taking lots of calcium these last couple years or so, so I'm curious to see if it has made any difference, so I will get the test done. But no meds......not unless they have perfected the drug. Actually, when was the last time you have even seen a FOSAMAX commercial on TV??? Been quite awhile cause I guess somebody figured out what a useless drug it is anyway...it causes too many other problems.

But other than that, I'm healthy as a horse as they say......

Just another typical Weekend....

So I went up to Caseville last Monday for a few days. I spent most of Tuesday cutting the grass, weedwhacking and edging. The ladies Eagles meeting was Tuesday night so I went to it and after the meeting we all go into the lounge and drink beer...haha.

Wednesday it rained some but I made it to bingo but didn't win the $3000 jackpot. Some rich real estate lady won it which bummed everybody out. I was hoping that if I didn't win it, or my neighbor didn't win it, then someone who really needed the money would win. Oh well....

Thursday I drove home.

Friday night hubby and I went over to our neighbor's for a few beers....and a few more until the wee hours. He has a nice covered patio in his backyard.

Last night I met up with my friend. Originally we were going to go to Greenfield Village but changed our minds and decided to try this new place that opened near her house and had dinner and drinks and talked for a few hours. Well, I had dinner and she had a beer. I wasn't in the mood for beer last night....too much the night before I guess...LOL

The kitties are still hanging around....well, two of the kittens and the mama cat. We don't know what happened to the cute little kitty. After we got back from our week in Caseville we never saw her again...just the mama and the two little tabbies. It's amazing how the two kitties look so much like the two cats we use to have years ago. They died at ages 18 and 19. The one kitty looks like Tiffany Sue and the other looks like Ashley Court so I call them Sue and Court just like I did with our other cats. But they are still wild and won't let us touch them. My husband tried to pick one up and she scratched the hell out of his arm. They will come out for their dishes of food when he is standing there, but if I try to stand there with them, they run under the house and just peek out at me. The one little kitten seems a little more braver and he is trying to let him/her touch him....he gets near enough to put his fingers out to touch but then he/she backs away and when he stands back up, she comes back to the dish. At least she doesn't run under the house when he gets near her. Maybe slowly we can get them a little tame so I can find a home for them eventually.

I know, I know....they ALREADY HAVE A HOME!!....Well, I mean a DIFFERENT home!

Hubby had me buy sardines and he's been mixing sardines with their dry food and they are just loving it....they are never going to go away I'm afraid...
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Tuesday I have a doctor's appointment and my doctor better change my blood pressure pills cause these new ones he put me on in January are not suiting me at all....I keep getting alot of swelling in my feet and ankles and even into my calves now if I sit too long. When I got back from driving from Caseville my legs were so swollen I even took pictures to show him. So I stop the pills for a few days and no swelling. I even sat at the restaurant last night for over 3 hours and no swelling. But I had to take a pill today because my BP was 158/98...then later it went down to 128/85 after the pill. I want to go back on the one I had before cause I had no swelling with those. These new pills he put me on are a different dosage and a generic brand so they are cheaper. Forget cheaper....I'll pay the extra money....cause I don't think that swelling in the ankles and legs is a good thing.

And I have to tell him that I stopped taking my cholestrol pill last March because it was causing me to have muscle pain...he won't be too happy to hear that...so I'm hoping that my cholestrol blood check is okay. I've cut out eggs big time in my diet.

Watched Big Brother tonight and Undercover Boss and Mad Men....a decent TV night for a change. Tomorrow is the finale of The Bachelorette! Who will Ali choose?????