Courtesy and Compassion (Or Lack Thereof)

I have always tried to be courteous to people with disabilities. I will hold doors, help someone reach an item on a higher shelf if needed, not shown impatience if I'm slowed down walking behind them in a crowded store. It's not their fault. They have a disability; they are doing the best they can. I figure nothing in my life is so damn urgent that I can't wait a couple of extra minutes....no reason to be impatient or rude.

It's the way I was raised - - be kind, be courteous, and show compassion. It's too bad that there are so many people out there who do NOT practice this.

For the past month, since my foot surgery, I have had to use a kneewalker to get around, since I am not allowed to put any weight on my right foot at all. When grocery shopping, I have been using the battery-operated carts; if one is not available, I have to use the kneewalker. During the time so far, I have run into the best and worst of people out there - - the kind, courteous ones, and the jerks. I have had doors help open for me (thank you!), and I have had people literally push in front of me, to the point where I almost fell off the kneewalker (idiots!).

But one of the worst things? Is at the checkout. I use my Debit Card to pay, and the little machine that you swipe your card through and then have to punch in you PIN? And also answer some stupid questions (cash back? donate? etc., etc., etc.)?

It does not tilt down.

So here I am, in a narrow checkout lane, sitting in a battery-operated cart, because hey - - I am not able to put any weight on my foot - - and I am having to try to stand up in the damn cart to swipe my card, punch in my PIN, and answer all their nosy-ass questions.

It's not easy, people. Not easy at all.

So hey, Walmart! Kroger! County Market! How about a little compassion here! Okay?

This time off my feet is a real eye-opener. If anything, it's made me even more aware of how much farther we need to go to make things more accessible for persons with disabilities - - better sidewalk access from parking lots, automatic doors, displays in grocery store aisles (THOSE things are a freakin' menace!) and more.

I don't know what it will take - - writing letters, talking with store managers - - but I intend to at least try.

Grace In Small Things: 38/2010

What I am grateful for this week:

• A knitting "play date" with my dear friend Judy, who taught me to knit a couple of years ago....I was going stir-crazy and needed the company - - thanks, Judy!
• Wendy's BLT Cobb Salad for supper...yum!
• Squeaky-girl kitty cuddling up with me in the early morning, keeping me nice and warm
• Sachima (a Chinese snack cake) from my dear friend Lily....she knows how much I love it!
• As usual, my Dear Mr. Dizzy, for taking such good care of me during my surgery recovery. Yes, blessed I am.....
  

Count your blessings - - join Grace In Small Things.

Grace In Small Things: 37/2010

What I am grateful for this week:

• My new Kindle! :-)
• A good post-op checkup report from my foot surgery
• Pot Roast and roasted veggies for dinner
• Mr. Dizzy, the MOST WONDERFUL husband in the world, for all the help and caring he has provided me the past 2 weeks following my surgery
• Andee, the best hair stylist EVER, for actually coming to the house to cut my hair, to make it easier for me

I am SO blessed!

Count your blessings - - join Grace In Small Things.

My New Toy!

Guess what I got??





I have wanted one of these since they came out....and I am madly in love with it!

I'm having so much fun with this.....

Post-Surgery Update

I went for my second post-op checkup this morning. The Doctor is VERY pleased with my foot's healing progress! But, I am still going to be off work for at least another 2 weeks (oh, DARN....LOL).

I am also fighting a sinus infection....*sigh*....we stopped at our Family Doctor's office on the way home and talked to the nurse. She spoke to the Doctor and got me a prescription for an antibiotic, so I'm on meds for another 10 days. Hope this kicks it, it's making me miserable!

Grace In Small Things: 36/2010

What I am grateful for this week:

• My foot surgery went EXTREMELY well!
• I have virtually NO pain from the surgery, which means the Vicodin is doing its job
• Dear Mr. Dizzy is home on vacation for 2 weeks, so has been here to help me out when I need it (which is A LOT)
• My first post-op checkup went very well....the Doctor thinks things are looking good
• My friend Connie dropped by with homemade brownies....she makes the BEST brownies ever!

Count your blessings - - join Grace In Small Things.

Surgery Update

Foot surgery went well! I am now in and out of "Vicodin Land"....which is a strange feeling. But it helps keep the pain at bay, so it's a good place to be!

Yesterday we got to the Hospital at 6 AM, and they took me back right away. Got the IV put in (which was a NIGHTMARE) (thanks to the tech who messed it up) (TWICE!). I was in surgery by 8 AM and out around 9 AM, in recovery. Since they used an ankle block and Twilight, I was alert and "with it" very quickly, and was discharged and home by Noon.

So now it's all a healing process....my foot is uncomfortable, but the pain is managed by the Vicodin pretty well. I have my first post-op appointment with the Doctor this Friday morning, so we will see what he has to say. Hopefully he will have good news for me!

I'll keep ya posted.....

Grace In Small Things: 35/2010

This week, I am going to change things up a bit....

Tomorrow (Tuesday, Sept. 7th) I am having surgery on my right foot. The Doctor has already told me that I will be off work for 3-4 weeks, will be using crutches or a kneewalker for 6-8 weeks, will not be able to drive for 2 months, and cannot return to the Gym for 3 months.

Therefore - - I am grateful that I have a job with people who are considerate and understanding, that I have health insurance benefits that allow me to take care of a medical problem when it arises, and that I have people in my life who truly love and care about me. This is being shown as follows:

• My employer has granted me Medical Leave so that I can be off without worrying about losing my position.
• My husband has scheduled his two weeks vacation to coincide with my first two weeks off, so that I will have someone here 24/7 in case I need something....I am SO blessed to have that man in my life.
• My Medical Benefits is allowing me to rent a kneewalker to use instead of crutches, which is SUCH a blessing; I tried crutches, and my wrists hurt so bad I could hardly do anything.
• When I am finally able to come back to work, my supervisor is allowing me to flex my work schedule to match my husband's, so that I don't have to worry about how to get there and back home again.
• My friend Connie has given me many magazines to read, lent me her pair of crutches to keep around in case they are needed, and has offered to stop by every week and pick up my timesheets/time off forms to turn into my supervisor for me. She has also offered to stop at the Farmer's Market on Saturdays and pick up some fresh produce for me.

Wish me luck, and please keep me in your thoughts and prayers.

Count your blessings - - join Grace In Small Things.

Lil Dude and His Posse

Updated: I have added a past picture of Lil Dude from back in January, when he first joined our family, to use as a reference:

Remember this little guy?

Well - - Lil Dude isn't so "LITTLE" anymore!

He's such a sweetie! And such a Brat! And.....well, he's a kitten; what do you expect?

AAAAANNNNNDDDDD of course there are the other two sleepyheads.....

Yes, Dude is my "Baby", but.....Those two will ALWAYS be my loves!

Grace In Small Things: 34/2010

What I am grateful for this week:

• Actually making it through the first week of classes without any major meltdowns!
• Cooler weather
• Curling up with Lil Dude and the other Kitty-Kids
• Finding a treasure trove of my Grandmother's books- - she's been gone 20 years, and we just found out about these!
• Fresh dug carrots from the Produce Market - - SO sweet and tender!

Count your blessings - - join Grace In Small Things.

This Is What Work Has Been....

It's been INSANE.....

Grace In Small Things: 33/2010

What I am grateful for this week:

• FINALLY some rain to brighten up my flowers and green up my lawn
• My Student Worker's wife coming through emergency surgery with flying colors
• Weekends - - 'nuff said
• A day of fun at the State Fair with Dear Mr. Dizzy and friends from Chicago
• Breakfast at Panera with Mr. Dizzy - - and it was FREE!

Count your blessings - - join Grace In Small Things.

State Fair Time!

Saturday Mr. Dizzy and I took a road trip to Springfield to the Illinois State Fair. We were meeting friends of ours who were coming down from Chicago to spend the day at the Fair as well. Here are some of the "highlights" that we saw while we were there.....

When we first walked in the gate of the Fairgrounds, we saw this guy:

Guess you should never go anywhere without your goat.....

And, I guess this guy was jonesin' for some breakfast - - Mini-dounts, breakfast of champions:


I had heard of this stuff, but never experienced it before now:

Never thought I would say this, but chocolate covered bacon really isn't half bad!

Went into the Artisan's Building, and saw this guy:

Yes, that is Mountain Dew bottles....

We also saw this little fellow:

He is made totally out of milk jugs and staples.

Heh. I can't make this stuff up.....

This Is SO Funny....

Have you seen the "Simon's Cat" videos? They are hilarious, and this new one reminds us SO much of Lil Dude.....enjoy!

Happy Birthday To Me.....

And hopefully many, many more.....

Grace In Small Things: 32/2010

What I am grateful for this week:

• My feet have finally stopped hurting from Decatur Celebration
• FINALLY, some rain, after a long, HOT dry spell (unfortunately, it's STILL hot, but at least my yard and flowers got a drink)
• Fresh tomatoes from the Produce Market (great on a hamburger)
• Little Squeaky-girl Kitty curling up with me sleeping at night
• My grandson's Birthday....he is now 11.....Happy Birthday, Alex! (*sigh* Where did the time go?)

Count your blessings - - join Grace In Small Things.

Decatur Celebration Pictures!

Here are a few shots we got from this year's Celebration:

Ryan Cabrera on our stage Friday night:


The Parade Saturday morning:




Lou Gramm performing Saturday night:


Georgia Satellites Saturday afternoon:


Charlie Daniels!!





All in all, an EXTREMELY good Festival this year!

Decatur Celebration

Okay, this post is a few days late. Decatur Celebration was LAST weekend, but I have been "recovering" from it these past few days, and also work has been nothing short of chaotic.

I know - - enough with the excuses....so here is information on how this year's Celebration went down.....

This was the 25th Anniversary of the Celebration. It also marked the 24th year Dear Mr. Dizzy and I have worked the festival. So it was a happy time for all!

We work the Show Stage, which is the largest stage at the festival, and it usually gets the biggest "headliners" for the year. This year we had four acts to work with - - Ryan Cabrera Friday night, The Lou Gramm Band (he's the former lead singer of Foreigner) Saturday night, The Georgia Satellites Sunday afternoon, and Charlie Daniels Sunday night.

Quite a line-up, eh?

Friday evening Mr. Dizzy and I got downtown around 4:30. When we got to the stage, we were a bit concerned....not band set up; nothing at all onstage! We found the stage manager and asked about it, and he just laughed and said, "All we need is a mic and a pedal for acoustic guitar." Apparently Ryan Cabrera didn't have anyone backing him - - it was just him on stage with his guitar, singing soft pop songs.

I had no idea who he was, but apparently every prepubescent girl in the tri-county area did, because the average age of the audience was about 15. And the screaming? High-pitched and LOUD. Kinda cute, actually - - but I seriously doubt that I was ever THAT young!

Ryan and his manager were nice people, and it was a pretty calm crowd. Also, the weather was pretty mild that evening, so all in all it was a pretty easy (read: BORING) start to the festival for me. Sorry, but - - I like a little action on the stage, and a crowd that is just a touch more mature. Maybe I'm showing my age.....

Saturday the temps started out pretty mild, and the humidity was down a bit, so it was not an uncomfortable day. We had Lou Gramm's Band that day, and when they all arrived for setup and sound check, we were very happy with the way they were - - friendly, nice, easy to work with. And the show that night? Nothing short of AMAZING!!

And it seems that his performing is nothing short of a miracle....a few years ago, Lou was diagnosed with a brain tumor, and he found a doctor who was using a new laser surgical technique. He agreed to the surgery, but was given a LESS THAN 50% chance of survival.

Well, he survived - - and started performing and touring again, and sounds better than ever. He put on an amazing show! After the performance, the band was backstage with all of the workers, and they were as nice and down-to-earth as you could hope to find. A very nice second night of the festival!

Sunday, the heat and humidity returned. WITH A VENGEANCE. It started out early morning hot, and as the day progressed, it just got worse. And of course, it was to be our busiest day....we had TWO BANDS and THREE SHOWS to work with.

The work day started at 9:00 AM, with load-in for Charlie Daniels' band. Also, the souvenirs needed set up, because they wanted them on sale ALL DAY, not just during the performance. Then, the Georgia Satellites showed up with their equipment. And THEIR souvenirs. Keeping the sales straight for two different groups was going to present a definite challenge....

Charlie Daniels' band did a two-hour soundcheck, and once that was done, it was time to set up Georgia Satellite's equipment in front of the other band's stuff. They were playing two shows, and Charlie Daniels was playing one show later in the evening.

All this time the heat and humidity are rising, the sun is beating down, and it's HOT under the awning were souvenir sales were going on. Which is where I was trapped.

Georgia Satellites put on a great pair of shows! And, they were very nice, funny, down-to-earth guys, and we had a ton of fun with them. I never have cared for their music, and still don't (sorry guys), but they were good people.

About 6:45, I headed into the Civic Center to help with the Charlie Daniels Meet & Greet. Again, I have never been a country music fan (and still am not), but was looking forward to meeting a man who was such a music legend. And, I had heard that he was a very nice person.

Well, Charlie did not disappoint. When he walked in the room, and heard everybody cheering, he ducked his head and actually look embarrassed! But, pleased at the same time.

I assisted keeping the Meet & Greet people in line and signaling them when to come up, and it was a fun time. Near the end, one of Charlie's people walked up, handed me a picture, and asked me if I would like to meet Charlie also. Well, HELL YEAH! So when everyone in the line was through, I came up and got to talk to him. He chatted with me for a bit, and I said I was one of his stage workers; he actually thanked me for helping with his show that night! He then not only signed the picture, but my Volunteer Work Shirt as well.

Charlie Daniels treated everyone he talked to the same, whether it was the Producer of the festival, the Media people, the Mayor of our City, or a stage worker like myself.

And you better believe the show he put on that night? Nothing.Short.Of.FABULOUS.

Before, during, and after the snow, his band and road crew were just as nice and friendly as the Big Man himself. So even though the weather was miserable, it was a great ending to a great year.

I have pictures, but will post them tomorrow. Hope you enjoy them!

BLAZING Heat....

It's hot here in Central Illinois.

Uncomfortably, miserably so.

Not just the kind of normal Summer weather you would expect....no, we are talking temps in the high 90's, high humidity, and Heat Indices (feels like) temps in the triple digits. Anywhere from 105-125. Degrees. Fahrenheit.

No, that is not a typo.

Yeah, it's not fun.

I grew up LOVING Summer. LOVING it. I was always outside, always playing, you could hardly get me to come in the house. But these days? You can hardly get me to leave it!

Don't get me wrong here - - I will still take warm weather over Winter any time! I hate being cold, and during the Winter months never seem to be able to get warm enough.

But a Heat Index of 125? Degrees? Fahrenheit?

No thanks, had enough.

I can has my usual Summer weather back now? Please?

Grace In Small Things: 31/2010

What I am grateful for this week:

• Grilled turkey/cheese sandwiches with fresh garden tomatoes in the middle.
• Helping orient new Scholar students embarking on their College path....a whole new batch of fresh faces on Campus!
• Passed my online MOT class with 100%!
• Air conditioning, especially with heat indices at 100+ degrees.....
• Another successful Decatur Celebration festival done and in the books - - this was Year #25, Silver Anniversary.

***Side note: After 3 days of working the fest, I'm burned to a crisp! Yes, I used sunscreen, yes, I reapplied it, but it was so darn hot it kept sweating off! And I was too busy working to reapply it every 1/2 hour or so..... ***


Count your blessings - - join Grace In Small Things.