Blessings

I had a regular come in this morning with his son who has some slight mental handicap. He wanted to pay so he counted out the dollar bills some were crumpled 'I can't use those' his dad told him he could he was a few dollars short so they had to count out change. His dad kept thanking me for my patience but really I should have thanked them for the smile he put on my face. His cheerful attitude and sense of humor was great and I had nothing better to be doing. I'very always admired the happiness and innocence of those people.

Ive been fighting a bad attitude towards work and wear all day and what's better to boost a mood than listing your blessings?

Today I am thankful for my dad getting up at 6 AM to drive me to work since it was too cold for my car to start.
- that the sun is shining, makes -22 feel a little less cold.
-coffee to start my day off wake me up and warm me up on break.
-thankful that my coworkers that made it so far have been in good moods.
-good customers so far today.
Honestly I'm just thankful that God has allowed me one more day and another  chance to make a difference in the world. May He give me the grace to not mess it up.

What are you thankful for today?

Models in Magazines

     The following post is going around Christian/homeschool circles on facebook;

Sincerely, One of Many Girls Who Care

     Maybe I took the wrong thing from her message, but somehow her apologizing to men for all the naked models and immodesty in today's society frustrated me and I couldn't help thinking, what about the women and girls who are falling for these things, dressing in the most revealing outfits possible, starving themselves and loading their faces with makeup just to be pretty and to get a guys attention, because the images that men are looking at and comparing us to are unrealistic! Men are not the only ones who suffer from all the ads on TV and all over shopping malls, or in magazines. Women suffer just as much.
     Maybe we as women should cover up and protect our men, but what happened to men being men and protecting women? Being the strong ones, the ones who say, 'You are beautiful regardless of makeup or how much skin you're showing! You are beautiful because your heart is beautiful and you don't need to whore yourself or cover up your beauty, or sleep with every boy to prove yourself?' 
     I'd like to see men step up and start being the men that God intended them to be; leaders. God created women the 'weaker vessel' and yet it seems so often we have to be the strong ones protecting men. Something is wrong with this picture!
     I am in NO WAY excusing the slutty behavior and dress of so many of us women today. Only questioning the fairness of laying all the blame on them.

    Another interesting post on modesty:

How "Modesty" Teachings Hurt Men Too

With Arms Wide Open

Feeding me, changing my diapers, waking up in the middle of the night to take care of me as a baby. With 6 other children I'm sure she was exhausted. Then a few short years later, everything a battle with me. A new baby to care for and my stubborn attitude. And through those years that I was growing and learning she encouraged my dreams understanding a childs need to imagine and their curiosity. Told us stories, spent hours reading to us and teaching us, sharing her passion for art and music, taught me to read and write, critiqued my work and encouraged every silly dream I had. She showed us through her example how to work hard and to love and accept people to give and be a good friend.
Too early the dark days hit and I began my trek to hell. I shut the world out including her. Every once in a while Id let her in but then Id close back up. And yet she was there for me, patient with me. Hardly 14 when I decided Id had enough and I left. It didnt last more than a few months but those were the months that I found my own wings, the freedom I had longed for. In those months away from home I started smoking aand drinking, I lost my virginity... All the things she was protecting me from and I thought I wanted.
Sneaking out, getting in trouble, I said terrible hateful things. I damn near got her to give up on me like I thought I wanted.
Didnt listen to the woman married for over 30 years when I got into my first relationship and thought I was in love. Nearly married the boy but she wouldnt give her blessing. Im lucky she didnt.
Ive left and come home like the prodigal son over and over and she's always welcomed me with open arms.
Ive failed Ive hurt her...purposefully sometimes. My life is a wreck. Im sure when they laid a pretty baby girl in her arms. When she looked into that tiny red face and chose to name her Anna Marie... Im sure she didnt expect me to turn out like this and yet she still loves me with unconditional love and she believes in me, believes that I can run even though right now I can hardly crawl. Shes listened to me hugged me cried with me been my friend bandaged my cuts, took care of me when Im sick and always had time. My mom is my hero and as terrified as I am of karma kicking my butt as a mom theres nothing I want more than to someday follow in her footsteps and raise and love my own child like she loves me.

Resolve

When the seconds ticked down nearing the first midnight of 2014 I had made up my mind that I wasn't going to make any resolutions for the new year. I never keep them past January anyways and so I just set myself up for failure and I did enough failing in 2013. But the more I thought about it the more I realized I don't need to make any world shaking goals for myself but if I make no goals I won't get far. So instead of resolving to lose weight or get my diploma and a degree my goals for this year are not to 'lose so many pounds' but to eat healthy and to exercise more. Not just to quit smoking and drinking but to take care of my body. Not to be brilliant and say i have a college degree but to stick to what i started and to finish well.
I've been trying to prove myself to the world trying so hard not to disappoint anyone not realizing I have nothing to prove. The people that matter accept and love me how I am.
This year Im resolving to accept myself make small goals and work on the little things one at a time until I'm where I want to be.
Did you make any new year resolutions yesterday?