Somebody Loves Me (and Knows Me Too Well)

Guess what I got today at work? A special delivery! This lovely snickers bouquet, created by Sarah Gilt at A Blooming Basket, was a real treat today when it arrived at my office. In the card was written:

Roses are red, but snickers taste better,
If you work really hard, you can pay off your debtors!

I thought that was as cute as the bouquet. Thanks for the surprise, Sarah!

New Job

I'm really excited about my new job--working as a medical receptionist in a physical therapy office. Already, I've been blessed: my boss hired me at one rate and promised it would increase in three weeks, once I'd learned the responsibilities. Instead, when I got my check today, she wrote in, "I'm so happy with your work ethic, I went ahead and bumped you up immediately." Great news! Plus, I'm working full-time this week as a sub for another employee, which is really helping me catch up with my bills.

Normally, I'll work 3:30- 8:00 pm and then on Fridays during the day. Also, I'm available to sub in for other workers as needed (until I get something else full-time). So, I'm a busy little bee, but it's really encouraging to have my schedule filled after weeks of sending out resumes!

New Job

Today I am happy to announce that I have a new part-time job. I'm working as a front desk receptionist at a physical therapy practice in Severna Park. I will do training all day today, and may be on my own as early as this afternoon, if I catch on quick.

I really like the owner of the practice, having interviewed with her yesterday. The place is small and all the employees seem very friendly and connected. I'm really looking forward to learning some new skills and making some new friends. I'm already thinking about the day when I can invite them to special events at SRC!

Reading The Message

"You don't need a telescope, a microscope, or a horoscope to realize the fullness of Christ, and the emptiness of the universe without him. When you come to him, that fullness comes together for you, too. His power extends over everything." (Colossians 2:9-10)

What imagery! I love the visual images and the rhyme scheme on this verse from The Message. A telescope views galaxies and stars light years away, and a microscope observes even the tiniest details of microorganisms; a horoscope claims to predict knowledge beyond the scope of human control--but the fullness of Christ reaches beyond them all! Compared to his fullness, every other fascination is empty. It's an amazing verse.

Greasy Grimy Gopher Guts

My family has a new hobby--cleaning up/out my grandmother's home and property. We are selling it, and in a few months, everything must be gone. We've had a few all-family work days so far, and there are plenty more to come. It's a huge job. My grandparents built their home fifty years ago, at least, and with their depression-era mindsets, they didn't throw anything away. My grandfather in particular, just built more sheds to hold all his old rusty mailboxes and broken electronics.

Since his death in 2001, the property has fallen into increasing disrepair; none of us could make it a full-time job, as it was for him. Last week, we did a lot of the outside work, clearing out things that were covered in vines. The harder we yanked, attempting to free stuff, the harder those vines held on! We hauled a few truckloads to the dump last weekend, and this weekend, we got a dumpster delivered.

Today we all split into different areas, some outside, some working in storage areas, and some hauling what turned out to be a lot of trash to the dumpster. Due to recent storms, the basement had flooded, so there was a lot of damage to boxes, too. It didn't take long until we were covered in slime from moldy boxes, sweat, dust, and cobwebs. But at least when we quit for lunch, we had made a big dent in the job that continues. . . .

A Smile and a Handshake

The era of the small business is not yet over. Today I spent most of the morning with a small dilemma--I bought a gift that wasn't as personal as I wished to make it. I decided to add an engraved plate, and called Things Remembered to ask about their rates. No one answered, so I called King James Galleries, a stone's throw from home but I'd never been inside the framing store.

The owner was so genial on the phone, supplying information above and beyond my questions, that I decided to pop in just to say thanks. When I went in, I told him about my gift and my desire to personalize it, and he made a great suggestion. In fact, he recommended another local business that could aid me in the changes as well.

I left him, and spent an hour at the UPS store, who graciously printed some oversize materials for me, things I could never do at home on my printer. After an hour and many resizing changes, the new manager at the Pasadena UPS charged me a grand total of $1.12! His generosity was so appealing, I promised he'd have my business in the future.

I headed back to King James Galleries with my printed materials, dropped off my gift, and went to catch an ice cream sundae with my mom and sister. By the time I finished the last scoop of my dessert, the framer was already calling to tell me he'd finished my order!

His framing looks great, and it cost me 1/4 of the money Michaels charges (and takes two weeks to do). I was so thrilled that both of these men helped me today--even with custom orders and rush jobs--that I was moved to recommend their business to friends and family. I like the small business service with a smile and a handshake, and I know I'll use it again.