Wordless Wednesday - The View From My Window

Finding Your Peace

     God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change;

                                     courage to change the things I can,
                                     and wisdom to know the difference.

     Most of us know by heart this part of the Serenity Prayer by Reinhold Niebuhr, or, at least, we are familiar with it.  But did you know there is more to the prayer?  The rest goes like this...

                                 Living one day at a time, enjoying one moment at a time;

                                 accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;

taking, as He did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it;

                                  trusting that He will make all things right if I surrender to His will;

                                 that I may be reasonably happy in this life

                                 and supremely happy with Him forever in the next.

                                                                                                                         Amen

     One of the perks of aging for me has been finally reaching a point in my life where I can actually accept the things I cannot change, live one day at a time, enjoy one moment at a time and find peace through the hardships.  That hasn't always been the case for me.

     I have spent most of my adult life dealing with some type of chronic pain.  When you have to deal with health problems starting at an early age it is easy to become bitter or resentful; envious of those who can do whatever they want.  Others may have dealt with hardships differently, but for me, my journey has taken me through several stages of acceptance, or, should I say, non-acceptance.

      Stage 1 was shock.  But I'm too young!; how can this be?; I don't believe this!

     Stage 2 was denial.  Maybe if I ignore this long enough it will go away.  I'll show you I can still work all day, go to the grocery, cook supper and clean the kitchen before I go to bed. 

     Then when my body and my stamina wouldn't let me do all that I hit Stage 3 - anger!  Along with the anger came self-pity.  Why me?   My life is ruined!  Not another surgery!  When will it end!

     Once I finally worked through the anger along came Stage 4 - embarrassment.   I knew I had 3 different doctors that had told me I couldn't work a full time job anymore, but I didn't look sick.  What would people think?   Would they understand?  

     Stage 5 is what I call my "Academy Award winning" stage, or, the OK....but stage.  This is when I finally began to accept my circumstances and my limitations, but, I didn't want everyone feeling sorry for me.  This was where the acting came in.  When you live with pain for so many years you develop a pretty high threshold for pain, making it easier to hide it from others.    Problem is, you get so good at hiding it that you begin to believe it yourself and tend to overdo in order to keep up with the charade.  Bad idea.  I really pay for my mistake afterward.

     Finally, through the grace of God, I managed to reach the final Stage 6 - acceptance.  At this point, I have finally found peace in accepting and dealing realistically with my life as it is.  No longer making excuses, just knowing who I am, my strengths, my weaknesses and my limitations.  Once I was able to come to terms with that, I was able to move forward as a happy, productive person.    No matter what hand we are dealt in life we all have areas where we can shine and feel useful.   I am so blessed and have learned to be thankful for what I can do rather than regret what I can't.  I have found my peace.

Until next time...that's my view.

Kat

Written for this week's GBE2 prompt - peace.

    

 

    

Warning, Aging Not for Wimps!

     Bette Davis, one of the most dramatic actresses of the "Golden Age of Hollywood", is credited with having said,  "Old age ain't no place for sissies!".    That might just be the smartest statement ever made!

     I believe all birth certificates should come with a warning label, "Warning, all parts may wear out by age 50!".  You know what I mean.  By the time you reach 50 it takes you longer to get out of bed than it takes you to pick out your clothes and get dressed.  My bones have more creaks than the wood floor in a hundred year old house.   And don't even get me started on the aches and pains.   Every day it's a new surprise to learn what body part is going to hurt now.  Some days I hurt in body parts I didn't even know I had!

     Okay, so maybe I'm exaggerating just a little;  we all like to make fun of the trials and tribulations of getting older.  Most of us would like to find ways to put it off, but, truth is, it happens whether we are ready or not.  

     As much fun as it is to joke about it, as we age, there are some serious issues that are no laughing matter.  There are so many decisions to make, so many changes.  Most of us do deal with various types of health issues; some are caring for elder parents or sick spouses.  Where do you turn?  

     Family and friends are our first line of defense.  They can be crucial in helping us make smart decisions or giving relief in caregiver situations.  If you deal with specific conditions, most major diseases have organizations that can provide a wealth of information and usually at no cost.  

     One of the things that I find so confusing and frustrating is  trying to sort through all the types of insurance offered.  You have health insurance, life insurance, intensive care insurance, cancer insurance, nursing home insurance, long-term care insurance, etc., etc..  How much insurance can one person afford and how much do you really need?   One type that we need to seriously consider is senior life insurance

     One of the things we don't like to think about as we age is funeral costs.  Having lost both my mother and mother-in-law in the past year I know that funerals are very expensive.  Many families don't plan for these costs and may find themselves stressed out about how to pay for the final wishes of a loved one.  Luckily, there are companies who offer life insurance for seniors.  This insurance not only helps with funeral expenses but could also help with other payments such as mortgages, car payments, credit card bills or other left over bills.  These are things we need to think about before it is too late.

     Aging may be the elephant in the room that no one wants to talk about, other than to make jokes, but we all have a responsibility to our families to make the important decisions before it is too late.  If you need help, seek out the proper people, companies or organizations that can provide the knowledge you need.   In the meantime, keep the menthol-rub handy!

Until next time...that's my view.
Kat

This post is brought to you by http://www.burialinsurance.org but all views and opinions are strictly mine.

     











    

Celebrating My 1 Year Blogaversary! WooHoo!

     Today is my 1 year anniversary of blogging.    365 days and 159 posts ago, I started an adventure;  one that I had no idea where it would lead.   Truth is, I had no concept of what blogging was.  I had only read 2 up to that point.  One was my niece's that she wrote while traveling in Australia, the other was by a friend from church that kept a journal when they went to Kazakhstan to adopt their beautiful daughter.   I had no idea that so many people actually blogged, just for the fun of it.

     I had just broken my right ankle and badly sprained the left.  I was laid up in the recliner and, frankly, was bored out of my mind.  You can only watch so much mindless TV and the words started to run together if I read for too long at one time.  My computer was my only salvation.   But, there again, you can only spend so much time on facebook.  What to do?    Finally, the thought occurred to research blogs.  I found Blogger, began to read a few that sounded interesting, and then read up on how to create my own.  Thus, was born, My View Through Kat Eyes.   And, the rest, as they say, is history.

     Learning by trial and error, I still had no earthly idea just how amazing this journey would be.  As I began to get the hang of things, people actually started reading what I wrote, much to my surprise.  I was hooked in no time.  With each post I gained confidence and began to open up more and more.   But the best part...I began to make new friends.  Friends from other parts of the country, even friends from other countries.  Wow!  I was blown away.  I could never have imagined meeting so many wonderful friends.   What a blessing!  Together we have shared our deepest sorrow, our joyous celebrations, most embarrassing moments, happy memories and a bond; a bond forged of our love of writing and shared experiences.  I may have stumbled into the blogging world by accident because of sheer boredom, but I have gained from it one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.   

     Therefore, it is with much excitement and jubilee that I celebrate my 1 year blogaversary!  I am thrilled that you are here to celebrate with me.  To thank you for your love and support, I want to give each of you a chance to win my anniversary gift to you.

     Recently, I have become an Independent Watkins Associate.  Watkins produces natural products for cooking, home care, health and personal care.  To celebrate both my blogaversary and my new business, I am offering one lucky reader this 8 piece Lavender Essentials Gift Set.   This set includes 2 lavender hand & body lotions, 1 lavender bath soak, 2 lavender hand creams, 2 lavender hand & cuticle salves and 1 raspberry weatherproofing lip balm.  It even comes in a reusable travel pouch.

     This is a terrific little set and a great way to try our Watkins products.  All you have to do to be entered in the drawing is leave a comment on today's post.  Anyone can comment, you do not have to be a blogger to leave a comment.   I hope you will all enter.   I wish I could open this to all my wonderful blogging friends, but, unfortunately I will have to limit it to United States residents only.   You have until midnight Saturday night to enter.  I will draw the winner on Sunday and notify you as soon as possible.  If you do not have a blog or are not friends with me on fb, please leave me an email address or other way to contact you in your comment.  Thank you all for supporting me this last year and I look forward to many more.  Good luck to each of you!

Love to all,

Kat

If you do not win you can still try Watkins products no matter where you live in the US.  Go to 

http://www.watkinsonline.com - register, order and put in ID# 396916

Products will be shipped directly to you and I will still get credit.   If you are local, you can just contact me.

Wordless Wednesday - Kentucky State Fair

Kentucky State Fair Time!

Snapshot - Memories of Bygone Days

 

     Snapshots are our way of preserving the past.  Moments in time that we want to remember.  Memories of another time, another place, another way of life.  Snapshots can tell a story, even, if only to the people in the picture.  I love to look at old pictures and often find myself going through them.  This is one of my favorites.

     This snapshot is full of memories for me.  Front row is sisters Jane and Tina, back row is me and sister Brenda and was probably taken in  spring of 1968.   I remember mother had someone take it for her at our home on Backstreet.  That was the house where I spent the majority of my teenage years.    I loved that house and have many wonderful memories of it.  The wallpaper behind us was green flocking with a cream colored background on the walls in the living room.    That wall was the only wall in the room that wasn't filled with mirrors, pictures or other types of wall hangings, mainly because when the front door was open, which it usually was, this wall was hidden.   In this house I had my first date, went to my first prom, got my drivers license, and many other important moments in a teenage girl's life.

     The cotton dress I have on in this photo was also green, with tiny little flowers in it.  I had just finished making it during my first year of home ec.  It was the first sewing I had ever done and I was quite proud of it.   Jane was already married and on her own by then, thus the sensible solid colored dress.    Poor Brenda and Tina still had to wear what Mom picked out for them and unfortunately, Mom liked big prints....checks...polka-dots.....plaids, anything big and bright.  And, as you can see, bows in the hair were the "in" thing and I have to admit, I was a big fan.

     I've heard it said that the eyes are the windows to our soul.  Well, I believe snapshots are the windows to our lifetime.  Some views are good, some not so good; but all make up the story of who we are.   Trips down memory lane remind us of where we came from and who helped us get to where we are today.   I'll be the first to admit that I'm not very organized when it comes to my photos.  I wish I were.  But that doesn't lessen the importance of them.  They may not be organized, but I do know where they are and go through them frequently.     Each and every snapshot is a precious memory.

Until next time...that's my view.

Kat

Written for week #66 GBE 2 prompt - snapshot

    

Stepping In It

     Everyone knows where there are cows there is manure, and lots of it.  But did you know that when farmers scrape out the barns they sometimes pile the manure into mounds that dry out, harden and look just like a small hill of dirt; especially when piled against the end of a barn?   Well, let me assure you that as a 19 year old new bride I did not know this.  Thus, resulted the most embarrassing time of my life...still to date.

     As I mentioned, I was a brand new bride and knew absolutely nothing about dairy farming; but, good little wife that I was, I was eager to learn and to help out in any way that I could.  Wanting to impress my new husband and make things easier for him, I would volunteer to round up the cows and bring them in for milking while he was still working in the field.   Easy enough.  I just put on my boots and walked down over the hill on a beautiful day, often picking wildflowers along the way.  When I reached the cows I just had to call them a couple of times and they pretty much herded themselves back to the barn.   I was getting sunshine and exercise while helping out...what could be better!

     Then came "that" day.  That one day that someone left the gate open and before I could get to it one of the cows got out.    Closing the gate behind me, I went after her.  I don't know if you have ever tried to herd a cow that has escaped or not, but I guarantee you that once they get out they have no intention of going back in.  I chased that cow all over the yard trying to keep her from getting in the road.    Kenneth was still in the field and there was no one in sight to help.  I knew I was on my own; just me and Bessie, and at this point, Bessie was winning.  

     Shooing her toward the other end of the barn, I opened the door to the waiting stall and decided I would guide her that direction.  She had other ideas!   Heading toward the tobacco barn, she ran straight toward the big dirt mound at the lower end of it...or so I thought.    First step I took my boots sunk clear to my knees.   The more I tried to move the deeper I sunk.  My boots were completely buried and I was stuck tighter than glue on a stamp.   No matter what I did I couldn't move.  What was I going to do?  I did what any red blooded 19 year old girl would do - I started crying and screaming.   All the while, Bessie was standing in the corner and I'm sure she had a smirk on her face.

     I don't have any idea how long I stood there screaming and crying; it seemed like an eternity.  Finally, just as Kenneth pulled in on the tractor, here came his parents running across the road from their house.  They had heard me screaming in the house.  All three got there about the same time and after their initial shock and assurance that I wasn't hurt, do you think I got any sympathy?  Of course not!  I thought they would all roll on the ground laughing so hard.   If I could have moved I would have slapped all three of them!   

     When Kenneth was finally able to stop laughing, he pulled me out, minus my boots (which I never wore again!).   Needless to say, I had learned the difference between a dirt pile and a pile of manure and they had a funny story to tell, at my expense. 

Until next time...that's my view.
Kat

The Party

The Parents

     "I'm sorry that you are disappointed, Millie", her mother said as Millie stomped out of the room.   Mrs. Brock turned and looked at her husband sadly as she sunk into the couch next to him.  She hated disappointing Millie, but lately it seemed to be necessary more and more often.    Where had the last 16 years gone?  Life was so much easier when Millie was happy just to go for ice cream or to the zoo.  Now it was boys and parties; parties that she and her husband didn't approve of. 

     Millie had told them about tonight's party nearly a week ago.   She had been so excited, telling them that everyone would be there - especially all the important people.    She just had to go or her high school career would be over!  She was always so dramatic.  They hadn't given her an answer but instead told her they would let her know later.

     Knowing most of the other parents, Mrs. Brock had checked around to see what she could learn about this party.   What she learned was that it was not a party she was going to let Millie attend.  She knew that Mr. Brock would back her up on this.    They had discussed the party at great length.  They knew Millie would be furious but her safety was much more important to them.  They could handle her anger.

     It seems the party was being held at the home of the Bartons.  One of the boys was a year older than Millie and had a couple of brothers who were also high school age.   It was a well known fact around town that the Barton boys openly smoked and drank.  Not only that, but apparently, the parents allowed the boys to drink at home, furnishing the booze for them.   The word had already circulated that there would be a keg at this party.   In spite of, or maybe because of this, the brothers were quite popular at school.

     Mr. and Mrs. Brock were not prudes, nor even tee-totallers.  They shared an ocassional glass of wine or drank a beer at times.   But they were adults.   They would never approve of teenagers drinking.  That is a disaster waiting to happen.   What could those parents be thinking?  The danger in that situation was unfathomable.  They loved Millie way too much to let her attend that party. 

**************************************************************

     Millie had heard all the buzz around school about the party.  It was to be THE PARTY of the year!  All the in-crowd would be there.  She couldn't believe she had even been invited.  After all, she was barely 16 and just a sophomore.  Most of the kids going would be juniors and seniors.  This was her big chance to be somebody;  to be one of the popular kids!

     How could her parents be so unreasonable!  They always treated her like a baby!  Just because there would be drinking going on didn't mean she had to drink.   She was almost an adult.  She could take care of herself.  They were going to ruin her life! 

     She had stomped out of the living room and slammed the door to her bedroom.  Life was so unfair.  She cried as she flung herself across the bed.  Now all chances she had of being popular were gone.  Her parents were so mean.  How could they do this to her?  Didn't they love her?



     This piece is purely fictional and was written in response to this week's GBE2 writing group's prompt - Write a story from 2 perspectives.

Until next time...that's my view.
Kat

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Wedding Day Blues

     Years ago when I was much younger, steadier and before arthritis took over, I was a cake decorator.  It started out very simple after my son was born I wanted to be able to make him cute birthday cakes.    I mentioned it to a friend who happened to be the county home extension agent.  She thought that sounded like fun so for 6 weeks the two of us drove to Louisville 2 or 3 times a week to take lessons.    The classes were so much fun and, much to my surprise, I found that I was rather good at it.

     After Jerri and I finished the classes, I looked for every reason I could find to decorate a cake; family birthdays, friends' birthdays, holidays, etc. etc..    Before I knew it I was getting requests from complete strangers to bake cakes for them.    The more I did, the more I enjoyed.

     Since Jerri was the one who set up classes and demonstrations for the homemakers groups in the county she asked me if I would teach cake decorating classes.  That proved to be so much fun that we offered them several more times following that.  Several years later I offered classes on my own a few times and had a great response.  

     During this time, the requests for cakes birthdays, anniversaries, showers, etc had increased and it was only a matter of time until I was asked to do a wedding cake.  Even though the thought of not only baking and decorating, but also having to transport and set up a cake terrified me, it was also exciting and challenging.  Sure, why not, I thought.  One led to another and soon I had done several.  Thus brings me to the wedding day from hell (only for me, not the bride and groom, I hope!).

     It was Friday night.  The wedding was to be on Saturday.    The cake was baked and frosted and all  I would have to do on Saturday morning was decorate it, then deliver and set up.  But, first things first; it was Friday night and we were having a house full of company for a card party.  I had prepared all kinds of appetizers and snacks for my guest.  All that was left was to slice the country ham for the ham & biscuits.  Piece of cake, right?  Wrong!  While slicing the ham with an electric knife, the middle finger on my right hand got in the way.  Ouch!  Neat little slice right down the middle of my finger, through nail and all.  And company will be here soon!  Once I got the bleeding to stop, I wrapped it up to get me through the party, during which it throbbed unrelentingly.  Next morning I went to the doctor and ended up with 5 stitches in the end of my finger, covered by a metal shield and wrapped to where I couldn't bend my fingers.  Did I mention I am right handed?

     Returning home I am in a panic.  Not only am I running late on decorating this wedding cake but now I only have one hand; one that I am not very adept at using.   What to do?     I had no choice.  I had a bride and groom waiting on this cake and I had to deliver.  I called my mother-in-law to come help (which, by the way, she had taken one of my classes) and between the two of us the cake got done.  I had never decorated a cake left handed before but somehow, with her help, I managed it.  Now came the delivery.

     I had borrowed my sister's station wagon and put foam down in the back to hold the cake in place.  This was a home wedding and the bride had given me directions to get there.  These people were complete strangers and their home was in a part of the county that I am not familiar with and had never been before.  To say it was a long way down in the boonies would be putting it mildly.  Down hills, around curves, on a gravel road, with no civilization in sight.  It was the hottest day of the year and I was afraid the cake would melt before we got there.  Finally we get there.  It's at least a couple of hours before the wedding.  The wedding is to be held in the outside and the bride wants the cake set up in the yard.  I tried to explain to her that it was the hottest day of the year and by the time the wedding started she wouldn't have a cake left.  It had to be put in the house where it was air-conditioned.  She  was very determined and it took the mother of the bride to finally convince her.  Eventually, I get the cake into the kitchen, fix a few flowers that had fallen off and explain to the mother how to set it up when they move it outside.   Then, I was out of there!  What happened after that was up to them.  I hope it all went well.

Until next time...that's my view.

Kat

What's Hidden Inside

Week 64 GBE2 prompt - Hidden

      Whether you want to admit it or not, we all have a side to us that, for one reason or another, we try to keep hidden inside.     Maybe it's an uninhibited side that you hide because it makes you do embarrassing things that you later regret.  It could be an uncontrollable temper or a control issue.  Or it could be an insecure side that makes you feel helpless or afraid.    Whatever your tendencies that you try to keep hidden, eventually they surface whether you want them to or not.  I'll be the first to admit that I have a hidden side; one I try very hard to keep hidden; one I've battled for most of my life.   Unfortunately, that lurking monster surfaced this week for a short time opening old wounds as well as new ones and generally causing stress.

     My hidden side is the demon of insecurity, usually released by confrontation or rejection.  In this case, it was confrontation.  I am not good at confrontation; in fact, I just plain stink at it.  As soon as it starts I immediately retreat into the persona of the teenage girl who always wanted to please everyone; who was afraid of not being liked and who was crushed when shut out by friends.  A girl who was so afraid of disappointing someone that I became an over achiever.  What was often mistaken for over-confidence was really a fear of failure.  I spent most of the first half of my life trying to please everyone by being whatever I thought someone expected of me.  It took me years to realize that I couldn't be everything for everybody and that I just had to be me.  It was hard to bury my insecurity.  

     Unfortunately, no matter how deep we bury our demons there are always going to be triggers that can bring them to surface.  For me, it was fear of hurting people I care deeply about.  I couldn't bear the thought of that and when faced with confrontation I immediately reverted to my old insecure alter-ego.  

     The good news is that after a rough couple of days, healing has begun and hopefully my demons have been put to rest.   It had been several years since I had experienced those old feelings and I must say I hate the thought that they can still raise their ugly head.   I really thought they were long ago buried for good.    Apparently no matter how hidden we think they are, we can never completely conceal our inner demons.

Until next time...that's my view.

Kat

Photo courtesy of Microsoft Office Free Online clipart.

    

Here's Your Sign

This post is sponsored by the good folks at SafetySign.com.

All views and opinions are strictly mine

     If you are old enough to remember the early 1970s, you will no doubt remember the Sign song by Five Man Electric Band.  It was a catchy tune that once you heard it you couldn't get it out of your head for hours.   Or, maybe you remember Bill Engvall's comedy skit "Here's Your Sign". Naturally, when I was asked to to write a post for SafetySigns.com, those were the first things that popped into my mind.

      Have you ever thought about how many signs you see in a days time?  Depending on your schedule for the day it could be hundreds, or even thousands.  Traffic signs, street signs, safety signs, wet floor signs, property signs, directional signs, and I could go on and on.   But where do all those signs come from?  What if you need a sign; where would you find it?  May I suggest you check out SafetySigns.com, a quick and convenient way to find the signs you need.    

    

      Perhaps you need a safety sign so try http://www.safetysign.com/.  or,  maybe you work for the city and you are in need of traffic signs, http://www.safetysign.com/Traffic+Signs.html.   If  you own a business you may need parking signs, http://www.safetysign.com/Parking+Signs%2C+Permits.html.   Those living in rural areas may want to protect their property and wildlife from hunters by posting private property signs.  Whatever your needs why not shop from the comfort of home.   You will find a large selection of not only signs, but also the hardware necessary to install your signs at SafetySigns.com.    Visit their site and I'm sure you'll find that, "here's your sign".

Nail Polish Colors and Other Girlie Things

This post is brought to you by the good people at Julep.  

All views and opinions are strictly mine. 

      What little girl doesn't love to play dress-up?  I remember as a child dressing up in mother's old dresses and shoes; and if we were really lucky, she would let us play with make up.    We would pretend we were movie stars or princesses.  And the one thing that would really make us feel grown up was getting our finger nails painted.  That was the most fun of all!

     

      Back then, if we had a red and a pink nail color to pick from we thought we were really "big stuff".  We could have never imagined that in the future our grandchildren would have hundreds of colors to pick from when they paint their nails.  Thanks to companies like Julep, not only little girls, but, also us big girls, who like to look pretty can find hundreds of nail polish colors to choose from.  We can now find colors to match our skin color, the season or our mood.  We can change nail polish colors every day of the week if we want!

     Even now, it always makes me feel dressed up when I have my nails done.  I love all the colors I can choose from.  And with colors in matte, glossy, glitter, etc., there is a color for every occasion.   My granddaughter loves to paint her nails so that is one of our activities whenever she comes to visit.  She is a little more adventurous with her color choices than I am.

       A recently new concept is nail polish clubs where you can receive monthly shipments of nail care products such as nail polish and hand cream.  I have not tried this but if you would like to learn more about Julep and their club program read the following Julep reviews.

 

LG Med Supply For Controlling Pain

This post is sponsored by the good people at LGMedSupply.com.  

All views and opinions are strictly mine.

     

      As a person who lives with chronic pain, I know there are many forms of pain control that may be prescribed by doctors, including, but not limited to, tens units and muscle stimulators.     Maybe your doctor has recommended some form of muscle stimuli as a source of relief for you.  If so, where do you find the proper equipment?     Visit LGMedSupply Online  to find just what you need.

     At www.lgmedsupply.com  you will find a great selection of  in-stock items including TENS Units, Muscle Stimulators and Ultrasound Units for chronic pain relief or rehabilitation.

     Depending on your specific needs, you may require both tens pain relief and muscle stimulation for increased muscle tone and muscle pain rehabilitation.   LGMedSupply.com has you covered with the LG-TEC Dual Combo TENS Unit and Muscle Stimulator.

     Thousands of patients worldwide have found the benefits of ordering their medical supplies from LGMedSupply.com.   Additional information can be found by checking out their online customer blog.

Unexpected Surprises

     Today at lunch Kenneth and I were sitting at the table when the UPS truck pulled in.  "What have you ordered now?" he asked accusingly.  Nothing except my Watkins supplies and I just ordered them yesterday.  They wouldn't be here that quick." I said defensively.   "Well he's carrying a purple box" he said as he glanced out the kitchen window on his way to the door.

     As he walked back into the kitchen, he asked with a smirk on his face, "Who would be sending you flowers?", knowing quite well they weren't from him.

     Oh my gosh, who wouldn't be totally surprised and excited to get a package like this from the UPS man?

     I was totally shocked and couldn't wait to get inside!  No one ever sends me flowers for no reason.  It wasn't my birthday, anniversary, Valentines or any other flower giving event.    I was ecstatic!  I love to get flowers!  But who could they be from?  And what did they look like?  There was only one way to find out and I couldn't get that box open fast enough.

     They were beautiful!  Sunflowers!  I love sunflowers!  I love yellow flowers period because they are so cheerful looking.  They remind me of sunshine!  But who could have known that!

     Imagine my surprise when I opened up the card and found the sweetest note, to both Kenneth and me, from none other than my great friend Jo.  How sweet (and unnecessary), but greatly appreciated, thanking us for the fun afternoon we had when she came to visit on Tuesday.   Believe me, the pleasure was all ours.

     Unexpected surprises can be some of the best moments in life.  These beautiful sunflowers totally made my day and now I will be able to enjoy them for days to come.  Thank you Jo.  They are not only beautiful, but very special, just like you.

Until next time...that's my view.

Kat

                                          Written for week #63 GBE2 prompt - unexpected.