Walk A Mile In My Shoes

Yes, it's that time of year again. The Annual walk a mile in my shoes walkathon for Open Arms is set for Feb 14...
Most of my readers know what's its about, but if you don't here's the rundown...
WAMIMS is a walk a thon that raises money for Open Arms which is a homeless shelter for women and children, and it's affiliated with the Rescue mission. This walk a thon is always in Feb, and goes on rain, shine, snow, and subzero temps. They NEVER cancel.

Open Arms and WAMIMS has impacted me in a big way. I've been a substitute preschool teacher there for 5 years now, and those little ones really tug at your heartstrings. You don't see many 3-5 year olds that get excited when you give them a sticker, but they are genuinely GRATEFUL for anything you give them which isn't common with other children.
This is the third time I've walked in this. The last time I walked was right after a huge snowstorm. It was so cold I brought blankets to wrap around me. Even now on cold nights when I'm curled up in my warm bed, or in my warm house I always find myself thinking about the homeless and praying that they can find a warm place to sleep. It's heart wrenching sometimes. There have been times I have left Open Arms and sat in my Jeep and cried. Not necessarily for the ones at Open Arms but the ones waiting to get in. For the first time since it opened they are turning women away from the waiting list which is two years long.

If you wish to donate, need more information, or if you'd like to walk feel free to contact me.

Bridal shower excitement

I never realized how much work is into putting together a bridal shower. Since I've never done this before I'm GRATEFUL to my Aunt Rebecca for WILLINGLY volunteering to help me. (She's put together SEVERAL baby showers and open houses, and she's SUPER creative.) I'm also grateful that Ashley doesn't have a lot of demands on how she wants it. Actually she has said whatever I want to do is fine.
We went shopping Thursday for bridal stuff... Was supposed to have gone Friday, but she had tests Friday. So on Thurs. I went to Open Arms and helped at the preschool before shopping.
We started shopping at noon and at 5:30 STILL wasn't finished. We have majority of the stuff, but we didn't have numbers. Without numbers we didn't know where to have it. And center pieces and decorations determined where we had it. Well, now I have numbers, and a place reserved, so hopefully soon we can finish up the shopping.
With Rebecca's help we came up with several ideas that had us laughing so hard we were doubled over and our sides were aching. Even the clerk was laughing when she saw one of the ideas. I KNOW Ashley is going to hate us for a while, and will be rethinking the "whatever you want to do is fine". But it's all in good fun, and will bring smiles and chuckles out of everyone attending.. And that's all I can say about that.

Now to wait for addresses so I can mail out invitations. I'M READY!!!!!

A busy week......

I was SUPPOSED to have went back to work yesterday, Tues. However, a letter arrived in the mail Friday stating I don't go back till 1/26. So what have I done with my extra week???? Well, So far I've............

Friday -I went to Aunt Rebecca's and brainstormed bridal shower ideas, made on top of the stove cookies, and watched a movie with her.
Sat- went to see Hotel For Dogs with Lois and Philip (MUCH better than the previews by the way. Found myself laughing.) and went to the Golden Trough (Ok ok ok Corral) for dinner.
Sunday night- Spent the night with Lois and Philip, mainly cause he has been BEGGING me to for weeks and ate some AMAZING pork chops that Lois made.
Monday- went to the Children's museum (Note: DON'T EVER go for the free days. Was WAY too crowded. Did manage to buy 3 Holocaust books, and found tons of other Holocaust stuff I wanted, but didn't buy.)
Monday Evening- went to Philip's swim class.
Monday night- spent another night with Lois and Philip but only cause Philip started crying when I was trying to leave. Yes, it was a school night, but Lois was ok with it.
Tues- went to Amish country up North with mom and dad.
Wed- Took my mom up to Lois's to meet Philip (she's going to be babysitting starting next week), went to Philip's Wed swim class, and went out to eat afterwards.
Thurs- going to Open Arms and help in the preschool in the AM, then Aunt Rebecca and I are going Bridal shower shopping, and out for lunch. WHOOHOOO.
And FINALLY
Friday- spend Friday night with Lois and Philip, because he asked me too tonight before we left and Lois said "Friday would be best since you can stay up late."

This has been the busiest week. Wonder if I'll get another letter Friday postponing my go back to work date.... Heard rumors we will be working every other week for now on.Who knows....

Oh and Aaron got called back. He starts back in my plant next week. Yes, he now has to drive a few miles to work but at least he has a job. I'm happy for him.

I'm all shook up

And no I'm not talking about the Elvis pelvis moving type either. I'm talking the hands shaking, heart thumping, and about to pee my pants type. It all started..........

Last Monday when I had some running to do. I had to run to K to file unemployment, and then run to T to the bank. I turned off 31 onto D road eastward and I was following a semi. The semi, I figured forgot where his turn was, turned his signal on and started to slide. I put my brakes on and was doing all right UNTIL..... I saw that semi cab SIDEWAYS across the road, I put my brake on all the way and started sliding toward the semi. My only thought was "GET INTO THE CORNFIELD", which is what I did. I managed to slide between a speed limit sign and a light pole. I came to rest about 5 rows into the cornfield and just sat for a min. I then eased onto a road intersecting D rd, threw my flashers on and got out to check my Jeep. THANKFULLY my tires were intact and I didn't see any damage.

The semi driver, who was still sitting on the road, yelled and asked if I was ok. "I said yeah, just really shook up." He said "I am too. I KNEW you were behind me and I thought for sure you were going to run into the trailer. That was quick thinking to head for the field. Probably saved your life".
The fact that 1 I managed to not hit the semi. 2. I missed the pole 3. missed the sign and 4 no damage tells me that God really was watching out for me.

I made a quick stop to an empty parking lot and just sat there to collect myself and calm down. Took me 20 mins to get calmed down to continue my trip to the bank.
Going to have to remember when I get to Heaven to apologize to my guardian angel for this. LOL.