Lenten forgoing, life's aggravations

Today our pastor spoke about how Abraham was not "alone" in his faith. He had his wife, his slaves, and I guess, his goats and sheep too. Sometimes it is easy to feel that way, to feel alone, even in this Lenten season. Everyone does their own thing when it comes to communing with nature and God and wondering about the whole faith business.

I read somewhere that a pastor in England thinks that instead of chocolate, everyone should have one less light bulb in the house, to "reduce" their carbon foot print as something to give up for Lent. I am having a hard time giving up chocolate, my faith wavers, and I need to lose fat for the sake of my health. But I did go to Curves 3x last week. And they gave us some cut up fruit and yogurt because one worker, the manager, left for another job. Well, she may have the degree she wants but she has herself ANOTHER full time job. No one seems to give me any kind of job (except low paying writing assignments or an unhealthy Walmart job -- it sucks).

And I have yet another bill --- a collection agency called about the car co. for the second car we had in an accident in one year and the GAP insurance didn't pay it all, by $2,000. Never seem to have money or get ahead. It is a downer. And when I read in "Writer's Digest" about first time (publishers) authors that is a downer too. I have no money --- I need some!

I wish I could get a decent paying writing assignment. ARe these writing sites worth anything?

Saw Bill Clinton, Choclat and Chocolate!

We were treated to seeing former President Bill Clinton (suppporting his spouse, Hillary), at the Higher Education Center in Abingdon, Virginia, in preparation for Tuesday's primary. Wow, what a crowd! The local paper advertised his coming that morning and a few thousand people crowded into a room, shoulder to shoulder. It was "supposed" to be a town hall meeting,with people able to ask questions, but it didn't turn out that way.

One woman by me was half a head shorter and afraid she wouldn't get to see Clinton, but I let her lean over in my direction, between 2 male heads, to catch a glimpse of his white head and distinguished look. He looked like he did on film, but you know it's neat to see someone "live" you have only met in print or on TV. Now he seems very real, and his speech (there was no room for a town meeting format)was extremely informative, especially the fact that Hillary wants to get us out of Iraq, cut the tax cuts to the oil companies, and use that money saved for an optional (opt in) national health insurance plan and jobs created from alternative energy sources. These ideas made sense. I would consider this national insurance if it costs less than what we have. We currently pay about $500 a month on medical bills from past cancer treatments and the husband's hernia operation. Something's gotta be better than all these extra costs insurance doesn't cover!

Saw the movie "Chocolat," about a French woman living in an ultraconservative little town, trying to be herself and fit in. I could emphasize, as a New Yorker living down here in Appalachia. I have found it hard to fit in, especially in an area where "kin is king" and everyone is very conservative in matters of religion and politics. In the end she finds a way to fit in . I have fit in a little as a journalist, but I need more. I think about moving now and then, seeing if it'd be better elsewhere.

It is Lent but having a haad time giving up chocolate. I really need to lose weight to keep my cancer from coming back.

Spring in February

My favorite weather, which consists of spring temperatures where you can walk outside with or without a sweater or jacket, the wind gently blowing. It would be a decidedly warm breeze, and of course, would not blow me down. And today that happened. I took a walk and it must have been in the upper 60s. The moss on big rocks on one side of Oxbow Lake was bright green, thriving in the faint sunlight, and a little bit of ground ivy was,well, on the ground. I got some exercise. That was a good thing. Winter "thaws" are okay with me. I don't see how people far north tolerate so much cold and staying inside in winter.

Passing the GRE, Nutritint hair dye works, son's job

Well, world, the last week or so I have done a few new things. I have gotten a box of so called "organic" hair dye (had no ammonia or resorcinol but did contain peroxide) and tried it. I was really afraid, as I'd read somewhere online, that my hair would turn carrot colored. But I think the young woman who tried that had lighter hair to begin with. My hair was now totally grass and my dark commercial dye was coming out. This dye was much better (and darker) than expected. Now if only I could find a way to find my fine, frizzy hair, which is quickly thinning out on top because of the anti-estrogen pill "Femara". I wonder how many other women on Femara are having these hair problems.

Looked at the Graduate Record Exam CD two weeks before the test --- ew, I should have done it so much sooner! I don't think I would have done a lot better on the verbal (reading comprehension, antonymns, word analogies), but I probably could have fared better in the area of math, the quanitative part. And the 2 essays -- I don't know if I did really well or just ok. I understand a small committee will look at my essays. I hope it is good enough for this 50+ woman to get into college again, after all these years.

I guess I am looking at changing my career (unsuccessful freelance writing -- well, I can't make a lot of money at it) as my middle son looks for a job. He had a job interview in Wisconsin and may be leaving here soon. I want him to get a good job and be happy, but when he leaves I will feel somewhat lonely, and not even a cat can make up for that. Oh well, life goes on. Which is why I need a real career and to move.