I am so NOT a Materialistic Person

               I think I must have mentioned that Roland accepted a position at a jewelry store – supposedly local but has been training in both Eugene and Medford in addition to “visiting” in Roseburg.  He has used me as his sounding board before whenever he has been assigned to give a talk or lesson in church.  I would rather listen to it fresh than to hear him rehearse it – but I understand.  My mom did the same thing.

            Well, now he wants me to be a sounding board for his work and I am SO UNINTERESTED in the quality of diamonds or the luster of diamonds or what makes them what.  I really don’t care.  And it gets harder to listen each time he tries to practice as I become more and more uninterested.  I used to wear costume jewelry all the time – until my mission.  Haven’t worn much since. 

Roland would like to go out and make nice purchases for both Jenna and me and it’s just not practical.  I know I should be more grateful that he thinks that is the way to show me off.  But I would rather not be showed off for what is around my neck or on my finger.  Rings aren’t even a part of the ceremony that takes place within the temples that are part of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 

They’re symbols.  Funny thing is those things I am truly attached to are for sentiment and usually have no financial value.  Perhaps I should be more sentimental about jewelry given in sentiment – but I’m not.  Currently I am wearing a locket which he gave me. He always asks when I’m not wearing – which is often.  It’s expensive!  And I tend to be careless and misplace things all of the time.  I told him not to buy it or even the wedding band (number three at that) that continues to fall off my finger. 

They should be reminders of how much he loves me – but material items don’t express love to me.  They have become reminders of how our money could have been better spent. I suppose it seems callous of me.  Our communication skills are still something to behold.  At least Jenna and I get one another. 

Let the Sunshine In!

 

                The skies are clear and the sun is shining through.  It’s about 54 degrees – 10 degrees warmer than three hours ago.  Looks and feels like a completely different day.

             This morning there was a dingy fog.  Thick. Appearance was not clean.  It felt eerie – mirroring the upcoming election.

            Tomorrow is the last day to vote. Whatever the results there’s going to be tension.  It’s as though the fog was a sign of what’s to come.

             Malitia if Trump should lose the elect

ion.  He will not leave the white house gracefully.  His mindless fans will protect him.  I cannot even grasp the behavior of so many who refuse to see what is right in front of them or hear what words come out from Donald Trump’s mouth.  They’re mesmerized.  I don’t get it.

             If Biden should lose the election – well, we are all doomed.  Perhaps there won’t be the same uproar of militia.  The pain will spread out over the next four years.

 

            I want the view of today to be a message for me to believe that everything will be alright. 

Invitation Answers post 1

          It has been less than a year since I graduated from the online college that I attended.  Recently I received an email from the school with an interest in candid photos in which I could share my personal story.  I am usually the one behind the camera – or was.  Jenna has taken over that job and has taken countless photos.  I don’t know that any of them say “success” as far as “look where our student is now”. 

          Included was a list of questions which I was more interested in answering with words than with photos.  The first five wanted reasons about why I had gone to college – specifically their school.  Umm . . . because my husband is an underpaid employee who works for your company and thus we took advantage of getting an expensive education for his time. 

          Roland had majored in graphic arts when we were living in Utah.  He was also working from home.  He would spend hours on end at the computer – though he had initially said that the university only expects you to sign in four days a week and then you’re only on the computer for a couple of hours.  NOT true.  He spent more time on the computer with his assignments than he did for work – or so it seemed.  Actually he didn’t.  But he did spend more than 18 hours a week with graphic arts. 

          Graphic arts may be a more demanding field than accounting – especially since he asked to have two classes at a time.  Sometimes two classes felt overwhelming to me – but often one class wasn’t enough for me personally.  I don’t know how people working full time were able to manage.

           I chose accounting – not because I love business and figures.  I don’t.  But I certainly wasn’t willing to go into business or graphic arts.  The other alternative was health care which I believe has to have hands on classes as well.  I mean, it’s not like you can lean into the screen and demonstrate CPR or check vitals or what have you.  I have been trying to balance our personal budget since before Roland and I were married.  I figured maybe I could learn to apply things into my own personal records without actually seeking work in that field. 

           The first two courses I had were computer basics and learning soft skills.  Although I seemed to butt heads with the instructor of the latter, and really didn’t understand why the class was a requirement at first, I did learn from it.  As I have mentioned countless times, my favorite classes had absolutely no connection to accounting other than life skills and the “how to”s for working with people.  I applied these principals into my church callings and later on as a teacher’s aide with the school district.  I had even allowed myself to use my current situations to apply to whatever I happened to be learning.  I truly learned a lot.  Particularly about referencing.  I may have not appreciated it at the time but with all the hoax postings and gullible friends, it has become quite apparent who understands what reliable sources are and who remains clueless. 

                   I have brainstormed over many of these questions and have three pages of notes which should make for at least three more posts.  I don’t wish to ignore what is going on in the states but don’t wish to dwell on it either.  Trump’s promise to “make America great again” has been no different thah Hitler’s promise to Austria or Germany.  Did you know that swastika used to be a symbol of peace? But Hitler was quick about changing that concept. (see here) I know many of my friends already view the American flag in a similar manner.  Trump did not make America great again.  It’s been torn apart since before he got into office.  The tears are bloody and fiery now.

The Number 40

“Forty – A Period of Testing

The number forty is mentioned 157 times in Scripture. The number forty symbolizes a period of testing, trial or probation.” – Scriptures Revealed

The article then goes on to remind us that Moses was in the desert for 40 years.  He had gone to Mount Sinai for 40 days and nights.  He was still there receiving God’s law while the children of Isreal lost their faith and built a golden calf.

For 40 days and 40 nights the Ark floated around in the water before there was sign of land.

For 40 days Jesus fasted before his ministry began. This site has a whole list of the symbolisms of the number 40. More than Roland had mentioned when he asked me if I thought this COVID thing would last only 40 days. 

It has now been 40 days since the students spent their final day for this school year.  It’s been 42 since the church announced no more meetings.  And not everybody was quarantined on the same day.  When would the “40” have started if his method is correct?  Or perhaps we are looking at 40 weeks?  40 months?  We may have enough food supply for 40 weeks but definitely not 40 months.  Our house is not big enough to store 40 months worth of food.

I don’t know that 40 is a symbolic number for what is taking place now.  But it is interesting to think about.