September 25, 2015 – Week 4

Aside from the highlights, it has been a rather uneventful week. Quiet days leave me challenged to find the one thing that stood out in that day. When there is nothing happening, it forces me to be even more quiet and reflective, thinking about the things I am grateful for.

Here are the five things I am grateful for this week.

My High Fives for this Friday...

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1. Song I enjoyed listening to the most: All of Me by John Legend

“I give you all of me and you give me all of you.”

Whenever this song comes on, my husband and I sing it like a duet. He actually has a really nice voice. He can hit all the high notes in this song... on pitch, I might add. Nowadays, I don’t really know how John Legend sounds when he sings this song, because my husband and I sing over the song at the top of our lungs every time it comes on. It’s like our cue to sing loud. It’s a little out of character for both of us to break out in song, but it’s kind of fun. This is one of those things that make memories we can share with our grand kids someday.

2. Best offer I received:  I use to sell jewelry in my spare time and managed to accumulate boxes of jewelry for displays. Now that I am retired and no longer need to go into an office, I no longer wear jewelry. Whenever I need a little extra cash, I look around the house to see what I can sell and so last week I gathered up a box of jewelry and set up a display to take photos of the pieces I would sell on eBay. I only wanted to generate a couple hundred dollars… not much. But, the thought of having to monitor eBay, package the jewelry, and go to the post office to ship the jewelry was starting to give me a low level of anxiety.

Lo and behold, I get a phone call from a real estate broker whose blog I maintain each week. I also create CMA’s and help her with her marketing program. Anyway, she calls me on Monday morning and asks me if I would consider being her Escrow Coordinator. What? Of course! I jumped at the opportunity to work a few hours here and there and bring in a few hundred dollars per transaction. Everything is digitally managed. After being in real estate for 26 years, I would have no trouble managing the escrow transactions this broker has lined up for me to coordinate.

Most people would think this is pure coincidence. I know better. This is my heavenly Father looking out for me. He knew what I needed, knew my anxiety, knew my willingness to do what needed to be done for the money and so He provided a way for me to obtain the money in a way that would be most rewarding for me. That’s my Amazing God! He just does stuff like that.

3. Most fun I had: This actually happened last week, but on the weekend. I had the pleasure of attending my youngest grandson’s football game. Oh what fun I had in the stands with my husband, daughter and all the fans (parents) rooting on the young players. They won their game and so the mood was high. After the game, we went to my daughter’s home where she provided a scrumptious dinner. By the way, I want the recipe for the spices used on that Tri Tip Steak. Anyway, we laughed and carried on like party hounds. It was fun. It was memorable and I can hardly wait until we do that again.

4. Best life lesson: (Poem) You Pen a Post

You pen a post
An update boast
Expect at most
You’re not a ghost

© Marlene C. Bertrand 2015

Few things can drive your demeanor down like a Facebook post that gets zero responses. You share an update with your “friends” and it seems like no one cares. This happens to me a lot. In the past, it made me feel insignificant. Fortunately, I am quick to shake off that feeling of inferiority. People are as busy taking care of their lives as I am taking care of my life. Besides, it’s more fun interacting with live people, getting real hugs instead of virtual (((((HUGS))))), (SMILEY FACE), and I (HEART) U.

5. What I am really happy about: Pope Francis’ visit to the U.S.

Even though I am not Catholic, millions of people in this country are Catholic. The truth is, people don’t have to be Catholic to appreciate the Pope’s message of love and peace. I am happy the Pope had time to visit our country because so many people are lost in this world and the presence of the Pope gives us all hope that things will get better here. I know people are listening to the Pope, and when I hear the Pope say things like, “Treat others as you would have them treat you.” I get the feeling things have a chance of getting better.

Those are my High Fives for this Friday. Please leave a comment, maybe share something you are grateful for this week.  Have a wonderful weekend!