I SAID WHAT I MEAN

Oy!

Adulting is hard.

Dealing with people is even harder ☹

Today was Fellowship Potluck. I have been avoiding potluck Sundays because there is a couple, I really do not like being around – they are controlling. They are gossips. They are cruel.

Every time they come to mind … this song pops into my head:

The Undisputed Truth – ‘Smiling Faces’ song: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2oLl8NLtels)

This couple is old enough to understand “No.” They are old enough to understand that {no} is a complete sentence – it does not need to be expanded on. I have, more than once, asked her not to speak about my family as though she is a blood relative (she is not, praise the Lord), and I have asked her not to suddenly grab me and hug me against my will. I have told him to leave me alone (he’s pushy in his opinions concerning me, and he’s too touchy-feeling for my comfort). I have made it clear to those speaking to me on their behalf, that I do not want either of them touching me or forcing their opinions on me. Having gray hair and wrinkles on the face does not give anyone carte blanche to overstep boundaries: any boundary; no matter how “insignificant it seems to them”.

Both give off disingenuous vibes … and have on several occasions proven to be a two-faced lynching duo when faced with opposition to their pet agendas.

I really do not like them. And seriously go out of my way to avoid interaction with them.

But there are other people I really enjoy spending time with: the event was a dicey crapshoot.

So, I decided to put a smile in place, and ride the storm out; dealing with issues as they arose, in the moment. I mean … I’m teaching a class where the discussions are similar to this very topic, every Monday and Tuesday, for Pete’s sake! I guess it’s time (once more; God help me) to test where the rubber meets the road, on a personal level 😉

I pulled jeggings, and a lacy top out of the closet that looked to fit the holiday mood of today’s potluck (a precursor to Thanksgiving) 😊

I like the color of the top. I like the lacey material. I got a lot of compliments on it … but, it will not be a repeat.

Glittery 'Gentle' for brow, & 'Illusion' for eyelid; sparkly 'Navy' for top 'liner' & 'Lt. Blue' for lower 'liner'.

A spot of accent color ...

'Auburn' Brow Gel, Rose-tinted Creme Blush, & Black Mascara.

1 coat of glittery Nail Polish ... and black furry boots to keep my toes warm.

 

My favorite lip gloss, 'Pink Quartz' - so glittery! And, my face is ' place'. LOL

This top will not stay in my closet ...

Looking at these pics of that pretty top, it looks like I am wearing a cutdown tablecloth! I’ve worn it – and now, someone else can wear it next year.

On my way to the front door, I took one look out the front window at the frost-iced car across the street, and grabbed my heavy coat.

My stomach was pitching a fit thinking about the tiger couple – so, I stopped at Baker’s Corner and grabbed a quick bite to calm it down some 😉

Neighbor's frosted car plainly told me the shape the roads were in ...

I grabbed my Carhartt jacket; 'just in case'.

Ready for today’s Holiday Kickoff festivities.

A Breakfast Casserole & a flavored Coffee; I'm 'good to go!'

Fellowship went well; the message was good, and the atmosphere was warm.

I met some more new people … not new to the area, just {new} to me.

And of course, they showed up, and started right in with the overstepping high-stepping ☹

So, I spoke my mind: clearly. Distinctly. And firmly. In front of witnesses (they are the ones that staged it that way, to put me on the spot – I just cashed in on the listening ears surrounding us).

They acted surprised, offended, and miffed at my {candor}: but I remained unmovable in tone or meaning; repeating twice: “I meant what I said. Stop crowding me. I don’t like it; and I’ve asked you politely for months to “please stop.” And if you think I am {offensive} now, keep pushing on me and you will find out how “offensive” I can really be. Back off.”

I don’t like being a bitch … but if people continually push that Bitch Button, I have no qualms at all about leveling both barrels, and letting the scatter shot fly.

They eventually moved on to pester some other poor soul, and I moved on to enjoy the company of those I truly do enjoy. The rest of the day went smoothly, thank God.

I was invited to three Thanksgiving Suppers on Thursday, but I politely declined each one, stating, "Holidays are for Families; thank you, but I'll just stay home and watch 'Alice's Restaraunt' on YouTube if it's available - if it isn't, I'll finish my latest Cluve Cussler read." Every one of them assured me, "You are Family, Val", and I know they mean it; but I still declined. I really do appreciate those who love me enough to ask me to thier home (they are good friends) ... but every one of them are also football fans: and I am not. Thanksgiving & Christmas are football-madness-holidays. The Seattle Seahawks do not "thrill" me.

Later on, at home, I engaged in some more future thankfulness activity:

Tomorrow looks promising 😊

FEBRUARY 14th ~2022

The month of Love.

The day love is universally celebrated.

A difficult day to get through, for those of us who have had our days of wine and roses cut short; no more blissful, passionate Loveuary mornings – no more loving phone calls filled with sweet nothings for our ears only. No more exchanges of Love Cards, thoughtfully chosen and hidden until Loveuary morning.

No more overt expressions of love – that ended with our loved one’s last breath.

For the past three years, I’ve avoided this Day … however, this year I decided to treat myself.

And I thought of Bob as being very much alive (which he IS) in the Spirit; walking alongside me: his body gave out, his soul did not. Knowing this, encourages me every day to keep moving forward. To keep engaging in daily life, in ways that both my Husbands (Yeshua and Bob), can see – in ways that make them both feel happy for me, and proud that I am doing as both want me to do.

Thank you for the love ~ OX

I also thought of the many ways Bob and I valued each other; and showed our love in the small ways that matter in big ways (it’s the little things that lead to big passionate moments): and I did not cry this year.

I enjoyed my treat – and did not make a pig of myself: I wrapped the remaining servings, and put them in the freezer (to be enjoyed later this week – and figured into my calorie counting routine).

I’ll never be young and svelte again … but I can be a slimmer/toned version of myself than I was this time, last year 😉

... broken down into serving size.

And I thought of all the loving throughout previous generations that resulted in my having a life – without those ancestors, I would not exist to have experienced Bob’s wonderful love: I am thankful for all the love that got me here 😊

It rained today, so I stayed inside and did laundry … and worked on designing and crafting another Angel baby blanket.

MOD Blue Angel baby Blanket; 21-in. x 21-in.

All in all, it was a pretty good, low-key day without Bob’s physical presence in it. I miss Bob, but life is treating me well 😊