Do not judge anyone who has lost their job recently due to recession. Actually, we are not to judge at all, but I do know how hard it can be to completely rid yourself of the act of judging, but let’s all try shall we?
We are all different people living in the same world. Some may easily be able to find a job they love; some may be able to live happily taking a job they hate, but not everyone. Each and every situation is different, so if your comments are going to be judgmental, negative or diminishing in any form or fashion, keep them to yourselves. Right now is a time of encouragement, support and new beginnings. Although these things seem righteous, they are not always easy.
Next time you talk to someone who has been laid off, just remember as you are asking them how the job search is going that you do not know their whole story and you do not know their heart. You may be able to understand the panic and the sadness, but your solutions are not mine. Your answers and pathways are different then the ones He has for me.
If you cannot understand what it is someone needs, then just listen and be understanding even if you really cannot understand.
Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
You Chose, You Voted, Now You Must Respect It
Something has been aggravating me, so I decided to write a little blurb about it. This may make some people upset or even encourage them to argue with me, but I will just have to cross that bridge when I get there.
Today is a historical moment in American and even World History. You do not have to agree with our presidential selection and you do not have to have voted for him, that is your decision and I respect that. But you do have to live with it. Barack Obama is being sworn in as our 44th President today. Disrespectful and uncooperative comments will never change that.
I live in a very Republican community. I was raised in a Republican family, and even voted strictly Republican my first few times, simply because I did not know any better. Today, I do not like to limit myself to a specific political party, because my decisions are going to come from the outcome of listening to each candidate through their campaigns. I usually do not know who I am voting for until I sit down in the voting booth.
I respect each vote that was cast in this election, now it is everyone’s turn to respect the outcome of this election. Who knows, you may actually start to like him. Now would that be so bad?
Today is a historical moment in American and even World History. You do not have to agree with our presidential selection and you do not have to have voted for him, that is your decision and I respect that. But you do have to live with it. Barack Obama is being sworn in as our 44th President today. Disrespectful and uncooperative comments will never change that.
I live in a very Republican community. I was raised in a Republican family, and even voted strictly Republican my first few times, simply because I did not know any better. Today, I do not like to limit myself to a specific political party, because my decisions are going to come from the outcome of listening to each candidate through their campaigns. I usually do not know who I am voting for until I sit down in the voting booth.
I respect each vote that was cast in this election, now it is everyone’s turn to respect the outcome of this election. Who knows, you may actually start to like him. Now would that be so bad?
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Gravity, DON'T Stay The Hell Away From Me
I have really become one with my local YMCA now that I am unemployed. I have never been one to enjoy lounging on the couch so being able to spend as much time at the gym as I wish has been quite the time filler for me. I have decided to focus on firming up and getting fit so that when that fateful day comes when I find a job, I will be smokin’ hot! So, maybe I should put down this bowl of chili I am inhaling right now? Yeah, probably not going to do that.
I have started attending this class at the Y that uses the new Gravity machines. Have you seen these? I do believe Chuck Norris sells them on infomercials, but this machine is now my new crush. It works the legs, arms, shoulders and abs. It is not meant for cardio, but it will tone the hell out of your limbs. Seriously, after the first class it felt like Mike Tyson had gone to town on my boobs!
So, next time you see me, watch out. I may be packing some heat in my limbs.
I have started attending this class at the Y that uses the new Gravity machines. Have you seen these? I do believe Chuck Norris sells them on infomercials, but this machine is now my new crush. It works the legs, arms, shoulders and abs. It is not meant for cardio, but it will tone the hell out of your limbs. Seriously, after the first class it felt like Mike Tyson had gone to town on my boobs!
So, next time you see me, watch out. I may be packing some heat in my limbs.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Pound Puppies
I had a little run in with the Montgomery Humane Society yesterday and felt inclined to write a letter notifying the Board, which I mailed out earlier today. There is no real point in me posting it on the blog, except for just sharing my frustration with friends. Here it goes:
I am writing in order to express my concerns on a recent encounter I experienced with the Montgomery Humane Society. I have always supported local humane societies, shelters and all other rescue missions. Pets are one of the most reliable and fulfilling aspects of our world, whether it is a dog, cat or any of God’s creatures. I by no means intend to question the mission or the intent of the Montgomery Humane Society, but I do not feel it right or just to let this go unaddressed.
A friend of mine called me this morning asking me to help her and her husband find their dog who had run away in the middle of the night during a storm. My friend is nine months pregnant causing her to be unable to take any time off work before the baby gets here, and her husband was out of town. The first step we took was to call the Montgomery Humane Society to see if he was there and report him missing. At this time we were told he was not there, but we would be called immediately if he was to show up, and we had full faith in receiving immediate notification from the Humane Society if our missing dog was to show up.
After I spent all morning searching for the missing dog, I decided to go to the Humane Society myself to see if he was there. I filled out the form only to find out I was not allowed to walk through the kennels to see if he was there, because I was not the actual owner. I do understand and appreciate the concept of protection this rule is intending to hold, but I do believe there is a lot more that can be done along with this policy to help the missing dog.
How is it that I could not simply walk through the kennels to see if he was there with full intentions of leaving him there for his owners to come pick him up, but I could have walked through the kennels freely if I had expressed an intention of adopting one? One of the volunteers/staff members did take my missing dog report and supposedly checked the kennels for me, but seeing as how he returned in less than two minutes to tell me our dog was not there I would have to say this was no comfort what-so-ever.
My concern is with the honesty, loyalty and dependability of the Montgomery Humane Society staff and volunteers. I was told our missing dog was not at the kennel, and I was not shown an ounce of customer service or support. I stood in your lobby with tear filled eyes, wondering where our precious dog could be. I have to confess that my eyes are again filled with tears for many reasons at this moment. One reason being that we now have our precious dog back in our care after a long 24 fearful hours, but the second reason my eyes have tears is because he was at the Montgomery Humane Society all day long. He was there when I came to find him, and he was there when your staff supposedly walked the kennels and looked for him while I was left outside.
I have recently moved back to Montgomery and have been planning on spending my free time at your facility volunteering. Today’s experience completely turned me away from the desire to work with such an unwilling staff. Now, I plan on looking for a way to make a much stronger, positive impact on your organization.
Again, I commend your organization for its mission, but hope to see improvement on your execution of this mission.
Sincerely,
Searcy Yoder
*As an update. I did receive a letter back from one of the Board members. He stated that he has expressed both his and my concerns to the Humane Society Director. This at least made me feel like I was heard by someone on the Board and the issue has been addressed even if it doesn't get solved, it was heard.
I am writing in order to express my concerns on a recent encounter I experienced with the Montgomery Humane Society. I have always supported local humane societies, shelters and all other rescue missions. Pets are one of the most reliable and fulfilling aspects of our world, whether it is a dog, cat or any of God’s creatures. I by no means intend to question the mission or the intent of the Montgomery Humane Society, but I do not feel it right or just to let this go unaddressed.
A friend of mine called me this morning asking me to help her and her husband find their dog who had run away in the middle of the night during a storm. My friend is nine months pregnant causing her to be unable to take any time off work before the baby gets here, and her husband was out of town. The first step we took was to call the Montgomery Humane Society to see if he was there and report him missing. At this time we were told he was not there, but we would be called immediately if he was to show up, and we had full faith in receiving immediate notification from the Humane Society if our missing dog was to show up.
After I spent all morning searching for the missing dog, I decided to go to the Humane Society myself to see if he was there. I filled out the form only to find out I was not allowed to walk through the kennels to see if he was there, because I was not the actual owner. I do understand and appreciate the concept of protection this rule is intending to hold, but I do believe there is a lot more that can be done along with this policy to help the missing dog.
How is it that I could not simply walk through the kennels to see if he was there with full intentions of leaving him there for his owners to come pick him up, but I could have walked through the kennels freely if I had expressed an intention of adopting one? One of the volunteers/staff members did take my missing dog report and supposedly checked the kennels for me, but seeing as how he returned in less than two minutes to tell me our dog was not there I would have to say this was no comfort what-so-ever.
My concern is with the honesty, loyalty and dependability of the Montgomery Humane Society staff and volunteers. I was told our missing dog was not at the kennel, and I was not shown an ounce of customer service or support. I stood in your lobby with tear filled eyes, wondering where our precious dog could be. I have to confess that my eyes are again filled with tears for many reasons at this moment. One reason being that we now have our precious dog back in our care after a long 24 fearful hours, but the second reason my eyes have tears is because he was at the Montgomery Humane Society all day long. He was there when I came to find him, and he was there when your staff supposedly walked the kennels and looked for him while I was left outside.
I have recently moved back to Montgomery and have been planning on spending my free time at your facility volunteering. Today’s experience completely turned me away from the desire to work with such an unwilling staff. Now, I plan on looking for a way to make a much stronger, positive impact on your organization.
Again, I commend your organization for its mission, but hope to see improvement on your execution of this mission.
Sincerely,
Searcy Yoder
*As an update. I did receive a letter back from one of the Board members. He stated that he has expressed both his and my concerns to the Humane Society Director. This at least made me feel like I was heard by someone on the Board and the issue has been addressed even if it doesn't get solved, it was heard.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Is It Mocking Bird or Bishop?
I learned an extremely valuable lesson the other day. I am still not sure if it was a lesson on blasphemy or on the simple power of the Bishop, but whatever it was, I learned it.
It was a beautiful Sunday afternoon wrapping up a nice long New Years vacation at my family’s home on Soldier Creek. I had spent the past few days laughing, eating and drinking my hearts content with my parents and friends I hardly get to see. Before heading back to reality, a friend of mine and I decide to head to church for a little cleansing.
I love our church down here. From the inside it looks as though four double wide trailers have been welded together, but the community and the support of the church is more pleasing than any other church I have been to. Little did we know today was a big day for our little Episcatrailer. The Bishop was there to present the Bishop’s pins to families of those who are no longer with us, and he also gave the sermon for the day. I hate to tell you I cannot remember one point he made while preaching, but he sure caught my attention with the vocal explosions he frequently made.
After the sermon was over the Bishop walked over to the last row where my friend and I were standing. He shook my friend’s hand and greeted him with an offering of peace, which my friend returned. Then he slipped his hand in mine as I offered him peace myself. The Bishop looked at me with a half cocked smile and responded, “How long?” um, huh? I was in a bit of confused shock so I asked what he meant by that, and he simply laughed and moved on. Seriously? Did the Bishop just laugh at me? Did he just make a joke about me to my face? Was it an inappropriate comment, or was it just a miscommunication?
After that experience all I wanted to do was get out of that church before the Bishop had another chance to mock me publicly! Little did I know you can run from the higher being, but you cannot hide! The rest of my day was filled with an unfortunate sequence of events. It all started with me spending an hour trying to get a cat out of a tree, continued with my stupidity when I left my wallet at a Starbucks in Pensacola, not even noticing it until I was a good 45 minutes away. I had to race back to Pensacola praying my wallet was still there, because I did not have any other means of money or gas! Once I finally got the wallet back and into the outskirts of Montgomery after six hours in the car, my phone charger started smoking!!! I mean the thing was about to catch on fire! I was able to disconnect it and throw it out the window while driving before it blew up my whole existence.
Needless to say, if a religious figure ever comes to bless you, please, just smile and do not question it. Even if it sounds a little funny, just go with it. I do not actually believe I was being “punished”, but I do wish I knew what he meant by “how long?
It was a beautiful Sunday afternoon wrapping up a nice long New Years vacation at my family’s home on Soldier Creek. I had spent the past few days laughing, eating and drinking my hearts content with my parents and friends I hardly get to see. Before heading back to reality, a friend of mine and I decide to head to church for a little cleansing.
I love our church down here. From the inside it looks as though four double wide trailers have been welded together, but the community and the support of the church is more pleasing than any other church I have been to. Little did we know today was a big day for our little Episcatrailer. The Bishop was there to present the Bishop’s pins to families of those who are no longer with us, and he also gave the sermon for the day. I hate to tell you I cannot remember one point he made while preaching, but he sure caught my attention with the vocal explosions he frequently made.
After the sermon was over the Bishop walked over to the last row where my friend and I were standing. He shook my friend’s hand and greeted him with an offering of peace, which my friend returned. Then he slipped his hand in mine as I offered him peace myself. The Bishop looked at me with a half cocked smile and responded, “How long?” um, huh? I was in a bit of confused shock so I asked what he meant by that, and he simply laughed and moved on. Seriously? Did the Bishop just laugh at me? Did he just make a joke about me to my face? Was it an inappropriate comment, or was it just a miscommunication?
After that experience all I wanted to do was get out of that church before the Bishop had another chance to mock me publicly! Little did I know you can run from the higher being, but you cannot hide! The rest of my day was filled with an unfortunate sequence of events. It all started with me spending an hour trying to get a cat out of a tree, continued with my stupidity when I left my wallet at a Starbucks in Pensacola, not even noticing it until I was a good 45 minutes away. I had to race back to Pensacola praying my wallet was still there, because I did not have any other means of money or gas! Once I finally got the wallet back and into the outskirts of Montgomery after six hours in the car, my phone charger started smoking!!! I mean the thing was about to catch on fire! I was able to disconnect it and throw it out the window while driving before it blew up my whole existence.
Needless to say, if a religious figure ever comes to bless you, please, just smile and do not question it. Even if it sounds a little funny, just go with it. I do not actually believe I was being “punished”, but I do wish I knew what he meant by “how long?
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Our Christmas Stories
Everyone has their own traditions and own memories of what Christmas is like for their family each year. Some travel to see different points of the earth and take in a variety of cultures. Some stay snuggled up at home for days and enjoy the heartfelt theory of family time. Some even seem to fill up their living room with ungodly amounts of presents even though there is a recession looming onto our nation. My Christmas doesn’t completely fit into one of these categories, but has an amazing concept all of its own…….humor.
First you must come to know my sister, Anne Harmon. She lives in Atlanta, GA where she pretty much runs the social calendar for the town and maybe weighs 110 pounds. I mean she is pretty hot, but she definitely has the charm and the humor thing going strong for her too. Every year at Christmas we start texting and calling each other on a daily basis to plan for the big Holiday season, emotionally and fashionably. We have parents who honestly just want us with them for Christmas. Mom and Dad would never think twice if we never brought home another Christmas present again. Now that being said, we would never do that because it would break my poor mom’s heart. See where I am going with this?
Let me explain. My immediate family has the amazing tendency to over react to situations. We still celebrate the good things happening in life, but come on, where is the humor in positive action? We simply want to bring up all the harsh and embarrassing moments of the past year, so we can mock ourselves in order to bring peace and joy to all creation.
There is this span of about maybe five to seven days surrounding Christmas Day when my family either hosts or attends a gathering of some sort. It starts with aunts, uncles and cousins on the Sunday before Christmas, trailing into multiple nights of spur of the moment cocktail hours with neighbors and long time friends, and then it peaks when we make it through the doors of the local watering hole after we have walked the red carpet at our Christmas Eve service (where, hands down, Ann Wilson Aman will always look better than us). So, basically, Christmas is a time when we are allowed to consume as much alcohol we deem necessary, while my sister and I begin the trails of the traveling jesters.
So what are the hot topics this year? Oh let’s see. We start with a little, haha Searcy lost her job this year and had to move in with her parents after seven years of complete independence. Then we sprinkle a little, “Did ya’ll hear about my mother and her luncheon group’s trip to the shooting range?” And then we top it off with a big “Anne Harmon is bringing home a boyfriend, and his name is Even Williams. Dad, didn’t you drink that for about twenty years when you were saving money to put us through school?” What makes each year complete is my sister’s ability to tell each story in my mother’s strong, southern accent, and my ability to stay out too late and “ruin” Christmas Day.
For the record, I was home at ten o’clock last night, and up before everyone else this Christmas Day, but I did manage to piss my mother off before 6 am by screwing up the washing machine. Nothing says Merry Christmas in this house like a few over dramatic deep breaths and some stern talkin’!
All I want for Christmas is to never lose the humor in my family. Times are getting hard in the world right now, and I truly believe if we can just sit back and laugh at ourselves in pure humility, we will all be just fine.
Happy Holidays!
First you must come to know my sister, Anne Harmon. She lives in Atlanta, GA where she pretty much runs the social calendar for the town and maybe weighs 110 pounds. I mean she is pretty hot, but she definitely has the charm and the humor thing going strong for her too. Every year at Christmas we start texting and calling each other on a daily basis to plan for the big Holiday season, emotionally and fashionably. We have parents who honestly just want us with them for Christmas. Mom and Dad would never think twice if we never brought home another Christmas present again. Now that being said, we would never do that because it would break my poor mom’s heart. See where I am going with this?
Let me explain. My immediate family has the amazing tendency to over react to situations. We still celebrate the good things happening in life, but come on, where is the humor in positive action? We simply want to bring up all the harsh and embarrassing moments of the past year, so we can mock ourselves in order to bring peace and joy to all creation.
There is this span of about maybe five to seven days surrounding Christmas Day when my family either hosts or attends a gathering of some sort. It starts with aunts, uncles and cousins on the Sunday before Christmas, trailing into multiple nights of spur of the moment cocktail hours with neighbors and long time friends, and then it peaks when we make it through the doors of the local watering hole after we have walked the red carpet at our Christmas Eve service (where, hands down, Ann Wilson Aman will always look better than us). So, basically, Christmas is a time when we are allowed to consume as much alcohol we deem necessary, while my sister and I begin the trails of the traveling jesters.
So what are the hot topics this year? Oh let’s see. We start with a little, haha Searcy lost her job this year and had to move in with her parents after seven years of complete independence. Then we sprinkle a little, “Did ya’ll hear about my mother and her luncheon group’s trip to the shooting range?” And then we top it off with a big “Anne Harmon is bringing home a boyfriend, and his name is Even Williams. Dad, didn’t you drink that for about twenty years when you were saving money to put us through school?” What makes each year complete is my sister’s ability to tell each story in my mother’s strong, southern accent, and my ability to stay out too late and “ruin” Christmas Day.
For the record, I was home at ten o’clock last night, and up before everyone else this Christmas Day, but I did manage to piss my mother off before 6 am by screwing up the washing machine. Nothing says Merry Christmas in this house like a few over dramatic deep breaths and some stern talkin’!
All I want for Christmas is to never lose the humor in my family. Times are getting hard in the world right now, and I truly believe if we can just sit back and laugh at ourselves in pure humility, we will all be just fine.
Happy Holidays!
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Material Girl
I have never thought myself to be a materialistic person. My dream home doesn't consist of high ceilings and granite. I don't shoe shop outside of the sale rack at Dillard's, and I certainly don't know much about fancy wine. I don't even know how to really put on makeup. I just thought I was a simple girl living in a complex world. I must admit I have been a bit judgemental on people who take pride in their belongings. I am, of course, at times wrong. Today I realized I am absolutely no better than the high dollar man who had to watch all of his belongings get auctioned off to complete strangers.
Over the past three or four years I have hired the same movers to come and pack up my house only to move to the next destination in life. I have seen my furniture wrapped in packing material and seen my home drive away from me, but this time it wasn't the same. This time it wasn't going to a new adventure, it was going to a 10x10 storage unit. Oh, poor me, right? I know. I should have a lot more things to dwell on or to feel sad about.
It just felt different. I saw the things I walked on every day and threw my keys on each time I walked in the house wrapped up for an undetermined about of time. I wasn't watching with anticipation of the next town and the next life. I was watching with fear, or more so, anger.
I have worked so hard to make my life my life. I have listened to my gut and ignored my doubts, only to make life that much more amazing for myself. Honestly, each day has been so fulfilling and so worth it because it was mine. When I left school I searched for myself. I found her. She rocks, by the way. Now, I feel like she is wrapped up in moving papers in a climate controlled storage unit. (At least she has come A/C!!)
I know I am not in control, and believe me, I know God has something unthinkable at the end of this for me. I just think watching all you have being taken from you (whether it be for good or for an undetermined time frame) puts life into perspective. Who knows how bad this recession will get. I might have to sell what I have in that 10x10 (I have a great washer and dryer I am willing to part with for $300), or I may be lucky enough to unwrap it all and make a new home.
I think it is the life undetermined I am most afraid of. I shouldn't be. I have done that before. I just can't even start to guess where it will go this time.
Ultimately, I would love to be a writer and fisherman for the rest of my life. hummmm, is a charter boat 10x10?
Over the past three or four years I have hired the same movers to come and pack up my house only to move to the next destination in life. I have seen my furniture wrapped in packing material and seen my home drive away from me, but this time it wasn't the same. This time it wasn't going to a new adventure, it was going to a 10x10 storage unit. Oh, poor me, right? I know. I should have a lot more things to dwell on or to feel sad about.
It just felt different. I saw the things I walked on every day and threw my keys on each time I walked in the house wrapped up for an undetermined about of time. I wasn't watching with anticipation of the next town and the next life. I was watching with fear, or more so, anger.
I have worked so hard to make my life my life. I have listened to my gut and ignored my doubts, only to make life that much more amazing for myself. Honestly, each day has been so fulfilling and so worth it because it was mine. When I left school I searched for myself. I found her. She rocks, by the way. Now, I feel like she is wrapped up in moving papers in a climate controlled storage unit. (At least she has come A/C!!)
I know I am not in control, and believe me, I know God has something unthinkable at the end of this for me. I just think watching all you have being taken from you (whether it be for good or for an undetermined time frame) puts life into perspective. Who knows how bad this recession will get. I might have to sell what I have in that 10x10 (I have a great washer and dryer I am willing to part with for $300), or I may be lucky enough to unwrap it all and make a new home.
I think it is the life undetermined I am most afraid of. I shouldn't be. I have done that before. I just can't even start to guess where it will go this time.
Ultimately, I would love to be a writer and fisherman for the rest of my life. hummmm, is a charter boat 10x10?
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