Day 148 & 149 So Many Stories to Tell!

As promised, I am here to deliver.
A whole week of claims, of truly living!
I have a friend coming over for dinner and cookies in the oven,

so let's see how much I can type before she gets here!

So last you read about was Day 147 "Singing for the Savior."

Let's start with Day 148 & Day 149:

Day 148

My friend Joanie, from my college days, has been popping into my head lately.  We reconnected two years ago when I decided to go on an adventure and fly to NYC (where she also lives) to visit the guy that I was seeing at the time.  I've been wondering since then how life is going for her and if she did get married (she got engaged while I was visiting her).  Today's claim was to stop the wondering and finally call her.  When she answered, I found out that she was currently in the hospital for an infection in her intestines!  We chatted briefly; she aid she'd call back soon.  It felt great to step out of my life.  It felt even better to pray for her on my drive home.

Lesson: why wonder when you can find out the truth?

Day 149

This was a tough one. It took a lot of discipline,
a lot of biting my tongue, and much control of the mind.

Friday night--the end of a great week,

the start of a fabulous weekend in Milwaukee.

I was zipping along on the interstate,

excited to be on my way,

had just received a phone call,

and then it happend.

I noticed a cop car.  Too late.

In my excitement, I hadn't realized my speed.
Although I was staying with the flow of traffic,

the "flow" was going almost 80 mph, in a 65 speed zone.

I swallowed hard.  Yes, I was right.

He was coming after me.

My heart stopped, and as his lights blinded me,

I did all I could to pull over quickly and gather up some courage.

I was honest.  I was polite.

It didn't matter.
He slapped me with a $250 ticket.
As he handed it to me, the tears started to flow
(silly, I know.)
But you have to understand my personality.
I'm a goody-goody.
I don't like being in trouble, I don't like messing up,
and I definitely don't like forking out money for an honest mistake.

There was nothing I could do.
It was done.
The tears kept coming as I drove away.

The stress mounted---

"How would I pay this?"

My additional income has stopped for 3 months,
out of my control.  Money is tight.

A friend talked me through it,

gave me some perspective.

Claim? Not let this ruin my weekend. And,

not talk to Jill (the friend I was going to visit) about it.

Or even anyone else; no need to throw a pity party!
I was able to compose myself,

rid the tears, and meet Jill for a pizza dinner where we laughed,

chatted, and caught up on life.

Somehow I was able to change my mood and perspective,

and put my attention on her and having a fun Friday night.

Lesson: when it's out of your control, don't stress about it