Just me!

Politics is always interesting to me. Whether it be in a job or government, one has to be cognizant of the fact that not everybody thinks the same about your character. When I held my position at the county nursing home, I always upheld the highest standards and did my best to respect the other employees, residents, children, and their families. But not everyone viewed it the same way! Through the four years that it took me to receive my Masters' degree in Guidance and Counseling, I became accepting of that fact instead of continually beating myself up for what I should or could have done differently trying to please everyone. During the closing process of the daycare center, I made a speech at the County Board saying that it was ok to close our center for the good of the whole county. We had a great almost 16-year run and there were no regrets. That was five years ago this month. Recently, I had a person comment to me how he remembered that speech even now. I was surprised because it was just me.

The political campaigning is in full bloom right now. When everybody surrounding campaigns is being put under the microscope for their actions or inactions, it is more important than ever to be aware. For me, it's not hard. I have always wanted to take the high road and treat others just as I would like to be treated. I see no point in spreading rumors that aren't true. I try to look at the positive characteristics in people and make my associations accordingly. Does that mean that I don't talk or meet with others who I may disagree with? No, that would be very narrow-minded of me. I feel that you can always learn something by talking to others. Does that mean that people should jump to conclusions about my beliefs or convictions or loyalties? No. It's just me wanting to know others better. By knowing people, we can remove the barriers to communication that can sometimes exist.

I will say that when others may attempt to cast negative aspersions against me, I will not be a hypocrite and support their actions. I will stand up for myself and decide which direction to take that will show my conscience. If people notice that, I'm glad. It's just me.

I am far from perfect and have made many mistakes, but through it all I hope that my positive contributions will outnumber the negative!

It's just me!

Politics in Motion!

City Girl is long overdue! So much has been happening in my "City" that I've been neglecting my blogging. I will confess that politics took most of my time in January. But I love them! Watching the process play out is the best. Meeting with people and talking with people is what life's about. Everyone has opinions and wants to share them. Everyone thinks that their opinions are the "right" ones. It takes much listening and contemplation to decide which match my own. By listening and opening my mind to new possibilities, sometimes I change my mind. Usually, that change feels much better.

Many, many issues are before me now that have consumed so much time. Since they impact the whole City, I have to get it right in my mind. The decisions that are facing the City cannot be made lightly, nor quickly. I hope by talking to as many people as possible and getting all the facts that I need, I will make the tough decisions without second thoughts. Having so many people who trust me to do that makes getting it right important. I know that not everyone will be happy. But I hope that they will know that I will have thoroughly vetted every possibility. I cannot thank enough those around me who give their advice and encouragement freely and with the best intentions. I appreciate it. It makes me able to move forward.

The State of Illinois' Inauguration was a highlight in my month! I had never participated before and what fun! Of course, knowing two of the elected officials personally made the events most meaningful. Attending the parties and events with good friends and my brother added to all the fun! The Capitol Building is the hub of our politics and still has me in awe of its splendor.

Democracy is for the people and by the people and I am proud to have a small part in that process! I would be remiss if I didn't acknowledge the 100th Birthday of one of our finest presidents, Ronald Reagan. Visiting his Presidential Library was awesome and standing by the piece of the Berlin Wall that had been torn down (picture, '05) reminded me of how powerful Democracy is for all!

Sugar Cookie Tradition

I don't have many traditions anymore at Christmas, since the kids are grown and gone. But the one that I still carry on for the whole family is the baking of Grandma's sugar cookies. I usually only make them at Christmas. And I am the only family member to make them. So the pressure is on for December 24th! I have been making them every year I've been married and probably before that, but I can't remember that far back!

These are not just your run-of-the-mill sugar cookies! Grandma's recipe goes back over 100 years when it was passed on to her from my great-grandma. Over the years I've tried tweaking it, but have gone back to using real buttermilk now. Everything else is just as it was then. Grandma gave me tips over the years like only work the dough as little as possible. The dough needs to refrigerate overnight. And just use the bare minimum of flour. Since they have to be cut, that is a very important rule.

A fb friend posted about how she was "channeling" her grandma as she was baking today. I thought of that. How interesting! I looked at the cookies differently! I thought about the star cookie cutter that was Grandma's too. It must be 80 years old and still in perfect shape. I thought about the glass sugar shakers that either she or I bought many, many years ago. Still just fine! It shows they cost $.10! Thinking of those things made the baking so much more fun!

The other important part of this tradition is trying to remember who likes only sugar sprinkled and who likes only icing. I divide the cookies to my different family members and try to remember who likes what. For instance, my husband only likes them iced. For the family sugar-cookie connoisseurs, we just like the sprinkled sugar. Mostly, each family likes a combination, so I can't lose! Over the years, I have added the red hots. But I cannot break with the different shapes. Most of the cutters I have had since I was first married. And I have to make sure I have the ones for Santa to eat!

Anyway, this cookie-baking tradition was made more special today by thinking of my grandma and mom making these before me. I am so grateful this year to be healed of my broken leg and able to keep the tradition alive.

Merry Christmas to all!

Communicate, communicate, communicate...

In all facets of life, communication has got to be the number one issue for relationships. I know this is much easier said than done for many people. It doesn't always come naturally to me, but when the lines of communication are opened it does. Many times I am the one to open those lines. Trust me, it isn't always easy, but the rewards are worthwhile. Often, misunderstandings are resolved. Relationship issues are better understood. Communication allows forward movement. Granted, the answers are not always the ones that we want to hear. But with the willingness to be open and honest with others, respect and trust are often the outcomes. I appreciate that quality in the people that I know and hope that I reciprocate.

I chose this picture because it is one of my favorite places. It is Indian Springs near Palm Springs. It's an oasis in the middle of the desert. The two canyon walls represent two people who communicate and form the living spring with fertile ground around them where life happens. That's how we need to be. You cannot be alone and grow.

In this week before Thanksgiving, I am most thankful to those around me who have shown genuine caring and are willing to communicate with me on all levels of life. You can trust that I will be open and honest in return. Isn't that what life's about?!!

The Gift of Time

I found a quote from Emerson that has been so appropriate..."The only gift is to give of thyself." This pretty much sums up my life's philosophy. From an early age, my family trekked to Rantoul every Sunday afternoon to visit my grandparents. It has been instilled in me that giving others your time is one of the most important qualities you can possess. Who doesn't love when someone wants to be with you without expecting anything in return? Who doesn't love when someone takes time to write a note of encouragement? Who doesn't love when someone calls just to say, "Hi! How're ya doin'?"? Plus I find that giving back to others by volunteering for activities such as making food deliveries or mentoring a child or serving on Council is giving the gift of time from my side. The gift works in both directions.

Just yesterday, I was stopped by a total stranger at the Clinic as I was hobbling by. She was waiting with her daughter for her foot surgery appointment. She stopped me to ask if I would show her daughter my boot because that is what she will be wearing after her surgery and she wanted her daughter to not be too afraid. I was more than happy to share a few minutes of my time and show her how Bling helps to make it a little more fun. Unfortunately, my time with them was cut short when the nurse who was expecting me came out to look for me! That's ok. The woman thanked me for sharing and for having a positive outlook. Hopefully, I passed a little on to her to ease her fears, too.

Working in a nursing home for almost 16 years really showed me the importance of this quote. The residents were so hungry for someone to just sit and visit for a bit or longer, if possible. They longed for the human connection and touch. After my upbringing, this mere gift of giving a few minutes of time to someone else was important to me. I couldn't heal their bodies or give them independence, but I could give them time, a chance to have that human connection.

In all facets of my life, whether it be mother, grandmother, wife, teacher or Councilwoman, sharing my time with others is a priority. So when others reciprocate with me, I am even more appreciative. Since Halloween Cast and now Bling Boot have filled my October, I've had time to reflect on how much everybody's time shown to me has meant. From holding a door to waiting in the dark to driving me to my car to sharing a meal to buying Bling to the many offers of help and encouragement to waiting patiently for me while I hobble, I am so appreciative.

Your gifts of time have not gone unnoticed. THANK YOU!

Halloween Cast Made a Friend!

Halloween Cast is having quite the adventure! I have had the great fortune to meet another Halloween Cast and we are teaming up to make sure life doesn't get too dull while wearing the beloved cast!

It has been so wonderful to have someone reach out who is in the same situation. Trusting each other with our feelings about it all has really been great. It is quite the long distance relationship, but knowing there is another person out there who has Halloween Cast makes the world so much smaller.

We bounce ideas off each other and share tips. Hopefully, she'll find the toe bling and we'll be matching! The picture shows one of her ideas! It's Camouflage Cast. I loved it!

Thanks again to all who have been so sympathetic or who have held a door open for me or who have waited with me when it was dark. I just hope that Halloween Cast II is getting the same awesome treatment!

October Jinx--2010 Style

For whatever reasons, October has been a challenging month for me for several years. This year is once again proving to bear that out! The main issue is the broken leg and Halloween Cast. It is the fourth time in my life and the first time in my adult life that I have broken a bone. It's funny, but I can remember every bit of each time that I broke the others. They include a broken wrist from falling off a horse in October when I was 9. That was complicated by the fact that I developed a case of mumps at the same time. The next year, I fell doing gymnastics and broke every bone in my right elbow. That was complicated by the fact that the doctor used methiolate during surgery which I am allergic to, so I developed 2nd and 3rd degree burns under the cast that needed to be changed every three weeks. Luckily, my growing bone healed and no scars. Oh yes, that swell time was four days before Christmas! The following year I broke my leg ice skating. That was a thigh cast and crutches for three months! No other complications! All in all, this break and cast is relatively easy!

I had the notion that I would be able to just continue with my routine and busyness, but was I wrong! Lugging Halloween Cast around makes me plan my steps and I do not take any that I don't need to! Heaven forbid that I forget something and have to go back for it! It doesn't always happen! Luckily, I did not have too many events or meetings scheduled for October. I will be able to meet all my obligations. It is so important for me to be able to be out and visit with folks. I cannot sit at home and pout. It might take me a little longer and I may have to plan my steps, but I want to be able to go and do everything that I can. With a "little help from my friends" I will. (A sidenote--The best offer of help, so far, has been to be carried down a flight of stairs! I appreciated the offer!) I'm not letting Halloween Cast get the better of me! But I have a new perspective on walking now! My inconvenience will only last 6 weeks, while others' it lasts a lifetime.

Even though, physically, I have experienced a huge inconvenience to my life, all the ways that people have shown me that they care have been tremendous and outweighed my struggles. My school children are so sweet! I am grateful to be able to use a wheelchair while teaching, so they want to take turns pushing me. It's adding a new dimension to our lessons, plus it is reminding me of the years at Champaign County Nursing Home where I was on the other side of the wheelchair! Thank you to all who have shown me kindness!

Halloween Cast only has until Nov. 2nd to be signed and space is filling up! Then it's a new cast and I'm going for the red, white, and blue, since it will be Election Day. Have Marker, will travel!