Honey, Darlin, Sweetheart

I'm a paratransit driver, So, today I pick up this lady to take her to her moms house. As usual, I know where I'm going -----cause it's my job, Duh. I go to turn left onto Flavel and this lady says, "Honey, you want to go straight here." Well, first if you have an opinion, you should speak up before I'm into the turn, second, no, not really, I know where I'm going.

So a minute later I turn onto her street and she says, " Honey, it's the house after the red car." I'm slowing down cause were getting close, so now she Say's "HONEY, I SAID ITS THE HOUSE AFTER THE RED CAR" So I stop the bus and tell her, first, my name is not honey, it's Cheryl, or you can call me driver, but don't call me honey. And second, I can read house numbers. She says shes just being polite like she was raised. I told her I don't think it's polite to call people you don't know honey. She says "Don't put me down for how I was raised, Darlin. I'm just being polite.

So really, Should we put up with being called Honey, Darling or Sweetheart by the people we are providing professional services for? I find people usually use these terms when they are trying to be in control. They want to tell me what route to take or whatever. Decisions that I should be making, but they want to be in charge so they use these "terms of endearment, I think to make me feel like they are my superior. It's getting really old.

Recently I've been asking them "if you call me honey, what do you call the male drivers? Mostly they say they call the male drivers Sir. Interesting huh, I tell them I don't think that Honey is the female equivalent of Sir, what do you think?

Good News

I woke up this morning and called my brothers house thinking I might catch his wife or son and home and get some news. My brother answered the phone. He said he was just walking in the door when I called. They had found some scar tissue around the stints that had been put in a couple years ago after he had a heart attack. They cleared the scar tissue out, put in new stints and he went home the next morning. He said it was the best possible thing that could have happened. no new problems. The whole family is very relieved. Thanks for the good energy all.

My Brother

Hi everyone

I just want to let you know that tomorrow morning, yes Samhain, my brother Lester who is 51 years old will be having heart surgery. He is living in North Carolina. His wife and son are with him. The rest of the family lives on this side of the country. He doesn't know if it will be just a cathaterization or a bypass. Depends what they find when they get started, but either way it's pretty scairy. So I would appreciate any positive thoughts or energy you could send his way.

Thanks and hugs to you all.

Samhain Thoughts

Well, tomorrow is Samhain and it's been such a busy fall season I havn't gotten around to any decorating or attended any of the many events that have happened in the last few days.

I hope everyone is enjoying the celebrations. Samhain is my favorite of all the holidays. Tonight I am thinking of the people who have been a part of my life and are now on the other side of the veil.

My oldest brother has been gone for 16 years now. He had a difficult life, but I see a lot of him in my son and hae come to understand him much better through my relationship with Garret.

My adopted Grandma, Daisy died two years ago at the age of 102.. My parents met Daisy when my dad was in college and she was the only grandma I ever knew. She was a devout Christian. Not the kind that likes to judge people or tell them how to live. Daisy loved everyone and lived her faith every day by doing good. She cared for a disabled woman in her home well into her nineties. I learned from her unconditional love and the importance of living your faith, whatever it is.

My Aunt Erma has been gone for 7 years. We were very close. She was like another parent to me. She was strong and patient. She never had a lot of money, but her tiny little home was always a haven for me. She taught me that you don't have to be wealthy, or have the best to share with your friends and neighbors. I miss my Aunt Erma a lot.

Dixie was Aunt Erma's oldest child. She would be 65 now. She died in her sleep three years ago, just before yule. She was another beautiful and loving spirit. She lived through many heartbreaking times and always kept her positive and loving spirit. Her sister and I both miss her very much.

These are a few of the people I'm remembering tonight. There are many who have touched my life and helped to shape who I am and who I seek to become. I love Samhain because it;s a time to remember the people who have gone from my life and how they touched me. It makes me want to try harder to give these same gifts to the people who are still with me.

Moving Forward

Hi to all
This past couple of years have been quite a ride, but I can now say for sure, with time and patience, things will work out for the better.

We so wanted to attend some festivals this spring, but have been so busy we just couldn't get away. I look forward to seeing everyone at the upcoming picnic and at Fall Eq. We're not going to miss those for sure.

Ilie and I started remodeling our home in late Feb. We've had a lot of help, but done a lot ourselves as well. He always says he can do anything and I have come to believe it's true. Ilie has done some beautiful tile work in the kitchen and bath.

I just love the look on peoples faces when I tell them I'm doing a lot of the electrical. Yes, it's passing inspections and we're all still alive.

It's been a lot of work, but a great sense of accomplishment each time we finish a project. We still have a long way to go, but were finall at a point where we can slow down and have some fun as well.

See ya all soon, and if you have some extra energy send it our way please

Hugs to all

Celebrations

I just want to share a great event with everyone. For all of you who have been there and watched my beautiful daughter grow up in this community.

A couple weeks ago Kathryn got her BA from Evergreen State College. It was a beautiful celebration. The graduates were led in by a Mardi Gras style band (from Portland). There were great costumes. Some wore the cap and gown but everyone dressed as they chose.

I just kept thinking, this is how it's supposed to be. Not so much a solemn event, but a true celebration of the students and everyone that was part of their success.

So yea, I'm proud. Not too many women in my family have had the opportunity to get a college education

Yeahhhhhhhhhhhhhh Kathryn!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!