Grateful for the little things

As the second week of the strike is wrapping up, I wanted to take note of some little things I am grateful for that happened this week.

l. We got a coupon in the mail for a Papa John's large pizza, any two toppings you want, for free. Mind you, we never get coupons for free pizzas in the mail. $2.00 off coupons, yes. But free, no. Of course we used it last night..Canadian bacon and pineapple, thank you.

2. I am grateful for a Cup of Noodles chicken I had stashed in my office at work because it and a banana was my lunch today. I never thought I'd be really grateful for a Cup of Noodles, but it tastes really good. I have of course stopped buying lunch out and have been brown-bagging it to work, which I normally do anyway, save for maybe one day a week at Arby's or the next door Thai place.

3. Payday was Tuesday at work, and after lunch that day a sweet co-worker left me a little gift basket on my desk from World Market....a little pack of Irish tea bags, two fancy chocolates, rose-scented bath fizzies and a little blue candle. And a nice card, saying she hoped I felt better (my back and joints have really been bothering me more this week).

4. I went to the pharmacy at lunch today to get my three regular prescriptions filled. If the strike isn't resolved by the end of the month, we don't have current health insurance through Boeing and they of course won't pay for prescriptions. One of mine wasn't due for renewal yet, but the lady at the pharmacy who knows Tim and me was kind enough to put it through early, so I have a 90 day supply, plus still more at home.

5. We have lots of good ripe Early Girl tomatoes Tim planted this year. Delicious! I took some into work to share.

6. We didn't go to the Western Washington fair this year, but my boss brought in scones from it (and scones are one of my favorite treats from the fair!)

7. My boss also just loaned me Season Four of the Office today, so I can catch up on that before the new season starts next Thursday.

8. Another co-worker brought me some sample eye drops from her eye exam visit this week. This is interesting, because although she knows I use eye drops a few times a day (I had lasik surgery eight years ago and since then my eyes are drier than they used to be) I hadn't mentioned needing drops or anything. She just saw the samples (Bausch & Lomb) and there was one that is brand-new so you can put a drop in each eye and it lasts for 8 hours...she thought that looked good so she asked for some for me!

9. We started up our Bible study at work again this past Thursday after having the summer off. There are four or five of us who meet Thursdays at lunch in our conference room at work (one is one of my bosses, and I am the group leader!) We've been doing this for about four or five years now, and study different topics. We are starting a Women of Faith Bible study on contentment this time around. I think it will be good, it's a subject I've always be drawn to.

I know there's more, but it's back to work for now.

So glad it's Friday!

I am happy it's Friday. My husband comes home today from his hunting trip, he has been gone since last Saturday. It's been a quiet week with just me and the dogs, and I am glad he will be back today. The Boeing strike is still going on, and no idea when there could be a resolution. Tim's union has now been on the picket lines for a week. We did get a partial paycheck today from last time worked, but here on out, nothing unless the strike goes into 3 weeks, then it's $150 a week strike pay. Which can buy groceries and dog food! The strike issues aren't really about money or pay, it's more about job outsourcing and medical takeaway issues. I am praying for a swift resolution. We are in better shape than some of the younger families and I feel for them, if the husband or wife is the sole breadwinner and they are on the line. But I know God will see us through. I was thinking the other day this is the 3rd strike, but it's actually the 4th one I've experienced in 20 years of marriage. Anyway, one good thing, if Tim is off for a bit, there are some house projects (painting, building a table and benches for our kitchen nook that he's been wanting to do for awhile) that maybe can get done since he will have the time.

Random thoughts

I decided to take the afternoon off from work since the weather's been so nice all week. I had a free gift card from Macy's, one of those "it could be anything from $10 to $250" but mine turned out to be $10...which was fine. I got three pairs of cute socks from the mark down bin and still had $1.32 credit on my card, which is good through the 14th. I came home about 1pm, let the dogs out (since Tim is hunting this week I need to come home at lunch and let them out). I watched a new spinoff show about doctors on ABC that is a spinoff from Dr. Phil. It was something to do with a woman around my age who had a facial procedure that cost $5000. I can't remember the name of it. But it really got rid of her deep lines around her mouth and on her forehead. I went to the store and bought a few things after that, and to the library to drop off some books. It's still sunny and warm, amazing for here because usually when the Western Washington fair starts as it has this time of year, it's often rainy and cold. Tim managed to get a cell signal from where he is hunting and called me last night. He isn't sure when they will be back. They are archery hunting for elk. Since the machinists are on strike, he doesn't have to worry about taking vacation or coming back right away. So it's been a quiet week since he left Saturday with just me and dogs.

My right leg and low back have been bothering me a lot this week. It's right where your leg meets your pelvis. I am not sure if it's tendons, or muscles or what. But when I sit down at work at my desk, it gets tight and hurts and even gets kind of stuck. Where I can't get up right away. I feel a lot like the Tinman in the Wizard of Oz, like I need a can of oil to lubricate the places that feel tight and hurt. I have been trying to do some stretches, but it feels like there's some inflammation there. My low back usually is always stiff and sore most mornings, it feels better as I move around and the day goes on. But it's always there. I was really happy several months back as some folks at my church prayed for my back pain and it completely went away. For quite a while. But now it's back to a degree, pain-wise. The leg/pelvis thing bothers me more though. Some days I do feel like I am 80 instead of 50, just in my body. And that's not good.

Boeing strike is on at 12:01 a.m. | KOMO News - Seattle, Washington | News

Boeing strike is on at 12:01 a.m. KOMO News - Seattle, Washington News
It's official now, my husband is on strike (and going hunting!)
This will be the 3rd strike I think since we've been married (20 years). The longest was in 1995, 69 days.
I am trying not to be too nervous about how long it's going to last. If it goes past three weeks, they get $150 a week strike pay.
A good time to really cut back on things. Although I didn't do perfectly on my 'no-buy' month last month..I am definitely ready for it now as far as no purchasing of non-essentials.