Please pass the Vodka???

February 22, 2009 Myrtle Beach, South Carolina....cold, windy and beautiful!

I just bet that got your attention! Having dinner with my friend Jayne always helps me to put things into perspective. With her vast knowledge of so many subjects including the ones she teaches plus an incredible memory of everything she has ever read Jayne always has a helpful tidbit to keep your life sane plus she is not preachy. We spent two hours chatting over chips and salsa and delicious entrees at Chili's. It was a much needed respite for me and I woke up this morning feeling more calm and optimistic. Jayne and I often talk about "our tribes" We discussed a little about telling those you care about and admire how much you care and admire them. I am so grateful for "my tribe", the individuals both far and near that I call friends...those I spend time with in my day to day wanderings, my book club tribe and my blog friends. I have been amazed at the kinship I feel with some of my blog family, Hayden coined the phrase, I-Family and I think it is an awesome and very apt definition. Stephanie takes the everyday mundane chores, rants and raves a little, adds her humorous twist and you leave amused and less annoyed with life. Natalie, well you never know what she will be up to and she makes me laugh! Other members of the tribe include Tracie and Tracey and so many more that inspire me and leave comments that color my world Happy! Ruth writes technically, professionally and creatively...sometimes I worry about my obvious misuse of grammar and flagrant misuse of punctuation, however even she comes back and leaves lovely remarks. Jayne and my daughter, Michelle were the impetus for starting my own blog. Prior to that I only lurked around blogworld! Many thanks to my blogging friends for your continued support! To each of my friends I thank you for your individuality and for all the ways I am inspired by you.

How does your blogging go...I generally get an idea and just start typing...I know there are a few of you shaking your head this very moment. I never have a rough draft and do not edit overly much. Thus I never know where I may end up with a post. The title of this post was inspired by an article on The Daily Green that listed ten uses for vodka...my favorites...soothing a toothache (duh?) freshening your laundry (so that's what my aunt was doing out there) an insect repellent...it suggests using the bottom priced vodkas for these household uses... no Grey Goose in the laundry room. The article caught my eye mainly because I am always on the look out to an alternative for every day stuff. Did you know that vodka helps with jelly fish stings (you pour it ON the stings) and poison ivy...? My friend Kristi chose the book "Alas Babylon" for our book club recently and one of the characters purchased cases of alcohol in preparation for an end of times scenario...it became a very valuable commodity particularly since no medicine or antiseptics were available...I'm not saying go out and buy a year's supply of booze...

I have been blogging a little over a year and I have FINALLY learned how to include links!!! I am so excited...it is the little things that make me happy (STOP shaking your heads)!

Other things that make me happy today...

a cool, crisp beautiful day
the bunches of tulips I bought for each of my daughters, shh, it's a surprise!

the daffodils tilting their lovely heads towards SPRING (hey DotDot, I am thinking of you each time I see them)
planning silly headgear/hats for an upcoming bridal shower

beaches

and as Hayden says, you can never have too much cuteness....

Alas Babylon

Rev. 18: 10 (King James Version of The Holy Bible)

10 Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour is thy judgment come.

Our book club meets tonight and the above book will be the topic of conversation. Written in 1959 at the height of the cold war with Russia amidst segregation and class differences...this novel explores what happens when society ceases to exist as we know it. Written 50 years ago (the year of my birth) it still has a timely message for us.

Once I delved into this book I could not stop reading until I finished the story. It is a story of tragedy tinged with hope. Hope for humanity and the return to some semblance of normalcy.

It is a story of people coming together despite differences. A story of neighbors working together to take care for one another, provide for one another and to guard one another against the desperate, barbaric, criminal element that comes out in weaker people. It is a thought provoking and inspiring read.

What would you do...

if your money no longer held any value?

if there was no medication, hospitals, doctors?

if there was no electricity, no water?

limited food supplies?

no law and order?

no gasoline, tires, oil...transport of any kind?

My hope is that you have made some kind of preparation in your life for emergencies. It doesn't have to be a disaster of epic proportions...it can be loss of job, reduction in wages or salary, medical emergency, soaring prices at the grocery store and gas pump. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints has been strongly suggesting to its members to store food and water, have emergency medical supplies and to be prepared for any contingency. It is not a gloom and doom message...it is a reality. Some of us live in areas of tornadoes and hurricanes or perhaps you live in an area of snow blizzards, are you prepared?

A Few other thoughts...will you help your neighbor in times of hunger or would your impulse be to horde everything for your family? Would you call on God or a higher power or would you blame God and denounce Him? Personally, my fervent hope is that my good, kind, compassionate self would overpower any base, dark traits that might be unmasked in times of true struggle.

Many sites are dedicated to emergency preparedness...you can "google" it and find a wealth of information. The American Red Cross has lots of good information as well. It is not a matter of hording, being paranoid or expecting the worst...it is for your well being and comfort and security.

It may be time for you to evaluate where you stand!