Farewell Wal-Mart, fare thee well!

Well, Thursday marked my final shift in the world of Wally, so as a tribute to my experience, I'd like to give a shout out to all holiday shoppers from all the retail cashiers out there...

*We love the extra challenge of uncrumpling your wadded up money when you throw it at us once we've run through your purchase

*We consider it a bonus workout when we have to pick up your 100lb bag of dog food you've thrown up on the belt and try and pass it over the scanner to put it on your bill

*Yes, it is our fault that the debit machine isn't working nation-wide at the moment and if we were doing our job better you probably wouldn't have to put this purchase on your credit card instead

*Don't be fooled by the blue smock we wear, we are all-knowing and all-powerful. At any time we can calculate, from the millions of items the store stocks, whether we are "out" of a particular thing, and where in the store it is located exactly

*We also know why you have "insufficient funds" in your bank account that is causing your debit card not to work, are able to contact your local bank branch and straighten the whole matter out before your wife comes back from the bathroom and discovers her Christmas present sitting on the counter. We also can straighten out the whole "the-credit-card-I-just-swiped-was-denied" embarrassment as well.

*When we close our line at 4:30 and try to nicely tell you that we're closed when you run up to us noticing that we have no line even though everyone around you is waiting in a line of 15+, it's because we're just now going on a lunch break, and the orange we ate on our 15 minutes break at 11:00 is long gone. Before cussing us out ask yourself, have I already eaten my lunch today?

*Having a spazz-attack while we wait for someone to call back with a price check doesn't speed up the process. You're the one who didn't look for a price tag on your Eeyore slippers before you picked them up! Duh?

So adios retail-world! I appreciate the opportunity to make some money, but I'm ready to move on now!!

Dreaming of a White Christmas

Literally. There's grass outside my window, where a thin blanket of snow lay just last week. Can we say global warming?

At any rate, I LOVE this song, it's one of my favourites. Check out the link I blog-stole from Laura... :)

White Christmas

Christmas Spirit

Christmas stresses me out. Because I don't know quite how to fit it into my life, my faith, and my priorities. Over the years, Christmas has definitely become a time Brett and I spent with family. Often this is the only time of year we spend with them. And at the same time we are running from house, to house, to house, never really spending time with any of them. And people say "what do you want for Christmas" and I think I don't really need anything, but here's some ideas of things I'd like to have... and I can't help but feel guilty when my mind wanders back to faces and families of those who have nothing but their faith and the clothes on their backs. And I feel blessed, and loved, and spoiled, and unworthy when I think of all I've received each Christmas.
On the other hand, I absolutely love Christmas. I love the music and how the songs are sung by each generation. I love the decorations. I love the smell of pine. I love the baking. I love the movies. I love the energy that seems to surround everyone at this time of year. I love the thrill of finding the perfect gift for someone you love. I love that even people who don't normally think about God, still pause and know that Jesus is the beginnings of what we are celebrating.
So, I came across this quote on another site that resonated with this Christmas struggle of mine, and thought I would share it with you...

“The Christmas spirit is the spirit of those who, like their Master, live their whole lives on the principle of making themselves poor—spending and being spent to enrich their fellow humans, giving time, trouble, care and concern, to do good to others—and not just their own friends—in whatever way there seems to be a need….If we desire spiritual quickening for ourselves individually, one step we should take is to seek to cultivate this spirit. -JI Packer "God Incarnate" (emphasis mine)

‘You know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich’ (2 Cor 8:9).”

May you find the spirit of Christmas...

Go Leafs Go!!

After an embarrassing seven game losing streak, which, unfortunately, Brett and I witnessed first hand in Atlanta, my boys in blue came out with a 5-4 win last night against Tampa Bay. They had to come back from a 3-1 score, but they tied it up before the end of the second and secured their first victory in three weeks. Finally, a third period that didn't sink us!!
Let's do the same thing Friday night in Carolina boys!! :)

I try, I really do...

but my father knows just what buttons to push, and what exact moments in time I am least prepared to deal with it... Like five minutes ago, or about three weeks ago, or minutes before my Hooding ceremony...
I try to have more patience with him, but trying for a ten day holiday is nothing compared to living with him for 8+ weeks. All it takes is one word, one look, a specific tone of voice and all reason is thrown to the wind and I want to scream........... and sometimes do.
Anyone else have a family member whose neck you occasionally want to strangle??

Where are you??

I am beginning to realize that there are a few of you out there wondering about my current status, such as which country am I in, am I working yet, and the like. (wow, you like me, you really do!)
The short answers are: Canada, and yes & no. Yes, I am working right now, but no, not as a PT.
"Let me explain... NO! There is too much! Let me sum up..."
Since I'm in Canada and can work in THIS country, and not in the States, I went and applied at Walmart since they were advertising for holiday help.
Enter prestigious cashier job. Yesssssssss!!!!!!!!!! I always dreamed of making $9/hr after grad school!!
And as far as the visascreen is concerned, after making a whirlwind trip to AL, I now have it in my hot little hands! So this week I plan on making some trips to the Niagara border to apply for my work visa, and then my SSN. Once all of that gets straightened out, I can begin working as a PT. Please Lord, let it be sooner rather than later!!
Until then... "I can help someone at register #10!" :)

More Birthdays...

Happy Birthday KDela!
Things I've learned from my friend Kristen:
1. Denial ain't just a river in Egypt
2. It's hard to hold your fake synergy during a Fugl-Meyer taping session
3. It's called a shopping cart, not a buggy!
4. Remove the saran wrap from your microwaved corn with care!
5. You can be put in time out if you go scapel-happy in the cadavre lab
6. You can be secretly killed from cayanne pepper in chocolate chip cookies
7. Not to order a vaccum from Ebay
8. Apparently, the HEISERMAN trophy pose is extremely well known...
9. She can't just "fill in a number or two" when you're stuck on Sudoku
10. "Should I use my invisiblity for good, or evil?"

And a special birthday shout out to my friend and yours, Mr. TR, who is forty-eleven today!! :)

Samantha Lynne

Nine years ago this morning Samantha Lynne surprised us all by arriving into this world weighing less than two pounds. We didn't know it at the time, but God was about to use that precious little tiny bundle to teach a lot of us about what is really important in life. And I thank God for the gift of her life, and for the opportunity to be a part of hers. I fell in love with that little tater-pot nine years ago, and have tried to love her across the miles ever since.
Happy birthday Samantha Sue... I love you!!

American Football

No one growing up in the Smith household in the booming metropolis of Newmarket was a football fan. We were raised on hockey and baseball... occasionally we would hear about the Gray Cup, especially if the Argo's were involved. But that's about it.
Then fast forward a few decades and now I'm living in Alabama. Football capital of the South East. Nothing could have actually prepared me for this, except I'm sure I received some sort of training living with the McDowells while the Steelers made it to the Super Bowl.

So I guess you could say that over the years I have become a football fan, of sorts, mostly through association.
Here's who I've been taught to pull for:
NFL-
Tennessee Titans: what actually put the NFL on the Sunday afternoon TV in the Mitchell household. Aren't we kicking some major booty this season, um, not so much!

College-
Ohio State: Sumer and Jenny ensured I was full of Buckeye fever as soon as possible.
UT Volunteers: Can we say I lived in Nashville for almost 13 years? And shame on all of you who turned their back on them after last season's bowl game, or lack thereof... A fair-weathered fan is no fan at all!!
Alabama: I would put the Reeves family to shame if this wasn't mentioned, although Nate decided to go with Miami and he's still loved...
Vanderbilt: For my girl Dinah!
LSU: If they're not playing the above mentioned teams... for Jeremy of course!

So, this weekend is the battle of Alabama and for the first time in four years I will not be there during the Alabama-Auburn game. I love watching football fans watch football. Wish I was at Ashley & Jamin's to witness it all...
Brett has decided to cheer for Auburn this year, so naturally I decided to go with Alabama.
Roll Tide!!

Mrs. Byles & Extended Family

So for the last little while I've been spending a few afternoons a week with Mrs. Byles, an aunt of a friend who will be 94 next month. I stay for about two hours and we cook meals that she can freeze in individual portions to eat over the next several months. She sits on her walker in her kitchen while I stand at the stove stirring and chopping... we make quite a pair. She tells me stories of places she's been, and food she likes to make, and people she's known in her life.
And I enjoy my time with her. Not just because it helps put a little spending $ in my pocket while being here in Canada, but it makes me think of my grandparents and great Aunts that were in fact additional grandmothers in my life. And I miss them so. I wish I would have spent more time listening to their stories, spent more time sitting with them, spent more time knowing who they were before it was too late. As I lovingly pointed out to my Uncle Normie the other night - he's the oldest now (as Mom frequently likes to remind him that he's her OLDER brother).
And I spent some of last weekend with my cousins and their sweet little ones... And I was reminded of all the crazy times we spent together over the years while growing up... in Grandma's backyard garden, in the sand pile, making up dance routines, getting rug burns from sliding down Grandma & Grandpa's stairs, weekends at the trailer, swimming in the pool for hours, watching the army boys cruise the strip in Grand Bend, the trailer trip to Florida... They were like my extra sisters we spent so much time together.
Did you grow up spending Sunday afternoons with your families? I'm so glad that I did! It's hard at times being so far away from family, and not being more a part of eachothers lives. But I am comforted in that whenever I'm back and I get to see them all, I'm still "Judes" whenever I walk through their door and we still have good times together.
So, here's to long distance family, and the continuation of good memories... Cheers!!

Numa Numa

http://amishdonkey.com/numa-numa.php

I've decided that unless you were in Voight's spine class in sping of '05 this is not nearly as funny... Okay, well, us and maybe Marie's Ryan...

Miss you guys!

Happy Birthday Dinah Lou!

We have studied together, cooked together, ate together, shopped together, walked together, cried together, laughed together, conquered Honduras together, and watched more Friends episodes together than I thought was humanly possible!! I would have never made it through PT school without the love and support of this wonderful girl... and I am thankful for the gift of her friendship!
Happy birthday DP!

Investments

A good friend of mine once said that she wanted to invest enough of herself in people wherever God placed her that there's something to miss when she's gone... and I totally agree with her. I think that life is all about relationships: how much do you love God? how much do you love others? After hearing a touching sermon I was encouraged to write those two questions in the front of my Bible. I want to live my life through relationships, loving with reckless abandon, not only investing in the lives of others, but being open enough to allow others to invest in me too.
If there's any two little ones I want to invest in, it's the two little smiley faces that call me Auntie Judy. If you want to be loved unconditionally, be an aunt. These two precious souls come running as soon as they see me, making me feel special. I love spending time with them. While I've been home I've been reminded of how special my relationships are with each of them, and how much I want to invest in their lives.

Samantha & Cole

Here are the little monsters and their pumpkin creations!

All Things Canadian

Harvey's hamburgers. Crisp fall weather. Yellow maple leaves. Red maple leaves. Oak leaves. Raking leaves. Black squirrels. Swiss Chalet dipping sauce. Cold hardwood floors. Fireplaces. Bread from Cobbs bakery. Breakfast at Cora's. Cooking with my Mom. Homemade soups. Playing with my niece and nephew. Reitmans. Cotton Ginny. The Bulk Barn. Halloween kiss candy. The 6:00 news. Hot tea. Family stories. Hiding under blankets to stay warm. Gray rainy afternoons. The Hip. Hockey night in Canada. Don Cherry. Snowsuits. Mittens. Touques. Storm windows. Spending time with a friend from grade six. Childhood memories. Cafe mocha from Timmies. Packages in the mail. Phone calls to far away family. Rugby games in the park. Cold pop. Tennis bubbles. Hockey arenas. Fairy Lake. Walking on a trail covered in birch leaves. Stopping before the white lines at intersections. Using blinkers. Winter sand storage domes. Express and collector lanes.

As frustrating as it has been not being able to work yet, I am loving being at home...

Exciting Times

Isn't it exciting to be a child of God? There are so many amazing things happening for His Kingdom right now...
Check out Jenny & the Kluges' blogs (links at right) for some Honduras updates. Casa de Esperanza is just hours away from bringing home some more kids to love, and the Manna project has begun in San Miguel, feeding literally hundreds of hungry children.
How amazing is it that God would use us to minister to these people in Honduras?
Continue to bless their efforts Lord, and give them the strength and the wisdom to continue serving in Your name so that You alone will be glorified...

Thinking While at "Home"

The word "home" has taken on different meanings to me over the years... (sigh, am I old enough to actually use the word "years" there??)
When I left for Nashville, "home" became synonomous with Canada. And somehow my friend Tammy and I became ambassadors for our country, even though what we often described as Canadian was only in reference to the booming metropolis of Newmarket. I now try to correct people when they label things I do or say as a Canadian-thing and remind them it's probably just a Judy-thing. At any rate, home was where my family was, where I had worked at the movie theatre, the mall, the donut shop, where I had gone to school, where I had gone to church, to camp, to the cottage... so MANY memories.
And then, with time, the word "home" shifted across the border to where Brett and I began our life together after getting married, where our family started. In the city where I spent most of my adult life (since we've moved further south now). It's where we earned our degrees, where we started those friendships that you know will last for life, where Brett began his journey as a coach, where we both learned that being a Christian is more than just going to church and praying when life gets rough.
And my heart feels at "home" whenever I return to Honduras in a way that I could never describe to you. I have so many God memories there that at times my heart becomes overwhelmed just thinking about it. And pictures of our little "family" in Santa Ana are proudly displayed on our fridge at home.
So while I've been home in Canada I was visiting a sweet friend of mine who innocently asked me the other night, "Have you been visiting many friends while you've been home?" to which I answered, after laughing out loud, "Well, I'm HERE..." We became friends in grade six and she's the only "friend" from home I still keep up with after all these years, since Tammy is still in the States. And I got to thinking...
All of these places are home to my heart for many different reasons and many different memories... and each of them have a common thread of being part of my family. Because one thing I've learned since moving away from home, and that is some of your friends will become part of your family. They're the ones you get to choose.
So, rejoice in the many places your heart calls "home" and the "family" you have there!

Attention: Identity Thieves

The SSN previously posted on the blog entry following this one is not in fact my SSN. If you would have taken the time to read the next entry you would have discovered, in fact, that I do not have a SSN so that obviously won't work for you to qualify me for one of those hilarious commercials about identity theft... them motorcycles were LOUD!
So, in order to stop my father from having any more cows about it, since they don't have the room for a cattle farm at the house, I have removed it.
However, if you're interested, let me know. Not only has the FSBPT randomly assigned me a meaningless 9-digit number for identification purposes, so has Belmont and Lipscomb...

P-R-A-I-S-E the L-O-R-D!!!!

Last Name	First Name	Middle	License Number	License Type	Date Licensed	Expiration Date	Appointment Type	Status
MITCHELL	JUDY	SMITH	PTH4886	PHYSICAL THERAPIST	10/13/2006	10/1/2007	EXAMINATION	ACTIVE

Here I sit and wait...

Steps to obtaining an Alabama Physical Therapy License:
1. Take the PT board exam..........................................check
2. Take the AL jurisprudence exam.................................check
3. Get a SSN...........................................................OOPS!

I am caught in a vicious immigration circle/nightmare!

In order to get my license to work here in the good ole US of A, I need a SSN. In order to get my SSN I need to be in the States on a visa that doesn't expire in the next two weeks (or two days as the case may be). In order to get my visa I need to apply for a visa screen. In order to apply for a visascreen, I need to have a license #.

Hello, Houston????
Does anyone else see a problem here?