But I Am Just .....

Last week, I got a telephone call from someone. Throughout the conversation, he said "I am just a janitor..." over and over. After we hung up, I got a notecard and sent him a friendly, casual handwritten note. I did it so he would hopefully sense I did not perceive him as "JUST" anyone.

I am very sensitive about such situations. My father (deceased) was a brilliant man ~ a creative genius in the eyes of most folks. Dad had "JUST" an eighth grade education. Very few people knew this about Dad .. but he did. It was "JUST" part of the wonderful man he was.

Today - the night cleaning lady, Linda, at my office said she had a couple of bags for me in her car. She said "I am just the cleaning lady and I just want someone to like me." I was taken aback and said "Linda - you know I adore you !" She said "Yeah - I know." (not very convincing) I talk to her almost every night for about a half hour. She asked me to sew something for her for Christmas .. and I did .. and I was glad she asked. Yet she still thinks of herself as "just" the cleaning lady.

I went to Linda's car and got the bags she mentioned to me ... two big plastic bags. I put them in my trunk and glanced in one bag ... clothes.

When I got home - I tossed the bags on my bed and pulled out the clothing - one piece at a time. I was overwhelmed....speechless. The clothes were all my size .. Ralph Lauren, Talbots, Tommy Hilfiger, INC, Bloomingdales, Michael Kors, Jones of NY and brands I never heard of. Silks and linen and gorgeous cottons. THOUSANDS of dollars of clothes. Each piece had either a new dry cleaning tag or the original store tags.

All this clothing - Linda got from a Dr's wife for whom she cleans house. And she thought of me ... knowing I could never ever afford such luxuries.

I can never repay her for this kindness... and regardless what I do for her, I sense Linda will always see herself as "just the cleaning lady" .... but in my heart, as she has always been, Linda is so much more. She is a friend.

Thank you Linda .... you are truly a special soul. Thank you friend.

My "Sponge Bob" .....

These pics show the results of my sponge roller try-out. Not too shabby. Guess my multi-color sponge rollers are keepers !!

Oh No... It Cain't Be !!

Anyone over the age of 50 .. female or male .. knows what these are ...

SPONGE ROLLERS ! ! !



Actually - they used to be called "pink sponge rollers" until someone came up with the novel idea of making them in 'assorted colors.' Oh My ... I am digressing !

Last week - my set of 24 electric rollers "died." Stopped working. No notice. Just one day - would not heat up. In disbelief, I tried plugging them in for 3 days in a row. No heat. GONE. I guess that is understandable being they were over 20 years old. R.I.P. ~~~~~~ I threw them into the trash can on Tuesday.

I pulled out my 'back-up' travel set. Eight (8) "quick heating rollers in a handy travel case." They did the trick and made my hair wavy. Good, but not as good as my deluxe 24 roller set.

Two days later - the travel set died. What the Heck ??? {And for the skeptics out there ... I tried different outlets in different rooms of my house) Again I plugged them in for three days in a row. No heat. This set was ONLY 15 years old, but the traveling they endured must have done them in early.

Now what ?? Being a short week at work due to Memorial Day, I decided not to fret and wore my hair pulled back and secured by a giant claw clip. Not the most fashionable statement .. but it worked.

After much thought .. (and very limited funds) ... I decided to save $$$ and save electricity ... then opted to buy "sponge rollers." They were about $20 cheaper than electric rollers ... AND .. they do not use electricity. Hence - once paid for .. THEY ARE PAID FOR.

I just washed my hair .. and before going to bed .. I will roll my hair in the sponge rollers.

Updates and results to be posted tomorrow ...