...another little "miracle" ?

cell phones... we all use them...
and dealing with various cell companies can be ugly...

however, I really like my current phone...



it's a Sprint Treo 755p, "smart phone"...
and since I don't have an ISP at home anymore...
it's been my link to e-mail at home or on the go...
and since my home phone is NOT working properly right now...
[and isn't getting fixed any time soon...]
it's become very important to me...

several months ago...
I went to the web site and removed the insurance...
[$7 per/mo....anything to save money...]

my plan [Fair & Flexible 300] includes :

nationwide long distance...
unlimited nights & weekends...
300 anytime minutes... for $35p/m
a small data package[online + texts] for $15p/m

all taxes, etc included...

BUT... my contract was expiring 12/02/09...
and when investigating all the e-mail offers to "re-up"...
everything was, "upgrade your phone"[$$$]
and the cheapest plan listed that allowed internet access...
WAS $ 90 !!! p/m...

I didn't need a "new" phone...mine is working fine...
it cost $600... and hopefully has years left...
[it's also my datebook & phone book...
I have 10 years of records on my computer in Palm OS...
I don't want to re-do everything, nor can I afford to...]

and when I used the Sprint usage calculator on the website...
my current plan fit perfectly...

But they no longer offer it...

according to the website, I'd need to buy a new phone...
& a more expensive service plan...

so I called... navigating a pretty simple menu...
[that was refreshing...]
and got quickly connected [what's up with that ?]...
to a friendly customer service person who was obviously NOT in India...[?]

I gave her my info, she made sure that I, was "really me"...
and then asked what she could do to help me...

I told her that my current contract was about to expire...
that my phone worked and I wanted to keep it...
she said, "no problem"...
she did tell me that because of my history with the company...
if I had wanted to "upgrade", I could get the $150 off deal...
[not bad, usually, returning customers have to pay full price...]

I then went on to ask if I could renew my current plan...
and she said,"yes, as long as continue to use a phone...
that is supported by the small data bundle[ie,NOT a touch screen]...
I could continue to renew my current plan..."

she also checked my usage and said...
"You're right, your current plan is the best plan for you..."

AND... then she said,"As a loyalty reward, if you renew for 2 more years...
we will give you a choice of $50 off once...
OR 10% of your bill, each month, FOR 2 YEARS !"
"I'd take the 10% for 2 years, if I were you..."

since I had prepared myself to barter for a 4 year contract...
if I could convince them to let me keep my phone & plan...
I was thrilled !

so now, my cell phone bill will only be around $45 p/m...

with all the features I listed before...

their cheapest new plan was $29.99 p/m...
for 200 minutes and no internet...

and if I need a new phone at anytime in the future ?

she told me that they still carry Treo 755ps...
and as long as I stay with that phone or its ilk...
I can keep my cheap plan...



thanks, Sprint !

and thanks to Him who sends the "little miracles"...

God is good, all the time...

...savoring the "waiting" moments

I love fall...

and even though this year's foliage is not as spectacular as last's...
I'm having an attack of "click-click fever"...
and have been out & about, trying to capture the light & colors...
before they are gone with a storm...



the "Narnia tree"...is just starting to color...
[I call it that because of the lamp post...]
2 years ago, before I got used to carrying my camera...
it took my breath away one evening, illuminated by the lamp light...



last year, I discovered "Macro"...
this year, it's "Infinity + Zoom"...
[I should probably carry my unipod for stability...]



I was trying for the "Trees Aglow" from the day before...
but had to accept that some moments don't repeat...
just because you missed the chance or you'd like them to...
sadly, true for more than just "photo-ops"...



so I wait, having had it made clear to me...
that I will receive guidance on the employment front...
and that when I'm told what to do, I must follow the instructions...
but until then, I must wait, anticipating wonderful things to come...

not a bad mind set with which to enter Advent[starting Nov.29]...

I fill my days with the little things...
the simple things... those "details" that God loves...
& practice being thankful for everything...
pleasant or not, as it all is part of the plan...

and wait...

God is good, All the time...

...believe, utterly

it was after 4 PM yesterday afternoon...
as I drove home from the church...
through the bright fall sunshine...
the sun was quickly dropping low in the west...

towards the end of the 2 mile journey...
I headed west, towards the park...
under a canopy of red, orange & yellow leaves...
with the setting sun turning them into translucent art pieces...

at the park, as I turned onto my street...
the sun's declining rays were creating an irresistible glow...
so as soon as I had parked in my driveway...
I got out my camera and gimped back down to the park...

by the time I got there...
the moment of splendor had passed...

though I did catch this glimpse of the setting sun...
as fishermen and wanderers passed by on their way home...
hurrying now, since the lowering sun and lessening of light...
were turning the deepening gloaming, rather chill...

I walked back home, hoping that I had captured at least a bit...
of the glory I had reveled in all the way home...
knowing that tonight, a storm is coming...
and the bright celebrations of autumn will be too soon gone...

I've been re-reading my posts from last year at this time...

I was so worried about Mack, who was at death's door...
He's completely recovered now...
thanks to the many prayers for his recovery...
but I mentioned Gracie, who would be gone so suddenly in December...
and Frickie, Creamer & Mattie who have also now gone ahead...

deepening the sense of loss and bungled chances...
emphasizing just how quickly our circumstances can change...
and how, much of that which concerns me now...
was not even on my mind then...

it makes me wonder what each new day will bring...

November 25, the day before Thanksgiving this year...
is not only Molly's 3rd birthday...
but also the 2nd anniversary of the beginning of a new life for me...
a life of trust... & change at my most basic level...
much of which is still in the messy, "construction" phase...
and not always pleasant to be around...

where I'm seemingly called to believe, utterly...

to have no other source than Him...

to "rest"... and "wait"... and "trust"...
in His saving power & provision...

no fear for the future... or anything in it...
only rest, trust & courage...

not an easy self to become...
but He's promised to see me through...

"...the Lord giveth, the Lord takest away...
Blessed be the Name of the Lord..."

God IS good... ALL the time...

...NOT what I wanted to hear

those of you who are regular readers...
have been subjected to the twists & turns of my job search...
life path upheaval and financial difficulties
for quite some time now...

yesterday, Super Sop assured me that...
"not having heard yet from VOPU, was their usual style..."
"we've lost several good, prospective hires...
because the university took too much time in deciding on them...
and they, 'moved on' in the meantime..."

she, as well as several others, encouraged me to call...
so this morning, I did...

unfortunately, the results were not what I had hoped for...

I spoke with the person who interviewed me...
she said, "The committee has made it's decision...
you should receive a letter this week...
we appreciate your interest in our position..."
all said in a tone of voice that was detached...

NOT a positive signal at all...

and the response I get from God ?

"that He is my supply..."

"that I must move "fearlessly ahead...
believing that the Red Sea will part before me...
and that I will pass through safely..."

perhaps the chosen person will have moved on...
maybe the job will fall to me by default...

or, there's something else that I don't know about yet...

I trust God... He is the Lord of miracles...
and last minute reprieves...

I've seen Him accomplish miracles before...

blessings beyond what I could have dared to hope for...
or my heart's deepest desire...

sometimes, even when all hope appeared gone...

and this time ?

I know that He can... I hope that He will...

but if He doesn't... I have NO clue what to do next...

no idea where to look... all the doors appear closed...
if something miraculous doesn't happen...
I won't make it past Christmas...

so I wait... and trust... and hope...



and to all of you who have been so faithful in praying for me...
I'm really sorry about the way things have gone...
and seem to be going...
it's been a strange, gut-wrenching journey for me...
and it appears to be continuing on a downward trajectory...

everyone has enough turmoil in their own life...
you certainly didn't need to share in mine...

I appreciate more than I can express all the prayers...
and the words of encouragement and good wishes...
you've shared my frustrations & failures...
I'd hoped to share a positive outcome this time...

I haven't had this door shut in my face yet...
so I still hope...
God tells me that I must...
hope, trust and believe...
that He will provide for me...

so I cling to that hope, as a dying leaf holds to the branch...



because, God is good...ALL the time...

...STILL waiting, no news yet

this picture says it all...



I could use a stiff drink...



but BC's minions are everywhere...
[especially in my house...]



so I'll call on CC to protect me while I wait...



and with His help, I'll hang on...
hidden safely away from BC & the Gang...

...more "PBFFFFFFPT" at Basement Cat

I'm sure I'll pay for these moments of "waiting" levity...
but I don't care...

some of you may not be familiar with the "Ceiling/Basement Cat" dicotomy...
maybe these will help... and give you a chuckle at BC's expense...
it sure did for me... ;D



from the depths of our selfish selves...



rises the darker, self-centered side of our flawed nature...



inside all of us, good & bad coexist...
the question is: will you sing or steal ?
or ooze around, somewhere in the middle...?
not really good, not really bad...

rudder-less, just wandering... lost...



the road to Hell is also paved with sloth, greed & pride...
and tons of rationalizations...



we find ourselves tempted, after all, it's understandable...
we deserve the better things in life...
it's not really hurting anyone...
and it's fun...

unfortunately, our earthly perspectives can be flawed...



we don't have to "win"... just accept the victory that's been won already...
not always easy for us here, being dazzeled by BC's toys & tricks...



but the battle's been fought & won...
and if we claim the victory He's already won for us...
life may not be all catnip, tuna & sleeping on clean laundry...
but we'll have a helper in our weakness...
and if we accept it, a far better life...

now & forever...

Amen...

[and to you BC, PBFFFFFFFFST !!!]

...a crappy day

ever had one of those days ?

I've had several in a row, escalating to today...



& today has been one of those,"aw crap", days...



where no matter what you do, you find yourself "stepping in it"...

yesterday, it was other drivers trying to "take me home to Jesus"...
and the sooner the better... several tried, none succeeded...



I blame the enemy, aka Basement Cat, for this onslaught...
as I try to maintain a thankful attitude while I wait for word...
I have become more strung-out from the months of job-seeking...
I know that I am less patient and much more easily blindsided...
because I'm ready for it to be over, but still, I need to wait...



and BC is subtle... reminding me of all my shortcomings...
my failure to be a good friend, lack of exercise...
postponed projects, good intentions limited by physical pain...
and we're not going to mention my front yard...
now an "official wilderness area, with "high savanna grass areas"...

and since the whining has now officially begun...



besides the arthritis pain, that kept me from sleeping last night...
now that it's colder...there are the sinus headaches...
then there's the ATT repair guy who called this morning just after 8 AM...
[I had just finally gotten to sleep...
and they were supposed to come check-out my phone tomorrow...]

so I got up & was barely dressed when he showed-up...
nice guy...said it was probably their wires...
since the high winds started it...
[incoming calls ring only once, a short belch...
& then if I don't pick-up, right away, I lose the call...]

so after informing me that:
a] the new utility pole is connected to the old one in such a way...
that ATT can't access their transformers on the poles...
b] the new heating/AC unit in my basement completely blocks access...
to the incoming phone lines, so they can't even test them...
c] they would have to completely redo all the outside wiring...
to even check my phone...

then...after they figured-out how to check it...
they informed me that the problem was inside my house...
[in other words, I now owed them $55 for the service call...
and they problem wasn't fixed yet...
they would be happy to repair it for me, at a gazillion $ per/hr...
or I could hire someone else... I chose the latter...
my outside driveway light doesn't work...
& if I can find the $ to get my electrician [semi-retired]to do it...
he can probably fix the phones too...
I also had my suspicions about the failure of the DSL confirmed...
the microwave is improperly grounded, causing the static...
I don't know if anyone can get to the problem area...
without de-constructing my kitchen...

so for the time-being, I seem to be swimming in a morass...
and BC is enjoying itself...
but I'm working on sending it packing...
which will be much more effective than this is on kitties...



click on the picture to enlarge...

cat staff persons out there everywhere...
can you only imagine the sheer joy of a remote with these capabilities ?
it boggles the mind...makes my heart beat faster...
and a sure sign of the impending apocalypse...

and as for you,BC [& all your minions...]



PHFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFBPT !!!

[AHHHH...I feel much better now...]