THANKSGIVING 2008: What I'm Thankful For...

Thanksgiving Day 2008 has already come and passed even though the weekend hasn't...yet. As I was sitting in my uncle's den on Thanksgiving Day, I made an intentional effort to think of several things I'm thankful for (and no, I didn't write them down until now). I've got them in a list...and I've never really actually made a list like this. (Well, maybe I have at some point in my life.)

1) Family - Where would I be without them??? Yes, I know that many of us do take various family members for granted and I am guilty of that as well. Even though my Dad is deceased, I still have my Mom as well as her Mom (who's 93) and a host of other family members who have been there for me. There have been a few "tests and trials" lately and I almost am concerned about what the next year will bring.

2) Friends - Where would I be without them??? There are times in which I feel as though I have been forgotten and would much rather be gone, but again that's selfish of me to think that, right? I really wish I could strengthen some friendships which might be weak because at times I think some relationships might be too far gone to repair. I might have more friends than I actually think I do???

3) Job - In light of this current economic downfall, I ought to be thankful for a job!!! It's not perfect, but it's a job and there are many people who are unemployed these days. A job can teach discipline and responsibility as well as delayed gratification and many other skills and traits which can further oneself in life. ("A job is better than no job at all.")

4) Health - I may be in my mid-thirties at the time of this note, but I really am relatively healthy overall with a few exceptions. Yet, I still am able to do many things...such as walk, type, drive, etc. I’m not relying on prescription medications for various things even though in the past I have - such as depression. (Could thinning hair be under the "health" setting?)

5) Faith - I know lately I have been lacking in this area and I've probably caused some unhealthy thoughts and patterns enter my life which may be "un-Christian-like" to some, but all of us aren't perfect, are we??? As a professing Christian, I know I should rely on the Lord more and have done so in the past. But, this is the present and not the past. The future has yet to come!!!

6) Life - I'm still alive, aren't I??? True, death for a Christian is victory, but I guess that's it's better to be alive than not. I can't lie, though...it would be good to leave this earth. (Maybe that's showing a lack of Faith? Therefore, it's good to have Faith and again, this is one of the reasons why I'm doing this list so I can think of what to be thankful for.)

7) Photography - Am I really thankful for this??? Yes. True, there are times in which I resent it even though I've asked for it and I hope that I'm NOT offending anyone by saying that. But, it has been a joy and it's been good to share it with others even though at times I do wish I had organized it better....especially to the point of establishing an authentic business with it.

8) Anything Else???

I know I could elaborate MORE on the list and even add more things of what I'm thankful for, but not now. Maybe later??? I just wanted to at least stimulate me to think of what to be thankful for and to really make an effort to do so...and I hope that I'll be constantly reminded of these things. Maybe I won't be so tempted to complain even though I might not be vocal about it.

A Few Thoughts on this HAPPY THANKSGIVING...

Wanted to wish all of you a Happy Thanksgiving. May it be safe and one in which all of us can really pause in our busy and crazy lives and take a few moments (several days actually) and remember what we should be thankful for.

By the way my life has been lately and the way my attitude has been, I *REALLY* do need to take these next few days to be constantly reminded of what I do need to be thankful. I can't lie, though, at times I do feel as though I'm a hypocrite, one which feels more isolated and silently angry more now than in past months. Again, maybe I'm not thankful enough???

This leads me to a Bible Verse (actually several)...

- Psalm 107:1 (NIV) "Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever."

- Psalm 100 (KJV) "Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing. Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations."

(There are a host of other Bible Verses which can be used on Thanksgiving - which as a friend of mine once stated that it should be rather a way of life and not only a day.)

After reading these Bible Verses, I was reminded of how important it is to be thankful even when it is a struggle to be. I guess it's also okay to be thankful for everything in life including those things which can challenge and even annoy you. (Maybe?)

Well, I need to close this post for now. Again, Happy Thanksgiving!!!

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911 at the Waffle House...

I witnessed something which I really have never witnessed before when I went to the Waffle House near my current place of employment last evening (Wednesday, October 29th) for a meal break from my "second-shift" job. One of the two employees there actually collapsed/passed out. This particular employee was the cashier/server and the other employee was the cook.

Anyway, I usually go to the Cracker Barrel near my job or maybe to the KFC/Taco Bell with little variation. However, I decided to go to the Waffle House. It's strange that I decided to go to the Waffle House....and this makes the second time this month as well as the second time period since I've been at my current job. (I began working there in May...as I've mentioned before in previous blog posts, etc.) Again, to be at the Waffle House at this particular time???

Well, I placed my order with the server (whose name I won't share due to privacy concerns) and I received my meal - which was a sirloin steak with hashbrowns and Texas Toast (and sweet tea). I also was to receive a garden salad, but after what occurred....I just let it go.

A moment after I received my meal, the server was helping another customer with their ticket. (There weren't many customers in the Waffle House at this particular time.) I looked down at my meal for a blessing...and the next thing I knew the server slumped over and fell backwards.

Fortunately, those of us in the Waffle House weren't in a panic and another called 911 on their cell phone since the phone line at the restaurant wasn't working properly. Another customer went behind the counter to help the server (who was breathing, but seemed unconscious). The cook was trying the best they could do too.

All the while I was wondering how I could help too...and I didn't want to eat my meal then because I thought it would be extremely rude for me to do so. All of us waited until the paramedics came which was about five to seven minutes after the call. The server was able to respond to the paramedics even though I could tell the server was not doing well. I still didn't eat my meal at that point because I wanted to be out of the paramedics' way. I (along with someone else) did help them with the door when they rolled the server out on a stretcher.

There was still a concern about who to contact in regards to helping the cook out on the shift...and some of the same "Good Samaritan" customers (who were probably regulars) started calling other Waffle Houses (I assume) and what seemed like fifteen minutes or so, about three other Waffle House employees showed up to help. I had already eaten my meal by that time and was ready to pay, but couldn't until someone else showed up. There also were a few people who were turned away when they went inside to order a meal due to the activity.

Fortunately, I did pay after waiting a little bit longer (but I'm not complaining at all and should not). I just pray that this server will be doing well....and since I work near this particular Waffle House, I'll be going back and probably will be asking about this server.

Oh, another interesting thing to note...one of my co-workers (who helps me with my job during the second shift) actually knows this server. I told him about what occurred and he asked if this server was "so-and-so" and I said yes. You see, my co-worker has a day job and he has a route and at times he stops by the Waffle House since it's part of his route. He told me that he'll be checking up to see how this server is...and I hope so.

Well, I guess I better close this post/note...but, before I do go, I have wondered at times what would occur if I were to collapse or have a medical emergency at MY job. There are at times in which I am the only employee at my job from the hours 10 PM to 12 or 1 AM. (It varies.) I've been there by myself a few times lately and to be honest with you, that has concerned me especially after knowing what occurred with this server. But, I'll not discuss my own concerns about all of that now in this post/note. I can't let myself worry about that, should I???

Remembering Dad - Four Years Later...and a Quick Update on Greg's "New" Job

I hope this finds you doing well. It's been a while since I've updated some of you (except for those of you who are connected to me via FACEBOOK / TWITTER, etc.) about my "new" job....and this week (today) probably would be one of the best times to do so since September 30th marks the four year anniversary of my Dad's death from lung/brain cancer around 3:55 AM. (September 30th will forever be etched in my memory...maybe.)

In a way it seems like it hasn't been FOUR years. But, it has been. I can't lie, but there have been many changes since that time and it's good to know that my Mom, Sister & Her Family, etc. have "survived" Dad's death even though there have been a few times within the past few months when it certainly didn't seem easy - in spite of the time since Dad died. Oh well. Also, now looking back at it, I think my Dad died during a very beautiful time of the year - FALL. Just a few weeks ago, my Mom purchased some mums to set in some of her shrubs and her yard looks more highlighted now than it has in years. Looking at those mums reminded me of the mums and all of the other flowers we received when Dad died. (When Dad died, the leaves on the trees weren't quite changing into their colorful phases, but they were within a few weeks.)

Also - FOUR years...what does that mean? Every four years the Olympics are celebrated as well as a Presidential Election and Leap Year. Ironically, all of that is this year - again....and, no, I’m not going to start discussing politics, etc. or even Michael Phelps. Ha! It sort of means to me that another season of time has passed and will continue to go on regardless of what occurs. Change in life occurs and life continues...and that really can be refreshing when one thinks about that, right?

(I don't know what the next four years will bring...and I don't want to know! Also, ironically, my Dad died a little over four years after his Mom - my Grandma Adell - died. She died in August of 2000 and my Dad's Dad died in July of 1995. I still think it's weird that my Dad died a little over nine years after HIS Dad died. In a way, I wonder when I'm going to die. Okay, maybe I shouldn't.)

Anyway, I'll be quiet about that now and give you a quick update on my "new" job even though it's not so new anymore. I started on May 12th and I think the last update about the job was around May 21st during my second week before I started working second shift (and had my weekly social/ministry activities at night stop). Now, it's almost FIVE months!!! I'm still extremely thankful that I did decide to take the job and I do not have any regrets even though my nights now are busy with me working and not doing social or ministry things. Fortunately, during the summer, the second shift schedule was altered so that Friday nights were off with the "second shifters" only working four hours on Fridays, but nine hours Monday through Thursday. The week of July 4th was even more altered and I was able to even do some things at night during that particular week. Very, very nice!! I really liked the summer schedule (with the abbreviated Fridays) and wasn't looking forward (too much) when that schedule ended because I was able to maintain some sort of social life even on Friday nights.

Now (since late August), I'm working 3:30 PM to midnight (or even later) Monday through Friday...and that's cool. I will say that I'm very glad that I do a lot of FACEBOOKING because that way I can at least keep in contact with other people even though it's not as personal as "face-to-face" contact. (Again, my social interaction with friends and other people has changed greatly since I started this job...but, that's okay and fine with me for now. I have NO regrets!!! I am still thankful that I was offered this job and will hope to continue my employment with them for years to come. By the way, the company that I work for is a direct competitor of my former employer....and, that's why I haven't shared the name of my current employer. Some of you do know the name, though.)

As far as what I've been doing during the day before going to work...well, this summer I was able to help my Mom some with various things...and spend some time with my nephews. Now, unfortunately, I've allowed my sleep schedule to become even more wacky and at times I don't go to bed until 5 AM only to sleep until 12 noon...or later. (That does depend exactly what time I get off from my job.) Fortunately, I do feel more rested for most of the time now.

Well, I probably do need to go now. Time to do some FACEBOOKING, etc....or sleeping! I'll write more later about the job when time allows. But, in the meantime, please feel free to check out any of my blog sites (including the "microblog" - TWITTER - ones). I will say that I'm better at updating those particular sites than at doing email. I use them at least one of them daily if not more. So, if any of you want to know more of what's going on in my life, check those sites out. Below are the links...and my photo sites aren't included (since they're not necessarily blogs, etc.)....and I'm not including EVERY site link.

MAIN & MICRO BLOGS...
http://rettaman.blogspot.com
http://www.twitter.com/rettaman
http://www.friendfeed.com/rettaman

SOCIAL NETWORKING SITES...
http://www.new.facebook.com/profile.php?id=572178815&ref=profile
http://www.plaxo.com/directory/profile/4295253577/e5a5d7e2/Gregory/Johnson
http://www.myspace.com/rettaman

Or...if you really want to be bold, type in "Gregory E. Rettaman Johnson" at http://www.google.com and see what results you get. (Be sure to type in "Rettaman" though!!!)

I'll be in contact with you again later. I'm sure I'm forgetting something which I would want to share, but if so, I probably might do it at my main blog site (http://rettaman.blogspot.com). For those of you who are my FACEBOOK friends, I know I'll be in contact with you again sooner than later.

PS - Even though my social interaction during the week might be limited at night, one of the good things is that I've started becoming sort of a regular at the Cracker Barrel near my job. Fortunately, a friend of mine (whom I knew before I started my current job) is a cashier there. When I went into the Cracker Barrel one evening, my friend spotted me and called out my name. That was a good feeling! I've been back many, many times. I also can't lie when I say that the Cracker Barrel serves up some good food!

PSS - As far as my former employer, I've limited my contact with them...especially since I work for a direct competitor now....and that's all I'm going to say at this moment. (Some of you do know that I had a run-in with them during the summer, though.)

PSSS - As far as my photography, I'm still doing it as some of you know. I can't lie when I say that it was coming close to burning me out some this year, but my interest is picking back up. Yay!

Hurricane Ike and the Gas Spike

When I heard about Hurricane Ike and that it would be hitting Texas, I really wasn't paying that much attention to it. But, yesterday (Friday - September 12th) I really started to. I read some headlines that Ike would be bringing certain death. That really seemed shocking.

I'm almost wondering if Ike will be the next Katrina. I hope not. But, I can tell that it already has affected the gas prices in the United States. After coming home from my job around 3 AM yesterday (Friday, not Saturday), I noticed I needed to get some gas for my Jeep Liberty.

Well, I sort of forgot and rushed to get some gas before going back to work. I knew I would be running late, but I ended up running later than expected because the BJ's near my home (where I usually purchase my gas) was closed...and it was 3 PM!!! There were signs saying that they were out of gas and what prices they had were $3.92 per gallon when it was $3.54 per gallon just a day before. I decided to go to the Kangaroo near my home (and Capital Chrysler Jeep Dodge), but it started rationing gas to 10 gallons per customer. Whoa! Their gas was $3.75. I acted like an idiot and went to the Shell station across from them and purchased 18 gallons of gas to fill my Jeep...and it was $3.98 per gallon. I know I could've saved some money...but, who knows what will occur over the next week?

Fortunately, I'm not too shocked about the gas prices. I've gotten used to the chaos even though it amazes me. Before my Dad died, gas prices near home never reached over $2 per gallon even though they approached it. Then, in April of 2005, I paid over $2 per gallon of gas for the first time...and in September of that year, I paid over $3 per gallon of gas when Katrina hit the Gulf coast. That was a scary time...but, gas prices declined. But, they've come back up since then...and I guess the rest is history. No need to go into much more detail about gas woes, right?

As for Ike hitting Galveston, at the time of this blog/note, the eye of Ike is 12 miles away. I did hear that Ike at one time was the size of Texas itself...and you know that Texas is the largest state in the lower 48. Shocking, huh? While I was at work, I saw some of the news footage on television and noticed the waves towering over seawalls, piers, highways, etc. Not a pretty picture, but rather impressive. I also do have a co-worker who is from Houston and he has family there now. I pray that his family will be safe.

Well...I guess that's all for now. We just have to watch and see what happens.

Kudos to Capital Chrysler Jeep Dodge in Garner!!!

I just arrived back from getting my Jeep Liberty's driver's side front window regulator repaired/replaced as well as getting an oil change, etc. (Decided to go ahead and get that done while the Liberty was in repairs. No need to go back, huh?)

The dealership where I purchased the Liberty and take back for service repairs, etc. is Capital Chrysler Jeep Dodge in Garner. Even though I'm sure they might grow tired of seeing me (or hearing me complain) about the window regulators, I will say that I am impressed with the speed of the service there as well as the attitudes and competence of the service techs and reps. I was in at 8 AM today (August 30th) and was out by 9:45 AM. It used to be longer...but they've gotten better...and they don't make the window regulators!

I hope they at least let their suppliers know about the window regulators. I think they do because one of the reps today told me (like he did last time) the manufacturer of the regulators (who also does GM ones, I think) is trying to improve the quality. I sure hope so!!!

Anyway, KUDOS to Capital Chrysler Jeep Dodge!!! Now every window regulator in all four doors of the Liberty has replaced this year! Hopefully, I won't have ANY more problems for a long while. :-)

Again, Happy Labor Day weekend!!! Maybe I'll make it to Wrightsville Beach today for the day even though the friends I was going with have already left by now.