All things Redneck: Ear plugs

Most people don't have a regular need for ear plugs in their day-to-day lives, unless you work in construction, that is. Wise construction workers utilize ear plugs regularly to prevent hearing loss. My father is one of the biggest advocates for ear plugs. In fact, ear plug companies should pay him royalties or something for all the business he has pushed their way over the years.

As a result of having construction workers living in the house, a peculiar thing happens. Like most men, they leave things in the pockets of their dirty clothes, which ends up coming out in the wash. There is always the usual; coins, paper, the dreaded tissue that disintegrates into pieces that attach to everything, and then, there are ear plugs. It is unusual to empty the washer and not find ear plugs sitting at the bottom. As a result of frequent findings of washed ear plugs, a jar was set in place to collect these ear plugs, to be recycled (oh, how green of us!). I never thought much of this feature in our laundry room, until a few people noticed and commented. And I thought 'wait, what? You don't have an ear plug jar in your laundry room? Isn't that totally necessary?! Where do you put the ear plugs you find at the bottom of the washer?' But then it dawned on me, other households don't have that problem. They don't use ear plugs, so they don't find that treasure.

So, if you ever need a fresh set of ear plugs, you know where to go. Don't worry, they are clean!

(Wendy, I wish I had your camera to better capture this! My digital camera just doesn't cut it!)

'I'm Gonna Miss You!'

I keep hearing that phrase. It gets tossed my way quite often these days. And when I am confronted with this phrase, I awkwardly fumble for a response. The anticipation of moving is still so thrilling for me, that I haven't mentally addressed the 'missing' aspect of it. I guess I will miss it here, and will miss the people I am leaving behind, but I can't even see that right now. Hence, my awkward response of 'oh, yeah.....' coupled with a big, overly done, and prolonged grin. I suppose I should reply with an, I will miss them too, but right now, that remark feels forced and false. Because my tunnel vision is set on new horizons, bright prospects and a fresh perspective. So, I guess I'll cross the 'I'll miss you too' bridge when I get there.

Reciprocity

Reciprocity is a phenomenon that has always intrigued and fascinated me. Karma? What goes around comes around? Not sure. But life has a pattern, a way of sending things around, and if we aren't careful, we may be too busy to notice.

It is easy to get caught up in the 'I owe you....' or the 'You owe me....' game. I helped you move, so you owe me (fill in the blank). Sure, we do lots of things and don't really expect to be reimbursed specifically by that person. But that legalistic mindset can easily creep in and make itself at home without much notice. I've seen people consumed with this sort of 'tally' existence, where everyone has a list of things that they owe or are owed, and life is a matter of chalking things up in either category. Contrarily, there are the type that view life as blowing in the wind, keep no record of incidence, and just live in a continuous warm breeze. I find myself somewhere in between. Not keeping tedious notes, but curiously mesmerized at how life and things, have such movement.

I know that by doing good for others, it's going to come back around. (That doesn't mean my only motivation to do good for others is tainted by greed though.) Maybe that person won't actually return the favor, but somewhere down the road, my needs will be met by some other giver. I love it! It's like the old adage about the wind, where you can't see it, but it is all around you. You can't actually see this ebb and flow, but it is there. This giving and receiving we all take part in. We help, we need help. Back and forth it goes.

When you take a step back and view the whole picture, the intricacies of 'it's all a wash' can help put things in perspective and quell an anxious mind. In times of hardship, especially the economic kind, worries and frets build and consume. I am a victim of these worries just like the next guy, but I remind myself, that it will all work out. It always does. Usually not in the manner that we want or thought, but it does. Things come around. Now, if anyone wants to help me nail down a job, the circle would really be complete!