Low Rise Briefs

Hello,

On that shopping trip Saturday I was looking at some other things at Target when I spotted a package of 6 Cotton Low Rise Briefs for women marked down to less than half off. I am getting a bit low on my stack of underpants; rather I have some I should throw out, some that I have been wearing off and on for more than six years. Now I have decided to wear them frequently so that I can declare them worn out. Before we left the store we noticed that it looked as if there were only five pair and not six in the package which stated it was repackaged, but even for five the price seemed too good to pass up. Oh and it states a size five and I usually wear a size six, but I do not like anything tight so I thought this is perhaps the right size for me as my outer pants are size six or eight depending.

At home I proceeded to take the briefs out of the package. It was interesting indeed. The first pair was a Hanes size five that fit me, but maybe I really do need a size six. Because it is low rise it will not bother my waist, but it does look a little stretched. Moving on to the next pair I discovered it to be not Hanes, but Fruit of the Loom size 5. It is a little higher rise, but still ok at the waist. Next it was another Hanes size five as the package stated. This was followed by another Fruit of the loom, but size 8. This fits my idea of loose comfort and it is low rise too. I showed Leroy the last pair before I tried it on. “Wow, can you hold those up?” was all he managed to say about these silky, lacy larger bottom covers.

I can keep these up these panties that do not slip down over my hips even though it is a Hanes size 9 low rise that sits up at my waist. We think someone had some instructions to get these back on the shelf and they improvised. I decided to keep them. I will probably even wear them just for the laugh a day even if no one else can see them. Life is always an adventure, even in the underwear department.

Paula

The Ways of God?

Hello,

We are looking at TV’s and trying to decide what is the best for our lives, space, environment, and bank balance. We are in no hurry to purchase as our old TV still works. At Wal-Mart we glanced, then stopped even though we were on the way past to get other things. Either we looked like serious buyers or we just took so long with so much discussion that one of the clerks even talked with us about possibilities. After she left, we spent some more time talking and looking.

At that point a customer guy who looked to be in his 20’s came up and asked, “Would you like some more help? I used to work at Best Buy.”

“Sure, tell us what you know,” I told him.

After gleaning all of his TV advice he happened to mention that he was from Utah. I then told him we have a daughter who lives there. He wondered if we were Mormon. I said, “No we are Lutheran.”

“I am too,” was his response.

After he learned that we belonged to the same branch of Lutheranism that he does, he commented, “I do not know where to find a church around here.”

Talk about coming to the right people. Leroy was able to name two churches that are somewhat close to where he is living. He does not have a car, consequently we got his name and phone number so we could have someone call him. He then talked some about the state of his soul. I let Leroy answer that while I prayed he would come up with the best possible answer for this person. He seemed so happy to have talked with us. He is also looking for a bible study. We got TV advice and he got some God advice. Guess there is more to everyone and every situation than meets the eye. I must remember never make assumptions about anyone.

Paula

Issues

Hello,

Our address issues are not over as concerns the insurance company. The frequent address changes in the last year have created an unstable environment even if we always pay our bills on time. Perhaps two weeks ago we got a check from them on our personal items account. It appeared that it was being cancelled. At that point I decided our rings were not worth fooling with so I just cashed the check. Friday we got a bill from them for that same account with an amount due that was a bit larger than the check and extended the policy for a year. The only concern was that the location was listed as our last more permanent address; however the bill was addressed to this apartment. I had thought about visiting the friendly agent up the street from us, but on consideration paying it seemed the easier thing to do. I certainly would like them to know that our possessions are now residing in the same place as our bodies.

Another issue I do not know how to fix involves my special girls at the library. I had to have a serious talk with them about their vocal volume. A bit later one of them asked me if I would continue to work there or if I would look for a full time job. I said I would stay. One of them asked what I disliked most about my job. Without considering all the options I pointed at them. I could tell it hurt their feelings a lot. I know, I know that they are the reason, but on the other hand I have had some good talks with them. It is not all bad, I just report the negative. Then I added that I do not like to discipline. She in addition asked what I liked best. I could tell her that I find a great deal of satisfaction in helping people find what they were looking for. It was not long after that that they got worse and soon left. I personally think that was hurt coming out as anger. I wish I could take back that point, but as you know it is impossible to retract words or actions. I still have much to learn.

Paula

More on Ethics

Hello,

The dilemma is not so much where to get rid of the discs, etc., but if we should get rid of them to another person. We have paid for these discs, therefore contributing to the livelihood of the composers. Maybe or maybe not the composers since they might be dead. But many of the artists are still alive as are the other people who earn money from putting together these products and hold royalties on them. As two people will benefit from this purchase, but only one payment comes to the producers it is cutting into their earnings. It is not like a book that can be given away, used, and given back or not. It is not owned by both at the same time or used by both at the same instant.

Perhaps we should just repurchase all of this music and give the discs away. That would solve the problem, but we are unwilling to spend money on items that we already own and have the right to.

It is the same with photocopying music. You deprive the producing people of their income from their work. At a workshop a composer said, “When you copy, instead of buying my music you are stealing from me. People want me to compose more things, but I cannot make a living at that work.” Unfortunately in spite of some law suits I think this activity still goes on under the guise of who will know, it is easy to do, it is cheaper than buying, and everyone does it. It is ironic to me that churches are some of the worst offenders. Those people who can so easily feel superior to other lowly sinners who steal because they feel they do not steal.

How is the sermon for today?

A part of me wants desperately to sin because of some of the same reasons: it is easy to do, it is cheaper than buying, and everyone does it. And it would lighten our load considerably. Who knows I/we might still do that sin.  To myself, I can also justify it by saying much of this is old and who is alive anymore anyway?

Paula

Ethics Issues

Hello,

Leroy and I are having an ethics discussion. What to do with the CDs, records, and cassettes once we have recorded all of this music?

Our basic purpose is to lighten our moving load. Just getting rid of the equipment to play them is the largest part of the weight and bulk. But that question of disposal is easier even if it might be difficult to actually get rid of the stereo. I certainly do not want to put them in the dump since they all work, but is there a soul out there who would want these rather antiquated players?

I thought we could give away the discs, but Leroy is definitely not happy with that idea as it feels dishonest to him since we are still in possession of the sound. It is meandering in the morass of copyright issues. I protest that it is also a big problem to just add these usable items to a landfill. We both agree with the other person to a degree. But do not know how to solve it. Because the CD’s are newer and can still be easily played on some piece of equipment that we might buy in the future I could see moving them around. In addition we only have 30, but Leroy says closer to 50, consequently they are not so heavy nor do they take up as much room.

Leroy says that I could give them away, but just not tell him about it. Guess that means the sin is on me.

Then there is the question of copies that were already illegally recorded but given to us by someone else. Certainly it seems they should not be copied yet one more time; however there is a hesitancy to get rid of them as we did like to listen to them. Being honest in all is not so easy, especially when time and money are involved. Plus there is a sense that everybody does it! I do not like to know this about myself.

Paula

Shelves

Hello,

It is wonderful to have all of these shelves. It is not so easy to find that item we want. Leroy has decided to give to the museum the slide projector that we got as a gift from some other Americans as they were returning to the US. I think it would not fit in their suitcase. Somehow we managed to get the job done, maybe taking it on some strip across the waters before we moved back to the US, and have had it in our possession. In the six years that we have been in the US we have rarely used it. The museum would use it as they have a collection of slides so it seems like the perfect place to re-gift this item. We found it easy enough, but I suggested that before he gives it away Leroy should look at his slides from Israel. Sadly I have not been able to find my 1999 (that’s the year not the number) Russia slides. The last place I remember looking at them is Knoxville, IA. Because we lived there in 2001-2002 I know I have not seen them since then.

This morning we spent a time looking for the slide trays. Leroy was sure we had two and I thought even three, but then I wondered if we had given them away because they were not in any box so far. Finally when searching the shelf that should not have held them, they came to light nestled in two separate boxes on that high shelf. Do I now complain about too many shelves? No I am happy to have so many places to put things on this level. I have been a control freak about labeling boxes and having the labels face out for readability, but it is difficult when other things sit in front and cover labels.

After that it was a struggle to get the projector to work. Something seemed to be stuck in front of the lens. Leroy was able to extract that slide from the former owners. Paul and Kay did you ever go to Mombasa? If so we can send you this picture of the sea and a “head”.

Leroy enjoyed looking at his Israel pictures, but says it is fine not to see them again. I also liked looking at the few Russia slides that I had that were rejects from my slide show. I would still like to have the others in my possession, but I have mourned their passing.

Paula

Habitat

Hello,

At 8:00 this morning we were at the habitat building site ready to build. Work actually started at 8:30 after gathering time with prayers and instructions. Then it was off to work painting woodwork for me and truing door frames for Leroy. I continued to paint for the rest of the time, but Leroy did some clean up and other odds and ends before he saw me stopped at 3:15, he said, “Are you ready to call it a day?” Since not being the pastor, Leroy apparently does not feel obligated to remain until the last board is moved. What a change in character!

I was ready; however it was an enjoyable day. I am happy to make a contribution with some hands on experience. We often contribute money to this and that, but in many ways that does not cost so much as taking the time. It was also good for us to meet some other people from the congregation as that has not been so easy for us. We do not stay for coffee hour after church making it more difficult for someone to talk to us, however we have noticed that no one comes up and talks to us unless they know us. I was a little sad that only one other woman was on the building site today, but it was nice to meet some men.

Leroy wants to go camping on the coming weekend. The weekend of the 7th I am to get training to help with the grand opening of the Czech/Slovak museum. The next weekend is the opening which will apparently keep both of us quite busy. The next weekend is my work weekend. After that I am free for a few more weekends until they are scheduled with something that I have not thought about.

Paula