I'm outside as usual this morning, already having watched the birds and the Sandhill Cranes come in with their chick and feed. Blue jays and cardinals are fluttering about, coming up to the feeder nearby and taking no notice of me. Yesterday I saw our first hummingbird of the year. I love those guys, they're so delicate and beautiful.

I'm still feeling poorly but I've decided that I'm going to have a good day despite it. If I start feeling really bad I'll go lay down for awhile and take some medicine for it. It's too beautiful a day to give up just because I'm feeling unwell. So I'm going to enjoy it while I can.

Again we went to bed at 8 p.m. last night, and boy was it a joke. Aaron was tossing and talking and all over the place, and I was talking and at one point crawling on my hands and knees down the length of the bed. I have no idea why, I'm just glad I whacked my head on the wall and it woke me up. Otherwise I would have fallen off onto the floor. I think I even came upstairs and ate a piece of pie at some point, but I can't be sure. This is why I don't take cold medicine! LOL ~ I end up doing really weird things in my sleep. Aaron gave up and went to sleep on the futon. I hate sleeping alone.

I don't have much planned today. I have to thaw dinner and clean Kiwi's cage (one of my birds) and feed all of the birds. Other than that I think I'm going to lay on the couch and watch movies on Netflix that I haven't seen before. And sleep of course.

The Little Gem Magnolia tree is putting out so many blossoms this year! They're so pretty ~ the thick white petals that look almost like oversized roses. And soon the mulberry trees will be loaded with fruit again, so I foresee all of us down there filling up on them. It's one of my favorite past times with Zachary. He will eat them until he's all purple from the juice. Everything here is bright green and starting to bloom including the purple pond lilies.

Right now I'm listening to the windchimes talking in the breeze and the rustle of the wind through the trees. It such a peaceful sound to hear the trees talking in whispers. I look around me and know I'm blessed, even if I do feel down and I'm not feeling well. It's a gorgeous spring day and the temperature is nice at this point. Later it's supposed to get hot but for now it's wonderful out here on the back porch.

Aaron went to work today, which surprised me. With how bad he's been feeling (he got the worst of it) I was really amazed that he decided to go. I'm proud of him ~ he's so responsible about his job and goes to great lengths to keep his bosses happy. He works hard and does what's asked of him and more. Pretty soon he's going to start studying for his A license in wastewater treatment, which will give him a raise when he gets it done. He'll also be only 1 of a handful of guys there that obtained the highest license. If everything goes right he may become management eventually. If that's what he chooses to do. I know they already want him there and are prepping him for that type of position. They always joke that they're going to bring him to the Dark Side (being white collar instead of blue). Whatever he chooses to do is fine with me, I just want him to be happy. He really enjoys his work and while it sounds gross to some, it's an amazing process how they can turn sewer water into something reusable and almost drinkable. In a time where fresh water is becoming more and more of a scarce commodity his job is incredibly important and will become more so as the years go on.

As for my job, sadly it may become obsolete in the near future. More and more stores are using self-check out computers to do my job. I think it's sad that they take the human element out of it, when that's what customer service is all about to me. That interaction with people is so important and oftentimes is what keeps them loyal customers. They always look forward to seeing their favorite cashiers and such and it makes their day.

Yesterday the rudest thing happened at my line. A lady who is a regular customer told me in a nasty tone that she doesn't pick up her bags, that that was my job. That was fine, as I was intending to do so anyhow. But she got more and more agitated because she saw the bag boy bringing in carts and then she started yelling at him from across the store about how he was ignoring her and that he never paid attention to the customers. Poor Robert came over and apologized that he hadn't seen her, he was bringing in carts. She would have none of it ~ she continued berating him. He looked at me and I just held his gaze for a moment to steady him, and he walked her out with her groceries.

When he came back in I profusely apologized to him for her unacceptable behavior and explained that she was always rude like that and not to take it personally. He hadn't done anything wrong. It obviously made him feel better, which I was glad for. He didn't deserve that at all. He's a sweet guy who was busy doing his job and got screamed at by a nasty lady for no reason.

Luckily most of the customers aren't like that. Sometimes they can be impatient but most of them are nice people who have good natures. They are what makes my day go well when I'm working.

I wonder what I should make for dinner tonight? Maybe steak kabobs or pork chops? We had homemade beef stew for dinner last night, and it was really good. My Mom makes the best stew! That's probably what I'll be eating today as well.

I guess that's enough rambling for now. I'm tired and thinking about taking my first nap on the couch. First Ihave to take care of the birds though! Talk again soon and wishing you all the best of days ~ (((HUGS)))