Last Time for a Year ---- People Everywhere (Scott AFB, IL)

Another wonderful day, so we took advantage of it.  I went to see my good friend Ruth for the last time this year.  She was babysitting  her three month old grandson, Sam,  so I finally got to meet him too.  It's always hard leaving friends.  Several years ago I always visited with a very special woman and her husband in O'Fallon.  I didn't get to spend much time with her one year and she died unexpectedly a few months later.  I won't ever do that again.  I always try to spend time with my friends when I can.  

I went to the commissary for the last time this year.  Someone asked if it's really cheaper.  Yes it is.  The average is 2% lower costs, and you don't pay taxes on consumable items.

 It was so nice out and Jim washed his truck while I was gone.  He inspired me to wash my car.  It's been awhile for both our vehicles.

One of the large organizations on base had their yearly picnic at one of the nearby picnic areas.  There were cars and people everywhere.  They had music going and lots of games for the kids.  Quite a crowd and a lot of traffic.  I remember those days!

 

 Jim grilled pork chops tonight, then we relaxed with the NASCAR Nationwide race the rest of the evening. 


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John Hatch sent this email, which I saw a year ago when I was still working and it meant so much to me. I couldn't find it this week when I wanted it, and now I have it again.  I hope it may help someone else as it did me. 

The Mayonnaise Jar

When things in your life seem almost too much to handle,
When 24 hours in a day is not enough; remember the mayonnaise jar and 2 cups of coffee.

A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, wordlessly, he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and starts to fill it with golf balls.
He then asked the students if the jar was full. 

They agreed that it was the professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured it into the jar. He shook the jar lightly.
The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls.
He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.
The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else e asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous ‘yes.'

The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the   table
and poured the entire contents into the jar, effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.

'Now,' said the professor, as the laughter subsided,
'I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life.

The golf balls are the important things - Family, children, health, friends, and favorite passions   
Things   that if everything else was lost and   only they remained, your life would still be full.

The pebbles are the things that matter like your job, house, and car.

The sand is everything else --
The small stuff.
'If you put the sand into the jar first,' he continued, ‘there is no room for the pebbles or the golf   balls. The same goes for life.

If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff,
you will never have room for the things that are important to you.

So...
Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness.
Play with your children.
Take time to get medical checkups.
Take your partner out to dinner.
There will always be time
to clean the house and fix the dripping tap.

'Take care of the golf balls first --
The things that really matter.
Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.'

One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee represented.

The   professor smiled. 'I'm glad you asked’.

It just goes to show you that  no matter how full your life may seem,
there's  always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend.'