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Stories

Yoga Socks??

by Kathy Joy May 14, 2019

My grandchildren gave me yoga socks as a present. I always send socks for birthdays and Christmas since I like to be sensible and everyone can use new socks. They are always received with lukewarm appreciation. When it came time to give me a present, they thought it was hysterical that they could give grandma socks. Yoga socks. The socks have sat in a bag with my yoga mat for about 6 months and I finally decided to take them out for a zip around the classroom.

Now for the review: Pros – nice little silicone beads on the bottom helps with grip when doing standing poses, toe holes help when you want to spread your toes, they were well made and fit snugly. Color matched my mat and my blocks. Will keep your feet warmer.

Cons – takes a little getting used to having something between your toes. Can’t replace your mat unless you are prepared to sit or lay on the ground for other poses. They feel really funny in your sneakers so you need to only put them on once you get to class.

They are cute and match my mat and I was the only one in the class with cute little socks. Made me feel special…big smile…. They would work well, if and when, I do yoga on the carpet in the living room. The best part of yoga socks is that I will think of my granddaughters every time I put them on.

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Empathy for incompetance???

by Kathy Joy May 13, 2019

written by Kathy Joy

When people are hired to deal with the public at an electronics store, we expect they have had job training to be able to answer legitimate questions about the products they are selling. Maybe the reason they were hired is they already have knowledge and skills that qualify them for a position where they might be asked a question by customers. I would think they would be trained to say, “I don’t know” if they really don’t know. It never ceases to amaze me how many times I have been wrong. What drives me “through the roof crazy” is when they make up an answer that sounds good enough that they think you should believe it. You can actually see the wheels turning as they get this glazed look in their eyes and they think of what they can tell you. It feels like trying to push boulders over just to get them to understand what you need and can they find someone who can answer the question.

I guess I have a very low tolerance for incompetence. I have been told I need more empathy because if I was in their position, I would do the same thing. Oh, seriously! I ask a question because I want an actual answer based on fact. I don’t want to hear something made up that sounds good. This is what happened when we went to a big box store that specialized in electronics. Now you understand…… Oh dear, goodness gracious. A little knowledge can be a dangerous thing especially when combined with a great imagination.

Do I have empathy for incompetence? No. I expect them to be honest with me when they don’t know the answer. They had plenty of time when I was buying an expensive, big-commission item. Now, they don’t want to deal with me when I just need an adapter to make the previous purchase work. I hope that I will not be going to a big-box electronics store in the near future or I might have a meltdown right in the aisle as if I was a 6 year old. Hopefully you won’t see me on the evening news. LOL.

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My furr baby is stuffed….

by Kathy Joy May 8, 2019

written by Kathy Joy

I have friends that have either dogs or cats; some have both. They call their pets “Fur babies”. Mine is stuffed. He can fit in my pocket, go anywhere and never has to have his poop scooped. Charlie was a rescue bear and it took a year of living with me before a 10 year old girl said, “Wow, you have a bear in sheep’s clothing! Really? It turns out that it is a real thing from the past. Who knew? I thought he just had a cute little hat.

Charlie came to live with me right after I had been diagnosed with hashimotos. The doctors said they did not have any treatment for me and to just “live with it”. Shortly after, I met a lady in Murphy, NC, who was a kinesiologist, and she asked if I wanted her to do some kinesiology and maybe I might feel a little better. I was ready to do anything to feel better. After doing a little testing, some therapy, some Reiki, some this, some that, she asked me to look around and see if anything in the room stood out for me. That is when I saw Charlie. Our eyes met from across the room. She reached over and gave him to me and said, “Your problem is in your throat and use this bear to say the words you have been holding back from saying”. Boy, did she open up a can of worms and there is no going back now.

Since then Charlie has traveled all over the place with me. He has gone on cruises, hiked parts of the Appalachian trail, danced, shopped and overall has just been there with me. He has been my binky. His biggest gift was in helping my sweetie and I to enhance our communication. Instead of us getting in an argument about what was messy or not done right, it was Charlie who didn’t put the dishes in the sink or that tracked dirt on the newly mopped floor. Charlie forgot to take out the trash or read the signs wrong when he was navigating. It got to be a joke between us that “Charlie did it”. It was a great way for us to be able to get a point across to the other person without hurting feelings or making someone feel judged. He not only helped me to say what was on my mind, but he helped my sweetie to be able to talk without arguing. It seems we have figured out how to communicate without Charlie. I have also learned that I don’t need to “bite my tongue”. As long as the words are said in a loving tone the message is well received.

For the last year, Charlie has stayed at home a lot. He sits on the bench by the front door. He has good company with the bust of Grandpa and Niles, our Frog butler. Sometimes, Charlie still goes with us. I am hoping if we can travel across the country that Charlie will stow-away at the last minute.

Frog that looks like a butler and stuffed bear — Charlie and Niles hanging out

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