My Joseph House Family

Every Monday I teach a class (either "Expressing Feelings" or  "Anger Management") at The Joseph House Workshop ( http://www.thejosephhouse.org/).
I have been with this program since its inception about four years ago.  Homeless men have come and some have gone.  Some are a success and yet others are still out on the streets trying to find their way.

The group of four men that are in my class come from various backgrounds and are addicted to either alcohol, drugs or both.  Some have been in jail many times.  All have been homeless.  Here they are given another chance to change their lives.  Here are three of the men that are in my class right now, Steve, Ricky and Dan.
I am amazed each week at how much I learn from listening to these men.  I love listening.  I give them journals at the start of their journey at Joseph House.  Some weeks they read what they've written....they are proud of their accomplishments.  Today no one wanted to read....but they had written.
I share "Werther's" hard candies with them during our meeting.  It's relaxed.  We talk and express our feelings.  Sometimes it's hard....sometimes we laugh.
Each week I notice the changes in these men....they are growing in love....in peace.....in joy.  They have a long journey ahead of them, but I'm glad to be a part (if only small) in helping them to find their way to a productive, happy life.
I brought them leftover Moist Chocolate Cake today - they grabbed it and brought it to the kitchen.
As I walked out of the building to leave, I was approached by one of the men that was a student a couple of years ago.  He was at my house at Christmas time....was on his way to a normal life....but couldn't follow the rules and was sent back out on the streets.  I see him wobbling down Route 13 every other day, bombed out of this mind, his belly full of alcohol and begging for money.
That's Tim (on the left) during better days at Joseph House, while visiting during a Holiday.

Anyway, he greeted me, hugged me and asked if I would take him to the Library (since it was raining).  Of course, I obliged and off we went.  I asked how he was doing.  He wanted to reminisce about his times at Joseph House.  Then, before we got to the Library he asked if I could give him $4.00 to buy his medicine.  I told him I would see what I had.  When I dropped him off, I checked my wallet and two $1.00 bills, which I gave him.  We all know what medicine he was going to buy with the money, but it was hard for me to say "no" to him.
My heart goes out to him, but he still not ready to commit to help right now.
We can't help everyone, but we have to keep trying.  He knows I'm his friend.  I found out what size clothing he wears and I told him that when I come across his size I would save them for him.

I want to be there for him.  If it were my son out there, I would want someone to care as I do.

Busy, Busy, Busy

The last two days I have been baking (7 cakes in all)....  6 Italian Pound cakes and 1 Moist Chocolate Cake. 
This morning I woke up at 5 am with a migraine headache and upset stomach. 
Packing and getting ready to go to NJ for the weekend. 
Mikey's solo piano recital tonight (2 cakes go there), Leon's Family's Beef & Beer in PA (3 cakes go there) and then Kate and John's Anniversary on Sunday (1 cake for there).
Lots to do before I go....water plants.....pack.....empty dishwasher......take a shower....so I better go do those things....Talk to you soon.

Why Do People Steal?

I'm just amazed at how bold people can be, by walking onto your property and stealing something that is not theirs.  Last night someone stole one of my large planters (with the prettiest flowers) from my front circle flower bed, along with one of my gazing balls.  Now this planter was very heavy (even without dirt in it) so they were really strong or there were more than one.
The police came over today to check it out and they will put more patrol cars out tonight to see if there is any more action waiting to happen.  I live on a heavily traveled road, right on the corner....so this had to be planned ahead of time...a quick getaway. 
Anyway, it just gets on my last nerve.  I've attached pictures to show where the pot was sitting.  I think we have to put in some more motion sensor lights out at the driveway.

HOW RUDE - Blah!!!!!!!




There were three pots ..... now there is just two.  We'll see if tomorrow there is just one.

More garden pictures.

Dolly's Nights

This blog should be called "Dolly's Nights" instead of Dolly's Days.  Here I am again at 2:45 am.  Cleaned the kitchen, after not being able to sleep....spent time searching the web....now writing on my blog.  I have a splitting headache from the rain outside (my asthma) and I want to go bake, but I don't want to make all that noise with the mixer.
It's kind of an odd time to list on Ebay....plus I'm not sure I'm really in the mood.
I will probably put in my Biggest Loser tape and watch it, then fall asleep on the recliner until about 6 am, at which time I will slither into the bedroom and sleep until about 8 - 8:30 am.
That's my life....maybe 2 or 3 times a week.  Always has been.  Things never change :)

My Insomnia

Well, it's 3:31 am and I'm still awake.  I started to go to bed tonight around 1:15 am, but five minutes after lying down I heard the sounds of people yelling.  It was probably a bunch of college kids walking home from Brew River (a local bar and restaurant).  That did it for me though....up I went and couldn't sleep any more.
So I went downstairs to do laundry, then played Bejeweled Blitz on Facebook for awhile and here I am creating a new blog.
I'll be up now for at least another hour or so....that's just the way it is with me.  I've been this way since I was a child.....so I guess I will be this way until.
The winds are picking up....the wind chime outside my window is going nuts.
Anyway, all in all I had a great day.  Went to Jeff's Greenhouse earlier today and bought lots of plants and flowers....can't wait to get in the garden tomorrow (or should I say later this morning).