I can't save them all

I tried to be a hero again, but all I felt was helpless. On our way home from the grocery store, Cliff saw a snake lying in the middle of our neighborhood road. At my urging, we stopped and turned around. After saving the turtle, I had all intentions of saving this poor little creature as well. I got out of the car and approached the snake. I couldn't tell what kind it was, but I knew that I didn't want to just pick it up without some precaution. I walked to the side of the road to look for a stick with which to scoop it up. But as I looked, a car came barreling down the road. I watched in horror as it ran over the poor snake. It's body flopped up, and it curled around itself. I couldn't believe someone would be so callous to just run over a poor, defenseless animal. Maybe because I was standing there, the person in the car turned around to see what we were all looking at. About that time, another car came barreling up and ran over the poor snake again. I actually screamed aloud and covered my eyes. I felt so helpless standing on the side of the road, watching the heartless humans kill one of nature's treasures. I'm sure the snake was just there soaking up the last bit of warmth from the asphalt. It hurt my feelings. All I wanted to do was help it, but all I did instead was watch it die.

I saved a life today

Today started as any other ordinary day. I got up, struggled to get myself awake, took care of my animals, and got ready for work. As I locked up my door when leaving the house, little did I know that I would attain hero status in just a few short moments.

So, here I was, in my car, riding along my neighborhood street and thinking of all I would need to do at work today. Suddenly, there he was, lying in the road. I swerved around him thinking, "You need to get out of the road." But a moment later I realized how sad I would be if I came and saw that someone else hadn't been as careful as I had to avoid him. So, I turned my car around and heading back to him.

I pulled to the opposite side of the road from where he lay. Approaching slowly and speaking gently, I tried to make sure he was calm. He seemed a bit shy, so seeing that he needed help, I gently picked him up and helped him to the side of the road, out of harm's way.

I know that most people wouldn't think that helping a poor little defenseless turtle is really that big a deal, but the older I get, the more I realize that I have to help all the little animals if I can. I saved a life today, and I'm proud of that.

I admit it, I'm cheap ... too bad vanity gets in the way

Maybe I shouldn't say I'm cheap. Maybe I should use the word frugal instead. Well, anyway you slice it, I'm careful with the dollar.

Actually, that's only half true. When it comes to getting gifts for my friends and family, I don't really think too much on money. Sure, I'll look for the best deal, but in general, I'll go ahead and buy something a little more expensive if it will make one of my loved ones happy.

But when it comes to myself, I'm tight with money. I don't like to spend a lot on clothes. Really the only indulgence clothing-wise where I don't worry about money is shoes. I don't like for my feet to hurt. But when it comes to clothes shopping for work, I'll hit up a Walmart or Target or even buy stuff on ABC Distributing (man, there are some cheap items there!). When it comes to jewelry, I appreciate the real stuff, but really, as long as it dangles and sparkles it doesn't really matter if it's a fine gem or costume beads.

One place I normally will spend an extra few bucks is on skin care and cosmetic products. That's where my vanity gets in the way of me saving money. I've got to have all natural lotions, all natural washes and vegan-friendly cosmetics. I'm not a vegan, but when it comes to skin care, I don't find it necessary to use products with animals in it. If I'm not eating meat for nutrition, then I don't need to contribute to more slaughtering of animals (that's another rant and blog entry...maybe).

What can I say...I've turned into a girly girl in my young age.