The One with Life-Changing TV...

I didn't grow up watching a lot of TV. I had a few favorite shows and I rarely missed The Grand Ole Opry on Saturday nights. Most of the time, though, I was too busy playing outside, being mommy to my baby dolls in my room, writing, having surgery or attending Girl Scouts/Dance Class/Charm School to watch TV.

I still pride myself on not watching a lot of TV. I have a DVR, which is a God send because it affords me the ability to record my certain favorite shows, watch them and only them--fast forward through the commercials (the best part!) and bypass anything I don't want to see. TV can be a bore, and a lot of it is pure rubbish.

But, once in a while, you watch something on TV that changes your life. This happened to me a few weeks ago.

I was channel surfing, which I honestly rarely do, and came across a show called "Blood, Sweat & T-Shirts," on the Planet Green Channel. So I watched it. And I cried. And I then I shut up about my worries, stopped complaining about pettily little things and was reminded of how truly blessed I am!

Yes, I say I'm truly blessed all the time, and I am. But, for anyone who doesn't think their blessed, watch this show and you'll learn that you are indeed, very blessed too!

This show is about how clothes are made over in India. In the factories, cotton fields and slums (literally) of India. It's about how Indian Workers work in deplorable conditions, for 10--12 hours at a time and make literally pennies a day. (Actually they make Rupees, but after currency conversions, it comes down to pennies a day--roughly around 60c.).

The show took six "fashionista's" from England and sent them abroad to learn about how their clothes were really made. These were six young teenagers who didn't have a clue about life beyond their little world. (In truth though, what teenager does?). They were into clothes and fashion and didn't really care about how it got to them. Neither did I, really. Back in the mid-90s, there was a big Anti-Sweat Shop movement, so I had some idea of how clothes were really made. What I did not know, like these English Teenagers, is just how horrible of a condition the clothes are made in. And I'm not talking fabric.

These precious Indian Workers labor all day, in factories that aren't air-conditioned or heat controlled, in blistering cotton fields and in slum rooms that as one of the girls put it "is hell."

These people (the workers) work this way and know no different. They start working at incredibly young ages, some as young as 8 or 9 (and probably younger if you did some digging) and work literally 10 hours a day to afford a ROOF over their heads--and not much else. The working conditions and the pay are absolutely horrible.

It is like that one girl said, "welcome to hell."

The child laborers are what got to me, because you know me and my love for children! I just think children are the best thing ever and to see them having to work like this is just....so sad. The sadder thing is that they HAVE to, in order to help their families out, in order to provide food and shelter, they have to work. They don't have a choice. Working is not a luxury, it's a necessity. Sure, most everyone in the world (unless you're born really rich) does have to work. But in most places, there is a support system in place for children who are too young to work, or those who are physically/mentally unable to work. Working is necessary, but in most cases, you'll still be able to find food and shelter if you don't. And when you do work, the descent wage helps you buy food at pretty much descent prices.

Yes, I know things have gotten way more expensive here in America and a lot of people are out of work, I'm not blind to the problems of my own country, I'm just acknowledging the problems of others.

Anyway, these workers (kids or not) stand in the cotton fields and make around 5c for every oz. they pick, can you imagine that? They have to pick at least 1-5 liters a day just to make do. They live in squallier, literally, squallier, and they go to the bathroom (if you can call it that) in a hole in the ground. A literal hole in the ground, most of the time, without indoor plumbing. They squat in the ground and then have to clean it out and cover it up.

I mean, it's 2010, how is that possible in so called "civil" parts of the world? I understand that happening in indigenous tribes and all. And if people CHOOSE to live that way, hey, more power to them. But, these Indian Workers, I don't think they're choosing to live that way. They work from 8am--5 or 6pm, on a short day--NON-stop--and if the load of cotton isn't done being sorted through--they work into the night, with no overtime pay. In fact, they pay most of their wages to a Landlord who affords them a room--often one without a window or a bed. Those are the cotton field workers.

The sewing factory workers, most of them sleep AT their work stations (sewing machines) or UNDER them. No kidding! Can you imagine having to sleep under your desk at your work? Or how about sleeping under your cash register? These sewing factory workers, a lot of them do sleep there at night because they don't want to "waste" money on "rent," instead preferring to "send it [their wages] back home". They don't change clothes for days in a row and a shower is a rarity, not a daily event. I mean, that's just horrible. The workers who work in the slums, well, they live where they work too. They work and live in even WORSE conditions than the sewing factory workers or cotton field pickers.

I'm telling you, I just cried and cried.

I thought to myself through all four shows (it was a series) "and WE bitch about our jobs? Why exactly?" Seriously, what the hell do we have to bitch about? Not much, I'll tell you that.

I'm sure that this happens all over the world and I'm sure that before Labor Laws (i.e. the entire reason Americans celebrate Labor Day!) things were like this for Americans too--in the earliest days of this country. But, in today's America--at least we have laws against that crap and most people get to go home at the end of their shift. And when they don't, they're properly compensated with overtime pay.

So, the way I see it, is, I'm never going to bitch about any job again. I love my current one! I have never really bitched about. Truly. I've had some crazy days there and I think everyone can say that. But for the most part, I absolutely love it and I am blessed to have a job that I love so much! But, even if I didn't love it as much as I do--it's still a heck of a lot better job than these Indian Workers will ever have.

At least at the end of my day, I get to go home! I get to go home to a nice spacious place that IS heated/cooled by the lovely invention of electricity and air-conditioning! I also work in an air controlled facility! I get to drive myself home from that work in my own car. I don't have to walk miles and miles to work or stay there for days because I don't have the time to get back home. I get to come home and EAT, or stop and pick something up on the way. I get to come home and CHANGE CLOTHES and SHOWER--with fresh, running water. It's a miracle!

I'm not saying that Americans don't have it tough. I'm not saying that there isn't severe poverty or hunger in America, because there most certainly is. And I really do wish people would be open to recognizing that. I'm also not saying that these Indian Workers go hungry every night--the one thing I did see is that they all got to eat. Not gourmet meals or anything, but they did eat at night. I'm not saying that ALL of India is this way and that no one should ever buy clothes that are made in India. If we did, they'd be out of jobs and in an even worse position than they already are. But, what I am saying is that it's time to open our eyes, be more aware and more conscious of how others are affected by our decisions. It's time to be more aware of how truly blessed we all are, just by the sheer fact that we are HERE, and not THERE. That alone is a blessing.

I'm not saying that all these workers hate their lives--in fact, some of them had a light in their eyes that you do not see in people who have been blessed their entire lives. I'm not saying all of them would change their living/working conditions if they could. I do believe somewhere deep down--on a human level--they know this isn't right, but they don't have the power/time/energy/education or resources to do something about it. And even if they could, how would they handle a non-poverty ridden life? Could they handle it at all? Many can't. And even though education is the absolute key to ending poverty and abuse, in some cases, ignorance really is bliss--and I think, for some of these Indian Workers--their ignorance is their bliss. Because they've never known any different, and sadly, perhaps, never will--it's their ignorance that keeps them alive, and keeps them going.

I'm reminded of my Women's Studies class right now. Before you roll your eyes and click onto the next blog, hear me out. My Women's Studies Class was a class about Gender, Race and Class....the Class part being what I learned the most about. The pull between rich and poor, the abundantly rich and the truly poor. The middle class and the Working Class (my family falls somewhere in between the latter two). It taught me so much about the connection between basic living conditions (food, clean water, shelter), education and poverty. Of course, it only spoke about Gender, Class and Race in America, but still, it was life changing none the less.

And so was this TV show. "Blood, Sweat & Tears," made me think about my life and my job, in a completely different way. It made me put my life and work into perspective. It made me shut up about the stupid little things that I've never really had to fight for (food, shelter, etc.) and even more tremendously grateful for how VERY good I've always had it.

At the end of the series, the teenagers all ended up realizing that they were "privileged," and you know what? I am too.

Not because I've ever been monetarily rich, or charted a plane over to Italy or sipped champagne with celebrities (okay, I did that once, but that's another story), but because I am abundantly rich in so many other ways! So many every day, basic human ways! I have food, shelter, clean water, clothes on my back, running water, electricity, plumbing! And I have ALWAYS had those things.

Money is tight, but it's not impossible to obtain. It may not go as far as it used to, but it still goes a heck of a lot further in American than it does in the slums of India. And that is why I am truly blessed!

I want to point out that I don't feel the need to apologize for the fact that I'm blessed or life-rich. I do think as long as I'm aware of it and grateful for it-and I pray for those who aren't, and do my part to help those who aren't, than I think it's okay. The point of this series was to strike a chord and make the view feel something, it certainly worked for me.

I think God wants us to be happy and enjoy life, to love and labor equally. I don't quite understand how poverty like that that exists in India can exist at all. It's when I see stuff like that that I can totally understand why some people don't believe in God at all. I mean, what kind of loving God would make His children go through that? But, at the end of the day, I think He loves us all equally. He wants the best for us. And He uses some of us (those that are sick or poor) to teach the rest of us. I was definitely taught by these precious souls.

I also want to point out that I know that it's all about how material (no pun intended) is presented. And all media and TV shows have a slant. But this one got to me.

"Blood, Sweat & Tears," affected me in a major conscious-shift kind of way. It made me realize not only how blessed I am, but how I need to pray for those that aren't. How I need to recognize that it's truly not about THINGS--and how an enduring, beautiful spirit can be found ANYWHERE--even in the slums of India. It made me realize the importance of awareness and the beckoning necessity to "think globally, act locally." (That's kind of the slogan of my generation now.)

This show also reminded me of the compassion that I have. It reminded me of how I used to be a as a little girl, five years old (seriously) worried about the starving kids in Africa. I've always felt a pull to the less fortunate in life. I know that I cannot single handily fix the world, and I've stopped trying. I do my best to live in the moment and not worry about that which I cannot fix. But, I can certainly fix my attitude and my outlook--and "Blood, Sweat and Tears," helped me do just that!

I encourage you to watch this stunning series if you ever have the chance. I hope that it will affect you as positively as it has affected me. I think, if you're like me, it will indeed raise your own gratitude, compassion and awareness; and isn't that was great television is supposed to do?

For the kids/loves in India.

In Light N' Love,
-Sarah Liz :)

P.S. As always, thank You, Lord, for my countless blessings & truly privileged life! It is all because of You!

The One with The Olympics...

I am watching the Olympics right now and enjoying it so much! A Canadian Ice Dancing Team just did a really cool skate to "Everybody Dance Now!" Oh, it was SO cool! And so much fun to watch! I used to ROLLER-skate to that song when I was a kid--I spent almost every day in the (roller) skating rink around this time 20 years ago--my goodness, it has been 20 years. Wow! Anyway, the skate was for Original Free Skate and this Canadian Duo did so well! Seeing more of B.C. Canada has been awesome, it's such a beautiful place, I wouldn't mind seeing it someday. Watching this duo skate brought back a lot of great roller skating memories for me and made me realize just how much I've truly loved the Olympics this year!

The 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics have been fantastic! They started out rather rocky (a Georgian Lugger died on while making a practice run on opening day--had several disasters since--The Lindsay Vaughn/Julie Mancusto Battle, Apolo Ohno being disqualified last night, Canadian Skate, Joannie Rochette's mother dying of a sudden heart attack this past Sunday--her courage since has been truly amazing! A wanna-be Olympic skier dying in Tahoe on Thursday and a Canadian Athlete being questioned by Police), but since then, they have been so much fun!

Watching Shaun White, Shanni Davis, Apolo Ohno and Lindsay Vaughn--they make me proud to be an American. Watching all of the nations come together and strive for something wonderful--i's awe-inspiring!

The Olympics are special because it's the one time every four years where (most of) the world puts their crap aside, and just gets along. Sure, each country is going for the Gold and the ultimate goal is to kick ass and win the most medals. But, an athlete is an athlete is an athlete and there's a certain camaraderie among them. It's very cool.

I love how all the countries pile into the Olympic Stadium during Open/Closing Ceremonies and live in close quarters throughout the Olympics. I love how you see each team helping each other, encouraging each other--feeling one another's passion, enthusiasm and the agony of defeat. The Olympics are one of the oldest customs Planet Earth and one of my favorite things about them is that The Olympics display humanity as its best!

Humanity in the sense of spirit, love, hope, joy and pride! Humanity in the sense of strength and togetherness. And humanity on a physical level--and the amazing things a human body can do--and the downright miraculous recoveries it can make! Yes, indeed, The Olympics are humanity as its best!

My favorite Winter Olympic sport is Bobsledding/Sleighing. I know, my mother (and my grandmother) would want me to say Figure Skating. I grew up watching, living and breathing Ice Skating year round. There was a time in my life where I could have named the World Champions and Olympic Medalists two Olympics back. So, I should say "Figure Skating," but I won't. Colin likes the Speed Skating and Skiing. Those are fun to watch too! But...

My most favorite Winter Olympic Sport is without a doubt, Bobsledding. It just fascinates me! A part of me cannot comprehend why someone would willingly barrel themselves down sheet of ice at 90mph. But, the other part of me thinks "hey, they're enclosed in a sled/sleigh and it could be fun." It's one of the few sports I can think (Winter of Summer--except for Rowing) that is done sitting down. I think that's why it fascinates me so much. They sit down and go down that sheet of ice making twists, turns and curves. Part of me thinks it could be fun, and part of me wonders just how on earth they do that? I mean, seriously?

What kind of athleticism does it take to steer a sled down a sheet of ice when you're clocking in at 4 G's? It truly amazes me! And that's why it's my favorite. It's also my favorite because it's one of the most dangerous. ALL sports are dangerous--there is always room for error and the possibility of catastrophe or even death. I'm not trying to be negative, but it's true. But, with a Bobsled/sleigh--there's not much between you and that sheet of ice and unlike other sports, there is NO room for error. There's no split second to correct it, you slip up ONE TIME and you're ejected from the sled, sliding down the sheet of ice like a human cannonball. It's absolutely thrilling to watch! And tonight, four USA Bobsledders made me very proud--because they won GOLD!!! Right on, GO TEAM USA!!!!

I think another reason I like Bobsledding so much is because the movie "Cool Runnings," was one of the first movies I ever sat through in its entirety. It's a true story of a Jamaican Bobsled team and it came out when I was about 4 years old. It was a great movie, and even though I'm not a Sports Enthusiast, for some reason, I love Sports Movies. (A League of Their Own, is one of my all-time favorite movies!). And I must admit, this year, I got INTO the Super Bowl--it was so much fun to watch! What a game! Perhaps I am becoming a Sports lover...we'll see.

Anyway, I am so very, very proud every time an American takes the Gold--and I get to hear my National Anthem and see my beautiful American Flag raised in all it's beauty & glory!

It's just wonderful! I've always loved the American Flag and still do! And yes, despite its difficulties, I am still proud to be an American.

We're not perfect, we certainly have more problems than we ever intended to have. We are not exactly the most cultured country and there are very few things we can call OURS. (French Kiss, Margarita's, Italian Ice--"American Saturday Night," by Brad Paisley--it's true).

But, there's just something so special about seeing an American win a medal in the Olympics. I think every countrymen/women feel that way when their nation wins a medal. (For the record, I don't mind seeing Canada win either.)

For me, though, every time an American Athlete makes it to the Pedestal, it just reiterates how blessed I am to have been born and raised here. How much I love what this country has given me. How much I appreciate the freedoms that I have. And how much I love what America stands for--even if it often falls short of those ideals.

I think people come here for a better life and even in the midst of The Great Recession, we do have a better life here. People can work (some of them, if they can get past the startling unemployment rate) and earn a living and live in decent conditions. Maybe not perfect, luxurious ones, but compared to a lot of places in the world--certainly descent ones.

Yes, it is harder to "make it big," here in America. The gap between the rich and the poor is closing and the average American does have to choose between heat/eat or medicine. And that is a tragedy.

America is certainly not what it once was; but it's like the Toby Keith song says "I ain't as good as I once was, but I'm as good once, as I ever was." And that's how I feel about the American Athletes who compete in the Olympics. I think now more than ever, America needs heroes--it needs someone to root for, and something to believe in!

(Okay, now I'm tearing up, damn PMS makes me so emotional!).

These Athletes are as spectacular as they are because they've been given the CHANCE to accomplish great things. Because they've had family and friends who believed in them. Because they were born and raised in a country where they could take the time to excel in their chosen sport. Where they could count on food and shelter, clothing and warm beds. yes, that can be said about a lot of the world, but every time I see an American Athlete, I am reminded of this.

Watching the Olympics has been so enjoyable and fun! I've loved hearing the stories behind the athletes, getting to know more about them on a personal level and then rooting for them--even the other guys/gals (not Americans) on occasion. I have come to respect athletes more than I ever have in my lifetime and am really enjoying learning about each individual sport!

The Olympics are also making me even more proud to be from Reno/Tahoe! As it turns out, Lake Tahoe is pretty much breeding ground and base camp for the Skiing! (Another reason I should say Skiing is my favorite, but it isn't.). I knew that growing up, on some level at least. But, hearing about how very many of these Skiers lived, trained and were even raised in Tahoe is so cool! I was raised in Reno, and Tahoe was where my Uncle & Aunt lived. I went there a few times a year, but still, we did HOST the Winter Olympics FIFTY years ago in Squaw Valley. Heck, the freeway we took to get Uncle Bob's house up in Tahoe was built specifically for the 1960 Winter Olympics! How awesome is that?! And apparently, Reno/Tahoe is vying for a chance to HOST the Winter Olympics again in 2022, I think? Sometime around then, either way, I'll definitely be making a trip back home for that! That would be so terrific!

But, anyway, the Winter Olympics are just FUN! There's always something interesting to watch, something new to learn and someone to root for! It's pretty fantastical! (No, that's not a typo, I just felt like using that word!).

I'm going to go now, but I am glad I wrote about how much fun I'm having watching the Olympics. They come to an end tomorrow with the Closing Ceremonies--those will be fun to watch too!

Here's to all Athletes everywhere--especially those on TEAM USA!!! I am so proud of you all and so grateful to you for making America look as good as you do!

So, it is with my right hand over my heart and a salute to the beautiful American Flag that I bid you all a goodnight!

Thank you, Lord, sincerely, for letting me born into a country so rich in freedom, opportunity and friendship! It is because of this fact alone that I am blessed to this day!

In Light N' American/Olympic Love,
-Sarah Liz :)

The One with the Pepper Spray...

Everyone knows that one of my all-time favorite TV Shows is "Friends," I absolutely love it! I've seen every episode at least 3 to 10 times and no matter how many times I've seen them, they still make me laugh out loud--literally. I've noticed (since I've been recording them daily on my DVR--another one of my favorite things in life!) that all the episodes are called "The One...."

"The One with the Tea Leaves," "The One After Rachel & Joey Kiss," "The One Where Chandler Takes a Bath," "The One with Monica's Thunder," "The One Where Eddie Won't Go," "The One Where Ross Is Fine." See, every single episode is named "The One..." so, I've decided that I'm going to start calling SOME of my entries "The One," and today....well, today is....

The One with the Pepper Spray......

Truth be told, this entry could also be titled "The One where Sarah is a dumb-ass". But, I digress.

I got up today and had a lovely morning. I was feeling kind of blah and just frustrated in general. Not about anything good or imparticular, mind you, just kind of down. Anyway, I watched a few cooking shows, enjoyed a cup of coffee, called Grandma and meditated. Of course, I felt better after I meditated. I always do! Then I decided to go pick up my paycheck from work and surprise Colin at his work. Yesterday, he wanted to go to the Antique Market and so I thought I'd be nice and surprise him. And all would have gone as planned....if only I hadn't had my little accident.

Yesterday, Colin and I went to the Swap Meet. I bought a bra, a pair of socks and some Pepper Spray. I got the latter as a means of self-defense. I'm a physically small person and I think it's a good thing for women to carry some sort of self-defense with them. So I bought the Pepper Spray in its cute little case on sale and walked out.

Fast forward to about 1:10pm today, and well....that Pepper Spray, it wasn't so cute anymore. It was downright PAINFUL!

Let me tell you how it happened:

I was sitting outside Colin's work waiting for him to come out. I pulled out my Pepper Spray and decided to see if the trigger pump worked properly. There was not a single person within 30 feet of me and I was bored, I would NEVER have "tested" the Pepper Spray if someone had been even remotely close to me. I'm not THAT stupid. But, since no one was around, I wanted to make sure the trigger worked so that in case of emergency, it wouldn't fail me in my time of need. Hopefully, by the grace of God, I will never HAVE to use it. But, just in case, I thought "I'd better make sure it sprays." Kind of like you would test Hair Spray before you buy it. Same pump/trigger function. Anyway, I had the Pepper Spray in hand and opened it up, I went to spray it AWAY from me and lo and behold, a BLAST of WIND comes up and blows the Pepper Spray back into my direction and RIGHT on to my face and into my left eye. OUCH!

Now, allow me to clarify that I did not spray myself intentionally, BUT...the damn wind decided otherwise. Normally, I like wind, this afternoon--it was my nemessis.

So, the Pepper Spray goes directly into my left eye, which imemdiately shuts and I think "Oh Shit!" My eye is watering and BURNING! Hey, it's called PEPPER SPRAY for a REASON! Then I feel the area around my mouth (Thank God my mouth wasn't open!) and my nose being to burn. I cough a bit and have a moment of "oh my god, what do I do now?"

My eye starts to water something fierce and then I begin to FREAK OUT! I wasn't sure if I was going to be blinded (literally) by this stuff, if it was going to do permanent damage to my eye or what. I just didn't know so I became scared. Very scared. I run into Colin's work and head for the bathroom to try and wash my eye out--and holy shit--water made it WORSE--10 x's worse!

So, Colin comes out and I tell him to Google the number for Poisin Control on his phone and call his mom. I call my mom too. My mom says to flush it with water, so does Poisin Control, his mom says to try milk--I think "okay, but why?" (Not that I cared, I would've tried anything at the point.) She says that milk will COOL the effects of the pepper spray and cut down on the insineration that is taking place on my face.

Have I mentioned before how much I LOVE my mother-in-law?! Well, I do--and I especially loved her today! What a godsend her tip was! MILK--God Bless the MILK!

By the grace of God, again, Colin works next door to a Wal-Mart--normally, I'm not a Wal-Mart fan. But today, I didn't care. Colin runs into Wal-Mart, grabs some milk and we head back to the car where he proceeds to pour the lovely, COLD MILK in my left eye and onto my entire face! And oh Hallelujah, the RELIEF!! The milk totally helped!

Now, if you didn't know WHY my husband was pouring milk in my eyes and on my face, as I'm leaning BACKWARDS out the driver's side of my car--well, it probably looked QUITE ODD! I'm positive some people were walking by going "what the hell?!" But, I didn't care how it looked. All I knew is the milk was helping a lot!

So, it dawns on me that the burning is reduced by the milk, but only when it's on my face directly, so I head back into Wal-Mart, make Colin buy another carton of milk (he'd gotten a tiny milk before) and purchase 2 clean wash cloths.

I take the milk and the washcloths into the bathroom, start pouring the milk over 1 of of the washcloths and immediately put it on my face. Ahhh, more relief!

I must've looked even MORE ridiculous doing in the bathroom, but hey, I was inside a Wal-Mart and we all know what kind of crazies go there. Sorry, but it's true.

Anyway, after my third or fourth milk facial, I head to the eye doctor (also in Wal-Mart), and tell them what happened. They just looked at me, sort of perplexed like "okay, is she crazy or stupid?" Yeah, I know, I told you this entry could've been named "The One Where Sarah's a Dumb-ass" But, they were very kind and gave me a thing of eye drops for FREE! God Bless them, seriously! I walk out with my eye drops and instructions to put them in my eyes every 10 minutes or so for the next few hours, and twice daily for about a week. That's a can do!

The drops helps, but my face is still burning. My left eye is totally fine now, I mean, it's stinging, but it's no longer THROBBING with pain.

I walk back to my car, convince Colin that I can see just fine and drive home with no problems. So I do. I get home and take a shower and am reminded that as much I love water--right now, it is truly my enemy. Water SPREADS the heat, the pain and the BURN! Milk cools it! (Normally, I hate milk, but today it was my best friend!). I endure the burn in a cold shower and make sure to wash my face, hair and hands WELL!

You have to understand that after milk dries, it becomes filmy. Milk is very perishable and has natural sugar in it, so after a while, it becomes sticky....and then it becomes sour. I was willing to be sticky, I was not however, willing to be sour. Thankfully, the shower took care of that.

After the shower I did feel better and ended up having a pretty nice day. My eye still hurts a bit, but it's more irritated than anything. The only part that's still burning is the right side of my right hand, where most of the Pepper Spray went.

The good news is that PEPPER SPRAY WORKS--and it works VERY well! The very best news is that it didn't leave permanent damage. Thank you, Lord! And if I ever was in a situation where I HAD to use it, it would definitely give me the time I needed to run away.

I wouldn't severely damage the other person, but it would definitely stop them in their tracks. If it was sprayed into BOTH eyes, oh my gosh, it would be (and would have been today) so much worse. The other good news? Colin was REALLY calm and forgave me for being a totally freaking out BRAT while I was imperil. Thank you, Colin. The bad news? I was in writhing in pain and we never did it make to the Antique Market.

Oh well, maybe tomorrow. Apparently, we weren't supposed to be there. God has a funny way of keeping you where He wants you--and he certainly has a sense of humor! LOL!

I definitely had angels around me today and what could've been a horrible situation wasn't that bad after all. I learned that Pepper Spray does indeed work, that I need to be WAY more careful with it, and that I can (and have to) laugh at myself.

I will be laughing at this story for years, and I'm sure others will too! "The day that Sarah was a dumb-ass and stupididly sprayed herself with Pepper Spray."

My goodness, what a day!

One last thing, what surprised me is how CLEAN my left eye actually felt, and how CLEAR my sinuses were. That Pepper Spray just cleared it ALL up! But, next time, I will find another way to clear out my sinuses. And hopefully, one that's a little less painful!

Thank You, Lord, for keeping my safe today, for giving me something to laugh about, for putting me next to the people and resources I needed to help myself and for sharing your sense of humor with me.

In Light N' Love,
-Sarah Liz :)