Well I am all dressed up for the part.  When I don’t really know what I’m doing at least I try to look like I do.
I am playing tag with another fella today.  Both of us are assisting the guys putting up the insulation.  If all I need to do is hand fellas the insulation sheets I think I will be ok.  Anything else and I may need some instruction.
The guy tagging with me is coming after he has completed his morning job.  He is retired too but assists on crossings.  You may have almost run him over.  He has actually identified those most likely to go closed to running him down.  They all drive big vehicles.
He gives me a hard time.  I know I ask for it.  I have found if I am going to give out, I need to be able to take it too.  With him I think I get it back with interest.  I asked one fella if he had been spending time with this guy.  His comment, “he doesn’t let up on you does he?”
In a word.  “No.” But that is ok.  I hear some great things that I know I can use in the future.  I am actually looking for stuff often.
It reminds me, there was a busker in town many years ago who said, “I don’t care what you give as long as you fold it neatly.”  I thought I can use that.  We had a group that I invited to perform.  They were great and people loved them.  I liked to give them what ever was given.  I said, “I don’t care what you give as long as you fold it neatly.”  It was the best we ever received.
So today I work for a few hours, then he takes my place.  Same in the afternoon except in reverse.  I take over from him.
It does not seem to stop.  Tonight I have people coming over for something I run.  I cover for several hours for someone who has kids tomorrow.  He has graciously volunteered to help the rest of the day.  That night people come over to something else I run.  Then we have to have our shed set up for Friday.  There is an activity here on that day.  It is due to the church being closed for the week.
I would say it keeps me off the streets, but it actually forces me onto the streets.
Still, time well spent I say.  

And so it begins.
I am posting later this morning.  I do this sometimes of a Monday but today is not the usual reason.  Today I opened up for people that are insulating our church.  Merril and I went down and opened up.  We made sure there were biscuits and drinks for the workers.  (I later mentioned to the guy in charge there was cake that needed to be consumed today.  He saw that as a challenge he was willing to accept). Their labour is free. 
We have done real well with the insulation.  The cost of it has been covered by donations.  There is no doubt it will be very welcome when done as the place gets incredibly hot in summer.  We have air conditioners and fans on to try to provide some cool.  We are hoping this will make a big difference not only during the Sunday service but for those that sit at tables waiting to enter the food pantry.
We were there earlier than those who arrived, and when stuff had been done Merril did a run to Macca’s for breaky.  Just as she was about to leave people arrived.  So Merril took orders.  Our worker who had donated his time ordered breaky and one other a coffee.  Merril and I were ready for breaky so we had it.
Our helper today is really good.  He had a nick name of McKiever who was a tv person who could do lots of stuff.  As far as I am concerned, he even looked the part.  Hi vis gear, good boots, and a workers helmet.
I was given a key for the fella in charge.  Keys are funny.  We could not get it to work on one door (I had Merril give it a go in case it was just me) but it worked perfectly on the other door (they are supposedly keyed alike).  That door is the designated entry and exit point.
Once all had been sorted and breakfast eaten, Merril and I went home.  Awaiting me was an email saying the granny flat could be started the 28/10.  We have banking to do later, lunch to collect from subway and tonight I am subbing at table tennis.
We feel like we need to be organized.  We are giving it our best shot.

I was pretty excited by the prospect that maybe they would win.  But I really could not watch the Lions match at the start.  I actually saw the very beginning which was not good.  But after half time, when I thought they might have it in the bag I watched and yea we won!
After that I watched a show I thought was really good.  It featured an eye hospital in Nepal.  One of the poorest countries in the world.  Kids had operations on their eyes which took 12 minutes but changed their lives forever.
Before the ops they could not see and were condemned to a life of darkness and total dependence on another.  They could not work or provide for families.  Things totally changed as a result of them being able to see.  As one person pointed out it costs as much as say a palates class costs in Oz, but changes a life forever.
As I reckon was rightly pointed out, there are many times a palates class is the right way to go but this highlighted to me the minimal cost of a huge change for someone.
Bit like what we do on a monthly basis in providing a meal for visitors.   The food is excellent.  As one couple who had never been before pointed out to me it is “better than a restaurant.”  I feel the same.  Donated food and food cooked by people we know are combined and the result is absolutely delicious.  It really provides for those doing it tough.  The cost is minimal (recognising the time and effort that goes into it) and the rewards are great.  Apart from being fed in the short term, a safe place is provided.  And a place where new friends are made and meet with.
It amazes me how people want to give back.  One guy helped with the pack up yesterday.  It was out of the blue.  These days I make a point of accepting assistance.   To me it is a dignity thing.  People are grateful for the food and helping out is a way of giving back and promoting their sense of self-worth.
Once I may have said “no it’s ok.” These days it is “thank you, if you could just….it is appreciated.”
So there is no denying it, yesterday was a good day.  A Lions win, a good feed, old and new friends and something on telle that inspired rather than depressed.  A smorgasbord of good stuff really.
(Picture a smorgasbord example only and does not depict ours)