What is it about underwear and the word 'butt' that can make a three year old boy go into gales of laughter? Or when his dad tells him if he puts his underwear on his head then he'll be a 'butt-head' and the child giggles and giggles?
And why, since i'm on the subject, do boys grow into Men but never out of laughing at such things?
Believe me, when you're three, it's adorable. When you're 103 it's adorable. Anything inbetween?
Not so much.
In the new year, i've determined to read classics (with an occasional 'fun' read now and then). i've got the list, i'm searching for the books and i'm already overwhelmed! How am i ever going to get through this huge list? Why am i doing this? How will i fit it into my already crazy schedule? uh...not sure...but..
So it's a goal... a New Year's goal. i have others -some that i've been planning throughout this year, some that are a continuation of 2006..
i like to plan new things for new years. Not really resolutions, more like a continuation of becoming the person i wish to be. And so for 2007, i want to read my 100+ classics and see how they change me or not.
However, bookcase space WILL be a problem. Maybe a goal for the new year is to find a hunky carpentar to build some new ones for me.
Hmmmm......Now THAT'S an incentive to read, no?
i've taken on another job - in addition to what i work full-time and in addition to my other part-time job. This job is being a cashier at a clothing store in a local mall. A large clothing store. There are many customers of all ages. my favourites are the ones who's head is just above the counter. Either male or female matters not, they are wide-eyed in watching 'that store girl' fold the clothes and scan the bar codes and tell the total - and let's not even forget taking off security tags and wrapping delicate things - and taking the money or showing how to use the credit card machine...sometimes they watch a book or stuffed animal of their disappear into the bag.
i remember well the pure excitement of going shopping with my paretns when i was young. Once when i was four-years old, i was with my parents and we left one place and the next stop was Sears. We had a tan and white VW bus and my father said, (as he always did) "Watch your fingers, nose and toes" which was the code that he was going to close the sliding door...but that time, i dind't heed his warning and got my fingers smashed in the door.
He quickly opened it and i was ok..just bruised, but it scared my mother (who was hugely pregnant with my sister - and very hormonal) and she held me on her lap and we both cried (no seatbelts back then!!)
my mother was so upset she just wanted to go home and put ice on my hand. i was upset because "pleeeeease Mommmieeee, i wannnttt to goooooo to Searrrrrrssss" sniff, sniff
And as i watch these young ones, watching me, i learn an unspoken life lesson.
Never lose your sense of wide-eyed wonder.
And sometimes even with smashed fingers, a girl's got to go to Sears!
i just got back from a long autumn walk, air is just perfect for such things and i decided to walk through our local, old and grand cemetery. Now stick with me for a minute - it's broad daylight, quiet in there and has paved roads. Peaceful. i've never walked in there but think it might become some place i will be going often.
Anyway - as i was walking, i looked at some of the tombstones just because i'm curious and more than once i saw where a wife would die (1907 seemed to be a bad year) and a couple of months later the husband would die. Now perhaps it was because of infulenza or some other disease, but i've also heard and seen where a spouce will just 'give up' and die quite soon after their loved one.
Why is this? Is it because the love the two had between them was so powerful and strong that when one half of the love was gone, life wasn't worth living any longer? And why does it seem that men, in all of their strength and manliness, seem to 'give up' before a woman will, in this matter?
And why does it seem that such things used to happen but not so much any more...in other words, has something changed in the way we love that we don't give ALL of us when we do so?
Odd things to ponder while walking, but in all honesty, these things make me wonder.
hmm...more to write on this but perhaps should think it through longer.
Good grief! i cannot believe that it's been so long since i last posted! Where did the time go and what was i doing that prohibited me from posting? Who knows! LOL
Here it is October, my favourite time of the year. i just love the smell of the fallen leaves and the feel of the warm sun yet the crispness of the air. i love having four seasons (though the joke for PA is that we have winter, winter, almost winter and road construction as our 'seasons'). Not quite true although it's quite cool today.
i've done a ton of reading this summer as well and only have about seven unread books in my "to read" book pile. That alone, is a mark of time well spent. After i'm finished with these i think i'd like to dive back in to many of the classics and reaqaint myself with them.
And i am mourning the terrible loss of my favourite (American) football team. Philadelphia Eagles. Ok first of all - they shouldn't play in Florida - i have NO doubt that had they been in Philadelphia, the game would've been completely different. It was a perfect football day here. Cloudy, temp in the low 50's, breezy - our guys would have excelled and McNabb would've not have to lost his breakfast on National Television. Yeah, he'll not live that one down for quite some time i'm thinking. Secondly, it was a game that they played horribly..they are a better team than that and quite frankly they didn't bring their A game...or B or C... And what's with a 62 yrd fied goal? Goodnight nurse nancy - that was ridiculous...the guy misses on 28 yrds yet can do a 62 yrd??? Check his blood! ok ok enough moaning about football - even my favorite of favorites, Brian Dawkins, was quiet - and man when he gets fired up - watch out...that fierce expression that he gets on his face makes me weak in the knees...no, i'm serious...weak....
i hope to be a better blogger...i was lovingly chastised by a friend ((((((((cary)))))))) to get a move on..and i will!!!
What a summer we've had. Unusual rain. High heat and humidity and all before August.
But today, today is gorgeous thus far. The temperature is in the mid 70's, the humidity is low, there is a generous breeze that makes my lace curtains dance with joy. The sounds of the locust in nearby trees telling us all that summer is almost over. The neighborhood is relatively quiet, which is always welcomed. i'm lying on my bed reading Hemimgway. It's a beautiful day.
Where has it gone? Mercy but time goes all to quickly these days, i think.
And yes, in the midst of the beauty i'm experiencing, i cannot forget that the Middle East and Persian Gulf and Korea are in turmoil. While i'm enjoying a lovely day, relaxing, doing some chores, a meeting later on...there are men and women, in full combat gear, either patrolling or fighting. There are Lebanese and Israelis who are waiting for the next bomb, or mortar rounds to fall. There are Iraqis who are wondering if the person in front of them in line is a cowardly homicide bomber. There are Koreans who preface their day by wondering if war will also break out for them. And on all fronts, on all sides, there are regular non-military people who just want to live a happy and peaceful life. i don't like war - but it is, to me, a necessary evil sometimes. And in remembering all of this, i think makes my day, here in Pennsylvania, US, even more sweet. Taking nothing for granted, feeling blessed.
Summer 2006
So today it rained...and rained and rained. Sunshine would follow and then more rain. Warm delicious summer rain.
my niece (2 yrs old) is visiting with her mother from Florida and being the ever mischievous one, i took her to play in the mud puddles. she was in her bathing suit, i was in my work clothes (i didn't jump in the puddles...much). Then we took a quick dip in my parents' pool to get all the dirt off (sorry, Dad) and ended up shivering cold...
When the rest of the family heard that i was the one who took her mud puddle jumping - i was dubbed "Auntie Mame"...though i assure you i don't have a living room where the couches move up and down on pulley systems.
No matter how old you get, or how refined and proper you can be, one should never ever lose the wonder and beauty of playing in the rain. Sometimes it takes a two-year old, blonde haired, blue eyed angel to teach you that.
i have cat. His name is Moses. He is about six years old and just a cute now as when he was a kitten. He used to catch all sorts of critters and i never had to worry about a spider or fly or anything creep like that. He once brought me a freshly dead mouse for my birthday. i tried not to shriek like a little girl.
Tonight, Moses saw a HUGE ant in my hallway. He laid down and watched it. For 20 minutes. Finally, i had enough of said ant and sent him/her to an early prize in the sky..aka. ant meets Jesus on a Wednesday night.
i don't think Moses is such a good catcher of all things crawly and creepy. Guess i'll have to practice my shriek!
In the days of fast everything, when stores are only a few blocks away and everyone buys huge quantities of 'bulk' food...it sure is nice to hear the ice cream truck come around.
Of course, in August, when i've heard that song for the umteenth time, i may change my tune, so to speak, but for now, it reminds me of days gone by when life was a bit less harried and the biggest commotion of the day was not the rush to work and traffic jams, but riding my bike at breakneck speeds down the mountain and the wonderful sounds of the ice cream truck.
i think if he comes around tonight, i'll indulge in a bit of a treat.
So, uh today i broke a toe. Great. Right foot. Middle toe. It's swollen and purple and hurts.
Oh joy!
To those who have served in the military, or are serving: Thank you.
Because of your sacrifice, dedication to Country and ability to follow the commands of those in charge through the years, i am able to not only embrace my feminity but write freely about it. i, as a woman, am able to be educated and drive and own my own house and teach others and wear short skirts and talk/have frienships with people from any other nation, if i so choose. i am not restricted to how many children i could bear. i am able to work and have whatever job i like and am qualified for. i am able to walk about freely. i can sing at the top of my lungs.
Thank you.
Another gorgeous day. The sun is hot, but the breeze is cool and clear. i love days like this. All the windows in my house are wide open allowing the air and sunshine to permeate every room. my house is perfectly cleaned and everywhere you look there is visual peace.
Visual peace is so important. Life, work, school, relationships take our time and attention and everyone needs a place where they can relax. i have chosen to make my entire house like that. i don't like clutter. (ok...except i DO have too many books lying about), i certainly don't like a dirty house, i like clean surfaces and straightened bed covers. Because when i walk in the house after a long day, or have faced something that stresses me or upsets me, i like to find refuge and peace in my own home.
Scented candles, lots of bubble bath, living plants, and even my crazy cat all provide a sense of peace and security. i look around my rooms and can relax a bit because i know that hard work and keeping them clean then provide me with a wonderful place to unwind and sleep.
Only thing that would make it better, would be a swarthy half-dressed Man to greet me!
Now THAT would be visual peace! :::grin::::
i love living in the city and for me to say that - me, who grew up on the side of a mountain, stomping in creeks, swimming in the river, walking in the woods - for me to say such a thing is a BIG deal
But here i sit - my house is clean and smells great - classical music is on my stereo, i can hear the many birds outside, i can hear some traffic going by, and i can hear the Mexican ladies who live not far away as they talk in their kitchen and hear the slaps of their hands against the tortillas as they make them. Much laughter. i see the man in the next house fixing his screen for his front window - the staple gun making a punching sound - these are all comforting sounds to me now. Granted i live in a section that is almost always a bit more quiet, but all in all - i love living in the city.
Think i'll go read on the front porch for a while...
Oh the joy to be awake at 4am. Until now, i slept deep and peacefully but for the past hour, i've been awake. i even was medicated due to back spasms on Tuesday.
Why can't i sleep???? grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
Maybe i should just get up and make chocolate chip cookies. Want some?
It's 4.13am. i'm wide awake. i've been awake for over an hour. There's too much on my mind and i need to relax and sleep but it's not happening.
i'm not hungry, i'm not cold, i'm not angry, i'm not sad, i'm not happy, i'm just....not sleeping.
GRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
Just a few minutes ago, i was leaving church, walking down the steps to exit the building and at the bottom of the steps was a group of children. They were between the ages of 5 and 9 or so.
i was walking down carefully, in my 4" shiny patent leather shoes and noticed that one little boys' eyes were rivited to my shoes. Not to me, not to my legs or skirt, but only my feet. And i wondered what was going on in his little head. Had he looked at me -i would have given him an understanding smile because i love to look at them too and understand the attraction to a pair of shoes, but he never lifted his eyes.
And as i've stated before, i hope that when he grows up, the love of his life will wear shoes for him that are pretty on her and that make him stare in love and lust for her.
i so love being a woman!
We're under a tornado watch here in my little city in Pennsylvania. The wind is blowing quite hard and the much needed rain is pelting my freshly washed windows! (grrrr)
ONE. Give people more than they expect and do it cheerfully.
TWO. Marry a man/woman you love to talk to. As you get older, their conversational skills will be as important as any other.
THREE. Don't believe all you hear, spend all you have or sleep all you want.
FOUR. When you say, "I love you," mean it.
FIVE. When you say, "I'm sorry," look the person in the eye.
SIX. Be engaged at least six months before you get married.
SEVEN. Believe in love at first sight.
EIGHT. Never laugh at anyone's dream. People who don't have dreams don't have much.
NINE. Love deeply and passionately. You might get hurt but it's the only way to live life completely.
TEN.. In disagreements, fight fairly. No name calling.
ELEVEN. Don't judge people by their relatives.
TWELVE. Talk slowly but think quickly.
THIRTEEN. When someone asks you a question you don't want to answer, smile and ask, "Why do you want to know?"
FOURTEEN. Remember that great love and great achievements involve great risk.
FIFTEEN. Say "bless you" when you hear someone sneeze.
SIXTEEN. When you lose, don't lose the lesson
SEVENTEEN. Remember the three R's: Respect for self; Respect for others; and Responsibility for all your actions.
EIGHTEEN. Don't let a little dispute injure a great friendship.
NINETEEN. When you realize you've made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.
TWENTY. Smile when picking up the phone. The caller will hear it in your voice.
TWENTY-ONE. Spend some time alone.
Today is a fabulous day - warm, breezy, very very nice. i have some windows open and the sounds of the wakening city are coming in with the breeze. Earlier i heard the children playing and someone was mowing their grass, adults talking and laughing - all very pleasant sounds.
However -- for the past 10 minutes, i've been listening to a man help a woman back her car out of the garage. Yes, ten...ten long minutes of..."back a little more, turn your wheel...harder..ok..now straighten it up, pull forward,,..no! no! wait! Stop! ok, try again...a little more, no..." AND ON AND ON. i've watched from my bedroom window as this tiny lil red car was trying to weasel it's way out of a very large garage.
Good grief...get out and push it - would be easier, perhaps!
Sheesh! Women drivers!
i think Spring will really be here this year. i've been awakened this morning to the sound of birds, not the sparrows which seem to be permanently outside of my window but morning doves and robins, i heard a cardinal -well two of them - calling back and forth...and i live in the city!
Spring is such a strange and wonderful beast. Summer is all glorious and hot and muggy. Autumn, my favorite time of year, is crisp and cool and sweet - fallen leaves have a crunch and aroma to them that are pure pleasure. Winter brings cold and snow, ice too. But then there is that time when it's not really winter and it's not really Spring and you think that life and the world are very dismal and gray. And then...
TA DAAAAAAAAA!
Here comes Spring. With all of it's vibrant colours and scents. Baby birds and rabbits and other creatures (just please, no mice!) And with the dawning and rebirth of the earth, the feelings of new life can reach deep into your heart and soul, breathing in freshness and giving you the feeling that you CAN and will survive....and do it well.
i have the feeling, that Spring is coming.
WOOO HOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
On Sunday, as i was cooking, i burnt my hand on the burner. Right hand - ring finger - on the back - bad burn....it hurt for quite some time but true to nature, i kept it under or close to cool water until the sting stopped and then let it alone so that nature could take it's course and heal. All was going well until i recently reburnt it(don't ask) and now it is quite red and sore.
So i thought, in all my medical wisdom, that a little neosporin might help heal and would certainly relieve the discomfort (it's applied now - and yes, it feels better already!).
i went to the place where i keep all my first aid type things - and yes, i have a place for it - only to find that my neosporin wasn't there. i rummaged through tubes of this and that until i found it - or so i thought. In my haste to apply the ointment, i failed to see that the tube i had in my hand was....::blush::...vaginal itching cream.
One might wonder A) why on earth i have such cream (i dont know!) and 2) how such cream could possibly help a burn.
It doesn't.
Don't ask, just trust me on this.
Neosporin feels much, much better.
Good grief! Where have i been? This stress thing is a killer - sheesh...i've neglected my poor lil blog.
i will post multiple words here tomorrow.
As i was leaving my house to go to work, i realized that my car was gone. i parked it yesterday, in front of my house...where i normally park it. And now. Gone. hmm. So, i called the police..they didn't tow it, it wasn't reposessed (all up to date with payments) so..uh, i guess it was stolen. Police have been here. Neighbors all up in arms. Insurance company called. And here i sit. An unexpected day off? grrrrrrrrrrrrr
Scene: Tupperware Party
Place: My house
Guests: Fifteen women, giggling and fun. We were asked the different types of party themes you can have with a Tupperware party. "Book, Auction, Naughty Nighty..etc."
my sweet mother pipes up, "A coming out party!"
Dead silence followed by gales of laughter as she realizes what she's said. She was thinking "Sweet 16 /Coming Out/Debut"....we were thinking "Coming Out of the Closet..."
She's very pretty when she blushes 20 shades of pink....whilst laughing heartily.
Sixteen yrs ago, today, a young black woman went into premature labor and gave birth to a 2lb, 9oz little baby girl. Sixteen yrs ago, today, that baby was poked and prodded and given all sorts of medical treatment, was flown to a trauma hospital, was put in a special crib, was abandoned by that black woman - her mother.
This morning, a 16 yr old, bi-racial, beautiful young woman, sang a solo in church. She stood tall and strong, her lovely face lifted, her voice amazing and pure of tone. That 16 yr old young woman is my adopted sister. i was and am so proud of her. i am thankful to God for allowing her to make it past 2lbs 9oz and also for bringing her to my parents and our family.
To say my heart is full - is an understatement of epic proportions.
MAY:
Stubborn and hardhearted. Strong-willed and highly motivated. Sharp thoughts. Easily angered. Attracts others and loves attention. Deep feelings. Beautiful physically and mentally. Firm Standpoint. Needs no motivation. Easily consoled. Systematic (left brain). Loves to dream. Strong clairvoyance. Understanding. Sickness usually in the ear and neck. Good imagination. Good physical. Weak breathing. Loves literature and the arts. Loves traveling. Dislike being at home. Restless. Not having many children.
Hardworking. High spirited. Spendthrift.
Ok...here's my response: Everything is correct except: NOT hardhearted, have never had an ear ache, i can breathe very well - although did have trauma in that area as a young child (age 2), i LOVE being at home, and i am not a spendthrift...
i am currently wearing a nice comfortable pair of Nikes...just got back from a delicious power walk. However, most of the time, i'm in high heels. 4" or higher. And they are comfortable. And they look good. And they make me feel pretty and sexy. i love wearing heels.
i ran into a friend yesterday who had on a pair of VERY cute shoes - but only about 1" heel and she was complaining that her feet were killing her. Huh? One inch heels and they hurt? Well i guess everyone has their limit, right?
And it got me thinking about shoes..and women..and shoes...and how sometimes what we like, we think everyone should like. i personally think most/all women should wear more skirts and dresses and heels. i mean we have curves for a reason. Shouldn't hide them behind big ole' baggy jeans or sweat shirts...let your clothes and shoes work for you.
But for certain, wear those heels, baby!
So the long awaited Superbowl is just about upon us. i'm not even excited this year for two reasons.
1. Eagles miserable year (enough said)
2. The Monday after the Superbowl last year my house was robbed.
The second reason is giving me trouble....in anxiety and dreams...it's not pleasant. The police never found who did it, though some of my neighbors thought it may have been another neighbor, who has since moved away. But still.
Last night i had yet another dream of my house being broken into, but in this one, i ended up shooting the guy (UGH) six times... R leg (twice), R shoulder, r arm, foot and R hand. i remember clearly 'aiming' for the right side so that i wouldn't hit his heart. How gruesome! ugh. i hate dreams like that.
But it does show a sense of unrest in my mind and i'm not sure what to do to combat it. Also, last year after it happened, a good friend called me every night and talked to me until i fell asleep. He did that for about two months. What a true friend.
So maybe i should get excited about the Superbowl and then just stay home the Monday after...or get a guard dog for a day...or just be brave and keep living and keep a positive attitude!
Wish me luck!
i had a very busy day today - up early and out doing errands and such. One of my stops was at the laundry mat, where i had to do some bulky items, you know the kind that doesn't fit in the normal washer. Because it was raining, i wore my lovely black knee-high 4" heeled boots. my skirt went to just above my knees, so there was a bit of stocking clad leg visible.
As i was in the laundry mat, a little boy, about 2 yrs of age, kept coming over to me and staring at my boots, then he would reach out and touch my knee and then run away. He was adorable! Everytime he ran away, he giggled. And i was thinking, 'uh oh...he's starting early!" He must have done that five times before he and his mom/dad and baby sister left.
Well, whether he ends up having a shoe fetish or not, i certainly hope he never loses his sense of wonder and i also hope that when he is grown, some woman will wear such shoes for him.
Last night, on the way home from choir practice, my two younger sisters and i were trying out a new (or new to us) tongue twister. Gales of laughter could've been heard from my car, if someone had been around to bother and listen. As i dropped them off at my parent's house - they were still trying to get it right. Between the three of us, we could get it right one time..but forget it for the other two times.
So....you try it. Three times. Fast. Go on.
Camel Coloured Caramel
Yeah, that's what i thought. LOL Don't worry, we're laughing WITH you!
Hugs
We were advised yesterday, before leaving work for the day, that the building would be unheated. Seems that the HVAC system is broken (again!) and they have to shut it off until it's repaired. Last time this happened (right before Christmas) the temperature never got above 65F.
So this morning i'm dressed for it. Longer skirt, tights, my 4" knee high boots, a tank top and sweater (wonder what Stacy and Clinton would say about this outfit!). i'm ready for the cold office.
...or Siberia...
Dang it! i have it again! It descends on me like a plague, making me long for a new place, new people, new surroundings. Wanderlust. Part of the Irish history - always searching for 'home' and never finding it....the need for travel...the need to go to Ireland to find those roots. The pull is strong, always has been. Usually a good road trip will dissipate the need, but lately, it consumes me.
A trip is planned for May - the month of May - the entire month of May...i hope i can last that long...maybe i should buy my ticket today!
...i was born under a wanderin' star...a wanderin', wanderin' star.....
So this is 2006. i wonder what this year will hold for me. i wonder where i'll be at the end of it. i wonder if it will be a good year or one i'd rather forget. i wonder. The past year was a good one...there were bumps...there were problems...there were certainly national and international things that were dreadful...there were good times...there were plenty of good times....many times to laugh...many times to smile...many times to love.
So i hope for good things, new things, exciting things for this new year. i set three goals for myself this year..only three. Two are long-term goals and one is a short-term goal. i'm excited to get started on them.
But first, more coffee....and a bubble bath!
