Things are still hectic at work and life in general. I still don’t have enough coherent thought to compose a proper blog post but the bits and pieces of ideas are swirling around my brain. So here you have Brain Bits…
On Tuesday, I left my headlights on ALL DAY. How I missed the dinging sound as I got out of my car in the morning I’ll never know. But this is the second time I’ve left my lights on in the past month. Amazingly, my car started and I drove home rather relieved.
The next day, a co-worker came up to me and said, Oh, I meant to call you yesterday. You left your lights on. Is your car ok?
Um, thanks for letting me know.
****
Overheard at the Post Office:
Do I need to put a state and zip code on this for it to be delivered?
****
Overheard at the office:
Woman 1: Do you know a quick way to lose 5 pounds?
Woman 2: Yes! Combine carrot, apple, and pear juice and add LOTS of wheat germ and cayenne pepper.
****
Lady Gaga’s Yoü and I always makes me think of Queen and Freddie Mercury whenever I hear it on the radio. I really can’t explain it. Does anyone else get that impression? I intended to embed the video in here but I just watched it for the first time. Let’s just say that it doesn’t fit in with the PG-13 rating I try to keep on my blog. If you're feeling adventuresome, here's the link:
http://youtu.be/X9YMU0WeBwU
****
I have a co-worker that says "supposedbly" all the time. It cracks me up because it makes me think of Joey from Friends. At first, I thought he said it to be silly. But no, he actually doesn’t realize that he’s pronouncing the word incorrectly. A few people have tried to correct him but he just doesn’t “hear” the difference.
****
So another thing going on at work… Can you tell I’ve been spending a lot of time here lately?
Anyway, this week a movie scene is being filmed at the estate where I work. I can’t name names until next week. But let’s just say this place is all atwitter. The huge celebrity that most people are excited about isn’t even starring in the movie. She’s married to the director and happens to be visiting the set. I’d love the chance to meet her since she’s one of my favorite actresses but I’m not going to be a stalker about it. Well, at least not yet…
****
That’s all I have for now. Lunch is over and I need to get back at it.
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
It was a Monday
It was a Monday. It was a Monday in the truest sense of Murphy’s Law. Nothing catastrophic happened. No meteors hurtling towards Earth or anything like that. But plenty of little annoying things that added up to Monday.
It was pouring down rain. The dog woke us up at 3:30 am to go outside. The hook & eye on my favorite, black bra broke. I couldn’t connect to the home wireless network. The IKEA customer service moron was an ass to me on the phone. I had such a bad sinus headache that it hurt to put my hair in a ponytail or even move my head. Eldest son lost his cell phone. We ran out of server space at the office (How is that even possible?). My co-worker’s car died and she needed a ride home.
After I dropped off my co-worker, I let my mind wander as I listened to the radio and drove home on auto-pilot.
I thought about my eldest son off at the Academy. I miss him so much. I never realized that missing someone so much could physically hurt.
I thought about my youngest son and how he amazes me. Yesterday he assembled his new computer desk all by himself in the blink of an eye. I have to remind myself that he’s growing up… grown up. I need step back and let him spread his wings.
I thought about my Sweetie and how his smile warms me up from the inside.
Lady Gaga’s Poker Face came on the radio and I smiled... just because.
I needed to stop at the grocery store because we were out of milk and salad stuff. I debated about going to “our” Publix. But that really didn’t make sense as I would have to drive past the house to get there.
So I decided to stop at the Publix that’s on my way home. The Publix that I used to go to so I could get out of the house when What’s-His-Face was around. The Publix that I haven’t been able to go to alone for the past seven years for fear of a panic attack.
Well, I survived the grocery store without incident. I was rather proud of myself and left the store with a spring in my step. But my head was still pounding as I headed for the house.
After dinner I grabbed a leftover fortune cookie for a sweet snack. My fortune read,
Look closely at your surroundings.
Thank you, I did and it made all the difference in my Monday.
****
Go visit Heather over at the Extraordinary Ordinary for more Just Write.
It was pouring down rain. The dog woke us up at 3:30 am to go outside. The hook & eye on my favorite, black bra broke. I couldn’t connect to the home wireless network. The IKEA customer service moron was an ass to me on the phone. I had such a bad sinus headache that it hurt to put my hair in a ponytail or even move my head. Eldest son lost his cell phone. We ran out of server space at the office (How is that even possible?). My co-worker’s car died and she needed a ride home.
After I dropped off my co-worker, I let my mind wander as I listened to the radio and drove home on auto-pilot.
I thought about my eldest son off at the Academy. I miss him so much. I never realized that missing someone so much could physically hurt.
I thought about my youngest son and how he amazes me. Yesterday he assembled his new computer desk all by himself in the blink of an eye. I have to remind myself that he’s growing up… grown up. I need step back and let him spread his wings.
I thought about my Sweetie and how his smile warms me up from the inside.
Lady Gaga’s Poker Face came on the radio and I smiled... just because.
I needed to stop at the grocery store because we were out of milk and salad stuff. I debated about going to “our” Publix. But that really didn’t make sense as I would have to drive past the house to get there.
So I decided to stop at the Publix that’s on my way home. The Publix that I used to go to so I could get out of the house when What’s-His-Face was around. The Publix that I haven’t been able to go to alone for the past seven years for fear of a panic attack.
Well, I survived the grocery store without incident. I was rather proud of myself and left the store with a spring in my step. But my head was still pounding as I headed for the house.
After dinner I grabbed a leftover fortune cookie for a sweet snack. My fortune read,
Look closely at your surroundings.
Thank you, I did and it made all the difference in my Monday.
****
Go visit Heather over at the Extraordinary Ordinary for more Just Write.
Sunday, September 25, 2011
The Week in Numbers
1 – The number of good night’s sleep I got this week.
2 – The number of showers I took on Saturday (refer to #9).
3 – The number of times I left the office to specifically get a Sweet Tea.
4 – The number of times I’ve wondered if candy corn contains beeswax while nibbling away on the orange, yellow, and white pieces of crack. I finally read the package and no, candy corn doesn’t contain beeswax… or crack.
5 – The number of items I ordered online.
6 – The number of days I worked this week.
7 – The number of times I told G-Man to get the collection of empty drinkware out of his room.
8 –The number of times I cursed the non-existence of House Elves.
9 – The number of seconds it took for the sweat to start pouring down my back at a press conference Saturday morning.
10 – The number of times I cursed under my breath at work this week. Ok, feel free to multiply that by your choice of figure.
I just realized that this is the second post in a row in which I’ve done a numbered list. At least I still have enough brain capacity to count to 10. And that’s all I have to say about that.
2 – The number of showers I took on Saturday (refer to #9).
3 – The number of times I left the office to specifically get a Sweet Tea.
4 – The number of times I’ve wondered if candy corn contains beeswax while nibbling away on the orange, yellow, and white pieces of crack. I finally read the package and no, candy corn doesn’t contain beeswax… or crack.
5 – The number of items I ordered online.
6 – The number of days I worked this week.
7 – The number of times I told G-Man to get the collection of empty drinkware out of his room.
8 –The number of times I cursed the non-existence of House Elves.
9 – The number of seconds it took for the sweat to start pouring down my back at a press conference Saturday morning.
10 – The number of times I cursed under my breath at work this week. Ok, feel free to multiply that by your choice of figure.
I just realized that this is the second post in a row in which I’ve done a numbered list. At least I still have enough brain capacity to count to 10. And that’s all I have to say about that.
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Top 10 Obtuse Things People Have Said To Me About USNA
If you’ve read PLRH for the past year, you will have learned a little bit of the application process for the United States Naval Academy.
I have always assumed that the general population had a general awareness of the existence and purpose of this country’s Service Academies. Boy, I was mistaken. The following are actually questions/statements I've heard in the past year… along with some clarification.
Top 10 Obtuse Things People Have Said To Me About USNA
10. Don’t you have to know a Senator to get in there?
A nomination (Congressional, Vice President, ROTC, or other) is required to attend a Service Academy (with the exception of the United States Coast Guard Academy). A Congressional nomination is based on merit. So no, you don’t need to travel in the same social circles as a Senator.
9. You mean the ACTUAL United States Naval Academy?
Yes, the ACTUAL United States Naval Academy. As opposed to any other Naval Academy?
8. The Naval Academy? That must cost a pretty penny!
Tuition to all of the Service Academies is free… in a sense. After graduation, Mr. A will owe 5 years of service.
7. So how much does it cost to send your son there?
See above.
6. Well, at least he’ll learn a trade.
It’s true that the military (particularly Navy and Air Force) is a good place to learn a trade that is viable in the civilian world. But the purpose of the Service Academies is to create leaders.
5. Oh, you mean he’ll actually get a college degree?
Yes, all of the Service Academies are 4-year universities. Midshipmen graduate from USNA with a Bachelor of Science.
4. Where will your son go to Boot Camp?
All of the Service Academies have a version of the 6-week Plebe Summer that prepares the Midshipman physically and trains them to transition into the Brigade.
3. Is that at West Point?
NO! The United States Naval Academy is located in Annapolis, Maryland. West Point is the nickname and location of the United States Military Academy (Army).
2. Oh, is that the school in Colorado?
Why would a Naval Academy be located in a land-locked state? The United States Air Force Academy is located in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
1. How’s your Cadet doing?
Students at UNSA are referred to as Midshipmen. The entire student body is called the Brigade of Midshipmen. Students at Army, Air Force, and Coast Guard are Cadets.
I have always assumed that the general population had a general awareness of the existence and purpose of this country’s Service Academies. Boy, I was mistaken. The following are actually questions/statements I've heard in the past year… along with some clarification.
Top 10 Obtuse Things People Have Said To Me About USNA
10. Don’t you have to know a Senator to get in there?
A nomination (Congressional, Vice President, ROTC, or other) is required to attend a Service Academy (with the exception of the United States Coast Guard Academy). A Congressional nomination is based on merit. So no, you don’t need to travel in the same social circles as a Senator.
9. You mean the ACTUAL United States Naval Academy?
Yes, the ACTUAL United States Naval Academy. As opposed to any other Naval Academy?
8. The Naval Academy? That must cost a pretty penny!
Tuition to all of the Service Academies is free… in a sense. After graduation, Mr. A will owe 5 years of service.
7. So how much does it cost to send your son there?
See above.
6. Well, at least he’ll learn a trade.
It’s true that the military (particularly Navy and Air Force) is a good place to learn a trade that is viable in the civilian world. But the purpose of the Service Academies is to create leaders.
5. Oh, you mean he’ll actually get a college degree?
Yes, all of the Service Academies are 4-year universities. Midshipmen graduate from USNA with a Bachelor of Science.
4. Where will your son go to Boot Camp?
All of the Service Academies have a version of the 6-week Plebe Summer that prepares the Midshipman physically and trains them to transition into the Brigade.
3. Is that at West Point?
NO! The United States Naval Academy is located in Annapolis, Maryland. West Point is the nickname and location of the United States Military Academy (Army).
2. Oh, is that the school in Colorado?
Why would a Naval Academy be located in a land-locked state? The United States Air Force Academy is located in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
1. How’s your Cadet doing?
Students at UNSA are referred to as Midshipmen. The entire student body is called the Brigade of Midshipmen. Students at Army, Air Force, and Coast Guard are Cadets.
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Data Dump
Work has been insane since June and it has yet to reach the crescendo. That should happen sometime in the next 3-4 weeks. After that I might be able to breathe.
This week has been particularly harried. Yesterday I wanted to scream,
If you want the Excel spreadsheet to total, then don’t F*@# with my formulas!!!
Essentially, I’d love to hang a sign over my desk that reads,
If your village is missing an idiot, I might be able to find you a replacement.
In the meantime, I have all of these thoughts running through my head and none of them really make up a blog post on their own. So I’ve decided to do a data dump. I can’t even call it Randomness because I don’t even feel that organized or witty.
As I mentioned last week, we’ve survived G-Man’s most recent growth spurt. When the unfettered testosterone abates, I’m always amazed by the sweet, nice, affectionate, young man that returns. The kid really does have a dry, witty sense of humor. I wish I could tell you something funny that he’s said recently but truth be told the theme of this post is “I’m kinda brain dead.”
The other day, G-man walked into my bathroom as I was drying my hair. I saw him out of the corner of my eye and let out a little shriek. He scared the begeezus out of me because for a second I thought he was Mr. A. That’s how tall he’s gotten.
Tomorrow is school picture day. This year I’m trying to be very Zen about school pictures. I didn’t rush G-Man out for a haircut. I haven’t harassed him about which shirt he plans on wearing or if he plans on ironing it. I’m trying not to tell G-Man what to do. He’s 15 years old and doesn’t need his Mommy helping him step-by-step. Besides, he has quite the stubborn, independent streak. My Sweetie says it runs in the family. That’s right, G-man gets it from my Mom.
Mr. A called last night. He got his bell rung in boxing class yesterday. Yes, they wear protective headgear. I asked how it happened. Mr. A said that he didn’t have his usual sparring partner because Mr. A gave him a concussion last week. Oh, ok. This week Mr. A got the concussion. He was rather pleased that he was able to give his new partner a bloody nose in return. My Sweetie chuckled and asked if their instructor was a Marine.
In addition to not sleeping well due to my allergies, I’ve been waking up every morning feeling as if I’ve done a workout. My Sweetie says that I do the Cha-Cha in my sleep. I mentioned it to my GP and she said that I have restless limb syndrome. She gave me a sample Rx. I looked it up when I got home and discovered that it affects neurotransmitters. More specifically, dopamine. Um, no thanks. I’d rather continue doing the Cha-Cha and keep my fingers crossed that I’ll sleep better when I get my new mouth guard.
With work and not sleeping great, I’ve been tired at the end of the day. So tired that I haven’t been reading or knitting in the evening. But rather I’ve been watching TV. Last night I watched the series premier of a brand new show. As I stared at the screen, I noticed that in the corner there was a Twitter hash tag for the show. Hmm, clever use of social media.
I just mindlessly watched a show on hoarding for an entire hour. It was like watching a grizzly car accident. I was repulsed, yet fascinated at the same time.
The Golden Compass just came on. Who am I to switch off Daniel Craig? With that I shall say goodnight.
This week has been particularly harried. Yesterday I wanted to scream,
If you want the Excel spreadsheet to total, then don’t F*@# with my formulas!!!
Essentially, I’d love to hang a sign over my desk that reads,
If your village is missing an idiot, I might be able to find you a replacement.
In the meantime, I have all of these thoughts running through my head and none of them really make up a blog post on their own. So I’ve decided to do a data dump. I can’t even call it Randomness because I don’t even feel that organized or witty.
As I mentioned last week, we’ve survived G-Man’s most recent growth spurt. When the unfettered testosterone abates, I’m always amazed by the sweet, nice, affectionate, young man that returns. The kid really does have a dry, witty sense of humor. I wish I could tell you something funny that he’s said recently but truth be told the theme of this post is “I’m kinda brain dead.”
The other day, G-man walked into my bathroom as I was drying my hair. I saw him out of the corner of my eye and let out a little shriek. He scared the begeezus out of me because for a second I thought he was Mr. A. That’s how tall he’s gotten.
Tomorrow is school picture day. This year I’m trying to be very Zen about school pictures. I didn’t rush G-Man out for a haircut. I haven’t harassed him about which shirt he plans on wearing or if he plans on ironing it. I’m trying not to tell G-Man what to do. He’s 15 years old and doesn’t need his Mommy helping him step-by-step. Besides, he has quite the stubborn, independent streak. My Sweetie says it runs in the family. That’s right, G-man gets it from my Mom.
Mr. A called last night. He got his bell rung in boxing class yesterday. Yes, they wear protective headgear. I asked how it happened. Mr. A said that he didn’t have his usual sparring partner because Mr. A gave him a concussion last week. Oh, ok. This week Mr. A got the concussion. He was rather pleased that he was able to give his new partner a bloody nose in return. My Sweetie chuckled and asked if their instructor was a Marine.
In addition to not sleeping well due to my allergies, I’ve been waking up every morning feeling as if I’ve done a workout. My Sweetie says that I do the Cha-Cha in my sleep. I mentioned it to my GP and she said that I have restless limb syndrome. She gave me a sample Rx. I looked it up when I got home and discovered that it affects neurotransmitters. More specifically, dopamine. Um, no thanks. I’d rather continue doing the Cha-Cha and keep my fingers crossed that I’ll sleep better when I get my new mouth guard.
With work and not sleeping great, I’ve been tired at the end of the day. So tired that I haven’t been reading or knitting in the evening. But rather I’ve been watching TV. Last night I watched the series premier of a brand new show. As I stared at the screen, I noticed that in the corner there was a Twitter hash tag for the show. Hmm, clever use of social media.
I just mindlessly watched a show on hoarding for an entire hour. It was like watching a grizzly car accident. I was repulsed, yet fascinated at the same time.
The Golden Compass just came on. Who am I to switch off Daniel Craig? With that I shall say goodnight.
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
One Photo
Look at this photo! I really like the composition. That’s me. I was so engrossed watching the ducks that I didn’t even realize Dad snapped this photo. The ducks were in the retention pond near the factory (warehouse?) that was part of Dad’s company.
This must have been the only time in my entire life that I wore a cowboy hat. I was rocking those boot leg jeans too.
This photo would have been taken when we were on vacation (part business for Dad) in the Florida Panhandle… Ft. Walton Beach. We spent some time with one of Dad’s friends and his family.
That was the trip my brother, sister, and I each rode a horse for the first time. It’s also when we discovered that Rick is deathly afraid of horses. I still don’t know why.
We went to my first and only rodeo to watch the teenage daughter of Dad’s friend compete. She raced barrels. I remember being in total awe. It was a whole other world of which I had been completely ignorant. I couldn’t fathom taking care of and handling an animal that was bigger than me!
Rick had a painfully obvious crush on the rodeo girl. She was blonde and suntanned. He was also immensely jealous that she was already driving and he didn’t even have his learner’s permit yet.
After the rodeo, the dads took the teenagers to see The Bad News Bears. That means it was April 1976 and I was six years old. I was grumpy and wanted to go too. Mom told me that I wasn’t old enough. Looking back, I’m surprised my parents let Shelly go at 12 years old.
Mom and I drove back to the condo on the beach. I remember the bright lights on the “strip.” We didn’t have wide, multi-lane roads like this in Pines Lake. I thought it was odd that the movie theater was in a shopping mall. All the theaters back home were stand alone buildings.
The car was quiet. I suddenly became aware just how tired I was. After a family road trip from New Jersey to Florida and spending a couple of weeks in a two-bedroom condo with my parents and siblings, I was glad to have some alone time with Mom. I don’t remember talking about anything. I think we just enjoyed the silence.
Back at the condo, I remember standing on the balcony in my nightgown and listening to the surf and watching the moonlight reflect on the waves. I remember thinking how vast the ocean was and yet so calm and soothing.
Amazing the memories, details, and emotions one photo pulled from a shoe box at my parents’ house can evoke in a blink of an eye.
Go visit Heather over at The Extraordinary Ordinary for more Just Write.
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Birthday Bacchanalia
My Sweetie started the day off with a Dunkin Donuts run so I could have my favorite chocolate donut covered in coconut with my tea at breakfast. Isn’t he a great guy?
I had an all around lazy and relaxing morning. Before we headed out to lunch with my parents, I opened cards and presents. That’s the advantage of being born in the morning. As a kid, I was always allowed to open my presents at breakfast. My brother and sister had to wait until after dinner. Hee hee.
Anyway, G-Man presented me with a handmade card and an apology:
I tried making you an origami butterfly but the online instructions were too confusing.
(chuckle) It’s ok, buddy. Origami instructions are like knitting instructions… Not designed for the Lefty.
My parents gave me these perfect little Willow Tree figurines. If you’ve ever met my boys, you would think that the figures were modeled after them and know which one is which.
Mr. A (my eldest Florida Boy) called while we were waiting for lunch to arrive.
Mom, it’s cold here.
How cold is cold?
It’s like 60!!!
Sweetie, you do realize that it snows in Maryland, don’t you?
Coincidentally, Mr. A met CAPT. Jim Lovell (of Apollo 13 fame) that morning.
Mom, Jim Lovell sounds JUST LIKE Tom Hanks!
Yeah, perhaps Tom Hanks did an excellent job emulating Jim Lovell’s speech. He is an actor after all.
On the way back to my parent’s house for birthday cake, I played the birthday girl hand and asked my Sweetie to stop at Chik-fil-A for a large Sweet Tea. I’ve got to say, that man loves me.
My birthday cake this year was another pastry goddess creation. Carrot cake… Mmmm! G-Man felt the need to put a small forest of candles on the cake. I’m not sure why the number 9 was there. I’m not sure if it was part of the count or intended to be used as a multiplier. But 9 doesn’t go into 42 evenly. I’m clueless. I was able to blow them all in one breath. It’s nice to know that my asthma medication is working!
The rest of my day included a short nap (it would have been longer if someone wasn’t snoring) and Navy football. Navy didn’t win but they sure beat the spread and made South Carolina sweat for 4 quarters.
Yea, it was a pretty darn good birthday.
Thursday, September 15, 2011
September 17th
My 2nd Birthday
My birthday is Saturday. I will be 42. As some of us know, 42 is the Answer to the Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe, and Everything.
Honestly, my numerical age doesn’t bother me. I love my birthday. I look forward to my birthday each year. I think that’s because my parents did such an excellent job of making my brother, sister, and I feel extra special on each of our special days.
****
Here’s a little trivia… September is the most common birth month. That’s not surprising when you count back 9 months to all of the holiday parties. Yes, I’m the result of the Varley’s Christmas Party, thank you very much.
So knowing that little piece of trivia, I find it odd that I’ve NEVER met anyone with the same birthday as me. I’m not even talking month/day/year. I’ve never met anyone with a September 17th birthday! I know of at least one other person who has the same birthday as every other member of my family. But no one with my birthday.
****
Military History Trivia… Operation Market Garden was launched on September 17, 1944. The operation is depicted in the 1977 movie, A Bridge Too Far, Ryan O’Neal portrays G-Man’s namesake.
****
Look at my awesome present! How cool is that?
****
Your Turn:
How do you feel about your birthday every year? Do you know anyone with the same birthday? Does your birthday share the date of an historical event?
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Randomness
My Mom wants to be able to text the grandchildren away at college. So my Dad added texting to their wireless plan and purchased new phones with Qwerty keyboards. Can you say future blog material?
****
Everyone in the house has survived G-Man’s most recent growth spurt. The testosterone wave has ebbed and he’s acting human again. Gosh, he’s such a nice kid when he’s human. Oh, and he’s now 5’11” and I can rest my head against his shoulder when I hug him.
****
Extreme Couponing is all the rage. Actually, it’s quickly becoming one of my pet peeves. I really wish the couponer or the cashier would tell me they have a 3-inch stack of coupons BEFORE I empty the entire contents of my shopping cart onto the conveyer belt. I’ve gotten stuck behind an extreme couponer three times in the last month.
****
The other night we watched a Chinese movie (with English subtitles) called Shaolin. It was an excellent action movie. At the climax, a soldier (bad guy) and a monk (good guy) faced off.
****
As much as I enjoyed the plot and the action in the Shaolin movie, I didn’t like the animal stunts. It was evident that the Human Society isn’t on the set while Chinese movies are made. I squirmed and averted my eyes more than once.
****
My allergies have been really bad this summer. So bad that my airway is partially obstructed while I sleep. Apparently, that’s the reason I’ve been so sleepy All. Summer. Long. My GP wants me to see my dentist about getting a mouthpiece to wear at night.
****
The good news from my appointment this morning is that I’ve lost 23 pounds since I stopped taking the evil Seroquel six months ago. Woo hoo!
****
Another pet peeve... Nicely tailored dresses with exposed zippers. I know the whole exposed zipper thing was trendy about 2 years ago and can look young and hip... if you're 23. But really it isn't all that fashion forward. To me it looks like the designer was just downright lazy.
****
Everyone in the house has survived G-Man’s most recent growth spurt. The testosterone wave has ebbed and he’s acting human again. Gosh, he’s such a nice kid when he’s human. Oh, and he’s now 5’11” and I can rest my head against his shoulder when I hug him.
****
Extreme Couponing is all the rage. Actually, it’s quickly becoming one of my pet peeves. I really wish the couponer or the cashier would tell me they have a 3-inch stack of coupons BEFORE I empty the entire contents of my shopping cart onto the conveyer belt. I’ve gotten stuck behind an extreme couponer three times in the last month.
****
The other night we watched a Chinese movie (with English subtitles) called Shaolin. It was an excellent action movie. At the climax, a soldier (bad guy) and a monk (good guy) faced off.
****
As much as I enjoyed the plot and the action in the Shaolin movie, I didn’t like the animal stunts. It was evident that the Human Society isn’t on the set while Chinese movies are made. I squirmed and averted my eyes more than once.
****
My allergies have been really bad this summer. So bad that my airway is partially obstructed while I sleep. Apparently, that’s the reason I’ve been so sleepy All. Summer. Long. My GP wants me to see my dentist about getting a mouthpiece to wear at night.
****
The good news from my appointment this morning is that I’ve lost 23 pounds since I stopped taking the evil Seroquel six months ago. Woo hoo!
****
Another pet peeve... Nicely tailored dresses with exposed zippers. I know the whole exposed zipper thing was trendy about 2 years ago and can look young and hip... if you're 23. But really it isn't all that fashion forward. To me it looks like the designer was just downright lazy.
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
This Day Sucks
I wake up to the sunshine streaming in the bedroom windows. I know what day it was but I don’t want to think about it. I roll over and see my Sweetie smiling at me.
Hi, would you like to go out for breakfast or stay home?
Let’s go out.
The house is eerily quiet. Mr. A is away at school. G-Man and Molly are having a sleepover at the grandparents’ house and later G-Man will spend the day volunteering with Grandfather.
In the car I pull out my cell phone and start texting.
Texting the kids?
Uh-hum… I want to tell them that I love them.
It’s still early and even the breakfast place is quiet. As I look around at the partially empty restaurant, I see reminders of the day… red, white & blue; stars & stripes.
We’re really lucky.
Yes, yes we are.
After breakfast we pick up Molly. The pure joy in her reaction to seeing us warms my heart. I feel the silkiness of her ears and the warmth of her body as she leans into me.
My sinuses hurt. Damn the fairy rings and their mold spores.
At home I box up care packages and my Sweetie pops in a U2 cd to try to cheer me up. My head still hurts so I lie down for a while. Tears dampen my pillow when I hear Sunday Bloody Sunday. I fall asleep as songs from my high school years drift in from the other room.
Later my Sweetie and I run errands. Ordinary, typical weekend chore-type errands.
Why is it that 10 years later I’m still sad?
Why am I still angry?
I need to hug the boys. I want to hug my children.
Lunch at our favorite Scottish pub.
I wish I was still in the Navy in 2001.
If you were, we wouldn’t have met.
A few more silent moments.
My life changed that day.
I know.
It was a horrible day but my life changed for the better. Do you have any idea what it felt like at the end of That Day to realize that the one person I didn’t call was the person I was married too? If That Day hadn’t happened, things wouldn't have been set in motion and we wouldn’t have met.
I know.
G-Man is home. I hug him fiercely and kiss him. He’s tall enough now that I can lay my head on his shoulder.
I love you, kiddo.
I love you too, Mom.
We talk to Mr. A on the phone.
This morning some of us walked through Memorial Hall and counted the names of the Academy grads that have died in service since That Day. The plaque is already up for our class.
I love you, kid.
I love you too, Mom.
I wish I could give you a hug.
Me too.
****
This post of free writing was written as part of the new series, Just Write... the brain-child of Heather over at The Extraordinary Ordinary.
Hi, would you like to go out for breakfast or stay home?
Let’s go out.
The house is eerily quiet. Mr. A is away at school. G-Man and Molly are having a sleepover at the grandparents’ house and later G-Man will spend the day volunteering with Grandfather.
In the car I pull out my cell phone and start texting.
Texting the kids?
Uh-hum… I want to tell them that I love them.
It’s still early and even the breakfast place is quiet. As I look around at the partially empty restaurant, I see reminders of the day… red, white & blue; stars & stripes.
We’re really lucky.
Yes, yes we are.
After breakfast we pick up Molly. The pure joy in her reaction to seeing us warms my heart. I feel the silkiness of her ears and the warmth of her body as she leans into me.
My sinuses hurt. Damn the fairy rings and their mold spores.
At home I box up care packages and my Sweetie pops in a U2 cd to try to cheer me up. My head still hurts so I lie down for a while. Tears dampen my pillow when I hear Sunday Bloody Sunday. I fall asleep as songs from my high school years drift in from the other room.
Later my Sweetie and I run errands. Ordinary, typical weekend chore-type errands.
Why is it that 10 years later I’m still sad?
Why am I still angry?
I need to hug the boys. I want to hug my children.
Lunch at our favorite Scottish pub.
I wish I was still in the Navy in 2001.
If you were, we wouldn’t have met.
A few more silent moments.
My life changed that day.
I know.
It was a horrible day but my life changed for the better. Do you have any idea what it felt like at the end of That Day to realize that the one person I didn’t call was the person I was married too? If That Day hadn’t happened, things wouldn't have been set in motion and we wouldn’t have met.
I know.
G-Man is home. I hug him fiercely and kiss him. He’s tall enough now that I can lay my head on his shoulder.
I love you, kiddo.
I love you too, Mom.
We talk to Mr. A on the phone.
This morning some of us walked through Memorial Hall and counted the names of the Academy grads that have died in service since That Day. The plaque is already up for our class.
I love you, kid.
I love you too, Mom.
I wish I could give you a hug.
Me too.
****
This post of free writing was written as part of the new series, Just Write... the brain-child of Heather over at The Extraordinary Ordinary.
Monday, September 12, 2011
Sandhill Crane Family
Remember this little guy who hatched back in March?
Here he is at 6 months of age.
He's grown quite a bit but still relies on his parents. He will probably stay with them for up to a year. Then he'll probably join a sub-group of other single cranes for a year or two before he finds a mate.
Mom or Dad? Not really sure.
Thursday, September 8, 2011
9.11.11
Note: I’m posting this early because I plan to be completely unplugged on Sunday. I will never, ever forget September 11, 2001. That day is forever seared in my memory. Rather than relive all of the agony of that day through the media images (and cry for the next week) I would like to spend the day quietly with my family.
****
Do you remember where you were ten years ago today when you heard the news?
Of course you do.
Do you remember the first person you called after you heard the news?
Of course you do.
Did you call that person because you hated them?
No, of course not.
You called that person because you loved them.
The anniversary of 9/11 is the perfect day let the people you love know how you feel. Do it now. Go.
****
This is who I will be remembering on Sunday... my childhood friend.
****
Do you remember where you were ten years ago today when you heard the news?
Of course you do.
Do you remember the first person you called after you heard the news?
Of course you do.
Did you call that person because you hated them?
No, of course not.
You called that person because you loved them.
The anniversary of 9/11 is the perfect day let the people you love know how you feel. Do it now. Go.
****
This is who I will be remembering on Sunday... my childhood friend.
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Perhaps I’m Losing My Mind
My Sweetie stood at the bathroom counter in front of his sink brushing his teeth. I walked into the bathroom and stepped up to my sink to his left. I stared at the faucet.
I wanted to wash my face and I knew I wanted to use warm water. I didn’t know which knob to turn to get hot water. I knew one knob was for hot and the other was for cold but I didn’t know which one was which.
Our bathroom faucets don’t have the letters “H” and “C” on them. Damn.
I closed my eyes and imagined the upstairs bathroom sink in Pines Lake.
But the only thing that ran through my head was,
In Mexico the “H” and the “C” were always put on the wrong knobs because the Mexican plumbers thought the “C” was for caliente.
So I tried to imagine a sink in Mexico but I couldn’t. Not that it would have done me any good. I opened my eyes.
I really didn’t know which knob to turn.
I looked at my husband’s sink to see which knob he was using but I couldn’t figure out if he had the left one or the right one turned on. Left and right weren’t registering in my brain.
I didn’t want to ask my husband which knob to turn. I didn’t want him to know that I was suddenly struggling with a task I have done every day of my life. I had to figure it out for myself.
I thought, Maybe if I close my eyes and just reached for the faucet, 40-some years of habit will know which knob to turn.
I tried to clear my mind but instead I over-thought,
Well, I’m a Lefty. Do I use my left hand? Or should I use my right hand because so many things in this world are designed for Righties?
I couldn’t decide and I didn’t move either hand.
Should I ask for help? Or should I just turn one of the knobs?
I turned the right knob on and ran my hands under the water pretending to wash them.
How long should I wait for the water to warm up? Will my husband notice that I don’t know what I’m doing?
My Sweetie finished his routine and headed for the bedroom after smiling at me and patting me on the tush.
The water was still running cold so I turned off the faucet and tried the knob on the left. The water warmed up and I breathed a sigh of relief.
I washed up, brushed my teeth, and went to bed without a word.
Days later I’m still wondering, What the heck happened?
Now each time I go to the bathroom sink I hesitate before I turn on the faucet. I KNOW left is hot and right is cold. But I still hesitate and doubt myself.
My biggest concern…
Will I forget again?
I wanted to wash my face and I knew I wanted to use warm water. I didn’t know which knob to turn to get hot water. I knew one knob was for hot and the other was for cold but I didn’t know which one was which.
Our bathroom faucets don’t have the letters “H” and “C” on them. Damn.
I closed my eyes and imagined the upstairs bathroom sink in Pines Lake.
But the only thing that ran through my head was,
In Mexico the “H” and the “C” were always put on the wrong knobs because the Mexican plumbers thought the “C” was for caliente.
So I tried to imagine a sink in Mexico but I couldn’t. Not that it would have done me any good. I opened my eyes.
I really didn’t know which knob to turn.
I looked at my husband’s sink to see which knob he was using but I couldn’t figure out if he had the left one or the right one turned on. Left and right weren’t registering in my brain.
I didn’t want to ask my husband which knob to turn. I didn’t want him to know that I was suddenly struggling with a task I have done every day of my life. I had to figure it out for myself.
I thought, Maybe if I close my eyes and just reached for the faucet, 40-some years of habit will know which knob to turn.
I tried to clear my mind but instead I over-thought,
Well, I’m a Lefty. Do I use my left hand? Or should I use my right hand because so many things in this world are designed for Righties?
I couldn’t decide and I didn’t move either hand.
Should I ask for help? Or should I just turn one of the knobs?
I turned the right knob on and ran my hands under the water pretending to wash them.
How long should I wait for the water to warm up? Will my husband notice that I don’t know what I’m doing?
My Sweetie finished his routine and headed for the bedroom after smiling at me and patting me on the tush.
The water was still running cold so I turned off the faucet and tried the knob on the left. The water warmed up and I breathed a sigh of relief.
I washed up, brushed my teeth, and went to bed without a word.
Days later I’m still wondering, What the heck happened?
Now each time I go to the bathroom sink I hesitate before I turn on the faucet. I KNOW left is hot and right is cold. But I still hesitate and doubt myself.
My biggest concern…
Will I forget again?
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
College Football Newbies
Way back when… Long before Al Gore invented the internet… My Sweetie and I each attended universities that didn’t have football teams. Sad, isn’t it? Especially sad since I’ve never been enthusiastic about basketball.
We’re both football fans but over the years neither one of us has had a loyalty to any particular college team. S keeps up with the sport more than I do and we watch a few college games during the season. Usually, we’ll watch Notre Dame or USF. (This year that was one game!)
The only exception is the annual Army-Navy football game. You’ve got to admit that game is SO MUCH MORE than college football though. That game is an EVENT in the PLRH house each year.
But this year… This year is different. Eldest son is a Midshipman. We have an honest to goodness football team to cheer for all season long.
Navy football games typically aren’t broadcast on the major networks (except for the above mentioned Army-Navy game and the Navy-Notre Dame game). So I looked at my Sweetie with my big, blue eyes and kindly asked him to pry open the wallet and order the special sports TV package for the next three months.
Let me say that I’ve never been so excited for the college football season to start!
Saturday afternoon we plopped down on the sofa and watched the Navy opener against Delaware. The game was a lot of fun to watch. Navy played a good game and won. Believe it or not, we even saw Mr. A in the stands as the camera panned the student section.
Sometime during the 2nd quarter and looked at my Sweetie and said,
We should have gotten some chips and dip. We are such college football newbies!
We’re both football fans but over the years neither one of us has had a loyalty to any particular college team. S keeps up with the sport more than I do and we watch a few college games during the season. Usually, we’ll watch Notre Dame or USF. (This year that was one game!)
The only exception is the annual Army-Navy football game. You’ve got to admit that game is SO MUCH MORE than college football though. That game is an EVENT in the PLRH house each year.
But this year… This year is different. Eldest son is a Midshipman. We have an honest to goodness football team to cheer for all season long.
Navy football games typically aren’t broadcast on the major networks (except for the above mentioned Army-Navy game and the Navy-Notre Dame game). So I looked at my Sweetie with my big, blue eyes and kindly asked him to pry open the wallet and order the special sports TV package for the next three months.
Let me say that I’ve never been so excited for the college football season to start!
Saturday afternoon we plopped down on the sofa and watched the Navy opener against Delaware. The game was a lot of fun to watch. Navy played a good game and won. Believe it or not, we even saw Mr. A in the stands as the camera panned the student section.
Before every home game the entire Brigade of Midshimen March On the field. Too bad this wasn't televised because I would have really enjoyed seeing it.
Mr. A texted us this photo of his vantage point.
Fear the Goat! Bill the Goat! More specifically, that's Bill XXXIII and his back-up (just in case), Bill XXXIV.
Mr. A is very proud that both Proctor and Tuani are in his Company.
Every time Navy scores the Plebes have to do push-ups... The number equals Navy's score. My MIL called and asked me why Delaware wasn't doing push-ups. It's a Navy thing.
After every game the entire Brigade (football players too) sing the Academy's alma mater, Blue and Gold.
Sometime during the 2nd quarter and looked at my Sweetie and said,
We should have gotten some chips and dip. We are such college football newbies!
Monday, September 5, 2011
My Nephew's Scheme
My nephew, CT is a freshman at a Big 10 school. He’s a business major. In fact, he started with the summer semester at the same time Mr. A started Plebe Summer at USNA.
During the summer, CT became friends with one of his classmates who is a machinist by trade. Together they came up with an enterprising idea to make some cash.
The friend machined dancing poles… yes, as in pole dancing… and they sold them to all of the fraternity houses on campus.
First off, kudos to CT for such a creative idea. I’ve got to admit that I was impressed by his ingenuity.
Second, many dance studios are putting forth a concerted effort to change the public’s opinion of pole dancing. It truly is a legitimate form of exercise and requires a tremendous amount of core muscle strength.
But really, the bottom line is that I’m disappointed in my nephew and his momentary lapse of morals.
No matter what anyone says, the frat houses did not buy those dancing poles so their female visitors could get a really good ab workout.
Those poles were purchased so the college boys could objectify college girls at parties. And the poles were made and sold with that intent.
Now, my husband argues that any girl who would use a dancing pole at a frat party is objectifying herself.
Excellent point.
But I still feel that by having the dancing poles in the first place sends the message to the female guests,
We already think of you as something to ogle.
And it all started with my nephew and his cunning plan.
****
This really, really bothers me because for 10 years I was married to a not-so-nice person who objectified women and did not respect them. My primary reason for divorcing him was because I didn’t want my sons to grow up to be like him. Instead, I used my father and my brother as role models in raising my sons. Along the way, I met my Sweetie and I couldn’t have picked a better father-figure and Dad for the boys.
I like to think that S and I have done a good job in teaching our sons to be respectful and considerate young men.
So it really, really irks me when my brother’s son… the same brother I used a role model… is selling dancing poles to frat houses.
****
Can you imagine drunk girls at a frat party trying to use a dancing pole? That’s an accident waiting to happen.
During the summer, CT became friends with one of his classmates who is a machinist by trade. Together they came up with an enterprising idea to make some cash.
The friend machined dancing poles… yes, as in pole dancing… and they sold them to all of the fraternity houses on campus.
First off, kudos to CT for such a creative idea. I’ve got to admit that I was impressed by his ingenuity.
Second, many dance studios are putting forth a concerted effort to change the public’s opinion of pole dancing. It truly is a legitimate form of exercise and requires a tremendous amount of core muscle strength.
But really, the bottom line is that I’m disappointed in my nephew and his momentary lapse of morals.
No matter what anyone says, the frat houses did not buy those dancing poles so their female visitors could get a really good ab workout.
Those poles were purchased so the college boys could objectify college girls at parties. And the poles were made and sold with that intent.
Now, my husband argues that any girl who would use a dancing pole at a frat party is objectifying herself.
Excellent point.
But I still feel that by having the dancing poles in the first place sends the message to the female guests,
We already think of you as something to ogle.
And it all started with my nephew and his cunning plan.
****
This really, really bothers me because for 10 years I was married to a not-so-nice person who objectified women and did not respect them. My primary reason for divorcing him was because I didn’t want my sons to grow up to be like him. Instead, I used my father and my brother as role models in raising my sons. Along the way, I met my Sweetie and I couldn’t have picked a better father-figure and Dad for the boys.
I like to think that S and I have done a good job in teaching our sons to be respectful and considerate young men.
So it really, really irks me when my brother’s son… the same brother I used a role model… is selling dancing poles to frat houses.
****
Can you imagine drunk girls at a frat party trying to use a dancing pole? That’s an accident waiting to happen.
Sunday, September 4, 2011
Perfect Definition
While browsing through some books about the United States Naval Academy, I came across this quote in the synopsis of one of the books:
I read this and instantly thought,
My God, that's the most perfection definition of surviving depression I've ever seen.
In the words of James Stockdale, USNA '46 and Medal of Honor Winner: "The test of character is not 'hanging in there' when you expect a light at the end of the tunnel, but performance of duty and persistence of example when you know that no light is coming."
I read this and instantly thought,
My God, that's the most perfection definition of surviving depression I've ever seen.
Thursday, September 1, 2011
A Few Hours in DC
On Saturday of Plebe Parents’ Weekend we drove to Washington DC for a few hours. We met up with one on my Sweetie’s numerous cousins (second cousin?) at the Smithsonian Air & Space Museum and then we walked down the National Mall past the Washington Memorial to the National World War II Memorial (3-mile walk roundtrip).
All of us have wanted to visit the WWII Memorial for years so we were eager to go to DC. Plus there a gazillion museums in the town! What’s not to love, right?
I’ve got say that I really don’t need to go back to DC anytime soon.
The Air & Space Museum was so freaking crowded. It was more like a tourist attraction than a museum. So many RUDE people were crammed in the building that weren’t any opportunities to learn.
The one nice thing that happened at the museum was that a family stopped and talked to Mr. A. The son wants to attend USNA but was too embarrassed to approach Mr. A so the dad struck up a conversation.
After the museum we walked down the Mall. As we passed the Washington Monument, there was a rally in progress. I won’t even tell you what the rally was about because I don’t want to give the “organization” any more air time. But I will say that there was a lot of foul language broadcast over the PA system. At one point, a group of Girls Scouts marched by singing at the tops of their lungs. Kudos to those Moms! I completely understand the First Amendment however, if TV shows have ratings, why can’t public rallies?
The WWII Memorial was impressive. I particularly liked the bronze plaques depicting different scenes. But once again, our fellow visitors annoyed the heck out of us. Even though there were signs asking visitors to respect the Memorial and not put their feet in the fountain… You guessed it. There were dozens of people lounging around the fountain with their feet dangling in the water.
By then all of us had enough of our nation’s capital and the schmucks we had encountered. So we hugged and kissed Cousin goodbye and we headed back to relative sanity of Annapolis.
All of us have wanted to visit the WWII Memorial for years so we were eager to go to DC. Plus there a gazillion museums in the town! What’s not to love, right?
I’ve got say that I really don’t need to go back to DC anytime soon.
The Air & Space Museum was so freaking crowded. It was more like a tourist attraction than a museum. So many RUDE people were crammed in the building that weren’t any opportunities to learn.
The one nice thing that happened at the museum was that a family stopped and talked to Mr. A. The son wants to attend USNA but was too embarrassed to approach Mr. A so the dad struck up a conversation.
After the museum we walked down the Mall. As we passed the Washington Monument, there was a rally in progress. I won’t even tell you what the rally was about because I don’t want to give the “organization” any more air time. But I will say that there was a lot of foul language broadcast over the PA system. At one point, a group of Girls Scouts marched by singing at the tops of their lungs. Kudos to those Moms! I completely understand the First Amendment however, if TV shows have ratings, why can’t public rallies?
The WWII Memorial was impressive. I particularly liked the bronze plaques depicting different scenes. But once again, our fellow visitors annoyed the heck out of us. Even though there were signs asking visitors to respect the Memorial and not put their feet in the fountain… You guessed it. There were dozens of people lounging around the fountain with their feet dangling in the water.
By then all of us had enough of our nation’s capital and the schmucks we had encountered. So we hugged and kissed Cousin goodbye and we headed back to relative sanity of Annapolis.
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