- Teaching Riley to cook bacon the "real" way -- grease splatters and all.
- Shopping with her for ideas for her upcoming room redecoration.
- Getting her input on how to solve the shower tile dilemma.
- Seeing the awe on her face at the size of the bags o' cheese at Costco.
- Coming back and finishing strong in 2nd place at Trivia Night.
- Mishearing the lyrics to Pink's "So What" as "I got my right boob."
- The combination of Trinity Lutheran and The Country Club.
- Driving in the snow without leaving the road.
- Going 2-0 with my picks today.
- Steelers in the Super Bowl.
- Even with a broken furnace, my house stayed warm enough today with our little space heaters that Riley and I didn't have to leave. I guess that's the benefit of having a very small house!
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Weekend Smiles
This weekend's smiles brought to you by:
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Friday's Smiles
See? I'm already falling down on the job. Way too tired last night when we got home to pen another installment. But there were reasons to smile yesterday, too, so add them, I must:
- Riley's phone call yesterday morning asking about sledding with her cousin, Elizabeth, on Art Hill - I told her to call her Aunt Julie to ask, and she did. I love that she's old enough now to make her own calls - and that she's not shy about doing so.
- An unexpected text from a friend.
- Brewhouse bacon cheeseburger - with A1 sauce.
- Very kind words of encouragement about my writing from my friends.
- Knowing what my next substantive blog topic will be.
- Hour long trigger point massage. Actually - that may have made me wince more than it made me smile. Still, it was nice.
- Riley and Elizabeth all bundled up like Ninjas, getting ready to sled.
- Manicures and dinner at Chevy's with Julie and Di, while Mike took Riley, Elizabeth and friends sledding.
- The fact that my brother-in-law is the kind of guy who's willing to take four girls sledding on Art Hill on a Friday night, when it's FREEZING cold.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Thursday
Hmm...I can already see that coming up with clever titles is going to be a bit taxing if I do this daily, but I won't let that deter me just yet. I actually have some ideas of substantive topics I'd like to write about, but I think they're going to have to wait. Unfortunately, I seem to have developed a headache, and don't much feel like waxing poetic (or would that be prosaic?) at the moment.
So, what made me smile or laugh today? It's a shorter list as, honestly, I didn't do much:
So, what made me smile or laugh today? It's a shorter list as, honestly, I didn't do much:
- Snow day!
- Loaded nachos.
- Watching pretty much the entire season of "Real Housewives of Beverly Hills," though admitting that forces me to hang my head in shame. (But it's so....GOOD! And, oddly enough, these MOST obscenely wealthy and MOST plastic ladies are the ones to whom I find myself relating MOST?!)
- Brett Lowenstern (for being himself - what a beautiful thing!)
- J.C. Badeaux (for possessing one of those rare singing voices that can only be described as a work of art.)
- Seeing the collective groan issued on Facebook as soon as Parkway and Rockwood called it for tomorrow.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Inspiration
My sister got me this lovely book as a stocking-stuffer for Christmas. It's called "What a Woman Needs," and it's a cute little compilation/list of all sorts of things we girlies need from time to time.
One of my 2011 resolutions was to write more, and I've found I'm already slacking a bit in that department. So, I had this sudden inspiration -- to use the book as a springboard and write a bit about each item on the list. (With full attribution to its author, of course. Her introductory comments really touched me. Something tells me she and I have walked some of the same paths.)
So, I set about drafting the first installment of my little-list-book-inspired blogs. And then it dawned on me...there might be copyright issues if I were to go that route. Not that my blog's widely-read enough to really matter, I suppose, but the lawyer in me thought better of it. And so, sadly, I abandoned the idea. Kind of.
I've developed a couple new obsessions of late -- purses and page-a-day calendars. And I was thinking I'd really like to compose a blog-a-day -- even if some entries are brief and inane. So, what could I find to blog about on a daily basis? Where to turn for such inspiration.
It came to me tonight: I've been trying quite hard of late, to focus on the positive, rather than the negative. To laugh at the way life seems intent upon keeping me off balance and discombobulated. And, in keeping with another of my resolutions, to focus on what I have, rather than what I don't. What better way to tie resolutions No. 2 and 5 together than to make a point to write, each day, about the things that made me smile and laugh that day?
Today's inspiration:
:)
One of my 2011 resolutions was to write more, and I've found I'm already slacking a bit in that department. So, I had this sudden inspiration -- to use the book as a springboard and write a bit about each item on the list. (With full attribution to its author, of course. Her introductory comments really touched me. Something tells me she and I have walked some of the same paths.)
So, I set about drafting the first installment of my little-list-book-inspired blogs. And then it dawned on me...there might be copyright issues if I were to go that route. Not that my blog's widely-read enough to really matter, I suppose, but the lawyer in me thought better of it. And so, sadly, I abandoned the idea. Kind of.
I've developed a couple new obsessions of late -- purses and page-a-day calendars. And I was thinking I'd really like to compose a blog-a-day -- even if some entries are brief and inane. So, what could I find to blog about on a daily basis? Where to turn for such inspiration.
It came to me tonight: I've been trying quite hard of late, to focus on the positive, rather than the negative. To laugh at the way life seems intent upon keeping me off balance and discombobulated. And, in keeping with another of my resolutions, to focus on what I have, rather than what I don't. What better way to tie resolutions No. 2 and 5 together than to make a point to write, each day, about the things that made me smile and laugh that day?
Today's inspiration:
- Hitting "snooze" several times, and not having to get up at 3:00 a.m., like yesterday.
- Driving Diane's Grand Marquis again, rather than that crazy, unfueled, low-tired, out-of-wiper-fluid, Ethanol-requiring HHR rent-a-car that served as my ride yesterday. (Another blog entry lurks in that mis-adventure.)
- Buying a $20 Amazon gift card for $10.
- Laughing with Hopey and Sam over things I can't repeat here.
- Spicing up my stir fry with soy sauce and rice noodles.
- Watching the premiere of AI - Season 10 -- most especially, seeing the tears of joy and relief on Travis Orlando's face when he made it through -- I know it was designed to, but his story really did touch me.
- Hearing the smile in Riley's voice when she called to tell me about tomorrow's snow day.
- Watching the snow make the world look pretty and clean again.
:)
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Kleenex: Tornado Proof!
Those who know me won't be shocked to learn that the Kleenex I first noticed had dropped onto my driveway out of my car a couple days ago remained there as of yesterday morning. I kept forgetting about it until I was already in my car heading out on this errand or that. And so there it lay, crumpled, forelorn, begging to be scooped up and deposited in the proper trash receptacle.
And all but forgotten in the excitement that was New Year's Eve meets Twister. The Ballwin edition of the tornado hopped, skipped and jumped its way from the golf course through my parents' subdivision, but spared my house (just down the road) all but some knocked down limbs and a couple of destroyed furnace filters I'd unwisely stored out in the carport to keep them safe from Hurricane. (That's my cat, by the way. Not another face of Mother Nature. He has a furnace filter fetish. He attacks them viciously wherever I stash them. So I've taken to tucking them behind the trash can outside.)
As Riley and I left to meet the family for brunch this morning, I noted that our Christmas reindeer were slightly askew, as well, compliments of yesterday's mayhem. When we returned, I walked out to set them straight and noticed the oddest thing: There, on the ground, quite close to the buffeted reindeer, lay the Kleenex. Utterly undisturbed.
There are several large limbs strewn about my yard. My reindeer (which were fastened into the ground with metal stakes, mind you), were knocked sideways. But that darn Kleenex held its ground! Naturally, I had to take a picture. And I opted to leave it there for the time being -- a monument of sorts.
Now I know -- if you're ever caught out in a tornado, lay down in a ditch. And cover yourself with a Kleenex.
And all but forgotten in the excitement that was New Year's Eve meets Twister. The Ballwin edition of the tornado hopped, skipped and jumped its way from the golf course through my parents' subdivision, but spared my house (just down the road) all but some knocked down limbs and a couple of destroyed furnace filters I'd unwisely stored out in the carport to keep them safe from Hurricane. (That's my cat, by the way. Not another face of Mother Nature. He has a furnace filter fetish. He attacks them viciously wherever I stash them. So I've taken to tucking them behind the trash can outside.)
As Riley and I left to meet the family for brunch this morning, I noted that our Christmas reindeer were slightly askew, as well, compliments of yesterday's mayhem. When we returned, I walked out to set them straight and noticed the oddest thing: There, on the ground, quite close to the buffeted reindeer, lay the Kleenex. Utterly undisturbed.
There are several large limbs strewn about my yard. My reindeer (which were fastened into the ground with metal stakes, mind you), were knocked sideways. But that darn Kleenex held its ground! Naturally, I had to take a picture. And I opted to leave it there for the time being -- a monument of sorts.
Now I know -- if you're ever caught out in a tornado, lay down in a ditch. And cover yourself with a Kleenex.
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
2010 - In the Rear View Mirror
I posted this Note a year ago on Facebook. Printed it out and hung it up on my fridge and in my office. I figure now's as good a time as any to review and see how many of the suggestions I actually followed:
HANDBOOK 2010
Health:
1. Drink plenty of water. Define "plenty."
2. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar. I think I may have kept a little too much royalty in my diet.
3. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants. What if I ate lots of both?
4. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm and Empathy. I live with 3 pets. Does that count?
5. Make time to pray. This, I did. Unfortunately, it tended to be more product of desperation than deliberation.
6. Play more games. This, I also did.
7. Read more books than you did in 2009. I added more to the stack on my nightstand, anyway.
8. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day. This, I also did. I won't mention where.
9. Sleep for 7 hours. I assume this was a daily (nightly) recommendation -- I managed it about once a week.
10. Take a 10-30 minutes walk daily. And while you walk, smile. Epic fail.
Personality:
11. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about. I often reminded myself of the latter. Didn't keep me from doing the former.
12. Don't have negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment. Ha!!!
13. Don't over do. Keep your limits. I moderated in moderation.
14. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does. Oh, I laugh at myself all the time. Would be nice if I could learn to laugh with myself more.
15. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip. Gossip's so often effortless, though...
16. Dream more while you are awake. I could go with it all having been anightmare...er...dream.
17. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need. I wonder if this line works on creditors?
18. Forget issues of the past. Don't remind your partner with His/her mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness. No comment.
19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don't hate others. This is honestly something I very rarely do. I won't say never.
20. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present. How does one make peace with one's present?
21. No one is in charge of your happiness except you. True. Very true. Mind telling them that?
22. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime. It's been quite an education thus far.
23. Smile and laugh more. This, I did. But you know Newton's Law about every action having an equal and opposite reaction?
24. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree... I agree.
Society:
25. Call your family often. This I do.
26. Each day give something good to others. If I had to guess, I'd put my average at around .500 on this. Plenty of room for improvement.
27. Forgive everyone for everything. Mmmhmm.
28. Spend time w/ people over the age of 70 & under the age of 6. Plenty of over 70's; not so much the under 6's, but I have enjoyed the heck out of my 8 year old.
29. Try to make at least three people smile each day. I tried. Most days.
30. What other people think of you is none of your business. And my ignorance is my bliss, I'm sure.
31. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch. My friends are the best. Fortunately, I work with several of them.
Life:
32. Do the right thing! Oh. That.
33. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful. Thank goodness my Mom holds yearly garage sales!
34. GOD heals everything. Thank God He's God!
35. However good or bad a situation is, it will change. Also true. I haven't yet found the key to freezeframing the good.
36. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up. This, I did. Sometimes, that was all that I did, but I still did it.
37. The best is yet to come. As long as it's not followed by the worst, I'll take it.
38. When you awake alive in the morning, thank GOD for it. Working on it.
39. Your Inner most is always happy. So, be happy. This works best when one's "inner most" doesn't go AWOL.
Last but not the least:
40. Please Forward this to everyone you care about, I just did. Assuming posting it on FB qualifies, I did this.
I looked at the list frequently this year. But I rarely looked past "Drink plenty of water." I know I often fell short - and I own a lot of that, though not all of it. It's a long list, and maybe a bit much to try and maintain in focus. So, I think for 2011, I'm going to try and keep it a bit simpler:
1) Drink more water.
2) Write more.
3) Keep your feet on the ground.
4) Love the people who love you and love them well.
5) Focus on what you have instead of what you don't.
I posted this Note a year ago on Facebook. Printed it out and hung it up on my fridge and in my office. I figure now's as good a time as any to review and see how many of the suggestions I actually followed:
HANDBOOK 2010
Health:
1. Drink plenty of water. Define "plenty."
2. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar. I think I may have kept a little too much royalty in my diet.
3. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants. What if I ate lots of both?
4. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm and Empathy. I live with 3 pets. Does that count?
5. Make time to pray. This, I did. Unfortunately, it tended to be more product of desperation than deliberation.
6. Play more games. This, I also did.
7. Read more books than you did in 2009. I added more to the stack on my nightstand, anyway.
8. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day. This, I also did. I won't mention where.
9. Sleep for 7 hours. I assume this was a daily (nightly) recommendation -- I managed it about once a week.
10. Take a 10-30 minutes walk daily. And while you walk, smile. Epic fail.
Personality:
11. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about. I often reminded myself of the latter. Didn't keep me from doing the former.
12. Don't have negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment. Ha!!!
13. Don't over do. Keep your limits. I moderated in moderation.
14. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does. Oh, I laugh at myself all the time. Would be nice if I could learn to laugh with myself more.
15. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip. Gossip's so often effortless, though...
16. Dream more while you are awake. I could go with it all having been a
17. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need. I wonder if this line works on creditors?
18. Forget issues of the past. Don't remind your partner with His/her mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness. No comment.
19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don't hate others. This is honestly something I very rarely do. I won't say never.
20. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present. How does one make peace with one's present?
21. No one is in charge of your happiness except you. True. Very true. Mind telling them that?
22. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime. It's been quite an education thus far.
23. Smile and laugh more. This, I did. But you know Newton's Law about every action having an equal and opposite reaction?
24. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree... I agree.
Society:
25. Call your family often. This I do.
26. Each day give something good to others. If I had to guess, I'd put my average at around .500 on this. Plenty of room for improvement.
27. Forgive everyone for everything. Mmmhmm.
28. Spend time w/ people over the age of 70 & under the age of 6. Plenty of over 70's; not so much the under 6's, but I have enjoyed the heck out of my 8 year old.
29. Try to make at least three people smile each day. I tried. Most days.
30. What other people think of you is none of your business. And my ignorance is my bliss, I'm sure.
31. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch. My friends are the best. Fortunately, I work with several of them.
Life:
32. Do the right thing! Oh. That.
33. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful. Thank goodness my Mom holds yearly garage sales!
34. GOD heals everything. Thank God He's God!
35. However good or bad a situation is, it will change. Also true. I haven't yet found the key to freezeframing the good.
36. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up. This, I did. Sometimes, that was all that I did, but I still did it.
37. The best is yet to come. As long as it's not followed by the worst, I'll take it.
38. When you awake alive in the morning, thank GOD for it. Working on it.
39. Your Inner most is always happy. So, be happy. This works best when one's "inner most" doesn't go AWOL.
Last but not the least:
40. Please Forward this to everyone you care about, I just did. Assuming posting it on FB qualifies, I did this.
I looked at the list frequently this year. But I rarely looked past "Drink plenty of water." I know I often fell short - and I own a lot of that, though not all of it. It's a long list, and maybe a bit much to try and maintain in focus. So, I think for 2011, I'm going to try and keep it a bit simpler:
1) Drink more water.
2) Write more.
3) Keep your feet on the ground.
4) Love the people who love you and love them well.
5) Focus on what you have instead of what you don't.
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Old Spice
I suppose I should be used to it by now: the apparently inevitable ant invasion of my kitchen and bathrooms come spring and come fall. One day, my counters are sparkling clean and bug free -- okay, bug free, at least -- and the next, they're alive with pesky little creepy crawlers. After my initial revulsion, the killer instinct kicks in, and I go about squashing the little boogers and flushing them down the sink. When that fails to prompt retreat, I bust out the Raid. I've yet to move onto actual baits, but I'm not ruling it out. I also keep making a mental note to call "The Bug Guy," but I'm lazy. And forgetful. And trying to save my pennies.
This year, they pulled a new trick out of their tiny little hats: they invaded my spice/noodle/baking goods/pet treats cabinet. I go to grab some pepper, and suddenly, "Them!" is there! Making Themselves right at home, in the dog's chewy chicken treats, and tracking across the lovely contact paper my Mom so graciously installed for me 3 years ago. Gack!!
For a couple of days, I stayed the conservative course -- smashing them as I saw them, pitching the dog treats and any other obvious "come hither" sorts of foods. Finally, though, I realized I was losing the battle, and more drastic measures were needed. Time to clear out the cabinet, and let my Raid flag fly.
And since I was clearing it out, anyway, it only seemed appropriate to check expiration dates on the odd assortment of items it had accumulated. It was then that I discovered, much to my surprise, that spices have expiration dates. Spices?! Seriously?! I was so shocked by this discovery that I did what any normal person would do -- I announced it as my Facebook status. (Some revelations are simply too amazing to keep to one's self.)
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