Brian Williams and the Nightly News

Nobody turns their back on Brian Williams

Sailing in the Tropics

This is where I'd like to be......that's all.

I'm goin' back to Cali

I've been excited for weeks now planning my trip to California to visit my son who left in February for DLI (Defense Language Institute) in Monterey.  He has posted multiple Instagram pictures of the picturesque scenery and his exciting food exploits in the area.  My oldest son and his family are also moving to Monterey as he completes his Master's degree at the Naval Training Institute located there.  I've never been to California, but I've longed to visit there for years.  Here's hoping I can find a retired widower who thinks I'm fascinating and declares I must stay.......

Happiness is Two Dogs

The saga of now caring for 2 big black dogs is a happy one.  Lucy is happier now that she has Mamba around all day/all night.  My youngest son keeps telling me how much happier he is with 2 dogs, and honestly, so am I .  Isn't it funny how the simplest of things can make you happy?  The love of your family.  Friends you love like family......and 2 black dogs.

Black Dog Black Dog What Do You See?

We have the world's best dog.  Lucy is a black lab that was kicked out of Seeing Eye Dog Training Program.  It's a long story, but when my son and daughter in law were stationed at Fort Bragg, they took part in a program where they would take care of one of the dogs who were being trained at a local minimum security prison.  The prisoner would train the dog all week, then the kids would show up on Friday afternoon to take Lucy all weekend.  Wherever they would go, Lucy would go.  Restaurants? Yes.  Movies? Yes.  Shopping? Yes.  Anywho, they had been doing this routine until one day they got a call that Lucy had been kicked out of the program for growling at one of the prison guards.  We all know that dogs are excellent judges of character; so why she got kicked out instead of the guard, I have no idea....all I know is that before I knew it, the boys and I were driving up to North Carolina to adopt Lucy.  My son and his wife already lived in a an adorable house with two big beautiful dogs; Mamba, a black American Boxer/Lab mix and a gorgeous suede brown Weimaraner (Savannah) so it wasn't feasible to adobt her into their tribe.  Once we arrived from Tampa, we met Lucy.  Then my two youngest took trained with Lucy and kept up her routine via my oldest son and daughter in law's instructions.  After that, we loaded up and headed back to the Sunshine State.  The rest is history.  She became our dog.  She attaches herself very close by at all times. She really likes to be touching your foot, your leg, something so she knows when you get up so she may follow.  She will follow you from room to room.  All day, all night, she brings a new meaning to the word "loyal".  She's truly one of the best dogs I've ever known in my entire life and she continues that distinction to this day.  My son and his family (which now includes 3 little boys under 4) are headed to California for the next year and a half, so we've volunteered to add Mamba to our Tampa tribe.  Lucy loves Mamba and Mamba tolerates Lucy.  I keep hearing this adaptation of the book my kids had when they were little "Black dog, Black dog, what do you see?  I see another black dog coming at me!"

How Low Can You Go?

Nobody believes me, but I've been sick with a sinus infection for 6 weeks.  When people ask me, "Feeling better?"  I just nod, smile and move on.  I still feel terrible, but nobody wants to hear about that (in fact, even I DON'T want to hear it).  It's exhausting.  Still not able to smell or taste anything.  Chalked up hundreds of dollars in doctor visits and medicine.  I don't like blowing money on something I can't drive, wear, sit on, admire or enjoy.  It totally stinks being this sick.  I'm a crumby patient.  Onward and upward sometime soon please?

Sinus blues

After my nearly month long battle with sinusitus, I started to feel better.  Still couldn't taste or smell anything (which turns out to be a great diet tool) why eat if you can't taste it?  For a few short days I was actually able to make it through the day without wanting to cry.....until last night.  That weird tingling feeling I get in my nose/head started late yesterday afternoon and by the middle of the night, I knew I was in for it again.  So I'm sitting here at work with a giant box of Kleenex, a lemonade, sinus medicine, acetaminophen and a bad attitude.  It's the start of a wonderful day (not really).

The Things That Matter

I caught this on one of my favorite blogs (La Dolce Vita) this morning and it definitely rings true:

In the end,
Only three things matter:
How much you loved,
How gently you lived, and
How gracefully you let go
of things not meant for you.

Amen.

The Shredder

I recently gave up eating wheat and I can tell you I feel 1000% better. During my recent 3 week bout with sinusitis (which at times felt like I was dying), I gave up Diet Coke.  Wait, what?  The Queen of Diet Coke gave up Diet Coke? Now this might not sound like much of a feat, but believe me, it's been an all day/all night beverage of choice for 30 years (well, almost 30 years because there was my TAB addiction before that), but I digress.....I'm now Diet Coke free and I don't plan on going back. All of the chemicals, the formaldehyde, the carmel coloring, may take a while to completely cycle thru my system.   I've been saying for years now that I'm pretty darn sure that aspartame poisoning will be the next tobacco litigation.

Next on my list of "being Gyneth Paltrow", just kidding, I'll never in a million years be as skinny as that bitch, I'm going to shed dairy products.  From the voluminous amount of research available, it seems to be a fact that we pump up those poor cows with ungodly amounts of growth hormones and other crap has swayed me to eventually give up my beloved sour cream, yogurt and cheese.  After that, I'm determined to shed all processed foods. 

My very intelligent daughter and daughter in law have been proponents of this lifestyle for a long time and I'm only now understanding how very important this is to our overall health.  I was raised in the frozen/canned/pre-packaged era of two working parents where easy and fast were staples of our weekday diets.  Weekends were much more of the homemade food category because there was time to bake, cook, etc.  I'm down lots of pounds so far, with a lot more shredding to come.

Say What?

On the way to work this morning I was listening to the radio news when it was announced that the state of Florida (I know, there in itself is the set-up for an unlimited number of jokes, but let's continue), the state legislature has decided for the 9th straight year not to outlaw texting and driving.  As time goes by and we all figure out that the inmates are running the asylum.  I decided to count how many people were texting and driving during my commute.  This is good.  You won't believe it. It's shocking.  Hang on, I'm getting a text.....

The Middle

I'm not a middle child, but the oldest whom people seem to come to for advice.  I've often been told, "I value your opinion," so I'm used to it.  But there's not a lot I like about being put in the middle of a situation.  All parties look to "the middle" for validation.  I have no problem whatsoever if it's an issue I feel strongly about, or if it's an emotional cause close to my heart.  My hesitation comes when two warring factions want me to be the "swing vote" and it's a no win situation.  Let them eat cake.  Carry on.

WTH?

So......I took my teenage son to the mall for new shoes the other day and realized how very old I'm getting by the minute.  The first young lady who finally lifted her eyes up from the riveting reading material she was attending to instead of the customers offered her assistance reluctantly.  Once she brought out the requested items I noticed she was wearing baggy sweat pants, a t-shirt and flip flops with socks.  Now, I'll tell you right now I'm one of those long standing "you never know who you'll run into if you leave the house looking like a slob" people, so, to say that I was taken aback, is an understatement.  We asked her to hold a pair of shoes and we took off for other options.  At the next store (we'll call it a well-known teen brand store) a tiny waif of a girl wearing booty shorts and an eyelet tube top asked if we needed any help?  I really wanted to reply, "No, but your Mother should sit you down and have a good talk with you," but of course due to the fact that my teenage son barely wanted to be seen with me, kept that comment under wraps.  The only time I'm needed (or wanted for that matter) is when I'm coughing up the dough for clothes, shoes, and other assorted items needed by said teenager.  To say I was shocked by the "work attire" of the day was an understatement.  Yep, it's official, I'm old.

Why bother?

So.....the sinus infection drama continues with another trip to the doctor on Saturday and a completely lost weekend.  I hate lost weekends.  I was actually looking forward to Monday (which never happens) because I was so damn mad that I'd wasted another prefectly good weekend to being sick.  Oh yea, the doctor said "try this," to another medication.  Damn dart throwers, they just keep throwing the darts (medication) until something sticks. 

Holy Hell

Okay, I almost feel good today after an entire week of being sick.  Not just a little under the weather, I 'm talking full on, no holes barred, sick as all Holy Hell!  The doc in the box (whom I had to visit since my physician of 14 years front office told me they couldn't see me for a month and a half encouraged me to either visit the ER or an Urgent Care Clinic, WTH?) told me I had a serious sinus infection which almost knocked me out.  I'm talking, can't hold my head up knocked out.  We take this whole "I feel pretty good today," WAY too lightly.  I'm going to appreciate "pretty good".  At least until I forget about it and take it for granted.......again.

Jealousy, Misery, Envy

Smiling faces sometimes pretend to be your friend
Smiling faces show no traces of the evil that lurks within
Smiling faces, smiling faces sometimes
They don't tell the truth uh
Smiling faces, smiling faces
Tell lies and I got proof
The truth is in the eyes
Cause the eyes don't lie, amen
Remember a smile is just
A frown turned upside down
My friend let me tell you
Smiling faces, smiling faces sometimes
They don't tell the truth, uh
Smiling faces, smiling faces
Tell lies and I got proof
Beware, beware of the handshake
That hides the snake
I'm telling you beware
Beware of the pat on the back
It just might hold you back
Jealousy (jealousy)
Misery (misery)
Envy I tell you, you can't see behind smiling faces
Smiling faces sometimes they don't tell the truth
Smiling faces, smiling faces
Tell lies and I got proof
Smiling faces, smiling faces sometimes
They don't tell the truth
Smiling faces, smiling faces
Tell lies and I got proof
(Smiling faces, smiling faces sometimes)
(Smiling faces, smiling faces sometimes)
I'm telling you beware, beware of the handshake
That hides the snake
Listen to me now, beware
Beware of that pat on the back
It just might hold you back
Smiling faces, smiling faces sometimes
They don't tell the truth
Smiling faces, smiling faces
Tell lies and I got proof
Your enemy won't do you no harm
Cause you'll know where he's coming from
Don't let the handshake and the smile fool ya
Take my advice I'm only try' to school ya

Give me more!

Throughout my adult life I've been known as a magician of sorts.  "She can pull a rabbit outta her hat," has been bandied about on many occasions regarding ideas I've helped magically appear, etc.  The hard thing about being one of those types is that people are amazed at first and then they begin to expect it.  They look to you to get things done at the drop of a hat, to pull off feats that normally would take a year, I get 3 months to get it done.  If it takes a week, hand it over and tell me you need it by the end of the day.  "Give me more!" they chant.  After a while it's not as much fun.  Note to self, "Keep your fabulousness under wraps!"

Why bad things happen to good people

All of us have wondered throughout our lifetime why bad things happen to good people?  I've often been around to see really good things happen to some very bad people and it makes you shake your head in disbelief.  It makes me mad, furious even....How can these things happen?  Why is there no justice in the world?  Why do people blow up innocent people?  Why do people not question more and blindly follow? Why do children get cancer? Are these questions that cloud my brain for days and weeks on end?  No.  If it did, I'd be depressed beyond being able to function. I hope and pray that bad things teach us something and that in the end, we're not supposed to know all of the answers. I have no answers, I have only questions.

Wait, what? Not on a Monday, that's just bad form.

Monday is not my banner day.  There, I've said it.  I'm not a morning person anyway....(you can say that again), but add the word Monday to the word morning and I'm already operating at a disadvantage. You can bet your sweet ass I'm going to hit the snooze button at least 3 times, (possibly 6) but who's really counting?  I'll not be able to pull myself into the strict "get with it and get out" attitude it takes for me to get out the door every other morning of the workweek; no, I'll be plagued with a late start, a late arrival and an imaginary flashing LATE neon sign above my head.  When my boss decides to get to work early and beats me to the door, it's like adding insult to injury.  What?  Why are you here? Anxiety level is now at Def Con 5.  Attach pretend happy face and smile, "traffic was terrible this morning," and walk quickly down the hall. Wake me up when it's Tuesday.

How can your head hurt? It's Friday!

So here's the thing, I get really bad headaches.  Had 'em for years, I've tried every migraine drug known to mankind and I still get really bad headaches.  I don't eat "trigger" foods, I don't drink red wine, and I'm careful not to have too many 5 hours worth of sleep days in a row. I've been on preventative medicine, and I've become a slave to reactive medicine. For years I've operated a 3 step plan (take this one first, if that doesn't help move on to this one, then if it's really bad inject this into your leg), that's how bad the stupid headaches have been for the past 28 or so years in my head.  For some reason it seems as though I'm tied to the barimetric pressure when it fluctuates because whenever a storm's coming in, my head will REALLY hurt.  My sense of smell is heightened (and I'm already one step away from being a professional perfume mixer/tester due to my ability to identify smells of all kinds), and light of any kind nearly blinds me. Sometimes I see little orbs of diffused light right before my eyes.  Other times I feel woozy and know I need to get somewhere safe and fast. When I feel this coming on, I have to get to my bedroom, pull the blackout drapes, quickly put crisp, clean sheets on the bed that have been washed and dried with no fragrances, turn the thermometer down so it's cold, very, very cold, and sleep.

Time to GET A LIFE

"You know what this means don't you?" asked my friend on the phone after I ran through the litany of things I'd been up to over the past couple of weeks, "you're getting a life!"

For the past 30 years I've defined myself as "Mom".  Oh, I've had great jobs, great experiences, but everything (EVERY waking moment of the day), has revolved around my 4 children.  They are wonderful children who have all grown up to be smart, funny, sweet young adults.  They just really don't have time for me anymore.  They all have their own lives, 2 of them have their own children (who I adore and therefore throw my grandmother hat into the ring), but they're busy.  Places to go, things to do and people to see.  It's time for me to move on.  Get a life.  I guess I will.

Blinded by the Light

So I spent the past 4 days in a very dark room because any amount of light made my migraine hurt even more than usual.  No smells allowed (it makes the migraine worse).  Only a dark, cool room with clean sheets and NO light or fragrance of any kind. 

These bouts with brain pain are sometimes more than I can bear.  No doubt about it, I was blinded by the light.

Yes doctor, I concur

This morning was my semi-annual appointment with my doctor. I really like this doctor.  We've been together now for 14 years.   Seems I'm in amazing health, but I weigh too much for my height.  Yes doctor, I concur.  Tell me something I don't know.  Cash, check or charge?

Tuesday's child is full of grace

I'm trying to be positive today and keep the good mojo flowing....it's always easier said than done.  Just when you think you've got a good handle on things, there's a big chunk of concrete thrown slap dab in the middle of the road.  So, I'm trying to handle it gracefully and not get all shook up about it.  Or as my favorite fish once said, "Just keep swimming, just keep swimming, just keep swimming".

Wonderful weekend blues

Monday morning is NEVER, I repeat NEVER my favorite time.  I've never gone to bed early enough, I seldom prepare for the week ahead (which is going to change little missy), and I'm not a morning person anyway......anywho, I despise Monday morning.  I happened to have a really fun Saturday with my best friend wandering around the Kumkuat Festival (yes, you read it right, it's a festival that revolves around kumkuats), which made the Monday morning madness even harder. 

This seems to be my pattern if I have a great weekend, I have a really, really, really terrible Monday morning.  Compared to a slug, stay in your flannel pajama bottoms and big t-shirt/no action weekend when I'm actually anxious to get back into my routine and almost welcome the next week with vigor.

So today, I'm singing the "I had a wonderful weekend" blues. 

Anticipation

Carly Simon got it right when she implanted this song into my childhood head via my almond colored clock radio:

We can never know about the days to come
But we think about them anyway, yay
And I wonder if I'm really with you now
Or just chasin' after some finer day

Anticipation, anticipation
Is makin' me late
Is keepin' me waitin'

And I tell you how easy it feels to be with you
And how right your arms feel around me
But I, I rehearsed those lines just late last night
When I was thinkin' about how right tonight might be

Anticipation, anticipation
Is makin' me late
Is keepin' me waitin'

And tomorrow we might not be together
I'm no prophet and I don't know nature's ways
So I'll try and see into your eyes right now
And stay right here 'cause these are the good old days

(These are the good old days)
And stay right here 'cause these are the good old days

I've decided to try to remind myself daily that "These are the good old days", don't waste 'em!

Keepin' it real

So, it turns out that when you decide to only eat "real" food that comes from the ground, the sea, the farm, etc. that you feel better.  Four days in and I'm not as miserable as I thought I would be....go figure!  I need to add in some actual exercise.  It's not that I hate exercise, it's just that I hate exercise. That's all.

What time is it?

I don't know what it is but every night I get busy and the next thing I know, I look up and it's midnight. I get home from work, get dinner, answer emails, write, watch some TV, catch up on more emails, write, look up at the clock - midnight!  What time is it?  Probably midnight.

Diet Bet

So....I started a Diet Bet on Monday of this week (it's Wednesday and I haven't ditched it which is a miracle in itself), and I'm very optimistic about it.  For one, I ALWAYS find motivation from both competition and money.  With Diet Bet, you get both so here's hoping I can keep it going for 4 weeks!