WHAT THE FREAK ARE RICKETS? I thought rickets went out with the Bubonic Plague. It's a bone disorder found in growing children. I can't get it though - I'm too old and my body finished growing a long time ago. It was on the web site I visited earlier this evening, based on the new test results I received today from one of my doctors. The other doctor called last Wednesday with yet more peachy news for me. Among other things, there is a severe Vitamin D deficiency, that my body needs to fight. I'm in the process of strengthening my body with more exercise and weights.
I have two more weeks before I fall off the face of the Earth. I am quitting all the volunteering for awhile. I've stepped down from all four positions. Once I tackle Christmas, I have to prepare my head and spirit for January - RAI month. RAI is my radiation or radioactive iodine treatment to watch my body and check for signs of recurrence.
Away from human contact is where I will be in the month of January. Joey's moving out, The Boy and The Baby will be back at their apartments and back in college and all will be quiet here. I will be in quarantine, alone with my computer. LOL! This blog will get thicker! And it's at a time when I'm weaker, so I may not make much sense either. : ) I won't answer ANY telephone, very few emails or leave the house for a couple of weeks and Clapton will be blasting on the speakers nonstop. : )
It's very much like hibernation. I will use Christmas to gorge myself, raise the yuletide body fat and store as much energy as possible, as we all do. The 2nd of January, I will begin a low iodine diet for two to three weeks, depending when they schedule me. January will be spent in a bit of a lethargic state, lower body temperature, lower blood pressure and lower metabolic rate, due to no thyroid and the extra drugs to prepare my body for "Poison Day". That's hibernation, isn't it?
Once I go in and take my poison pill at the hospital, I will be considered radioactive. I stay away from everyone, especially preggies and kids. Two days of radioactive poison in me and I will be glowing like an ELO album cover! I'll then get a full body scan to see if the little rascal cells are back or if I'm clear.
I've told RT before that there is that one day, "Poison Day", that I completely, 100% put my trust in God and the pharmacist, but especially the latter. I stare at the silver pills that no one touches but me - including the doctors and nurses. I usually have to retrieve them from a lead container. For the pharmacist, I hope he had no traffic getting to the hospital that morning. I hope he had a nice breakfast. I hope his kids didn't whine that morning. I hope he got enough sleep and his wife was VERY VERY good to him the evening before, if you know what I mean (wink wink). I want that pharmacist in the best mood possible, so he doesn't screw up my dosage and kill me. LOL It's funnier when you've been through shit like this.
There are probably a few close friends and relatives who read this blog o' mine. I will not share this information any further than this blog though. It's much easier for me to get the frustration out of me on this site and, not bother nor bore people that are in my daily/weekly life with all of these details. When asked, I'll say I'm fine. It's not bad, really. I just have to juggle a couple of other things now, with a few more symptoms that have come up. Maybe I'll get back to normal now. : ) Hey, quit laughing! I COULD be normal - maybe - one day. You're right. I'm not ever normal.
Now we come to Mr. Lance Armstrong. I have read about this man extensively for the past two years. Since his bout with cancer, he and his foundation have devoted time, efforts, and money to help people who have been diagnosed. His organization gave me (no fee was involved) a large binder with the prior and future access into his foundation for any additional information I may need or want. This was a huge step up on my fight, and getting truly educated on what I need to be doing. Questions that came directly from his book got me to realize that people in charge of my medical care were looking back on the previous six months of my life, instead of looking ahead to the next six months. Quite a difference when you are trying to stay ahead of cancer.
The book they gave me is a journal, of sorts, that has places to write everything down, keep track of your own records and to know exactly what decisions are being made. Peace of mind is essential when traveling down this road and Lance Armstrong and his phenomenal foundation has helped me all the way through. Anyone can believe what they want about this man, but I'm not one that follows the crowd every time either. To me, he is a hero, that has gone out of his way to help others. He could have kept all the information to himself. By assessing information with his team and making it readily available to me, it has helped me be stronger and more assured of the care I receive on days like today, when the confusing results are put right in front of me. Lance is a noble man.
www.livestrong.org
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Karma
Karma, a word commonly misused, is from Sanskrit, meaning act or performance. It is not a vengeance thing, where some people commonly misuse this word. It's everything a person has done in the past, is currently doing or will do in the future. These actions simply is what is. The effects of all of these actions make us responsible for our own lives. We are responsible for the good and bad we place in this world and are held accountable. Most theologians and other educated religious believe that this extends into our eternal life after death on Earth.
Most faiths in this world have a form of "karma". Christianity has the "Golden Rule" from Matthew 7:12, and the Judaism has Tobit 4:15, which Catholicism acknowledges this passage as well. The Buddhists have it in their Dhammapada (ck sp?), saying something like treat not others in ways that you yourself would find hurtful. The Muslims believe it in the Quran and says that not one of you truly believes until you wish for others what you wish for yourself, and these are words that came from Muhammad himself to his people. All forms of karma exist by some of the most intelligent people that walked this Earth for thousands and thousands of years. (And yes, I studied Eastern and Western religions in college. I found it incredibly interesting.) In more recent times, Americans have "Murphy's Law" - whatever can go wrong, will go wrong. This is a form of karma probably. You have not done everything that needs to be done correctly and karma is following your ass with this law. I've always thought that Murphy was God. If He wants something to fail or succeed, He will make it happen. I think His decision is still dependent on our actions though.
Though you can't prove that karma exists. We only know that it does, probably because we have all experienced it. We train our children at a very young age about repercussions. We try to rehabilitate felons, addictions and know-it-all teenagers with the same threat of karma. Without it, all of the human race would behave horribly. There is an effect for everything we do, good and bad, and it comes back to us each and every time.
Which brings me to my problem. I am depending on karma, to be laid upon someone. Not revenge, mind you. Someone left me with a problem. I witness a wrongdoing, sin or whatever you want to call it. My mouth has been closed about the details. Nor will I ever say anything. But I know karma will come in and do a cleaning on this person.
When I witnessed this behavior, I was hurt, because my expectations of that person went to a low I thought I'd never think. Then I got a little angry, but knew that wasn't right either. Then, I told that person, in a round about way, where I knew the message was getting to them, just to let them know that I knew. I thought the guilt would be good for them, although I shouldn't judge, this was an purposeful act. Then there was acceptance on my part, by not saying something to someone that would correct the situation (snitching on them). It was discrete, so they thought. I've said it before that I am a very observant person. I then thought of all the good things I have seen this person do. Yes, the list was quite long, but I can't balance out their life of good and bad. I can only do that for my actions in my life. Now I pray for them, that they will receive mercy one day for their action.
I don't know what type of karma I will receive for my actions. I'm sure one day, I will get it all. There's a tally somewhere, and, quite literally, Lord have mercy! Mine is probably filled up to the limit now!
Another thought I had about the whole situation is that we all have an opportunity for atonement for our wrongdoings. Any type of reconciliation is so beneficial to all of us, whether it is faith related, a note, a small one-on-one conversation or the federal penitentiary. To look deep within ourselves and give a sincere apology can go a long way. It is not just ourselves that hurt from these type of actions, but it hurts others that are walking along side us as well. This whole situation has given me a real life reminder of what I should be doing and what I should be thinking.
If this person were Hindu, they would be sweeping up cow shit in their next life. Karma. It goes a long way.
Most faiths in this world have a form of "karma". Christianity has the "Golden Rule" from Matthew 7:12, and the Judaism has Tobit 4:15, which Catholicism acknowledges this passage as well. The Buddhists have it in their Dhammapada (ck sp?), saying something like treat not others in ways that you yourself would find hurtful. The Muslims believe it in the Quran and says that not one of you truly believes until you wish for others what you wish for yourself, and these are words that came from Muhammad himself to his people. All forms of karma exist by some of the most intelligent people that walked this Earth for thousands and thousands of years. (And yes, I studied Eastern and Western religions in college. I found it incredibly interesting.) In more recent times, Americans have "Murphy's Law" - whatever can go wrong, will go wrong. This is a form of karma probably. You have not done everything that needs to be done correctly and karma is following your ass with this law. I've always thought that Murphy was God. If He wants something to fail or succeed, He will make it happen. I think His decision is still dependent on our actions though.
Though you can't prove that karma exists. We only know that it does, probably because we have all experienced it. We train our children at a very young age about repercussions. We try to rehabilitate felons, addictions and know-it-all teenagers with the same threat of karma. Without it, all of the human race would behave horribly. There is an effect for everything we do, good and bad, and it comes back to us each and every time.
Which brings me to my problem. I am depending on karma, to be laid upon someone. Not revenge, mind you. Someone left me with a problem. I witness a wrongdoing, sin or whatever you want to call it. My mouth has been closed about the details. Nor will I ever say anything. But I know karma will come in and do a cleaning on this person.
When I witnessed this behavior, I was hurt, because my expectations of that person went to a low I thought I'd never think. Then I got a little angry, but knew that wasn't right either. Then, I told that person, in a round about way, where I knew the message was getting to them, just to let them know that I knew. I thought the guilt would be good for them, although I shouldn't judge, this was an purposeful act. Then there was acceptance on my part, by not saying something to someone that would correct the situation (snitching on them). It was discrete, so they thought. I've said it before that I am a very observant person. I then thought of all the good things I have seen this person do. Yes, the list was quite long, but I can't balance out their life of good and bad. I can only do that for my actions in my life. Now I pray for them, that they will receive mercy one day for their action.
I don't know what type of karma I will receive for my actions. I'm sure one day, I will get it all. There's a tally somewhere, and, quite literally, Lord have mercy! Mine is probably filled up to the limit now!
Another thought I had about the whole situation is that we all have an opportunity for atonement for our wrongdoings. Any type of reconciliation is so beneficial to all of us, whether it is faith related, a note, a small one-on-one conversation or the federal penitentiary. To look deep within ourselves and give a sincere apology can go a long way. It is not just ourselves that hurt from these type of actions, but it hurts others that are walking along side us as well. This whole situation has given me a real life reminder of what I should be doing and what I should be thinking.
If this person were Hindu, they would be sweeping up cow shit in their next life. Karma. It goes a long way.
Friday, November 23, 2007
I’ll listen to Linus again
Well, the commercialization of Christmas has begun. "Buy this"; "buy that"; "go to our store"; "you deserve this"; "your family deserves that" - blah blah blah. I am really getting to dislike the media. The secular sucking in of the beloved Christmas holiday.
The past few years, Christmas has been quite easy around here. RT buys the tree. No, I really don't care what shape it is nor do I care how tall it is - he trims down the extra long branches anyway and makes it look straight in the stand. The kids have really outgrown that awe of looking through all the vintage Christmas ornaments or helping me out. I try to decorate it in two hours. After two hours, it's completed - no matter what it looks like. There are SO MANY ORNAMENTS after years and years of collecting them, that I made a new rule last year. The rule is that any ornament with red on it, makes the tree. If it is blue or orange or any other color, it's left in the box. Candy canes are a must. The Baby and I are addicted to them.
RT and I do not exchange presents either. Boy, I sound like Ebenezer, eh? We don't exchange on our anniversary, Valentines Day or birthdays either. It's just very easy this way. If he comes across something I think I'd like or if I ask him to get something for me, he buys it. If I see something for him, I buy it. This can happen all during the year on any given day. I really can't stand to buy into the media frenzy on certain holidays. I personally and especially hate the Valentines Day frenzy, when they try to persuade men that all women want diamonds. To the women, they try to tell them that they "deserve" diamonds. LOL! What a farce!
I make it a point, the past few years, not to let anything bother me with all the Christmas details. If it doesn't make it on the table or under the tree, oh well. Sometimes we make the parties, sometimes we don't. Yes, we still purchase gifts for the kids, but that's now getting old too. They are older and they need money - cold hard cash! But they don't see this. They are still our babies and still love to unwrap surprises on Christmas morning.
A funny part of Christmas around here is that RT watches "A Christmas Story" when it comes on the tellie. LOL! It's the one that plays for 24 hours! LOL! He knows about every line in the movie and still belly laughs at some points. The nerdy little towhead. Ralphie, that is obsessed with getting a Daisy Red Ryder rifle. The scenes in the movie we actually filmed in Ohio, set in the late 1950s and RT, when he was a towhead back then, had a Daisy Red Ryder rifle. Nostalgia - pure nostalgia. Why do I tolerate 24 hours of this movie? Easy answer. The Boy, Joey and The Baby leave sooner! LOL! They watch the first time, maybe part of the second time, but by the time the movie is playing the 3rd, 4th, 12th, 15th, they're all done with it. They want to leave or they hibernate in their rooms. LOL! I love seeing RT having such a good time though. If someone tries to turn the channel, he would "triple dog dare" them. LOL!
Ah, Christmas is coming. I usually try to get the kids rounded up for a trip to the museum in town. They always have the best exhibits around the holidays. It lets us stop and be together, and just take a deep breath, away from the seasonal responsibilities. It gets me out of the house and away from the Christmas rush. It's a peaceful time that we all enjoy, though they fuss a little when I ask them to go with me.
If you can eliminate some of the details, not expect the perfect Christmas, have plenty of food ready and ignore some of the media hype, Christmas can be a very enjoyable holiday. Trying to disregard the secular parts of Christmas is impossible. There are way too many traditions, especially from family to family, that are intertwined with each other. When I call it "Christ's Mass" though, it keeps me centered. All my Christmas cards have always had a spiritual content or the nativity scene on them. I want to share those thoughts with the people I love in my life.
And in the midst of all the Christmas stuff on TV, it takes "A Charlie Brown Christmas" to center us all again. It takes quiet Linus to put the words back into our ears again. Explaining the meaning of Christmas, Linus eloquently said to Charlie Brown, "And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were so afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men."
The past few years, Christmas has been quite easy around here. RT buys the tree. No, I really don't care what shape it is nor do I care how tall it is - he trims down the extra long branches anyway and makes it look straight in the stand. The kids have really outgrown that awe of looking through all the vintage Christmas ornaments or helping me out. I try to decorate it in two hours. After two hours, it's completed - no matter what it looks like. There are SO MANY ORNAMENTS after years and years of collecting them, that I made a new rule last year. The rule is that any ornament with red on it, makes the tree. If it is blue or orange or any other color, it's left in the box. Candy canes are a must. The Baby and I are addicted to them.
RT and I do not exchange presents either. Boy, I sound like Ebenezer, eh? We don't exchange on our anniversary, Valentines Day or birthdays either. It's just very easy this way. If he comes across something I think I'd like or if I ask him to get something for me, he buys it. If I see something for him, I buy it. This can happen all during the year on any given day. I really can't stand to buy into the media frenzy on certain holidays. I personally and especially hate the Valentines Day frenzy, when they try to persuade men that all women want diamonds. To the women, they try to tell them that they "deserve" diamonds. LOL! What a farce!
I make it a point, the past few years, not to let anything bother me with all the Christmas details. If it doesn't make it on the table or under the tree, oh well. Sometimes we make the parties, sometimes we don't. Yes, we still purchase gifts for the kids, but that's now getting old too. They are older and they need money - cold hard cash! But they don't see this. They are still our babies and still love to unwrap surprises on Christmas morning.
A funny part of Christmas around here is that RT watches "A Christmas Story" when it comes on the tellie. LOL! It's the one that plays for 24 hours! LOL! He knows about every line in the movie and still belly laughs at some points. The nerdy little towhead. Ralphie, that is obsessed with getting a Daisy Red Ryder rifle. The scenes in the movie we actually filmed in Ohio, set in the late 1950s and RT, when he was a towhead back then, had a Daisy Red Ryder rifle. Nostalgia - pure nostalgia. Why do I tolerate 24 hours of this movie? Easy answer. The Boy, Joey and The Baby leave sooner! LOL! They watch the first time, maybe part of the second time, but by the time the movie is playing the 3rd, 4th, 12th, 15th, they're all done with it. They want to leave or they hibernate in their rooms. LOL! I love seeing RT having such a good time though. If someone tries to turn the channel, he would "triple dog dare" them. LOL!
Ah, Christmas is coming. I usually try to get the kids rounded up for a trip to the museum in town. They always have the best exhibits around the holidays. It lets us stop and be together, and just take a deep breath, away from the seasonal responsibilities. It gets me out of the house and away from the Christmas rush. It's a peaceful time that we all enjoy, though they fuss a little when I ask them to go with me.
If you can eliminate some of the details, not expect the perfect Christmas, have plenty of food ready and ignore some of the media hype, Christmas can be a very enjoyable holiday. Trying to disregard the secular parts of Christmas is impossible. There are way too many traditions, especially from family to family, that are intertwined with each other. When I call it "Christ's Mass" though, it keeps me centered. All my Christmas cards have always had a spiritual content or the nativity scene on them. I want to share those thoughts with the people I love in my life.
And in the midst of all the Christmas stuff on TV, it takes "A Charlie Brown Christmas" to center us all again. It takes quiet Linus to put the words back into our ears again. Explaining the meaning of Christmas, Linus eloquently said to Charlie Brown, "And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were so afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men."
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Rumpelstiltskin was an annoying little jerk.
Okay, so there is an additional scoop today. RT had eye surgery, scheduled for the same time as one of my doctor's appointments. Unfortunately, we realized today that a) doctors want money from you if you don't show up, and b) as we get older, we really need to coordinate these better, because sometimes, we may only have one driver! Luckily, a sweet friend helped us out this morning. I've decided to nickname RT "Popeye" this week. It goes along with his loving nickname for me: "Pez" (the cancer slice on my neck). Last week was my six week check up with the endocrinologist. With shit like this in your life and the whole day worrying about RT, you really need a sense of humor. Which brings me to this writing.
Rumpelstiltskin hid his name, similar to most of you who are reading this blog. Reading my rambling must be entertaining, as there is no other explanation. I have realized that I do the same and have hidden my name or real identity elsewhere in this world.
There's the OSH newsletter I received today. It came via email under one of my little known email addresses. I am more like that aggravating little Rumpelstiltskin than any one of you. There is another alias of mine that helps with Haiti efforts. Another email address is to remind a particular group of my friends of each others' birthdays. (It's a long list and I volunteered three years ago while intoxicated.) Another is a business email address that only I answer. Another is a business email address that RT answers (engineering, bidding and quotations). Another is a very anonymous one that I use to complain to companies or people that just need a good talking to. LOL! There is another email address that I use through Yahoo. There is my myspace name, that I chose for it's truest Italian meaning. There are several items floating over the internet that strangers know who I am, but most of my friends, family and people here don't know that part of me, such as Apple, Amazon, Lance Armstrong Foundation, PayPal, ebay, etc. My last name is even pronounced differently than the way it is spelled. My children have a different last name than me. Then, the most troubling is there are yet two other pseudonyms that I sometimes use when I write. No one can find all of me, as I even have trouble remembering all the various passwords and aliases for everything! I suddenly feel very schizophrenic.
The morals of the Rumpel story are sage advice we can all use. Don't brag to heavily about your children spinning gold, as they are going to "f" up and make mistakes and the spinning gold thing will certainly be unbelievable. Don't promise your first born to anyone to save your own ass. We need to protect our children and keep them away from predators. Don't marry the prince for the money, because you may end up miserable and your in-laws won't give a shit. Don't go bragging about what you can do or how sly you think you are. Someone will hear you and use it against you. Don't ever get so angry that you blow a gasket, never to be seen again. And, of course, the best piece of advice is don't make any promises you can't keep to a dirty little pervert. LOL
Although I can see that this blog is well read by many Rumpels, as it does give me a head count, but I will probably never know the entire list of people that read about my maundering life. If you'd like to show your face, yes, I am curious. But I'm sure that you would have a difficult time finding my Rumpel aliases elsewhere, to find my other writings, work or other random things that I put out there. LOL! Does it sound like a challenge? Can any of you find my other writings? This is fun!
"Today I bake, tomorrow I brew,
Today for one
Tomorrow for two
Little knows my royal dame
Rumpelstiltskin is my name"
-from The Brothers Grimm "Rumpelstiltskin"
Rumpelstiltskin hid his name, similar to most of you who are reading this blog. Reading my rambling must be entertaining, as there is no other explanation. I have realized that I do the same and have hidden my name or real identity elsewhere in this world.
There's the OSH newsletter I received today. It came via email under one of my little known email addresses. I am more like that aggravating little Rumpelstiltskin than any one of you. There is another alias of mine that helps with Haiti efforts. Another email address is to remind a particular group of my friends of each others' birthdays. (It's a long list and I volunteered three years ago while intoxicated.) Another is a business email address that only I answer. Another is a business email address that RT answers (engineering, bidding and quotations). Another is a very anonymous one that I use to complain to companies or people that just need a good talking to. LOL! There is another email address that I use through Yahoo. There is my myspace name, that I chose for it's truest Italian meaning. There are several items floating over the internet that strangers know who I am, but most of my friends, family and people here don't know that part of me, such as Apple, Amazon, Lance Armstrong Foundation, PayPal, ebay, etc. My last name is even pronounced differently than the way it is spelled. My children have a different last name than me. Then, the most troubling is there are yet two other pseudonyms that I sometimes use when I write. No one can find all of me, as I even have trouble remembering all the various passwords and aliases for everything! I suddenly feel very schizophrenic.
The morals of the Rumpel story are sage advice we can all use. Don't brag to heavily about your children spinning gold, as they are going to "f" up and make mistakes and the spinning gold thing will certainly be unbelievable. Don't promise your first born to anyone to save your own ass. We need to protect our children and keep them away from predators. Don't marry the prince for the money, because you may end up miserable and your in-laws won't give a shit. Don't go bragging about what you can do or how sly you think you are. Someone will hear you and use it against you. Don't ever get so angry that you blow a gasket, never to be seen again. And, of course, the best piece of advice is don't make any promises you can't keep to a dirty little pervert. LOL
Although I can see that this blog is well read by many Rumpels, as it does give me a head count, but I will probably never know the entire list of people that read about my maundering life. If you'd like to show your face, yes, I am curious. But I'm sure that you would have a difficult time finding my Rumpel aliases elsewhere, to find my other writings, work or other random things that I put out there. LOL! Does it sound like a challenge? Can any of you find my other writings? This is fun!
"Today I bake, tomorrow I brew,
Today for one
Tomorrow for two
Little knows my royal dame
Rumpelstiltskin is my name"
-from The Brothers Grimm "Rumpelstiltskin"
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Americans Are Excessive
We really are! I can imagine why some other countries feel that way too! Canadians, Europeans, and others do not understand our concept of Thanksgiving and we assume that everyone in the world should know about this holiday.
To others, it looks like we're stuffing our faces all day. To some third world or impoverished countries, we eat all the time - whenever we want, and whatever we want. Then, one day a year, we completely overdo, overindulge and gorge while others in this world are literally dying from hunger. Truly, we must appear to be glutting ourselves.
Even turkey is not quite the elegant dish, according to some of my French wine acquaintances. They've often teased me, during this time of year, asking what wine could you possibly serve with a dirty bird that is so dry that you can't swallow it? We watch football (or in their words "soccer") and every single one of us is far too competitive and arrogant.
And then there is the self indulgence and excess of shopping over this holiday. Retail and media has now penetrated our holiday with shopping on Thanksgiving, Friday and all weekend. Get as much as you can, before it's gone! Buy everything for Christmas for you and your family.
Yes, we are excessive. We go overboard with our holidays. We jump in without looking. We have larger portions, and spend more money than any other country in the world. Our overindulgence shows and we don't really care who is looking or watching us Americans.
However, our excess goes in both directions. The U.S. Marine Corps are always out there with the Toys For Tots campaign, collecting toys for underprivileged and forgotten children. The Salvation Army is out there collecting money for the desolate and desperately trying to get them back on their feet. The Churches and Temples are ready to receive their twice a year visitors, as well as their regulars, and will collect additional amount of money for various charities in their direct communities and for people abroad. The canned food drives will begin and collect for the hungry, so they may store food and feed them during the year. Soup kitchens go to extremes to help the homeless with huge banquets on the holidays, so they eat and are not forgotten. Save The Children will solicit Americans to purchase their items or donate, so children all over the world receive help. There is the Make A Wish Foundation that gives dying or terminally ill children one last wish granted. This is just the tip of the iceberg. There are many other American charities that thrive throughout the year that give selflessly, that are filled with volunteers and generous people, along with the people who donate and keep these organizations alive.
To me, Thanksgiving is Americans' way of showing "thanks" for one day and also begins the season that we give more than any other nation on Earth. We give and donate in excess, with money and time. We take one day to give thanks for our freedoms, opportunities and families. All Americans have a different story on how our ancestors came here. We collectively show sturdy, vibrant and vigorous support for our country, by remembering how we all arrived to live in America. But without the first settlers, our families would be quite different now, living God knows where. We are appreciative of the short history of the U.S. and how far we have come in this world, and are very proud of the first settlers for taking the chances and making it all possible for us today. We celebrate these first Americans on Thanksgiving. I'm glad we're excessive.
"Let us prove we think our country great, by striving to make it greater." - JFK
To others, it looks like we're stuffing our faces all day. To some third world or impoverished countries, we eat all the time - whenever we want, and whatever we want. Then, one day a year, we completely overdo, overindulge and gorge while others in this world are literally dying from hunger. Truly, we must appear to be glutting ourselves.
Even turkey is not quite the elegant dish, according to some of my French wine acquaintances. They've often teased me, during this time of year, asking what wine could you possibly serve with a dirty bird that is so dry that you can't swallow it? We watch football (or in their words "soccer") and every single one of us is far too competitive and arrogant.
And then there is the self indulgence and excess of shopping over this holiday. Retail and media has now penetrated our holiday with shopping on Thanksgiving, Friday and all weekend. Get as much as you can, before it's gone! Buy everything for Christmas for you and your family.
Yes, we are excessive. We go overboard with our holidays. We jump in without looking. We have larger portions, and spend more money than any other country in the world. Our overindulgence shows and we don't really care who is looking or watching us Americans.
However, our excess goes in both directions. The U.S. Marine Corps are always out there with the Toys For Tots campaign, collecting toys for underprivileged and forgotten children. The Salvation Army is out there collecting money for the desolate and desperately trying to get them back on their feet. The Churches and Temples are ready to receive their twice a year visitors, as well as their regulars, and will collect additional amount of money for various charities in their direct communities and for people abroad. The canned food drives will begin and collect for the hungry, so they may store food and feed them during the year. Soup kitchens go to extremes to help the homeless with huge banquets on the holidays, so they eat and are not forgotten. Save The Children will solicit Americans to purchase their items or donate, so children all over the world receive help. There is the Make A Wish Foundation that gives dying or terminally ill children one last wish granted. This is just the tip of the iceberg. There are many other American charities that thrive throughout the year that give selflessly, that are filled with volunteers and generous people, along with the people who donate and keep these organizations alive.
To me, Thanksgiving is Americans' way of showing "thanks" for one day and also begins the season that we give more than any other nation on Earth. We give and donate in excess, with money and time. We take one day to give thanks for our freedoms, opportunities and families. All Americans have a different story on how our ancestors came here. We collectively show sturdy, vibrant and vigorous support for our country, by remembering how we all arrived to live in America. But without the first settlers, our families would be quite different now, living God knows where. We are appreciative of the short history of the U.S. and how far we have come in this world, and are very proud of the first settlers for taking the chances and making it all possible for us today. We celebrate these first Americans on Thanksgiving. I'm glad we're excessive.
"Let us prove we think our country great, by striving to make it greater." - JFK
Monday, November 19, 2007
the Ripple Effect
The "ripple effect" is amazing. After the Haiti event, people's eyes were opened more. Education of the plight of Haiti, after the event, really made the biggest difference - more than the money raised. Everyone I talked to, of course, enjoyed the event, but are now more up to speed on the need of our actions and prayers in Haiti. The ripple effect works extremely well with a great cause like this, and God is allowing me to watch the ripples too. This is an awesome experience to witness.
The people in the center of the event are critical, mostly of their own actions. What could we have done better? The ripple effect is working here now too, unfortunately. We must look at the good we accomplished that evening, and quit nagging ourselves. We are the most critical of ourselves, but it blossoms past ourselves if we let the ripples stray. We have learned so much for next year. God was there that night - we all knew it. He gave us more than what we asked for and his hand was on our shoulders the entire evening, guiding us. Let it be. It was good. It was more than enough.
Ugliness between humans have used the ripple effect too. Two weeks ago, I had decided to ignore these negative comment, and I am proud to say that I have succeeded in this effort. The ripples stopped with me. It's not often that I am the rocky shore that stops the ripple. I'm glad to say it was this time.
Luckily, everyone has their minds busy on getting ready for the Thanksgiving holiday. We have such a motley crue this year at our house. LOL All the better! (The Baby is a vegan and we have two dinners - one regular and one vegetarian.) Artie and I have opened our house to people we know that are alone over the holiday(s). We also use it to mend some fences, not necessarily ours. Most of the time, it's other people's fences we are trying to help them mend. I have invited 20+ people this year to be with us at Thanksgiving. Many of them are college kids this year. Some come; some come for dessert; some don't come at all; some are embarrassed that they are alone and aren't sure what to do. We'll call them on Thursday morning and ask for help or to bring ice. They come then. The ripple effect works well here too.
Everyone is full and the late comers arrive for dessert. The last espresso is served. We send care packages home to some. All come and leave at various times. They last ones seem to leave around 7:00 pm. Since appetizers are served in the early afternoon, I guess it seems they've been here for four or five hours by early evening, so they feel the need to leave. The college kids usually scatter to the newest movie theatre. Relaxed and away from professors, papers due and having to fend for food makes them very nice people on Thanksgiving.
That's when RT and I pick ourselves up to the nearest friend's house for a drink. It's the greatest, most peaceful time to really enjoy friends. It's the most relaxing evening of the year. It usually takes us from Sunday through Thursday morning to prepare for this meal and it's over in a couple of short hours. The last guests have left our friend's house by 7:00 too. We mosey (yes, I said mosey) on over and have a drink and share our newborn holiday memories of the day. It's become a nice tradition with us.
The ripple effect should be used for good. We should all stop it when it's misused. It has such wonderful results when the good keeps bouncing around us.
The people in the center of the event are critical, mostly of their own actions. What could we have done better? The ripple effect is working here now too, unfortunately. We must look at the good we accomplished that evening, and quit nagging ourselves. We are the most critical of ourselves, but it blossoms past ourselves if we let the ripples stray. We have learned so much for next year. God was there that night - we all knew it. He gave us more than what we asked for and his hand was on our shoulders the entire evening, guiding us. Let it be. It was good. It was more than enough.
Ugliness between humans have used the ripple effect too. Two weeks ago, I had decided to ignore these negative comment, and I am proud to say that I have succeeded in this effort. The ripples stopped with me. It's not often that I am the rocky shore that stops the ripple. I'm glad to say it was this time.
Luckily, everyone has their minds busy on getting ready for the Thanksgiving holiday. We have such a motley crue this year at our house. LOL All the better! (The Baby is a vegan and we have two dinners - one regular and one vegetarian.) Artie and I have opened our house to people we know that are alone over the holiday(s). We also use it to mend some fences, not necessarily ours. Most of the time, it's other people's fences we are trying to help them mend. I have invited 20+ people this year to be with us at Thanksgiving. Many of them are college kids this year. Some come; some come for dessert; some don't come at all; some are embarrassed that they are alone and aren't sure what to do. We'll call them on Thursday morning and ask for help or to bring ice. They come then. The ripple effect works well here too.
Everyone is full and the late comers arrive for dessert. The last espresso is served. We send care packages home to some. All come and leave at various times. They last ones seem to leave around 7:00 pm. Since appetizers are served in the early afternoon, I guess it seems they've been here for four or five hours by early evening, so they feel the need to leave. The college kids usually scatter to the newest movie theatre. Relaxed and away from professors, papers due and having to fend for food makes them very nice people on Thanksgiving.
That's when RT and I pick ourselves up to the nearest friend's house for a drink. It's the greatest, most peaceful time to really enjoy friends. It's the most relaxing evening of the year. It usually takes us from Sunday through Thursday morning to prepare for this meal and it's over in a couple of short hours. The last guests have left our friend's house by 7:00 too. We mosey (yes, I said mosey) on over and have a drink and share our newborn holiday memories of the day. It's become a nice tradition with us.
The ripple effect should be used for good. We should all stop it when it's misused. It has such wonderful results when the good keeps bouncing around us.
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Uncle Gary
Uncle passed away this morning. My favorite aunt emailed me. I can tell she is more than shaken up by her little brother's passing. Amazing my parents didn't call - typical, but another story on another day.
Uncle was the best uncle anyone could ever ask for. He loved to fish and tied his own lures and rigs. One summer, he and my Aunt Gloria invited my sister and I down to join them on a two week vacation trip to Southern Missouri on Tablerock Lake when we were kids. My favorite aunt and uncle were there too, along with some friends of them all. There were kids and cousins and people everywhere in that little cabin. We didn't see much of the men, except when it was time to eat. They spent the days fishing and the evenings telling the women and us kids their great fish tales. The more beer they drank, the bigger the fish got, and the laughs got louder too. The uncles would wake up early, and you heard ALL of their bathroom noises at 5:00 a.m. The aunts would gently wake us kids later and send us on our way to swim or just goof off all day. I think the aunts may have drank all day too. At the end of the day, everyone was happy! About four months ago, I wrote a note to aunt and uncle, thanking them for that trip. It still makes me smile 40 years later, and I told them so, too.
He was a sweet compassionate man too. After Grandpa passed away, they were so kind as to take Grandma in and look after her. They let her have her favorite pink naugahide chair too. She loved that chair so much. It rocked and swiveled. LOL! What an awful color though. I always thought they were glad they took that old chair out of her flat and into their home, for it is in that chair that Grandma passed away. Grandma never drove, apparently, other than a tractor when she was growing up on the farm. They took her to the hairdresser, Church, bank, doctors, cemetery to visit Grandpa, the other siblings' family celebrations - wherever she needed or wanted to be. Uncle was a lot like his mother - very quiet, kind and understanding. Both were faithful people and loved their spouse and family dearly. Both had a good sense of humor and an attitude of not worrying about things too. In my note to them, I also thanked them for taking such great care of Grandma. This was their first "thank you" since 1987. Holy shit, my family is rude!
When Grandma passed, I think Uncle was hurt the most. Of course, there was the family upheaval - what happened to this piece or that thing. Uncle took the crap about it for years. Who the hell cares where this knick knack is or who has what? Grandma was gone and at the funeral, he was definitely the one most upset and dazed by her absence. I saw him cry and smile and the same time, when he looked at her in the casket. I could tell right then, that Uncle was a mama's boy. I always thought of him with that giant smile and sense of humor, sitting me on his lap as a child and telling me "Pull my finger. Really, I promise I won't do it again". Typical Webster definition of Uncle. I never saw him as someone's little boy, until I witnessed him that day of her funeral.
I hope Grandma and Grandpa were waiting for him. I'm sure he's happy to see them both, especially her. I know Grandpa realizes who is getting the first hug at their reunion.
I'll miss you, Uncle. I love you a lot for all the smiles you shared with me. I'm sorry you hurt so much in the end, but I know the pain is gone. Give Grandma and Grandpa a hug for me and tell them how much I miss them too.
Uncle was the best uncle anyone could ever ask for. He loved to fish and tied his own lures and rigs. One summer, he and my Aunt Gloria invited my sister and I down to join them on a two week vacation trip to Southern Missouri on Tablerock Lake when we were kids. My favorite aunt and uncle were there too, along with some friends of them all. There were kids and cousins and people everywhere in that little cabin. We didn't see much of the men, except when it was time to eat. They spent the days fishing and the evenings telling the women and us kids their great fish tales. The more beer they drank, the bigger the fish got, and the laughs got louder too. The uncles would wake up early, and you heard ALL of their bathroom noises at 5:00 a.m. The aunts would gently wake us kids later and send us on our way to swim or just goof off all day. I think the aunts may have drank all day too. At the end of the day, everyone was happy! About four months ago, I wrote a note to aunt and uncle, thanking them for that trip. It still makes me smile 40 years later, and I told them so, too.
He was a sweet compassionate man too. After Grandpa passed away, they were so kind as to take Grandma in and look after her. They let her have her favorite pink naugahide chair too. She loved that chair so much. It rocked and swiveled. LOL! What an awful color though. I always thought they were glad they took that old chair out of her flat and into their home, for it is in that chair that Grandma passed away. Grandma never drove, apparently, other than a tractor when she was growing up on the farm. They took her to the hairdresser, Church, bank, doctors, cemetery to visit Grandpa, the other siblings' family celebrations - wherever she needed or wanted to be. Uncle was a lot like his mother - very quiet, kind and understanding. Both were faithful people and loved their spouse and family dearly. Both had a good sense of humor and an attitude of not worrying about things too. In my note to them, I also thanked them for taking such great care of Grandma. This was their first "thank you" since 1987. Holy shit, my family is rude!
When Grandma passed, I think Uncle was hurt the most. Of course, there was the family upheaval - what happened to this piece or that thing. Uncle took the crap about it for years. Who the hell cares where this knick knack is or who has what? Grandma was gone and at the funeral, he was definitely the one most upset and dazed by her absence. I saw him cry and smile and the same time, when he looked at her in the casket. I could tell right then, that Uncle was a mama's boy. I always thought of him with that giant smile and sense of humor, sitting me on his lap as a child and telling me "Pull my finger. Really, I promise I won't do it again". Typical Webster definition of Uncle. I never saw him as someone's little boy, until I witnessed him that day of her funeral.
I hope Grandma and Grandpa were waiting for him. I'm sure he's happy to see them both, especially her. I know Grandpa realizes who is getting the first hug at their reunion.
I'll miss you, Uncle. I love you a lot for all the smiles you shared with me. I'm sorry you hurt so much in the end, but I know the pain is gone. Give Grandma and Grandpa a hug for me and tell them how much I miss them too.
Monday, November 12, 2007
Gossip
We have all done it and we all have listened to it and we are at the rotten end of it sometimes. Gossip has got to be America's pastime.
Myspace wouldn't exist without it. The smaller local bands keep new fans coming into their site with good gossip from old fans. Gossip works well here. When there is something great going on or when friends are recuperating from illness or their disasters in life, it works well there too. You spread the good news that the person is doing better. The 30th high school reunion was on the gossip line for months! That was good too. It got a whole bunch of people together. Sorry I missed that one!
The media is full of it lately. With the water shortage in the South, the celebrity bull shit, who is doing who, who is on drugs/alcohol/etc. Some people don't know when to quit. Sometimes it's hurtful to the people that the gossip is about. People just need to stop their pie holes for one minute and listen to themselves.
Good news is for sharing - bull shit is not. I am going to make an strong attempt not to be a part of it any longer. Maybe not as much will come my way if I say something then walk away. I just can't stand to hear one more person tell me something about her again. I'm done - FINISHED!
Women are the worst! Some women think that if they make someone else look bad, it makes them look good! People slander other people for several reasons: a) they are so bored in their life and they don't have anything else to do, b) they want to be liked by someone (go figure - it backfires here) c) they're idiots that think we want to know this shit d) they're hurting somewhere, or e) are totally insecure with themselves. If only men bought the National Enquirer, they would shut down. They would have no customers!
I am trying to refigure some things in life. This is one of them. So to begin with, I don't care if Brittney Spears is a good mother or bad mother. It makes no difference in my life. She'll learn as she goes, just like the rest of us. I don't care if Lindsay Lohan is on or off the wagon. Again, she'll learn as she goes, just like the rest of us. I don't care how many babies are adopted by Sheryl Crow, Madonna or Angelina. Let them be in peace. They would probably be better parents without the media in their face. As far as the political arena is concerned, talk to me next October 2008. I'll have an opinion then when I know who is running. I could care less what they are saying. It's all blah blah blah now.
I don't care whose marriages are in trouble. I don't care how silly you think her outfit is. I don't care if he has a funny smell. I don't care what she said to you. I don't care if you think she is mean or stressed. I don't care that you don't like his haircut. I don't care how you feel about anything really. I like having my own opinions of people that keep me straight. If they are kind to me or I see them as talented people in this world, do I need any additional information?
How dare people try to give us information that may change our point of view of someone! If I were a real gossip, I'd post names here. If I were a real bitch gossip, I'd post photos! (LOL) But, of course, I wouldn't really do that.
Girls, please get a grip on your lives! Try knitting or pick up some hobby where you keep your mind busier. I know you wouldn't want anyone talking about you behind your back. Enough already! What they don't know is that the gossip ALWAYS gets back to the person they were talking about. I got a pile of that put in my lap today! Now I have to be the real friend and comfort someone you have hurt. Then they all scramble for awhile, usually with their mouths shut, instead of apologies. If I were your mama, I'd ground your asses. You should know better than to act like this.
I'm saying it again. I gotta quit hanging out with bitches.
Myspace wouldn't exist without it. The smaller local bands keep new fans coming into their site with good gossip from old fans. Gossip works well here. When there is something great going on or when friends are recuperating from illness or their disasters in life, it works well there too. You spread the good news that the person is doing better. The 30th high school reunion was on the gossip line for months! That was good too. It got a whole bunch of people together. Sorry I missed that one!
The media is full of it lately. With the water shortage in the South, the celebrity bull shit, who is doing who, who is on drugs/alcohol/etc. Some people don't know when to quit. Sometimes it's hurtful to the people that the gossip is about. People just need to stop their pie holes for one minute and listen to themselves.
Good news is for sharing - bull shit is not. I am going to make an strong attempt not to be a part of it any longer. Maybe not as much will come my way if I say something then walk away. I just can't stand to hear one more person tell me something about her again. I'm done - FINISHED!
Women are the worst! Some women think that if they make someone else look bad, it makes them look good! People slander other people for several reasons: a) they are so bored in their life and they don't have anything else to do, b) they want to be liked by someone (go figure - it backfires here) c) they're idiots that think we want to know this shit d) they're hurting somewhere, or e) are totally insecure with themselves. If only men bought the National Enquirer, they would shut down. They would have no customers!
I am trying to refigure some things in life. This is one of them. So to begin with, I don't care if Brittney Spears is a good mother or bad mother. It makes no difference in my life. She'll learn as she goes, just like the rest of us. I don't care if Lindsay Lohan is on or off the wagon. Again, she'll learn as she goes, just like the rest of us. I don't care how many babies are adopted by Sheryl Crow, Madonna or Angelina. Let them be in peace. They would probably be better parents without the media in their face. As far as the political arena is concerned, talk to me next October 2008. I'll have an opinion then when I know who is running. I could care less what they are saying. It's all blah blah blah now.
I don't care whose marriages are in trouble. I don't care how silly you think her outfit is. I don't care if he has a funny smell. I don't care what she said to you. I don't care if you think she is mean or stressed. I don't care that you don't like his haircut. I don't care how you feel about anything really. I like having my own opinions of people that keep me straight. If they are kind to me or I see them as talented people in this world, do I need any additional information?
How dare people try to give us information that may change our point of view of someone! If I were a real gossip, I'd post names here. If I were a real bitch gossip, I'd post photos! (LOL) But, of course, I wouldn't really do that.
Girls, please get a grip on your lives! Try knitting or pick up some hobby where you keep your mind busier. I know you wouldn't want anyone talking about you behind your back. Enough already! What they don't know is that the gossip ALWAYS gets back to the person they were talking about. I got a pile of that put in my lap today! Now I have to be the real friend and comfort someone you have hurt. Then they all scramble for awhile, usually with their mouths shut, instead of apologies. If I were your mama, I'd ground your asses. You should know better than to act like this.
I'm saying it again. I gotta quit hanging out with bitches.
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Dealing With A Spaz
spaz (according to the Urban Dictionary): someone who thinks irrationally and is giving you a hard time, usually about something insignificant, or someone who generally randomly overreacts. SYNONYMS: hyper, nervous, crazy, stupid, annoying, dipshit.
Spaz people are EVERYWHERE! And beware, their behavior is highly contagious. Yes, I am a high energy person, but not in an evil or destructive way.
Some spaz people are driving on our roads and highways. All you can do is let them get ahead of you. You can keep an eye on them that way too. These are the harmful spaz humans that have it in for everything and everyone. Nothing is more important than making everyone else out around them as jittery as them. It's exhausting! Just listening to them makes your voice goes up an octave, you start breathing heavily, you may even get a nervous tick!
I got stuck talking with one of these people this today. The highway is much easier than in person. To be kind, I stayed as long as I could stand it. If you are aware that it's contagious, you can try to control yourself so you don't get sucked into their little seizure. : ) Watch their lips - they move a mile a minute. LOL I didn't think her brain could act as fast as she was speaking. I was kind of amazed that she was getting so much crap out of her mouth so quickly. I was more surprised that my mind was actually processing all of this rapid information. Now I'm joking about it, but truly, ritalin was discovered for a reason. She is also the reason people walk in their home at the end of a hard day and say "I need a drink"!
I think the key to spaz people is no diversity. They seem to not have a lot of variety in their lives, so they cling onto one useless subject and go absolutely nuts on it. If you are a well rounded person, this doesn't happen. We have other interests in our lives and look at crap like this as a small bump in the road that you either go around or just ride it out.
There are a few times in life when you have to spaz, especially with children. If your child does something stupid, yes, we are on that subject for awhile because we don't want them making the same dumb ass mistake again. When I got spaz with my kids, they certainly did not make the same mistake again. Their deterrent was that they didn't want to see their mother in that state again. LOL
Because of illness, my energy level disappears sometimes for days. Energy is a precious commodity and should not be used being a spaz in this world. Nor should energy be consumed listening to a spaz. There is no sound reason for this person to behave like that. It is mean, but next time I see her, I'm using my driving rules . . . keep her ahead in my sight so I can watch and avoid her.
Spaz people are EVERYWHERE! And beware, their behavior is highly contagious. Yes, I am a high energy person, but not in an evil or destructive way.
Some spaz people are driving on our roads and highways. All you can do is let them get ahead of you. You can keep an eye on them that way too. These are the harmful spaz humans that have it in for everything and everyone. Nothing is more important than making everyone else out around them as jittery as them. It's exhausting! Just listening to them makes your voice goes up an octave, you start breathing heavily, you may even get a nervous tick!
I got stuck talking with one of these people this today. The highway is much easier than in person. To be kind, I stayed as long as I could stand it. If you are aware that it's contagious, you can try to control yourself so you don't get sucked into their little seizure. : ) Watch their lips - they move a mile a minute. LOL I didn't think her brain could act as fast as she was speaking. I was kind of amazed that she was getting so much crap out of her mouth so quickly. I was more surprised that my mind was actually processing all of this rapid information. Now I'm joking about it, but truly, ritalin was discovered for a reason. She is also the reason people walk in their home at the end of a hard day and say "I need a drink"!
I think the key to spaz people is no diversity. They seem to not have a lot of variety in their lives, so they cling onto one useless subject and go absolutely nuts on it. If you are a well rounded person, this doesn't happen. We have other interests in our lives and look at crap like this as a small bump in the road that you either go around or just ride it out.
There are a few times in life when you have to spaz, especially with children. If your child does something stupid, yes, we are on that subject for awhile because we don't want them making the same dumb ass mistake again. When I got spaz with my kids, they certainly did not make the same mistake again. Their deterrent was that they didn't want to see their mother in that state again. LOL
Because of illness, my energy level disappears sometimes for days. Energy is a precious commodity and should not be used being a spaz in this world. Nor should energy be consumed listening to a spaz. There is no sound reason for this person to behave like that. It is mean, but next time I see her, I'm using my driving rules . . . keep her ahead in my sight so I can watch and avoid her.
Thursday, November 1, 2007
Mean Ass World
So I rejoined the mean ass world today. Nothing like a good dose of work for 10 hours to snap you out of anything. Truly, work makes me feel accomplished, successful and keeps my mind straight on what's at hand or on my desk/computer. Everything seems to fall into place after a good long day of thinking about something else.
Everything usually does fall into place for me. I'd like to relate it to good ethical behavior, but those that know me out there reading this are on the floor laughing. Hey! I can be good when I want to -- really, quit laughing already. : )
But, all in all, I try to be logical in everything, except my faith, which I just accept as the gift it is. In the office, I am VERY logical. Everything is streamlined after I touch it. I don't want anyone picking up a paper, file or something more than once without doing something with it. It's a waste of time. I am also the Master of Lists! My list is complete for tomorrow of meetings or things I have to accomplish and I know exactly when, where and what I will be doing. It seems to keep the mean ass world at bay.
I was at the hospital today for another checkup. It only two 2 hours out of the day and went back to work. I thought about visiting Bro-in-law, but decided against it. I told RT what I almost did, and he said it would have been a waste of time. My heart sinks a little to hear that from him, but he's right. It's all been hardest on him, seeing little Bro take the turns he did.
Three of the four kids were home last weekend for awhile. One left another came in. I loved seeing them. I wish Jess would come in more often from Ohio. I'm so glad we made a home where the adult children feel they can come back anytime for replenishment from the mean ass world. I came down Sunday morning for the usual java and saw The Baby and The Boy in their respective beds. Later, The Baby left to study for a Spanish test back at the dorm, then Joey came in soon after. The Boy & Joey went to Mass at 5, then The Boy went back to his house. The Baby and The Boy went grudgingly back into the mean ass world.
People came in and out of the house most of this past summer. Now that the lake is down, and the weather is cooling to the 70s, no one wants to swim, fish or play in the lake. Lot's of friends and family seem to take a break from the mean ass world, right here, at our home. It's getting more quiet around here lately. I really need to take advantage of this peace and enjoy the time away from the mean ass world, without thinking too much of Bro.
Most people are doing exactly what they should be doing. So everything chugs right along, no matter how you're feeling on any particular day. You know its always there, spinning day after day. At least the mean ass world is consistent. Consistency is good.
Everything usually does fall into place for me. I'd like to relate it to good ethical behavior, but those that know me out there reading this are on the floor laughing. Hey! I can be good when I want to -- really, quit laughing already. : )
But, all in all, I try to be logical in everything, except my faith, which I just accept as the gift it is. In the office, I am VERY logical. Everything is streamlined after I touch it. I don't want anyone picking up a paper, file or something more than once without doing something with it. It's a waste of time. I am also the Master of Lists! My list is complete for tomorrow of meetings or things I have to accomplish and I know exactly when, where and what I will be doing. It seems to keep the mean ass world at bay.
I was at the hospital today for another checkup. It only two 2 hours out of the day and went back to work. I thought about visiting Bro-in-law, but decided against it. I told RT what I almost did, and he said it would have been a waste of time. My heart sinks a little to hear that from him, but he's right. It's all been hardest on him, seeing little Bro take the turns he did.
Three of the four kids were home last weekend for awhile. One left another came in. I loved seeing them. I wish Jess would come in more often from Ohio. I'm so glad we made a home where the adult children feel they can come back anytime for replenishment from the mean ass world. I came down Sunday morning for the usual java and saw The Baby and The Boy in their respective beds. Later, The Baby left to study for a Spanish test back at the dorm, then Joey came in soon after. The Boy & Joey went to Mass at 5, then The Boy went back to his house. The Baby and The Boy went grudgingly back into the mean ass world.
People came in and out of the house most of this past summer. Now that the lake is down, and the weather is cooling to the 70s, no one wants to swim, fish or play in the lake. Lot's of friends and family seem to take a break from the mean ass world, right here, at our home. It's getting more quiet around here lately. I really need to take advantage of this peace and enjoy the time away from the mean ass world, without thinking too much of Bro.
Most people are doing exactly what they should be doing. So everything chugs right along, no matter how you're feeling on any particular day. You know its always there, spinning day after day. At least the mean ass world is consistent. Consistency is good.
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