Travel Stories

Episode 1:  As I was waiting to check my suitcase (which I usually don't do, but since Steve was checking his golf clubs, why should I bother with hoisting my bag to the overhead compartment?), a couple ahead of me was checking their bags.  Apparently the man was going to check his briefcase which held his laptop. The agent behind the desk started explaining that the airlines would not be responsible if something happened to his laptop.  He indicated that he still wished to check it.  She reiterated in detail that the airline would not be responsible if the laptop was broken in transit, like if he turned it on and it didn't work, or if it were stolen.  Finally he decided he wouldn't check it after all.  I think the winner here was the wife - because EVERYONE knows that if something happens to the husband's computer, it's the wife's fault - he probably didn't want to go on the trip anyway ...

Episode 2:  As I was waiting to board (B27, even though I checked in exactly precisely at the first available second), a lady and man (at least one of them) were giving their boarding passes to the gate agent.  All of a sudden the gate agent said, "Whoa, wait a minute," and the rest of her comments were garbled and I couldn't understand them, probably because she was headed down the jetway behind them.  The couple returned to the gate agent's post and a short conversation ensued.  The parts I could hear (and yes, I eavesdrop - I have that kind of ordinary life) involved commments like "the person we talked to yesterday," and "I don't care who you talked to yesterday," and "write a letter to the company."  Then the lady was allowed back down the runway (after the man gave her the suitcase) and the man stood off to the side holding his boarding pass.

What was all this about?  My inquiring mind wanted to know, as I also wanted to know what was in the suitcase, but I felt it best not to ask the gate agent but instead thank her as I gave her my boarding pass.  I guess the man got on and sat by the lady ...

Episode 3:  After finding my seat (that Steve had saved since he is all "A List" and boards in the early As), the seats started filling up, as did the overhead luggage compartments.  One man got on and was looking for a seat AND a place to put his briefcase.  Which would have fit easily under his seat.  But he didn't want to put it under his seat.  Instead he wanted the flight attendant to find a place to put his briefcase.  Because apparently he mistook Southwest Airlines for first class passage on some other airlines.  But the flight attendant found a place for his briefcase.  Not under his seat.  Wonder how long he waited for his in-air meal to be served ...

Episode 4:  Thankfully, the worst of the weather was out of the picture by the time our flight took off.  However, I had a feeling we would be flying over some other weather.  And the fact that Mr. Pilot had the flight attendants sit down for a bit during the flight did not help my usual Nervous Nellie-ness.  At this point I usually think everyone should just be quiet for a while.  So it did not help when for some reason someone sitting a few rows ahead of me decided to yell out.  The person did not yell out a word - just sort of a yell.  I don't know if this person had Tourette's or some other sort of yelling "thing," but I was not a fan.  Again, I probably could have asked and found out if it was a malady or if the person had just seen the wing crack or the engine quit or something.  Luckily at that point the flight attendant (the briefcase settling one) looked over at the person and did not seem too concerned, so I decided to settle down and continue looking out the window at the big fluffy clouds that held big fluffy weather.  It was either that or look for cracks in the wing ...

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Today was a great day because:  safe, smoothish flight to MCO; nice "earning his ears" check-in dude; barbecue slaw hotdog at Casey Jones; big afternoon rains

Time To Travel

After spending two months at home with no suitcase packing, I am going to have a travel month of May. While there are not a lot of trips, it adds up for a lot of days away.  And yes, most of them might have a little something to do with Disney (shocker, I know).

Anyhoo, first up is a trip to The World to celebrate KB's birthday.  We're going to do the Expedition Everest Challenge 5K which hopefully will be a cinch after last week's hilly half marathon.  I think our "outfits" are almost ready.  Now to hope that the weather holds out - one year we did this and the monsoons opened up.  It was so wet that Steve decided to wait it out under a kiosk.  Luckily we finished and got our medals before they ended up cancelling the rest of the race.

So off I go again.  Now to go to explain this to the cats ...

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Today was a great day because:  I finished the skirts; made a Rivergate trip with MB; accomplished another thing or two, including packing my suitcase!!

The Day After The Day After ...

Or maybe it's the day before the day before ...

In other words, I did a race on Saturday and I leave town on Wednesday (do we really need to discuss where I'm going?).  So it's time to clean the house and pack some clothes, all while gingerly walking around in a body with stiff muscles (ha!) and joints.

I also need to make some sparkle skirts because we're doing a 5K on Saturday nights.  We're donning out "Up!" outfits, because it's the Expedition Everest Challenge 5K.  This race is a 5K, an obstacle course (Disney style), and a scavenger hunt.  It all takes place in and around Animal Kingdom.  And did I mention that it starts at 10pm at night?

So you can see I have stuff to do.  The bigger question is, when will it get done??

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Today was a great day because:  Everley time; getting a few tasks accomplished

Insights From Yesterday's Race

1.  I probably should train more.  And better.  And smarter.  And on a regular basis.  And not decide to go out to breakfast instead.

2.  Warm weather is not my kind of race weather.  Of course in February when it was freezing during the Hot Chocolate 15K, I said that cold weather was not my kind of race weather.  I wonder what kind of race weather is my kind of race weather ...

3.  Half marathons are infinitely better than full marathons.  Especially when I have a choice between the two.  Of course, there was a 5K that could have been chosen instead of yesterday's half marathon.  I said I was smart - I didn't say I was a genius.

4.  Your bestest pals don't ask your finish time.  They just ask to see your finisher medal so they can ooh and ahh over it.  It's probably because they know that would burst out laughing if you told them your actual finish time.

5.  Races are like childbirth for many of us.  Once it's over, we forget all the pain and horror and seemingly endless torment that we went through to get that desired outcome.  And before we know it, we're doing it again. 

See you at the start line!!

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Today was a great day because:  family brunch at the Doik with Molly cooking; Lindley and Everley time; Sarah and Melvin visiting; Starbucks via Molly and MB; Steve's safe travel home

Done and Done. AND DONE!!!

So today was the Country Music Marathon and Half Marathon, my participating part being the half marathon.  I knew that it would be hilly and warm.  Unfortunately there are many things that I think I know until I actually experience them.  And then I find my previous knowledge wasn't all that knowledgeable after all. 

Anyhow, KB, Molly, and I met at the house at 6am and headed to LP Field to park the car (since the race ends there, it seemed a good parking place).  We headed over the Pedestrian Bridge (which, like everything else would today, goes straight uphill) to downtown, where the race would start.  There were 30,000 people registered for this race divided in 30 corrals (compared to Disney's 10 or so).  Although we were supposed to be in some of the last corrals, we wiggled our way into earlier corrals - just in case we needed the extra time (corrals are released 2-3 minutes apart). 

Can you see me?
I'm on the left behind the start sign.
Behind the traffic light.

Soon the first corral was off, and we waited and waited until finally it was our turn (that would be KB and me - Molly and Lynnette were elsewhere in some other corrals).  We jogged to the first turn, which would end up being our last jogging spree.  We pretty much walked the rest of the race, which was better than crawling - which might have been our preferred method of motion at many places.

Peniage and Boobage and Nekkidness,
Oh My!!

So, here's my description of the race:  Down to the river, then right, then right again, then left, then right, then right again, then straight, then left (which put us back on Broadway where we started, but headed in the other direction).  We had a bit of a straightaway, until it was time to go left again then right again then up past Musica, the nekkid statue that cost about a bazillion gillion dollars and represents Nashville during the olden Renaissance Days when Nashvillians frolicked about sans clothing.  Nothing like a glimpse of this and that and THOSE to get one moving along ...

And so we kept moving, up and down and up and down the "rolling hills" of Nashville.  At some point, Molly and Lynnette passed us (as did thousands of others).  We wished each other well and promised we'd meet again - not knowing whether it would be in this life or the next - depending on how this race turned out ...

Soon it was time to turn left again, past the old dude and his wife who always sit at their table in their front yard, drinking mimosas.  And no, that's not me taking a picture.  Like I would have any energy to (a) carry a camera with me (who needs those extra ounces of weight) or (b) stop and snap a picture (every second counts when I am trying to complete a mile).  At this point there are many spectators out on their front lawns, watching the idjits out running (and walking and crawling) as the spectators imbibe their desired beverages.  I think the smartest people in Nashville live in this area.

We continue down Belmont and take a left, at which time my stomach decides this whole idea is stupid and starts to decide how to make its opinion known.   We are also only a few blocks from my house, which I wonder if a slight course correction might be in order.   I slow my pace (as if that is even possible).  KB sticks with me and we keep going, and find Cindy, her husband, and their two totally adorbs sons who made signs.  And Cindy had Diet coke - on ice!!  Easy to see why she lives in this neighborhood - she is absolutely brilliant!!

We drink our drinks and trudge along.  Basically the rest of the course involves going up and down and left and right and repeat - sixty bajillion million times.  Naturally my Garmin starts getting off a bit and every mile is now a little longer - as in the Mile 8 sign would actually register as Mile 8.3 on my watch.  Nevertheless, we keep trudging as it gets warmer and warmer.  Just after Mile 11, Sam, Lindley, and Sarah and Melvin (Lynnette's parents) are there to cheer us on.  We keep going, waiting for that Mile 12 sign which will signal there is only a mile left.  However, when my Garmin registers Mile 12.85, I decide that there is no Mile 12 sign (which was echoed by several woggers beside us).  There was a sign at the television station that stated the temperature was 75 degrees - which wasn't so encouraging.  But we kept going up and down and around and around until finally - there it was - the finish line was in our sights.  And soon - well, maybe later - we crossed it.  We got our medals and headed through the gauntlet that was the finisher corral where we got water, bagels, chocolate milk, granola bars, apples, bananas, pretzels, and a wet towel that I promptly put over my head.

Lynnette (who had finished about an hour earlier) and Molly (who had finished about 30 minutes earlier) were in the car, cooling off and waiting.  We hurried (which is a huge exaggeration) to the car, loaded in, took Lynnette home, and went to Nissan to drop me off so I could pick up Mathieu's car (after spending some quality time in the Nissan customer bathroom).  I drove to my house, where Karen was waiting for the AAA dude because she had a flat tire.  Me being the consummate hostess, promptly laid down on the couch hoping I would not barf on anything, including Karen and the AAA dude.

Eventually Karen's tire got changed and they made it home.  I managed to get off the couch and into bed after a shower (and after skipping out on the massage I scheduled for today).  After a few hours, I felt semi-normal (which isn't saying much).  I was done.  And done for and done in.

Anyhow, today's race is for my other friend Emily.  About 12 years ago, she did this very same half marathon with me.  Well, she started with me and Marilyn.  And she might have ended with Marilyn.  Somewhere along the course, I decided I wanted to see the scenery and slow down.  Emily kept on going and finished ahead of me.  And was probably at home taking a nap, having already had a shower and lunch, by the time I finished.  Emily is also the first person to do a 3-Day event with me.  She worked in medical support (she's a nurse) while I walked.  We shared a tent and laughed the first night when it rained (what else was there to do - there was no place to go) and the second night when it got down to freezing (and she shared her extra camp blankets which I think were made out of aluminum foil so I crinkled every time I turned over).  Anyhow, she's probably one of the nicest people I know and so this slow march of a half marathon is for her - maybe one day we'll try another one together.  Well, at least start out together ...

So that was today's race story.  And the moral of the story?  Look for me at this race next year.  I'll be out there with my table and bottle of bubbly!!

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Today was a great day because: CMM with KB, Molly, and Lynnette; spending quality time in my bed with my heating pad; Molly bringing me McDs after her massage; field trip to Fazolis for dinner with Molly and to DQ to get Blizzard for MB; watching two dudes in the Fazolis parking lot yelling at each other and one telling the other one to give him the "piece" or "cheese" or whatever (I wasn't hanging around to see if he was asking for "the piece" - I've seen enough "Law and Order" to know what that is!!)

No Judgement ...

Things she could say, if she had a few more words in her vocabulary ...

1.  What do you mean, I don't need a paci?  Maybe if you used a paci, you would feel better, too.

2.  Why did you send me to school in this brand new outfit?  I sat in the dirt on the playground, and now it's all brown and looks like I might have had an accident from my diaper.  But I didn't.  Seriously.

3.  What do you mean, you're doing a half marathon tomorrow?  Have you been training?  Are you nuts?  Oh wait, it's LaLa ...

4.  You're lucky you got this picture of me.  I have told you repeatedly that no means no when it comes to taking my picture.  Now can we go get a popsicle?

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Today was a great day because: Everley drop off and pick up at school; Everley time; Mathieu Nissan pickup; Molly visit; Steve's safe travel of GDizzle; cruise docs in the mail

One Of My Favorite Places - Denial

Why am I there this time?  Because I am "participating" in the Country Music Half Marathon on Saturday.  Let's not even discuss my (lack of) training.  After a race-filled January and February, I decided to take March off.  And sit around and do nothing.  Which filtered into April.  Until now, and the race is Saturday.  Yikes ...

Trying to remember if
we trained for this one ...

Anyhow, the good thing is that I'm doing it with my race buddy KB, who is perfectly content to go as slow as I can go.  Technically, Molly is also doing it with us, but she will be long gone even if she does start the race with us.  Lynnette is doing the race, but she has actually been training, so we won't even mention where she will be during the race.  Back to KB - she has yet to run off and leave me in a race.  She has the same training philosophy as I do.  So she is used to my slow pace.  The bad news?  My slow is pretty dang slow.

The other good news is that there is a four hour time limit on the course.  Which is four hours from the time the last person crosses the start line (which I hope will not be me).  The bad news?  I'm hoping I can get the 13.1 miles finished within that timespan.

Some more good news is that it should be nice weather (meaning no thunderstorms and lightening).  The bad news?  It's going to be warmish, like in the 70s.  Which is warm if you're doing 13.1 slow miles in the sun, untrained, and not exactly in the best of physical condition.

Anyhow, here's to hoping that we finish in four hours without passing out.  We all have our goals ...

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Today was a great day because:  4 miles in the 'hood with KB; Exp Ev projects started; race expo and bbq dinner with Molly; girl scout shop lady and badges

Once Upon A Time ...

Steve and I were out of town somewhere (probably at Disney World). While we were gone, a squirrel apparently got in our house (I never did get the story as to why a squirrel got in our house). Anyhow, Maribeth and Sam devised a grand plan to get the squirrel out of our house. Lynnette's job was to videotape the episode (and laugh uncontrollably). I'm not sure if Molly was with us, at work, or who knows where. Anyhow, you can see the results of their efforts. And we've never had to worry about squirrels in our house since then!!

 

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Today was a great day because:  I got the upstairs cleaned up; took a load to Goodwill; completed Maribeth's bed switch; completed Molly's curtain hemming; Maribeth brought Chipotle lunch; Steve brought Fat Mo's dinner; Maribeth putting up decals in cubbyhole

Brain Pollution

Tonight I watched two episodes of "Real Housewives of New York."  The other night I watched "Real Housewives of Orange County."  I might have just as well watched paint dry - it probably would have better for my grey matter.

In case you've never seen these television shows, they are about "housewives" in each of these two areas (there are also Atlanta, New Jersey, and Beverly Hills franchises).  The women may or may not be wives, so I'm unsure as to why those women are actually on the show, except for the fact that they live in houses.  Or condos that I guess counts as a "house" as much as they count as "wives."

Anyhow, the plot is pretty much the same every episode.  They drink a lot of alcohol, and get in a lot of fights with each other.  Over pretty much nothing.  And by fights I mean lots of loud yelling at the same time with nobody listening.  Everyone is pretty much just yelling and then yelling some more because the other one won't stop yelling to listen and instead is yelling louder.  Then it's time to drink some more and become friends with last week's enemy or become enemies with last week's friends.

Do I think it's mostly scripted?  Yes.  Do I believe any of it?  Not really.  Then why do I watch it?  Because it's like watching a train wreck - it's just hard to turn away.  Since I am really a housewife, I find it fascinating that women behave, or allow themselves to act on camera in a reality show, like this.  My friends and I have never yelled at each other or gotten into such fights.  So I guess I feel like a researcher observing some strange species.

The bad thing is that these shows pollute my brain.  Instead of thinking about sweet things like kitties and puppies, I think about these crazy, screaming women.  My brain overworks itself trying to make sense of these women and coming up with nothing.

So, like Honey Boo Boo and Dance Moms, I really need to give this wackiness up.  I just wish the new season hadn't started ...

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Today was a great day because:  5 miles in the 'hood with KB; lunch with Lisa

I Got A Hole In Each Arm!!

So last week I got a phone call from the Red Cross.  I figured it must be time for my regular blood donation, but it wasn't.  Instead the lady on the other end of the call was asking if I would come in and donate platelets.  I figured, "Why not?" and so I did - today.

As usual, I was running a wee bit late, so by the time I got to the Red Cross building, I was flustered and out of sorts (thanks to the doofus drivers out driving today).  My pulse was elevated, but apparently not elevated enough to kick me out of my new experience.  I answered all the questions (which don't change, nor do my answers - at least until the future day I decide to get a tattoo or go out of the country for a few weeks).  Anyhow, once all the paperwork was finished, I was led back to the "good chairs."  For those of you who don't know, as a regular whole blood donor, you get the gurney.  For platelet donation, you get the big comfy seats with the heating pad.

I was the only one donating platelets at the time, so it was pretty quiet.  The blood lady got everything set up, handed me the remote to the TV (another platelet perk - you get your own TV to watch), and then proceeded to plug in a port in each arm.  Soon my blood was going out of one arm to the magic machine that would deconstruct the blood, take out the platelets, and reconstruct the blood, and then return the blood to my body through the other arm.  At one point my toes started acting all crazy and cramping, but the Boss Blood Lady noticed and told Blood Lady who gave me some more saline.  Or something.  Apparently it's a common reaction to the something that does something with your blood when it's in the machine.  I really didn't pay that much attention, since the toe spasms stopped as soon as Blood Lady adjusted something.  The whole thing took about two hours, or about four or five episodes of "The Office."  Blood Lady took the needles out, patched me up, and I was out and headed home.  All in all, it wasn't such a big deal, and I'm glad to know that the platelets will help somebody who needs it. 

Now if I could just find somebody who harvests fat - I just don't want it back!!

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Today was a great day because:  getting caught up on bills and such; Red Cross ladies and platelet donation process; Donna race shirt in the mail; watching Meb and Jeptoo win the Boston Marathon

Happy Easter!!

For today's egg hunt, Lindley had pink eggs to find and Everley had yellow eggs to find (easier on the discussion of which eggs belong to whom).  The dads hid the eggs, and we all went out to find them - with Lindley helping Everley a bit here and there.  It ended up being a pretty great egg hunt!!

 

 

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Today was a great day because:  Easter egg hunt; Lindley and Everley time; celebrating Mathieu's birthday; Steve's steaks on the grill

The Virtual Donna Half-Marathon



As I've said many times, the Breast Cancer Marathon, or 26.2 With Donna, is one of my favorite and repeated races (by the way, I do the half-marathon portion of the race).  I was in danger of not continuing my streaker status this year due to a conflict with Disney's Princess Half-Marathon.  But it all got worked out, since Donna created a virtual race for runners to complete.  All you had to do was do your 13.1 miles in another race or on your own.

I did my 13.1 in conjuction with the Miami Half Marathon in early February.  I met two women at the start of the race who were doing the same thing.  Only they took their picture before the race with both bibs and took them off for the race.  I did not, hence the lovely condition (and added pins) of my Donna bib after a few hours (and hours and hours) of rain and sweat.  Nevertheless, I did my 13.1 for Donna, raised the required Mayo Clinic donation, took my before/after pictures, and waited for my medal to arrive - which it did today.  Which is when I will officially list it as done.

Cheering at the Tampa 3-Day!!

As always, this medal is for my friend Emily.  We became friends when we both lived in Florida and our sons were friends.  We moved away (and away and away), and reconnected when I was asking for donations for a 3-Day BC Walk I was doing.  She was recovering from breast cancer surgery that year - talking about timing!  Every year that I do this race, it marks one more year as a breast cancer survivor for her.  So as symbolic as this race is for many reasons, the fact that every year means another year being cancer free for Emily makes the race even more important.  It means that the monies raised for breast cancer causes makes a difference in research, in treatment, and in all the ways that these organizations help.  It means that every step taken, both in a race or walk and in the fight against breast cancer, is making a difference.  It means that there will be more survivors and more moments in life for these survivors and their friends and families.  But most of all, each year that I do this race, it means that Emily has completed another year in her life - and that's the true medal worth celebrating!

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Today was a great day because:  breakfast at First Watch with Steve and Molly; beautiful sunny spring day

When Lindley's Not Here ...

... Minnie has to fill in.  And it's important when watching Disney Jr, that everyone has a blankie - Everley made sure of that.  The good thing about Minnie filling in is that she doesn't need to "discuss" who's turn it is to play with the coveted toy (whatever toy that may be at the moment).    I think that's why she also makes a good fill-in for Everley when Lindley's here and Everley's not here.

Good old Minnie - she's not just a television star!!

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Today was a great day because:  Everley time; Steve bringing dinner from the Barrel; watching yet another movie

Throwback Easter

Yup, this is how we did Easter back in the old days.  In this instance, we were visiting our cousins in Kansas.  I think our mother probably had to pack an extra suitcase just for these outfits.  Because it wasn't just the dresses and little boy suit.  It was also the fluffy petticoat, the sweaters, the purses, the shoes, and possibly hair accessories.  We were a dapper lot!!

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Today was a great day because: Maribeth and Everley's safe travel home; Everley time; Molly bringing me a burger for dinner; 2 slow miles with KB

Just Enough Rope ...

The twine of this story

... to hang yourself or complete the task.  Let me explain ...

For reasons that are not totally important to this story, I decided that Maribeth needed a box spring to go under her mattress (one reason - she didn't have one, instead she had a steel foundation/bed frame contraption that looked like something prisoners in old movies would put their blanket on to sleep).  I decided to get the box spring at the local Sears Outlet Store that is basically just down the street.  (For future reference, it is also close to Maribeth's house, which is not far from mine).

Steve is in California this week, so I knew I could use his big tank-car to transport the box spring.  I even did my research and found out that a queen box spring is 60 inches wide, which is also the diagonal measurement of the back of his vehicle.  It seemed like a perfect solution.  Unfortunately, my ninth grade geometry proved pointless, as I failed to take into account the depth of the box spring.  In other words, it was not going into the car on the angle.

Luckily, the Dude who brought out the box spring and was going to load it into the car until we both determined that it was not going in (perhaps he remembered more of his geometry than I did), said, "I got some twine."  Obviously the box spring was going to have to go up on top of the car, tied on.  Obviously this meant he was going to put it on top of the car and secure it for the ride to Maribeth's house.  Some things are not obvious.  This was one of them.

Dude meant he would put the box spring on top of the car - it was going to be up to me to secure it.  He then brought out the twine (NOT rope) and asked, "How much you think you'll need?"  Again, geometry failed me (and I wondered if I should have taken physics and advanced math during my educational years) as I was unable to give him an answer.  I mean, it wasn't as if he was expecting an actual measurement.  Basically, I was supposed to roll off enough twin to secure the box spring.  I don't think there's a mathematical formula for that.  Or even an App for that.

The first of many rest stop re-ties

Now, as a side note, I will tell you about the time that my sister and I and our daughters went on a trip to Disney World.  We were driving a van with a roof rack and we decided to get these huge army/navy duffel bags to pack stuff in, because we figured it would be easier to tie fewer bags to the roof of the car than a bunch of little bags.  So, we tied them as best we could and headed off down the highway.  Until we noticed several cars passing us, honking their horns, and pointing to the roof of the car.  As if we didn't notice the bag that was now hanging down by the passenger side of the car.  Anyhow, after several stops to re-tie the bags, we eventually made it to Disney World.  I do not remember what we did with the bags on the way back ...

Anyhow, you can see that my history with tying things to the roof of the car is not so great.  I stammered around a bit, hoping Dude would take pity on me, but he did not.  Instead, he waited for me to roll off my desired length of twine.  I did, quite arbitrarily, and he went back inside.  He did say if I needed more to come in.  Since I had no idea how much I would need, how would I know if I needed more?

Whew!!

Anyhow, I tied it here and around there and back there and ran out of twine, so I decided it was time to go.  Eventually, after driving 5 mph and constantly looking in my rearview mirror for honking drivers and/or a box spring flying off the car,  I arrived safely at Maribeth's house.  The box spring stayed on and the twine did it's job - I guess I chose the right length.  Of course, I think the real reason it didn't fall off is because God kept it on the car.  After all, God likes a good laugh every now and then, too.

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Today was a great day because:  beautiful cool spring day; fun times with a box spring; getting tasks complete; lunch with Molly; Molly's beef stew for dinner

And Winter's Back ...

Winter came and winter went

Winter didn't like where it was sent.

Winter came back to visit again,

Winter, winter - where you been?

Yes, I know.  Poetry for a six-year-old - terrific.  For a 56-year-old - pathetic.  But that's the way the weather works here in Nashville.  Any day it could be spring-like, and the next day the weather people are forecasting snow flurries (they forecast it quite often here - which usually means there shall be nary a flake).

Anyhow, just when we thought spring was here, and we were scampering about like Olaf in his dreams, a cold wave decided to come through.  The funny thing is how cold a relative cold wave seems, now that we've experienced warm weather.  Forty degrees now?  Brrrrr - turn up the heat!!  Forty degrees earlier this winter?  Heat wave!!

The current temps will only be around for a few days, when it shall return to spring.  Which has covered my car and caused my sinuses to go berserk.   But not to worry - May will soon be here, when we will not only experience spring, but also summer and winter - most likely in the same 24 hours!!

Winter, spring, summer, and fall

I know one place that has it all.

Cold and warm and wet and dry,

Want some weather? Give ours a try.

We like it all, or so we say,

We'll have a change by end of day.

And that's the weather for Nashville, y'all,

Today's forecast? Think wintsummsprifall!

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Today was a great day because:  I accomplished many tasks; rented redbox movies

Maybe I Will Start Wearing Hats ...

When I get busy cleaning something at home, there's usually something that I don't have for the task and must make a Wal-Mart run.  Because I am in the middle of the task, I don't take the time to clean up and attempt to look presentable - I just grab my keys and purse, jump in the car, and get my stuff at Wal-Mart as quickly as possible.  Today was such a day. 

However, I am going to have to slow down these little trips, at least long enough to take a gander in the mirror.  Why?  Today, as I was unloading my purchases at home, I happened to look at my reflection in the windows of the car, most notably my hair, as it was sticking straight up on top of my head.  I'm sure it was a real treat for my fellow Wal-Mart shoppers - "Attention Wal-Mart Shoppers - Crazy Hair Lady in Aisle 9".  Oh well, at least I didn't see anybody I knew.  Or did someone see me and run the other way?

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Today was a great day because:  finishing kitchen cleaning; airport run to take Steve and his safe travel to California; a little shopping; face-timing with Everley and Maribeth

Totin'

As I continue my never-ending attempts to clean and/or declutter my house, I find that I do a lot of totin' - that would be Southern for carrying things from one place to the next.  In my house's case, I am carrying boxes and bags of things from one room to the other.

Here's how it starts ...  I decide on a room to be cleaned, and set about doing it.  I usually have a box or bag and put things in it that belong in another room.  By the time I determine that I am done with a room (clean or not - I am done), I have a bag of stuff to deposit in another room, because the stuff in question belongs there.  The problem then becomes the other room, because now it has more stuff in it, so I clean that room, putting away the sacked stuff, only to have a new sack with more stuff - that belongs in another room.

My question it, how did all this stuff, that cannot move on its on, end up in all the wrong rooms?  I know stuff procreates at night and creates new stuff, but I am just now realizing that in addition to the ability to multiply, stuff also seems to have the ability to ambulate.  In other words, I have some pretty talented stuff.

So now, much like the conundrum of the chicken and the egg, the question is this - what comes first - the moving or the multiplying of my stuff?  And, more importantly, which is the more time and mind consuming - the moving or the multiplying?  I have no answer - just lots of misplaced stuff.

Oh well, gotta get back to totin' more stuff - before it has a chance to multiply!!

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Today was a great day because:  Going to see Charity at Sonic with Molly; kitchen reorganizing with Molly; Steve's safe travel home; late night visit to Molly's; Lindley time; Lindley going with me to pick up Sam at the airport

Saturday With LaLa. And Moo.

Our morning started a little early - like 4:30ish am early. Lindley and Everley were both sleeping with me in my bed since Steve was out of town. Everley prefers to sometimes sleep across the bed, and sometimes needs to be repositioned so that the largest of our threesome has a little slumber room (instead of the space at the foot of the bed).

I was attempting the repositioning but unfortunately managed to hit Lindley with Everley's foot, thus awakening Lindley. Since she was awake, I decided to give her another dose of Tylenol, since she felt a little warm (last night she was running a fever and her mom dosed her up).

I came up with the brilliant idea to watch "The Incredibles" in hopes that it would lull Lindley back to sleep. If Everley ever woke up during this time, it wasn't for long and was soon back asleep, but Lindley and I dozed off and on (at least I did - I have no idea about Lindley). Anyhow, soon it was daylight, so to borrow from Anna of Arrendale, "The sky was awake, so they were awake." Next activity - Legos.

It was now time for breakfast. Before coming over, Aunt Moo went to Starbucks, McDonald's, and Chick Fil A to get us started and give us energy to make it to the real breakfast - Krispy Kreme. Which, as you can see, consisted of the most nutritional doughnut possible - the chocolate covered with sprinkles.

Fully charged with copious amounts of sugar, we headed to the mall for some indoor playground playing and Disney Store and Build A Bear shopping (really not necessary to go into all those details, except to say perhaps two matching Hello Kittys came home from the mall with us). We were planning to lunch at Fridays, but Lindley's fever started to return, so we decided to return home with our now-packaged-for-takeout lunch. We all ate (except for the meatballs that were green inside) and headed off for naps.

Finally, after a full day of shopping and snacking and napping, we had our snack outside before everyone headed back home (complete with our headband adornments).

What a great weekend at LaLas!!

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Today was a great day because:  spending the day with Lindley and Everley and Molly and Lynnette; beautiful spring day

Just Another Night At LaLa's

Sometimes it's important to wear a pink shower cap when you're at LaLa's house and it's time for bed.  Why?  I would question more, why not?  Because it's LaLa's house, and if you can't wear a pink shower cap at bedtime, when and where else can you wear it?

Besides, you should have seen what LaLa was wearing ...

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Today was a great day because:  Taking Everley to school; Lindley and Everley sleepover; watching Pixar movies (doesn't matter which one); Maribeth picking up dinner

Family

Today's Throwback Thursday is a picture of me and my sisters-in-law, Steve's four sisters.  One year, maybe for his parents' anniversary, his mom made us all dresses alike. We wore them, I assume out of respect for his mom and her efforts.  I'm pretty sure none of us wore them many, if any, other times, and certainly not at the same time.

But the point of this is that my mother-in-law didn't have to make me one.  She could have just made Rachel, Kitty, Judy, and Dot a dress and left me out.  Certainly being the "in-law" would have exempt me from being part of the group.  But she included me.  And throughout the years, they have all included me, in both the good and the not-so-good times.

Because that's what family is really all about.  It's not always about how you got there, but that you're loved and part of the family, no matter how or when you get there.  You're part of the group and share all things family.  And if you're really lucky, you get a matching dress.

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Today was a great day because:  I got a project finished and in the mail; made an airport run for Sam; Maribeth helped with Sam's car return; Steve's fun at the Masters and safe travel to Birmingham; getting a few tasks accomplished

Maggie, The Guard Cat

Generally, Maggie does not like to be around when Lindley and Everley are over.  Possibly because sometimes they like to chase her.  Maggie's preferred spot is under the covers on my (or any) bed.  The only issue is when Everley or Lindley want to take a nap on that bed and find a huge lump (sometimes purring).  Lindley prefers that the lump be extricated and be put elsewhere - preferably in another county.

So it looks like today Maggie the Cat is getting even.  Instead of guarding Lindley's chair, it might appear that she is considering retaliation for all those times she was rudely awakened from a good nap by a particular four-year-old.  Maggie has that look of "so where's the four-year-old now?"

Luckily for everyone, Lindley was at school and Maggie decided it was beneath her dignity to mark and/or otherwise deface Lindley's chair.  We'll see if the peace talks hold out ...

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Today was a great day because:  Four slow miles with KB; sort of rescuing Rambo; Steve's safe travel to Georgia; watching Jeopardy with Maribeth; delivering a package and a little shopping

What We Do

The other day, Sam had a random encounter with someone he went to church with many years ago.  When the person asked what Sam did now, Sam replied that he is an entrepreneur.  To which this person replied, "That's vague."

When Sam told me about this encounter and the response he got, I was a bit baffled.  First of all, I wasn't surprised - that person is sort of an odd conversationalist.  But I'm always surprised at the responses people seem to make when it comes to commenting on the eternal question of "What do you do?"  Sometimes I just wish instead of blurting out a quick comment to the answer to that question, the person would just stop, think, and then say, "And what does that entail?"

For Sam, my answer for him would be that he dreams big dreams and then sets about getting them into action.  He finds stories in everyday life and then tells them so that others can hear the stories, enjoy them, and maybe even learn from them.  He speaks and encourages so that others can dream big dreams and persevere to see their own dreams move into action.  Dictionary.com defines an entrepreneur as: “a person who organizes and manages any enterprise, especially a business, usually with considerable initiative and risk.”  Instead of finding that vague, I find it intriguing.

But the same question is asked daily, and when the answer is given, very few people wait around to hear the whole story.  "Oh, so you're a stay at home mom."   "Oh, so you work in an office."  "Oh, so you're a teacher."  "Oh, so you're retired."  Oh - so do you really have any idea what that means?

I guess the point of this soapbox sermon is the next time I hear somebody tell what they do, I hope I have a chance to ask them what that means.  Because if I am interested enough to ask the question, I should be interested enough to hear the whole story.

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Today is a great day because:  I actually got a room cleaned out/up; Molly's beef stew for lunch; some Wal-Mart/Target therapy; Steve's safe return home

Paper or Cyber?

I recently got an offer for "Good Housekeeping" magazine - the print version.  It seemed like a pretty good deal, and I'm thinking about getting it.  I just have to decide if I'm willing to be eco-conscious or not.

I have an iPad.  I also have access to one of the electronic reader devices (obviously I don't use it so I'm not sure what brand thingy it is).  I also have a computer.  So you can see that there are several non-killing-a-tree ways for me to read a magazine.

Maybe I'm old-school.  I like having the feeling of a magazine or book in my hands.  I like being able to tear something out of a magazine if I want to keep it, or go back and forth in a book to keep track of who's who (yes I know you can go back and forth electronically, but it just doesn't seem the same and I think I might get dizzy from spinning the pages back and forth).  I also like being able to fold up a magazine and take it wherever I want (yes, I know I could do that with an electronic devise, but if I drop a magazine down the toilet or in the pool, the loss is not quite as dramatic).  I also just seem to feel some sort of tactile comfort in the pages of a book or magazine.

So, do I order the magazine via print/snail mail or electronic/cyber mail?   According to my coupon, I have 15 days to decide and send back the postcard. 

Even the order procedure is old school ...

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Today was a great day because:  Lindley and Everley time; quick visit at Molly's to pick up food

It's Typical, Not Unusual

So today's story is another example of how things happen in my life.  Be forewarned - this may get a little gross ...

Anyhow, today I decided to get a massage.  I haven't gotten one in awhile, and decided that in keeping with trying to be a better me and take care of myself and treat myself well (blah, blah, blah), I would get one.  So I went in and met with Bob-bo (yeah, I am not saying his real name to protect the innocent).

A little backstory:  several years ago when I started getting massages, I went to Gigi (again, not her real name, but mainly because I don't remember it).  She noticed I had a bump or blackhead or something on my back and decided she would pop it/push it/whatever it to get it cleaned out.  I don't know if she did since the object of her efforts is between my shoulder blades, but I can say that she certainly tried.  She also talked the entire hour, but that's another story.  Anyhow, I left the massage with supposedly a cleaned out place on my back.

Only it wasn't so cleaned out, as it decided to have a party and get bigger.  Not cancer-like bigger, but lumpy zit/blackhead bigger (I warned you it was a little gross - and it's gonna get worse).  Over the years, massage people would comment on it.  Like one girl who said, "Do you know there's a lump on your back?"  Like I wasn't aware?  Some massagers (I know - masseuses) would ignore it, some would work around it, and some would just work over it.  Did I care?  Nope.  As long as I left feeling somewhat refreshed, I was okay (except for Mr. Jiggly Armpits - again, another story for another day). 

Okay, so fast forward to today.  Bob-bo (whom I've never had before) and I had our usual pre-massage chat and I told him that since I had been out of the massage loop for awhile, I just wanted to concentrate on my upper body today, which seems to be my most tight area (and I wasn't sure if my legs had been shaved in the last six months).  Anyhow, he said "Dandy," - well, maybe not - and left so I could disrobe and hop up on the table, face down (which will prove to be pivotal in this story - which, by the way, I have never figured out why some massager-euses prefer to start face up and some face down.  Should I solve this mystery one day, there shall be a blog post - now live in that anticipation!).

Anyhow, back to Bob-bo.  I get properly situated on the table (face down, remember), and he knocks and comes in and gets started.  I pretty quickly noticed that he was attending to my knot (just for reference, it was the size of a marble maybe).  I'm thinking maybe he was trying to determine what his course of action was going to be - ignore, work around, or work over.  And then his course of action became obvious - HE WAS GOING TO WORK IT OUT!!  Yes, people, Bob-bo was going to get every bit of that lumpy blob out - I guess through whatever pore (which I assume became larger) he could.

What did this entail?  A lot of pushing and prodding and PUSHING (think of popping a pimple and magnify the effort like 1 billion times).  At some point he wanted to show me what he was getting out, so I'd raise my head as he requested so I could see his finger nail.  Luckily I had on my contacts and cannot see anything close without my readers, so it was all a bit fuzzy, but I at least could see it was sort of gross.  He kept pushing and prodding and then once we became best friends, he talked about what he was doing.  And how it hit him in the eye but he would wash his face afterward.  And how he used 10 paper towels already.  And how this just made his day.  And how he is super-qualified to do this.  And how he felt bad that I've had to live with this for so many years.  And how he's getting all the infection out.  And how it's in the muscle but it also affects the nerves (which is probably why when he did some of the pushing and prodding, my elbow tingled).  And how I should probably used Glipity-gloopity cream (like I understood what the heck he was saying) that I could get at Whole Foods in the vitamin aisle to help with the bruising that was probably going to occur.

Anyhow, after around 50 minutes of this (yes, 50 minutes or so) the session was over and my marble was gone (for the most part).  Bob-bo apologized that I didn't get a massage, to which I replied that I got my money's worth to have my bumpiness removed.  Of course, as I recounted my story to the female members of the family, they were all horrified and are taking bets as to when the infection will REALLY begin (so in other words, I don't need your comments, but perhaps you can contact them and enter the infection bet).

So the point of this story is that while this may seem unusual to us, it's pretty typical of the way things happen in my life.  You go in for a massage and come out with no back bump.  You just have to find the good in the detours that come your way.  Just remind me of this when the infection starts ... 

Oh, and yes, I have another appointment with Bob-bo in the future.  Whatever ...

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Today was a great day because:  Everley's birthday party at Chucky Cheese; Charity/Molly party at Sonic; Lindley and Everley time; bump-busting with Bob-bo; Cracker Barrel dinner with Everley, Maribeth, Mathieu, and Steve

It's Saturday!!

Funny how Saturdays change as we get older.  When I was little, I loved Saturdays because cartoons were on all morning (I have a feeling my mother liked Saturdays for the same reason).  I (and sometimes a friend) would sit in front of the tv until noon.

As I got a little older, Saturdays were for having friends over.  My friend Kelli and I would go to "the store" (a little one-room building by our house that my father kept to sell food and sundries to the workers on our farm), get a snack and a Coke, and wait for the mailman to bring our mail.  Then we probably went in and watched cartoons. 

As a teenager, Saturdays usually meant one thing - sleeping.  Until noon, if possible.  There might have been a slumber part the night before, or maybe even a date after the football game.  But sleep was a wonderful thing to enjoy as late as possible (my mother probably wanted the same thing for me - considering I was a teenager with teenager moods).

Once I got married, Saturdays were for doing all the stuff around the house that I felt needed doing as a married person.  Things like cleaning, fixing up the dwelling of wherever we were living at the time, lawn work, etc.  Saturdays became work days.

Then, when the kids arrived, Saturdays meant survival.  Hopefully with cartoons and sleep (not mine, of course).  There was also the continuation of the work around the house.  So, Saturdays remained a work day - doubled.  And of course there were lots of soccer games, or picking up of sleepovers, or taking our sleepovers home.

Well, the kids left home and Saturdays sort of slacked off.  With no kids around the house, there wasn't as much to do.  And, because we were a two-income family, we could pay people to do the stuff that we no longer wanted to do.  Cartoon watching probably would have been fun, as well as sleeping late, but once the oldies were no longer on the air and your body clock says you need to go ahead and get up early, I just sort of got up and piddled around the house.

Now that I'm in the grandma stage, Saturdays are sort of back to play and clean.  Both which may or may not happen, depending on who's here and who's not.  Some Saturdays are busy with playing and napping and some aren't.  Some Saturdays are spent in a clean house and some aren't.  Some Saturdays I get stuff done, and some Saturdays are considered a success if I change out of my pjs.

I guess what I'm saying is that Saturdays, like most of life, change as our lives change.  While we may wish for the Saturdays that used to be, we may find that the Saturdays we have are the best ones.  Why?  Simply because we have them to enjoy.

Enjoy your Saturday, whatever it may be!!

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Today is a great day because:  Lindley and Everley time; beautiful day for playground play

 



Have A Goofy Day!!

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Today was a great day because:  Steve's safe travel to Columbus; Red Lobster and sleepover with Everley; 

My Junky Drawers

Having just had a yard sale, one would think that my house would be free of clutter.  One would be wrong - very wrong.  While I got rid of a lot of junk (like 15 boxes of junk), there seems to be a jillion potential boxes left.  And we're talking big boxes.  Huge.

For instance, I have tons of notepads of every size and sort.  Do I use them?  Sometimes.  But keep in mind that use is probably one sheet a week.  If I never received another notepad, and wrote a list everyday, I still would not run out of notepads.  Ever.

I also have about 25 pairs of scissors of all shapes, sizes, and sharpness.  Granted, I have this many because I finally put them all together in one container.  And I probably have this many because of all the times that I couldn't find one pair of scissors, much less 25, and went out and bought some more (many in packs).  Some of them wouldn't cut melted butter, but I still have them.  Why?  Because they're scissors.

My desk drawer is also full to doo-dads and thingamajigs.  It was probably the inspiration for Ariel's beginning song in "The Little Mermaid" (it's astounding how many ideas those Disney people have stolen from my life).  Most of the stuff is there because "I might need it one day."  Even though it's been many days/years/decades and I still haven't needed it.  But I can't seem to get rid of it because if I do, I'll need it tomorrow.

I know much of my collection of stuff is a leftover from my teaching years.  As a teacher, you pretty much grab and hold on to anything because you can probably use it in the classroom.  And if it's free, it's even more valuable.  And since teachers have to live on their salary as well as procure supplies for their classrooms, they certainly are not going to get rid of anything.  Ever.

So since I no longer teach, nor cut so many things with scissors that the ones I have are dull, nor write down things on little pieces of notepad paper, what shall I do?  Actually get rid of it?  Clear stuff out so that I only have two or three pairs of scissors, and a notepad or two, and nothing in my desk drawer except those things that I use regularly during a week's time?

I do like living a wild and crazy life ...
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Today was a great day because:  Two miles with KB; a task or two accomplished

And Then She Turned Two

Today Everley turns two years old.   I guess somebody's getting old (we won't name names).  But maybe that's how we stay young, by seeing the world through new eyes.  What a great gift and blessing!

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Today was a great day because:  birthday dinner at the Barrel with Steve, Maribeth, and Everley; "Wicked" with KB

April Stupid Day

I hate April Fool's Day.  I don't see why we just don't call it Liar's Day, because that's what it is.  I don't like lies and I don't like pranks that make people feel stupid.  I don't like reading about it in the newspaper or on the Internet.  I don't like it at all.

At least I'm not alone.  I don't know who wrote this, but it expresses my sentiments precisely.  I'm very happy that my family and friends know my feelings about this day, so I don't have to worry if they're going to try to trick me.  I'm not sure if that's in their best interest or mine ...

Anyhow, I hope you have a lovely April Fool's Day.  I hope that if you enjoy this day, you have a lot of fun - just not with me!!  And if you're like me, and have not, do not, and will not ever appreciate the complexities of this day, then join my movement.  To make today March 32 - and tomorrow April 2!!

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Today was a great day because:  ARC came and took away the 15 boxes of clothes from the yard sale; beautiful spring day; grocery store shopping; family birthday party for Everley; Lindley and Everley time