Chicken Sapa as a Metaphor for Life

Sometimes less is more. Or better. Because you should have used constraint. Because more is too much. And then you regret the excess.

Okay, so maybe chicken sapa is a lousy metaphor for life. But when you've over-indulged over what should have been delightful, all that is on your mind is what you shouldn't have done.

And then your blog becomes a confessional.
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Things that make today great: Shopping with Molly; new drainage system complete at Cadillac; chicken sapa with Steve, Maribeth, Sam, and Lynnette; Toys for Tots drop off at LP Field

Conundrums

Today the sun finally came out of hiding - I guess it wasn't a fan of all the recent rain, either. Although the weather was a little chilly, I thought it would be a great day to trim all the outside bushes and dead plants, etc., so the trimmings could be picked up by the chipper trucks.

So imagine my sadness when before I had even begun, I saw the chipper trucks on our street. That means that they won't be back until January, and anything that I clip off won't be chipped for a month. Needless to say, I opted out of doing anything in the yard so I wouldn't have a pile of rubbish on the side of the street for the next four weeks.

So, was it good or bad luck that today was chipper day? Bad luck because my yard didn't get tidied, or good luck because I didn't have to tidy it?

As for me, I don't know. I'm still trying to figure out which came first - the chicken or the egg!
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Things that make today great: Lunch with the Ms; Molly's crawl space workers; Ruby's dinner with Steve and Maribeth; Marilyn's new wiper blades; two miles in the 'hood

Bring in the Cavalry

Today while I was cleaning my bedroom, I watched one of my favorite movies, "The Legend of the Lone Ranger." It was made in 1981 and the only awards it won were Razzies. Okay, I admit that it's not one of the technically or artistically created movies ever, but I love it anyway.

I love it because there's the good guy fighting the bad guy and winning. I love it because several times during the movie, the "Lone Ranger" theme is played as the Lone Ranger and Tonto race to save somebody. I love it because Tonto remains a friend through the years to the Lone Ranger. I love it because Silver is such a smart horsie.

But my favorite part is near the end, when the Lone Ranger, Tonto, and President Grant are planning to blow up the fortress of Bad Guy Cavendish. They plant dynamite all around the compound, and we watch as the buildings blow up one by one. Just when we think it may not work out, we watch as the seemingly impenetrable fortress wall blows up. We believe that maybe the trio will barely escape, when we hear a bugle and see Silver and Scout racing in, followed by Wild Bill Hickock, Buffalo Bill, General Custer, and the United States Calvary!

Why do I love this part so much? I like to think that when things are at their worst, there will be heroes and a cavalry to come in to rescue and help me. I want to believe that at some point, there's an army whose main goal is to race at top speed to find me in my distress. I hope that sometimes I will be the one leading the team in to rescue someone else. I want to believe that I can be a part of defeating the bad guys that would threaten to harm those I care about.

So maybe it's just a cheesy movie, but I love it. I love it because it inspires me. It helps me realize that we're all in this together - sometimes we need the cavalry, and sometimes we need to be the cavalry.

And maybe all we need to do is to listen and we'll hear our own theme song to get us going!
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Things that make today great: Getting back to boot camp and finally being on the winning plank relay team; lunch with the Ms; watching "The Biggest Loser" with Maribeth, Steve, and Marilyn; getting rid of three bags of clothes and stuff and taking it to Goodwill

Making New Friends Via Maytag

My washing machine is getting very moody lately. It's not that old and is a Maytag (the brand Steve's family swears by) so it should be a very happy washing machine. However, lately it has been having issues with draining the final water and spinning the clothes dry.

Last week when I opened the machine and found it full of water (it is a front-loader and I could tell it was full of water by the gallons that gushed out on the floor), I decided it was time to call a professional. After all, it is a Maytag, and we all know their repairmen are the loneliest men in town. So, today was the day to call.

Luckily, it is still under the extended warranty that I bought when I bought the machine. I called the repair phone number listed on the paperwork. After I punched in various numbers in response to various commands, I was finally connected to Indira, who apparently was speaking to me from her native country, somewhere in Asia.

We had quite the conversation. I only wish I knew who her scriptwriter is, because after every comment I made, she had the perfect response. For instance:

Indira: "What is the problem?"
Me: "The machine won't drain."
Indira: "Ooooo. I know that can be very depressing, so let me see if I can help you."
Me: "That would be great."
Indira: "Is the drainage hose clear?"
Me: "Yes."
Indira: "Oh, that is great. Well then, let's see if we can get your washing machine fixed because I know that can be frustrating."

It went on like this until finally Indira asked if I had reset the machine by unplugging it and plugging it back in. I hadn't, and suggested that I wouldn't know if this worked until I had washed another load. Indira seemed to think this was the way to go and said she would note my plan of action on my record, in case the unplug/replug technique didn't work.

I unplugged and replugged and washed a load of clothes. I'm still not certain that it worked - although there was no deluge of water, there was still a bit of residual puddles. I'll probably end up calling the repair hot line again in a week or so.

I wonder if Indira will be waiting for my call!
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Things that make today great: Getting the finances in order; pizza lunch with the Ms; seeing Molly's new tv

Fashion with a View

Last Saturday, Marilyn and I were having a snack in The Land at Epcot. While we were chatting, I happened to look to my right at the young lady who was cleaning up after her group. She was bent over a bit, and as I glanced over, I couldn't help but notice her low-riding pants. And I seriously couldn't help but see her coin slot, aka butt crack, aka the top of her hiney, aka whatever you call it, sticking out the top of her jeans.

Being an old fogey, I was understandably taken aback. I mean, this was not a scene I wished to view while enjoying my key lime-ish tart. I tried to ignore the situation, but also finding it funny, I decided to let Marilyn in on the side show. This involved a series of eye movements, a head slant, and a mouth stretch to my right. By this time, Miss Bootylicious had moved to help a child in her party, which involved moving closer to Marilyn, and unfortunately, involved bending over even more. In other words, by now all Marilyn had to do to see the sights was to turn - it was there right in her face. I think we were pretty much done with our snacking at that point.

Anyhow, I am somewhat intrigued by this new style. Miss Booty had no underwear on, as far as we could tell - as we could tell plenty. Doesn't one feel the draft in this area, and feel an urge to cover up? I wouldn't know, since my area in that region is amply covered up by granny panties, panty hose, Spanx, a girdle, and any number of other layers of fabric.

I guess I'm just not in with the latest trend of bending and showing. And for everyone out there who might be able to view that particular landscape - you're welcome!
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Things that make today great: Factory brunch with Sam, Lynnette, and Molly; Maribeth and Steve's return from GDizzle's, Molly's chili