Category Archives: Uncategorized
It does snow in Africa
Aw the new version is out … So I must delve into the archives and shake this one out.
A friend mentioned a song yesterday on her Facebook page. It was Band Aid’s ‘Do they know it’s Christmas’.
Think I’ve mentioned before that I really might need to work on using my edit button. (Says the owner of the ‘Shut-up Buddha’). Here my friend was feeling warm and fuzzy and having memories flooding back and I just had to click on the comment box.
That song is the first of two that drive me bananas! Don’t get me wrong, very catchy tunes – love the artists – this is strictly lyric related.
Let’s take a look at a couple of lines shall we?
“And the Christmas bells that ring there, are the clanging chimes of doom,
well tonight thank God it’s them, instead of you”.
WTH? “Chin up Africa, better you than me eh?”
I don’t think praying and saying ‘thank you’ for your blessings is quite the same…
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Musings from the Laundromat: Peace love and wind edition
Woke last night to the howling of wind – debris clashing about in my yard – the metal shed bending and snapping – and smiled. And curled into a tighter ball beneath my covers.
Oh how I LOVE this time of year! From 130 degrees to 50! It was 50 in the car on the way over to the laundromat this morning.
Deeeee-lightful!
I walked in and was greeted by a man in dark glasses, a leather biker vest and plaid shirt. “You made it!” He said.
I’ll chat with whomever strikes up a conversation with me – but I could not recall having struck one up with him these past laundromat years “Yeah!” I responded.
He then went on to share, as I filled my washing machines, how this wind is kicking dust up into his eyes and he just had cataract surgery.
So now I’m wondering if that’s why he’s talking to me – he thinks I’m someone else? I also hoped that meant he didn’t see the pair of underwear on the floor that escaped during the washing machine filling. (Seriously – EVERY time??? I have rebellious undies.)
________________________
Big news – I left the house yesterday.
You think I’m joking – but nope, I did. AND put makeup on. Eek!
It was an event for work and the theme was peace love and disco.
(The disco part proved to be difficult after 2 prime rib plates and 3 desserts, but I soldiered though it.)
It was amazing. Have to admit, I was going into full panic attack mode as I approached the venue and parked.
Didn’t help that as I was walking from my car to the building (a casino) two men came out and leered – one said “Thank YOOOU” to me. I had never wanted a trench coat to magically appear on me more in my life.
I entered the building and headed for the escalators – up I went – eyes front, as I heard wolf whistles from the bar below.
Okay, it’s nice to get a compliment from time to time, but I was CRINGING inside. Wishing that magical coat would appear and wrap tightly around me. Did not happen.
I decided to walk the rest of the way with my head up and a purposeful gait. Which probably only made me look like a stuck up hooker.
It’s quite a walk to the actual destination – but I made it. When I walked in – WOW! Amazing. The place was decked out! (My ipad isn’t really the best at capturing ‘wow’ especially in dimly lit rooms)
I found my people and anxiety level started to drop.
A friend of mine found me “How did they get you OUT?!” Ha ha – but she knows me.
I’ll share another picture – I can’t say what event, where or who my work family is – but I don’t think they’d mind me sharing anonymously. That’s me on the left – the 5th wheel. lol
Apparently there was a senator there – I don’t know my government officials so the coolness of that was sort of lost on me.
I did get to do the Hustle and my best Saturday Night Fever moves. I did get to laugh and watch as my work family accepted awards. And I’m not kidding when I say I had two plates of food. I hadn’t had red meat in a loooooong time – I was not fooling around when it came to eating last night!
And now it’s time to empty the drier – and PRAY no underwear dives to the floor as there is a table of 5 men next to my folding station.
Until next time –
A day in the life …
Happens to be one of my favorite Beatles songs – and (immediate tangent) if you haven’t yet seen ‘Good Old Freda’ on Netflix yet – and still claim to be a Beatles fan – then go watch it NOW.
On a serious note …
I arrived home – Ah, Friday! I stopped at the grocery store, came sauntering home with ice cream and dog treats – Noticed nice neighbor who was walking his dogs was battling a rogue dog in the neighborhood. I mean, seriously battling – yanking his pups on their leash and tossing rocks at the offending pup. After understanding earlier that my son left Butters outside (after an IM) and thinking it was she that had leapt the fence for some reason and was up the street – I peeled back out of my parking spot and realized my neighbor was battling another dog and it WASN’T Butters – thank goodness – I ‘covered him’ until he got home.
But, there are way too many dogs that are unattended and roam. Butters is only out when I’m home – and when I hear her urgently bark, my arse is outside checking things out and bringing her in.
Anyway!! Got home again.
Put groceries away – grabbed ipad – went outside (I have a peaceful and lovely view of a vacant lot if I put my blinders on – rabbits – quail – silence) put my feet up and was greeted by my unavoidable view of ‘THE neighbors’.
The ones I’ve discussed before.
I’ll keep this short – the video should bore you enough, explain a lot and take up enough of your time.
Bottom line – oldest daughter has graduated from hitting dog with hand to hitting dog with stick. Youngest child is copying oldest and doing same.
The dog that ‘suddenly’ appeared after they had a break in. Or – perceived break in? Who knows anymore.
I say enough in the video – so let’s let that speak a thousand words (and tangents) and any advice would be appreciated.
I will NOT just LEAVE! That would render me ‘Ostrich’ and those kids and that poor pup will still be in the same situation.
I have some solutions. I’m thinking tomorrow, I GO to the Sheriff department and just spill all I know. I have a home inspection next week and I plan to share all I know about the neighbors with them.
I’m doing all I can while protecting my own. And while I wish I was one of those people who did the right thing ‘come what may’ – I have others to think about. My son – my dog.
And when people are on drugs – and when people are violent – there’s no rationalizing with them.
Mirror Mirror on the Wall
What to say about this guest writer? I met this amazing woman when I was young – in my first real apartment working my first real full-time job – I think it’s safe to say where, as neither of us are near there anymore, Pebble Beach. (OMG, I was my sons age!) and my thoughts about her then were that she was a beautiful ‘broad’. Let me clarify. I think of ‘broad’ as a compliment. Someone who knows who she is, doesn’t take crap and knows where she wants to go. Spoke her mind, was amazing at her job and was someone I looked up to. I was blessed to get to be a part of her friend circle – I, to this day, have no clue why she let me in. I mean, I was seriously green – making all my first mistakes and was not anywhere close to being a ‘broad’. (Still not there yet lol).
I spent time with her and her husband Steve. House sat for them once and tended to their iguana? It was either a ginormous iguana or a wingless dragon that struck fear into my heart – but I did it because I felt honored to be asked.
I remember a military picnic of sorts with her and loved spending the time and loved that she invited me.
(Time plays tricks, did I house sit or just meet the dragon at that picnic??)
We lost touch, as people who carry on through life out of arms reach do – and found one another on Facebook years later.
Now we’re both moms and she’s still with her love. ( I LOVE that part)
A couple of years ago, she sent me a book and an essay she wrote. The deal was, I was to pay that forward, write my own essay, send it and the book to someone. I have greedily held onto the book – and the essay. I will forward it when I’m ready. When I feel I’m in a place to offer any kind of wisdom without feeling like I don’t even take my own advice.
I called her out on Facebook to be my next guest writer and she obliged. I give to you – Ann – (You can’t have all of her – just this for now. But trust me, she IS the sort of woman who would give you all of her. Kind, compassionate, generous, loving …. anyway – tangent)
Ok Here it is. Mirror Mirror On The Wall
I have always been aware of the mirrors on the wall. Big, small, ornate or simple I have greeted each mirror with the understanding that it is a true reflection of what is before it.
For many many years I have seen mirrors with both a true reflection and a “magnified” reflection. Assuming that the magnification was intended to witness blemishes and faults in the epidermis of us all I appreciated its purpose. Then suddenly the other day I realized its true purpose.
I am 50 and quite comfortable in my own skin and body and believe me it is not perfect. I was fortunate to have been at my best physically between the ages of 17 and 22. (thanks Mom & Dad for the good genes among other things).
So on to the mirror. It is two-faced; true and big. Going to apply simple eyeliner I threw on my “readers” as I can see virtually nothing without them, only to realize haha I cannot apply with them on.
Of course!
And then I know, it is an epiphany.
That is what the magnification side of the mirror is for, aging people applying make-up!
Just goes to prove viewing something from another perspective is always an opportunity for education. Different perspective, different answers. It is all in what you see and what you need.
Mr. Waddles
Saw a pigeon earlier in the week with a broken wing. Then yesterday morning, at work, another (same??) pigeon waddled by the office window with the same wing!
I decided I must feed it.
Apparently there is no pigeon food around the office – actually, there’s not much of any food around the office right now.
I sent an urgent message to my boss – went a little something like this:
Subject – ‘Pigeon with a bum wing’.
I found a trail mix bar and scurried out the door.
Couldn’t find pigeon.
Then ended up walking right past him as he nestled in an alcove behind spider webs.
He came out of his little wind breaker area and waddled off away from me.
Here I am stalking the poor thing saying “Hey! Hey … I have food”
He didn’t care.
I’m tossing bits of trail mix at him and trying to remember if that thing about pigeons remembering faces is true or not.
Evidently it is true http://www.livescience.com/14895-pigeons-recognize-human-faces.html
Maybe if the person the face is attached to is tossing food directly at your rear while frantically pursuing you, the pigeon does not consider this a good thing??
I’m nice to the pigeons (much to everyone’s chagrin) but obviously I haven’t made enough eye contact with them since they keep flying (or quickly walking) off when I come near.
(OH! They’ve rebuilt the nest by the way. Muah ha ha!!!! And it is magnificent. I’m so proud.)
I must remember to bring a bag of bread crumbs and stare at them until they memorize my face!!
Maybe put a photo up by the nest?
Would have to put one down in the alcove too … for Mr. Waddles.
Debauchery Soup 