The Germy Post.

I recently was sent these fact-y sort of tidbits via e-mail. I wish I didn't know this stuff. I wish I hadn't read it. Ignorance is bliss. As a germ-o-phobe beyond all rational thought, it goes without saying that this particular e-mail really freaked me out.

Therefore, I am passing the willies on to you. That's me--I'm a giver.

Gird Yourself. This isn't pretty:

Did you know....

During an hour's swimming at a municipal pool you will ingest 1/12 liter of urine.

In an average day your hands will have come into indirect contact with 15 penises (touching door handles, etc.)

An average person's yearly fast food intake will contain 12 pubic hairs.

In a year you will have swallowed 14 insects - while you slept!

Annually you will shake hands with 2 women who have recently masturbated and failed to wash their hands.

Annually you will shake hands with 26 men who have recently masturbated and failed to wash their hands.

In a lifetime 22 workmen will have examined the contents of your dirty linen basket.

At an average wedding reception you have a 1/100 chance of getting a cold sore from one of the guests.

Daily you will breathe in 1 liter of other peoples' anal gases.

HAVE A GREAT DAY... ...and wash your damn hands !!!!!!!

A death in the family.

My dishwasher died yesterday.
Deceased. Dead. Bought the Farm. Pushing up daisies.



It was fairly new, so this passing was pretty shocking. Interestingly, as I read this blog to Wes, he said "That dishwasher was over 7 years old--it WASN'T new".


OH. I guess I think it's new just like I thought my 12 year old mattress was fairly recent. Or that my 17 year old couch was still pretty spry. Or that I'm in my late 20's.
Time flies, doesn't it?


ANYWAY...


I contacted our home warranty company and was told that I had removed the dishwasher from the contract in lieu of the (older) furnace. They weren't going to fix or replace my deceased dishwasher for the bargain price of $50.


Well damn.


I thought I had all my bases covered. I figured the dishwasher was fairly young, so I didn't put her onto the warranty. I should have, she was worth it. You should have seen her--She was a beauty. Gleaming white, streamlined and efficient. She worked beautifully. She fit all my big pots and pans into her plastic coated gullet. Quiet in her own way. She was a gem, my dishwasher.

I was so so wrong to have ever complained about unloading her. It took 2 minutes. TWO. About as long to re-heat a burrito in the microwave. Time well spent lovingly stacking glasses and nesting bowls into the cupboards.

Now the dishwasher is 45 years old and crabby. She has falling arches and an attitude. She makes the guys use the SAME GLASS all day long. She complains bitterly when someone takes a fork out of the drawer. It's a personal affront to her if someone (heaven forbid) wants to actually COOK SOMETHING. I'm sure she won't be remembered with the same reverence afforded to the original dishwasher.

Rest in Peace, Sweet Lady.
You will be sorely missed.
What I wouldn't give to have you back in my life.

Broke, But Not Broken.

According to George W Bush, there is no recession.

I beg to differ.

After talking to just about everyone I know, they are feeling the pinch. The pinch of skyrocketing fuel prices, food and probable lay-offs.

There is a certain 'wait, watch and see' attitude amongst the people in my life. Nobody is going on extravagant trips. There are no job changes. Everyone is car pooling, saving money and just trying to get through this thing called a recession.

I watched Suze Orman on Oprah a few weeks ago. Among several things she said, one thing really struck me. She said " A recession is like money breathing. In a good economy, money is taking a big breath in. In a recession, the breath is being let out--both are necessary to the health of the economy"

Wes and I count ourselves lucky. He has a recession-proof job as a police officer. In fact, during tough times, cops are more important than ever as people become frustrated with the situation. Domestic assault is up, neglect of children will rise and drug/alcohol abuse will be rampant.

I'm grateful that I have a job that is fairly stable and necessary, although as jobs disappear and money is tight--insurance benefits disappear as well. If this happens, I know that I can drastically cut costs to stay within my budget.

Although it's hard to see people I love having to pinch pennies, it's also good to see them pulling together and working out how to squeeze every last drop from their paychecks.

Maybe this isn't so bad. Maybe we all should live a little more simply, and not only in a rough economy.

Maybe we'll all get thru this and be wiser. Kinder.

More aware that the funds we're spending on credit cards and huge houses may come back to bite us all on the butt later.

I think we all should do our part--how about having a Board Game Party? Co-Op babysitting? A home movie night? Buying in bulk and cooking together? Learning how to change your own car oil?

There are a host of things we can all do to ride out these times.

Who says inexpensive can't be fun??

A Natural Disaster?

Disasters Seem to follow me. Literally.

My family is starting to call me "Typhoid Mary"....

Why?

In 2005, Wes and I spent a week in New Orleans. Days later, Hurricaine Katrina virtually destroyed the city.

That same trip, we boarded a cruise ship bound for the Caribbean. The next week's passengers got a scare when the same ship ran aground and tore a 4 foot section into it's hull.

This past December, we were on the same road in Florida that had a 187 car pile up.

We missed it by 3 days.

I just returned from Reno, Nevada. In the newspaper this morning I see they just had a 4.7 earthquake. It's the biggest quake recorded since 1953. Residents are being told to hold on because they are predicting a bigger quake to come.

Holy Hell.

I hope it's not something I did.

Trippin'

I just returned from a trip to Nevada and Northern California.

I saw a bunch of friends and family that I had been neglecting horribly while I was busy with school.

What a treat to see everyone!

They know me. They (for the most part) like me.

They kick my butt when I need it, and are happy when I succeed.

They are my people.

I learned a few things while I was there. I learned that, when a friend calls to see if they can stop by--be enthusiastic. Act thrilled, even if you aren't. Don't worry the house is a disaster or the lawn needs to be mowed. Your friend isn't there to judge your lifestyle, they are there to see YOU.

I didn't get that before this trip. I didn't understand.

If someone called, I would hesitate, thinking they would see how dirty my house was, or that my dogs needed to be groomed. In that split second of hesitation, a friend perceives THEY did something wrong, which (of course) they didn't. It's my own insecurity.

I must say, for the most part --I felt completely welcomed and enveloped in love this past week. My friends and family pretty much stopped their busy lives to let me come in and stay awhile.

We had great conversations over wine. Fantasic dinners that ran the gamut between prime rib and hot dogs. I helped fold laundry, unloaded strange dishwashers, I tucked little ones onto my hip and took walks--I even bonded with family pets.

It was the same...yet it was different.

I realized that I had expected all of them to be exactly the same, while I changed and grew. What I discovered was they had changed too. There are new marriages, new babies, divorces, disagreements, parents that had died, jobs that were quit, homes that were redecorated, and a few that were torn down. Things that weren't mentioned in Christmas newsletters, breezy e-mails and occasional phone calls.

This trip told me that I need to go see my people more often.

I agree.

Efforts Of Mice and Men

I believe shared time and experiences forge solid, strong bonds.

It's hard to maintain that tight bond when people don't have common activities together. E-mail and phone calls are all right for awhile, but friendships and relationships suffer when there is a lack of personal contact .

Those friends and family who have made the effort to visit us, or whom we have visited are closer in our hearts than those we rarely see face to face, despite receiving frequent telephone calls and letters from the latter group. Making memories together is an important part of the link.

Sadly, the waning of a relationship is fairly predictable.

At first, we all try to keep up with phone calls and regular e-mails. Then, the Christmas card with the family portrait is no longer sent. Pretty soon, we're only forwarding jokes on the internet with a hastily scrawled note. After a period of time, even the internet jokes stop.

The friendship fizzles to nothing.
No contact.
The break is complete.

Perhaps this is Darwinism where only the strongest relationships survive. Maybe the companionship died because we're all so busy and focused on our own lives. Perhaps something was said that was misinterpreted and feelings were bruised. Or maintaining the friendhip wasn't worth the effort it cost. Perhaps you are in a completely different stage of life than they are and it's tough to find common ground right now.

Or maybe they just weren't that into you to begin with.

Now there's a thought.

On Hiatus

I'll be on vacation for a week.
Enjoy the silence and try not to have any fun without me.
Tammy

Ouch.

About a year ago, I met a phenomonal woman.
She's a writer, a teacher and my friend.

She started out as my instructor. The moment I stepped into the classroom and she opened her mouth--it was the weirdest thing--I've had this feeling before, but only a few times in my life.

I knew her.

I know this will sound strange, but I immediately knew this woman was a kindred spirit.
I have met her before, somewhere--maybe even in a different time. Or place.
I don't know much about these things, but the truth is...I was instantly friends with her.
Her wicked sense of humor, her drive, her sensibilities were right in line with mine.
She got me.
It was eerie, this immediate friendship connection.

Eventually, we had coffee. We laughed. We shared stories. We laughed (did I already say that?)
I joined her bookclub. I met her companion, Lori, whom I adore.
Over the course of a year we had more coffee and conversation...and more laughter.

Today she told me she (and Lori) bought a home in Arizona and would be moving away from Oregon in the next few months.

Damn.

My heart sunk to my toes. I struggled to catch my breath. A huge lump formed and I couldn't speak. I had to will back the scalding tears that immediately threatened to pool up and spill over. I tried to smile and be happy for her, but at the same time-- I was so sad for myself.

Seeing her face light up when she showed me the pictures of their new (gorgeous!) house, I finally realized that a true friend is happy when something good and worthwhile happens for the other person. And so I am happy for her.

I am.

This doesn't mean that I don't want to pull the covers over my head and howl with disappointment and grief. It doesn't mean that I don't feel like distancing myself from the friendship right now to protect my heart from the inevitable pain that will ensue later.

I won't do that to her. To me.
The last thing I'd do is to take the sparkle out of her adventures.
I will smile for all I am worth, and I will support both she and Lori in their decisions.
I will continue to be their friend .
That's what friends do for each other, even while feeling distraught. And sad.
To hide that side of me will be my goal for the next few months.
It is lofty, my goal. I sure hope I can pull it off.

I'm looking forward to eventually becoming very good e-mail pen pals, maybe a card or letter will find it's way into my mailbox and hers. An occasional visit.
Sometimes friendships last forever with very little personal contact.
Maybe ours will. I hope so.
Because there are very few kindred spirits in my life, and this one is worth keeping.



By the way.....Here is her website.
I've been reading "Across Time" and trust me--it's good. http://lindakaysilva.com/index.html

Cowboy UP

I've been thinking a lot about people and what we do to ourselves.

I'm talking about phobias and fears.

What might have started as a preference can quickly become a lack of confidence. A lack of confidence becomes fear. Fear then becomes a phobia, which is uncontrolled and uncontrollable (to a point).

As our self confidence grows dimmer, fear overtakes our life. Our world gets smaller and smaller.. until we're so locked into these problems, there doesn't appear to be a way out. To break out of the box we've put ourselves into takes courage and a willingness to face things head on. This must be done if we are to have any quality of lfe at all.

I know quite a few people who are controlled by their various phobias. Their 'issues' become everyone's problems, as they attempt to manipulate their surroundings and suck everyone into their situation--thus controlling them as well. I admit I don't have a lot of sympathy when I am around someone with 'issues' that appear to be self-made.

Life is about adventures and learning, not hiding in a pond of problems.

When I see someone facing their fear down, I gain new respect for that person.

For instance, on the cruise we recently took, we had a person who was terrified of the open ocean. She wouldn't even entertain the thought of going further than her ankles into the water. She was pretty vocal about it, and it brought the group down thinking she wasn't going to have any fun tickling the fish and basking in the warm water.

However--once we were in the Bahamas, she quietly took my snorkling equipment and went into the surf. She was terrified , but managed to stay out in the ocean for a good 45 minutes.

As she came out of the water, she was beaming.

She stated 'I'm now a total convert--I LOVE to see what's under the water. I will definitely do this again.' She faced her fears--which means the next time we're on a ship--she's up for anything. Her new found confidence was a sight to behold. I was really really proud of her.

Could this be you?
What challenge will you face today?
Will you break out of the box that you've placed upon yourself?

My advice: BE BRAVE. YOU CAN DO IT!
Remember, you are so worth it.

Something to ponder...

...Have you ever noticed that when you have money, you have no time.
And when you have time, you have no money?

Accidents? I think NOT.

There are no accidents.

I believe that everything in our lives (the important parts anyway) are already arranged.

Call it what you will...fate, destiny, luck, chance....it's there.

It wasn't an accident that I met Wes. In a bustling Tahoe town, he pulled me over for having dim taillights. 3 weeks later, I moved next door to him on a 2 house cul-de-sac. We've been together over 25 years now.

It wasn't an accident that, when we took our Scottish Terrier, Cady to the vet (9 years ago) she remarked that she just seen a (rare) litter of Scottish Terrier puppies and they weren't doing well. We immediately got into the car and brought home Maggie, who is all the love a family could want.

It wasn't an accident that, when both my children were born and laid into my arms for the first time...We locked eyes and I realized I already knew them.

It wasn't an accident that when I realized I didn't want to be a nurse anymore, and (on a whim), I called the college and discovered the next day was their last science test available to get into the dental hygiene program. I took the test cold, scored a 98% and got into the program.

Here I am--3 years later a dental hygienist.

It wasn't an accident that Wes was called by a former co-worker/friend he hadn't heard from in many years (he happened to be the police chief at the time) who offered him a job in Oregon. Although Wes wasn't looking for a new job, he was ready for a change. We decided Oregon was a nice place to live. Soo...here we are in beautiful Oregon.

It wasn't an accident that I dropped off a resume' (1 of 5) to a dental office I'd never seen, but had heard of it's excellent reputation. I just happened to have resume' in the car and I drove by--then stopped in. When I went into the building I thought 'There's no WAY they'll hire me right out of school--this office is AWESOME". I got a phone call a few days later and I've been there ever since. I love love love it!

I also believe that fate favors the prepared, which is maybe why we were ready to hear and see the possibilities that were presented to us at the time we did.

Interesting thought, eh?

Realistic Vows

Instead of ‘for better or worse’ type of wedding vows that were available when Wes and I got married (1983), I believe all couples should write their own. After all, every person has different issues they each bring to the table.

Here’s how our vows should have gone ...Cue the organ music.


Wes, do you take Tammy in sickness and in health? For richer or poorer?



Do you promise to listen to her ramble on about her feelings?



Do you swear you will support her while she stumbles thru hygiene school ?



Do you agree to accept and love her family unconditionally, even when they may not always appreciate the help you have given them?



Do you promise not to play possum when the kids are awake in the middle of the night—which means you will receive about 4 hours of sleep every night for approx 8 years?


Do you vow to eat the heel of the bread because nobody in the house likes it?


Do you promise to fix things around the house and only hire help when you are on your deathbed because your wife expects that you can do anything?



Will you support Tammy to be somewhat unconventional in her thinking, even when your job, friends, and family demands conformity?


Do you promise not to roll your eyes when Tammy wants to talk to you about goals and life, even when you've had a long hard day??



Will you not be mad when Tammy yells ‘SPIDER’ in the middle of the night, just to see you freak out?



I DO.


Tammy, Do you take Wes in sickness and in health? For richer or poorer?


Do you promise to allow him the space to not have opinions or feelings about a subject?


Do you vow to support him in his work (including shift work and missing holidays at home) and listen to his gross cop stories, even though some of them upset you for years?


Will you swear to wash the laundry and cook dinner every night, even when you don't feel like it?


Do you agree to bear Wes’ children, even though you know it will wreck your body for all time?



Do you vow to be the keeper of the family ties-the one who sends out cards, letters, buys gifts and makes phone calls so that everyone feels your (couple) love?

And lastly…Tammy, will you promise to stop saying the following things just as Wes is drifting off to sleep…

“The IRS called. I don't know why"
“I think the dog is barfing”
“Is that a lump?”
“I hear a noise”
“Did you lock up?”
“SPIDER!!!!!!”


I DO.



I now pronounce you husband and wife.

The End. Amen.


You know, vows like these would have saved us a lot of confusion and frustration over the years.



Maybe we can consider these if we ever decide to do a renewal ceremony, although yelling "SPIDER" in the middle of the night is almost too good to
give up--I may have to modify that one.

Let's Play a Game

Remember Sesame Street's game of guessing what things are alike and what is not the same? If you need a refresher course, simply click on this link before we play the game:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ect-kgxBb4M


Are you ready?
OK, let's play.....Sing loud and strong here:

One of these things is not like the other.
One of these things just doesn't belong
Can you tell what thing is not like the other before I finish my song?

I know this will be a tough decision.
I hope you guessed correctly.

Pity Party

WARNING: The following is a cranky-just-got done-working -a-long week- post. Bear with me, because it's not pretty. Sorry. Really. REALLY.



Ahem........... OK, here goes






I don't understand why certain people wish to be defined by their illness.

I'm often shocked when I have a patient sitting in my chair nattering off official (and unofficial) diagnosis and their list of medications. They smile as they show me reams of papers from their doctors. They seem incredibly boastful of their accomplishments, by being ill.
They are childlike in their enthusiasm. They stand proud as they rattle off medical terminology with the ease of a physician.


It's sad, really.
They actually like being sick and sickly because they like the attention.

I get really bugged by these people. It's painfully obvious they need pats on the back and sympathy from us health care practioners, but in reality we're not really impressed. Since I don't give them the attention they are seeking, off they go to yet another person talking talking and talking about their health woes. They can't turn it off, it seems.

When did it ever become appropriate to monopolize the entire room with one sided discussions about your Lupus, your Bi-polarness or your heart attack 15 years ago? Don't these people get that others aren't really interested? Don't they realize that we don't care about their self induced drug haze? Don't they understand that the more drugs they injest means the more problems they will eventually have? Don't they get that drugs have a good AND a bad effect on the body?

AArrgghh!

What impresses me the most are the people who suck it up and don't wear their illness on their sleeves. I am more apt to give them serious kudos for being brave and stoic.
They get more respect from me because they are not attention whores.
I've finally figured out there are people who are so desperate for attention they have misplaced their dignity.


And I've learned that dignity is hard to grow back once it's lost.

Just Cruising Along

I love making new memories.

Going to amazing places has been my favorite part of life thus far, with the exception of raising my children.

Of all the ways that I have travelled, I really like cruising the best. There are a host of reasons, but I think Tia summed it up best in December when she said 'I feel so safe on a cruise'.

She's right--I feel safe on a cruise too.

I like that we can get onto a ship and unpack our things. I know where I am sleeping at night.

We wake up in a new country every day without the hassles of driving, dealing with fuel costs, or even something as simple as getting a clean glass of water. I can participate in all the activities that are provided 24/7, or I can nap in my room all day.

When I'm on a cruise--it's all about ME. Each person on the ship can make their own vacation. Wes doesn't get stuck doing what I want to do--and I am not joined at the hip with him either. Everyone does it differently and gets a little something out of it, so it becomes all about THEM.

If you want to drink until you're sick--go for it. Learn to fold towels into monkeys? Sure! A movie or an after-dinner show? Do it! Read all the books you've ever wanted to read? There is a chair on the deck with your name on it! Scuba diving? No problem!

Cruising is also one of the least expensive trips going. For instance, in 2005 we got our 7 day caribbean cruise for less than $300 dollars per person. Wes and I couldn't have travelled to the Caribbean, been completely entertained daily, eaten every meal out 21 times (each), nor bought hotel rooms for 7 days for $600. No way. No how.

In December we spent a week in the Florida Sunshine and then headed to the Bahamas for a week. Our ship's picture is gracing this blog in fact. We brought the kids along on this trip as well as some good friends. We had a fantastic time and everyone said they'd do it all again.

So now we're on the hunt for the next great cruise bargain. I love love love looking forward to having more adventures with my family and friends aboard a big ship.
Next time, we're thinking we'd like to check out the Mediterranean for 12 days. The ship goes out of Barcelona, Spain so playing there for a few days beforehand would be fantastic.

I have caught the travel bug big time.

And ...it appears that it's contagious.

CPR

I was forced to take a CPR course yesterday with my dental office.





I say "forced" because, in order to keep my license with the nitrous oxide (laughing gas) component, I have to have a current Healthcare Worker CPR card. My office was kind enough to host the event, and paid for the entire staff to attend. (OK--so using the word 'forced' was a little too strong here)

ANYWAY...

As I was hunkered down over the CPR dummy (Her name was Annie), I was thinking to myself that I'd really prefer not to do this on a real person. Why?
First of all--kneeling like that hurts my knees.
This is important when someone is lying there dying.
I don't want to be uncomfortable. Really.



There is also the whole lips to lips thing. If I'm going to kiss someone other than Wes, they'd better be named Brad Pitt (Brad, if you are reading this--call me)



Then, there is a huge possibility that the person who is down will vomit. I don't even like getting sick myself, much less locking lips with a victim who has even a teeny tiny possibility of launching their lunch.


I'm also squeamish about putting my mouth on a dead person.
Essentially, they are dead. Gone.
No pulse, no breath--that's pretty dead in my book.

Can we all say EWWWWW????



Oh, don't get me wrong--I'd completely wallow in the accolades if I ever saved someone's life.
I can see it now....
The ticker tape parade down Main street, Me, sitting in a Mustang convertible dressed in a ballgown and tiara--busily being humble. The front page write up in the paper, possibly a street named after me. The unwavering gratefulness of the victim and their family.



You know--The legend would almost be worth it. I'd love to save someone's life. I just don't want to physically have to do it, especially if things get icky.


Is that wrong?

Spring has Sprung

It’s officially Spring here in Oregon.

How do I know that?

There are daffodils everywhere. Tulips will follow. Baby lambs are snuggled near their mothers by the roadside. Birds are singing. The weather reporter is now calling for ’showers’ instead of ’rain’, which sounds softer and more...Spring-like.

Don’t you think?

Another reason I know it’s Spring is in the tempestuous blood pumping thru my veins. My body recognizes the change in the atmosphere. It’s like we’re in synchronicity--the weather and I. We’re both geared up for some distant transformation.

Springing ahead. A crossroads of sorts.

Spring makes me want to change literally everything in my world. I want to throw off the dark shrouds of Winter and run naked through a green pasture. I want to take up new hobbies, dye my hair, move to a new town, spend a ton of money, save the world, listen to different music, dangle my feet in a creek, go fishing, grow a goatee and travel to foreign countries. OK--wait--maybe the facial hair thing went a little far...but you get my drift.

Social mores be dammed. I want it all NOW.

Not very practical, however. I have to wait out this wildness until it passes. There are baby steps that first must be taken before I can run like the unruly and feral being that I become in the Spring. The person that I am inside...where it counts.

So just for today, I must be content with the kite out in my car trunk. It’s located next to my big umbrella, the tire iron, and the first aid kit. There it sits with all it’s nylon rainbow-ness just in case I need to pull over and seize the sunshine.

It’s there to remind me to play.

It’s there to remind me of all the possibilities of a pretty Spring day.

Today may just be a good day to fly it.

What I know for sure.

Someone asked me to send out some 'words of wisdom' regarding the things I have learned the past few years. As a person who is constantly learning life lessons, I realize this list is small compared to what it would be if I were older and wiser. Feel free to chime in and write something in the comments sections of what you know for sure. I'd love to hear it.


Here is what I know for sure...



* My family and friends are solid. They are rooting for me more than I know. In turn, I also have the responsibility and honor to be there for them whenever possible.



* You cannot please everyone, everytime.



* All you can do is your best. If it's not good enough, I can just shrug my shoulders and walk away knowing I did my best.




* Worry, stress, frustration, jealousy and anger are wasted emotions that sap much-needed energy away from more important things



* Everyone goes thru the same situations in their own way with their own sensibilities

* Expectations cause disappointment.




* Being a perfectionist isn't always a good thing because 'perfect' to one person may not be 'perfect' to another.

* Controlling behavior hurts people and undermines their confidence in themselves.



* Internally, we are all a child, rebel, bully, basket case, leader, follower, and a loner.


* It takes everyone in a group to make a group 3 dimensional. To only have a handful of people dominating that group makes the group flatter and less interesting overall. Everyone deserves an equal chance to shine


* Courage is subjective.


* It's OK to ask for help. Getting assistance doesn't make you weak.


* There are layers to learning. Sometimes I'm not ready to learn something until another layer has been added to increase my understanding.



*Laughter is better for your liver than Prozac.

* What isn't love is fear...and nothing else.




(above photo by my friend, David Seltzer--a brilliant artist.)

Disposable Relationships

I recently read an article talking about a company that rents out dogs to people who want the experience of a dog for a day or so, but not a full time commitment.

The dogs are available for a flat fee of $300 a year for certain usage, down to $39.95 a day--and cheaper on weekdays.
One of the people who rents out a labrador retriever loves taking 'her' animal out to the beach and to the parks when she gets him. She admitted that she has no idea where the dog is the other 360 days a year, nor did she seem concerned about his welfare when she isn't around.

The actual business owner is working toward having an assistant take the 10 rental dogs to her home to keep them socialized while they are waiting to be rented. She seemed pleased to be able to offer this to the dogs, instead of the small kennel they were placed in on their 'off' days. This bit isn't finalized yet, but she says she's working on it.

As I was reading this article, I kept picturing the dogs and how they must feel.. Different rules, different expectations at each turn--maybe being loved on all day, and then returned to a small kennel to wait for some attention another 6 weeks.Possibly being yelled at, treated badly and then returned until another group takes a shine to them. Then it's running and playing at the beach, sticky toddlers to kiss, and back into the kennel.

How confusing.

Is anyone thinking of these animals and what this must be doing to their hearts?
What kind of message does this type of business send? Personally, I think it sends the message that relationships are disposable.

I suppose it's now become the American Way: If you don't want to take on responsibilty, you don't have to! Just fob it off on someone else, they'll handle all the dirty parts.

You get the fun, they get the work--and in the end, since you paid a fee--you don't have a responsibility to that animal. You'll go on your merry way, and the days spent at the beach will be a happy memory, complete with pictures.

I 'm waiting until they have rent-a-baby. Why have the full time drudgery of actually raising children to be responsible members of society when you can just lease?

Actually, rent-a-kid is probably not that far-fetched.

Remember, we were the ones who used to laugh at people who bought bottled water.....

Forty Five.

Today I turned 45

Forty Five.

Say it with me.....FFFOOORRRRRTTTYYY FIIIIVEEEE.

I'm practicing the words.

They are kind of hard to say today. They sound older than I feel, although I don't care to repeat my teens again. My 20's were a blur. My 30's were all right, but I still didn't feel as ripe as I do now.

I do feel ripe.

I feel juicy.

I feel complete.

Sure there are a few things I wish I could change. Past hurts that I regret. Friends that have quietly slipped away. Moments in which I could have told people how much I loved them, and didn't. Jobs that should have ended long before I let them. Pastry that should have remained untouched ( I was just checking to make sure you were still with me on that one).

My kids are grown and on their merry way. I like where I live.

My degree is finished and I love where I'm working.
My marriage is as solid as ever, I adore my group of friends, my health is great.
It doesn't get any better than this.

However....Someone said the other day that the 40's were the new 30's.

I'm hanging onto that.

Keepin' it REAL

I went to Kentucky Fried Chicken yesterday.
I know, I know—it’s really horrible to eat fried foods.

Fast Fried Food is the worst.
I get that. I do.

We’ll save the ‘unfairness of cholesterol’ chat for another day. The chink in my armour has been revealed to everyone.

Now y'all know my big secret.

Let's move on shall we??

Anyway, as I was about to squeeze the honey packet onto my flakey, buttery biscuit, I noticed something that disturbed me greatly. The stuff I was squeezing onto my hot biscuit wasn’t honey. It said “Honey Sauce” on the label.

HUH?

Here’s the ingredient list:
High Fructose Corn Syrup, Honey, Sugar, Corn Syrup, Honey Flavor and Caramel Color.

When did this happen? Where did the REAL honey go?
When did real become so fake that things are sort of recognizable, yet there is very little of the real flavor components? What other imposters are out there?

After this wake-up call, I started to notice signs around town:

“Real Ice Cream in our Shakes”
“Real Smoky Flavor in our famous BBQ Sauce”
“Real Coffee Flavor in our drinks”
‘Real Gold Jewelry”
“Real Beef in our Hot Dogs”
“Girls Girls Girls with Natural Breasts” (that was on a DVD label, I kid you not)

I think our future generations are really missing out. There is nothing better than to eat foods that contain the real ingredients. The stuff that makes the food what it is. It's not enough just to glean the essence of the flavor. You need the full sensation. The complete package.

Running out to a garden and grabbing salad greens, a beefsteak tomato and tiny spring onions to eat within the hour is one of the best things I can think of. I love living in the Pacific Northwest, just for that reason.

Churning fresh milk and cream into ice cream made great taste memories from my childhood.

If Mom cut up a juicy peach to add to the icy mix, life got so much better. I'm salivating just with the memory of a hot day and a bowl full of peachy, sugary goodness.

Next time I go to Kentucky Fried Chicken, I’m going to ask them to hold the honey sauce.

I'm going to tell the young guy in the striped vest: "If it’s not real, I don’t want it".

I'll be firm. I'll be resolute.

I'm quite certain he'll be awed by my determination to avoid the Honey Sauce.

Now that I'm standing my ground, I’m left to wonder about those KFC gummy mashed potatoes…and the brillant orange macaroni and cheese. And the impossibly smooth brown gravy.

Hey now.........Those side dishes are real….. and the chicken was humanely raised before it was killed.

Aren’t they?!?

Cinderella

I love Cinderella stories.

I get all smooshy and sentimental inside when I hear of someone who has fulfilled their dreams, despite ridiculous odds. Watching that little lump of coal become a diamond...that frog turn into a prince...just makes me want to stand up and cheer.

Daring to dream is something that I've tried to instill upon my kids. I've always told them:

"The only failure is not trying"

I believe trying and failing is all right if you learn something from it. Then, the next time you try, you are smarter and the odds go up that you will succeed.

This "Britain's Got Talent' video (below) is quite an inspiration to me. Literally everytime I see this video, I well up with hope and feel like I can do ANYTHING.

The moment is so powerful and it moves me beyond myself.
This video shows there are no excuses--nothing is too big, no dream impossible.

What an inspiration, Paul Potts

Watch This: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bEo5bjnJViA

The Age of Music

I always figured that when I became older, I'd be obligated to enjoy my parent's and grandparent's music.

I thought listening to the oldies was just something you did, like getting hearing aids, finding grey hairs, and going to the mall just for exercise.

What I've discovered is....as you age, you get to take your musical era with you.
My favorite time of music is somewhere between 1974 and 1986. Even now, I still listen to Air Supply, Peter Frampton, Kiss, Journey, BeeGees, The Grease Album, Disco, Bread, Chicago and all the greats from that time period.

Don't get me wrong, I have some favorites from the present--I try to stay current and keep up with the flavor of the month. It's just that these songs and artists don't hit that same chord of pleasure senses the earlier works do. I don't have the same memories associated with the music, and I guess I've not been as involved in the musical scene as acutely as I was from the age of 11 until 23. Hmmm...must have been 'cause I was busy raising kids and making a living.

Happily, now that I'm 44, I don't have to Tivo the Lawrence Welk Show or wait breathlessly for Elvis to come on the screen and swivel his hips. That's for older folks. But heaven help you if you get in my way when an early Leif Garrett show is on, and I'm always front and center when there's a Hall and Oates concert. It's sad Andy Gibb died, because I would have been a serious groupie now that the kids are grown up ...and since I'm only working part time, I could have followed him from venue to venue.

You think I'm kidding, don't you?

So, do not worry young grasshopper.... you are not required to become a Barry Manilow fan the day you pluck your first grey hair. However, as you take your music with you, you must realize that your kids will have their own tastes, and they will mock your choices. I did it to my parents, and my kids always used to cringe when they heard my SuperTramp 'Breakfast in America' album.

I'm going to consider that yet another 'circle of life' thing. However, I can't wait for the next generation to start having kids, shouldering responsibilities and listening to their music that's now considered an 'oldie but a goodie'.

That'll show 'em!

But...somehow Eminem, Kurt Cobain/Nirvana, and Nine Inch Nails sounds just a little ummm.....strange..... blasting out of minivan speakers on the way to soccer practice.