Thanksgiving Eve

(Folks, I'm having a blog entry today not because I have tons of interesting things to say, but because I can't stand the guilt any more- I've been neglecting my blog and my husbands new found fascination with an old computer game has made it crazy for me to get on my PC at home, so I rest)


Ahhhhh, a short work week, a turkey dinner with all the trimmings, sales ads and slashed down prices on merchandise- WHAT'S NOT TO LOVE?

I'll tell ya. I went to two stores looking for Jello Instant Pumpkin Spice (special edition) pudding and couldn't find it, but that's not the issue. I was out and about on Thanksgiving Eve in a shopping nightmare, standing in a long line that wrapped around the frozen food section so that my knuckles turned blue. While I stood there of course I spied with my little eye all sorts of characters. But the one that stood out to me, was not one but several over 30 close to 50 years of age guys, all who had a long scraggly pony tail hanging down it's back. SEVERAL men, some balding, some whose hair had long ago been brown or black but is now dashed with a dirty gray walked by me. Some were unkempt, and the lack of personal hygiene is the very reason for the long pony tail of hair probably fastened with the rubber band off a bunch of green onions or his newspaper. One was all dressed up, with a nice fitted brown leather jacket and polished shoes and A Pony Tail. (probably a pinkie ring too, I didn't glance that way)

Is it me? Do they know that the 60's have ended and the 70's but a blur? Where is Clinton and Stacy for men? (TLC's what not to wear) I really don't want to see long hair on guys anymore. In fact, if you see Crystal Gayle - she'd better cut her hair now too. She's too old to have that mangy mane.

I am thankful for many things this holiday. Thankful for my hair of course, all conditioned, styled and healthy. Thankful for my family and friends and good health and the prosperity that I do have (as so many are facing financial difficulties at this time) I hope that all of you have a pleasant thanksgiving, and if any of you have unsightly ponytails, please give it a second thought PEOPLE!

P.S. I hope to keep up better with my blog in the future - hint hint Dan, cut me a break and let me get some www time!

Embracing the Ordinary

It's a fine gray cold Sunday morning. I visited my husband's church yesterday, (we are of two different faith's) so I felt like ditching attendance at my own church this morning in favor of breakfast and reading the paper.

The paper has been skimmed through, I logged on to the big www to read my favorite blogs and blog hop, one of my favorite past times, although one I seldom have time for anymore. Time and energy eludes me anymore, don't know how, just does.

Blogworld is a large variety of differences and sometimes a large variety of commonality (all those "mommy blogs" whew!) I read some, and then click on their blog roll and hop around.
Leaning back in my large comfy leather office chair ( a sweet purchase for my husband on our anniversary - we love it!) I sip my comforting coffee, glance at the gloomy sky as it appears over my backyard and enjoy the moment. No phones, no work, no conversation. I hop up and pour some 2% milk over a fibrous cereal with raisins. Each crispy sweet scoop combined with milk is blissfully enjoyed as it slides down my throat. HOLD THE PHONE JETHRO - this is ordinary stuff here. The newspaper, the lazy morning, the cereal, coffee and the view. And yet it seems bliss?

Maybe that is why I enjoy blogging so much, maybe that is why I love to skip hop onto the next cleverly named blog and eavesdrop into the live of another, there are so many people in flux, with comprehensive challenges that in comparison to the bland makings of my morning, seem even more challenging and more a whirl.

My life is boring now, so much more than the years when I was raising a family. But this ease in challenges has it's own flux and madness. Today's just not one of 'em. And this I am grateful for.

Today, I'm going to revel in the ordinary, embrace it's clean lines and lack of sorrow. I've read many blogs of sorrow, of joblessness, lack of direction, of confusion and anger, (lots of anger out there, no surprise, y'all do know that anger is a precursor to depression right???? Deal with anger, and your life becomes a tad more manageable.) Lot's of blogs with mommy ideals, consumed in perhaps the greatest single most important "job" a person ever has. Parenthood. It does consume you - but should not define you. Take that one apart and envelope it you mommy newbies. These small wonders that have been entrusted to you are yours only to mold and teach. Then if you've done that right, they are ready to be on their own (which does not include even a string like "cord" connecting them to you in their adult years) Hard one that one.

The wind is kicking up a cold front here making the warmth of the coffee mug more inviting with each sip. My toes are cold so the blog entry has a time limit.

I'm going to enjoy my ordinary day today. My daughter and I will trot ourselves into the retail world to plot our holiday purchases and enjoy each other's company. Then perhaps I'll make a pot of soup or chicken and noodles for my husband and I. Tuck in for some rest and Sunday T.V before the busy week begins. Extraordinarily ordinary huh?

Beasts Among Us

Thursday’s not Friday, but it’s tempting to “take a break” what with all the excitement of the election this week and all.

I’m finding myself stumped for blog topics lately (you there, the new ones reading this blog – DO not look away now, you’ve only just come aboard! Chicken!) so you may find strange topics on here for awhile. I hope you'll sit back and just go with the flow.

Drove to work this early morning (6:30 ish) right into the face of the rising sun. Since the change from Daylight Savings Time to regular Central Standard Time, it gets light earlier and gets dark in the late afternoon, just as I’m arriving home. Crap, always feels like I should be ready for bed.

Anyways, I drive through a rural area until I get to the highway, and it’s pretty obvious that Autumn is in full swing, the dappling of sunlight hitting the falling leaves and the bare branches show that the wooded areas are losing their density due to the barren sticks poking out of the tree trunks. BAM! There in front of me is the perky white tailed ass of a full grown deer, darting across the road into the brush of the field to my left. It left behind a few young startled deer faces to my right side of the road. I stop, I wait. They look at me, barely blinking (possibly to see if I’m locked and loaded – it IS hunting season I’m told) and they are stunning.

Really, think about it. These beasties, large, lithe, live among us and unless they are nibbling at your garden or dead on the side of the road, they are fairly hidden. In this day and age it amazes me. I hike once in a while, I walk through the woods and I rarely see a Deer duplex created in the thicket. I travel those rural roads and mostly I see a carcass or two of careless deer who didn’t make it to the other side. It always makes me sad a bit, these large animals forced out of their surroundings by man. (yeah, and woman too I guess) But really now, they are pretty resilient creatures. They. Live. Among. Us. Think about it, they are living in any weeded thicket of trees in your area right now, sleeping curled up in the day, coming out to forage in the early evening and morning light. And they are a good size to hide! Ask anyone whose Toyota front end met with the future venison stew one dark night. They are almost too big not to see! It amazes me. I can understand that raccoons and opossums and skunks are living among us in those woodsy areas. They are small and can tuck inside a fallen log (Walt Disney has clouded my thinking) and set up house. But these deer, these large animals adapt to surroundings that are very people populated with islands of trees to shelter them. They pop out, and an unsuspecting Volvo wipes them out, but really you rarely know that they are there. Saddens me to see such road kill this time of year, and hey, since I was talking about Christmas yesterday, it's almost as if Rudolph is meeting his maker. (I know, I know deer and reindeer are two different species - who are YOU, Jack Hannah?)

Enough of Wild Kingdom, it’s a Thinkin Thursday and those were my thoughts.

Seasons Greetings

Ok, we've ate most of the Halloween candy, the rotting pumpkin is tossed in the compost pile or garbage can and we've elected another president. What's next? Come on, you KNOW...

50 more days until Christmas!

Let the hoo ha begin! The shopping, the expectations, the thrill of gift preparation and the agony of defeat!
I have always had this mental expectation that Christmas this year was going to be about the warmth of family gatherings. We'll gather around the Christmas tree, warm in our red and green sweaters with the glow of the firelight behind us. Soft seasonal tunes playing as background music our tummies full from home baked goodies, we'll reminisce about days gone by and how wonderfully funny they were. Maybe we'll be glancing at the photo album. Everyone will be tired at nights end and retreat back to their homes with warm thoughts of love for all of the family members and yet another wonderful year behind us. Cozy, Merry, a Christmas video in the making.

Isn't that how your holidays go? Or not?

I remember staying up late, cursing the folded paper directions on how to assemble the Castle Grayskull and the Barbie mini van. It was late, I was tired and the children were nestled, all snug in their beds - with visions of sugar plumbs...no wait, I can't bear to rip off that holiday poem, that seems sacrilege.
Listen folks, it's just not happening the way I'd always dreamed it to be. My kids grown, my family "blended"...I still try to perfect the magic Christmas scene I've always wanted. If I could have it my way, we'd all be wearing matching tams on our heads while eating gingerbread men. We'd be the final scene from The Grinch Stole Christmas!

I shop til I drop to buy gifts that perfectly suit each individuals needs or wish list. I knock myself out cooking and preparing for the big feast. I try too hard, I know...but I just want everyone to have the holiday that they dream of. I just don't think anyone enjoys it that much. Or my expectations are too high - the more likely matter. I just wish for the picture perfect Christmas celebration of love and family. Instead my mom will buck coming over, as there are "too many people," and she feels she is "in the way", she doesn't like most of the gifts anyone buys for her, unless they are specifically ordered by her. No surprises there. I wish it were so different, I wish she would come and enjoy the family.

I think all the kids at the Brady Family Christmas, like the gluttony of gifts I shop for, wrap up and shove in their faces, so excited I am...but it's hard to tell. Sometimes, I think they'd prefer gift cards or cold hard cash. I just can't seem to do it, I like the shopping and the surprises. There is no gushing of sentiment - it all seems so very lack luster. So while I sit here and type, I think of my extended family, whose company I would enjoy, my eldest brother, Joe who lives in Portland, Oregon. (Hi Joe, wave wave) - hell, I haven't spent a Christmas with Joe since 1981. We don't even celebrate the holiday on the HOLIDAY - we celebrate it close to the holiday, so that all can attend, and not have to dash off and attend another family celebration.


My point? I have 50 days to lower my expectations, not to gear up for my own "needs" of crippled family emotions spewing forth (that may never happen). To purchase gifts that I know will be appreciated, and to simply enjoy what is...whatever that may be. Think I can do that? Stay tuned.
I do love the holidays. I don't want to make it sound like I don't. Like it's a bother, because it's not. I guess it's my own feelings of wanting everyone and everything to be perfect and enjoyable and it seems lacking in some way so I feel like a failure.

I won't let it happen this year. This year, I'll enjoy the moment - whatever it brings. 50 days from now? Yikes!

Proud To B A Voter But....

Didja vote today?
Didja get up early stand in line, think it was "no fair" that someone voted last Friday afternoon or last Saturday, while they sipped a Mocha Latte and read the newspaper, and hey.....is anyone watching the counting of those early votes?
I ask this because while I was standing in the long line at the local school, my To Go coffee mug chillin in my car, the line was long, and wrapped around the building, the official poll workers stopped the voting to "log the tremendous amount of absentee ballots they just received". We waited, but no one knew where the heck these absentee ballots were hiding at say, 6:00 a.m. or say, YESTERDAY.
Still I'm happy to vote, to do my civic duty, for the honor all our foremothers fought for.

But perhaps in 2012, can we cast our ballot on line?