TGIF and the things that stick...

I sometimes think that the universe likes a good giggle. That when my Guardian Angels are finally fed up with my seemingly inability to listen, they take drastic measures to shove a thought into my head.

This leads me to my refrigerator and my magnet's. I actually spend time arranging carefully chosen magnetics and the items that are placed on my fridge. An example would be the green frog face wearing the yellow rain hat. It is the first magnet that I ever bought and is has been with me in all of my homes. It is always in the upper right hand corner of the freezer. It means: "This is home"

What is the correlation? Really there is one. Recently I have been pondering "Why" and "How did this happen?" and "Things are not suppose to be this way, so WTF?" I have grumbled, cried, complained and had a pity party that lasted for days. When talking to an old and beloved friend she simpley said "What are you going to do about it?" That struck a nerve.

While walking through my kitchen last night I tripped over Prue (who always has to be where ever I am) and landed headed first into the big white appliance. I knocked off a magnet with my forehead and when I picked it up, it was like I was reading it for the first time.

"If you want to know the present, look to the past, if you want to know the future, look to the present"-Buddha.

It reminded me of how my grandmother use to say "You made your bed, now you must lay in it." But in reality I can change the sheets, get a new pillow, or even buy an entirely new bed. The only reason to continue to sleep there, is if I want history to repeat itself like an annoying episode of "Mama's Family".

It is never to late for Happily Ever After. I may be taking the long way, but I am taking my way.

Friday Feast

#170

Appetizer: What is your favorite carnival/amusement park ride?

“The Haunted Mansion” at Disney World

Soup: How do you react in uncomfortable social situations?

I laugh at everything and fidget with my hands

Salad: On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being highest, how much do you enjoy discussing deep, philosophical topics?

10; with the right person.

Main Course: Did you get a flu shot this year? If not, do you plan to? Yes

Dessert: Approximately how many hours per week do you spend watching television?
No clue, my televisions is always on for background noise, even if I am not watching.

Wordless Wednesday

All the news that is fit to print

Who has (2) thumbs and has neglected her blog? This girl!
Thanksgiving was fabulous. It was great being able to spend time with my dad and my step-mom. They are a disgustingly cute couple. There was comfort and healing in doing the ordinary things with my dad. I miss them.
The Christmas holiday is fast approaching and I began to drag out the decorations. Once I start, it is hard to stop. I found myself at Home Depot looking at all the over done yard décor that is available for purchase. Why not create the brightest house on the block? It takes all of my will power to not be the Ed Griswald of my subdivision. The holidays do make me want to bring the people I love closer to hearth and home.
The sentimental side that I normally stuff in the back of the closet is brought out. All of my tree ornaments were gifts or were bought because they had special meaning. I spend at least (2) hours getting them unpacked and out of their boxes and layed out to be placed on the tree. If I had a chimmeny I would hang my stocking there with care.

Manic Monday: Rank (Wee bit Late)

Manic Monday: Rank-(a wee bit late)
Everything in our lives has a rank and order.
There are people, places and things that we just naturally hold closer and have a higher place on our mental list. I have always considered myself to be selfish. I want, what I want, when I want it, and nothing else will do. I do not settle or take second place very well or with much grace. The older I get however, the ranking list changes and melds. I like to think it is from Wisdom, but it is most likely from lessons learned the hard way on the long road.
When I was younger and my grandparents passed away, I felt ranked at the bottom of my parents list. Once I was old enough to prance about on my own, I decided to make myself happy and ranking number one on my list was the house with the white picket fence and all the accessories to go with it. That plan involved my rank (or perceived rank) being dictated by others. Even those of us on the long road know that plan is doomed to fail. What does Jack Johnson say?

Now I was sitting waiting wishingthat you believed in superstitionsthen maybe you'd see the signsBut Lord knows that this world is crueland I ain't the Lord, no I'm just a fooland in loving somebody don't make them love youMust I always be waiting waiting on you?Must I always be playing playing the fool?I sing ya songs I dance a danceI gave ya friends all a chanceputting up with them wasn't worth never having youand maybe you been through this beforebut its my first timeso please ignorethe next few lines cause they're directed at youI cant always be waiting, waiting on youI cant always be playing, playing your foolI keep playing your cardsbut its not my scenewont this plot not twist?I have no place to read?Keep building me up, then shooting me down


I need to rank myself higher and make my own happiness, not try to find it in other people or things. I need to revise my rank list to include the family and friends that have always been there for me and never shut the door, the real important things, not what I think should be important in my original grand design of what I thought my life should be. There are also people that I shouldn’t bother to rank at all. I need to not give any energy into figuring out why someone hurt me or why they treat me like a disposable item. Those people need to be given a “nada” and placed at the curb with the fence and 2.5 kids. My version of “Extreme Rank Makeover”.

Wordless Wednesday

Friday Feast

Friday Feast #169

Appetizer:
What was your first “real” job?
Junior Buyer position with MSXI.

Soup
Where would you go if you wanted to spark your creativity?
Generally it happens on its own, but if I had a creative agenda I would go to Northern Michigan. (The U.P)

Salad
Complete this sentence: I am embarrassed when…
People stare at me. I cannot handle being looked at by multiple sets of eyes, I even hate the “Happy Birthday” singing ritual.

Main Course
What values did your parents instill in you?
That it isn’t what people call me; it is what I answer to that matters.

Dessert
Name 3 fads from your teenage years.
1) Scrunchies
2) Pegging your jeans
3) Esprit Tote Bags

Wordless Wednesday

What happens when I am out of the office traveling for the day...

Friday Feast

#168

Appetizer
Which snack do you like to get when you go to the movies?-Popcorn with lots of butter.

Soup
What year did you start using the internet?-1993
Salad
What is your first name in Pig Latin? Ebeccaray
Main Course
Name something you are picky about. To be honest, I am picky about EVERYTHING.
Dessert
Fill in the blanks: I went home ill yesterday and I want a massage today.

The New House

Create Your Own

My Zoo

Create Your Own

Hollys Birthday

Create Your Own

Homecoming 2007

Thursday Thirteen

(13) Chick Flick’s I adore

1) The Lake House
2) City of Angels
3) Just like Heaven
4) Sweet Home Alabama
5) Elizabeth Town
6) Practical Magic
7) Because I said So
8) Catch and Release
9) Beaches
10) Moonstruck (I blame Tracy and Ben)
11) You’ve got Mail
12) Blood and Chocolate
13) Pretty Woman

Gobble!

16 days until “Turkey Day”.
Why am I counting down to a holiday that I have publicly stated that I just do not like ? She of all things non-domestic has invited family over to celebrate. Which means; I will be cooking my first Thanksgiving meal. I have never touched a raw turkey in my life. In fact, I very rarely touch the oven.
I am excited about the challenge. Me against the kitchen! I have already put together the menu and the items needed to purchase to create this meal. Who knew I didn’t even have a roasting pan?!?!? I have a habit of buying things FOR the kitchen. I have gadgets that I have never used simply because I liked the way they looked. If you saw my kitchen, you would think I cooked on a daily basis. Just don’t look in the fridge and see all the carry-out containers.
My family and friends have rallied to my side. “350, 20 minutes per lb” to “Just deep fry the sucker.” To my father sounding a little worried with “we can have taco’s”. Sorry dad, but the Pilgrims did not bring guacamole and tortilla’s to that first dinner. To be honest, I love entertaining, so my first thought was “how should I decorate the table?” Then was the thought of “Oh god, do Turkey’s really come with organs inside?” I then had a vision of me shaking the Turkey over the garbage can so that whatever it is that they put in there falls out and so that my hand didn’t have to actually go up into its gutted bum. I am not a sissy, but come on!!!!

Wordless Wednesday

Friday Feast

Appetizer:
How much money do you plan to spend this upcoming holiday season?
Too much, but I love giving gifts.

Soup:
What was the last television show you watched, and was it good?
Supernatural-It was fabulous as always.

Salad:
If you had to paint the walls of your living room tomorrow, what color would you choose?
The colors I just picked for the new house are "Fawn" and "Mossy Green" (3) walls solid and one wall and the wall leading up the stairs will be striped.

Main Course: Name something clever or practical you have thought of that should be invented, but hasn’t yet.
A roomba for the bathtub/shower stall.

Dessert:
List 3 things you would like to receive as gifts this upcoming holiday season.
1) Archery set
2) Cream wool pea coat
3) A new D&B Purse (I adore them)

TGIF and Traditions

Let the post Halloween melancholies begin…
I love fall, but once Halloween is over, it is a short skip to Thanksgiving and then a quick jump to the holiday rush.
Due to “Moving extravaganza 2007” I was unable to neither put up any of my Halloween décor nor carve a single pumpkin. It almost feels like my favorite holiday has passed me by.
Thanksgiving was the last holiday I spent with my beloved Grandmother at her house before she passed, and ironically my Grandfather passed three years later, 3 days before Turkey Day. To this day I still get teary and just want the day to be over with. I have plenty to be thankful for, but I adored my grandparent's more.
Then comes Christmas; there is comfort in the smells of the Italian food, the Christmas tree, the fireplace, my Aunt Betty’s cheesecake. I never “feel” like Christmas until I am with my mom. Christmas is her holiday. I love the holiday, I even collect Hallmark ornaments, but the two days of celebration do not exist for me, until I am with my mama. The 24 hours of “A Christmas Story” on television, everyone congregated in my parent’s basement for way too much food. Peace on earth and good will toward men…
Which brings us to...Easter, which belongs to my dad and his parents, the “grandest” of all reasons to celebrate. I am very reverent during this holiday, but the chocolate bunnies and pastel colors are not my thing. We are saved, have a basket. I jest, but I do not understand. The tradition is dinner at my grandparent’s house. My father always gives us the reminder of why this holiday is the most important of all.
Fourth of July, Memorial Day Labor day belong to the tradition of honoring those who keep and kept us safe and summer bbq’s with family. Red, White and Blue and being at the lake.
However, Halloween is mine. Not one negative emotion to be found. There are chicken fajita’s and strawberry margarita’s (why Mexican? I have no idea), I light candles for my loved ones who have passed over. I generally invite friends and family over for dinner and pass out way too much candy. In my house, there is never an excuse for not wearing a costume. I have told the girls the true history of Halloween and hope I have taught them some appreciation for the true meaning. Those are my traditions. Someday, I hope to have a child that says “It isn’t Halloween until I see my mom” or even better “oh my Lord, my mother is already decorating again”
I have already started planning how to decorate the front yard next year. I am going to make my very own haunted cemetery…
There is amazing family history to be found in our traditions and the warmth of where we come from.

“What an enormous magnifier is tradition! How a thing grows in the human memory and in the human imagination, when love, worship, and all that lies in the human heart, is there to encourage it”-Thomas Caryle

“Tradition means giving votes to the most obscure of all classes, our ancestors. It is the democracy of the dead. Tradition refuses to submit to that arrogant oligarchy who merely happen to be walking around.”-G.K. Chesterton

Linus: I've learned there are three things you don't discuss with people: religion, politics and the Great Pumpkin.

Lucy scoops out the innards of the pumpkin] Linus: Ohh. You didn't tell me you were gonna kill it!
Linus: [to Sally as she walks away with everyone else] Hey, aren't you going to stay to greet the Great Pumpkin? It won't be long now. If the Great Pumpkin comes, I'll still put in a good word for you. [Realizes what he just said] Linus: Good grief! I said "if"! I meant "when" he comes! [Calmly]
Linus: I'm doomed. One little slip like that could cause the Great Pumpkin to pass you by.
Charlie Brown: I got a rock.

Thursday Thirteen

13 most listened to songs on my I-Pod currently

1) “Potential break up song”-Ally and AJ
2) “Wash Away” Joe Purdy
3) “Stronger” Kanye West
4) “Clumsy” Fergie
5) “Alabama Song” Doors
6) “I will Survive” Cake
7) “Staple it together” Jack Johnson
8) “Sitting, Waiting, Wishing” Jack Johnson
9) “Love Me, Hate Me” Lady Sovereign
10) “To the dogs or whoever” Josh Ritter
11) “Paint it Black” Rolling Stones
12) “Sundown” Elwood
13) “Chocolate and Cigarettes” Rufus Wainwright