Jinx....!

I threw away my Sports Illustrated yesterday when it came in the mail. As much as it killed me because I really, really wanted to read it. I just couldn't.


Okay - so we're not on the cover. But still!! While the Sox may be insanely good on paper, they have yet to be proven. And though you don't want to even think it, you have to broach the possibility of..... what if they're paper tigers?!? And while I'm sure we won't be -- no one, ever wants to have the weight of such a bold prediction placed upon them.


Unless of course - you're Rex Ryan. And look where that got him. All I know is that we've got opening day....and a whole lot of fun starting tomorrow.

Silence isn't always golden...

My dog Brandy, is going to be 14 in August. To look at her, she looks really good; not nearly her age -- even the grey fur has bleached out over the years and is more white, so she almost looks younger now than she did two years ago or so.


But she is now completely deaf.

My poor chickie.


I knew her hearing was going; I could tell because she'd startle easy if she wasn't looking at you - and she was slower to respond to my whistle when out at night, or if I was calling her in the house. Her bark became louder, probably because she thought we couldn't hear her since she probably can't hear herself. She'd still respond to me at times. But I could tell it was getting worse.


The definitive moment for me that she is now completely hard of hearing, was last week. We had a showing at the house and I was on the second floor. Typically if someone even came to the front of the house on the street she'd bark - let alone if they came to the porch. I heard the doorbell ring....and no Brandy barking like an attack dog. I went downstairs and before I opened the door, I saw her sitting on the sofa in the den, looking out a window that didn't face the front of the house. She had no clue that I was in the room - or that I had strangers in the house. When I got her attention, she noticed the people and of course - went into protective mode, until I made her realize it was okay that they were there.


I was thinking about it this morning and I wonder if she misses hearing my voice? I wonder if she misses the sound of the kids laughing (or fighting, as it usually is....), does she notice that she can't hear the cats creep up on her or the sound of her food falling into the bowl. And then I wonder if she's feeling more lonely during the times we're gone as a result of the quiet. Sometimes, I hear her cry when she thinks we've left and she's alone in the den -- because she can't hear that we're still home.


I have always believed that animals have complex emotions; and it makes me sad to think that Brandy's life is that much duller now. I know it could be worse, and she could be sick - and I'm thankful that she's healthy otherwise. But it still makes me so sad to think that she might feel alone, really alone now that her world is quiet.

Tuesday's Thoughts....

1. Cupcake Wars. Love it. Love it. Latest television "must see". But outside of the fact of loving the show just because I love to see the flavor combinations (Lord knows, anyone who knows me knows I can't bake myself! Though I do try...) and I love seeing how beautiful the cupcakes often come out -- but it's all about the camera angles and the snarky host! It's hysterical, the camera shots always seem to show everyone snickering at the person who's being critiqued, and you know it's all shots weaved in out of context. Like, I'm sure that the competitors aren't so cut throat that they'd gloat in front of another contestant, you know what I mean? So it's really funny to see the facial expressions, and really - the host looks like he can't be any more pleased to deliver the bad news. All in all, it's just a fun show to watch for both culinary and entertainment reasons.


2. American Idol. Seriously, have I mentioned enough how much I love, love, love Jennifer Lopez? I just want to pick her up and put her in my pocket and keep her with me so when I'm feeling down she and I can have a good heart to heart and I feel better again. Love her. Is it bad to want to be her? Okay, well how about just look like her? No? Hmmm. Okay. Moving on...


2a. Steven Tyler. Okay - does he look 63? I don't think so...he looks fantastic and really he's another one I just love. He's so exuberant and pure in his admiration for talent in these kids - how can you not enjoy him? The funny thing is, that when I see him - I think of "Don't wanna miss a thing" Aerosmith. "Janie's got a Gun" Aerosmith. But today, when I heard my all time favorite Aerosmith song "Season of Wither", the visual I get is of a very different Steven Tyler. It's hard to imagine that he's that same person. He led one hell of a life ...and I think right now - he's very grateful to have survived to be where he is today.


3. Christopher Gribble. Why is he being kept alive? I'm sorry, 23 hours a day in seclusion in a maximum security prison is just not punishment enough. If NH doesn't support the death penalty for this heinous crime - then how about General Population in a maximum security prison? Come on, it's survival of the fittest....and if he isnt' fit, then.... oh well. I do however, feel badly for his parents. I don't know his family dynamic, but if they're anything relatively normal - they must be beyond heartbroken to know that their at one time beautiful baby - could do something so horribly wrong.


4. The House. Okay, so I've decided to not want this house we love so badly. Because it seems once I stop caring, things fall into place better. So while we have it under agreement - and the house they want still is available, we still don't have a buyer. So now, I don't really care if we find one... if it's meant to be, it will be -- and there's really nothing I can do to change that. It's only a house - and we have a perfectly fine house. It just would be really, really, really great to be in a neighborhood with other kids. Time will tell....and it's really just out of my control.

Since you've been gone.....

It has been one heck of a year.


Hard to imagine that Mother's Day is going to mark the one year anniversary of my Mother's passing. Every Mother's Day, I run the road race in the city that the store is in; last year, I was going to run despite the fact my Mom died -- I think she would've wanted me to do it. But I was so emotionally exhausted that I was physically drained. I just couldn't bring myself to do it. I woke up on time, but I was literally physically sore from stress.


Which made me think of the figure skater from the last winter olympics who lost her Mom, Joannie Rochette. How she had the strength to go on and compete, is amazing. I'm sure she found her strength from knowing her Mom would never want to see her not compete....but one can only imagine the strains emotionally and physically she suffered in order to do so.


This year, my sister is going to run the race with me. She's never run before and so she's a little leary about doing it, but I told her that it's not about winning the race -- it's about completing it -- reaching the goal. Whether she runs or walks, it doesn't matter - and slow and steady is what it's all about. I'll probably keep pace with her so that she doesn't think about it much and feels confident.


Truth be told, I haven't been running as much as I should be and need to get my own act into gear - otherwise, she's going to be the one pacing herself to keep me company!

Today's post is brought to you by the letter "A", and the number 1...

Misplaced anger leads to hurt feelings.

I've often commented on it, and typically - I'm usually sitting on the other side of the fence, feeling like there's unjustified anger in other people. I try hard to not let angry moments get the best of me, because really - life is too short, and what's the big deal anyway. Usually nothing is worth getting that upset over.

Not today though.

My words were angry, and while the frustration behind them is complex - the bitterness was irrational and heated in the moment. It was an emotional snapshot of a moment in time - and it passed...but the words lingered.

Misplaced anger leads to hurt feelings -- and today that's exactly what happened as a result of my angry words. I don't like to be unkind... or insensitive. And I can't remember ever being cruel, and today I felt like it was just that.

And that makes this girl feel awful. And angry. And aggravated, but most importantly - apologetic, and ashamed.

12/21/2012

Science....or Superstition.
I'm watching a documentary on it now.

I'm going to go with Superstition.

1999. Y2K. 12/21/12.
*yawn*

I'm not saying the world isn't going to an end - because it will.
However...I just don't think anyone can pick a specific date.

Clowns to the left of me....Jokers to the right

So, I've got a question.
Why are we attacking Libya?

I mean, I get the history -- I know the plane bombings, etc...
But...

How is Barack Obama any different from George Bush at this very moment by bringing us into a "war" without a plan? A plan for future...a plan for exit.

At least....George Bush went in under the guise of WMD's - which, to this day I believe were there only because I worked in an environment where I was privvy to information that I knew it to be true. And I supported the decision and to this day - I don't think it was a bad choice, I just wish there had been a better exit plan.

But this...? What's this?
Because he's a dictator....?
There are hundreds of dictators in the world. And he picks this one?
Momar Gad"daffi" Duck?
The dictator who protects himself with "Amazon" like women.
Are you kidding me?!?

I'm not saying he isn't a bad man...because he is.
He's just not a bad enough man.
( I think even I could take him mano e mano. Truth.).

I'm all for going into a battle with someone who deserves it... someone who is a risk or a threat to our security.

Talk about Goliath picking on David. Wow.

Not sure how the true blue Democrats are feeling about their President right now - but I, for one - who's vote is up for grabs - is truly disappointed.

Someone - anyone - please, enlighten me as to how this is a reasonable and practical decision in a time of recession. Outside of the arguement that war creates jobs....maybe this is his effort to surge the economy...? Because outside of that -- this girl has got nothing.

Things that make you go "hmmm".....

1. I got to see the house we love again. Because.... we put it under agreement today. (Yay!!)Hopefully, the house they want won't get an offer before we get a buyer. It's one of those "timing" types of sales. I am so excited...albeit, cautiously.

2. Facebook -- back off. I am beyond tired of FB asking me to make it my homepage every time I log off; I'm even more tired of it trying to keep me constantly logged in. Are you kidding me??? They're shoving themselves so far down my throat that it's not even worth going on anymore.

3. Sometimes I wonder.....don't people realize they're supposed to work when they're at work... ?

4. I love pretty things. Pretty things make me happy....don't they make you feel the same way? Well, then again - I am a girl. But still...

So, imagine my surprise when I ran across this fun website via Cafe Chatelain. I had so much fun making the following pretty room -- and if you sign up and design something - share it with me, would you?

I'm shipping off to Boston....

Happy Evacuation Day!
or, as we commonly refer it here in Boston - St. Patrick's Day.
(Wait. Strike that.....reverse it.)

I made a traditional boiled dinner of Corned Beef & Cabbage...it was delicious! I always make it on the stove, but clearly I wasn't about to leave it boiling while I wasn't home - so I broke from the norm and made it in the crock pot instead. You know what? It came out just as good....

It's such a comfort food meal for me. I loved when my Mom made it - and I'd slather it with Grey Poupon mustard. I'd learned as an adult that you can use Smoked Shoulder as well, and add spinach which is delicious too; but the best is to take the left overs, chop it all up -and then fry it in a pan to make hash. Ah yes, the good old days when I ate rich food and fried things on a regular basis....

Speaking of food and good ol' days.... I have to ask.
What is it about foods such as Whoppers, Big Macs and oh yes....Italian subs - that make me absolutely salivate at their smell?

It's like I have to hold myself back from strapping on the feed bag.

Cautious optomism....

So....
We got approved for a mortgage.....we are putting the house we love under agreement this week....and we had our first showing of our house this morning. From what I heard, this couple has waited for the last month to see my house and preliminary reports are that they really liked it.

Open house will be Sunday so hopefully they'll be motivated to make an offer prior to the open house so we can maybe feel confident for a firm offer and take backups. Hopefully.

This morning before the showing, I ran around an reorganized the kids closets (my God they got so cluttered!!), washed the gym down (it's off my garage so ugh, the sand that gets tracked in really beats the floor up!), and steamed my floors (not necessary, but I love any excuse to use my Shark.) And it smelled sooooo good. I mean, I'm always burning candles when I'm home anyway but truly - after the house is cleaned and there are no little people running around, there's something about the quietness of a house with candles going that's just so....inviting.

So while I'm incredibly excited, I'm exercising cautious optomism because it all hinges on my house being sold....

(Though truth be told, we've already picked out all our new furniture that we'll be buying - as well as appliances. Okay, so maybe I'm a hair more than cautious in my optomism....)

Set adrift a memory bliss....

So, I may have mentioned that I started running again recently.

Which means I needed to spruce up my IPod; not because I really needed to - but because my old laptop died and ITunes doesn't store your library by your log on -but by your computer. Which is irritating, but it is what it is. So - I need to gain all new songs.

The upside to this is that I started downloading songs that I'd completely forgotten about, and I've spent the last three hours lost in a time warp of the best possible kind.

I completely forgot how amazing both of Pearl Jam's first two CDs were. Every single flipping track. Pearl Jam was life changing for me at the time, they were so very raw, and I adored Eddie Vedder's emotional singing. I listened to those two albums endlessly, for years....literally.

Or how about Guns & Roses "Appetite for Destruction" - another life altering collection of music. The grittiness of GNR in the early days was such a change from the slickly produced heavy metal bands I listened to. Not to say that I didn't become completely engrossed in those either...

Speaking of which, tonight brought me back to the days of classic Queensryche, (no - not the sappy "Silent Lucidity" watered down version which made me swear off cross over music for a few years) with the Operation MindCrime collection. Geoff Tate's voice -- stunning. Rock opera at it's finest.

And of course, there's Iron Maiden. Who didn't love songs like "Wasted Years" or "Run to the Hills". Skid Row's "Sweet Little Sister", always a crowd pleaser....though the whole cd is actually really good, despite the very commercial "18 and Life". "I remember you" waxes nostalgic for me...and few people can rock the ballad like Sebastian Bach can.

This is not to say that I don't have my share of great hip hop and R&B songs on track as well, because I absolutely do.

But to get lost in the rock music of my youth, was like stepping back in time; and that my friends, is not a terrible way to spend a Sunday evening...

Re-Inspired.....

So, just as I was saying the other day I felt musically blah....
I discovered this girl at my local Starbucks.

She's my new musical addiction.

And this song is just one of many reasons why -- but this song, is just spectacular.
Check it out:

Such a sad day....

I certainly don't feel comfortable writing a fluffy post about the insignificant events going on in my life with all that's going on in Japan.

Earthquake -- devastating enough on it's own.
Tsunami -- the after effect that is dreaded.
Nuclear Reactor Radiation Leak -- potentially everyone's worst nightmare.

I can't even imagine, nor do I want to.

An open invitation...

So, as I've mentioned before - some of my near and dear blogging friends have given up the hobby.

As you can see from my blogroll - consistency of the few I have - is, inconsistent at best.

I'm longing for new, fun reading.

So for those of you who lurk....but don't necessarily comment -- if you want to share your blog with me, please do!

I'm always up for a good rant!

There's something to be said about a glass half full. About knowing when to say when.

Okay, so now I know why I've been musically deprived....sort of.

Last night I caught up where I left off on Grey's Anatomy for Season 6.
Oh. My. God.

The finale.... absolutely insane.

So, not only am I beyond excited to watch Season 7 (no spoilers please!) - I'm also thrilled to hear music I've missed out on. Some of my favorite artists I discovered via Grey's, so truly - not watching explains some of the musical doldrums I've been in. Never mind the fact that now I'm not at work near a Newbury Comics where I can run in real quick for a music fix.

That aside....I miss my "friends". McDreamy, McSteamy, McWhiney (Merideth..at times) and everyone else.

Thank you, thank you, thank you Netflix.
You may be my new crush.

(Now if there only was a station that played Jason "On Demand", this girl would be in heaven!)

Bueller...anyone, anyone, anyone, anyone...?

I've been musically uninspired lately.

No one has really gotten me jazzed up these days. I've been trying to think of the last album (or correctly called, cd) I've really loved. Loved to the point of playing it over and over and over again. And I've got to say - I think The Fray may be the last group's music that I really just couldn't get enough of.

Suggestions on music to be inspired by?
Anyone...?

Let's start with polite conversation. For example, 'It's a pleasure to see you again. Lovely weather we're having.' Now you try.

Mind Your Own Business.

This is what I have to say to people who have nothing better going on in their lives than to worry about someone else's....

This is what I have to say to those who feel that they're so perfect in every aspect - that they forget that it's a long way down when they fall from the pedestal they've placed themselves upon. Casting judgement upon others is wasted energy when the one casting stones has lots that could be judged upon as well.

This is what I have to say to those who have so much anger inside that they just can't wait to tear someone else down - because it makes them feel better, even if for just a few minutes.

Open Letters....

Dear Barometric Pressure: Please do whatever you have to do to settle down. I need to get rid of this mindnumbing pain in the back of my head that has plagued me for the last 36 hours. Thanks!

Dear Charlie Sheen: Not sure if you know, but the death watch is on. Glad you're having fun.... "winning", or whatever it is that you're doing.

Dear Dunkin Donuts: You continue to reinforce the reason why I switched to Starbucks. Your Cafe Latte....eh, not so good. And truly, when someone forgets to add the Splenda-- it makes me wonder what the hiring qualifications are for this job. There are three components to coffee: coffee, milk and sugar - or some variation thereof. How can you not get this straight? Clearly, a little QC needs to be done in the HR department.

All I know is...if a customer comes in and asks for a Merlot -- and I sell him a bottle of Cabernet but tell him it's a Merlot -- he's going to be pretty irritated when he tastes it. Don'tcha think?? Just sayin'....

Needles & Pins....

I need to get back to acupuncture.
Badly.

Today has turned out to be a spectacularly pretty day; the only problem is that the barometric pressure changed in such a manner that it's triggering a nauseating headache for me. It's funny, I woke up this morning with an oh-so slight headache - nothing a little Tylenol couldn't fix, right? I took the kiddies to gymnastics & basketball; and when we left for the basketball game it was still pretty cool outside. But by the time we got out, it was so much warmer......I felt the headache coming on in the gym but wow has it progressed since coming home.

I just hope it clears up before too long -- we have dinner plans this evening with our favorite cousins that we don't get to see hardly ever, and I do not want to have to cancel.

The only thing that has taken my headaches away, has been acupuncture. For those of you who have read me over the years, you know that I suffered from them constantly. Once I started acupuncture, my headaches disappeared - literally. Which is a great thing. With the building and running of the store, I hadn't taken the time to get back, and so now I get headaches again periodically. The downside to this is that my tolerance for the discomfort has dropped so now even a relatively minor headache is really uncomfortable now and I almost feel like my ability to ward off a migraine is diminished since I don't get them as readily now.

With the good - is the bad; it's ying and yang.
So now I have to make it a point to get back...and fast.

He's not insane.....

He's a drug addict.

Okay, so everyone in the world is talking about Charlie Sheen. I was going to avoid falling into that cycle, of being a part of the machine that he is trying to create - negative publicity triumphing over good publicity because let's be honest - negative publicity always creates more chatter.

However, I'd heard today that the network is "in talks" with him regarding not cancelling his show. I'd be more inclined to say that they're the ones with sanity issues.

Since when do you let an actor take you hostage? Let's be honest - he's only the talent. Since when does he get to call the shots. Since when does bullying allow you to get your way? Last I knew, that was a lesson we teach our children in kindergarten....?

I was always under the impression that actors on any show are under contract to not engage in illegal activities? I'm pretty sure that talent prior to him has been released from performing due to their "recreational activities" - he's surely not the first, nor will he be the last. And while he can cry sanctimony regarding never being late for work or missing cues - the truth of the matter is that he's engaging in not only reckless behaviour - but illegal behavior above all. How he wasn't arrested for the amounts of narcotics that were removed from his home is beyond me. Last I remembered - cocaine possession was illegal.

So color me stupid Charlie -- but while you rant and rave about how you're so openly a drug user -- remember, not everyone is going to subscribe to your school of thought -- including the networks. So if this is the lifestyle that one chooses to lead - then one needs to suffer the consequences, and typically - unemployment is usually one of them. Don't like it.....don't do it.

Listen my friend - you are a drug addict. Just because you publicly embrace the fact that you enjoy being one, doesn't make you and less of an addict - nor does it make it legal. So get off your horse, shut your mouth and go do your drugs. Just don't expect the rest of the world to accept it.

Techie talk - part deux....

Hooked up with Netflix - on tv's, computers, XBOX's - and DVDs.

Shark steam floor cleaner (oh, my, God...love it!!!) and Shark Pet Vaccum (latest/greatest version - so worth it, by the way....), Kirby

XBOX360 Kinect and of course Live.

DVRs, IPODs, Nook, Blackberry,

I suddenly feel overwhelmingly engulfed in technology.
How the heck did that happen!?!?