I cannot live without my Kindle

Since getting my Kindle I've not been to a library in a long time.  The Kindle makes it so easy to obtain books, read them, and as an added bonus I never have to worry about returning them.  However, I find I still miss the library, yet I don't make time to go.

Growing up our local library was a huge part of my family's life.  We'd all walk to the library regularly.  And during summer break mom would take us every few days.  She had a big canvas bag and whatever she could comfortably carry in it is what we got to check out and enjoy.  Both my parents read to my brother and I often.  Reading is something that I still take great pleasure in today, as well as my brother and parents.

Just as Thomas Jefferson couldn't live without books, I cannot live without my Kindle.

The cat is crazy

Jordan just flew by.   I only saw a flash of black and white as she jetted over a basket, behind the couch, then she sprang up onto the couch and shot down the hall.  A moment later she returned to bang the cupboard doors.  She's feeling pretty frisky.  I've no idea why.  I thought she slept all day while I'm working, but I think perhaps she's into drugs.  Her eyes seem dilated.  She can't sit still.  Maybe she's possessed?  Oh wait, she's just a cat.  An annoying, loud, obnoxious cat.  I realize in the photo below she appears to be normal, but she's not. This picture lies.

Sentimental Second Thoughts

I'm not a very sentimental person.  This was something I decided decades ago.  As a child I worried that if I really cared about something (a toy, an award, etc.) then what would I do if it were taken away or lost?  I figured if I didn't care about anything, then I couldn't get hurt.  For the most part this served me well.  However, I'm finding that when I look back on experiences, memories, photos... well, something seems to be missing.  Not sure what, but something.  Perhaps this is some crazy holiday induced worry, "I've not a tradition or keepsake in sight?!"  Maybe this thinking is something that comes with getting older.  Or maybe it's a side-effect of living in a consumerism society littered with Hallmark holidays.  Whatever it is, I've no idea what to do about it, if anything.

Hey, that leaf has legs?!

I found this little fella hanging out on my gate.

I think he's smiling.

Or perhaps he's just happy to see me taking his picture and not squishin' him as I wont to do with most bugs.

Do you like cheese?

Friday morning I went all out cheesy with a song for my honey.  It went something like this:

I like cheese, oh yes I do, Especially when it's bleu
It's so darn yummy when it's in my tummy
Do you like cheese too?


Oooooh Roquefort 
Roquefort has such a silly name, but I like it all the same
It's do darn yummy when it's in my tummy
Oh Roquerfort is insane!


Oooooh Brick
Brick cheese is all the rage, it tastes better than sage
It's do darn yummy when it's in my tummy
Oh Brick cheese is what I crave!!!

We were both laughing so hard I was crying.  Good thing I've switched to waterproof mascara or I'd have been late to work!

Last night I asked the hubby, "do you have a favorite song of all them I've ever sung?"

"Yes, the bunny song."

"Really?  The 'quick like a bunny, hop, hop, hop' is your favorite?  Huh.  Ok."

I don't remember all of the little ditties I've created over the years so I'm going to do my best to post them here.  It's fun to look back to see what made us laugh so hard.

A more recent song I do recall, happened when we were packing for our road trip to Lake Tahoe.  We purchased from The Teaching Company / The Great Courses a CD set on the "Age of Henry VIII".   This resulted in the following song, which isn't very long:

Henry the 8th
Henry the 8th
Henry the 8th
He's now dead

I've not come up with any songs for today - yet.  I'm not sure if I'll give myself a break on the weekends and just put my amazing, mad, music skillz to the test on work days or if I'll attempt to do this daily.  We'll see.

Hey you, yea you!

This morning's song  for my sweet hubby was short and simple:

Hey you, yea you!
I think you're great
We should go on a date
It'll be first rate
Don't be late
Oh yeah!

And there were awful dance moves (dare I even label it as such) to accompany this.  Like pointing at him for the "yea you!" part and a big ol' number one finger pointing up for "first rate" and of course the index finger wagging for "don't be late".  Good thing the hubby is easily amused early in the morning.

I wonder what I'll come up with for tomorrow.  Now that I've done this two days in a row I feel compelled to continue.  Fortunately I've set the standard very, very low.  This ensures I won't need to create any musical masterpieces, which is good considering I'm so musically challenged I can barely play the radio.

Happier at work and even happier at home

Turns out a small attitude adjustment was not only in order, but possible.  I didn't like who I was at work. I was grumpy, complained about things I had no control over, and not very friendly or helpful to my co-workers.

A friend shared with me how much she enjoyed The Happiness Project so I figured I'd give it a shot.  It was just the thing to get me out of my funk.

I'm enjoying the book and all the wonderful stories and examples.  I'm applying many of the suggestions with great success.  I'm even singing to the hubby in the morning.  He claims to like my silly, made-up on the spot songs, which is good, because the songs are really bad.  Case in point, this is what he got this morning:

I love you, I love you

You're ok

I love you, I love you

Don't eat hay

I love you, I love you

That's your health tip of the daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay

I love you!

I have no idea what I'll sing him tomorrow, but rest assured, it'll be cheesy.  At least this morning he smiled and laughed, and really, isn't that the way every morning should start?  

The work day went really well and I a lot of extra energy upon returning to my wonderful home.   I cleaned part of the garage, vacuumed the house, and made ten cards for Boss's Day.  Usually by the time I drag my butt through the door I don't have the energy to do much more than goof off on the internet.  And, as if all that weren't enough, the hubby mopped the kitchen floor!  Life is good.  

For today, and today only....

I've realized that my home life is wonderful and for that I'm happy and grateful.  However, my work life is in need of an overhaul.  I created lots of bad habits - which were VERY easy to create.  I also kept blaming everyone else for my work unhappiness.  When I finally took a step back I realized, "dang it, I AM the reason I'm unhappy."  So, armed with good friends, "The Happiness Project" book, and an attitude of "I can be just as happy at work as I am at home" I'm now in the process of fulfilling this.

My new mantra is "for today and today only".  I figure if today, and today only, I smile more, complain less, then  I just might make it happen.  If today, and today only, I do this instead of that... etc. I'll likely be more successful at accomplishing my goals.

I put this into action a couple days ago at work.  For that day, and that day only, I attempted to be helpful to everyone who approached my desk.  For the most part it worked.  I think there were a few times I wasn't as helpful as I could have been, but recognizing that and being mindful of it helped keep in check.  By the end of the day I felt much better than I typically do come clock-out time (of course it was Friday, and looking forward to the weekend was probably a factor as well).  Anyway, Saturday went well and Sunday is off to great start too.

The true test will be tomorrow, MONDAY.  But for today, and today only, I'm focusing on Sunday.  I'll worry about Monday tomorrow.

Today I'm enjoying a cat snuggled up in my lap.  A happy husband in the kitchen chopping, slicing, and dicing fruit and food to enjoy later. Two sleepy dogs napping on the couch.  Soon I'll be enjoying Game Day at a friend's house, watching football, laughing and joking, and of course drinking beer!  What a way to enjoy today, and today only.

This is the life

We're enjoying perfect weather.  It's in the 80s with a slight breeze and full sunshine making everything bright and cheery.  The dogs are panting at our feet as we kick back on the patio drinking white wine, eating watermelon, and just thankful it's only Saturday so we can repeat this again tomorrow.  We did manage to do a few chores around the place, so we can enjoy a guilt-free afternoon of doing nothing while Pandora plays some fun tunes.   I'm so content it seems almost criminal.

Conversation with a Spider (ok, it's really a monologue)

I dislike spiders.  They freak me out, they're creepy and covered in eyes and legs.  However, spiders eat other bugs and for that reason, I tolerate them - just not in my home.  The other night the hubby was out and I was left alone to deal with an intruder.

I had been outdoors enjoying a beautiful summer evening.  Upon returning indoors a many legged hitchhiker nabbed a free ride on my glass of water.  I didn't realize this until I set the glass down so I could close the door.  When I went to retrieve my glass there was Slash (name of the many legged intruder).  It was a dark gray/black colored spider with a whitish colored lightening bolt looking mark upon its back, hence the name Slash.  

Me:  "Uh, hey Slash, you're not welcome inside my home.  You're free to roam about in the great outdoors and eat every fly you catch, but my kitchen, or any room for that matter, is off limits".

Slash:

Me:  "Ok, you're a creature of few words.  Fine, I'll do all the talking, you just listen closely.  I know you got lots o' eyes, how about ears?  You getting all of this?  You paying close attention because I'm not going to debate with you all night.  Ok?"

Slash  hops about from the counter to the glass and wanders around the water glass.

Me:  "Ok, you done jumping around?  It's making me really uneasy.  Why don't you just head to the inside of that glass, I'll cover it, and then return you to the patio.  Good deal, right?  You get to live.  I get to have you not be inside my home.  Whadda ya say?"

Slash:

Me:  "If you don't cooperate I'll have to... um, well something bad.  Something I'm sure you wouldn't like, so play nice, hop into the glass and everyone wins."

Slash:

Me:  "Really, this is how you want this to go down?  Dude, help me help you."

Slash just crawls around a bit, getting close to the edge of the top of the glass.

Me:  "Ok, you're almost there, this can work, really.  I'll treat you with the utmost respect, but you gotta get inside the glass."

Slash continues to maneuver around the edge of the drinking glass.

Me:  "Come on, please, don't make me beg, that's not cool.  Just get your fuzzy little..."

Slash makes his bold move to the inside.

Me:  "Thank you!  Was that so hard?!"  

I grab a nearby recipe, cover the glass, hold the glass out as far from me as possible and place the glass on the table outside.

Me:  "Ok, whew."  Taking deep breaths.  "Ok, see, you're still alive.  I'm still alive, this just might work out."

I remove the recipe from the glass and step back.  

Me:  "Alright Slash, now just hop on out of the glass.  You're free.  Go nab some nasty flies or something."

Slash:

Me:  "You're welcome, you were thanking me right?  Anyway, just move along now.  Nothing to see here.  Go home to your spider spouse and tell her how nice I was to not smash you.  Ok, go on, you can do it."

Slash:

Me:  "No need to stare at me, just get out of the glass.  Ok, tell you what, you've got ten minutes to get your legs moving outta there.  I'm going inside and in ten minutes I'll return and you'd better be gone.  Ok?"  

Ten minutes later I return to an empty glass.  Yeah!  Victory is mine!  

Next morning I'm in the kitchen about to make some coffee.

Me:  "What the hell?!  Slash, what are you doing in my sink?  Dude, not cool.  Not cool at all."

I ignore Slash most the morning as he explores the kitchen sink.  Finally the hubby wakes up.

Me:  "Darling, I need a HUGE favor.  Could you please relocate Slash to the great outdoors?"

Hubby, still groggy since he's only been awake about thirty seconds, "What?  Slash... relocate?  Oh, a spider.  Where is it?"

Me:  "In the sink."

Hubby:  "Ok, why don't you go in the other room and I'll take care of it."

Me:  "No, you can't wash Slash down the drain, you need to relocate him outside so he can eat flies."

Hubby grumbles indistinctly.  "Whatever."  

Eventually the Hubby uses a paper towel to transport Slash from the sink to the backyard.  

Slash had better not make another house call.  I might have to institute the three strikes rule if he does.  I don't think Mrs. Slash would like that.    

Back to Reality

What two weeks in Italy has taught me (in no particular order):

• American coffee is awful
• American plumbing is awesome
• Two-hour Italian lunches, with wine, should be the norm
• Crowds suck
• Italy is full of history, beautiful buildings, and crazy, fast drivers
• Dinner with family is really nice, even if I have no idea what the heck is being said
• "Who Wants to Be A Millionaire" in Italian isn't fun to watch - must learn Italian!
• Our Italian family is extremely generous, loving, and truly fun to be with
• Fresh, in-season foods taste amazing
• The Italians seem to live a more relaxed, easy-going life than Americans 
• The Autostrada is fantastic, the Superstrada not so much

Arrrrr, there be pirates!

Ventura Harbor, CA.

Blind Wine Tasting

Recently we had a blind wine tasting.  6 bottles of wine, 4 people, lots of fun!

The object was to guess where each wine was from, the selection:

My handsome hubby with the numbered carafes.  

The favorite was # 5.

The wines:

Argentina ~ Malbec, El Portillo ~ 6

United States ~ Tempranillo, Arthur Earl ~ 3

Italy ~ Barbera d'Asti, Michele Chiarco ~ 2

France ~ Bordeaux, Haut Blagnac ~ 1

Australia ~ Shiraz, Razor's Edge ~ 5

South Africa ~ Shiraz, Fairview ~ 4

All wines were from 2006.