It Is What It Is

"To all the Blogs I've Loved Before.."

First, I want to set the mood for your reading pleasure.  Close your eyes, and think of the Willie Nelson song, "To all the girls I've loved before.."  Can you hear it?  That's the kind of mood I'm in folks.  I'm trying not to be a hater.  Hater of myself and the procrastinating that has invaded my life.  But first before I write about that, I must go watch" Curb Your Enthusiasm"....I'll be right back, I promise.

I'm back...seriously, I have the worse case of procrastination EVER!  I've been able to accomplish only those things that need taken care in the most immediate of ways.  For instance, today was a beautiful day.  I didn't have any place to be- so I could in theory get caught up.  I did take care of a few things that I needed to-BUT the things that have been hanging over my head for way too long- didn't get touched.  So because of that, I'm going to tell you about all the blogs I wish I would have written in the last few weeks in hopes of actually getting them written-

1.  Desk Redo Bloggy Style- UPDATE - In this post, I show all the progress I've made on my desk- actually showing the finished product.

2.  Volleyball- A Love Story to replace A Love Story- Football

3.  A Season of Cheer- In this post I tell all about my adventures in cheerleading coaching 19 ten year old girls- (I can almost hear you laughing as you read this...)

4.  DIPS- Revisited- This is my cooking mini-tutorial where I photograph and make the dips submitted by  two of my faithful commenter's.

5.  DIPS- for Book clubs- this had to be postponed because the dip party was postponed- so I guess I'm not procrastinating on this one...

6.  Decorating for fall- Because I actually did so little it wasn't worth the effort.

7.  How to Parent an 18 Year Old- If anyone has any advice on this- I could use your help.

8.  My new favorite author- Jen Lancaster!

9.  "Twilight"- I'm behind the curve...

10.  My New fall Favorite TV Must Watches...

11.  I have a New Boss- Oh mY!

Hopefully, I've peaked your interest.  I know I've peaked mine.  Lets hope I can kick this procrastinating cloud that has been hanging over my head and get to writing!  Are you procrastinating anything?  Tell me what it is so I can feel better about myself!  Thanks for sharing!

Half Full or Half Empty?

What happens after you start your day stepping in dog Sh*#?  (I might mention at this point wearing the shoes you've planned your wardrobe for the day around?)

  Does the day only go up from there?  Or should you resign yourself for a "crappy" day?  Make a choice and "stick" to it!

Have a great day and don't forget to vote!
 

Happy Birthday, Sister!

Today is my one and only Baby Sister's birthday!  Happy Birthday, Kelly!  I love you!

Should I Stay or Should I Go?....

Recently I heard a news story on Good Morning America talking about 5 of the most overused phrases being used today.

This information came from an on-line blog on writing where readers were asked to nominate phrases that they thought were overused. 

The top 5 vote getter's were:

1. Very

2. Kind of

3. It is What it Is  (GASP!!)

4. Think outside the box

5.  Just sayin'

When I heard that the title of my Blog was considered overused, it kind of upset me and made me think that perhaps I need to think outside the box and come up with a very different title, just sayin'...

Seriously, it did make me think that maybe I should change the name of my blog.  Should the title be more reflective of me as a person and my identity?  I chose this name a few years ago (I was saying it is what it is long before it became overused)....and quite honestly, I rarely use it in my writing. 

So- I'm asking you faithful readers, should I change my title and if so, please offer a suggestion.  All comments will be considered.  (And even if you're reading my blog for the first time- feel free to offer something up- I'd love to hear from you too!) 

Don't Knock It til You Try It

I have to admit I think most products that are sold on TV as the "seen on TV" infomercial are pretty silly and lame.  Case in Point- the Snuggie.  I readily agree that I thought the idea of the snuggie as kind of silly and a waste.  It's a blanket with sleeves for goodness sakes.  My husband thought the idea of the snuggie was a good one and thought it had merit. 

I told him under no circumstances was he even to consider purchasing a snuggie.  Well friends, snuggie came out with a collegiate version.  My husband is a sucker for anything Michigan.  He purchased the snuggie and put it on the back of my chair in our reading room.  I told him to move it.  There is no way I'm using a snuggie. 

 Have I mentioned that it's turned rather chilly and we keep the house rather cool?  Yesterday morning I put the snuggie over my feet.  It kept them toasty.   A blanket would have done the same thing, but the snuggie was conveniently located so I used it. 

This morning was a little chillier and I admit that I actually put my arms in the sleeves of the snuggie...and I kind of  got into it.  Beloved walked into the room and said- "Ah-ha...I caught you.  You like it, don't you?" 

Yes, but don't tell anyone. 

Hey Now, I've Had My Reasons

Hey ya'll in Blogland.  I've been a little preoccupied with some things going on in my life and this week I've been trying to play catch up.  I didn't mean to ignore my little site, but truthfully, I haven't felt inspired.  Now, I know many of you will think how is that any different than anything else you write?  Most posts don't seem all that inspiring...well truth be told I have to feel a little moved on a personal level in order for me to get these keystrokes published.  And sometimes, you just have to do it in order to get the creative juices flowing again- so here goes. 

I just finished up with a fundraiser that I've done in some form or fashion for the last three years.  I always enjoy the process and the time spent in preparation.  I do however always seem to have the "blues" once the event is complete.  Admittedly, I've felt a little postpartum this week.  I was feeling emotional about the event ending but also about some changes that are occurring in my job.  So, for a good portion of the week, I was a little weepy.  (internally- most of the time.)  It didn't help that I was listening to an emotional saga that I feel compelled to share with you.

I preface this review with the notation that I have never had a personal experience with a family member suffering with Alzheimer's Disease.  I thought I had a good understanding of the disease and the havoc it causes the one afflicted and their family members.  However, after finishing this book, I can tell you that I didn't really have a clue. 

The book I'm referring to is- "Still Alice" by Lisa Genova. 

This is a first novel for the author.  "Still Alice" is the story of Alice Howland, an acclaimed professor of Psychology and Linguistics at Harvard University.  She is a 50 year old woman, mother and  wife who is diagnosed with Early Onset Alzheimer's Disease. 

This story is told from Alice's perspective.  We literally take this journey with Alice from the fast paced life of this accomplished academian to the ravages of how her mind ceases to perform. 

I have to say, it's been a very long time since I have had such an emotional response to a book.  I know part of it might have been my own "blues" and this was an organic way of dealing with my own feelings.  However, I truly felt the frustration, pain and hurt of what this disease was stealing from not only Alice but her friends, colleagues and most importantly, her family.

I highly recommend "Still Alice.''  It's an emotional and gut wrenching ride, but well worth it.  The author beautifully portrays what happens when someone suffers from this disease.  She explores the challenges of how someone deals with the progression of Alzheimer's, knowing the end results and still trying to live their life to the fullest and maintain their dignity. 

Share with me what you've been reading or any stories you may have regarding Alzheimer's.  I'd love to hear them.

Yearbook Yourself

I go in phases with this whole Facebook thing.  Lately, I have found a plethora of "friends" from high school.  It's so fun to catch up with these folks.  Seeing what they look like now- (27 years later!!)  Oh my goodness.  Mostly everyone looks the same.  I still see their sweet, young faces from high school.  I've never been able to attend a high school reunion- so this is the next best thing.  The really cool thing is that one friend leads to another and so on.  Truth be told, I don't have a very good memory for these names- I need to dig out my yearbook and do some matching up! 

So for fun- I thought I'd share some dated photos of myself-

 

Me- circa 1964

 

Circa 1980.

 

1982- my high school graduation year.

 

Finally,me, 1992.

Go on over to www.yearbookself.com and have some fun!

Labor Day means WORK and Happy Birthday Middle One

Alright friends, I've been a laboring this Labor Day Weekend.  I hope you've been enjoying the last bit of the official summer. 

 Remember when I mentioned that when you remove every roof ever put on your 82 year old house it spells- MESS any way you slice it?  Well, this mess has started an avalanche of other messes- it's like attack of the messes.  I've been digging out of messes all freaking weekend. 

Shall I recap? 

1.  ROOF-

 

Don't let the blue sky fool you- this was after all three previous roofs were removed and we're moving toward the installation of new roof.

 

See the dumpster that has been blocking my driveway and back entrance for the last seven days?  See blackness on the driveway- that is the remnants of old shingles and is taking over  everything?

 

Ah, ha- this is a better illustration of the mess that is now completely covering my attic- chunks and dust and junk covering everything!  Did I mention that the attic is my primary area of storage for all things in my household?  Dear Beloved made it up the stairs and cleaned that portion- it's just so completely overwhelming.  Trying to clean it all right now is just impossible.  Plus it's been about 500 degrees up there making the job even harder.

2.  Refer to first photo for a look at chimney that is now crumbling and needs to be repaired.  We know we needed to have the plaster on the chimney and front facade of the house taken care of- just not right after replacing the entire roof.  We optimistically thought we could make do with a fix on the chimney until the spring- but alas, the chimney is in even worse disrepair than originally thought.  We could actually have large chunks of plaster falling off the chimney and hurting people or worse damaging my new roof (I kid..) But I'm not kidding when I say- goodbye $2,000 more dollars. 

I might also add here, that I"m not opposed to fixing my house or spending the money to do so, it's just that the timing so sucks. Not that house repairs ever have good timing, but I would love to spend money on fun things- like a new kitchen or bath.   I could have had my new kitchen about five times over by now.  Oh well, time to get over it....

3.  Eldest moved into the basement into her new super cool faux dorm room.  This left her old room open and available.  We have moved Youngest into that room thus leaving her old room which is attached to our bedroom open and available to become a master bedroom sitting room.  We're  moving Beloved's Mancave out of the basement and allowing this to become more of the Lounge area of Eldest's Dorm and the hang out area for the other kids.  Leaving the family room the gated off shrine of family rooms.  (Remember the new carpet.)  Even the dogs are banned from this room.  So all of these changes have involved lots of moving, organizing and cleaning and ya da, ya da, ya da....

It really felt like we would never get any one thing finished completely.  I am happy to report- that both girl's rooms are pretty darn near close to being completed.  Odds and ends, mostly.  We are actually able to walk in the rooms and the upstairs hallway without climbing over things, finally.  

4.  Middle One turned 15 years old today!

 

In the midst of all this laboring, I actually made him his favorite Red Velvet cake with cream cheese frosting- all homemade I might add!

 

It's hard to believe that in six months he'll be eligible to take his driver's test.  Oh, my...

5.  Football has started- actually, it started in June and has been going full steam since then.  We've had a couple of scrimmages and two games.  You know I love all things football- so let me share a couple of shots, of my Middle Boy in his high school uniform!

 

He's #78! 

 

 

Last one, in formation, ready to snap the ball. 

Alright- that's all for now- gotta go do some work for the start of a new work and school week.  Enjoy the start of all things Fall!

Riddle Me This

Q- What do you get when you have 3 previous roofs removed off of your house built in 1927?

A- A big, fat, f %*&%$#@#$% mess! 

If I open the door to my attic I can see the sky peeking through-please Lord, don't let it rain!  I'm afraid to go up to check out the damage- since I can pick up large chunks of roofing materials on the steps leading up to the attic.  All I can say, it isn't pretty. 

I'll take photos and share later, when I've stopped crying. 

Breaking Up Is Hard To Do

Within the last two days I finished my long, emotional journey with the fine citizens of Kingsbridge, England in World Without End by Ken Follett.  If you remember, I began my journey near the end of July.  Thirty-six discs and 45 hours later, I finished listening to this phenomenal story. 

 

Oh, my word.  What can be said?  If you've read Pillars of the Earth and are trying to decide if you'd like to embark on another 1,000 plus page story, I say you must.  I say this because if you finished Pillars, then surely you fell in love with the story of the building of the Kingsbridge Cathedral.  I didn't think I would love the follow up to that wonderful story.  But I did, and I do.  Actually, I think I loved it more.  Now, this might be because the story is still so fresh in my head and I read Pillars about a year ago.  But friends, this book is everything you could want in a novel and more.  There is intrigue, mystery, politics, religion, history, a plague and finally a love story for the ages all wrapped between the cover of this book. 

Now while listening to World, I started reading-

 The Weight of Heaven by Thrity Umrigar.

This book intrigued me because the central characters of this fictional book are from my area and then move to India after a tragedy.  Lately, I have been extremely interested in Indian authors and books.  Although the subject matter is weighty, (the death of a child and the journey the couple goes through in trying to heal, knowing that one can never heal completely) this book grabbed from the beginning and didn't let go.  It had a dark under being, but there were such beautiful descriptives, that at least for me, it made it possible to go along with these characters and survive the darkness. 

I will forewarn you and tell you that this is one of those books that ends without tying up all the loose ends, which for me is always problematic and perhaps why I'm still thinking about this book. 

Upon finishing this book and completing World, I quickly picked up this-

 Everyone Is Beautiful by Katherine Center.

Another, page turner, I quickly connected with this main character too.  This is a funny look at what happens when a couple becomes parents and have to find out how to be a couple again while still parenting.  There are some laugh out loud moments, especially at the descriptions of those early baby/toddler years when, as mom you think you'll never get to shower again or wear anything but baby food stained t-shirts and sweatpants.  This was an easy read and a nice night cap to the more serious Umrigar novel. 

But now, everything is done.  I feel like I've just passed through a passion filled romance and emotional roller coaster break up and I don't know what to do with myself.  No other books are appealing to me.  I keep reliving these stories in my mind.  Just like a broken relationship that you weren't quite ready to end, I don't want to say goodbye to these characters.  There hasn't been enough time passed to move on to new characters.  What if these characters call and want a re-read?  I need time to heal before I invest in a new relationship.  Maybe I could read an old fall back novel.  Someone I've been involved with before, and now there's no emotional baggage.  We could have a one night read for old time's sake, right? 

No, that doesn't feel right either.  That would feel like cheating.  But it can't be cheating if it's over, right?  Maybe we could still be friends?  I know what you think, that never works out, someone always gets hurt.  But, these authors have other books that I haven't read.  So, maybe we could start fresh, new beginnings and all that...we could try and see how that works, at least for a little while...I'm willing to, if the novels are...I'll keep you posted.