February 28, 2007
Put That Down!
I am back from PA and I am beat! Mi Mama is doing well. Her surgery was very successful and she got out of the hospital as quickly as possible. She wasn't even there 48 hours. She really hates hospitals. I spent Saturday-Tuesday at her PA home and I think I really helped her out. I kept her on schedule with her meds and kept her fed. It was nearly a full time job trying to keep her from picking up and carrying things or taking unecessary trips down the stairs. That Lady did not want to stay put!
It was really good to come home yesterday. I missed my husband, my cat and my bed.
Home Sweet Home!
Quote of the Day:
The best way to keep children home is to make the home atmosphere pleasant--and let the air out of the tires.
Dorothy Parker (1893 - 1967)
July 13, 2006
Multiple Choice
Last night while celebrating Maryment's birthday, the question arose -- why does no one leave comments anymore? Following in Ms. WAS's foot steps, I decided to ask a provocative question to drive my readers to comment. At first I was going to torture poor Fliven and ask you to make perdictions about his love life, but in the life of day, that choice seems unnecessarily cruel. So instead I will shine the spotlight back on myself.
As you may know, I am happiest when I have a project to muse over. This isn't something I always take action on right way (or let's face it, ever). Since the wedding is over, I have had many future projects shuffling around in my head, so much so that I am having trouble focusing on just one. This is where you come in. I would like my reading public to vote on with of my distracting projects I should focus on now!
A) 
The Car Hunt? Flounder and I have discussed shopping for a new commuter car this coming winter. But which one to buy? Should I spend the next few months feverishly hunting for the perfect car for us?
B) 
Home Improvements? We have also discussed making some major changes to the kitchen and exterior of the house in the next 12-24 months. There are so many choices! So much to learn! Should becomeing more knowledgeable about my options and their costs be my focus?
C) 
Exercise Routine? My gym membership has gone under-utilized for far too long. Should I focus on really getting my moneys worth from my gym, take advantage of its programs and my health?
D) 
Training for the Adventure? Before "Starting a Family" Flounder and I plan on taking an adventure packed trip that would be difficult or impossible to take with small children. We have not yet picked the destination, but we know we want to test ourselves a bit with some strenuous (my my standards) hiking. Should I make training for this adventure my focus?
E) None of the Above? Do you have a different project to suggest? Now is your change.
Vote Now!
Posted by La at 9:20 AM | Comments (2)November 15, 2005
WEbring Assigment #16a - Thanksgiving
Ms. Post No Bills has given us our topic today: Thanksgiving is coming up. What will you be doing? Traveling? What would be your ideal Thanksgiving?
Well, Thanksgiving is a pretty boring holiday really. I always spend it with Mi Mama, Micah and the various family members that Mi Mama invites. This year Flounder will be joining us. As I mentioned earlier this week, Flounder and I have already celebrated an early Thanksgiving with his side of the family.
Our family doesn't have any special traditions or stories when it comes to this holiday. A couple years ago I forgot to put the sugar in the pumpkin pie, but that's about it.
I heard an interesting spot this past Friday on WAMU (88.5 FM). The radio show Metro Connection covered the various Inns in the greater DC region where one can have a full Thanksgiving dinner. A fantastic meal in beautiful suroundings where someone else cleans up? Sounds pretty great to me! Maybe next year.
For other takes on this topic see:
Write Again Soon
Bad Apologies
A Prize In Every Box
Post No Bills
Lugnochro
November 8, 2005
WEbring Assigment #15 - All I Want For Christmas
From Condorman, this week's topic: Everyone share what is on your Christmas list for this year and why, perhaps comparing it with previous holidays, or reminiscing on your favorite gift.
The older I get, the harder I find making a Christmas List. Not because I want to go without this season, but because the items I want are becoming increasingly expensive and specific. Last year it was an iPod Mini and a food processor. For my birthday I received a new laptop. These are not cheap items. Such is the curse of the middle class. Or maybe it's just me.
This year I have asked for a new jeweley box, and a few other things. The jewelry box is the only request that stands out in my mind. I have also directed people to the registries I have compiled at a couple stores for our wedding. Several people have poo-pooed the idea of purchasing items from this lists, as if they were sacred and appropriate for wedding related buying only. "Not so!" I say.
I have repeatedly pointed out beautiful things to Flounder while leafing through catalogs. A suade bag here, a pink paisley pashmina there, I have hinted.
All that said I know I can expect a mixed bag of goods under the tree this year. The Storybook Family (Flounder's parents) will probably give me a AAA membership. My Dad let's his wife buy the holiday gifts which means, that just like the last few years I will be given something thoughtless and useless. A placeholder gift so there will be something for me to open. Really this situation is only really an issue because Dad only really shows love through gifts and now he has given up that avenue as well. Sad. But what do I expect from Flounder, Mi Mama and others this year? No idea, but I look forward to finding out.
For other takes on this topic see:
Write Again Soon
Bad Apologies
A Prize In Every Box
Post No Bills
Lugnochro
November 3, 2005
WEbring Assigment #14 - Halloween
From Ms. Write Again Soon: Describe how you spent this Halloween. Compare/contrast with previous Halloweens.
This Halloween Flounder and I are handing out candy to our neighborhood kids. I did not dress up at all. Working in a law office, we are discouraged from being to whimsical when it come to our wardrobe.
I have attended very few Halloween parties through the years, but I have worn LOTS of costumes. Over the years I have dressed up as a Wench, Washing Machine, Miss Piggy, Mime, and an injured Construction worker to name a few.
One of the these days I would love to attend a flamboyant costume party where there are tons of people and everyone dresses up. I don't see that happening anytime soon though.
For other takes on this topic see:
Write Again Soon
Bad Apologies
A Prize In Every Box
Post No Bills
Lugnochro
October 24, 2005
WEbring Assigment #13 - Birth
Ms. Lugnochro said: I ask you to tell me about your actual Birth Day. Talk to your mothers, find out what actually transpired on your day of birth. I'm feeling flexible, so feel free to write a short piece of fiction from her perspective if your prefer. Or if both ot these options grate you the wrong way, how about your goals for the dwindling time you have left in your twenties?
The moment I was born my mother was young, single, and exhausted. She labored with me for an astounding 32 hours or some similarly amazing amount of time. Despite the fact that my conception was not planned, I always knew that I was loved and wanted. She guided me down the path of my early years using the "do as I say, not as I do" school of instruction. I took the lessons to heart. No unprotected sex. No smoking. Check. Somehow her best intentions payed off and I made totally original mistakes that didn't resemble her own.
Now I am 5 years older than my Mom when I was born. I am happy, healthy and financially stable. Despite the act that my wedding is still 6 months away, if I found myself pregnant tomorrow, I would be totally ok with that. I no longer feel like I live in the shadow of my mother's mistake and there is a great freedom in that.
For other takes on this topic see:
Write Again Soon
Bad Apologies
A Prize In Every Box
Post No Bills
Lugnochro
October 21, 2005
WEbring Assigment #12 - Big Trouble for Bad Apologies
From Ms. Write Again Soon:This week's topic was supposed to be posted by Mr. Bad Apologies, but no one has heard from him in several days. Speculate on what is keeping him so busy that he can't fulfill basic tasks. Incorporate things that he has written about, and link to his past blog entries whenever possible.
Instead of scrolling through Mr. BA's blog to explain his absence I am going to discuss why I believe his personality makes it challenging for him to blog regularly. I have been friends with those listed below in the WEbring for a long time. Long ago I realized that Mr. BA and I have very different priorities and perspectives when it comes to time and how we use it.
We were 17 years old, spending the evening doing projects in Mr. BA's teenage bedroom. Such evenings were usually spent each of us working on separate things, occasionally checking in on one anothers progress. I don't remember exactly how it happened (perhaps he was yet again trying to organize his mountains of things) but Mr. BA pulled out a book called If. If was a book of questions meant to probe a persons inner thoughts and motivations. He and I subsequently spent several hours pouring through the book quizing each other with question after question. The one that stands out in my mind is this one: "If you could live without sleep, would you want to?"
My answer was no. I had a very hard time imagining what I would do with that time. It sounded like a very boring, lonely and issolating idea to my 17 year old self. Mr. BA loved the idea. His mind raced with all the ways he could use those extra hours. The choices were endless. The tasks he could accomplish! The people he could meet! He actually became a little disappointed when he realized that a sleepless existance was not possible for him.
It might look like a small difference, but it's bigger than it seems. Mr. BA is almost always going to pack his life as tightly with activity and new experiences as possible. Though he enjoys contemplation from time to time, his "doing" time greatly overshadows his "sorting" time. Blogging falls under the catagory of "sorting." This is why he will never have an uptodate blog. I have accepted this reality.
Mr. BA? Am I wrong?
For other takes on this topic see:
Write Again Soon
Bad Apologies
A Prize In Every Box
A Little Maryment
Post No Bills
Lugnochro
October 11, 2005
WEbring Assigment #11 - 5 Things
This week I picked the topic: In whatever writing style you feel moved to use (poetry, prose, list...) I want you to detail 5 thing you are (traits, titles or descriptions), 5 things you aren't, and 5 things you want to be.
I am:
1) Growing Up
2) Ready to get married
3) Smart (most of the time)
4) Easily distracted
5) Doing my best
I am not:
1) Well organized
2) Afraid of the future
3) Following my advice
4) Worrying about the past
5) Prepared for my Mom to die
I want to be:
1) Working a job I find fulfilling
2) A Mom
3) Physically healthy for many years to come
4) One who lives my beliefs
5) A trusted friend
For other takes on this topic see:
Write Again Soon
Bad Apologies
A Prize In Every Box
A Little Maryment
Post No Bills
Lugnochro
October 4, 2005
WEbring Assignment #10 - Open Up The Nearest Book
This weeks assignment from Ms. Post No Bills:
Open up the nearest book or publication. Go to the middle of the book and select the sentence that comes at the top of the page. From this sentence, draft a very short bit of fiction, the zanier the better. I'm thinking no more than 100 words, but closer to 50.
Suddenly, the overhead light went on. Jane looked around at her brother standing with a finger on the light switch. "Dick, turn that damn, thing off. Do you want to let the whole town know were are here?" The lights flicked off leaving only their flashlights to illuminate the cramped pet store. It only took a moment for the store to erupt with the sound of 100 alarmed animals. Dogs cried, cats meowed and a parrot near the window loudly quoted Seinfeld. "Newman! Yadda, Yadda, Yadda!" it said. "Where is Spot?" Dick asked, "I just want to get out of here." Jane located Spot caged in the corner of the store. “I still can’t believe Father sold our dog! I swear I will eat all my peas for now on.”
For other takes on this topic see:
Write Again Soon
Bad Apologies
A Prize In Every Box
A Little Maryment
Post No Bills
Lugnochro
September 27, 2005
WEbring Assignment #9 - Time Machine
Our task from Mr. Prize In Every Box: "If you had a time machine you could use only once, what would you do with it? Would you go to the past or the future? Whom would you want to meet or what would you want to see?"
I have been anticipating the day that someone gives me the opportunity to time travel for a few years now. I know exactly what I would do. I would head back to the early 1920s. There I would have a nice little chat with a Mr. Thomas Midgley.
"Thomas Midgley, Jr. (May 18, 1889 - November 2, 1944), was a American mechanical engineer turned chemist. He developed both the tetra-ethyl lead additive to gasoline and chloro-fluorocarbons (CFCs). While lauded at the time for his discoveries, today his legacy is seen as far more mixed. One historian remarked that Midgley "had more impact on the atmosphere than any other single organism in earth history." - Wikipedia
For the longest time I said I would kill him if I had the chance. I have since changed my mind. I would instead explain to the man the harm that his primary inventions caused and then give him a gift to compensate him for the money he would lose should he never invent CFCs and lead infused gasoline. I would give him silly putty. Would the simple science fun of silly putty be enough to compensate him? Lord I hope so. I would hate to have to kill him.
For other takes on this topic see:
Write Again Soon
Bad Apologies
A Prize In Every Box
A Little Maryment
Post No Bills
Lugnochro
September 19, 2005
WEBring Assignment #8 - Mr. McAlpine?
This weeks task from Ms. Write Again Soon:
I never knew how much love could hurt until I loved you baby. I feel as empty as a drum. I'm sorry I had to go. I didn't want to go away. All I left behind should come as no surprise to me.
As I try to find the will to forget. But I remember everything. You've become the memory I can't erase. Each little moment, Is clear before me. You say you don't love me, but I still love you.
So I find myself back on the road again. Travelin' around sure gets me down and lonely. All those nights I've spent alone. Uninspired, so tired and wasted. Goin' places that I've never been. All alone, on a one way road. Can't look back, cause I see your face.
In the end, Home is where I want to be. Country roads, take me home. Keep your eyes on the road, your hands upon the wheel. Let me show you what I learned out on the road.
"What the hell was that" you ask? I don't know. This was the hardest blog entry ever and I have no idea what it means. I feel like I just turned in a writing assignment for Mr. McAlpine. My head hurts. The citing will come late.
Posted by La at 9:45 PM | Comments (1)September 12, 2005
WEbring Assignment #7 - Baby Genie
This weeks topic, thanks to Ms. Lugnochro is: Assuming you will have a child in the future, what one attribute or personality characteristic or natural ability would you like to secure for that child (assuming the magic Baby Genie (not to be confused with the Diaper Genie) gives you One Wish). Also, the attribute can not be exemption from a specific disease/disability.
I think I can't help but choose a trait here that I do not myself demonstrate. I most want my child to be a resolute, tenacious hard-worker. It is not enough in life to be smart, strong or popular if one is not also goal oriented. Where will you go if you are very bright, but also lazy? I would rather my child be average or even sub-par in other areas if he had a dogged determination to succeed. Natural talent is a great gift but there is a nobility in hard work that can't be found in a task easily achieved due to natural ability.
There are a million good things I wish for my future children. Of course I would ideally like them to be healthy, happy, intelligent and empathetic of their fellow man. All those hopes and wishes aside, I will be content to raise the children the come into my life to the best of my ability and hope I do less harm than good.
For other takes on this topic see:
Write Again Soon
Bad Apologies
A Prize In Every Box
A Little Maryment
Post No Bills
Lugnochro
September 6, 2005
WEbring Assignment #6 - My Gang
Thanks to Mr. Bad Apologies this weeks WEbring topic is this: If you were to form a gang right now, what would it be called? What would it do? What would your personal nickname be? What would you be known to be especially "hard core" at in your gang?
My gang's name would be known only among the members themselves. To the general populace they would appeare as your average members of their community. We would have weekly meetings. We would gather at the each others homes and share the news we had collected through out the week. Each getting an assignment, we would scatter to the wind. And then we would cook.
The gang would be called the S'mores. The name would be acknowledged as lame, but a consensous could never be reached on behalf of a moniker which was cooler, or more appropriate. At our weekly meeting we would gather to share recipes and discuss how the gift of food could improve our community. Is there a school bake sale in need of brownies? An aged neighbor who could use a nutritious and easy to chew dinner dish? Has a local family had trouble buying food since Dad lost his job? We would rise to the occasion bringing hope, help and food to share.
I would be known as Lefty, often seen wielding a wooden spoon in my left hand, mixing bowl in the crook of my right arm.
In this gang, being hardcore would be delivering an entire turkey dinner to a needy family which was hot and ready to eat before the children of the family had a chance to notice anything was amiss.
For other takes on this topic see:
Write Again Soon
Bad Apologies
A Prize In Every Box
A Little Maryment
Post No Bills
Lugnochro
August 30, 2005
WEbring Assignment #5 - The Ideal Day
Yesterday Maryment put forth this weeks WEbring topic. If you could spend tomorrow doing anything (the "ideal day"), what would it be? Compare/contrast this day with what your ideal day might have been 10 years ago.
Tuesday (Today) is my birthday, this topic is rather perfect for me. What could be more ideal than your birthday? I have to admit that for once DK (Mr. Bad Apologies) beat me to the punch. He wrote about the perfect day at the beach, and honestly he did such a complete job of it, he has exhausted the topic. So I must find another idea.
My ideal day would start with waking up early after a full nights restful sleep. Showering, dressing and getting into the car with Flounder, ready to take on the day. We would head to our favorite deli for breafast and coffee and then hit the road. We are going to the amusement park! Meeting up with my more coaster loving friends at the kiosks we would create a loose game plan and head into the park. The day would be comfortably temperate, and everyone would have put on sun lotion. It would be a fabulous day filled with rides (all the lines would be short) and laughter (my friends are very funny). We would break only long enough to refuel before powering on into the evening. The best part of the experience would be the feeling that I fit. Both on the rides (once a concern) and with my friends. We would stay long enough to see the whole park lit up after dark. I would go home exhausted and happy. Smiling at the memories we made and looking forward to downloading the photos we took.
10 years ago? I probably would have said something very similar. I have often been happiest when surrounded by the people I know and love. The roller coasters are just a bonus. Back then there would have been no digital camera and no Flounder. Had I known then what I know now, I would have missed them both.
For other takes on this topic see:
Write Again Soon
Bad Apologies
A Prize In Every Box
A Little Maryment
Post No Bills
August 22, 2005
WEbring Assignment #4 - Definition of Success
This time around I got to pick the topic of our essays. I chose a subject I knew would be worth some contemplation time. I have never found absolutes to serve me well. Instead I have found some general guidelines that if followed more often than not, will leave me a success in my own eyes anyway.
I will face my fears - Fear can be intimidating, anxiety producing and paralyzing. With each fear I have conquered in my life, I have become more confident. I have achived a new level of self awareness with each frightening issue I have squared off against. It usually takes more than a little effort, but it's always worth it.
I will seek balance in all aspects of my life - I don't feel driven to be a woman who "has it all" as they say. I will strive to create a life where need vs. want, have vs. have-not and do vs. have done for me are proportional to resources I have at my disposal. The resources to be considered include money, time, physical energy, emotional energy and environmental factors.
I will continually seek intellectual stimulation - Increasingly researchers are finding that keeping a strong mind is one of the keys to long healthy life. I have been a little slower in getting my extended education than some others. My goal is life long education.
I will share as much love as is in my power - This statement is pretty clear. I believe that love is not the opposite of hate, but instead the opposite of fear. I wish to face every aspect of my life with an open loving heart. Of all the goals I have laid out, this is the most challenging on a day to day basis.
Quote of the Day:
Now I see the secret of the making of the best persons. It is to grow in the open air and to eat and sleep with the earth.
Walt Whitman
For other takes on this topic see:
Write Again Soon
Bad Apologies
A Prize In Every Box
A Little Maryment
Post No Bills
August 15, 2005
WEbring Assignment #3 - Guilty Pleasures
Thanks to Ms. Post No Bills for chosing this weeks WEBring topic: Guilty Pleasures.
The very nature of this topic is rubbing me the wrong way. I feel like by nature of the fact that I have this blog, I have to decide with each entry, how much to share and how much to hide. Clearly here Ms. PNB is asking us to step out of the box and share something different. Share something new. Open the door a little wider? Is that what you want? Fine! Ok!
Here is my rather gross guilty pleasure. I love to pick at other peoples skin flaws. I mean literally, with my fingers. Pimples, scabs, clogged pores, ingrown hairs, you name it. I sometimes think I missed my calling as a dermatologist. There are very few people who are subjected to my picking. But there you go. My previously untellable guilty pleasure is now public.
Ms. PNB I hope you are happy!
For other takes on this topic see:
Write Again Soon
Bad Apologies
A Prize In Every Box
A Little Maryment
Post No Bills
August 8, 2005
Webring Assignment #2 - Body Modification
Over the last 10 years I have considered piercings and tattoos many times. Other than a second piercing in my right ear (or was it the left?) which has long since closed up, I have always refrained. I am not disappointed in my choice, but the reason for the choice does sadden me. I have never been satisfied enough with the state of my body to want to adorn it with art or jewelry. In some ways it is a good thing. Considering how I have stretched my skin over the years I am sure the adornment would be less than attractive by now.
Since taking some action on developing a healthier body, I haven't been any more eager to adorn myself. I am lighter and healthier, but no less stretched or displeased by my general shape. There is a form of modification I am interested in. Plastic Surgery. Breast lift anyone, tummy tuck, skin removal perhaps? After the babies, before the 40s set in. Painful but worth it? Maybe, maybe not.
If tattoos, piercings, brandings and the like are for people wanting to stand out, be individual or do something crazy, than for me plastic surgery is to help me blend in, feel like everyone else and normal. I can't say I will really go through with my own form of body modification. I may find peace with my shape between today and the day such modifications would be in the cards. In the meantime, I don't think wanting to feel average makes me selfish, vain or greedy. I think it makes me human.
For other takes on this topic see:
Write Again Soon
Bad Apologies
A Prize In Every Box
A Little Maryment
Post No Bills
August 2, 2005
Webring Assignment #1 - Tourism in Columbia
Prolog: J. Wo also known as Ms. Write Again Soon has initiated the creation of a webring. The purpose of this group is to get various points of view on one specific topic per week. The topic will be offered up on Monday and addressed in our individual blogs on Tuesday. I have chosen to participate primarily because it is a new experience and the writing practice can only do me good. That said, I will very likely be spouting uninformed opinions in these assignments. Being generally undereducated, this isn't really surprising. Now with the disclaimer behind us, here we go!
The troubling stats I've found:
*"In May 2004, the UN announced that Colombia's 39-year-long drug war had created the worst humanitarian crisis in the Western Hemisphere. More than 2 million people have been forced to leave their homes and several Indian tribes are close to extinction. It now has the third largest displaced population in the world, with only Sudan and the Congo having more. Uribe has produced some impressive results in fixing his country's ills, however. According to his defense minister, during 2003 more than 16,000 suspected leftist guerrillas and right-wing paramilitary vigilantes either surrendered, were apprehended, or were killed." (Source: http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0107419.html)
*"That has all conspired to give the country a dark image. But, said Botero, "All the figures show that we have made notable advances in improving security. Even the U.S. government's travel warning reflects that."
He was referring to U.S. Department of State advisories about countries it considers dangerous. The latest on Colombia, in May, said "violence by narcoterrorist groups and other criminal elements continues to affect all parts of the country, urban and rural. No one can be considered immune on the basis of occupation, nationality or any other factor." (Source: http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/americas/08/01/colombia.tourism.reut/index.html)
*The Government's emphasis during the year [2002] on improving security resulted in significant improvements in many human rights indicators. Murders fell by 20 percent, kidnappings declined 39 percent, and forced displacements of persons were cut by 49 percent. The number of newly displaced persons appeared to decline for the first time since 1999. The overall number of large-scale massacres and other killings committed by AUC terrorists appeared to decline during the year. Labor leaders and activists continued to be victims of high levels of violence; however, the number of union leaders killed during the year declined significantly. (Source: http://www.nationbynation.com/Columbia/Human.html)
Having read about the kidnappings, political murders, displaced populations, drug trade and terrorist activity, I can't imagine traveling to Columbia for any reason other than humanitarian. Despite the improving security statistics I still find it irresponsible of the Columbian government to suggest that their country is a safe place for unescorted foreign tourists. Maybe in ten years? But not today.
For other takes on this topic see:
Write Again Soon
Bad Apologies
A Prize In Every Box
A Little Maryment
Post No Bills
