Blithe and Blonde

I've moved! Find me at Wordpress...

2009-06-28T22:10:00.001-05:00

http://www.eis4em.wordpress.com

Making a change....Hop over

2009-06-21T14:29:00.004-05:00

I am in the process of moving my blog over to WORDPRESS...for a variety of reasons that I'll explain later. Just check here as you normally would. I'll keep you up to date on when I'm finished and ready to sweep the floors here.

For now, if you care to read my father's day post, click on this....

The ABC's of Me

2009-06-17T19:53:00.002-05:00

A - Age: 46

B - Bed size: King-waterbed

C - Chore you hate: Washing and waxing cars

D - Dog's name: Lilly

E - Essential start your day item: Coffee

F - Favorite color: yellow orange

G - Gold or Silver: silver

H - Height: 5'8"

I - Instruments you play: My IPOD Nano (I can't play a note!)

J - Job title: Mother/domestic goddess/artist

K - Kid(s):5-David, Scott, Caroline, Andrew and Jeff

L - Living arrangements: Big, 5 bedroom house in the suburbs with a front porch and a weeping willow in the back yard.

M - Mom's name: Ann

N - Nicknames: Em, Emmy, Emmerson, Baby Cakes-(hubby's)

O - Overnight hospital stay other than birth: pneumonia 2X when I was a kid

P - Pet Peeve: People who talk incessantly about other people in their life whom you know nothing about, or worse, people who talk incessantly about their kids. Yawn...

Q - Quote from a movie: Carrie to Mr.Big: You can't leave New York! You're the Chrysler Building! The Chrysler Building would be all wrong in a vineyard!

R - Right or left handed: right

S - Siblings: I'm an only child

T - Time you wake up: Summer hours? Noon and I go to bed about 3am.

U- Underwear: I like those cheeky boy shorts

V - Vegetable you dislike: Okra

W - Ways you run late: Spending too much time on the computer

X - Xtra things you like: sewing, painting and reading

Y - Delicious beef stew, stuffed green peppers, chicken bruschetta

Z - Wild Cats

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Feel free to copy and paste this and post your own version on your blog. If you like memes like I do, you'll find this one irresistable. Thanks Kim!

We all have a touch of genius...says Liz Gilbert

2009-06-16T01:57:00.003-05:00

Just a little Monday Something

2009-06-15T23:25:00.007-05:00

Last Friday I began the South Beach Diet. I was sitting in the waiting room of the outpatient care center where my mom was having her eye surgery. I felt fat. I looked fat. I felt out of breath. That morning, I brought my South Beach book with to read. As I read, the words just gelled with me and made so much sense. I felt empowered by the book in my hands and in the course of a moment, I decided this was the day I would begin making changes. I have two weeks before my upnorth vacation. Phase one is two weeks. The time is NOW.

I am on my 4th day of phase one and I feel very, very good! This diet, (although, I argue it should be called The South Beach Lifestyle), is amazing, because if you give up the bad carbs (white stuff-rice, potatoes, sugar, white bread and fruit) for the first two weeks, you totally lose hunger cravings and feel full most of the time. There's so much you can eat in phase one, although I miss strawberries dipped in Splenda. I can resume them in a week and a half when phase two begins. My nightly treat is a bowl of sugar free chocolate pudding made with skim milk. It's so good and really hits the spot.

I need this weight loss. Lately, I feel so heavy. Almost so heavy, it's difficult to lift myself off the sofa. My bones ache. My feet hurt. I'm shooting for fourty pounds. I am going to pray every night for the will power to carry this diet to it's completion and for success. During phase two I can eat everything except sugary stuff...and I can have bread and rice as long as it's whole wheat and brown rice and in moderation.

South Beach just makes so much sense to me. It's all about eating the right foods and giving up the crap we've been stuffing our gullets with all these years. America is getting fatter and fatter and it's because we all consume processed, bad stuff and eat too many bad carbs. SB is all about relearning how to eat healthy foods. I'm ready.
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I love the new Starbucks coffee blend. It's called Pikes Place. What makes it so good is it's much milder than other Starbucks coffees. It doesn't have that bitter, strong bite that is so characteristic of their coffee. I brew it at home and I love it. It's my little luxury on a daily basis. Try some.
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Lately, money has been tight and I've been enjoying the simpler things in life and I haven't been going shopping. Surprisingly, I don't miss it. I really don't. I have turned to free things for fun, like reading and blogging and taking Lilly for walks, enjoying the very balmy weather we've been having here in Chicago. If I want a new book, I take a quick trip to the Goodwill and choose from their selection. I'm amazed at the fantastic books I find there. I usually score lots of contemporary novels and almost always take home a lucky find.

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I've been thinking about some of the things I've been reading in the Sylvia Brown books. I want to believe her in the worst way. I think she's truthful, it seems like she's authentic, although on YouTube videos, she seems to have been caught making mistakes and seems complely off base. A fellow bogger wrote me privately and told me of a lady ghost she had in a house she lived in for 18 years. She actually saw her several times and the story seems just so amazing to me. I definately believe there is something beyond our life here on earth. There just has to be. Gosh, I really would love to see a ghost. Have you seen one? I'd love to hear about it.
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I have been so inspired by Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert. It is such an incredible book. Easy, entertaining, interesting, heart wrenching, spiritual and inspiring are the adjectives I can throw out there to describe it. I can only recommend it with all my heart to you reader. The first '4 Beads' is probably the most powerful thing I've read to date. It almost moved me to tears. ''As far as the 'beads' are concerned, you'll have to read the book to find that out.

Why does this post seem like I'm a spokesperson for South Beach, Starbucks, Sylvia Brown and Elizabeth Gilbert? I don't know...I just love them all!

I have been feeling disappointed in myself for not writing the kind of quality blog posts I'd like to be posting. But, as much as I'd love to turn a crank in my brain and pop some quality content out to the internet, it just doesn't happen that way. Inspiration has to come naturally, on it's own. It's not something to be forced. One must wait patiently for the words to flow. Since I consider it a delicate balance, I wait with anticipation for my future inspiration to arrive. Comm'on universe, I need some help.

Easy breezy sunny sunday...

2009-06-14T18:36:00.003-05:00

The cats behind the patio window looking out at me.

Little Vladdie (short for Vladimir), he's growing so big.

Sweetness, adorable and such a good personality all rolled into one cat.

Fletcher and Markee lazing away on the table.

Just some pictures of the cats basking in the sun on this lazy, beautiful Sunday.

Wednesday night ramblings...

2009-06-10T21:12:00.004-05:00

I am so into reading these days...I have Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil going now, in addition to Icy Sparks, and now I've begun, Eat, Pray, Love. I love where books take me. I take something wonderful and inspiring from each novel I manage to devour. These books will take me to Savannah, Ga, Kentucky, Italy, Indonesia and India, respectively.

I look forward to two weeks at the lake where I can delve into these books and hopefully finish them. I will feel like I really accomplished something if I do.

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Today I had a bit of pampering-I decided on the cheap route and went to the local cosmotology school and had a manicure, pedicure and hair cut-all for $41. I love to have my hair combed and sectioned off and trimmed. It feels so good. Except, there's always that time while getting a shampoo that the girl always seems to miss that itchy part at the base of the back of my head. I'm lying there looking up willing her fingers to that spot with my mind. Sometimes I get bold enough to tell her "Can you get right here?" and I proceed to show quickly show her the spot.

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I'm contemplating getting a tattoo somewhere on me. I only want one, and although I used to think they were a negative thing to get, I now think of them as something that could be an expression of my artsy personality. I don't mind a little something fun to look at on my skin. I'm thinking of a spool of red thread with the thread going around my ankle as though it were an anklet. Hmmm...I'm not sure.

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There are so many times I wish to just lop off my hair and have a short style for a while. The only thing holding me back is my husband who would DIE if I did that.

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Lately, it's been nice to wake up refreshed in the morning. I changed my habits a bit and am now staying up a bit later and waking up a bit later. I don't feel tired like I used to. I feel refreshed. It helps that the days are so much longer now that summer's almost here. No more feeling like a Lazy Jane all day because I am pooped.

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Lilly is coming to the lake with us this year. She and I will walk two miles a day (God willing and if my will power endures). I also plan on art journaling to my Soul Journal prompts. This is going to be a good year. This all, in additon to spending some quality family time together.

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I've been reading a bit of Sylvia Brown lately. I'm unsure if what she says is true. I would hope that she wouldn't be a huge bamboozler. That would be terrible. Just awful. But, if what she says is true, she gives me hope. I wonder if spirits visit their families, and watch over us. I believe in ghosts. Do you? I'd love to see one.

Rambling thoughts

2009-06-04T11:29:00.007-05:00

My coffee this morning is particularily delicious. I love, love, love, Dulce de Leche creamer. It's theBEST.

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Sometimes, I feel like I give too much of myself to people. I reveal too much.

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I hate days when the inbox is stagnant. I love emails from friends. They cheer me and make my heart happy for brief moments in time. Do I need to get a life?

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Birds are one of my favorite animals....I love to see them in my yard. Every day, I try to throw out stale bread for them. Today, I went the extra mile. I filled up the broken bird feeder and set it on the grass by the willow tree. I hope they appreciate the extra treat today. The damn seagulls are chasing away the sweet black birds. It's the black birds I really love.

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Last night I had a dream we were moving into a lovely old house. I discovered the basement late in the dream. It was glorious with 10 finished rooms, one better than the other. The possibilities of what I could do with each of those rooms is endless...one especially for an art studio. I was so excited when I was sleeping!

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I am getting tired of people calling me and asking me to do stuff for them. When I think about it, I don't really ask anyone for anything. This past Thursday at 8pm a person I don't hear from very much called me and asked me if I could type up their resume for them.

WHAT? NOW?

NO.

Maybe tomorrow, I said. They never called.

GOOD.

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No good deed goes unpunished. Just when I think I've done something good for someone, they surprise me by doing something completely out of character and basically slap me in the face. It makes me think twice about doing nice things again. Maybe my perception of what nice is, is distorted. Maybe the problem is with me.

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I'm considering going back to school to begin a whole new chapter of my life. My husband has given me encouragement to go back and start. He's never done this before. It's like I've entered a room with the freshest of air and all of a sudden I can breathe much clearer. Silly, I know, but that's how it feels to me. I'm excited about my new beginnings.

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I love the longer summer days. I look out, the suns still shining and then I realize it's almost 7:30pm. It's so lovely having long, lazy days to look forward to.

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I know, in the near future, this mama bird is going to witness a birdie leave the nest. It's scary and saddens me, but yet, I know it is the course of nature. The advantage humans have is we continue on relationships with our birdies long after they are gone. I'm sure animals don't see eachother after they leave. That is very sad to me. I'm glad I'm not a bird.

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I have an urge to lie down in the grass and feel the wind in my hair. I want to look up and see the birds and the clouds and breathe in the scent of the outdoors.

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Tuesday nite Honesty Scrap

2009-06-02T23:29:00.007-05:00

There are a few requirements to accepting the Honest Scrap Award and they are as follows:

1) Risa presented me with this neat award, so thank you very much Risa!! Please visit her artsy blog at: http://risasmuse.blogspot.com/

7 honest things about myself

1. I'm a bit of a hypocondriac. When I was a little girl, I used to live next door to this woman who had contracted polio when she was a kid. She had a hump on her back from it and I was always thinking I could catch it from her, not realizing I was inoculated against it and would never get it. To this day, I hear about some disease and I'm always thinking I might get it, catch it or

whatever. Oh, yes, after watching the Farrah Story, I'm already thinking this hemmoroid on my butt from birthing 5-10lb+ babies is going to turn into anal cancer...better watch that, it just might! (See, I am nuts.)

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2. I hate fish. No matter how hard I try, I can't get myself to eat it. On the rare occasions I've tried it, I can't help feeling grossed out the entire time its in my mouth, thinking about the ugly fish that I'm eating that smells bad and it's just so disgusting be making contact with my tongue. I don't mind shrimp. Go figure...they are uglier than fish.

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3. Fingerprints give me an uneasy feeling-especially if I see a person's fingerprints on their hands, say when they're talking....and using their hands. I get a secret shiver up my spine if I catch a glimpse of them. They're gross. I hate finger print smudges anywhere.

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4. I have a slightly intense fantasy crush on Chris Noth, the guy who plays Mr. Big on SATC. Incidently, I tend to go weak in the knees at the sight of any tall (6'4" perfect), dark haired, blue eyed, handsome man in a suit. I secretly, think one day he will come to his senses and sweep me off my feet....lol...My husband just rolls his eyes.

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5. I have a deep desire to grow into a wise, hip, long white-haired old lady who finally has her crap together (despite her minor hypocondria!).

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6. I've always had this inate feeling like in another life I lived on the East Coast. My soul seems to pull towards there. My distinct thoughts are, I might have been a whaler's daughter. Just the thought of the sea , saltbox houses and harbor towns make my heart skip a beat. When I visit the east, I get such a feeling of belonging there, of familiarity. It's almost scary.

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7. I say I'm a city girl, but in all honesty, even though I live in Chicago, I don't explore my city much at all. I actually prefer peace and quiet to the city (although, I do love NYC, and crave it on occasion), and I dream of one day having a quiet cottage on a lake with a porch, lots of books, an easel, paints, and grandchildren in the yard.

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8. One more for good measure. I watched a show called the Science of Human Attraction, and in one part it talked about when you find someone you're attracted to, you tend to love their smell. It's something with the man's sweat glands blending with a pheramone. I agree with this. My husband has a smell that I absolutely love. I can't describe what it smells like, but it's really nice, and it's just for me. When he's not in bed, I can smell it on his pillow. No matter what happens, that smell keeps me coming back for more and just might be the glue that keeps us together. He tells me he loves the way I smell, too-especially my hair. He says I smell like his Emmy. Aw....now, isn't he sweet? And a keeper?

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I must put a copy of The Honest Scrap Logo on my blog which I have proudly done!

I must select at least 7 other worthy bloggers & list their links so here they are listed

Life According to Lizzie

Kai's Blog...

3 New doll designs for June!

2009-06-01T20:31:00.002-05:00

Guardian Angel Annie

Oui French Girl

Frida Kahlo

I just finished these after working on them all weekend. Here they are! They will be available on Etsy June 5th!

Update on my boob....

2009-05-29T22:45:00.001-05:00

I took the second mammogram today and I was okay. The radiologist read it while I was waiting and he gave me the all clear. It was benign. Thank you God...I'm okay for one more year.

Clever Meme with Song Titles-Try it!

2009-05-28T00:51:00.003-05:00

Using only song titles from one artist, cleverly answer these questions:

Pick a band/artist: Elton John

1. Are you a male or female: "Island Girl"

2. Describe yourself: "Sweet Painted Lady"

3. How do you feel about yourself: “Blessed”

4. Describe an ex boyfriend/girlfriend: “Blue Eyes"

5. Describe your current boy/girl situation: “Sacrifice”

6. Describe your current location: “I'm Still Standing”

7. Describe where you want to be: “Take Me to the Pilot”

8. Your best friend(s) is/are: "Honkey Tonk Women"

9. Your favorite color is: "Grey Seal"

10. You know that: "Saturday Night's Alright For Fighting"

11. What’s the weather like: “Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds”

12. If your life was a television show what would it be called? "The Bitch is Back"

13. What is life to you: "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road"

14. What is the best advice you have to give: "Mama Can't Buy You Love"

15. If you could change your name what would you change it to: “Nikita”

Resist the urge to eat by doing these things...(yeah, right.)

2009-05-25T18:25:00.009-05:00

I saw this little article in a magazine and I ripped it out a while ago, and I can't believe how dopey it is. Doing most of these things makes me want to eat, or, at least eat afterwards. Some of them make sense, but most of them are laughable. What would you suggest doing instead, to get your mind off of eating?

1. Curl up with a new magazine or a riveting book

2. Volunteer to pull your elderly neighbor's weeds, or better yet, pull your own weeds. (Holy crap, what works up an appetite more than hard, physical labor?)

3. Surf the internet (I get hungry surfing the net, maybe it distracts you from eating, but not me.)

4. Update your personal documents and organize them in folders.

5. Watch reruns of your favorite show. (Hello? Popcorn and TV-makes me want to nibble, doesn't it you, too?)

6. Go window shopping (With a friend, or my daughter, lunch is always a sequel to shopping. Always.)

7. Organize your photos (This makes me want to sleep.)

9. Clean out your computer files and delete things you no longer need that are taking up space on your hard drive.

10. Give yourself a manicure or pedicure.

11. Knit or crochet

12. Have Sex (next to a cigarette, what follows sex better than a delicious meal?)

Eight Things...

2009-05-23T20:22:00.005-05:00

A good book on a breezy, 73 degree sunny day.

Fletcher

Good Coffee

A lengthy pedicure

Eight things that make me happy:

1. Waking up to the smell of fresh coffee. This means someone else was up before me and made some. What would make this better, is if someone brought the coffee to me.

2. Having a clean garage with a working garage door opener.

3. When Larry combs my hair for me after I wash it and continues to brush it just because I like how it feels. It's very relaxing.

4. Getting a pedicure that is not rushed, with a relaxing foot rub and leg massage.

5. Having the bills paid and some spare cash in the bank.

6. I am happy when I'm with friends who love to get together to create art, have great conversation and lots of laughs.

7. A delicious home made dinner when everything turns out perfect and everyone raves about how good it all tastes.

8. Having special people over for lengthy visits. I particularily enjoy my husband's aunt and uncle's yearly visits that last 3 weeks. I've always loved having company over-ever since I was a kid. It really depends on who it is. The people who occupy my house must make themselves at home, and not be high maintenance, and not drive me crazy.

Eight things I look forward to:

1. I look forward to someday going to Paris with my husband or a girlfriend if Larry doesn't want to go.

2. My monthly get togethers with my grammar school friends.

3. Cubs baseball season and breezy summer nights.

4. The Christ Church rummage sale in Winnetka every October. It's the BEST rummage sale EVER.

5. The next season of Project Runway.

6. The time when I can have an art weekend with my creative friends.

7. My vacation by the lake.

8. Someday getting an Electra Townie and cruising the bike path on a daily basis.

Eight things I did yesterday

1. Cleaned the house

2. Shopped at Old Navy and Target for groceries

3. Got a pedicure

4. Watched the Blackhawks win game 3 of the series against the Redwings

5. Watched the Cubs lose.

6. Helped Larry organize his DVDs

7. Applied for financial aid for both of my college-age sons.

8. Called my mother.

Eight things I wish I could do

1. I wish I could sing like a DIVA.

2. I would love to paint daily and be able to support myself financially solely on my artistic efforts.

3. I wish I could live in a highrise condo on the lake in Chicago

4. I wish I could knit proficiently and read a pattern effortlessly, enabling myself to create countless colorful knitted articles.

5. LOSE 100 pounds.

6. I wish I could see my guardian angel or spirit guide.

7. I wish I could have unlimited will power to propel myself through exercising, so I could be healthier and thinner.

8. I wish I could eat as much cake and French bread as I liked and never gain an ounce.

Eight things I promise myself

1. I will always try to do the healthy thing and watch what I eat to the best of my ability and exercise as much as I can, despite my lack of will power.

2. I will one day get that perfect tattoo after I figure out what image I can live with till the day I die.

3. Next to God and family, I will make art in my life a priority. Simply put, it brings me joy.

4. I will always be an optimist.

5. I will never recommit a wrong doing I did in the past. It's the only way, I believe to be truly forgiven.

6. I will never do anything I don't feel comfortable doing.

7. It's okay to not be the smartest or sexiest or most successful woman. It's good to just be me.

8. I will speak up for myself /and know when to keep my mouth shut.

Have you seen Farrah's Story?

2009-05-22T10:16:00.004-05:00

This documentary aired on TV a week ago and I wasnt' aware of it even existing, until I was watching Fox News and heard about it. I visited my Delphi Forum and there was a post running about it and someone posted a link to watch it online. It documents Farrah's two year battle with cancer. It is very inspiring and she is incredibly brave. Ryan O'Neill, her companion, said if you already like her, you will love her by the time you're done watching this. I agree with him.

I still remember that poster of her in the red swimsuit, with her nips and her beautiful California smile, framed by her trademark thick, layered blonde hair. I remember wanting to have a hair style just like hers. It's sad to know she is suffering so and near death.

Watch the documentary if you can. I can attest that it did inspire me and give me a respect for her I never knew I had. Especially touching, at the very end when Redmond, her son, comes to visit his mother for 3 hours, after have a temporary release from jail. As a mother, I understand the agony of this. Watch it.

Click on FARRAH to watch it.

Ladies, show your boobies some love

2009-05-21T21:53:00.007-05:00

HAVE YOUR MAMMOGRAM THIS MONTH, if you haven't already. And, if you have never had one, (CAT, you know I'm talkin' to you) make an appointment. They are so important.

I have been having yearly mammograms for the last 11 years. Had my baseline at 35. Just last week I had my annual. I went to a new hospital, prompted by my dear friend Cindy who told me that hospital has digital mammography which is much more detailed than traditional mammography.

I'm glad I went there. Yesterday, I get a call back from my doctor telling me I have to go back for additional imaging, because I have a 'density issue' on the inside cleavage portion of my right breast and they need to check it out. VERY scary. You know, that kind of sensation you get when you hear terrible news, a flush of heat though your veins, followed by an immediate sense of panic. All kinds of terrifying thoughts soar through my mind thinking of what might be.

I Googled 'breast density' and read until I think I understand it. I also talked to the nurse and the technicians in the mammo department and they helped me to understand what is going on with me. They say, after comparing this most recent digital film to last year's film the density is new, so they have to check it out and see if anything is behind it. The nurse told me there is a scale of 'concern' that goes from 0-5 and I have a 0. That is somewhat reassuring.

I have an appointment for the 29th and I will find out my results that day. I'm hoping I will be driving home filled with gratitude and not dread. Please say a prayer for me.

Has anyone experienced this density issue in their breast and had to go back in for additional imaging? What was your outcome? My technician tells me 90% of the time it's nothing at all.

So, please, get your mammogram done. I understand it's scary knowing there's a possibility you will get news that is terrifying, but mammograms allow cancers to be caught so much sooner when the treatment is much less invasive and the cure rate is very high. We owe it to our families, (our children) to do whatever it takes to be around as long as we can.

Show your boobies some love and make your appointment. Then say a prayer and hope for good news.

Meet our new Kitty...Help name him!

2009-05-19T08:48:00.005-05:00

This past weekend my daughter and I went to Petsmart to get a collar and ID tag for Lilly and we made the mistake of looking at the cats. We saw this tiny, little cutie and couldn't resist him. He is only two months old. I justified adopting him because we lost Blaze and Rupert the same week.

I learned the animals sold at Petsmart come directly from local shelters and the adoption money goes directly back to the shelter. So, that's a good thing!

Anyway, he needs a name. Leave me a comment with your name suggestions. We really can use some help picking out the perfect moniker for him. Caroline wants to call him Pickles (blech), so please, any help would be great! I think he's part, if not all Maine Coon, so he will be big and fluffy when he's an adult cat. Thanks for your help!

What the heck is wrong with me?

2009-05-18T19:39:00.004-05:00

I'm not believing this. I am just so B L A H. I feel ((((fat)))), sluggish, uninspired, aggitated and achy. Not to mention tired. Gosh, I'm wondering where the old Emily went-I miss her.
I spent last week grieving over the death of my dalmatian, feeling very melancholy while watching old family videos of my kids when they were little (that was almost crazy sad) to spending the night at a friend's house on Friday after our bunko group only to be humiliated over my snoring. Then I wake up Saturday with the hope I'll have an art day with my friend and that fun day never happened. In fact, we were so far removed from an art day, it almost made me cry. I planned that day for a month and it never came to be. Life is full of disappointments. And full of disappointing people-I'm learning that in my old age. In additon, there were a few other unmetionables sandwiched in between the previous lovelies that added to my edgy-ness.

Maybe it's perimenopause creeping up on me, maybe it's my absolute lack of ability to shed pounds that's getting me down. I don't know. What ever it is, I can assure you I hate feeling this way. It's difficult to be a joy rebel when you feel more like crawling under a rock.

I need to go try to make an attempt at re-adjusting my attitude. Since I'm the only one who can, I'm going to give it my best shot. I understand this crap that I'm dealing with is small potatos in the scheme of things and the real problems life shells out. This is really nothing. But, for now it's something to me and I have to shake it off first in order to dig out my old self just so I can feel better.

Annie, my dear mom, happy Mother's Day.

2009-05-09T18:15:00.000-05:00

I discovered this beautiful picture of my mom which was taken when she was in her late 20's. She is pictured with her mother, Bertie. Annie Mae Campbell was born in Tennessee in 1928, and this photo of her was taken on the farm where she grew up--You can see the fields behind her. I think her crisp cotton skirt and blouse give her a country sweetness and feminine quality all her own. Her kerchief hides those familiar pincurls I'm used to seeing her with ever since I was a kid.

My mom is now 80, and still going strong. She's as feisty as ever. As I've grown up and become a woman, my relationship with her is different than it was when I was a girl. We are much closer now. She is my best friend, fierce defender and confidante. Even now, she would still go for the jugular of anyone who'd try to hurt me. I think that protective motherly instinct is something that never diminishes, no matter how old your children get. I know my mom will always be in my corner.

I want my mother to know I love her and am so glad she is mine. I want her to know how deeply grateful I am for all she's done for me in my life, and for everything she is still doing for me. She sacrificed so much to get me where I am today. Thank you mom for loving me. Thank you for those Jello pies you make just for me. Thank you for our occasional Friday nite sleepovers at your house that make it possible for us to visit and talk and laugh just like girlfriends. It gives me a much needed break from my domestic life, and you, more than anyone, understand that I need that sometimes. There's no mom like you. You are a precious jewel in my life. Happy Mother's Day today and everyday.

Bye Bye Blazey

2009-05-08T19:24:00.012-05:00

Today, around 5pm, Blaze crossed the Rainbow Bridge. I hope this isn't goodbye forever, but just a brief separation until he's standing there at the Bridge waiting, knowing I'm coming for him, wagging his tail as he sees me walking in the distance. Run free Blazey-Doo, your legs are restored now. There is no more pain. I will always love you.

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Larry and I wanted to keep Blaze alive as long as he had a spark in him...you know, if he still had an appetite, if he was still being with our family. Over the past 3 days, he's done nothing but lay in a corner behind the couch-which told us he was in pain. Larry heard him whimpering last night when he was by the couch. Today he had to be lifted inside the house after we let him out. Also, lately he had been having accidents in the house. His paw was swollen so much and the tumor was becoming enormous. We didn't want to wait till Wednesday which was the only time the vet could come to our house. So, I called and took him to a different vet that could fit him in at 4:45. Larry, Caroline, Brittany and I took him. Scott carried him to the car and tearfully said goodbye.

The Dr. gave him the first shot, a strong sedative like the one they use for surgerys. It took about 3 or 4 minutes for that to take affect. In that time, before he fell asleep, we hugged him, kissed him, talked about what he did when he was a puppy, reminded him about how he used to love to lay by Grandpa, all the time we just stroked him gently till he fell into a deep sleep. I apologized to him for making him hate me for all the times I clipped his nails and cleaned his sore ears-I was only trying to help. When the sedative started to take affect, it seemed like the pain went away. Kind of like how we feel when we have a bad back ache and take 4 motrins and suddenly that feeling we get when the pain starts to lift. It was just like that. After he was completely out, I left the room. The other three were there with him (although at this point, he wasn't aware of anything). They shaved a little spot on his leg and gave him the lethal injection. Brittany stroked his face gently and Caroline was lying on the floor next to him and had her face pressed against his side. Before the Dr. was finished injecting the shot, Blaze took his last breath. Caroline wanted to be there till the end. That was her dog....she's such a trooper.

The stupidest thing I've ever seen

2009-05-07T19:29:00.009-05:00

Determined or Happy...hmmm...which one is more laughable?

I keep seeing commercials for these ridiculous things. I believe this is bordering on insulting and I'm not even a fan of Obama. How hilarious-a plant grows out of his head to create a green afro. One of the first things Obama should have done when he took office is ban this product that so very unflatteringly bears his likeness.

Do any of you agree with me? It really is laughable, and the commercial trys to make it out to be so dignified and commemorative. I seriously could pee in my pants laughing everytime I see this advertisment on TV.

If you disagree with me, or just what to own one, go here to get yours. Don't tell them I sent you.

A real son of a Beotch

2009-05-06T18:09:00.008-05:00

I need to share this with you. It's true, there really are a__holes in the world. Listen to this:

About an hour ago, my three kids, David (21) and Caroline(16) and Jeff (11) were out on the side of our house (we live on the corner) playing frisbee. My daughter threw the frisbee and it hit a tree branch and veered into the street. An SOB in a pick up truck veers toward the frisbee, (now lying in the street), runs over it and cracks it into 10 pieces then proceeds to hang out his window and flip my children the bird. WTF? My son David was (is) livid....kids can't seem to even have fun anymore, and no, the kids didn't thow the frisbee at the car. I told you just how it happened. Can you believe this crap?

In my world (see post below) people like this are tied to a chair and get bitch slapped. By women.

If I ruled the world....

2009-05-04T22:43:00.011-05:00

I was thinking of how I'd make some definate changes if I were to rule the world. Here are some of my ideas. I hope they don't offend anyone, and if they do, I apologize in advance, but I remind you this is my blog, so I will express myself accordingly. It's all in fun, so here goes.

If I ruled the world...

1. Celebrities and professional athletes would not be paid the exhorborant salaries they are paid today. That is just plain ridiculous in my book of how the world should work. Now, I understand in this free society, there's such a thing called Capitalism, and my way would go against the very thing Capitalism stands for, but I don't care. They make WAYYY too much money. There would be salary caps on Celebs, CEOS and Athletes. Celebritites would get paid well, but the movie stars in my world would be required to be egomaniacs who would be satisfied just from getting their face on People or Us magazine, and would work mainly for the notoriety. Sports players would be in their business for the love of the game and for the simple fact they could get paid quite well for doing something they love to do. Athletic ability would remain the same as now. Ego-maniac athletes would have an added plus, they'd get to see themselves on TV.

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The people who had brains and ran the cities and took care of infrastructure and the scientists and researchers would be paid more than the celebrities. After all, they use their brains for a greater good to help everyone. Frivolous celebrities are less important. They just entertain us.

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2. In my world, the bank wouldn't charge bounced check fees if you overdrew your account a miniscule amount of money like say, $1.29. In fact, in my world, the bounced check fee would only kick in after you overdrew your account starting at $200. I am so irked by how banks can just zap us a fee for the tiniest mistake. It makes me want to hide my money in a mattress. In my world, this wouldn't be a bother for any one.

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3. In my world, the drinking age would be the same as the age a person is considered old enough to go to war, leave home, get a tattoo, and be considered an adult for all legal purposes. This crap of being old enough to get married yet you can't drink liquor legally at your wedding is for the sparrows. In my world, the legal age for becoming and official adult and also be legal to drink would be 20. Not 21. Twenty. As soon as you're done being a teenager, the next year when the digit rolls over to 2, you are offically a grown up who can drink. End. Of. Story.

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4. Although I love shopping, in my world, there would be less stores and more restaurants. There especially wouldn't be retail strips built willynilly so they could sit empty for years, going unoccupied because the retail market is saturated with more storefronts than it needs. There would be more eating establishments with healthy food.

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5. The driving age would be upped to 20. I believe 16 year old teenagers are just as dangerous on the road as elderly people who can't see or hear and drive way too slow for conditions. 16 year olds in Blondie's world are simply too squirlley to get behind the wheel.

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6. Wholesome-ness would be reinstituted. No more MTV, SEX IN YOUR FACE on TV and potty humor. We would revert things back to when something was left to the imagination and we could confidently watch television with our kids without fear of a sex scene sneaking its way in without warning. Let's have a rebirth of the 1950's.

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7. No gangsta pants allowed. Definately no asses hanging out of their pants. Yuck.

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8. Facial tattoos wouldn't be allowed.

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9. Money that would normally be handed over to celebrities who are overpaid for their work would be poured into research for the obvious cancer, diabetes and other ailments. In addition, research would be intensified to create a pill that when taken, burned 1000 calories a day, aiding in effortless weight loss. And, when a person reached the weight they desire, another pill would be taken daily to maintain the new weight loss.

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10. Fat women would be the sex symbols, not skinny waifs.

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11. People who tortured then killed animals would be put to death. People who killed children would be put to death. End. of. story.

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12. People would be allowed 1 year sabbattical to pursue their dreams and bliss.

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13. When people reached a ripe old age or were so sick they couldn't be cured/ or were in a coma or vegitative state, they would be allowed to be put to sleep with the same dignity they give their pets. People shouldn't have to suffer for a lengthy period of time or be a burdon to others, especially if they WANT to die. It's a person's right in my world.

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14. In my world, all food would be organic.

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15. In my world, you could only buy the light bulbs that were flourescent. There wouldn't be a choice. Same goes for all other products. The energy efficient/green choice would be the only choice.

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16. In poor countries, it would be mandatory for adults to take birth control, until the hunger problem was contained, fixed and people fed.

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17. There wouldn't be as many style trends or fashion rules. My world is an artsy one, and I'd encourage individuals to dress the way that expresses their creativity. Well, within reason, that is. Mostly, we wouldn't be allowed to be slaves to fashion because in reality, it isn't that important.

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18. We would stress that people seek their bliss, find joy and seek contentment, as long as their bliss, joy and contentment didn't come from hurting others or being difficult to society. Unhappiness is difficult to tolerate and would be discouraged. This will be a happy place! Zanax would arrive monthly in people's mailboxes.

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19. Flowers would be everywhere. Especially fragrant lavender.

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20. No Viagra in my world. When women reach menopause, they've got much better, more interesting things to 'do' than their aging husbands.

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How would the world be if YOU ran it? Blog about it!

A painful decision to make...

2009-05-03T21:40:00.006-05:00

Blaze's lump 3 weeks ago...and below, just before I wrote this.

About 3weeks ago, I noticed a hard, protruding lump sticking out from my dalmatian's front left leg. It seemed to have developed over night. The next day I took him to the vet and he was almost immediately diagnosed as having bone cancer. 15 minutes later an X-ray confirmed the worse.

The vet told us osteosarcoma is fairly common in dogs and there's nothing they can really do. Amputation is an option, but strickly for pain management. You can't save a dog who has bone cancer. It is in the bloodstream and settles next in their lungs. He told us in 26 years of being a vet, amputation only helped one dog live to a ripe old age, where he didn't die from cancer. It is very bleak. He's already 12, going on 13, so we know he's lived a long life, but still, it's difficult to face euthanasia. I feel guilty doing it, even though I know it's the best thing for him.

In the 3 weeks since he was diagnosed, the lump has doubled and looks like a baseball wrapped around his leg. We know we have to put him down-and soon, but it's so difficult. We are noticing he still has signs of life in him, despite his limping and the ever growing tumor. But, nothing can be done and I believe this is the week we will have to say goodbye to him. I'm having a really difficult time calling the vet to come to our house on Wednesday, the only day he can make house calls. I feel it will be best to have Blaze die at home where he is comfortable and calm. Just the ride in the car is nerve wracking for him and going to the vet fills him with anxiety. I don't want him to feel that way moments before he dies. I want him to be calm and happy, as happy as a dog can be who has a painful bone cancer growing in his leg.

Just wanted to share this with you all....life can be so good and yet, there are times when it really sucks. This is one of those times. This old spotty dog is packing his bags for the rainbow bridge. I wonder if we see our animals in heaven. What do you think?

A strange dream about Elton John....

2009-04-27T09:44:00.011-05:00

Yesterday morning I had an odd dream. I was somewhere at a cozy lodge-type place. I discovered Elton John was staying there. I managed to gradually work my way near him and eventually, using my charms, I was able to start talking to him. I began confiding in him. I don't remember what was said, but as with most of my dreams, I don't remember details, but just how it felt.

Somewhere in this dream I began a strange physical closeness with him that was romantic, tender and incredible. I felt like I was falling in love with him and he felt the same about me. ( I know, I know, he's gay, and not so handsome, but hey, this is a dream!) We spent a lot of time nuzzling and cuddling. It was sensual, and felt the way it does when you fall in love with someone, how the world is wayyy out there, and you and him are wrapped up in your own little cocoon.

When the time came to leave, I knew it would all end. I desperately wanted this relationship with him to continue and I tried to get his personal email, but he had this intrusive female assistant who kept trying to keep me from getting it. She was being evasive and didn't want to help me. She acted as though I would try to stalk him and be a pain in his ass. I don't think she knew we had a 'thing' going on. I think he eventually gave me his personal email behind her back.

I think the reason I dreamed this is a few days ago I was playing one of his songs and, considering I was an absolute Elton John FREAK when I was a teenager, I didn't even know he recorded it. It's called "Emily". Hmmm, I wonder? (Click on the 'Emily' link and then after the song starts playing, hit your back button to return to my blog and listen to the song while you continue to read.)

I woke up. I miss him. :--(