Sentimental Saturday

The value of a sentiment is the amount of sacrifice you are prepared to make for it.
John Galsworthy Quotes
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Saturday started off with three loops around the neighborhood, around a 4 1/2 mile,walk, then off to meet my writing friends, back to the house to start chipping away at the packing challenge. When there is so much to do, it’s almost too difficult know where to start. I’m very good at spinning my wheels and not getting much done, I find myself starting in one room and shuffling into another. I started in the garage with a huge pile of left over garage sale items that had to be reassigned,save or donate.

Then, back to the kitchen, taking glassware and dishes from cabinets, piling them all over the counters.The kitchen looks like a bomb exploded and spewed out paper, boxes, spices, dishes and utensils.

It was getting late, so I went for my evening walk with my neighbor Vicki. Two times around before dark. I found another lucky penny on the street.

Back to the boxes. While I was going through the cabinets in the dining room, I took out the endless boxes of family photos, albums and old slides. It was extremely painful to glance at the old photos albums from family trips, ticket stubs and post cards from all over the world, London, Tokyo, and Paris. The old album from our honeymoon from 1975 in the Bahamas went right into the trash. I couldn’t throw many photos away, maybe later, maybe not. For now, just pack them away to deal with another time.

“And miles to go before I sleep.”

Tuesday: Time For Dance, Time For Tears

“Live your truth. Express your love. Share your enthusiasm. Take action towards your dreams. Walk your talk. Dance and sing to your music. Embrace your blessings. Make today worth remembering.”
― Steve Maraboli, Unapologetically You: Reflections on Life and the Human Experience
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I danced in the kitchen today. I haven’t danced in the kitchen in over a year. It’s been a crappy year. I used to crank up “Los Lonely Boys,” or “Mambo Kings,” or even some classic Broadway show tunes while baking massive quantities of Christmas cookies or just cleaning out the fridge. I would work a little, dance a little, sing a little.

“West Side Story” was my cd of choice today. I was singing, snapping my fingers, and dancing while packing up boxes in the pantry. Finally, I was moving on, moving forward, moving out. Then, the music came to a sudden halt.

The contract on the purchase of my house was terminated, and I had to terminate my option to buy my dream house. My friend/realtor, Linda Grossman, who has gone above and beyond to try and get my house sold and get me into a great house of my own, came over to break the news to me personally. She knew I’d be devastated, so we sat down and had a couple of Black Russians to ease the pain.

I called my sister afterwards, and told her my story about dancing in the kitchen and then about my disappointment. She had some very wise words of advice. She said, “Don’t stop dancing in the kitchen!”

Tomorrow, I’ll keep on keeping on. Tomorrow, I’m going to sing and dance in the kitchen.

Tuesday: Trials, Tribulations and Throwing in the Towel

“Been there, done that, got the t-shirt.
Sold my soul and yeah, the truth hurts.”
― Marina Diamandis Marina and the Diamonds
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Today was the last day of the first day of the rest of my life. I’ve been tossed a few curve balls, and I’m too tired or just not strong enough to keep ducking. I’ve been walloped too hard. So, I decided this would be my last day of blogging, sharing my ups and downs, and talking about the wonderful people who make this world amazing. I started blogging January 1, 2013 and haven’t missed a day. I’ve had almost 15,000 views and have made some interesting friends. But now, I’ve run out of things to say or things to be happy about.

I think it’s time to hang up my “pen”, as it were, throw in the towel, and thank you all for reading, commenting, and supporting me. So, here is a quick look at my last day.

8:30 Tuesday Zumba class at the YMCA. Everyone is “HAPPY.”
Then over to Sweet Spot Bakery with Miss Kathy and Miss Elizabeth and friends.

It was a good day, but a long day. I think I only slept two hours this morning, which can lead to the fulmination. I don’t want to write or sleep or watch tv. I just want to curl up and throw in the proverbial towel. Maybe I should just pack up my tent and move back home to Chicago. Texas was just too tough!

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(OK, did you see this coming? I bet you did!)

APRIL FOOLS!!!!!!!!

Are you kidding? I love writing every day, I love Texas, I love McKinney, I love everyone.(well almost) I will continue to bore you with my brownie mix faces, my off key karaoke, and the mundane madness that is my life. I’m no quitter! See you tomorrow!

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Theme Song Thursday: Busy

“Busyness chokes deep thinking.”
― Todd Stocker, Refined: Turning Pain Into Purpose
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Keeping myself off the charts busy every day is the only thing that keeps me going. This morning started out with making brownies, cleaning the house and tidying up for a showing, changing into work-out clothes, snarfing down some yogurt, scrambling off to Zumba while calling Mom in the car. Then, a great hour of Zumba, scurry back home, five minute shower, change, turn on all house lights, grab brownies, stop at bank, run over to Walmart, then stop and watch my tennis friends play their home match.( reason for the brownies.) I joined them for lunch, but just had an iced tea, chatted and drove home, threw on my gym shoes and went for a double walk, about an hour. Paid some bills, made my dinner, checked emails and working on this blog now.

I try to keep very, very busy. It chokes deep thinking. I hate deep thinking, it’s usually not a good thing.

I liked this little song. I like BUSY!

I made brownies…and a funny face. Makes me smile.

It was a beautiful day to watch tennis. Maybe I’ll play again someday.

took brownies over to Station 5.

Lunch, a stop at the store, and a long walk. The trees are starting to blossom. Today’s the first day of Spring. Hope springs eternal!

Tuesday: Trials, Tribulations and No WiFi

Our quote for the day. “There’s no WiFi in the forest, but I promise you’ll find a better connection.” Unknown
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My WiFi has been out. I’ve been trying to get it back up for hours. Using the tiny little keys on my cell phone is very disconcerting. I am spoiled. Yikes!

Today, short but sweet.

Well, maybe not.

Toni Andrukaitis

Our quote for the day: “There’s no WiFi in the forest, but I promise you’ll find a better connection” (Author – unknown)
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My WiFi is out! I’ve been trying to get it back up and working for hours. No luck, so I had to turn off the WiFi setting on my cell phone and work from my data plan. Too complicated! I can’t deal with such anarchy and confusion. Plus, these teeny-tiny keys on my iPhone are so small. So, I’ll be brief.

Tip for today: sometimes when I eat an orange or other citrus fruit, I put the peels in my boiling water before making tea. Of course, I wash the fruit well first, then add a tea bag. Nice flavor.

I sure hope my Internet is back soon!

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Tuesday: Trials, Tribulations and No WiFi

Our quote for the day: “There’s no WiFi in the forest, but I promise you’ll find a better connection” (Author – unknown)
*************

My WiFi is out! I’ve been trying to get it back up and working for hours. No luck, so I had to turn off the WiFi setting on my cell phone and work from my data plan. Too complicated! I can’t deal with such anarchy and confusion. Plus, these teeny-tiny keys on my iPhone are so small. So, I’ll be brief.

Tip for today: sometimes when I eat an orange or other citrus fruit, I put the peels in my boiling water before making tea. Of course, I wash the fruit well first, then add a tea bag. Nice flavor.

I sure hope my Internet is back soon!

Friday: Friends and Fury

“And there is nothing more dangerous in this world, in any world, than someone calm, clear and angry.”
― Audrey Hart, The Dig
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Friday is often a difficult day for me. I get distracted for a couple of hours in the morning by making a big pot of soup, sandwiches, or some yummy dessert for my senior art group, but then my mind screeches back to reality.

Today was a cold dreary make some soup kinda day. I bought a big ol’ birthday cake to celebrate Miss Kathy’s birthday, and I hauled all that and a big basket of art supplies and headed over to Towne Creek. I put on my phony happy face, warmed up the food, worked on art projects and made small talk. Inside I was bursting. The sad part is they know me too well and they know I’m hurting. They are my friends and my extended family. Thank goodness for friends, and people who talk you down from the ledge. (You know who you are.)

When the going gets tough, the tough make soup.

We ate soup with warm rolls, then Miss Kathy made a wish after we sang happy birthday.

I’m not sure if I am angry or hurt or mad or just disgusted with my life in limbo. But, whatever it is, I’ll be happy when I figure it out. Right now, I feel calm, clear and angry. Hopefully one day soon, I’ll be able to bake muffins and shit again.

OK, I got that off my chest. Thanks!

Wednesday Words of Wisdom: Transformation

“Sorrow prepares you for joy. It violently sweeps everything out of your house, so that new joy can find space to enter. It shakes the yellow leaves from the bough of your heart, so that fresh, green leaves can grow in their place. It pulls up the rotten roots, so that new roots hidden beneath have room to grow. Whatever sorrow shakes from your heart, far better things will take their place.”
― Rumi
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These are very inspirational words. But, sometimes sorrow violently sweeps through your house leaving dust, dirt and emotional clutter in its wake. Often the yellow leaves remain withering on the branch, remaining there dry and shriveled grey until Spring. When the rotten roots are pulled up and exposed, only the proper amount of time for healing will allow new stronger growth. Such is life.

Transformation is a lengthy process. I’m hoping to sweep away the dirt, reveal brilliant green leaves, and regrow stalwart roots. If sorrow prepares you for joy, I’m ready. Bring it!

TRANSFORMERS:MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE.

Fighting the evil forces of the Decepticons…

Theme Song Thursday: One Less Bell to Answer

A bell’s not a bell ’til you ring it, A song’s not a song ’til you sing it, Love in your heart wasn’t put there to stay, love isn’t love ’til you give it away!
Oscar Hammerstein II
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Forty-three years ago today, December 5th, 1970, I went on a blind date. It was magical and special. The Fifth Dimension was very popular in the 70’s and “One Less Bell to Answer” was my favorite song. That first Christmas together, he gave me that debut “Portait” album featuring the song. Four years later, he proposed on December 5th and we married the next year. Sounds very romantic? Not really. Now, forty-three years later it all comes full-circle. The words ring true, the song says it all. I think I still have that album in a box somewhere. If I ever find it, it’s going in the trash. Today is December 5th.

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One less bell to answer
One less egg to fry
One less man to pick up after
I should be happy

But all I do is cry
(Cry, cry, no more laughter)
Oh, I should be happy
(Oh, why did he go?)
I only know that since he left my life’s so empty
Though I try to forget it just can’t be done
Each time the doorbell rings I still run
(I still run)

I don’t know how in the world
To stop thinking of him
‘Cause I still love him so
(Love him so)
I spend each day the way I start out
Crying my heart out

Oh, one less man to pick up after
No more laughter, no more love
Since he went away, he went away
(He went away)
(One less bell to answer)
Why did he leave me
(Why, why, why did he leave?)

(One less bell to answer)
Now I’ve got one less egg to fry
One less egg to fry
(Why, why, why did he leave?)
And all I do is cry
(One less bell to answer)
Because a man told me goodbye
(Why, why, why did he leave?)

(One less bell to answer)
Somebody tell me please
Where did he go, why did he go?
(Why, why, why did he leave?)
Tell me how could he leave me

Songwriters
BACHARACH, BURT / DAVID, HAL

Published by
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.

Read more: 5th Dimension – One Less Bell To Answer Lyrics | MetroLyrics

Friday Fulmination

“I am living in a nightmare, from which from time to time I wake in sleep.”
― Ursula K. Le Guin
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Sometimes a heavy heart weighs you down beyond endurance. Just when you think you can bear the burden, another weight is piled on top of the heap. Everyone faces challenges every day, and mine may be insignificant in comparison to others, I know, but it still is heavy. I was having a great day, then more crap. When will it end? There is a good reason they call it a heavy heart because it actually feels like a fifty pound weight strangling and tangling your insides. I guess all I can do is pray for strength and lean on my friends and family. When the burden is shared, the weight is lighter. Thank you. You know who you are and I love you.

I heard this song, and the words and lovely singing was quite inspirational.

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=-METBrlP3xU&desktop_uri=%252Fwatch%253Fv%253D-METBrlP3xU