Two For Twenty

Today is a very special day. Hubby and I are celebrating our 20th anniversary.

Time has been kind to us. I would love to think I still look the same as I did waaaaaaaaaaaay back in 1985 when we met, but I am realistic enough to know the gray came with the children. He still looks pretty much the same as he did back then. Probably has a portrait hidden away somewhere. All I know is he looks distinguished, and I look gray and wrinkly.

But no matter. I earned those wrinkles from all the laughter he has given me. I earned the gray from all the worry from which he tried so hard to shield me. Sure, the kids had a hand in it, but they weren’t the ones in the line of fire. Unless I was the one doing the firing. Anyway, for twenty years we have been supporting each other, and though it hasn’t always been a 50-50 proposition, the rewards have been beyond anything I could have imagined. Sometimes smooth, and sometimes rocky, nevertheless it has been wonderful.

And I am so grateful for it.

Here’s to forty more, at least. But in reality we are shooting for at least 47, because we want to be around when Halley’s Comet shows up again. That may be a long shot, but we have the Solar Eclipse in 2017 to go see for our 23rd anniversary, so we have that going for us.

What can I say? We are geeks and proud of it 😀

Thursday Never List

Today’s scribbly fluff deals with kindness. As a mom, I find it challenging to teach my kids how to be kind for kindness’ sake. It’s challenging because there are times when I want to go Rambo on some idiot taking up space at the dairy section, trying to decide if his soon-to-be carcass needs 2% or 1% milk. Seriously, is there such a life-threatening difference?? But it wouldn’t do to act like that in front of kids, or anyone for that matter. Nor would it do to be hostile to someone you don’t know simply because you are in a hurry to get creamer because you haven’t had your daily allotment of coffee.

Anyway, I understand there are times when it is very difficult, almost near impossible, to be kind. But there a some things which we should never pass up doing randomly for others.

#5– Never forget to wave

A simple acknowledgement like a hand wave goes a long way to make someone feel appreciated.

#4– Never forget to look behind you

Watching out for others makes one incredibly considerate.

#3– Never respond in anger

You can never take back words once spoken. Also, you can never take back words typed after hitting “send” or “enter”. Always read or think before you act.

#2– Never forget “Please” and “Thank you”

People aren’t your subjects, so don’t treat them like they are.

#1– Never forget to smile

People feel much better when they smile, and when it is returned. As a bonus, they will wonder if you are up to something.

There are many ways to show kindness to others. And by showing kindness, we get it in return.

Unless you are at the DMV. Then it’s a crap shoot 😉

Thursday Never List

Everyone loves to give advice. Notice I didn’t say “good advice”. We give advice when asked for it, and we give advice unsolicited. Some of the best advice I have followed stemmed from someone’s experience, and not from pearls of wisdom. Some of the worst advice has come from trusted sources (I will never, EVER eat eggplant casserole again). The great thing about advice is not that you can follow it, but that you have the free will to ignore it as well. Unfortunately, the trick is to know when to do one or the other.

That’s usually when hilarity ensues, so you have that going for you.

There are some words of advice that people should never forget, though.

#5– Never go to bed angry

It doesn’t matter if some wizard cleaned your clock in World of Warcraft™ or if you’re miffed because your significant other forgot to DVR your TV show. Resolve your anger and you’ll sleep better. Or at least, sleep with both eyes closed instead of one open.

#4– Never go grocery shopping while hungry

There is a can of octopus in the refrigerator, purchased while having a craving for sushi. I bet that can will evolve into the Kraken before too long.

#3– Never leave chocolate unattended

I speak as a victim. And also as a culprit. Don’t judge me.

#2– Never leave wet towels on the floor

Especially if you have dogs. Double especially if you have wet dogs.

#1– Never skip dessert

Some say with the sweet, comes the sour. I say with dessert, comes happiness. It sure makes for a sweet ending to whatever type of day you are having.

So there’s a few random words of unsolicited advice. As always, take with a grain of sugar or two 😉

Blood, Sweat, and Tears

Also known as Valentine’s Day!

Sorry about skipping yesterday’s TNL, but I had to go downtown to pay the property taxes, which took HOURS since there was some sort of spill on the highway, which meant I had to take backroads that were scary enough to send me into prayer, and then arrive to stand in line among the living and the dead (they had been there so long), and finally, painfully hand over a cheque to the smiling young clerk. By the time I made it home, it was too late to make dinner, much less write a post.

And there ends my justification.

Anyway, back to Valentine’s Day. Around here, I don’t really celebrate it for myself as much as I do for the kids and Hubby. It’s not that I am jaded on the holiday. It’s just that loving someone shouldn’t require a specific day. But that doesn’t mean I don’t try to make the day special in some way. So here is a list of things one should never forget to do for their loved ones.

#5– Carry their burden

Big or small, physical or emotional, it doesn’t matter as long as you make it your own, even for a short time.

#4– Wash their hair

Or give them a foot rub, or massage their shoulders. Anyone that watched Out of Africa knows what I’m talking about.

#3– Be their harbor

No matter what the trouble, be there to offer them safety. You are their shield.

#2– Listen

No matter that it’s gossip or complaints, just listen to them. Usually that is all we want anyway.

#1– Tell them you love them

Sometimes we forget to do that. So don’t.

Anyway, I hope y’all enjoy today, be it in celebration of Valentine’s Day or because it’s Friday finally. I’m going with the latter 😉

Mamma Mia

My mom is coming for a visit this weekend. And y’all know what that means.

WHERE ARE THOSE FOREST CREATURES WHEN I NEED THEM???

(I started writing this this morning and then a friend came by for a visit, so I took time to bend her ear as far back as Canada. We now resume the post. Don’t complain about your free entertainment.)

Anyway, I have made a list of the stuff I wish to accomplish before she gets here. Keep in mind this list does not include mundane chores like scrubbing bathrooms or cleaning out the fridge.

• Paint small chest of drawers in silver.
• Reorganize the Christmas decorations.
• Clean out the bathroom cabinets.
• Finish hanging my artwork, so-called.
• Put away “excess” wine glasses. Notice the quotation marks.
• Get car registered.
• Hide all my Legos.

She’s actually very cool about my housekeeping, so-called. Which is nice, because if she wants to clean or fix something, she just does it while cooking. Did I mention cooking? Yes…yes, I did. And you know what’s great about it? The fact that I can gorge on her fabulous cooking and not care because she is coming waaaaaay before Lent. I’m so lucky I have sweat pants and loose shirts.

That’s how I measure happiness 😀

Thanks a Million

I want to take time to thank my readers, commenters and lurkers alike, for coming by this itty bitty corner of the Blogaverse. There are many places like it, some far better, but this corner is mine. It means a lot to me that you would pause in your day to come by and read the fluff I post.

Bellinis for everybody!!

So here’s to y’all! Enjoy your last day of 2013 and bring in the New Year!

I hope it is filled with love, happiness and opportunity.

And chocolate and bacon wouldn’t go amiss, either 😉

Be It Resolved

At last, 2013 comes to a close. Some who know me know this has been a very rough year. Overall there is no end to my blessings, though. Family, friends, near and far, all are always in mind and heart.

But there is one thing I find so annoying, that I tend to shirk every social post and comment about it.

NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS!!!

Don’t get me wrong. I do like to socialize and have fun and watch fireworks and ring in the New Year. Out with the old, in with the new, right? (Which reminds me: I need to go through my closet and downsize.) But every time January rolls around, everyone asks me the same thing: What’s your New Year’s resolution?? Why, WHY, WHY do I need to make any?

I like food. I like drink. I fit into my clothes. I love and take care of my family. I take care of my health. I call my folks. I keep in touch with friends. In short, I do everything that covers most resolutions, including staying out of jail, and carrying bail money for those who don’t. So no, I won’t be making any resolutions any more. I am better off correcting myself throughout the year than piling everything on at once.

Besides, there’s always Lent for that 😀

Good Tidings!

It’s Christmas Eve Eve!! And I am excited because I just LOVE to run around like a stormtrooper at a rebel firing range.

I have ONE MORE DAY to get everything organized and wrapped and shipped out and stuff cooked and baked and call people and go around the neighborhood dropping off goodies and packing and cleaning and dusting and clearing out empty boxes and making sure that Santa can find his way from the chimney to the tree with no dog obstacles.

But I wouldn’t change it for anything.

Except maybe to have someone else do the laundry. Maybe that.

So go tackle the day and smile, because that always makes you feel better, and makes people wonder what you have up your sleeve 😉

It’s HOW LONG Until Christmas???

You know, I was done with shopping.

And then the kids made their lists.

And now I am at a loss.

GAH!!!!!!!

I am lucky to have kids that are pretty low maintenance, though. One year, Son only wanted some tin of slime from ThinkGeek. Little One wanted a few manga books. Eldest is content with a sundial.

They may be odd, but still low maintenance.

As for me, I am happy to say I don’t need or want anything. I have enough pots, and now makeup, and Lord knows I got a ton of nail polish, so I’m pretty happy if I don’t get anything.

Not a darn thing.

Sigh….time to go look for a sextant or whatever is on the list this year.

The Ides of November

Well, due to circumstances beyond his control, my friend Tiberius will be my guest for the remainder of his stay in our fair country. And by country, I mean Texas. And good thing, too. We had a great itinerary the last time he was with us.

And we completed it ALL.

That’s right. Even #10 was completed. And the chances of THAT one were infinitesimal. And I do mean itty bitty tiny.

So now we have to find other stuff to do.

• Vineyard tour and wine tasting: Scheduled.
• Glass bottom tour: Scheduled.
• Gun range: Scheduled.
• Riverwalk: Scheduled.
• Moar gun range: Scheduled.
• Birthday shenanigans: Scheduled.
• Cavern adventure tour: Scheduled.
• Anything else that comes up: Scheduled.
• Thanksgiving feast: Scheduled X2.

That’s right: we are having not one, but TWO Thanksgiving feasts. Why? Because we are blessed with so many friends and family and there ain’t no house that can contain such bounty. Anyway, time for me to get going. The tours won’t wait, and neither will we 😀