For five years PLUS I've been going thru that fabulous female hormonal change which I fondly nicknamed M-crap with specifications. Such as "I'm SICK of this forgetful crap!!!";  "When is this sweating crap gonna stop???";  "Haven't I dealt with this insomnia crap long enough???".  You get the picture.

Talk about clueless. I didn't have any idea about everything that was going to happen. Like NOW. In my naive little world I thought most of this stuff was supposed to happen later. In my 80's. When I was a great-grandmother. In the home, rocking away and causing trouble. When I was ready. I wanna know where my official training manual was delivered cause I sure never received it. Nor did I get any advice from older females in the family (these ladies are super private about these details). And I wasn't clever enough....nor for that matter curious enough since I assumed I knew it all already....to do any research on my own before this all started.  So I've decided to start my own reference guide, based SOLELY on what has happened to me and experiences yet to come (happy-happy, joy-joy). PLEASE feel free to share my stumblings with your buds. Have a laugh or two (....or three...or...) on me. With me! Walk with me as you travel along your own path. Or look out for what's coming down the pike right at ya, baby! (No, sorry, ducking won't help.)

LESSON #1:  Eyelashes. REALLY?? ARE YOU KIDDING ME??? Mine were falling out in the 'severals'. And since they never were thick and full to begin with, I would stare at the 3's and 4's lying on my finger tips dazed and confused. So. Went into my 'don't-be-part-of-the-problem-be-the-solution' mode (made that one up years ago on the fly during a crisis moment when my child needed quick behavior readjustment --like it?). Started buying different brands of mascara looking for THE ONE which would make what I had left look as fantastic as possible. At $8 and $9 a pop trying the latest (gels, thickeners, lengtheners) & greatest (the classic standbys) can get expensive. Then I got lucky and found my answer: Maybelline's The Falsies Volum' Express (pictured above). Color is Black Drama. Non-waterproof version. Thickens. Doesn't glob. Looks natural. Makes me look like me again! Has a curved brush which I wasn't used to but no biggie. Take your time and build up layers until you're satisfied.  **PLUS Look for coupons in your Sunday paper  usually for $1 off  then keep your peepers open for the stores (CVS, Walgreens, Target, your grocery) discounting this product so you get a double savings**  See what you think and let me know!

Clairol and TRESomme' -- Two New Discoveries to Share

This will be short and sweet! Saw a major coupon from Sally's Beauty Supply (like 50% OFF) in the Fall Preview issue of INSTYLE for a volumizing product line of Clairol's named PROFESSIONAL PRO4PLEX. Grabbed a can of the mousse at the Kingsdale store. Thick, thick, thick so you don't need much. Work it through wet hair then dry. FAN.TAS.TIC. An answer to a prayer for us fine-haired people who are frustrated with straight, flat-against-you-head hair an hour after you styled it. Use this first then.....

Out of desperation before a business trip last month, I found a little spray bottle of TRESemme' Extra Firm Control hair spray amongst the display of TSA approved products in the grocery. CHANGED MY LIFE, PEOPLE!!!! Sprayed on hair after I used my curling iron and still looked great after the day of seminars AND dinner.  Also found that I could spray BEFORE styling providing extra-holding power. With holiday parties coming up or if a wedding or another all-day affair is in your future, I STRONGLY suggest you check these two products out -- keep your sanity and kick those shoes off knowing you'll STILL look gorgeous after hours on the dance floor!

**I re-read what I wrote and this sounds like I am some paid commercial announcement, doesn't it?? WISH THAT WERE TRUE -- LOL. But, alas, not so. Just passing on my own blind good luck!!

The Pain of Finding Lodging in Oxford, Ohio

Situation: Your child is a freshman at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. You receive the info about Fall semester's Family Weekend in early summer. You think. You talk. You decide to go. With all the activities and because your schedule opens up to allow you to take advantage of some time with your special student, you decide to stay over at least Saturday night. Maybe tack on Friday night as well. That way you can shop on High St or run down to Kenwood Mall, maybe shoot out to Hueston Woods, go to the football  game, make that quintessential stop at Walmart, eat at Paesanos or Stella 12 Beech or Mac and Joe's or BW3's or Patterson's AND buy tickets to the headliner billed to appear at Millet. Wonderful plans! Sounds perfect! It's only June and you think you've got a leg up on booking a room. Right?

I, too, thought it was a simple deal to reserve a room. Heck I felt AHEAD of the game by jumping right on that reservation task. Oh, my. What a humbling experience for this first-timer. Not to mention frustrating and depressing. So let me set ya straight, people, with some advice since you're now the newbies at this gig. With just so many rooms available in this little town to hold the hordes of locusts about to descend upon it's brick streets and limited restaurant seating, it ain't gonna be easy. TIP 1: eat early and get a snack later. TIP 2: It's even squeezey when the ice hockey team plays at home.

So listen up. Or read up. Whatever. I made out a large index card of places which I kept (keep) in my desk drawer. These should help you get started. BE ADVISED: Some places (ic The Elms, Best Western, Miami Inn, Maplevale B&B) give preference to those who stay more often at that property for big weekends like this and graduation. Yes, this is one of those times in your life where you'll have to deal with the concept that other people are more special than you. Accept. Move on. OR get feisty and start building up your own history at a place. *Also find out the times and dates when they start accepting reservations. Veterans know which establishments begin at midnight on their appointed dates. Be prepared to dial fast and furious because the competition is fierce with multiple family members using their cells to accomplish this goal. (I told you this was crazy. NOT KIDDING.)

Welcome to MY LIST. Copy. Share. Print flyers and leave on car windows in parking lost. Oops. No, you may not want to advertise this secret fabulous list. Instead stash it under lock-and-key and quietly slip it out under the light of a full moon so no one can steal this invaluable data.

Our favs: Holiday Inn/The Elms   2 restaurants, perfect location for everything Miami   513-524-2002
               Miami Inn   on Patterson betw the business school & baseball field   513-513-529-2104
               Philip W Smith B&B  Richmond, IN  (The Nelsons are great hosts)   800-966-8972
               Martha E Parry B&B Richmond, IN (sister house to above)   same
               Courtyard by Marriott    Hamilton, OH     1-800-MARRIOTT

Others in vicinity:  Marcum Center  (across the street from Miami Inn)   513-529-6911
                           Baymont Inn     College Corner Pike    513-523-2722
                           Comfort Inn      College Corner Pike    513-524-0114
                           Maplevale B&B   Oxford-Millville Rd (Patterson becomes this)   513-523-8909
                           White Garden B&B    Brown Rd     513-524-5827
In Monroe:         Howard Johnson's    New Garver Rd    513-539-9221
                           Best Western Monroe Inn     New Garver Rd    855-238-1589
                           Comfort Inn     Senate Drive   513-539-2660
In Camden:        Sugar Valley Farm B&B    Sugar Valley Rd    937-452-3983
In Eaton:            Whispering Oaks B&B   Rte 127 North   937-456-1121
In Hamilton:       Rossville Inn    B Street   513-590-4181
                           Gregory Creek Inn   Lesourdsville-West Chester Rd   513-887-0725
In Lebanon:        The Kirkwood Inn    Us 42   513-398-7277
                           The (historic) Golden Lamb Inn   South Broadway St   513-932-5062
                            Hatfield Inn   Hatfield Rd   513-932-3193
In Brookville, IN  (~20 minutes away)   The Hermitage B&B   E 8th Street   765-590-5182
**For a fun experience:  Rent a camper or RV from Tom Raper in  Richmond, IN. They will tow/drive your choice over and park it in the football stadium parking lot!  800-727-3778
** Check out  www.bbonline.com for more.

Ode to Dust, My Sworn Enemy

The thin gray layer of particles
    which appears as if by magic,
Makes me want to tear my hair
    and act the heroine quite tragic.

But Lo! I will NEVER concede
    defeat to this vile invader,
I will ever swear my vengence
    and stay strong as a contender.

So FEAR NOT, my house, to you
    I will remain strong, faithful and true,
Unto my last breath, sparring with duster in hand
     vanquishing the foe with the war cry of "Adieu"!*

THE END

( * "Off With Its Head" would have been so much more dramatic but writing the rest of the stanza would take too much time. And I have three more rooms yet to conquer...)

Maundy Thursday -- Thankful Today of ALL Days

Earlier this morning I was asking myself how I would feel if I knew my earthly life was going to end. In just hours. Hanging on a coarse wooden cross at the age of 33, absorbing ALL of the sin of the world so that believers could receive eternal life. Honestly I will admit the 'weight' of that choice felt totally overwhelming to me. Yet Jesus watched as every necessary piece of his last hours played out before him and he never faltered. He knew in his heart beyond the excruciating physical pain yet to come lay His Father's most incredible gift. Life with Him. For us all.

About an hour ago I sent the above to our neighborhood email group. Upon further reflection I want to add this note:

My junior year in high school I was chosen to carry the Christ candle out of our Maundy Thursday service. As the candle slowly moved down the main aisle any and all other lights behind the recession were extinguished. The sanctuary was left in complete and utter darkness. Those in the pews were absolutely silent. Each understood the symbolism of the exit of the Light of the World from the Garden of Gethsemane. The sacrifice about to be made. The ancient prophesy's impending fulfillment.

The following afternoon my French teacher, Mrs. Morgan, was sharing her experience of the service with our class. I'll never forget the question she posed to all her students while looking straight at me: "How can your life NOT be affected by that?"

Thirty-nine years later mine still is.

Bless My Nose

For the last week and a half I've self-imposed a heaping dose of pressure on myself to get STUFF done. A list of things that's been hanging on the fringes for a while. Not ignored. Simply there for the next day. And the next. Working my rear off to make BIG red checks beside completed tasks. That inevitable angst of the time evaporating too quickly this afternoon made me anxious. Walked outside to take a break.

FRESH MOWED GRASS welcomed my arrival to the out-of-doors. Closed my eyes. Deep breath. Another one. This unexpected gift nudged me to a happy place.

I'm a scent-kind-of-girl. Drives my hubby crazy sometimes -- "Don't you smell ----? You don't?! Really??" "This ---- smells just like ---- tastes." "Here. Smell this. Doesn't that remind you of ---?"

The grass evoked a short list of others I like. While standing there on the sidewalk. To help dig me out of my momentary funk. Let's see. New leather purse smell. New car smell. Walk into a florist shop smell. My friend Anita's house when she bakes her INCREDIBLE biscotti smell. Candles labeled 'Rain' smell.

I'm better. Back at my desk. Going at that dang list again. But at least it 'smells' better. Now.

When STYLE Catches Your Breath....

Saw this photo on RL's FB page. LOVE the rich cardinal red shade of her gown. ADORE the wide cuff silvertone bracelet. BLENDING the elegance of smooth flowing satin contrasted against the stiff steely metallic. A. Definite. YES.

Springtime = Shopping for a Few New Girlie Things

Got a phone call from a favorite boutique letting me know EVERYTHING IN THE STORE is 40% off today thru Sunday. EVERYTHING. I ask you: How could I not go look. Crazy I am not. Hopped in the car to check things out. Sun was shining. Blue skies above. 70 degrees. Rolled down the windows. And turned the radio. UP.

Found two skirts, a jean jacket and a black sleeveless spandex-y top.

Love the skirts. They make me 'happy'. (psst...I'm not buying anything anymore that doesn't make me happy.) You know what I mean.

They are both full with little pleats. Perfect to twirl in.

I plan on twirling. Alot.

Hierarchy of Needs -- A Hilarious Twist. Enjoy!

I have a good friend who shared his theory with me several Christmases ago. Laughed til I cried. I asked him the following year (the four of us get together every year during the holidays) for a 'replay'. He obliged. Same result. SO! I asked Ron if he would send me his hypothesis so I could pass it along to all of you.   And now -- Ron D's theory in his very own words. ENJOY!

"The 'Hierarchy' is best described orally since you can interject examples and add to it by emphasizing certain parts.  Without that, I fear it might not be as entertaining when viewed in print.  However, with that said, here it is.  The "Hierarchy" of a married woman's priorities was inspired by "Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs", so you need to be familiar with that concept to properly understand the 'Hierarchy'.  You would think the most important person in a marriage would be your spouse, since that is the one you've agreed to spend the rest of your life with, however most men find that not to be true.  As any married guy knows "the children" are way above him.  That's to be expected though since both men and women sacrifice for their children.  Next you might expect the husband, right?  Not so.  It is her family------mother, father, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, cousins, etc.  Next, surely must be the husband, eh?   Nope, it is the husband's family.  Mother-in-law, father-in-law, and so on, the same as with her family.   The husband has to be next though, right?  No way!  Friends and neighbors!!   Everyone is spoken for now so the husband has to be next.  Think again!   Complete strangers!!!  Of course since everyone else in the world has been exhausted, now comes the husband!!

You will find that some people think the husband is higher up the list until you give examples such as the husband wanting to spend a holiday or weekend with his wife and kids only to find out that he has to go to Aunt Helen's for Christmas, or some nephew's birthday party, or her friend's children's bar mitzvah.  The best example however is when you are at the grocery store and are dreaming of buying a six pack of imported beer only to have your wife interrupt your dream by telling you to get out of the way because you are blocking the aisle for some strange woman who might want to get by.  Another is when you are at the mall at Christmas and you race to the only available parking place only to have your wife reprimand you because some other car also wanted the space and you shouldn't have sped up to get there first.  These examples need to be given as you are telling the 'Hierarchy' so that the guy can identify with the example and see the logic of your thinking.  Another thing some guys will identify with is the placement of household pets before him.  Generally just after the children, sometimes elsewhere, but always before the husband!!  Some husbands report that inanimate objects such as a car, clothes, shoes, flowers, etc. need to be included---ahead of the husband, of course----but I can only give you my experiences and since I don't have any household pets I haven't listed them.

Hopefully this doesn't suffer too much by not being told orally.  Good luck with your blog.  By the way, I heard Bill Cosby do something very similar to the 'Hierarchy' once at a Wendy's function.  I can assure you that I had been telling the 'Hierarchy' for several years before I heard his version.  Since it was a Wendy's function I didn't confront him about stealing my material and getting residuals.  Another interesting aspect of the 'Hierarchy' is that womaen don't find it as true, or as entertaining, as the men.  Go figure."

FAB FIND!!! The $6.99 J Crew Favorite Tank

Discovered these at the J Crew store in the Tangers Outlet mall (formerly Prime Outlets) near Washington CH, OH. They are a gift from the gods. A boon for all of us who are either dealing with the M-word or need to wear professional clothes which includes lined suit jackets, of which I wore one today. Just thinking about that rayon material makes me cringe. And sweat. As I sit in the AC. Keeping cool. Tonight. In the basement. In very lightweight loungy clothes. So I won't sweat. (Oops! That's perspire. Gotta remember: Ladies perspire.)

Ok, ok. Getting back to J Crew. When you walk in the door, look to your right. The wall between you and the check-out counter is covered with little painted square cubbies. Which are filled with little folded scraps of clothes. Which come in many colors. Solid and Striped. Which are as manna from heaven. *Be sure to try on. Sizes are a little wonky in that you may need a size larger than your usual.

The Favorite Tank is 6.99. When held up, these look like old-fashioned ribbed cotton mens sleeveless tee shirts. Like the kind my dad wore in the summer under the crisp white button-down shirts he wore to work. Long enough to cover most of your rear end, too. Eliminating day-long hassle. You bend over -Tuck tail back in - You reach up for a file or can of soup or a shoe box -Tuck tail back in. Nope. None of that.

Perfect as a light buffer under those heavy, lined suit jackets. Perfect to sleep in. Perfect over your sports bra at the gym (yup, I'm referring to the same one that had me trapped in my 8/4 post). Perfect for working in the yard. Perfect for just about anything.

I've made two trips down to fetch some. Going back soon for more. Best you hurry before I buy them all. Really. Maybe you better rush. Or better yet why don't you leave now and be there when the store opens tomorrow. I'm just sayin'....

Card from a Friend

A very special friend (sending a shout out to you, JK, in Las Vegas) mailed this Hallmark card to celebrate my birthday a couple of years ago. I had tucked it into my file drawer and I stumbled on it today when cleaning out said drawer. It resonates with me still. May the words make an impression on your day as well.

**Message below is exactly as it appears in the card, printed mere spaces from the inner crease on the right panel.

breathe deep

talk slow

walk soft

let go

give big

take less

don't count

just guess

act fair

think long

laugh loud

plan bold

dream far ...

feel loved.

you are.

Damned if They Do and Damned if They Don't

Hurricanes are fickle forces of nature. Much like tornadoes. The first is hard to second-guess. The second to predict. Their ferocious energies instill awe and fear. Their paths depend upon existing weather conditions reducing forecasting to a guessing game, no matter how educated those guesses might be.

The only hurricane experience I can claim was in 1993. We had rented a condo in Emerald Isle on Bogues Banks, SC, for a week. On the third day a mandatory evacuation was called due to Hurricane Felix making its presence felt in the Atlantic. My husband and I fell swiftly, and deeply, into depression at this unwelcomed news and our then newly-turned five year old became the voice of reason. We did NOT want to leave and he calmly stated we WERE leaving. So off we went (literally), one car in a long line of motor vehicles, and headed inland to spend the night hoping we could return very soon. But, as luck or hurricanes would have it, Felix decided to hover....and hover....and hover off the coast, never making land fall BUT definitely ruining our much needed vacation.

Pubic officials have to make a judgement call. If they don't, tragedies could happen which may well have been avoided. And when they do, criticism erupts. The situation boils down to one word - choices. The weather experts do their best. The government officials do theirs. Then the citizens make their own decisions. To stay. To leave. To procrastinate. To walk out on a pier when the waves are over 20 feet tall. To board up windows before driving away, watching their home disappear in the rear view mirrors hoping its still standing when they return.

Irene made her mark on the season of 2011. Personally I believe that respecting these forces of nature is the only intelligent course. Acting responsibly saves lives and protects property. I'd much rather be relieved with a 'non event' as some have called this than attend a funeral.

Thought for the Day: We're All a Bunch of Crabs

This extremely deep, introspective, sophisticated ...... Ok, let me start over.

Actually the inspiration for this concept literally popped into my brain as I was listening to a friend describe her recent move to a new house. After immediately sharing my thought with her we both started laughing because it's TRUE!

Roll with me here for a second: Most of us have dressed in siblings' hand-me-down clothes or fun thrift store bargains which someone else wore; we move into a house someone else moved out of; we buy a used car someone else drove; we acquire an RV someone else used; etc etc etc (this is where you add your ideas...)

Now take the leap and picture this: It's like watching the crabs on Bowman's Beach. One crab dashes across the sand to a bigger hole previously dug by a fellow crustacean but no longer wanted. Another crab leaves its current shell 'home' and scrambles into an empty larger shell, taking possession by squatter's rights. The now newly abandoned smaller hole and shell get claimed quickly by two brand new tenants willing to take advantage of these unexpected opportunities. Right?

So let's review! Basically these creatures are all dashing around trying to: 1. make their lives better; 2. find more room, and, 3. get good deals.

Sound familiar?

5 Reasons NOT to Lean Over a Bathroom Sink

1. Watching in horror as a half pair of diamond stud earrings tumbles downward to join the rushing water disappearing into that deep, dark hole of a drain.

2. Having to bravely and gracefully endure your husband's creative and EXTREMELY colorful adjectives and nouns while he dismantles the U-pipe under the above mentioned sink to retrieve the aforementioned half pair of diamond stud earrings.

3. Standing at the kitchen counter writing a $233.70 check to the plumber for snaking the huge hair clog from the pipe which adjoins two bathroom sinks. SO not pretty.

4. Listening to the screeches of a woman in an airport restroom as she slaps at the side of the sink trying to stop the temporary crown which as fallen out of her mouth from going down the dr...oops, too late....

And, drumroll, last but not least: 5. Hearing a little awed voice talking to itself saying, "Cool! Just like Grandpa's." Peering around the door frame in time to hear the sound of metal scraping down the incline of the bowl. "Whatcha' doin'?" "Look! Pennies slide down just like my sled on Grandpa's hill." Great. Yeah, just great.

The *&@#!*?* Sports Bra

So last night was one of my wide-awake-why-lie-down-not-going-to-sleep nights. Husband went to bed and I stayed up to work on the computer. Perfect time to use my energy to get work I brought home from the store and some personal stuff accomplished.

About 1 o'clock am I put on my pj's. Strike that. About 1 o'clock am I TRIED to put on my pj's. Had my work-out clothes still on and I crossed my arms in front of my chest in order to grab the bottom of my sports bra to pull it up over my head. (This is my favorite one -- bright sunny yellow. Nike. Size Large -- I'm not that big BUT nevertheless it's what I bought thinking it would by more comfortable. And by the way, that label is a lie anyway.)

Brain said: LIFT. I tugged. 'Nuttin, honey. Not one tiny little budge. Tried again. The elastic band at the bottom flipped up. That was it.

So I'm standing there still with my arms crossed and I started to giggle. If this moment was videotaped I could just see it posted on YouTube under the "Woman Held Captive by Sports Bra" category. Guess if you can't laugh at yourself, you don't have the right to laugh at anyone else.

We can handle the mundane, the unexpected, the urgent, the obligations, the kids, the husband, the schedules without a blink of an eye. Yet here I was held hostage by spandex.

Won't you tell on yourself, below in 'Comments', a situation you found yourself in when your sense of humor came to your rescue? We can all smile together.

(And, yes, I got it off....after I quit laughing and could concentrate. FOCUS, girl! FOCUS!)

Guardian Angels

I pictured for years, when my husband traveled for business, an angel with a flaming sword sitting on our roof every night. Protecting. Keeping away evil. Battling any bad guys. I could sleep at night with a heavenly partner in my corner. Especially after our child was born.

When my son entered high school the intensity of the social culture kicked up a notch. Not so much the popularity pressure but other influences like alcohol. Drugs. Smoking. Sex. As a parent vigilance took on an intense new meaning. I asked for the Holy Spirit to protect my son. To re-enforce good decisions, right choices. Two names and faces appeared in my mind' eye: 'Frank' with glasses, short dishwater blond hair, thin, kind of geeky. 'Joe' -- darker/longer hair, brown eyes, very cool dude. (Guess our kid needed extra attention!)

During the college years I found myself praying even harder, relying on them all the more. All this sound weird? To you, maybe. To me? Absolute relief. Four years flew by. No calls from jail or the hospital.

We could look at this from a practical viewpoint. Strictly as an employment issue. Think of all the good souls now living in God's house. Their loyalty, faith, focus to duty are unquestionable making them excellent prospects for the millions of positions available. It's the perfect situation. Their talents partnered with the desperate need here on earth. Talk about a win-win.

So -- we're down to brass tacks. Do GA's exist? I haven't seen any. Nor talked to one. No correspondence has ever been exchanged. No fingerprints, footprints, etc etc. (... or wing-prints in this case) have been found in or around my house. No physical evidence. But that's what makes it feel so good. My faith alone unequivocally tells me they are here.

And that's all the proof I need.

Lutein, My New BFF

Last year's eye exam revealed the slight possibility of my developing Macular Degeneration. Scared the bejeebies out of me. Even the mere thought of living only with peripheral vision rocked my world. My optomitrist recommended spinach, blueberries and brewed tea all of which hold healthy natual suppliments for eyesight.

Those three components instantaneously became constant residents with reserved shelf space in our refrigerator. Each are eaten everyday without fail. (The thought of me eating spinach AT ALL is crazy enough -- my we--known hatred of this cooked vegetable has been replaced with a fantastic respect for its fresh form!!)

Fast forward to this year's annual visit. 1) Photographs showed NO CHANGE!!! 2) Suggestion made for eye vitamins -- containing Lutein. Eye vitamins?? What do you mean 'eye vitamins'?? Went straight to the nearest CVS. Read every label on every available brand (the employee stocking the shelves asked me twice if I needed help!). Chose one with 20mg. *Lutein is found in the macula. Deeper concentration of pigment is optimum for good eye health. Some studies also show a correlation between higher levels of this vitamin with lower risk for cataracts.

Some days I swear I'm turning blue. Or green. But considering the alternative --I don't care what color I am!

Intimidating Cook Top

Yep. I was bullied by the new, shiny, black Kenmore Elite recently installed in our kitchen.

I feel like all of you are members of my support group, currently sitting in metal fold-up chairs arranged in a circle. Ready to say, "Hi, Julie!" when I stand to introduce myself and clap when I publicly state my problem: I am scared of my cook top.

Doomed to fail from the start after reading the direction manual. DO NOT USE ANY PAN THAT DOES NOT FIT PROPERLY IN ONE OF THE CIRCLES ON YOUR COOK TOP. ALL POTS AND PANS MUST SIT ABSOLUTELY FLUSH ON THE SURFACE. MAKE SURE THE HANDLES ARE PROPERLY POSITIONED. CLEANING IS ESSENTIAL AFTER EACH USE. DO NOT DROP ANYTHING ON TO THE SURFACE AS MULTIPLE BREAKS MAY OCCUR."

I felt as if I had been lectured, rather loudly, and promptly smacked on the knuckles with a ruler by the time I had finished the last page.

Took me three days to finally boil a pot of water for my tea.

A Fractured-Kind-Of-Day

Ever have that kind? Where you feel pulled one way then another AND, on top of those, a third? You have all these 'things' you want to get done and just wish you had the time RIGHT NOW to do them once and for all? (the spectres of extreme agitation and overwhelming frustration hover very near....)

My list includes things like weeding out my recipe shelf; going thru the TALL stack of brochures we collected in JANUARY at a vacation and travel show; check out the intriguing websites I've torn out of magazines/hastily scribbled down; write more chapters for my books; actually finish a manuscript and work to get it published; call friends I need to catch up with; spend more quality time with my husband; and my family; clean out my files in the file cabinet. (You get the picture, I know, because you have one, too, don't ya?)

Part of my problem is I need to simply let go of 1/3 of them. They are not as important as I brainwash myself to believe they are. Done. Check

This evening I spent an hour and a half waiting for my car to be serviced. I took some work from my job that I have been carrying back and forth between my desk and home for over a week and got it done. A WEEK. What is my problem?? All finished. Check.

So. My mid-year resolution is to scratch off the unnecessary, the superfluous, the waste-of-timers. Focus my energy on getting a few done well. My hand is now reaching for the ON button of the CD player -- a little relaxation music, please, while I start making a MUCH shorter, fresh list of high priorities. And the first item at the very top of the list? "NO MORE LISTS!!!!!"

Finding YOUR 'Paris'

Yesterday my husband and I saw Midnight in Paris. This is the story of a man valiantly trying to swim against the tide of his everyday existence, a place of personal discontment where his life and choices have led him. Yet there is an innate yearning residing just under his skin which burns in his soul. His whole being comes ALIVE in Paris and he realizes that he has found the city of his dreams. His restless spirit has found its home.

We all seek that specific 'something' that burns perpetually in our own core. Causes stomachs to flutter with anticipation and need. Mine is to write, to share the stories thriving between my ears which no one else can 'hear' right now. I would love to be published --sooner than later if I had my wish! It's the invisible drive that lurks right below my surface. Finding the time not allotted for other responsibilities, duties and drudgeries, where guilt can't sink its talons into me, is what propels me on many a day. I live with a mixture of unadulterated happiness when I do write and anxious desperation when I don't. The imbalance is distracting.....yet challenging.

Thus I have become quite resourceful in hoarding clusters of minutes where I can open my laptop or notebook to extract the conversations and drama, humor and emotions bubbling in my mind -- much like Dumbledore pulling out his thoughts and preserving each in his pensieve.

When my opportunity arrives, I hope all of you are with me to enjoy the ride! And my wish for all of you? Recognize, grasp, follow the path where your heart leads. Be tenacious. BE BOLD. Allow the embers to become a blaze and find your fulfillment. Perhaps Paris will be your destination as well.....