Happy 2009!

That is such a generic statment. I want to say something else. Like I hope this coming year is filled with risks and rewards and tons of prosperity and more laughter than you know what to do with and I hope you get a phone call from a long lost friend that misses you and someone does something really unneccessarily nice for you for no reason and you pay it forward and I hope you dance at least twice to music that you've never heard before and you create something with your hands that resembles some sort of masterpiece in your mind and you visit with at least one person who changes your life for the better and watch at least a hundred sunsets and you say yes to your kids a little more and no to your job a little more and that bad habit you have seems to be really easy to give up all of a sudden and you find yourself really happy with the way you look and you do something that scares you and you succeed at something you didn't think you could do and you talk to a stranger and find yourself in their story and you write about all of it on your blog.

Removed

Jack Johnson Makes Me Want To...

(yes, I know most of these have nothing to do with Jack but I can’t help what goes through my mind when I’m basking in his music)

…ride through Monterey or Carmel in a convertible
…make banana pancakes and crawl back into bed with you
…learn to play the ukulele so I can play our favorite songs
…open my windows and let the sun in
…quit my jobs, give away my possessions, travel and live life
…wear flip flops to my next job interview and not care
…sit on a beach writing post cards inviting random people to join me
…do anything as long as it’s together
…throw my watch into the ocean
…build a bonfire and listen to the stories of strangers
…give someone a second chance
…read a book in a hammock
…lather my body in the smell of the 70’s Coppertone tropical lotion
…feel something besides the cement hitting the bottom of my feet
…give Einstein a pair of footed pajamas for his birthday
…staple a party invite to a telephone pole inviting everyone who sees it
…paint your toenails different colors while you watch
…burry some treasure and make a map
...make up words and use them while shopping at a farmers market
…unlock the cages at a pet store, run out and see which animals follow me
…find myself in someone really different from me
…focus on nothing but fireflies for an evening
…make new and improved ant farms for all the ones I stepped on as a kid

We Laughed, We Cried, We Sang

I am full of so much emotion right now...okay, and some margarita too.

Tonight I joined a fabulous group of women for a virgin's night of watching Mama Mia. It seems, as we were all Facebooking this week, that we realized that there were 5 of us who had not seen it...yes, yes, I know, how could that be? I have no excuse. What can I say? Abba being one of my all time love them like I can't believe it groups and yes, I had still not seen Mama Mia.

So I packed up my little plate of brie and grapes (my contribution) and headed over to the party. My gals showed up with boas and margs!

I'm a longtime ABBA fan...HUGE fan in fact...so of course right off the bat the sound track had me going. Where on earth did Meryl Streep get that voice? AMAZING! She is adorable and so is little Amanda Seyfried who plays Sophie.

I completely enjoyed this movie...beginning to end. The singing, the dancing, the wonderful cast of characters...did I mention the margaritas?

Oh, did I also forget to mention that Colin Firth is in it? Oh my.

IT was a brilliantly cast, brilliantly silly little romp in Greece! I highly recommend seeing it with your best girlfriends.

Oh crud, speaking of best girl friends...I saw this with my mom friends (who I totally adore) but did not see this with my BFF's (ha ha). The relationships between the girls and the women in this movie reminded me of my other BFF's...you know who you are and you know what I mean and we have to see this together!

Oh I have to go to bed now. I am soooo sleepy.

Me & My Nephew in Montana

The Angels of Christmas Past

I spent my first 10 years of life in southern California. We were Catholic and our Parish was at a pink adobe/stucco looking church. I used to wish I could play the tambourine in the church band. My neighbor across the street was a pastor at the Baptist church. His daughter Diane was my babysitter and her two brothers were my best friends growing up. She used to take me to her church sometimes which was always so much fun. We would sit and listen to her dad's sermon while she took a cotton ball and tickled my arm for an hour. I never forgot that feeling and sometimes now I will tickle my girls' arms while we watch a movie. At Christmas, we would dress up like angels for the nativity/play. Our wings made from Reynolds wrap and cardboard. This is a pic of my sis and I as angels in Diane's church and also us with her brothers Gary and Greg. These boys are the reason I can skateboard, whittle a stick into a sharp knife, make a rubberband gun from scratch and kill bees with it, and are also probably responsible for half the scars on my knees! Between playing cops and robbers, army men, and matchbox cars, nobody would have ever accused me of being a girl.

Diane posted these pics on Facebook last night so I snatched them from her. I don't have copies of these so it was a nice surprise.

I Won't Stay Down

Today I received unexpected and unfortunate news. While I am not really in a place to discuss it publicly, I wanted to share some initial reactions and part of my thought process about it.

There are no guarantees in life. This we know. You can work hard and still finish last. That seems to be a recurring theme for me personally. I get it. Really, I get it already.

I keep reminding myself to stop thinking that just because I try hard that I “deserve” something. But how do you really know when you deserve something? How do we really know that we don’t deserve worse than we have it? So I still try to maintain the thought that I am probably getting better than I deserve despite not getting what I want.

To move forward and out of the self-pity (I can only handle that feeling for about 3 seconds), I keep telling myself that my job is not to move mountains…I’ll save that for Someone else. My job, as mundane as it sounds is just to push. Push. Push. Push. I don’t get to control when, where or how far the mountain moves, I only get to control how hard I push. That’s it. That's my job.

I can choose every day to push or not to push. Succeed or fail. And if at the end of the day I have failed, I go to bed and wake up to another chance to do it all over again and hopefully get it right.

Reality, for me anyway, is that all my pushing will amount only to what life decides to hand me. Nothing more, nothing less. But if I don’t push, life hands me nothing at all. If I don’t push, I fail.

Today a mountain moved and it feels like it moved backward. I pushed and life pushed back, set me in my place and said “now whatcha gonna do?”

I probably should be crying right now. Angry at life. Upset that my hard work didn’t deserve failure.

But I’ve been here all too often. All too often to know that self-pity get’s me nowhere. And for some reason, the moment I got the bad news, I felt a sense of peace about it. Not because I want to accept it or pretend that I am stronger than I am, but because I know from experience that everything involved in this process is good. Strangely, for me, good comes from the processing of bad news. Yeah, I know that doesn’t sound fun. But it’s okay and I’m okay. In fact, I’m probably doing better than I deserve.

Today life knocked me down but I am reminded of the abundance of blessings in my life. Blessings too numerous to let this stop me.

I sincerely hope that you are all having a great holiday. I am thinking of each and every one of you and how much you have blessed my life this year.

Well, I better get back to pushing...

The i Was Following Me

So I'm walking through Costco yesterday and out of the corner of my eye...or "I" rather...I see a Jane Austen DVD and it catches my attention immediately because in very very tiny print, I see that they have spelled Austen incorrectly on this DVD (can you see it in the pic?). Unbelievable! They messed up the name of one of the most read and most beloved writers! How does this happen? Who is the copy editor? Did they even have one? Dear Heavens, the single most important word on the entire DVD is Austen! It haunted me throughout Costco. I wanted to go back with a red Sharpie and circle the typo on all the DVDs.

Band Concert

Rock on.

Once in a Lifetime Opportunity

What is the epitome of a once in a lifetime opportunity? Is there something that you picture in your mind, some illustration of the perfect example of a once in a lifetime opportunity? I can think of many, but none more befitting than the example of flying to the moon. I would say flying to the moon is an exemplary archetype of a once in a lifetime opportunity.

So when I dreamed the other night that I had been given that chance, that once in a lifetime chance to fly to the moon, can you imagine my disappointment when I completely screwed up the mission?

The trip to the moon cost the USA a mere billion dollars in my dream (probably somewhat accurate in real life I imagine) and took 3 years to plan. In one single moment of stupidity, I ruined the entire mission. Failure of epic proportion! Any guesses how?

I dropped my shoe. Yes, while soaring through the earth's stratosphere, my shoe fell off and fell back to earth. Apparently, all passengers flying to the moon must be wearing two shoes.

So we turned the damn rocket around and went home.

Now while this dream is probably one of the dumbest I've ever had, I can't help fear that it is meant to represent some horrible mistake I've made in my real life.

By the way, the shoe I dropped was a black Chuck Taylor.

What Scares Me Most

What's to stop them from coming out with Wii Sex?

One Hour and Twenty-one Minutes

That's how much time it took me to write this poem. No revisions. No time.

Today I stumbled across a poetry contest. The Best American Poetry Poem Challenge.

Do I dare? The deadline is Dec. 5th. Today is Dec. 4th. What are the rules?

Rules: In a nutshell, write an inaugural ode! 4 quatrains, 16 lines total. And here's the hard part....you must include one line from another poem in the 2008 book of Best American Poetry AND you must include three of the following words - honor, integrity, faith, hope, change, power.

So, without further ado, here's what I came up with. What do you think? Honest opinions welcome.

Ode to a Campaign of Hope

Germinating from neither ruffles nor flourishes
Rather, green lush grass roots from milk and honey
Sprouting from soil of our Fathers who led heretofore
Cultivating in the hearts, souls, and flesh of their posterity

Bringing not forth their axes to grind against broken fences
Nor mud to sling across rows of yielding fruit
Rather, spading bountiful ground with honor and courage
For the soil was a fertile foundation of our faith

Listen to small rocks grind the big one down
Tilling the earth one yes we can at a time
One phone call, one neighbor, one rally, one vote
At a time in history when we hunger for change

Lavish crops multiply across rows of labor
Seeds of audacity budding rain or shine
Blooming through the power of hope
Restoring integrity to the land on which we feed

©2008 – Michelle Hix

Can I Just Say...

That everyone I know is sooo much funnier tonight thanks to the 2 glasses of wine I've had! Facebook + wine = funny. IM + wine = funny. Text messages + wine = funny. Husband + wine = sexy funny.

Although, I have to say that working out at the gym and then eating homemade chocolate chip cookies and wine for dinner = not so funny to my BIG FAT BUTT!

Seriously...I ate a chocolate chip cookie, some peanut m&m's, and two glasses of wine for dinner.

Climbing

Younger Daughter

Older Daughter

Both Monkeys!

Uh...me on the begginner wall as usual!

Rock n Roll

My Scrumptious Nephew!

Unrequited Love

Like a ribbon that adorns a special gift
I wrap my love in pretty words for you
Delicate and amorous thoughts transfer to paper
From scribes within the depths of my soul

Each word handpicked like a flower from reverie
Tenderly placed upon your heart
Will you keep the flower alive?
Will you care for it and nurture it?

Consider my smile and playful nature
They mask deep feelings of sorrow
Deficiency in rapture manifests in taciturnity
Petals fall to the earth as I await your reply

Silence fills my ears and ruptures my heart
I ache with the pain my love has inflicted
My words rejected, evaded and neglected
Alone, unread, they wilt and weep

Will you fight for this as I have?
Will you run after me?
Will you rage against the dying or go gentle?
Will you travel to the ends of the earth for me?

In faithful pause awaiting echoes that don’t ring
Clinging to hope for words unspoken
See me...for I am nothing if your eyes look away
Unclothed of hard exterior, unveiled to you

My words and love are your moments
To covet, to hate, to share
I cannot love them for you
Though I try and it tears me apart

I cannot give another what I have given you
For just like every flower is unique
Every word is exclusively yours
Birthed from my soul and mirrored in yours

Let the moments carry you through your darkest days
May torrents of love spill from me and fill you
And should you find room in your heart for more
I pray that you trust I am an endless wellspring

©2008 Michelle Hix

Clean or Go Back to Bed?

I’m washing dishes in waves. There’s something comforting about washing dishes by hand. Especially china. It’s delicate and you have to take your time. It’s not necessary to be rough, rush through it or scrub too hard. A metaphor for life I guess.

Today is the day after Thanksgiving. My husband just took the kiddos to see a movie. I am alone for the first time in days. Breathe. Thoughts flood my mind today and honestly I just want to go back to bed and not think of anything.

I think I'll do some more dishes and then go try to take a nap.

I Can't Convey The Auditory Pain I'm In

Husband. Karaoke. Boy George. Tony Bennet. Gloria Gaynor.

Peeing my pants.

Pre-Thanksgiving Meal

A couple weeks ago we received an invitation in the mail to share dinner with friends. To celebrate the Harvest Festival/Thanksgiving in 1621, the Wampanoag Indians and the Puritans had a week long feast. Our friends decided to adopt the tradition, invite all their friends to pick a night to join them, and feast every night for a week. Tonight was our night.

We dined casually with 15 others at 3 tables spread between kitchen, dining room and family room. We passed food, shared stories, and laughed a lot.

When we excused the children from the table, the adults sat together. Then the husband and wife (our friends) asked us to sit quietly and not say a word. They said we couldn't laugh, poke fun, disagree or talk back. And then they each proceeded to address each adult at the table by name, one by one, and tell us all what they admired and appreciated about us. It was unexpected, personal, and surely an unforgettable and special moment for each of us.

I am thankful for my friends tonight.

I Love Having Lunch With My Kiddos

Mom: Let's sit down right here and have our lovely King Soopers deli lunch girls.

Older Daughter: I wonder what humans taste like.

Younger Daughter: I ate some skin once.

Older Daughter: Yum.

Younger Daughter: I just burped and it came out my nose holes.

Mom: I'm full. Thanks for lunch girls...always a pleasure.

Powerpoint Presentation

This is a Powerpoint presentation that my daughter did in kindergarten that I found on my computer today. Just thought it was funny. She did this on her own and I found it saved to my desktop and have just kept it for all these years.

(Slide 1)

Abuot My

flamley

(Slide 2)

My flamley

My mom is nise. she sumtimes gives me candey and cack.

My dad is nise cuz he gives me a lott uv candey and cack.

(Slide 3)

I love my flamley.

It is all about candy and cake when you are 5 isn't it?

Where Pleasure Meets Pain

Have I failed to mention that we’ve joined a new gym? Not just any gym…we’ve joined the new super gym that is only 7 minutes from my house…Lifetime Fitness. And it is not a gym, it’s another planet. We’ve been meaning to join for some time now…we watched the building go up and it just kept getting bigger and bigger.

We have the family membership. Which has already proven to be a blessing. While we drop our younger daughter off in the kids camp (equipped with Mac Computers, a full kid size basketball court, huge big screen televisions and a monstrous jungle gym) older daughter joins us for a complete workout. The cool thing being to her that her friends also have memberships so we can have the mother/daughter yoga workout and even the dads join in sometimes. We also see several of their teachers working out. This building is like the size of a mall. It has a restaurant, a full salon, several swimming pools, sauna, steam, etc….an outdoor water park...workout equipment enough so that I’m sure the entire population of Thornton could simultaneously be on a treadmill…basketball, volleyball, rock climbing that makes rock climbing gyms jealous, rooms full of every type of exercise equipment imaginable.

While in the past I would have described myself as more of a “get in, get a work out, get the heck out of there” type of person…that’s just not the case here. This is like being at a resort. There’s really no reason to ever leave this 24 hour world of working out, socializing, eating and playing. It is not just a workout. It's our entertainment!

One of the things I love best about this gym is that all the activities are included in our membership. Rock climbing…included. Kids club…included. Yoga…included. Kick boxing…included. You get the point. It gives you a chance to do a little of everything…which is what we’ve been doing…which is why I am TOTALLY EXHAUSTED AND IN PAIN!

By the way, there’s apparently nothing more entertaining to my children than watching me climb a 30 foot rock wall with a wedgie.

Starting to Love Facebook

I forgive you Facebook.

You are becoming my close friend.

You have reunited me with people I never thought even thought about me. It is so wonderfully pleasing to come home after a hard day at work to find an email from you that says somebody wants to be my friend. And not just somebody...not just anybody...but somebody that I'm genuinely interested in connecting with again.

You see, in helping to plan my 20 year high school reunion, I found and connected with tons of people from my past. But that was me finding them. That was me tracking people down (more like hunting them down in many cases.)

But on Facebook, others are looking for me! People from old places of employment...people from other classes and other schools...people my age and people not so my age...moms and daughters of people I know...parents of kids my kids know...neighbors I never even knew used computers...even a guy that once cast me in his low budget movie found me...blog friends are on there...teachers I know...even my babysitter from when I was in kindergarten...throw in a few ex boyfriends and we've got a party folks!

I think my favorite part about it is that many of these people I would have never gone out of my way to send a formal email (email is formal?) to. It's just been way too long and conversation would be awkward. But on Facebook...you see them...they see you...and you just say hello...how are the kids...etc.

Yes, I'll admit it...I love Facebook. I fought it for way too long. I'm now officially addicted.

Time To Reflect - I'm Thankful For...

1. Family - awesome parents and a sis that's going to be having me a niece or nephew in a matter of weeks! 2. Friends - holy heck I love my friends. 3. 4. Kids - keep me on my toes...the younger one beats me at chess while the older one teaches me to use text messaging on my phone! 5. Health - no sick days here...I wake up feeling great every day and I'm so thankful! 6. Teeth - been seeing my dentist every 6 months for 12 years now...says I have shiny good teeth and gums...all my own and sparkly clean...thanks doc. 7. Obama - can't wait to do this. 8. Good eyes - I think about how much I love to see all the time. 9. My new washer and dryer - they make me happy 10. My neighbors - really, they are my friends too but I still thought I should give them their own category for being so good to us. 11. My Good Luck - I'm a lucky person. So far. No, I take that back, not so far. I'm just lucky. No matter how you look at it. I'm just lucky. 12. School - I'm thankful for my girl's school, their wonderful teachers, and the dedicated parents. It has been a really long year for us all and we made it through some tough times together. 13. My digital camera - it goes everywhere with me. 14. Coffee - one cup makes me happy all day long. 15. Youtube - because I don't watch tv shows...ever...so Youtube is my window to the outside world I guess. 16. My bed - my bed is so lovely...I'm not there very long but it is such a good place to be. Well, I could go on. Not an all inclusive list...just a few things on my mind. Not getting all sappy on you this year. I can't wait for Thanksgiving!

Because Cheese Makes Me Happy

Dear Jane Letter

Oh you guys...this is so sad and funny at the same time. So, I belong to a few hiking clubs. Good times. Love it. One of the clubs is rather large...over 350 members. Now that's not to say that there will be that many people on any given hike...there's not...usually only between 10-40 people. Anyway, my point is that the club is large and we usually receive weekly emails announcing our next hike. If you hit reply to one of these emails, your reply automatically goes out to all 350 people. Get where I'm going with this yet?

Oh man...this is bad. So anyway, somehow this guy and this girl had emailed back and forth privately and then somehow he "accidently" emailed the entire group his Dear Jane letter. Oh, it wasn't good. Not pretty. This is what it said:


Dear Jane:

I won't be able to meet with you on Thursday or anytime. I am not ready for any type of relationship of any type. I have met a lady that I enjoy having a friendship only relationship with. I much rather have a lady friend who I can just hang out with and go places without any commitments. I'm not good at this so please let it be just that. I can't be in a committed relationship any time soon
Take care and be good to yourself,
John


Oh...did I mention that John (obviously not his real name) is the captain of our group? So, as he should have, he emailed us all an apology and resigned. Many people wrote in and asked him not to resign. Here's what I wrote:

Dear John:

I'm thinking that since you have now abandoned all prospect of ever dating again within an earshot of any woman who read that email or anyone she knows, maybe you might find that you have extra free time for hiking now. OKAY....I'M SOOO TOTALLY KIDDING. Just thought I'd lighten things up a bit. Seriously, it was an unfortunate and sucky thing (especially for her I'm sure) and I hope you can make it up to her in your own way (she might suggest something like taking a long walk on a short plank but might I suggest a private heartfelt apology to her...from a distance of course just in case she has a sharp object in her purse) but as for the rest of us, it seems we are all pretty forgiving (cuz we don't have to date ya). Don't beat yourself up over it...we've all been there. Okay, not really, you're on your own, but that made you feel better for a second right?
Michelle


OMG! First of all...can you believe how bad this guy sucks at breaking up? I didn't think it was possible to suck that bad. I wish he would have called me before writing that. Dude!!! Are you kidding me? Seriously? I could have written you a really good break up letter. Jane would have thought you were a great guy despite breaking up with her...now she just thinks you're an idiot. Men!

Damn. You. Facebook. And your little dog too!

“Someone has added you as a friend on facebook”

Oh yeah? Whatever. I’m ignoring it.

“Someone has added you as a friend on facebook”

Caaaaannn’t heeeaaar you!

“Someone has added you as a friend on facebook”

Fine. I’ll take a peek. But I’m not joining anything. Nope. No way.

Poke! Pokey-poke-poke!

Okay fine. I’ll join. But just to see who is on there. I’m sure I don’t know anyone on there.

2 days later…

You have 16 notifications and…….

You have 18 lil green patch requests
You have 1 cupcake requests.
You have 4 (lil) blue cove requests.
You have 2 animal gift requests.
You have 1 their/there/they’re invitation.
You have 1 Christmas tree request.
You have 3 drinking requests.
You have 1 hug request.
You have 1 breast cancer awareness request.
You have 1 knighthood invitation.
You have 1 official Bush countdown invitation.
You have 2 plant gift requests.
You have 1 christmas ornament request.
You have 1 birthday request.
You have 1 chrisamas stocking request.
You have 1 moods invitation.
You have 2 hopia requests.

Damn. You. Facebook. Damn. You.

Status Update…
“Michelle is… changing the bag in her vacuum.”
“Michelle is… feeling happy.”
“Michelle is… hungry.”
“Michelle is… going to go read a book.”

Damn. You. Facebook.

I’m a blogger. I’m not a Facebooker. I don’t have time for you Facebook. Well, maybe just a few minutes won’t hurt.

Facebook...it can happen to you!

Anyone Feel This Way?

Fired Up? Ready to Go!

I think I've been basking in reflected glory. Not to say that I sat back and did nothing...I made my phone calls as an official "Campaign for Change Volunteer", I bought and displayed my yard signs with pride, I dedicated a fair share of blogging to the cause, and I challenged my friends and family to get involved. But I feel like it's the day after winning a big football game or the morning after watching a hit broadway musical, or maybe like I'm just crawling out of bed in the afternoon after camping out for concert tickets and getting front row seats to watch my favorite band live...where even though I wasn't the star quarterback or part of the chorus line or even a real groupie, I want to put on that t-shirt that says "I was there".

As I expected, although not to this extent, the McCain camp and even Fox News are throwing Sarah Palin under the bus, driving over her, and backing up to do it again and again (luckily for Sarah McCain's Campaign ride the short bus). Do I dare say I enjoy watching and reading it? She has been our comic relief throughout the campaign...why stop now?

This morning I read an article about Obama's new Chief of Staff, Rahm Emanuel. It is safe to say that he is a passionate man...to find out how he rolls with it, read this awesome article from Rolling Stone.

He he he... this is so funny.

Boo!

She's a Suffragist at Heart...

Youngest child stayed home from school (went to work with me, dentist and to vote!). So I let her pull the lever today so to speak. Since it is all digital now, she got to touch all the buttons and officially cast the ballot. Before I could stop her she had advanced to page 3 and we had to back track to actually fix some votes. Thank goodness nothing is officially sent until you hit "cast ballot".


On the way to vote we were discussing money and what money can buy. She says to me "mom, if we had a KA-TRILLION dollars, we could buy at least a new house, a new car, and some electricity" (I don't know how candy did not make it into that list but apparently a ka-trillion might not be enough for candy?)

Watch and Vote!

Stumbled across this clip. Thought it was appropriate with the election around the corner. It is how so many of us feel. Let's get it done! This clip is from the 1976 movie titled Network.

Love it!

Going to tell you a secret...shhhh...I love the Beastie Boys. They are coming to The Fillmore with Tenacious D on November 3rd...I don't have tickets but I thought I'd share this brilliant video with you anyway. It's an incredible performance of the Beastie Boys performing live on Late Night with David Letterman in 2004. They start out in the subway and then come out up into the street and then into the studio.

Random Facts Meme

Was tagged by Two Times The Fun to do this Meme...7 random facts about me...hmmm...well since I already have over 90 random facts listed on my blog about me I'll have to come up with some others...let's see...

1. I once dated two boys named Eugene at the same time.
2. Right now the weather is perfect and I feel like climbing up a tree and finishing my book.
3. I once lived near a hospital for mental patients and I can still hear them crying and banging on their windows.
4. I entered kindergarten one year early so I was always "the youngest" in every class I took.
5. I am fascinated with people who lie...always want to know their motive.
6. Sometimes my reader gets full and I just hit "mark all read" and call it a day.
7. Sometimes I forget that West Virginia is a state.

While The Cat is Away...

Hubby asked that I not "remove" his McCain sign from our yard while he is away...

So I haven't. I am respecting his wishes.

I only repositioned one of my Obama signs.

Poems For Graham...You Are A True Inspiration My Friend!

One of my most favorite ways to enjoy nature is through the eyes of my favorite photographer and friend, Graham Ettridge. Looking at his photos is more than eye candy. It is nature experienced through the eyes of someone who finds beauty in the early morning hours when others are asleep, during rains storms while most hide behind closed windows, in the history of his homeland, in the daily lives of people around him and especially in the nature that surrounds him. He is in awe of the universe and it shows in the way he lives his life and shares it with others. I am honored to call him friend.

Recently Graham posted some pictures on his blog that have inspired me to write some poetry. I chose the Japanese Haiku in the 5,7,5 syllable format for it’s natural flow and depiction of nature.

I have numbered the poems to go with the order of his photos on his blog. Please go over and look at his photos...you will understand what I mean when you see his photos.

#1
She sings good morning
Raising her voice through the trees
Songs for the forest

#3
Walking down a path
But her beauty holds me still
She begs me to stay

#4
Old, tired and barren
Genesis of the forest
Her children are near

#7
I lay at her feet
She’s the essence of my soul
I drink of her shade

Problem Solved

I believe this is called making lemonade...

If You Are My Friend

If anyone reads this and has an Obama yard sign, I need one now. Like RIGHT NOW! Someone has stuck a McCain sign in my yard and I am horrified. Mark won't let me take it down. One neighbor has already said that they would die if they were me. I just might. I need a sign now. Seriously. I am going tomorrow to the Obama office to pick some up but it can't wait that long. I simply can't have anyone thinking I'm voting for McCain or even worse...Palin. Oh my goodness no! Seriously someone help me. I will pay. I will meet you in a dark alley and pay you in money and homemade cookies. Just hand over the signs.

Pretty Funny (not to mention accurate)

Hot Pockets

I've been far too serious with all the politics lately. That is sooo not me! I'm rarely serious. Seriously! So this weekend I am going to see one of my favorite comedians. I've so been looking forward to an evening out with other adults where the topic of conversation has nothing to do with kids or school. We are going to eat at the Mongolian Barbeque before heading over to the show. Can't wait! Oh, here's one of my favorite youtube clips of Jim Gaffigan, the comedian we are going to see.

Just To Clear Things Up

I received an email this morning stating the fact that Obama's parents both died young and how we should be concerned that Obama might also die young. Okay folks...his father died in an auto accident and his mother of ovarian cancer. I can assure you that Obama's father did not pass the automobile accident gene on to him and I'm pretty darn sure that he's also not going to die of ovarian cancer. But thanks for the laugh...I needed it this morning!

I Wonder If The Left Leg Of A Vice President Is Worth Anything? Probably Not.

This made me sick to my stomach.

Not Singing The Blue Jean Blues Anymore...I'm In Love!

Have you ever seen anything more beautiful?

At a whopping $3,000, I would have NEVER EVER purchased such beauties! BUT... these darlings came not at such a high price. No, no, no my friends! A friend recently moved into a situation where he would not be needing these (no, not jail!) and so he asked if we wanted them (for much much much less than $3,000). Oh I am just in heaven. I have spent the last 4 days washing everything in my house. When I ran out of clothes I went on to bed linens, blankets in storage, table cloths, and winter coats. There are a million settings from which to choose. Aren't they beautiful? Mark has to cut a new hole in the wall for the dryer vent...the old one is in the wrong place. I don't even know what I will do with all the room in my laundry room now! Maybe dance a little jig while I'm listening to the slooshy sloshy slooshy sloshy quiet sound of my garments cleaning? Folks, it is so quiet. And then, when the cycle finishes, it sings you this cute little song to let you know when it is finished. Apparently, you can download your own songs for it to play. (okay, just kidding). I don't even want to leave the laundry room when I'm washing. They are like my new psychologist. I just want to pull up a chair and talk to them while they unsoil (so what if it's not a word) my life. If I ever win the lottery, I am going to purchase these for every friend. You all deserve to be this in love with a major appliance.

Just a Pic Younger Child Took of Me When We Were Walking To Our Car To Go Home

At The Denver Art Museum

Right before this photo was taken we walked past a sculpture of a nude woman. Child says "mom, this place is very inappropriate for children."

Needless to say, the young couple studying the sculpture cracked up laughing.

Just Walking The Tracks With Younger Child

Denver Art Museum Free Day - Saturday October 4th

Paintings by Daniel Richter

Denver Art Museum Website

open 10-5 and it is free on Saturday! Bring the kiddos and a lunch.

Huh?...Seriously...Huh?

I Chose To Be An Idiot...By Sarah Palin

Therapy and a Movie

Had fun tonight. I think I needed to relax my thoughts a little. My stomach has been in knots all day and still is but I'm going to bed...maybe it will go away. I've been having crazy crazy dreams lately. The other night I dreamt I was at a party with all my friends. I mean everyone was there in my dream. It was so fun. You guys are a blast! I had one of my recurring dreams the other night too. It is my favorite one. It always starts out with me walking up the steps to a large run down mansion someplace just outside of downtown. I have inherited this house from my late uncle. Each time I have the dream I always discover something new in the house. This time it was a cardboard box of old letters and some magic plants (no, not those kind of magic plants). The box of letters were from a soldier in the civil war to his lover. I sat in the attic of the house reading each and every letter falling completely in love with how in love they were. I wondered if he made it home from the war alive. After reading the letters I stumbled upon some plants. The plants obviously had not been watered. They were living in total darkness without water and were thriving. In my dream I thought that I might be able to use the plants for curing something and knew that I needed to keep them safe. I can't wait to go back. Well, folks...I actually have a job interview tomorrow downtown. Wish me luck.

Donna Therapy

Laughter. Tonight. Need it.

The Fundamentals of our Economy are What?

From my house I can see (not Russia you silly goose) but a million dollar house in forclosure. Define "strong" for me Senator McCain.

Know a Jewish Young Adult?

Send them on a once in a lifetime trip to Israel for free!

Type Only One Word Meme

A meme...taken from Jen at Never a Dull Moment.

1. Where is your cell phone? Pocket
2. Your significant other? Mark
3. Your hair? Ponytailed
4. Your sibling? Pregnant
5. Your kids? Sleeping
6. Your favorite thing? Senses
7. Your dream last night? Historical
8. Your favorite drink? Redwinecoldbeermargaritastrongcoffeedasanimimosas
9. Your dream/goal? Happiness
10. The room you’re in? Office
11. Your fear? Loss
12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? Helping
13. Where were you last night? Home
14. What you’re not? Angry
15. Muffins? Scones
16. One of your wish list items? Organization
17. Where you grew up? Colorfornia
18. The last thing you did? Rsvp’d
19. What are you wearing? Organic
20. Your TV? Unwatched
21. Your pet? Playing
22. Your computer? Necessity
23. Your life? Fruitful
24. Your mood? Quixotic
25. Missing someone? No
26. Your car? Minivan
27. Something your not wearing: Makeup
28. Favorite Store? Tattered
29. Your summer? Delicious
30. Your favorite color? Green
31. When is the last time you laughed? Now
32. Last time you cried? Unspecified
33. Who will/would re-post this? You
34. Place I go over and over? School
35. Favorite food? Mexican
36. Place I would rather be right now? Beach

You Know He's Whipped...

When he'll hold the jumprope!

Only a Few Comments on The Smackdown (Debate)

McCain has a teary eye...it makes me crazy...someone please give him a tissue or some Restasis or something.

McCain was born without a neck, Palin without a brain...both need to visit The Wizard of Oz for some body parts.

McCain accused Obama a gazillion times of "not understanding"...thank you Obama for having the intelligence to explain so brilliantly how it is exactly that you do understand.

Okay, so what was up with that line dividing the screen? Why couldn't they just use a line? Why did it have to be like this constant moving up and down liquidy looking line. It reminded me of what it looks like when you give blood. The screen theatrics were so not necessary.

What I love about Obama is that when McCain tries to take a dig at him, it ends up being to Obama's advantage. Obama uses the opportunity to take us back in history using names and dates and examples to back up his position on issues. He has an incredible memory. He remembers things McCain said years ago (better than McCain can) which really has been to his advantage.

Oh, and my favorite part of the debate...Obama said "orgy".

Good night all.

One For the Guys

Sex in the City Quote


Mr. Big: Nice dress.

Carrie: Meaning?

Mr. Big: Nice dress.

September Challenge

Over at One Man's Travels, my talented and delightful friend Graham puts together these fabulous photography challenges each month. For September the challenge is to photograph your favorite time of day. I have two, sunrise and sunset. I chose to photograph sunset because the sun sets over the Rocky Mountains every day just for me (and only rises above the tract homes in my neighborhood so that's not real exciting). I took this photo tonight at around 7:10 pm.

Here's one I took in May...

"Hello" Is Secret Code For "Sign Me Up" Apparently

So, has anyone else been getting like 5 phone calls a day from Moveon.org or the Denver Dems? Okay, I love ya and all but come on people...they keep calling me and all I have to do is say "hello" and somehow that gets me signed up to volunteer at offices across Colorado!!! Then they send me emails saying "you've signed up"...WHAT? But...but...but...I just said "hello". I didn't sign up for anything did I? How does this happen? It goes like this...

Ring ring ring

Me: hello

Them: hi, wanna volunteer?

Me: no

Them: we need you

Me: no, I can't

Them: Does Saturday work for you?

Me: no, I can't Saturday

Them: Does 2:00 or 4:00 work better?

Me: no

Them: Wow, thank you so much for helping us out

Me: no

Them: See you soon!

Me: crap

If You Are For Capital Punishment...Read This

Actually, it's just really interesting so everyone should read it.

http://www.talkleft.com/story/2008/9/20/05331/0080

I Can't Stop Watching This

Oooh, Ron Paul Just Stormed in on McCain and Got All Revolutionary on His Butt!

Liar Liar McCain and Palin Pants on Fire

Wow John...You Sure Know How to Pick em Lately!

John McCain's economic advisor, Carly Fiorina, talking about how McCain and Palin, and the other candidates are not qualified to run a corporation...ha ha...wow, hope she didn't like her job much.

OMG! I am the worst friend on the face of the earth!!!!!!

Is it September? Please tell me no. Crud. I am so self absorbed lately!!!!

HAPPY HAPPY OH SOOOO LATE BUT HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY FRIEND FRANCINE!

I am such a loser!

Geology Study/Hike at Roxborough State Park

The Stowaway!

My Milksnake Brings All The Cats To The Yard

Husband found a milk snake. Kids named him Belt. He was boring. Cats thought he was fun...so fun in fact that they climbed in his cage and played with him. Belt went bye bye. Husband's in the dog house for bringing home wild stray animal. The end.

Hiking Hall Ranch

Had a great hiking group this weekend. We are such a diverse group of people from different parts of the world and different interests...coming together to spend time doing what we love to do. Older child wasn't feeling too well so I went without her this time. It was a 5 mile hike...nothing strenuous but lots of fun.

Walkin The Dogs

Having three cats, my girls are dog deprived. When we go to Petsmart to get cat food, they have to play with every animal there. They know how much I hate pet stores but Petsmart isn't so bad. Their animals are from adoption agencies and not mass produced to live in tiny cages to be sold to mall looky-loos who don't know the slightest thing about taking care of a pet.

So last week we noticed they were having their regular dog adoption party. On Friday night little child was in tears because I made her put the dog back in its cage after 45 minutes of it sleeping on her lap. She has such a way with animals.

So we went back on Saturday. I told them that we could spend the whole day playing with all the dogs...that we'd let them all out of their cages and take them to the field to play. The adoption people are totally cool with it. The dogs need the attention.

Some Catching Up To Do

Yes, I know. It's been a while. A week to be exact. I've gotten a few emails from some of you...your well wishes are appreciated...thank you! I haven't been far...just not present...not mentally anyway. I had a quick moment tonight to post something...guess I've wasted that moment on telling you that I am actually going to post something of substance later. A couple of you have been heavy on my heart lately...you know who you are. I have much to tell you all. Many pictures to post from last weekend. I promise to be back soon.

The Absolutle Best British Sitcom EVER! (sorry, I even liked it better than Monty Python)

I used to be obsessed with Absolutely Fabulous in the early 90's. Thank heaven for youtube so I can relive every episode!

Edina Monsoon and Patsy Stone are the Lucy and Ethel of British Television...I would describe their behavior as outrageously hilarious. They are two substance-abusing fashion and fad-obsessed Londoners who value fame and style over substance (unless they are controlled substances). Saffron, Edina's daughter, is the sanity in her mother's world. Edina and Saffy live in a house in Holland Park...Patsy is there most of the time and Patsy and Saffy can't stand each other.

The program revolves around Eddy's ongoing struggle to achieve fame, success and a slender figure amidst the disapproval of her daughter and the constant presence of her increasingly senile mother. Patsy is always at her side encouraging the behaviors that are constantly causing her conflict. Much of the comedy of the show is physical, usually derived from Edina and Patsy's drunken and/or stoned states, with their favorite drinks being Bolly Stolly (a cocktail of Bollinger champagne and Stolichnaya vodka) and later Veuve & Bourb (a mix of Veuve Clicquot champagne and bourbon) or Dom & Bom (a mix of Dom Perignon champagne and Bombay Sapphire gin). The mutual loathing between Saffy and Patsy, as each tries to guide Edina's behaviour, also makes for many comic situations. A recurring gag found new ways for Edina to fall headfirst out of cars, windows, or down her kitchen stairs at least once every series.

Well Said

The Longest Most Difficult Lesson...Turning the Other Cheek

"You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.' But I say to you, Do not resist one who is evil. But if any one strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also; and if any one would sue you and take your coat, let him have your cloak as well; and if any one forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to him who begs from you, and do not refuse him who would borrow from you. You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you…" (Matthew 5:38:45 RSV)

I have often wondered just how far the famous "turn the other cheek" instruction from Jesus should go in everyday life. Does it mean that we must allow ourselves to be defenseless victims of repetitive harm or wrongdoing? I don't think so. But how do we turn the other cheek and still keep our dignity? As someone who can be sharp tongued and quick with comebacks, I’ve questioned what relationships I’ve stunted by not turning the other cheek in the past and this led me to explore the idea further.

In a perfect relationship in a perfect world, both people involved would turn the other cheek in every negative situation presented...thus opening up the relationship to its full potential. Love, as the first priority, in my opinion, leads to love being the only priority, thus it would not be possible for anything negative in the way of feelings, words or actions to come in to play. All negativity would be squashed by the loving act of turning the cheek. In fact, at each instance I think value and trust would actually be created and built into the relationship and the relationship would grow stronger. Each time you showed the other person that in fact, you love them so much that their words or actions can’t lessen your love, then you now hopefully have earned their trust and their love even more. The negative then actually becomes a positive right? However, if the cheek is not turned, then a negative is added on top of the original negative word/action and then the problem, however small at first, becomes compounded and exacerbated. Turning or not turning the other cheek has an exponentially positive or negative effect depending on which you choose. That’s the amazing…and totally scary thing.

So let us though, get to reality. Reality is that it is incredibly rare for both people in a relationship to have the emotional intelligence and be emotionally mature and seasoned enough to turn the other cheek and understand its exponential effects on the relationship. My thoughts as of recent are that I can only control myself in this. So I ask these questions…is there good to be found in being the only person turning the cheek? Does it make me happy or does it make me resentful to turn my cheek even if it is not reciprocated or acknowledged? Can I do it consistently without any expectations from the other person? These are questions I have asked myself. I don’t know if an answer can be found in scripture, but I set out to find my own real world answer.

First, let’s just acknowledge that turning the other cheek is damn hard. And first things first...check your pride at the door...no room for it here. You are going to regurgitate and swallow your pride a thousand times in this process. It totally sucks to be hurt. It totally sucks to focus on someone hurting you over and over with no apology and no acknowledgement of your pain. And it totally sucks to hand them your heart, once again, while you are still in pain. But I’m going to attempt to make the case for doing it anyway.

At first I kind of felt like a chump each time I turned my cheek to someone. I felt walked on…like I was ALLOWING this person to treat me in a way that is unacceptable. But over time, something started to happen. Turning the other cheek started to feel liberating. With people whom I wasn't close or just getting to know, I focused on the possibility that this person could turn out to be a very very good friend…and...would I want to hurt a good friend? By turning the other cheek to them, I started to feel liberated from their actions instead of feeling pain. By handing them the power to hurt me again, I actually take that power away from them. Weird, I know. I don’t know how to explain how or why it occurs...it is just healing and the sole responsibility has been on me. Now, that is not to say that I don’t feel the initial sting of what they did to me. I do. I am human. I feel it and it hurts…and in many cases it hurts badly. I find myself wanting to explain to them how much they are hurting me but that seems to set me back in the process. That puts responsibility on them and takes it away from me and that isn't really fair at this juncture since they don't understand what I am trying to accomplish. The important thing to remember is that at the end of the day my mind and my heart have only my own actions to be accountable for. If I have always turned my cheek to someone, at the end of the day, my mind and heart are happy….my mind and heart are strong and healthy…my mind and heart are at peace…AND GET THIS…my mind and heart are totally in a place to forgive the person for their words and actions BECAUSE my mind and heart are not preoccupied by the pain. Again, weird, I know. Who woulda thunk it? Turning the other cheek to the person can and probably should also be accompanied by a firm statement of how you would like to be treated. This is not easy but is often necessary if that person doesn't understand the pain they have caused you....may not understand that their words or actions are hurtful and they may just need the tools to be a better friend. Hopefully, they will embrace your willingness to show them how you want to be treated and will feel your understanding and commitment to them and to your relationship. Ideally, the exponential value of turning the other cheek to someone won't even be fully realized by you because you won't see the amazing way it transcends every other relationship that that person has with others and so on and so on. You have started something rockin good and you have to have faith that the good will be self perpetuating.

So, is it difficult? Yes! And, it can be soooo frustrating. I want quick results. I want thanks and praise and "good job". But it is thankless and quiet and sometimes lonely. It is also a long lesson that needs to be consciously practiced in order for one to be good. Let me just say...I'm not there yet. But the cool thing is that you can forgive yourself for messing up every once in a while. You are building very strong relationships by turning the other cheek…relationships that aren’t going to crumble just because you had a bad day and couldn’t turn your cheek before your tongue got the best of you. And you will sleep at night knowing that you gave everything in your power in the name of love and that is all you can do.

Disclaimer…my practice of turning the other cheek does not apply to mental or physical abuse. So, being the loyal friend that I am, if someone is mentally or physically abusing you…give me a shout because, well, you know, I will totally go beat their ass for you…that’s what good friends are for and that's what I'm doing when I'm not turning the other cheek.

In The Thick of It

School is back in full swing. Between book club, Lit Class and Theme older child is currently reading three novels. It took us several years to get here but older child doesn't have to be nailed to a chair and forced to do homework anymore and younger child has always been very proactive with it so life is good now...except for the fact that I don't understand their homework half the time. We did a little school clothes shopping this afternoon. Younger child kept yelling "heads up momma" from the dressing room before she'd throw an outfit out for me to hang up. It's funny how people always comment on both my kids referring to me as "momma". The dressing room attendant said it was such a sweet term of endearment. I agree. I've always loved it. We don't know why either of the girls call me that instead of mom or mommy but they always have since they were babies. My youngest also refers to her big sis as "Sissy" also, more than by her real name. It's funny how they decide what to call people. Their grandpa has always been "Papa" instead of grandpa. Older child has also given most her girlfriends nicknames...like "Woodchip"! I guess it could be worse?

Nature & Science Museum