Sunday, January 25, 2009

I really have to go move snow, but I sit here under a blankee thinking can't it just blow away?  It's windy because I hear the chimes.   Now that reminds me of a story to share...

For three years in a row, I have been awakened in the spring by a robin that would continuously face plant into my front bay window.  Literally, body slam it over and over again.  Every time "he" bammed the window (yep - he liked himself a little too much!), there would be slime on the window and droppings on the swinging bench.  We had some conversations and stare downs, which didn't work.  So I think it was Mom that found the most hideous ceramic owl to scare "him."  My thought - if my stare downs don't scare him, a piece of fired clay isn't either.  I was correct.  Then I thought maybe chimes would work?  So, I bought this green glass and many copper tubes cheap thing and hung it from the gutter.  "His" beady little eyes thanked me for the background music.

Time to find the UnderArmour and displace some snow.


Saturday, January 24, 2009

This week flew.

Speaking of time flying, I just discovered I didn't mail my Christmas and New Year's cards.  So they along with boots and drug testing stuff to ship back are now piled together for a trip to the UPS Store.  Seriously - better late than never, plus it'll make them laugh.

No more drug testing.  I greatly miss the money and the time it made me carve to just sit with the guys and talk or tease about anything under the sun or the sun itself.

Must get moving...will fill my day with lots to do.


Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Ever look at your life to see what you've done or haven't?  Sit quietly in a hair salon for HOURS and it'll all come to you.  :)

Sue, a former co-worker of mine, said I have gypsy blood.  It struck me years ago when she opined this.  Maybe I see it now.  I wonder if this has been by choice or by plan?  It would be a plan unknown to me.

My EMS hobby turns 20 this year.  I grew up with it - the good, the bad, the indifference and the difference.  Kris has done it again and gave me a quote that is so timely and so mirroring:  
"My goal is to live each day as it's the last day I'll spend on this earth.  That doesn't mean I don't make plans, but I want to live so that I won't need tomorrow to correct the mistakes of today.  I want more meaning out of each thing I do or say.  I want to help others make life meaningful now."  - Don Piper


Sunday, January 18, 2009

I have sheet music to record for a men's chorus.  I'll test out the Mac's recording ability - wish the piano was better tuned.  The guys are very nice and quite complimentary, but with fire classes on the same night as practice and just my inability to commit to stuff I used to do...maybe this will help them.

Mom is on her way over for some bourbon balls in exchange for homemade cinnamon and peanut butter rolls.  I'm thinking I need to run to town for more vanilla wafers.  I can just taste Virgin Island rum balls now!

I have procrastinated long enough...only because I have no CLUE how to do this, but as usual will take it on anyway because there is no choice.  Off to the basement utility bathroom to disconnect the shower faucet, and take off a board that Grandpa insisted years ago that should be on there.  I've been advised recently no and in order to move forward with the project I'll do what I'm currently being told.  I love life.  If I don't blog for days, check the basement and see if I'm floating.  If I get through this, I'm definitely headed to town for more vanilla wafers.

Saturday, January 17, 2009

...and now another Saturday wisps away...

Didn't get to demolishing the bathroom.  Opted for Pilates and lifting, a run to drool at Lowe's, family, friends and finally the making of 100 proof bourbon balls.  They're marinating in the fridge.  

I'm cozy, comfy in UnderArmour, which I cannot speak highly enough of since they're like David to our frigid Goliath days.  Now to relax and catch up on some Private Practice episodes.
Clementine & clove burning.  Beer bread in the oven.  Bacon dip & veggies chillin'.  iTunes blaring.  Washing dishes, doing laundry and scrubbing the floor - it's the weekend!  Yahoo!

Friday, January 16, 2009

It's so cold that my banana runts froze.  

Sitting here literally cocooned in a blanket thinking my front bay window really needs to be added to the list of things to replace.  Tomorrow I will disassemble the basement shower faucets and destroy a little more.  

I never remember a day off of school for cold weather that is unless the school's boiler had a problem.  Now, schools close.  In the day of caregivers driving kids to school like ants shuttling peanut brickle crumbs?  Not like so many of the little souls are out there pounding the icy walks to make it in the nick of time.  Amazes me.  Yet it makes me think what generations think of one another.

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Chilly.  No, downright cold outside.  Energy zapping on such another busy week.  Time to support the immune system!

Received another random act of kindness today.  Just blows me away when that happens.  Must pass it on...

Asking for restful sleep tonight.

Monday, January 12, 2009

Car load to Goodwill yesterday, and from the looks of my closets, I'll be going there a few more times.  

Ever notice how you hang on to the oddest things?  Sometimes out of sheer laziness, other times as reminders of a moment.  Time to de-clutter - well, even more.  As though I'll ever be wearing those silver prom shoes again or the outfits I sewed.  [I know some of you are saying, "she's only getting rid of one pair?!" while others are thinking, "HOLY!  She sewed?!"]  All of the t-shirts collected from the events I've volunteered for could clothe a village, and not a small village either.  Quite a few years ago I put the special ones in my second hope chest.  Now that's a novel creation - hope chest.

It makes me laugh that I have two hope chests - how apropos.  My first one contained kitchen stuff amongst a few other things as I was collecting for the day I'd be on my own.  That day came and I sat here with borrowed bean bags, tv, piano, bed and now an empty hope chest.  But, I had a completely stocked kitchen.  The next purchases were a dining room table and hutch, oh and finally a sofa.  Place for the china came before that of the heiny.  

Looking around here it's hard to remember the scarcity.  Now I find myself giving more than collecting.  Life is a circle.

Friday, January 9, 2009

Did a wheelie while making a quick 90 with the snowblower this morning. Here's a suggestion: don't do that. So there I am in my jammies, middle of the driveway, holding the thing up with one arm and trying to put the track back on with the other. That was, of course, after attempting reverse to re-thread it. Result: drag the thing up the front driveway in disgust and call Dad.

Excited for the weekend! I'm clearing out the basement utility / bathroom because after 15 years I'm thinking I need to finish it. Found a mason and on to figuring out the rest soon! If interest rates drop any more, I might refinance in these last few years left on the house. Lots of stuff I'd like to do to that place, yet the question remains: how much should I when it's not my dream?

I have always envisioned a small rustic, yet modern, home with huge windows showcasing The Lake. Open floor plan, cathedral ceiling, natural beams with ironwork. Tulikivi soapstone firebox with bake oven smack in the middle sporting warmed surrounding bench seats. Natural wood of maple and cherry throughout - not a lick of oak. My American walnut baby grand. Loft. A cook's kitchen with an island and prep sink. Stone waterfall shower. Very clean, simple architecture - Scandinavian in nature.

Mmmmm - can you see it..?

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Life is getting a little bit more like it used to be, but is that a good thing?  Something going on all of the time, yet pushing myself for more experiences.

This need for MORE all started in nursery school.  It wasn't good enough to just be part of the group.  I would gather the fellow kids into a semi-circle and pretend to read to them, play the piano, and then when it was time to leave stand at the door making sure they were properly attired.  Mother hen started early.

Elementary through middle school was kick in the rear creative time.  Remember those big corkboards?  Loved doing montages on those instead of just boring recess.   Drawing and painting flourished but only hockey players, sticks, and skates.  Scrapbooking - you guessed it, hockey, and writing a few poems.  I insisted on getting the Almanac.  Little did Mom know, I needed it for a NHL team's address.  My poetry had to get to someone.  I told her a few years later.  

Fourth grade came along and so did working at the shop after school by entering parts orders on a Commodore computer.   That reminds me of science class show & tell:  cylinder, piston, rings, valve and plug to be followed by how the body makes dreams.  Odd little child.  Remember - opposites attract.

Newspaper, yearbook, ace-ing basketball so I could flat out refuse gymnastics (I'd still do that to this day!), and playing for choirs that now seemed to be coming out of the woodwork.

High school - too much to list.  Then came the deluge:  rally, EMS, working at least one job or more, taking college classes and doing a few other things.  :)

Juggler.  Are you one too?

Saturday, January 3, 2009

Things that make me go hmmm...rescue swimmers, rodeo clowns, goalies - shall I stop 'cause I'm thinking there might be a theme emerging?  ha!  On the topic of themes, as you may know music is at my core.  Eclectic is an understatement.  In these wee hours, I've downloaded everything from Black Rebel Motorcycle Club to Vitamin String Quartet.  The link to Shattered over and on the right of this page is an interesting piece too.

Be adventuresome!  Listen to something totally uncharacteristic of you.  Who knows upon what you may stumble.  It is amazing what music can do...

Friday, January 2, 2009

January 1st motivation...

Two huge bags for Vinnies, an outdoor trash can full, reconnects with people of the past and a hilarious time with totally new.  Whew!  It is like I've been trying to head up the fish ladder and now I just reversed and jumped the dam!

I finally hooked up the Canon printer yesterday that I received months ago.  Goodness - it is very nice & much better than I ever expected.  Why did I wait this long?  I was encouraged New Year's Eve to gallery my photography.  I'm starting to find that a bit intriguing.

Just noticed all of my plants are calling for refreshments.  Time to get moving around here.  Ooo - I can legitimately wear curvy low rises to work on Fridays starting today.  I suspect that is the best fundraiser for work's Foundation.

Lyn