My lil' family faced some tough decisions these past 48 hours.
Drowning in softball, we had to decide whether Bec was going to make it to her second playoff game, or proceed with a previously planned trip to Michigan to visit my parents.
Softball won.
Then came some not-really-but always-kind-of-anticipated difficulties from the X. One thing led to another, and I was left scrambling to figure out how to still get to Detroit for a Saturday night event with Cache Connections , have Bec make her afternoon game and avoid asking the X for any help, strictly based on principle.
I woke up at 3:30AM this morning to think about it. And with just a little (okay a LOT) of help from my fantastic friends, it worked it out.
So, instead of hanging with Fishy and Papa at the lake tonight, we were able to go to Culver's for dinner with our softball friends for dinner after Jess' first playoff win, ever.
Hard to feel bad about missing out on something when you are being bombarded with love, laughter and the company of truly outstanding friends.
Happiness is everywhere. Even when you aren't looking, it sneaks up behind you and gives you a big, warm hug.
Be ready. It's coming for you.
Friday, June 26, 2009
Thursday, June 25, 2009
i remember.
"The" Farrah Fawcett poster. I had hanging in my room. My older sisters made fun of me for it, and I was too young to really understand why.
To me, she was everything I guess maybe I wanted to be. Beautiful. Cool. Confident. Tough. And an "Angel."
We had the Charlie's Angels barbie dolls. I was always Jill. My sister Chrissy was always Kelly, and Suzy was always Sabrina.
The show was never the same once Farrah left, and replaced by Chris.
We also had a CA board game, and a secret Charlie's Angels fan club, with membership limited to the three of us and a few neighborhood friends.
Who didn't want to be able to kick some bad-guy ass every week with your bare hands? After all, the guns were really just fashion accessories.
And then, Michael Jackson. His death today only deepens the sadness and nostalgia for my generation.
Everyone loved him for his music, his immense talent and his ability to entertain.
Thriller, one of the greatest albums ever made. Loved by all. White, black, old, young. It didn't really matter. Even my dad liked him.
We danced to his music as teens on Sunday nights at Cagney's, an Oak Lawn bar that catered to teens that one night a week. It was where I first saw the much-anticipated Thriller video debut on MTV.
That night, the whole bar fell silent as together, we watched the magic unfold on a big screen television.
Jackson's life took many strange and troubling turns through the years. His death leaves many questions unanswered. I am certain in the weeks ahead, much more about his private life will be made known. Much of it will likely be even weirder than I can even imagine at this moment.
But nothing can take away the memories these two pop culture icons impressed in my formative years.
It reminds me that I am not getting any younger, but also that my life was made richer by the talents these two celebrities shared during a most impressionable time in my life.
To me, she was everything I guess maybe I wanted to be. Beautiful. Cool. Confident. Tough. And an "Angel."
We had the Charlie's Angels barbie dolls. I was always Jill. My sister Chrissy was always Kelly, and Suzy was always Sabrina.
The show was never the same once Farrah left, and replaced by Chris.
We also had a CA board game, and a secret Charlie's Angels fan club, with membership limited to the three of us and a few neighborhood friends.
Who didn't want to be able to kick some bad-guy ass every week with your bare hands? After all, the guns were really just fashion accessories.
And then, Michael Jackson. His death today only deepens the sadness and nostalgia for my generation.
Everyone loved him for his music, his immense talent and his ability to entertain.
Thriller, one of the greatest albums ever made. Loved by all. White, black, old, young. It didn't really matter. Even my dad liked him.
We danced to his music as teens on Sunday nights at Cagney's, an Oak Lawn bar that catered to teens that one night a week. It was where I first saw the much-anticipated Thriller video debut on MTV.
That night, the whole bar fell silent as together, we watched the magic unfold on a big screen television.
Jackson's life took many strange and troubling turns through the years. His death leaves many questions unanswered. I am certain in the weeks ahead, much more about his private life will be made known. Much of it will likely be even weirder than I can even imagine at this moment.
But nothing can take away the memories these two pop culture icons impressed in my formative years.
It reminds me that I am not getting any younger, but also that my life was made richer by the talents these two celebrities shared during a most impressionable time in my life.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
blues, blues, blues... greens, reds, yellow, oranges.
Thought I couldn't shake them blues lately.
Nothing in particular, just a few of those days when nothing seems quite right.
I spent a weird lil' day off gathering materials for a bankruptcy attorney and my divorce attorney. Have to meet with both to straighten out what I can, and continue the forward path in my life. Much like my divorce, I am facing a situation that really sucks getting through it, but you just know there are better days waiting on the other side.
I am going to give up on the house. Wave the white flag. Start over. Definitely not in the way I had hoped it would have gone, but circumstances sometimes spin out of my control, and take on a life of their own.
My friends are absolutely the best. I know that whenever I feel kinda crappy, I just need to sit down to a beer with them, and I feel so much better. It does wonders for juggling your perception and knowing everything is going to be just fine.
I have been reading Psalms the past week or so. I have learned so much, and again, miraculously at a time when I really need it:
"Be still and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10
"How awesome is the Lord Most High." Psalm 47:2
"...in God I trust, I will not be afraid." Psalm 56:4
Now, if only these mantras can fill my head and my heart.
I will see in rainbows again. Soon.
"
Nothing in particular, just a few of those days when nothing seems quite right.
I spent a weird lil' day off gathering materials for a bankruptcy attorney and my divorce attorney. Have to meet with both to straighten out what I can, and continue the forward path in my life. Much like my divorce, I am facing a situation that really sucks getting through it, but you just know there are better days waiting on the other side.
I am going to give up on the house. Wave the white flag. Start over. Definitely not in the way I had hoped it would have gone, but circumstances sometimes spin out of my control, and take on a life of their own.
My friends are absolutely the best. I know that whenever I feel kinda crappy, I just need to sit down to a beer with them, and I feel so much better. It does wonders for juggling your perception and knowing everything is going to be just fine.
I have been reading Psalms the past week or so. I have learned so much, and again, miraculously at a time when I really need it:
"Be still and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10
"How awesome is the Lord Most High." Psalm 47:2
"...in God I trust, I will not be afraid." Psalm 56:4
Now, if only these mantras can fill my head and my heart.
I will see in rainbows again. Soon.
"
Saturday, June 13, 2009
welcome back.
I don't know if I was avoiding writing or just didn't have the time.
Perhaps just a little of both.
Softball season takes up most of our "free time." So in reality, free time has been relegated to rain outs and other Acts of God.
There's not enough of it.
I was on furlough this week. Without Pay (WOP) week. Staycation. Whatever you want to call it.
Like millions of others in this economy, I am facing a 9 percent paycut and eight days without pay. For a grand total of a 15 percent cut.
I like being off. But it's a bitter pill to swallow.
"At least you still have a job."
"It's better than a 100 percent pay cut."
Yes, I know that's all true. The X finally will be employed again, beginning Monday. It's of some relief. Financially, it has been a pretty rough five months, and I have worked almost seven days a week to make sure stuff gets paid.
There has GOT to be more to life than this. Doesn't there?
I met with Dr. KA yesterday. We talked about plans for my future.
"Do you even know what you want?" he asked.
"I want to be happy and peaceful," I said.
"Ummm, nope. You don't even know what that means," he replied.
He's right. and that is both frustrating and insightful.
I am not looking forward to getting back to work. I enjoy being with the girls, going on a field trip with Bec, hanging out at the library. Doing some "happy photography." Not rushing around like an idiot to make our full schedule of games. Seeing friends and having sleepovers.
It's all good.
It's time I do figure out what the "happy and peaceful" thing is all about.
Otherwise, how will I know how to get there?
Perhaps just a little of both.
Softball season takes up most of our "free time." So in reality, free time has been relegated to rain outs and other Acts of God.
There's not enough of it.
I was on furlough this week. Without Pay (WOP) week. Staycation. Whatever you want to call it.
Like millions of others in this economy, I am facing a 9 percent paycut and eight days without pay. For a grand total of a 15 percent cut.
I like being off. But it's a bitter pill to swallow.
"At least you still have a job."
"It's better than a 100 percent pay cut."
Yes, I know that's all true. The X finally will be employed again, beginning Monday. It's of some relief. Financially, it has been a pretty rough five months, and I have worked almost seven days a week to make sure stuff gets paid.
There has GOT to be more to life than this. Doesn't there?
I met with Dr. KA yesterday. We talked about plans for my future.
"Do you even know what you want?" he asked.
"I want to be happy and peaceful," I said.
"Ummm, nope. You don't even know what that means," he replied.
He's right. and that is both frustrating and insightful.
I am not looking forward to getting back to work. I enjoy being with the girls, going on a field trip with Bec, hanging out at the library. Doing some "happy photography." Not rushing around like an idiot to make our full schedule of games. Seeing friends and having sleepovers.
It's all good.
It's time I do figure out what the "happy and peaceful" thing is all about.
Otherwise, how will I know how to get there?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
