Grammy Awards...

I've had the Grammy Awards on in the background while I am working on paperwork and preparing for another work week. It is amazing to me how very out of touch with reality some of these performers are...and yet there are a few who make me feel hopeful for the future....Taylor Swift being among those. She seems so genuine -- and doesn't dress like a two-bit streetwalker like some do!

I also can't believe that the network has the show on a delay to "silence" lyrics and comments from the presenters that may be "objectionable" to the American public. Sigh...perhaps I need to get some more sleep to get rid of the "grumblies" that seem to have a grip on me today. Here's hoping for a better day tomorrow.

Until next time...

Hibernation Anyone?

One of my resolutions for the new year was to do less "hibernating" than I did in the last half of 2009 (during the whole heart-ripped-out and feeling like no oxygen in my lungs phase). I have been trying to do better, but watching the news and all the horrible things going on in the world makes me not ever want to leave the house again. "People are resilient" says the newscaster over the reports showing all the dead and struggling people in Haiti, the murders going on not too far from my very own zip code, and another Amber Alert for a missing baby who should be playing dolls instead of being in a situation where her life may be at stake. The idea of hibernation sounds better and better with every "breaking news" report. Perhaps I should modify my resolution to "learn to be more resilient" in the New Year.

Until next time...

Happy National Penguin Day!

In honor of my Bestie, who loves penguins, Happy National Penguin Day! I personally dig the penguins from Madagascar...they now even have their own show...what a hoot!...I also discovered a fun site called Penguin Geek. Isn't the Interweb such a wonderful thing?!

After hearing the announcement of today's big holiday on my local evening news, I went to Google only to find that it was actually yesterday....sigh...yet another time that I'm a day late and a penguin short (that's actually pretty darn funny for oh so many reasons!)! And local news station staff wonder why people are relying more on the internet for news...they didn't even adequately notify me of this majorly significant event so I could prepare in advance.

So...."Happy Belated National Penguin Day!" and "Happy National Hugging Day!" That works equally well as a shout out to my Bestie as well! :-)

Interestingly enough, I discovered that tomorrow is "Answer Your Cat's Question Day." Looks like I'll be needing Google yet again!

Until next time...

Something to Look Forward to....

At the risk of sounding a little cliche, I've begun to think my lack of having something to look forward to may be contributing to my ongoing case of the "blues." I haven't planned anything major in the way of fun goings-on for several months (see earlier post referencing heart-ripped-out....and which I dedicate this special, oh-so-apropos song), which may be part of what is making me a rather grumbly bear. Shouldn't we MAKE time to plan ourselves some fun in between all the work time we seem to put in?! Sheesh, already!

That being said, I am excited to officially announce that a dear friend and I talked about attending an upcoming Jimmy Buffett concert and were actually able to get tickets...now if that isn't a real-live-Christmas-miracle-in-January, I don't know what is!! I revere and applaud her perseverance and online-ticket-purchasing-prowess that has opened the magical door to an upcoming day of Parrot-headed fun and frivolity.

For those who are not familiar with Jimmy Buffett concerts, I consider said concerts as the closest I have personally ever been to an honest-to-goodness religious experience. If you need confirmation (could I make many more bad religious puns?) of my claim, check out Margaritaville or even more appropriately given my claim of religiosity, the Church of Jimmy Buffett website(s). I can't believe there is even a Facebook page for Jimmy Buffett tailgating before the concerts! Been ten years since I went to see the man live and in person (life moves waaaaaay too fast, and I have been too busy doing what others want me to do rather than what I want to do -- to hell with that foolishness!), so there is so much more "virtual Buffett connectivity" that I have to look forward to checking out!

It's going to be an adventure just finding and unpacking the box that has my Buffett concert gear from years past securely within. My homemade parrot t-shirt; leis; my parrot sunglasses; wheeeee! I'm really looking forward to planning for me some tequila-laced, hula-skirt-wearing, boy-flirting, fin-making, dancing-and-singing-along-with-50,000-fans FUN! Wooo Hooooo, indeed!

Signed with love, the Smart Woman (in a Really Short Skirt)

Until next time...

I Want That!

Just got home from the grocery and am still chuckling about the little boy who was in line behind me. He was with his Grandma, and kept touching everything (really....everything!) in the hard-to-resist impulse buy section by the registers. While he was young enough to still be a little hard to understand, he was clearly and forcefully saying "I want that!" with each thing he touched. Now Grandma, in her all-knowing-Grandma-voice-of-reason, kept saying to him "You don't want that....it's cotton candy!" "You don't want that....it's a candy bar....that's not good for you!" With each of her explanations, he would eagerly reply "Uh huh!" I loved it when he finally responded to her litany of you-don't-want-that-lines with a sigh and in the saddest little voice..."But, I NEED that!" :-D

Seeing this little guy in action made me realize how easy it is for each of us to blur that fine line between our wants and needs, no matter our age. And, there are always an abundance of people (like the Grandma in the store) who are always telling us what we should and shouldn't want.

I think I would rather approach life like the little boy than the Grandma...I'm just saying. What about you?

Until next time...

Sunday Night

Watching the Golden Globes (Ricky Gervais is a hoot!) and relaxing....so very happy that tomorrow is a holiday which means no nasty wake up by phone alarm at the crack of dawn....HOORAY! Happy Sunday to you...

Until next time...

Helping Out

Seeing what the people in Haiti are living right now is gut-wrenching. The images on the news are horrifying and the situation is going to get worse before it gets better. I'm gathering items for a local food and medicine drive, but wish I could do more. Hope you will find a way to help out from your part of the world. Every one of us doing something CAN make a difference...

Until next time...

Curvy Women?

Was web surfing and came across an Oprah piece about the best jeans for "curvy women"...okay, I thought...let's see what she has to say.

A group of "plus size models" -- all who looked to be about a size 6 -- were featured in these jeans with the designers talking about wanting to make jeans for "real women." I wonder what planet these people live on. Give me a frakking break!

Until next time...

Turn Signals

I was in a meeting this morning where the discussion kept going off all in sorts of unexpected directions, and it reminded me of my proclamation from years ago that the world would be a much easier place to navigate if PEOPLE had turn signals like cars do!

Of course, we would still have to contend with the idiots who just plain wouldn't have the good sense to use them (just like when driving -- I despise those people! there's a very good reason that turn signals are not optional equipment on cars, folks!)...but think of the bliss of having someone signal before taking off in a different direction than you are presently moving....both during conversations and while physically moving around.

No more verbal tangents without clear warnings before hand..."blink, blink, blink...I'd like to discuss this now!"...no more shopping in the crowded mall only to be run into by the crazy lady on a mission to get the best prices ever on the very item you are getting ready to pick up...."blink, blink, blink...I'm headed your direction now!"...no more relationships where you think you are traveling the same direction when you really aren't..."blink, blink, blink...hazards flashing....danger ahead!" We all know people who would just be running around all the time with their hazards blinking...a visual cue to move away as quickly as possible for self-preservation.

And just think of all the options to personalize and accessorize your blinkers based on your mood or fashion leanings. I can imagine signals in all colors...neon, pastels, checkerboard patterns...and shapes...smiley faces, skull and crossbones, superheroes.. the possibilities for creativity is endless!

I may just be on to something here. If this becomes the new "thing," I sure hope there are royalties involved! Remember, you heard it here first...

Until next time...

Letting Go

Just came across this beautiful representation of one of my goals for the new year. I love Mary Engelbreit's work and miss her magazine, but recently found her blog. Kudos, Mary!

On my quest toward meeting what has become one of my primary New Year resolutions -- continuing to heal my heart (hence, the "let go" mantra) -- I was browsing in the 306 section of my public library (don't forget the importance of supporting your public library and the gift of free browsing for all!) when I stumbled upon a wonderful book: Drunk, Divorced and Covered in Cat Hair by Crazy Aunt Purl (a.k.a. Laurie Perry).

Thankfully, my library visit was on a Friday, as I took the book home and sat down to take a glance, and subsequently stayed up late into the night and read the entire thing! Her words were like reading a recounting of my own crazy emotional journey of the past six months (and the cat on the cover even looks a LOT like my newly adopted fuzzy ball of kitty love).

The day after my marathon night of reading, I was delighted to discover Laurie's blog! I was also excited to find that she just released her second book -- Home is Where the Wine Is -- which I ordered that very day. The Amazon fairy delivered my package including the new book last night, so I'm off to continue reading. Thanks, Crazy Aunt Purl!

Until next time...

The Price of Groceries

I just got home from the grocery and am once again appalled at how two little bags (you know, those cool recycle bags that I -- and everyone who gives a whit about the planet -- now use) of stuff can end up costing a million-trillion dollars. Okay, this may be one of those times I am exaggerating a bit -- but only a bit, mind you!

While I did buy a few "healthier" food items than over the holidays since it is now the new year and the requisite time to at least pretend to try and eat better, I still don't understand why everything has to cost SO darn much! I downright dislike spending my hard-earned money on things like lettuce, toilet paper, fat-free milk, Lean Cuisine meals, and laundry detergent when I have so many other critical needs -- you know, Dibs, DVDs of Big Bang Theory and other shows I love, Caramel Bugles (If you haven't tried these yet...put on your shoes and go to the store right these very second....trust me on this one!), new socks (preferably fuzzy soft socks with monkeys on them), and even more of those cute usable bags for my next shopping trip to ensure our planet will survive. Don't you see my struggle here?

Not only does the price of everything at the store downright frighten me, but there are times I swear I am channeling my mother. I have found myself standing in the grocery aisle looking at something thinking (sometimes even quietly talking to myself -- another indication of the maternal spirit temporarily overtaking me) "That costs $4.59 now?! I can remember when it was only 25 cents! Sheesh!"

When the self-talking-out-loud part happens, it never fails that there is some cute boy in earshot. I'd love to dream that it is my irresistible beauty that draws his gaze, but when I see the "what the ?%#*" look he is giving me, I realize my dreaming is just that.

My occasional self-talking-out-loud is only one of many reasons I have taken to wearing my blue-tooth headset even when I'm not on a phone call. This magical little device gives me an automatic "save" as I can just wink and point at the headset, like my Bestie is at that very moment on the other end agreeing with me about the insanity of today's store prices. It's important to note that there are a good many times that she -- or my mother, which only intensifies the channeling experience -- is indeed on the line sympathizing with my misery over the high prices the Universe is imposing upon us all.

Sooooooo...next time you see me in the store and I appear to be talking to myself, help me out and tell that cute boy that I must be on the line with my Bestie! Are you with me?

In the meantime, I'll keep sighing at the cost of everything I need, and buy a few more lottery tickets. You can't win if you don't play, you know?!

Until next time...

Happy Hump Day!

Having a sense of humor is what keeps me going some days -- today just happens to be one of those days! :-) Until next time....

BRRRRRR!

I cannot believe how COLD it is this week! I purposely packed the cat, sold my house and moved to warmer climates so I wouldn't have to deal with being bundled up like Ralphie's brother Randy of "I can't put my arms down!" fame in Christmas Story!

Okay, I admit the first couple of days were kinda' fun...pulling coats, gloves and furry scarves out of the minuscule -- and rarely visited -- coat closet (this is warmer climates, so who needs much of a coat closet, right?!)....but I am now officially SOOOOO OVER IT!

I have been using all my usually stored-away blankets -- I do so love the smell of the blankets stored in my cedar chest! -- and pillows to keep me warm, which means a mattress buried deep below these lifebuoys from the cold that is beginning to creep in as the night progresses. Wish me luck as I venture off to try to find the bed and a warm spot to sleep! Maybe warmer weather will come to me in my dreams tonight... :-) Is it spring yet?!

Until next time...

Reminiscing

Even with all the excitement and promise of the New Year, seems I have managed to relapse today into reminiscing and missing what I thought I had in my former relationship. Decided to go online in an attempt to find some form of solace, some easy answer to make my heart stop aching so much. Stumbled across an online posting that included an eerily accurate description of the "person" who ripped my heart out last year.

He believed himself to be a good person. Women believed it too. Sensing in him a ferocity of commitment that was rarely found in modern men, women had often allowed themselves to fall in love with him, surprising themselves--these wised-up, cautious women!--by the speed with which they charged outward into the really deep emotional water. And he didn't let them down. He was kind, understanding, generous, clever, funny, grown-up, and the sex was good, it was always good. This is forever, they thought, because they could see him thinking it too; they felt loved, treasured, safe. He told them--each of his women in turn--that friendship was what he had instead of family ties, and, more than friendship, love. That sounded right. So they dropped their defenses and relaxed into all the good stuff, and never saw the hidden twisting in him, the dreadful torque of his doubt, until the day he snapped and the alien burst out of his stomach, baring multiple rows of teeth. They never saw the end coming until it hit them. His first wife, Sara, the one with the graphic verbal gift, put it thus: "It felt like an ax-murder." Excerpt from: Salman Rushdie, "Fury" mentioned by member libbyagnes on web site/blog "Narcissististic Abuse Recovery"

Sigh...who knew Salman Rushdie, of all people, had met the man I thought I knew?!

Okay -- tomorrow's another day, Scarlett. Let's hope for better things after some sleep.

Until next time...

Out of the Mouths of Babes

Children are amazing creatures. Not that I have or want one of my own, thank you very much, -- I have a spoiled rotten cat who is more than enough for me to keep up with -- but I am blessed to have several young people in my life via my "friend-mily." Over the holidays and glorious time spent at a number of gatherings, there were several "gems" that are just too good not to share!

I attended Christmas Eve services with dear friends whose company includes that of a bright, adorable 3 year old boy who I don't see regularly since his parents live about 5 hours away. I met up with these friends at the church, and then we all drove back to the house for dinner. Two of us came in after the others, and while the little extrovert quickly jumped in to conversation with me, he suddenly stopped and looked all serious when advising his Nana while pointing my direction, "she followed us home!"

At a Christmas Day gathering in the home of a large extended family I visit on holidays and special occasions, the 2 1/2 year old daughter of a family member came up to me and sat down like she hangs out with me every day. I was at first rather surprised -- and somewhat flattered -- that she remembered me, since I hadn't seen her since Thanksgiving (which I thought was the equivalent of a hundred years or more from a 2 1/2 year old's perspective of time). She is an outgoing, intelligent young lady who speaks quite well for one of her tender age, and she immediately said hello and began to tell me about Santa's visit. She scooted up next to me and was all smiles, when someone else at the table asked her if she remembered my name. She enthusiastically shook her head yes, and when pressed looked up at me and excitedly responded, "CHIPS!" The driving force behind her personal visit was actually the chips and salsa on the table in front of where I was sitting...so much for that momentary feeling of being so memorable! ;-)

How much nicer the world would be if we could all retain that naivety of childhood! To be able to say what was on our minds no matter the audience. Not always having to censor each and every utterance for fear of being misunderstood or labeled as "someone who believes X -- can you believe she said THAT?!" To eat ice cream and let it drip down our hands and faces with reckless abandon. To be rewarded with M&M's for going potty. Ahhhhhh....the simple wonders of the world.

I'm going to make an honest effort to regain some of my innocence and enjoyment of the little things around me without worrying so much. Perhaps I should celebrate my first day back at the office after the holidays (grumble, grumble, grumble) by taking in a big bucket of ice cream and cones to share with my colleagues at lunch time? Maybe I will even let a little drip here and there....I'm just saying... ;-)

Until next time...

Resolutions? Really?

A little levity amid all this talk of the requisite New Year's resolutions (if only I could make a resolution that would bring back Calvin and Hobbes...sigh...).

Even the morning news show crews are carrying on about what we "should" resolve to do this year...would you please just tell me what the weather is going to be today?! How about the news shows resolve to start covering actual news? I need a another coffee drink...

Until next time...

Honoring Every Experience

Leo Daily Horoscope - January 1, 2010

You may feel insightful about your experiences and enjoy a deeper connection with your spiritual wisdom today. As a result, you could find yourself reflecting on the richness of human experience and recognizing the growth benefits of challenges. A good activity to engage in would be writing about the challenges you’ve faced in your own life and honoring the ways they have helped you grow into who you are today. Not only can this inspire you when you see how far you’ve come in your spiritual journey, it can also help you feel more empowered about any new obstacles you may face in the future. At the same time you are honoring your trials, you may also want to think about the more joyful periods of your life and embrace the memories for the feelings of gratitude and hope they invoke.

Kinda' eerie that this was my horoscope on the day after I started this blog (Twilight Zone music playing here)...hmmmmm...perhaps I truly WAS supposed to blog a bit?! Who's with me?! ;-)

Until next time...

Happy 2010....FINALLY!

I hope this finds you having a remarkable start to this promising New Year!

After sleeping in (a delicious treat, no matter how many times I indulge!), I am enjoying a lazy morning in my fluffy bath robe and slippers, watching bowl parades while having a cold coffee drink (YUM!), and reading the news and some of my favorite blogs. Amid all this decadent, Id-driven behavior, I find myself dreaming of all the exciting things the new year will bring while also reflecting on the year past. I can start those resolution-thingymajigs TOMORROW - after all, I have a whole year to take care of that stuff, so why be in a big rush?

Right now, I have contemplation at hand. Then in a flash, I remembered -- I now have a BLOG! I can tell the entire world what is on my mind....WOW! Thank you again, Bestie! :-)

When I think of 2009, my experience is best summed up by a quote from an obscure movie from the '90s, That Old Feeling, where Bette Midler's character goes on a rant and prophetically asks: "I know when life gives you lemons you make lemonade, but what are you supposed to do when life gives you SHIT?!"

Sadly, 2009 was the year of a fair amount of proverbial shit for me. The biggest pile of doo-doo arrived when I rather unexpectedly (understatement of the millennium!) had my heart ripped out and stomped on by a man (and I use that term rather loosely) I gave my love and trust to without reservation; unfortunately, I had given a precious gift to the wrong person. It has taken me 6 months of hard road to get to today...and some days are still better than others...but enough about the ICK, since - thankfully - not everything in 2009 was caca!!

Kinda' serendipitously (or was it?) within a week of the shit-hitting-the-fan, I came across a book written by an insightful Buddhist monk, Ajahn Brahm, Who Ordered This Truckload of Dung? Can you believe the irony of the title?! This little book helped me put perspective on what at the time seemed like my entire world crumbling in around me. If you find yourself dealing with a rough patch, or just want a good read, check it out! Ajahn Brahm also has a series of Dhamma talks on YouTube that I find thought-provoking.

While trying to survive the misery that comes with the whole heart-ripping thing, I also gained a genuine understanding of what it really means to be a friend -- from the kind angels who came forward and let me rely upon them to help me keep my head above water when I couldn't do even that for myself. Words cannot begin to express how much I treasure my dear "friend-mily" and all the love and support each one of them gave -- and continue to give -- me. From 3 a.m. "I can't breathe" phone calls, showing up at my house on my birthday with cars full of food, a homemade cake, and gifts, to guilting me into getting up off my butt to come over and eat a homecooked meal....I continue to be grateful for every little thing, and pledge to pay-it-forward each and every time I have the opportunity to do so! Their encouragement has allowed me to make my way through a life-altering experience.

Even though I was a bit of a mess for the second half of the year (see heart-ripping, above), I still managed to find a great house on the water (I am a fire sign, but thrive around water -- go figure?!), and survive a grueling interview process to be selected for a highly-competitive professional position -- a big promotion for me! Made me realize I actually am pretty slappin' good at what I do for a living, since I beat out all those other candidates...and after weeks upon end of no sleep, a sick stomach every time I tried to eat, and all my worldly possessions -- including my interview suit! -- heaven-knew-where in a house stacked full of boxes! GO ME! :-)

Looking forward (the view is much better that direction!), my plans for the New Year include cherishing every bit of time I have with my friend-mily members (including an upcoming visit from my Bestie -- WAAAHEEE!), continuing to nurture and heal my heart, and reminding myself regularly that while things don't always turn out the way we believed they would, there is some bigger plan we aren't necessarily supposed to understand as we walk the path.

Whew! With all these lofty aspirations, I better go for now. Not to start on that BIG stuff yet (remember, we have a whole year to get that done!)! Right now, the Rose Bowl Parade is about to begin and I don't want to miss a single cheesy float or marching band!

I dare to dream of many more relaxing, robe-wearing, coffee-drinking moments in the year ahead -- now THAT'S a resolution I might actually be able to meet! -- and wish for the same (actually, your personally-defined, equally-exquisite moment of serenity) for you and yours.

Until next time....