So When Did Pink Floyd Become An Oldie?

Driving home and listening to the hard driving tunes of Bob Segar and Pink Floyd bopping my head and car dancing...the DJ announces that was on FLASHBACK 93...say it isn't so!!! Oh yes my friends, a new "oldies" station has been born and it is not my parent's music...it is MINE!!! Michelle, Heather and I were exercising to some of Michelle's tunes and she says, "next time, I'll bring my 80's mix" My girls were a product of the eighties, hair, clothes...that was their childhood...and I was a young mother! I promise it was NOT that long ago! I wake up on occasion and think darn, I am fifty years old...I need to revise my list of to dos because I have figured on having at least another 30 or 40 years of living to do and I want to live "Large" not my size, my lifestyle! Around my birthday I was thinking of hairstyles through the years...for your viewing pleasure hair dos and don'ts.

The ever popular "pixie" of the 60's. Thanks alot, Twiggy! The 70's (my "hey days") had me sporting the part in the middle straight style that all the guys and girls were wearing!
(think "Dazed and Confused") Towards the end of the seventies, as I was entering my first marriage I chose a more "grown up" hairstyle.

As a young Mom in the eighties I sported a short hairdo, the wash and wear variety. Most times, it was much shorter than this...with Michelle 1981

Rolling into the 90's, this decade of my life had me in a new marriage and having the time of my life.
Sometime during a new millenium...Heather lived in Chicago for a very brief time much to her Mother's dismay!

A shade too blonde for me...my husband did not like the short look at all...he was always complimentary but he likes my hair long. Growing out the short "do", my hair was blowing in the wind, I did not get alot of photos, it was not the most flattering of styles. We do what we must!

I am entering my 50's with longer tresses and highlights, not as blonde, closer to my natural state...not quite ready to let nature takes it course and be grey! So which style do you think suits me best???

If you are looking for me I will be beboppin to the "oldies" station, singing and dancing with the top down (on the car, silly) workin on some "Night Moves" Soon to come...the long awaited, newly revised to do list or "The Bucket List"

The Light Will Come

It's easy to fall into fear and despair regarding the depressing economic news, but it's important to remember that spiritual principle transcends all that. God's laws are higher than economic laws, and God never goes into a recession.
Marianne Williamson

Fear is an illusion. Our craziness, paranoia, anxiety, and trauma are literally all imagined. That is not to say they don't exist for us as human beings. They do. But our fear is not our ultimate reality, and it does not replace the truth of who we really are.
—Excerpted from A Return to Love: Reflections on the Principles of A Course in Miracles

There is a crack in everything. That's how the light gets in. (unknown)

One of my favorite songs by singer, songwriter, Michael McLean states...hold on the light will come...

As we are stumbling through the darkness we must hold onto the surety that we are loved and that we are so much more than our problems and concerns...everything is a test...some days the test is a piece of cake...other days, not so much. The key is to take the trials and learn from them and move on...there is ALWAYS "a light at the end of the tunnel"

I find that when I close in on myself and stay in the dark...my spirit shrinks. When I choose to open the windows of my soul, express joy and love...my spirit expands and soars!

My plan for the weekend is to "get out" of the house, so to speak and expand my spirit in whatever way is presented.

We live in uncertain times...we have trials and troubles...joy and happiness still abound, sometimes we have to dig a little deeper to experience Life to its fullest!

I saw a card recently that basically had someone jumping for joy and it said "Any day above the ground is a GOOD day!

My soul longs for the sea...a walk along the shore casting troubles out with the waves...yep...maybe this stinking cough will go out to sea as well. May each of you feel loved, feel joy and have a most wonderful weekend. God has created a beautiful world for us and for this I am deeply grateful!!!

(photos were taken by me on various trips to the Florida and South Carolina coasts)

Happy Friday the 13th, Happy Valentine's Day and Happy Anniversary Darling Husband!

As we celebrate twelve years of wedded bliss (smile) I inspire you with the following poem by Elizabeth Barrett Browning...here's to many more!

How do I love thee?

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight
For the ends of being and ideal grace.
I love thee to the level of every day's
Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light.
I love thee freely, as men strive for right.
I love thee purely, as they turn from praise.
I love thee with the passion put to use
In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith.
I love thee with a love I seemed to lose
With my lost saints. I love thee with the breath,
Smiles, tears, of all my life; and, if God choose,
I shall but love thee better after death.
-- Elizabeth Barrett Browning

And a very lovely weekend to all! XOXOXOXOXOXO

In my mind I'm going to California

Gonna feel the sunshine...gonna slap some sense into my irresponsible selfish brother, lah, lah...

First and foremost on my mind lately...my brother is on the lam and my Mother is going to end up owing $10,000 to a bail bondsman. I begged and pleaded with her not to help him again...it enables him to continue his bad behavior and not be responsible for said behavior. If he hasn't "manned up" at the age of 41...I sorta do not think it is ever going to happen. A parking ticket and later an impound notice arrived in my Mother's mailbox from San Diego, California. One can only assume this is where the errant child has gone? My brother is a sociopath...he meets the criteria for every item listed in Profile of a Sociopath ...he has broken our Mother's heart in little pieces over and over and over.

I have found in times of crisis I revert back to my Catholic upbringing and found myself saying some Hail Marys instead of cursing like there was no tomorrow. Lately...too much to do...too much responsibility...sunny, the glass is half full has turned into...the glass is close to empty, fill it up quickly and do it now, darn it!!! And clear the decks I am in no mood to be trifled with...

which turns into massive guilt for feeling petty, angry and resentful...

My Mom does not drive...which means I take her shopping and run her errands. I would prefer to do the shopping myself however I do realize that she enjoys my company and she likes to look at every single solitary thing in Wal-Mart (did I mention I loathe Wal-Mart?) Tromping around Wal-Mart only becomes an issue when somebody is SICK AGAIN!!!

Yes, I am beyond ill and I really do not have time for such foolishness...trying to get everything together for corporate income tax returns which are due March 15th! So why I am posting instead of working...I thought it would help to "unload" so that I could clear the cobwebs and concentrate on what needs to get accomplished this week.

I am thankful I have a job in a time when so many are unemployed and struggling to stay in their homes and put food on the table. You do not appreciate a youthful, healthy body until it starts declining and fails you somewhat...I appear to be unable to concentrate while reading and forget trying to knit, my fingers keep getting tangled up...I am thankful I still have my hearing and eyesight and that I get up each morning, I am achy but I am up and walking around on my own two feet!

My father in law will begin Chemotherapy again on Friday...I have watched his decline but the man is one tough old bird...he started this business in 1949 and has not missed a day's work since...it makes me sad to see him so frail. My mother in law is in remission at the moment and we hope it stays this way...I do not like to feel annoyed or overwhelmed by their simple requests

My shoulders are wide and I am the sounding board and the cheerleader, where are my cheerleaders and my sounding board...right here, you say...

I am doing my level best to embrace the challenging times...it would help if my mind and body would cooperate...perimenopause/menopause/pms whatever you call all that... ain't for sissies!!!

So pass me a cup of good will, wishes and cheer...I will be over in the corner saying some Hail Marys thankful that my sense of humor and iron will are still intact!

P.S. Husband, darling, dearest...what's up with the big pile of clothes on your side of the bed...you KNOW we have a hamper and you know where it lives.

I AM CALM!!!

I am not stressed...I am perfectly calm...I will not scream...I will breathe...I will be okay...

Please pass the chocolate and some tissues!!!

Okay I'll Play and the Award Goes to...

I was recently given the Honest Scrap award by Grandma Kathleen and this one by Delicious Bass. I appreciate the thought from my fellow bloggers and will respond somewhat according to the rules...you are supposed to tag other folks...consider yourself tagged if you want to play along!
The Honest Scrap award suggests that you list ten HONEST things about yourself that others may not know...hmmm...my life is such an open book I'll have to get super creative!

1. In the height of the series "Dark Shadows" and similar genre...a friend and I decided we wanted to be witches. She had all kinds of interesting doo dads but the whole thing frightened my catholic self so badly that I quit hanging out with her. Wicca and that sort of thing holds a fascination for me because I am terribly curious...It also scares the wits out of me!!!

2. A friend (whom shall remain nameless) and I worked with a horrid, mean woman that was extraordinarily superstitious, she grew up in the low country with lots of voodoo etc. and we secretly plotted to buy chicken feet and scatter them all over her yard...We mended the error of our ways (we were afraid she would have a heart attack or shoot us) and did not do the chicken feet drive by but we still laugh about it.

3. This is no secret to anyone who knows me...I cry at the drop of a hat...if you cry in front of me I most certainly will cry right along with you.

4. I truly suffer from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder..certain things drive me to distraction...I am not as bad as Jack Nicholson in "As Good As It Gets" I totally relate to the television series
Monk. I am undiagnosed, although my medical doctor has prescribed various meds for me. My family likes to "mess with me" by re-arranging stuff in my house.

5. I am a pessimist and a cynic...truly I am...I work very diligently each day to accentuate the positive thus the whole Loose Lemons concept.

6. I can change messy diapers and take children to the potty all day long just don't talk about "boogers" to me! Blech...makes me gag every time!

7. I am terrified of alcohol consumption...we have a long line of alcoholics and substance abuse in our family and friend's families. It is a tragic thing to behold. I "just" eat too much of the wrong foods. Not good either!

8. I do not understand why I sometimes experience an overwhelming sense of melancholy when I am abundantly blessed.

9. Someday I would like to develop a stand up comedy routine however the idea scares me witless.

10. I am a huge contradiction of characteristics! (Aren't we all) example: I prefer to be low key and stay under "the radar" at the same time wishing to be noticed and receive attention.

The Kreativ Award suggestions are as follows:

7 things you did before you became a mom: that was such a long time ago...
1) I actually slept through the night
2) I went out A LOT...concerts, movies, nightclubs
3) I took showers when I WANTED TO.
4) I took Yoga classes and went to a gym regularly...oh yes I did.
5) I traveled to places on the "spur of the moment"
6) I ate regular, healthy meals at a table and did not eat leftovers off of other people's plates
(Moms, you know you did/do eat your children's leftovers provided they have not put their hands in it)
7) Read a whole book on a Saturday afternoon if I wanted to!

7 things you would like to do:
1) Travel to England, Italy, China, South America, Jerusalem and several other places
2) Visit Alaska and the other 23 states I have not seen.
3) Live in a cabin alongside a stream in the mountains...any mountains
4) Spend a lot of time visiting art museums!
5) Spend more time on art and creativity
6) Learn more languages! Re-visit my bilingual roots
7) Increase my humanitarian efforts

7 things that attract me to my husband...hmmm
1) He is extremely passionate about his beliefs.
2) He is funny, most of the time
3) He has a tender, sensitive side that most people do not get to see
4) He is very creative whether in music, drawing or designing electrical systems
5) He is protective of me and the children and grandchildren
6) He is generous to a fault, he always does things in a big way (i.e. buying me cars)
7) He is original, one of a kind, loving, and he thinks I am beautiful!

7 favorite foods...just 7???
1) Anything Chinese or Asian
2) My mom's crepe like pancakes
3) Sauerkraut, Collards, almost any greens
4) French fries, overly salted
5) Chocolate
6) Cheese Puffs
7) Cheese - any kind

7 things I say too often:
1) #%&@* in the car (use your imagination)
2) jeepers!
3) whatever
4) holy...whatever, holy cow, holy smokes etc.
5) Lord have mercy and I really mean it!
6) Yes
7) much to my dismay and shut up (no I am not proud of that one!)

Well, that is probably way more information than you care to have and by all means, if you wish, play along on your blog. Oh yeah, I am the Queen of Procrastination, which is why I am blogging instead of working on tax preparation!!!