I Am Blessed...

This weekend, I spent LOTS of time with some of my favorite little peeps. Saturday was my youngest nephew Harrison’s 4th birthday, and I joined my sister and her family to help celebrate the joy that is Harrison.

I had a blast watching that energetic, hyped up little boy run around the house. We shared my frozen Mountain Dew, which might have helped contribute to the hyper activity now that I think of it. OOPS! We played Legos and did some car crash testing with his new cars (HA!). We all went to Taco Bell (Harrison’s expensive dinner choice) for his birthday meal and then had yummy chocolate cake together afterwards. On Sunday, we had a BIG birthday party with lots of friends and family gathered together. It was awesome!

I came home last night pretty exhausted from my full weekend, but it was worth it. And today, I woke up feeling quite blessed.

I’m not a Mom myself, and I think those chances for motherhood are slipping past me. And I’m not being negative when I say that. I’m being real and honest. The clock is ticking after all. 

But while I’m not a mother, I am an aunt, and I love that role. I love spending time with any of my 5 nieces and 4 nephews! I love those precious moments! I’ve watched them develop from infancy to where they are now…

• one is married and living in another state
• one is getting ready to graduate high school and head to college
• one is more than ready to get a driver’s license
• one is singing in the school choir and trying not to be too boy-crazy
• one is in junior high and psyched to be a teenager now
• two are in the third grade - one is into fashion; the other is into Legos
• one is in kindergarten and starting to read
• one is getting ready for preschool and loves all things Darth Vader (Harrison).

Yes, I’m blessed to have such amazing “little people”** in my life. I have the opportunity to get the youngest ones hyped up on sugar and then send them back to their parents. I get to have fun with them and spoil them in my own way. I get to bond with them and hear their dreams as they share their hearts with me. I’m very fortunate. Thank you, LORD!

**DISCLAIMER: I probably need to stop calling them “little people.” I’ve been passed in height by 5 of them now, and the other 4 (all under 10 years old) are not far behind. YIKES! It’s rather sad that I am the height target they are all shooting for, which at just over 5 feet is not much of a goal. HA!

Invisalign Braces

Less than 24 hours into my first experience with Invisalign braces, I would call my behavior distracted. This is probably going to take some getting used to...

• I am tasting plastic - pretty much nothing else but plastic.
• I don't feel any pain, but I certainly haven't forgotten that I have something on my teeth.
• I slept just fine all night with the braces in my mouth.
• I can't keep my tongue from rubbing over the rough surfaces on the edges. 
• I miss drinking my red Crystal Light and my Diet Mountain Dew. It is recommended that you only drink water (aka clear liquids) while wearing Invisalign. (SIGH!)

Oh, Florence!!!

My church choir is planning a trip to Italy for late April / early May 2013.  

1. I am delighted at the prospect of returning to Europe.
2. I’ve not been to Italy yet and am eager to see it.
3. OK, quite honestly, the travel committee had me at the mention of Florence.

I became transfixed on the idea of Florence after reading E.M.Forster’s novel, A Room with a View, and seeing the exquisite 1985 film with Helena Bonham-Carter and Maggie Smith. Pure magic! I’ve been longing to visit Florence ever since. Perhaps like Lucy Honeychurch and her cousin Charlotte Bartlett, I am seeking an adventure, but I’m afraid I don’t travel smartly without my Baedeker.

Of course, there are other exotic places on the tentative itinerary that draw me in as well. Dreamy locales such as Venice, Milan, Cortona (Tuscany) and Rome – these certainly add to my momentous excitement. Truly, I think I could be ready to leave tomorrow if necessary. 

Saying Goodbye to a Dream

I grew up secretly dreaming of becoming a ballerina. My sister and I would twirl around our living room floor and practice our “moves.” It was a rather silly pipe dream now when I think about it.

1. My parents were against dancing. I don’t think they would be morally opposed to going to a ballet themselves, but they never would have allowed their daughters to take ballet lessons. Ballet is after all a form of dance.
2. I have no natural grace or elegance. None. No kidding. I’m a chunky klutz that always dreamed of being more lithe and airy than I truly am.
3. I have no “moves.” Seriously, have you ever seen me dance? Few have and lived to tell about it. I’ve got no sense of rhythm or general idea of how to move to music at all. Never have had. It’s rather sad.

So, truth be told, I don’t really think I missed “my calling” to become a dancer. I just think my thoughts on becoming a ballerina were merely a dream aspiration - one that I couldn’t pursue even if I had wanted to. I'm not bitter or angry about it either. It was just NOT meant to be, and the world is not weeping over the loss of the next Pierina Legnani.**

A few years ago, I went to a few ballet performances here in Indianapolis and loved every minute of it. I finally got the see The Nutcracker live and more modern works like Dracula, etc. It was mesmerizing and wonderful! I was ecstatic!

Soon after my friends and I opted to purchase season tickets to the ballet. This was our first time buying season tickets for ANYTHING, and it was exhilarating! We went to one magical performance on our season pass, and then the Indianapolis Ballet Company went bankrupt and closed down. It was so sad. (SIGH!)

But when I think back on it, it was also rather hilarious. It was certainly NOT hilarious that a company went under, we lost our investment, most importantly dancers lost their jobs, etc. But it was comically ironic that the first time we had ever paid for season tickets for anything, the company goes under. Hmmmm...perhaps this is why I’m still hesitant to buy season tickets for anything else? 

Tonight my friends and I are headed to see another ballet, Swan Lake, and I confess, I am giddy with excitement and anticipation. I've been twirling around my apartment all morning in preparation for this evening's performance. However, I now consider myself a patron of the arts rather than an active participant, which I think works out best for everyone.

**DISCLAIMER: I have not become a ballet history expert in the past 24 hours. I just googled something about ballet yesterday, and Pierina's name was mentioned as one of the greats. So I'm still not ready for the ballet category on Jeopardy! or anything like that. HA!**

Breaking Up Is Hard To Do...

Breaking up is hard to do…especially when you don’t recall how you got hooked up in the first place. Odd as it may seem that day is rather a blank slate for me. One moment I was free and untethered, carefree as a bird. The next moment, everything changed. Suddenly my whole world revolved around him, and we have been cosmically connected from that day on.

Isn’t this what every woman dreams of? To find that special someone who comes in and sweeps her off her feet? To be pursued and chased? To be loved for herself alone? Naively, I thought that was what I wanted, too, but I’m not so sure about that any more. It always looks blissful in the movies, but it’s much less romantic than Hollywood lets on, believe me.

You see, I had my doubts about him from the beginning, but he seemed so sure about us. He was convinced that we belonged together, and his confidence was alluring. I found myself falling under his mesmerizing spell. Call it karma or fate, I was drawn to him. What is a girl to do?

I tried to end our relationship three times. I tried to make it clear that there was no room in my life for him, On my third attempt, I thought that he understood and got my message loud and clear. I was sure it was the end of us, and I breathed a sigh of relief.

But then he showed up 4 days later, acting as if he had never left my side, and despite my best attempts to ward him off, I could feel myself being drawn in yet again. He’s a stubborn brute really, and I’m not sure what the attraction is that pulls us together, but I know of it's power. Even now, I think we’re done, but I know that he might reappear at any minute reminding me once again that we are one, and I’ll be putty in his embrace once more. I’m weak. I can’t fight him off anymore on my own.

Thus, I finally opted to seek out some more professional help. It was time to admit that I couldn’t sever ties with him on my own. I felt trapped and needed help in removing him from my life and putting boundaries in place to keep him from returning once more.

And so today, I visited an ENT, who gave me great hopes that together we can rid me of this immortal sinus infection. He believes we can take preventative measures to keep my infection from returning and end this vile parasitic relationship. I am thrilled. Sadly, this is my longest-running relationship in like forever, but, alas, it really needs to end. Honestly, I’ve never been quite so ready for a breakup. BRING IT!

Just the Little Stuff

I can fully identify with Francesca Battistelli’s song This is the Stuff. I had a weekend full of little things that just kept adding up and annoying the heck out of me. It was one of those weekends where I seemed to have misplaced my sense of humor and struggled to find it again.

• The water from my shower/tub leaked into the apartment below it. Not a big deal. I didn’t have to do anything about it, but maintenance showed up for the 20-minute repairs while I was in the middle of doing my hair for the day and getting ready to head to Kokomo. Don’t laugh, but I’m one of those crazy people that has a hair timing issue. I have to blow dry my hair while it is still wet and then quickly iron it straight, etc. If I get interrupted and can’t finish it all at the same time, I just need to put my head under the faucet, wet my hair and start over. HA! So, I was not in a good mood when maintenance left me.
• Then I got overheated in my own apartment. I don’t do well in the heat, and for some reason my apartment was not cooling off fast enough for me this weekend. It didn’t matter that it was much cooler inside my place than it was outside. I just wanted to stop the sweat from running down my face while I was trying to clean up my kitchen. I was vexed and irritated with the temperature, which didn’t help cool me down any either.
• My cell phone died suddenly and without warning on Saturday night. There was no fanfare, no desperate last breath, it just faded out into oblivion. One minute it was working just fine, and the next minute, it had flat-lined. I tried basic phone CPR, but to no avail. So Sunday morning after church, I rushed to Verizon Wireless in hopes that it was a battery or a bad SIM card, but no such luck. They tried to revive my phone with some extensive life support methods but to no avail. My phone was no longer with us. So today, a replacement phone will be shipping out to me, and they hope it will arrive for me some time tomorrow. Fingers crossed! My phone is my life line...
• I stubbed my toe on my bed while I was rushing around on Sunday. Why is it that a stubbed toe is like the worst pain ever? I limped around for several minutes after that. Later on the same day, I brought in a box from the car and was attempting to not slam the apartment door, and somehow, I managed to shut my finger in my apartment door. OK, that pain sure topped the stubbed toe. I said a few choice words, ranted and raved to tears for a few minutes, and only then did I finally sit down and laugh at myself.

I’m not sure that this was the worst weekend ever. I mean in reality, it wasn’t really that bad, I guess. But I sure am glad that this weekend is over. Here’s to a better week ahead. Or perhaps I should just be praying for the strength and stamina to deal with any pending drama ahead!

My Nomadic Spirit

Travel is like a drug to me. The more I see of the world, the more I want to experience more and more.

Coming back to my life in Indiana after nearly 3 weeks in Europe has been quite hard on me personally. I’ve been living all week on the highs of my recent travel, and I’m just now crashing back down from that peak.

I can’t complain about my life here in the Hoosier state. It's good! After all, I have my sister and her family who live an hour away from me and offer me family bonding time, plenty of adventures and loads of laughs. I have amazing friends nearby who enjoy cultural events, exploring the city and planning weekend get-aways. I have a pretty good job with fabulous co-workers who help keep the daily grind fun. I have my Fridays off to explore the many parks and gardens, the museums and memorials that Indianapolis has to offer. I am truly blessed, and I know it.

But somehow, none of that seems good enough right now. My soul won’t be quite so easily soothed. My nomadic spirit is awake once more, and I am restless. Something is off, not quite right. I’m here, but I’m not.

I think I’ve left pieces of myself along the Rhine and Danube.

Something Borrowed

Today, I’m borrowing from my sister’s blog and writing about a couple of things I like.*

Paul Mitchell’s Super Skinny ®Serum

I was skeptical about using this product. (Shocking, I know!) But I have drawers full of straightening and smoothing hair products that have been of little or no use to me in my ongoing struggle with my hair. Thus, my hair expectations were low when trying yet another product.

The fact is that I have less than naturally straight hair – aka kinky, wavy, frizzy, etc., – and so I am always on the lookout for a product that can help tame and smooth (i.e. control) each cuticle originating from my head. Over the holidays and at the suggestion of the aforementioned sister, I picked up a combo pack of the Super Skinny ® Daily Shampoo and the Super Skinny ® Serum, but until recently, I had not used it regularly.

I opted to make the switch two (2) days ago (yes, you read that correctly – only 2 days ago), and the results have been staggering! The Super Skinny ® Serum really seems to calm my wild and crazy hair down, and I like it. My hair is soft, playful and faux straight without too much effort. And should I ever tire of the smooth, sleek look of refined, professional hair, I can always go back to the other straightening products (in those full drawers I mentioned earlier) and once again get my fill of big, wacky hair.

My only complaint is that the Super Skinny ® Daily Shampoo and Super Skinny ® Serum are not recommended for similar smoothing and sleeking effects when used on hips, thighs and the stomach area. Oh if only… Mental Note: Write Paul Mitchell a letter and make the suggestion.

Extra ® Dessert Delights Sugarfree Gum

Wrigley introduced this new line of gum in 2010, and I have enthusiastically sampled all 3 of the decadent flavors.

Key Lime Pie was the early running favorite with a strong burst of lime goodness. It was like a dessert, hence the “Dessert Delights” title of the gum. YUM!

Strawberry Shortcake was tasty. I liked it, but it could not surpass my love of Key Lime Pie. It was forever a runner-up in my book.

However, when I tried the Mint Chocolate Chip, everything changed in an instant. A beautiful relationship was born between this girl and her gum. It was a blissful union! We have been soul mates ever since, and nothing must ever come between us.

*DISCLAIMER: No promotions, freebies or exchange of products or services have been offered to the writer of the blog above upon any condition that the said author provide this information to the general public in like manner. The author merely wished to share the words above in an effort to disseminate information. That being said, any future offers from the vendors above or other vendors will be readily reviewed and assessed by an opportunistic panel to judge their deemed value and worth to the said writer.  

Sharing a Little Twilight Magic

Normally, I confess, I’m not big on hype. If everyone gushes over something, I tend to stand back. I guess I assume if everyone likes it, I won’t. However, when I am told that I should not read a book or see a certain film, it’s gonna be an automatic magnetic draw on my very soul to do the exact opposite. I don’t like dogmatic statements being made without any evidence or someone taking a personal stance against a book or a film WITHOUT having seen it for themselves. I don’t believe in just passing along the same message without actual knowledge for myself. I like to make up my own mind about things.

And so it was that I delved into the Harry Potter series several years ago. Someone bashed the books in my presence and called them pure evil. I pointedly asked if they had read the books for themselves, and they had not. They were just spouting what they had heard second or third-hand. I immediately picked up the first book, and I’ve been hooked ever since.

Essentially, the same thing happened with Twilight. I saw the first film on DVD early in 2009 after there was such an outcry against the books and the film from the Christian right. I loved the first film and immediately jumped into the 4-book series by Stephenie Meyer. I was mesmerized with the passionate journey of Bella and Edward from the get-go. I own all of the films and am eagerly awaiting the 4th and 5th film installations, which will split the final book in the series between them. WOOHOO!!

Well, it has been nearly 2 years since my own Twilight infection, and I guess it was time I spread my affliction and corrupted others. About a month ago, my sister Barbara and my friend Lisa came to my place for a girls’ weekend. On Sunday morning, I was in the living room flipping channels, and as luck would have it, the first Twilight film was playing on cable. I watched a few minutes before Lisa and Barbara joined me on the couch. It was one of my favorite scenes, where Bella first spots the Cullen family, and so the 3 of us watched the film for a few moments before dashing off to church. After that brief introduction, both Lisa and Barbara said that they were curious to see the film for themselves, and so we talked about watching it later after church. So, you guessed it. That afternoon we watched the first film, and they liked it.

THEY REALLY LIKED IT!

Barbara had to head home after the first film, but Lisa stayed to watch the 2nd and 3rd films that night before driving back to Cincinnati. And from there, it all began. Both of them eagerly got right into the books and subsequently devoured everything on Twilight within days. They have read the books, have seen all the films (more than once), have bought all the soundtracks, have poked around Twilight sights online, etc.

Yes, I believe they have now surpassed my own obsession. Maybe. I've just had 2 years to work on keeping my cool. HA!

The Brits Do It Again

I had trouble falling asleep last night. I just lay there with a silly grin on my face, my mind a million miles away. I was in love. In love with yet another British series, Downton Abbey. The first episode aired last night on PBS’s Masterpiece Theatre, and I was immediately captivated by the twisting story lines, the 1912-1913 era, the English country house setting, and the riveting characters. It was pure magic.

Now I have confessed more than once that I am a period film junkie, and if it’s British, all the better. Yes, I do have a weakness for all things British, and my travels “across the pond” have done anything but cure me of my obsession. Truly, my affliction is even greater. A film shot using the English landscape now causes me to reminisce and sigh with a near-homesick tingle in my throat. Even if I didn’t visit that house, walk those gardens or photograph those particular sheep, they still seem familiar to me.

Fact is that I’m a lost cause, and this series has left me incorrigible. SIGH! Oh well! This is who I am, and this girl is eagerly anticipating the next installment on Sunday, January 16th and until then will dreamily linger with bated breath...

Bonding With St. Louis

There is some debate amongst my family and friends as to whether or not a person can take too many photos. I heartily believe that it is not possible to take too many. In fact, the more pics, the better, and I regularly practice this aforementioned theory.

This weekend was no exception. I came back from my 4-day weekend to St. Louis with 1,180+ photos to upload from my digital camera. WOOHOO!! Maybe that seems like a lot, but I'd rather have too many than too few. I love visiting St. Louis. There is just something magical about that city that calls me back time and time again. I’m crazy about it.

Forest Park is the most amazing city park I have ever visited. Truly it is! The park is full of meandering walks and inspiring views. The setting is incredible – filled with trees, lakes, picturesque bridges, etc. – and the architecture of the buildings is spectacular as well. Personally, I never get tired of the St. Louis Art Museum matched against the lovely Grand Basin lake below it. It’s a photographer’s dream.

There is a seemingly endless supply of things to do in Forest Park – tour the art museum, visit the animals at the zoo, walk up the steps to the 1904 World’s Fair Pavilion, explore the Science Center and Planetarium, jet back in time via the History Museum, climb onto a giant turtle’s back in Turtle Park, and so much more.

The Missouri Botanical Gardens are breathtaking. Each visit I discover something “new” that I hadn’t noticed before. The gardens are large and plentiful with amazing blooms and vivid foliage. I particularly enjoy the water lilies growing in the many ponds strewn about the property. The rose gardens are spectacular, and I could spend hours walking amidst the colorful and fragrant displays of GOD’s handiwork there. Yes, the Missouri Botanical Gardens are a favorite haunt of mine.

The Gateway Arch is a must-see stop for a visitor to St. Louis. The riverside park offers majestic views of the monument as well as riverboat tours, helicopter rides and other tourist offerings. Every guest must take the tram ride to the top of the arch at least once. I’ve ridden to the top several times in the past, and so it’s not a requirement on every visit any more, but it is worth doing at least once.

The City Museum is incredibly hard to describe. It’s unlike any museum I’ve ever visited. Housed in 600,000 square feet, the museum is like a giant playground/funhouse for adults and children alike. There are man-made caves to explore, giant slides to descend on, tree houses to climb, etc. It’s a whimsical, magical place that kind of reminds me of a Tim Burton movie -- more like The Nightmare Before Christmas rather than Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. It's a bit dark, a tad bit spooky and full of surprises.

The big WOW! factor for me was the the outdoor playground complete with 2 salvaged planes, an old fire truck, giant wrought-iron slinkies, a castle turret, etc., and all of this 2-5 stories off the ground. As touted on the website, it is “the most monumental, monolithic, monstrous montage of monkey bars in the world.” Yes, that it is. All I can say is that I was glad I didn’t have any young kids with me. If I were a parent, I might have been a nervous wreck, but as it stands right now, I’m ready to go back again any time.

Yes, St. Louis is pretty awesome. It’s a fabulous place to explore. I’d highly recommend you plan your own adventure to this incredible city.

P.S. I realize, it might seem a tad bit strange that I did not post any photos of my weekend in St. Lou yet.  Well, I do have my work cut out for me -- what with 1,180 photos to review, etc. I hope to get some posted in the near future.

DISCLAIMER: The author of said blog did not receive any financial incentives or kick-backs for the above posting that highlights some of the attractions in the St. Louis area. However, said author may be willing to discuss such options in the future should an offer come along.

A Warm Welcome to Autumn

Autumn begins later today, and I’m ready for it. Yes, I think I blog about this every year…how I start to smell caramel apples and burning leaves, start craving candy corn and turkey (not in the same bite, mind you), and start breathing better and enjoying the great outdoors more. So the temps are still higher in the Hoosier state than I think they should be right now -- I acknowledge that, but I choose to be optimistic and cling to the idea that crisp, cooler air is coming in the weeks ahead. Yes, I am in love with fall.

And while we're on the subject of fall and love, I've decided that if I ever fall in love with an actual human being (rather than a character in a film or novel), I want it to be in autumn. If I meet a guy in the spring that I sense I’m falling for, I’ll just tell him to give me a call in October. I don’t want to be rude about it, but autumn is just better for me all around.

Great! Now I’ve got this sentimental song from Camelot in my head… (sigh!) Happy Fall, Everybody!

If Ever I Would Leave You

by Frederick Loewe (sung here by Robert Goulet)

If ever I would leave you

It wouldn't be in summer.

Seeing you in summer I never would go.

Your hair streaked with sun-light,

Your lips red as flame,

Your face with a lustre

that puts gold to shame!

But if I'd ever leave you,

It couldn't be in autumn.

How I'd leave in autumn I never will know.

I've seen how you sparkle

When fall nips the air.

I know you in autumn

And I must be there.

And could I leave you

running merrily through the snow?

Or on a wintry evening

when you catch the fire's glow?

If ever I would leave you,

how could it be in spring-time?

Knowing how in spring I'm bewitched by you so?

Oh, no! not in spring-time!

Summer, winter or fall!

No, never could I leave you at all!

Have I Mentioned…

I love having my Fridays OFF. Love it. Love it. Love it. Seriously, I highly enjoy having my Fridays to play with. My Monday through Thursday schedule is often jam-packed, and so my Fridays are a sublime retreat from the frenetic pace of life.

• Catch-up on sleep: Sometimes, I confess, I sleep the better part of the morning away. I often struggle going to bed by 10 PM during the week despite knowing that I have a 4:50 AM wake-up coming the next morning. I know, that’s crazy, but it’s a fact. So on Fridays, I often need to get caught up on my rest.

• Roadtrips: I have taken a couple of roadtrips to Ohio to see the sites and have also spent some extra time with my sister and her family up in Kokomo. Plus, I’ve enjoyed having the time for my drive to LDM SonRise Retreats or for long weekends in Michigan.

• Gardens and Parks: I’ve gotten better acquainted with several city parks. There is something so soothing about a stroll through nature. It’s been a bit too hot at times this summer, but I’ve still enjoyed my walks and jogs. In addition, I’ve spent countless hours rambling through the gardens at the IMA and exploring the new 100 Acres Nature Park there as well.

• Catching up with friends: I’ve enjoyed having lunch or getting together with friends that I don’t often get to see. It’s been a lot of fun!

• Downtown Indianapolis: I have missed downtown Indy more than I realized. This summer, I’ve been making regular treks downtown to explore the canal, the buildings, the museums, and the monuments again. This past Friday, I took advantage of the pleasant temps and visited the State Capitol Building, the Indiana State Library and the Scottish Rite Cathedral. It was a pretty awesome day, and I was in my element, snapping photos like crazy.

Yeah, I’m loving my Fridays a lot.

What a Great Sunday Looks Like

Two momentous things happened on Sunday.

1. In the morning, I sang in the St. Luke’s United Methodist Church Chancel Choir for 2 services without tripping on the stage or bursting into song out of turn. For weeks, I had envisioned myself tripping on the stage as we walked up or down the stairs there, but I had a successful “premiere,” as it were, and am pleased that there was no reportable incident to relate. And while I can read music just fine, I was also worried that I would over-zealously sing out before it was time for the second soprano’s cue, and so I was relieved that didn’t happen either. YES. It was a success. I am really enjoying my choir adventures. At first it was a bit overwhelming that our choir is 160+ people strong. That is bigger than the church I grew up in, in total, but I am loving the family atmosphere, generous spirit and encouragement that I have encountered in every rehearsal and this our first Sunday together. I’m curious what GOD has in store next.

2. Becky and I proved once and for all that we were correct in not pursuing our tween year fantasies of taking Wimbledon by storm. Boris Becker has no idea how he fueled our dreams once upon a time. (sigh!) Anyway, we spent an exhausting hour on the courts Sunday evening, and while Becky was rather brilliant in comparison to yours truly, neither of us are bound for tennis stardom. We had one decent volley of 8 or 9 shots, I think. After which, Becky asked if we should start keeping score, and I declared a hearty, “No way, unless you want to keep track of all the balls we are hitting outside of the gated court.” Naturally, I would have won that competition since I am known for my lack of control when hitting the ball, and I was up about 9 to 1 at that time. HA! So we’re not going pro any time soon, but we still got a good workout, and most importantly, we had fun out there.

Too Much TV

I was home sick yesterday. I didn’t feel like doing much of anything, other than laying around all day in my jammies. Yep, I was curled up on my couch for most of the day. I ignored Facebook. I didn’t write a darn thing. And late in the day, I craved toast, scrambled eggs and Sprite like you wouldn’t believe.

On a positive note, I got a lot of TV-watching in – thanks to Netflix. I’m a third of the way through “30 Rock” season 2 now, and I finished The Pillars of the Earth, a TV miniseries based on Ken Follett’s novel of the same name. So glad that the entire day was not a waste. HA!

I could tell I was starting to feel better about 7 PM when the urge hit me to clean my place up. Some people might consider that a sickness in itself, but Miss Little Neat-n-Tidy had been a slug for too long, and I could sit idle no more. It was killing me.

Today, I’m back to work and feeling much better. Well, mostly. OK, the truth is that I'm pushing myself to feel better. I'm tired of being sick, and so I'm thinking positive and trying to alter the status quo. Sure, I’m still wishing for more sleep and pining for my pillow, but that's normal, right?

People Fascinate Me

I am fascinated with people. I love people. It’s a good thing really. GOD has called us to love others as ourselves, and I think a healthy interest in other people is part of just that. I love connecting with people, and the social media blitz of today is all about making those connections. Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, Friendster and others allow us instant access to people near and far, celebrities and close friends, relatives and co-workers, etc. So it’s all good, right?

Hmmmm…I’m not sure. Like anything, I think moderation is key. Too much of a good thing can be bad for us just like large quantities of chocolate, donuts and ice cream, and I think I’ve reached that point. Over the last few months, I’ve been noting an alarming personal trend. I’ve experienced more loneliness, more utter dissatisfaction and unrest in my life. And all of this angst while I’ve been more “plugged” into the lives of others via social media than ever before.

I think my life has somewhat become a “keeping up with the Joneses” scenario. I’m struggling to keep up on the lives of 400+ of my “closest friends.” HA! I’m following several authors on Twitter and learning about their lives and projects. I’m laughing at the antics of my friends on Facebook. It’s fun. It’s enjoyable, but it’s not always healthy or at least, I’m finding it less so. I’m too preoccupied and pulled into too many different directions, and I feel like my “live” relationships are suffering.

Social media should NOT replace actual face-time with friends or catch-up phone calls with relatives across the country. It shouldn’t be a substitute for actually giving of my time to get to know someone better in person. Just knowing a factoid about them or where they had breakfast doesn’t usurp my friendship responsibility to take a more active interest in their lives and have a real one-on-one conversation.

Social media in a way allows us to disengage from people’s lives. We might know more about a person’s daily activities and in some cases, how they are feeling, but somehow, we’re reaching out even less to our “neighbor.” At least, I feel like I am. That’s sad. I don’t need to call my friend to check on them because they seemed just fine on Facebook, and no one would lie on Facebook or tell less than the complete truth, right? I don’t need to schedule dinner with my friend because I got caught up on his life via Twitter, and so we're good for a while, right? Not really!

So while in theory, it seems like I should feel more connected than before, the opposite is true. My relationships feel more fractured, more disjointed. Almost as if I’m experiencing information overload, but it’s not quality stuff. I know more details about someone else’s life, but I know less of the real them. I’m giving less of myself really.

So what does it all mean? I don’t know. Am I bailing out from Facebook? Not yet. Am I done with Twitter? I don’t think so. I did recently opt to close MySpace account though for good reason. It was my least favorite outlet, and I grew tried of the trash-talking and cheesy come-ons. No thank you!! And honestly, I’m just trying to re-think how I use these social media outlets. I like them. I really do, but I think I need to more thoughtfully weigh and pursue my time options…

Alaska Is Sounding Better And Better…

It’s hot out there. I walked to my car in sauna-like temperatures and humidity this morning just before 6:30 AM. That’s craziness! This girl doesn't handle high humidity well at all.

1. Have you seen my hair lately? WOA! I ran into a friend the other day, and he was like: "Hey, Mel, is that you under all that hair?" NOT a pretty sight.
2. My skin is naturally oily anyway, but all this humidity is giving me more than a healthy glow. Southern girls might glisten, but up here, we Yankee girls sweat. Again, it's not quite the charming visual one would hope for.
3. I can't breathe. Seriously, it's like you want to hold your breath on the way to the car because the air feels toxic and unbearable. It's not that attractive to always be gasping for breath really.

All this Midwest heat and humidity madness is making me think about moving across the country. Alaska sounds pretty good. I like nature (minus the spiders and bugs). I could survive in the wilderness, right? Although, I might be somewhat intimidated by the idea of running into a bear. Hmmmm...it’s not sounding like a very good story to me. Thrilling and more than a bit exciting, but I might not survive to tell the grandkids.

Bears or humidity? I'm still pondering the choice...is there an option B?

The Blur That Has Been July

WOA! Where has July gone? It’s been a busy few weeks.

Michigan Weekend: Over July 4th, I joined my sister and her family for a long weekend in Michigan. We had a blast, even though Michigan was experiencing unseasonably HIGH temperatures. YIKES! It rarely gets above 100 degrees F, but it did while we were there. HA! We caught fireworks along Lake Huron, shopped at the Croswell Stockyards, played games, had our own fireworks show in the side yard, and just had a great weekend together with my parents and my Grandma. I also got to catch up with my friend Melissa over lunch at Junction Buoy. We hadn’t seen each other in years (too many to count really). It was great to reconnect and enjoy laughing together again.

Newport Aquarium: My friend Becky and I drove to Newport, Kentucky to take in the amazing aquarium there. Tickets are a bit pricey ($22 for adult tickets), but it is worth it for an occasional visit, in my book. If I visited more frequently, a membership would be the way to go. They have lots of shark and tropical fish. Of course, I especially liked their turtles, but that's just me. I'm a turtle girl! I’m also crazy about the jellyfish exhibit. I think jellyfish are beautiful creatures...deadly but beautiful!

Weekend with Jacob: My 7-year-old nephew Jacob came to visit me last weekend on his own. We bowled together on Saturday morning, where Aunt Mel won both games but not by much. Yes, I confess, we both used the bumper rails. I'm rather fond of the bumper rails myself. HA! Saturday afternoon, we toured the IMA's contemporary collection. He liked the Untitled exhibit by Tara Donovan, which was one of the reasons I wanted him to visit the IMA. But in truth, he loved the Jeppe Hein's Distance more. It's an amazing "indoor rollercoaster track for a series of white, plastic balls." You can follow the balls as they make their way along the track, and it is fascinating to say the least. [By the way, both of those exhibits close soon, and so check them out.] We did walk through part 100 Acres as well, but the heat soon sent us heading back to the car for some needed AC. On Sunday, we saw Toy Story 3 in 3D, which is one of the best films of the year, I believe. It was a great end to our incredible weekend of bonding. OK, so I spoiled him a little bit. He got to eat the foods he wanted and watch lots of Scooby Doo movies on Netflix, too. But, hey, I think it is an aunt's right to spoil nieces and nephews! I think of it as my job really...

I Am a Girl

But there are some who doubt that I am a REAL girl...

1. I don’t collect shoes. Sure, I like cute styles, and I try to meld cute and comfy together, but my aim is to avoid pain. 3-inch heels might be adorable, strappy sandals might be irresistible on the shelf, but neither are for me, even though I could use the added height or flare. No, I seek out comfort in Skechers or Dr. Scholls. If the shoe fits well, I’m a fan.

2. I don’t like flip-flops. Never have. First of all, they are clearly a safety hazard to those of us who are prone to klutzy behavior, and secondly, I don’t like how they separate a person’s big toe from the rest of the team. Why can’t our toes just learn to get along?

3. I don’t care about name brands. If I like it, and it fits on both my body and my budget, I’m sold. It doesn’t matter if I’m shopping at a consignment store, Target, Wal-mart, JCPenneys or Goodwill. I look at tags to decipher the size not popularity.

4. I don’t wear lots of make-up. In fact, most people think I don’t wear any. Fact is that I do put it on, but a few hours later, it is gone. Apparently, I have pores the size of potholes and super-absorbent skin. As we speak, scientists are trying to recreate my skin in a lab for further testing...

5. I’m not crazy about purses. Yes, I usually have one on my person most of the time, but it’s usually black, purchased at Target, and kept in use until the handles break off or the fabric rips. A purse is a necessary evil, a must-have for every woman, but I don’t have a stash of them in my closet to rotate based on the season, my mood or my current outfit. I’m just not that girl..not usually.

So the idea of me purposefully buying a blue Coach purse doesn’t jive with what people know about me at all -- even I am stunned by these recent turn of events! All I know is that one moment I was innocently meandering along looking at flea market wares such as hand tools, rusty farm equipment, tableware, old books and antiques. When all of a sudden, something happened, my heart was beating faster, and I was captivated. It was like a spotlight from heaven was shining down on that purse, and I was drawn to it. It had my full attention. I handled it fondly, caressed the handle and checked the label to establish what I already knew. Yes, it was a brand new Coach purse for $35.

I quietly put it down. I told myself I didn’t need it. I’m a practical girl, first and foremost. What am I going to do with a blue Coach purse? I already had a perfectly good black purse waiting for me back home. I walked away and continued scanning other vendors’ products, but that purse was not done with me. I told myself I would check back on it later. If the purse was still available, I might reconsider a purchase of it. The whole “if you love it, set it free” ideal was swimming around my head. If it is meant to be, it would be waiting for me when I returned.

And so it was that on the 5th of July in the year 2010, that I, Melanie -- the girl who doesn’t like name brands or frivolous purses -- became the proud owner of her very own blue Coach purse for $35 and verified once and for all that I am a REAL girl.

As Paul Harvey would have put it, “And now you know the rest of the story.”

Letter From a Concerned Citizen

Dear Makers/Packagers of Orbit Gum,

Thank you for your delicious and amazing product! Orbit is my preferred gum of choice and regularly travels with me. Actually, I rarely leave home without a pack. In fact, if there was ever a game show where a random “contestant” could win a million dollars if they had a pack of Orbit gum on their person, I would be a winning candidate.

So yes, I confess, I’ve been an avid user of Orbit for several years now:

• I quickly bonded with Peppermint, and it is still a clear winner as the gotta-have-it variety kept on hand. Fabulous breath freshener, too.

• Raspberry Lemon Dew is my current chew of choice. I love it! The raspberry flavor is awesome in tandem with that crisp, refreshing lemon zing. YUM!

• Citrusmint and Strawberry mint are both tasty and mouthwatering to my lips.

• Bubblemint is pretty great, too.

• Pina Colada appears to have been a mistake, but maybe I just got a bad “batch”? The flavor was decent, but the texture was rubbery and did not afford me any chewing pleasure.

• As for Wintermint and Spearmint, I’m afraid that I would have voted them off the island long ago. OK, fact is, it’s probably not so much them as it is me. I don’t like anything spearminty at all, and so this shouldn’t come as a surprise at all really.

While I am certainly a devoted fan and an investor in this chomp-happy product, I have recently noticed an alarming trend in regards to the packaging of this mouth-watering merchandise, and I feel the need to bring it to your attention. Lately, each piece of Orbit gum seems to have been welded or super-glued into the foil and cardboard packaging. Seriously, have you tried to get into a pack of your product lately? It’s exhausting and tiresome. A great deal of mangling and pulling is required. Brute force or ample creativity is needed to get the gum wrapper removed from the package, and I'm concerned that someone is going to dislocate a shoulder while trying to get to their gum.

Now, I don’t know if there has been a recent onslaught in gum theft or gum terrorism. Honestly, I don’t follow gum-breaking news, and so it could be that I have just missed the recent headlines about an acceleration in gum crime. I’m usually the last to know these things, but I would appreciate some further investigation on your part. Could you please look into this matter for me? Or possibly just have your people ease up a bit on the stick-em in the packaging? Come on. You want Orbit gum-chewers to be happy, right?

Thanks for listening!

Sincerely,
A Concerned Citizen of the Gum-Chewing League