Having now officially broken my right little toe for the 3rd time I have to document the event for prosperity.
The first time I broke this digit was when my daughter was in elementary school. It was a particularly painful break the first time. It was summer, it was hot and flip flops had not yet made their reappearance in everyday life. My daughter was playing softball and I was helping coach which required me to cram that painful foot inside a tight tennis shoe. Taking the shoe strings out was the only thing that made a shoe tolerable. **Side note to Kaylee - you thought those shoestrings used to tie up your shirt sleeves were my attempt to radically change softball fashion. But in truth, that was the only place I could put them to insure I wouldn't lose them.**
The second time I broke the toe I was working in a business setting which made wearing pantyhose and heels a necessity. I can't decide which was the most painful. Wrestling my foot into a tight nylon prison or then cramming the whole shebang into a shoe that was originally designed as an instrument of torture.
In betwixt and between actual breakage there were many other near misses and badly bruised evidence. Each time I was relieved to see a swift recovery.
I have now determined that humans are not only right or left handed. They are also right or left footed. If this were not the case I would have surely broken the left toe at least once in nearly 6 decades of life. But no! I guess I will always be putting my "best" foot forward first and leading with my pinky toe which as I type is starting to resemble a sadly misshapen black olive (without pimento).
This breakage came about because my little love of a granddog decided to visit a neighbors back fence and stir up the resident dogs at 4:00 in the morning. I went flying down the driveway, well maybe not flying, I do exaggerate sometimes. Perhaps in my current body style the verb would be "rumbled". Anywhoooo toe met curb and street met body. I'm sure I was quite a pretty sight writhing around in the street trying to clutch my injured digit. Fortunately, Charly doesn't like to be too far away from his "peeps" and he apparently couldn't see me in the street, behind the mailbox in the dark. He came looking for me at which time we returned to the house. He in his usual running at full tilt with ears back and me hopping behind.
I've also noticed that once you have a toe injured, inanimate objects seem to acquire a pain seeking beam and they position themselves to make it possible for you to bump it, bang it re-bruise and re-break it.
So in closing, my little toe is taped tightly to its' brother toe and is not being allowed to "hang out" by itself. Time has taught me that it will get better providing I can properly protect it from further knocks. In the meantime I am enjoying the kaleidoscope of colors it has brought into my world.
Monday, September 21, 2009
DWTS - "The Boys Are Back In Town"
Roger is soooooo excited that Dancing With The Stars has started again. I'm pretty sure I heard him in the garage beating his thumb with a hammer in excitement. I celebrated the exciting event by piling up on the couch and refusing to move except for commercials. I have blogged previously about the uninspiring cast and tonight did little to make me change my mind.
Only the guy "stars" danced tonight. Tomorrow the celebragirls will dance and Wed will be the kick them to the curb episode for the week.
Since I know you all care deeply how I feel about such things, here are my observations from tonight.
Aaron Carter (Boy Band Member Brother) - actually was pretty good I think he shows some potential. Besides if he doesn't do well, his partner Karina will slap the crap out of him. She wants to win and if he can't do it for her someone may find him beaten to death by a pair of stilettos.
Chuck Liddell (UFC Fighter) - I felt the need to avert my eyes during this performance. It was painful to watch and obviously painful to do given the grimace he had on his face the whole time. He is one of those guys who has a "look" that is kind of intimidating. Obviously when his partner had him in close enough range she would whisper "Smile!" and then he did - at least I think it was a smile - it was a little scary.
Mark Dacascos (Iron Chef) - Could be a sleeper he has martial arts training so it is not such a big leap to the dance floor. All three official judges as well as yours truly scored him a solid 7. 'nuff said.
Ashley (Beige Boy) Hamilton - lacks his father's charisma. The Tan Man pulled off more weeks than he should have simply on the strength of his ability to connect with the audience. I have to say that given the fact that Ashley was told he might never walk again after a bad motorcycle accident, his appearance on the dance floor is nothing short of miraculous.
Donny Osmond (I'm sure I don't need to quantify his fame). Am I like the only human on the earth who IS NOT a fan of Donny and Marie? That being said he totally blew away the other guys tonight. Of course I have no doubt he has been paying for ballroom dancing lessons ever since Marie had her shot at the Mirror Ball. HE WANTS IT! And part of the reason he wants it is that she didn't get it.
Louis Vito (Snowboarder) - this kid is an amazing athlete and I'm betting that his partner Chelsie can pull some moves out of him. Maybe not on the dance floor but she'll get them. And besides every season has to have one of those Ken and Barbie ADORABLE couples and these 2 seem to have that slot all sewn up.
Michael Irvin (Dallas Cowboy Football Player) Along with the adorable couple have to have there is the "guy that everyone loves" and Michael is it. He is hard not to like and his moves aren't that bad so he could actually last a while given the shot. The judges were pretty harsh on him tonight. Much harder than they were on anyone else. Probably to try to balance out the mass appeal he's going to have. Football players traditionally do well.
And last but not least......
Tom DeLay (Former House Majority Leader) I didn't want to, was prepared not to, told myself not to even think it, but I did. I kind of liked him in this situation. He isn't great but he's an adequate dancer and dang it for some stiff and stodgy middle aged politician to hit the dance floor and shake his groove thang to "Wild Thing" was impressive.
New this year were relay dances which took 4 couples who danced against each other. The big winners tonight were Donny Osmond and Aaron Carter. Tomorrow we get to watch "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" with the female celebrities putting it all out there on the dance floor. And in the words of my darling daughter "I'm skeered." One of those chicks looks like she could bench press a Buick and then grind up and eat the remains. I will not say who but you are cordially invited to join my addiction and watch for yourself.
Only the guy "stars" danced tonight. Tomorrow the celebragirls will dance and Wed will be the kick them to the curb episode for the week.
Since I know you all care deeply how I feel about such things, here are my observations from tonight.
Aaron Carter (Boy Band Member Brother) - actually was pretty good I think he shows some potential. Besides if he doesn't do well, his partner Karina will slap the crap out of him. She wants to win and if he can't do it for her someone may find him beaten to death by a pair of stilettos.
Chuck Liddell (UFC Fighter) - I felt the need to avert my eyes during this performance. It was painful to watch and obviously painful to do given the grimace he had on his face the whole time. He is one of those guys who has a "look" that is kind of intimidating. Obviously when his partner had him in close enough range she would whisper "Smile!" and then he did - at least I think it was a smile - it was a little scary.
Mark Dacascos (Iron Chef) - Could be a sleeper he has martial arts training so it is not such a big leap to the dance floor. All three official judges as well as yours truly scored him a solid 7. 'nuff said.
Ashley (Beige Boy) Hamilton - lacks his father's charisma. The Tan Man pulled off more weeks than he should have simply on the strength of his ability to connect with the audience. I have to say that given the fact that Ashley was told he might never walk again after a bad motorcycle accident, his appearance on the dance floor is nothing short of miraculous.
Donny Osmond (I'm sure I don't need to quantify his fame). Am I like the only human on the earth who IS NOT a fan of Donny and Marie? That being said he totally blew away the other guys tonight. Of course I have no doubt he has been paying for ballroom dancing lessons ever since Marie had her shot at the Mirror Ball. HE WANTS IT! And part of the reason he wants it is that she didn't get it.
Louis Vito (Snowboarder) - this kid is an amazing athlete and I'm betting that his partner Chelsie can pull some moves out of him. Maybe not on the dance floor but she'll get them. And besides every season has to have one of those Ken and Barbie ADORABLE couples and these 2 seem to have that slot all sewn up.
Michael Irvin (Dallas Cowboy Football Player) Along with the adorable couple have to have there is the "guy that everyone loves" and Michael is it. He is hard not to like and his moves aren't that bad so he could actually last a while given the shot. The judges were pretty harsh on him tonight. Much harder than they were on anyone else. Probably to try to balance out the mass appeal he's going to have. Football players traditionally do well.
And last but not least......
Tom DeLay (Former House Majority Leader) I didn't want to, was prepared not to, told myself not to even think it, but I did. I kind of liked him in this situation. He isn't great but he's an adequate dancer and dang it for some stiff and stodgy middle aged politician to hit the dance floor and shake his groove thang to "Wild Thing" was impressive.
New this year were relay dances which took 4 couples who danced against each other. The big winners tonight were Donny Osmond and Aaron Carter. Tomorrow we get to watch "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" with the female celebrities putting it all out there on the dance floor. And in the words of my darling daughter "I'm skeered." One of those chicks looks like she could bench press a Buick and then grind up and eat the remains. I will not say who but you are cordially invited to join my addiction and watch for yourself.
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Pirates and Princesses
One of my Blogger friends recently posted about her little ones napping in full Spiderman - Superhero regalia. And hers are not the only kiddos who spend large blocks of time in pretend land. Two of my granddaughters have a costume closet that would be the envy of any Broadway Theater Production company. More often than not they are nighttime attired in princess dresses that are made out of that flimsy chiffony diaphanous material that looks like it would ignite from merely a withering gaze. Usually the bottoms have been ripped and trail behind them like bride's train. Occasionally, they have other articles of clothing under them, sometimes they are bare as the day they were born.
I wonder what the world would be like if we all went about in costume more often. As grownups, we frequently wear subtle masks that we present to the world. But, just for a moment consider what would happen if you could just play dress up when you pleased.
Thoughts like these take me back many many years when my friend Judy and I would dress up in costume and drive up and down the high way between Fort Smith and Greenwood. It was before the days of the "super" highway so one had more opportunity to interact with fellow drivers. Judy had this God awful mask that was like 1/2 a face. You put it on and the bottom half of your face was left out while this butt ugly woman's face was on top. The face was so realistic that people actually did double takes when they saw it.
The fun we had was immeasurable and I think we probably caused a few smiles along the way. I defy anyone to not have a chuckle over a grown up person walking around in a costume like it was their everyday clothing.
I think sometimes that we have become much too serious as a society, we have lost our inner children. Some of us have lost the ability to be silly. To make up silly songs, make funny faces and yes, even play dress up. Most of my grandchildren like their Pawpaw best when they are very small. But once they become a little older they gravitate more to me for their entertainment. They love the songs I make up, enjoy the poems and stories I write for them and absolutely love the dress up tub in the bedroom closet. Full of things I can no longer wear and wonder what possessed me to own them in the first place, it is the 1st stop for a stay at our house. I am a person who does not look good in hats and yet I continue to buy them and then consign them to the costume closet. I guess the reason I have these "costumes" is because my grandmother always had things for me to play dress up in. Looking back I realize that I played dress up in what is today "vintage" clothing. Ankle strap shoes, beaded bags, picture frame hats and strings and strings of beads. Summers at my grandmothers could have been boring since my grandparents didn't believe in entertaining children. They were too busy scratching out a living in the Oklahoma red clay. There was television but I was only allowed to watch "The Mickey Mouse Club" in the afternoon while enjoying my RC Cola. I think this was what my grandmother used instead of making me take a nap. However, my grandparents provided me with things to make my imagination burst into bloom. I was raised an only child until I was in the 7th grade. Therefore, I was many people. I had to play all the parts in childhood's magic kingdom. I talked a lot to myself and still do today. So if you see me driving in my car and having quite a chat please know that I am either verbally abusing someone who has pissed me off or I'm working on a problem out loud.
We live in a time of harshness, hatred, uncertainty, violence and often a sense of impending doom. Perhaps we could lift the clouds a little by finding our own little kid that we've tucked away under our adult clothing. I realize that actually wearing costumes is a bit extreme. I use it as a metaphor. Let us look for the funny in serious situations, find a silly song and sing it over and over again at the top of our lungs, laugh when we would really like to cry and put on our suits of happiness and pretend. Who knows by pretending we may change our own perspective as well as the outlook of others. So....I'll be a pirate and you can be a princess and together we will go forth to slay the dragon.
I wonder what the world would be like if we all went about in costume more often. As grownups, we frequently wear subtle masks that we present to the world. But, just for a moment consider what would happen if you could just play dress up when you pleased.
Thoughts like these take me back many many years when my friend Judy and I would dress up in costume and drive up and down the high way between Fort Smith and Greenwood. It was before the days of the "super" highway so one had more opportunity to interact with fellow drivers. Judy had this God awful mask that was like 1/2 a face. You put it on and the bottom half of your face was left out while this butt ugly woman's face was on top. The face was so realistic that people actually did double takes when they saw it.
The fun we had was immeasurable and I think we probably caused a few smiles along the way. I defy anyone to not have a chuckle over a grown up person walking around in a costume like it was their everyday clothing.
I think sometimes that we have become much too serious as a society, we have lost our inner children. Some of us have lost the ability to be silly. To make up silly songs, make funny faces and yes, even play dress up. Most of my grandchildren like their Pawpaw best when they are very small. But once they become a little older they gravitate more to me for their entertainment. They love the songs I make up, enjoy the poems and stories I write for them and absolutely love the dress up tub in the bedroom closet. Full of things I can no longer wear and wonder what possessed me to own them in the first place, it is the 1st stop for a stay at our house. I am a person who does not look good in hats and yet I continue to buy them and then consign them to the costume closet. I guess the reason I have these "costumes" is because my grandmother always had things for me to play dress up in. Looking back I realize that I played dress up in what is today "vintage" clothing. Ankle strap shoes, beaded bags, picture frame hats and strings and strings of beads. Summers at my grandmothers could have been boring since my grandparents didn't believe in entertaining children. They were too busy scratching out a living in the Oklahoma red clay. There was television but I was only allowed to watch "The Mickey Mouse Club" in the afternoon while enjoying my RC Cola. I think this was what my grandmother used instead of making me take a nap. However, my grandparents provided me with things to make my imagination burst into bloom. I was raised an only child until I was in the 7th grade. Therefore, I was many people. I had to play all the parts in childhood's magic kingdom. I talked a lot to myself and still do today. So if you see me driving in my car and having quite a chat please know that I am either verbally abusing someone who has pissed me off or I'm working on a problem out loud.
We live in a time of harshness, hatred, uncertainty, violence and often a sense of impending doom. Perhaps we could lift the clouds a little by finding our own little kid that we've tucked away under our adult clothing. I realize that actually wearing costumes is a bit extreme. I use it as a metaphor. Let us look for the funny in serious situations, find a silly song and sing it over and over again at the top of our lungs, laugh when we would really like to cry and put on our suits of happiness and pretend. Who knows by pretending we may change our own perspective as well as the outlook of others. So....I'll be a pirate and you can be a princess and together we will go forth to slay the dragon.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
A Back, A Blog and A Bloog
Having spent the last 36 hours blown out of my mind on muscle relaxers I am finally struggling to return to some semblance of making sense.
For those of you who worried, my back is slowly but surely returning to normal. I seem to have this problem about this same time every year. I am beginning to think my mind is playing tricks on me as this is the timeframe that was spent lugging heavy camera equipment and standing for hours every day taking school pictures in my former life. My mind remembers, gets tired from thinking about it, sends a message to my back that it is time to take a holiday. So back packs a bag and goes out, leaving me to pick up the pieces. I have learned that the quicker I give in and cry "uncle" the quicker I will return to normal. I have tried pushing the envelope after a few hours of feeling better only to realize that back wasn't ready to return from vacation just yet.
Apparently, my rant about the Glade woman caused some of my friends to worry unnecessarily about my powers of cognitive thinking. Let me assure you that I had been silently holding a grudge against her for quite some time and just finally had enough. Just wait until I unload on the "local" commercial that features a youngster of maybe 10 singing completely off key and prancing around. She is surrounded by a group of her peers and some older people (maybe moms?) and they are all having the best time annoying us with their little venture into marketing. Honestly it appears they have shot this on their cell phones, uploaded it to U-Tube and then decided to publish it for the masses. The child's voice is not even in synch with her lips. The whole thing takes on a slightly surreal atmosphere that assaults the senses and causes blood to run from the ears. I was starting to think I was the only person who had seen this (see opening sentence) but today one of my sons mentioned it. Apparently, the only reason it isn't being spoken about a lot is that most people fling their bodies at the remote as soon as it appears on their TV screen. There are just some things that should be left to professionals. Brain surgery, pharmacy and TV commercials.
I know you have been dying for me to address the Bloog part of this post. The Bloog is an electronic cigarette. This was introduced to us by one of our sons who is giving it a go. I have been practically desperate to get Roger off the coffin nails for about 5 years, so to say I grasp at any and every possible solution is an understatement. Roger actually quit for a while thanks to Chantix, and Nicorette gum but he picked it back up again. Then he tried the Chantix again. I can't express how expensive Chantix AND cigarettes can get. But I digress, I have ordered the Bloog starter pack with a rather large refill system in my last attempt to wean Roger off of cigarettes. Now the Bloog is actually rather cool. It makes smoke, but you cannot smell it. The vapor it emits is not offensive at all which means he does not have to be banished to the garage to indulge. The cherry end of it is an LED blue color which is a bit disconcerting to see, but heck if it works I don't care if it glows purple and emits multi-colored rainbow smoke rings. These things are actually made so that you could use them in a restaurant or even on an airplane. They emit no carcinogens yet the smoker does get the nicotine they crave. Knowing my husband the way I do I am sure that he will A: lose it or B: leave it in a pocket and I will wash it. When either of these things happen, please do not log in to my blog for at least 1 week. The language and ranting will not be fit for public consumption. Forewarned is forearmed.
This is not part of my title but it sure gave me a smile. I received a letter in the mail today from one of my grandchildren wishing us a happy grandparents day. They had drawn a picture of their pawpaw and myself along with pictures of Bedy (Betty), Max and Jesy (Jessie) and at the bottom written in symbol code was the following:
(Peace sign) + (Heart) + (Smiley Face) = YOU ROCK
So how could anything possibly be wrong in my life. My grandchildren think I rock! Interesting because my grandchildren rock my world everyday. : )
For those of you who worried, my back is slowly but surely returning to normal. I seem to have this problem about this same time every year. I am beginning to think my mind is playing tricks on me as this is the timeframe that was spent lugging heavy camera equipment and standing for hours every day taking school pictures in my former life. My mind remembers, gets tired from thinking about it, sends a message to my back that it is time to take a holiday. So back packs a bag and goes out, leaving me to pick up the pieces. I have learned that the quicker I give in and cry "uncle" the quicker I will return to normal. I have tried pushing the envelope after a few hours of feeling better only to realize that back wasn't ready to return from vacation just yet.
Apparently, my rant about the Glade woman caused some of my friends to worry unnecessarily about my powers of cognitive thinking. Let me assure you that I had been silently holding a grudge against her for quite some time and just finally had enough. Just wait until I unload on the "local" commercial that features a youngster of maybe 10 singing completely off key and prancing around. She is surrounded by a group of her peers and some older people (maybe moms?) and they are all having the best time annoying us with their little venture into marketing. Honestly it appears they have shot this on their cell phones, uploaded it to U-Tube and then decided to publish it for the masses. The child's voice is not even in synch with her lips. The whole thing takes on a slightly surreal atmosphere that assaults the senses and causes blood to run from the ears. I was starting to think I was the only person who had seen this (see opening sentence) but today one of my sons mentioned it. Apparently, the only reason it isn't being spoken about a lot is that most people fling their bodies at the remote as soon as it appears on their TV screen. There are just some things that should be left to professionals. Brain surgery, pharmacy and TV commercials.
I know you have been dying for me to address the Bloog part of this post. The Bloog is an electronic cigarette. This was introduced to us by one of our sons who is giving it a go. I have been practically desperate to get Roger off the coffin nails for about 5 years, so to say I grasp at any and every possible solution is an understatement. Roger actually quit for a while thanks to Chantix, and Nicorette gum but he picked it back up again. Then he tried the Chantix again. I can't express how expensive Chantix AND cigarettes can get. But I digress, I have ordered the Bloog starter pack with a rather large refill system in my last attempt to wean Roger off of cigarettes. Now the Bloog is actually rather cool. It makes smoke, but you cannot smell it. The vapor it emits is not offensive at all which means he does not have to be banished to the garage to indulge. The cherry end of it is an LED blue color which is a bit disconcerting to see, but heck if it works I don't care if it glows purple and emits multi-colored rainbow smoke rings. These things are actually made so that you could use them in a restaurant or even on an airplane. They emit no carcinogens yet the smoker does get the nicotine they crave. Knowing my husband the way I do I am sure that he will A: lose it or B: leave it in a pocket and I will wash it. When either of these things happen, please do not log in to my blog for at least 1 week. The language and ranting will not be fit for public consumption. Forewarned is forearmed.
This is not part of my title but it sure gave me a smile. I received a letter in the mail today from one of my grandchildren wishing us a happy grandparents day. They had drawn a picture of their pawpaw and myself along with pictures of Bedy (Betty), Max and Jesy (Jessie) and at the bottom written in symbol code was the following:
(Peace sign) + (Heart) + (Smiley Face) = YOU ROCK
So how could anything possibly be wrong in my life. My grandchildren think I rock! Interesting because my grandchildren rock my world everyday. : )
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
And Yes It is Glade
Okay so I am offended now by the Glade commercials. I started out mildly disturbed that the star of these spots thought it cute to deceive her family and friends with her candles. Do people really think that the bulk of humanity is so stupid they will be fooled by a plate of ginger snaps out of the sack simply because they smell burning ginger? And sashaying about in her little black dress while the rest of her crew is attired in outfits appropriate for a book club or canasta party. And how cute was it when the tell tale label found itself stuck to her tight and toned posterior? A body no doubt courtesy of all the tennis she plays since she is heading out in one commercial to play, secure in the fact that her designer candle will be on the job.
I could probably let the commercials slide were it not for the fact that I am sick and tired of her simpering face appearing over her little "life saver" assuring us that "and yes, it is Glade."
Something tells me that I could have a truck load of these little honeys delivered and they still couldn't touch the underlying odor of dogs both wet and dry, dishes accumulating in the sink, some lovely white socks crammed in a pair of yard mowing shoes and the lingering scent of cigarettes smoked in the garage and carried in on the hubs clothing. It is my house and "yes, it stinks."
I could probably let the commercials slide were it not for the fact that I am sick and tired of her simpering face appearing over her little "life saver" assuring us that "and yes, it is Glade."
Something tells me that I could have a truck load of these little honeys delivered and they still couldn't touch the underlying odor of dogs both wet and dry, dishes accumulating in the sink, some lovely white socks crammed in a pair of yard mowing shoes and the lingering scent of cigarettes smoked in the garage and carried in on the hubs clothing. It is my house and "yes, it stinks."
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Making Decisions
I have come to a place in life where I need to make some really difficult decisions. These decisions will affect my life as well as others. I find the older I get the more I tend to procrastinate regarding hard and life changing choices. However, I have to now begin to move carefully, thoughtfully and prayerfully into some very hard areas.
I hope that all my friends will pray that God will give me clarity about what I need to do about all the things that are bringing stress into my world.
One of the things that I need to change is my own way of dealing with difficulty. I need to learn that I can't "fix" all the things that are broken. And I have to start protecting myself by not letting myself be dragged into toxic situations. I must take my own advice to my children and invest in those who invest in me. Learning that I can't make everything swell for everyone I care about is going to be very hard for me to deal with. However, I have to start insulating myself to some degree from people, things and situations that hurt me.
Thank you in advance for lifting me up.
I hope that all my friends will pray that God will give me clarity about what I need to do about all the things that are bringing stress into my world.
One of the things that I need to change is my own way of dealing with difficulty. I need to learn that I can't "fix" all the things that are broken. And I have to start protecting myself by not letting myself be dragged into toxic situations. I must take my own advice to my children and invest in those who invest in me. Learning that I can't make everything swell for everyone I care about is going to be very hard for me to deal with. However, I have to start insulating myself to some degree from people, things and situations that hurt me.
Thank you in advance for lifting me up.
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