Scarlets Warnings

Distance..

2009-04-06T15:40:00.000-07:00

I have not posted a blog in just about forever or two months, whichever is longer!

My last entry was about Valentines Day and what a nice time I had going to dinner with Mr. Coffee. Alas, Mr. Coffee has gone his separate way and I have gone mine. No hard feelings, just different lives, different interests, schedule conflicts and distance issues.

Distance Issues:
I have found it is sometimes difficult to try and have a relationship when there is a travel distance greater than 50+ miles or an hour drive time. In the beginning it doesn’t seem so bad, but as time goes on the drive time starts to become an issue. This also depends on the individual and if the two of you are really making a connection. I was seeing someone in Memphis, about an hour east of me, and that worked for a while but it wasn’t just the distance that wore that welcome out. There was one in Utica but there was not enough interest from either of us to warrant that drive! Mr. Coffee was in Freeland; about an hour to the north. He drove south a couple of times, I drove north once and we met in the middle twice, but in the end I think it was more than the distance that was an issue, but the long drive didn’t help. There was the drummer in St. John’s, about an hour to the West. It wasn’t so much the distance that nipped that one in the bud as it was lack of freedom to travel, which is a long story and one for my memoirs! So I’ve tried North, East, and West and guess what…I’m currently in negotiations to the South! I have to say, I like the south and as is reported in most travel brochures they are very friendly and hospitable!

My sister teases me because whenever I meet someone new I seem to say the same thing:
”Oh I really like this one, he seems really”…
Fill in the blanks; smart, funny, creative, clever, talented, nice, sweet, interested, etc, etc, etc.
“You always say that” she says.
My response to her is “Isn’t that the point?”

This new man is a bit different. When I first met him he seemed very overwhelming to me. When I say very, I mean VERY in all capital letters. We went out about a week and a half and I told him I couldn’t see him anymore. I couldn’t figure him out. He was too intense, he liked me too much, I felt. That seemed like too much pressure for me and I didn’t think I would be able to keep from disappointing him. I ran away as fast as I could. A few days went by and I was talking with my brother. We started discussing something unrelated and before I knew it I was telling him about the guy I broke up with. Then I started wondering aloud why I set the bar so low for the men I date. I never have expectations or rather, I expect nothing from them and get nothing in return and wonder why it is I can’t meet a nice guy. My brother asked why, then, I had just chucked the one guy who seemed to fit that bill. Hmmm, good question.

A few more days went by and I got an email from him, the one I had run away from. We started emailing, then moved to talking on the phone, then met a couple of times for dinner or lunch or a movie. The key is we talked…and talked and talked and talked. He is such a nice person. He genuinely is interested in what I have to say and what my opinion is and what I like and dislike. He is a good man and I am looking forward to getting to know him better. He is still intense, but it doesn’t scare me the way it did in the beginning. He and I have talked about my feelings of being overwhelmed and he tries to rein in his enthusiasm, but now I understand that is just the way he is, and that is not all bad either! We have many things in common plus similar interests such as movies, books, the arts, trivia and chicken wings and enjoying each others company to name just a few. If I have anything to say about it, my neighbor to the south will be around for some time to come. And from what he says and how he has been acting, I’m pretty sure he feels the same way!

Ahh, Valentines Day!

2009-02-15T10:52:00.000-08:00

Today is Sunday, my typical blog day.

Sitting in bed watching TV (shocking, right?) surfing the net and planning what to make for dinner when my kids come tonight (and after I drag them to the grocery store). Bonus, we have tomorrow off work and school for Presidents Day; can you say WOO HOO!!

Yesterday was Valentines Day. My original plan was to head to Tawas and meet Mr. Coffee and some of his friends, go to dinner, and stay the night at the Tawas Bay Beach Resort. Well, best laid plans and all that jazz. I was planning to get on the road around 2pm but at 1pm Mr. Coffee called to say his dad was having an extremely bad day and we were going to have to cancel our plans. WAH!! I mentioned in a previous blog what a good man Mr. C is. He is helping his parents during a very difficult time. I commend him, everyone should be as devoted to their family. However, I was bummed! I waited about 30 minutes then sent a text suggesting I could come to him, we could possibly go to dinner and exchange Valentines. The answer was a resounding YES!

So, I drove north. We thought maybe Italian for dinner, but we had no reservation and seeing as it was last minute and Valentines day we opted for Chinese (because the parking lot was the least crowded, lol), it was very good though! We exchanged Valentines cards first before heading inside; Catsablanca is all I can say, very funny with an xoxo on the inside, awwww. After dinner I received a tour of Midland and some of their premier landmarks; the Curling Club and Baseball Park home of The Midland Loons, named after the bird not the state of mind (I think - lol). Also "Lookout Lane" or was it point? Whatever, it's was a great make out spot with a pretty view, just like the ones you see in the movies, complete with other parkers and their fogged up windows and the occasional drive by of the police to make things a little more exciting - let the smooching begin!

I can't remember a better Valentines day!

GASP...Warm in February?

2009-02-08T16:10:00.000-08:00

What a beautiful weekend, over 40 degrees in February makes Michiganders think they are living in Nirvana!

I had my boys this week but also got so spend some time with my new favorite Mr. Coffee. I watched the movie Casablanca for the first time this weekend, and sharing it with someone special made all the different for me (he brought it from his home DVD collection). I would have to say, that has got to be the most quoted movie of all time. Hardly a scene went by without me hearing a phrase that I've heard a dozen different times in others movies.."Here's looking at you kid" being just one of the many. Although Bogey never said "Play it again, Sam" all he said was "Play it, you played it for her and you can play it for me, just play it".

Mr. Coffee is one of the people I met on the on-line dating site, and I have to say things are going along pretty well. We started chatting (instant messaging) just before Christmas, sharing the occasional email and IM chat. We then started chatting on a little more regular basis toward the beginning/middle of Jan. We met for the first time Jan 14th, at Starbucks, hence the name Mr. Coffee. - LOL.

We have been out 4 or 5 times since then and I have enjoyed each time we have gotten together; and I know he has as well, he told me so. We've been going a little slower that I have been known to go in the past. This is a good thing. Taking time to get to know someone, discovering the little things, learning the bigger ones. I do know this, he is a good man, a devoted son, a gentleman, and has great taste in movies! Plus, he likes me, so obviously he has good judgment in people - hahahaha. I am enjoying this and look forward to discovering more of him and sharing more of myself.

Next week is Valentines Day..this should be interesting; I already have two cards, a funny one and one a little more serious, but not too mushy. Wish me luck!

Friends and Family!

2009-01-31T17:19:00.000-08:00

Sitting at home on a Saturday night watching TV. Wish I had someone sitting next to me enjoying the Bourne movie on cable; and by someone, I mean a special someone I've been seeing.

My special someone and I went to the movies last night and dinner; he introduced me to spicy hot wings and mini-corn dogs, scrumptious at least, if not healthy! We came back to my place and he fascinated me with his vast collection of hand tied flies and yes, I am genuinely interested! To say he is an avid fly fisherman is like saying winter in Michigan is a little chilly! The flies he has made are not only intricate and detailed but also beautiful and functional. He is planning on hitting the water this weekend! It's January (ok, almost February) in Michigan. It was 18 degrees today and he's going fishing, not in a sealed shanty with a space heater, but in a stream; yeah, he's into it! We finished the evening watching the movie A River Runs Through It; a beautifully filmed story that centers around a father and his sons who share a love of...fly fishing - LOL. Slow and steady with this one, we'll see where it takes us. You know me always in a hurry, but I'm making an effort this time.

On another note, finally got to spend some time with my sister who I have not gotten together with since Christmas. My sister is a human compass. If she goes someplace she never gets lost. She just has a natural sense of direction, unlike me who has been known to drive, back track, curse the map, turn around, turn around again and be asked from the backseat by my children; "are you sure you know where you're going?" to which I unashamedly reply "Probably not, but we can always stop and ask directions". My sister, the human compass, was coming to my house from Port Huron for a yummy Chinese dinner. I live right off I-69 which is a straight shot west from PH. She called me to say she was on her way and would be there shortly. She called about 15 minutes later and said, rather aghast, that she had somehow gotten on I-94 not I-69 and was headed to Detroit and had been headed south rather than west for about 20 minutes! My poor sister, the human compass, went about 80 mile out of her way! In sympathy I ended up bringing dinner to her house (but I refused to put my jeans back on and actually came in my PJ's) and as a bonus I got to see my niece and nephew, watch funny stuff on You Tube, laugh at the contestants on American Idol and share a fabulous Chinese dinner with my sister and her kids.

It was a great evening despite the human compass going off course!

Taking it slow..and tieing flies

2009-01-18T08:56:00.001-08:00

I seem to post on Sundays. Maybe it's a week in review wrap up?

Some interesting things have happened this week. I'm beginning to appreciate the luxury of taking things slow. This is a very hard concept for me! I'm like a racehorse with blinders charging to the finish line. Unlike a derby hopeful, this is not the best way for a 42 year old woman to proceed through life. Good for young Thoroughbred horses, not so good for people, me especially. This has never stopped me though; charging forward, racing to the finish line, blinders in place (blinders are those little hoods horses wear to keep them focused forward unable to see what is right next to them) first one there gets the prize (or a broken leg and dragged back to the barn to be shot)!

I've been thinking about what my goal for the new year might be. I like to set a goal, rather than make a resolution. It's the same thing I guess, but a goal to me is something I want to learn or discover and a resolution to me is something I need to stop.

My goal is to take off my blinders and slow down. Some of you who know me are wondering; slow down, jeeze if she were anymore laid back (aka lazy) she would be in a coma! By slowing down I'm talking about appreciating the little things. Getting to know someone rather that immediately jumping into the thick of things. Learning to appreciate the things I have rather than wishing for what I don't have. Turning off the electronics and spending time with the people I love. Cooking at home and sharing a meal rather than going out to eat. Those things.

I've met someone who has been teaching me about fly fishing. I enjoy fishing, I always have. We fished all the time when we were kids. We used lures, worms, cheese, even the buds off the thick grass that grew at the edge of the lake we lived by when we were growing up. I even spent a couple of days in Canada at one of those fly in places with a huge lake and cottages where you spend all morning fishing, come in long enough to cook a shore lunch with your mornings catch, back out on the lake for the afternoon fishing and then back to the island and your cottage in the evening for another fish dinner and time spent around a campfire. In other words - heaven!! I've never tried fly fishing. I know what it is, the basic concept. Long rod, simple reel, pull out some line and swish, swish, swish gently casting the rod and pulling it back, again and again. Back and forth, back and forth and finally letting the line settle down and drift a little. The lures, known as flies, imitate nature - most specifically the insects that hatch in succession throughout the season. There are also lures that resemble frogs, ants, mice, crickets any unfortunate creature who falls into a river or stream and looks like a tasty treat to an always hungry fish. Some lures are attractors; not designed to look like anything but just shiny or squiggly enough to catch the fish's eye and entice them to give it a closer inspection! The flies are amazing! Some are so small I can't imagine even being able to hook anything bigger than a minnow on it! The sub culture to fly fishing is fly tieing. Fishermen who create their own flies at home using all kinds of material - mostly natural like feathers of all kinds, deer hair, moose mane, rabbit ear hair, squirrel tail, you name it and it's probably for sale. Man made fibers are also incorporated, fleece, chenille, iridescent thread, and much more all combined to make an irresistible little tidbit attached to a hook with the intention to land that elusive stream or river dweller! OK, I'll get off my flybox and give it a rest for a minute, but I'm hooked (bad pun, I know)!!

Here's to taking it slow, appreciating what you have, taking off blinders, appreciating the art of flies and....kissing for 2 hours!

Sunday, the end or the begining?

2009-01-11T09:02:00.001-08:00

Is Sunday the start of the week or the end of the week?

We usually think of Monday as the start of the work week and Saturday and Sunday as the weekend..emphasis on end. Most calendars start the week with Sunday though. Because I share custody of my kids with their dad, our weeks revolved around Sunday. Take this week for example. Today, Sunday, the boys are with me and have been all week. Tonight at 6pm they go back to their dad's house. So this (to me at least) is a bad Sunday (not bad so much as sad), and end of the week Sunday, my boys will not be back for 7 days. This is also a rushed day..we clean the house together, finish homework before going to Dad's and try to cram in some "family" stuff on this, our last day of the week together.

The agenda for today:

David (the neighbor kid and best friend to my oldest) was still here - spent the night Friday and Saturday night! He just went home..I actually made them breakfast today, usually I make them get cereal or help themselves. So now that David has departed the day starts (at noon, sigh, not a good start).

SHOWERS - my oldest is 13 and has been playing video games and lounging for the past 48+ hours!! As soon as David left I just pointed at the bathroom door and said "GO". The younger is next..he's 10 and not quite as disheveled (yet).

HOMEWORK - my kids are probably no different than anyone's. Homework assigned on Friday does not even get considered until Sunday and usually not until the clock reads "PM". Of course by then anything they might have remembered relating to the homework assignment has been forgotten and I get to be brutally reminded that NO, I am NOT smarter than a 5th grader. Thank-you Jeff Foxworthy! One plus, the 13 year old is a great student and I rarely have to help with his homework..thank goodness since he is a 7th grader and that study material is way out of my grasp on a Sunday at noon!! I am shamed to admit I just had to look in the glossary to find out what the answer was to "What is a quotient"...hee hee hee, it's the answer when you are doing long division..it would probably be redundant at this point to tell you I was a poor student and by poor I mean dumb!

SHOPPING - because of this crummy snow I haven't ventured out this weekend. We need some food and I promised we could get a new Wii game that they can beat me at (which would be any Wii game) but, I am getting my own controller with a pink cover!! No one touches it but me!

FAMILY TIME - This will consist of playing the new Wii game I assume and me having aching arms for another week.

DINNER - Well, I'll figure this out after we go to the store, but I've been craving pork chops lately so that will probably be on the menu.

BACK TO DADS - at 6pm-ish we gather up the stuff and head over to Dads. Book bags, winter boots, backpacks with a favorite video game or book (they used to be filled with a favorite stuffed animal and blanket, sniffle sniffle time flies).

Sunday is the end of the week on days like today, but in 7 days it will once again be the beginning of the week when my boys come back around 6pm and start my week our the way it should always start with a big ole smile on my face and my finger pointing toward the bathroom saying - "You have got to get in the shower"!

Winter Wonderland?

2009-01-10T09:22:00.001-08:00

I live in Michigan. I've always lived here; with the exception of a couple years in Florida which I would qualify as an aberration (long story, don't go there). Being a life long Michigan resident you would think I would have made my peace with Michigan Winter. I have not. In fact, this snowy season has really gotten to me and it's just the beginning of January...we have a couple/few more months to go.

I do not ski, snowmobile, snowshoe, build snowmen (ok, sometimes if my kids are here and the snow is the correct consistency), make snow angels, wonder at the uniqueness of the individual snowflake, marvel at the beauty of a fresh blanket of snow (ok, that's a lie, I can appreciate it..from inside where it's warm). I shovel.

I shovel, shovel, shovel. I salt and shovel. I don't salt and then I chip away at the ice and shovel. I try and avoid shoveling by making my kids shovel. I disregard shoveling and just plow my way through it into the garage and barrel through the drift at the end of the driveway when they dien to plow the streets around here (few and far between this heavy season).

I make a trail through it dragging the garbage can to sit, tilted like a drunken sailor, waiting for the Thursday morning pick-up. I drag the can back through the snow to the garage, with the snow crusted around the top of it. I am thankful I have no dogs to bring in snowballs clinging to their furry bellies and leaving little snow puddles all around the house.

However, I do have boys and they do go outside (yes, sometimes that actually leave the video game system and venture out into fresh air). Kinda like dogs they bring snow back into the house on their boots, gloves, clothes, jackets, and hats.

I try and ambush them when they come into the garage and get them to "stomp" off any excess, then into the laundry room to strip out of their snowy gear. Pull off snowy pants (turned inside out now), soggy socks (yes, also inside out), soaking gloves (inside out), dripping boots (liners pulled out), soaked hat (flung on the floor creating a puddle), jackets hung (right side out, but usually with one sleeve pulled in to guarantee it will be wet when they go to put it back on so they can gripe about it), and the long sleeve shirt I make them wear, soaked around the cuffs making their wrists as red as a fire engine!

After they shed everything, and I trail behind turning everything right side out (or is that right side in??), mopping up little snow puddles, placing boots by the heater, spreading hats and gloves out to dry. I emerge from the laundry room, back aching, muttering under my breath about how it would be easier with a PACK of dogs and clinging belly-snowballs.

I am greeted with rosy cheeked boys, big grins on their faces, hair standing on end with static electricity, runny noses, frozen feet and hands, streaking for the nearest blanket and video game controller with the plea of "Mo-o-o-o-o-o-m, what are we having for lunch, we're starving!".

I love my boys, but I just really detest winter!!

Back to reality..

2009-01-07T17:55:00.000-08:00

It's been awhile..seems like a year or so..ha ha, get it? I've been so caught up with my new match I've thrown just about everything and everyone under the bus. That happens sometimes, with me especially. When I meet someone new I get really caught up. I had almost the last two weeks of December off and we spent an entire week with each other. Getting to know someone new is always interesting. In the beginning everything is all shiny and new. You just can't wait to email, IM, text, talk on the phone..all that good stuff. Once you meet, face to face, it changes a bit. There is much more texture. Things get real-er....yes, that is a made-up word, but it seems to fit perfectly. We have gotten to know each other better. The protective shield has slipped a bit. You start to get a glimpse of the real person lurking below the surface. I don't mean that to sound negative, but sometimes it works out that way. New information starts to fill the gaps of what you read about that person on their on-line dating profile. Time lines shorten..or lengthen. They make comments that make you go....hmmmmm, interesting. You reveal, or withhold information based on comments the other person makes. You start looking over the top of your rose colored glasses, to get a better look in the direct light. It's all part of the dating game. Sometimes it works sometimes it doesn't..this new one, well...I just wish I didn't like him as much as I do, that sure would make things easier! SIGH, I signed up for a 6 month membership on-line, so I guess I'll get my monies worth.

May be time to go back to the drawing board.

Sunday, Sunday..

2008-12-14T05:14:00.000-08:00

It's Sunday again, way too early! I haven't been sleeping too well the past couple of days. This is what happens to me when I am thinking about someone new.

I've returned to the cyber dating world, but there is one in particular that I'm really interested in. I went out with one, and that was nice, but he hasn't even called me back from the last time I called him...hmm, that's not very nice! I "chatted" with another last week and by that I mean IM - instant messaging. He seems pretty interesting and I'm sure we'll have additional chats. But the third, my Ashton Kucher, is the one I'm talking about.

There is a definite spark of electricity there. It started with him pursuing me..ALWAYS a plus in my opinion. Every girl/woman enjoys being pursued..NOT stalked, but pursued, there is a difference! Being pursued means someone likes you, is interested in you, really wants to get to know you - yeah. Who doesn't like that?

Ashton pursued me, and he's younger (this is why I call him Ashton - but he doesn't know that, so no telling if anyone ever meets him). Hey, I'm 42 and being pursued, I am digging that! We have emailed, IM'd, text'd and talked on the phone. I told my boys yesterday that after I made a quick call we could watch a movie. After I hung up they informed me that my quick call lasted 2 hours!! What the heck? Two hours and it felt like 30 minutes. Uh oh, when was the last time that happened?

I've seen his pictures; two of them, and sadly he looks a little like a convict in one of them (heaven forbid he actually smile!). He sent me a picture from his phone - he has grown a beard (kinda scraggly in my opinion) since his online pics. I commented on that and he said he would shave it off - I suggested maybe a goatee.

We are planning on meeting next Saturday. 6 whole long, long, long days before we meet! We can and will talk on the phone and that is nice. I'm getting to know him. He's actually interested in getting to know me. He and I both seem to be on the same page in our lives at the moment. He has two kids, but he doesn't see his as often as I see mine, I'm sorry for him for that. He has been married twice, but remains optimistic and open minded about relationships (that I can see so far). One big plus, he really enjoys talking. In fact he said he wanted to meet someone who would enjoy this scenario: Making coffee, getting the paper and discussing the topics in the paper or watching a movie and having a discussion about it afterwards. Are you kidding me? That is like music to my ears! This one actually sounds like a grown-up, hmm, who would have thunk it?

OK, enough of my lame rambling. Obviously if you are still reading this girly-girl ranting blog you can tell I'm crushing on this guy big time. I'll try and keep further blogs to a minimum on the mush side.

I have tomorrow off of work and I get to go shopping with my Bro for the last of my Christmas stuff. We're going to a movie today; me and the boys with Uncle Oh-Po and Aunt C before they take off to LA for Christmas. Tomorrow I get to give the 3rd degree to my niece's poor unsuspecting friend who is coming into town later today and will be here a couple of days - poor, poor, misguided, naive, innocent, lad. Hee, hee, hee.

I sure hope this week goes by fast and we get to Saturday quickly. I'm meeting Ashton at The Flint Institute of Arts; it's actually quiet, private and conducive to good conversation but still very public and safe. Plus, it's free on Saturday - woo hoo!

Ready, set, go, go, go......

2008-12-12T04:39:00.000-08:00

I have the day off today! So, here I am - up before my alarm NORMALLY goes off at 6am.

My boys are here this week, so I got up with them to see them off to school. Now I'm blogging and guess what..getting ready to go to work! Yes, there is something definitely wrong with me.

I am going to work on my day off. Actually, I'm going because the team I work with does this wonderful thing each year: we adopt a needy family and buy Christmas gifts for them. Today is the day we deliver the gifts to the organization who delivers them to the family. Also, I forgot to set my "out of office" setting on my email and some of my regulars will think I'm ignoring them if I don't answer promptly (I'm off Monday too). Year end is fast approaching and I'm feeling a little overwhelmed. Year end is a big deal in our business, so everything HAS to be wrapped up on or before Dec 31. There are Tax ramifications if this does not happen, money ramifications, my LIFE ramifications!! So since I'm also off from 12/24 through 1/5/2008 I'm a little stressed out about it.

OK, here I go. My list of to do's:

1. Get up and hit the shower.

2. Go to work, do email/supernova/deliver gifts.

3. Stop by Oh-Po's house and get library book Amazon Thinker borrowed.

4. Go to library to return 2 books and 4 videos.

5. Possibly check out more videos.

6. Get back home before 3pm to greet the boys when they get off the bus.

7. Oops, in the meantime stop and get dishwasher soap and we also need a pencil sharpener.

8. Hopefully speak with Ashton Kucher on the phone as I did not get to speak with him last night - insert *sad face*.

I also promised to help my youngest get set up as a blogger - he is 10. This should be interesting!

Giggle Giggle

2008-12-11T17:04:00.000-08:00

Well I heard the call of the wild and I answered. I'm back on line with the cyber dating world. So far so good. I signed up last Friday and had a lunch date Sunday - not bad, eh!

I spoke on the phone with someone new today, and he seems really nice. We have emailed back and forth and now have talked on the phone. I don't want to get too excited, but he sounds nice as well.

OK, I've been down that path in the past. I saw someone online and his profile was good, the pictures were OK, the emails were really good, the phone conversations were great...then the final step, the meeting. Once I was with him in the same room, face to face so to speak, things took a bad turn. He wanted to sit too close to me. He got a call from his son and started ragging on his ex (his son's MOM) to his son - right in front of me! He also gave off a creepy vibe. The kind of vibe that says "I'm building a woman suit in my basement and you look like you could provide the final piece"!! Needless to say I could not get out of there fast enough. Whoa, dodged a bullet!

I had another date not too long ago and that guy was weirder than...well, the weirdest thing you could possibly ever think of. I can appreciate unique, special, different, quirky, one-of-a-kind - but this guy was a wacko! Some of my close friends and family know the story, so I will spare you dear readers the gruesome details!

Whatever, that was in the past. I'm an optimist. Besides, you have to keep trying because your Mr. or Ms. Right is not going to come knocking on your door; unless you want to date the pizza delivery person or the FED EX guy.

Did I mention the guy I talked to today is younger than me? I have to tell you, I think this is very exciting. I have always dated older guys/men. Usually 5-10-15 years older. Now I have my own Ashton Kucher - ooh la la. OK, it's only been one phone call..except, I'm going to call him later too *girly giggle inserted here*. I'm kinda starting to get perma grin *giggle* *giggle*.

I will keep you posted as to how things are going. The lunch date guy; well, I might see him again. He was nice, but he is a super-hyper-worker guy (and 8 years older). Those of you who know me understand I am kind of the opposite of super-hyper-worker. I'm more like mega-lazy-movie/TV-watcher.

There is a third guy who I'm supposed to IM with later AND he's younger too.....*giggle, giggle*....I'm having fun this time around!!

What's that I hear?

2008-12-02T15:30:00.000-08:00

It’s like the call of the wild; or maybe the siren song of the sea. I’m getting that urge again; like a ex-smoker getting a whiff of someone lighting up. It’s the inexplicable pull of the cyber dating world wondering where I’ve been. I know they miss me! I know they care and have been waiting patiently for my return.

I’m positive Mr. Cyber Right has just posted his profile and is waiting for me to come and find him – after all we have so much in common! He is tall like me, down to earth and shares my love of all things animated. He appreciates my quirky sense of humor, he thinks my lack of social skills is just adorable and like me he would rather lay around all weekend watching movies than cleaning house or ugg – paying bills! He is clever and has a quick wit, I can’t help but crack up when he tells me a joke or silly story.

Unlike me he is a recent lottery mega ball winner and now lives a down-to-earth-but-willing-to-splurge-on-important-things-like-the-woman-he-knows-is-out-there-waiting-to-be-found-or-book-but-not-necessarily-in-that-order-yet-maintaining-a-responsible-everything-paid-on-time-and-putting-some-away-for-the-future lifestyle. Phew, that was a mouthful!

Other things we have in common; an inordinate amount of useless trivia stuffed in our noggins, comfortable clothing older than our children, an affinity for museums and book stores, and the irrepressible urge to find that person who could claim the role of “better half”. We roll our eyes at the term “soul mate”, we understand that we can be alone, we even enjoy our personal space and me time, we don’t need someone to make us complete. However, we long to be able to look at the other end of the couch during the really funny/scary/sad part of the movie and see the look on someone’s face that mirrors our own!

It’s more fun to visit a museum or book store and be able to have someone’s hand to hold, someone to discuss the work of art or magazine article or even share whispered assessments on the weird looking lady in the funky hat.

Most importantly, we’ll have that spark; that chemistry connection that tells us HEY, This is someone special! That feeling like butterflies in the stomach, the stupid perma-grin plastered on your face all day because you are thinking of them, that feeling that you though you were never going to feel again.

Alright, I’ve convinced myself! Back to the cyber drawing board. Just wait for me sweetie and quit looking at that blonde girls profile – she is NOT the one for you! You’ll know Ms. Cyber-Right when you see her; she’s the tall one with the short red hair and dorky grin on her face!!

Hellooooo...

2008-12-01T18:14:00.000-08:00

Surprise, I have NOT fallen off the face of the earth; it just seems that way!

The holidays are upon us. I cooked Thanksgiving dinner - 12 people, all family. I really enjoyed having everyone over. My youngest helped me get things ready. I was up at 6 and got the bird, nicknamed Big Delicious, prepped, stuffed and put in the oven. After that my blurry eyed youngest son came into the kitchen proclaiming "something smells great"! Awww, he is such a sweetie (his brother helped by sleeping in and giving us bonding time - LOL). He helped me peel potatoes and make the deviled eggs. He LOVES deviled eggs. While I mixed the filling he arranged the whites on a plate. After filling all the whites we had leftover filling, he tipped his head back, opened his mouth like a baby bird and I squeezed the remainder of the filling right into his open maw - he loved it!

Big Delicious came out brown and lovely! He really lived up to his name. YUMMY. We had all the traditional fare supplied by all of us, thank goodness I didn't have to make all this stuff (I just got to eat all of it)! Turkey, stuffing, mashed taters with gravy, corn, squash, coleslaw, rosa maria salad (fruit salad), dinner rolls, plus all the pre-dinner snacks! Cheese ball with pretzel crackers, crab dip, deviled eggs, and relish tray. Then the wonderfully sweet endings - pumpkin torte, cookies, chocolate covered pretzels, cheesecake, haystacks (my all time favorite) and a chocolate/caramel pie. I ate till I was as stuffed as the turkey!

We ate, played games, drew our Secret Santa names and watched football. The Detroit Lions have been dubbed "Un-motivatable" by our family. They are truly sad!!

My sister and I went shopping on Friday; but not with the real crazies who were out there at 5 am or earlier. We headed out around 9am, but got a few items purchased and a couple of deals. I also got all my Christmas decorations put up Saturday. The tree is decorated, the mantel is all decked out and my Christmas Village is beautifully displayed! I will have to get the pictures posted on here; that is my favorite thing I put out each year! I even have presents wrapped and under the tree - I am truly deranged - hahahahahahah! Not bad for a four day weekend!

Needless to say I am really tired tonight after going back to work today and driving on the super slippery roads back home this evening - we got about 4 inches of snow last night. I am getting ready for bed and am ready to snuggle under my wonderful 300 thread count Egyptian cotton sheets (I love these sheets) and go to sleep.

On an unrelated note: One of my cats Shere Khan had a badly swollen nose and it got me so worried I spent $100 hard earned Christmas dollars at the vet to get steroids and antibiotics plus a heart stopping warning from the vet tech hoping this wasn't "one of those weird cancer tumors" - sheesh, thanks a lot lady, way to keep the owner calm. My boys thought it was very funny that the cat was on steroids. "He'll really be able to claw things up now" they giggled. I'm glad to report his nose is back to normal and he isn't sneezing half as much.

Oh yeah - I also fixed my garbage disposal on Thanksgiving day!! Thanks to my sister for the wonderful book "You Can Do It" a woman's guide to home repair. You should have seen us high fiving each other in the kitchen - it was AWESOME!

Rock, Paper, Scissors, Spock, Lizard!

2008-11-18T17:17:00.000-08:00

I would like to plug a television program that I think is one of the funniest things on the air right now. OK, I don’t watch a lot of TV, but I make a point to try and watch this show because it is just too funny to miss. “The Big Bang Theory”; in my neck of the woods it is on CBS (I think) on Mondays at 8pm. I watched it last night and the pictures I’m including are in reference to the show. They were trying to make a decision and one of them suggested: Rock, Paper and Scissors. The nerdiest of the group of nerds suggests Rock, Paper, Scissors, Spock, Lizard and goes on to explain how each correlates to the other; ok, it was much funnier last night than it sounds right now – TRUST ME! I’ll also plug “Two and a Half Men” because I also think that show is hilarious.

I watched a little TV and then read for the remainder of the evening. I’m reading “Vamped” by David Sosnowski. It is a modern vampire tale that takes place in Michigan (sort of). The author is a Michigan native and I must say very talented! I am loving this book; it really has a quirky take on the whole immortal view of life and poses some interesting questions.
Our un-official book club starts tonight. We're reading Silas Marner and we have to read the first three chapters (oops, five chapters!). My nephew has to read it for school and since our family is relatively book crazy, we’re showing our support by reading alongside him. “We” includes me, my sister, my niece and sister-in-law. Yes, we are basically doing his homework! Hey, he is the baby of four children, and the last one at home now that the others are either married/in the army/at college, so what do you expect! He better get an A+ on this project, which is all I have to say.

Until next time..Live Long and Prosper!

Down time...

2008-11-16T06:35:00.000-08:00

Another Sunday...

My boys are wrestling out in the living room and I'm watching a movie; The Devil Wears Prada and trying to come up with something to blog about. I'm heading over to my friend Jay's house later for dinner and a massage. I have some great friends. I could really use some pampering right now, I've been having some boo hoo moments lately. I know everyone gets down-in-the-dumps so I'm no different. Usually I can un-dump myself with the mantra I'm-thankful, I'm-thankful - but sometimes dinner and a massage is in order! Yeah!!

Still no snow here, although it was trying awfully hard yesterday. It was raining "thickly". Fat, wet, semi-snow drops. I know it will be here soon,and glutton that I am, I'm looking forward to it. I love the first really pretty snowfall. The snow covers everything; clinging to the bare tree branches, covering the ground and blanketing everything else in a beautiful white cape! And then I have to shovel it and the love is lost until maybe next year!

Well, I've got to run because the washer and dryer are calling - being the domestic goddess that I am, I live for laundry! I have a few moments remaining with my movie and kitty snuggling, then I'm upgrading to son snuggling and food prep..I'm starving!

Hey..it's snowing outside!!

Different interests...

2008-11-11T18:16:00.000-08:00

I don’t get some people…

I’ve been very excited about my new hobby – blogging. When I try to talk to people about it I get a variety of responses:

“Isn’t that like writing a diary that everybody can read? That’s kinda creepy, I wouldn’t want anyone knowing personal stuff about me” accompanied with a startled look and secretly wondering what kind of stuck-up person am I that I want everyone to know so much about me (ok, maybe I’m reading into the look)

“Wow, you really have a lot of time on your hands” accompanied with a slight sneer and air of superiority that she is soooo busy she has no time to do something so frivolous. (I am NOT reading into that look, I work with this woman, she looks at everyone this way!)

“Sounds boring” accompanied with a blank stare (bored people are boring!)

“Hey, that’s kinda cool, I wish I could do something like that, but I wouldn’t know what to write about” accompanied with a look I see reflected on the other side of any mirror I’m looking into – INTEREST!

I like these types of people; the ones who show interest and are looking to learn something new or try something different. These folks I could chat with for quite some time and tell them “YES, you too can BLOG and share whatever interest or stories you have inside you begging to get out”. Our blogs don’t have to be anything awe-inspiring or academically astounding; you can write about you, your life, anything you want – it’s all good.

These are the same people we all have to deal with on a regular basis. That is what makes life wonderful, albeit frustrating. I’m glad I found this new hobby. I’m happy to write about my life and let everyone who wants to, take a peek! I don’t have any more time on my hands than any other person; I just choose to use my time differently – not so much TV, a little more computer and being creative. It doesn’t make me any better than anyone else, but it might make me a little happier!

Ramble, ramble, ramble...

2008-11-10T17:54:00.000-08:00

On Halloween it was 70 degrees and beautiful. Last week I was able to sit outside at the pic-nic table to enjoy my lunch and appreciate Indian summer. Today there were warnings about iced overpasses and a fine dusting of snow on the cars, lawns and roofs.

My mother is what we call a snowbird. She lives 1/2 the year in Michigan and 1/2 the year in Florida. She called my brother today and was complaining that it just felt weird to go into the stores in Florida; they have their Christmas decorations up and the holiday music is playing overhead, but it just doesn't feel like Christmas. I just can't feel sorry for her; it's less than 32 degrees here and 80+ degrees there. We have to scrape our windows here, she has to crack hers there so the car won't overheat. I'm layered with sweats, t-shirt, hoodie (with the hood up!), and I'm sitting under a blanket and she is layered with t-shirt and sun-screen. She also informed my brother, sister and I that she doesn't want to "DO CHRISTMAS" this year, yet she can't figure out why it doens't feel like Christmas there...hmmm, it's a mystery to me.

I get to do Thanksgiving this year. YEAH! In two (almost three) weeks everyone will congregate at my house for some good old fashioned over-eating! WOO HOO!! My sister and her husband plus my nephew (their last kid at home), my brother and his wife, my married nephew and his wife, my niece; home from college, plus my two boys. I love the time when all the family gets together; food, fun, laughter! We play games and yell louder and louder - I love it! I even took the day after Thanksgiving off work. I am finally going to go to one of those CRAZY day-after Thanksgiving early store opening shopping extravaganzas with my sister and anyone else crazy enough to go with us. The only thing missing is my nephew who is currently in Fort Knox, KY going through basic training for the Army. We will all miss him, the over-eating will not be the same without skinny D!

I had some kind of idea that this was all going to come together somehow..something about the changing seasons and how much you can appreciate it in Michigan. I've gotten off track a bit.

It's getting colder, winter is upon us. I am going to focus on Thanksgiving for now and remember to be thankful for my frustrating, silly, loud, loving, aggravating, wonderful family - near and far!

Another Sunday

2008-11-09T06:26:00.000-08:00

Wow, another Sunday here, time flies when you're having fun...or not.

I'm hoping today I might tempt my brother to go with me to the DIA - Detroit Institute of Arts. I need to get out of the house and they have a cool exhibit going on right now. I really like museums, esp art museums. One of my favorites is the Salvador Dali museum in St Petersburg, FL. Do any of you know who Salvador Dali is....hmmm? OK, he's the artist who did the work with the melting clocks. I'll have to try and snag something off the net to show you. I really like his stuff - kind of demented, but very cool non the less!

I like the fact that my boys have developed a love of art as well. Probably just trying to make me feel better, but I'm always impressed when they can identify different artists or works of art; Dali, Van Gogh, MC Esher. I think it is very cool! I still haven't taken them to the DIA, but we have gone more than once to the FIA - Flint Institute of Arts. It's tough when you are on a very, very tight budget to do all the things you want to do with your kids.

Alright, I'm gonna jet; gotta check the net to see the museum hours, call my brother and try to do something with this really bad bed-head hair I've got going on!

Later Art Lovers!

Election Day..

2008-11-04T17:01:00.000-08:00

It's Election Day.

Yes, I voted. No, I won't tell you for who. I have a HUGE privacy issue when it comes to politics, my purse and my mail. DON'T open my mail, DON'T get into my purse and DON'T ask me who I'm voting for. I'm weird that way.

Back to Election day. I will admit, I have not been a very active voter in the past. I have only voted once in my life as a matter of fact. BUT, I feel a little differently this year. I just can't not vote anymore. It may sound corny, but I think of what a privilege I have; being able to vote. My opinion counts, my vote counts..it counts to me!

My kids were surprised when I told them that if you don't like the choices on the ballot you can write in someone else. I used Donald Duck as an example and my son wanted to know what would happen if he talked to all his friends and got everyone to vote for Donald Duck and Donald won! I told him HE should be in politics if he had that many friends and could get that many votes! He's 10.

A woman I work with sent an e-mail around that was a link to your precinct, candidates, issues and such. I was able to find out everything I wanted to know about the different candidates and issues. They even had a tutorial on how to use the specific voting machine used at my polling station! Pretty cool. So whether it counts or not I voted today and it felt pretty good.

Actually it felt great!

Reflection..

2008-11-02T07:21:00.000-08:00

Sundays must be for reflection..

It's Sunday and the boys and I are lounging around on my bed. I'm surfing the net, checking my email, basically being lazy. They are playing Pictochat, a new DS game they bought yesterday - this is a game I could really learn to like. It's my artistic side begging to come out and play!

As I was going through my emails, I had one from someone I was dating earlier in the year. I have been divorced almost 6 years and have dated a bit. In the past year or so, I've been a little more active with the on-line dating services. On-line dating makes sense to me as someone who works full time, has kids, and doesn't go "out on the town" a whole lot.

I think my friends/family setting me up would probably work out best, but I either have a shortage of friends or they have a shortage of available men in my age/interest group! Internet dating is not for sissies. I've heard all the "Oh, my friends-sisters-cousin met her husband that way" - I'm beginning to think this is urban legend! When I turn on the TV I'm bombarded with eHarmony, Match, Chemistry all touting their perfect-match-made-in-heaven hookups. I'm very doubtful! I personally have been on: Yahoo personals, Match, eHarmony and Chemistry - I've looked at Plenty-of-Fish and have also met people from myspace.com and bikerornot.com! I have met a lot on nice people, and a couple of really odd people, but have yet to find "the one".

Going back to that email I mentioned earlier. This was someone I met through Match.com. We "sparked" right away and jumped into a relationship way too soon. I'm notorious for moving too fast, in and out of interests/relationships. I'm sure I've left more than one person scratching their head thinking, "Hmm, I thought we were really going somewhere". I'm also notorious for over thinking just about everything!

I dated this person for about 3 months, but in the end we just were not compatible...although I don't think he feels this way. I have never had a guy be so persistent. He will send the occasional email and even called me at work the other day. Each time I start thinking, reflecting on why this one didn't work out. I'll remember all the good times (we had several) and then remind myself of the bad times (we had more of those) and the reflection process goes on and on.

I know I made the right decision. I will continue to look for someone who I feel compatible with, I think that is human nature. I do want someone I can spend time with, someone special; more than just a friend. On-line seems to be the way to go, but I'll keep my eyes open at the grocery store, library, museum..all my typical or favorite hang-outs! I'll also keep reminding my friends that I am single and if they think of someone they know I would click with, feel free to introduce us. It never hurts to meet someone new, make a new friend.

After all, a couple of my best friends are guys I use to date!

Family Matters

2008-11-01T06:34:00.000-07:00

Halloween is finished for another year..wah!

I really like Halloween..really, really. Each year for my birthday my boys get me another piece for my growing Halloween village set! Eventually I hope to have a HUGE display.

We decorate the yard and inside the house too. I would love to do a haunted garage next year for the trick-or-treaters, my boys are almost done with the door-to-door begging, so I may get my wish soon.

Last night my oldest and his buddies went out to mostly just goof around. They are good boys who are going through that transition of too old to trick-or-treat and too young to go to parties. My oldest and his best friend went as Barak Obama and John McCain wearing boxing gloves - too funny! They were a big hit.

My youngest was wearing the hangdog look because he is 10 and I wouldn't let him go with his brother and the older boys. I went with him door-to-door, which I haven't gotten to do for over 6 years! Normally his dad takes them, but dad went hunting in Canada, so I lucked out!

Last night was BEAUTIFUL - warm temps and no winds. My little guy's costume consisted of a big red magnet with the silver ends hung around his neck, there were little yellow chicks glued to the end..a chick magnet!! Some people got it right away, others had to ask "What are you anyway?" and as soon as he said "Chick Magnet" they just howled with laughter. The men all asked if they could borrow it after Halloween!! One older couple just didn't get it.."Oh how cute, a Chicken Magnet" said the little old lady with a puzzled expression on her face. My son whispered to me as we were leaving "Mom, old people just don't get it".

I left a bucket of candy (the lame stuff) on the porch with a note saying "Please, take one or two but leave some for the others" yeah right! At least it was all gone and no one egged the front door or TP'd the trees.

When the boys got back to the house the candy was spread all over the floor, grouped into favorites piles and the trading commenced. They were like Arab traders in the market place... "I'll give you a Butterfinger for a Kit Kat"
"No way dude, I'll give you two Twizzlers for that Butterfinger"
"Hey man, where did you get chips! I didn't get chips, did you guys get chips?"
"Nah, we missed the chip house. That's lame, I like chips"
"Duuuudes, I got paly-doh!!"
"Yeah, me too - I got red"
"I got yellow"
"Mines green"
"Mooooommmmm, how come I didn't get Play-Doh"?
We must have missed that house..oops.
"Dudes, I'll trade you whatever for your Play-Doh"!
"OK, gimmie a Crunch and two pieces of gum"
"You can have mine for a Reeces and some of that Laffy Taffy"
"Cool - I got all the Play-Doh"!
My son then proceeds to take out the green, roll it into a rope with a ball on the end and stick it up his nose.
"Dudes, check it out - Uuuhhhh, do I have something in my nose"..
They all fall onto the floor laughing their heads off, high on sugar and the freedom of an un-supervised Halloween! I just roll my eyes and tell him I hope he washes that before he puts it back into the container! This started when they were two and will never end; the farts, boogers, burps - the joy of boys!!

They finish trading and gather up their loot. I drive one home and the other two I drop off at D's house; his poor Mom can deal with two hopped-up sugar heads. She'll usher them to the basement and the Xbox, they'll stay up till 3am or later and sleep till noon. Teenagers in training.

My little guy and I climb into my bed (it's a pre-req when his brother stays at D's house) and watch House till we fall asleep. Just before he drops off he says "Mom, I'm so glad we got to go trick-or-treating together, I had a lot of fun". Awwww, my little man is sooo sweet.

Another successful Halloween. I got eveyone's Whoppers; seems like no one except me likes malted milk balls - YIPPIE!

Do I always look this bad??

2008-10-29T18:54:00.000-07:00

OK, so my eyes are still messed up.....wah!

I woke up this morning and they were almost swollen shut! I had a dentist appointment so I was going into work a little late. I couldn't wear eye shadow - my lids were too puffed to even think about it, not to mention ITCHY! I did apply a little mascara cause I felt almost naked leaving the house without eye attire!

After settling into the dentist chair and knowing she was going to be staring me in the face cleaning the choppers I told her about my eyes. I thought I was doing her a favor so that my puffed peepers wouldn't alarm her. "Oh" she says, looking me in the eyes, "I couldn't really tell, hmm, I guess the right one is a little red". WTHecks? A little red?? Jeeze, they are practically swollen shut, the lids are BLOOD RED and should be twitching they are so itchy! Can't she see that? What is she, BLIND?! Harrumph.

I got to work about and hour and a half late and proceeded to tell my sad, sad tale; Yes, avert your eyes, I am the swollen-eyed, itchy-lid woman, look away - look away. Just like the girl at the dentist they look at my face, even squinting to get a reeeeally good look. "Hmm" they say, "yeah, I can see a little puffiness". WTHecks, again! Is everyone around here blind or something? I AM HIDEOUS! Then suddenly it hits me. Holy Crap, according to everyone I must look like this every day!!

Obviously I've overreacted! Even with swollen and itchy eyes I am still the stunning Red Headed Goddess that I am every other day of the week. I am a strong and invincible woman who even though she is going through obvious pain and discomfort is able to pull it all off with out even showing any sign of weakness. Ahh, it's good to be me!

2008-10-28T17:23:00.000-07:00

Greetings...

I'm feeling a little under the weather tonight. I wore brand new eye shadow today - just opened the case, but it is a brand I've used before. On my way home my eye lids were feeling a little itchy. Oh yeah, buy the time I was able to get all the way home and wash my face it looked like I had gone too many rounds in the boxing ring and my trainer forgot to throw in the towel! I have fat, swolen, red, itchy eyelids. I'M SOOO PRETTY!

I also got an email tonight from the guy I met for dinner for the first time Friday saying he didn't think I was the right fit for him, but we could still talk and be friends. This guy has been married and divorced THREE TIMES and I'm not right for him - holy crap, just how wrong am I??

The Friday date was after the Thursday date that ended soooo badly I was afraid I wouldn't make it out with my skin attached to my skelleton! That guy was so creepy and said the utmost inappropriate things I though my jaw would drop through the floor and I would turn to stone just from hearing the words he uttered! Eeeewwwwwwww!

The eye thing is kinda like the icing on the cake - a really nasty, unpalatable, unbelieveably bad, bad, cake. That's been my week...ok, the end of last week and begining of this week - my extendo-week, so far. I am so glad I have Friday off.

On the upside - the market closed up over +900, I have the best boys this side of anywhere, I'm healthy and because neither of those dates turned out well I gues that means my Mr. Right is still waiting for me to catch..oops, I mean MEET him!

Tomorrow, tomorrow..I'll see ya, tomorrow...it's only a day awwwwaaaaaayyyyyyyy!!