Uncategorized – Long walks and dark chocolate

Kerplunk

January 11, 2013 2 Comments

Me, long before the nickname kerplunk

The smell of the low tide on the way home tonight brought back more childhood memories. You know how you can be somewhere and just get a whiff of something and it can take you back to a specific time in your life?

My dad was a commercial fisherman and stone crabber and we were out on the water a lot growing up. It’s hard to remember exactly how old I was, but I think I was around 10 or 11 and I must have been going through a gawky, clumsy stage. One year my dad gave me the nickname “kerplunk”. It wasn’t one of those nicknames that last you for the rest of your life (thank goodness!) It was a nickname for a season. And let me tell you, that particular season, I earned it.

It seemed that we couldn’t be in the boat or actually anywhere near a body of water without me falling in. “Kerplunk”, he would say. I was thinking today that maybe the fact that dad started calling me that made me fall in even more, since our words hold such power.

I remember one time he was fishing and there was a large cooler in the boat and at the time the lid was halfway off. I was precariously perched on the edge of it and before I knew it, I was overboard and trying to get back in the boat. “Kerplunk”. Another time, my dad was stopped near a mangrove tree and had told us all to sit down as he was about to take off. In all my youthful stupidity, I thought it would be a cool idea to hang on to the mangrove branch as my dad moved forward.

The next thing I know, I’m hanging from the branch as the boat speeds away. I thought it was pretty funny until the branch broke. I screamed and they looked back about the time I found myself going under. Thankfully, I did know how to swim. I can still remember how the oyster shells felt when they cut through the tender flesh in the salty water. My dad gave me a piece of his mind that day for that one, but he had to feel sorry for me at the same time. I was a pathetic, bawling, dripping mess by the time they picked me up.

Then, it seemed that as quickly as my “kerplunk” incidents began, they just stopped happening. I guess you could probably say I learned my lesson, started paying more attention instead of trying to merely get attention. Even though it’s kind of an embarrassing one, it’s a good memory, because I remember all the good times we had out in the boat. I’ll have to remind my dad about that the next time I see him.

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: boating, humor, ocean, Recreation, swimming, Tide, water

Ice machines in the night

January 10, 2013 Leave a Comment

I am heading home tomorrow from my most recent work trip and I couldn’t be happier! Sleep has been elusive this trip and I will be happy to be back in my own bed.

Although I have admitted in past posts that I am a hotel snob, this one hasn’t been too bad (although it’s not my favorite chain and doesn’t have room service) except that I am near the elevator and the ice machine. This hasn’t posed much of a problem as things have been fairly quiet, until last night.

I was deep in la la land and awoke with a start at the cacophony coming from just a few feet away from my hotel room door. It startled me and took me a minute to identify the noise. Some incredibly inconsiderate individual had decided to make use of the ice machine at approximately 10:0opm. As enraged as I was to wake up this way, it took all I could not to open the door and say something (I have family members who are flipping out right now at this statement thinking “oh no, that would have put you in danger, never do that!”). I have other friends who are thinking, “only 10:00, really, Lisa,?”. Personally, I think all loud noise and even discussions in the hallways should cease after 9:00pm.

As I laid back down, knowing sleep would not return any time soon (thanks again, ice man), I heard it again and again and again. By now I’m seriously wondering if he is building an ice rink in his room. I remember thinking to myself, “the only way this would be justified is if someone in that room has a raging fever and he is giving them an ice bath to bring it down”. Isn’t it odd the things we think in the middle of the night? Maybe he was a hunter and was bringing some venison home to the family? Or maybe he stocked up at a sale on frozen stuff? I decided that it was more likely that he was filling a cooler and then tried to figure out why he wouldn’t just use the nice little refrigerator in the room. Besides, it’s been so cold here, I have no idea why anyone would even need ice.

Oh well, I never figured it out, and needless to say, by the time I feel back to sleep, I didn’t like the ice man very much (although I have forgiven him). He robbed me of sweet, desperately needed slumber. This made me wonder how many people (maybe even ice man) will be awakened by people like me with blow dryers, doors closing and briefcases or suitcases rolling before 7:00am. Live and let live I guess, right?

Here’s hoping for peaceful, quiet hallways tonight – Sweet dreams, my friends, wherever you may rest your weary heads 🙂

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: ice, sleep, Travel

The day fingernails won me over

January 9, 2013 6 Comments

I was a jealous little girl and I couldn’t bear the idea of not getting the lion’s share of the attention from any adults I might spend time with. This was such a problem with me that I would plot and plan evasive little schemes to get to have my granny all to myself. If my brother and sister wanted to go stay with her I would remind them that granny didn’t have television and they would miss their favorite programs. Or, I would pretend that I wasn’t going after all and tell them what fun we would have, only to sneak out and go to her house before they had time to realize I was going. I was often a sneaky, deceitful child in my dealings with them.

I remember one time granny seriously considered adopting a young girl and I was absolutely devastated and I let her know it. Looking back, I realize how incredibly selfish and self-centered I was, but at the time I guess I didn’t realize that granny had enough love to go around. There is no justification for my feeling this way; I was surrounded by people who loved me and let me know it daily. However, I strive to be transparent here, and this is just the way it was for a long time.

You can just imagine my dismay when I learned that my uncle, who at the time was away at college, was bringing his girlfriend home. A girlfriend?!? Are you kidding me? This just couldn’t be. I could not allow this to happen. My uncle had been one of my babysitters when I was young and he held a special place in my heart. There just wasn’t room for another woman in the picture.

Somehow, in spite of my objections to her very presence on earth, much less with MY uncle, I managed to ride to the airport to pick them up on her first trip home to meet the family. My little heart was pounding, and my mind was whirling with ideas of how dreadful she would be. I don’t remember the exact details but I do remember that I ended up sitting next to her in the car on the ride home. She was tiny and had quite the southern accent. She had beautiful bouncy brown hair, a tiny splash of freckles and the most beautiful naturally long fingernails I had ever seen. She let me play with her nails all the way home and looking back, I wonder if that drove her crazy at the time, if she hated it that I sat there pulling, probing and picking at her nails.

Needless to say, before we even completed the hour drive home, she had won my heart and has been carving out her own private place in it ever since. Not long after that (I don’t think they were married when we first met, but my memory may fail me on that point) she became my aunt. She has always shown me unconditional love and taught me a lot about marriage and family and my life is richer because she has been a part of it. I know everyone in my family would agree.

It’s funny because her son and his family were visiting me this past weekend and during church one of his girls sat in my lap and begin to play with my fingernails and it brought back such a flood of fond memories. And you know what? I didn’t hate it at all; it was precious.

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: aunt, Family, Girl, grandparent, Granny, jealousy, Relationships

Wake up!

January 8, 2013 4 Comments

So how was your day? Mine was good after another bumpy start. I woke up almost an hour and a half later than what I intended. This NEVER happens to me; I usually wake up prior to any alarms going off. Besides, when I arrive at a hotel, I always test their automated wake up system the first night while employing a back up. If it works, I use the automated system for the remainder of my stay. Yes, I’m a little obsessive about that type of thing. Tardiness is unacceptable in this situation (in my humble opinion).

So, the first night I was here, the automated system worked fine. I set it for 5:30am and voila’, the phone rang promptly at 5:30am. Success! Last night, I enlisted the same system, snuggled in for a good nights rest and woke up at 6:55am. Mind you, I had promised to be at the training center with my fellow instructors at 7:00am this morning.

This gave me approximately 30 minutes to not only shower, wash hair (it’s been a couple of days), dress, apply makeup, and make barely drinkable coffee, but also to drive there which would take at least 10-15 minutes, if traffic cooperated. Yes, the coffee was a neccessity. There was nothing in this list I could remove.

I looked at the clock with bleary, sleep-filled eyes, sprung out of bed and ran to the bathroom. I jumped in the shower and remembered when my brother, sister and I were small and we would take our showers. If we finished too quickly to suit my dad, he would say, “What did you do, just run through the shower?” And usually, we probably had done just that. I did a little better this morning, but I don’t think I’ve ever washed and conditioned my hair so fast. Have you ever noticed when you’re in a hurry, the soap will not stay in it’s resting place?

Shower over, I threw hair in a towel, slopped some makeup on without even neglecting moisturizer, picked out earrings to go with my outfit, dressed, packed up my bag, and made the coffee. Making coffee in hotels nearly always irritates me; mostly because they either forget sugar/creamer completely or they are stingy with it. Today it was because I poured in a full cup of water, but the coffee maker only returned half the cup. Lots of evaporation going on there or something. Oh well, at least I got two swallows on my way out the door.

I get to the lovely rental and it’s covered in ice. Being a FL girl, and since it is a rental, I’m not prepared, but I don’t have time to go back in and do anything that would eat up precious minutes, not even for safety’s sake. So, I did what most people would do (haha, probably not). I turned on the windshield wipers full speed and was super thankful that the water sprayed out and wasn’t frozen. The defroster worked on the rear window, so the only problem was the side windows, so I rolled them down and took off down the road with 40 degree wind blowing through my not entirely dry hair.

Traffic was on my side and I made it in the door at 7:35. The day was all uphill after that. I’m still shocked at how quickly I got ready, but I have no desire to repeat in the near future. I will probably employ at least three methods to ensure I get that wake up call in the morning!

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Bathroom, Coffee, late, Shower, Travel

Vainly searching

January 7, 2013 4 Comments

Today started out okay if it weren’t for that one thing! I got up on time and was dressed, ready and out the door by 6:30 but sans mascara; the one item I forgot. I’m certainly not going to teach a class without it; my eyes will look bare. No worries, I’ll just stop at a drug store on the way and pick some up. Yeah, right! No such thing enroute to the training center.

Even though my GPS refused to cooperate with the address of my intended location, and I had to go back inside the hotel and print out some help from mapquest, I still managed to arrive early. I figured since it wasn’t even daylight yet, I would continue looking for a “mascara” store. I wanted more coffee anyway. I’m independent, self-reliant, I could do this.

I continued down a winding, hilly road, filled with blind curves. I even found myself singing, “The long and winding road” by the Beatles. You just sang a line too, didn’t you? Fresh in my memory from my last trip out this way was the discussion about the abudance of deer and the admonition to be very careful so I didn’t hit one. Granted, my rental car is ugly but I don’t want to return it with dents or worse.

So to imagine the scene now, it’s still before daylight and I’m poking along in my hideous rental, braking at the top of each hill (because I’m used to flat land and who knows what is on the other side) and behind me trails a line of headlights. The poor locals who have the pleasure of following a FL girl, unsure of herself in the hill country, are probably about to lose their patience with me. I’m driving along feeling badly for all the times I get impatient with tourists at home (although I doubt most are in hot pursuit of mascara!) I did have to brake for one deer and that made me feel a little more justified in my creeping along under the speed limit.

I continued on, for approximately 7 miles, not finding a safe place to stop or turn around. I finally reached a dead end and right in front of me was an old gas station. You know the type; pigs feet and dill pickles on the counters and bathrooms on the outside (with the big key rings that you don’t want to touch). I didn’t go inside, but I didn’t really have to (that last epidsode of Criminal Minds I watched was flashing back). I’m thinking an unexpired tube of mascara would have been way too much to ask for anyway. So, I turned around and went back the way I came.

Can you believe I went to all of this trouble because I was worried about naked eyelashes? Well, the day went along fine and if anyone noticed, they didn’t mention it and I forgot it too as time passed. For those who know me, this was a major accomplishment.

So after class, I went sightseeing and took a few pictures and I even managed to locate a Target before I settled in at the hotel for the night. Yes, I bought some mascara (and peanut m&m’s), so let’s see what tomorrow brings. If nothing else, my eyes will look good.

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: makeup, Mascara, Travel

Rough, Ruff

January 6, 2013 Leave a Comment

After a full day of traveling, I finally made it to my hotel room laden with luggage and a grease stained bag containing burger and fries from Five Guys. It’s officially time to grub out and relax and ponder my day.

I’m sitting here reflecting on the day and one memory grabs at my attention. Dogs. There were exceptionally large numbers of them in the airport today and on the plane. I also saw one lady opting for the “companion” restroom with her canine friend.

I feel the need to preface the remainder of this post with sort of a disclaimer….There are those in my “circle” (you know who you are) who have misinterpreted my feelings about dogs, cats, and animals in general.

I love animals, especially the ones who are wild, who go about their business over land and in the sea, free to roam as the good Lord intended; lately my husband and I really enjoy watching birds that come to our feeder out back. I will gladly admit, without care or worry of repercussion that I do not care for cats at all, nada, zilch! My experiences with them have not been all that positive and I can assure you when our outside cat Lily goes, there will never be another in/around our abode.

Now, about dogs. We had a lovely german shepherd named Yahtzee growing up who we all loved dearly. When he died, though, I never cared if I owned another pet. I would love to say (to impress my dog loving friends) that his death barred me from ever being able to love another dog. However, since I am of the truthful sort, I can’t say that. I don’t know the reason except that I don’t desire the companionship, the mess, the being tied down, the extra expense, etc….that comes with owning a pet. On top of that that I am highly allergic to dogs. All of them. Yes, even your non-shedding, or hairless one, and no it doesn’t matter how clean your house is, or if you vacuum before I come. It appears I am allergic not only to the dander, but to their saliva and you know what that means.

I have many family members and close friends who have dogs; for the most part, they understand my dilemma and try their best to accomodate me. My daughter had a friend watch their poodle (one I seem to be the least allergic to) when I flew out to watch my granddaughter because she knew I wouldn’t be particularly enthralled over walking him several times a day, especially when the walking involved a scoop and a baggie.

My mother in law loved her little dog so much that she recently acquired a second one. Hmm…. maybe she just wants to make sure I don’t come over. Just kidding!!! She loves me, just not as much as she loves her dogs. My sister takes her dog, Paris, everywhere with her, except to my house. She dresses her up and takes her for “rides” in the car so she can let her fur blow in the wind. I’m not judging, just not my thing.

So, as I sat in the airport today waiting to board and the little dog directly in front of me strained against his collar to try to get a lick (I was eating a ham and swiss panini, which probably enticed him all the more), I had no choice but to get up and move. People don’t understand when you don’t want to love on their critters. Even if I was inclined to do so (which I am not), it’s not worth the headache, itchy eyes and rash that develops. On a bad day, my throat feels like it’s closing up. It all depends on the dog and my level of exposure, I suppose.

I guess my point is, don’t always assume people like me are just rude and hate your pet. For those of us with allergies, sometimes their excitement over meeting/greeting us can ruin the rest of the day. I just want to assure you not to take it personal. You have no idea how difficult this post even is for me to write because I know how sensitive people are about their pets and I don’t want to be misunderstood (or hated). I just want to point out both sides and that not all of us are as inclined as others to desire or enjoy a pet (for whatever our reasons may be) and it doesn’t mean that we are callous, coldhearted people as we are sometimes treated. Love to all of you and your pets; just don’t bring them over please 😉

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Allergy, Dog, Five Guys, hotel, Pet, Yahtzee

Be true to you

January 5, 2013 2 Comments

“To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.”
― Ralph Waldo Emerson

As I contemplate some of the relationships I come in contact with, I can’t help but remember a particular scene in the movie, Runaway Bride. In case you aren’t familiar with the movie, it tells the story of a young woman who leaves a string of fiancés at the altar. She fears being herself so she becomes what she thinks they want her to be, which leaves her unhappy and unsure of the relationship.

When she begins to realize the problem, she goes into a café and tries eggs every style. She has always eaten them however her current “love” eats them, instead of deciding how she likes them best. Eggs benedict wins out as her favorite. That scene could teach.

Since one reason I began blogging is to share life experiences, I have to admit that this is one all too familiar to me, as I struggled with this in my younger years. I see many young women, morphing themselves into whatever they THINK their current man wants them to be, instead of being themselves. I was never truly happy until I learned to be myself, whether it “fit” with someone else or not.

If only we could syphon some of our hard-earned experience into their brains, but alas, this isn’t the way we learn. Unfortunately, for the most part, our younger generation has to learn these things for themselves. I know I did.

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: art, Literature, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Runaway Bride

Daily Prompt: It is a Truth

January 5, 2013 Leave a Comment

Today’s Daily Prompt

Take the first sentence from your favorite book and make it the first sentence of your post.

IT is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife. (Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice)

This quote is from one of my all-time favorite books and authors. I love a book that escorts me back to much simpler times. Yes, there were some strange societal rules and it would appear odd to most American women that the primary goal of the Bennet mother and daughters was marriage and the wealthier, the better. However, to the delight of the reader, you were exposed to the entire love-package as well in Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy.

Personally, I think the goal of marriage and motherhood a very worthy one (even if that is the primary goal). Yes, I just said that and perhaps you would call me old fashioned. I consider myself very blessed to have been married for a very long time and have two beautiful daughters, one of whom is now a mother herself. I also work full-time, but my jobs as wife, mother and even domestic engineer are the most important ones to me and also the ones I’ve found to be most fulfilling.

My highest calling in this life has been to my family; to love and nurture them to the best of my ability with God’s grace and guidance.

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Bingley, Darcy, Family, God, Jane Austen, Mother, pride prejudice

Positively ill

January 2, 2013 9 Comments

This is going to be short and sweet because I’m sick and don’t feel like thinking, but since I have made a commitment to myself to blog daily, I feel obligated. Otherwise, I will stress over the fact that I haven’t and that won’t get me well any quicker.

So, I wanted to focus on the positive (although I feel like my head has been run over by a truck) and find things to be thankful for today.

Thankful for a phone although it’s ringing has woke me up 10x today (I’m exaggerating just a tad here)

Just as thankful for the neighbor’s dog barking (probably at our cat because she is incessantly whining for food or prancing around in his range of vision)

No, seriously….

Thankful for loving hands that prepared food for me and my hubby

Thankful for antibiotics attacking whatever ails me

Thankful that this is minor and I will be well soon

Thankful for videos of my granddaughter to watch over and over

Thankful for sick days, a great boss and wonderful co-workers

Thankful for prayers that I know are being uttered by those who love me

Blessings to all and stay well!

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: sick, thankful

Daily Post: Asleep when the ball dropped

January 1, 2013 1 Comment

I was awake when a multitude of time zones celebrated the beginning of the New Year, just not in this one. This isn’t a departure from the norm for me. I remember occasionally watching Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve (or whatever labels it’s been given throughout the years) and there was a time I used it as another excuse to party. However, for most of my 47 years, I have been deep in sweet slumber as our little slice of the globe rang in the new.

The bad thing about this is…well, I can’t find anything bad about it. I woke up early, feeling refreshed and ready to actually enjoy this first new day of this New Year. This is day one of 2013; a new day, fresh grace, opportunities untold.

The first, unstained, unsullied page of a brand spanking new book and I own the rights. The pen is mine, therefore so is the outcome. How will this tale unfold? What will this story bring? Who are the new characters and how will they develop and interact? Will the primary genre be romance, suspense, action? There is much to be determined. I have free will; I can choose.