Blog Count is Down

I've slacked off on posting because I'm trying to catch up on my sleep. Always heard that you can't really make up sleep time that's been lost. I wonder why that is? I've enjoyed trying anyway, haha. Looking forward to a busy day at work tomorrow and a weekend full of fun activities with a little laundry mixed in to keep me grounded. I've been getting more comfortable with the camera and taking as many pictures as I can, so I plan more of that as well.

The date is important

"Life can only be understood backward, but it must be lived forward." ~Soren Kierkegaard


I found some of the old papers and stories I have written. There were a lot from the high school and junior college years, and less from the later era where IMHO I was writing better work. Grr. But also an unexpected discovery: I dug out things I don't even remember writing. It's strange to read an emotional essay that I created but don't really recall. Did I forget it because once I wrote about it, it's "out there" and I felt like I could let it go? Or did I forget it because I wrote too honestly about it, and it's haunting to read the rawness of my freefall writing and I'd rather not go there at this moment? ;-)

I almost always date cards that I send, notes I write, photos I take. When I reread something I wrote, I make sure to check the date and try to associate it with other life events from that time period. For context, I suppose, and also a mental review of the situation so I can view it with a different perspective. I had to chuckle at some of what I've written, because it was so awful--corny, cliche, predictable, forgettable. But there is also some stuff in there that isn't half bad, and seems to have held up over the years. I say this with the happiness of having written some things I'm very proud of. Still, I have to work hard resist the urge to edit and revise everything I've ever written. I always think of all the ways I could improve the writing.

But it's better to write new stuff rather than keep editing the old, I think, and no sense trying to change what's already on the page. I read things that make me cringe, and I don't agree now with some of what I believed before; other things haven't changed much at all. It's interesting to review the opinions and beliefs I held when I was younger, braver, and not a parent. That's why pinning down the date is important to me. I like to recognize the significance of things as I look back. In a weird way, it helps me keep moving forward.

A few more steps

Let's just say I'm not nearly the computer geek I've always told myself I was. After 3 different types of cables, cords or connectors, 2 trips to CompUSA and one to Office Depot, I am still trying to find the right cable to hook my old computer to the newer computer and/or external hard drive so I can access my old papers and stories. I seem to need a cord that isn't available, as in, they don't make it. I suppose this is why a lot of people pay the $50 to have the old stuff transferred to the new computer. Right now I'd say that's sounding pretty reasonable, hehe.

Even though I focused on it much of the day, I was not able to get the writing out. But tomorrow is another day, and I'll have that done by the time the sun sets again!! I'll just take the old computer with me, and if they can't sell me a cord to transfer it myself, they'll transfer it for me.

Something else I discovered today: if I post twice in the same day, it still increases the post count. So even if I post on fewer days, I might be able to have more entries. :)

Horoscope 4/25/09

From MSN Astrology:

Your horoscope for April 25, 2009
Today you might hear about opportunities to raise your income, Fran, either in the course of your current employment, or perhaps a new job, or perhaps via a project of your own. You're likely to channel a great deal of energy and inspiration towards this end, and others may want to pitch in and assist you. You're likely to be feeling energetic and optimistic, and this in turn can work for you in attracting still new opportunities. Go for it!

I know what this means. So that's what I'm doing today. :) Will post later with my progress.

Skipping two days in a row

So just call me a slacker - cause I'm slacking not blogging :)

Earth Day 2009

Should've planted a tree or something today! Instead, another garden pic or two:

Laura Teresa Marquez Quote

"Arrogance and rudeness are training wheels on the bicycle of life -- for weak people who cannot keep their balance without them." -Laura Teresa Marquez

Borrowed this quote from mi amiguita. Gracias!

Letting the kids write the blog for me

OMG it really is after 11, so I'm gonna let the kids blog in my place tonight! John Sam's is a chart of things he is saving up for, and Caroline's was her extra credit worksheet about a new book she read.

Views of my part of the garden

I'm always bragging about "Sam's garden" but didn't mention that I have a little corner of my own in the yard. Got it looking good today, and decided to prove it. Had a quiet minute or two under the umbrella to enjoy relaxing at the end of a busy Sunday.

Before cleanup:

After:

Mackin' it

in da Caddy

The next post will contain a picture of my

new car that we bought from "Nana & Papa's Auto Sales." I took some pictures, but there is too much stuff in the background, and I want to post a nice picture of it for its debut on the blog. Tomorrow should be a good day to take another batch of pix.

Anybody who wants to buy a 1997 GMC Yukon, gimme a shout out.

Star Trek and CSI

I don't like admitting this, but I really haven't missed Grissom all that much on Thursday's version of CSI. I've been liking Laurence Fishburne's character Dr. Langston more and more, and Capt. Brass is the one I always wait to hear from--he gets a good zinger in every show. Tonight's episode reminded me of the delish blend of science and comedy that made CSI one of my few "must-see" shows. And itwas a great takeoff on another of my favorite shows, too.

Only family and a few longtime friends know I am a closet Trekkie, a fan of the original Star Trek. I used to watch it in the afternoons when I got home from school. I've seen most of the episodes at least twice or more. William Shatner was awesome in Boston Legal, but I find it hysterical to watch him on old episodes of Star Trek. The makeup, the campy acting, cardboard scenery and ridiculously silly plots. Still, who are we kidding? I wanted a red Star Trek shirt and an earpiece like Uhura's. I used a metal Sucrets tin as a makeshift "communicator." I wanted a job on the USS Enterprise!! :D You know you have your own secret favorite episode . . . which one is it?

I really enjoyed my evening tonight. Tomorrow is Friday and we're still working on the trial prep. I'm looking forward to pizza night, and instead of "game night" we are going to take the dog for a walk. We took her last night and the kids made me promise we'd take her again.

Blaming it all on

Gloria, who had some of this honey butter in the fridge at work. I used it on my bagel one day when there wasn't any regular butter. So I got some of my own and now I am putting it on everything, including the cornbread I made with our pot roast for dinner.












It is very bad, but tastes very good. :)

Laundry again

Getting ready to watch the Mentalist and fold up a huge load of John Sam's clothes. At work I'm helping with preparation for a trial, and the day flew by so fast! Going to be EARLY without watching the weather 'cause I've been having trouble getting up in the a.m.

Forgot to share this...

Here is the book we're reading tonight! Very sweet story, and very sweet memories of this book when I was a kid.

Easter Montage

All scenery taken at our house on Easter Sunday, April 12, 2009-

One Plant, Two Colors

In our front yard there have always been two large rosebushes with pink blooms. They were here when we moved in, and were much bigger than they are now. I trimmed them back a couple years ago because they were unruly looking and parts of each bush were suffering while other parts were thriving. I go through stages where I look after them a lot, and other times, I kinda let them go.

Now that spring has arrived, I thought I'd spruce them up. I planned to trim them and dead-head them, which means cutting off the blooms that have dropped petals. So a couple of days ago, I noticed that one of the plants has two different colored roses. I thought it was a little strange, and figured maybe one of the roses had lost its color because it was an old bloom and was about to drop off after living a good and beautiful life. :)

But upon closer inspection, I have found that indeed there are two different color roses on the same bush. Both pink and white blooms have come out. They even look like two different varieties of roses! I'm going to file this one under "strange but wonderful." Tomorrow I'll google this and see if I can find out if this is a common occurrence. In the meantime, hope you enjoy these pictures.

Chocolate Bunny Bummer

Once there was an adorable little candy shop called "Barbara's Chocolates." It was there I got the chocolate party cups with holiday designs made of icing--a Santa face at Christmas, tiny Easter eggs and bunnies, or colorful flowers for Mother's Day. They were shaped like Reese's cups but made of chocolate only. When I first moved to Orlando, I gave them frequently to my adopted nieces and nephews, and in later years to my own kids and my real nieces and nephews. I was well-known for pretending I'd forgotten to buy them, and people would even ask, "Hey, what happened to my Barbara's chocolates?" I'd grin my sneaky grin and then hide them into the stockings or gift packages I mailed, and feel happy that a family tradition had been created. A few years ago, Barbara sold the shop to some nice people who renamed it "Danay's Candies." I went there this past Christmas and loaded up on party cups and splurged on some toffee to split with Sam. I can still see the squares of tasty toffee with crushed toffee bark dusted all over the chocolate outside. Got milk?!

Yesterday, on the sly I went to the shopping center where the candy shop hides to buy some chocolate bunnies for the kids' Easter baskets. In the corner where my secret-candy-gettin'-place was, was a small, sad-looking hair salon.

**Sigh**

Well, I guess now I'll have to go to Harry & David's or Godiva's at the Florida Mall to get the chocolate bunnies. I'm sure they'll be just as yummy, but it won't be the same as getting them from a special shop that made 'em like they used to.

Kids Will Be Kids

Sharing some photos of the kids in our family doing what they do best!

Reunion Reflections

(photo credit: Janet Snook-Bailey Kappesser; date April 4, 2009)


“When we think of friends, and call their faces out of the shadows, and their voices out of the echoes that faint along the corridors of memory, and do it without knowing why save that we love to do it, we content ourselves that that friendship is a Reality, and not a Fancy--that it is built upon a rock, and not upon the sands that dissolve away with the ebbing tides and carry their monuments with them.” (written by Mark Twain, in a letter to Mary Mason Fairbanks)

It was great to see my high school classmates over this year's spring break. These are the people I grew up with. I know their sacred secrets, and they know mine; we all know where everybody’s warts and scars are. We fought with each other, loved and hated each other, supported each other, gossiped about each other, and watched each other fail and succeed. Now that we’ve ventured out into the great big world, we look back with the kind of enlightenment that only comes with age and see why we made the choices we did. We understand each other profoundly better than when we were oh-so-young.

Time has marched on, as our wrinkles and thighs will attest. Sadly, a few of us are members of the “Dead Dads Club,” and some of us have even lost both parents or siblings and other beloved family members. Each loss helps remind us of the shortness of life and reinforces the network of those of us who remain. We stand by those we love, help them grieve, and consider it our privilege to do so.

To the amazement of our teachers, and probably our parents, this whiny bunch of self-centered knuckleheads has grown into some of the finest people I have the pleasure of calling “friends.” The older I get, the more prominent their place in my heart becomes. The best of qualities have been nurtured and honed in these folks who've shared my life: compassion, forgiveness, humor, loyalty. I’ve got their back and they’ve got mine--today, and always. Love you guys!!!!

P.S. For other photos from reunion, click here Fran's Facebook Reunion Pix

Out of Breath

I've got so much swirling in my brain that I'm gonna have to take another day to get my thoughts to a point where I can string them together in a way that makes sensible reading. A whirlwind spring break has left me refreshed and rejuvenated--and at the same time, exhausted and outta breath - all in the good way. It's been a long time since I've enjoyed just being me and doing things that make me happy. I'd say it was long overdue!

Spring Break

We're enjoying Spring Break at Motel Granny. Mighty kind of Aunt Waura to let me sneak in a blog post on her computer so I can keep the post count going - LMAO

:)

April Fool's Day

No blogging.

No time.

No foolin' !!!!

ROFLMFAO~