Deep Thoughts for a Sunday

Sometimes loving me is hard work.
I'm thankful that there are people in my life that do it anyway.

I hate dishes.
I'm thankful that I have a dishwasher and enough pride in my home to do them anyway.

I am nothing else but me.
I'm thankful that it is enough.

I love Mike.
I'm thankful that he knows this.

I love J.
I'm thankful that he knows this.

I love Caetie.
I'm thankful that she knows this.

I love my job.
I'm thankful that the holidays are over so I can appreciate it again.

I hate that my car is sick.
I'm thankful that it's running right now and gets me to work.

I'm six-months post-op and still cancer-free.
I'm thankful that it was found and removed rather quickly and painlessly.

"Being alive's kind of hard...but I think it's definitely better than being dead." --Randy
I'm thankful for silly quotes from the My Name is Earl calendar.

I hate that Karrie lives in WI and we don't get to see each other as much anymore.
I'm thankful that when I visit she always makes time for me to spend with her and the kids.

I hate that I'm behind on the rent.
I'm thankful beyond words to my roommate.

I am surrounded by pictures hanging on my walls.
I'm thankful that I can take them, print them, and frame them. I'm thankful for all of my wonderful subjects--even if sometimes they aren't so willing.

I probably won't be playing poker on Monday's for awhile.
I'm thankful that I had the time I did, and I'm thankful that I can play this Saturday.

I had a wonderful meal and gathering on Christmas.
I'm thankful that if I cannot be home, that someone cared enough to include me.

I have no voice.
I'm thankful that I'm not sick.

I enjoy my co-workers.
I'm thankful for the ability to make friends where I work. (I know, Mags, crazy...)

I don't have a lot of money.
I'm thankful for what I do have and that True North Pistachio Crisps are only $2 at work.

I am sad for a friend.
I'm thankful that I'm trusted enough to be the phone call that was made. I hope I helped.

I'm missing pancakes.
I'm thankful that I have the Waffle House memory.

I have many deep thoughts.
I'm thankful to Janeen for teaching me how to count the blessings.

With gratitude, giggles, and too many memories to name...

Random thoughts on Memphis:

• HOUSEKEEPING!
• There was Elk pelt at Pink Palace.
• The food, omg, the food.
• My favorite moment was Huey's and you know why.
• After about 4988 attempts, I finally got the toothpick to stick in the ceiling.
• I can't thank you enough for showing me "your" Memphis.
• While Graceland might have been impressive, I had so much more fun at Sun Studios.
• I got to hold the microphone that Elvis used.
• Let's hear it for Fred and Barry, the two men that first brought me Memphis BBQ.
• I now know the difference between shit and shinola.
• The museum was pretty fantastic. I held it on my hand.
• Estate sale
• Tunica Sheraton
• 20th out of 42, not bad
• Bubba Gump ain't got nothin' on Kimmy's shrimp bucket...
• Thanks for going back so I could get the picture...
• Remember when I lost my purse?
• How about the time I lost my CC & license?
• Laughing so hard we were crying.
• Slug bug bruises--and I still took the weekend.
• I love lamp.
• Hockey, even when they lose is still fun.
• The lights on the bridge.
• "I wanna go over there...bastards..."
• Duck Paparazzi
• The Beale Street Impromptu Santa Parade
• Old french fries and a pretty darn good malt
• The girls from Tater Reds
• Blue Suede Brigade...love a good pith helmet
• "A Very Berry Christmas"
• Signing the wall at Graceland in pink sharpie, perfect moment.

Thank you.

Thankful

Thanksgiving 2008

All I'm thankful for and more.

laughing out loud...

From a short story by Mary Kay McComas, Wayward Wizard

"Sometimes words were a waste of breath that was better used gasping in the throes of lovemaking...Marie was going to stitch that in a sampler someday."

Happy Thanksgiving

Hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving is is blessed, thankful, and grateful.

My friend put up a quote the other day,

"Hem your blessings in thankfulness so they don't unravel." --author unknown

I am most thankful for Mike, Caetie, and J. I'm also thankful for the rest of my nutty family, my friends, my job, and my health. I am so happy and joyful and grateful for all my blessings.

I hope everyone has the best Thanksgiving with too much food, too much football, and just the right amount of love.

Quote of the day

"You know what it was like? Like what's left when the carnival is over..."--S

Favorite quote of my WI visit

"Mom? Now that you're here, it's like you never left..."-J

Misunderstood yesterday...

"Olivia Newton John really knows how to polish a turd." --L

Overheard today...

"I'd like a cheeseburger, hold the cheese."

"Sir, that's a hamburger."

"I know, but I like the yellow paper."

Bloggerize

It's a word, look it up.


I haven't been around lately. I've been busy. I have had four different blogs that I wanted to write out in the past few days and I just haven't been able to sit still long enough to type them.


So, I just realized that I haven't truly blogged about my dailies in over a MONTH! Wow, what is the world coming to? I find that I am compelled to write it all down now.

So, here's some random thinks from the last month.

I'm going north to visit the kiddies. I am very excited! I'll be in town just after J's 13th birthday. I cannot wait to see them and spend some time with them. I will be taking lots and lots of pictures.

I finally saw Finding Nemo. It was such a cute movie. I interact each day with people that remind me of Dory. There are lines of that movie that apply to vast portions of my everyday life lately and I just want to thank Barry for making sure I had a copy to watch.

I got to play my first game of poker. It was a lot of fun, even though I was totally nervous. I can't wait to go and play again. Maybe next weekend this is my closing weekend.

Oh, speaking of weekends I finally had one after three months! It was an amazing, fun-filled weekend. I enjoyed every moment, well, almost every moment of it.

Work has been good. There are days when I want to pull my hair out, but overall I love working there.

I finally took some pictures of the drive to work over the bridge. The one's on the bridge aren't so great, but the picture up above is right before I get to the bridge. Isn't it lovely? I get to see that every single day not once but twice! I count my blessings as I ride over that bridge and if I don't, my day feels wrong.

Cleaning is zen to me. It's my meditation, my therapy, stress-relief, and a joy. I hate cleaning my own space and my own house. I love cleaning other people's spaces, though. It's a joy to know that when they walk in that they don't have to do a thing. It's satisfying to know that I do this really well. I love trying out new cleaning products, too. I love falling back on old tricks. I LOVE magic erasers, they ARE magic. I've decided that I do not want to know what is in them that makes them magic because it would be like knowing how the magician did his grand finale.

We went to a tent sale for rugs. Did you know that there are 100's of different kinds of rugs? They make leather/suede woven rugs that are almost like a rag rug, only with strips of leather and suede. They are kind of amazing and totally fun.

Did you know that you can paint a room in a day, clean doors and baseboards, and carpet clean and it's a satisfying tired when you are done? Plus, it makes such a difference and it looks all kinds of amazing.

I have to say that I've never owned matching intimates before and now that I do, I have to agree with the statement that women underestimate the power of matching intimates. They make me feel very powerful.

Someone asked me why I liked doing something the other day. I like knowing that something so simple gives someone else so much pleasure. It doesn't take anything away from me to give it and it's fun. So, I guess the answer is selfish, I like giving and having my gifts appreciated.

Random acts of kindness appeal to me on so many levels.

I LOVE surprises. I absolutely love them, but only when they are true surprises. I didn't realize that I have this "clarifying clause". If you TELL me that you have a surprise for me and then make me wait for it, it is the worse torture ever. Everything I do is just in anticipation of the surprise and then, well, it's not really a surprise, is it? Random House has this to say about "surprise": something that surprises someone; a completely unexpected occurrence, appearance, or statement. The key word for me is "unexpected". That means that I don't know about it beforehand and I'm not anticipating anything. The joy of surprise to me is that it is unexpected, like random acts of kindness.

I'm enjoying getting to know my co-workers. I have fun when we hang out after work.
The full moon came and went this month. It's my fourth full moon in TN. I can't believe it. I fall more and more in love with Tennessee the longer I'm here. I can't wait to see what the next month has in store for me.

I get to go to my very first "meet the team" hockey event ever on Monday. I'm very excited. I think I get to see my very first ever hockey game, too! I will make sure to blog about that.

Well, there are probably more moments that were had and I should write about but I have to be off to work in a few.

I promise I won't wait a month this time to tell you what's happening in my little world.

As you go about your day today, remember, someone in Tennessee thinks you are all kinds of amazing!

Oh, and count your blessings!

To my very dear friend...

To my very dear friend,

To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and to endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

The Challenge

"Make something that will cheer me up. Something that puts the rest of the world on hold for awhile."

I think that this might be the toughest challenge I've been given.

Food as comfort is a subjective challenge.

What cheers me, may not cheer you. The meal I seek out when I'm broken, disheartened, empty, blue, disillusioned, or even numb probably won't be the same one as you seek. Neither will the meal be the same if I'm happy, joyful, excited, celebratory, or silly.

Maybe the nature of the challenge isn't what I choose, but that I choose to do it at all. That I am making a meal and sharing it with a friend.

Maybe the cooking part is the easy part. Maybe it's the "something that puts the world on hold for awhile" that scares me.

Maybe it's because I only bring half of the challenge to the plate. The other half of the challenge is out of my control.

Are you willing to receive and accept my gifts?
Are you willing to let the rest of the world be on hold?
Are you willing to let me help?

If you aren't, it won't change anything about the meal. It will still look, smell, and taste the same way.

If you are, I think it will mean the difference between feeding the body and feeding the soul.

I am so looking forward to dinner tonight.

I wonder what you would make for your best friend? What would you make for a co-worker? How about if someone was celebratory? What if they needed to feed their soul?

Nights in Rodanthe

"I want you to know that any man is a fool that doesn't know how lucky he is to have you."

Watch

You know you have to go see a movie when the trailer makes you cry.
I love that line, I want that.
So, where is he?

Blogmenters?

Where have all my blogmenters gone?
I swear I'm writing for myself most days.
Probably a good thing to get this stuff out of my head and into cyberspace.

You know who I miss? Scott. I was just thinking of him today and then I went to a friend's blog and her top post was about missing Scott, too. Of course it was an OLD post, but needless to say, we miss you ya kook, come back to blogger.

I work with a Scott, I call him Scottie--probably drives him nuts. He reminds me of my brother Scottie, which is probably why I'm so comfortable calling him Scottie.

Speaking of brothers, I wonder how John's doing. Maybe he should blogment and then I'll know.

Speaking of brothers reminds me of sisters, I have two of them. One is older, Sheri and one younger, Jen.

Speaking of sisters reminds me of mom. I have one. Her name is Ann. She's crazy. Probably where I get it from. She loves me and my quirks, good thing because she's my MOM!

Hey, did you know that Barry introduced me to his mom and she's totally wicked awesome? She sent me home cooked food and a plant and OMG the best Coca-Cola cupcakes EVER, they tasted like she broke into the Hostess Cupcake factory and reproduced them in her oven. They make me happy.

Speaking of mom's reminds me of dads. Hey, I got lucky in that department, I got two! One is "dad" and one is "pop" and they both call me daughter.

Speaking of daughter, I have one of those, too. Her name is Caetie and she's the most amazing, wonderful, kooky, fantastic, sassy, and eclectic individuals on the planet and I get to call her kid. She calls me Mo.

Speaking of daughters reminds me of sons. I have two, one the eldest and one the youngest. Mike is going to be a junior in high school this year and J is going into the seventh grade. I am so proud to be their mom.

Oh, back to mom. I have a great-grandma and we called her "Grandma Mom" and we called her that because she was "mom" to my gram. She used to bake the most amazing and wonderful white bread you've ever eaten. She would sing in German and make us "bumblebee tuna" which was really orange Tang. Don't know why and she's hanging out with cousin Chris and her son Joe and O'Dad and a bunch of really cool other people in heaven so I can't ask her.

Speaking of heaven, I don't know if I've mentioned Barry's brownies yet. The man can make chappy-ass brownies into gourmet treats. OMB! I cannot wait for the moment that a platter of Cherry Bomb brownies is laid before me because someone I know owes me a plate of them because I got an empty plate back...

Speaking of friends and food. That makes me think of Kie. We need pancakes. I found another tshirt for us. We already have this one, so it's only fitting. I have Wednesday and Thursday off next week, let me know when I'm coming to your place at o'dark thirty for the cakes of love.

Speaking of love. There are so many kinds of love and so many ways it touches our lives. It's amazing when you think about it for just a little bit.

Speaking of amazing, have you counted your blessings today? Isn't it amazing how when you start to look at them you can't stop finding them, as if they are bunnies?

Speaking of bunnies. It must be bunnies, it must be bunnies, it must be BUNNIES!

Oh and speaking of bunnies, "They got the mustard out..." is my favorite line from that song.

Speaking of mustard, I have been having a love affair with mustard lately. There are so many freaking kinds of mustard. I still have to say that Steak N Shake's honey mustard is the best darn HM on the planet. Don't think so? Prove me wrong, I dare you...

Speaking of planets, I miss Pluto.

Speaking of missing, I miss my blogmenters. Where did they go?

Oh, and speaking of blogmenters, that makes me think of my friend Scott and here we are full-circle.

Love and kisses and help with the dishes and go check out the website I blogged about below this random stream of conciousness (or unconsciousness as it were)...

Goodnight, Johnboy.



This is the wordle of "Blogmenters?"
Cool, ain't it?

Wordle

You should go and play on this website.
So much fun to be had and two days off to have it in!

This is my wordle for "Suds in the Bucket"...omg so much fun!

Happiness

I was thinking, as I'm wont to do, and the lyrics from this song kept playing in my head as I contemplated my life this week.

Happiness
Peanuts Gang

Happiness is finding a pencil
Pizza with sausage
Telling the time

Happiness is learning to whistle
Tying your shoe for the very first time

Happiness is playing the drum in your own school band
And happiness is walking hand in hand

Happiness is two kinds of ice cream
Knowing a secret
Climbing a tree

Happiness is five different crayons
Catching a firefly
Setting him free

Happiness is being alone every now and then
And happiness is coming home again

Happiness is morning and evening
Daytime and nighttime, too
For happiness is anyone and anything at all that's loved by you

Happiness is having a sister
Sharing a sandwich
Getting along

Happiness is singing together
when the day is through
And happiness is those who sing with you

Happiness is morning and evening
Daytime and nighttime, too
For happiness is anyone and anything at all that's loved by you

I love Tennessee. I love life.

Life is good and ice is nice.

It's a fitting song because my joy doesn't come from the huge, grandiose gestures. Usually my happiness, if you will, comes from the little things.

I'd much rather have, a kind word, a well-turned phrase, a compliment when I am least expecting it, even a Butterfinger when I thought I wanted a Twix.

There is something about a Thursday night all by myself with a little carpet picnic of bread and grapes and cheese and unlimited hours of a Law & Order marathon.

There is something about having a draining day at work on Saturday and thinking I was going to be getting to the Corner so late and then walking in and having my friends greet me with "Kimmy!" and hugs and kisses as I walked through the door and having the weight of the day fall away.

There is something about having a friend IM me and remind me again why we are friends.

There is something about the silly comments and messages on myspace from friends far away, that I'm missed and loved.

There is something about pancakes.

There is something about Juan cooking Peruvian food because I asked him to cook again. (I know that that it was not just for me, but I'm going to pretend it's just because Juan loves me...)

There is something about being respected at work, Tuesday night dinner, how rain smells in Tennessee, and happiness and how it's contagious.

Remember to count your blessings and know that someone in Tennessee thinks you are the cat's pajamas!

Carwash

"Working at the carwash..."

Go on, hum a few bars of it, you know you want to.

The carwash is a magical place, full of fun and frivolity.

Many a family vacation would arrive and we'd get done driving 18 hours and go to breakfast and then fill up the van and get a car wash.

I remember a couple of times being the "co-pilot" and getting gas really late while everyone else was still sleeping and dad would go through the carwash just for me.

Well, it was probably because he couldn't see through all the dead bugs on the windshield, but I like to live in my own little world where the carwash was all for me.

The new "touchless" facilities are okay and they are definitely still a place of wonder, awe, and excitement.

Still, give me an "old" carwash with the rollers and the brushes and the high-powered dryer and "Dad, puhleeeez get the wax?!!!"

It's great when you are in a van and can wander to the side windows and the back and watch the whole process and you don't miss a thing!

Seriously though, small car, big car, even a pickup truck--you need it washed, give me a call, I'll go along for the ride.

I'll even help wipe evertyhing down afterward, but only if you spring the extra for the wax...

"Week" in Review August 6-12, 2008

I cannot believe that another week has flown by so fast.
School started today in my neck of the Tennessee woods.
I'm sure that someday soon it will start to get cooler.

It has been a beautiful summer so far. I have to again give a shout out to Willis Haviland Carrier, the man that invented air-conditioning. I think he rocks.

I also need to give a shout out to J for journaling his food this month. Way to go, proud of ya, son!

So without further ado, week in review:

I still, absolutely love my Monday "weekends".

Tuesday is my new favorite day of the week, I'm making it official.

The generosity of certain friends is not unnoticed, unappreciated, or taken for granted. I appreciate everything about you. (Yes, even when you frustrate me.)

Your produce alone has been worth the trip.

I don't have to dream of Juan cooking tilapia again, he made it tonight for his "first day at new job" celebration dinner. It was delicious, delightful, and I'm so glad that he's here. Well, actually, I'm glad that Jody has such good taste in men and lets me share his culinary skills AND that he's here. Now, if I could just get Jody to make that salad and the homemade salad dressing like he did that one night, I'd be in heaven. (Jody, that was a hint.)

You should hear me sing NIN, it's kind of like Cyndi Lauper goes hardcore.

My friends still amaze me and I love them for it.

I am so happy that I got to have an all-Kie weekend. I still need pancakes.

C'mon, it's Czechoslovakia. We zip in, we pick 'em up, we zip right out again. We're not going to Moscow. It's Czechoslovakia. It's like going into Wisconsin.

It's weird how a crush can sometimes turn into a friendship, a blossoming love affair, or just fade away into nothingness. And sometimes it can go from, "Wow, I really dig them." to "WTF?" in a matter of moments.

I am going to enjoy this last week with Jennifer and Marianne, they will be missed a lot.

I still need more partners in crime.

I've decided that I'd like henchmen more than minions. Henchmen are a little more self-sufficient than minions and I'm all about self-sufficiency.

Going so soon? I wouldn't hear of it. Why my little party's just beginning.

I want a full body massage with focus on the hands and feet. It must last at least an hour and the massage oil must have bergamot or maybe sage in it.

80's music still makes me all kinds of happy.

I don't care if he puts a rubber glove on his head and runs naked around the store screaming, 'Hi! I'm a squid!'

Pink toes make me happy, but blue toes get lots of compliments.

Hell, I can get you a toe by 3 o'clock this afternoon... with nail polish.

Rockband with a group of music lovers is a whole lotta fun.

Everyone needs a montage.

Making new friends is good.

Keeping old friends is good.

Knowing when to let go is hard and yet surprisingly good for the soul.

Leaving your phone untended is sometimes a good thing.

I was just in my office and I heard a ruckus.

Learning new things happens everywhere, everyday, whether you want to or not. Sometimes it's good, sometimes it's bad, sometimes it's indifferent, and sometimes it's something you already knew and just didn't want to acknowledge.

In my genetic code there is programming that compels me to make something better. If there is something, anything that I can do to soothe or rectify a situation, then I am all about it. Sometimes it's hard to override the code.

Bald is very sexy in a weird, Kimmy sort of a way.

Naked baby feet are just begging to be tickled.

It's very wonderful and surprising to work with people that you like, who also like you and enjoy your company. It makes the job more fun, easier, and not so much like work.

It's hard to confront someone when they aren't treating you the way you would like to be treated and so much better when you do.

I was thinking of the immortal words of Socrates, when he said, "I drank what?"

People constantly surprise me by their depths and their shallowness.

Dishes don't wash themselves.

Fork can be substituted for other words in conversations.

Unlimited texting.

I don't want to sell anything, buy anything, or process anything as a career. I don't want to sell anything bought or processed, or buy anything sold or processed, or process anything sold, bought, or processed, or repair anything sold, bought, or processed. You know, as a career, I don't want to do that. (This one's for L, glad you were here this weekend.)

To my parental units: thank you for loving me flaws and all. I appreciate everything you do.

To my teenagers: I love you and I miss you. (Yes, even the bickering.)

Veggie trays shared with friends are dilly good.

I love lamp.

I miss Scoop and Dave, I hope that they are well.

I got to talk to Steph on the phone tonight. I like being her friend.

Fat guy in a little coat...fat guy in a little coat...

It's hard to make your heart stop caring about the people your head knows you should.

We are coming into the full moon again this week. It should be interesting to see what the week holds.

Remember to count your blessings, they always outweigh.
Have a great week and know that someone in Tennessee thinks you're the bee's knees.

So, this was tax-free weekend in Tennessee.
Boy am I ever glad that this weekend is over.
The store closed tonight at 9pm. I clocked out at 11:36pm.

The positives of the week?

I love my Monday "weekends".
Tuesday is one of my favorite days of the week and not just for the food...
I have sweet sweet dreams of Juan cooking tilapia again.
I have great friends.
I sing a mean Madonna.
My friends amaze me.
I realized that I miss Kie and need pancakes.
I have a huge crush on someone.
I love special dances for the days of the week at work. I especially loved the "Sunday" dance, it's the "throw your hands in the air like you just don't care except on Wednesdays when you especially don't care..." dance.
I'm going to miss someone that I work with when they leave on Friday.
I'm going to miss Jennifer when she goes back to college on the 16th.
I need more partners in crime.
I thrive during chaos.
I'd like minions or maybe henchmen, I haven't decided yet.
I'm a total night-owl.
I love and miss Nicole.
Old friends are sometimes the best friends to have when you want to remember the joy of your youth.
80's music makes me happy.

I made myself this "internal" deal thingie, it follows along the lines of my favorite quote.

So, at eighty I don't want to have any regrets. I will do the things I always wanted to do. I won't deny myself because I was concerned about other people's opinions or approvals.

If you don't like what I'm doing or who I am I can't stop that, but I also don't have to allow it to swallow me or let it define who I am.

I will never again live as someone who is not me.

I'd like to do things that make me feel alive:

Sing really loud to the radio all the time, even if I don't know the song.
Yodel to hard rock.
Take my own really beautiful pictures and frame them.
Tell the people that give me joy how much I enjoy them.
Have someone paint a portrait of me, in oil.
Own an MG.
Learn to drive stick.
See the Grand Canyon.
Visit the Painted Desert.
Spend time in Monte Carlo.
Lay in the Petrified Forest staring up at the giant redwoods.
Swim in the Atlantic & Pacific oceans.
Drive through the Smokey Mountains.
See Memphis.
Visit Janeen in FL.
See Mount Rushmore.
Stay in Key West.
Eat potatoes in Idaho.
Retrace the great "East Coast Vacation" from my youth.
Spend one weekend in fall in New England.
Eat clam chowder in Maine.
Go camping at Crystal Lake .
Visit New Orleans.
Lay in a backyard looking up at the stars and name five constellations.
Stay in a bed & breakfast in at least five small historical towns.
Visit a dude ranch.
Have someone make me steak on the grill.
Learn how to knit a long Dr. Who scarf in pink, blue, brown, and white stripes.
Allowing the joy of someone else change the way I view the world, even if it's only for moments.
Tell the people I care about how much they mean to me, sometimes multiple times a day.
Feed someone's soul.
Learn to use watercolors and paint a doodle to hang on my wall.
Bake cookies often.
Laugh out loud.
Have someone hug me like they mean it.
Cherish the details.
Embrace the moment when someone says, "Hey, let's get something to eat around the corner," at 3am.

The definition of happy from dictionary.com is: delighted, pleased, or glad, as over a particular thing

Happiness is a choice. I'd rather be happy than any other emotion.
Delighted.
Pleased.
Glad.

That thing that makes the difference to me is allowing myself to accept the happy, the delight, the pleasure, being glad. It's a renewable resource, it doesn't end because when you see it in one thing you start to see it in all.

This weekend is a prime example.

This was a long and rough weekend. Yet allowing myself to experience the joy and happiness of it made all the difference.

It was spending one of the last few days with my friend Jennifer before she goes back to school, rather than "having" to be at work.

It was the simple joy in having someone see you and start smiling.

Hearing from a manager that they think you do your job well, especially when it's a manager that you admire and appreciate for their management skill.

Seeing someone and getting a big smile on your face because you share humor, laughter, joy in the moment of everything.

Seeing the smile on their face when they see you.

Enjoying the people you work with so it's not so much "work" to be at work.

Having someone say that they enjoy you and appreciate you for just being yourself. To me, that's the best compliment I could ever get, that I am appreciated for just who I am.

I love that.

I hope that you are happy this week.

Click the comment button below and tell me your happy moments. Doesn't have to be today or even yesterday. Maybe you have a "happy" from years ago that still makes you delighted.

Share them.

Sleep well and remember that there is someone out there that loves who you are and is happy that you are a part of their life.

95 days

So over there on the right, under the heading "links" is a new link that's called "60 miles is a BIG deal."

Go and check it out.

I'll even make it easier on you, you can click here: Janeen's Link
Her team link is here, check them out too! Froggies

My friend Janeen is walking in the Breast Cancer 3 Day in 95 days and she needs some help getting to her goal and exceeding it.

I stole this right from that link, go and check it out, it's some amazing stuff.

The Breast Cancer 3-Day is a 60-mile walk over the course of three days. Net proceeds benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure and National Philanthropic Trust, funding important breast cancer research, education, screening, and treatment.

I am so proud of her for training for this and working toward this goal in everything she does. I'm proud to call her friend and know that it's returned.

So, count your blessings and go click on that link and see what you can do.

You might could help!

Grateful

Thinks I'm grateful for today:

• The man that invented air conditioning--Willis Haviland Carrier
• The man that invented deodorant--an unknown inventor to this day, we thank him!
• The daughter that amazes me with the blog--Caetie
• The son that amazes me with his brain--Mike
• The son that simply amazes me--J
• The mom that answers IM's.
• The pop that calls just to make sure that I'm okay...over and over and over again. :)
• Roommates
• The friend that always calls because we are bff's.
• The friend that is always there with a kind word or to share a meal.
• The friend that calls to hear my voice when they need it.
• The friend that always calls when I need to hear her voice.
• The friend that finally signed and had a cathartic cry.
• Whoever invented the term "closure".
• Pool parties
• A washer and dryer in the house.
• Tennessee
• Someone that says, "let me help..." and means it.
• Someone that says, "What can I do to make it better?" and means it.
• Food in the fridge.
• Food shared with friends.
• Sex--hey, I can be grateful for the memories of it...
• Splitting the rent and utilities 3 ways.
• Blogs
• Digital cameras
• Hot showers
• Big fluffy feather comforters
• The possibilities in paint.
• Garth
• Bob
• Questions
• Answers
• I'm just gonna say one more point for Willis Haviland Carrier, he rocks.
• Bald men
• Geeky boys that play cards at the game shop
• dictionary.com
• staying up really late
• long phone calls with old friends--btw, I did steal the memory
• Good Will Hunting--always reminds me of Patrick
• Books

Friendship

Now, maybe I am doing this whole friendship thing wrong.

I guess I always thought that people were who they were and we, as their friends, accepted that about them.

When people change in order to grow, adapt, and evolve, sometimes we as friends don't get to go along for that ride, for whatever reason. Sometimes we are only in each other's lives for a short time.

Sometimes we don't like what they grew, adapted, or evolved into. That shouldn't mean that it's a bad thing, nor should it mean that there is any reason to be hurtful or spiteful.

I would hope that if I'm ever in this position that I remember that at one point in time, I loved who that person was and miss them. I would hope that my words would be tempered by love and care instead of jealousy, anger, and resentment.

I hope that I remember that it just means that for this moment in time we are both following a different path that hopefully intersects again.

I would hope to be happy for a friend to find what they are looking for, searching for, seeking out. I hope that I would be proud that they are happy, healthy, strong, able, and willing to live life to it's fullest. I hope I am able to be joyous that I had the opportunity to have that person in my life.

I am proud of all of my friends. I am so thankful for each and every person that's touched my life in little ways or big ways. I hope that my friends know this.

I have grown, adapted, and evolved into the person you see today and even though I have changed, I've also never strayed from being true to myself.

Sometimes my road has had a couple of bends in it and maybe even some hills.

Know what I like best about them? There's always something new, exciting, and different, around the bends and over the hills. You can always find joy in the journey. Sometimes it's more difficult to find that joy and yet it's always worth looking.

Oh, and I don't know if you have ever read one of my favorite quotes:

"At eighty, I think what I shall regret are the things I always wanted to do and never did; the experiences I denied myself because I was too concerned about others' opinions, or too anxious for their approval; but I think I would regret most a life wasted living as someone who was not me."-anonymous

That's who I am, it's who I hope I'll always be.

Full Moon Week

So, there I was, it was a week like any other, only it was a full moon week.
My second in Tennessee.

As the moon was waxing to full, the week was unfolding. It turned out to be an amazing week.

Monday was a lazy day of getting productive on my room. I rearranged it and hung some pictures and made it more like home. I did some laundry and cleaned the kitchen. I hung up pictures of the kids and by the kids and I feel like they are here with me in spirit.

Tuesday I had a friend over for dinner. I made ham & kugali because it was a Tuesday and I could. I told all the stories that we'd tell over the Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner table. The Twins in the Apple Barrel, the Roller Skates. I can't wait to tell them the Hawk Lady story. I love that one. We've been eating the leftovers all week. They are great with a scrambled egg in the middle. Yum. I also made three desserts, mainly because then my roommate could take some leftovers to work for the hungry people there. I made Oreo Truffles, Almond and Vanilla Biscotti, and tCakes. They were all delightful. After we stuffed ourselves, we went to Steve & Barry's at the mall and my friend bought me a really cool t-shirt and got a really cool shirt for themselves. I love it. The company was better than the food or the stuff any day of the week.

Wednesday I got some pictures from Pop at work, one of Caetie, one of Mike, and one of J. They made me miss those faces and love them from TN. I hope that they looked up at the full moon and felt me missing them. After work I went out to Waffle House with a friend from work. She's kookie, I kind of enjoy her company. We are going to make Wednesday nights our "girl's night out" from now on, I think.

Thursday was game night at the home of some new friends. It was a lot of fun. I've never played Scene It before. I think that J would love this game. I'll never think the same of Spite & Malice again and listening to the game Beer Money with the group of friends that were playing was almost as entertaining as the games. The company was great and it was a lot of fun. I'm glad that I was included among the guests.

Friday was a long night at work. I came home and did some laundry and watched some tv and read a book and it was a good night to chillax and regroup and recharge.

Saturday we got out of work before 11:30PM on an ad night. I was amazed. I was stunned. I thought, KARAOKE! I decided to spend some time at the bar with the friends and the singing and the adorable bartender and it was actually a lot of fun. I talked about Caetie because one of my friends runs a haunted house that they wrote the storyline for. She is also writing a graphic novel and I think that Caetie would really enjoy her conversation. I'm glad that I went out and had fun and was silly. I got home and read until I fell asleep.

Sunday I woke up and thought of the kids. They only have a few weeks of summer vacation left. I hope that they are having a great time. I hope that J is enjoying the beach. I think he has gills, he loves the water so. I took a shower and settled in to read when a friend called and asked what I was doing. Well, nothing, come on over before I head to work. We had a great visit and I can't wait to see them again. They just make me laugh and I feel so much better when I have a day of laughter over a day of self-involvement. I thought of the sock all day and it just made me giggle.

The moon is starting to wane again and tonight on my way home it was at the horizon and it was huge and red. It was amazing.

I can't wait to see what the next week has to bring.

I hope that you are here with me in person or in spirit.

Today...

So, today was good.

It was a beautiful day in Tennessee.

The sun was shining, it was about 87 with really low humidity and tonight it dropped to about 60. So perfect and beautiful.

I got up and went to work early this morning, not a normal thing because I've been closing so much.

I work about 11 miles away from home, which is roughly a 15-20 minute drive. The drive to work is magnificent. I drive by two state parks and Percy Priest Lake and drive over a bridge with lake on both sides of me. Well, in the morning, it is breath-taking. The rolling hills behind the lake and the trees, the way the water glistens in the sunlight.

The smell. It's just...Tennessee. It's like Woodhaven after it rains only multiplied by a million. Can you imagine how it smells after it rains here? It's like heaven in a breath.

I was so overwhelmed that I almost whooped and threw my arm out the window like I was on a roller coaster and then I remembered what happened last time so I sucked my arm into the car immediately.

Here's the link to the old post.

Driving the hills of TN...

I promise to be a passenger sometime soon so I can take pictures of my ride to work so you can see.

I just want to thank all of my friends in Tennessee, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Florida for sending me good vibes and good karma this week. I appreciate each and every one of you more than I can say and it humbles me to have such great friends. I don't know what I did to deserve you but I'm so glad the universe loves me. It's good to be back among the happy and uplifted.

I still have moments where I miss the kids and the "familiar".

I'll always have moments when I miss the kids.

Hopefully I will figure out where everything is soon, though.

I think this week is off to a smashing start and can't wait to see how it unfolds!

Have a wonderful, happy, astonishing week and don't forget to look for the blessings, they always outweigh!

Lesson

"Just because someone doesn't love you the way you want, doesn't mean they don't love you with everything they have." --anonymous

I don't know who said it originally, but this sentence has so much meaning in my life.
It's a lesson I had to put before myself again.

I had it brought to my attention just last night and thought it needed to be where I could see it.

Don't forget to notice the details, just because they aren't YOUR details, doesn't mean they count for less.

In fact, they should count for more because they are given freely because that is how you are loved by that person.

Things I've learned in TN in 30 days...

These may not be the only things I've learned in thirty days, but they are the ones I'm commenting on...

• It's funny how life works sometimes.


• Sometimes you think you need something and really what you need is almost totally opposite of that.


• It's a good feeling to figure that out.


• Ovens don't work the same in humidity.


• Cookies are better when they are shared.


• Hot tubs are better naked.


• People you work with become friends when you hang out with them away from work.


• Laughing is good therapy.


• Sweating is good therapy.


• Cooking with someone tells you more about them than you knew before.


• Cooking with someone is very intimate, but not in a sexual way.


• Risotto is foreplay. Eat with caution.


• The zoo is amazing, even when they move the elephants.


• I love playing with other people's dogs.


• I have friends that are willing to share their mom's because mine is far, far away.
  
• Sometimes hanging out and talking about stuff is just what you didn't know you needed.
  
• Kie always calls when I need to hear her voice.
  
• I have good friends in Wisconsin.
  
• I have good friends in Tennessee.
  
• I cannot wait for my Wisconsin friends to meet my Tennessee friends and vice versa.
  
• Sometimes friends really know how to irritate the hell out of you, and sometimes it's on purpose.
  
• I miss those three of mine.
  
• I LOVE Caetie's blog.
  
• I love blogging.
  
• Never leave home without your camera.
  
• Always count your blessings, they always outweigh.
  
• I'll never look at pizza cutters the same again.
  
• RHPS is fun no matter how many times you have seen it and if someone really "knows" it sits next to you, it's even more fun.
  
• There is a Greek dish made with phyllo and cheese that reminds me of Gogi.
  
• I want to make pierogi and share them.
  
• I want someone to make good on their cannoli promise.
  
• I want pancakes.
  
• Through all of the ups and downs of the last thirty days, through all of the happy and sad, the good and the bad, the wonderful and the ugly, when I click my heels together I still end up in Tennessee, so above all else, it's good to be home.

The Universe...

So, I was in this "poor me" mood on Sunday. I even had an entire blog about how miserable I was that day.

I didn't post it because I had to go to work.

On my way to work a friend called me. I sobbed to them on the phone and their advice was to clean up, look at myself in the mirror, and tell myself, "Everything is going to be okay."

The thing is, I did it, but without conviction. I looked at myself in the mirror and said, "You know what? Everything IS going to be okay." Figured that it couldn't hurt and who knows, it might even help.

You know what? It didn't help.

Until you see how the universe works in my world...

My friend from work asked me the moment I got in if I was okay, because I had been crying. Well, that started the crying all over again. Poor boy.

He handed me an empty film container and told me the simple truths about empty film containers: They are a replenishable resource, we will always get more. They are free. You can throw them easily at things that upset you.

The friend I was on the phone with earlier stopped by to see my face and see if I was okay and stayed with me for my break.

I got home that night and saw this on the door to my vanity. It says, "Choose with no regret."
The next morning, I saw this on the counter. A friend gave it to me in WI when I was feeling this exact same way. It says, "Never Look Back, Life is a Miracle Unfolding."

Then, I found this.

The friend that introduced me to the dragon is the same friend that said, "Everything is going to be okay," and that is how serendipitious my life is.

Lessons learned:

The friends that are worth keeping are the ones that aren't only there when things are pretty, but also when they are grey and sad and sometimes ugly.

The times when you think you are touching bottom are the best times to reach out and see if someone grabs ahold of your hand.

It's never as bad as it seems.

If you are lost, alone, empty, find the dragon.

The dragon is not as much fun without someone to giggle with.

Empty film containers hit objects in a satisfactory manner.

Everything IS going to be okay.

Number 37

I had the best birthday ever.
I will tell you all about it tomorrow.

Edit:

I'm sorry to all my Florida and Tennessee friends that I left hanging.

I should tape a note to my computer, "No drunk blogging on your birthday."

Stacy made me this card that I got a couple of days before my birthday. It's pretty amazing considering that it's my face on all the pictures. It made me laugh out loud in the post office and race home to thank her. I think I even texted her from the Post Office. I love that I can be a ballerina, what I think is Alice on crack, or a turtle in Tennessee. I can't wait to get there and be a turtle for a day. I think I'll sit around in the sun for awhile, eat a salad, and take a nap.

I woke up to about six messages on my IM's wishing me happy birthdays. I got about ten texts before I was ready to make my way out of bed. My pop texted me once an hour for the entire day. I loved it. It rocked my world. I hope he is able to do that every year. Shelly texted me a few times and I love her for just including me as her girl. I love her.

I woke up and had brunch with Nicole at Egg Harbor. The conversation went like this, "Um, well, I want brunch and I don't want to go alone, so you are coming with me." She enjoyed brunch.

She was seriously just as excited as I was about my birthday, maybe a touch more at 10am. She brought me flowers and a pretty card that made me cry.

Her plate was ginormous and so was mine. See the slideshow for visuals. It was so good. The coffee was to die for and they always leave a pitcher of ice water with lemon slices in it on the table. The company was better than the food any day of the week, though.

Then we went over to Target to putter and get me some birthday wishes so we didn't have to leave each other yet.

Finally when it was time we said our good-byes and made our ways to our separate homes.

I spent the next five hours doing exactly what I wanted on my birthday.

I cleaned and talked to Nicole on the phone all day. I had to plug it in because I killed the battery. My kind of day.

My house was torn apart and I needed some order. I got some things packed up and thrown away and taken care of. I got the bathroom in order, my bedroom in order, and even the rest of the living space.

J dinged me on the IM and asked me if he could come over and help. Seriously? The best birthday present ever. Ever. He came over and cleaned with me for almost four hours without complaining and he was the best help. I am so grateful to that boy o' mine.

Caetie came over to babysit Karrie's boys so she could come to dinner with us. She then made me cupcakes that I found when I got home. I was so touched. It was very sweet of her. The note, "Happy Birthday, Mo." and the candle with the unlit match in the cupcake that was just for me made my night. I sang happy birthday to myself and made a wish. I'm sure that it will come true!

Then it was time for dinner. We went to Houlihan's in Lake Geneva. Their bruschetta is to die for. I love it. I got it as my dinner. I had a house salad for appetizer and it had roasted corn kernels in it and it was so good, I want another soon. Karrie, gonna join me for that?

I passed my camera off to Toni's son and he got some great candid shots of the diners at Houlihan's. We had quite a crowd. Toni got me a small gift of gel pens and some pretty note cards that I can use to keep in touch with my Wisconsin family and friends. She also got me some of the shiny lip glosses I love. I loved it.

Karrie & Jess got me a card with a monkey on it. It's not JUST another card with a monkey. It's MY monkey card. :)

I was so glad that Rebecca & Livvie, Bernie & Abby, Lacie & the kids, Toni & her son, Karrie, Jess, Steph, Kristin, Jamie, Nicole, and Coral were all able to share my night with me. It was so good to see some new faces join us outside of work for some fun.

About 9pm we walked over to Hogs & Kisses for drinks and dancing. It was pretty amazing to be again surrounded by old and new friends who were there for me, to celebrate my day, and just hang out with.

I had a few drinks.

We did the "Summer Shot" as a birthday shot. It's Amaretto and cranberry, kind of tastes like a maraschino cherry. It makes me think of summer.

We danced. We laughed. We sang. I was loved. I loved.

My favorite DJ sent out a Happy Birthday to Kimmy song.

It was a good night. I had a nice designated driver take me home. I don't think I could have walked it, so I'm very glad he was there. And hey, I love lamp, too.

I am so very blessed.

I have a pretty amazing life.

I woke up to motorcycles outside my window, spring in the air--the honeysuckle is finally in bloom, a text from my pop saying, "Happy day after your birthday," and a mystery bruise on my hand.

That's the sign of a birthday done right.

I less than three surprises!

Yeah, what he said...

In my opinion, the best thing you can do is find a person who loves you for exactly what you are. Good mood, bad mood, ugly, pretty, handsome, what have you, the right person will still think the sun shines out your ass. That's the kind of person that's worth sticking with.

Mac MacGuff--Juno

More statement...

I just love it when a plan comes together and the universe joins in.

Statement

I love it when a plan comes together.

Love

Just because someone doesn't love you the way that you want them to, doesn't mean that they don't love you with everything they have.

--anonymous

This sentence has spoken to me for many years. I keep forgetting it and it applies to all relationships. It applies to romantic relationships, friendships, and family.

When I want someone to treat me a certain way and they don't and then they treat someone else the way I want to be treated, it's hard to deal with. It makes me feel as though I'm lacking something and I am in some way unloveable. That is so not true.

The lesson is that they aren't loving me the way I want them to, not that they don't love me.

The lesson should also be to find the things they are doing for me. Those should count, too. Those should count more because they are given freely.

Speak about the wants.

Speak about the needs.

Just don't forget the givens and remember to always count your blessings.

Today in my world...

Caution, hula hoopers crossing...

Lily of the Valley bloomed in my pots...

Tourist season begins, the fountain is on...

I want pancakes...
I also touched bellies and named my children after cookies.
It's been a long, weird weekend.
Glad today is Monday.
Happy Cinco de Mayo!

Grandpa and bananas...

We would drive gram nuts by sticking the stickers on our foreheads and walk around like that all night. I think we'd get angry when she'd make us take them off before bed.

Here's to Chiquita and Gram & Gramps and bananas...

04-24-08

Well, actually it's the 25th, but the Kimmy has not gone to bed yet, so we will post it as the 24th.

The day started in it's usual way. The sun rose and the people peopled.

The Kimmy slept.

Then the Kimmy realized that she was in pain.
Achy, nauseous, clammy, and restless.

She slept it off until way late in the afternoon and then she got up and realized that she would have to do laundry before jetting off to work at the Bullseye.

She raced to the laundromat where she chatted with her grammy and a couple of friends while she snarfed down yummy cheese and crackers and fun'yuns and cherry coke zero. OH! And she had Reeses stix, they were very nummy. They tasted like tiny Nutty Buddies.

She realized after the first run in the dryer that there was no way on Bob's green earth that she was getting her clothes dried any time soon. So, she added some quarters to each load and raced home to shower and get ready for work, minus underwear and pants. Since both of those are a requirement for work, she raced back to the laundromat, grabbed her dry clothes out of the dryers and raced home did a quick-change and raced to work, where she was late. Bummer.

Then it started raining.
Then it poured.
It smelled delightful. She wanted to run and jump in puddles. Alas, she was still at work.

Then the people stopped people-ing.

It was so slow the six hours she was at the Bullseye seemed like sixteen.

When she finally left the Bullseye, complete with blinky presents for a friend, she was happy.

Then an old friend called. There is nothing like an old friend to cheer you up even more. She was glad that this friend called because her cute little purple phone got sick and had to go to the doctor and all of her friend's phone numbers are locked away in it's little mind and it won't give them up.

Instead of cheering the Kimmy up, this friend made her feel as if she was only worth some of her bits instead of her whole. Instead of listening to her, this friend assumed what they wanted to assume about her and hurt her feelings. This friend does not know this. She doesn't know how to tell them how deeply they hurt her.

The memory that they share is valuable, she might even say priceless. There is no justification for tarnishing a memory with crudeness and callousness and just plain thoughtlessness.

Then the Kimmy raced home once again. She hung up all of her laundry. Picked up what messes she left behind. Changed her clothes, checked her email, fixed up her hair, and raced out to pick up the Caetie.

The Caetie arrived safely to collect her math book, cupcakes, and take a shower. Then she went to bed.

The Kimmy raced out to karaoke at the bowling alley to celebrate Scoop's birthday. It was amazing. She had a lot of fun.

Another friend then called while she was there. She raced out to her car to chat with this friend. There is nothing like a friend to cheer you up.

This friend had an amazing day. They shared and shared and shared all the good bits and the food bits and the dessert bits. Bit by bit the joy and amazement and delight that her friend shared filled her with contentment once again.

Then she shared the disappointment in her day.

She is always amazed at her friend's capacity for knowing what to say and how to say it. The friend is wise and willing to share knowledge and for some reason, actually cares about the Kimmy.

Her friend then said something that moved her. Her friend told her to remember that they loved her. Just that, "Kimmy, remember, I love you."

All that ran through Kimmy's head at that moment was, I always want you to be a part of my life, too. That was how the conversation ended and it was okay. There's always more. There's always another day. There's always Dragon Park.

Then she went back into the bowling alley and got to sing "Girl's Just Wanna Have Fun" with a bunch of silly girls, including the birthday girl. That rocked.

She then decided that it wasn't too late to take her walk to the lake if she went home, so she said goodbye until tomorrow night at the Tap and took her leave.

She went on her walk down to the lake and it was so beautiful outside. It smelled like the rain and wet earth and dirt and grass growing and the lake and spring and it was alive. It was chilly and a little clammy and wonderful.

She loves how things smell. They create memories that you can pull out anytime. Remember when we went to such and such? This is how that smelled!

She made herself a yummy salad snack, finished up her workout with crunches and supermans (because they are good for the soul, too!) and then she curled up on the papasan chair to watch Top Chef.

And then the Kimmy slept.

Until tomorrow...

The little things...

Alex showing up to be my cart attendant tonight. He is my hero.

Michelle, she is a constant source of joy.

Chris staying to close guest service tonight.

Bernie's joy and delight over new bikes.

Peach Green Tea

A late night walk to the lake.

Being a good friend and in turn having good friends.

Feeling strong.

Sweating.

Supermans.

Michael is coming back to work tomorrow!

Full moon on the lake.

Bald IS beautiful, inside and out and hair does NOT define who or what you are.

Being blessed over and over and over again...

Realization for April 20, 2008

Sometimes when the anticipation of an event is so great, the ordinary gets lost in the shuffle.


You forget to look around you at the wonder of spring in WI. The everyday grind becomes a painful grind. You forget to laugh and be joyous.


So, in honor of spring finally gracing us with it's promise in WI, I am going to remember to tell you at least one thing that was extraordinary in it's ordinary-ness.


Friday it was the Impromptu Luau at the Village Tap. Here's what you missed:

Saturday it was the full moon with the humid night hair pulling at my hair and the impulse to go hang out at the Log Cabin in Burlington with Dale and the gang.

It was nice to be able to just hang out and laugh and talk and be.

I can't wait to see what tomorrow brings.

Still lovin' the lake...

So, Wisconsin finally caught up and it's spring.
Look how pretty the lake is!

Geneva Lake

The lake looked so breath-taking, still frozen but almost to the thaw, that I was compelled to stop and take some pictures.

Tennessee

I am trying to find the words to describe what Tennessee means to me.

I am having difficulties when anyone asks me why I love it so much and why it’s so important.

Is it a feeling? Is it a sense? Is it a thought? Is it tangible? Is it a person?

There isn’t just one "someone". There are people in Tennessee that are important to me the same as there are in Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Florida, Iowa, California, Arizona, and Nevada.

It is tangible and intangible. It’s a thought, a sense, a feeling all together separately and collectively.

The smell of spring in Tennessee calls to my senses. The trees speak to my soul. The smell of the earth and dirt in Tennessee call to my heart.

Being back in WI, I feel it even stronger now. It pulls at me and makes me yearn to be "home" again. That feeling of belonging without understanding why, without needing to understand why. Acceptance. Peace. Wholeness. Safety. Comfort. Joy. Love.

Tennessee is intrinsic to my spirit and defines part of who and what I am.

Tennessee is...

Life through Music

This was kind of interesting.

1. Open your library (iTunes, Winamp, Media Player, iPod, etc)

2. Put it on shuffle

3. Press play

4. For every question, type the song that's playing

5. When you go to a new question, press the next button

6. Don't cheat



Opening Credits: All American Girl Carrie Underwood

Waking Up: Istanbul They Might Be Giants

First Day At School: Everybody Needs Somebody to Love Blues Brothers

Falling In Love: Walk Like an Egyptian The Puppini Sisters

Fight Song: Black Horse & The Cherry Tree KT Tunstall

Breaking Up: Two Out of Three Ain't Bad Meatloaf

Prom: The Kids are Alright The Who

Life's Okay: Everytime We Touch Cascada

Mental Breakdown: Even Now Barry Manilow

Driving: Down with the Sickness Richard Cheese

Flashback: Love in an Elevator Aerosmith

Getting Back Together: Ain't No Sunshine Bill Withers

Wedding: Like a Virgin Madonna

Birth Of A Child: Dancing Queen ABBA

Final Battle: Little Rock Collin Raye

Death Scene: Better Brother Madita

Funeral Song: Don't Stop Believin' Journey

Unbridled joy...

Kimmy & The Dragon

Ode to TN

Tennessee calls me
Spring green trees and rolling hills
I will be there soon

Ode to cake

My sister Jen made delicious cake.
It was so good I was compelled to create this haiku to cake.

Delightful orange cake

You fell before you were done

Yummy cracks of love

Spring Cleaning

Spring cleaning of the spirit is hard to do.

When you do spring cleaning around the house it is out with the old and in with the new. There is always deep cleaning involved. You throw away some stuff that’s either old or lost it’s usefulness for you. Sometimes you sell it or give it away.

Spring cleaning of the spirit doesn’t always work that way. Sometimes the spirit wants to incorporate the two. It wants to keep the old and still let in the new. Part of what or who keeps the spirit bound is part of what needs to go. It’s like keeping the good parts of who you became and what you have learned are qualities that can stay. The old, dusty, tired thoughts and feelings that leave you down and depressed. Those are the things that need to go.

Remembering that what you do does not define who you are needs to be kept in front of you. A friend pointed out that I lead with my heart. That means that I end up getting hurt a lot. That doesn’t mean I am willing to stop leading with my heart. It’s who I am. I love easily. I love for the moment. I love what you bring to my table of life, if that’s for right this moment, so be it. If it’s for 59 years, great! I will make the best of what I have and the best is right now!

I am poetry. I am more than what I have done. The things I have done do not define who I am as a person, nor do they diminish me.

The question becomes less of whatever will I do now, to what won’t I do now? The thoughts full of self-doubt start to get smaller and smaller and hold no power. I did that, I’m proud of that or not proud of that, whatever the case may be and look at who I am now. I am poetry. I am a goddess. I am me.

I am working on living a life without regrets. That means that even the things that leave me lonely or angry or broken or hurt, I don’t regret those things either. They make the happiness, friendships, kindness and love that much sweeter and full.

It’s a circle that continues to turn and pour onto itself. Remember every now and then to give it a good shake, get the dust off and let the light shine through.

Spring cleaning is good, even for the spirit.

Webcam!

So, it's time for me to post the link for the webcam that will be set up for the official "Kimmy is coming to TN" meetup on Friday, March 28, 2008.

Now, remember this is not a PG event. If you are easily offended, what the heck are you doing on my blog?

http://www.blogtv.com/Shows/50253

**Note the link has changed from the last time this was up.
Stacy was having technical difficulties on the other server.

So, any requests?

Happy Spring!

Yesterday it was 50, light jacket/sweater, no socks, slip on shoes.

Happy Spring in Wisconsin!

I'm so glad that it's spring again. Look, the birds are singing and the flowers are blooming. It's a renewal of the Earth's spirit...

Spring should totally kick Winter's butt for this.

Heehee! I said butt!