Spent last night "helping" Skylight Books move thier Art and Architecutue Annex to their new space. I like to think I am uniquely qualified for this, as I have move probably more libraries than anyone in the countrry It's always a fun process, but my broken toe, really hindered me doing too much physical work. I did get into an interesting discussion with someone about the mixed feelings one has upon moving. He said he didn't understand feeling a bit angry about the process. Moving can be a bit like a death, I suppose and if you are not ready for the feelings of nostalgia, you can go through the stages of grief. In this case, this person was thinking of a co-worker who helped get the original space organized. The co-worker had passed on and I think the move brought up unresolved sorrow at the loss. Moving can be cathartic, burt sometimes you do through a range of unexpected emotions. Weird but true. I like to talk to people while moving, about the joy of getting into a new place. It helps to move on.
So, dinner at our house; a fundraiser for McGroarty Arts Center. I think we have six people for the event, and three who will get dinner later. What REALLY bums me out is all the people I sent invites to who didn't even bother to respond with a "thanks but no thanks" or.. anything. One person I see quite often didn't answer me at all and I am kind of , well, wounded by that. I know I shouldn't take it personally, that people don't always read their email and that this is not about me and that I need to focus on the good and on what to serve for dinner! Lasagna, my signature dish, and...... We will see. I need to talk to the people who are coming to see what people like. I never serve a meal without checking likes and dislikes of the guests. Since I am allergic to nuts, I ask about food allergies too or special dietary needs and tailor the menu accordingly. It's a challenge to my "skill" as a cook and a host. I am looking forward to an evening of food and conversation. It's always lively around out table.
Friday, July 12, 2013
Monday, July 8, 2013
Why is it Monday already?
Where do weekends go? Is time really relative and does it really speed up the older we get, or does it just feel like it?
I spent a good deal of my Saturday ( note I do not say "the better part of Saturday" because it kind of sucked) at Kaiser, waiting with about 60 other people in the cramped Urgent Care waiting room. The diagnoses? A "slightly broken" toe. Huh? The doc must have been tired. "Slightly broken" is like being a little bit pregnant. Either it is or it isn't. In this case, it is. It is currently being close "buddies with the baby toe and will be for about two weeks. I have about four weeks until it heals and I am SUPPOSED to try to stay off it for a while, which is why..
On Saturday afternoon, I spent most of the day in the kitchen making a long promised dinner for friends. I had promised Shawn chili and he sounded so enthusiastic about it I just couldn't let him down. I made Chili, corn bread, honey butter and a salad, along with chicken strips ( home made and fun to do on my pizza stone of all things!) Dessert was chocolate mousse. We enjoy having friends in our home and the night made up for the crummy day I had been having.
Sunday, I sat around with my foot up and watched TV. I seldom watch that much TV. I was really annoyed by some of the commercials. What is it about commercials these days. They try to shock or titillate, I suppose. I remember when they just tried to SELL you something. On my list of pet peeves:
The Beyonce Pepsi commercial. Could she BE more annoying? Does anyone notice when she takes a BIG slug of Product, there is NONE on her mouth. uh-huh. Her lipstick doesn't come off on the can. Right. And WHY do the mirrors break when she dances? I thought they only broke if something were BAD, apparently she is so bad-ass she shatters glass.
The Bertoli "Date night" commercials. There are two versions, one with the man cooking one with the woman cooking. They are a "married couple" having a "Date" it's supposed to reconnect and rejuvenate their relationship, right? Isn't that the whole theory behind having a "date" with your mate? So WHY WHY WHY do they just TEXT each other? They are sitting two feet apart. They TEXT each other????? I can see the problem here.
Time to get my Monday game face on. Hopefully the day will go smoothly and we won't have too many problems. It's gonna be a hot week. Welcome Summer!
I spent a good deal of my Saturday ( note I do not say "the better part of Saturday" because it kind of sucked) at Kaiser, waiting with about 60 other people in the cramped Urgent Care waiting room. The diagnoses? A "slightly broken" toe. Huh? The doc must have been tired. "Slightly broken" is like being a little bit pregnant. Either it is or it isn't. In this case, it is. It is currently being close "buddies with the baby toe and will be for about two weeks. I have about four weeks until it heals and I am SUPPOSED to try to stay off it for a while, which is why..
On Saturday afternoon, I spent most of the day in the kitchen making a long promised dinner for friends. I had promised Shawn chili and he sounded so enthusiastic about it I just couldn't let him down. I made Chili, corn bread, honey butter and a salad, along with chicken strips ( home made and fun to do on my pizza stone of all things!) Dessert was chocolate mousse. We enjoy having friends in our home and the night made up for the crummy day I had been having.
Sunday, I sat around with my foot up and watched TV. I seldom watch that much TV. I was really annoyed by some of the commercials. What is it about commercials these days. They try to shock or titillate, I suppose. I remember when they just tried to SELL you something. On my list of pet peeves:
The Beyonce Pepsi commercial. Could she BE more annoying? Does anyone notice when she takes a BIG slug of Product, there is NONE on her mouth. uh-huh. Her lipstick doesn't come off on the can. Right. And WHY do the mirrors break when she dances? I thought they only broke if something were BAD, apparently she is so bad-ass she shatters glass.
The Bertoli "Date night" commercials. There are two versions, one with the man cooking one with the woman cooking. They are a "married couple" having a "Date" it's supposed to reconnect and rejuvenate their relationship, right? Isn't that the whole theory behind having a "date" with your mate? So WHY WHY WHY do they just TEXT each other? They are sitting two feet apart. They TEXT each other????? I can see the problem here.
Time to get my Monday game face on. Hopefully the day will go smoothly and we won't have too many problems. It's gonna be a hot week. Welcome Summer!
Friday, July 5, 2013
Friday morning musings
I am sitting in my kitchen, trying to figure out how to get through today on 5 hours sleep. Coffee and five hour energy drinks, perhaps. We had a really good time at the fireworks event last evening. We were "support crew" for the show adviser ( read "go-fers") It was a lot of fun. The weather was perfect and I really enjoyed the vantage point. We were sitting directly under the display, close enough to see them lighting the charges. It was very cool. What I did NOT enjoy was what I did to my next-to-baby toe on my right foot. I appear to have broken it. It's purple all over and at a weird angle. It hurts. I ran it over with the massive gate WHO puts wheels so far out on a gate? I wasn't paying attention. It hurt like the dickens ( what does that mean anyway? It hurts like READING one of Charles Dicken's novels; he was paid by the word and it shows IMHO)
What do you CALL the next- to-baby toe, anyway? Certainly there must be a name for it? My education in toe etymology is sorely lacking.
I hope everyone had a good Fouth of July. I think about the men and women- YES WOMEN- who founded this country. We always hear about the Founding Fathers, but women had just as much, if not more, at stake in the fight for independence. We almost never hear about women and what they did, except for Abigail Adams ( whom I admire) and Martha Washington, sometimes you hear about Molly Pitcher, but that's about it. I suppose that the contributions of women were considered not to be "significant" perhaps they subscribed to the notion my grandmother had about "ladies names appearing in the Press. " "A woman's name should only appear three times; her birth, her marriage and her death." Yep. That's it. I prefer to think that "Well behaved women seldom make History" I wonder about the average woman during the Revolution. It could not have been a life of ease for any of them.
I am off to work, bruised and painful toe and all. Happy Friday!
What do you CALL the next- to-baby toe, anyway? Certainly there must be a name for it? My education in toe etymology is sorely lacking.
I hope everyone had a good Fouth of July. I think about the men and women- YES WOMEN- who founded this country. We always hear about the Founding Fathers, but women had just as much, if not more, at stake in the fight for independence. We almost never hear about women and what they did, except for Abigail Adams ( whom I admire) and Martha Washington, sometimes you hear about Molly Pitcher, but that's about it. I suppose that the contributions of women were considered not to be "significant" perhaps they subscribed to the notion my grandmother had about "ladies names appearing in the Press. " "A woman's name should only appear three times; her birth, her marriage and her death." Yep. That's it. I prefer to think that "Well behaved women seldom make History" I wonder about the average woman during the Revolution. It could not have been a life of ease for any of them.
I am off to work, bruised and painful toe and all. Happy Friday!
Wednesday, July 3, 2013
Decisions
I have been struggling with a choice I knew I needed to make. I have come to my decison , and as the song goes, "it's one of the painful kind" NO don't panic, Chris and I are still happily married ( whew) It's another break-up with a long term association.
For the past eight plus years, I have served on the Board of the McGroarty Arts Center. There is a system in place for Board Members to "Cycle off" after a certain time of service is complete and it's my time to either stay or go. For a variety of reasons, not the least of which was a terrible personal attack by one of the Board members, I have decided it is time to move on. I love what McGroarty stands for; Affordable Art education for everyone. I just no longer wish to be a part of the day to day operations of the Center. It's hard, because I have given a lot of my time and my heart to the changes that we made, but I think those changes are going to be overlooked and the direction changed to one that is a much more narrow focus than the one we had envisioned. I hope I am wrong, but at this point, I do not have the energy to devote to what I see as another battle.
I will fulfill my professional commitments, including the dinner party fundraiser. I sent out some initial invitations to folks I thought might like to join us but if you really want to come let me know! Come October, I will have more time to devote to my next adventure. Stay tuned....
For the past eight plus years, I have served on the Board of the McGroarty Arts Center. There is a system in place for Board Members to "Cycle off" after a certain time of service is complete and it's my time to either stay or go. For a variety of reasons, not the least of which was a terrible personal attack by one of the Board members, I have decided it is time to move on. I love what McGroarty stands for; Affordable Art education for everyone. I just no longer wish to be a part of the day to day operations of the Center. It's hard, because I have given a lot of my time and my heart to the changes that we made, but I think those changes are going to be overlooked and the direction changed to one that is a much more narrow focus than the one we had envisioned. I hope I am wrong, but at this point, I do not have the energy to devote to what I see as another battle.
I will fulfill my professional commitments, including the dinner party fundraiser. I sent out some initial invitations to folks I thought might like to join us but if you really want to come let me know! Come October, I will have more time to devote to my next adventure. Stay tuned....
Wednesday, June 12, 2013
VACATION
It's been a while since I took a real vacation- the last few "days off" have been for family obligations and while I appreciated some of the aspects of that time, I really didn't 'vacation" at all. So, here are my plans for the next twelve days:
Sleep past 7 a.m. When you get up at 5:30 every morning, this really DOES constitute "sleeping in"
Read. I have a few books that are waiting to be read and if I read all of them, I know where to find more!
Take pictures. Chris got me a new camera for my upcoming birthday. It's MINE! BWAHHHHHH I can't wait to start using it.
See old friends and new ones. Part of the plan is to visit with people, including ( hopefully, if we can make it work) one of my very best friends from Elementary School. We reconnected online. Don't you love how that works? I also hope to meet some of Chris' old friends, whom I have not yet had the chance to meet ( I hope they approve of his choice of wife!)
That's it. No grand schedule except for places we need to be each night. Lazy days. Picnics by the lake or at the beach. Sleeping, reading and recharging my batteries. The last few weeks have really drained my reserves and I need some down time. I hope to come back with my focus clearer.
Sleep past 7 a.m. When you get up at 5:30 every morning, this really DOES constitute "sleeping in"
Read. I have a few books that are waiting to be read and if I read all of them, I know where to find more!
Take pictures. Chris got me a new camera for my upcoming birthday. It's MINE! BWAHHHHHH I can't wait to start using it.
See old friends and new ones. Part of the plan is to visit with people, including ( hopefully, if we can make it work) one of my very best friends from Elementary School. We reconnected online. Don't you love how that works? I also hope to meet some of Chris' old friends, whom I have not yet had the chance to meet ( I hope they approve of his choice of wife!)
That's it. No grand schedule except for places we need to be each night. Lazy days. Picnics by the lake or at the beach. Sleeping, reading and recharging my batteries. The last few weeks have really drained my reserves and I need some down time. I hope to come back with my focus clearer.
Monday, June 10, 2013
Random Monday thoughts
Today, I am thinking about my grandmother, Emma Benedict Seckerson, who was born June 10 1888. Her mother Nellie ( whose real name was Helen, of all things) was a midwife who was working for a well-to-do family whose surname was Benedict. They insisted she stay with them until my grandmother was born. To honor them, the baby was given their surname as a middle name. My grandmother did not have an easy life. My grandfather was killed in a car accident in 1929, just before the stock market crash that began the Great Depression. She had three children to raise at that point. Her three sons died when they were children. She gave me a love of reading. She was a fine artist, apparently the Seckersons worked in the pottery industry in England and I remember my mother telling me they did the painting on the china. They were from Stroke-on-Trent. I know almost nothing about that area, but hope one day to visit England and the family we still have there.
Manners, the Butler! My mom used to say that all the time, I have NO idea what it really meant, but to me it was a signal that I was out of line, manners-wise. So, lately I have been pondering things like:
Do you invite people into your home or office and then EAT in front of them and not offer them anything? I have had the occasion recently to have this happen. It's weird. People traipse into meetings these days, bearing all manner of food and drink and happily chow down. I was even at a meeting where there was food set up and people helped themselves, I was not comfortable asking if I could grab a cup of coffee or something and the host did not offer. Uncomfortable? You bet!
Texting and WALKING. Forget texting and driving, I have had more trouble with idiots who are testing and walking. I was coming down the stairs at the subway station and this twenty-something was walking across the floor and started up the steps, eyes GLUED to the little screen. I made a noise so she looked up and GLARED at me. HEY watch where YOU are going! I gave her my best Mom-glare and she shrunk back. Never underestimate the power of a good mom-glare.
Manners, the Butler! My mom used to say that all the time, I have NO idea what it really meant, but to me it was a signal that I was out of line, manners-wise. So, lately I have been pondering things like:
Do you invite people into your home or office and then EAT in front of them and not offer them anything? I have had the occasion recently to have this happen. It's weird. People traipse into meetings these days, bearing all manner of food and drink and happily chow down. I was even at a meeting where there was food set up and people helped themselves, I was not comfortable asking if I could grab a cup of coffee or something and the host did not offer. Uncomfortable? You bet!
Texting and WALKING. Forget texting and driving, I have had more trouble with idiots who are testing and walking. I was coming down the stairs at the subway station and this twenty-something was walking across the floor and started up the steps, eyes GLUED to the little screen. I made a noise so she looked up and GLARED at me. HEY watch where YOU are going! I gave her my best Mom-glare and she shrunk back. Never underestimate the power of a good mom-glare.
Monday, June 3, 2013
Birthdays
I seem to know an awful lot of people who were born in June ( myself included) We June Bugs are a pretty terrific lot you must admit ;) I am thinking of two of my friends, who have crossed over who would heave celebrated birthdays today.
Teresa Gonzales, who was the biggest Cubs fan you could hope to meet. Happy Birthday, girl! I am sure wherever you are,the Cubs have won the pennant, I miss seeing you in the halls at Central and laughing with you.
Maggie Costa, a friend I never met in person, only online. We had a mutual love for the band America, so in the words of the song. "funny I've been there and you've been here and we ain't had no time to drink that beer." I am sorry we never got the chance to meet and see the"boys" together.
Today, I will be thinking of these two wonderful women and trying to remember that life is fleeting. I will try to celebrate their passion for life and remember the joy that came because I knew them.
Teresa Gonzales, who was the biggest Cubs fan you could hope to meet. Happy Birthday, girl! I am sure wherever you are,the Cubs have won the pennant, I miss seeing you in the halls at Central and laughing with you.
Maggie Costa, a friend I never met in person, only online. We had a mutual love for the band America, so in the words of the song. "funny I've been there and you've been here and we ain't had no time to drink that beer." I am sorry we never got the chance to meet and see the"boys" together.
Today, I will be thinking of these two wonderful women and trying to remember that life is fleeting. I will try to celebrate their passion for life and remember the joy that came because I knew them.
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