Raindrops on Roses

Last night, I called and talked with my Mom & Dad to see how they were doing and hear their first-hand account on how my Uncle was handling the loss of my Aunt Em. I haven't been that emotional since my Aunt's passing and was wondering why I wasn't more upset. After all, I cry simply watching hallmark commercials. Until last night. Mom relayed to me over the phone how my Uncle Ed had spent the last hours with my Aunt. He told them that my Aunt frequently commented he was always singing to other people, but never sang to her. My Uncle told my Mom he sang to my Aunt. He said, he sang for himself as much as he sang for her. After hearing this, my tears have been falling like rain.

I can hardly recall a family gathering that didn't result in my relatives breaking out in song. I have many wonderful memories of Aunt Em playing the piano in her living room while we all sang. I can close my eyes right now and picture Emmy seated on the piano bench with all of us gathered closely around her singing, "My Favorite Things" from The Sound of Music.

Memories like this are truly some of my favorite things.

Goodreads

UPDATE - April 19, 2010 - I finished reading Jean Kwok's "GIRL IN TRANSLATION" and must say, it was a wonderful book. I enjoyed from start to finish and look forward to her next published book. Thanks again to Goodreads.com and Terra, my Goodreads good friend, who turned me onto this webstite!

Just received some good news from Goodreads.com - I've won an early release copy of "Girl in Translation" by Jean Kwok - thanks to my friend, Terra, who turned me on to this website! [www.goodreads.com] This happy surprise came at a great time for me, since this past week brought a little sadness to my life. First, my Aunt Em passed away. Due to her passing, plans for a trip to Benson & Tombstone were canceled so my parents could get back to Vermont and be with my Uncle Ed, who is mourning the loss/celebrating the life of the woman who has been his constant companion for the past 60+ years.

So, thanks to Terra - whose love for books and support of new authors & publications has brought be back to the days of curling up with a great book, enjoying a good read, then anticipation of the next book on the reading list!

Taking a Trip

I'm taking a few days off to enjoy some quality time with my folks. We've decided on a little trip to visit Karchner Caverns in Benson, Arizona - someplace outside Tucson and about 3 hours' drive. [ http://www.explorethecaverns.com/ ] Since we're traveling down the night before, we've opted to take in historic Tombstone, AZ. I'm expecting our little side trip will present a few good photo opportunities, which I'll try to post on the return.

Thankfully, our hotel offers free internet, so I'll be able to take my laptop and continue to tend to my farm on Farmville (isn't this a ridiculous thing to worry about)... LOL!

I Quit

Just before writing this, I was thinking about the day Jeffrey Hingston announced to our second grade class, "I Quit." Sometimes, I find myself wanting to quit my daily responsibilities, too. We start out in kindergarden being provided daily play-time and quiet-time but, somewhere along the way, those all important elements seem to be removed from the adult life curriculum. I miss play-time and the occasional mid-day nap.

My life of late seems to have become one long and ever growing "To Do" list. There's the list of things to do at work, followed by the list of things to do at home and the errands and other to do lists that spring up in between work and home. Of course, I am the person creating many of those chores, tasks, errands that pile up before my eyes - but that doesn't deminish my desire to quit - just for a little while.

Maybe, just maybe, a day off for play-time and quiet-time should be the next item on my

"to do" list.

Confessions of a Procrastinator.

A procrastinator, by definition, is one who intentionally and habitually puts off the doing of something that should be done. I am an excellent procrastinator.

I prepare wonderful "to do" lists. I thoroughly research any and all published materials on whatever the project might be - from weight loss to home de-cluttering. I create detailed plans, outlining exactly what steps I intend to follow to reach my goal. But, I truly excel at finding ways to avoid just sticking to one thing at a time, until the goal is reached or the project is finished. In fact, I am convinced my multiple project approach to personal goals in life is one sure fire way to never get anything done.

I've made promises to myself. "today is when I am going to change". I've read countless inspirational books on how to take control of my life, how to focus my energy on specific goals, how to send out powerful messages to the universe - and yet, day after day, week after week, I find myself sliding back into my the comfort of mediocrity. It's like, talking about preparing for the "Big Game," all the while hoping you never actually get called in to play.

So, what's my real problem? Am I not truly committed to achieving my goals? Am I not really serious about living a clutter free life, losing weight, achieving financial milestones, improving my self-image? I sure think I am. But, every now and then, I cannot help but ask myself, "is there really anything wrong with just being an under-achiever?"

I would still like to achieve some of my loftier goals - to enjoy the feeling of a serene, clutter-free home - to experience being physically fit and height/weight proportionate. I have been successful in learning to be a happier person by simply choosing to be so.

I just want to put out there, if someone truly has found the way - the true path that leads to personal enlightenment, weight loss, tidiness and brings all good things - I am here, ready to join you and happy to learn all I can from your wisdom!

The Parents are coming! The Parents are coming!

My parents arrive today and I'm happily anticipating their arrival. It's their annual trip for what I refer to as Senior Spring Break. Since their house in on the market and their future plans are to move here, this may be my last year hosting them for a month. I think we all hope this will be their last "visit" before becoming residents in town.

I am surprisingly calm this year. Normally, I wrap myself up in a flurry of home improvements, spring cleaning and meal preparations that keep me up until the wee hours of the morning just before their flight lands. Working 2 jobs (I was hired on as permanent part time after my seasonal sales associate stint from November to January at Macy's) has left me little time to keep up with my own laundry, let alone multiple "to do" list projects - so perhaps that is the key, not having enough time to think about what you'd like to do before company arrives.

I did carve out some time to pot a few pansies and 2 small rosemary plants with pretty pale blue flowers in my garden, to give my patio a touch of spring color. If the unseasonal rain finally stops, they should be able to enjoy the normally dry and sunny outdoors expected in the Arizona desert.

Growing up, we lived close to our grandparents, aunts, uncles & cousins. We saw them often and you simply learn to take seeing family for granted. That is, until you move. Having made the move 6 years ago from a life centered in the Eastern United States, moving to Arizona is like another world. The climate is so different, there is no ocean, and for me - no immediate family. Telephone calls and e-mails help to keep me in touch with family members, but is not the same as seeing them more than once a year. So, I am looking forward to the time when my parents are just around the corner and spending time with them on a Saturday, or popping in for a free home-cooked meal (yes, Mom, that's what I'm most looking forward to!) after work is an experience I cannot wait to enjoy.

So, here's to the parents! May this truly be their last visit as out of towners.