Toot Toot, Hey. Tweet Tweet!

Today, I posted my first tweet. It was truly the first thing that popped into my head. I found "Rockin' Robin" playing in my head and so that is what I wrote. A fleeting thought really, meaning nothing. At that precise moment, I felt both childish and old.

I received Elke's invitation to join her on Twitter by email. E-mail has replaced letter writing and talking on the phone for many people, myself included. As a young child, I had several pen-pals. I loved writing them letters and receiving theirs in return. Crafting a good letter has always seemed an art form to me. I continued writing letters to friends and family in my college years. To keep my letters neat, I often scribbled out a draft, then copied my letter onto stationary, using a ruler to keep my lettering in line. I spent hours wandering through card stores, just looking for the perfect card with just the right sentiment. As electronic communications replace greeting cards and letters, I will admit that I do keep in touch more regularly with friends and family using these effiicient communication methods.

As a child I kept a diary. I didn't write in it very often and my entries were mostly matter-of-fact details like "Today I went to School" and "Yesterday, it rained alot." Last year, I created this blog. I've enjoyed posting updates and getting comments back from people who've taken the time to read my ramblings. It's like keeping an online diary of sorts only now, I've learned to be a bit more wordy with my entries.

E-mailing and blogging aren't the only electronic contacts in my weekly routine. I can also be found on Facebook and other social networking sites. I sign onto Facebook daily, only because I was invited to join my friends on a few interactive games - and being a good friend, I accepted their invitation. BUT - once you start, you become obligation to return for more, day after day. I now spend 20 minutes every morning and another 20 or so in the evenings tending to my virtual farm and cafe. With my free time at a premium, I often wonder if I should simply stop - abandoning my farm chores and my virtual cafe customers. What else could I be doing with those precious 40 minutes a day?

Now, it's this Twitter thing. I am not even sure what to do with it. Is anything I am thinking really important enough to tweet? How often do I need to check in with my fellow tweets? [or is it twits? ... feel free to tweet me and let me know] Is there some protocol for twittering? I simply don't know. And, I'm not sure I care. But, I do love keeping in touch with my friends - wherever they are. So, I'll continue to write, call, email, post and now tweet to stay connected.

Until we meet up again somewhere online, I remain. Tweet-Tweet!

I Like Fridays

It's Friday! We're closing up the office a little early - which is always a treat - even though I'm working a short shift tonight at my second job (audible sigh). I've always looked forward to weekends but, working a second job means giving up the more relaxed schedule and time just to do what you want. Fridays now come with a sense of relief tinged with a longing for weekends before they were tied up in a second job.
I received a call from my friends t0 join them for coffee on Saturday morning - something we used to enjoy. I'll stop by, but cannot stay too long, since I'm on duty at 10:45 Saturday morning and need to pick up a coworker on my way.
House cleaning, running errands and other more leisurely pursuits have become things I squeeze in here and there. What I miss most is that sense of the weekend, spread out before me with potential to do anything I want - or just do nothing at all.
Hey, don't get me wrong - I've chosen to work a second job. And, for the most part, I actually enjoy being there. The extra income and employee discount have been put to use and greatly appreciated. But the extra income comes at a price. In my case, it's enjoying unstructured days on the weekend.
I've managed to fit in Sunday morning worship at the pool (the season is just getting started). I'm also discovering that having less time off forces me to be more productive with my free time and I've become far more appreciative of those days and nights off to just relax and unwind.
So here's to Friday. Hope you're enjoying yours!

Happy Birthday Heather!

Sending a Happy Birthday Greeting to Heather.

Make a wish and wish big!!!!

A Fitting Tribute

Monday morning and I'm feeling positive. I enjoyed a leisurely 3-day weekend with near perfect weather. I also learned this morning that the Edith C. (Aunt Em) Fenton Memorial Tribute fund has already raised $925.00 to benefit the Shriners Hospitals for Children.

What a great feeling...

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!