They Say You Want a Resoluuuution

Hello, New Year.  New Decade. 2010.  Monday morning. Etc, etc, etc…

It is that time when everyone is talking about their resolutions for the new year and I must admit, I have jumped on that silly bandwagon.  After much thought (welllll not really THAT much thought, but a couple of minutes at least), I pondered how I can become a better person in this world for 365 days. That’s really all a 2010 commitment amounts to… just 365 measly days. Come on! I can do that!

I considered dieting…you know those last 5-10 pounds. Whatever.  They have been around awhile now and I am kind of convinced they add a little padding to my developing wrinkles.

How about kindness.  What a refreshing concept!  Be more kind.  That would benefit everyone around me too (so selfless of me:).  Kinder to my husband, kinder to my kids, kinder to my neighbors, pets, friends, strangers.  But what exactly does that mean? Slightly vague actually. I mean, do I have to be kind all of the time,  because that could become seriously difficult about every 28 days.  You know?  Could I have a couple of days off per month to, aah-humm, be a bitch?

So unless I have monthly “mulligans”, 100%/365 days of kindness is probably out.  Shoot. Back to the drawing board.

I would like to volunteer more.  But that really shouldn’t be a resolution. Should it?

Exercise.  That’s always popular.  The only problem making that my resolution is #1. I already do that and #2. I like doing it and would more if I had more time and #3. I am limited due to my recovering hand.

Stop drinking.  Hmmm. NAh!

As you can see, by December 31, 2009 I had quite a dilemma on my hands.  Surely there was something I could change to  better myself for one year….

So after much little soul searching I came up with a great resolution.  Vitamins.  I am now taking vitamins EVERY SINGLE MORNING.  Now you may not think that is a big deal since you have been a regular user since Flintstones came out of the cave.  But I have not taken a vitamin in a long, long, long time. Not regularly.  Not 365 days in a row.

Let me clarify too for those of you reading this and thinking I am a total resolution loser.  The vitamins I have chosen contain a packet of 6 pills.  This is not your “yabba dabba doo” chewable I am talking about.  These are the real deal. Pills, lots of pills, and BIG ones yet to boot!  I am so resolved!  4 days into this an I am sure I see clearer skin, feel stronger bones, organ cleansing and vitality.

Yes! Vitality!  This is the resolution of all resolutions.

Happy New Year~now go take your vitamins!

one handed blog

i can write this blog in one of two ways…1. with many typographical errors due to typing with one hand or 2. SCREAMING with many typographical errors due to typing with one hand. which do you find least offensive and most forgiveable?

since i am woozy with vicodin, i won’t scream, ok?

yesterday i had my second reconstructive hand surgery since march…the first procedure wasn’t really “reconstructive”, but rather to relieve the pain from 30 years of manhandling 25# of clay at a time.  the procedure yesterday was reconstructive due to the failure of the first surgery.  poor me.

it is often said that the defining trait which separates man from the animals is an opposable thumb. While many may take that remark in jest, there is in fact much truth in it.

i have contemplated this significance of thumbs since embarking on what, i was led to believe, would be a minor setback in my normal life routine.  let me just tell you it makes for one hellish day to go without an opposable thumb (not to mention the absence of use of the entire hand).  here are a few of the things that are virtually impossible to do without thumbs:

buttoning anything

fastening a bra

holding (and actually using) a steak knife

pulling up tights/pantyhose

tying shoes

opening jars

polishing fingernails

just think about the truth in the former statement…have you ever seen an animal do any of the above mentioned tasks?  nope. didn’t think so.  i will tell you though, if i have to go through this one more time, i may resort to toes.

Hello again

Wow, so sorry that I have been so remiss in keeping you up to date with all of the November happenings, but HELLO it’s November and I am in retail….dadadadaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!  ( wait til you read my posts in December if you think this is bad).

So, since I have about 45.5 seconds to devote to this entry I will keep the details to a minimum (probably your preference anyway) and fill you in with bullet point, astriks, or whatever fun key my fingers happen to fly over….ready?

!- Avalon is growing like a weed.  Weened. Sleeping through the night. Finally in her Gro-babies!  Laughs

@-Found a new hand surgeon in Indy…my hand needs to be repaired, or in other words, totally redone plus more.  Can’t wait:(

#-Celebrated turning 5-0 in a huge way!  My beloved family planned and hosted a surprise party for me with 22 of my favorite people.  It was intimate, spiritual, and truly heartfelt for (I hope) everyone.  Made 50 sweet!  

$- (Ironic symbol) Today is the second day of OT’s holiday open house.  I really hate open houses…so much preparation and most customers aren’t even aware of the specials when they stroll through the door.  I appreciate them, but it would be nice to have more “intentional shoppers” who bust down the door at 10 a.m. sharp wanting the deal of the day!  Please at least come in for the cookies and wine and cheese…Courtney and I eat and drink far too much when you don’t come:)!

That was more than my allotted time so I gotta go…time to make the donuts!

The Plateau- I think I’ll stay here a while

I have officially reached what I will affectionately refer to as “the plateau”.  As a runner, this a good place to be …well trained condition, consistent performance, not too fast, not too slow, not too short or to far….just right.  And flat terrain.  No hills up or down to worry about, just plod along enjoying the scenery.  That’s where I am.  50 and just plodding along.  The scenery is very good at this level.

Oh yes, the top 10 too!  I know you are on pins and needles waiting… here goes:

10. The Bible

9.  Hands in clay, or paint, or plaster, or something messy 50% of the time

8.  Running slower and shorter, but still running.  Always.

7.  Learning to let go (and not picking it back up) And letting go again:)

6.  Compromise (and being okay with it).

5.  Peace (never give up). Or maybe that is Hope.

4.  Grandbabies!!!!

3.  Faith

2.  28 years of a faith-filled marriage…thank God for fidelity!

1.  Being alive/staying alive and enjoying the scenery!

That’s it. Gotta start working on 51-60 now.

See you in 10.

34-11 Ready or Not!

Time is quickly approaching so here are the next 34-11 “Top 50 at 50″!

34.  Maundy Thursday quiet reflection and communion

33.  Maddie Kay born this year 1993

32.  Picasso

31.  My blue miata

30.  Mara Eileen born this year 1990

29.  Christmas Eve and sleepovers!

28.  Sunshine everyday, please?

27.  Courtney Bock born this year 1987

26.  Life of a “Cat Rancher” on the farm

25.  Natural Childbirth Birth

24.  Kaley Jessica born this year 1984

23.  Catching Fishing (not just fishing)

22.  Donating blood

21.  Half Marathons

20.  Spending endless time in my studio blasting the Beatles

19.  Walks on the beach singing cute little songs with cute little girls

18.  Gerber Daisies-especially yellow

17.  Email and ichat

16.  Beatles “Love” Cirque du Soliel

15.  Classic Rock- but no Bob Seger! blech!

14.  Tailgating- winning is obviously not the point!

13.  Kal-Haven Trail on the 4th of July!

12.  Sleep

11.  Friends and Acquaintances (and knowing the difference)

top 50 at 50!

In honor of my 50 years in this thing called “life” I have documented a few of my favorite moments of discovery and enlightenment that have made me who I am today.  Some are just random favorite things, some are listed according to my age when they occurred, since I couldn’t begin to rank them.  So today, 3 days and counting, I am sharing #50-35.  Don’t judge me, just see if any of them fit as you know me.

Ready?

Jamie’s top 50 at 50

50.   Orange Tree

49.   Baking Homemade chocolate chip cookies

48.   Clayquot/ Vancouver Island

47.   Learning to REALLY pray

46.   Spring Breaks in Florida- ranging from when I was in junior high school to now having teenage girls and grandbabies in tow!  Memories all around!

45.   Cakebread Chardonnay

44.   The Alchemist- I could read this every week!

43.   Chicago Marathon 2000 3:54 PR!!! Oh the days of having a 3 at the beginning of my time.

42.   New York City

41.   Loving dogs; Rex, Rosie, Cooper, Corby, and Sam

40.   Sir Elton John  (I grew up in the 70’s, what can I say?)

39.   Princess Di’s wedding dress- Again, what can I say?

38.   Running, running, running

37.   Winding Brook Park and Friends~ Won’t you be my neighbor?

36.   Parents and Grandparents- still have grandma of my own~how cool is that?

35.   Lake Austin Spa-AhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhOmmmmmmmmm

So that’s it…next 15 tomorrow.  I still haven’t had many suggestions as to how to celebrate, commemorate, commiserate on Thursday….

what to do, what to do

Well the big 5-0 is just a mere three days away and I still don’t know what to do to commemorate the big event.  Hello, Family! Are we at least dining out somewhere?? I haven’t even heard that yet, but they surely know that I am not cooking on my birthday (can’t say that I ever have actually).

I thought about doing something very self indulgent for the day, but realized I scheduled myself to work in the store.  So much for that idea.

Suggestions?????

Shhhhh! It’s a love affair!

This week Kaley, Courtney and I snuck out for a girls week in Florida….That’s right, NO guys!!! We have giggled, eaten stupid stuff (peanuts and candy corn should be outlawed!), and permed some heads (not mine:)!  But we have a secret……don’t tell the guys, but I think each of us are in major love affairs!  We have been spending time cuddling, kissing, and yes, sleeping with someone new to each of us.  And, we have hardly thought of our “significant others” in the thick of our intimate acts.  We are in absolute heaven.

It started with Kaley…she always has gotten us in trouble!   Courtney and I caved to peer pressure and, BaBooom!  We were smitten.  Here’s a peek at our new Florida love infatuation:

Yep, Mom, Auntie Courtney and Mamie are falling all over ourselves taking care of this little peanut.  She has been a fabulous traveler and so much fun especially now that she smiles and coos as directs our daily activities.

Life of a Mamie is good.

October 11, 2009

Today Avalulu Avalon went on her first punkin hunt at our local pumpkin farm.  She was a punkin in the pumpkins!!!

just look:

It was a perfect cool, grey day and absolutely October in Indiana (heard it may snow tomorrow).  GAH

But everyone was happy, as you can see!

A first for the new family!

Happy Halloween~BOO!

A Japanese Birthday!

Yesterday was Jeff’s birthday and his favorite restaurant is Hani Yori here in South Bend.  It is traditional, teppan-style, Japanese gruel.  We affectionately refer to it as the “Diarrhea Palace”.  Of course, that is where we celebrated the big 4-9 for our #1 dad, grandpajeffattaboy!

This is how the evening went:

Avalulu slept throught the whole thing (except when the cook lit the “volcano”‘ and she feared for her newly hatched eyebrows!

and:

Courtney was Maddie’s official date!

and:

Maddie was Courtney’s official date!

After dinner:

We had some bloating issues!  But hey that happens with all that rice!

Jeff~we can’t wait to do it again next year!  (Thank God we have a year to recover:)

Happy Burpday!