"What are 'wheelies'?" my grandmother asked me. Ok, so why was my grandmother asking me about such things? Ah . . . where to begin.
It was a beautiful Mother's Day, and I was out for dinner at a popular restaurant with my family. The place was extremely busy that evening. There was an hour wait, just to be seated! The wait-staff was hustling and bustling at a quick pace to serve everyone. There was a booth of people behind me with 3 or 4 kids. That family was allowing their kids to pop in and out of the booth to run to the bathroom (or wherever), multiple times... indiscriminately, it seemed. They were never watching where they were going . . . just dashing in and out, without looking. It was a bit annoying, but what are ya gonna do in a public place? You generally just grin and bear it as best as you can. Two of their kids had those "wheelies" shoes with the wheels in the soles. I'm not totally sure how they work, but somehow the wearer can either walk in them like regular shoes, or they can choose to engage the little wheels in them and roll, like roller skates. They seem kind of cool, but not for everywhere!
It has been a topic in our local news lately, how several local business owners and store managers have recently banned wheelies from their places of business. Much to my astonishment, I have even heard a few people squawking about how unfair that is. But these kids are frequently not watching where they are going. They seem unaware of their impact on those around them. And it seems, these kids are not being taught that there is a time and place for things, and crowded places are NOT the place to use wheelies! The story I'm about to relate to you, is a perfect example of why they are being banned!
My family and I were sitting in the booth, just finishing our meals. We were chatting, as best we could in a noisy, bustling restaurant. I was looking around periodically. I saw one of the kids (I'm guessing he was about 9 or 10 years old) from the booth behind me, coming back down the corridor, from the direction of the restrooms . . . again. It was about his 3rd trip. He was solo, unaccompanied by parent or adult. Suddenly, he picked up just a little bit of speed and engaged his wheelies. He rolled right in front of a hurried waiter who was carrying a tray of plates with steaming-hot food. I gasped and held my breath for a moment, as if that might stop time and avert catastrophe! The quick-thinking waiter stopped short, on tiptoe . . . trying not to lunge forward with the momentum of his movements. For a half second, I thought the tray loaded with plates and food were going to keep going forward and land on people, then crash to the floor. Much to the waiter's credit, he slightly tipped the tray backwards, and then quickly leveled it again. It was an amazing feat to witness! The plates and food miraculously stayed on the tray, while the mindless child blithely rolled by, completely unaware that he had nearly cause a disaster for several people. "Hey, cool it on the wheelies!" I chastised him as he rolled past our table to his family's booth behind me. He gave me a sideways glance, but wouldn't look at me directly . . . as if my laser stare might singe him.
A couple of minutes later, that waiter stopped by our table. He smiled and said, "Oh don't we hate those wheelies?"
I said, "Oh Yes, and parents who allow them free reign on them in public places without teaching them to be responsible are also a menace. But you were so graceful!"
He chuckled. "Thanks."
"You know," I said, "A lot of businesses are banning the use of those things in their stores. The wheels are supposed to pop out... they just make the kids pop the wheels out if they want to come in. You should tell your manage to consider that."
The waiter's eyes lit up as he smiled again, "Hey . . . Yeah! That's a great idea! I'll tell him. That was just too close a call. Thanks for saying something to that kid."
He wished us a Happy Mother's Day, and he went about his job.
That's when my grandmother asked, "What was that all about?" I told her of the drama that had just unfolded behind her . . . the kid on the wheelies had rolled right in front of the waiter and almost caused the waiter to loose a tray of food. That's when she asked me what wheelies were. I described them as much as possible to an 87 year old lady. I related to her what I had told the waiter about businesses in town banning the wheelies. Then she said, "Good. And so you told that little boy to 'cool it,' right?" I confirmed that I had. She chuckled. "That's my girl!" she boosted, with a smile. You see, women in my family are typically not shy about expressing our views. Someday, perhaps I'll tell you about the time my mom bumped a low-rider in front of her, because he sat through three traffic light cycles. Like I said, not terribly shy!
I'm sure that stupid kid didn't learn anything. I doubt he ever even knew what a problem he caused. And since his parents were probably not paying any attention to what he was doing, most likely nothing was said to him, other than what I hissed at him. I swear! Sometimes I think people should have to have to pass a test to obtain a license before they are allowed to have kids! But don't get me started on that today!!
So now, my grandmother knows what "wheelies" are, not that she ever really wanted to know. And I'm sure the controversy about them will continue to heat up. I just wish that people would teach their kids to take responsibility for their thoughts, deeds, and actions . . . and to realize those actions have consequences and frequently affect other people. But then, when many of the parents have apparently not learned to take responsibility for their own thoughts, deeds, and actions . . . there is the rub. I wonder how far the pendulum will have to swing before our society gets back to what use to be known as "common sense."
What? "Other than that, how was Mother's Day," you ask?
Oh, actually pretty good. It was a beautiful day here in Albuquerque. I gardened in my back yard most of the day. Then it was great to have dinner with my mom & step-dad, my dad & step-mom, and my grandmother. We had fun.
Oh, and I got a live lizard for Mother's Day. One of my cats proudly brought it to me, while we were out in the yard. He seemed to be beaming over his thoughtfulness, and his prowess as a hunter. My little hunter. Last year, it was a live bird that he brought to me in my bedroom . . . and let it loose. What a sweet, thoughtful kitty!
That's all for today.
~Paulena
Showing posts with label Family. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Family. Show all posts
Monday, May 14, 2007
Friday, May 04, 2007
Often, I Feel so Lucky
Greetings and Happy May!
I've been thinking (a dangerous pastime, I know!). I have terrific parents!! I have been truly blessed in this lifetime. But it saddens me that not everyone can have such an experience. So... what brought this on?
A few days ago, dear friend of mine lost his father to a long illness. His father had been in failing health for a few years. And just a couple of weeks ago, my friend was notified that his father (who lived in another state) had been placed in a hospice... so he knew the end was coming soon. He was torn about it. Why? Well the thing of it is, in many (most) ways, his father was little more than a sperm donor. So now his father has passed away, and my friend is rather torn on the whole issue. I can only imagine what that might be like.
My friend's mom & dad made the final split when my friend and his brother were 4 and 3 years old, respectively. He & his brother were the first and second born... but his dad went on to father other kids, "all over the place" as my friend puts it. There were a few times when he was around his dad, but they usually resulted in disappointments. He can only recall a few times when his dad stood-up for him in a couple of situations at his school, involving teacher problems. But my friend gradually learned to expect disappointment from his dad. He told me there was a two year period when he lived with his dad and a new step-mom, his father's sixth wife. She already had seven kids. Anyway, during that period of time that my friend lived there, he turned 13 years old. The family made a big deal of the other kids' birthdays. Then came my friend's birthday... not a word. Not a mention of it. My friend (being just a kid) was afraid to say anything, for fear of being labeled "ungrateful." A few weeks later, his dad said something to the effect of, "Oh gee. Didn't you have a birthday recently? Hummm I guess we missed it." There was no apology... no offer to make it up, no nothin'!!!! And that was his own son!! That may have been the year that my friend learned to just expect disappointment from his dad.
Can you imagine??? Being just a kid and your own parent (one you are living with) can't be responsible, or thoughtful enough to remember your birthday... or to even try to make it up to you. What a message that would send to a kid!! I shudder to think of it... and I find it painful!! Just to try imagining it, brings a tear to my eyes.
So yes, I have terrific parents. Even after they divorced, they remained wonderful. And today, I am double-blessed, as I have wonderful parents AND wonderful step-parents! No one ever forgot anything. And even into my adulthood, they have remained wonderful and supportive. Of course they have their quirks and whatnot. We all do. So thank God they're not perfect... then I'd have a complex! haha For the most part, I have always felt loved and supported by my parents.
I wish my friend could have grown up with that. But I think he grew up trying to believe his dad just might "get it together" and come through some day. My friend is the kind of guy who wants to believe the best in folks. So he gave his dad other chances along the way. Once my friend was into his young adulthood, he and his father went into business together. The business had been running fine for a while (maybe a year or two), and then... One day, his dad did not show up, but the IRS did. They were looking for his dad. They shut the place down and seized everything... including all the tools & possessions inside that had personally belonged to my friend... and, of course, all the financial investment he had personally made into the business. All because his dad wasn't honest with him and owed some sort of back taxes from some other screw-up thing he had done. But without disclosing any of that, he dragged his eldest son into the mess. I suppose if there was a fortunate side to that... at least my friend was a very young man and had not yet accumulated so much that the loss was huge... but to him at the time, I'm sure it seemed huge. And I know the cost to him was even more than just the financial and material stuff.
So he finally gave up on his dad ever coming through for him. His brother wrote their dad off a few years ago and said his good-byes back then. But my friend, he at least stayed in touch enough to know how his dad was doing. Now for him, I think it's hard to know how to feel.
His Mom? Oh... after the final split, she apparently had a few years of trying to kind of "find herself," and put things back together. She was a very young mom and struggled a bit. We all have our paths to travel. From what he tells me, she eventually came through it all... a stronger person. He says she has emerged a terrific lady. She is now remarried to a very nice, caring, and responsible man. My friend talks to his mom frequently, and they often confer with one another on things in their lives. I'm glad to see that at least one parent worked out well for him.
Oddly, during that same week that was the last of his dad's life (a few states away)... back here, near the home front, my friend's mom went into the hospital. She was facing a possibility of surgery. He was so very worried about her. He went to the small town where she lives and went to the hospital with her. He did everything he could to make things easier and as worry-free as possible for her. As it turned out, she didn't have to have the surgery... I guess the prayers and healing thoughts helped a lot. She is out of the hospital now and recovering nicely. I know he was horribly worried about her. What a week that was for him! To have her on the healing path is a huge load off his mind.
Yet in the back of his mind, every now and then, the push-me-pull-you thoughts about his dad revisit him. It's got to be a weird feeling... losing a parent who was never there for you and not be sure what to feel about it. Just feeling torn.
I feel blessed that I will never have to experience that, first-hand. And yet at the same time, I hurt for my friend right now who goes through it. I know that in time, it will become a little easier for him. I know there are lots of people out there who have had similar experiences. I just wish everyone could have had terrific parents. But I suppose it might be a set of lessons some souls came into this lifetime to learn from. Perhaps those experiences were the best way for those individuals to learn? It seems so harsh, and yet I know all of us have harsh areas of our life experiences to get through. I don't have any easy answers. I also have had my harsh life experiences. But fortunately for me, I've had great parents to support me through them. That's why I feel so lucky.
So if you ever read this, Mom, Dad, Don, and Julie... Thanks so much for always being there for me, and being so supportive. You all are the best! I love you all so very much. Thanks!!!
That's all for now.
Be well...
~Paulena
I've been thinking (a dangerous pastime, I know!). I have terrific parents!! I have been truly blessed in this lifetime. But it saddens me that not everyone can have such an experience. So... what brought this on?
A few days ago, dear friend of mine lost his father to a long illness. His father had been in failing health for a few years. And just a couple of weeks ago, my friend was notified that his father (who lived in another state) had been placed in a hospice... so he knew the end was coming soon. He was torn about it. Why? Well the thing of it is, in many (most) ways, his father was little more than a sperm donor. So now his father has passed away, and my friend is rather torn on the whole issue. I can only imagine what that might be like.
My friend's mom & dad made the final split when my friend and his brother were 4 and 3 years old, respectively. He & his brother were the first and second born... but his dad went on to father other kids, "all over the place" as my friend puts it. There were a few times when he was around his dad, but they usually resulted in disappointments. He can only recall a few times when his dad stood-up for him in a couple of situations at his school, involving teacher problems. But my friend gradually learned to expect disappointment from his dad. He told me there was a two year period when he lived with his dad and a new step-mom, his father's sixth wife. She already had seven kids. Anyway, during that period of time that my friend lived there, he turned 13 years old. The family made a big deal of the other kids' birthdays. Then came my friend's birthday... not a word. Not a mention of it. My friend (being just a kid) was afraid to say anything, for fear of being labeled "ungrateful." A few weeks later, his dad said something to the effect of, "Oh gee. Didn't you have a birthday recently? Hummm I guess we missed it." There was no apology... no offer to make it up, no nothin'!!!! And that was his own son!! That may have been the year that my friend learned to just expect disappointment from his dad.
Can you imagine??? Being just a kid and your own parent (one you are living with) can't be responsible, or thoughtful enough to remember your birthday... or to even try to make it up to you. What a message that would send to a kid!! I shudder to think of it... and I find it painful!! Just to try imagining it, brings a tear to my eyes.
So yes, I have terrific parents. Even after they divorced, they remained wonderful. And today, I am double-blessed, as I have wonderful parents AND wonderful step-parents! No one ever forgot anything. And even into my adulthood, they have remained wonderful and supportive. Of course they have their quirks and whatnot. We all do. So thank God they're not perfect... then I'd have a complex! haha For the most part, I have always felt loved and supported by my parents.
I wish my friend could have grown up with that. But I think he grew up trying to believe his dad just might "get it together" and come through some day. My friend is the kind of guy who wants to believe the best in folks. So he gave his dad other chances along the way. Once my friend was into his young adulthood, he and his father went into business together. The business had been running fine for a while (maybe a year or two), and then... One day, his dad did not show up, but the IRS did. They were looking for his dad. They shut the place down and seized everything... including all the tools & possessions inside that had personally belonged to my friend... and, of course, all the financial investment he had personally made into the business. All because his dad wasn't honest with him and owed some sort of back taxes from some other screw-up thing he had done. But without disclosing any of that, he dragged his eldest son into the mess. I suppose if there was a fortunate side to that... at least my friend was a very young man and had not yet accumulated so much that the loss was huge... but to him at the time, I'm sure it seemed huge. And I know the cost to him was even more than just the financial and material stuff.
So he finally gave up on his dad ever coming through for him. His brother wrote their dad off a few years ago and said his good-byes back then. But my friend, he at least stayed in touch enough to know how his dad was doing. Now for him, I think it's hard to know how to feel.
His Mom? Oh... after the final split, she apparently had a few years of trying to kind of "find herself," and put things back together. She was a very young mom and struggled a bit. We all have our paths to travel. From what he tells me, she eventually came through it all... a stronger person. He says she has emerged a terrific lady. She is now remarried to a very nice, caring, and responsible man. My friend talks to his mom frequently, and they often confer with one another on things in their lives. I'm glad to see that at least one parent worked out well for him.
Oddly, during that same week that was the last of his dad's life (a few states away)... back here, near the home front, my friend's mom went into the hospital. She was facing a possibility of surgery. He was so very worried about her. He went to the small town where she lives and went to the hospital with her. He did everything he could to make things easier and as worry-free as possible for her. As it turned out, she didn't have to have the surgery... I guess the prayers and healing thoughts helped a lot. She is out of the hospital now and recovering nicely. I know he was horribly worried about her. What a week that was for him! To have her on the healing path is a huge load off his mind.
Yet in the back of his mind, every now and then, the push-me-pull-you thoughts about his dad revisit him. It's got to be a weird feeling... losing a parent who was never there for you and not be sure what to feel about it. Just feeling torn.
I feel blessed that I will never have to experience that, first-hand. And yet at the same time, I hurt for my friend right now who goes through it. I know that in time, it will become a little easier for him. I know there are lots of people out there who have had similar experiences. I just wish everyone could have had terrific parents. But I suppose it might be a set of lessons some souls came into this lifetime to learn from. Perhaps those experiences were the best way for those individuals to learn? It seems so harsh, and yet I know all of us have harsh areas of our life experiences to get through. I don't have any easy answers. I also have had my harsh life experiences. But fortunately for me, I've had great parents to support me through them. That's why I feel so lucky.
So if you ever read this, Mom, Dad, Don, and Julie... Thanks so much for always being there for me, and being so supportive. You all are the best! I love you all so very much. Thanks!!!
That's all for now.
Be well...
~Paulena
Monday, April 23, 2007
I Finally did it!!
Greetings,
Well I finally did it... I finally got my mom on-board with blogging!! Ever since I discovered what blogging was, I had felt that my mom would be quite good at it. I have been telling her (for months... maybe a year or two) that she needs to start a blog and take off with it. Interestingly, she and I have encountered a few various sources in the last few weeks, all agreeing that if you are to be a writer, then you must have a blog!
This past weekend, she got started with it. I have put a link (in my sidebar) to her blog. She calls it "Puss Patton De Onion." And if you want to know why such a name, you'll just have to tune in and read her story on where the name came from. I look forward to reading her blog often. She frequently has strong opinions, vivid view points, and interesting things to say. Ok, perhaps I'm just a tad biased. She is my mom and one of my very best friends, but all of my friends agree that I got a great mom! And... she is most interesting.
So, find the link to the side and go visit her blog. And by all means, do come back and visit mine too.
I'm at work (on a break) right now... so back to work with me... perhaps more later or tomorrow. I'll try to write more often.
In the meantime, You have a great day.
~Paulena
Well I finally did it... I finally got my mom on-board with blogging!! Ever since I discovered what blogging was, I had felt that my mom would be quite good at it. I have been telling her (for months... maybe a year or two) that she needs to start a blog and take off with it. Interestingly, she and I have encountered a few various sources in the last few weeks, all agreeing that if you are to be a writer, then you must have a blog!
This past weekend, she got started with it. I have put a link (in my sidebar) to her blog. She calls it "Puss Patton De Onion." And if you want to know why such a name, you'll just have to tune in and read her story on where the name came from. I look forward to reading her blog often. She frequently has strong opinions, vivid view points, and interesting things to say. Ok, perhaps I'm just a tad biased. She is my mom and one of my very best friends, but all of my friends agree that I got a great mom! And... she is most interesting.
So, find the link to the side and go visit her blog. And by all means, do come back and visit mine too.
I'm at work (on a break) right now... so back to work with me... perhaps more later or tomorrow. I'll try to write more often.
In the meantime, You have a great day.
~Paulena
Thursday, February 23, 2006
Today's Butterfly Moment
Hello and Good Day to You,
Today, I'm having one of those mentally frenetic days. I have what feels like zillions of thoughts rushing through my head. Many of them are flying by so fast that I can't even really "hear" them clearly as they rush past my attention. It's like I can only "hear" the Doppler effect dropping off as they twist, swirl and race into the dark distance. As I picture the action, all these thoughts have different colors and some have several colors! I wonder if they will come back around and give me another chance to grab them. What makes it a tad more frustrating is that I'm at work while this is happening! Sheesh! Why can this happen on my day off!? haha Sometimes it does, but not usually.
I figured that while I have a couple of minutes, I'd take a break, eat my coconut yogurt and jot a few things down. I wonder what might happen if a couple of the flying thoughts were to collide! That could be interesting! haha I'm not sure how this comes on -- gradually or suddenly. I only know that I'm suddenly aware of it. When I have the time to contemplate all the action and grab a few of them, some of my favorite ideas come from these times.
Perhaps it's left over from last night when my great-uncle asked me if I believe in reincarnation. I told him, "Oh yes. Absolutely." And we began a most interesting conversation on the subject. I only recently (last year) met my great-uncle Greg. All these years I knew he was out there somewhere, but I had never met him until last year. What a find! He is a character and a lot of fun. And now, I find out just how interesting and multi-dimensional he really is. Anyway, so uncle Greg is here on a short visit and we began a most interesting conversation. Unfortunately, it was getting late and I had to get home, get to sleep and get up early in the morning. So we had to cut it short. But I very much look forward to the next time he and I can really sit down and talk about this stuff.
On my way home, I was thinking about my spiritual path over the years and all the reading I've done about Edgar Cayce and various related subjects. I was thinking about personal responsibility, acceptance of consequences and the role it all has to play in our spiritual path. My thoughts went back to our conversation. As we had been conversing and uncle Greg had asked me questions about my beliefs and my experiences. He seemed fascinated and amazed. He asked me, "How do you know all this stuff?"
Wow! I had to think about that. Much of it... I just knew somehow... from very early on. It was stuff I just... felt,
It had been a long time since I had contemplated how I came to awaken those things within me, and move along my path. I suppose that now since someone asked me about it, I've got a lot on my mind and I'm thinking up a storm! Too much for this small space and this limited bit of time. But, perhaps I need to focus some writing time on this.
Anyway... those are some butterfly mind thoughts! It's hardly fair that life and time constraints don't allow me to explore them further right now. But then... who ever said that life was fair?
Enough for now. Back to work with me!
~~Paulena
deep inside, even when I was a kid. Life steered me in the direction where I came across various things to read. When I began to read things on Edgar Cayce... it resonated so deeply within me!! It was like something inside me recognized what I was reading and knew it to be a most basic truth. It was like it were all information I'd already had within me. It was all very familiar to me. Onward I went, reading everything I could get my hands on the subject.
Today, I'm having one of those mentally frenetic days. I have what feels like zillions of thoughts rushing through my head. Many of them are flying by so fast that I can't even really "hear" them clearly as they rush past my attention. It's like I can only "hear" the Doppler effect dropping off as they twist, swirl and race into the dark distance. As I picture the action, all these thoughts have different colors and some have several colors! I wonder if they will come back around and give me another chance to grab them. What makes it a tad more frustrating is that I'm at work while this is happening! Sheesh! Why can this happen on my day off!? haha Sometimes it does, but not usually.
I figured that while I have a couple of minutes, I'd take a break, eat my coconut yogurt and jot a few things down. I wonder what might happen if a couple of the flying thoughts were to collide! That could be interesting! haha I'm not sure how this comes on -- gradually or suddenly. I only know that I'm suddenly aware of it. When I have the time to contemplate all the action and grab a few of them, some of my favorite ideas come from these times.
Perhaps it's left over from last night when my great-uncle asked me if I believe in reincarnation. I told him, "Oh yes. Absolutely." And we began a most interesting conversation on the subject. I only recently (last year) met my great-uncle Greg. All these years I knew he was out there somewhere, but I had never met him until last year. What a find! He is a character and a lot of fun. And now, I find out just how interesting and multi-dimensional he really is. Anyway, so uncle Greg is here on a short visit and we began a most interesting conversation. Unfortunately, it was getting late and I had to get home, get to sleep and get up early in the morning. So we had to cut it short. But I very much look forward to the next time he and I can really sit down and talk about this stuff.
On my way home, I was thinking about my spiritual path over the years and all the reading I've done about Edgar Cayce and various related subjects. I was thinking about personal responsibility, acceptance of consequences and the role it all has to play in our spiritual path. My thoughts went back to our conversation. As we had been conversing and uncle Greg had asked me questions about my beliefs and my experiences. He seemed fascinated and amazed. He asked me, "How do you know all this stuff?"
Wow! I had to think about that. Much of it... I just knew somehow... from very early on. It was stuff I just... felt,
It had been a long time since I had contemplated how I came to awaken those things within me, and move along my path. I suppose that now since someone asked me about it, I've got a lot on my mind and I'm thinking up a storm! Too much for this small space and this limited bit of time. But, perhaps I need to focus some writing time on this.
Anyway... those are some butterfly mind thoughts! It's hardly fair that life and time constraints don't allow me to explore them further right now. But then... who ever said that life was fair?
Enough for now. Back to work with me!
~~Paulena
deep inside, even when I was a kid. Life steered me in the direction where I came across various things to read. When I began to read things on Edgar Cayce... it resonated so deeply within me!! It was like something inside me recognized what I was reading and knew it to be a most basic truth. It was like it were all information I'd already had within me. It was all very familiar to me. Onward I went, reading everything I could get my hands on the subject.
Tuesday, November 29, 2005
Terrific weekend...
Hello,
I hope everyone's T-day weekend was good. Over here, it was mostly terrific, although my step-dad was in a car accident on Saturday. He's fine... Just banged-up a bit. Some gal ran her red-light! His car is now rearranged (possibly totaled). We shall see what transpires with that... a fix or a replacement... We'll see how it all shakes out. (It was later determined to be a total loss. He got a "new" vehicle -- new to him) But otherwise, it was a great Thanksgiving holiday... Or as my dad sometimes calls them "Hollerdays." haha
We had a couple of very windy days, but it was sunny and pretty otherwise. The wind chill was more that we're usually used to, in sunny NM. Thursday was the big T-day dinner at my grandmother's house (yes, over the river, but not through the woods). My mom & step-dad were there, as were my dad & step-mom. We had... Greek food -- so it was a tad non-traditional. I was my usual, quietly defiant self and I presented one of my sweet potato recipe dishes. {mischievous grin} Don't get me wrong, I love Greek food!! It's just that... I mean, come on... Thanksgiving! A good time was had by all. I didn't over-indulge and I got home early enough to watch a movie.
Friday was mellow. My step-mom decided to embark upon making a traditional turkey (with fixings) dinner. I had an invitation for dinner there that evening. In the meantime, my mom & I ran a few errands and then started to make chocolate rum balls... but my dad called to tell me the turkey was ready early... get my butt over there. haha So the Rum balls were put on hold for a few hours. Once at Dad's we put in a movie (Polar Express) and sat down to a delicious dinner. When dinner and the movie were done, I went back over to mom's and we made the chocolate rum balls. Ummmmmmmm! They have to "cure" for a week. So they will really be ready next weekend.
Saturday was quite... well for me anyway. My step-day had the auto accident so it was anything but quiet for them. But my Saturday was quiet and I was able to get a number of things done around the house. Sunday, a good friend of mine came over and helped me with a project at home... hanging a pot rack in my kitchen. It looks great! And it clears out a little bit of much needed space in my storage-challenged kitchen. I was suppose to have my new hanging wine rack by then too... but it's late... it's on the way. We would have hung that up too. Should have that by this evening! It will clear out some wine glasses out of the cramped cabinet quarters. More space! The final frontier!! hehe It's looking good. Anyway... we at least got the pot rack hung up and it looks great.
After that, he took me to see the progress on his house in the east mountains. It's coming along nicely. I love watching the building progress on his house. I'm so excited for him. Before ya know... it will be finished & he'll be moving in! Wahoo! That's exciting! Anyway, it was very windy and chilly over on that side of the mountains, but it was a great day. He took me all around the two area development phases to see the various lots that he likes and might want to buy if he won the lottery! haha There are some awfully gorgeous views out there!! They are spectacular! (Wouldn't you know - my camera batteries died as soon as we got there!) One large lot in particular, had a sharp drop-off (about 150 feet) into a creek ravine with red, caleche clay soil amongst the short pinion trees... Oh my gosh it was fabulous. Of course the wind was howling through that drop-off edge at about 45 or 50 mph at that time, almost pushing me backwards. But I suppose that made it even more... amazing, daunting, and breath-taking! There was a power there... like something you'd see out of a movie -- one of those sweeping aerial shots. If it hadn't been so cold (thank you wind chill!) I would have wanted to stay a while! It was spectacular. We left there and he showed me a few other of the nice lots. We went back to the community club house and he showed me on the 3-D map, where we had just been. Someday, someone will own that property and maybe a house will be there. It may have been the only time I could stand there and take in that amazing view . . . a view I will never forget, as long as I live!
From there, we went back to my house and I made us a couple of gourmet pizzas... the little, 10 or 12 inch, individual-sizes. I had made a fresh batch of home-made pizza sauce and some whole-wheat pizza dough the day before. And of course, I had 10 or 11 pizza toppings available. So we had fun chatting while I made the pizzas and while they baked on the pizza stones. They turned out great. I got a terrific review. haha
And here we are... back to the work-week. {sigh} Enough for now. Now we ring in the Holiday Season and now it's time to gather up the address book and send out what X-mas cards I can. And the shopping... arrrgh! The shopping itself... that's ok, but the traffic & the crowds are what deter me!! Maybe I'll do some of it online this year.
Well happy holidays folks!! Stay safe and enjoy!
TTFN,
~Paulena
I hope everyone's T-day weekend was good. Over here, it was mostly terrific, although my step-dad was in a car accident on Saturday. He's fine... Just banged-up a bit. Some gal ran her red-light! His car is now rearranged (possibly totaled). We shall see what transpires with that... a fix or a replacement... We'll see how it all shakes out. (It was later determined to be a total loss. He got a "new" vehicle -- new to him) But otherwise, it was a great Thanksgiving holiday... Or as my dad sometimes calls them "Hollerdays." haha
We had a couple of very windy days, but it was sunny and pretty otherwise. The wind chill was more that we're usually used to, in sunny NM. Thursday was the big T-day dinner at my grandmother's house (yes, over the river, but not through the woods). My mom & step-dad were there, as were my dad & step-mom. We had... Greek food -- so it was a tad non-traditional. I was my usual, quietly defiant self and I presented one of my sweet potato recipe dishes. {mischievous grin} Don't get me wrong, I love Greek food!! It's just that... I mean, come on... Thanksgiving! A good time was had by all. I didn't over-indulge and I got home early enough to watch a movie.
Friday was mellow. My step-mom decided to embark upon making a traditional turkey (with fixings) dinner. I had an invitation for dinner there that evening. In the meantime, my mom & I ran a few errands and then started to make chocolate rum balls... but my dad called to tell me the turkey was ready early... get my butt over there. haha So the Rum balls were put on hold for a few hours. Once at Dad's we put in a movie (Polar Express) and sat down to a delicious dinner. When dinner and the movie were done, I went back over to mom's and we made the chocolate rum balls. Ummmmmmmm! They have to "cure" for a week. So they will really be ready next weekend.
Saturday was quite... well for me anyway. My step-day had the auto accident so it was anything but quiet for them. But my Saturday was quiet and I was able to get a number of things done around the house. Sunday, a good friend of mine came over and helped me with a project at home... hanging a pot rack in my kitchen. It looks great! And it clears out a little bit of much needed space in my storage-challenged kitchen. I was suppose to have my new hanging wine rack by then too... but it's late... it's on the way. We would have hung that up too. Should have that by this evening! It will clear out some wine glasses out of the cramped cabinet quarters. More space! The final frontier!! hehe It's looking good. Anyway... we at least got the pot rack hung up and it looks great.
After that, he took me to see the progress on his house in the east mountains. It's coming along nicely. I love watching the building progress on his house. I'm so excited for him. Before ya know... it will be finished & he'll be moving in! Wahoo! That's exciting! Anyway, it was very windy and chilly over on that side of the mountains, but it was a great day. He took me all around the two area development phases to see the various lots that he likes and might want to buy if he won the lottery! haha There are some awfully gorgeous views out there!! They are spectacular! (Wouldn't you know - my camera batteries died as soon as we got there!) One large lot in particular, had a sharp drop-off (about 150 feet) into a creek ravine with red, caleche clay soil amongst the short pinion trees... Oh my gosh it was fabulous. Of course the wind was howling through that drop-off edge at about 45 or 50 mph at that time, almost pushing me backwards. But I suppose that made it even more... amazing, daunting, and breath-taking! There was a power there... like something you'd see out of a movie -- one of those sweeping aerial shots. If it hadn't been so cold (thank you wind chill!) I would have wanted to stay a while! It was spectacular. We left there and he showed me a few other of the nice lots. We went back to the community club house and he showed me on the 3-D map, where we had just been. Someday, someone will own that property and maybe a house will be there. It may have been the only time I could stand there and take in that amazing view . . . a view I will never forget, as long as I live!
From there, we went back to my house and I made us a couple of gourmet pizzas... the little, 10 or 12 inch, individual-sizes. I had made a fresh batch of home-made pizza sauce and some whole-wheat pizza dough the day before. And of course, I had 10 or 11 pizza toppings available. So we had fun chatting while I made the pizzas and while they baked on the pizza stones. They turned out great. I got a terrific review. haha
And here we are... back to the work-week. {sigh} Enough for now. Now we ring in the Holiday Season and now it's time to gather up the address book and send out what X-mas cards I can. And the shopping... arrrgh! The shopping itself... that's ok, but the traffic & the crowds are what deter me!! Maybe I'll do some of it online this year.
Well happy holidays folks!! Stay safe and enjoy!
TTFN,
~Paulena
Ginger-cat
This is the younger of my two cats. I thought I'd try this Flickr upload option. Cool.
~Paulena
~Paulena
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