Entry for September 17, 2007 - It's All Relative...

*Warning, fluff blog ahead*....

Yes it is me again, with another one of those blogs that is really about nothing in particular but cleverly (or not so cleverly) disguised as a chatty blog entry. I was hoping for something exciting to blog about, but once again life is continuing in it's monotonous path...or rut... whichever way you want to look at it. I wish I could say I was busying living life, but that to me, sounds like I would be saying that I am living it to it's fullest, doing all that I want to do, embracing it with wild abandonment and riding that rollercoaster for all it's worth...but I am not. I am busy ..."being"....

I think life is like that a lot, filled with lots of humdrum,... doing all those things we need to do to survive, to pay bills, to keep a roof over our heads.... Til we have those short sporadic moments of wonderfulness that makes you realize that is what life should be. Most of us if we are honest with ourselves will admit that life has a hold on us and it's not the other way around, that we have a hold on life.

I've been busy this week-end, nothing all that exciting, but busy. Yardwork, garden work, work in general, family, friends ...they all fill up those moments that become yesterdays memories. I have spent a lot of time with family lately. It goes like that sometimes, little spurts of contact and visits and phone calls. You can pick your friends but you can't pick your relatives, and that is very true. Given some of my family members I might think twice upon first meeting them, but in the long run I would pick them. What I should be more concerned about is if they would pick me.

Marriage, birth, death, sickness, divorce, they are all little hiccups in life, some of them maybe even more than just a hiccup. At the moment one family member or another of mine is facing or dealing with those life changing moments....well with the exception of birth. No one is pregnant that I know of, and NO I am not here to tell you that the rabbit died,...so bite your tongue.

I'm am single. No kids. Never married, and that doesn't bother me. I don't think I have to get married, but I still continue to get comments from friends and relatives on getting married and having a family. I'm too old to have a family, I am happy being a family of one. Maybe if I didn't have other relatives I would feel differently....I am not afraid to be alone though. That scares a lot of people, being alone. I will admit I hate to eat out in public alone, travel alone, attend events alone. When I get overwhelmed with so much to do I consider marriage and having family then...but I don't know if marrying someone so they will mow the yard and help weed the garden is a very good reason though. I think my family worries I will be that crazy, eccentric cat lady that lives down the block. I don't know if they can really call me that since all I have is the one cat, Stinkpot, and I am not so sure it likes me...or if it ever will.

Family can be a blessing, and a curse. They can drive you crazy, make you wonder about the gene pool, make you want to rattle those skeletons in the closet, or just plain hide from them. When push comes to shove and life shoves you down, it's family to help pull you up. One of my family members is dealing with divorce. His own family, now fractured and pulled apart has made him pull closer to his "first" family. I have noticed that a lot lately. Kids grow up, they marry, have families of their own, and then their kids grow up and move on and have families of their own. Then those grown up kids who are empty nesters find their way back home.

You grow, you fly, you come back to what you have always known.... your family.

It's all relative....

Entry for September 07, 2007 - Child of the 60's

It's been quite awhile since I have written a blog. I had planned on writing one sooner but lack of motivation, time, and suitable blog material was a major factor. Even now I am not so sure I really have a blog in mind. Most blogs I just sit down and start writing. I have tried to write blogs "in advance" with intentions of having a blog in all preparedness to post at any given time, but I have found that just doesn't work for me. I will sit and stare at that white screen and be totally blank. So I just sit and type and hope by the time I post the new blog that it somehow came together and made some sort of sense without too many typos.

I have noticed this week that there seems to be a theme in so many blogs. Blogs by Dixie, Mo, Victoria (aka Madge), Dolly, and I am sure there are others, that have visited the past in their subject matter, with comments, and memories, and all kinds of stories of "the good ole days".

I am a child of the 60's. No I didn't have love beads, smoked pot, attend Woodstock or protest the Vietnam war. I really was but a child. Out of all the memories we store away in vaults of time, it's odd how that some things just seem to stick in our young minds. It seemed like such a simpler time, a slower time, a more innocent time. In retrospect I think we did live in a magical time. Way back before the time of computers, iPods, cell phones, game boys, and a hundred and one other gadgets that now seem common place in our lives.

But we still had kewl "stuff". We had Mr.Magoo, I Dream of Jeannie, Bewitched, The Partridge Family, Gilligan's Island and Marcia Brady. We had tricycles, hula hoops, romper stompers, pick up sticks, Lincoln logs, and Slinkies....well we did til we threw the Slinky in the toy box with the other toys and it no longer slinked. It was just a jumble of twisted wire that got stuck in Barbie's hair. We had games, lots of games that didn't even require batteries. Simple toys of which some survived and continue today.... G.I. Joe and hot wheels, barrel of monkeys and monopoly, troll dolls and paper dolls. I didn't really play with paper dolls much though, after punching out the perforated dolls from the books and their clothes, it wasn't long before they tore, got dirty,... got lost. I did have Colorforms though... those nifty vinyl magnetized bits of plastic that were like paperdolls. They stuck and clung to their plastic black plastic background. We all have some cherished toy that meant a lot to us, that we kept and played with for ages till it either disintegrated or was stuffed in some box to be forgotten in the back of the closet.

It doesn't seem that long ago, all of those nifty toys and cherished memories. Time flies faster than we give it credit for sometimes. Maybe September is just a melancholy time for a lot of us. Maybe it is just coincidence that so many blogs had a recurring theme in them this week. Out of all those memories of family, friends, tv shows, icons, and toys,...paperdolls came to my mind. I said I never really played much with paperdolls as a kid and I didn't.... but a few years ago when I was helping out a neighbor who was stricken with cancer, we played paper dolls. Actually we made paperdolls for one of her grandkids. She had loved playing with them when she was a child and she wanted to in some way create those same memories for her granddaughter. So we made dolls cut from old magazines and pasted on cardstock... and made their doll clothes out of bits of paper from old wallpaper sample books, and glued on buttons, and ribbons and lace. It was something my friend and neighbor could do between bouts of sickness and exhaustion,... make paperdolls.

Sometimes it is the smallest of memories or moments from our past that we hold dearest. I just never dreamed that I would be so much older when I played with paper dolls. Maybe times were simpler back then, or it could be it was just the distorted perception of the child in us.

Yeah, they really were the good ole days, and today is too....

Entry for August 20, 2007 - The Nose Knows....

The nose knows....or it use to know...

For the past few weeks I have found myself having lost the sense of smell. I am pretty sure there is a direct link from the cold/virus that I had in July and my loss of sniffing ability. I thought that given a little bit of time, my nose would be back to it's full time job of smelling, but it hasn't. The tastebuds have been on a bit of a strike as well. They haven't completely defected as my nose has, but tasting has become absent as well. I can taste sweet,salty, and spicy, but I can't distinguish flavor. It's a bit disconcerting, to crave something and eat it, and realize you really can't taste it. It's become serious. I can not....(hold onto your seats)...taste chocolate.... I can taste it as being sweet but that is it. It's tragic, not being able to taste chocolate, but the lack of being able to smell is bothering me more. I read somewhere that smelling can actually account for as much as 80-90 percent of what we perceive as flavor. There could really be something to that,... the two combining for a total sensory sensation.

Given a choice though, I think I would want my nose over my tastebuds. Don't get me wrong, I have the biggest sweet tooth there is, and maybe because I do still have somewhat of a sensation of taste I feel able to make that comment. The nose stuff bugs me though. I can't smell flowers or perfumes or baking cookies. I can't smell odors, spoiled broccoli in the back of the fridge, chlorox bleach, or things burning. I never thought I would miss my nose so much, or it's capabilities.

I got to thinking about the five sense we all have. I know some people have experienced losing one or more of those senses in their lifetime. Sight, sound, touch, taste, scent....I don't know which I would choose if I had to lose one. I thought scent would be an easy one, but I am finding out it isn't. I wouldn't want to be blind, or deaf, or be unable to feel a hug ...or the hugger. Thoughts of never tasting chocolate again doesn't set well with me either....but the more I thought about it, giving up taste would be a dieter's dream. If you couldn't taste anything, well you might as well eat all of those veggies your mom told you too. Liver would be your new best friend. Junk food would become just a memory and you wouldn't feel deprived. It would be like going thru life just eating rice cakes and celery though ... meal time would be more of a chore than a pleasure....bland would become boring.

...But then I think about chocolate...wonderful, luscious chocolate. It's one of those things that is both a blessing and a curse. It tastes good... it dances on your palate....it has tons of calories and sugar... but darn it tastes good.... or it use too, from what I remember...

It's not an easy decision, making such a choice. If you suddenly found yourself having to choose which of the five senses you had to give up, what would you choose and why?

Would it be Sight?... Sound?.... Taste?... Touch?....

or would you pick your nose?...

Entry for August 17, 2007 - My Pet Has Issues...

I think my new kitten is defective.

Hopes for a little furry bundle of cute kitten-ness has yet to appear. Instead in it's place is a stalking, biting, scratching bundle of pure spitfire. Stinkpot is living up to his name of being a stinkpot.
They say pets are like their owners but I don't ever remember being such a brat. I am starting to wonder if perhaps I had stuck with a more cutsey name like "cuddles", the kitten would have a different personality. The kitten has issues...maybe more than I can handle.

I did a little web surfing today on how to tame the kitten. So far I have only had the pet for just a couple of weeks, but it appears I have done everything wrong. I must have. Most psychologists blame everything on the mother, so I know that when the finger pointing happens, I will be first in the line of that finger. I've had cats before, in fact my favorite pet was a Siamese cat I had for over 20 years. Maybe I am comparing the kitten to that favorite pet and he feels he can't live up to his predecessor. Maybe I am expecting to much. Maybe I have just bitten off more than I can chew and the kitten needs round the clock attention.

One of the websearches I came across mentioned that kittens taken too soon from their mother's, might be more aggressive... Aggressive is an understatement. I am in desperate need of a "Cat Whisperer" or a cat shouter, either way I still don't think Stinkpot will listen. Even now as I type this blog I can hear the cat bouncing off the walls in the next room. I have the door shut, to keep him from roaming and to be quite frank,... for my own safety. I have learned the hard way not to go barefoot, or wear shorts....all body parts much be covered at all times. Just reaching down to give a little pet has the kitten jumping in a ninja like pounce on my arm while kicking and biting the heck out of it. A stern worded "NO", only makes him consider a different approach for the attack. I think I am the only woman in Nebraska who sits, sweating under a wrapped up blanket in 100 degree weather, to ward off the sharp claws and bites of a maniacal kitten.

I have yet to hear him purr....when do kittens purr? I thought all kittens purred from the get go. I have heard tiny mews, hisses, spitting, and the galloping thud of little feet tearing thru the house. I wanted a house cat. A nice,... sitting in your lap to pet... house cat,...I think that notion is a pipe dream. Stinkpot will most likely end up being an outside cat where I can feel more assured of the safety of my furniture and of me. The only thing that prevents me from giving him the boot outside is I think he is too small....and fear. Fear that I will hear from my neighbors of how the were out working in their yards and the kitten ran up and bit them, or attacked their rottweiler fluffy. I am having visions of the kitten as it gets bigger and being afraid to go outside myself. Each morning I will stick my head out the door and take a cautious look around before running like mad for the car with my keys in hand.... Hoping beyond all hope I will make it before I am mowed down in my own driveway by a killer cat.

He is so darn cute....but cuteness is not gonna cut it any more. I am going to have to be more diligent in his care. Somehow just sticking a litterbox, catfood and a few toys in his room is not helping him live up to his potential. I am just going to have to get use to wearing layers of clothes and oven mitts that go up to my elbows when dealing with the stinker. I am sure that given time and a lot of patience (mainly on my part) I can get him to be a more civil cat....and if that is not the case, beware of any boxes left on your doorstep in the dead of night..... Don't worry I will leave you the oven mitts....

Entry for August 11, 2007 - Flirt, flirt, flirt...

Are you a flirt?

I am sure I have seen a quiz or questionnaire on flirting somewhere. It's funny how out of the blue something you haven't really considered makes you stop and question yourself. In the past couple of days I have chatted with a few different people and the question of flirting was discussed. In fact the premise for this blog was from a conversation I had last night with a fellow blogger on flirting.

We all flirt a bit. It's harmless for the most part and even some of the time I don't think we actually realize we are doing it...that flirting business.

I never really considered myself much of a flirt. I joke and tease and maybe at times even seem a bit bratty, but I never really thought of how teasing and flirting can be considered the same by some and totally different by others. I got to wondering then, if you tease a guy is it flirting?...and in the same thought if you tease someone of the same sex (which for me would be a girl), is that still considered teasing? Does gender make the difference?

In my blast at the top of my blog page is a mention of Martha Stewart. Most won't know it is a subtle teasing reference to a chat and blog friend - Softi. If you are lucky enough to be on her friend's list you have gotten to see some gorgeous flower pics and read some great recipes. I have also heard thru the grapevine....er...e-mail, that she also sews, knits, crochets, and basically can do anything. She almost puts Martha to shame. It's just a little teasing though, but if a guy had mentioned the same abilities or even if he had told of his mechanical aptitude and I teased him about it,...would it still be considered teasing...or would it be flirting?

I use to love to go into chat and flirt. I will admit it. I would pounce on any newbie that entered the room, slide up to them on the cyber bench... bat my eyes, cross my Band-aid covered knees, and leer adoringly at them with a toothless smile. Some thought it was funny, some thought I was nuts, and some people I scared to death and they left quicker than you can press the escape button on your keyboard. I thought it was great fun, the teasing....the flirting... I wasn't interested in looking for a guy for any other reason than to have a giggle or two in chat. No cybering, no webcamming, nothing of that sort, ...just a giggle and to gauge a reaction.

Last night talking to my friend, he called me a flirt, and I started to disagree with him. After all, I figured if I was a big flirt, my avatar would at least be a pic of me with all of my teeth in and a bit of cleavage. Maybe there is something to this... the difference of the sexes seeing it as two different things. My blog friend can be silly though. He will try to get my goat every chance he can get. I then mentioned something about giving him a huge wedgie, at which point he informed he had no underwear on. I giggled, but at the same time a part of my mind went.....ewwwwwww, ...ick.

I then threatened him with my blogging the next day about him being nekkid at his computer desk. He asked if I wanted him to e-mail me a pic of his underwear for my blog. I am sure if I said yes he would have done it. He is nuts,....a bit crazy.... and even if he won't admit it, I think his mentioning about not having underwear on, could be considered as..... flirting. ...."gasp"...

It was all very innocent though. At least I hope everyone considers my teasing...even my flirting as innocent. I'm not looking for any relationship on here other than friendship. I will admit that people can get caught up in a moment, people can go too far, and some people see it all as a game. Flirting can be fun when it's kept in perspective, and when both parties know the true intentions of the other...

I feel I know my blog friend well enough to know he was joking last night while I was chatting with him. I feel I know his character from our chats and his blogs. He has never overstepped the boundaries, or what I consider my personal boundaries of what is acceptable. I will admit the thought of him sitting there nekkid at his computer sent me into fits of giggles.

It does make the mind wander though....all the joking and teasing....and afterwhile you can't help but wonder.... was he serious? I shake my head no... not my friend, surely not. He is not like that....he is just a big tease....

....and a flirt.

Entry for August 09, 2007 - Ho Hum...

Ho hum.

No news...

No controversy...

No gossip...

No drama....

No excitement to report.

In the event there had actually been something interesting to blog about,... you would have been regaled with all the details. Til then.....carry on.

Entry for August 05, 2007 - Blog Days of Summer...

It's been slow.

I've heard that a lot lately.

Blogs are fewer. People have gone missing. In the full swing of the dog days of summer, Yahoo 360 has taken a back seat. Gardens require attention, yardwork is in full swing, vacations are being taken before the school year starts again. Life keeps us busy.

But a few blogs trickle in, I see them on my updates and I try to read them every day. Some days I get behind and it will be longer than just a day or two before I make it there, but I try to make the effort if at all possible. Some blogs I may have only left a smiley face. If that is a the case, please check your settings for your blog page. I can't write a comment or leave a message if your page is closed. I understand sometimes about being leery. Unsure of what people may say or do on your blog page, but that is the beauty of blogging. It can be deleted. A person can be ignored. You can shut out all but your closest friends if you want.... If only real life was that easy...

For being such a slow time in 360, I still have read so much, shared some sorrows with some of you who have had a difficult week or two. There has been moments of joy and congratulations, of new grandbabies, new accomplishments, new homes, new gardens, and a new life.

There has been silliness too. I always seem to surround myself with sort of silliness. Stalking pickles, a chainsaw wielding wiener dog, quizzes, games, zucchini left on my blogstep, and some green tomatoes that seem to follow me to whatever blog I go ....(please return those to Vero).... Wukky and Gloggy now home from their never ending blog travels. Blog weary, it's a wonder when they will attempt such a big endeavor again. Recipes posted and a chili cook-off....guaranteed to give anyone a hotflash if the weather isn't hot enough for you.

I sit here and wonder what to blog about. Nothing exciting has happened this week. The yard was mowed but needs to be mowed again. The weeds keep popping up, work still goes on. There hasn't been any earth shattering or blog worthy news to write or gloat about. "Stinkpot" the cat is still alive, and taken to fits of energy that have destroyed one philodendron, and a roll of toilet paper. I guess as far as sacrifices go, that isn't too bad for one week. He has gone from being a timid bottle fed kitten, to an ankle biting demon that demands attention with a high pitched squeak....(similiar to the sound of a New Zealand chipmunk if you have ever heard one on voice chat)...

I don't feel it's really blog worthy though, to just blog an update on a cat.

It's hot and I am tired. Not tired of 360 or blogging, but just a general tiredness of too much and too little. Too much to do, and too little time and energy to do it all. It's a general feeling I get from a lot of bloggers lately....this being tired stuff.

I think it will pass though. It's like everything in life, there are ups and downs and moments,... lots of moments of nothing really special going on....at least for me. I do know that one blogger has a birthday coming up tomorrow and I won't mention any names encase it is a secret. However it would be a Cyn,...um...er... a sin if I were remiss in wishing them a Cyn-mply wonderful birthday with my Cyn-cerist wishes on their special day. I had plans on visiting the worlds largest,..(or at least Tennessee's largest) garage sale at Hillbilly's and acquiring a painted velvet Elvis poster, or a ceramic duck planter, or some equally treasured gift. But just a simple Happy Birthday wish will have to suffice.


Happy birthday my blogging buddy....


May your day be completely awesome .....and something for you to blog about...