goodbye Lillian

My puppy, Lilly's namesake, Lillian died last Thursday.  Her funeral was today.  We will certainly miss her insights, wit and enthusiasm for everything.  Lillian lived the last 34 years of her life completely blind.  At her funeral they talked about how now her sight is restored and she can watch her beloved MN Twins play ball from heaven.  I hope so.

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H1N1 isn't going to get me...

Got my vaccine at work today. A single shot to the left arm. If my tongue swells or I have any trouble breathing I'm suppose to call someone as that's pretty rare and serious. However, the nurse did mention that it's fairly common to experience some minor symptoms.

She didn't know who she was dealing with. Can we define 'minor' please?

Actually, I'm not too worried. Low grade fever....you're not the boss of me. A little cold....ha!

Some people didn't take advantage of a free vaccine delivered to us at our work place. Conspiracy theory type people just can't trust. Communist plot. Creation of diseases. Racist oppression. I don't know what their deal is.

It's been a few hours and I'm symptom free - the swelling and breathing problems apparently happen rather quickly. I'll probably live.

sure, I'm obsessing about it - that's what I do!

Life teaches us things about ourselves in the most unexpected ways, doesn't it?   I promised myself I would say 'no' more often in 2010 and carefully schedule my time and activities so as not to be overwhelmed.  Like most women I tend to think I can do everything and at the end of week am left scratching my head and wondering what the f happened.

The trickier side of saying 'no' is saying no when I'm simply not being fed emotionally in a way that is supportive and positive. Whoa – big life lesson ahead! With nothing tangible to wrap my cold, dry fingers around, this is a life lesson much more difficult to process.  Saying no, trusting my feelings and anything that needs to ‘end’ have been interesting life lessons so far this year.

At 47 years old I'm finally confident about what I need emotionally in my relationships. Kind of… Whether a friend or romantic interest, I expect that my emotional needs are taken seriously and not dismissed as irrelevant.  This is hard for a woman who is constantly assessing her feelings. I think it's a matter of trust.  Not trust in someone else - but trust in myself. My feelings are not wrong.  My feelings are the core of who I am.  My feelings are important.  Yep, I have to say it to myself again and again to believe it.  

So, what I’ve learned is that trusting my feelings is a work in progress. Also, that endings, by design, suck.  Even if you are the one insisting on the it. I tend to avoid reading the last page of a book until I'm emotionally ready to deal with it. Especially if it’s a book I love.  I'm a critic so it’s easy for me to complain that it should have been more meaningful or glamorous or insightful.  Same goes in life.  I want the ‘endings’ to teach me something or reveal some magical enlightenment.  It seems I don’t make a move without wondering about the lesson, wondering what the ending will look like and then avoiding it as long as possible.  

The lesson in my most recent ‘ending’ you ask?  Don’t just believe what someone thinks of you, especially if it is said (or written) in anger.  

Stating what doesn’t work for you is important and necessary. I’m proud of the ending I brought about because it was meant to honor both people involved. Wasting time in something that simply isn’t working isn’t healthy for either party.  However, somehow in that process my character was desecrated in anger. I’m all ears to constructive criticism shared with love and respect.  Those who truly love me have no problem telling me when I’m obsessing over something, talking too much, laughing too loud etc.  The list could go on and on. But the desecrating hit hard and deep, like a rifle shot from behind.  Did that have to be a part of the ending? 

I guess the other lesson is I can’t control someone else’s reaction when I articulate what I need.  At the end of the day I have to ask myself – was I kind? Honest? Genuine?  Did I ‘first do no harm?’  Well, that’s a matter of perspective I guess and only time will tell.  

Thank god for Mondays

A week ago I posted my resolve to open mail every day, throw away the junk, read the magazines and send a check immediately to anyone requesting money.  As I said, most of my bills are paid online so that stuff that comes through the slot on my porch use to have about a 90% chance of being ignored.

After having a really tough Saturday (annual workshop at the office), the last thing I wanted to do in the few hours before our banquet was look at mail.  But...look I did.   Every day I've averaged 2 to 3 pieces of mail, most of which ended in the recycle bin.  Today - there is nothing, nada, not one thing to look at.  I'm actually a little disappointed.  So, one week in and all is well in the mail department.

This weekend I spent about five hours at a workshop,  played in my first euchre tournament, attended our annual employee appreciation banquet, went out dancing for a few hours and had dinner and watched the Vikings/Saints football game at a friends house.  Best weekend of the year, but I'm tired now and just want to sit.  The dog has been ignored and it's too icy to get much of a walk in.  I'm ready for Spring, but really hate wishing away time -  especially over weather.

Today I hosted a going away party for one of my employees.  He's a audio/visual tech and has decided to follow his passion, jump off the safe job cliff and start his own video business. He's talented, young, interesting and a hoot to be around.  We are really going to miss him.

Did I mention that I watched football this week.  Yeah, I know.  The whole game.  Overtime too.  It was fantastic.  I know, I know.  Seriously - it was fun.  The key - watching with cool, fun people and drinking lots of beer.  Sadly the outcome of the game wasn't what we hoped for.

I also let go of the bumper of a moving car. (life analogy ahead).  The car was locked, the car was moving and I was hanging on to the bumper.  Heard this on a t.v. show.  I hoped the driver would stop the car, get out and help me in, or at the very least slow down and unlock the door.  The car kept moving, the door stayed lock and eventually I had to let go of the bumper as it was starting to get painful bouncing along like that.  No more bumpers for me.

If I don't create them, I don't have to keep them

New Year's Resolution 2010 - gotta add one more to the list.  I have a secret.  A horrifying little secret that terrifies me on a regular basis – usually in the form of an anxiety attack at 2:00 a.m.

Mail.

Snail mail.

That stinking pile of envelopes, magazines, advertisements, flyers and newspapers haunts me in my sleep.  I pile it into baskets or grocery bags.  Tuck it away in closets and promise myself I will go through it...soon...as soon as I have time....tomorrow, maybe the weekend.  Inevitably Sunday night comes and it’s still untouched and mocking me from wherever I have hidden it in my perfectly organized and clean house.  My dirty secret.

That is until this past Sunday.  It took a three day holiday weekend for me to face over two months worth of untouched mail.  I know!  The horrors.  I wanted to go out shopping, take pictures of eagles, watch a movie, eat chocolate and take the dog on a hike.  I didn’t do any of it until I faced my devil.

I took my stash out of its hiding place (and there were many). Dumped it all on my perfectly made bed (I mention that in defense of my otherwise very organized lifestyle) took a deep breath , made a pot of coffee, plucked my eyebrows, gave myself a manicure, rearranged the socks in my sock drawer, looked through 4 or 5 books that I want to start next, leafed through a magazine and then…without further delay (and a little self scolding to get on with it) I dug in.

One pile for junk, one pile for things needing my attention.  I opened everything.  I filled two paper bags with junk and carried a nice, neat little pile to my desk of things needing my attention.  What the….  Why do I do this to myself?  Two hours on a beautiful Sunday I will never get back.  The devil was not waiting for me in that pile.  Nothing scary, nothing I can’t handle, no big deal.

So, the resolution part you ask? I will open my mail every day.  I will open my mail every day.  I will open my mail every day.

I placed a recycled bin next to my mailbox.  Check.  Go to the mail, throw the junk away.  I can do this.

I placed a shoebox with my check book, stamps and pen near the mailbox.  Go to the mailbox, write a check for anyone needing money (now is your chance), stick a stamp on it and put back in the mailbox.  Check.  I can do this.

This weekend I will select the paperless option on everything I pay online. I will also go paperless on my bank site so that I stop receiving all those statements that I don't need (or ever look at).  Receiving these things via snail mail seems archaic.

So today….Day 1 of this wild new ride I’m on called responsible mail recipient.  I came home…went to the mailbox….opened my mail.  (3 pieces – a thing of beauty) and dealt with it.  There was even a coupon for Barnes and Noble.  How cool is that?

Tomorrow is Day 2 – wish me luck.  Oh, and as for resolutions…..well….

yes, and I'm very grateful!

MPR was asking listeners today if a day off of work was the best way to honor MLK day.  Well, those of us who had the day off would certainly say YES.  

One of my dearest friends had surgery today so I spent mine honoring her and her family by taking her to the hospital and sitting with her sister all day until we got word that all went well.  Admittedly, I didn't think of the life and work of Martin Luther King much.  Instead I sat in a surgery waiting room with lots of families.  Every time a surgeon entered the room our eyes would follow him to the family members anxiously waiting for news of their loved ones.  It was a good day in that waiting room.  Sighs of relief, smiles and thank you's  filled the room.  I witnessed compassionate, humble doctors patiently explaining procedures and reassuring families that all went very well.  We likewise received the same news.  

I'm not sure what  her life will be like with 5 yards of coiled steel in her body (airports could be an issue), but the aneurysm has had its life line cut off and hopefully her eye sight will improve and the double vision will go away. 

So, did I spend MLK day the way I wanted to...

It's that time of year - time to take down my pretty Christmas tree.  It's also time to think about a new year, resolutions and exciting new beginnings.  As I sweep, pack and haul away all that was 2009, I'm energized as I think about 2010.  Like most people I have some resolutions - improved eating and spending habits, but more importantly an improved sense of who I am and what I want to accomplish this year.

My goals included improving my photography skills, reading more, staying true to what I love and the kinds of people I want to spend my time with.  I'm also learning to say no, stop doing things that don't work for me and surrounding myself with exciting, energized, positive and passionate people.

Thanks Martin Luther King, Jr.

I love three day holidays!  Especially this early in the year.  Easing gently into full work weeks after the holidays is a lot of pressure and I'm due a little "more" time off!  :)

What to do....  So far I have a full Friday, Saturday and Saturday night planned.  Sunday is filled with many possibilities, yet unplanned at this point (just the way I like my Sunday's) and Monday I'll be spending the day at Abbott Northwestern while a very dear friend has surgery.  I suppose I'll spend part of Sunday taking Christmas down around my house.  I've loved my Christmas tree, but its been on display since before Thanksgiving so I'm ready to pack it away.

It's going to be a mild winter weekend too so I'll get down to Colvill and get a few more photos of the eagles as they nest and fish and take Lily on a nice long hike.

So, a tribute to King (thanks for the long weekend) and a few sentences from his mountaintop speech (he was killed the day after this speech):

And then I got to Memphis. And some began to say the threats, or talk about the threats that were out. What would happen to me from some of our sick white brothers? Well, I don't know what will happen now. We've got some difficult days ahead. But it doesn't matter with me now. Because I've been to the mountaintop. And I don't mind. Like anybody, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place. But I'm not concerned about that now. I just want to do God's will. And He's allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I've looked over. And I've seen the promised land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the promised land. So I'm happy, tonight. I'm not worried about anything. I'm not fearing any man. Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord.

—Martin Luther King, Jr.

tiger's wife mad

Everyday I receive an email from the Urban Dictionary  with a new urban word of the day.  Today it's "tiger's wife mad".  Poor Tiger Woods. I haven't followed the story closely, but apparently he is up to over 12 lovers.  Is this arrogance or some other human deficiency?   Who knows?

The troubling thing to me is the following quote from his late father.

"He's qualified through his ethnicty to accomplish miracles.  He's the bridge between the East and the West. There is no limit because he has the guidance.  I don't know yet exactly what form this will take.  But he is the Chosen One."

Huh?  The Chosen One?

Talk about great expectations for your son.  To me he's just a guy with an amazing talent who had too much attention lavished on him since he was a little boy hitting balls on the Mike Douglas show.  I might be a little tiger's wife mad at my parents for that stinky load of crap.

If you want your children to have a peaceful life, 

let them suffer a little hunger and a little coldness.

 Chinese Proverb

Christmas Time is here...

Yesterday while out shopping I discovered a bra that claimed to be age defying.  I didn't buy it.  I like age defying moisturizers and lipstick, but the age defying bra sounded painful. However, a little pain might have done some of the women we encountered out on Minnesota dance floors this weekend some good. Seriously, the cautionary tale of not running with scissors comes to mind, only modified to say no aggressive dancing without a good support bra.  You could put on eye out with those things. Ah, but who am I to judge...

So two nights in a row dancing and I'm seriously behind on Christmas stuff.  While we did do the shopping necessary for a Christmas party coming up this week - pj's for the kids in the abused children program at the Friendship House - the wrapping will need to be completed today. Every year my Kiwanis club takes kids (each holding a list of their family members) shopping at the dollar store. The first year we did this I was a non-believer.  What good could possibly come from buying something for a dollar to give to your little brother, mom or grandma?  Have you been in a dollar store lately?  It's a blast!  The kids love it! The things you can discover about a kid while they agonize over the glass jewelry box in the shape of a dolphin and some body splash is truly amazing.  I can only hope the receiver of these little gifts accepts them in the spirit in which they are given. After an hour of shopping we then go back to the Friendship house and wrap the presents and eat pizza.  The kids are then sent home with gifts to put under the tree for the family.  If life is measured by "the bang for your buck", (an expression I loath) then this is a success.  This year our club decided it would be nice to send the kids home with their own gift.  Who doesn't love new jammies?  Although a gift card for each kid might have been more practical (sizes of 5, 6 and 7 year olds that you don't know is kinda tricky), we decided climbing into bed with a gift card had way less of an impact then tricked out Transformer jammes (or whatever they were).

So, I'll finish up with my Christmas tree and wrap the jammies and hopefully find a delightful Christmas movie to watch on the Hallmark or TCM channel.  I've seen some doozies so far this year.

What else can we celebrate with cake?

This morning I had to be out the door and ready for a meeting at 7:00 a.m. Not a big deal normally, but after 10 days off it was a challenge. No lingering on the porch with my coffee, or turning on TCM - Turner Classic Movies - channel 256 on my DirecTV. I watched 'An Affair to Remember' from start to finish before even thinking about taking a shower. It was sooo great!!

It was a good first day though. At times it moved too quickly as I battled to get caught up on email and a mound of paperwork on my desk. But, it was satisfying to be productive and surrounded by the familiar office sounds that are so a part of my life. No one really missed me or knew I was gone though. I wasn't expecting cake or anything, but it would be nice to think my dark office made a few people feel gloomy.

I did have a dream that I was attending my own retirement party. It sucked. Not because I was retiring, but because the party was poorly planned and attended. When I woke up I was happy to have a few years of work to go. I'll have to be nice to people so they want to throw me a good party. I'd like a cake with my picture on it. Maybe one a little bit like this...

I was probably dreaming about retirement parties because I just attended and helped plan Denny's. The picture on the cake idea is sort of 'graduation party-ish' but I like it. I'd like to pick the picture though.

Next year my sister turns 50. I'm thinking she should have a cake with her picture on it. I'd like to pick the picture for that one too. Also, I really like cake.

Last day

Vacation is almost over - tomorrow I go back to work after 10 days off. This is the first vacation in a long time that I spent at home. I loved it. Sadly, I didn't take as many pictures as I wanted to because the lens on my camera is broken. Having it repaired seemed like more expense then was worthy of the lens, so a new one has been ordered and will be here sometime around Sept 16th. It's a bit better than the broken one, so I'm excited about using it.

This year the Minnesota State Fair was on the agenda twice. A week day the first time and a weekend day the second. While there are hundreds of attractions to keep me visually stimulated, it was the people that I found the most fascinating. I do love looking at the flowers and the bonsai display - and of course the food and music are always worth the price of admission.

Directions for use:

It’s funny the things you can still learn about yourself when you think you’ve got the whole ‘you’ thing figured out.

For example…

I really love settling in for a night of reality TV. I get teary eyed when a fireman is acknowledged for a heroic act. I hate the smell of calcium citrate and sometimes I’m frightened by religious people. This last one is due to the rash of town hall meetings where the religious right were seen screaming things about one nation under god – bla, bla, bla I’m going to blow your head off if the government tries to mess with my Medicare yada, yada, yada.

While I’m not necessarily proud of all of these things, they are new discoveries to me.

These items were not listed in the original supplement facts of Laura and need to be added to the ingredient list. I don’t think I’m unique or unusual in this way; in fact I’m fairly certain that when we pay attention the daily observations about ourselves and each other can be startling, fresh and sometimes blow-your-hair-back cool.

So, don’t print the label just yet. We should never assume we have everything all figured out. It’s never that tidy.

Without getting too personal or revealing too much I’ll just say there is a new ingredient that can be added to the list. It’s the kind of thing that if my life was a movie (and I often think it is) when this particular thing is mentioned you might hear the sound of a needle being pulled across a record and then shocked silence. That’s a least what is going on inside my head.

I’ll use an example from the old days. I use to have to hear about a woman named Brenda. The details aren’t important now, but as time went by, whenever Brenda was mentioned the sound I heard inside my head was Brend-Duh. Everything else ceased. If you listened close you could probably hear the gears grinding to a stop inside my head. I’m no Fossil Abacus Smart Watch with a rechargeable battery. Think Tin man whose lifeline demands you grab for the oil can. Time stopped. Crickets chirped. All the witty repartee I’m normally so proud of vanished into thin air; unable to think of the next thing to say or hide emotion on my face. Soon Brend-Duh was always present – whether spoken or unspoken. It didn’t take me long to realize she probably always would be. She was the third wheel.

Or was I?

I have many talents in life. I can sing on key. I’m a people person who makes friends easily. I volunteer my time. I know how to do shots of tequila. What I’m not so good at? I suck at picking up on the obvious. You might say I’m a little slow on the uptake. How do I add this brain ceasing, mood altering ingredient to the supplement facts of Laura? Maybe it could be listed as a warning. Something in code about Pavlov’s dog. The involuntary reflex action that happens on my face when a certain word is mentioned, coupled with the sudden loss of brain activity. This is a frightening condition. The problem is the triggers are not always well known – even to me. However even when they are identified and discussed it’s often the case that the word is still said again and again – you know – the elephant in the room thing…and pretty soon I’m acting all irrationally, drooling a little and being treated like a delicate brain injury victim. Be afraid, back away, she’s overly emotional and sensitive and we have no clue why. Sure, that’s what you’re thinking.

My guess is the Pavlov dog hitch in my otherwise balanced contents list could be managed once the trigger is identified. In this particular case I’m well familiar with the trigger; the word that makes my brain activity flat line. Maybe if I keep Dove dark chocolate at the ready to be used as a positive condition to the negative trigger I can maintain my sanity and brain activity?! The problem is that of the Tin Man – someone had to work the oil can for him – he couldn’t do it himself. He was stuck. Hopefully I can eventually figure this thing out. Make sense?

and his name is Arnold

While out on one of Red Wing's trails yesterday morning I encountered a beautiful black/brown (German Shepard mix?) dog from the Humane Society. My little dog Lily, a Tibetan terrier (20 lbs of fluff and chatter), did nothing to rattle the feathers of this big, gentle giant as she sauntered by. While talking to the Humane Society employee the two dogs gave each other the once over. Lily in her typical bow and play stance did everything to entice this fellow into misbehavior, but he kept still next to his owner; tail wagging and big, brown eyes smiling. (That last part might be my own imagination). I fell in love. If you know anyone that is looking for a magnificent rescue dog send them over to our Humane Society. This dog is worth a look!

what day is it?

Ever wake up and wonder......where am I suppose to be? I haven't slept well in weeks and last night I took melatonin and slept pretty good. Normally I'm very much a morning person waking up chatty and clear headed. Not so this morning. I need coffee to get the brain trust started and am sitting here in a bit of a fog. Is that the melatonin still at work or the after effects of actually sleeping? Either way my body is grateful for some good REM sleep.

Yesterday I took a ride on the back of a Gold Wing motorcycle. Beautiful hot day, great music in my ears and I could enjoy the scenery in a way that I just can't when I'm on my own bike. Needless to say I loved it. We are planning an afternoon trip to a friends cabin and I'm kinda thinking it might be fun to just jump on the back and ride along instead of taking my own.

Going walking/running this morning. I'm a terrible runner, but it uses different muscles and I hurt so good when I'm done. Not sure I will ever be a runner but I've been challenged by a friend to run in a marathon next year. I'm going to give it the old college try and keep running a little when I'm out with Lily. She loves it, but looks back at me wondering what we are chasing.

More coffee....

yep, Thursdays! They're big for me.

I like Thursdays. They are a little like the first signs of Spring...hopeful, full of possibilities and new things to come. Not quite the weekend, but so close you can dream about it.

Thursday's start with a meeting at 6:45 a.m. at the St. James Hotel in the Victorian Dining Room. Yep, it's the Dawnbreaker's Kiwanis where the average member age is about 67. I'm the president so I rarely miss these days and get to start the morning talking in front of the group (which I love) and being my normal, chatty, morning self. Love the coffee, the breakfast, the conversation and the cause.

Thursday evenings are loaded with possibilities and excitement too. I might stay up late dancing in a local bar, go for drinks and dinner with friends from work, read a book on my porch, and watch three episodes back to back of Deadliest Catch until midnight. I always feel like I can stay up past my bedtime on Thursday (even though I got up so early) because tomorrow is Friday and really...who needs to 'think' on a Friday.

Somewhere in the middle there, I work...but it's Thursday, ya know. The urgency of Monday and Tuesday are over. I've worked hard on Wednesday to get the yucky stuff off my desk. There is just this over arching sense that what's done is done and really - no need to be too worked up about stuff now. I like to open my mail, clean off my desk, water my plant, delete email and sort of get my house in order for Friday. There is usually a meeting or two to attend, but as I said - it's Thursday so whatever action items come out of that will likely be filed away on Monday's calendar to complete then.

I also usually clean my house, mow my yard, do my laundry and buy my groceries on Thursday. Who wants to do those things on the weekend? I come home like gangbusters straightening, folding, and sometimes even cooking. It's like a little race with me - everything I accomplish on Thursday buys me a little more 'me' time on the weekend.

and the damn chirping made me miss it.

While I love the sound of chirping birds outside my window, I'm not thrilled by the hour in which they begin. This little cutie woke me up (again) this morning. I don't want to sound ungrateful, but the thought of keeping a loaded BB gun on my window sill did cross my mind.

I shot this picture instead.

The real problem is that between the hours of about 2am and 4am I no longer sleep (is that an old age thing?). By 4:45am, I was soundly sleeping again and having an interesting dream. The dream interrupted may have been inspired by a movie I saw Sunday night "The Ugly Truth" starring Katherine Heigl and Gerard Butler. I fell madly in love with Butler in "P.S. I love you", but sadly his latest movie left much to be desired. Most of the time the jokes fell into the category of 10 year old boy humor - more of a nervous and embarrassed chuckle then wild, bold laughter.

Anyway, the dream my little yellow friend interrupted found me sharing a drink in a bar (a blind date I think) with a diminutive gentleman with flaming red hair and an Amish inspired beard. The conversation I was having with the leprechaun was likely inspired by one I had recently in a bar with an older gentleman who lives in a vet home. When this man told me he was from Hinckley MN I couldn't help but regal him with my memory of a book I read about the great Hinckley fire "Under the Flaming Sky". To complicate matters and further my annoyance at having this dream interrupted, the little man at the bar (the one in my dream) was morphing into Little Jimmy Dickens and I was about to ask him about his latest hit (released in 1962) and what his secret is to staying so fit and active at 88 (I just saw Little Jimmy on stage at the Grand Ole Opry while in Nashville and he left quite an impression).

I'm certain the little shock top in white cowboy boots was about to reveal something profound...

incidentally, they are not very friendly either....

The houses are close together in my neighborhood, which was attractive to me when I purchased my home a few years ago. Tiny yards are great as I firmly believe that life is too short to spend all summer mowing and doing yard work. However, this past Sunday morning my neighbors put on a show for me that makes me to want to slit my eyelids and kill off the remaining brain cells that are retaining that memory and image. Yep, it was that bad. This couple, who by the way are NOT young and NOT cute (even with clothes on) decided to take advantage of an open window shade at my house. They put on a little performance right in front of their window which happens to be directly across from my living room. Do I think they know this? Well...maybe they are completely blind. This unfortunate (and ugly) scene was brought to my attention by my sister who was visiting from Chicago and starting her morning in my living room with the news on the TV. Suddenly she is making little gasping noises and asking me about the people next door. First she sees an elbow, then a wrist and next thing you know a full, naked back. I casually stroll to the front door to take a sideways glance and sure enough...they are putting on a little choreographed act, which appears to be for our benefit. It must have been quite a challenge for them to stand, squarely in front of their window, to put on this show.

At my house, all you have to do is pull up the blinds and voila' free porn! That is if you can stomach an out-of shape, middle-aged couple with bad skin. Minutes after I pulled the blind in disgust my doorbell rang and I almost jumped right out of my jammies. It was a different neighbor coming to say hi to my sister. She wanted a peek but it seems as soon as we closed the blind the show was over.

so wash your hands....

When public health officials start talking about 'standard operating procedures' it makes me a little nervous. Swine flu is in the beginning stages having killed 100 people in Mexico and with outbreaks already discovered in the U.S. and Canada. While they have yet to create a vaccine to deal with this new strain, there is website offering advice to those concerned. Contact with anyone that has been in Mexico tops the list, along with staying home if you feel ill and covering your mouth when you sneeze or cough.

I've had the good ole American kind of flu. It was the sickest I have ever been. Deep fatigue and severe body aches are the symptoms I most remember - that along with being home for over 8 days and sleeping around the clock. It was awful. You forgot what feeling good feels like.

While I don't like to worry, I will heed the advice of those health officials.

Mother's Day is coming up...

http://www.mrsongmillinery.com/

I would really like, just once in my life, to have the occassion to wear a hat like this (other than Halloween). Apparently Mother's Day is the big day for Mr. Song, the creator of the Aretha hat. I'm thinking I would look fetching in a small brimmed, crystal lined hat with a flapper bow. We could then do brunch...