Just Buy The Cookies! and No One Will Get Hurt! ; )

Ok, so if you haven't been cornered yet watch your back, because they're on the prowl.  They will corner you at your grocery or home improvement store, the library and parking lots.  They will enlist others to pounce on you in places where they cannot go, like at your workplace or gym. You're not even safe in your own home.  They know their prey and they know how to get what they want.  YOUR COOKIE ORDER!  Their organization has uniforms and tactics that have been tested and updated to make sure that get optimum results.  How do I know?, because the got me!  Now, I feel it's my duty to inform others.  What's the name of their organization? The Girl Scouts. They gave it an innocent name for a reason, don't be fooled. These girls are hard core, determined and rarely take no for an answer.  The uniforms are green and blue. Relaxing colors.  They want your guard down. (or did you think that is just a coincidence, I think NOT!)  They are very polite and sweet. (Sales Training 101)  The clincher..... the mesmerizing stare.  Whether their eyes are blue, green or brown, they have all been TRAINED to perfect this skill.  They call this training "Cookie Rallies".  Yeah right, it's really a training camp and they all graduate with honors.  I am writing this to warn you, though I am sure it will not do you any good.  After all, as I already told you, THEY GOT ME!  I don't even eat cookies regularly and I bought FOUR boxes and was baited into selling two additional boxes to someone else.  (I don't even remember doing it, it was like I was in a trance and then when I came to, I had an order for two boxes of Thin Mints and money in my hands.)  They have special powers and are not afraid to use them.  So, for your own safety, don't fight it, just buy the cookies.  Find them, before they find you. Don't give them home court advantage and don't make direct eye contact. I know what they are capable of, because until I went rogue...I used to be one. Dun. Dun. Dunnnn! (the sound effect sounded cool in my head, oh well) So trust me, just give them the money and no one will get hurt!  ; )


BTW: I bought two boxes of the Thanks-a-lots (a shortbread cookie w/chocolate on the bottom) and two boxes of the Lemonades (a shortbread cookie w/lemon icing; perfect with vanilla ice cream) from my favorite Girl Scouts in the whole wide world.....my nieces..... : )

Saying Goodbye to Robin

I literally just got back in town from attending Robin's funeral service.  I am mentally and physically exhausted, so I will keep this short.  I always knew that Robin had a beautiful spirit, but it wasn't until I listened to others give their account of memories of her that I realized just how beautiful.  She was older than me, so by the time that I reached the age when I could truly appreciate her spirit she had moved away.  She would visit from time to time, but now I know that those visits were not long enough.  Her service was beautiful.  We cried, laughed and cried some more, but it closed with everyone in a good place.  She touched so many in a good way and if only a few pay it forward, the world will be a better place for it.  No more tears, we must live this life in a way so that we will see her again.  This was not goodbye....only goodnight.

Lesson From Loss Pt.2

While yesterday's loss was not the first that I have suffered, it is the first since I have been on this journey.  After every loss (whether close to me or by an extended relationship) I asked myself the same questions that I asked myself yesterday.  However, this is the first time that I feel at peace with my answers.  Everyone in my life knows how I feel about them.  I have made it clear to them who I am (whether they have come to full acceptance or not) and all but one grievance has been fully conveyed.  The person is aware that they are no longer apart of my day to day life and that their actions are the reason why.  For that reason, I still feel at peace.  I have made my final wishes known and while I am in no way done being a parent, I have instilled good morals and principles in my children.  My prayer is that those things will not be lost when I am gone.  BTW: I have threatened them that I will come back and haunt them if they do. : ) When I started my journey, I thought that it was only preparing me to live a more authentic life.  I now see that it has also prepared me to be able to rest in peace.

*I will be posting a more complete message with the details of my journey at a later date.

Lesson From Loss Pt.1

I am truly saddened today.  Just hours ago I was informed that a family friend lost her battle with cancer.  While we knew it was coming, it still hurts.  I have told my self all the things that we always hear at a time like this..she's no longer in pain..she's in a better place...she's not suffering anymore...I know all of that in my head and yet my heart still hurts.  Death puts things in perspective.  I am sitting here thinking...if today was my last day, am I prepared?  Will I leave people with questions or at peace?  Will they replay memories of the real me or their vision of me?  Am I living today as though I have forever to resolve conflicts,  to say I love you or show that I care?  Life is to be cherished, but also respected.  We don't have control over it.  Don't waste time holding on to grudges or living a life that is not authentic to your spirit.  Live each day as though you have respect for life.  Robin did...and she fought hard to stay here........ Rest in peace Robin, you are already missed.

My First Valentine

Ok, so let me start off by saying that I don't have dessert every night..although I do think about it every night.  (Especially something fruity or chocolate)...So when my boys got their speech together to debate their way into getting ice cream and a smoothie, they didn't get any opposition. After the fabulous dinner that I made last night consisting of pork roast, herb potatoes and broccoli, we deserved a sweet treat.  PS. I was quite proud of my first pork roast and will share the recipe at some point.  Anyway, back to the dessert.  So I made my first stop to get my 8yr. old a smoothie as ice cream just doesn't do it for him and then on to the ice cream shop..Yay!!!! So my 12 yr. old got this crazy concoction of flavors in a waffle cone and then.........it was MY TURN.  I was a good girl and got vanilla bean yogurt (Although, I don't understand how they can legally call that stuff yogurt when it tastes just like ice cream if not better.) I COVERED it with strawberries, pineapple and of course a few sprinkles of graham cracker crust.  While I was waiting to check out "Cupid" started playing through the speakers.  Some of you are going..."What?"... Cupid was written and performed by Sam Cooke (now some of you are saying, "Who?") in 1961.  To this day, it is one of my daddy's favorite songs and as I grew up hearing it alot, I know all the words.  I started dancing and singing to myself while waiting in line.  I could hear my dad singing along as he did on many car trips to my grandma's house.  When it was my turn to pay, the guy said, "You must be having a really good day." I smiled and said, "I sure am." He smiled.  Needless to say when I got home I devoured that poor dessert, but the best part was not the dessert...not this time anyway.  It was hearing that song and thinking of my dad, that made my night special.  He's my favorite man in the whole world. To this day my dad still sends me a Valentine no matter where I am and it always gets to me on time....So to my first and year round Valentine who comforts me, supports me, loves me and makes me laugh......Happy Valentine's Day, Daddy!....I love you....