Day 83 - Stiring Up Trouble

To Stir Up: arouse or excite feelings and passions; "The ostentatious way of living of the rich ignites the hatred of the poor"

Today I'm grateful for:

recognizing contentment. I used to have no idea what contentment felt like. Life is good, even when I'm naughty.

knowing want & desire are two different things. I want to have a new bike but I'm content without it. I desire my husband. I can live without him but I'd prefer not to.

free pizza. Boss 1 ordered pizza for our hump-day celebration. Another reason I love being a Superhero. I've told ya'll that I love my job right?

warmth. Living in Florida you would expect it to be warm. Um, we may not be as cold as most of the nation, but for us thin blooded rednecks IT WAS FREAKIN COLD! Normally we are in the 80's by March, we are still barely in the 70's, but I'll take it.

putting a lid on it. I need to put myself in time out. My attitude to the freaks has been way to harsh. I'm not sure why because I'm in a contented mood, I'm stuffed with free pizza and I even got a workout in. I'm what God calls a "pot stirrer" he is reminding me what he thinks of pot stirrers. *twitch* I seriously need to watch my mouth. I'm just going to put myself in time out till my attitude improves. Sometimes I'm just not a nice person.

big pink bikes. Tonight we ride! *makes motorcycle noises*

*sing* Me...and my Shaaaaa-dow

Day 68 - One of THOSE people

“A dog doesn't care if you're rich or poor, big or small, young or old. He doesn't care if you're not smart, not popular, not a good joke-teller, not the best athlete, nor the best-looking person. To your dog, you are the greatest, the smartest, the nicest human being who was ever born. You are his friend and protector.”
~Louis Sabin~

******

Today I'm grateful for:

dogs and their unbridled capacity to love unconditionally. If Roy could teach me to love like that I would be one amazing human.

being one of THOSE people I used to loath.

my favorite human. He is feeling better and he fixed Roxie! That is about the nicest thing he's ever done for me....OK, well, that may be a slight exaggeration, but it's in the top 100! Right up there with empting the dishwasher, paying the bills and opening the car door for me. OK stalkers, all together now....."AWE!"

the BFF. She saved me big time yesterday.

#2 pencils. Who knew they were so important?

a long ride with a short dog and babysitting Pixie. The man got all "I don't want you alone" and I got all "Awe, that's so sweet!" (in my head) So, I had a 4 mile ride with the Pixie saying "you're going to fast! Slow down! My legs hurt! My bike is to small! Don't make me tell dad! Can we rest?". It was nice to feel loved and protected.

out riding a Pixie. She blames it on the bike. I giggle and let her. *flexes*

making Ms. Amy proud of me.

God. I may be cracking under the pressure and freaking out, but he isn't.

This is my new office wallpaper.
I'm officially one of THOSE people *twitch*

Day 37 - Mah Johng & Glitter Sticks

Men in the game are blind to what men looking on see clearly. ~Chinese Proverb~

******

OK, so I decided earlier in the week I wanted to do a shoot with glitter. You know, the stuff Kindergarteners use by the pound on their macaroni necklaces and popsicles log cabins? I remember getting this stuff back when I taught Pre-School (yes, "I" taught pre-school. Shut up) and it was about $.69 a gallon. So off the Pixie and I go to the craft store thinking for my $5.00 budget I'll get every color of the rainbow. We have NO idea what we are going to do with it but we hope inspiration will strike us in the glitter isle. We get to the store and we are on the hunt. Up and down isles we went looking for glitter the Pixie literally calling "Here glitter, glitter" and laughing hysterically. Finally, right by THE FRONT DOOR we found it. I nearly choked. $3.69 for a .5 oz little bottle of hot pink glitter. Um, NO. After searching the store like a jungle cat seeking dinner, I finally find a store clerk and ask "Excuse me, um, where's the NORMAL glitter? I saw the FANCY glitter over there but I need the stuff kindergarteners eat" I get in response a blank stare and a finger pointing back toward the FANCY glitter.

In the end we settled for a package of glitter sticks. 5 bottles of various colors of glitter pre-mixed in glue. Having spied a giant foam finger for our local "Gators" the Pixie got this bright idea. "We can make Sparkle sticks to cheer on our favorite Mah Jong player!" (Kelly and Kent were coming over to learn to play Mah Jong along with the Pixie) Having no better idea and no money left in the craft budget I said "Great idea June!" and used the extra $1 to buy her an expandable toy just because anything called "Happy Hank" HAD to come home with us.

Day 23 - I blame it on the mall

“When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, "I used everything you gave me.” Erma Bombeck

****** 

I'm still in a mood. Not bad exactly, but not good either. I blame it on the hours I spent in the mall today. The Pixie and I left the house at 10 A.M. and got home just before 3 P.M. The fact I didn't shove a spork in my ear is a testament to my love for my daughter. 3 marked down bits of sales perfection saved me.
 
Today I'm grateful for:

getting a CD full of Jackson photos. I LOVE them! I DON'T love not beign able to post any. The baby daddy better hope my mood improves before we meet again.

a new cell for the Pixie. She has been amazingly good with her phone. NO overages, only once did she nearly lose it, and 5 months ago when Daddy's phone died and he took hers she didn't pout or sulk. She suffered the embarrassment of an un-cool phone with dignity. So when I was told I had a free upgrade, she got it. I had a $50 credit for a new phone. There were about 20 phones for her to choose from. My only rule, it could not exceed my $50 credit. She picked a $20 phone and absolutely LOVES it. She spent her very first allowance, $10 to be exact, on a cool new cover for it. She went for the phone she wanted, not for the most expensive. My kid rocks. This was sale perfection #1

Tuffy the Turtle. A cute little dog toy we found at the grocery store marked down 30% to a whopping $.99. Since the hamster shredded the funky chicken, we hope Tuffy the turtle stands a better chance. His body is made from a green tennis ball. This was sale perfection #2

a new purse. The fake brown Coach will be returned to Mussette on Monday. Now I have a cute little green bag found at Kohl’s marked down 50% to a whopping $12. Sales perfection #3 and saved me from self sproking.

60% off sale at Sears. My shopping list consisted of 1 cell for the Pixie, 1 white golf shirt for me, rent Australia for the man and the weekly grocery shopping. Thanks to the Sears sale, I got 3 golf shirts for $7, 1 pair of capris for $9 and this REALLY cute white linen shirt for $12. The last new thing I bought myself was a bathing suite back in June. Oh, wait,  no, that's a lie, the last thing I got was my $5 Wal-Mart scorts. Today's splurge was very UnBeth like. It made me feel odd and a tad defensive, but not odd enough to return them. That blouse is rockin dude.

Carrot cake. Nom nom nom

the movie Australia. It was long, it should have ended 3 times before it did, but I enjoyed it very much. Also got in some good hand holding. A very spiffy bonus.

a nice long ride w/ Roxie, Lilly and the hamster. It was the 2nd best part of my day. The hand holding was the first.

Sunday is right around the corner. I feel a shift to the left coming.

my man. He puts up with my mood swings with much more grace than I would. After shopping, I walked into the house with a chip on my shoulder. I blame it on the mall.

******

Now that's a happy Pixie

She has a thing for stripes.

Can you tell?

Tuffy

Roy, meet Tuffy

Tuffy.....Been nice knowing you

Purse Perfection 50% off

I still hate the mall

Day 20 - My life as random

The Teflon has worn off my happy bubble. The freaks kept spitting on it, but at least I'm in it. Thanks mostly to a little dog, his 2 girlfriends, and a big pink bike.

Tonight I'm grateful for:

Music. It drowns out the freaks screaming

yellow jelly bellies. My only suggestion is you don't mix banana split w/ piña colada

hamster groupies. Roy has 2 little girls that just LOVE him. They squeal when we round their corner and ride around the block with us. We have to start and finish our rides with their street. He actually LOOKS for them and he puffs up and shows off for them. His chest goes out and he does silly things like run in front of Roxie's front tire. Tonight one of his groupies brought her little dog. A Pomeranian named Bennie. Roy was not amused and rather rude. I had to stuff him in his basket. He was indignant and I'm still getting the silent treatment. Oh dear, Sorry Roy!

Kelly. She's home! She is no longer my blond. It seems I now have 2 redheads, but SHE'S HOME! *booty dances*

big pink bikes. I freakin love my bike. I love to ride my bike. I love how well Roy does with the bike when he's not showing off. I ride and I'm magically transported back into my happy bubble.

Payday! I'll have money for the next 4 days. Then I'll be broke again. Oh well, such is life.

itunes. The soundtrack of my life expands.

a religious debate. I sucked at it, I got defensive and rather pissy, but what I believe was not shaken. Even by women smarter than I. That's somethin right?

God. He loves me even though I suck at justifying his existence.

******

*sings* Me....And my Shaaaaadow

I know that look. I've seen it on the face of a troll

He was not please with me.

Groupie #1

Groupie #2 and the "other" beast

Just thought it was pretty :)

Day 19 - Me, Pooh and a little dog too

Want a perfect cure for what ails ya? Start with a big pink bike and attach one wicker basket, throw in a camera, Pooh and his uncarved block, add to the basket one little dog, blend in a perfect Florida day, then mix well with a bit of Van Morrison.  There you have it. I started my day way to early, felling way to bad and I now rest comfortably in my Teflon coated happy bubble. Life is good.

Today I'm grateful for:

calling out sick. Only the 2nd time in 2 years. Hey, I WAS sick at 6:30 this morning but since then I've taken two little pink pills and a nap. I managed to remote into work and get ALL of my e-filing done AND got a bike ride in. Now THAT's the way to use a sick day properly.

The perfect Florida day. OMD is it amazing! The sky is a brilliant blue and clear, the temp is 65°, only a hint of a breeze. I have the windows open, I'm barefoot and I'm in shorts. This is paradise.

my happy bubble. It's been a long time since I've rested so comfortably in my little happy bubble. Given the mood I was in when I left work yesterday I'm rather astonished to find myself here. *shrugs* Guess there is SOME redeeming value to being Bi-Polar. Hope I get to stay here awhile.

rides with the big pink bike. It's been far to long. This last cold snap was brutal but today made up for it. I threw my camera and "The Tao of Pooh" into the spiffy wicker basket Kelly bought for Roxie, harnessed up the little dog and out into the brilliant blue we rode. We rode 2 miles to the "good" pond. There we tapped into the flow with Pooh, took a few photos, splashed in some smelly water and enjoyed the day. Roy rode part way home in his basket sitting up and surveying his territory. I could almost hear him say "Dat's right, make way for Roy da Boy!" "Woof"

a good shooting day. It must have been the light. I got some amazing photos today. I didn't delete one. Even the few that are out of focus I can't bare to part with. Best shots I've taken since Day 1.

being happy. I hope for 2 things. 1) I get to stay this happy for awhile and 2) I don't get too preachy. Hey, at least I'm aware of my faults. When I am in my happy bubble, I get a little high and mighty. What can I say, I'm a work in progress. I'm still working on that whole "grace and humility" thing. For now, I just want to be happy I'm happy.

that feeling I get, after a long ride, as I round the corner off of Willow Green and onto my street. When I can just see Sally's red glow in the distance. My iPod is playing softly in my ear and I can feel the "click, click, click" of Roxie's gears. Having seen home something in me inhales deeply, like a breath of the soul. I don't know how else to describe it. I see home and though I've only been gone a short time, I am EXCITED to return. That feeling deep within me is what allowed me the freedom to leave in the first place. It's how I can face every morning with anticipation. I know, no matter what else the world throws at me, at the end of it, I get to return here to my slice of paradise. Yeah I know, it's a little preachy but what can I say. Blame it on the fumes in the happy bubble.

******

Wait, you need a little mood music while you look at the photos

It's freakin imposible to find Van Morrison doing this song,

but at least this is a GOOD cover

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G2kRHged6uY

******

Roxie in all her Glory

Roy getting deep with Pooh

Roy in his superhero stance

Another amazing day in Paradise

To see them all click here