April 18, 2009

Alone Again, Naturally!


Today is rainy, windy and wet outside. Although, it is not hailing like it was last night, I won't venture out today if I can help it. With Kim gone to work on sets, I'm once again Home Alone. Unlike Macaulay Culkin, I'm not too worried about bothersome crooks trying to break into my house. My only pest is this gray tabby cat draped across my lap while I try to use my laptop.

With many closets in my house that clearly need an overhaul, the abundant amount of paperwork lying around in the office (loose translation of office), not to mention a small video project I am working on, plus the daily housework of cleaning floors, washing clothes and such, one would think that I could keep myself busy 24/7. I've several books that were bought, loaned, and gifted to me waiting for my attention. Obviously, there is no shortage of work and entertainment around here to occupy my time well into the night.

So, what will it be that captures my attention, that intrigues me enough to indulge my senses for long periods of time? I'm thinking my video project would be a nice little task that I could dive into with joy and gain a sense of fulfilled completion by the end of the day. Working on a creative project won't tax my brain too much or frustrate me to tears. Perhaps I'd even get some of the laundry washed or a floor vaccumed inbetween creative thoughts. I'm liking this idea very much.

As soon as I finish a second cup of coffee and check out what my friends on HGTV are doing this morning, I'll get started. Yep, that's what I'll do. Hope you all have a very productive day.

Ooooo, one of my Facebook friends has commented on a thread I was part of...I have to check it out. Bye!

April 14, 2009

Blog Topics and Elephants

When I sit down to post on this blog, sometimes I have a topic, although other times like now, I do not. Yesterday, I wrote an article, but decided that it was too long for a blog and I'd rambled too much. So, I hit delete and gave it up for the day. Many times I think of a subject I'd like to address, but realize that if I post it, the topic may stir up problems for me with some of my readers. Not that I have that many readers, but I have just enough that if my context is any way controversial, it could get back to others who would not understand. I'd be told to "be careful what you put in print". Does that qualify as censorship? I suppose it might, but just on my part, after all, I am my own editor. However, if I were a gutsy writer, a bold reporter, I would not censor myself because it is my writing, my point of view and anyone that has a problem with it should just get over it. Yeah!! or maybe not. Sorry about that, I didn't mean to get carried away.

Although there is a side of me that wants to tell people to take a hike or lay off, when faced with the opportunity, I shy away. Well, that is, most of the time. I have told a person face to face that I didn't like the way he was talking to me. Although, that was not writing and he was the protagonist, not me. Hmmm... well lets just say that I've written from the protagonist point of view and heard about it from others who were "concerned" about me. Once I wrote what I thought to be an analogy...or was it a metaphor? (I get those mixed up.) It was written because of a situation that had upset me at our church. I really thought I'd camouflaged it pretty well. Besides, who reads this blog? No one. I found out differently when a friend called to meet her at Starbucks. Seems some church person had read my blog and was afraid that we were leaving the church. I was surprised and amazed that someone read the post much less would care enough about what I'd written. Moreover, sending a friend to talk to me about what I had written was a real eye-opener. People really do read this blog!

Anyway, this is one of those post about nothing in particular because if I write about topics on my mind, it may not set well with some friends who apparently do read this blog and would get their feathers ruffled. I truly don't want to offend anyone. That is the truth, too. I also don't want any of them to think ill of me either. However, it would sure be freeing to be able to say what is really on my mind. To be able to discuss that big gray elephant standing in the middle of the church aisle. You see it, don't you? Well, maybe you aren't at my church, but trust me, there's one there. He stands there every time we meet and no one ever seems to notice him, especially, the elephant keepers who walk around him every time they were in the aisle. Although, there has been a whisper or two that I'm sure was someone wondering about the elephant, no one has had the presence to announce, "there is an elephant in the aisle and this house is no place for such a thing." Maybe one day some newcomer who doesn't know any better, will ask about that big gray elephant standing in the middle of the aisle and "why isn't someone doing something to get him out". When that day comes, a meeting will be called, there will be a discussion, maybe even an disagreement (that's the part I don't like), but eventually, hopefully, the elephant will be gone. When it's out, we'll clean up the aisle so we can worship free of distractions, free of barriers, free of the questions surrounding the elephant, and free of the dominating smell of the beast's presence that everyone seemed to ignore.

Sorry, this wasn't much of a post today. I just couldn't think of a topic. Maybe next time I write, I'll have more of an idea about what to write.

Thanks for reading, whoever you are.

April 2, 2009

She's Having a Birthday

This happy little ballerina is my darling granddaughter, Regan. She will soon be 4 years old.

She is happy 99.5% of the time from my perspective. I love and enjoy basking in the happiness Regan showers all around. Playing with her is such a joy for me. When she comes to my house she likes to sit on the floor of my bedroom watching her videos propped up on a big pillow. At other times we make shapes with play dough and cookie cutters at the kitchen table. We lie in bed and read storybooks. Just listening to her talk and laugh makes me feel good all over.

Regan has a lot of love for her family and often shows that affection with kisses and hugs. I love to see her sharing her kisses on her mommy and daddy. She will even hug on her big brother Aidan or lavish her love on their beagle, Daisy. It has also been my good fortune indeed to have been the recipient of Regan hugs and kisses.

Regan is what I call a girly-girl. Last year's 3-year-old birthday party was a Princess Barbie Party. Regan's mommy, my talented daughter in law, baked a beautiful Barbie cake and constructed a decorated skirt around the body of a real Barbie doll standing in the center of the cake. Regan loved it. This year we are invited to a Butterfly Party and I'm sure there will be a cake worthy of the butterfly theme.

Having raised 3 sons, I find that shopping for Regan's girl-themed birthday parties to be a lot of fun. I really enjoy looking at girl toys, clothes and reading books I think she will like. Trouble is I find it hard to decide on what not to get because I'd love to get it all. I believe Regan will approve of the present I finally settled on. Cool sunglasses, butterfly ponytail holders, a butterfly printed tee and a Girls Rock tee, a skort (that's part skirt, part shorts) that matches both tees and a ballerina Barbie, with brunette hair of course, and an extra Barbie outfit all between patterned tissue paper in a bright pink gift bag. I also read the cutest Easter book in Target titled "Tough Chicks". It's about three yellow baby chicks on a farm who are always getting into mischief. Really cute story and of course, I had to buy it so I can share it with her. Besides the story seems to fit our "tough birthday-chick". Now, if you should happen to see my Regan, please keep my present a secret. Luckily, she doesn't follow her Mama Lou's blog...yet.

Saturday will be here one more day. We will travel the short distance to her house. Meeting her friends, watching her run and giggle with other little 4 year olds as they play party games will be the most fun I'll experience all day. Can't wait!

"Happy Birthday, dear Regan. Happy Birthday, to You!"

Love,
Mama Lou
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