From Chaos Comes Happiness

I had a pounding headache last night. One of those, “I need to go and lay down” sort of headaches. Don’t worry – I can’t even remember when I had one of these before and I am feeling tons better today. I think it was a combination of not drinking enough water during the day and the whole sinus/weather goofy/allergy crazy pounding head kind of day, you know? So, after dinner, I told PG I had to lay down. I felt if I tried to keep functioning and doing things around the house, my brain would have exploded. That’s never a good thing. So, I found my way to the bed and rested my head. I think I’ve watched too many episodes of ER . That, or Greys Anatomy . Whatever the case – I was certain that it was “the big one.” You know, the Fred Sanford “I’m coming Elizabeth!” one. So, as I lay on my bed and could practically feel the gunk in my sinuses move from one side of my brain to the other, a good ol’fashioned “Random Thinking Moment” started and I began to think about what I would ...

A few months ago, I had to call Comcast (our cable and Internet provider) with a question about some new charges appearing on our monthly bill. I’m usually rather tough when dealing with sales people who try to sell me more than I need . . . remember me? “I like what I like”? So, I found myself discussing our bill with a very polite man, who (surprisingly) took care of all my concerns and adjusted our account accordingly. As we were completing our phone call, he presented me with a GREAT offer . . . to receive their monthly magazine and guidebook in mail for a low fee of $3.00 a month. Hmmm . . . do I really need this monthly guide? Of course not. I mean, we have a guide that appears right on the television to tell me what is on at any given moment. I don’t need a magazine to tell me. So, I turned him down. Then he offered me 6 months for free . . . and the subscription will continue after that at the low $3.00 a month rate. You know those old Tom & Jerry cartoons? When Spike, ...

You may recall I have written a few posts about my love for American Idol. Last year I commented  here , that if I were 20 years younger, I'd be there . . . auditioning . . . signing my heart out . . . selling it . . . giving it my all. But unfortunately, Idol was just a few years too late for my time . . . so I live vicariously through the amazing group of singers who appear on the show week after week.  Last week, I was speechless after a performance by a young 23 year named Jacob Lusk. Did you catch it? Brilliant, I'm telling you . . . brilliant. I've been humming, singing, jamming to this song since then. PG bought the version off of iTunes for me, and I spend most time in my car with it blasting. A few days ago, I found myself going down my favorite daily road singing at the top of my voice . . . when I looked up and realized my neighbor was driving in front of me. He was waving . . . at me. I new my "Secret Idol Jamming Session" would be questioned,...

PG and I have a little difference of opinions. But don’t worry . . . he knows nothing about it. Kind of like that time when I went on strike. You remember, don’t you? The big "Strike of 2010" (when I wasn’t doing laundry and dishes AT ALL, but he had no idea I was on Strike. I wrote about it here .) Yes, it’s kind of like that. You see, I like to spend the days and weeks leading up to the holidays surrounded 100% in total holiday joy. Which means; we watch holiday movies, we sing holiday songs, we eat holiday foods, we wear holiday socks. PG, on the other hand, does it a little differently. PG watches the Alien Trilogy , Modern Family , or outrageously silly Comedy Central shows. Now, while all of these maybe be perfectly fine (Modern Family is a great show), I just can’t seem to bring myself to do it. I cannot spend a single December day or evening watching . . . Alien Trilogy (or any of the others . . . except maybe Modern Family). I can’t. It’s just not...

Earlier this week, I started thinking about my Friends . I miss them. I'm wondering how they are. Are Rachel and Ross together? How are Monica and Chandler? Did Joey ever make it as an actor? What about Pheobs? Is she still as awesome as she was back then (and is she still singing about her smelly cat?)? When Friends went off the air, I was so so so sad. I guess it's not healthy to become so obsessed with a television show - but I went through some great college years spending my Thursday nights with these people. I had come to LOVE these characters so much - and even to this day, I can't help but tune in to their re-runs when I see them on. Then I started thinking about those other televisions shows that I miss terribly . . . like this one . . . Ah, West Wing !!! So exciting. Is Santos still in office? How is President Barlett? Where is CJ now? Are Josh and Donna together? and God Bless Leo (*sigh*). Yes, I loved this show, too. SO well written - SO well acted - SO go...

Well . . . today is . . . my birthday. Yes, it is. And please, no need to "birthday" comment. Really. You see, I'm not really a fan of birthdays. Crazy, huh? Me, the HAPPINESS girl, the one who looks for the good in everything, doesn't really like birthdays??? Well, let me clarify - I do like most birthdays. I just don't like my OWN. Hmmmm . . . what's this all about, huh? I guess it's the attention that comes with it - the song being sung - the blowing out of the candles (while everyone looks on, as if they know you'll NEVER be able to blow THOSE MANY CANDLES out in one breath). Maybe it's the whole aging process that has me in denial. So, if I boycott the birthdays ... then I'm still, what? 25? I don't know when this change happened. I guess I just really believe that this day should be like every other day. Which means, THIS day should be a GREAT day. Not because I was born on this day. But because WE are ALIVE today ... you know? We h...

I’ve been up to my elbows in a special project for work this week. Augh. I don’t like when life responsibilities take me away from blog life. Bummer. But, you know me. Even when work is involved – I still have a good story to tell. Without telling you the boring specifics, I have to share a bit of this experience with you. You’ll soon see this has really very little to do with work, itself, and has mostly to do with me and this happy chaos I live. I’ve spent the past few work days pulling files at the office of one of our clients . . . in a dungeon. OK, so it’s not really a dungeon. It’s a basement in a good size office building. It’s a relatively new building, so fortunately the basement hasn’t become the ‘catch all’ that most office building basements become. This one is clean and orderly – but still, a basement in a building (concrete blocks and spiders to prove it!). It kind of has a warehouse feeling to it. When I first arrived to this space Friday of last week, the manager (who ...

HELLO FRIENDS!!!!! So sorry I haven't been around the past few days. . . I've been knee deep in Eat Pray Love this week and have spent all of my free time absorbed in the pages of that book. Have you read it? Such a wonderful look at the authors search for peace . . . spiritual, emotional, physical, all of it. I am absolutely LOVING this book and have found myself reading it with a little notebook next to me so that I can jot down inspiring thoughts that come to my mind as I read it. SO fantastic. And, of course, with these little inspiring thoughts . . . come some more of those darn "Random Thinking Moments". This time, my thought went from Eat Pray Love, the book, to Eat Pray Love, the MOVIE (which is due out in theaters this August.) In case you didn't know - the movie stars Julia Roberts (who I DO adore. I mean . . . what's NOT to love about Runaway Bride and Notting Hill and Pretty Woman ?) Anyway, as I found myself thinking about Julia Roberts and thi...

So, these spring blooms have been kicking the allergies (for all of us in this house) into full gear. So NOT fun! And while Zyrtec D gave me some relief (for a day or two), today I found myself returning to the Red - Eyes Syndrome I like to call, "I just watched Steele Magnolias, Terms of Endearment and Bridges of Madison County Red- Eyes ." BUMMER! I'm not the only one in allergy hell lately. . . poor Katie Girl is, too. Yep, she is. It's bad enough for an adult to go through allergy nightmares, but extra rough for a 6 year old. She's a trooper, though. Getting by one day at a time. The past two nights she woke from her sleep with little bouts of coughing fits. Not fun for her. Each night it seemed the only relief she could find would be on the couch in the family room, nebulizer in hand, and Tom and Jerry on the TV. That's when I first realized that our Katie . . . is an " As Seen On TV" Junkie. Yep, she is. And boy oh boy, are we lucky she does...

For 4 years I've watched you . . . and have enjoyed every minute. Yes, you were unrealistic . Yes, sometimes your storylines left little to be desired. But you ALWAYS made me smile. I loved your style - the bright vivid colors of the clothing, set and characters. I loved the silliness! And I loved how week after week I could sit down and let all my worries fade away as you entertained me. I didn't have to be reminded of real life. When watching you, I'd drift into your little Betty World and would always leave with a happy heart. The moment those big mean network people moved you to another night, you never had a chance. I knew our future would be shortlived. I held on, praying for some sort of miracle to save us. But, it never came. Tonight, you will become another "oldie but goodie. " Tonight, I thank you for the joy you have given. A toast . . . to Bushy Brows and Betty ! May you never be plucked again!!

So, last week I ran into my friend, Mary, who asked me if I've purchased the two soundtracks for Glee . I hadn't, and she very enthusiatically told me, "YOU MUST!!!" I knew that I definitely needed some new music in my life (I feel like I've been out of touch with music lately), so during my very next shopping trip to Target, I found myself strolling through the music section looking for Glee. Let me tell you . . . . . I really, really do. I've told you before about my own Glee experiences (click here to be reminded), but I have to tell you . . . having these 2 CD's is just about the most excitement I've had driving in my car in a long time (wait . . .that didn't sound right) But, SERIOUSLY!!! I have become that dorky 30-something Mom who JAMS her music SO LOUD in her mini-van that people are staring. I honestly pulled into the Michael's parking lot today (oh, even MORE dorky . . . 30-something Mom in a mini-van jamming to music while pullin...

I am bummmmmmed!!!! For REAL! (Ok, before I begin, let me tell you that in the reality of it . . . this post is NOT a big deal. I totally get that - For REAL! Allow me, if you will, to tell you anyway . . . that . . .) I . . . AM . . . BUMMMMMMED! Because just about 50 minutes ago, my DVR/HDTV CABLE BOX BROKE. And American Idol started about 44 minutes ago. And I can't watch it. BUMMER!!!!! Because, you see, I really enjoy Idol . I think I might secretly LOVE Idol . For REAL. Because . . . somewhere deep inside I believe that if Idol was on about 20 years ago (yes . . . I actually said 20 years ago), if it was on 20 years ago . . . I think I would have auditioned for it. And I am confident (in my oh-so "not" confident way) that I would have been selected for the top 24. And then I would have made it to the top 20. Then the top 10. And I would have had extensions put in my hair and I would have had pretty nails and I would have sung something like, "Me and Bobby McG...

"Mom . . . where did my alien go?" is the line I have heard about 100 times the past few nights, as I put Ella (or attempt to put Ella) to sleep. "Mom, the alien in my bed. Mom, where'd the alien go?" she'd ask. To which I'd always reply, "Oh, honey, there's no such thing as aliens." "MOM . . . WHERE DID YOU PUT MY ALIEN?" she'd question, again, and again. I have to tell you . . . this alien thing was getting OLD. I have spent the past few nights going over 100 areas of concern for my Ella, as the loss of this "alien" was REALLY bothering her. I was about to put a moratorium on the Sci-Fi channel in our house, and had proof positive why "FUTURAMA" is not an appropriate show for our 3 year old, even if her father thinks it's perfectly fine for her. I was certain that the Avatar commercials her Daddy insists on watching over and over had finally taken toll on her sweet girl mind, and was about to ba...

Last night I spent 3 hours getting caught up on “ GLEE ”. Phil and the girls were all sleeping, and although I probably should have been doing the same – I had a date with my DVR. I find that I rarely have time to sit down and watch anything on T.V. these days. That is probably a GOOD thing. But last night, it was me, and “GLEE”. Do you watch that show? It’s – silly . . . and I LOVE it. Now, if you are one of my conservative readers, I will tell you that I do understand it is sometimes raunchy and probably not very PC – but you have to take it with a grain of salt. It’s plain silliness from start to finish. That’s what it is meant to be. It is on primetime, so definitely not something that young children should watch. But for me – it’s 1 hour of silly fun, and brings me back to my own high school years and makes me smile. I was in my High School’s “GLEE” club – although we called it Show Choir. (However, in honor of the Fox GLEE television show, I will refer to my high school show choi...