new concern

I broke a mirror today; that's seven years of bad luck. Maybe now I could walk under a ladder, have black cats cross my path or spill some salt. I'm even considering opening an umbrella inside the house on friday the 13th.

Things I'm tired of....

1. Blogging, Emailing, Texting (Don't take it personally!)
2. Showering every day.
3. Shaving my legs, and toe if necessary ;)
4. The alarm ring that plays on my cell phone at 5:30am.
5. The radio I have at work that doesn't pick up any good stations.
6. That there are no coffee cups I REALLY love at home. (The one I love is at work, but can you really LOVE anything you have at work?)
7. Social interaction. You heard me, I'm tired of it. (I have a plan, though, refer to point two)
8. That I don't get foo-foo coffee whenever I want it (That's right parentals, you're bringing me down)
9. The shower curtain I have in my bathroom. (I wonder if there are some with words on them so I can read while doing my business. I probably shouldn't blog about my business.)
10. Crying. (Don't get your panties in a wad, It's not like I'm throwing myself on the floor or nothing.)
11. Worrying about money. Life is too short, yet what if it's not?! You need money.
12. Making "To Do" lists. New rule: No list- Nothing "To Do".
13. The warm weather. I'm ready for Christmas, yup the whole deck the halls, mistletoe, apple cider shebang. I'm ready for fake trees and red ribbons and sugar cookies. Please don't remind me it's just July (refer to point 10).
14. Scooping liter. I love you cats, just not what you make ;)
15. Being responsible. I'm tired of the fact that I still blog, email, text, shower ever day, shave my legs, set my alarm, drink coffee out of ugly cups, socially interact, acquiesce for peace, stick with the old shower curtain, express emotions, remain fiscally smart, do what's on my "to do" list, refrain from putting out holly and fern 6 months early and scoop liter when I really don't want to!! Being responsible is for the birds.

Time stands still...

At the little house in the woods, time stands still. To date, I have no reason to bemoan this simple treasure. For the minute the car wheels pull off the beaten path and start driving down that creepy wooded driveway, all civilization is left behind and the pure enjoyment of laughing with friends ensues. Granted, I'm not always a fan of the rustic, the makeshift toilet paper, questionably dead spiders, sleeping on a couch, bringing my own towel, a bathroom where I can wash my hands while "going" because everything is so conveniently close or moldy refrigerators. Yet these small sacrifices are nothing compared to the simple fun that is had when the cares and burdens of life are left where the pavement ends. I haven't laughed so much in such a long time, and it seems now more than ever I appreciate the therapeutic benefit of laughing over the silly, the sarcastic or the utterly disgusting! The girls I hang with are the responsible types, the ones you hope always surround you in life. It's a treat to know others are thinking about how we're going to set up the movie, make the coffee or pack the car. It's a good feeling to know I'm not the only one planning the best escape route if suddenly it were necessary to make it to the prius in 1.7 seconds flat. I think great adventures will continue to be enjoyed at this little house in the woods. I smile every time I think of it, and it's the simplest times of sitting around knitting or making goofy madlibs that make it so refreshing. I have to give some sweet kudos to Nini for providing her family with such a retreat from the world, truly a safe haven from this sometimes overwhelming business of life.

Random thoughts...

Forgive me for always making lists, but I find that sometimes I have these interesting thoughts that wouldn't make up an entire blog, but do produce an interesting bit of thoughts to ponder. Here goes....

1. While I enjoy the thought of perhaps being married someday, much like any girl, I absolutely 100% refuse to give up girly sheets on my bed. I currently bought some super cute sheets with pink roses. I will not give in to masculine colors or ugly geometric shapes or really anything I distaste. Submission only goes so far.
2. Speaking of men, I like muscles. I realize this is superficial to the core. Please don't try to sway me into thinking looks isn't everything ;)
3. Sweet conversation is always so uplifting. I enjoy it completely. It really matters little who the conversation is with, someone new or a friendship that has withstood the test of time. Somehow the exchange of thoughts and pleasantries can really uplift the soul.
4. Oh, here's a good one. Moose tracks ice cream....completely Divine!!
5. I've been thinking recently about the over-taking that people and civilization have done to this world. After watching a discovery channel or history channel (or well one of those educational ones) show on what would happen if people were no longer and the earth once again overtakes the planet with its presence. It's sad when we think of the negative influence we have had on this beautiful planet. Of course there is also good that has come from people (refer back to #3) so it's a toss up which is better. Always something to ponder though.
6. I dislike that this is not an even number for my list (which usually means divisible by 5), but I must add. I think cat treats and their controlling nature for making me cats come and go when I want them to is positively magnificent. Thank you Whiskers!

Reasons why I'm really 80 years old

1. I'm tired, lately even when I wake up.
2. I think knitting has made my arm muscles sore.
3. I knit, nuff said.
4. I'm planning on going to bed before 10pm tonight.
5. I have crow's feet and age spots.
6. I talk about the latest medical breakthroughs with friends.
7. I contemplate pre-emptive medicine and procedures.
8. I love pearls and crazy, ugly lapel pins.
9. I sometimes feel I've already lived a full life.
10. I talk about "the youth" like they're decades younger than me.
11. I'm a bit of a prude.
12. I just want to wear my hair in a bun, not worry about fashion.
13. I like playing cards, your Grandma's card games like canasta.
14. I want to be a librarian and wear cardigan sweater sets.
15. I hope to meet a nice man that can still walk and has most of his teeth.

That's a wrap!

So let me just say, I've been spending a little time at work this morning reviewing how to tie a head scarf. Mom need not fear, she's in good hands! I can now make her look like an African queen. I have to be honest, there really is such elegance and art to how these head scarves (called gele) are tied, folded and molded to the head to make such beautiful creations.

I don't want to brag, but I was able to view the Advanced Gele Tying Course on youtube and so now can make an even more amazing creation. Just wait Mom, you give me 3 yards of material, 25 minutes of working and wrapping, and I'll be able to have you looking like this! Do you think you'll be able to get into the car?? Although really, with such royalty flowing through your veins, perhaps we can have James pick us up some groceries ;)

My preferred lifestyle

With life continually dishing me out a healthy dose of reality, I'd like to pause for a moment to consider a typical day in my preferred lifestyle. I would rise with the sun just beginning to beam its rays into my bedroom of my adorably simple and cozy old Florida style cottage. My feet would swing out from under the covers and touch the coolness of my terraza floor. I would greet my kitties as I walk out to the kitchen to brew some coffee, which must be leisurely enjoyed while catching up on current events that I read from the newspaper that is thrown onto my front porch every morning.
With the morning in full swing, I would change into my swim clothes, jump in my 1957 Chevy convertible and drive to the springs to enjoy the early morning ritual of old Florida natives taking an invigorating swim in the rich coolness of 72 degree water. It's so peaceful to enjoy nature in the early morning hours. Of course with these early waking hours, I could have all of this done by 9am. The question is what to do with the rest of my day. I'm pretty sure I would need to tend to my flower beds, water my indoor plants, put some fresh food and water out for my kitties, perhaps take a nap on the sun room after finishing my latest great read purchased from the second hand bookstore in town.
The afternoon hours would be spent with some light cleaning, relaxing cooking and perhaps creating a painting or two to hang on the wall. I'm not a very good painter, but I remember seeing a flyer from the local art studio where they were offering some beginning courses for the benefit of the community. I might have some close friends over for some dinner and we can discuss the happenings of town and lives of our families and friends, perhaps while playing our favorite card game and sipping our gin and tonics. Yup, just give me 40 more years and a room at the Sunny Ridge retirement village and I'll be basking in the greatness of my preferred lifestyle.

My thoughts, in random order

1. I dislike hospitals. I started to hurt just sitting in the waiting room. No matter what bed was being wheeled by, I knew I had what they had, by transference. It's totally possible.
2. I like knowing I can call people at whatever hour of night and demand they pick me up and let me hang with them, even if they force me to get a cart and push it around for them, thanks chica ;)
3. Life feels better when the house is clean. Perhaps cleanliness really is next to godliness.
4. Work seems a million miles away. Thank you Lord for a job where I can simply say I'm taking days off and it not be a big deal!
5. Coffee is not only soul-satisfying but after watching about 50 rotations of the same 15 minute news segment yesterday on channel 13, they assured me it is heart-healthy.
6. French fries are sounding quite possibly the most delicious thing imaginable right now.
7. I aggressively knit when trying to wait patiently. I think the cute little blanket I'm working on might have about 20-30 rows that are a LOT tighter than the rest of it.
8. Daytime television really IS as wonderful as I always think it is when I'm sitting at my desk whittling away the prime of my life for payday.
9. Today is one of those days where life has brought me and those I love most in this world a lot of pain, but still I say, blessed be the name of the Lord.
10. I have a great family, that's my wonderful mom, dad, sister, brother, aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, all of them. What sweetness!

Banquet frozen dinners? I don't think so

This last weekend, my parents and I went shopping at The Fresh Market. It was while I was slowly strolling up and down each aisle, taking in the excitement of such variety, that I realized this simple truth. I am not meant for Walmart Neighborhood Market. Don't get me wrong, I don't want to sound like a snob! I was raised on the art of bargain shopping from the Piggly Wiggly to Winn Dixie. I know how to cut costs and buy generic. The problem is, I just don't want to. I prefer buying over-priced wasabi rice snacks and fruit/nut trail mixes that come packaged for me in little containers. I like how it feels to purchase fancy fruit juice, specialty potato crisps and whole wheat crackers with flax seed. I delight in the entire shopping experience, from the ingenious carts to the chicken salad made from rotisserie chickens done on the premises. So yea, as everyone else is shopping in bulk at their local wholesale club, trying to purchase a gallon of olive oil for $2.00, I'll be selecting the finest olive oil, hand-pressed in Italy by Grandma Ritoli for $15.99 and loving it!

Splittin' Gumballs

Backstory: Growing up, Mom always would divide things like this, one person would divide and the other person got to choose which half they wanted. It was the only way to ensure continual equality and happiness.

Scene: After lunch at the Mexican place near where I work, Mom and I walking to the door.

Me: Ohhhhhhh
Mom: Yea, you want a gumball?
Me: Heck yea, I'm hoping for a purple one. You got a quarter?
Mom: Let me see. You know we need two quarters.
Me: If you only have one quarter, I'll let you have it.
Mom: Oh no! I don't have any quaters! Let's ask Dad.
pause...
Mom: Hey, Bill, you got a couple quarters, or even just one.
(looking back at me) You know, if he only has one, I'll share it with you.
Me: You can't split a gumball!
Mom: Yea, I'll just bite off my half.
Me: (Pausing to contemplate it) Yea, well if you divide it, I get to choose which half I want.
(Laughter)

Things I find funny

1. I threw my gum out at work today, but missed the trash can. I went to pick it up but couldn't find it.
2. My Mom told me today that we should eat more cabbage because of it's cancer-fighting qualities. I told her she had better get right on that ;)
3. Driving down 426 on my way to work and seeing 3 chickens congregating by the street lamp.
4. Your friend joking with you that using them as a reference for a student loan sounds a little "iffy".
5. Chatting online with someone who is sitting in the same room as you.

Downloading Fool!

I have just discovered the incredible greatness of podcasts. Oh sure, I had seen them before when playing around in itunes, but never really checked them out or what kind of podcasts there are to enjoy. Because of a recent conversation I had about some great pastors/speakers, I decided to check out if they have their sermons online. Not only do they have them online that you can listen to, but podcasts you can subscribe to and download. Incredible! The possibilities are limitless, for they don't just have the podcasts of their sermons, but the chapel services at their seminaries and so forth. Let's just say, I have enough listening material to keep me busy for the next year! But wait, it gets better! For the same introductory price of FREE....there is now this thing called itunesU which is an organized educational podcasting center for all sorts of lectures by prominent faculty at prestigious universities. All you have to do is press the little "download" button and you can be hearing lectures by MIT, Harvard and Oxford faculty. Which means, dear readers, that education is now available to the masses, thus making the weight of that piece of paper hanging on the wall in offices everywhere a whole lot lighter.

Yea, I'd tap that....

This morning I stopped to get a bagel and coffee at my local Panera. As I walked back to my car, I noticed 5 decked-out firemen pushing a woman's car down the street and up the hill into the Panera parking lot. I had to pause for a moment, smile, and make a particular noise of appreciation (you know the one, when a woman with some flava sees a fine looking fella, she lets out a little mmm-mmm-mmmmm!!!). There is nothing quite like seeing brute strength in action, and from firemen no less. They had kindly pushed her car all the way to Panera and then walked her bags and personal belongings back to where she was standing.

And if that wasn't enough sweetness for my morning, I drove past that grouping of firemen only to see another set of about four of them (all decked-out in uniform of course) walking down the street, in front of my car, as I was waiting to merge into traffic. I tried to telepathically signal to the Escalade in front of me to take its precious time, that I was very much enjoying the sights. When it came for my turn to go, I pulled out slowly (you can't be too careful!) and took my last look. To my delight, however, there was yet another grouping of about 5 who had pulled into the gas station with the fire truck to assess the damage on another vehicle. Now I'm sure most people would see all of this glorious, manly chaos and be thankful that they were not a part of it. Unfortunately, I was actually a little jealous when I saw the girl surrounded by so many good-looking men who appeared to be making sure she was ok. My question is, how can you not be?!

Thank you Winter Springs. Really, thank you!

control, i wants it

I'm gonna let you in on a little secret. I like being in charge. Oh sure, I like keeping the peace, but if you ask me which I prefer....I prefer being in charge. I like making decisions. I like knowing what's around the corner before I get there. I don't like surprises, and I absolutely detest the unknown. So you can imagine how difficult it is for me NOT to be in charge in the lives of the folks I love the most in this world. Yet when I eventually release my kungfu grip on this sweet little thing called control and take a step back, I am blessed with the sweet assurance that God cares more about the people I care about than even I do. The very same God that created this world from nothing loves 'mah peeps" more than I do. And if that's the case, well then, what more can I say... I'm good!

No applesauce? What the?

Can you believe it? I am out of applesauce! There isn't any in the refrigerator OR the pantry waiting to be opened. I noticed this when I was making me some delicious barbequed chicken this weekend, and I thought about what to have with it. In any proper Shenk family home, the answer to that is always, APPLESAUCE!!!! It makes every meal complete. You just have some pineapple wedges on a bed of lettuce?? No worries, serve some applesauce next to it and suddenly it's a well-balanced feast. Don't feel like you can have just spaghetti but don't have all the stuff to make a green salad....it's all good, applesauce it up!! So when you start rifling through your fridge and there's no applesauce to be had, it's as if no meal could truly be complete, EVER! Needless to say, I will be making a trip to the grocery store and I know exactly what aisle I will be headed to first!