58/365

TGI...

59/365

I MAKE THE POWER OF NOW LOOK LIKE THE POWER OF THEN

Don't get me wrong... I like my Kombucha and burn my sage, among other things, but these videos in this article crack me up. ;-)

58/365

PLAYING DRESS UP

Did you see this little girl that makes dresses with her mom? I can't.  Seriously.  That shark... and that Minnie Mouse photo?! So cute.

Visit Mayhem's website and her mom's Instagram for more cuteness.

57/365

SNACK ATTACK
You know this bag clearly states on the front that there are 96 calories in a cup but I think it really should say 720 because it's definitely a single serving sized bag. ;-) I can't stop buying this. I have back up bags in the china closet and behind the bar in case I run out.

56/365

FOLLOW YOUR (HE)ART
After almost 4 years... we signed the divorce papers today... ;-(  Cara's boyfriend wanted to take me to dinner but I declined.  It was a sweet gesture but I really didn't feel like celebrating.  Instead, I did what I do best... I went straight to Marshall's and TJMaxx out there. I went to Portman's and the SHV Giant Eagle.  We all know I'm obsessed with grocery stores. It was like going home. I miss the South Hills.  I wasn't as sad as I thought I would be.  Not that I was happy... I'm not quite sure what I was. I went to Sonic and got a Rt 44 unsweetened iced tea with cranberry. My fave. It was the first time ever that I got that size... It was literally the size of my head.  I had to stop and take a selfie but I'm not real good at that so I didn't really get my self in the shot.

Today starts Kelly Rae Robert's e-course.  Perfect start to a new beginning. I took KRR's business course years ago and squealed like a little piglet when she offered this class.  I found this tiered basket in HomeGoods in State College a few weeks ago and knew it was the perfect piece to start getting my work space in order...

If you see the other side of this room it's enough to make you throw up but I got one section somewhat organized!

It's a start.

Here's to new beginnings.

When we let art out - we let love in. ~ Kelly Rae Roberts

55/365

DELIVER ME IN A BLACK WINGED BIRD
Every time I let the dog out I think an asteroid is going to come down and hit us or that smoke thing from Lost is going to follow me back in the house. I've talked about my fascination with the ring of ghost children I have... When I hear a noise behind the fence I think a grizzly bear or a pack of wolves or a group of vikings are are on their way up the hill.  I've been bringing my phone out with me in case I fall into a sink hole. I have a problem. I have some pretty big irrational fears regarding taking the dog out. ;-)

There was a weird occurrence today around 7am.  I was sleeping and heard a commotion outside. I looked out the window to find about 100 crows in the tree behind the fence. They were talking up a storm. Yesterday, I unearthed all the poop that was out there from not picking it up in the snow.  I gathered all the bags in the middle of the yard and went inside to get a big bag and got distracted by something else and never went back out.  They were left in the middle of the yard all night.

Did I freak the crows out?    Maybe they thought it was a giant dead poopy crow.   There used to be an owl out back but I haven't heard him lately... maybe there was a predator out there. Are they trying to tell me something? It was a little freaky and kind of mesmerizing.  My phone was on the charger in the living room so by the time I ran in to get it and came back they were all going their separate ways.  I never got a shot of them all gathered together... just a few of them flying away. ;-(

54/365

SISTER MARY LILY BUD

Lily got a bath tonight! She was long overdue!

53/365

YOU WILL NEVER FIND YOUR FUTURE IN THE REAR VIEW MIRROR.
There are so many "rear view mirror" quotes... we all know them.  Every pissed off bitch will share the don't look back quotes to look at life through the windshield not the rear-view mirror. You know -  there are better things ahead than any we leave behind shit.  They kind of piss me off.  I mean I get it. Totally. It just minimizes learning anything or experiencing anything and it just sounds angry.  I don't like that.  That's not really my point, though.  This is.  I fixed my rear view mirror!  It wasn't all that difficult, really. I had an appointment with my mechanic but had to cancel it so I attempted to glue the button up all by myself. YAY ME!

52/365

TO THE BANG BANG BOOGIE SAY UP JUMP THE BOOGIE TO THE RHYTHM OF THE BOOGIE THE BEAT
I have a newscaster crush on Brian Williams. I'm a big BriWi fan.  Did you see his latest "rap" on Jimmy Kimmel?

51/265

LET ME CARRY THAT...
In my imagination I go to brunch with Ani DiFranco and Lisa Loeb.  We're girlfriends.  And we go on adventures and go to indie art shows and we meet up with Natalie Merchant and go to those multi state yard sales by the side of the road... ;-)

I've been doing some Ani inspired paintings recently... I have 3-4 in various stages of completion in the chaos downstairs... I'm hoping to get back to them soon.

Ani's You had time. One of my favorites.

50/365

THE END OF THE INNOCENCE
My lawyer made a reference to this song today... the lawyers dwell on small details... and how sad the situation is. He said that in mediation the goal is for both sides to be happy.  In litigation - both should sort of be unhappy.  One side is going to always feel screwed and the other is going to feel like they didn't get enough. It is what it is, I guess. This was never about money for me. I do agree it is the end of the innocence in a way.

I've been thinking about West Coast Video and the couches downstairs in the game room.    It's kind of weird being here.  I sometimes think of the Bonneville at the top of the hill and the car phone...  The Penn State boxer shorts and Pitt t-shirt...  The emerald earrings and ring... The tuna melts at Churchill Valley Country Club and so much more. Half our lives ago... We were just kids, really. Never in a million, trillion, billion years did I think that I would be in the situation I'm in now.  Not that anyone gets married with the intention of getting divorced. Do I feel like I wasted the last 24 years of my life?  No.  I just feel like I lost them.

49/365

WITH EVERY GOODBYE...
I used to frequent Nittany Quill in State College a lot. I bought cards and gifts there and it was just one of my happy places. I have a custom piece from Graduation they embellished commemorating all things PSU and I had a big wedding one with song lyrics... we also bought a lot of their calligraphy prints... I have, among others, a great everything I need to know I learned in kindergarten one. I've been thinking about another one in particular.  I bought it after my mother died. Funny how it came full circle... It's actually behind the closet doors just a few feet away from me as I type this.  I can't get to it because there are boxes in front of the closet - blocking everything inside.  I can't remember the design on it.  I think it's matted in green... or is it blue?

Anyway, I used to know it off by heart. I found the wording on Pinterest. It's sadder and colder than I remember...  Twenty years ago I thought it was full of wisdom and independence - now it kind of just reads loneliness and detachment.

Yes, you can plant your own garden and decorate your own soul - as you should.... it's just nice to have someone by your side while you're doing that.

48/365

I'M GRUMPY

47/365

STORYBOOK STAIRS
I wish I would have done this at Dixon House. ;-(

46/365

WILL YOU BE MY VALENTINE?
Talk about good packaging... saw this in Target and couldn't resist.  Beneful's Baked Delights apple and bacon snacks for the pup.

This was equally cute - found at the Dollar Store - for people..

The "chocolaty candy" was even wrapped in pugs!

Unfortunately, her treats tasted better than mine!

45/365

GREAT EXPECTATIONS
They say expectation is the root of all heartache.  I don't know if I feel that way... I think that's just a defense mechanism... no expectations - no disappointments.  There is something to be said for committment and promise and hope.  This is a journal page we wrote in on our 10th anniversary. I found a copy of it in a bin in the game room. Those are my ages at the next big anniversary dates or what they would have been. Maybe I'm feeling nostalgic with Valentine's Day being tomorrow and missing what I had... just thought my stick figure family was too cute to not share and if I do end up throwing all these things away - one day I may want to remember this.

44/365

IF YOU'RE HAPPY AND YOU KNOW IT CLAP YOUR HANDS
I sent this video to my friend, Scott, for his birthday today... how can you not be happy when you listen to that song? Almost every day that I go in to work one of the residents will comment about happy I am - and it makes them happy... it's a good thing to be known for. It's not always easy - especially there.  This is the darkest hour for many of them.

There are so many how-to books and websites and coaches and workshops to teach you how to be happy... I think the lady on the second floor in the third room on the left may have all the answers... and the one on the fourth floor at the end of the hall... and the one that comes to exercise class late every day.  It doesn't matter who it is. It's all the same. Be true to yourself... Help others... Love those around you... Count your blessings... Just basic life lessons.   I do think it comes back to the most basic concept. We have the ability to make the best of any situation - it may be difficult. It's possible, though. Father Sam's words that he believed were the key to everything still play in my head and if more people adopted that view a lot would fall into place - want what you have.

43/365

IS THE UNIVERSE TELLING ME TO NOT LOOK BACK?
I was on my way to my cancer doctor appointment and my rear view mirror fell off.

I had to leave a note for the valet at the hospital. Why can't I ever just have a normal appointment?!  Something always happens before, during or after.  I got the worst injection today too and can hardly even stand it. It hurt so much even with the lidocaine shot before it. 4 more years of these shots - at least. I'm not sure I can keep doing this.

41/365

SOMETIMES WORDS CAN CRUSH YOU

40/365

I MAY BE HANGING OUT WITH THE OLD FOLKS A LITTLE TOO MUCH

39/365

YOU CAN NEVER CROSS THE OCEAN UNTIL YOU HAVE THE COURAGE TO LOSE SIGHT OF THE SHORE
I think this last sentence is one of the loveliest things ever written.

38/365

DOG AT WORK
Lily wasn't the only working dog in the family... I was looking at old pictures and came across this one... RoseBud at the office! ;-)

37/365

IT'S BEEN A HARD DAYS NIGHT AND I'VE BEEN WORKING LIKE A DOG
Guess who came to work today? The Lily Bud!  I left around dinner time and went to the house and got her...

She was even on the monthly calendar!

All her friends were excited to see her.  She has a bit of a fan club. Some like to "walk" her down the hall. One even tried to give me a dollar to go buy her something. She's pretty comfortable with a lot of them and just hunkers down next to them and makes herself at home. We saw about 70 residents. Some of them had her old photo on them and "showed" her when she got there.  It's really cute when I go in the rooms and see her - when we went around and delivered the February calendar the other day, her Christmas photos were up on a lot of the resident's bulletin boards and walls!  She gave a Valentine to all the residents she visited... her Love is in the Air photo from a few years ago. 

Almost everyone said she looked beautiful in her little dress and all said they would definitely be her Valentine! Even the one lady that was on the phone with her daughter when we walked in... I heard her say "I'll have to call you back - a girl just walked in with the ugliest dog in the world!"  ;-)

36/365

YOUR TRUE COLORS ARE BEAUTIFUL LIKE A RAINBOW

Blank: A Vinylmation Love Story filmed entirely using stop motion. Trailer here.

35/365

GOODNESS GRACIOUS
This is spectacular!

34/365

COMMERCIAL BREAK
One thing about the Super Bowl... if the game isn't good you can always look forward to the halftime show and commercials. Win - Win in my book..

So, what did you think?  Here's my take on it... Halftime show -  now the world knows what a step class led by Ricky Ricardo would look like. No, seriously - I think Bruno Mars rocked it. Can't go wrong with a gold lame jacket and a horn section. Probably my favorite tweet of the night...

Even so, the little bouncing baby boy - Anthony Kiedis and his 50 year old shirtless belly and man leggings - love him.  I think I figured out why I like Adam on Girls so much now.

I think I saw most of the commercials - these are pretty much the ones I liked...

Best commercial never made... Newcastle Brown Ale.

MetLife/Snoopy - cute.

Screw the Cheerios - Gracie's hair is super adorable...

Still don't like Bono - with or without a free song...

Jerry Ricecake cracks me up just as much as Leon Sandcastle...

Upon watching again, the "Doberhuahua" was a little disturbing to me. I can't speak for chihuauas but Doberman's rock (shout out to Sabrina.) Sarah McLachlan was a nice touch though she shouldn't have thrown him - I don't care if he was animated.

I like my trucks... Chevy Bull Romance wasn't bad... and the World Cancer Day Silverado one. When she reaches out for his hand. Damn.

Ellen as Goldilocks and Muppets in a Highlander were ok.  Turbo Tax love hurts was decent. The Bud Light with the dude... I had to IMDB Minka Kelly - I had no idea who she was and I still don't - loved the tiny tennis, though.

Bruce Willis and Tim Tebow are doll babies... can't really remember what their commercials were for.  I can't read my notes.  Yes.  I take notes on the commercials. ;-) I know Beckam was in his undies for H&M, right? Whatev.

I probably like Russian mobsters more than I like M&Ms but the thought of him chopping up that candy and eating ice cream creeped me out way more than expected.

Where there's happy, it has to be Heinz... sweet sentiment.  Just OK commercial.

I loved the small businesses representing... Alex and Ani and their Main Street and Goldi Blox.  I have been a fan of theirs since their kickstarter a couple years ago.

Not a Stamos fan. Or Saget or Coulier or yogurt -  but pretty funny. If I liked them more than dogs - it would probably be in my top three.  Let's call this one my fourth favorite.

Not sure if I can really pick a favorite but these were my top three.

CarMax with the slow clap and Rudy.  Did you see the puppy version?!?  BRILLIANT.

Radio Shack.  "The 80s called - they want their store back." Enough said.

And, you can't go wrong with great songs and iconic running horses - flashback to Stevie Nicks last year... throw in a puppy and you are good to go. You had me at the hashtag, Budweiser.  Well done. #BestBuds.

33/365

WE GATHER TOGETHER
I'm not a wear a jersey to the game kind of girl but I do like watching football... and we all know I like snacks and what goes better with football? ;-) I was pretty much the only one enjoying myself. It was a little frustrating - I had to force the Dad to watch the game. He said I was making too big a deal out of it.  Seriously?  Can we turn the cooking channel off for a few hours?  We know how to cook. We watched a little of the Puppy Bowl and watched the Keyboard Cat half time show and saw the lights go off like at the real Super Bowl last year. How cute.

Then I got busy using a biscuit cutter to cut a regular bun down for The Bud. She kept running off with the french fries so I didn't even bother after that.  I knew I wasn't going to get anywhere with this photo op.

Anyway, I was thinking about something and about to write it and then I came across this.  It's pretty much what I was going to say so I'm linking to Seth Godin's post.

32/365

DIVIDED WE FALL

I went to Dixon House today.  We finally got around to going through the Disney stuff I talked about in this article... We opened a box that was housed in our bedroom - it contained bits and pieces of our Disney Days. Keys to the Kingdom, pins, old room keys, park maps, the itinerary from our Honeymoon... a bunch of stuff that started being collected almost 18 years ago. We stood around the kitchen table pulling everything out - piece by piece - until we got to the bottom of the box. Everyone says it's not the stuff that holds the memories.  I know that. It didn't make it any easier to go through, though.  They were good memories. I left shortly after that.  As I backed out of the driveway onto the street I wanted to take one last picture of the house.  I realized my phone was in my pocket so I was awkwardly fussing for it hoping someone wasn't going to come flying up or down the street and hit me.   I finally managed to get my phone and held it up and snapped this photo - not quite knowing if I got the shot.  A car came up the street and I drove away.