Recently in Life, and All That Jazz Category

I love watching movies. That's why I subscribe to HBO. I would subscribe to all the premium movie channels if I could. But wait, I'm getting off-track. LOL

I was watching HBO the other night (a new movie called Life Support - really good!) and saw previews for an upcoming series called Addiction. If you have experienced addiction yourself, or know someone who has, or simply want to learn more about it, I highly recommend that you watch this series. You can check the schedule here. Set aside time now and/or program your TiVo. I know I am going to do it as soon as finish this. Remember, there is never such a thing as too much knowledge, and learning about and understanding something is the first step in being able to help someone who may need it. Educate yourself! :)

OK, stepping off the box now. ;)

First of all, I want to wish Rox over at Tidbits O' Chunks a very Happy Birthday!! If you haven't read her blog, then you are missing out on some of the funniest, most entertaining stuff you'll ever find on a blog. I totally think she needs to write a book or something, cuz yeah, she's really that funny! Anyway, hop on over there and wish her a happy birthday!

Secondly, did any of you watch ER last night? If so, then you'll remember the patient who, when told her husband had died from his injuries, fell "dead" on the floor, but was subsequently brought back when Neela wouldn't give up, saying the lady was suffering from "broken heart syndrome". Well, I started wondering if that was a real thing. I mean, I've always thought people could really have a "broken" heart, especially when someone they love dies. Guess what? It's real! And it's fascinating. So now we know ... one actually can suffer from a broken heart. But it won't kill you. Hmmm, isn't that what our moms always said?

Lastly, another Minister has fallen from grace. Am I shocked? Nope. I bet you're not, either. We're pretty used to this kind of stuff now, aren't we? Pretty sad state of affairs (no pun intended *snicker*). I am getting pretty sick of hypocrites, though!

Life is such a mystery ....

There is a very cool company here called Wisdom Industries, LTD. They design, manufacture and ship carnival rides all over the world. It's been here for at least 30 years. The family who owns it is, obviously, named Wisdom. Jerry Wisdom has run the business for years and years.

He died a couple of days ago. He was in his 70s and had survived both a stroke and cancer in his lifetime; but then he suddenly developed a brain bleed and died 2 days later. The part I find so incredible is not that he died as we all must, but that he died the very same day as his mother. Yes, that's right, the same day. His mother passed on that morning, and he that night. For some reason I find that strangely comforting ...... I invision them walking hand-in-hand through the pearly gates together. I know it probably sounds strange, but I think that's kinda' cool.

Indeed, life is a mystery .... even in death.

I have the stomach flu -- will be back when I'm feeling better.

and to you all!

I was doing some reading a while ago and found myself (as I always do *g*) at FallenSpirits. I was reading LillyAnne's newest post and was suddenly blown away at the mention of Zander and the opinion of an ever-increasing number of people that he is ...... not what he portrayed himself to be. I followed this link and did some additional reading, as this was the first I had heard about any of this and wanted more information if I could get it. Now, I am not posting these links in order to perpetuate gossip or blog drama; I offer them solely for those of you who are regular readers of his and would like to read for yourself and form your own opinion. If you do, indeed, decide to do so, please also read the comments to the latter-mentioned post -- they are very informative, as well.

As for what I think? Well, regardless of what the truth is, he remains a young man in need of prayer -- perhaps not for what we originally believed, but in need, nonetheless, and mine will continue to be with him.

I was sitting here working today when the sound of something familiar broke my concentration. I looked over at the television and realized my daughter had popped one of our old tapes into the VCR. It was the one of her 1st birthday party (she's now 10). I immediately dropped what I was doing and watched the tape along with her. As I was smiling, giggling, "ohhhing", "awwwing", "how cute-ing" and marveling at how much the kids have grown and changed, I was suddenly overtaken with a rush of memories coming at me at lightning speed.

While I sat here watching the camera pan the birthday party guests that day, I became profoundly aware of how much life has changed for all of us over the last 9 years -- particularly over the past year and a half. Among the guests were Hubby's grandmothers, both of whom passed in the last year and half; my own mother, before she became so ill, physically impaired and homebound over the last 15 months; and then there was the smiling face of my brother-in-law, approximately a year before we all discovered his double life, before the ensuing divorce, and before his sudden death last July while sitting on his mother's front porch enjoying a morning cup of coffee with their 21 yr. old daughter.

Then I felt the tears streaming down my face.

Life was so different back then ..... a mere 9 years ago. How can things change so radically, so fast? Watching that tape left two prevelent thoughts rumbling within me:

1.)  If things can change like this so quickly, what is yet to come? Are things going to only get worse? Given what's happened already, I wonder. Maybe it will be better? Perhaps the bad times are coming to the end of their cycle. I don't know. That led to my 2nd thought --

2.)  Appreciate with all your might and all your heart every single day -- every single moment you have -- with your loved ones, with your friends, with yourself. Never take the happy times for granted, and be diligent in finding the joy in every minute; in every breath; in every beat of your heart and in those of the ones you love. And never forget to say "I love you", and "Thank you".

So .... thank you to each and every one of you who choose to spend a few minutes with me every day, taking the time to share your thoughts and hearts. I appreciate it more than I can say, and I love you all.

So I saw the doc today. Turns out the virus isn't a virus at all. It's severe allergies. Damn. I didn't know allergies could make a person feel so sick. I told her that if it's allergies, she had better change my allergy medication cuz Clarinex ain't cuttin' it! So she did. Blood pressure up again. So she increased by bp meds yet AGAIN.

If any of you know where the road to inner peace is, would you be so kind as to let me in on the secret, please? Cuz .... I really need to know. Oh, and if you also know where the "off" button is for vicious cycles, I need to know that, too. Thanks.

Bummer. I've been sick all weekend long. This virus I've had for the last week just isn't letting go. Getting worse, actually. It must really like me a lot! lol Good thing I already had a doc's appt. set up for tomorrow (bp checkup). Maybe she can give me something to help kick this.

Gee, wasn't that tidbit of information fun and fascinating??? LOL!

Hope you all had a beautiful Easter!! :)

When I was little, my wonderful Grandparents bought me a double-sided chalkboard -- green on one side; black on the other. It was big, standing about 4 ft. tall, and swiveled so that it was easy to switch from side to side. I was passionate about that thing! I played school teacher all the time, and drew pictures on it endlessly. My favorite pictures to draw were those found in the funny papers. I would look at them and draw what I saw. The ones I loved drawing the most were Beetle Bailey funnies. The last one I did was really pretty good, and Grandma left it on that old chalkboard, never erasing it. I'm sad to say that I don't remember what happened to that chalkboard after they passed on, but I know that Beetle Bailey was still on it.

Anyway, the reason I'm telling you all this is actually to preface why I'm sharing this with you. My sister sent it to me, and when I saw it was Beetle Bailey, all sorts of memories -- wonderful memories -- came flooding back. Then when I clicked on the link and saw what it was about, it became even more meaningful. I hope you find it to be the same. :)

Okay, ummm .... 91 degrees is way too damn hot for the middle of April! But you know what's worse? Having a crappy cold and sore throat and sweating your butt off at the same time because you weren't expecting such hot weather so early and hadn't gotten the AC ready to go yet!

I want my Mommy.