Cuddly Star

That's right - Cuddly Star - well if that isn't an impossible image, I mean a star is a hot ball of gas, far far away (Even some Hollywood - type stars would fill that bill) Ha Ha, that is my Christmas Name according to a website. I guess I would like to be a "Cuddly Star" someone who, even though gained some notoriety could be seen as approachable and friendly,maybe someone to have lunch with. Oprah - no, Mary Steenburgen Yes, Elizabeth Reaser & Meryl Streep - Yes, Sarah Jessica Parker would be a maybe. In the real world, Sarah Palin - yes, Hillary Clinton and Nancy Pelosi - no, But I'd like to think the lady who was and may still be in charge of HP would be a yes. My point in all this rambling is simple. There are two ways to get 'fame' it can be thrust upon you, like a lottery win or surviving an accident - or being discovered doing the wrong thing with the wrong person, etc - or you earn it via hard work, good works, talent, doing the right thing. The question then turns on your character - can you handle it with grace, can you smile at a reporter, thank them for their interest and let then know you are not going to grace that question with an answer. In the face of today's headlines, grace good humor and manners are in short supply. I like to live by the words of Mark Twain - "Love your enemies - it'll drive them crazy. Hope that helps when you get the one person you didn't want to get in the office/club exchange for the Holidays! Merry Christmas one and all and to all (no exceptions!) Good Night

Eternal Sunshine of the Reset Mind

Greetings Readers
I'm sorry I haven't been here in a long while - I was on my way to an event in late September, when I was rear-ended. Due to the height of one car and the placement of my rear bumper, I got a good whack in the back of my head - presto! by 24 hours post accident I was slurring my speech, dragging my feet and forgetting - well forgetting a lot of things. I didn't work or drive for almost a month. The good news, I can speak well again and pick up my feet, the downside is I still have to find another vehicle (man I miss that Dodge Minivan!), get my full balance back, my ankle still aches. I have found that rather than a return to normal; I am dealing with what I call the new normal - my short term memory is not dependable ( sorry again to all the folks I've mis-dialed) I have a horrid compulsion to smoke (!?) and my fuse is no longer a slow burn time delay - I can be a bit sharp. It is like ordering a soda, having it arrive and after you take a sip, you frown, thinking cola but tasting root beer - it's good but it is not what you expected. I have spent a bit of time re-reading favorite books, there is comfort and familiarity - and sometimes a surprise!
I am a firm believer that everything happens for a reason, and If this was to shake me up, and give my dear loving husband a fresh wife - well that is how I came up with the title of this post. I now have such an appreciation for those who are recovering from injuries great and small. I had few marks on the outside, but I felt like I had been in a blender on frappe for too long. I am so grateful the help arrived quickly, that my grandson or anyone else was not riding with me - that I have a good team of doctors and a good lawyer too. I hope this never happens to you. As for me, each new day truly has a sense of adventure too.
I promise more musings in the days to come
The Red Hed Mom
Reb

Pleasant Valley Sunnydays

Blue Skies,

fair winds, moderate temperatures; these things make it almost possible to ignore the problems surrounding our families, friends and even our country. It's hard to believe the changes just one year can bring. It hit me on September 11th and it hasn't gone away. When I look back to the feeling in the country a year ago, it seems that there was more energy and less anger. When the announcement was made that the recession was over, I heard a lot of nervous laughter, and someone I was with said "For who?"Government and the major media like newspapers and television seem to be operating on the premise - if it's not broke - we can brake it and complain. The one thing that really got to me yesterday was an article in the Minneapolis Star and Tribune on all the charter schools in Minnesota. These public schools with specific purposes in mind (Language, science, arts, classical education, etc) seem to be working with parent and teacher control (NOT a big district bureaucracy) but that is now bothering the "experts and administrators" WHAT? oh I'm sorry if parents having the ability to get their children into a school that suits their child better than the big box education is a problem for them, but involved parents make for better educational outcomes. To me this is just another symptom of us vs those little ones (us vs them just doesn't do it justice) that seems to be the attitiude of those who are in 'public service' This is America - where doing it yourself, closest to the situation used to be the norm - this is not the hope and change we need.

Ah August, can the state fair be far away? So, I'm hearing all about the new Supreme Court Justice, and the health care plans and the cash for clunkers on the news, on the radio, on the Internet. The good part of the news - according to someone in the car business, the clunkers are UBER clunkers, really good to get them off the road, the bad news the program is a bureaucratic mess......none of my vehicles qualify anyway - and I don't usually buy brand new cars. As for the confirmation of the new justice - if a republican does vote for her, I wouldn't count on their re-election. Actions have consequences, no matter how hard science or government try to remove them, actions speak louder than words, but we seem to be able to ignore either fact when it suits the circumstance. I am just one voice, one consumer, one person who occasionally goes to a doctor - and I prefer that information to be secure, unshared unless I agree to it, with our decisions being just that, not via committee, official, administrator, etc etc etc....

I have to wonder for all the folks who voted for hope and change, if they realized what the change was that the administration is hoping to achieve.

I remember when I was growing up, I thought republican and radical were sort of the same thing - OK there weren't a lot of republicans in Chicago, still aren't. I can't be silent as I see my country on a path to a place the founding fathers were RUNNING and FIGHTING to be free of. I do not want a nanny or a parent or a czar making my life choices for me. I guess my childhood musings on radical and republican were simply ahead of their time.

I do hope for change

I hope my health insurance can be as competitive and consumer friendly as my auto insurance

I hope my health care will be as convenient as I need it to be, as private as I want it to be.

I hope to have good information to base my health care choices on.

I hope cap and trade once again means guys will trade their baseball caps.

I hope congress remembers that it is not their money they are spending now....it is their children's

I hope they remember their people are not inside the beltway, but in their district.

Keep the change

Reb

\\\\\\\\\\

Bread, Circuses, Sound and Fury

Ah nothing like summertime to put our senses in a haze and have things slip through our fingers. So many pieces of my childhood are now gone, Ed McMahon, (Hi OOH) - that was my signal for lights out or else!, Farrah (yes, I had her hairdo in the 70's) and Michael Jackson ( I am old enough to remember watching the animated cartoon show of his family on Saturday mornings) I see the President is busy, all over Europe and making sure his family has a good time too. Minnesota got a new Senator, or at least one in name, since NY and CA money seemed to fund his campaign and that is where he was living over 90% of the time for the past 30+ years, while our dear sweet Congress wants to be sure we can't afford a TV and a computer on at the same time (Cap and Trade) Hey, it's nice outside - who is watching the news anyway (I'm guilty too, I just listen to the radio in my car) So hopefully all the fun and fest of summer won't completely blind us to the world around us. I feel fortunate, to have to be inside at work this year when so many folks found their employment had vanished almost overnight. This summer feels so different from last - edgy, as if we are all watching the big fireworks display, waiting for the dud to detonate on the ground - or make too big of a noise. So we enjoy the weather, eyes wary as if waiting for the big storm to break. Hopefully not for a while, hopefully we can all come through this and maybe remember what is truly important to us. What that IS is truly your choice. I keep thinking of Mother Theresa, her famous quote: " I know God will only give us what we can handle - I just wish he didn't trust me so much." I don't have any sage advice for days like these, just drink water, put on your sunscreen and have some fun. Where I am, summer is not a long term visitor, enjoy her presence right away - you never know when Autumn will invite herself in early

Warm at last

Found myself sitting in the yard. watching the dogs play and enjoying the warmth of the sun, no jacket required - and that is saying something these days.  I find myself avoiding the news - no news is good news is actually TRUE in my world.  Every time I catch a headline or a scrap of a major newscast I think I am reading a book  - the trouble is I think we are all living in a world beyond our imaginations of just a few years ago.  I have my faith, so I am sure things are as they must be  - I can't imagine the greater purpose, I just try not to get too worked up over things I cannot change - and do what I can to keep things from getting so out of hand.  Watching my grandson play I realize I cannot just sit on the sidelines and wait for my chances at the polling place.  So, it's just a phone call or an email - I don't think the silent majority can just sit by.  I have been a few other places, and I don't want the USA to stop being the USA, but just another country, too self absorbed and lost to reach out for the best and brightest, for freedom to really exisist.  I don't want the liberty and opportunites for all our children, male and female to be compromised by one administration.  I promise I will get a post up on being a candidate.  In the litteral sense, time to stand up and get busy.  This is my country and I'd like to keep it the land of the free and the home of the brave!.  I am sure the hammock I was sitting in might not meet the "saftey standard"  but it was comfortable.  Smile - folks will wonder what you are thinking.

Until I post again

Reb

Ah Summertime - Commencing on Decoration Day

For those of you who don't know what twilight - the book and or the movie - is, the title of the blog is a tip of the cap to the main male character - Edward.  I too think of myself as a twimom....but on this day, I recall the hard work and sacrifices made by all of our citizens who left the familiar comfort of their community and family and took the oath to defend Our Consitution - a group of ideas, not a king, or a place exactly - but the very idea that we are free, joined together in free choice and that this should not perish from the earth.  I was reading on the difficulties in protecting our American Flag from being used as one saw fit in protest (Stepping on, burning,....)  I recall being informed while in basic military training (USAF 1985-1988) that our flag is considered as one of us - the only object given "personhood" , that makes the free speech article hard to swallow ( we don't burn people, or stomp on them as a general rule)  Makes one think a bit....for me it makes it easier to defend, no King, no land, just people and the idea of freedom.

Thanks again to any and all who put up their hand and gave their promise.  God Bless you all

Reb

Test

25 years and not one taken for granted

I've been working on a different post, but life has it's own rythym and God has his own plan....remember how to make him laugh?  Tell him YOUR plan.  Seriously it was glorious last week celebrating 25 official years of mostly bliss, worth every minute! of the ups and downs that make up a marriage.  This past week I have been reminded to seize each day - no gurantees as I was reminded in the work I do (Funeral Director) and my own dear husband, who is now in the hospital.  He's ok so far, but we will learn more today.  This might be oft repeated, but hug your kids and dear ones, let your parting words reflect your heart - not just the fleeting item of the moment..

Bless you all

Reb

Bad news, wait and see.

So, what do a$400 plus sudden vet bill, old bushes and opportunity have in common - not much on the surface, I am sure; but if you can pardon the pun and dig a little deeper, a few life lessons and the opportunity to have something of.  First, that pesky vet bill.  Seems Maverick got too close to a piece of loose metal in the barn and voila`! lots of stitches in his nose and a chance for my daughter to get her real career goal uncovered and a plan for the future made.  For years I heard her say that there was no way she could ever think of becoming a veterinarian - no to the blood and injections and all that went with it - then she had to deal with her own horse's rather messy and gory injury and assist the vet with the repair and the follow up care - and presto - the truth came out that she really did want to care for the animals AND SHE COULD!   praise to her 4H coach who did the final convincing - that if she could get into vet school - Rachel could do it too!  So I figure my vet bills will shrink - in about 10 years!  Maverick, if you are left with a scar it will be a proud one!  Oh and those bushes - one day this week my husband was working out and decided that removing those old bushes counted for just as much of a workout as going to the gym - presto - I can now work on re doing the front of our home and I can see! without the older bushes.  So, just when you think something is a big problem or a pain - just wait to see what becomes of it.  I am constantly surprised when a problem one day is just the beginning for something better.

Reb - future DVM Mom!

all posted

New week, new resolve.

January is too hard for real resolve, sure the calendar said new year - but I don't feel it until I have to confront the winter's crud collection in and around my home.  YIKES!  so I am resolving to tackle one area at a time - and let the family in on the 'fun' and lighten up around here (ok, there's a change I can believe in)  Not just me personally ( I got a few trainer session for my birthday [yes I asked for them]) but the stuff around here too.  Someday I will have to leave this house (hopefully for warmer climes) so, why keep what I don't like, don't use or WANT to use - Somethings I do like and use, just not everyday.  

PS

Susan Boyle is my inspiration!

See it and help vote here :  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wnmbJzH93NU

Real Chick Flicks - NO 3 hankie tales alowed

Ok ladies!

Admit it if you are with me - sure, I might say how I love "Sleepless in Seattle" - but my #1 Chick type e chick flick is "Ever After"  Drew Barrymore rescues as much as she is rescued thank you very much!  But if you want to really turn my head, give me a good action adventure any day of the week - Some of my favorites, after of course the Star Wars Movies:  The last Boy Scout, Lethal Weapon series, The Die Hard Series, True Lies, The Italian Job, The Bank Heist with Clive Owen.....the list goes on, heck I even loved Unforgiven by Clint Eastwood (Come to think of it, I like a lot of his movies) So HOLLYWOOD - give me strong men with equally feisty women and I know you can make the box office sing.  This summer holds promise - Star Trek,   X men Origins, ect  Bring on the popcorn!

Reb

Lost in Winter- Finding Spring!

So today the porch was opened and I think the rest of the family ate there.  It's a rite of spring for our family.  A welcome sign of a positive change - not just change for change.  I don't like much of what is coming out of government lately, but life on a personal level should not be impacted - every day, however tax day is impossible to ignore.  I find myself avoiding the daily "news" on the TV, the radio in the car is enough for me.  I have to confess, along with all my fun in the Star Wars universe, I have also become enamored with the works of Stephanie Meyer (Twilight) So I've been reading a lot more than writing - but my resolution for my 47th birthday is to seek more balance in my life - so  - More Writing!

Here's to spring

Reb!

Still waiting Still Hoping Still Here

Where did the holidays go - where did I go - well offline for a while, all the work, finding a new job, watching the news, and then not watching.....just aren't enough hours in the day to get all done that I want.  I am still waiting to see if I have a voice in the Senate - or an complete set of anti voices, I do still have hope, maybe we can just vote over and joy of joys, I get to keep the job that started out as a 90 day lets see how we fit situation!  Voila it's going well.  I wish I could say the same for my country.  I feel the dark times encroaching and so, I refuse to dwell in the gloom.  I choose how much and what news I seek out and I will keep a positive attitude, that my countrymen can and will wake up - including the President ( I know that's a fat chance,  but he was all about hope and change - so I can hope he can change)  I'm prepping for a road trip next week - and I hope to have more musings and more time in the near future!

Remember

Hope and Change

Bests

Baby, it's cold outside!

COLD yikes cold enough that my hand hurt grabbing the aluminum scoop for the dog food this morning (we store it in a metal can in the garage)  It's not just a coldness in the atmosphere - it is downright chilly in the mental outlook as well.  I get the feeling that a lot of people are feeling the 'chill' in the economy, in their personal freedoms and the future.  Here is hoping for an early spring!