Christmas On the Couch

I have been sitting on the couch a lot lately. Practically all day long for the last nine days, to be exact. This is not my usual choice of activity. I have often found myself saying to others that I am a reasonably active person who does not like to sit on the couch for too long; someone who finds a lot of joy in walking, doing something active with my time, being up and on my feet out there enjoying the world. I would hear myself say that and think it a bit too "sef-aware" and probably not quite as true as I thought. Having surgery has proven me wrong. I am longing for something to do...on my feet. I want to go for a walk, to reorganize my bedroom, to work out, to go into town and take my time picking out my groceries, find a good movie to rent, anything really. I am recovering well, but it's tough to sit and sit, get up for a bit and then...sit. Although it may feel like a slow process as soon as I know it I will be up and out and about.

Christmas was interesting. I sat on the couch in the livingroom the whole time. I found this to be tough mainly during meal-time. It was a bit of a downer to sit in the other room and hear them all in the kitchen holding hands and saying grace together. At the same time, though, there was something to be said about sitting on the sidelines; to have the opportunity to see things from a different perspective. I saw a big, loud, expressive, interesting, and fun group of people laughing, loving, and enjoying one another. It was a good feeling. A really good feeling. I watched my almost 3 yr old nephew Samuel run back and forth and back and forth from the play room to the living room saying "Help me! Jeffey chasing me! Help me! Monster House scary!" I saw everyone helping each other cook, getting each other drinks, hugging, talking, and just being together. I watched my nephews playing with their new toys absorbed in the magical world of their imagination. I saw my neice sit in her own little corner and read a book from start to finish in a day or two like she loves to do, but doesn't always get the chance to because she works so hard in school. I loved just sitting back and watching. One by one, in their own tme, they would come up to me and ask how I was, if I needed anything, how I was feeling, or just to talk and spend some time with me. Johnny came up to me at one point and asked me why the dr's "cut me". I explained about the tumors and how they had to take them out of my uterus and asked him if he knew what a uterus was. Naturally he said no so I briefly explained it's purpose. His response? "Will you still be able to have babies Auntie?" I told him that was my hope. He said he hoped so too. He hoped I would have a baby some day so he could play with it and that it would be the smallest baby he had ever seen. How sweet; how heart-breakingly sweet. The boys were so careful with me and gentle. They would give me a kiss and tell me they loved me and then just stare at me for a bit with a pained expression as they looked down at my tummy. What loving, sweet little boys. I sat there watching them play and laugh and run around the house and couldn't believe how much they have grown. They really do grow up so fast and I feel glad that I had the chance to just sit back and watch. Normally I am a bit quieter than the rest of the family, more of an outsider. But this was the first time that I truly "sat out", the first time I just listened and took them all in with nothing but appreciation in my heart. I simply let them be. And although I was hurting and tired and wishing I could get up and get in the thick of it, I am thankful I got the chance not to. It was a Christmas I will never forget.

Maybe just poke them with kindness...

When you feel like someone is doing all they can to hurt you or take something away from you, wouldn't it feel so wonderful to turn and say whatever is on your mind? To say just the thing that will put them in their place? Unfortunately, for me, I have recently discovered the answer is "No". I have never been in this position before. I have been hurt many times in my life, where someone "tried to take me out" and for whatever reason, I usually felt isolated. I felt like no one was on my side; I was the outcast who was left to suffer on my own while everyone supported that very person who had hurt me. I remember wanting everyone to walk straight up to them and tell them that what they were doing was wrong; to not talk to them anymore or fire them or stop being their friend. It has happened again. Someone is out to get me. And this time? I have everyone on my side. Just what I've always wanted, right? Wouldn't it feel great if everyone just stopped talking to her? If she was told she would lose her job if she didn't shape up? And if I just turned to her and said "Ha! No one agrees with what you've done and you are going down! I hope you get just what you deserve!" No, no, and no. I had a moment yesterday, a brief moment where I wanted to say it. But I didn't, and I won't. I used to love the phrase "kill 'em with kindness". Now, when I think of that phrase, it means something very different to me. When someone is trying to hurt you, surely they must have had a lot of pain and sadness in their life to feel jealousy and angry so strongly that they would go so far as to try to snatch happiness away from someone else at whatever the cost. Instead of lashing out, send them some love and hope they find happiness in their life so they won't feel the need to take it from others. Instead of killing them with kindness, shower them with love. This is what I know I should do and what I will do. It doesn't mean I have to forget about myself and my own needs in the process. But what would it hurt to just love her anyway? To hope that she finds all she is looking for, whatever would make her happy, and at the same time not allow her to take mine away from me? But, there is that part of me (hmmm...I wonder what part that is? Oh hello Mr. Ego, why is it again that you EXIST?) that says "Why does she deserve that? She isn't a nice person! She is trying to hurt you! Give her what she deserves!" But what purpose would that serve? It would only make matters worse; she would be even more angry and I would feel nothing but guilt, not a feeling of justice being served. So when she skips around the office whistling to herself as she hangs on to the hope that she will be able to stop me from enjoying my new position, I will just take a deep breath and let it roll off my back. I will be civil and kind, focus on taking care of tying up loose ends here at work before I go, and hope that she finds happiness some day because she deserves it just as much as I do. God loves her just as much as he loves me. "That's hard to believe!" Shhh..ego...shhhh......quiet now.

It is fascinating to me how much life has to do with balance. I heard once that someone asked the Dali Lama what the key to happiness was and he responded with just one word: "Balance". I can't tell you how much I believe that to be true. What made me think about that today? Well, I took the day off to do...what? Well, nothing really. I just wanted a day to myself. Kind of funny, actually, as I used to hate so desperately to be alone. Then? Then, all I wanted to do was to spend all of my time alone. And now? You guessed it, a little bit of both, thank you very much. Balance. I was able to sleep in today. So nice. Usually the sun is up and I am up. It just doesn't feel right to me, I guess, to sleep the day away. Sure enough 7:30 hit and, eyes wide, I sat up in bed. I decided to give it a shot and got back under the covers. I laid there, sort of just enjoying the quiet stillness, and to my surprise drifted back off to sleep. It wasn't until about 10 minutes until 9:00 that I woke again. Feeling nice and rested, I got up and headed straight for the coffee pot. What to do with my day? Naturally, I went straight to facebook, then on to youtube to get a Gavin fix. After checking emails, seeing what was going on in the world, and playing with the cats; I moved on to things I don't get the chance to do very often. Laying in the bathtub and reading; plucking my eyebrows, shaving my legs, painting my toes. You know, girl things. I am a girl, just in case you hadn't noticed, but have never been a "girly-girl". I like to look nice; wear make up, put on some high heels, a sexy shirt and some tight jeans. But, I am also comfortable in my knee length slippers, baggy sweater, sweat pants, with no make up on and my hair in a pony tail. What do I feel my best in? Somewhere in between there. I started to work on my eyebrows and found myself taking a good, long look at my face and thought "What happened? Where did these wrinkles come from? And my eyelids? They are beginning to droop". There are wrinkles in between my eyes and lines around my mouth. I can't lie, taking the time to really look at how "old" my face is starting to look could prove to be a bit depressing. But you know what's beautiful? I can move my face around and up and down, contort it any way I like, but the only way those lines will match up is if I smile. I smile and I watch the skin of my face slowly draw in and finally find its home in between those wrinkles and lines. My point? I would never have botox or any type of surgery to fix this. I will age gracefully and embrace all of changes my face will go through. They are part of who I've been and part of what I've become. They represent the fact that although I have struggled a great deal in my life, mostly self-inflicted, what I have done more than anything is smile. But, I won't let myself fall apart either as many women do. I will continue to pluck and shave and primp; wear make up, wear cute clothes that make me feel good, and make the most of what I have. I will find comfort in the happy medium. It's like that with everything in my life. With drinking, dieting, and exercising; with money and with love (some for you and some for me). And I know that it's what I am longing for with where I am at spiritually. I have gone through many changes in this aspect of my life and I am still searching for that happy medium. I am looking for a nice balance between what I feel is true and what I want to be true. And I like that about myself. I like that I don't have to label myself as anything. I don't have to say "I am a christian" or "I am a Buddhist". I believe a little of both, to be honest. I don't get stuck under the umbrella of one belief system and that gives me the freedom to search and explore. I don't have to say "I like country music" or "I like alternative music". I like all kinds of music and I love to sing. That's what matters. Music is a part of me; a very big part of me. I used to walk into a room and think "I hope these people like me". I went from that to walking in and thinking "I hope I like these people". And now I don't think anything really; I just hope we all have a good time. Allowing myself to like whatever I like, to think and feel whatever I may, allows me to find a balance, to live in the happy medium, and allows me to be a bigger, fuller person. I don't have to be a specific kind of person. I don't have to be anything. I simply have to live my life; trusting myself, my instincts, and my heart. Not wanting or needing to be something, but instead, just allowing myself to be.

Happy

Maybe I should change the name of this blog? I came up with this title, over 2 years ago, when I felt like I was just about there, where I wanted to be; content and at peace in the present moment. It was almost as if everything I have learned in the past two years was already there, inside me. Like I knew it, but couldn't find the words to express it or hadn't a clue how to put it into fruition. I was almost happy; teetering precariously on the fine line between just accepting my life as it is and all that brings with it (a sense of balance, a feeling of peace, and thankfulness for everything I have...even the simplest things like the fact that I'm alive) and going on about my life the way I had been; pissing and moaning about all the things I wanted and didn't have, playing the victim, dwelling on problems, and making everything INTO a problem. I think I know what it was that tipped the scale and although, at the time, I could never have imagined being thankful for THAT, I am very thankful, indeed. But there is no borderline anymore and, aside from being human, no disorder. There is just happiness. I am certainly not implying that I am happy 100% of the time or never struggle with things; I do, all the time. The difference now is that I finally understand that happiness is a choice. No matter what happens, even though I might catch myself getting wrapped up in worry or frustration or disappointment for a moment (or sometimes two), I now know that I can choose happiness over any of those other states of mind. I can choose happiness and I can choose it every time. All I have to do is just surrender. And surrendering is not weakness, it is inner strength. At times I am blown away by how simple it really is, how easy it can be. And sometimes it isn't easy, sometimes I fight it and find myself just simply wanting to feel bad. But, all I have to do is remind myself that I have a choice, that happiness IS a choice and ask myself this simple question: "Why wouldn't I choose it?" I have yet to come up with a logical answer for that one. So, no more borderline and no more disorder.

Putting things back in perspective

I don't know why I only post to this blog, what, once a year? That part of me that yearns to get thoughts and feelings out lies dormant, most of the time, I guess. I like to call it my "pensive" self. I would say that for many years this was a dominant part of my personality and now, well now it is simply a mood I get in to now and again. And sometimes, I need to purge to put myself directly in the spot I need and want to be: right here, right now. It's Gavin's fault. I start listening to him (really listening, not just background noise...but the whole "Oh wow, look at what he said there, etc.) You get what I mean. And suddenly my thoughts begin to wander here and there and I do my best to keep up with them. So here are my scattered thoughts for the day:

I miss my guitar. And I wish I knew how to play the piano. I used to be able to play the piano when I was younger, but I could only play really simple songs. And, in regards to my guitar, I can only strum (picking is out of the question). This is a coordination thing, isn't it? I would love to be able to play for myself, to accompany myself on either the guitar or the piano, while I sing. Because I love to sing. And wouldn't it be great to be able to write music too? So many things I WANT. Like what I've just mentioned and a home of my own, and a family of my own, and some new clothes. It is so easy to get caught up in the things we want and easy to forget about the things we have (over and over again it all comes back to "complete acceptance of what is"...bless you Eckart Toelle). So, I'll allow that to roll on off my back, and go on about my day. Run my errands (I have a car) and head home (I have a place to live). Then I'll work out (I have the motivation to keep my body in shape). Then I'll make something to eat (I have enough money to put food in my belly...mmm...spaghetti with whole wheat pasta). Then I'll plop down on the couch and study for my test (I have the passion to learn new and interesting things) with my cats by my side (I have many "people" who love me). Ahh...perspective. *sigh*.

Mothers and dating in your late 30's

I have a date tonight. I'll go ahead and call it that, but I am not looking forward to it. Why? It never leads to anything. It could! You never know! That's what you're thinking and I can understand that. But believe me, after 11 years of being single and several scattered unsuccesful dates, one tends to sort of shrug instead and say something along the lines of well it's better than being whipped and hung by your toenails.* I don't want to go. But I'll go. Needless to say the last thing I need is more attention or drama attached to my "date" tonight. So what does my mother say to me? Call me tonight when you get to Melissa's. What?! Are you kidding me? I am 37 yrs old! And I am smart mother!! I'll be fine! So she, as expected, gets upset and goes on about how Dad worries about her because it's normal and natural and she certainly doesn't feel the need to remind HIM of her age and intelligence. Sigh. We both closed out of IM and let it go. Sometimes it's best to sit on things and take a breath before one attempts resolve. So I waited and finally I told her what I thought. Our conversation went something like this:

Lori Jean says:
sometimes I don't know why things upset me. I am going to assume that somewhere in my brain, probably surrounding my not really wanting to go tonight because it never leads to anything which makes me think about why and will i ever have it? which makes me think about how i don't have a family of my own either or a home. and sometimes, not always, but sometimes that makes me feel down about
Lori Jean says:
myself
Lori Jean says:
and like a kid, immature, who doesn't have an adult life. that's probably why.
Lori Jean says:
but i only get ONE mom
Lori Jean says:
and if i had my druthers
Lori Jean says:
i'd choose the one who wanted me to call because she is afraid i will be abducted
Lori Jean says:
over and over again
Lori Jean says:
i would choose her
vernie mae says:
lmao
vernie mae says:
you mean the "freak" mom?
vernie mae says:
lol
Lori Jean says:
yep that one
vernie mae says:
it's OKAY lori
vernie mae says:
i'm pretty sure i was jewish in my last life, and the risidual jewish mom thing is still
vernie mae says:
active
Lori Jean says:
oy vey!

If you read my last post you can now see just what I meant when I said that I am forever grateful. I look at what she wrote there, and think about how funny it is. And I almost feel slightly ashamed. How could I have been so angry? I have a mother who loves me, who thinks the world of me. I have a mother who cares about me, who worries about my safety and well being. I have a mother who can't imagine what life would be like without me in it. Does it get any better than that?

I do hope I won't be abducted. God does tend to have a pretty good sense of humor.

*My sister and I have always said that about being whipped and hung by our toenails. I have no idea where it came from.

Blue(ish) Christmas

Although I feel I look 27 and act 19 the majority of the time, judging by the looks of my hands I am, in fact, 37 yrs old and 40 is fast approaching. How did I get here? And so quickly too?? It is interesting how aside from the number, the years that have gone by, and the experiences you've had; the experiences you have NOT HAD can affect how old you feel. I tend to find myself in this place, mentally and emotionally, when I know the holidays are approaching. As I know I have mentioned in past posts, and when I say past I am talking ancient times here as I tend to post approximately once every 6 months, I am the only individual in my pool of family and friends who is not married and either has or will have kids. And I am the only person who understands the simple fact that THIS MAKES ME FEEL OLD. Wouldn't you think it would make me feel younger? I am single and relatively do what I like without having to answer to someone else or take their feelings, wants and needs into consideration. Wouldn't that be exciting? Wouldn't that make you feel free and...well...young? Nope. Not me. It makes me feel old. Old. Old. Old.

I recently downloaded some Christmas music to my ipod. And this is related to what I was just saying. I promise. I was in a rush as I usually am when I am attempting to download music at work where anyone who walks by can see my screen; so I clicked on anything that looked like Christmas music. To my surprise; as I was humming along, merrily working away and not thinking about my age and all the things I want and do not have, the song from Jim Carrey's How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Where Are You Christmas? came on and I found myself in tears. It goes something like this:

Where are you Christmas?

Why cant I find you?

Why have you gone away?

My world is changing, I'm rearranging, does that mean christmas changes too?

Where are you christmas?

Do you remember the girl you used you know?

You and I were so carefree, now nothing's easy.

Did Christmas change? Or just me?

I am sure it seems odd that a song like that would make a person tear up, but for me it summed up just the way the holiday's make me feel. For me, in my heart, Christmas is the same as it was when I was a kid. I have no family of my own. My parents and my sister and brother are my family. For them, however, their spouses and children are their immediate family and Christmas is now about the excitement surrounding their children opening gifts on Christmas morning. I sleep on the couch upstairs and stare at the tree remembering when my sister and brother and I would all sleep in the same room and fantasize all night long about the wonderful and exciting toys we would be getting the following morning. How we would sneak out of our room to take a peek at the stockings. How we would wake up in the morning and run as fast as we could to see all the presents under the tree. How we would play together all day long. As we got older, the playing became trivia, cards, drinking wine, and socializing with the friends we had invited over for the day. So even though the toys changed the simple fact that we played stayed the same. Now they have three kids each and although they try to sit at the table and enjoy a game of euchre or trivia they are constantly up and running around getting the kids something they need or changing a diaper or, God forbid, taking a nap. Don't get me wrong, my family means the world to me and I am forever grateful to have them in my life. It all boils down to the simple fact that things have changed for them, but they have not changed for me. I find my own things to do and am happy. I look forward to exchanging gifts and watching my neice and nephews open the presents I spent forever picking out for them. And although it may be 9:00 pm by the time we all get sat at the table, I look forward to the playing; the games and the laughter we share. I am blessed and I know it. I am also lacking something and that's ok. I am old. er. but I am also young. And I hope I never lose that.

Be Careful What You Wish For

A comment Karen left on a post from awhile back:

"Toes crossed too. And since I have no fresh thought
of my own I will rely on cliche. You really never know
what lies around the next corner.
Here's hoping he is tall, dark, naked and funny."

I bended that corner. And? To sum it up: he is definitely tall, dark-haired (which is a form of "dark"), funny in his own way, and as for naked? Well, sometimes he is. And I am surprised. This is the most accurate word I can attach to the overall feeling surrounding me lately. Surprised that he is still around. The fear referenced in the post Karen had commented on did all it could, did it's very best, to prevent me from giving him a chance. There were times I thought for sure it had won. I have told him twice now that I only wanted to be his friend. But he has not gone away and I am thankful for that. Mostly, however, I am surprised. I have allowed myself to get to know him. I have pushed past that fear and all of the doubt and worry and nervousness and allowed myself, given myself the chance, to find out who he is. Even when I thought I couldn't do it, or when I didn't think I WAS doing it; I could, I was, and I did.

As for that fear? I know it is hiding out somewhere, I can feel it lurking in the darkness, crouched in a corner. But it's like a distant fog. It's a place I could go if I wanted to. And sometimes, in spite of myself, I go there. I hang out for awhile in that dank and miserable place until (usually by the grace of people who love me) I am pulled out of it. So it isn't that I don't have that fear anymore, it's that I choose not to let it get the best of me. What a wonderful, new, and freeing feeling that is.

I know now there is nothing wrong with me regarding my abilities to feel and express love; to experience it. I used to say that I had somehow lost the ability to love someone. I actually thought it possible. Looking back, all I can think now is: what a ridiculous notion! Funny how something so ridiculous can feel so real when we are so afraid. Afraid of what? Of never feeling it or of feeling too much. Of hurting someone or being hurt. Of missing out or of throwing away something that will never come again. I don't know where all of this fear came from, but the one thing I do know is that I won't let it stop me from taking a chance. I don't know where it's going, where it will take me, how it will end up, what I will feel or won't feel, but I am not turning away and hiding behind fear. Give it to me, I'll take it; whatever IT is and whatever happens. I'll give it a shot man even if if means hurting him or getting my heart broken. Bring it on.

Neverending Bliss

It happened! It finally happened! All of my dreams came true yesterday when, after 37 years, I walked down the aisle and finally tied the knot! And let me tell you folks, he is simply amazing! I have never been so happy in my life! He is a little quiet, to be honest; a bit stiff really and isn't very active. As a matter of fact, he hasn't said much. And I don't want to call him lazy, but in all honesty, he hasn't really moved around too much either. But I don't care! I love him!

We have been moving fairly quickly (she blushes), as you can see from the picture on the left. We have already been blessed with twin girls! Just what I have always wanted. They are so grown up already! My how time flies. It seems like only yesterday when they were itty bitty babies and I could hold them in my arms.


Anyway, I have been so excited I just had to share! I know you are excited for me too. Unlike my cat, Possum, as you can see. When I told her? She didn't even blink! She didn't even move a muscle. I turned to her, on my wedding day might I add, and said: "Oh, Possum! This is just so wonderful! Can you believe it?!" No response. Nope. She just simply shifted her position and let out a sigh. And just as I turned back toward the church, I could have sworn I saw her roll her eyes.

Feeling restless

I am having a rough night. It is after midnight and I just can't sleep. I am missing my friend Karen terribly, I am feeling so worried and scared for another friend because her father is sick, and I am missing my students at my last job.

Do you ever have one of these nights? Where, for no reason whatsoever at all, it all hits you at once? Everthing that has happened over the past few months comes tumbling down upon you? Well that is the kind of night I am having. I couldn't seem to shake it so I figured I might as well embrace it. And even though it's been an eternity, why not post about it?

There is a play going on this weekend at my previous job and although a big part of me wants to go and see it, I am having a difficult time making a decision. Who will I see? What will they say? What will I say? Probably something along the lines of: "Oh, things are going well. I am figuring out what schools I want to apply for and really enjoying my time off." Translation? I have no clue what I am going to do with my life, I am lonely, and miss all of you desperately. I will probably go anyway. Maybe the play will be good, even though the review was awful, and plus it will be nice to see my students.

Well, I am beat so I am heading off to bed. Maybe I will start posting again.

Scattered Thoughts

I am sitting in my office, scattered with pictures and show posters, cards from my students; looking around and feeling a bit pensive. The school year is finally over. It was a stressful year, and an even tougher semester, for me. I prayed many a day and counted the classes until it would come to an end. Well it's over now and the things that were bringing me down and stressing me out have finally faded away. All that remains is a feeling of relief, mixed with sadness, add a touch of confusion and uncertainty, a dab of worry and a splash of fear.

I have given up the teaching life. Well, as a career anyway. I know things are never certain, but at this point in my life I just don't see any opportunities to make a career of it without moving half way across the country. So, it looks like I will be going back to school to get a degree in computer graphic design. Why? It pays well, there's a market for it, and there is a much greater chance I will find a job close to home. That is my priority right now in my life. Being close to my family. And to think, just a few weeks ago I was in the throws of sending out application after application. Yep, things have shifted for me considerably and it's confusing and scary.

As I have mentioned in a post quite awhile back, I feel like I live my life in a constant state of transition. When will it end?

All I have ever wanted in my life is to be a mother and a wife. I fear, every day, that these are things I will never have. Is it wrong to want that over teaching? Why, in this day and age, do we pressure our kids to establish themselves in their careers? To really make a name for themselves? I long to establish myself, I do, but I want to establish myself as a happy mother and wife.

Speaking of mothers. Yesterday was Mother's Day and I didn't give my mother a card. I had been camping so I didn't get the opportunity to pick up a card for her. I was just telling myself I would pick one up today but I can't stop thinking, what would I write in it? I just recently told her about my change of heart regarding my career. I fear I have let her down terribly and even though I know she would never let me know that, it kills me to think that I have. All I can think of putting in the card is "Thank you for loving me even though I have let you down." Seems silly, I know, but it is how I feel. My mother loves me no matter what, I know that. But you still can't help the way you feel.

I feel afraid that I will never find what I really want and then I will have to deal with whether or not it was all worth it; letting go of teaching and putting my focus on settling down and starting a family.

I had my first class today for Summer session. They seem like a great group. All women. That should be interesting. I feel happy and excited about teaching them. But there is still that hollow feeling in my heart. I imagined myself, for one moment, married with beautiful children and a cozy home, working with computers from 9-5 AND teaching that class. That would really make me feel happy and excited.

Umm...socks.

I added some new pictures of my cats. Note the one of Posey with the sock. She has always loved my socks. Only mine. She carries them in her mouth, throws them up in the air attempting to catch them, rolls unto her back with the sock in her front paws kicking at it with her back paws. The fat cat just lies there watching. She isn't into socks. She loves her string. I have never seen or heard of a cat obsessed with socks before.

The other day I came home and there were 5 on the floor upstairs and 3 downstairs. Friday I came home and there were 6 upstairs and 2 downstairs. Last night there was only 1 upstairs and 2 downstairs. In case you are wondering where they are all coming from; I have yet to fold the socks sitting in my laundry basket and put them away. This is how she is getting her little paws on them. I picked them up and put them back in the basket each day, but this didn't stop her. She just really really loves socks. Last night I was thinking about how long those socks have been sitting in that basket and how lazy I am with getting laundry put away and how I really should take care of them. But why take her fun away, right?

The Crazy Thoughts of Single Women

My students are in the process of working on an audio project where they provide the character voices for an animated film. I really wanted this to be high-tech project with professional looking results. So, I contacted the media department and, to my delight, they said they were not only willing to let us use their recording studios, but do all the recording for us as well. Yesterday was our first "take" (notice how I am using the lingo now) and my students did a fantastic job. I had wondered to myself whether or not the graduate student who would be doing the recording would be cute. I do this all the time. I go to a meeting, the gas station, or even into Walgreen's thinking maybe there will be someone cute there and he will sweep me off my feet. Did you ever hear someone say: "I met my husband at the gas station. It was very romantic! (sigh)" There never is, of course. So I headed into the studio yesterday with my coffee stained pants (see previous post), my hair in a ponytail, and no make up on. And yep, you guessed it! He was rather attractive. Very cute, really nice, sharp and stylish dresser, good sense of humor, smart and, most importantly, wearing a Tigers hat! I instantly felt myself blush and looked down at my jeans to see how apparent the coffee stain was in the studio lighting. Difficult to see it, thank goodness. We sat down and started recording.

Overall, we didn't say much. Mainly we talked about the recording, when/if we should do a do-over, and how it was going. There isn't anything very interesting to note about our conversation. As per usual, he didn't show much interest in me. I was very nervous. The thoughts that were running through my head and the things I imagined! I kept wondering if he could smell the stale coffee or see the stain on my jeans. I wondered if he had a girlfriend, how old he was, what his "type" was. At one point, I noted his Tigers hat, asking if he was a fan. He said yes and I shared that I was one as well. A few moments later I imagined him turning to me and saying: I know this probably isn't the best time to ask, but would you like to go to a game with me sometime? How ridiculous is that? I am sure that was the farthest thing from his mind. I was chewing on my fingers out of nervousness and kept wondering whether or not he noticed and did he think it a disgusting habit. He smiled at me a couple of times but, overall, didn't show much interest.

When were finished and getting ready to leave, I told him if he had any questions he could just email me. He said he wouldn't need to pretty quickly. So I left thinking that he somehow must have heard all those crazy thoughts in my head. I will see him again on Monday and, naturally, I don't want to show up in a ponytail with no make-up again. But I also don't want him to think I am interested and spend the whole session hoping I don't hit on him. But then again, as he is only a graduate student he is probably way too young for me anyway. So none of this even matters. Ah, the joys of being single as I often say.

Oops

Last week at rehearsal I spilled coffee all over the front of my jeans. I had to sit with my pants cold and sticking to my legs and reeking of coffee, for the remainder of rehearsal. I got home and changed into my pajamas later that evening. Apparently I got up the next morning and as I was tidying up I picked up the jeans, forgetting about the "coffee catastrophe" from the night before, folded them up, and put them away neatly in my drawer.

This morning as I was choosing something to wear I went to my jeans drawer, out of habit, pulled them out, and put them on. It took me until about half way through the day (after I had smelled something a bit stale but couldn't place it). I looked down and saw a giant stain covering both legs and, yes you guessed it, my crotchal region. Oh joy. One can only hope no one noticed. That's what I get from trying to better about keeping my bedroom picked up.

bye bye blues

It's nice to know that although it can be tough to shake things off at times, if you keep on shaking you'll get there. Regardless of all the negative thoughts that kept threatening to take over my birthday, in the end, it turned out to be a pretty good day.

The cast of the show I am directing surprised me with a little singing and a lot of ice cream cake. Yes, I know, the "Blue's Clues" theme may seem a bit juvenile but it's a long story. I have to admit, it was nice to get a surprise like that, and to feel special on one's birthday. I mean, who doesn't want that, right?

The evening ended with some Tomb Raider action at my friend Melissa's house. As she put it, we made some real nice progress. The game playing, mixed with the traditional green olives, triscuits, and assortment of cheese spread (yes, we take our game playing very seriously folks), some rum and diet colke (hee hee...sorry, inside joke), and fantastic company, made for a really nice birthday celebration.

And just like that...poof! Yesterday's dark mood disappears in a puff of smoke.

A Birthday Wish

Well, today is the day. A few Happy Birthdays from some very good friends have already been sent my way. And I just received a birthday card from my mother and father. It goes something like this:

Today is your day, Daughter.
It's a day to look back and celebrate
all the ways you've grown and changed
and blessed the lives of those around you.
It's a day to look forward
to the many exciting moments ahead-
moments just waiting for you to live them
in your own unique way,
with laughter and beauty and grace.
And it's a day to remind you
of two important things:
You are a beautiful gift to this world.
And you are always, always loved.

My mother has always done that. She is one of those people who stands in the card aisle for hours, looking for the perfect card; the card that says exactly how she feels and just what that person needs to hear.

Interesting. It is just a Birthday card but it made me sit and think. It's a day to look forward to the many exciting moments ahead- moments just waiting for you to live them... I am not sure why I find this so difficult.

I can remember when I was 17. I had met this boy and was hoping he would ask me to the Homecoming dance. I was a Senior and I had never been asked to Homecoming, let alone Prom. I had confessed this secret wish to my mother and expressed my fears that it would never happen. My mother asked me to close my eyes. She told me to really see myself there, at the Homecoming dance with this boy. To picture my dress, his suit, the smile on my face. To see us dancing, with our arms around one another. I did as she asked and then I opened my eyes. She told me that if I could see it and believe it could happen, then it would happen. He asked me to the dance. He was my first boyfriend and my "first love", as the saying goes. She was right. It worked.

Of course it isn't that easy with everything. But this morning, on my 36th birthday, when I am having trouble not focusing on all the things I don't have, that I thought I would; I am realizing it is about hope. I am afraid to hope. I guess so much time has gone by I have somehow allowed hope to fizzle out of my life. So today, I will take a moment to close my eyes and really see myself exactly where I want to be. To picture myself in a wedding dress. To see the baby in my arms with him, whoever he may be, at my side. To picture my family outside in the backyard on a sunny day. And, one day at a time, I will do all I can to hold on to the hope that it will happen.

Happy Birthday to Me

I am turning 36 tomorrow. No, I am not too excited about this. Maybe 36 doesn't seem old to you, but I tell ya, it does to me. I feel very old. I feel this way mainly because I wanted to have so much more accomplished in my life by the age of 36. I never imagined, in my wildest dreams, that I would be living in my parents basement, very soon to be jobless, with not even a glimmer of hope for a relationship, and motherhood simply being a constant ache in my chest and lump in my throat. But, alas, I feel there isn't too much to gain from going on and on, wallowing in the negative. So, I have decided I would put down 36 things that make me happy. They are as follows:

1. spending time with my family
2. hanging out with my friends
3. playing with my neices and nephews
4. all the babies and little kids in my life
5. the time I have left with my friend before she moves away
6. the little bit of sun that has been in and out today
7. my cats
8. cheese, beer, and pizza
9. the swimming pool
10. movies
11. my cute clothes and my flip flops that I get to wear soon
12. my master's degree
13. singing
14. music
15. the trees and the sky
16. toenail polish
17. my make up
18. the casino
19. video games like the tomb raider I am playing right now
20. the sun that is on it's way
21. my car
22. my new windshield wipers
23. card games
24. microwave popcorn
25. going to the movies
26. the popcorn at the movies
27. homemade choclate chip cookies (you know who you are)
28. my mom's cooking
29. lying in the sun
30. my hoop earrings
31. sleeping
32. driving with the windows down when it's sunny and warm out
33. holidays
34. camping
35. fishing
36. and me, i guess

Check, please!

It is difficult being 35 years old and being single. As one would probably guess, all of my friends are married and half of them have kids. So, needlesss to say, I am the only one on a mission to find my other half. This is a frustrating mission because of where I am in my life. The chances of finding that person at a bar, like we did when we were in our 20's, are pretty slim and the whole online thing? I've tried it time and time again. In the end it gives me nothing but a head ache. So what's left, right? Not much. But, as I always say, who am I going to meet staying inside watching movies and drinking beer by myself? Am I going to fall madly in love with the mailman? Or the meter-reader dude? I have to do something. So, I like to try and go out for drinks and something to eat a couple of times a week to at least "put myself out there" as the saying goes. And, as all of my friends are not on a mission like I am, they aren't always up for it.

Yesterday the mission was in full force. I looked online a bit, thinking to myself all the while "Why do I do this to myself? Isn't this the definition of insanity? Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results?". I gave it my best shot for a good hour or two but gave up in the end as the task was proving fruitless yet again. I decided I would go out for dinner and drinks, by myself, and see where that lead me. In retrospect, if I were to do it over again, I would have stuck with my alternate plan...going home, doing my laundry and talking to my cats.

I got to the bar and the scene was pretty lame, as to be expected. There were only a few scattered people. A couple of families and a slew of older men. The majority of these men were regulars who are married and in their 50's. I searched for a spot and chose one of the only empty stools at the bar. My plan? Order some pizza, have a couple of beers, and see what happens. I had been sitting there only a couple of minutes when I sensed someone looking at me out of the corner of my eye. I glanced quickly and saw a short, stocky man, with greying hair, easily in his mid 60's, fairly drunk, and apparently headed my way. I looked back to the television, so as not to stare, and felt him standing there, taking a real good look at me. He sat down next to me, where his beer had been sitting, and immediately began talking to me. And talking to me and talking to me and talking to me What was he talking about? He was talking about cell phones and whether or not we could get a signal in the bar and if not it was probably because of some metal plates placed in the ceilings and how he was supposed to meet his uncle but he wasn't here and blah blah blah. I was very polite. This is something I used to be awful at. I would go so far as to say I used to be rude. Not that I was trying to be rude, by any means, it just made me feel uncomfortable. Over time, I learned that the majority of these men are fairly harmless and so I smiled, answered his questions, and was pretty polite. He then said he was going to go outside to make a phone call. This is where it gets interesting. He came back in and realized there were, in fact, 2 stools next to me, the one he was sitting in and the one next to that. So he stares for a moment and finally asks me, with slurred speech: "Which one was I sitting in?" I smiled and said: "Oh, I don't know. I think that one.", pointing to the one next to me. He first sits in the one next to me but doesn't say much. Then he says, out of the blue: "Would you rather I sit in that other one?" I answered a bit confused: "Oh it doesn't matter to me, whichever one you'd like to sit in is fine with me. I'm not too worried about it." He stands there for a moment, looking at me, and then answers, a bit "put off": "Oh good answer, gooooooood answer." He moved to the other stool, sat down, and stared at me for a bit with a look of drunkened irritation. I sat there for a moment, sort of just staring at the TV in disbelief, and then turned to the bartender and said: "Can I have that pizza to go, please?"

Spooky

I direct plays. And as many of you know, even you non-theatre goers, every play has a theme. I would presume it is only normal that I would chose to direct a play I like, that has a theme I can relate to. Is it normal, however, that every play that I direct has a theme that completely reflects the ongoing "theme" in my own life at this present moment? I think not. The last play I directed focused around faith, learning to have faith in one's life, to give up control and let what is meant to be, be. One rehearsal after the next I would leave thinking "wait a minute here, this is my life!" I would sit in rehearsal, coaching the actors, and hear myself say: "you're frustrated because you know what you want but you aren't getting it and you want to be able to control the situation, you want to make it happen, you don't know how to just relax and let things happen the way they were meant to". This was something I was struggling with in my own life. I would hear the thoughts echoing in my head, thoughts I had been saying to myself on a daily basis. It was just so weird.

So I moved on to the next play. Theme? The struggle to find one's purpose in life. Um...if you have read any of my past blogs, you can imagine how much that relates to exactly where I am in my life right now. And it's not like I FORCE this theme. It's not like I am directing Hamlet and I tell my actors "this play is about not knowing if you will get a job".

I mean come on, this is weird right?

Where did I go?

Yes, I know, I haven't posted in a million years. And for two reasons. I have been extremely busy and I tend to think of things that might be interesting to post just as quickly as I toss them out in case they are, in retrospect, uninteresting. I would like to bring your attention to my last post which was titled: "Impatiently Waiting". Hmm...maybe that is another reaon why I haven't posted in so long. Things haven't changed much. That title sums up my current state of being quite accurately. I have, at this present moment in time, applied to approximately 20 positions. And I am waiting and waiting to see what will come of all of this.

I have acquired phone interviews with three of them. The phone interviews went well, I would say. And one University in particular has gone as far as to call my references. Two of the Universities left me with the dreaded comment "We will be in touch with you in a week". This is where the trouble comes in. One would think that would be a fantastic thing to hear, wouldn't one? For me, however, it is a very dangerous thing to say, indeed. I would do much better with something more cold and vague like: "Thanks. Bye." But to tell me they would be in touch with me in a week? What were they thinking? Didn't they know what they were doing to me? Why would this affect me in this way, you may ask? Well, because I can tell you that exactly ONE minute ago was officially "one week" that I last spoke with the aforementionedcheckedmyreferences University. So, naturally, I am sitting here thinking "Well, it's been a week. I haven't heard from them. Why haven't they called me? What does it mean? Did I not interview well? Did they not like what my references said?"

There is no point to any of this, I know that. They could call in 20 minutes or tomorrow or Monday or who knows when. It really doesn't mean anything. But still. People should learn to not say such specific things to such a literal person like me. It's sheer torture.