Saturday, March 14, 2009

LIFE IS THE PITS.

After losing my dear Leon a little over 26 years ago, I've decided
to try again. Although his life was short, he was a joy, and a real source of pride. In fact, new friends were often taken aback by my passion for him.

So during supper the other night, my guacamole preparations brought me face to face with the option of beginning a new life.

Oh, yes. It's a big commitment. And yes, it's a long gestation period that takes a lot of patience, faith, and hope.

But I jumped right in. I cut 3 seeds out of the avacados, stuck toothpicks in them, and popped 'em into cups of water.

Now we just wait and watch for signs of growth. I can't wait until they start to show, and it won't be long before I can start picking out names.

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

He Looked WAAAY Better Before She Hit Him!


PaulMc
Originally uploaded by robiyah69
On this day in 1997, Paul McCartney, a former member of the most successful rock band in history, The Beatles, was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II for his "services to music." The 54-year-old lad from Liverpool became Sir Paul in a centuries-old ceremony of pomp and solemnity at Buckingham Palace in central London. Fans waited outside in a scene reminiscent of Beatlemania of the 1960s. Crowds screamed as McCartney swept through the gates in his chauffeur-driven limousine and he answered with a thumbs-up. McCartney's wife, Linda, who was fighting breast cancer, did not accompany him, but three of their four children were at the palace. "I would have loved the whole family to be here, but when we heard there were only three tickets, we had to draw straws," McCartney said.

Monday, March 9, 2009

Dancing Time!


Molly Dancers
Originally uploaded by Squeezyboy
Well, as those of you who know me might be surprised to learn, I do like to view a bit of television once in a while.

This would be one of those times. Dancing With the Stars is back!

I feel young and spry and ready to spin.

Where can I meet these guys with the hats?

¿Qué dije

Ha!

Acabo de notar que he dicho ¡Feliz Navidad a Barbie en lugar de Happy Birthday (Feliz Cumpliaños).

Sheesh.

Afortunadamente, ella no tiene un cerebro muy pequeño en su cabeza, por lo que desde que me lo envió junto con una foto de su boda, ella piensa que probablemente fue tardía boda deseos.

A veces vale la pena tener un amigo ocasional mudos.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

For my English speaking friends, let me explain...

I just noticed that I said Merry Christmas to Barbie instead of Happy Birthday (Feliz Cumpliaños).

Sheesh.

Luckily, she doesn't have a brain in her pretty little head, so since I sent it along with a photo of her wedding, she'll probably think it was belated wedding wishes.

Sometimes it pays to have an occasional dumb friend.

Thursday, March 5, 2009

FELIZ NAVIDAD, BARBIE!


Titian Wedding Party
Originally uploaded by Patrick Q
Dear Barbie,

I was digging around in my flickr scrapbook and just found this picture of you guys' wedding! Can you believe it? It was such a lovely and festive day - yet you both looked as though you were going to the guillotine! So serious for 2 people in love!

Ken was so handsom with his head of fuzzy flocked hair. It's a shame most of it rubbed off after a few short years. His suit was a bit baggy that day, but I'm sure it was just because his dresser was in such a rush to "get him to the church on time." I remember how much we teased him about that silly red cummerbund that he chose to go with the little red bow-tie. He was sure stylin' that day!

And what a beautiful bride you were. I wish we could see those darling shoes you were wearing. I have such fond memories of ALL of your high heels. It's as though you were born with stilettos on ~ you wore them for so many years that you finally turned into one of those women who can't stand with their feet flat!

Didn't little Skipper look so cute in her yellow flower-girl dress? She was such a sweet child, wasn't she? And Midge in her complementary bride's maid dress...what a great friend she was to all of us, huh? It's too bad "they broke the mold" after those two girls were born.

It was nice to see your hair "up" that day instead of in the pony tail. At least you kept your trademark curly bangs. Remember how those came back into style in the late 70's? But wow! That color! That was only one of the many shades of the rainbow your pretty head featured ~ but no matter how lovely they might have been, my favorite was the lovely platinum blond that glowed in the sun.

It's been a great 50 years, my friend.
Happy Birthday to You!
Patty

Here's to Yogi.

Sid and I went to a movie tonight that really disturbed me. It was called "He's Just Not That into You," and it was such a sad/happy/funny/pathetic statement about the morality and confusion in the dating scene today.

On one hand, it was a real eye-opener about the difference between the way girls are conditioned to sort of rationalize boys' words and actions, and what boys and men really mean by them.

The movie begins with a little girl of about 4 building a sand castle in a park, when along comes a little boy who immediately pushes her and repeatedly tells her that she smells like dog poo. She goes to her mommy in tears, and her mother says, "Do you know WHY he did that to you?" and explains that the boy REALLY just likes her and that's how he shows it.

WHAT? I remember that same comforting lesson being taught by MY female relatives any time some boy pushed me or hit me! WOW!

Then, as shown in the movie (and as I recall in my own life) after a break-up, the best friends always said something like:
"He's just insecure about your strength."
"He's not ready for a commitment."
"He just got out of a relationship."
"He's not good enough for you."

That was the first 5 minutes of the movie. My head exploded after minute 10.

One of the main characters was a guy who was helping a sweet & innocently hopeful, semi-desperate, stalker-type girl navigate the dating scene. He pointed out the little things that guys said and did - things that seemed like the guy was interested but were really ways of blowing the girl off. It was amazing. For instance, "Give me a call" meant, I'm NEVER going to contact you.

The most hysterical part, tho, was when a guy told the girl that he was "going out of town and wouldn't be able to be in contact for a while." The male 'counselor' says to the girl, "'No way to contact you?' Where's he going, New Guinea? Somewhere they don't have phones?" I mean, I would have believed the guy and waited to hear from him...

But what her friend's advice came down to was, "If he really wants to see you again, he will find a way."

There was one tragic part of the story concerning a married man who met a beautiful girl at a grocery store and started to flirt a bit. Then caught himself and told her he was married, BUT still gave her his work number so she could contact him and get a reference. When she called, he decided it would be okay to meet with her. He did remind her in his office that he was married, BUT also said that he was totally attracted to her and that she was hot.

Then he shows up and takes her Yoga class, and they discuss how it's okay to be friends, even though he can't stop thinking about her. Afterwards, she asks him to go swimming, and he says no (say it with me) because he's a married man, so she strips and jumps in. Because he's such a spot-on fellow, he won't go in with her, BUT it's okay to watch.

Eventually, the guy rationalizes himself into adultery then gets dumped by his mistress- who finally loses respect and hates him because he'd treat his wife so horribly. WHAT? And, of course, a sad, sad divorce follows. Well, at least he got pay back.

But most pathetically, his sweet wife took all this guilt on herself because their lack of intimacy had been because of her. And we're kinda supposed to be a little bit okay with that because she IS a bit of a control-freak, ya know. What? WHAT?

It's so sad to live in a time when it's considered harmless for men to look at other women and flirt a little bit. And when it's a given that they'll most likely stray if their "needs" aren't met. And that their women are partially responsible.

I'm so grateful to be a member of the Savior's church and have the commandments and Temple marriage and covenants. I can't imagine living such a hollow and 'chancy' life. I'm amazed at what a wonderful blessing it is to have a husband who is so loyal and good that he won't even look to see if a girl is 'pretty' when I ask his opinion. I am so thankful to be able to trust him and know that he trusts me - and that no matter what happens to us or between us, and even though it does and WILL take hard work,

we're in it for eternity.