I AM TIRED

I've had enough of: unfolded laundry, constant kitchen requests, whiny voices, unpaid bills, gray hair, NOISE, dirty fingernails, untimely bedtime routines, dusting, dirty toilets, ants, kitty litter, dog poop, the economy, my potbelly, politics, famous people dying in groups, (and the subsequent media attention) the car and it's illnesses, having a constant shadow, feeling like I have to be clever all the time, talking to the wall, ...resulting in brain cell loss, shaving, empty ketchup bottles, toys....everywhere, commercials, the inability to finish a thought or sentence, being impatient, holey socks, unmade beds, cat hair, cat puke, veiny legs, cellulite, picked noses... you get the picture.

But I'm not complaining. Because as far as I know I don't have cancer. As I get older, more people I know are stricken with this. Many are still so young. When I find myself complaining, I remember these folks and... yada yada yada... we know where our thinking goes from here.

How have I avoided serious pain in my life? When will the big ball drop? (other shoe fall, coin get flipped, tables get turned... wait a minute what was I saying?) Depressing talk, I know. But it seems like I have come close to so much pain and yet not experienced it myself.

This past weekend, (many of you already know this, skim please) I witnessed a horse in pain and subsequently put down. Seeing the horse was bad, but seeing the person who loved him fall apart was so much worse.

Young, virile members (and not so young) of our extended family are getting sick and to be so helpless to do much is... just annoying. There are walks/runs and fundraisers out there but they don't help the people who need it right now. Research takes time and while it's great to help a cause, the truth is it doesn't help those who need it immediately. (at least not to my knowledge. someone inform me if I'm wrong) You can't buy good health. (I see the political implications here and I'm just speaking generally okay?) At least we can think of our kids and the generations to come.

I know, it's all part of life and crap but I guess I'm "in a mood" and I'm sure others have posted the same idea I'm writing about now but what the hell? Cancer sucks.

A REALLY BAD POEM

those were the days

out west

remember that?

skinny jeans and dusty boots

lazy horse

but where's my hat?

the call of wild coyotes

breaks the tranquil peace

a single tumbleweed drifts by

has anyone seen Sparky?

I wonder if this is what he'll look like when he's twenty. (and I'm fifty-one. YIKES!!)

I'm not a real writer, I just play one on the Internet. It's why I like to use a lot of pictures. They take up space and give me thoughts to put into words.

I took the kids to the kiddie parade tonight to watch other little ones put on homemade costumes and march down the street and throw out candy. It's a tradition I've grown up with. Leah, Emily and I were in it every year. We made our own costumes, though I'm pretty sure Leah's big sis Anne helped us a lot. In fact, I think she did all of the M&Ms. I remember arguing about who got to be what kind. I'm the peanut one. You decide if I won or lost. (I can't remember anyway)

Those were the days when the kids marched alone for the duration of the parade. Now, you see more parents than kids and some don't really seem to have costumes. But there are some really cute ones. We saw 5 Little Monkeys Jumping on a Bed, Snoopy and the gang, a rock band, and my favorites: Jack and Jill with Jack's head bandaged up like a lobotomy patient and Jack jumped over a candlestick complete with a demonstration. Performance Art. So clever and easy to costume.

(I won't post pictures of them, after all, they are other people's kids)

Here we are as The Butcher, the Baker and the Candlestick Maker. I got to be the Baker. Yippee! Unfortunately, this costume didn't make it the length of the walk and we deposited it in a yard to be picked up later. The three of us walking together in a box in theory was cute. Not so much in action.

This one is Halloween but I put it in here because it's costumes and I thought it was cute. I'm Underdog, my hero. And I have pantyhose on my head.

The three of us were inseparable. We went to different schools but being neighbors, we spent all the rest of our time together. (at least when Leah wasn't practicing her violin. I'm jealous now, she still plays. Practicing really does pay off)

We were three very different personalities but as children, who cares? Emily was a fashionista, Leah was talented and smart, and I was.... well I'm not really sure...along for the ride I guess. You play with who's available and we were always available.

I'm so happy we're still friends. We may not see each other every night after dinner, but it's like no time has passed when we do.

Here is Emily's high school graduation party. We're almost adults. Still, time doesn't feel like it passes. (except now I should be plucking my eyebrows and apparently I hadn't learned that yet)

"I never had friends again like the ones I had when I was twelve." from Stand By Me

Just take away twelve and insert four and it's us.

"Oh my darlin' oh my darlin' oh my darlin' ClemenTIM..."



Sorry, that's really bad. Fortunately for him, he left for work before he could be gifted with my lovely voice. Today is Slick's thirtysomethingth birthday. (I thought I'd jump in with the other bloggers and use a nickname for my loved one)

While I'm aware he is a whopping eight months my junior, (a fact he NEVER lets me forget) he looks older. Not because of his hair certainly. His is only just now turning a teeny bit gray (a fact I never let HIM forget) while mine is still camouflaged by dye. I'd rather not find out how gray I really am right now. He just has a mature look about him. I remember several years ago, maybe before we were even married, he was playing basketball with his buddies at a nearby sports center. Some kids sat down next to us and were cheering (or jeering) the guys on. After a couple minutes I noticed they were referring to one of the players as "grandpa." "Get it in the hoop gramps!" and "Look at grandpa go!" I thought, "who could they be talking about? These guys, while not kids anymore, are still in their twenties." Of course you can guess, they were talking about Slick. He just has a misleading look about him. Till he starts talking. Then you know he's not really fifty-something.

Tim, after picking on you for more than 11 years, (and birthdays) I want to say even though some think you look like gramps, I love that you're still very young at heart and I look forward to sharing all those years it takes to become a real "gramps." (and I can't wait to witness your hair turn gray)

As a special dinner for his b-day, I made another 2 of Pioneer Woman's recipes.

Pasta A-La Marlboro Man and Garlic Cheese Bread. They turned out really good and now, as she recommends in the recipe, it's time to hit the stairmaster. (like I really will... maybe an extra-fast walk with Tobi or something)

Impromptu fashion shows are so much fun. Especially when they reveal themselves just when I'm beginning to assume the worst. (the house was quiet for too long)

Katie looks lovely in her soft pink Sleeping Beauty gown hand sewn by the furry woodland creatures.

Here is Shannon demonstrating the benefits of a well-chosen veil. (they're fantastic for hiding unsightly blemishes or cranky-puss faces)


And here's our boy. Heels and all. Poor kid, middle child AND the only son. It's not visible but he's also sportin' a pink purse on his hip. Way to accessorize baby!

He redeemed his masculinity when he performed for us original classics like "Happy Happy Crunchy Happy" and "Cracker and Chips." Also hits were "Rubber Duckie in the boat" and "Moon on the Head." He then sang "A Pineapple" and my favorite "There's a Banjo on My Knee."

Watch out Neil Diamond!

Instead of writing something interesting or clever, or the usual stuff I write about, tonight I chose to be thoroughly depressed while watching "You've Got Mail" (not a bad movie, not great either) After dooming my already questionable mood, I turned to the best place to get a laugh. You Tube. The tv show "Whose Line Is It Anyway" always makes me laugh out loud and this bit is one of my favorites. Hope it makes you smile. Here's another sound effects one.