Bilingual Benefits

Yes, I'm bilingual; I speak Portuguese.  Now, don't ask me if it's the same as Spanish.  It isn't, okay?  I work in a county government office, and there are times when we cannot find a person who speaks enough Spanish to speak to a client, or a victim..etc..  I've tried believe me.  I first explain that I speak Portuguese:  "Eu falo portugues. No hablo espanhol..."  After I say that, I usually get a smile, and a shake of a head.  I then try to communicate.  After I attempt to communicate with them in Portuguese with the little Spanish that I do know, I usually get this reaction:  A bigger smile, or a chuckle, and more shakes of the head.  At this point, I usually have to resort to body language, and a business card with a number to a Spanish speaking probation officer.  The person then leaves the office smiling usually, or laughing.  Oh, well, at least I made their day, right?   

I can understand Spanish when it's in written form, but if I hear it, I'm lost.  Apparently, however, I do not pronounce Spanish G's or H's correctly.  G's in Portuguese are pronounced like English J's.  I once had to call someone on the phone whose name happened to be Guillermo, and I totally masacured his name, and he let's just say he was NOT happy with me.  Well, EXCUSE ME!!!  Another time, I was scolded on the phone years back for pronouncing the city La Jolla wrong.  "You live in California, and you don't even know how to pronounced La Jolla correctly?!...blah blah blah"  WELL, EXCUSE ME!!!!!

Anyway, I do have a co-worker here that was born in the Azores, from Sao Jorge, and although I think her accent is "funny"..(ha ha ... each island has it's own accent), I find it remarkable that we should be working in the same office.  I mean, think about it.  The Azores are nine islands, little specs in the Atlantic Ocean, and what are the chances that two people, from two different families  from the same area are now so damn far away in the same place.  It boggles my mind how many Azoreans that I run into.  Well, it's great because if we really need to tell eachother something in private, we can just speak, and no one understands.  I know that may sound rude, but I'm sorry.  It's not like we are talking about you...well, as long as you don't give us an excuse, we won't talk about you, unless of course you are REALLY annoying.  Would it be better if we spoke about you in English when we take are bathroom break?  Or if we spoke to you while we were fixing your nails?

I know those lovely women who fix my nails talk about me.  They say, "This woman's hands are too heavy!  Her fingers look like sausages!  She won't relax her hand!  Someone give me a brick so she can stick her hand on it while I try to fix these nails!"  And you know, it's totally okay with me--TOTALLY.   

 

 

 

Thursday

I decided to take a quick walk outside for a break.  It's quite beautiful out today.  It's warm, but breezy.  I needed to make up for yesterday when I drove to Longs and bought myself that sinful Snickers bar which I devoured quite quickly at my desk without abandon.  I decided to be "healthy" today, and took a walk down the street to get myself a healthy fruit salad and diet Coke at the McD's.  Yes, I confess I was very tempted to buy a sundae, but I resisted.  I was a very good girl, I just wish everyone else was in there. 

While waiting for my delicious salad with candied walnuts, there was a very large, dirty and rude person in line, who was also very loud and angry.  He was unhappy with the woman running the cash register because, "she screwed up my last order, and she still owes me a dollar.."  He used a few other "colorful" words that I shall not repeat here, as well as some racist remarks of her being from Mexico.  He was looking for an audience, but the no one in the crowded place acknowledged him.  It was quite obvious that he was perhaps off his medication, and he may have forgotten his social graces.  No one in that place was going to mess with him, and I certainly did not want to divert his attention on me.  I do hope the poor cashier receives some good karma today.  She didn't seem to let the idiot's remarks get to her, but she may have not understood what he was saying either. 

Thank you God for giving me enough sense to know the difference between right and wrong, and when to keep my mouth shut.  Thanks for giving me the strength to be able to get my butt out of my chair, and to enjoy the the fresh air, even if it means walking on a cracked sidewalk along side the exhaust fumes of passing cars, and garbage.  I can still feel the fresh air from the breezy trees, I can hear bird singing, and the music coming from a radio... "Do you really want to hurt me...do you reallly want to make me cry?.....

Yeah, Boy George's voice can still take me to a happy place.  As a teenager, I had my walls covered with Culture Club posters.  They replaced the Bee Gee and Andy Gibb posters I was forced to look upon each morning when I shared my room with my older sister who was/is a Bee Gee/Andy Gibb fanatic.  I still have the image of Barry, Robin and Maurice in my brain---their tight white satin pants, light blue satin jackets, and all that chest hair..  Poor Andy.  I know that Victoria Principle is not the one to blame for his early demise, but it sure seems like his life was slowing going down the toilet after he met her.  Anyways, like brothers Gibb, Boy has an amazing voice, and in my opinion, looks a lot like Brooke Shields in a weird, funny way.  Can you see the resemblance?  I can..especially around the eyes.  I was thrilled one day when I saw him on T.V. a few years back wearing a leopard scarf that looked a lot like the one I have.  Okay, I'm weird...get over it..

Ditch a "Dud"

I just got an email from my Virgin Mobile Wireless. In the subject line it reads:  Ditch a Dud!  Apply your "rescue" rings!   Ha ha....  Where were you when I needed you like 5 years ago?!  How I wish I could have had the phone call before I had to hear the "I was bit by an Emu at my mom's ranch.  You wanna see my scar?" story! 

No longer do you have to ask a friend or relative to rescue you on a blind date!  Now you can activate your phone to ring at an appropriate time!  No longer do you need to use the bathroom window of a coffee shop, or restaurant or movie theatre for an escape!  (I do not reccomend the window thing if you are on the 2nd floor). 

Has anyone done that?  I mean actually tell a date that you need to use the restroom, and simply not return?  I do know of one person doing it, and her date was left sitting at his table, waiting, and waiting....  Finally he asked someone to check for her because he was actually worried that she had dropped dead or something.  How awful is that?!  This person I know, who will remain nameless, felt bad afterwards of course, and the friends who fixed her up with the guy stopped talking to her for months.  Too bad she didn't think of the phone option.  Sure, she would still be lying, but, leaving a guy at a table is just plain rude and humiliating! 

Monday Photo Shoot

Your Monday Photo Shoot: Give your camera to a child, friend, spouse or relative and have them shoot some pictures. Show us the pictures they take. This will be more fun if you have a digital camera, of course (because they can snap off a whole bunch of pics), and I also find it's a lot of fun to give the camera to small fry, because their perspective on what's photo-worthy is different than the rest of us.

Okay, this is my second attempt...  The pictures ACTUALLY show...WOW!!

 

 

. 

Possidonio?! Is That YOU?!

http://c-e-m.org/sobre/pensadores_e_criadores/possidonio.htm

I was bored the other day (what else is new?) so I did a GOOGLE looking for various places and things, when I came across a familar name:  Possidonio.  Now, if you ever met a person by that name, chances are you won't soon forget him.  Not only is it an usual name, but there just aren't enough people in the world with that name.  I clicked on the Google Blog, and sure enough, there was the Possidonio that I knew from way back on the islands; (Azores.)  I copied and pasted the photo and sent it off to my cousin Adelaide's husband, Carlos to verify in fact if it was the one and ONLY Possidonio I knew.  He later confirmed my suspicions, adding that he was a VERY successful writer to boot!  WOW---I'm truly impressed! 

What I remember most about Possidonio is his very funny sense of humor and his excellent comand of the English language.  When I was a teenager, my Portuguese was limited--more than it is today, and I often kept quiet most of the time when surrounded by my cousin's friends during those summer months on the beach, and dark smokey cafes in the Azores.  So I appreciated the fact Possidonio and his sister spoke some English..  His sister had a different name as well; let me explain.  In Portugal, many  women have two names, many of which start with  "Maria" attached to another name, something like our, Mary Jane, or Mary Anne, for example.  So,because there is such a high population of women named "Maria", it's customary to go by your 2nd name.  I remember thinking it very strange calling his sister, (Maria Jesus) "Jesus".  It's not every day you can say, "Hey Jesus, how are you?"

Possidonio lived with his parents and his sister, Maria Jesus in a house near the main plaza of the village (Vila Nova).  I remember how his mother decorated the home with paintings that were painted by her two children, and I remembered thinking how particulary wonderful and special that was.  May be that was the start of he being so successful in life?!  It probably didn't hurt! 

My daughter?!

My God!!  Nora looks just like my daughter!!!! 

 

 

I Need to Write A Book

As previously written, one of the 7 things I would like to accomplish before I die, was to write a book. 

What would my book be about?  The book would be one about internet relationships, more specifically a story of my own experience of being the VICTIM.  What kind of victim?  What do you do when you find out your spouse is having an internet affair?  I've recounted my own experiences to various people that I know, and I am often urged to write a book about it.  I very much want to share the wealth of my knowledge of my ordeal  to women and men out there who have found themselves in this situation,    or, onthe other side.

Now, I'm not saying that my ex-husband's internet habits was the sole cause to our divorce.  Nope..we had other serious underlying problems.  The internet, I believe, served as a catalyst to what lay ahead.  The fast internet connection only made in happen a lot faster.  The experience didn't make things less painful however, and perhaps it made things look a whole lot worse. 

Is there anyone out there who can relate?  Any suggestions of where I should start?  Please let me know!  If you are an internet ex wife/husband let me know.  I would be interested to hear what your experience was.  Are you currently in an internet romance?  Let me know!  I don't expect people coming to me confessing that they are having an internet fling with someone married already, but if you are, let me know too.  I won't judge ya'.  :)

There is hope of course.  After a lot of soul searching and forgiving on my part--mostly learning to forgive myself, I am happy to report that I am in a very meaningful, loving relationship with an awesome husband, along with a group of really happy kids.  In a way, I have the internet, the same evil tool that caused such a mess in my life, to thank for.  Ironic, hey? 

Please let me know of your own experiences...  Feel free to email me if you prefer not to leave a comment!  Thanks!

 

 

Weekend Assignment #78: Evacuation...

Weekend Assignment #78: You are preparing to evacuate your house due to an upcoming threat. You have already packed up all your essential items, people and pets. You have room for three non-essential items. What are they?

Gosh, the thought of evacuating is frightening in itself.  I feel so sorry for all the millions of people right now faced with the real reality of evacuation.  It scares me; but if I had to pick 3 (only three?!) I would take the following:

1.  Photo Albums/family photos--all of them! 

2.  Legal documents/wedding certificate/birth certificates....all that good stuff

3.  My diamond earrings my husband gave me.

Extra Credit:  Have you ever been forced to evacuate?  No, I've been very lucky.  I hope I never need to. 

Let's all send good wishes, and our prayers to our neighbors down South and Texas! 

 

It's Thursday

Egads...  2050 people have read my diary?!  REALLY?  Gee, that's a BIG number!  (I am wondering how many of those "hits" were actually done by myself when I constantly go back and forth to edit, along with those very annoying AOL freeze moments!). 

It's finally Thursday, and I just went online and bought my husband three pairs of pants!  Exciting, hey?  I am impressed...the no shipping cost code actually worked, and I paid no shipping!!  HURRAH!!  Honestly, if there more offers like that, I would do a lot more shopping online.  Some places charge so much for shipping!  I've gotten to  the point where I'm ready to send in my order, but as soon as I find out how much the shipping costs are, I decline and don't place it.

I confess that there was a time when I actually enjoyed going to the mall or the store to shop, but, nowadays I'm finding myself "following" my teenage daughter back and forth, in circles, up and down the mall, and it just isn't fun for me anymore--it's more like a chore, and I get dizzy.  Add a baby in a stroller in the scenario, and it just puts the icing on the cake.  For example, each time I go into the men's department, with the stroller, through the VERY narrow isles of shirts and pants (I honestly don't know how the handicapped can shop!), Nicholas has grabbed pants and shirts off their hangers, sending them to the ground, and he snaps off the price tags.  I end up picking up the stuff he has thrown or grabbed off from the floor, and by the time I'm done, the "thrill" of finding pants has gone, and all I'm thinking of is leaving the store to get a drink!  I don't really drink, but at times, I think a really do need one!  Diet Coke/Pepsi usually does the trick. 

Grocery store shopping can be just as hectic.  I should really leave the baby at home, but he really "enjoys" going with me on his weekly trips to the grocery store.  The only problem is he likes to retrieve things behind him in the cart and try and open the contents or eat them.  I'm especially have a hard time with the grapes.  He once stuffed a handful of grapes in his mouth without me seeing, and threw up at checkout.  Of course, I didn't have a napkin handy, so I had to resort grabbing a plastic bag from the cashier station next door and clean up the grapes as much as I could.  It was a little embarrassing, but no one was there to see it.  Then, of course, there are those irritating "suggestion cards" near the checkout.  Nick likes to grab them all and throw them on the floor.  He is also known for grabbing the pin next to the coin change dispenser.  He has actually tugged on it so hard that he actually broke the pen and the cord off of the counter.  While he is doing this, I'm attempting to pay for the groceries, and pick up the suggestion cards on the floor.  Although they always ask if I need help out with the groceries, I tend to say "no" and do it by myself.  My husband does not understand why I do this, and frankly, I don't know why I don't ask for help.  Maybe it's because I don't want anyone to see the trunk of my car?  I don't know, it's just an automatic thing with me.  One time a stranger saw me attempt to put in the groceries in my car with the baby, and he actually stopped to help me put my groceries in the trunk.  He hit his head on the roof of my trunk while doing so, and I felt terrible about it.  He said he was "okay", but by the look on his face, I think he was in real pain.  I felt so bad for him.  Someone with good intentions, going out of his way to help, and there he is hitting his head on the top of my open trunk.  I hope he won the lottery or something after his good deed. 

 

Arr...Pirates...

  My favorite pirate is Jack Sparrow.     I am not going to explain why. 

   Pirate's Life

Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me
We pillage, we plunder, we rifle, and loot
Drink up, me 'earties, yo ho
We kidnap and ravage and don't give a hoot
Drink up me 'earties, yo ho

Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me
We extort, we pilfer, we filch, and sack
Drink up, me 'earties, yo ho
Maraud and embezzle, and even high-jack
Drink up, me 'earties, yo ho

Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me
We kindle and char, inflame and ignite
Drink up, me 'earties, yo ho
We burn up the city, we're really a fright
Drink up, me 'earties, yo ho

We're rascals, scoundrels, villains, and knaves
Drink up, me 'earties, yo ho
We're devils and black sheep, really bad eggs
Drink up, me 'earties, yo ho

Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me
We're beggars and blighters, ne'er-do-well cads
Drink up, me 'earties, yo ho
Aye, but we're loved by our mommies and dads
Drink up, me 'earties, yo ho

Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me

Lots of "ho"s and "yo"s in this song, hey? 

 

FRIDAY....It's finally here..

Hello!  Hey, smile, it's FRIDAY!!  YIPPEEEE!!  Need a good laugh?  Click on the link below....like, NOW!  (Especially if you are in need of a vacation.)  A friend of mine sent me this link yesterday and it is hysterical. 

http://cgi.ebay.com/THE-ULTIMATE-HIPPIE-VACATION_W0QQITEMZ5614695213

Despite all popular belief at my office, NO, I never dated this guy.

I spent my morning sitting in a meeting, taking minutes.  Of course, none of the items on the agenda were addressed.  Lovely.  This is going to be fun preparing these minutes.  I wasn't able to run and get my morning coffee before the meeting started because I was too busy trying to get the coffee machine to work.  Of course I also forgot my coffee cup in my office, and when the coffee was done, there weren't enough cups to go around, so I ended up sitting there taking notes, caffeine deprived.  I tried my best to stop yawning, but the cold gushes of air coming out to the over head venting system kept me away for the most part.  After the meeting was over (over 2 hours long), I had to break Bonnie at the reception desk because our receptionist called in sick AGAIN.  Funny how she always seems to call in sick on Friday mornings--2nd time in a row..hmmm...  After Bonnie finally came back, I literally was running out of the building in search of a good cup of coffee and a bagel smothered with cream cheese. 

I am finally at my desk, and my sinfully smothered cream cheese bagel has already been consumed.  Funny how everything tastes so much better when one is actually HUNGRY.  The coffee went down well too...  Now I have a set of notes in front of me that I have to construct in minutes form with no agenda to work from.  This is going to be loads of fun, but I'm not going to let it bring me down, because afterall--it's FRIDAY!!!!  

Tomorrow I have a hot date with my favorite man in the whole wide world (next to Jesus).  Anyone see that movie, Exorcism of Emily Rose?  Me and husband don't get to go out very often ALONE, and if it isn't worth watching...let me know :) 

What do I want to be when I grow up....

When I was a little girl, I remember wanting to be a nurse-more specifically, a baby nurse.  Being the youngest in my family, I always wished I had a younger brother or sister to play with.  I remember the day I actually told my first grade teacher that my mother was going to have a baby.  Of course, it was only wishful thinking on my part, which later caused a very embarassing moment at the TG&Y when my teacher approached my poor mother, congratulating her on her "new arrival". 

As I grew older, I discovered that instead of being a "baby nurse", I would much rather travel the world, and write and take pictures of my adventures--truly a profession for the wealthy and retired--(there is still hope for me...).  Well, I'm still a county employee, labeled "secretary", more specifically, Typist Clerk III.  I don't consider this a "career".  My real profession is raising my kids---I honestly can't think of a more rewarding, and sometimes under-rated profession.

Extra credit:  What did my mother want me to be?  Hmm...  More than anything, I think she wanted me to be a good mom and wife--the same that was hoped for her when she was a child----old world expectations, true.  I want more for my daughter of course, but I was raised to believe that if I married well, I would live happily ever after like Cinderella (my favorite Disney movie). 

The following is a song I learned in kindergarten---one of my favorites.  Honestly, I really don't feel I've grown up yet; I hope I never do. 

I WON'T GROW UP lyrics
PETER PAN:
Are you ready for today's lesson?

ALL:
Yes, Peter!

PETER PAN:
Listen to your teacher. Repeat after me:
I won't grow up,
(I won't grow up)
I don't want to go to school.
(I don't want to go to school)
Just to learn to be a parrot,
(Just to learn to be a parrot)
And recite a silly rule.
(And recite a silly rule)
If growing up means
It would be beneath my dignity to climb a tree,
I'll never grow up, never grow up, never grow up
Not me!
Not I,
Not me!
Not me!
I won't grow up,
(I won't grow up)
I don't want to wear a tie.
(I don't want to wear a tie)
And a serious expression
(And a serious expression)
In the middle of July.
(In the middle of July)
And if it means I must prepare
To shoulder burdens with a worried air,

I'll never grow up, never grow up, never grow up
Not me,
Not I,
Not me!
So there!
Never gonna be a man,
I won't!
Like to see somebody try
And make me.
Anyone who wants to try
And make me turn into a man,
Catch me if you can.
I won't grow up.
Not a penny will I pinch.
I will never grow a mustache,
Or a fraction of an inch.
'Cause growing up is awfuller
Than all the awful things that ever were.
I'll never grow up, never grow up, never grow up,
No sir,
Not I,
Not me,
So there!

I won't grow up!
(I won't grow up)
I will never even try
(I will never even try)
I will do what Peter tells me
(I will do what Peter tells me)
And I'll never ask him why
(And I'll never ask him why)

We won't grow up!
(We won't grow up)
We will never grow a day
(We will never grow a day)
And if someone tries to make it
(And if someone tries to make it)
We will simply run away
(We will simply run away)

I won't grow up!
(I won't grow up)
No, I promise that I won't
(No, I promise that I won't)
I will stay a boy forever
(I will stay a boy forever)
And be banished if I don't!
(And be banished if I don't)

And Never Land will always be
The home of beauty and joy
And neverty
I'll never grow up, never grow up, never grow up
Not me!
Not me!
Not me!
Not me!
No sir!

Not me!  (This picture is ACTUALLY me--I'm 5 here.)

Seven Times Seven

I ran across a few journals who had this posted...  Thought I would do the same....

7 Things I Plan To Do Before I Die

1.  Go to Europe---Lisbon, Paris, Rome....London...and of course the AZORES again as many times as possible!

2.  Write a book.

3.  Become a "Stay At Home Mom"

4.  Learn to garden and swim WELL.

5.  Take a cruise..or two..with my honey.

6.  Watch my children grow up into happy adults.

7.  Meet all my grandchildren.

(Gosh, I want to do more....7 just isn't enough!)

7 Things I Can Do

1.  Good mom/wife...daughter/sister--despite what you may have heard...

2.  Write (of course, that is a matter of opinion!)

3.  I'm a good Giggler!

4.  Type really fast--at least 70 wpm

5.  I possess an optimistic outlook in life

6.  Walk..I walk, and I like to walk a lot..

7.  I can make really good Sundaes

Seven Things I can't Do:

1.  Hide my true emotions

2.  Swim very well

3.  Watch Sporting events on T.V.

4.  Listen to Rap Music

5.  Watch sad movies without crying..

6.  Spending more than $20 bucks on a purse

7.  Roller Skate

7 Things That Attract Me To The Opposite Sex:

1.  Intelligence

2.  Sense of Humor

3.  Caring/Nourishing Personality

4.  Passion

5.  Integrity/Respect

6.  Soulful eyes

7.  Nice, soft hands..

7 Things I say Most Often:

1. Oh well...

2.  Lovely

3.  Stop hovering around me! 

4.   Stay away from strange people!

5.  Be careful!

6.  Okay?

7.  What do you want for dinner?

(Can you tell I have kids?) 

7 Celebrity Crushes:

1.  Elvis (yeah, I know he is dead..but hey)

2.  Patrick Swayze

3.  Johnny Depp

4.  Rob Thomas

5.  Orlando Bloom

6.  Mickey Mouse

7.  Robert Redford

7 People I Want to Do This?

Gee...  I dunno...any 7 people who have nothing better to do?  Are there 7 people out there that actually read this?! 

 

 

My favorite Shoes...remembered...

It's times like these that I wish I had a digital camera handy.  If I had one, I would take a picture of the shoes I'm wearing; they are my favorite shoes, and something dreadful has happened!  Part of the heel to these shoes fell off this morning!  It's a little hard to explain exactly what part of the heel fell off, and if I had a camera it would be soooo much easier to understand.  Well, you know the black part of the heel--the part that actually hits the pavement?  Well, I discovered that this black hard plastic sole of the shoe actually fits on top of my fabric covered plastic heel.  The heel is actually HOLLOW!  Okay, these are CHEAP shoes I bought them at Payless...but they hold so much sentimental value to me..oh the memories!  

  Let me explain...

You will never guess what year I bought these shoes.  Try, 1999.  Yes...1999---remember that Prince song, Party Like It's 1999?!  Well, I like that song alright, but I absolutely LOVE these shoes.  Unfortunately, looks like I'll have to throw them in the trash bin...but how can I?  These pair of shoes have seen so many happy and eventful days in my life, I am unsure if I can actually part with them. 

Obviously, I did not wear these shoes EVERYDAY.  If I did, they would have been thrown away years ago.  These shoes, are actually pumps with a strappy back and covered toe.  They are black, and the front is made of crochet looking material that cover my uneven corny toes.  I've had so many compliments throughout the years on these shoes, that I often amaze people when I tell them that I bought them for only $19.99 at Payless---YES, Payless.  Do you know that you can actually buy shoes ONLINE at Payless?!  Yessereee:  www.paylessshoes.com  Check it out sista!

Anyway, as I was saying...parting with these shoes is going to be hard.  These shoes have seen a lot during my "single after divorce years":  Good dates, bad dates, a trip to the Azores, Maui, Vegas--(oh I was bad there), many a long Portuguese festa; I wore them to concerts, weddings, funerals, dances, parades, bars...etc...  OH, and did I mention I met my husband while wearing these shoes?!--yep July 15, 2001--(happiest/luckiest days of my life)?!  If only these shoes could talk!  This is so sad.

 

Tell me...who is the "crazy" one?!

Hello--

I downloaded this picture and apparently forgot about it, so after discovering it earlier this week, I decided to share.  I think Tom Cruise is showing an odd side of himself as of lately (RUN KAITE, RUN!!), and I must do confess that I am still pretty disappointed in him when he got on Brooke Shield's case, as well as everyone else on this planet that take prescribed psychiatric medication.  When I found this photo, I couldn't stop laughing...he looks a little disturbed, almost EVIL....  I'd be afraid of him too Brooke! 

 

 

 

Down In Dixie

Weekend Assignment #76: Tell us something you love about or from the American South. From sweet tea to Lynyrd Skynyrd, William Faulkner to the French Quarter, whatever makes you heart long for southern skies belongs right here.

I've never been to Dixie, let alone the American South, so can't really make an educated comment---so I am adding pictures of what the South means to me--images that I automatically think of when I think of the SOUTH

Extra Credit:  Barbecue?  Gee, I dunno--but I hear that Texas really does it proper!

Lot of America's best music comes from the South.  There are too many artists in particular to mention...of course, my favorite Elvis is from there...  Here is one of my favorite songs that kind says it all:

 

Black Velvet  

Mississippi in the middle of a dry spell
Jimmy Rogers on the victrola up high
Mama's dancing with baby on her shoulder
The Sun is setting like molasses in the sky.
The boy could sing, knew how to move, everything.
Always wanting more, he'd leave you longing for.

CHORUS:

Black velvet and that little boy smile
Black velvet with that slow southern style
A new religion that'll bring you to your knees
Black velvet if you please.

Up in Memphis the music's like a heat wave
White lightning, bound to drive you wild.
Mama's baby's in the heart of every school girl
"Love me tender" leaves 'em cryin' in the aisle
The way he moved, it was a sin, so sweet and true.

Always wanting more, he'd leave you longing for.

CHORUS:

Black velvet and that little boy smile
Black velvet with that slow southern style
A new religion that'll bring you to your knees
Black velvet if you please.

Every word of every song that he sang was for you.
In a flash he was gone, it happened so soon,

What could you do?
CHORUS:

Black velvet and that little boy smile
Black velvet with that slow southern style
A new religion that'll bring you to your knees
Black velvet if you please.
Black velvet and that little boy smile
Black velvet with that slow southern style
A new religion that'll bring you to your knees
Black velvet if you please.

...If you please
If you please

 

Think Happy Thoughts

There seems to be no escape from all the negativity and sadness right now in the world.  Perhaps there really isn't or  shouldn't be an escape.  We can't turn a blind eye, and we need to be made aware of what is going on; still I'm looking for good news ... somewhere..anywhere...  Believe it or not, there are seemingly "happy" things occurring from all this mess--families reuniting..the love and concern pouring in to the victims; this is a positive thing. 

I'm an optimistic person.  I tend to see the positive before the negative; which can come across as a little foolish, and naive at times-but, that is just who I am.  I see the glass half full versus half empty.  I'm not saying that is necessarily the BEST way to see life, but during these times, it is important--RIGHT?

 I just said goodbye to my supervisor who I share an office with.  She is going to get her first treatment of  chemo for her breast cancer, and of course she is scared to death.

This is bringing up a lot of memories.  I remember clearly a few years ago, the day my father went in for his first treatment.  Of course I could only imagine the fears that were running through his mind, and I confess as I sat there, with my sister, and my mom  watching them place the IV in his arm, I was praying inside for him to be cured--crying inside, while at the same time, smiling at him with a reassuring smile, reciting Hail Marys to myself in silence.  I told my supervisor that it wasn't going to be that bad, and she would be okay.  I reassurred her that she wasn't going to be in some dark basement somewhere that smelled like moth balls and old people.  She is going to the same doctor as my father went to, and I was able to describe the little area that is set up, and the atmosphere, and she seemed a little more relieved.  I hope she had a little peace of mind anyway.  She has a 95% chance of recovery...thank God there is hope for her! 

There is always HOPE however. 

Barbara Bush was quoted saying that this disaster was going to benefit the people that were living below proverty level before the hurricane.  I have thought about this comment a lot during the past few days, and she is probably right at some level.  It just strikes me sad that it had to take a natural disaster for these people to be recognized.  The "forgotton" people of this nation are now on the news, everyday and their stories are being heard.  Emotionally however, how will this devastion that  many of these people have experienced  affect them later?  We've heard of many people, including public servants, actually becoming so overcome by grief that they are killing themselves and other people.  A home can be replaced, as well as all material things.  Dreams can still prevail with ones who still possess hope and dare to dream again.  It is true that lost loved ones can never be replaced from a heart, but there is always hope that they are in peace with their God.  

"Blessed are those who have not seen, yet still believe!" 

We must not lose hope, and we must continue to dream, inspire, love, and believe!