How I'm Spending My Day...
My stress levels are high and my insomnia is in overdrive so I really need a nice, carefree weekend. There are some challenges to my desire for my carefree weekend because southern California is currently being pummeled by storms. Normally I would look out of my bedroom window and watch the rain fall, and enjoy the mountain view. Today when I look out my window and into my backyard all I see is the damage the storm caused to our backyard fence. Approximately 20 feet of wooded fence is now in my neighbor's yard. Awesome!
What I would have really liked to do is go for a nice long hike. Unfortunately the weather is just too yucky. So my back up plan has been created. It involves Netflix, Just Dance, cards, Monopoly, and as many naps as possible.
My girls and I are going to binge watch " Lemony Snicket's: A Series of Unfortunate Events", which is new on Netflix. We are already two episodes in and enjoying it so far. My oldest and I will play gin rummy throughout the weekend, while my younger daughter and husband play Uno. We will all play Just Dance, which is actually a really good way to burn some calories. Just when every one is getting along great we will play Monopoly, and the "happy happy joy joy" will end. Everyone is super competitive, especially me. I show no mercy, not even to an eight year old.
So that's my plan to try to destress, and get through a wet and rainy weekend stuck indoors. I will likely blog again this weekend as I am sure something else will go awry. Hopefully nothing involving a tree falling, illness, or me losing in Monopoly. TTFN
10 Classic Movies Worth Watching Again And Again
I love watching old movies. No particular genre, but I am a Hitchcock fan, and think there is just something about watching movies in black and white. Every time I watch an old, classic movie I am fascinated.
I am fascinated by the fact that while technology, and fashion, and the way we live have all changed to a large degree, but human nature has stayed the same.
If you look at the list of movies below, you will find the subjects to still be quite relevant. People are still plotting to kill for money, still cheating, still lusting, still jealous of others, and still psycho. Let us briefly discuss each movie below. If you have not seen them, I highly recommend each one.
My Favorite Classic Movies
Psycho - This movie is just a great thriller and brings to question nature versus nurture. Poor Norman Bates and his victims.
Rear Window - This movie is the classic nosy neighbor. People-watching can be fun, and if you watch long enough, you are bound to see something you were not meant to.
An Imitation of Life - I cry every time I watch this movie. It's a story of mothers and daughters. Also a story of a mulatto girl who could pass as white and wouldn't accept that she was black.
What Ever Happened to Baby Jane - Such a crazy, juicy movie. Bette Davis and Joan Crawford bring it. Apparently, jealousy and envy can drive you insane.
The Sound of Music - I love that spunky Maria finds herself and gets her man. Based on a true story, it's very romantic and sweet, and I love to sing along. Unfortunately, the damn Nazis were growing in power at the same time.
Double Indemnity - Ah for the love of money and a good insurance policy. A scheming woman and dumb man.
East of Eden - James Dean has a lot of family problems in this classic and falls in love with a girl he should not.
A Place in the Sun - Beautiful Montgomery Clift has a case of bad timing and bad judgement. How does one untangle themselves from one relationship to be with the girl of their dreams?
Dial M for Murder - Affairs, blackmail, a murder plot, and a large inheritance. What can go wrong? Everything...
The Wizard of Oz - I think most people have seen Dorothy's trip to Oz. It's always fun to watch and hard to believe it premiered in 1939.
These are some of my favorite movies. They are good movies, but also timeless. We, as humans are always changing, and evolving, but somehow we are the same as we were 1000 years ago. Still plotting, and coveting, and falling in and out of love and lust.
What are your favorite classic movies? Do any of these make your list? Please share your favorites!
Are You Living Your Dream? I'm Trying To...
We all have dreams when we are young and continue to dream as we go through life. Our dreams evolve as we mature and some aspirations just seem unachievable. Some little boys dream of becoming astronauts or professional athlete, while some little girls dream of becoming ballerinas or singers. All dreams are special and hopes for the future. Unfortunately at some point reality creeps in. Some dreams are very difficult to achieve, and when one does achieve them they do no necessarily pay the bills.
I was always a dancer, a pretty good dancer to be honest, but it wasn't my passion. That statement might surprise many who grew up with me and saw me a fierce dance competitor. I enjoyed dancing but books and art were my passion. If I were living my dream today, I would either be a curator at a lovely gallery or museum, preferably in Europe. Or I would make my living as a writer. My family is full of artists, a talent I do not have, but I love beautiful paintings. Monet and the Impressionism style is my favorite. I could stare at beautiful art work all day.
As far as writing goes, I write daily. Whether or not writing alone will someday pay my bills I care not. I have no regrets. I have done a lot in my life, achieved a lot, but like many of you I still have dreams. Those dreams evolve as I grow and change as a person. I will never stop writing. I enjoy it and know that as long as I am writing, I am one step closer to making my dream a reality.
Are you living your dream? Have you given up or taken a break? Now is the time...time won't wait for you.
Need A Laugh? Here Are Some Really Silly Jokes To Lighten Your Spirits
My heart is very heavy today. Today was a dark day and I know I need to add some light. Sometimes if you don't laugh, you cry. I decided to comb the Internet for silly, and dumb in some cases, jokes. I hope you find your heart lighter after reading the silliness below.
Why can't you trust an atom? Because they literally make up everything
Why don't teddy bears ever order dessert? Because they're always stuffed
Why does Humpty Dumpty love autumn? Because he had a great fall
What do computers snack on? Microchips
Two men broke broke into a drug store and stole Viagra. The police were on the lookout for two hardened criminals
Did you hear about the two antennas that got married? The ceremony was nice...but the reception was amazing
Why couldn't Dracula's wife get to sleep? Because of his coffin
What kind of guns do bees use? BeeBee guns
What kind of music do mummies listen to? Wrap music
What do you call a nosey pepper? Jalapeno business
Why did the rapper carry an umbrella? Fo' drizzle
What did the worker at the rubber band factory say when he lost his job? Oh snap
Who does a pharaoh talk to when he's sad? His mummy
Why shouldn't you write with a broken pencil? Because there's no point
What do you call a guy who never farts in public? A private tutor
How did Darth Vader know what Luke got him for Christmas? He felt his presents
What kind of horses go out after dark? Nightmares
What did the ghost say to the bee? Boo-Bee
Why did the cookie go to the hospital? Because he felt crummy
Have you heard the one about the Corduroy pillow? It's making headlines
So there you have it. My best shot at making you smile today. I hope your heart feels a little lighter. It will get better.
Liars...Can You Ever Trust Them?
I am most certainly not perfect. I tell the occasional "white lie", or omit the truth to avoid hurting someone's feelings. I do try to be a truthful, honest person at all times, so that's why it is really bugging me that I have someone in my life that does not exactly share this philosophy.
I really like this person, and genuinely enjoy spending time with them until a lie joins us. For this particular person I think their lies are about wanting me to see them a certain way. It is sad because I think they're great until they lie, and then not so much.
I cannot tell if they are trying to delude me, or themselves about their relationship, and other aspects of their life. But at what point do you turn away because you worry that all is false?
You might ask why am I so sure they are lying. Well for starters I have a pretty good memory and remember lots of little details. So basically some of their stories are inconsistent. Also their body language and my gut instinct.
If something sounds like an exaggeration or a lie, it probably is. I find it insulting that they think I will believe the lies, but worse that the feel they need to lie to me.
I did some research on lying and my pal seems to meet the criteria for compulsive liar. It does not make them a bad person but it means they have some issues they need to deal with, at the least, figure out the root cause of all the lying. Here are some reasons people lie:
Protection
To Look Good
Personal Gain - Financial or Social
Avoid Punishment
I think reasons one and two apply to my friend. They lie to protect themselves from judgement of others. They want to be respected and for people to think highly of them and their life, so much so that they over-exaggerate and lie to achieve this goal.
They also want to look good, but don't realize they don't need to lie to accomplish this because they are good at what they do.
So what do I do? Do I call them out when I think they are lying to me? Maybe, but would a liar admit to lying? Do I drop this person from my life even though I believe the lying stems from insecurities, sadness, and disappointment at some aspects of their life.
I truly believe my friend is a good person and good enough, in fact, wonderful in so many ways. If only they believed it too.
What are your thoughts on lying and liars? Do you think you can ever trust someone who you know lies to sometimes? I know my answer. Please share your thought and experience on dealing with liars!
Being A Lefty...I'm Talking Handedness
I usually write with my left hand, therefore I am, for the most part considered to be left handed. I actually prefer to do just about everything else with my right hand though. I also can write with my right hand, and with both hands at the same time. So perhaps maybe I am cross-dominance or mixed-handedness with left hand dominant. Slap whatever label you want on it, people still find it interesting when they realize I am writing left handed. Why the fascination you ask? Well let us delve a little deeper into the odd interest society has had with what hand one uses for tasks.
For starters, only about 10 percent of people are naturally left handed, mostly men. Only about 1 percent are cross-dominant. For many years there was a stigma and repression of left handedness. My mother told me stories of growing up seeing children who were naturally left handed being forced to write with their right hand in school. In society many tools and machinery have been designed with right handedness in mind. Historically speaking, left handers have been considered unlucky, awkward, sinister, and malicious. The list actually goes on and on. I mean being right handed is "right".
Now don't go feeling sorry for left-handers. Lefties tend to be higher achievers due to the way a left-handers brain is structured. The brain increases its range of abilities to allow for left hand function. Some of the world most famous and brilliant minds are lefties. Taking a look at the list below, I am proud to be part of the left-handed club
15 Famous Lefties -
- Albert Einstein
- Buzz Aldrin
- Bill Gates
- Barack Obama
- Ludwig van Beethoven
- Wolgang Mozart
- Mark Zuckerberg
- Oprah Winfrey
- Neil Armstrong
- Michelangelo
- Marie Curie
- Leonardo Da Vinci
- Winston Churchill
- H.G. Wells
- John F. Kennedy
Fun Fact - International Left-Handers Day is every August 13th.
My Favorite Places ... Let The Travels Begin!
I became a worldwide traveler at a young age thanks to my time in the military. Since leaving the military I have continued to travel on my own. I have a love for traveling and my hope is to be able to retire within the next 10 years from the conventional work force. Once I retire, I plan to move abroad for a few years and be home-based in Marseille, France. I will write novels, do freelance writing, and travel Europe and Africa. Travel writer perhaps? Not sure the world needs another travel writer.
The below cities are my top 5 places that I have visited and plan on visiting again. I am going to share a little about each of these wonderful places with the hopes of encouraging you to get your travel on as well.
Bali, Indonesia - Bali is an Indonesian island located just 8 degrees south of the equator. It is breathtakingly beautiful and a popular destination for honeymoons and those looking for great resorts. The weather is pretty warm all year long, pretty hot on some days. During the day you can hike a volcano, surf, do a jungle excursion, or visit ancient temples or palaces. I spent a lot of time relaxing on the beach during the day. The nightlife is nice with great dining, dance clubs, bars, and moonlit walks. I also spent a lot of nights dancing it up.
Corfu, Greece - Corfu is a Greek island in the Ionian Sea. I fell in love with Greece, Corfu in particular, although I never developed a taste for Ouzo, which seemed to be everywhere. I became a greek food fan (yummy lamb gyros on the street) and enjoyed the shopping experience. I bought lots of lavender scented goods. I found Corfu to be both stunning with amazing views from all points of the island and wondrous with all of the Greek mythology. The Mediterranean weather is wonderful and warm and the setting is romantic. Definitely worth a return visit.
Mallorca, Spain - Mallorca is a Spanish island and all I can say is "PARTY". Actually I did all of my fun-having in Palma, which is a city on the island. I nearly had enough fun to last a lifetime in Mallorca. It is beautiful, and fun, and made me feel a little wild. I spent my days sipping daiquiris on the beach, swimming, and parasailing. I spent my nights dancing up a storm and flirting with an endless parade of really cute guys. Ahh to be young. My return will be somewhat tamer...somewhat.
Marseille, France - I love, love, love Marseille, which is why I will be moving there. Marseille is a port city in the south of France. It is France's second largest city behind Paris. I like Paris as well but Marseille is slightly slower and gives me better access for all of the European travel I plan on doing. Plus the cost of living in Marseille is very reasonable. Marseille is a lovely city by the sea with wonderful Mediterranean climate. It is also a very culturally diverse city and many people speak English. I used to be fluent in French but not so much anymore. Before moving there I plan on regaining my fluency as well as learning passable German. I picture my future self seated at an outside cafe reading a book and sipping a cafe au lait.
Napa Valley, California - Yes I am aware that Napa is neither foreign nor exotic like the others on the list, but that does not make me love it any less. I love great wine and great food and Napa has both. Plus I am a California girl and it's a relatively short trip to get away to a nice B&B in Napa. There's some really good French restaurants located in Napa, some very pricey ones too. For me, Napa Valley is romantic and relaxing. If one doesn't feel romantic and relaxed in this locale, you are doing something wrong or you are with the wrong person.
This is my past and my future travels. Life is too short, and although we all have the what ifs, and the shoulda coulda lists, I am doing my best to keep my list short. Live your life with few regrets and missed opportunities. You are not getting any younger and time will not wait for you.
Side Note: Ouzo is a distilled alcohol beverage that tastes like black licorice. Yuck!
Christmas Eve Traditions
I am a bit of a traditionalist when it comes to certain holidays. Christmas in particular has several traditions for me and my family. Christmas Eve is about spending time with family and a time when I am at my cheesiest and my loved ones are truly spoiled by me.
The events start once the sun goes down. I cook dinner, usually Mexican food. Enchiladas are on the menu this year. We always sit down as a family at dinner time but for this meal festive holiday music plays throughout the house. I have to admit that Mariah Carey's "All I Want For Christmas" is my favorite Christmas song, but I gleefully sing along to all the classics as well.
While sitting down for dinner we turn on the "Santa Tracker", which is a fun interactive app on the television that shows you where Santa currently is at based on time zones. My youngest daughter loves it. After dinner we make hot chocolate and coffee and head out for the drive around to look at neighbor's Christmas lights. Driving around looking at lights is one of my favorite things to do.
After returning home from looking at lights, it's time to open the stocking stuffers. Everyone has beautiful customized stockings hanging over the fireplace. I ordered them a few years ago from Pottery Barn and they came with free embroidering. Just in case you are interested. I try to keep stocking stuffers simple with maybe just a new phone case or gift card.
Lastly I send the kids upstairs to their rooms to anticipate Santa's "arrival". Although I am pretty sure the kids really don't believe in Santa anymore it's still fun to pretend anyway. The hubby and I will do a quick clean up and I prep for the following day's Christmas brunch. I usually do a big spread since this is the only meal until Christmas dinner.
So now you know how I will be spending my Christmas Eve. How are you spending your Christmas Eve? I hope your Christmas Eve and Christmas day are special and oh so wonderful.
Winter Solstice
Tonight is the eve of Winter Solstice. Not sure exactly what winter solstice is or why you should care? Well let me tell you a little about it and you decide if it is worth a thought. First thing to know is that winter solstice officially begins on Wednesday December 21, 2016 at 2:44 am PST. Winter solstice is also referred to as Midwinter, Yule, and The Longest Night to name a few.
Tomorrow will mark the longest day of night and the shortest day of the year. Why does a winter solstice even happen you ask? Well without getting too sciencey (not a word), and I am no scientist, it basically comes down to the tilt of Earth's axial and the rotation it creates. Simple enough, right?
The word solstice comes from Latin meaning sun stand still. I always get excited about this day every year because it marks the slow transition back to longer days. Winter solstice also marks the first day of winter, which I would not be too excited about if I were anywhere other than Southern California.
Winter solstice carries significance in many cultures. Tomorrow will be a day of celebration with festivals, food, and family. For example Pagan Germans were influenced by winter solstice and celebrated with Yule. We can thank Yule for the modern Christmas tree tradition.
So there you have it. A few tidbits about winter solstice. It is a day of big celebrations for some and a small, internal cheer for me. Not sure what this winter has in store for me but I will be looking forward to spring and all of my lovely annuals blooming.
Fun Fact - It is believed that Stonehenge was built to celebrate Winter solstice, but that is just a theory and the truth will likely remain a mystery.
Rainy Days...The Best Way To Enjoy Them
Today was a lovely rainy day. Something about rain is calming and peaceful for me. I love the way the air smells and how pretty and vibrant my garden becomes from the extra moisture. The sound of the rain hitting my roof and the windows complete the mood.
The sound of rain woke me up in the middle of the last night. I am a notorious light sleeper and insomniac, but I did not mind this interruption. The sound made me smile and I was able to fall back to sleep with relative ease.
I live in Southern California so rainy days are few and far between. Although I love rain, I definitely prefer to be inside on wet days. I was fortunate today in that I worked from home and was able to avoid the treacherous roads and horrible traffic. I was a lucky girl today.
I spent most of the day sitting criss cross apple sauce on my bed, with large pillows propped behind me, laptop in my lap, and tea in hand. I raised the blinds on the over sized picture frame window, and watch the rain fall on the mountains a short distance away. It was a beautiful day with no sunshine in sight.
The rain continues as the night sets in. It is definitely a night for us to stay in as a family. A nice fire in the family room, hot chocolate, and a family friendly movie. I truly love a rainy day.
Pluviophile - (n) a lover of rain; someone who finds joy and peace of mind during rainy days