Home Is Where Your Peeps Are, Simple As That!

Stream of Consciousness Sunday- Five minutes so lets go! And don't touch a thing.

Today’s (Optional) Writing Prompt: What is going home like for you? Do you still live in your same hometown? What kind of memories do you have associated with the place you grew up?

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I feel very differently about what “home” is now. More so than an other time in my life before.

I grew up about 5 miles from where we are now and we’ve lived in our village here for 20 years. That’s a really long time! I still go to the same mall, run errands at some of the same places, eat at some of the same restaurants, etc. (it's not as boring as it sounds, really!) It feels cozy to me.

Maybe I’ve gravitated to places that have the same cozy vibe. 

I grew up in a western suburb of Chicago that was set up into blocks and the streets were beautifully tree lined with the top branches arching overhead creating a cool shade for us all summer long as we played in the street. Everyone played outside from the moment the moms opened the screen doors until the bells started ringing for dinner.  when it got dark, the night games started kick the can, ditch and capture the flag. It was a pretty sweet way to grow up. Thinking about that feels like “home” to me.

Where we live now is very much the same, aesthetically for sure. Tree lined streets set up in blocks all feeding to the big park three doors from our house. Kids everywhere biking, playing hoops and messing around. Schools all within walking distance. It’s a cozy little existence tucked into one square mile, anchored by a tiny little town right on the train line to the city. We often call it Mayberry. It was a pretty sweet way to grow up for my kids. It feels like "home" to them.

Now for our dilemma...

Do you stay in the family house forever? The cozy “home” your kids have really only known. Or do you downsize and move towns to save money on the taxes that made this sweet community our home for 20 years?

We decided during date night last night….”Home” is wherever the four of us are. Simple as that.

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P.S. "Home" also includes two large Labs and the newest addition with whom I am currently obsessed. She's Henrietta and so fun to watch!

All Things Fadra

Bummed Out Meets "Not My Dog"!

Remember all the procrastinating I’ve been doing this week. Well, this is one of the things I planned to do for five days but, of course, I put off until today…Friday.

I love flowers and always plant A TON!

So, pictured here are 14 flats of flowers I purchased yesterday and planted today. These go in the ground. Next weekend I will do all my pots.

I planted rather leisurely, not pressed for time and taking a diet coke break here and there. The weather was gorgeous, filled with sunshine and a light breeze. It was the perfect day to get these babies in the ground.

After a full day of planting and yard work (so as to have appeared productive over the course of one week here and who could doubt it with beautiful flowers all over the yard?), it was time to hit the shower. I was filthy!

This is what I returned to not 30 minutes later.

Not my dog (AND not the only spot dug up)!

 I have two large chocolate Labs. They’re not diggers.

Pet Peeve Rant: Only Wasting Five Minutes On This!

I don’t consider myself to be one who is easily annoyed. But I do get that way when I experience one of three things.

My pet peeves.

Sure I have little ones that I can usually just flick off without much trouble but it’s these three that get under my skin big time and cause me to pause or scream. I hate it.

Today, I’m experiencing one that is causing me to pause, be uncomfortable, slightly nervous and a little bit anxious.

Have you ever sensed that a friend is mad at you or upset with something and you have absolutely no idea why? Your attempts to communicate, reach out to them, are met with silence.

It’s happening to me this week. One of my girlfriends that I haven’t spoken with in a while is completely ignoring me. With most of my friends, I wouldn’t give this one second of thought knowing everyone is busy with their own “stuff” and their lack of communication is not in the least bit personal.

So here is where I tell you one of my BIGGEST pet peeves that irks the heck out of me, passive/aggressive people. I cannot read your mind. I don’t know why you would be upset with me because I haven’t really spoken to you in a while.

Or is that it? I haven’t given you much attention over the last few months. If you needed something, my time or attention, would you please just tell me so? Don’t ignore me. Don’t refuse to respond. I find that, in and of itself, rude and unfriendly-like behavior.

I got your point, I think. You’re bent out of shape with me for some reason.  I can read into it enough to assume this is the case. That is exactly what I don’t like doing. I don’t like to assume one single thing. I want to know.

Do I call you again tomorrow and make you tell me what the problem is or do I let it ride until I see you over Memorial Day weekend?

God, I hate thinking about this kind of stuff. Total waste of time I could be wasting doing something I really like to do. Instead, I’m bitching about it on my blog!

Some people just have to get over themselves.

Rant over. Damn that took me 10 minutes! 10 minutes I can’t get back now!!!

My Favorite Teacher, A Book And What I Knew About Her

“Time is a gift, given to you, given to give you the time you need, the time you need to have the time of your life.” Norton Juster, The Phantom Tollbooth

My favorite teacher was the one I had for fourth grade. Her name was Mrs. Workman. I actually remember the names of all my teachers from grade school.

Mrs. Workman was newly married, I remember. She was so pretty with thick blonde hair and bouncy curls. She had a bubbly personality to match the bounce in her hair and step. She was funny and smiley.

What I loved most about Mrs. Workman was that she had freckles too. Just like me. I had bunches and bunches. So many, that I got picked on by boys in my class for them. I hated “freckle face” comments so much that I asked my mom to buy me lemons to rub on my cheeks in hopes that they would fade. I was a very sensitive sort even way back when but I refused to cry (not to mention I was already getting tall and boys were so short). I got enough razzing from my brother at home. She told me she loved my freckles. So, I loved her back!

I was riveted by the way Mrs. Workman read to the class, her voice. I adored reading too and she was the first to recommend one of my favorite books, The Phantom Tollboth. I read it immediately. (Both my kids loved this book as well)

Even back then, I would read non-stop and stay up later than my parents knew just to finish a book. Then I could tell Mrs. Workman the next day. She always said she was proud of the way I loved reading and talking about books.

I clearly remember the last day of school. I was devastated to be leaving her classroom. What would make it harder is she told us she was moving away with her husband. I definitely wouldn’t be seeing her again. Not even in the hallway. She said she would write me.

But something also happened that last day of school…this totally grossed me out and I don’t know why even to this day. She raised her arms for something and I noticed they were hairy and not just a little bit. I was so put off and shocked because she was so pretty and this was very much unexpected in my 9-year-old eyes.

Mrs. Workman did write me over the summer. Twice. And I wrote her back but I couldn’t help thinking about whether she shaved her underarms or not.

“So many things are possible just as long as you don't know they're impossible.”  Norton Juster, again!

 http://www.mamakatslosinit.com/

1.)  Share a story from fourth grade. (inspired by Wild Life in the Woods).

What's Your Sign? Do You Believe?

In keeping with my recent (always), extreme and over indulged random mindset and my “P” word tendencies mentioned yesterday, I ran into my horoscope for the day while catching up with the newspaper last night.

I don’t usually read it ahead of the day so as not to get into a “self fulfilling prophecy” sort of thing and not that I believe I would or anything. When read after the fact, I find it interesting to go back and review the day and see if the astrologer was even remotely correct in predicting what I would do and how it would all go.

And, what do I do next? I get sucked in, of course. So then I want to know…

What’s my tomorrow going to look like or the week ahead? How about the next few months, what about the year, what’s going to happen before 2013 arrives?

As a result, I started reading about my sign in general. I’d say I know a little bit more than a “bit” about it to begin with. I have a friend that’s really into it and has lent me some books for educational purposes only…not that I truly believe in all this stuff…just sometimes. This is some of the stuff I found out about my “Air” sign.

“The greatest balancing act is between self and others, and it is here that many Libras focus their energy. Here, in the realm of interpersonal relationships, you are a champion. Libra knows how to be the charming host or hostess. Libra can sense what others want before they ask for it. And you can make the needs of others a higher priority than your own. In fact, Libra is the shuttle diplomats of the zodiac, going back and forth between the extremes until a solution is negotiated.”

Your Biggest Strength: Your grace and charm when helping others. (I try.)

Your Potential Weakness: Forgetting to take care of your own needs. (Am I a sucker?)

Totally me!!! I don’t care for conflict between me and anyone, or anyone and anyone else. Think of me as Henry Kissinger.

Friendship compatibilities*:

It isn't hard to find company that appreciates your ability to listen with an open mind, but when you want a genuinely rational conversation, you'll gravitate toward your Gemini and Aquarius friends (coincidentally, my closest friends are only these two signs). Scorpio offers you a unique perspective, including the possibility of asserting your will without provoking those messy, direct confrontations (Sleeping buddy and darling daughter). Leo's dramatic flair often inspires your own penchant for the performing arts. But it's Aries that's your best bet for BFF (Don’t have any I don’t think. Do I need to get me one?). The challenge of taming this wild beast and bringing seemingly limitless energy into balance brings out your fun side (Interesting!). Cancer's (My young and challenging dude. Not aware that I have any other friendly Cancers in my midst) and Capricorn's "can-do" attitude offers nice possibilities for self-improvement and widening your horizons. One really big plus: these fast-acting types can help you make quicker decisions.

"Love the 'not the one you wanna mess with.'" Would love to be all these things!

Libra and Love*: Libra is the Sign of Partnership, and Libra is happiest when in a well-balanced and intimate relationship, Libra abhors conflict and will do anything possible to avoid it, including backing down and seeking a truce. (Who wouldn’t? I hate conflict and fighting. Love great relationships!)

Libra/Scorpio Compatibility*: What's the best aspect of the Libra-Scorpio relationship? The power they find in unity. They can accomplish a lot, whether they come together for a cause in the business or romantic sphere. They are both winners and they won't give up, making theirs a relationship that takes care of business. (Oh! Thank God and everyone else that a Libra chose a Scorpio and he chose her back!)

* Information above provided by Astrology.com, Yahoo.com and The Huffington Post. Of course, I did a generous amount of research compiling the information for this post ;-)

Who truly believes in signs and their significance? Also, what do you think about card readings like Tarot cards? Just curious and still putting things off.

Do They Give Degrees In Procrastination?

“Time you enjoy wasting, was not wasted.”

John Lennon

I couldn’t agree more with what John had to say in this regard! I love it. I enjoy doing it alone. I most certainly love having company when doing it. To me, wasting time feels decedent; like a really fine piece of rich dark chocolate.

I’m doing it at this very minute, obviously!

The term most people would use to describe this phenomenon is:

Procrastination* (definition courtesy of Wikipedia) In accordance with Freud, humans do not prefer negative emotions and handing off a stressful task until a further date is enjoyable. The concept that humans work best under pressure provides additional enjoyment and motivation to postponing a task.[1]

If they gave out degrees (and I don’t know who “they” would be), I would certainly test out as a highly qualified candidate for a Ph.D. I am that good at it; it could scare me if I let it.

I don’t have one lazy bone in my body but I can always find something more appealing and pleasurable to do than whatever I must. I am that easily lead astray. Plus when crunch time comes, I’m all over it. The heat under my rear end at such times produces the most incredible multitasking functions and production. Is pressure under fire addicting and is it weird if it's enjoyed?

For instance, today I have a million and one things to do before people descend here for the weekend; things I should have on a To-Do list; things that should have been done over the last few days (like assemble two big things purchased yesterday from Bed, Bath and Beyond that I thought were of the open and pop up variety. Bummer. No plans to do it). Wait...I wasn't supposed to be here anyway! Therefore:

It’s hump day. You know what that means? I still have two more days until I’m really in trouble (I’m kidding. I don’t get in trouble). And I won't be stressin' about it either!

Instead, I find myself reading, writing (Hey! Today I wrote two handwritten letters to friends who enjoy them that way. That counts in the “good things” column!), talking, texting, anything and everything, etc.

(Don't know what this say about me)

Being completely truthful, I’m procrastinating even as I write this post due to my very best talent for which I might even be better. I’m voracious when it comes to it! Daydreaming.

Daydreaming (definition courtesy of Wikipedia) is a short-term detachment from one's immediate surroundings, during which a person's contact with reality is blurred and partially substituted by a visionary fantasy, especially one of happy, pleasant thoughts, hopes or ambitions, imagined as coming to pass, and experienced while awake.[1]

Maybe procrastinating and daydreaming go hand-in-hand. I can't be the only one out there who's like this, can I? Like-mined people UNITE! I’m going for a bike ride.

*I picked the definition I liked best, so what?

In Chicago: It's All The Buzz

All the buzz lately, in “The Windy City”, has surrounded this weekend’s NATO Summit. The people who live and work in Chicago have been talking, for quite some time, about its impact on the city and the trouble people foresee it causing. Mostly, the concern rises from closures and cancellings.

Today’s Chicago Tribune has an Entertaining Article, to me, that pokes some fun at the whole thing. [Note: I do not care for large portions under the subtitle Handling Hippies (hey I was one once ;-)…just putting that out there]. Hugely tongue in cheek, totally sassy, funny yet informative. Check out the “getting around town” part and the NATO PRIMER on the right side. Also, there’s a video about the arrests of a peaceful Catholic Workers’ protest at the Obama Headquarters that was also written about by a blog buddy of mine, Ed Pilolla.

This was right up my alley being not terribly political.  That’s not to say I don’t have strong opinions on most subjects. I just won’t discuss certain subject matter with people who don’t have the ability to “agree to disagree”. I’ve seen this kind of thing get hot especially between two of my close friends. Being a natural mediator (a Libra thing?), I tend to step in between and say “Come on you two. Enough.” Does the trick…usually. Does that mean I shouldn’t have an impromptu dinner party saaaaay ….Saturday, November 3^rd? Might not be wise but would probably be entertaining to sit back and watch with glass of wine in hand.

Here’s what is really interesting to me. The “Cross Town Classic” between archrivals, “The Good Guys” (Cubbies) and the Southside White Sox, was planned for this weekend. What a cluster F%#K this has the potential to be. The kicker is that it’s at Wrigley Field, which due to the road closures and traffic congestion, will be a nightmare to even get to the north side. I guess there’s always the “El” but if you’re coming from the suburbs you’re pretty much screwed (That’s when bikes came in handy when we lived in the city).

 My niece has her prom at the Field Museum (not closed) on Saturday but all the other museums are (at least the Science and Industry, Shed and Planetarium...Art Institute?) for all four days. Airspace will be closed and I’m guessing the lakefront for boating as well. Weird!

Thank goodness Congress Parkway is open and makes a huge difference navigating the city from the West. I’ve been stuck there several times, over the last few years, picking up my personal financial wizard in that brown building up ahead. Why do they make them work on a floor with no windows? Why don't they want those people to see the light of day anyway?

 As a matter of fact, many companies are encouraging their employees to work from home on Friday and Monday. My “at home broker” thinks the whole thing is an overreaction and will be heading down anyway. I think he’s just curious and wants to see the action. The worse thing (not bad) is that he won’t be able to physically get out of Union Station to walk to work due to protestors. I suppose he turns back around and takes the next train home.

Anyone else in Chicago think this is going to be as big a deal as it’s being made out to be?