new vs. nostalgia

I'm sorry, I know I should be running out to the local big box to buy new LED lights for my Christmas decorating, but somehow I can't bring myself to be bullied into going green. I LIKE the glow of the old fashioned, energy sucking bulbs. These newfangled things just have such a cold light to them. Now, before you chastise me for not doing my part for the planet, let me remind you that I recycle, consolidate all my shopping trips into one, turn off lights and the tv when I leave the room, don't let water run unnecessarily, use green bags at the grocery store, keep the thermostat at 67 in the winter and use fans instead of air conditioning in the summer. There's more, but you get the idea. What do I drive? I have no guilty feelings about driving a Jeep. I need 4 wheel drive, love Chrystler products, and maintain it so fuel is not wasted (e.g. proper tire inflation, tune-ups, I don't speed).
Back to the Christmas Lights- so until LEDs have that warm, cheery glow, I'll stick with my multi-colored C7's for my tree and twinkling mini-bulbs on my porch. It's only for a month anyway.
Happy Chanukah!!!!

Red, White and Blue

Today is Veterans Day. If you don't know a vet, find someone who is and thank them.

41 and holding

So tomorrow is my birthday-yay. Forty two, and still not half as smart as I want to be. I watch the news, read the blogs, discuss with my co workers the everyday line of life but still scratch my head when someone mentions political infighting or drops the names of obscure world leaders like they just had tea with them yesterday. Am I dumb? Will I never raise above this "lot" in life and truly understand government and politics? Does anyone else stare at the monitor, shrug their shoulders and turn away to tortillas and cheese whiz, just because it's easier? After watching the world news at 6:30 at night, you would think I would be more informed, but actually feel more confused. Dumber. It's like Geometry class; once you get to that point where you don't understand, you are fucked. Everything learned after that point becomes a jumbled mess of parallel and perpendicular lines (or a not very-well-planned Cartesian plane-ha! at least I know what that is! I definitely liked math more that Social Studies).

Guess I'll just turn off the boob tube, turn up the Rush (the band, NOT radio's Jabba the Hut) and drink some fine brews. No sense keeping brain cells if their not working.

It's been awhile....

Really, if I'm going to have a damn blog, I'd better blog! My husband and I are heading to S. Carolina two weeks from today to see our son graduate from basic training. It's been a loooooong haul and a lonely one too, since he is our one and only, but the house stays cleaner, the wash pile is not so high, and the grocery bill nowhere near as expensive. There are positives, and I am getting better at focusing on them, but I still miss my buddy.
I'm also getting a digital camera, thanks to the guidance of my niece Shelby, so now I can (finally!) post some pictures. Don't expect anything too fancy, my style is utilitarian at best. My attempts to be creative usually end up looking WAY too pretentious, or you can tell I'm trying too hard to be different.
Tomorrow my bro ( pater a Shelby) will be up tomorrow and we are headed for the Old Forge Brewing Company in Danville for a scrumptious bite to eat over my lunch hour. No beer for me though, I'm back to work after having the last month off. And I must say, it feels good to be back. Nothing like a job you love.

I love you Nathan

I recently purchased KOL's "Only By The Night " CD (I don't do downloads, does that make me a luddite?) and now have a brand new obsession; mainly Nathan Followill, the sloe-eyed beater of skins. Now, he is definitely not my type as I do not care for younger men thinner than myself, but THOSE EYES!!! Woooohooooo-they make me weak in the knees! But, I also have fallen in love with their music and will now have to school myself in all things Leon. My husband will tolerate this, maybe even welcome it as he is probably about ready to use my QOTSA and Tori Amos CDs as mini-frisbees. And he will try not to roll his eyes when I have played their songs for the 5th time in one day. And he will listen patiently as I explain where Caleb got the inspiration to write "Cold Desert" and pretend he cares. Because he loves me and all my many, many weird mannerisms.

Almost quitting time! And it's Friday! And it's Memorial Day weekend!
Please take a second to think of those who have given all for our country sometime over the next 3 days. It's not all about hot dogs and beer, you know.

Stress-it's a given.

Between an ill mother, high job stress (this is always the worst time of the year), no weekends free for another month and a half, and an eighteen year old son who leaves for Army basic training on June 9th (not to mention the economy and the dreaded swine flu), it's enough to make a grown woman want to put some strong stuff in her morning coffee. But, on the other hand, I have alot to be thankful for-I just can't think of anything right now. My brain is in that constant state of GOGOGO but never in one direction. It veers off quite randomly and I find myself sitting at my desk, staring right through important papers and not seeing them at all. Not a good thing. But, soon it will all be over, and I will be as bored as hell. My son leaving is hitting me the most, but I haven't admitted it to anyone, except my husband. I mean, I'm not a blithering idiot about it,we've accepted his choice and we are extremely proud of him (he's got cojones, that boy) but when your child grows up and flies away, it's liberating and depressing at the same time. On the plus side, we will be taking more camping trips, 'cos he hated them.

I cracked open a Magic Hat # 9 this weekend, and underneath the cap it said "What exactly are you waiting for?" I guess I better figure that out, and fast!

Death of a Memory

Harry Kalas, voice of the Phillies, passed away yesterday. When I hear his voice, it takes me back to my childhood neighbor Frank (rest his soul) who always had the Phillies game on, a More cigarette hanging out of his mouth, and a local paper in front of his face as he sat on his front porch swing. If he wasn't on his porch, you may have found him tooling around in his swiss cheese Fairmont, white with highlights of iron oxide. Again, game on the AM push button radio. His daughter and I were friends and more often than not, we could be found in the back seat, giggling at Frank's seemingly ending supply of goofy sayings and witticisms; he always had a smile on his face and a laugh at the ready.
Frank has already been missed, and now Harry will be missed as well.

A Song can make a Day

So yesterday, I'm travelling to work, digging on the radio (as Charlie Daniels would put it) and feeling pretty much disgusted with the choices. I could choose from NPR (not in the mood), static, a "comedy" duo that laugh WAY too much at unfunny things, or Staind (no comment). I finally hit the last preset, and what do my ears gloriusly hear but "Born To Run". Now, I drive a Jeep and they're not known for their kickass systems, but boy, did I give it a workout. Unfortunately, there was no one in the parking lot at work to share the joy with (even if they didn't want to hear it), so I let the song finish to its thundering climax, turned off the stereo, and headed off to the job with a spring in my step.
I can't wait to see him in May.

Traded the Leinenkugel for Magic Hat # 9. The beautiful weather this weekend was conducive to my decision. We are eagerly awaiting Spring as the winter, though not terribly snowy, was terribly frigid. See me in August when it's 95 and 90% humidity. I'll be looking forward to Winter by then. Always on to the next thing.

Some things will never change
You just stand there looking backwards half unconsious from the pain

It's a new thang

Jeez, never thought I'd do this blogging thing, but I guess there is a time and place for just about everything.
My neice from Allentown will be up tomorrow, so tonight will be spent redding up the house and going to the beer store (no, I'm not in Canada) for some fine brew. Leinenkugel perhaps? Visit her blog at godshomemovies.blogspot.com