Monday, February 25, 2008

the eyes have it

My eyes are dry today. They tend to get dry anyway, but they are really dry today. You know your eyes are dry when you can hear yourself blink. I was laying in bed this morning, in the dark. The house was quiet except for a small sound...the sound of my blinking eyes. Is that sad or what? I need to go put some drops in. That will make them feel more normal and less like sandpaper rubbing against the inside of my lids. I'm gross, aren't I? Sorry. Isn't it just the way we all are---we don't really think about stuff until it starts to bother us. My eyes and I have quite a history together. They've been with me for nearly 40 years. For the most part I like my gray eyes. Not really blue, not really green, just a gray sort of color, but I like them. Things started going awry when I was in first grade. My vision was not what it should be....I had to go look at 3D books at the eye drs. office along with an exam. He informed me, well really my mom, that I needed glasses. Oh, great. So my vision got worse over the years until I wasn't just wearing glasses for reading but for pretty much all my waking hours. It didn't really bother me all that much. It was what it was. (though I must say, in the 70's and early 80's glasses were huge! The frames I had took up half my face.) After my junior year of highschool I decided I wanted contacts. Touching my eyeball kind of grossed me out, but I figured I could do it without causing myself too much pain. Well, things worked out pretty well for me until I turned 30. Then I got dry eyes. This is not a good thing when one wears contacts. My eyes were dry and the contacts irritated them even more. I spent several months with red eyes.... looking like I was either constantly on a crying jag or that I'd just come off of a major drinking binge. This was NOT a good look for me so I went back to wearing glasses. Now, I was more comfortable in the eye department, but I wished I didn't have to wear glasses. They were a pain in the neck. Smudges on the glass drove me nuts, going from cold outside to warm inside temps caused them to fog up. They were constantly sliding down my nose. Ugh. So I made the decision that I was going to get LASIK surgery. That was a huge step for me. The surgeon was going to laser my cornea. Now that gave me pause..... I went to the office for an entire day of tests. (looking at psychedelic slides that appeared to be from a bad 70's art show, a machine that gave a computerized read out of the topography of my eye---I did not know our eyes really aren't smooth?!) The day of the surgery the surgeon told me that the laser machine would do all the work. I would lose my vision and everything would go gray for just a few seconds while my cornea was being flapped over. Now if that doesn't make your heart beat faster I don't know what will. Still I trusted this man with my vision. It didn't hurt at all and was over quickly. ( I mean this is one surgery that I couldn't be knocked out for--AND I had to have my eyes open! So, I saw what was coming at me!) I could immediately see! No blurriness!! I remember getting up and saying to him that this is the closest thing to a modern day miracle. I had to wear big plastic shields on my eyes at night so I didn't rub my eyes while I was sleeping. I resembled the lead character in that 60's movie, The Fly. I actually frightened my 4 year old niece with that look!

I've been really happy with my 20/20 vision for the past 3 and a half years. It was well worth it......but I still need to go get those eye drops!!

Thursday, February 21, 2008

Politics Really Is A Dirty Job

Now McCain supposedly had an affair with some woman. Both he and the woman deny it. He had to have a press conference to defend himself. Who really knows. Hillary is not doing well at the polls so she is going after Obama with a vengeance. She has enough problems of her own to worry about---after all she is lugging her husband around with her. Obama claims he wants change. But what does that mean? Change what? How? When? He obviously is a wonderful orator but when the rubber meets the road--words aren't going to win over action. Obama's wife saying she just NOW is proud of her country??? What is that all about? Give me a break. All of them are digging for dirt on each other. I don't know about you but doesn't it all just seem sickening after awhile? Integrity and taking the high road do not seem to be on anyones agenda right now.

Wednesday, February 20, 2008

Feeling Yucky Today

I've got a head cold and just feel yucky today. I think I will just spend today resting (as much as a home schooling mom can rest) and try to get better. I have my glass of water and tissues next to my bed. I have my laptop computer so I can still blog:)

Just on a side note---I heard something yesterday on TV about people and their phobias (did I spell that correctly?). Clowns were brought up. There are A LOT of people that dislike and are even scared of clowns. I am one of those people. Well, I wouldn't say I'm scared of them, I just dislike them. I always have. I think they are creepy. There is something about not being able to see their real face under all that makeup. The clowns that don't talk are even worse. I never liked Ronald McDonald or Bozo. Clowns at the circus, no thank you. Mimes, forget it. The only clowns that I really like are rodeo clowns. I think that is because they are not in full clown attire like most clowns. They look more real.....and they are able to run really fast. I guess I would too if I had a mad bull chasing me!

I also have a thing about spiders. I guess those of you that have been reading my blog for awhile already knew that. I discussed this phobia during the summer when I was in Texas. Home of the garage filled with scary Black Widow spiders. It still gives me the creepy crawlies to think about it. Ick. If spiders stay away from me, and my house, and all my property, oh yeah and my car.....then I will stay away from them. Afterall, I can kill bugs on my own. Who needs them?

Tuesday, February 19, 2008

Turning Into a Prune

I've noticed the only time I can "get away" is by taking a shower. You heard me. It is just quiet and peaceful while I am in the shower. I don't care if WWIII is going on out in my living room as long as it doesn't bring itself to the threshold of the bathroom. If I close my eyes and concentrate really hard I can see myself standing under a light waterfall in Hawaii. While I wash my hair I smell the scent of tropical fruit..... I'm happy, life is good.... BANG! BANG! BANG! on the bathroom door. My eyes fly open (ouch! shampoo is not good for washing eyes-it burns) and I'm snapped back into reality. "What is it?" "I've gotta question." "Can it please wait another 10 minutes?" "No, it's important." "Are you dying? Are there broken bones? Is someone coughing up blood? No? Then it can wait for a few minutes." "Mom, you're gross." "Now let me get back to my Hawaiian vacation." "Huh? Hawaiian what?" Lalalalala.....I can't hear you.

Monday, February 18, 2008

It's The Middle That Counts

I'm going out to lunch today with one of my very dearest friends. We've been friends since we were college freshmen in 1986. Man, 1986 was a good year. I was 18 and thought I knew everything. Life was good. If I only knew then what I know now...... how life is unpredictable, things happen, nothing is really under one's control, and sometimes you just have to muddle through until you figure it out. I guess I'm glad that I didn't know that back then. It would have scared me. I needed some time. I'm glad I've had the experiences I've had over the years, actually. (though at the time certain things happened I probably didn't feel that way!) Now, coming up on my 4oth birthday I feel like a much wiser and far more mature woman then I was back in '86. I've learned a lot about determination, patience, fear, overcoming obstacles , joys and sorrows. I like to think I'm much more insightful than I used to be.

I wonder what I'll think 20 years from now? When I'm getting ready to turn 60. I hope I can look back and say that I've grown even more. That I didn't stop learning and that I'm wiser than I was at 40. Life is interesting that way. Things happen, and at the time the event(s) is going on we wonder how in the world we are going to fix it, survive it , cry or laugh about it, or forget about this particular thing. But we do and we are better for it. Sometimes growing can be painful......but it is usually worth it in the long run.

One of my favorite movie quotes is this......"Beginnings are scary, endings are usually sad, but it's the middle that counts the most. You need to remember that when you find yourself at the beginning. Just give hope a chance to float up... and it will too."

Friday, February 15, 2008

School Shootings

For crying out loud! What is going on? I just don't get it. This latest school shooting in Illinois is so unbelievably sad. It's like Va. Tech all over again. Why? Why? I don't understand how a person could just get up and decide that today is the day he is going to massacre people. Innocent students sitting in a geology class are gone because of some crazy, deluded young man.

This past week in a high school in Memphis, Tennessee two boys got into a verbal argument in the cafeteria. One boy pulled out a gun and shot and killed the other boy. The school went into lock down. This is a school that has metal detectors and security guards. Still a child is dead.

What is the answer for this? I don't know. Does anyone know? School shootings are more and more frequent. Throughout the past decade it seems like each year has a sad story to tell about students turning on their fellow classmates. I do not remember this kind of thing happening when I went to elementary school in the 70's or middle, high school, and college throughout the 80's. What has changed? Are kids so disassociated from each other that they don't care how they affect others? Do they think life has no value? That it means nothing to shoot someone--to take someones life? Have they become callous to people--and think no one understands them? Honestly, I just don't understand.

Thursday, February 14, 2008

Quoting A Little Erma

Wasn't it Erma Bombeck who said, " if life is a bowl of cherries why am I in the pits?" It's one of those kind of days. I hate these kind of days. The alarm clock goes off----right as I'm getting to a good part in my dream. Arrgghh! I roll out of bed and get my foot caught in the comforter. Ker plunk! I stumble to the bathroom only to notice that the toilet paper roll is out and so I have to dig under the vanity to get a new one. I put my makeup on and inadvertently smudge my eyeliner...so now I look like part woman, part raccoon. I make it out to the kitchen in one piece...barely. I wanted a hard boiled egg for breakfast. It was one of THOSE eggs. You know the kind that you try to peel and no matter how hard you try the shell won't smoothly come off. By the time I'm done getting the shell off the egg I have not much more left then the yolk. UGH.

Hey, I should be thankful. I am alive and breathing. That's always a good thing. I do have a lot going for me......even if today is the pits.

Wednesday, February 13, 2008

Superbowl Lessons On Life

I read a really cool quote today in Tom Barrett's newsletter. He said that the N.Y. Giants were the underdogs to win the Super Bowl. They had a difficult season and the week before the big game there were some injuries and some practices that were lacking in finesse. The Giants did not give up...even against all odds. On one practice day in particular one of the receivers kept dropping the balls that Eli Manning was throwing to him. Eli walked over to him and said, "You forget about this. You're a gamer. I know you are." A simple thing to say, but it hit home.

I like that quote. Isn't that a great one for all of us to remember about life? We all mess up, we all make mistakes. We need to just dust ourselves off, forget that and move on with the game of life. Keep our chins up...there are people out there that know we can do it.

Tuesday, February 12, 2008

They Don't Bite, I Promise!!

For those of you who are unaware, not only do we have 2 inside cats, 1 outside cat and a pony being stabled in Ohio....we also have 2 dogs. Ace and Junior. Now Ace and Junior are buds. They are fairly easy going dogs. The most that might happen is that they'd try and lick you to death. (considering their stinky doggy breath, that is bad enough!)

They are not fighters, they are slobbery lovers, BUT they are barkers. This is unfortunate for the UPS delivery guys, and the mailman. I received some packages from Arbonne yesterday and I hear the honk of the truck and "down dogs!" I knew it was the UPS guy. I go out to the front porch and tell Ace to "zip it! He doesn't want to hear from you!" When going out to get the mail later in the afternoon I see a notice from the mailman. " You have a parcel that I could not deliver due to the dogs. Ugh. I go to the P.O. to try and get my package, later in the evening. "Sorry" I was told. "You have to come in tomorrow to get it." Do I have to wait through this line that goes out the door? "Yes, sorry. It's the Valentines Day rush." Aaarrrgh!

No, we don't have the dogs tied up. They have special collars that they wear. Our yard has those electronic sensor things that if the dogs get to close to the boundary they get a slight zap. Once they figured that out, they didn't even attempt to go to the edge of the yard. Those are pretty nifty gadgets, except if you are trying to deliver something to our house. I suppose I might be nervous too if Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum were guarding the front porch.

Monday, February 11, 2008

When You've Been Run Over By A Semi-Truck

Okay, maybe not really run over....I just feel like it. I couldn't go to sleep last night. I tossed. I turned. I tossed again. At one point I felt like a catapillar in a cocoon. I was wrapped up in my blankets so tightly I was a like a bedtime burrito!! I couldn't stand that so I threw off the covers. Then I got cold. The pillow was lumpy. My neck hurt. I think at one point I accidentally kicked Joe (our cat) who happened to be at the foot of the bed. He was probably not happy because I was interrupting his sleep with all my moving around. Finally, at 6am I got up. I mean what's the use of trying to sleep? Now I feel like I've been hit by a truck. Not a little pick up truck either. A big one. A Semi---the kind that will blow past you on the interstate. That is what my headache feels like.

I think when I went to wake the children this morning (2 hrs. later) they knew that I felt yucky. They probably had a clue when I growled at them and told them if they didn't get up and get moving that I would annoy them until they were forced to surrender. (why let them sleep? It's not fair. If I can't, then they can't either!) Hopefully, some Tylenol will help my situation, and it will resolve itself soon and I will be back to the normally cheerful, sweet, and lovable mom that I am. ( okay, already don't gag!)

Scott is in Ohio now. He is trying to get the ball rolling with the "before we actually start to build" stuff. I miss him already and he hasn't even been gone a full 24 hours. I blame him for not being able to sleep last night!

Saturday, February 9, 2008

Here, Kitty, Kitty...

The other night we had a little scare at the Gibson house. Joe (our more skittish kitty) was gone. Now you have to understand that Joe is in love with Scott. He lays on Scott's lap, or next to his leg all day while Scott works. He is like a furry apendage. Anyway, Scott had not seen him since early in the morning. Where was Joe? We thought maybe he was just hiding and didn't worry about it for most of the day. Night rolled around and still no sign of our black and white fur ball. Scott was really worried now. Every family member looked around the house. Under furniture, behind doors, downstairs and upstairs, we scoured the entire house. He was nowhere! We were beginning to really worry now. What if Joe got trapped somewhere? What if he died? As we are all getting ready to go to bed...Kendrick hears it. A small scratchy sound and it is coming from under HIS bed! He feels around, peeks under his bed and Joe shoots out the other side! Joe had been hiding in a quiet place all day. He had no idea the worry he was causing. Silly cat. I gave him a good lecture about his actions. He intently stared at me. I know he understood. I think he felt a little guilty. As well he should!

Friday, February 8, 2008

Free Credit Report Dot Com

Okay, already! Have you seen the 3 different Free Credit Report commercials? I can't get those catchy jingles out of my head. I find myself singing, "Free Credit Report Dot Com, I should have seen it comin' at me like an atom bomb... It gives me free email alert...so I don't end up selling tea to tourists in T-shirts." Alright, I admit that this little diddy isn't going to win any Grammy awards but, it IS a good commercial. It gets in your brain. I was singing it is the car. I was humming it while on the computer. AAaagghhhh!! Advertisers are trying to take over the world!!!

I also love the Geico commercials. I love the little Gecko but I really love the new ones with the celebrities who "interpret" for the regular guy. Cracks me up! The one with Joan Rivers is so funny. You can tell the man that is talking is trying not to laugh at her on camera.

I think I enjoy the commercials more than I enjoy the television shows. At least commercials, for the most part are creative, or at least try to be, which is more then I can say for most shows on TV these days.

Thursday, February 7, 2008

Their Mouths Sparkled

I love going to the orthodontist. Not for me, mind you, but with my son. He's the one who has to endure 2 or 3 years of braces on his teeth. I just get to watch the kids in the waiting room. We went again today for an appointment. There was a young pre-teen there with his dad. He was there for the consultation. (that is when they check out his teeth and tell the parent how much it's going to take to make them straight and beautiful.) I watched him as he fidgeted. I knowingly smiled having had my son in that exact same spot just a few months ago. Last time we were at the office an older teen boy came out into the waiting room. All of us looked up as he entered. He had the biggest grin on his face. That was the day he had his braces taken off. The smile said it all. His dad clapped him on the back and said, "son, let me see those teeth." Mom had just walked in and hugged him and said, "wow. Your teeth are beautiful." He just grinned from ear to ear. For me it was one of those "parent" moments when no matter about other things...you can relate at that moment. It was just a sweet moment. I was happy for the boy. Yes, I even have those kinds of "ah,ha" moments at the orthodontist. All of us banded together (yes, pun intended) there in the waiting room. Waiting for our children. Waiting for beautiful teeth. Waiting for the big smile.

Wednesday, February 6, 2008

Tornadoes in Tennessee

We are currently under a tornado watch until 11 am this morning. Pretty scary stuff. We, in East Tennessee didn't get hit like our fellow Tennesseean's in the West and Middle part of the state. The destruction and loss of life is terrible. As interesting as I find tornadoes to be, I am reminded also of how deadly. It is scary when tornadoes happen at night, when it is dark, one can't "see" what is coming. I'm reminded once again that man is able to do many things, and maybe even predict what might occur, but we can do nothing but stand by and watch when nature's fury hits. As much as we'd like to believe we are in control....we are not.

Tuesday, February 5, 2008

It's Super Tuesday

It's time to vote in Tennessee. Hmm........ I'll tell you what, watching these presidential candidates is like watching a soap opera. Forgive me, but sometimes I like to just watch them be snarky with each other. All the finger pointing, claims, stumping, word twisting, back patting going on...... I mean it is enough to just make my brain tired. As a republican I'm not left with many good choices (yes, I know that is my opinion). Even though I might not be thrilled with the candidates I AM going to go vote. That has always been a big deal to me. I hate it when someone complains about our political leaders and then when asked if they vote they say, "no. I didn't have time." or "it doesn't make a difference anyway." Arrgghh!! Don't complain if you don't vote!! Of course, I'm watching FOX news this morning. I guess we'll all know who is pulling ahead in the run for president by the end of this evening. I can't believe this is only February. Are we going to be able to survive until November????

Monday, February 4, 2008

Why are there Mondays?

I hit my snooze button several times this morning. I think it is a Monday thing with me. If I hit the snooze button several times then maybe it will skip straight to Tuesday. Well, I can hope anyway. I've got a bunch of stuff to do today which is probably the reason I just wanted to roll over and sleep some more. Ugh.

It does not help that it is gray and drizzly outside this morning. It is definitely a "sleep in" sort of a day. Don't worry I did not give into the urge to stay in bed, I did the responsible thing (and the less guilt inducing) and got up. Not happily, mind you....but I did it.Right now I am staring at a HUGE basket of laundry. It sits right at my feet. I look down at it. I am not thinking happy thoughts...it mocks me. I hate laundry. I know that is a strong word to use, but it is the truth. For a brief moment I have the thought of Adam and Eve in the Garden.....they didn't have to worry about laundry. That's probably one of the reasons why the Garden was such a paradise! Of course we couldn't live like them now. It's way to cold. Still........

Sunday, February 3, 2008

Zippity Do Da!

Well, I did it! I had my first 2 launch parties yesterday. They were so much fun. I enjoyed pampering my guests with the salt scrubs and foot soaks. I watched everything LaGenna did. She is both encouraging and inspiring. I like her a lot. I found that the more I talked about Arbonne and the opportunities it provides me, the more confident I became. That is a big deal to me. Public speaking doesn't really scare me like it does some people.....as long as I am prepared and have in my head what I would like to say. I have only just recently decided to make Arbonne my business, but already I have been stretched and have had to leave my comfort zone. I've never been a big "talk on the phone" kind of a person, I prefer face to face, but I'm learning to overcome that. It will just be interesting to see how I grow as I try new and different things. I realize there will be ups and downs with having my own business and that is to be expected. I mean that is just the way life is in general. I think one of the neatest and most memorable things for me about Arbonne will be how I was willing to take risks....and how I survived, even through cancellations, or "no's". Life always has uncertainty and difficulty. It's what one does with the difficulty that makes the difference.

Friday, February 1, 2008

Living in a Storage Building/Warehouse

I used to live in a normal, regular house. Now I live in a storage building. Okay, so maybe it isn't actually a storage building, but it sure feels like one. Do you have any idea how many boxes a family of 5 can accumulate? A LOT let me tell you! Yes, we will be moving this year. Yes, we are trying to pack stuff as we go. Yes, one can be assured as soon as  she packs something up that she will need said packed item and will be forced to dig around until she finds it. Thus messing up everything she already packed. Example in point....I needed my brown boots the other day. I knew they were somewhere in the closet. I was beyond frustrated because I couldn't locate them. I was having a breakdown because I cannot stand the moving "limbo" I am stuck in. I will be so glad to have a bigger house! It will be ORGANIZED and I won't have to raise my blood pressure just to find things.

Now, I have started a new Arbonne business and I have bought samples to hand out and other business things. My kitchen at the moment has baskets full of "the business stuff". Now it looks like a warehouse. The other family members and I have to hurdle boxes, scoot baskets over, and shove things around in order to get to the counter/table/refrigerator or some other necessary appliance. For someone who is by nature, a very organized neat freak I currently have an eye tic going on due to this situation. The tic makes me look a little odd. Okay, maybe a little scary. Don't make fun of me....