I've been loking for the perfect thing to distract me from all the horrors going on in our country; the economy (does it still exist?), Sarah Palin (will she exist after Thursday's debates?), etc.

Found the perfect distraction whilst driving back from the grocery store just now: Nose Whistles!

So for the next week or so, while Skipperdee, my computer, travels to Tacoma WA and back, that's what I'll be thinking about. The Unexpected Nose Whistle That Persists Inspite of Blows and Rubs. Soooo disconcerting. So maddening. So very humbling.

Anyway, that's what I'll be Contemplating while I'm sewing up a storm and painting trim. FUN!!!

Not to worry - I'll be back to blog and email when Skipperdee returns from vacation. (Unless I get bored enough to go up on the Big Computer that hurts my neck...)

Ciao!

My sentiment exactly!!!

A reproduction of a poster commissioned by the British Government in August 1939 to be posted in times of "crisis or invasion".

If you want one for your very own, (you can choose from a variety of colors!) check out Blu Lima on Etsy.

There's a big part of me that is not for the bailout, the details of which are being hammered out in Washington as I write.

My concern is that is will just mask the symptoms of an ailing economy and simply put off the inevitable bottoming out. And the public will continue to think the it needs, needs, NEEDS: more of everything - regardless of the consequences for our future and our grandchildren's future.

Maybe we need this fall to clear out all the mess and start afresh.

Maybe we need to know the full impact of our past actions and proclivities.

Maybe the truth - The Truth - is what we need to face.

And embrace.

A misspoken adage that actually speaks quite well to our current dilemma:

"The world is going to hell in a ham biscuit!"

Whether in a hand basket or a ham biscuit, the world does, indeed, seem to be heading south.

But ya' know what? The world is going to be fine. And so are we.

All will be well.

Eventually.

Tomorrow I celebrate the 5th anniversary of my decompression surgery.

Five years of being free of the "terrorists" that would set off random "bombs" in my head when I strained or laughed. Five years of celebrating being able to put on my undies without falling over. Five years of being filled with gratitude for a hundred and one things that would seem small and insignificant to most people.

Here's the biggest lesson I learned from my journey with Chiari: Life is in the small things!

Those who dream by day are cognizant of many things which escape those who dream only by night. -Edgar Allan Poe

Amen to that!

I'll get back to writing soon...just a lot going on right now. A lot of Thinking. A lot of Doing.

All is well and all will be well!

I wish people who have trouble communicating would just shut up.
-Tom Lehrer

I post this because I wanted you to know you're not alone in your wish!!!

Megan's hopes for getting a commission in the Navy and becoming an Intel Officer came to an end yesterday when, after investing nearly a year jumping through all the various hoops, she received word that she wasn't selected.

So we did what we always do in situations like this: we popped open a bottle of champagne and celebrated! We raised our glasses with this toast:

To disappointments that open space for unknown blessings already on their way!

Today is a new day, shiny and bright with possibilities.

Life is good.

Cleaning, cleaning, cleaning.

Have become fully aware of not needing anything in the way of clothes, accessories, shoes, or anything, anything for the house.

Sort of takes all the fun out of going to a store or antique mall...I mean, why go???

So what am I supposed to do now???

Augh. This being acutely aware of my consumerism, of feeling overwhelmed by all the stuff I still have, and of trying to turn over a new leaf (as in being frugal) is, um, kinda the pits if ya know what I mean.

I haven't discovered the pure joy of it all for any extended period. Short bursts only.

I'm positive I would feel differently if all that I'm getting rid of was rewarded in weight loss. One pound off for every pound do stuff I get rid of.

Seems like a reasonable idea, but the Universe ain't cooperating.

Poop. (And here is where, before, I would have gone out and bought something to make myself feel better...)

Thank God.

The Olympics are over.

The conventions are over.

I'm going to bed and pull the covers up over my head and not watch TV after 10pm for a very long time!

AMEN.

"Palin? Really?"

My head just won't hush up.

She's due to speak in 35 minutes and I will try to be open. Really.

But I doubt she'll address the thing I want to hear: why she thinks this is a good move for her. She just gave birth to a special needs child for heaven's sake. Her oldest daughter is pregnant. I probably wouldn't be wondering about these things if she were a man. But she ain't. She's a Mom.

And that job is waaaaay more important than running for Vice President of the United States when you've just given birth to a child who deserves your focused attention and love. And when your teenaged child is giving birth to your grandchild and needs your focused attention and love.

John McCain praises her for "putting her country first."

But what about putting her kids first???

Augh.

Dinner tonight:

Honey Mustard Potato Salad
Oven Roasted Fresh Green Beans with Lime and Sea Salt
Homemade Applesauce Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Who needs meat????