Dear John letter

I think I wrote a 'Dear John' letter last night. One hitch, I don't have a 'Dear John!'

I am all about new beginnings. I thrive on being given another chance or starting over.

There are 4 seasons yet I have my life broken down into even more segments during the year.

New Year's Day is my first beginning to clear the slate, rejuvenate, and work hard at new visions or at rebuilding old visions which went awry.

My next 'starting point' is Lent where we are given a chance to repent and ask forgiveness.

Spring training and Opening Day are usually not far behind.

Advent is a welcome sight after going for months without recharging my system.

And that brings us back to Happy New Year!


I have been a push over for years....at least 11 years if not more (possibly my whole life).

When someone asks me to do something, I usually acquiesce whether I have the time, the interest, or the money (depending on the request).

That will change in 2009.

Hence the 'Dear John' letter.

A very dear friend of mine called to thank me for his Christmas present which I sent through the mail. Not necessary but very nice. In his next breath, he asked me to look something up for him. I said I'd do it even though I knew if he was near a computer, he could very well do it himself! I figured they had computers, even where he lives!

That moment passed. Once I get into work, for the most part, everything outside of work is a blur on a back burner until closing time.

Near the end of my shift, I remembered his request. I looked it up and immediately sent him an email with the information he requested. I sent the email from my work address in business-like fashion.

And then I just went off. I reminded him of my passion for New Year's Resolutions...getting back on track....taking much better care of me (last 5 years has been harsh taking care of Mom and I have neglected myself)...and told him that things WILL change.

I informed him that he could have just as easily looked up his information. I refuse to do his dirty work anymore. I've been doing it for the last 11 years and as of December 31, 2008, it's halted.

I also shared that my tirade is not directed solely at him. Pretty much everyone in my life bosses me around at one point or another--from Mom on down the line to family, friends....even fellow church/choir members which is a scream --come on, we're in Church for goodness sake!! I find laying low is the best remedy (especially at work, church, choir or wherever we have an able bodied 'leader' (like my boss/choir director/pastor--you get the idea)......'bossiness' crawls all the way down the chain.

The tides will change.....across the board....overflowing into the workplace. Everyone needs to do more work, pick up the slack, and be a team player in the workplace. We have so much added responsibility at work, I am finally putting my foot down and holding my fellow co-workers accountable for their actions in 2009. They WILL work as hard as I bust my butt in the workplace.

Anyway, I was pretty harsh in my sort of 'dear John letter' and to the point with my directives for 2009.

And, I WILL keep them. I have to. It is really a matter of life and death. I need to take much better care of me or else something detrimental will happen. I don't really care about hurting other people's feelings or satisfying everyone else's needs (I do, but you know what I mean)UNTIL mine get fulfilled at this point and time in my life.

When I hit 'send' I realized, 'I think I just sent my first Dear John letter,' and boy did it feel good!

Being on vacation is E-X-H-A-U-S-T-I-N-G!

I normally lead a fast-paced lifestyle on the go from dusk til dusk...and dawn to dawn!

Who am I kidding when I get a day off and think I'll actually accomplish much and move mountains?

Well, I usually DO accomplish a boatload but the 'to do' list always towers above the 'done' list.

I had a break around Christmas and a few days around New Year's. I can honestly say I have been and still am exhausted.

To the point where I have had to take a nap some nights. My line is "I need to take a nap before I head off to bed."

It's true.

I am at the point where walking along I feel as if I will collapse johnny on the spot. That's not good.

Eating cookies, candy and heavy holiday meals has not helped out.

I'm gonna clog my system once more before I turn over a new leaf. I must indulge on our annual dumplings, home made sauerkraut, and pork which will put me over the edge. I'll be lucky if I don't just fall asleep right at the dinner table New Year's night!!

It's all I can take to actually f i n i s h t h i s e n t r y...

G o o d N i g h t ! ! !

S w e e t d r e a m zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

Thank you for the birthday memories!

From famine to feast! After last year's birthday experience, I swore off celebrating my birthday. I love celebrating others' birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, ANYTHING! But usually my birthday celebrations fall short of my high expectations and 'wants.'

I'd like to thank everyone who made this year's birthday experience quite fun, memorable, and special.

The day actually began more frazzling than most. What would a birthday be for me without shedding a tear or two or three...

I received a number of birthday calls, which were very nice. Unexpected but nice. I think the 'Mom' fairy contacted her deputy fairies asking them to pay a bit more attention to me this year! Just a hunch.

At Cantor rehearsal, hugs around the room, homemade peanut butter and hershey kiss cookies and happy wishes galore!

But I still felt like I had a gun to my head with everything expected of me that day. Quite overwhelmed. I literally had no wiggle room, no free second to spare this birthday. As the day progressed, the day calmed down and was actually bearable.

Upon entering work, gifts and a freshly brewed cup of coffee awaited me at my desk.

Everyone at work wished me a happy birthday. Quite a turn around from last year when no one acknowledged the big day at all and my relief never showed up so I wound up working late to cover her faux pas!

Facebook fever spread throughout the day with message after message popping up sending me well wishes....from family to close friends, acquaintances and business contacts. I have to say those greetings really helped get me through this challenging day.

The news does not care whether it's someone's birthday or not. In fact, I guess my gift from Mr. News was making my day so busy I did not have time to dwell on how uncomfortable and overwhelmed I felt at times. A fatal plane crash, bomb scare, homicide, and massive power outage will do that!

The day ended very nicely sharing a few cocktails and many laughs with friends at a neighborhood joint...

Overall, a much better day than years gone by.

I was lucky. Having my birthday on a Friday, we celebrated ALL weekend long.

Saturday, my family was able to clear their calendars and share in the annual birthday dinner feast at Maggianos with a special guest appearance from a dear friend of mine, Lydia. Afterward, the tradition continued going over to Auntie and Uncle Bill's unveiling the DQ ice cream cake --especially since Uncle Bill is nursing an ankle injury and really can not get around these days.

It was great spending family time together, laughing as we always do when we gather and tell outrageous stories and just relax!

But wait, there's more.

Monday, my best friend's package FINALLY arrived in the mail, much to his chagrin being late. It's the thought that counts, isn't it!

And another dear friend of mine and I 'let it ride' on a day trip to Windsor, Canada away from work, family, responsibilities, and worries. We were armed with our cell phones should something have happened but we were four hours away. Unfortunately, the minute I walked back into the house, and had to deal with a few pressing and urgent issues, not only did my relaxing day in another country end but my long birthday extravaganza came to a screeching halt!

Happy Birthday, me...I think I am actually looking forward to next year!

G.A. strikes again

More and more I have the feeling that God has assigned a specific guardian angel to watch over me (just like 'It's a Wonderful Life') because I'm such a handful! A misfit!

I can not believe what happened Tuesday. Yet, it all worked out (sort of). It usually does.

Running later than usual for work. I grab my 5 bags and pack the trunk. Off for a jam-packed day of merriment and mayhem.

Fast forward 9 and 1/2 hours.

Where are my house keys?

Nowhere to be found. My first clue was when they were not in the normal hiding place in my car. Re-thinking my every step. I had an idea of what happened which egged me on even more.

They were not in the door so I had them when I left.

I was locked out. Thank goodness Mom was feeling well enough to open the front door.

Once inside, every bag, every nook, every cranny and pocket examined inside and out.

Nothing.

I venture back outside to look through the car again with a fine tooth comb.

Nothing.

My theory: while I was placing the 'bag lady's' bags inside the trunk, I left the house keys on the ledge by my back license plate. You know what that means?! They flew off in transit.

I walk the length of my driveway and am going to cover every inch of the street in front of my home.

Voila! They ARE in the street just outside my driveway apron --snow covered and unfortunately, a bit mangled. My favorite purple, dog print a bit twisted. But, I've found my keys! Absolutely NOT a chance of recovering them without a guardian angel watching over me...by my side constantly....keeping me out of trouble!

Never again will I doubt Mom, myself, Jesus, and his choice for my Guardian Angel (G.A.)--who picked the short straw!!!!

Talk to my guardian angel

I don't know how I do it.

My Mom tells me on a regular basis, 'you are perfect.' Well, she's got a slightly skewed vision. First being my Mom. Second, well, being my Mom!

But, if I were 'perfect,'

• my house would be clean and organized with a library, game room, workout room, photograph room, Christmas room, guest bedroom, craft room, etc., etc.
• the excess clutter would be gone or organized
• I'd keep in touch with those I care for, those I consider friends
• My house would be decorated from head to toe
• Holiday shopping would be complete
• Our family Christmas letter would be signed, sealed and delivered
• I'd really weigh the blatant lie depicted on my driver's license
• My singing resume tape (which does not exist yet) would be reeling in requests to do weddings, funerals, parties, singing the National Anthem at any sporting event, especially the Cleveland Indians' Games
• My Facebook requests would not tower above 30
• Workouts would be a daily occurrence
• 8 rolls of undeveloped film would not be gathering dust on the buffet
• My cell phone would not be taking backward /inverted pictures AGAIN!!!!!!!

Oh, the list is endless bringing the sad and true realization to life that I am not perfect.

Getting back to my initial premise. I don't know how I do it. This leads me to believe that I AM doing something right! I manage to keep my head above water, take care of Mom, and arrive at work every day clothed (don't laugh!).

All credit goes to my Guardian Angel.

Mom told me today to speak with and thank my Guardian Angel everyday. Well, I DO believe in angels and my Guardian Angel. But I was toying with Mom. I said, "Mom how can I talk to her and thank her if I don't even know WHO she is!" She got a bit miffed! In reality, I know and have always known that I could never get through a day without the good Lord above, Mary, and all the Saints and Angels watching over me.

Thank you, dear Guardian Angel, for keeping this misfit on track as best as you can and giving me a pretty darn good life!

I want a Hippopotamus for Christmas

With each passing day this week has come my diminishing tolerance level for stupidity, carelessness, and laziness, especially among healthcare professionals 'supposedly' taking care of my Mother.

I refuse to drone on....

I did hear this song today--which immediately brought a smile to my face!

So, no matter how your week has been, hopefully this song will take us out grinning from cheek to cheek!

Happy Friday!