I just broke my own rule

I went against everything I've been preaching for years. Do NOT talk to strangers. Do NOT meet people online. Sheesh.

Social media sure makes it hard to follow my rules. But it sure is fun and makes life more interesting! I made an exception to my rule that I don't accept Facebook friends I don't know in any way, shape, or form. Last week one of my fellow tweeters began a conversation with me about my Indians. I'm especially careful on Twitter since pretty much anyone can follow you and your whereabouts, definitely not as secure as Facebook or LinkedIn. But, I enjoy reading his articles and he mirrors my enthusiasm and love of the game of baseball so I threw caution to the wind. He friended me on Facebook and I friended him back.

We really did hit it off and have been chatting and talking Tribe for the last week. On day #4 of my fantastic vacation I was supposed to meet my new Twitter and Facebook friend at the Indians-Rockies game, the SAME day I was named the Season Ticket Holder Fan of the Game. Fan of the game meant I got a new Indians hat, I was up on the Jumbotron waving like a dork while they announced me and I was supposed to get some Indians extra bucks, which I never received :( Things just seemed to get better and better this week. Or did they? I should have known that there would probably be a slight snag somewhere along the way. Oh, I hit it! I met my new baseball friend but unfortunately did not get to spend as much time as first thought.

The game was good....meeting my new friend extraordinary....and I was doing what I live for --watching my boys out in the beautiful Cleveland summer enjoying my favorite sport!

Can't ask for much more! I've made a new friend (you can never have enough friends!) whose love of and passion for this great game parallels mine! Hopefully, my new found friend and I can talk baseball for a longtime to come....

Yes, my terrific vacation does keep rolling along..... :)

Saw 'the social network' with a fb re-connection

I've been very blessed to continue catching up with family and friends even though summer is winding down...

You all know my mantra--life is too short....live each day as if it were your last and cherish your family and friends each and every day.

Quite the irony this past weekend as I took in 'the social network' with a college friend who I re-connected with on facebook. Go figure! It was awesome. And then both of us got home from the movie and the first thing we did simultaneously was log onto facebook.

Creatures of habit I guess.

Seriously, the movie was very entertaining, well directed, written, acted out --pretty much well 'everything!'

Regardless of the drama and story behind how this social media giant came to be, it's a very good tool for re-connecting. That's mainly why I use it.

I do not have enough hours in the day as it is to successfully live my life. I am not going to waste the precious hours I do have by playing games on facebook or any area of the Internet. I do like that I've re-connected with grade school, high school, college friends, and former co-workers.

That aspect quite the serendipity for me!

Facebook profile games can be real 'debby downers'

For those of you who know me, not much gets me down.

I guess that's why people who see me don't realize I still have my mourning & grieving moments for Mom. Much of the time I am in a good mood, smile on my face, and life continues--because that's the way Mom taught me to live.

And the recent Facebook games have not gotten me down.

But when they start going around, they do initially, for 3 seconds, piss me off.

A few weeks ago, there was a 'game' where you had to change your profile picture to your celebrity look-a-like. Since no one has ever told me I look like someone famous, or some cool athlete....well.....this directive could send someone who is unstable or in therapy to the bottle.


This week, those people at Facebook came up with the bright idea to change your profile picture to a picture of you with your husband/boyfriend /significant other--for Valentine's Week. And I supposed if I had a boyfriend or husband, I would have jumped on the bandwagon. I'm keeping my picture of Mom and me up there in honor or this charade.

A true double-edged sword for those of us who apparently are too plain, too plump, too boring, or too 'something' to have a boyfriend. I shake my head all the time saying 'I am much better looking than she is, so why does she have a husband?' And then I look at her husband and understand. She settled. He settled. I REFUSE to settle for something less just to have someone.

I'm ok with this right now. But for those who see their shrink a few times a week, these reindeer games garner very low self-esteem and could push someone over the Hope Memorial Bridge feeling very hopeless.

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!

Old home week

What a week! It seemed like 'old home week' for me. It began last weekend when we had a wedding at my church and one of the families I'd known since I was a tot. It was great visiting with them, if only for a few minutes!

Then, within a few days I've gotten Facebook friend requests from a college buddy, a high school classmate, and a grade school friend. Though time is of the essence these days and free moments are rare, I do enjoy keeping in touch with old friends, if only through Facebook!

My Mother almost went through the roof when we drove by Jamie's house (which I might add is directly across from my high school). She could not believe one of my dear college friends lives 5 minutes from us and we never get together. She is absolutely on the money! Hopefully I will be seeing him soon at his Cider Press party!!

But the big reunion was mid week. I was able to sneak toward work a little early because I actually wanted to spend some money at the Indians' gift shop. Their loss. They had the entire area blocked off and no where to park. Their loss was definitely my gain. I buzzed my dear friend, Monina...told her I was outside of her station and begged her to let me in! Fortunately she WAS there and had a few free moments.

You have to understand, Monina IS probably my dearest friend. However, I still had her Christmas gift in my trunk. I had been carrying it around since December!!!!!

We were able to catch up since our last chat....I handed over her gifts....and asked her to be the 'deliver-er' of 3 other gifts I had been carrying around for a few weeks.

I also was able to visit with a handful of former co-workers. What a serendipity! I have such fond memories of my last workplace. Salt of the earth people. Many of them are still on sight, which is rare. It was a different time 20+ years ago. Many people are still the same tho the physical plant has certainly changed.

And the greatest visit this week was when Mom and I took our annual trip to the Notre Dame Chicken Dinner.....where we caught up with Sister St. Jude. Sister was the best friend of our cousin, Sister Callista, who has since passed. Sister St. Jude is truly a remarkable woman. Though hampered with physical ailments of late, her sense of humor, kindness, and memory are as sharp as a tack! Mom and I were hoping to zip in and out of the dinner and be home to watch the Browns and the Tribe. When we found out Sister was on site, we had to make a visit. Our journey took us on the road less traveled and what an enriching journey we met. We had an absolutely memorable visit with our friend, one we shall never forget!