LOL 1.31.16

What was the last thing that gave you a real, authentic, tearful, hearty belly laugh? Why was it so funny?

That was actually today. It is a conversation we have often. My husband, daughter and skid1 can do this thing with their uvula. It is a growling noise and they do it using a technique they say is like gargling without liquid. I can't do it. I do it and it sounds like an exorcism needs to be scheduled. Everyone gets a kick out of my attempts.

Prior to today I was overcome by giggles after eating chocolate covered espresso beans like popcorn throughout the day. Mr.MckTchr was trying to attach a TV to the kid room tv stand and I found his struggle hilarious. He did not. It was a real, authentic, tearful caffeine induced belly laugh that left me a little sore.


Laughter, excellent meds.

Daily prompt found at https://dailypost.wordpress.com/prompts/

Saturday saying 1.30.16

"The secrets are demanding to be free, heard by the world. Yet, I am not ready. I fear I never will be. Because if they are free, then where does that leave me?"

Reading a new Amazon Unlimited book, Trail of Broken Wings. The words above are powerful and true. When we hold on to something powerful, something that almost commands or defines our life, we risk being lost without it. In truth, we would likely be liberated after its release.  Facing the past, facing the dark secrets of our life, sets us free. Accept the reality and move forward. That doesn't mean forgive and forget, it means deal and move forward. Some issues are easier than others. Some require professional assistance. All require atttention. One should not be held back by the negative. Grow and become better for it.

Wordless Wednesday 1.27.16

Back to it. Days out for snowy ice and now it's time to face reality.

When in Rome...

si fueris Rōmae, Rōmānō vīvitō mōre; si fueris alibī, vīvitō sicut ibi

Apparently the Iranian President is unfamiliar with the phrase, when in Rome do as the Romans do. When the Iranian President visited Italy the nude statues were covered to show respect to the Iranian culture and sensitivity. I'm sorry, when I visit someone's house I do not require them to change their ways. Italy is the center of art and much of the art is related to the human form. I understand being sensitive but I do not understand shunning your culture to placate another. If it was that big of a deal, hold the meeting somewhere else. Signing a business deal, meet in a business venue. I'm not saying meet in a room of nude murals and statues, flaunting Italian art that would be offensive, but no need to cover up what is part of Italian history and culture.

What is family?

The Hawaiian concept 'ohana: emphasizes that families are bound together and members must cooperate and remember one another. (Wikipedia)


According to www.edu.pe.ca/southernkings/familydefinition.htm:

Families are who you love. Our families all “look” different and it's always been so. A family caregiving unit might consist of a couple; a mother, father and children; a single parent and child; grandparent and grandchildren; a sibling group; a circle of friends; or however that family defines itself.

Family is who is there for you.  It doesn't have to be those related by blood. It is my experience that those are the least reliable. That isn't so for everyone, but it is for me.  My family is my husband, my children, my in-laws, and a few select friends. They are there and have been there.  They do not feign understanding and acceptance.  I respect that.

"Always." RIP Alan Rickman

It is with great sadness that I read the news this morning.  I loved Alan Rickman in Robin Hood, enjoyed him in Sense and Sensibility, and adored him as Professor Snape in Harry Potter.  The world has lost another tremendous talent.

February 12, 1946 - January 14, 2016

Two roads ahead...and now we wait.

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,. And sorry I could not travel both. And be one traveler, long I stood. And looked down one as far as I could.

Sometimes I feel like this is the state of life. Actually, I guess it is the state of life. We always have choices, paths that will take us in the different directions life offers. It certainly keeps life interesting.   

We've been chasing a house since spring 2015. It was for sale by owner then and she was emotionally attached to the property and couldn't come to a decision. We walked away.  Late fall 2015 this same house showed up on Realtor. The owner was listed and the price was less.  Yay!  We contacted our agent and did a walk-thru, then made a formal offer.  After days of waiting, the owner did not counter and pulled the listing saying she wasn't ready.  What?!?!?  Not ready?  You LISTED your house with an agent!  Ugh. Fine, we moved on.  It was worth another try.  Since being rejected, yet again, we have viewed several homes without much excitement. There was one we really liked enough to offer on, but when they countered they wanted a very open contract with all risk on us, and as it turned out they countered while already having a contract on their house. This was not disclosed to us during the process.  We were also exploring a new build option.  After much deliberation, new build was the road we chose.  The last several days we poured over floor plans, looked a tile, flooring, fixtures, granite.  We are scheduled to meet for a design session Friday.  Sunday night, just after finishing the basic ideas for our new house we received an email.  The basic idea:  "I have had a life change and want to offer you the opportunity to buy my house. I have emotionally come to terms and am now ready."  The house we have been chasing for the better part of a year is now being offered to us on a platter. 

Not sure how to feel about this. On one hand I can build a house to my specs and desire. On the other I can buy a house on an acre +, in the location we desire, and with a pool that would offer much enjoyment.  There will be extensive remodel requirements, but it speaks to us. It attracts us.  

Two roads and we can't travel both.  Both paths are attractive. Both will lead us to a place in life we would like to be. There are trade-offs and opportunity costs to both.  After a cost-benefit analysis, it is almost a draw.  For now, we wait and see.  I don't trust that the home owner will follow through, and I'm also not willing to let my favorite build site get away.  Time will tell...

Live life. Give joy. Be at peace.

Welcome to the world baby girl!

What about a little Fannie Flagg reference for the morning? It's a beautiful day in the Carolina's. The sun is out, the temperature is a comfortable cool. It's time to wake up, smell the sweet aroma of the outdoors and...what's that smell???  Yeah, that's Rachi. He apparently had gastrointestinal distress last night and that's what we woke up to.  7 freakin AM in the morning and the husky has crapped his kennel.  Fortunately in the garage.  Yes ladies and gentleman, my first blog post is about dog poop.

Well, not totally. Rachi did have gastro issues and is embarrassed by it. Sawyer, the black lab who is usually responsible for gastro offense, was not pleased with the smells radiating from his brother's kennel. The doxies, Tiki and Pachelbel were spared. They kennel in the laundry room at night. We are a family with four dogs. Drazil was happy for the morning disruption. She is a Mali Uromastyx lizard that likes to be up and about early and sleep in from late afternoon on.  Drazil was glad to get her salad earlier than our usual late morning weekend rise.  Yoshi, the bunny, doesn't care either way.  I sear, there are times she is completely nocturnal, tossing her bowl down the ramp and incessantly licking her water thingy. I'm rather certain that is the technical term for it.  My apologies for using jargon.

To complete the family introductions I am married to Mr. MckTchr. Between us there are five kids. Kid1, Kid2, Skid1, Skid2, and Skid3.  Ages 18, 15, 21, 16, and 12.

I've been blogging for years.  I think I started in 2003 and typed out my thoughts trying to stay sane while in grad school.  It sort of worked.  After a while it grew tedious. In 2009, or 10...sometime...I toyed with the idea of picking it back up.  Like so many toys we played with as children the interest came and went.  I'm in a new stage of life now and think it is time to pick up the toy again.  Maybe I will have much to say, maybe not.  I'm not going to commit to a post each day, but I'm going to start this journey and see where it goes.  Maybe I will have something to say...or nah. In the meantime...

Live life. Give joy. Be at peace.