A "very long nap" indeed

My life is crazy.....it isn't a "bad life"....it's just a CRAZY one!

I know, I said in my last post that I was going to "take a nap"...but somehow in there.....it became one sort of a "Rip Van Winkle" thing.

Well, in the "writing sense" that is.

I just couldn't make it back here to post again. My life spins out of control at times and other things....take over.

You know how it is don't you? I mean can you relate?

Add into my busy life.....no kitchen. Igh! It's okay though...I keep telling myself that anyway. HA!

Like my husband said tonight when our supper was in "flames" on the grill......."there is never a lack of drama at our house."

And there usually is...it keeps life exciting I suppose.

I will update more tomorrow. I think.....well, hopefully.

I have so MUCH to talk about. HA! HA! You know me...usually never at a loss for words.
For now though.
I'm off to bed. Again. I know....I know.
It's late though and I've had an eventful day...:-)

Cheers!!

Happy 30th Birthday Baby

Where do I start?

Actually….I am not even going to bother cause my fingers will just bleed from all the bitching and moaning typing I could do about my weekend.

So I am going to NOT do that – and just talk about the positives.

On Saturday, Eric skydived. It cost me a fortune but it was cool. We had lots of great people over for an awesome BBQ on E's new grill. We watched the DVD of him skydiving. It was cool.

And that is all. But it WAS cool.

So four days and only one day that was good. Do not ask me about the other days. I might cry.

Yiippppppppeeeeeeeeeeeee

Recollection of Childhood Days

What is your recollection of your childhood days? Were they happy or were they sad? What lessons have you learned from those experiences from your past? Have these lessons served you well in your present state of life?

Tags: Childhood Days, Memories of the Good Old Days, Lessons in Life
Posted by: Mel Avila Alarilla

Nap Time

This will be me in about 5 minutes.
All except the man standing over me. Which if he were there....it would be my husband asking...."What's for dinner?"

We had a MAJOR work out in the pool this morning and we all left worn out.
Miss Sandi brought in a "Very special" aerobics trainer..and she worked our biscuits to the bone. Well.....not quite to the bone...don't I wish. HA!

But it was fun having her there. She was a very cute lady and nice. We found out that we already do so much of what she was teaching us today so that was good.

As soon as we got out of the pool we were hit with a huge thunderstorm so that was good timing. No one was hit by lighting at least, that I know of. HA!
We had a VERY NICE luncheon that we had planned for afterwards.

Funny I know.....but it was all "good and healthy" food.....:~) I brought a nice red and green leaf lettuce salad with all sorts of things in it. Yummmm!

I love my pool group. It's such a diverse group of women and they are all nice. We had 8 ladies there today.

I'm exhausted now, and have a million things to do.

But the bed is calling me....I'm taking a cup of tea with me to relax with.
I can't linger in there long but.....I think I CAN take a "power nap."


Then I must get up and get going to the Bone and Joint Doctor which is in a crazy part of town that I dread driving to because the traffic is so bad there....blah!

I'm off to dream land for now.

Much more later. Stay tuned.

Taking A Rest

"Medieval Knights....taking a break."

Even Mighty Warriors need a rest.........

I need one too. We ACTUALLY have been working our brains out packing up the entire kitchen for the better part of the end of the week and all of the weekend. Sorting and figuring out how to keep some cooking and eating items "handy"...yet out of the way.

BLAH!!!
Yes, it's "out with the old, and in with the NEW" kitchen.

Did ever mention how MUCH I hate remodeling.
So far..it's not been super bad doing all that has been done. Well, a few things have been but a bit slow, however...this kitchen redo...will be a mess I'm afraid.
I can feel it already.

HOPEFULLY we can get this over and done with.....ummm.....by my goal of
July 4th.
Or am I just dreaming??

I'm exhausted.... AND not to mention we had company today during all this
CRAZY, HOSPITABLE, people that we are. :~)

Our good Chantelle who is in town from Alabama, came over today with her baby and bought us Chinese food for supper.
That was very nice of her. They just left after being here most of the afternoon and evening so she can get the baby down for the night.

My friend Joanie called to remind me that "our show"....is coming on tonight. Which is "Masterpiece Theatre"....it doesn't matter which series is showing.......we love it all.

I will now proceed to lay on the couch and watch the new PBS series that is beginning tonight called ....."Inspector Lewis."

I hope your day has been good as well.
For now.....come and take a break and watch some Masterpiece Theatre tonight along with my good friend Joanie and I.

Camp Day for Miss Priss

"Miss Priss and her BFF"

This morning bright and early......."Miss Priss and her BFF" left out for camp. They are on buses bound for Panama City, Florida right at this very moment.
This will be their last year going to this camp because after this year......they will be too old to go. :~(

They've gone to this group camp for FIVE years now together.....they were just little girls when they started going. Now they are grown up.....in fact......last year they were there at this camp along with their good friend, Kenzie, who is also the daughter of one of my VERY best friends.

"BFF, Kenzie, Miss Priss".....uh...yes that is vegetables up their noses.
Miss Priss and Kenzie last year at camp.
This year Kenzie isn't able to go...in fact she's out of the country right now even.....preparing to GET MARRIED in August.
Sigh.........all my little girls.
Where have they gone to? Where did the days and years go? I wonder this many days and ponder it many nights.

Miss Priss ready to go to a special event with "Italian Boy."

Now they are ladies.....well, ummm for the most part I think regarding the others...Miss Priss still has her "moments" HA!
But they're not so silly anymore.
Miss Priss holding our good friend Chantelle's baby.

What Is The Meaning of Life?

What is the meaning of life? How can we say that we have fully lived our own lives? What is your purpose in life? Have you already attained it?

Tags: Meaning of Life, Purpose in Life, Accomplishments, Life Lived Fully

Posted by:Mel Avila Alarilla

"ASPI(RED)"....to learn new things

UGH!

I am SO not the technical one.

Tonight I loaded a new CD Miss Priss bought today onto my "ITunes" library so I could then get it loaded onto my IPod at some point. And then I goofed up something. I think.

I didn't want to ask Miss Priss for help and be mocked.
You know what I mean. Teenagers. Ugh!! Every notice how they EVERYTHING on the planet and the parents do not???

My kids can accomplish so many "techy" things and I always FORGET how to do them.....especially the IPod thing because I don't do it enough.

Another thing I am bad with....is my cell phone.....blah!
That one really gets my kids.

I JUST learned how to "text message" last year and only by accident because someone sent me a text at 3:00am one time...and I was determined to find out WHAT that bizarre sound was coming from my phone and I presumed it was a text message but I had never opened or sent one before.
I played with it until I figured it out....
The message just so happened to be from our very good friends who were in South Africa at the time.

The wife was writing to "ask for 'prayer' because the husband was going to be 'bungee jumping in a few moments".....to which once I read it and absorbed the message I thought to myself..

"WHAT.... are you kidding me????"
Because by then it was probably like...4:00am in my part of the world and I was thinking that the "prayer needful jump" was probably over by then. Yikes!

Now, I just said all of that to say this.....that event...forced me to figure the text messaging thing out because I wanted to know something bad enough.

Now I "text" all the the time with Miss Priss.

Sometimes we have to get OUT of our "comfort zones" even in the most common of everyday things....which may be hard for us, yet easy for someone else.

Last month when Gabe was home...I asked him how to put my phone on "vibrate" and he said...."Mom...I showed you that a long time ago."

Eeegh..I didn't even remember him doing that at ALL. HA! But I remember how to do it now. After that comment. He was nice, I just felt a bit ummm...."forgetful."

I drive Miss Priss nutty pretty much all the time with this kind of stuff because she's with me the most, so she's the one that has to "fix" these things for me when they go awry.
That in turn drives me nutty Well, the fact that I can't do it and they can.

Tonight I figured I would just call Gabe my IPod savvy oldest son instead because I knew he could help me out.

He started giving me this IPod "tutorial" over the phone and via "instant messaging" on the computer all at once... and he's telling me to do this and that and go to "advanced" and blah, blah, blah.....before I know it....my entire library is backwards and shifted around....so it's pretty much messed up a bit worse that it was.

He doesn't know what happened because he can't see it because he's in Connecticut for Pete's Sake.

Then he "rats me out" by sending a "text message" to Miss Priss to have her "go see what Mom did." I KNEW the minute she came prancing into the office to see what I was doing that he had told her so I asked her "did Gabe call you".....she said..."no he sent me a text"...urrrrr.
Anyway....she too couldn't "undo" whatever happened either.

I mean it's not a "world crisis" or anything.
Just a bit frustrating is all.

Is this just me or what?
I really don't do any of this stuff on a consistent enough basis....I've learned in life that "repetition" really does help us to remember.

I guess I need to change out the ol "IPod" more often......especially since I haven't done it at all since Christmas.

ALL the Christmas music is still loaded on it.

Often times I'll have the IPod playing in the house somewhere and then all of a sudden....here comes Bing Crosby singing "White Christmas" and I have to nearly break my neck to run over to the dock to get it switched off really fast before someone hears it.
ESPECIALLY my teenagers.

My husband heard it one day thought it was weird. HA!Since it is June.
I can put up with teasing me....it's these kids that make you feel old and dingy.
That I can't take.

I sort of like to take the Scarlett O'Hara approach when it comes to these technical things though.....the....

"Oh I can't think about this now! I'll go crazy if I do! I'll think about it tomorrow. But I must think about it. I must think about it. What is there to do? What is there that matters? Tara! Home. I'll go home."
Well.......all except the "Tara" being "home" part of course. And I just leave it alone and don't fix it.....even though it's broke.

I am going to ASPIRE to work on these things I tell myself...
One day.
I want this very cool, "Product (RED)" IPod but I can't keep up with the very nice black one I have already so I don't think I will be getting a new one just so I can have a (RED) one.

I LOVE all the "Product (RED)"stuff....I'm wearing one of their shirts even now. It says.......

"ADO(RED)".....
and I think I am.
Especially by these people who call me "Mom"....who I drive mad.
And who also drive me mad.
:~)

Check out the (RED) campaign.....it works for a worthy cause.
I'm ASPI(RED) to get out of my "comfort zone."
In more ways than one.

Sports and My Life

Life can sometimes be compared to sports.

One day, it throws you a curveball in an attempt to throw you off your game and strike you out, other times it can slide check the heck out of you in order to steal the ‘ball’, or even take that field goal kick and sway the wind so you JUST miss. Can you hit that curveball out of that park? Or just manage a dinky little hit to shortstop? Can you avoid the slide check and make it down field for a shot on net? Or do you succumb to the check and lose the ball? Can you anticipate the wind and adjust your kick to make the goal? Or do you lose control and kick to the left?

Right now, I don’t have any answers. I don’t know if I will. I just know that life has thrown me quite a few curveballs, slide checks, and missed field goals and I have to figure out what am I going to do about them. I think I am a pretty strong person; someone with integrity, compassion, and sensitivity. But I question that strength when life throws crap at me. I am encouraged by the people around me, those that love and care about me, but when I am alone…why is it so easy to feel sorry for myself then it is to take some action and make it better? I guess that’s a question MANY ask themselves, as I am sure I am not alone in that.

When life gives you lemons make lemonade right? Well what about Margaritas instead? More fitting I think. Besides, a couple of those and I wont really care anyways right?

What would Jesus do I wonder.

To My Children's Father and and My Friend

A very HAPPY FATHER'S DAY to my husband Don.....who is the Father of our children and just a very awesome man in general!

He maybe getting older...but he is getting better as well. More handsome, more compassionate. Wiser, more patient....wait a minute....did I say "more patient"....well....humm......still working on that one a bit but you know...
all those "OTHER" great attributes that come along with aging. HA!

He is a good man.....a great man. An awesome Husband and Friend..to me....in fact..he's my BEST FRIEND on this planet.

He's an awesome Father.

Daddy helping "Miss Priss" and "Italian Boy" get ready from their first prom.

Dad and Gabe

For this WE.....my family and I....HONOR him.

Caleb, Luke and Don Showing off some "big guns."

And he's more handsome than when we first met. Did I mention that we started dating when we were 16 1/2 years old :~)

We have a BIG anniversary coming up this Fall.....

We are BLESSED!

Here I am....and only 3 days of "Paid Vacation" time left

I haven't really been hiding since getting back in from our little trip away....it's just that I've been trying to get "back into the swing of things"....
Appointments, kids, house cleaning, food cooking, you know, it's called.......
"Life."

The "away" places and spaces are always gone too fast for me....sigh.
I taking love trips!

And this one went WAY too fast for some reason.

I didn't even take any photos...this was more like a "long weekend"....but it was good while it was happening.
My husband had some business to do so "Miss Priss, Italian Boy, and I" were able to go along for a few days and hang out in the very nice pool area and do a few other things as well.

I'm very grateful that we were able to do this.
Especially because I know many famiilies that won't or can't go on a mini trip even.

We have always been VERY BLESSED to be able to take frequent mini trip and some wonderful vacations with our family.

However....something that "bugs" me right now is knowing that most of America (us included) have VERY limited vacation/holiday time..... America's employer's are getting very BAD about taking "off time" away from it's people.

Especially when you realize just HOW MUCH vacation/holiday time people in the European Union get.
Check this out:
"The average leave and public holiday entitlements across all 27 EU states is 34 days, with little difference between Eastern and Western Europe. Employees in Finland benefit from 44 days’ holiday, while those in France and Lithuania receive 40 days. In contrast, staff in the UK, Netherlands and Romania are allowed just 28 days off. The figures are based on statutory entitlements for an employee working five days a week, with 10 years’ service."

Yikes!!! We are SO not getting this kind of paid vacation/holiday time off in America and Canada.

Here is another paragraph from a Website I was reading today.
It's called......
***Take Back Your Vacation***

"Vacations are vanishing. Only 14% of Americans will get a vacation of two weeks or longer this year. A third of women and a quarter of men get no annual leave anymore, as annual leave benefits are being eliminated like pensions. Many others are afraid to use their paid leave for fear they could be laid off or demoted if they do. No wonder the average American vacation is now down to a long weekend."

You know that really isn't good for families and individuals....people need some rest and relaxation from time to time, even if they just stay home.

But then right now add in very high gas prices and the housing crisis and umemployement, other economic issues.....and you must realize that families aren't going to be able to spend any time off somewhere together.....because they can't either take the time away or the can't afford even the simplest, tiny vacation.

Take a peek if you wish at this site........"Take Back Your Time"It's very interesting....

Our family now only has 3 days of "Paid Vacation" left....we always end up taking time off "without pay" when needed.....I know we have some things to do as a family before this year is out. We also had a "Big Trip" planned for the Fall, but have scrapped now for the time being and that's okay.

Something always works out in the end for us......but I am concerned for the others that only get 5 days of paid vacation/holiday leave even after YEARS of working for a company or corporation.
Yet, in light of what is, and has been happening in our home state of "Iowa" and other parts of the United States and the World.....
I really haven't any problems to complain about.

I have to work at keeping things in "proper perspective" at times.
Just watch the daily news though, and it doesn't take much to get your eyes back in focus.

Do I still think we need more vacation time?

Yeah.

How Do You Describe Your Parents?

How do you describe your parents, your mother and your father? How is your relationship with them? Would you bring up your kids the way you were brought up by your parents?

Tags: Parents, Mother, Father, Love, Relationship, Bonding

Posted by: Mel Avila Alarilla

Two things........or Three or Four....

Silly girl that I am....I should be packing....we are leaving for the coast for FOUR glorious days..and here I sit.
What can I say?
When it starts to flow I have to "write it down." HA! Plus I'm watching something on my comp at the same time as I am writing this....

Soooo...did any of you happen to see this photo and what is going on with Tony Blair??

No apologies here. I am a HUGE "Tony Blair" fan.....I always have been, I can't really tell you why but I've watched what he's done and am now paying attention to what he's now doing. It's not an infatuation thing although I have had and do continue to have a burden for his country.

England that is...he was born in Scotland but I'm talking England here...where he served as the "longest serving Prime Minister" ever before stepping down last year.

Tony Blair is serving in the Middle East now as an "Envoy" on behalf of behalf of the United Nations, the European Union, the United States and Russia.

Here's a good article you might want to check out that I found on the BBC called "Blair To Devote His Life To Faith" which is worth reading....very interesting in fact.

The BBC includes this quote from Blair in the article.....
"You don't put a hotline up to God and get the answers.
"The worst thing in politics is when you're so scared of losing support that you don't do what you think is the right thing.

"What faith can do is not tell you what is right but give you the strength to do it."

I have to DISAGREE with Mr. Blair on that point.....I can understand the "fear" that one would feel in politics...being "scared of losing support".... I am sure it's a hard place to be in...but I must say....I feel that one "CAN put a hotline up to God and be told what is "right" AND have the strength to do it" altogether.

***Secondly.....

God TV...I am nearly addicted to it lately.

I pick up the "live feed" on my computer and watch it. I love it. And for me.....

OF COURSE.....I am watching alot of the U.K. stuff.....the other night I watched a great show from the U.K....loved it......and right now....I'm viewing the
"One Thing Jerusalem Conference"....it's very cool and interesting to watch people speaking and singing in Hebrew and English of course.

This morning I watched a good bit of "Frenzy 2008" from Edinburgh, Scotland and saw my FAVORITE band
...."Delirous"....

I was very excited about that.I had just bought their new CD called......"Kingdom Of Comfort."

Now what do you think that could be about with a title like that??? I love these guys because they are all about "Helping Humanity".....they have big hearts and I like that. They have joined a group of music artists in forming a charity called......"Compassion Art." Take a look at that site.

And here are the lyrics to "Kingdom Of Comfort".....hummmm......the chorus IS impressive.

***Kingdom Of Comfort***

Save me save me
From the kingdom of comfort where I am king
From my unhealthy lust of material things

I built myself a happy home
In my palace on my own
My castle falling in the sand
Pull me out, please grab my hand
I just forgot where I came from

Save me save me
From the kingdom of comfort where I am king
From my unhealthy lust of material things

I rob myself of innocence
With the poison of indifference
I buy my stuff at any cost
A couple of clicks and I pay the price
Coz what I gain is someone else's loss

Save me save me
From the kingdom of comfort where I am king
From my unhealthy lust of material things

Save me save me
From the kingdom of comfort where I am king
To this kingdom of heaven where you are king

Written by Delirious? ©2008 Curious? Music UK

I'll be talking to you all when I get back.... it's time for some "R&R" now.

Do You Believe In God?

What is your idea of God? Do you believe that there is a God who created everything and who watches over all His creations? How do you relate to Him?

Tags: God, Creation, Beliefs

Posted by: Mel Avila Alarilla

True Inspiration.....

"Water Lilies" by Claude Monet: 1840-1926

I have little "writing inspiration" today so I thought I would give you some one else's "artist inspiration" instead.

Oh I do have "inspiration" in other realms......but not in the writing arena today.

I think my mind is clouded and I have been frustrated at myself lately for not writing any "good articles" actually......it's just mainly "what's going on with our family" and things of that matter and that is all good and fine.

But I have a "Deeper Well" within me and I love it when I can tap into it and release what's there......but that takes time.

I've had my "quiet times" of reading and reflection and such but I'm talking about writing. I have so many more things inside of me but I can't seem to get them out due to time or....like today...lack of "writing inspiration."

Right now the best and truest inspiration I can give you in 10 seconds is......."help change the world."
There is a lot to be done and a lot that just ONE person can do.

Getting Off This Horse.......

Sorry it's taken me so long to post this. It's been a busy week around here...as usual it seems.

I DO want to "Get Off This Hobby Horse" though and move on.....so I will now print out for you the reply that the "House of Dior" sent to me following my e-mail to them regarding the very untimely and uncompassionate remarks regarding the earthquake that took place in China....which were made by one
"Sharon Stone" who is/was one of their spokes persons.

You can read about the entire thing in the post below this one.....

This is the reply I received from Dior:

Dear Ms. Mahan,

Thank you for contacting us and sharing your concerns about this matter. Please be aware that we entirely disagree with the statements made by Ms. Stone and do not support her opinions on this matter in any way.

We are deeply saddened by the tragic devastation in China caused by the earthquake, and we regret any statements that hurt the feelings of the Chinese people.

We appreciate that you contacted us.

Sincerely,

Stacey

Customer Relations

Christian Dior Couture

Good to know.....I appreciate the stand they took. They are a BIG and FAMOUS Fashion House that has been around since 1945 and didn't have to address what she said.....but they did.

Whenever you see a cause or an issue that you CAN address....why not do it?
It didn't cost me one penny to do what I did. We have pens, we have computers....we can take action.

You can do this too....and it will make a difference to someone.

We should never want revenge in situations.....but we should want to see "Justice."
I am very passionate about Justice.

lotta 'bout nothin

yeah, I have decided I am pretty boring because nothing really important comes to mind that NEEDS to be posted. It could also be 'cause I don't remember things too...but that would be making fun of myself and we don't like that

right? RIGHT?

Honestly, I can completely agree I have not been the entertainer you all have grown to know and love lately...and I have no explanation (atleast one that will fly anyways) except to say that maybe I am just getting too old to be funny anymore?

Please, no one answer that. Purely hypothetical...I dont think my ego could take it. Plus, do you all want to be responsible for me going and getting Botox? I think not. In fact, I could use your comments as ammunition in the court case when I sue you all for emotional distress. Don't think I wont. I am a badass

OK, even that made ME laugh. ME? A Badass. HAHAHAHAHAH. I talk tough, deep down inside I am a folding lawn chair. Ask anyone. In fact, ask my daughter...she sure takes advantage of that.