I Dedicate this to all Fellow Whopper fans

The Sanctity of Marriage

I had a conversation with my little brother this afternoon that I have to write about. Now I want to say that I absolutely love my brother to the very depth of my being but I was really shocked by what he said and how strongly he believes his position.

Remember, we were raised Republicans. We were discussing political candidates and he expressed that he didn't like Giuliani because he considers him to be a closet Democrat. He brought up that Guiliani supports gay marriage; and then he said the following. He said that if gay marriage was legalized that it would open the door for pedophiles being able to marry children and people marrying animals. He was dead serious that this is where it would go and I was floored. I'd heard people say this but I didn't give it any thought because I think they are nuts. When I heard my brother say it, I didn't know what to think. I'm passed it though, like I said, I love him. But I've been tossing this thing around in my head all day.

I really began to consider everything his statement implied. What was he saying when he made this claim?

First, like others who hold this position, he doesn't see homosexuals as complete people. It is implied in his argument that he sees homosexuality as just sex. And since it isn't between a man and a woman, it's unnatural sex. Immediately he relates it to other "unnatural" sexual activity: Bestiality and pedophilia. Both are examples of activity where one party is not consenting.

But what I realized is how he and others who make this claim view marriage. People don't get married so that they can have sex "legally". But they do get married so they can have sex morally. And that, I think, is where it gets confusing because people who marry for moral reasons cannot get their head around gays being married because, according to their moral code, homosexual intimacy is not moral. What an interesting dilemma.

Then I began to think about the sanctity of marriage and what I thought would protect it. I think that the sanctity of marriage could be protected if the people getting married understood the law regarding marriage before saying "I Do". If people knew going into marriage how property was divided, credit was allocated, homestead issues applied, custody issues, inheritance issues etc. etc. maybe they would reconsider marriage. Maybe it would discourage young people from just jumping in.

Encouraging young people to wait before marriage would then force them into immoral sexual activity. Ah another dilemma.

The sanctity of marriage isn't threatened by the sexual preference of the people seeking the union; I think that the sanctity of marriage is threatened by the lack of forethought of those who go into it. The legal aspect of marriage as a binding contract isn't romantic but that's the heart of the issue. My brother doesn't understand that aspect of marriage. Neither minors nor animals can be bound to a contract. And allowing same sex consenting adults to enter into the contract of marriage isn't going to make it possible for animals and minors to enter into any contract, much less a marriage contract.

I think the reason marriage is looked at mostly as a moral issue is because the ceremony takes place in a church. I think if the majority of individuals had their marriages in front of the JP that there would be very little debate regarding homosexuals being allowed to marry. Because then most people would understand more clearly the legal implications of their union.

Anyway, that's my take on it.

Musetta wishes everyone a Merry Christmas!

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Big Day

Today is a big day for me. First of all it's my Birthday! and secondly it's the first anniversary of my business!

Nothing exciting to report on the Birthday front. A couple of dinners and lunches planned and that's about it.

I'm very excited, however, about my business. I had a stellar first year AND I hired my first agent last week. I have an agent, I'm so excited. She got a very sweet deal because she IS the first. My goal is to have 5 by June. I'm hiring a PR/Marketing to totally revamp my website and at some point perhaps redo my logo.

I'm trying very hard to get my little brother to join me. He's in Clovis NM right now but is contemplating relocating his family to Texas. I was looking at my logo and I realized it's very girly. If I want male agents, I might need to have it redesigned. It's not a priority at this moment but it is something that is definitely worth revisiting.

I've been a chatterbox lately. For months I've been absent and then suddenly, I can't stop posting..... Funny how life works.

Everybody, Meet Seamus Heiney MacCool

This is my dear, sweet, Seamus. I got him from a local breeder who does very well with Bi-color persians. I actually think she is an excellent breeder overall; her cats are healthy both physically and emotionally.

I don't even know where to begin to tell you how sweet this little boy is. He loves everyone who walks in the door. Is always at my side. And is just a love machine.

When I was younger, I used to thumb my nose at Persians. I never really considered them to be real cats. My short time with Little Bear sort of changed that for me. And I'm afraid that Seamus has truly made me see the light. I will definitely get another Persian. Seamus is the sweetest most loving creature I've ever experienced.

Dead or Alive?

If you are a Patricia Cornwell fan and have not yet read her latests Scarpetta book "Book of the Dead", then stop here. This is a spoiler!



So, if you read the book and you walked away wondering if Marino was dead or alive, I'm pretty sure he's alive. This book ended sort of abruptly and I'm weary of the tension between these dysfunctional people. I often wonder if they even like one another and if they have any happy moments. I wonder if Cornwell suspects that and that she left us with a cliff hanger to so she could get another chance to keep us drawn in.

I'll always love her Scarpetta series. I don't think that I would ever stop reading her stuff in spite of the problems her characters have. I just get tired of all the tension, I feel like they should move on by now.

Our Attempt at Show Business

Looks like my sister and I have been drinking just a wee bit too much egg nog....if you know what I mean.

Check us out!

Women - Apply Within

Norway has passed a law that requires all publicly traded companies to have a certain number of women on it's board by January 1 or risk being shut down. The law was initially passed in 2003 and now everyone is scrambling trying to meet the requirements.

I learned of this news as I was reading through the Wall Street Journal today. Initially, I started reading the article because I was curious. I'm not really sure how I feel, I'm sort of letting it sink in. I am a firm believer of free trade among goods and labor. Norway is the only country in the world that has this law.

But here is something that just really hit me funny. In the article I came across this: 'Trygve Hegnar, CEO and editor-in-chief of Hegnar Media, publisher of Norway's biggest financial newspaper and newsmagazine, [a man] says boards have "kicked off some very good" members to make room for inexperienced newcomers whose "main qualification is that they are women."'

If I were to change that to read "boards have kicked off some very good members to make room for inexperienced newcomers whose main qualifaction is that they are men", could we say that was a true statement?

I thought over my life experiences throughout my past career. And I can honestly say that the pot is calling the kettle black. Ladies, have you ever felt that a job or an opportunity was given to someone because their "main qualification is that they are men?". Ever had a man as a boss who may as well have been a monkey?

I've held positions in organizations where I produced and was intentionally held back and passed over because I am a woman. And I'll bet my bottom dollar that Trygve Hegnar has probably passed over a woman quite simply because she was a woman.

How many times have we heard of men who started as a clerk in the mail room working their way up to eventually become president of the organization. It happens. Men don't get pigeon holed into clerical positions. Has anyone ever heard of a woman promoting from the mail room? Or from the typing pool? No. Why? Because she was a woman. If she had any skills she wouldn't be in the typing pool....right?

The source of Trygve's frustration is that women in Norway are able to nominate themselves for these board positions, even if they are currently teachers or flight attendents, etc. My brother is a landman and has been for years and years. He didn't always have work but today he's making a six figure income. During the dry times, he was a baggage handler. Does my brother being a baggage handler disqualify him from being able to do work that pays six figures? I was a secretary and I heard over and over again that I couldn't be more than that in spite of my educational background, awards and previous work experience. Once a secretary always a secretary.

The way I see it is that this law has been passed because women in Norway aren't given opportunities to reach their full potential. So if teachers and waitresses and flight attendents are applying for these positions it may very well be that these people are underutilized and fully capable of the positions for which they are applying, just as my brother was while he was a baggage handler making minimum wage.

So I say, suck it up Trygve Hegnar and take it like a woman!

Post with no title

It's been so long since I've posted anything I think my loyal readers have probably moved on. Still, I'm torn. Do I account for my 6 month's absence or pick up as though I never left? I don't really have an explanation for my prolonged absence other than I just didn't feel like i had much to say. I don't even know what to title this post.

My first year on my own in my business has been a very good one. I have been blessed. If someone had told me that this was how my first year was going to go, I don't know that I would have believed them. I plan on hiring a PR/Marketing company to carry me to the next step. I'm nervous about it because it's a lot of money but I think I'm doing the right thing.

There was a brief moment where I was dating someone. It didn't last long. I just don't think he was that into me. I can't really pull anything interesting from the our time together except for the story of how we met. He actually inadvertently followed me to a local place for breakfast. He didn't intend to, he just did. And the place that we went to is frequented by gays. And he was driving a miatta, so at first I automatically assumed he was gay. Then while we were waiting for a table, we started chatting with one another. Then when they called his name, he asked me to join him for breakfast. When he asked me out on a date a few days later, I knew he wasn't gay. I told some gay friends about him and they told me he was "metrosexual". That's the first time I'd ever heard that term and they explained it to me. Yes, he was definitely metrosexual. Our little dance lasted about three months.

I've taken some of the money I've earned this year and revamped my wardrobe a little and completely changed my makeup. I even went to Jose Eber and had a make-up lesson from Edward Sanchez. And a new hair color from Urban Retreat. I also lost quite a bit of weight. I don't have a scale, so I don't know how much I lost but my clothes are much looser and I can see a difference in the mirror. I feel great. I don't think I'll ever be a size 6 again, though, because my body has changed. It's not weight that's keeping me at an 8/10, it's a shift in my body.

Little Bear died in July. He was sick on a Sunday, I took him to the vet Monday morning and then that afternoon he died at the vet's office. No one know what killed him. I had recently had my home exterminated for roaches but the vet was pretty adament that it the insecticide wasn't the source of his illness.

I loved that kitty and wanted to get another persian, so I did some research and found the sweetest little boy. He's white and red, also known as a bi-color persian. Since he looked celtic I wanted to give him a fitting name. His name is Seamus Heiney MacCool. Seamus Heiney after the Irish Poet and Finn McCoul is an Irish character. But I wanted him to have some Scottish too, so I butchered the name McCoul and changed it to MacCool. He's a little love machine. I absolutely adore him.

I saw a really good movie recently that everyone should see. It's called Lars and the Real Girl. It's such a sweet poignant movied. I loved it.

Ok, what else? Oh, I have lots more to say, I'm sure. It's just been so long since I've said anything. Cheers everyone.

Storms

I love a good storm, especially when I'm home and cozy and dry. At least, I used to love a good storm.

Since I've moved to my new place, I don't like them as much. For some reason, lightning strikes very very close to my duplex. I'm talking feet away, and it is so loud, it makes my teeth hurt. It's very unnerving and I can't figure out what it is that makes lightning strike so close.

My Blackberry Pearl arrived yesterday morning! I wasn't expecting it until Saturday. I'm so very very happy to have it. I just love it. I like the feel of the touchpad. I'm not accustomed to the trackball, yet. I like the maps feature, as a realtor, that comes in very very handy. I like that it has a loud ring. My last one had such a soft ring. Sometimes, I would hear my cockatoo say "hello"...."hello" and that was how I knew my phone was ringing. She could hear it but I couldn't.

I hit pay dirt on this one.

It's a Good thing

I have a Blackberry T7100 that I bought last July. I love this phone. But lately, it's been freezing up on me, giving me Java errors and resetting itself. Yesterday I was stuck in voice mail because the phone wouldn't let me hang up. I had to open the back and take out the battery in order to end the call.

So,today I marched right down to the store from where I bought the phone. Ready to raise hell and get some satisfaction. Turns out the phone is under warranty and that they can replace it. However, they no longer have my model available.

So, they are going to replace it with THIS.

Isn't life SWEET sometimes?

More campaign thoughts.

I think that the Republicans made a mistake having their debates so early in the game. A couple of weeks ago, I heard a commentary on NPR where they were saying that Guiliani had incredible support in South Carolina and that it was shocking because he is pro choice and supports gay marriage (unions).

Guiliani watered down his position during the political debates and has lost his footing and he is now neck and neck with McCain. When I saw that Guiliani watered down his position, he lost my support. The way he watered it down insulted me. It was a coward's approach. What I HEARD was, I support the idea of pro choice and gay unions but I support the party line, too. Somewhere in there, Guiliani stopped being Guiliani.

So, now I'm back to the Democrats AND drum roll please...... I am even open to the idea of voting for Hillary Clinton! OMG, what a shock! Here is this born and bred Republican girl entertaining the idea of voting for Hillary Clinton.

Why the change? Because I believe it should be the responsibility of the next administration to exit from Iraq for a lot of reasons. First of all, the administration that makes the exit needs to believe in the exit because it's going to require a lot of thought and work. Secondly, the exit strategy might be complicated so I think that it should be done while there isn't going to be a "change in command". And thirdly, I believe it should be done by someone who has a lot of knowledge and experience of the region. I think Clinton has that and she has Bill and his experience.

I do believe that over the years Hillary has become more conservative than when she became First Lady.

I do wonder if Barack could be a world leader.... I think I have to watch and see.

Thoughts of the campaign trail.

I've been reading about the campaigning that both Clinton and Obama are doing. Hillary has been very pointed and blunt in her criticism of Bush and Obama is not quite as direct, though he is implying some feelings of dissatisfaction with the current administration.

A lot of people are unhappy with Bush, including myself. The problem I have with any politician running to replace the current administration by campaigning against it is that it just gives the signal that nothing is changed. If I criticize how someone is doing a job and I'm trying to take their place, my criticism implies that I would do it without making mistakes.

But the truth is, whoever takes Bush's place is going to make mistakes. One of the things that is good about Bush is that he can stand his ground. Going to the extreme with someone who cannot stand their ground is not good either. Compromise is not always good and it isn't always bad.

It's easy for those who oppose the war to demand withdrawal. I think that the plan to withdraw should be the mission of the incoming administration, though. I would suspect it's a long process and should probably be done by a team of people who are going to be around for more than a year in order to get it done right.

God help the Democratic party if it's them. They are screaming for withdrawal, they may be given the opportunity to show the rest of the world just how difficult it is to withdraw. Then, when they discover how complicated it really is, they can stand there with egg on their face. Or just spend their term blaming the previous administration.

I hope that doesn't happen. I hope that the new person, whoever he may be, picks up the torch and does things intelligently and deliberately. I actually think that Clinton, Obama or Guiliani could handle it. I don't think anyone else has what it takes to do the job. I'm pretty encouraged, though, that we actually have three strong contenders with some leadership skills. Very encouraged.

Catching up.

I have spent the majority of the day working on my business website. I have so much to do. I am getting ready to map out a campaign to really get things rolling. I have had a great first quarter but things for me are slowing down and this is not a good thing. We are heading into the moving season when things traditionally pick up and get busy. If I'm not busy, something is wrong.

Working from home has some really interesting challenges. I'm so thankful that my new "office" is no longer attached to my living room. The T.V. is in a whole other room and I am unable to watch any T.V. while in my office.

I have a tendency to get bored and start focusing on stuff, such as global warming, political campaigns and other such distractions. I used to wonder why Freebird was able to post as much as she did. Now I understand. When you work from home, you just don't have the same distractions you have when you're at the office.

Tonight is Madonna Ramma at South Beach, a local gay bar in Houston. They play Madonna songs all night long and drag queens come out dressed like her and lip sync her songs. I have some gay friends that are going tonight. I should go. I think it would be fun but I'm just not up to it. I want a quiet evening with wine and some lobster a friend of mine just dropped off.

John had Bob's Steakhouse on his radio show today. They brought him food to try and discuss. He always has leftovers from his show. Unfortunately for him, he has to go out of town for the next few days and he can't eat it. So he brought it over to me along with two bottles of wine.

Pinatubo

I got to thinking about yesterday's post and started reading up on the volcanic eruption of Pinatubo. I think I know what my father meant when he said that is put 100 years worth of industrial gas in the air. They actually refer to it as a stratovolcano.

According to Wikipedia beginning 5/5/1991, it was emitting 500 metric tons of sulfur dioxide per day and then by 5/13/1991 it had increased to 5000 metric tons/day and then rapidly decreased on May 28th. Eruptions then began June 3. "Over the following months, the aerosols formed a global layer of sulfuric acid haze. Global temperatures dropped by about 0.5 °C (0.9 °F), and ozone destruction increased substantially." The total mass of Sulfur Dioxide that was emitted when all was done was 20 million metric tons. There was measured damage to the ozone layer right after this.

Every time I read anything that discusses what our (mankind's) refineries put into the air the number is like 14.5 metric tons. But it doesn't state if it's daily or annually. Honestly, I don't think we could put a dent in this. Even if we reduced emmissions by 100%, which we can't do, it wouldn't amount to a hill of beans to something like this.

And if 50 - 60 volcanos are erupting annually, obviously not of this magnitude, then I believe that is the source of gases. The earth, in effect, is passing gas.

What's Not Being Said -

Ok, now that I'm working from home, I have time on my hands. So, be forewarned, this is a soapbox post.

I read that the Earth's population is 6.5 billion. If I'm not mistaken, that number looks like this 6,500,000,000. The population of the US is about 330 million; 330,000,000. We make up about 5% of earth's population. If indeed, man is contributing to Global Warming, I seriously doubt that the U.S. is contributing as much to it as some politicians would like us to believe.

Did you know that 50 - 60 volcanic eruptions occur annually? Not all of them as great as Pinatuba or Mount St. Helen. But they are emitting gases into the air. Gases like CO2 and SO2. I remember when Pinatuba erupted, my father, who was a geologist, said "That volcano just put 100 years worth of industrial gas right into the air". He didn't specify if that was U.S. industrial gas or worldwide industrial gas. It's too late to ask him to which he was referring.

I don't doubt that the earth is warming up, the evidence is pretty clear. I'm just not sold on "man" being the big culprit. I seriously doubt man can really do that much to control the earth's warming. And if man could do something about it, it's way beyond anything that our country can do. If man is actually 50% of the problem, then would that make us only 2.5% of the solution?

If we could prove, without a doubt, that man contributed enough gases such that if we changed our ways we could actually reverse the impact, then I would think the culprits are going to be the larger populations..... China, India ..etc.

Hmmmm.

Dilemma

As I've mentioned in previous posts, I was born and raised a Republican. Initially, I voted Republican because my upbringing was that way. Then, as I got older, I found that my values were more in line with those of the Republican Party. During Bush's second term I found myself seriously questioning my loyalty to the GOP. As "punishment" I voted Democrat during the local elections last year.

I was hoping that Giulianni would run for President because I believed he would breathe confidence in the GOP back into my weary heart. But lo and behold someone else has surfaced and I cannot believe how much I like this person. Barack Obama.

I absolutely adore this man. He's non-invasive, smart, articulate, fair, consistent and doesn't come across as an ambitious politico. I can actually visualize myself voting for a Democrat during this upcoming election. Not only voting for one but actually liking my choice after I've done it. All the other options feel like bulldozers to me.

So, what's my dilemma? Obama is THE ONLY Democrat I could vote for. I cannot bring myself vote for Hillary. And if she is on the ticket with Obama, it could really screw it up for me. But that's not the dilemma.

This is the dilemma. I want to vote in the primaries to help insure Obama wins as the Democrat's nominee for President. But it is my understanding that if I vote in the primaries, I have to vote that party during the Presidential election. I can't decide to vote the Republican candidate if I don't like which Democrat makes the nomination.

What's a girl to do?

Run! Don't Walk - Houston

Recently, I went to Stages Repertory Theater to see a play titled I Am My Own Wife. You must see this play.

The play is performed by a single actor who plays each character without a costume change. Initially, when John invited me to see the play I thought it would be interesting to see an entire play performed by one person especially since I somewhat knew the actor in person. But what really transpired was so much more than I was expecting.

To start with, the actor Philip Lehl, is a phenomenal actor. He was the lead in John's musical "Deep in the Heart" and he did a really nice interpretation of the leading role. But in this particular piece, he had to play each role with such distinction so that the audience could never mistake who was who. It worked. I didn't see John's friend Philip on the stage ever; I saw only the characters he portrayed.

The play pulled me in and held my attention through to the very end. I didn't find myself scoping out the audience during the performance, which is something I have a tendency to do in a small theater. The story itself was riveting. And most importantly, his portrayal of the lead character is so very poignant.

If you live in Houston, go see this play.

.....Gorgeous

This is the Amaryllis that just recently bloomed in front of my little duplex. I love Amaryllis. I have 4 in pots that I'm trying to get to bloom.

Firefly

I'm not a big Sci Fi fan but my sister is. She was a major Trekky while I was growing up. Even today, she has the coolest ornament for her tree. It's a small replica of the Enterprise and it lights up by using an existing light socket from the tree lights.

Well, this past Christmas, she introduced me to a Sci Fi program that didn't last long called Firefly. I loved it. I watched every episode she had. Anyway, I was trolling through my nephew's journal and saw he took the Serenity quiz. Looks like we both are Malcolm. He and I are very similar in many ways, though I doubt he would probably agree. I see it in hindsight because I'm older, I guess.

Your results:
You are Malcolm Reynolds (Captain)

Honest and a defender of the innocent.
You sometimes make mistakes in judgment
but you are generally good and
would protect your crew from harm.



Click here to take the Serenity Personality Quiz

New Favorite Passtime

Meet Little Bear. He is the sweetest kitty a person could want to have. And unfortunately, has become the source of twisted amusement for me.

It's not that bad, really. I have hardwood floors now. Something I've never had before. I find it amusing to chase him and watch him slip and slide all over the floor as he makes his getaway.

Believe me, this little kitty gets a ton of kisses and affection.

This is a picture of him on my desk. He has decided this is his new spot.

Take me Out to the Ballgame

My brother and I went to the game today and watched the Cardinals smear us all over the field. But hey, the Astros have 156 games left in the season, they have to pace themselves. At least that's what I tell myself.

We enjoy going to see the Astros play. Every season it always seems to come down to a game between the Astros and Cardinals in a race for the pennant. And it always seems to be so so close. It has to be said, the Cardinals are a great ball club.


This yummy guy is Albert Pujols. A guy I have a very strong Love/Hate relationship with. Whenever he comes to the plate, the whole stadium boos him. And he answers back by hitting the ball out of the park. According to the light bright score board, his batting average was .059. Not a great average, but it just doesn't matter because he hits the ball when it seems to count the most. Every time he comes up to the plate, my stomach turns into knots.

So, over the years, as I begin to embrace the idea that the Astros are always going to have to go toe to toe with the Cardinals, I've grown to accept Pujols as part of the package and I really like the guy. I can't help it. He's hot. He's talented and he's cocky. And I can't help but wish he were on our team. So, I can't really bring myself to truly "boo" him when he comes to the plate. Because I really think that he should be worshipped.

Oh, God, did I just say that?
Source of image.

Color me......?

Anybody want to guess what color this Amaryllis is going to be?

Just stuff

I released the last three butterflies yesterday afternoon. They all hatched at about the same time. They were so cute.

It takes them a while after their wings have dried to move on. They remind me of planes on the tarmac prepping to fly. They open and close their wings and they move their heads back and forth. It's almost as though they are going down a checklist of things prior to take off. I kissed them goodbye... how cool is that? I only had the cocoons a few days but I miss them.

I want to plant milkweed to attract more butterflies.

The Amaryllis bulb is opening up but I am still unable to determine what color it is going to be. It's driving me crazy. I go out and check it every day.

I'm pretty well settled into my new home. We all seem to be well adjusted. I feel different. Funny, I don't really miss the Allen House. I think I had outgrown it a couple of years ago. I just needed that "push" out the door.

Butterflies are free to fly. Fly away. Fly Away. Bye Bye

I released the third butterfly this afternoon. When I awoke at 10 this morning, I found the second had hatched and was ready to be released. The ritual is that I take it outside, let it rest on my finger until it flies away. But it seems that each one wants to linger just a little longer.

There are three remaining; and I think can tell which Cocoon will hatch next.


I got tired of waiting for this one to fly away on his own, so I stuck him on a rose bush.

Shhh Butterflies hatching

Last night I had an event celebrating the opening of my new business. I have these fabulous personal financial advisors and they hosted the event for me. It was absolutley wonderful and I had a great turnout.

One of my guests raises monarch butterflies and he brought me this most wonderful little gift. As you can see in the photo it's a "hatchery" of sorts for butterflies. He said it symbolizes my new business. When he gave it to me last night, there were 6 cocoons. Now as you can see, there are five as one has just now hatched. As soon as the butterfly's wings are dry, I will set it free.

How cool is that people?

The Other Guys

This is my nephew's "band". He's the one singing this song.

The video quality isn't as good as it should be but he's the one at the beginning in the red shirt; reddish blonde hair, beard and mustache.

I'm not sure who wrote the song.

Their website is: www.theother-guys.com

Enjoy!

I love flowers.

I love flowers! My new place has a huge rose bush that is blooming like crazy. The flowers are just beautiful. they are somewhat like the antique roses. You know, the yellowish kind with the pink edges. It's hard to tell from the photograph.

And I was sitting out on my tiny little patio out front and I noticed what looked like Amaryllis leaves protruding from a bulb in the ground. A few days later, sure enough, a bloom is working it's way up from the bulb. There are four Amaryllis but it appears that only two have decided to bloom. I can' wait to see them. I wonder what color they are.

I brought four over myself. They bloomed the first year I had them but I haven't been able to get them to bloom again. I have them in full sunlight now and I've been feeding them. So, I'm hopeful that I can get them to bloom soon.

I also have pink impatiens that have been blooming. But when I moved, I had to cut the whole thing back. The move really stressed them.

Ok, that's all I have now. Yes, I do plan on taking photos of my new place, but it's still not quite where I want it to be.

Cheers everyone.

Things that go bump in the night

I've been in my new place about 2 weeks now. My new home is the bottom half of a duplex. It's a pretty old building, about 80 years. I also have hardwoods and I'm not accustomed to them yet. The first night I was here, I thought I heard people walking in my apartment. It turns out it was my cats. They make a lot of noise when they walk...

So, today, my neighbors who live above me have moved in. They're noisy. Hopefully it's because they are moving things about and getting settled. Either way, I'm ok with it. I like the sound of having them above me. This is a big duplex and I've been feeling sort of nervous being here by myself.

I have a friend who is moving, too and she needs my boxes. I really want them out of my home so badly. I've broken them down but I hate having them here. I want to get rid of them. So she's asked me to give her another week before disposing of them. I hope she can get them this week.

I don't feel settled yet. I had an idea in my head regarding how my business was going to work and a move was not on the radar. I'm thrown off kilter. I'm trying not to let it have so much impact on me but it hasn't been easy. So, we'll see.

Ok, that's my update for now.

I moved!

Well, I did it. I moved. It was really really rough. I had been in these apartments 11 years. I made an apartment my home and accumulated a lot of things.

It was a very overwhelming project. I'm still unpacking boxes and putting things away.

I love my new place. I absolutely love it. I couldn't sleep the first two nights I was here. My cats had a lot to do with it. They are both nervous nillies and couldn't be still. I thought I was going to kill them. But they've finally calmed down. My bird is happy. She has her own spot with a window and she is adjusting just fine.

And to top it off, during all this, I even managed to write up a contract and negotiate a successful deal on a house for one of my buyers. That was a really nice little gift that life passed my way.

Anyway, I'll take some photos and post them soon.

Second Wind

Hi everyone. Sorry for the long absence. I've sort of been depressed.

The landlord of the place I initially wanted to lease got a little greedy and decided to take advantage of my situation. I could have afforded what he was asking but I didn't like the approach. And I didn't like the fact that he left me hanging for 4 days while he decided what to do. I could have used that time to find something else.

So, I found another place in the Heights, which is a safer neighborhood than the first place. I'll be able to ride my bike and take walks in the neighborhood. Less than a block away there is a cafe, a Berry Hill, a burger joint, a pastry shop and an upscale restaurant. It's a really nice place and I'm going to be happy there.

Even though it's a better place, and a little more expensive, I've just been really depressed about the whole idea of moving. I finally placed the order to switch my utilities yesterday. I still need to order the truck so I'll do that today. I have people lined up to help me move. It's just a matter of it happening.

I checked my mail today and I had a couple of Valentine's Day cards. Awe. That really lifted my spirit. And then, I went to the apartment office and picked up two packages my sister sent me.

OH MY GOD! She sent me the cutest black and red purse. I know why she thought of me; it sort of goes with the colors of my business. My company name is in Red and my logo is Black and all of it lays over a white background.

So, then I opened the second box. She made me a memory book of this last Christmas we spent together. I absolutely love it. I love it so much.

It made my day and has given me the second wind I've needed to get through this month. I've done some business but I've been struggling getting out of bed. I've lost focus and I've needed a boost to get my "mojo" back. Anyway, her thoughtful gifts have given me the boost I needed.

I love her so much.

Dazed and Confused

I have been in such a daze these past few days. I haven't yet heard back from the people I submitted my application to for the duplex. I feel pretty certain that I have it but still, until I hear from them, it's not a done deal. It's a loose end that I very much need to have tied.

Even the mood ring on my google tool bar is Gray, indicating that my mood is anxious, ill at ease, strained. How does my google mood ring know this? That's sort of scary to think that Google is tracing my steps to know how I'm feeling......

Anyway, I stood up an appointment today to show a property. That is the very very first time I have been so distracted that I forgot an appointment. I am so embarrassed.

I'm excited about my new home but at the same time I'm very very distracted. It's hard for me to get up in the morning, I just want to sleep. I honestly believe I am feeling very overwhelmed. I look at all my things and I don't even know where to begin packing.

I have been collecting boxes for my niece because she has wanted to move. She changed her mind, so now I have boxes. I still need more.

I wish my sister were here, it would help me. I have friends that have offered to help, but I need my sister.

I'll be ok. I'm just waiting to hear for sure that I have a place to live. And then I have to figure out how much I can afford to spend getting there.

It was only inevitable

I have some very sad news. The apartment community that I have called home for the past 11 years is redeveloping and forcing it's residents to move. You can read the story here. I have wanted to move for some time, I really need more space but have just kept putting it off. I know so many people here and I have loved living here so much.

I found a new place. It's what I want but I'm so depressed about it. I know that I cannot come back. I know that these people who have always been a part of my daily/weekly routine will no longer be a part of my new life. My life is going to change so much.

I don't want to go, yet.

I will have to do a series of memory posts for this place. I have held so many parties here and have seen so many people come and go. I feel like a very close friend has just died.

Sigh.

Teach a man to fish

I have discovered someone who's work has had a really big impact on my life. A very big positive impact on my life. And if I don't say anything else here worth your time than this, then I would be satisfied.

Way back when, while working at Accenture (then known as Andersen Consulting), I listened to a speaker. I loved this guy but for whatever reason, I didn't keep his name or information about him. Then, a friend, invited me to hear him speak last December.

I have been in sales for over 6 years and I've heard a lot of motivational speakers: Tom Hopkins, Zig Zigler etc. None of them, really hit home for me or said anything that I felt I could really incorporate into my life without feeling 2 dimensional. But this guy is phenomenal.

I invested in one set of CD's. I wanted to hear him first before investing in more of his stuff. I love it. I listen to them as often as I can and I find that I am incorporating his techniques in my life and I can sense a change in myself. I am having a fantastic first month in my new business and I have to give some credit to his work. It isn't just the money I've made but also the opportunities that have opened up to me

So, who is it? It's Brian Tracy. I wish that I had started listening to him years ago.....

Oh, and which CD's did I buy? I bought "The Psychology of Achievement" because I wanted something that could help me address the ROOT of it all.

A moment of silent gratitude

I would like to take a moment to give thanks to those people who invented e-mail, faxes and scan capabilities and then made those things affordable and accessible to the average person. It is so friggin cold and yucky outside and I have contracts that have to be delivered. I don't have to step outside of the toasty warm confines of my house. I can scan and e-mail the little devils.

So thank you, whoever you might be, and I hope that you made a lot of money off your little inventions because you deserve it.

The little pixie to the right has the cutest outfits. I just love her coat, I wonder where I can find one like that. Unfortunately it would only get worn once in a blue moon here. It says it's 1 C. I think that translates to about 33 F.

Brrrrrr

It's [insert dirty word here] cold here in Houston

It's cold and wet here in Houston. I know other parts of the country are getting it far worse than we are and are probably laughing that we even think it's cold. But we laugh at those other parts of the country during the summer when they claim they're hot. They don't know summer hot 'till they've lived in our fair city during July and August.

So, It's *#!)(*# COLD here in Houston

I don't have any other way of putting it.

Beta Blogger, you suck.

Ok, I bought into the rhetoric, I made the switch. You told me it was safe. It sucks, ok? I 'm not a spoil sport really and I'm pretty patient about these things but come on, no one can post comments on my blog. I have trouble logging in. I can't always pull up the page elements and I have to keep clicking on refresh to see if I can bring it up.

Look, I know you're trying and I also know this is free. I don't have to pay for this and I get this great online journal to make friends with people I would never have met otherwise. But I have to say, it's a bit frustrating.

From the Heart -- To my sister who I love very much

As I clean up the remnants of my first tea party, my thoughts wander to you. Since I am baby sister, many of my firsts have been in your shadow. So this event causes me to consider the number of times I have wanted to grow into being the woman I always saw in you. Independent, feminine and one who was dedicated to making every day become something new, different and interesting all the while respecting and holding true the romance of the past.

As a young child, I remember watching you as you magically created beautiful Barbie furniture from thread spools and scraps of lace and fabric from Mom’s projects. And I, too, thought it made perfect sense that Mom’s stiletto made as good a Barbie car as anything else you could find. So, by the time I was old enough for Barbie, Mattel provided her accessories. Lace, fabric, glue and scissors were no longer required, so it wasn’t as fun. My interest leaned towards race cars, trains and whatever else I could get my hands on that seemed boyish and cool.

I recall as I began planning this tea party thinking of the ones that you have held and told me about. I imagined the invitations you would make with doilies and calligraphy. I see scissors and glue; and possibly even glitter. Each envelope thoughtfully addressed and mailed out weeks in advance.

My invitations went out via e-vite.com.

Determined to somehow stay true to tradition, I selected a menu of finger sandwiches and scones. I scoured the Internet for the best recipes I could find for egg salad and cucumber sandwiches. I borrowed a food processor to make the scones from scratch. And then, my guests informed me of their special low carb diets and before I knew it, tradition was again to be abandoned and finger sandwiches would be replaced with deviled eggs, ham rolls and cucumber and sour cream salad.

Finally, the day came and my guests, in the spirit of a “tea party”, arrived bearing hats and gloves. I pulled out Aunt Evelyn’s full length gloves and a Talbot’s hat I bought several years ago. And then found myself serving Constant Comment tea in little china tea cups to guests sitting prim and cross-legged with their hats and gloves. The weather was beautiful and the gazebo in the courtyard beckoned us all outside. While I was preparing water for another pot of tea, a guest discovered my Origami book and paper. So, when I went outside with a fresh pot of tea, I found all of my guests had abandoned their gloves and were making Origami designs.

We laughed, drank tea and ate guilt-free bite-sized snacks. Various teas were tasted and future events were planned. We were the secret society of the ya-ya sisterhood and life was great.

And so as I wash up the last of my delicate little tea cups, feeling all mature and feminine, I reflect and wonder what you did at your tea parties. I wonder if I did it right and what you would have thought of it. But mostly, I wonder what it would have been like if you were present and wish most of all that you had been.

Mirabelle

Last night I watched a wonderful movie called Shopgirl. I thought it was fantastic. The name of the main character is Mirabelle. What a cute name for a girl.

Anyway, I've been thinking about this movie all day.

So this morning, I'm showing a house to a client. Her name is Linda and she's inspecting the living room. I'm in the kitchen and I think of something to point out to her. I address her as Mirabelle when I make my statement. She had a funny look on her face and I realize that I called her Mirabelle. I apologized and explained that I saw the movie and really liked it and that I've been thinking about it all day. It was a fun moment.

So later this evening, I was showing a totally different property to a totally different customer. She met me at the property with a friend. As we were walking through the property I realize I didn't introduce myself to her friend. So, I turn to her, apologize for my oversight and introduce myself.

She looked at me, smiled, and told me her name was Mirabelle. What are the odds, really?

First Post of the Year

Well, I've thought about reviewing the past year but I'm going to pass on doing it because this year is about moving forward. The past year offers me fabulous lessons. It was mixed with disappointment and with accomplishment. So, I'm leaving the past in the past and I'm focusing onward to my future.

So, I start the new year armed with a list of goals and a plan for the year ahead. I expect growth, both personally and professionally for myself.

In the spirit of change, I changed the look of my website.

So, here's to all of us and to 2007. May we grow and prosper.