SkyWatch Friday

Happy SkyWatch Friday.
I couldn't decide which picture to post so, lucky you, you get a bonus shot.

This is the vessel in the center of the memorial that stands in the family circle at the cemetery where my father, and other dear ones rest.

I've always liked the image of being "full" with blessings, or being a vessel through which the Divine works.


This is one of the first blooming Morning Glories I've had this year. It had rained that night and I couldn't resist trying to capture a pic of the droplets on the blossom. I liked the early morning, cloudy, white-grey sky too.


I hope it's a glorious day for you all.

Quick Pics

My budding photographer sent samples to share with y'all!

This is the candle holder that V got at the Airman's Attic the day she worked there last week. It reminds her of Mooch, here in MI.

Because it is clear glass she had a tough time getting a pic in the daylight. Solution? Take the picture in the evening with a tealight glowing softly in it and... Voila! Beautiful. I love the reflection in her dresser top too.

This is the dragonfly V found perched happily on the ceiling of her dorm's kitchen. She says it was black with blue and yellow stripes, which is cool I'm sure. I'm just as happy that the picture turned out rather black and white-looking. The contrast is striking!

Stay tuned for SkyWatch Friday... coming soon!

East Side West Side

All around the town... (sing along!)

I now work on the East Side of town and live on the West Side of town (divided clearly by I-75 which runs N/S from Florida, right up the middle of the Detroit area).

Remember when I interveiwed for my new job, I said that my father is resting about a mile from an intersection I pass twice a day? Well I took my afternoon off today and went from work to have lunch with dad and the relatives. After all, I owed my dad a 'thank you' for helping me get the job!

From there I drove even further East and spent some time on the shore of Lake St. Clair. What a glorious day it was to be at the lakeside in the sunshine! It almost felt like a little vacation.

When the time finally came, it didn't take that much longer to get home from the lakeshore than it did the office. Cool beans.

Meet Seymour

He's Lean! He's Mean! He's Green!

He's an Eating Machine!

Meet J's new 'pet'...

SEYMOUR!

Uncle S and I went to breakfast and then stopped at a garden store where we picked out the perfect one for J. I brought it home mid-afternoon.

Best laugh of the month? Yesterday Afternoon.
Seeing Joshua's face the first time Seymour's jaw-like petals CHOMPED an ant! (Petal on the left contains said ant.)

There's J, staring at Seymour, eyes bugged out, jaw agape, face 'stuck' in a silent scream... Wow, do I ever wish I'd've had my camera at the ready.

It's funny, but it's tough not to think of Joshua's new Venus Fly Trap, Seymour, as anything but a pet of sorts. "He" (yes, I just personified and engendered a plant) needs special water, special sunlight, and of course a specific sized live food too! Then we find out that he's becoming endangered in his natural habitat. So now he has our heartstrings too. How much more pet-like can he get?!

J named it after the Little Shop of Horrors plant, which we all know was named Audrey, of "Feed Me, Seymour!" fame. He felt that since this was a new one, he'd name it in honor of the flick's tragic hero. Sweet, huh?

And there you have it. Our newest family member.

39 Oddities

39 ODD Things About ME!

Do you like blue cheese? NO!

Have you ever smoked heroin? No

Do you own a gun? I'm ready to but don't yet.

What flavor do you add to your drink at Sonic? I don't, but Sonic Limeade Rawks!

Do you get nervous before doctor appointments? YES. Total White Coat Terrors

What do you think of hot dogs? Kosher ones - Yummo!

Favorite Christmas movie? Does 'Nightmare Before Christmas' count?

What do you prefer to drink in the morning? Water, then COFFEE!

Can you do push ups? One.

What would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the pearly gates? "How'd YOU get here?!"

What's your favorite piece of jewelry? My pinky ring, made from a small section of my father's bracelet.

Favorite hobby? Gardening

What's one trait you like about yourself? I will drop everything I can to help someone I know in need.

Middle name? Michelle

Name 3 things you bought yesterday: Only two: A cup of coffee. A pretty nighty that turned out to be too big.

Name 3 drinks you regularly drink? Coffee, Water, Diet Coke

Current dislike right now? Lack of motivation to PURGE the house

How did you bring in the New Year? Bored outta my skull

Where would you like to go? Starting in Minot, ND to visit V, then touring the Dakotas.

Name three people who will complete this? Hmmm, how about this... Anyone who does this, post a comment here so people can see your answers!

Do you own slippers? 3 pair, I think (See purge note above)

What shirt are you wearing? A white, red, black patterned, V neck, sleeveless top

Do you like sleeping on satin sheets? Never tried it

Favorite color? Burgundy

Would you be a pirate? Nope, no interest

Favorite girl's names? Acacia, Avivah, Siobhan

Favorite boy's names? Joshua, Elijah, Drew

What's in your pocket right now? No pockets in these capris

Last thing that made you laugh? J's new "pet" (more to come on that)

Best bed sheets as a child? I never had any special sheets

Do you love where you live? I love the land and some of the surrounding area, but I can bloom wherever I'm planted.

How many TVs do you have in your house? 2

How many dogs do you have? 0

Does someone have a crush on you? Yep.

What are your favorite books? Anything by Laurell K. Hamilton

What is your favorite candy? Dark Chocolate Covered Orange Peel

What song do you want played at your funeral? "Roll Me Over in the Clover" ROFL

What were you doing 12 AM last night? I can't tell you that. I'd have to shoot you. ;)

What was the first thing you thought of when you woke up? "Oh bliss! I can go back to sleep if I want to!"

Lines in the Sand

One new AF Mom is being told by her employer that she could lose her job because she asked for 2 hours off to take her son to MEPS to leave for BMT. I would call that: Time to draw a line.

Another AF Mom already responded exactly as I would have... If they don't understand 2 hours off to say goodbye to your child for 6.5 weeks, how will they understand several days for BMT Grad?! Likely they won't. Just ask me or my mom, BMT Graduation is not to be missed!

I nearly had this same thing happen when V was home on RAP. "What part of: 'My daughter is home and I don't know WHEN I'll be able to say that again', do you not understand?!", as they scheduled me to work evenings and weekends during the time I said I couldn't/wouldn't.

In the not-so-distant past I have been drawn in to situations where I felt I was doing the right thing, only to find that I had been drawn in too far and my boundaries had become blurred. What wake up calls those were. Being able to draw crucial lines that I value and respect is a learned skill. Though it saddens me, I draw more lines with less guilt than I used to.

I used to slough off negative back-handed remarks too, about my weight changes, my religion, my parenting and other personal choices. Now I'll do my darndest not to let the speaker go unnoted.

Just yesterday I decided that I am giving myself a gift in order to draw a healhty line.

In order to know where I need to draw my lines to stay balanced and in line with my goals, I am gifting myself one week of only doing my new job and none other. How else will I know what I can give my retail job and not resent the giving? What do I need to give my new employer without short-changing them? I can't. So, one week of nothing but my new job, my evenings pretty much free, and no weekend work (starting tomorrow) it is!

One less paycheck, but one happier, healthier, slightly less crazed me.

Good line so far!

SkyWatch Friday

One bright, puffy-clouded sky.

One stunning 1960 Oldsmobile.

And the best part?

The license plate is from... North Dakota!

Happy SkyWatch Friday