California Dreamin
I think all vacations are memorable for one reason or another, but I recently went on a vacation that I know will stay with me forever. I was catapulted out of my comfort zone. That’s a good thing, right?
Flying is not my favorite thing to do, nor is leaving my husband and fur babies behind, BUT, when you ask your daughter what she wants for her 30th birthday, she says, “A trip with you,” there is no other choice. That’s not exactly true, but in this case, it was.
My sister is staying in California for an extended period. She gave my daughter a round-trip ticket for her birthday, so you can figure out the rest. Go big or go home.
The anxiety of this impending trip was over the top, even for me. It was planned so quickly you wouldn’t think I had much time to think, but guess what? My mind enjoys working overtime, and my excuses became as lame as “I don’t have a suitcase.” Really?
The green lights to go and enjoy myself were everywhere I turned. My co-workers gifted me a tote bag with everything you can think of to travel, down to the ziplock bags needed for liquids. My husband took the week off to be with the furbabies. My friend Susannah shared daily Instagram messages that were obviously talking directly to me, and finally, Kohl’s had a massive sale on suitcases. The universe does not play around.
When I say I had anxiety, I mean I had full-blown panic attacks that frankly had nothing to do with flying or anything else. They were my body’s response to me leaving my comfort zone. It was a rough ride, that’s for sure.
I took the necessary steps to get something to calm my nerves for the flight, and seconds before putting it in my mouth, I heard two dings on my phone. One was a text from my husband saying, “Don’t take anything before the flight.” What?! And the other was one of those daily messages that read:
You’ve lost so much of yourself
over time, but who you are in
this current phase is more than
enough. Beautifully complete
after all the internal sacrifices
you’ve made deserving of
applause for all the battles you’ve
fought in silence but still
exuding softness through it all.
A certainty embellished my body at that moment, and I felt a wave of calm I’d never felt before. I did not take the medication. I just knew I was about to embark on something extraordinary. There is no formal explanation, just a knowing.
I feel energized in new places, and California did not disappoint. We walked for miles, met people who were unique beyond measure, ate fresh fruit and vegetables daily, enjoyed perfect weather conditions, witnessed the most beautiful beaches, landscapes, and skies I’ve ever seen, and learned that having certainty in a situation big or small will provide you with an extraordinary sense of peace. This defines memorable.
Know that whatever is happening, it is happening for you, not to you, and as always, Enjoy the Ride!
Santa Cruz, Carmel, and Monterey, California.
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Simply 6 Minutes – Welcome to the Challenge: 5/16/23
Welcome to the 6-minute challenge!
The Prompt for 5/16/23 is:
My dad always said, “You’ll never get a job if you get a tattoo.” Well, Dad, I hate to break the news, but now that a good portion of the world has tattoos, yes, I can. In fact, I can be whatever I want.
Today I applied for a job to be one of those characters that entertain the kids at birthday parties so the parents can eat and drink for at least an hour without being interrupted. Of course, I went in expecting to be something cool like Batman or Ironman, but we can’t always get what we want. Isn’t that a song?
Anyway, all they had left was the Princess gig. Hey, you don’t get much cooler than someone who grants wishes, and the pay was good. So, dads out there, just note that your kids can get a job with tattoos, it might not be the job you want, but if it’s paying bills, making me happy, and giving parents that well deserved hour to swallow their food, I consider myself a success.
For the record, 5-year-olds are curious, not afraid of blue-eyed bearded princesses with a story to tell on their bellies. Fear is your hang-up.
Thanks, Christine, for setting the Simply 6 Minutes challenge.
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Vintage?
Ok, I believe another word is being thrown around too freely. The term is Vintage. According to my friends over at Merriam-Webster, the definition is: of old, recognized, and enduring interest, importance, or quality. Classic. Which is precisely what I thought.
When I hear Vintage, I think of a Channel suit resting in the back of the closet for decades and re-entering the world as if it never paused. That, ladies and gents, is Vintage.
Now, back to my shock and awe regarding the over usage. There is a unique/totally overpriced but super cool store in my area that carries an array of antique, slightly used, but very high-end merchandise or local artist creations. I love to browse through every once in a while to see what might catch my eye. My eyes definitely have a separate bank account from mine.
On one of my looks, but keep my wallet in the car visits, a small bouquet of the most vibrant plumb-colored silk hydrangeas seduced me. I’m so easy.
I prepared myself for the sticker shock and went in for a closer look. I lifted the beautiful rustic tag and read Vintage Silk Hydrangeas for $14.00. Um, vintage?
Ok, points for the tag and maybe even a few for the perfect penmanship, but I had to draw the line at trying to pass off used silk flowers as Vintage. They didn’t need the extra marketing. It was love at first sight.
According to Google, something has to be at least 40 to bear the vintage title, and these beauties were toddlers at best, and for that reason alone, I put them back on the shelf. I’m not going to lie; it was a long goodbye.
Two weeks later, I was still thinking about the purple beauties. Were they still available, or would they go home with someone else? Ugh …
Feeling like a needy first date, I went back for answers.
It wasn’t easy because the entire store was rearranged to accommodate new temptations. After what seemed like an eternity, we were reunited. It was like a scene from a movie.
Once our eyes locked, it was over. They were in my hand, at the register, and out the door in a flash. Not because they were Vintage but because they were beautiful.
This was a lesson to be mindful when I choose my words. Labels, whether placed on objects or people, can be harmful. It’s just an easy way to market people, places, and things we don’t understand.
Enjoy the Ride!
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Overpriced Necessities
Where would you go on a shopping spree?
Well, now, this certainly has a different answer than other decades of my life. My response is Whole Foods. Oh, you think Saks 5th Avenue is expensive? Please, designer shoes have nothing on eggs these days. Am I wrong?
My first investment would be a freezer chest to store my stash, then it’s off to the fish, meat, and poultry section like my life depended on it, handing the butchers my list of demands, which would be simple and to the point, “Give me everything you have, hold the feet and anything that still has eyes.“
Next up, produce. I love me some fresh Whole Foods produce. Fruits, veggies, nuts, dried fruit, candy from that excellent bulk section nearby, and some pressed juices. This is equivalent to robbing a jewelry store.
While heading over to grab a large snowstorm survival kit, a/k/a milk bread, and eggs, I’m going to get some coffee, tea, vitamins, and maybe even a pair of those outrageously priced random socks handmade by a group of women somewhere in the world, who now are running a corporation from their hut, as indicated on the packaging. That backstory grabs the heartstrings, but not on my dime.
The middle section is somewhat affordable, so I’ll pass and head over to the frozen section. Come on, I’m not that greedy. More veggies, some prepared frozen lasagne, and of course, ice cream; that’s for the hubby, who is addicted. Maybe I should grab him some funky beers from the spirits section too?
Looks like I’m ready to checkout, just in time to grab some of those fantastic sales that constantly taunt me at the register, some gift cards, and let’s not forget the 14.99 magazines. Oh yes, I damn near fainted. When did that happen? I must really be out of the loop.
I’ll undoubtedly have one of two types of cashiers. The friendly, tattooed twenty-something who is only there for the discount while they pursue their passion after clocking out or the retired sixty-something, also there for the deals, who is still a twenty-something at heart. I think it’s the discount that makes them so happy.
Now that my bags are perfectly packed, I hand the cashier a gift card and hope the new freezer can handle the load.
Enjoy the Ride!
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What A Way To Make A Livin
Do you enjoy your job?
Yes, yes, I do, and as a matter of fact, I’ve always enjoyed my jobs. Let me explain.
My first job as a teenager was at a linen store. This store only sold curtains, bedding, and towels. I know it sounds crazy since you’re able to buy eggs and sheets in the same building today, but there was a time when that was unacceptable.
At 15 years old, I didn’t know a damn thing about curtains other than they went on windows, but I worked with Mary, an older woman, who taught me everything I needed to know, and Shannon, who was a little older than me with hair like Marsha Brady. It was a win/win job, and I enjoyed it.
My real-world job started 3 days after I graduated from High School. I went from a classroom of all girls my age to an office where ages ranged from 18 to senior citizens.
I learned so much in my 7 years there; most had nothing to do with the job. This is where I learned about life. It was sort of like going to college but without grades and tuition.
Working there led me to a grand opportunity at a law firm. Oh, how I loved working in that environment! It was challenging and intense at times, but it is where I met a group of people who encouraged me to grow in many different directions, many of whom I’m still friends with today.
While working there, I got married and started a family. It was clear early on that I would not be able to be at the beck and call of this office and raise my children, so I left to take the position of a Domestic Engineer, a/k/a a stay-at-home mom of two under two.
Lord knows being at an office daily would be easier, and the big fat paycheck would be the icing on the cake, but in my heart, I knew that working for those two adorable tyrants would be worth it in the long run.
Now I’m at the point where my job will not make or break me. It’s something to keep me occupied until I hit retirement age. It’s interesting. It’s a mix of ages, which I love. It’s 6 minutes from my house, and I get paid to be there 5 hours a day, 4 days a week, which allows me plenty of freedom. It’s hard not to enjoy this gig.
I’ve learned from the young people in my life that they think about work in another light. If they’re not enjoying their job, they’re not hanging around to determine if it will change. They are out the door without batting an eye, which is much different from my generational thinking. Who knew you could just leave?
Enjoy the Ride!
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Question Time Over Coffee 12/3
Put on another pot and join in with Rory’s coffee time questions. This week’s questions gave my brain a good workout with 15 thoughtful, deep queries to fill this rainy Saturday morning.
Join in or Enjoy the Ride!
Do you sometimes ‘just’ LIKE posts from those you follow but don’t often read the content, and if so, why do you do this?
Yes, but not often.
Is it a time restraint or something else that motivates this action?
It could be time, or the content is not something to be read; it’s visual.
What do you do with gifts you have received but have no use for?
I either give them to someone I know will appreciate them more than me or donate them to a charity looking to fill up raffle baskets.
Have people become lazier concerning cooking do, you think, or is it more a case of people not knowing how to cook?
Oh, it’s not lazy or lack of knowledge as much as living in a society where chicken nuggets are on every corner and our time is held hostage by employers or the million extracurricular activities of our children.
Is cooking considered a valuable skill by you?
Yes, it’s a survival skill for me. Takeout is a treat.
What news stories, in your opinion, have so far defined the 2020’s and what do you think they have taught us personally as individuals?
Have there been news stories in the 2020’s? If we are now considering fear-mongering, hate, and divisiveness news stories, then this is what has defined the 2020’s.
It has taught me that if I want “news,” I can get that anywhere. If I want truth and facts, well, now, I’ll have to be my own non-paid investigative journalist.
What would you never swallow even if you could?
First of all, this is a question an Aquarius would ask. Random, yet interesting enough to quiet a room in two seconds flat.
Anywho, I would say a sword. I’ve watched this sort of act on various variety shows, and I’m always left with questions. Where does it go? What is it stabbing inside? Why would someone do that?
How many hours of sleep do you get a night, and how many hours do you think you need and why?
I usually get the required 7 or 8 hours. I’ve gotten less, but never more. I do not need more and can function fine on less. I’ve never been a sleeper.
How important is it to you to have a clean house or environment to live in, and does it have to be pristine?
I function much better without clutter, but I prefer a lived-in look over a pristine one. Pristine homes create awkwardness for their guests. I like people to feel welcome in my house.
Could you give up your Smartphone and break your addiction to it?
Absolutely, but let’s be honest, it wouldn’t be easy, and it could get ugly.
What have been five of your best TV shows from the dawn of dot to today?
Whew, this is a tough one because there have been so many over the years.
The Brady Bunch
The Carol Burnett Show
The Golden Girls
Seinfeld
Real Time With Bill Maher
Why were they good?
They are relatable, make me feel good, laugh out loud, or teach me a thing or two.
Why is life not a bed of roses but a bed of thorns?
Is it? I think it’s perception. If you have certainty that everything is happening for you and not to you, then things won’t be so bleak, and those thorns won’t stand a chance.
What makes your life good and or bad?
Not to sound too Hallmarkish, or like one of those weird signs. I’d have to say family, friends, laughter, and love.
Toasted waffles or toasted bread, and why?
Bread. Only because there are more varieties.
How do you feel about the aging process and you?
I consider it a gift. My mind is much younger than my body. In fact, decades more youthful.
What is the last rebellious thing you did?
Hmm, are we talking about marching on Washington rebellious or on a smaller scale? I’ve done both. Women’s March in 2017 and driving over the limit, yesterday.
What would be your ideal ‘you experience’ of the following …. museum, theatre, spa day, bungee jumping?
Hands down, live theatre, that involves music. I have yet to go to a theatre performance without leaving energized, lasting for days. The Elton John concert I attended at Madison Square Garden lasted weeks.
Could you easily step off the planet and away from society and your friends and being social and also away from the Internet for 12 months?
No. No doubt there have been moments when I wanted to do this, but in reality, I need human interaction to survive. I enjoy the company of others, even if it’s just the cashier at the supermarket who refers to me as a “young lady” when I’m not.
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Question Time Over Coffee 25th November
I stumbled across Rory’s questions this week and thought I’d give it a shot. I always wanted to be a guest on The Late Show or any talk show that would have me, for that matter. However, that doesn’t look like something that may happen, so it’s good that Rory provided this opportunity.
| You have a dinner party and may invite four guests from the following categories one fictional, one dead, and one alive, and a naked chef [wearing an apron only but no clothes underneath – or if you wish, for whatever reason, your chef can be wearing underclothes – pants/top]. Who will you invite to eat, and who will you ask to cook for your dinner party? Ok, let me see now because these lists would typically be long, and narrowing it down to one of each takes some thought. Tony Soprano, Ruth Bader Ginsberg, Melissa McCarthy, and Michael Symon. If nothing else, lord knows this room would be loud and passionate. I would like to listen to Tony and Ruth discuss justice since they have, shall we say, different techniques. Melissa McCarthy is a quick wit which makes me laugh out loud. It would be fun to watch her moderate the Tony and Ruth debate. As for kitchen duty, I chose Michael because he is passionate about food. He is animated in the kitchen, so he probably should be wearing something for protection, but I’ll leave it up to him. Inspired by I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! |
| Have you ever slept on/in a hammock? That would be a no. |
| Do you find it easy to maintain friendships with other people? Yes. However, it’s usually because of the effort I apply. |
| Are you a person of ethics? Yes. If so, how does that impact your daily life? Have you seen the world lately? Indeed it does. |
| Are you decisive or indecisive as a person? It depends on the question. Do you want a piece of cake? I’m very decisive. Do you want to take off tomorrow for an adventure? A million things immediately rush into my brain. |
| Why do people hold double standards? Because they lack the ability to look at situations with the greater good in mind. People of power are the masters of double standards. Inspired by Kristian and That Really Burns my Biscuits #10 |
| What is your unhealthiest but guiltiest pleasure, and why? Hands down binge watching mindless television because sometimes you just need to be numb. |
| What is your process for writing a new post for your blog? Going out in the world and engaging with people. Human contact makes the best stories. |
| If you were asked to create a Top Fifteen Book List holding books that you felt everyone should read at least once in their life and would never regret reading, what titles would you include? The Four Agreements All of David Sedaris’s books. Autobiographies or memoirs that were written by someone you admire. Goodnight Moon All of Anne Lamon’s books. Poems by Maya Angelou A Boy, the Mule, a Fox and the Horse A Gift from the Sea |
| How important is it for you to know a person’s real name? It never occurred to me, so I would say it’s unimportant. [Be this online, offline, social media, or blogging] |
| When at school, what were your top five subjects that you were passionate about? 5?! English, gym, lunch, art, music Why was this – what did you love about them? They were not as restricted as the other subjects. Are those five subjects still present in your life today in any form? Hahaha, yes, especially gym, lunch, art, and music. |
| With regard to the paranormal, do you choose to not believe because there is nothing to believe or because you feel it is safer to not believe? I’m a believer to the fullest extent of believing. Are you a non-believer or a believer? Same as above |
| How are you with meeting strangers/new people who might or could become new friends? I’m a professional people meeter and friend maker. Is there a process you adopt to identify if they are the right fit for you? Yes. They must have a sense of humor and the ability to hold a deep conversation. |
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What In The What?
One of my early childhood dreams was to be a mailman. I say “mailman” because when I was a kid, women were busy being housewives. We did not have “carriers”; we had “men.”
To this day, I can’t explain my attraction to this career path, but if I were to guess, it was probably all of the “hello, how ya doings?” Everyone loved to see him heading down the street.
What was not to love? He was the bearer of cards celebrating special occasions, letters from loved ones, and an occasional check. A celebrity every day.
Don’t get me started on the idle chitchat with folks on the route or an unplanned life-saving event due to mail piling up and actually noticing. I do this now for free.
We’re not going to discuss the bills; they were a given.
I was probably deterred by the rain, snow, and sleet motto, only to find out when writing this essay that it was all a LIE.
“The U.S. Postal Service has no official motto. Nope, it’s not this: “Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds.” But we certainly appreciate the sentiment.“
US Postal Service
No doubt I heard “gloom of night” and said, “I’m out!”
Anyway, fast forward to yesterday when I went to the post office to mail a package containing a book. The book recipient informed me of a book rate that cuts the shipping cost. Who knew? Not me.
However, I was not informed then that an FBI-like interrogation went along with using this discounted rate. Folks, there is always a damn price to pay!
As always, I waited in line for the lone over-worked employee to address me.
Me: I want to mail this box at the book rate, please.
Overworked employee: Is there a book in the box?
Me: Yes
OE: Is there anything else in the box?
Me: No
OE: Is there a card in the box?
Me: No
OE: A letter?
Me: Um, no.
OE: Chocolate?
Me: There’snothing else in the box.
OE: Ok, fine. Can I get you anything else?
Me: Yes, can I get two books of Christmas stamps?
OE: Which ones?
Me: Not the religious ones, the other ones.
OE: The Elves or the Otters?
Me: One of each, please.
OE: You know they’re brown?
Me: What’sbrown?
OE: The Elves.
Me: (Looking at the stamps.) They’re Elves.
OE: Yeah, but they’re brown.
Me: Elves aren’t real.
OE: I know; I’m just saying they’re brown.
Me: So are the Otters.
I got my tracking receipt, turned around to leave, looked into the dead stares of a long line of people, and went my merry way. What in the what?
Enjoy the Ride!
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Small World
“It’s a small world.” How many times have you heard this in your lifetime? I remember my parents saying it and thinking, “What are you talking about?” Now, here I am saying it at least twice a week! It’s official, I’m my parents.
The community had a huge yard sale on Friday and Saturday at the new abode. According to the neighbors, this is a twice-a-year function that is heavily advertised and equally as popular. Perfect timing for this professional box unpacker.
The weather was damp and rainy, but that did not stop the crowds. Yes, crowds. I made a good chunk of change selling crap left by the previous owners and some of my own crap. I’m very close to getting a “less is more” tattoo or t-shirt.
This lovely couple, Frank and Joanne, stopped by to browse yesterday. There was an instant connection. They had a good sense of humor, especially Frank’s quick wit. People could have been shoplifting, and I wouldn’t have noticed.
As we were exchanging backstories of how the hell we wound up in Lewes, DE, Joanne was surprised to learn that I had never vacationed in this area. I explained I’m a Jersey Shore girl, Ocean City. NJ, to be exact. Her parents lived in Ocean City, NJ.
I explained that my husband was familiar with this area through his job, and my only introduction was when we looked at this house. Now she is intrigued.
Joanne, “How do you just move to a place you’ve never been to?”
Me, “I don’t know, but here I am.”
Frank, “Wow, there’s more than one!”
Me, “You know someone else who just packed up to Lewes?”
Joanne, “Yes, our dear friend from college. She just called me one day and told me her boys were all out of the house; they sold their home in Villanova and bought a place in Lewes.”
Frank, “I asked her if she bought it on Amazon because she never asked us to check it out or inquired about the area.”
Joanne, “We couldn’t believe they made such a big purchase without a second thought.”
Me, “I looked at Frank’s Mount St. Mary College sweatshirt while Villanova and boys ran through my mind when I asked, wait a minute, what is your friend’s name?”
Joanne, “Marie _______ _______.”
Me, “WHAT!? ARE YOU KIDDING ME?”
Frank, “You know Marie?”
Me, “Yes, we were paralegals together back in the day and work besties.”
All of us, “OMG! It’s such a small world!” Along with laughter.
Frank takes out his phone, captures a photo of the three of us, and sends it to Marie.
We are all meeting for Happy Hour on Friday!
Enjoy the Ride!
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What’s Your Back Story?
Things are coming together nicely here at the new abode. Setting things up to make it our own. Incorporating some memories of the past with our new upcycled purchases. Facebook Marketplace is my new bestie.
I love the idea that our decor has a back story. Our Ethan Allen dining room set was formally residing in a “home” with a regulation-sized basketball court INSIDE next to the movie theatre. Oh, yeah, that was an, let’s just say, interesting transaction.
Susan, the woman selling this piece, interrogated me online like an FBI agent. I finally had to tell her that we are a middle-aged couple who are too tired to commit a crime, clean it up or run from it. Seriously, Susan!
When we arrived, she answered the door with her phone in her hand, air pods in her ears, and more than once, let us know that her husband was listening to the conversation. If fear were a person …
Once we passed her test, she started pushing other items for sale on us. Bye, Susan, bye-bye.
Needless to say, that experience left a mark, but humanity was restored when I hit the jackpot on a gorgeous 2-year-old retractable canvas awning to shade our enormous deck. I need to enjoy the deck, not fry eggs on it.
Anna had the most beautiful beachfront home in North Jersey and a heart to match. She was handing over this $14,000 plus awning, in mint condition, for a mere $700.00, and she threw in the custom-made cover to boot. She was no Susan, that’s for sure.
Maybe the salt air, her Italian heritage, or both made her so generous. All I know is Anna’s house was right out of Architectural Digest, and it was warm, welcoming, and filled with love. Her only request was a photo of us relaxing under the awning.
Next up, we needed some headboards. One, because we upgraded to a King mattress and handed the sleigh bed over to our son, and two, we now have extra bedrooms for when the kiddies visit. They better visit!
Once again, the Marketplace came through like a genie granting wishes. For $150 bucks, we landed two, like new, Ethan Allen twin headboards that match our existing dresser perfectly. The owner had them stored at Sprinkles, their ice cream shop, and gave us a cone of our choice on the house with the purchase. What more could we ask for at this point?
Well, I’m gonna tell ya. We still needed the king-sized headboard. The challenge was getting one that matched our cherry wood set without looking too Ralph Laurenish at our new beach location. Are you with me?
Just when I thought this would be an issue, Lauren, a young woman with a great sense of humor, posted the PERFECT piece for $100. She was posting for her mom Lisa, who we concluded was a fantastic person based on her name. Yes, my name is Lisa, so I know this to be true.
Today we are on our way to pick up yet another Ethan Allen piece. It is a beautiful cabinet, with a hidden desk for all our electronic devices/crap that we don’t want to expose. Amen!
This beauty has been for sale for four weeks. It is the last piece standing in a sold home that must be gone by tomorrow. Can you say deal of a lifetime?
I love the idea of second chances, backstories, and new beginnings, whether furniture or lifestyles; we can all Enjoy the Ride more than once.
Life With The Top Down 
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