Home!

I'm heading home for the 4th of July holiday this weekend.  I can't wait to see my hubby, puppies and all my friends.  I already have a lunch and pedicure date and a evening cookout with friends planned.  I'm only home for two days so I'm not sure how much more I can pack in.  I'm ready to be back with my family.  I miss them terribly! 

Not much to report today, I've been feeling yucky lately.  I worked at eating better today hoping that would help some.  I also drank LOTS of water.  We'll see if that does anything.  But say a quick prayer for me to feel better.  I would appreciate it. 

Questions I ask

Well, I did not make it to the beach today.  The weather turned ugly after the laundry was done.  So I went to the mall instead.  Believe it or not, I didn't buy anything other than a iced frappe from Coffee Beanery.  But I found myself asking all sorts of questions while there.  You will understand after you see these questions that I did not actually verbalize the asking.
1.  Young girls, why do you come to the mall in your pajamas with no bra on?  Especially since you are here with young boys.  Is this really the way you want males to view you?  Aim higher than being viewed as a piece of....well let's call it 'meat'.
2. Really, young man?? You looked in your dresser and thought, yes - the t-shirt that has the entire sides cut out, that's the one that I will wear to the mall?  That shirt might be appropriate when playing baseball but not at the mall.  I do not want to see that much of you!
3.  Why do people wear flip flops where their toes hang off the ends?  Buy a bigger size!  Aren't shoes supposed to protect your feet from the ground? It's just weird to see your toes hanging off the ends.
4.  Why do women that do not take care of their feet wear flip flops?  I love flip flops and all things summer.  But I understand that it is my duty to society to make sure that I have cute feet and well manicured toes before wearing them! 
5. Why do men wear sandals?  Gross!!  Just say no!
6. Why do people let their children yell at the top of their lungs in public?  Park - yes.  Mall - no!  I love kids but I don't want to have them screaming while I am shopping.
7. Why do parents scream at their children?  And no, they were not the parents of the children that were screaming.  It doesn't serve to make them act better and it makes you look stupid and mean. 

All and all I had a great visit to the mall but it left me pondering.  And yes I know, these questions show that I am no longer someone your mother warned you about, I am your mother!  Now pull up your pants, button your shirt, comb your hair and go to the mall! 

Common dilemma

Here's my dilemma - work or play?  Today I really need to go do laundry but I really want to go to the beach.  So, what't a girl to do? My understanding is that we don't have too many months of pretty weather but I can't wear dirty clothes to work next week.  If I would get up and get going I could probably do both.  The best of both worlds!

I've been bummed this week.  I think that I've had enough of hotel living and it is beginning to wear on me.  I need my husband and dogs here.  I need to have all the love waiting for me when I get home each evening!  Time to quit being so picky and find a house.

The Duck is Car Trained!

In an earlier post I talked about a man that has a duck as a pet here in my adopted town.  Everyday as I pass the duck's hangout, I look for the duck.  Yesterday, I saw him, I am assuming it is a him.  He was in the passenger's side of a truck with his head out of the window.  As I passed, the truck pulled out of the driveway and went down the street.  The duck's head was out the passenger window the whole time!  I have got to meet this man, not only does he have a duck for a pet but he has car trained him! How awesome is that!!  I laughed about it all the way to my hotel.

Now that I think about it, maybe the duck is a female - otherwise he would want to drive! 

Put in Bay

Today we went to the the islands of Lake Erie.  We chose to ride a very large boat over there.  According to the locals, Put In Bay is known as the Key West of the North Coast.  It seemed pretty tame to me but it was a Sunday afternoon when we were there. 

On the way back, we saw this awesome boat at full mast.  They described it as the USS Niagara and said it was on the site of the surrender of the Royal Navy during the Battle of Lake Erie in the War of 1812.  It was pretty to see it. 

I did a little research when we got back and this is the battle that led to the famous quote, "We have met the enemy and they are ours.'  That was written by Commodore Perry following the battle. 

Visit this website for more info.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Lake_Erie

What's your life about?

There is a phenomenon here close to Lake Erie that is as fascinating as it is gross.  Every year, if Lake Erie is healthy, there is an invasion of mayflies.  They swarm the area and look really gross.  Check out this website for more scientific facts about them.  http://www.mayflynews.net/ 

The non-scientific facts about them are this:
1.  They can completely cover your car if you park under a light - I learned this from experience
2.  They live a very short time - I've seen estimates from 30 minutes to 72 hours
3.  When they die, they smell like dead fish
4.  They have no mouths and seem to exist for the sole purpose of reproducing.

In that respect they are very lucky.  They are designed to fulfill their one purpose in life. They have no mouths, some species have multiple genatalia - they are truly designed to complete this one purpose.  They have up to two years beneath the surface of the lake to prepare for the completion of their purpose once they emerge from the water.

Our purpose in life is not so clearly defined.  Is it to reproduce?  Is our one mission in life to procreate and raise offspring?  If not reproduction, what is it?  My thoughts are that our purpose is up to each of us to define.  I would have told you 20 years ago that my purpose was to be a mom.  God had other plans for me and I was unable to have children.  So I had to rethink what my purpose was.

I'm still trying to figure out what my purpose is but I think it has something to do with making a positive impact on as many people as I can while I am here on earth.  I think about the people that I love and those that I come into contact with every day.  There is cross over between those two groups which is always a good thing!  In the evening I often reflect upon the day's events and ask myself if I made a difference in someone's life that day.  It could be something small - did I brighten their day by making them laugh.  It could be something big - did I help them through a rough spot in their life in some manner.  The days that bring me the most satisfaction are those that I can feel as if I helped someone in some way, no matter how small. 

What's your purpose and are you achieving it?

Summer Time

Summer on the North Coast is vastly different than summer where I have spent most of life.  It was incredibly hot in Texas and Georgia where I have spent the majority of my life.  Oklahoma was not quite as warm but was lots warmer than it is here.  Here people talk about how hot it is when it is 80 degrees.  I laugh every time I hear that!  I am accustomed to 80 degrees being a nice day and people are glad that it is not hot.  Funny how your life experiences mold your perceptions of things. 

The days here are now in the 70s or 80s with an occasional peak in the 90s. The nights get down to the 50s.  I think it is heavenly but I find that I miss the heat.  I spent some time on the beach last weekend and it was disconcerting that I never felt hot.  I felt warm and the sun felt wonderful on my skin but I never had that, "oh my gosh, I'm melting" feeling you get in the summer on the beach in Texas. 

I found myself thinking last week that I couldn't wait for summer to get here and feel the heat.  Then I realized that this is the heat here!  I often wear sweaters to work, even in June.  Now I know who those people are that buy the sweaters in stores and catalogs in June and July.  I have wondered all my life, one of the mysteries of my life answered.