June 7, 2011

Kendall warned me last week about making political commentaries on my blog, but I can't help myself! If the politicians are a good source of jokes for late-night comedians, they shouldn't be off limits on my blog. I promise to be an equal opportunity, bipartisan commentator so as not to offend just one group of followers and readers of my blog. Maybe I should subtitle all of these: "What were they thinking" or "Why aren't they thinking?" or maybe "Are you kidding me?" or simply "Really?" I'll work on it.

But for now ... here's what I'm currently laughing about in the political arena.
1. Pelosi formally requests Weiner ethics probe. Let's review. The man sent sexually suggestive photos of himself to women over the Internet via Twitter. His act begs the question, "Which 'weiner' was he thinking with?" He has admitted his guilt, so what is there to probe (Note: sexual inuendo intended).
2. Obama insists he's not afraid of the country slipping into a double-dip recession. Well, of course he's not concerned about a double-dip recession when Americans are still digging themselves out of the current recession. Perhaps the government wouldn't be in the "red" if Congress didn't conduct lengthy and costly investigations on representatives who admit they acted inappropriately, and then lie about their misdeeds. (See #1 above.)
3. It wouldn't be right to have this tirade and not mention Sarah Palin. It has been written that she attended five colleges, but, unfortunately, she never learned what most elementary school students can probably tell us, that Paul Revere wasn't attempting to warn the British when he rode around shouting, "The British are coming." Nor was he ringing bells and trying to protect gun rights.


Today I'm creating a newsletter draft for a client and a newsletter article for a community newspaper. Fun, fun!

June 6, 2011

Today in 1944,  the D-Day invasion of Europe took place on the beaches of Normandy, France. An estimated 400,000 Allied American, British and Canadian troops were involved. I saw "Saving Private Ryan" with Mr. B and his war-movie buddy Simon and Simon's wife, Linda. While the gentlemen loved the film, Linda and I cringed through at least the first 25-30 minutes of the movie, which depicted the troops landing on the beaches of Normandy. Very disturbing to watch! I don't think I could have jumped into the water and rushed to the beach. Thank goodness there were brave men who were involved in the liberation of Western Europe. 


Years later, Simon went to Normandy. He told us it was one of the most emotional sights he had ever seen with all the white crosses on the graves of the men who lost their lives. Mr. B and I went to Paris once and I'd like to go back to France to visit the Champagne region. I know that if we go to France we'll have to go to Normandy.


Today I'm creating a new type of bag. I want to make some messenger bags out of linen. I've seen some where the linen has been distressed. I want to try making one.

June 5, 2011

It's thundering outside and there are a few really big spits of rain on the ground. It would be really nice if it rained in Houston and watered the plants we planted last weekend. If it doesn't rain soon, I may have to get another job to pay for the water bill.

Not sure the magazine's definition
of "light" matches mine. 

Yesterday at the drugstore I bought the latest issue of Cooking Light. I used to have a subscription, but I guess it expired. On the cover of the magazine is a huge photo of a burger with a caption that reads: Secrets to a healthy burger. I'm really hungry for a homemade burger. The one in Cooking Light is made with lean ground sirloin, blue cheese mayo and sherry marinated onions, some lettuce and tomatoes. Sounds great, but light? Calories: 420. Fat: 21.8 grams. Hum.

Today I'm creating time for the final review of a newsletter. It's finally going to print ... yippee! 

June 4, 2011

At 6'2", my father was a tall man who suffered extreme growing pains during his teen years. In high school he ran track and played basketball, but at night the aching in his body would often keep him awake. He said his mother would put a stool in his bed to prop up his legs. Having his legs propped up and his mother rubbing his calves and arms helped him push through the pain. This sounds strange to me because I never experienced growth spurts.

Time to turn her dreams into reality!

What isn't strange to me is the growing pains Evan is experiencing, and I wish there was something to prop up her and relieve her aching. Like Evan, I dropped out of college and wasn't able to get the best jobs because I didn't have a college degree. I was age 26 and married when I went back to college. It took me three years of night school and summer school to complete my degree. I worked full-time and even went to school when I was pregnant with Kendall. After Kendall was born, whatever I was reading for classes was her bedtime story. I was enormously proud of myself when I graduated in August 1981, from the University of Houston.

I know Evan's pain of not being able to get a good job because she doesn't have a degree, and wish I could do something to help her, as my grandmother helped my father. I wish it was comforting for her to know that other people have experienced what she is going through.

As a curly red-headed girl with big blue eyes and freckles used to say when she got frustrated, "It's just not fair." No, Sweetness, life isn't always fair or easy. Life is full of growth opportunities. Throughout your life you'll keep growing and being frustrated and challenged. But there will be better times when you experience enormous pride because you were able to push through the pain, grow and achieve your goals. It's OK to be frustrated, but never give up! You'll make it back to college, graduate and find a rewarding career. In the meantime, there's a job for your quirky self out there. And whoever hires you will be lucky to have you.

Today I'm creating a heart-felt message to my youngest daughter, trying to support her through growing pains.

June 3, 2011

Political news today, which makes for good commentary. First, John Edwards has been indicted over $925,000 spent to keep his mistress and their baby in hiding during his 2008 campaign for president. There are six counts, including conspiracy, illegal campaign contributions, and false statements. Negotiations between Edwards' attorneys and federal prosecutors to settle on a charge to which Edwards was willing to plead guilty failed because the Feds insisted on a plea to a felony, which would endanger Edwards' ability to keep his law license. Let me just say this about that: yes, what Edwards' did was illegal, but in the big scheme of things is this expense really necessary? The expense for the Feds to investigate and try this matter is probably more than $925,000. Why didn't John Edwards write a check for $925,000 and be done with it? Does Edwards really think he still has a legal career? I'm hoping Elizabeth Edwards is sitting on a big fluffy cloud laughing her ass off!


Next, in breaking news, Mitt Romney announced yesterday what any perceptive American has known since August of 2008: he's running for the Republican presidential nomination in 2012. "Mitty" is my guy, at least for now.

You can still sign up to participate
in the Houston Heights Fun Run,
which takes place Sat. June 4, 2011.

Today I'm creating time for volunteer work. The Heights has its annual 5K fun run tomorrow. Since I'm not a runner and there's no way I'm getting up to hand out water at 7 a.m., I'm working packet pick up this afternoon at Luke's Locker on W. Gray. You can still register, if you're interested.

June 2, 2011

Just got off the phone with Evan. Not sure, but I think she
may have done away with her asymmetric hair cut.
Good idea when she's looking for a job.

All the different weather patterns in the U.S. are very disturbing. Certain parts of the country are flooding while other parts (including most of Texas) are suffering from a drought. Wind storms are also everywhere, except Houston where the air is so still. Record high temperatures in Houston yet it was snowing in Santa Fe two weeks ago. And what's up with the massive amount of tornadoes? I think about tornadoes occurring in Kansas and Oklahoma, but in Philadelphia and Boston? All the weather anomalies make me fearful of hurricane season, or should I say more concerned than normal.

I was up early again this morning. It's a whole new life! I got work done on the computer first thing and then had an early lunch with a friend at Tiny Boxwood. I really like that place. Now I need to run an errand and then get to a client's office for a meeting.

Today I'm creating a press release. I really think of what I'm creating as more of an event announcement going to potential conference exhibitors, but if the client wants to call it a press release, so be it. Another full day of mostly work related projects, which I hope translate to mucho dinero for my time in Santa Fe this summer. Si, si!

June 1, 2011

Beautiful purple-spotted orchid I received this morning.

There are good things to be said about getting up early. For example, I got up today around 7:30 a.m. While still in my pajamas, I dusted, vacuumed, cleaned the guest bathroom and finished cleaning the kitchen ... all before 9 a.m. Between 9-10 a.m., I had a shower, dried my hair, got dressed, ate breakfast and started working on the computer. In contrast, I normally wake up when Mr. B leaves the house around 8:20 a.m., but just laze around until noon or 1 p.m. Look at all that's possible when I get cranking in the morning!

I was motivated to get up this morning and do housework because a woman who was in Santa Fe with her husband last week was returning the house key. She was one of the nicest people I have ever met. In just the short time she was here, I got the sense that she is genuinely sweet and kind. She brought me the most beautiful orchid, which I photographed to use in the blog today. Even now while I'm typing I'm looking at the orchid and smiling.

Today I'm creating revisions to a newsletter, finishing the text for the newsletter I started yesterday, and compiling the minutes from last week's Bayou City Art Festival board meeting. It's going to be a very productive day!