Unconscious Mutterings

1. Charts :: maps


2. Best moment of 2010? :: there are five and I shall list them chronologically ~~ * Julie Strahan coming to visit. * reconnecting with my brother. * adopting Cristie and Rachael. * Sofia's birth. * my husband NOT having cancer
   


3. Checkered :: groovy diner tablecloth, vinyl naturally.
   


4. Glass :: fragile


5. Resolve? ::closely monitored thoughts
   


6. Expensive :: EVERYTHING
   


7. Humongous :: world
   


8. Scent :: freshly cut grass
   


9. Trashy :: romance novels
   


10. Candles :: necessary for my contentment
    

Yovillian

Almost two years ago, winter of 2009 I believe, my friend Brett invited me to play Scrabble with him on Facebook.
Actually he was able to do this because I had already secretly made an account in an effort to understand the world my then 16 year old son was living in. Monosyllable answers thrown over his shoulder as he trotted upstairs left me feeling completely in the dark as to what sixteen year old boys did in their spare time in the 21st century.
My effort to stalk him on Facebook was useless. I never did find his page even and had pretty much given up the whole idea when I received an email saying that Brett , a Flickr buddy, had a 'friend' request for me on Facebook.

I actually couldn't even remember how to log on. Fortunately, in his infinite wisdom and foresight , Mark Zuckerberg,
made it possible for a not so savvy middle aged gal to hack into her own account.
and voila! I was able to be updated regularly on Brett's 'status' (important Facebook term)
AND play an eight day Scrabble game with him. and HE lives in Canada! How cool was THAT?!
Turns out that I bored quickly and divorced Facebook pretty early on. More about that
here.
Then, for reason's I don't even recall now, I logged back on to Facebook and again Voila! my account had been saved for me with all the posts and comments still intact.
Whew!
(sarcasm intended)

So there I was, browsing my family's status' and cringing at all the 'f' bombs my son was dropping.(Facebook etiquette indicates that unless your teenager is about to rob a gas station or do physical harm to him or herself, parents are NOT to interfere. And actually I dropped a fair amount of 'f' bombs myself at his age, just no Facebook for my parents to stalk me on. Which is a good thing, because I would probably just now be getting off restriction. but I 'm rambling here)
What the heck was I saying?...
Oh yes, I was enjoying Facebook in the normal facebooky way when I became aware of the advertisements than run down the right side of the FB page. Most of them having to do with things like lipo suction and magical diets (how the hell did Mark Zuckerberg know I was over weight? un-nerving to say the least)
A few regarding class reunions (bah) but one in particular that got my attention.
Yoville.
Hell, it even sounded cool.
Now I should note here that by this time my friend Jami already had me 'virtual' farming everyday in Farm Town. And really, I did enjoy that. Not as much as Jami who ultimately made a FarmTown farm for each of her three dogs in addition to herself, but I liked it. A mindless way to pass some time that I actually did find relaxing.
But Yoville damn..
so I logged on , made myself a character, moved into my virtual apartment and...
the rest is history.
History in the making I should say.
Now, as a seasoned Yovillian, in addition to my original apartment (they give you that one. No homeless people in Yoville), I own three houses and one dog. No cars or horses because they cost real $ and that seems over the top even for me.
My name is Mary Flynn and I'm a Yoville addict.
Oh good lord.
Most of my contacts that had started playing at one time or another, have since stopped. I'm still in there, visiting their apartment or house and gathering some coins. So I can buy more cool Yoville stuff of course.
w e l l .... it actually did start to get a bit dull for me. All the super cool houses cost real $, I had all the clothes that I liked. Now I was playing mostly from habit. Before and after work usually. And sometimes I even skipped my after work sessions.
But then Voila! again!
The Yoville moguls added more levels (I maxed out months ago) AND a contest! to win an Ipad. I want that!
SO here I am again, ardently playing Yoville every time my 'energy' refills. All I have to do is gain 20 levels before Jan. I can do this! I've gained 2 levels just since Thursday.(two days) Of course I'm competing with IBM executives that are playing at work to allow their minds to idle for a few minutes cuz everyone knows that's when the really great ideas drop themselves into your brain. Unfortunately , at the PO if you try to log on to Yoville it pops up with a "you've been blocked because this has no 'business' application"
That's why I need the Ipad! Then I can play Yoville at work too and truly be able to compete with the IBM execs.
It's good to have goals, don't you think?

Rhapsody in Blue as played by THS under the conduction of Steve Holloman 1997

Untitled from Scha on Vimeo.

"You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose." ~Dr. Seuss

Dang...

I was glancing through some of this blog earlier today and discovered that I'm kind of a whiner.
Bunch of posts about not feeling well ; about being irritated . Generally negative stuff.

I don't actually think of myself as a negative person, but reading this drivel certainly makes me appear so. Maybe I should delete it and start over?
maybe I should vow not come here when I'm gloomy or sick?
sigh

I'm embarrassed.

well hell ... guess I can make a change.
Everyone's life is tough to one degree or another.
some folks just don't dwell on it.
You know, those people with no arms or legs that swim the English Channel and raise a family of four children while giving inspirational talks in their spare time.
They don't dwell on the negatives. Not exactly your downer type folks.

I have two arms and two legs. Never swam the English Channel, but I did spend a lot of my youth at Lake Shawnee. (yawn, I know .. it's the best I've got)
Have raised a family (am still raising) of four children.... no inspirational talks ..
yet.

Guess I'll just try to be a little more like that little old ant and do some rubber tree plant moving.
And for God's sake, I'll quit recording every gloomy depressing or pissed off thought I have.

Really, it's always about the focus ..
it's do-able.
:O)

A reminder to self to enjoy the life I live. It's the only one I'm getting!

Today I re-post this as a reminder to myself to enjoy the life that I live.

May others find a little something to take with them also.




1. Take a 10-30 minutes walk every day. And while you walk, smile.

2. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.

3. Sleep for 7 hours.

4. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm, and Empathy.

5. Play more games.

6. Read more books than you did in 2009.

7. Make time to pray. Prayer provides us with daily fuel for our busy lives.

8. Spend time with people over the age of 70 & under the age of 6.

9. Dream more while you are awake.

10. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.

11. Drink plenty of water.

12. Try to make at least three people smile each day.

13. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip.

14. Forget issues of the past. Don't remind your partner of his mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness.

15. Don't have negative thoughts about things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.

16. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime..

17. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar.

18. Smile and laugh more.

19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don't hate others.

20. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

21. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

22. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.

23. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about. Don't compare your partner with others.

24. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.

25. Forgive everyone for everything.

26.. What other people think of you is none of your business.

27. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

28. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.

29. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

30. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

31. The best is yet to come.

32. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

33. Do the right thing!

34. Call your family often.

35. Your inner most being is always happy. So be happy.

36. Each day give something good to others.

37. Don't over do. Keep your limits.

Right Now!

1. I am thinking… How fortunate I am to have people in my life that are so supportive

2. I am thankful for… my family ... my friends ... my life

3. From the kitchen… comes a rich coffee aroma ... Sundays *sigh* are the best!

4. I am wearing… threadbare, comfy jammies with butterflies on them

5. I am creating…nothing ... I AM writing on my blog though!

6. I am going… to the renaissance festival today!

7. I am reading… Making Money by Terry Pratchett

8. I am hoping… to find the perfect outfit for Rachael's wedding

9. I am hearing… one of my dog's snoring

10. Around the house… we must plant some trees yet this fall ! A Redbud and maybe a shade tree in the back

11. One of my favorite things… Muppets!

12. A few plans for the rest of the week… keeping things low key , writing to Julie , enjoying life!

13. A picture to share…

Helloooo it's me.

Stopped in to add a book to my list and thought I would tell myself hello

:O)

I find it easier to keep my book list here so that I don't lose it. I suspect I have missed adding one or two.

Been a busy summer. I'm thankful that it's over. I have made some changes in my life that I feel very peaceful with.

Things are looking up!

at last

Tonight , at 8: 00 PM began my vacation.

At last. ...

I am tired clear through to my bone marrow.

too much work , too much travel , too much drama ..

I never expected my position with the Local (union) to include so much drama.

politics, yes. but not drama.

I'm so tired of being lied to. Do these people not realize that my respect for them is

dwindling away. No integrity from you . no respect from me.

*sigh*
enough with the self pity.

On the bright side here, no work until Sept. 27. It will be a lovely breather!

Bad Blogger

i am a bad blogger.

i am exhausted

i need a change

something has got to give ..

2010~~ first quarter

OK, here's the dang truth.
This has been a tough three months.

Here's another truth ~
I'm not as young as I used to be.

What a revelation, huh?

I started my new 'job' in January.
I took over the office of Clerk Craft Director in January.

That's a lot of change for an old girl like me.

My new 'job' actually entails two new jobs, one of which has been a struggle from the word go.
Which trickles down to making job # 2 a struggle.
Which further trickles down to making my position in our Local a struggle.

*sigh*

which seemed to further trickle down to some physical ailments.
I've been so sick!
Bah!
It really pisses me off . I hate being sick.

~The upside~

I'm feeling better these past two days than I have since December.
I see light at the end of the tunnel!
Yay!
My plans are.

• Pick one thing I can do at a time and do that.
• ie. get more rest
• go back to the gym
• leave work at work
• do a little bit everyday to accomplish my goals
• get my camera out!!

I think if I keep taking small bites, I'll get there.
Someday, these three new jobs will feel like an old friend, just as my last job ultimately did.

sick..sick..sick

I'm sick.
and I don't remember ever feeling as crummy as this.
I've been to the doc, got some meds, and been sleeping for hours since.
Bah!
Wiping everything down with bleach in an effort to keep the guys from catching whatever it is.

Dr. Austria said that I have bronchitis and a sinus infection.
That's what he always says.
To find out anything specific, he would have to do cultures etc.
and like he pointed out once, the treatment would likely be the same.
So... what ever it is. I'll be so happy when it's gone!

workworkwork

OK then...

I have a new 'job'.
Actually it's a new 'position', but at the Post Office we say we've gotten a new 'job'
This one is a little bit new. Different responsibilities ; a little more money. and of course, completely new hours and days off.

I'm adjusting.
Currently I am terribly homesick for my old 'job' and mostly my old co-workers.
Yet, I remind myself that when a prisoner is released from a long prison sentence , they miss the security of what they know so well.
In other words, this may still be the best move for me right now. I just need more time to adjust.

There are some positives manifesting already however.
ie the shoulder pain I've been dealing with for so many months ( the one that wakes me up in the night? that one.) is already easing considerably.
Saturdays off? I've got em.
Along with a promise from my supervisor that he won't ever have to 'mandatory' (postal grammar) me to work on Saturday, ever.
Speaking of supervisors.
I have a good one.
He's normal, he's human and he has compassion for people.
Huh... how did that happen in the Postal Service?
Anyway, I remember when he first hired on as a Letter Carrier. He's always been this way.
so..
I just need to give it some time. I will hopefully find my niche at the new position and make myself a little home here.
We'll see i guess!

Matthew Polly

I ran into Matthew Polly's Mom at the grocery store the other day.

Seems his book is being looked at for a movie.

Now that is coolness.