Delete

I just unfriended my first person on Facebook. The person in question had inundated me with pleas to vote for her organization in some contest, and, when I say inundated, I mean; she sent me twelve requests today, alone. And, it's only 3:00.

Anyway, she was someone I knew socially through Old Job, I rarely see her in public, and, we aren't close, so, it wasn't a hard decision.

Actually, I felt a wicked sort of pleasure in hitting that delete button.

I wonder what that says about me...

The Hostess With the Mostess. Or, Not.

My parents are in town for a few days and I am enjoying their company. Last night, we went to the Man-Cub's baseball game. Today, they are planning to drive to Neighboring City to see my nephew, The Rebel Without a Pause, in his new home. Later this evening, we are having a BBQ/Porch Night here, and, tomorrow, we will sit through yet another baseball game.

Do we know how to show our company a good time or what?

In addition to the stellar line-up of fun activities, we made sure to welcome my parents into our home by having Finnigan engage in a hissing fit at the very sight of my father. That wasn't embarrassing at all.

Thank goodness they are family and are therefor required to love us by default. I mean, really.

NOT a List of Pet Peeves

As you may know; I am a mostly-optomistic person. I tend to focus on the positive, to work through the negative, and, to give my energy to the things that bring me joy and comfort. That said; since I wrote a post focused on the things that irritate the hell out of me a while back, today I am going to list a few things that just warm the cockles of my heart.

Before I do that, though; what, exactly, is a cockle? It sounds...pervy. And, decidedly male. I'm just sayin'.

Annyywaayy... on to the non-pet peeves, now.

- Customer Service people who actually provide service, with a smile. Say what you will about Chik-fil-A's Christian ethics, but; I challenge you to find another establishment that employs such genuinely polite and pleasant servers. Seriously.

- Good Deeders. This includes the kids who open doors for other people, the man who gives up his seat on the bus for an older person, the woman who reaches for an object on the highest grocery shelf for the person who can't reach it, himself, etc. I always feel a refreshed sense of hope for our world when I witness the act of a Good Deeder.

- The first cup of coffee of the day; especially when I can enjoy it on the front porch.

-Tradition. This includes holiday events that take place each year, my annual trip to Mayberry for Stampede, pictures taken in the front yard on the first day of each new school year, planting the garden each spring, decorating the house as each season blends into the next, and, knowing that, whenever I go home; I will still feel like I belong there.

- Spending time with my family, both my nuclear unit and our extended group of grandparents, aunts, uncles, neices, nephews, cousins, and siblings. Family is of utmost importance.

- Friends. I could write a book about the importance of friendships in my life and it still wouldn't be enough to fully convey how much I value those relationships. Not by a mile.

- Ginger kitties. I can't imagine having a home that lacks the presence of an orange tabby cat; I just can't.

- The word serendipity, and, the fact that the Man-Cub cannot say it without smiling. He just can't. It's sort of awesome.

- Positive people. In much the same way that negativity attracts negativity, I find that positive people are naturally drawn to other positive people, and; that positivity creates- and nurtures- positivity between those people. Think of it like a battery charger.

- Good books, trash television, fine wine, dark chocolate, fresh-baked bread, musicals, sunshine, and the smell of sheets dried in an open breeze.

I feel better just writing this list.

Ice Cream is Socially Acceptable

My woman's club hosted an ice cream social this evening, on the patio of a local garden center. At one point, a few drops of rain fell on the party and not one person made a move to escape the moisture, indeed, we all welcomed it; our state is on fire and we are in dire need of the rain.

Do you hear that, Mother Nature? We would like a downpour, please.

Anyway, the ice cream social was a mixer for new members as well as an occasion for old members to visit and get reacquainted. The Teenager went with me, in her capacity of ASTRA Communications Chair, and; was happy to see that the daughter of one of my friends was also in attendance. The girls spent the evening catching up and giggling over things that teenagers giggle over.

I got to catch up with one of my friends who isn't able to make meetings as often as she would like due to her new work schedule, which was nice (catching up, I mean, not her new work schedule; I'm sure that sucks).

I also got cornered by the current District Governor, who was instrumental in getting our ASTRA club established; she was full of wonderful things to say about our group, which made me feel pretty special.

All in all, it was a nice way to spend a summer evening.

I mean, you can't go wrong with ice cream; am I right?

Longest Day, Ever, Says I

Following my semi-annual trip to the dentist this afternoon; I arrived back at the store to find a that I was the lucky recipient of a surprise inspection from one of our dealers. It was the first time that I have had to handle such a thing and I found the whole process to be nerve wracking and stomach-ache inducing. Then, I got to spend two hours in the concession stand at the Man-Cub's baseball game, where, in an act of total defiance, I did not stir neon orange "cheese" for nachos.

Enough was enough, said I.

Now, I am eating my way through a bag of Twizzlers while nursing a throbbing headache.

I really hope tomorrow is a better day, but; I have some concerns.

Time to stock up on wine and chocolate, says I.

In Which the Man-Cub Discovers the Pits

Friday night, the Man-Cub opted not to go boating with us. If you know the Cub, you are wondering what in the world could have kept him from the lake, and, I'll tell you; he had a tummy ache.

A tummy ache caused by eating his weight in cherries while cherry-picking with Jana and the rest of the kids earlier in the day.

Now, my momma always told me that I would get a tummy ache if I ate too many cherries; I just never found the magical number that would push me over the edge from pleasantly stuffed to over-full. The Man-Cub can now say that he found that limit, tripped right over it, and, lived to tell the tale.

We missed him on the boat, of course, but; his run-in with the runs has diminished his desire to eat more cherries, which, means more for the rest of us, and, that's ok by me.

Also, I totally owe my momma an apology for doubting her warning, so; sorry, Mom!

In Search Of: The Cat Collar Edition

Someone please tell me how a kitten can lose his collar when he:

A)  Never leaves the house.
B)  Tends to keep his exploring to the main floor of the house, and
C)  Is under almost constant supervision.

Ugg.

Now, if you will excuse me; I'm off for round two of searching for Guinness's missing collar. I would make a joke about putting a bell on that darn cat but, yeah, the bell is already on the freaking collar.