The ABC's of Religion

I think of some crazy stuff while falling asleep at night. I decided to make a list of the various religions that my friends and family follow, according to the ABC's. I will not make any wise- ass comments beside any of them. :) Some of the letters will be blank because I either can't think of a religion that fits or if I can, I don't know anyone who practices it. My point is, WHY CAN'T WE ALL GET ALONG???? Feel free to add any religions that I don't have on my list if you know someone who practices it.

A- Agnostic , African Methodist Episcopal
B- Baptist , Buddhist
C- Catholic, Christian Science
D-
E- Episcopalian
F-
G-
H- Hindu
I- Interdenominational
J- Judaism
K-
L- Lutheran
M- Methodist, Muslim
N- Non-Denominational
O-
P- Pentecostal , Presbyterian, Primitive Baptist, Pagan
Q- Quaker (my deceased neighbors)
R-
S- Seventh-Day Adventist
T- Transdenominational
U- Unitarian Universalist
V-
W- Wiccan
X-
Y-
Z-
I watched a PBS special this past week-end called "The Power of Forgiveness." Two men from totally different backgrounds and religions now tour the country giving speeches about forgiveness.One of the men lost his son at the hands of the other man's grandson. The shooting was senseless. One man was raised Muslim while the other was a black man raised Baptist in the South. They couldn't be more different. The men have become best friends. They had to forgive to move on. At the end of the program, one of them said "If everyone in the world could forgive, what a wonderful place we'd live in." Religion plays a huge part in forgiveness. Amen. Hum. Omen. Ameen. Om. Blessed Be.

My long-awaited massage therapy!!

I have decided that I am going to get a massage this evening, come hell or high water (which is extremely likely given the violent storms that our area has had the last few days) We actually had a woman rescued from her car last night while driving on a nearby road that was suddenly under water. I digress.
My youngest graduated on May 31st. I worked very hard to give him a nice party that week-end and promised self a massage the following week. One thing led to another (likely finances) and I postponed the massage. I then proceeded spend a week-end preparing piles of Italian food for sick friends as well as a relatives birthday soiree. I haven't always known HOW to cook Italian food. Remember,I am from Alabama- same as Forrest Gump. Anyhoo, I spent the week after that trying to get oldest son and husband ready for a long planned fishing expedition in Canada. OK- I will get that massage as soon as their plane wheels leave the tarmac. I am tired, I am bitchy and my back hurts. Son came down with some violent, horrible sickness the day before the trip. He was nearly in tears but couldn't lift his head to get on the airplane. I felt bad for him and also spent several days (in addition to my FT job) tending to him and keeping him hydrated.
In my stupor, I had also planned a big house cleaning and subsequent garage sale this past Saturday. What was I thinking??? In addition, we were also entertaining some family from Canada at my sister-in-law's house. What dumb ass volunteered to make pizzas and desserts for 25 people?? My back now hurts twice as much! I tried to rest last night by going to bed early- after about 10 minutes of "Keeping up with the Kardashians" , I decided that TV as we know it has gone to shit. (Who the hell are they, anyway??) I borrowed some huge tables from my employer, hauled them home, unloaded them and then did the reverse after the local thrift store came last night to take away the remaining garage sale debris. The garage sale was a bust- I guess it's just too hot here at this time of year.
Long story short, I called my massage therapist yesterday and I will be basking in the non-glow of a dark room with soft music and a very nice lady making it all go away.

Matchmaker, Matchmaker, send me a match!

Every now and again, I take a gander at the personal ads and see who is looking in our area. Most of the time, I recognize a few faces and have a laugh. I am not looking, mind you. After what I have seen on there recently, I would spend my life in a convent atop a secluded mountain in Austria before I'd EVER date one of these guys.
I will share some of my recent findings. I don't know whether they are funny or just plain pathetic-
One guy is dressed from head to toe in a NASCAR outfit- he's NOT a NASCAR driver. A couple of them look as though they pulled out their prom pics from 1977 to put on their ad. The spelling on most of them is atrocious. One fellow is sporting an eye patch but requests that his "dream woman" only be a little chubby, NOT overweight. He's wearing an eye patch, for God's sake. Would he even be able to see just how chubby a woman is?? Oh, and long, gray hair accented with a cowboy hat and a Harley Davidson shirt. That's such an attractive look.

Following are some of the actual headings taken from these gents sites:

"Sinbad seeks partner for flying carpet." Ah- how original! Would he wear pointy little shoes and a turban on his head? That might be worth seeing!

"Lifelong student of everything." What the hell does that mean??

"Do it in the Wind." Doesn't he realize how messy that would be??

"Will have a cup of coffee with whoever responds." This guy must not have seen the prices in Starbucks lately! What a desperate statement.

"Fast Cars and Slow Women." Does he mean slow as in mentally? I can only picture a mentally challenged woman being slung around in a Mustang convertible.

"Part teddy bear and part social butterfly." This is my personal favorite- I just can't figure out how he came up with those two phrases and thought that it would MEAN something to anyone.

I am so glad that I am married.

Food, Fun and Lots of Italians!!

After last Thursday's near death experience, I decided to try and have fun over the week-end. I had promised to deliver a home cooked meal to a friend who has been taking care of her ill mother as well as her son after his surgery. This woman was always the first person at my door during the dark days of my husband's illness and subsequent surgeries several years ago. She would leave food in our spare frig in the garage if we weren't home. She was a life saver on more than one occasion. It would certainly be my pleasure to return the favor. (She is Italian and used to own a local deli so I couldn't take just any slop over there) I had decided to make homemade pizza, baked ziti and a nice, big salad to take over.
We had also decided to have a surprise party for my brother in law, Sam, who was to turn 75 on Sunday. He is one of the sweetest people you'd ever want to know- he and my sister in law, Rose, were also life savers when my husband was ill. Sam would hand me gas credit cards and big wads of cash to make my trips to Mayo Clinic, which is about 200 miles from where we live. They know what needs to be done in times of crisis and they do it. No questions asked! Our nephew, Carmine, had been operated on this past week so until we knew the severity of his illness, we had put the party on hold. Luckily, it was just a gall bladder removal so Vivi la Sam was back on! I volunteered to make homemade pizzas and desserts for a crowd of around 25-30 people.
I got the first round of pasta, etc cooked on Saturday - sauce from scratch in the morning, pizza and then the baked ziti. I delivered this to my friend around 4:30 and she was very happy. They devoured the pizza before I left and complimented me. Mind you, this is TWO generations of Italian cooks, my friend AND her mother. I left feeling quite happy.
Now, round 2 of cooking for the birthday soiree. Went to 8 am Mass so that I could get back and break out the Betty Crocker gloves for one more batch--this time, I had to double the pizza recipe. I know our family and how they like to eat. I had also decided to make a strawberry cake, cut up fresh strawberries and take whipped cream to have on top. Not satisfied, I also baked a vanilla cake and made homemade chocolate frosting. I was getting a little tired during the chocolate frosting mixing and must've forgotten the 3rd cup of confectioners sugar- I thought it tasted kind of bitter but didn't realize my faux pas at the time. Slapped it on the cake and off we went.
My brother in law was truly surprised and even shed a tear when we all yelled , "SURPRISE!!" We all had such a great afternoon of food and laughter. It was one of those days that you hate to see end. My other sister in law made homemade manicotti- I can't describe how delicious they were. Melted in our mouths!
We don't get together as often as we used to due to work schedules, etc. I realized yesterday that we need to do this more often- life is short and days like yesterday are rare and wonderful.

Shrimp, stay away from my door!

I've been trying to save a few bucks so I packed my lunch from home every day last week until Thursday when my co-worker suggested we go out. I was hungry for something in the seafood department so I happily agreed. We went to a local Thai restaurant where I have eaten at least 50 times. Lately, I've noticed that they've gotten busier than in years past. I know that when this happens, often times things are overlooked. Food is served that has outlived it's expiration date, etc.
Anyway, I ordered the salt and pepper shrimp, one of my faves. I noticed that they didn't taste like they normally do but I ate with gusto. About a half hour later, I felt a funny pain in my side and all hell broke loose. I managed to stay at work until quitting time , mostly because I was afraid to attempt the 15 minute ride home. Once home, my entire body collapsed. I was in the bed for 13 hours and couldn't move.
It will be a long, long time before I eat shrimp again. I probably dropped about 5 pounds the hard way. I will have to politely decline any future invites to that particular restaurant. It's a shame but I am thankful that it wasn't any worse than it was.

Location , location , location

I work in a sort of dumpy part of town. It lies on the fringes of a very wealthy beach town but there are some stark differences.
From my office front door, I am privy to seeing a pawn shop, a tattoo parlor (with flashing neon sign for extra ambiance) and a half-assed, hole in the wall surf shop. There was a BBQ take-out joint called "Hog Heaven- Where all good pigs go to die." It's no wonder that it didn't last long with a name like that. I wouldn't have eaten anything out of there if someone paid me. It's a run-down little strip mall that is in desperate need of a face lift.
My last job was in the downtown section of the wealthy beach town but we still had a topless joint across the street--I could sure make some blackmail money if I were to list the "town swells" that I saw going and coming from there! The rest of the area was pretty nice, though. The job prior to that one was located on the west side of SR 520 where there is a whole lot of nothing.
I guess the nicest locale that I worked in was down near the river in an old south county town. I worked for the local museum of art . You could safely walk around in the small river front community. There were nice places to eat or just sit in front of the library and enjoy the river.
My ideal spot would be an office overlooking the Atlantic Ocean- or any ocean for that matter. Retirement sounds good as well.

My Apologies to President Bush regarding my Mexican restaurant

I will have to say that I was wrong--I know, I know, it's a rare occurrence. Word on the street is that the aforementioned Mexican restaurant will re-open at the end of June. They REALLY WERE closed for remodeling, it seems.
That makes me very happy and I guess I owe old George some sort of apology---nah! If he shows up in my town, I would happily take him to dinner there where I can discuss a thing or two with him. Quite frankly, he needs a good, old-fashioned Soprano style beat down but I would settle for giving him a piece of my mind over a burrito and some salsa. Perhaps a margarita if I am feeling charitable.

Still can't do it..........

I am nearly 48 years old. I have been married for nearly 25 years. I am a mother. grandmother, aunt and daughter. I have a very responsible job and can act like a grown-up when necessary.
However,as I rediscovered last evening, I can't let my hands hang down off of the bed at night for fear of something grabbing them. It's ridiculous, I know. I tried last night but that old feeling came over me and I jerked them back up onto the bed.
I know that there is nothing under my bed except lots of dust bunnies- actually, there are probably enough bunnies to make an Easter parade. Those don't jump up and bite hands, though.
I guess that I have read too many scary stories and watched too many fright movies. For now, my hands will have to remain under my pillow where they will be safe!

Sex and the City movie

I have only one word to say about this film---------FABULOUS!!!!

Graduation and wonderful week-end!!

My youngest child graduated from high school last week-end. I had my crying jag on the morning of graduation but managed to hold it together at the ceremony- likely because it was hotter than the hinges of hell and standing room only. The only reason I wanted to cry at the ceremony was that my feet were swollen and my underwear was stuck to me like glue--as my son in law says, we all had "swamp ass," a common Florida affliction.
My 2 year old grandson was very well behaved considering that he was also hot and not able to move freely. Luckily, someone had left the gym door open with full AC blasting so we snuck in there until my son's name was called so that he could run around and be himself. It was a proud moment when he graduated and I think he is as glad as I that the days of high school are over.
My daughter, son in law and grandson were able to come for the graduation so we had all of our children together . It's nice to look around and see how the family has grown. The original five of us has now turned into 9 with the girlfriends thrown in.
We had a nice family get-together on Saturday evening to celebrate. We are a tight-knit bunch that always enjoys each others company.
I am very proud to be the Mother of my children as they have turned into kind, caring young adults . It was a lot of work to raise them. At times, I thought I'd never get out alive- but I did and it was worth every sacrifice.