Canada = USA lite....The Same But Different

A few months ago I visited Montreal and Ottawa.
It was a bit rough on me - I felt a bit out of sorts - which surprised me - because I assumed always that Canada was USA lite. It may have been the French speaking that threw my equilibrium off - I'm still not sure.

This week I am in Toronto - it turns out that Toronto is USA lite.
I like it here.
And yet, at the same time, you know you are someplace different.

In the US - we love to use our credit cards and debit cards, we never have cash.
Canadians only like to use cash and debit cards - but you better have a debit MasterCard - because they don't take Visa.
It turns out that Visa is not "everywhere you want to be"

In the US - we pride ourselves on pretending to be green and concerned about the environment.
Canadians don't pretend to be green, they really are. Even the hotel rooms have recycle bins!

In the US - you don't find WalMart's at the mall.
Canadians love when a WalMart is the anchor store. And they pile those deals high! If you want to buy hockey paraphernalia - WalMart is the place to be.

In the US - if you want to buy bulk food - you go to that aisle in the grocery store.
Canadians have a place called Bulk Barn. A whole store of bulk bins! Seriously - this place is off the hook!

In the US - Sears is a place where you buy lawnmowers and car batteries.
Canadians go there and the store is full of 70" flat screen TV's with Paris runway shows and designer duds to buy!

In the US - we love Starbucks.
Canadians love Tim Horton's, Timothy's and Second Cup - Starbucks....not so much. Don't get me wrong - Starbucks are still here - but the Tim Horton's appears to have the same appeal here that Dunkin Donuts does in New England - frenzied caffeine fiends!

In the US - when you order iced tea it is typically not sweet - unless you are in the South.
Canadians put a ton of sugar in their tea and only 2 ice cubes.

In the US - you avoid making eye contact and small talk with strangers.
Canadians talk to you all the time - and make eye contact - and are really nice! Even in elevators!

Oh, my aching back...

I go hot and cold on the blogging.

But this last cold spell has really been because I have been plagued with a terrible back problem.

It has really been a game changer for me.

Back in the early spring - I was experiencing twinges of pains here and there in my left hip - but they came quickly and soon went away..

Sadly - they started to come more often and really be a problem.

As I entered May - the pain was now constant and shooting down my leg.

I knew the pain was bad and I had a serious problem the moment I knew I needed a doctor.

I hate doctors. I hate needles. I hate, hate, hate.

First, I self diagnosed myself with sciatica. I'm a huge fan of self diagnosis and hypochondria

Second, I went to see a chiropractor - huge mistake - this actually deserves a post on it's own.

Third, when the pain was so bad I couldn't see straight, was dizzy and about to pass out - I went to the ER. they took a bizarro xray of my pelvis twice and gave me a shot in the ass....clearly not taking interest in my sciatica diagnosis - the crackpot doc on duty thought I must have fused pelvic joints?! wtf?!

The ER ended up referring me to an orthopedic doctor - who ultimately sent me for an MRI and then to a physical therapist and a pain management doctor.

It turns out - I have a herniation of the disk in the L4 L5 - apparently its not bulging too much and it is not all the way out or burst - that is supposedly good news.

The bad news is - days away from October - I am still fairly miserable.

Physical therapy is and was great - I do my exercises diligently and it gives me relief. Apparently I am also strenghtening my core so that when my disk decides to slip back into place - I won't have future problems.

The pain management doctors gave me 3 epidural steroid injections. I had to be knocked out for these. I didn't like them. I wanted a miracle and they did not provide it.

The pain doctor wants me to get another one - but I am convinced the steroids made me feel weird, and I didn't get total relief - so why should I let you bill my insurance company another $8000 for another shot?

Just give me pills.

But, I kind of hate popping pills too. I don't think they really work - and the ones that do, make me pass out so if the pain is gone, I don't even get to enjoy being pain free and awake.

I am passed out and drooling.

Not attractive.

I now have deep sympathy and empathy for those that suffer chronic pain. I don't know how much longer I can take this. I don't remember my back and leg feeling good anymore. I just feel pain, aches and tingles all the time. I can't sit for more than 30 minutes. I can't do the things I used to do. It sucks.

I have been told over and over that the healing process is long and bumpy - but somehow it doesn't make it any better.

But I will soldier on - one small pitiful shuffle at a time.

I love you Mom!

I give full credit to my parents for making me who I am.
They are awesome people.

But as this is Mother's Day - I have to give special props to Mom on her special weekend. Last year was the first time I paid tribute to Mom - but really, how can you stop at just one?

My Mom knows how much I love her. I think she would even tell you - she never has to worry that we don't have a great, loving relationship.

We are very demonstrative of our love for each other and always mangage to laugh and have tons of fun together.

I certainly consider her to be one of my favorite people, even though we couldn't be more different.

I am a fan of sunblock. As I am pale and pasty - (a complexion I get from my Mother!!!) I like to protect my skin. Mom however, likes to douse herself in Baby Oil or some toxic tanning solution called Maui Gold. You can see from the photo - the woman didn't even put a hat on her infant child at the beach! I'm squinting and looking like a special needs child. Mom - what kind of skin damage happened to me that day?

I don't think we ever mutually agree on what looks or is good. Be it clothing choices, hairstyles, music, movies or decorating choices. When I think something is fabulous - My Mom says, "oh, that's different" (key phrase for I hate everything about it)

I pretty much made fun of every outfit Mom put me in as a child. She did terrible things to my hair in the 70's. Bad perms, terrible barrette placement and she used to hit me on the head with the brush.

Even though I say we have different taste in music, she is the reason I love bad music. All I have to do is hear a few bars of Burt Bacharach or the 5th Dimension and I am singing along and thinking of my Mom.

Mom hates Edward. She doesn't get Twilight. When I determined that all mature women were on Team Edward, and all teenage girls were on Team Jacob - she bucked the system and went for Team Jacob. She doesn't even know Edward is a vampire.... she thinks it's a book about witches. She doesn't always pay attention to the details....but that's ok, I still love her.

Each time I come home, I inevitably have to make some sort of change to the house. Mom loves to inject tacky occasionally - If I had any sense of style as a young child - this furniture would not have lasted long.

And despite all of our differences - Mom is still my best friend.

Mom is always tolerant of me. Even though I give her a terrible time and make fun of her. She has always been right by my side and the best support. As mothers should, she loves me no matter what and let's me be me. We share as much now as we did when it was just the two of us - with Dad far away at sea.

As an adult now, I can't tell you how much I appreciate having a Mom that still remains proud of me and gives the best advice and support.

Mom continues to remind me all the time how important it is to love deeply and laugh often.

Thanks for teaching me how to be joyful, have fun and reminding me to laugh at myself.

Basta....no pasta!

Let's take a moment to count down the moments until the Lenten fast of no pasta is over. Easter is April 24th. Today is April 10th. Technically speaking we have 14 more days of no pasta. This has not been easy. But it was stop swearing, or stop eating pasta for lent. And there is no way I could ever stop swearing. (I swear out loud, I swear in my head - so really there is no way to control thoughts - which would not have made it a very valid effort) I gave up pasta once for lent - that was 5 years ago - the only reason I did it then was because I was arriving in Italy on Easter Sunday - I was able to break the fast with loads of pasta. It was like a reward. I'm not going to be in Italy. So it's kind of an anti-climatic end to the fast. Poo. I don't think this fast will be habit changing either. The year I gave up Starbucks for Lent - I was seriously dropping way too much cash on lattes and mochas. And even though I woke at sunrise that Easter and was the first person in line at Starbucks that Sunday - I actually noticed I stopped going as much after the fact. But let's be real - I don't see myself cutting back on my pasta. I also convinced myself that not eating pasta would help reduce the size of my ass - which it has. The pomegranate seed dress that I bought with the intent of wearing to the February wedding brunch - will now at least fit for the April wedding shower. (you can't really see it good - but the little red dots look like pomegranate seeds to me - the dress is really cute on - the hanger appeal is not so much. Trust me, super cute and very spring appropriate. I would like to thank those of you that ate pasta in front of me. Each of you savored every morsel - and I think all but one of you actually felt kind of bad and guilty for eating it in front of me. How cool that my Lenten fast would not only make me look better - but result in residual Catholic guilt for Catholics and Non-Catholics alike. But let's stop the madness already. Let's be able to partake in pasta together, with no guilt. Let's order plates and plates of papparadelle and say to hell with pomegranate seed dresses. (ok, not really - let's still order plates and plates of pasta - I will just keep moving on PAR and than I can eat the plates of pasta and still look good in pomegranate seed dresses)

I'm a fragrance whore....

I literally can't get enough of fragrance lately. Just a few short weeks ago I was all over Jo Malone and then Flowerbomb.

Now its Miss Dior Cherie.

Miss Dior Cherie makes me want to hug myself.

It has notes of green tangerine, violette, pink jasmine, patchouli, musk, sweet strawberry leaves, caramel popcorn and stawberry sorbet.

I smell delightful and am full of happiness.

I also can't believe how much money I am dropping on fragrance now. But, I am keenly aware that all sophisticated women need a fragrance wardrobe.

My closet is expanding to accomodate.

Love Love Love Love Love Love......

Love is in the air folks.
And in honor of the week, I am going to spread the love.
And really, having the love glow about you makes you look better....so let's go with it.

We have a big wedding this week! eeeee! I am jumping with excitement for the love birds!

It's Valentine's Day tomorrow - which guarantees me a bouquet of my favorite flowers - tulips!

I am surrounded by love really. I need to be thankful for that.
My family and friends, even Tony and Bebe smother me in it. For that I am grateful. I hope I smother you each of you back.

Let's take a bit of time to spread some love and be glad it's in our lives everyday in whatever form available.

music, poems, art, books, movies, Mr. Darcy, Edward, Mike Green, red wine, snuggling under a blanket, laughter with friends, fabulous food that makes your toes curl, a great hug, an even more fantastic kiss, a shared private joke, best girl friends, best boy friends, best moms and dads, memories of past loves, mojitos with strangers, secrets with sisters, getting tucked into bed.

You all know who you are - thank you for the love you give me and the love you let me give you.
xo

Nightmare in seats 6C and 6F

I may be a bit ornery right now - I admit it ok.
It's times like these that I find it necessary to give a gentle reminder to airline passengers.
Make it easier on all of us by following the below guidelines.

• Take your shoes off, and your belt, and empty your pockets. No really, take everything out. This is not a new procedure.


• The liquids need to come out too - in a ziploc, in a separate bin. also not a new initiative.


• Follow the rules for the body scanner - see the image in front of you that tells you how to spread your legs and raise your arms - follow the stick figure and move on.


• When you are in zone 6 for boarding, sit your ass down until at least zone 5 is done boarding. Don't block the way. Move. The plane won't leave until we are all on board. I promise.


• When they tell you to not put small bags and coats in the overhead - listen to them. To the jerk who shoved his enormous overcoat in the bin as I had my bag lifted over my head to place it there - I hate you. Next time I will pull your coat out, throw it on the ground and step on it. You were lucky I was in a good mood today.


• When the man is sleeping in seat 6D - don't reach over him to keep tapping on your pal in 6F. Shut up, keep your hands to yourself and let the man sleep.


• When you have to stand up and go to the bathroom - don't use the seat in front of you like a fixed rope helping you up to the summit of Everest. Stand up like a normal person - do you grab onto things at home to hoist yourself up? I think not. If you were old or handicapped - ok, but when you are young and fit - cut it out.


• Do you really need to ask what drinks are available? Its in the airline magazine in front of you.


• When we land - send a text. We don't need to hear you announce to the world that you just landed. No shit. We just landed too. Shut up.


• Businessmen of the world - remember courtesy? How about not stampeding over us to bum rush the door? I'm just saying.

Roman Radio on my ipod

I am first to admit to having what most people would classify as bad taste in music.

I'm not a musical person, I don't appreciate music properly - though most of you know I do long to be a lounge singer...which actually supports my bad taste in music as a general rule.

(total digression too - how cute is the Italian man in my photo by the Spanish Steps? He's so metrosexual)

My ipod is of course full of an eclectic mix of songs and artists. From Johnny Cash, 50cent, Flo Rida, Bollywood hits, movie soundtracks, Linkin Park and The Carpenters - just to name a few. Just the other day, I ran across a song I had forgotten about. I now realize I need to cycle through the full scope of my music library and not just my typical "go to" playlists.

It was an Italian song - pop music Italian - the kind you hear in the car in Italy as your driver is chain smoking and whipping through traffic with reckless yet confident abandon.

So I went onto itunes and looked the artist up. I had not found her on there before, but since itunes has been updating itself more often - low and behold there she was. I ended up finding all sorts of Italian Contemporary Pop music - now I am hooked. I was jamming last night, dancing in my underwear like I love to do. Then today - rocking out on the airplane. I don't normally dance in my seat on aircraft - but this is the most fabulous music! It's my own little secret that I am sharing with all of you. Run, don't walk and download a few songs!

Giorgia - I guess she is quite famous. She had a greatest hits album - and I must admit I liked every song on the album - she can really sing.

Madreblu - Certamente was the song I have had for years. I actually sing along to this song quite beautifully. I think she is complaining about some guy she can't get out of her head, and now she can't sleep. We've all been there. The album is Necessita.

Tiziano Ferro - this guy is a trip. He kind of scares me but I like it.

Old Lady on 5th Avenue

If you want to feel like an old lady.....stop on by Saks Fifth Avenue and have Eduardo put some $200 eye cream on you.

He will then hold up a mirror so you can see your wrinkle eye vs. your more youthful eye.

All day I walked around looking like I was firm on one side and a stroke victim on the other.

No, I did NOT buy the $200 eye cream.

But now I kind of wish I did.

By tomorrow my wrinkles will return and I won't be so humiliated.

Seriously - I can feel how firm the skin is there now - I may just invest and slather that all over.

Suckered by the Universe

The world is changed. I feel it in the water.........

I can't seem to get Lord of the Rings out of my head lately. They are playing it over and over again on cable...so that could be part of the problem....but when I am having a life moment...I like to recall familiar lines that seem relevant.

And saying "the world is changed. I feel it in the water" seems appropriate right now.

I'm also still loving to say....."I have no memory of this place" also from LOTR. It is a line that applies to a multitude of situations...and can relieve tense moments when said out loud.

Anyway...back to the original intent........the world is changed. I feel it in the water.

I'm not going to deny that it is entirely possible I am experiencing some sort of mid life crisis. With the birthday just passed.....and a new year just begun....it makes a person reflect.

I have been reflecting. I have also been a bit torn. Just struggling with some life decisions and choices.

On my birthday, I received a free tarot reading.

That was some scary shit.

My good friend Andi can tell you, that in a moment of life crisis, I love a good tarot reading.

I can analyze that crap for hours. Much to my own harm probably.

I held onto the reading for a day or two, read it about 50 times, then finally threw it away.

A few days later, another crisis hit when someone on Facebook posted a link that said our zodiac signs were all jacked up. Suddenly I was no longer a Capricorn but a Sagittarius. That freaked me out. But all is well. It turns out I am still a Capricorn. Phew.

So then, yesterday comes.....I receive an email of all things with some sort of 2011 reading. I don't know where this stuff comes from.....but I get suckered in and read it.

It turns out that cosmically speaking, this is going to be a very eventful year for me!

(shuh....I totally knew that! the world is changed. I feel it in the water!!!)

Apparently something truly exceptional is going to happen to me this year. And I am going to witness 4 separate events that will have a profound impact on me.

The first one on January 4th.....ummmm, January 4th is over. I don't recall an event occurring.

The second one - (this is my favorite one) will occur between January 22nd and the 4th of June. kind of a long window for an event.

The third one will occur on March 11th. I am considering taking this day off so I can witness the event.

and the 4th one will occur in early summer - which is to say the first part of July.

As I read...as was totally sucked in.

In each of these 4 periods a very unusual and special event will occur that will have repercussions that impact 2011 and the rest of my life. Apparently the event between January 22nd and June 4th is major. It is described as the most intense event.

I'm kind of scared.

In addition to life events....I am scheduled to have some pretty impactful encounters with people.

There is one person who is bad, bad, bad and I have to avoid.

But there is another person that is going to come into my life that is good, good, good. I hope I don't avoid the wrong person!!!!

The thing went on and on about all of my major life changes.

And being the mid-life-sucker-idiot-indecisive person that I am.....I totally paid for another analysis. I have NEVER done that.

I was totally sucked in.

They give me a free tarot reading.

A free mini astro chart....

and suddenly I am spending my own money for a deeper look inside.

I can only hope that after spending my hard earned money so stupidly, I can get my own brain around some of my real life dilemmas.

Perhaps as I peruse my astrological chart......I can then take my next few dollars and plunk it down for a therapist.

Because......the world is changed. I feel it in the water.

Something is coming.

Let Them Eat Cake! Qu'ils mangent de la brioche!

Marie Antoinette actually never said that.

It is just a nasty rumor spread by radical French Revolutionist propagandist punks.

And really, brioche isn't cake.

Yes, it is rich, decadent and delicious - but most definitely NOT cake.

And if you think about it - saying "let them eat cake" is actually quite nice. If I was a poor French peasant and the queen was offering up cake - I'd be 1st in line.

If I have not already mentioned in this blog before - I have read at least 5 biographies on Marie Antoinette. I highly recommend you pick one up.

And the Sophia Coppola movie with Kirsten Dunst? I am a fan. Lots are not - but I am.

Anyway, Cake has been a big subject the past few days.

I love cake.

I am never one to run from cake.

But a dilemma arose over whether or not to "Let them eat cake" at an upcoming bridal shower I am hosting.

It is a bridal brunch. BRUNCH.

I didn't even think cake would be an appropriate option.

Brioche maybe....but not Cake!

Certain parties began to insist that cake was a must.

I have struggled and struggled on this.

Those of you attending the shower must wait until the actual event to see if it is cake or no cake.

I'm still undecided....which is ironic.

Because I love cake.

The wedding cake is my favorite part of weddings.

The birthday cake is my favorite part of birthdays.

The question of cake is even more ironic because tomorrow is my birthday.

And I am hoping cake is involved.

Will Tim come thru with a cake? Or will I have to be irritated that he didn't and buy one on my own?

Like the cake at the shower question - the answer lies in the future.

As I reflected on cake. I pulled out some old birthday photos.

This one is me on my 1st birthday.

Clearly disappointed that no cake has yet appeared.

However, the cases of liquor on the right has my cousin Matthew on the full on waddle in his green jumpsuit.

By the next photo - I am now looking more excited. They put me in the high chair. That must equal cake. The presents I'm sure were a thrill - but you can almost see the look on my face that says, "What? No Cake?"

(and side note - why give a card to a one year old? really?!)

I do like how many photos there are of me and family gathered around cake.

It is a highlight.

I even sport a 'cake' themed hat in one photo.

What a striking fashion moment that was!

And no party hats appear on the 1, 5, 6 year old Annette, but on 17 paper cone hats are rocking the house.

Check out how I am about to nose dive into that delicious cake! Everyone else...eyes on the camera, Annette....eyes on the CAKE!

(actually, Nan wants some of that cake action too.)

My Mom even once sent me a package on my birthday when I was alone in Austin.

It had a box cake mix, a bottle of vegetable oil and a can of frosting and candles.

All I had to do was add water.

Wasn't that sweet?

Mom knew my love for cake knew no bounds...even if I had to make one on my own out of a box.

Oh for the love of Cake!

Nappy

I love a nappy in the afternoon.
and I don't mean a nappy - like a diaper.

But a nappy like a nap.

Whether it is curled up on the couch under a blanket - or stretched out on the bed in the sun...nappies are pure heaven.

I longed to take a nap today - but finally had to deconstruct Christmas - so no nappy for me.

Tony and Bebe did not have to deconstruct Christmas.

So they napped all day.

This of course served to make me:

1. very jealous

2. unable to concentrate on Christmas deconstruction - because I can't resist a peaceful animal. I have to hug and kiss and snuggle with them.

Needles to say - deconstruction took all day.

But at least it's done now.

Farewell Winter Holidays!

Time for a nap.

The Perfect Storm = Jo Malone

I have been super cranky for no reason. I think it has just been a perfect storm of contributing factors that have led to my bad attitude the last few days.

For shame, because my Caps kicked Penguin ass on New Years Day. (I think Sidney Crosby cried....wah...little punk bitch).
So it was a great kick off to the New Year.

But I think I am just a little weary and tired post holiday. And I am about to partake on a bit of a whirlwind of activity. So of course I begin to obsess about stupid things.

I also am having that weird food tasting thing. When none of the food I eat tastes normal. When I question whomever is with me if their food tastes ok - they look at me weird. Tim says it is just my weird food tasting time. I guess it's like my period....only different.

And while I am loving my new Kindle - the book I am currently reading is kind of freaking me out. It's called The Emperor of All Maladies. It is essentially a 'biography' of cancer. It is not exactly light, bedtime reading. In fact - I go to sleep imagining Leukemia cells in my blood - and the image is not a good one. I need to remember that I can be borderline hypochondriac. When I was younger, I often diagnosed my own illnesses after consulting the medical dictionary on my parent's book shelf. I think the book should have been hidden from me. It's not normal to self diagnose things like TB and Marfan's Syndrome on oneself. This book is kind of taking me back - and I don't want to self diagnose cancer in any form. Ugh.....it is creeping me out now.
I think finishing this book is going to be a long task.

Knowing that sleep would not come easy with cancer on the brain - I went thru the stack of books under the Kindle and picked up Where Men Win Glory - I am now disturbed that such a nice man like Pat Tillman was killed. And by friendly fire no less. Knowing that officers in the Army and officials in the Pentagon and White House lied about his death by friendly fire - and then tried to take the focus away from bad press like Abu Ghraib and Fallujah - by parading his story to the media makes me even angrier.
So for the past few nights I have been plagued by disease and corrupt officials.
Suddenly the bad attitude is revealing itself to have a cause.

And to top it all off, I let myself be bothered by "the beast". Most of you know of whom I speak.
I hate when I let the 'beast' push me to the edge.
Just as I hit the precipice today - I pushed back and stood up for myself.
Huzzah for me!
I felt I deserved a reward for being such a strong and powerful woman.
So I treated myself to a bottle of perfume and a bottle of Chanel nail polish.

The selection process took some time. I was really digging this fragrance called Flowerbomb!
I put it on and let it settle - it is a tad sweeter than I normally wear - but really nice.
But then - to my horror - I recalled that the 'beast' had shown me the fragrance once - so on principle I didn't buy it.
What if he smelled me and thought he influenced me to buy it?!
Better to have someone ****gift**** it to me. (hint....Tuesday is my Birthday!)

So then I wandered over to Jo Malone - I have never been able to settle on a fragrance - they have so many to choose from.....but after lots of sniffs - I settled on the Nectarine Blossom and Honey. I don't know if it is my new signature fragrance.
I have been all about my India for so long now - but as with most things - when people in my family start to wear it - it is no longer a signature for me - so I have to change things up.
I'll keep you posted.

And the Chanel nail polish? If you are a woman and have not treated yourself to a bottle of Chanel nail polish - run, don't walk and buy you some.
It lasts forever. The color goes on great in one coat - (but i still do 2 just because)
I bought Steel. I love my vampy hands.

So in conclusion - after a hot bath, a self manicure with Chanel nail polish - and a spritz of Nectarine Blossom & Honey cologne - I'm going to drift off with a good book and a better attitude......

The Don't List for 2011

I don't really make hard, fast, specific resolutions each year.

I try to keep it fairly simple.
When asked my resolution for the New Year early last week, my response was a simple,
"don't be a fat ass"


If you think about it - being a fat ass encompasses a whole bunch of topics and resolutions.
In order to not be a fat ass, one must excercise regularly, eat well and not spend hours on the couch.
This I can handle.


It also includes things like - don't eat an entire bag of m&m's even though they are delicious and make you happy.
don't spend an entire Sunday watching Bridzillas when you could be cleaning, cooking, reading a good book, volunteering or moving your fat ass.


Project Ass Reduction is in full swing, I have excercised on average 6 days a week for many weeks now.
I feel better, I look better and knock on wood - will not get a cold.
I'm actually proud of the fact that I took on PAR during the holidays.
If you can make it there - you can make it anywhere.
Truly my resolution began before the New Year - and I have already made it past the one week when they say all people fail.
So I love being a success in 2011 on the 4th of January already.

I am bucking the system and throwing in another resolution.
And that is to not kill plants.
or to try not to kill plants.
The pressure is on people.
I have had 2 live houseplants.
One has survived for more than 2 years.
One has survived for 1 year and 5 months.



That is a world record in the plant kingdom.
The only reason they live is because they are succulents.
That means when I forget to water them for 3 months, they continue to live.



Last week, post Kwanzaa celebration, I came home with a 3rd plant.
The poor thing is not a succulent.
I am worried.
To make matters worse - this plant is a trimming off of a plant that was my Great Grandmother's. The plant has sprouted many other plants - and my Aunt told me there was no way I could kill it.
Yes, I can kill it.
I don't know what it is, and I don't know how to care for it.
I'm afraid to water it because I overwater.
I'm afraid to not put it in the right spot because what if it gets too much sun, or not enough sun. It's by a door - is that too drafty? But if it is not by a door, everywhere else is too dark - does that mean it will die from lack of sun?
Help me Mary Mother of God to not kill this plant.
How pathetic would my legacy be to Nonnie Alpha if I killed this.
It is like a family legacy.
So I have to resolve to not be a plant killer.
This one could be harder than not eating an entire bag of m&m's.

Perhaps he knew, as I did not, that the Earth was made round so that we would not see too far down the road.

I just finished crying my eyes out. I am a sucker for a good romance....and Out of Africa just ended.

That music is so sweeping and gorgeous.

It's cinematography glorious.

Meryl is divine - and I don't even like Robert Redford as a general rule - I mean, after all - his name in the movie is Denys Finch-Hatten. Can you pretend to have an English accent at least?!

But in all honesty - a man who would wash my hair could have whatever accent he wanted.

sigh......

All day I will walk around saying "I had a farm in Africa...at the foot of the Ngong hills...." I'll say it in my head, because Danish accents are not anything I'm skilled at.

2011 has been wonderful so far.

I had a fabulous New Years Eve....

My Caps won the Winter Classic.

And I woke up today to watch Out of Africa.

I have decided that the best course for me in my life is to move to Africa and take up a passionate love affair with some brooding wanderer. When it's over, I can come home to Denmark(or DC) and start life all over again.

Smarter and wiser after my life changing experience.

Doesn't that sound like a wonderful plan?

I'll have to tell Tim of course, but I think so long as he knows I'm coming back he'd be ok with it.

I'm constantly harassed by my family for loving movies like Out of Africa and The English Patient - but come on...! Let a gal have her moments!