Lazy Circles

Coping

My hero died yesterday.  My grandfather, who was 93, and who I have posted about previously (If I could figure out a way to insert links here, I would), quietly passed away yesterday with his two sons and wife by his side. I found out after I returned from a great weekend in Florida, where the weather cooperated for the perfect beach wedding (even though I had to go down steps during the processional).

I'm devastated, but I'm strangely calm ... much calmer than I was when my Granny passed away in April (been a hard year). Maybe because I've had lots of practice coping this year.  Maybe because I have a to do list a mile long to distract me. Maybe because I know he's been ready for a while now. Maybe because I know he's in a much better place and can possibly work with the Big Guy to pull some strings with my love life.  Whatever it is, I'm at peace.

I will be a blubbering mess come Wednesday morning at the funeral.  I know this about myself. But, I will cherish all the wonderful memories I have of him and all that he taught me.  His influence on my life was huge, and I will always love him dearly.

Third Week

Third Week is kicking my butt.

In a normal month, I have two standing board meetings during the third week of the month.  On the third Monday, I have Theatre Guild.  On the third Thursday, I have House Corp.  Both involve a trip to Norman.  I'm currently president/co-president of both boards.

That's my schedule in a normal month.  Apparently, August isn't a normal month. This week, which is Third Week, I did have Theatre Guild on Monday night. However, instead of having a break between evening activities, this Third Week has been power packed.  Tuesday, I got a mani/pedi, but then hit the road for Mustang, Okla., and a Convention video shoot.  Wednesday, I met a friend to catch up. Tonight, I have a trivia contest for charity. Tomorrow, I will be in Florida at a wedding rehearsal. On Saturday, I'll be Maid of Honor in a sunset wedding. On Sunday, I hope to be home.

Whew...I never realized just how much I need a down night or two to recharge.  If the weather cooperates, I may have some beach time tomorrow afternoon to make myself more beige and take a catnap.  If the weather doesn't cooperate, well, does anyone know the nearest Starbuck's location to Ft. Walton Beach?

Rain

I love rain.

I especially love the rain that comes with thunderstorms.  Maybe it's because I grew up in Oklahoma, where you do tornado drills in elementary school. Rain is cleansing. Rain is relaxing.

I lived in Scotland for a year, and it rained just about every day (except for those days I had people from America visiting me...then, blue skies...I mean c'mon!).  I learned to really not mind being soaking wet.  I learned to enjoy watching fireworks in the pouring rain and wondered why the Scots could pull off the amazing pyrotechnics in the wet but not bonfires. (Yes, my one-and-only experience with Guy Fawkes' - Bonfire - Night in the UK was sans bonfire.) Rain doesn't appear to dampen the Scots' spirits....or maybe its the spirits that don't dampen their spirits...

My dear friend S is getting married in Ft. Walton Beach on Saturday, and, for once in my life, I'm praying that it doesn'train. Or, if it must rain, let it be in the morning and not at sunset.  It's hurricane season in Florida, and this week there have been three tropical storms/hurricanes in the vicinity. Needless to say, it's been rather damp in FWB this week.

I don't mind if it pours on Friday, the day I'm supposed to veg on the beach to soak up some rays in my quest to not be the whitest person in the wedding party. I think someone can Photo Shop some color onto my arms in the wedding pics; so if the remnants of these storms just need to let it all out, let it be on Friday.

Everyone, please help me pray for blue skies on Saturday. S&G deserve a sunny start to their life together.

Real Estate Novice

I love my condo.  I really do. But, I'm thinking of selling it.

For those of you who don't know the story, I bought the book "Home Buying for Dummies" on Thursday and bought my condo on Saturday.  I didn't want a condo; I wanted a historic home ... wood floors, arched doorways, decorative fireplace, etc.  A condo was not what I wanted.  Thankfully, I had a realtor who knew what I needed.  As a single gal, who likes to travel and hates yard work, the gated condo with no yard was the perfect fit for me. Have I mentioned I didn't want a condo?  Yet, that's what I bought that sunny afternoon.

I've enjoyed the good (tax break!) and bad (#%&* heat pump) that come with home ownership.  I love having my own space to decorate (clutter up is more like it). My condo was what I needed at the time.

Of course, this was pre-Tilt-o-Pearl and pre-knee surgery...

Now, having a condo with all the living space on the second floor is not such a good thing with my old-lady knees.  While Pearlio can do some laps and use the puppy pads, she'd much prefer to use a yard instead.

So, I think I may sell.

I don't know so much about real estate and have some stupid questions. If you know the answers, please comment.

I need to get tile in my bathroom. Should I get my dream tile or merely nice tile?

Should I get new carpet?  Or, should I merely offer a carpet allowance to the buyer?  How much $$?

How much money will I get from a sale?  Do I get my down payment and mortgage payments to date back?  Kind of fuzzy on this and need to know to determine new price range...

I'm an intelligent gal, but time didn't allow me to do as much research as I normally would.  Sometimes, you must go with your gut.  I have not regretted my decision.  Just need some insight for my next step ...

Serenity

God grant me the serenity

To accept the things I cannot change;

Courage to change the things I can;

And wisdom to know the difference.

This prayer is not just for members of Alcoholics Anonymous.  If you read it and truly listen to what it says, it gives us some very practical advice. It tells us how to get the one thing we all want in this crazy, social-media-filled, 24/7 world we live in.  This "Serenity Prayer" tells us how to get peace of mind.

(Thanks to my pastor for reminding me of the beauty in this prayer's simplicity. And, for reminding me that longevity comes to those who smile!)

Delays, Laughs & CornNuts

I was in Little Rock on Friday, the DFW airport/Phoenix on Saturday, Phoenix on Sunday and Vegas on Monday.  Whew...a change of scenery does a body good, even when it involves delayed and canceled flights and way TOO MUCH time in DFW airport...thank you, American Airlines...

The great thing about being out of your normal world is the chance to experience new things and do some super fantastic people watching.  So, I thought I would share some of the new experiences and sightings I had on my trips.

• Aaron Neville (of the Neville Brothers) strolling through DFW

• Mean Pig BBQ in Cabot, Ark. (Soon to be featured on "Man vs. Food."  If you're ever in the Little Rock area, be sure to make a visit and at least try the baked beans.  De-lish!)

• The most thorough airline safety briefing ever on a US Airways flight from El Paso to Phoenix...that Sully guy made an impression on his company...

• Joshua, our very educated waiter at Prado, who provided us with the history of the 5th generation cocoa beans that were imported to make the perfect Pot de Creme au Chocolat that ended our scrumptious meal

• Experiencing life with a newborn, two rowdy, precious little boys and their wonderful parents...strangely energizing...who knew?

• The best fruit/yogurt parfait on Earth during brunch at The Phoenician (Seriously.  Everyone should put lemon curd in their yogurt.)

• Too much skin (If you're just hopping in the car to go to Happy Hour and just throw on some clothes, stay in your car.  I don't need to see the tattoos on your rump and other body parts through your ripped Daisy Dukes.  Plus, you really shouldn't have been wearing those in the first place.)

• Miss Anya telling me good things about my future

• Chocolate-Covered CornNuts...who knew they would add so much to a caramel sundae?

• Being tested for explosives in three airports (PHX has the coolest machine by far)

• Finding out The Killers will be in concert at Mandalay the night I arrive in Vegas for Sonic Convention

• Did you know that tattooing your elbow is apparently the latest thing?

• Too many fake body parts to mention

Despite the travel glitches (which Southwest Airlines more than made up for by getting me home early!), I had such a wonderful weekend.  "They" say that you should surround yourself with good people to make yourself better.  While this is usually in the business realm, it totally applies to your personal life, too.  I am so blessed.

 

 

 

Refreshment

Professionally, I am feeling rejeuvenated. I spent yesterday on a Sonic visit with a franchisee who hasn't forgotten what's important in life...taking care of people. Everyone from his business partners to the crew members at his drive-ins share this mentality...that if you take care of each other and your customers, they'll take care of you. Sonic franchisees and operators are some of the hardest working people I know. I love when I get to spend time with the people who are on the frontline of the Sonic brand every day. Being around them energizes me; and, since my life hasn't been normal in a couple of months,I sincerely hope it gives me the oomph I need to get over my current lack of motivation. I never realized how much an unsettled personal life can impact your professional life, until things became so unbalanced. Though my trip yesterday resulted in me getting home around 2am this morning, it was totally worth it. Now, I am back at the dreaded DFW awaiting a flight to see a dear friend. Her outlook and advice always inspire me. I am looking forward to some personal rejeuvenation as well.(And I pray that the black clouds that have just arrived at DFW will go away by 10:15. Getting stuck at this airport for the second time in 24hrs will not do wonders for my happy vibe...though the people watching is quite choice today...) Disclaimer:This is my first post via my POS Treo so do forgive spelling errors & grammar boo-boos.