Interesting theory...if one's jammies are inside out...it will snow? I am thinking seriously of canvasing this entire area...and fining people who are wearing their jammies inside out! The weatherman told us that the snow wouldn't start until after noon today...it was snowing heavily by 6:30 a.m., the weatherman said that there would be no accumulation...we got 3 1/2 inches! It's cold, it's dreary, it's wet, it's slick as snot (as Chas will attest to)! If that stinking groundhog doesn't give us good news...well...let's just say that I'm looking up recipes for stew...with mystery meat!
Be Well!
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Sleepless in Kansas...
Not much to say today...my mind is on the fast track...to no where. After three sleepless nights...I just need a few Z's.
No ups…no downs…
No rhyme…no reason,
No fancy metaphors…
No poetic season.
Only moving...
Through the day,
Seeking hope...
Along the way.
copyright jschoonover2007 all rights reserved
Be Well!
No ups…no downs…
No rhyme…no reason,
No fancy metaphors…
No poetic season.
Only moving...
Through the day,
Seeking hope...
Along the way.
copyright jschoonover2007 all rights reserved
Be Well!
Friday, January 26, 2007
Water, water, everywhere...but ne'er a drop to drink!
A long and winding week is finally behind us! I will be filling in next week (8 a.m. - 5 p.m.), for the receptionist at work. I have become accustomed to 20 hour weeks lately, so I expect that next week will be exhausting. She is going to Jacksonville, Florida for vacation...and I am sooooooo jealous! I love Jacksonville Beach, and St. Augustine! Oh what I wouldn't give to be 'leaving on a jet plane'! Lying on a sandy beach with the sun warming my face, and the ocean roaring in my ears...bliss!
Work started out badly this morning...within minutes after I arrived, the phones began to ring off the hook! Apparently, a neighborhood at a time, the city water supply was shut off. Several memorable calls came all in a row;
Woman: "I don't have any water...my sister-in-law lives two blocks away and SHE has water...why don't I have water?" (I don't think she was as upset that her water was off...as she was that her sister-in-law's water was still on!)
Man:" I'm a pastor...I have to preach a funeral in 45 minutes...and I am standing in my bathroom...all soaped up...and no water to rinse with!"
Woman: "I have a newborn baby here...and I can't fix formula, or wash bottles, or anything...should I go buy some bottled water?" (At this point I sympathized with her, and told her that we were still in the process of determining what the problem was...and would rectify it as soon as possible) "Oh" she said, "Well, can you tell me exactly WHEN it will be back on?" (I replied that, until we assessed the situation completely and determined why the water was off...there would be no way for us to tell her when it would be back on...but that service would be restored as soon as possible.) "But", she stammered, "Can you just tell me HOW LONG THAT WILL BE?" (I reiterated all of the aforementioned explanations, and refrained from reaching through the phone to shake her.)
Fortunately, the situation was assessed, the problem repaired, and service restored in about 30 minutes.
We are planning to head to Coffeyville tomorrow, to see my step mom...Becky. I'm not sure whether she will realize that we are there or not...but I hope that our visit will lift my dad's spirits a bit. Becky is bed fast now, and sleeps 20/24 hours a day these days. I know it will be a stressful time...but hopefully beneficial in some way.
The sun is shining, and the temperature is around 44 degrees...but it is slated to begin dropping later this evening and the weekend is projected to be very cold! Although the snow was fun...I am tired of being cold. Hurry spring!!
Be Well!
Work started out badly this morning...within minutes after I arrived, the phones began to ring off the hook! Apparently, a neighborhood at a time, the city water supply was shut off. Several memorable calls came all in a row;
Woman: "I don't have any water...my sister-in-law lives two blocks away and SHE has water...why don't I have water?" (I don't think she was as upset that her water was off...as she was that her sister-in-law's water was still on!)
Man:" I'm a pastor...I have to preach a funeral in 45 minutes...and I am standing in my bathroom...all soaped up...and no water to rinse with!"
Woman: "I have a newborn baby here...and I can't fix formula, or wash bottles, or anything...should I go buy some bottled water?" (At this point I sympathized with her, and told her that we were still in the process of determining what the problem was...and would rectify it as soon as possible) "Oh" she said, "Well, can you tell me exactly WHEN it will be back on?" (I replied that, until we assessed the situation completely and determined why the water was off...there would be no way for us to tell her when it would be back on...but that service would be restored as soon as possible.) "But", she stammered, "Can you just tell me HOW LONG THAT WILL BE?" (I reiterated all of the aforementioned explanations, and refrained from reaching through the phone to shake her.)
Fortunately, the situation was assessed, the problem repaired, and service restored in about 30 minutes.
We are planning to head to Coffeyville tomorrow, to see my step mom...Becky. I'm not sure whether she will realize that we are there or not...but I hope that our visit will lift my dad's spirits a bit. Becky is bed fast now, and sleeps 20/24 hours a day these days. I know it will be a stressful time...but hopefully beneficial in some way.
The sun is shining, and the temperature is around 44 degrees...but it is slated to begin dropping later this evening and the weekend is projected to be very cold! Although the snow was fun...I am tired of being cold. Hurry spring!!
Be Well!
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
You gotta see this...
Sorry about the commercial...but wait for the video...it's worth the wait!
http://www.cnn.com/video/player/player.html?url=/video/world/2007/01/24/vo.japan.rare.shark.rtv
http://www.cnn.com/video/player/player.html?url=/video/world/2007/01/24/vo.japan.rare.shark.rtv
Priceless...
Feeling better...$1,000,000
Having more energy...$1,000,000
Being in a better mood...$1,000,000
Wearing that skirt (today) that I have NEVER worn...because it was too small when I bought it...PRICELESS!!
Be Well!
Having more energy...$1,000,000
Being in a better mood...$1,000,000
Wearing that skirt (today) that I have NEVER worn...because it was too small when I bought it...PRICELESS!!
Be Well!
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
No shoes....
I decided to go to the mall today...to get my walking in. I purposely ended my walk on the upper floor...at Payless Shoes. I went in...lusted after many shoes...even tried some on...but bought nothing! I haven't bought a pair of shoes since late September! I know this sounds like a silly thing to most people...but I LOVE shoes! My closets runneth over...with shoes. Since the downsizing of our income...I have been trying to shop more wisely...and...for the most part...it has been working! (Except for those 'unpoppable' bubbles, which were screaming "FUN, FUN, FUN").
So...perhaps by Spring...a new me. The diet is going well, the exercise is going well, the new attitude about spending...is going, and hopefully, I will have paid off the untimely truck repair in the next three or four weeks...enabling me to incur more debt...at the dentist. So with any luck, I will be able to eat real food by then too!
I am anxious for warm breezes, sunny days, and open windows!
Be Well!
So...perhaps by Spring...a new me. The diet is going well, the exercise is going well, the new attitude about spending...is going, and hopefully, I will have paid off the untimely truck repair in the next three or four weeks...enabling me to incur more debt...at the dentist. So with any luck, I will be able to eat real food by then too!
I am anxious for warm breezes, sunny days, and open windows!
Be Well!
Speedy...
Here are a couple pictures of the snow fort that the kids across the street built! It's pretty cool! It looked even better the day that they built it! It has seen many battles since Sunday!!
I got home on Monday just in time to see the boy next door, loading his clothing and his dog into his mom's SUV. He has lived next door with his dad for several years now. They have always been good neighbors. My first thought when I saw them was..."Oh no...Speedy's moving!" Speedy is his gorgeous black lab. He's also been next door for several years now...since he was a pup. When he first came...he got very lonely at night...and would bark incessantly. I can't count the number of times that I either opened the bedroom window and spoke softly to him...or actually went out on the deck and talked to him...across the fence...in the dark of night. All he wanted was to know that he wasn't alone. At the sound of my voice, he would stop barking...and wag his entire body, as he 'grinned' back at me! I got so used to talking to him...that I rarely stepped out the back door...without greeting Speedy! I will miss him very much! It saddens me to see the dismantled dog run across the fence now.
Be Well!
Sunday, January 21, 2007
Saturday, January 20, 2007
Wonderland...
What a beautiful morning it has started out to be! Snow is falling softly, on an already white landscape...a clean, pure world awaits...just outside the window. The flag across the way billows gently in the wind. A flock of small birds swoop across the sky...two tiny stragglers, a ways behind the group, play their own game of 'drop and glide'. The snow capped water tower watches over the neighborhood...the words 'Park City'...more like a promise than a name. An almost sacred silence prevails...broken only by the distant rumble of a plane overhead.
Be Well!
Be Well!
Thursday, January 18, 2007
Almost there...
Thursday evening. It's been a loooooong week. I am tired to the bone tonight...and very much looking forward to the weekend! My dream weekend at this point would be a full body massage...followed by a sleeping pill...followed by a full body massage...followed by a sleeping pill...you get the picture...!
Be Well!
Be Well!
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Hump day...
It's Hump Day. Work was crazy...I only took a 30 minute lunch...I'm beat...I'm cold...and I'm sneezing my brains out.
I just have to share these...the sweetest gnome (thank you Diane!), and a mushroom head to keep him company (he looked lonely)!
I just have to share these...the sweetest gnome (thank you Diane!), and a mushroom head to keep him company (he looked lonely)!
Be Well!
Monday, January 15, 2007
Because I'm an idiot...
Because I'm an idiot...and I can't figure out how to post a snapshot of last weeks progress...here it is...the long way.
Goal = Calories(1200-1550) Fat(27-60) Carbs(135-252) Protein(30-136)
Jan 9 = 631 Calories - 10 Fat - 117 Carbs - 23 Protein
Jan 10= 558Calories - 20 Fat - 77 Carbs - 19 Protein
Jan 11= 508 Calories - 4 Fat - 100 Carbs - 18 Protein
Jan 12= 627 Calories - 23 Fat - 77 Carbs - 24 Protein
Jan 13= 436 Calories - 9 Fat - 65 Carbs - 20 Protein
Jan 14= 936 Calories - 45 Fat - 106 Carbs - 30 Protein
My scales don't work right...so I can't really measure the results in pounds...but I was still recovering from the dizziness of the week before (inner ear infection)...so I did not get to exercise...so I don't expect that it was spectacular. I am exercising this week though...so hopefully, that will help!
Be Well!
Goal = Calories(1200-1550) Fat(27-60) Carbs(135-252) Protein(30-136)
Jan 9 = 631 Calories - 10 Fat - 117 Carbs - 23 Protein
Jan 10= 558Calories - 20 Fat - 77 Carbs - 19 Protein
Jan 11= 508 Calories - 4 Fat - 100 Carbs - 18 Protein
Jan 12= 627 Calories - 23 Fat - 77 Carbs - 24 Protein
Jan 13= 436 Calories - 9 Fat - 65 Carbs - 20 Protein
Jan 14= 936 Calories - 45 Fat - 106 Carbs - 30 Protein
My scales don't work right...so I can't really measure the results in pounds...but I was still recovering from the dizziness of the week before (inner ear infection)...so I did not get to exercise...so I don't expect that it was spectacular. I am exercising this week though...so hopefully, that will help!
Be Well!
Sunday, January 14, 2007
Thank you...
Today marks one year since my first blog posting. I have to say…I love it! A chance to express my feelings, reflect on life, love…and everything in between…is (to me)…a little piece of heaven. Thank you Shane and Rich…for encouraging me to blog! If not for that encouragement…I would never have started…and I would have missed out on so much!
As I looked back at the past year…something became apparent. I am not as consistent as I should be…193 posts in a year. However, there have been times when I just had nothing to say…and that’s okay. Part of the allure of the blog, is that it is not obligatory…it’s like an old friend…waiting until you return, and welcoming you with open arms.
I am an aspiring writer. While my file of rejections continues to grow…I appreciate the opportunity to post my poems, etc…otherwise known as ‘babblings and nonsense’. There is much satisfaction in sharing those things…and even more satisfaction in receiving your responses to them! Whether you like them…or don’t like them…I value each opinion…each thought…it helps me to grow as a writer.
And so…I embark on this second year…with a sense of ambition…to be more consistent…to write more…to expand my horizons…and open my mind a bit, to the amazing possibilities of the universe, limited only by imagination.
Be Well!
As I looked back at the past year…something became apparent. I am not as consistent as I should be…193 posts in a year. However, there have been times when I just had nothing to say…and that’s okay. Part of the allure of the blog, is that it is not obligatory…it’s like an old friend…waiting until you return, and welcoming you with open arms.
I am an aspiring writer. While my file of rejections continues to grow…I appreciate the opportunity to post my poems, etc…otherwise known as ‘babblings and nonsense’. There is much satisfaction in sharing those things…and even more satisfaction in receiving your responses to them! Whether you like them…or don’t like them…I value each opinion…each thought…it helps me to grow as a writer.
And so…I embark on this second year…with a sense of ambition…to be more consistent…to write more…to expand my horizons…and open my mind a bit, to the amazing possibilities of the universe, limited only by imagination.
Be Well!
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
I remember when...
Sometimes life is so strange. I remember when –
… I was a teenager…and I stood across the street from City Hall, with my gaggle of longhaired, barefooted friends…and yelled insults at police officers. Now I work at City Hall…and smile as I spew forth casual pleasantries to police officers in the break room.
…I grew up in a house where at least one utility was usually off…or in danger of being shut off…and mom parked the family car on the lid of the water meter…so that the city couldn’t turn it off. Now…I call people to tell them that if they don’t pay their water bill by a certain time…on a certain day…we will shut it off…and I wonder…if they have thought about parking their car on the meter lid.
…I viewed anyone with a title…as an extension of ‘the establishment’…and I treated them with contempt. Now…I sit in Council meetings…taking the minutes…trying not to roll my eyes in disgust at those who seem to have no respect for the office of Mayor.
Sometimes I wonder…if I have moved forward or backward. There was a certain satisfaction…in being a rebel. Have I now become…what I disdained…? Or have I simply slipped…an inch at a time…into the bottomless chasm...of society’s groove…unable now to hoist my lost individuality back up the slippery walls of that dark place of 'cookie cutter' beings.
Be Well!
… I was a teenager…and I stood across the street from City Hall, with my gaggle of longhaired, barefooted friends…and yelled insults at police officers. Now I work at City Hall…and smile as I spew forth casual pleasantries to police officers in the break room.
…I grew up in a house where at least one utility was usually off…or in danger of being shut off…and mom parked the family car on the lid of the water meter…so that the city couldn’t turn it off. Now…I call people to tell them that if they don’t pay their water bill by a certain time…on a certain day…we will shut it off…and I wonder…if they have thought about parking their car on the meter lid.
…I viewed anyone with a title…as an extension of ‘the establishment’…and I treated them with contempt. Now…I sit in Council meetings…taking the minutes…trying not to roll my eyes in disgust at those who seem to have no respect for the office of Mayor.
Sometimes I wonder…if I have moved forward or backward. There was a certain satisfaction…in being a rebel. Have I now become…what I disdained…? Or have I simply slipped…an inch at a time…into the bottomless chasm...of society’s groove…unable now to hoist my lost individuality back up the slippery walls of that dark place of 'cookie cutter' beings.
Be Well!
Tuesday, January 09, 2007
January 9, 2007
After a two day bout with an inner ear disturbance…I finally got in to see the doctor this morning. I paid the $25.00 co-pay, then listened while she told me to simply keep on taking the medicine that I had already started. I figured that as long as I was already there…and had bought my ticket…I might as well get in any other complaints that I could think of! So…”I’ve been having this uncomfortable ‘stiffness’ in my back and right side for a couple of weeks…” to which she responded…”It’s muscular…I’ll give you a pamphlet with some back and neck exercises to do.” Hmmm…okie dokie. I really didn’t think that the stiffness was muscular…but…I’m not the doctor. By noon, most of the dizziness was finally gone. My side is still bothering me…but I suppose that will take a while.
I’ve been off all day today…due to the council meeting this evening. I will go in at 6:45 and take notes for the minutes…until it is over. I spent the afternoon reading a book that Carolyn had sent to me…and I enjoyed it so much, that I could not put it down! (Thank you so much Carolyn! ) If you get the opportunity…The Memory Keeper’s Daughter (by Kim Edwards)…is an excellent read!!
I also spoke to my dad this morning. The news is not good. My step-mom is not doing well. She is sleeping almost around the clock now…only waking for a little bit to eat…and to ask my dad to lay with her. I could hear the strain and heartbreak in his voice…and it hurt to know that there is nothing that I can do.
I hope that when the time comes…for her to go home…it will be easy and peaceful…and even pleasant…for her. This is in my brain…
Sensing the day
Was coming to a
Close…
Anxiety claimed
Her mind.
Panic filled
Sapphire eyes
Darted from
One unfinished task
To another.
Reaching, holding,
Lifting, moving,
Remembering,
Thinking…
All treasures of the past.
A voice
Clear…small
Audible only to her…
Announced departure
In sweet melodic tone.
One last look around.
Pale flesh curtains
Covered the blue…
A sigh escaped her lips…
Renewed, reborn,
Her journey continued
In a new place…
Copyright©2007 by VSchoonover. All rights reserved.
Be Well
After a two day bout with an inner ear disturbance…I finally got in to see the doctor this morning. I paid the $25.00 co-pay, then listened while she told me to simply keep on taking the medicine that I had already started. I figured that as long as I was already there…and had bought my ticket…I might as well get in any other complaints that I could think of! So…”I’ve been having this uncomfortable ‘stiffness’ in my back and right side for a couple of weeks…” to which she responded…”It’s muscular…I’ll give you a pamphlet with some back and neck exercises to do.” Hmmm…okie dokie. I really didn’t think that the stiffness was muscular…but…I’m not the doctor. By noon, most of the dizziness was finally gone. My side is still bothering me…but I suppose that will take a while.
I’ve been off all day today…due to the council meeting this evening. I will go in at 6:45 and take notes for the minutes…until it is over. I spent the afternoon reading a book that Carolyn had sent to me…and I enjoyed it so much, that I could not put it down! (Thank you so much Carolyn! ) If you get the opportunity…The Memory Keeper’s Daughter (by Kim Edwards)…is an excellent read!!
I also spoke to my dad this morning. The news is not good. My step-mom is not doing well. She is sleeping almost around the clock now…only waking for a little bit to eat…and to ask my dad to lay with her. I could hear the strain and heartbreak in his voice…and it hurt to know that there is nothing that I can do.
I hope that when the time comes…for her to go home…it will be easy and peaceful…and even pleasant…for her. This is in my brain…
Sensing the day
Was coming to a
Close…
Anxiety claimed
Her mind.
Panic filled
Sapphire eyes
Darted from
One unfinished task
To another.
Reaching, holding,
Lifting, moving,
Remembering,
Thinking…
All treasures of the past.
A voice
Clear…small
Audible only to her…
Announced departure
In sweet melodic tone.
One last look around.
Pale flesh curtains
Covered the blue…
A sigh escaped her lips…
Renewed, reborn,
Her journey continued
In a new place…
Copyright©2007 by VSchoonover. All rights reserved.
Be Well
Saturday, January 06, 2007
January 6, 2006
Christmas passed away quietly this morning, at home…surrounded by loved ones. Christmas will be remembered as loving, kind, gentle, exciting, magical…and of course…sparkly. It is survived by distant cousins; Easter, Valentine’s Day, Thanksgiving, New Year’s Eve, and the black sheep of the family…Halloween. A short memorial was held in the living room immediately following its demise. Mourners looked on as a 21 marshmallow gun salute was fired into casks of hot chocolate…by a small brigade of nutcrackers. Interment will be in the basement closet...behind the old toy box.
Wednesday, January 03, 2007
Big Bertha
I fell asleep thinking about Big Bertha...so here she is...just for fun!!
Big Bertha
I was walking along
All alone one day
I missed the bus
Cuz I wanted to play!
I took off my shoes
Untucked my shirt
I jumped and I ran
Drug my toes in the dirt.
Sun high in the sky
Wind puffed at my hair
The playground was mine
Not another soul there!
I swang on the swings
I slid on the slide
I took a big drink
I rode every ride.
I ran to the middle
To the big Oak tree
I climbed up inside
And hung by my knees.
There I was…
Swinging to and fro
When I saw Big Bertha...
Now, wouldn't you know?!
She scared me so bad
I fell to the ground
I jumped to my feet
And made not a sound.
I watched as she came...
She was almost to the tree
Her big scary eyes
Looked straight at me.
My mind was a whirl
My stomach a knot
If the rumors were true
She would smash me...on the spot!
I'd heard all the tales
All the stories of woe
She would rip out your eyes
While she stood on your toe.
She towered over me
Blotting out the sun
Her hair red and wild
My legs wouldn’t run…!
“Are you hurt?” she inquired.
“You fell a long ways!”
“N…no…” I replied.
As I looked in her face.
“Good!” she exclaimed,
“Would you like to play?”
I tensed and I waited…
“…what did you say?”
She grabbed my right hand
Took off at a run
“Come on!” she yelled.
“Let’s have some fun!”
Well, suffice it to say
Big Bertha was FINE
We ran and played
And we had a great time!!
Don’t listen to rumors
Don’t believe what you hear
Big Bertha heard…that I had a tail
And feet like a deer!
Copyright©2006 by VSchoonover. All rights reserved.
Big Bertha
I was walking along
All alone one day
I missed the bus
Cuz I wanted to play!
I took off my shoes
Untucked my shirt
I jumped and I ran
Drug my toes in the dirt.
Sun high in the sky
Wind puffed at my hair
The playground was mine
Not another soul there!
I swang on the swings
I slid on the slide
I took a big drink
I rode every ride.
I ran to the middle
To the big Oak tree
I climbed up inside
And hung by my knees.
There I was…
Swinging to and fro
When I saw Big Bertha...
Now, wouldn't you know?!
She scared me so bad
I fell to the ground
I jumped to my feet
And made not a sound.
I watched as she came...
She was almost to the tree
Her big scary eyes
Looked straight at me.
My mind was a whirl
My stomach a knot
If the rumors were true
She would smash me...on the spot!
I'd heard all the tales
All the stories of woe
She would rip out your eyes
While she stood on your toe.
She towered over me
Blotting out the sun
Her hair red and wild
My legs wouldn’t run…!
“Are you hurt?” she inquired.
“You fell a long ways!”
“N…no…” I replied.
As I looked in her face.
“Good!” she exclaimed,
“Would you like to play?”
I tensed and I waited…
“…what did you say?”
She grabbed my right hand
Took off at a run
“Come on!” she yelled.
“Let’s have some fun!”
Well, suffice it to say
Big Bertha was FINE
We ran and played
And we had a great time!!
Don’t listen to rumors
Don’t believe what you hear
Big Bertha heard…that I had a tail
And feet like a deer!
Copyright©2006 by VSchoonover. All rights reserved.
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