Thursday, March 26, 2009

Nothing Would Deter Me Today

I made a plan at the end of last week. My plan was that this week I would ride to work every day! Well, you know what they say about plans.
Monday- Well, I don't really remember Monday, but for some reason I wasn't able to ride to work.
Tuesday- The kid was sick, he couldn't go to school, so he had to go to work with me. Had to drive the car because A) I'm not supposed to ride with a passenger and B) He didn't want to sit on the fender.
Wednesday- Same as Tuesday.
That brings us to today. I woke up and the sun was shining through the window, beautiful, no clouds in the sky. I took the kid to school, went home to get ready, and by the time I got out of the shower.....no sun, nothing but overcast. Hmmm....fog, or rain clouds. Looks like fog, but then again....
I don't care, I'm going to ride to work dang it! If it rains...let it. Nothing is going to stop me today, I am a determined woman......Bring it on world.....I'm ready for you today!

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Late Night Reflections

There is a peace that comes with being alone, but only if you are comfortable in your own skin.

There is joy in the love of friends, but only if you know who your friends are.

There is beauty everywhere in this world, but only if you take the time to seek it.

There is knowledge that comes from inner reflection, but only if you are willing to listen.

There is satisfaction in a job well done, but only if your heart was in it.

There is relief in letting go of regret, but only if you really mean it.

There is a lesson in every mistake, but only if you are humble enough to admit that you made one.

There is hope in that helping hand, but only if you are willing to grab it.

There is love around for each one of us, but only if you are able to realize you deserve it.




Okay, It's after midnight and I'm really tired, in fact so tired, that it's taken me a few minutes to type just this sentence because I keep transposing letters. Anyways, I just felt like writing, I've been very reflective the last couple of days, not sure why, but I just felt like dragging the rest of you along with me.

Sunday, March 15, 2009

Maybe

Maybe . . we were supposed to meet the wrong people before meeting the right one so that, when we finally meet the right person, we will know how to be grateful for that gift.

Maybe . . when the door of happiness closes, another opens; but, often times, we look so long at the closed door that we don't even see the new one which has been opened for us.

Maybe . . it is true that we don't know what we have until we lose it, but it is also true that we don't know what we have been missing until it arrives.

Maybe . . the happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the most of everything that comes along their way.

Maybe . . the brightest future will always be based on a forgotten past; after all, you can't go on successfully in life until you let go of your past mistakes, failures, and heartaches.

Maybe . . you should dream what you want to dream; go where you want to go, be what you want to be, because you have only one life and one chance to do all the things you dream of, and want to do.

Maybe . . there are moments in life when you miss someone -- a parent, a spouse, a friend, a child -- so much that you just want to pick them from your dreams and hug them for real, so that once they are around you appreciate them more.

Maybe . . the best kind of friend is the kind you can sit on a porch and swing with, never say a word, and then walk away feeling like it was the best conversation you've ever had.

Maybe . . you should always try to put yourself in others' shoes. If you feel that something could hurt you, it probably will hurt the other person, too.

Maybe . . you should do something nice for someone every single day, even if it is simply to leave them alone.

Maybe . . giving someone all your love is never an assurance that they will love you back. Don't expect love in return; just wait for it to grow in their heart; but, if it doesn't, be content that it grew in yours.

Maybe . . happiness waits for all those who cry, all those who hurt, all those who have searched, and all those who have tried , for only they can appreciate the importance of all the people who have touched their lives.

Maybe . . you shouldn't go for looks; they can deceive; don't go for wealth; even that fades away. Go for someone who makes you smile, because it takes only a smile to make a dark day seem bright. Find the one who makes your heart smile.

Maybe . . you should hope for enough happiness to make you sweet, enough trials to make you strong, enough sorrow to keep you human, and enough hope to make you happy.

Maybe . . you should try to live your life to the fullest because when you were born, you were crying and everyone around you was smiling, but when you die, you can be the one who is smiling and everyone around you is crying.

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

I'm Not Really a Wine Drinker

I wanted to share this conversation with you that I had with my son, for those of you who don't know, he's nine.
Let me preface by telling you this, I have a bottle of wine that was bottled on July 4, 1976 in commemoration of our country's Bicentennial. Ok, that being said, here is the conversation:

Riley: Mom, are you ever going to drink that wine?
Me: No Ry, that's a very special bottle of wine. It was bottled on the 200th birthday of our country.
Riley: Oh, well you should drink it before you die. That would be a nice treat.
Me: Yeah, I guess it would.
Riley: Yeah, but you don't always know when you're going to die. But if you're in the hospital and you do know, then you should drink it.
Me: Ok, I'll make you a deal. When I'm an old lady and I'm in the hospital about to die, you bring me that bottle of wine and we'll share it.
Riley: No, I don't think so.
Me: Well, by then you'll be old enough to drink wine.
Riley: I'm not really a wine drinker.

I'm very happy to know that at nine years old, my son knows he isn't really a wine drinker!

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

It's raining, it's pouring, and things are getting boring!

We have been getting a lot of rain here in sunny California. It's great because we really need the rain. The Governator declared a state of emergency due to the drought we are facing for the third year in a row. It would just be nice if it could rain all night and then quit during the day.

When I took the kid to school this morning I was optimistic. There wasn't a cloud in the sky and the sun was shining brightly. I figured I could get a couple things done and then get some riding in since I have the day off from work. So just as I was getting ready to leave the coffee shop the rain started really coming down, no ride for me today.

Since I can't ride, and I don't want to go home to clean, I decided to share a couple of things that really peeve me!


1. I'm sick of people being in such a hurry all the time. I usually drive 5 miles over the speed limit, and I always try to stay in the slow lane so speed demons can pass me. But this doesn't seem good enough for those assholes who are in a huge hurry. I love it when some dumb ass rides my ass for 5 miles, finally decides to pass and then ends up next to me at the next red light. Here's a tip folks....if you're late for work, you're still going to be late no matter how fast you drive. Try waking up a few minutes earlier, or taking a shorter shower. Give yourself more time. Don't get me wrong, there are times that I like to drive fast, just to drive fast, but I don't tailgate, and I don't weave in and out of traffic just to get one car length ahead of someone.
This whole being in a hurry thing also applies to people waiting in lines. A few years ago Riley and I went to Disneyland for Christmas. I knew on Christmas Day it was going to be packed, and I resigned myself to the fact that we would be doing a lot of waiting. And we did, in line for the rides, the bathrooms, and food. I was amazed at the people waiting in line bitching about having to wait...what did they expect? And then they would be rude to the people working. Hey, give these folks a break, they're doing the best they can, putting up with assholes like you and doing it with a smile on their face.

2. I'm in a public bathroom, let's say there are ten stalls and I'm the only one in there. Someone comes in and has to use a stall right next to mine. Why does this bother me? I don't know, personal space maybe. Same thing at Dave's coffee shop. There are ten computers, I'm the only one here, and someone comes in and has to sit right next to me.

3. The lack of common courtesy. Someone holds a door for you, say thanks. How hard is that? The other day I saw a lady who had her hands full so I went out of my way to open the door for her and she didn't even smile or nod or anything. Now, I believe that we should be decent human beings without expecting anything in return, but it would be nice just to know that someone appreciates when you do something nice for them. People have told me before that I care too much what people think about me because there are certain conversations I won't have in public, or certain things I won't do, it isn't about what they think about me, it's about trying to be aware of other people's comfort levels. Do I think I need to change my whole life to accommodate others? No, I don't, but I also don't think it's too much to ask of me to move a few feet away while smoking so that it isn't blowing into the faces of people who choose not to damage their lungs. Or for me not to curse like a sailor in Chuck-E-Cheese and educate other people's children in all the different ways you can use the "F" word.

4. People who bitch and bitch and bitch about a situation that they could change if they wanted to, but they don't do anything about it but continue to bitch to anybody who will listen. Venting is one thing, and there are things in all of our lives that we cannot change. I complain about things, but I also try to change the things that are in my control.

5. Bill collectors. Yes, I understand if I owe your company money it is your right to get it from me, and I should pay it. You are doing your job and I understand that. Here is my issue...You call me and say my minimum payment is past due in the amount of $150. Ok, I'm out of work right now, I would really like to pay you something, but all I have in my account right now is $75. I would be happy to pay that and then pay the remaining as soon as possible. And then you say, "Well do you think you could pay $125?" Hello? I just told you how much I could pay, and that is what I can pay right now. Take it or leave it. Ok, you'll take it. You can set up a check by phone. Great. Oh, guess what there is a $25 fee for that. Well sorry, make that payment $50 then.

Ok, I think those are the only things I can think of right now. Thanks for letting me vent for a few minutes, now I think I can go home and clean. Oh wait, that's #6. Cleaning, I do it, it gets dirty again, what's up with that?