The Long Goodbye

Hi there,

It has been a terribly long time since I've posted, nearly a month, so whether or not anyone is actually out there is cyber-space reading this, I do not know. I went back on a promise I made to always post, even if only just once a week, and I feel badly about that. Nothing earth shaking or traumatic has happened (well, actually,..there was an earthquake here in Illinois last week believe it or not) but seriously, no health issues, family issues, injuries, etc., my family and I are all good, no worries. To be very honest, I just haven't had the time to blog, and when I have had the time, I've been tired and just didn't feel like writing anything. I'm sorry if I've worried some of you, your comments are so thoughtful and sweet, and make me feel like a bigger weenie than I already am!

I have enjoyed getting to know all of you. I think you're all fabulous, funny, talented, and really nice people to know. You're friendship has meant so much to me, and writing this blog has helped me learn so many things about myself. It's funny how self expression has a way of bringing out dormant issues lying beneath the surface, at least for me it has, writing has been very cathartic.

I have come to the realization that I was hiding behind my computer. I've been a casual observer of life, staying on the outskirts where it's safe, instead of jumping in and getting my feet wet. Perhaps some of you are doing the same thing? It's much easier to be a blog buddy, no real commitment, no ties, no face to face exchanges to worry about. While this has been satisfying, getting to know so many of you, it worries me that I do not know the lady that lives across the street from me. Or the mom of one of my son's friends. This has caused me to re-evaluate my own motives and intent. To really look at myself and figure out what it is I'm trying to avoid, instead of getting to know these people that are real in my world and tangible. That is why I have been absent for so long. I have been making a concerted effort to get to know the people around me. So far, it's been very rewarding! While I know alot of you blog as a means to stay connected with family and friends, updating on the events in your lives and your children's lives, I would hazard to guess that some of you are frustrated writers, photographers, etc., that are hiding behind your computer screens, too. I encourage you to step away from the computer, just for awhile, and see what happens. You might be very surprised.


I wish you all the very best of life, love, health, wealth, good fortune and all the wonderful things that make you want to spring out of bed in the morning! I am grateful for this experience. Blogging has been truly life changing for me.


Take care all of you! Take care of all those beautiful children you have, and are going to have. Best of luck in all that you do. Who knows? We may cross paths again at some point in time, or accidentally bump into each other in person. Wouldn't that be cool?? I just might be the lady standing behind you in line at the grocery store or seated next to you on an airplane, you never know! Get to know the people around you, it might be me! :)

Love to All,

Lizzy

Flubber-ghasted

Hi, folks! How is everyone doing this Thursday? Hope you're all feelin' fine and enjoying the day! It's actually quite pleasant here in Chi-town at the moment, mid fifties and the sun is shining,...could it be that Spring has finally arrived??? Boy, I sure hope so. I don't think I could stand it if we were to get any more snow, not one more flake, puuullease!

I have a funny story to tell you all (well, probably not that funny, but it was to me at the time). I've been trying to be really good about taking care of myself lately. Watching what I eat (Even writing it all down on a pad of paper each day, because it's the only way I can stay honest with myself and be accountable), and walking on my treadmill for an hour each day and doing various exercises (I kind of make them up as I go along, sit-ups, leg lifts, that sort of thing) I'm no Denise Austin, but I try!

So, yesterday I'm walking/jogging on my treadmill. I wear an armband Walkman with headphones, since listening to music really makes the whole experience more fun for me and the time seems to go by more quickly. I am quite the looker when I am exercising, too, let me tell ya! I don't own any fancy or stylish workout clothes. (hint-hint to hubby or kids, would make an excellent Mother's Day gift, just a suggestion) :o) I was bopping along on the 'ol treadmill with my hair slicked back in a messy ponytail, sweatband around my forehead. (borrowed from my son's collection that he NEVER wears but had to have) I was wearing a t-shirt that I got from Steve and Barry's that I bought for myself because it cracked me up, it says "I'm too pretty to work", which of course is a complete untruth, but I liked it because I've become so bored with people asking me over the years, "So, what is it that you DO?". I figured this would shut all those rude people up! Anyway,..I didn't have on a bra because I don't like to wear them when I'm working out like that, they feel too tight and get all sweaty, and I don't own a "sport" bra, but I figure, I am home alone in the privacy of my own laundry room (a.k.a. Lizzy's gym) and who will be the wiser, right? I was also wearing a pair of capri sweat pants that are not exactly flattering to my girlish figure, muffin-top hanging out and butt looks like a beach ball, but,...who's ever gonna see?

Well,...I should never ask that kind of a question, because karma always has an answer for me, without fail! My treadmill is right in front of a large window that faces my backyard. I had the shades opened, but I never worry because there is no one outside and the people who live directly behind me are not home during the day. It's completely private. Except for on the days when the gas meter man comes to look at my gas meter, which coincidentally is located just underneath my laundry room window. Imagine my surprise (and dismay) when I happened to glance out the window just as I'm boogying down to Fergie singing at the top of my lungs, "G-L-A-M-O-R-O-U-S, yeah! The glamorous, the glamorous life, flying first class, up in the sky, drinkin' champagne, livin' the life...". OH.MY.GOD!!! This young man is standing there trying to write down the reading from the meter, I'm sure trying desperately not to laugh, as I'm swaying to and fro, boobs a bouncing,...(just kill me now, please). I'm sure I provided him with the "story of the week" that all those gas meter guys must share with their buddies over a cold one at the end of the day. I've learned my lesson, that's for sure. The blinds in the laundry room will remain closed from now on while I am on the treadmill!

So, I have to ask you, has anyone else had something equally (or even more, more would be good!) embarrassing happen when you thought no one was looking? I hope you have some good stories that will make me feel a teensy bit less like a dork, okay?? (please, I beg of you!)

Things That Make Me Go..ICK!

I had planned to write my post today about a tag that I received, however, for whatever reason, my camera and my computer have decided not to play "nice" together and my computer will not read my camera disk, thus making it impossible for me to do what I was going to do. Does that make sense? Anyway,.. I have been goofing around with both my camera/disk, and computer for way too long this morning, so, now that I'm thoroughly frustrated, I thought I'd post about things that drive me a little bit nutty, just because it seemed fitting!



I have noticed lately a few advertisements and products on television that have that certain gross out factor. Maybe it's just me, I don't know. See what you think, okay?



There is a new commercial for Viagra, which, doesn't exactly gross me out, but I think it's rediculous. I actually thought it was a commercial for a motorcycle initially. It starts out with a husband and wife coming home from work day after day, same routine, waving to each other from the driveway and the car. Then, one day the husband pulls up on a Harley, the wife looks all, "Oh, no he didn't!", and hops on the back and off they go into the sunset, or so we think. But, wait! The next scene shows a motel of some sort, I'm assuming that's what it is with a number on the outside of the cabin, then you see the light being turned off. The rest is up to our filthy imaginations, apparently! Really, I don't need a small docudrama to show me how some poor guy with E.D. changed his life with a little blue pill, seriously!

Last night my husband and I were watching the news and a commercial for Charmin toilet tissue came on. I happen to like Charmin, it is the brand we use (more than you probably wanted to know about my family!). It shows these bears and one is vacuming the butt of another bear. (No, I did not make that up, honestly!) It then goes on to say that "No one likes having tissue left behind" and the "New and Improved" Charmin is less likely to pell up on your privates. Gross! Um,..yeah, I never thought to whip out the 'ol Hoover vacume and suck the pelled up toilet tissue off my family members hineys, not once! There are just some things that are better left unsaid, thank-you very much! (I'm thinkin' if that's a problem for someone, a good shower or bath would be in order, I'm just sayin'.)

Another television commercial that totally grosses me out, like gag time, is the ad for Kentucky Fried Chicken "Bowls". (feeling a little green just thinking about it) Let's see,...What can we do with all the left over chicken tenders, mashed potatos and corn from the day before? I know! Let's pour it all together in one messy bowl of slop and we'll tell people it's a special new dish we've come up with! Hey, and just so they don't get suspicious, let's pour cheddar cheese all over the top of it, people love that kind of stuff! (I think I just threw up in my mouth a little bit, sorry.) I just know someone is going to write to me and tell me that they love these things,..I just know it! You'll never convince me, nope!

And, last but not least! I think if there are elderly people in this world that are in love, it's a beautiful thing, truly! I just don't like to watch those denture commercials where the old folks are making out in the back of a taxi, I mean, like really going at it, and then the announcer says, "I bet you can't guess which one of them is wearing dentures, can you?" Gag, puke, hurl, bleck!!!! I don't want to know, stupid announcer man! Now I'm thinking about the inside of elderly peoples mouths and wondering if they're able to french kiss with dentures in their mouths and all that glue and stuff, egads! Bad mental image,..make it go away!!!




Well,...I could probably go on as there are more things that I personally think are just wrong, but I'll spare you any further disturbing thoughts! Now I'm off to figure out what is wrong with my bleepin' camera, hopefully. I think electronic devices are pure evil right about now, they're out to ruin my life! (such a drama queen!) ;o)