Neverland

"Here's to the bright New Year, and a fond farewell to the old; here's to the things that are yet to come, and to the memories that we hold."
-- Anonymous

Wishing everyone happy, healthy, & wonderous adventures in 2007!

Happy Thoughts...

babymae1966 at 1:14:31 PM CST Permalink | Blog about this entry |  Add to del.icio.us |  digg this This entry has 5 comments: Show Recent | Add your own

Last night, I was introduced to a comedian named Mitch Hedberg...very funny humor - along the lines of Steven Wright...one liners & bits that are either quite silly, or incredibly intuitive... you decide:

A sleeping bag is a tortilla for a human.

I rented a car. I didn't really need one, I just wanted to make one less available. I wanted one businessman on the bus with no car.

I've never been to a hotel with a rotating restaurant on top, but one time I took my girlfriend to a merry-go-round, and I gave her a burrito.

I want to get a vending machine, with fun sized candy bars, and the glass in front is a magnifying glass. You'll be mad, but it will be too late.

I think a rotisserie is a really morbid Ferris wheel for chickens. We will take a chicken, impale it, and then rotate it. Spinning chicken carcasses make my mouth water. I like dizzy chickens!

I would imagine the inside of a bottle of cleaning fluid is really clean. I would imagine a vodka bottle is really drunk.

This one commercial said, "Forget everything you know about slipcovers." So I did, and it was a load off of my mind. Then the commercial tried to sell slipcovers, but I didn't know what they were!

Sadly, Mitch Hedberg passed away last year, but his humor remains...check out the following if any of these struck a cord with you...
http://www.funny2.com/hedberg.htm or http://involution.com/mitchquotes.php

Happy (Silly) Thoughts...

 

babymae1966 at 10:52:38 PM CST Permalink | Blog about this entry |  Add to del.icio.us |  digg this This entry has 1 comments: Show Recent | Add your own

As reality set in today, I realized that I, like so many others, am not even close to being ready for the Christmas holiday. My son Matt is MORE than ready and of course is counting down the minutes until Christmas morning arrives. I, on the other hand, am frantically scrounging for what seems to have escaped me lately...T-I-M-E.

Is it me, or does it seem like the older you get, the rush of the holiday season ultimately creeps up on you like a stealth bomber...you know it's coming eventually, but all of a sudden...BOOM! Here it is! Oh...well, yes...Christmas is 4 days away, and who do I have to buy for?...What should I get???...Why aren't I more ORGANIZED this year???...Why am I stressing about this??? OMG....do I have enough tape???

I'm not going to worry any more about it (oh yea...right!). As you can see from the photo above, I have all I need for Christmas! I certainly don't have to wrap it up, & worry if it's the "right" thing...I know I have been truly blessed with a most amazing son, & quite frankly, as long as he's happy and healthy - that's all I need.

Thinking Happy Thoughts...
Babymae

babymae1966 at 11:36:09 PM CST Permalink | Blog about this entry |  Add to del.icio.us |  digg this This entry has 3 comments: Show Recent | Add your own

Well...it has certainly been quite a long time! I've missed reading & catching up with all my friends here in J-Land....Not much has changed over the last two years...well, that's not entirely true...

These last two years have been quite busy...Mumsy & I still chat on the phone when time permits, & I went for a visit at the end of October of this year. Mumsy has reverted back to a "non-communication/socialization zone" that I had hoped she would not return to. It's ok - I accept & respect her feelings. We visit when we can, & that's enough for both of us. Unfortunately, I have not seen my Pop since the trip to meet the "eldest" sister back in July of 2004, but we also catch up every couple of months via the phone. I have spoken with both of them within the last week in celebration of my "Fabulous Fortieth" birthday, & neither one can believe their "baby" is 40. I'm still in denial over the number, but I keep telling people who ask me about being 40 that at least now I have an excuse for the attitude, & if people don't like it...oh, well. (I'm not really that harsh, but I do tell it like it is!)

I began working full-time for the Chamber back in March of `05, & have been going non-stop ever since. I have truly enjoyed working there, & was blessed to wake up every day to look forward to going to my job. The Chamber President Steve & co-worker Beth were an absolute joy to work with, & we had a blast every day for over two years. I've never laughed & had so much fun while working - we almost felt guilty some days for having so much fun. Unfortunately, in August of this year, my fabulous boss decided to move on to bigger & better things, & I miss him horribly. A new president was hired at the end of September, who has had a hard time filling Steve's shoes. My other co-worker Beth had enough of the ineptitude of the new guy, & decided to leave at the beginning of November. Since then, I have had to take on many of the responsibilities of the president, while continuing to perform my duties & take on some of the tasks of Beth's, all while training the new president. WHEW! It's been awfully challenging to say the least.

In March of this year, I made the decision to move - for financial reasons. My job had been very rewarding, & very flexible, but not economically viable. Because I love what I do, I decided to keep the job & move in with my long time beau/friend Bernie while helping us both financially in the process. I moved in with him at the end of June, & it has been an adventure ever since. You really don't know someone well until you've lived with them - it's so true. We've had our ups & downs as well as break-ups & reunions together over the last 7 years together, as many couples do. For me, it was becoming an emotional roller coaster that I needed to remove myself from. I made a promise to myself when I divorced that I would never again become the sole "provider"...organizing, cleaning, reminding, paying...etc...blah, blah, blah...I didn't want to have to light a fire under someone in order to get things taken care of. I had had it. By the end of August, though, I decided that as much as I value and love him as a true friend & confidant, that's where it needs to be left. We continue to live with each other, simply as roommates (I know - it's weird)...but for both of us, it's the best. 

My mom has had some major health issues since my last entry as well. She was diagnosed with Breast Cancer back in March of `05, & underwent radiation therapy over the summer of 2005 which thankfully proved to be successful. She is cancer-free! Thank God! The radiation took its toll on her, & she has slowed considerably over the last year and 1/2. She was hospitalized in August of this year for an imbalance in her electrolyte levels. The doctor recommended that she stay with family to monitor her schedule, her medication, & her eating habits. So, of course...she moved in with Bernie & me. She stayed with us for the last 3 months, & was recently hospitalized again for another infection...Long story short - she is now temporarily in assisted living, and is fighting it every day. She wants her independence, & wants to go to her own home.

WELL...there's a lot here to absorb, & I hope that this update will find some of my old friends here...

Still thinking Happy Thoughts...
BabyMae

babymae1966 at 1:25:39 AM CST Permalink | Blog about this entry |  Add to del.icio.us |  digg this This entry has 8 comments: Show Recent | Add your own

Today is my birthday. However, it is also a bittersweet day for my dearest Mumsy - my grandfather Kimball passed away 20 years ago today. I never had the honor of meeting him, but I’m sure I would have adored him. She has mentioned this bittersweet fact before, but I wanted her and everyone to know that I am thinking not of myself today, but of my family. I want to lovingly thank her for the decision she made so long ago to give birth to me, then ultimately give another life to a family she didn’t know. My mom has said this to Mumsy countless times, but a thank you is simply not enough to say for not ending my life before it began. After all, I wouldn’t be here if #1- Mumsy & Pop never got together, and #2- she gave birth to me. For these obvious reasons, I say…
                      
                                     
Thinking Loving Thoughts...

babymae1966 at 12:52:39 AM CST Permalink | Blog about this entry |  Add to del.icio.us |  digg this This entry has 17 comments: Show Recent | Add your own

Here’s hoping you're in the Thanksgiving Spirit…

If you woke up this morning with more health than illness, you are more blessed than the million who will not survive the week.

If you have food in your refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof over your head and a place to sleep, you are richer than 75% of this world.

If you have money in the bank or in your wallet, you are among the top 8% of the worlds wealthy.

If you hold up your head with a smile on your face and are truly thankful, you are blessed because the majority can, but most do not.

Author Unknown

I’m thankful for all the friends & family I have. This past year has been one that I never would have imagined, & I’m very appreciative of all the support I’ve received, both personally, & here in AOL Journal-land.

Many of Mumsy’s friends have wondered what has happened to her. I’m not sure it’s up to me to report on where she is (I’d rather have her do it!), but I’ve received a number of comments & emails wondering as to her whereabouts. She is fine. She is working, & that’s pretty much it. Just so y`all don’t worry, she hasn’t been communicating with me like usual, either, & I wanted to let you know. She’s simply in a non-communication mode.

I want to thank you all for your concern, & wish you the best for a bountiful Thanksgiving.

Thinking Thankful Thoughts…

babymae1966 at 7:35:45 PM CST Permalink | Blog about this entry |  Add to del.icio.us |  digg this This entry has 6 comments: Show Recent | Add your own

Things for Babymae have indeed been busy. Lately, I haven't had much time to devote to my creative process, such as this journal is. The above photos were taken at his school's Halloween Dance last week. My 9-year-old son had his first "date"! He'd kill me if he knew I called it that, but in essence, I took him & his best bud to this dance together; to spend the evening together, playing games, eating junk food `til the cows come home, running around the gym casting "spells", & dancing....together! Hence, I consider it a "date". Matt was dressed up as Harry Potter ~ one of his all-time favorites! They had a great time, & many of his classmates thought that Matt looked "exactly" like Harry Potter! (I'd like to think so, but I'm the mom...therefore biased!)

Work is keeping me busy, & I'm currently keeping an eye out for a 2nd job, to help finances. Maybe Matt can cast a spell for me...??? LOL...

Keeping Happy Thoughts...

babymae1966 at 8:17:18 PM CST Permalink | Blog about this entry |  Add to del.icio.us |  digg this This entry has 6 comments: Show Recent | Add your own

If you would not be forgotten, as soon as you are dead and rotten, either write things worth reading, or do things worth the writing. ~ Benjamin Franklin

This quote inspired my thoughts today to write something, in the hopes that because I am writing, I am not forgotten by some...

Communication (as defined by www.dictionary.com):

1. The act of communicating; transmission.
A) The exchange of thoughts, messages, or information, as by speech, signals, writing, or behavior;
B) Interpersonal rapport.
2. An opening or a connecting passage between two structures.
3. Intercourse by words, letters, or messages; interchange of thoughts or opinions, by conference or other means; conference; correspondence.

Once typing frenetically, yearning to know
Laughing hysterically, one place to go.
This means of transmission, infernal machine ~
Addicting, connecting, as I never had seen.
I miss, I feel, I think, and I breathe,
wanting to sense the happiness I need.
Maybe my messages are too few between,
but quality, not quantity is often to heed.

When this journey began not so far in the past,
I never imagined what had happened so fast.
I signaled my joy to my circle of friends,
Along with the heartache, nervousness ends.
That first moment in time when my life turned around -
their heart was not there for me, couldn’t be found.
Some people thought (those skeptical few)
their lives more important, significant, too -
Uncaring at best, for they now know who.
I go on each day and expect nothing more,
Understanding that friendship is no longer adored.

My opinions are mine, and I share them with you,
with hope that my story inspires anew.
Journals and diaries, stories galore -
So much to read; there’s always more.
Exchanging of thoughts and happenings, too.
Life’s passing moments, my words are too few.

Happy Thoughts…

babymae1966 at 11:18:30 AM CDT Permalink | Blog about this entry |  Add to del.icio.us |  digg this This entry has 9 comments: Show Recent | Add your own

This came to me by way of Punky's hand...visit her journal for more inspiration....  

Wise-Woman Tips for More Serenity
Inspired by Simple Abundance, by Sarah Ban Breathnach (Warner Books, 1995).

Simple Solution
Have you ever met a woman who radiated serenity and calm? Who seemed impervious to stress, taking everything in her stride? As the author of this wonderful book suggests, if you asked such a woman what her secret was, she would probably offer the following tips for living a stress-free life.

These wise guidelines are worth passing along:

Cultivate gratitude.
Carve out an hour a day for solitude.
Begin and end the day with prayer, meditation, or reflection.
Keep it simple.
Keep your house picked up.
Don’t overschedule.
Strive for realistic deadlines.
Never make a promise you can’t keep.
Allow an extra half hour for everything you do.
Create quiet surroundings at home and at work.
Go to bed at 9 o’clock twice a week.
Breathe--deeply and often.
Move--walk, dance, run, find a sport you enjoy.
Drink pure spring water. Lots of it.
Eat only when you’re hungry.
If it’s not delicious, don’t eat it.
Be instead of do.
Set aside one day a week for rest and renewal.
Laugh more often.
Luxuriate in your senses.
Always opt for comfort.
If you don’t love it, live without it.
Let Mother Nature nurture.
Don’t answer the telephone during dinner.
Stop trying to please everybody.
Start pleasing yourself.
Stay away from negative people.
Don’t squander precious resources: time, creative energy, emotion.
Nurture friendships.
Don’t be afraid of your passion.
Approach problems as challenges instead.
Honor your aspirations.
Surrender expectations.
Savor beauty.
Create boundaries.
Exchange security for serenity.
Care for your soul.
Express love every day.
Search for your authentic self until you find her.

Happy Thoughts...

 

babymae1966 at 9:15:43 AM CDT Permalink | Blog about this entry |  Add to del.icio.us |  digg this This entry has 3 comments: Show Recent | Add your own

A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort.

-  Herm Albright

babymae1966 at 8:58:09 AM CDT Permalink | Blog about this entry |  Add to del.icio.us |  digg this This entry has 1 comments: Show Recent | Add your own