laugh loud...cry hard

naps and reflection

This afternoon, after running a couple of errands, I took a little nap.
Okay, it was supposed to be little...or short...but proved to be neither.
Instead, it was a three-hour, near coma, snorefest - which is how I woke myself up, actually.

I knew I was tired, but I didn't think THAT tired.
Then I started thinking about some of the things that have been going on.
Here's a few (in no particular order)

• Went to the Lossing Family Reunion. The last time I attended this event, I think I was 8. So it's been 32 years. And we drove - 12 hours - strait through. Then I met and re-met a bunch of family. The number at the reunion was around 115. That's a lotta Lossings...

  

• Then there was losing my little dog for a day - or night, as it were. Minnie went on walkabout (I think she knew I was coming home from my trip) and headed west on Maryland Avenue, in St. Paul. After searching for her for hours, the rescue mission was called off for a night of sleep. The next morning (me super-sad and crabby), the poster campaign began. Thanks for a lovely human who found her, brought her to the Humane Society and then SAW my Missing Dog poster, she was returned to me. She must have ran all night, because she was found two miles down the road, and across the freeway! Holy crap, little dog!

  

• And my friend, Yvonne, had her baby. Sarah Elizabeth Ring. While I didn't make it to the actual birth (since I was in Michigan), I did get to see the little beauty, and the proud parents - who rock! Yvonne & Jason: you are an inspiration to us all.

  

  
  could anything be sweeter?

• And then there's the garden, the laundry, the pets, the family, and the kitchen renovation...now I know why I've been so tired.

things that made me laugh recently

A girl in a shirt that read:
I (heart) dry humping

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Tucker, bounding toward my camera:

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Mo's face on the Pain is Good hot sauce bottle.
A little tip, DO NOT google 'pain is good' - please add the works, hot sauce.
I need a brillo pad for my brain...<shudder>

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My candy jewelry kit, from my pal, Eddie.

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This picture, of Anthony Bourdain:

I really am destined to be his sidekick - but now what am I going to use for my publicity photo?

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This Quote:

“Why  on earth aren’t people continually drunk? I want ecstasy of the mind all the  time.”

       

—Jack Kerouac

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...and Sydney calling her dad, "Dude".

my new friend, Miriam

I normally complain about California, and Los Angeles, most of all.
Whenever I went there - I froze my ass off. It's cold in Cali! When I was visiting in April, I had to buy a jacket - because it was COLD. And the people, in general, I found to be the same.

I mocked the area - waiting for the chance to eat my words.

And, I'm happy to say, I did just that. Suffice to say that the temp passed the 100 degree mark. Most excellent. While it was in Burbank, which is near 'The Valley' (whatever that is) - it was close enough for me to change my stinkin' tune about freezing my butt off.

And then I met Miriam.
It was the day I flew in and headed to Casa Pitchfest. Volunteers were bopping around, getting the last-minute details sewed up for The Great American Pitchfest. And rather than basking in the sun, floating on my shamu, sipping a margarita with my camera in hand - I decided to join the preparation fun. Miriam showed up shortly thereafter and we were given a project to work on together. Between the hot sun, being dressed in jeans, the spectacular view and our instant, sparkling  connection - I was soon giggling with my new pal and swooning with joy. And eating my words about the 'cold' folks in California.

I'm so lucky to have met Miriam.
She is an excellent woman that reminded me I can bring beautiful people into my life. 
Man, did we have fun! Chatting like old friends, I was also reacquainted with parts of me that lay dormant, some of the best parts that had been sleeping.

Thank you, Miriam. I am thrilled that we met - and are fostering our soul-mate-worthy friendship.

St. Pete vs. St. Paul

Okay. I am officially sick of people complaining about how hot Florida is. Or how hot they think it might be.

Case in point:
St. Petersburg, Florida - currently 79 degrees
St. Paul, Minnesota - currently 86 degrees

How the hell does this happen?

While it is later there (one hour), there are also six zones between us.
St. Petersburg, Florida - Zone 9
St. Paul, Minnesota - Zone 3 (or 4, depending on the map)

I love my brother, Lee's story about when he moved there. People were complaining about the rain. He stood in utter disbelief. Because you don't have to shovel that crap - maybe you get a little damp, but heck - it goes down the drains and it's gone. That's when he decided that was the place for him.

Zone 9 has citrus trees and jasmine that grows freely outside. You don't have to buy a new one because your last one died when it was 40 below zero. And palm trees. I like palm trees. And lizards, too.

I am happy that it's nice and warm today. But a girl has to get her rest! I may have to head south, where it's cooler, for some much-deserved shut eye!