Inside my Brain

Day 93

2009-12-20T17:11:00.000-05:00

12-19-09

I felt good enough today to go shopping with Curtis today. The last Saturday before Christmas is always a mad rush. What was I thinking?

We also went to an Agnostica Party and took Stu and Matt with us. They had a great time. I was designated driver. The house was packed with people - interesting, funny and bizarre people. Matt found friends; Stu wasn't bored. He ate cookies, since he could not drink.

Agnostics love holiday lights, too.

Day 92

2009-12-20T17:06:00.000-05:00

12-18-09
I had to drive Lumpy to work today.

Day 91

2009-12-20T17:03:00.000-05:00

Day 91

12-17-09

I've been on my herbs a week. They have helped tremedously, but I am now coughing violently. I am not sleeping well at night, and my coughing disturbs everyone else.

Curtis drove me to Bo's and here is what he prescribed for me. If I'm not better in a week, I'll go back! I sure hope this works, because it tastes even worse than the other broth.

Day 90

2009-12-20T17:01:00.000-05:00

Company Christmas Party and all I could muster was a photo of the ceiling decorations. Being sick sucks.

12-16-09

Day 88

2009-12-20T16:55:00.000-05:00

12/14/09
Day 88
I went back to work after missing two days and sleeping through most of the weekend. Curtis would not leave me to get Matt, because he was worried about me. He finally left sometime this afternoon, after a few glitches, but he is on his way to get Matt.

A deep fog rolled in around 4 p.m. to match my mood.

I'm still not very hungry and still am very tired. After a little food and a nap, Stu and I decided to put the Christmas tree up. We listened to Daft Punk while he worked and I watched. He's never seen such a tree - this one is much older than he is! He's accustomed to the fiber optic trees with pre-set lights, so to assemble a tree and put lights up was a new concept to this kid.

He made me laugh and I appreciate that. Laughter is great medicine. In my case, it makes me cough and I need that, apparently.

Stu clowned around for me with these beads, courtesy of Richard's first Mardi Gras in New Orleans, about 10 years ago.

The tree may not be up to some standards, but it is up and when the house is dark and the lights glow, nobody can tell what's wrong with the tree.

Thanks for your help, Stu!

Day 87

2009-12-20T16:42:00.000-05:00

Day 87

12/13/09

Day 86

2009-12-20T16:40:00.002-05:00

12-12-09

My appetite has returned - somewhat. Curtis and Stu prepared chicken broth and a grilled cheese sandwich. I made some tea. I sure hope I feel better tomorrow.

Day 85

2009-12-20T16:38:00.000-05:00

12-11-09

I'm sick. I don't get sick often, but when I do, I am usually very ill. I hope this doesn't last long. I forgot to take any photos today, but when I came to plug my phone in to charge overnight, I saw the camera and took a shot of my guys at the table. This is the extent of my day today.

Day 84

2009-12-10T17:50:00.000-05:00

12-10-09

Day 84

This is the prescription for what ails me.

People all around me have been complaining of colds, flu-like symptoms and general sickness. I've been bragging that I don't get sick. I lied. I don't STAY sick, but I do catch viruses from time to time. This is one of those times.

Yesterday, just before time to come home, I felt like someone punched me in the nose. I came home, drank ginger tea and rested. That wasn't enough.

This morning I called my doctor and he personally told me to come in at 9:30, so after working 15 minutes, I left. Three hours later, I'd returned home and brewed a batch of herbal broth. I must be sick, because it actually does not taste too bad. I don't know what most of the ingredients are, but I do recognize the fresh ginger slices.

I slept a lot today and have been drinking my "tea" so I expect to feel better tomorrow - Saturday at the latest.

When you walk around in a balanced state of health, the least little upset rocks your world. Many people have been dealing with their colds for days and days and coming to work in spite of feeling ill (maybe this is why I caught it?) but I can't handle more than 24 hours with a pounding heard, sniffly nose and sore muscles. I can't and I don't have to, thanks to Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Day 83

2009-12-09T23:24:00.000-05:00

Day 83
12/9/09

First batch of Christmas cards are waiting to be picked up. Curtis will be bringing one of my gifts home this Sunday.

Day 82

2009-12-08T23:11:00.000-05:00

Day 82, we went to dinner at Uno and had 2 for 1 entrees, so three of us ate for the price of two. We had a great time and it was really nice to see Stu and his dad talking on adult terms. I love watching boys turn into men!

This window separated us from a table on the other side of the wall and I thought it was neat how the colors played on it.

Day 81

2009-12-08T23:05:00.000-05:00

Day 81
12-7-09

Yummy, Bourbon Brownies!!!

Day 80

2009-12-08T23:01:00.000-05:00

12-6-09
Day 80

Epcot, here we come! With days left on the tickets from Richard's visit and time running out before they expire, we decided to visit Epcot. We had a fabulous time!

Curtis, Stu and I met the Beardon Boys around 3. The weather was "iffy" at first, but turned sunny. We carried jackets that were at times too light and at others, too heavy. It never rained while we were there.

I'm so lucky to have a supportive family who understands my love of photography. A few times, Curtis decided to pull up the rear so he'd know when I went off on a tangent. He got tired of turning around to see me walking off, "chasing butterflies."

I used up my battery on videos and borrowed Rob's camera until the fireworks started.

We tried all the rides - Ed was kind enough to watch our jackets because he does not care for the more adventurous rides. He did join us on our little Time Travel Trip - too cute - the way it ended. The Test Track was a little less tame, but nothing like Mission Space.

According to Disney's website: "Mission: SPACE utilizes a multiple-arm centrifuge that spins and tilts to simulate the illusion of speed and gravitational forces. Realistic sounds from overhead and vivid video images only add to the experience of the simulation. As an astronaut in training, you are given the choice to be a part of the Orange Team or the Green Team. The Orange Team is a more intense training session and is the original version of the attraction, where you will experience forces up to 2.4G—more than twice the force of the Earth's gravitational pull. The Green Team has a less intense experience. You do not feel forces up to 2.4G when choosing this option. If you are prone to motion sickness, you should opt for the Green Team."

We chose the Orange Team. By the time we finished that ride, the sun was beginning to set and the Brothertons were beginning to be hungry.

The Beardon Boys wanted to take us to taste Beverly, a drink from Israel, at the Tastes from around the World. Ed told me it tastes just like Heaven. He wasn't far off the mark. A concentrated ginger ale, it was just what my ailing stomach needed after that G Force!

We made our way over to the Country exhibits and watched a few presentations about various holiday traditions. Rob shared some Skool Bread from Norway with us and then Ed and I had our photo taken with the Monkey King before the Double Dragon Acrobats from China held us spellbound.

I saw a duck. We posed beside the largest, most beautiful Christmas Tree I have ever seen and the "boys" bought goodies from a really large Gingerbread house. Between the food booths and the great photo opportunities, we kept distracting ourselves until we finally "arrived in Japan," where we ate dinner. I could have stayed in the garden for hours! We heard the chorus, a waterfall and quiet conversation. Paper lanterns were our only light. We were all tired from walking and just enjoyed each others' company. When we walked out of the garden, we were back in Epcot. It felt like culture-shock to be among the crowds again.

The Japanese gift shop must be the largest shop at Epcot and we remained there quite a while. Curtis found a quiet Zen garden, surrounded by photography that I found inspiring.

Then, we walked over to Morocco and I felt transformed. The music, the aromas, the colors, shapes and history swept into my heart and made me long for Spain. The guys also enjoyed this area and none of us wanted to leave until we realized we needed to start finding an appropriate place to view the fireworks show. As always, it was astounding.

Now, we need to find two more free days for our remaining tickets!

Day 79

2009-12-06T02:21:00.002-05:00

Day 79
12-5-09

Tornado warnings last night - dark dreary morning today. The clouds moved just before sunset and illuminated the buildings.

Day 78

2009-12-04T21:14:00.002-05:00

12-4-09
Day 78

I don't always take breaks during my work-week. It's my fault. I love what I do and I enjoy my work so much that I often don't even realize that the lunch hour has passed. I might eat at my desk when I'm hungry, thinking that as soon as I complete my current project, I'll take a break - but I don't.

Today, I took a longer lunch break than usual, but when you consider that I'd only taken two lunch breaks in more than 10 days, it all comes out in the wash.

My mother-in-law invited me to be her guest at the Brevard Symphony Orchestra Guild's holiday lunch at the Eau Gallie Yacht Club. The tables were decorated with small nutcrackers or Santas at every place, with a larger Christmas centerpiece.

After two students sang Christmas songs and a business meeting, we were served lunch. Following the soup, I dined on rare prime rib, stuffed baked potato and delicious broccoli. Dessert was chocolate cake with chocolate mousse. I did not wait around for tea. I needed to return to work.

Day 77

2009-12-03T23:07:00.000-05:00

I have achieved many of my goals, including that to be an award-winning writer. Two years in a row, NAMPA has deemed my work worthy of top honors. I think it's time to recalibrate my goals and aim higher!

Day 76

2009-12-03T23:01:00.002-05:00

Day 76 of 365 brings wardrobe color coordination.

Day 75

2009-12-01T21:42:00.000-05:00

Day 75
12-1-09

One of these things is not like the others, one of these things . . .

Not that the one thing out of place does not belong, but I do have to wonder why my two closest neighbors' trashcans are neatly placed side-by-side, upside down, while mine are not only lying in the gutter, but one is nesting inside the other.

What's up with that?

Day 74

2009-11-30T20:06:00.000-05:00

Day 74
11-30-09

Part of my neighbor's outdoor display.

Day 73

2009-11-29T20:53:00.000-05:00

Day 73
11-29-09

I spent my morning working one last edit for Senior Life, then prepared to check out the "Really, Really Free Market of Melbourne."

The Realy, Really Free Market of Melbourne is where people bring whatever they have from home and leave them out for anyone to take. You can then go around the park and take what has been left out by others.

People of all walks of life meet from 1- 4 on the last Sunday of each month at Holmes Park, sometimes called the Manatee Park, because of the Manatee sculpture. It's on Melbourne Avenue, just west of the train trestle.

At a Really Really Free Market, goods and services are available at no cost. Like a garage sale or swap meet, but better. Everything is free. No charge, no haggle, no hassle.

Musicians played near a communal food table and every time someone new came with bags or boxes of items, people flocked over to see what treasures had arrived. Holmes Park is ideal because it has wonderful surfaces ready for items - no need to bring tables or blankets for display, but of course, if you want to, you can. There are no rules and everyone there has a generous spirit.

I carried books, scarves, ties, some stained glass decorations, a few baskets and within an hour, nearly everything I'd brought was gone.

People exchanged information, business cards, ideas and tangible products. The idea is that once a month, people will come together to share what they have. Massages, face painting, surplus garden items, soup. Whatever suits your fancy will suit someone else, too.

It's perfectly fine to bring nothing but an appetite and curiosity. It's like a fair and a communal feast it is only as good as the people who support it and attend.

Day 72

2009-11-28T19:18:00.002-05:00

Day 72

11/28/09

The best part of Lancade is laughter. Today, we met up with Colby aka Zero Cruel of Ruin (left) and Rocky ask Lone Rhyda for lunch. We shared stories of knifings, sticky grenades, noodle jousts, birthday noodlings, aliens, wars in other dimensions and hurricanes.

We REALLY need to plan another reunion.

Day 70

2009-11-27T00:30:00.000-05:00

Day 70

11-27-09

Thanksgiving Day in America. If I were with the Wordens, I'd have made lots of food to carry to my mother's house, but since I was there last week, I spent this day with the Brothertons.

My mother had all four sons, Bernadette and two more generations in her home. Jane, Donna and I were not able to join them. Everyone brought food and I'm sure they all had a great time. Lunch was planned for noon. I am eager to see photos from there.

We slept in today. At noon, I showered and at 2, we started toward my in-law's. Barbara always makes a great presentation and has her rituals. We dress nicely, light candles, eat from fine china in the dining room and drink wine. Barbara doesn't cook much from scratch, but what she does cook is always good. I don't think I have ever had homebaked dessert there unless I brought it, but I don't mind. Family is what counts.

She offered me a glass of wine within moments of our arrival and then ordered me and everyone else out of her kitchen.

Curt asked Curtis to carve the turkey, today. I think he was passing on the torch.

When the meal was ready, we stood around the kitchen table, where the food was to be served buffet style. Curt read a devotional and asked each of us to tell why we are thankful. I have so much for which I am grateful that I choked up. Tears flowed as I listed some of the many things that enrich my life: family, health, love of literature, the freedom to drive to see my mother, sons and grandchildren among others, good running cars, a great job that I love. By the time I got round to my job, my tears clouded my vision and I handed the gratitude gauntlet to Mac.

After dinner, Barbara announced that it was time for the ritual group photo -her way to document family gatherings. We finally determined how to set her camera's self timer and both cameras did their jobs.

Stuart enjoys thwarting my attempts to photograph him, but he has an eye for art and together, we created this.

Day 69

2009-11-26T23:54:00.000-05:00

Day 69
11-25-09

A slow photography day means Stuart hides behind a bottle of NOS.

Day 67

2009-11-24T21:47:00.000-05:00

11-24-09

My kind of office supplies!

Dove dark
Dove with Peanut Butter
Godiva Dark
Ghirdelli

Day 66

2009-11-24T21:43:00.000-05:00

Day 66
11-23-09

Since Viera Voice was at the printer, I devoted myself to working on Senior Life edits, between managing the office activities. Katie and I took a break for lunch and enjoyed ourselves at Uno Chicago Grill before we resumed our pace at the office for the afternoon.

Even though Monday night is Family Night at our home, I called to see if Patty would be at the salon after 5. Since she said she'd be there until 9, I called Curtis and Stu and told them I'd be late for dinner. I NEEDED my hair restyled.

This was what I saw as I left the office and I remembered why I love living a mile from the office! Tail lights, road construction at the entrance to I-95 is not how I want to spend my evening commutes. Coming home was worse, because the exit was almost completely blocked!