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Showing posts from July 22, 2011

Magical Moment 537, "The Green-Eyed Monster"

My husband Eddie, is quite romantic. He brings me gifts, takes me on dates, and sends me flowers. One day we returned from lunch to find a beautiful bouquet of flowers delivered to our doorstep. I picked them up and noticed they were addressed to me! The return address was the flower company, so I assumed they were from Eddie. "Awww!" I mooned over them. But when I looked at Eddie, rather than seeing an adoring expression staring back at me, he looked completely puzzled. "Those aren't from me!" He accused, not so romantically or adoringly. I was just as surprised. I couldn't think of a single person who would send me flowers. It wasn't my birthday or any kind of special occasion. But curiosity, or was it something  else , overtook Eddie. He tore open the cardboard packaging like a ravage beast, searching for any clue of who the flowers could be from.  "It's from that one guy from that one place! I  knew  he had a crush on you!" I rolled m

Magical Moment 536, "Trouble"

I'm expecting company! My sister Erica, and best friend Deb will arrive today. When Erica and I get together, things like this happen: And when Deb and I get together, things like this happen: And when my little sister, best friend, and I are all together in NYC for a week, it makes my husband go like this: But he'll survive. What doesn't kill us makes us stronger, right? ~~~ The wig explanation: Gaga For Erica How Deb and I have stayed best friends for nearly 18 years: Friendiversary A pretty safe bet for the next week: Giggles

Magical Moment 535, "Rose in a Canteen"

Sorting through a box of old photographs, I came across this one... Taken on a disposal camera about 7 years ago during some Army training as a cadet. I recall feeling very homesick, as it was a new experience, and very exhausted. I found a rose (I have no idea where) and kept it alive in my canteen of water for a few days before I was forced to throw it away during a room inspection. A vibrant red rose, bringing beauty to drab olive green.

Magical Moment 534, "The Enchanted Bus Ride"

I watched a little girl on the bus. For her, the ride was a new adventure.  For me, it was a routine inconvenience.  To pass the time, she played with her stuffed animals, a polka dotted kitten and princess bear. I scanned e-mails on my phone as I fought off motion sickness. Her feet hovered above the floor as she sat. She swung her legs back and forth, holding them out in front of her for a moment as she admired her pretty, glittery shoes...the ones that maybe belonged to her Halloween costume, but she convinced her mom to let her wear them out. My feet ached and I longed to kick my heels off throw them into a river. She pointed out the window to the flashing lights up ahead in the road. Exciting, like on TV. I inwardly groaned at the thought of another traffic hold up. She nearly burst with nervous glee when it came time to push the "stop" button. She smiled proudly when it lit up and chimed for all the bus to hear. But it wasn't the correct stop after all.  &q

Magical Moment 533, "Out With Mom"

When my older sister and I were little, our mother would take us on a pretty common outing. First we would go swimming at the YWCA, then she would take us next door to the library where we picked out books and movies. And for a special treat, we would walk across the street and get a bag of rainbow popcorn. That's what these photos remind me of. Eddie took these while he was at work in the park. He saw the trio in the park all day long and even into the night. Enjoy.

Magical Moment 532, "Trapped in the Tower"

There's an old legend at my alma mater, the University of Nebraska, that someone once got locked in the clock tower. The clock tower today is automated, and plays a tune every hour. But they say that back in the old days, there was an organ up there. Well, the organist was trapped inside, so as a call for help, he played "Rescue Me" repeatedly on the organ until someone noticed and found him. (Or something like that, it's been a few years since college folks!) The lap top is my organ. My bedroom is the clock tower. I've been held hostage in my room for hours, with no release in sight! We've broken a temperature record, with the heat index at 115 F (46 C). My number one complaint about northern NJ (besides the traffic), is the hundred year old buildings that lack any kind of temperature regulation. So we survive the seasons on radiators and window air conditioners (I know, outrageous, right?!). Last year was our first summer here. On June 1st, Eddie and I drov

Magical Moment 531, "Practice Doesn't Make Perfect"

When I was a little girl, there was a piano competition that I practiced diligently for every spring. It was the Fine Arts Competition, and my small Christian school hosted several other schools who came to participate in the event. I competed every year from 3rd through 8th grade. I prepared months in advance and was  so  nervous when it was finally time to perform. The goal for me was  perfection . And with the judges watching, if ever I hit a sour note, I knew that it was over. I wouldn't place. My world would crash and I would be distraught for the next week (in fact I'm  still  a little bitter about the episode of '97!). Part of this, is the nature of competition. But I think much of it had to do with something I concocted in my own brain somehow. This idea of 'perfection equals success and anything less is  total  failure' stayed with me for many years. Even when I sang or played a song for a church service, a safe and accepting environment, I would become so