Smoke Alarms and Blankets

Last night I had the worst headache ever! Kept me awake pretty much most of the night. I think I took so much OTC drugs that it was illegal to take that much! My head is still hurting a bit but nothing like last night/early this morning. I felt it coming on the way home and of course that would be the time that the trains would be all messed up. It took an extra half hour and going past my stop and backtracking to get home. The whole time I kept thinking just how much I wanted to lay down in my bed. That's always the case though...when you want something to happen it never quite goes the way you want it to go initially anyway. I was in bed from 8pm until about ten minutes ago. It looks so nice outside. Must be a bit cold though since the landlord actually decided to turn up the heat. For the first time in the season, I slept with my blanket on the bed. Winter is on it's way.

I hear Andy out there putting in new smoke alarms. I find it ridiculous that he must "handle" these things so freakin early in the morning. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad safety is the priority but come on...must we hear building maintenance early in the morning. No sleeping late around here on the weekends. That would be too much to ask! Oh well. For the most part, I don't have many chores this weekend. I have replace the blind that broke. Also need to "fallarise" which in my world means put my summer clothing away and bring back the winter stuff. Love it! My favorite season is fast approaching. Going to change my bedsheets now and get that task out of the way. Not sure what to have for breakfast. Another Excedrin perhaps. I wish this headache would go away! O.K. better go. Oh...almost forgot, the best part of the day yesterday was provided by yet another little one. A boy around the age of six had the biggest smile on his face the entire ride while his mom had a scowl. He talked and talked and talked. The whole time you could tell he was very happy to be alive. I like seeing that despite how negative some parents can be in the moment.

9:35pm...so I spent the entire day inside mostly laying in my bed. Feeling a little down and the headache hasn't quite gone away. Just took a hot shower so I feel all squeaky clean. Wish I was anyplace but home right now. O.K. going to season up tomorrow's dinner and then lay back down in my bed. More tomorrow.

Weekends Come and Go so Fast

It's another Friday already. The week goes by very quickly these days and the weekends go by even faster! I didn't get a chance to complete yesterday's post but my main statement about all of the messages of hate is simply like everyone elses...why can't we all just get along? At the end of the day we are all going to die so why make life harder just because of racial and ethnic differences? Why would those who have a problem want everyone to be the same? Would that not be boring??? I was thinking about something else the priest said at the wedding on Monday. He made note that we (humans) are the only species that requires nurturing starting immediately from birth. All other animals are born self-sufficient. It is only humans who would die if another human being did not show us how to live. I never thought about it from that perspective! So I find it interesting that we as human beings can really mess life up by neglecting and disrespecting each other. Guess that truly is the flaw with some of us.

Last night one of my travel agents called to go over the December plans. I swear she sounds exactly like Miriam! Same tone of voice, same pacing, warm and engaging conversation. I think Miriam has a voice twin. LOL. Anyway, we talked about the Costa Rica retreat and booking airfare is posing such a problem. I always feel like I get penalized first for having a birthday so close to Christmas and secondly not having a travel partner. I'm going to pray really hard that this journey works out in my favor. I have a feeling it will. I think I'm going to play a mega millions and lottery ticket tonight and every Friday for that matter until the end of the year. I'm feeling particularly lucky. Nothing major planned for this weekend. Just food shopping and swapping out my summer clothes for winter ones. O.K. better get some work done. More later.

Discoveries at Columbia and School Shootings

Nooses and swastikas? Teens packing weapons and heading off to school to hurt those who they feel have hurt them? What is going on in schools today??? From middle school to graduate level, so much unhappiness and confusion. Stop the madness!

Rainy Days and Sunny Comments

Despite the dreary weather outside, I feel a sense of warmth and joy today. I do feel somewhat like i'm going into hibernation mode since my bed feels especially good the past few days. I find myself hitting the snooze alarm a few times before actually putting my feet on the floor. LOL. I'll start with three happy moments that made me smile this morning. First, two great emails from friends who have a lot going on and are good spirits. Won't get into content of the messages but needless to say there were bright spots in the text to truly smile. Next, on the train ride in, there was a little boy, about five, who was a chatterbox! I couldn't help but smile. He was wearing a bright red sweater which made his pale skin look somewhat rosy. He had bedhead but was as alert as a little one can be. I would say he was about five or six years old. He came across like a little man in a little boy's body. So grown yet so young. I couldn't help but laugh and watch him in awe. Kids seem to have that effect on me. Their energy constantly reminds me not to lose my sense of wonder and passion for life. Finally, when I got to my stop and was coming up the stairs out of the system, a stranger helped a woman carry her baby in the carriage up to the surface. It's always good to witness acts of kindness in NY. Also reminds me that not all people in NY are selfish.

So, three really positive incidents before 9am! Wonderful. Love it. I have one more donation to pick up and then I think all of them are in...not bad with two weeks to go before the Friendraiser. Good deal. Been keeping myself busy so that's pretty good too. I think i've decided what to get Del for her baby gift. Can't say since I really don't know who's reading this thing. LOL. Probably just me but hey...you never know. Anyway, I better get some work done. More later. Kind of feel like I'm forgetting something.

10:42pm...so I got a whistle from a stranger as I was walking down the hall and coming home today some guy tried to talk to me as I was approaching the turnstile. What a confidence boost! O.K. I'm sleepy. Going to turn in. I had junk food today. Need to focus again on my overall weight loss goals. I told Jeff a yesterday that I can start workouts again next week. Let's see if I can reach my annual goal by year's end. See you tomorrow.

Receptions and Migraines

Today is a migraine day. Combination of the weather outside and PMDD. Have the normal pain shooting down the left side of my neck. I'm not a regular coffee drinker however I find that drinking a cup at the onset of a migraine does help to slow down the intensity of the pain. Guess the caffeine does help constrict blood vessels in the brain. I feel better now but about two hours ago my eyes were literally tearing up with pain. I hate being a migraine sufferer. Instant, guaranteed pain at least twice a month! Anyway, enough about pain and suffering. The office is pretty quiet right now since everyone is at the school assembly. Later this evening is the reception for the professorship appointing. That should be interesting. Two of the people here at the office said they hate going to these functions with the "hoity toity" folks. They keep saying they have nothing in common with "the rich folks". Perhaps I take a different perspective than most. I use to feel segmented from those around me with money because I use to equate my self worth to net worth. I have learned this shouldn't be so. Now when I am in a room full of wealthy people, I tend to feel I am no different than they so why feel nervous. We are all just mere mortals...some with more means than others. So what. I look forward to the day of having my own wealth but I know I will be the most inconspicuous millionaire. Wealth doesn't make the person...character does.

I'm still thinking about the sermon the priest delivered at the wedding yesterday. It came to mind as I was booking my "ticket for one" yet again. I find that I actually look forward to my dates with me. Is it wrong for me to go forward with planning my solitary life given the words of the priest telling us all that we are not meant to be alone (he went over the Adam and Eve story)? I am not too sure why I am feeling torn with this sermon. I'll keep reflecting on it. I did go ahead and buy my ticket to a play. I did extend the offer to others to join me however nobody responded so it's just me again (not complaining). I wonder what would happen if I didn't contact anybody...just stop sending email, placing calls to check up on people, just simply disconnect. Would anyone even care? I'm not sure. I better get back to work. More later.

9:16pm. It's stormy outside with lightening so my addition will be brief. I don't like using too much electricity in lightening storms. It was a good evening. My feet are killing me though. Going to kick back in my bed and relax. Still have a twinge of a headache. Will go to sleep earlier than usual. Here's to a good night's sleep. More tomorrow.

Linda and John's Wedding

Not going to be a long post today since I'm a little bit tired however it was a really good day. It was a beautiful day to attend a wedding! John and Linda's wedding was simple, fun, and lovely! After so many years of dating and hardships, they wed. You could just feel the positive energy in them and everyone who attended to witness the union of this couple who clearly belong together. As an older bride (she's in her 50's he in his 60's), Linda looked gorgeous in her eggshell lace dress and John looked very sharp in his black suit. It felt good to witness happiness and love. The priest's sermon detailed that as human beings we are not meant to be alone and that we have choices. I was a bit torn with the message simply because it's difficult for me to understand why I am unwanted by a mate. With this revelation, it's hard not to go about life expecting to be solo. I choose love however I feel no man wants my love at the present moment. The officiant also stated that love isn't love until you give it away. There has only been one man that I can honestly say that I loved. What happens when you do give your love to someone but they don't love you back? What does one do? I will ponder this thought for a while. All in all, it was a wonderful wedding. I hope they continue to have a great life together.

At the reception, I sat next to John and Elizabeth McCormick. They have been married 43 years. I love sitting next to couples who have stayed the course that long. I used to imagine what it would be like to be married to the love of my life for that long. I guess a part of me still wonders. I especially love asking these older couples what the key is to finding the right mate and staying together. They all say almost the same thing...have lots of patience, respect each other, and just simply love one another. I can do that. John and Linda got married the way I hope to be one day if it's meant to be. Simple, Fun, Lovely!