A little of this...a little of that

I stayed up all through the Friday night and Saturday morning hours reading.  I knew I should close the book and turn out the light, after all I had to take my son to an audition in Salt Lake in the morning.   It wasn't the story, so much as the characters.  I could so relate so well to their internal struggles and they were so likable that I felt I was spending time with good friends.  With each page turned, I wished the book fairy would add another to the end.  Do you ever get completely sucked in to a book like that? 

This morning it was breakfast at IHOP.  My son order the Red Velvet pancakes.  His description:  Diabetes on a plate. 

After breakfast, I went shooting.  I have felt cooped up for so long and the fresh air and sunshine felt wonderful.  I was able to shoot my friend's .9 mm Smith and Wesson M&P Shield.  I love this gun.

Like the majority of the country I watched the Superbowl.  I didn't have a favorite team but I enjoyed the game.  I wasn't impressed with a lot of the commercials and the half-time show was really unimpressive.  Lots of flash, little substance.

Best Superbowl commercial:

My sleepless reading night is catching up to me and unfortunately tomorrow is Monday.  Have a good week!

Monday Mutterings

Monday is too far way from Friday but Friday is too close to Monday.

 

I told myself I wouldn't turn on the television today and get caught up in the Inauguration hoop-la but I did it anyway.  I tuned into Fox News and listened or watched while working.  All I saw were dollar signs and the ding of a cash register.

 

3 course lunch with lobster tails, bison, champagne, and wine. 

Ding. Ding. Ding. Ding.

 

Fancy gifts.

Ding

 

Beyonce singing the national anthem.

DING. DING. DING.  DING.

 

My friend and I are working on getting an Etsy store up and running to sell our crochet, knitting, and sewing projects.  I will post a link when we get it going.  In the meantime,  we are both coming up with items to sell.   This is a bag I finished over the weekend.  The pattern is my own (need to write it out) except for the square for the front pocket; that is from a Red Heart Yarn afghan pattern.

 



I know I haven't been blogging lately but how come I can't just upload a picture from my computer?  I had to use Picassa.  Is there a work around for this? or am I just an idiot?

 

The weather in Utah lately could be best described at "too damn cold".  I like winter but I also like to be able to get outside and enjoy it. 

 

I bought a pass to use the pool at the little hotel in town.  I've been trying to get there at least 3 days a week.  Working on losing the ten pounds I have gained since last summer.

 

 It isn't budging.

 

Hope everyone has a great week!

 

 

 

Snow

Snow is falling outside, Christmas lights are twinkling on the tree, and stew is simmering on the stove. 

 My feet are snug in warm new slippers and propped up on the ottoman. I am watching whatever happens to come on the TV channel I am tuned into and ignoring the dirty foot prints that mar the hardwood floor.

There is work to be done but my sofa is comfortable and the blanket my son gave me for my birthday is keeping me snug and warm.

I am trying not to think about the future and the changes coming to my little household in 2013. 

I am trying to "just be". 

I will worry about housework, the future, and life a little later. 

For now I will  just sit and enjoy the snow falling outside my window.

A Little Random...

1. Has this happened to you? You wake up in the morning with a great idea that you carry through your shower and while getting ready for the day you build up a gung ho attitude to get it done.  You're going to kick some butt with this idea.  Then you sit down to put your shoes on, contemplate the steps needed to run with your idea, and think, "Nah. I'd rather take a nap or read a book."  It happened to me this morning.
2. I like the idea of a flat tax and getting rid of most of the IRS.  Yet while I was setting up my payment program with the man from the IRS this morning to pay a small amount of taxes from 2011, I felt bad because my idea would cause him to lose his job. 
3. Tonight and tomorrow I am taking part in High School Homecoming activities.  Something I haven't done in 20 years.  Go Lions!! Yay, Class of 93!  We are in the Homecoming parade and in charge of the Homecoming assembly.
4. My son has signed up with a talent agency and had head shots taken on Sunday.  At $450 for pictures, I sure hope he gets at least one or two jobs to pay for them.  The photographer showed me some of them and I must say that my son is one good looking kid.  Err, man, I guess.
5. Said son will be 18 in 11 days.
6. Senior picture proofs came back.  Great shots.  Cheapest package is about $239 bucks.  Sorry Charlie. Not doing it.  Will probably call my cousin to take some pictures to commemorate the Senior year.
7. Maybe it is just me but it seems that certain politicians still think the only issues women care about are getting free birth-control pills and the right to an abortion.  In my humble opinion, real women care more about the economic future of our country, jobs, education, and basically the same things men care about.  Women are a lot smarter than we get credit for.
8. The upcoming elections are giving me anxiety.
9. I watch too many news programs,
10. I need to read a book.

Why do they have to be so mean?

My nephew, who has always loved school, started 6th grade yesterday.   Instead of having a great first day, he broke down last night about how mean the kids were.   All of his friend ignored him.  He was teased for wearing his cowboy boots.  Boots he saved his money to buy and loves.  And this in a town surrounded by farms, and where the major summer event is the rodeo and county fair.  He was told he was weird. This is a big deal for a kid, especially on the first day of school.

My heart aches for this boy who is such a loving kid.  He would never say or do anything to hurt another person.  I try not to have favorites but something about him reaches out to me more so than some of my other nephews. 

This boy loves animals.  He studies them and wants to have a farm when he grows up.  When CAL Ranch or IFA start selling chicks each year, he begs to go to the store to watch and hold the small birds.  For years he has wanted a Russian Tortoise.  Like good parents, my brother and his wife waited to awhile to see if his interest in the Russian Tortoise would wane.  It hasn't.  In preparation for getting a tortoise, he researched their habits, diet, and habitat needs.  This summer he finally received his Russian Tortoise, "Otis".  His mom is growing dandelions in her windowsills to feed Otis and my nephew can tell you everything you ever wanted to know and more about his tortoise. 

Everything about this kid screams kindness and goodness so I don't understand why kids have to be so mean.  I pray that he finds a couple of good friends who can accept and appreciate everything good about him.  And I pray that kids all over can learn to be kinder to each other. 

Vintage Pyrex

I have developed a love for vintage Pyrex.  Looks like it is time to start combing thrift stores and the internet to begin my collection.  I don't have even one piece of the old stuff.  I need to fix this.  I particularly love these snowflake patterns. I may be buying one of these soon.

    Images from www.kaboodle.com.

Motivation, where are you hiding?

I have misplaced my motivation.  It was easy to find at the beginning of the summer.   I was going to water-aerobics each morning.  I felt great.  Then work interferred and I started having 7 am meetings.  My classes started at 7 am.  When the meetings started my motivation went into hiding.  I haven't been able to find it again.

My mom is losing weight.  My cousin has posted some great weight loss on Facebook.  My son is exercising every night.  The more people I see successfully doing something I am not should bring back my motivation.  Right?  Wrong.  My motivation has been even harder to find. 

I keep waiting for THE MOMENT or THE THING that will get me moving and feeling better.  It is elusive.  I know, I need to do it for myself.  But negativity is a terrible things and I think, "Will doing this really change my life, change me, make me a different person?" The answer comes back as "No!'.  Really?  That's not fair.  It should make me feel better and isn't that what I need?  I know it is.  I need to feel better.  I'm just not motivated.

I'll keep looking. Maybe I will find it.

Bears....Oh my!

Friday afternoon after unpacking all of our camping gear and setting up the tents, Mr. Forest Ranger stopped by.

FR: Did you get the phone call?
Me: What call?
FR: There was a bear spotted in the area last week and we have been calling to let people know. 
Me: Oh...
FR: It is your choice to stay here but we have to warn you.  I don't think he is still in the area.  But he was in the camp across the road last weekend.  Do you want to move?
Me: (Looking around.  Talking to dad.  Thinking about the odds that the bear is still around) We'll stay.
FR: Okay.  I really think it has left the area.  You should be fine.

Mom:  I am scared to death of bears.
Me: (Hands mom my pepper spray) Keep this with you if you want.
Mom: I don't think I would be able to use it.  I would be too scared.
Me:  Don't worry.  You have the pepper spray and Dad and I have our guns.  You'll be okay.
Mom: Whatever. 

There were no  bears....at least not last weekend...that we saw anyway.

The Benefits....

I have been renting apartments or houses for most of my adult life - minus the couple of years of home-ownership that did not work out as planned.  I tend to beat myself up over the fact that I rent rather than own.  I beat myself up over quite a few things so this obviously is not new.  Lately, instead of beating myself up, I have started to realize a benefit of renting that I hadn't thought of before. 

I get to experiment with different floor-plans, fixtures, flooring, appliances and so on without the commitment of a mortgage.  Over the years, I have figured out what I like and don't like, what I want in a home and what I would prefer to live without.  Here are a few things that I have figured out.

1- Hardwood floors  are not a good idea for people with feet problems.  Especially people who like to take their shoes off as soon as they walk in the door.  My entire main floor is hardwood. 

2- Black granite counter tops never seem to look clean - even after a good scrubbing.  Especially in the areas around the faucets.

3- Black appliances always look like they need to be cleaned - even after a good scrubbing.

4- I love having a double oven.

5 - I do not like smooth-top ranges.  Of course, it could be that mine is black.

6 - I do not like side-by-side refrigerators.  I feel like I don't have enough space.

7 - Not a fan of the open-plan concept. At least not the one I have.  Makes arranging furniture a little difficult.

8 - A window in my bathroom is a must.

9- Three bedrooms is must.  One for me, one for my son (or guest when the boy moves out), and one to use as an office.  My office is currently a corner of my living room.  I work at home so this is not ideal.

10 - A garage is not just for parking cars.  I need the space for my projects.  I miss having a garage.

I could go on but I will leave it there.  As you can see the benefit of renting is in finding out what I want when I buy a home.  And that is how I am going to look at until it is time to get my own place.

I did it!!!

I went to the hospital to visit JP.  I stopped at the florist looking for a "guy" type of thing and came out with an old-fashioned honey jar with a fake daisy type flower in it, but had the florist add a couple gerbera daisies in bright red and orange and some greenery.  It is so dang cut and not too girly.  I wish I had taken a picture.  He liked the flowers and the juice I brought him.  I had called before hand to see if he needed anything.  "Juice" was all he said, so I picked up a few different flavors for him.  But I think he like the company the most.  I didn't stay too long cause he needs to get some rest but will go back tomorrow.  I didn't need to overthink it at all, I just needed to DO. 

Too Sensitive?

I am too sensitive.  I take things to heart that may or may not mean anything at all.  And when it comes to my self-image and how other people view me, I always think in the most negative way.  Motives are always questioned and nothing is as easy as I would like it to be.  I think too much.

Today I received a phone call from my male friend, JP.  We aren't dating, we are friends or something like that.  It is complicated.  It shouldn't be but it is.  Back to the phone call - JP sounded terrible.  He is in the hospital. His colon is inf lammed and he is in excruciating pain.  He called because I sent him a text yesterday that he didn't respond to.  He has been in the hospital since yesterday afternoon and he didn't call until this afternoon.  What does that say?  What does it say about me that I am concerned about why he didn't call sooner?  Don't get me wrong, I am very worried about him.  He has been having problem with his colon since last November and they - the medical community - have done nothing but tell him to watch his diet.  I am hoping that finally someone in the medical community can figure out what is wrong and actually help him. 

Back to my craziness - As the conversation continued - worry on my side and drug-induced rambling and grunts of pain on his - I asked if he wanted visitors.  I can't just come right out and say, "Want me to come sit with you for a bit", that would be too easy.  He didn't say "No", he just went on about the staff bugging him every time he starts to fall asleep and that his parents and daughter have been there.  I took it to mean that I he didn't want me to visit.  Too sensitive?  Too much "me me me"?  I told him I wouldn't come by since it sounded like he needed his rest. 

So I have spent too much time this evening worrying about him and then wondering if I should visit him tomorrow and wondering if it means something that he didn't call me until today.  Crazy much?

I have just about decided to visit tomorrow.  I will make up my mind in the morning but now there are more doubts.  What if he really doesn't want me there?  What if his family is there and what would they think about me visiting?  I know his daughter but I haven't officially met his parents.  But what if I don't go?  If I ignore everything else, what does it say about me  as his friend if I don't stop by? 

This is not an unusual train of thought.  I go through this with almost everything.  I wonder if I am wanted or needed or if people will think I am completely out of place. 

How do I stop the madness?  And how to I learn to become a little less sensitive?  I don't know the answer but I really want to find it.  I NEED to find it.  Until then, I am not really living, I am obsessing.   

The best medicine....

Laughter is truly the best medicine.  After a night of not sleeping, I opted to take the day off and go to the movie with my son.  

I have to say that Tyler Perry is one sexy man.  And hilarious as Madea. I laughed and laughed.  I needed the laugh. 

I feel better for having laughed so much. 

Senseless...

Every day on the news I hear about someone being murdered.  Shot or stabbed senselessly.  Until today, I didn't think something like this would touch my family or those close us.  Today is a reminder that this can happen to anyone. 

My dad called me shortly after 10 am this morning to tell me that a family friend had been murdered early this morning.  KC was having a party at his house when an underage teenager came over.  KC told the kid to leave.  The kid threatened to kill everyone and came back with his cousin.  The cousin stabbed KC twice.   He died at the hospital.  Both the teenager and his cousin are in custody tonight.

KC's dad and my dad have been friends since they were boys.  Both of our families lived in the same town and spent a lot of time together when we were kids.  Although it has been a few years since I have seen KC, I have spent a lot of this day in tears.  Tears have fallen for the tragic loss of life, for the senseless heartbreak to this family, and for the grief on my dad's face.

I can usually make my dad smile and laugh.  Today my attempts resulted in a half-hearted smile.  He feels like he has lost one of his own children and he is worried for his friend who struggled through the loss of his wife several years ago and now must deal with the loss of his youngest son. 

It is hard for me to put into words how I feel.  It is a different feeling than what I felt when I lost a friend in a car accident or a loved one from an illness.  I suppose it is because this seems so calculated, so personal, so senseless. 

Tonight my prayers will be for KC and his family.  I'd like to believe he didn't suffer.  I want to believe that his mom was there holding him and helping him through the pain.  I know she greeted him in heaven with a hug so big and warm and full of love. 

Rest in peace, KC.  I pray that your spirit is at peace and your family find some sort of peace and comfort at this time.

Catching Up!

I am spending the day recovering from what felt like a truly crazy week.  Watching the NASCAR race, doing laundry, and as little of everything else as possible.

***

Last Saturday I made a trip to Wasatch Running where mcat helped me find a great pair of shoes.  I am not a runner but with all of the pain in my right heel I need something that I can walk in that won't aggravate the pain.  So far, I have not had any pain when I where the new shoes.  They are pretty too!

Afterward, my son and I visited the new City Creek Center in Salt Lake.  It is a pretty cool mall but not somewhere I  feel I need to visit often.  Plus it is quite a drive from where I live. 



View of Salt Lake Temple from City Creek.



 ***

Work has been a little busier than usual.  Trust me, I am not complaining about this.  I need to keep busy with work.  I am constantly worrying about getting laid-off.  I know it is nothing I can control but the reminder is always there.  Whether it is a comment being made in a meeting or a client who decides to take more of their business in house.  I know a lot of people in every industry feels similar stress.  It is hard to give your all when you are worried that it doesn't matter.  To add to the stress, I have been with this company for 13 years.  There is not a lot of need for the type of work I do.  I am the bread winner of the family and if I lose my job, I could lose everything.  Going back to school is not an option right now.  Been there, done that.  Have two worthless diploma's and tons of college debt.

***

I started water aerobics last Monday. Got up at 5:30 am on Monday and Tuesday for class at 6.  The rest of the week didn't go so well.  But this is a new week and hopefully, I can get in a few more days.  I love the exercise and water in the morning.  Makes me wish I had a pool of my own.  The public pool is only a block away, the cost is minimal, and it is fun.

***

My niece had a dance recital on Thursday evening.  She is beautiful.  I wish I had taken a picture of here before her dance.  We had plenty of time. There were over 40 dance numbers and hers was the last one.  By the time those girls were able to perform they were so tired and bored, that you could tell they didn't care and just wanted to get it over with. 

I have been in and watched a lot of dance recitals, plays, and other performances, and this one was the worst planned and executed performance I have attended.  I felt bad for the girls and parents.  The recital was scheduled to start at 5 but the audience was too large for the auditorium.  They asked families with girls dancing in the last half of the recital to give up their seats to those who were dancing earlier.  We spent the first hour and a half in the lobby waiting for seats. It really should have been split into two nights.  Despite the delays and annoyance, I am glad I went to support Sissy. Did I mention she is beautiful?  I like to think she gets it from her Aunt.

***

Pounding on my door and ringing of the doorbell  interrupted the Thursday night quiet at my house.  My son's friend had run away and another friend came over to tell him and ask if he had heard anything.  All I know right now is that she left the house of another friend, got into a silver car with two other people and left.  Thankfully, she was found on Saturday.  I am happy that she was found.  I am super annoyed that she put her parents through the worry. 

In an odd twist, at the time we found out she was missing, I was reading a book where a 17 year old girl had runaway with her 18 year old boyfriend.   

***

The fickle Utah weather continues.  Wind all day yesterday.  Ever try casting a line on the lake in the wind?  Not fun.  Watching a parade in the wind? Not fun.  I am cool with any other type of weather but I really DO NOT LIKE wind!

***

A final note (that I know only Jo might appreciate), NASCAR season coverage is split between FOX Sports and TNT.  Today is the first race of the season covered by TNT.  They are not as good as FOX.  It takes getting used to plus they keep putting Twitter Tweets up on the screen.  In some instances it covers the view of the race.  It stinks.  I am tired of networks thinking they need to post twitter feeds during their shows.  In my opinion, it takes away from the viewing experience. 

On the upside the driver I picked for this week is doing great.  If he keeps it up, I will regain my point lead - I am one point behind.  If I am the leader in points at the end of the season, the winner gets $130.  So far, so good.  I love being in the lead!  

Update - between writing this and getting ready to hit publish my driver has lost a lot of places.  He broke a valve and lost a cylinder.  This is not good.  Ugh!!!

Fickle Weather

I love living in Utah.  There is so much to do.  The scenery is beautiful.  The weather is fickle. 

Example: Memorial weekend - Snow, Rain, Sunshine.

 

Mt. Nebo Scenic Loop
Just above 9,000 feet on Sunday afternoon.

 

The Grotto
A few thousand feet lower.



Big East Lake
Same Canyon. Thursday Evening.  Beautiful.



  The weather man says this weekend should be good.  Crossing my fingers.

Sunday Snippits

My son posted this on Facebook this evening:

"My mom is one of the best moms in this freaking world and you all should be jealous. My mom's got street smarts, computer smarts and all sorts of awesome smarts. But one must know these things if they are a single mom raising a teenage boy lol XD you rock mom and don't let anyone tell you other wise.

Love you like a fat kids loves good yummy cake."

***

Had dinner Saturday night with my Mom, Grandma, Aunt and Cousin to celebrate Mother's Day. The food was great but the company was better.  

***

 I hold grudges.  It it not healthy or attractive.  Those who (or it whom) I hold these grudges against probably have no clue or could not care less.  I really need to work on getting over somethings. 

It is particulary bad when I blurt out a HORRIBLE thought about the person and realize how terrible and pitiful I have become.  To make matters, this person may never know I said what I did, yet I feel so terrible about it that I feel an absurd need to apologize to the person.  I won't but I did apologize to those who heard what I said.

***

It is the start of a new week and I hope it is better than last.  Last week was filled with work worries, financial worries, digestive troubles, headaches, and weight gain.  All made worse because I ran out of my, "Calm the bleep down pills".  UPS should deliver my prescription tomorrow. I have to order certain prescriptions through mail or they will not be covered through my insurance.  I will share my thoughts about THAT another day.

*** 

This week I am going to work on:

My attitude.

Accepting the things I can not change and working to change that which I can.

Letting go of anger and resentment.

Losing  the weight I have gained over the past week.

Relaxing and enjoying the susnhine.

***

Hope everyone has a great week!

Wanted: Brain Bleach

My son has no filter!

Don't get me wrong, I LOVE that he thinks he can say anything to me.  BUT really?  Somethings I do not need to hear.

I won't repeat on here what he said but every time I see a particular commercial my mind goes back to our conversation and I need brain bleach. 

I didn't want to but I had to tell him that he needs a filter.  There are just some thoughts Mama doesn't need to hear.

Here Fishy Fishy...

The weekend  was more eventful than most.  It wasn't planned that way but I generally don't make too many plans for the weekends anyway. 

Friday evening I played farmer and planted my vegetables in pots.  I will post pictures when they start to grow a little larger.  This turned out to be a good thing.  The spot I had intended to use for my garden happens to be the dog's resting spot.  He can dig, he can lay down.  Hopefully he will stay away from my plants.

Prom was Saturday night and I allowed my son to take my car with him to his dad's house for the weekend making it easier for Austin to run his prom errands.  I walked the mile to the library and the gas station for a coke and headed home, intending to spend the afternoon curled up with a good book.  I sort of got sidetracked by the television and about the time I decided to pick out one of my books to read, my son and his friend pull up outside bearing groceries.

Apparently the dinner plans has changed and they were having dinner in our backyard.  While the boys scurried about to get everything set up, I drove the dog to my parents house for rest of the weekend.  An attention whore of a dog, prom dresses, tuxedos, and food did not seem to be a good mix. 

The kids had their dinner on the patio while my  "male friend" (who from this point forward will be identified by his initials JP) and I had dinner at a restaurant in town, followed by a long drive by Utah Lake.

When I arrived home, the kids had left me a lovely mess to clean up.  Between cleaning the kitchen and patio, and getting my fishing gear ready for Sunday, I didn't get to bed until after midnight.  This only left five and a half hours before I had to get up for a day of fishing.

JP picked me up at 6:35 am (ten minutes early) bearing breakfast and we headed off to pick up his friend and head into the mountains.

By 8:30 our poles were in the water.  While the lake was still pretty glassy, I managed to get a shot of the view from my camp chair.  The camera on my phone does not do it justice.

JP caught the first fish of the day. He was a teeny little bugger and was  released to be caught another day.   I caught the first "keeper".  He wasn't impressive but I was happy with myself.  It was also the only fish I managed to reel in. 



We obviously need to work on our fish photography skills.

Soon after I caught the "big one", a bunch of Pelicans flew in and shared the lake with us.  I do not know what the proper termsis for a group of Pelicans. They sort of drifted in and landed gracefully on the water, when they took off again you could hear the flapping of the wings. I think they are graceful. JP thinks they are ugly and awkward looking.  

We left the lake at six.  Relaxed and happy with a line full of fish.  After loading the car, JP turned the key  - dead battery.  With no other soul in site, we attempted to push start the car - no go.  Luckily, a family pulled up and had jumper cables.  A quick jump and we were on our way.

I love fishing with JP.  He isn't obsessed with catching the most fish or even the biggest fish.  He simply enjoys the day.  He is rarely in a hurry.  He is teaching me to improve my cast and when he helps me he isn't condescending.  Because of this, I ask for his opinion and I allow him to help me anytime he thinks I need a helping hand.  He doesn't realize how significant this is for someone as independent as myself. 

When I came home, Austin was here to greet me and put away my fishing gear  - it goes in the attic and I am not really fond of climbing up there.

It may have been a busy weekend but it was a great weekend.  I spent time with people I care about.  Saw my handsome son in his tuxedo and because I cleaned up the mess from his date, he promised to organize the Tupperware cupboard.

May - Already?

It's hard to believe that it is already May.  Where does the time go?  School will be out in 24 days, it seems like it just started.   On the up side of things, I will be able to plant my vegetables outside in the next week or so, weather permitting.  Right now my peas, tomatoes, cucumbers, and green peppers are in various containers around the house.

Today, I planted a few flowers...Just a couple pansies, geraniums, and verbena.  I am slowly making my small yard look inviting.


I bought this planter at Lowe's for $5. Had to get it.

I've had this planter for three years and never used it. 

I also mopped my floors, vacuumed, cleaned the bathrooms, and walked the dog.  All after work today.  I am rather pleased with my level of motivation today.  Tuesday seems to be my best day for getting things done. 

I treated myself to a new Nora Robert's book today, "The Last Boyfriend".  It is the second book in The Inn Boonsboro trilogy. 

I may have to splurge on a few more books this month.  There is a new one from Catherine Anderson and a Nora Roberts hardback "The Witness".  I will probably wait for this one to hit my library. 

I'm going to end my busy day with my new book and a warm bath in my sparkling clean bath tub.  It's my favorite thing to do after I scrub the bathroom.

A Strong Wind

It's a tad windy tonight.  As I have been sitting here, trying to catch up on blog land a strong gust blew something somewhere creating a house rattling thud. 

I called on the man of the house to check things out.  One of the pleasures of having a teenage boy around.  It was nothing in my small yard so I am assuming it was the neighbors.  I will rest easy.

Speaking of neighbors - I live in a townhouse nestled snugly between two others.  I had a thought the other night that just on the other side of my walls live two families that I do not know.  Two families with their own struggles, drama, joys, and hardships.  I been hearing an infant cry occasionally, when I have been in the downstairs bathroom. (For some reason that is the only room where I hear anything happening next door.) Today, the family was outside and I realized they had a baby sometime in the past month or so.  I have lived her for 5 months and never noticed she was pregnant though I see her everyday when the bus drops off her son. 

I try not to feel guilty for being less than neighborly.  Perhaps I should make an effort to get to know them.  First I need to get past them using the guest parking spot in front of my house as a personal space for their 3rd car. 

Something just slammed outside again.  I am going to assume it was a neighbors back door.  I will ignore it just like I ignore so many other sounds.  Instead I will listen to the wind through my open window and tap tap tap of the rain that has just started to fall.