The Dark Days of Winter

The days have become shorter, and darkness consumes much of my waking hours.  When there is light, it is a dull gray and seems to turn the air into a raw chill.  This is, unfortunately, effecting me.  I have admittedly not been as productive as I'd like, and much of my time is spent eating or staying under the warmth of my blankets in bed.  I've decided that I need brighter lights inside the apartment, and need to schedule in more gym time.  The trouble is sticking to my schedule, however.  I've had a bad tendency to cancel appointments, outings, and activities as of late and have favored the solitude of my home.  Problem is, I've been too cold to do anything at home, either.  My groom has finally relented and turned on the heat, so I am hoping that will turns things around a bit.  

It's interesting, I never thought that such a trivial thing as light could effect me so.  I have taken for granted the years in Florida with the sun constantly shining, and while this weather is certainly more romantic, I need to continue adjusting.  I know I will, I'm of hardy Norwegian stock anyway, right?  This should all be in my blood, so I'm just waiting for that side of me to emerge and take on this foreign season.  

One Angry Voter

I'm pissed.  Yeah that's right, I said it.  Brandon and I wrote to our congressman who voted "yes" for the $700 billion Bailout, just to let him know we think he's a weenie.  Well, perhaps not in those exact words, but you get the point.  So, I am encouraging everyone I know (and so should you!) to look up their congressmen/women that voted yes and write them angry letters too.  Over 60% of Americans were against the bill, and despite that Congress still passed it.  And the market still isn't improving, and people are still foreclosing, and you know what?  Maybe that's what needs to happen so this country can humble itself a little and learn that having everything you want requires hard work.  We are among generations of people who believe that they are entitled to whatever they want because they've been spoiled their whole lives.  It doesn't work that way, and the idea that Big Brother can come in and magically clean up everyone's slop with my money really gets me going.   Anyhow, here is a website so you can check to see how your congressman/woman voted.  Let those who represent us in Congress know that we will not stand for such ridiculous misrepresentation!

The Bailout Bill: Who Voted For and Against It - The Home Front (usnews.com)

Trees outside Madigan

 This is why I love going on Post!  There are so many beautiful trees changing color, and breathing in the sweet smell of those leaves makes me realize how much I love this gorgeous place.  It breaks my heart that I can't tangibly share this; I would do anything to show my family around all the beautiful sights Washington has to offer.  Oh well...someday I hope.

Fall

   My favorite time of year has arrived.  The trees are blushing their vibrant yellows and reds, the air is thick with the smell of pine, and pumpkins are appearing at every doorstep.  I have a legitimate excuse to wear boots and scarfs, and I find myself craving apple cider more and more each day.  Cinnamon is becoming a staple in my kitchen, and I can't help but seek out a good book to curl up and read as a soft breeze comes through the window.  

   I am desperately trying to convince my friend to throw a costume party for Halloween (I will have the grandest costume balls some day - I was born for it), and I am itching to buy every overpriced garment I see in the Halloween isles.  I'm dying to add just a few wigs to my collection, but I will wait for the after-holiday sales for those.  Why do I want these?  Heaven knows.  I tell myself that I am amassing play clothes for my daughters-to-be.  If they are anything like me (and what will I do if they are not?!) they will wear at least thirteen different outfits a day and make strange headdresses out of random clothing.  It's what I do.  My sweet groom, good thing he loves me despite the fact that he married a nut!

My Husband the Hero

I just need to say that I felt like a million bucks today, and all because my husband stepped up and defended me!  Let me tell you what went down:  

I went to the post office because my friend who just lost her father needed me to overnight an outfit for her to wear to the funeral.  Of course I didn't hesitate to do it, and at the post office I was looking for the proper size box to ship it in.  As I was checking them out, this tall Asian postal worker brushed past me and didn't even excuse himself.  Whatever, I got over it.  So then I asked him if they had any thinner boxes, and he laughed at me in the most condescending manner and said he didn't know what I was talking about.  I then explained that by thinner I meant less wide or a little smaller, and he walked me over to a different section.  I got my box and started filling out addresses, and when I was ready to pay for it of course I got this same guy now behind the counter.  I explained that I needed the box shipped overnight to be received by Friday morning, if possible.  He said that the soonest they could guarantee it was by 3pm on Friday.  I hesitated for a moment because I wasn't sure if that would be good enough. As I hesitated, a man in uniform in the back room yelled to my guy, "Is that the last of the express deliveries for today?" to which my guy replied, "Yes, that is all".  I was floored!  I asked him to wait a minute and let him put my package in so it would make it in time.  He turned around to look at the uniformed guy, then looked me square in the face and said "Sorry, too late now".  Now I had had it.  The anger inside me was at a boiling point now, because not only had he been totally rude in his manner of dealing with me from the get-go, but he had the audacity to blatantly screw me over like that.  Needless to say, I took my package and marched out.  When I got home I relayed what had happened to my exhausted husband who had just gotten home from a long day at work.  When I was finished he told me to put back on my shoes because we were going to talk to the postmaster.  We walked in to the post office, my handsome husband still in his uniform and looking mighty formidable.  We asked to speak to the postmaster directly, at which point my hero expounded upon how poorly his wife had been treated and that he would not stand for it.  We only got an apology and a promise to "provide better service next time", but I got a whole lot more than that out of it than just that.  I got to see my soldier wage war on my behalf, and I got to see just how lucky I am to have someone who loves me that much.  

My best friend's father suffered a massive heart attack last night and died.  He was too young and too healthy to have expected it, if such a thing can ever be expected.  It is in these instances that we are faced with our own mortality and must ask ourselves if we are truly living life as we should.  All too often petty squabbles, depression, selfishness, pride and other such barriers jump in front of us and keep us from moving forward.  What's worse is that all too often we don't even realize it.  Or worse, we are not willing to confront it and overcome it.  So I challenge both myself and anyone who reads this to keep in mind the following as you go about your days:

*Savor each moment and don't sweat the small stuff.

*Pray and establish or strengthen your connection with your maker.  We cannot get through this life alone.

*If you love someone, tell them.

*Learn to forgive and do it often.

*Don't hold grudges.

*If you've got an issue with someone, talk to them and find a way to fix it.

*Make time for yourself, and make time for your family.  You are in control of your own schedule, and if you are not then it is time to be. 

*Indulge in something uplifting everyday, whether it is reading a good book, enjoying beautiful music, or just picking up the phone to call someone you love. 

*Engage in small acts of service.  Sometimes a smile or a friendly word is all it takes, and sometimes it is more. Either way, it is hard to wallow in ourselves when we are serving others. 

*Evaluate where you are in your life spiritually, emotionally, physically, and mentally.  If you are not where you want to be on any of these things, then take the steps to get there.  

Maybe it is because of the field I am going into (therapy), but I am a firm believer that we are in control of our own happiness.  You have to decide if you will be happy, and you have to work to sustain it.  It isn't easy and a lot of times life just isn't fair. But this much I know: it is worth the battle, and if you are not fighting then you are not trying hard enough.  You never know what day may be your last, so make it count my friends, make it count.  

My old Harem days

My theory is, if you can't find an excuse to dress up in a costume, find one!  It isn't quite Halloween yet, but for my birthday my friends knew that anything involving a head-piece would win me over, and thus our Moroccan-themed party commenced!