I’m single and several of my friends are single. Although I wouldn’t mind being married, I am content for the most part being single. I enjoy having “my space”, deciding what I’m going to do during my free time, and not have the family responsibilities like my married friends have. I’m thankful that I’m “aunt” to several kids of my friends and get included in a lot of family activities.
However, there is one aspect of being single that I dislike, and sometimes even despise! What’s that? Having to deal with the headache of when things go wrong around the house. This past week both toilets were clogged and a sink was sluggish. The one toilet I boldly approached, tackled and conquered! The other toilet thinks it’s winning the battle. But I diligently scoop out the water with a small pot, plunge it, flush it….only to watch it fill up again. As it’s filling up, I’m verbally trying to convince it that it really wants to “take the plunge” and be free!!! So far, it hasn’t worked! The sluggish sink is working fine—the plunger worked great!
This morning I woke up to a smoke alarm beeping—letting me know it’s time to change the battery. I really really don’t want to climb up to change it. Hmmm…maybe I’ll bake a scrumptious dessert and invite my married friends over. Then when the alarm beeps, Bob or Brian will offer to change the battery!
I sometimes joke with my friends that I don’t necessarily need to be married, but I do need a handyman in my life! And actually, I do sort of have one. His name is Ron and he helps me with whatever needs to be done. Although I pay him, his rates are low…I think he just knows that I’m dangerous with a screwdriver, superglue or maybe even the plunger. When I know that Ron’s coming over, I type up my “Ron To Do List”. Regardless of the tasks listed, I’ve only ever heard Ron grumble once over any of the tasks—he really didn’t want to capture the bat in the spare bedroom. But when I pointed out that the bat has been just hanging there for a couple of months and that either it’s dead or just hibernating, Ron gladly got rid of it!
So if you’re a single person, can you relate??? Any suggestions on how to deal with the frustrations of everyday household problems??? Know a good handyman for hire?
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April Fools!
Friday, April 2nd, 2010So I’m curious. Those of you who live in a different country, what are some of the silly holidays or special days that your country celebrates? How did the tradition begin?
Today is the first day of April, also known as April Fools day, or All Fool’s Day, here in the states. The history of this silly day is not totally clear. According to one reference,
“Some believe it sort of evolved simultaneously in several cultures at the same time, from celebrations involving the first day of spring. The closest point in time that can be identified as the beginning of this tradition was in 1582, in France. Prior to that year, the new year was celebrated for eight days, beginning on March 25. The celebration culminated on April 1. With the reform of the calendar under Charles IX, the Gregorian Calendar was introduced, and New Year’s Day was moved to January 1.”
Growing up, I endured pranks from my father, my brothers and friends. I soon caught on and did a few pranks myself…short sheeted my brother’s bed, put a frog in my friend Kathy’s locker, and hid the left shoe of my dad’s favorite pair of shoes.
For a few years as an adult, I worked hard on my pranks. I decorated the school superintendent’s office with toy soldiers (he kept referring to us as his troop and that we had a war to fight). I sent envelopes filled with confetti to a number of friends (and it made a mess). I wrote thank you notes to people, but didn’t tell them what I was thankful for. I soon had the reputation of, “Uh oh! It’s April Fools Day. Anyone know where Barb is or what she’s up to?”
I stopped the pranks for a couple of years. Yet, I can’t help myself when April 1st comes around. I have to find one person who will fall for a story. Today, I actually had three people who believed something I say and they groaned when I said, “By the way, April Fools!”
A goofy, silly day, but a day to have a little fun. So, what are your silly holidays or traditions???
A Hoarder In Training?
Sunday, March 28th, 2010
A new show began a couple of weeks ago here in the United States…The Secret Life of a Hoarder. The viewers get to see the inside of a home that is literally filled with stuff from the floor to the ceiling, with barely enough space to maneuver from room to room. As I watched a few minutes of the first show I looked around me. In my living room scattered on the couch and loveseat are the past 20 or so issues of our local newspaper. Most of the papers are still in their plastic wrappers! I keep thinking I’ll get around to reading them, but instead, I keep adding to the piles.
Today, I decided to clean off my desk. I’m tired of shuffling through papers to find things. Besides, I’m headed to H&R Block this Tuesday and need to have my paperwork gathered for that wonderful adventure! I came across some Christmas cards and thought I’d better check through them before tossing them out. I’m now $75 richer! And in case you’re wondering, I did write thank you notes for the money. I know myself well, and I write thank yous immediately! Otherwise, they wouldn’t get written until, well, until I unbury my desk like today!
As I read a personal note in one of the cards, I realized it’s been awhile since I’ve seen the person. Sharon helped me keep my sanity while we were working on our masters. When I would get stressed, Sharon brought out the bubbles and the slinkies. We would be silly for a few minutes and then return to our work. In her note, Sharon mentioned that she likes her new location and I’m welcome to come visit anytime. Only thing is, I didn’t keep the envelope which has her new location. So after I finish finding my desktop, I’m going to do a search for Sharon on our “I Still Remember You” site.
So, any other “hoarders in training” out there? Unlike a true hoarder, I WANT to get rid of stuff, I WANT to be clutter-free…I can’t help it that I have the “toss it in a pile” genetic gene from BOTH of my parents. I refuse to think that I’m doomed to be a clutterer all of life, but as I look around, YIKES!
Ahhh….Spring is in the Air!
Sunday, March 21st, 2010
For some of you, the change of seasons might not be that big of a deal. Maybe you live in an area where the temperature doesn’t vary a whole lot. In upstate New York, that’s a different story! As a little kid, winter was my favorite season. I loved making snowmen, snow angels and snow forts. I lived for school closings just to have extra time outdoors. After my college years, autumn became my favorite season. I love the brilliant yellows, oranges and reds in the leaves. But, I know that winter follows autumn and I find myself not enjoying the freezing temps, the sleet, or the power outages. So, I’m thinking my favorite season now is spring! I love that the weather is cool, not hot! It’s exciting to see the trees budding and flowers beginning to poke out of the ground. I also enjoy listening to the birds who recently have returned to the area.
So, in honor of spring, here are some spring quotes that I came across…enjoy!
“No matter how long the winter, spring is sure to follow.” ~Proverb
“Spring shows what God can do with a drab and dirty world.” ~Virgil A. Kraft
“In springtime, love is carried on the breeze. Watch out for flying passion or kisses whizzing by your head.” ~Emma Racine
“Spring is nature’s way of saying, ‘Let’s party!’” ~Robin Williams
“No winter lasts forever; no spring skips its turn.” ~Hal Borland
“Spring has come when you can put your foot on three daisies.” ~Proverb
“If you’ve never been thrilled to the very edges of your soul by a flower in spring bloom, maybe your soul has never been in bloom.” ~Audra Fuveo
“Spring is nature’s way of saying, ‘Let’s party!’” ~Robin Williams
“An optimist is the human personification of spring.” ~Susan Bissonnette
“All through the long winter, I dream of my garden. On the first day of spring, I dig my fingers deep into the soft earth. I can feel its energy, and my spirits soar.” ~Helen Hayes
“If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant; if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome.” ~Anne Bradstreet
“Spring makes its own statement, so loud and clear that the gardener seems to be only one of the instruments, not the composer.” ~Geoffrey B. Charlesworth
Soon It Will Be Spring
Sunday, March 7th, 2010
For many of us, Spring is on its way! After weeks of very little sunshine, I’m looking forward to the warmer temperatures, more daylight, the grass turning green and trees budding. Spring seems to offer new hope, or perhaps a new start. I’m looking forward to having the guys do the “spring cleaning” of my pond so I can use the laptop outside rather than sitting here in my office with all the piles of papers, books, magazines, mail…you name it! I enjoy listening to the water as it cascades down the rocks and watching the frogs jump from the edge to the water lilies. I also enjoy just reflecting on life and setting new goals.
My father’s side of the family is from Sweden. I would really like to do a search and try to locate relatives. So one of my goals is to research the various last names in our family tree and then start searching.
How about you? Who are you searching for? When using this site, have you tried posting more than one contact? The more dates/locations that you can recall, the better your chance of locating someone here on “I Still Remember You”.
Let’s say for example, you’re looking for an old classmate. Your contacts might include…
• September 5, 1981 – attended first grade together in Greeneville, CT
• June 21, 1993 – graduated from Greeneville High School together
• July 10, 1998 – went on the Class Reunion Cruise together to Vancouver, Canada
It’s exciting to hear the contacts that some of you have made! Some have found relatives, some have rekindled relationships, and others have made new friends on the site. We really want to get the word out regarding “I Still Remember You” because we believe that people should be able to reconnect with the people who mean so much to them. Please tell your family and friends about the site. Thanks!
Listen to your heart…
Never Get Stuck In Failure
Friday, February 26th, 2010
It’s easy to get discouraged, especially when you really really want to accomplish something and for every step forward, you slide back three steps. Maybe it’s a job promotion. You attend the staff meetings, you give great ideas, you put in extra hours, but the promotion goes to your colleague. Maybe it’s losing weight. You do really well for two weeks and then find yourself eating dessert when you and your friends go out for dinner.
Each one of us has goals, aspirations and hopes. If you’re serious about something, then go after it! Don’t get stuck in the failures along the way…never lose your sense of destiny.
Earlier this month we celebrated President’s Day here in the United States. If anyone has a sense of rising above failure, it’s Abraham Lincoln. Check this out…
• 1809 – He was born into poverty in a log cabin, one room 16×18 ft.
• 1816 – His family was evicted from their home; at age 7 he had to work to support them
• 1818 – His mother died
• 1831 – He failed in business
• 1832 – He ran for the state legislature and lost
• 1832 – He lost his job and wanted to go to law school but couldn’t get in
• 1833 – He borrowed money for a business and went bankrupt; spent the next 17 years paying off that debt
• 1835 – He was engaged to be married, but his sweetheart died and his heart was broken
• 1836 – He had a total nervous breakdown and was in bed for the next 6 months
• 1843 – He ran for congress and lost
• 1854 – He ran for the senate and lost
• 1856 – He sought the vice president nomination and got less than 100 votes from his own party
• 1858 – He ran for senate again and lost again
From the looks of things, Lincoln was stuck in failure. His life was filled with setbacks, obstacles, disasters and losses. However, those were the very things that prepared him to become the president of the United States in 1860!
So, don’t be discouraged by failure. In the words of Martin Luther King, “What does not destroy me makes me stronger.”
Listen to your heart…
