We're in the middle of the craziest deep freeze. How is it possible that when the temperature reaches 3 degrees, it feels balmy. I'm loving it.
If I'm locked in my house, and I'm really not able to leave because of the intense cold, why is it different from prison? Privacy. Love being alone for most of the day. Even if I'm working from home, there's no one here. I have an excuse for not leaving. Too cold.
I'm so grateful for being in isolation. They're calling for record lows, so I stocked the fridge with Cherry Pie. Free!!!!
Friday, January 24, 2014
Wednesday, January 8, 2014
Packing Up Christmas; Presents or GIfts
This was a tough holiday season. It was hard for my family to enjoy the usual traditions because of the intense cold weather and unusually long work hours. As I pack up the ornaments and put away the decorations, it seems like the holiday has gone on forever.
Our pastor hit on a topic at Christmas Mass. "Maybe at Christmas we can remember the difference between a gift and a present. Presents are things on lists with sizes. Gifts are things that we don't think to ask for but come anyway. Gifts differ from presents because no matter what form they take, they always represent something greater, more enduring. May we find time to be grateful for all the gifts that surround us, each day of our lives."
Our pastor hit on a topic at Christmas Mass. "Maybe at Christmas we can remember the difference between a gift and a present. Presents are things on lists with sizes. Gifts are things that we don't think to ask for but come anyway. Gifts differ from presents because no matter what form they take, they always represent something greater, more enduring. May we find time to be grateful for all the gifts that surround us, each day of our lives."
Friday, January 3, 2014
Lovin' McDonalds New Dollar Menu
It's so cold out there. I drove my son to baseball practice at the "dome" which is one hour away from my house. When he woke me this morning, all I could say was, "Mother of god. Tell me this isn't happening." But he's safe.
I drove to McDonald's. What a fun atmosphere. Great coffee. Free Wi-Fi, and a new dollar menu that's terrific. If you're going to kill a few hours, this is the place. Bring your paper. Enjoy a cup of coffee. Try the Bacon Cheddar McChicken. So grateful that I can find joy in this situation.
I drove to McDonald's. What a fun atmosphere. Great coffee. Free Wi-Fi, and a new dollar menu that's terrific. If you're going to kill a few hours, this is the place. Bring your paper. Enjoy a cup of coffee. Try the Bacon Cheddar McChicken. So grateful that I can find joy in this situation.
Patti, We ALL Miss Blagojevich.
A few weeks ago, after attending a court hearing on whether or not Blago's case can be appealed, his wife, Patti, lamented his absence during the upcoming holidays. "He will be missed. We're going into our second Christmas without him."
I get it. My father-in-law was missed during our Christmas dinner. It will never be the same again. My brother didn't come in for Christmas. He decided to stay in California. I missed him very much. We always made time for a movie marathon. Just not the same.
When I heard Patti's comment, I laughed. My dear, we ALL miss Blago. No laughable quotes. No vision of him jogging along. Nothing. Governor Quinn is a bore. Sort of like Queen Elizabeth. He shows up at every opening where a camera is present and he waves. Oh, Patti. It's just not the same.
I get it. My father-in-law was missed during our Christmas dinner. It will never be the same again. My brother didn't come in for Christmas. He decided to stay in California. I missed him very much. We always made time for a movie marathon. Just not the same.
When I heard Patti's comment, I laughed. My dear, we ALL miss Blago. No laughable quotes. No vision of him jogging along. Nothing. Governor Quinn is a bore. Sort of like Queen Elizabeth. He shows up at every opening where a camera is present and he waves. Oh, Patti. It's just not the same.
Thursday, January 2, 2014
Snowed In
My brother lives in California. He was thrilled one day when it started to rain. "I can't tell you how depressing it gets around here. Sunshine, day after day."
I'm really sad for him. I've been living in an igloo yesterday, today, and probably for the next few days. -14 is the projected temperature. We're being warned that if we don't finish shoveling, we'll be facing sheets of ice on the driveway. Chicago never fails to impress.
It's beautiful here. The trees are covered with snow. But, "the weather outside is frightful..inside it's delightful." I stayed in my jammies all New Year's Day. No one to tell me that I need to put on my orange jumpsuit and go to the bathroom. No excuse. No guilt. A son to shovel the driveway. Enjoying my freedom.
I'm really sad for him. I've been living in an igloo yesterday, today, and probably for the next few days. -14 is the projected temperature. We're being warned that if we don't finish shoveling, we'll be facing sheets of ice on the driveway. Chicago never fails to impress.
It's beautiful here. The trees are covered with snow. But, "the weather outside is frightful..inside it's delightful." I stayed in my jammies all New Year's Day. No one to tell me that I need to put on my orange jumpsuit and go to the bathroom. No excuse. No guilt. A son to shovel the driveway. Enjoying my freedom.
Wednesday, January 1, 2014
"Where There Is Darkness...."
Happy NEW Year. So glad I didn't stay home last night. Our trip to the casino proved to be more fun than I imagined. I came home with more money than I left with and the live band forced me to remember how to dance the hustle.
As I met friends and family over Christmas, the same theme ran through the conversations. "Wow. It's already been a year. Time goes by so fast. I might as well keep the lights up all year." The only family that loves this conversation is Blago's family. Time really is just flying by. If I don't make plans, if I don't commit to do something, I'll be greeting my cousin same time, same place with the same old retort; "I'm fine. Nothing new."
This past year I actually pursued getting an advanced degree in my field. I'm certified in an area of study and I would not have done this had I not had the overwhelming feeling that I must "accomplish" things by the time Blago gets out of prison. Crazy, but this is working for me. Tribune columnist, Mary Schmich, was moved by something her mother said as she was dying. "Even the terrible things seem beautiful to me now." No disrespect, but I felt the same way when I watched Blago go through those prison doors. He probably felt the same way as he looked over his shoulder.
I was catching up on Blago's legal woes. In December a panel of three judges agreed to decide on Blagojevich's appeal. Judge Ilana Rovner is on that panel. Hold on. This is a rough transition. St. Francis of Assisi is a great source of inspiration to me. He wrote, "A single sunbeam is enough to drive away many shadows." Rovner could be Blago's sunbeam. His ray of hope.
Years and years ago, in my past life, I had the pleasure of meeting Judge Rovner. I complimented her on her great looking legs. I really did. She smiled, thanked me, and said, "I'm just grateful to have legs." That thought turned out to be my own sunbeam. Shortly after that meeting, I broke my knee in several places while skiing in Colorado. I have a scar on my leg that is a constant reminder of that day, but I never felt sorry for myself. "I'm just grateful to have my leg."
Rovner asked the prosecutors, "Where is the line that differentiates legal horse trading from a federal offense that puts you in prison?" That's going to be a tough question to answer. Blago feels the warmth from the sunbeam.
In the meantime, I have to figure out if I can afford to live in Cook County. I love my house, but the taxes are crippling us. The casino didn't pay off that much. If Blago had been paying attention to running Illinois instead of jerking off, our state would not be in the deep hole it's in. That's what I have to plan this year. My escape from Illinois tax.
As I met friends and family over Christmas, the same theme ran through the conversations. "Wow. It's already been a year. Time goes by so fast. I might as well keep the lights up all year." The only family that loves this conversation is Blago's family. Time really is just flying by. If I don't make plans, if I don't commit to do something, I'll be greeting my cousin same time, same place with the same old retort; "I'm fine. Nothing new."
This past year I actually pursued getting an advanced degree in my field. I'm certified in an area of study and I would not have done this had I not had the overwhelming feeling that I must "accomplish" things by the time Blago gets out of prison. Crazy, but this is working for me. Tribune columnist, Mary Schmich, was moved by something her mother said as she was dying. "Even the terrible things seem beautiful to me now." No disrespect, but I felt the same way when I watched Blago go through those prison doors. He probably felt the same way as he looked over his shoulder.
I was catching up on Blago's legal woes. In December a panel of three judges agreed to decide on Blagojevich's appeal. Judge Ilana Rovner is on that panel. Hold on. This is a rough transition. St. Francis of Assisi is a great source of inspiration to me. He wrote, "A single sunbeam is enough to drive away many shadows." Rovner could be Blago's sunbeam. His ray of hope.
Years and years ago, in my past life, I had the pleasure of meeting Judge Rovner. I complimented her on her great looking legs. I really did. She smiled, thanked me, and said, "I'm just grateful to have legs." That thought turned out to be my own sunbeam. Shortly after that meeting, I broke my knee in several places while skiing in Colorado. I have a scar on my leg that is a constant reminder of that day, but I never felt sorry for myself. "I'm just grateful to have my leg."
Rovner asked the prosecutors, "Where is the line that differentiates legal horse trading from a federal offense that puts you in prison?" That's going to be a tough question to answer. Blago feels the warmth from the sunbeam.
In the meantime, I have to figure out if I can afford to live in Cook County. I love my house, but the taxes are crippling us. The casino didn't pay off that much. If Blago had been paying attention to running Illinois instead of jerking off, our state would not be in the deep hole it's in. That's what I have to plan this year. My escape from Illinois tax.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)