Alas, Pray That Never Happens

So I finished Alas, Babylon the other night. I thought it was pretty terrifying on so many levels. Of course having every major city in the US blown to smithereens (including Tampa/St. Pete - where I live) is bad. But being cut off from the world, even a town a hour away, is scary. In our modern world this would even be more prevalent. Because we are used to having the news right now. I can turn on the TV or get on the Internet and get up on any topic. After "The Day" as it was known in the book, the town of Fort Repose, had to turn inwards and depend on and defend themselves. I think this book is so relevant today. In the early 60's no one thought bombs would actually drop. And who wants to believe that Iran or another country wouldn't start? Oh, and I love that the only member of the federal government that wasn't killed was a woman and that she became president. Great book.
Now I'm off to reading Teacher Man by Frank McCourt of Angela's Ashes fame. I think after this I will need something real easy and funny. Have to have those occasionally.

The Suite Life

Greetings from lovely Jacksonville, Florida! Tomorrow's is my sister's wedding and we are preparing. It's been really fun to see so many different family members. You come into the hotel's lobby and you just never know who you are going to run into.

And my parent's suite is HQ and the official greeting room. You get the good room and amentities are abundent. They are right across the hall from a lounge where the "high-rollers" get free coffee and cold drinks all day, warm appetizers at night and free breakfast while the rest of the guests have to schlep down to the restaurant and pay, and pay dearly for these things. And they keep the common folks out by requiring you to have a key for one of those rooms to even get to the floor. Living the high life is pretty fun.

The bride is calm, and tan. I guess she decided she was too white and with the white wedding dress on she would be blinding. Plus she's primed herself for going to Jamaica for a week. The groom is also calm, for now. :-)

Well, off to do more wedding stuff. Whatever that is supposed to be. But I'm sure they will find me something to do!

No one better?

Really briefly. This has been stuck in my craw since Friday night and I watched the opening ceremonies of the winter Olympics. Was there no other women of distinction from North America other than an actress? That Italy thought Susan Sarandon is the cream of the crop when it comes to North American women? I was appalled and still am. Among a Nobel prize winner, former Olympic champions and a champion of human right, Susan Sarandon? How very pathetic.

New Book

I'm kinda beginning to think it is ironic the book that I've started reading. It's Alas, Babylon by Pat Frank. It's about the survivors of a nuclear attack, at the main character is based in the central Florida area. I think this is ironic because of all the goings-on with Iran. This book was written in the early 60s so the mania of nuclear war with Russia was very real. I started reading it right before the big hubbub with Iran started, but now the book is really making me think. I don't want anyone to have nuclear weapons, especially an unstable country such as Iran. I'll let you know how I like the book. But I can tell you the relevance is frightening.

Oh Suduko, How I love Thee

I know the first road to recovery is to admit you have an addiction. So here goes.

Hi, my name is Sarah and I am addicted to Suduko.

Ok, I feel better. Now everyone knows that I have a compulsion to try each and every Suduko puzzle I see. I know most often I don't finish them, but sometimes I do. Today I finished my very first medium level puzzle. I was so psyched that I finished it I jumped up from my couch and did a little dance a joy. Ok, the little things excite me sometimes and this is one of them. If I could do them on a computer screen I might be tempted to work on the one above, but it would drive me insane.

The good news? I saw a news report that doing puzzles like Suduko are really good for your brain and inf fact may help in warding off Alzheimers. So it's game on! I know there's others out there...stand up and be proud to be Suduko addicts with me! (Dave I know your out there reading this and working on the puzzle above...:-)

It's February?

Man! Where does the time go? One day it's Jan. 1 and the next thing you know it's February 6! I have been busy. We are in full wedding mode in my family. Baby-sister Karen get's married in T-minus 11 days. We leave for Jacksonville next Thursday. We are very excited.

Work has kept me busy and I am still pleased with the move. It's great to have people around you wanting you to suceed! It's so different.

On the weight front, not so good. I so got sidetracked, phyically and mentally. But I'm back. I feel the difference when I'm not working out and eating like I should.

Got the chance to have dinner with my favorite Tribby, Skippy Simanoff. It was really nice to see him and I do realize how much I miss our lunch chats. And that we both have a love for Suduko.

I can't promise lots of posts here. But I want to get back. I do miss it. I see things and I think...that would be great on Sarah Says. Like why Layne Bryant is advertising that it carries size 12 in certain styles. Ok, if you were an average size 12, why the heck would you shop at Layne Bryant, the store for big chicks, when you can shop anywhere and find your size? HELLOO??

Ta ta for now!

Happy New Year!

I want to raise my glass to the year that is and soon will be was 2005. It was a year filled with joy, laughter, sadness and hope. I'm so lucky to have so many wonderful people surrounding me who helped me be the best person I could be and help me through the rough patches, and there were some doosies this year. There's a lot to look forward to in 2006 and I'm ready for it. I've even finally gotten the first new pair of eyeglasses in 5 years so I'm starting with a whole new point of view.

So I raise my glass to you and offer a toast to the old year and all the possibilities of the new one. Happy New Year!

You know you have come of age when...?

When you beat your Mother in Scrabble. All I can say is whoo hoo! (This is a big deal by the way.)

The Story of MY Christmas Tree

There's something special about decorating a Christmas tree. I told my husband it was like looking at not only my and my family's history but our history as a couple. Since he came from a family where Christmas ornaments weren't personal and he had none of his own I started giving him an ornament as a gift every year. This year he will receive number 13.

See we don't have a tree strung with similar shiney baubles from a store. We have ornaments accumulated over the years. Many handmade or given to us as gifts from family and friends. And last year I received a box of ornaments from my Grandmother. It was filled with ornaments that hung on Grandma and Grandpa's Christmas tree. I think it is so cool to have these little bits of history.

Some of the memories that are hanging on my tree are:
The paper straw I colored and glittered all up representing the straw in the stable Jesus was born in. I think I was in late elementary school. It hung on a Jesse Tree in a church rectory.
The lollipop I made in 5th grade. We sold them as efforts towards the refurbishing of the Statue of Liberty. That's when I first really understood the meaning of an assembly line when we made hundreds and hundreds of them.
The soft stuffed ornaments my mom and Grandma made before my youngest sister was born so they could be put on the bottom of the tree for safety reasons. The ceramic painted ornaments Grandma made for each of us. I have mine and my brothers.
And 12 various ornaments given to my husband. Each of them special.

And because of these ornaments I find myself sitting in silence gazing at the tree. I found myself doing this a lot at my parents home too. Looking at the memories hanging on the tree.

Happy Birthday to Youuuu!!

Sending warm wishes up to my sister Laura who is celebrating her 29th birthday today. Hope your day is awesome!

A Pie Buffet

It was the pie buffet at my parents house this Thanksgiving. Two pumpkin and apple, a pecan and a cherry. All for 11 people. Oye. At one point I was thinking..who else can we give pie away to? But we had a nice day. Lots of wonderful food and family. Now onto tomorrow. Mom and me are shopping. This is the first time I've had the day after Thanksgiving off as a holiday from work in like 8 years. It's kinda nice. Hopefully I'll make a dent in the Christmas shopping. Oh, and anyone want some pie?

Walking Away From Cookies

When my boss put a platter full of sinful looking and smelling cookies in front of me this afternoon I wondered if this was a test. To see if I really meant the changes I am trying to make in my life. That the baby carrots I brought to work to snack on were the real deal or an excuse why I could have a cookie. I didn't have one. I walked the tray down the hall and dropped it in the break room. It was so hard. Saying no to a cookie took a lot from me. But so did the words that my doctor said to me..."heart disease." Those words were stronger than cookies.

I bought a work out DVD set this weekend. Walk Away the Pounds. I can't believe I did it. If I can tune out the annoyed chatter and the hard sell on the walk away the pounds weighted balls I think I can do this for a little bit. The main thing is to give me options so I don't burn out on one thing. I have a perriwinle blue outfit to fit into in February and a long life to live.

And I finished "This Much I Know to Be True." Awesome. A little tedious due to the lengeth I finished it. This time I'm reading something much shorter and easier, 3rd Degree by James Patterson. I'll be done by the end of the week. Then maybe I'll think about a holiday book.

One last thing. I am ticked at NBC. Medium is one of my favorite shows and I can't find a stupid TV Guide so I can watch the show in 3-D. I'm taping it and asking my mom to save hers so I can get the full effect. Why can't they put them in the Sunday paper? I can always find one of those.

Yoga, Pilates, Aerobics, Oh My!

You ever typed in workout videos into Google? You come back with so many bizzare things.

Such as the Bellydance Slimdown with twins Veena and Neena. Or Cadio Hip Hop, Spiritual Aerobics (done to gospel music), Country Line Dance aerobics or Cardio Salsa. There's something for everyone you would think. But where do you begin? I did find a cool web site http://www.collagevideo.com. You can search videos and even watch snippits. It's there that you see just how bad most of these videos are and they assume everyone can dance. You know you can still buy some of the classic Jane Fonda in her tights and leg warmers?

One funny sign I noticed at a neighborhood donut shop I passed by. The thing they wanted to advertise was the $1.99 day old donuts. It's always great to aspire to the best!

What Did I do to Myself?

I've been in a funk. I'm sure you can tell. I just haven't wanted to blog, or even get near the computer for the sake of blogging. It's not that I don't think "Gee, that would be funny on Sarah Says" or "Man, I gotta talk about that issue!" Because those conversations are going on in my head. I've always talked to myself. It's just I'm sitting in the other room and I talk myself out it.

Not tonight. This weekend was eye-opening. I really saw myself in reflective objects while out shopping with my family. All of it. The round face and neck. My protrouding stomach. My walk, or should I call it my shuffle? I look much older than 31. And probably act it too since I don't keep up as well as I could.

How did it happen? How did I get here? How didn't I stop somewhere in the middle and really see me? When I started outgrowing clothing, and then the fat-people clothing? And the fear that come along with it. Not just the fear I won't fit into the dress my for sister's wedding in February. But that my body will give out too soon. That I will never have children because of it. That I'm missing out on life.

How did it happen? More important..how do you fix this? Where do you begin?

Hot on Friday, Chilly on Tuesday

Whew.

I've been busy. First there was the chili cookoff last Friday. We didn't win, but I say we were robbed! The second place chili..no flavor. But it was held at church so I shouldn't malign the winners or non-winners I guess. My house smelled like chili for 3 days. I guess there are worse things for a house to smell like!

Then there was Hurricane Wilma. We were lucky we were spared again. I don't know how the Tampa area keeps dodging the bullet. We are so due. But I won't complain.

Because of Wilma I had storm duty at work which meant a few early morning hours..but that's about it.

And the weather. On Sunday it was muggy and hot and today? Mid-60's for a high. It's lovely! Opened the windows and yesterday even did some gardening.

Still reading This Much I Know is True by Wally Lamb..it's a long book. I'll get there. I don't read more than 300 pages into a book and not finish it.

I'm off to enjoy a rare evening at home with my husband since he works such crazy hours. He's even cooking, a rarer treat these days.

Till next time.

My Mouth, My Mouth, My Mouth is on Fire!

So I made my first attempt at making chili tonight, for a chili cook-off at church on Friday night. It was an adventure. Between my friend and my husband tasting it and we finally got it to not feel like your lips were being burned off and firey hot lava was going down your throat. In fact I think it's pretty good. And after a day of simmering in a crockpot, it should kick butt if I do say so myself. I don't know if I expect to win on our first outing...but it could happen. Onto table decorations. Have to win the judges over on all sides. Now, if only my mouth would stop burning!

Blog post. Check!

Whew. Where does the time go to? First it was Sept. and now it's Oct. My birthday came and went, but we don't want to talk about that and another anniversary of my brother's death, don't care to talk about that either.

I've read a few books. Noteably "Meena, Heroine of Afgahnistan" by Melody Ermachild Chavaz. Now I'm onto the gigantic "I Know this Much to be True" by Wally Lamb and a psychic mystery was tucked in between.

I went on my very first business trip to North Carolina last month and will return next week for a staff meeting. It is pretty cool. Getting to travel without paying a dime. Although I could have done without the massive thunderstorm that kept my return flight grounded for 2 1/2 hours and making a very late night for me. My boss left, and that's a good thing. I'm still there and it looks like another one will be on the way in.

In that month I was also published. Well kinda, no by-line. My company is a sponsor of a museum in Tallahassee and I wrote the featured article. I was very proud of myself.

So on to October. With it's witches, pumpkins and fall-like temperatures, oh I mean fall-like in other places in the country and tropical storms/hurricanes in Florida, and shorter days.

It's funny how I go through the day and think "gee that would be great on Sarah Says," but somehow I just don't get it here. I always say I will try to do better. And then I fail. And then my friend Aaron tells me he took Sarah Says off his favorites because I don't update this enough. (Okay, that hurt a little.) Man, the pressure to produce :-) So I'll keep trying. As my adoring fan (fans? may be too many) has asked me to get with it.

Goodnight.

You Know When..

You know when your relationship with your Mother is different than when you were a child is when you receive an e-mail titled this:

Benefits of SEX!

So She's Leaving..

So yesterday my boss announced she's resigned from the company and is leaving in two weeks.

Now for many people a boss leaving is a big reason to celebrate. Me, I'm not. I just was getting to know her and understand what she wants. Plus, I chose to work for her. Plus I'm hoping they don't consider my job to be expendable and for the new person to bring in a person of their choosing. Little freaked about that.

But at least it's a long weekend. More time for me to fixate on the realities of the corporate world.

What More is there to Say?

Sarah Says was taking a mini vacation. Trying to decide if this was a venture that I wanted to continue. I find myself coming home NOT wanting to get on a computer after spending more than 8 hours daily sitting in front of one, often working intensively. So I find myself just not even coming in the room where the computer sits.

I found myself wanting to comment on things in the past 2 weeks. Thinking about what I would say, the pictures I might include. But that was usually just as I sat in the car on the way home from work.

Then Hurricane Katrina hit. Even though I don't work in the news business anymore I find that I am still a news junky. Although I don't have time to read the wires at work I do read the paper and then come home, settle in and watch the horror unfolding in front of my eyes on the television. I'm numb to be honest. Kind of like after Sept. 11. The vast amounts of human suffering along the Gulf Coast is unfathomable. Yes New Orleans is important but those people just to the east, in Mississippi and Alabama that haven't shared in the spot light. Where entire towns have been wiped away. My heart is so sad. But I have decided to keep writing. For now at least. For now this is what I need to do.