Hump Day Haiku #7

i went to art class

and then i went to dinner

now see my angel

This 'n That Thursday

Utter nonsense:

• I do not understand why people poke me on facebook.
• I went to a psychic yesterday. He was eerily spot on.
• I am having steak for breakfast.
• I have somehow become a dog sitter.
• I slept with the windows open last night and froze. In August. In Tennessee.
• I am ready for boots and sweater weather.
• Why do people keep saying "on point"?
• I have a wacky horoscope today. It's telling me to be in denial.
• I have lately become obsessed with the number 3 and angels.
• I have my sight set on a pair of brown and pink cowboy boots.
• I cannot eat enough kale.  It's quite odd.
• I might also have an issue with dill pickles.  And sauerkraut.
• And coconut milk.

You?

Blog Post #1494

Did ya miss me?

I just returned from a little trip to the beach.

• It was heavenly. Although we had torrential rain most of the time, we managed to entertain ourselves.
• I began a 5 day juice cleanse yesterday.
• It has been almost a year since I moved home to Tennessee.
• The entire year has been restorative, healing and enlightening.
• I am so glad I am here.
• Dora went to Connecticut for the summer. I am going to Connecticut, too. In 11 sleeps.
• I am looking forward to seeing as many people as I can, celebrate some birthdays including my babies' who will be 22. 
• I am wondering if this blog has run its course.
• My babies are almost 22?
• I have discovered a new fountain of youth in skincare.  I am thinking about marketing it as well.
• Life is awesome.
• I am off to my 6 month oncology appointment this morning.  It's all good.
• Then to work.  Business is booming.
• Y'all come visit.
• Wait. My babies are 22?

This 'n That Thursday

Did I mention that my children are graduating from college this weekend?  On the same day?  At the same hour?  Here's how we're gonna do it:

• Friday morning: MPM flies to Charlottesville, Virginia, rents car.
• Friday evening: MPM and The Bird have dinner at Monticello.  Yes, Monticello!
• Friday night: MPM has been invited to a party at The Bird's apartment.
• Meanwhile, the MP Dad is is Philadelphia attending festivities with Augie.
• Saturday morning: Stephen Colbert delivers the Valedictory speech at UVA.  MPM is a little bit excited about this.
• Saturday afternoon: MPM drives to Philadelphia and MP Dad drives from Philadelphia to Virginia.
• Saturday evening: MPM attends party with Augie and other friends and parents.
• Sunday morning: the babies graduate from their respective universities.  MPM cries.
• Sunday afternoon/evening: festivities ensue.  
• Monday morning: MPM begins to pester Augie to wake up so she can help him throw away all the crap and fumigate  pack his apartment.
• Monday evening: MPM flies back to Nashville.  MPM cries a little bit more.

Where did the time go?

This 'n That Thursday

Listen up!

• Nashville and Franklin are in the top of the job market nationally.
• Tennessee was just named the number one retirement destination.
• Did you know I sell real estate in Tennessee?  In Franklin and Nashville?
• I cannot believe that my babies are graduating from college next weekend.
• I had my 35th high school reunion last weekend.  It was wonderful.
• Did you know Amy Grant was in my high school class?  We had an evening at her home.
• I get to hear Stephen Colbert speak at UVA.  I'm way excited.
• Whatever happened to grape Nehi?
• Today is an eclipse of the new moon.  It is a time for new beginnings.
• Did I tell you I sell real estate?
• I can't decide whether or not to go see "The Great Gatsby."  
• I am obsessed with my juicer.
• I have an urge to smell a baby's head lately.
• I think the book is always better than the movie.
• I bought cilantro instead of parsley the other day.  I thought I was gonna die of the smell.
• My favorite juice is kale, chard, parsley, cucumber, celery, lemon.
• I think cilantro is the scourge of the earth.
• Can you believe my babies are graduating from college?

What's going on in your world?

This 'n That Thursday

Randomness:

• My babies graduate from college in one month.  On the same day.  At different schools.
• I hope they nab that Boston murderer today.  How cool is the FBI?
• I replaced my totaled car with a snappy Prius.  Her name is Princess.
• Remember when you used to get dressed up to go on a plane?
• I am "running" the Nashville Half Marathon next weekend with her and her Baby Sis.  I am not at all prepared.  Could be ugly.
• I have become slightly obsessed with vegetable juicing lately.  
• It was 90 here yesterday, and I just heard we have a slight frost risk Saturday morning.  And I thought Connecticut had wacky weather.
• Is there anything better than a bath with lavender epsom salts before bed?
• I wish I could train Dora to sweep her hair off the floor. But since she is afraid of the wood floor, it probably won't be possible.  Oh, and also because she's a dog.

What random goodness do you have to add?  I really want to know.

Hump Day Haiku

last night's art class piece

inspired by all my angels

both seen and unseen

Tuesday Text: Parentexting™

A tale of two relationships:

I still don't know my wifi password.

sigh

I can always count on The Bird

for some levity.

We just love our cheese.

Tuesday Text: Parentexting™

So, I went to a concert.

And I sent little snapchats to my children.

Because they were fun.

And?

I become fodder for entertainment on Instagram.

Just wait til I go to the symphony.

This n That Thursday

• I have not seen or heard the Harlem Shake.  And I could care less.
• Why does spinach make your teeth all fuzzy?
• Did you know that it is good luck to carry a green purse?
• I am obsessed with vegetable juicing.
• So not interested in that new Oz movie at all.
• Have you guys ever heard of oil pulling?  It is really fascinating.
• I am so sad about Valerie Harper's brain cancer.  I always thought she was so cool.
• Should we believe all those new warnings about gel manicures?  Because I love them.
• I really like Chanel Bleu, a men's cologne.  For myself.  Do I dare?
• When Dora and I were out on a walk yesterday, we passed by a garage that had paintings hung all around on the walls.  In an arranged way.  That was some man cave.
• Speaking of Dora, she has a new fancy Martha Stewart collar.  And some spring colored poopy pick-up bags.  She feels really posh.
• I went to a bourbon tasting last night.  I have a headache this morning.
• I think I will use the word "posh" a lot today.

This n That Thursday

In honor of the blizzard that is bearing down on my former home, I have blogged about the benefits of living in Tennessee.  This is the link to that blog. That is all.  Go read it and let me know your thoughts!

PS--Today, in Franklin, Tennessee, I am wearing jeans and a little cardigan sweater.

Monday Morning Mishmash

• How about that Beyonce show last night??
• I already miss football.
• I cannot seem to eat enough beets these days.
• Why can't I blow out my hair like my hairdresser does?
• Dora has a newfound fear of hardwood floors.
• I misplaced my keys at the mall last week.  The mall.  As in, "I went into about 20 different stores," mall.  Sigh.
• We had a dusting of snow on Saturday morning.  There were 38 car accidents in Franklin alone by 9 am.  I got such a kick out of that for some reason.
• I have never seen the movie "Groundhog Day."  It is 20 years old this year.
• I am not allowing myself to leave home today until all the laundry is done and put away.
• In other words, I have no clean underwear.

How's your day going along?

Tuesday Text: Parentexting™

Back home and planning our next visit.

Just remember that you heard it here first:

"spa" is a verb; The Bird said so.

This 'n That Thursday

• In 197 hours and 30 minutes, I am finally going to have my hair done.  Yes, I am counting down this way.  If you could see my hair, you'd be counting too.
• I went to my new oncologist on Tuesday.  He was wearing a Scrooge tie.  We are going to get along just fine.
• Speaking of Scrooge, my unwritten, unaddressed Christmas cards are staring at me.
• My favorite Christmas movie is "Holiday Inn."  What's yours?
• Did anyone watch that 12-12-12 Concert for Sandy last night?  I thought it was great, but I could have done without looking at Roger Daltrey's bare tummy.  And Kanye West's leather kilt.  But watching Twitter take them down was pure entertainment.
• I go to my Coach Alice today.  I love her.
• Tonight?  I get to go out to dinner with an old, old family friend.  Cannot wait!
• In 8 sleeps, Dora and I head to Connecticut.  We are very excited to see everyone.  Very.

Monday Miscellany

Let's get back in the saddle today,  shall we?

• At 7 o'clock last night, I started thinking about this morning's coffee.  What does that mean?
• Since I started my 30 days of whole eating (Paleo) last Monday, I have lost the three pounds I gained while on my Thanksgiving party binge Adventure, I have also lost another 2 pounds!
• That includes a little deviation on Saturday night, when I went to a Christmas party and may or may not have had a little bit of cinnamon-y whisky.

• I think I may have to turn my a/c back on today.
• I also think I may spend the afternoon working at the pool.  On December 3. In Middle Tennessee.
• At the end of this month, this blog will be 5 years old.  I am going to start a new blog focusing on life here in my old home town and environs.  It will focus on real estate and the markedly different lifestyle one enjoys here, say, after living in the Northeast for 30 years.
• This is a roundabout way of saying that MPM may have run it's course.  I dunno. Sometimes I feel like it is a part of me now.  What should I do?
• My week is booked solid.  This is a very good thing.  I hope you have a wonderful, productive one too.

xoxo, MPM

This 'n That Thursday

• Heavy frost on the ground this morning; gonna be 70 by Sunday.  I love this place.
• I have never seen or read Old Yeller.
• Christmas travel plans are complete.  Dora and I are driving to Connecticut.  By ourselves.
• After having thoroughly researched the subject, I believe I have found a hairdresser.  There is a three and a half week wait to see her.  Things are gonna get ugly before then.
• Of all the spam emails I get, it's the Barry Manilow ones that have me most perplexed.
• Setting achievable goals for the coming year is hard.
• Why can I not get rid of those Samsung USA posts on my Facebook page?  They annoy the tar out of me.
• Yesterday's full moon/eclipse/Jupiter business was amazing.  And my dreams last night were wild.  You?
• Do you think an old lady can learn to play the guitar?  And play it well?
• I just saw an ad for Neiman Marcus and Target on December 1.  I am officially intrigued.
• I have a day full of classes and coaching today...better go figure out what to do with this hair.  What does your day look like?

I hope it's a great one.

Monday Motivation

• Okay.  Got to hit the ground running.
• Dora and I had the best Thanksgiving in Alabama.  Good people, good food, good drinks, good conversation.  
• And today?  I start this 30 days of clean eating.
• My kids and I have got to figure out our Christmas travel plans today.
• Do not forget to get a Powerball ticket.
• I brought home 2 pounds of pastured Amish butter from Alabama.
• I crave being around wisdom-seekers who then act on it.
• I think I am going to have a one year learning curve for the real estate world here in middle Tennessee.  Thankfully, there is a lot of support, and I intend to take advantage of it all.
• If you've never had it, I highly recommend Turmeric tea.  It is good for you, and it is divine.
• What are you doing this week?  I hope it's rewarding in every way.  xoxo

This 'n That Thursday

Randomness:

• I do not like being a "beginner."  And I am just that in every aspect of my new career in real estate.
• Why do people wear sequins during daylight hours?
• I have a one year learning curve ahead of me.  It's a good thing I love my coach.
• I need to hurry up and watch Breaking Dawn Part 1.
• What do you think of Google Chrome?
• Did using turn signals just become an option?
• I'm going to a music event in a vineyard tomorrow night.  I consider that a stellar combination.
• There is a lot of amazing music everywhere here.  A lot.
• One week til Thanksgiving.  What are you doing?

Fragments on Friday

• It's Veterans Day weekend.  Please reach out to a hero, and thank them personally for their service to you.  Thank you, Debbie.
• I leave early tomorrow morning to go participate in the OBX Half Marathon on Sunday.  Once again I have procrastinated and it may be ugly.  I'm not prepared as much as I'd like.
• But I get to be with some awesome Blisters.  So it's all good.  Plus, there may be some wine afterwards.
• Dora is going here.
• This is her itinerary:  THE DOG WHO THINKS HE’S A HUMAN:
  » Morning Creek-side Nature Walk
  » Afternoon Playtime (with fellow-human)
  » Nightly Bedtime Story with Signature Bedtime Biscuit & Tuck-in
  » Four additional escorted outings throughout the day
• I kinda wish I was staying there with her.  I mean, who wouldn't want a Bedtime Biscuit and Tuck-In?
• I have so much to learn at work.  I feel like I need a kindergartner to teach me the computer stuff.
• I love country music all of a sudden.  This song is my new obsession.  Brad lives here in Franklin;)
• Have a safe and wonderful weekend.  Wish me luck.  Please.

Monday Morning Motivation

Part of the training program with my new real estate company is working with a Coach.  Her name is Alice, and I love her.  We are currently working on setting 2013 goals and steps we need to take to reach those goals. I have never actually sat down and written goals for a coming year.  I find it both exciting and terrifying.  Anyway, last week, we talked about the things that hold us back.  We all know what that is: internal negative chatter, external naysayers, lost focus, you get it.  One of the things that stayed in my mind after that session a miracle, I can assure you was the notion of de-cluttering our minds.  I am always onto the next thought or idea long before my current project is complete.  I used to call it my creative flow.  But, I have determined that it is mind clutter that derails me.

My mind clutter comes from my surroundings.  My housekeeping philosophy has always been that clutter is fine, it's the dirt I cannot tolerate.  So, as long as my house is actually clean, I can have stacks of stuff all over the place.  Magazines, coupons, paperwork, doo-dads.  You name it, I am surrounded by it; I like to think it is organized, but it is what it is.  Clutter.  So I came home last week, and started de-cluttering.  You'd think that a 1000 mile move in July would have necessitated a de-cluttering already, and it did.  But clutter has a way of springing up.  Fast.

I should be finished by the end of today in my office area.  If nothing else, I feel really accomplished.  But I can already tell that the energy in my little abode is already lighter.  My goals are coming together, and I am so looking forward to the future.  Did I tell you that I love Alice?

Do you have any clutter?  Come on, be honest.  Just try to clean out an area and tell me that you don't actually feel lighter and energized.  Just try it.