Blessings

“The cure for anything is salt water - tears, sweat, or the sea.” 
― Isak Dinesen, Seven Gothic Tales

Tuesday Text: Parentexting™

The one where The Bird gives shopping advice to her brother:

I don't think I know the outcome of this shopping adventure.

But I will find out in 3 sleeps!

I am Virginia and Philly bound!

My college graduates.

Wasn't it just yesterday when they went to kindergarten?

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

Nonsense:

• That newscaster who dropped the F-bomb on his first broadcast?  He sure has had a lot of attention, and has anyone but me noticed that he cannot speak or even read a teleprompter?
• The Nashville Marathon and Half is in 2 sleeps.  It's supposed to rain and thunder. The last time I ran this race, we were under a tornado warning.  Those conditions were not the best.
• CBW and her Baby Sis are coming tomorrow morning to participate with me.
• I expect we'll manage to entertain ourselves. I've been building my wine reserves. There is lots to do here.
• I do not care for Michael Buble.
• Don't tell anyone, but I have already decided not to run the race on Saturday.
• My beloved dog Dora is now terrified of her empty food bowl.  What is that all about?
• I am celebrating the full moon today as a sign of a great new phase.
• Jimmy Buffet is our entertainment after the race.
• I wonder if I might be a Druid.

You?

Tuesday Text: Parentexting™

My soon-to-be college grads coming down to the wire:

I know I sound like a broken record,

but where has the time gone?

Hold your babies tight.

Forever and forever.

Life is precious and capricious.

And sometimes too short.

Today I ask you to send special love and prayers

to my Virginia Blister Ann Marie.

As she says a final goodbye to her teenaged daughter.

Hold your babies tight.

And, please, everyone wear a seat belt.

Hump Day Haiku

last night's art class piece

inspired by all my angels

both seen and unseen

This n That Thursday

Wondering:

• Why am I all excited for basketball madness?  I don't really like it.
• Got any good veggie combos for juicing?  I'm obsessed.
• How long can you go to one vein for blood before it scars up?
• When did blinkers become optional? No, I'm serious.
• Whose idea was it to eat brussels sprouts and cabbage for dinner?  Oh, yeah.
• Did anybody else notice this last Mercury retrograde?  It knocked me out.
• Tamoxifen and night sweat advice?  Even the dog won't sleep next to me now.
• Anybody doing that Oprah 21 day meditation thingy?  I think the prompts are very good.
• Now, what do we do with this?  And how come they make money just being idiots, and children are starving to death all over the world?  Please explain.

Having Trust Issues...

With that damn groundhog, Phil.

Disjointed haiku.

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?

Monday Mashup

• I had to turn on the a/c Friday.
• We are going to have a "wintry mix" this afternoon and tonight.
• In between, we had some tornado drama during the football games yesterday.  Luckily no one was hurt. Or worse.
• I used my new pink drill and built a whole shelving system for my closet.
• I need a manicure.
• I am getting my place all Feng Shui'd for the new year.
• Today I shall finish my thank you notes.  That is a sworn statement.
• I am so happy that Argo won all those awards last night at The Golden Globes.  Most deserved.
• I need to start training for the Nashville Half Marathon.  Yikes.
• Robin Roberts on Good Morning America is a true cancer warrior.  Such an inspiration.
• The Bird informed me that we are not supposed to double space between sentences when we text.  Really?  Who knew?
• I am old.  And getting older by the day.  I consider that a very good thing.
• How's your day shaping up?

This 'n That Thursday

• It was pert near 70 here yesterday.  "Pert near" means almost for those north of here.
• In other words, I wonder if I will ever stop sweating.
• I'm still church shopping, but I went to a beautiful Holiday Healing service last night.
• Dora got her hair done yesterday.  I get mine tomorrow, if the world doesn't end first.  At least Dora can go out on a high note.
• I am ready for Christmas.
• I am also ready for March.
• What are some good books on iTunes?  I need lots of stimulation for our drive to Connecticut.
• Wait, Downton Abbey is on the same night as the Alabama/Notre Dame game?  How did that happen?
• I am writing my first real estate blog post today.  I'm nervous.
• Below is Dora's report card from her spa day yesterday.  She made the Honor Roll.  But I'm a little concerned that she only got 9's for behavior skills.  We need to have a chat.

• Happy Friday Eve!  Be careful out there.

Sleep in Heavenly Peace

This...

...Is just one of the reasons I am so happy to be home in Middle Tennessee.  The integrity and compassion of the folks around me inspires me every single day.  This happened about 3 miles from where I live.



And now, I'm going out in the world to pay it forward.  You?

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

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?

This 'n That Thursday

• Did you have a shelf of african violets in your grammar school classroom?  With the purply gro-light?
• Remember my friend Ingelein?  This is her awesome mother. We are all having dinner tonight.
• Do kids still fingerpaint?  With that thick, cold jellylike stuff?
• That crazy parachute dude is kinda hot.
• That Taylor Swift gives me the creeps.  Something's not right with her.
• A very good friend from Connecticut is coming for a visit tomorrow.  So happy.
• What's with all the sudden endorsements on LinkedIn?  I appreciate them!
• Yesterday, I procrastinated postponed my run until midday.  My route takes me right past Sonic.  It smelled divine.
• I think I may have a burger today.
• What's with all those mesh lawsuit emails?  I haven't had that procedure.  Yet.
• Middle Tennessee in October is heavenly.
• I am so blessed.  And grateful.  So very grateful.

Monday Motivation

29 years ago today:

Today:

Aquarius Horoscope

For The Week Starting October 15, 2012

This will turn out to be a great week for you. Your intuition is strong so follow your hunches. You may experience some sudden changes and happenings that may improve your surroundings. The chance of a lifetime could be yours before this week is over. Timing is everything this week. A large expense decreases your bank funds but you have expected it. If you have any artistic talent it will come out this next week.

What a difference a few decades make.  How does your week look?

Word-Filled Wednesday

Being back home in Franklin has been an exercise in revisiting every emotion I can name.  I wake up every morning and look out at the rolling foothills I have missed for 30 years.  I can take my sweet Dora for a walk at the family farm where I can inhale the comforting and clean air.  I also have bouts of "What was I thinking?"  This is when I allow myself to wallow in the memories of my Connecticut life.  My friends there.  (Hi!  I miss you!)  My established life.

I moved to New York City in the Spring of 1982.  Thirty years ago.  I built a life on the East Coast.  A Big Life.  And here, the life is not so big.  Yet.  But I am not the least bit stymied by this.  I do have my moments of longing, but they are being eased by my reconnections here.

Ingelein and I became best friends when we were 9.  We shared many misadventures and great, fun  times.  A lot of these events will go to our graves with us because that's just the way it is with someone you've spent so much time doing so many things with.  You know those Facebook sayings about best friends and how they will come burn your diaries if you die?  That's how Ingelein and I were.  Then I moved, and we both got on with our lives and raising our children.  We kept up through Christmas cards and Happy Birthday's!  But it's difficult.

We are now busy making up for lost time.  And while she lives three hours away, she spends a lot of time here because her mother and a daughter are nearby.  And this past Saturday, we all got together for an evening of good food, wine, dancing, and general frolicking in our finest duds at the Heritage Ball.  If you click on the link, you will see Ingelein's mother (89 year-old Inge Smith) dancing with her 'friend' Bill!  "Miss Inge" was the Headmistress of our grammar school; I could write a book about that, but I digress.

Ingelein and Lauren

In 1977, if you do the math, that is 35 years ago, when we were seniors in high school, Ingelein and I were hostesses at this soiree.  We may have a few of those grave-taking stories from that night, but I'm not saying anything else about that one.  We have both been back a handful of times since then, but not at the same time.  Until Saturday.  It was magical.  It was one of the most beautiful parties I have ever been to, and I am still smiling.  I was really home.

I am sitting here this morning, looking out at those hills, and I feel content.  I miss parts of my Connecticut life, and at the same time, I feel more connected here each day as well.  Life really is a journey, no?

This n That Thursday

• What do you think about giving dogs probiotics all the time?
• I am addicted to hibiscus tea.
• Is there anything better than a new bra?
• People are already getting their flu shots down here.  I always waited til around Halloween.  What do you do?
• Has anybody else seen this commercial?  The shoulder dip, the dog, the music.  All of it. Just tickles me to death.
• I also have some new Spanx.
• Guess who's getting all gussied up this weekend for an event?
• I have my final real estate class test tomorrow.  And I hope to take the state test within the next week.
• I'm nervous.
• But not so nervous that some of us haven't already planned a celebration.
• Here is my niece and my brother last weekend; she was a junior class attendant on the homecoming court:

Have I mentioned how happy I am down here?