Ava, Dirt, the Cayda...and Other Stuff

My granddaughter loves nature.  She gets that from both of her parents.  This week my daughter posted this picture on Facebook with the following information:

"Among other random sentences, C (this is my 5 year old grandson) typed this morning:  DRT IS MIY LIDOL SISDRS FAFRIT THING TO DO.  And here's a picture to prove it."

He phonetically spelled it out and, in my humble opinion, did a great job.  Can you figure out what it says??

This little girl has always embraced a curiosity about life.  And I couldn't be happier.  Here she is trying to tell me about the cicadas that come out each summer.   

Ava telling Grandma all about the "cayda" she's holding.

Subject:  Movies -
I run hot and cold with movies.  Sometimes there are tons that come out that look to be outstanding.  Other times, I couldn't care less.  Right now looks like a good time to have movie date nights with my PG.  Last night we went to see Flight.  You know how when you see the trailers on TV and you tell yourself that's going to be a good movie, and then it turns out the best parts of the movie are what they put in the trailer.  Well "Flight" isn't one of those.  "Flight" took me by surprise.  I was uncomfortable, I was shifting in my seat. But it's a good story.  And hell, it's got Denzel.  'Nuf said!!

Also want to see "Argo" and "Lincoln."  I'll report back when I get around to seeing those.  Maybe this week...on one of my vacation days!!!!

And now I'm off to an open house at my friend Leanne's from From Chaos Comes Happiness.  This girl's got talent.  And she's channeled it into some amazing Christmas gifts!

Catching Up (seems to be my Middle Name!!)

Time to catch up on things.  It's been a busy couple of months.  New position at work.  Trying to settle in with the timing of things.  Nothing specific or highlight worthy.  Just busy!!  The post previous to this was one I started six months ago and has been sitting in my drafts.  It finally had a good example to tack on to make it all come together.  That's kinda how things are going in my life right now.

So let me catch you up with things.  Halloween.  If you are a regular visitor, you might remember from last year that I don't stay home to pass out candy.  Instead, I go to my daughter's house and pass out little cans of playdoh, while she takes the kids trick or treating.  This year, when my son-in-law got home, he put on a lion costume.

Gotta love how Ava looks at her brother!

Katniss and the Lion

Ava still not sure of this big ol' silent lion!!

Ava was a bit afraid of the lion when she got home.  She didn't want to react to a lion that wouldn't talk to her.  At first, she climbed in my lap and buried her head.  (Don't think I didn't enjoy the cuddling!!)  But eventually, in the safety of mommy's arms, she was a little more willing to get a little closer!

We've started on pulling everything out of the garden.  It's bittersweet, to be sure.  But seeing things cut back  makes me look forward to the planning for next year's garden.  BIG plans...need to start with the visioning now, so that it doesn't slip away!!

We took a ride to Michigan yesterday.  A one day trip to a botanical garden.  Just a getaway that was very much needed.  And very much enjoyed!!  Including lunch at the cafe on site.  Outstanding Harvest Pumpkin soup.  Very rich!!  Oh, yeah, side trips are definitely going to be happening more often!!

Taken thru a window at the cafe, so it's a little cloudy looking!

I've already started my Christmas shopping.  Things picked up at craft fairs that I think some of my favorite people might like.  It's always a good feeling when I start Christmas shopping early.

And today, I'm jonesing for some Mariano's Chicken & Dumpling soup.  Hmmm...I'm seeing a pattern with the soup thing here!  Must be fall!  Time to get back out into the garden to finish cleaning up.

Lastly, for now, I wanted to share with you a video that my boss has been working on.  It was a challenge presented to him by a colleague in another state.  But I love that he used so many students in this video.  And some faculty.  If you like the song, and haven't heard it ad nauseum elsewhere, then you'll probably enjoy this.

I leave you for now, but have a great week.  I really will try to post more often.  In the meantime, call me...maybe.

Words - Good, Bad, Ugly, Necessary?

Many of you know that I have a few words that I consider not nice words.  Not the four-letter profanity type words.  No, these are words that some people might think convey caring.  I consider them more toxic.  Here, it's better if I just give you an example and a reason why I feel that way:

WORRY - "I worry whether he'll get home safely."  "I'm worried that I didn't turn the gas off."  You get the idea.  Not necessarily a bad thing if it propels you in the right direction to work on what you are worried about. BUT..."It makes no sense to worry about things you have no control over because there's nothing you can do about them, and why worry about things you do control? The activity of worrying keeps you immobilized."  Wayne Dyer
 
SHOULD - "You should really go to the dinner."  "She shouldn't dress that way."  Judgement call.  Plain and simple.  If you are saying "should", that's an opinion. Specifically, YOUR opinion.  As long as you present it as your opinion that the receiver may accept or reject, that's fine.  But I'm thinking many times, it's not used like that. 

DISAPPOINT - "I'm so disappointed that he won't finish his last year in college."  "I'm disappointed that you made the choice you made."  A disappointment is failure to fulfill the hopes and expectations of someone.  To what purpose does this enrich anyone's life?  Either for the "disappointed" or the "disappointer". 

PITY - "What a pity that she doesn't realize she shouldn't wear that outfit."  Although this used to be similar to "sympathy" or "empathy", it has a condescending connotation or implies superiority of the person doing the "pitying".  

BLAME - No need to give you an example here.  Everyone knows what blame is.  Hell, we blamed the dog or cat when we were little. But it accomplishes nothing.  And usually has an effect of making a person feel that they SHOULD have done something, or that they DISAPPOINTED someone, or that they should WORRY about what the consequences will be.

I had a conversation with a local businessman this past week.  It turns out the job that I sent to him for printing came back with a huge error that made it impossible for us to mail out.  So he took back all the material and rectified it within a day.  The man is a joy to work with!!  But in our conversation, I said to him, "I'm so sorry about this."  His response was, "No need for that.  It's nothing you did wrong."  I already knew that but I was still sorry he was in this situation.  I think our society has forgotten that the word "sorry" doesn't always imply "blame."  Hmmmm.... I blame the justice system for that!!!

Wishing you a worry-free day!!

Interesting note:  I started this post exactly one year ago and it's been in my drafts this whole time.  How bizarre is that!!!