Not Ready For a Daily Newspaper Column

Folks, I've hit a bit of dry patch with this blog.

My five regular readers may have noticed that my daily posts have recently become every-other-day-if-you're-lucky posts, and for that I apologize. What can I say other than that my life is a little uneventful right now. Not to worry: I'm not curled up in bed sucking my thumb until noon every day, but my current routine is, well, routine. And that, my friends, does not an exciting post make.

How in the world do daily newspaper columnists do it? How do they come up with a new topic to write about every day? Has my mind atrophied to the point where I'm at the same mental level as a garden slug? I hope not. I'll need all of my faculties intact in order to determine my dream career.

Speaking of my dream career, one of the things I've been doing these past few days is preparing for my second meeting with my new career coach. I've found her homework assignments to be quite intense, time consuming, and extremely interesting because they're about my various histories (family, social, educational, work, and leisure). What's not to like about that? I truly believe that the process of reviewing the past to before plunging ahead into the future is the most logical path to discovering my new career adventure. I've been told that the process could take anywhere from six to nine months, perhaps longer, but I'm convinced that in the end it will be worth it.

I'll keep you posted.

A Small Smattering of What's On My Mind

• Last night a friend and I saw the new Steve Carell movie, "Dan in Real Life". If you're looking for something light and sweet, this is the movie for you. It was a really nice break from the multitude of post- 9/11 movies that are out right now. I don't know how you feel, but I have no interest in paying to see a movie about something I see for free on the nightly news.

• For the "never done that before and hope I never have to again" list: Coaxing a freaked-out cat out of a 30 foot tree. My next door neighbor, "W", saw the whole thing unfold and told me that Martin, with two big dogs in hot pursuit, ran to the base and didn't stop until he literally ran out of tree. It was a pitiful sight, especially because I could hear Martin crying. Finally after a lot of hand-wringing (because I'd never dealt with a situation quite like this), cursing (because Martin's people are incredibly irresponsible, deadbeat "caretakers" who not only let him run loose without a collar and ID tags but are also rarely home), and brainstorming about possible solutions (my best being walking down the road to the firehouse and sweet-talking the firefighters into helping), Martin s-l-o-w-l-y and carefully shimmied down on his own. Face-first, of course, just for extra drama. He's fine. I, however, needed a beer to settle my nerves

• As regular readers of my blog know, for the last week I've been struggling with an assignment given to me by my new career coach. The challenge is to come up with a list of seven to 10 satisfying activities which I enjoyed doing for the sake of doing rather than just the outcome. It's a tall order, believe me. There are lots of things I've done in which I've enjoyed the outcome but not what had to be done to get there (e.g. learning to water ski, becoming a licensed realtor, doing laundry, washing my dog, making vegetable soup), but thinking of things I've done in which I've also enjoyed the process is so much harder. This is what I have so far: a) as a child playing with my dollhouse and outlining whole communities using crayons; b) as a child making homes for my Fisher-Price people in the sandbox; c) creating mix tapes and CDs; d) baking almost anything; and e) horseback riding. I'm racking my brain for more ideas...

• Happy, happy birthday to my sweet mom. The first thing she said to me after I was born was, "I hope we'll be friends." We definitely are, Mom. I love you.

Can't Think of a Catchy Title (Or Even a Stupid One)

The response to my self-created gig of holding open listings for busy local real estate agents has been impressive. This is the third Sunday in a row that I've been booked for a Sunday open. I hope the streak continues because it is a super-easy way to bring in a little money and stay connected to the real estate scene in a manner that suits me. I had an agent ask if I were available to take a couple of her buyers out for an afternoon and I couldn't say "no, thanks" fast enough. I was flattered that the agent thought to ask me, but at this moment I can't think of anything less appealing than showing property. It is too much work and too little payoff, assuming that the client eventually closes on something. Yep, holding open various listings for favorite local agents is about as involved in the real estate world as I want to be. I'm ready for a change.

Speaking of change, I'm having a terrible time with one of the homework assignments given to me by my new career coach. "P" wants me to list seven experiences or activities in which I find or found enjoyment. If only the result of the activity was enjoyable, it doesn't count. Sound easy? Then for goodness sake, help me!!! I've been thinking about this for a whole week and can only come up with one thing: Playing with my dollhouses as a little girl. I could play for hours, rearranging furniture, using Crayons to outline driveways and roads that stretched from my room into my sister's room, making up scenarios for my dollhouse people and animals, and never get bored. I was always good at solo play (maybe because I was an only child for so many years?) and still enjoy doing my own thing, though I do get lonely sometimes. Anyway, this homework exercise has me stumped and little stressed. The criteria for the activities/ projects are: a) I enjoyed doing it; b) I feel I did it pretty well; c) I feel proud of it (or felt proud at the time); d) it gave me an internal sense of satisfaction; and e) it pleased me at the time. My dollhouse play definitely meets all of the criteria, but I truly can't think of anything else. Remember, the activity itself is what is most important, not the result.

Suggestions from people who know me are welcome (hint, hint).

Deep Thoughts (NOT!!!)

I apologize for having so many "random thought" posts, but it seems to be the way I'm thinking these days. I so need to get a part-time job and bring structure-- and hopefully coherent thoughts-- back into my life. If I haven't chased you off yet, read on:

• The news coverage of the California wildfires is pretty sobering. As was the case during Katrina, many of the victims have lost absolutely everything. Unlike Katrina, I suspect that a good number of these victims have the financial means to begin life anew though it will take an enormous emotional toll. It is a good reminder that in battles between humankind and nature, nature will always reign supreme but hopefully humankind will find the strength to persevere. I don't know about you, but I'm going to update the emergency kit I keep in the trunk of my car.

• Is it wrong that at my age I enjoy the CW show, "Gossip Girl"? The central characters are teenagers. Does it mean that I'm emotionally stunted? Do I really care?

• As soon as the weather turns cool, I become inspired to cook every comfort food recipe I encounter. This is odd because I rarely like to cook anything. Monday afternoon I made absolutely delicious vegetable soup, and this morning I picked up the ingredients to make spicy chili and another batch of slow cooker applesauce. I've even decided upon my next baking adventure, "Sweet Potato Spice Loaf", which sounds a bit like zucchini bread but without the zucchini. Ack! Just thinking about zucchini makes me gag a little. Sweet potatoes are much more to my liking.

• Nobody can wink better than my grandmother. Every time she does it, it helps me to remember what a loving, supportive caretaker she was during my formative years. At age 95 she's a mere shadow of her former self, yet when she winks at me I again see a glimmer of the woman that helped me to become the woman that I am today.

That's all I have for now. Maybe tomorrow I'll be inspired to post in paragraph form. I suppose stranger things have happened. Stay tuned...

A First

This is the scene that greeted me when I walked into my room a few minutes ago. Could Luka be more adorable? This is the first time I've ever seen him so far toward the head of my bed-- usually he sleeps curled in a ball at the foot and only when it is cold outside. Isn't isn't especially chilly today, though it is a bit on the gloomy side. Guess Luka's going to have a lazy day, and I don't need to worry about making my bed anytime soon. Looks like everybody wins.

Happy Birthday, Sis!!!

I can't believe it has been 30 years since my baby sister, E2, came into my life.

It seems like just yesterday I was living large as an only child, soaking up my parents' attention and their every waking thought (tee hee hee!). My wishes were their wishes, my dreams their dreams (are you gagging yet?), until SHE arrived.

Life would never be the same.

As I remember it, for the first month of E2's life our mom made me hold her on a pillow as if she were as fragile as Cinderella's glass slipper. Mom has since told me it only happened once and the reason behind it was that she though E2 would roll right off of my little twig legs. Whatever.

E2 was the cutest baby and for the most part I was proud to be her big sister. I say "for the most part" because it didn't take long for my friends to discover her cuteness, too, and want to come over to our house just to spend time with "the new baby." I'll be honest: That sort of rejection stung my little nine year old pride but in retrospect-- and especially looking at old photos of the little culprit-- I understand it. E2 was roly poly in all the best ways, had a sweet disposition, and most of all was so wanted. I can't imagine a baby being more anticipated than her. And 30 years later, she hasn't disappointed yet. Not even close. My love for her overshadows the time she scratched me with her claw and drew blood (I've no idea what led up to such a violent confrontation) and even the battles we had sharing a bathroom as teens. Being her big sister has been, and will always be, one of the greatest joys of my life.

Happy Birthday, Cutie! I love you with all of my heart.

Weekend Wrap-Up

• It's almost the end of October and most days my very casual wardrobe still consists of a pair of shorts, a t-shirt, and flip flops. Speaking of flip flops, my sister told me that recently she's been hearing people refer to them as thongs. Whether that's the new trend or not, I just can't bring myself to utter the word "thong". It sounds so nasty. I'd rather date myself and continue to call the cheap, rubber footwear "flip flops" than gross myself out by calling them "thongs". Even seeing the word in print makes me want to take a shower in bleach. Fun fact: My 65 year old father refers to stereos systems as "Victrolas", a word that I believe dates back to the early 20th century. Not even my grandpa-- his father-- can figure out where he came up with that one.

• My entrepreneurial idea to hold Sunday Open Houses for select real estate agents has proven to be a good one. For whatever reason, many sellers seem to believe that the buyer of their home is going to walk through the door during a Sunday open. Most experienced agents know, however, that the statistics don't back up this belief. This is where I come to the rescue. I have the ability to make everyone happy: The seller is pleased because their house is once again open for any and all to peruse regardless of whether they're even in the market to buy and the agent is happy because they don't have to waste their valuable Sunday on a pointless endeavor. There are just so many listings out there it is hard to make yours stand out from the crowd. It is not a good time to be a seller, but it is a great time to be me. Cha-ching!

• Flashing back to my 20th high school reunion a few weeks ago, one of the weekend's souvenirs was a CD of 80's tunes mixed by the husband of a classmate. I'd skimmed through the list of tracks when it was given to us and thought it was pretty lame (nobody is as good as making mix CD/ tapes as I am, of course), but listening to it tonight as I drove Luka around made me change my mind. I've never been a huge fan of Thomas Dolby's "She Blinded Me with Science" or "Whip It" by Devo, but I must admit that I rolled down the windows, opened the moon roof, and cranked up the old Victrola when Big Country's "In a Big Country" and Duran Duran's "Rio" came on.

• My baby sister's turning 3o tomorrow. It seems like just yesterday I was preparing for the role of "big sis" by carrying a 10 pound bag of potatoes against my shoulder (pretending it was a baby). Happy pre-birthday, E! And remember, ILYN!