Writer's block

Back pain, overextending oneself, and laziness have now been proven to lead to writers block.  My most humble apologies to my fans.  You should be happy to note my delusions of fans are alive and well.  What have I mused since our last encounter?

1. Sandra Bullock needs to make more movies.

2.  Having visible difficulty whilst standing seems to add way more years to your appearance than wrinkles.  

3.  I find myself having unkind thoughts towards people I see from high school that do not appear to have aged.  Damn the crap shoot that is the human gene pool!

4.  Starting to really like the praise I get from the three year old when I use the potty.  We all need more positive reinforcement in our lives.

5.  Everything is still awesome.  Truly the song never leaves your head.

6.  I still remember back in 2004 I believe it was when a friend introduced me to YouTube.   Best.Site.Ever.   When you are sad you can go on YouTube and watch any of your favorite people.  Anytime.   Thank you YouTube.

7.  Vampires shouldn't sparkle.   Old news, but people need to be reminded from time to time.

8.  I appreciate that people still want to hang out with me even though I talk too much.  Been told I talk too much since first grade.  Didn't stop me then, highly unlikely I am going to stop now.

9.  So growing up I was taught to "liken" scriptures and other religious stories to my own life.   I submit that my talent is being able to liken any story or entertainment to my life.  

10.  I also submit that number 9 is mostly the result of my older brother who taught me that the wisdom of Star Wars is just as appropriate to quote as the wisdom of the ages.

11.  I need more singing in my life.

12.  My fashion sense is lacking and when I am dressed nicely it is because fashion conscious friends helped pick out the outfit.  When I pick out my own outfit I tend to look like Amy Farrah Fowler.

It's late enough that I better stop before the thoughts become completely incomprehensible.

Tuesday Monday

It was a rough start to the work week.  A Tuesday with a Monday feel that kind of makes you think perhaps holidays are not such a good idea.  Let's look at just a few of the fun things I experienced today.

1. I was in a meeting.  My phone was ringing but I did not answer because I was in a meeting.  So they called my cell.  Which I did not answer because I was in a meeting.  So they called my assistant.  Who told them I was in a meeting.  So they sent me an email.

2.  I have discovered there are far too many ways to contact me.

3. Ran back into a restaurant to get my keys that I had left on the table.  Only I did not leave them on the table.  They were in my purse the whole time. 

4.  Didn't realize until five minutes before work was over that I am in charge of a meeting at 7am tomorrow.  Go me!

5.  Got stuck eating cup of sadness and despair for lunch today.

6.  Had an awesome workout followed by a bacon cheeseburger and bottomless fries.   I rock and my decisions are awesome.

7.  Everything is awesome is still in my head.

8. Discovered that you can buy Lego sets of the places in the Lego movie.  Yeah, I'm gonna be broke soon.

9.  Sometimes I get sick of sitting and have to type standing.  People give you very odd looks when you type standing.  

10.  I have an iPad mini and a MacBook Air.  A coworker saw that, looked out the window at my small car, then looked at my stature and said "is everything you purchase petite?" To which I replied "indeed even my clothing."

11.  Had to call someone I had never spoken to before and I desperately wanted to do so with a British accent.

12.  Don't go to Red Robin on a Tuesday evening.  It is apparently packed at that time for no reason.

13. Do go to the gym on a Tuesday at 6pm.   Apparently no one goes at that time.

Hope that tomorrow brings with it less adventures than today and remember if you leave a message for me on one phone you do not need to call one of my other phones, send me an email or call my assistant.  I promise.  On second thought skip all the other options and just email me.

Things I wish I had studied

I have had an interesting and mostly good career.  Lots of mishaps along the way, and a few major mistakes.  As everyone who is honest with themselves will be willing to admit.  For a long time I thought my career would go one way, but when I got the opportunity to be where I thought I was headed, both personally and professionally I suffered a blow to my ego, and realized that just as Dumbledore also realized, not everyone is meant to be in charge.  Not everyone makes great leaders.  But that does not mean I am not good at what I do.  I am.  And I am also very intelligent.  What I love most is learning.  If I could find a way to just get paid to go to school forever, I would do that.  So tonight I muse about all the things I wish I could have or would have studied.  Some for their practicality.  Some for their career potential.  Some for the sheer interest.  And some just because.  Who knows...maybe I will go back to school some day.  I am still young.
1. Sign Language interpretation
2.  Law...I love to learn, and argue.  "Do you think she woke up one day and said I think I'll go to law school?"
3. Computers.  Just so I could fix them when they break and not have to deal with people on grumpy days.
4.  Media studies.  Yeah, I know.  But whatever, there are media professors out there.
5.  A PHD in anything.  Yes, pretty much anything.
6.  Nursing....would have loved to be a midwife or APRN
7.  A teacher...just for the schedule though.   I adore teaching college...not sure how I would do with children.
8.  Creative writing.  Again, I know not practical, but it would be interesting.
9.  Business.  Highly practical.
10.  Children's literature
11.  American History
12.  I have a minor in Women's Studies.  Would love to learn more
13.  I have a Masters level certificate in Disability Studies.  Would also like to learn more.
14.  Buffy Studies.  It exists.
15.  History of Musical Theatre.
16.  Welding or cabinetry, or anything that would make me look tough.
17.  Pharmacy or dentistry or podiatry or some other medical thing that pays well but does not often get calls at 2am.
18.  Anything that would make it possible for me to be Neil Patrick Harris's personal assistant.  Or Idina Menzel.  Or Stephen Schwartz.  Or Ellen.....or....or....or.
19.  A travel critic.  Rick Steves if you will.
20.  Food critic.  I mean come on how do people get so lucky?!?

Oh to dream.

Oh AMC.

Recently the amc theatre in our hometown was remodeled and it seriously makes me so happy.  Not because of screens and sound projection but because of the fabulous reclining chairs.  Seriously it's heaven while watching a movie.  My youngest and I were able to snuggle and enjoy The Lego Movie last night and it made me muse about being comfortable.  There are many things I find cosy.

1. Big warm blankets.

2. Lounge chairs on the beach or by a pool.  

3.  Floating beds in pools.

4.  Hammocks

5. Comfy couches

6. Big beds

7.  Anything that lets me lay down after a long day.  

8.  Massages

9. Pedicures

10. Cuddling with my kids

11.  Getting my hair washed at the salon.

12.  Sitting on a beach blanket at the beach

13.  Sitting on a blanket in the park

14. Sitting and reading by some sort of water source

15.  Any kind of reclining option.

Hoping you all find some way to relax today.

Oh the places you'll go!

I love going places, meeting new people, seeing new things.  I love experiencing new cities and going back to places I love.  Today I will muse about some of my favorite places I have been.

1.  Central Park.  It's just like in the movies. 

2.  Split Rock Lighthouse.  Ever since I was a child I thought northern Minnesota looked a bit like heaven. 

3.  Navy pier.  

4.  Zion's National Park.  As much as I love man made creations this one still gets me.  The beauty of nature is breathtaking.

5. Yellowstone.  See number 4. 

6. Chicago architect boat tour.  Coolest tourist experience ever.

7.  All things Disney.  It is magical and bah humbug to anyone who says differently.  

8. Puerto Vallarta.  So amazing and peaceful. 

9.  The smithsonian.  

10. Times Square.

11.  Walking across the Brooklyn bridge.

12. Tagaytay.

13.  San Deigo beaches.  

14.  The Met. 

15.  On the banks of the Mississippu.

16. On the banks of the Potomac.  

17.  Cumberland MD.

18.  Amish Country.  Best rocking chair ever still have it!

19.  Shenandoah Valley.

20.  The Great Lakes.  I think I have only seen three of five but love the three I have seen.  

This world is amazing and I need to see more of it! 

Something in the air

Everyone seems to be having a rough week.  I think there is something in the air or water.  My friends are stressed my kids are being wild, etc etc.  it seems the only good thing is that my youngest finally decided going potty is a good thing.   So let's muse some happiness again shall we?

1.  My youngest said to me "once upon a time there was a monkey and a tail and drums.  The end.  Do you like that story mom?"

2.  My oldest went on a field trip.  When asked if she had ever been there before she said "oh I am sure my mom has brought me here.   My mom knows all the cool places."

3.  I confess I browse the Disney resort vacation packages too often.  A girl can dream.

4.  I am glad that valentines day is defined as celebrating love and that I can celebrate with the best little valentines in the world.

5.  Surprising the girls with a spa day!  Yay us!

6.  My oldest said she could not sleep unless she heard me sing or imagined me singing. Melt my heart.

7.  A three year olds smile is the best thing in the universe.

8.  Should I buy my self a valentines gift? No Maren the pretty shiny device you are typing on is the only special occasion gift you can get for yourself for the next year :)

9.  My youngest hates to go to bed.  My oldest is asleep but my youngest keeps walking in my room giggling.  She is mischievous this one.

10.  Stopped to smile at her and she said "no you keep typing!!"

11.  I swear my oldest is smarter in first grade than I was last week. 

12.  I need a vacation.  Except for the spend money part.

13.  Whenever I wake up my hair looks like Anna's when she wakes up in Frozen.  Both of us must be visited by Ralph the nighttime hair dresser.  

14.  Sometimes I put coconut oil on my daughters skin.  She also enjoys chocolate.  Therefore hugging her makes me instantly crave almond joy. 

15.  Trying to keep up with my thought pattern is exhausting.

Sleep well all!

Battling the sucky day

Some days just kind of suck.  No matter what you do, the sucky things pile up.  You leave your phone somewhere.  You obsesses over a mistake.   An insult still stings.  You mourn a loss.  You feel misunderstood.  So what is a girl to do?   

Let's muse about things I have to look forward to.  Today sucks but there is joy in the future.

1.  My awesome girls have great valentines day outfits.  

2.  The Lego movie this weekend.  It's going to be totally awesome.

3. I'm going to Chicago very soon for a visit.

4.  Farmington Station in spring.

5.  Anything in spring.

6.  Captain America.  Xmen.  Idina is singing at the oscars.  New episodes of Big Bang theory.

7.   As soon as the youngest is able to appreciate it, perhaps seven or eight...theatre trip to NYC!

8.  Another trip to Disney sooner than that!

9.  Road trip!  Anywhere! Yay!

10.  Frozen on DVD.  

11.  Massages

12.  Downton Abbey

13.  Cooking dinner with my girls.  

14.  Splash pads in the summer

15.  Dinner with friends.

16.  Dinner with family.

17.  Theatre theatre theatre.

18.  Karaoke cafe.

19.  The avengers 2

20. Really any movie or food event

Life sucks for a minute but there is always happy around the corner.   I am done with today.  Bring on tomorrow.