Here's a Quarter...(call someone who care's)

Hi friends!  It's been a long time since dear friends Kara and Vivi were featured as my 'blogstars.'  Vivienne, who is a beautiful and happy child seems to always get her 'Angry Bird' or some such face when she sees a camera!  Thank God she's too young to be a selfie poser...

Speaking of endless selfies and other invasive species, (day to day minutia, political rants, etc.) the TMI we are exposed to is crazy.  It's amazing to me how self important we as a society have become.  We cannot just hold an opinion anymore-everybody must know exactly how we feel about EVERYTHING!  Oversharing and self promotion is crazy rampant.  Are we truly living our own 'reality show?'  And has social media fostered this condition as we are free to share endless pics? (all right, I love the great photography in SOME of those shared!)  Does hiding behind a key board free us up to even more opinions that would not otherwise be so insisted on?

In the real world case of TMI, I recently had a few zingers.  While checking out at a store recently, the cashier leaned forward and said conspiratorially, 'I'm so nervous-today I'm going in for my first ever bikini wax!  I've trimmed back things as much as possible so maybe it won't hurt as much.'  Let that sink in a moment....I've never even seen this girl before!  Does my face or my purchases elicit such a confidence?  Wax on, wax off already.  Sheesh...

A gym acquaintance confided in my that he was unable to do some exercises due to a raging case of hemorrhoids.  Really.  Well good for you for all the self-love.  Gotta watch that, I guess.  And again, why should I be privy to this very personal info?

And while sweating in out at a Doctor's appointment, the specialist that was making sure I didn't have a blistering case of something, looked me in the eye and said, " I have been barely able to go on since my wife died."  Then with me in my paper gown, he leaned over and hugged me while bursting into tears.  I had the very unique experience of comforting him while STILL worrying if I had a fatal case of Hoogala Schmoogala. (I didn't).  I guess Doc took my concerned facial expression as a sign I was concerned about HIM!   What the unholy hell?

So as I shake my head over these little oversharing incidents, I beg you to look at my face in the pic and tell me if you see anything that shows an openness to such behavior.  A look in my eyes, a turn of the cheek?

Seriously, I want to know!!   P.S. Please pray for me as we load the truck with the stuff for vacation along with Mickey and Hazel and head down to the Keys.  The hillbillies take the road again and who knows what adventure this trip will bring!  (I'll try not to overshare!)

All I Really Need...

"All I really needed to know I learned in Kindergarten."  And it's true.  While visiting my Godchild Nikki's class last month, I could easily see that the life lessons are worked on by Nikki and the kids.  In addition to the basics-sharing, flushing, keeping hands to yourself-the kids worked on art, sang some songs, and a few even curled up and took a nap.  The kids were polite and loving, (I got lots of hugs!) and proud to show me what they were learning.  I am proud to say that Nikki is very engaged and dedicated to her class and the things they are working on.

In reading over Robert Fulgham's list of the 16 life lessons to be learned in kindergarten, the one I like the best is #11.  It states,  "Live a balanced life-learn some and drink some and draw some and paint some and sing and dance and play and work everyday some."  I love it and it truly describes how I try to live my life.  And I want to thank Mrs. Kalish (Nikki) and my friends-her darling little people for playing with me and letting me feel like a kid again.

Oh, and about #12-"Take a nap every afternoon."  No need to teach me that one!  That's a lesson I've got down cold!  zzzzzzzzz xoxo

Midnight at the Oasis....(2017)

Things are getting back to normal here in Michigan, after a wonderful vacation in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.  My sleep pattern is not that of an infant anymore-my days and nights are back on track.  After staying in the tallest hotel in the world and visiting the top of the Burj Kalifa, I finally have my head out of the clouds.  My coffee was delicious this morning; even though it did NOT have real gold in it as it does at the Royal Palace in Abu Dabi. The next time I fly, it'll be back to peanuts and being charged for my vino, instead of flowing booze and gourmet menus.  I know the next voyage will be on a regular plane that will be sorely lacking showers and beds.  That shizz is nuts!   Good old Mickey is the main critter here, and he does not have a hump on his back.  (There is a small worrisome lump on his neck however; but that's another vet appointment.  It IS NOT A TOOMAH-spoken like a California governor!)  I'm quite sure that when I go to the beach next month, there will not be two (yes, two) maids available in case I drop a napkin or need to refresh my SPF!  I will soldier on alone!  If Rocco gets me into speeding trouble, I can expect to see a regular old black and white pulling me over-not a Dubai copster in a Maserati or Bugatti.  On my next trip to the mall I will not to expect to see a real live ski resort with penguins strolling about or a gigantic 2 story aquarium with total sea life swimming about.  There probably will not be young arab men buying chunks of gold from a vending machine...That's okay-I hate malls anyways!  Make no mistake-these experiences were totally cool and I would not trade the memories for anything.  I loved my Dubai experience and all that I did and learned. 

But...I will drink my wine freely and not pay 20.00 a glass for it!  I will not cover my hair in church.  I will show off my old lady biceps as well as my knees if I so choose, maybe while swearing like a sailor.  I will not eat sitting on the floor with no silverware or napkins.  (I was HONORED to do it as custom deemed though!)  I will clean up my own messes and cook my own food.  I will try to enjoy our weather and be thankful that it is not 110 degrees.  The middle east is breathtaking and opulent, but as usual-there's no place like home!  Thanks to Lisa and Steve for including me in this holiday.  And for my Arab family:  Eric, Honna, Sedra, Humaid, Mosa, and Theab..Thank you and you old Auntie loves you. xoxo

No Promises...

Hello Dollfriends!  The JSpot is comin' in a little late this week.  In the eight years I've been posting, I have never missed a week-till last Tuesday.  While in Dubai, I tried to post but my site came up all in Arabic!  So this morning, after being up 27 hours straight (!) while traveling home, I am in the midst of some serious jet lag.

I have lots to share but will do it on my regularly scheduled time on Tuesday when my head is not like a giant cotton ball.  Meanwhile, my your dates be sweet and your camels be friendly!  xo