As part of our spring break and in honor of the lovely spring weather we have in Kansas City right now, my daughter and I planted a handful of seeds.
As part of our spring break and in honor of the lovely spring weather we have in Kansas City right now, my daughter and I planted a handful of seeds.
We were on an outing to get a gasket for our stove – which they didn’t have – and found ourselves shopping the spring seed displays. I picked up three packets. She picked up two.
When it was time to check out, she said she wanted to buy the two packets she picked with her own spring break money.
While driving home, I explained that the seeds would grow perennial plants and explained what that meant. Her response was, “That is amazing. I bought more than one plant that will come back every year for only two dollars and thirty seven cents. Now, that was a good way to spend my money.”
In this world of “big brother” advertising, where Google tracks your searches, Facebook targets what ads you see and every click you make is sold to a marketer somewhere in the world, I had almost forgotten about targeted snail mail. In my former career I trained organizations on the importance of targeted mailings and phone calls.
When this catalog arrived at my home my first thought was “Wow, how did they do that?” My daughter and I share our home with a Bernese Mountain Dog and a orange tabby kitten.
I am sure the technology is already available. I am sure the day when we start receiving snail mail pieces with photos that are selected specifically for each of us is just right around the corner. Just think if the front of each catalog was printed with you, your pet, your car, your sofa, etc on the front. It has already happened to me.
I was cleaning out a drawer in my desk at home recently and I came across this receipt.
On my birthday in 2009 my daughter asked if she could take me to lunch. I, of course, said yes. (Anytime a 5 year old asks you to lunch, you go.) I picked Sol Cantina, because it was a warm sunny day, they have fantastic fish tacos and you can sit outside under festive umbrellas that make you feel like you are on vacation.
It was a delightful birthday lunch. A close friend joined us and we sat talking, laughing, munching and even sipped a margarita or two.
At the end of our meal the check arrived. My daughter picked it up, checked it (very much like her mother usually does), turned to me and said, “Mom, can I borrow the credit card?”.
She presented the credit card to the waiter. And, when the check booklet arrived back, she opened it, signed the check and handed the card back to me without another word.
I will always remember this special day. It hung heavy with glimpses into the future. My daughter becoming her own woman with her own money, her own credit card, her own plans and her own vision for a day.
I am so glad I kept this little scrap of thermal paper. And, I am so glad I came across it before it was completely faded. It brought me unexpected joy. Always a welcome gift.
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. – Leonardo Da Vinci
This quote is on my bulletin board above my desk. I read it almost every day. On a trip to Atlanta recently, I was finally reading my magazines from November. I saw this ad and immediately thought of the quote.
This photo reminds me of Richard Avedon’s work. It is simply classic.
I enjoy language. Word play is fun. So, when I recently read the term “brunch-block” in an email, I cracked up.
I enjoy language. Word play is fun. So, when I recently read the term “brunch-block” in an email, I cracked up. The sender was being literal. She was proposing to plan a brunch for a good friend and she discovered that a brunch was already being planned. She then stated that she hadn’t meant to “brunch-block” the host.
I am stealing this term. I will be using it. And, every time I do, it will make me happy.
PS…Since we are talking about brunch, I thought I would share one of my favorite brunch spots.
My sister, Sloane, posted a blog today titled “Tentacles”. I was struck dumb when I read it, because I had just saved this image to my desktop yesterday. We must be broadcasting that “spooky sister connection” our mother always talks about.
My sister, Sloane, posted a blog today titled “Tentacles”. I was struck dumb when I read it, because I had just saved this image to my desktop yesterday. We must be broadcasting that “spooky sister connection” our mother always talks about.
This image was featured in a widget I have on my iGoogle page called Artist A Day. You can find them here. I discover new artists from them all the time. Here is the link to the artist’s website.
I was out last week with a group of friends to celebrate a 40th birthday. The birthday girl’s husband had reserved a private room at a local bar, opened the bar to us, and made sure the snacks were abundant. I didn’t try any of the snacks. I know this because I was happily keeping my custom-printed cup full of cocktails instead. It was gearing up to be a fantastic night.
When the timer on our private room expired, we moved upstairs for the band. At this point the remaining group was a heaping handful of close friends, all married, all spouses accounted for, and me. The single woman. I am used to being the only single person in a group of married people. I show up to most social events alone. I don’t bring a “crutch” date (another single girl friend or a married person that is out without her husband). I just go everywhere alone. I mean let’s face it, folks: I am alone when it comes to couples events.
So…we were – how should I say this politely – loose with drink. And ready for some dance therapy. Cue birthday girl to the stage! Said birthday girl drags “the posse” of girl friends with her. And oh, what fun. I love to dance. Music lifts me right out of the world where we are all firmly planted, and I escape into the rhythm, music and vibe. And that was where I was delightfully lost when a man took my hand and helped me off the stage.
Then I found myself standing face-to-face with my EX-HUSBAND! No shit! I can’t make this kind of tragic crap up. He is saying something. My friends are staring and starting to think…who’s the guy? (Wink, wink, nudge, nudge). I pull my ex away from the speakers to hear what in the world he would want to say to me at the very bar where he spent an outrageous amount of our money drinking while he was cheating on me and tearing our marriage to shreds. But I am hopelessly curious (and stupid).
Yep, you guessed it. I got the “I really, really miss you. I always loved you” drunken-goo-goo-eyed pick-up line. I was speechless. If you know me, “speechless” is very, very, very rare. I stuttered. My knees felt weak. I shouted over the band, “Where is your wife?” He didn’t answer. He just repeated the line about missing me and loving me. I took a breath, regrouped my courage, and resorted to a one-liner to cover up my devastation. “Of course you miss me, I am fabulous.” I walked off.
Don’t be impressed. I immediately marched outside, where it took me 20 minutes, two friends, a strong drink, 2 cigarettes, and a face full of streaming tears to get my ass ready to return to the dance floor. When I returned to the dance floor, I closed my eyes and let the music carry me away.
What is remarkable about this story is that it is not remarkable at all. This happens to people all the time.
The week before, my ex-lover showed up at STUFF during our Wings of Hope event to say “hello”. He had been driving by and thought it would be a good idea to stop and catch me in front of my store (where I can’t walk away). And then he came back a second time to bring me food he had been cooking all day with his wife, kids and close family friends.
And, if that wasn’t enough, two years ago at the holidays I was dating a man (who chose to compare me to “new car smell” and classify me as “one of his obsessions” on Facebook after I asked for a break). This man has called, emailed and come to the store multiple times over the last few weeks looking for me. At least he offered help and shopped.
going forward...never straight...at the wheel.
These men that I shared my heart, my mind, my body, and a small part of my soul with never once stopped to think about me. Not once. They just marched all over my personal space, my feelings, and my life. They showed no respect for me, my family, or my business. I don’t seek them out. I haven’t played games. I haven’t posted veiled (or direct) references on Facebook about them. I have left them alone.
“The holidays” make men and women want to couple. I get it. I feel its powerful pull every day in November and December, too. After the first week of January it fades, and I fall back into my natural state. I too want to fall in love again. I want a husband and a big crazy combined mess of a family. But, in the meantime, I want to avoid stomping on the very people that I cared for deeply…and I want to avoid them stomping all over me.
These ridiculous happenings have left me sad, frustrated, exposed, raw and lonely. But, they have also left me proud that I have the courage to stand alone, even when I don’t want too.
I started wearing reading glasses about a year ago. And I have noticed I have been wearing more and more jewelry at one time lately. Do you think when I grow up I can be as bold and beautiful as Iris Apfel?
I started wearing reading glasses about a year ago. And I have noticed I have been wearing more and more jewelry at one time lately. Do you think when I grow up I can be as bold and beautiful as Iris Apfel?
Personally I am tired of cancer taking amazing people from me and from our glorious world. Steve Jobs’ passing makes me sad, but it also pisses me off.
Personally I am tired of cancer taking amazing people from me and from our glorious world.
Steve Jobs’ passing makes me sad, but it also pisses me off. And I think this is a good thing. Because it will, once again, renew my passion for being part of finding a cure for all cancers.
My grandmother died from cancer, my mother has survived cancer more than once, my father is in Houston right now undergoing chemotherapy for cancer, and this week I have deeply needed one of my business mentors that died a couple of years ago from cancer.
Me and my Dad. I shaved his head when the chemo started causing it to fall out.
I don’t want to feel powerless today. I want to feel empowered and inspired by Steve’s legacy. Owning his inventions are not enough for me today. I want to kick back at the loss that cancer has brought us all.
This image inspires me. I love these kinds of spaces and idea boards. But, I must admit I can’t help but ask…who has to dust all that?
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. – Leonardo Da Vinci
