Thursday Thirteen #119 -- Paula in her own words

THIRTEEN REAL-LIVE
PAULA ABDUL TWEETS

It's official: Paula Abdul is leaving American Idol. This makes me sad. It really does. For while it's easy to make fun of Paula (and I have laughed at her weepiness, her spaciness and her dramatics), there's also a loopy sweetness about her that made her the perfect foil for Simon Cowell.

To celebrate her unpretentious goofiness, I give you 13 of her recent Twitter tweets. She uses this social network as a way to communicate with her public, and can squeeze a lot of affectionate silliness into 140 characters. These are all legit.

1) My favorite color is lavander! What's yours? (July 2)

2) To a fan upset because her dog died. I'm gonna help you! Is your dog a boy or girl? Can you send a pic? And a brief description of their personality! xo!! (July 21)

3) Reading your tweets makes me feel so good and positive- I'm walkin' on sunshine!! (July 21)

4) I need u2know that what u have just said has affected me in a way that I can't even put it into words u are so special2me (July 21)

5) I've been invited to meet the Dalai Lama & Sir Richard Branson at the end of September. (Aug 4)

6) I'm thinking of bringing the dogs to the beach this weekend for some fun in the sun. What are you guys up to this weekend? (July 10)

7) About her chihuahuas I am brainstorming on more ideas for the adventures of Bessie Moo & Thumbelina, have any idea’s? (July 8)

8) Hope everyone is enjoying their pool parties and bbq's! Have a safe holiday and remember to keep your pets inside so they don't get scared! (July 4)

9) Acupuncture usually doesn't hurt, but my guy is brutal. He goes right to the nerve ending, but it's so good for me. (July 1)

10) My Chihuahua posse is getting their pawdicure's right now. I'll take a picture when their fully coiffed. (June 30)

11) I SOOO LOVE & ADORE my fans!! U All have stuck by me, LOVED ME& have inspired ME 2 KEEP DOING WHAT I LOVE to DO! XoP (June 28)

12) With sadness in my heart, I’ve decided not to return to Idol. I’ll miss nurturing all the new talent, but most of all.. (August 4)

13) I’ll miss nurturing all the new talent,but most of all being a part of a show that I helped from day1become an international phenomenon. (August 4)

To participate yourself, or to look up more TT participants,
visit the hub (thursday-13.com).

"Those Whom God Hath Joined Together, Let No Man Put Asunder."

My question is, how do you know WHO God hath joined together?

I spent all morning sitting on a bench outside a county courtroom with my oldest friend. We were there because her weird-ass ex was trying to weasel out of child support. My role today was to lend moral support, and I didn't mind at all. First of all, my friend is dependably there for me. Secondly, it was great theater. Everyone who walked by was involved in a case, there were laughter and tears, and quite the cross section of humanity.

It was in this context that I saw my friend's ex-husband for the first time in years. I was surprised by how sad, old and goofy he looked. Both his hair and his lips were thinner than I remembered. He was trying to look officious and prepared, standing there in his pressed white shirt, accordion folder in hand and calculator at the ready. I have no idea why he needed such a big folder for one little dispute and he looked so silly with his short yellow tie barely reaching mid-belly. As it became more obvious that he wasn't going to get what he wanted, the angrier and more stubborn he became.

My friend has always been a friendly, sweet-natured woman who aims to please, to avoid conflict. I can't imagine what she saw in this putz in the first place, and seeing them together now I can barely believe they were married at all.

Being around his toxic energy for hours, I conclude that God couldn't possibly have ever joined these two together, and therefore I'm glad they divorced.

09 August Happiness Challenge -- Day 5

Wednesday. Blue skies. It's 78º and sunny this afternoon. The sky is a beautiful blue, visible between the leaves on the trees. In all, a very pretty day, and days like this make me happy.

It's supposed to be 90º+ this weekend. I hate the heat, so I must treasure today.