Another bag to Goodwill

That's three trips to Goodwill in 8 days. Most of what I have parted with are books. That makes me happy. Obviously I am very attached to my reading materials or I wouldn't have accumulated so many that I'm confident I simply don't have the time to revisit. But I like thinking about them finding new homes and being appreciated anew. And, of course, there's the Goodwill aspect. Goodwill helps the disadvantaged find jobs. That's so important now.

And I'm happy I can see so much unfettered floor!

August Happiness Challenge -- Day 21

Back-to-back-to-back episodes of I Love Lucy.

I am feeling so stressed about friends, my upcoming surgery and the arrangements that need to be made (but can't yet), my presentation down at the client this Thursday, which no one but me seems to be anticipating ... So I'm taking refuge in life with the Riccardos at 68th Street in Manhattan, the Tropicana, or all across Beverly Hills. I prefer Lucy & Ricky's black and white world.

Sunday Stealing

The Heaven Eleven Meme

Cheers to all of us thieves!

1. If you could live in any other time period, which would you pick? I'd love to have come of age in the 1960s. The Kennedys, The Beatles, political idealism ... and prevalent air conditioning.

2. What is your favorite topic to write on your blog other than a meme? According to the tags, it's movies.

3. What are some traits that you admire in a lover? Generosity of spirit and a sense of fun. And good hair.

4. Could you adjust to life in another country? If I wanted to ... which I don't.

5. If you could study anything, what would it be? I'm trying to teach myself Spanish. I suck at it, but I continue anyway.

6. What is your favorite possession that cost less than $15? My Hollywood snowglobe, a gift from my best friend.

7. Which color do you wear most often? Blue

8. What has been your “theme song”, or favorite song this summer? "Amy, Amy, Amy," that wise and funny exploration of how helpless we gals are against good old-fashioned lust, by the late, great Amy Winehouse.

9. What's the most romantic thing that's ever been said to you? That when Bob Dylan wrote "Emotionally Yours," he could have been writing how my then-boyfriend felt about me. I like this version by the O'Jays better.




10. What would be your dream birthday cake? Chocolate with vanilla frosting and milk chocolate on top.

11. What is the coolest thing you’ve ever done? Kissed Bruce Springsteen.

August Happiness Challenge -- Day 20

My Mommy. She has been making plans, all on her own, to get us to the hospital and then stay here with me after my surgery. I don't want her here. Of course, I don't want anyone here. I like to be left alone when I don't feel well. But she is on it.

My oldest friend has told me all along that she will fly in from LA to be with me. And I have suspected all along that she won't be here. Yesterday she told me that she's scheduling her own surgery on her arm "ASAP" so that she can get it done and over with in time to hold my hand here in Chicagoland. Then there her very troubled children and her own precarious work situation.

I would love to be wrong about my friend. Of everyone, I think I might be most comfortable with her here when I feel shitty. But I also know that, at her core, she's never been one to suck it up and choose the more difficult path. She wants to come out here and be with me when I need her, she sincerely does, so she said she'd do it -- even though she didn't think through the sacrifice it would take on her end. Just as she wanted to move to California and so she did, without thinking about the consequences of doing it the way she did.

And then on the other end of the spectrum is my mom. Who has seen my oldest friend and I do this dance for years. And who wisely, quietly began making plans on her own to be there with me at the hospital and then for a few days when I get home. I'm so relieved to have a Plan B and to be able to count on her.

It made me cry.