August Happiness Challenge -- Day 22

Today’s happiness: Talking to contractors. I interviewed a pair today -- one recommended by my friend, Nancy, the other from Home Advisor. They are each putting together proposals for renovating my bathroom.

I'm leaning toward Nancy's guy because he seems to be willing to do more for me, whereas Mr. Home Advisor is leaving some stuff to me. Of course, I haven't seen their estimates yet. So maybe that painting and prep will cost me a lot. I simply don't know yet.

But here's the thing: the two consults went smoothly. This is a very big deal for me. I've never done anything this expensive and consequential before. Yet neither contractor seemed even remotely rattled by how crappy my bathroom currently looks. Neither seemed appalled by the clutter in my living room (though they weren't able to see in the den, which still looks like a disaster area). Neither seemed to be taking advantage of my frankly admitted naiveté.

I'm so relieved.

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Each day in August you are to post about something that makes *you* happy. Pretty simple. And, it doesn't even have to be every day if you don't want it to be. It's a great way to remind ourselves that there are positive things going on in our lives, our communities, and the world.

 

Who's a good boy?

Reynaldo is a good boy! This morning, after breakfast, he took a nap and he was so cute. He was dreaming, and suddenly sat upright, turning his head this way and that, all while still sleeping. Finally, he curled back into a fur shrimp.

He is 14 now. That makes him about 72 years old in human years. He is still exasperatingly naughty at times. Still lively -- as you can see above, even in his sleep. But he naps now, more than ever. So much so that his partner in crime, Connie, is getting bored. And he's had some health problems. Easily handled, but still, they make me realize our time together isn't long.

This afternoon, I made him happy by putting him in his carrier and taking him to the park. From his vantage point in the shade, he saw a squirrel and a bird and blades of grass moving. Being Rey, he was fine as long as he knew as I was there beside him. I'm still his obsession.

August Happiness Challenge -- Day 21

Today's happiness: This blog. Sometimes I'm just so grateful to have a place to express myself, and to know people out there are hearing me.

Earlier the year I sent out a valentine to Kwizgiver and Snarkypants. They came through when I had the blues and it was the sweetest, most unexpected rescue.

Today I want to shout out to BookMama and Lisa G. BookMama is in Chicago with her children, seeing Hamilton. I have been following their activities via Facebook, but I've been enjoying them so much because we got to know each other here, on Blogger.

Lisa G. gave me a heads-up at the perfect moment. She sent me a link to a credible story about the FDA extending the expiration on some Epipens ... including the one that's in my purse! That will save me a ton by allowing me to wait and order my Epipen from my insurance preferred vendor. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

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Each day in August you are to post about something that makes *you* happy. Pretty simple. And, it doesn't even have to be every day if you don't want it to be. It's a great way to remind ourselves that there are positive things going on in our lives, our communities, and the world.

 

August Happiness Challenge -- Day 20

Today's happiness: Sir Paul. James Corden ran an extended episode of "Carpool Karaoke" in prime time tonight. An entire hour of Paul McCartney riding around with Corden, singing and giving us a tour of Liverpool.

At 76 years old, he's no longer the heartthrob of my girlhood. His hair is streaked with white. His voice is strained when he reaches for those high notes. 

But he's still making new music. (New CD is released in early September.) And he's enjoying who he is. He accepts that he's what's left of "the act you've known for all these years." (Sorry, Ringo.) He handles the adulation with grace and ease. He appears healthy, happy, and energized.

When I think of rock's lesser lights who have fallen by the wayside, and of his peers (like John and Elvis), I am so happy I get to witness this stage in his life, his victory lap.


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Each day in August you are to post about something that makes *you* happy. Pretty simple. And, it doesn't even have to be every day if you don't want it to be. It's a great way to remind ourselves that there are positive things going on in our lives, our communities, and the world.

 

One step up, two steps back

That's the story of my finances these days! I finally figured out a way to pay for my bathroom remodel and scheduled two contractors to estimate the work. They're coming by Wednesday.

But then Chase tells me that my mortgage payment is going up $150/month. It's escrow, reflecting an increase in my property value and famous Cook County taxes. I can pay this -- shit, I have to pay it, I have no choice -- but it will be a pinch. Just when I was figuring my budget was going to feel less pinched!

And then there's the Epipen shortage. I am allergic to bee sting. If I get stung and I don't get fast treatment, I could die. The Epipen I've been carrying in my purse is expiring on September 1. Last week, I called Walgreens -- the pharmacy chain preferred by my insurance company -- is completely out of Epipens and has no idea when they'll get more. I asked the pharmacist what he suggested I do. He told me not to bother with CVS, as they don't have any either.

OK, that's what I shouldn't do. But what should I do? After all, the one in my purse expires on September 1. Will neighborhood drugstores have a fresh supply in the next 10 days.

"I don't know."

I found a local, independently-owned pharmacy that had one in stock. One. They were nice enough to call my doctor and get my prescription, even though they know I'm kinda contractually-bound to Walgreens. But, because they aren't a preferred pharmacy, I have to pay a steep price.

Like $500.

Now that's a year supply. And it's $100 less than it would be without insurance. And I'm lucky to get one, because there's a drought in my area.

But this is $650 that I have to come up with ... NOW. $650 I wasn't planning on spending at all.

I'm 60, and I still don't have this money thing figured out. I guess that means I'm never going to have this money thing figured out.

August Happiness Challenge -- Day 19

Today's happiness: Abe. He's iconic. He's patriotic. And, unless you have some kinda creepy Confederate fetish thing going, you simply gotta love him.

My nephew certainly does. When he was a little boy, we talked Lincoln all the time. His first train ride was with me when we went down to Springfield to see the Lincoln sites.

That's why I was so happy to find this greeting card. It's a cutout of Mr. Lincoln himself with a sheet of stickers. I put "GOOD LUCK" on the inside, along with a $20 giftcard to Burger King (the anchor of the student union). I put Abe's stovepipe chapeau and "NICE HAT" on the back of the envelope.

It will make my nephew happy to get mail. It will make him happy to be able to eat free burgers. It will make him happy, during this first week in the new away-at-college chapter of his life, to get something from home.

And that all makes me happy.


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Each day in August you are to post about something that makes *you* happy. Pretty simple. And, it doesn't even have to be every day if you don't want it to be. It's a great way to remind ourselves that there are positive things going on in our lives, our communities, and the world.

 

Sunday Stealing

Stolen from Penny Royal Princess 

1: 3 Fears
•  Air travel
•  Clowns
•  Highways during nighttime storms (this is new; I can't pinpoint when I started being afraid of this)

2: 3 things I love
In alphabetical order:
•  The Beatles
•  Cats
•  The Cubs

3: 4 turns on
•  Beatle fans
•  Cat lovers
•  Cub fans
•  Classic movie fans

4: 4 turns off
•  That myopic "I-hate-the-media-they're-the-enemies-of-the-people" crap. Journalism is the rough draft of history. And it's always bad form to let those in power determine whether the press is "fair." They never think it is! Quoting Stalin tends to be a bad thing, too, folks. Oh, and by the way, how do you know your President demeans the press at every rally he attends? Because the media covers him doing it. (Sigh. I'll get off my soapbox now.)
•  "Dog people" who think that you can't love cats; "cat people" who disparage dogs
•  Bullies
•  Hypocrites
Turn offs make me grumpy. I wish we could have stopped at turn ons.

5: My best friend
It changes. These days it's Henry, my Key West buddy. No one sees the good in me the way he does. I treasure that so. It's like being wrapped in eiderdown.

6: My favorite book
Saving Graces: Finding Solace and Strength from Friends and Strangers. Elizabeth Edwards' memoir is a searing saga of spirituality, vulnerability, and finally, acceptance.



7: My best first date
Are you asking me to describe a generic first date? Or to recall an actual outstanding first date? The answers would be different.


8: How tall am I
Nearly 5'2


9: What do I miss
Actually being 5'2. I think I may have shrunk!

10: What time were I born
I was born at the stroke of midnight between November 21 and 22. The stroke of midnight does not exist legally, so the hospital told my mom she had to choose -- 11:59 or 12:01. She was still quite doped up (I was a big baby) and confused about what she was asked, but she chose 12:01, which made it 11/22. Astrologers love this story because I was born on the cusp of a cusp.

11: Favorite color
Pantone 294. Cubbie blue. It's my special favorite when worn by Anthony Rizzo, my favoritest Cub.

First baseman, cancer survivor, children's advocate, GREAT GUY!

12: Do I have a crush Always


13: Favorite quote
I'll go back to Philip Graham: Journalism is the rough draft of history.


14: Favorite place
This changes, too. These days, my mind likes to travel back to the holidays in Key West. This year, I'm returning to the same hotel, and the same pool.

Those are my toes, CHRISTMAS MORNING!

15: Favorite food
This changes, too. Lately it's chocolate ice cream.

16: Do I use sarcasm
Why ever would I?

17: What am I listening to right now
Aretha Franklin. There's a tribute on NBC's Sunday Today.

18: First thing I notice in new person
Hair. I'm extremely hair-motivated.

19: Eye color
Green


20: Hair color
Light brown with blonde streaks

August Happiness Challenge -- Day 18

Today's happiness: An afternoon nap. A luxurious high point of a lazy Saturday.

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Each day in August you are to post about something that makes *you* happy. Pretty simple. And, it doesn't even have to be every day if you don't want it to be. It's a great way to remind ourselves that there are positive things going on in our lives, our communities, and the world.

 

Saturday 9

Saturday 9: It's a Jungle Out There (Theme from Monk) (2003)

Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

1) This week's song is the theme from the detective show that ran from 2002-2009. Were you a fan? Love Monk. I watch the reruns on Sunday on WeTV.

2) The song warns us about the air we breathe and the water we drink. Does your home have an air or water filter? I have an air filter right here beside me, but it's not plugged in. When it gets cooler and the air conditioner isn't running all the time, I'll put it back to work.

3) The lyrics say, "People say I'm crazy to worry all the time." Are you a worrier? Or do you just take things as they come? I'm a worrier.

4) TV's Adrian Monk is known for his outstanding deductive powers, an homage to Sherlock Holmes. Have you read any of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's books featuring Sherlock Holmes? Nope. They were written early in the last century and the style confuses and irritates me. (My fault, not Sir Arthur's!)

5) Monk was also known for fastidiousness and precision, an homage to Hercule Poirot. Have you read any of Agatha Christie's books featuring Poirot? Yes. I'm reasonably new to her books -- last decade or so -- and the 1970s Murder on the Orient Express is one of my favorite movies. Albert Finney is freaking awesome as Poirot. The more Poirot I read, the more I appreciate his performance.

6) This song was written and performed by Grammy and Emmy winner Randy Newman. Do you have any trophies or plaques? I won a Clio, which is a very big deal in advertising. But I won it back in the 1980s, so I keep it hidden away because I don't want to emphasize what a dinosaur I am. After I retire, the plaque comes out of the closet and goes up on my wall.

7) Before winning an Oscar in 2001, Mr. Newman had the distinction of having the most nominations (15) without a win. Do you consider yourself a graceful loser? I'm a lifelong, do-or-die Cub fan. One World Series in 108 years. So I have a great deal of practice.

8) In 2003, when this song was introduced, Lance Armstrong won his fifth Tour de France. Later, he was disgraced in a doping scandal. Can you think of a time when a hero disappointed you? Years ago, this was one of the prompts of a blog challenge. Here's what I wrote then. Even before #MeToo.

9) Random question -- We're catering lunch. Should we put you down for a burger or a taco? Burger, please. And may I have cheese?

August Happiness Challenge -- Day 17

Today's happiness: The "W" flag. I saw it twice today.

First, when my nephew texted me a photo of the wall of his college dorm room. He just moved in today, but he wanted to share with me that he decorated with a poster of the Beatles crossing Abbey Road, a tin replica of the Wrigley Field marquee (which I gave him), and the "W" flag. 

I was pleased that, as he enters this new phase of his life, he's taking the things we share with him. And I was touched that, on this first night in a new place, he reached out to me.

Then, when the Cubs beat the Pirates 1-0. Chicago fans who made the trip to Pittsburgh displayed the flag in the stands. Our heroes in Cubbie blue have won 7 of their last 10. This is the way to enter the home stretch!

via GIPHY

Each day in August you are to post about something that makes *you* happy. Pretty simple. And, it doesn't even have to be every day if you don't want it to be. It's a great way to remind ourselves that there are positive things going on in our lives, our communities, and the world.

 

August Happiness Challenge -- Day 16

Today's happiness: crispy Asian chicken wings. It's the main course of my favorite lunch. Two wings, a side of fried rice, some fruit and a Coke. Enjoyed alone in a booth with a good book.
 

The cafeteria in the building where I used to work has become my refuge. They have the best Asian chicken wings in their buffet, and now that we've moved across the street, no one from the office goes there anymore. So I get a delicious, private lunch.

via GIPHY

Each day in August you are to post about something that makes *you* happy. Pretty simple. And, it doesn't even have to be every day if you don't want it to be. It's a great way to remind ourselves that there are positive things going on in our lives, our communities, and the world.

 

August Happiness Challenge -- Day 15

Today's happiness: Client Love. Presented to my favorite client this afternoon. I like Sheila so much because she likes me, and today she showed it again. After I went over our work, she said, "I knew it! I ask you for one thing, and The Gal opens Pandora's Box and gives me even more."

via GIPHY

Each day in August you are to post about something that makes *you* happy. Pretty simple. And, it doesn't even have to be every day if you don't want it to be. It's a great way to remind ourselves that there are positive things going on in our lives, our communities, and the world.

 

August Happiness Challenge -- Day 14

Today's happiness: Crayolas. I grew up preferring Crayola Crayons to the generic. I found they moved more smoothly across the page and the color was deeper and more true. When you're a kid, this is important. I no longer color, but some Chicago school child will, and with the Crayolas I dropped in the back-to-school donation box.

via GIPHY

Each day in August you are to post about something that makes *you* happy. Pretty simple. And, it doesn't even have to be every day if you don't want it to be. It's a great way to remind ourselves that there are positive things going on in our lives, our communities, and the world.

 

If you don't want to be called "deplorable," try not acting deplorably

I know Trump supporters disliked Hillary Clinton's characterization of them as "deplorable." And yet, they keep supporting a man who behaves deplorably, day in and day out. Most gallingly, they wrap themselves in my Christian faith when they applaud this President.

I'm always all for the separation of Church and State because that is one of the foundations this nation was built on. But now I even more vehemently for it because of the pretzel logic today's Christians use to support Donald Trump.

Yesterday, Donald Trump went to Fort Drum to sign the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act. Yet he refused to refer to the bill by its official name.

Yes, the most powerful man in the free world was petty enough to deny a dying war hero an accolade. By the way, it bears noting that the war John McCain served in and suffered through is one that Donald Trump avoided because of "bone spurs."

Walk me through how this lack of charity, lack of compassion, lack of humility, is in any way Christian.

This President, who wraps himself in his love of "the troops," has never visited a war zone. Barack Obama visited Afghanistan four times. George W Bush went to Iraq and Afghanistan. We're still at war in the same places. Why won't this President go?

Yet Donald Trump proposed cutting benefits for disabled veterans who live alone. That cut was abandoned once veterans groups read the fine print and exposed it. (You can thank those "enemies of the people," a free press, for giving the veterans groups a voice.)

Walk me through how this hypocrisy is any way Christian.

Keep clapping while Donald Trump pimps the troops for photo ops. Cheer while he disses John McCain one last time. Behave as deplorably as you wish. But please, stop blaming faith for your bad behavior.

This reminds me of Charlotte

I once had a total diva cat. She never let me forget that she was descended from Egyptian gods.

This one is for you, Girlfriend.

August Happiness Challenge -- Day 13

Today's happiness: $18.49. I came home and found a rebate check in my mailbox. "Thank you from Phillips Colon Health." It's like finding $5 in your jeans as you're loading the washer. Only better, since I don't really like having to buy probiotics. So this is like getting that bottle for free.

via GIPHY

Each day in August you are to post about something that makes *you* happy. Pretty simple. And, it doesn't even have to be every day if you don't want it to be. It's a great way to remind ourselves that there are positive things going on in our lives, our communities, and the world.

 

Sometimes I really hate myself

This is not my home. You know how you can tell? I don't have a treadmill.

Really, my living room and den are such a mess. My living room mess is perpetual. My den has been in disarray since I had to take all the books off the shelves back in 2016. 2016!

I had left Sunday open to do housework. To make a dent in the mess. And I didn't. You know what I did instead? Nothing.

I have to get the living room decluttered and the bathroom clean by 9:00 AM Tuesday, 8/22. That's when the first of two contractors is coming over to check out the bathroom and give me estimates for renovation.

Then I have to get the den elevated to at least presentable by the time I have the work done in October.

Why is this so hard for me? Cleaning up after oneself is something other people do rather effortlessly.

Sometimes I miss being in therapy. Sometimes I really hate myself.

August Happiness Challenge -- Day 12

Today's happiness: 16 jars of Gerber Turkey baby food. It's the best, easiest way to get Connie her meds. The Viralysis mixes so well and the turkey flavor and scent just appeal to her. Connie is a picky eater, and I spend a great deal of time worrying about our supply.

You think your local CVS has a wide selection of baby items? They don't carry Gerber meats at all. Only larger Walgreen's and Target stores carry it, and they're often out of turkey and only have chicken. (Connie doesn't like chicken.) Last week I went to Mariano's grocery store and they had jar after jar of ham (Connie doesn't like ham) but only one jar of turkey left. I was starting to panic.

I stopped at a massive grocery store on my way to movie group Saturday night and stocked up. (Yeah, I was approximately 5 minutes late but this is Connie we're talking about.) And Sunday I jus so happened to hit my local Target when they still had turkey on the shelf.

16 jars!

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Each day in August you are to post about something that makes *you* happy. Pretty simple. And, it doesn't even have to be every day if you don't want it to be. It's a great way to remind ourselves that there are positive things going on in our lives, our communities, and the world.

 

Sunday Stealing

See the Stars Ablaze

1 - You’re in a tattoo parlor about to get inked. What are you getting done? If I were to be convinced to get a tatt, I like this one. It's Sir Paul's signature Hofner bass.

2 - If you could be any character, from any literary work, who would you choose to be? Jo from Little Women

3 - You’re given $10,000…under one condition: you cannot keep the money for yourself. Who would you give it to? I'm assuming it's tax free. So, I'd give $1,000 each to:
• Napoleon and his humans
• A Key West vet, so my friends Reg and Henry can get their dogs checked out thoroughly
• The Abraham Lincoln Library and Museum, because their current financial crisis is a sin
• My niece, who worries about her college loan
• The local food pantry 
• The animal shelter where I met my cats, Reynaldo and Connie 

Then I'd buy a $1,000 CVS giftcard so my oldest friend can get OTC meds and health/beauty ... but not cigarettes.

The rest would go to a trip to Washington DC with my nephew. That would make him so happy.

And this would all make me very happy!

4 - If you had to go back in time and change one thing, what would it be? I wouldn't have been as sharp tongued at times.

5 - If you had to delete one year of your life completely, which would it be? 1987 was not a good year for me.

6 - You’re an Action Movie Hero. What’s your weapon of choice and the line you scream when defeating your arch enemy? My weapon of choice would be the free press, and my battle cry would be, "Print It!" (Take that, Mr. President.)

7 - What is the first curse word that comes to mind? "Fuck." Though technically speaking, it's a vulgarity and not a curse word. I can be trashy tongued, but I seldom take the Lord's name in vain.


8 - Would you rather be stranded on a desert island with someone you love for ten years or someone you hate for a month? Explain why. Someone I love for 10 years. Because it's someone I love.

9 - 5 things within touching distance:
My checkbook, the calculator, an envelope of receipts that will eventually go to my accountant, water bottle, and, of course, this computer.

10 - What are you supposed to be doing right now? Showering. I can't believe I'm still not dressed!

11 - Currently wanting to see anyone? Yes

12 - Would you go against your moral code for money? I'd like to say "no," but I'm sure at times during my career in advertising I have promoted products or services that I personally would not use. So what exactly are you asking me to do?


13 - What’s more important to you: strength of the body or strength of the mind? Mind.

14 - How important you think education is? I agree with the founder of Faber College:

One of the first scenes of Animal House

15 - If you were the president, what would you do? I'd try to be the President of all people. I wouldn't demonize everyone but the 35% who steadfastly support me.

Oh yeah, and I wouldn't mock the disabled.

My Day in Dekalb

Dekalb has an old-school confectionary

I spent Friday afternoon and evening in Dekalb, IL. It's a city 65 miles from Chicago, and home to Northern Illinois University. My friend Kathy moved out there last spring.

It's a long train ride away from Chicago, but it was an easy commute. You get on in the city where the line starts and sit there all the way to the end. Fortunately, I had a good book.

Got out there around 3:00 PM. Kathy proudly showed off her apartment. It's spacious -- the entire upstairs of an old house. She has an eat-in kitchen with a pantry, a bedroom with a walk-in closet and a den. Her rent is less than $1000/month, so it fits in her Social Security budget. Her granddaughter lives nearby, which helps keep her busy and connected.

She bought me a beer at a local bar where she knew I could watch the end of the Cub game. Then we went to her favorite candy store, the local library, and The Egyptian Theater. What a great old building that is! It's both architecturally and historically significant.

The Egyptian began in 1929 as an art deco movie palace. It's said to be haunted. Acts from Journey to comedian Lewis Black have performed there. And, in 1959, Massachusetts Senator John F. Kennedy addressed The Cold War from The Egyptian. Today, it's on the National Registry of Historic Places.

Isn't he impressive?

Then we had a nice Thai dinner and I got back on the train and headed back to civilization.

It was a nice visit. We got along well. I deflected any questions about John's health or anything too personal about his life. The Gal-John-Kathy "triangle" is tiresome. Part of why we got along so well is that I avoided that pitfall.

I was happy to support Kathy in this new, retired stage in her life. It meant a great deal to her that I made the trip, and you know what? It was really a rather small thing to do. 8 hours and $50. I should be more thoughtful about similar supportive things I can do for my friends.

It also made me feel a little better about my own retirement. A bit more peaceful about my own finances. When the time comes, I could live like Kathy. I told her that, and it seemed to please her.

August Happiness Challenge -- Day 11

Today's happiness: "My Tribe." Saturday night, I went to see Stage Door with my movie group. I had a great time. Of course.

I could credit Hepburn's dynamic personality or Ginger Rogers' sass or how happy I was to see Gail Patrick, my favorite classic character actress. But that's not what made last night special.

I was watching it on a big screen with others who loved it like I did. It's this feeling of belonging that makes me hope I can pull off a trip to the TCM Film Festival in 2019.

via GIPHY

Each day in August you are to post about something that makes *you* happy. Pretty simple. And, it doesn't even have to be every day if you don't want it to be. It's a great way to remind ourselves that there are positive things going on in our lives, our communities, and the world.

 

Saturday 9

Saturday 9: The Nanny (1993)

Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

1) This week's song is the theme from a sitcom that originally aired from 1993 to 1999. Were you a fan? No. I couldn't stand it. But the theme song brings back happy memories. About 15 years ago, I stayed with my oldest friend for a few days. She was recuperating from an outpatient medical procedure and I was helping her with her school-age kids. Because I was there to help, she was able to sit upright in her bed, watching episode after episode of The Nanny in reruns, laughing aloud. I'm pleased I could give her that.

2) The song tells us that Fran once worked in a bridal shop. Have you ever worked in a retail setting? Not since high school.

3) The kids in the Sheffield household appreciate their nanny's "joie de vivre," which is defined as "exuberant enjoyment of life." Are you feeling joie de vivre this morning? I'm OK.

4) "The Nanny" is the colorful one, the one who wears red when everyone else wears tan. What color do you think you look best in? Green. I should wear it more.

5) The TV show, The Nanny, was the brainchild of actress Fran Drescher. She got the idea while visiting her an old friend in London. Her friend's pre-teen daughter enjoyed having Fran as a confidante and shopping buddy. Do you enjoy shopping as a leisure activity? Or would you prefer to just dash into a store, grab what you need, and get out and go home? Depends on what we're shopping for.

6) The friend Fran was visiting in London was Twiggy, who was the world's most famous model in the 1960s. Name another famous model. The Hadid Sisters, Gigi and Bella. I see they do runway shows, cosmetic ads, magazine covers .... They seem to be everywhere!

7) The Nanny: The Complete Series is available on DVD on Amazon. It consists of 19 discs and takes 55 hours to watch, start to finish. What TV show have you recently binge watched? I watched an entire season of the Amazon Prime series, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, over two days. It was just 8 episodes. Does that count as bingeing?

8) The Nanny theme was sung by Liz Callaway. Her father, the late John Callway, was a long-time Chicago newscaster. Have you, or has a loved one, ever been on TV? I was in a crowd shot at Chicago campaign HQ the night Bill Clinton was elected in 1992. My mom saw it and was proud.

9) Random question -- Which of these adjectives comes closest to describing you: sexy, sophisticated or down-to-earth? Down to earth. I'm afraid if I was anymore down to earth, I'd be subterranean. 

August Happiness Challenge -- Day 10

Today's happiness: Mary Janes. I have always loved these candies. When I was a wee gal, my older sister would trade me hers at Halloween and make fun of me. "Nobody wants those!" I do! I do!

Friday, I visited my friend Kathy in her new home in Dekalb, IL. There's a charming, old-school candy story called The Confectionery. Guess what was in the very first candy jars I saw when I entered. She bought me three (and some two pieces of fancy chocolate and a cinnamon stick).

YES!

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Each day in August you are to post about something that makes *you* happy. Pretty simple. And, it doesn't even have to be every day if you don't want it to be. It's a great way to remind ourselves that there are positive things going on in our lives, our communities, and the world.

 

August Happiness Challenge -- Day 9

Today's happiness: good ingredients. This morning, I woke up feeling just fine.

I had a drink last night: vodka based, with fruit juices and liqueurs. I don't remember the name of it. It's not important to this post.

What does matter is that it was made with all-natural ingredients. What a relief! It's the first drink I've had since last Saturday's "Wicked Peach" triggered a miserable migraine. That drink was made with peach iced tea, that must have included artificial flavoring. I have to remember to grill the server and find out exactly what's in a drink before I order.

All natural ingredients = pain-free cranium.


via GIPHY

Each day in August you are to post about something that makes *you* happy. Pretty simple. And, it doesn't even have to be every day if you don't want it to be. It's a great way to remind ourselves that there are positive things going on in our lives, our communities, and the world.

 

A universal truth

I had dinner Wednesday night with my friend, Barb. I hadn't seen her in a while and was happy to see that she's taking care of herself. Oh, she was wearing a "boot" because of a sprained ankle, and she showed me a bandage covering the stitches on her arm -- remnants of a nasty fall. But still, she looks pretty good. Her color was good, she's keeping up her hair, she accessorized her outfit -- all little things that indicate she's taking care of herself.

Which is good, because we're almost exactly at the one-year anniversary of her husband's death. And we just passed the two-year anniversary of his cancer diagnosis. Yet she is picking up the pieces. She is surviving.

She's packing up her home, the home they shared, preparing it for sale. It's very slow going, but she's doing it.

She got a new puppy, Lily. The puppy has had health problems, which has kept her busy.

She bought a new condo, just a studio, because even though she 's selling her home here in Chicago and retiring to Hilton Head, she still wants to retain a base here.

She sees a therapist every week.

But she still cries every day. She still misses him every day. She still relives the moment he died, his hand in hers, and she hyperventilates.

People tell her "to move on." I told her to tell them to go fuck themselves.

Here's the thing:

Her pain is hers. It is not like anyone else's. It is unique. She is doing the best she can.

And, dear reader, whoever you are, this is for you: your pain is yours. It is not like anyone else's. And if you are doing the best you can, you're doing just fine.

We're not mass produced. We're individuals. We're like snowflakes, no two of us are exactly alike. That means we each have our own story, our own pain, our own path to healing.

Snowflakes for a humid August night.