Babble, Babble...and Then I Found $5

Babble, Babble...I think I "might" sometimes babble. It's important useful babble, but none the less, just babble. If it's going into a long drawn out babble, Kristi will give me "that look" and we both smile and say, "And then I found $5". We say that because whatever I am talking about is just about as life shattering as finding $5.

Today I found this article on the onion website talking about how much time is wasted listening to babble bull....

Open-Minded Man Grimly Realizes How Much Life He's Wasted Listening To Bullshit
CLEVELAND—During an unexpected moment of clarity Tuesday, open-minded man Blake Richman was suddenly struck by the grim realization that he's squandered a significant portion of his life listening to everyone's bullshit, the 38-year-old told reporters.
A visibly stunned and solemn Richman, who until this point regarded his willingness to hear out the opinions of others as a worthwhile quality, estimated that he's wasted nearly three and a half years of his existence being open to people's half-formed thoughts, asinine suggestions, and pointless, dumb stories.
"Jesus Christ," said Richman, taking in the overwhelming volume of useless crap he's actively listened to over the years. "My whole life I've made a concerted effort to give people a fair shake and understand different points of view because I felt that everyone had something valuable to offer, but it turns out most of what they had to offer was complete bullshit."
"Seriously," Richman added, "what have I gained from treating everyone's opinion with respect? Nothing. Absolutely nothing."
According to Richman, it was just now hitting him how many hours of his life he's pissed away listening intently to nonsense about celebrity couples, how good or bad certain pens are, and why a particular sports team might have a chance this year. The husband and father of two said that every time he's felt at all put out or bored by a bullshit conversation—especially a speculative one about how bad allergy season was going to be—he should have just turned around, walked away, and gone rafting or rappelling or done any of the millions of other things he's always wanted to do but never thought he had time for.
At various points throughout the day, Richman could be heard muttering to himself that he couldn't believe he was almost 40 years old.
"Twenty minutes here, 10 minutes there. It all starts to add up," said Richman, who sat down and figured out that between stupid discussions about favorite baby names and reviews of restaurants in cities he'll never visit, he'd wasted 390 hours of his life. "And you know what the worst part is? It's my fault. Here I thought being considerate to others by always listening patiently to what they had to say was the right thing to do. Well, fuck me, right?"
According to Richman, he started thinking about how much time he's flushed down the toilet being an approachable person after a work meeting in which he let a coworker, David Martin, ramble on and on with an idea everyone knew was "total shit" the moment the man opened his mouth. Richman said that a single glance at the clock made him realize he had just spent 14 minutes of his finite time on earth not playing with his kids or being with his wife, but listening to garbage.
"It was like I stepped out of my body and saw myself actually listening to this man's worthless drivel—but it wasn't him who looked like a moron, it was me," Richman said. "I was nodding my head like an asshole and saying ridiculous things like, 'Right,' and, 'I see your point, Dave,' when I should have just said, 'Dave, your idea isn't good and you are wasting our time and you need to shut up right now.'"
By his estimates, Richman's receptiveness has resulted in 160 irreplaceable hours of listening to grossly uninformed political opinions, 300 hours of carefully hearing out both sides of pointless arguments, and at least a month of listening to his parents' bullshit about how important it is to be open-minded.
Eighty days have been wasted on the inane blather of his college friend Brian alone.
"All those hours I could have been relaxing, or reading all these great books, or getting into shape, or working on side projects that I'm really excited about," Richman said. "But instead I've been listening to overrated albums recommended to me by my asshole friends."
"Did you know that in my life I've listened to five days' worth of people talking about their furniture?" he added. "It's true. That's a trip to Europe right there."
While Richman has vowed to cease being open-minded to absolute horseshit, acquaintances reflected on his approachability.
"I love Blake," coworker David Martin said. "He's such a good listener. A lot of people are closed-minded and self-absorbed, but Blake always makes an effort to hear where I'm coming from. The world could use more people like him."

Too funny....hits home both as the receiver and the giver.

On Sunday, Kristi and I decided to go for a walk over in the Alberta area. There was a new art showing at the Guardino Gallery. One of the featured artists was Mar Goman which I wanted to see since I had missed seeing her art when it was at Scrap. Along with hers were others that were just a delight to see.

Mar Goman







And others....






After leaving the gallery show we visit other art spots (some allow you to even touch!)



and of course my favorite art supply store Collage



The rest of the day is spent walking and laughing and of course me babbling.



And then, just when Kristi was about to give me "that Mom you're babbling look"......

I found a dime! ... I picked it up and the babble continued ...

An Australian Awakening

About a month ago I joined The Collage Collaborative, a group of collagers. Each of us began a 5x7 piece, and then that piece is added to by 4 additional collagers. A few people dropped out and a few wanted in before the first round was completed. One of the new collagers wanting in was Lorri from Australia. I love her art and her blog. Her drawings are wonderful and I soon found out you could purchase them as cards (you know my love of cards!) at zazzle.com. I ordered several so I could part with a few.

I then discovered her other creations at her etsy shop. Once there, I found my "Joy" necklace for 2011.
What I really enjoy though is reading her blog. She is so open about herself and her life. She recently posted a piece written by Virginia Swift called "The Awakening", which I thought I would share as well.

The Awakening

A time comes in your life when you finally get it... When in the midst of all your fears and insanity you stop dead in your tracks and somewhere the voice inside your head cries out - ENOUGH!! Enough fighting and crying or struggling to hold on. And, like a child quieting down after a blind tantrum, your sobs begin to subside, you shudder once or twice, you blink back your tears and through a mantle of wet lashes you begin to look at the world through new eyes.

This is your awakening.

You realize that it's time to stop hoping and waiting for something to change or for happiness, safety and security to come galloping over the next horizon. You come to terms with the fact that he is not Prince Charming and you are not Cinderella and that in the real world there aren't always fairy tale endings (or beginnings for that matter) and that any guarantee of "happily ever after" must begin with you and in the process a sense of serenity is born of acceptance.

You awaken to the fact that you are not perfect and that not everyone will always love, appreciate, or approve of who or what you are...and that's OK. (They are entitled to their own views and opinions). And you learn the importance of loving and championing yourself and in the process a sense of new found confidence is born of self-approval.

You stop bitching and blaming other people for the things they did to you (or didn't do for you) and you learn that the only thing you can really count on is the unexpected. You learn that people don't always say what they mean or mean what they say and that not everyone will always be there for you and that it's not always about you. So you learn to stand on your own and to take care of yourself and in the process a sense of safety & security is born of self-reliance.

You stop judging and pointing fingers and you begin to accept people as they are and to overlook their shortcomings and human frailties and in the process a sense of peace & contentment is born of forgiveness.

You realize that much of the way you view yourself, and the world around you, is as a result of all the messages and opinions that have been ingrained into your psyche. And you begin to sift through all the crap you've been fed about how you should behave, how you should look and how much you should weigh, what you should wear and where you should shop and what you should drive, how and where you should live and what you should do for a living, who you should marry and what you should expect of a marriage, the importance of having and raising children of what you owe your parents. You learn to open up to new worlds and different points of view. And you begin reassessing and redefining who you are and what you really stand for. You learn the difference between wanting and needing and you begin to discard the doctrines and values you've outgrown, or should never have bought into to begin with and in the process you learn to go with your instincts.

You learn that it is truly in giving that we receive. And that there is power and glory in creating and contributing and you stop maneuvering through life merely as a "consumer" looking for your next fix.

You learn that principles such as honesty and integrity are not the outdated ideals of a by gone era but the mortar that holds together the foundation upon which you must build a life. You learn that you don't know everything: it's not your job to save the world and that you can't teach a pig to sing. You learn to distinguish between guilt and responsibility and the importance of setting boundaries and learning to say NO. You learn that the only cross to bear is the one you choose to carry and that martyrs get burned at the stake.

Then you learn about love. Romantic love and familial love. How to love, how much to give in love, when to stop giving and when to walk away. You learn not to project your needs or your feelings onto a relationship. You learn that you will not be more beautiful, more intelligent, more lovable or important because of the man on your arm or the child that bears your name. You learn to look at relationships as they really are and not as you would have them be. You stop trying to control people, situations and outcomes.

You learn that just as people grow and change so it is with love... and you learn that you don't have the right to demand love on your terms...just to make you happy.

And, you learn that alone does not mean lonely...And you look in the mirror and come to terms with the fact that you will never be a size 5 or a perfect 10 and you stop trying to compete with the image inside your head and agonizing over how you "stack up". You also stop working so hard at putting your feelings aside, smoothing things over and ignoring your needs. You learn that feelings of entitlement are perfectly OK...and that it is your right to want things and to ask for the things that you want... and that sometimes it is necessary to make demands.

You come to the realization that you deserve to be treated with love, kindness, sensitivity and respect and you won't settle for less. And, you allow only the hands of a lover who cherishes you to glorify you with his touch...and in the process you internalize the meaning of self-respect. And you learn that your body really is your temple. And you begin to care for it and treat it with respect. You begin eating a balanced diet, drinking more water and taking more time to exercise. You learn that fatigue diminishes the spirit and can create doubt and fear. So you take more time to rest.

And, just as food fuels the body, laughter fuels our soul. So you take more time to laugh and to play.

You learn, that for the most part, in life you get what you believe you deserve...and that much of life truly is a self-fulfilling prophecy. You learn that anything worth achieving is worth working for and that wishing for something to happen is different from working toward making it happen.

More importantly, you learn that in order to achieve success you need direction, discipline and perseverance. You also learn that no one can do it all alone and that it's OK to risk asking for help. You learn that the only thing you must truly fear is the great robber baron of all time. FEAR itself. You learn to step right into and through your fears because you know that whatever happens you can handle it and to give in to fear is to give away the right to live life on your terms.

And you learn to fight for your life and not to squander it living under a cloud of impending doom. You learn that life isn't always fair, you don't always get what you think you deserve and that sometimes bad things happen to unsuspecting, good people. On these occasions you learn not to personalize things. You learn that God isn't punishing you or failing to answer your prayers. It's just life happening. And you learn to deal with evil in its most primal state - the ego. You learn that negative feelings such as anger, envy and resentment must be understood and redirected or they will suffocate the life out of you and poison the universe that surrounds you.

You learn to admit when you are wrong and to build bridges instead of walls. You learn to be thankful and to take comfort in many of the simple things we take for granted, things that millions of people upon the earth can only dream about; a full refrigerator, clean running water, a soft warm bed, a long hot shower. Slowly, you begin to take responsibility for yourself by yourself and you make yourself a promise to never betray yourself and to never ever settle for less than your heart's desire. And you hang a wind chime outside your window so you can listen to the wind. And you make it a point to keep smiling, to keep trusting and to stay open to every wonderful possibility.

Finally, with courage in your heart and with God by your side you take a stand, you take a deep breath and you begin to design the life you want to live as best as you can.


by: Virginia Swift.

The words are a very much welcomed reminder and needed self reflection (well, except for maybe that darn wind chime!); they come at just the right time. I am so glad that Lorri became part of the collaborative and that I found her blog so I could read The Awakening. My "Joy" necklace is on its way here, along with some other unknown goodies (Thank you Lorri!)...I am giddy!

Postcards From A Better Time

A couple months after I had retired, I was having breakfast with my gal Yina at Bertie Lou's Cafe in Sellwood. While sitting there waiting for our breakfast, I noticed a wicker basket leaning up against the window. I pulled it over and looked inside, finding it chock-full of postcards.

I loved perusing and reading each and every one. Years and years of places and places; each one sending greetings and brief delightful thoughts, some generic and some personal. It was a treat (better than breakfast) to read them all. It was a glimpse into someone's life~a better time.

When my friends and family go off to far away lands or on a fun adventure, I always try to ask them to send me a postcard. And when I receive it, my heart is giddy, because for one small brief moment....I am there with them.



Guests around my coffee table and I thank you for sharing your travels with us!

My Full of JOY Vision Board for 2011

In December I was toying with the idea of creating a vision board. I had heard about them, but didn't really know how to do one. I had in mind the word I wanted to be mine for 2011. And then SERENDIPITY...Dayna sends me an invite to create a vision board in her studio along with some other ladies. She also sends a link to Christine Kane that tells how she goes about doing her vision board with some ideas of how to come up with your vision word. And the same word comes up again.

"JOY"

I find this saying which says exactly how I feel about it for the center of my board.

"Joy, to me, is those little moments.

You know the moments when you realize that you could
Just dance because of all the freedom you feel.

That moment when you don't worry about a thing, you just smile and feel wonderful.

Honestly, it comes in spurts for me, but when it does I know it's there and I never feel more blissful than in those moments.

It's joyful moments that make life worthwhile for me."

I want 2011 to be full of joy - if it doesn't bring me joy, then question why I am doing it (hence, no resentments). I will try to find the joy in all, knowing that sometimes you have to do things that will result in a joy filled ending.

I am also VERY determined to lose those pounds and to live more healthy. Hikes & Bikes, healthy cooking classes and added days at the gym. Also, traveling to new places and doing new kinds of art. A little decluttering and maybe, just maybe something new over at Buckman School.



And did I mention GREAT hair ?!!!!

2KXI and *8 Things...I Fell in Love With in 2010

A brand new year....it has that new car leather smell (or in the case of this year, a new Coach purse!). I always embrace what a new year will bring, and I am always thankful for what the previous year gave me.

I wrote about the 8 things I fell in love with last year. I had read an entry on Dayna's Alley Art Studio Blog. She had discovered this little game on Rachelle Mee-Chapman's blog which went:

*8 Things is a little game I made up for myself in an attempt to quieten down my monkey mind. I tend to be a little bit bipolar when it comes to creativity. Either I have a million ideas and passions, or none at all. In the times when ideas are flowing, I rely on lists. *8 Things is a way for me to keep collections of ideas, thought, quotes and quandaries on-hand for later exploration. . . .Want to play along? Grab a button and join me for *8 Things Thursdays. Because..well…why the hell not?

I copy and paste and am ready to complete my list of:

*8 Things... I Fell in Love With in 2010

1. Ava Miranda Randolph
2. Spending an entire day in August with Beth Johnson
3. Receiving my very first Trophy
4. High five from the BEST Trainer for achieving an over a minute PLANK
5. Seeing my name on Dayna Collins Creative Inspirations List
6. Sharing a nod with a kindred soul
7. Finding and wearing the cutest French Paris top
8. Becoming a member of Phi Theta Kappa

...and 8.5 Getting to see Rick Glaser again!

My #1 Love for 2010 - Miss Ava



#2 My Wonderful Dear True Friend Beth



#3 Receiving My 1st Trophy



#4 BEST Trainer EVER (warrants two pictures - the tough nice guy!)




#5 My name on Dayna's Creative Inspirations List



#6 A Nod From a Kindred Soul (okay it actually wasn't Sidney Poitier from To Sir With Love but....)



#7 Finding the cutest top ever (the cuteness is actually in the length and pocket which the picture doesn't show, but it does show Dayna and Becky!)



#8 Member of Phi Theta Kappa



and #8.5 Mr. Rick Glaser



2010 was filled with many blessings and sadness with the loss of my friend Beth. As always, I am excited and ready to see what 2011 has in-store for me; those unknown adventures to places and meeting new people. Yes, I am giddy with anticipation about the *8 Things I'll Fall in Love With in 2011!

Pitter-Patter Mail Art & International Collages

Several months ago I happened to stumble upon the "Mail Art" created by Nikki Soppelsa. Every time she creates something new, pitter-patter goes my heart. My love for mail wanted to either receive or create such glorious envelopes (and then I came across her etsy shop).




About a month ago she asked if anyone would be interested in participating in a Collage Collaborative. You would start your own on a 5x7 inch board. Would I be interested? Heck yes!! I emailed her and asked if I could be in a participant, she graciously said yes. As the month went on the collaborative grew to thirteen people, all across the globe (USA, Philippines, Belgium, Ukraine, Uruguay and Canada). She set up a facebook page for the group to post their beginning collage, and for us and our friends to see their transformations. Each collage will be artfully added to by four other people and then returned to their owner for any final (if desired) additions.

I decided to keep my initial collage simple (that way there is more room for the other four's creativeness).



I sent it off to Michael this week. From the looks of his beginning collage, I know his creative addition(s) will be spectacular!! And I eagerly await the arrival of Ma.Nimfa's (from the Philippines).

Thanks to Nikki ~ 2011 is starting out to be a fabulously fun and exciting year!

A Warm Christmas in the Zone

It used to be that I could never understand how people leave their homes during the holidays for warmer climates. I totally understand now.

The two weeks prior to Christmas we were off to Waikiki. A different kind of trip this time being that I had not googled one thing to do - absolutely no plans except feeling the suns' rays!

Ten glorious days and nights of Happy Hour Edamame with Santa on the beach....



Sleeping on a submarine....





Taking long walks....



And best of all meeting Nate, my new pen pal!!

Back home dinner and get-togethers with best friends made the burr coldness more bearable.





And Christmas Eve was spent opening and receiving the best presents EVER!!

With my favorite gal....



Getting best ever T-shirts and beautifully wrapped gifts....




The feel and smell of a Coach Purse....




An autographed journal from Sabrina Ward Harrison....





And then the most Over The Top - In The Zone - All Aflutter present....




Yes, A trip back out to the island. Does Christmas and life get any better? Well, actually yes it does.....with a Christmas Eve kiss from my little Boo Monkey!



Merry Christmas Family and Friends ~ I love you!