Speak With Conviction

Typography from Ronnie Bruce on Vimeo.

Mommy's Punching Bag

This is the best Christmas giftthat I ever stole from my son! I bought it for him this year so he would have something to beat up, instead of me or the furniture. He also uses it when he gets angry to work out his frustrations and calm down.

However, I have discovered that giving it a few whacks is a great way for me to de-stress too.
Plus my son thinks it's very funny to see mommy punching and mumbling under her breath. In no time at all, we are both laughing and feeling a lot better.

Best of all, so far no one has popped it. Not even the cats. It's probably only a matter of time though, so I will keep it out of their reach. I may have to eventually invest in a real one for us both.

I didn't get gloves to use with it and I don't think I will. Punching it bare fisted seems more satisfying to me. I think I should give it a name. So, does anyone have any good name ideas?

Orchids Are Still Blooming

At least the cold didn't kill the orchids,

we could bring them inside!

Still Hibernating

So it's 2010 and yet I feel 2009 and was somehow unfinished. I can't quite put my finger on why I feel this way. It may have something to do with the twenty five plus projects that were left unfinished or the fact that family situations that I really wanted to put a cap on, are still unresolved. The year end seemed to sneak up on me this year and then passed over without notice.

Any plans for the new year are as frozen as the ridiculous Florida cold we have been having this week. I learned something new about myself though, apparently I can't think at all if the temps drop below 50 degrees and stay there for a week! I become some kind of animal, hibernating until the thaw. Eat, sleep and stay warm is about it.

I wish it hadn't taken so long for me to discover this. I might not have wasted those many years dreaming of a farm in the country, up north. That may have worked for me when I was younger but clearly a bad plan at this age.

So now I need a new dream destination. I also need a new plan for productive retirement. Then again, maybe you just need the right clothes. I'm mean really, how much farming do you do in the winter anyway?

Is My Butt on Fire?

It was 38 degrees here this morning with a wind chill advisory in effect. "Here" would be South Florida. While I spend most of the fall bitching about never having cold weather for the holidays and having to spend Christmas with the air conditioning on, I'm always surprised when we really do get a cold front. Not cold by most standards of course, but still I'm never prepared.

This morning I had to get up and go walk dogs in flannel pajama pants, Crocs with socks and two T-shirts covered by an old flannel shirt. Thankfully, the rest of the world never sees me during my rounds (except maybe the nosy neighbors of the homes I'm pet sitting for).

My son on the other hand, is always better dressed than mom. He actually got some warm sweat pants for Christmas (thank you KT!) and has a sweater to match. He even had on matching socks and sneakers!

The one thing I am very grateful for is that my car is always prepared. I discovered last winter that my car had heated seats. I've own the car for five years now and found the button by accident. I must of hit it by mistake while trying to do something else. All I know is I was riding along and suddenly my butt was on fire! Or so I thought. I pulled over off the road, got my son out of the car and waited for it to blow up.

Nothing happened. I didn't smell smoke, nothing was melting, so I decided to investigate.
That's when I noticed the little icon on my dash that was suppose to look like a seat, with a red light next to it. There was a matching icon and light on the right side of the dash. Huh? I touched the passenger seat and it was cold, so I turned the button on.

Low and behold, the seat got warm.

How could I have owned this car for five years and never known this?! My butt, not to mention my aching back was angry and thrilled at the same time. Ever since then, I have taken full advantage of this wonderful and self indulgent feature. I'm not much of a car enthusiast (I just need one that works) but this thin skinned South Floridian with no clothes would like to shake the hand of the person who invented heated car seats!

*Photo Credit:US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Christmas Cactus

My Christmas cactus is blooming! Just in time.

Happy Holidays To All!

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas

and Happy Holidays!