Updating

I just got off the phone with my long time pal Christina. I have known Christina so long, I'm not even sure how long we've known each other. She moved to Canada with her Canadian husband what seems like a million years ago and is now the Mom of 4 ridiculously cute kiddos! She's just started a new blog so be sure to pop over there and say hello (www.amamaandherducklings.blogspot.com) Moms, I know she'd love to do the kid/family talk things and bloggers she'd love some input on fun things she can do with her page.

But I digress....

Because our lives went in two totally different directions it's rare that we get to spend quality time catching up. We have facebook, but in all honesty that doesn't truly lend itself to How you really are, what's REALLY going on in your life, etc... So it should go without saying that it was lovely to have time to talk, really talk - not virtually and catch up.

When I think about my life - growing up it's hard to find memories that don't include Christina. We could be the best of friends or the worst of enemies. And God help the soul that got on our bad side at the same time. Some of the best/worst gossiping I've ever done was with her. We were talking about a friend of ours that we have both lost touch with and I couldn't help but remember one night when were about 14/15 years old at Summer Camp. Me, Christina, & Kimberly - we snuck out of our dorm and were hanging out on the picnic table in front of our dorm. We weren't doing anything just talking and sharing what we thought were secrets. The funny part was, every secret we shared we had shared with one of the other two. So when you started to tell your secret the one you thought didn't know would cut you off to tell you the other friend had already told them. (Does that make sense?) Anyway, it was so funny and to this day one of my favorite memories.

I'm not a Taylor Swift fan and I'm not trying to get all sappy, but her new song Fifteen has had been thinking back on that age a lot lately. At fifteen I thought life couldn't get any better than those moments and that when we grew up we'd take our families on camping trips together and still have those moments of sneaking out in the middle of the night to share secrets. Obviously that's not how life turned out. I do wish that we had been better with keeping in touch with Kimberly, but I'm so glad we have managed to hold onto our friendship.

And of course because she is blogging now, she's on my butt to be better about updating. So much to your enjoyment or chagrin... I will be blogging more frequently. :)

Be sure to visit her blog, say hello and share blogging info with her and check out pictures of her stupidly cute kids (Riley, Nathaniel, Jamus, & Annabella)

Ciao for Now!

Dear 2010

Dear 2010,

Welcome! In case you were unaware your brother, 2009, sucked. I have high expectations for you. Although, this first week you have been a severe let down. Let's just hope and pray that's old whatshisbutt 09' just clearing out his remnants.

I need you to be a much better year please. Be kind to my heart, it can't take another year like last year.

I promise in turn that I will try to do right by you, and I will let everyone know what a great year you are.

I hope you don't let me down. It's early and even though it's been a ridiculously rough start, I have already started to love you. Don't let me down!

Lovingly yours,
Sandrine

The missing piece

I don't know what was different about this week. The heavens didn't open up and a light didn't shine down on me, I didn't get a special visitation of an Irish Angel and Black Angel driving a convertible Cadillac. There was nothing that was a magical shift or change in my week. But it was an extraordinary week. It was not a week of amazing events or even one spectacular thing.

This week it felt like the missing piece was found. The piece of me that I have been keenly aware was missing for quiet some time. Almost 7 years to be exact. I don't know where I found it or how it all worked, but I know that I felt different this week. The way I interacted with family, friends, & complete strangers reminded me of the girl I used to know. The girl that I've missed being. Like I said, I'm not sure what happened or why it all fell into place this week, but I'm almost overjoyed to feel "whole" again.

I think in finding that missing piece I realized there were things that I put in it's place that kept me from being able to put the piece back. That meant letting go of past hurts, one in particular that I used to think I might not recover from. I passed the peace pipe this morning. It was way past time. I didn't get a response, but the simple acting of passing it on felt like I was putting glue on that piece to secure it in place and make sure I never lose it again.

It's good to be back....

S

Long Time No Blog

Guess Who?!?!?!?! It's been a long time! I've missed you guys!

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Now playing: Club Des Belugas - Hip Hip Chin Chin (Yaziko club mix)
via FoxyTunes

Death of the Book

I know we are living in a world that is insistent on making life easier and accessible all times. You can talk to anyone at any time, update you status, change your flight, and communicate with your entire family with the simple click of a button. I will freely admit I love the advances in technology. I am guilty of of being "connected" at all times.

With that said - I love books. I love the smell of books. There is something so great about getting on a flight, sitting on the beach, or being curled up on the couch on a rainy day with a hefty book. Little books I'm sure are equally good, but there's something about the hefty book that makes me feel like I'm "really reading". Sadly the days of the "the book" are numbered. Everywhere I turn I see or hear about someone lounging around with their Kindle. Kindle this, Kindle that. It makes me ill. If you have a Kindle I mean no offense to you, but I must admit the idea of the Kindle itself offends me greatly and it saddens me.

The days of hanging out in the library and bringing home a bag full of books, wondering how you are going to read them all before they are due are numbered. Mindless afternoons wandering around Borders, Barnes & Noble, and Half Priced Books are numbered. Soon, even those dumb Harlequin romance books that middle aged women purchase will be considered "antiques" because they are actual books. Now if the thought of the Kindle doesn't offend you, the thought of anything with Fabio on the cover being considered an antique or a classic should be offensive.

And for those getting ready to say "Books will never go away", I would like you to please find me a current 45", an 8 track, or even a cassette tape.

So in summary....Video Killed The Radio Star, like Kindle Killed The Book.

Thank you and good day. I said GOOD DAY!

I don't care Who's Got What

From the time the Internet video surfaced of Susan Boyles I immediately disinterested. Perhaps it was my Cacophobia that kept me away, or maybe the fact that I have a crazy amount of talented friends that she didn't wow and amaze me.

Needless to say I haven't jumped on the Bandwagon or joined her fan club. From magazines, to the Today Show, to Entertainment Tonight, Access Hollywood, E! I can't seem to escape at least one reference to Susan Boyle. So I have to ask the question? What is it about this woman? I've heard her sing, yes she has a lovely voice, but why is that so amazing? Is it that she's middle aged and can sing? Is it that she's unattractive and can sing? Is it that she got mocked at first, and then cheered? But even with all of those things - what's new? Who care? Most artist weren't the most popular ones and there's a large amount of them that are still unattractive. So I'm still really baffled. Anyone have any insight for me?

I'd love to understand what the fascination is. I hear she's had a makeover, but the Cacophobia still keeps me away. Poor Susan, I don't loathe her. I just don't get it. Either way, I wish her well - now America, can we move on to something else of interest? Like the Economy or the Obama's new dog??


Thank you and Good Day...


"I SAID GOOD DAY!" - Fez

PS. I've been a bad blogger - I'm getting back on the horse, slowly but surely!

Puma in Training?

In the past couple of months I seem to be the Pied Piper to Young Men. And when I say young I mean, early 20's. I'm not sure how or why, but they seem to be finding me regardless of where I am or what I am doing. I don't have an issue with someone a few years younger, but 9 or 10 years is a bit much, when it's barely 21. The sad part is that they all have been completly adorable. But, I'm too scared I'll be on the next episode of "To Catch A Predator" with police jumping out of the bushes to give these guys serious consideration.

Am I being ridiculous? Am I a Puma in training? God knows I'm not old enough to be a Cougar!Should I be giving these youngsters a chance? I feel dirty even considering it.

I think I'm going to start carding guys as soon as they approach. For the record...single life is ridiculous. But a convent is more appealing everyday. I already wear black and white, almost every day. The only draw back is that Sister Sandrine sounds stupid. Actually I can think of more drawbacks than just that one. But that's another blog...