Leap Year!

Enjoy the day!!!

Dancing With The Stars Cast Revealed!

Here they are - the latest cast of Dancing With The Stars -

Jack Wagner

Melissa Gilbert

Donald Driver

William Levy

Sherri Shepherd

Kathleen Jenkins

Gavin Degraw

Martina Navratilova

Roshon Fegan

Maria Menounos

Jaleel White

AND...Drumroll Please...the voice of my childhood...

GLADYS KNIGHT

DD and I are addicted to DWTS, regardless of the cast each season. But I'm already  beyond thrilled to see Gladys competing. Hopefully, she'll do some singing, as well!

Ryan Seacrest - Grace in the Face of Idiocy

Kudos to Ryan Seacrest for his aplomb in the face of Sacha Baron Cohen's tasteless prank at the Oscars.

Boo-Hiss to the National Enquirer

The National Enquirer reached a new low this week by publishing a photo of Whitney Houston in her coffin. I am really too appalled to frame sufficient commentary at this time.

A Preview of the Empty Nest

Darling Daughter has spent three nights away from me in the last week. Off with her best friend, she's had a grand old time. I'm glad she has...she's off doing all of the fun things she should be doing at her age. As for me, well, I got a somewhat unwelcome glimpse of the future.

I came late to the Motherhood Game - I was 43 when I adopted DD. Life hadn't worked out quite as I'd planned with the baby thing - I was retro enough to hope, when I was younger, that I'd meet my Mr. Right, settle down, and we'd raise several children together.

However, Mr. Right never came along, and a non-cancerous tumor left me unable to bear children. Yet life has a way of working out just as it's supposed to, and I have been blessed with the child I was meant to have.

I have cherished every moment of the twelve-plus years my daughter and I have had together. I remember holding her, when she was an infant, and relishing the thought of the many years ahead. As for her growing up, and leaving home? Pfft - I had lots of time.

Yet, with the three nights DD has been away, I realized, with an unpleasant shock, that it won't be too many more years before DD is off to college and out on her own. I don't know why, this time, this particular short jaunt away from me has bothered me so much. After all, she spends several weeks up North with my parents every summer.

Perhaps it's because the time with her has flown so quickly. Perhaps it's the realization that she's growing into the lovely young woman I'd prayed she would be. Perhaps it has also left me wondering how the heck I'm going to reshape my life as she goes out into the world to live hers.

She'll be back home tonight. She'll know I missed her, but probably won't understand why I hug her so tightly. She'll be happy to see me, and will quickly settle back into her normal daily routine.

And, as I hug her, I will wish for the impossible - to somehow freeze time, all the while knowing that time is passing much too quickly.

Okay - Now Where Was I???

The Tasmanian Devil has left town, and life will now, mercifully, return to normal.

A Quick Thought Worth Posting

Freezing In Florida

Temps in the low 20's this morning. Transformer blew nearby & electricity went out - briefly, thankfully. Too cold!!!

Whitney Houston Star Spangled Banner Video

Goodbye, Whitney

Thank you for the joy you gave to so many with the gift of your singing. Rest in peace.

The Trash Pickers

Nearly every neighborhood has a neighbor that is, well, perhaps a bit of a challenge to associate with. In our neighborhood, we are blessed with an entire family of such characters, and we experience the joy of living directly across the street from ours.

Mind you, we're not talking the neighbor that can be fondly labeled as a colorful eccentric. No indeedie...our crew is a hard-drinkin', druggin', and livin' crew. The neighbors are regularly treated to the fights that erupt amongst them, usually in the front yard. Then, of course, comes the inevitable visit from the police. 

But let's forget about the crew's best efforts to daily devalue the property in the neighborhood for a moment, shall we? Let's talk TRASH.

I put a larger amount of trash at the curb this week, having worked diligently at cleaning and organizing our garage. While the majority of the items - useless, too worn, etc. - were bagged, I had tossed an extremely large basket alongside the trashcans.

As I returned from taking DD to the bus stop this morning, I noticed Big Mama and her daughter-in-law, the neighbors from the loud house, pacing the bottom of their driveway, eyeing my trash. No sooner did I shut the front door, then Big Mama darted across the street, snatched the basket, and both ladies dashed into their house.

Now, I am usually thrilled to put usable items at the curb. I EXPECT someone to take them. Heck, I scored a solid maple dresser from a house two doors up when the neighbor shoved it to street (I did knock on the door, first, and get her okay to haul it to my house). It's common to see people driving though the neighborhood, looking for usable goodies. And, for many, times are tough, and some may not have the money to make a purchase at a thrift shop.

But, since we've lived at this house, I admit that it gripes me that no matter what I put outside, the scavengers across the street take it. Split plastic storage containers, a broken bike - it matters not. They take it. Nine times out of ten, they don't even USE the items they take. It simply joins the enormous pile of junk already filling their garage.

Maybe I'd feel differently if they weren't incessantly ringing my doorbell, asking for food and money. Maybe I'd feel differently had the son not burglarized several houses in the neighborhood. Maybe it's because I'm sick of their grandson and his slingshot, as he daily wings rocks through the air, heedless of the houses or cars in the neighborhood. Maybe it's because they've already stolen my peace of mind.

Luckily, we rent this house, so we will not be in this neighborhood forever. In the not-too-distant future, DD and I will be moving on to the next adventure in our lives. Every box we sort, every item we get rid of, gets us one step closer to our goal.

We're moving forward...

Black Coffee

Up early, drinking black coffee, because I forgot to buy milk at the store yesterday. Need milk!

Are You Zaching Yet? You Should Be...

Zach Lederer, 18, from Ellicott City, Maryland, knows a thing or two about beating the odds.

In sixth grade, Zach began suffering from severe headaches. When his mother took him to the doctor, she was ordered to take Zach immediately to the emergency room at Johns Hopkins. There, Zach's parents received the news that Zach had an inoperable, fatal brain tumor.

Noted neurosurgeon Ben Carson, after consulting with Zach's doctors, decided to take Zach's case. Zach endured brain surgery, a medically induced coma, and radiation, before returning to the sixth grade.

Over time, the tumor began to shrink. As of 2010, the once walnut-sized tumor measured a puny centimeter in diameter.

By 2011, Zach was enrolled at the University of Maryland at College Park, majoring in broadcast journalism. He also became the student manager of the men's basketball team.

However, in early January, Zach noticed numbness in his left leg. An MRI showed a lesion in his brain. Zach would require another brain surgery.

While in his hospital bed, Zach struck a pose for the camera. He said that he thought, “If I make these muscles and show everyone how strong I am right now, they’ll stop worrying about me and think, ‘Oh he’ll be great.’"

His dad posted the picture on Facebook. Several hours later, his cousins, Jon Feldman and Joey O'Dwyer, struck the same pose and posted their picture, as well.

Zaching was born.

Since Zach first struck his fearless pose, hundreds have posted pictures of themselves Zaching. And the numbers are growing daily.

Want to show Zach your support? Take a good look at how it's done from Zach's picture, above. Send your picture to zaching27@gmail.com, and it'll be posted on his Tumblr page (zaching.tumblr.com).

Spread the word. Spread the love. Spread the hope. Let's do this for Zach!

Eliminating the Stuff Monster

We moved to Florida nearly nine years ago. We moved with too much stuff, we've gotten rid of a lot of stuff, and the bottom line is that we STILL have too much stuff.

Currently, the inside of our house is relatively spare and uncluttered. Darling Daughter's bedroom is a bit of an exception, but the normal teenage frou-frou crapola isn't overwhelming.

But the Stuff Monster lives in our garage, and he needs to be purged. I will readily admit that I have thought about and discussed this purge for YEARS, yet it has never happened.

However, several weeks ago, DD and I reached a momentous decision regarding our future. While we are not going to be acting on the decision tomorrow, we both agreed that one of the necessary steps toward its fruition is getting rid of the Stuff Monster in the garage once and for all. We have a pact - we are going to be ruthless.

To that end, I visited his lair this morning. It ain't pretty. In fact, I briefly retreated into the house, overwhelmed by the magnitude of the task at hand. After a quick slug of coffee, I returned to the garage, and tackled several half-opened boxes.

Within the hour, I had two filled bags ready to haul to the trash, and four broken-down boxes in the recycle bin. I also set aside several items that will never make it onto the trash truck Friday morning - they will be snarfed up with glee by someone in the neighborhood, once I place them at the curb. One man's trash...

Yes, I was feeling a bit smug after my initital encounter with the Stuff Monster. To further arm myself for future battle, I made a pit stop at Walgreen's, and purchased additional trash bags.

Tomorrow, I will venture into the Stuff Monster's lair again. His days are numbered. By the time we're through, he'll be whimpering in defeat. And we will have successfully laid the foundation for the new life we are planning.

For the Cox Family

The Lord is my shepherd,


I shall not be in want.

He makes me lie down in green pastures,

he leads me beside quiet waters,

He restores my soul.

He guides me in paths of righteousness

for his name's sake.

Even though I walk

through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil,

for you are with me;

your rod and your staff,

they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me

in the presence of my enemies.

You anoint my head with oil;

my cup overflows.

Surely goodness and love will follow me

all the days of my life,

and I will dwell in the house of the Lord

forever.

- Psalm 23

Rest in eternal peace, Charlie and Braden Powell. Prayers and the deepest condolences to the Cox family.

The Week in Review - A Series of Unfortunate Events

Monday –

The Leak – Ah, the inexpressible joy of discovering the underside of your car draining antifreeze onto the driveway. The momentary relief of actually locating said leak, while mentally tallying the lack of funds available for a repair. Reminding oneself that a second vehicle and another income are not valid reasons for wishing one had a spouse.

The Computer Monitor – Begins flashing a myriad of colors, blacking in and out, fading from light to dark. Additional time spent stressing over lack of funds to replace, and wondering how well Darling Daughter would adjust to an immediate father.

Tuesday –

The Tire – The thrill of a text from a neighbor, informing you that the rear tire on the car is low. The heart-in-mouth drive to the gas station to put air in the tire, and the blissful moment one spies the gleam of a nail imbedded in the tire. The sense of deja-vu as one again contemplates the lack of funds for a second auto repair. Quickly surveying the patrons filling their car at the gas station, and realizing none look like a viable candidate for a husband.

The Monitor Redux - Computer-savvy friend informs me that computer is fine, but the monitor is definitely on the fritz. Retire to bed with a pounding headache.

Wednesday –

The Internet, The Phone, The TV- Staggering into the office with the day’s first cup of coffee, cheerfully anticipating checking email between flashes of color on the monitor. Noticing, with dismay, that the batter pack that runs the phone, TV, and computer inside the house is dead – again. Make that the third time since last October. Remembering, with dread, the 3 hours and 40 minutes spent on the phone with outsourced tech support – just three short weeks earlier. Making a mental note that contemplated Quickie Spouse should be a tech geek.

Thursday –

The Battery – Making the usual drive to pick Darling Daughter up from the bus stop. Waiting in the unseasonable heat on the parking lot for the cherub to arrive home from school. The moment when one starts the car, anticipating the ride home, chatting about DD’s day, but only hearing an ominous click when turning the key in the ignition, which led me to…

The “Good Samaritan” – Asking the woman you greet every day while waiting for DD if she can give your battery a jump, only to hear, “No, uh-uh. I’m afraid something will happen to my car. Don’t you have Triple A or an auto club, or something? I mean, I hope you can figure out something soon, but I can’t help you.” So much for Sisterhood. Thanking God for the older sister of one of DD’s bus mates, who realized I was having trouble, and cheerfully helped me get the car started. Thank God for Sisterhood. Upon arriving home, I experienced…

The Epiphany – My next door neighbor. He owns a truck and a vintage Camaro that he restored himself, including rebuilding the engine! Invite neighbor to peruse under the hood of my car. Neighbor cheerfully says it will be “a piece of cake” to repair the leak, and that he will do it Sunday morning. I abandon all thoughts of hastily acquiring a spouse with relief.

Friday –

The Tech Visit – A lovely young man, who couldn’t have done more to help me get the internet, phone, & TV up & running again. Yes, he informed me that I would be billed $55 for the visit, but that it would be broken into installments, and added to the monthly bill. Got his supervisor’s email address to write a letter of commendation for his outstanding service.

Saturday –

Empowerment – Buying supplies for Sunday’s scheduled car repair. Though all is not right – yet - with the monitor and the car, feeling happy to have just survived the week, and rejoicing that all items purchased for the repair cost a mere $35.00.

Sunday –

Relief – Brilliant next door neighbor has replaced fitting and hoses on the car in 40 minutes. Internet, TV, and phone working without a hitch. Next door neighbor can also plug hole in tire. The Giants won the Super Bowl. A friend has an extra monitor. Darling Daughter assures me that this week will be better. I agree.