I think I have a lung problem...

actually, I don't but, hear me out. I have just watched a special on a travel channel about the great lodges of the Rocky Mountains and now melancholy has set in...

I am most at peace in the mountains - even if I am screaming down the side of one, out of control, going 40 miles an hour. I do not prefer any specific mountains - I am pretty happy in any mountain range. But, let me emphasize the word "MOUNTAIN" - I'm talking rocky, snow-covered (or at least snow-topped!), 10,000+ feet mountains.

There's a bumper sticker that reads "I wasn't born in Texas but I got here as fast as I could" - that's how I feel about the mountains. I wasn't born in the mountains (I was born in San Francisco) and my family moved to Maryland and Kansas (sans mountains) until we finally ended up in Washington and surrounded by the Cascades and Olympics - at that is my home. And I miss it.

Now, before I drift even further from my original statement, I will explain why I think I have a lung condition. In the program, they pointed out that at the turn of the century (19th), people that had lung conditions traveled to the mountains because it was felt that the mountain air was healing. So...again...

"I think I have a lung condition."

"mission impossible"???

All the hype and buzz about movies at this time of year and I realize that the only Oscar nominated movies I had seen before this weekend are "The Dark Knight", "WALL-E", and "Iron Man" - not exactly the pinnacle of the list!

So, this is movie weekend in the Drapes family and I can now add to the list "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" and "Slumdog Millionaire". (We also went to "Taken" - not on the Oscar list but, good!)

I am a little tired of popcorn and soda so tomorrow may be movie day at home with "Changeling" or "Rachel Getting Married"...

though Olivia would really like to see "He's Just Not That Into You" or "New in Town" - see how I get side-tracked:}

Still on my list: "Frost/Nixon", "Milk", "Doubt", "Rachel Getting Married", "Changeling", "The Reader"

life's lessons

Empathy, compassion, commiseration - that's what I feel when my kids/husband are sick...for about 24 hours. I make no excuses or apologies. They know that they have approximately one day of my caretaking and then they better be self-sufficient. I've always admitted that I am the worst nurse. I don't think I ever even listed "doctor" or "nurse" as "what I wanted to be when I grew up" - I knew I would fail miserably in the compassion arena.

So, imagine my dismay now...

not feeling good

almost to the 24 hour mark and it's getting worse:(

nobody's around....

go figure!

"make new friends"...

Cookie season is upon us and I am seeing scouts everywhere...That, coupled with my weekend away in Fredericksburg, reminds me of the Girl Scout song that states to "make new friends but keep the old, one is silver and the other gold".

I can remember a few years ago I told a very dear friend of mine that I really didn't want to make new friends. I wasn't being exclusive, sectarian or snobbish...I was probably being lazy. I was happy with my circle of friends. Parameters set. Status quo.

There's been a shift - a metamorphosis. Over the past year my circle has grown...and, I consider myself lucky for that.

I am feeling a bit remorseful for being lazy and content. So, even though cookie season may come and go, I hope the silver and gold jingle stays with me because I'm really enjoying this copious circle.

(Now, to just keep my derriere from expanding during cookie season!!!)

custom made idiot

Instead of naming my blog "custom made Drapes", should've gone with "custom made Idiot" - after I forgot my password and it took me five days to re-set! Maybe this neoteric journaling is not for me!

Anyhow, I'm back in and ready to go.

Now, just something to write about -
Back soon!

Juanita

I have been inspired. I have been inspired to write, though I really don't know if writing is "my thing". But, my friend writes a thoroughly enjoyable blog and she has motivated me to begin my own. And she must write a damn good blog as I know two other friends who have also taken the leap after reading her daily online stories.

So, I've been mulling the idea over for a couple of weeks now and topics to write about are constantly popping in to my head...even the mundane seems like something to tackle. Of course at my age, I just need to find a way to remember them'-)

My girls - and even Pedro - are probably thinking that they will regret this as I am sure I will be blogging about them. Truly - do you think I could embarass them (the girls, not Peter) anymore than their Facebook entries - I think not!!! Today is my fair warning...tomorrow, if I remember, I begin!

Thanks Juanita.