Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Near and Dear To My Heart

When I was a child I wore a locket often that belonged to my Aunt Wanda. It was a tiny locket that was fit for a child.  Gold inscribed with a "W," it had the slightest indentations on the back where the teeth of an indelible child left their mark. It has escaped my memory whether there were pictures or other treasures within the locket, but the mystery surrounding Aunt Wanda and her short life was my treasure.

I recall wearing it often. Standing in front of my mother's brown leather jewelry box on Sunday mornings before church, she would lean forward to fasten the necklace around my neck. Her own gold necklace would dangle in my face and as I leaned forward and swept my hair up I inhaled her sweet smell of perfume and she would fasten the treasure around my neck.

Thus began my love affair with lockets.

So, in the spirit of the Holidays which seems to be the onset of intense nostalgia  for me I could not pass up the opportunity to share this with you.

Locket love = Vintage Art Lockets at Verabel on Etsy.


I have a thing for birds. The majesty of the peacock plumage is a-maz-ing!

Did you know the females were appropriately called peahens rather than peacocks? Just a little fact, ladies. Tuck that away for your next game of trivia.

 Swoon. If I had this locket, I would tuck away the sweetest mementos of my very own dreamboat.

And isn't this the sweetest mother's locket? It would only be fitting to store the smallest and most precious of faces inside and wear them close to your heart always. 
little G 3 1960'

Maybe something like this that captures his sweetness and innocence...
Little G 2 BW

...or possibly this. Oh dang, he's a cutie pie!

Merry Thanksgiving Eve to all,


Thursday, November 18, 2010

Cigs No More

Today, November 18, 2010, is the 35th annual Great American Smokeout! The American Cancer Society sponsors this event and asks smokers to commit to a smoke-free 24 hour day.

I was a smoker once.

I never participated in the Great American Smokeout Day.

But, I was always reamed with guilt on those days. Really. It stunk. Just like a stale cigarette. But, I just lit up and smoked away so I didn't have to think about it because smoking was my escape.



Man, smoking was fun. But golly, smoking made me feel like crap. I didn't even realize how bad I felt. At the peak of my smoking habit I was puffing away nearly two packs a day. NUTS! I can't even imagine how I had the time to do all that smoking.

Ironically time became my "excuse" to smoke. As if anyone needs an excuse. It was my 3 minute (and I could stretch it out to about 7 if I really tried) escape. You see, I could step outside of the office or the house and just look up at the sky or close my eyes and tune out all the noise around me and enjoy a few minutes of peace and quiet. And it mattered not a bit to me that those few minutes were years I could be taking off my life as I chose to prematurely decay my lungs. Hello, who does that?!

Once I realized the stronghold smoking had on my life and figured out there were other, healthier ways to escape (not to mention cheaper, like crazy cheaper, and I smell better too) I decided to say Sayonara. Au revoir. Cheerio. So long. Bu-bye.



On July 5, 2007 I ditched the habit. Well, I did it with some help. Thank you Lord. Thank you Griffin. Thank you family. Thank you Dr. Corovessis. Thank you makers of Chantix.


It wasn't easy. It's still not easy. But, the rewards are immeasurable. And I still have fun without being a smoker. Lots of fun. And since I have reversed the effects of smoking in my life, I will be able to have fun even longer.

So there Big Tobacco. Take that. One less supporter. Nah, nah, nuh-nah, nah.

Yours Sincerely,

Thursday, November 4, 2010

Personal Space Request

Dearest Right Inner Thigh,

You are a close friend and I enjoy your companionship immensly. However, lately you have begun to invade my personal space a little. The constant physical affection that you extend by rubbing up against me is a little uncomfortable. I would like to kindly ask that you respect our personal spaces just a little more in the near future.

Respectfully Yours,
Left Inner Thigh