....little cricket, BIG CHIRP....

Apparently there are RULES to dating...

noreply@blogger.com (jtcricket) — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 22:50:00 +0000

A few months ago, I asked my college-age daughter what the current protocol is for dating.

(I was trying to understand the climate as it pertains to a social life, since I have been out of it for the past two decades.)

I see her as somewhat of a dating guru, since she is tech-savvy, socially plugged in, gets asked out a lot.

(Probably more than I am comfortable with knowing, and definitely more often than she admits.)

The response I got surprised me... who knew there were actual RULES to dating in this day and age?

THE RULES....

1. Cleavage OR legs.
(Never both at once.)

2. Don't talk about whatever elephant currently coexists with you in the room.
(Unless he asks, and then keep it short and simplified.)

3. 2 drink limit.

4. Don't text while he's sitting at the table.
(It's rude.)

15 things to teach your daughter...

noreply@blogger.com (jtcricket) — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 22:41:00 +0000

So for many years I have said that i try not to be so hard on myself about things that are inevitable or that Have already occurred and thus (duh) i cannot change.
But those of you that know me in *real* life know that I am not good at that at all...
I blame myself for everything.
Even for the ever-present chances for making mistakes and for the obvious atrocities that other people commit, seemingly purposefully.
It is true.
It has probably seemed to many of my friends that I am not even trying to change.
Probably true.
Change is hard.
In order to change, I have to be conscious of (and in pain from) the actual damage I am doing to myself by blaming myself for every little thing on earth. It has to hit me REALLY hard and I have to hurt for a LONG time, really wallowing in it, before I am even remotely ready to even admit that I do it...
then it is another very long time before I do anything about it.
So I have some faults. So I am sensitive. So I am a wreck.
ANYWAY...

Saw a link to an article by Stephanie Mullen ( @ooph on http://www.twitter.com )
the other morning.
After I stopped laughing and snorting hot coffee out through my nose (ouch!) I realized something.
It went sort of like this:
"WOW...I think I forgot to teach my kid some of these very things before she turned 18..."
Ah well.
But is this just another #EpicFailureInMomhood ?
Nahhhhh....
Too exhausting to think about how many of those there have been in the last 18-plus years of being a Mommy, and I don't have time to pout today.
All in all, life is pretty good...

Cheers!

noreply@blogger.com (jtcricket) — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 13:43:00 +0000

Cheers to TODAY.
It is time to get out of my own way.

Cheers to the New Year.
Time to get off my rear.

Ok Shel Silverstein I am not.
But who really cares a lot? (heh heh)

I make myself smile and that is pretty important right now.

Sludge

noreply@blogger.com (jtcricket) — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 17:02:00 +0000

Sludge or mud-
Doesn't matter what it is called,
I seem to be stuck in it.

Trying to reach up to the sky,
To feel the sun warm on my tear-stained face...
That is all I am trying to do...
But I keep getting beaten back down
By you and your lack of feeling,
Your pitiful need to keep me around
But not to have to try to love me...
your unrealistic expectations are killing me
It is all I can do to keep up with you while you enjoy
Suffocating my soul.
Squelching the "me" I'm struggling to be

Seething
Mud.
All around me, plugging my throat and drowning out my screams.
Strangled.

Sunday on my own...

noreply@blogger.com (jtcricket) — Sun, 23 Oct 2011 12:08:00 +0000

This might be difficult
Being on my own today
And for the next 4 days
Gives me more than a little anxiety

Sometimes the peace and quiet
Of a time of solitude
Is too much for my addled brain...
A shock to the system

I can DO this, right?

Then how come I'm shaking like a leaf?

The Truth Is Complicated

noreply@blogger.com (jtcricket) — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 11:35:00 +0000

The truth is that I get overwhelmed easily.
By everything, but today I am in a panic about the one thing we all have to do to survive: EAT...
Most weeks, I avoid grocery shopping like the plague.
It makes me nervous to have too many choices. As much as I feel blessed to live in America, the land of the free and the home of the brave, I don't so well with a choice of 15 breakfast cereals. It makes me want to run. So I do my best to get out of going to the grocery store for as long as possible. But this creates an even bigger problem for me, because the inevitable is that we have to eat, so eventually I am forced to pass through those automatic double doors into Oblivion.
How I would much rather just stay at home and sip coffee.
Or endure a root canal. Without anesthesia.
Although sometimes, laughing gas makes me especially friendly, but don't tell my dentist, because she might cut me off from the good stuff.
Anyway, It is now THE day...I am forced to admit that, like poor old Mother Hubbard, my cupboard is pretty bare. I have to buy my dog a bone, and a bag of dog food. Pet Cemetery cat needs food, too.
Oh, and the kid and I need to eat something other than peanut butter sandwiches and applesauce for dinner.
Also, there is a school camping trip on Sunday and she needs some stuff.
Yep, wish me luck...
God help me. I need coffee to calm me down before I go in, so I have stopped at Starbucks. And gotten side-tracked into blogging about why I am such a procrastinator about shopping...
Ok, deep breath. Gulp. Breathe in, breathe out.
I can DO this.

Wait...is that laughing gas on aisle 7?

My dog is so cool...

noreply@blogger.com (jtcricket) — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 14:21:00 +0000

This is his latest "favorite spot..."
Sleeping in the sunshine on my shower floor!
I love this dog...

Broken-

noreply@blogger.com (jtcricket) — Sun, 18 Sep 2011 03:42:00 +0000

That's how I feel now.
All used up
And tossed aside.
Unwanted.

Broken-
That's what my heart is.
Hurts like nothing
I ever felt before.
Torn apart.

Broken-
That's what your promises are.
I tried to love you
The best that I could.
Denied.

Broken-
That's what our love is.
You've cast me aside
And left my heart to wither and die.
Dead inside.

Anger...

noreply@blogger.com (jtcricket) — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 02:03:00 +0000

Doesn't bring me any joy.
Doesn't make me younger.
Doesn't give me back all those years.
Doesn't allow me to rest.
Doesn't help me let go.
Doesn't allow me to move on.
Isn't worth it.
And neither are you.

Back pain, here we go, again?

noreply@blogger.com (jtcricket) — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 22:06:00 +0000

I think the title speaks for itself.
I must be carrying my stress like a pack mule.
This is the pits.
Cannot stand up straight,/much less walk without looking like I am trying to imitate the Hunchback of Notre Dame.
(That isn't a joke.)
Anyway, life goes on.
Painfully.
One day at a time.
The good news?
College daughter seems to be fitting in and enjoying herself.
(I hope she's studying some, too!)
She says Greek may be her hardest class, and that Military Science is interesting.
Also...
Middle school daughter is doing well with horseback lessons, volleyball practice, and hanging in there with just Mom at home now, no one else.
I have actually cooked several times.
No big deal.
It isn't difficult when i'm not anxiety-ridden about the results.
The dog has appointed himself my daytime nurse, and refuses to leave my side.
I have developed a taste for oatmeal, milk, banana, and ice milkshakes, with a scoop of soy protein thrown in. Am trying to lose weight. We'll see how that goes...although before my back went out (again) yesterday morning, I had walked the previous 4 days in a row, oh, except for 1 day...but who's counting?
My only adult supporter threw in the towel and gave up on me.
I now have to learn to stand on my own.
Like it or not.

I think I need a new phone.

noreply@blogger.com (jtcricket) — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 00:14:00 +0000

I have a droid2 smart phone.
It isn't really smart.
I know, I know, you're thinking that it is probably the operator (me) that isn't that smart, because everyone raves about this phone. I think.
BUT NOT ME.
The camera on this phone REALLY stinks.
And that is NOT good for someone like me.
I miss my Blackberry.
It was purple.
It had a great camera, even though it didn't have a flash.
All of this one-up-man-ship between smartphone models is really all a conspiracy anyway, right?
What to do?
I sometimes long for the days of paper and pencil.
Of my Canon Sure Shot.
Or my Fuji camera that I bought in 1994. In Ohio. It cost almost $400. Which at that time was a MAJOR investment for me.
But it lasted more than 10 years.
It was great.
This camera on this phone is NOT.

Coffee spoons

noreply@blogger.com (jtcricket) — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 12:42:00 +0000

"I have measured out my life in coffee spoons."
~T.S. Eliot

http://img4.realsimple.com/images/1105/coffee-glasses-paper_300.jpg

A visitor!

noreply@blogger.com (jtcricket) — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 14:40:00 +0000

Hello, little raccoon!
Aren't you cute?

She loves the farmer's market...

noreply@blogger.com (jtcricket) — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 14:35:00 +0000

Almost as much as I do, I think!
My girl is learning how to grocery shop...
I think fresh produce is best, and so that's what we buy, whenever we can...
Tonight's dinner:
Roasted new potatoes
Zucchini & yellow squash saute
Grilled chicken
And s'mores cupcakes for a decadent dessert...recipe courtesy of Mary Carver over at Giving Up On Perfect
(Follow her on twitter: @MaryCarver)

My dog is my spirit helper

noreply@blogger.com (jtcricket) — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 14:19:00 +0000

I am reading Raven Stole The Moon, by Garth Stein.
Excellent book.
Pretty sure my dog is human, after reading The Art of Racing in the Rain, also by Garth Stein, but then all of my animals have been somewhat human, in the sense that they seem to "know" things without me having to say anything.
Really.
And if I spoke words to them, it didn't matter, because that is not how animals perceive meaning. It is by tone, action/movement, sense of smell, that kind of thing.
I thank God for this little creature. He has brought such a sense of joy back into my life.
Not that I didn't have joy.
I just thought i'd lost whatever animal joy I was ever going to have when I lost my Happy dog, in February.
This one was chosen for me by the universe, and brought to me when I needed him most.
He embodies everything I love about dogs: he is excited to see me when I walk in the door, even if I have only been gone a minute or two; he loves ALL people, and is friendly without being slobbery or scratching up your arms or legs by jumping all over you...also, he is excited about the outdoors, and spends hours outside, running laps around the yard, sniffing everything, and even chasing the hawks as they circle repeatedly, way up in the late afternoon sky. They taunt and tease him, of course, but he doesn't seem to mind. He is sweet and soft and very loving, even though his breath sometimes smells like marsh mud...ewww!
And yes, to be honest, I have to admit that he also embodies everything I don't love about dogs, including: digging, barking at dogs and sirens on tv (hey he's just doing his job as protector, right? I don't yell at him for his barking, even though when repair people are here it drives me batty!)
Let's see...he gets stinky quickly (and then hides under my covers and making my sheets stinky), eats EVERYTHING in sight, kills moles/rabbits/squirrels, and chases raccoons and deer. It is hilarious to watch the deer chase him! I am pretty sure they aren't too afraid of him, and that he really only wants to play.
Yes, he is a dog's dog, to be sure.
He is my dog.
Ok, he is everyone's dog, but secretly I know he is all mine, and I love him like a child.

How is it that saltwater pools are so refreshing...

noreply@blogger.com (jtcricket) — Sun, 12 Jun 2011 01:59:00 +0000

And how is it that I am just TODAY figuring this out?
What a spirit-renewing way to spend a half-hour this morning,
Just splashing around in a new bathing suit
( Http://www.limericki.com )
With the sweetest middle-schooler known to me?
Swam laps.
Did little pull-ups on the diving board between each lap.
I am now quite the fan of saltwater pools.
Just sayin'.
It was a nice family-only day.
Reconnecting and unwinding.
Ate http://www.southernsoul.com for dinner.
Played words with friends on my phone.
(My username is jtcricket)

I am a fan of great customer service...

noreply@blogger.com (jtcricket) — Fri, 10 Jun 2011 22:12:00 +0000

It makes having to run errands more bearable.
Jay Tull is our service advisor at I-95 Toyota.
Had to have work done on car today, and he took care of everything.
Thanks, Jay!
Http://www.i95toyota.com

Osmosis Jones...

noreply@blogger.com (jtcricket) — Fri, 10 Jun 2011 01:50:00 +0000

I am a fan of any show with Chris Rock.
This one is one of my favorites.
This one isn't new.
It has some yucky stuff in it,
& it's funny.

My daughter is a fan of pottery...

noreply@blogger.com (jtcricket) — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 00:51:00 +0000

She is looking for a potter's wheel.
She is frustrated because there doesn't seem to be a quality model out there for under $340.
This is my daughter that saves all of her money,
Then splurges on 1 big item.
Anyone know of a good used wheel for sale?

Just because we were related...

noreply@blogger.com (jtcricket) — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 15:17:00 +0000

http://realsimple.chtah.com/a/hBN7hU$BAuBI6B8bX1QNtANIX.BAuBI66k/nldt6-0

This quote by Anne Tyler sums up why I am not a fan of spending time with certain members of my family.

I am a big fan of pajamas...

noreply@blogger.com (jtcricket) — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 17:50:00 +0000

The kind that you can wear all day long.
They have to be comfortable.
That's kind of the point of pajamas, right?

Bang-Bang Shrimp

noreply@blogger.com (jtcricket) — Sun, 05 Jun 2011 23:39:00 +0000

WOW

I'm a big fan of Bang Bang Shrimp, from Bonefish Grill.
My husband and our preteen made a pretty good imitation of their famous yummy recipe for dinner tonight.

WOW...

I have a least favorite memory of my first experience at Bonefish Grill...
but I will save that for another time...

not a fan of...

noreply@blogger.com (jtcricket) — Sat, 04 Jun 2011 11:11:00 +0000

Loud preteens in hotels
With little supervision
Wrecking my sleep
Before having to sit in class
All day long
But it's ok
REALLY?
They actually just knocked on my door...
Good morning, Life!

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Happiness...

noreply@blogger.com (jtcricket) — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 13:29:00 +0000

I am a fan of this quote:

"Happiness is the by-product of any effort to make someone else happy."
--Greta Brooker Palmer

Thought for the day, courtesy of Real Simple magazine...
http://realsimple.chtah.com/a/hBN6M4uBAuBI6B8bMdhNtANIX.BAuBI6mR/nldt6-0

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fan mail

noreply@blogger.com (jtcricket) — Thu, 02 Jun 2011 13:15:00 +0000

Ok, I'm not seriously talking about the kind of fan mail as in the following sentence:
"I am so famous that I get bags full of fan mail every week."

What I am referring to here is simply
CORRESPONDENCE...
I love to get it, in whatever form,
Whether email, postal mail, text message...

I have had pen pals for most of my life.
When I move away from a city, I have always kept in touch with my closest friends.
Until this time.
We moved 1 year ago, and I haven't corresponded with several of the closest friends since well before we left.
Why?
Well...
It's difficult to say, really.
Though it isn't.
As much as I was excited to move and start over again,
I dreaded the good byes...
Because many of them, I knew, would be final farewells...
So maybe I wanted to avoid that.
Yeah, that sounds about right.
I just didn't know how to tell my friends how sad I was that I was leaving them,
While at the same time how excited I was about my family moving forward after a particularly difficult period in our lives.
Sometimes moving on just hurts.
Sort of a bittersweet shift in our lives, I guess.
So...
Sometimes I get what I call "fan mail" in the form of comments on my blog.
I love that.
Call me a wannabe celebrity.
The impersonal kudos help to build my confidence and cause me to realize that, yep, what I am saying does have credence and substance (sometimes), and that maybe I am making a difference through my writing.
Anyway...
To sum up:
Mail = good
Good byes = not good, in other words: I am NOT a fan.

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