"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream." -- Mark Twain
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Today's Inspirational Quote
"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream." -- Mark Twain
Monday, August 20, 2007
Home Remedies
My favorite home remedy for a cold is the hot tottie. However, I'm completely convinced that it only works if someone else makes it for you. For those of you out there who have never had a hot tottie, be warned, they are disgusting. It's best to try and drink it as quickly as possible.
For anyone who has dogs, lavender oil is great for keeping fleas off of your pooch. It also will make them smell quite yummy.
My favorite zit remedy is lemon juice. Either rub a piece of fresh cut lemon onto the unsightly culprit or dab some lemon juice concentrate on a cotton ball and apply it that way several times a day. This works much faster than store bought goos that you can only wear at night because they leave a nasty residue on your skin.
Jason isn't feeling well. My neighbor told me that he should rub Vic's on the bottom of his feet, put socks on and go about his business. I thought this to be strange, I've never heard of this one. But I've passed on the information and he says he may try it before he goes to work tonight. I'll keep you posted.
In comments...what are your favorite home remedies? Or maybe you've just heard of some wacky ones that you'd like to share, whichever.
Monday, August 13, 2007
I woke up this morning quite sad, full of thoughts that haven't been with me in a long time. Though, I'd be lying if I said I never thought of him. But last night I had a dream, and he was there. Just as I always knew him...
You see, we met at the age of 10. We only saw each other once a week at P.A.T. (I think that stood for Program for the Academically Talented) class. We quickly became friends, the best of friends actually. As we grew older and entered Jr. High School neither of us could have been more pleased to know we'd now be attending the same school. We'd see each other every day. We had several classes together. We also decided we were in love. Awe, who doesn't remember young love without a big grin? Holding hands while walking to class, writing love letters hoping the teacher doesn't catch you, sneaking late night phone calls, scribbling "I love so-and-so" all over your folders. What fun all of that was! Oh, we were inseparable. Life was perfect. But soon, seeing each other only during school wasn't enough. So he invited me over to his house one day after school to play basketball. His mother said she was looking forward to finally meeting me after hearing only my voice after all these years. And so it goes, the walk to his house after school, introductions were made everything was great! Until I got home and he called. It was at this moment that I witnessed for the very first time how ugly the world can be. He told me that his mom thought I was really nice but she had no idea that I wasn't white. He told her it didn't matter and she had a million reasons why it did. I'll spare you the nasty details that came over the next 2 years (we were not easily separated, as I said before) except to say that it was indeed nasty. Heated conversations took place amongst his and my mother, he and his mother as well as his mother and I. Eventually, after lots of sneaking around and pretending to date other people his parents won. We just couldn't do it anymore. We were defeated. It was so uncomfortable that we hardly ever spoke to each other throughout high school. We always exchanged looks that said "I miss you" but we never spoke. Actually, I did get the courage to call him once when we were in 11th grade. And I did tell him that I missed him. He sounded as sad as I was feeling and said, "Nina, please don't."
And that was our last phone conversation, ever. My last memory, is a good one. We were at senior brunch. I told him I would like him to take a picture with with me. He looked extremely surprised, yet happy. We put our arms around each other one last time, just long enough for it to hurt.
The adults used to whisper, let them be, they're only kids. It's not like they're getting married. They don't really love each other, they don't even know what love is. Even though these people were trying to help, these words were not comforting. They were a slap in the face.
Years went by. I always wondered where he was. I was sad (for selfish reasons) when I heard he'd gotten married. I was even more sad when I heard he was getting a divorce. Because even now, the thought of him unhappy makes me unhappy.
Looking back, I can say, yes. Yes, I loved him. I loved him the only way I knew how. He was my most trusted friend. Were my feelings of love as complex as they are today for my own husband and family? Of course not, I was indeed young. But we are all capable of love, at every age. And I beg of all the parents who read this, never deny your child the opportunity to love someone because you can't get over your own shortcomings about race.
Forgive me for being all over the place, but the truth is, it's hard to think clearly, because the emotion is still so strong. The tears will not stop falling. Just know that I cry not for the friendship that was taken away, or for my heart that was so badly broken. That pain has gone, although I sometimes still hurt from the scar. I cry for the ignorance of the people in this world who can not see past the color of one's skin. I cry for the people who still think that it matters.
You see, we met at the age of 10. We only saw each other once a week at P.A.T. (I think that stood for Program for the Academically Talented) class. We quickly became friends, the best of friends actually. As we grew older and entered Jr. High School neither of us could have been more pleased to know we'd now be attending the same school. We'd see each other every day. We had several classes together. We also decided we were in love. Awe, who doesn't remember young love without a big grin? Holding hands while walking to class, writing love letters hoping the teacher doesn't catch you, sneaking late night phone calls, scribbling "I love so-and-so" all over your folders. What fun all of that was! Oh, we were inseparable. Life was perfect. But soon, seeing each other only during school wasn't enough. So he invited me over to his house one day after school to play basketball. His mother said she was looking forward to finally meeting me after hearing only my voice after all these years. And so it goes, the walk to his house after school, introductions were made everything was great! Until I got home and he called. It was at this moment that I witnessed for the very first time how ugly the world can be. He told me that his mom thought I was really nice but she had no idea that I wasn't white. He told her it didn't matter and she had a million reasons why it did. I'll spare you the nasty details that came over the next 2 years (we were not easily separated, as I said before) except to say that it was indeed nasty. Heated conversations took place amongst his and my mother, he and his mother as well as his mother and I. Eventually, after lots of sneaking around and pretending to date other people his parents won. We just couldn't do it anymore. We were defeated. It was so uncomfortable that we hardly ever spoke to each other throughout high school. We always exchanged looks that said "I miss you" but we never spoke. Actually, I did get the courage to call him once when we were in 11th grade. And I did tell him that I missed him. He sounded as sad as I was feeling and said, "Nina, please don't."
And that was our last phone conversation, ever. My last memory, is a good one. We were at senior brunch. I told him I would like him to take a picture with with me. He looked extremely surprised, yet happy. We put our arms around each other one last time, just long enough for it to hurt.
The adults used to whisper, let them be, they're only kids. It's not like they're getting married. They don't really love each other, they don't even know what love is. Even though these people were trying to help, these words were not comforting. They were a slap in the face.
Years went by. I always wondered where he was. I was sad (for selfish reasons) when I heard he'd gotten married. I was even more sad when I heard he was getting a divorce. Because even now, the thought of him unhappy makes me unhappy.
Looking back, I can say, yes. Yes, I loved him. I loved him the only way I knew how. He was my most trusted friend. Were my feelings of love as complex as they are today for my own husband and family? Of course not, I was indeed young. But we are all capable of love, at every age. And I beg of all the parents who read this, never deny your child the opportunity to love someone because you can't get over your own shortcomings about race.
Forgive me for being all over the place, but the truth is, it's hard to think clearly, because the emotion is still so strong. The tears will not stop falling. Just know that I cry not for the friendship that was taken away, or for my heart that was so badly broken. That pain has gone, although I sometimes still hurt from the scar. I cry for the ignorance of the people in this world who can not see past the color of one's skin. I cry for the people who still think that it matters.
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
Hmmm...
It certainly has been some time since I've posted. Tera seems to have lots to say since she posted twice today, maybe she'd like to be a guest writer here?
It isn't that I've nothing to say...God knows I've got plenty. I just haven't felt much like sharing, sorry. But I will say that I've got a major announcement to make, soon. So...until then, in comments lets talk about what's going on with everyone. Any late summer plans? Is anyone stuck in this heat wave without air conditioning? Did anyone get a new puppy? Has anyone had exciting vacation sex? How about a new hair cut? Someone has to have some news about someting...
It isn't that I've nothing to say...God knows I've got plenty. I just haven't felt much like sharing, sorry. But I will say that I've got a major announcement to make, soon. So...until then, in comments lets talk about what's going on with everyone. Any late summer plans? Is anyone stuck in this heat wave without air conditioning? Did anyone get a new puppy? Has anyone had exciting vacation sex? How about a new hair cut? Someone has to have some news about someting...
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