Gotta Cut Footloose!

OK, I know, how old is that song? But what a fun song! Do I really want to count up the years? Hmm, let's see, I'm 41 less how many years..... nope, don't want to go there! Anyway, on my way in this morning this song came on the radio. And as you know, music speaks volumes to me. So, I got to thinking about what this song reminds me of... friends. Me and my girlfriends trying to learn that silly dance they do at the end of the movie. And the fact that after all these years, I am still very close with some of those friends.

So, I was thinking... why do we stay in contact with some groups of friends and not others? It's called "effort" on both ends. My girlfriend Michele and I have to plan dinner and drinks about 3 to 4 weeks in advance because she travels so much and my kids schedules are crazy as well.

It's funny how as we get older we have "pods" of friends. I have people I went to Pre-K through high school with, some I went to college with, ones I use to work with at each job, my kids friends' parents and so on. Wouldn't it be great if we could get all of our pods together and see everyone at the same time! Yeah it would - but good luck on that one.

It's very hard to maintain your friendships. It takes planning "play dates" for adults! Haven't you ever run into to someone and you say "let's get together" but neither one of you follows through. Well do it, take the first step - it has been worth it for me.

And then we have the new phenomenon - facebook! Don't you love it! I have rekindled with more friends that way including friends across the US as well as in Germany and England. And many of us have gotten together - but again, it takes effort and planning.

So, I thought to myself, I'm going to call one of my dear girlfriends today, one I use to work with, and plan a play date. Well, have you gotten anything out of the blog besides the fact that I really do like the song Footloose? Make your call to one friend, cut loose... gotta cut Footloose ya know!

The Golden Train

While sitting in traffic this morning, once again, my time alone to think - I thought I had seen it all!!! During a minimum 50 minute bumper to bumper drive I see a lot of what goes on in other people's cars - some of which I'd rather not repeat. Anyway, I've seen women putting on make up including mascara (not sure how that's even possible), I've seen people eating breakfast - and I don't mean a pop tart, I'm talking a bowl of cereal! Today, I saw a gal curing her hair with a curling iron - I didn't even know they made such a thing. She would strategically pick strands of hair with one hand and using the iron with the other. How was she driving? I'm sure her knee was holding her bowl of cereal! So, I think, "please, just get me out of here!"

Anyway, blowing my horn and making her realize how much she was backing up traffic even more, she moved on. Right after that one of my favorite songs came on, a CD from an up and coming artist, Justin Nozuka. Music speaks volumes to me. The name of the song is "Golden Train." The theme of the song is that a couple seem to have a great relationship that's going terrific. But then he asks the question to her... "tomorrow if the Golden Train came to take you away... would you go or would you stay?" I guess I take it as, life is so good right now - but could it be better?

We all ask those questions, for instance: "20 years ago 'what if' OR if I had done things differently 'what if'" - I know, the answer is always, "well I wouldn't be where I am today whether it be kids, careers, friendships... but really, "What if that Golden Train came my way?" I know, I know... get out of my Peter Pan dream world (as my friends so affectionately tell me) but it's just such a nice visual don't you think? I would stay, of course - much like most of you. Now the chick with the curling iron - she needs to jump on it if for anything to get out of my way!

Ironically, the following song is "I'm in Peace" - go figure. I made the right decision.

How do we learn to trust again?

Now there's a loaded question we've all asked ourselves. I figure that after a long relationship ends with a 25 year old chick involved - what more will life throw my way? She's almost half my age for crying out loud, what could she possibly offer him? Never mind, don't want to know. Or what about the time I lost friends over a divorce - what kind of friend is that anyway?

Regardless of anyone's situation, we all have them - insecurities... you know, "who's going to step on me today?" How do you get past hurt feelings, bad memories and mean thoughts? So again I ask you... how do we learn to trust again?

I'm trying to figure this one out, I'm open to any suggestions. I'm not really your gal who will tell you to "hope and pray for the best" - I'm the type of person who needs to see results... being an analytical and creative person - both right and left sides of my brain fight for attention! So therefore, I WANT to believe in people but I need to see results that people are trustworthy... Are you with me?

Any of my friends and family know that I cant stand the phrase, "Everything happens for a reason" - if I hear that one more time in my lifetime I will jump off a cliff. So, I heard about a book on the radio that is about the power of coincidences. I read it during the holidays. It is called "The God Winks" - and no it's not necessarily a religious book (that's not for me) but, it is about how different happenings or circumstances in your life lead you down a path you really weren't looking for. A laid out plan if you will... God's plan.? When you start to see this pattern then you realize, hey, maybe this is in a plan and that, well dare I even say the words but "maybe everything really does happen for a reason." I struggle with it, but I am at least more open to it. This happens in situations with my job, my friends, a relationship...whatever it is going on in my life that sort of changes my life's path.

Wow, deep huh? Yeah, that's what's inside my head. So with all of that being said I go back to my original question, "How do we learn to trust again?" For me, I'm looking for coincidences, I'm trying not to wonder anymore about what someone is or isn't doing. I'm looking for confirmation in return. I am learning to trust again and I'm open to letting people back into my life. I am letting my guard down. What about you?

Who's laughing now!

Amazing how the time has flown by since my last blog back in January! Everyone's time is so limited these days between investing in their family, investing in relationships, investing in their job, investing in the economy... wait... that's a bad idea! So many of my close friend's jobs are at stake these days, including my own. So, how do we overcome that? When you know the answer let me know. That's major stuff that's in everyone's head these days... and not just my own.

So, here we are, another day in which I find myself at least trying to enjoy the small stuff. Every day I ask my children "What happened today that made you laugh?" Wow, I get some pretty random answers to that one: answers range from "nothing at all" (which I have those days as well!) to the one I got yesterday. It was from my daughter (who happens to be turning 7 today) whose answer was this: "Keifer spelled his name with macaroni and cheese at lunchtime!" She was rolling at this. Why can't adult life be so simple?

So, my point is to challenge yourself to ask the same question - let's see what your answers might be. Enlighten us all. If you can't think of anything at all, perhaps we should all take a step backwards and do a checklist of "what IS making me happy these days?" Then if you still can't think of anything then just go to lunch and spell your name with a heaping helping of macaroni and cheese! Might just work.

The Kidney

You know... I am blown away by this divorce case that is all over the news about the surgeon who is divorcing his wife because she cheated on him... with a physical therapist who helped her recover from surgery. What's more, the surgery was a kidney transplant where as the husband donated his kidney!!! NOW, after a long time of arguing, she wants 1.5 Million as a settlement. He said, no way - give me back my kidney! What the heck. So I was at first thinking... being stubborn minded that I am, that I would say, "here you go buddy, take your kidney if you are going to be like that. I'll get another one from another nice donor." But then I thought, she is the one that cheated so he has the right to be so bitter and angry. Who's right in this situation. Or does anyone have to be right or wrong at all. Let's just say, we agree to disagree, and move on.

Can you believe this is actually a case? Where are the children in all of this? What do you think? What would you do? Tell me your comments.

The Dream

You know... with the many changes - good and bad - in my life recently, many people ask, "how are you today?" Most, I'm sure don't really want to hear an answer (they are just being courteous) but there are those friends who really want to know "What's Inside Her Head?" So, I thought, for those who care I'd start a blog. These are random thoughts... about anything... much like you have I'm sure. So, here goes...

Last night on my 65 minute drive home (traffic is a lovely time to think) I was thinking about a dream I had the night before... it really freaked me out. I dreamed - dare I even say it - that I was pregnant. Holy cow! So I told my friend Danielle, who also freaked out by the way, and she looked it up in her dream book. It means: "The dawning of something new in my life. The birth of a new day." WOW, that is so right-on with my life right now. For some reason it gave me strength. Strength to do what, I thought. Well, I guess to live my life right now, in the moment instead of dwelling on the past few months. I feel refreshed in this new year. I hope you feel the same.