Finding Gratitude

How much can the "empty nest syndrome" affect your Mother's Day? Talk about mixed emotions! Spring certainly is the season to to bring change to the forefront.  Honestly, I kept forgetting this Sunday was Mother's Day.  But I kept getting assaulted with commercials, reminding me.  Then I realized I must act fast, to derail what could possibly be another gifting disaster on the part of the Dad.  Actually, I was browsing the second hand stores looking for a special, unique graduation gift for my daughter, when an antique sideboard caught my eye. So, I sent the gift hint to a "little bird" who was sure to sing to him, with the news of what to get Mom! Just in the nick of time, as I know he is a notorious last minute shopper. That crisis averted, I turned my attention to more important matters. 

As the end of the school year approaches, events are unfolding at break neck speed.  The youngest fledgling is now at the brink of the scariest, most exciting chapter of her young life.  Considering life's wonder and peril from her point of view, has kept my own anxieties and feelings in check.  She will graduate in less than a month and will broach a number of firsts.  To her credit, she is giving respect to the enormity of this stage of her young life,  it deserves.  In one monhths time, she turned 18, bought her own car, lost her job and stepped into the unemployement line.  So far she has not gone off the deep end, as I suspect I might well have.

Her big sister, now 20, just finally passed her driver's test and got her license. It was only the 2nd time she took it, but it took her 8 months to make the 2nd attempt.  Clearly emphasizing, driving is the necessary evil, she finally had to make peace with.  She is completing her 2nd year of college and will be off to Hawaii to work for the summer.  Oh, poor baby!

The empty nest may come sooner or later, but to keep a proper perspective and stave any depressive thoughts, I must give thanks.  I'm giving thanks my youngest mustered so much wisdom at her young age and still asks and employs her Mom's opinion.

I'm giving thanks in advance, that my "little birds" will get the message to the Dad, to give Mom something she really wants, instead of the clothes he attempts to pick out for her every year.

Finally, I'm giving thanks that I no longer have to make midnight taxi runs to fetch my 20 year old from work.  Although, I am a bit concerned about some of my fellow drivers on the road!

Hope your Mother's Day is grand, and you benefit from some gratitude in whatever form it takes.

A Global Message

A couple of days ago, we were dumb struck by Susan Boyle's voice and the message she sent us.  It's not a new concept, but we just need some reminding once in a while, I guess.

This video is none the less amazing.  A collection of recordings of the classic "Stand By Me". A sheer genius of sound engineering and layering of these musicians/performers from around the world.  The result is equally amazing.

Music is the international language that can touch the heart in any tongue. Maybe our Countries' leaders need a little music lesson .

Turn up your speakers.  Listen and watch again and again.

http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=2539741

It's Spring in Coachella!

So, officially it's been Spring for several weeks.  It seems even longer for us here in the desert, where our seasons  blur together.  But this weekend, just 3 short days, we  kick off our unofficial start to Spring .  It's Coachella Fest 2009!

This valley is gonna rock!  Coachella Fest is a feast!  A feast for all your senses! Endless visual, musical  and performing artists make it truly one of a kind.  It's all here in my back yard. Every year you think it can't possibly get any better. A few times hearing rumors they won't come back next year.  But they do and always manage to top last years Fest.  This year is no different with Paul McCartney performing. I don't want to do promos for anyone, just the festival, but here's the link to the official site for more info. Coachella Fest 2009      Here are a  few personal photos of Coachella Fest 2008 to give you a taste.

Are you coming?  You simply have to come! The trick to get a good spot to see your favorite performances,  is to arrive at end of the performance immediately preceeding it and grab your up front spot as the crowd departs. 

You can still camp on site (tent camping only) and it's not cheap. About $52 a night to sleep in your own tent, but it has it's redeeming qualities.  The Dome is back this year and "campers" get a special after hours treat regular ticket holders don't get to stick around for.It's rumored, Amanda Palmer and "fans" are organizing a parade of artists and fans, which ought to be a hoot!  Basically, be prepared for the unexpected treat at anymoment.

As exciting as it is for us who live here, I know our North and Eastern visitors have the extra thrill of basking in our glorious sunshine. I'll throw in a mini weather report here.  It's cold today...only about 80 degrees!  Don't lose faith though, 'cuz temperatures are promised in the 90's for this weekend. Luckily not the 100 degrees plus from   last year.                                                                                        For me, the festival is more than just an opportunity to act like a kid again, which has the potential to be not all that attractive.  When Coachella Fest comes to town this hum drum valley comes alive with it. The most interesting people arrive on our doorstep from everywhere and we're not just  the poor relatives that live next door to Palm Springs! The next best thing is when it's over the "snowbirds" leave town.  They're great for the economy, but they don't know how to drive!

Coachella Fest is certainly the right attitude for the start of Spring. Come out of hibernation and get the blood circulating.  And if you're not ready to go home when it's over, stick around till the next weekend for the Stagecoach Country Music Festival.  Three more gorgeous days in paradise.  See you here!

Attitude This

"Could we change our attitude, we should not only see life differently, but life itself would come to be different."
– Katherine Mansfield

To Be or Not To Be...

.a Bitch

Are you a bitch?  How did you become one? Are you proud of it?  And, if so, why?
These questions are not meant to be flip.  I am truly curious as to how a woman becomes a bitch or doesn't and why.
My step daughter (and her mother) are definitely bitches.  No, it isn't an attitude reserved for me, alone. 
They are true bitches in all things to pretty much everyone, as far as I can tell.  Viewing their MySpace pages it's obvious they have declared they've attained "Bitch" status.
 Part of the Moms user name is "bitch". The daughter's user name is the worst possible name a woman can be called. These were not lables applied by others, but of ones they've chosen for themselves.
They got me to thinking, how does one become a Bitch? And why do they find it admirable to be known as such?
Is it entirely a circumstantial issue or did they seek to learn how to be a bitch?
Now, I'm not talking about being bitchy once a month or upon a particular occasion or circumstance. This is a clearly established behavior and a defined attitude. Is there  a specific dynamic involved where the woman evolves to an attitude and air about her, as a matter of course? How does she attain this constant state of "bitch-atude"?  The really disturbing part to me is, that they even declare their
"bitchdom" as a highly coveted and earned degree.  They are proud of it and flaunt it. The phenomenon is not exclusive to these two. Any "bitch" having attained this status seem to recognize and congratulate other sister "bitches" on their "bitch" behavior.
 I see it every where.  Bumper stickers  proudly declaring their bitch status. 
Women conversing about another may say, "What a Bitch!"  I thought this to be a derogatory remark.
And did Mom Bitch give the daughter Bitch lessons?  Why?  Is it required to be passed on?
Wait!  Those aren't my only questions. I also want to know, if they became a Bitch as a result of a bad relationship or did the relationship fail because they were a Bitch?
Now, I'm not a bitch. I do admit from time to time I have tried the attitude on, but unfortunately, I can't quite pull it off.
There is some piece of equipment I am lacking.  Luckily, this was not high on my aspiration list or I would be sorely disappointed.
 As well, my daughters are not bitches.  Don't get me wrong, they do have periods of bitchiness.
But, owning the "bitch crown" seems to be quite a different achievement, requiring hard work, concentration and a lot of energy .
Geez, I'm almost wondering if I missed out on something. Maybe it's too late for me, but should I rethink my advice to my daughters? They are young, strong and take to new ideas quite easily.  But where would I find a reputable "Bitch Academy"?
 

What Empty Nest?

This year was going to be personally historic; the turning of a page and beginning a complete new chapter.  The title mostly likely would be "Me and My Empty Nest", or some such appropriate title.

My youngest daughter, Taylor would be graduating high school in June. She has been dating her beau for a year and half and eventually plan on marrying. They began talking about moving in together immediately after graduation. 

My oldest daughter, Jesseca now 20, is in college but currently still living at home. She and her boyfriend of 3 years are also deciding on the right time to make their move, but very likely by next fall.

For some time now, I have been preparing for that time when the first one would leave the nest. One by one they would gradually depart.  Most definitely, returning very often at first. Each one following the one before, until the nest house was still and quiet.

So, Sunday I'm talking with Taylor and she tells me they have thought about it, discussed it and feel it wouldn't be a good decision to move right now.  Financially it would not be wise.  I was impressed!  They were actually being responsible  and not impulsive as the young can be.  That's okay with me, the nest doesn't have to empty out too quickly.  Besides, I thought it should be the oldest to leave first.  Although, she would have to get a job, get her driver's license and a car! Yes, that's right...she's 20 and still does not have her license.  It's a long story.

As the story goes, I was speaking with Jesseca Sunday night. Her boyfriend's lease is up in June and they may not move over to the coast this year, maybe next.  In the meantime, everything is so expensive, they could really save if they moved in here.  Just temporarily.  Well, certainly we could work something out. She agreed they could contribute and help out around the house...when they get up at 2 pm!

Now tonight, I just came from Taylor's room having finished a conversation with her in which she explains Kayla, her best friend and her long time boyfriend, may be breaking up.  Could she possibly stay with us if necessary.

Oh sure, the more the merrier. 

I only want to know one thing...where's my empty "blessed" nest? 

If Attitude was a Season

Spring is absolutely the best season of all. It seems so obvious.  Could there be any question? Certainly I welcome each new season as it arrives and am happy for the change. Each time of year offers it's own special features I'm anxious to experience again.

The seasons are often related to the stages of the life cycle. Spring being the beginning, the birth or re-birth and renewal of life.  

The dark gray skies of winter give way to clear blue, dotted with white puffy clouds, bringing spring showers.  The cold, stark, white snow and frozen ponds melt into streams, creating an energy and power racing down the mountains.  

The ice and snow is gone, replaced with every color of the rainbow and even more fragrances.  Proving yet again, winter will not last forever. Spring offers that promise, and the chance for new possibilities and for shining up old ones.

The fresh air, sunshine and growth of new life instills a sense of hope and confidence in renewing a purpose or hatching new ideas and  adventures. 

If you're looking for motivation to sport a fresh attitude and a positive outlook, you can't beat Mother Nature's pet season...Spring!

Time For an Attitude Check?

First things first-Beware the 1st of April!  Whether a poor "foolish" joke or the real deal, the  Conficker Worm is active and infecting computers worldwide.  Unlike your usual pesky virus, it's effects are far more devasting.  It "buries" itself in your operating system, slowing it to a crawl for sure, but it disables your anti-spyware and virus protection software as well. The next thing to go is your ability to access the internet.  Immediately make sure you have all the most current Windows updates and Anti-spyware software.

With that said, the subject of "attitude" was raised in the wake of handling just such an event. Not to worry, I have given my adored XP a fond farewell and is at last at peace.

I, on the other hand, had anything but peace.  This is not to belabor my horrid experience.  On the contrary, I aim to confess my wretched behavior throughout the whole drawn out ordeal.

Yes, I the Queen of composure and grace, became a raving tyrant of a banshee.  Beginning with the act of denial that it could possibly happen to me! Quickly moving to the anger mode, extolling the so and soes, having the audacity to invade my privacy, causing such a disturbance into my otherwise placid life.

Beginning with my husband, and daughters, to my co-workers (including my IT expert at the office), eventually resting yet again on my husband.  By this time he was quite ready to give up "going fishing" forever, if I would just shut up about the damn computer already!

He just wanted to know how we got the "virus" and whose fault it was.  What did he mean?  The criminal who engineered and launched the vicious thing is at fault!  Don't tell me he really is going to blame the victim!  Don't get me started!
And so goes my "attitude" and I was bent on telling everyone every gorey detail.
Moral of my story:  I allowed the perpetrator to evoke maximum damage with his attack.  Keeping my perspective would have gone a long way in preserving my peace of mind, relieving my stress and anxiety, and keeping my immune system intact... along with my serenity.  After all, it was just a piece of equipment made from plastic and metal.
I'm still here and so is my husband.  Maybe he'll go fishing next weekend!

Moral No.2-There can be a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow after a flood.  In this case, it was a new computer! I guess I'll just have to deal with it.

Gratitude Bank