My Top Five 2011

I was given a challenge by a fellow blogger who is quite an amazing lady. Now...it wasn't declared a challenge, but for me I took it as one.  I've been procrastinating, and hemming and hawing about writing on my blog again.  I just didn't feel like it.  And then life took over.  My days turned to weeks and those weeks to months.  I am going to post for her Carnival with the stipulation that everyone reading this understands that I am not a traditional blogger.  I write for me.  This sometimes annoys people.  I am careless with punctuation, and/or grammar.  I love using visual aids such as photos, and youtube.  That being said,  I give you my Top Five for 2011.

I had a wonderful presentation ready, but someone knocked on my door and then I received a phone call. Both conversations made me rethink what I should do.  He does work in mysterious ways.

#5 Books.  What can I say?   I love them.  I also love children.  Some of the best books I've read are meant for children.  Regardless of the age I believe everyone should read or be read to.  My number five is a demonstration of the passion I have and  wish that all schools across America would instill in our children.

#4 Home. I am eternally grateful for the new home that Zach and I have. After years of living in such a cramped space (Yes I was grateful for the roof over my head at the time) it was such a relief to hear those words "Here's your key." It's funny how three words make such a difference in a persons life. 

#3 Neighbors. I can not believe how lucky I am to have such wonderful people watching my back. I had something happen to me last week that shook my faith in how much kindness you can actually give to your neighbors. Tonight I had an awakening. One wrong can be righted by the good of another. Never judge those around you.

 #2 Friends. I have been graced by God with the best friends a woman can ask for. I can go on forever about the wonderful people I've met this year. My Father told me when I was a kid that you can count your true friends on one hand. I know what he said is true, but I now have two hands.

 #1 Family. What would we be without them? My biggest rocks are my Mom & Dad. I am eternally grateful for everything they have done for me and my boys. My Mother & Father have given me so much this year that I could never repay them in this lifetime. My son Aaron turned 19 and became a Marine. My baby Zachary moved with me and has been braving the transition. 

So...Although my Top Five may not be the standard pop culture, or holiday ready...I am happy. And that's what counts!

Sweet dreams. 

 Lyn

Learning how to tie my shoe.

Learning how to tie a shoe.

How do you tell your child that mommy
doesn't  know the right way to tie a shoe?
Mommy doesn't want to tie her shoes.
She wants to kick them off just because it feels good.
She selfishly wants you to remain oblivious to the tainted world.
She wants barefooted days and nights,
and flip flops and floppy slippers.
No alarms in the morning or curfews at night.
So young, you only have the bedtime to worry you.
How do I tie your shoes?
I don't want to.
Not right now.
Let me show you bunny ears.
Let me show you around the tree.
In time my little man.
I will show you how to tie your shoes.


Lyn Hernandez
For Z-man
6/27/2011

Re-edited
11/21/2011

The Missing Photograph.

"Missing photo" I know I'm not crazy, so why is it I can not find you?

Snapshot from my mother's past you are grating on my nerves. You captured the essence of her beauty in its simplicity, and I want nothing more than to share that with her and the world.

Long golden locks of hair swept down her back accenting her pale skin.  The forbidden mini-skirt that was the source of many a tantrum on my part in my youth, along with Go-Go boots, made her tall frame appear goddess-like.

The lack of smile is apparent, but does not diminish the happiness in her eyes.  There is that twinkle.  The one that we as children knew expressed her joy without words.

There is no need for her to smile.

She has just been wed to my father in a quiet ceremony and is content.

She is loved.

So where are you "photograph" of this past moment in time?

You can stay hidden, but you cannot erase the image I have in my mind.

I've seen it's value, and it shall remain priceless and untouched in my memories.

For now.

Lyn

My crystal ball.

My Crystal bowl is the recipient of my current anger management.  I can't say why I chose this bowl, except that it is tied to my failed marriage.  I hated that I could not hold onto something I cherished so much.  It almost killed me to physically release myself from my bond to him.  He was my everything, but I became nothing.

I took to smoking again.  The back story is one I will post later, or maybe I won't.  I wanted to desecrate something that would give me release.  I wanted it to be something special.

Well, he has a lot of my belongings still and the few I took with me I knew I had limited choices.  Light bulb!  He had this thing about getting all the finer things in life.  "Keeping up with the Jones's." is the best cliche that suits this situation.


My mind immediately went to the Crystal bowl.  The damn crystal that I didn't want but he thought would make our home more like others.  What the hell is that about?  I wanted a home not a simulation.

So I defiled the bowl that symbolized our union.  I lit my cigarette, took a few drags, stared at the lit tip, exhaled and then crushed it out in the center where I could snuff out the name of the artist who created the work of beauty.

 No offense to the artist.  The bowl is my art now.  My therapy.

Lyn

My Frog Prince.

I stole my sons Pillow Pet.

I couldn't help myself.

It's soft and squishy, and it looked so lonely sitting on his bed.

Do you see what I mean?

Who wouldn't want

 to sleep with such

 an irresistible creature?

I know it sounds mean.

He can always trade back.

Oh....I forgot to mention that he took my Spongebob Pillow

and is refusing to give him back. Try as might, I can not seem

to get him back.  I can go to sleep with him,

but when I wake up....Poof...

He is back in Z's room.

It's probably for the best.

At least this way I can

dream of my frog

becoming a Prince.

Kidding of course.

For now.

Lyn

Spud Ninjas.

OUCH!

That's pretty much all I have to say/write.

I burnt my tongue.  Holy crap does it hurt.

It's Good Friday so I cooked a very nice meal.

Did anyone ever tell you not to taste food straight

out of the oven?

Yeah.  Common sense usually clicks in for most people.

Me?  Nope.  As I stared at the steam coming off the potatoes,

what do you think I did?

Uh-huh.  Yeah.  That's right.  I grabbed a fork and dove into the 

gooeyness that was teasing me.

No really.  The potatoes were saying, "Hey!  You over there!  Grab 

a fork, and get over here."

I had to listen to what they were saying.  I mean, come on, how often do

you get to listen to talking spuds.

There you have it.  My reason for talking funny for the next few days is not

my fault.  The Spud Ninjas did it.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

The image doesn't even begin to convey the OUCH level.

Undill dex dime.

Dyn

I miss the 80's.

I miss the 80's.  I was reminiscing with some friends today and John Cusack came up.  If you hung out with my friends, and I back in the day then you knew every Brat pack movie inside and out, you worshiped John Hughes, and any cult like film that stared young actors portraying underdogs that win the day ruled the screen at our houses.

One of my heroes was John Cusack.  I wanted to rescue him so bad as a kid.  I still secretly do, or maybe just have a cup of tea or coffee with him.

The conversation we had pertained to the "Cute and Fuzzy Bunnies" on One Crazy Summer starring John Cusack, and Demi Moore.  These "bunnies" were not ordinary.  They kept Hoops McCann, (John Cusack), from finding love.  Of course it's Hoops that's actually drawing them so in actuality it was him keeping himself from finding true love.

It's complicated.  Just watch and enjoy the flashback.

Oh. These are all the animations he (Hoops) did all in one.  Thank you Vinsinlau for the edit.


Until next time,

Lyn

Now that will jump start your heart.

It was a quiet evening last night.  I was on my computer playing Farmville, and watching CSI.  It was thoroughly relaxing.  Until...

My toes were cold from walking around in flip flops.  I turned the heat off last month to save energy.  So I grab a pair of rolled up socks from my laundry basket, and put them on.  Ah.  That's better.  I head back to my game.  

As I'm sitting there I get the chills again.  (I should have taken this as a warning.)  So I go for my comfy slippers. I bring them over to my chair, sit down, and start to slip them on.  Whoa!  What the...?  What happened next was me screaming blood murder, and jumping up and down like a kid on a trampoline.  I must of looked like I was doing some sort of tribal dance.

My oldest burst into the room freaking out.  He's yelling "What happened?!  What's wrong?!"

What's wrong? Good question. Let me rewind a bit.  I leaned over to put on my slipper, and there, hanging out on my shin, is an effing spider!  Not just any spider.  It's that black one with the white thing on it's back.  Dad is always getting bit by them around here.

He starts laughing and goes to get Grandma, who is the go to person for spider removal.  She doesn't let us kill them.  I'm sorry, but if a spider is going to give me a heart attack by sneaking up my leg, I should have the right to squish it's eight legged A$$.

Hear this all you arachnids out there.  If you ever take me by surprise like that again you are so done!  There will be no more crawling up the spout again for you my friend.  More like "The Itsy Bitsy Spider went SQUISH!"

Until next time.

Lyn aka Sissygirl-who's-afraid-of-wee-bitty-spiders.

Different like me.

I decided to repaint my room.  I wanted something new and fresh.  I figured I'd make my own shade.  I took several leftover colors that were all really cool.  In my head I pictured this iridescent blue/pink/purple shade.  In order to achieve this I'd have to go to the local Depot and obtain some white semi-gloss to mix in with it.  While I'm at it let me get some trim paint too.

OK.  So I mix the paint in a bucket, and I mean mix.  Did you know that you have to stir the crap out of paint in order for it to blend?  No wonder they have that paint shaker at the store.  Duh!  Anyway, so I look at my final product and tilt my head.  Huh.  It looks familiar.  Alright.  Let's see how it looks on the walls.  I test an area not very noticeable and give it a good coat.  Hmm.  That seems kinda bright, but OK.   Let's see what happens when it dries.

The result?  It turns out to be the shade I had on there before only lighter.  So I got bluish/pinkish/purplish shade I'd hoped for, but with way more work.  Here's the kicker.  I chose an awesome chocolate brown as the trim color figuring it would compliment the brightness of the tone I had in my head.

Obviously my brain has a sense of humor because I've finished that one wall, and the final result is.....An Easter egg.

Yup.  It looks like you can eat my wall.  That's just fine.  I like it.  It's different like me.

Until next time.

Lyn

Turning 40.

My birthday is approaching fast. I thought time would drag on like it normally does, but because I am turning 40 my life is speeding up. Didn't Valentines day just pass? Did the groundhog see his shadow? What month is this?

There are so many things that I promised myself would happen, or that I'd accomplish before I reached 40. So I was thinking about the "list", and mentally checking off the stuff I'd done and prioritizing the things I haven't. I can probably write a whole post just regarding the list so I'll cut to one of the items in the top 10. The tattoo.

One day my son decides that he'd like a tattoo for his birthday. He is underage and therefor needs permission, and of course the money for it. Me being the wise ass that I can sometimes be decide that I'll trick him out of it. I wanted him to wait till he was old enough. So I tell him that he has to ask Grandpa for permission. I also, throw in the topper. If Grandpa says he can get inked then I will get one as well. Dad is old school, so I figure he'd have a cow. WRONG! Not only does he say go for it, but he is excited for him.

What the heck just happened? Are you kidding me. What happened to the man who freaked out when I put a second hole in my ear? How about when my brother pierced BOTH of his? Alright. OK. So people can change with age. He isn't as strict anymore. He is now the cool Grandpa. Grr.

This meant that I had to be a mom of her word and let him do it, but I also would have to do mine. Sigh.

Wait. Whats that I smell? A loophole? Yes, that's right ladies and gentleman I never said when or what for myself. Ha! Well I wasn't that abrasive. I just told him I really needed to think about what I was putting on myself. I didn't want some silly squiggle just to say I did it. I wanted it to mean something.

Well that was a few years ago. My son is heading for the Marines soon, and I needed to make sure this got done before I turned 40. The timing was perfect. The inspiration for the Tat is Thomas Hooper. He rocks. You should check out his work here.

Inked by "T". Photo by ME.

Until next time.

Lyn

I feel.

Sometimes it's easier to say it with music. I'm not good at explaining how I feel to others. I fear repercussion, or somehow that I will be manipulated. I tend to shut down, and slap on that happy face for everyone to see.

It's easier for people to deal with. If you entered a room and saw a group of happy people at one table, and a mopey or indifferent person at another who would you want to sit with? Sure you can say the mopey one and claim to be that 1% of the general public that would actually do the right thing, but let's be honest here. Everyone initially heads for the happy table. It's easier. Your conscience is what might guide you to the lonely person.

Anyway, it's always nice to pay attention to those around you. Someone might need help, and just won't ask.

Caution: The following contains strong language, and profanity. Do not view if this bothers you.



Until next time.

Lyn

Calling Angels.

I had this speech about how we are being punished for what we have done to Mother Earth and we are to suffer the consequences but, I don't want to lecture. Enjoy.



Sweet dreams.

Lyn

PS. I will not give up.

Our time for Angels.

If you are not saddened by the events of the past year, month, or day you may want to check your pulse. We have been plagued with disaster after disaster in an alarming rate. Well at least to this one little human.

All the petty things that we worry about on a daily basis become small. So minuscule you wonder if you worried excessively..I worry.

In my times of worry , or sadness I think of Angels. I have been a fond believer in Angels for many years. If you play a sport think of the Angel as a Coach. If you like Arts, think of the Angels as Mentors. Even if you like machinery, I'll say cars for this purpose, you have an Angel.

Please everyone. Start the chain of hope. Think of your Angel.



Yeah. I did sound like a commercial, but nope. I did not get paid anything for this. I just believe!

Lyn

Just because.

Today seemed like a good day to share. Not that yesterday or tomorrow are any different. I just wanted to tell everyone that it's going to be OK. It's up to you how to interpret it.

I am a glass half-full kinda gal so I of course will find all the positive that derives from that statement. Pretty much...I make my own happy.

Today is your day to make your "HAPPY".

When you feel that simmering of impatience surfacing, step back, breathe deep, and if need be walk away. Come back, and smile wide.

If that doesn't work try reading THE BOOK OF AWESOME. It is a gooey book of feel good posts from Neil Pasricha. His blog can be found at 1000awesomethings.com.

No I was not asked to promote him in any way, shape, or form.

He does make me smile though.

The video is for my girl Cindi Lauper. If you do not follow the news Ms. Lauper calmed a crowd down in an airport after delays made some people a wee bit bitter. Cindi Lauper you never fail to come through "Time after time."

Spring Cleaning

Ah....I love the smell of rain. Cleansing all the crap thats been steeping. Be gone filthy snow. Leave this place, and come not again till next year. :)

Yeah I'm back. I have been out having fun. Building multi-colored igloos. Making the yard look like Candyland with Mom and the Zman. Hanging out with my niece Ms.V, and letting the nephews run wild with their cousin. Man life is good.

So I thought I'd pick up my pen again, and start to write. I just want to have a little fun, be creative, and forget about boundaries or normalcy. I'm just gonna let it flow, let it rip, and do what comes naturally.

See ya!

Lyn