Mysteries | Posted by Jannie on 15 October 2009 @ 6:38 AM
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1. Why does the above pack of batteries cost $6.99, but the same 4 batteries — PLUS two flashlights (at the same store) cost only $4.99?
2. Speaking of batteries, why do some last for 20 hours and others from the same brand (even from the same package) last for only 2 hours?
3. How do mosquitoes know to bite you right where you can’t see them — the backs of your legs, arms, neck, etc.?
4. Speaking of flying bugs, how do fruit flies materialize from absolute thin-air, any time of the year?
5. What the heck’s up with the “Healthy Meals” aisle in the supermarket?
Should the other food aisles have signs like this…
6. Speaking of supermarkets, why does my nearest one feel the need to completely rearrange its stock at least once a year, just when I’m finally able to find stuff again?
7. Why in movies, tv shows and commercials, even after the characters turn out the lights, do their bedrooms still appear blindingly bright? And could you (do you) sleep in such a bright room?
8. Why do I live in eternal hope I’ll be able to somehow magically recreate — with my own hands and scissors — the one great haircut I’ve ever had?
9. Why did that hairdresser never return my calls? I left 2 messages on her cell. (She said she was soon leaving Supercuts to open her own shop and would welcome my business.)
10. I voted in an election, turned legal drinking age, graduated college, got a credit card, a car, a husband and a dog. I divorced, remarried and had a child. Any of those should’ve made me feel like an adult, right? So… why has it taken until now that I need reading glasses for me to finally feel “all grown up?”
Mysteries | Posted by Jannie on 14 September 2009 @ 7:21 AM
63 Comments
So, me ‘n Kelly romped in Zilker Park late one afternoon a couple weeks ago. (Zilker connects to our hike-n-bike trail I showed you recently.)
Shared our picnic with the birds.
Had a little snooze.
And celebrated the brand-spanking new bermuda turf which has transformed our previously dusty soccer practice fields into this dreamy expanse.
To walk from this spot to the nearest of those buildings would take about [15 to] 20 minutes, in case your fertile inquiring mind was wondering.
We were also celebrating that Kelly finally lost a tooth.
I was really surprised it took her until almost eight to lose one, especially since a few of her bottom permanent teeth have already grown in behind the baby ones. Oh well, every kid’s different. And getting the adult teeth later can actually make them stronger, I read.
And below, yours truly, by the snaggletooth photographer.
Then things got really interesting…
Searing pains shot along my arm resting so comfortably on the glorious new grass.
FIRE ANTS!!! I4 bites in all.
My arm 3 days after the attack, still quite swollen and very, very sore. The pustule stage came a few days later, sorry I didn’t capture that for you. 🙂
Encroach on a fire ant nest and they’ll wait til a bunch of ’em are on you before one of them gives the signal to chomp down simultaneously. And chomp those freakers do. Quite expertly.
I spent a very unpleasant night after I got bit, considered going to EMS but opted out once Benadryl relieved my breathing, swollen face and head-to-toe itching. I’d had multiple bites in the past but this was my worst reaction ever. My skin all went bright pink!!! Hilarious.
Luckily Kelly suffered no bites at all that day. And equally luckily she is not allergic to fire ant venom, as I am.
What I learned that afternoon — never ever let my guard down in Texas against fire ants. Ever. Even if I don’t see an apparent “hill” they could still be lurking. Bastards.
My arm is good as new, tho!
And I’m going back to that field this morning. See you there!
P.S. I’ve been a little out of the blog reading loop with Kelly’s birthday and its on-going wonderment this past week. So watch out! Jannie’s gonna pop in to your place soon.
Family, Mysteries | Posted by Jannie on 26 August 2009 @ 10:21 AM
46 Comments
I know I have tons of amazingly wonderful comments to answer here and tons of your wonderful blog posts to read. And I will. You know I will. But I want to share a little vacation story of sorts first.
(my beach feets)
Despite the cottage and beach and on-going party that was Canada, I’m just a little bit sad about my visit as Dad is a little white haired guy in church now. His hands sometimes belie just a hint of shakiness. He says this may be the last year he makes hay. Says he’s going to get rid of the 3 horses too, (tho both his mares may be pregnant! He left them with Howie’s stud for 6 weeks, so how serious can he be about giving them up? Dad’s had horses since he was 10.)
But those are just fleeting images in time. Not who Dad really is. He’s strong. Vibrant. An amazing 72.
I don’t know. I should be so glad to have happy healthy parents. Many of you have already lost yours. I’m not complaining, just realizing a little deeper that we all aren’t all going to be here forever. Not in this capacity anyway.
(Dad & Mom, 50th wedding anniversary party, last week)
Time is marching on and hasn’t stopped for me. What’s up with that?
Oh well, I guess I’m doing a little pre-grieving at how things will change. How Mom and Dad will pass on. My remaining aunts and uncles too. Jim. My brothers and sister. Kelly. Kelly’s kids. All of us. And I don’t want to be a downer but gee, I want more than ever to move back home and spend as much time as I can with the ones I love. And I don’t want to be a further downer but I really don’t want to die. Ever. I believe in God and a happy heaven but as time goes by, heaven’s getting closer and closer — not that nebulous “someday” of before.
And is it just me or does everybody feel their parents are the last of a dying breed?
So that’s where my head’s at today as I re-enter this Texas life, thousands of miles from all my relatives. As I wonder what the hell I’m doing here so far away from them anyway. I feel like the bad one in the family for letting my wanderlust carry me so far. And for staying away all these years, nineteen years in Texas now.
Thus I leave you for now and probably for several days, until I catch up with your lives.
But please don’t worry ’bout my overall state of mind — I’m sure I’ll be back to bra-flinging and / or other assorted crazy crap here soon enough.
Friends, I’m not really looking for answers to these, they’re mostly rhetorical. Still, if you do have tips for me on any of these, I’ll more than welcome them.
1. Why, in a house with mostly tiled floors, do the dogs and cat pick the one room with carpet to do all their barfing in?
2. Why when I tussle with my hair-do does it always looks like a hair “don’t” but when I style it quickly with abandoned nonchalance, it comes out great?
3. Why can’t I ever remember to put the sunscreen on my forearms BEFORE I put on my sports bra? [as I usually get the sunscreen on my bra.]
4. Why does my dear husband insist on saving his beat-up old wallet and briefcase after he’s bought new ones?
5. Why in my 20s would I not leave the house without complete casual chic attire — but now, if I find a clean t-shirt and somewhat acceptably-fitting pants, am I dressed to the nines for the day? (And what are “the nines” anyway?)
6. Why, further to #5 and general personal upkeep, do I usually look either like Cousin Itt or like something Talon’s cat dragged in?
7. Why did I think a giant margarita and some dark chocolate might magically alleviate my allergy symptoms?
8. Why do leftover Cheerios in milk start to smell like cooked chicken after a while? I’m serious! Have you noticed that too?
9. Why as I get older do I feel younger? And happier?
10. Why did I pick the exact 2-second window the mailman was strolling up the walkway to walk past the front door naked?
