I Don't Make This Stuff Up

really...you can check

cloudlet (n.): a small cloud

I'm headed off to cloudland now...there's work to be done.

Apologies and Forgiveness

Growing up, we were always taught to mind our Ps and Qs, dot our Is and cross our Ts, mind our manners, say 'please' and 'thank you', apologize for the wrongs we committed, and grant forgiveness when people apologize. They're all good lessons, but as I get older, I find I'm really taking exception to the last one.

I'm sick of people telling me they're sorry. Don't get me wrong, there are certainly times when an apology is needed--like when someone steps on my foot, or bumps me with a shopping cart, or hurts my feelings. It's nice to hear "I'm sorry." But I'm finding that more and more apologies are lacking true sincerity. People keep apologizing, but what are they apologizing for? Is that crabby lady at the store really sorry that I'm going to have a Texas-sized bruise where she hit me with her cart? Or is she just sorry that she didn't hit me hard enough to run me over and get me out of her way? Most times, I get the feeling that people aren't apologizing for their role in the situation at hand. And isn't that the purpose of an apology? To acknowledge one's own wrong-doing and request forgiveness?

It is so hard to forgive someone who has done something hurtful when he/she really believes that there's nothing wrong with his/her behavior or actions--even when the rest of the population would believe otherwise. And that is the worst apology of all. That snide, "I'm sorry you feel that way," BS apology. That irritates the heck out of me. And it irritates me because when someone offers an apology, I feel obligated to give forgiveness--but when the apology is fake, and I feel like I can't yet forgive, I feel like a moron for not being able to get past it.

So what is my purpose in all of this? I'm not really sure. I think I just needed to vent. All I know is that not too long ago, someone did something to me that I believe was premeditated, designed to hurt me, intentionally cruel, cold, calculated, and flat out wrong. I got the snide apology after the you-know-what hit the fan. It was the worst, phoniest apology I have ever encountered. I'm still struggling with my feelings, because I am so angry with this person. It's exhausting to be so mad. Deep down, I want to give forgiveness and be free of this burden, but I'm allowing myself to remain stuck on the fact that this person is not sorry at all and is actually gloating over the resulting damage. I am still furious.

I have taken time to plot various ways to get even with this person--but I haven't followed through on any of the ideas, because I know in my heart that it's not right. I do believe in the whole concept of karma and 'what goes around comes around', and I know that God doesn't need me interfering in His plans--whatever those plans may be.

So, I guess that has to be enough for now. I need to suck it up and let it go. That person is not sorry, and that is just the way it is. That person can probably look forward to spending the next lifetime as a dung beetle or something equally gross. HA! I'm feeling better already.

Brookfield Zoo

I think that today’s adventurers officially take the cake for one of my craziest out of school trips with two crazy friends. And I’m in a chatty mood today, so I think that I’ll bore you all with the details.

9-ish Kyle arrives. Nicole arrives. We pack into Kyle’s dad’s truck that only holds three people. [Haha, Nicole gets the middle for the ride there.] Before even reaching Interstate 55, even before Route 30, Kyle offers to take us over the “bump”. Nicole and I simultaneously ask “What’s the bump?” as Kyle turns down a street off of Essington. About a quarter of the way down the road, he suggest that we should “hang on”, however, at that point, all three of us are flung into mid-air, hitting our heads on the ceiling of the truck. Haha, it really was a great bump :-D I’ll have to show you all where it is sometime.
9:10-9:35-ish The rest of the ride to the zoo. Haha, Kyle is a pretty crazy driver, but at least he’s entertaining about it. We listened to some crazy music. Did some crazy dancing. There was also this crazy radio show on some station that involved a person trying to place a bet on the Harlem Globetrotters and some other team… [Sisters, this was clearly not a real phone call, just in case you thought it was. It was however, pretty damn funny.]
9:45-ish We arrive at the zoo! It was actually more like 9:35 when we got there, but… You know, what can I say? We made good time. So we sat in the truck for a bit and just tell our random teenage life stories.
10-ish to 3-ish That’s a pretty decent time at the zoo, isn’t it? But I think that we saw everything that was open. We headed over to the wolves first, and we went into this dark room over there [no roaming hands!] that actually turned out to be pretty cool. [There’s a black light that goes on at the end, and Kyle and I were wearing white, so we glowed, and I’m always entertained by that.] We also went on this little path thing, but the exit at the end we walked to was closed, however, we were not going to walk all the way back, so we just jumped the little fence and continued on. The lion was sleeping when we visited him. A little girl came up, asking is he was awake yet, and we sadly answered no. She did, however, get very excited that there was a chipmunk in the lion’s den, and preceded to scream about it several times. This same little girl was also going downtown after her and her family were done on their zoo expedition. [Yes, three seventeen year-olds carried on a lengthy conversation with a girl around the age of six.] Then in the reptile house [at least I think that’s what it was], we checked out some of the small turtles. In the first window we looked in, there was definitely a turtle trying to get it on with another turtle, however, the female did not want to give in. This little competition between the turtles went on for a long time, and we made a bet with Kyle that when he came back to the zoo Friday [yes, he is going to the zoo again this Friday] that the turtles will still be at it. We got to feed the giraffes, too. [Okay, not really, but a giraffe did eat this stick that Kyle flung at the end of the rope.] We also decided that there was an elephant that was severely depressed, because it had it’s head against the wall and we decided that at any moment he would slam his head against it and kill itself. We hung out with the dolphins for quite a bit too near the end of our trip [underground, of course. It was quite warm, so we all just kinda laid on the steps and we probably could have taken a nap.] Again, I stress the fact that we probably went into every house that was open, and spent some pretty killer time in there. It was a good time, just going out and being random. There was also a significant puddle war going on between our walks to the houses. There were a TON of puddles from the rain we had, and we were all splashing each other. While I initiated this game, I must admit that Kyle was the winner for one splash that completely doused Nicole… Kinda sad I didn’t win that one. However, after that killer splash, we kept the splashing to a minimum and we were pretty dry by the time we left. They’re also building a carousel at the zoo… It’s going to be freakin’ GINORMOUS!!! It’s opening this summer, so Nicole, Kyle, and I all decide that we’ll come back so that we can ride on it :-D There was also some gift shopping going on, some picture taking… and yeah…. Good times.
3:15-ish to 3:45-ish Car ride back into town. [I get the middle this time.] Haha, more fun times. We decided that we were going to stop for food somewhere, but Nicole and I didn’t care where we stopped, and Kyle refused to pick somewhere….
4-ish to 4:45-ish We eventually just swung into Taco Bell. [Yeah, that’s right, the girl that RARELY eats at Taco Bell ate at Taco Bell today! Clearly, it wasn’t much of a swing either, because we ended up sitting and talking for a while, but still.] More stories and fun times.
5ish Kyle drops Nicole off. Kyle drops me off. Kyle heads home.

And that was pretty much my crazy day!
So what was the point in telling you all of that? Actually, there was none. But I had a ton of fun, and just wanted you to know that :-D

An Observation

With no photographic evidence

Yesterday, I took a look out the front windows and saw something different in my neighbor's tree. There was a squirrel sitting in the branches and eating a sandwich that was wrapped in white paper. I am convinced it was a hamburger from McDonalds, but I couldn't find the camera to get a good picture. It is one of the stranger things I've seen, but not the strangest.

What have you seen lately?

Revivify

Who knew it would involve getting locked in a cemetery?

Travel has the ability to revivify my outlook on life. I'm not sure exactly what it is, but I feel happier, more sane, and relaxed when I'm traveling, and that carries over a bit once I return home. I wish there was a way to bottle the sensation and take little sips of it when I need it in the every day life.

So, you want answers to that little question up there, don't you?! Well, you have to wait and read the slide show version of my trip (except Catherine, my travel buddy, who was there and knows all from this Journey).

My flight arrived in DC right on time and I was so excited to get back to the capital. Hugging Sister #3 was the first thing on the list and she was right there outside security waiting for me. It was dinnertime, so after dropping off my (very light) suitcase, we went to eat. Thai food. We sat next to an indoor serenity spot with a miniature fountain and pond. There were little fake ducks in that pond and I'm sure if we would have had any drinks, those little animals would have ended up in our pockets on the way out the door. I am inspired to begin building my miniature garden right away...or as soon as it warms up outside. Why is it still so cold here?

Day One: National Archives. The documents there were amazing. Fragile, without a doubt...the words fading. But the words written on them, and recorded for posterity are wonderful to me. From the Declaration to the arrest warrant for Susan B. Anthony, theses pieces of paper literally shaped the nation. We can learn so much from history, even if we have not lived through the specific events.

National Gallery. Art galore. Hours of enjoyment and still so much more to see. I cannot wait to go back and see the rest.

Dinner was delicious. Seafood. An excellent white wine. Perhaps it's the food that makes me so fond of travel.

Day Two: Arlington National Cemetery. The white stones, row upon row, made my heart heavy with sorrow, but there was a small piece of me that was steadied by knowing this place exists to honor those who have served the country in many different ways. Monuments and memorials to those who have fallen in events that shaped and saddened the country. The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was beginning a ceremony in which a fresh wreath was presented. It was an experience that brought a lump to my throat and caused a renegade tear to escape. The loss of so many others and reminders of our collective grief as the dreaded happened: JFK, Bobby, the Challenger and the Columbia space shuttles, and more. Walking through there was overwhelming. Thank goodness for Arlington House.

As we walked and read the markers from the Civil War, I glimpsed, through the trees, a woman dressed in an old-fashioned dress. Hoop skirt. Pink. It was strange. We were in a cemetery! It was one of those things that I debated mentioning, but it was too much for me to contain. I asked Catherine, and although I sensed a little doubt on her part, a second later she saw the woman too. We followed the trail to Arlington House (former residence of Robert E. Lee and his wife, Mary Custis Lee). We poked around all over. We didn't see any ladies in costume in the back nor in the lower level of the house. We peeked in the museum and learned that Robert E. Lee's father-in-law had been raised by Martha and George Washington. Arlington House had in fact been built by Mr. Custis to house what he called his "George Washington treasures." Great history, but we wanted to see where the period dressed lady was at. We went back to the house to see the rest and I finally broke down and asked a docent if there were reenactors about. I was scared at first by his puzzled expression, and especially when he asked, "Do you know them?" I felt a little bit foolish explaining that I had seen a woman while walking some distance away. Then he smiled. "They're here around the house." There were several women dressed as the Lee women and we did eventually see "Mildred." There's a picture somewhere. Whew!

After Arlington, we ate a well earned lunch. After that very late lunch, the great monuments and memorial were visited: Jefferson, FDR, Lincoln, Korean War, Vietnam, WWII. Powerful and moving, especially as the sun set and the lights illuminated the words etched in marble. Those words feel like they are being etched on your heart as you read them. Visit. Only a black-hearted fool could walk away unmoved.

After all those heavy emotions, a whisky was in order. I was tempted to have two, but it was time for dinner. More excellent food and another good glass of wine helped wash down the day.

Day Three: Surprise Day. I had no idea what this day was going hold beyond the fabulous brunch at Chef Geoff's. After being stuffed with more excellent food, the first surprise was a visit to the National Cathedral. Wow. What a lovely piece of architecture! I was amazed at the size and beauty, although disappointed by the lack of sarcophagi in the crypts (you know how much that sort of thing fascinates me). After a quick stop in the bishop's garden, we headed to my next surprise.

Yes, another cemetery. Did you know that I spent an unseemly amount of time at a cemetery in Halifax while on my honeymoon? I don't what it is. But, anyway, this was a private cemetery--the oldest in DC. The paths were uneven and broken in places, but smooth and new-looking in others. Great monuments and beautiful mausoleums, lovingly phrased epitaphs and sweetly designed headstones made this, to date, the most peaceful cemetery I have ever visited. This is how we ended up getting locked in.

Catherine and I sat down on a bench. Our feet were sore from all the walking we had done. The bench was across from an elegant structure and the graves around us were so classically elegant. I felt as if we sat for just a few minutes before getting up to move on. We debated moving even farther into the cemetery or moving back toward the entrance, but we finally opted for a nearby path moving back to the entrance. Padlocked gates greeted us. Imagine how confounded we were. Huge gates. Padlocked. Small gate, also locked and requiring some type of key to get out. I wanted to giggle. Thankfully there was a caretaker still in the office to scold us and tell us how lucky we were that she was still there and remind us to watch the time more carefully next time. The cemetery closed at four o'clock. It was more than half past that hour. Catherine observed that there did not seem to be any low spots in the (brick) walls surrounding the grounds. We were saved from having to attempt a climb over the fence. Thank Goodness! I laughed once we made it out to the sidewalk. Yes, the girl who cannot stand to watch even a mildly scary movie was locked in a cemetery! I feel that there are not many people who could say the same. It's good to be a Crazy Sister.

The rest of the evening was wrapped up in wonderful pastimes. Lemonade, shopping, changing out of our painful shoes, eating dinner and watching Bridget Jones. I know you're still laughing that I was locked in a cemetery, so I won't go into the mushy details. I had to leave the next day. I'd go back tomorrow if I could...

Hugeous is a Word

and so is hugeously

I have been hugeously tired lately from all of the hugger-mugger activity going on around here.

And:

I am afraid that when I get home, I will discover another hugeous "project" has been started without my knowledge.

Boys

Sisters, keep in mind that I am NOT asking you for boy advice. I’m aware that they have cooties, but you know, some cooties can be good for you. (Okay, that was retarded, but give me a break, it’s kinda late, I’m still sick, and it’s been the longest, most interesting day of my life to date -or at least for the year).
BACKGROUD: You see, usually it’s the girl that gives the boy her number, and it’s the boy’s responsibility to call her back. Boys have their own little codes for this, of which I have no idea what the timeline is, but they usually wait approximately 2 days, right? I don’t know, because my guy friends were everything but helpful on this, but that’s okay, because this isn’t really relevant, it’s just the background!
RELEVANT!: Anyway, what happens when this role is switched around? When the girl gets the guy’s number and she’s going to call him? Do girls have some certain little timeline that tell them when they should call? Because I’m think that 2 days is good. I’m thinking if you got it Wednesday, Friday would be completely acceptable if you were “not making plans” for the weekend. And maybe I’m crazy (though I know I am), this makes some sense, right?
I don’t know, just asking for some sisterly insight, and you were all complaining I haven’t written in a bit anyway :-p

Bonus Points

If you use all of your letters (7 or 9 depending on the rules you're using), you get 50 bonus points added to your score

deprecate (v.): to express disapproval of

traduce (v.): malign

It is quite easy to deprecate the spring fashions this year as it seems the only options available are either in black, white, or Mrs. Roper (remember Three's Company?).

So what will you be wearing for spring?

Puppy Party Recap

Auditory and Visual

• "Can I open my presents?" This was three seconds after the first guests arrived.
• "You are all going to end up like your mother." This was referring to the Crazy Sisters. (He will pay for this.)
• "Do you like my bone?"
• "Is it time for cake?"
• A baby wearing puppy dog ears.
• A preteen knocking the pinata to smithereens.
• Candy and tiny plastic toys flying through the air.
• "Whose legs does this planter remind you of?"
• Mom answering that question, and grandma (laughing) saying "Shame on you!"
• "Bye-bye. Bye-bye. Bye-bye." In a Munchkin voice.
• A Munchkinland dance.
• A rendition of The Lollipop Kids.
• "I didn't want clothes!" The little ones, no inner dialogue.
• "There aren't as many chickens anymore."
• "Dad, have you been snacking?"
• Embarrassed look on dad's face as he smiles.
• "Take all your stuff with you or I'm going to throw it away."
• A lengthy discussion of--yes, that's right--China. When will that topic go away?
• "Your sister took the necklace I bought for you."
• "Is she wearing it now? Cause I can go all stepsister on her and rip it off her neck. In a good way."
• "No, she's wearing her Mary medal."
• "Harrumph."
• Children wrestling all over the living room floor.
• People reading books in the living room. Grown-ups. Not to children.
• Cream soda.
• Butt-pinching.
• Home-made French fries.
• "How much do I owe you?" Uttered by at least a half dozen people.
• "Come back! Take some cake!"
• "I'll make some pitchforks for you."
• "They don't let you take those on airplanes anymore."
• "That's why I'm going to drive."
• Piles of shoes.
• Piles of gifts.
• "She [the editor] just wanted to make sure you knew that the NSA is going to come to the house and drag you away."

No alcoholic beverages were served at this party. I can't even imagine how boring that would be. There's no (loving) family like the Crazy (loving) family.

Ashes, Ashes

We all fall down...

flub (v.): botch; make a mess of

bollix (v.): bungle; throw into disorder

pratfall (n.): blunder; humiliating mishap [can also mean: a fall on the buttocks]


I hope everyone manages to stay upright today!