Auld Lang Syne

I just had dinner with two friends I've known since grade school. GRADE school. That means these women have been in my life for over 45 years. How many people can say that they're still connected with someone who has known them through four plus decades. Just think how many ups and downs, trials and tribulations, joyous miracles, and just plain living have taken place in that period of time. And these people have experienced them all right along with me. Sure, there have been years where we were out of touch and some of the trivialities of life have been missed...but just to be connected with someone who shares those sweet (and often painful) memories of my childhood is such a blessing. They were there when I got my first bra, my first period, my first kiss, my first pantyhose for God's sake! They were there through go-go boots and white frosted lipstick and blush that looked a bit like clown paint and crushes that we would have sworn were life-long loves. They knew the Margaret (I was Margaret, and often Margaret Mary, until junior year of high school) who carried such a painful burden that she couldn't even share it with them. They knew the little girl who was so withdrawn that she often walked the school halls with her head down so as not to draw attention to herself, for with attention might come pain. These are the girls who taught me to dance and included me in their plans and their slumber parties. These are the girls who saved my life, when I wasn't trying to save it myself. I love these friends, these oldest of friends, and I'm so glad they've walked my journey right alongside me. And that they're still right there with me now that many corners have been turned and my path is no longer encumbered with old wounds and old burdens...a path that's free to accept love and share love and truly experience love...the love they've given me all along. Thank you old friends.

Mr. Demi Moore

What's the deal with Ashton Kutcher? It's difficult to know even where to begin my rant...the hair? the facial mistake he probably calls a beard? his goofy personality that his fans(?) may refer to as 'quirky'? I'm just not sure what annoys me the most. Okay, I'm not a fan of Charlie Sheen's winning antics and firing him was definitely the right thing to do. But come one...Ashton Kutcher??? Two words--shave, haircut. He's not 14 (behavior aside). This is a guy who does camera commercials for pete's sake! And is seemingly good at that due to the fact that he never has to speak a line. What qualifies him to come in and take over for a seasoned actor who truly was Charlie Harper? This isn't a plug-and-play situation...this is a wildly popular series with a huge following. And yes, I used to be one of them. But I'm just not buying into the premise they're asking us to accept with Ashton Kutcher joining the cast. My fear (for him) is that he's merely portraying himself. That's very sad. Here's a guy married to a beautiful (albeit older) woman, and he decides to suddenly have the college fraternity experience in his life. Really? Drunken sex with a 20-year-old on your wedding anniversary? Who does that? So Ashton, clean up your act and grow up. And do everyone a favor...start with the hair and the beard (and this is me laughing when I type that word, inferring that it in any way applies to what's on his face).

Old-fashioned Christmas

Whatever happened to Christmas like we saw in the 1945 movie, Christmas in Connecticut? The perfect tree, snow on the ground (where no footprints appear as party guests walk through), horse-drawn carriages, fur coats and brightly wrapped gifts. Maybe it's the black and white film or the romanticism of the 40's...or maybe it's the pairing of Barbara Stanwyck and the handsome and suave Dennis Morgan...but it just feels like Christmas today is missing some of the sparkle and shine of Christmas as depicted in that film. Oh sure, skeptics will say 'it's only a movie', and of course they would be right. I only know that for me, it's not really Christmas until I've watched Christmas in Connecticut and shed quiet tears at my happy ending.

A Dog's Life

My dog Rascal is a Shorkie (shi tzu/yorkie mix), and he is the love of my life (sorry Randy, no offense intended). Three years ago I couldn’t have imagined being this much in love with a little furry creature (Randy’s not all that hairy) and made fun of those people who doted on their dogs, taking them to daycare and showering them with gifts and cleaning up after them. And now here I am with this little bundle of love who sleeps in our bed (in fact, is often in charge of the bed), often moving me right to the edge in his attempt to snuggle as close as possible. I’m pretty sure Rascal knows he’s landed well and is one pampered pooch. But what he doesn’t know is that I’m the lucky one in this relationship. From him I get complete and unconditional love. Someone who’s thrilled to see me when I come home after a long day, even when it’s been a bad one, and who just can’t wait for me to pick him up in my arms and shower him with kisses (again, I’m drawn back to Randy and the way this seems like a negative comparison…not my intent). He’s never happier or more content than when he’s settled into my arms or into his afghan (formerly my chenille throw) on the couch, right at my feet…in fact, right on my feet. Yes, Rascal is really spoiled. He gets chicken stock in his dry food every evening, and all he has to do is woof and Randy is down on the floor rough-housing with him and he goes on adventures with us as often as possible (who knew the hardware store could be such great fun?). But I’m the one who has been blessed by adding him to our family.

Women shoppers

What is it about women shoppers who stop right inside the door to a store and carry on conversations with other women? Do they not realize they can step further inside the store to chat? Or possibly find a comfy place to sit and really get into the conversation? Or here's a thought...keep walking and actually accomplish two things at once! It's so annoying when you're trying to enter a store and you're stuck by two or more bodies blocking your entry. And they're oblivious to the fact that they're not the only people on the planet...that's right, there are actually other people who would like to enter the store and actually occupy space in the universe. It's just mind-boggling to me that someone could actually just stop dead in their tracks without giving a thought to the people who are trying to follow them into the building. And if you have the audacity to say "excuse me" and try to move them along or at least get around them, they cop that attitude that says they're really irritated you interrupted their conversation. Really?