The neighbors must have thought I had a tick or twitch or something

The neighbors must have thought I had a tick or a twitch or something as I carried dead limbs to our brush pile on the far lot.  I, being too spontaneous (or lazy) to put on bug spray, was flipping my head quickly to the left and blowing in my own ear (not at all sensually), slapping my arm, and laughing at myself, thinking about how CRAZY I must have looked while trying to "shoo" the mosquitos away.  Nevermind that the mosquito population in Michigan is completely OUT OF CONTROL (we joke that they are our state bird).  This act of lunacy, added to other slightly eccentric things I do around my house (only because I think nobody's watching)--  things like mowing the lawn in a bikini, playing (banging on) my piano late at night, having wrestling matches in the basement, and excercising in high heels-- could definitely ruin my pristine reputation of being "normal"... 

But don't worry.

I will NOT lose any sleep tonight over the fear that my neighbors might consider me slightly lunatic.  Thanks, in part, to a quote from Jane Austen's, Pride and Predjudice, "For what do we live, but to make sport for our neighbors, and laugh at them in our turn?" And also largely in part to the the fact that I know myself (and other people) well enough to believe that I'm not THAT weird.

*I have pulled a few examples of  "crazier than me" neighbor stuff off the web for your viewing pleasure.

This is funny because I used to practice baton/flags in my back yard, but my legs never looked nearly that good...

If any of my neighbors are reading this, don't worry... I'm probably not talking about you, and I DEFINITELY don't take pictures of the things I see in Leland Acres.

...or haven't yet, at least.

I'll probably frequently throw in these "asides", addressed to neighbors, friends and family members, because I never do know exactly who reads these things, and I would hate to offend or make anyone uncomfortable with the stuff I write. 

One person I DO know is reading... MY MAMA! :)  Hi, Mom.

She called me today to say that she really enjoyed reading my blog (aaaand to check up on how things were, of course).  Her phone call and positive feedback (along with all the responses I've had from all of you), were greatly appreciated and almost providencial in their timing. She called after I heard a message about "encouragement" at this church I visited this morning. The words really impressed upon me the need to share hope, strength, kindness and positive thoughts with others, and left me very open (almost broken) to thoughtful words of encouragement from others!

(I've been a little discouraged lately)

Well, I just pulled a pan of "Supreme Bars" -- half brownie, half cookie (100% delicious) -- out of the oven and think I'll go for a little swim to cool myself off while I wait for them to cool off (Dad and Christi have both helpfully checked to see if they're still too hot to eat).  Playing "Susie Homemaker" in the summer with no air conditioning can get pret-ty steamy. 

Oh boy! Speaking of hot... Things have heated up again, here in Ann Arbor. haha

I was beginning to believe that fall was upon us, but it looks like we'll have a few more warm days, and who knows... maybe even a little Indian Summer.  Wouldn't that be nice? :)

Well, this is me, signing off...

Until next time!

Peace and love (yeah, I'm a wanna-be hippie)...

Susie Q

A little Sauvignon Blanc where the sidewalk ends

Welcome back for day two of this new blog.  I hope you are... well... alive, alert, awake and enthusiastic about something! 

I'm still going pretty strong.  I guess.  This cup of lukewarm coffee is helping me out quite a bit. 

It's funny because I was always the girl who couldn't understand how people would allow themselves to get so hooked on anything like coffee-- a bitter substance that stains your teeth, has a tendancy to keep you up at night, gives you stomach issues, and turns your breath that hearty, sour smell, that DOESN'T mask any other odors (as my sister has kindly informed me).

BUT then, I got a big girl job.  One that required me to walk into a room of elderly residents everyday (usually residents with some form of dementia) with a BIG SMILE on my face, enough patience and good will to make their lives (and mine) enjoyable, and enough energy to play WII, ring toss, sack toss, word games, lead armchair aerobics (and one, and two), bible studies (I'm no theologian) bake cookies (watch out, Rachel Rae), sing karaoke (okay, I AM a bit of a prima donna), and do arts and crafts (right up my alley).  These are all things that I actually really do love to do, so it probably doesn't SOUND like work, but somebody had to do it. 

And so, the GREAT SACRIFICE was made in order to "pull through" such tedious tasks ;-) -- I began drinking coffee.  Thus seceding from the "anti-coffee, anti-speed" society (of which I may have been the only member), to join the world of hopped-up, keyed-up, happy professionals.  But it has been so worth it, having more than enough energy to do what I have to do to touch lives is such a blessing to me!  Can I get an AMEN?!     

Speaking of touching lives...

You, fortunate ones, should be thanking your lucky stars to be getting to read this blog entry so early today. :)

I had decided I wasn't going to write anything until I had applied for this receptionist position a friend from college so graciously forwarded to me, but in the process of accessing my jump drive (to review/edit my resume), realized that Microsoft Office must have been removed from my system! 

Oh no!

How do you like the dramatics?  Too much?  Yeah, you're right.  It's not really a mystery to me, so there's no need to for theatrics...

In thinking back, I'm pretty sure my dad did wipe out everything (other than virus protection), in efforts to thwart some nasty malware, disguising itself as an "antimalware" software.  I'm so thankful to have a functioning computer again (thanks, Pops!), but could really use even the most antiquated of Office programs right now.  I don't have any form of word, and had to type something up in Notepad a few weeks ago!  If any of you have ever done that, you can surely feel my pain. :)  Oh, the joys of technology... 

Well, hmmmm.  There's no way to smoothly segue into my next bit, so I'll just give it to you straight.

No, wait!

I just thought of something clever.

Christi and I shared a $6 bottle of Sauvignon Blanc and a little poetry last night.  Romantic, I know.  Come on now, she's MY SISTER and it was CHILDREN'S poetry!  We revisited a book of poems I pulled out of our collection in the basement, "Where the Sidewalk Ends, the poems and drawings of Shel Silverstein" --one of our childhood favorites!

Silverstein has a poem that reminds me of my love/hate relationship with technology and what is happening with the social networks phenomena...

JIMMY JET AND HIS TV SET

I'll tell you the story of Jimmy Jet--

And you know what I tell you is true.

He loved to watch his TV set [substitute computer, if you'd like]

Almost as much as you.   

He watched all day, he watched all night

Till he grew pale and lean,

From "The Early Show" to "The Late Late Show"

And all the shows between.

He watched till his eyes were frozen wide,

And his bottom grew into his chair.

And his chin turned into a tuning dial,

And antennae gew out of his hair.

And his brains turned into TV tubes,

And his face to a TV screen.

And two knobs saying "VERT." and "HORIZ."

Grew where his ears had been.

And he grew a plug that looked like a tail

So we plugged in little Jim.

And now instead of watching TV

We all sit around and watch him.

Shel Silverstein, "Where the Sidewalk Ends", 28-29.

And there's your "food for thought" for the day.  Read it, anylize it, remember it, do whatever you want with it actually, I'm not trying to tell anyone how to live their life.

However, with that being said... If you DO have a copy of this book, I would strongly ENCOURAGE you to reread some of the poems in it (add wine, if you like).  As an adult, you'll find the playful social commentary a little bit nostalgic, a little bit refreshing, a little bit fun.

Have a great day, people!  I'll be watching you.  lol

Yours Truly,

Susie Q

P.S. I'm still working on my 95 theses... you can't rush something of such large proportion!

I've decided to number my days as an American migrant...

Sorry, I couldn't come up with a more clever title...


Having spent all morning in bed, doing job-searches on my laptop, I have decided to move my life to the kitchen for a little lunch. And  no, I don't have enough food to go around, but you might not like what I'm having anyway... they're LEFTOVERS I think my dad must have fixed before he left for Alaska :).

I am back in Ann Arbor after a mini-vaca in Chicago, and I've decided to number my days as an American migrant (which is what it seems my spring/summer has been). 

I left my band (Big Bad Plaid) and my job as a CNA/Activity Aide in Mount Pleasant, MI around Christmas, moved to Las Vegas, joined a new band, couldn't find work, new band fizzled, and my sister (who I moved out there to live with) decided to move back to Chicagoland, so I packed up my things and headed back to the midwest, to re-group, reevaluate my life's options and plan out a new course of action.

Little did I know that my time spent being able to re-group would actually be very limited, having a close uncle pass away, and a number of family events, responsibilities, and social engagements (ROAD TRIPS!), taking me all over The States, including stop-offs in Missouri, Arkansas, Kentucky, New Jersey, West Virginia and Illinois (big shout-outs to each and every loved-one in each and every one of these states).

So now, after more traveling than one 24 year old girl should really be able to take, I am forcing myself to buckle down, and find even the most menial of jobs, in order to move forward in some way.  I have 1/4 of my plan of action, and finding gainful employment is my first REQUIRED step.

Wish me luck!  And if you know anyone that's hiring in Ann Arbor, I have decided to set down some shallow roots in this area again, and will be mainly looking for work here.  I have a B.A. in Interior Design, some sales experience, quite a bit of experience in food service/barista, 2+ years as an Office Assistant, CNA license in the state of MI, First Aide and CPR for the Professional Rescuer certification, and a strong work ethic!  Help a girl out! :)

Well, peace and love and blessings, and every other good thing!

.... OH! And stay tuned for my 95 theses for why I have decided to leave facebook!

Always and Forever,

Susie Q