People You Can Count On

How many friends would you say you have?  Now, be careful, I'm not talking about the amount of Facebook, Twitter or MySpace friends.  I'm not even talking about how many people you know or who you are related to.  I'm talking about real friends.  The people who actually give a damn about your well being?  If you were to ask me that same question, my answer would be a number that would fit in one hand.

Something I've come to realize over the last little while is that there are only a few people in your circle who are really there for you.  Whether you need help moving, have a flat tire, or need a place to stay, these are the select few who would be there for you for ALL of that and then some without you returning ANY KIND of favor at all.

Here's where the separation begins:  there are certainly plenty of people you know who would show up to a party you throw, there may even be many who would help you if you were in some kind of trouble or were facing a life changing problem.  But there are only a few, who would be there every step of the way.  These are the people who if you asked them, "Can you do me a favor?" would answer you by saying, "Sure what do you need?" instead of a naturally understandable, "Depends, what is it?"

These people are gems.  Treasure them.  Treat them as special as you know they would treat you.  All the rest of the people are great, too and of course should be treated well also, but make sure you know who that small circle is and be there for them without question...you never know when you'll need them in the same way.

File an Extension

That's it!  I'm not doing ANYONE's taxes ANYMORE!    I really am not the biggest fan of doing my taxes (Did I just strike a chord in uniqueness here?  Prolly not...)  I actually finished my federal taxes by February, but then, digressed and didn't finish my state taxes until April 14th.  A day before the deadline.  I'd say that's progress nonetheless.

Over the last couple of years I've been helping out my in-laws file theirs.  Now, I'm no tax expert, but theirs are really easy.  Same job, residence, etc. for years with nothing much to claim.  So, I agreed to help them out.  While I was filing in February I worked on their return and before I hit the "efile" button, my father-in-law said to hold off. 

Well, April 15th rolls around and we give him a call.  For tax purposes?  No, it's actually his BIRTHDAY!  Can you believe it?  At least he never forgets the deadline.  He was under the impression that we had already filed the taxes and realized that it hadn't been done, so he began to panic.  I'm not talking just a little worried and maybe fussing so that it can get done in time, I'm talking FULL BLOWN snapping-at-me-without-realizing-it panic.  It was all the way to 8:00 in the A - M and he was freaking out!  My husband talked him through most of the day as I found some time to whip them out on the computer for him to submit.

The day wasn't over, yet.  He owed money so he wanted to send out the money order in order to avoid penalties and interest.  He left work early and rushed to a store for the money orders so he can drop them off in the mail before 5:00 PM when the post office closes.  He didn't believe us when we told him that he can drop it off all the way until midnight (even though we called and confirmed it).  He was so nervous trying to fill out the money order information, but after marking up a few scribbles he put them in their envelopes and rushed over.  When he got there, he noticed a big sign right in front

"Mail deposited before Midnight tonight April 15, 2010 will be retrieved and postmarked for today's date"

Then, and only then did he take a deep breath.   Ahhh, after an entire day of drama, he finally settled at home for a bbq with the fam to celebrate his big birthday.   My husband's reaction to the day's events : "He's getting old, we have to be more patient..."  Poor old guy, hopefully the e-file gets accepted, or else I'm not the one bearing the news!

Kids Say the Darndest Things...

Recently I was wrestling with my testosteronely nephew Max.  I put him in a full nelson thingy and everytime I tried to hold him tightly, he wiggled his little behind right from under my grasp.  We were having fun.  Then, he went to wrestle with my husband  (three time state champion in wrestling) who actually knew some legit moves.  This kid was hillarious!  Now, the little tough guy was crying for mercy!  Too funny.

After the Max got released from the grasps of death he stood up and went to his room, seemingly to move on to another activity.  Right before he goes in to his room he looks at me and wiggles his finger towards his direction.

Max:  Aunt Eneida, can you come here?

I got up and moved toward him.

Me:  What's up?

Max:  Can you wrestle with me?  I know I can beat you...

Ohhh, kiddos.  Hey, at least they tell it like it is!

Innocence

A few days ago I was walking the isles of our local grocery store, which is actually an experience I look forward to weekly since I get to wander around and "think"!  I mean, really, how often do we get to just space out for about an hour and think about all the stuff that wants to pulse through our minds on a regular basis?  So I was completely oblivious to the world around me as I went up and down each lane picking out my supplies.

Turning a corner to enter a new aisle of thought I noticed a mom with two little boys at the end.  One little boy was small enough to be sitting in the cart with his chicken legs dangling about.  He was also waving ferociously.  Honestly, I didn't notice until I was almost up to them that he'd been waving all along.  As I was passing them by I smiled at him but his vibrating hand just mechanically continued back and forth, back and forth with amazing speed.  He kept this pace up the whole time I was walking the aisle.

Finally as I almost turned to leave that aisle I decided to wave back to him.  That was it. That's all he wanted.  He smiled and stopped his waving duty.

Now, I'm not usually the kind of person who dotes on little children as if they were angelic little souls with a precious aura.  I usually look at kids and think they're cute and all, but then think of the work and responsibility tied to them (hence after 8 years of marriage I am still childless. Also I'm deathly terrified of being responsible for an entire human being's life...ugh...makes me shudder in fright!).  However, in this instance I couldn't help but smile. 

This little guy was so persistent.  Was he looking for something in return?  Only the same gesture of kindess.  Then I think about adults.  We walk past hundreds of our kindred spirits ever day.  Certainly, we don't go out of our way to wave and make sure they feel acknowledged.  Heck, most of the time we're just wearing a scowl from all the "weight" we feel we have endured that day.  If anything, kids teach us a lesson.  Smile.  Say hello to a stranger.  Loosen your load.  At the end of the day, it's those little things that can change your outlook on life.

Easter Sunday

I wish you all a Happy Easter. May your day be filled with the rememberance that our Savior died for us and then triumphantly rose from the grave to grant us the most precious gift of all. Eternal Life.

New York City Fun

Yesterday my husband and I celebrated our EIGHTH (*8*) wedding anniversary.  Eight years!  I'm still not over the fact that I can be old enough to have been married so long.  Granted I did marry young, but the speed at which time continues to travel is always a phenomenon to me. 

We had a blast!  Did some time travel and shared some laughs.  Since we're only a 20 minute commute away, we decided to celebrate it in one of the liveliest cities on earth... NEW YORK CITY!  I love NYC.  I have grown up exploring the City and it never gets old.  There is so much to do in New York that boredom really isn't an option.

We got off on 34th Street and walked along Broadway.  We were recommended to Caroline's Comedy Club and then to a restaurant called Mars 2112.  So we found Caroline's and went inside to buy tickets.  The scalper-ticket-pawner-dude (These guys are all over the City) sold us a pair for $40 and we had over an hour and forty minutes before the show started.  Right across the street was the destination of our inter-galactic restaurant experience.

We entered the restaurant and noticed that there was a $2.00 admission to enter the restaurant per person.  Why?  Because, my friends, you literally entered into a space ship and it virtually carried you through space, dodging meteors and all, onto the planet Mars.  This couple minute ride was cute and it was funny to see the little kids go wide eyed over the experience.  Upon landing one little boy even asked if we REALLY WERE on MARS?  The whole space ship chuckled.

Our host was an alien clad creature who greeted us, "Welcome Earthlings" and guided us to our seat.  They had space creatures walking around the place and it was REALLY DARK!  (Probably a good thing, considering it would be kinda scary to think about what the place looked like if it was well lit up:o)  I ordered a Veggie Burger and my husband ordered a 12 oz. steak (I know we're meant for each other, right?:o).  The food was okay, not really something to rave about, but you no doubt pay for the experience and not the cuisine.  Our bill at the end of the night including the tip to our Star Trek waitress?  $67.00.  Yeah.  Welcome to New York City.

We headed across the street (after we safely arrived back on Earth of course) to make it in time for our comedy show.  Apparently the scalper-ticket-pawner-dude sold us the wrong tickets to the wrong show or something.  No worries, though because we got our $40 reimbursed and free tickets to a different show just off Broadway.  Since there's a two drink minimum per person (we always get 4 Cokes and it costs about $25-$30 bucks extra) we were really stoked to get into a show for free. 

I don't even remember the name of the place, nor do I need to.  Not going back, they weren't funny.  Actually kinda weird.  But so it is with Comedy Clubs, hit or miss I guess. 

On our walk back we got lost getting to the train!  We found our destination, so we thought, paid for tickets to get on the train and realized we were in the wrong station.  We then walked out of there, found the right station and paid for tickets to the RIGHT train.  (Usually it helps when you are headed the right direction if you want to go home.  Only "if", though!)

We rode the train to our transfer point and then followed the crowd up a couple of flights of stairs.  Then we realized we walked out of the train station!  Duh!  So, we paid for another set of tickets and waited for a half an hour for the train to come back and pick up our lost souls at the unheard of hour of 2:00AM.  Oh, the joys!  We made it, though and came home safely and sound.  My poor dogs were starving!

All in all, we had a blast.  I love New York City and it was worth the $105 of adventure.  So, happy 8th anniversary to my husband.  I'm excited to see what this year will bring.

Vegeterian

I don't eat you anymore because you have eyes, ears, a nose, and a mouth. 

Because you have feelings and can express them.

Because you are a sweet little (or large) soul who has every right to a long happy life, as do I.

When I feel pain, I understand where it's coming from and it is unpleasant.  When you feel pain from the hands of humans you are sad and confused, haven't you just minded your own business all this time?

I don't put you in my food anymore because you are not food, you are life.  Your death will not be on my hands anymore.

You have families, babies, friends.

You have fun and laugh and cry, just like I do.

Some of your kind are pets and some of you are meant to be mistreated, processed, and then consumed.  What makes one species different than the other?  I cannot comprehend taking my dog, murdering her, and roasting her to consume anymore than I can comprehend people doing that to you.

You don't have to die so that I may live, therefore I won't kill you.

When I found out the average human consumes 31 animals per year, I figured by deciding to go without meat, I would help 31 of you per year.  Though that may not seem like much overall, for each of those 31 it means their world and their life.

And that, I've been told, can make all the difference.

It's a Dog's Life

Here's a photo of my cousin's adorable Olde English Bulldog named Rocky.  I call him Rockstar, because he's all that!  He's so sweet.  He was the runt of the litter and has a painstaking need to be LOVED!  Don't we all? 

As I was sorting through all the mental files I have stored away regarding what to write about I thought of this little guy as he plays with my two dogs (The Alpha Diva Dog Meghan is the one pictured in this photo).  I have two mutts, who are both larger than Rocky is in size.  He wants to fit in so badly, but my dogs are making him earn it.  They aren't very open and friendly with him, yet he tries.  He has no hidden agenda, just wants friendship.

I think of ourselves as humans in that way also.  Really, we just want friendship.  We want to be loved.  We want to feel as if we're a part of something awesome.  But that can be hard.  We may encounter people with personalities like my dogs' who really aren't warm or inviting as soon as you're ready to be.  Maybe we have little in common.  Sometimes we might be the ones rejecting the company of others for fear that we lack any kind of compatibility. 

But as time goes on, and the more Rocky hangs out with my girls, they will become friends.  They will learn to play together and love each other.  After a time they won't remember not liking each other all too much in the beginning.  Here again dogs teach us the lesson.  That's exactly how humans are.  Shy to start a new relationship at first, but after time we all can become friends.  At the end of the day our differences are what unite us.

Delicious Memory

I went to the grocery store today for a few quick items.  As I strolled through to the bread isle, there they were.  Delicious looking crisp French Crullers.  I decided one of them would have to end up in my shopping basket.   As I got to the car I put it in drive and pulled out the donut.  Chomp, chomp...into my mouth it went.  It was good.  Sweet, dough-ie, and pastry-like.  However, it wasn't out of this world.  Then a thought hit me.

Was it really the fact that the donut was good or was it the fact that the memory attached to the donut was a good one that makes me continually choose this donut option? 

When I was a little girl my sweet dad would bring home French Crullers for me all the time.  Sometimes plain and sometimes vanilla frosted.  I ate and savored as any kid would and that was that.  Now that I moved back to NJ and live in the area where my dad spent most of his time with me I get the same craving for those sticky donuts everytime I pass by one of them.  They're okay.  Definitely not spectacular, but they are delicious.  Not so much in their taste, I realize, but in their memory.  Each bite reminds me of my Pop, and for as long as those bites last, the memory is the ingredient that makes those crullers exquisite.