The 'Word'

Hi m'0'm (aka hazel)

Start by reading her post on 12/31 titled "an end + a beginning + my word", http://www.aliedwards.typepad.com/ then read the subsequent posts including her latest where she shares all the words from the comments on that post. I picked a word for 2008 that I saw on the big list, "ahead" and used the definition "in a forward direction, onward, forward". Posted it on my office wall so I won't forget to look ahead and to remind me not spend so much time looking back.:)

I'm sure you'll pick an interesting word too. Don't make it the f-bomb...that was 2007's word. :)
xoxoxox
edna

....You may be wondering about my 2008 word; it is:

Optimism

• a disposition or tendency to look on the more favorable side of events or conditions and to expect the most favorable outcome
• the belief that good ultimately predominates over evil in the world
• the belief that goodness pervades reality.
  

xoxoxo
hazel

Happy Thankgiving

Thank you, dear Lord for this good life. Forgive us if we don't enjoy it enough...

What a wonderful life I've had. I only wish I had realized it sooner...

xoxoxoxo

hazel

How About A Little Wine?

The good part of traveling is the opportunity it gives you to see what’s going on “out there”. On a recent trip to St. Louis I came across a unique selection of wines.

Back label of "Mommy’s Time Out"
We all know that being a Mommy is a difficult job. A Mommy’s Time Out is a well deserved break. This wine is delicate and fruit (sic). It comes from some of the finest
vineyards in Italy where the best grapes are vinified (?), resulting in a long lasting finish. It is a great complement to chicken or fish or may be served as an aperitif.

The back label of "Mad Housewife"
Somewhere near the cool shadows of the laundry room. Past the litter box and between the plastic yard toys. This is your time. Time to enjoy a moment to yourself. A moment without the madness The dishes can wait. Dinner be damned

If I were to design a new label it would read:
Mommy’s had a very hard day
Time for the kids to go out and play
I’ll join them all in just a few
After I have a tip or two

The wonders of Marketing!

xoxoxox

Hazel

I "Heart" Travel - The Morning After

The driving distance from NY to Boston is 210 miles give or take a few miles, virtually every inch of which is freeway. At 70 mph you could have listened to at least one Harry Potter Book on Tape and arrived about 3 hours from when you landed in NY. . . maybe helpful info for future travel plans. . . as my grandma used to say, "when you land on the ground, stay there".xoxoxoxoxoxoxo Bood

I “Heart” Travel

It started out to be a wonderful summer morning, I walked into the airport around 6:30 am with the clear expectation that I would be in Boston by 6:10 pm via New York’s Kennedy Airport. The plane from SLC to NYC landed 45 minutes early, something about a strong tail-wind and even so lucky as to have a gate “open” Did I mention that my plane was to take off at 4:20 local time, now on the departure board, it is delayed until 5:00pm, then 5:30 and now we have boarded the plane.

Unfortunately we didn’t take off; what we are really doing is sitting here on the plane because of something called a "ground stop”. This basically means that all planes are stopped on the ground for some unknown reason.

Sooooooooo...here out in one of the busiest areas of the country, during vacation time...we (all those other folks sitting in their planes at various airports up and down the Eastern seaboard while enjoying the vast display of comforts afforded them by the airlines. Lots of leg-room, nice cold beverages, 5-star meals, comfortable seat with a wonderful view of the baggage handlers throwing our luggage on the tarmac (right before they throw them on the conveyor belt). I now know why my red luggage is dirty; because of the wheels on luggage (the luggage rolls down the belts on their way to the hold of the plane) the bags are loaded wheels up on a hot, semi-melted and dirty conveyor belt.

I can only image the fun Boston airport will prove to be as all those backed up airplanes land and disgorge their luggage on those eagerly awaiting baggage handlers and those polished luggage carousals.

...From the Flight Deck - The pilot just announced that we maybe sitting here for a rather long time.....there appears to be quite a grid-lock now in-front and behind us. I now 'heart" the flight deck and our pilots.

…From the flight deck - The pilot just announced that there were only 12 planes in front of us. These are international flights, so they require preferential treatment (perhaps they can deliver their passengers on time). One more thing, the pilot mentions - You are not free to roam about the cabin while the seat belt light is illuminated; those of you doing so are preventing the plane from taking off. So please take your seats!

Just a reminder, but this is NOT Elton John singing: "Boston at last and the plane's touching down, and the hostess is handing the hot towels around".

It is now 8:30 pm and here's my luggage; a mere 14 hours since I handed it over for safe passage to the East Coast
Now if my car rental is still rented and my hotel room is still booked

I heart travel!
xoxoxo
Hazel

....that's why they call it "robin egg blue"

Riding with Bood

I have been riding a bike for some time now. When asked about what accomplishment I have achieved lately, I always reference riding in 5 Century (100 miles) rides during my 51st year. Biking is something I have always done....when I was younger, my friends and I would ride out to where 2 of our Dad's worked. It was far, hot and a wonderful experience while riding my Blue Western Flyer (not as good as my sister's; but that's another story).

Over the years, I stop riding, then something prompts me to get on what ever bike is hanging in the garage and off I go. When Bood and I lived in Albuquerque, I rode for several years with good intentions, free Sundays and a desire to conquer the road.

Fast forward, and here I am riding again.... I took a little break from the 5 Century Year, and now am committed more than ever to put some serious butt time in my saddle. In an effort to eliminate some neck problems, I picked up a mountain bike. My theory was that it was a more upright ride, heavier bike and I could ride in the mountains right behind my house (which will ultimately make my "skinny tire" riding much easier).

Woke up this morning..grabbed "mountain blue" and headed off to the mountain. Nice ride, took everything I had to get to the trail head, then coasted down over to my sister’s place to taking in the Sunday paper and yesterday's mail (the family is off enjoying a Memorial Day Weekend) and finally rode home (1 1/2 hour in all)...whew!

As I drove into the driveway, there was Bood getting ready to ride a bit. Now Bood is not one for riding, but he purchased one of the "auto-shifting" bikes and seems eager to spend a little time riding with me. I have been bugging Bood for a couple of years now to start riding...so here he was. We adjusted his bike seat, I made him wear one of my helmets and off we went. Not too far Bood reminded me, he hadn't been on a bike for a long time and was feeling just a bit uncomfortable. Off we headed, east and up hill....I could hardly keep up with him. As he made a left hand turn and down a hill behind our home, Bood realized that not only could he go up the hill faster than me, but he joyfully accelerated going down the hill. As we made a huge loop around our neighborhood, I realized that I had not been in the lead once…here was Bood riding like he had been doing it for years, while I was forced to enjoyed the view from behind the entire way.

As we pulled into the garage, Bood remarked "that wasn't so bad; I think I'll take my bike to Moab next week so that I can ride with you again".

Yikes!