Don’t Drink The Water

I was just about to fill up the Brita water filter when I noticed the water was yucky! Yellowish-brown. I ran the all of the faucets in the place for at least fifteen minutes and then telephoned the water company. WSSC (Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission) is the water distributor in the Washington, D.C. area. I spoke with a nice fellow by the name of Ronnie and he assured me he would have someone come out and flush the line. I asked how long the wait would be and he said two hours. He provided me with good customer service.

It only took 50 minutes and the WSSC man tapped on my door. We communicated through the closed-door and he said he had flushed the fire hydrant line and did not see any discoloration. He went on to say that he noticed a truck outside testing the sprinkler system. I did not realize we had any sprinklers. I also asked about the strong chemical odors I had smelled earlier, just prior to the water turning strange. He replied it was chlorine and it wasn’t harmful. Really? I will run the water until it is clear and odor-free, and I will continue to filter my water before I drink.

State Of The Union Address

I am listening to President Obama telling us about jobs here, being brought back home to the USA and not giving tax breaks for businesses overseas. Clean energy, infrastructure, making the drillers produce the evidence of what chemicals they are using. We need safe drilling for America’s land. Refinance your home without bank red-tape and run around. Smart regulation to prevent irresponsible behavior. Wind energy. Take half the defense funding, pay down half our debt and use the other half to put Americans to work. He talks about the farmers not being over regulated for spilt milk but he won’t back down from big companies who spill oil. Nor back down from insurance companies who charge women differently from men. Wall street will dance to a new tune. No more risky investments with their depositors’ money. Never again will they be bailed out by the American people again. Never ever again. Those days are over and the big banks and companies on Wall Street will need to document everything.

Pass the penalties and investigate and hold accountable for those who broke the law and hurt the housing industry that hurt so many of the American people. Stop a tax hike on 60 million Americans while the recovery is still fragile. Pass the payroll tax cut without delay. Let’s get it done. The deficit … millionaires need to pay more taxes … period. No more big tax cuts for the wealthy. Good! More reforms to strengthened Medicare and Social Security. Big earners need to pay their fair share of taxes. 30% + in taxes and no special deductions, etc. Average Americans shouldn’t pay anymore taxes, we are the ones who need to have more relief. Americans admire financial success. But the wealthy  need to be responsible for paying their fair share.

Energy and health care is what we need to work on. Washington is broken … this is what the people think. Government needs to work together. Stop the corrosive influence in politics. I have to go listen to the rest. I love this guy!

Cooking Healthy 2012

I have found that Jasmine rice is absolutely delicious without any adornment. We have been consuming a lot of this lately, measured out in our delegated portions. Last night I prepared it with basil leaves, orange zest and juice, garlic powder and a tiny bit of salt and EVOO. Mmm delicious. I’ve been sautéing different fresh vegetables and combining them in new ways, in order to keep them appealing to me and my husband. We do get small increments of protein (although he doesn’t eat meat and this is a challenge), but we’ve done well with albacore tuna in water, freshly cooked fish and I also have been eating shaved turkey and baked chicken breast.

The soup in the pot is a recipe I remembered from a program I was on (The Cabbage Soup Diet) before we were married. Naturally, I have been tweaking it to be a vegetable-cabbage soup. Due to the salt restrictions, I have had to come up with ways to flavor our food whilst our taste buds became accustomed to the authentic flavor of each food we use. Surprising how the flavors come out when they are not masked with salt. Fresh salads are also doled out in 1/2 cup and 1 cup portions. So far so good we are reducing and feeling healthier for it.

I have to admit that I have been dreaming of fried chicken wings, mashed potatoes and gravy, corn on the cob dripping with onions, green peppers and butter. The biggest challenges have been no pasta, milk, chocolate, sodas, sugars, desserts or butter. We shall prevail and as soon as we get to our goal weights, we’ll be able to add in some of our favorite high-calorie foods, and you know … we’ll be measuring them as well. We can do this! Fillet Mignon is on my list and tonight I shall defrost a 6 ounce serving only to divide it into 2 ounce portions. Better to have it than not. For someone in love with food and eating this has been an eye-opening experience. Wish us Bon Appetit! Ha ha ha ha ha ha.

We Become All

We Become All

~~~~~ 

We ride aboard

The recycled-life planet

Everything which exists here

Has been created 

From something tiny

Born into a new day

Reconstructed over time

And sifted into the 

Recycled blending of newness

Dead but for three days

To be resurrected again

Over again so that

We can experience all values

Of life and learn from 

Becoming every personality

Human fish fowl mammal

From the lowest being

To the highest

In order to know 

Our reason for living

Finding the truth buried

Deep within our hearts

We become all

~~~

Theresa H Hall

Today

Mistakes … I Still Make Them

 

Although I am very good at math, when I fail to write down transactions and keep them in my head, I find I have to pay for those mistakes. Ouch and many other expletives come to mind. In the meantime, we have been eating healthy foods, in moderation and it’s working. A little artwork thrown in and there you have it. We’re still human and we all have bad surprises. Going to bed. Another miracle please?

I’m Learning So Many New Things!

Tonight I am recording my first podcast. but I’m going to have to practice for hours before I will begin uploading my articles. This will be helpful to my readers (I love you all) who enjoy my writing and want a chance to sit back, close their eyes, and have me read aloud to them. It’s just another way for me to worm my way into your heart and spoil you a little bit. Am I not the clever one. Just as soon as I get this information down and feel my new comfort zone, I’ll branch out into my second reason and my third reason for learning how to podcast. The world is full of new things to learn and it seems I am a natural student. When my interest is captured I readily apply myself and move forward. Isn’t 2012 exciting already?

Being A Grown Up Isn’t Easy

"Bouguereau, Enfant au bain, 1886 photo of painting by leo jeje"

Daylight hours are dwindling down to twilight after five o’clock in the afternoon, welcoming in the evening hour. It’s sort of the same thing when you grow older. With each passing year, the routine seems the same most days, but there is the increasing awareness that twilight is edging nearer. I reckon it is because when we are very young, reaching the age of sixteen is a triumph, associated with high school, dating, driver’s permits and the fact that soon you will be facing the work force or applying for college or a trade school. I always knew I wanted to be involved with singing, performing, being in a band, touring and grabbing the tail of the nightlife, so I could have a grand time with my friends. I also knew I wanted to work in the food industry after I learned how delicious French Food tasted. Ooh-la-la!

I dreamed lots of dreams and most of them came true. There were the realities that I would need to have something practical to fall back on. As my late Father put it, “When you’re tired of screaming over the drums and guitars you’ll need to rest your voice”. Practical advice and I took heed. I worked in the financial industry for many years and held down two jobs/careers; one by day and one by night. The point I tried to remember was to enjoy life and not stress. To balance my wants with my needs. All during this time I did not even notice the days were spinning faster with ever-increasing speed making the years turn quicker. When you’re in your twenties you feel invincible reasoning with yourself that you’ll stay forever-young.

A little history: In the month of July 1991, while I was driving home from work Saturday afternoon about 12:35 PM, my automobile was forcibly struck by a very drunk driver.

Motivation

"Miami Beach" by Milan Bowers

I’ve heard this saying many times: “You only fail when you fail to try”. Keeping this in mind it should be a constant reminder for us to work on ourselves everyday and to knock off any chips on our shoulders, dust off those parts of us that have laid dormant and unproductive, pick ourselves up by our bootstraps and kick up our heels. No one else can do it for us. We have to be our own daily inspiration. We have to get quiet and listen to what our heart is telling us. We don’t give in. We don’t give up. We keep on keeping-on.

By our trying to do our best we will always win, because at the end of the day what really maters when we lay our heads upon our pillows to rest, is that we tried and that tomorrow is another day. Share this with those around you and pass along the old saying enough times until you get the message. We are here on Earth to do a job … no matter how small. We are here not to take but to contribute and we cannot do that if we are stagnate … tired … hopeless or sad. Let go of the binds that would try to hold you back and reach for your bright tomorrow. No one can do it for you but together we can boost the collective moral.

From 100% Sure … To Something Else

I was almost asleep this morning when the phone broke the silence (with the exception of Hannah’s soft kitty snores), and I grabbed the receiver as fast as I could. I had to reach over her slumbering form as I did so. Let me tell you, I was anticipating my Sister reporting that the test results were in, the operating table was imminent and the surgeons in place. Much to my bewildered surprise, having been in an almost dream-state a minute before, came the joyful and almost unbelievable words, “They’re not going to operate.” 

For those of you who do not pray and don’t believe in prayer, I have to say that this prayer reward is an outstanding one. Miracles Do Happen. We went from 100% surety of a double bypass surgery to a new decision of we will handle this with medication. I felt tears welling up in my eyes while listening to her relief and it was one of the sweetest joys we have shared thus far.

I continued to ask people to pray for her and I even sent a message to the Dali Lama, because I knew how much she admired him. I AM Thankful and mindful to share this miracle with anyone who wants to read about it. With all of the craziness going on in our world it’s always wonderful to witness an about-face to a problem that seemed insurmountable, only to be dissolved and brushed away by the Hand of God.

Blessings have reigned down upon us and I thank each and every one of you who took time out to share in our Special Intention.  

Getting Fed-Up … Not Far From The Thin Line

"Tightrope by Theresa H Hall"

Staying even-keeled and positive isn’t always as easy to do as we might believe. In fact it is harder to maintain this balance when people do or say something little, that can irk the heck out of you. Instead of stewing over it or fuming, I let it out, let it go and do my best to focus on the big picture.

So if you find yourself getting pissed, take a second. Breathe, step back and release it. This way you can move about the cabin freely, without carrying around all that emotional crap with you. Free yourself and think about the fact that we are spirits in humanoid bodies. Remember who you are.

So Far … So Good

Just a little update. Everything is holding steady at this time. For all of you who have been sending me emails and commenting and praying, I thank you.

Another Day More Clowns

"Action Clowns 2"

"My Original Clowns"

Family Is Everything To Me!

I love my family, the one I was born to and the one I married into. Each person has their own take on life, personal beliefs, religion, subjects of interest, tastes, fashion sense, opinions and issues … sometimes with each other. We’re only human after all. So it was quite disturbing to receive a phone call ten hours ago, and learn that my middle Sister is in hospital, and facing a serious operation this weekend. I think of her lying in her hospital bed … it’s 4:22 AM, and I wonder if she realizes just how many people are praying for her right now. I wonder if she can hear my fervent whisperings to Our Creator and my asking the angels to stay close. I wonder if she has, as I have been doing all evening, been thinking about old times when we were young and sharing a home. Has she thought about any of our girlish conversations and the games we played together? We bonded as siblings usually do when they are close in years. She held my hand and taught me things bigger sisters know about and I was her willing servant back then. I was devoted. I wonder if she feels the love I have for her. It is vital that she understands how precious she is. I hope she does and if you believe in miracles then please join me and countless family, friends and neighbors who are taking time to pray for her complete and successful healing. I sincerely thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Happy New Year Everybody!

I’ve been trying to see how long I could go without writing and I didn’t last too long. I hope you enjoyed seeing 2012 arrive as much as we did! Sheesh … it’s an election year … again … but it seems as if it has been going on for the past year. These politicians need a stage, like the one that’ll carry them out-of-town and down the train tracks. I’ve decided Sheesh! is my new favorite word to use instead of those other words I utter upon occasion.

Well it’s time to do my chores and hit the sack before the sunshine arrives. You guys have no idea how peaceful it is while you are fast asleep. It’s another world. Jazz playing in the background and the morning video hawkers are nowhere to be found or heard. I have decided on more affirmative action this year and a lot less television. I AM a changed woman. Dwelling on music, writing, and some other things I won’t mention.

Party like it’s 2012!

Shh …. Joe’s In The Studio

Wow. Exciting news that after months … no, make that years of compiling new music the guys new CD is nearing completion. Joe is in the studio so I cannot go about banging my pots and pans making loud noises. He is also working on his own CD and it should be ready by this summer. 2012 will be a very good year for our creative efforts. HooRay!