the snow job

What a blizzard we are having today in NY! WOW, so much Snow out there! I am always worried about the shoveling end of this.. My husband thinks he is HE-man and nothing stops him from going at that shoveling like he is still in his twenties. Our 3 boys help him a lot, but it's still a huge job!

Last night before the storm, we had an appointment to check out a trial membership at Direct buy. Have u ever heard of them? They're an organization that formed to allow members to buy directly from many manufacturers, cutting out the middle man and ridiculous retail prices.

After 4 phone calls, two emails and a letter reminding us of our appointment time at 7 pm and advising we come at 6:55 for refreshments first. We arrive there at 6:50 only to be told the presentation doesn't begin until 7:15. Already, I got annoyed. I am a very punctual, respectful person. I am in an appointment driven profession so I respect 'the appointment'. But because so many others are NOT punctual, I have to be punished by these games to get everyone there at the same time! Okay, i felt that way but I am reasonable.. I remained patient and pleasant. At 7:25 they informed us that the other couple was running late, so they gave us a private presentation (basically a movie that tells you what their deal is all about). Well, it was an interesting operation. Much more expensive than we had imagined it would be, however, we were still being open minded...

ThEN... the Sales pitch! HOLY COW did they put the pressure on Mr. petals and I... Well, Mr. Petals does NOT react well to some one trying to bamboozle him. (one of the many qualities I admire in him.) We basically told the owner and salesgirl, we would never want to join without first trying it out for the month. You see, They were offering money off the membership fee, if your forfeited the trial and just signed up on the spot. The owner with a nasty tone asked.. "who wouldn't do this and save money?" Then the owner, who up until this attack, had been all smiley and Mr. Nice guy phony, Became down right rude and turned his back and walked away from us and our salesgirl. Mr. Petals stood up and said.. This is a Direct LIE! Your 'free trial is bullshit" and if this is the kind of tactics you use to deal with people, my wife and I want NoTHING to do with your club. We got up and walked out. I was so proud of how my husband handled it, and I told him how admirable his self-respect is. I'm embarrassed to admit as I admitted to him, that I don't think I would have handled it as righteous and confident, if I had been alone.

Alas, There goes the giant discount we were hoping to have on a new recliner chair! Back to looking at retail stores and being snowed in a different way.

Today I was happy to see an email from their district office asking about our experience.. Boy did we enjoy salvaging our principles by composing a VEry strong letter! I also plan on spreading the word to my clients, and blogging buddies.. hey... Face Book may be a great place too! Not to deal with Direct buy! Anyone who is smiling and offering you coffee one moment, then insults and treats you disrespectfully the next.. can't be trusted to be an honest business person. Whew.. I am getting hot again..

No, not over this waste of my tuesday night, when I was wishing I was watching american idol..

I am hot as in HOT flash HOt! I've heard about these flashes for years and years from my ladies ( I like to affectionately call my clients- my ladies) But I can't believe HOW hot you get!

It comes upon you in a ..(yes)FLASH. I strip off my sweater, step outside and in another flash, it has passed and I am back in my clothes...

Hey...I may have a lucid solution to my snow storm worries... A few snow angels... I will melt that blizzard off my driveway!

visit 3 word wednesday

jolt

ribbon

zeal

Icy sting of wind

Jolts me like a cup of joe

Ribbons winter zeal

Did you ever?

this post tied nicely into the 3 word wednesday words
Ambush
Hideous
Meddle

Well... If you've been reading me from the beginning, you will know about my issues with my legal name .
It seems I keep getting myself in trouble by calling myself different names in different settings.
I never thought this at all whacky, but my kids sure do. I sent my boys to pick up the baked clams from our favorite Italian place on Christmas eve..Every time I order out from this restaurant and they ask for a name.. I say the form of my name that is my latest preference - Lucy. (and every time.. the boy on the phone begins singing lucy in the sky with diamonds! :)
So, when i placed the order for the clams and they asked, i automatically said.. Lucy. (i just love that song and being sung to! ) I gave NO last name. No phone number. Rushing around on Christmas Eve.. I remembered to give my kids the money before they left, but I forgot to inform them that the order is under the name LUcY.
They get there and give my first name, the name they know me as, the name most people call me.. Luanne. The waiter says.. "we have NO orders under that name".. so then my boys give our LAST name.."we have No orders under that name" Then they gave my husbands first name.. No Luck! Our phone number?? NO luck...The place was a zoo so the clerks started helping other customers, leaving my kids ambushed and wondering "what the heck is going on" (and may I mention, leaving my clams to become hideously dried out!) Then one counter person.. called out "LUCY"! "is there anyone waiting for a full tray of baked clams named LUCY?" My brilliant kids (who I would have thought more brilliant if they would have just called me as soon as they were puzzled ) realized.. OH Lucy!?! THIS must be our nut job mom!!
Of course when they came home... they not only had to go on and on and on about HOW frustrating this was and HOW I should have remembered to tell them my name, they also had to meddle in my business by giving me their opinion that I am so crazy with this Lucy stuff and that I should just stick to Luanne and stop confusing everyone! Glad they never read my blog.. 'cause I am finally admitting.... since their trip for the clams... I HAVE begun to think I am wacky after I got into trouble yet AGAIN at Zumba class with my name game. My friend gave me a zumba gift card under the name Luanne. However, I usually sign in as Lucy at Zumba when I pay, but because the g.c. says luanne, I signed in as Luanne. Later, a new teacher introduced herself to me and asked my name. I said Lucy. Later she asked if I had forgotten to pay her, because she had NO lucy's on her list! I am starting to feel like a criminal and may begin to add aka to all my signatures.
Thanks for reading!
and happy new year to all my 3 ww buddies,
xo
Lucy Aka Luanne
aka Lulu
aka Lucille
aka Wackadoodle

From Dizzy to canine.

Being Bored out of my mind for the last two days may be a good reason to try and write a blog post.
On Monday I went to Dr. Gordon's office for the Epley Maneuver. After seeing the Youtube about the procedure I was expecting that it wasn't going to be too awful. Damn You youtube. My experience wasn't so cut and dry or tear free. After the first procedure of gently rotating my body and head for one minute in each position, They told me they now had to repeat the same procedure and this time I most likely would not be as dizzy. As soon as he laid me backwards, not only did the dizziness feel much much worse, i could also feel my eyeballs spinning quickly around in my head!! Nausea kicked in, It was terrifying! As if all that wasn't scary enough, Dr. Gordon indecently said... "This is very unusual" and he began to tell his assistant something about my eyes. I was so busy panicking and crying that I really don't know what he said. I remember saying.. What's wrong !!?What's happening???!! And he said.. I'm not completely sure but just hang in there the spinning will stop any second now.. and it finally did!! He continued with the rotation of positions and explained to my husband Something about my crystals being in different canals, but I really couldn't comprehend it in my state and I didn't need an explanation later either as I was so queasy and lightheaded, and i just wanted to go home.

What I did understand was that i couldn't know for sure if this maneuver cured my vertigo until after 48 hours had passed. So, If I was still feeling dizzy, that didn't mean it was unsuccessful. (but I sure have been frustrated that I am still feeling dizzy and lightheaded)
As part of the after care.. to prevent the ear crystals from being moved back into the sensitive part of the ear, I've been wearing a soft cervical neck collar to prevent sudden head jerks and bending. I can't sleep in bed but in a recliner at no more than a 45 degree angle.


It's been quite uncomfortable but will be worth it if this works..(as u can see, it has been very comfortable for Miss Molly and Mr. Cosmo, who haven't left my side and feet) If it doesn't work.. He wants to repeat the Epley Maneuver when I go back on Tuesday. I've read that Sometimes a few times is the charm.
(Great.)

The strangest thing happened monday night while attempting to sleep in the recliner. At about 4 am.. I heard this high pitched sound. Almost like a radio frequency that was out of whack. Without bending my head, I wrigggled my way out from under Cosmo and out of the recliner and started wandering around my home, trying to find out Which of my sons had left his tv, radio, cds, game player or SPACE TASSER?? on... I went all the way upstairs, I went down again. i went into the basement... and then I realized it was loudest in my kitchen... Where though?? First the napkin holder. I held it up to my ear.. it was buzzing so loudly.. then I put my ear up against the Light switches and FOUnD the source! High pitched sound waves or something?? I was so so confused... and then the light bulb in my dizzy head went off... Holy Shit! this may be ALL in my head?!! In my ears?? Does this mean the maneuver worked? Or does this mean I will be picking up the local radio stations in my ears and fillings now?
As I maneuvered myself and the dogs back down.. I felt this keen sense of hearing for the rest of that early morning.... I heard several loud jets. Trains. (which are so far from our home... I didn't know we ever heard them over here) I heard the crickets as loud as if they were sharing the recliner too. It was the weirdest experience, and I am trying to look at this as a positive sign that I am fixed! Even thought the audiologist said my hearing test last week, was good... who knows... maybe My hearing is even better than good and like My friend Carol said.. Maybe I have dog hearing now! Wouldn't that be great. Well, I already have the collar on.... Maybe I can get a matching leash and pooper scooper for Christmas.

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Haiku frenzy

The 3 word wednesday words are: glare luster and threat
I attempted FOUR, Yes 4 haikus..
which one do u like best?

Sensual Luster
in sparkling passionate glare
The threat of true love?

Her lackluster eyes
A glare sharper than a knife
Silent deadly threat

Her threat of revenge
The luster of her silk scarf
his glare choked in awe

your lustrous glare thrills
threatens my skin with Cha Chills
weakens all my wills

headache haiku

Three word wednesday
Fracture
Noise
Vanish

My spirit fractured
Queasy from sight noise and sound
Migraine PLEASE vanish

another haiku

The three word wednesday words are:
decay
graceful
riot

Once Graceful dancer

reflects as old joints decay

Thoughts run riot. heal.

whew, I got it.

So I drag myself home today after running around town, patronizing many shops in an atmosphere THICK with heat and humidity.
My head was pounding and I wasn't sure if it was due to the heat or dehydration or if it was my 4 pm caffeine withdrawal hitting harder than usual. As soon as I drank a glass of water and washed my hands I began fumbling..(yes fumbling and shaking) quickly getting my dirty coffee pot pieces out of the dishwasher and quickly hand washing them. As I dug my still damp shaky hand into my HUGE costco bag of dunken donuts coffee to locate the buried scooper, cursing it for being buried, it occurred to me... THIS must be what a drug addict feels like as they are desperately awaiting that next fix! I didn't care that the grounds of coffee were sticking under my finger nails and onto my rings. I didn't care that I was making a coffee mess on my counter. I didn't even care that I hadn't Thoroughly washed my electric pots basket and cover. I was only focused on the perk. Get it perking. Get it in my blood stream. Get rid of the headache. Get it Get it Get it. My infusion of caffeine will Cure the headache, Cure the exhaustion, cure the dragging and Allow me to get that second wind to prepare dinner. Ahhhh the darkness of the full bodied rich roast! My knees weaken as I pour and savor the distinct, intense premium bean aroma!
Then the sip! Piping hot, strong, robust flavor with a bite to it! I close my eyes, feel it enter my veins. The hectic day of running errands drains away and I Thank god my drug of choice is legal AND sold in bulk. Care to join me for a cup?


visit three word wednesday!

My first haiku

hypnotic roses

drip with beauty of summer

shift sulks into smiles

This is my youngest son Joey and I at the planting fields Arboretum.
It was a gorgeous day but Of course like many teens.. He was a bit sullen about coming along. This gorgeous arbor of Roses had my spirit beaming and helped bring him around to really enjoying the day!
hope u visit 3 word wednesday!

first kiss

The Three word wednesday words brought me back to this memory..

With a sparkle of impulse and a spunky wink
She tip toes to reach for his willing lips
shyly wrinkles her nose, delivers tickles to his ribs
Her fickle escape from her very first kiss

sorrowful evening

Dreary
Embrace
Timid

a dark and dreary rainy night
slick roads and insufficient light
a tenderfoot inattentively looks for a smoke
a thunderous embrace with a giant oak
a solemn officer passes the front porch swing
a lump in his throat over tragic news he must bring
an unsuspecting mother timidly answers her door
incomprehensible heartache drapes her forever more

No matter what the three word wed. words would have been, I think
my mind would have gone here. This week, a dear friend of my
dear friend, received Just this kind of devastating news.
As a mother my heart is just breaking for this poor
Mom and her family. Losing a child is truly a parents
absolute worst nightmare. I just can't stop thinking of this
tragedy and the poor young life lost.

3 word wednesday

deceit
indulge
oath

I was only 8 years old When I had my first taste of liquor
A toothache had hit me hard, each minute the pain getting quicker
Mom foolishly gave me a shot glass of scotch to dab on my gums that were thumping
After deceitfully guzzling down several glasses, my little heart started pumping!
I stripped off all my clothes and started running wildly around each room
Mom had already left for work and wouldn't be returning too soon
My big sister realized I was drunk and frantically called our big brother
He caught me and tried to calm me and threatened to call our busy mother
I can't remember for how long I sickly hung over our putrid pink bathroom sink
All I know is I made an oath to my young self..Never AGAIN to indulge in drink!

3 word wednesday

allure
perch
vivid


Perched on my computer chair
watching Mac's vivid screen a-glowing
The allure of 3 word wednesday calls
but I have no ideas a-showing :(

Black and white

flirt
ploy
stunning


She flirts with titillation draped in a revealing black and white gown
snubs her nose at shocked refined women or just coldly stares them down
A stunning cunning lolita with one ploy challenging her young convoluted head
Weave husbands into adulterers, seductively luring them into her wicked spider web bed.



This poem is for black and white week at true colours thursday and todays 3 word wednesday.
I couldn't decide who looked more like the poems lolita? Which pic do u like best?

3 word wednesday

the 3 word wednesday words today are....
crush
knack
varied

The word 'crush' brought me back to my silly youth!

Her heart ache varied from dull to sharp pain
for each 'crush' who didn't even know her name
An eternal knack for choosing THE most unobtainable guy
A young starry-eyed dreamer lusting for pure pie in the sky

3 word wednesday

Burden
Natural
Ubiquitous

He didn't want to burden his children and his wife
despite the natural progression of death after life
Ubiquitous love filled his hospital room wall to wall
He took one final look, one smile before gods final call.

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Under the boggled sea

avenge genuine Ramble

I've been feeling a bit crazed lately. Thinking way too much about everything. Trying to figure out some smart strategies to get ahead. Trying to dissect the past, analyze the present and find optimism and peace for my future. When certain thoughts tend to cripple me with despair, I try so hard to avenge them by intently focusing on a positive perspective. I keep thinking.. of a friend I lost many years ago who never got to see her young children grow... Of a favorite client who is battling cancer for the second time...Of other friends who are living in pain every day from various illnesses and heartaches. There are so many scenarios much worse than anything I am facing or have faced. I am genuinely a very lucky and grateful lady. This forced mindset may contradict the original desperate thoughts but gee, Doesn't it all sound so exhausting?? Well, it is! A friend explained to me that all this thinking is using the left side of my brain, Imagine how tired she must be! The Right side is the creative side.. So if I put that side into motion... I can give the overworked side a rest! This week, I took that sage advice and attempted painting a picture! I feel like between balancing the left and right and a little zumba of my Rumpa in between, all my soul searching may be put into a clearer light, guiding me to what I am feeling and actually needing AND.. allow me to write without so much rambling!
I am bravely sharing my painting with you... keep in mind my artistic abilities with painting are not much better than my talent in poetry!


3 ww

3 word wednesday

Thought I would go for a little humor today with the 3 W W words...
callous
interfere
persistent

A lack of callousness and inspiration
interferes with Mrs. Swartz' plan
for persistent fruitful loving
from her resistant rueful man

(Thank-you to Skittles for that great cartoon!)

3 word wednesday

Candid
Impulse
Risk

After some candid chatting about the inevitable scary syndrome...
'fat ass'
My friends dragged me with them to an intensely energetic, butt fun Zumba class
The impulse of driving music! Caught up, I risk dancing.. full speed ahead!
This morning I can barely zumba my sore knees and tired butt out of bed

Visit three word wednesday!

A triumphant trip

The 3 word wednesday words are
disarray
rabble
validate

I chaperoned my son's symphonic band class to Carnegie Hall yesterday
Upon it's grand elegant stage they'd been granted the rare chance to play
The day started out quite stressful at school for their poor teacher, Mr. Lee
When one student showed up wearing old sweat pants & a wrinkled up Tee

The teacher began screaming, I saw his veins nearly popping out of his head
over the disarray of a student who looked as if he had just climbed out of bed
After much tension, chaos, phoning parents, dealing with many irksome fusses
We finally got this rubble of 100 dapper high school students onto the three buses.

The bumpy ride into manhattan went off without a pained hitch
(Unless you consider it torture hearing squeaky teen girls sing off pitch)
We Arrived at the hall, a magnificent treasure in the heart of the city!
But the behavior of some of the students! Oy Vey! what a pity!

Some were cursers some were lovers some walked way too slow
that we needed to shake 'em up, wake 'em up and yell "let's GO!"
We did SO much climbing of steep stairs, up up up round and round
(I think I must have HAD to have lost at least 15 pounds!)

Finally the golden performance, the acoustics! the thrill!
The skilled school band played so amazingly well!
Mr. Lee beamed as he conducted then as the applause grew..
One mans fulfilling moment, his life's dream come true

I so hope each child appreciated deep in their very young heart
This unique honor and opportunity to validate their melodic art
my son expressed it was scary upon a stage so awesome and grand
but he felt privileged to play his trumpet at Carnegie Hall,
along with his band