Totally Random

I decided to wear black pearls to work today. The song "Black Pearl" by Sonny Charles & The Checkmates popped into my head. I hadn't thought of that song in years. I got in the car to go to work and turned on the radio. Yep, you guessed it..."Black Pearl" was playing on the radio. What're the odds?

Story time

My 4 year old granddaughter has been sleeping with me, and likes to have a story read to her before she goes to sleep. I've been reading the usual assortment of stories (Cinderella, Alice in Wonderland, Goodnight, Moon, etc.) Sometimes those stories aren't enought to make her sleepy, so sometimes I will read to her from whatever book I happen to be reading. Right now I'm reading the Sidney Howard script for "Gone With The Wind", my favorite movie. The other night, Tierra was not quite sleepy enough, so I picked up my book and began to read. It was at the part where Scarlett and Prissy are delivering Melanie's baby, and the Yankees are invading Atlanta. I read all the parts, using appropriate voices for all the characters. Tierra listened quietly for several minutes, then tugged on my sleeve and said, "Gramma, what's a Yankee look like?" I didn't think she was paying much attention, much less be interested in Yankees! She did fall asleep, though. The next night we read her story books, and when we were done, she asked me to read about the Yankees again. Just like her mom and gramma, she's become a member of the cult of "Gone With The Wind."

A New Year

2010 is over. We've just begun 2011. Each new year's day gives us the proverbial "clean slate" to start fresh. Out with the old, in with the new. I don't usually make new year's resolutions, but I've decided this year to set some goals for myself. Right at the top of the list is to keep up the progress I've made with regard to my weight and fitness. Our FIT classes will resume this month, and I've made the commitment to continue with the class, so I feel like this is a goal I can accomplish. Another goal I've set for myself is to be more in control of my life. I've learned just recently that being too dependent on one person is not a good thing for either of you. I've resolved to take control of my own destiny and to make decisions based on what I need rather than on the needs of others. This is not to say I've become self-centered or egocentric, rather that I am aware that in order to be happy, I need to rely on myself, not on someone else. True happiness and contentment comes from within, and I am going to keep this thought foremost in my mind in the coming months. It's a new year, and I'm determined to be a better person for myself and those around me. I'm optimistic that this year will be better than last year in all ways. Oh, and one more goal I've got this year....if all goes well, I'll be spending 2 weeks in Ireland this summer!