I have been back from Connecticut over a week now and haven’t had a minute to write…so you know how busy I have been. But last week was quite full of just getting caught up at work, working in the yard trying to find the flowers coming up through all the leaves that didn’t get raked last fall, getting taxes done, and meetings after work, and getting poem books ready for our Show Me Clay Fan Club NotaGala gala.


(CLICK ON THE PIC TO ENLARGE IT)

The visit to Connecticut was great……well, except for the 6 inches of snow and sleet we got one night (while you southerners were enjoying 70 degree weather). Harry had to shovel a path off the deck for their dog go get out to pee.






….and except the day I got deathly sick(sorry no pix of this sight) with my usual migraine symtoms (yes sara….it was the cold air that did it, not the two glasses of wine, I’m sure). Harry’s aunt and I had gone out for an early dinner(as we always do when i visit. she's single and my age) and the poor woman was worried sick and had to get me back to Lara's house and it took the two of them to get me in the house. Poor Lara had to try to get hold of a doctor(who wanted to know my allergies and list of medications I was on…as if I was conscious and could tell her) to get my meds (that I don’t take with me any more cause I never have these attacks any more……hmmmmmm) But, Miss Efficiency that my Darlin Daughter, is,she got the RX, put me to bed and checked on me to see if I was still alive, I guess.

Other than that, I had a great time. Grandson Illeas is growing so fast, scooting around everywhere, and laughing and babbling all the time. He has no problem letting his needs be known.




And wanted to let you know about all the other plans in the works. Darling Daughter and I are planning a trip to Hilton Head in June for some fun in the sun.




In August, Mobama, H2, and I are hitting the concert trail just like the teeny-boppers we have become and are planning a road trip in July to Dallas. Yes, I said ROADTRIP. Does that sound like a second-teenhood or what? Hey, you only go around once….you might as well enjoy it. And we are flying to Raleigh in August to hear our Idol in concert again. As you all know, you can’t get too much of a good thing. Hope you are enjoying your time on this planet as much as I am.




Speaking of the yard (remember….. i have AADD and my mind flits around a lot) I LOVE SPRING AND BEING OUTSIDE. The quince, forsythia, and flowering almond bushes are all in bloom….not to mention the crocus, hyacinths, jonquils, and all the tulips, hastas, hollyhocks, lilies, and irises poking their hopeful (hopeful that the deer don’t find them) heads into the sunshine.

Life is good.

it’s just me, geni

this picture of Little Miss Lara and Illeas is clickable.


HERE’S THE LATEST SCUTTLEBUTT
I’M HEADIN BACK TO CONNECTICUT
The darling grandson is almost one
So I couldn’t resist joining in the fun

I’m gettin lonely and couldn’t resist
Gotta learn what’s new and what I missed
Is he crawling and walking?
Is he singing and talking?

I hear him laughing when I phone
I can’t wait to see how he’s grown
I’ll get to hold him and tell him a tale
With fairies and genies him I’ll regale

Remember that daughter I blogged about
She called last night and did i shout
She’s says we’re going to Hillton Head
In June I’ll be traveling South instead

So don’t miss a blog when I send you a link
It might be more interesting that you think
And do leave a comment cause that’s how I know
That my visiting friends feel like quid pro quo

it's just me,

geni, jeanie, Jean Ann, jeananane,JA,mimi

Do you believe it is possible to hold two diametrically opposing views at the same time? ….to hold two completely opposite faiths in your heart?

I do believe it is possible…….because I do know both of these.

I believe we decide our own destiny.
I believe that God guides our steps.

I believe in reincarnation.
I believe in salvation through grace.

The reason I can do this is because I have a daughter.
I have never been pregnant and yet I have a daughter.

She is mine. I would give my life for her.
I knew when they called and told me they had a new baby girl for us that she had found me.

I believe God sent her to me.
And I believe her soul found a way to find mine.

She has a magnificent soul…..and it is an Old Soul.
I wish I was half the woman she has turned out to be.

I don’t know if she even knows these things. Oh, she knows I love her. I tell her almost every time I talk to her.

Here she is as Mary in the Church Christmas pageant. She seems rather dubious about playing this role perhaps because it was a bit part with no words. She wanted a starring role I think.






Not that she was an angel growing up. Oh no, she broke my heart a few times. We argued about everything from clothes, hair style, eye shadow, to picking up her messes, spending money, boyfriends, etc. just like every other mother of a daughter, I imagine. She was a wild one there for awhile.

But she’s a woman now and a fine one. A bossy one….one who knows her own mind and stubbornly sticks to it. But, then she’s my daughter….my image. She won’t like to read that, I’m sure. But it’s inescapable. It just seeps out in daughters and there’s not much she can do about it. Well, yes, some daughters do renounce their mothers and strive to be just the opposite. And that’s sad for both of them. I see and hear my own mother in myself constantly, especially now that I’ve reached a certain age (which shall remain nameless, of course) and I actually feel closer to her when it happens.

My daughter helped me change my life….made me realize what I was doing and how I was thinking. I had no idea I was full of anger, but she told me it was there. Of course, that just made me even angrier…at the time. It took years, but gradually I realized that she was right. I WAS angry. My mother was usually angry. I came from a troubled home. Loving but troubled.

And I decided I didn’t want to live that way any more. I used to say “people don’t change” but we CAN change….it takes a long time and a lot of introspection, but we can change. I’ve done more in the last five years of my life than all the years before. Things I always wanted to do. Things that make me happy. Maybe it’s the new millennium, maybe the stars are now aligned in my favor. I think it was my daughter. I thank her. I love her. I’m proud of her. She’s mine.

This daughter of mine went with me to my first Clayconcert…..and she is definitely not a fan. (well no one is perfect….) We used to go on trips together before she got married and a lot of plays in NYC.



click to enlarge

This poem, written on her wedding day is one of my best, I think.





LARA ON THE LAWN

Like dried flowers between the pages of a book
She will press these hours into memory
To preserve them for as long as
Books continue to be read and
Love continues to blossom.


And this one I wrote twenty years ago.

MENOPAUSE AND PUBERTY

I know I lost my temper
I know I screamed at you
It’s so infuriating
The teen-aged things you do.

Such fierce antagonistas
At 40 and 14
Menopause and puberty
Revolt in every gene

But I have the advantage
I’ve been to both these lands
Remember adolescence
Remember all my plans

But that’s not such a credit
To see where I’ve come from
I know I’m not the woman
I wanted to become

Plans turn into frustrations
And this you’ll not believe
I know one compensation
In 30 years, you’ll be me
geni

She has a birthday this month and I want to get an early start …


http://www.GlitterMaker.com/ - Glitter Graphics - MySpace Layouts

I love you, Mom

A THOUSAND DAYS FROM CLAY AIKEN'S LASTEST ALBUM - A THOUSAND DIFFERENT WAYS

Here's the link if you wanna watch the video. just copy and paste on your address bar. Prepare to be amazed!

http://www.kgbx.com/cc-common/videos_on_demand/player.php?track_id=11545&s=c&playGateway=exiting#


PERHAPS YOU SHOULD LISTEN FOR AWHILE BEFORE YOU START READING THIS ENGROSSING BLOG THAT HAD ABSOLUTLY NOTHING TO DO WITH CLAY.



Isn’t life strange? And full of strange people? And strange people in the strangest places. Who would think someone would say ”fuck you” at a thrift store?

Very funny, huh? Yes, it did happen today. Now don’t ask what I was doing in the thrift store and not in the food bank where I’m supposed to be. I was helping. Sure I was. Well, I was butting in anyway. But not much bothers me anymore. Actually I thought it was funny.

This lady was really pissed because it was two pm and we were closing the store. (the food bank closes at 1:30, btw) Anyway I was sitting in my office doing my computer work, and I heard the volunteers asking people to quit shopping like they do every day about 1:45. They have a terrible time getting people to leave for some reason. I hear them cajoling people every day.

So thought I would be a good Samaritan and help out. When will I learn…no good deed goes unpunished. So out I go. Actually I have NO problem bossing people around…as my daughter will attest – and I just went up to people and asked them to please go to the counter and check out. Several shoppers were quite elderly and I rather doubt if they had even heard the earlier closing announcements. But I assure you I was quite polite - yes, that is a possibility cause I have mellowed quite a bit in the last few years – undoubtedly from listening to soothing music.... And my friend, Sue, was there volunteering at the check out counter, so she can also vouch for me….although she didn’t hear any of this.

So I’m politely asking people to go…reminding them that we close at two and these workers are volunteers who are just helping out. Everybody was very nice…..except ONE. As I walked away from her, I saw that she just went to another rack and started going through more clothes….so I walked over to her and again asked her to check out. Damn! This is not please her at all….don’t ask me why….maybe she really needed a new shirt…..probably had a hot date. But she gave me a lizard stare, crashed the shirts back on the rack and said, “Fuck you!” and left the store on her broomstick.

I’m so sorry…..i just laughed. Yipper..i did. I seem to find just about everything funny any more. What else can life throw at me, anyway? No much can upset me any more. Certainly not thift store shoppers. Actually everything is grist for my blogging now…aint it…..LOL

oh, yeah.....just remembered i had a leeetle problem with a lady at the movie theater a couple of weeks ago. hmmmm...maybe this is getting to be a habit...well, i decided quite a while ago that i wasn't gonna take any shit from anybody any more. and i don't. now, my friend barb was there and she can attest that i did not start this. (most of y'all have known me for a long time, so i know i have to get back-up for some of this)....anyway, barb and i were sitting waiting for "Dreamgirls" to start and doing a lot of talking when a couple sits down next to me - a memorable woman with an enormous full-lengh leopard coat - and the theater was half empty. The movie starts and barb asks me which singer is the American Idol girl. I am the American Idol Resident Expert among my friends, ya'know. So i proceed to tell her.

This leopard loving lady next to me says, "LADY, WILL YOU PLEASE QUIT TALKING".

Well, obviously this lady had no idea with whom she was dealing....so i looked right back at her and said, "LADY, WHY DON'T YOU GO SIT SOMEWHERE ELSE."

She didn't say another word. Up she jumped. At first i thought she was moving...but no, the man just sat there as she went UP the aisle. Then it hit me...she was going to report me to the management. HA! I was primed and waiting for a pimply-faced teenager to come tell me to quiet down. The lady returned and sat right next to me again....and nobody showed up.. damn

Really, i tried not to talk much, because i really hate it when people talk during a movie....but it was not the most comfortable movie i've ever sat through...but it was a great movie, and there was a lot of talking going on all around us. It's that kinda movie.

So now you know. You can say anything you want to me....i won't be offended....but be prepared to reap what you sow. I'm a survivor....i can not be intimidated.





MY PHILOSOPHY OF LIFE

I believe in surviving
For no reason
With no hope

I believe in going on
With no end in sight
With no plan for success

When all you feel is sadness
When all you see are tears
When all your bridges have been burned

I don’t believe in giving up
Youth and beauty have fled
Friends and esteem are fading

I’m still here
I’ll fight on
Ya’ never know
geni 2007

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Clay didn’t call. I didn't win the poetry contest. Life is bleak.

I have gotta get another hobby. Anybody heard any more about the scandal contest? I’m countin on winnin that! I know my scandal. I’m a scandal junkie (along with the rest of America, obviously). There’s not a detail of jessica/nick, jen/brad/angie, or now anna nicole - that I’m not up on.

Couldn’t resist copying this…….








I am talking to myself now. And am talking to the dog all the time. I’m down to my last neuron….and it’s too tired to synapse even if I had another one available.





Here’s my actual conversation this morning with my Cocker Spaniel.
“Tommy, you have got to quit getting into the wastebaskets. This is beneath you. You are a purebred member of this household. You have your own food ….and beg half of mine….you do not need to search the wastebaskets for scraps. This is a very annoying habit of yours and I am getting just a little tired of cleaning up after you. Now what do you have to say for yourself?”

This was said in a most sincere voice while staring intently into his serious big browns and scratching him behind his long curly blonde ears. I half expected him to answer in complete sentences. Instead, he belched. I think he had found a chicken bone in there.

Have also been thinking about past lives and time-machines. ( Oh, it’s really lonely here in bleak-snowsville. ) Would you go to one of those “past-life regression” mystics? I would. How fascinating! And the only way I’ll ever see CA in person, I’m sure. Oh yeah…you people can post all you want to recapping your trips to Kimmel and Martha and Tyra. I can only dream.

Naturally, if I did come up with the money to pay for a “reading” I’m sure I wasn’t Cleopatra. Undoubtedly, I was one of those poor slobs pushing granite blocks up the ramp to the top of the pyramid. It probably got loose and slid right down and squished me. Well, at least I was thin for once.







People are always talking about going back in time and meeting famous people or changing history. Personally, I would want to go forward in time. I wanna know what’s gonna happen. Will Clay ever call? Will we every get out of this war? Will we ever colonize space? I want to walk on Mars or better yet a far solar system with an eden-like third planet. I want to see Earth from space. I want to meet creatures of another species. I want to cure cancer and Alzheimer’s.






Of course, this brings up the interesting question of - has the future already happened? And are we just in some parallel universe?

And the even more disturbing question. Has geni finally completely lost that last neuron….and her mind?

It’s just me, what’s left anyway, geni
P.S.but then again...where could i find a finer hobby

PPS here's the poem that didn't win.

I HOLD FAST

I hold fast to the promise
That hearts will not lie
That faith won’t let go
That love fights for a soul

I hold fast to the dream
That loving means reaching
Believing means winning
It’s enough for beginning

I hold fast to the vision
Of life full of purpose
Of love in all ways
Of stars set ablaze

The voice that soothes my soul
The smile that heals my heart
The eyes where moonglow shines
I hold fast to what is mine
geni 2007

ANNUAL EXAM
YES, DEAR READERS, IT'S THAT TIME AGAIN. DON'T FORGET TO MAKE YOUR APPOINTMENT TO VISIT THE SHRINE OF THE GREAT WHITE STEEL PLATED PRESSURE GOD




THIS WEEK’S CRAFT SPECIAL: FUN WITH STICKERS
How to start a thrilling and inexpensive hobby using stickers -

CAUTION: This hobby is specific to women over 40. Younger women probably would not have access to needed materials and equipment or expertise in usage - and probably shouldn’t be reading geni’s blogs anyway. You can take my word for it….or just ask around.




CRAFT #1: FASHION DESIGN
BEACH WEAR – Depending on desired style, size, and modesty of individual
FASHION TIP A: You can easily add interest to the neckline of your existing swimsuit using stickers.




FASHION TIP B: You can add an artistic flair by adding polka dot stickers to plain suits.




FASHION TIP C: For the more daring beachcombers or those wanting to eliminate those tacky strap lines, wear stickers alone. Recommended only for those readers currently in Europe.


CRAFT PORTRAITATURE: Easily make drawings of favorite storybook or cartoon characters using stickers. Also useful in doodling and caricature




CRAFTS FOR THE LESS ARTISTIC;
Attach the stickers as eyes on the outside surface of those little magnet face games with the bbs. It’s easier than trying to get the little bbs in the eye slots.

CRAFT EXTENTION:
Tassels are always a nice entertainment item and can easily be affixed to stickers with duct tape or elmers or superglue (on second thought, skip the superglue in that area of the body). These can be made of fringe from ottomans, left-over Christmas tinsel, or old cheerleader pompoms. Shredded bank statements from your office wastebasket are colorful (often red) inexpensive and usually abundant (however, do not attempt to assemble said tassels at workplace) Used tassels from Shriners’ hats are a possibility for those employed in the hotel or convention center business or perhaps along parade routes.
BONUS POINTS: These can be awarded to those who actually use the tasseled stickers in an exercise regimen. Oh wait, I think that may require something called “pasties”……nevermind.

Serious hobbiests could delve into their tribble collection. well, those would be more puffy and harder to twirl, wouldn't they...but so cute. (this suggestion is only for trekkers, like you Naomi)

It’s just me, geni




P.S. You know you might have a problem when you return from your pilgrimage to the Great White and Steel Plated Pressure God Shrine with three of these.(now "digitalized", the latest in imaging, i am told by the uniformed Shrine attendants.) Animation can't be too far in the future. Watch out Pixel and Lucasfilm....

LOVER ALL ALONE: written and performed by Clay Aiken








TWO SIDES OF THE COIN
TWO MOVEMENTS OF A SYMPHONY
TWO VIEWS OUT THE SAME WINDOW
TWO POEMS




There’s only now
There’s only this
There’s just this moment that exists

Grab it
Keep it
Savor it
Add some spice and flavor it

There’s just this day
There’s nothing more
There’s no way of knowing what’s in store

Can’t trust in tomorrow
Don’t remember yesterday
There’s always, only, just today

Notice it
Touch it
Cherish it
Hold it in your heart and nourish it

Stars may go nova
And planets collide
This moment’s your world – live it alive.
Geni 2007



4 a.m. thoughts


It doesn’t help to be wiser
When you’re older too

It doesn’t help to dream
When you know it can’t come true

It doesn’t help to cry
Alone at night in bed

And wish you could have known
Where the path had led

But who is wise enough
To see how it all will end

That life will not forgive
And youth won’t come again

That life is short
But nights have hours to fill

That wisdom only brings regrets
And dreams will haunt you still

Perhaps it’s best to not have known
And yet, you still regret it

To not have known just what you want
While there’s still time to get it
Geni 2007

What with the ice storm and all…thankfully the power is still on here….i have a little time on my hands. So here’s some great quotes about dogs…..one of my “favorite things” ….you’d know this if you read my profile. But, of course, everyone lies in their profiles. (The geni in MySpace is 26 years young, 5’9”, and an interior designer. Ya pays your money and takes your chances…..ha.) Actually, I do lie a lot…..about my age and certain interests that are no one’s business……especially strangers or relatives……jes sayin’.

Truthfully, however, this is MY dog. Not a pic I copied from Google Images…..although there were some rather interesting ones there…..






And here are the quotes:
If you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous, he will not bite you; that is the principal difference between a dog and a man. -Mark Twain

You can say any foolish thing to a dog, and the dog will give you a look that says, 'Wow, you're right! I never would've thought of that!' - Dave Barry

Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole. -Roger Caras

If you think dogs can't count, try putting three dog biscuits in your
pocket and then give him only two of them. -Phil Pastoret

Don't accept your dog's admiration as conclusive evidence that you are wonderful.
-Ann Landers

The average dog is a nicer person than the average person. -Andy Rooney

We give dogs time we can spare, space we can spare and love we can spare. And in return, dogs give us their all. It's the best deal man has ever made. -M. Acklam

Dogs love their friends and bite their enemies, quite unlike people, who are incapable of pure love and always have to mix love and hate. -Sigmund Freud

I wonder if other dogs think poodles are members of a weird religious cult. -Rita Rudner

A dog teaches a boy fidelity, perseverance, and to turn around three times before lying down. -Robert Benchley

Anybody who doesn't know what soap tastes like never washed a dog. -Franklin P. Jones

If I have any beliefs about immortality, it is that certain dogs I have known will go to heaven, and very, very few persons. -James Thurber

My dog is worried about the economy because Alpo is up to $3.00 a can. That's almost $21.00 in dog money. -Joe Weinstein

Ever consider what our dogs must think of us? I mean, here we come back from a grocery store with the most amazing haul -- chicken, pork, half a cow. They must think we're the greatest hunters on earth! -Anne Tyler

Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should relax and get used to the idea.
-Robert A. Heinlein

If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went. -Will Rogers

There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your face.
-Ben Williams

Here’s some from one of my favorite authors: Anon (I think he runs a couple of self-help groups, too)
If your dog is fat, you aren't getting enough exercise.
A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself.
My goal in life is to be as good of a person my dog already thinks I am.
The reason a dog has so many friends is that he wags his tail instead of his tongue.
If you’d greet everyone the way you greet your dog, you’d have more friends.

Since I've been into memorials lately...here's to all the great pets who've shared my home in the past. I want to go wherever they've gone. I want to pet them again.


Mindy - Schnauzer


Ginger - rescue dog, mutt


Bruce-rescue dog, mutt


Susie, Shih Tzu


Freeda,German Shepherd, Greta, Brittany


I'm still searching for pix of Atticus and Ichabod - wonderful mutts....but that was so long ago they're in black and white ......and cameras were still on tripods.........
edited sun. jan14

found a pic of me and my dog Ichabod...told you it was b&w




And everybody in the know knows this pup.....






it’s just me, geni


P.S. don't forget to comment. you can leave pix of your dogs....well, maybe

Blogging Inspiration

Got my inspiration at church this morning……both kinds. The sermon was about New Year’s Resolutions….every year this woman resolved to lose weight and never did. Finally she resolved to just grow taller…..then, at least, she wouldn’t feel so guilty about failing.

Well, this just reminded me of my best friend. She has been a real inspiration to me….in many ways…..one of which was to lose weight. I’ve told her she is my role model….and she thinks it’s a joke. She is beautiful, tall, thin, blonde and tan. Yeah, one of those cheerleaders types….which she was, natch. Didn’t you just hate them in high school…..oh, was that just me?

Here we are. Not too hard to guess who is who…….






But I did lose quite a bit of weight, became blonde and tan (ahhhh, doncha just love modern technology!! )She still has that cheerleading spirit, and keeps telling me how great I look. And I had said to her a long time ago, “I can get thinner, blonder and tanner…..and I’m workin on getting taller.” Well, it was funny at the time.

People often reach a turning point in their life when they have to decide how they are going to live the rest of their lives. Are they going to continue down the same old track (leading nowhere) or are they gonna be like “Tootle” and jump the tracks – smell the flowers, make a daisy chain, roll in the grass.

It’s a very difficult decision to make. Change can hurt….it is almost always uncomfortable. But if you want something more out of your life than what you have….and I did….yagotta try. Nobody is going to do it for you. That geni is not gonna pop outta that bottle and fairy godmothers haven’t been seen since Walt died.


This guy went from this

To this



……from not having enough money for gas.... to a mansion he showed off on TV. He’s been a real inspiration to many people because of his work with children with disabilities and UNICEF. He’s had some setbacks recently but he seems to be giving it his all anyway.

Anyway, the point is…ya’nevah know how you might inspire someone. You may NEVER know. Now that i think about it, that sermon included something about the light of your life extending out and helping someone else along the path.

I know I ’ve got a long way to go but I’m gonna give it all I got. I plan on enjoying the life that’s been given to me. Live long and prosper.


it's just me, geni

p.s. course you could always try wishing on a star.....
"Star light, star bright
first star if see tonight
wish i may, wish i might
turn me into a microphone tonight...."









































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