 I am an East Coast expatriate hiding out in the Midwest... I am an urban gal living in the suburbs and occasionally hiding in the country I am a yoga practitioner, fitness enthusiast, believer in the mind-body-spirit connection... I am a mid-life "revert" to the Roman Catholic faith in which I was raised and which has become an enormous source of support, encouragement, inspiration, and joy in my life... I am a mom, sister, daughter, and wife... I am an explorer; adventurous and curious about the world and people around me... I am educated in the formal sense but I gain insight through everyday living... I created this blog at a time of great fear and apprehension in my life. I chose to sustain it because of the discoveries about myself and the world around me that it has revealed. What you can expect to find here: the documentation of a love-hate relationship with the greater Philadelphia area
reminiscing about the good-ole-days (the 80's!)
complaints about my various ailments and injuries, both real and imagined
pictures and stories of gardening, decorating, shopping, sewing
my love of irony
links to kooky news stories
way too much scatological musing for sane people
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Wednesday, June 23, 2004
Surprises at every turn...rated pg-13!
Wow!
Last night, I was not in the greatest mood; but then after I went for a lap swim at the local public pool and got in a good workout and a shower, I felt refreshed and ambled home.
After cleaning things up, getting lunches and coffee ready for the morning, I settled to bed to watch some tv and relax. Hubby joined me and after our show, we put on a little show of our own . *ahem!*
We tried something new that he found on the internet and showed to me for my approval. I was game to try something new - they say you gotta keep adding "spice" to a marriage to keep it brewin'!
Needless to say, it worked pretty well! lol...its called "playing the cello". I'll just leave it at that. :)
THEN...
We fell asleep and I was dozing soundly when sometime in the middle of the night I felt something that was much to real and intense to be a dream...
Another "sneak attack" but this time, preceeded with, er, some "lip service" to rouse me (and my vagina!) from sleep! Well, of course I had a nice spring in my step all day!
And THEN...(ok, if you are still expecting to read about my sex life, it pretty much climaxed (pun intended) in the paragraph above.)
I had the afternoon to myself while kiddo was at day camp and so I sat outside on my chaise lounge with a tall cool drink, clad in a string bikini (no one can see my flabby white bod in my yard!), a baseball hat, sunscreen and my trusty binoculars.
I was graced with visits from a downy woodpecker, a hairy woodpecker (which are somewhat uncommon - I was thrilled!), my lovely catbirds, the redwings, plenty of grackles, and family of 4 crows who scared away everyone else.
I also got some nice color on my skin, freckles a-poppin' everywhere...
It was just a gorgeous day all around.
Posted at 04:58 pm by brandy101
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Tuesday, June 22, 2004
We have been fortunate to have had some lovely, mild weather here and I spent a good deal of today outside with my trusty Beagle and my child. Sure enough, my perseverance has paid off in terms of attracting some new species of birds to the backyard.
I watched a rather aggressive bird, grayish in color, smaller than a robin, with black beak and legs, feeding rather heartily at the tray feeders. I tried to identify it, and then I realized that it might be a female Red-winged Blackbird - one of the most numerous songbirds in North America, but not a common visitor in our neighborhood.
The male of that species is very easy to identify, with his epaulets of red and gold and his signature call, "cheeeeeerrrrEEEEEEEEE!" But, as of this afternoon, there was no male companion to the bird at the feeder for me to use as a reference point.
As I took our beagle out for her evening stroll, there he was! The male redwing first on the fence, then sampling my wares at the tray feeder (I put out some cheapo cat food that my cats flatly refused to eat! They are soooooo spoiled!) Apparently the blackbirds really dig cheap, cornmeal-based cat food!
Last week we had two pair of black capped chicakdees at the tube feeder and on the seed tray.
I was also thrilled to see a very beautiful Northern Flicker digging into an anthill at the edge of our property, and enjoying his insect quarry.
And, although they are considered "nuisance" birds to some, I have been enjoying watching the grackles feeding their rather noisy and demanding fledglings. This evening, I spied a parent who sat on the edge of the birdbath, and gently washed some grubs off in the water before shoving it down the gullet of her baby. Good momma bird!
Posted at 07:38 pm by brandy101
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Republican pervs and more....
Oh man...
I am grinning ear to ear after finally finding out (even though, personally I don't think its the public's business) about the allegations that Illinois Republican Senate candidate Jack Ryan tried to coerce his then-wife, actress Jerri Ryan (yeah, from Star Trek, etc.) to "play" at BDSM and swinger clubs around the globe.
I find this amusing for a number of reasons:
a.) I KNEW IT! (i.e. - I just had a hunch)
b.) I love ultra conservative a-holes getting "busted" (think: Rush Limbaugh, Jim Bakker, etc, etc.)
c.) His ex-wife, the TV star, went to college with me and gave me a rough time largely due to my unconventional (although, at the time, quite hip and trendy) "punk" attire. Pretty typical that she, Miss America runner-up and archetypal midwestern sorority gal, would "become physically ill" (her words) at a BDSM "sex club", surrounded by whips, cages, and all of the characters that flock to such an environs. What was he thinking?!?!?
d.) I think its especially funny in light of my recent spanking fantasies with a certain Congressman ;)
Now, granted, I find the lack of privacy in this country increasingly disturbing. But, on the other hand, such a scandal could have surfaced easily due to the fact that he was indiscreet enough to take a well-known person (his then-wife) to a public (or at least semi-public) "sex club".
I have been to "play spaces" - both private clubs and semi-public events in nightclubs. I have some experience with the wilder side of life from my past. I would know what to expect and I would consider going to such a club only after discussing all possible scenarios with my partner, and working out the logistics. And, even though I am somewhat aware of what is "out there", there are still plenty of things that freak ME out, that aren't a turn-on, that I won't seek out for participation, etc.
A total novice most certainly would be scared, freaked out, whatever you want to call it, if a public event were his/her introduction to the BDSM world or swing lifestyle.
Thus, Jack is not only indiscreet, he's a "wannabe" Dom/swinger. A novice himself. And in that realm at least one person in the couple should have some idea what the heck they are doing - physically and emotionally - as it is not something to be toyed with on a whim. And its also something that doesn't work well when one person in the couple is coerced into participating.
Even though I don't care for her, I do feel badly for Ms. Ryan in that she didn't do anything wrong except marry a lunkhead and have a kid with him. So now she has to shield her child and family from this very embarrasing stuff, that is, of course, all over the news. That is really unfortunate.
This is the second divorce paper-based scandal in local politics this year. If privacy cannot be guranteed by the courts, then I hope these examples make litigants think twice before getting into vicious battles, instead of trying to work things out amicably, or better yet, avoid dubious practices in the first place.
Posted at 03:58 pm by brandy101
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Monday, June 21, 2004
I'll admit it...my most recent schoolgirl crush is none other than Republican Congressman Mark S. Kirk of Illinois. Yes, he's a naval intelligence officer (hmmm...intrigue...James Bond....) and a lawyer (ugh, nothing good to say about that!) but, he's too darn cute, with those Tim Matheson boyish good looks.
I think I allowed myself to succumb to his charms (theoretically, of course - no actual scandal here!) when I did a bit of local political activism (environmental-issue-related) and received a thoughtful letter (yes, I know it was a form letter printed up by some college intern) and realized he was "on" my side of MANY issues...quite a "moderate" sort of guy, voting the way I'd vote, even going against party lines in some cases. Right on!
Who cares about that scrub, Clinton,(bustin' the moves to sell more books) when there are cuties like Kirk in "Da' House" ! lol.....
Posted at 08:17 pm by brandy101
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Friday, June 18, 2004
I didn't mention it but last week our fridge bit the dust. We checked out possible fixes but realized the compressor was shot and so off to Sears we went to find one that would fit into the built-in alcove.
Of course, once at Sears, I spied a new vacuum on sale (my current one is at least 15yrs old and on its last legs), a clock radio(again, my old one broke), tape player for the kiddo...
With some handyman work on hubby's part, we were able to enlarge to alcove slightly to accomodate the height of a new refrigerator (side-by-side with all that cool water/ice gadgetry!). Hooked up the water line (which had already been run by the pervious owner - even though the old fridge had no icemaker/water dispenser), and basically then waited for a week, living out of coolers, until it was delivered and installed yesterday.
Of course, when I realized the fridge had broken, all of my frozen stuff was thawed and/or drippy so into the trash it went, along with most of what was in the fridge that couldn't safely be salvaged. I finally went food shopping today, and replenished our frozen staples and lots of produce for the fridge (we ran out of salad items 4 days ago!)
So, needless to say, our savings took a huge hit this month, and it's already been reeling after paying my medical bills from the spring. Oy vey!
But... that's ok...that's why you have savings: for a "rainy" day.
Posted at 05:46 pm by brandy101
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Wednesday, June 16, 2004
Last night, I was exhausted and so I went to bed earlier than usual. It's "that time of the month" for me, which usually meanas that hubby regards me as a pariah (sexually speaking that is.) He is one of those guys with "period phobia." Of course the cruel joke mother nature plays on me is that I am usually quite horny when Aunt Flo is in town! grrrr!
Well, anyway...
Hubby was being nice and hugged me, snuggling a bit at bedtime. Then we fell asleep.
Hours later, I wasn't sure what was happening - or if I was dreaming.
I awoke this morning and as hubby was getting ready for work I inquired,"Did we have sex last night?" (which could be construed as an insulting question, I know...)
A simple, "Yes." was his reply.
Huh!
This might sound sicko to some of you out there but I found that "sneak" to be very sexy, and I was thinking about it all morning. Of course, to my disappointment, when hubby called this morning, I mentioned my enthusiasm for our midnight liason and he was too embarassed to discuss it. He is a bit inhibited that way; sexually he is "talented" but at the same time he is too uncomfortable to discuss these sorts of things, which i think is silly, especially since we have been together for 9 years!
Well, at least I'm "gettin' some"! ;)
On another note entirely, ugh, I have got to get back into a good workout routine; I seemed to have gained a few pounds while on vacation (restaurant food and fewer workouts tend to do that!)
So I think I'll do my 30 min weight training tape and then either a run or bike ride while kiddo is at day camp.
Posted at 11:20 am by brandy101
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Sunday, June 13, 2004
Today I woke up at 3:55 am to load the car and head off to the Batvia Triathlon, on the Fox River. The folks were all very friendly, and even though some of the competitors are totally "hardcore" - what with mondo-expensive bikes, top of the line wetsuits, etc.- there were also plenty of novices to make for a nice mix.
I was numbered to start somewhere in the middle of the pack. Each entrant would enter the water every 10 seconds. That was a nice advantage for me, as I got to see how others approached their swims. Some went into swim-team mode and cranked out a nice fast crawl for the whole 500 meters; many others (like myself) began in a crawl and then would switch to "rest" strokes such as breaststroke, backstroke, etc. Whatever it took to finish without drowning. I was a bit disappointed that I wasn't able to sustain my freestyle for even the 1st half; oh well; I got through it, and in 9 minutes, which is decent.
My big problem was the bike: UGH! Last night I nioticed my back rim was slighly bent, and then I was having some slippage on my back gear. Well, as I mounted the bike, WHAM! No gears! I lost time re-alinging the chain and geting it into 5th gear. So what I ended up having as my options were 1st and 5th gear. At least I HAD that 1st gear since the 16-mile bike course turned out to be much more hilly than expected. Plus, ssudden gusts of wind slowed things for everyone. Honestly, and I am not sure why this is, but I think I really am a better distance rider - I really can't get into a groove until at least 7 miles. Its like those 1st 5 miles were torture and seem that way even when riding on the indoor trainer. I need to practice that skill set much more, obviously. So, I lost significant time on the bike, which was a bummer, but managed to get through it and then the run (which I mostly walked at a quick clip) was a breeze. No, not a breeze - a pleasure. You see, the event planners set the run to go through a gorgeous trail along the Fox river (actually went around it on each side.)> There were gardens, parks, a large publc Japanese garden, beautiful homes...plus the sound of the swift-running (and VERY high) river, the greenery on the banks and shade from the trees, and of course my favorite: birds galore! I even stopped to check out a Martin singing in some bushes along the way (why not - I wa \s already running about an hour behind everyone else!)
The best move I made all day was to bring along my MP3 player and jam to tunes along the run. Nothing in the rules against it (no safety issues as we weren't running on streets.) That really got me through an otherwise exhausting but fulfilling race.
Yes, I finished, and although I am ready for bed and tending to a sore back (due to leaning too far on my bike - my handlebar stem is too long for me) I am felling pretty darn good about my second successful triathlon event.
Posted at 11:01 pm by brandy101
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Friday, June 11, 2004
oh, I forgot to mention that the new dosing schedule that the GI doc put me on seems to be effective in treating my IBS, thankfully. Thanks so much to all of my blog buddies for their kind words of support on this issue. :)
Posted at 09:41 am by brandy101
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Well, after some delays due to weather, we finally arrived home at 1am last night.
I am busy cleaning, unpacking, etc. but hopefully soon I'll be able to post some vacation pics, recall some tales...
This weekend (Sunday at 6am!) is my first sprint triathlon of the season. I am very nervous becasue I feel really unprepared, although I know I am in better physical shape than last year, plus I have a much better bike. I think the worst part is that its an hour-plus drive from home so I have to make that commute before the race.
I did test my swimming skills and know that they are up to par for that portion of the race; not enough to edge ahead of anyone but a sustainable, easy pace that will get me past that hurdle. I am also comfortable with the running portion. I am troubled a bit by the bike, though. I have not had nearly enough time to practice longer rides but I am hoping that, like last year, the adrenanlin from the excitement of the race will aid in grinding the pedals for 16 miles.
Posted at 09:39 am by brandy101
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Monday, May 31, 2004
Ugh. I thought with the Zelnorm that my IBS/chronic constipation and side pain would be gone but it's back. I do have an appt. with the gastroenterologist tomorrow but I doubt he has many more options for me to try. Apparently Zelnorm works well for the first month but then its efficacy wanes over time. Damn! This pain is so bad on my side (lower left quadrant) and I have had every test, including CT scans, colonoscopy and ultrasound (to make sure it wasn't a gyne issue). NOTHING structural - just the fact that food gets digested and then just sits in the colon, building up and putting pressure all around, thus causing the pain. I am so frustrated with this. When it is bad, it gets hard to walk; similar to the pain of an ovarian cyst.
I will have to go back to a liquid-only diet for a while until the pain subsides because the more food that has to pass through, the worse it gets. *sigh*.
Posted at 04:07 pm by brandy101
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