When is your Word your Friend?

Today is the day when some of us (or you) make New Year's resolutions.  My best friend called me today and asked if I could provide her with a "non resolution."  I asked what she meant by that, "well you see,"  she said, "most people make resolutions only to completely fail miserably at them and I want you to dig deep and find something that would be life changing...one thing that you will resolve to do and follow through with."

At first, I smiled and thought to myself.  Doesn't everyone set out for success when making resolutions?  Are you telling me that most people think, "everyone else makes them so should I and by the way, it won't stick anyway?"

Doubtful but for you, Angela, I will make a "non resolution."  Before I do, I have to tell you what my last year's resolution was.  In 2011, I resolved to find a game/hobby or activity that would expand my mind and make me think.  Believe it or not, I found it.  It's a little game called Words with Friends (WWF).  You all know what it is and if you don't, you are behind the curve.  It's not too late to play and most people are addicted so you can find a virtual meet up on Facebook and be accepted into the cult.  

Some of you have killed the game.  Some of you have sworn.  Some of you have cheated. 

Some of you challenge the game but most of you play the game with "friends."  I quote friends because after playing a few games and losing your shorts, you wonder if these people are your friends or not.  And, you wonder if the computer is ripping you off or rigged in some way.  There are a few words that are actually words and WWF won't let you place them.  Did you know I tried several times to place the tiles to spell the word QUITE and it came back with UITE is not a word.  Really?  I didn't place UITE.  I placed QUITE. After several tourette outbursts, I finally had to place QI.  

Or, try the word, GAEL.  It doesn't work.  Does that mean that the  St. Mary's Gaels are meaningless?  BTW, WWF, Webster defines gael as:  

1. somebody who speaks Gaelic: somebody from Scotland, Ireland, or the Isle of Man who speaks Gaelic
2. Scottish Highlander: somebody from the Scottish Highlands

I am sure if I can use the letters AE to form a word, I should be able to use GU. Yes, GU and not the private university in Spokane but the meaning of GU is medicine/genitourinary.

And, I am pretty sure that LOOT is a word but you try it and see.  It doesn't work.  Should I call the creator of WWF and say WTF?  Or, should I propose to make another "non resolution" for 2012 and make up words in daily speak and call it babalish - meaning Barb's made up language for people who have tried words on WWF only to be disheartened by the pop up message on the screen, "Sorry, XXX is not an acceptable word."  

Most of my friends already know that I speak Babalish however it would be fun to use a "non word" a day in conversation and see if the person on the other end can tell or better yet repeat it in other company and carry on a new language.  

So, Angela, with that said, my non resolution for 2012 is to create my own language and have one person in my life accept me for who I am.     

Happy New Year everyone.  May 2012 bring you peace, happiness and a love for non words.

Those darn Christmas lists...

It's that time of year again when you ask your loved ones "what do you want for Christmas?"

Their response, "Nothing...I have everything I want and need."

And then there are some who give you a list.

I've heard some good stories this year about Christmas wish lists that I wanted to share.  I will disguise names for the sake of embarrassment.  You may know some of them...be one of them or better yet, want to use them.

2011 Christmas Wish List from a father to his sons:

Mom said trip to Hawaii would be nice

If you guys wanted to buy the coffee maker I could chip in. She wants the one that she was looking at in Wal Mart for $149.95 and the carousel for the coffee pouch was 29.95 - she needs both, I know you haven't seen it but I am sure the price will help you find it

She also mentioned a new pajama out there that looks like blue jeans

Or, her perfume - you know what that is I hope

Or, slippers - you better get the right ones or she'll ask you to take them back

I bet you can beat Wal Mart's prices at Best Buy or Costco. Love Dad

2011 Christmas request to a wife from her husband:

Husband (H):  Honey, what would you like for Christmas?

Wife (W):  I don't know, surprise me.

H:  Do you want something like a sweater?

W:  Why not something like lingerie?

H:  What kind?

W:  Please don't make me get online and show you.  Surprise me.

H:  Well, if you get online and show me and I pay for it...it would be a surprise.

2011 Christmas hint from a boyfriend to a girlfriend:

Boyfriend:  What do you want for Christmas this year?

Girlfriend:  I don't need anything.  What do you want for Christmas?

Boyfriend:  A new golf club.

Girlfriend:  What kind?

Boyfriend:  Wait a minute...scratch that, I'll get that myself however I can provide you with a list of other ideas.

Girlfriend:  That won't be needed, the elves will figure it out.

2011 Funny Christmas list from mother to her children:
1 Magenta colored crayon
4 marbles that are yellow inside
box of toothpicks
fuzzy bunny slippers
a Hot Wheels version of the Oscar Mayer wiener mobile

just add water instant underpants
a pad of post-it notes
a green highlighter
a 40 watt light bulb
wheat penny
peacock feather
Burger King crown
 

2012 Christmas Gift of the Month list to get you ready for next year:

January:  Join a case of beer of the month club 

February: Sign up for a wine of the month club

March:  Go online and click on Hawaiian flower of the month (deliver anywhere)

April:  Give a gourmet chocolate of the month club

May: A spa service once a month gift

June: Register for a quarterly sporting event or concert (football, basketball, Def Leppard)

July:  A get away of the month (cabins, beaches, B&Bs, camping)
August: The gift of a hobby (beginning classes in quilting, card making, photography)

September:  Order a book of the month

October: Deliver a cookie of the month

November: Sign up for an International newspaper or magazine delivery

December:  Decide never to do Christmas "wish" lists again

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year everyone.  Remember the reason for the season.  Peace to you and yours.

Barb, the tool girl, Richey

I got the house.  He got the tools.

While I was at my aunt and uncle's house over the Thanksgiving holiday, the dinner conversation was random.  It included the occasional political jabs, why don't you eat turkey talk and my story about locating the best ladder for my light bulb changing duties.  My uncle asked, "why don't you have a ladder?"  At which I point I said, "I am waiting for it to go on sale at Costco."  -- right, like things go on sale at Costco.  

It then became a "he said, she said" exchange:

He said, "Well, what kind of tools do you have?

I said, "Right now, I am in the market for them."

He said, "you don't have tools?"

I said, "I have a $19.95 set with pink handles that I purchased at the grocery store."

He said, "Are you scared of tools?"

I said, "Ahhh.  No."

He said, "Do you know how to use tools?"

I said, without being disrespectful, "Really unc, yes, I know how to use them.  Mark took them when we divorced."  Hence, my statement...I got the house.  He got the tools.

To know my uncle (my mom's brother) a bit, consider this: 

Unc is a 75 year old man with a passion for collecting vintage toy trucks (he actually has a company; Semi Trucks).  He doesn't believe in the Internet so he travels across the country with a trailer and sets up shop at small flea markets, toy shows and any random casino parking lot between here and Dubuque. My aunt enjoys the penny slots so she travels with him when she's not working part time at Shopko - I think that's how they support their travels or it may be a place for her to escape for a few hours.  They've been married thirty plus years. 

My uncle was a chip buyer for the local paper mill.  He retired fifteen years ago and has since taken up puttering.   He's made clocks.  He's constructed bathrooms.  He's built fences. He's taken on photography.  And,  boy does he have tools.  My grandpa's tools.  And, a few of his own.

I spent this morning with my uncle.  He put together a tool "box" for me.  It's my grandpa's tool box from long ago.  It's my starter set.  I am quite excited to watch it grow.  I hope to have a garage like my unc's one day (pictured above). In fact, he asked me if I wanted an air compressor.  Ha.  "No, thanks, not right now, let me think about that and get back to you."

 

Take Five - What is your life about

Please take five minutes and watch (and listen) to this video.  Thank you for sharing, Kelly.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MaYh-KN94Ko

Confessions

I've had wind storms for the past 7 days at my house.  I fear wind storms.  I realize that Mother Nature brings all of her glory with her when she arrives in the winter to the Pacific Northwest but wind storms?  I live on a bluff - not covered by much so I'm pretty sure I get the storms from Alaska (in eastern Washington).  In fact, when the wind hit 40 mph the other night, I felt like Dorothy and hello, I'm not in Kansas (and never have been). I will confess, I have the red heels.

Actually, this post isn't about my fears.  It is about my secret confession to be a beauty salon owner and stylist.  

It might have started when I was five years old.  I would comb my mom's hair.  I would comb my grandpa's hair and I would comb my own hair.  For hours.

A year before my grandma passed away, I would go to the care center once a week and either style or trim her hair.  I know I loved it more than she did. 

And don't kid yourself, women, you know who you are...you pick up a pair of tweezers or grooming shears and love to cut back those ear hairs and those nose hairs on your favorite partner.  Or, better yet, a straight edge disposable razor and remove the long stragglers on the neck line.

About ten years ago, my husband at the time (poor Mark, I'm sure that's one more reason why we aren't married now) had a mullet going on.  It was going to be weeks before he could get a haircut.  I said, "I can do it, we have a #2."  He was such an agreeable man. 

He sat down on the chair and I turned on the razor.  "Now, Barb, all you have to do is go from front to back."  

"OK," with excitement in my eyes.

It seemed to be going quite well until I realized I had turned the razor upside down.  Yikes.  I think he could see the fear in my eyes when I attempted to comb over the existing hair with the bald spot that I had just created.  "Um, you may have to take over."

He got up from the chair and looked in the mirror.  He agreed.  A comb over wasn't going to do the trick.  

Mark was bald that summer.   PS, We are still great friends despite the comb over (I mean, the break up).  

My mom and I have a special relationship.  Since I am a limited edition (and she is thankful every day she only had one of me), my mom and I spend quite a bit of time together.  On Thanksgiving, I noticed that she looked a bit tired (and whenever someone says you look tired...it's not a good thing) and her hair hadn't been primped in awhile (the entire family goes to the same hairdresser, Steve).  Another confession, I have cut my own hair in the past and I've seen other hairdressers - and don't kid yourself...you have too.

I texted my mom Friday (I love that my mom texts) and told her I had a surprise for her and I would meet her at my house after work.  

When she arrived later that day, I had a box of hair color laying on the table (an auburn/medium brown), makeup and calming lotion (yes, they make it).  

My mom is shy.  She gazed at the table full of beauty products. "What are we doing tonight?"  I said, "I think you need a pick me up."  

And she said in her polite manner, "I think you may need a pick me up."

She was right and I confess,  I did.  I put on my apron and went to town...on her hair. 

 

BEFORE

AFTER

Commence. A week of Thanksgiving around the world

Thanksgiving in North America had originated from a mix of European and Native traditions. Typically in Europe, festivals were held before and after the harvest cycles to give thanks for a good harvest and to rejoice together after much hard work with the rest of the community. 

At the time, Native Americans had also celebrated the end of a harvest season. When Europeans first arrived to the Americas, they brought with them their own harvest festival traditions from Europe, celebrating their safe voyage, peace and good harvest.

The origin of the first Thanksgiving in Canada goes back to the explorer, Martin Frobisher, who had been trying to find a northern passage to the Pacific Ocean. Frobisher's Thanksgiving celebration was not for harvest, but in thanks for surviving the long journey from England through the perils of storms and icebergs. 

Most days, I wake up and ask myself, "what am I thankful for today?" There are about seven items that come to mind:

1. My health

2. My family and friends

3. My job

4. My faith

5. Frankie and Cooper

6. My home (when I don't have to shovel snow)

7. Peace (at least in my little neck of the world)

At this time of year there are seven other items I am thankful for:

1. I don't eat turkey

2. I'm not a turkey

3. I am not a sitting member of the Super Committee

4  My aunt called and said she is making turkey and I am invited to her house

5. I have the day off

6. I am working on Black Friday

And number 7.  I don't eat tofurkey nor have I ever eaten tofurkey.

Please take time and express your gratitude this week and let the Thanksgiving festivities commence. 

Buying a car...Barb style

Did I need a new car?

No.

Did I want to help stimulate our economy?

That is the answer I am sticking with.

I set out to test drive a few cars.  Normally, I would find one that I adore and sign the papers but this time I was going to be adult about it and take a few for a test drive.

Luckily, I know a few fine folks at Foothills Lincoln Mazda in Spokane and they let me take a few cars for a few days and I was able to really test drive them.

First one, a Lincoln MKX.  Very pretty.  A 2008 black beauty. 

Second one, a Mazda CX9.  Very sporty.  A 2011 black beauty.  (Do you see a pattern)

I love SUVs but when I asked my dear friends about these two cars I received several comments:  You realize Lincolns are for old people?  The piping on the inside looks like a race car.  This is big...are you sure you can parallel park it.  Why do you need seven seats? And finally, one of the best, why get a new car anyway...your car is only two years old?

So, the real question...why do I need a new car? 

People take lots of pride in driving up in their brand new vehicle, but all too often people purchase cars that they can’t afford.  They do it more for image, status, and pure ego.  In the long run what they end up doing is robbing themselves of savings.  The first thing a person needs to ask is: Why Do I Think I Need A New Car?

• My car is too old
• My car is too ugly
• My car is about to break down
• The repairs are costing too much
• I need dependability
• I’ve had this car too long
• I don’t want it to depreciate much more

And the list goes on.  I've heard a lot of silly reasons as well, but it is usually because the person is saying anything they can to get into a new car.  Bottom line, I had 60,000 miles on my car.  I didn't need a new car at all.  I wanted one.

So, my third test drive.  A 2011 Silver Metallic Mazda CX7.  A bit smaller, bug deflector (very important), a Yakima rack (for what I am not sure) and a hitch for my bike rack (the most important thing).  Actually, that is coming...the rack needs to be put on.  See...it wasn't a perfect car.  However, it has a camera for my rear driving that I do (I try to stay away from that), blue tooth (which actually echoes and sounds like I am in a gas chamber and bun warmers.  

Done.  Purchased.  Who says "third time isn't a charm?"

I am a new owner of a new car.  I love America. Oh, that's right Ford sold Mazda. Or, did they?

Amidst the world financial crisis in the fall of 2008, reports emerged that Ford was contemplating a sale of its stake in Mazda as a way of streamlining its asset base. BusinessWeek explained the alliance between Ford and Mazda has been a very successful one, with Mazda saving perhaps $90 million a year in development costs and Ford "several times" that, and that a sale of its stake in Mazda would be a desperate measure. On November 18, 2008, Ford announced that it would be selling a 20% stake in Mazda, bringing its stake to 13.4%, and surrendering control of the company. The following day, Mazda announced that, as part of the deal, it was buying back 6.8% of its shares from Ford. It was also reported that Hisakazu Imaki would be stepping down as chief executive, to be replaced by Takashi Yamanouchi. On November 18, 2010, Ford reduced their stake further to just 3%, citing the reduction of ownership would allow greater flexibility to pursue growth in emerging markets. Ford and Mazda remain strategic partners through joint ventures and exchanges of technological information. Nice work guys.

Music Lessons

I love to sing.  I sing in the shower.  I sing in the car.  I sing at the gym. I sing in the grocery store.  I tend to make up lyrics and often times words and my beat and rhythm are spot on...in my mind. 

Actually, my mom asks me quite a bit if I flunked choir in high school.  I started singing in elementary school - I believe it was mandatory.  You know, the recitals and the plays?  Remember, the Christmas pageants and spring concerts?

I participated in all of them from elementary school to junior high and on into high school, I learned tons of songs.  The one's I remember the most were, "Frosty the Snowman" and "Edelweiss." Yes, I learned a pleothra of music however I didn't quite have the pipes for the Spokane Children's Choir (actually had to bow out and become a board member) nor did I try or get accepted to Juilliard School of Dance, Drama and Music however I do love to sing.  (By the way, I always wanted to be a soprano...but I am not...I am a proud alto). 

My father played the piano.  He was good.  My mom played the piano.  She was good.  

I took lessons.  I wasn't too good.  In fact, my piano teacher said I should try a new instrument. 

So, I picked up a piccolo. It was a bit embarrassing at the time. (PS, I still have it).  

Now that I am older, I find that it shouldn't of been embarrassing at all.  Heck, the piccolo (Italian for small) is a half-size flute, and a member of the woodwind family of musical instruments. The piccolo has the same fingerings as its larger sibling, the standard transverse flute, but the sound it produces is an octave higher than written. This gave rise to the name "ottavino," the name by which the instrument is referred to in the scores of Italian composers. John Philip Sousa wrote the famous solo in the final repeat of the closing section (trio) of his march "The Stars and Stripes Forever."

For those of you who know me, I have quite a bit of air.  In junior high, I picked up the trumpet and decided to give it a whirl.  It wasn't the saxophone...which is the "coolest" of the horns but it appeared to be lighter for me to carry/hold.  I played in the city band.  Yes, everyone, the city band.  

I was proud to play the trumpet (I don't have it anymore).  The trumpet is the musical instrument with the highest register in the brass family. Trumpets are among the oldest musical instruments, dating back to at least 1500 BCE. 

So, why do I tell you about my music lessons?  I think everyone should try one or two.  Why?  

Music brings people together.  It allows us to experience emotions.  And, above all music gives us soul.  

Music leads to singing, dancing and eating.  

It brings spirit to the world.  

5 weekends, 4 rides, 3 events, 2 funerals and a wedding

Today marks Columbus Day.  I know this because I am fortunate enough to have today off.  I work in the financial industry and no, I'm not a high priced exec on Wall Street.

I had a post already to go yesterday and after an hour of writing, it was no where to be found.  Very similar to Christopher Columbus.  I was surprised when I clicked to Google this morning and they didn't have a picture of the man who looks like a woman or any of the apparati he may have used to navigate his expedition. 

According to Wikipedia:  he was an explorer, colonizer, and navigator, born in the Republic of Genoa, in northwestern Italy. Under the auspices of the Catholic Monarchs of Spain, he completed four voyages across the Atlantic Ocean that led to general European awareness of the American continents in the Western Hemisphere. Those voyages, and his efforts to establish permanent settlements in the island of Hispaniola, initiated the process of Spanish colonization, which foreshadowed the general European colonization of the "New World."  

So, today, Columbus Day, is officially a day when the people of the USA are invited to celebrate the anniversary of the discovery of their country with church services and other activities. Most celebrations are concentrated around the Italian-American community.  In Hawaii, Columbus Day is also known as Landing Day or Discoverers' Day. 

The last five weekends I have traveled on the road and was unable to blog.  I know some of you missed me, and I am sure many of you didn't but I thought it might be fun to share where I've been and the journey I took to get there. Let's call it, "My little Columbus Journey."

The last few weekends mark the end to summer and the start of the Fall season.  Why not start it out with a trip to Seattle?

• University of Washington vs. Eastern Eagles.  We showed up in full force that day in Seattle. Not only was it sunny, some say, the bluest skies are found in Seattle, but we fought hard and were just three points shy of coming out of Husky Stadium with a "W."   Go eagles!  I had some time to take in a few sites and cycled along the waterfront and the piers.

• Next up, another weekend on the coast to attend a funeral of a colleague from work and Lake Limerick to visit family.  My mom was a real trooper on this trip as I drug her to the North Bend Outlet Mall.  Thanks mom for going on another road trip with me (weeks prior we went to Tekoa, Washington for my 94 year old great aunt Fern's funeral.  A little known fact...my aunt is the reigning watermelon seed spitting champion (not in the Guinness Book of Records mind you but Tekoa). 

• A bachelorette party in Anaconda, Montana for my friend, Michelle, was on the docket for the following weekend.  Let's just say, "what happens in Anaconda, Montana stays in Anaconda, Montana.  One hint, it involved the electric slide."

• A quick visit six days later to Yakima, Washington for a bike ride and a winery visit to Windy Slopes.  Nice people there at Windy Slopes.  Mike and his wife, Liz, have created a well-liked and respected winery.  Mike brings more than 35 years of farming experience to the vineyard, along with a hard-earned reputation for producing fruit of the very highest standard. As the winemaker, Liz has worked hard to produce the best quality wine, which has been represented by the awards she has earned on her 2004 Syrah, 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon and her Cabernet Franc/Merlot blend, Exclamation Point! 

•  The summer wouldn't be complete without attending the actual wedding of my friend Michelle.  Michelle and Scott Morley were married on October 1 in a beautiful church, St. Timothy's, in Georgetown Lake, Montana.  The groomsmen wore kilts.  They told us they weren't baring it all however only one of them showed us his bloomers.  The bridesmaids (of which I was one), donned in crimson (in honor of the University of Montana Grizzlies - Michelle's alma mater).  It was tough to wear Griz colors but the dress was so darn beautiful, I was honored to do it.

And, so my adventures continue.  I am packing to leave for Washington DC tomorrow.  I won't be sailing the oceans blue like Christopher Columbus did but will be flying the friendly skies.

Take in the aromas of the season.  Enjoy the colors, the crisp nights and the beauty of your journey.

Wheelchair bound, anyone?

My mom and I traveled to Seattle this weekend.  We headed over for a quick trip; hit a funeral, visited relatives, saw an old college roommate and shopped the premium outlet mall in North Bend.  

My mom is 71 years old.  Her mind is keen and she is spry however she needs a hip replacement...about 10 years past due.  

I realize I am not the parent in this relationship but as her one and only limited edition (only child), I think it would be wise if she'd hang up the cane and either get a motorized scooter or invest in the 21st century tools available for ailing knees, hips and other body parts where they stiffen up and stop working after 4 pm.

I admire her tenacity and her ability to care for the elderly.  She volunteers four times a week for a senior care center and believe it or not, some of them can run, she, on the other hand cannot.  It happened several years ago.  I've asked her if she had polio as a child or if she was born with one short leg but she can't recall.  Did you fall?  Did you go to the doctor?  PS, she hasn't had a physical in 40 years.

On this very sunny day in North Bend, a community nestled under Mt. Si, mom and I were on a mission to shop.  I told her we'd check out a wheelchair.  "Really, I've never been in a wheelchair," she said.  "Well, you've never seen me power shop through a mall before either."  My mom eats really slow (great for digestion - not so great as a slow walker).  

I placed her in the wheelchair and we were off.  First stop, a nice undergarment shop.  The door (not wide enough for a wheelchair), needed to be open on both sides.  One of the nice attendants noticed we were having a bit of trouble and jumped to our rescue.  

This happened over and over again.

The aisles were narrow.  We were unable to navigate most stores. 

The parents with strollers.  Same thing.

Just a bit of advice store owners...we purchase items.  We stimulate the economy.

Why don't you accommodate for special needs?

All of us will have aging parents.  

Ask the question.  

"Mom, will you please get a hip replacement?"  I want you to walk on your own.  I don't want to place you in a stroller.  Your too old for that.

I will step down off my parent soapbox and say, "mom, I had fun."

In the Pit

It's not the Indy 500 or the Daytona 500.  The smells may be the same, the cars have the same purr but the sites and access were different.  

It was my first experience at a drag strip.  Yes, the Spokane Raceway Park.  It was 97 degrees, there were about 20 fans in the stands.  I asked my friend, "should I bring ear plugs?"  She said, "oh no, it's not like a concert where it's consistent."  I shouldn't of listened.  You see my ears are 10 years older than hers.  

She took us to the special check in point where we received orange wrist bands.  I signed on the dotted line to have entry to this area.  Some how, I asked myself why I had to sign to receive a paper wrist band but I was curious and printed away.  

Before all of that, I entered the park with several options to choose (none of which I knew where they went).  One was entry to the track, "no, probably not a good idea."  The other, exit off the track.  "Why yes, that sounds good."  Not so much.  I spotted my friend waving her hands.  "You do realize this is the return lane for those cars that just got done racing?"

No.  I didn't know.  It's quite confusing.  Not a lot of signage.  Which, I thought for a race track, they would be good at that.  After all, the racers use signs to stop, go, slow, speed, caution, and breathe.

I was quite amazed that Spokane County has a couple of race tracks - a drag strip and a full round.  I was introduced along time ago to the horse track and the greyhound dog park (not to be confused with the new type of dog parks) but this type of track doesn't allow betting.  They should.  Because they don't allow ice cream.

It's the hottest day of the year and the announcer (while waiting endless minutes to see racers) announced, "get your nachos, pulled pork sandwiches and ice cream at the snack truck" - Daddy's Belly Deli to be exact.

Of course, we tried to order ice cream.  "We can't sell you ice cream today.  We have it but I would get in trouble if I sold it to you."

Really. This makes for quite an interesting exchange.  To watch this unfold is something.  What do you say to that?  On the other hand, they have 2 lbs of french fries (the TUB) or hot peanuts on the menu.

But no ice cream. 

We made our way down to the track.  The point at which I should've pulled out my ear plugs.  Oh, that's right I didn't bring them.

It was a special place,  the Pit.  Wait, there's another name for it.  The burnout box.  My question, "do you get into the burnout box or do you stand in the burnout box?"  Neither.

You follow your very knowledgeable friend, hold your breath from the diesel fumes, plug your ears, pray that the spinning wheels don't come off and watch with excitement your first ever drag race.  It's not just cars either; snowmobiles, motorcycles and an occasional lawn mower (I didn't witness the lawn mower) but I would love to race a golf cart.

I worked at Schuck's Auto Supply for a few years in college.  I was a parts associate.  I know a bit about oil filers, radiators, air filters, batteries, alternators and wind shield wiper blades so that might have prepared me for the drag races.  No.  It didn't.  I didn't think a car could fly going 140 miles or that women rule behind the wheel. 

Congratulations to Robert (his 1963 Dodge pictured).  You didn't win this race but it's about winning the the race of life. 

Thank you, Tamitha, you do know a lot about cars (your dad would be proud).

And, Corey, what can I say, thanks for telling me to turn left so I didn't drive my 2009 Mazda Tribute on the track because God knows they would've let me race.  

Anything goes at the Spokane Raceway Park EXCEPT ice cream.

What's Barb's next big adventure? Please answer my question...

I just finished my first triathlon.  Yes, I made it! After three weeks of learning how to swim, I struggled through the people and the seaweed, the muck and the merck.  Biked my heart out and ran to the finish.

Now, I would like all of you to determine what is next for me.  

You pick...the highest vote wins.  Some examples:  "Barb, why don't you learn how to snowboard or sky dive?  Or, how about a biathlon or travel to Ireland"

It's your turn.  What is my next adventure? 

You'll have seven days to share your thoughts and three days to vote.  Starting now...

A fish out of water, Barb learns how to swim

Learning how to swim at 41 years old was never my dream.  In fact, I had to sign up for a triathlon to make myself learn to swim.  My triathlon is August 21 in Medical Lake, Washington.   First the swim, then bike, finished off by a nice run.  

My best friend, Angela Brown is a bit to blame.  She said, "hey, want to do a triathlon with me?"  Can I really say no to my best friend?  Yes, I can if I had good boundaries and her pleading and cajoling didn't work.  I told her I didn't know how to swim back in March when we signed up.  She explained that the "Y" teaches swim lessons.  Well, the "Y" does teach beginning swim lessons.  They begin in May.  May came and went and I still hadn't taken swim lessons.  

Then June.  No swim lessons.  July came and I still hadn't entered the water.  Why?  Hydrophobia? No, I am not scared of water.  In fact, I take a shower everyday.  Was it procrastination?  

Yes.  

I suffer from what psychologists, Schraw, Wadkins, and Olafson have proposed; three criteria for a behavior to be classified as procrastination: it must be counterproductive, needless and delaying.  Similarly, Steel (2007) reviewed all previous attempts to define procrastination, indicating it is "to voluntarily delay an intended course of action despite expecting to be worse off for the delay."

So, after doing a bit of research,  two weeks ago I took my first tadpole class with my infamous personal trainer, Grant Smith. Thank you to Kevin (my surrogate father), I was learning how to swim.  I've had four lessons now and my real test was swimming in lake water this week.  I attempted twice and lived to write about it.  In fact, I swam 1/4 mile in 22 minutes.  

I know three strokes:  

1.  the crawl (which isn't very pretty and seems to steam up my goggles and adds additional water up my nose)

2.  the breaststroke (had to scrap the legs on this one - I don't have rhythm and couldn't perform the necessary moves to successfully pass the Grant test)

3.  the side stroke (otherwise known as the picking apple stroke and God knows I love apples)

And, one lifesaving technique - how to tread water.  Yes, Grant, that might have been helpful to learn day one.

I think learning how to swim in your forties isn't a good idea.  It probably would've been better at age 4 however I am learning other lessons about myself:

1.  patience

2.  don't panic under pressure

3.  enjoy the moment

4.  experience new things

5.  lake water doesn't taste good

6.  when friends are hitting you repeatedly (while swimming next to you) to get you used to triathlon swimming, it creates bruising on forearms and legs

7.  self reflection

8.  seaweed is nasty

9.  never underestimate the power of prayer

10.  signing up for something with your best friend is a commitment

Changing faces of currency?

A rumor?

Or, fact?

Is our government really looking at changing the faces on our paper currency?  Or, adding additional coins like the Susan B. Anthony dollars?

Why?

Could you imagine...

Or would it be Reagan? Ted Kennedy? Obama?  And, not Osama. 

We could take it back to the days of livestock, particularly cattle, and plant products such as grain, when they were used as money in many different societies at different periods. Cattle are probably the oldest of all forms of money, as domestication of animals tended to precede the cultivation of crops, and were still used for that purpose in parts of Africa in the middle of the 20th century.

Going back to:

405 BC	Aristophanes' comedy The Frogs is produced
In the play Aristophanes refers to how the new, inferior coins have displaced the old superior ones from circulation - probably the world's first statement of Gresham's law, that bad money drives out good.

390 BC	The Gauls attack Rome
The cackling of geese in the capitol, where the city's reserves of money are kept, alerts the defenders. The grateful Romans build a shrine to Moneta, the goddess of warning, and from Moneta the words money and mint are derived.

313 Christianity becomes the official faith of the Roman Empire Constantine adopts Christianity and following his conversion, he confiscates the enormous treasures amassed over the centuries in the pagan temples throughout the empire. Consequently, unlike Diocletian, he has easily enough bullion to replace the earlier debased gold coinage. However he continues to produce debased silver and copper coins. Thus the poor, unlike the rich, are left with an inflation-ridden currency.
c. 435	Coins cease to be used in Britain as a medium of exchange
As a result of the Anglo-Saxon invasions Britain, uniquely among the former Roman provinces, ceases to use coins as money for nearly 200 years. When they are re-introduced from the Continent they are used initially for ornament.

																																												So, what does this all mean? You tell me.  With the advent of the iPhone, auto payments, etc. Money transfer will be the No. 1 consumer application in year 2012, according to Nov. 18 report from consultant Gartner. The app is expected to have more revenue potential than mobile search and browsing, mobile health monitoring and mobile music. In fact, mobile transfers are expected to be an even bigger business than various types of mobile payments, such as using cell phones to pay for produce at grocery stores or for your favorite experiences.  The bigger question, do we still need money?

Footloose and Fancy Free

It's the clash of the generations.  

Last weekend, I entertained a few friends.  It was a nice and relaxing Sunday afternoon. From 55 year olds to 29 year olds.  The weather was hot (finally).  The BBQ was working overtime with a secret recipe for chicken (not tofu) and the laughs could be heard blocks away.  Cigars.  Mojitos. Organic carrots. Purified water.

The best things about my friends are they are an eclectic bunch.  Some are democrats, some republicans, some have children, others don't but above all we love music.  It was a bit frightening however when some grabbed their iPhones and iPods and we began a war of the songs.  I proceeded to the record player and reached for some vinyl.  

My friend who will remain nameless (Tamitha), had no idea what/who Footloose was.  What?  "You don't know what Footloose is?"

I believe the look of horror took her by surprise.  "Play me a song or two and I might recognize it."  "Doubtful," I said, "it's a movie from the early 80s but the soundtrack, very nice.

You see, the movie came out in 1984 and she was born in 1981. But really, it's pop culture trivia, people.

A few more:

Def Leppard - "Pour Some Sugar on Me" (one of the most popular Karoke songs ever) sung by most Gen Y's.

Dexys Midnight Runners - “Come on Eileen”

Flock of Seagulls - “I Ran (So Far Away)”

A-Ha - “Take On Me”

Tommy Tutone - “867-5309 - Jenny/Jenny"  (Truax, it's not my new phone number)

Soft Cell - Tainted Love”

Toni Basil - “Mickey” (And, my personal favorite Karoke song)

Modern English - “I Melt With You”

Bow Wow Wow - “I Want Candy”

Kajagoogoo - “Too Shy”

Frankie Goes to Hollywood -  “Relax” (And, who my cat is named after)

Gary Numan - “Cars”

Animotion - “Obsesssion”

And, last but definitely not least, Thomas Dolby - “She Blinded Me With Science”

What I enjoy the most,  is bringing people together who wouldn't normally come together.  One thing is clear, I am the common denominator and I truly appreciate all of you.  So, on this fourth of July weekend, please know whether you are here with me or far away, I am thinking about you and just for old times sake, listen to, Bruce Springsteen's, Born in the USA.  Or, for my international friends, take a listen to Bruce's, Glory Days. 

Please tell me you know who Bruce Springsteen is!

Be safe.

Peace out, yo.