Thursday, May 04, 2006

Where Have I Been?

Long time no write. First, thanks to those who have kindly emailed or called to ask if I have died or something. And for those kind folks who took the time to actually make a phone call, I have a question: If you thought I had died, why did you call me? Seriously, I want to know because my phone has nowhere near that kind of range and reception and I'd love to know where you got yours. Anyway, no, I haven't died yet. At least I don't think so. Although, if I have in fact died, you will be pleased to know that there is chocolate in the afterlife! On the other hand, the treadmill is still here so perhaps (and this is the more likely scenario) I've been condemned to the Satanic realm. But hey, at least we have chocolate!

Life has been busy. For starters, I've fallen off the wagon. It's very sad and Hubs is thinking of staging an intervention. I refer of course to computer Solitaire. I realized a couple of years ago that I was wasting entirely too much time playing this game and in the end deleted the game from the computer. But that was the old computer. This is a new computer and sadly I have heard and answered the irresistible siren call of the cyberworld: Solitaire.

It may be okay for some people to play this game once in awhile, but I'm not one of those people. For me it's best to stay away from it all together. (I'm thinking it's probably a good idea I've never tried drugs or alcohol. I'd probably be ready to enter rehab within a week.) I now understand the desperation in my child's voice when he begs for "just one more game". What is this compelling need to see if this time I can go just a little faster, score more points, and see if my will to play is stronger than my desire to avoid carpal tunnel surgery? There is an answer of course. I believe it's called OCD. That's okay, though. There's medication for that. But lest you think I've just been sitting here for a month playing Solitaire, I would like to point out that I've been doing other things. And they have been exciting things too. For example, I've been playing Tetris on Nintendo with Son.

For those who haven't played Tetris before, it's a game in which differently shaped blocks fall from the top of the screen and the object of the game is to fit them into place forming a solid bar at the bottom of the screen. Once a bar is complete it vanishes. If the bars have gaps, they stay there and eventually build up to the top of the screen at which point Son yells HAHAHAHA! (Translation: Mom lost.) Not that this has been a total waste of time. First of all, I take advantage of every chance I have to spend with Son. He's already reached the age when having parents in public is absolutely mortifying. I figure it's only a matter of time before he realizes we are every bit as embarrassing at home. But wait! There's more! Not only do I get to spend time with Son, I can also pack a suitcase more efficiently, load a trunk full of groceries, and make the most of my cupboard and closet space! Thank you, Tetris!

I've also been spending a lot of time outside. Spring has finally decided to make an appearance here. We have a big yard and there are endless landscaping possibilities. The previous owners left wonderful flower beds and a HUGE lawn. There's nothing actually IN the flower beds, but they are there and I've spent much of my time outside working on them. Oh okay, I've spent a lot of time sitting on the deck thinking about working on them. Considering my lack of a green thumb (or any other green digits) I may be better off planting silk flowers in the yard like one of our neighbors does. (I'm serious here. Silk flowers. Year round.) So anyone with ideas for something simple (read low maintenance) and hard to kill, please let me know. I'll get Hubs to plant it right away.

I've realized, however, that this life of laziness and obsessive compulsive computer game playing can't last forever. And don't think I'm not really sad about that. But I've accumulated stories to tell over the last month, including the tale of the latest April Fool's joke on my brother. So I'll be back! (Just let me play one more game of Solitaire first.)

14 comments:

stacey said...

Thank you! And thanks for commenting.

Anonymous said...

Missed you!!

Now get busy on that flowerbed!

Ronni said...

Howling, here! Thanks, Stacey, I needed a good laugh!

stacey said...

Well Ronni, I'm sitting here listening to Joe David's CD. It's wonderful. So you are more than welcome.

Anonymous said...

I love Tetris! My eyes glaze over just thinking about it! Don't get started with the Mah Jong. It takes too long to lose!

Plant marigolds in sunny spots. Lobelia (blue) is a nice contrast. Impatiens grow well in shady spots. All of them have survived my yard. Go look and see what strikes you. Most of all, enjoy!

Anonymous said...

Good day to you, Missy!

I wondered where you where. Now, I know.

I need a surgical operation to get me away from those bouncing thingies, that knock the blocks away.

I'm okay, if I say 'no', but don't let me start a game....!

Anonymous said...

I can relate. I doubt I'll be able to tear myself away from Pop N Drop to attend my own funeral.

Anonymous said...

I'm glad you're back, Stacey!

If you're looking for an annual flower, whether in pots or planted in the ground, I like Wave Petunias. There is one trick though, you have to plant them with the secret Charlie ingredient.

Charlie Chan

Anonymous said...

Hiya, Stacey--- I'm so glad you're not dead! I think I'm in a totally different planting zone than you are, but I have excellent luck with daylilies and wisteria, and vinca and hostas in the shade. And I'm such a non-gardener that I've had plants die in the car on the way home from the nursery, committing hari-kari because they've heard about me and want to take the fast way out. I love gardening, but there IS an energy barrier to getting started.....

stacey said...

Hannah, thanks so much. Your comment really made me laugh!

Anonymous said...

Oddly enough, I've been busy too, with two shows and alterations for prom. I'm going to work for the costumer next week.

stacey said...

Hiya Scourge! What an honor to have you, Scourge of the whole entire internet (and isolated phone booths) right here on my blog!

Moderator said...

Solitaire is a gateway game that can lead to other, harder games like Minesweeper and Internet Reversi.

stacey said...

Hi Grant. I know what you mean. I'm wondering if there's some kind of 12-step program I can join. This is getting out of control!