Mulligan

"Do Over!" We used to yell that as kids on the playground when something got messed up or was no longer going the way we hoped.

If I could do it over, I'd enjoy more of my teen years. Really get to know the Edie of 14-20... and, maybe study a little harder.

If I could do it over, I'd spend more time with my nieces as they were growing up...man, they grew up WAY too fast.

If I could do it over, I would keep that house in Suwanee...it would almost be paid off by now.

Even with this list, there are not many things I want to repeat - but there are times when I wish I could change what I said, how I reacted or just the events that followed.

Now is one of those times.

Reunion

It's been 20 years since highschool...a little shocking really and, I know - predictable. But as I have been preparing for our gathering, I've been thinking about all that happened while we were there and all that has happened since. We walked in very young- directly from elementary school and only 8 years out of pre-school. We learned a lot in our classes and more than we should have from our elders.

I think of the questions that will be asked and the answers I'll be prepared to give...

I was. I am. I don't. And, I Wouldn't change a thing.


I was... Stuff happens and I'm better for it.
I am... And proud of it
I don't, but yours are lovely...
And, just like the end of our time in school, I wouldn't change a thing.

Blessed

Driving down the highway tonight, I peered off to the left. The lighting was perfect, the sun just dipping below the horizon, leaving the pinks, purples and violets as backdrops to the thousands of lighted homes in the valley. The cars around me worked in concert to avoid the more than occasional road hazard. The pedestrians taking the chance again of crossing the highway so as to avoid a much longer, maybe even uncharted, but safer route seemed to be soothed by this lighting as well. There's that moment - it doesn't happen every day...sometimes we don't notice it for months on end during our rushed lives. But, every once in a very great while, there's that perfect light...that airy breath of a breeze...that amazing hum of the world around us that reminds us of the miracles, the blessings, we are granted daily.

Too much or too little

As I look around, I see a lack of moderation pervading our world.

Today, for instance, I am sitting outside the hotel in Goiania. The room leaves a bit to be desired when it comes to Comfort...ironic because I am staying at the Comfort Suites Flamboyant which would not credibly be described by any of those words. Too little.

The man just to my left is, at once, too much and too little. His body hair - too much...I know shag is the fad, but damn. His bathing suit - too little (but looks to be JUST the right size to cover his goods).

I've been working too much and playing too little. Let's fix that.

But seriously...TOO much back hair surrounding this pool.

Pants on Fire

I lie to myself. It's true. Today, for instance, I'm lying about my eyes. They are clearly watering... irritated by something I can't quite identify. In truth, I know, it's probably the pollen which has overwhelmed Atlanta. Others have suffered miserably for years because of the yellow swarm, but I am a native. I grew up with this stuff and I proudly pronounce, "it doesn't bother me". I presume it is much like a person who lives in higher elevations meeting others who aren't used to the thinner air. I have never been "weak" when it comes to living here and I'm not quite ready to admit that I might be succumbing to pollen's power.

So, for now, I do not have allergies...

I also lie about my ability to enjoy late nights and function well the next morning. There were times in my life a couple of hours of sleep would suffice and I'd start again. This is no longer the case - honestly - though, I am not yet ready to admit this either.

For now, I'm still young enough...

I also tend to believe I keep up with relationships. Sadly, I could be mistaken here. I believe that my friends know I am thinking of them often and mean to speak with them just as often. I think they know I want nothing more than to spend more time visiting, working in their yards, traveling and laughing with them. But, I let other items get in the way...I guess I am ready to admit I'm not the best at maintaining relationships.

Now, I'll work on it.

Hold onto yer butts!

From time to time, I find myself thinking of making a dramatic life change. And, no, it's not a midlife thing (frankly, I've always thought it presumptive to think that 40 is "midlife" - no one knows what will happen tomorrow).

No, it is more because, as I live day to day, I find that my life goals change. When I was 20 (young, dumb and newly married), I wanted 6 kids and I wanted them as soon as possible. True, at this point in life, they'd all be almost grown, but I think my lifespan might well have been decreased by decades too. From 25 to 30, I still thought I wanted the big house and the white picket fence...now, I feel like simplifying.

But, a couple of years ago, my best friend gave me a little plaque that says, "this life is not a dress rehearsal" and, it is a great reminder every day. With my friend making a move of her own (inadvertently changing my life too), I'm ready to chase a dream. Fasten your seat belts.

Advertising genius...

One day, not too long ago (ok, it was probably over a year ago, but time is relative after all), I was driving to Zuffy's Place (my favorite sports bar). As I neared the turn and slowed to a stop for the light, I saw the most clever sign. In fact, not only clever, but I knew from the time I read it that the owner of this car wash was brilliant.

You see, it's not the best part of town - not the worst. And, frankly, no one would say this location was the best, but the people who live in the area are a mix between the very hard-working blue collar types and the yuppies just past their party primes. I figured the car wash would have a set of usual customers having their cars cleaned on payday for a date night and this sign was a way to invite the higher-browed locals too.

See, here's the thing... the sign read simply:

"Carpe Shampoo"

And, then, I realized, it was probably not a clever invite, but a slip of a letter and I turned right.