1. Amazing family and friends! I’ve got a cold this year…and since I don’t want to pass it on, I’ll be staying home today. But I think I might have a visit later on
2. A quick recovery from some pretty serious surgery. BTW…don’t be afraid to ask your surgeon if he or she can do an necessary surgery via laparoscopy…the healing from that is SO much easier and pain free!
3. Delicious smells coming from the kitchen. It would be nice to relive the smells from my aunt’s kitchen during all the Thanksgivings we shared there growing up.
4. The ability to be able to sit. Don’t take it for granted! I haven’t been able to sit for more than 30 minutes since 11/6 and I tell you what…I’m SO looking forward to being able to sit again!
5. Good insurance. I am exceeding lucky in that I have great insurance via my job. This whole thing has opened my eyes in so many different ways.
6. The ability to renew my registration online…even on a holiday!
7. That Wolf and Jen have hit it off so well! I swear, he’s madly in love with her LOL! Of course, she pets him the whole time she’s here and is usually on the floor with him, so of COURSE he loves her LOL!
8. Even though my home is constantly filled with dog hair (I could vacuum multiple times a day and still there would be hair), I wouldn’t trade my Wolfie for anything.
9. The ability to vacuum again! I went over the house today top to bottom and boy did it need it!
10. That I’m comfortable enough with my own company and am never bored…a good thing when you’re homebound!
11. The view outside my kitchen window and sliding glass door in the living room. Yesterday I saw 4 bluejays, a pair of cardinals, and quite a few other birds just flying by. The bluejays have been visiting my balcony from time to time…I’m not supposed to put out anything for them but…a little bit of seed can’t hurt, right?
12. Books! If you love to read, you’re never at a loss for something to do.
13. The tv has been keeping me company often lately. I never watched a lot of tv but lately…it’s all my mind can handle. Food TV, Sons of Anarchy, Fringe; these are some of my favorites. What shows do you like?

Happy Thanksgiving to all who celebrate it!!!

Just another Manic Monday!

You have a brain tumor. Though there is no discomfort at the moment, this tumor would unquestionably kill you in six months. However, your life can (and will) be saved by an operation; the only downside is that there will be a brutal incision to your frontal lobe. After the surgery, you will be significantly less intelligent. You will still be a fully functioning adult, but you will be less logical, you will have a terrible memory, and you will have little ability to understand complex concepts or difficult ideas. The surgery is in two weeks.

How do you spend the next fourteen days? Hmmm, this is a difficult question. I think, depending on the time of year I would either go back to Paris or Japan. I can’t make up my mind! Maybe 4 days in Paris, the rest of the time in Japan…sigh…I really miss Japan a lot. There, I’ve made a decision! Of course, I already have a horrible memory and I’m not at all logical and…what were we talking about?

Every person you have ever slept with is invited to a banquet where you are the guest of honor. No one will be in attendance except you, the collection of your former lovers, and the catering service. After the meal, you are asked to give a fifteen-minute speech to the assembly.

What do you talk about? HAHAHA Lisa! I had this very dream, as I expect lots of folks have. First of all, I hate public speaking, but I think I’d feel comfortable with all those adoring (ahahahah) eyes on me. I would talk about what exactly attracted me to each of these people, although I’m not sure I could do that in just 15 minutes LOL! But I’d give it a try. My first thought was I’d point out their shortcomings, but I’m not that person anymore. It sure would be nice to see some of them!

You have won a prize. The prize has two options, and you can choose either (but not both). The first option is a year in Europe with a monthly stipend of $2,000. The second option is ten minutes on the moon.

Which option do you select? Oh holy MOG the European option without a second thought! I’m pretty sure I could get by on $500/week for a year…and maybe I could sell some of my photographs for more money. Imagine touring Europe for a year!!! Let’s go!!!

Photohunt courtesy of TNChick:

What better bird to focus on (pun!) this week than a turkey!

Saw this guy strolling across someone’s lawn. What a beauty!

And…here we go!

1. We need more compassion and quiet understanding…and love.
2. The nurses yesterday told me they were very happy with my recovery and it made me smile.
3. If you want to know what I think about anything, just ask.
4. I love to listen to the rain because it’s a very soothing sound..
5. Massachusetts has a proposed 5% sales tax on elective cosmetic surgery; I think potentially it’s a great idea (i.e., botox, etc.), but not if it’s abused (use your common sense).
6. No drama makes for a happy holiday.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to healing, tomorrow my plans include more healing and Sunday, I want to be surprised!

Come play along at the new Thursday-13 Hq!

Snapshot of Thirteen Things during the month of October
(borrowed from Dawn)

1) photo of me: I was SO thrilled to find out H Mart had finally opened!

2) current candle scents: Still ‘Incense Spirit’ by West Elm!

3) what i am currently reading: Drood by Dan Simmons…LOVED it!

4) newest music i added to my playlist: ahhhh, it was quiet musically

5) movies i saw: I don’t think I saw one in the theater in October…

6) something yummy i made this month: Roasted pumpkin…kabocha, a Japanese type. There’s a similar type grown in the US called butter top…so good, you don’t have to add butter or sugar or anything!

7) the last place i ate out: Forte, in Jamestown NY. Delicious as always! Thanks, Kim

8.) something that made me cry: Crying isn’t something that comes easily to me, really. Wait til next month’s tho!

9) something that made me laugh: My surgeon saying that he was going to start using the term, “peach ass” lmao!

10) something i looked forward to this month: Quite a few things; Halloween, POTC and the Haunted Mansion, spending time with friends, and visiting Lilydale while spending the weekend with Kim, Mo & Betsy up in Jamestown.

11) something i am thankful for: So many things, really. My friends, who make things easier for me; being able to take two trips with short notice, just before my surgery; red velvet cake; that Max & Wolf are happy and healthy.

12) something i want to remember about this month: The reading I had with the medium on the day before Halloween…she was amazing, truly!

13) a photo i took this month: Here’s a few I really liked…

1. pumpkin juice!, 2. Muddy Creek Church cemetery, 3. one of Wolf’s fav spots, 4. pausing a moment before blowing away, 5. Sodom Road, 6. lunch time, 7. snow, 8. mmm, Popeyes!, 9. Japan pavillion, 10. www.flickr.com/photos/fondofelves/4055648620/in/datetaken/, 11. Betsy and the poprocks, 12. Halloween in Jamestown, 13. sunlit leaf

Any questions? Which is your favorite?