Omg. The first time I heard that phrase said to me I was probably the most hoppin mad Swede you ever saw. I laugh hysterically at the image today. I think I've mellowed with age (well, maybe just a little).
Danielle had just come home from visiting her mom and she had wanted something. Her mom said, "Your dad and Jode can afford that for you. They have butt lovin money!" I was so angry. I'm sure whatever it was that Danielle wanted we probably scored for her but I could NOT believe the audacity of her mother. Things have changed. The truth of the matter is that we DID have butt lovin money at that time but had NO appreciation for it (okay, sorry Skip, maybe it was just ME that had no appreciation for it - I'm owning my junk here). And, for the record, Annette (Danielle's mom) and I have made peace with one another and I consider her one of my good friends now. I'm grateful that I have that kind of personality that can forgive and move on.
So, here we are today. Butt lovin money? Hell no! Well, by someone's standards I'm sure we do but nothing compared to the way things were when everything was flowing like milk and honey.
I've had my eye on the Mercedes CLS 550. Red, to be exact (duh). I've also been thinking a Ford F250 to pull my darling equines hither and yon would be pretty sweet (still do, by the way). Red also in case anyone was in a mode of granting wishes.
Just yesterday as I was dropping my little darling off at school I saw a woman driving MY car. What the heck? Her hair was done up just "so". Her make-up was impeccable. She was dressed to the nines (yes I could see because . . .. Hello??? She's driving MY car!). Her face was scrunched up in that constipated pissed off stressed out look. Something just clicked. Is that the way I have to be when I start driving my car? Oh hell no!! That is SO not me. I think my car just fell off of my bucket list. Damn it!
As I was getting my massage and chatting it up with Amanda, I told her this story. She burst out hysterically laughing and said, "Oh my gosh, Jody, there is NO WAY I picture you in a Mercedes. That is so not your personality. You belong in a Jeep Wrangler with your hair blowing in the wind. Totally!"
Hmmm. Jeep Wrangler? Okay, I can work with that. However, can I still please have that F250? I mean, really. I just need some muscle to pull these spoiled rotten horses around. Is that too much for a girl to ask for?
Friday, February 17, 2012
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Say My Name!!
I love my name. The name I was given when I was a baby by my parents is Jody Ann Nelson. My dad picked my first name (go Dad!! I LOVE it!!) and my mom picked my middle name. I think I was named after Queen Ann from England because of my British mom. It's all good.
When I was little, my mom and Bettye would call me "Apple Blossom". I think it was meant to be funny because I would kind of act like a typical blonde at times (well, I AM a blonde, duh!). When one of my blonde moments would occur I would hear, "Hey, Apple Blossom!" I was never offended and now the memory makes me laugh.
Well, when I worked at Walters & Wolf I earned the nickname of BOF. My boss, Jim Gross (who I nicknamed CMF - don't ask) gave me that name because he said I was a "ball of fire". Hmmm. Can you imagine that? Lol. Well, the name stuck and I was known by that name by everyone I worked with and even my first husband began calling me that. I would think that if Steven and I crossed paths today he would still refer to me as BOF. All that changed when I left the company and started doing the mom gig.
Lately, I've been going into Peets for my (almost) daily little blended yummification. Wow, this sounds like the beginning of a joke . . . So, this Mormon walks into the coffee shop . . . . Okay, anyway, when they ask my name I ALWAYS say "Sunshine". It's funny now because they all say "Good morning, Sunshine!" when I walk in the door. Every one of the employees has asked me if my name is really Sunshine and I always say, "Yep!" I mean, if I wanted to be called something else wouldn't I have said that in the first place? I love that they think I have a cool name. What's even cooler is that they know my drink now too (and I AM a wee bit high maintenance so that's WAY impressive).
Furthermore, when I walk into Vans, the health food store, I started a joke with them a while back and now they say "Norm!" I guess you would have had to watched Cheers, the TV show that was on like a bazillion years ago. When Norm would walk into the bar everyone in the place would turn and say "Norm!" So, that's where that little diddy comes from. However, I really don't want to be known as Norm. It's not as cool.
Another variation of my name came from my Swedish friend. I was laughing because I guess they pronounce their j's like y's. Although his accent is strong, it's not as strong as others I've heard so he didn't say it like "yody" unless he was kidding around. However, it WAS funny when the slip up occurred.
So, I guess the long and short of it is this . . . I LOVE the name I was given. I have never ever been one of these people that said "Damn! I hate my name!" Nope, I've always been proud of it. However, it is fun to have a nickname to play with. Right?
When I was little, my mom and Bettye would call me "Apple Blossom". I think it was meant to be funny because I would kind of act like a typical blonde at times (well, I AM a blonde, duh!). When one of my blonde moments would occur I would hear, "Hey, Apple Blossom!" I was never offended and now the memory makes me laugh.
Well, when I worked at Walters & Wolf I earned the nickname of BOF. My boss, Jim Gross (who I nicknamed CMF - don't ask) gave me that name because he said I was a "ball of fire". Hmmm. Can you imagine that? Lol. Well, the name stuck and I was known by that name by everyone I worked with and even my first husband began calling me that. I would think that if Steven and I crossed paths today he would still refer to me as BOF. All that changed when I left the company and started doing the mom gig.
Lately, I've been going into Peets for my (almost) daily little blended yummification. Wow, this sounds like the beginning of a joke . . . So, this Mormon walks into the coffee shop . . . . Okay, anyway, when they ask my name I ALWAYS say "Sunshine". It's funny now because they all say "Good morning, Sunshine!" when I walk in the door. Every one of the employees has asked me if my name is really Sunshine and I always say, "Yep!" I mean, if I wanted to be called something else wouldn't I have said that in the first place? I love that they think I have a cool name. What's even cooler is that they know my drink now too (and I AM a wee bit high maintenance so that's WAY impressive).
Furthermore, when I walk into Vans, the health food store, I started a joke with them a while back and now they say "Norm!" I guess you would have had to watched Cheers, the TV show that was on like a bazillion years ago. When Norm would walk into the bar everyone in the place would turn and say "Norm!" So, that's where that little diddy comes from. However, I really don't want to be known as Norm. It's not as cool.
Another variation of my name came from my Swedish friend. I was laughing because I guess they pronounce their j's like y's. Although his accent is strong, it's not as strong as others I've heard so he didn't say it like "yody" unless he was kidding around. However, it WAS funny when the slip up occurred.
So, I guess the long and short of it is this . . . I LOVE the name I was given. I have never ever been one of these people that said "Damn! I hate my name!" Nope, I've always been proud of it. However, it is fun to have a nickname to play with. Right?
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Peace Out
It's not anyone's place to judge me because of the lingo I choose or choose not to use. I am an 18 year old at heart. I hang out with nothing but teenagers, for the most part, and I find their language somewhat fascinating. They come up with the most unique phrases. Anyway, that's not really what this post is about. It's actually more on the serious side (dang it!).
I have been reflecting on several friends that I've been very close to that have peaced out in one way or another. There's my best friend that died in a car accident in 2001. That ripped my heart out. It was almost two years before I was able to function after that loss and tragedy. I love her more than anything and so enjoy her visits in my dreams.
Another dear friend couldn't live here in the Bay Area because of her extreme allergies. She was pretty much told that if she continued to stay here she wouldn't likely survive. Fortunately, her husband has a job that he can pretty much live anywhere and do. They moved to Arizona. Of course, there was talk of our family moving there about 1-1/2 years ago but the whole economy thing didn't help that out and our ranch never sold and so here we still are and there they still are. I miss her a lot.
My bestest bestie freaking EVER just upped and peaced out on me about a week ago. Her daughter needed a change of scenery so they moved to Utah (really??? Utah???). Fortunately, this is a temporary sitch (so I'm told) and I'm really hoping she'll be back in June as promised. I really can't figure out how to do my crazy life without her.
Another dear friend of mine just made the "peace out" club as well. I guess our friendship wasn't a good idea or something. Whatever.
Then there's Mr. Weltz. Yeah, he's peaced out in L.A. working for yet another year. It sucks. I didn't think I could do my life without him here and yet I've managed (well, sort of I guess) quite well.
So it just so happens (and I so don't believe in coincidences if I haven't made that clear before) that I read somewhere yesterday that people and things come and go from our life. We are relieved of these things to make room for something else (and please, God, don't make it another stinking challenge!).
This morning while I was doing my meditation practice, that very thought popped into my nice clear (haha, I wish) brain. THEN, I picked my Angel Card for the day and I'm sure you'll NEVER guess what my thought was. Yep, "All is well. Everything's happening exactly as it's supposed to. Sometimes what appears to be a problem is actually an answered prayer in disguise . . . change is for the better.
I can sit with that today. I'm still not the happiest Princess Sunshine that I usually am. I want my peeps back so dang bad! However, I'm eager and excited for what is on the horizon and pray and hope and have faith that today will be an absolutely fabulous day full of exciting surprises for this princess.
I have been reflecting on several friends that I've been very close to that have peaced out in one way or another. There's my best friend that died in a car accident in 2001. That ripped my heart out. It was almost two years before I was able to function after that loss and tragedy. I love her more than anything and so enjoy her visits in my dreams.
Another dear friend couldn't live here in the Bay Area because of her extreme allergies. She was pretty much told that if she continued to stay here she wouldn't likely survive. Fortunately, her husband has a job that he can pretty much live anywhere and do. They moved to Arizona. Of course, there was talk of our family moving there about 1-1/2 years ago but the whole economy thing didn't help that out and our ranch never sold and so here we still are and there they still are. I miss her a lot.
My bestest bestie freaking EVER just upped and peaced out on me about a week ago. Her daughter needed a change of scenery so they moved to Utah (really??? Utah???). Fortunately, this is a temporary sitch (so I'm told) and I'm really hoping she'll be back in June as promised. I really can't figure out how to do my crazy life without her.
Another dear friend of mine just made the "peace out" club as well. I guess our friendship wasn't a good idea or something. Whatever.
Then there's Mr. Weltz. Yeah, he's peaced out in L.A. working for yet another year. It sucks. I didn't think I could do my life without him here and yet I've managed (well, sort of I guess) quite well.
So it just so happens (and I so don't believe in coincidences if I haven't made that clear before) that I read somewhere yesterday that people and things come and go from our life. We are relieved of these things to make room for something else (and please, God, don't make it another stinking challenge!).
This morning while I was doing my meditation practice, that very thought popped into my nice clear (haha, I wish) brain. THEN, I picked my Angel Card for the day and I'm sure you'll NEVER guess what my thought was. Yep, "All is well. Everything's happening exactly as it's supposed to. Sometimes what appears to be a problem is actually an answered prayer in disguise . . . change is for the better.
I can sit with that today. I'm still not the happiest Princess Sunshine that I usually am. I want my peeps back so dang bad! However, I'm eager and excited for what is on the horizon and pray and hope and have faith that today will be an absolutely fabulous day full of exciting surprises for this princess.
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
My True Love
It IS Valentine's Day and it would be remiss of me to not write about the love of my life.
My love is my big beautfiul black stallion. Him and I have a long history together. He's the perfect guy for me, though. He accepts me just the way I am. He's excited to see me when I arrive at the ranch and always makes me feel loved.
Let me just touch on some of our more memorable moments, if I may . . .
December 2005 (how can I EVER forget this one) I was taking said lover down to the barn and he decided that that was not his idea of a good time. He whirled around unexpectedly and the rope caught my right ring finger and well, the finger didn't fare so well. After it was reattached, I ended up with a bone infection that landed my happy butt in the hospital for a week. I wasn't allowed to go near a horse or barn for three months. His happy butt was shipped off to a trainer with strict instructions from me to "train and sell that damned horse!"
Thank heavens, the trainer convinced my regular trainer that this was a pretty great horse and I was making a big mistake. I saw the error of my ways when I was allowed near my beloved horses and gave the stinker another chance.
Then there's the day I was out jumping my beloved in the big ring and he was feeling pretty full of himself. He was acting like a crazy spring colt. We came over a jump and he stumbled enough to send his sweetie, perched on top, over his head (flipping mid air, no less) and landing on the back of my neck. I had to lay there for a bit with my trainer overhead yelling, "Jody, can you move? Can you feel your legs?" Hell yeah I could. I felt enough to know it hurt like hell!! Damned horse!! Like my momma taught me, though, I had to get right back on and show him who's boss.
Of course, there's that day that he completely redeemed himself. I went to a show and was entered in 8 classes. I took home seven - count 'em SEVEN - blue ribbons and one red. Yeah, my baby and I were the stuff!! We were an amazing team!
So today when I went out to see him for a special Valentine's ride he didn't disappoint. Nope. He first acted like a crazy man and then when it was time for us to jump, we freaking NAILED it! Every jump was amazing today! Yep, he's a keeper!
I LOVE YOU BLACK HORSE!!!!
My love is my big beautfiul black stallion. Him and I have a long history together. He's the perfect guy for me, though. He accepts me just the way I am. He's excited to see me when I arrive at the ranch and always makes me feel loved.
Let me just touch on some of our more memorable moments, if I may . . .
December 2005 (how can I EVER forget this one) I was taking said lover down to the barn and he decided that that was not his idea of a good time. He whirled around unexpectedly and the rope caught my right ring finger and well, the finger didn't fare so well. After it was reattached, I ended up with a bone infection that landed my happy butt in the hospital for a week. I wasn't allowed to go near a horse or barn for three months. His happy butt was shipped off to a trainer with strict instructions from me to "train and sell that damned horse!"
Thank heavens, the trainer convinced my regular trainer that this was a pretty great horse and I was making a big mistake. I saw the error of my ways when I was allowed near my beloved horses and gave the stinker another chance.
Then there's the day I was out jumping my beloved in the big ring and he was feeling pretty full of himself. He was acting like a crazy spring colt. We came over a jump and he stumbled enough to send his sweetie, perched on top, over his head (flipping mid air, no less) and landing on the back of my neck. I had to lay there for a bit with my trainer overhead yelling, "Jody, can you move? Can you feel your legs?" Hell yeah I could. I felt enough to know it hurt like hell!! Damned horse!! Like my momma taught me, though, I had to get right back on and show him who's boss.
Of course, there's that day that he completely redeemed himself. I went to a show and was entered in 8 classes. I took home seven - count 'em SEVEN - blue ribbons and one red. Yeah, my baby and I were the stuff!! We were an amazing team!
So today when I went out to see him for a special Valentine's ride he didn't disappoint. Nope. He first acted like a crazy man and then when it was time for us to jump, we freaking NAILED it! Every jump was amazing today! Yep, he's a keeper!
I LOVE YOU BLACK HORSE!!!!
The Perfect Day
It's Valentines Day. Like Mother's Day and my birthday, I typically look at this day with a lot of senicism. It's never been a big deal to me. I think I've always had BIG expectations and then it always ended up ho-hum and so I think I've just given up on these days as ever being exceptionally special. Is this one of those feel sorry for myself blog entries? Nope, not all. What I do want to do is post about the best day I think I can remember in . . . years.
It was my birthday in 2006. Skip was retired - or semi-retired and had an extremely busy golfing schedule to keep up with. He really was pretty busy for a retired guy. However, I appreciated that he kept himself busy and out of my hair. Us women, we get a particulary set up in how we do things and then our men retire and mess it all up. That didn't really happen in our case, I don't think. Skip kept himself exceedingly busy.
However, on this day when we woke up to start our day Skip said to me, "After you take the kids to school I'd like to do whatever you want with the two of us." I was kind of taken back. Like, "Don't you have a golf date or something?" He repeated, "Today is your day and I want to do something - anything - with you that would make you happy."
Well, anyone who knows this girl knows EXACTLY what that would be (get your mind out of the gutter - that detail was a given). I said, "even tack up horses and go on a long trail ride?" He nodded and smiled and said, "if that's what you would like, Babe." I couldn't get those darlings of mine to school fast enough.
We did tack up two of my horses and set out on the most perfect trail ride EVER (well, the one Dave and I took was pretty amazing but . . .)! The day was sunny and warm and there was no wind and everything was nothing short of amazing. He was so nice to me and we got to chat about pleasant things (not kids or money). I just remember being so damn happy that day. It was the best.
Thank you, Skip, for that wonderful day. For that wonderful memory.
It was my birthday in 2006. Skip was retired - or semi-retired and had an extremely busy golfing schedule to keep up with. He really was pretty busy for a retired guy. However, I appreciated that he kept himself busy and out of my hair. Us women, we get a particulary set up in how we do things and then our men retire and mess it all up. That didn't really happen in our case, I don't think. Skip kept himself exceedingly busy.
However, on this day when we woke up to start our day Skip said to me, "After you take the kids to school I'd like to do whatever you want with the two of us." I was kind of taken back. Like, "Don't you have a golf date or something?" He repeated, "Today is your day and I want to do something - anything - with you that would make you happy."
Well, anyone who knows this girl knows EXACTLY what that would be (get your mind out of the gutter - that detail was a given). I said, "even tack up horses and go on a long trail ride?" He nodded and smiled and said, "if that's what you would like, Babe." I couldn't get those darlings of mine to school fast enough.
We did tack up two of my horses and set out on the most perfect trail ride EVER (well, the one Dave and I took was pretty amazing but . . .)! The day was sunny and warm and there was no wind and everything was nothing short of amazing. He was so nice to me and we got to chat about pleasant things (not kids or money). I just remember being so damn happy that day. It was the best.
Thank you, Skip, for that wonderful day. For that wonderful memory.
Monday, February 13, 2012
Tactfulness is NOT My Middle Name
This morning as I was opening up the studio a client showed up uber early. I was busy bustling about getting everything ready for the teacher and students that would be arriving very shortly. I was chatting rather noisily with her and she was very sweet and returning fire.
She went into the studio that she was going to be practicing in and I was sweeping and setting up the other one and still chatting loudly to her. I finally asked, "So . . .what brings you here so early anyway?"
She replied, "Well, I just dropped my daughter off for school and decided I wanted to come here while it was quiet and meditate before class."
Ooops! I quickly went over to the studio she was in, apologized, and quietly shut the door so that she could do her thing. Wow, what a ding dong! If I wasn't me, I'd actually be embarassed.
Well, it's a good thing that I look so darn cute today with my red streaks in my hair, the fancy dancy top that Brandilyn got me for my birthday and a scarf that rocks the outfit. Not to mention the sexy boots that Danielle tossed my way when she decided they weren't her thing. Yep, I'm all that but what I'm not is tactful.
Sorry, girl.
She went into the studio that she was going to be practicing in and I was sweeping and setting up the other one and still chatting loudly to her. I finally asked, "So . . .what brings you here so early anyway?"
She replied, "Well, I just dropped my daughter off for school and decided I wanted to come here while it was quiet and meditate before class."
Ooops! I quickly went over to the studio she was in, apologized, and quietly shut the door so that she could do her thing. Wow, what a ding dong! If I wasn't me, I'd actually be embarassed.
Well, it's a good thing that I look so darn cute today with my red streaks in my hair, the fancy dancy top that Brandilyn got me for my birthday and a scarf that rocks the outfit. Not to mention the sexy boots that Danielle tossed my way when she decided they weren't her thing. Yep, I'm all that but what I'm not is tactful.
Sorry, girl.
Saturday, February 11, 2012
Lessons From Daddy
Anyone who knows anything about me knows how much I love, admire, respect and try to be like my daddy. He's amazing!
Well, I have this neighbor, Mark, that has lived up here for 10+ years. Mark and I have had quite a tumultous relationship over the years. Several years ago I was out in the park running with my dogs and encountered Mark with his dogs. One of my dogs attacked his dog (oh crap) and left a wound. Mark went to the veterinarian and had the dog tended to and arrived at my doorstep several days later with the bill. I, of course, quickly wrote him a check and blubbered all over myself with apologies.
Since then when we have crossed paths up here, he is very careful to avoid eye contact and make minimal effort to have any kind of communication with me (even though I choose not to bring my dogs running with me anymore).
A couple years later there was an accident up here on the hill and none of us residents were able to pass by to our homes so we were stuck there. I noticed a woman in a truck behind mine so I got out to chat (knowing damn well she was Mark's wife). I approached her with my usual sunshine smile and said, "Hey, so are you Mark's wife?" She responded with, "Yes, but please don't hold that against me." Oh my gosh!! I freaking LOVE this woman! That's right, girl. Call it just like it is!!
This morning, I slipped out early to head up to the park to go for a long walk (yeah, walk not run because that charming knee of mine is still talking to me and saying that it's not okay to pound away just yet) to clear my head. I was very deep in thought when I was suddenly aware of two dogs running full speed ahead for me. Mark's dogs! I bent down and started petting them and saying, "well, good morning guys!" Mark was quick to arrive after his trusty canines and said, "They like you!" Um, yeah Mark, I'm not that freaking bad!!
I took the opportunity to look Mark in the eye and say, "Good morning, Mark. I'm so glad you are out enjoying your run while the weather is still cooperating."
"Oh is it supposed to rain today?" he asked
"Nah, mid week or so I hear. Today is just cloudy. Well, enjoy your run and have a perfect day!"
He (wait for it. . . . wait for it . . ) smiled and said, "You too, Jody!" Slam and dunk!! Yes, the crazy blond lady with red streaks in her hair (I just got some radical color in yesterday and I'm pretty proud of it) scores one for the team! And the crowd goes wild!
Yep, my Daddy always said, "Smile at everyone you meet and look them in the eye if you can and say 'hi'". And I do!
Well, I have this neighbor, Mark, that has lived up here for 10+ years. Mark and I have had quite a tumultous relationship over the years. Several years ago I was out in the park running with my dogs and encountered Mark with his dogs. One of my dogs attacked his dog (oh crap) and left a wound. Mark went to the veterinarian and had the dog tended to and arrived at my doorstep several days later with the bill. I, of course, quickly wrote him a check and blubbered all over myself with apologies.
Since then when we have crossed paths up here, he is very careful to avoid eye contact and make minimal effort to have any kind of communication with me (even though I choose not to bring my dogs running with me anymore).
A couple years later there was an accident up here on the hill and none of us residents were able to pass by to our homes so we were stuck there. I noticed a woman in a truck behind mine so I got out to chat (knowing damn well she was Mark's wife). I approached her with my usual sunshine smile and said, "Hey, so are you Mark's wife?" She responded with, "Yes, but please don't hold that against me." Oh my gosh!! I freaking LOVE this woman! That's right, girl. Call it just like it is!!
This morning, I slipped out early to head up to the park to go for a long walk (yeah, walk not run because that charming knee of mine is still talking to me and saying that it's not okay to pound away just yet) to clear my head. I was very deep in thought when I was suddenly aware of two dogs running full speed ahead for me. Mark's dogs! I bent down and started petting them and saying, "well, good morning guys!" Mark was quick to arrive after his trusty canines and said, "They like you!" Um, yeah Mark, I'm not that freaking bad!!
I took the opportunity to look Mark in the eye and say, "Good morning, Mark. I'm so glad you are out enjoying your run while the weather is still cooperating."
"Oh is it supposed to rain today?" he asked
"Nah, mid week or so I hear. Today is just cloudy. Well, enjoy your run and have a perfect day!"
He (wait for it. . . . wait for it . . ) smiled and said, "You too, Jody!" Slam and dunk!! Yes, the crazy blond lady with red streaks in her hair (I just got some radical color in yesterday and I'm pretty proud of it) scores one for the team! And the crowd goes wild!
Yep, my Daddy always said, "Smile at everyone you meet and look them in the eye if you can and say 'hi'". And I do!
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