.Yep.  I dropped off the face of the earth.  And what a leap it was!  During the past month, I cleaned house - dropped out of “cybernets” (web-based social networks), and unsubscribed from a number of newsletters that were clogging up my inbox. 

While I have enjoyed meeting and making many new friends through these networks, it’s become too all-consuming trying to - on top of the cybernets - keep up with my site, hold down a fulltime job, and raise a teenage son as a single mom.  Nick’s going to graduate high school next Spring, so I expect a busy upcoming year, and my emphasis will be on getting him ready for his next big journey. 

Don’t think I’m abandoning the site entirely.  In the months ahead, I’ll update Cold Coffee occasionally with anecdotals of life as we’re living it.  In the interim, span the archives for encore readings sure to make you smile.  There’s music, video clips, and enough banter to keep you smiling for a little while.

Ok - I’m gonna go play some Guitar Hero with Nick.  Sure he can beat me most times, but I still give him a run for his money!  What are you going to do?  Oh - before I go, I give you an summertime oldie, but goodie.  Enjoy!

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[audio:summerhfalls.mp3]

See you soon.

Know what happens when you buy big, comfy recliners?  You tend to fall asleep in them.  And so I’ve done since I bought them last week.  Hence why I haven’t posted anything in a few days. I feel like Rip Van Winkle.  Although he did miss out on a lot of life, didn’t he.

Here I sit in the comfort of one of the big, comfy recliners - having already had a catnap tonight, but also realizing - hey - everyone probably thinks I deserted them.  I’m here to say - nope, still here.  Granted, half-asleep, but here.  Did you notice the multiple references to “here” ??

So let’s see - what’s new?  Well, besides the new sleep aids (recliners) - we went to a 4th of July celebration over the weekend that was also a double birthday party.  We didn’t find out about the double birthday part until 10 minutes before we left for the party.  Free-flowing alcohol, grilled meat - steaks and chicken, freckle corn (wow, was it great!), cucumber salad that reminded me of the South, and illegal fireworks.  Who could ask for more?  Lizzie, our 2-year old cousin, boldy announced to Nick - “Look, it’s UNDERWEAR BOY!” (Of course, she was egged on by the fact that he chose to walk around with them protruding from his shorts.)  Underwear boy became a running joke all night.  Appropriate enough, too.

What else?

I love summer. I really do! Fierce blue skies and puffy white clouds.  Beaches, sunshine, cookouts.  And them summer days are officially here, complete with the 3 H’s: heat, humidity, and headaches.

My head, doesn’t so much enjoy summertime.  Humidity is a trigger for my migraines - and with the wave of storms that hit us last week, I ended up with a doozy of a migraine that lasted 3 days.  After one day in bed with curtains drawn, and two more days of drugs (totaling 5 Maxalt), the headache took a vacation.

Over the weekend, another rash of storms and heat waves hit us. I didn’t dare journey outdoors; instead sat my arse in the house in the comfort of my central air conditioning.  I’m a sadist, but damn - just the thought of another 3 days on meds was enough to dissuade me from personal torture.

Well, here’s to summer. Here’s to fun. And here’s to hoping the rest of it goes better than the past 2 weeks!

[audio:hotfun.mp3]

Why is it, as a child, time goes by so slowly - like an inchworm crawls; but, as an adult, it goes by much too quickly?  Children can’t wait to grow up.  Parents reflect back on their childhood wishing they had that time again.  Mainly just for the sake of ample time to do nothing.

There isn’t enough time in my week to do all of the things I’d like to get done.  On top of that, my motivation factor SUCKS!  I have a running list that I keep in my moleskine.  Granted, it’s a never-ending list - that’s the whole concept; however, some of the items are long-overdue. And they’re not even difficult. But require a little effort and (the key factor) MOTIVATION.

[audio:moretime.mp3]

My intentions are good. Truly they are.  But if I don’t get started the moment my feet hit the floor, they pretty much aren’t going to hit the floor.  Instead, they’ll be firmly planted on the footrest while my butt clings to the couch.

Can someone kindly kick me in the ass to get me moving?  Just one swift kick should be sufficient.  If not, how about extending the weekends another 2 days?

The upcoming year is going to go by much faster than I want it to and, before I know it, I’m going to be sitting at Nick’s graduation.  For that reason, I plan to make the best of - and savor - the time available up until then.