My Little Consruction Worker

 

Life is for Living

When my mother-in-law passed away a little over a year ago, it brought a lot of sadness. One of the lessons I took away from her death was that life was for living this one special life that you have right now. Live it fully as best as you can and do what it is that you think you want to do. Yes, there are constraints (e.g. maybe someone doesn't want to be with you and can't be with you, you might be too old to be an astronaut via NASA, etc.,), but there is also so much life to live. 

Go visit Yosemite before it's too polluted. Go see Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro just because you can. Go see the northern lights in Iceland. Go and share a kiss in Paris. Of course, if you can't or don't want to go anywhere, then catch up on your own family and friends. Hear the laughter of children that are special to you. Share a meal with your special person. Enjoy the presence of those that are most close to you. 

You see, my mother-in-law, she had a lot of physical ills and didn't want to go to any place unless forced. I don't blame her for not wanting to go out, although she did choose who she would go out with, if and when she wanted to go out. She wanted to stay home exclusively. If you wanted to see her, you had to go to her. She was also wanting to die because she couldn't take the pain of her physical ailments. So, when she passed and at her funeral, it was time for her to go, she didn't want to leave. She had to forcefully be told to move on in her journey. 

Now, this part is all conjecture, regardless I think at that moment at her funeral, she may have realized too late that she wouldn't be able to be with her loved ones on Earth. She may still spiritually be present for her family and friends, but most wouldn't know. It doesn't make the loss of her physical presence any better; there is still a veil that separates.

I'm sharing this lesson because life is too short. We get so caught up with our lives and forget that the life we are living is a gift. It's the experiences that we take with us that matters and make those experiences count. Take a moment and cherish the precious time you have on this Earth.

Wordless Wednesday: A Coat of Snow

 

Tuesday's Tune: Bigger Than the Whole World

 

Today's song is from Taylor Swift's Midnight album. This song, as most listeners point out, which I agree, is about going through a miscarriage. Now, I don't know if Taylor went through a miscarriage and that was the inspiration of this song. However, the lyrics are clear that she is signing about the aftermath of having gone through a miscarriage.

Regardless, the lyrics are so poignent. I can truly say that I've been so blessed to not have gone through that experience. At the same time, my heart goes out to those who have. While the song itself isn't one of her best, it's the lyrics that are the most moving. Let me know what you think. 

Tuesday's Tune: Labriynth

This song is also from Taylor Swift's new Midnights album. I love this song because it perfectly captured the mood and the feelings I had during a rough time in my life. I've written about that time before, but I believe this song perfectly captured my mood.

During that time, my Mr. Man and I was no longer together (and that was my fault). I had a reckoning with an ex-boyfriend who really made me feel like crap. (Why I thought so highly of him, I have no freaking idea!) I was at a low point in my life and felt worthless. I didn't think I deserved to be loved and I thought I wasn't worthy of anyone. I was really in a labrinyth of my own mind and felt lost. But I met someone great and he helped me to find myself again. At the time, I didn't realize how great he was for me and only now as I look back do I realize that he saved me from myself. 

I remember one particular morning, wanting to be sad but not being able to and found myself being happy. I realized it was because he came in and brightened up my world. He brought a lot of love and life into my own world, and I suddenly found myself falling in love again.  While I didn't appreciate him and it was my fault that we have moved on our separate ways (really, do you see a theme here???), I am not ashamed to admit that he was such a force of good in my life and I will forever be grateful to him.

What do you think of this song? Does it remind you of a particular time in your own life too?

Tuesday's Tune: Back to December

 

I was thinking that since this is the first Tuesday in December, I'll share a song that also references December. So, the song I wanted to share is "Back to December" by Taylor Swift. Yes, it's another Taylor Swift song. (On a side note, I was thinking about sharing songs from Taylor Swift for the rest of this month on Tuesday; however, I'll see if I can even follow through on that wish.)

This song is obviously Taylor Swift's very public way of telling Taylor Lautner that she was sorry for breaking his heart (granted, they only dated for three months). This song was released about twelve years ago (OMG, I can't believe it's been twelve years ago). Anyhow, I share this song because when this song came out, it was also in December that I told my Mr. Man that we couldn't be together anymore. Like the lyrics in "Back to December," he gave me all of his love and I told him goodbye. And when he was gone, I missed him dearly and wished that I'd go back to December and change my mind. 

Of course, I went on to meet others (this song in particular reminds me of someone special), but my Mr. Man and I eventually came back together and found each other. When I listen to "Back to December," I think of my Mr. Man. The song doesn't make me sad. I only see it as a time in my life when I really needed to discover who I was and find the confidence to move on with my life.

What do you think of this song?

Books of 2021

This is a very very late post. This list should have been posted eleven months ago (at the beginning of this year)! I was debating about not even posting this list but thought that it's best that I do anyway. I mean, it still is 2022 and this list is for 2021. (Whatever!) So, why do I keep on making this list each year? I've found that it's a good way to keep track of books I've read, and a really good way to remind me of authors that I've loved reading and to look up for new books from them.

So, this list isn't as comprehensive. I know it doesn't reflect all of the books I've read in 2021, but these are the books I know I've read. 

1. Death in a Budapest Butterfly--Julia Buckley

2. A Body at Bunco--Elizabeth Spann Craig

3. 13 Little Blue Envelopes--Maureen Johnson

4. The Last Little Blue Envelope--Maureen Johnson

5. Death of a Toy Soldier--Barbara Early

6. Murder on the Toy Town Express--Barbara Early

7. Death of a Russian Doll--Barbara Early

8. Murder in an Irish Cottage--Carlene O'Connor

9. Well Met--Jen DeLuca

10. Well Played--Jen DeLuca

11. The Star-Crossed Sisters of Tuscany--Lori Nelson Spielman

12. Botched Butterscotch--Amanda Flowers

13. Progressive Dinner Deadly--Elizabeth Spann Craig

14. Cooking is Murder--Elizabeth Spann Craig

15. Miss Spelled--Morgana Best

16. No Offense--Meg Cabot

17. In a Holidaze--Christina Lauren

18. Picture Perfect Frame--Lyn Cahoon

19. You Lucky Dog--Julia London

20. Open Book--Jessica Simpson

21. Charmed and Dangerous--Candace Haven

22. Synchronized Sorcery--Juliet Blackwell

23. Death on the Night of Lost Lizards--Julia Buckley

24. Truly Madly--Heather Webber

25. One Poison Pie--Lyn Cahoon

26. Murder on Opening Night--Elizabeth Spann Craig

27. Searching for Sylvia Lee--Jean Kwok

28. Pretty is as Pretty Dies--Elizabeth Spann Craig

29. A Body in the Trunk--Elizabeth Spann Craig

30. Cleaning is Murder--Elizabeth Spann Craig

31. Edit to Death--Elizabeth Spann Craig

32. Hushed Up--Elizabeth Spann Craig

33. A Body in the Attic--Elizabeth Spann Craig

34. Murder on the Ballot--Elizbeth Spann Craig

35. Death of a Suitor--Elizabeth Spann Craig

As you can see, I read a lot of cozy mysteries. I really do love mysteries. I don't know if there's any book that I'd recommend. I do remember reading and really liking 13 Little Blue Envelopes. It's a "chic" book and is considered a young adult book. So, if you aren't into that type of book, steer clear of it.

Let me know of any books you've read. 

Wordless Wednesday: Catacombs

Taken on November 2, 2022 in Paris,France.

Tuesday's Tune: Midnight Rain

It may seem like I'm a Swiftie, but I'm not. (Not that being a Swiftie is a bad thing.) I didn't listen to Taylor Swift's Midnights album at midnight when it dropped. I haven't listened to all of the album's songs. Nor have I analyzed the meanings behind the songs. However, I heard this song and it's my favorite from the album.

Some people think the song's about Taylor Lautner, and I agree. Regardless, I love the lyrics. I love how reflective she is about the life she gave up because she wanted something else. You can sense some regret, but there's an acceptance of her decisions. I find the song to be so thoughtful.

This song makes me think of the person I was seeing when I left Sacramento for Minnesota. I left behind a person for a career (even if our relationship was coming to an end). At the time it felt right, and in retrospect, I'm so glad I did it. At the time I thought he was a nice guy, but it was only later that I discovered his lies and deceit. (A nice guy he was not.) When I left, there were moments when I caught glimpses of what my life could have been with this person, but I'm so happy that I did not end up with him. He would have been my biggest regret if I had stayed, married him, or had children with. It was only after so much reflection that I realized he got what he wanted and I did too. We found people that were similar to our own core beliefs. Honestly, I rarely think of him and he only comes up because I had a weird dream about him. He's not someone I waste my precious time on.

Now, there's another person I think about once in a blue moon. He was sunshine and I was midnight rain. He wanted it comfortable and could have provided that for me. He was nice and I did break his heart. Again, I too saw a portal to a life that could have been mine. I would have been extremely happy, but I wasn't ready. I only wanted pain and gave away the life and love that could've been mine. There's a haunting of what could've been that follow me, but it's okay. There's no regret. I love him from afar and only wish him the best in his current life.

What do you think about this song?

 

Wordless Wednesday: My Baby