This is not a revelation, sometimes I just notice obvious things, like my fabulous Cher switchplate from a few posts ago. What I saw today, as I was sitting down here, was my lack of focus. It’s not a lack of concentration, that I can do fairly well, it’s really a complete void in my ability to zero in on any one topic. C’est la vie, more random flipping around in my odd little head for tonight then.
I bought that lovely flannel remember? And I don’t know what I will make with it, but whatever it is, it’ll be comfy. Comfort is very high on my priority list. Because of this I have a pillow that needs to be replaced, but due to the “can’t let go” aspect I also struggle with, I have been putting it off. It’s old. Really old. Older than my children.
Back before Daniel and I were married, but after that day in the gas station, we had been out for the evening, enjoying some adult beverages (even though I was not technically of legal drinking age until the week after the wedding). We’d just slipped under the covers when the room began to spin. I put my foot out to stop the motion, but we all know how this never works. Instead I turned my head, and said, “Dan. I’m gonna….” At which point I barfed all over him, and the bed, and the bed-clothes. He was, as always, amazingly calm. He got up, helped me to the bathroom then proceeded to strip the disgusting bed and place everything into the tub. He helped me get cleaned up and we spent the night in sleeping bags. The next day he took me to a White Sale and bought me a super wonderful feather pillow. Which I have hauled around with me ever since; to the hospital three times (for the birth of each kid), and once before that (to have my tonsils out), to several root canal appointments, on every trip out of town we’ve ever taken, and it’s still on the bed right now. Except, it’s getting a bit … uh, worn. And thin, and is less than fluffy. 
That’s a pillow case I made, I don’t know, some time in the past two years. 
Why yes, that IS a french seam. Tidy ain’t it? I can dress that sad and aged cloth container of feathers up all I want with new garments, but, it doesn’t make it any younger, or fresher. I need to go get a new pillow. Soon.
And now a bit about snacks. There is a movie called Mermaids that I really liked. One, it was called Mermaids, but more than that, it starred Cher. She was a mom who could only make snacks. Everything she served her kids was on a toothpick. That’s how I am, simple in food preparation. 
Here are some my favorites, and they are difficult to find. Lora commented the last time I took a picture of those coconut M & M’s. They are terrific, but my children don’t like them. Maybe it’s an acquired taste, like sardines or something. The Bottle Caps have recently made a re-appearance in stores, and thusly, in my life. We used to eat them when I was a kid. Now that I’ve found them again, I can’t get enough.
Fortunately I wasn’t eating them last night though. I’d be dead right now and posting my blog from beyond the grave. We were watching an episode of my favorite show (Craig Ferguson) with one of my favorite comedians (Louie Anderson) when I choked on a Jr Mint. I mean it was totally blocking my airway, and I was seriously choking, to death. The good part was that Jr Mints are soft, and they melt, so I didn’t die. I did, however, breath minty-ness down into, and later out of, my lungs for a few minutes there. When it was clear that my obituary wouldn’t read “cause of death: snacking” Dan says, “are you okay?” He had been on “wife alert” the entire time. I could finally almost talk, so I nodded my head and gasped out mint-ly “yeah.” A few more minutes passed and I said, “I thought you were going to need to Heimlich me. Hey. You CAN Heimlich me right?!” He said he had been thinking the same thing. And yes, his Red Cross card is current. I won’t meet my ultimate demise via snacks if I just keep him next to me. Forever.
In our Card O’ The Day this afternoon I noticed an awesome “turn” of fun-ness (I won’t say coincidence because I don’t believe in them). This Celtic Shaman’s Pack doesn’t have the traditional major/minor arcana. It has categories that are slightly more eclectic: The Card of Vision, The Movers, The Empowerers, The Worlds, The Elements, The Totem Beasts, The Shapers. This one falls under the heading of Elements, and it’s Air. 
Cool draw huh?
“The Colours of the Wind ~ Empowerment of Air
A whirling disk of intermingling colours streaming outward from the centre.
The subtle power of the Air brings messages from far off places. It can have a profound effect upon humankind, both for good and ill, because as with all Elements, it is untamed and wild. It may blow the journeyer into strange places or take him/her by routes other than those usually taken.
Journey: Travel to the top of a hill and there invoke the power of the winds to carry you to the place where you need to be. Make your own Song of the Winds to do this. Travel safely, while observing all around you. The Air will whisper answers to you, for the higher good of all.”
Since you are OK, it’s OK for me to laugh now. You shouldn’t make me fear for your life and make the story so funny at the same time. Glad all is well. And the pillow story is just wonderful.
I was talking to one of my pool friends today and he said, “wow, you almost die a lot!” Yes, do laugh. I did. Years later, we can now laugh about how I got my pillow too.
Beautiful French Seam. Impressive! It is good, you have Dan, on wife alert, forever.
Today, the plates were WA, CA, Oregon, Alberta, Ontario, and, I think, one from Arizona.
Right before my sister’s hospice care kicked in, I took a lot of great classes at a quilt shop (my form of therapy). This pillow case one was the best of the bunch, learned some fun tricks, and how to make a perfect french seam. Mine aren’t always perfect, but they do turn out nicely on occasion.
Yeah, “wife alert” is now fairly common around here, I was a much better adult when I was around 13, as I get older I seem to be getting more dangerous.
Great foreign plate updates, thanks!
It takes a good man to be vomited on and then still stick with you. Junior Mints, coconut M&Ms and Bottle Caps do not exist here, although I DID find a supermarket which sells Dr Pepper and Root Beer so I’m pretty excited about that!
Glad you survived the choking.
He really should have taken that hint at the gas station when I showed up with Oreos as dinner. But yep, he’s stuck with me. Absolutely no one can figure out why, but we don’t question it any more.
Oh no you can’t get those awesome snacks? When you come over next year we’ll have to fill your carry-on with treats.
I adore Root Beer and Dr Pepper. Don’t drink much pop anymore, so they are really special when I get them. I’d be excited too!
Thanks, I’m glad I didn’t die from a snack as well.
Wow, death by candy! Would that qualify you for a Darwin award?
Love the card. Really. I hope that in my case it means an actual journey.
That would definitely make the Darwin Awards. But sadly, I have already given birth three times, so ya know, I think I lose points there.
Okay. I wouldn’t know a French seam from a German one. My mom (who used to make all my lovely, frilly dresses when I was a child WITHOUT needing patterns) tried to teach me to sew. I just don’t get it.
I’m glad to hear you’re alright. I’m a huge klutz, so I’m always running into something – and I’ve broken toes more often than I can remember. But yay Dan! He’s a keeper, for more than one reason!
I wish I had a hill to climb and sit upon and let the wind blow through my long hair…carrying away all the crap in my life. It sounds almost as cleansing as water.
*hugs*
You can cook, that equals sewing, or maybe even gains the lead.
SO glad you are okay, Julie!
So far so good, fingers crossed.
It is a lovely French seam, but the age of that pillow squicks me out a little. Dust mites.
Junior Mints are the food of the Gods, so if you did die from them, I think you’d be okay.
Still, keep Dan close. We’d rather not have you croak at such a young age. And who are these kids of yours that they can’t appreciate a Junior Mint?
One of the pillows on J.D.’s bed for years was referred to as The Dust Mite Farm. Yes, I am aware of the “ick” factor, just can’t seem to do anything about it.
LOL, Food of the Gods indeed. But no, it was the coconut M & M’s the kids didn’t like. My son said they tasted like eating sun tan lotion. I disagreed.
First off, so glad you came through your life or death candy experience okay. Secondly, Dan deserves several awards for the vomit ordeal but since I’m sure he doesn’t like to talk about it (trauma
we’ll award them silently. Third and probably most important, you MUST keep the pillow for the rest of your life. So since you are a crafty person (in more than one way?) here is a link for a wonderful project to transform and rejuvenate that very special pillow.
Here’s the instructions..
http://www.sewing.org/html/pictureperfectpillow.html
Here’s the fabric…
http://www.softexpressions.com/software/eq/PrintablesFab.php
I suggest a picture of You & Dan on one side and The Lovers card from your favorite deck on the other
He does deserve awards for all things vomit related. It’s one of the bodily fluids that really pushes his “calm under pressure” to the limits. When our son was less than a year old we were taking a walk, with baby riding on dad’s shoulders. Urp! He threw up right on poor Daniel’s head. *sigh* It’s like a theme with us.
Thanks so much for the links I’ll check them out right away!
As for us being The Lovers, good idea, except for the fact that mostly they are portrayed without clothes on, and we’ve discussed how I am never naked, so…
This deck has a beautiful portrayal of The Lovers – fully clothed!
http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/cards/tarot-of-cat-people/
Sooo glad you are okay. Now I can laugh and say-makes for a great story. Were you laughing at GF? I guess this means mr. B or I should get our lifesaver cards renewed. It does seem that we get more dangerous as we get older. Maybe it’s a case of ‘been there, done that, and i’m gonna keep on doing it’. Ha Ha but without the youthful reflexes or bounce back.
Love Jr. Mints. Costco sells them by the case or box full. Not that we’ve done that. In the summer we put them in the freezer.
New pillow=yes indeed.
We laugh at most everything these days, getting older just makes so many mis-haps seem so much funnier somehow. You and Bruce need to keep your Red Cross cards updated for sure.
See, this is just one of the reasons a Costco membership would be a very bad idea for me. Way too much temptation to buy vital items (like Jr Mints) in bulk.
Oh and Han says that she was saved by a friend who had a car in college, would have bounced a tuition check if not for that generous soul. Sadly, she also said that sometimes the kid with the car can sometimes be a magnet for non-friends and often get into wrecks. But in her opinion the postives out weigh the negatives, so maybe having Nick’s car “be in the shop” for a few weeks would be a gentle lesson without the harsh feeling of punishment.
I once choked on soap suds that had been poured into a jacuzzi. I had no clue they could block your airway. And yah, I got heimliched.
Obviously the lesson here is to stay well clear of hot tubs! I can totally do that. Glad your obituary didn’t read: death by luxuriant foamy-ness.