Conversations over Dinner

It was a dark and stormy night.

Well, it was!

Last night wasn’t, though. We had a wonderful evening at a local vineyard. In the summertime, they show movies outdoors under the stars. It’s such a great way to spend a warm summer night… snuggled up next to someone you love, sharing a bottle of wine.

Last night’s movie was Waitress and it was very enjoyable. Before heading out, I read that this movie involved a lot of pie. Knowing we would be soon craving a piece of pie, we left the popcorn at home and picked up a pie on the way. To be totally honest, we bought two — blueberry and peach. Good thing, too, because if you like pie, this movie will trigger the desire to have some. It is not an action movie, but Andy Griffith plays an interesting character, and I do recommend it for a nice quiet summer night.

I am a neat person. I wouldn’t say I’m a minimalist, but I come close. I don’t like clutter and I need plenty of open space around me.

I have a nice little work space and mange to keep it tidy, even though Jake keeps my filing inbox full.  When it comes to my computer, things have been in disarray for quite some time. Too much is going on - too many files, too many emails, just too much. I have been unable to accomplish my goals for all the computer clutter.

These last few months have been dedicated to fixing all that. We’ve merged four blogs down to two, for starters. I have been on a mission to unsubscribe to all the emails which serve only to waste my time. I have been through my long list of bookmarks and deleted the time wasters. I have whittled down to two professional networks — Freelancers Union and Linkedin.

I have added subscriptions and bookmarks to the sites which will help me to accomplish my goals. Jake promises to make a new website for me soon, which will serve that same purpose.

I’ve been working on completely turning things around and getting organized is a big step in that direction.

When it comes to feng shui, you can’t forget about your computer!

Last night I had the most wonderful heart-to-heart with Emily.

It’s not going to happen any time soon, but she is very much looking forward to having children some day. Apparently she has been giving this a lot of deep thought of late.

Despite some major upheaval and trauma in her young life, she told me that I’m a good role model and that I have been a great mother. Even those things which she was angry about for so long seem different from her new perspective. She thinks that I did a pretty good job.

She especially appreciated that when the kids were little, I spent a lot of time telling silly tales of my own childhood. She said that my funny voices and crazy facial expressions were perfect for entertaining little ones. I was surprised and flattered when she said that I would do well to visit the children’s section of a hospital to spread some cheer.

What mom wouldn’t want to hear such complimentary words from a college-age daughter!

Before my head gets too big, I must mention that she’s always been sweetheart, so I can’t take too much credit. Good kids, all three of them. Lucky me.

Once again, we’re a little late to jump on the bandwagon. Last night we watched the 1990 movie, “Coupe de Ville” and were pleasantly surprised. It looked like it would be a fun movie, and it was. It also had depth, as it delved into the relationship among three very different brothers, coming together after years apart, on a road trip from Michigan to Florida.

The classic rock will have you singing along, and when the brothers get into an argument about the lyrics to “Louie, Louie,” you will be hard pressed not to laugh.

It’s a great popcorn movie!

We’re a little behind the times, but we recently had the pleasure of watching the 2000 movie, “Chocolat” starring Juliette Binoche and Johnny Depp. The story takes place in 1959 and revolves around a single mother and her young daughter, who move to rural France and open a chocolate shop — during Lent. Conflict with the mayor, interactions with the townspeople, and long-held traditions combine to create a fascinating tale of perseverance and acceptance. And, oh, the chocolate!

“I think we have a delicious relationship.”

This is what my husband said to me over dinner tonight. I am one very lucky wife.

Hi. My name is Mandy, and I am white. I mean VERY white. I was born this way and there’s nothing I can do to change that.

Oh, I have tried over the years. I tried sunbathing, but only succeeded in getting sunburn. Sometimes I freckle, but I never, ever tan. One spring I gave in to peer pressure and did the tanning booth thing. I didn’t really tan, but the blinding whiteness was toned down a bit. I still can’t believe what they charge for tanning booth time! Really, I’m not that vain. I tried the self-tanning lotions, but only managed to turn orange and blotchy.

So, I have resigned myself to the fact that I am white. I’m no longer interested in risking my health for the sake of a “healthy look.” My skin may be white, but it is healthy skin.

It seems to be socially acceptable for friends, acquaintances, and even strangers to comment on my paleness. Some people take a strange delight in comparing my pale skin to their own darker tone, as if they’ve won a contest of some sort. Good for them. I, however, have accepted my skin just the way it is. Let’s just say I have a creamy complexion, or skin like porcelain. Yeah, that sounds pretty good.

Hi. My name is Mandy, and I have skin like porcelain.

I write for a blog titled ‘Women Over 40 Rock!’” Whenever I say those words I force myself to stay quiet and observe the listener’s reaction. Invariably I get a look showing a lack of appreciation and am told that it sounds like it MUST be one of those anti-male, “feminazi” sites where bitter women do little more than complain about their lives and about men. Nothing could be further from the truth. Continue…

I like sleeping in the nude
When It’s hot and the moon is full
I like a little ice in my drink
And the sound when it clinks, that’s cool
But when I need maximum sensation
I turn to you
Cause you feel good
Yeah, you feel good

I like a little itch in my neck
When a song won’t let me go
I like a shower beating down
Steam rising all around like smoke
But when I wanna feel a rush that goes a little deeper
I turn to you and you feel good
Baby, you feel good, baby you feel good

I like the velvet of your skin
When I’m holding you in my arms
And I like the way that we connect
The way that you caress my heart
Everytime I need love and understanding
I turn to you…and
You fell good
Yeah, you feel good
Baby, you feel good
Yeah, you feel good
Like I want a shout
I wanna cry
I wanna make you feel exactly what I feel inside
Yeah, you feel good
Baby, you, you make me feel so good

(Tom Shapiro/Bob DiPiero)

This song, sung by Tracy Byrd, was our wedding song. Unconventional, but then again, so was our entire wedding day. I bring this up because I played the CD while doing the dishes tonight. It reminded me of life’s simple pleasures, and the many blessings Jake and I share.