BLOCKED

It has been 10 days since my last post. I think that may be a record since I began blogging (for real) in December.

I'm blocked.

And I don't mean constipated.

I mostly like to write stories.

I don't like to write about what I did today, or rant too much...I really enjoy the challenge of turning a feeling, a thought, a memory, or an experience...into a full fledged story.

So what does one do, when one is blocked?

I decided the only route, is to fill you in on a few things that took place this week. We'll just have to see where that takes me.

Today, we all got new cell phones. (Hence, the picture of Ernestine the operator. Phones... operator...you get the idea).

This was quite an ordeal. Enough decision making was involved to make one's head spin right off of one's neck.

Should we get phones with or without cameras. With or without a speaker. With or without game upload abilility. With or without video capability. Text messaging or not.

We finally decided on purchasing one phone that allowed us to get 3 more for free (of course free means, they pretend it's a phone worth $200 and then charge you the tax on that amount). But still a pretty good deal, I suppose.

It's funny how different things are today from when I was a kid. We had one phone line. I know for sure, that one of the 3 phones we had in the house, was a lovely shade of avocado green. I had to beg and cajole my way into getting my own phone line upon entering teenhood.

Today it seems, that every teen has their own phone, with a camera and internet access to boot.

Is this really a good thing? I suppose, in the long-run it is. We can find our children anywhere, anytime...isn't that great? But for whom? (or is it *who*...always confuse those two). Certainly not our children.

When we were 17 and going on a date, the boy picked you up, met the parents, and off we went. Of course, we had a curfew, and hopefully came home on time.
But did we ever talk to our parents during the date?

HELL NO!!!

Too bad for our kids...cause now we can track them down anywhere, anytime. And...we do!
But at what cost? And I don't mean monetarily speaking. I mean emotionally and psychologically. Is it really good for our children's growth to be calling and checking up on them?

I know it relieves my stress levels...but are they learning to make decisions and be independent if parents are always on their backs? Food for thought.

Another event that took place this week, was the anniversary of my marriage to Mr. Cruisin. Twenty one years is a long time to be with one person, don't you think? And no easy feat in this climate of divorce and affairs.

Someone asked me the other day, what our secret to a long marriage was. That's an easy one for me...

Marry someone you like. Marry someone with similar values. Marry someone who makes you laugh and thinks you're funny. Have a husband that accepts you even when you're going nuts.

But here's the most important one of all, that no one ever tells you. Marry a man who can fix things. This will keep him too busy and tired to ever want to even explore the idea of having an
affair, let alone actually having one. And let me tell you, when you start watching everything on your 50 year old body heading "south"...this is a good trick to have up your sleeve. That's the real reason "honey-do" lists were invented.

If you want to know how I feel about my husband of 21 years...you can read here. That post pretty much sums it up.

I bought myself two skirts on Friday. They are long and crinkly. One is black, and one is white. I figure this will get me through every season. And it's the only way Robert Avrech will allow me back into the lovely lecture/brunch he has annually, to honor his son, Ariel. Since I mostly love wearing my blue jeans...I guess you could say that welcoming two new skirts into my wardrobe was a move out of my comfort zone.

Ace was given the boot on American Idol this week. I suppose he deserved it. Pulling the hair back was not a good strategy.

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Taylor. He is completely full of joy, and exudes it all over the television screen. And although Catherine has an amazing voice and should probably win...Taylor should at least come in second.

Well, that's all I have to say.
I feel a little less blocked now.
Thanks for listening.