Resolve

–noun

17. a resolution or determination made, as to follow some course of action.

18. firmness of purpose or intent; determination.

In wanting to steer clear of "What are your New Year Resolutions?" question, I thought it would be fun to hear about past resolutions that, in hindsight, you laughed your head off in recognition that it was an impossible feat!!

mine a year with no meat

"Here Kitty, Kitty!"

There are dog people and there are cat people.

Every so often you will run across someone who likes both.

Me...I am a dog person.

Thru and thru.

As a child I had Hercules and Mitzi.

As an adult there has been Tinkerbell (I know totally a cat name), Shadow and currently the King of the Castle is Buddy my "Wonder" Dog!

But yesterday while walking north on LaSalle Street, I inadvertently found myself in front of the Chicago Anti-Cruelty Society and this kitty was staring at me from his window perch.

He sat stone still as I pulled out my Snippet's camera and shot several photos of him thisclose to the glass.


He was beautiful.

And I think he liked me.

Now I am NOT getting a cat...

but if I ever did decide to make the switch...I would want the kitty to be as beautiful as him.

right now buddy would eat him limb by limb

With a blink of an eye...

it is over.

Christmas 2009 is in the record books.

It was filled with faith...


Family...




Lots and LOTS of sweet, sweet food...


good times with friends...


and, as is tradition, there was the giving of gifts, some of which were wrapped beautifully with loving care...

others were obviously wrapped by chimps at the zoo...


oh, no, I am sorry, I just saw the tag, it was not wrapped by chimps...

it was lovingly wrapped by my 21 year old son.

the time that took must have been a ton

“On a scale of one to ten,

where are you in terms of being ready for Christmas?” my BFF (okay maybe NOT my BFF, but she does KNOW me!) Ree a/k/a Pioneer Woman posed to her legion of fans today.

I commented "Please, PLEASE accept my negative ten! extra hands can you lend"

With not much time between working down here at the law firm during the day and baking for my dot dot dot eat cookies a lot! cookie clients at night...


other than my beautiful real tree being upright and partially decorated and three gifts bought...I am way, way behind where I usually am by this day.

But amazingly I sit here at work, whistling Christmas carols and feeling like a Who in Whoville, waking up on Christmas morning to find no presents, no decorations, no holiday food/treats, but I dress and gather with others in the middle of town, singing in praise and worship...


because I know that presents, trappings and such allow me to show love to others and that is nice...


but it is really about the birth of Christ


“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6

There was a time,

which now seems like forever ago, that I was married, living in a new subdivision, surrounded by couples in their 30’s, most of which, like us, had young children.

It was magical.

I had the financial ability to only work the middle 3 days – giving me four days in a row home with my kids each week.

We made lifetime friends, who shared/and some who still share, holidays with us.

As I sit here two days before the Celebration of the birth of Christ, looking out my office window at the beautiful snow enveloping our City with white...


i am reflecting on those days with wistful holiday delight

“You aren’t sleeping this morning!”

I said with a smile to the older, pudgy guy standing outside of an always-running black Cadillac Escalade smoking a cigarette, parked across the street from the prestigious East Bank Club.

I have seen him asleep in the driver’s seat many times as I walked past on my way to work.

Appearing to not be too annoyed with me, he replied “We start the day really early, so when he is in there for two hours or so, I take a nap.”

“So are you able to tell me who the “he” is that you drive for?” (“HE” could be some BIG celebrity – I just had to know!”)

“Sure, I drive Reverend Jackson around.” He boasted.

With an inherited-from-my-momma NO POKER face, I am sure he saw the flash in my eyes, my nostrils flare and my body language suddenly change as I said...

“Well then...have a nice day!”

when it comes to rev jackson i have nothing nice to say

L.F.M.T.F. Friday

Since acquiring my Art Institutes's Red Cube Number 9, I have been a little more selective about the "Left for Me to Find" photos that I take.

I have been blessed with a pretty good eye for photography, at least others said so, until my son Phillip came along and blew most everything I have ever shot out of the water.

So for this week's Left for Me to Find Friday, I will present you with what I consider to be some of my better found photos, most of which were taken at/under/near the train bridge at Clinton and Kinzie...






That's it.

Enjoy your weekend and try to take a little bit of time for yourselves!!

christmas elves

FORTY...

is the age when society expects one to finally be mature and act dignified...

but not my guy.

Happy 40th Keith!

you will now start to lose those teeth

Extra! Extra!

Read all about it!

Breaking HEADLINE Local News...

”Sister Tradition – Siblings Spend Day Enjoying Each Other’s Company”

The state of my local newspaper has deteriorated to the point where it is front page headline news when a local woman and her five daughters take one day during the Christmas season for THEMSELVES!

This is their 18th year of having a progressive dinner (in case you are a complete idiot, the article’s author defined what that means “The progressive dinner – an event during which each course is served at a different house….”)

This family decided 18 years ago “to make time for themselves, siblings drop husbands, kids for a day”...

So our paper gave them the lead story, front page headline...

Followed by a FULL PAGE article recounting this gala celebration in detail…

I continued reading, assured that I would learn about how they took time during their gathering to bake or knit for others, wrap toys for underprivileged children, SOMETHING charitable that made this story worthy of headline status.

But there would be nothing along those ridiculous lines...”We eat, drink and make merry!” one of the siblings was quoted.

And there also was this...

NO!

Say it isn't so!

She served salad AND decorated her house for Christmas!!

If that isn't newsworthy...I don't know what is!

Now do not get me wrong...I have nothing against sisters and their mom spending a day together sharing quality holiday time...

but making it a headline and full page article is a journalistic crime

Left For Me To Find Friday - Holiday Edition

Lights of red and green...

jingle jingle jing!

 The Mercantile Exchange's lobby's "Holiday" Tree...

looks like Christmas to me!

The BEST Deli in town....

sends ho ho ho's around.

And to wrap it all up...MY Jewel's Deli case...

Santa and tinsel right in your face!

“I am NOT leaving the house...

if it is less than 13 degrees tomorrow!”

Anna stated last night.

This morning it was a near recordbreaking 2 degrees.

Not wind chill - the actual temperature.

And winter does not officially begin until December 21st.

So if that was going to be her cut-off temperature, I offered her three potential options:

1.  Resign herself to having a long, boring, "spent my winter indoors" season;

2.  Sucking it up and dealing with the cold;

or...

3.  Princess could spend a lot more has-to-earn-it-herself money and attend an out-of-state college somewhere in the far, far south.

she was so not born with a silver spoon in her mouth

“I wish Christmas would just go away!”

my 21 year-old son exclaimed last night as the white lights were being woven onto our tree.

“I am not a Christian” he continued “and I think it is just about consumerism!”

I beg to differ.

Believing or not (I am so praying for him), it also encompasses traditions, family, friends and the extra opportunity to make sure that “Thanks for being in my life!” is known by those who need to know it.

And presents don’t have to be about spending money (at least not big money), they could be kind, loving words (FREE!), unselfish actions (again free!), cards, token presents or gifts of time.

After his comment, I am considering calling his bluff and instructing all to give him nothing...

no gift cards;

no cash in envelopes;

no Christmas greetings...

Zilch.

It might be a good lesson for him to experience at this stage of his life.

also helps with others whattogetpj present strife

I just got off the phone with a...

Vice President from the Merchandise Mart. I gathered they are concerned about the possibility of a suit being filed for my fall yesterday.

I let him know that I was banged up and incredibly sore, but my main objective in filing a written report was so they could address the issue and not have anyone else take a flying leap and possibly injure themselves worse than me.

my advice so far is free

Not quite the way...

I wanted to start my Monday……

but after taking this picture along the Chicago River in front of the Merchandise Mart to show off our beautiful first snowfall...

I walked forward and turned to cross over to the Mart, stepping onto the bright yellow painted handicap walkway and my feet went out from under me…

I attempted to catch myself, but ended up doing a 1 ½ gainer directly onto the street.

Stunned, it took a second or two to get my bearings, which gave a kind passerbyer time to reach me and help me onto my feet.

I stood there sopping wet, on the verge of tears like a 9 year-old who just fell off her bike.

The Mart security guard, who also witnessed my gymnastic move of a fall, came over and inquired if I was okay and then said “I have told them for years that they have to put sand in that paint. I see people slip on it all the time!”

She took down my information and said to call the office of the building if I require any medical attention or if my Snippet’s camera (it was in my hand, so it also fell hard to the concrete) was broken.

Right now I am in my office, working and becoming more and more….

stiff and sore

“500 Ways of Looking at Modern....

Is a city-wide art project supporting The Art Institute of Chicago’s yearlong exploration and celebration of all things modern.

There are 500 cubes scattered around Chicago, each with its own art project. Some of these art projects will be featured in a special display at the Art Institute in the spring of 2010.”

I had heard that the Art Institute was promoting its new Modern Wing by displaying 6 inch red cubes around Chicago.

I knew nothing more than that.

So it wasn’t too surprising yesterday morning when I saw one sitting in a recently emptied concrete planter across the street from the Merchandise Mart.

I stopped and photographed it...

and after that shot I noticed what else was written on it...

"Take this with you and visit....."

Yahoo!! It is now MINE!!

No. 9!

Following the directions I went on-line and registered it...

"Susan Moody completed the task.

Ironically I am a photojournalist, blogger and lover of Chicago!!  While walking into my office this morning I found Cube #9!  It was sitting in a recently emptied concrete planter, directly across the street from the Merchandise Mart, I photographed it, and then claimed it as mine!!

i will treat it so very fine "

Afterwards I noticed that the title for my cube said “Create your own William Eggleston”.

What?

Who is this William Eggleston?

I then clicked on the link that the Art Institute provided...

"William Eggleston: Democratic Camera, Photographs and Video 1961–2008
February 27–May 23, 2010 - Galleries 182-184, 188


Overview:  One of the most influential American artists, William Eggleston changed the history of color photography. This exhibition—the artist’s first retrospective in the United States—brings together Eggleston’s famous color photographs of the American South with lesser-known works, such as his early black-and-white prints and provocative video recordings."

and their web page contains only one of Mr. Eggleston's famous photos...

William Eggleston. Untitled from Los Alamos, 1965-68 and 1972-74 (published 2003.) Private Collection. © Eggleston Artistic Trust, courtesy Cheim and Read, New York. "

Seeing that led me to excitedly comment again....

"Susan Moody - Finder of # Niner commented on 12/2/2009

I just read the link about William Eggleston and was blown away by the photo that you have posted. I believe that most all things happen for a reason....my son, Phillip, who is young and wildly talented took this photo...

as part of his series on shopping carts....see any connection??

he received gallery rejection"

Again not really reading everything in its entirety the first two or three times...I again re-read the article, at which point I finally SEE this...

"William Eggleston: Democratic Camera, Photographs and Video 1961–2008

February 27–May 23, 2010 - Galleries 182-184, 188"

William Eggleston's Exhibit opens at the Art Institute on February 27th....

my son's birthday!

Is this one of those events that is truly "meant to be?"

stay tuned to see

“With no offense...

why do you think people love your cookies so much?” my trusted friend inquired “I mean they are good, but they are just cookies.”

As you might already know, last night I had an appointment with Deb, my hairstylist (and trusted friend).

Not only is she remarkably talented in her profession…but she is a great read of people and gives awesome advice.

So your appointment leaves you not only with beautifully coiffed hair, but also with that purged feeling of having just finished a therapy session.

We talk about it all.

Life,

Strife,

Laughter,

Pain,

Family,

Finances....

and everything in between.

I had asked her to cut my hair even shorter….but she hesitated and said “I know you well enough that you are going to need to get use to this...next time we can go shorter if you want.”

I paid, gave Deb a big hug and walked out into the cool, brisk December night and headed home for Round 2 of the day...baking for my keepsmepayingthemortgage business…

dot dot dot eat cookies a lot!

A platter of holiday cookies is being picked up tonight by one of my constant clients who tells me she “just doesn't have the time to bake!”

there is 24 hours in a day for pete sake

Snip, Snip, Snip….

and I am not talking about “Snippets” of conversation here…I am talking about scissors snipping off my hair.

Tonight I have an appointment with a trusted friend.

My hairstylist.

For years Deb has been nudging me to go with a short, sassy hair style.

I have been stuck in the “long means young” mode and when it comes to young - it encompasses a lot of things in my life...

like how I dress...

who I date...

and most often how I act...

But I have come to the conclusion that due to age and other extenuating factors it is time for me to get rid of this over processed, thinning, not very flattering, longer hair.

And THAT is all I am willing to change at this point.

I will still dress, date and act younger than my age!!

this cougar is outta her cage