Have you ever had those moments where life seems to be happening all around you but you're not a part of it? It's like a play unfolding before your very eyes, but you're not a cast member? You can watch and observe but nothing you do affects the outcome or alters the plot in any way?

That's how I've been feeling lately. I go through my routine -- work, home, sleep -- and repeat it every day, but it seems I'm not affecting anything, for better or worse. It's like I'm a shadow that...

Lately my mind has drifted to thoughts about my maternal grandfather. We shared the same birthday (which is fast approaching), which is probably why he's on my mind.

I didn’t get to know him much as a kid growing up. Grandpap was aloof and kind of grumpy. When we’d go visit, he’d hang around for five minutes or so then quietly slip away to his bedroom, so as not to be disturbed. Truthfully, he scared me. When he would talk, he was gruff, short, and almost mean. It seemed as though...

May I ask whatever happened to good customer service? It seems to have gone the way of the LP, eight-track, and black and white TVs. I don't want to turn this into a rant, but it probably will end up that way .

Lately, I've just really been paying attention to others' attitudes and behaviors that I observe, run in to or are faced with head on and it appears that rudeness has multiplied faster than two love-struck rabbits. It's mostly been seen in the service sector.

...

As some of you know, my FIL has been hospitalized since 7/7/08. He had surgery that day to remove esophogial cancer. He was supposed to have another procedure at the same time, but they couldn't do it. The 8 hour surgery to remove the cancer was a success. However, his recovery has been a long and rocky road.

First, was the pneumonia. Next was a separate lung infection for being on a ventilator for so long (at the time, 10+ days). Next was MRSA that he contracted at the hospital....

Where has all the time gone? One minute they were babies... so cute and so small and so helpless... and now they're both TEENAGERS!! Yes, it's official. My baby girl just turned 13 today! My son turned 14 in June.

So, a new chapter in life begins. Well, it had already been unfolding for a while, but you know what I mean. It's official now. There's already been the phone calls, hanging out with their friends and spending the night or two or the weekend with friends. Did I mention the...