The Heart of Life

Happiness

"Happiness lies for those who cry, those who have searched, and those who have tried, for only they can appreciate the importance of people who have touched their lives."

Just as Sweet

So I've been thinking that I want to rename the blog. When I started it, I stuck "Mike and Cindi" on top until I could think up something more clever and then promptly found more important things to do. My archive tells me that Mike and I will have been keeping the blog for four years on January 14. And still no title. We started this blog before we were married, for pity's sake!

But what do we call it? That is the question. I want something catchy and/or clever. Any ideas?

Not Yet

Give me chastity and continence, but not yet.- St Augustine

...Go I...

Tonight we fed the homeless. Ok, so I don't really know that he was homeless - but he was begging for money outside of CVS pharmacy where I made Mike take me to buy some medicine to treat a cold sore that I have inside of my lip. I suppose it is more accurate to say that we fed someone less fortunate.

After five years in the city, we can automatically identify those who are going to ask for money. Mike warned me when I got out to run into the store that he was standing by the door. He asked me for money, but I had no cash and apologetically told him that I couldn't help. He thanked me.

As I came out of the store and got into the car, Mike asked me if I wanted anything from McDonald's. Since we had recently had a big talk about "fiscal responsibility" and eating at home, I was surprised that he was wanting to stop for fast food. On top of which, it was after 10 p.m. - long past our dinnertime. I said that I wasn't hungry and asked if he was.

"No." He said, "I'm getting that guy a burger."

Mike went into McDonald's and came out with a value meal and a large coffee, which we took back and dropped off with the appreciative recipient.

If this last year has taught me anything, it is an appreciation for the precarious situation in which a majority of us find ourselves. A year ago, I would have looked at that guy and been irritated because I knew that he was going to ask me for money. I might even have entered through another door to try and avoid an awkward encounter - but tonight I looked at him, as I now look at nearly everyone who asks me for money - and I thought, "There but for the grace of God..."

Both Mike and I were lucky enough to survive job lay-offs at our jobs last year. So many people were not as fortunate. It's not black and white. Where would I be if I didn't have a supportive family and I lost my job? Maybe I'd be begging for money outside of CVS in a snow storm. It could be me. Or you.

Someone recently (jokingly) told me that I might as well have a sign on my forehead because if I have money and am asked, I will generally give it away. Not large amounts - a dollar here or there. I don't care. Today Mike did something nice for our fellow man and that makes me feel really good.

Beatitude

"A little drowsing cat is an image of a perfect beatitude." - Jules Champfleury

Watching 'Steven Seagal: Lawman'

A Series of Unfortunate Events

Mike has had a very bad day.

It started when we were driving to work today. The "Low Tire Pressure" light came on. Then the new Health Commissioner canceled the inspection that he was going to do with the Mikster today. (No big whoop there - but it denotes a pattern.)

Then he somehow managed to lock his keys in the trunk. Our conversation about this event went something like this:

Cindi: So, Houdini - you wanna tell me how you managed to lock your keys in the trunk?
Mike: No.

Then he called and I was working late, so he had to wait to see which train I would be coming home on. Once I called him, he left to pick me up. I arrived and he wasn't waiting for me. I called and found out that he'd had a flat tire (remember the low tire pressure light?) about a block away from where the train stopped.

By the way, he's not very pleased about me taking pictures of him changing the flat. That and the fact that he's forced to kneel in mud to change the tire in one of his favorite pair of pants.

On the plus side, I scrubbed out his pant legs once we got home and the mud didn't set and stain. Go me!

Man, I hope tomorrow's a better day.

Blog Fail

So. I haven't posted a single blog entry in the month of December...and it's the 28th. Bad blogger! Bad, bad! I guess you have permission to yell at me...but it's so much easier to just post a pithy remark as my status on Facebook. I find that I possess a wicked wit in the Facebook medium.

However can I redeem myself? Oh, I know! Pictures!! How about pictures of our recent trip to Soldier Field to see the Bears play!? Bonus!


St. Louis Rams....boooooooo! No Kurt Warner = no Cindi love.
Who is this cutie?
Beeeeeeeer. Or as we like to call it at the various sporting events we attend..."liquid gold."


After watching the kicker tackle the punt returner, I decided he was my new favorite guy. Too bad that three weeks later I can't remember his name. Better luck next time, kicker man. I'm sorry I didn't find you memorable enough to bother to remember your name. But...you know...go Bears...or something.
More Bears.

How does one survive a Bear attack, you ask? Well there are several suggestions - including:
1) Make a lot of noise
2) Talk to the bear to make sure he sees you.
3) Hold you arms high above your head to make you look like a much bigger animal
4) Continue to talk and slowly back away; (If you run he will chase you).
5) Climb a tree
6) Drop to a fetal position
7) Play dead.

The Rams did a lot of 1-6 and ended with #7, as the Bears managed to eek out a win.
YaY! Go Bears! (Imagine me saying this with a thick Chicago accent)

Is it an Eskimo? Basically.
More cuteness.
I hate this picture, but it really shows how awesome our seats were.

My former employer - still a really cool building.
And an exhibit that I will definitely have to be checking out soon.



And a picture of Mike on Christmas Eve as we pack to head out to the land of wingéd wheels.
Mucho handsomeness.

Mike's mom got Beatle's trivial pursuit for Christmas and we decided to give it a try. Not as much fun as it sounds. Too, too hard. I didn't get a single question right. The questions have different levels of difficulty and eventually we decided to only use the easy questions. Still only about six questions were answered correctly - none by me. Bah!

Christmas cookies!!! (Sorry - got distracted).
So we decided to break out the older millenium version of the game.
The blue piece won the game. Know who was blue? Me! Ha! In yo' face! I left my opponents cryin' for their mommies. Boo. Yah. I rule you! ...And that's all the pictures I've got. My Christmas was good - how was yours?!

Quote of the Day

"When sorrows come, they come not in single spies, but in battalions!" - William Shakespeare

Thanksgiving and Dicey Snaps

Charlie and Lyric. We had Lyric all day last Saturday while my dad was visiting and they enjoyed entertaining each other.


We headed for Michigan to spend Thanksgiving with Mike's family. Mike and Kelly at Thanksgiving dinner.


Yummy. Homemade mac-and-cheese.

Mike's salad.

Cranberries!

I was bound and determined to catch Mike putting food into his mouth. I don't know why, but I finallky got it! Yes!!!!

On Friday night, Mike and I met up with Kelly and their cousin, Dave and had dinner and drinks at Memphis Smoke in Royal Oak. After dinner, we listened to Christian Collins and Molasses.

Mike at Memphis Smoke...

Then in Saturday it was time for the annual Grandpa Al dicey championship, which Sandy took home! She's the first winner from the Kurczewski side of the family. The first of many, as I'm sure we'll dominate from here on out. :)

More pictures from Dicey night...