Mark and I were traveling through Kentucky a couple weekends ago. Everytime we do, I like to stop at The Party Source because they have a great selection of spirits.

That's where I find this awesome rum from a company called VooDooRum. It's RedRum. They were out, don't carry it anymore and I was irritated because I hear this every other time I go.

Anyway. As I was checking out, the lady--lady, not girl--asked for my i.d. I jokingly said, as I handed over my driver license, "because I look 16" *wink*.

She said: "We have to card everyone who looks under 30."

My jaw dropped. I didn't say another word.

She looked at my DOB and gave me the thumbs-up signal land said: "good job!".

40 years old and still gettin' carded.

Mental wanderings are a dangerous thing. Commercials too. I glanced up from the computer and saw part of a commercial for the Truman show. It was a quick image of a guy's behind while he's on his hands and knees. As quick as the image was it still did the damage of bringing back a memory.

A couple of summers ago, Mark and I were cruising around a lake on our boat, just puttering around looking at the houses that butted up against the lake, thinking how cool it would be to have a house where the boat was docked a few yards away. What we saw was hideous.

An elderly...gentleman decided he was going to do a bit of gardening around his dock. He was dressed in a black, thong speedo on his knees with his behind pointed toward the lake at all times. It was awful. I thought I had it purged from my mind but there you go, one quick little commercial and it all comes rushing back.

So I thought I'd share.

I really miss the 80's. The music was fun. This was one song that took a while to find, but I finally found it. It's by Tommy Shaw of Styx. It's sooo bouncing and fun, you can't help but laugh and be happy when you hear it! I clearly remember it being used in an episode of Miami Vice. <g> I luv cheese.

What songs do that for you?

Girls With Guns
Written by Tommy Shaw
Lead Vocals by Tommy Shaw

I'll tell you now
And I won't tell you twice
Where when and how
I got some bad advice

I never thought I could handle
A girl with guns
And let me tell you
You can bet that I'm not the only one

Stand tall, don't think small
Don't get your back against the wall
Shoot straight, I can't wait
Aim for the heart and fire away

I've come around
I understand today
And she's the target now
I'm gonna have my way

I always heard
Don't go messing with a girl with guns
She don't need you
She couldn't love you
She couldn't be any fun

Stand tall, don't think small
Don't get your back against the wall
Shoot straight, I can't wait
Aim for the heart and fire away

An innocent bystander
Who forgets to look both ways
Who never tries to understand her
Won't feel the heat 'til it's too late

Stand tall, don't think small
Don't get your back against the wall
Shoot straight, I can't wait
Aim for the heart and fire away

Got up this morning to let Molly out to go potty and sat down to scan channels on the t.v. 'til she asked to come back in. I came across a video channel actually playing videos. I about had a heart attack.

The song that came on was one that had been a favorite of mine since it was released but one I had forgotten about. Rediscovering music is a wonderful thing, it's like running into a dear friend you've not seen in years.

This particular song is one that teachs that without the lows throughout our lives we cannot appreciate all the highs that comes our way. Without the down, how would you know what up is?

I adore the way Jo Dee and Tim harmonize together, their voices blend so perfectly. The melody is beautiful and the lyrics serve to remind me that sometimes the lows aren't such a bad thing after all.

---

JO DEE MESSINA
Bring On The Rain (Jo Dee Messina with Tim McGraw)
(Billy Montana/Helen Darling)

Another day has almost come and gone
Can’t imagine what else could go wrong
Sometimes I’d like to hide away somewhere and lock the door
A single battle lost but not the war (‘cause)

Tomorrow’s another day
And I’m thirsty anyway
So bring on the rain

It’s almost like the hard times circle ‘round
A couple drops and they all start coming down
Yeah, I might feel defeated,
I might hang my head
I might be barely breathing - but I’m not dead

Tomorrow’s another day
And I’m thirsty anyway
So bring on the rain

I’m not gonna let it get me down
I’m not gonna cry
And I’m not gonna lose any sleep tonight

Tomorrow's another day
And I am not afraid
So bring on the rain.

...so the other day I was driving home from the post office and heard a song on the radio that perfectly described how I feel about my husband. It was Shania Twain's song Forever and Always and I started feeling very sentimental and emotional over the support I've had over the last couple of months from such a wonderful man that I had to share it. It was his idea to start Samhain, because he believes in me. He said "you can do it" and that was it.
(here's you chance to leave before I begin waxing sentimental)

I don't think I could be complete without him anymore. We've been married for 21 years and our lives are so integrated that life would just be empty without him. There is no other person on the face of this earth that could fill his shoes, that would stand by me and support me the way he does and does it so naturally.

We've had ups and downs. We've had ins and outs. We've weathered them all together, side-by-side, hand-in-hand. He is my rock, my fixed foot. We've been broke and we've been flush, but we've always been us. MarkandCrissy, like peasandcarrots. lol There is no one I trust more on this earth with my secret thoughts, feelings and hidden self. I know I am safe to just be me.

And what's even better is he feels the same way. He works evenings and sleeps days. If I'm out shopping or running and not home when he wakes, he calls me. He calls me when he gets to work just to chat for a few mintues before starting his day. And he loves it when I sleep in so he can jump me in the mornings. <g> 

And after 22 years of togetherness (yes, we lived together in sin--but how can love ever be a sin?) I still feel this about him:

In your arms
I can still feel the way you want me when you hold me
I can still hear the words you whispered when you told me
I can stay right here forever in your arms

And there ain't no way
I'm lettin' you go now
And there ain't no way
and there ain't not how
I'll never see that day...

'Cause I'm keeping you forever and for always
We will be together all of our days
Wanna wake up every morning to your sweet face
always

Mmmm, baby
In your heart
I can still hear a beat for every time you kiss me
And when we're apart,
I know how much you miss me
I can feel your love for me in your heart

 (I wanna wake up every morning)
In your eyes
 (I can still see the look of the one)
I can still see the look of the one who really loves me
 (I can still feel the way that you want)
The one who wouldn't put anything else in the world above me
 (I can still see love for me)
I can still see love for me in your eyes
 (I still see the love)

And there ain't no way
I'm lettin' you go now
And there ain't no way
and there ain't no how
I'll never see that day...

I'm keeping you forever and for always
I'm in your arms