How mad do I need to get for my husband to know that I'm mad? I was mad for two days and my husband had no clue.
Clue #1: I didn't talk much on the ride to and from the Zen Center yesterday.
Clue #2: The cold shoulder treatment and unresponsiveness.
Clue #3: The glaring looks and stares.
Clue #4: Speaking only to him through the children.
Clue #5: Serving him his meals last and cold and only making my favorite dishes.
Clue #6: Only referring to him by Earnest instead of 'Babe' or 'Daddy'.
Clue #7: Not laughing at his jokes (which are very rarely funny).
Clue #8: Purposely not seasoning his food and serving him small portions only.
Clue #9: Taking longer in the bathroom than necessary...really long.
Clue #10: Leaving very little toilet paper on the roll and not changing it!
Clue #11: Pretending like I forgot to wash his draws so he would run out!
This morning, while I was in the kitchen, he came in to mess with me like he usually does. I turned away when he tried to kiss me, and said, "Leave me alone, can't you tell I'm still mad at you?"
Laughingly he replied, "You're mad at me?", "It's hard to tell...you're always mad!"
Monday, January 26, 2009
Monday, January 19, 2009
Greatest Day Ever!
Today was the greatest day ever! Our family spent the whole day down in Leimert Park, here in southern California, at the Annual Kingdom Day Parade in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Unlike the Tournament of Roses Parade, we were able to leave the house at 9:00 a.m. to secure a prime spot and didn't have to camp out over night! The parade started at 10:30 a.m. and usually lasts for two hours, but today it went on for hours. My last count was 240 entries at 2:30 p.m. and the parade had not ended! (The Rose Parade has only 89 entries!)
After the parade we walked over to the plaza and ate up! We had fried catfish, wings, french fries, sweet potatoe pie, snow cones, nachos, cotton candy, hot links, chips and well...let's just say that our family will probably have very bad tummy aches tonight!
What a wonderful feeling of excitement there was in the air. People were dancing, laughing, and just enjoying each other. The 82 degree weather was a treat as well as it was the perfect temperature for a perfect day. (I love LA!)
There were so many people there (of all ethnicities) and most of them were sporting Obama and Dr. King T-shirts. Mostly Obama.
I jokingly mentioned to Earnest, my husband, that I'd love to open a store and sell Obama-bilia! His popularity alone could probably bail us out of our national deficit!
Something was definitely very different about today's parade than others we have attended in previous years. There was a sense of hope and readiness for change. Long awaited change. You could feel it. People were so friendly and just wanted to celebrate. There was a true feeling of unity. A confirmation of a dream fulfilled. And that we should continue to dream and never give up on our dreams.
I'm sure that tomorrow's events of President-Elect Obama's Inauguration was on everyone's mind and it contributed to the excitement of the day.
As I looked out into the crowd and thought of everyone Dr. King touched, I could not help but feel grateful. Grateful to Dr. King and the many who made today's celebration of his dream - a reality.
Thank you Dr. King!
Unlike the Tournament of Roses Parade, we were able to leave the house at 9:00 a.m. to secure a prime spot and didn't have to camp out over night! The parade started at 10:30 a.m. and usually lasts for two hours, but today it went on for hours. My last count was 240 entries at 2:30 p.m. and the parade had not ended! (The Rose Parade has only 89 entries!)
After the parade we walked over to the plaza and ate up! We had fried catfish, wings, french fries, sweet potatoe pie, snow cones, nachos, cotton candy, hot links, chips and well...let's just say that our family will probably have very bad tummy aches tonight!
What a wonderful feeling of excitement there was in the air. People were dancing, laughing, and just enjoying each other. The 82 degree weather was a treat as well as it was the perfect temperature for a perfect day. (I love LA!)
There were so many people there (of all ethnicities) and most of them were sporting Obama and Dr. King T-shirts. Mostly Obama.
I jokingly mentioned to Earnest, my husband, that I'd love to open a store and sell Obama-bilia! His popularity alone could probably bail us out of our national deficit!
Something was definitely very different about today's parade than others we have attended in previous years. There was a sense of hope and readiness for change. Long awaited change. You could feel it. People were so friendly and just wanted to celebrate. There was a true feeling of unity. A confirmation of a dream fulfilled. And that we should continue to dream and never give up on our dreams.
I'm sure that tomorrow's events of President-Elect Obama's Inauguration was on everyone's mind and it contributed to the excitement of the day.
As I looked out into the crowd and thought of everyone Dr. King touched, I could not help but feel grateful. Grateful to Dr. King and the many who made today's celebration of his dream - a reality.
Thank you Dr. King!
Friday, January 16, 2009
Finding My Center
Where is my center and how do I find it?
For me, it is that very quiet place that is still, tranquil, calm and at peace. Usually while on the cushion in sitting meditation.
And yet, while sitting, there is thought. But I see the thought arising and as I breathe in slowly, the thought slowly fades and I breathe out - calmly. I do not force the thought away, nor do I hold onto it or follow it. I lovingly and gently let it go.
Breathing in...breathing out. There is only the breath. There is no me, no I. Only equinimity. (No duality.)
Ahh...there it is.
Staying here (centered) is the real challenge. Especially off the cushion.
For me, it is that very quiet place that is still, tranquil, calm and at peace. Usually while on the cushion in sitting meditation.
And yet, while sitting, there is thought. But I see the thought arising and as I breathe in slowly, the thought slowly fades and I breathe out - calmly. I do not force the thought away, nor do I hold onto it or follow it. I lovingly and gently let it go.
Breathing in...breathing out. There is only the breath. There is no me, no I. Only equinimity. (No duality.)
Ahh...there it is.
Staying here (centered) is the real challenge. Especially off the cushion.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Right Speech
Lately I have been keeping up with my Buddhist friends in the blog community and was inspired to take my practice to a higher level. I shared one of my thoughts about RIGHT SPEECH with my husband (Earnest) and said to him, "Honey, I have decided that one of my goals for this year it to take RIGHT SPEECH more seriously and if I can't say something nice, I just won't say anything at all!"
Without skipping a beat Earnest replied, "This is going to be a very QUIET year for you!"
Without skipping a beat Earnest replied, "This is going to be a very QUIET year for you!"
Monday, January 12, 2009
The Married Life
This morning as Earnest, my adorable and loving husband, were in our car and on the way to our bank, I hinted, "Honey, you haven't said those three little magic words to me yet today".
After a long and quiet pause, Earnest responded hestitantly, "What's...for dinner?"
After a long and quiet pause, Earnest responded hestitantly, "What's...for dinner?"
Friday, January 9, 2009
48 Hours of Anniversary
This year my husband, Earnest and I are entering 13 years of marriage and boy did we celebrate! Yeah baby, my honey took me out for a night on the town - literally! We actually spent the night on Colorado Boulevard in Pasadena awaiting the 120th Tournament of Roses Parade.
We arrived on Colorado at noon on the 31st of January (our Christian wedding date) to stake our claim for a prime spot for the parade. This is a huge event that draws millions of people and every inch of space is literally fought for. Thus the need for law enforement who patrol the area. And their presence is felt and heard all night long! (I can actually imitate the sound of a police siren. Earnest gets a big kick out of this. It's a gift.)
We got there so early that we were interviewed on three television stations. It was our suitcases and all our gear that caught their attention. The television crew found it amusing that we came ALL THE WAY from Burbank with so much stuff! (Burbank is less than ten minutes from Pasadena.)
A side note: The parade does not actually begin until 8:00 am January 1st (our Buddhist wedding date).
From noon to midnight everyone is allowed to put all their belongings on the sidewalk. At midnight (officially New Year's Day), everyone races to put their folded chairs on the street just behind a marked line. But, it is on the 'street'.
So, as one can imagine, it is very hard to sleep. A: It's cold. B: It can be dangerous. C: It's too darn cold (oh, I said that already huh?) and D: It's too noisy to get any rest. Earnest and I slept a total of two hours each - if that much.
Somehow sitting in the cold, I just kept thinking about how I had to go to work right after the parade and Earnest would be going home, kicking back, and watching the USC game on television and that made me mad. I didn't hesitate to let him know that either. So much for my Buddhist practice in that moment. Where was my compassion? (I was hogging it all up on me!)
We were very fortuate to get a great spot right in front of Starbucks, because after midnight, from 1:00 a.m. until 5:00 a.m. (which is the longest part of the night), the hot chocolate sure came in handy!
This is an annual family event for the Harris household and as we sat there in our folded chairs, wrapped in our blankets (shivering), my son commented, "So Mom, you and Dad actually have a 48 hour anniversary".
I had never really thought of it like that! I had always focused on the fact that in order to honor both of our religious beliefs, we held two weddings on two separate days.
So being the woman that I am and looking for another reason to throw a party, I have decided to milk the 48 hour anniversary celebrations and bump it up. The other day I mentioned to Earnest that I would like to renew our vows in both traditions (Christian and Buddhist). He said he would 'think' about it. I'm thinking January 2, 2010 and extending the anniversary to 72 hours! I might even talk him into breaking it up into two days again for both ceremonies (Jan. 2nd and 3rd) and going for 96 hours!!
BUT, I will not choose to 'go out' all 96 hours!
Around 4:00 in the morning as we sat in the cold (freezing our nalgas off), we looked over at our children sleeping (through all the noise) on the air mattress snug and warm and it occurred to us, "We must be idiots! We are choosing to be homeless on a night that is considered the most unsafe of the year, while all our worldly possessions are at home nice and toasty!", "On top of that, we are trying to sleep inches away from the street where people are driving up and down the boulevard, probably drunker than two-day-old skunks!"
We couldn't help but laugh. It was at this point that I decided I would be so kind as to share my gift of making siren sounds. We laughed our (very cold) butts off!
And yet as the morning rolled in and the parade began, we looked at each other and knew without saying a word - it is so worth it and we'll do it again next year!
We really are match made in heaven and truly do deserve each other!
We arrived on Colorado at noon on the 31st of January (our Christian wedding date) to stake our claim for a prime spot for the parade. This is a huge event that draws millions of people and every inch of space is literally fought for. Thus the need for law enforement who patrol the area. And their presence is felt and heard all night long! (I can actually imitate the sound of a police siren. Earnest gets a big kick out of this. It's a gift.)
We got there so early that we were interviewed on three television stations. It was our suitcases and all our gear that caught their attention. The television crew found it amusing that we came ALL THE WAY from Burbank with so much stuff! (Burbank is less than ten minutes from Pasadena.)
A side note: The parade does not actually begin until 8:00 am January 1st (our Buddhist wedding date).
From noon to midnight everyone is allowed to put all their belongings on the sidewalk. At midnight (officially New Year's Day), everyone races to put their folded chairs on the street just behind a marked line. But, it is on the 'street'.
So, as one can imagine, it is very hard to sleep. A: It's cold. B: It can be dangerous. C: It's too darn cold (oh, I said that already huh?) and D: It's too noisy to get any rest. Earnest and I slept a total of two hours each - if that much.
Somehow sitting in the cold, I just kept thinking about how I had to go to work right after the parade and Earnest would be going home, kicking back, and watching the USC game on television and that made me mad. I didn't hesitate to let him know that either. So much for my Buddhist practice in that moment. Where was my compassion? (I was hogging it all up on me!)
We were very fortuate to get a great spot right in front of Starbucks, because after midnight, from 1:00 a.m. until 5:00 a.m. (which is the longest part of the night), the hot chocolate sure came in handy!
This is an annual family event for the Harris household and as we sat there in our folded chairs, wrapped in our blankets (shivering), my son commented, "So Mom, you and Dad actually have a 48 hour anniversary".
I had never really thought of it like that! I had always focused on the fact that in order to honor both of our religious beliefs, we held two weddings on two separate days.
So being the woman that I am and looking for another reason to throw a party, I have decided to milk the 48 hour anniversary celebrations and bump it up. The other day I mentioned to Earnest that I would like to renew our vows in both traditions (Christian and Buddhist). He said he would 'think' about it. I'm thinking January 2, 2010 and extending the anniversary to 72 hours! I might even talk him into breaking it up into two days again for both ceremonies (Jan. 2nd and 3rd) and going for 96 hours!!
BUT, I will not choose to 'go out' all 96 hours!
Around 4:00 in the morning as we sat in the cold (freezing our nalgas off), we looked over at our children sleeping (through all the noise) on the air mattress snug and warm and it occurred to us, "We must be idiots! We are choosing to be homeless on a night that is considered the most unsafe of the year, while all our worldly possessions are at home nice and toasty!", "On top of that, we are trying to sleep inches away from the street where people are driving up and down the boulevard, probably drunker than two-day-old skunks!"
We couldn't help but laugh. It was at this point that I decided I would be so kind as to share my gift of making siren sounds. We laughed our (very cold) butts off!
And yet as the morning rolled in and the parade began, we looked at each other and knew without saying a word - it is so worth it and we'll do it again next year!
We really are match made in heaven and truly do deserve each other!
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Life With Dianna
I had an Ikea moment the other day. Well almost an Ikea moment. Have you seen the commercial where the lady runs out of Ikea and as she is walking quickly to the car she yells to her husband who is waiting in the car, "Start the car! Start the car!", as if it is some kind of bank heist and they need to get away quickly before the store clerk realizes she undercharged her?
My husband and I were at Ralph's (our local grocer) picking up a few items. Several from the frozen food section. I forgot to grab a small basket at the entrance of the store and the items I had in my hands were very cold. I have no idea why grocery stores are so darn cold. Well actually I do, but that doesn't stop me from mumbling under my breath, "Could somebody please close the refridgerator door!"
Anyway, my hands were freezing so I took off running with all the cold items in my hands towards the entrance to get a small basket. I was hunched over because I was freezing and must have looked like I was running towards a football goal line as I clasped the frozen food under my arm as if I were going in for a touchdown. As I grabbed the basket and I turned back to see if Earnest was waiting for me, he had a bewildered look on his face. Apparently he didn't hear me say I was going to get a basket. He was appalled! He looked scared. Really scared and worried.
When I caught up to Earnest, he had a look of relief on his face and said, "Babe, I know these are hard times, but we CAN afford these groceries. I had no idea what you were doing when you took off. I thought you were making a run for the door without paying and I wasn't sure if I should cause a diversion or what I should do." To which I replied, "Start the car! Start the car!", "Whoaaaa!"
Total Grocery Bill: $15.91
Look on Earnest's Face When He Thought I Was Stealing: Priceless
My husband and I were at Ralph's (our local grocer) picking up a few items. Several from the frozen food section. I forgot to grab a small basket at the entrance of the store and the items I had in my hands were very cold. I have no idea why grocery stores are so darn cold. Well actually I do, but that doesn't stop me from mumbling under my breath, "Could somebody please close the refridgerator door!"
Anyway, my hands were freezing so I took off running with all the cold items in my hands towards the entrance to get a small basket. I was hunched over because I was freezing and must have looked like I was running towards a football goal line as I clasped the frozen food under my arm as if I were going in for a touchdown. As I grabbed the basket and I turned back to see if Earnest was waiting for me, he had a bewildered look on his face. Apparently he didn't hear me say I was going to get a basket. He was appalled! He looked scared. Really scared and worried.
When I caught up to Earnest, he had a look of relief on his face and said, "Babe, I know these are hard times, but we CAN afford these groceries. I had no idea what you were doing when you took off. I thought you were making a run for the door without paying and I wasn't sure if I should cause a diversion or what I should do." To which I replied, "Start the car! Start the car!", "Whoaaaa!"
Total Grocery Bill: $15.91
Look on Earnest's Face When He Thought I Was Stealing: Priceless
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