Noury's Creative World…

Looking at myself again.  Sorry, but I am cleaning my Pictures File and found this one too good not to be shared.  This picture was taken January, 2013…I bet I have aged around ten years or more since then.  Why?  I don’t have the foggiest idea.  I just think so.  Too bad this high-end store did not sell tiaras.  The sales lady brought shoes with the red sole trying to play big time to my ego.  Maybe she thought she was going to meet her monthly quota with me.  Ha!

Every woman has a secret dream that one day, just for one day, you will look and feel like a princess.  I didn’t have that opportunity until the day this picture was taken.  I was looking for a dress to be the best-looking-ever-mother of the bride.  Did I wear this dress to the wedding?  No…it was not meant to be.  It was my daughter’s day, not mine.

Maybe one day I can dress like a princess again and dance until midnight, when then the dress, the prince, the tiara, the Toyota Highlander (Richard and Raylene’s because they have a later model), and the shoes all will disappear.  Wait, there will be one shoe left behind, because how in the world is prince charming going to find me?  Shoot, I didn’t think about that one.  So many millions of women and only one prince charming.  Logistics, logistics.  Already I have a broken heart.  Do you think this prince is on Facebook?  Is he a friend of a friend so then I can send the word out?  Hope so, otherwise I am in deep you know what.

Oh dear, if the shoes, dress and everything will disappear, I hope there is a rag around to cover myself.  Need to put “rag” on the to do list.

This prince needs to know that there is a woman in rags that is looking for him and the shoe.  This raggedy woman has the perfect flat foot that will fit perfectly in that stiletto.  Yes, she is short, well, sort of, so she had to wear stilettos to the ball.

This is going very well…and feeling really happy.  So there’s a way this Mr. Wonderful, wait…I have to put him into some demographics group and be very specific about qualifications and looks.  Now, this just got a bit complicated.  I don’t even have an idea how “he” is supposed to look.  Come to think about it…what happens if I am not his type?  The plot thickens.

More complications.  Just thought about this…I need to have the other shoe, so I can prove to this wonderful-prince-to be that I am the stunning looking Medicare babe he danced with at the Bingo Hall.  Too late to re-arrange this out of control story.  So many things to think about and my brain is already in overload because of the crises created by my new “the beast” computer.

Maybe is all better to just show you the picture and stay just as I am.  Dreaming about my prince charming.  But, you know already what type of personality I have.   AAA, so let’s go back to the drawing board…next time.  I need to define this Mr. Make-Me-Happy-Forever- guy.  Yeah…right!  Mission Impossible.

Oh, one more thing, frogs need not apply.  Don’t have the time and energy to go through the tedious process.  Need all the energy to find that guy, I mean, the prince and the stiletto shoe.  Hope all of you froggies will understand.

I am totally drained.

Your Happy Contessa

“Kindness is really important for me in finding my own prince – so are patience and a sense of humor.  Without those qualities, he’s no Prince Charming.”  Anne Hathaway, American actress.  12 November, 1982 -.

Note:  This is not the original picture of the posting.  By mistake I deleted the other one.  This one will have to do.  Sorry

Got very tired of looking at myself every time I turned on my computers, old and new. Yes, I have a new computer that is making my hair grow grayer by the second.  Need to buy two bottles of hair color instead of one.  More on this much later on.  Feel very tempted sometimes to just evaporate so I don’t have to deal with my new “the beast” computer.

Needed a new picture to change scenery, so while I was cleaning my pictures file I came across this so-tempting-salad that looks almost exactly to the one that I have every day.  Instead of cantaloupe, right now I am using pears and apples.  Taste is ever delicious.  I am such a creature of habit.  The above picture was my lunch  August 11, 2011.

Quinoa and black beans, and oh, yes, plantain and olive oil (lots of it) for breakfast.  Dinner is quinoa and black beans to which I add, sometimes, wild Alaskan salmon with tomato paste and onions and olives.  Yum yum.  Of course, a little of XVOO.

As you can tell, the muses are still in the Florida Keys, and I am just mumbling words to fill space.  This is so bad, that even myself, I find it hard to tolerate this posting.  But life is short.  Take it as it comes.  I am taking it with all the good, bad and not so bad stuff that comes with it.

Well…168 words as of now.  Good enough.  Hopefully this will motivate me to search for a new team of muses.  Anyone has any idea where I can find a supply of willing, with a good sense of humor and good attitude-muses at a good price?  By being cheap, I do not mean to get mediocre quality in return.  Get it?

At 278 words, I must now continue cleaning my pictures file…so I must wave the goodbye flag until next time.  I do appreciate all of you putting up with me and my sense of confusion at this moment.

Happy Contessa

“The feeling of my smallness and my nothingness always kept me good company.”  Pope John XXIII, head of the Catholic Church from 1958 to 1963.  25 November 1881-3 June 1963.

Found this little essay I made October 2011 when I attended a Writer’s Workshop, as always, trying to improve my talents to please all of you even more.

The essay was titled “Me” and was, let me see how I can put it, was listened to by two English Professors, one from a highly rated as a top private small college of the south by U.S. News and World Report.  After I finished reading my masterpiece, he clapped, surprising the other lady professor from a community college.  I was shocked! The next lady doing her reading said that she was not sure she could measure up to mine.  What! I was elated beyond description.

We were supposed to describe a moment and include details so others could picture themselves as being there with me.  Here it goes.

“It is bright, sun filtering through the windows looking at my lush green outside garden.  Sitting on my sofa with a quilt over it for comfortable texture.  Computer on my lap, ugly-looking glasses on my face showing that I am making an attempt to produce an intelligent piece of work for my blog.

There is my favorite drink next to me, a glass of water and I am wearing socks because I am always cold, even though I am wearing shorts and a sleeveless shirt.

No makeup, hair all over the place and my eyesight staring at the wall.

There is a slight smile on my face because I am thinking… something gotta give, need to write something or else.”

Had to share.  Of course, the picture is a selfie taken a few minutes ago, while the heat is on and I am freezing in my apartment.  Glass of water is in the kitchen, because I couldn’t find a table to put it next to the chair.  But hopefully you catch the drift.

Well…another day of 2014 drifting by…

Your Happy Contessa

“There is nothing to writing.  All you do is sit down at a typewriter and bleed.”  Ernest Hemingway, American writer and journalist.  21 July, 1899 – 2 July 1961.

I took this picture shortly after takeoff last September when I made a trip to California for 48 hours.  The reason I picked this picture is that in life we never know what’s ahead of us, even for a few seconds.  We need to be prepared and embrace and work with whatever life has in storage for us.

2014 has a good ringing…at least for me.  I expect more of the fun, amazing things, blessings and all the goodies the Creator wants to continue to surprise me with.  I am sure there will be challenging stuff, but what the heck, life is all about surprises and more surprises.

2013 certainly was a memorable year for me and my family.  My darling daughter got married last July 6th.  Fairy tale wedding, but the most important thing was the way they looked at each other when she was walking down the aisle…I wish all couples would look at each other that same way for the rest of their lives.  It made my heart swell with love and joy for them.

That was the highlight of my year…there were other things fabulous and great…there are always fabulous and great things happening in my life.  My glass is always full to the top with excitement and happiness.  Of course, sometimes I have a little gray cloud hanging over my head, but I always push it aside or continue my life in spite of that little cloud.  As my mother used to say…”Not every day is a holiday.”

With that being said…I wish all of you, my wonderful worldwide audience, only the best in your lives and may God give you the strength, patience, peace and joy we all need and deserve.

Happy Contessa

“Celebrate what you want to see more of.”  Tom Peters, American writer on business management practices.  7 November, 1942 -.

I am on a loving roll…just finished watching the most silly, romantic and cute movie of them all.  I knew how the end was going to happen from the first minute, but don’t ask me why, I watched the whole thing.

I am in a very good place right now in my life.  Love everything and everyone around me and those far away from me.  Maybe because the Christmas Spirit came and knocked on my door one day last week…who knows.

If we could get everything we ever wanted, I wonder how our lives would be.  I concluded today that there is someone who knows better than I do, what is the best for me.  So I just carry on and enjoy the journey.

Christmas is about the intangible…what is in your heart to give and about you graciously receiving the warmth of an embrace, eyes that look at you and tell you a beautiful story, touches that even though silent, have a whole story of unconditional love.

What is love?  For me is something you feel and leaves you breathless for a moment, something that transports you to a place where everything is just breathtaking.  I cannot describe love, I know I can feel it.  And I am feeling love all around me.

With that little essay…I must bow down to the muses…maybe they are getting closer…the last time I heard from them, they were in the Florida Keys, because the rest of the U.S.A. is freezing their derriere at incredible temperatures.  Sorry guys, but here in Florida, things are pretty toasty and shiny.

That was not the way I envisioned the ending of this loving posting…but this is how it is ending.  My apologies.

Your Happy Contessa

“Warmth can always be found in the heart.”  Me

Don’t intend to promote any products here, but this perfume which I just love, love, comes from Jo Malone.  It was the perfume my daughter wore on her wedding day.  I loved it so much, just as the photographer and everyone else in the room, that I decided to get my own.  I just promise to my daughter, I will not wear it when I am in her town.

The lady at the counter did such a beautiful job with the packaging, that it made it feel more special.  So is everything else in life.  You put an extra little effort, and there you have it, something very special.  This perfume was on my Bucket List and today it has been crossed out.

This was one of the scenes at the shopping mall where I purchased my treasured perfume, and it was all very enticing for all of us there, to depart with our money.  I used that plastic rectangle three times while there.  All in the name of the holidays and of course, being happy.

It was a beautiful morning…good hair weather, with no humidity, and I am happy with my newly found treasures.  It doesn’t take much to make me happy.

Another day of sharing the wonderful opportunity of being an angel on earth having a human experience.

The muses must be somewhere close by.  They have been absent since July 2011.  I am sure you have noticed this.  The inspiration well has been dry for a while now, but we must carry on.

Thanks for reading…hopefully it will get better one of these days.

Happy Contessa

“The most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or touched, they are felt with the heart.”  From The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery, French writer, poet and pioneering aviator.  29 June 1900 – 31 July 1944.

This was not the original picture for this posting, but it will have to do for now.  My apologies.

When I receive this piece of mail from a very dear friend, my stress level reaches an all time high.  Hers is always the first season’s greetings card that I have received for as long as I can remember.

So, when I see this in my mail, that means again, that the stress has just begun.  I don’t even want to open it, because it means I have to get my derriere in high gear.

I think this dear friend sits down and on the Friday after Thanksgiving, she is just waiting for 12:01 am to release all of her cards.  I love her dearly and would love for her to get me going in a sort of another way, but life is just that, life.  I already have my two little Christmas trees all decked up and the condo looks like I am all ready and set to go.  Yeah…don’t I wish.  I really don’t want to go into the stores, but I know I have to…or a thought just occurred…maybe I don’t have to go at all, and wait and see reactions.  But knowing how my self-confidence level is always on a variant…I know I will go like the rest of us, and break down and use that plastic rectangle.

Caramba!  Something nice in Spanish…just a phrase to release some steam.  I wish I could go into space until January 2nd and meditate in a bubble all the time.  I will be so melted and peaced out when I return, that maybe no one will recognize me.  Probably all my wrinkles will be gone (Yes!), and my nerves will be non-existent.  Hey Santa, are you listening?

Until next time, I will share a view of my small Christmas vision.

Happy Contessa

“It’s that wonderful time of the year…”  Ding, dong, ding, dong.

Checking on my blog, noticed it was snowing!  So had to change theme of the main page in a big hurry…

This is my grand-doggie’s gift.  His name is Baxter Brown, who has his own page on Facebook.  He was number one on my list.  So easy to please and I know how excited he gets when he gets a little present.

There is no wisdom right now, or maybe yes…start getting your presents (or not) pretty soon, because there are only so many shopping days left, sort of to drain your wallet and your checking account.

Sorry, but for me, this is what the holidays have become, trying to give to people who need your present like they need a hole in their brain.

I am positive I am not alone on this.  What’s wrong with giving love, compassion, caring, and empathy all throughout the year, instead of buying something that probably the provenance is from….China and they do not need anyways.  With my utmost respect to the Chinese people.

There I am, and I thought I had nothing to say…oh yes…college football is keeping me on the edge of my seat.  Love it!

Promise next posting will be more profound and maybe entertaining.

Happy Contessa

“Sometimes silence better serves the purpose of trying to say anything at all.”  Me

This is what greets me when I come into my kingdom…some of my books, a picture of my lovely daughter and her husband, and a sense of gratitude because I made it back home safe and happy to be in this place, and at this time in my life.

I am such a fortunate woman…the good Lord has always been by my side, to guide, protect, and encourage me when I need it most.

I am in a priceless place in my life and my heart just swells with gratitude and happiness.

Life is ultra good!

Wish all of you my friends wherever you may be today…a very Happy Thanksgiving Day and may your journey continue to be one of joy, gratitude and happiness.  Of course there will be some bumps on the road of our lives, but those are minor things compared to the bigger picture.  It is all about the bigger picture.

Love,

Your Happy Contessa

While visiting with family in South Florida, we made a stop along the way back, and when I saw this sign, it reminded me that in our family of three we used to always say, “follow the signs, the signs are your friend.”  That was also what Milagros told me when we visited Paris, and we were at Charles de Gaulle Airport… just landed, and I was obviously anxious, because we did not know a soul in Paris, and our francais was comme ci comme ca (so so).

She said this immortal words to me “mami, let’s follow the signs, they are your friend.”  That’s what we did, even when we did have my Google-printed instructions to go to the places we went.  Of course, Milagros, being young and very confident, sometimes defied the instructions.  Me? melting inside with the fear of getting lost, but she aced it all the time, and that’s how we found some places we would have missed had we followed Mrs. Google’s instructions.

Life is full of signs…invisible signs, intuitive signs, on-your-face signs, very loud signs and little signs that are like a knock on your mind and heart.   I live trying to figure out what’s their meaning, and that’s when I get all tangled up.  My patience is very limited and I want to know things pronto and with meaning very well spelled out.

Life is bigger, stronger and smarter than I am, so usually after wrestling for a while with “my signs,” I usually let go.  Do I have a choice?  Of course not!

Well…just wanted to share with all of you my wonderful readers, that the universe is always talking to us, even if we decide to listen or not.  I am still learning to listen very quietly.  Sometimes is in a language I totally do not recognize.

Another day in my beautiful, mysterious, wonderful life.

Happy Contessa

“The most beautiful experience we can have is the mysterious…”  Albert Einstein, German theoretical physicist.  14 March, 1879 – 18 April, 1955.