putzing around...

i've always liked the term "putzing around." i first heard the word as a little girl by overhearing my irate aunt complain to my not-so-irate uncle that he was just 'putzing around.' i had no idea what she meant, nor even how to spell the word to discover its meaning in the depth of webster's. that's what i get for eavesdropping on my relatives' conversations...

i heard the term again (several times over) when walter matheau barked "PUTZ!" in the direction of his friend, jack lemmon in "grumpy old men," a classic movie my extended family often watched over thanksgiving weekend years ago.

desiring my tongue to spew only a lady's language, my mother insisted i refrain from trying this word on for size. for years, she reminded me that "putz" neither exhibited positivity or genuine regard for whomever the word so happened to be directed. 'do you wish to sound like a dirty ol' man or a young woman?'

yet years later (it's been approximately 11 years since walter matheau crossed my mind), the term "putzing around" still enchants me. now, i do heed my mother's word (sort of) and refrain from using the term to direct hostility toward others. but i highly enjoy the action tense of this word -- putzing around.

which is exactly what i did today! tuesday morning found me hanging out with a bout of the stomach flu. (don't worry -- i deleted the two more descriptive sentences i initially wrote in this blog.) after calling in sick, i decided to nap. this didn't last long, thanks to loud neighbors and my internal clock which reminded me i should be working up a storm instead of trying to quell the storm within.

so i decided to flush my lady language down the toilet today along with the flu and "putz around" for the afternoon. i had little energy for any substantial tasks so i focused on those menial ones we never seem to cross off those pesky mental lists...which never actually even leave my brain long enough to get on an actual list.

in between respites, i organized photos, scheduled medical appointments, organized my itunes library, cleaned two bedroom drawers, and even stared at my ceiling tiles for a good twenty minutes or so. the only truly accomplished thing i've done today was leave my bed for a few increments at a time. definitely putzing around at its finest!

now, i know the word "putz" won't always be the right term for every occasion. i don't recommend using it to highlight your time management skills on a resume or as a term of endearment for your future father-in-law, even if befitting.

however, often when used as an action verb, a smile cannot help but sneak up on you as the word rolls off your unladylike tongue. if you're really lucky, that same smile bounces off you and lands on whomever you're talking to.

simple happiness. all borne from a word. i think even my mother would be proud...