A friend of mine from Florida referred to her lady friends as "sisters" and that's actually how you come to feel about women you become close to. There is a bond among close women friends that exists because of mutual understanding of our life's struggles. I think women become friends easier than men because we learn quickly who we can trust.
I think all of my male friends are sort of on the periphery of friendship. They're mainly there because I'm friends with their wives or girlfriends otherwise I'd probably not pay too much attention to them. This isn't a mean thing, it's just that males and females don't have a whole heck of a lot in common and I'd rather spend time with someone I can identify with.
Today I'm going for an overnight at the casino with Faye (sister-in-law) and Mary (ex-sister-in-law) who are more than friends, they are sisters to me. I care as much about them as I do for my blood sister. We're going to have a super fun time gambling and eating, and then retire to our room for a couple of drinks and happy conversation. We're three very different personalities but we have one very important thing in common...we're sisters/friends.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Closet Purging
I don't smoke and I don't often drink so that's my excuse for buying way too many clothes. Because I spend half the year in the States and their clothing prices are about half what we pay here, I can't seem to control myself when in the ladies wear department of any store there. Hence, a too full closet and too full drawers (dresser drawers, my friend).
Every year I bring a nice new allotment of clothes home with me and then I have to purge my wardrobe of things I don't like anymore or don't fit. This year the pile is high and I'm a little embarrassed...note the pants with the price tag still still on!
Now I didn't really replace all this stuff with new clothes but many of these things either have shrunk or they don't feel good on me. I can't stand a polyester blouse in the heat and a lot of my tank tops have gotten too short from washing in hot water. A lot of other things have been around for years but I kept them but didn't wear them so they have to go.
It feels good to purge. I don't throw anything away but first offer them to my daughters and then take the rest to a women's shelter. It's all for a good cause and that's what calms my guilt.
I'll try to do better next year, I promise.
There's Still Hope For Us
Making the news the other day was the story of people walking past a bleeding, dying man and not offering help. Some young men were even cold enough to film his death on their cell phones. Horrible!
Then today I read about 2 men who, upon witnessing a woman being beaton on her front lawn, racing to her rescue and taking measures to capture her assailant. This is what humanity is supposed to be about...people helping those in need. And this is what happens the vast majority of the time. Instances like those where a dying person is ignored are far and few between so we shouldn't think of them as the new norm.
Our world is full of good samaritans, good people who do their best to make this a better world. I don't think our society could function without the masses of volunteers who give of their time and abilities to aid those in need. Maybe instead of schools force feeding explicit sexual education on our youngsters, they should be teaching them how gratifying volunteering can be in their lives.
The kindness of strangers...far more powerful than any cruel and uncaring act committed by an imbecile.
Then today I read about 2 men who, upon witnessing a woman being beaton on her front lawn, racing to her rescue and taking measures to capture her assailant. This is what humanity is supposed to be about...people helping those in need. And this is what happens the vast majority of the time. Instances like those where a dying person is ignored are far and few between so we shouldn't think of them as the new norm.
Our world is full of good samaritans, good people who do their best to make this a better world. I don't think our society could function without the masses of volunteers who give of their time and abilities to aid those in need. Maybe instead of schools force feeding explicit sexual education on our youngsters, they should be teaching them how gratifying volunteering can be in their lives.
The kindness of strangers...far more powerful than any cruel and uncaring act committed by an imbecile.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Published
My "letter to the editor" was published in the local newspaper today and I'm expecting it will offend a few people. I pointed out that gay activists who prefer our children be taught about gay sex in kindergarten have no right to make any suggestions concerning school curriculum. Some people are not going to like that because it will be frowned on as "homophobic".
I don't think I'm homophobic because I do believe some gay people were born sexually ambiguous. Unfortunately, I'm also one of those people who honestly believe that most gay people are there by choice. That's my humble opinion but it's my right to have that opinion just as it's a gay person's right to live their life as they wish.
I know and respect a few gay people but none of them are the flagrant, flaming kind. I wouldn't want to be around flagrant, flaming heterosexuals, either, because I'd also think them annoying. It's not what you do in bed, it's how you conduct yourself in public that makes you socially acceptable in my eyes.
Back to "letters to the editor"...I need to change tactics for my next letter. It seems that these letters usually erupt from an incident that made me angry enough to complain about it and I don't like being angry. Next time I get the urge to write a letter to the editor it's going to be when I find something pleasant to comment on. That means I'd better stop listening to or reading about anything our idiot politicians are doing.
I don't think I'm homophobic because I do believe some gay people were born sexually ambiguous. Unfortunately, I'm also one of those people who honestly believe that most gay people are there by choice. That's my humble opinion but it's my right to have that opinion just as it's a gay person's right to live their life as they wish.
I know and respect a few gay people but none of them are the flagrant, flaming kind. I wouldn't want to be around flagrant, flaming heterosexuals, either, because I'd also think them annoying. It's not what you do in bed, it's how you conduct yourself in public that makes you socially acceptable in my eyes.
Back to "letters to the editor"...I need to change tactics for my next letter. It seems that these letters usually erupt from an incident that made me angry enough to complain about it and I don't like being angry. Next time I get the urge to write a letter to the editor it's going to be when I find something pleasant to comment on. That means I'd better stop listening to or reading about anything our idiot politicians are doing.
Monday, April 26, 2010
Eating Chicken Makes You Gay???
Well, Evo Morales, president of Bolivia, has shown his ignorance once again. Now he's stating that eating chicken, laced with hormones to promote faster growth, can make a heterosexual gay. This is a man who takes a tiny seed of suspicion without scientific merit and speaks it as the truth.
As with all rumor and innuendo, there is an atom of possible truth in what he says. All of the chemicals in food that we are consuming can't be doing us any good but, changing our sexual orientation??? From all reports, Evo must not eat much chicken because he apparently prefers very, very young girls as sexual partners. What's worse, a gay or a pedophile?
I eat a lot of chicken but have been an active and inactive heterosexual all of my life. Come to think about it, I've begun to notice humungous silicone boobs lately. My goodness, could this be the start of Evo's predictions????
As with all rumor and innuendo, there is an atom of possible truth in what he says. All of the chemicals in food that we are consuming can't be doing us any good but, changing our sexual orientation??? From all reports, Evo must not eat much chicken because he apparently prefers very, very young girls as sexual partners. What's worse, a gay or a pedophile?
I eat a lot of chicken but have been an active and inactive heterosexual all of my life. Come to think about it, I've begun to notice humungous silicone boobs lately. My goodness, could this be the start of Evo's predictions????
Free Day
No, that isn't snow. It's cherry blossom petals from the tree next door. They're the reason I have only a 2 day window to stain my deck in the spring because they open quickly as soon as it's warm and then almost immediately begin to fall. Within a few weeks the cherries will begin to form and then the birds eat them, knocking many onto the deck. Then the stems form a carpet on the deck soon after. Mind you, I'm not really complaining because I love the tree and the beautiful blossoms while they last.
I took my car over to "Reg's", a local car painter, this morning to fix up the clearcoat on my car. A few awful looking spots of clearcoat have disintegrated and it makes my cute little car look terrible. He's only charging me $100 to make my cute car pretty again and it should be ready tomorrow.
Today, I'm housebound and can play on the computer for as long as I please. I could also do some housework but I don't have to if I don't want to...one of the perks of being retired and living alone!
Don, the handyman, will be dropping by to pick up his money for all the work he did outside the house last week. It was money well spent because homeowners have to keep up the appearance of their house if they don't want it to fall beyond repair. My husband used to do all these little chores when he was alive but they're mainly beyond my ability. I can't climb a ladder, for one thing. So Don, the handyman, is a blessing in my life.
My house was built in 1953 when milkmen and breadmen made the rounds, going from house to house early each morning. That's why I have a milkbox with doors opening outside and inside. The men would just slip their wares inside the box each day and collect their money probably once a week. I hate this milkbox because I have no use for it and now I want Don to take it out and replace it with glass block. This would add light to the basement stairway and look pretty besides.
I have no intention of spending too much money on modernizing my house at this late date but the odd improvement increases it's value and warms my soul. I'm really considering replacing the kitchen counter, sink, and taps if I get the income tax refund I'm hoping for this year. We'll see.
Well, I have a whole free day ahead of me. Wonder where my inquiring mind will take me?
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Strange Follower
It's always nice to know a stranger has fallen upon my blog and likes it. Recently, I noticed the odd comment left but all in Chinese so, being the kind and polite person I am, I re-commented and asked them if they could please respond in English so we could communicate better. Still, the comments continued to be sent in Chinese with the odd (strange) English words interspersed.
I mentioned this to my daughter who is much more computer literate than I am (like, who isn't??) and she traced my reader back to, of all places, a porn site. Now, this is very confusing to me. What in any of my blogs would attract anyone from a porn site? I'm a little old lady who lives a pristine life!
This is a message to the porn site reader. You're welcome here anytime but don't leave icky comments.
I mentioned this to my daughter who is much more computer literate than I am (like, who isn't??) and she traced my reader back to, of all places, a porn site. Now, this is very confusing to me. What in any of my blogs would attract anyone from a porn site? I'm a little old lady who lives a pristine life!
This is a message to the porn site reader. You're welcome here anytime but don't leave icky comments.
Friday, April 23, 2010
Letters To The Editor
Now that I'm back home in Canada and most of my return cleaning has been done, I have the time to write regular blogs and even to send an irate letter to the editor of my local newspaper. My issue is Ontario's recent decision to teach graphic sex education to children beginning in grade 3. The government has since decided their decision was ill advised because of massive parental backlash.
My letter to the editor was fairly simple. Why would an 8 year old child in grade 3 need to be taught about gay relationships? Why would a 10 year old child in grade 5 need to be taught about masturbation? Why would an 11 year old child in grade 6 need to be taught about oral and anal intercourse? And who is pushing for this radical change in the way sex education is being taught in our schools now?
One of the people pressing for these changes is a gay activist who claims she would prefer children should be taught about gay relationships in kindergarten. This woman, who is a lesbian, could never naturally produce a child within her gay relationships so why does she have any say in how heterosexuals teach their children about sex? To be honest, I do believe that children should be given accurate answers as soon as they are able to ask the questions, though, so they would sooner or later learn all they needed to know about sexual conduct of all kind. Saying this, there is no need to push such delicate information on young minds before they're ready.
Children today are exposed to way too much adult information simply because of what they see on T.V. and advertisements, not to mention song lyrics! We treasure the pure innocence of a child and it's human nature to protect them for as long as possible. My wish is that we don't fill their heads with images and information they are too young to fully understand. Let them be children for a while yet.
My letter to the editor was fairly simple. Why would an 8 year old child in grade 3 need to be taught about gay relationships? Why would a 10 year old child in grade 5 need to be taught about masturbation? Why would an 11 year old child in grade 6 need to be taught about oral and anal intercourse? And who is pushing for this radical change in the way sex education is being taught in our schools now?
One of the people pressing for these changes is a gay activist who claims she would prefer children should be taught about gay relationships in kindergarten. This woman, who is a lesbian, could never naturally produce a child within her gay relationships so why does she have any say in how heterosexuals teach their children about sex? To be honest, I do believe that children should be given accurate answers as soon as they are able to ask the questions, though, so they would sooner or later learn all they needed to know about sexual conduct of all kind. Saying this, there is no need to push such delicate information on young minds before they're ready.
Children today are exposed to way too much adult information simply because of what they see on T.V. and advertisements, not to mention song lyrics! We treasure the pure innocence of a child and it's human nature to protect them for as long as possible. My wish is that we don't fill their heads with images and information they are too young to fully understand. Let them be children for a while yet.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Wanna Be A Favorite
My sister-in-law, Marilee, showed me a website called "Etsy" where I could sell my Swedish weaving so I quickly registered and placed my first listing the other day. Today I listed another one and noticed on the bottom of the page that I could look at who "hearts" me...that means keeps me as a favorite seller.
I clicked on the link and read, "No-one calls Patsyrose a favorite yet". My feelings were hurt. I WANT to be someone's favorite.
Seriously, it's always such a warm and fuzzy feeling to know you're someone's favorite sweetheart, friend, or whatever and that little message made me feel left out. I think they should reword to say, "Patsyrose just hasn't been discovered yet". And, when I am, they're in for a treat.
Note: Today, April 23rd, I became someone's favorite. I am truly thrilled!
I clicked on the link and read, "No-one calls Patsyrose a favorite yet". My feelings were hurt. I WANT to be someone's favorite.
Seriously, it's always such a warm and fuzzy feeling to know you're someone's favorite sweetheart, friend, or whatever and that little message made me feel left out. I think they should reword to say, "Patsyrose just hasn't been discovered yet". And, when I am, they're in for a treat.
Note: Today, April 23rd, I became someone's favorite. I am truly thrilled!
Work Makes You Sore
Every year when I return from Florida I face the same chores. First, I unpack a full (always crammed full) car and tote everything upstairs and downstairs, storing it in it's proper place. Then I drag the vacuum cleaner upstairs and downstairs, cleaning up 6 months of dust. Dusting the furniture is always put on hold for a few days, though.
Then I shop for groceries, make soups and a few frozen meals. Next comes the yard where I usually have to plow the lawn mower through the densest grass of the season but this year my sweet neighbors had it done for me before I got home. Bless them!
Yesterday I cleaned up the few remaining leaves on the patio and deck, dragged out the patio furniture and did a bit of cleaning but that can also wait till later. I put the empty deck planters in place, already worrying about carting shovels full of soil to fill them but that, too, will be done soon.
I've only been home for 3 days and I've gotten a ton of work done. My legs and butt are sore so I know I've overdone it but this year I notice a little less strength...must be because I'm another year older. If I lived in an apartment I think my homecoming would be a lot easier. Soon.
I also arranged for the gas company to come and straighten out the gas meter which was slightly damaged by the waterproofing people last fall. Then I called my good handyman, Don, and requested eavestrough cleaning, soil grading (where the soil settled after the waterproofing), and foundation painting. Don got to work right away, bless him.
Another job was to arrange to have the clearcoat on my car fixed. My cute little car's clearcoat has eroded in a few spots and it looks like hell. I don't like this so my neighborhood car painter is going to look after that next Monday.
Now, I've decided to take a few days rest and just play on the computer, dust the furniture, and maybe write a story. This period of rest will take over a week because the car will be kept overnight next Monday and then Mary, Faye, and I are going for an overnight stay at Fallsview Casino next Thursday.
Life is good!
Then I shop for groceries, make soups and a few frozen meals. Next comes the yard where I usually have to plow the lawn mower through the densest grass of the season but this year my sweet neighbors had it done for me before I got home. Bless them!
Yesterday I cleaned up the few remaining leaves on the patio and deck, dragged out the patio furniture and did a bit of cleaning but that can also wait till later. I put the empty deck planters in place, already worrying about carting shovels full of soil to fill them but that, too, will be done soon.
I've only been home for 3 days and I've gotten a ton of work done. My legs and butt are sore so I know I've overdone it but this year I notice a little less strength...must be because I'm another year older. If I lived in an apartment I think my homecoming would be a lot easier. Soon.
I also arranged for the gas company to come and straighten out the gas meter which was slightly damaged by the waterproofing people last fall. Then I called my good handyman, Don, and requested eavestrough cleaning, soil grading (where the soil settled after the waterproofing), and foundation painting. Don got to work right away, bless him.
Another job was to arrange to have the clearcoat on my car fixed. My cute little car's clearcoat has eroded in a few spots and it looks like hell. I don't like this so my neighborhood car painter is going to look after that next Monday.
Now, I've decided to take a few days rest and just play on the computer, dust the furniture, and maybe write a story. This period of rest will take over a week because the car will be kept overnight next Monday and then Mary, Faye, and I are going for an overnight stay at Fallsview Casino next Thursday.
Life is good!
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Culture Clash
My two good neighbors, Anna and Lisa, came over for a visit last night and told me about their trip to Viet Nam this past winter. Their parents are Chinese but had lived in Viet Nam and have a lot of family there..I'm not sure if that's where they were born but Anna was. Lisa was born in Canada.
When I heard about their planned trip my first thought was that Lisa wouldn't manage it well. She's used to all the good amenities in life and doesn't adapt well to discomfort. Anna is older and, as a nurse, can handle anything that arises.
I laughed as Lisa said she wanted only to come home...on the first day there. Anna appreciated the new experience slightly better but said she'd probably never go back...I'm sure Lisa won't. The weather was horribly hot and humid, the streets were crammed, and bed was either a sleeping bag on the floor or a hard tabletop. Mosquitoes ate them alive every night. They did have one weekend at a beautiful resort but it cost $600 per day!
Their Vietnamese families are not poor but substantially well off to have servants but their living conditions are not up to Canadian standards. The girl's parents visit Viet Nam regularly but they know and understand the culture. Lisa and Anna were fish out of water there. They're Canadianized!
We know our lifestyle is much better than in most other countries and it's spoiled us because we don't appreciate how good we have it. I often wonder how well we'd manage if services like welfare, pensions, and high paying jobs were suddenly taken away. I believe there'd be more chaos than A&L saw in Viet Nam. We Canadians are spoiled by the relative luxuries we've come to expect as our due.
My sweet neighbors brought me a piece of Anna's birthday cake and a lovely jade buddha pendant from Viet Nam. We're also making plans to go back to their favorite Chinese restaurant soon. I am blessed to have these lovely ladies in my life and I'm so glad they're home safe and sound.
When I heard about their planned trip my first thought was that Lisa wouldn't manage it well. She's used to all the good amenities in life and doesn't adapt well to discomfort. Anna is older and, as a nurse, can handle anything that arises.
I laughed as Lisa said she wanted only to come home...on the first day there. Anna appreciated the new experience slightly better but said she'd probably never go back...I'm sure Lisa won't. The weather was horribly hot and humid, the streets were crammed, and bed was either a sleeping bag on the floor or a hard tabletop. Mosquitoes ate them alive every night. They did have one weekend at a beautiful resort but it cost $600 per day!
Their Vietnamese families are not poor but substantially well off to have servants but their living conditions are not up to Canadian standards. The girl's parents visit Viet Nam regularly but they know and understand the culture. Lisa and Anna were fish out of water there. They're Canadianized!
We know our lifestyle is much better than in most other countries and it's spoiled us because we don't appreciate how good we have it. I often wonder how well we'd manage if services like welfare, pensions, and high paying jobs were suddenly taken away. I believe there'd be more chaos than A&L saw in Viet Nam. We Canadians are spoiled by the relative luxuries we've come to expect as our due.
My sweet neighbors brought me a piece of Anna's birthday cake and a lovely jade buddha pendant from Viet Nam. We're also making plans to go back to their favorite Chinese restaurant soon. I am blessed to have these lovely ladies in my life and I'm so glad they're home safe and sound.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
What It Means To Be Old
I've received this in an e-mail a few times and always nodded my head in agreement to it's message. It fits perfectly into my blog even if I'm not the original writer.
*I would never trade my amazing friends, my wonderful life, my loving family for less gray hair or a flatter belly. As I've aged, I've become kinder to myself and less critical of myself. I've become my own friend. I don't chide myself for eating that extra cookie (well, maybe), or for not making my bed, or for buying that silly cement gecko that I didn't need but looks so avante garde on my patio (or a t-shirt that says, "Mess with me, mess with the whole trailer park"). I am entitled to a treat, to be messy, to be extravagant.
I have seen too many dear friends leave this world too soon, before they understood the great freedom that comes with aging.
Whose business is it if I choose to read or play on the computer until 4 A.M. and sleep till noon? I will dance with myself to those wonderful tunes of the 40's and 50's and if I, at the same time, wish to weep over a lost love...I will.
I will walk the beach in a swim suit that is stretched over a bulging body and will dive into the waves with abandom if I choose to, despite the pitying glances from the jet set. They, too, will get old.
I know I am sometimes forgetful but, then again, some of life is just as well forgotten. And I eventually remember the important things.
Sure, over the years my heart has been broken. How can your heart not break when you lose a loved one, or when a child suffers, or even someone's beloved pet gets hit by a car? But broken hearts are what gives us strength and understanding and compassion. A heart never broken is pristine and sterile and will never know the joy of being imperfect.
I am so blessed to have lived long enough to have my hair turn gray and to have my youthful laughs be forever etched into deep grooves on my face. So many have never laughed, and so many have died before their hair could turn to silver.
As you get older, it is easier to be positive. You care less about what people think. I don't question myself anymore. I've earned the right to be wrong.
So, I like being old. It has set me free. I like the person I have become. I am not going to live forever but, while I'm here, I will not waste time lamenting what could have been or worrying about what will be. And I shall eat dessert every day if I feel like it.*
As I wrote these words I once again nodded in agreement to the truth they speak. I'll be 70 years old in August and I am thankful for the wisdom I've gained over every single one of those years. In this 70th year of my life, I am happy and contented.
*I would never trade my amazing friends, my wonderful life, my loving family for less gray hair or a flatter belly. As I've aged, I've become kinder to myself and less critical of myself. I've become my own friend. I don't chide myself for eating that extra cookie (well, maybe), or for not making my bed, or for buying that silly cement gecko that I didn't need but looks so avante garde on my patio (or a t-shirt that says, "Mess with me, mess with the whole trailer park"). I am entitled to a treat, to be messy, to be extravagant.
I have seen too many dear friends leave this world too soon, before they understood the great freedom that comes with aging.
Whose business is it if I choose to read or play on the computer until 4 A.M. and sleep till noon? I will dance with myself to those wonderful tunes of the 40's and 50's and if I, at the same time, wish to weep over a lost love...I will.
I will walk the beach in a swim suit that is stretched over a bulging body and will dive into the waves with abandom if I choose to, despite the pitying glances from the jet set. They, too, will get old.
I know I am sometimes forgetful but, then again, some of life is just as well forgotten. And I eventually remember the important things.
Sure, over the years my heart has been broken. How can your heart not break when you lose a loved one, or when a child suffers, or even someone's beloved pet gets hit by a car? But broken hearts are what gives us strength and understanding and compassion. A heart never broken is pristine and sterile and will never know the joy of being imperfect.
I am so blessed to have lived long enough to have my hair turn gray and to have my youthful laughs be forever etched into deep grooves on my face. So many have never laughed, and so many have died before their hair could turn to silver.
As you get older, it is easier to be positive. You care less about what people think. I don't question myself anymore. I've earned the right to be wrong.
So, I like being old. It has set me free. I like the person I have become. I am not going to live forever but, while I'm here, I will not waste time lamenting what could have been or worrying about what will be. And I shall eat dessert every day if I feel like it.*
As I wrote these words I once again nodded in agreement to the truth they speak. I'll be 70 years old in August and I am thankful for the wisdom I've gained over every single one of those years. In this 70th year of my life, I am happy and contented.
Monday, April 19, 2010
Taking a Break
I got home yesterday about 5 P.M. and began unloading the car and, believe me, it was a daunting task. I always hate coming home to a nice neat house and filling it up with bag after bag after bag of stuff I've brough home from Florida. Every single thing I brought home was an absolute necessity...maybe.
I phoned Kim to let her know I was home and she insisted I come over and see Nolan. It didn't take much pressure because I've been so anxious to see him again. A very important part of my precious family met me at the door...Nick, Natasha, Matt, and Kim holding little Nolan. It seemed as though the whole world disappeared from view and all I could see was this beautiful little boy who had grown from a 3 1/2 month old baby last October to a 9 1/4 month old gorgeous child beaming with a happy personality. He had on a t-shirt that blared "BIG BROTHER" and I turned to Natasha and asked, "Are you pregnant?". Yes, she was, and will deliver another little babe about mid December.
What a blessing it is to be part of this family and I'm so happy to still be around to see yet another child join us. Family is everything and I have it in abundance with blood relatives and in-laws. This new little baby will be joining a huge extended family. Lucky baby!
I slept like a baby last night, tired from driving, lugging bags into the house, and also the excitement of seeing Nolan and finding out a new baby is on the way. I got up at 6:30 and started sorting and putting away stuff and then I emptied the trunk of the car, too. Nice to have trunk space after so long...I'd begun filling the trunk in November as I bought things to bring home.
Various phone calls had to be made..the people who waterproofed the side of the house last fall damaged the gas meter; my car insurance went up too much so I arranged to lower it by lowering the mileage used; something got screwed up on my cable bill. Nothing earth shattering but there are always things to straighten out.
I also went through 6 months of mail and got all my income tax info together. I'm hoping for a refund this year!
Another phone call I'll need to make is to find out and thank which one of my neighbors cut my grass. Lisa and Anna came right over yesterday as I drove into the driveway and they helped me carry a lot of stuff into the house so I think it might be one of them. Steve had been in and lit the gas water heater, setting off the alarm system once again. Poor Isabel. I really do have the best neighbors in the world.
I still have a ton of monks cloth to cart down to the sewing room and I also have quite a bit of jewelry to sort out and price. Laundry needs to be started, too. Dusting can wait till tomorrow!
Now I think I'll start a fire in the firepot and burn all that junk mail...then I might drive on over to Wendy's for lunch. This afternoon will be for re-organizing.
I phoned Kim to let her know I was home and she insisted I come over and see Nolan. It didn't take much pressure because I've been so anxious to see him again. A very important part of my precious family met me at the door...Nick, Natasha, Matt, and Kim holding little Nolan. It seemed as though the whole world disappeared from view and all I could see was this beautiful little boy who had grown from a 3 1/2 month old baby last October to a 9 1/4 month old gorgeous child beaming with a happy personality. He had on a t-shirt that blared "BIG BROTHER" and I turned to Natasha and asked, "Are you pregnant?". Yes, she was, and will deliver another little babe about mid December.
What a blessing it is to be part of this family and I'm so happy to still be around to see yet another child join us. Family is everything and I have it in abundance with blood relatives and in-laws. This new little baby will be joining a huge extended family. Lucky baby!
I slept like a baby last night, tired from driving, lugging bags into the house, and also the excitement of seeing Nolan and finding out a new baby is on the way. I got up at 6:30 and started sorting and putting away stuff and then I emptied the trunk of the car, too. Nice to have trunk space after so long...I'd begun filling the trunk in November as I bought things to bring home.
Various phone calls had to be made..the people who waterproofed the side of the house last fall damaged the gas meter; my car insurance went up too much so I arranged to lower it by lowering the mileage used; something got screwed up on my cable bill. Nothing earth shattering but there are always things to straighten out.
I also went through 6 months of mail and got all my income tax info together. I'm hoping for a refund this year!
Another phone call I'll need to make is to find out and thank which one of my neighbors cut my grass. Lisa and Anna came right over yesterday as I drove into the driveway and they helped me carry a lot of stuff into the house so I think it might be one of them. Steve had been in and lit the gas water heater, setting off the alarm system once again. Poor Isabel. I really do have the best neighbors in the world.
I still have a ton of monks cloth to cart down to the sewing room and I also have quite a bit of jewelry to sort out and price. Laundry needs to be started, too. Dusting can wait till tomorrow!
Now I think I'll start a fire in the firepot and burn all that junk mail...then I might drive on over to Wendy's for lunch. This afternoon will be for re-organizing.
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Feeling a Little Guilty
This is how the story went.
Millie, Sylvia, and I went to the jewelry warehouse that has such great stuff at such great prices. It was my last trip of the season.
Millie was returning a pendant she'd bought on an earlier trip because it was flawed. She'd paid $1 for it and just wanted a replacement. She also had $100 in her purse to purchase a lot more,
As we walked into the store I spotted some terrific bracelets, price 50 cents each!!! I scooped up 15 of them and continued with my shopping. This was Sylvia's first trip to the store and she needed to spend time looking around so I figured we were there for a while.
From Millie's direction came the sounds of an argument. I was shocked to hear the sales people squawking that Millie's pendant had not been purchased there, that they'd never carried such a pendant. Now that was a pure lie because I was with Millie when she bought it and the only place she'd purchased any jewelry was right there in that store. I'd taken her there to help her get started selling jewelry like I'm doing.
I walked over and explained this to the sales people but they were adamant. No, no, no....and this over a $1 pendant that only needed replacement! Customers in the immediate area were also surprised that the store would make such a fuss over such a small thing so I'm sure everyone would think twice about shopping there again. And, because of the staff's ignorance, they'd lost the $100 sale that Millie would have made!
Millie, short and fiery, shouted, "I'll never shop here again and I'll tell all my friends not to shop here either!". And then she stomped out.
But I had these neat bracelets and they only cost 50 cents each. And it was Sylvia's first trip there. I made a quick decision to pay for the bracelets and then stomp out in support of my friend.
Millie stood by the car, not quite as angry as I'd expected. We were both mad at the clerks but agreed we'd both shop at the store next year, after they'd forgotten who we were. After all, the merchandise is so good and so darned cheap.
But I do feel a little guilty for not immediately following Millie out of the store. Just a little.
Millie, Sylvia, and I went to the jewelry warehouse that has such great stuff at such great prices. It was my last trip of the season.
Millie was returning a pendant she'd bought on an earlier trip because it was flawed. She'd paid $1 for it and just wanted a replacement. She also had $100 in her purse to purchase a lot more,
As we walked into the store I spotted some terrific bracelets, price 50 cents each!!! I scooped up 15 of them and continued with my shopping. This was Sylvia's first trip to the store and she needed to spend time looking around so I figured we were there for a while.
From Millie's direction came the sounds of an argument. I was shocked to hear the sales people squawking that Millie's pendant had not been purchased there, that they'd never carried such a pendant. Now that was a pure lie because I was with Millie when she bought it and the only place she'd purchased any jewelry was right there in that store. I'd taken her there to help her get started selling jewelry like I'm doing.
I walked over and explained this to the sales people but they were adamant. No, no, no....and this over a $1 pendant that only needed replacement! Customers in the immediate area were also surprised that the store would make such a fuss over such a small thing so I'm sure everyone would think twice about shopping there again. And, because of the staff's ignorance, they'd lost the $100 sale that Millie would have made!
Millie, short and fiery, shouted, "I'll never shop here again and I'll tell all my friends not to shop here either!". And then she stomped out.
But I had these neat bracelets and they only cost 50 cents each. And it was Sylvia's first trip there. I made a quick decision to pay for the bracelets and then stomp out in support of my friend.
Millie stood by the car, not quite as angry as I'd expected. We were both mad at the clerks but agreed we'd both shop at the store next year, after they'd forgotten who we were. After all, the merchandise is so good and so darned cheap.
But I do feel a little guilty for not immediately following Millie out of the store. Just a little.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Getting Old
One of my main reasons for writing this blog was to show that getting old wasn't a catastrophe. Now I read on Facebook that my middle daughter thinks that getting old "sucks".
Ain't necessarily so, my darlin'!
Life has always been what you make of it. If your attitude is that your life "sucks", then it's time to make a concerted effort to change your attitude. There are so many sides to any situation and we can choose to dwell on the negative or we can choose to look at the positive and then move on.
I recall thinking that my favorite age was 15 and I held that opinion until I became a senior. There is no doubt in my mind that I've experienced the most satisfying part of my life in the past 10 years...but that's just me.
You have a choice to make every day you crawl out of bed. My advice to the young is to enjoy whatever stage you are at and know that your senior years just might be the most liberating, fun time of your life.
Choose to be happy and you will be happy.
Ain't necessarily so, my darlin'!
Life has always been what you make of it. If your attitude is that your life "sucks", then it's time to make a concerted effort to change your attitude. There are so many sides to any situation and we can choose to dwell on the negative or we can choose to look at the positive and then move on.
I recall thinking that my favorite age was 15 and I held that opinion until I became a senior. There is no doubt in my mind that I've experienced the most satisfying part of my life in the past 10 years...but that's just me.
You have a choice to make every day you crawl out of bed. My advice to the young is to enjoy whatever stage you are at and know that your senior years just might be the most liberating, fun time of your life.
Choose to be happy and you will be happy.
Sunday, April 11, 2010
The Old Lady Blood Donor
Carol may be a senior but she's one of the younger version...you know, she has the years but not the look.
Well, Carol donated a pint of her blood yesterday but didn't rest up long enough because she and some friends were going to the flea market. While at the flea market she was sitting up on a stool trying out a new nail technique when she began to feel woozy.
From all accounts, she went down like a rock, taking out the flea market booths as she fell. Her companions could only think to hold her head up but none of them thought to use their cell phones to call 911. One did say she corrected a vender who was yelling for someone to call 119, though.
Carol remembers slightly coming to and wondering why she was laying on the ground and looking up at the lights. She then heard a man on his cell phone telling 911 that the victim was an "elderly woman" and she had the strength to protest, "No, I'm not!". She must have hit her head in the fall.
An ambulance arrived and the paramedics took her blood pressure which was pretty low. Since she was woozy enough to not be able to stand on her own, they convinced her she needed to go to the hospital.
Off she went in the ambulance while her buddies finished off their shopping! And one of them, also a blood donor that morning, was also becoming a little woozy. They all managed to get home okay, though.
Back to Carol. As she was laying on the gurney, she realized that change was falling out of her pockets so she retrieved it and stuck it in her bra. Strange place but maybe not. When she found out they were taking her for exrays, she dug out as many coins as she could find but she did miss a few. One slipped out from under her boob after the exrays were taken. Upon further exploration, she found 2 more stuck under there. I wonder what all that looked like on the exrays??
The good thing is that she is fine, her blood pressure is fine, and she's back at the park where we played cards tonight, laughing ourselves silly over the story.
Another funny note is that her husband was heard to say, "I knew all that shopping would get her one day". She's now thinking of getting a t-shirt that says, "I Shopped Till I Dropped".
Life is funny as hell.
Well, Carol donated a pint of her blood yesterday but didn't rest up long enough because she and some friends were going to the flea market. While at the flea market she was sitting up on a stool trying out a new nail technique when she began to feel woozy.
From all accounts, she went down like a rock, taking out the flea market booths as she fell. Her companions could only think to hold her head up but none of them thought to use their cell phones to call 911. One did say she corrected a vender who was yelling for someone to call 119, though.
Carol remembers slightly coming to and wondering why she was laying on the ground and looking up at the lights. She then heard a man on his cell phone telling 911 that the victim was an "elderly woman" and she had the strength to protest, "No, I'm not!". She must have hit her head in the fall.
An ambulance arrived and the paramedics took her blood pressure which was pretty low. Since she was woozy enough to not be able to stand on her own, they convinced her she needed to go to the hospital.
Off she went in the ambulance while her buddies finished off their shopping! And one of them, also a blood donor that morning, was also becoming a little woozy. They all managed to get home okay, though.
Back to Carol. As she was laying on the gurney, she realized that change was falling out of her pockets so she retrieved it and stuck it in her bra. Strange place but maybe not. When she found out they were taking her for exrays, she dug out as many coins as she could find but she did miss a few. One slipped out from under her boob after the exrays were taken. Upon further exploration, she found 2 more stuck under there. I wonder what all that looked like on the exrays??
The good thing is that she is fine, her blood pressure is fine, and she's back at the park where we played cards tonight, laughing ourselves silly over the story.
Another funny note is that her husband was heard to say, "I knew all that shopping would get her one day". She's now thinking of getting a t-shirt that says, "I Shopped Till I Dropped".
Life is funny as hell.
Lost Child
My experience with lost children is minimal but the few times my own children were momentarily "lost" are indelibly printed on my mind. It is terrifying to the nth degree. Your mind can barely function and you are almost unable to bring your thoughts together to search. That feeling is never forgotten.
We've all watched T.V. reports where the parents of a missing child are paraded in front of the cameras desperately begging the fates to return their beloved child. It is so easy to identify with them and their terror.
Our Florida park is almost deserted now compared to how populated it was just a few weeks ago and some families have chosen this quieter time to visit relatives. Marilyn, the lady whose trailer is behind mine has daughters and grandchildren visiting her and her three year old granddaughter went missing this morning.
The first indication that something was wrong was Marilyn's frantic voice calling the child's name, and then a large group of her family racing in different directions from her trailer. In moments the word had spread that a child couldn't be found and, seconds later, the streets were full of people walking, in golf carts, and in cars streaming around the park searching.
The loudest and most frightened voice calling "Ashlyn" was her grandmother's as she raced away in the distance. Everyone was spurred on by that voice.
It seemed like ages but it probably was only minutes later when little Ashlyn was found safe and sound. Most of the searchers congregated around Marilyn, so happy that a good ending had resulted from the drama, but it will be a while yet before Marilyn calms down. Deep down fear doesn't dissipate that easily. She'll feel a stab every time she remembers the incident and thinks how easily the child could have slipped into one of the ponds in the park.
It can happen so suddenly and unexpectedly. But this time the outcome was a good one, thank heavens.
We've all watched T.V. reports where the parents of a missing child are paraded in front of the cameras desperately begging the fates to return their beloved child. It is so easy to identify with them and their terror.
Our Florida park is almost deserted now compared to how populated it was just a few weeks ago and some families have chosen this quieter time to visit relatives. Marilyn, the lady whose trailer is behind mine has daughters and grandchildren visiting her and her three year old granddaughter went missing this morning.
The first indication that something was wrong was Marilyn's frantic voice calling the child's name, and then a large group of her family racing in different directions from her trailer. In moments the word had spread that a child couldn't be found and, seconds later, the streets were full of people walking, in golf carts, and in cars streaming around the park searching.
The loudest and most frightened voice calling "Ashlyn" was her grandmother's as she raced away in the distance. Everyone was spurred on by that voice.
It seemed like ages but it probably was only minutes later when little Ashlyn was found safe and sound. Most of the searchers congregated around Marilyn, so happy that a good ending had resulted from the drama, but it will be a while yet before Marilyn calms down. Deep down fear doesn't dissipate that easily. She'll feel a stab every time she remembers the incident and thinks how easily the child could have slipped into one of the ponds in the park.
It can happen so suddenly and unexpectedly. But this time the outcome was a good one, thank heavens.
Friday, April 09, 2010
Eating Sensibly...-10 (possibly 10 1/4)
I'm not a good dieter...too lazy and eat out too much...but I've been successful enough since the end of January to pretty well keep off 10 pounds of blubber.
The small group who weigh in each Friday morning met again this morning for the last time until next fall. Four of us lost a bit and two gained a bit. Together, with our group support, we will all ultimately be successful to some extent with our weight issues.
Candy, our leader, asked if anyone wanted to make a pledge to lose weight over the summer. Most chose to pledge 10 pounds but some pledged 15. I chose 10 because I know how little will power I have and didn't want to feel too pressured. Losing 10 pounds over 6 months is a realistic goal for someone like me and it's one I am determined to reach.
We exchanged e-mail addresses and promised to weigh ourselves every Friday morning and relay the loss or gain to each other. It's a way to continue supporting and encouraging each other. I really believe it will keep us healthier.
Our group have had some wonderful losses over the past 2 1/2 months and the ones who did the best are walkers. I'm just too lazy and undisciplined to perform any kind of exercise regimen so it's my own fault if I don't lose faster.
In any case, our group has been a terrific help to all of us who probably would have continued that upward spiral if not for having to face each other and weigh in every week. I'm not expecting to eventually wear a size 10 but a 12 or 14 would be nice and comfortable.
Now I need to work on those next 10 pounds.
The small group who weigh in each Friday morning met again this morning for the last time until next fall. Four of us lost a bit and two gained a bit. Together, with our group support, we will all ultimately be successful to some extent with our weight issues.
Candy, our leader, asked if anyone wanted to make a pledge to lose weight over the summer. Most chose to pledge 10 pounds but some pledged 15. I chose 10 because I know how little will power I have and didn't want to feel too pressured. Losing 10 pounds over 6 months is a realistic goal for someone like me and it's one I am determined to reach.
We exchanged e-mail addresses and promised to weigh ourselves every Friday morning and relay the loss or gain to each other. It's a way to continue supporting and encouraging each other. I really believe it will keep us healthier.
Our group have had some wonderful losses over the past 2 1/2 months and the ones who did the best are walkers. I'm just too lazy and undisciplined to perform any kind of exercise regimen so it's my own fault if I don't lose faster.
In any case, our group has been a terrific help to all of us who probably would have continued that upward spiral if not for having to face each other and weigh in every week. I'm not expecting to eventually wear a size 10 but a 12 or 14 would be nice and comfortable.
Now I need to work on those next 10 pounds.
Thursday, April 08, 2010
Some More Swedish Weaving
We're having our last Swedish weaving class of the season today and it's spurred me on to finish the runners I'm making for Shelley. She doesn't like a lot of color and gaudiness so I've used white fabric and done the design in a lovely golden beige yarn that I use a lot.
I have 2 night table doilies finished, 1 runner almost finished and 1 runner started so there's still lots of work to do. It should be finished soon, though.
Monday, April 05, 2010
Dixie and Thomasina
Monday coffee time was lovely this morning. It was sunny and quite warm so I made 2 small pots of coffee, expecting only half a dozen ladies to show up but we had a patio full. I really think that more people are staying a bit longer this year and that's why the park doesn't feel so empty.
I cleaned chairs and set out about 8 of them but had to keep pulling out more as more ladies showed up. It was so nice! Just as I thought the last lady had arrived, 2 more arrived carrying their coffee mugs. They looked a little unfamiliar at first but Dixie and Thomasina made us all laugh so we were glad they came.
I'm afraid Thomasina (who is tweeking her nipple) needs either a new bra or a boob job!
I love these people!!!
Saturday, April 03, 2010
A Trip To The Beach
Last year Faye, Mary, and I went to the beach and got lost. We reached the beach around 3 P.M. and absolutely enjoyed the couple of hours we had there.
Yesterday Faye, Marilee, and I set out for the beach at about 9:30 A.M. because, by gosh, we were going to have a full day there if it killed us. We got 20 feet away from my trailer when we spotted Bob packing up his car and boat. Bob is taking stuff back to Canada for Faye and I so we thought it a good idea to see if he wanted our stuff right then. Yes, he did. So back I went to my place to gather up stuff and back Faye went to her place to gather up stuff.
After loading it all on Bob and thanking him profusely, we finally left the park around 10:30 A.M. But we had to get gas so we got about 15 minutes up the road and drove into a gas station. Faye, unfamiliar with her own car, couldn't figure out how to open the gas tank. I have no pride so I went into the gas station and asked one of the employees if he could help us out. Blank stare at first but he did follow me out to the car where we discovered that Marilee had already managed to open the tank. The two women had almost used the deisel hose but couldn't get it to fit into the tank...Marilee told Faye not to worry because the gasoline would just flow downward anyway. Everything was okay once they realized their error. We figure we might be featured on someone's cell phone camera that's on it's way to *World's Funniest Video*.
Off we went for about another 10 minutes where a merging car nearly ran us off the road and then honked angrily at us because we were in their way. Damn!
Faye drove while Marilee and I struggled with her stupid GPS. Either it or we were doing something wrong. I knew which highway we should be on so we just kept on our way, though.
At about noon, we found a nice seafood restaurant and fed ourselves royally. Marilee was kind enough to pay the bill and we emerged some time around 1 P.M. Darned if we didn't spot a Macy's and gave ourselves 15 minutes to shop. Marilee took 45.
On the road again, we had to stop at a drug store because Faye had been bitten by ants and the spots were driving her crazy. We got Benadril ( and shoes) which made her dozy so I took over the driving.
We reached the beach at 3 P.M., dragged all our stuff...beach bags, chairs, umbrellas, etc. and settled in. It was lovely for 2 hours and then we headed home.
We got on the right highway but F & M had a hankering for an ice cream cone so we got out the GPS and wandered around until we found an ice cream parlor. Now, I'd been weighed that morning and was happy as pig in poo to discover I'd lost 3 lbs. during the past week. That didn't stop me from ordering the first banana split I'd had in 7 years. Bad company!
Back on the road, we used the GPS again to get back to our highway and got totally lost. Never trust your GPS. We finally found our way and got home around 8 P.M.
I drank 2 vodkas and orange juice and slept like a baby all night.
Yesterday Faye, Marilee, and I set out for the beach at about 9:30 A.M. because, by gosh, we were going to have a full day there if it killed us. We got 20 feet away from my trailer when we spotted Bob packing up his car and boat. Bob is taking stuff back to Canada for Faye and I so we thought it a good idea to see if he wanted our stuff right then. Yes, he did. So back I went to my place to gather up stuff and back Faye went to her place to gather up stuff.
After loading it all on Bob and thanking him profusely, we finally left the park around 10:30 A.M. But we had to get gas so we got about 15 minutes up the road and drove into a gas station. Faye, unfamiliar with her own car, couldn't figure out how to open the gas tank. I have no pride so I went into the gas station and asked one of the employees if he could help us out. Blank stare at first but he did follow me out to the car where we discovered that Marilee had already managed to open the tank. The two women had almost used the deisel hose but couldn't get it to fit into the tank...Marilee told Faye not to worry because the gasoline would just flow downward anyway. Everything was okay once they realized their error. We figure we might be featured on someone's cell phone camera that's on it's way to *World's Funniest Video*.
Off we went for about another 10 minutes where a merging car nearly ran us off the road and then honked angrily at us because we were in their way. Damn!
Faye drove while Marilee and I struggled with her stupid GPS. Either it or we were doing something wrong. I knew which highway we should be on so we just kept on our way, though.
At about noon, we found a nice seafood restaurant and fed ourselves royally. Marilee was kind enough to pay the bill and we emerged some time around 1 P.M. Darned if we didn't spot a Macy's and gave ourselves 15 minutes to shop. Marilee took 45.
On the road again, we had to stop at a drug store because Faye had been bitten by ants and the spots were driving her crazy. We got Benadril ( and shoes) which made her dozy so I took over the driving.
We reached the beach at 3 P.M., dragged all our stuff...beach bags, chairs, umbrellas, etc. and settled in. It was lovely for 2 hours and then we headed home.
We got on the right highway but F & M had a hankering for an ice cream cone so we got out the GPS and wandered around until we found an ice cream parlor. Now, I'd been weighed that morning and was happy as pig in poo to discover I'd lost 3 lbs. during the past week. That didn't stop me from ordering the first banana split I'd had in 7 years. Bad company!
Back on the road, we used the GPS again to get back to our highway and got totally lost. Never trust your GPS. We finally found our way and got home around 8 P.M.
I drank 2 vodkas and orange juice and slept like a baby all night.
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