Happy Thanksgiving!

On this Thanksgiving Day, in addition to my family, my friends, my health and my station in life, I'm grateful for my blog readers.  It might not seem like a big deal to you but your "likes" and "comments" certainly brighten my day and encourage me to keep going with my writing.  For that, I'm very thankful.  I hope on this day, your table is bountiful and you are surrounded by family and friends on this wonderful holiday.  Happy Thanksgiving, friends!

Unbuckle Your Belt A Notch and Give Thanks...

Is there a nicer holiday than Thanksgiving?  It's my all-time favorite!  It's about family, food, and giving thanks -three of the most important things in life.  (Well, the food's not THAT important but I'd be lying if I said I didn't enjoy the heck out of it!)  Thanksgiving doesn't have the sometimes crass commercialism of Christmas -no distractions of gift-buying, hectic schedules, filled with things to do and places to go.

It's a more serene time for us and I love that!  In years past, I had the luxury of having others do the hosting and cooking.  My oldest sister could cook a mean bird for my side of the family and my mother-in-law couldn't be topped when it came to a turkey dinner, for hubby's side.   So why wouldn't I be a slacker when it came to Thanksgiving entertaining?

That would soon change.  As our families grew, or loved ones passed, our traditions had to change.  Families have to be flexible that way.  The siblings began their own traditions with their own families and soon, the torch was passed.  Our house soon became the Thanksgiving hub for our crew and it was wonderful.  Not that I didn't have kitchen mishaps, like cooking the turkey with the "innards" still in the bird (who didn't do THAT?) or figuring the timing wrong and having to wait, impatiently, for the turkey to finish cooking.  Lumpy mashed potatoes, runny gravy, tasteless pumpkin pie...it didn't matter.  We were together and that was what the holiday was all about.

Like I said, with families, you have to be flexible, and although I'm a traditionalist, we, once again, needed to switch things up a bit.  Now, we travel to what is more of a central locale for all of us - middle son's place, two hours away.  I haven't shed the cooking responsibilities yet... nope, we just load up the car...sort of a "meals on wheels" trip, with the daughters-in-law bringing along their contributions, too.  

I never fooled myself into thinking we were that family, from a Norman Rockwell painting, with hubby at the head of the table, carving the bird, while everyone sits in quiet anticipation of the feast.  But I never thought this old home-body would take to the road for the holidays, either.   The most important thing is we're together...and THAT'S what I give thanks for - the most!

I hope you're with loved ones, giving thanks for all the blessings in your life...and if you have to unbuckle your belt a notch or two because of all the terrific food, that's alright, too.  Happy Thanksgiving!

"It's Just Stuff..."

We've been going through things at my Mom's house as she's downsized and entered an assisted living facility.  Now my folks lived well....not extravagantly, but they had a good life.  My Mom never was a hoarder to start with and she began "editing" long before that word became a common term in home organization.  In fact,  after my Dad passed, we had to put the brakes on her pitching too many mementos from their past.

Thinking back, I see that  my parents really were the antithesis of accumulating "stuff"....something that seems so common in our culture.  My folks could have afforded it all, but it wasn't important to them.    The biggest house, filled with high-end decor... the nicest car...the latest phone or electronics... none of that mattered.  They lived well...just not "show-offy" well.

What was important to them was how people were treated.  It was about the values they tried to instill in their kids.  It was the memories they shared with us and their encouragement for us to make memories of our own.   It was about the good that comes from sharing your talents and treasures with others...of giving back. 

On a grey day in November, as I sat at my Mom's place, sifting through photos, some framed, some not, it struck me how many memories, how many relationships they had accumulated in their lifetime.  I'd love to emulate my folks but know that many times, I fall short, getting caught up, caving in, buying "stuff"... When it really IS about having people in your life, not things.

Maybe I'll work on that for 2015.  Simplify.... Treat people better... make more memories...share my talents. 

Because in the end, it's all just "stuff".

I Miss The Wish Book....

Does anyone else miss the catalogs that used to come in the mail, this time of year, from Sear's and Penney's?  I remember, first, as a kid, and then, as a young Mom, excitedly, opening their colorful pages.  So many wonderful things to look at and hopefully, purchase.

I know that "paperless" and "going green" is the way to go now but looking at pictures in a catalog, marking the pages of things we wished for, seemed a lot more fun than looking at merchandise online.  Call me old-fashioned, I guess.

I especially remember the excitement that came with the special Christmas edition of the catalogs!  It was then that the ideas for our Christmas lists were formed.  The dolls... The board games....the stuffed animals....the special holiday dresses...  (I'm pretty sure my early love for red velvet began because of a dress,  modeled on the cover of one of the Wish Books!)  I don't know if "Santa" paid attention to all the dog-earred pages but I can't remember one Christmas when I was disappointed with what I received.

As a young Mom, my excitement over catalogs didn't wane.  Being able to order the boys' school uniforms... getting ideas for their gifts, now that hubby and I were "Santa"....being able to see so many beautiful items...  All in one place and all without leaving the comfort of home.

That was, until your order came to the store.  It was then you would get "the call" and would head to your Penney's or Sear's store catalog counter to get your merchandise.   You'd tell the clerk your name and she would then go to the files, pull your order, go to the back of the store and come out with your purchases.  

I know that today's online shopping is very similar.  You can find everything you could possibly want online... from many different vendors...all with the click of a mouse and all delivered to your door.  But there was something magical about poring over the catalogs of those major retailers and outfitting your kids, decorating your home or making Christmas wishes come true, with  the many treasures you'd find in the Wish Book....and I, for one "wish" they were back.

"A Necessary Evil?"

My Mom will be going into a nursing home this weekend...kind of a "necessary evil" type of thing.  I know that it's for the best...for her safety, for her mental and physical health.  But it sure is harder than I thought it would be.

A once vibrant woman,  she can't remember things now...she repeats herself a lot...she's unable to do the simple tasks she once did...and has that "deer in the headlights" look, that comes with dementia.

They say many of us regress, as we age.  It applies to kids putting their folks into nursing homes, I'm finding.  I have the same feelings of trepidation I felt, as a young Mom, when the boys entered kindergarten.  "Will she be safe?"  "Will she make friends?"  "Will she know her way around?"  "Will she behave?"

Nursing homes have come a long way.  I know that.  Maybe they were once a place to tuck away those who have outlived their supposed usefulness... but not anymore.  There are activities to engage the residents, having attention paid to their needs, enhancing and maybe even prolonging their lives.

Mom's handling it (for now) with the same grace she had when she surrendered her car keys...knowing it's best for her and is the right time.  Worrying about the kids who have helped her live her life lately has been a pleasant consideration, too.  We've gathered some of the precious mementos of a life, well-lived, with which to decorate her new "home" and hopefully, she'll live out the rest of her life, content with this decision.  I really pray so.

I know I should feel blessed to even be in this position...to have had my Mom for so long.  How many, at age 62, can even say that?  But I guess, with this "milestone", if you want to call it that, comes the realization, that we're becoming the oldest generation. And I'm not really prepared for that yet.

Aging's a funny thing.  The years fly by and there you are.  But I would like it to be noted, by my three sons, that their Dad and I aren't "there" yet, contrary to what they may think some days.  So don't be getting any ideas, guys!  I may not handle it as gracefully as my Mom has.

"Lies and Sex Tapes"

Well, my 62nd birthday has come and gone.  Funny, I don't feel any older, but my driver's license, which I had to renew, says I am.  (I'm hoping, if the DMV folks would have you believe I'm 62, you'll also believe I'm the same weight I was 22 years ago...haven't changed that since 1992!!)   But back to the birthday.  I feel so blessed to celebrate each year in good health, and with a terrific family and wonderful friends.  

This year, the birthday-celebrating was a little longer than usual, thanks to the power of Facebook.  You see, it all started when a sweet friend wished me a "happy birthday" on Facebook five days before the actual day.  It was amazing how it caught on and spread.  It wasn't long before I had 80 greetings coming my way...and it wasn't even my birthday yet!

Now, I'd be lying if I said I didn't enjoy the extra wishes and attention but there's a lesson here, too.  What began as a premature birthday greeting, mushroomed into an avalanche of wishes beforehand, in spite of my corrections and comments.  And it really drove home the fact that once something goes online, it's "out there"...hard to retrieve, hard to deny. Just glad I don't have any risqué photos or sex tapes floating around "out there"!   Ha!

This has reminded me of a lesson my Mom tried teaching me on the dangers of gossiping.  She said "gossiping is like cutting open a feather pillow.  You can never get back what you said, just like you can't get all the feathers back."  A good analogy, I think.

There may be future birthdays when I'll get, nary a greeting, so I really DO appreciate the thoughts and wishes that came my way.   And I appreciate that sweet friend who started it all off....a bit early.
   
Believe me, I tried to stay 61 for a little longer...  And what for?  I'm blessed with family, friends, good health and still weigh what I did when I was 40... yeah, RIGHT!

P. S. Sorry for the provocative title.. But I DID mention "lies" about my weight and DID reference "sex tapes"....... Just trying to "up" my readership...

Pettipants and Garter Belts...

I've been thinking about clothes a lot lately....  mainly because I've been looking for some additions to my wardrobe...with not much success.  This then got me to thinking about the things that were in style years ago and have disappeared completely from fashion...and some that are enjoying a resurgence...or never really went away.  It's funny how that works.

I've already blogged about stirrup pants...those cute slacks with the fabric strip that fit under your foot, guaranteeing a smooth leg line (and for tall girls, a low crotch!)  I pray they don't come back!

Well, when was the last time you've thought of pettipants?  And did you know they were still available?  A friend (thanks, Deb) made me aware of their availability and although I won't be rushing out to buy a pair, it was fun thinking back.

Pettipants were popular among school girls in the 70's and for those who aren't familiar, pettipants were a nice alternative to wearing a slip..that undergarment that certainly was named right...mine was always "slip"ping  up!  Pettipants came in pretty colors (my favorite was a pair of aqua ones), were the same comfortable fabric as a slip, but kind of like bermuda shorts.  They sure were great, worn under a school uniform skirt!  Not sure if I'd wear 'em again, but they sure were terrific 40 years ago!

And while we're talking about "unmentionables", who can forget girdles and garter belts?   Girdles, garter belts and nylons were what we sported for dressy occasions.  Then along came pantyhose.  Until the pantyhose industry caught up with "tall" sizes, I suffered with the aforementioned "low crotch" again and longed for the return of garter belts for the longest time.  But let's leave the lingerie department now, shall we?

Turtleneck sweaters, dickies and "poor boys" (those cute, short sleeve sweaters that came with the "British Invasion") were must-haves in our high school wardrobes...and they've maintained their popularity thru the years.  Dickies, not so much!  A blessing, I'd say!  Dickies were the top portion of a turtleneck.  That was it!  Just a fake half/sweater that used to ride up, much like my slip did.  I never "got" dickies!

It's funny...  Some of the things I wore, years ago, were because they were "in".  Now, I must ask,  what need was there for a high school junior to wear a girdle?  These days, I NEED to wear one and don't want to.  I used to wear turtlenecks because they were also "in" years ago.  Now I wear them, because, as the late Nora Ephron, who wrote humorous books about aging, stated "The neck and hands don't lie.".  Turtlenecks hide, well, "turtle necks", that crepey condition that comes with getting older.

I have a lot of great memories, tucked away, of fashion from my youth.    And that's where they'll stay...tucked away.   No need for pettipants, girdles, garter belts, nylons, or stirrup pants for me anymore!  Nope, but I'm hanging onto the turtlenecks because... remember, "the neck don't lie."

"Politically Correct"...Another Oxymoron...

I  had hoped to write this blog without ruffling too many feathers but I'm going to come clean.  I'm tired of being politically correct...whatever THAT means.  Isn't that an oxymoron anyway?  Politicians haven't been getting too many things correct lately, have they? So I'm going to go into uncharted waters here in my blog and see if anyone agrees with me.

#It's a sad state of affairs when an American Idol contestant gets more votes than a presidential candidate.  I wish that more people in this great country of ours knew the value of their vote!  So many have died for that right and people all over the world would trade places with us, the American voter, in a heartbeat! Sure, a lot of what we see makes us feel like it doesn't matter, but it does!  So get out and vote!

#And the negative ads we've been subjected to all month?  I wish, instead of telling us about all the "sins" of their opponents, the candidates would tell us what good things THEY'RE going to do for us.
(Never mind...they'll say anything to get elected and then what?  Nothing!)

#The thing that bothers me is that, from town government to the nation's capital, many of those who have been elected to "serve" us, have forgotten that.  They're called "public servant" for a reason.  I
wish they'd stop putting their own interests or those of their "friends" ahead of what's right for all of us and listen to their electorate!

#I so wish those we elect, no matter the party, that they would strive to get along with one another, for the good of our country.  Last year's government shutdown resembled two little kids having a playground tussle, no one budging.  Only difference was those "brats" were hurting millions and came out of their fight, unscathed, and still in office.

#I wish that those same public servants would realize that money doesn't solve all the problems of the world...whether it's throwing good money after bad, at programs that aren't working or money at other countries that don't even like us!

I wish that the politicians who've been in office, say, 30 years, would make way for younger folks, with younger ideas.  Holding public office was never meant to be a lifelong career!  And some fresh ways of doing things just may be better than what we're getting now.

#What's good enough for us should be good enough for "them".  If our elected officials implement a program for all of us, shouldn't they be obliged to follow the same guidelines, get the same so-called "benefits"?  It's called "leading by example" and it would be a terrific change.

I guess I've gone on long enough.  I'll get off my soapbox now.  And whether you agree with my views or not, we live in a nation where we're allowed to voice them ...or write them...and isn't that The Best?

Get out and let your voice be heard!  VOTE!