"So Long, For Now, From An Old(er) Broad"...

I have surpassed a goal - over 20,000 views of my blog - and I want to thank you for your readership, your friendship and your support.  When I started this exercise in October, 2013, I had no idea I would keep at it this long.  It's been a lot of fun connecting, through my blog, with folks and finding out that I, maybe, touched a nerve or provided a nudge with a memory or two.

For now, I'm taking a breather -to live, learn ( "The greatest lesson I have learned in life is that I still have a lot to learn.") observe, and come up with some new "ramblings".   (And if you have any ideas or memories you wish to suggest, feel free...) I will, hopefully, get back to writing at a later date, because I have really enjoyed it.

For  those of you who've read my Tuesday and Thursday blog since 2013, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!  If you jumped onboard later, THANK YOU!    I'll see you soon.  Take care and stay well.

Love,

Marysue
AKA "The Old(er) Broad"

"Summer Days at the Playground"

I was reading one of the many "Memories" pages on Facebook recently and there was a comment about the playgrounds of our youth.  Well, even though it's only spring, my mind went back to the days when we, as kids in Lindenwald, enjoyed many a summer day at our neighborhood park.

Those were the days!  A summer day, heading to the park with the neighbor kids, not a care in the world....Who wouldn't want to go back in time to that?

Sure, our park had playground equipment that would be deemed unsafe, by today's safety standards.  We didn't know any better back then, I guess, and despite some scrapes and bruises, we all lived.

One of the less-safe rides was the merry-go-round.  We would all get on, and someone, (usually someone who took delight in scaring the heck out of kids) would make it go round and round fast.  We hung on for dear life and when it came to a stop, we'd be dizzy and laughing.

The teeter-totter was for suckers...or extremely trusting kids.  You'd sit on one end and another kid would sit at the other, and you'd go up and down.  The kid who weighed the most pretty much decided who would be "up" most of the time.  Our park had some smart alecks who would jump off their end, when you were on the "up" part of the ride... Your side of the teeter-totter, and your fanny, would hit the ground...hard! (Maybe some of our current back problems come from being slammed down, onto the hard ground, by the smart alecks' antics?  Maybe....)

The swings seemed safe enough -unless someone would push you and you'd go sky-high.  The daredevils would jump from the swing when it was at its highest point.  Needless to say,  I never jumped.

The slide was my go-to ride...it seemed the most laid back of all the rides.  I remember the only downside was, in the heat of the summer, the shiny metal would scorch the back of your legs... that, and the puddle that always seemed to be at the bottom of the slide.

Come to think of it!  There always seemed to be puddles everywhere at
the park...under the swings, around the merry go round...everywhere young feet had worn paths into the hard ground.  That's right!  We had the hard earth as our play surfaces.  No rubberized products...no wood chips... just good old dirt, or mud, depending on the weather that week.

Our park had "park leaders", teenagers who were hired by the city to ride herd on the neighbor kids.  Sometimes there were crafts, sometimes games, organized for us to play, but the highlight of the week was "Park Pool Day".  That's when the park leaders would walk us to the neighborhood pool, where we'd sing our "park song" for free admission, and splash  around with the same hooligans we played with at the park.

Another highlight of summers at the park were when The "Show Wagon" would make a stop for those brave enough to perform for the other kids and their parents.  Some would sing, some would dance, some would twirl batons....any of the talents they wanted to show off.  I was never brave enough to sign up and kind of admired the kids who did.    It was a fun night but I'm pretty sure, there were no major talent discoveries in Lindenwald those nights.

Times are different now...kids have so many things to occupy their time.  But summer days, spent at the playgrounds of our town, in the 50's and 60's, would be hard to beat.  And I'm so glad I was there.

A Final Resting Place

So you know you're getting old when you and hubby buy a cemetery plot!  Yes, we went and did it. Have been talking about it for awhile and recently, we finalized it.

Not that anything's looming (that we know of)  but who's to say?   We're thinking of it as a gift to our kids...kids who shouldn't have to deal with such things, when we're gone.  They certainly don't even like talking about the topic so I think we're doing them - and ourselves - a favor.

We met the friendly cemetery representative (now THAT would be a hard job...don't ya think?) at the place, walked around, found our final resting place and put our money down.  Fact of the matter, I've spent more time shopping for shoes!  It was easy --- and it's done!

I've always wanted to be cremated.  With my claustrophobia always on my mind, the thought of being in a box forever, didn't excite me.  It really would be more appropriate to be planted next to hubby, getting on his nerves for all of eternity....side by side forever.  But with the help of the cemetery rep, I found out I can have it both ways....cremation and not far from hubby.  Problem solved...

The subject of death, dying, cemeteries, burials isn't one that I've relished.  But as I've gotten older, I've become more of a realist (some would say "fatalist").  We're all gonna go sometime.   I'm also a control freak and having a say on where I'm going to end up, is, in a bizarre way, comforting.  Getting to choose "my neighbors" - some of whom were wonderful friends in life - is the way it should be.

Please don't think I'm being maudlin...blogging about such a thing.  I hope hubby and I aren't going "anywhere" anytime soon but  I really do view this as another step in the aging process...an investment in the future...a downpayment on eternity, so to speak.

Next up?  A headstone!  Nothing too big or extravagant.  Just something to say "I was here".  At least, if I have a say in that, my name will be spelled correctly....  (I TOLD you I was a control freak!)

Things I've Wondered About Lately...

# We start the political stuff waay too early!  Here we are, two years out and I'm sick of it already!
# Watching TV the night before a colonoscopy is a bad idea.  Too many delicious-looking commercials!
# Just because the calendar says "April" doesn't mean the weather is going to be terrific!
# Wallpaper always seems like a better idea going up than coming down.
# Why are the Kardashians still here?
# When and why does toilet paper need a marketing campaign and so many tasteless commercials?
# Our seafood choices have become so much more than the fishsticks of the '70's.
#  Who decided weeds are weeds?
# Why have toasters never been improved upon?  Everything else in the kitchen has changed, it seems.
# Are marijuana dealers in states where its use is now legal, allowed to advertise in magazines, like cigarette companies used to?
# Why do some folks in our neighborhood have to fix their cracked sidewalks, when others don't have to have sidewalks at all?
# Food Network Chef Bobby Flay looks like Howdy Doody to me.  How has he landed three wives?
#  How bad must some product have been, to be "new" and "improved" almost every year?
# Funny how your day can go to hell in a hurry -  all because of a computer.

That's it for me!  What have you been wondering about?

"That Ship Has Sailed"

That's a term that's being used more and more around our house...and I don't like it --- even a little bit.

It was used recently by hubby, after he decided, after looking at a particular item, was questioning his need for it, after all.  "That ship has sailed", he said.  I heard it and took it as an age thing...that we've given up...that it's not worth pursuing anymore.

But I guess, instead of looking at "that ship has sailed" as a term of resignation, I should look at it as a sign of acceptance....that we've had things so good for so long... that we can change things up -or not - and still be alright.

So what if I can't wear stilettos anymore?  It was fun when I could.   "That ship has sailed".  Partying until the wee hours?  Not appealing anymore.  "That ship has sailed".  And if our so-called "toys" are enough, why want for more?  "That ship has sailed", too.

I'd like to think that we're both - hubby and me - in charge, making decisions, planning and doing things on our own terms.    There may be a whole lot of "ships sailing" around here, but we're still the captains of those ships, and that is alright!

"Faking It"

I  HATE fakiness! Now I'm not talking exterior fakiness. I color my hair, wear plenty of make-up and can sport "falsies" with the best of 'em! I call that "enhancement" or "embellishing". Nope, I'm talking about fake smiles, fake eyes, fake intentions, fake stories and fake hearts.

You don't have to go very far to see it today. It's everywhere! In politics, in Hollywood, in everyday conversations. We needn't look any further than Bill Cosby or Brian Williams to see its prevalance. Many people have been doing it for so long, they don't even realize it's fakiness.

 These days, social media makes it easier to be fake. Facebook can paint a totally different picture than what is true. Case in point... Say someone on Facebook presents her family life as the best there can be. Then when you see the entire family at a restaurant, faces buried in their phones... It just doesn't match up to what was portrayed online.

 It makes no sense, to me, to have fakiness in our lives. I try not to judge. But to me, when you start with the fakiness, you lose sight of what's real...and what's important.

 We all end up in the same place in the end. What we have and what we think we are, is of little value. Being sincere and genuine in our everyday lives, to my way of thinking, sure would be easier than going through life as a fake. Propping ourselves up as something we're not would be exhausting!

So let's all adopt a "what you see is what you get" attitude... Want to? But I'm not giving up my make-up and hair color! EVER! Nor should you WANT me to... Have a sincerely terrific day!

"Heal Thyself"

I know - my blog is usually light and airy stuff - but now that my Lenten "Positivity Project" has been shelved till next year - please allow me to rant, won't you?

Healthcare in America is a mess!  There I said it!  Having just been through the wringer and experiencing it firsthand, I can say that we are in a world of hurt, both literally and figuratively, if we don't fix it!

I recently experienced some health issues and went to the doctor.  Some testing was needed...first bloodwork, etc.  Meds were prescribed, made some headway with those, additional and more invasive testing was prescribed.

The orders went to the hospital on a Monday and there I was, four days later, waiting on approval from the insurance company!  Good thing I wasn't writhing in intense pain the entire time or bleeding from every orifice...It's almost like they were either expecting me to heal myself or hoping I'd just die in that waiting game.

I get it - the insurance companies take most of the heat - Folks using the emergency room as their primary care physician, the exorbitant cost of prescription drugs, unneeded tests ordered up  by unscrupulous doctors all add to their woes.  I get it.

And some doctors and some hospitals aren't blameless either.  Piggy-backing expensive procedures before results from other ones are in, the costly cutting edge equipment, insurance to protect them from folks who don't think they've gone far enough for them.  It's a mess!

I pity the elderly who have to go through the healthcare maze and have no advocate, willing to help steer them through.  But I really feel badly for our kids and grandkids -they don't know how it used to be - this is going to be their normal and their "good old days".  Sad.

Luckily, I like our doctors.  They've gone to the mat for us on more than one occasion.  I guess the lesson I've learned here is that you have to be aggressive and proactive about your own healthcare and that of your family's.  Don't be afraid to get in there and mix it up with the big guys.   It's your health and your well-being at stake here.   Oh, yeah...and say some prayers for a fix for the system.  Because, I can tell you, it needs it!

"On My Honor, I Will Try..."

I'm sure it wouldn't have ANYTHING  to do with the fact that I've consumed a box of Girl Scout Thin Mints this month that got me to thinking back to my scouting days.  Yes, I was a Girl Scout...but I'm getting ahead of myself here - first, I was a Brownie.

St Ann's, the grade school of my early years, had some terrific scout leaders.  I remember the patience and attention of Mrs McCool and Mrs Fruttoso, trying to ride herd on a group of young, rambunctious girls.  After school, on Mondays, we'd descend to the cafeteria for our meetings.  They always opened up with the Pledge of Allegiance and the Brownie/Girl Scout pledge.

On my honor, I will try:
To do my duty
To God and my country,
To help other people at all times,
And to obey the Girl Scout Law.

We then would hear about scouting business, pay our dues, begin our craft project and then enjoy a treat.  In addition to the lessons learned about patriotism, self esteem, commerce (had to sell those cookies!) and team work, the giggling, camaraderie, and the treats prepared me, I think, for the great relationships I have with my treasured women friends. (We still giggle and eat...)

After a few years as a Brownie, it was time for us to "fly up".  Not sure why that term was used but it meant we were advancing to the big leagues - The Girl Scouts!  I was always partial to the light brown color of the Brownie uniform, but I was ready to don the green of the Big Girls.  And although it was still fun, life as a Girl Scout got a bit more serious.  We had to "work" on getting "merit badges" - that reward that came after you performed certain tasks in a specific field. "Homemaking" is the only one that stands out in my memory (go figure!) but I'm sure there were a few more I earned.  I DO know that my sisters' sashes had more badges, but hey, they stuck it out longer....and probably worked harder at it.

I'm not sure why my time as a Girl Scout came to an end.  Maybe because we moved to a new school.  Maybe  my propensity to quit things reared its ugly head again (I've told you before about my short attention span).  Maybe it was when my Mom wanted me to sew the badges on my sash myself - and glue guns weren't invented yet.   I can't remember.  But I do know that scouting - then and now - is a great organization - and that the lessons I learned, as a young girl, were invaluable ones.

Now, where's that last box of Thin Mints?

P.S.  And thanks to my old(er) sister for her help in remembering the Girl Scout pledge... You didn't think I, with the short attention span, could recall that, now, did ya?

"The Problem With Doing Nothing"...

“The problem with doing nothing is that you never know when you’re finished.” —Groucho Marx

And therein lies the dilemma with retirement.  And why I hope hubby and I continue to stay involved with "something".  We HAVE to!  Or how will we "know when we're finished"?

Whether it's employment, volunteerism, having hobbies, being a friend,  or having some kind of project to work on, I hope I ALWAYS have something to do.  I know that things will eventually slow down.  My body already tells me I can't do what I used to do...like moving heavy furniture or climbing ladders to paint ceilings, but I sure hope there's something out there to fill those voids.  Or else, how will I "know when I'm finished"?

I know Someone else will determine when "I'm (really) finished".  Faith plays a big role here but I hope there's still plenty of time to see new places, try new things, meet new people, reach new goals.  I'm not ready to fold up the old tent yet. (Hmmm.  Try camping??? Nah!)   I hope I can keep "doing" or how will I know when I'm finished?

A Touch of Pagan In Me....

As Easter, the celebration of the Risen Lord, approaches, I got to wondering when and why did the Easter Bunny and Easter eggs, enter the mix?  I did some investigating and found out that, in the pagan world,  the bunny is representative of spring - that makes sense -and the eggs represent "new life".  Simple enough.

Easter, as a kid,  was certainly a religious event in our home.  My parents saw to it!  Giving up something during Lent...Going to church in the evening on Holy Thursday, where the priest had his feet washed... Stations of the Cross on Fridays... fasting and abstaining on Good Friday.  All to prepare for the most important day in the Christian faith -Easter Sunday.

Looking back, I have to say, I must have had quite a bit of "pagan" in me, too.  As much as Easter was a celebration of my faith - my memories of Easter always go back to the fashion and food.  (Go figure!).

My Mom, the seamstress, always made sure her girls had new dresses for Easter.  Some years, we even had spring coats.  My favorite part of the ensemble was always the "bonnet"!  I love hats and, if I thought I could wear one now,  without folks thinking I was a goof, I'd be wearing one this weekend.   New patent leather shoes were also an Easter staple.  Loved the new shoes but was not a fan of the socks we had to wear with 'em.   I look back, in amazement, at how my parents outfitted 5 of us in Easter finery... and am pretty sure they could've done without a 2nd grade daughter, pouting over a pair of lacy anklets!

Our Easters meant trips to both grandparents' homes, for wonderful meals, that always included ham and all the trimmings.  We'd join in egg hunts with our many cousins.  There were plenty of eggs and lots of candy to go around but certain cousins were always a bit pushier than we were and ended up with more loot than the Bruner kids.  No worries.  We'd make up for it at the NEXT grandparent stop where WE were the pushy ones.

I remember, on Easter Monday, we'd hide our eggs over and over again, having day-long neighborhood egg hunts.   I'd take part,  that is, if I felt well enough.  I say that because there were few Easter Sunday nights that I went to bed without a bellyache.  So many marshmallow eggs... so little time!  I was an Easter candy binge eater, for sure.  Good thing we didn't have school on Easter Monday because I doubt I'd have been in class most years.

Years go by and some things never change...and luckily, many things do.  Faith is a big part of my life...all year round... still. And, although I don't get as dressed up for Easter as I used to, I sure appreciate my parents' sacrifice and talents more now ( but I don't have to wear those darn anklets, Mom!)   This Easter,  I'll indulge in some delicious ham, some hard boiled eggs, chocolate, in the form of bunnies and crosses, marshmallow eggs, malted milk eggs, jelly beans and some marshmallow Peeps, for sure!  I TOLD you some things never change!    Happy Easter everybody!

"Time Is Like A River"

"Time is like a river.  You cannot touch the water twice, because the flow that has passed, will never pass again. "

An undeniable truth.   That beautiful quote is a nudge to savor every moment.  But it's also a reminder, to me, to look at the way I've lived and to maybe shape up, from now on.  

I have to ask...

Have I been grateful enough to those who helped mold me into who I am today?  So many have had a hand in "the end product" and I should say "thanks" more often.
Was I kind enough?  There have been days when my time was short and so was my patience.  But how hard is it to be kind?
Was I too judgemental?  I didn't know what others' struggles may have been, so why don't I lighten up on them?
Was I too opinionated?  There have been times when I thought my way was the only way....and it wasn't.

Yes, time is like a river. The "flow" has passed.  And we can't undo most of the things we've done or the way we've been, thus far.  The neatest thing about the human condition is we can use the time we have left to change our ways.

I'm counting on it...

More Questions I've Pondered Lately...

*Why is it, when it's 68 degrees in the spring, summer or fall,  we're running around in shorts? And when it's 68 degrees, in the house, in the winter, we haul out the blankets and throws ?  68's 68, isn't it?

*Why are redheads being called "gingers" now?  And  shouldn't they be called "cinnamons"?

*Why aren't women's slacks sized like men's - with an inseam, so you know how long the pants leg is?

*If life is so short, why do we do so many things we don’t like and like so many things we don’t do?

*Why do we have more TV stations than ever before and so little to watch?

*Has "political correctness" and over-sensitivity gone too far?

*Why do they still demonstrate on airplanes how to fasten a seat belt?  Haven't we been using those things in our cars for years?

*Why is it June, July and August seem to go so much faster than January, February and March?

*Why are "March Madness" games so much more exciting than regular season ones?

*Why are the morning newspeople so chirpy?  Maybe easing into the day would feel better for the viewers?

*Why can't perfume and cologne come in plain containers and cost less?  It's the fancy bottles and lids that drive the price up, right?

Well, that's it for me.  I know the things I ponder are pretty silly.  But what are YOU pondering?

We Can't Recycle Time ...

The greatest waste in all our earth, which cannot be recycled or reclaimed, is our waste of the time that God has given us each day".   Reverend Billy Graham

How much time do we waste on a daily basis?  Sad to say, I think I waste plenty.  Wasn't always the case.  I used to be a whirling dervish from morning til night.  Now?  Not so much.

I guess when you're raising kids, wasting time isn't an option.  Between running them here and there, overseeing homework, putting meals in front of them, our time is taken for sure.

Now, I kick back more, but to say I'm wasting time?  It may be a matter of perspective.  If I'm learning a new recipe from my beloved cooking shows  or I get a home improvement idea from HGTV, am I wasting time?

Maybe putting more time into helping others would be a better use of my time.  Like putting those recipes to good use and sharing them with an elderly neighbor?  Or helping someone out who's behind in their yardwork?  If it's nothing more than calling someone and letting them know I'm thinking of them, wouldn't that be better than soaking up yet another TV show?

A Facebook friend  (Thanks, Judy!) suggested  that we start a hometown missionary movement and I think that idea could catch on.  Who says we have to go to another country or another state to be a missionary?  To help others?

I'm going to make a concerted effort to look around and take notice of others' needs...And see if there's something I can do to make their lives better.  Yep, I'm gonna do it!

Obsolescence-What's Next?

I was recently reading an article about tech gadgets that have become obsolete in the past decade.  10 years!   Things are moving that quickly!  Floppy disks were an example.  When we started on computers, those were such important parts of the whole idea of computing.  You could save everything!   Another obsolete tech item?  E-Mail service you had to pay for!  Remember those AOL disks we received in the mail about every week?  90 day free trial and then you started paying?

I like to think back in bigger slots of time.  "Generations" and "eras" seem to slow things down a bit more for me than decades.  With that in mind, I offer, to you, items from past eras that, I'm pretty sure, we'll not be seeing anymore.

"Jiffy Pop" - Or just plain popcorn, cooking in oil on the stovetop.  Sure, microwaves have changed the way we cook but there was something about the fragrance of bubbling oil and the "pop, pop, pop" of the kernels hitting the pan lid.  I could always count on burning Jiffy Pop...it was more of a novelty than a matter of taste...seeing that foil stretch before your eyes...pretty amazing.

"Dippity Do"- that gooey hair-setting concoction -pink for "regular" and green for "hard to hold".  Might as well put mesh hair rollers and picks with them. We won't be seeing them anytime soon either - and I say "good riddance"!  I think I STILL have some indentations in my head from those suckers!

"Foto Mats" - Those cute little kiosks, found in parking lots all over the U.S.  Just drive up, drop your film off and return in a few days -that's right -days!! to get your photo prints.  Say so long to film, too.   Not needed anymore.  Just click and download.   The up side to film, in my eyes?  We'd be seeing fewer "selfies", if people had to pay to have them developed!

Ash Trays -I would've been screwed in my ceramic classes in the 70's!  Ash trays were the go-to item in my repertroire.  Nothing tedious...you could go outside the lines with your painting and still be okay.  Just slap that paint on and done!  Bundle with the ash trays, candy cigarettes and bubble gum cigars.  You won't be seeing them anymore - at least, not out in public.  But I could be a "closet smoker" with a pack of those Winston candy cigarettes right about now!

Electric Football Games - remember the little plastic players, carrying a tiny cotton ball on a vibrating "field"?  I always had the fella that seldom "ran" for the right goalpost....he always got turned around.   Video games provide more sophisticated fun, I guess, but not the laughs that that goofy electric one did.

Diaper Service - Before the invention of Pampers, we had fresh cloth diapers delivered and soiled ones picked up by a friendly diaper guy in a truck.  Whoever thought that was that sanitary of an idea back then would never make it now but it really was a pretty lucrative and popular business years ago.

Well, there you have it.  My short list of things, although obsolete now, were fun, interesting or handy when we had them.  It's funny how our opinions, our needs -heck, life itself - changes so quickly.  Don't you wonder what's around now that will meet with the same fate of obsolescence, as Jiffy Pop and Foto-Mat?  

Well, hopefully, not us!

"Reading, Observing Or Pissing On An Electric Fence"

I got your attention with that title, didn't I?   Well, it's a quote from humorist Will Rogers -I got it from a friend and I've been trying to figure out, into which category, do I fit.

“There are three kinds of people.  The ones who learn by reading. The few who learn by observation. The rest of them have to piss on the electric fence for themselves.”

You, by now know, I'm not much of a reader.  Wish I had been because I'd be writing books now instead of blogs.  Reading would certainly have expanded my view of the world and grown my vocabulary.

I've learned plenty by observing.  Seeing how my folks raised kids certainly gave me ideas on how I wanted to raise mine.  Watching my Grandma make soup years ago influenced me in the kitchen and gave me my love of cooking.  Watching the many football and basketball games the boys played and coached in should have probably taught me more about those sports...but I'm a talker... Sorry, boys, I can't help it if I have a short attention span...

I probably fall into the "have to piss on an electric fence" group more than I should...as most folks would, if they think about it.

We're born into this world with zero knowledge, zero experience, zero sense. I'm one of those who have to practically be hit on the head with a hammer to get some things. But it was probably trying things and failing that has taught me the most.

My list is quite extensive -  I had to "piss on quite a few electric fences" before I gained the knowledge and experience or figured out how to overcome some of my deficits.  But the neat thing about life is we DO gain that experience, we DO learn, we DO figure out what 's right, what will work and what doesn't.  It may take a lifetime, but we, hopefully, get it, eventually.

Sometimes, I wish I could transmit my knowledge and experience to my kids, my grandkids or anyone who's trying to make their way.  But I can't.  They have to "piss on their own electric fence" and "get it" as we all have.  I just hope it doesn't take them as long.

"What Would You Tell Your Younger Self?"

I recently saw an online campaign by the name of "Dear Me".  It was an exercise to see how folks would do things differently, if given the chance.  Here's my take....

"Dear Me"

Don't be in such a hurry to grow up!  Savor every age because time goes by so quickly.

Just because it pops into your head, doesn't mean it has to come out of your mouth. ( A lifelong problem that should've been nipped in the bud years ago...)

Read more.  (Who knows? Perhaps I'd be a real author by now.  They say you have to read if you want to write.)

Really listen to the older generation.  (They offered wisdom and a unique perspective that I didn't realize the value until they were gone.)

Don't give as much importance to what other people think.  Sure, their opinions matter sometimes -I've based plenty of how I did things on how others felt about it -and shouldn't have.

Move more.  (Get your body used to it because there'll come a time when it doesn't move like you'd like it to.)

Savor what you eat.  (Instead of shoveling stuff in, enjoy every bite.)

Tell people you love them.  (I've waited too many years to say it to some folks.    I just assumed they knew it....and maybe they didn't.  Say it!)

There it is...    Sadly, there are no true do-overs in life, but this exercise really gave me the chance to look back and maybe change things up a bit.  Feel free to add to my list, comment or write a "Dear You" letter.  What would YOU tell your younger self?"

If I Was 40 Years Younger....

If I was 40 years younger, maybe I'd pursue a career in meteorology.  All the technology at your fingertips would be cool.  Dragging your finger across a screen to create a "storm front"...  Predicting something that everyone wants to hear... Accuracy isn't a problem.  Where else can you screw up half the time and still keep your job?

One thing I WOULDN'T do is get all excited when some kind of severe weather is approaching...  The current crop of weather folks get downright orgasmic if snow or rain is in the forecast!  I certainly wouldn't interrupt your favorite program to give you every minute detail of a thunderstorm.  And I wouldn't be so arrogant as to take credit for a nice day, like I had anything  to do with it.

Truth be told, we've always had weather and we always will.  If it's cold out, I'll wear a coat.  If it's going to snow, I'll have the shovel ready.  If it's raining, I'll take an umbrella.  If it's hot, I'll turn on a fan. If it's gonna get severe, I'll take precautions.

So calm down, Mr (or Miss) Weatherperson.  Trust me...we can handle it.

"And You're Wearing?"

If there is a profession that pats itself on the back more than the entertainment industry, I don't know what it is!

Yep, it's the award season...that time of year when countless programs are on, extolling the accomplishments of actors, directors, sound editors, singers...all of them!  And although I sneak a peak, I always ask myself the questions "Why"?  And "Who cares"?

I guess we've created the problem - reading the magazines, watching the talk shows, buying the movie tickets.  But the so-called celebrities' feelings of self-worth are so over-inflated, it's ridiculous... and it starts with the dress.

As they parade down the red carpet, hounded by the paparazzi, just once, I wish one of these celebrities, when asked "what are you wearing?" would respond "Wal-Mart" or "J. C. Penney".   "And your jewelry was designed by?"   "My kids"...   How would that be for striking a blow for the common man?  Oh, who am I kidding?

I've also noticed a recent trend that has the celebrities, using their time at the podium, to tell us about their political leanings, their thoughts about equality...like they should be our morality cheerleaders.  Puleeze!  I'll get my information from folks far wiser than you!  Just act...or sing... Or whatever you're paid to do.

We'll continue to watch the shows, follow them, like they mean something...  Maybe, for a change,  an awards program for people who truly have made a difference - like a Mother Teresa or a Jonas Salk?  Nah, that would probably never air, and if it did, would we even watch?   Hard to imagine Mother Teresa in something by Oscar de la Renta...

"I've Had It All Wrong!"

"Eat breakfast like a king, lunch, like a prince and dinner, like a college kid with a maxed out charge card."

All these years, I've had it wrong!  I've been doing it backwards!   No wonder my metabolism's been screwed up all these years!

Never one to cook big breakfasts (except on weekends) I've always been content with a piece of fruit...or a bowl of cereal...or a donut.  Not that I don't love omelets and waffles, I just thought it was best to save the calories for later in the day.

Many times, I flat out skip lunch...or grab a piece of fruit... or a sandwich or a bowl of soup... or a donut.

And dinner?  I'm a meat and potatoes girl and still cook dinner like three college-age sons still live here - and they don't!

I understand the thinking-  if you follow this order of eating a big breakfast and lessen your intake throughout the day, you have more time to burn off the calories.  Makes sense.   But something is also missing from their logic.

They say nothing about snacking.  That's the true bane of my existence. A handful of pretzels here, a can of Coke there.  Tis the season for Easter candy and I have a weakness for marshmallow Peeps and malted milk eggs....at bedtime.   It all adds up.  I really must change my ways.

I'm going to try this process of eating like a king, a prince and a college kid, in the proper order, because there's a dress that I would like to wear again - comfortably - if you get my drift.  Now, I won't be hitting "Denny's" every morning for their Grand Slam breakfast.  And if you think I'm going to start eating Ramen noodles for dinner, you're crazy.  But I'm going to try this and we'll see how it goes.   Now,  where are the breakfast Peeps I've been looking for?

"For The Birds"

Everyone is tired of this cold and snowy weather...well, almost everybody.  Maybe those who enjoy skiing, or get paid overtime for snow removal aren't as disgruntled as the rest of us.  School kids who've had their share of free days because of the weather may be fans, too.    I love the change of seasons but these "20 below with wind chill" days are "for the birds"!

That's why, when I was out and about, and heard some birds chirping and singing, well, it warmed my heart.  It didn't warm my lower extremities, but it warmed my heart.  It almost sounded spring-like!  And I can't wait until that season arrives.

After hearing those melodious birds, I started wondering "If I had the ability to fly anywhere, for free, like birds do, would I be hanging around here?  What would be keeping me here"?  And the answer was easy.  Because this is "home".  Maybe the birds love the familiar surroundings they find here...maybe they love their routine here...maybe they have family or friends they don't want to leave.  Who knows what keeps them here when they could fly to somewhere warmer - for free?

I guess I'm a lot like those birds - except we paid a hefty price for our escape. A few weeks in warmer climes - a great way to refresh the soul and warm the old bones - but this is home.  Love the weather or hate it -this is familiar...routine...some would say boring...but it's home and I'm alway happy to return to it.

Maybe those birds call my neighborhood "home".  Or maybe they were just passing through, on their way to somewhere else. For all I know, maybe they've been zipping back and forth, between here and somewhere warmer all along.  If I could zip, back and forth, for brief visits, for free, I'd probably be doing the same.   But I'll just be happy when the birds AND Spring are here to stay, at "home".

My So-Called "Disasters"

A friend of mine recently sent me a list of tips...all really good ones.  But one jumped off the page (or computer screen) because it truly spoke to me as one that I really should try to incorporate into my everyday life.

"Frame every so-called "disaster" with these words: 'In five years, will this matter?"  That's a good one, isn't it?

You see, I'm a worrier.  I fret over many things, imagining worse-case scenarios all the time.  I thought once the kids were raised, it'd get better, but it hasn't.  I've just found new ways to worry about them....and their spouses...and their kids.

I'm also a "do-er" and it's hard to avoid "disasters" if you're one of those.  Countless home projects that I screwed up, convinced I'd be "in the doghouse" for, turned out fine.  Events I've worked on in my past careers would have me laying awake at night.  One potential disaster, in particular, was sending a letter to a gentleman, telling him of an honor he was to receive...only to find out that there were two identical names in the database, and I sent the letter to the wrong guy!  Disastrous mistake that turned out to be funny, because the mistaken fella didn't even qualify for that honor -and he knew it!  Crisis averted, but it took its toll on me for two days!

Even my Facebook usage has been fraught with potential disasters that never happened, but I sweated about for days.  Case in point...some may wonder why I don't "share" posts or pictures under the name of the one who originally posted it.  Well, in my early days of Facebook, when I was still learning how it all worked,  I thought I was "Marysue Wright", and I posted a risqué cartoon.  Turns out I posted it under the Facebook page that I manage for my employer!   Good lord!  Worried about it all night before I found out how to delete it. Whew, spared from getting fired !  (And from now on, I'll continue to "copy and post" instead of "share", just in case...)

I could go on and on about other "disasters" that I envisioned - I don't want to give up TOO much.  But looking back, it turns out, many of my potential disasters turned out to be some of my finest hours... And if they were so awful, who would care, in five years?  I'm still going to try to "frame every disaster with "in five years, will this matter"?  Who knows?  That little gem could add years to my life!

Fifty Shades of Grey

So much press and hype for the recently released "Fifty Shades of Grey" movie!  Yikes!

I read the book and I'd be lying if I didn't say it was (hmmm....what word do I use?) "hot".  I didn't quite understand the need for much of their behavior but "to each his own", I suppose.

I was reading the book, 3 years ago, on a flight with our son's women's college basketball team.  Under the cover of a magazine, I saw no need to advertise the fact that I was reading, what most would consider, a trashy book.  Sitting next to me was a team member - an inquisitive little thing - and spying a page, exclaimed, "Mrs Wright!  You're reading Fifty Shades of Gray"!  "Why don't you get on the intercom and announce it, you little snip"!  I didn't say that to her, of course, but Jeesh, how about a little discretion?

What's always interesting to me is how someone can take the written word and transform it into a movie.  That would be such a daunting task...trying to stay true to the author's beloved words.  I'll see the movie -much like I saw "Romeo and Juliet" after I read the book.  Who am I kidding?  It's going to be a lot hotter than THAT movie!  

It's no secret that I enjoy writing and anyone who writes, dreams of commercial recognition and success, much like the Fifty Shades' author has received. I can assure you - my first novel won't be as steamy as hers.  They say you "write what you know", so I'd have to write something tamer, I'm thinkin'.

Let's just say maybe MY Fifty Shades of Grey should reference the paint chips I'm pondering for a room redo...or maybe a hair dye job... Yep, that's more my speed...

I'm No Expert...

"I always let him have my way"... That was the answer of a woman, married to the same man for 81 years, when asked the secret to having such a long marriage.   I like the way that old gal thinks!  Not that it works that way for me (all the time) but that woman is onto something!

Fist of all, think about that!  81 years!  Good lord!  They've probably started to look alike!  That is twice as long as hubby and I...  I can't imagine!  Now, don't get me wrong.  I love my husband of 42 years but really?  81 years?

This got me to thinking how all couples have their "secrets" as to why they're still  married.  And for anyone who cares about my take on things, here are mine.

1.  Have a sense of humor...about EVERYTHING!  It gets you through the tough times and makes the good times better.  Plus, when you're falling apart and you don't look quite the same as you did years ago, it's not such a shock when he chuckles at how you look NOW---and visa versa.

2.  Have 2 televisions.  That way, you don't have to be subjected to his football games, Walking Dead" marathons, or the 37th airing of "Tombstone".  And he doesn't have to endure your chick flicks, cooking programs, or "The Ellen Degeneres Show.

3.   If kids are part of the equation, always present a united front...an "us vs them" attitude....because if I know anything, it's that kids can be little manipulators (so I've been told, sons.) and if they see a crack in the front, they'll pit one against the other, for sure.

4.   Always make time for a date night. With the constant demands of jobs, running a household and running kids all over, taking time out with your love, is of the utmost importance.  It gives  you a chance to connect, plus, when the kids grow up and leave, there you are.  You don't want to be strangers.

5. Make  saying "Thank you" a big part of your marital conversation...both sides.  An attitude of gratitude makes married life a lot more pleasant.  And who doesn't want to feel appreciated?

6.  The old adage "Never go to bed mad" has merit... Now, you may get mad after you go to bed... because of his snoring or her cover-hogging... but don't start off your slumber, aggravated.

This is just my perspective on the topic.  If you were to ask "my rock", he'd say honesty, candor and a fear of alimony...(see what I mean about humor?) are his secrets to a lengthy marriage.

Now, I'm no marriage expert, that's for sure.  Everyone has what works for them and you figure it out as you go.  For 81 years?  That won't happen here, I'm pretty sure, and if it doesn't, what kind of alimony are we talking about?

Keep smiling!

Florida -"Heaven's Waiting Room"

Let me make it clear upfront.  I mean no disrespect to those who reside in the beautiful state of Florida year-round.  Nor those who have the good fortune of making their escape there in the winter months.   Retirees, enjoying three months of the year, free of weather woes...what could be nicer?

They're known as "snowbirds" and with good reason.  The population of Florida swells with those trying to flee the frigid temps of the North.  The economy of certain parts of the state depend on their spending.

We've been blessed to be a "mini-snowbirds" for two or three weeks the past several years.  We  really enjoy the sunshine and the warmth, replacing the grey skies and cold weather we'd have at home.  And that time in the Sunshine State sure makes our winters more tolerable.

But I've noticed a few features that are pretty unique to the area.

The traffic there is ridiculous, especially if it's in parts frequented by us old-timers.  Sometimes, it's downright comical.  Mixed in with the many big cars driven by the seniors, is an occasional grey haired gent in a hot looking convertible.  Enjoying this youthful toy,  he's going over the speed limit - in a race against the clock, perhaps?  But then, there's another snowbird, driving HIS sports car, as cautiously as those in in the big cars (and why are big cars favored by the old timers?  Wouldn't cars a wee bit smaller be easier to maneuver in all that traffic?)

Places that feature Early Bird dinner specials are packed!  Nothing wrong with saving a little coin!  How else do we think they can afford to winter in Florida?  They've probably been saving their whole lives!

Another interesting feature in Florida can be found in its crowded churches.  It seems the folks pray harder, sing louder and give more in the collection basket.  Nothing wrong with getting closer to the Lord, I guess, as we get older, no matter where we are.

There's a noticeable freedom on the beaches frequented by the snowbirds.  Not too many taut bodies...maybe tanner skin and more wrinkles than needed, but these folks are "living the dream"...walking the beaches, laying in the sun, storing up all that Vitamin D for the year.

I've gotta believe that those who reside in Florida enjoy better mental health than we do, in the north...just the sunshine would assure it.  But there are also many urgent care clinics, dialysis clinics, plastic surgeons, hearing aid places,  filling the shopping centers.  The advanced age of so many residents keeps them busy, I'm thinking.

Yep, Florida is beautiful in the winter...it's not heaven, but I'm pretty sure you can see it from there....or at least get a glance of "Heaven's Waiting Room".  And as a brief respite from the cold Ohio winters, I'll take it!

"If You Think You're In A Hole, Quit Digging"

It's funny, I think, how the beginning of the new year, always brings out all the experts, offering their versions of how we can improve our lives.  Whether it's physical fitness, healthier eating, or financial security, they all have "new" ways of making our lives better.

I've been paying special attention to the financial wizards and their advice and I think I've come up with an even better and more innovative way to ensure good financial health.   I'm titling it The "If You Think You're In A Hole, Quit Digging" Program.  

I'm "old school", I know.  I came late to the party that had folks using ATM's and debit cards.  I still write checks (you know, those antiquated pieces of paper that represent cash?) I don't bank online (except to check my balance) and I pay off credit card balances in full, each month, faithfully.  I'm not being snotty about it...that's just the way we roll.

When one reads about the amount of debt in this country, it's obvious that we're very much in the minority.  I'm so afraid that so many are living beyond their means, with homes and cars they can't afford, taking trips that take a year to pay off, and credit card balances that would keep me awake at night.  I even read about a couple who was in debt trouble and were using credit cards to pay off credit cards!  Stop it!  "If You Think You're In A Hole, Quit Digging"!

If you're spending money on things you can't afford, stop it!  Who are you trying to impress?  If people judge you on what you have, you don't need 'em!  If you aren't squirreling away money for the future, you better change your ways.  Start paying yourself in the form of a savings account.  You have a lot of years ahead of you and who knows what the future holds?

I'll retire now from my financial advisor role - I'm really not qualified -but, to me, it's just common sense- "If You Think You're In A Hole, Quit Digging"!

Maybe, next up, I'll become a personal trainer at the gym.   Nah, never mind.

"Reality"? I Don't Think So!

I honestly believe anyone who wants a reality show can have one!   The offerings this season even top the garbage that was put out there last season!  Had I known we could've lived out our lives in front of a camera and made money off of it?  "Action!  Take 1!"

The Kardashians got nothin' on us!   Well, maybe Kim's best known ass-et is better than anything on this old girl but we've had plenty of drama in our family, for sure!  (Who, with kids, doesn't?)  I happen to think my kids have a lot more sense (and class) than Kris Jenner's.  But there her kids are - getting paid to parade around, with their stupid problems, for all the world to see.  Can people really be that shallow?  I guess they are -as that show is one of the higher rated ones.

There have been days in our house that rivaled "Hell's Kitchen".  I don't scream as much as that guy but I've had my share of mishaps that probably would make great fodder for TV.  Just ask the grandkids who've witnessed exploding hard-boiled eggs...or inedible cookies!

Take a look in my closets or our basement and tell me I couldn't be on "Hoarders"!   3 sizes of clothes...obsolete computer components...  Who knew that hanging onto stuff for years could land you on TV?  Shoot!  I missed my chance!

And when did a pawn shop become something we're so interested in that it deserves its own show?   "I'd like $1000.00 for this"?  Well, I'll give you $100.00 for it".  "Oh, okay!  That's a deal."   I'm not the sharpest crayon in the box, but I'm thinking that guy was either desperate...or just plain dumb.

Dating shows...survival shows..."real housewives"... You name it!  It's on.  But someone needs to tell 'em that what they're peddling, isn't really "reality".  It's scripted garbage.  

I know everyone has different tastes in television viewing but I sure don't care to be a voyeur, peeking into the dysfunctional lives of others.  I guess, if those kinds of shows have any merit, it's that they make us feel better about our own lives.  At least, it does that for me.

I've gotta go clean a closet.  See ya!





     

Yoga Pants, Leggings and "It"...

Okay...I've held off as long as I can!  Yoga Pants!  Or leggings...  Oh, I know there's a difference but lately, to me,  they're the same, in that they show too much!   (The guys might hate this post but I'm not sure how many will even see it anyway...)

I love yoga pants!  What's not to like about them?  They're comfortable and if you're not heading to the gym, they make folks THINK you are.  But please, wear a top or a jacket that's long enough to cover "it".  We get it!  You're proud of the bum you've acquired from your work-outs.  It takes a lot of sweat and commitment to get that booty, but do we have to see the "front" as well?

Same deal with leggings.  Love the look with boots, leggings and a long sweater.  But if you're not wearing a long sweater, how is that any different than wearing pantihose (okay, I'm old!) without a skirt?

I compare yoga pants and leggings, without longer tops, to men's Speedo swimming trunks.  We know they've got "it" but I sure don't care to see it on full display!  Save "it" for someone special...how 'bout it?

And while I'm on my tirade, let's discuss flannel sleep pants.  When did they become streetwear?  Do me a favor, huh?  You keep your sleep pants in your house and bed and I'll do the same with my night gown!  (Oh, that visual!  Me, at the dollar store, in my satin number!  Some things you just can't unsee!  And I apologize for that!). Told you I was old!

Okay, I'm done.

The Year Of The Booty...Ha!

Okay...it's been established that I'm a late-comer to some things, like embracing cellphones or mastering homey baking...I didn't jump into fitness until I was well into my 40's.  And I was wee bit late for the Rubenesque period (the early 1600's) , that time in history when "rounded , softer women were revered.  (Look it up!  They'd LOVE me!)

But I'm right on time for "The Year of the Booty"...  a designation we've been made aware of by the proliferation of songs like "All About That Bass, "Anaconda" and whatever else they're spewing on the radio now...all hail, the big bum!

The fact that I have this ass-et isn't genetic...it isn't from hard work at the gym...It's probably more from not knowing that muscle has memory and I should've worked harder at it years ago.  See, there's nothing firm about it...  It just happens to be more substantial than I'd like.  "The Year of the Booty"...ha!

If aging has taught me anything, it's that "beauty" - whatever our definition is, at that moment in history - fades...  If we ever had "it" to begin with, it goes.  New trends, new looks come and go, too.  That's why we need to work on developing kind hearts... sharp and open minds... Because it's really not "All About That Bass"...it's not all about that face...it's about what's inside...and working on THAT, is the goal.

Princess Phones and Party Lines...

Anyone who knows me knows that I've been slow to join the "smart Phone" trend.  I joke that "smart phone" and "Marysue", uttered in the same sentence,  really IS an oxymoron.  They just don't go together.  Now,  don't go thinking  I'm a Neanderthal.  I have a simple cell phone that serves its purpose, should I need a phone when away from the "real" phone at home.

This got me to thinking how far we've come in the phone business.  What now is a palm-sized accessory that goes everywhere with us, got its humble beginnings as a rather substantial item that was found in our homes.  The phone in my childhood home was black, with a numbered dial, that hung on the wall in our dinette.  That way, Mom could keep an eye on things in the kitchen or have a seat while conversing.   Twinbrook-22642. (Not sure why I remember our number!).  It was a big deal to have a phone in a bedroom and that didn't happen in our house for years...a real luxury.

For luxury, we needn't go any further than my grandmother's house.  She had the first "princess phone"I ever saw (in pink, no less.)  The princess phone was sleek, pretty and had push button numbers, instead of that dial that we had at home.  (How's THAT for an improvement!)    And it was in her bedroom!  I thought that was really something, when I was in grade school.  A bedside phone!   And needless to say, that wasn't going to happen in OUR house anytime soon.

I'm old enough to remember "party lines"... Remember those?  When we shared a phone line with someone else in town and you couldn't make a call until they were off the phone?  Now, THAT was Neanderthal!  And if you had a party line partner that was a blabber head, you were screwed!  Luckily, the party line was short-lived in our neighborhood.

The next step to phone mobility was the cordless phone.  What?  You could be on the phone and actually walk away from it?  No black curly cord to contend with?  That was living!  Next up came car phones...those dandy appliances that were wired into your car, so you could chat away when en route to somewhere.   Then answering machines came along, allowing us to be away from the phone and not miss a thing.

 And don't even get me started on texting!  With the earliest concept of a typewriter showing up in the 1700's (a precursor to texting) and telephones following in the 1800's, it seems to me we're going backwards!  What's next?  Smoke signals?

Fast forward to now.  Everyone has a cell phone or a smart phone.  They really have changed the way we live...  But have they improved communication?  Having all calls (and texts), right there, at all hours of the day and night?   To me, that's as bad as sharing a party line with a blabber head...okay...I AM a Neanderthal!

How'd We Ever Make It?

A friend of mine recently posted a picture of an old station wagon and wrote about how there were no seat belts in our cars, years ago.

That got me thinking back to family car trips and how different things are now.  We have these spacious vehicles, equipped with seat belts, air bags, laws about car seats for kids.  All of these have made a difference in the number and severity of injuries and one must ask...how'd WE ever make it?

I remember our family of seven, piling in a sedan for our trips...always three in the front - four in the backseat.  My baby brother would be sitting up front with the folks, in what amounted to a seat made of a steel frame, with a thin plastic covering the thin seat. And what would protect his sweet face, in case of a fast stop, or heaven forbid, an accident?  Oh, that would be a play plastic steering wheel, complete with a red rubber horn in the middle!  Yeah, like that would save him!  A far cry from the requirements now that have kids sitting in infant seats for years!

Once my brother outgrew that car seat, he had to join us in the back, while the oldest sister took her place, upfront with the folks, minus the baby seat,  of course.   And with no seat belts...

I remember, like it was yesterday, how my brother used to stand, in the back, directly behind my Dad - and good thing!  There wasn't any more seat room for one more kid to sit!  But standing in a car would be a "no no" these days, for sure!  And with good reason.

I also remember so clearly some of the tiffs that would take place, no doubt because of the cramped condition of the backseat occupants.  I don't recall my Dad ever threatening us with "Do you want me to turn around and go home?" Or "If I have to pull over, somebody's gonna get it!"  But I DO remember "the swinging arm of the law", a maneuver, perfected by Dad, that would have his arm, hanging over the seat, ready to crack the leg of the instigator.  He didn't have to use  it often -maybe someone had the audacity to cross into somebody else's space or an argument ensued over whose turn it was to sit by the window.  But I'm no dummy and for the better part of two years, I'm pretty sure I sat on my feet every time we got in the car.  "Hah, foiled ya, Dad!  Swing away!"    (Yeah, like I'd have said -or even THOUGHT - that!)

As the years went on, and we kids got older, the number of "riders" in Dad and Mom's car diminished...no need for "the swinging arm" and still no seat belts in the car...I really do have to ask "How'd we ever make it?" But certainly feeling blessed that we did!

It Just SEEMS That Way...

My husband's gone tonight - on the road, doing what he does well and likes doing...  He travels for his job sometimes and seems to enjoy it.  He quips that he's "not working a day past age 80" and as long as his health holds out and he's needed, that'll happen...I'm sure of it!  His absence tonight got me to thinking of the past and the memories of his being gone, albeit briefly,  through the years.

When the kids were young (3 under 5) I remember the feeling, in the pit of my stomach, as hubby packed his bag.  "How was I going to ride herd on this crew alone?"  I remember standing at the front door, with two boys in front of me and holding one, crying, like a baby.  (ME, not the one I was holding!)  Hubby was never gone for long -it just SEEMED that way!

As the boys got older, it seemed that, if crazy things were going to happen, it would be when Dad was on the road.  We laugh about it now but emergency room visits, speeding tickets, lackluster grades at school, seemed to be more likely to happen with Dad gone.  Luckily, I had family close and leaned on them plenty.  And again, hubby was never gone long...it just SEEMED that way.

It wasn't all bad, being a part-time "single parent", back then.  Meal time was easier (How hard is pizza?) and I used to do projects, like the ones I spoke of in another blog post.  I have a greater respect, now, for the real "single parents," who don't get that relief that comes when Dad walks through the door.

I'll be glad when hubby gets home from this trip...I DO miss the comfortable routine we have.  I don't stand at the door, crying, these days, when he pulls out of the driveway.  With the boys grown up and gone, there's little drama when Dad's gone.  Just me and the dog.   Yep - I'm always happy when hubby gets home...he's never gone long...it just SEEMS that way.

Salvation or Fashion?

As I was sitting in church -the church of my youth -some memories came flooding back. (Forgive me, Lord, for letting my mind wander...)
I got back to doing what I was in church for but after Mass, I continued my reminiscing.

My thoughts centered around a childhood friend...well, really, she was my older sister's best friend.  They included me occasionally -usually when something needed to get done that would get those two in trouble.  Like calling boys to find out if those boys "liked" either of them.  Or if they needed a scapegoat for anything mischievous they'd get into.

To say this friend was ornery would be an understatement.  Nothing really hurtful, but as the youngest in her family, with older parents, "she" got away with a lot!

On one occasion, "she" (I really shouldn't use her name...) convinced my naive sister that a bonus item that came with a nail polish purchase at the neighborhood drugstore was "free"...WITHOUT the purchase.  When my sister proudly showed our horrified Mom her "free" bounty, Mom marched them back to the drugstore to apologize to the store owner.  (Can you say "shoplifting"?  Kids today would probably get a rap sheet out of that kind of move!). Breaking a street light?  Dad escorted them to the corner, with brooms in hand, to clean up the result of their rock-throwing.  (The rap sheet would grow.) 

The reason I thought of this friend in church the other night was that we are Catholic.  "She" was not.  But "she" was always up for going with us to the summer novena or benediction or Stations of the Cross at our church.  I think Mom thought of her inclusion in these services as some kind of salvation but I'm convinced that "she" went because "she" thought "she" looked good in a chapel veil or a mantilla.

My sister's best friend moved away when "she" was in the 6th grade.  It was a sad day at our house but we joke now that her moving probably kept my sister out of the Juvenile Detention Center!

My sister and her friend remained close -despite the distance - for years.  "She" passed away awhile ago, after suffering a debilitating illness for years.  "She" outgrew her orneriness but always had that twinkle in her eye that said "she" was up to something.

I like to think that those hours spent in church with us erased all the trouble "she" got herself (and my sister) into, those many years ago.  I hope that's the case.  And I'm thinking, the next time I'm in church, I'll probably think of her again.   And I'll tell her she really DID look pretty good in a chapel veil.

The Pigeon or the Statue?

"Some days you're the pigeon, some days you're the statue."

Last week, there was a day I was definitely the statue!  I had doo-doo dumped on me the whole day!

The day started out innocently enough.  Had my morning coffee, and was on my way.  Granted, this time of year has me moving at a faster pace, and I was in a "holiday hurry".  At least that's why I think I took out the mirror on the side of my car.  Darn!  It was my hurried state or my vision really IS as bad as I suspect. That daggone garage door frame just wouldn't get out of my way!

I work part time for a car dealership so it was no big deal to run into the service department and tell the guys my plight.  They said they'd order the part and let me know when they could repair it.  Good enough - so I was off to another destination, probably again in a hurried state.

Now, what are the chances hubby would be bringing the company car into the service department that same morning?  And what are the chances the service fella would hand hubby the estimate for MY car, (which hubby knew nothing about yet) to give to me?  How was the service guy to know my husband hadn't been told about my mishap yet?  He was just doing his job.  And I was going to eventually tell hubby what I'd done...just not yet.   Was hubby mad?   Naa... He's used to my ways and after 42 years, I don't think he'll kick me to the curb over a broken car part.  A $400.00 repair....Hmmm...I sure hope not anyway!

Okay, so that other destination I mentioned before, was in a part of town that had parking meters.  No big deal...put my money in the slot and went onto my appointment.  The way my day was going, of course, I would return to my car to see a parking ticket, affixed to the windshield!  (There's that pigeon again!) How come I'm in a hurry - except when getting to my car, in time, to avoid a ticket?

I'm home now and I think I may just stay put til things settle down (and the need to hurry) is over.   Curled up in a chair, with a blanket, causing no harm or damage... Who am I kidding?  I'll be out and about like everyone else...racing to get things done.  But would someone please answer me this?

Aren't pigeons supposed to fly south for the winter?  I sure wish they would!

"Turn Around!"

"Don't feel sorry for yourself if you have chosen the wrong road--turn around!"

It's time for me to "turn around".  Yep, I've been a slacker this year.  There I said it!  Not that I didn't get a lot accomplished this year.  There were so many projects to oversee around the house....some transitions to help with.  But, plain and simple,  I got out of the habit of working out...I just couldn't get revved up about it, like I did before.  Having a son's wedding as an incentive in 2013 certainly helped.   Yep,  I'm committing to become more fit in 2015.   Maybe by writing it down for all to read will be incentive enough.  Hope so!

Really, I haven't been a total slouch...  My walking friend is a beast and wouldn't allow it...making me get up and out walking at 7:00 or 7:30 in the morning, year round!  Armed with flashlights, we haven't let the time change alter our schedule, either.  We solve all the problems of the world while getting a nice workout to start our day.  My legs are fit but I'm thinking I need more now.  Did you know one of the biggest problems, as we age, is a lack of arm strength?  Your legs can function like an NFL running back but if you can't lift yourself out of a chair, what good are those legs???

I think there's a direct correlation between my addiction to Facebook and blogging and my lack of fitness.  It's so relaxing...catching up on everyone's lives and writing about mine.  But I'm going to try to strike a balance in 2015.  Walking, blogging, working out at the gym...  I'm ready  to stop "feeling sorry for myself if I've chosen the wrong road.  It's time to turn around".