Now, you can take that title to be a seasonal comment from little trick or treaters this time of year or you can interpret it as the way I feel about Halloween. You'd be safer taking it as my sentiment about
October 31st. BOOOO.... I HATE Halloween! Always have... There, I said it!
Not sure why, but it goes way back, to when I was a kid. I mean, who, as a kid, doesn't like getting dressed up and getting free candy? That would be ME! Maybe it's from the time our candy was nabbed by a big Lindenwald neighborhood kid... all that hard work for nothin'! (I could never stand that kid after that.) Maybe it's from being scared to death in haunted houses at LeSourdesville Lake, an area amusement park. I don't know. Even movie trailers, this time of year, advertising the scary movies of the season, have me leaving the room.
As a Mom, I lacked enthusiasm for the holiday too - just ask the boys. I'm sure they could tell you about the lackluster, even embarrassing, costumes we came up with. I think one of them had to be "Rocky" two years in a row... Cowboys, Monsters, Mummies, putting costumes together with things we already had, or a quick trip to K-Mart for one of those silky, cheap costumes they offered as salvation for unimaginative Moms. I am so sorry, sons.
And as an adult, going to Halloween parties, I wasn't any more creative. "Nerdy Girl" or "Slutty Woman" were the two characters I consistently dressed as. Probably because, at different times in my married life, I had the attire, laying around the house, that I needed to pull those looks off. (That's kind of telling... and sad, at the same time, isn't it?)
I have always found it odd, that we spend years teaching our little ones not to take candy from strangers, and then turn them loose on one night and tell them to knock on doors and ask strangers for candy. Bizarre....
I bet you're thinking it wouldn't be too much of a stretch if I went trick or treating as a crotchety old woman this year, would it? Well, Trick or Treat!
Wednesday, October 29, 2014
Tuesday, October 28, 2014
"The Time Change"
Who came up with the idea of "time change"? That silly practice of "falling back" during one part of the year and "springing forward" during another? Well, it's happening again this weekend!
I was surprised to find out that Benjamin Franklin was the culprit who decided that messing with our clocks was a good thing. Prior to learning this information, I thought old Ben was a brilliant guy. Now? Not so much.
As you may have gathered, I'm not a fan. Sure, I understand the reasoning. We get some extra sunlight during certain parts of the year -and that's not a bad thing. Farmers love it, I suppose... But I have to tell you, that the time change wreaks havoc on my body that first week after it goes into effect, and I'm not sure it ever gets caught up after that! The day after we change our clock, I don't know if it's 12:00, 1:00, or 11:00! I know, you're thinking "What difference does it make"? I can't answer that...it just does!
Before we thought messing with time was a good idea, we had "standard time". From caveman on, we've looked to the sky and when the sun's at its highest point, it's noon. And you go on from there. How can we take an hour and store it somewhere for a few months and then magically bestow it on another day, months later? And who are we to mess with a fundamental structure of the universe, anyway?
Now, if they'd come up with a way of jockeying weight around -taking pounds away, magically, and bestowing them on another person -then they'd HAVE something! And I would certainly get behind THAT!
Thursday, October 23, 2014
Some Questions I've Pondered Lately".
Why is it that so many things that taste so good are "bad" for us?
Who had the nerve to take the first "selfie"? And who thought it was a good idea? What ever happened to folks taking pictures of each other - from a bit of a distance? Nostrils and bags under the eyes really aren't my most attractive features.
Who was the first person to think an oyster was edible? Those slimy globules are the least appetizing-looking things God ever made...and people eat them!
When did celebrities and the Hollywood-types become so darn important? Many probably couldn't hold a job anywhere else.
Why do boys' bikes have that bar across 'em? Shouldn't it be the girls' that have 'em? Or why have 'em at all? Unless it's just so you can tell the difference between a girl's bike and a boy's bike, but it seems unsafe either way.
Will we ever run out of websites, email addresses, passwords? Think of all the passwords you have, or that you've changed...Now multiply that by how many people use computers.
Why is it oldsters drive too slow and youngsters drive too fast? Wouldn't you think we old-timers, who have fewer years ahead of us, would speed up a bit to get it all in, and the kids, who have many years ahead, would slow down and enjoy the ride?
Has it hit anyone else that, after all the expense of buying big screen TVs, more and more people are watching movies and shows on laptop computers and little phone screens?
Why am I still getting so many phone calls from businesses and organizations when I'm on the "Do Not Call" list?
Who ever decided Christmas should be celebrated in December? Wouldn't be as nostalgic, I grant you, but summertime would be nice shopping weather.
Where did the "pioneers" get the courage and stamina to "Go West", encountering mountains, rivers and God knows what else? I have to think twice about driving all the way to Fairfield, 5 miles away, so I would've been left behind for sure!
If anyone has the answer to these queries, I'd love to hear 'em!
Who had the nerve to take the first "selfie"? And who thought it was a good idea? What ever happened to folks taking pictures of each other - from a bit of a distance? Nostrils and bags under the eyes really aren't my most attractive features.
Who was the first person to think an oyster was edible? Those slimy globules are the least appetizing-looking things God ever made...and people eat them!
When did celebrities and the Hollywood-types become so darn important? Many probably couldn't hold a job anywhere else.
Why do boys' bikes have that bar across 'em? Shouldn't it be the girls' that have 'em? Or why have 'em at all? Unless it's just so you can tell the difference between a girl's bike and a boy's bike, but it seems unsafe either way.
Will we ever run out of websites, email addresses, passwords? Think of all the passwords you have, or that you've changed...Now multiply that by how many people use computers.
Why is it oldsters drive too slow and youngsters drive too fast? Wouldn't you think we old-timers, who have fewer years ahead of us, would speed up a bit to get it all in, and the kids, who have many years ahead, would slow down and enjoy the ride?
Has it hit anyone else that, after all the expense of buying big screen TVs, more and more people are watching movies and shows on laptop computers and little phone screens?
Why am I still getting so many phone calls from businesses and organizations when I'm on the "Do Not Call" list?
Who ever decided Christmas should be celebrated in December? Wouldn't be as nostalgic, I grant you, but summertime would be nice shopping weather.
Where did the "pioneers" get the courage and stamina to "Go West", encountering mountains, rivers and God knows what else? I have to think twice about driving all the way to Fairfield, 5 miles away, so I would've been left behind for sure!
If anyone has the answer to these queries, I'd love to hear 'em!
Tuesday, October 21, 2014
"May I Have This Dance?"
I have to ask. Do high schools still have dances? Now, I'm not talking about date dances, like homecoming or proms. I've seen the darling pictures the proud Moms post on Facebook of those special occasions.
I'm talking about just regular dances on a Friday or Saturday night...to give the kids something to do...to help them learn how to act around the opposite sex. (Gosh! Did I just sound really old?) The reason I even ask is because some of my fondest high school memories are of the dances we enjoyed as teens...and if today's kids don't have these opportunities, they're missing out on some great memory-makers.
Most of our school dances took place in the school's cafeteria. Nothing fancy... Different clubs or groups would sponsor them as fundraisers. The tables and chairs would be cleared away, making room for a "dance floor". A band, a sound system or just a record player would be brought in...and teachers and parents acted as chaperones. Let the fun begin!
Because we wore school uniforms during the week, we got to wear our "good" clothes to dances and social things. Skirts, sweaters, hose, loafers, Wind Song or Emeraude cologne...we were all set! When we'd arrive at the dance, the excitement would set in! "Who was going to be here?" "Would so and so ask me to dance?" "Do I look okay?"
The cafeteria was dark. except for the lighting that came with the music. Good! It was easier to blend in, as we'd lean against the wall, waiting to be asked to slow dance...or until a group of girls, got up the nerve to go out on the dance floor to "fast-dance", anxious to try out the moves we saw on "Bandstand" or "Soul Train"the week before. (Yeah right! Like we could do THAT!!) Funny, but the guys weren't into fast dancing back then....well it was their loss.)
The music and laughter of these school dances had kids meeting kids they didn't get to know in class. The need to summon up the courage to ask a girl to dance or the disappointment of being a girl who didn't get asked, were hard lessons we learned at those dances. All part of growing up... The night always seemed to go quickly until there'd be one last song played before the lights came back on, signaling the end of a fun night.
When we were in the lower grades, somebody's Dad would pick up the group for the ride home...we'd recount the evening's happenings and get dropped off, with memories of a good time, fresh in our minds. When we were older, if we had someone in our group who had their driver's license, we'd all pile into a car and go somewhere for a Coke and conversation... probably about "who liked who" or what somebody wore that night.
This would probably sound pretty dorky to the kids growing up now, but those high school dances were a big part of our social lives back then. And I can't help but wonder how many sweet, young romances got their start with a "May I Have This Dance"? in a high school cafeteria those many years ago?
I'm talking about just regular dances on a Friday or Saturday night...to give the kids something to do...to help them learn how to act around the opposite sex. (Gosh! Did I just sound really old?) The reason I even ask is because some of my fondest high school memories are of the dances we enjoyed as teens...and if today's kids don't have these opportunities, they're missing out on some great memory-makers.
Most of our school dances took place in the school's cafeteria. Nothing fancy... Different clubs or groups would sponsor them as fundraisers. The tables and chairs would be cleared away, making room for a "dance floor". A band, a sound system or just a record player would be brought in...and teachers and parents acted as chaperones. Let the fun begin!
Because we wore school uniforms during the week, we got to wear our "good" clothes to dances and social things. Skirts, sweaters, hose, loafers, Wind Song or Emeraude cologne...we were all set! When we'd arrive at the dance, the excitement would set in! "Who was going to be here?" "Would so and so ask me to dance?" "Do I look okay?"
The cafeteria was dark. except for the lighting that came with the music. Good! It was easier to blend in, as we'd lean against the wall, waiting to be asked to slow dance...or until a group of girls, got up the nerve to go out on the dance floor to "fast-dance", anxious to try out the moves we saw on "Bandstand" or "Soul Train"the week before. (Yeah right! Like we could do THAT!!) Funny, but the guys weren't into fast dancing back then....well it was their loss.)
The music and laughter of these school dances had kids meeting kids they didn't get to know in class. The need to summon up the courage to ask a girl to dance or the disappointment of being a girl who didn't get asked, were hard lessons we learned at those dances. All part of growing up... The night always seemed to go quickly until there'd be one last song played before the lights came back on, signaling the end of a fun night.
When we were in the lower grades, somebody's Dad would pick up the group for the ride home...we'd recount the evening's happenings and get dropped off, with memories of a good time, fresh in our minds. When we were older, if we had someone in our group who had their driver's license, we'd all pile into a car and go somewhere for a Coke and conversation... probably about "who liked who" or what somebody wore that night.
This would probably sound pretty dorky to the kids growing up now, but those high school dances were a big part of our social lives back then. And I can't help but wonder how many sweet, young romances got their start with a "May I Have This Dance"? in a high school cafeteria those many years ago?
"May I Have This Dance?"
I have to ask. Do high schools still have dances? Now, I'm not talking about date dances, like homecoming or proms. I've seen the darling pictures the proud Moms post on Facebook of those special occasions.
I'm talking about just regular dances on a Friday or Saturday night...to give the kids something to do...to help them learn how to act around the opposite sex. (Gosh! Did I just sound really old?) The reason I even ask is because some of my fondest high school memories are of the dances we enjoyed as teens...and if today's kids don't have these opportunities, they're missing out on some great memory-makers.
Most of our school dances took place in the school's cafeteria. Nothing fancy... Different clubs or groups would sponsor them as fundraisers. The tables and chairs would be cleared away, making room for a "dance floor". A band, a sound system or just a record player would be brought in...and teachers and parents acted as chaperones. Let the fun begin!
Because we wore school uniforms during the week, we got to wear our "good" clothes to dances and social things. Skirts, sweaters, hose, loafers, Wind Song or Emeraude cologne...we were all set! When we'd arrive at the dance, the excitement would set in! "Who was going to be here?" "Would so and so ask me to dance?" "Do I look okay?"
The cafeteria was dark. except for the lighting that came with the music. Good! It was easier to blend in, as we'd lean against the wall, waiting to be asked to slow dance...or until a group of girls, got up the nerve to go out on the dance floor to "fast-dance", anxious to try out the moves we saw on "Bandstand" or "Soul Train"the week before. (Yeah right! Like we could do THAT!!) Funny, but the guys weren't into fast dancing back then....well it was their loss.)
The music and laughter of these school dances had kids meeting kids they didn't get to know in class. The need to summon up the courage to ask a girl to dance or the disappointment of being a girl who didn't get asked, were hard lessons we learned at those dances. All part of growing up... The night always seemed to go quickly until there'd be one last song played before the lights came back on, signaling the end of a fun night.
When we were in the lower grades, somebody's Dad would pick up the group for the ride home...we'd recount the evening's happenings and get dropped off, with memories of a good time, fresh in our minds. When we were older, if we had someone in our group who had their driver's license, we'd all pile into a car and go somewhere for a Coke and conversation... probably about "who liked who" or what somebody wore that night.
This would probably sound pretty dorky to the kids growing up now, but those high school dances were a big part of our social lives back then. And I can't help but wonder how many sweet, young romances got their start with a "May I Have This Dance"? in a high school cafeteria those many years ago?
I'm talking about just regular dances on a Friday or Saturday night...to give the kids something to do...to help them learn how to act around the opposite sex. (Gosh! Did I just sound really old?) The reason I even ask is because some of my fondest high school memories are of the dances we enjoyed as teens...and if today's kids don't have these opportunities, they're missing out on some great memory-makers.
Most of our school dances took place in the school's cafeteria. Nothing fancy... Different clubs or groups would sponsor them as fundraisers. The tables and chairs would be cleared away, making room for a "dance floor". A band, a sound system or just a record player would be brought in...and teachers and parents acted as chaperones. Let the fun begin!
Because we wore school uniforms during the week, we got to wear our "good" clothes to dances and social things. Skirts, sweaters, hose, loafers, Wind Song or Emeraude cologne...we were all set! When we'd arrive at the dance, the excitement would set in! "Who was going to be here?" "Would so and so ask me to dance?" "Do I look okay?"
The cafeteria was dark. except for the lighting that came with the music. Good! It was easier to blend in, as we'd lean against the wall, waiting to be asked to slow dance...or until a group of girls, got up the nerve to go out on the dance floor to "fast-dance", anxious to try out the moves we saw on "Bandstand" or "Soul Train"the week before. (Yeah right! Like we could do THAT!!) Funny, but the guys weren't into fast dancing back then....well it was their loss.)
The music and laughter of these school dances had kids meeting kids they didn't get to know in class. The need to summon up the courage to ask a girl to dance or the disappointment of being a girl who didn't get asked, were hard lessons we learned at those dances. All part of growing up... The night always seemed to go quickly until there'd be one last song played before the lights came back on, signaling the end of a fun night.
When we were in the lower grades, somebody's Dad would pick up the group for the ride home...we'd recount the evening's happenings and get dropped off, with memories of a good time, fresh in our minds. When we were older, if we had someone in our group who had their driver's license, we'd all pile into a car and go somewhere for a Coke and conversation... probably about "who liked who" or what somebody wore that night.
This would probably sound pretty dorky to the kids growing up now, but those high school dances were a big part of our social lives back then. And I can't help but wonder how many sweet, young romances got their start with a "May I Have This Dance"? in a high school cafeteria those many years ago?
Thursday, October 16, 2014
"Dog Kisses and Baby Books"
Our firstborn is turning 40...and I gotta tell you - I think it bothers me a little bit more than when I turned 60. And why is that? It seems like the years have gone by at breakneck speed and there's not a thing we can do about it, is there? I just wish it would slow down a bit.
Having three sons, in pretty quick succession, their early years were kind of a blur. Oh, I remember the "big" moments. I just wish I could remember more of the "little" ones... more of the days...and not just the years.
When the boys were young, I had some plaques on our wall-- one for each. The one for the firstborn said something about how he was the one who got the new parents, the new clothes...
The one for the middle child said that he was the one who got the formula-stained burp rags, and the parents' realization that dog kisses wouldn't kill him...
And the plaque for the youngest of the family spoke of how he had broken-in parents, had a baby book that probably had more recipes stuck in it than photos and, that no matter how old he got, he would always be our "baby".
I don't know how that all figures for bigger or smaller families, but it's pretty accurate for ours. You love them all, but birth order, your station in life when they were born and your experience with raising kids, really does make a difference with each one, as they grow, doesn't it?
Hubby was fond of telling folks that when we took the first son to college, I cried all the way home. With the second son, I cried only halfway home, and with our youngest, we barely stopped the car to drop him off. That's not true, of course, but it DID get easier. I'm not sure seeing my kids hit these age milestones ever will...
I suppose I should feel very blessed that, despite some bumps in the road and a few hiccups along the way, they DID grow up and I've been able to witness that growth. And I'm proud of the way they've turned out. I love them all but nowhere is it written that I have to LIKE being the parent of middle-aged kids...like I said earlier, I just wish it would slow down a bit!
Having three sons, in pretty quick succession, their early years were kind of a blur. Oh, I remember the "big" moments. I just wish I could remember more of the "little" ones... more of the days...and not just the years.
When the boys were young, I had some plaques on our wall-- one for each. The one for the firstborn said something about how he was the one who got the new parents, the new clothes...
The one for the middle child said that he was the one who got the formula-stained burp rags, and the parents' realization that dog kisses wouldn't kill him...
And the plaque for the youngest of the family spoke of how he had broken-in parents, had a baby book that probably had more recipes stuck in it than photos and, that no matter how old he got, he would always be our "baby".
I don't know how that all figures for bigger or smaller families, but it's pretty accurate for ours. You love them all, but birth order, your station in life when they were born and your experience with raising kids, really does make a difference with each one, as they grow, doesn't it?
Hubby was fond of telling folks that when we took the first son to college, I cried all the way home. With the second son, I cried only halfway home, and with our youngest, we barely stopped the car to drop him off. That's not true, of course, but it DID get easier. I'm not sure seeing my kids hit these age milestones ever will...
I suppose I should feel very blessed that, despite some bumps in the road and a few hiccups along the way, they DID grow up and I've been able to witness that growth. And I'm proud of the way they've turned out. I love them all but nowhere is it written that I have to LIKE being the parent of middle-aged kids...like I said earlier, I just wish it would slow down a bit!
Tuesday, October 14, 2014
Thanks!
Thanks, everyone, for the nice comments and "likes"...Today's post was the 101st entry in my blog...and for someone who seldom sees things thru, that's quite a milestone. Hope I have 100 more in me. We'll see. Thanks again!
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