Hi-ho, Friday Friends!
A belated Happy Thanksgiving to my pal, Mrs. 4444, who hosts this chance to bombard one another with trivia. You may face the music or duck and run, but you can link up here.
I am resistant to Christmas Shopping Manipulation, so commercial TV and radio stay off as much as possible. I was annoyed with marketers screwing around with Thanksgiving Day, thank you very much. We just can't possibly have enough greed early enough in the season to satisfy them. (OK, I'm done grumping.)
In that same spirit, I avoid "Black Friday" shopping as well, but I may browse around online for some bargains I don't have to fight for. Fighting crowds in stores is never my idea of sport.
We had a small, but congenial crowd for Thanksgiving, with Good Guy cooking a turkey breast and all the fixings, and Number One Daughter came to have dinner with us. Everything was very delicious. The cook outdid himself.
The Photographer was traveling to have dinner with the Iowa kids, and the Student reported that their turkey was cooking way too slowly in her Easy Bake Oven. She hoped they could stay awake long enough to eat on Thanksgiving Day. I should check on them.
It has been my habit to be the first of my friends to get her Christmas cards sent. Not as much in the past couple years. It may be a symptom of OC behavior, but I always preferred to think of it as being well organized. (Totally delusional!)
Our Skype book club got together on Tuesday night and once again we had picked a book that didn't appeal to everyone. But I guess one of the values of doing this is the reading of things you wouldn't necessarily pick for yourself. Next month we will have the author of our choice joining us, so I hope we all enjoy her book. I'll have to do a book post pretty soon. I have stacks of stuff to read, and lots of completed things to tell about.
If you are one of the millions of people who are affected by having family members who are dealing with Alzheimers Disease or dementia, and you haven't read Still Alice yet, do read it. It is heartbreaking, but so important to know!
I was looking at the Christmas card choices at Barnes and Noble the other day. Snowmen, cardinals, kittens, puppies, trees, sleighs, ......one card with a church on it...way in the background. A nativity scene? Nope, not that I could spot.
Well, friends, it isn't much but it's all I have time for. By the way, I have word that cell phone numbers will be made available to telemarketers soon. Look up the number to call to get your cell phone on the do not call list. If you don't want to pay to be annoyed. (If you're a telemarketer, I apologize--sort of.)
Have a great weekend! Watch for your Christmas card!
Friday, November 23, 2012
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Heading into Winter
I think I need to explain my header---which may not be there very long.
It's the waning days of November already and time is flying by, yet the prospect of winter seems to me rather like that picture of heading into the dark, foggy future.
I shouldn't even be saying that since we are having unseasonably warm weather this week, and I just went out to fill bird feeders in my pajamas and bathrobe.
But this isn't my first time around the block. And the short gloomy days, if/when they appear, affect my mood. I try to sit in the full sun at lunchtime to get a dose of light, but we don't always see the sun here in Great Lakes country.
So, that's my explanation for today's header, and I promise I'll substitute it for some gratitude pretty quickly. Check back and see.
It's the waning days of November already and time is flying by, yet the prospect of winter seems to me rather like that picture of heading into the dark, foggy future.
I shouldn't even be saying that since we are having unseasonably warm weather this week, and I just went out to fill bird feeders in my pajamas and bathrobe.
But this isn't my first time around the block. And the short gloomy days, if/when they appear, affect my mood. I try to sit in the full sun at lunchtime to get a dose of light, but we don't always see the sun here in Great Lakes country.
So, that's my explanation for today's header, and I promise I'll substitute it for some gratitude pretty quickly. Check back and see.
Monday, November 19, 2012
The Sportin' Life
I have never been accused of being athletic myself, indeed I was raised in an era when perspiring wasn't encouraged among people of my gender. Hard to believe now, but women couldn't be expected to run the full length of the court when playing basketball.
Actually, if it weren't so disgusting, it'd be funny. My kids all played sports though, and their Pop was an amazing ball passer.
The main reason we require television (besides Jeopardy), is to watch sports. We need to see as much Big 10 Football as possible---no matter how heartbreaking it turns out to be for us. I'm a Wisconsin fan, Good Guy roots for all Michigan teams which means we have to root against Ohio State. That's just how it is.
And Professional sports? We have two Packer fans, one Lion fan, and we watch football all day Sunday, on Monday night, and Thursday night---if it's a good match-up.
We do not watch professional basketball, or hockey, but we do watch golf. (My kids make fun of that since they think it's something like watching knitting or quilting.) But if you've tried to play the game, you appreciate the skill it takes to play well.
Which lead me to say that when my friends ask me if I've seen this or that---usually the answer is "No!" because we just don't watch that much other stuff.
I thought I'd watch lots of things we don't usually see while Good Guy was away, but I ended up watching baseball anyway. I've been brainwashed!
I'd write more---but San Francisco is whupping Da Bears! Whoo-hoo!
Actually, if it weren't so disgusting, it'd be funny. My kids all played sports though, and their Pop was an amazing ball passer.
The main reason we require television (besides Jeopardy), is to watch sports. We need to see as much Big 10 Football as possible---no matter how heartbreaking it turns out to be for us. I'm a Wisconsin fan, Good Guy roots for all Michigan teams which means we have to root against Ohio State. That's just how it is.
And Professional sports? We have two Packer fans, one Lion fan, and we watch football all day Sunday, on Monday night, and Thursday night---if it's a good match-up.
We do not watch professional basketball, or hockey, but we do watch golf. (My kids make fun of that since they think it's something like watching knitting or quilting.) But if you've tried to play the game, you appreciate the skill it takes to play well.
Which lead me to say that when my friends ask me if I've seen this or that---usually the answer is "No!" because we just don't watch that much other stuff.
I thought I'd watch lots of things we don't usually see while Good Guy was away, but I ended up watching baseball anyway. I've been brainwashed!
I'd write more---but San Francisco is whupping Da Bears! Whoo-hoo!
Friday, November 9, 2012
Friday the Ninth
Oh, at last! Lovely TGIF day and time to join all of you at Mrs. 4444's house with my tote bag of bits.
Join up at Half Past Kissin' Time and post your interesting things that are too small for a whole post. Actually, judging from some of the bits I leave behind, they don't even have to be that interesting. Just so they aren't bugging you anymore.
Here we go:
1. My task yesterday was to fill my Operation Christmas Child box and get it turned in. But I spent so much time at the eye doctor's office that I never got it done. I can't go shopping with my pupils dilated and my eyes burning!
2. Good Guy had carpal tunnel surgery on Wednesday and he's doing wonderfully well. He just had his left hand done, and since he's a southpaw I thought this would be more difficult. I think he's doing better with his left hand, because he's performing his own therapy. He just can't function without using it.
3. Do any of you know how to resuscitate a Christmas cactus? I think I will have to take mine down the street to Saint Bev and get a diagnosis. Parts of it are great, and parts are withering.
4. This is the weekend that #1 son and his family are moving into their Iowa house. #3 son would like to help, but (doggone it) he has to work this weekend. (He really would like to help, but moving for me has moved to the Just Hate The Thought column on my things to do list.)
5. I must stop knitting and start reading. I downloaded two library books to my Nook, and got two books in the mail yesterday. What am I doing tapping away at this keyboard????
6. My daughter recounted a comment she heard over the weekend that made her chuckle.
"Look at that car. It reminds me of Husky and Starch." Not every age group will make that connection---and I'm sorry. If it needs explanation, it just isn't a bit funny. Like most jokes.
That's more than enough. Way more than enough. I'm looking forward to reading your contributions.
Join up at Half Past Kissin' Time and post your interesting things that are too small for a whole post. Actually, judging from some of the bits I leave behind, they don't even have to be that interesting. Just so they aren't bugging you anymore.
Here we go:
1. My task yesterday was to fill my Operation Christmas Child box and get it turned in. But I spent so much time at the eye doctor's office that I never got it done. I can't go shopping with my pupils dilated and my eyes burning!
2. Good Guy had carpal tunnel surgery on Wednesday and he's doing wonderfully well. He just had his left hand done, and since he's a southpaw I thought this would be more difficult. I think he's doing better with his left hand, because he's performing his own therapy. He just can't function without using it.
3. Do any of you know how to resuscitate a Christmas cactus? I think I will have to take mine down the street to Saint Bev and get a diagnosis. Parts of it are great, and parts are withering.
4. This is the weekend that #1 son and his family are moving into their Iowa house. #3 son would like to help, but (doggone it) he has to work this weekend. (He really would like to help, but moving for me has moved to the Just Hate The Thought column on my things to do list.)
5. I must stop knitting and start reading. I downloaded two library books to my Nook, and got two books in the mail yesterday. What am I doing tapping away at this keyboard????
6. My daughter recounted a comment she heard over the weekend that made her chuckle.
"Look at that car. It reminds me of Husky and Starch." Not every age group will make that connection---and I'm sorry. If it needs explanation, it just isn't a bit funny. Like most jokes.
That's more than enough. Way more than enough. I'm looking forward to reading your contributions.
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
Wednesday Fragments
I just need to whiz by here for a minute to say that I posted an entry for today.
1. Hooray for us. We survived yet another interminable election cycle. We probably have about three weeks off before our representatives start running for office again.
2. We had snow in the air all day yesterday. It didn't stick to anything or accumulate---but it was definitely snow. I remember.
3. Good Guy has carpal tunnel surgery this afternoon. I think I'll start some supper in the crock pot so it will be ready when we return from the hospital. (He may not want to do the cooking tonight.) smirk.
4. I've decided I must have a sadistic streak. GG can't eat or drink anything today until we report to the hospital-----and I have such an urge to bake some muffins or something that would smell good. Wouldn't that be awfully mean?
5. I was almost ready to finish my current knitting project when I decided mitt #2 was bigger than mitt #1, so I ripped it all back to the beginning of the thumb gusset. I have the instructions on the computer which means they aren't always right at my elbow when I need them. Relying on my memory isn't that great an idea, I think.
6. I finished book number 78 for the year last night. I'm falling way behind!!!
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
A Fine Idea
Once in a while I read something in the newspaper that really turns my crank, as they say.
This Sunday in the Detroit Free Press "Life" section there was a feature written my Kristen Jordan Shamus called Serving up Solidarity and showcased a really useful get together.
There's a national organization called Dining for Women, which was founded almost ten years ago in South Carolina which meets for potlucks and visiting on a regular basis. The idea is to bring your contribution of food plus what you would spend on dinner "out" to contribute to organizations which empower women in Third World countries.
More info at www.diningforwomen.org.
I haven't checked the link yet, but the article was very engaging. What a neat way to get your friends together, have a guilt-free visit, and do something meaningful for somebody else! At each meeting there is some learning going on about the plight of women in the rest of the world, and the money raised goes to the national organization. They decide where the money goes, and are on track to raise $800,000 this year.
Since in some countries a girl can go to school for a year for $25.00, this money could impact lots of women's lives.
The article says that women are welcome to come, even when they can't contribute much/any money, just for the opportunity to learn more about the cause---and that we do have much to be grateful for in this country.
I'm certainly grateful, and plan to be extra grateful all month. I think Thanksgiving is a much more celebratory occasion than Halloween. I'm scroogy that way!
Happy Election Day, everybody! (I'm grateful that the ads will be over!)
This Sunday in the Detroit Free Press "Life" section there was a feature written my Kristen Jordan Shamus called Serving up Solidarity and showcased a really useful get together.
There's a national organization called Dining for Women, which was founded almost ten years ago in South Carolina which meets for potlucks and visiting on a regular basis. The idea is to bring your contribution of food plus what you would spend on dinner "out" to contribute to organizations which empower women in Third World countries.
More info at www.diningforwomen.org.
I haven't checked the link yet, but the article was very engaging. What a neat way to get your friends together, have a guilt-free visit, and do something meaningful for somebody else! At each meeting there is some learning going on about the plight of women in the rest of the world, and the money raised goes to the national organization. They decide where the money goes, and are on track to raise $800,000 this year.
Since in some countries a girl can go to school for a year for $25.00, this money could impact lots of women's lives.
The article says that women are welcome to come, even when they can't contribute much/any money, just for the opportunity to learn more about the cause---and that we do have much to be grateful for in this country.
I'm certainly grateful, and plan to be extra grateful all month. I think Thanksgiving is a much more celebratory occasion than Halloween. I'm scroogy that way!
Happy Election Day, everybody! (I'm grateful that the ads will be over!)
Sunday, November 4, 2012
Laughter on Sunday
My mentor, Flylady, tells people that Sunday is for Rest and Refreshment. In that spirit, I often avoid the computer on Sundays.
Not so this Sunday as I came across something so funny I wanted to share it with you. If one of you invented and marketed this I thank you for the chuckles and please don't be offended.
I found this on an Uncluttering site. Uncluttering has become very popular and I wish my spell-checker would catch up with the times.
So, I present to you, in the spirit of ....Don't Buy Useless Stuff......
http://unclutterer.com/2012/10/31/unitasker-wednesday-magical-ostrich-pillow/
Excuse me while I wipe away the tears!
Not so this Sunday as I came across something so funny I wanted to share it with you. If one of you invented and marketed this I thank you for the chuckles and please don't be offended.
I found this on an Uncluttering site. Uncluttering has become very popular and I wish my spell-checker would catch up with the times.
So, I present to you, in the spirit of ....Don't Buy Useless Stuff......
http://unclutterer.com/2012/10/31/unitasker-wednesday-magical-ostrich-pillow/
Excuse me while I wipe away the tears!
Friday, November 2, 2012
Friday, November Second
Another week has whizzed by and we're speeding toward 2013. Who can believe it?
When I was a kid, and the whole span of my life was what I knew of "time", the idea of living until it was the year 2000 was mind-boggling to me. Phhhhht! Little do we know.
Well, I've started getting Fragmented before I even begin. If you want to link up and read what others are contributing of their bits and pieces all you have to do it go here: Mrs. 4444 at Half Past Kissin' Time. She gets us all together for this little coffee klatch every Friday.
Joel's socks are finished and will be all dry and shipped off to him today. These are for the nephew who is considering learning to knit in order to provide himself with warm socks. I wouldn't discourage him---for many reasons. It gives one something productive to do while cussing at sports on TV. It gives aunts a welcome gift for one of the people they know. We need warm socks up here.
Especially this week. We have had wind and cold. I KNOW that the east coast and many places are in dire straits after Sandy. This is not a complaint from me---it is a statement of fact. We live up north. It gets cold.
Reading. Nature Girl by Carl Hiaasen. (Gross but funny.) Also The Dim Sum of All Things, by Kim Wong Keltner.
I'm in a swap on Ravelry (which for those of you who'd rather take a beating than bend thread, is an online resource for info, patterns, friends, groups, swaps, etc for knitters and crocheters) and so I have to do a little shopping. I have books and yarn to swap, but no really amazing candy.
I have a shoe box prepared for Operation Christmas Child as well. It isn't full yet, and I haven't shopped for little kids for a long time. I hope I put all useful and suitable things into it. I don't want to be one of those "dumb rich folks" who send useless things. Any guidance you have is most welcome.
My cat, Tony, who's an inside cat, occasionally makes a dash for the door (in what I assume is an adrenalin rush of some sort). Well, he outsmarted himself by rushing out into a cold downpour and he retreated directly under the deck. Once he dragged his wet, bedraggled self back inside, I found raspberry brush all over the house. He spent a long time grooming after that little adventure. Good Guy dried him with a big fluffy towel, but that was just the beginning of getting back to normal.
He is seriously furry---and large.
Good Guy is slated to have carpal tunnel #2 performed next week on Wednesday. I hope it is earlier in the day this time. He was without food from midnight until after 2 p.m. last time. Fortunately he has but two hands, so this should conclude this particular surgical procedure.
Our medical file for this year is growing quite stout. All I have left this year is an eye exam, flu shot, and a pneumonia booster since I've reached extreme age.
Good Guy and I celebrated Halloween in our customary way, which is to lock the doors, turn off the lights, go to the show (Argo) and eat out for supper. I enjoyed the movie immensely, and we had some pizza. (The last one I had sent me to the ER.) I didn't eat much but it was good.
And last, but not least, in the Very Good News column, Number #1 son, (meaning the oldest of three) who is relocating to Iowa, sold his home in Minneapolis in the first week it was listed. What a wonderful thing! Now to hold our breath hoping everything goes as expected.
I hope you are safe and warm, wherever you are. And praying for those who are displaced, cold, without power, and miserable. Give what/if you can.
Have a great weekend, if you can.
When I was a kid, and the whole span of my life was what I knew of "time", the idea of living until it was the year 2000 was mind-boggling to me. Phhhhht! Little do we know.
Well, I've started getting Fragmented before I even begin. If you want to link up and read what others are contributing of their bits and pieces all you have to do it go here: Mrs. 4444 at Half Past Kissin' Time. She gets us all together for this little coffee klatch every Friday.
Joel's socks are finished and will be all dry and shipped off to him today. These are for the nephew who is considering learning to knit in order to provide himself with warm socks. I wouldn't discourage him---for many reasons. It gives one something productive to do while cussing at sports on TV. It gives aunts a welcome gift for one of the people they know. We need warm socks up here.
Especially this week. We have had wind and cold. I KNOW that the east coast and many places are in dire straits after Sandy. This is not a complaint from me---it is a statement of fact. We live up north. It gets cold.
Reading. Nature Girl by Carl Hiaasen. (Gross but funny.) Also The Dim Sum of All Things, by Kim Wong Keltner.
I'm in a swap on Ravelry (which for those of you who'd rather take a beating than bend thread, is an online resource for info, patterns, friends, groups, swaps, etc for knitters and crocheters) and so I have to do a little shopping. I have books and yarn to swap, but no really amazing candy.
I have a shoe box prepared for Operation Christmas Child as well. It isn't full yet, and I haven't shopped for little kids for a long time. I hope I put all useful and suitable things into it. I don't want to be one of those "dumb rich folks" who send useless things. Any guidance you have is most welcome.
My cat, Tony, who's an inside cat, occasionally makes a dash for the door (in what I assume is an adrenalin rush of some sort). Well, he outsmarted himself by rushing out into a cold downpour and he retreated directly under the deck. Once he dragged his wet, bedraggled self back inside, I found raspberry brush all over the house. He spent a long time grooming after that little adventure. Good Guy dried him with a big fluffy towel, but that was just the beginning of getting back to normal.
He is seriously furry---and large.
Good Guy is slated to have carpal tunnel #2 performed next week on Wednesday. I hope it is earlier in the day this time. He was without food from midnight until after 2 p.m. last time. Fortunately he has but two hands, so this should conclude this particular surgical procedure.
Our medical file for this year is growing quite stout. All I have left this year is an eye exam, flu shot, and a pneumonia booster since I've reached extreme age.
Good Guy and I celebrated Halloween in our customary way, which is to lock the doors, turn off the lights, go to the show (Argo) and eat out for supper. I enjoyed the movie immensely, and we had some pizza. (The last one I had sent me to the ER.) I didn't eat much but it was good.
And last, but not least, in the Very Good News column, Number #1 son, (meaning the oldest of three) who is relocating to Iowa, sold his home in Minneapolis in the first week it was listed. What a wonderful thing! Now to hold our breath hoping everything goes as expected.
I hope you are safe and warm, wherever you are. And praying for those who are displaced, cold, without power, and miserable. Give what/if you can.
Have a great weekend, if you can.
Thursday, November 1, 2012
Love Letters
Remember Snail Mail? That stuff that used to come with your name written in cursive on the front, and contained a message inside written by a friend, a mom, or some other actual person?
Snail Mail is one of the loves of my life and last February I spent a whole month writing a letter a day to friends and family. I loved the writing, and a couple people I love even wrote back expressing their appreciation for the fact that I sat down and thought about them for an hour while I wrote them a letter.
It was cool, and I'll do it again.
After the month of letter writing, I signed up to get addresses to send post cards at Postcrossings. This is fun, and the messages are short, and are from all over the world.
But the real impetus for posting today about letter writing was to share this link with you.
http://talentsearch.ted.com/video/Hannah-Brencher-The-world-needs;TEDNew-York
Take a couple minutes to watch Hannah share her story, and then take twenty minutes to write a real letter, with a stamp, and envelope----the whole magilla, and send it off, sealed with a kiss. Somebody will love you for it. I promise!
Snail Mail is one of the loves of my life and last February I spent a whole month writing a letter a day to friends and family. I loved the writing, and a couple people I love even wrote back expressing their appreciation for the fact that I sat down and thought about them for an hour while I wrote them a letter.
It was cool, and I'll do it again.
But the real impetus for posting today about letter writing was to share this link with you.
http://talentsearch.ted.com/video/Hannah-Brencher-The-world-needs;TEDNew-York
Take a couple minutes to watch Hannah share her story, and then take twenty minutes to write a real letter, with a stamp, and envelope----the whole magilla, and send it off, sealed with a kiss. Somebody will love you for it. I promise!
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