Well the bra poll is over, and the results were far closer than I would have expected! Here they are:
43%: As you wear it–arms through and hooking it in the back.
57%: Put it around your waist, hook it in the front, turn it, slip your arms through the straps and pull it up to where it belongs. !!!THE WINNER!!!
Thank you so much to those who participated!
Okay, enough already. Democrats and Republicans slamming one another at every opportunity. All of them focused on how to blame the other for the mess we’re in. Truth is, they are all concentrating more on their own future electability than they are on the issues. They all need a slap upside the head, and after watching the news tonight, I’d be happy to volunteer.
Things I learned in the 70’s:
Never go horseback riding braless.
Men in super short shorts look silly, no matter how nice a body they have.
Polyester is scary, what were we thinking?
And most of all, I’m grateful our kids were either too little or not even there to see the mistakes and stupidities we indulged in.
Just wondering…………………can anyone out there tell me why the same dog that hates if you blow in its face, will love to hang it’s head out the window of your car at 60 mph?
Also wondering do Norwegians really like lutefisk (dried codfish soaked in water and lye and cooked) or do you have to get really drunk before eating it? And please folks from Norway, don’t be offended. I also wondered about many things regarding we here in the USA. But if I start going into the whole “reality show” craze I’ll give myself a headache.
Life can be confusing. Today, for instance. I needed a hanging basket plant. Well, maybe not need, but I wanted one for a particular spot. I’ve had spider plants on and off for 35 years or so. They have pointy variegated leaves, and the spiders are the offspring. You can clip them, and start a new plant. Lo and behold! Spider plants are now labeled as “Airplane plants” Were “they” afraid people might think there were real spiders on the plants? Good grief. I think we’re all just been dissed by the plant growers association……..
It’s the 23rd day of gloom this week (not a typo). Makes me understand why primitive folks worshipped the sun. Too much more and I’ll be burning incense to whoever.
Domestic disputes. Not the kind that are violent and end when the cops show up. The average type. We all have them, whether with womenfolk or menfolk. But folks, let’s keep them HOME. Case in point: The local grocery store in the paper good aisle. There they are, in mid-fight. Not my business, you say? It wouldn’t be, but they are standing right up against the tissues I want. So I make one pass, pretending to be engrossed in something on the opposite shelf — and deaf.
I need a different strategy, so I go down the next aisle, and approach from the other direction while pretending I’m some other lady, not the one that was just there. Damn! still there, still tormenting each other. (good technique, honey, but do it at home!) So I make the executive decision that we can blow our noses in napkins one more day.
Husbands; I love mine very very much. He’s a good person. Talented, a great Dad, hardworking and my rock in difficult times. (I won’t mention other talents, the kids may read this). But one day, when I’m at the end of my rope for some reason, he is going to do it one too many times. Look at me with that look. As though I had suddenly begun reciting poetry. In Swahili. While hopping on one foot and throwing horseshoes. The man can say a lot with one look. I may say a lot with something more lethal, and contact partner in crime to bail me out. As a redhead I really fear those orange jumpsuits, and besides, I’d want to visit him in the hospital.
In our small local paper runs an ad from a propane company. The main large print eye catcher is “Propane From REAL People” Which begs the question, as opposed to what? Pod people? Irradiated raccoons? A renegade group of chrysanthemums? Aliens from the (former) planet Pluto?
Or is it more interestingly, really savvy marketing by folks that realize it sounds odd ball and will attract attention? Nah….probably not.
There are women in my larger circle of woman folk that fit every description you can think of; from much married (my PIC) to never married without kids. Working, laid off and at home by choice (me). Retired and living in FLA and those who swell the ranks of the volunteers. A friend/relative who is childless by choice, and divorced with no choice in the matter. Those who have never married, either by accident or design. It runs the gamut. I’ve got two nieces who are teachers, raising kids at home . A married cousin who teaches special needs kids. A very loving and dedicated single niece who teaches in the inner city. Many of her students are physically and/or emotionally deprived and have problems ranging from autism spectrum to fetal alcohol syndrome. She gives each of them guidance and affection in equal measure. And hugs them as they cling to her in pied piper fashion. (politically incorrect, but there is such need). I salute them all for facing life as best they can, and making a difference in their own circle, whether it be large or small. Staying connected with our womanfolk, as well as the little pleasures in our live’s helps with the journey. You know, stuff like chocolate and really hot shoes. Great books and the perfect cup of tea or coffee, a timely hand clasp from that strong silent type at our side. The hug of a small child, or a phone call from a taller one. So let’s try and concentrate on some of the good stuff upcoming in our lives. Visits from loved ones, new babies in the family, upcoming graduations and joy of the approaching holiday season. Thanksgiving arrives shortly, and Christmas is heading at us full tilt, so let’s try to enjoy it instead of just getting into a frenzy over it. I must confess I do frenzy and hysteria pretty well. But hey, we all need hobbies. Running once again, stay strong and be well out there!
College is one of the scariest words known to parents. Whether your kids are little and it looms ahead, or they’re in high school and it’s imminent, the thought sends terror rippling through one’s entire body. Will they get into the college of their choice? Will their choice and yours be light years apart? What are their thoughts about what they want to do with the rest of their lives? Can you listen to them with a straight face? Is it time to throw all parental good example out the window and start the heavy drinking?
And the most frightful thought of all; what will it cost and how will it be paid for? Unless your child has a dynamite idea, the talent to implement it and the where with all to make it happen, college or some type of vocational training is necessary. There stands your child who still isn’t sure what he/she wants to do next Saturday night, and there you are trying to help them to decide what they want to do in the future. For Years in the future. Yes, it’s time to go for the chocolate/alcohol/tranquilizers or carbs. Name your poison ladies, and hold on tight!
Okay, deep breaths now. Whatever is decided, you’ll all survive. Really. Well, at least mostly. There will be measures of both pride and panic. Very much like the rest of life in a lot of respects. Our first experience was in 1996 when our son entered college. On the phone one night from his dorm room in the early weeks, he said “wait a minute” I heard a slam. When he came back to the phone he told me he closed the door. It was 11 pm and that’s when the “drunks start rolling in. My door’s the first on the right in the hall, and if I don’t want people coming in and puking on my floor, I gotta close & lock it.” Then there was the time he confessed he went our drinking and came in and threw up in his sneakers. He then threw them out. Oh, and there was the time he told me he discovered he could get two days out of a pair of boxers if you wore them inside out. I think it was then I began to listen a little more selectively. It was either that or banging my head on the wall to the tune of a half remembered song from the 70’s. Are we having fun yet?
Packing our daughter up for college in 2003 was both less and more scary. The less part was my personal belief (prejudice?) that we females are a little more sensible about things. Not that we can’t be as stupid as our male counterparts at times…. The more scary part was that our daughter who was very physically fit was also, well, female. As in smaller than most men. A size 4, for God’s sake. (question to self: How did I end up with a girl who fits into a size 4?) At any rate, off she goes at age 17, certain she can take care of herself. My husband insisted she’d be fine. I prayed alot and seem to remember promising God if he kept her safe, I’d become a Nun or something. It’s still on my to-do list, but I have the feeling my joining a convent might make my husband a bit cranky.
Where was I? Oh yes, taking her to college. Tons of supplies and our “little girl” off to the hallowed halls of academia. Her personal budget discussed, final parental warnings listened too with an exaggerated air of patience on her part, and we headed home. Classes were settled into, new friendships made and the joys of sharing a bathroom were 3 other girls were learned. Apparently the issues were varied and painful, but mercifully, I no longer recall them. Some time about three months later, as supplies have dwindled, I get an indignant call. “Mom, do you know how much tampons cost?”. Well, the day had been a bit trying. I explained that due to the regular visits from the tampon fairy (laundry fairy, hair product fairy, etc) of course I had no idea of the cost of things. Or how things magically appeared in the bathroom, bedroom, refrigerator and such. I heard a disgusted “Mother” through the phone, as well as such a major eye roll that it was also audible. To this day I occasionally throw the phrase “tampon fairy” at her. But now we both kind of chuckle. Amazing how the passage of years and the earning of one’s own money changes things. Speaking of money, it’s time to run. ‘Bye for now.
Before I started a blog I had never read one. As a techno-phobe I didn’t use the computer for anything more than email and typing and printing letters. It’s my PIC (Partner In Crime) Colleen that does all the computer related stuff. We decided to do some sort of project together, and this is what we came up with. She has dragged me kicking and screaming to this point.
So what’s up with personal details? Is it true, as my husband says that everything out there is already in various places and there is no privacy? I find it very creepy. But here’s some personal stuff. Between myself and my PIC we have three children and 5 husbands. She has a brother and I have 2 older brothers and a baby sister. She’s an Aquarius and I’m a Capricorn. She’s a year a month and a week younger than I. We live about a half hour from each other. We’re both Caucasian. And speaking of race, what is the deal anyway? Most black people aren’t black they are brown. And white people are sort of light beige. I’ve met several Native Americans and none of them are red. In my experience Asian people are not yellow. Now that I’ve gone totally off topic gotta run. My dryer is buzzing at me. Much less to iron if you hang the laundry right away………….
Two days of bad news. Yesterday, a shooting on an army base in Texas. Thirteen dead, numerous injuries and much pain both physical and emotional. Today, a terminated former employee returns to his office building to do some terminating of his own in Orlando, FLA. One dead, five others wounded and we have more questions than answers. Our daughter, as well as our son and daughter in law all work in Orlando. We’re grateful that our loved ones were not involved; so many others were not as fortunate. So I ask for prayers from the prayers, and positive thoughts from the non prayers. We could all use assistance in dealing with what life brings our way.
But there are some totally joyful things in life. I’ve alluded to our own good news lately, without going into too much detail. It’s taken a while to express emotions this well, emotional. Our son and daughter-in-law are expecting a baby in late spring. They decided the time was right, and after a short while, it came to pass. Which means, we’re to be grandparents and our daughter, an aunt! It’s one of those icing on the cake sort of things. Our son met and married a wonderful girl five years ago. They’ve built a life together and are partners in every sense, through good times and bad as the vows go. So in this life where there are tough times for so many, including some loved ones there is also something just plain wonderful.
The important things are a safe and not too trying labor and delivery as well as a healthy baby. But lots of other things to think about. Boy or girl. What will the baby be named? Who will he/she look like? I asked my husband if he’s given any thought to what he wants to be called. He looked at me as if I’d taken leave of my senses. Well, I’m thinking about it, even if he isn’t. Grandma, Gran, Gram, Nan, Grammy? Time will tell, but waiting is hard. So we have a grandchild to look forward to, as well as an impending visit from our daughter. Some bright spots in a world where much is difficult if not down right awful. I’m counting my own blessings tonight. ‘Bye for now.
Please participate in our bra poll (at right). We will not be sending out bra police to make sure that you answer the poll honestly. Although, I’m sure there are a bunch of men out there that would volunteer to check.
Here we go again, another place shut down. Dozens of people ranging in age from twenty something to fifty something will be out there looking for positions in a very difficult job market. A nicer bunch of people would be hard to find. They were coworkers and dear friends of my oldest brother. When he died suddenly and we flew south to take care of what needed to be done, they were kindness itself. Our entire family sends them prayer and positive thoughts at a very difficult time. Stay strong folks.
When you’ve been with the same man for 37 years, it’s not unusual to find romance lacking in your life. And I don’t mean sex. I mean those days when everything your significant other did was acceptable, and often WONDERFUL. Oh, for those starry eyed days! This week is an example: when we were leaving the house to go out this weekend my husband ran back upstairs to trim his nose hairs. A couple of days later, I got in to a less than graceful position for him to look at a part of my body I can only see in a mirror. Trust me, you want no further details. But we laugh at ourselves (and each other) so I suppose it could be worse. And sometimes IS.
Time to get back to work…………
This is a post script to a past blog. It involves Col & my 40th Anniversary of our friendship trip to Cape May, NJ. We stayed in a haunted hotel on the beach front circa 1871. Col is the photographer and she took numerous photos. These included the beach, places we ate, a historical house we toured, Cold Spring Village (Civil War Reenacters) and of course, our hotel. ALL of the photos came out, except those of our haunted hotel! They were blank. Not fuzzy, not too dark, but totally not there. It was such a cliché — I was certain she was kidding me at first. But no. So, coincidence or something supernatural? By the way, Happy Halloween!!!!!!
We definitely have been having more get-togethers of womenfolk. Just two weeks ago, the bus stop Mommies, and now former coworkers. Not mine, but Col’s. The five of them worked together for 5 years or so in the 1980’s in a supermarket. 2009 finds them in various situations. Some single, some divorced, working, non working and laid off. With children, without children , a grandmother and a grandmother to be. An age range of not-quite-forty to mid fifties. Quite a bit of laughter, food and conversation. Discussions of men, children, finances, hair and nails. Vacations taken and planned along with the ever present question of where the time goes. Well it’s time for this woman to check locks, turn out lights and quietly tip toe upstairs to bed. My husband is a good sleeper, but he put in a 14 hour day today and I don’t want to awaken him. Goodnight All!
