What a wonderful day. My daughter gave me a makeover! She has never given me a makeover before. Today, she was in her zone and we experimented with the new makeup that I got in the mail today. Oh my gosh, she has no idea what that makeover meant to me. To top it off, she fixed my hair. She has never done that either.
As she was applying my makeup, it brought back so many memories of me giving my mom facials, too. I probably gave mom a makeover at least once a week. I would put this little headband on her head to keep makeup off that permed hair. Then I would use tons of Pond's cold cream to remove her makeup from the softest skin I have ever felt or will ever feel again. She would allow me to try all kinds makeup on her even when I had no idea about what to use. She always thought I was doing this to make her look better, but I was really just in love with makeup even back then. I was all girl, even back then! Mom never wore a lot of makeup, but she sure loved it when I would use all kinds of eye shadows and mascara on her at home. She looked beautiful to me and she always was.
Another little mom and me time was giving her pedicures. We had this little white enameled basin with red trim. I'd fill that thing with water and slop it all the way from the sink to the living room. I'd soak and wash her feet, paint her toes, and rub lotion on her legs. Oh my how she enjoyed this. I did, too. I love giving pedicures even today. I guess we aren't much different as adults than we were as kids.
Thanks my sweet little girl. You will always be my little girl and my baby. I love you!
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Crazy, eh?
I am just about out of coffee filters. Not a big deal, eh? No it really isn't, but it really is -- to me. I can buy more filters and have many times in the last five years. Here is what's bothering me. When we moved Mom into a nursing home, I grabbed her little coffee pot because I didn't have one and my brother-in-law was coming and he drank coffee. The coffee filters were right beside the pot so I grabbed them on the way out the door, too. Now I am running out of the filters that my mom bought. I have sort of saved them, but not intentionally - I just always bought fresh ones when company would come. Right now I am low on filters so I started using those old filters. Still, not a biggie for they are only filters. But they were Mom's. Mom bought them. Mom picked them up. Mom opened the package. Mom used the first few for the pot at her house. Just a little something that I have held on to for these last six years. I know it is crazy, but if I use them up then it is just another little door that will close. I know it is crazy, but it makes me a little sad and brings a little lump to my throat. Crazy, eh?
I will always love you. Wish my brother-in-law was here. We would have a cup of coffee and we would remember..........
I will always love you. Wish my brother-in-law was here. We would have a cup of coffee and we would remember..........
Thursday, January 19, 2012
The Stash
Hubby looses his phone. Hubby hunts and hunts. Hubby seems stressed. Wife joins him on hunt. Wife looks in hubby's truck. Wife doesn't find it. Wife finds open package of cookies! Wife now knows about hidden stash. Hubby is outed. Hubby says they have been there a couple of weeks. Hubby never eats between meals. Wife always mad because hubby never eats between meals. Wife now happy. Hubby never gains weight. Wife not that happy. Hubby can now eat cookies in the open. Hubby never has to resort to eating his cookies in the truck again.
Wife finds cookies on the very day she finally decided to do something positive by eating more healthily. Today after reading about the health benefits of walking and seeing how great Jennifer Hudson now looks, she was even motivated to walk a mile, too. Maybe tomorrow??
I love you. Hide your cookies!
Wife finds cookies on the very day she finally decided to do something positive by eating more healthily. Today after reading about the health benefits of walking and seeing how great Jennifer Hudson now looks, she was even motivated to walk a mile, too. Maybe tomorrow??
I love you. Hide your cookies!
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Be In the Moment
Be in the moment. That was a topic of discussion on one of the morning shows today. I had been thinking about this very thing for a while so their discussion really caught my attention. Recently I found myself with 5 or 6 other people and I couldn't get a word in edge wise. Finally - I had the stage....I thought...with one person. I was knee deep in my story, relishing in my moment in the sun...telling my story, excited that somebody was paying attention to me. I looked away just for a split second and look back only to see my friend's eyes quickly darting away to catch another conversation. Dog gone, I thought I had 'em. I was so sure that my story was so interesting and funny that they would be repeating it for days to come. I realized right then that I was not saying anything that anyone thought interesting. You know what......in that moment, I hurt. I was embarrassed. It was apparent that they weren't interested in what I had to say. Now here is the hard part for me. Do I just quickly come to the point of the story or abruptly quit talking? In this instance I just stopped talking and you know what? My friend didn't even notice because the other conversation sucked them in.
I have found myself on the opposite end of this scenario, wanting to listen to someone else's conversation rather than the person talking. Being a good listener is an art. You have to be in the moment. I have an aunt who is always in the moment. She listens, she leans toward you and makes eye contact while you are talking. You know for sure that you have her undivided attention. She is not just waiting for the moment to jump in with her comments or to join another conversation.
To be in the moment you might have to turn off the TV to hear what your spouse is saying. You may have to get off the computer rather than irritating your friend on the other end of the phone - you know what I mean about that one, don't you? It is almost impossible to carry on a conversation while reading your email - believe me I have tried it and can never get away with it. Your responses to the conversation lag just enough for the speaker to know you are not giving them your undivided attention. How about the child who is trying to get mom's attention while she texts away? I think our society will really suffer in the years to come over that one. Remember a few years back when everyone griped about dad having a pager or phone even while on vacation and how we thought our family would suffer? Now a days, both parents have a cell phone and it is attached to them like an oxygen bottle and their children are almost always second fiddle to the phone.
It is a little late for New Year's resolutions, but I am going to try from this day forward to be in the moment. Just think what a gift it would be to give your family and your friends if you gave them your undivided attention - to let them feel like they are really important to you. After all, reading a text is not more important than your child telling you about the pinecone they found at recess. In the moment.....
I love you all. Listen.............
I have found myself on the opposite end of this scenario, wanting to listen to someone else's conversation rather than the person talking. Being a good listener is an art. You have to be in the moment. I have an aunt who is always in the moment. She listens, she leans toward you and makes eye contact while you are talking. You know for sure that you have her undivided attention. She is not just waiting for the moment to jump in with her comments or to join another conversation.
To be in the moment you might have to turn off the TV to hear what your spouse is saying. You may have to get off the computer rather than irritating your friend on the other end of the phone - you know what I mean about that one, don't you? It is almost impossible to carry on a conversation while reading your email - believe me I have tried it and can never get away with it. Your responses to the conversation lag just enough for the speaker to know you are not giving them your undivided attention. How about the child who is trying to get mom's attention while she texts away? I think our society will really suffer in the years to come over that one. Remember a few years back when everyone griped about dad having a pager or phone even while on vacation and how we thought our family would suffer? Now a days, both parents have a cell phone and it is attached to them like an oxygen bottle and their children are almost always second fiddle to the phone.
It is a little late for New Year's resolutions, but I am going to try from this day forward to be in the moment. Just think what a gift it would be to give your family and your friends if you gave them your undivided attention - to let them feel like they are really important to you. After all, reading a text is not more important than your child telling you about the pinecone they found at recess. In the moment.....
I love you all. Listen.............
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
And so it begins............
What we wait for all year............well, some of us...........maybe both of us. Tonight begins the live Barrett-Jackson auction broad casted from Scottsdale, AZ. This is something that the hubby looks forward to each year and I must admit, it is something I enjoy, too. We have our "game" food in and planned for the week. A week of vegging in front of the TV together, commenting on the outrageous prices, but also dreaming.....dreaming that we could afford those cars............dreaming that we were there in person.......dreaming that our own old 1960 Corvette would fetch anywhere those prices........dreaming that we were shopping in Scottsdale (oops that was my dream)......dreaming that we were eating at a fabulous Mexican food restaurant (oops where do I get these dreams?). Not only are we watching, we are taping it for our son for he also has a bit of the car fever in him. I guess it is better than watching any of the housewives shows or many of the other "fluff" programs. Don't even get me started on the disgusting programs on TV that pass for entertainment these days.
So........here we sit tonight, and for the next 5 days we will be watching and wishing the commentator would shut up so that we can hear what the auctioneer has to say about the auto....you know.......all the same trash talk that most men would say during a football game. This is our football game, except the hubby loves his football, too.
As my sister just messaged me, "And so it begins..." for she and her hubby also are watching. It is more than a TV program, it is just being together another year. Here's to one more year! And so it begins....... I love you!
So........here we sit tonight, and for the next 5 days we will be watching and wishing the commentator would shut up so that we can hear what the auctioneer has to say about the auto....you know.......all the same trash talk that most men would say during a football game. This is our football game, except the hubby loves his football, too.
As my sister just messaged me, "And so it begins..." for she and her hubby also are watching. It is more than a TV program, it is just being together another year. Here's to one more year! And so it begins....... I love you!
Monday, January 16, 2012
The Lowly Cornbread
Cornbread is surely misunderstood. Most of us only have cornbread as a side to stew at a restaurant. This cornbread has probably been made and setting around for a day or two and certainly not hot. But have you ever had a hot piece of cornbread straight from the oven? I mean a hot, hot, hot piece? Nothing better. Cook it in a wedge portioned cast iron skillet so that each piece is crispy all the way around and you have sheer bliss. The kind of bliss you get when you are eating your favorite dessert only its not sweet. Nah, don't make that sweet cornbread. Take that hot and steaming piece of cornbread out of the pan and split it horizontal - watch out now, ah that's it. Be careful or you will burn your sweet little fingers. Carefully spread at least a tablespoon of softened butter between the top and bottom. Put the top back on it and let it set for about 5 seconds just so all that butter disappears. Now carefully lift that cornbread to your lips, but hold the plate underneath you chin. Now take a bite. Now you know why you have the plate near your chin....all you can do is moan as the warm butter drips off your chin. Now that!! my friends is what cornbread is all about. Yummy, steamy, buttery cornbread. Why.......it is almost like eating a fresh ear of corn right off the cob. I have a blog all about that, but will save it for corn season.
I have told you about how Mrs. Tucker never ate between meals unless it was a piece of cornbread, but did you know that she loved some cornmeal mush? Did you know my mom loved cornmeal mush, too? I never understood what they saw in mush until I lately discovered polenta. Yes, mom thought that cornmeal mush was much better than any other hot cereal; i.e. oatmeal or cream of wheat.
And did you know that my dad loved cornbread and milk. Most any time we had cornbread for supper and if there were any left, he would crumble it in a glass of milk. That was his TV watching treat and I don't remember one of us kids clamoring for this. No, he could have all he wanted for we sure didn't want some wet cornbread! He could eat in peace and he didn't have to share with five little mouths.
As I said earlier, I have found polenta!!, another flavor that has been missing from my life and now found. You must try this golden, buttery, corny dish. Just buy yourself a bag of polenta. Some bags may have a label that says polenta or grits, but I am here to tell you that if you buy a bag of yellow polenta, it is not the same as grits. I like grits, too, but don't be fooled into not buying it because you don't like grits. Not the same, I tell you. At my store, polenta is found along the same aisle as the cornbread mixes. Make yourself a pan just as the directions on the package says. After it cooks, scoop the thick mixture into a loaf pan and let it set/cool. You can refrigerate to quicken the cooling process. When it cools, slice it into slices about an inch thick. Place the slices overlapping on a baking sheet with sides. I use an 8 by 10 inch Pyrex dish. Now here is the best part. Pour 1 stick of melted butter over the polenta. Then sprinkle with shredded Parmesan. Bake in 350 degree oven till lightly golden brown. Call me! Let's eat!! My son-in-law loves this the red beans and rice. I have to say he has very good tastes.
Note: If you want to have a better cornbread experience, buy a bag of stone ground cornmeal and find yourself a great recipe (WITHOUT SUGAR). I almost always have a bag in my freezer. The bag I have now I bought from a guy who was actually using a hit or miss gasoline engine to grind the corn right on the spot. It is really good cornmeal. Most often, I find myself grabbing a bag of Shawnee Mills Yellow Cornbread Mix as it is delicious, quick, and very easy. The lowly cornbread, it was what's for lunch today.
Pardon me, I need to have a tall glass of cornbread and milk. Here's to you, Daddy. I love you!
I have told you about how Mrs. Tucker never ate between meals unless it was a piece of cornbread, but did you know that she loved some cornmeal mush? Did you know my mom loved cornmeal mush, too? I never understood what they saw in mush until I lately discovered polenta. Yes, mom thought that cornmeal mush was much better than any other hot cereal; i.e. oatmeal or cream of wheat.
And did you know that my dad loved cornbread and milk. Most any time we had cornbread for supper and if there were any left, he would crumble it in a glass of milk. That was his TV watching treat and I don't remember one of us kids clamoring for this. No, he could have all he wanted for we sure didn't want some wet cornbread! He could eat in peace and he didn't have to share with five little mouths.
As I said earlier, I have found polenta!!, another flavor that has been missing from my life and now found. You must try this golden, buttery, corny dish. Just buy yourself a bag of polenta. Some bags may have a label that says polenta or grits, but I am here to tell you that if you buy a bag of yellow polenta, it is not the same as grits. I like grits, too, but don't be fooled into not buying it because you don't like grits. Not the same, I tell you. At my store, polenta is found along the same aisle as the cornbread mixes. Make yourself a pan just as the directions on the package says. After it cooks, scoop the thick mixture into a loaf pan and let it set/cool. You can refrigerate to quicken the cooling process. When it cools, slice it into slices about an inch thick. Place the slices overlapping on a baking sheet with sides. I use an 8 by 10 inch Pyrex dish. Now here is the best part. Pour 1 stick of melted butter over the polenta. Then sprinkle with shredded Parmesan. Bake in 350 degree oven till lightly golden brown. Call me! Let's eat!! My son-in-law loves this the red beans and rice. I have to say he has very good tastes.
Note: If you want to have a better cornbread experience, buy a bag of stone ground cornmeal and find yourself a great recipe (WITHOUT SUGAR). I almost always have a bag in my freezer. The bag I have now I bought from a guy who was actually using a hit or miss gasoline engine to grind the corn right on the spot. It is really good cornmeal. Most often, I find myself grabbing a bag of Shawnee Mills Yellow Cornbread Mix as it is delicious, quick, and very easy. The lowly cornbread, it was what's for lunch today.
Pardon me, I need to have a tall glass of cornbread and milk. Here's to you, Daddy. I love you!
Sunday, January 15, 2012
Sugared Bread
I have written about this before.....I think. My memory seems to be getting shorter and shorter. My Grandma Dawkins always had some sort of treat for us and if she didn't she would find some way to keep us happy. Happiness may have consisted of a slice of bread slathered in oleo (look it up) and drenched in sugar. Oh my gosh....the goodness.
The boys were here today and I made them a slice of this Sugared Bread and split it for them, not knowing that they would like it or not. They absolutely loved it. So I made another for each of them. Easy peasy: Butter one side of a slice of fresh soft white bread. Then pour sugar over the butter and shake off excess. Eat Wonderful! Those boys ate even the crust. And who wouldn't.......... So when you think there is nothing for a treat, make one of these.........better than cheesecake. When I told them the name of it, Sugared Bread, Logan said he was going to call it, Butter Sugared Bread. So Butter Sugared Bread it is. I imagine they will ask for it again. Yea for grandmas.
Another easy peasy: Take a can of cheap tube biscuits, you know the ones that used to be 4 4 packs for a $1....no telling what they cost these days. They are never on my grocery list. Anyway, pull them apart and push a hole in the center of each one with your thumb. Fry in hot oil and sprinkle with powered sugar while hot. Eat! Kids love them........easy peasy.
Good night all. Love you. Just thought of something. I may serve this the next time I have guests. You know, I think they might like it. Who doesn't taste beaten butter and sugar when they make cookies?
The boys were here today and I made them a slice of this Sugared Bread and split it for them, not knowing that they would like it or not. They absolutely loved it. So I made another for each of them. Easy peasy: Butter one side of a slice of fresh soft white bread. Then pour sugar over the butter and shake off excess. Eat Wonderful! Those boys ate even the crust. And who wouldn't.......... So when you think there is nothing for a treat, make one of these.........better than cheesecake. When I told them the name of it, Sugared Bread, Logan said he was going to call it, Butter Sugared Bread. So Butter Sugared Bread it is. I imagine they will ask for it again. Yea for grandmas.
Another easy peasy: Take a can of cheap tube biscuits, you know the ones that used to be 4 4 packs for a $1....no telling what they cost these days. They are never on my grocery list. Anyway, pull them apart and push a hole in the center of each one with your thumb. Fry in hot oil and sprinkle with powered sugar while hot. Eat! Kids love them........easy peasy.
Good night all. Love you. Just thought of something. I may serve this the next time I have guests. You know, I think they might like it. Who doesn't taste beaten butter and sugar when they make cookies?
Monday, January 9, 2012
Use the Things You Have
Back when the hubby and I married, I didn't opt for a bridal registry. For one thing, those type things were for the rich and we sure weren't rich. For another, having nice china wasn't something we thought important. Our life together wasn't going to involve a lot of entertaining. After 20 years of marriage, I woke up with this urge for china. Would my life be better with china? Maybe or maybe not, but it would sure beat that stuff we bought from the grocery store. You know, the stuff you could buy when you spent a certain amount on groceries. Remember those? Actually what I had wasn't horrible and it was kind of nice; however, nobody would ever mistakenly think that it came from a department store not even this little country lady.
One day it happened. I feel in love. One day in the 80s I happened onto an ad in Southern Living for Amapola by Villeroy and Boch - a full page spread. I was totally smitten. Smitten over china which we had agreed was not a part of our life style. I just swooned over these cream colored dishes with the large bold poppies on the rim. I just mentioned it in passing - well I need to clarify - I put the ad right under the hubby's nose. Months later the hubby remembered. For my birthday that year, he gave me my first place setting of my first set of china. He searched and searched and found a great place out of New York City called Lanac Sales which had the best deals and he did this before internet. Lanac is Canal backwards--the company is on Canal Street. (Don't ask me how I remember this stuff - elephant maybe?? Don't answer that.) For the next several years he would buy me a place setting or two for my special days; birthdays, anniversaries, and Christmas. Over the years I have accumulated a lot of pieces thanks to Ebay and my need to be the "winner".
Then those dishes just sat there in the cabinet collecting dust. I would get them out now and again, using them for special occasions. I would wash them by hand and carefully put them back in the cabinet with a pad between each dish to keep the scratches at bay. As more and more members were added to our family, using those dishes became more and more of a chore.
In the wee, non-sleep hours of the morning, it came to me that life was short and there was no need in saving them. So today I pulled out all my old the dishes and replaced them with my china. You wouldn't believe how much prettier the inside of my cabinets looks. I will use the china and use it daily. I will enjoy them. I will wash them in the dishwasher, stack them, and not worry if they might get broken. Also, I have a full box of replacement pieces in the attic thanks to my obsession with Ebay.
All this leads me to this. Use the things you have. Don't store them away for the future. If you keep things hidden away and nobody uses them, what good are they? Your children will not have the fond memories that you had of your grandmother using a special tablecloth. They will remember what was on your table. So get those things out and use them. Case in point: I told my daughter about moving the china down for every day use today and she couldn't even remember them. See..... Someday she would have inherited these dishes and placed in a garage sale wondering what her mother ever saw in that pattern and why she didn't ever use them. They well may go in a garage sale someday, but now she and my grandsons and the rest of my family will remember them. Hopefully, the dishes will be well worn and there may be a chip or two, but also maybe my kids will have pleasant memories of our meals together.
I love you guys. Bet you didn't think I could make such a long blog post about dishes, huh? Never underestimate my gabbiness (word??). I think I am making up for a shy childhood.
One day it happened. I feel in love. One day in the 80s I happened onto an ad in Southern Living for Amapola by Villeroy and Boch - a full page spread. I was totally smitten. Smitten over china which we had agreed was not a part of our life style. I just swooned over these cream colored dishes with the large bold poppies on the rim. I just mentioned it in passing - well I need to clarify - I put the ad right under the hubby's nose. Months later the hubby remembered. For my birthday that year, he gave me my first place setting of my first set of china. He searched and searched and found a great place out of New York City called Lanac Sales which had the best deals and he did this before internet. Lanac is Canal backwards--the company is on Canal Street. (Don't ask me how I remember this stuff - elephant maybe?? Don't answer that.) For the next several years he would buy me a place setting or two for my special days; birthdays, anniversaries, and Christmas. Over the years I have accumulated a lot of pieces thanks to Ebay and my need to be the "winner".
Then those dishes just sat there in the cabinet collecting dust. I would get them out now and again, using them for special occasions. I would wash them by hand and carefully put them back in the cabinet with a pad between each dish to keep the scratches at bay. As more and more members were added to our family, using those dishes became more and more of a chore.
In the wee, non-sleep hours of the morning, it came to me that life was short and there was no need in saving them. So today I pulled out all my old the dishes and replaced them with my china. You wouldn't believe how much prettier the inside of my cabinets looks. I will use the china and use it daily. I will enjoy them. I will wash them in the dishwasher, stack them, and not worry if they might get broken. Also, I have a full box of replacement pieces in the attic thanks to my obsession with Ebay.
All this leads me to this. Use the things you have. Don't store them away for the future. If you keep things hidden away and nobody uses them, what good are they? Your children will not have the fond memories that you had of your grandmother using a special tablecloth. They will remember what was on your table. So get those things out and use them. Case in point: I told my daughter about moving the china down for every day use today and she couldn't even remember them. See..... Someday she would have inherited these dishes and placed in a garage sale wondering what her mother ever saw in that pattern and why she didn't ever use them. They well may go in a garage sale someday, but now she and my grandsons and the rest of my family will remember them. Hopefully, the dishes will be well worn and there may be a chip or two, but also maybe my kids will have pleasant memories of our meals together.
I love you guys. Bet you didn't think I could make such a long blog post about dishes, huh? Never underestimate my gabbiness (word??). I think I am making up for a shy childhood.
Sunday, January 8, 2012
In Need of Ice Cream
Hello friends. When I first started the blog I was just writing and sharing things that I never expected anyone to read. I was writing to hear my head rattle and if my grandsons ever came across it, they would might enjoy it. I have so many memories to share, but I want you to also know that I don't always dwell in the past. I have 2012 to conquer and enjoy and look forward to a fun future. So in this blog, I may have a memory or two or fifty, but I hope to also just have something to say that you will find relevant today. You see, when my grandson's find this blog, it will or may be the good old days for them. I won't be writing a diary, but I hope to enlighten them of their own childhood on some day to day matters. They may be comical or they may be tragic. We will see what the days bring, but I promise to never be morbid.
I hope you enjoy your 2012 and I hope you find my blog entertaining. Now I need that bowl of ice cream. You see there are some days where one needs just a little comforting and today I am in need of some comfort.
I love you all and thank you if you are a reader. Oh, I think I will make some ice cream in my Kitchenaid Mixer attachment this week. I will let you know how it turns out.
I hope you enjoy your 2012 and I hope you find my blog entertaining. Now I need that bowl of ice cream. You see there are some days where one needs just a little comforting and today I am in need of some comfort.
I love you all and thank you if you are a reader. Oh, I think I will make some ice cream in my Kitchenaid Mixer attachment this week. I will let you know how it turns out.
Thursday, January 5, 2012
A Little Story
There is a special someone whose birthday is tomorrow, the 6th. He is special for many reasons and one of them is because he reads my blog and never fails to tell me. I like that. I like him. He is a special young man, but I won't embarrass him any further. But I will tell him a little story I heard from Aunt Geneva tonight. She told me many little stories and I hope I can remember them for later posts.
The first year or so that Aunt Geneva and Uncle Virgil were married, they took mom and Aunt Azelee to Colorado....nothing new in that. They all rode in a pickup, all four of them. No seat belts and I imagine they were all a lot smaller so they could all squeeze in. Aunt Geneva said none of them had any money for a hotel so they asked if they could spend the night on the property of a gas station. They had a tarp for the back of the pickup, however, the tarp only covered a small portion. All four of them bedded down in the bed of the truck under the tarp. She said mom swore that there was a man that was peeking at them during the night, but Aunt Geneva said there was nobody. She said they laughed about that trip for years and mom's imaginary nighttime peeper. She went on to say that there were other nights in the back of the pickup on that trip.
Can you imagine striking out for Colorado with no money? OK, it was a different time, but please don't go to Colorado in a pickup without seat belts. Don't go without any money. Don't even go without a cell phone. Don't spend the night in the back end of a truck in the middle of nowhere.
This is just a little humorous story that Aunt Geneva loved telling; laughing the whole story. No, we would not make a trip like that these days, but don't you kinda wish that you had been on that trip, too? Young, impetuous. Life was ahead of them with nothing but the limit of their dreams to hold them back.
Happy Birthday!
The first year or so that Aunt Geneva and Uncle Virgil were married, they took mom and Aunt Azelee to Colorado....nothing new in that. They all rode in a pickup, all four of them. No seat belts and I imagine they were all a lot smaller so they could all squeeze in. Aunt Geneva said none of them had any money for a hotel so they asked if they could spend the night on the property of a gas station. They had a tarp for the back of the pickup, however, the tarp only covered a small portion. All four of them bedded down in the bed of the truck under the tarp. She said mom swore that there was a man that was peeking at them during the night, but Aunt Geneva said there was nobody. She said they laughed about that trip for years and mom's imaginary nighttime peeper. She went on to say that there were other nights in the back of the pickup on that trip.
Can you imagine striking out for Colorado with no money? OK, it was a different time, but please don't go to Colorado in a pickup without seat belts. Don't go without any money. Don't even go without a cell phone. Don't spend the night in the back end of a truck in the middle of nowhere.
This is just a little humorous story that Aunt Geneva loved telling; laughing the whole story. No, we would not make a trip like that these days, but don't you kinda wish that you had been on that trip, too? Young, impetuous. Life was ahead of them with nothing but the limit of their dreams to hold them back.
Happy Birthday!
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Save Those Boxes
Do you save your bows and bags from all those pretty Christmas packages? I do and I make no bones about it. The family has even stopped asking me if I want to save them anymore. In fact, they saved so much that today I had to sort and purge before putting it all away.
The boxes...........how can I throw those away? See that tie box? They are hard to come by. Never mind that I haven't wrapped a tie separately from the shirt in years, but you never know. Back in my early married life, ties were a huge part of Christmas for me as it was for most people. Everybody wore a tie and it was a fun quest to find the perfect one for the hubby. It always looked like he got more presents if every little thing was wrapped individually. I still practice that! Lots of gifts probably stems from my childhood, back when our presents were piled high, however, never wrapped. Can you imagine wrapping all those presents for five little ones? Even without wrapping paper, the presents always looked magnificent under the tree in the soft early light and the glow of the colored lights from the tree.
Once I was making money of my own, wrapping became important, but money was still tight. Mom saved bows so why not me? Remember the pretty red and green printed paper. It was usually pretty flimsy and tore easily. If you bought your presents at some major department stores, they would wrap for you...for free. Anthony's in Midwest City was one of those stores, but you would have to leave them for sometimes hours. It was a small price to pay. They were always wrapped much prettier than I could, but they never used the beautiful shiny paper that a store like Dillard's did.
Money was a little easier to come by in the 80s and 90s and once in a while I could buy a gift from Dillard's. Although their wrapping was beautiful, it was pricey, but I could splurge once in a while. Today I ran across one of the little gold ornaments that was attached to the bow of a leather coat I had wrapped for the hubby many years ago.
By the turn of the century, decorative bags came into vogue. Wrapping became a thing of the past, tall bags standing there in their glory with the gift hidden deep and disguised with the tissue paper overflowing the top...just like troll dolls.
Still, even if the bags are easier, I still prefer to wrap a present. It is very, very hard for me to throw away all those useful boxes, bows, and really anything that could be used in gifting for the next Christmas. There might be a need for that heavy duty Philosophy gift set box next year. There wasn't a need for it this year, but I need to save it one more year before actually discarding it. And wouldn't that box make a beautifully wrapped present with its stiff rigid sides?
Sorting and culling all this stash was a pleasant pastime for me this morning. I found all sorts of useful things that I had forgotten about; the little leopard box with the cute little black tasseled string, the old Christmas sack from Crabtree & Evelyn, the beautiful glittered Christmas bag with snowy winter scene on it that I will not let anybody use. Almost everything I pulled out today had a special meaning. Some of the tie-ons are many years old now and although they will not mean a thing to anybody including my own children, I get a kick out of reliving a moment just as I did today.
So the next time you see a dusty old box of Christmas junk at an estate sale.....remember that those little useless items once had a memory for someone... And kids if I ask you to save a bag or a bow, it might be a little memory that I am saving or you could just think I am just cheap. I can live with that, too.
I love you all.
Once I was making money of my own, wrapping became important, but money was still tight. Mom saved bows so why not me? Remember the pretty red and green printed paper. It was usually pretty flimsy and tore easily. If you bought your presents at some major department stores, they would wrap for you...for free. Anthony's in Midwest City was one of those stores, but you would have to leave them for sometimes hours. It was a small price to pay. They were always wrapped much prettier than I could, but they never used the beautiful shiny paper that a store like Dillard's did.
Money was a little easier to come by in the 80s and 90s and once in a while I could buy a gift from Dillard's. Although their wrapping was beautiful, it was pricey, but I could splurge once in a while. Today I ran across one of the little gold ornaments that was attached to the bow of a leather coat I had wrapped for the hubby many years ago.
By the turn of the century, decorative bags came into vogue. Wrapping became a thing of the past, tall bags standing there in their glory with the gift hidden deep and disguised with the tissue paper overflowing the top...just like troll dolls.
Still, even if the bags are easier, I still prefer to wrap a present. It is very, very hard for me to throw away all those useful boxes, bows, and really anything that could be used in gifting for the next Christmas. There might be a need for that heavy duty Philosophy gift set box next year. There wasn't a need for it this year, but I need to save it one more year before actually discarding it. And wouldn't that box make a beautifully wrapped present with its stiff rigid sides?
Sorting and culling all this stash was a pleasant pastime for me this morning. I found all sorts of useful things that I had forgotten about; the little leopard box with the cute little black tasseled string, the old Christmas sack from Crabtree & Evelyn, the beautiful glittered Christmas bag with snowy winter scene on it that I will not let anybody use. Almost everything I pulled out today had a special meaning. Some of the tie-ons are many years old now and although they will not mean a thing to anybody including my own children, I get a kick out of reliving a moment just as I did today.
So the next time you see a dusty old box of Christmas junk at an estate sale.....remember that those little useless items once had a memory for someone... And kids if I ask you to save a bag or a bow, it might be a little memory that I am saving or you could just think I am just cheap. I can live with that, too.
I love you all.
Monday, January 2, 2012
Is This New Year's Day?
Are you watching the Rose Bowl Parade? If you are, doesn't today seem more like New Year's Day rather than yesterday? It sure does to me. Watching the Rose Parade was one of Mom's favorite thing to do. She enjoyed it much more than the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade and I can think of several reasons why. For one, she could actually set down to watch it. Thanksgiving was all about getting ready to go to Grandma's. She was busy cooking, getting the food in the car, and making sure all five of us were dressed which left little time for parade watching. Another reason she enjoyed the Rose Parade was that she actually had seen the Rose Bowl stadium and the parade streets. She had gone with Aunt Geneva and Uncle Virgil before she married Daddy. I don't think I ever watched the parade with her without her mentioning this.
Happy, happy day everyone. Let's make the next 363 days the best ever. I love you all.
Happy, happy day everyone. Let's make the next 363 days the best ever. I love you all.
Sunday, January 1, 2012
The Year 2012
Man, did you ever think that you would ever see the year 2012? Back when I was a kid, thinking of years beyond 1999 seemed like science fiction. Now that we are here, it still seems like science fiction. There sure are a lot of robot-type gadgets out there.
This last year was a biggie for us. We finally entered the 21st century, but we entered kicking and dragging, holding on to '90s with all our might. This comes as a surprise to my kids since we still had a rotary dial phone until they were in high school, making them the laughing stock of their friends. I realize we are 12 to 20 years behind most of you, but hey..... you gotta wait and see if things are really going to work. Get the kinks get worked out. You have to see if Beta is going to be the standard or will it be VHS? For you guys younger than 35, you have no idea what I am talking about.
A couple of months ago I finally bought myself an Android phone with the promise of the salesman that I could bring it back within a month if I wasn't totally satisfied. Well I wasn't. The size was almost impossible to use as a phone although the screen was great for using all those apps. One might as well been putting a clipboard to their ears. Then the Iphone 4G s caught my eye........... I was hooked..........I had to have it, but sadly I had to wait for what seemed to be FORever. Finally my phone rang; my long awaited Iphone was in...Yahoo. I had to get to the store quickly for they were only holding it that day. That was no problem since it was at my happy place. I could not believe it when I got there and I had my choice of black or white. White, of course! Oh my goodness, what a wonderful pretty little device this is. I can be setting at a light, in the passenger seat of course, and look to see if Home Depot carries Sylvania lights. They don't. How cool is that? Oh, and you can just say "Text to Rhonda" and proceed to tell it what you want text(ed???). Texting and driving............I am only kidding!!!
Now for out next techno gadget. Two weeks ago we bought a LED 40" TV. It, too, is as smart driven as the Iphone. We can set right on the couch and do all sorts of fun things Internet-wise besides watching TV with this amazingly clear picture. Remind me to tell you the story that precedes this 40" TV sometime.
Then, for the third gadget within a month, I got the hubby a Kindle Fire for his 70th birthday. He didn't even know he wanted one, but has played with it almost nonstop since then. It is the handiest little thing ever. Another little mini-computer that we can stow in our luggage. With that and the 4G phone we are Internet connected in almost all situations. Now, let's go somewhere....somewhere exotic. Yeah!
Kids, I am here to tell you that before the quest for these type devices, I had no idea what 4G or wi-fi, Pandora, Hulu, 1080p, 120hz, Roku, apps, Siri, the cloud, etc even meant. Now I feel like I could hold a somewhat intelligent conversation with a saleman and possibly ask a non-laughable question.
Have you ever wondered how your grandpa would have handled buying a new TV these days? I can hear it now, "Johnny, we need a new TV. Can you bring it down for us? I don't want to mess with it". Sometimes I don't either, dad. My mind was a lot less cluttered in 1990, but here I am, smack dab in the middle of the 21st century. I guess we are at the entry of the 21st century, aren't we? Wonder how things will have changed by the time the 22nd century arrives. That is a just a little scary to think about, huh?
Love to all of you for the year 2012.
This last year was a biggie for us. We finally entered the 21st century, but we entered kicking and dragging, holding on to '90s with all our might. This comes as a surprise to my kids since we still had a rotary dial phone until they were in high school, making them the laughing stock of their friends. I realize we are 12 to 20 years behind most of you, but hey..... you gotta wait and see if things are really going to work. Get the kinks get worked out. You have to see if Beta is going to be the standard or will it be VHS? For you guys younger than 35, you have no idea what I am talking about.
A couple of months ago I finally bought myself an Android phone with the promise of the salesman that I could bring it back within a month if I wasn't totally satisfied. Well I wasn't. The size was almost impossible to use as a phone although the screen was great for using all those apps. One might as well been putting a clipboard to their ears. Then the Iphone 4G s caught my eye........... I was hooked..........I had to have it, but sadly I had to wait for what seemed to be FORever. Finally my phone rang; my long awaited Iphone was in...Yahoo. I had to get to the store quickly for they were only holding it that day. That was no problem since it was at my happy place. I could not believe it when I got there and I had my choice of black or white. White, of course! Oh my goodness, what a wonderful pretty little device this is. I can be setting at a light, in the passenger seat of course, and look to see if Home Depot carries Sylvania lights. They don't. How cool is that? Oh, and you can just say "Text to Rhonda" and proceed to tell it what you want text(ed???). Texting and driving............I am only kidding!!!
Now for out next techno gadget. Two weeks ago we bought a LED 40" TV. It, too, is as smart driven as the Iphone. We can set right on the couch and do all sorts of fun things Internet-wise besides watching TV with this amazingly clear picture. Remind me to tell you the story that precedes this 40" TV sometime.
Then, for the third gadget within a month, I got the hubby a Kindle Fire for his 70th birthday. He didn't even know he wanted one, but has played with it almost nonstop since then. It is the handiest little thing ever. Another little mini-computer that we can stow in our luggage. With that and the 4G phone we are Internet connected in almost all situations. Now, let's go somewhere....somewhere exotic. Yeah!
Kids, I am here to tell you that before the quest for these type devices, I had no idea what 4G or wi-fi, Pandora, Hulu, 1080p, 120hz, Roku, apps, Siri, the cloud, etc even meant. Now I feel like I could hold a somewhat intelligent conversation with a saleman and possibly ask a non-laughable question.
Have you ever wondered how your grandpa would have handled buying a new TV these days? I can hear it now, "Johnny, we need a new TV. Can you bring it down for us? I don't want to mess with it". Sometimes I don't either, dad. My mind was a lot less cluttered in 1990, but here I am, smack dab in the middle of the 21st century. I guess we are at the entry of the 21st century, aren't we? Wonder how things will have changed by the time the 22nd century arrives. That is a just a little scary to think about, huh?
Love to all of you for the year 2012.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)