A Day Too Late

Have you ever had money burning a hole in your pocket?  My grandsons sure do, but even their Nana does once in a while especially when I have a coupon.  Well..............I had a coupon!  A $10 off on a purchase of $10 or more.


So I put a reminder on my phone every hour on the hour last Sunday so that I don't miss the last day of the offer.  Finally after putting it off for three hours, off to the store I go..........feeling all giddy about finding something for nothing.  I even called my daughter on the way to see if she might join me, but alas.........she had other things to do...........can you believe she had better things to do?


Oh, I'm so happy, this is exciting..........shopping knowing my purchase would be free.  I had been in the store about 15 minutes when I realized I left the coupon in the car.  No biggie.  I will just make my selection, set it aside and run to the car to get it.  So I search...........but that watch is too much.  I look at the earrings, but do I really need another pair of earring?  Off to the clothes.........nothing that fit the price.  Let me explain what runs through my mind when I search for the perfect point between price and value.  You see, I don't want to spend more than $25 because there's also a $10 off a $25 purchase.  Using that coupon would mean I would still have the $10 off $10.  Not a good choice.........so I continue looking for that ideal purchase, trying to stay as close as $10 as possible.


Gosh, after 30 minutes in the store my mind begins to scramble.  What am I going to get?   And there is a chance I am a cheap snob, because nothing in that store was tempting me at any price.  Still I look....at the shoes...20 minutes in the men's department....in the boys aisle..........FINALLY after one solid hour, I find something.........not spectacular, but a little top for my granddaughter.......AND without her mother along to give me any advice.


So off I go, depositing my desired item on the counter explaining to the clerk I needed to get my coupon in the car.  Back to the clerk I went and we began our transaction.  AND THEN I SEE IT, right there on her computer.  COUPON REJECTED.  WHA??????  I spare her and ask her if the top was omitted from the coupon.  "No", she said, "it's out of date."  "Is today not the 28th"? I ask.  "No", she said.  Oh........................  I slink out of the store without a thing. 


That coupon was burning a hole in my pocket..........a day TOO late.


I love you. 

IF

We took a very impromptu trip yesterday and spent the night in Bartlesville, OK.  I needed to get out of town, to shake off winter, to get a breath of fresh air.  Back home tonight, but what a refreshing trip it was. 


As we were leaving Bartlesville this morning, someone told us to go to Dewey for a little antiquing---------a little was no lie.  There was very little, but we did find one little shop that peaked our interest--------something more than hoarded junk.  I looked over and saw a framed poem.  I'm always intrigued by framed words.  Well, I started to read it and was totally blown away.  For some reason this poem by Rudyard Kipling seemed to hit home.  There's a lot going on in this world that I am very unhappy and even sad about..............but these words written in 1895, first published in 1910 "Rewards and Fairies" (I assume that to be a magazine) seemed to ease me.  I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

If

by Rudyard Kipling, 1895

If you can keep your head when all about you

Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,

If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,

But make allowance for their doubting too;

If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,

Or being lied about, don't deal in lies,

Or being hated, don't give way to hating,

And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise:

If you can dream-and not make dreams your master;

If you can think-and not make thoughts your aim,

If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster

And treat those two impostors just the same;

If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken

Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,

Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,

And stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools:

If you can make one heap of all your winnings

And risk it on one turn of pitch - and - toss,

And lose, and start again at your beginnings,

And never breathe a word about your loss;

If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew

To serve your turn long after they are gone,

And so hold on when there is nothing in you

Except the Will which says to them:  "Hold On!"

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,

Or walk with Kinds - nor lose the common touch,

If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,

If all men count with you, but none too much,

If you can fill the unforgiving minute

With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,

Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,

And which is more -- you'll be a Man, by Son!  

Just a little side note:  45 years ago when we were dating, my husband quoted me poetry under the stars on my back stoop of my duplex.  Today, he quoted the first few lines of this poem................He's still got it!  And, by the way, that framed poem is now in my possession.  Now I have to find just the place for it.

I love you.

 

Fruit Salad Pie

Good morning folks.

This morning I received a little surprise.  A pie recipe from way back...........a much simpler time or so it seems to me.  It is my grandmother's recipe for a Fruit Salad Pie.  She had shared the recipe with Toots Wyatt so the recipe card is in Toots' handwriting.  I love that Toots wrote a note that it was from her aunt, and the note about the ice box is precious.  I heard that term much more than refrigerator back in the day.

In the future I'm not sure how many of us will have a connection to our mothers/fathers in this visual way...their handwriting.  We get most of our recipes off the internet in one fashion or another.  I can't remember the last time I shared a handwritten recipe.  Just sent them the link.  We hardly ever send cards, and if we do they often have an imprinted name instead of a signature.  When was the last time we/our younger generation even wrote out a check?  If I do happen to see a note that my daughter has written, it is most often printed............certainly not cursive.   

Cursive.....another subject.  Nowadays cursive is only taught as an option.  Back in my day, (I hate to keep using this term because it defines me as elderly, but "back in my day") we couldn't wait to learn cursive because it was another step to being a grownup.  Big people wrote in cursive and once we decoded that secret writing, we could be privy to all sorts of things............like Santa's list.  And at 8 years old, who doesn't want to see Santa's list?

So Bob, thanks for sharing your mother's handwriting, thank you for Grandma's pie recipe, but most importantly, thank you for a quiet memory of them both this morning.  One thing I remember about this pie is how fast it can get "yucky".  Better eat it fast because those bananas are not a pretty sight the next day.

Enjoy your day, folks.

Handwriting must be an issue close to my heart because I have written several posts about it.  Here are a couple.

http://retirementthegoodlife.blogspot.com/2012/10/gone.html

http://retirementthegoodlife.blogspot.com/2012/05/to-cursive-or-not-to-cursive.html





Peaceful Rest Tonight

Have you ever wanted to move somewhere where one couldn't get internet service?  Do you ever find yourself just fed up with the whole internet/social media process?  Do you ever want to never see a newscast again?


Just the other day I saw a picture of a long, long road in the middle of Somewhere, USA.  You could tell it was summer, and there were mountains in the background so it must have been taken in Colorado or New Mexico.  I have been on many isolated, lonely roads in both states and often wondered what it would be like to live out there; no internet service.  Lonely?  Maybe.  I would like to try though.  I would like to be away from the chaotic clutter of all the discord out there in the world today; the discord that clutters my mind.  Yeah, I'd like to try for one full year...............away....................


Okay, I might not build a cabin in the middle of nowhere, but there are times when I go back.............back to the middle of mom and dad's pasture where the only thing I had to worry about were the stinging nettles.  No noise except a cow mooing or the caw of a blackbird.  Back when times were gentler and people were nicer.  You knew your neighbors were not much different from you.  You knew they had the same values.  We could relate.  We could leave our doors unlocked and each night was filled with peaceful rest, not worrying about what is going on in the world.  Good night my sweet dreams.  I am going to try and capture peaceful rest tonight.


I love you.

We'll Run Away Tomorrow

Good Saturday evening to you all.


Just this last week someone put a little meme on Facebook and asked if anybody ever wanted to just get in the car and drive away and start over.  I didn't hesitate even a second over replying that yes, I have.


Some may question my answer.  Even I questioned myself after I saw someone else say they never ever thought about doing that.  It was so spontaneous for me to say yes, but now I wonder why.  I am definitely NOT unhappy. 


But I'd be lying if I said that I'd never wanted to run away.  There are times when things are going a little crazy or something is off track and I just want to get in the car and drive and drive and drive........over the rainbow or at least the river............finding a place where my troubles seems so far away (I think there's a song there).  Keep going..............


There are also times when the hubby and I are in the car after a wonderful day out and we just look at each other and one of us will say "let's keep going", but we always wind up here............at home.......in our comfort zone.


So even though I say I want to just drive away........it is only for a little while..............and then it's home sweet home.  We'll run away tomorrow.


I love you.

The Ones That Can Get Things Done

Hi there.  It is a bitterly cold day here in Oklahoma.  22 degrees and exactly the same as it was at 9:00 a.m.  I am sort of taking the day off today because I am taking a on-line photography class which is a lot of fun, but does require one to stay awake......maybe this IS work???? Pretty hard thing for me to do since when I sit, I sleep.  None of that "a body in motion stays in motion" for me.


The class is in a lunch break now so I took the opportunity to run check on my husband.....the only person that does any real work around here.  I opened the building door to see his jeans-clad legs on top of the truck engine.  Yes, there he was in some sort of ballet pose try to repair nasty mice damage.  Can your 75-year old guy do that? 


My class is about to resume so I will let you go.  I am eternally grateful that my husband can still make those beautiful poses--the ones that can get things done. 


I love you.

Still Got That Joyous Feeling

Good evening everybody.


Have you ever had such a joyous feeling you wanted to shout or sing or dance?  Last night and today I've had a feeling of exuberance.  Maybe 2017 will be a wonderful year for me and my family. 


Despite that exuberance, we have our fair share of issues today.  I guess it is all a matter of perspective.  You see, the little mice have made havoc of two of our cars that are kept outside.  I guess the little critters are cold and hungry.  Again, it is all a matter of perspective. 


So today the hubby has been fixing vehicle wiring and other problems these little menacing creatures have made.  I am so grateful that my husband is 1) smart enough to know how to fix problems 2) well enough to get out and perform these repairs and 3) a kind and very knowledgeable person.  He's got one car fixed.  YES!  We went for parts for the other tonight so tomorrow we should have the truck ready to go and not a moment too soon if we have that big snow.  (Insert skepticism.)


Still got that joyous feeling.


I love you. 

I am Just Talking

Just talking tonight friends.


1.  Went to the mall by myself today.  I had forgotten that I could be alone and enjoy it.  Browsing around.  Me, myself, and I had a wonderful time.


2.  Just because you return something for a bigger size, does NOT mean you can get an even exchange.  I had bought some black tights at Steinmart before Christmas and realized I had gotten the wrong size.  No problem, I will just exchange for the right size.  Problem is they were on sale when I bought them so in order to get them exchanged I would have to pay an extra $2.50 (now not on sale).  So I decided to NOT return them.  I perhaps could have argued the point with the manager, but I just didn't want the hassle.  Oh well...............perhaps in my old age I am realizing that me causing a conflict wouldn't gain me $2.50 worth of satisfaction.


3.  A local TV news story tugged at my heart tonight and tears sprang up quite unexpectedly.  You see a 6 year old little girl and her 13 year-old learning disabled brother were in separate foster homes.  They were meeting today for the story of adoption; you could definitely tell that they missed one another.  These precious babes have no control over what happens to them.   They need to have a home together; parents that are special because these two little ones are special.  Tonight they will be in my prayers. 


4.  The hubby and I have turned off the TV tonight and are listening to Pandora; some oldies--Floyd Cramer's "Last Date".  Now when is the last time you heard that song.  Gosh, there was excellent music back in the 70s if you knew where to look and my sweet hubby knew where to look.  I wish you could see his personal music collection.


5.  As I set here typing away, I see one more Christmas item that needs to be put away.  Before I go to bed, that will be put away.............


6.  Speaking of Christmas, I was able to put away all my Christmas items BEFORE New Years Eve.  That's a goal every year.  Would you believe I have nine Christmas themed pillows?   Where, girls, am I going to store nine pillows?  Don't let me buy another pillow next Christmas, please.  Please remind me!!


7.  The hubby is cleaning out one of his drawers tonight and finding all sorts of interesting tidbits.  Like his zero defects pin from Tinker.  "Can't make mistakes if you don't do anything."  His quote.


8.  Kids tomorrow................ YES!  One last visit to Grandma's before heading back to finish up another year of school.  They don't realize it, but time moves so fast!!


9.  I'm not going to tell everyone this, but I am getting really bored with Facebook.  I don't really know why, but I am.  I see people fasting from various things; perhaps I can fast from Facebook.  After all, if anybody really wants to get in touch with me, they have my number.  Besides, if I am ever tagged in FB, I will get email notice.  My life was perfectly fine BEFORE FB!  Wish me luck on that............


10.  This sweet evening with my hubby at my side and the music is bringing back such wonderful memories.  My cup runneth over with love to all of you, my sweet friends.




See, I told you I was just talking.  "Love is a Many Splendored Thing" by Mantovani.  "Till" by Midnight String Quartet  Music to sleep by.  I love it. 


I love you.


Speaking of music to sleep by, Aunt Norma's family went to bed at the same time.  Before heading off to bed, she'd put on a couple of albums on the stereo.  So relaxing.  I loved spending the night with them and I love her dearly, even now.    

Where's My Puzzle Book?

Does anyone out there think today seems like Saturday?  I am all mixed up with all these bowl games, the Rose Bowl Parade on the 2nd instead of the 1st, black-eyed peas yesterday even though the parade was today, etc.  I will go to sleep thinking tomorrow is Sunday.  I think we need to go for breakfast to get us back on track...............  And then I will go to the outlet mall to make sure we know it is Saturday.................  Huh?  That's exactly how mixed up I am. 


I want to make it known right now that I am a fair weather fan of the University of Oklahoma.  If the going is good, then I am good and can watch.  If the going is bad, then I am busy doing other things like working crossword puzzles...........anything to keep my mind off the game.  I have been known to be a little off-kilter, insane to some when my boys are not playing as I taught them.  You do know that I am the coach, don't you?  At times someone, and I won't mention who, has been known to knock the chimes to the top of the house............just one good hit and those puppies soared. 


Right now, despite the hubby's tense jerks, OU is winning so I think I will watch this game.  No chimes to hit over the house.  But they blew that last field goal............where's my puzzle book?


I love you.  See you tomorrow no matter what day it turns out to be and no matter who wins this stupid game.

Happy 2017

Hello and happy new year wherever you are.


I haven't posted much this last year, but here I am tonight saying hello.  I hope to write more in 2017.  Notice that I don't say resolve.  I am not going to have any resolutions this year.  Nope, none!  2017 shall be a year of freedom for me, maybe, unless I am hindered otherwise.  Got you confused?  Me, too. 


So...........did you eat your black-eyed peas today?  We certainly did, so our year should be a very prosperous one............a girl can dream...........!  I made Pioneer Woman's recipe for Hoppin' John and it was the best I have ever made.  But probably I said the same things last year. 


I've been reflecting this evening on all the previous years' New Years Days (man I've had a LOT of them).........filled with all sorts of memories....................ROSE BOWL PARADE.................momma.................bowl games........................family..................onion dip...................family games............food.................black-eyed peas...................FOOTBALL....................chip and ONION DIP..............ROSE BOWL PARADE...............Aunt Wilma's house in Shawnee....................cards.............family...................family........................family............LAUGHTER!

There's probably a little story in each of the above points, especially the ONION DIP, but most memorable point is LAUGHTER because each of those points resulted in laughter.  So I raise my imaginary glass to LAUGHTER.  (and here's to you Mindy.  Thanks for reading.)


Laughing together, I love you.  Happy 2017.  Again, I love you.