Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh! She wants me to be her friend......on Facebook. Oh my gosh! Yes, Princess Kate wants to be my friend.............NO! NO! Somebody way more cool than her....a high school classmate, one of the coolest girls in school wants to be my friend. Yahoo!
It baffles me that I am giddy at the thought of someone so cool, so pretty, and a cheerleader to boot asking to be my friend. Why am I like this? I definitely feel that I am now a witty and cool woman, a relatively attractive woman (at my age), fairly bright, financially smart and comfortable, an accomplished woman with two bright and sweet children, and two adorable grand boys. (Sounds like I am posting this on Match Dot Com.) I had a pretty good job, held a position in which I never felt totally comfortable but I was able to hold my own and succeed, and most importantly please my boss. I have traveled both professionally and personally to locations I never dreamed possible. Still.........I long to be that cool girl in high school, 45 (did I say 45?) years ago.
By now you all know my age.......just a young chick.........still after all these years I think I have issues. YA THINK!!!! Just a few self-esteem issues......those that go all the way back to the 60s..the teenage years, the years of acne (oh my), the years of not having cool clothes, the years of not having a boyfriend, the years of never feeling smart enough, the years of just not being one of the cool kids.
So with pride, I will accept my new friends offer of becoming her friend. Who knows, perhaps she had some esteem issues back then. Maybe it was hard for her, or harder than I thought it was for her. Who knows............? We am what we am. No matter what, we am what we am. We go through this life without a clue as to what will come next. We strive for perfection...... We strive to be that cool person.
As much as I have talked about in this post of the insecurity I had in my teenage years, I would not change a thing for all those issues I had back then, those issues that I have faced along these last 45 years have made me into the woman I am today. Confident and, I must say, stronger than I have ever felt in my life. And in the end, it all evens out.
She wants to be my friend!
I love you!
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
My Kid at Heart
Lights dimmed, fireplace burning, warm glow of the kitchen cabinet lighting........what more could a girl want? Barrett-Jackson of course. Yes, it is that time of the year. The time when the TV is on and where once in a while the hubby goes "hmmm" or "that is a pretty good deal" or "wish ours looked like that". And I am over here just typing away on my laptop. I look forward to it every year.
Ladies, when you get together with your friends, aren't you just a kid at heart? Aren't you still playing with makeup? Don't you want to talk about how cute that skirt is? Don't you want to show off your new shoes to your friends? Don't you like to play "when I grow up"?
I am totally convinced that my hubby is just a kid at heart, too. In fact I would go so far as to say that most of our gentlemen friends are kids at heart whether they are fantasizing in front of a TV football game or fantasizing in front of a TV auction of beautiful automobiles. They are playing "when I grow up".
Sometimes we need a little "when I grow up" time. There are times in our life when the hubby and I have to take a mental break to get back to that innocent time of when I grow up. When I worked there were days when I took off which I called "mental health days". I am here to tell all you worker bees - you need them as much as a sick day with a 102 temperature. So even retired there are times when the hubby and I take our little mental health days. Just last week we had a little mental health day and drove across town for a little "us" time and quite spontaneously we decided to have lunch at La Baguette's. It was like a 45 minute vacation and something we both seriously needed; a quiet little French bistro........vacation. It was one of the best 45 minutes of our entire week.
So tonight we are just vegging on the couch taking another mental health break. Tonight my kid at heart is playing "when I grow up" and I couldn't be happier to be a grown up.
Side note: Just last night, that 71 year old kid at heart jumped on the back of the grocery cart and coasted down the incline to the car. That is the man I married. Surprise you? Not me!
I love you.
Ladies, when you get together with your friends, aren't you just a kid at heart? Aren't you still playing with makeup? Don't you want to talk about how cute that skirt is? Don't you want to show off your new shoes to your friends? Don't you like to play "when I grow up"?
I am totally convinced that my hubby is just a kid at heart, too. In fact I would go so far as to say that most of our gentlemen friends are kids at heart whether they are fantasizing in front of a TV football game or fantasizing in front of a TV auction of beautiful automobiles. They are playing "when I grow up".
Sometimes we need a little "when I grow up" time. There are times in our life when the hubby and I have to take a mental break to get back to that innocent time of when I grow up. When I worked there were days when I took off which I called "mental health days". I am here to tell all you worker bees - you need them as much as a sick day with a 102 temperature. So even retired there are times when the hubby and I take our little mental health days. Just last week we had a little mental health day and drove across town for a little "us" time and quite spontaneously we decided to have lunch at La Baguette's. It was like a 45 minute vacation and something we both seriously needed; a quiet little French bistro........vacation. It was one of the best 45 minutes of our entire week.
So tonight we are just vegging on the couch taking another mental health break. Tonight my kid at heart is playing "when I grow up" and I couldn't be happier to be a grown up.
Side note: Just last night, that 71 year old kid at heart jumped on the back of the grocery cart and coasted down the incline to the car. That is the man I married. Surprise you? Not me!
I love you.
Friday, January 4, 2013
Nothing More Comforting
I have a love affair with jeans.......all colors.......but mostly I am attracted to the blue variety. Today, it occurred to me that maybe I might be buying too many when I noticed that I had 17 pair of blue jeans. Actually, I didn't notice, I counted them. Yep, 17 pairs of blues. That's not counting the 7 black pair, nor the gray pair, nor the two tan pair, nor the chocolate brown ones, nor the green ones, nor the 3 pairs of whites, nor the new red pair I bought last month, which are really, really cute. I love my comfortable jeans.
There are three different sizes represented amongst all these jeans which goes to show you that I might be a little spastic with my weight. The thing is I can squeeze into all of them........if I lay prone on the floor and tug and bounce and tug and bounce, tug and bounce. Some are boot cut, some are straight leg, and some are skinny jeans. Some set below the waist, some set at the waist, but none are hip huggers (remember the 60s, girls?). Some are short to wear with my flats and some are long to wear with heels, some to wear tucked into boots, some to wear with boots hidden. There is even a pair that is labeled "curvy fit". And, honey, you thought I was just fat. Nope, I am curvy. Vast distinction. (But girls, these curvy fit are really comfortable and they are curvy...dare I say sexy? OK, I know full well my age, and I do not in any way consider myself sexy. I just said that to see if you are paying attention.)
I was ironing a few of my favorites (also known as the ones that fit) this afternoon - hence the desire to count them. You know how I love to iron, the satisfaction it gives me.....all that steam bursting forth......giving lots of moisture to release the wrinkles. Far cry from the way mom used to iron. Back in those days, your grandma would dip her fingers in a bowl of water and sling water onto the clothes (most were starched). She would then bundle each item up tightly and place it in the basket. Eventually, the clothes would be evenly moistened and ready to iron. I think the satisfaction I receive from ironing stems from watching the wrinkles transform into something resembling cardboard. Those that remember starch will know what I am talking about.
Note: Kids, inside the hot water closet is an old iron that belonged to your dad's family, several generations back. That iron was heated by placing on the wood stove. How long to you think it would take to do the weekly ironing way back when? They probably had a system, ironing the heaviest garment first, and as the ironed cooled, iron the more delicate. Grandma Dawkins told me they would have a couple of irons, one on the stove heating while using the other.
Memory: On cold winter's nights when I stayed the night with my grandma Dawkins, she would heat one of her old irons on the stove and then wrap it in a towel. She would place it under the covers at the foot of the bed to warm my feet. Me in my flannel night gown, my feet entwined with grandma's seeking that warm towel, listening to one of grandma's favorite stories...nothing more comforting.
I love you!
There are three different sizes represented amongst all these jeans which goes to show you that I might be a little spastic with my weight. The thing is I can squeeze into all of them........if I lay prone on the floor and tug and bounce and tug and bounce, tug and bounce. Some are boot cut, some are straight leg, and some are skinny jeans. Some set below the waist, some set at the waist, but none are hip huggers (remember the 60s, girls?). Some are short to wear with my flats and some are long to wear with heels, some to wear tucked into boots, some to wear with boots hidden. There is even a pair that is labeled "curvy fit". And, honey, you thought I was just fat. Nope, I am curvy. Vast distinction. (But girls, these curvy fit are really comfortable and they are curvy...dare I say sexy? OK, I know full well my age, and I do not in any way consider myself sexy. I just said that to see if you are paying attention.)
I was ironing a few of my favorites (also known as the ones that fit) this afternoon - hence the desire to count them. You know how I love to iron, the satisfaction it gives me.....all that steam bursting forth......giving lots of moisture to release the wrinkles. Far cry from the way mom used to iron. Back in those days, your grandma would dip her fingers in a bowl of water and sling water onto the clothes (most were starched). She would then bundle each item up tightly and place it in the basket. Eventually, the clothes would be evenly moistened and ready to iron. I think the satisfaction I receive from ironing stems from watching the wrinkles transform into something resembling cardboard. Those that remember starch will know what I am talking about.
Note: Kids, inside the hot water closet is an old iron that belonged to your dad's family, several generations back. That iron was heated by placing on the wood stove. How long to you think it would take to do the weekly ironing way back when? They probably had a system, ironing the heaviest garment first, and as the ironed cooled, iron the more delicate. Grandma Dawkins told me they would have a couple of irons, one on the stove heating while using the other.
Memory: On cold winter's nights when I stayed the night with my grandma Dawkins, she would heat one of her old irons on the stove and then wrap it in a towel. She would place it under the covers at the foot of the bed to warm my feet. Me in my flannel night gown, my feet entwined with grandma's seeking that warm towel, listening to one of grandma's favorite stories...nothing more comforting.
I love you!
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
The Mistress's Soothing Bath Herbs
Well, can you believe it, we are already at day 2, 2013. The grandsons are here tonight. Just a few more days of Christmas break for them. Do you remember Christmas break? Not that I hated school (I did!), but I sure enjoyed that break. A time to stay by the home fires, playing with all our play pretties (as Mrs. Tucker would say).
Tonight I was playing with one of my new play pretties: Country House "The Mistress's SOOTHING Bath Herbs". The aroma is so wonderful. Something about it reminds me of a nice cold solstice and it is definitely soothing. Then again, the herbal scent smells slightly of sage and rosemary, but neither of these are in the ingredient list. You could take a bath with it or you could stuff a turkey. Just kidding on the latter. I chose to bathe with it.
The ingredients: Frankincense, Coltfoot, Laminaria (Bladderwrack), Boldo leaf, Hops, Yarrow, Southernwood, Lavender, Orris Root. How many of these ingredients have you heard of? See, no sage or rosemary.
The box reads: After an arduous day supervising the running of the great house, the Mistress would retire to her room to prepare herself for the formalities of the evening. At this juncture, the prudent lady's maid would pour a copious bath in which she would steep various relaxing and softening herbs to induce a sense of ease and encouragement. It is in this tradition that we offer The Mistress's Soothing Bath Herbs which, used night or morning, will help melt away tension and invoke euphoria.
Whew.........does that not capture your heart and imagination? Don't you just want to pick up a 600 page novel set in the mid-19th century? Had my bath. Got my new pjs on.........ready to be swept away. I would even settle for another extra long episode of Dowtown Abby, but alas, that is not to be tonight. Today I was running the great house, I did have a copious bath, and no maid involved. The night held no formalities. No, tonight I am all cozy in my pjs watching Ratatouille with my adorable giggling little boys. Couldn't be happier to be the maid to my little ones tonight. Nothing sweeter on earth than a little smiling boy asking if I would put a rubber band around his drawing.
I love you.
Tonight I was playing with one of my new play pretties: Country House "The Mistress's SOOTHING Bath Herbs". The aroma is so wonderful. Something about it reminds me of a nice cold solstice and it is definitely soothing. Then again, the herbal scent smells slightly of sage and rosemary, but neither of these are in the ingredient list. You could take a bath with it or you could stuff a turkey. Just kidding on the latter. I chose to bathe with it.
The ingredients: Frankincense, Coltfoot, Laminaria (Bladderwrack), Boldo leaf, Hops, Yarrow, Southernwood, Lavender, Orris Root. How many of these ingredients have you heard of? See, no sage or rosemary.
The box reads: After an arduous day supervising the running of the great house, the Mistress would retire to her room to prepare herself for the formalities of the evening. At this juncture, the prudent lady's maid would pour a copious bath in which she would steep various relaxing and softening herbs to induce a sense of ease and encouragement. It is in this tradition that we offer The Mistress's Soothing Bath Herbs which, used night or morning, will help melt away tension and invoke euphoria.
Whew.........does that not capture your heart and imagination? Don't you just want to pick up a 600 page novel set in the mid-19th century? Had my bath. Got my new pjs on.........ready to be swept away. I would even settle for another extra long episode of Dowtown Abby, but alas, that is not to be tonight. Today I was running the great house, I did have a copious bath, and no maid involved. The night held no formalities. No, tonight I am all cozy in my pjs watching Ratatouille with my adorable giggling little boys. Couldn't be happier to be the maid to my little ones tonight. Nothing sweeter on earth than a little smiling boy asking if I would put a rubber band around his drawing.
I love you.
Monday, December 31, 2012
Wishing You All a Happy New Year
Hello everybody. 2013 is almost here and we are celebrating as we do every year...just as we do every night...quiet and some would say boring; the TV on, nobody watching. "A Man Who Came to Dinner" has just started. I have never cared for old black and white movies, but for the last six months, I seek them out. They seem so innocent and these days I am looking for a little more innocence.
Today I received an unexpected gift. I was totally shocked to receive it, but at the same time I was thrilled. Inside the bag were things I love. My friend knows what I like for we are kindred spirits when it comes to cooking, cleaning, decorating, makeup, and just about everything else.
Have you ever received a gift that was totally unexpected? I have such pleasant memories of receiving a small box of homemade candy from someone when I was a teenager, and I think I recall that it was from one of my aunts. It was my own little box of fudge. It was wrapped with a bow with a name tag just for me. I didn't have to share it with my brother or my sisters. It was special. It was unexpected. It meant as much as any gift I got that year.
This week my daughter told me of a couple of sweet things that happened to her. 1. Her garbage man picked up her trash. Then he turned to pick up cans from the other side of the street and noticed her refilling her just emptied can. He stopped the truck, got out, and came up and pulled her garbage can to empty it again for her. 2. Then her neighbor across the street brought over a loaf of zucchini bread....totally unexpected. They were acts of kindness. My daughter and I talked for quite a while about these sweet acts, and I told her how that box of fudge was so sweet and unexpected for me.
Sometimes it is those unexpected gifts or acts of kindness that mean the most. The box of homemade candy I received that year will never be forgotten. The thoughtfulness of a sweet friend will never be forgotten. The memory of a neighbor bringing a loaf of quick bread will never be forgotten. And the garbage man will never be thought of as a garbage man again.
So............as we near the midnight hour, my resolution is to try to be kinder, to be spontaneous, to act with compassion, to love unconditionally with no expectations.
I love you my friends, my family. Thanks for a special lunch, my dear friend.
Wishing you all a Happy New Year.
Today I received an unexpected gift. I was totally shocked to receive it, but at the same time I was thrilled. Inside the bag were things I love. My friend knows what I like for we are kindred spirits when it comes to cooking, cleaning, decorating, makeup, and just about everything else.
Have you ever received a gift that was totally unexpected? I have such pleasant memories of receiving a small box of homemade candy from someone when I was a teenager, and I think I recall that it was from one of my aunts. It was my own little box of fudge. It was wrapped with a bow with a name tag just for me. I didn't have to share it with my brother or my sisters. It was special. It was unexpected. It meant as much as any gift I got that year.
This week my daughter told me of a couple of sweet things that happened to her. 1. Her garbage man picked up her trash. Then he turned to pick up cans from the other side of the street and noticed her refilling her just emptied can. He stopped the truck, got out, and came up and pulled her garbage can to empty it again for her. 2. Then her neighbor across the street brought over a loaf of zucchini bread....totally unexpected. They were acts of kindness. My daughter and I talked for quite a while about these sweet acts, and I told her how that box of fudge was so sweet and unexpected for me.
Sometimes it is those unexpected gifts or acts of kindness that mean the most. The box of homemade candy I received that year will never be forgotten. The thoughtfulness of a sweet friend will never be forgotten. The memory of a neighbor bringing a loaf of quick bread will never be forgotten. And the garbage man will never be thought of as a garbage man again.
So............as we near the midnight hour, my resolution is to try to be kinder, to be spontaneous, to act with compassion, to love unconditionally with no expectations.
I love you my friends, my family. Thanks for a special lunch, my dear friend.
Wishing you all a Happy New Year.
Sunday, December 30, 2012
Just Kicking Back with the Laptop
Another year is quickly coming to a close. It is hard to even fathom that 2013 will be here in a matter of hours and I am not through with 2012. Yes, I still have things I need to do before the new year, but alas, I fear that my TO DO list that I made in January 2012 will carry over to 2013. I guess I can just erase the 2012 and write 2013. I knew there was a reason my lists are always in pencil.
Just as a matter of fun, here is a list of just things that I bought or learned or did this Christmas season.
1. I tried a new brand of makeup - Laura Geller - and I love it. For years the crevices in my face collected makeup and when I would happen to see myself in the mirror, I was appalled. So.......I just quit wearing makeup. I guess these days my eyes are so bad that I don't notice the collection of makeup in the Grand Canyons of my face.
2. I do not like goat cheese. I bought a Sam's Club size log and took one bite and decided it was not to dance on my tongue ever again. I found a recipe where you mix it with cream cheese which almost makes me want to see if there is better dance step out there........but NO, not goin' happen.
3. PJs - I got two new pairs of cotton knit PJs and I love them. Comfy and cute. I have been a nightgown lady, but there is something sophisticated about lounging around in a pair of cute PJs.
4. I only made a few Christmas candy and treats - fudge for Santa, Oklahoma Millionaires without the chocolate coating, and caramel popcorn which I sent home with the daughter today. I have to get this stuff out of my house. I failed to remember to give her the millionaires.
5. I found out my house has TOO much STUFF in it. Going to clean, clean, clean, clean in another couple of days. Goodwill here I come.
6. It is better to give than receive. I could elaborate on this, but why? It speaks for itself.
7. I have a new found appreciation of the cost of mailing packages. About a week before Christmas, the hubby and I drove across town around 9:00 a.m. On I40 we saw 13 UPS trucks leaving out for their various rounds. The one on our street had two employees and often were driving our streets at dusk. So.......I will pay that $7.98 shipping charge and will remember all the people employed by UPS.
8. I have discovered makeup again which directly relates to number 1. This season, I went to Ulta and Sephora probably 10 times and bought something each time, but for other people. No that vain. I don't remember having so much fun by myself. Then on Christmas Eve I went with my sister and had even more fun. Gosh, we are such girly girls.
9. Nobody gives out Christmas collectibles anymore. Remember when Arby's and Long John Silvers would give away a Coca-Cola Christmas glass or goblet?
10. We saw Home Alone and A Christmas Story on the big screen at Tinseltown. Yes, they brought back classic Christmas movies each Wednesday night during December. Whose clever idea was this? The theater was packed and it was a wonderful time with my grandchildren and although they had seen both of these movies many, many times and could recite the lines, just being there in that setting was great - and the popcorn wasn't bad either.
11. I didn't buy every gift from Sam's this year. I know......... Surprised even me. This year, I got them all from Ulta.
12. Chesapeake lights are wonderful; Nichols Hills lights are wonderful, but you know what I love more than those? Driving down street in the older part of Shawnee. Yes, if I see a house which has the old softer colored light around the inside of a picture window, it touches me. It always touches me if I see a little plastic nativity set on an otherwise dark street. The dark street, the quiet street, the cold air, and 5 little kids with their noses pressed to the car window, Christmas Eve.
13. I signed up to attend Weight Watchers meetings. Wedding to attend in April and with everybody else loosing weight, I am sort of motivated......sort of.
14. Something new for me was my QVC ordered Mrs. Prendables Chocolate and Sea Salt Toffee apples. I have never ordered any food item, but I fell prey to the QVC hustle. This is something that I plan on ordering again next year. I got a dozen apples, shared them with my grandchildren, but mostly I ate them myself. Oh my gosh, they were so good, cold and refreshing, and of course, they were good for me....fruit you know.
Well, I was bored tonight and just decided to write. No new revelation, no new news, no nostalgia, just kicking back with the laptop. Who knows, maybe in the next few days I will write again.
I love you all and Happy 2013!
Just as a matter of fun, here is a list of just things that I bought or learned or did this Christmas season.
1. I tried a new brand of makeup - Laura Geller - and I love it. For years the crevices in my face collected makeup and when I would happen to see myself in the mirror, I was appalled. So.......I just quit wearing makeup. I guess these days my eyes are so bad that I don't notice the collection of makeup in the Grand Canyons of my face.
2. I do not like goat cheese. I bought a Sam's Club size log and took one bite and decided it was not to dance on my tongue ever again. I found a recipe where you mix it with cream cheese which almost makes me want to see if there is better dance step out there........but NO, not goin' happen.
3. PJs - I got two new pairs of cotton knit PJs and I love them. Comfy and cute. I have been a nightgown lady, but there is something sophisticated about lounging around in a pair of cute PJs.
4. I only made a few Christmas candy and treats - fudge for Santa, Oklahoma Millionaires without the chocolate coating, and caramel popcorn which I sent home with the daughter today. I have to get this stuff out of my house. I failed to remember to give her the millionaires.
5. I found out my house has TOO much STUFF in it. Going to clean, clean, clean, clean in another couple of days. Goodwill here I come.
6. It is better to give than receive. I could elaborate on this, but why? It speaks for itself.
7. I have a new found appreciation of the cost of mailing packages. About a week before Christmas, the hubby and I drove across town around 9:00 a.m. On I40 we saw 13 UPS trucks leaving out for their various rounds. The one on our street had two employees and often were driving our streets at dusk. So.......I will pay that $7.98 shipping charge and will remember all the people employed by UPS.
8. I have discovered makeup again which directly relates to number 1. This season, I went to Ulta and Sephora probably 10 times and bought something each time, but for other people. No that vain. I don't remember having so much fun by myself. Then on Christmas Eve I went with my sister and had even more fun. Gosh, we are such girly girls.
9. Nobody gives out Christmas collectibles anymore. Remember when Arby's and Long John Silvers would give away a Coca-Cola Christmas glass or goblet?
10. We saw Home Alone and A Christmas Story on the big screen at Tinseltown. Yes, they brought back classic Christmas movies each Wednesday night during December. Whose clever idea was this? The theater was packed and it was a wonderful time with my grandchildren and although they had seen both of these movies many, many times and could recite the lines, just being there in that setting was great - and the popcorn wasn't bad either.
11. I didn't buy every gift from Sam's this year. I know......... Surprised even me. This year, I got them all from Ulta.
12. Chesapeake lights are wonderful; Nichols Hills lights are wonderful, but you know what I love more than those? Driving down street in the older part of Shawnee. Yes, if I see a house which has the old softer colored light around the inside of a picture window, it touches me. It always touches me if I see a little plastic nativity set on an otherwise dark street. The dark street, the quiet street, the cold air, and 5 little kids with their noses pressed to the car window, Christmas Eve.
13. I signed up to attend Weight Watchers meetings. Wedding to attend in April and with everybody else loosing weight, I am sort of motivated......sort of.
14. Something new for me was my QVC ordered Mrs. Prendables Chocolate and Sea Salt Toffee apples. I have never ordered any food item, but I fell prey to the QVC hustle. This is something that I plan on ordering again next year. I got a dozen apples, shared them with my grandchildren, but mostly I ate them myself. Oh my gosh, they were so good, cold and refreshing, and of course, they were good for me....fruit you know.
Well, I was bored tonight and just decided to write. No new revelation, no new news, no nostalgia, just kicking back with the laptop. Who knows, maybe in the next few days I will write again.
I love you all and Happy 2013!
Saturday, December 22, 2012
May God Bless You
There is nothing like a little Lawrence Welk show two days before Christmas to bring back lots of childhood memories. From the decorated trees to the little ones singing......whew......it takes you right back to 1960. Look at all the pretty clothes. That was a time when if you were on television, you dressed up. I would venture to say that there is not one tattoo on any of those people.....at least not visible; no nose rings, no caps on backward.......just a wonderful time. A time when people actually took pride in their appearance. And you could actually understand the lyrics to each song.
Tonight we went to visit my mother's sister, 97 year old Aunt Geneva. Oh, she was in rare form tonight talking about how good she had been and that Santa was coming. She went on to tell us the time when she first learned about Santa. Her story and in her words:
"That was the time when we lived in one-half of the house and Grandma and Grandpa Hobbs lived in the other. Daddy was working at the Prague Ford garage. We were loading the wagon (back in those days we didn't have a car, just a wagon and team) to go to the school Christmas tree. Back in those days, they took our gifts to the Christmas tree at the school. Santa came there. Grandma had us girls hang our stockings (I will never forget those black stockings) before we left because Santa Claus would come while we were gone. Grandma needed me to run back to the house for something and there I saw those stockings and there was something in them. Well, I knew that I sure didn't see no Santa. I knew that Santa wasn't going to come and us still there. I knew then what was up. I am sure Momma told me not to tell the others. I got an aluminum knife, fork, and spoon."
I may have written about the time I found out about Santa. If I did, sorry, I am going to write about it again. I was in the second grade. Our house had a walk through closet between the kids' bedroom and mom and dad's room (and all of us kids slept in one room, baby in mom and dad's room). That Christmas Eve I heard rumbling and rustling and my curiosity was really peaked. I couldn't stay in bed one minute longer.......Santa was about. Quietly, I moved those clothes aside and I got an up close and personal look at the goings on. There to my surprise (well, maybe not because at 7 years old, you begin to question a lot of things) was mom and dad displaying all those gifts. Disappointed? Not really. I felt kind of privileged to be in on the secret. That next day we were at Grandma Thompson's so I had to tell my much more savvy cousin my discovery. Guess what? She already knew. That same day I finally got enough nerve to tell Daddy what I had discovered. To my surprise he was cool with it, but he told me it was our secret and you know what, I never breathed a word to any of the others.
Aren't you glad that kids still believe in Santa? Ninety years ago, Santa came to Aunt Geneva. This year my grandsons, 5 and 8, will have a visit from Santa. Their stockings will be out and whether it is a black stocking (like Aunt Geneva's and mom's), or one of Daddy's socks (like mine was), or handmade with sequins (like my own children had), or a stocking purchased from a store (like my grandson's), Santa will find his way.
Merry Christmas everyone. My God's bless you and your family.
I love you.
Who knew that Grandpa Thompson worked for the Prague Ford garage? I will have to ask her more about that. Now for a little Andy Williams.............
Tonight we went to visit my mother's sister, 97 year old Aunt Geneva. Oh, she was in rare form tonight talking about how good she had been and that Santa was coming. She went on to tell us the time when she first learned about Santa. Her story and in her words:
"That was the time when we lived in one-half of the house and Grandma and Grandpa Hobbs lived in the other. Daddy was working at the Prague Ford garage. We were loading the wagon (back in those days we didn't have a car, just a wagon and team) to go to the school Christmas tree. Back in those days, they took our gifts to the Christmas tree at the school. Santa came there. Grandma had us girls hang our stockings (I will never forget those black stockings) before we left because Santa Claus would come while we were gone. Grandma needed me to run back to the house for something and there I saw those stockings and there was something in them. Well, I knew that I sure didn't see no Santa. I knew that Santa wasn't going to come and us still there. I knew then what was up. I am sure Momma told me not to tell the others. I got an aluminum knife, fork, and spoon."
I may have written about the time I found out about Santa. If I did, sorry, I am going to write about it again. I was in the second grade. Our house had a walk through closet between the kids' bedroom and mom and dad's room (and all of us kids slept in one room, baby in mom and dad's room). That Christmas Eve I heard rumbling and rustling and my curiosity was really peaked. I couldn't stay in bed one minute longer.......Santa was about. Quietly, I moved those clothes aside and I got an up close and personal look at the goings on. There to my surprise (well, maybe not because at 7 years old, you begin to question a lot of things) was mom and dad displaying all those gifts. Disappointed? Not really. I felt kind of privileged to be in on the secret. That next day we were at Grandma Thompson's so I had to tell my much more savvy cousin my discovery. Guess what? She already knew. That same day I finally got enough nerve to tell Daddy what I had discovered. To my surprise he was cool with it, but he told me it was our secret and you know what, I never breathed a word to any of the others.
Aren't you glad that kids still believe in Santa? Ninety years ago, Santa came to Aunt Geneva. This year my grandsons, 5 and 8, will have a visit from Santa. Their stockings will be out and whether it is a black stocking (like Aunt Geneva's and mom's), or one of Daddy's socks (like mine was), or handmade with sequins (like my own children had), or a stocking purchased from a store (like my grandson's), Santa will find his way.
Merry Christmas everyone. My God's bless you and your family.
I love you.
Who knew that Grandpa Thompson worked for the Prague Ford garage? I will have to ask her more about that. Now for a little Andy Williams.............
Thursday, December 20, 2012
And the Conversation Went Like This
Went to Cracker Barrel this morning and the conversation went something like this:
Me: I really worry about some very strange things.
Him: What are you worried about now?
Me: I woke up this morning worried that Santa was going to leave the boy's new basketball goal outside for the boys to find. I am afraid someone will steal it.
Him: Yes, that is really something to worry about. Have you thought to worry about the skunk that might find his way into the net and get trapped? Have you thought about worrying whether the wind would blow the goal over and kill the cat? Oh......and here's one you probably will really worry you. What if the boys do not have a basketball and what if Santa forgets to leave one? Huh? What good will a goal be without a ball?
Me: I want to call Santa, but maybe I shouldn't.
Him: Well, no, you shouldn't! Not only is it not your problem, it is none of your business. You really like to be in control...............of other people's lives............., but you cannot make a decision whether to make candy or not make candy, whether to have bacon or ham with your eggs, whether to wear a coat or not............... If only you could make decisions in your own life like you would like to control other peoples.
That gave me pause. I have a very clear understanding of other people's lives and can see the mistakes that are bound to happen and I should run in there and clear things up before they get even more messed up. I say this all in jest, but I do have a problem wanting to make everything right for everyone. Lately, I am beginning to see that I cannot make everything right. I cannot nor do I want to be in charge of your life despite how much I insert my opinion.
Maybe my New Year's resolution should be that I will let you live without me worrying.
I love all you and wish you a very Merry Christmas.
Me: I really worry about some very strange things.
Him: What are you worried about now?
Me: I woke up this morning worried that Santa was going to leave the boy's new basketball goal outside for the boys to find. I am afraid someone will steal it.
Him: Yes, that is really something to worry about. Have you thought to worry about the skunk that might find his way into the net and get trapped? Have you thought about worrying whether the wind would blow the goal over and kill the cat? Oh......and here's one you probably will really worry you. What if the boys do not have a basketball and what if Santa forgets to leave one? Huh? What good will a goal be without a ball?
Me: I want to call Santa, but maybe I shouldn't.
Him: Well, no, you shouldn't! Not only is it not your problem, it is none of your business. You really like to be in control...............of other people's lives............., but you cannot make a decision whether to make candy or not make candy, whether to have bacon or ham with your eggs, whether to wear a coat or not............... If only you could make decisions in your own life like you would like to control other peoples.
That gave me pause. I have a very clear understanding of other people's lives and can see the mistakes that are bound to happen and I should run in there and clear things up before they get even more messed up. I say this all in jest, but I do have a problem wanting to make everything right for everyone. Lately, I am beginning to see that I cannot make everything right. I cannot nor do I want to be in charge of your life despite how much I insert my opinion.
Maybe my New Year's resolution should be that I will let you live without me worrying.
I love all you and wish you a very Merry Christmas.
Thursday, December 6, 2012
Get Your Suit On
I was in Penney's today looking for a nice dress shirt and tie for a certain someone for Christmas. As I was searching stack after stack, and I noticed the shirts on the shelves against the wall, all neat and orderly. These shirts were placed on the shelves with the collars visible. I had one of my moments, my moment in time. I was right back in Shepherds Men's Wear in Shawnee, OK.
Back in the day, Shepherd's was the place for the best men's clothes in Shawnee. Christmas was always a good excuse to go in the store and "look around" and occasionally mom would buy a present for Grandpa Thompson or daddy....a nice shirt or a tie. As a child I was in awe of this store. I don't remember if they had music playing or not, but it was definitely quiet and we kids were on our best behavior. The smell was wonderful.......all the nice silk ties, the wool suits, the leather shoes and belts.....the smell of luxury. The salesmen.....oh the men that worked there..........wow, in the eyes of a preteen, the men were the most handsome men...in their suits and ties and starched white shirts. I was sure that someday, my husband would either be working there or wearing one of those suits. (And I would be working at Hamburger King or maybe I would be more "uptown" and work at Anthony's.)
I remember rows and rows of shelves stacked high as I could see with beautiful shirts, whites, pastels, and plaids, a veritable palette of color. All neatly stacked with only the collars visible............sense of order and neatness. Colors stacked together, shelf after shelf. There was no need to search to find the size for each little divided shelf held the same size. Same size, same color on the same shelf.
The rows of suites, the piles of neatly folded sweaters, the leather belts hung neatly, brown in this rack, black in this one; even pajamas. They had it all. It is no wonder I that wanted to buy my men's gifts there and that is exactly what I did, and the years I had a boyfriend, he got a sweater. That is what we bought our boyfriends back then, a sweater.
Stand alone men stores are few and far between now days, and when I do run across one, they are so expensive they fall off my financial radar. I long for the days when men tucked in their shirts. I long for those days when men wore suits. I long for the days when men dressed up, period! No tattoos, no piercings, no grungy baggy clothes, no stringy hair! I long for those simpler times when visiting a men's store was an experience. It was a place where dreams were made and aspirations began. Our life was ahead of us.
Let's go somewhere. Get your suit on.
I love you.
By the way, Shepherd's Men Wear is still in Shawnee. 116 E. Main Street. I may have to go there when we make our annual visit to Hamburger King's. My husband could write this same blog about Camp's Men's Wear in Conway, AR. Even though he was a city boy and I was a country girl, we seem to have lot of similar experiences.
Back in the day, Shepherd's was the place for the best men's clothes in Shawnee. Christmas was always a good excuse to go in the store and "look around" and occasionally mom would buy a present for Grandpa Thompson or daddy....a nice shirt or a tie. As a child I was in awe of this store. I don't remember if they had music playing or not, but it was definitely quiet and we kids were on our best behavior. The smell was wonderful.......all the nice silk ties, the wool suits, the leather shoes and belts.....the smell of luxury. The salesmen.....oh the men that worked there..........wow, in the eyes of a preteen, the men were the most handsome men...in their suits and ties and starched white shirts. I was sure that someday, my husband would either be working there or wearing one of those suits. (And I would be working at Hamburger King or maybe I would be more "uptown" and work at Anthony's.)
I remember rows and rows of shelves stacked high as I could see with beautiful shirts, whites, pastels, and plaids, a veritable palette of color. All neatly stacked with only the collars visible............sense of order and neatness. Colors stacked together, shelf after shelf. There was no need to search to find the size for each little divided shelf held the same size. Same size, same color on the same shelf.
The rows of suites, the piles of neatly folded sweaters, the leather belts hung neatly, brown in this rack, black in this one; even pajamas. They had it all. It is no wonder I that wanted to buy my men's gifts there and that is exactly what I did, and the years I had a boyfriend, he got a sweater. That is what we bought our boyfriends back then, a sweater.
Stand alone men stores are few and far between now days, and when I do run across one, they are so expensive they fall off my financial radar. I long for the days when men tucked in their shirts. I long for those days when men wore suits. I long for the days when men dressed up, period! No tattoos, no piercings, no grungy baggy clothes, no stringy hair! I long for those simpler times when visiting a men's store was an experience. It was a place where dreams were made and aspirations began. Our life was ahead of us.
Let's go somewhere. Get your suit on.
I love you.
By the way, Shepherd's Men Wear is still in Shawnee. 116 E. Main Street. I may have to go there when we make our annual visit to Hamburger King's. My husband could write this same blog about Camp's Men's Wear in Conway, AR. Even though he was a city boy and I was a country girl, we seem to have lot of similar experiences.
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
Special
I was rather quiet this morning as I often am when things just aren't right. Finally the hubby asked why and then I had to explain that I was stressed because I didn't know what to buy certain people on my list. Then we had the discussion about our wants versus our needs.
"I remember when we'd (folks in general) get that beautiful sweater that was only dreamt of. The beautiful pink angora (itchy) sweater. It was thrilling. It was "the" gift without ever being put on a "list of things to buy". It was unexpected. Now days, people might get a pretty sweater for Christmas, but then they might have bought themselves a couple in different colors just the week before when they were on sale. Nothing seems all that special anymore," I whined.
"Remember mom telling us how thrilled she was a child to get her sock of candy and nuts", my husband asked? He continued, "We could think of it as "how sad", but perhaps we should think of it as how blessed. She was happy, happy with her little stocking of candy and nuts." We both had to choke back emotion at this point. Then he said this: "We are fortunate that everyone we know personally, our relatives and our friends have all their needs fulfilled. It is not that way for a lot of people. We are blessed. Mom thought that candy was special."
My husband is a very insightful man and he helps keep me grounded on what is important and what is special.
The fact of the matter, none of the gift recipients on my list really need anything. Everyone that I know, in fact, is blessed with their needs and almost all of their wants. So with that in mind, my shopping just became easier. It just became special.
Memory: My dear mother-in-law told the story of the candy and nuts every Christmas. You know what, she always had a twinkle in her eye and a smile on her lips. There was never any bitterness that she didn't get a doll. In fact, she had a rock that she used as a doll. A rock... Think about her ingenuity of using a rock as a baby doll. She was so special.
I love you!!
"I remember when we'd (folks in general) get that beautiful sweater that was only dreamt of. The beautiful pink angora (itchy) sweater. It was thrilling. It was "the" gift without ever being put on a "list of things to buy". It was unexpected. Now days, people might get a pretty sweater for Christmas, but then they might have bought themselves a couple in different colors just the week before when they were on sale. Nothing seems all that special anymore," I whined.
"Remember mom telling us how thrilled she was a child to get her sock of candy and nuts", my husband asked? He continued, "We could think of it as "how sad", but perhaps we should think of it as how blessed. She was happy, happy with her little stocking of candy and nuts." We both had to choke back emotion at this point. Then he said this: "We are fortunate that everyone we know personally, our relatives and our friends have all their needs fulfilled. It is not that way for a lot of people. We are blessed. Mom thought that candy was special."
My husband is a very insightful man and he helps keep me grounded on what is important and what is special.
The fact of the matter, none of the gift recipients on my list really need anything. Everyone that I know, in fact, is blessed with their needs and almost all of their wants. So with that in mind, my shopping just became easier. It just became special.
Memory: My dear mother-in-law told the story of the candy and nuts every Christmas. You know what, she always had a twinkle in her eye and a smile on her lips. There was never any bitterness that she didn't get a doll. In fact, she had a rock that she used as a doll. A rock... Think about her ingenuity of using a rock as a baby doll. She was so special.
I love you!!
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