98...and the elevator still goes to the top floor!!

Mom and I are sitting in the living room on a Thursday afternoon watching the birds and thinking about the impending New Year. I am always seeking ways to keep her mind alert and active. Thinking about the Winter Olympics that will soon be a feature to look forward to, I said to her, "Mom, do you know what's coming up after the first of the year?"

To which she replied, "The second!"

And then a half an hour later, I asked her if her nose was cold...because mine was cold. She touched her nose and said, "Well, yes it is! Isn't it supposed to be cold on the outside-not inside? Maybe we are sitting on the wrong side of the window!"

Fa la la la la....la la la la!

Overnight visits with my brother, son, and my grand pup... border collie-lab ADHH...attention deficit hyperactive Hank! He provided entertainment 'a la squeaky toy' with everyone who would pay attention...and even when the world was tired and snoozing in chairs, he was still squeeking out a song! He is a beautiful, gentle giant with a shiny coat and a free spirit who smiles with his eyes, 'Play with me!' Loved by everyone except Grace who didn't want to play[her loss] and the cat with great big eyes hiding behind the couch.
My mother...my brother...my son...my grandpup.
Dinner for four was at home in the dining room [ made Mom very happy] with the food supplied by a local restaurant where the food is delicious which made everyone's dining experience a tasty one.
The best part of Christmas: hugs!
And there you have it!

Acapella...Sing! Sing a song! Sing it loud! Sing it strong!!

As I watch the television finale of the 'The Sing Off', I am very impressed with the diversity of groups singing beautiful harmony unaccompanied by any musical instruments. And it brings back a college memory which was quite a unique experience. There was a yearly competition among all of the sororities and fraternities called 'Greek Sing'. Given a certain amount of time which I think was 10 minutes, every group created their best masterpiece which was scored by a point system for music, choreography, costumes, spirit, etc. You were granted more points when the presentation was sung unaccompanied by musical instruments..
So, we arranged a glorious patriotic medley of all of the Armed Forces' songs in three part harmony. We made our own red, white, and blue outfits, and practiced many, many hours on weekends in preparation for the big event. Led by our president Phyllis facing us, we were allowed three notes from a piano for the different groups 'to get their particular pitch'. As we faced the packed audience of fellow contestants, we were confident and smiling...ready to impress everyone. We had it solid! The hours of work put into this endeavor were about to take the winning trophy. Phyllis gave the nod to Angie who had taken piano lessons for years, who then walked to the piano and played three notes. plink, plink, plunk. And immediately, we who were facing the audience kept on smiling at Phyllis's frozen's face...of shock looking back at us. We all knew that they were NOT the correct notes. Oh my God!! It was unbelievable! Altos, sopranos,...everyone tried to summon their own note from memory. Phyllis's arms were raised, she gave us the 1-2-3-4...And we began.

"Off we go into the wild blue yonder...flying high ...

Well, it was a wild sound surely to secure last place for us. And then after about 20 seconds [of ' would the floor please just open up and swallow us up]...Phyllis gave us a signal to stop because she had made the executive decision to 'start over'. We would take penalty points for a 'false start', but...holy mackerel....it was the only way to proceed.

For the second time, the nod was given to Angie to go play the three notes designed to put everyone in tune. 'Come on Angie...you have the power...We know you can do it.

plink, plink, plink.

Our fearless leader's arms went up a second time, a great big smile lit up her face, and...1-2-3-4-

"Off we go into the wild blue yonder...It was as it should be... blended perfection! Wahoo!!!

Our second medley was a satire about college life where we changed the lyrics of pop songs to make jokes and highlight the fun and foibles of college life. The hundreds of the Greek organizations' members were now looking, listening, and howling at our creative spoof. We received a standing ovation- what an amazing sight and sound....certainly a much better feeling than the adrenalin rush of everyone singing in God knows what key...scale...whatever!!

We did not win the first place honor in the competition, but.....

We did win "The Spirit Trophy!!!"

And that was the 'pi-ece de resistance'.

I think that after a couple of days, we were mostly remembered for our dazzling performance, and our 'spirit'. As for the group of scared stiff performers about to break out a new sound never heard before....well,

We will recall the low point[of embarrassment] followed by the the high point[of the standing ovation from our competing peers'].

We will never forget it!!!

There's a lot to be said for 'spirit'!

A Double Vision...Surprise!!!

I was volunteering at the hospital doing my usual routine. I welcome people to the 'one day surgery' unit and let the staff know when patients arrive for their procedure. They approach a sign-in area that is about four feet high and I am seated at a desk facing them. Can you imagine how unique it was...to look up and see a pair of not quite five feet tall...81 year old women... identical twins' heads smiling back at me!!! I was almost speechless, and yet it was so great to see them. And chat with them. 81 year old twins!!
You just never know what life will present to you on any given day. Aint it grand???
As Mom would have said it, "Two old birds...out and about!"

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly.

It's been a week of recovery...from respiratory stuff, lack of sleep, and wintery weather. Florence has had the respiratory issue which started the cycle where she is wide-eyed and awake at night, talks alot, and can't seem to 'shut those peepers'! And as cause and effect would have it, this meant that I also was along for that ride on our 'bunking built for two.' There was coughing and wheezing, pills and nebulizer treatments, and then the first 'bad weather' blew in. Feeling that I really had little control over very much, somehow these words flew from my mouth ...directions to my hair dresser,

"I need a change... something different...a 'new do'. Not just a trim. A haircut!"

I was ready for anything, and a haircut was 'do'able! Haha. I have had hair cuts where combined with my face, I have resembled Ruth Buzzi,[in the early 80's], Arnie's secretary on LA Law [years ago], Billie Jean King the tennis player who beat Bobby Riggs, and now once again, "Ollie' with the oval face and short hair! So, what's up, Ollie?

It is a no fuss haircut, it's a change, and I like it.

I am currently reading Mitch Albom's book, "Have a Little Faith" and like his other books, there's something in there for me. I would recommend it regardless of any religious affiliation. I was reminded of the book as this scenario developed:

Last night as Flo was tucked into bed, I noticed it felt kind of chilly in the bedroom where the thermostat was set at 72 and the room registered a 68. The abridged version of the next 2 hours goes like this:

Called the furnace service that delivers my oil. I have a contract with them.

They came out and bled the air out of the system, changed some part, and left.

They came back 30 minutes later when I could not get the furnace to kick on...the bedroom was still a little nippy.

As I waited for the furnace issue to be resolved, I turned on the TV, and it may be that everyone's watching cable...but not me!!! Now, my cable wasn't working. Well, hell's bells!

I know better than to ask, "What's next?"

I'll tell you what's next.

I'm gonna 'have a little faith'...real soon..

sipping an exotic drink with a decorative umbrella popping out of the crushed ice...while having a massage...somewhere on a beautiful tropical island!!

Details to follow!!

Things are a-popping!!

The Popcorn Factory sells a variety of treats, and a 25 day snack countdown to Christmas is both colorful and tasty. Each day has goodies wrapped in plastic and a puzzle is on the bottom side of each little box. I had one delivered to my mom as a daily activity...something interesting to look forward to...keep track of...sounds lovely, right? Well, getting each little box out of its space is next to impossible!! And then to get the top off of the box is difficult, too. Yesterday was Day 9, and after 8 days of aggravation, I just had to give it some added force to get that sucker out of its 'bonded nest'. I leaned it forward a tad, and the equivalent of 52 card pick-up flew everywhere into Flo's lap and onto the floor! Twenty-five little numbered boxes tumbled out, and putting them back into the box in order was cause for laughter and wild words simultaneously! Whew! The treats are fun, but you really have to have a whole bunch of patience.

Another focal point of patience [and also well worth the wait] are the amarylis and paperwhites that are planted and growing in the living room. Mother Nature's treats are awesome! There are also some container bulbs on the front porch which will alert us to the beginning of spring!! They are alongside the 'barren booberries' and 'stolen strawberry' plants that are wintering on the porch instead of the garage this year.

The birdfeeders outside the picture window are a 'feathered feeding frenzy' and at the moment we are winning the war with the squirrels. That could change at any moment, though!

And there you have it! A short summary of what we have our eyes on as we take 'one day at a time'. We are still looking for some deer to grace the landscape. Wahoo!

Mellow Yellow... Socks Rock!

Feeling a little blue? Need a lift?

A little background first...

When I was in college, not only did I learn about life from the courses that I took, but also from the newly formed friendships that resulted from spending time together... especially during the summers at the Jersey shore!! One of my 'sisters' [Sigma Kappa Phi] had her own personal formula for chasing the blues away. Kathy called it "Happy Food." What was it?

It was toasted pound cake with vanilla ice cream. It never varied in any way. Always pound cake that you toasted and then put vanilla ice cream on the top...'happy food'.

Well, now I have begun a newer version and you can get right in step: happy feet.

Happenstance: While shopping and always on the lookout for socks that are easy on/ easy off with loose tops that will not leave marks on my mother's legs, I noticed 'Bonnie Doon' crew socks on the rack. What a blast from the past! We had to wear 'Bonnie Doon' grey knee -hi socks as a part of our high school uniforms. I had not thought about them in forty [!!] years! They are everything I was looking for as well as they were yellow!! [the color of sunshine: bright and cheery]. I bought all of them. And sent a pair to my high school friend as a 'happy-gram' [ a surprise with no calories that can be put into service more than once].

I wrote, "When things are lookin' down, put your yellow socks on, and things will be lookin' brighter!"

I just mailed a pair to my niece who is on a business trip and is working away from her family and sounding sad. When she gets home, they'll be there!

Yesterday as I was still trying to get Mom healthy[ she's had a respiratory thing going on], I put on my yellow striped socks to keep me smiling and awake. 'Cause when she wakes up four times during the night, so do I, and I needed a lift: yellow socks!

Try it. You'll like it!

Works for me.

Get going. Put them on your shopping list. Put your best foot forward. Give them out for Christmas!

Spread some sunshine. You'll see the light.

Yellow socks rock!

Ring- ring-a -ling!

Today was my annual 'Red Kettle' event. The Retired Teachers' Association volunteers two people[at a time] for a two hour shift , and today it was at our local mall. It has become a yearly tradition to schedule a spot with 'Holy Communion Helen'[ my mom's nickname for her], and it is actually a good time. Helen and I taught together, and we both can be a bit entertaining without trying. After my first stint a couple of years ago where I froze while realizing that I had some difficulty standing for two hours, I got smarter. So now I bring my [turquoise] walker that doubles as a seat and have 'way more fun' sitting through the experience as we joke and talk and thank people for their donations. It was a pleasant surprise to see how many shoppers shared their change as well as paper money with The Salvation Army's cause. Maybe the economy has hit close to home, and people are willing to help out those who are in more dire straits. Some have no job, no health care, no reason to be particularly hopeful that better times are in their future... All the while listening to some [???] expressing that all they really need to do is to 'pull themselves up by their bootstraps' ! It's just not as easy as that.

On a lighter note, we decided to move inside the double doors because two hours seem much longer when you are in the wind and/or chilly outdoors. Helen took my bag of ' donated books' to the exact location in the mall that collects them all year long for a GIANT book fare in July. And when she came back...she acted surprised that there was a box of Gertrude Hawk Peanut Butter Smidgies in her hand!! They must have flown into her hands when she passed the store. Wahoo! I went to the Pepsi machine and got us each a drink. When did it go up to $1.25 for a soda??? Imagine the mixed message to our body...the best in chocolates [ a gazillion calories...actually 4 pieces were 245 calories] and a diet-Pepsi chaser. Helen was tossing the bell into the air and trying to catch it by the handle. To which I said, "Hey oh Science Guru!! There must be a scientific reason it isn't happening very often."

And she began explaining, " Actually, the bell's bottom is..."

"Huh? [I'm laughing] :You decide how to explain that the bell went sailing through the double doors!!!" Imagine the headline: Retired Teachers Shatter Mall Doors as they Red Kettle Sit!!

We had many, many laughs...quite often recalling the funnier experiences that we had as teammates over the years. It was a good two hours. And people put dollar bills in the Red Kettle! It has to make me think that maybe they were counting their blessings as they made a donation for those more in need of basic life help.

So when you pass those annoying [Helen] bell ringers, think of me [ not as heavy handed with my bell] and be a part of those who are helping others who could certainly use it!!

And the Gertrude Hawk chocolate...oh yeah...I would recommend it!! Mmm-mm!

Let's get together...yeah! yeah! yeah!

Just wanted to remind people that the current full moon is the first one of December, and the full moon on Dec 31 will be the second one within the same month....making it a 'blue moon.'

After visits from my BFF from high school, my brother, and my son within the span of a 'holiday' week, Flo and I have caught someone's cold. Her voice has dropped a couple of octaves and she sounds like Lauren Bacall! . And at 3 AM, as the full moon was shining into the bedroom's skylights and we were both awake, there we were again gazing at the full moon in the middle of the night. It was a beautiful thing!

Today was a planned shopping trip to my favorite store with three retired [teacher] friends. We have all known each other for 30+ years, and it was a grand time followed by a lots of conversation over lunch. Fun!! And since I didn't drive, it was all about chatting and observing the scenery. Again, fun!

I used to carpool with Mary, and we were both 'with child' at the same time. My 'due date' was June 20, and Mary's was July 13th[ I think]. After a hard day's work with the school kids, we stopped for an ice cream cone every day on the way home. Well, my son arrived at 12:57 AM on June 25 [ 5 days overdue], and Mary's son was born at 11 PM on June 25th [almost three weeks early!]. We were in the hospital at the same time, and our sons share the same birthday! Far out!!
Debbie and I team taught in the same school and grade, as well as struggled through graduate classes together nights, weekends, and summer times [while also teaching full time]. Lots of memories and stories there. And it was to Debbie's wedding... that was the very first outing that both Mary and I [and spouses] went to after our 'D Day'...that would be that 'delivery day' on June 25th!!

And Lora...We worked in the same building, and her older son is pretty close in age to mine[and Mary's]. Lora and I dealt with the same principals, school functions, and life. We are currently playing several Scrabble games online, and it sure is fun!! We are learning new words...our favorite being...'oot'!![ my word...but disbelieving Lora tracked down its meanings!]

So it was a very easy day. Four friends. .. Shopping. Eating. Laughing. And planning another adventure in January.