Hair....Or Lack Thereof

I have a constant battle with my hair.  Or, maybe I should say the growing lack of it.  I have always had very fine, straight hair.  It is the bane of my existence.  When I was younger, I wanted to have those beautiful heads of long and lush hair like the girls on the Herbal Essence commercials.  Full, long  hair. The body and bounce!  How I wanted that hair.  I, too, used Herbal Essence, but did my hair look like that?  NO!  I blow-dried, fluffed, curled, fluffed some more.......with no resemblance to those heads of hair.  I still fight this battle....except now my hair is thinning, too.  And, grey!  Fine, limp, flat, thin, straight, grey hair.  I am so lucky!!  So, now besides, drying, fluffing, curling and spraying, I have to color, too.  And, quite often! How is it that those roots show up after a couple of weeks, but my hair grew like a snail when I was younger and wanted those long, beautiful locks?  And, the length....should I go longer or should I go shorter?  Which way makes my face look thinner?  What is it, this obsession with hair?  Hey, just wondering....does anybody else out there still use hot rollers, or am I the only woman in America that can't live without them? If they ever grow extinct, I will be in big trouble.  I search garage sales for those last bastions of hope for us flat-haired gals. So, this battle with my hair will go on. I guess it could be way worse. Luckily, I still have the hot rollers and  I will say one positive thing about the thinning of the hair......I don't have to shave my legs as often.  Yes,  I will cling to that bright thought. 

More About the "Stuff"

Today, I was cleaning out some more clutter and came up with some more thoughts on STUFF. To put things in perspective, there have been these terrible tornadoes in large areas of our country this week.  All of those people that have lost their homes and all of their belongings.  It is sad, but not as sad as the loss of life.  All of the stuff doesn't mean a thing.  It can be replaced.  I know...what about the pictures and momentos that have been saved over a life-time?  They will be missed.  But, there is no loss like the loss of life that has taken place.  Makes you realize what is important.  Who wouldn't give up all of their stuff to have just a little more time with a loved one lost?  We Americans are kind of insatiable about our stuff.  The more we get, the more we want.  One thing leads to another.  I am guilty of this myself and I am in a constant battle to contain it.  To contain the wants vs. the needs and to contain the stuff in all of those boxes, baskets and bins.  I know that owning more stuff just means more to take care of.  More to repair.  More to clean.  More to dust. So, down with stuff!!!!  Less is more!  Repeat after me....less is more!  My new mantra.

Stuff

Have you ever noticed that your "stuff" seems to multiply?  Like rabbits?  I feel like I am fighting a constant battle against the stuff of life.  Does anyone else feel this way? You know, the things that come in the mail, the things that you buy and bring into the house. The things you just can't part with and  the things the kids dump on you when they move from one place to another. And, my kids are out of the house.  Those of you with children at home probably feel like the stuff is taking over your life. Now, I am not a hoarder, but things do seem to pile up. I think we all have a tolerance for things and clutter.  Mine is pretty small.  Cluttered house, cluttered mind.  When I feel like things are piling up and taking over, I start to lose my serenity.  My house is my sanctuary and when it feels overwhelming, my sense of peace and order goes.  I have a  constant cycle of binge-purge, but not with eating....
I go out and buy all kinds of things to control the clutter.   Baskets, boxes, bins......For a time, I seem to have the clutter under control and then I feel like all of those things that I bought to control the clutter are just more "stuff" in my house.  I have bought books on organizing and simplifying and  the book by Oprah's clutter guru....Peter Walsh's, Ten Ways to De-Clutter Your Home.  It works for a while, but eventually, even the books just seem to add to the stuff.  I have a couple of areas in my house that seem to collect piles.  Sometimes I move the stuff from one pile to another. For a few brief moments, I feel like I have conquered the clutter. I think most of you know what I am talking about.  I have spent the last couple of days cleaning out.....purging if you will.  It feels good.  But, soon, more stuff will come into the house.  Like I said .....it is a constant battle.  I may never win, but I will continue the good fight.

More on the Road Trip

So, I have more about the road trip I took with my dad.  Everyone should take a trip across the country like that at least once in their lives.  Me, I have done it many times.  Not any time recently, but when my sisters and I were younger, we used to do it every year with our Mom.   That was many years ago.  In fact, the last time I had done it, was oh....about 1976.  So, for me, this was a little nostalgic...this trip across I-80 from California to Michigan.  In case you are not familiar with it,  I-80 goes all the way across the country from Sea to Shining Sea.  From California, you go into Nevada.  Once past Reno..(the Biggest Little City on Earth), the road goes on forever and let me tell you, Nevada is a very God-forsaken place.  (my apologies to anyone from Nevada).  Soon, you are crossing the Great Salt Flats and into Utah. Once past Salt Lake City, it gets very hilly and beautiful and you are into Wyoming....another state that takes years to get across. Wyoming through Nebraska., Iowa, Illinois, Indiana....(my home state)...and then Michigan. All of those fields and pastures made me want to break out into "This land is your land, this land is my land". I was really looking forward to seeing how things had changed over the years.  Let me tell you something.  Not much has changed in the 35  years since I last took that trip.  In fact, I believe I saw some of the same old rusted vehicles up on blocks that were there 35 years ago.  Our first night, we stayed in Rock Springs, Wyoming.  Isn't that some kind of an oxymoron?  We ate at I-HOP.  Yes, I-HOP.  I had a 19 year old waitress call me honey. Rather charming. Now that is Americana for you!!  All of you Housewives of Orange County and New York, take a trip across the country and see how most of America lives.  It is a real eye-opener.  Many parts of this country are beautiful, but many others are a little sad.  So much land and so much poverty. Not to get all political again, but makes you realize why there is such a wide divide in this country......Kind of puts things in perspective.....makes you appreciate what you've got.  I recommend you give it a try............

Road Trip

I recently took a road trip with my 85 year old father.  It was 3 of the best days ever.  Let me explain.....My dad lives half of the year in California and half of the year in Michigan.  He and my mom used to make the trip to Michigan in May and back to California in October....every year.  Since my mom passed away over 15 years ago, my dad has been making that trip by himself.  Doesn't sound that radical until you find out that he makes the trip in 2 days.  Yes, two days.  That means he drives two days back to back of 1100 miles each.  Now that is crazy.  Not to mention, unsafe.  So, this year, I decided to make the trip with him.  First he told me that there would be no room in the car for me, that his car would be totally packed including the front seat with all of the stuff that he takes back and forth.  For  instance, condiments. He will not throw them away, so he takes them across the country with him.  I swear, some of those mustards and pickles have been across the country as many times as he has. Did I mention that he is an ex-marine?  Oh, and he lived through the depression, too?  Waste not, want not.  No throwing anything away....not even year old condiments.  Anyway, once I "convinced" him that he was not going alone, he found room for me. Nothing like trying to tell an 85 year old ex-marine what to do.  Anyway, we did the trip in 3 days and to be honest, I was exhausted.  First day...800 miles.  Second day....900 miles.  Third day...500 miles. And, he actually let me drive, too.  When he was driving, I needed my naps. When I was driving, he worked cross-word puzzles.  No napping for him......he wasn't tired.  Trying to prove a point are we?  I had to convince him to stop for meals.  "Dad....it's time to stop for lunch".  "I don't eat lunch"  he would say.  "Eat one of those protein bars that I have in that bag that has been across the country 47 times".  Anyway, we stopped to eat, and we stopped to sleep, and we actually stopped to use the potty. We had a great time.  He will never admit it, but I think he really enjoyed it, too. Come on, Dad....had to be better than doing it alone!!! That is 3 days that I will always treasure.

Flats are Back!!

Yahoo!  Flats are back.  Not that they ever went anywhere, but according to the latest fashion news, they are back.  Here, again, I am way ahead of everyone else.  I have been wearing nothing but flats for, oh, at least the last 20 years.  The last time I wore heels, I was a couple of decades younger. There is nothing more unattractive than an older, let's say mature woman, wobbling on high heels.  But one thing about being in the 50 something-ish range, is that you don't worry so much about what others are wearing and you go with what is comfortable.  I LOVE flat shoes.  I have a closet full.....and now I am vindicated.  Here is a quote from the Style section of our local newspaper.....

"Flats give you a chance to play....whether they are pointy at the toe or they're a Mary-Jane style, but personally, I would play with color.  Just a swath of color across the toe is an easier adjustment for the eye than  four inches of the same color on a heel.  Patent leather or embellishments make a daytime outfit, but for cocktail or evening looks, metallic leather is a must."

I am so stylish.....and way ahead of my time!!  Maybe I am almost a genius!  Now as soon as the other "flat" comes back in fashion, I will really be rocking it.  Finger's crossed.

More Decorating Tid-Bits

Ok....here is another one of my great finds.  I found this great shelving unit at a second hand shop in my town.  I think it was $45.00 and I got the guy to deliver it for another $10.00.  Pretty cool, huh? And this one, I didn't even re-paint.  Just saying....you don't have to have a lot of moola to change things up.  The clock is from Target and most of the accessories are from Homegoods.  If you don't have a Homegoods, try TJ Maxx or Marshalls.  Both great resources.......

More of The Middle

Has anyone else out there discovered one of the best kept secrets on television called The Middle?  It is on Wednesday nights at 8:00 Pacific Time on ABC.  It is hilarious.  If you want to feel better about your parenting skills or your life, watch The Middle.  I try and stay away from shows that make me feel less than adequate such as Grey's Anatomy.  Come on!  Those women are brilliant and beautiful doctors.  I like The Middle.  It is about a really ordinary family.....and I mean ordinary.  They live in Indiana....in the middle of the country.  They are middle class.  Their house is a disaster area and their parenting skills leave much to be desired.  But, they are just like the rest of us out there, trying their best to make ends meet and keep their kids on the right track.  Their daughter, Sue, has tried out for every team imaginable at school and finally makes the track team, because it is a "no-cut" sport.  Somehow, I relate to Sue.  Remember the substitute cheerleader story? Not to mention that I also grew up in Indiana.  Anyway, it is very funny.  It stars Patricia Heaton from Everybody Loves Raymond and the dorkiest kids you will ever see on TV.  Watch it, you won't be disappointed and you will feel great about yourself, too.

Decorating

I am not a decorator.  The truth is that I am a frustrated decorator wannabe.  I guess I have a little bit of talent in this area.....so, I have been told.  So, maybe I will add to my blog a few decorating tips and ideas for some of you other regular people out there. I am not above shopping at garage sales and The Salvation Army.  In fact, some of my favorite pieces have come from those two places.  For instance, I once went into The Salvation Army and saw this really cool, old buffet.  It used to be mahogany but was all scratched and banged up.  I got it for $40.00.  So, I brought it home and painted it black.  Then, I sandpapered the edges to give it a little bit of a worn look.  It turned out pretty well.  Pottery Barn, beware!!  It is one of my favorite pieces in my house and it was $40 and a little sweat equity.  I will attach a picture. There it is, behind the printed chairs I snagged from my sister before she threw them away. The moral of the story is that you do not have to have a lot of money to change things up.  So, get creative and get out to some garage sales!!! Reduce, Re-use and Recyle!!

Airplane Trips

So does anyone else remember when taking an airplane trip was a real treat?  I took my first plane trip when I was 16 years old, and boy was it a big deal!!  We were flying across the country for the holidays, and we girls were so excited. We got dressed up....yes, dressed up. Skirts, sweaters, knee hi's. Cute little carry-ons in tow that actually fit under the seat in front of us. Oh my goodness, it was the best thing ever.  And, then the plane ride itself...what an adventure.  Those meals........the cute little tray with all of the little condiments. Highlight of the trip!!!  Warm, damp towels before landing for freshening up.  Boy, are those days gone!  I have actually seen people flying in pajama bottoms!!  Not kidding.  Since when is it ok to wear pajamas in public, let alone on an airplane? And then, the carry ons.  People pushing and shoving and knocking people in the head to stuff a bag the size of Texas in the overhead bins.  Meals, gone. Service, gone. Comfort, gone. Space, gone.  Any semblance of order or decorum, gone!!  Boy, do I miss the old days.  Just saying.........

Fish Sticks

Ok....I have a love, hate affair with food.  I love to eat it and hate to prepare it.  I hate to plan meals, shop for groceries, think about what to fix for dinner every night.  It is such drudgery.  Don't get me wrong, once in a while, I will get the urge to be creative and cook.  And, we always have tried to sit down at the table together as a family.  But, oh, trying to come up with new ideas for dinner.  So, I have decided to take the pressure off myself  by serving fish sticks once a week.  Yes, Fish Sticks.  I try to put a vegetable with it.....like ketchup. Just kidding!!  I do try and make it a little healthy with the sides.....like a salad or vegetable.  But, boy it does take some of the pressure off........and, they are actually quite good. You should try them.......I don't think it will kill us, do you?  Hope not.

Taster's Choice

My husband and I drink Taster's Choice Coffee.  I hate to admit this, as it is kind of embarrassing in a country where there is a Starbucks or Peet's Coffee on every corner.  We have become a nation of Coffee Snobs!!!  No coffee is too good, or too expensive!   But, me, I like to wake up to the sound of the tea kettle whistling in the morning, and the smell of those Taster's Choice crystals dissolving in the boiling water. It makes me want to bound out of bed.  I am not kidding...sometimes that is the only thing that will get me up.  Not to bust anyone, but my two sisters drink Taster's Choice, too.  Our Mom did, and we grew up on it....once we were old enough to drink coffee.  I guess it is comfort food to us.  Don't tell anyone, but once when I forgot to make real coffee for company, I put Tasters Choice in my coffee maker pot and served it.  Nobody noticed....I don't think!!

JJ the Labradoodle

You are going to think I am making this up.....but, remember, Truth is Stranger than Fiction!!  We have a labradoodle named JJ.  He was the cutest puppy ever!!  Anyway, this is totally true.  When he was a little puppy, he actually ate 5 pairs of underwear at the same time; make that 6.  I do have to qualify that by saying that the one's he ate were my daughter's itty bitty underwear.  He threw them all up, except for one.......we couldn't believe it.  He started making those noices that dogs make when you know they are going to toss their cookies....(in this case, toss their panties).  Then, one, two. No way!!  Three, four, not happening!! Then five pairs all together. Unbelievable. The 6th one came out the other end.  It was miraculous.  I do have to say that if he had eaten my big momma panties, he would be dead.  Thank goodness for small miracles.

What Were We Thinking?

         I love this card.  Inside it says...."What were we thinking?"  Pretty much says it all. 

Teenagers

Remember when your kids were little and you couldn't get enough of them?  I do. I could have eaten those little girls up.  They were adorable and sweet and cuddly.  You could make things better for them with a hug and a cookie.  And, then they turn into teenagers.  I think teenagers are God's (or the Universe's) way of weening us off of our kids.  When they are little, there is no way you could ever imagine letting them leave your nest.  But, by the time they are ready to go to college, you can picture it, no problem.  You might even feel like nudging them out of the nest. And, they are ready to go. It is the way it is supposed to be.  They are not supposed to be with you forever.  Your job was to get them ready to fly. So, when they start making you a little crazy, remember, you have done your job.  They are asserting their independence. So, my two beautiful girls.....fly!!!! Just come home once in a while.

Therapy

So, I don't know if you have ever been to therapy?  I have, once or twice.....I was still trying to get over that being adopted from a tribe thing!  Anyway, no offense to any of you therapists out there.  I am sure you do a great job!  But, I am not convinced that sitting week after week hashing and re-hashing the same old stuff is that good for you. Get over it!  My idea of therapy is a daily walk with a couple of my good friends.  I can't tell you how many problems we solve on those daily walks.  We vent, we laugh, we commiserate, we support one another through rough times.  And, by doing so, we find we all have the same issues.  And, at the same time, we are getting some exercise! Dual purpose.......How can you beat that?   One thing, though....there has to be a Walking Code of Silence.  Anything said on our daily walks may not be repeated.  Give it a try.......I think you will love it!!

Elizabeth Taylor

The beloved Elizabeth Taylor passed away a couple of days ago. What a life that lady lived!  I heard on the news today that her funeral, which was held yesterday, started 15 minutes late.  That was because she had specified in her will that she wanted to be late to her own funeral. Now that is GENIUS!  Way to go out......that is a woman with spunk. May she rest in peace. 

Almost A Genius

I am Almost a Genius.  I know this to be true because I took one of those IQ tests on the Internet.  I was so excited with the results.  I AM smarter than I look! Told you so!  My husband had the gall to say to me...."Linda, if you were almost a genius, I think we would have known it by now".  Can you believe it?  He burst my bubble big time.  He is probably right. That level of brilliance would have most likely revealed itself before my mid-50's. You have heard of Dumbing Down?  I think those IQ tests do the opposite. Big bummer.

The Real Housewives of Orange County

Ok....so, what is up with these Housewives?  The ones from Orange County, New York, Palm Beach...you name it!! They are the REAL housewives?  Do they resemble anyone you know?  You have to be kidding!!!  Come to my town and I will show you some real housewifes!!! Women to admire and emulate.  Women that do the best that they can for their families, their friends, and in their communities. Women who support one another.  Not one of them has ever turned over a table, as far as I know!!  Really????  Just saying.......

Big White SUV

This is also a true story and will probably make a few of you feel better....remember Schadenfreude?  Has anybody out there ever gone to their car and tried to use their key-less remote to unlock the doors and find that the remote doesn't work?  You try and try and then you realize that you are at the wrong car?  (Well, a lot of cars do look alike these days.)  Anyway, I have not only done that, but I have gotten IN the wrong car before.  Why it was unlocked, I have no clue.  I was with my sister and we came out of a restaurant (I had not had a drop to drink, I swear).  We walked out and I got in the passenger side of her Big White SUV. Only, she didn't get in. Before I knew it, she was outside my window and her mouth was yappin'......I rolled down the window and she said....That is not my car!!!! Get out!!!!  We still laugh about that one. 

Just an aside.....this one worried me, so I asked my Neurologist friend if I might be getting Alzheimer's and he said that you will know you have Alzheimer's when you don't remember how to DRIVE a car....just saying.

Spelling

I used to be a pretty good speller. But, not so much any more. Please forgive me for any spelling errors.  I think that my spelling ability has gotten up and left the building along with my memory. I guess I just don't remember HOW to spell.  I sometimes make words up, too.  Just for affect. Or is it effect?  I don't recall.  I know, I know,  SPELL CHECK.  I will try to remember to use it.  Thanks for your patience.

Everybody's Crazy

My husband has this theory that if you know anybody well enough, you will find out they are crazy. Not literally crazy, but lets say, quirky. I think he might be right. Sometimes we play this little game....Name the most normal couple you know. We come up with someone and then we think, well, not so fast.....aren't they the ones who won't eat anything that has been homogenized, pasteurized, glutenized or any other IZED word.  Cross them off the list.  Then we come up with another couple.  Again, not so fast. Aren't they the ones who, you name it........fill in the blank. No offense to anyone out there, as I am quite sure we have been crossed off a few lists ourselves. See, the only people who are "normal" are the ones we don't know very well. We are all a little quirky. Think about it.

Truth Is Stanger Than Fiction

This is one of my favorite sayings.  It speaks to me.....I guess because I am a realist.  I could never get into the whole Romance Novel thing. Nor the Vampire craze. Hello, they are not REAL!! There are so many interesting things happening in the world for real.  If you don't think that Truth is Stranger than Fiction, then I just have one word for you...well, two words....Charlie Sheen.
I am just saying......

Dark Chocolate

Ok...have you ever noticed how there has been a huge surge in the popularity of dark chocolate?  Someone came out with the notion that dark chocolate is better for you than milk chocolate.  Some experts even claim that it has health benefits.....like heart health.  Hello people!!.....Not when it is covering ooey-gooey caramel or toffee that is 100% sugar and butter.  They are talking about the bitter kind of dark chocolate that you bake with.  Have you ever tasted that stuff? It is barely edible. You are not getting me to eat that stuff....why bother?  I have a better solution to finding the health benefits of chocolate.  My drug of choice is Peanut M & Ms.  I have somehow convinced myself that the tiny little peanut inside makes it ok for me to eat massive quantities of them....after all, aren't peanuts good for you?  Aren't they a good source of protein?  You will never get me to eat that bitter chocolate, but I do make concessions for Peanut M & Ms.

Unconditional Love

Have you ever noticed how you show your worst side to your loved ones and the people you are the closest too? I'm just saying.....you would never act that way in public or with friends or acquaintances.  I know you cannot be on your best behavior all of the time, but  I, for one, could probably try a little harder.  My family sees me at my worst....in the morning, stressed, tired, in the morning again. You name it. I guess that is unconditional love, and we take that for granted.  But, I will try and treat my loved ones the way I treat my friends and the way I like to be treated.  I will definitely work on this one. And, I could probably use a new robe, too.....it certainly wouldn't hurt.

Another Middle Child Story

So not only was I the middle child in a family of 3 girls, but I was also the only brunette.  My two sisters are blonds.  Well, I guess I should say that they used to be blonds.  Right now, it is pretty hard to tell what color anybody's hair is or was.   And, on top of it, I was the tallest.  Now, we do not come from a family of large people.....and I am the tallest at 5'5".  Not like I'm a giant.  But, my sisters are at least a couple of inches shorter than I am.  So, in photos, they always put me in the middle....this large, dark haired, gangly girl.  I looked like the BIG Girl.  They also used to tell me that I was adopted from a tribe somewhere.  Not nice!!  But, the truth is, I like my position in the family. I am perfectly situated.  It built character.  I am just where I want to be.....Just saying........

Middle Child

I am the middle child in a family of 3 girls.  Tell me that is not a tough spot?   I always tell people that I am in the middle between the Homecoming Queen and the Overachiever. (This is a compliment....they are both truly awesome).  It is true!! Don't get me wrong, I am not a total nobody, but one of my sisters was the Homecoming Queen and the other one is the Overachiever. On top of it, they were both cheerleaders, song girls, or whatever the highest ranking, most popular girls in the school were.  I was the "substitute cheerleader".  That meant that I had to go to every practice and learn every cheer just in case.  One lucky day in 8th grade, someone got sick and I actually got to cheer at a game.  Best day of my life!!!  And, I was damn good too,  if I do say so myself.  So, maybe my sister's school days are a big blur of one game after another.  But, I have that one special game to remember, in my mind forever, or until I get Alzheimer's........now how is that for making lemonade out of lemons?

Rogue Hairs

Ok....so back to the lighter stuff.........Have you ever noticed those rogue hairs on your face?  Anyone in the 50ish-about, age group will be able to relate.  Where do they come from?  They seem to come out of nowhere. You can look in the mirror one day and things seem to be ok, no signs of trouble anywhere.  Of course, this is without reading glasses on.  The next day, you can look again, and holy cow!!  A hair the size of  Texas is looking back at you.  Someone I know....not using names here.......has a chin whisker that she lies in wait for.  The minute she feels the stubble, out it goes.  Me, I get the super soft  and fine ones on my upper lip that you don't notice until they are brushing your lower lip or worse, your chin.  How embarrassing!! How long has that been there?  I will never know.....I had one growing out of my shoulder one time.....it was about 6 inches long. This is the honest to goodness truth. To this day, I have no idea where it came from and how it grew overnight. I think it was transplanted there.

Everything is not as it appears to be......

Have you ever noticed how it seems like everyone else is in a better place than you are?  They seem to be richer, smarter, prettier, more whatever.....(you name it)....than you are.  Well, don't believe it.  You know that couple down the block that looks like they have it all?  They could be in horrible debt, their marriage could be falling apart, their kids could be having issues.  Would they tell you?  No!! Of course not.  We all want everyone else to think that we have our stuff together.  But, truth be told, we are all in the same boat.  We all have issues....kids with issues, money issues, family issues.  No one is exempt.  No one gets a hall pass.  And, if someone tells you that their life is perfect, they are not being truthful.  The truth is that we are all struggling, all trying to do the best we can with whatever we have.  I am not trying to be a pessismist, but a realist.  The truth is, that I feel better when I know others have their struggles, too.  I feel way better!!  Put that in your bonnet.

World Peace

Ok...so now I am getting a little out there.  I will get back to the fun stuff soon.  I will also add pictures as soon as I figure out how to do that.  But, I just don't get this about the world.....WAR.....Anybody out there have the same thought?  I do not get the fighting over territories, countries, religions, etc.  Everyone just stay in their own spot...no moving!!!  If you have a country, don't try to take anyone elses. If it is not yours, you cannot have it. Share and be respectful of each other's space.  We learned this in kindergarten!  Maybe this is a juvenile way of looking at the world, but I just don't get the fighting in the world and the concept of war.  What a waste.  Can't we just talk it out?  I know, that is what President Obama thought, too, and look where we are.  I guess there is no easy answer to this one.   Just saying......again, Peace and Love.

COEXIST!

You know that bumper sticker that says, COEXIST?  I think I should get one for my car.  When I say that it is God's way, as previously mentioned in my blog, maybe I mean it is the Universe's Way.  I don't know.  Sometimes I don't really know what I believe.  I also don't care about what other's believe, per se.  I know that horrible atrocities have been performed in the name of religion. This has been true throughout history.  I get that.  I am not talking about those nut-jobs.  I am talking about anyone who wants to practice their religion privately and peacefully without pushing their beliefs onto others or squelching anyone else's freedom.  I don't care who, why or when you worship as long as it does not get in the way of anyone else's rights to do the same.  So, COEXIST.  Peace and love.

Reading Glasses

One thought leads to another....maybe I have AADD.  Anyway, now that I am 50ish,  my eyesight is just gone....I mean my close-up vision.  This is actually a blessing.  I think the eyesight thing is God's way of making us feel better about ourselves.  When I look in the mirror, I see this sort of fuzzy, diffuse person looking back at me.  I look pretty good.  My skin looks good, there is a healthy glow, I like what I see.  It does make putting on make-up a little challenging.  And then, HORRORS!!  I make the mistake of looking in the mirror with my glasses on, and OMG!!  Eyebrows in the wrong place, smudged eyeliner, too much blush.  Those damn lines and wrinkes, and that neck! So, I prefer to look at myself in the mirror without the reading glasses.  Someone please tell me, though, if I go out in public with lipstick all over my face.....thank you very much.

I Hate My Neck, Too

Love Nora Ephron!!  She wrote a book....I Hate My Neck.  I hate my neck, too.  It seems to be aging faster than the rest of me.  My sister's necks do not look this bad and they spent all of those years in the sun with me without sunscreen, too.  Thank god for turtlenecks!! And, black, I might add.  Nora Ephron wrote about sitting in the backseat of  a car behind the driver and seeing her neck in the rearview mirror, and being  horrified.  When I read that, I had an Ah-Ha moment.  I, too. have sat behind the driver and been horrified.  But, now I know it is the mirror!!  I might add this.....never, ever sit in the passenger seat and look at yourself in the sideview mirror.  Another horrifying experience.  They are not kidding when they say objects will look larger and closer than they appear.  Just saying.......

Creams and Lotions

Well, this thought came to mind.....Have you ever noticed how the manufacturers of all of those miraculous Skin Creams use 25 year olds on their commercials?  Heck yea, I will use your lotion if I can look like that, too!  Bring it on.  I love how these products can remove deep lines and wrinkles on a 25 year old. Put me on your commercial and lets see it work it's magic on some 55 year old wrinkles on a face that sunbathed for years without so much as a drop of sunscreen on it.  There's a challenge for you. Which reminds me, I am going to bring all of those products out from under my bathroom sink and start using them.  One at a time, I will use them up, and then I won't have to feel guilty any more for spending the money on them.

The Kardashians

Ok, so who are these people?  The afformentioned tools used for beauty enhancement have run-amuck with these people.  What do they do and why are they famous?  Have they ever heard the word, natural?  Sorry, Kardashians, to be picking on you.....I could name others.  But, my point is, are these the people we want our daughters to emulate?  Just saying......

Beautiful Girls

So, I don't know how this happened, exactly, but we have two beautiful daughters.  And, I mean gorgeous!! And, their friends are gorgeous, too.  And, THEIR friends.  Have you noticed how there are no unattractive girls out there anymore?  They have all of these "tools" at their disposal.  Teeth Whiteners, flat irons, curling irons, self-tanners, depilitories, you name it.  Boy, are they lucky!!  I wish we had all of that when we were younger.  I think we could choose from maybe two shampoos...Prell or Head and Shoulders for those of us with flakes.  I think I have maybe one old school picture that I would ever show anyone.  I somehow was having a good hair day.  I will have to dig that up.  I was cute, too....sort of.

Valentine's Day

So, thinking about Girl Scout cookies made me think of Valentine's Day.  Another one of those days that gives you license to eat chocolate.  There should be more of those!!  Anyway, for all of you out there who think they are losing their memory, here is one for you....Apparently, I gave my husband the same Valentine's card this year that I gave him last year.  How he remembered, I do not know.  It was a card with two old people on it with some kind of joke about memory loss....I really can't remember.  But, anyway, he says I  gave him the same card last year. He had to bring it to my attention.  I say at least I am consistent.  Just saying......

Girl Scout Cookies

Ok, so thank goodness Girlscout Cookie time is over. Well, in this household anyway. I guess it wouldn't be over if I ate Girlscout cookies like normal people do.  There would still be some in my pantry or my freezer where I place them hoping that I will eat them more slowly...like one or two at a time.  But, they are so darn good frozen!  I do not eat Girl Scout cookies....I inhale them. One leads to another and to another until the whole box is gone. By the way, is it just me or have the boxes gotten smaller?  My friend Karen says that one roll of Thin Mints is a serving.  I think she is right.  Anyway, thank God they are all gone, or I would have to eat them to get them out of the house.  And, right after Valentine's, which is right after the holidays.  Those damn Girlscouts. No offense intended to all of you Girlscouts out there. Just saying......

Schadenfreude

Ok, so maybe you have not heard this word before.  It is a German word and here is the definition........ Schadenfreude; satisfaction or pleasure felt at someone else's misfortune. Ok, so I mentioned in my previous blog that no one gets a hall pass, a get-out-of-jail-free card or any exemption from life's little bumps.  Not that I wish mayhem upon anyone....truly, I don't.  But, when I think that others are in the same boat as myself, I feel a little better.  That is Schadenfreude. I said a LITTLE better....not a lot.  Just saying.........

Have you ever noticed?

Hi....ok, not sure if anyone will be interested, but here goes.  I was out walking today...the first sunny day in a while and that song came into my head..."I can see clearly now, the rain is gone".  Suddenly I was gripped with one of those random thoughts that go through my head, and I thought,  Hey, I wonder if anybody else has ever noticed that?  I thought maybe I should start a blog.  It would be a blog for other people out there like me.  I am a mom who has two 20 something children...two girls.  I am at that stage of life where I have raised my kids, but am struggling to figure out my next role.  I have all of this supposed wisdom to impart, yet no one who wants to listen.  I talk to my friends, and a lot of them are in the same boat. They have sort of grown up kids, (that will be another topic for another day) yet are not done parenting.  And, they are dealing with aging parents, spouses, houses, and all of the other things that make up life.  Sometimes a little humor can help to get you over the rough spots and so, I hope to be a little support group for other women like myself.  Hopefully, we will find things in common and we can have a little laugh and a little cry.  And, maybe knowing that there are others out there like ourselves, will be a little bit of help.  I hope you will join me.