Happy Holidays

It's that time of year where posts, ostensibly by "good Christians" are appearing on Facebook entreating people to not say Happy Holidays this time of year.  Evidently the use of the phrase is part of the "war on Christmas," whatever the heck that is. To the people making these posts I say Bah Humbug!

The use of the phrase Happy Holidays started in the 1890s.  Yes, those redoubtable Victorians who wholeheartedly embraced the Christmas season we celebrate today (minus Black Friday and Cyber Monday) used Happy Holidays throughout the entire Christmas Season.  The phrase was made more popular with the Irving Berlin Song and the movie Holiday Inn.  It picked up traction in the 1970s.

Between Thanksgiving and 12th Night or Epiphany there are a plethora of holidays.  In no particular order to the calendar here are just a few:  Thanksgiving, Advent, Bodhi Day, St. Nicholas Day, Our Lady of Guadalupe, St. Lucia's Day, Christmas Day, Boxing Day (St. Stephens Day), Pancha Ganapat, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, the Yule, New Year's Eve, Hogmanay, New Year's Day. I know there are holidays I left out, but I'm sure you get my drift.

So, to the people who get on their collective high horses about the use of Happy Holidays vs. Merry Christmas, I say "get over your collective selves"! And, be glad you live where you can freely say Merry Christmas, Seasons Greetings, Happy Holidays, Good Yule, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanzaa, or nothing at all.

Happy Holidays!!!

A Small Rant

When did it become acceptable for a bride and groom to send a cheesy photo of themselves holding signs that say "thank you" instead of writing thank you notes?  I recently saw one of these photos and was disgusted by the lack of good manners.

Were I to ask either the bride or the groom (neither of whom I know) why they couldn't be bothered to write thank you notes, I probably would have been told they are just "too busy".  Too busy? Seriously?

Were the people who received the invitations to your wedding "too busy" to open them?

Were the people who sent RSVPs "too busy" to put them in the mail?

Were the people who bought gifts or wrote a check "too busy" to do this for you?

Were the people who came from out of town "too busy" to travel to your wedding?

Everyone who attended your wedding has a life.  They have jobs, routines, responsibilities, and things to do - and yet, they set aside time out of their lives to attend your wedding. They could have been doing other things or even just enjoying downtime; but they got dressed up, left their homes, and went to your wedding.

And you repay them by sending a "thank you" photo. You should be ashamed of yourselves.  While sending these pictures may be considered "cute" or "trendy" by some, the majority of people who receive them think you are just lazy.  And they wonder, do you even know what they gave to you? And they also may wonder why they wasted the time and money to attend your wedding when you obviously thought so little of them you couldn't even be bothered to write a thank you note.

Shame. On. You.

The Heavens

This evening "D" called me to the kitchen to look out the windows at the moon. She was a beautiful and bright crescent. We both went out onto the deck to take photos, but nothing I took came out well. Since it was so clear and lovely I sat out for a while watching the sky.

There were so many stars winking at me it made me smile the entire time I was out there. I know there were planets in and among the stars, also a plane or two went by very high up, possibly a satellite as well. And, always UFOs!  But the nice aliens, not the ones to want take over our planet.

As I watched the night sky I thought about how alone we are. We sit on this little blue rock in the vastness of our galaxy, not to mention the universe, and all we do is fight. And hate. And become so incredibly ugly. Why?

I get caught up in all this nonsense at times, writing in anger or disgust over things others post online. When I surface from these ugly conversations, not wanting to ingest any more of the bile that is spewed, I wonder why I let myself get drawn into these things. Human nature? I do believe I am better than this. I know I was raised better than this.

This rock,the third rock from the sun, is all we have. And we are all we have. The worse enemy of any one of us, when cut, will bleed the same colour blood that I do. This enemy has the same organs that I do. But, this enemy has decided to hate me because of my __________(fill in the blank). And when my enemy or I die that's it for us. We're done. Finished. Through. All the time we wasted in hating has done nothing. We hate out of fear, or anger, or ignorance. Why?  I don't want to hate anyone, not even my worst enemy. Hate, for me, is a dead-end street. I'm not excusing all the vile things that are done by vile people. I'm not some sort Pollyanna or trying for sainthood. I'm saying that in my own very small way I am choosing, for whatever time I have left on this blue rock hurtling through space, that I am going to try my level best to be a nice person. That's it - just be nice.

Some days will be harder than others. I will, at times, probably show my middle finger to drivers who do insanely stupid things that nearly cause an accident. I will probably still yell at politicians in their 30second sound bites when they say something I find egregiously stupid. I will still get irritated over things too numerous to discuss. But, in all of this, I am still going to try to be nice. I'm not going to allow myself to get caught up in conversations online or in person that, in the end, can only cause harm to my well-being. I am not going to get caught up in all the drama that most people call "real life".

And when I falter, I am going to go back out on my deck and allow the moon and the night sky restore me to my better self.

Spirituality and Good Food

Recently I had the opportunity to go back to my home town in Ohio.  I had forgotten how beautiful it can be in autumn.  The trees weren't at peak but while I was there the temps dropped and there was some rain and then the colours were in full force everywhere. While I have seen beautiful autumns in various places around the country there is something about autumn where I grew up that tugs at my heart and fills me with joy.

While at home I had breakfast with a very dear friend.  We met at a restaurant called Der Dutchman.  I had heard of this restaurant but had never eaten there.  It's in Plain City, OH.  Plain City, surrounded by farms, once had a thriving Amish community.  As I was ambling, for I felt no urge to speed, down a two-lane highway I marveled at the neatness of the farms some still with corn stalks in their fields.  But there was a cleanness to their lines that shone against the blue sky. I know that farming is hard work, and I believe it is a calling as well. 

As I drove past these farms I thought about values that are taught in rural areas.  Like the value of hard work or of keeping promises.  And a strong and quiet belief in God.  Why has this gone so out of style? It seems these days that so many people prate on and on about what good Christians they are. The worst offenders are politicians.  But next to them are televangelists and preachers at the so-called mega churches.  I look at them with a great amount of mistrust because I don't feel they "walk the walk".  

I have always believed that a strong quiet faith in which a person is not exhorting other for money or votes or browbeating others to convert to "the only true faith" is the way to live. It is the people of this strong and quiet faith, in any religion, who do the most good in the world because they work the hardest at their faith.  They're not perfect, they probably falter more than we would ever know, but they're not crying on TV about their missteps.  They pray, ask for guidance, and continue working.  I think this sort of faith has gone out of style.  It isn't flashy, it isn't newsworthy, and it isn't easy.  But, for me, it makes sense and it's how I wish to live. I'm not a regular church goer and I do, at times, beat myself up over it.  I know of several Episcopal churches near me but getting out the door is so difficult, or rather I make it difficult. But I keep persevering in my belief that I will make it sooner rather than later. Even if I were a regular church goer I wouldn't talk about it much, I wouldn't put "Jesus" bumper stickers on my car or constantly post on Faceboook about what a good Christian I am. I always feel people like that are trying to impress others while at the same time convincing themselves of their goodness and superiority. 

When I came back home I was running some errands one afternoon and I was filled, again, with great joy, for I felt that I have an embarrassment of riches. I had some groceries along with new underwear (a necessity at times) in my trunk and new books to read at home plus a couple I had just gotten at the library.  This feeling is still persisting and it's so joyous and hopeful. 

What has all of this to do with good food.  Well, it's about the Der Dutchman restaurant.  They are a small chain in Ohio with one restaurant in Florida, the link is below.  It is simple, plain food.  And it is delicious.  It was one of the best breakfasts I have ever had.  Everything was fresh, there was nothing processed or pre-made and reheated, and I enjoyed every single bite.  Well, except for the fried cornmeal mush my friend ordered for me, I just didn't like it.  I don't like corn fritters or grits either.  Just a personal taste.  If you ever get the chance to go to a Der Dutchman restaurant do it, it's worth the drive, even to go a bit out of your way.  Take the time to enjoy a good meal, it's a good place to relax and you will enjoy every bite.  And maybe while you're driving there you'll find some peace and joy and enjoy the beauty of the earth and sky.

http://www.dhgroup.com/en/seg/restaurants.php 

A Binge. A Purge. A Fast

No, this isn't about some weird new weight loss program involving beet juice and bean curd - ewwww. This is about a change in my life and more importantly in my thinking.  I really, really like to shop.  And given my present income that's not a smart thing to do.  So, I am going to fast, but first.....

The binge:  I went on a mammoth shopping spree that started in 2007 and didn't really end until now. I won't go into the reason I started on this path, but I went on it full tilt.  I bought clothes, shoes, jewelry, purses, and then bought more of the same. I bought things I didn't like that I ended up returning or giving away.  And I didn't buy inexpensive items, I went to stores where they fawned all over me, stroking my ego until I bought something. I even bought a Volvo.  Almost all of that stuff is now gone.  And that's where the purge begins.

Since we moved here I've been systematically getting rid of things.  I've sold all of the expensive jewelry.  I don't miss it - well that's not true - I wish I hadn't sold one piece, but it was necessary. I gave the Volvo back to the bank.  I consigned a lot of my clothing, but I also would keep buying things.  I had my walk-in closet and half of the walk-in closet in the guest room full of clothing - a good part of which I never wore.  I had two dressers full of clothes.  At least four huge storage bags full of clothes.  And then there were the purses.  Most of the designer purses are gone - either consigned or sold on ebay.  Again, I don't miss them.

But starting in this past August the real purge began.  I went through everything.  I was ruthless in culling my wardrobe.  A lot of items went to charity, a few went to consignment, and a very small amount got tossed.  I am now down to one closet and one dresser.  There are still two storage bags, but the clothing is seasonal.  I can't even begin to write about how good it felt to get rid of all these items.  I didn't realize it at the time but all of this "stuff" was weighing me down. I was surrounded by so much I didn't need or want.  And now to the fast....

I've been reading a newsletter about a minimalist lifestyle. One article I read really stuck with me, it was about going on a shopping fast.  Specifically shopping for clothing.  Such a great concept.  So as of the beginning of October I am on a shopping fast.  My goal is to not buy any new items of apparel.  None.  Zip. Nada.  However, there are one or two caveats.  Underwear -sort of essential, so I will allow that and my favorite pair of New Balance shoes will not last another year, and I wear these a lot - especially in the colder weather.  I will have to replace those.  But nothing else, I hope to expand this fast to include purses - that's a tough one because I really, really, really like purses!

And, if I just have to have something new....I have a large dresser drawer full of fabric and a sewing machine. I used to be a good seamstress, so I need to dust off those skills because that is the only way I will get any new clothing!

I think this will be difficult at times, but in the long run it is a challenge worth taking.

Shoes

Now with a title like that most women are all atwitter! We are characterized as shoe crazy, but that's because shoes make us crazy!

Why do they make us crazy?  Too short. Too long. Heels too high. Heels to low. Too cheap. Too expensive. Too trendy. Not trendy enough. Wrong colour. Out of stock. Our "frenemy" bought the same pair. Too sexy. Not sexy enough. On and on it goes.

My problem with shoes is different. I don't care about trends. I don't wear heels - nor do I want to. I can't find nice, reasonably priced shoes that have a lot of support and are orthotic friendly.

Type orthotic friendly shoes into any search engine and it's amazing what comes up. Sneakers, or if you prefer, athletic shoes. You might get oxfords, which can sometimes be cute - but try putting an orthotic in them. Lace-up boots can work, but they don't work with some outfits.

Is it so difficult for shoe manufacturers to design a shoe that is pretty, can be worn with a dress or skirt, that I can wear with my orthotic. Oh, and offers good support.

The answer is a resounding NO!  I've been to those stores in the mall that supposedly have shoes that will work with orthotics. I've been to department stores that carry "specialty shoes". What's special about them is the price!!

So I wear my sneaks most everywhere. And I own one of black and one pair of brown oxford-type shoes that I can wear, with slacks, when a bit more refined apparel is required. I order shoes or boots that look promising, only to return them. D shakes his head at that, but this a man who owns two pairs of shoes. Sadly the boots I showed on a previous blog are going back. No support at all and they made my feet look like they were twice as long as they are. Seriously?  Who wants that?  Ok, maybe some people do, but it's not for me.

It's sad. I have some lovely skirts and dresses I'd like to wear if only shoe manufacturers could quit designing shoes with stratospheric heels all the time and make the perfect shoe - for me. Is that asking too much?

What I did on Saturday

Today was a really good day. The weather was beautiful and the sun was shining. Perfect day to go take care of shopping for an item that for some women, while not quite a nightmare (some say that designation is reserved for bathing suits), certainly can be a chore.  I'm talking about shopping for bras.

It's been quite a while since I was last measured and about that long since I bought any new bras. And, trust me, they were needed. So I went to Lane Bryant. Since I am a plus-size woman I knew I would find the most variety in sizes and styles there.

First I got measured. Lo and behold my bra size had changed. Which, if you think about it, makes sense. Our bodies go through all sorts of changes - we gain weight, we lose weight, we gain or lose some more. We have children, we go through menopause, we get older. I had the most helpful clerk, I told her I prefer cotton so she pulled several cotton bras and talked me into trying on one that wasn't cotton.

WOW!!!!  The new size made such a difference. The girls were situated where they belong and lookin' good!  The only downside was the price. While Lane Bryant is currently having a 'Buy Two - Get One Free' promotion they were still a bit out of my price range today.  But, not all was lost - there was a rack with all the bras priced at $16.99. The clerk went through the rack and found several in my size. AND, they were part of the promotion!  So I got three bras for the price of one!  SCORE!!!  Next month I will go back and buy the two styles I originally tried on - they will be having a 'BOGO' sales on all their bras in October.

The moral of this story is - go get measured every couple of years and TRY EVERYTHING ON!  It
is worth the little extra time and effort.  And in the end you will save time and money and you will look fantastic!

As for the rest of the day......

We had Mahi Mahi for dinner. I dredged it in a little flour and added Chef Paul Prudhomme's Magic Blackened Redfish Seasoning to it. Cooked it in olive oil. Delicious.  Also tried a new product. Minute Rice has come out with a Multi-Grain product. It has brown rice, Thai red rice, wild rice, and quinoa. It was very good - has a slight nutty flavor, I didn't add any seasoning - next time I will add.....something.  But it is definitely a keeper in our pantry. Tribe Hummus has a new "limited" flavor - it 's called 'Everything' inspired by Everything Bagels. Since I like hummus and I like everything bagels - it's a no brainier. Had it with some cut up carrots at lunch. Another keeper.

So that was my Saturday. As I said earlier, it was a good day. Hope y'all had a good day as well and I hope all of your favorite football teams win tomorrow!!!

Random Thoughts

I wanted to add some of these yesterday, but being random thoughts they hadn't been corralled.

First, I was just very bad.  After paying off  "D's" Macy's card, which he lets me use (you can see where this is going), the boots I have been lusting after were back in stock in my size.  Yes, I ordered them....sigh.... But my rule is buying something new means getting rid of something I already have.  There's a local consignment shop where I take things, so if the boots fit and I keep them, I have at least two pairs of shoes that I will take there.  The boots are Steve Madden Rawling Boots.  The colour is grayish.  

Yesterday while in Target I found the perfect desk.  I have been looking since we moved here. The desk I was using in our condo in Gaithersburg is sitting in our garage.  It has never been in good shape and it's really not worth fixing up.  Plus it has always smelled musty.  So I get by with a lap desk upon which I put the laptop. When I saw this desk yesterday I literally stopped in my tracks and just stared.  Hopefully it wlll be in stock for a while.  I know, I buy boots that I don't necessarily need and can't buy a desk.  The desk is called the Threshold Campaign Desk and while it comes in different colours the red is just perfect.

So far this seems to be about things I love instead of random thoughts that wander around in my brain.

Here's one - why is it so difficult for "D" to understand the concept of stacking plates and bowls in order of size.  As long as we have lived together he has put them in the cabinets in random order.  I've come to the conclusion that he takes a certain glee in doing this because he knows it annoys me.

A while back I saw an ad for Williams-Sonoma showing a wooden crate planter.  I was so taken with the image that I thought, I could do that.  I have a planter that is approximately the same size that I could plant herbs in to keep in the kitchen.  Have I done it?  I think you know the answer.  All I need is seeds and dirt.  I see it in my mind's eye and know how delightful it would be.  So, now that I've talked about it here I will shame myself into doing it.  With luck pictures will follow soon! In the meantime here's the planter picture that started it all.  It's the Wooden Agrarian Crate.

That's all for now.  I've been goofing off all morning and I need to at least pretend to do something!

Staying Alive

Yeah, I know. John Travolta, disco, and polyester.

I haven't written in a long time. And I'm changing direction from what I had been writing. Instead of trying to be clever or pithy, I'm going to write about my adventures (better than struggles) in trying to survive on about $900.00 a month. I live in a lovely house with "D", we have lived together in various relationship stages since 1997. He's a good guy. It's a quiet and relatively uneventful life and that's just fine with me.

I hope to share recipes and my forays into sewing and knitting.  I will also mention products I like and good deals I find. I don't have binders full of coupons to buy lots of products I don't need. Nor do I go from store to store depending on the ads. To me, it's a waste of time, money, and gas. And occasionally I will talk about things that are important to me - like "Doctor Who".

On to the good stuff.

My best deal - Target has Glad Press and Seal Plastic Wrap for $2.50 each. I bought two, and didn't have any coupons. I don't use it a lot so the two rolls should last quite a while.

Today I made pulled pork in the crockpot. So easy and, modestly speaking, delicious.

Thinly slice two onions and put in the bottom of the crockpot. I used sweet onions, I like their flavor. Add garlic (I use dehydrated garlic I get at the warehouse store. I know all the food purists are aghast. But again, it's a money saver. ). Add one cup of chicken broth - I used the store brand low sodium.

Make a rub. I put in brown sugar, cinnamon, cumin, red pepper, salt and pepper. I don't measure - the term season to taste comes to mind here.  Pat the pork roast dry (I had an approximate 3.5 lb pork shoulder roast). Put the rub over the entire roast and place in crockpot.  I cooked it on the eight hour setting. Remove the meat at the end of the cooking time, it will be falling apart. Shred using two forks removing all the fat and, of course, the bone. Drain the liquid and onions into a colander and put the onions and meat back into the crockpot. I actually didn't drain all the liquid, reserving a bit on the bottom of the crockpot. Add barbecue sauce, again to taste. I don't like pulled pork that has so much sauce you end up wearing it.

Serve and enjoy!

These are photos I took of the process. We had cole slaw and some bread with the pulled pork. The pineapple wasnt a part of the menu.

Christmas Baking

Why is it that this year I felt the overwhelming urge to pull out cookbooks and search for recipes to dazzle my family?  For the past decade or longer I've gotten away with making a single mince (no meat) pie.  Now granted the mince is homemade and sits, spiked with rum, for at least a month before I bake the pie. I still am making the mince pie; the mince is not homemade, but it is from a small local company, is all fruit and no preservatives and I will be spiking it with brandy.  BUT, the pie crust will be homemade instead of made by the Pillsbury Dough Boy although I will miss his happy little giggle. 

Then there's the Springerle.  These cookies are a favorite in my family and are hard to find.  Off and on over the years I have made them - it is about a three day process.  This year I decided to make them again, but my Springerle rolling pin was no where to be found.  I did however, find an item I had searched for back in June, so I figure I'll find the rolling pin next summer.  In the meantime, I bought a new one which is actually better than the old one.  My old recipe says to beat the eggs and sugar for a half hour - what!? When I made these in the past I was using a hand held mixer, I know I would not be standing holding that darned thing for 30 MINUTES.  That's just nuts.  So, using the new stand mixer, (Santa came early) I compromised, and the cookies are now drying on cookies sheets coated with anise seeds. 

All that's left is the gingerbread, peppermint meringues, and brandy-soaked chocolate covered cherries.  I think by the time I start on the candy I'll be using some of the brandy for "medicinal" purposes.  Will I bake a lot next year and complain about it - of course.  I wouldn't have it any other way.

Merry Christmas
Happy Hanukkah
Good Yule
And I wish everyone a safe and prosperous New Year!!!!!

Fountain of Youth?

I am a vain woman. 

Let me clarify, I'm not egregiously vain but I've always been aware of my assets and have tried to play them up.  The fact that I stare at every pore on my face when I get out my magnifying mirror is what constitutes the depth of my vanity.  And the fact that I used to buy so much make-up and products for my skin.

But no more.  I am no longer seduced by glossy magazine ads or commercials for the latest product claiming to erase fine lines, tighten pores, and make me look at least 10 years younger.  Bah!  Humbug!!  Even if the model is approximately my age she has been airbrushed or shot through pink gels to look youthful and radiant.  Now logically I always knew this, but since when does logic play a role in vanity. 

So last week I went into my bathroom and threw away almost all of the "age-defying" products on the counter and kept the one or two that I had used for years and like.  Then I went through my make-up and did the same thing.  Then fact that I hardly ever wear make-up these days helped a lot.  Of the products I kept were two that I have found that actually do what they say; Estee Lauder eyelash primer and Aveeno moisturizer with soy extracts.

And what you ask does this have to do with the Fountain of Youth?  Recently on the news I was watching a story about a rare condition called Progeria that strikes children, their bodies age rapidly and their life expectancies are only into their teens.  A doctor was explaining that they had isolated the gene functions for aging and the hope that they can find a cure for this condition.  And the side benefit would be a "fountain of youth", as it were, for the rest of the population.  In a way this sounds like science-fiction.  Each generation lives longer than previous generations thanks to medical advances, but how far do we want to go with this. 

I'm happy with how I look, yes I have some wrinkles and age spots but my skin still breaks out - thank goodness for oily skin.  I'd like to creak a little less but that can be helped by diet and exercise.  And the gray in my hair - I earned every strand!  I don't intend to fight aging 'every step of the way' like the old Oil of Olay commercials used to say. 

The best way to have a 'fountain of youth', at least for me, is to live a happy positive life.  To surround myself with music and laughter.  To remain interested in the world and to always learn.  And peace of mind is tremendously important.  To quote a line from a song from the musical "Annie", 'you're never fully dressed without a smile'.  With that I don't need no stinkin' fountain of youth!

Unanswered Prayers

In early May I went to Ohio to visit family, celebrate Mother's Day, and see my dear friend Daria.  She and I drove around the Oregon District, after a wonderful dinner at Coco's, and then we drove to St Anne's Hill where I used to live.  I drove down the street where an alcoholic a$$hole I once dated lived.  And then we drove to Oakwood where we managed to go around in a circle, coming from different directions, three times (this isn't really germane to my theme, it was just so hysterically funny at the time).

Anyway, a few weeks after I got home I reflected back on the time when I was involved with the alcoholic and all the prayers I prayed that he would change his ways (I eventually walked away from the relationship and never looked back). But then I started thinking about all the other times I have prayed for something over and over again and it hasn't come to pass.  And I realized the prayers were answered, just not in the way I was hoping for.  There is a higher power that knows what I need and won't always answer the prayer for something I want in the way I want. 

When I think about various things I've prayed for and they didn't come to pass I am overwhelmed by a sense of thankfulness that God chose to answer the prayer in his way, not mine.  My way would have eventually led to chaos and unhappiness and that is certainly not the way to live, not anymore.  And it makes me happy to know that God has my back!

Getting over myself - again

This morning I indulged in what is commonly known as a pity party.  I've been building up to it for the past few days and it finally let loose.  Bear in mind, this was all in my head, I was home alone and feeling sorry for poor, poor pitiful me.  I had started out thinking about planting pansies around our light in the front yard, a nice innocuous thought and then I started thinking about my knee and how hard it would be to kneel down to plant the flowers.  Then that thought went into other gardening I want to do as the weather gets warmer.  But then I started thinking about money or the lack thereof to do all this gardening.  And on and on it goes.  Finally I got tired of listening to myself whine, and I gave myself a swift figurative kick in the rear.  Seriously, what have I got to complain about?  I live in a lovely house with all the modern ameneties.  I have plenty of planters and seeds and dirt aren't that expensive.  I drive a nice car that gets awesome mileage.  I have more clothing, shoes, and purses than any one person would need.  I have books to read and a library very nearby.  I am relatively healthy, other than the aforementioned knee and some arthritis.  I have enough money for my basic needs.  So, why was I whining?  Then it struck me, I was whining and feeling sorry for myself because that pretentious person I had become while working in DC is starting to fade away - finally.  No more shopping sprees to Nordstrom or Tyson's Corner and all the other places I used to go.  No more driving a car I couldn't afford that had relatively lousy mileage and used high-test gas.  I had fallen into the mind-set of keeping up and surpassing the Joneses, except I had no idea who they are.  And I think on top of all of that, I had become boring.

So now here I am, not feeling sorry for myself and figuring out what I do want and need.  I need to be creative.  I have always enjoyed going to funky little antique or thrift shops and finding the one piece I was looking for that with a little cleaning or fixing would be perfect for an empty corner or shelf.  I love clothing and read fashion magazines. I used to make a lot of my clothing that followed current trends but had my own spin on them, so why not start doing that again. I like cooking and trying out new recipes.  Being creative is fun.  And I think that was behind the whole pity party in the first place. I'm not having a lot of fun, at least not the fun I need to make my life more fulfilling.  So, I'm going to get creative and do more with less and enjoy the hell out of every minute.  And, I am SOOOOO over myself!!!!!

Dear Lane Bryant

Recently I was in Las Vegas and while there I indulged in one of my favorite pastimes.  Shopping.  And in Vegas that's shopping at the Forum Shops in Caesar's Palace.  I found a lot of jewelry and shoes and purses and make-up.  I also saw a lot of clothing.  But no shops were selling clothing for women my size.  Beautiful women.  Voluptuous women.  Why?  Where are the stores for us? 

If I were getting married in Las Vegas whether it was planned or a whim I would love to know there was a store in the Forum Shops where I could find a wedding dress that was a beautiful and elegant as I am.  And if I wasn't getting married I would like to know I could go to a store in the Forum Shops and find clothing that fits my personality and style.

Believe it or not, we don't want clothing that's made from polyester.  We don't want slacks or jeans that have elastic waistbands.  We don't want ugly tops that flop all over the place with huge armholes.  What is needed is a store that sells classic, elegant, well-made clothing that is affordable.  A store that gives a nod to current trends in the fashion world but doesn't suffocate the shopper with cheap looking knock-offs of what is au courant for the 20 something crowd.   And a store that carries slacks and jeans that aren't "right fit"  Real sizes for real women.  A store where the clerks know the clothing and know fashion and offers tailoring. 

If there had been a Lane Bryant store in the Forum Shops that carried this kind of clothing, I would have had to buy another suitcase to get everything home.

So Lane Bryant, contact me, let me help you create a label and a store that caters to women like myself.  Trust me there are a lot of us out there that are waiting and hoping that someone finally gets it right.  And whoever does will reap the benefits.

Wearin' O' the Green

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!

Now I have no Irish forebears as far as I know.  My ancestry is English and Prussian or as I like to say a martinet with manners.  But one a year I get an overwhelming urge to wear my argyle green and white socks and my bracelet from Ireland that has a shamrock on it.  This year I even put on green eyeliner.  Why go to all this trouble?

'Tis said that on St. Patrick's Day everyone is Irish.  But it is actually a religious holiday, at least in its origins.  In this country it's seems that it's an excuse for frequently drinking to excess.  In my younger partying days this was one time I rarely went out to drink.  I think it was all the crowds that kept me away.  However, I do remember one time I was out with the fellow I was kind of dating (in that super cool casual way we all affect at times) and he talked the bar owner into letting me sing "Danny Boy" in the bar.  He had heard me sing it earlier and didn't know I had "that voice".  Well, I sang it accapella and nailed that high note perfectly.  That to me was and is the best St. Patrick's Day I ever celebrated. 

So be a bit Irish today.  Listen to some Celtic music.  Wear some green or orange if you wish.  And have a drink on me.  But please, no green beer.  Have a Guiness or a shot of Irish Whiskey (neat).  And:
                                                         May the road rise to meet you,
                                                         May the wind be always at your back,
                                                         May the sun shine warm upon your face,
                                                         The rains fall soft upon your fields and,
                                                         Until we meet again,
                                                         May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

Judge and Judging

I'm not talking about a judge on one of the many "reality" shows that have judges or one of the many judge shows that are so ubiquitous on daytime TV.  In one of my Lenten readings by Thomas Merton he asks the question about how we judge others.  I am an extremely judgmental person.  I admit it.  Having been laid up the past couple days with the knee and a cold I had a lot of time to think about this failing.

As many of my friends can attest my judgmental comments are frequently presented humorously.  But is it humor or ridicule?  It is actually very cruel and immature behavior.  And once started becomes a way of looking at everyone and everything through the veil of judgment.  I'm not the only one who does it.  It is part and parcel of the human experience.  We see it on TV all the time.  One of my favorite shows is "What Not to Wear", and at times the hosts are very cutting in their comments.  I think there can be a better way to explain why clothing doesn't work on a person, but that probably would lower ratings.

So, this leads me to my conclusion.  I need to be mindful of what I think and say about others.  Before I get ready to blurt out a judgmental comment about someone I am going to count to 10, maybe that will help me become a kinder gentler Beth.  I can only hope that is the case.

The Lenten Season

Today is Ash Wednesday. the beginning of Lent.  I didn't go to church to get ashes on my forehead.  I haven't done that in many years.  I will however begin my Lenten readings tonight.  I read two different books, one entitled "Thorn, Fire, and Lily" and one with meditations by Thomas Merton.  I've read read them every Lenten season for the past few years.  I usually don't make it through each book, I start skipping a night or two then just quit reading them altogether.

And this bring to mind the whole idea of abstaining from or giving up something for Lent.  As a child it would be things like candy or ice cream or not picking on my siblings (that one never stuck).  As an adult it would be chocolate or alcohol or shopping.  But it never sticks.  Then I started to look at it from a different angle.  Instead of abstaining from an activity or giving something up why not try doing something that is a discipline.  So, I decided to make my discipline going to church every Sunday during Lent.  I went once.  So, obviously the discipline angle doesn't quite work for me.  

So once again it's Lent and I'm not abstaining from anything nor am I giving anything up.  And I'm trying a discipline.  In a sense it's like New Year's resolutions.  We make them and within the month most of them are broken.  I realize the difference between the two and in no way can New Year's compare with Lent.

This year I'm leaving myself open to all possibilities.  That seems the best way to go through this Lent. 

Fat Tuesday/Shrove Tuesday

I have never understood calling Shrove Tuesday Fat Tuesday. I mean I understand the etymology thanks to Wikipedia.  (What did we do before Wikipedia?)  And I've never understood Mardi Gras or Carnival.  The crazy partying before Lent begins.  I understand the eating of rich, fatty foods before the tradition of fasting during Lent begins.  The church I went to until I moved out of my home town had, and still has, a Pancake Supper on Shrove Tuesday.  I always enjoyed going to that.  Now granted I can eat pancakes anytime, but it was always special on Shrove Tuesday.  But when did the whole Fat Tuesday/Carnival/Mardi Gras come to mean partying in the streets, drinking until you're sick, acting like a fool while you're drinking, wearing very little clothing depending on the locale and wearing plastic beads.  Even in my younger partying days I had no interest in attending celebrations like that.  Halloween was enough, but that's another story for another time.  And that's all I have to say on the subject of the Tuesday before Lent begins. 

Elks and the London Bridge

I have been thinking about sending a letter to Governor Jan Brewer of Arizona about some observations I had while we drove through Arizona.  But, I don't want to burden her, she has enough on her plate what with that pesky immigration law and even peskier high crime statistics. 

We drove from California to Flagstaff.  It was a pleasant drive through a landscape that went from desert to snow covered forests.  I saw a sign for Lake Havasu and the London Bridge, anglophile that I am I took the exit and never looked back.  We came to the town and saw more signs pointing to the London Bridge, kept following the signs to London Bridge Dr., we kept driving and all of a sudden we were back on the main highway.  What?  Where's the bridge?  Saw the lake, it's beautiful.  Saw some awesome houses as well.  But never found the bridge.  Do they only display it certain days of the week?  Since we wanted to get to our hotel in Flagstaff by dinner I had to give up the search for the London Bridge.  The above photo is of the London Bridge which may or may not be at Lake Havasu.  I wonder what Muldur and Scully would make of this.....

As we got into the higher country with all the forests I started seeing signs for Elk crossing, you know, they're like the deer crossing signs - but for elks.  I got out my camera and waited.  And waited.  Okay, it's night and it's cold, all the elks are probably at their respective lodges hanging out.  The next day we went to the Grand Canyon.  If you've never been - GO.  I'm not even going to try to describe the magnificence I saw.  All through the drive around the South Rim kept seeing more Elk crossing signs.  Even after we left the Grand Canyon and were headed east to Albuquerque there were still some signs.  Never. Saw. One. Elk.  Why would they put up those signs?  Do the Elks only come out on certain days?  Actually, I did see the head of an Elk on a beam at the El Tovar Hotel at the Grand Canyon where we stopped for lunch.  Could that be the elk the signs were referring to.  Here again I have to wonder what Muldur and Scully would make of the missing elks....

HGTV and my Knee

Here I sit, laptop on top of my lap with HGTV on and my stupid knee propped on pillows.  But it doesn't matter.  I made the commitment to start writing again and I'm doing it!!!!  This excites me tremendously.  I want to talk about things I see (and don't see) in my world.  Hopefully I'll be amusing, thought provoking, relatively literate, and never use bad grammar.

So first, my knee.  While we were in California a week ago I chose to step off a curb and hyper-extend my knee.  This was something I would have preferred not to bring back from vacation.  Couldn't do any of the things we had planned to do, but it gave me a day of rest and gave Dennis a day to visit with his uncle.  I think just being in California and breathing the SoCal air was enough.  Since it was the week of the Oscars I was breathing the same air as my true love, Colin Firth.  I know he felt me.  I could tell by how he acted when he won the Oscar for his role in The King's Speech.  Poor man just hadn't recovered from breathing the same air.  (My blog, my fantasy)

As to HGTV, what else is there to watch on a rainy Saturday night.