6/8/2014
Don't know about you, but I hate to be snugly parked on the sofa with a good book and then the phone rings. You sit there for a moment, pondering whether to answer. I eventually give in, get up, go over to the phone, and immediately don't recognize the caller ID. Now you're sure that the caller is nobody you know, and more than likely, nobody you want to talk to.
The caller, sometimes a person, other times a machine, starts their spiel. Good morning Mrs. "x", today and today only we are holding a sale on "x" (insert the name or product here), and it's your good fortune (depends on who you ask), to be able to participate.
This is about the time that I say I'm not interested and begin to hang up the phone. After I hang up the phone, I do feel bad for the person on the other end. He/she is trying to make a living, and other than walking around the street wearing a sandwich board, cold calling has to be the worst.
I know that the callers are used to people hanging up on them, speaking rudely to them, or perhaps worse, stringing them along through their entire script and then hang up. I don't know if these people are paid by the phone call, or more likely, the more "suckers" they get signed up. I'm betting it's the latter.
Then there's the emails from someone you've never heard of, telling you that you've won a zillion dollars, but they need your bank information before they can "transfer" the money to you. Do you suppose people really fall for that? I know I don't. Remember the old saying that if it sounds too good to be true ........
I do occasionally get emails from Ebay, and those emails always give me pause. When I'm seriously in doubt, I forward the emails to Jeff and he takes care of it - by hitting the delete key I imagine.
I wish I could leave a message on the answering machine like: if you're trying to sell me something - hang up; if I've won something - hang up. Otherwise, feel free to leave a message, which I may or may not return.
There was a time, and perhaps you remember it as well, when all phone calls were either friends or family and you actually looked forward to those calls. Unfortunately, my friends those days are long gone.
We have a 10/10 rule at the house. We really don't want calls before 10:00 am, and none after 10:00 pm. If a call comes in super early or really late, our heart rate ramps up, expecting either good or bad news. It's just the way we're programmed.
P
Sunday, June 8, 2014
Saturday, June 7, 2014
Drive In Movie Theaters
6/7/2014
Hopefully, some of you out there remember drive-in theaters. They were a part of my childhood. All five of us would cram into the car and Mom and Dad brought popcorn for us to share, which is not an easy task for us kids.
The good thing about a drive-in, the price was per car, so if you could squeeze ten people inside, it cost the same as if you only had two people in the car. This was a great saving for families. When we lived on base, the military had buses go around the neighborhoods, pick up kids to drop them off at the library, movies or PX. I don't remember how much a ticket cost, but I suspect it might have been in the 25 cent range.
There were 4,000 drive-in theaters across the United States. Now we're down to around 357, and I suspect that eventually we will see the numbers dwindle even further.
A ticket in 1967, when I was in high school, was approximately $1.20, compared to ticket prices today that are upwards of $7.00, depending on whether you qualify for a senior discount or are a child.
My first date with Jeff was at a drive-in. I loved the gray box that hung on the driver's window and the crackling sounds it made. When the boys were little and we still lived in California, we would gather everybody up and go to the drive-in. When the boys were small, it was easier to find family or age appropriate movies. That is definitely the case today.
Jeff hates to go the movies, partly because of the steep price but also that you can't put the movie on hold like you can at home. He can be coerced into seeing one movie a year, so I pick carefully!
I love movies, and other than the cost of a ticket, would go more often. What you see now is that the movies showing on the big screen, appear rather quickly at sites like Amazon or Netflix. I can pop my own popcorn, have as much soda as I want (or can hold), and pause the movie when I need to.
When you think about it, there are probably a few generations that haven't been to an outdoor movie. As time goes by, only us old relics will remember!
P
Hopefully, some of you out there remember drive-in theaters. They were a part of my childhood. All five of us would cram into the car and Mom and Dad brought popcorn for us to share, which is not an easy task for us kids.
The good thing about a drive-in, the price was per car, so if you could squeeze ten people inside, it cost the same as if you only had two people in the car. This was a great saving for families. When we lived on base, the military had buses go around the neighborhoods, pick up kids to drop them off at the library, movies or PX. I don't remember how much a ticket cost, but I suspect it might have been in the 25 cent range.
There were 4,000 drive-in theaters across the United States. Now we're down to around 357, and I suspect that eventually we will see the numbers dwindle even further.
A ticket in 1967, when I was in high school, was approximately $1.20, compared to ticket prices today that are upwards of $7.00, depending on whether you qualify for a senior discount or are a child.
My first date with Jeff was at a drive-in. I loved the gray box that hung on the driver's window and the crackling sounds it made. When the boys were little and we still lived in California, we would gather everybody up and go to the drive-in. When the boys were small, it was easier to find family or age appropriate movies. That is definitely the case today.
Jeff hates to go the movies, partly because of the steep price but also that you can't put the movie on hold like you can at home. He can be coerced into seeing one movie a year, so I pick carefully!
I love movies, and other than the cost of a ticket, would go more often. What you see now is that the movies showing on the big screen, appear rather quickly at sites like Amazon or Netflix. I can pop my own popcorn, have as much soda as I want (or can hold), and pause the movie when I need to.
When you think about it, there are probably a few generations that haven't been to an outdoor movie. As time goes by, only us old relics will remember!
P
Thursday, June 5, 2014
Happy Birthday Kim
6/5/2014
Today is the birthday of one of my dearest friends. A year or so after we moved into our house, Jeff and I would see this beautiful woman walking around the neighborhood with her dogs and her babies. We knew where she lived, but didn't know her name.
Our paths crossed literally six years ago when Benjamin was born. I don't remember how Kim came to know that Wendy had passed away, but she did. I remember when Benjamin was probably only a month old, I put him in the stroller to walk to the mailbox. I had trouble securing the infant carrier to the stroller, so while I was walking I kept a death grip on the carrier! Techy things generally just float right over my head.
As I was passing Kim's house, she came flying out (literally) and walked home with me. When we got to the house, I let Kim have Benjamin, because who doesn't love a new baby. While sitting in the living room, it came to me that I didn't know her name or anything about her. That morning, which I believe was fated to happen, began the friendship that we enjoy today.
Kim, and her family, loved Benjamin and since I was working full-time, Benjamin had "sleep overs" with Kim, so that I could sleep through the night! It's hard enough to take care of a baby during the night when you're in your 30's, but when you're nearing 60, it can take a toll on you. I was, and will remain so, grateful for Kim and her family. It was as if Benjamin had two families, and not many kids can say that.
Kim hung a baby swing on a tree in her yard, and together the two of us watched Benjamin grow. Benjamin is a blessed child for all the love there is in his life. Benjamin was as much a part of Kim's family, as he was ours.
Benjamin went to live with Andrew around his second birthday, and we adjusted our schedules to have Benjamin spend as much time with us as possible.
Andrew and Stacey live close enough that we can see Benjamin often. Kim and I have worked a satisfying arrangement. When Benjamin comes over, Kim and her children wear him out physically (since I can't). I get Benjamin in the evening for bath, reading and cuddle time. It's a perfect arrangement. Benjamin loves spending time with Auntie Kim and she is an integral part of his life.
Kim, I can't imagine how I would have managed without you. You are a constant reminder to me of all that is good in the world. We have been through a lot together, and I couldn't ask for a better friend than you. I want to thank you for being with me through both the good and bad times of my life.
Happy Birthday my friend. I love you.
P
Today is the birthday of one of my dearest friends. A year or so after we moved into our house, Jeff and I would see this beautiful woman walking around the neighborhood with her dogs and her babies. We knew where she lived, but didn't know her name.
Our paths crossed literally six years ago when Benjamin was born. I don't remember how Kim came to know that Wendy had passed away, but she did. I remember when Benjamin was probably only a month old, I put him in the stroller to walk to the mailbox. I had trouble securing the infant carrier to the stroller, so while I was walking I kept a death grip on the carrier! Techy things generally just float right over my head.
As I was passing Kim's house, she came flying out (literally) and walked home with me. When we got to the house, I let Kim have Benjamin, because who doesn't love a new baby. While sitting in the living room, it came to me that I didn't know her name or anything about her. That morning, which I believe was fated to happen, began the friendship that we enjoy today.
Kim, and her family, loved Benjamin and since I was working full-time, Benjamin had "sleep overs" with Kim, so that I could sleep through the night! It's hard enough to take care of a baby during the night when you're in your 30's, but when you're nearing 60, it can take a toll on you. I was, and will remain so, grateful for Kim and her family. It was as if Benjamin had two families, and not many kids can say that.
Kim hung a baby swing on a tree in her yard, and together the two of us watched Benjamin grow. Benjamin is a blessed child for all the love there is in his life. Benjamin was as much a part of Kim's family, as he was ours.
Benjamin went to live with Andrew around his second birthday, and we adjusted our schedules to have Benjamin spend as much time with us as possible.
Andrew and Stacey live close enough that we can see Benjamin often. Kim and I have worked a satisfying arrangement. When Benjamin comes over, Kim and her children wear him out physically (since I can't). I get Benjamin in the evening for bath, reading and cuddle time. It's a perfect arrangement. Benjamin loves spending time with Auntie Kim and she is an integral part of his life.
Kim, I can't imagine how I would have managed without you. You are a constant reminder to me of all that is good in the world. We have been through a lot together, and I couldn't ask for a better friend than you. I want to thank you for being with me through both the good and bad times of my life.
Happy Birthday my friend. I love you.
P
Wednesday, June 4, 2014
Storage and Shipping Wars
6/4/2014
I'm going to admit it, I'm addicted to reality TV. I love all the hijinks that the "stars" do during filming. Their behaviors are so outrageous that they could only happen on TV.
Since both of these shows have become a favorite of mine, I wanted to research how much these "actors" (who participate in the bidding of lockers or shipping items.
The folks who "ship for a living" earn what ever they make from their haul, plus endorsements. They also don't have to pay for expenses. I'm not sure that these shippers make enough to live on, so I'm guessing that when they're not filming, they do something else to earn money.
Now the good folks on Storage Wars make $10,000 per episode. That's a nice hefty paycheck, plus the money they make from selling whatever is in the lockers. Wouldn't you like to make a living just by showing up and bidding.on unclaimed lockers. Sometimes when the door of the unit opens, I wonder why anybody would even put that stuff in a locker and I can see why they would walk away from their possessions.
I did a little checking and all the "actors" on Storage Wars are worth at least a million dollars and one actor is worth about $4 million, clearly they are all doing well financially. Of course, during the bidding, there is a lot of protesting about how much money is spent on a unit and sometimes what they buy wouldn't even cover the dump charges.
Darrell Sheets spent $3,600 on locker. The locker was filled with original art by Frank Guttierez. The estimated worth of the paintings was $300,000. Not bad for a day's work. My favorite person on the show is Barry Weiss, who is a bit on the eccentric side, showing up in many different kinds of vehicles (all expensive) and sometimes sporting a disguise.
I understand that these shows are staged, I enjoy them nonetheless. What I would really like to know is what the buyers really get when they sell things from the lockers. You hear them say that "x" is worth so much, but you actually never see them sell anything. Maybe they could make a new reality show called something like "Storage Sold" or something like that.
I enjoy the shows because frankly they are just so much fun to watch. And no, if you're wondering, they aren't really good TV, but when you stop and think about it, few things on television these days are.
P
I'm going to admit it, I'm addicted to reality TV. I love all the hijinks that the "stars" do during filming. Their behaviors are so outrageous that they could only happen on TV.
Since both of these shows have become a favorite of mine, I wanted to research how much these "actors" (who participate in the bidding of lockers or shipping items.
The folks who "ship for a living" earn what ever they make from their haul, plus endorsements. They also don't have to pay for expenses. I'm not sure that these shippers make enough to live on, so I'm guessing that when they're not filming, they do something else to earn money.
Now the good folks on Storage Wars make $10,000 per episode. That's a nice hefty paycheck, plus the money they make from selling whatever is in the lockers. Wouldn't you like to make a living just by showing up and bidding.on unclaimed lockers. Sometimes when the door of the unit opens, I wonder why anybody would even put that stuff in a locker and I can see why they would walk away from their possessions.
I did a little checking and all the "actors" on Storage Wars are worth at least a million dollars and one actor is worth about $4 million, clearly they are all doing well financially. Of course, during the bidding, there is a lot of protesting about how much money is spent on a unit and sometimes what they buy wouldn't even cover the dump charges.
Darrell Sheets spent $3,600 on locker. The locker was filled with original art by Frank Guttierez. The estimated worth of the paintings was $300,000. Not bad for a day's work. My favorite person on the show is Barry Weiss, who is a bit on the eccentric side, showing up in many different kinds of vehicles (all expensive) and sometimes sporting a disguise.
I understand that these shows are staged, I enjoy them nonetheless. What I would really like to know is what the buyers really get when they sell things from the lockers. You hear them say that "x" is worth so much, but you actually never see them sell anything. Maybe they could make a new reality show called something like "Storage Sold" or something like that.
I enjoy the shows because frankly they are just so much fun to watch. And no, if you're wondering, they aren't really good TV, but when you stop and think about it, few things on television these days are.
P
Tuesday, June 3, 2014
Summer Clothes
6/3/2014
Summer's here and the temperatures are rising. Also rising is the length of pants that women wear. It is now acceptable to wear capris (below the knee) to work. When I started working in 1968, women wore dresses and/or skirts ALL the time as well as nylons. It's a good thing that offices were air conditioned, because wearing nylons isn't something you want to do with hot temperatures and humidity. But back then we ladies did as we were told, and interviews "gently" reminded us of the dress policy.
I remember when I could wear pants (not capris) to the office and sandals too, as long as they had a back strap. Nobody wants to hear the flip and flap of sandals in the office. Over time, capris became the summer favorite of women to wear to the office. The restrictions on sandals eased up a bit also, but most of us didn't think it was appropriate to wear flip-flops to work. Let's face it they cause too much noise.
For a very long time, Fridays were casual day and some people took casual to a whole new level. As you went into work, you might see capris a little too short and/or a little too tight.There were times that I thought (prude that I am), some blouses showed a bit too much in the cleavage area. It was an office after all.
After the decline of wearing pants, it was only a matter of time before sleeveless tops were acceptable, and after that blouses that had pretty thin straps became okay as well. It wasn't long before casual Friday, became business casual all week. Again, casual to one person means entirely something else to another. We were supposed to use our best judgment regarding what we wore to the office. And, most of us did, but ever so often we would all receive a memo "gently" reminding us about the dress code.
I'm glad that what you can wear to the office has become relaxed and if women were given a choice, I believe they would "opt" out to wearing nylons, at least in the summer time.
Being retired, I'm casual all the time, and love it. Occasionally, I have to dress up a bit and actually that's kind of fun. Most of the clothes I wore to the office have been sold or given away. There was no need to clutter up my closet with things I likely will never wear again. PLUS, with more room in my closet, I have an excuse to buy more "play" clothes!
P
Summer's here and the temperatures are rising. Also rising is the length of pants that women wear. It is now acceptable to wear capris (below the knee) to work. When I started working in 1968, women wore dresses and/or skirts ALL the time as well as nylons. It's a good thing that offices were air conditioned, because wearing nylons isn't something you want to do with hot temperatures and humidity. But back then we ladies did as we were told, and interviews "gently" reminded us of the dress policy.
I remember when I could wear pants (not capris) to the office and sandals too, as long as they had a back strap. Nobody wants to hear the flip and flap of sandals in the office. Over time, capris became the summer favorite of women to wear to the office. The restrictions on sandals eased up a bit also, but most of us didn't think it was appropriate to wear flip-flops to work. Let's face it they cause too much noise.
For a very long time, Fridays were casual day and some people took casual to a whole new level. As you went into work, you might see capris a little too short and/or a little too tight.There were times that I thought (prude that I am), some blouses showed a bit too much in the cleavage area. It was an office after all.
After the decline of wearing pants, it was only a matter of time before sleeveless tops were acceptable, and after that blouses that had pretty thin straps became okay as well. It wasn't long before casual Friday, became business casual all week. Again, casual to one person means entirely something else to another. We were supposed to use our best judgment regarding what we wore to the office. And, most of us did, but ever so often we would all receive a memo "gently" reminding us about the dress code.
I'm glad that what you can wear to the office has become relaxed and if women were given a choice, I believe they would "opt" out to wearing nylons, at least in the summer time.
Being retired, I'm casual all the time, and love it. Occasionally, I have to dress up a bit and actually that's kind of fun. Most of the clothes I wore to the office have been sold or given away. There was no need to clutter up my closet with things I likely will never wear again. PLUS, with more room in my closet, I have an excuse to buy more "play" clothes!
P
Monday, June 2, 2014
New Plants
6/2/2014
As you know, in the last two weeks, I have planted several new plants in the backyard. And, you get what you pay for. Initially, I put little *emphasis on little" plants costing very little. I took my wee little shovel and dug holes for the plants. I remember the things my Dad said about planting, big enough holes, pack down the dirt and water, water, water.
For the first week or so, my plants didn't look so good, and yes, I watered faithfully.. Unsure of their survival, I went back to the store and this time bought bigger, i.e., more expensive, plants. Once these guys were in the ground they actually looked like plants and I had no worries that they would grow.
I'm happy to report that ALL my new plants are doing quite well, with the exception of the geranium. I had always thought that it was impossible to kill a geranium, but after watching each leaf wither and die, I'm having my doubts.
I obviously have plenty of time for weeding, but now the problem is getting on the ground and yet an even bigger problem, is getting off the ground. I am determined to fill in all the empty ground that was once in the shadows of the Cypress branches.
While gardening is pretty hard on my body, I feel such satisfaction when I step back and see the plants growing and the weeds being removed one by one. Of course the problem with weeds is that as soon as I yank them out of the ground, a new one sprouts up - a never ending job.
I have an Adirondack chair in the backyard, and when I'm tuckered out, I grab my water and park my fanny in the chair and bask in my achievements. Added bonuses of working in the yard is getting a tan and burning calories! Who doesn't love that?
P
As you know, in the last two weeks, I have planted several new plants in the backyard. And, you get what you pay for. Initially, I put little *emphasis on little" plants costing very little. I took my wee little shovel and dug holes for the plants. I remember the things my Dad said about planting, big enough holes, pack down the dirt and water, water, water.
For the first week or so, my plants didn't look so good, and yes, I watered faithfully.. Unsure of their survival, I went back to the store and this time bought bigger, i.e., more expensive, plants. Once these guys were in the ground they actually looked like plants and I had no worries that they would grow.
I'm happy to report that ALL my new plants are doing quite well, with the exception of the geranium. I had always thought that it was impossible to kill a geranium, but after watching each leaf wither and die, I'm having my doubts.
I obviously have plenty of time for weeding, but now the problem is getting on the ground and yet an even bigger problem, is getting off the ground. I am determined to fill in all the empty ground that was once in the shadows of the Cypress branches.
While gardening is pretty hard on my body, I feel such satisfaction when I step back and see the plants growing and the weeds being removed one by one. Of course the problem with weeds is that as soon as I yank them out of the ground, a new one sprouts up - a never ending job.
I have an Adirondack chair in the backyard, and when I'm tuckered out, I grab my water and park my fanny in the chair and bask in my achievements. Added bonuses of working in the yard is getting a tan and burning calories! Who doesn't love that?
P
Sunday, June 1, 2014
"Old" Candy
6/1/2014
I think it's a good day for us to stretch our memories to the good 'ol days and talk about candy. Who doesn't like to talk about candy? Who doesn't like to eat candy? For me, I would have to say that I love candy, way too much!
There are lots of new candy for us consumers to fall in love with. For me, if it's got chocolate as one of the main ingredients - then it's good candy. I'm not the least bit fussy.
Back in the 60's, there were candies that are hard to find and/or no longer being manufactured. See how many you remember from the list.
1960's - Charms Sour Pops, Cup-O-Gold, Bubble Gum Cigar, Necco Chocolate Wafers, Clark Bar, Sen-Sen Breath Refreshments, Slo-Poke Jr. Suckers, Marshmallow Cones (Assorted Flavors), Big Hunk, Reese's Smoothie Peanut Butter Cups, Sugar Lips Wax Chewing Gum, C. Howard Violet Mints, Nestle's Oh Henry Candy Bar, Skybar, Nik-L-Nip Wax Bottles, Boston Beans, Bottlecaps, Goobers, Pixy Stix, Razzles Candy/Gum, Zotz, Necco Assorted Wafers, Candy Buttons, Bubble Gum Cigarettes, Reeds Cinnamon Candies, Black Licorice Pipe, Chocolate Cigarettes, Gold Rocks Nugget Bubble Gum, Bun Bar, Charms Assorted Squares, Cherryheads, and Teaberry Gum.
See if any of the pictures bring back fond memories for you. I know they did for me.
I think it's a good day for us to stretch our memories to the good 'ol days and talk about candy. Who doesn't like to talk about candy? Who doesn't like to eat candy? For me, I would have to say that I love candy, way too much!
There are lots of new candy for us consumers to fall in love with. For me, if it's got chocolate as one of the main ingredients - then it's good candy. I'm not the least bit fussy.
Back in the 60's, there were candies that are hard to find and/or no longer being manufactured. See how many you remember from the list.
1960's - Charms Sour Pops, Cup-O-Gold, Bubble Gum Cigar, Necco Chocolate Wafers, Clark Bar, Sen-Sen Breath Refreshments, Slo-Poke Jr. Suckers, Marshmallow Cones (Assorted Flavors), Big Hunk, Reese's Smoothie Peanut Butter Cups, Sugar Lips Wax Chewing Gum, C. Howard Violet Mints, Nestle's Oh Henry Candy Bar, Skybar, Nik-L-Nip Wax Bottles, Boston Beans, Bottlecaps, Goobers, Pixy Stix, Razzles Candy/Gum, Zotz, Necco Assorted Wafers, Candy Buttons, Bubble Gum Cigarettes, Reeds Cinnamon Candies, Black Licorice Pipe, Chocolate Cigarettes, Gold Rocks Nugget Bubble Gum, Bun Bar, Charms Assorted Squares, Cherryheads, and Teaberry Gum.
See if any of the pictures bring back fond memories for you. I know they did for me.
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