12/31/2014
Couple of things. Starting tomorrow you are going to mentally wrestle with yourself to write down 2015 for a couple of days. And, for some of us slow learners maybe more than just a couple of days!
Last night Jeff and I watched the movie "42" which is about Jackie Robinson. Now I don't know squat about sports of any kind, but I have heard about this baseball player. I know that he eventually played for the Brooklyn Dodgers and was the first black man to play baseball for a major team.
This is a good movie. The acting is good and parts of the story will make you uncomfortable because of the harassment that Robinson had to put up with.
Facts about Robinson: At the end of his rookie season, he had
become National League Rookie of the Year with 12 homers, a
league-leading 29 steals, and a .297 average. In 1949, he was selected
as the NL's Most Valuable player of the Year and also won the batting
title with a .342 average that same year. As a result of his great
success, Jackie was eventually inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame
in 1962.
I highly recommend the movie. I hadn't heard about it before, but I'm sure glad that I found it in the TV Guide and recorded it. It is truly worth watching.
P
Wednesday, December 31, 2014
Tuesday, December 30, 2014
Resolutions
12/30/2014
Yes people, it's time to stop drinking the eggnog, and start putting pen to paper, literally or mentally, to prepare for Thursday. Yeah, a new year and while it's all new and shining, the possibilities are endless.
You know how much I love research, so I wanted to see what are the top resolutions people make year after year. Keep in mind, that these resolutions are generally gone before the 1st of February!
So looking at this list, I need to work on #1, #7, #8 and #9 (big time). I would like to take a trip, and grocery runs to Frederick don't count! And for the record, I have tried volunteering this year and none of my efforts have paid off for me. In fact, at my last run at volunteering, I was more or less fired. The lady couldn't seem to get the words out of her mouth, so I just told her that I was going to look for a different opportunity. She was relieved.
I know as I sit here this morning and look at the list below, that my working on losing weight, is a "losing" battle. I have gained and lost the same number of pounds for nearly 40 years. I get really motivated and then when the numbers on that stupid scale don't start to go down as fast as I would like, I begin to think what difference would a cookie or a piece of candy make? Apparently, one cookie or one piece of candy, not much. Many cookies or candies cause the scale numbers to move to the right, as in bigger numbers! Arrgh.
I haven't been able to handle stress very well over the years, and even though I have all the "tools" to help me deal with stress, I still struggle. Perhaps I'm just a certified worrier, and if everything is going well, then I worry that the other shoe is about to drop!
There you have it folks. Pick and choose your favorite ones so that you can promptly forget them!
P
Yes people, it's time to stop drinking the eggnog, and start putting pen to paper, literally or mentally, to prepare for Thursday. Yeah, a new year and while it's all new and shining, the possibilities are endless.
You know how much I love research, so I wanted to see what are the top resolutions people make year after year. Keep in mind, that these resolutions are generally gone before the 1st of February!
So looking at this list, I need to work on #1, #7, #8 and #9 (big time). I would like to take a trip, and grocery runs to Frederick don't count! And for the record, I have tried volunteering this year and none of my efforts have paid off for me. In fact, at my last run at volunteering, I was more or less fired. The lady couldn't seem to get the words out of her mouth, so I just told her that I was going to look for a different opportunity. She was relieved.
I know as I sit here this morning and look at the list below, that my working on losing weight, is a "losing" battle. I have gained and lost the same number of pounds for nearly 40 years. I get really motivated and then when the numbers on that stupid scale don't start to go down as fast as I would like, I begin to think what difference would a cookie or a piece of candy make? Apparently, one cookie or one piece of candy, not much. Many cookies or candies cause the scale numbers to move to the right, as in bigger numbers! Arrgh.
I haven't been able to handle stress very well over the years, and even though I have all the "tools" to help me deal with stress, I still struggle. Perhaps I'm just a certified worrier, and if everything is going well, then I worry that the other shoe is about to drop!
There you have it folks. Pick and choose your favorite ones so that you can promptly forget them!
- Lose Weight
- Volunteer to Help Others
- Quit Smoking
- Get a Better Education
- Get a Better Job
- Save Money
- Get Fit
- Eat Healthy Food
- Manage Stress
- Manage Debt
- Take a Trip
- Reduce, Reuse and Recycle
- Drink Less Alcoholo
P
Sunday, December 28, 2014
A Change of Scenery
12/28/2014
I bet you think I'm going to write about seasonal weather changes. Nope. Not even close.
I'm talking about the scenery in stores. Yesterday, Jeff and I went to WalMart, which by the way was packed. At the back of the store you could get wrapping paper, ornaments, decorated gift giving boxes, fake trees and anything else remotely related to Christmas. I admit 75% off of some of those things was a good buy, but not for me.
In the bowels of the basement, which is pretty a "no woman" zone, I have a small box where I put wrapping paper, tiny bits of ribbon and gift boxes. The thought of bringing something home that I would have to store for 12 months quickly clears my mind of the insanity of even contemplating buying.
What I do find disturbing and it's not just at WalMart, it's everwhere, the shelves were already cleared of all things Christmas except for the very back of the store. Now the shelves were filled with a few New Year's Eve goodies - special plates, hats, stuff like that.
Where once the shelves that held candy canes and all manner of red and green candy, now is being stocked with candy for Valentine's Day! Good grief Charlie Brown. Can we not let each holiday pass before jumping ahead to the next one. I'm pretty sure that by February 14th, the Easter parade of goodies will begin.
So if you're pining for deep discounts on Christmas stuff, including those garish sweaters, now is the time to get out your credit card and start buying. I've left lots of things in the store for you to buy.
P
I bet you think I'm going to write about seasonal weather changes. Nope. Not even close.
I'm talking about the scenery in stores. Yesterday, Jeff and I went to WalMart, which by the way was packed. At the back of the store you could get wrapping paper, ornaments, decorated gift giving boxes, fake trees and anything else remotely related to Christmas. I admit 75% off of some of those things was a good buy, but not for me.
In the bowels of the basement, which is pretty a "no woman" zone, I have a small box where I put wrapping paper, tiny bits of ribbon and gift boxes. The thought of bringing something home that I would have to store for 12 months quickly clears my mind of the insanity of even contemplating buying.
What I do find disturbing and it's not just at WalMart, it's everwhere, the shelves were already cleared of all things Christmas except for the very back of the store. Now the shelves were filled with a few New Year's Eve goodies - special plates, hats, stuff like that.
Where once the shelves that held candy canes and all manner of red and green candy, now is being stocked with candy for Valentine's Day! Good grief Charlie Brown. Can we not let each holiday pass before jumping ahead to the next one. I'm pretty sure that by February 14th, the Easter parade of goodies will begin.
So if you're pining for deep discounts on Christmas stuff, including those garish sweaters, now is the time to get out your credit card and start buying. I've left lots of things in the store for you to buy.
P
Saturday, December 27, 2014
It's on Sale!
12/27/2014
If you haven't noticed, and I'm not sure that's possible, right this minute is the perfect time to buy things on sale! The newspaper is crammed with full page ads declaring that everything from your favorite sweater to some weird kitchen gadgets that you didn't know you needed.
It's the right time of the year to buy appliances, large or small, and televisions big or bigger. But I don't need any of those things, so I merely glance at the pretty pictures and keep going. I did do some research to see what it cost to advertise in the Washington Post, for example.
If you haven't noticed, and I'm not sure that's possible, right this minute is the perfect time to buy things on sale! The newspaper is crammed with full page ads declaring that everything from your favorite sweater to some weird kitchen gadgets that you didn't know you needed.
It's the right time of the year to buy appliances, large or small, and televisions big or bigger. But I don't need any of those things, so I merely glance at the pretty pictures and keep going. I did do some research to see what it cost to advertise in the Washington Post, for example.
Clearly, the advertiser has to make the big decision about a daily ad or just one on Sundays.
12 Pages is $605 daily or $853 on Sunday
24 pages is $578 daily or $819 on Sunday
24 pages is $578 daily or $819 on Sunday
36 pages is $558 daily or $793 on Sunday
I am not the consumer that advertisers are targeting. They are likely more interested in younger people who have expendable income. It's not that senior citizens don't have money, we're just no longer "hip" and tend to be stuck in ruts, which is fine with all of us.
But I wanted to show you some weird kitchen gear that you didn't know you needed, much less that it was even made:
An Oreo cookie dunker, a "tater" glove and a biscuit and drink cup:
Thursday, December 25, 2014
Christmas - Not So Much
12/25/2014
Everyone knows that Santa arrived last night bringing lots of toys. He also gets to eat his share of cookies and milk. The reindeer get zip.
At our house this year, Christmas had already been celebrated last weekend, and for the first time in our marriage, Jeff and I were alone today. But before you feel sorry for us, let me tell you about my day.
I slept in. Stayed in my robe and slippers while I ate my toast (the breakfast of old ladies) and read (or glanced if you prefer) the paper. I grow tired of reading about who shot who and why, so I tend to just skip over those stories and head for the comics!
After I did a few household chores, I returned to my computer where I began coloring in my new grown-up coloring book. Each page is intricately decorated and it takes a lot of time to color all those tiny leaves and flowers. Luckily, I also have a new set of markers so I have lots of colors to choose from. In the beginning, I was coloring this garden scene as if it were real. Then I went back and looked at the title of the book "Secret Garden" and decided that since it was secret, I could color things as I wished. So you might see blue flowers and purple leaves. It's free expression and it's all mine.
I made myself lunch and curled up in the recliner with a book. It was, after all, a very tiring day! I became a bit sleepy so I took old Sam and we headed for the bed for a nap. The beauty of having an old dog that he never objects to sleeping.
Dinner was Chinese and we have enough leftovers for lunch tomorrow. Television shows at the moment pretty much suck, and I couldn't find anything worth watching on Netflix, so I decided to just turn the television off and return to coloring.
Admittedly the day felt a bit odd, but both Jeff and I adjusted. Jeff has his computer upstairs and mine is downstairs and both of us spent some quality time in front of our monitors!
It's late and I'm typing up my blog - have to get it in before the end of day!
I hope all of you had a very Merry Christmas.
P
Everyone knows that Santa arrived last night bringing lots of toys. He also gets to eat his share of cookies and milk. The reindeer get zip.
At our house this year, Christmas had already been celebrated last weekend, and for the first time in our marriage, Jeff and I were alone today. But before you feel sorry for us, let me tell you about my day.
I slept in. Stayed in my robe and slippers while I ate my toast (the breakfast of old ladies) and read (or glanced if you prefer) the paper. I grow tired of reading about who shot who and why, so I tend to just skip over those stories and head for the comics!
After I did a few household chores, I returned to my computer where I began coloring in my new grown-up coloring book. Each page is intricately decorated and it takes a lot of time to color all those tiny leaves and flowers. Luckily, I also have a new set of markers so I have lots of colors to choose from. In the beginning, I was coloring this garden scene as if it were real. Then I went back and looked at the title of the book "Secret Garden" and decided that since it was secret, I could color things as I wished. So you might see blue flowers and purple leaves. It's free expression and it's all mine.
I made myself lunch and curled up in the recliner with a book. It was, after all, a very tiring day! I became a bit sleepy so I took old Sam and we headed for the bed for a nap. The beauty of having an old dog that he never objects to sleeping.
Dinner was Chinese and we have enough leftovers for lunch tomorrow. Television shows at the moment pretty much suck, and I couldn't find anything worth watching on Netflix, so I decided to just turn the television off and return to coloring.
Admittedly the day felt a bit odd, but both Jeff and I adjusted. Jeff has his computer upstairs and mine is downstairs and both of us spent some quality time in front of our monitors!
It's late and I'm typing up my blog - have to get it in before the end of day!
I hope all of you had a very Merry Christmas.
P
Wednesday, December 24, 2014
Twas the Day Before Christmas
12/24/2014
It's Christmas Eve and years ago when the boys were young, this day was very hectic and exciting all at the same time. Now - not so much.
Jeff and I celebrated Christmas last weekend, so there is no last minute baking to be done and no packages to wrap. I could, I suppose, go to a store, any store and walk around and take in the last minute madness of gift buying. Generally, this last minute thing is mostly men (sorry fellas) who can't thing of what to buy the little woman.
Jeff is spending the day with Scott working on the townhouse that Scott is remodeling. Me? Since it's a gray, rainy day, I'm going to stay inside and read. My neighbor gave me a wonderful grownup coloring book for my birthday, so I will probably spend some time coloring today. Who knows maybe I'll even take a nap!
While it doesn't feel like Christmas, I think that has more to do with my age than my non-existent plans. I am, as everyone would agree, a recluse. I like my own company and the quiet that being alone brings. When my life is peaceful, I am less stressed and truly that's a good thing.
What will I do with myself tomorrow? Hmm. A movie and a bag of buttered popcorn perhaps.
Our life journey goes through many evolutions. We grow up, we have children, we work at our career. Our children then grow up, get married and have children. We retire from work, some of us sooner than we thought we would and have oodles of free time. I'm currently in that free time part of my life. No setting of the alarm clock or checking on the weather to see if it's going to snow. I can, after working 40+ years and raising my family, feel justified in doing exactly what I damn well please. This phase of my life is a good one.
Merry Christmas to you and your family.
P
It's Christmas Eve and years ago when the boys were young, this day was very hectic and exciting all at the same time. Now - not so much.
Jeff and I celebrated Christmas last weekend, so there is no last minute baking to be done and no packages to wrap. I could, I suppose, go to a store, any store and walk around and take in the last minute madness of gift buying. Generally, this last minute thing is mostly men (sorry fellas) who can't thing of what to buy the little woman.
Jeff is spending the day with Scott working on the townhouse that Scott is remodeling. Me? Since it's a gray, rainy day, I'm going to stay inside and read. My neighbor gave me a wonderful grownup coloring book for my birthday, so I will probably spend some time coloring today. Who knows maybe I'll even take a nap!
While it doesn't feel like Christmas, I think that has more to do with my age than my non-existent plans. I am, as everyone would agree, a recluse. I like my own company and the quiet that being alone brings. When my life is peaceful, I am less stressed and truly that's a good thing.
What will I do with myself tomorrow? Hmm. A movie and a bag of buttered popcorn perhaps.
Our life journey goes through many evolutions. We grow up, we have children, we work at our career. Our children then grow up, get married and have children. We retire from work, some of us sooner than we thought we would and have oodles of free time. I'm currently in that free time part of my life. No setting of the alarm clock or checking on the weather to see if it's going to snow. I can, after working 40+ years and raising my family, feel justified in doing exactly what I damn well please. This phase of my life is a good one.
Merry Christmas to you and your family.
P
Sunday, December 21, 2014
Post Bassett Christmas
12/21/2014
"Christmas" has come and gone at the Bassett house. On Friday, Jeff and I shopped, prepped and made the food that we were going to have on Saturday. I, being the chief elf, finished wrapping up the last minute gifts and running the vacuum just one more time!
Andrew et al spent Friday night at the house and, as promised, Saturday morning breakfast was hot iced cinnamon rolls out of the oven. The rolls are a bit hard on the diet (that is definitely an understatement!), but with a cup of coffee, yummy down to the last bite. Benjamin wasn't sure about eating a cinnamon roll, he prefers Pop Tarts, but after downing his first one, he was all about eating a second one. They could easily be habit forming.
Friday night after Andrew and family came to the house, we opened up a few gifts before bedtime. Benjamin's big gift was wrapped in two large black trash bags - I simply didn't have enough paper or energy to try and wrap up an electronic keyboard.
Scott came over on Saturday and we finished up opening gifts and Jeff hurried to set up the stand for the keyboard, so Benjamin could get to the business of playing music. In the afternoon, Scott's neighbors came for dinner and at best I would describe the atmosphere in the house as "controlled chaos". The dishes that Jeff and I prepared are family favorites and everyone seemed to enjoy them.
Last week I had gone to my favorite "mart" store and bought this large plastic container filled with all sizes of plastic boxes and lids. The plastic boxes are not of very high quality, but good enough to send food home to people and tell them to keep the containers.
This morning after I finally woke up at 10:00, all that is left for me to do is empty the dishwasher, wash the tablecloth, make myself a cup of coffee and read a book! While Jeff and I will be alone on Christmas, there is something sinfully peaceful knowing that my to do list is empty and I have days and days of doing nothing, while the rest of the world is still going crazy in stores, wrapping presents and addressing cards.
So what will I do on Christmas? I think I'll take myself off to see a movie and eat buttered popcorn!
P
"Christmas" has come and gone at the Bassett house. On Friday, Jeff and I shopped, prepped and made the food that we were going to have on Saturday. I, being the chief elf, finished wrapping up the last minute gifts and running the vacuum just one more time!
Andrew et al spent Friday night at the house and, as promised, Saturday morning breakfast was hot iced cinnamon rolls out of the oven. The rolls are a bit hard on the diet (that is definitely an understatement!), but with a cup of coffee, yummy down to the last bite. Benjamin wasn't sure about eating a cinnamon roll, he prefers Pop Tarts, but after downing his first one, he was all about eating a second one. They could easily be habit forming.
Friday night after Andrew and family came to the house, we opened up a few gifts before bedtime. Benjamin's big gift was wrapped in two large black trash bags - I simply didn't have enough paper or energy to try and wrap up an electronic keyboard.
Scott came over on Saturday and we finished up opening gifts and Jeff hurried to set up the stand for the keyboard, so Benjamin could get to the business of playing music. In the afternoon, Scott's neighbors came for dinner and at best I would describe the atmosphere in the house as "controlled chaos". The dishes that Jeff and I prepared are family favorites and everyone seemed to enjoy them.
Last week I had gone to my favorite "mart" store and bought this large plastic container filled with all sizes of plastic boxes and lids. The plastic boxes are not of very high quality, but good enough to send food home to people and tell them to keep the containers.
This morning after I finally woke up at 10:00, all that is left for me to do is empty the dishwasher, wash the tablecloth, make myself a cup of coffee and read a book! While Jeff and I will be alone on Christmas, there is something sinfully peaceful knowing that my to do list is empty and I have days and days of doing nothing, while the rest of the world is still going crazy in stores, wrapping presents and addressing cards.
So what will I do on Christmas? I think I'll take myself off to see a movie and eat buttered popcorn!
P
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