Scott

Godson Scott called last night to tell me he was the only "mom" who volunteered to be the leader of a group of "Daisy" Girl Scouts (pre-Brownies he told me).  He needed a detailed recommendation attesting that he is not a pervert faxed to the Girl Scouts.

I reminded him that I had written a recommendation for his very first job as a stockboy when he was 15.  Old people can do that - remind the kids we were around when they were just grasshoppers.  I'm sure the kids love when we do that ;-)

What nice things can I write about Scott?  That he can teach the Daisys all about computers? How to build a house from the ground up?  That one can work themselves up in the world through hard work and a positive attitude? To stay away from alcohol, smokes and drugs? That they can learn to cook like the guys on the Food Channel?  To have a smile on their face almost 100% of the time?  To love animals?  To find joy in nature whether its by swimming, scuba diving, boating or camping? 

Yep, I can write all those things about Scott and much. much more.

Dad

My father davened and blew the shofar at Anshei Emuna for Rosh Hashonah in 1993 and the congregation said it was the best he had ever done.  He told me the same thing over the phone.  He was proud and happy.

In the next day or so he went swimming in the community pool.  That night he had a massive coronary, his first, and passed away.  Today is his yartzeit.

When my father moved to the King's Point "Active Adult" community in 1979 he thought he truly had attained the lifestyle of the rich and famous. The $2.49 breakfast everyday at the Bagel Tree! An indoor AND outdoor swimming pool steps away from the condo! Gorgeous weather and no snow! A shvitz! Dancing and shows at the clubhouse! And at long last the time to go to shul every Saturday morning and earn the respect and admiration of the congregation.

So my father died thinking he was a wealthy man :-)

Miss you Dad.  Miss you so much.

L'Shana Tova

A new year.  A  fresh start.  A peaceful and reflective time of year.  Even in South Florida the air feels a little cooler and crisper, a sure sign of the High Holiday season. 

I'm looking forward to going to the Southern Jewish Rock services tonight with gal pal Terri.  She is recuperating from two bouts of cancer - skin and thyroid - this past year.

May we all be inscribed in the Book of Life for another year.

Amen

Hometown USA

My hometown is Chicago and always will be but my second hometown is here in Hollywood Florida. 

If I had to describe Hollywood in one word it would be "quirky".  It is certainly no suburban enclave boasting miles of chain stores with easy in-and-out parking, similar looking houses and inhabitants whose financial pictures are pretty much the same.  Hollywood is the only city I can think of around here that does not have a Wal-Mart (something I miss dearly).  Ditto no Golden Corral. 

Hollywood residents range from the homeless to CEOs of major corporations (like the late Dave Thomas of Wendy's).  Most are middle to lower middle class and many are 3rd or 4th generation citizens who would never think of living anywhere else.

Like everyone else who finds themselves anywhere, I landed in Hollywood Florida due to a variety of serendipitous occurrences.  I must admit I am generally pleased with this turn of events.  Hollywood has a thriving Jewish population, a gorgeous beach and a bunch of interesting places to eat and shop (that seem to change every month).  And of course its quintessential quirkiness promises to keep life interesting for years to come. 

Hollywood's motto used to be:

I think that sums it up perfectly.

Makeup

I suppose everyone has some kind of secret "crutch" that can be counted on to immediately pick them up when they're having a crappy day.  Mine is makeup. 

Me with my makeup can conquer the world!  Me without my makeup is not such a beautiful thing...

This picture is from a fun app that you can use to "try on" different colors of virtual shadow, blush and lipstick.  It doesn't really matter to me whether the makeup came from Big Lots or Macy's, just so I have it on (Big Secret: It's all about the same stuff).

I call this virtual blush "I Have a Fever".

:-)

Adventures in Eating

I've tried it all - from Crab Rangoon to Rocky Mountain Oysters. Frog legs? Raw fish? Alligator? Escargot? No problemo for this gal!

"Gullyah"

When I was young my father would sometimes get lucky and procure the ingredients for an Old World favorite. Calf's Foot Jelly ("gullyah") that filled the house with smells of garlic. Boiled Lungs (the lungs puffing up to many times their original size as they filled with water). Once he made a Stuffed Miltz (spleen).


Do you think that could be when I learned to be fearless about food??

;-)

Laura

Laura is 32 years old today. 

How did she ever become the amazing woman she is today?  She  is gorgeous! An incredible mother to three thriving children! A loving and devoted wife to an equally amazing man! So wise! So warm!  Not just a hair stylist but top rated in her field by professional standards groups. A tireless campaigner against the disease that took her mother. She has so many friends I can hardly keep them all straight.  She is funny and generous, loyal and grounded. 

I love you Laura.  Happy Birthday sweetheart.

Going Green

I am definitely as inconsiderate of the environment as anyone but I do try to recycle whenever possible (convenient). 

I get a lot of magazines each month in the snail mail: Cosmopolitan, Good Housekeeping, Oprah's Magazine, Harper's Bazaar, Marie Claire, maybe one or two others.  Do you think I actually pay for them??  Ha Ha you do not know me very well if you think that! 

I get them for free by using my Recycle Points.  I get Recycle Points for throwing my newspaper, pizza boxes, pop bottles and other stuff like that into the big blue City Of Hollywood recycle bin. 

And when I'm done with the magazines?  They go into the big blue bin to get me more magazines.  Now that's what you call recycling!

:-)

Change

This cute little cartoon reminded me that it's awfully easy to get set in our ways and fear change.  OK so change may not always be change-for-the-better but no change is stagnation and boredom.

I know I'm alive when I WANT to try new things - like writing a blog, a new phone app, some new technie gizmo, any new product that promises to improve my life, a new restaurant or something different thrown in the grocery cart, and of course, meeting new people. 

Life means change. 

And yes, I WILL master the new, improved Facebook!

Retirement Planning 101

I am trying to think of ways I might keep busy and amuse myself once I am retired. I hope to explore different ideas and therefore be fully prepared not to die of boredom when I chose that happy day or when it is foisted upon me against my will.

Today's idea is Napping. Could anything be more self indulgent? Ok so it's agreed, my first retirement activity is NAPPING.

Maybe I'll explore thrift shopping next...

zZZZZzZzz

Retirement Planning 102

a continuation of Retirement Planning 101...

The next activity on my list to pursue once I am retired is Thrift Store Shopping.  I truly enjoyed this up until a few years ago when some of my favorite thrift stores closed.  But there are plenty more left in South Florida to explore.

Thrift Store shopping is like a treasure hunt.  You never know what gem you'll find.  And of course if your find does not quite pan out the way you expected how much have you lost anyway?  It is guilt free shopping at its best!

Many years ago I knew a couple that had emigrated from Israel.  They said that America is the only place in the world where you can build a home and a life from what other people discard. 

OK so retirement activity #2 is Thrift Store shopping ;-)

Tubby Time

Another confession, I am a bath addict. I require lots of bubbles (I use Ajax for Dishes), dim lights or candles, Calgon if I'm feeling sensual or Baththerapy Eucalyptus bath salts if I need to relax. I buy the eucalyptus bath salts in a 20 pound drum. -->

I also have rubber ducks and an assortment of nice smelling body washes and shampoos.

I even have a towel warmer!

Calgon, take me away ;-)

Netflix

A few years ago my staffer Angie told me I should join Netflix and wow was she right.  Getting a DVD in the mail (sometimes a surprise because I may have forgotton it's on my list) is like getting a present from someone who likes you.  Best of all, the Netflix Guru is alsolutely clairvoyent and after I rated 500 or so movies I'd seen, Guru knew me better than I knew myself.  Guru would make suggestions I never would have chosen for myself or even ever heard of.  And Guru was usually spot on with its number rating of how much I would like any given movie.  What a bargain for only a few bucks a month.

But when Reed Hastings, CEO, decided to jack the price up a bunch, I dropped the streaming part.  There were usually no movies in the streaming catalog I cared to see, and it definitely could not compete with having thousands of choices available via snail mail or the fun or finding a red envelope in my mailbox.

Now Mr. Hastings has apologized for his complete underestimation of his own customer base - whether its those who chose DVDs or those who prefer streaming or those who are paying quite a bit more to have both options.  Bigger companies than Netflix have gone down in flames by not paying attention to little guys like me...

A Few Of My Favorite Things....

After all these years, my home is filled with things I love.  Most of my favorite things are Judaica.  Each has a little story.  Here are just a few.

Hamsa wall plaque

My late BFF Sheryl found this in a head shop around 1969.  Neither one of us had a clue what it was except that it had Hebrew writing on it.  My Dad explained it was a good thing and not evil as we had feared. 

Torah and Hagaddah

Sheryl gave them to me for Chanukah a year or two before she died.  They sit in a niche in my wall.  They are simply gorgeous, beautifully illustrated.

 

Rabbi Picture

Purchased at Montmartre, the artists gathering place in Paris France, in 1972 for $25.00 (framed).  The artist is Andre Grass.  I will grab this on my way out if I have to evacuate the house suddenly.

Wailing Wall Menorah

Purchased at the Glenview Hospital Gift Shop while visiting a sick relative.

Confession

I have a bad habit to confess. I am a hoarder. Oh definitely not the kind of hoarder who stockpiles tons of garbage like old newspapers and rubber bands. No, I'm talking about "saving" my cutest outfits, best make-up, nicest shoes and most expensive handbags for a "special" occasion.

This is picture of the best smelling shampoo ever made, Clairol's famous original Herbal Essence shampoo. They (in their infinite dumbness) stopped making it about 25 years ago but I (in my infinite smartness) stockpiled three bottles of it. I decided that my 62nd birthday was occasion enough to splurge and open one up and enjoy the sinful scent of the seventies. You guessed it, the stuff had decomposed and now smells like a cat's litter box.

Sometimes we can wait too long...


P.S. My Dolly is also showing signs of this bad habit. I have been finding her treats "saved" in the living room sofa cushions :-)

Fall Season

We don't get the changing colors on our trees or the falling leaves but every fall still brings the new TV season. Like a wonderful free gift, there are a whole bunch of shows with interesting premises to sample. I try to give them a fair shake and set the DVR to record about a half a dozen of them. Sometimes I will even watch one more than once! And on very rare occasions, one or two will become "must see TV".


This year I'm trying out the following:
Homeland
Unforgettable
Revenge
Person of Interest
A Gifted Man
Boss (Kelsey Grammar starring as a crooked Chicago mayor. Imagine that!)

My Quilt

I made this quilt about 12 years ago.  I cut every square and stitched every single piece by hand (needle and thread, no machine) including the batting and the backing.  It is no work of art, like my friend Jennifer's quilts, but it is soft and sturdy and it is my blankie of choice whenever I am sick. 

You may have noticed, there is no particular order to my arrangement of the little squares, and all the patterns were chosen for no other reason other than I liked them (except the ones Jennifer donated which I felt I had to use).

There are many folks who say a quilt is a metaphor  for Life itself. 

My Job

I basically love my job and find it difficult (though not impossible) to imagine a more fulfilling or rewarding career path.  So why is it the most hated job in America??

:-)

The Senders

Yep we all have them. Some send jokes that make you groan, some send political ramblings, some send Jewish things and dire news about Israel. Cousin Jeannie is a sender, she sends Power Points of pictures of European capitals and highbrow art exhibits. My friend J (just J) has been sending me daily snippets for the last 20 years, since we worked together in Chicago.

I try to only forward a tiny percentage of the stuff that clogs my in-box ;-)

Lately I've been getting more and more stuff on the President's perceived shortcomings. Where were all these people when I could hardly summon the courage to admit I voted for the other guy?

:-)

Man Plans

and God laughs.  So true.

I just found out yesterday that a colleague has inoperable pancreatic cancer.  Of course he is one of the good guys, only 59, a pleasure to work with and a joy to know. 

He was "a man with a plan". He knew the exact date he'd retire (February 2012), where he'd live (his cabin in North Carolina) and how he'd enjoy the rest of his days (being incredibly active). 

Life sometimes has other plans in store for us...

Chabad etc.

Chabad, Aish and other Orthodox groups have a big presence in my little corner of Hollywood Florida.  Although I am far from "frum" I do enjoy the plethora of Jewish restaurants, synagogues, Judaica shops and grocery stores that come with them.  It's also nice to see the "frummers" walking on Shabbos with their children.

I grew up thinking that being frum was meshugeneh, a little too off-beat and crazy.  After all, my father had "rebelled" against the Hasidic lifestyle of his youth, opting for a more modern (but still observant) daily existence. 

But I now have come to greatly appreciate and even admire the "frummers".  I believe it is due to their efforts that there is a resurgence of Yiddishkeit and Jewish tradition that will assure our people will survive and thrive for at least another generation.

My Boss

I owe my boss a lot.  He hired me twice, once at the County and again at the City.  Thanks to him I have a nice City pension which will probably guarantee I will never be a bag lady.

He is a genuinely nice guy and knows a lot about some aspects of IT that I do not (and am not really all that interested in).  But he is on thin ice here at work because of a huge failed project.  Basically his worse flaw is believing vendor hype and not doing due diligence.

I feel he is on the same path again with a new, very visible project and I have thought about little else for days.  When I try to ask the tough questions or offer my opinion, I am getting shut out (his way of dealing with unpleasant topics). 

This is a very tough one. 

Rock the Vote

Tomorrow, September 13, 2011 is voting day in Hollywood Florida. On the ballot are three referendums, one each for the general, police and fire-rescue employees' pensions. The outcome will determine if massive layoffs and even more salary cuts are in our future.

My polling place is Young Israel, an Orthodox synagogue a few blocks from home. A good place to pray while I vote!

All My Children

I was a faithful (addicted) watcher of the ABC soap opera All My Children from about 1975 until I went "cold turkey" 30 years later.  For all that time, even before the days of VCRs, I rarely missed an episode.  That took a lot of creativity like asking a waitress to change the channel at lunch time, or using a little TV with an antennae when I travelled around the country. 

After the blessed invention of the VCR, hitting rewind and watching the show was the first thing I did when I'd come home from work (after walking the dog of course).  After moving to Florida, I even went to Soap Fest in Orlando and saw the "stars" in person.  How silly was I? I'm kinda embarrassed to confess this.

I watched folks like Kelly Ripa and Sarah Michelle Gellar get their first breaks and move on.

All My Children's last episode will be September 23, 2011.  I don't miss it even the tiniest little bit but it was a patch in the quilt that is my life. 

May All My Children RIP.

Nine-Eleven

Ten years since our world changed.  I still get goose bumps when I remember how my staffer, Alessandro, rushed into my office and asked "are you watching TV?" 

He was a single guy, a geek-hacker, college dropout, fun loving guy.  Now he is a college graduate, a Senior Systems Analyst and a married father of 3 3/4 children.

But I digress.  I will never forget how my staff and I huddled in my office, glued to my little TV and watched in horror as the impossible to comprehend events actually happened. 

And how I sat for days afterwards, glued to the TV, replaying the events of that horrible day over and over.  Tossing and turning at night, thinking of the horror of those poor innnocent souls. 

Flying the flag. 

B-Day

Yes, it is.  My Birthday.  I am having an out of body experience because it cannot really be true that I am 62.  That is old enough to collect Social Security.  Old enough to be wise and venerable.  Old enough to know better.  Yeah, right ;-)

Chaz

Chaz Bono has been in the news lately because of his upcoming stint on Dancing With The Stars.  I must admit I'm a fan and I am looking forward to cheering him on.  Maybe even casting an online vote or two.

I read his book "Becoming Chaz" subtitled "How I Became a Man" a few months ago.  It wasn't a "poor me" story although he for sure has had a lot to deal with in his life.  Bad press about his turn on the dance floor is probably the least of the obstacles he has overcome.

Go Chaz! You're already a winner...

Mom

A friend's Facebook post reminded my that September 7th is my Mom's yartzeit.  Six years. 

She was the Best Mom.  Not in every way, but oh did she try to be!  She loved me unconditionally and thought I was the smartest, most beautiful person on the earth.  But she also gave me small neuroses, like worrying and being slightly fearful of the big outside world. 

Love you Mom.  Miss you. 

OPI

I visited a nail salon in November 2010 for a special occasion and have been hooked ever since.  Along with the joy of no more broken nails (no matter how much housework I do) and the fun of picking from hundreds of cool colors of nail polish I have a great time laughing at the names of OPI's* line of nail lacquer.

How about trying "I'm Not Really A Waitress" or " Teal the Cows Come Home" or "Mrs. O"Leary's BBQ" or "Lincoln Park At Midnight"? No? How about "Aphrodite's Pink Nightie" or "Hopelessly In Love"? 

I actually OWN three of them -"San Tan-tonio" (from the Texas Collection, Spring 2011), "Paint My Moji Toes Red" (South Beach Collection) and my FAVORITE, "Baguette Me Not" (French Collection), shown here (but not on me, my nails are much shorter) ->

Check out the Texas Collection here

* number one line of polish at nail salons 

...About This Sabbath

Cousin Marlene posted ...ABOUT THIS SABBATH (see below) on her blog.  It was uncanny that both us wrote almost simultaneously about the joy of Friday night services.  When I wrote her "we must be related!" and when she read my blog post she responded as follows:

Marlene Perlman-Putterman Evelyn, there is no "MUST" about it, clearly Uncle Al and Zade made sure their children were very firmly linked to the family values, but 'OH, WOW,' on the timing of our thoughts! Larry was in Shul ALL the time; Shabbat (& before or after the service found that he was the only soccer coach on the field w/a suit and tie), every Yom-Tov of course, and pretty much everyday in between for something because he was ' ritual' chairman and there is always a Minyan or ritual to tend to in Shul! Don't get me wrong, I was active and the girls were always there, but compared to Larry it was all to a much lesser degree. One of the things I loved most about that guy Larry; he had great values, morals and ideals, knew his place in the Jewish community, AND most important made sure that he kept his family connected to their 'second home' by making it most important in our house. After Larry passed away we went to Shul every Friday night, but ultimately stopped and I can't really even say why. I loved the Friday night service for many reasons, AND have been saying how much I feel the need to go to Friday night services for the longest time. Interestingly, the Rabbi's sermon spoke to those who make their Shabbos dinners, celebrate with their families in their own homes, and DON'T COME TO SHUL. What is happening to the Friday night service? Just one more connection I see that I also use a New Year to make important changes in my life.

...about this Sabbath

by Marlene Perlman Putterman

While sharing a special occasion with an incredible family this Sabbath morning after a week of work, traffic, more work, and more traffic, I was sitting in the sanctuary of a Synagogue with nothing but time to reflect.   What a peaceful, calming way to end a week; I loved who I was with, where I was at, & what I was doing.

The Rabbi spoke about many things, but one thing in particular stayed with me the whole day.   He said something about improving oneself, moving or advancing because to stay the same, or stagnant, is the same as falling behind.  Applicable in so many contexts, I chose to use that concept to help myself define goals that would help me improve as a person, to avoid becoming “stagnant,” or falling behind the person I want to be.

This evening, I heard about the passing of two people; both connected by community, schools, friends, & family, to name just a few.  I am so sad about these two women, contemporaries of mine, both so young. 

…So, I should not forget to continuously strive to advance myself as a person.  Life is fragile; each day must reflect the best of who I am.

Horoscope

for today, Tuesday 9/6:

"You might be disappointed in yourself if you fall short of someone's (that would be my own) unrealistic expectations. You are too results-oriented now to waste time in self-pity or self-doubt. Figure out what went wrong, make a better plan and try again before you lose motivation."

I will!  I will do just that!

Healthy Living (caution "X" rated)

Someone out there knows I'm a senior citizen (and getting more senior) cause I keep receiving the "Healthy Living" catalog.  It is chock full of helpful products that I am emphatically NOT looking forward to needing.  They are truly for the geriatric demographic - wheelchair accessories, incontinence protection, age spot removal cream, etc.

What is heartening however, is the number of pages devoted to keeping one's sex life humming. 

So nu, what does this say about getting older?  ;-)

Miss You

1969

A beautiful piece written for one's lifelong friendship with another woman.  Of course it reminded me of you.  I wish I could write like that...

1976

1982

1995

2004

One Month Anniversary

I started my blog a month ago on August 3rd 2011 and like any new endeavor it has had some bumps in the road.  But I am having a great time and don't plan to quit (even though I contemplated doing just that one or two times).

It's the real ME, packaged in bite-size morsels!

Poetry In Your Pudding

A young Mom was trying to help her son with his homework and asked "does anyone know what poetry in your pudding" means?  I think I do, it's finding the beauty and pleasure and inspiration in the simplest of things (like my bathroom scale!)

my morning oatmeal
seeing the moon when I pick up the paper
Dolly and her ball
a good news text
a cinnamon stick in my low-cal hot cider

PS I was so fortunate to have a father who read poetry to me...