A Year in My Life

My first blog post was on August 3, 2011.  What  started as a lark has become my treasure.

Over 300 entries, mostly about me, me, me (ha ha ha).  A permanent record of my musings, some silly, some thoughtful, some flights-of-fantasy, but always a honest expression of my own Me-ness.

I started my blog by remembering the Dear Diary I kept as a teenager.  These small journals, unopened, unloved, dusty mementos sitting on my shelf, have also come to be treasured anew.

It has been a true joy to write my blog during this great year!

It was a very good year...
Thank you, Dear Diary.

Oxymoron

It's a figure of speech which is incongruous and/or self-contradictory, as in “cruel kindness” or “to make haste slowly.”  Something that shouldn't exist but does.

Here's an example.  I have no idea why I thought of this but I decided today that I need a lady's kippah (yarmulke) for the High Holidays.  I think it came from reading my friend Jill's blog on a pretty lace doily she found.  It looked like it would make a great lady's kippah, much better than the scrap of white lace or (gasp!) the dishtowel I wear on my head when lighting the Shabbos candles.

So I searched and bought this lovely beaded and lace kippah on eBay.  By my deep seated early training, such a thing should not exist.  But I am a modern woman, willing and able to change, adapt, or at least bend a little.  Of course it helps that it is beautiful and I will get beaucoup compliments when I wear it to shul.

There is a story that a man supposedly told Professor Susannah Heschel that "a woman belongs on the bimah (in a leadership position in the congregation or reading from the Torah) as much as an orange belongs on the seder plate."  There are oranges on many seder plates in recent decades (must remember to have one on mine next year) as a gesture of solidarity with women, gays, lesbians, widows and others who are sometimes marginalized in the Jewish community. 

An oxymoron?  No.  A beautiful change.

I Heart Retirement

It's been five months today since I retired.  To tell you the truth, it has been perhaps the happiest time in my life (poo poo poo) or at the very least, number two. The thought of returning to work anywhere makes me shiver.  I would rather drastically downscale my lifestyle than give up this exhilarating sense of freedom.

In the last five months I've entertained Laura and Jason and the grand-god-kids, Scott and Victoria and the grand-god-kids and cousins Larry and Joy who we haven't seen in 30 years.  I had minor (thankfully) surgery, changed doctors and had a complete medical work-up and an eye exam, sampled the community treadmill, read a bunch of books and saw a load of movies, got a tiny bit tanner, volunteered at the shul office and for the Re-elect Dick Blattner campaign, digitized hundreds of slides and our old wedding album and created a gorgeous photobook.  I shopped for great finds at the Goodwill and the Swap Swap, made plans for a cruise and for Scott's birthday in Orlando and lunched with the ladies.  The grout is cleaner and the closet now has pretty new velvet hangers and a lot of old junk has been relocated to the landfill.  I sleep a little later (though not today) and can usually stay up til after 10 pm.  We are still OK financially, my former guilt-inducing fear of retirement. 

Life is Good and I am Happy.

;-)

Unfinished Work

I guess even retirees have unfinished work.  This week has flown by with tons of stuff-to-do, even though there was virtually nothing on my calendar.  I have declared today R&R day with a very short list of "to do's".

The list includes a return at Big Lots, laundry, and watering the patch of new sod by hand.

Also on the list - finish the last few chapters of "Mockingjay", the third and final book in the Hunger Games trilogy (better than I expected!) and stop at the library to pick up my next book, "The Unfinished Work of Elizabeth D."   Its premise is that a woman reads her friend's journals after her death and learns that she did not know her BFF as well as she thought. 

I guess this is the day to catch up on "unfinished business".

;-)

Treadmill

William Staub, inventor of the treadmill died today at 96. 

Now normally this news would mean zip to me except I learned of it this morning watching CNN while actually ON a treadmill.  Spooky!

Yes indeedy, I was on Day Three of my new 20-minute-a-day-treadmill program which represents the third day I have actually been on any kind of exercise program.  I started out at 2 miles an hour but have quickly ramped up to 3.5 miles an hour where I feel I am actually doing something resembling exercise.  I don't know where that puts me but I'm pretty sure "ancient out-of-shape couch potato" is pretty close to my current state of physical fitness.

I am lucky to have a state-of-the-art fitness room in my community that takes only a minute to get to.  Watching TV makes the 20 minutes fly by.  What am I hoping to accomplish?  I want to jack up my basic metabolism which advancing age has slowed to a crawl.  I hear there are lots of good things that come from a walking program; I better get a book on the subject and check them out.

In the meantime, I'm off to endulge in the 80 calories the treadmill said I burned this morning.

Thanks, Wlliam Staub!

In The Mail

Dolly and I were out walking when Jo the Mail Lady pulled up to our mailbox and dropped off the following:

My direct deposit pension check stub

A "Woman Within" catalog featuring "comfort, fit and value for sizes 12 wide to 44 wide".  How I got on their list is a mystery as I have never, ever been in that size range and am currently hovering in the size 4 to 6 neighborhood.

Dr. Leonard's  "America's Leading Healthcare  Catalog".  Chock full of stuff I sincerely pray will not be needed for many, many years. How I got on this list is anybody's guess.

A new ROAD SCHOLAR 150 page catalog, featuring "Adventures in Lifelong Learning".  I know how I got on this list cause I requested their catalogs when I retired and started plotting a new life filled with adventure.  Reading the catalog is an adventure in itself.  If you cannot find something that interests you in their hundreds of offerings (think going-away camp for adults) you truly are ready for the rocking chair and retirement home. 

No bills in the mail today so I can't complain  ;-) 
Thanks USPS and Jo!

Rocket Women

Judith Resnick

One of my heroines, Dr. Judith Arlene Resnick, only five months older than me, and the first Jewish American in space, died in 1986 in the Challenger disaster.  She was only 36.

Sally Ride

Another of my heroines, Dr. Sally Ride, the first woman in space and openly gay, died today, July 23rd, at only 61.

Such marvelous, accomplished, groundbreaking women!   They blazed trails for the rest of us and left their marks like shooting stars in the night. 

 May the universe that you opened to the world now embrace your spirits...

What's For Dinner?

Ahhhh.  Morning coffee (second cup) and daydreaming over the new "easy summer recipes" in the August 2012 Woman's Day magazine.  So many beautiful pictures along with the "Easy Everyday Meals"!

Yes indeed I wish these were what's-for-dinner: Peach and Balsamic Grilled Chicken Wings * Grilled Sausage with Potatoes, Red Peppers and Spinach * Seared Tilapia with Summer Squash Salad * Lamb Sandwiches with Red Onion and Argula  or maybe Tex-Mex Gazpacho.  And for dessert: Lime-Mint Ice Cream Bars * Fruit Swirled Ice Cream * S'Mores Ice Cream Cake or Strawberry Ice Cream Cheesecake?

Here's what's REALLY for dinner: hamburgers and/or hot dogs, pizza (frozen but enhanced with extra garlic and oregano), BBQ chicken, Popeyes, steak on the grill, stir-fry veggies with beef & teriyaki sauce on rice,  liver and onions, Chinese carry-out, corned beef on rye, or maybe chopped liver or chicken soup if I am extra ambitious.

;-)

Shopping Spree

I'm kinda cheap but I do like to shop.  I have two categories of discretionary purchases:
1) gotta have it no matter what and 2) it is such a good deal I can't pass it up.
Here are the latest finds and their category.

Opi's "Chapel of Love".  Definitely Category 1.  I paid $9.97 for this discontinued color after searching everywhere for a similar color for a few bucks.  No luck.  I broke down and ordered it from ebay.

Kohl's comfy sandals, a steal at $11.00 after all my discounts.  I wish I bought a second pair in white.  Category 2.

 Invisible bra straps, 2 for $1.97 including shipping from China.  Where have these been all my life?  Category 1.

 
Cuter than cute cargo shorts from Wal-Mart!  Would you believe $3.00??  Category 2.

Handmade hippie look shlep bag from the Hollywood Yellow Green Market.  A steal at $18.00 (no tax) but since I really didn't need it but just had-to-have-it, it's definitely Category 1.

Game Changer

Twelve people died and 71 were shot at midnight showings of "The Dark Knight Rises" in Aurora Colorado this morning.  For them, for the hundreds of other people there who witnessed this massacre, for their friends, their relatives and that whole community, life will never be the same.

Life can change in the blink of an eye when we least expect it.  We can try to plan for some unforeseen events.  We can buy health, life, car and home insurance.  We can pre-arrange our funeral, write our wills, save for retirement or for a rainy day.  But who expects that a fun night out at the movies will turn into a game changer? 


Why do so many horrible events each year involve a gun and a deranged or desperate person?

I wish the Dark Knight was real and that he could stop this senseless killing.

People

I like people.  Not ALL people but certainly a bunch of people.  But when I was seriously considering my lifetime career I knew enough not to gravitate toward sales, beautician or community organizer. 

Here's an article on the best careers for folks who prefer to work alone. Happily Software Developer ranks Number 4 because I truly enjoyed that aspect of my IT career.  It wasn't long however before my strong desire to "do things right" (that is, My Way) propelled me into management and, as they say, the rest is history.  Interaction with people became a must, as it does eventually for all of us.  There are very few true hermits in the world hahaha.

But I'd still rather have a few great folks around than a whole bunch of "just people".

;-)

Deathbed Confessions

The last laugh was had by this joker, too bad it was in his obituary cause he sounded like a great guy with a wacky sense of humor.  He loved life and was determined to go out with one last laugh. 

The one thing Val Patterson said that was not a joke: his cigarette habit deprived him - and the ones who loved him - of many more years of life.

I am sure I myself have several things I could confess but I guarantee no one will ever hear of them - deathbed or not! 

;-)

In The Swim

Most women fear shopping for a swimsuit.  After all, with articles like "What your swimsuit says, according to guys"  coupled with the feared 3-way-mirror and the hotties on the beach and by the pool, the average woman would rather clean the oven than try on swimsuits.

Not so moi!  At 62 the only thing I require from my swimsuit is that I don't look ridiculous in it.  Here's my collection:

My favorite 2 piece

My favorite - love the Florida motif!

Newest - just bought for 2012 cruise!

Most flattering basic black

wore to Hawaii 18 years ago

Seven Habits

Stephen Covey, author of "The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People" died today.  He was 79 and died of injuries sustained from a fall while riding his bicycle. 

When I was working I read many, many motivational books that offered me career advice.  Of course Stephen Covey's books were among them but at this point they have all blurred together and except for W. Clement Stone and John T. Molloy, I can't say I remember too much about any one author.

Somewhere along the line, I guess I made up my own "7 effective habits" and since I wrote yesterday about some of my shortcomings (there are many others) today I will write about some of my good habits (there are far fewer of those, hahaha).

1. I pay bills as soon as they arrive

2.. I never procrastinate

3. If it's a great sale and I know I'll use it, I buy a bunch

4. I make the bed every day

5. I fill up the car when it dips below 1/2 tank of gas (you never know) 

6. I weigh myself every day, same time

7. I  read the newspaper with my morning coffee even though it's a bit old fashioned.

RIP Stephen Covey...

Needs Improvement

I wish I was better at:

Putting on my eyeliner.  Sometimes it goes on great, sometimes I need a complete re-do.  You would think I'd be better at it since I've been putting it on since I was 13.

Backing up the car.  I CAN NOT back into a parking space or at least if I can I am very nervous about it.  Maybe my next car will have a back-up camera...

Singing.  I cannot carry a tune no matter what. 

Entertaining.  I have friends who can whip up a party with 5 main courses plus sides and dessert and I wonder how-did-she-do-that??

Line dancing.  Let's face it, I'm a klutz.

Crafts.  I can sew on a button and hem up pants and have even been known to work a sewing machine, do needlepoint and crochet, but I am severely challenged beyond that point. 

Exercising.  Ha Ha Ha, this is never going to happen.

Vera

So Vera Wang (at 63) and Arthur Becker are divorcing after 23 years of marriage.  And I read this article that senior divorce rates are soaring. 

I know of oodles of "starter marriages" that were mercifully laid to rest early and both parties went on to successful and happy second or even third marriages.  But senior divorce (poo poo poo), after years of building a life together, perhaps raising a family and finally seeing the fruits of your labors and maybe having it a little easier, does seem pretty dismal. 

But then I remember my cousin who divorced after 35 unhappy years and married the love of her life.  I guess the heart knows no age limit and the human spirit strives to be happy at any age. 

Who knows?  Perhaps Vera may yet design another of her exquisite wedding dresses for herself  ;-)

Joe and Julius

"The evil that men do lives after them; The good is oft interred with their bones", Act 3, Scene ii of Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare (Mark Antony speaking of Julius Caesar).  How true that we remember people for what is perhaps a single failing or misjudgement and not for the entirety that is their lifetime. 

The debate rages on whether the statue of Joe Paterno, the beloved coach for 46 years of Penn State, should be removed in light of the knowledge that he helped conceal Jerry Sandusky's (convicted child sex offender) activities and dissuaded other university officials from reporting him to the authorities. The good that Joe Paterno did?  He and his wife donated more than $4 million to Penn State and funded the school's library that bears their names in addition to holding the record for the most NCAA victories.

So where do I stand on this issue?  There is not a doubt in my mind that statues are for heroes, those folks that gave the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms or to save other human beings or who led our nation to victories at tremendous personal cost to themselves.  Not for winning football coaches with extremely poor judgement and/or who put personal interests ahead of human suffering and exploitation.

We can and should remember both the good and the bad that was Joe Paterno, but the statue needs to go. 

PJ Library

God-daughter Victoria texted me that little Carter (2 years old) received the latest free PJ Library book today - "Sunrise, Sunset".  She mentioned that the book reminded her of my late BFF (her mother-in-law) because Sheryl always loved that song and that the song has increased meaning for her as she watches her own children grow.

The PJ Library is a program that sends free Jewish themed children's books and music to young folks - no questions asked - in an effort to promote understanding of Jewish concepts, rituals and Yiddishkeit in general.  They are gloriously illustrated and beautifully written and it actually caused me a twinge of pain to give up my one PJ book to Carter when he visited.  But after all, they are designed, written and provided free for the kinderleh and not for old bubbes like me, haha.  And of course, Carter did lend me his copy of BabYiddish long enough for me to copy it into a pdf file ;-)

I am so proud that my Temple is a sponsor for this program for Broward County, along with many other organizations across the country.  It is easy to sign up for the program from almost every community. 

Check it out for your children and grandchildren!

This Made My Day

I can't believe it but I got carded yesterday!  The young lady at Kohl's asked to see my ID to see if I really did qualify for the 15% Wednesday senior discount.  Ha Ha Ha.  When I showed her my age she said I didn't look it.

The last time I got carded (not being one to frequent bars or order alcoholic beverages) I was 23 and tried to buy a can of root beer in a liquor store (I was really thirsty and the liquor store was right by the Argyle "L" stop).  I did not know you couldn't even buy a can of soda in a liquor store if you were under-age.

It won't be long, I know, before no one will debate my senior status.  I see small changes in my body and face, along with the undeniable need for reading glasses and the fact that I sometimes miss some TV dialogue. 

Yesterday I asked hubby "how were the Doc Martens?" (his new shoes) 
He said "It was down about 40 or 50 points" (the stock market)

I'm seeing what is lying on the horizon and it is not pretty...
;-)

I Choose

And this is how I'll do it:
I'll go on a cruise every year
I'll call friends and relatives
I'll try to see them in person
I'll take care of myself
I'll get my nails done
I'll use all the stuff I've been saving
I'll go to shul and light the Shabbos candles
I'll see first run movies
I'll eat at endless buffets
I'll cuddle my puppy
If I want something, I'll get it for myself
I'll add a bit of romance everyday
I'll do more to be a better friend
I'll do more to be a better person
I'll fill my life with Joy and Gratitude

My Inner Child

I take these Facebook "words of wisdom" with a grain of salt but this one kind of made me stop and ponder it a bit.  What would Little Evelyn think of Big Evelyn? 

All Little Evelyn's childhood dreams have come true and to top them all off, Big Evelyn has cool toys, a car and pretty clothes to wear.  Big Evelyn has had a fun, interesting and relatively trauma-free life, filled with joy and blessed with love and good health.

But would Little Evelyn be proud of me?  I hope so.  I promise to keep working on it, my inner maideleh...

Lulu

Lulu has been doing my nails since November 2010.  She is Vietnamese and the owner of Lulu Nail Spa.  She's about 30, works 7 days a week and is only off on Christmas Day.  She has an eleven month old son, Ryan, and she doesn't speak English very well.

I stopped going to Lulu's for a few months awhile back to try the nail salon next to the Winn-Dixie which is very close to home.  But I went back to Lulu because the ladies at the new salon were always bickering, their selection of nail polish was abysmal and no one does as good a job as Lulu. 

Today Lulu told me that if I wanted her to keep doing my nails I need to go to her new, second salon that she just bought.  You guessed it - it's the salon next to the Winn-Dixie, right by home!  Sure, I'm happy that getting my nails done there will save me a 10 mile round trip, but I'm happier still that this hard-working, talented and ambitious young woman is making her American Dream come true.

They say that Asians are the fastest growing ethnic group in the country, even more so than Hispanics.  You don't hear too much about them though because the common belief is that they are smart, educated, industrious, respectful and self-reliant.  I don't have much of a sample to go by but if a great number are like Lulu, I'd say that stereotype may have legs! Go Lulu!

Traveling Companions

Harv, Vi, Sandy, Art, me & Stu - Israel 11/2011

Absolutely nothing made me happier than when cousin Harvey said he and Vi want to accompany us on our cruise in a few months!  They are simply the greatest traveling companions ever and they made our trip to Israel last year the most incredible trip of a lifetime. 

There is a special place in heaven for folks who adopt their spouse's children and raise them as their own, don't you agree?  When Harvey married Vi she came with two adorable toddlers, Michael and Dana.  Harvey adopted them and raised them Jewish (Vi converted and knows more than I do) and they have paid him back with love and grandchildren.



Harv & Sheryl, our wedding

Stu first  introduced me to his cousin Harvey when they went swimming at the Mather High School pool. They were practicing for a PE class at the University of Illinois where they both went to school.  Harvey was a great swimmer and was on his high school (Sullivan High) swim team. He and Vi move a lot slower now as they both have complications from diabetes, heart conditions and strokes. But they are just as much fun as ever and I am sooo looking forward to our next great adventure together! 

Like I said, best traveling companions - on a vacation or through Life - ever!

Dream On

Kenny Chesney - Who Knew?

I am a sound sleeper.  I conk out about 10 each night and and get up wide-eyed and bushy-tailed 8 or 9 hours later, with only an occasional bout of insomnia.  I rarely dream and when I do it's usually either a nightmare or something unsettling that wakes me up in a cold sweat. Luckily, I rarely remember my dreams and if I do, it's not for long. How odd that last night, after discussing dreams-in-general with a friend, I had this dream:

I am in a grotto, like a Mexican ruin but it may have been somewhere else.  It is a tourist attraction and I like it a lot.  A man and a woman enter the place and I give an educational talk about the place's history.  When they leave I realize the man was Kenny Chesney (I am not a big fan but I did see him on TV a few nights ago) and the woman was someone named Stil Stitson (whom I never heard of and doesn't really exist).  They came back and I kvelled all over them, mostly Kenny.  He was very nice.  My travelling companions, including Harvey and Vi (more on them in a few days), were there too.

I have included this great picture of Kenny, because, let's face it, otherwise my dream and this post would be pretty boring  ;-)

PS Is it just co-inky-dink that Kenny's first album was "In My Wildest Dreams"????

Ka-Pow

I feel a bit like I've been hit by a truck.  My recent surgery to remove a thankfully benign lipoma (lump of fat) and my own klutziness have resulted in me being black and blue in several areas.  Things are improving a bit and hopefully a full recovery coupled with high-coverage makeup will do the trick shortly. 

The current situation has necessitated a few minor adjustments like wearing my bra that criss-crosses in the back and avoids the sore area, skipping my usual daily submersion into bathwater and forgoing the pool even though it's certainly hot outside. The doctor also cautioned against heavy lifting, stretching and other strenuous activities, specifically housework. This is harder (a least for me) to do but I am gamely struggling with an uncontrollable urge to scrub the floor.

 ;-) 

Swap Shop

There is no place I've found that can rival the Fort Lauderdale Swap Shop: acres upon acres of the smallest of small business entrepreneurs with their wares spread out on tables or hanging from portable racks, a 14 screen drive-in movie theatre for when the sun goes down (probably the last in the country), a huge farmer's market, a food court with exotic fare from all our Florida cultures and an indoor "mall" for the more "upscale" businesses. More than flea market, it's a treasured icon for those of us who love Old Florida. 

It's also the best place to score t-shirts and summer necessities (things beloved by our snowbirds and tourists) so yesterday I ventured there in search of cruiseware for our upcoming vacation.  Check out the three cute sundresses I scored for - wait for it - $9.00 total (no tax). I probably could have done better if I cared to negotiate which I never (rarely) do. 

One of my best former buys at the Swap Shop were six new super-nice high-quality bras for $10.00.  I'll spare you the picture ;-)

Who Moved My Cheese?

I must be getting older because it irks me when something small changes and some unknown entity "moves my cheese".  I think my frustration is less about the change itself than the fact that No One Asked Me.  Cases in point: my Kodak Gallery shutting down and moving my pictures to Shutterfly (a much better service incidentally) and this latest little beige banner on my customized iGoogle page telling me that iGoogle will be not be available after November 2013.

I am one of those who embraces new technology while simultaneously adhering to that old adage "if it ain't broke don't fix it".  I have successfully resisted upgrading my iPhone to the latest version and jailbreaking the one I have.  I am happy to get my Netflix videos via snail mail and popping them into the old DVD player (albeit a Blu-Ray player).  Of course anything that promises to save me time or money will make me an "early adopter" like shopping or paying bills online.

But what will I do without my Daily Puppy fix?   ;-)