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?   ;-)