Happy Thanksgiving 2013

Enjoy your holiday!!! This year I took the easy way out - bought a turkey breast along with already prepared potatoes, sweet potatoes, gravy, stuffing, rolls, and pumpkin pie!!!   Should be the fastest prepared meal ever!!!

New Car and New Responsibility

Youngest son now has a job so to make his work commute easier, yesterday I purchased a car for the young lad.  After reviewing numerous Craig's List ads, we called a few then settled on previewing this model.  Clean, well-cared for and well-running, and serviced regularly so we decided to buy.  A 2003 Chevy Impala....yes, a V6 for him, which cost a little more for insurance but for the price as well as its shape makes me worry less about his safety.  He's now on the responsibility train so I'm eager to see that he lives up to this mission.

Now, before anyone asks why oldest son does not have a car, he is not a driver. He doesn't want to get his license and prefers to be a rider as well as a walker so if that works for him, it works for me. 

Smorgasbord Summary for Sunday

Friday night involved perusing Pinterest for manicure ideas.  Here's what I duplicated; oh, nails are such a fun canvas for art.


Saturday involved car shopping.  Son with license but no car....what to do?   We had been tossing around the idea of buying him a cheap used car, then we looked at better used cars, which would involve a car loan, and then the thought came that perhaps I should get a new car and he could use my Kia. This turned into a trip, with kids in two, to Vancouver Dick Hannah yesterday morning to peruse a new vehicle.

Took one for a test spin then sat down to work out the details. Ugh….I just do not care for car salesmen and their process. I channeled my Michael and his straight-forward attitude, taking to heart we were discussing my money. After a few back and forth discussions, then being tag-teamed by the salesman and the financial dude, I finally broke. I told them I’d think about it and come back if I continued to be interested. The salesman asked if it was because I didn’t trust their discounts or him; I replied it was a little of both. Gathering my purse and my “bodyguards”, I thanked the salesman and we departed. Speaking with Michael later, it was clear his original advice to me that Sam needs a cheap used car rather than allowing him to drive my new Kia was a much better plan.  Lesson learned and I'm committed to taking his practical advice rather than letting my stubbornness get in the way of being smart!

After the dealership ordeal, we ate lunch at Red Robin then hit Vancouver Mall for some browsing. I’ve been looking for a nice pair of leather knee high boots; unfortunately, due to my rather large and muscular calves, it’s hard to find a pair that will zip up past my ankles! Many, many years ago I purchased a very nice pair of cognac brown leather boots at Nordstrom, which I simply adored, so my first stop was there. I was pleasantly surprised to see tons of reduced, clearance boots available, including wide-calf models. After trying on four pairs, my selection was an Ecco pair of leather boots with buckles.

My final stop was at Old Navy, where I picked up a cute sweater along with a clearance-priced sweatshirt with rhinestone trim. Locating Sam and Jordan, we then departed the mall and made our way for home.

This morning sister Julie sent me a cute picture of her newly colored hair. It was the first time she had a “weave”, which turned out great! Really brings out her blue eyes!!! You are fabulous Jube!!! Speaking of hair, today may take me back to the salon to get my asymmetrical bob trimmed. The longer side just seems too heavy so a minor clip job is in order.

That’s it for my weekend before Thanksgiving!!! Have a fabulous Sunday Divas!!!

Lookin good Sis!!!

TGIF!!!

The Mind Says Thirties but The Back Says Not!

This week has been exhausting with a capital E!  After a week of backache and pains, I finally broke down and made a doctor's appointment on Monday.  My lower back had been in distress for almost a week - there was no reason for it, simply got out of bed and was in pain.  It was ignored, it was deluged with Tylenol, but alas nothing worked so the doctor was my last resort, mainly for prescription pain killer.

Meeting up with the doctor at the urgent care clinic, I described my lower back agony, which had began spreading to my gluteus maximus area.  After getting big points following his comment of "are you in your thirties?", the doctor prescribed muscle relaxants and anti-inflammatory painkillers.  He also put me on two days of bed rest to recuperate.

 

On top of my back ache, a cold decided to descend upon my pain-riddled body.  Tuesday and Wednesday were spent in a drug induced fog, including but not limited to a nose running like a faucet, chronic cough, and numerous naps.  The only excursion made from my bed or the couch was a short trip to Walmart on Wednesday, wearing the same sweatpants that adorned my posterior all week.  It was not a pretty or pleasant-smelling fashion moment!

Sharing in my back pain, literally, was sister Julie, who was also experiencing the same ailment.  Perhaps we had a "twin" sister bond, and my pain was her pain.  We traded texts regarding our agony, home remedies, and of course plenty of whining.

Today brought a return to work, along with the ability to shave (more aptly described as weed whacking) my legs once again, which had been ignored for a week because bending over was out of the question.  My back is much better but my cold is still hanging on.  In fact, the cough has intensified, including the old "wet your pants when you hack" syndrome. The highlight for today was performing sexual harassment avoidance training in a packed room when you aren't sure if the room was uncomfortable due to the topic or because the participants could smell the perfume of urine and cough drops exuding from my being.  The end of the day couldn't come fast enough!!

Here's to another workweek ending tomorrow and my aches and pains disappearing very soon!!!

Monday Once Again

When Christmas is a Mixed Blessing

It's apparent with all the commercials, store décor, and tales of Black Friday that Christmas is coming.  Instead of feeling uplifted, wandering through the aisles upon aisles of holiday décor make me feel.....depressed.  Christmas brings to mind thoughts of childhood and memories that we are unable to repeat.  That spirited, believe-in-anything frame of mind inherent to children is now gone, replaced by a jaded sense of commercialism and bittersweet thoughts of family who are no longer with us either by death or by choice.  Both my mother and grandmother passed away in December 1996 and the upcoming month can't help but remind me of wonderful memories but also the absence in my life of these beloved matriarchs.  My children are now grown, maturing beyond the magical wonder of the holiday, happy simply with a wad of cash as opposed to stuffed animals, action figures, and sugar cookies.

How does one recapture the magic of Christmas?  Perhaps by simply reflecting upon memories of the past, shuffling through the photo albums, praying and breathing can you enhance the holiday season.  Instead of making the day bigger and better, you can make it smaller and cozier, intimate enough that it becomes special once again.  Give to those in need when it's least expected rather than giving by obligation only.  Express appreciation.  Say thank you.  Smile.  And revel in the blessings God has bestowed upon you in the last year.  Replacing the Christmas blues with a thankful heart may just be the ticket to recapturing the holiday magic.