I LOST IT! WHERE DID IT GO?????

 Has Christmas 2019 really already come & gone????  Those shortened number of days between Thanksgiving & Christmas sure counted this year, didn’t they?  Seems like I just got my decorations (tons of them) up and now it’s time to take them down.  Whoever pointed out that time goes faster the older you get was a very intuitive person!!!

I do hope your Christmas was wonderful.  Mine was less than spectacular this year.  I managed to prepare and serve our big family breakfast/brunch on Christmas morning and got through opening gifts and seeing the grandkids enjoying all their surprises; but as soon as they left I hit the sofa and stayed there until my sweet husband decided something had to be done.  Early the next a.m. as soon as the sun was up we headed for the EMERGENCY ROOM!

 I won’t go into all the endless details (nobody wants to read all that) but I have been going through “something” for a month.  Was sent to the cardiologist where everything checked out (thank you, God), but issue continued on.  My own dr. was stumped.  ER tests and dr. report showed….hold on!  ANXIETY.  What?  Why?  I’m not stressed; my life is blessed; and yet I can be just sitting watching TV or reading a good book and my breathing goes crazy!!!!  The ER doctor was absolutely fabulous, so compassionate, took a lot of time with us.  He explained anxiety doesn’t have to come from stress; but rather from an imbalance in the brain.  (I’ve got to do some research on this stuff!  Of course, I already knew my brain was slightly unbalanced!)        Anywho!!!!  I am now on medication (which may take a month to take effect), but for now breathing is better.       Now if I can just get this crazy blood pressure regulated.

Don’t you just love to hear old people complain about their ill health????  One great thing though….the dr. saw my age and complimented me for how really healthy and in good shape I was.  Thank you, Dr. Price….I needed that😊

Soooo….what do we do now that Christmas is over????  I will miss it, especially my tree lights.  Of course, they may be up awhile longer because this spent body is resting for a few more days!!!  

I am having a little trouble wrapping my brain around the fact that it’s about to be 2020!  Has a nice ring to it though😊 I don’t make RESOLUTIONS, but may think about trying to set some GOALS….but I’ll save that for my next post.  Just wanted to drop in and say I do hope you had a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS (and didn’t land in the ER like me!!!) and that the NEW YEAR will bring you abundant blessings.  See you in 2020!

A Letter of Thanks...Air Mail to Heaven

Dear Dr. Jackson:

I wish so very much I had written this letter earlier because sadly now you will never read it.  I was thinking of you recently and tried to look you up through Mr. Google and was so saddened to discover your obituary from 2013.  I still want to write you, however, and maybe somehow the words will float up to Heaven where I am sure you are carrying on very academic conversations with the angels.

                        

I was recently asked who was the one person who most influenced my life.  Of course, I couldn’t name just one person since almost everyone we come across influences us in some way.  Nevertheless, I immediately thought about you and how you probably changed the course of my life more than anyone else.  It’s been so many years ago, and you advised so many students over the years that I’m sure you don’t remember me so let me refresh your memory.

You were my advisor while I attended GSC and right before I was to graduate you called me to your office.  You knew I was graduating a quarter early with a degree in business and you advised me to take education courses so that I could possibly teach business classes in high school.  I immediately said something to the effect of “Thank you, but no thank you” (although I was really thinking #$@% NO!)  I had no desire to teach.  Well, long story short, I finally left your office and went and signed up for those education courses!  You were very persuasive, but I really did it because I respected you and just wanted to please you.

Even after I graduated I had no thoughts of teaching, but then what did you do????  You got me a teaching job at a nearby high school!  I wish I could tell you I fell in love with teaching that year but I definitely did NOT!!!  I won’t take time to go into all the details, but a couple years later I found myself teaching Remedial Reading at the primary level (simply because it was 3 days before school started and they needed a warm body!)  And guess what!  I fell in love with it!

Early Childhood Education became my passion and I ended up teaching for 40 1/2  years with the last 9 of those years teaching college students who were in the field of education. 

I am thankful for every single one of those 40 ½ years, but I would never have experienced any of them if it had not been for YOU.  I truly believe that God had intended all along for me to become a TEACHER, but since

I wasn’t listening to what He was calling me to do, God put YOU in my path and YOU did His handiwork.   And for that I will be eternally grateful.

You influenced my life so profoundly, and I pray that along the way I too may have influenced some of my students in positive ways.  It saddens me greatly that I never got the chance to tell you all this in person, but maybe some day I will have the chance.  Until then, rest in peace.  You will never be forgotten.

Sincerely,

A Very Grateful Student

To my Blogging Friends:

If there is someone who has influenced your life in a positive way and you haven’t taken the opportunity to thank them, don’t waste another minute.  Get out that stationery and put pen to paper…or give them a call. You will be so happy that you did.  Just think…your life might not be what it is today without the influence of someone you least expected to change the direction of your days.

SO MANY IDEAS...SO LITTLE TIME!

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas….and once again I have collected TONS of ideas but never seem to find time to complete them all.  I REALLY need to start preparing in JANUARY every year!

The house is decorated…yea!!!  I “over” decorate every single year, but the hubby and the grandkids love it.  Therefore, I work my nerves into a frazzle and my fingers to the bone for 3 days every year just to make them happy…(I’m sweet that way😊)  It’s a whole lot of work, but so very worth it to see their excitement when it’s all done.  I won’t show ALL my decorations but my favorite is always my GINGERBREAD KITCHEN.  This year Granddaughter M really helped sooo much, and decorated the GINGERBREAD TREE and the SNOWMAN TREE…yes, I do 4 trees every year!

I know we all read blog after blog and ooh and ahh over everyone’s decorations, but I thought I would share some “small ideas” that I really like and that you don’t see every day.  Some I have tried…some are still on my TO DO LIST (until next year…or the next!)

I love getting Christmas cards from family & friends, especially the ones with the kids’ or family’s photo.  Only problem is finding a place to put them…the refrigerator will hold only so many!  Here is what I think is a really cute idea…and it can be a keepsake to be enjoyed year after year…the kids really do change so much from year to year, don’t they?

                                                   Amber Nelson, Pinterest

Can we ever have enough ornaments???  Of course not!  And my favorites are those we have collected over the years from trips, from my past students, or ones my kids made in school.  How I love to reminisce over each one every year.  Here is a really great idea (I think) of what to do with your GRADUATION CAP TASSLE…you did keep that, didn’t you?  I actually did complete this project last year  BTW, you can get these plastic fillable ornaments from Dollar Tree.

Pinterest

Mine...I added green & gold shredded paper (our school colors)

Here is another really cute idea for an ornament...or even a gift for your kids' friends.  It looks really easy to do (thanks to craftymorning.com).  You could use that old Scrabble game that has been gathering dust for years...or you can order tiles from ebay or other sources.

And here is yet another way you could use those plastic fillable balls.  I haven’t done this yet, but I want to fill one with some of the buttons from my mother’s or my husband’s grandmother’s button box.  What a special keepsake…and I do love buttons (as you can read about HERE).

Pinterest

Wouldn’t this little fella look cute hanging around the neck of a bottle of your neighbor’s favorite wine?  And when the wine is all gone, they have an ornament for the tree.  There are no directions, but looks plenty easy to do…and I can now use some of those wine corks I’ve been saving for who knows what!!!

Pinterest

Do you happen to have any old windows laying around?  I do!  Wouldn’t this be pretty sitting on a mantle or decorating a porch?

                                                         Etsy:  Toadstool Pond

And what about those clothespins you no longer use but just can’t throw away?  These (or similar) would be so cute and useful for several things…put a magnet on the back and use them to hang cards or photos on the refrig, or clip on presents just for an added touch, or even clip on the tree!

Pinterest

I just have to add this one from one of my favorite bloggers DEBBIE DABBLE.  I am definitely going to do this!  I collect old cookie cutters…some hang on my Gingerbread Tree.  Only problem is I don’t have an old bowl like this one…but I’m on the hunt!  It will fit perfectly into the theme of my kitchen…thank you, Debbie!

I could go on and on and on…..but I will end with this last one.  It’s my own creation (so it’s not perfect).  I have made these in the past to fill with treats and give as gifts.  Don’t ask me for directions….it was a make as I went along type of project!!!! 

CHRISTMAS is such a special time and BLOGLAND is filled with so many wonderful and creative ideas…if only I had the time, the talent, and the patience!!!  So...are you all decorated???  What projects (old or new) have you found time for?

FRUMPY & DUMPY or CLASSY & SASSY???

 I recently heard someone talking about another lady that we both know and the comment was, “___ (she) sure has gotten FRUMPY in her old age.”  Later I got to thinking about that word…FRUMPY…and I thought, “exactly what does that mean?”  So…off to dictionary.com I went, and this is what I found:

FRUMPY…a word describing a dull old-fashioned woman….I was highly offended it didn’t mention “man”.  Can’t a man be FRUMPY????  Other words related to FRUMPY include:  baggy, dowdy, drab, dull, homely, old-fashioned, outdated, plain…oh my!  I sure hope I never get to the point anyone calls me this because I would be highly offended!  And, personally, I don’t think you have to be OLD to look FRUMPY!!!

But then I got to thinking…in the really old days (you know, the days before Noah built the Ark or before Moses crossed the Red Sea) women were “supposed” to be drab, dull, homely, and plain.  In fact, they were probably frowned upon if they weren’t…maybe even run out of town!    

But in today’s world there really isn’t much reason for any woman of any age to have these very unpleasant adjectives attached to them.  Looking attractive, looking put-together, and showing pride in yourself doesn’t have to take a lot of money, a lot of makeup, a lot of expensive clothes, or the perfectly salon-styled hairdo.  What it does take is some pride in yourself, a little bit of time, and a little bit of know-how.  And there are plenty of magazine articles, blog posts, and youtube videos to help.

I don’t mean to talk badly about anyone, but when I see a woman (no matter her age) at WalMart or in the grocery store or just walking down the street looking as if she just crawled out of bed and is still wearing her flannel pajama pants….

or if she is wearing a pear of leggings or polyester pants with a crop top and she looks like it took the last hour for someone to stuff her into them...

then I am appalled and saddened because I know that with just a little bit of pride and effort that same lady could be a much better version of herself.

True story:  about a year ago I was in a local butcher shop and a lady comes into shop wearing her pajamas, robe, fluffy slippers, and hair in curlers!  Guess she was either getting a late start...or getting ready for an early bedtime!

As "we" age (and yes, that includes me), I do think some women begin to think they have to dress "older", more matronly.  And to some extent I agree with that...well, not the "matronly" part!  I mean, at 60 or 70 I don't think I need to be wearing a thong bikini at the beach (NOBODY would want to see that, I assure you!) nor should I be wearing a neckline that plunges to my belly button...you get the picture.  But there is NO part of me that believes "more mature" ladies can't dress young and stylish!

Look at these silver-haired beauties.  Definitely over 50, possibly over 60, but oh so stylish!

And look at these 3 lovely ladies.  They may be “more mature” but definitely not FRUMPY!

Even younger gals can look FRUMPY.  It's not always the clothes, but rather how you wear them!

We all like to dress comfortably, but this is just sloppy.  Clothes should fit your body and not look baggy.  Baggy = bigger looking…and who wants to look bigger???  Unless you are like Twiggy!!!  Remember her???

 This outtfit has NO style and the loose fitting top with the skirt is not flattering.  With a different top and shoes the skirt could look completely different.

And P-L-E-A-S-E don't wear clothes that date you back decades!!!

And then there are those clothes that “more mature” women should maybe, perhaps, possibly think twice about…this is just my opinion, you don’t have to agree with me.

It’s not that more mature women can’t wear tank tops, but they really should be covered by a jacket or cardigan.  Most of us after about age 50ish don’t have the arms we once did.  But if you work out at the gym and have killer biceps…then go for it!!!

Again, I don’t mean to be ugly (therefore, crossing out faces), but let’s face it…once you pass a certain age, cut-off jeans probably should be relegated to car-washing or a retro Halloween costume!

If you still have the legs for them, then by all means wear (longer-length) shorts…no Daisy Dukes, please.  I don’t wear shorts too often anymore but this lady looks fabulous!

So, take a look at your closet.  Are there clothes that no longer fit well (too small, too large) and no longer compliment the shape of your body?  If so, they are FRUMPY!  Are there clothes (like bell bottom pants or mini skirts) that are really outdated or things that just don't look good on anybody (like maxi length denim skirts)?  If so, they are FRUMPY!  Are there items that are just old, faded, and basically worn out, even though you still love them?  If so, they are probably FRUMPY!  Ladies...get to work and toss or donate!!!

Not sure what look she's going for, but personally I think it's time to go shopping!

Just because we get older, it shouldn't mean that we don't aim to be well-put-together, stylish, updated, comfortable, & secure in our "older" looks.  In fact, I think once we ladies hit 50, we need to think about the way we dress more than ever.  After all, when you are young you can get away with a lot that just doesn't fly well in your later years!  Our later years are when we have our children out of the nest, when we retire from our jobs, and finally (hopefully) have some time for ourselves.  I love the sayings like:  Fabulous at Fifty, Sensuous at Sixty, or Sassy & Sexy at Seventy, etc., etc., etc.!!!  I mean, why not???

   Well, let's not go toooo far!!!

If you like fashion like I do and you are interested in learning more about how to dress in a more mature, yet stylish & beautiful way, I very much recommend the following blogs.  These ladies know what they are talking about and always look just sooo put-together and lovely. 

Susan Street

Beth Djalali

Jennifer

Tania Stephens

I truly hope I haven't offended anyone by anything I've said in this post.  I love fashion and I love seeing women feel beautiful and confident in their own skin (and clothes).  I think it makes them not only look better, but feel better and more confident when they look in the mirror and like what they see.  So, ladies...here's to LOOKING GOOD.  Make life (and yourself) beautiful, because God made only one YOU and only one ME and GOD DON'T MAKE NO JUNK!

So...are you FIGHTING THE FRUMP or are you working on CLASSY & SASSY?  If FRUMPY is what makes you happy, then by all means FRUMP away:) 

And if you REALLY want to be a CLASSY & SASSY GRANDMOTHER, this might be for you:) 

I’m Seeing STARS…I mean DOTS!

I  ROCK  A  LOT  OF  POLKA DOTS

Yes, I do!  I love, love, love POLKA DOTS!  Today I was pulling out some winter clothes (we have cold weather coming this weekend), and there was my favorite POLKA DOT sweater😊  And that got me to seeing stars dots.

Also got me to wondering about how POLKA DOTS came to be.  Well, seems they have their origin based on the dance, the POLKA.  I know…weird!  I won’t go into a long explanation but you can read more about this at this blog.

It seems the women’s magazine GODEY’S LADY’S BOOK was the first to use the term “POLKA DOTS” in regards to a scarf in its 1857 issue.  But this photo of Miss America 1926 seems to get the credit for making the loveable dots popular in the USA.  (Wow!  How “bathing suits” have changed over the decades!!!)

I’m sure Marilyn helped popularize this pattern too!

Seeing my POLKA DOT sweater gave me the idea to visit Mr. Google and see what new DOTTED DELIGHTS I could find.  And just in case you like this often-adored pattern, I thought I would share with you what I found…and drooled over:)

This black & white POLKA DOT sweater is very much like the sweater I purchased last year from OLD NAVY…except mine is navy.  Black & White POLKA DOTS are probably my favorite.

BELK

Here is a similar one only with bigger dots. 

 TJMaxx

And look who’s wearing a similar one (probably a LOT more expensive!)

Getty Images

My second favorite combination is probably RED & WHITE.  Isn’t this purse just the cutest?  It’s on ebay…used but seems to be in good shape and it’s a good brand.

eBay

My favorite way to wear POLKA DOTS is….SHOES!  Oh, how I love shoes….and  POLKA DOTTED ones just make my feet want to do a happy dance! 

I love these heels.  I have similar ones…of course, I do😊

Neiman Marcus

My granddaughter is a great fan of VANS…me, not so much.  But these I could probably live with.

Zappos

And if you and your daughter are into dressing alike, wouldn’t these be just too cute…and comfortable!

Zappos

Zappos

I love rain boots!  Hubby gave me some awhile back that have CHERRIES on them and I love them so much I don’t even mind a rainy day!  But I would also be very happy with these….

Amazon

Or these…

Amazon

Although this maxi dress is much too young for this old body, it is really cute and on sale for only $14…I do love a bargain!

jcp

These would make traveling an even happier experience…

amazon

Amazon

And!  If you have a sweet doggie that needs something to wear on a cold winter day, then she (or he) really needs this!!!

jcp

 Speaking of cold winter days, who wouldn’t enjoy a cup of coffee or tea in one of these adorable cups????

Amazon

Well, I guess that’s enough POLKA DOTTED goodness for now.  Except I can’t end this post without sharing probably one of my all-time favorite POLKA DOTTED outfits seen in one of my all-time favorite movies…PRETTY WOMAN.  Who doesn’t swoon over a Cinderella story?

So…are you a lover of POLKA DOTS like me?   Even the QUEEN likes them...just sayin'!