INVISIBLE OR NOT?

Have you noticed.....at around 50 or so many woman just become invisible......Some think a woman becomes invisible in middle age?  Many love it.....they feel it is liberating.  I don't like the thought of becoming invisible at any age but there are some perks to it.   You know for the first time since puberty, what you are on the outside is less of a distraction from who you are on the inside.  People seem to trust you more and every conversation can be purely, completely human. When I was a young person.....especially a stewardess...I got lots more attention than  I do now. Busy waiters and even randy construction workers.....look right through me now......they just treat me like I am ancient......and so we are free to be purely human together.  Yes, invisibility may be imposed on aging woman, but transparency can be welcomed.  The weekend has flown by with packing, packing, packing.....If I live long enough I will conquer it!  I know....like God said, "it wouldn't be easy....but it would be worth it."  Well, my kids keep telling me, "Mom it won't be easy to move, but it will be worth it!"  Our first snow of the year today, but melted already!

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LETTING YOURSELF GO........

Gosh......maybe I should have said. "yes" when the girls ask me to go to St. Thomas with them for Thanksgiving.......I don't snorkel, but I would have a "fish pedicure"......... I can hardly wait to hear the details on this little picture........Never a dull moment with the Cooks and the Christensons!!!

I think I am letting my self go......I never wanted to be described as a woman who has "let herself go."  The whispered insult is usually directed at a woman of a certain age who has become a slacker in the extreme spot of female maintenance, you know neglecting mind and body.  But , since my 80's I am finding it harder and harder to maintain? As I think of this phrase it comes to my mind.....where do you go if you let yourself go?  Today most of my friends are hitting the 80 mark and share the gifts of longevity, one of which is free time.....another is the freedom to "let go" of the should and the musts that dominate us for so long. As I ponder the few years I have left and count up the number of weekends I might have left in my life I realize I don't have any time to waste so I want to spend my time doing what matters most.  I will throw out all the shoulds and create my lists of coulds.  I am as much a work in progress in my 80s as I was in my 20s of 40s......Growing older, we are still.....growing.  So now when I hear a person has let herself go....I say "good for her".  I guess I will just let myself go......and go for it, if I live through all this packing!!!!

10 DAYS AND COUNTING.......

Well, my days "in this ole' house" are numbered......so I need to settle down and get serious about packing again.....took two days off for my social life.....bridge parties are important!  They are moving out my piano today that I have had for many years but just don't have room for in the next place.  And the closets will take at a least a week.  I guess as I inspect each item of clothing I will take Maxine's suggestion......if it is good for napping it is in fashion!......and I can keep it.  Part of my family are just about hitting New York on their way to St. Thomas for Thanksgiving.......ahaaaa warm sun, sea and sand!!!!!! Panniers are off to St. George in a couple of days so my friend and I are heading to Marie Calendars for our turkey dinner......I suggested a TV Turkey Dinner at my house, but she vetoed it.  For some reason I have never been a big fan of Thanksgiving......I am just thankful everyday for what I have.

"WHEN SOMEONE SAYS "LIFE IS HARD"....ASK THEM....."COMPARED TO WHAT?"

CAN'T I KEEP IT?????

Well, my days are numbered.......A couple of more weeks and they will take away my furniture.....and I will move in with my kids!  Karrie and Pam came this morning and finished....almost.....cleaning out the kitchen cupboards and drawers and freezer......they threw away most of it!  Yes, I'm a saver and don't bother much with the dates on things.....when the can puffs up I figure it's time to throw it out.  So many things....only things.....what to keep, what not to......  Like my Alaska Ulu Knife!  I brought it back from my Alaskan Cruise, I haven't used it much, but might some day!  For almost 5,000 years, the Ulu knife has played a primary role in the life of Eskimos...... and I am not an Eskimo.......these hand crafted knives were primarily used by the Eskimos for the skinning and cleaning of a variety of ocean life......of which I never intend to do!  Originally the Ulu blades were made from polished slate with carved bone handles.  Today the Ulus are continued to be used but have stainless steel blades ad wooden handles.  Very popular in Alaska and Canada in the kitchen for chopping and mincing.  I am keeping it.....along with too many other fun things.....I don't need!

WHO PICKED THE DATE FOR THANKSGIVING?

Packed up all the wrapped Christmas gifts for Pam to take to her house......almost down to my bedroom and the kitchen to pack.....other than my clothes in a few closets.  I think I can meet the dead line and be out of here by the first of December.......I'M READY!!!!  All the family is leaving town for Thanksgiving so it will just be me and Karrie's dogs holding down the fort.  What am I going to do Thanksgiving....still deciding?

WHO PICKED THE DATEE FOR THANKSGIVING DAY????  Nope, it wasn't the Pilgrims.  It wasn't even the American Turkey Breeders Assoc.  It was Abraham Lincoln in 1863 in the middle of the Civil War, the 16th President of the U S declared that the fourth Thursday in November would become a National Day of Thanksgiving.  He hoped the observation would help to " heal the wounds of the nations," and promote "peace and harmony, tranquility and Union." of the nation.   I guess the Pilgrims and the Indians did the first feasts of thankfulness together.....but did not declare it a Holiday.   AND

Why do we care pumpkins on Halloween?  Carving TURNIPS was traditionally used in Ireland and Scotland during the Halloween season as a way of remembering souls in purgatory.  Immigrants to N America carried on the tradition, but with pumpkins which were more plentiful and easier to carve.  The record for the largest pumpkin was set in 2010 by a Wisconsin grown pumpkin weighing 1,810 pounds.  Imagine cleaning an carving something that big!

Just a little Holiday information for history........

 

WHAT ABOUT MONEY???

Big warning out tonight......freezing weather and snow tonight!  It has been very cold all week.....but no snow thank goodness.  Spent the day packing and waiting for Sherrie to get here....just got a text tied up by business try and be here by 7:00pm......that's my PJ  time of day!

I was reading about our economy....and its all about money!  Some good thoughts.....MONEY....It can buy a house, but not a home.....It can buy a clock, but not time......It can buy you a position, but not respect....It can buy a bed, but not sleep......It can buy a book, but not knowledge.....It can buy medicine, but not health......It can buy you blood, but not life......So you see money isn't everything, and it often cases pain and suffering.  I tell you this because I am your friend, and as your friend I want to take away your pain and suffering!! SO, send me all your money , and I will suffer for you.

Tomorrow another baby shower for Tiff and I am tending Karrie's dogs while they spend the weekend in warm St. George..... and packing goes on!

SOOOOOO TIRED.......

I am so tired I can hardly think.....been up since 4;00....couldn't sleep so got up and started wrapping my Christmas presents so I can get them over to Pam's till the Christmas party.  I just can't believe how hard it is to do anything anymore....knees and back hurt, tied.  I did get everything wrapped and took a load of goodies over to Lucille's.  We had a good visit and she made cream of broccoli soup for lunch,,,,,which was very good,  Tomorrow I have to pick up Scottie and get him home and delivered etc. and bring the dogs home for the night as Karrie is going to St. George with Richard.  Sherrie is coming to stay all night and go to a baby shower for Tiff on Saturday  So I can see another go-go-go day.  Thought we were getting snow.....but lucked out and just had cold weather.  Still a lot to do before I can get moved out of here.  Well must go jump in bed before I drop off here!