Sunday Stealing

Stolen from Fauxklore

1. Have you ever been caught outdoors away from shelter during a thunderstorm? Yes. That's why I keep an umbrella in my briefcase at all times.

2. Did you ever build furniture forts as a child? Yes. My oldest friend was the architect. I just helped drape the blankets.

3. Do you use any medicines daily? Yes, for cholesterol and allergies.

4. When was the last time you used a disposable camera? I don't recall. It's been a long while.

5. When was the last time you flew on a plane? When I went to my niece's wedding in October 2020. I'm flying to Florida for Christmas in Key West later this month.

6. How many first cousins do you have? Six (though I only know two of them well).

7. What’s the longest period of time you’ve gone without sleep? 20 hours. When I finally got to bed, I didn't so much fall asleep as surrender to it.

8. Did the house you grew up in have a big yard? Yes. It was so big that, at one point, my parents contemplated getting a built-in pool. My mom nixed it. In Chicagoland, it would only be used three months/year. Plus she worried about neighborhood kids getting in and drowning. (My mom was a worrier; I come by it honestly.)

9. What has been the most difficult class you’ve ever taken? Chemistry. Keep that frigging periodic table of elements away from me!

10. What’s something that’s much more difficult than a lot of people realize? Acceptance. I learned a phrase recently from the midrash: "We are all broken vessels, infinitely precious in the eyes of God." I need to learn to have greater compassion for my own failings and for the failings of those around me. This has been top of mind for me since last month's Compassion Challenge. Funny how a Jewish verse would bring me closer to having a more responsive Christian heart, but that's how God works sometimes, isn't it?

11. What are some things a house would need to have for you to purchase it? A really good bathroom with updated plumbing and ventilation.

12. Would you ever go out in public wearing pajamas? Well, if there was a fire I wouldn't waste time changing into my street clothes.

13. Have you ever had a lemonade stand? Yes.

14. Do you think you look older or younger than your real age? Yes. I should, too, because I work at it. I'm a 64-year-old woman in a young person's industry! My skincare regime is pretty unshakeable and I whiten my teeth regularly. (Need to do that before Christmas.)

15. Where have you lived throughout your life? A certain toddlin' town. Home of the 2016 World Series Champions.

 

Happy Birthday to Me -- Recap Edition

I consider this my favorite birthday card

My birthday was 11/22. Monday of Thanksgiving week. Between the holiday, a heavy workload, and covid, it wasn't the event it's been in the past. But it was better than 2020, when my special day was completely forgotten amid the pandemic. (I even got sick with covid myself around this time last year.) So looking back on my 2021 celebrations, I want to give a special shout out to the State of Illinois. 63% of us are now vaccinated. I know three people who contracted the virus this summer -- all three were vaccinated with both doses -- and none of them got as sick as I got.* Using my birthday as a signpost, I hope that masking and booster shots continue to keep us safe and that next year my special day will be Galapalooza again!

I got presents! In addition to the ones in this photo (from my auntie, my cousin, Snarkypants and my friend Nancy), I got little gifties from my Joanna, my oldest friend and newest friend, Elaine. They're all festive and thoughtful and appropriate and so very appreciated.

I ate! Thanksgiving dinner with Gregory and John was the start. (He got me a giftcard to my favorite local movie theater -- another perfect present!) Then Joanna and I got together at a local restaurant I haven't been to in nearly two years! Last night, Elaine and I dined at a trendy little Asian kitchen downtown near the ballpark. It's a tiny space with great food and I'm so glad it made it through the pandemic when many other small businesses didn't.

I celebrated! Last night, Elaine and I attended the annual holiday show at the Music Box theater. Last year, for the first time in decades, it had to be held outdoors at a drive-in theater. This year, we were back inside! Yes, we were masked and asked to present our vaccination cards, but I like feeling safe!

Anyway, last night, surrounded by classic movie fans who knew all the dialog (and hissed whenever mean Mr. Potter appeared and jingled bells whenever Clarence mentioned his wings), I saw It's a Wonderful Life. It was a very emotional experience for me. Not just because the film is so positive and moving, but because it was a favorite film of my favorite uncle. I miss him all the time -- more often than I would have predicted when he died more a decade ago -- and he would have loved this.

 Before the film, the Music Box showed Christmas-themed shorts, including my favorite as a little girl, "Hardrock, Coco and Joe." It's crazy how happy this made me!

Then there was a sing-along, hosted by The Big Guy himself. I don't know if you can really tell from my crappy photo, but Santa hopped onto the classic Music Box organ and led us in song. Most of the tracks we sang along with were by my holiday fave rave, Andy Williams (!) and augmented by the organ. Afterward, Santa rewarded us by throwing wrapped candies into the audience.

There were no children in the audience, but in addition to Boomers like Elaine and me, there were plenty of Millennials. It was so nice to enjoy the movie going/Christmas experience in a crowd again!

I woke up this morning feeling very happy. Loved and grateful. Excited about Christmas 2021 ... and hoping that when I post about my birthday, Thanksgiving and Christmas 2022, vaccinations and masks will make covid a mere mention and not a big part of our memories.

*Nor my Cousin Rose or my oldest friend. All three of us ended up spending the holidays with covid. Like me, my friend had wicked gastrointestinal symptoms. Rose had the more conventional respiratory symptoms. All three of us were sick for weeks. Since we're still on work-from-home, one of my vaccinated coworkers got through his very recent "bout" without missing a day's work!