March Challenge -- Day 29

Day 29 --Describe your camera/device. Do you take many pictures?

Kodak M530. It's a fine little digital camera. I'm happy with it. It fits easily into my purse and it's easy to focus. Any personal photos you've seen on this blog have been taken with it.

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March Challenge -- Day 28

Day 28 --Describe your glasses or sunglasses.

I'll go with sunglasses, because they're more fun. They're my weakness and I have too, too many pairs. I'm going to take a few to Goodwill tomorrow, as a matter of fact.

But not these. These are my current favorites. Polo by Ralph Lauren. Picked them up in the Tampa airport en route to Key West. The pair I'd been wearing when I got on the plane at O'Hare broke. What a happy accident that turned out to be! The squarish lenses are a nice contrast to my round face and the frames feel sturdy but not heavy. They go with everything.

Now I just hope I don't leave them on the el. 

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March Challenge -- Day 27

Day 27 --What's in your wallet?

 

From memory: Wallet, hairbrush, makeup bag, Franklin Planner, Petco and CVS coupons, thumb drive, two pairs of glasses (prescription and reading), contact lens solution, contact lens case, pens, Pepto Bismol tablets, a few emergency tablets in case I get a migraine.

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March Challenge -- Day 26

Day 26 --What makes you smile?

Joey, my cat. He's old and fat and clumsy. But he has such a dear heart. I smile when I think of how he purrs at mealtime, or presses himself beside me on the sofa or loves napping with the afternoon sun on his tummy. Joey is all about enjoying the moment. I could learn from him!

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March Challenge -- Catch Up

Day 22 -- Do you collect anything? When did you start?

It's not by design, but I have accumulated a lot of pop culture mementos from the 1960s. It's called "mid century modern" now. It's inspired by my fascination with the Kennedy Presidency and my passion for the Beatles. JFK won election in 1960, the Beatles broke up in 1970, so they provide rather neat bookends for me.

Day 23 -- Who is your favorite artist? What style of art?

Thomas McKnight. I discovered him in the 1990s when he was commissioned by the Clintons for one of their official White House Christmas card. I love the details he chooses to include. The work is also interesting without being cluttered, and I always feel like someone just left the scene or is about to enter. Even without people, he tells a story by setting the scene with such care. I have two of of his prints in my livingroom and another in my bedroom.

Day 24 -- Where are you going next?
Ouch! This is the time of year when I should be on vacation and I'm not because I can't afford to go spa-ing and redo my bathroom. So this question kinda hurts. I do have three trips planned for this years: October in Los Angeles, November in Vegas and Christmas in Key West. So I suppose I should just grow up and shut up.

Day 25 -- Share something you saw on social media that caught your eye.

"Old white people are drowning in despair and rage. Here's how my father lost his mind -- thanks to his cable diet." It was an interesting article in Salon and helps explain how people who should know better (those who remember The Depression and Korea and McCarthyism and 1968) steadfastly insist that the country is in worse shape than ever before. It's because Fox tells them that it is, 24/7/365.

http://www.salon.com/2014/02/27/i_lost_my_dad_to_fox_news_how_a_generation_was_captured_by_thrashing_hysteria/

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March Challenge -- Days 20 and 21

Day 20 -- How do you relieve a headache?

If it's a garden variety headache, then migraine formula Tylenol. If it's actually a migraine, then my prescription strength naproxen.

Day 21 -- What's next on your To Be Read list?

I really don't know. The one I'm reading (The Country Girls Trilogy) is a novel, and it's going to take a while. I suspect that when I'm done, I'll be jonesing for non fiction. How's this for eclectic? I'm thinking of Meacham's book on Jefferson or a biography of Doris Day.

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March Challenge -- Day 19

Day 19 --What is your favorite or lucky number?

 

7, because I once won a prize at a classmate's birthday party by guessing it. I've stuck with it ever since.

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March Challenge -- Day 18

Day 18 -- How often do you check items off your bucket list?

 

I don't have a bucket list. Maybe I should, but I don't.

 
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March Challenge -- Day 17

Day 17 -- Do you have a favorite holiday? How do you celebrate? 

Thanksgiving. For the last two years I have celebrated it with my friend John and whoever else he invites. John prides himself on get-togethers that are stress free, easy affairs built around support and acceptance. It's a far cry from the tense family gatherings of my girlhood, and I am most thankful.

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March Challenge -- Day 16

Day 16 -- What's for breakfast? 

Post Raisin Bran.

 
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March Challenge -- Day 15

Day 15 -- Check today's horoscope. Is it at all accurate?

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Living in the past will rob you of the wonders going on around you today. A Pisces will help you get in touch with the magic around you.
Read more at http://www.philly.com/philly/living/20140316_Horoscope__March_15.html#CUtSjEjh3uBl3Wft.99

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Living in the past will rob you of the wonders going on around you today. A Pisces will help you get in touch with the magic around you.
Read more at http://www.philly.com/philly/living/20140316_Horoscope__March_15.html#CUtSjEjh3uBl3Wft.99

SAGITTARIUS. Living in the past will deprive you of the wonders going on around you today. A Pisces will help you get in touch with the magic around you.

I don't know if this reflects my Saturday. Maybe.

I tried something new at breakfast -- salmon benedict. A salmon patty where the ham usually is. It's
more healthful than the conventional eggs benedict but nowhere near as yummy.

Then I dropped some clothes off at the consignment store. I made $70.17 there with my fall/winter clothes. We'll see how I do this spring/summer. I brought fewer pieces over this time, so I'd be happy with $35.

I also went to the Goodwill Sale at Carson's. I turned in six t-shirts that got me TWELVE in-store coupons! New raincoat, jeans, sunglasses, socks, t-shirts and Clinique eye cream, all at least 20% off. I got to support a cause I believe in and spruce up my wardrobe. Win-win.

Does casting off my old clothes and trying a new breakfast entree count as no longer "living in the past?"

My kid sister called last night to tell me the latest about my niece and her roommate/boyfriend. My niece was in tears in the Wal-Mart parking lot because she wants to break up with him but both their names are on the lease. Because I am cool in times of crisis, my sister asked me for advice as to how to handle this. I love my niece and was happy to help. On the other hand, my sister can be rather petulant and selfish. I am trying to walk that fine line of doing what's comfortable but not giving too much away.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Living in the past will rob you of the wonders going on around you today. A Pisces will help you get in touch with the magic around you.
Read more at http://www.philly.com/philly/living/20140316_Horoscope__March_15.html#CUtSjEjh3uBl3Wft.99

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Living in the past will rob you of the wonders going on around you today. A Pisces will help you get in touch with the magic around you.
Read more at http://www.philly.com/philly/living/20140316_Horoscope__March_15.html#CUtSjEjh3uBl3Wft.99

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March Challenge -- Day 14

Day 14 -- What is your dream vacation? 

This one kinda hurts, since I'm not taking a spa getaway this year. For this first time since Bill Clinton was in office, I'm not escaping, all by myself, for seclusion and pampering. Instead I'm taking the

Look closely! She's in a bathrobe! I love this place.

money that would go to that and putting it into my bathroom. Yea, me! I'm so mature. 

Then why am I so wistful?

I wish I was at Chateau Elan, a destination spa outside of Atlanta. I'd stay in one of the guest suites, right on the spa premises, so I could go days without wearing anything but a bathrobe. Of course, the grounds are beautiful -- there's a winery right there -- so when I'm not being massaged or exfoliated, when I'm not dining on gourmet fare or getting make up tips, when I'm reading and relaxing in my suite, I can go wandering. Sigh. 

I've been spa-ing Hot Springs and Colonial Williamsburg, and they were beautiful, but if money is no object, Chateau Elan is the happy place I send my mind to.

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March Challenge

Day 13 -- How do you pamper yourself?
 

I really look forward to my weekly coffee shop breakfast, eggs benedict is my favorite. Just me and my book. Great food, no clean up. The perfect way to start the weekend.

 
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March Challenge -- Days 11 and 12

Day 11 -- What is in your wallet, other than money?

Lots of ATM receipts, random business cards, coupons and my frequent shopper cards (Walgreens, CVS, Petco ...)

Day 12 -- What do you do to cheer someone up?

I go to Macy's. It's attached to my office building by the Pedway, so I don't even have to go outdoors to get there. And they have EVERYTHING you could think of to cheer someone up. There's a card shop, Frango Mints (an individual mint cookie is like $1) and just last week I bought a coworker a baby present. It was a Healthtex onesie and matching cap on sale for less than $4 and made her sooooo happy.

A quick jaunt to Macy's is an easy and inexpensive way to spread a little joy.

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March Challenge -- Day 10

Day 10 -- Tell a joke or a funny story

It's embarrassing how this always cracks me up

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March Challege -- Day 9

Day 9 -- Describe a routine or ritual you have
 

In the shower, I wash my face with a gentle, sudsy cleanser. Then I either deep cleanse with a pore refining mask or exfoliate with a scrub. After my shower, I apply anti-oxidants (usually Body Shop Vitamin C) to my face and decolletage and serum to the sensitive skin around my eyes. I give it a minute to absorb when I do my hair. Then I slather rich moisturizers to my face, chest and around my eyes.

It sounds like a lot, but I have been doing it so consistently, so long, that I'm not even aware I'm doing it anymore.

 
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March Challenge -- Day 8

Day 8 -- Your exercise philosophy

Get my heart rate up to 100 or more and keep it here for at least 20 minutes. Follow with some weight training. Do this 3x week. Eventually I will get stronger and maybe even a bit thinner.

 
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March Challenge -- Day 7

Day 7 -- What's the next movie you want to watch?


The Ghost and Mrs. Muir, starring Gene Tierney with an appearance by a very young Natalie Wood. I DVR'd it a week or so ago and really do want to watch it. I've never seen it start-to-finish, and the premise -- a widow falls in love with a sea captain who just so happens to inconveniently be a ghost -- sounds quite romantic to me.

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March Challenge -- Day 6

Day 6 -- Six lies you tell yourself

I'll start working out tomorrow
I'll be more careful with money tomorrow
I'll get rid of the clutter tomorrow
I'll really scrub the bathroom floor tomorrow
I'll take the futon cover to the dry cleaner tomorrow
I'll hem those jeans tomorrow


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March Challenge -- Day 5

Day 5 -- Link to a current song you like

Happy that this oldie is being introduced to a new generation. I've always liked the line, "The time is right, your perfume fills my head, the stars go red and oh, the night's so blue." I've been there.



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