Holidailies -- Day 5

Today's prompt: What is the best gift you ever received?

It was the Christmas I was four years old. I think part of the reason why the memory is so dear is that I was such a believer. I first saw Blaze on TV, then in the Sears Wish Book. I saw him in the toy department at Sears -- up high so kids couldn't climb on him -- but I stood there and talked to him and told him I would ask Santa to bring him to me. And why wouldn't Santa? I'd been good.

I hoped and prayed, and then ... on Christmas morning ... I walked into the living room and there he was, next to the tree …

Blaze was no mere "rocking horse." He not only rocked forward and back, I could get him to trot by bouncing up and down in the saddle. Like other Mattel toys of the day, he "talked" (neighed and whinnied) when you pulled the "magic ring."

Holidailies -- Day 4

Today's prompt: What is your favorite holiday tradition?

I have a motley collection of 4 cardboard holiday figures -- the kind schoolteachers used to hang in the classroom -- that I have been displaying about my office(s) for decades. To give you an idea of their vintage, I bought them at a Woolworth's Store that closed its doors back in 1987.

It would be impossible to tabulate how many different offices they have adorned, but they followed me through six different companies.

They are Santa, the Little Drummer Teddy Bear, a Snowman and (my favorite) a terrier wearing a red plaid hat and matching scarf. They cost me less than 50¢ ea. at the time, and I love them dearly and am happy to see them. 

Kwitcher Bitchin'!

I am so sick of hearing about "The War on Christmas." Just because I believe in the separation of Church and State and respect that my Jewish friends are celebrating this season, too, doesn't mean I don't have Christ in my heart. When I say "Happy Holidays," all it means is that I hope your holidays are happy.

And I am so sick of hearing about how "commercial Christmas has become." Has become? Really? Miracle on 34th Street revolved around this very issue and it was made back in 1947. This is not news.

I guess I'm upset because so many of the people I hear complaining don't walk it like they talk (bitch) it. Beyond finding fault, these people are doing precious little to preserve and advance the Christmas spirit.

Well, today is GIVING TUESDAY. This movement encompasses all 50 states and its dedicated to celebrating "the season of giving." Remind the sanctimonious Grinches in your life (I can't be the only one who encounters them!) that, like Black Friday and Small Business Saturday, this day is set aside to kick off the holiday season. Suggest they make an appointment at the blood bank, or toss some coins into the Salvation Army kettle, or go to Walgreens and buy a toy and drop it in the Toys for Tots box on the way out, or if they're going to Mickey D's for lunch, they can stuff a dollar in the Ronald McDonald House collection box on the counter ... There are so many ways to give!

Spread the word! Let's turn the grumping into giving!

PS This is my 5,300th post. And it's a rant. How fitting is that!

Holidailies -- Day 3

Today's prompt: Share your favorite holiday recipe. Where / when did you first try it?

HA! This is criminally easy because I only have two recipes! There's this one and Peanut Butter and Jelly Cookies. I'm featuring this one because, while every batch of cookies always tasted good, it was rather hard for me to not scorch the bottoms. Whereas this Apple Banana Cake comes out right every time.


Oh yeah, where/when did I first try it? About a decade ago, when Martha Stewart was having her legal problems. I admired her for facing her fate like a brave soldier and supported her by going to KMart and buying her domestic stuffies things. Then I had to find an easy recipe so I could put the stuff to work. Voila!

Wet Ingredients
4 cups of peeled cored and grated apples (generous)
2 mashed bananas
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 eggs
1/2 cup of chopped walnuts or 1/2 cup pecans (optional)

Dry Ingredients
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups sugar
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons cinnamon

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Combine all the wet ingredients in large bowl and mix well.
Combine dry ingredients in a separate bowl and mix well.
Add dry to wet ingredients and mix thoroughly.
Pour into an UNgreased 9"x13" pan.
Bake for 1 hour

Last time I made this recipe, it was cupcakes and I topped each with a dollop of French Vanilla frosting.

 

These are the good old days

I wasn't able to get to the health club over lunch yesterday because I had three (count 'em, 3!) live and active projects going on at once! Today another one kicks off. I'll probably be so busy that I have to take some work off my plate and put it back on my boss'.

It's like this because, year-end, clients want to spend their allotments so their budgets won't be cut next year. So I know this isn't necessarily an indication that the Recession is over in my industry.

But it's so nice to be able to put one project down and know there's another one waiting my attention.

Holidailies -- Day 2

Today's prompt: What is your favorite holiday song (and why)?

"Sleigh Ride" by Andy Williams. It was the first cut on my old Andy Williams Christmas LP, the first holiday record all my own. So when the needle dropped on Andy singing "Sleigh Ride," my Christmas season had begun. And when I hear Andy on my iPod, I smile.

I also enjoy this rather trippy clip from one of Andy's iconic specials. I always wanted to spend Christmas with this family.

Holidailies -- Day 1

Today's prompt: Introduce Yourself

I AM (in alphabetical order)

an American
a Beatle fan
a cat lady
a Cub fan
a copywriter
a Democrat
easily distracted
a friend
sentimental and
very messy

Sunday Stealing

To play along, click here.


What would you totally eat right now?:  Eggs. I want eggs.

Do you always wear a certain piece of jewelry?:  I always wear a ring on my left hand. I need it in order to tell my left from my right. I always feel for it when I'm giving directions.

What kind of jeans do you like?:  Old Navy Flirt. As does everyone else in America, I guess, as I couldn't find any at the store on Black Friday.

What's something on your want list?: I'd love an Ulta giftcard. A store finally opened nearby and I can see myself wandering the aisles, guilt free, armed with my giftcard.

Is animal print tacky?:  I can hear WNTW's Clinton Kelly telling me I look like a pelt every time I wear my one and only leopard print cardigan. And yet I like it anyway.

Give me a good quote that you like.:  "You cannot change the winds, but you can adjust the sails." Elizabeth Edwards

Do you bite your nails?:  When I'm bored

What kind of smells do you like?:  Spicy. Cinammon, vanilla spice, etc.

Do you wear perfume or cologne?:  Cologne

What do you think is overrated?:  The outrage over stores being open on Thanksgiving. No one complains about the thousands upon thousands of low-paid workers who work every year at NFL stadiums on holidays -- parking cars, selling us beer, hawking foam fingers, cleaning the restrooms, etc. -- instead of being with their families. And it's every bit about the money for the NFL as it is the stores. The networks charge advertisers dearly for time on holiday games.

Next movie you want to see?:  All Is Lost or Anchorman 2, whichever makes it to my local theater first.

Would you change your eye color if you could?:  I can, and so can you. Colored contact lenses. I tried blue ones once for a week while waiting for my prescription to come in and I didn't like it. I'm green eyed.

And what are your goals for the remainder of this year?:  To savor the holiday season. It's less than a month long.

When is the last time you were at the hospital?  Almost a year ago. I took a tumble on some slick pavement, landed hard and was worried about a concussion so I went and got a CT scan. Turns out I was fine, but I'm not sorry I went. Head injuries are nothing to trifle with.

Who introduced you to your current significant other? If you’re single, who introduced you to your last ex? Human resources, I suppose. There was an office shortage at the agency we worked at and we ended up as roommates. It was fun, although dallying with a coworker I shared space with was not the smartest thing I've ever done.

November Challenge

Day 30 -- One thing you're excited for

I actually got to write today! It was the first time in ages that I have managed to move my Nanowrimo story along. I have really enjoyed it.

I have been relieved to be busy at work and happy to be busy with friends. But I like writing for myself and found today satisfying.

His name is "Carmichal"

The local childrens' home has a holiday tree at Whole Foods. Each heartshaped ornament includes details about a neighborhood kid who is either a ward of the home or lives below the poverty level. Each year I take an ornament and play Santa.

Last year I bought a jacket for "Andrea." In 2011, I got a handheld baseball game for "Sebastian." This year I shopped for "Carmichal." He is just 7 and wants "action figures."


That's a pretty broad category! So I spread the giftgiving out over several heroes. I chose someone from Lord of the Rings (Thorin) and the always-popular Iron Man. To make the gift bag look more full, and because books are always good, I added a Marvel Comics reader/sticker book.

Very little that I do between now and the end of the year will make me as happy as thinking about Carmichal's face at the Christmas party when Santa gives him a red bag of action figures.

PS These are not their real names. The home gives them pseudonyms because they live right here in town and it would hurt their feelings to find their ornament is the one that was passed over and left on the tree.

Saturday 9

Saturday 9: Back to Black

1) Black is this week's signature color because Friday, November 29, was "Black Friday," when retailers cut their prices and consumers flock to the stores. Did you score any "Black Friday" bargains? Well, not a bargain exactly. Our local, independently owned bookstore donated 10% of all of today's sales to the local homeless shelter. Naturally, I had to go out and get behind that!

 
2) Legend has it that Black Friday began as a neighborhood phenomenon among storeowners in Philadelphia back in the early 1960s. What else comes to mind when you think of Philly? Cream cheese

3) Feasting and football are also popular Thanksgiving weekend pastimes. Do your Thursday-Sunday plans include pigging out or watching a game? Nope

4) At Thanksgiving dinners, Crazy Sam's homemade gravy is always a hit. (Probably because she's so generous with the cognac, which gives the gravy a nutty taste.) Do you have a signature dish? I'm sorry but I'm not much of a cook.

5) Among the biggest the Black Friday advertisers are Target, Kohl's, Macy's and

Best Buy. If you could have a $100 gift card to any one of those stores, which would you choose? Macy's. And I think I would use it for some more sweaters. I like their Charter Club sweater collection.

6) You're in a public restroom that offers both paper towels and a hot air hand dryer. Which one do you choose? Paper towels. My hands just never feel dry otherwise.
 
7) While Back to Black is the best-selling Amy Winehouse CD, her first was called Frank, named for her hero, Frank Sinatra. Tell us about someone you inspires you. I was just thinking about this! (See the post below) Streisand.

8) Do you consider yourself a pessimist or an optimist? Optimist

9) Who was the last person you spoke to on the phone (a verbal conversation -- not an exchange of texts)? My oldest friend called me just to blab yesterday.

We're the luckiest people in the world

Those of us who have seen Streisand live, of course.

I'm watching the PBS/Great Performances telecast of her Back to Brooklyn concert. I saw her a year ago and I still think about it. She is an inspiration: 71 and still uncompromising and original.

As I look at that unforgettable profile, as I hear that crystalline voice, I think, "You go, girl." Here in Chicago, I saw more than a couple moms guiding little girls (10 or under) to their concert seats. She means so much to so many of us, showing us that there isn't only one way to be a successful woman. I'm glad that Babs hit the road so that she could experience that phenomenon for herself. She deserves to know.

November Challenge

Day 28 -- Somewhere I'd like to move to or visit

I feel more at home on the eastern side of the country than I do on the west. If I had unlimited time off and endless funds,* I'd be very happy getting my geek on by bouncing from Colonial Williamsburg to Boston to Washington, DC.

*and I don't

 

Day 29 -- Five weird things I like

Behold my guilty pleasures:

 

1) Jack Webb, Harry Morgan and Dragnet; 2) Arby's and Wendy's and Burger King and McDonald's; 3) Miller Lite; 4) court shows like People's Court and Judge Judy; 5) 1970s bubblegum music.

Who are these people?

I don't know about you, but this illustration looks nothing like any Thanksgiving celebration I can recall.

At my family gatherings, guilt was always the main dish. Ladles of tension were always poured over the guilt. And I could count on a soupçon of passive aggression. (That's because, to be honest, I often supplied it.)


I had a lovely time last night with my friend, John (battling a very bad cold) and his friends Gregory and Sebastian. We laughed a great deal, ate a lovely buffet, people-watched, and enjoyed the kind of community the day is supposed to be about.

We all fussed over John's cold. Gregory introduced us to affordable, safe travel with his tales of Megabus. Sebastian is preparing to spend this Christmas -- the first one that doesn't find him scheduled to work at a hospital and, unfortunately, without his longtime lover -- solo in Hawaii. I found talking to him enormously touching. He's always wanted to see Hawaii, he needs time to reflect on his new job and new life alone, and he needs time to mourn his loss. I think he's very brave.

My heart was very light last night as I got on the train and headed home. I was with people who WANTED to be with me, who weren't there out of obligation. They like me and they get me. Unfortunately, these three men are not my family.

But then again, last night they were.

I miss my mom. I miss my uncle. But I don't miss the guilt and tension of our family Thanksgivings. I am sad that I am 56 and will never enjoy the Norman Rockwell ideal I was promised.

I did enjoy last night. As we parted, Gregory said, "I like this tradition. Let's do it next year." Sebastian worried about my safety on the train home. John, of course, was our gracious hub. I felt wrapped in harmony and affection. It's more productive to be grateful for what I do have than to mourn what I never had.

Happy Birthday to me, Part 7

Yesterday was not only Thanksgiving and the first day of Hanukkah, it was the day my dear old friend John and I celebrated my birthday. He gave me Cubbie earmuffs! I already had a Cubs purse and a necklace and several t-shirts and a sweatshirt and a jacket, but as he noted, no Cubbie winterwear. He also included a Wrigley Field centennial magnet and a Cubs ornament, which are nice, but I was most excited by the earmuffs.

Grateful

I have the nicest blog buddies in the world. Today, I am thankful for you ladies. Kwizgiver, SnarkyPants and Vivian -- you are all so generous and sensitive and I am so lucky you found my humble musings. It warms my heart to know that you read me ... and hear me.

November Challenge

Day 27 -- A quote I like to live by

If I'm feeling flip: "East is east and west is west and if you take cranberries and stew them like applesauce they taste more like prunes than rhubarb does." Groucho Marx

If I'm introspective: "You cannot change the winds, but you can adjust the sails." Elizabeth Edwards

My rooted-in-reality response: "Have you ever noticed how 'what the hell' is always the right answer?" Marilyn Monroe

Happy Birthday to me, Part 6

The Mail Edition. My aunt sent me a box filled with organic teas to keep me warm as the winds grow cold. SnarkyPants proved she reads this humble blog by coming through with one of my recently lusted after items -- the Body Shop Vitamin C capsules.

I love getting mail. Now, more than ever, because receiving packages is so rare. And both gifts were such a surprise, and so thoughtful. I am really very lucky.

Happy Birthday to me, Part 5

Dinner with my friend Mindy. It was nice to see her, and I was happy to receive her gifts -- a pair of DVDs (Friday Night Lights and Springteen and I). I'm a little sorry I had a Moscow Mule. I feel a headache coming on ...

Since Hanukkah is early this year, I'm proud that I had her gifts ready -- a pair of shirts for her and her husband from ShopHeart.org. His mom died a few months ago and in lieu of flowers, the family asked for contributions to the American Heart Association. I think these shirts are a nice, proactive way to continue honoring the lady.

Happy Birthday to me, Part 4

I went down to Tampa to visit my cousin Rose for my birthday. The trip was a mixed bag, as I expected it would be. Rose is very, very set in her ways, and very convinced that her way is the only way. I really wished I'd stayed in a motel instead of at her house, because despite basking in how much she loves me and her willingness to show me all the local sites, she got on my last nerve. Example: "Why do you carry such a big purse, Gal?" "You don't need such a big purse." "What do you have in that big purse anyway?" Finally I snapped, "Why do you care?" The whole weekend was like that.

Interestingly, I don't get on her last nerve. She kept talking about trips we could take together once I retire. AAAARGH! I can't imagine what it would be like to share a confined space with her!

On to happier things. Friday was my actual birthday. I wanted to go to Lowry Park (aka Tampa Zoo) so that's where we were headed when her car died. She was very sorry and very embarrassed but I didn't mind. We were both safe and sound, I got to ride in a tow truck for the first time ever, and yes, we were stuck in the garage for most of the afternoon. But they had CNN on and I got to see the ceremonies at Arlington Cemetery, and since President Kennedy has been on my mind sooooo much this month, it seemed fitting. (I was happy to see the flags half mast all over town that day.)

Then we went to Madeira Beach to watch the sun set. It was gorgeous. To see gulls, walk along the shore barefoot and stepping on shells, and to watch the sun fall into the sea was a special treat.

The next day, Saturday, was zoo day. Here in Chicagoland we have two world class zoos, so my cousin was surprised that Lowry Park was on my list of things I wanted to do for my birthday, but okapis have always been my favorite zoo friends and they recently had a new addition. It was important to me to see the baby. I was not disappointed.

For her part, my cousin's favorites are the giraffes. They have an expansive, beautiful exhibit -- but then so do the zoos here. What was different about The Lowry giraffe area was the artwork. My cousin found a pair of giraffe earrings in the gift shop. I bought manatee magnets for my coworkers at the gift shop, as well. I found myself enchanted by those big, docile sea cows, but they didn't photograph well. So I got myself a snow globe (sea globe?) with a pair of manatees inside.

Then later we went back to Madeira for a dolphin cruise. It was so beautiful. We saw several "pods" (or families) of dolphins. They were majestic. But everything about the cruise was perfect. A little over 80º, mostly smooth seas, clear skies. Little islands of nothing other than birds. Elegant estates dotting the
shore. Jimmy Buffett on the speakers. If only I'd had a margarita in my hand, it would have been perfect.

I was happy to go to Tampa, and happy to come home. One of the nice things about the flights is now I'm on the TSA precheck list. I don't have to remove my shoes, belt or baggie of liquids anymore when I go through security anymore. Believe it or not, that made the trips a wee bit less stressful for me.

Saturday 9

Saturday 9: Sugar Shack
 
This song was popular 50 years ago today. Hear it here.

1) In this song, our hero orders espresso. What's your standard coffee order? Not a coffee drinker

2) Originally the phrase "sugar shack" meant a small cabin where sap from maple trees was boiled into syrup. So for breakfast today, would you rather pour syrup on pancakes, french toast or waffles? I just had French Toast this morning, so I'll go with that.

3) The name of the group that recorded this song is The Fireballs. "Fireballs" is also the brand name of a red hot jawbreaker. Do you like cinnamon? Love it!

4) In 1963, when this song was a hit, newscaster Walter Cronkite was one of the most trusted and influential men in the country. Do you have a favorite TV newsperson? If something really bad ever happens again, I think I'd like to hear it from Tom Brokaw.


5) The Rambler was named 1963 Car of the Year by Motor Trend, and their most popular model was a 9-passenger station wagon. What's the car of your dreams? One that comes with a driver.

6) The Zip Code was first introduced in 1963. How many different Zip Codes have you had throughout your life?  Three

7) What was the first thing you thought about when you woke up this morning? "What was with that dream?"

8) Are you a good pool player? I am the worst

9) Do you actually make a wish when you blow out your birthday candles? Yes.

November Challenge

Day 21 -- What you hope your future will be like

I'd like to clean up and improve my home so it's a better reflection of who I am.

November Challenge

Day 20 -- Your fears

Air travel is by far #1. I'm flying tomorrow so this is very top of mind for me right now.

Happy Birthday to me, Parts 2 and 3

Yesterday started out as a bad day. There were continuous raised voices on the el -- someone felt disrespected by an invasion of personal space -- and it was very rattling. The tension in the car was sky high as we all worried about the confrontation becoming physical. ("Excuse me, Madam? Your tote bag does not deserve it's own seat! And you, Sir? Don't go out of your way to smash her belongings! We all have to share this confined space. Let's try to respect one another." One of these days, a silly conflict like this is going to escalate until someone gets shot.)

So I was already rattled when I got to work. And my plate keeps getting more and more projects

heaped upon it. It's always like this year-end. I'm not surprised, but I am anxious, because my boss seems alternately rattled and in denial.

Naturally I was surprised and very grateful when my most annoying coworker said, "Let's go to lunch for your birthday!" She took me to Wildberry, the breakfast-centric restaurant right in our office building and I got to have eggs benedict for lunch. It was a thoughtful and much appreciated gesture.

Then I went back to work-work-work and was surprise and happy when these arrived. My oldest friend sent them to my office because she knows I'm going to be gone this weekend.

I really appreciated this gesture, too. I knew she would remember my birthday -- hell, we've known one another since Kindergarten -- but this explains why she was so adamant about knowing my travel plans. She wanted to send the arrangement where I could enjoy them the most. (And after the flowers go, that's going to make quite the cosmo glass.)

Teaser Tuesday

Here's how to play this meme.

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

I dug out Death of a President, November 1963. I don't think I need to be warned about "spoilers" because if you don't know how this story ends, you never went to school as a child or haven't passed a magazine rack this month.

I haven't read this in, literally, decades. Conspiracy buffs discredited it so. But now, with advanced forensics having proven the lone gunman theory this book supports, I'm revisiting it and find myself appreciating it more. Manchester can be flowery at times, but for the most part he has the sense and sensitivity to not let his writer's ego get in the way of the story. 

For example, from page 33:

Maybe it was too much to ask those Dallas patrolmen in the vicinity of the warehouse to follow the example of New York policemen by turning their backs on the President to scan the overlooking windows -- in which event they, like the pedestrians around them, would have seen the waiting rifleman in the window. Perhaps every man did his duty and the blow could not have been averted.