gets the last laugh.
Well, I now know where Frankie went yesterday afternoon...it didn't take long to figure out. I found her in the sun room watching a movie...with the sound turned down...sneaky little rascal.
She said she had to use the bathroom and would be right back, so I didn't miss her at first. But, when I just happened to walk by the bathroom and saw the door open and the light off...Well, let's just say it doesn't take a brain surgeon to figure out I'd been snookered. However, I didn't find out until this morning the lengths she had gone to...really, she posted in my blog I was maniacal and a monster. Well, now the posting of Facebook from my granddaughter makes sense...I didn't understand why she wanted me to drag Frankie "back by the hair". I was not aware how far Frankie had gone to escape.
Okay, okay, I admit...I was a little hard on her yesterday. But, you have to remember, it was at her insistence we put away all the Christmas decorations, and I might have become a little maniacal about it...but once I got into the groove, my butt was moving, girlfriend...it was moving. And yes, I might have been a little bossy about how the job got done, there were piles of decorations hither and yon (for a while), but I don't think I was anywhere near being a monster.
(I did allow her to have lunch, talk on the phone and even take the necessary potty breaks.) So I don't think that qualifies me as a monster either. I did not breathe fire, growl fiercely, or threaten her life and limb.
As it got dark, all the boxes had been filled, and we were ready to place them in their proper places in the garage, or various closets. Frankie was frazzled...it was sooo funny. Her hair was askew. Her make-up slightly out of place, and her clothes covered in sparkles. And, as she climbed the ladder in the garage for the last time I could tell she had learned her lesson.
Frankie: (Leaning against the rungs of the ladder). "I hate you!"
Me: "Really?" (I try not to look smug).
Frankie: "Yes, I really, really hate you. You dang near worked me to death."
Me: "Awww, really? I am sooo sorry."
Frankie: "No you aren't."
Me: "You're right...I'm not..." (picture me grinning broadly). "Need I remind you it was your idea to get rid of the decorations...'today...it won't be bad...the sooner we start, blah, blah, blah.'
Frankie: (Quizzical look on her face. Elbow on top rung of ladder.) "So...you been teaching me a lesson?"
Me: "Yep."
Frankie: "And that would be????
Me: "Don't mess with an old lady...if you remember back to early December it took a couple of days to put all the decorations up...I would have taken a couple of days to take them down...YOU on the other hand decided we could do it all in one day. And, we almost made it."
Frankie: "What the heck 'you talkin' about Willis?' Almost done, almost done.?"
( I knew she had not noticed.) I help her off the ladder and lead her to the morning room.
She gasps, I laugh.
There in all it's unlit glory was the Christmas tree...still flufed, full of unlit lights, ornaments and garlands. I thought Frankie was going to break her gusset.
She pulled at her hair, stomped about, made a monster-ific growling sound and left the room.
Me: "Frankie," I call out, " 'We'll start early in the morning...it won't be that bad...the sooner we start, the sooner we'll get done.' "
All I hear a "GGGGGrrrrrrrrrr-r---rr----rrrr." Fading into the distance. Maybe I am maniacal and a monster.
Baaaaaa, haaaaaa, haaaaaa.
Monday, December 31, 2012
Sunday, December 30, 2012
Help
Shhhhhh, be quite, very, very quite.
I have sneaked away...it is getting late...we are still working on the decorations. There are piles everywhere.
Some for the garage, some for various closets...
Ssssshhhhhhhh. I must not get caught. Please, PLEASE someone come rescue me. A maniacal woman, will not allow me to sit...she insisted we complete the un-decorating TODAY. She's a monster, I'm telling you, she has become a monster.
Drive up quietly, and I will run out to you as quickly as I can.
Shhhhhhhh. Shhhhhhh.
Frankie.
Determination
Frankie: "We're going to start this morning."
Me: "I don't want to."
Frankie: "But, you promised."
Me: "Don't care."
Frankie: "Come on. It won't be that bad."
Me: "Oh, yes it will."
Frankie, full of determination tries to drag me away from the computer.
Frankie: "The sooner we start, the sooner we'll get done."
I force myself deeper into the chair, and lock my arms around the arms of it. I'm determined, too.
Frankie: "I swear, I'm going to dump you out of there."
Me: "Good luck with that." I weigh substantially more than her, there's no way she can extricate me from my artificial leather island.
She makes some kind of monster-ific growling sound and leaves the room.
I know, I'm a terrible person. I've been promising for a week to take down all the Christmas decorations, and though I didn't put up all that I could have, I look around and see it is going to be an all day job to put everything away.
When my grandson, Marcus, posted on Facebook earlier in the week he wanted to come for a visit on Saturday. I told Frankie we would have to wait until after his visit before putting Christmas in boxes until next year...aha...a reprieve.
Well, that visit has come and gone, so Frankie was like white on rice wanting me to dress and get busy stowing the holidays away.
But...I...don't...want...to. The job seems overwhelming. Every year I tell myself there is no need to decorate the whole house...I do. Every year I tell myself I am not going to purchase any new ones...I do. Every year I tell myself there is no need to go through all the boxes...I do, even thought the box is clearly labeled 'no longer in use.' Shoot, there might be something good in that one that would look nice, here, there or anywhere.
For instance, I have a styro-foam Santa, that is close to fifty years old, I've had to replace his red Christmas ball nose several times...each year...I am not getting him out...each year I do. I have two very, very heavy, old, large, Christmas balls that my mother had on their tree when she was a child. And even though I fear they might get broken, each year they are placed on my tree...how could I not. I love opening the boxes, looking at the treasures, and even though some of them never leave their box, how could I not.
For Frankie, enough is enough..she is insistent and full of determination that we put the holidays away ...today...I don't want to, because it seems like such a chore. However, truth be told...it is not so much it is going to be a chore...it's more that it dredges up a melancholy of Christmases past, all wrapped in tissue paper, neatly packed and stored. It is memories of Christmas present, crinkled wrappings, leftovers, hugs and kisses. It is anticipation of Christmas future...old decorations once more brought out of tissue and time...
...
...
...
... Me: "Okay Frankie, I'm coming...where do you want to start."
Time to drag out new boxes full of snowmen, teddy-bears, icicles and snow flakes to decorate the house for winter.
HAPPY NEW YEAR, EVERYONE.
Me: "I don't want to."
Frankie: "But, you promised."
Me: "Don't care."
Frankie: "Come on. It won't be that bad."
Me: "Oh, yes it will."
Frankie, full of determination tries to drag me away from the computer.
Frankie: "The sooner we start, the sooner we'll get done."
I force myself deeper into the chair, and lock my arms around the arms of it. I'm determined, too.
Frankie: "I swear, I'm going to dump you out of there."
Me: "Good luck with that." I weigh substantially more than her, there's no way she can extricate me from my artificial leather island.
She makes some kind of monster-ific growling sound and leaves the room.
I know, I'm a terrible person. I've been promising for a week to take down all the Christmas decorations, and though I didn't put up all that I could have, I look around and see it is going to be an all day job to put everything away.
When my grandson, Marcus, posted on Facebook earlier in the week he wanted to come for a visit on Saturday. I told Frankie we would have to wait until after his visit before putting Christmas in boxes until next year...aha...a reprieve.
Well, that visit has come and gone, so Frankie was like white on rice wanting me to dress and get busy stowing the holidays away.
But...I...don't...want...to. The job seems overwhelming. Every year I tell myself there is no need to decorate the whole house...I do. Every year I tell myself I am not going to purchase any new ones...I do. Every year I tell myself there is no need to go through all the boxes...I do, even thought the box is clearly labeled 'no longer in use.' Shoot, there might be something good in that one that would look nice, here, there or anywhere.
For instance, I have a styro-foam Santa, that is close to fifty years old, I've had to replace his red Christmas ball nose several times...each year...I am not getting him out...each year I do. I have two very, very heavy, old, large, Christmas balls that my mother had on their tree when she was a child. And even though I fear they might get broken, each year they are placed on my tree...how could I not. I love opening the boxes, looking at the treasures, and even though some of them never leave their box, how could I not.
For Frankie, enough is enough..she is insistent and full of determination that we put the holidays away ...today...I don't want to, because it seems like such a chore. However, truth be told...it is not so much it is going to be a chore...it's more that it dredges up a melancholy of Christmases past, all wrapped in tissue paper, neatly packed and stored. It is memories of Christmas present, crinkled wrappings, leftovers, hugs and kisses. It is anticipation of Christmas future...old decorations once more brought out of tissue and time...
...
...
...
... Me: "Okay Frankie, I'm coming...where do you want to start."
Time to drag out new boxes full of snowmen, teddy-bears, icicles and snow flakes to decorate the house for winter.
HAPPY NEW YEAR, EVERYONE.
Friday, December 28, 2012
Notes
I used to send about 60 Christmas cards every year, and each one held some kind of a note. Sometimes the note could be quite lengthy, sometimes three or four lines, but each note was personal, meant for just that particular person or family. I don't send cards anymore, it got too expensive, it was hard letting go of that tradition.
Since I don't send Christmas cards anymore, I don't get many either. But, when I do get one I'm delighted, even more so when the sender has included a note. I love the notes, I don't care if they are only a few lines long, it is nice to know that at that particular moment in that person's life they were thinking of me, and that dear friends and family overjoys me.
This year I got a note from a classmate, in it she told me another of our classmates had passed away this year. Sadly, I did not recognize the name..."I don't know this person." I thought. Who the heck is she talking about? For a while I let this information slosh around in my brain, hoping I would eventually have recall. Hours went by... I was still asking myself, who the heck is she talking about?
Finally, I could not stand the mystery any longer. I head for my Yearbook, The Portal. I was sure this person would not be part of our class, there were only 80 of us to graduate, how could I possibly forget one of us. I start leafing through the pages. Sure enough, there he was tucked in between the H's, on page 32.
You have no idea how disgusted I was with myself...not just because I didn't recognize the name much less come up with a face, but because I had reach an age, when an entire part of my life was becoming a blur. A lot of my graduating class, were 'mates' I had from First through Twelfth grades. How is there even an inkling I would forget people who had occupied such a large part of my youth? I want to slap myself silly.
I then had to ask myself a serious question. "How many class mates do not remember me?" Scary thought, that. The only reunion I ever went to was in 1960, and if it were not for the two or three girlfriends from my class who have written notes to me all these years and who attended the reunions, I would never have known what was going on in the lives of my class mates. At each reunion a picture was taken, each reunion I recognized fewer and fewer faces. A little newspaper (The school's "ECHO") would be published updating who is living where, how many kids, grand-kids and now great-grand-kids we have...it was kind of like getting a whole bunch of Christmas notes.
The last reunion, there was not picture, there was no newspaper, fewer people attended. Oh, I got a note from one of my class mates that attended and she told me who was there, and I was grateful, but it was also kind of sad...sad...the end of an era; were we getting too old to care.
I guess this blog could also qualify under "Things They Never Tell You". We graduated in 1955, (yes, I am that old) and nobody ever told me the time would come when that year would seem so far away, that memories would fade, faces would blur, and names would completely vanish from my vocabulary. So I thank goodness for friends who still write notes, that draw me back to lovely memories, smiling faces, and names from times long ago.
Since I don't send Christmas cards anymore, I don't get many either. But, when I do get one I'm delighted, even more so when the sender has included a note. I love the notes, I don't care if they are only a few lines long, it is nice to know that at that particular moment in that person's life they were thinking of me, and that dear friends and family overjoys me.
This year I got a note from a classmate, in it she told me another of our classmates had passed away this year. Sadly, I did not recognize the name..."I don't know this person." I thought. Who the heck is she talking about? For a while I let this information slosh around in my brain, hoping I would eventually have recall. Hours went by... I was still asking myself, who the heck is she talking about?
Finally, I could not stand the mystery any longer. I head for my Yearbook, The Portal. I was sure this person would not be part of our class, there were only 80 of us to graduate, how could I possibly forget one of us. I start leafing through the pages. Sure enough, there he was tucked in between the H's, on page 32.
You have no idea how disgusted I was with myself...not just because I didn't recognize the name much less come up with a face, but because I had reach an age, when an entire part of my life was becoming a blur. A lot of my graduating class, were 'mates' I had from First through Twelfth grades. How is there even an inkling I would forget people who had occupied such a large part of my youth? I want to slap myself silly.
I then had to ask myself a serious question. "How many class mates do not remember me?" Scary thought, that. The only reunion I ever went to was in 1960, and if it were not for the two or three girlfriends from my class who have written notes to me all these years and who attended the reunions, I would never have known what was going on in the lives of my class mates. At each reunion a picture was taken, each reunion I recognized fewer and fewer faces. A little newspaper (The school's "ECHO") would be published updating who is living where, how many kids, grand-kids and now great-grand-kids we have...it was kind of like getting a whole bunch of Christmas notes.
The last reunion, there was not picture, there was no newspaper, fewer people attended. Oh, I got a note from one of my class mates that attended and she told me who was there, and I was grateful, but it was also kind of sad...sad...the end of an era; were we getting too old to care.
I guess this blog could also qualify under "Things They Never Tell You". We graduated in 1955, (yes, I am that old) and nobody ever told me the time would come when that year would seem so far away, that memories would fade, faces would blur, and names would completely vanish from my vocabulary. So I thank goodness for friends who still write notes, that draw me back to lovely memories, smiling faces, and names from times long ago.
Thursday, December 27, 2012
Setting goals
Wasn't it January, just yesterday? I'm pretty sure it was.
And summer????? Did we have summer?
I pretty much remember autumn, because I spent those months collecting leaves, pressing some of them, scanning others into my computer, imagining how I might make use of them.
I spent part of the year making plans with my daughter Karen to take my little publishing company to the next level. Look out Internet we're coming.
Then the holidays came...and went....
Poof, the year was over.
I didn't set any goals for the year, I guess I must have decided somewhere along the line to let it play out however it was going to. I was okay with that. I'm pleasantly surprised how well it turned out, I actually accomplished quite a bit.
Now a new year looms a mere five sleeps away. I don't make New Year Resolutions, I learned even as a teen I would never keep them. Lose weight, exercise, change eating habits, make better use of my time (sigh) I guess I simply do not have the 'resolve' to accomplish these things.
What does 'resolution' mean anyway?
Merriam-Webster Dictionary
Definition of RESOLUTION
1
: the act or process of resolving: as
a : the act of analyzing a complex notion into simpler ones
b : the act of answering : solving
c : the act of determining
What?????? How does the above have anything to do with losing weight, exercise, eating habit or making better use of my time...no wonder my resolutions always failed.
Hmmm, I wonder if I did set some 'goals' if I could accomplish those?
Merriam-Webster Dictionary
Definition of GOAL
1
a : the terminal point of a race
b : an area to be reached safely in children's games
2
: the end toward which effort is directed : aim
Aha......!!!!!! Yes, yes, I can make effort....I can aim for an end result. I like it, I like it.
So, next year, I will continue to work diligently to try to make my little company successful, not so much to become monetarily wealthy, but wealthy from the achievements of doing a job well. I'm simply going to aim myself toward a goal...I'm going to shoot for the stars, there are billions of them out there, so I know for sure I'm going to hit one of them, doesn't have to happen in '13, space is vast, space is mysterious, space is endless, I think I'll ride 'shotgun' and let 'aim' drive to the goal whenever, and wherever it is.
And summer????? Did we have summer?
I pretty much remember autumn, because I spent those months collecting leaves, pressing some of them, scanning others into my computer, imagining how I might make use of them.
I spent part of the year making plans with my daughter Karen to take my little publishing company to the next level. Look out Internet we're coming.
Then the holidays came...and went....
Poof, the year was over.
I didn't set any goals for the year, I guess I must have decided somewhere along the line to let it play out however it was going to. I was okay with that. I'm pleasantly surprised how well it turned out, I actually accomplished quite a bit.
Now a new year looms a mere five sleeps away. I don't make New Year Resolutions, I learned even as a teen I would never keep them. Lose weight, exercise, change eating habits, make better use of my time (sigh) I guess I simply do not have the 'resolve' to accomplish these things.
What does 'resolution' mean anyway?
Merriam-Webster Dictionary
Definition of RESOLUTION
1
: the act or process of resolving: as
a : the act of analyzing a complex notion into simpler ones
b : the act of answering : solving
c : the act of determining
What?????? How does the above have anything to do with losing weight, exercise, eating habit or making better use of my time...no wonder my resolutions always failed.
Hmmm, I wonder if I did set some 'goals' if I could accomplish those?
Merriam-Webster Dictionary
Definition of GOAL
1
a : the terminal point of a race
b : an area to be reached safely in children's games
2
: the end toward which effort is directed : aim
Aha......!!!!!! Yes, yes, I can make effort....I can aim for an end result. I like it, I like it.
So, next year, I will continue to work diligently to try to make my little company successful, not so much to become monetarily wealthy, but wealthy from the achievements of doing a job well. I'm simply going to aim myself toward a goal...I'm going to shoot for the stars, there are billions of them out there, so I know for sure I'm going to hit one of them, doesn't have to happen in '13, space is vast, space is mysterious, space is endless, I think I'll ride 'shotgun' and let 'aim' drive to the goal whenever, and wherever it is.
Monday, December 24, 2012
I've got the blues
There is nothing really wrong. My health is pretty good, I've been enjoying the company of friends, my preparations for Christmas are all on track...I still have to boil up some eggs for 'beets and eggs' and wrap a few gifts...but I am ready for tomorrow.
Why then I keep asking myself am I so blue?
Picture me...pondering...pondering....pondering.
Still thinking.....
...funny how loud silence can be.
I've got it! I know what it is.
There has been a lot of ugly in the world, especially this year and I want to fix it. I know, I know, I know I can't. But I want to very, very badly. We are studying Daniel during Bible study, and his prophecies, and how he had insight into was was going to happen. Like him, I know (well, I'm not a prophet) I can speculate what the future holds, and like him, I cannot change what has already been written, oooh, but I want to. I think the prophets of old although very, very wise they were also very sad when people ignored their sage words.
I have no sage words, just a blueness in my heart.
So, asking myself what can I do...I've decided I'm going to extend my arms as far as my imagination will allow, and blow up my heart at big as I can until it almost explodes, and hug the world and all the people with all my might, till it and they feel all the love I have. I'm sorry weary world for all we have inflicted on you, I'm sorry mankind we have become so vile. I'm squeezing hard...really, r-e-a-l-l-y hard....can you feel it...can you, can you?
....here it comes......
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE,
PEACE ON EARTH, PEACE ON EARTH, PEACE ON EARTH,
GOOD WILL, TO ALL MANKIND.
Oh, I feel sooo much better.
Seriously...I do feel better.
Merry Christmas everyone.
Why then I keep asking myself am I so blue?
Picture me...pondering...pondering....pondering.
Still thinking.....
...funny how loud silence can be.
I've got it! I know what it is.
There has been a lot of ugly in the world, especially this year and I want to fix it. I know, I know, I know I can't. But I want to very, very badly. We are studying Daniel during Bible study, and his prophecies, and how he had insight into was was going to happen. Like him, I know (well, I'm not a prophet) I can speculate what the future holds, and like him, I cannot change what has already been written, oooh, but I want to. I think the prophets of old although very, very wise they were also very sad when people ignored their sage words.
I have no sage words, just a blueness in my heart.
So, asking myself what can I do...I've decided I'm going to extend my arms as far as my imagination will allow, and blow up my heart at big as I can until it almost explodes, and hug the world and all the people with all my might, till it and they feel all the love I have. I'm sorry weary world for all we have inflicted on you, I'm sorry mankind we have become so vile. I'm squeezing hard...really, r-e-a-l-l-y hard....can you feel it...can you, can you?
....here it comes......
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE,
PEACE ON EARTH, PEACE ON EARTH, PEACE ON EARTH,
GOOD WILL, TO ALL MANKIND.
Oh, I feel sooo much better.
Seriously...I do feel better.
Merry Christmas everyone.
Sunday, December 23, 2012
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