Ah, we are approaching the year 2009!

I hope all of you had a deLIGHTful Christmas and that all your secret wishes were fulfilled with the enchantment of Christmas which was all yours to treasure. For some of us, it was a painful Christmas and just waited for the day to come and go quickly.

Next week, we will begin to start writing 2009 on all of our correspondence and writing 2009 on our checks. I recall as a child, it seemed to frighten me every year when the digits changed on the calendar. Strange for a young girl to be frightened of that. As an adult, it frightens me even more but I know why now at an older age.

I read somewhere that many people call New Years Day...."Good Riddance Day"....in which they celebrate in mashing a year’s worth of bad hairstyles, loathed music, fashion disasters and regretted romances into an unrecognizable pulp of bad karma and negative vibes. Well, I guess that is when people decided to make their New Year's resolutions and to start off the new year with a positive attitude to get rid of all the negative vibes from the year just past.

Every year, millions and millions of eyes from all over the world are focused on the sparkling Waterford Crystal Times Square New Year's Eve Ball. Is it really made of Waterford Crystal???? Don't you think that in today's devastating economy.....we should not use Waterford Crystal for the New Year's Ball this year?

We all anxiously wait for the clock to start at 11:59 p.m. when the Ball begins its descent, as millions of voices start to count down the final seconds of the year, and celebrate the beginning of a new year full of hopes, challenges, changes and dreams........mostly dreams!

I prefer to be at home watching the ball come down. I recall when I was young, I used to love to find that perfect cocktail dress and attend the best parties celebrating the New Year. As I got older, I realized that I would rather be home then be on the roads with the amateur drunks that abuse the beautiful celebrations of welcoming in a New Year.

I don't believe in New Year's resolutions. I believe that you should be ridding yourself of bad habits and you shouldn't have to wait for New Years to start doing it. New Year's Eve has always been a time for looking back to the past, and more importantly, forward to the coming year. It's a time to reflect on the changes we want and/or more importantly need to make and resolve to follow through on those changes.

The resolutions for many are usually the same every year, diet, stop smoking, exercising, etc. All of which do not require a New Year to begin to start living a healthy lifestyle.

So, do you make New Year's Resolutions? Are they usually the same ones year after year? I know Jimmy Sullivan will be out in Area 51 celebrating....so how are the rest of you celebrating in the new year?

My graphics are back! Yippee~

As promised, Photobucket reinstated my graphics on the 27th. Of course, that made my day!

I attented my girlfriend, Laurie's Birthday Bash last night and oh what a party it was! I don't remember going home so late in a long time. It was a catered affair with class!

I'll post an entry later when I get rid of my hangover!

Upset with Photobucket!

I'm really upset with Photobucket making my blogs a mess with their icons covering my animated graphics. Yikes! They claim it will reset itself on the 27th which is the anniversary of when I started using Photobucket to post my animations. My non animated graphics were untouched because I put them in manually from my hard drive. I can't do that for the animated ones...you need that HTML code thingy! Futta, futta, futta. I think I even made up swears! LOL And, I have to be good....Santa is on his way! LOL

I have two blogs and one is for my classmates of 1962....I'm trying to give that a face lift first and curious if my graphics will return in this site on the 27th! If not..........more work. They claim every time some looks in your Photobucket account or any account you place your animations....for the amount of graphics you have let's say 5, it counts as 5 "hits" and you are only allowed so much broadwidth per month .....whatever that means! I need a glass of wine!

Who knew this would be so exhausting! First AOL now this!

Is your tree up yet?

Hello Everyone!

I get the biggest kick out of the bouncing Snowman but the Reindeer crackes me up....click on the cookie the shape of a Christmas Tree and he stops to eat it. If it doesn't work the first time, click on the cookie again! It's a hoot!

So, have all of you put your Christmas tree up yet? Did you check all your lights first? You all know how annoying that can be once you arrange all the lights on the tree and one set doesn't work!.....Ugh!

I have been a catalog Christmas shopper for years starting with Spiegel when I was in my 20's. Then after the computer age....I prefer to shop online only with stores that I'm familiar with.....I avoid the madness in the stores, the long lines and searching for a parking space. I usually find mostly everything I need with the touch of the mouse! And, since I live in Florida.....no more lines at the post office....just click "Ship To" and my gifts are delivered. Cool Beans!

Have any of you seen that new marketing ploy directed at women? The "Right-Hand Ring". I couldn't believe this particular Christmas jewelry ad aimed at "power women" with gorgeous and dazzling diamond settings designed (supposedly) for right-hand wear only. Treat yourself---you've earned it! Women work and can buy for themselves! scream the ads in large print, placed in women magazines such as Vogue, etc.

While I love a diamond as much as the next gal, I have to wonder if this isn't all a clever marketing trick designed specifically to prey on our culture's current obsession with working, powerful women and mothers. But do we really need another Hallmark Holiday aimed directly at a flock of female consumers. And, especially during today's economy! Well, of course, we will always have the "rich and famous" with money to burn!

I ended the week with a miserable night at a Christian's Single's Dance, ironically the idea was from a Jewish member of the Widow's Group! hehehehe....I've been to these Single's Dances before and oh, how I hate when they instruct you to form a circle around the dance floor and when the music stops every 5 minutes you change partners....oh my....I had enough of that! It would have been nice if there were a decent ballroom dancer in the crowd at least. There were the same faces from my first experience at these dances about 3 years ago. Waste of a $10 admission fee.

Hey, I know at my age group....there would be no George Clooney look alikes around but give me a break...Che Faccia di bow wows! If these guys have to be that uncaring about their appearance...can't they at least learn how to dance and use deodorant and a sports jacket would be nice too? And, these stingy old men don't even offer to buy you a drink! I did, however, enjoy the talented musicians. Great music, lousy dancers.....a recipe for a miserable night! It's not easy being widowed and single again when you are in your 60s! I'm used to a different era when a man offered you a seat at the bar......you would never see a woman standing.....they sent drinks over to you from across the room just to be polite. And, all the men were always well groomed. The Glitter is Gone!

We women no longer have our svelte figures and flawless, young complexions but at least we make an effort in our appearance to look good when we go out at night. Oh and all the primping...... manicure, pedicure, hair, makeup.....hours and hours of preparation to look good only to meet a bunch of men wearing jeans and looking like they belong at the beach! That's why most weekends, I'm home with a good book lounging in my "Boston" TShirt and eating a tuna fish sandwich! LOL

Traditional vs. Tropical Christmas

Who says Christmas in subtropical South Florida can't compete with the traditional northern one? Just look at all the parallels!

TRADITIONAL/TROPICAL

Snowfall /Sunshine

Hot Chocolate/ Pina Colada

Douglas Fir/Coconut Palm

Long Johns /Thong Bikinis

Potted Poinsettia (Wilting)/ Planted Poinsettia (Healthy)

Sleigh Ride/ Surfing

Chestnuts on an open fire/ Shrimps on the barbie

Ice Skating /In Line Skating

Holly Wreath /Seashell Wreath

Frostbite /Sunburn

Plastic Reindeer/ Pink Flamingo

Snowman/ Sand Castle

Partridge in a pear tree /Parrot in an orange tree

Marching Christmas Bands/ Christmas Boat Parades

faLALALALALAbulous holiday season!

Well, we have all celebrated the Thanksgiving festivities and now are you all ready to start with the Christmas decorating and shopping?

What’s the difference between trimming a Christmas tree and painting Easter eggs? About $327.40! Ever think about that?

Everyone now will be out and about doing their Christmas shopping and attending all those Christmas parties and worrying. Oh what to wear? And, those damn cell phones going off!

Tis the season of crass consumption, credit card debt and screaming children! Oh, the stress! But also a fun time of the year, everyone is jolly and the children are excited waiting for Santa, the family gatherings, the baking and cooking, decorating the tree, wrapping presents…yatta….yatta…yatta!

And, it isn’t easy being a snowman either! Just think about it.....…...You’ve got little kids pounding your belly until the roundness is just right, a nose so long and pointy…it’s a plastic surgeon’s dream and the only way to get out of the cold is to melt yourself into oblivion!

Well, Christmas comes but once a year but all of you are in my thoughts all year long.

Wishing everyone a faLALALALALAbulous holiday season!

Nice Surprise...thanks Jimmy Sullivan!

I was the surprised recipient of the Marie Antoinette Award today! And thank you to my friend Jimmy Sullivan! http://jimsulliv3.blogspot.com/

The Marie-Antoinette, A Real Person, A Real Award

Here are the rules:

1. Please put the logo on your Journal
2. Place a link to the person from whom you received the award

3. Nominate at least 7 or more Journals
4. Put the links of those Journals on your Journal
5. Leave a message on their Journals to tell them

Thank you, dear Jimmy. If you've never read Jimmy's Journal, you have been living under a rock! I get my daily chuckle from Jimmy and he is a wonderful writer as well, so receiving this award from him is special.

I believe I forgot how to hyperlink so I will do my best to nominate some great Journalers! I really hate the word Blog. Also, I know some of you have received this award already perhaps, if so, then you deserve to receive it again!

http://mysouthernhome.blogspot.com/

http://slapinions.blogspot.com/
http://mandy-unhappilyeverafter.blogspot.com/

http://womanintheglassbox.blogspot.com/
http://alittlebitofsugarplease.blogspot.com/
http://nutwoodjunction.blogspot.com/
http://buckoclown.blogspot.com/
http://deafscreams.blogspot.com/
http://nayscache.blogspot.com/

Christmas Spirit?

I can’t believe it…….it is November 15th and already the stores are decorated and the Christmas music is blaring!

Is everyone in the Christmas spirit? I can’t believe that some people in my neighborhood have jumped the gun even before Thanksgiving! They have their skeletal, mechanical, head-wagging reindeer out on their lawns. They have their Christmas lights blazing and their wreaths hung over the grills of their SUVs, even before the Thanksgiving turkey has been carved! Why is it that Thanksgiving is being brushed over so quickly these days?

I’m philosophically opposed to the blending of Thanksgiving and Christmas. I don’t like mixing the reds and greens of Christmas with the browns and gold of Thanksgiving. But Thanksgiving, unlike Christmas, isn’t a holiday that lingers long. So, by now, most people already said goodbye pilgrims, hello elves! Now, where did I put those Christmas lights??? LOL

Christmas in Florida is something you never get used to because of the weather. And, Santa wearing shorts! I complain about all the decorating but if you don’t do them…it would seem strange and somehow empty and, as if I had renounced my childhood or turned a deaf ear to the music that seems to require some visual stimulation. Like them or not, rituals are important. The bigger, the sillier, the more overboard, the better!

I suppose we all get overburdened with the holiday cheer, over the limit in Nutcrackers, Snowmen and Santas. It’s enough cheer to get a person depressed, if you don’t watch out. But I will say Ho, Ho, Ho while rummaging through my boxes clearly marked “Christmas”. So, are all of you starting to search in your garage, cellar, or where ever your storage unit is located …..to hunt through the boxes for the Christmas decorations?

Change can happen!

Wow, Obama scored an Electoral College landslide that redrew America's political dynamics!

Oh, my.........my glass was full and overflowing! I always felt wedged between the folds of everyday life's experiences, I have now decided that coping is not enough for most of us "pressure-cooker" people in the world. The people spoke and the people were heard.

The flow of goodwill most definitely poured to Obama's side, even as developments made it so clear how heavy a weight will soon be pressure on his shoulders since he has inherited the serious problems of this country and abroad.

According to the dictionary, to cope is "to struggle or contend on fairly even terms." That to me, sounds like treading water but never getting to shore! We all know that Obama's new life in the White House will be a stress-saturated life but I'm sure he will do more than cope when any big wave comes along! I believe he will do more than just keep his head above water. He is a brilliant, intelligent man who graduated from Harvard and he will be surrounded by other brilliant, intelligent people.

I certainly never thought I would experience an African-American as President of the United States in my life time. I believe not since FDR won the 1932 election has a president-elect faced so many problems both here and abroad like Obama is facing now.

With all the sadness and turmoil going on the the world, we definitely need a wake-up call to remove all the lemons that people put into the menu of life! Lemons are good only on food!

Obama started his Victory Speech by saying:

Hello, Chicago..........

If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible, who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time, who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer.

Wow, how true….only in America!

Wisdom!

Getting older is not much fun, Oh my! I've noticed a decline after each birthday arrives each year. I've lost a bit of that snap-crackle-pop speed but after reading some medical articles, the mental powers I have gained is supposed to be a bargain. Yeah....right! I'm making myself sound ancient but I'm no longer "middle aged"! And, yes that AARP magazine is in my mailbox!

I guess, in the old days they called it wisdom....what the heck is wisdom but a dense and rich network of a lifetime of experiences. You can't buy that richness, you can't get it from a pill. You have to earn it....by putting your gray matter to the test time and time again and that gray matter is also in my hair! Thank goodness for hair color!

There is a reason we don't have 20 year olds running Fortune 500 companies. Well, we do have some very young self-made millionaires in the technology industry these days and they got their ideas from playing "pack man"!

So, I guess we older folks are better at solving problems, more flexible in our strategies, and better able to keep our cool during a crisis than younger people. I think we bounce back from a bad mood more quickly too. I'll keep that in mind the next time I find myself wandering through the Mall parking lot looking for my car and cursing (futta, futta) because I can't remember where I parked it! hehehehehe

I certainly wouldn't mind looking younger, I would actually be thrilled but I wouldn't want to look like plastic. I earned some of those laugh lines from happiness. I wouldn't mind getting rid of the frown lines from sad times. Did I forget to mention the weight gain after I stopped smoking almost 2 years ago? Oh my...depressing! Kudos that I'm no longer smoking but I miss my single digit size clothes.......Ugh.

Oh the miracle and magic of make-up! LOL

Books, Books, Books!

We even have talking books!

I have been spending a lot of hours in my brand new Library which absolutely fascinates me…the place is so beautiful! I started to search for something interesting to read whether fiction, non fiction and then I found myself in the “Self Help” isle…….so I took out a couple of books to read in that category as well, everyone can use some help, I know I can use some for sure!

The weather here in South Florida has been perfect………temperatures have dropped to 80 degrees and less humidity and that awful sticky heat is gone. So, sitting outdoors in the terrace section of the library with the spectacular view overlooking the lake…sipping on a cup of coffee……..perfect setting for reading!

After reading one of the self help books, I came to the conclusion that the information you get from the best self-help books are very good. Writers have mapped out the roads to in great detail, but the map is not the territory. Everyone’s road is unique and different from any other!

A self-help book can only give you general guidelines. It cannot act on your behalf. You are the one who must take the words and turn them into action and your way of taking action will always be personal. The writer’s map is his or hers, not yours! These books are not written for you personally. To make a book work, you must rewrite it to fit you!

By the way, that fella that winked at me the last time I was there….was there again and he noticed me walking out into the terrace. He brought me over a cup of coffee! He just put the coffee down on the table, winked at me again and just walked away before I could say thank you. Hmmmm! He was no where in sight when I left. This can get interesting! Hey, Jimmy Sullivan….what to you make of this? LOL

At first, I thought perhaps this gentleman works there but I asked the lady behind the café counter about the man who bought me a cup of coffee and she said no he does not work there but he comes there a lot to read and have coffee. Well, you know I certainly walked out of the Library with an extra skip to my step! LOL

New Library in Boca!

Wow.....my town's new library has 50,000 square feet on two full floors. I felt like I was in a huge Palace!

The Library couldn't be more beautiful or convenient for me. It has an entry way that leads to a circular drive with a covered drop-off and a drive-up book drop! The rear is an amazing focal point of the building, with the back of the building facing the existing lake.


In addition, there is a café for coffee, a bagel, or lunch which I liked very much. A rear terrace facing the lake provides space to eat outside. A beautiful rooftop terrace allows library users a space to sit, read, and relax. This place is spectacular! I love the terrace and the atmosphere.

Looks like this will be a new hangout for me! I enjoyed breakfast there yesterday and I plan on having a quiet lunch there today after selecting a good book to read.

Yesterday, a charming gentleman nodded his head as I walked by and winked at me! LOL Well, that made my day! That doesn't happen too often to people my age! LOL

I had a very enjoyable day!