Images of your life!

How many of you remember the above style camera?

Ever think about what all the pictures you own hold for you? How much would you remember if you didn’t have them? Are you old enough to remember when we only had black and white film? Without those photo albums, would you remember all those birthday parties, proms, anniversaries, weddings, births, vacations, hairdos, cars you owned, your high school yearbook pictures…..all these images are still with me today and so are the emotions that go with them.

Visual images hold amazing power whether through your photo albums, newspaper clippings, scrapbooks and now with high tech….I personally use Picasa to store my photos online….no more discolored old photos….Amazing!  Saving them on a disk is much better than in a shoebox!

We all have some old worn out photos. I did some research on how to store these old photos so you will always have your precious memories.

Here's How:

1. First, take your photos out of "magnetic" albums. The materials, ordinary plastic, glue and cardboard, will damage them over time.

2. Eliminate any glue, tape, staples, rubber bands and paper clips that might stain, scratch or dent photographs.

3. When framing, use acid-free mats to keep photos from touching the glass and acid-free backboards to avoid deterioration of the image.

4. Place photographs in plastic sleeves void of PVC, which can be purchased at photo supply stores.

5. Use plastic sandwich bags for a good, inexpensive alternative to plastic sleeves.

6. Store large quantities of photos by layering them between sheets of 100 percent acid-free paper in metal or acid-free cardboard boxes.

Tips:

1. Wood and wood products, like cardboard and paper, harm photographs and should only be used if labeled "acid-free."

2. A good rule of thumb is storing photos where you are also comfortable, not too hot, cold, wet or dry.

3. Keep photos out of attics, garages and basements where they'll be subject to extreme temperature fluctuations and excessive humidity.

I’m very lucky to have a daughter that is an amazing photographer! She bought me my first digital camera and told me to carry it with me at all times in my handbag. That way, you will always be able to capture that special moment in time and create another wonderful memory in your life.

Valentine's Day is right around the corner!

Valentine's Day is approaching and with all forms of glee, bliss, and even annoyance. The feel-good day for lovers is also a field day for florists, chocolatiers, Hallmark and jewelry stores, as for me....it was my wedding anniversary! I now consider it just "another" day with fond memories!

Compatibility means a lot more than liking the same movies, sports, food or flavor of ice cream. It also means being able to successfully talk about and manage your finances. How to raise your children, religion matters to many. It is more than just hugs and kisses especially when you are very young!

I believe in love.........always did. I even believe in love at first sight. Can you imagine going about your daily routine of things and just out of the blue you randomly catch eyes with a total stranger, fall in love and start a life together. Well, that sorta happened to me with the exception I was introduced to my man and it was love at first site for both of us without even exchanging any words yet!

I was 52 years old and divorced and I think by that age, you definitely know what you DON'T want! Unfortunately for me, my husband passed away after only 3 1/2 years of marriage.

I still believe in love............do you?

Silver Sneakers

Yes, folks....I turned 65 in January and I jumped for joy when my Medicare Card arrived in my mailbox! Well, I'm not thrilled to be older but I certainly suffered for 8 years without health insurance due to existing conditions. I'm blessed with two friends that are nurses that helped me through some health issues along the way. It was very costly for my doctor visits when it became absolutely necessary to warrant an appointment. Being a woman, it is mandatory for the pap tests and mammogram.......more $$$ for my checkbook which could barely cover these expenses and I had to make sacrifices in other areas for my budget to handle these bills. So YES! I love having health insurance.

I got so hyped up to join Silver Sneakers to get my old body back into shape. I walked into the classroom and felt like I was the youngest person in the class. To my surprise, I could NOT keep up with the 80 year olds! I was huffing and puffing and sweating my brains out. But I made a commitment to myself to go three days a week and later anxious to join the Zumba class which I'm sure most have you heard about as it is all the rage these days. It is a fast pace form of Latin dancing that surely gives you a boost of Cardio. I love Ballroom dancing so I hope being a former ballroom dancer that this will help me keep up in the class. LOL I'll let you know how I do.

Oh my, my first day in a Silver Sneakers Class at another gym, this elderly gentleman fell off the big ball he was sitting on for balance and weights in his hand....his head banged on the floor and I freaked out. Why would they give an 80 year old a large ball to sit on and placed on slippery hardwood floors? The next instruction was to slide your tush down on the ball and that is when this poor guy crashed. He was fine but it was scary for me to watch. I got a yoga mat that was stacked high against the wall and told the guy perhaps the mat on the floor under the large ball may prevent the ball from sliding.

I, on the other hand was smart and skipped that part of that class altogether. Damn, if I fall off of that big exercising ball! I'm trying to get back into shape not break bones or split my head open!  Of course, every gym makes you sign a disclaimer that they are not responsible for your injuries.

Decided to try a different gym and luck was with me to find a fabulous instructor.  Only four classes under my belt so far and I already lost 3 lbs.  That is good for me!  WhoooHoooooooooo!

Everyone in my class remembered my name and greeted me with such kindness. The Instructor's name is "September". She is a hoot...whenever we are lifting weights she yells out "Oh yeah.... Baby, Baby" when the arms are started to hurt. She sings and jokes around with everyone and calls out their names. I really like her. She gets you motivated. And, my favorite Sinatra songs are blaring from her boom box! When September starts counting she will start backwards and yells out 8, 7, 6, 5, 4 3, then a member in our class takes over and says: twooooooooooooooooo and 1. September's personality and great sense of humor makes that hour go by quickly and worth it.

We do a lot of weights while sitting in a chair and a lot of kicks with our legs while standing up.....one particular kick....the Instructor yelled out...."pretend you are a dog and bend you leg at the knee and lift up to the side to a count of eight. Don't let the words "Silver Sneakers" fool you. These people are devoted to their exercise and take it very seriously which in turn provides them with a better quality of life.

Well, my goal is important. I want to receive all the benefits from increasing flexibility and improving my balance. Just try standing on one foot....how long can you do it? This class also provides great stretching techniques. I definitely went home feeling very sore. God Bless our older generation, these people take their exercising seriously and they have stamina. By my third class, I was able to keep up and they all cheered for me!  They are too funny.

Being flexible allows me fuller movement and reduced pain in my joints so that it is easier to perform my daily activities. I highly recommend Silver Sneakers for you Seniors out there. Go put that younger crowd to shame!

I plan on adding a Yoga/Meditation class too, perhaps in a couple of weeks.

The best part is that it is helping me sleep a little better.  WhooooHooooooooooo!

Insomnia!

Many people experience an off night where they can't obtain restful sleep. My Chronic Insomnia has plagued me for many years and is now getting worse. I experience a chronic difficulty either falling or staying asleep long enough to meet the body's needs for sleep. This lack of quality sleep leaves me with impaired functioning each day and keeps me from carrying out normal tasks.

Most adults require approximately eight hours of sleep but the best indicator is how you feel. If you awaken feeling tired, it is likely that you are not getting enough sleep. Insomnia can leave you feeling exhausted, irritable and struggling to concentrate............ugh!

People who are emotionally upset or anxious often find that they frequently awaken at night or have trouble falling asleep. It's difficult to relax when your mind is 'racing' and you can't seem to stop worrying about various aspects of your life.

Insomnia exacerbates the symptoms of depression, making it more difficult to treat.  Then add the serious issue of "SleepsWalking" and eating..........double trouble!  And, did I mention the weight gain?  Oh my, to look in the kitchen sink in the morning and see a bunch of forks and spoons and crumbs.  Yes, I woke up once to see a box of Cherrios next to me in bed!

I have followed all the doctor's suggestions on how to get a good nights sleep. Keeping a sleep diary is supposed to help the doctor to identify the cause and will be able to treat you. Well, so far after 15 plus years........nothing has worked which includes: sleeping pills, melatonin, going to bed at the same time every day including weekends, make sure the bedroom is dark and very cool, avoid caffeine, decongestants, stop smoking (which I quit three years ago) and  limit alcohol before bedtime, exercise more often but not at night time, don't lie in bed worrying about things. Set aside another time just for worrying......for example, spend 30 minutes after dinner writing down what's worrying you and what you can do about it.

Well, that warm glass of milk at bedtime that your grandma insists works, doesn't work for me ....so some doctor is going to have to come up with a better solution for me pretty soon. I have experienced many times not sleeping for 2-3 days in a row...not a wink...not even a short nap.....nothing! People don't understand how severe chronic insomnia is and how it takes over your quality of life.  I used to go to work with no sleep. It was easier when I was younger but that is no longer the case now that I am a senior citizen!

Do a lot of you out there experience chronic insomnia????? If so, do you have a special remedy that works for you, please share. It would be most appreciated.  I'm at my wits end and willing to try almost anything within reason!

Hugs, Rose

Cold Snap in Florida!

Here in South Florida, the cold snap shattered a decades-old record!

The freezing temperatures are still lingering on in South Florida, and do you believe it...... with snow flurries spotted around Orlando and a record low set for Miami.  The News showed snow on top of cars and children trying to make snowballs.  Warmer weather  is coming our way this weekend.

Some citrus groves in northern Florida, sustained substantial damage, as temperatures were in the teens in some parts of northern Florida. Citrus trees rarely survive when exposed to temperatures in the mid-20s or below longer than four hours.

Florida's citrus industry is worth $9.3 billion and produces 75 percent of the nation's orange crop.  Well, be ready to see the price of oranges to go up.

Floridians might have had enough of Mother Nature, but she hasn't had enough of Florida!

Look at the ice forming on the trees.  Yikes, I've been living in Florida close to 21 years now and I have never seen this before.

The heat has been on daily.  I've had on several pairs of socks as my feet were freezing!

I had to check my car's manual to see how to turn on the heated seats which I've never used before!   LOL  Wow, it gets nice and toasty.........Didn't think I would never use those features.

I just don't understand one thing????????  I've never felt this cold inside the house living up in New England for most of my life.  Heat is heat....right?  Why would I still feel so cold in the house?  I don't understand it.

Well, I got the opportunity to take out my winter wardrobe that I reserve for my trips up north. 

Stay warm folks!

Dr. Oz

If you have not heard of Dr. Oz, you must be living in another planet. I fell in love with this doctor with the many appearances he made on Oprah's show....55 to be exact. I'm in awe of him.

He now has his own TV show and I'm glued to my TV every day at 3:00 PM here in South Florida to watch him. There isn't a medical topic that he can't answer a question to. His education and background is supersized!  His father is also a doctor.

He also has an online site called "realage.com". You can test yourself to see what your "real" age is. I took the test once three years ago and it said I was 78 years old! Since then, I stopped smoking, exercise every day even if it is only for 15-20 minutes and try to eat healthy. The age dropped down to 66. Well, I just turned 65 but I would like my age to drop lower on that test. I need to exercise longer.

Dr. Mehmet Oz is a Turkish/American Cardiothoracic surgeon and an author. He has been on many of Oprah's TV shows and also on Larry King, CNN and other networks.

In the fall of 2009, Oprah's Harpo Productions and Sony Pictures launched a syndicated daily talk show featuring Oz, called The Dr. Oz Show. And I have not missed one show yet. I'm crazy about him and gaining so much knowledge on how to take good care of myself! He talks about things that you would be so embarrassed to ask your doctor and therefore not getting any answers.

He seems to know it all when most doctors just stay in their specialized field and that is it. He is just "Brilliant". Check him out on your TV Listings in your area.  He is on Channel Five here in South Florida.

Happy New Year 2010!

Wow, another new year approaching!  Most of us make a list of new resolutions starting with stop smoking, lose weight and exercise and declutter, declutter, declutter!

Well, I already stopped smoking three years ago so I scratched that off my list, Yippee!  By the way, it was not an easy thing to do. I'm still working on losing the weight that I gained from stop smoking! Now, it's time to declutter my life.  It seems that at least every several months, I buy a bag of large trash bags and try to get rid of things in my walk-in closet because I'm always tripping on something due to lack of space, everything seems to go in the closet.

I now have the shelves looking neat with the clear containers but I still need to color coordinate my outfits hanging by two different sizes...just in case!

Gosh, I miss attics and cellars. No such things here in South Florida.  Maybe, it's best...It is just more places to store more stuff that we don't need.  Well, I'll take that back, you do need storage for Xmas trees, ornaments, wrapping paper, bows,  hurricane equipment, suitcases, etc.

I always find excuses as to why I'm saving certain items that I consider cherished possessions that are tucked away in a box or something. If they were so cherished....I doubt they would be buried in a closet. They would be proudly displayed somewhere in my house I would think....no?

It seems that it was just a few short months ago, I gave away tons of clothes and shoes and made a mild dent in my closet. I should have tried to make some money and bring them to a consignment shop instead.

I recently purchased more clear shoe boxes and transferred all my shoes from its original boxes to the clear ones.........what a difference that made. They have pretty lime/green handles and match the huggable lime green hangers I purchased several years ago. They work great and they do really give you extra space than those fat round bulkie plastic hangers. I do need to order more..........Yes, I have tons of shoes!

I ordered these clear plastic shoe boxes made by "Sterilite" (7 Qt size) online at Walmart and they have a new policy now "ship to store". So, you order your stuff, save on the shipping and handling, as the manufacturer delivers directly to the store. They email you when your merchandise arrives........no need to stand in line at the register........in and out of that store I hate to go into......It is always too crowded and frustrating but they have great prices for certain items like my new purchase.

Now to tackle under the bed!  So, you see, it is never new year's resolutions to declutter, it's something you should be doing periodically anyway. Give away to Good Will things you don't need and help out the needy. We all have tons of clothes that don't fit us anymore....whether too tight and if you are lucky, to big! LOL

The chore took close to three hours including going up and down my stairs taking trash bags to the dumpster. Nearly pulled my back out again. Ah, the condo lifestyle sometimes is not so convenient. I miss having a garage and my own trash container with wheels on it that I used to just wheel to the end of the driveway.........no lifting, tugging, pulling, up and down the stairs.................Ugh. An elevator would be helpful at least!

Well, enjoy your parties for New Years and try to keep your resolutions for the new year and above all stay safe.

Hugs, Rose

Merry Christmas to my Blogger Friends!

Wishing all of you a wonderful Christmas! 

Hugs, Rose

P.S.  Remember to CLICK on the cookie shaped

like a Christmas tree....then watch the Reindeer eat it!

Remember what your mother told you--choose your friends wisely!

Ahhh, to be young and naive again!

Life has a way of throwing us off course. I may not have a "Tiger Woods" for a husband (thank God) who not only cheats with low-life scanks but embarrassed and hurt his wife to no end and I personally see no future for his marriage. But, I have certainly been dealt my fair share of challenges – So if some women look like they tend to be happier than others because they have better husbands, bigger homes, or larger bank accounts? And, if widowed or divorced, are they provided for better than you? The answer is no. So, what looks like the good life is not always so....no happiness there. Money can only bring you a certain amount of happiness.

We all have the power to think positive and the ability to recognize our own blessings! I love quotes and I like this one - Abraham Lincoln said it best in his famous quote, “People are about as happy as they make their minds up to be.” The world is filled with two kinds of people—those who are positively charged and those who allow many unmentionable little dilemmas in between causing a dark cloud over their heads. It's all about choosing wisely.

Do you remember when you were young, your mother telling you to choose your friends wisely? If you hung around with the wrong crowd, you always got into trouble. Ain't that the truth because who you hung out with made you look good - or bad - depending on the crowd. Now it appears the same advice applies to connections you make on networking sites like LinkedIn and Facebook. Facebook isn’t a race to see who can get the most friends. In fact, the more “friends” you have, the less likely it is that you will be able to have meaningful chats with.

Oh my, the World Wide Web we weave with new technology and social networks definitely have a huge effect on our attitudes including how we perceive ourselves. It's hard to feel good about yourself if you are choosing people to hang out with that are not confident about themselves. I was raised, and I spent most of my life believing that somehow I was magically confident enough to live with a positive attitude and try to complain little and that your neighbors should never know your family business.

Old fashioned Italian families believe that your personal problems are to be kept to yourself. Then as you get older, you find sharing your most inner secrets with your best friend with an understanding that she would not tell another sole. Then we were told to let out your feelings and don't keep it bottled up inside causing major stress. Wow, talk about ups and downs.......what is right.......what is wrong......loosen up and give yourself a reality check.

We all can't be perfect but we can plan to be better. You do not have to be everyone’s friend. Choose to be friends with people who build you up, not tear you down. Choose friends, who are honest with you and inspire you. Choose friends that welcome you, not alienate and insult you and this applies to co-workers too. Some co-workers can be back stabbers…….now why is that? People spend a 8 hour day with these co-workers that you automatically consider them friends and for some, an extension of your family until one hurts you. Good friends don’t hurt you.

Most friendships are started because of some common thread – a love of books, an appreciation of fine wine, and an insufferable boss to share stories about. Love girly flicks, shopping for new shoes, enjoy a favorite sport with or check out the local library book sale together next month.

Friends are very important............ just do what your mother told you to do.........choose them wisely!

Sharing----thank you to my friend, Janice!

http://www.nightingalecreations.com/MerryChristmas2009.html

CLICK ON THE ABOVE UNDERLINED AND ENJOY!

Merry Christmas!

I will be making a conscious effort to wish everyone

a Merry Christmas this year ...

My way of saying that I am celebrating

the birth Of Jesus Christ.

So, I am asking my email buddies,

if you agree with me,

to please do the same.

Maybe we can prevent one more

American tradition from being lost in the sea of

"Political Correctness".

How did I allow this to happen?

How did I allow this to happen? My computer dominates my life!

Like everyone else, my life is being dominated by my computer. I wake up and brew my coffee, turn on the puter to check my email then read my local Newspaper online, check the weather, check Facebook, ignore Twitter and then read some blogs or create a new entry for my own blogs, one for my old classmate friends and one for my personal life. Before you know it 4 hours have passed!

While I’m defragging my puter, I’ll go do a load of laundry or make the bed and then back on the computer into my graphic sites. I started out with one site and now I’m a member to several. I’m partial to my first site I started with to learn how to make animations and graphics to enhance my blogs and make them more interesting to the reader and myself.

I was in my closet looking for something and down below was my old Singer Sewing Machine that I had converted into a portable years ago when I scaled down to a condo which has no room and storage space for anything. Well, this old gal of a Singer is made of cast iron and quite heavy to lift. It brought back many memories of when that machine was never on the floor of a closet but in a room and opened everyday and housed in a beautiful piece of mahogany furniture. I've had this machine since I was 16 years old.

Wow, it dawned on me that the pleasure of sewing and creating a beautiful garment reminded me that not everything is made up of click of a mouse and pixels! My life years ago was boxes filled with fabric, zippers and patterns that I used to love to change the sleeves to one pattern and add a different collar to another. I was quite good at it. My clothes did not look homemade. The savings was amazing, then the cost of fabric went up just like everything else and all your hard work and time was not worth the effort. A lot easier to pick a cute outfit off of a rack in an adorable boutique and unique department store like Filene's Basement in Boston!  But being only 5'2", alterations were always necessary whenever I purchased from the stores.

I’m thinking of browsing threw a fabric store for an interesting pattern and perhaps try and create something nice for myself. Wow, do I even remember how to thread the thing? LOL While I was in high school, I made a new outfit every week. Yes, I did get an “A” in Sewing. My Italian mother was proud. When you come from a very large family……..hand me downs are awful……….being a good seamstress made me look like I came from a rich family! LOL  All my girlfriends and I made our own clothes so it was also fun to sew together too and mingle ideas for a new creation.

I have such a bad back that I fear trying to lift this heavy cast iron sewing machine from the closet floor. I don’t want to pull my back out. I wish I had the space I used to have, I would just walk over to the machine whenever any mending needed to be done or alterations to a newly purchased outfit. Then when that Singer was converted to a portable, I became one of those women that paid a tailor to hem a pair of slacks! I don’t like the idea of having the machine sitting on top of my dining room table………..heaven forbid my house should look untidy and things out of place! LOL