From a TV ad: “I used to hate being called ‘Grandma.’ Now I love it. Especially when it comes from my grandkids.”
Question: Who else would have called her “Grandma”?
Aaarrrgghhh!!!
The heroine of the book I’m reading inherited a sapphire and diamond necklace with a “big, round, deep blue sapphire in the center” and (get this!) “two other smaller, but equally huge, diamond-surrounded sapphires flanking it on each side.” Well, are the flanking sapphires smaller than the center stone, or are they equally huge? They can’t be both. And where else would they “flank” the center stone except on each side? Nonsensical stuff like this drives me crazy!
Walkin’ in a winter wonderland ?
We just got home from walking in the falling snow. It’s 20 degrees, but not windy, so it was a good, invigorating walk. The forecast is for 3-4 inches of snow in the next 12 hours. Maybe I’ll finally get to use my new snowblower! ⛄
Just chillin’
The forecast was right: it’s cold! But it’s sunny, and not windy, so we decided to walk outside instead of on the treadmill. As the saying goes, “There is no bad weather; only bad clothing.” We put on the good clothing (base layer, heavy socks, down jackets, etc.) and headed out. It wasn’t bad at all, and we felt refreshed and invigorated when we got home–much more than we would have on our treadmill walks. It was strange not to see any other walkers, runners, or bikers, and only a few cars. That surely gives us bragging rights for today.
It’s puzzling
After 60+ degrees on Thursday, the cold front has arrived and the next few days will be very cold. We had a cozy evening with a fire in the fireplace while we worked on a 1000-piece puzzle. 125 pieces connected; 875 to go.
Success story
I was invited to attend the City of St. Charles School Board meeting tonight to be recognized for my volunteer service at the Success H.S. I’m always uncomfortable with public recognition, but I’m glad I accepted the invitation. When I was at the school Tuesday, the teachers asked me if I would be at the meeting, and they were very happy when I said “yes.” It made me think that if I’d said “no,” I would have disappointed them in their desire to thank me.
Five other people from two schools were also recognized and it was enjoyable to hear the stories from the principals describing the wonderful things they had done. I still don’t feel I deserve recognition for doing something I’m enjoying so much, but it’s always nice to be thanked. Best of all, as a result of the story about one of the other honorees, I went home with a wonderful idea for a way that Ted and I can do some meaningful charitable work through the school district.
New Zealand in Missouri
For Christmas, Thom and Katie gave each of us (Ted and me and the other three kids) tea towels they bought in New Zealand on their honeymoon. I decided to hang mine on a wall where I can enjoy it, rather than putting it out of sight in the dishtowel drawer. A dowel, a coat of stain, two coats of varnish, and a seam across the top edge of the towel, then voilà!–a wall hanging from New Zealand! Thanks, Thom and Katie!
A new condition?
Really??!! Corporal tunnel syndrome? Would that be outranked by sergeant tunnel syndrome?
How’s that again?
Tonight, both The Daily Show and The Nightly Show spoofed a prisoner in “Ma-‘nit-o-woc” County in WI. Ah, that would be ” ‘Man-i-to-woc” County. One of my big pet peeves is the version of English used in broadcasting. Maybe those money-making networks could hire an underling to call the county court house for the purpose of checking the pronunciations of unfamiliar place names.
P.S. When reporting on the St. Louis area, newly hired newscasters should verify ” ‘Flor-is-sant” before going on air and saying “Flor-‘iss-ant.”
A blind project
For some time, the drywall tape on the garage ceiling has been coming loose. In October, we hired a contractor to re-tape the ceiling to improve the trashy look of the garage. That, of course, led to re-painting the garage ceiling and walls, which we just painted circa 1980. (I’d be lying if I said it seems like yesterday.) To complete the fresh, new look, we bought new blinds for the windows.
The garage windows are six feet tall, and the window tops are eight feet from the floor. The six-foot long blinds we bought came with whopping 20-inch wands to open and close them.
We have our bikes in front of the windows, and I couldn’t reach the wands, so it was Home Depot to the rescue. I bought two 42-inch dowels, some cup hooks, and a mini can of glossy white paint, then headed for the basement.
Now the paint is dry, the dowels are hung, and I can adjust the blinds whenever I want to. It doesn’t take much to make me happy. Does anyone need a 20-inch wand?
First snow
We had our first snowfall of the season yesterday–about two inches. It was the fifth latest measurable snowfall on record for the area. Unbelievably, a snowplow cleared our street when it had an inch of slush on it! An hour later, all the neighborhood driveways were clear due to melting. I guess the plowing overtime is too good to resist! The down side: I still haven’t had a chance to use the new snowblower I got last winter.
To blog, or not to blog?
A few months ago, Thom suggested that I write a travel blog. I haven’t journaled or kept a diary since I was in seventh grade, so I told Thom he was very funny and that wouldn’t be happening. In spite of my best efforts, Thom’s suggestion stayed in my mind. I enjoy reading Jeff’s blog, and it makes me feel more connected with what’s happening in his life. Sometimes it even makes me want to contribute something from my own life in response.
I asked Jeff for some help in getting started, and (as always) he was very generous in sharing his computer expertise with me. So here I go–living on the edge and trying something new. I’m started.
