Not on my bucket list!

I don't actually have a bucket list (you know, that list of things you really want to do before you die) but in the last two days I've added three things to my list of things I never ever ever ever want to do. Is that an unbucket list?  I'm not sure.
Skydiving is high on my list of things I never want to do, but after a few recent morning news reports I've added these:
1. polar bear dip - I do not want to dive into icy water in the winter time, or any other time for that matter.
2. eat ants - I don't care if they are served up at an amazing restaurant in Denmark (or maybe it was Norway?)
3. running a 50 K super marathon through ice, snow and slush (or any other kind of marathon for that matter, or actually any kind of running.

an age name identity crisis

Well, not really a crisis, more of a question.  Recently I heard a convenience store robber described by a reporter as 'elderly'.  Then they went on to say he was in his sixties.  I turned 69 a couple of weeks ago and I'm not elderly, am I?  Elderly has always referred to people way older than me (in their 90's these days).  I know I'm not middle aged anymore, unless I expect to live to 130 or so - not too likely.  But I'm not sure how to think of myself.  I don't much like the term 'senior', except for the discounts.  I do like the discounts.
I need to give this some thought.  There should be a title for people who have lived a while but don't feel old.
Hmmm... Nana, Mom and girlfriend don't count.  I need a term to be used by the outside world in general.

another bit about popcorn

My grandchildren introduced me to a wonderful popcorn recipe some tine ago.  Take a bowl of freshly popped popcorn and mix in a handful of M&Ms.  It's been a while but I remember this as being a delicious concoction.  This must have been in my mind, along with thoughts of my nifty new popcorn popper, as I was grocery shopping today, because as I was checking out I realized that not one but two bags of M&Ms (one dark and one milk chocolate) had mysteriously appeared in my cart. Obviously I brought them home and am happy to report that the snack is just as yummy as I remembered.  Move over Rachel Ray.

prefect timing

One of the Christmas gifts I received this year is a hot air pop corn popper with a cute little scoop that sits in the top.  The scoop doubles as a measure for the exact amount of popcorn to use and as a container to melt butter as the popcorn is popping.  Yumm!  Hot buttered popcorn!  I tested it last night and it worked beautifully.
But the really amazing coincidence is that earlier this week I heard a report stating that natural fat (like butter) is good for old people.  It helps our brains work better.  Hear! hear! or is it here! here!???  I'd better go eat more butter.

Like a Christmas dinner

The morning news commentator today was commenting on the many dinners served by the Rescue Mission yesterday.  This is an admirable group and they offer a laudable service for many in Fort Wayne but I was a little concerned by one statement by the announcer.  He said "The Rescue Mission Christmas meal featured items like turkey, mashed potatoes, green beans and pie."  Really?  Why not just serve them the real thing?

What a beautiful, fun Christmas!

I woke this morning to the whispered conversation of two of my granddaughters admonishing each other to be quiet while they explored the contents of their stockings which had of course been "hung by the chimney with care".  After enjoying our church's late night Christmas Eve service together, I spent last night at my son and daughter-in-law's house just so I could enjoy this early morning wake up call.  As soon as I let the girls know I was awake we spent a cozy half hour or so exploring their goodies while Mommy and Daddy slept in.  Finally, at 8:00am, we coaxed the parents out of bed and got down to the real present opening.
After all of the gifts had been opened my oldest granddaughter, who had been intensely hoping for an Ipod, had just about resigned herself to not getting that most hoped for gift, when her dad, through a series of written clues, led her on a scavenger hunt all over the house, the culmination of which was a series of letters she had to unscramble to figure our where her gift was hidden.  it took her a while (and a few hints) but she finally solved the puzzle and got her Ipod.  I figured out the clue, can you?  Unscramble these letters to discover where her Ipod was hidden:  O C P E H A N N I B
PS All of the food was excellent but the key lime pie at dinner was awesome!

new technology????

I overheard a commercial on TV this morning for a particular car, I won't mention the brand.  The commercial touted a long line of special features including "stop start technology" or maybe it was "start stop technology".  Either way, what does that mean?  I've always assumed that all cars can stop and start.  That is sort of the idea, isn't it?

Who knows where Santa might show up.

Many years ago my husband sported a fine handle bar mustache and a full, sort of Kenny Roger's style, beard, both white, and he always had very twinkly eyes.  One summer, while on one of our many camping vacations, we had stopped at a K-Mart somewhere in Montana, I think, to stock up on essentials.  It happened that Tom was wearing a red and white striped polo shirt that day.  Once in the store we went our separate ways so I didn't hear this story until we were back in the camper.  It happened that as Tom was strolling through a toy aisle he noticed a little boy looking and looking at him.  Of course Tom smiled and the little boy just waved and said "Hi, Santa."
You just never know where Santa might show up!

huzzah and hip, hip, hooray!!

I'm not quite there yet but the end is in sight.  I have finished my Christmas shopping (not wrapping, just shopping) and my Christmas cards are finished, notes written, addressed, stamped and ready to drop in the mail tomorrow.  Now you may be thinking "big whoop"  all of these things should be finished.  It is, after all, only four days 'til Christmas, but considering some of my Christmases past when I was still wrapping gifts on Christmas Eve - after the midnight church service - and my Christmas cards mysteriously morphed into new year's greetings I'm feeling like a winner!

I am not alone

I'm watching Jay Leno's show and he's doing jay walking, searching for people who are good Christmas carolers.  The first two people he interviewed had wonderful speaking voices but were terrible singers.  I've been told I have a pleasant speaking voice but I know my singing leaves a lot to be desired.  Kind of nice to know I'm not alone.  I'll just keep singing in the shower and keep my day job.

Conflicting information

Yesterday morning on the TV news results of another medical research study were announced which claimed that vitamin  and mineral supplements aren't worth taking.  It's not proven that they do any good.  Really?  I can't prove it but I take a multivitamin and other vitamins, mainly B12, C and D and calcium, and among all of my friends about my age (69) I think I'm the only one not taking any prescription meds. When the nurse called me with the results of my lab tests after my last annual physical, she said "The doctor says everything looks good, just keep doing what you're doing." So I think I will.
I did laugh when the first commercial after that medical report was an ad for adult chewy multivitamins.

unusual lawn ornaments

I have the usual Christmas outside decorations - multicolor lights adorn bushes, "snow flakes" hang on the front of the house and spiral trees stand in the lawn.  But now I have two really unique snow sculptures to add to the ambiance,  After a heavy snow this past weekend my grandchildren decided to build snowmen.  And so it began, but what we ended up with is one snow penguin and one snow alien (complete with celery antennas).  I bet you don't have those in your yard.

old style shopping, new style shopping

It's snowing again this evening, but in spite of that, I needed to do some Christmas shopping.  So, with my brother's help, I shlepped through the snow to Walmart and Office Depot, found several of the items I needed, and chilled and tired, came home to wrap them so they can be shipped tomorrow.
Then I snuggled down on the couch in my fluffy robe and slippers and ordered the rest of what I needed on Amazon.  Tradition vs comfort....hummm.

a delightful distraction

On Friday I turned 69 but rather than bemoan my fate I was kept too busy to worry about it.  My grandson, 12, and granddaughter, 11 came to spend the weekend with me.  These are the two who lived with me for several months when their mother moved home after her divorce so we are very comfortable together.  After a low keyed Friday evening we awoke to a Saturday full of snow.  Rather than snowmen a snow alien and snow penguin were created.  After a cold and snowy morning the afternoon and evening  were spent happily "snowed in".  Several games were played including charades and the ever popular "Jumping Monkeys".  This morning the roads had cleared and we were up and out for church with a breakfast before.  All in all it was a lovely, busy weekend and just the tonic I needed to help me overlook all that "time marching on".

another grandchild's performance

This evening I attended a performance of the rousing Christmas musical "Dude, you hear what I hear?" This was presented by the third, fourth and fifth graders at St. Charles School and it was quite a show with a lovely Christmas message presented with humor and good singing.  Of course my focus was pretty exclusively on my youngest (fourth grade) granddaughter who stood front and center as one of the wise men (with a beard even).  Even though hers was a non-speaking part she took her bows like a diva.  I guess, if one has dreams of becoming a famous singer it's good to know how to accept accolades.

my guardian angel for today

I woke up to a flurry of snow this morning, not a lot, just enough for a slippery commute to work.  Happily for me, early on in my usual 20 minute drive I realized that I was behind an extremely cautious driver going about 30 miles an hour in a 45 mph zone.  No way or desire to pass so I relaxed and enjoyed a very slow relaxing drive to work, blessing the "guardian angel" in the car in front me who assured me a safe trip to work.

my laugh of the day

I just happened to tune in to the Victoria's Secret fashion show for a few minutes this evening.  A phrase in one of their ads (within the huge glitzy ad that was the show) described their admittedly gorgeous undergarments as "the gift angels want."  Really???  It gave me a whole new vision of heaven.

The music marathon has come to an end.

Tonight I enjoyed the final two performances in a series of grandchildren's Christmas concerts.  First I attended my second granddaughter's 5th grade band concert then we rushed to my grandson's 7th grade band concert.  They were both very good, and having never played in a band myself, I am full of awe at the music their teachers/directors can coax out of these groups.  I am especially impressed by the progress that happens between 5th and 7th grade.  It's so exciting to see the growth.  Play on and sing on all you grandchildren.  Hooray for you!

Here's another Christmas poem

Here's another snippet of a Christmas poem, this one from 2008.  As I reread it, it brought back a flood of messy, fun memories.

ON BEING A GRITTY GRANDMA

Being a grandma takes grit and
luckily grandkids provide it.
With boots and shoes and sugar spills.
Through snow slides into muddy creeks,
strawberry and sour apple picking,
jam and applebutter brewing,
and the absolute best mud fight ever.

more amazing music

This is being a music full weekend for me in what is always a most musical time of year.  This evening I attended a performance by the Fort Wayne Children's Choir and watched with pride as my youngest granddaughter, fourth grade, sang as part of their Lyric Choir.  We heard songs by children at several age and experience levels and I marveled, as I have before, at the wonderful music performed by these groups.  Kudos to the Fort Wayne Children's Choir. It was a lovely holiday treat.

"The hills are alive..."

I attended my sixth grade granddaughter's choir concert this evening. Actually the concert also included selections by the strings (beginning and intermediate), intermediate band and chimes.  It was all great fun with an impressive crowd of encouraging parents and grandparents applauding each performance.  Of course I thought the choir was the best but then I was a tiny bit prejudiced.  Other than the excessively hard bleachers it was a totally enjoyable evening.
Then I got home, settled down on my blessedly soft sofa and discovered that a new live production of "The Sound of Music" had just started on TV.  I've enjoyed watching it, there were some new songs and different dialogue in spots and it was very well done.  But, sorry, it will never replace the Julie Andrews version in my heart. Still, it has been a lovely, music filled evening.

I'm qualified now

I took my CPR training this afternoon, to renew my certification.  I puffed breaths into the dummy's mouth, did those sequences of 30 compressions, learned the right way to "Heimlich" someone, and how to use the nifty defibulator machine (I love a machine that talks to you and tells you exactly what to do).  I passed the written exam, played victim, worked on other victims, and generally learned quite a bit.  All I can say now is, if you plan to have an emergency, choose your location wisely.  Anywhere but where I am would probably be good.

It's December already

Well here we are, well and truly into December, and facing the usual lengthy list of things to do before Christmas. One of my fun December jobs is creating my Christmas poem.  Every year for more than 20 years now I have mailed out a Christmas poem.  it's my take on the annual Christmas letter.  To inspire myself this year I've decided to publish parts of some of my favorites in this blog.
So here's part of one of my favorites from 1993:

Time flies, they say,
When you're having fun.
I must be having a ball,
For here it is December again,
and the year that is
is the year that's gone
and all that's left are memories
and gifts not wrapped
and cards not sent..........

A month ago, from a Florida beach,
we watched Endeavor lift off,
and that bright flash across a dark sky
was like this year just past:
brilliantly joyful, exciting and fun,
and gone by much too fast..

a date with a younger man

I took my grandson, age 12, to a concert this evening.  Tower Brass, a group from Chicago, performed and they were wonderful.  Great music and a fun show.  We had a really good time and I am enjoying the fact that my grandchildren have not yet outgrown their willingness to spend time with their Nana.  I know the time will come, as it should, when they will be too busy getting on with their own lives to spend much time with me.  So for now I will savor every opportunity and this was one of the best.