He Read ... I Wept

I see a yellow car.

I see a horse and a boy.

I see a fish and a yellow ball.

These are the first words I've ever heard Nathan read. He brought home his first reading paper from school yesterday. (Even wrote his name on top of the page.) Little words, line upon line, little steps forward, one foot at a time.

(Nathan is my 10 year old son that has Down syndrome.)

Could You Be A D*O*V*E Girl?

I'm sure by now if you have a TV or magazine subscription you've seen the advertisements of middle age and older women clad in their birthday suits strategically posed as to not show too much "ECKS-rated" (rolf) skin. Now really, if the gender was reversed and they used old wrinkly skinned overweight men the company sales would take a fast nose dive. (Me thinks) I would have to return my magazine to the store shelf and/or cancel the remainder of my twenty-four month subscription. While I applaud this company for their efforts to show real women instead of stick-thin air brushed models, some things are best left covered in modest attire and relegated to be seen only under the marriage bed covers. But if you'd like to try a free sample of their newest line, go right ahead. I sent away for mine just this morning. If you haven't viewed the ads, you can before or after ordering your sample.

Does Anyone Really Care About The Oscars?

As a young child I remember watching the Oscars each year. My grandparent's had a color TV, so we usually watched from their living room. Not since the early 1980's have I even remotely cared about watching the parade of stars and starlets that disgrace the red carpet. I hate hearing about who's wearing what designer, and has borrowed very expensive jewelry ... and let's not forget what after awards party and which "Hollywood" chef is hosting a backstage bash these people attend. Do we really need a weeks worth of seeing so-and-so getting primped for the event. Do I really care what type of shoes or handbag are being worn? And then there's a week of post Oscars news to start flipping through on the TV. I may have to pull the TV plug for the next week lest I get a migraine from boring old Hollywood. Does anyone even know what movies are up for awards? Or best actress or actor awards? I haven't a clue ... do you?

All In A Name

If you had the stomach to follow all the nonsensical threads about my true identity in the comment section in the last post, it is possible for a person to have several names and still be one and the same. For security reasons, I try not to reveal too much personal info at any given time. HELLO PEOPLE, this is the big bad Internet and with only a few Google searches, it's possible to find just about anybody;) . And if you're willing to pay a small fee, someone can even get your address and phone number if you're not in the directory. Once they have your address, they can use Google Earth to zoom in on a picture of you hanging laundry in the backyard;). I may be a bit paranoid from being married to an officer of the law (ya think?), but I'd rather play it safe. Of course, when you are invited over for tea and scones all pseudonyms can be dropped. Now go have a safe day.

Photos: Will the real Mrs. Mac please stand up?

Time For Pampering

The past few months have taken their toll on my hands. From stripping paint, painting, using glaze, and getting a hole in my rubber work gloves, my fingers resemble a vagabond's or construction worker's scratchy stained hands. I've used scrub brushes, soaps, you name it, but my hands look dirty. Brown paint glaze has gotten embedded in my overworked dry winter fingers and I'm thinking of having to wear a pair of my grandmother's white cotton gloves until I grow some new skin.

Friday is my hair appointment; this is to "remove" any signs of gray hair and get a fresh stylish cut on the ends. I try not to be too vain, and Lord knows my closet screams simplicity, but I just can't let go of keeping up with my hair color. At what age should a woman go a la natural with her hair? This is not meant to offend those of you that have let nature take its own course with your hair ... more power to you. And some women actually age very gracefully with beautiful silver hair. But for me, my hair un-touched resembles a pad of steel wool, and the lack of color takes every bit of life out of my face. Your opinions are welcomed.

"Gray hair is a crown of splendor;
it is attained by a righteous life."
Proverbs 16:31

edit: No, those are not my hands, I don't sport any tattoos :),

My Shrinking Food Bill

With two out of the nest, and dh away, my food bill has gone way down! No more stocking two refrigerators/freezers, shopping for mega sizes at Costco, buying 48 rolls of toilet paper, etc. I've even been a bit lax about fixing a proper dinner at night. Some days we have a sandwich or breakfast for dinner. Easy meals are my new best friends. There was a time when I'd have made homemade everything: yeast rolls, salad dressings, cookies, etc. But my motivation has changed to making do with less and that which is easier. Now that my daughter Ann is looking for employment, that means just Nathan and myself for dinner ... cereal anyone?? I saw this same pattern happen with my mother-in-law when her husband passed away. She almost forgot how to cook for a crowd. Just to keep my cooking skills honed, I try to have my daughter and son-in-law over for Sunday dinner each week. And with talk about the "bird flu" still present in the local papers, I guess I should really do a little more emergency preparedness by stocking a supply of canned goods and medicine should we have to stay home for a period of time. So what about you? Are you at the stage in life that requires less cooking? Have you prepared for an emergency? It's pretty scary to think that most of us have only enough on hand for a few day's supply of food. Is your pantry pathetic or practical?

I'm So Excited ... It' A CFD

CFD = Coat Free Day, YIPPEE!!!

The first one since I can remember when!!! Way back in the memory bank, perhaps early October is the last one I can think of.