PINK SATURDAY

It was Friday when I sat down here to catch up with some of my bloggie friends. But here it is, after midnight (so it's technically Saturday); and I come across Pink Saturday.
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So, I look around me to see what's pink so I can participate.



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Tomorrow the girls and I will be up early because we're going on a day trip. So, like the good girl I am, I've laid my clothes out tonight so the hour I would possibly spend in the morning deciding on what to wear can be spent much more effectively with the newspaper and a good cup of coffee.




Now, which of these earrings should I wear? I'm leaning towards the tear-drop shaped ones because the bling will pick up on the sparkle in the lace detail of my shirt. And casual Saturday or not -- I loves me a little bling!

I have 5 countries represented in my house tonight (and in my car tomorrow) -- Germany, Mexico, Japan, China and, of course, Canada! Those other countries sound like they're still in meeting (quietly); but Canada's getting mighty sleepy on this side of the senate!

So, as soon as I finish this post, I'll be lying my head on this pretty pillow.

But before I drift off to sleep, I'm going to turn on the fan (for white noise), put my ear plugs in (for extra insurance), and spritz my pretty little face with this exquisite stuff. My masseuse uses it just before she begins with the face massage. So, that will set the mood for a lovely, relaxing sleep.

Good night everyone! Pleasant dreams!

THRIFTY THURSDAY

Thank you to everyone who analyzed the odd dream I had the other night. I took your advice to heart. And I have already gotten rid of my to-do list (you know, the one I made up at the beginning of the summer that sits on my fridge reminding me of ALL the things that DIDN'T get done). And I have every intention of leaving the large cleaning projects that still lurk in the back of my mind (and whisper to me in dark, menacing tones to get off my hiney you *@#&!*), and replace what would be those projects with bubble baths & red wine & country drives & dark chocolate & good books!

(I ain't got no dark, hunky guy unless I bake me a giant gingerbread man --- which I haven't yet ruled out!!)


I had a lovely bubbly bath the other night; I started a good book yesterday. And today, I've been practicing the fine art of self-indulgence by shopping for some pretty yet totally useless items! (Well, not everything was useless.)

I've been looking all summer for a plain pink shirt to go with a pair of grey pants I bought at a local thrift store. (They have very light & subtle darker grey and pink stripes in them and are perfect for this time of year.) I headed to Frenchies -- and this time, I lucked in! Here's my new-to-me pink shirt -- complete with wrinkles. I'll give it a wash and an iron, and we're ready to go! It made me very happy to find this!

I also found this sweet little brown sweater (complete with it's wrinkles!).

And this nice blouse. (It's supposed to have wrinkles!) Each of these 3 items were $3.45 each.

I'm always on the lookout for decorating goodies, and I was really happy to be able to scoop up these next things. One wall of my downstairs hallway is my "art gallery". In the winter, I replace one of the pictures with a seasonal one. Today I found 2 more ($3 each) to put up this year.

Then I found this adorable little snowman that I can sit in the flowerbox outside. He was only $1!!

I bought this little item for $0.50; I'm going to add it to my Christmas village; and I think it's perfect for a me because I live on what's called "The Lighthouse Route" here in Nova Scotia.

This item is brand new -- still in the cellophane -- for $2. I'm going to give it to my daughter at Christmas because she often has friends over for dinner; and I think she and her friends would get a kick out of playing it.

I also got this book (0.85 cents).

And this paperback sounded good as well.

And for all you rooster lovers out there - EAT YOUR HEARTS OUT! Look at this lovely little prize I found --- and then look at the price!

Ahhhhh .... there's nothing like a successful and thrifty shopping trip. YUP! I think there'll be sweet dreams tonight!

I don't wanna dream this dream!!!

I've been waking up the past 3 mornings feeling soooooo tired. And now I know why.

You know how sometimes when you wake in the morning, your latest dream is RIGHT THERE! so, you can remember in great detail what you were dreaming. That happened to me this morning. The dream was so vivid! So, here it is.

I'm in this house with my extended family (mom, dad, brothers) as well as a few friends. My friend's Mom has Altzheimer's and I've brought her back into the house to have dinner. She comes back calmly enough, but she doesn't take off her shoes: her feet are huge and she's left muddy footprints all over the clean carpet.

I desperately want to clean them up immediately, so I begin to sprinkle water on them and blot them. But my brother makes me go back to eating dinner. I keep fearfully looking at that mud thinking "That's gonna leave a stain!!!" But miraculously, the water I sprinkled on them seem to lift the mud right out!

Then later, I decide to vacuum the room but the vacuum becomes clogged. I open it up only to find that there isn't a bag in it and there's a mass of dust and hair etc stuck to the inside which must be pulled out before I can put in a vacuum bag. As I'm complaining while I'm doing this, my brother answers the door; and "company" comes. Again, I'm torn between finishing my cleaning job and sitting with the company!

So, wadda think, doctor? Should I stop cleaning my house entirely until I'm cured? (Yeahhhh!!!) Or is there something deeper going on??

Perhaps I Don't Sing as much as Hum??

Nan at http://momstheword--livingforhim.blogspot.com/2009/09/making-your-home-sing-dinner-hour.html asks "What are you doing to make your home sing?"


Making your house sing is, I believe, mostly an attitude of "home"; one of contentment, safety and love. No matter how grand or how humble the abode, if you care for your home and for the people living there, the song can be heard by all who enter in.

When we take the time and care to embelish our house with things that we love, things that bring us joy, things that remind us of friends or happy memories -- these extras are like accompaniments to the song.

There!! I've waxed philosophical on the subject when probably most of you out there are saying "Alright! Enough already! Shut up and show us what you're doing!!"


This framed piece of embroidery was done by a lovely friend of mine. And it reminds me of God's goodness in all things and that no matter what the circumstances, He's working it all out for my good. And if I can give Him thanks during the bad and the good times, I can have peace and joy. And this certainly makes my house sing!


This past weekend, I decorated for autumn; I don't go all out, but I do like to add some color and little shows of festivity to the house.

Here's my happy little harvest scarecrow! Another good friend gave him to me a couple of years ago for my birthday.



My table is decorated simply. The pretty acorn plate was given to me on another birthday by that same friend!

Here are a couple of lucky thrift store finds. The wicker plate stand I found just last week at Frenchies for $6.00. The beautiful bowl on the second tier was found last year at Frenchies for $4.00. I add some autumn themed napkins and some Chinese lanterns and fake pumpkins, and I'm finished here.

Outside in the garden, I've moved my gernamiums down by the welcome sign. They're some of the few things still blooming.

A pumpkin and some beautiful mums were added to the bottom of the front steps.

And this little fellow is sitting in my planter at the top of the steps with the sad remains of my petunias! I'll add some small gourds this week.

I bought a small Chinese Lantern plant at a road-side sale this spring which I potted in a container. It did beautifully; so this weekend, I planted it at the top of the driveway in a spot where it can grow to it's hearts content and greet visitors as they arrive. How pretty it is!

WHAT I LOVE ABOUT AUTUMN

Autumn is my 2nd favorite season! And here are some reasons why I love it.

1. The love the sense of order and organization that autumn brings. Children are back in school, vacations are mostly taken, gardens are finishing, and winter is around the corner. So, most of us began to think about getting things in order at home and in the garden (we sweep & mop & rake); we begin to think about schedules and rotes (we write in the calendar blocks who has what practice or meeting on which night); we eagerly anticipate the return of our favorite TV programs (Wed night at 9 is America's Next Model; CSI at 9 on Thurs night?).

2. I love the cool nights. After summer's heat, being able to leave the window open at night and wear pj's at the same time is a treat!

3. Of course, I love the colors of fall -- the changing of the leaves; the displays of fall mums next to pumpkins and cat tails; taking down the sea shell wreath on my front door and putting up the one with the Chinese lanterns on it; bringing out the autumn tablecloths and placemats and napkins.

4. I love that Canadian Thanksgiving is in October. September is the transition month between summer freedom and autumn organization; by the end of September, I'm decorating for Thanksgiving; and after Thanksgiving, I can begin to think about Christmas . Plus, my birthday always falls around Canadian Thanksgiving; and no matter what my age, I still love a celebration. (I've got a lovely present tucked away for myself already! But I must wait until October 10th!!)

5. I love the smells of autumn! Just walk through the Farmer's markets here in Nova Scotia and the scent of apples is intoxicating! My 2 students are amazed that there are so many varieties of apples; and I'll try over the next couple of months to eat some of every kind. And people begin to light their wood stoves or fireplaces again; so as you walk in the evening, you can smell the woodfires.

6. I love the tastes of autumn! Savory squash soups or spicy chilli bubbling on the stove top with hot corn bread or buttermilk rolls; pumpkin muffins or apple crisp baking in the oven; hot cocoa or chai tea after raking the leaves. Autumn truly is a season of wonderful cooking!

7. I love the seasonal change of wardrobe! It's time to pack away the summer clothing and bring out the winter -- sleeveless shirts and shorts or cotton skirts make way for short sleeves and cardigans with trousers and jean skirts. I love pulling out the storage bags under my bed and taking inventory and then hanging things in my closet according to category and then color. I get a deep feeling of satisfaction from being able to color-coordinate my new Frenchies cordoroy skirt for instance with that recent blouse purchase from Value Village. ***

"Nice outfit!" I say with a smile.

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"Good purchase!" I congratulate myself.

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(Thrifter's encouragement to keep on searching for that next great bargain!)

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8. And though this may sound pathetic to some, I'm making no apologies for my feelings!

....................... I love the great ceremonial

"Changing of the Purse!"

I just love purses; and winter purses are my favorites. Summer is full of light fabrics or basket weaves, beiges or pastels. Autumn brings out the genuine leather ones with their soft, velvety exteriors and heady aromas, their deep crimsons or chocolatey browns. (Ohhh! I can't wait to open my birthday gift!!)

9. I love the harvest festivals and church suppers that happen in Autumn.

Nearby Mahone Bay has a wonderful Scarecrow Festival that happens the first weekend in October. We grab a home-made ice cream or (if it's really cool) a hot steamy latte and wander through town looking at all the wonderful scarecrow creations; there's a stop at Joanne's Deli to see her display of jack-o-lanterns (fantastic); and a final stop for pizza with the rest of the international students and their host families.

And then there are the fantastic suppers with baked beans, scallopped potato and ham with home-made brown bread and fresh pies. And someone else does the dishes!

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10. And I love that after Thanksgiving has been put back on the shelf, Christmas is around the corner!!!

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I love the anticipation that grows within me. I love that I can pull those boxes and bags out from under my bed and see what I've already bought for whom (and perhaps begin wrapping). I can begin to compose my annual Xmas letter and start addressing my cards maybe before the rest of civilization really begins to get in the Xmas swing. (These things are all done -- or anticipated as being done -- so that I can be ahead of the game THIS year and actually have time and energy to relax and enjoy Xmas THIS year. (The best laid plans of mice and men!!)

And I can begin to listen to Xmas music. And I love that I can soon buy a fir wreath and hang it on the door and be greeted by that scent every morning as I leave for work and every evening as I arrive back home.

Yep! I LOVE AUTUMN!

FOR YOU AMERICA!

I was fairly new at being a single Mom. I'd spent a year working whatever jobs I could, and a year waiting to get into school to upgrade my trade. And just a few days late of the start of the school year, I finally got the call saying I was approved. I should report to school around 11 AM Atlantic time on September 11, 2001.

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So, I got the kids up and off to school. And I took a little extra time getting myself ready. As I was having that final cup of coffee, I flipped on the TV to check the news. And what news!! I saw the live coverage of the second plane. I was dum-founded! I called my American friend in the next town and told her to turn on the TV.

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I was late for my first day of school, but how could I leave. I sat and cried with you America!

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I'm thinking of you today.

THE GREAT PANTY DEBATE

While viewing the blogs I missed last weekend, I came across a funny post from Joan of The Retirement Chronicles (http://myretirementchronicles.blogspot.com/2009 entitled "10 Things Not to do if You are a Woman and it's Your 50-something Birthday". Here's point 7:

7. And panties? Ok. Don't wear old lady bloomers. But for everyone else's sake, PLEASE do not wear thongs. You are gonna get back spasms from pulling out that baby from the Grand Tetons of your ass, and how are you going to explain THAT to the cute 30-something E.R. Doc?

Now, I have no problem with not wearing a thong -- I tried that when they first became popular and did not enjoy the flossing effect I achieved during the experiment: so, I've never gone down that road again! (I don't imagine it was particularly attractive for anyone else to view either ..... not that there's anyone else to view that particular profile on me!)

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A few years ago after watching Britian's Auntie Gock on "How to Look Good Naked", I really took to heart when he said that any self-respecting woman needs to stay away from the granny panties, get rid of ALL our sad undies and wear something pretty. So, I immediately went to my underwear drawer and threw out all my full- waisted cotton Haines (except for 2 brand new pairs in pink and blue which I couldn't bring myself to throw out 'cause they were brand new). Then Iwent to my local WalMart and spent a lengthy 2-3 hours picking out some pretty, frilly, lacy boy cut type undies. But I took pleasure in the process because I imagined how even more beautiful I would look and how even more sexy and feminine I'd feel in these new panties!

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Ahhhhh ..... did I mention that my last child was a C-section? And .... did I mention that I have one of those smiley-face bikini scars? And .... did I mention that any extra "junk" I carry on me is not in my trunk but in my front?

I was about 10-15 lb lighter then; and I'm pleased to say, that some of those panties were somewhat successful purchases. They fit me fairly well and stayed in place. But quite a few of them just didn't work out! After a couple of hours of doing such things as WALKING or (Heaven forbid) SITTING, those pretty little babies would roll themselves down and tuck themselves under my smiling C-line of jelly-belly; and no amount of tugging them up would keep them there. (Where can I get that double sided tape that J-Lo uses? And does it comes in extra-sticky?)

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You know --- I'm a child of the 60's, raised to wear what are now called "classic" briefs -- up to your waist. I feel comfortable in those. I used to wear bikini undies, but never really felt comfortable in them. Nor did I ever feel completely comfortable in those somewhat successful undies I purchased a few years ago. (And now with the extra 10-15 lb, yeah, they just sit in my drawer and look pretty.) Haines are creeping into my underwear drawer again, ladies!

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I'm a self-respecting woman! I may be aging, but Goll-darn it! I ain't dead yet!

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And I have other underwear concerns! Remember what Mama always told us about wearing clean underwear in case of an accident? Well, I need to wear pretty underwear in case of an accident! Like --- how embarassing would it be for me to be caught by the surgical team wearing my ratty full-waist cotton Haines! Would I ever be able to live it down -- should I live from the accident? PLUS there's my industrial strength underwire bra that only comes in white or black not passionate pink or minxy mauve! Dang blast it! These things are not helping my chances in finding a husband who would keep me in the style to which I'm not accustomed!!

So I ask you -- what does a "full-figured" mature yet young-at-heart lady in the 2nd century of her life wear under her well appointed garments to both look and feel feminine, sexy AND comfortable? I know there are some of you over-50's out there who are 110 degree hot tamales! So fess up!!