Thursday, January 31, 2013

January 31, 2013

Earrings from a spice tin.
It's the end of January and I'm still typing and writing 2012. Stop it!

I have a special connection to January 31. It was my paternal grandmother's birthday. She died at age 92 about a month after Mr. B and I married. February 1st is the birthday of my first husband and the father of the lovely McCarley sisters. We would often drive to Bryan, TX, where my grandmother lived, to celebrate both birthdays. Her present to Richard was always making him several of the sweetest desserts. Even though she was a fabulous cook, a couple of times her desserts were completely over the top. For example, she once made a graham cracker crust and filled it with melted Snickers. But wait, there's more. Once the hot filling cooled, she topped it with whipped cream. My insulin level spiked just thinking about that pie.

Today I'm creating more jewelry out of tin. While I was cooking dinner last night, I emptied some spice tins. There's no telling how long some of those had been in the cabinet. I'm not sure about the earrings I made, but I'm having lunch with two friends today and I'll get their opinions.

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

January 30, 2013

Bracelet made from tin can with sunflowers on it.
More fun with tin canisters this afternoon. I made a couple of pairs of earrings and a bracelet (see photo). Years ago I tried to sell some aprons on etsy.com. They were Christmas aprons and I listed them too late for anything to sell. But I may put some of the earrings on etsy. We'll see what happens. First I need to take some good photos, with something other than my iPhone.

The weather is beautiful today. Earlier when I was out, it was sunny and probably in the high 50s. But it was so dang windy! I went to the grocery store and my hair was almost blown off my head.

Today I'm creating a magazine article and also a marketing plan. I had a meeting at 8:30 a.m. and then I came home and made some jewelry. Now I'm beginning to drag at 3:30 p.m. I think it's nap time.

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

January 29, 2013

Earrings created from two different tin canisters.
It was another productive, fun day!

I was at my Tuesday client's office from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. I got so much done for him. My creative mojo was cranking on overdrive. He also gave me a big thank you for the January 17th party I put together for him. Everyone was applauding me. Boy, I can work wonders with a little praise.

Today I'm creating marketing materials during the daylight hours. But once I got home I started working on earrings from tin canisters. I love them and am not sure I can sell a single pair of them. That's what usually happens when I make things. People are always asking me if I sell the items I make. Not really. Usually I give them away or donate them to a charity auction. Or sometimes I have a home show. However, it would be nice if I decided to sell more and make some money to buy more supplies.

Monday, January 28, 2013

January 28, 2013

It is amazing to me that 18 years ago today I married Mr. B. It was one of the happiest days of my life, although it didn't start out as I expected.

Happy Anniversary Mr. B.
I remember waking up around 4 a.m. that morning, alone in the house. Mr. B had been staying with a friend of his and the girls with off with other friends, who promised to get them to the wedding on time. When I realized there was no going back to sleep, I had a long soaking bath. Then I realized I had chipped the polish on one of my nails, so I took off the French nails on all my fingers and repainted them. Next I washed my hair, styled it and applied my make-up. Later people said to me, "You did your own hair and make-up?" I had no idea that someone else would do it. I was supposed to be at the church at 8 a.m. for photos, so around 7:30 a.m. I drove to the church with my gown and shoes. Mitzie was on time with Kendall (this is before she was Dr. Mc), but we waited until 8:30 a.m. for Martha to arrive with Sweetness. Mr. B was supposed to be at the church at 9 a.m. for photos. I watched out the window from 9 a.m. until 9:30 a.m., knowing that he wasn't going to show up to marry me. But as normal, he overslept. Our wedding did take place that beautiful, sunny morning at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in Houston. It was such a stunning day! After the ceremony, everyone went to Brennan's for cocktails and appetizers while we took care of photos at the church. Mr. B and I arrived at Brennan's around 11 a.m. for a wonderful brunch and piano music. I still think about Mitzie getting Kendall and her two friends, Melinda and Katie, drunk on champagne. There were 14 and 15 years old. Mr. B and I left around 2 p.m. for our honeymoon in the Hill Country. January 28 is still one of my favorite and treasured days of the year, 18 years later.

Today I'm creating earrings from the tin canisters I've collected. I'll post photos tomorrow.

Sunday, January 27, 2013

January 27, 2013

I just hate negative people! If only they realized that life would be so much better if they didn't think everyone was against them or out to get them. Sir Winston Churchill once said, "Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference." I'm sure a woman I've been dealing with for the past couple of days would be so much happier if she had a better attitude.
Three little flowers I made. I'll get better with practice.


What a great day I had today! I was at the Houston Contemporary Craft Center from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. attending a workshop on flower making. Great instructor. Fun group of women attending the class. I had a ball and can't wait to use the techniques I learned to make flowers for my clutch bags and more. After the workshop I picked up a bag full of tin canisters that a friend had cut open and flattened for me. So I came home and smashed out shapes that I'll use to make earrings.

Today I'm creating fabric flowers. I took some of my own vintage fabrics, antique buttons and rhinestone brooches to the workshop today. I used them as embellishments. And sweet Mr. B made me a sack lunch to take. What a guy!

Saturday, January 26, 2013

January 26, 2013

Funny play!
I've written almost 700 blogs and sometimes forget what I've written about. Please forgive me if I begin to repeat myself.

Mr. B and his friend, Keith, have breakfast together almost every Saturday. Have I written about this before? If one can't make it on Saturday, then they meet on Sunday for breakfast, unless one or the other is out of town. Both men are in town this weekend, but Keith's wife is out of town. So Mr. B came home from breakfast and said Keith wanted us to go to dinner and a play with him tonight. We picked Keith up at 6:15 p.m. We go to dinner at Pronto's. And then we head to Main Street Theater where the three of us have tickets to see "Girls Only: The Secret Comedy of Women." There were about 200 people watching the play and Mr. B. and Keith were probably two of six men in the audience. The play was definitely targeted to women, but no one laughed louder and more than the men I was with. The guys have such a bromance!

Today I'm creating a strategic plan with my fellow Board members of Bayou City Art Festival. It was a very productive meeting and I'm totally excited about what the future holds for the organization.

Friday, January 25, 2013

January 25, 2013

I saw this cutie on a dog rescue site. If we didn't already have
two dogs, this furry ball of cuteness would be adopted by me!
I went to a new psychiatrist today because the one I had been seeing for five or six years isn't accepting United Healthcare insurance anymore. It's hard to go to a new doctor and answer questions about family history and medical concerns. Many people, including my own family, don't believe mental illness is a sickness. For example, I tried to explain to my mother before she died that taking medication for depression or anxiety was the same as taking medication for thyroid problems. She never got the connection. In fact, she was diagnosed with depression after she lost her leg to diabetes, but she refused to take the medication saying, "I'm not crazy."

There's such a stigma attached to mental illness. I will tell people that I take Synthroid because my thyroid hormone levels are out of balance. Yet I rarely mention that I take Cymbalta to increase the serotonin level in my brain. In truth, both are medical conditions. Why should one be taboo to talk about? I wonder after writing about taking medication for depression, if some people who read my blog will think less of me. Or think I'm crazy. And crazy not in a fun way.

Today I'm creating research on a company for a press release. I'm excited that I got another referral to a small design firm that does mainly business-to-business work. New clients are always fun.

Thursday, January 24, 2013

January 24, 2013

Felix the ferrell cat.
At one time we had as many as nine ferrell cats that lived in the back yard. The mama cat was uncatchable, so the best we could do is catch the babies and find homes for them. The mama cat disappeared about a year ago. She was old and we think she probably went someplace to die. There are two females that are still around. At one time they were babies of the mama cat. They were caught years ago and were fixed and released back in the yard. Today, just as I walked in the house after lunch, Felix appeared from under the house to greet me. Note to Mr. B: You need to paint the front porch this spring.

Whenever Rose goes out the front door, she looks for Smoke (who is gray) and Felix (who is pictured). Rose doesn't want to chase them. She just looks to see if they are stretched out on the bench or curled up in the chair on the porch. A couple of times I've been able to touch Smoke, but Felix is just too shy. After years of feeding them, you'd think they would know we aren't going to hurt them.

Today I'm creating a magazine ad and a direct-mail postcard. I had lunch with Kelly M. today. She and I officed together for many years, before she went back to work for a design firm. She has rehung her freelance shingle. It was good to catch up with her today.

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

January 23, 2013

I didn't make this purse, but saved it because I like how the
bottom is a different fabric and the main bag.
Yesterday I mentioned in my blog that I knew two people who worked at Long Star College. Last night one of them posted on FB: "Very intense day, thanks to all for messages of support & concern. All is well at Lone Star College this evening. It was not an active shooter scenario, but an altercation between two individuals. An innocent employee was shot, in addition to the two people involved in the argument. We are reviewing and evaluating all aspects of the incident and will surely learn from the experience. Very sad that the national debate on gun responsibility has landed so close to home."

I like how Laura explained the incident as, "not an active shooter scenario, but an altercation ... ." Still, why does it enter people's minds to settle their differences with a gun? Are we living in the Old West? Who else as a parent told their children to use their words? Or was that a phrase only used in Montessori schools that the lovely McCarley sisters attended?

Today I'm creating press releases. And I think my nails could use a manicure. 

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

January 22, 2013

FLOTUS looked beautiful!
Why another school shooting? I don't understand people who think that arming students and teachers is an answer to this problem. Let's be proactive and take care of the true cause of the shootings: mental illness. The shootings are the result of the mental illness.

A friend and former neighbor as well as a woman who was my journalism teacher in high school work at Lone Star College. Praying that neither of them were involved in the shooting.

Today I'm creating dinner for Mr. B. I just read online that Beyonce was lip-syncing to her voice during her performance of the "Star-Spangled Banner." Really? According to a Marine Corps Band spokesperson, the band wasn't playing and Beyonce wasn't singing. "We don't know why she decided to go with the pre-recorded music at the last minute." The band performed live to accompany the other acts, including Kelly Clarkson, but was specifically asked not to play during Beyonce's performance.

Monday, January 21, 2013

January 21, 2013

Stylish coat, Mrs. O.

The girls (Roz and Rose) and I have spent the entire day watching coverage of all-things inauguration. Well, actually the girls have slept through most of it. Lots of interesting comments about Michelle Obama's dress and coat. I will tell all the haters the same thing I tell Mr. B when he makes negative comments about people's clothing choices: Just because it's not your style doesn't make it bad style. Many of the clothes Mrs. Obama wears are not something I would wear, but that doesn't mean I think her taste is terrible or her clothes are awful. They're just not my taste. Today, I liked the coat that Mrs. O wore, but not so much the dress and sweater she was wearing under them.

I find it interesting that selling tickets to the inauguration festivities was put in the hands of Ticketmaster, a widely loathed company. After promising the tickets would go on sale on the morning of Jan. 7, Ticketmaster emailed the link the night of Jan. 6. The tickets to the official public inauguration ball ($60) and parade sold out quickly, leading to a lot of angry Obama supporters. Ticketmaster responded: "Public tickets to these events were originally scheduled to go on sale tomorrow morning — you received the email tonight in error, and Ticketmaster takes responsibility for this mistake." So, did the people who bought tickets on Jan. 6 get to keep their tickets? Or were the tickets relisted for sale on Jan. 7? 

Today I'm creating collateral for an marketing campaign. And I'm still not interested in watching The Bachelor.

Sunday, January 20, 2013

January 20, 2013

I must be living under a rock! I had no idea that President Obama was taking the oath of office today. The news has been reporting that he is planning a low-key ceremony, especially compared to last year's festivities. The public ceremony and parties are tomorrow. I wish our president success in his second term of office. For the sake of all of us and our future, I hope he can get control of spending and taxes so the economy and confidence of the American people will improve.


Dolley Madison
Tomorrow the news will be all about what Mrs. Obama wears during the day. There was a program on the Smithsonian channel last night about the inauguration gowns of the First Ladies. I learned a lot about several of the First Ladies, including Dolley Madison, whose gown is the oldest in the collection. She was 21 when married the first time. Her husband died of yellow fever about three years after their marriage. She had two sons with her first husband, one of which died at the age of three months on the same day as his father. She was 26 when she married James Madison in 1794. He had been a confirmed bachelor who was in his 40s. They had no children. Mr. Madison was secretary of state to President Thomas Jefferson. Mrs. Madison played hostess during Jefferson's administration. According to the program, it was considered inappropriate during that time for a single man to entertain women without a female hostess. She became hostess-with-the-mostest during Jefferson's eight years in office. When her own husband was elected the fourth president, she hosted the first inaugural ball in 1809. Her legend was made lasting, however, by her act of patriotism in the hours preceding the burning of Washington by British troops during the War of 1812. She famously refused to leave the White House before being assured that the large portrait of George Washington was removed from the walls and taken safely away from the encroaching enemy. After the war, she was involved with the rebuilding of the White House and Washington. When President Madison left office, she moved with him to his family's plantation: Montpelier. Due to financial problems, she sold Montpelier and all its furnishing after President Madison died in 1836. She moved back to Washington and lived across the street from the White House until her death in 1849 at age 81. 

Today I'm creating a short magazine article for a friend. On a side note, Mr. B and I visited Montpelier about 10 years ago. Part of the mansion's first floor had been renovated and the national trust was acquiring furniture that had belonged to the Madisons or was specific to that period. The second floor was empty and very raw. William duPont purchased the estate in 1901, and his wife, Annie, doubled the size of the mansion. I remember seeing the newer part of the mansion. Several rooms were decorated by the duPont's daughter, Marion, in an art deco style. What a stark contrast to the furnishings in the original part of the mansion. Marion, who inherited the property from her parents, was married to actor Randolf Scott for a short time. 

Saturday, January 19, 2013

January 19, 2013

Wine and cheese party from Thursday night.
After attending the party I coordinated on Thursday night, I realized that I have casual clothes and dressy clothes, but nothing in-between. It has probably been five or six years since I worked in a corporate environment. At that time, I did contract work for American General Annuity and Valic in the afternoons. Just before AIG (which owns both American General Annuity and Valic) took a bailout from the government, they cut all their contractors and freelancers. It was sad for me because I liked keeping my foot in corporate America. In my humble opinion, it think it was probably sadder for the two companies because I was the best writer they had! With my experience, I can write about everything and I can also write in different styles/voices, whether it's business-to-business or business-to-consumer. Damn I'm good, or at least I think so!

Anyway, back to clothes, there are times when I need clothes that are business-related with a creative twist. This I don't have, so I went online shopping for some of my favorite designers. If I had really deep pockets, I would have bought much more, but I stuck to my plan and only bought what I could mix and match. I'm still thinking about two pieces. Remember, it's all about the accessories. That's what I always tell the lovely McCarley sisters.

Today I'm creating nothing. I'm still resting my foot. And just now on Iron Chef, Chef Michael Chiarello (love him, the stories he tells with his food, and his sky-high ego) challenged Iron Chef Geoffrey Zakarian (love him, too, for his go-for-the-gold style and passion). The secret ingredient: Scotch. WOW! Since I don't drink scotch, maybe a glass of white wine would go well with this challenge.

Friday, January 18, 2013

January 18, 2013

I've been searching my memory banks all day to figure out what is significant about today. Every time I see or think about January 18, half a lightbulb goes off. Is it someone's birthday that I can't remember? An anniversary? A momentous event in history? I don't know. I got nothing, except a lingering feeling. 
Being lazy as a dog today!

This coming weekend is the calm before the storm. There's nothing on my calendar for either Saturday or Sunday. Maybe Mr. B and I can go to see movies. I love to watch movies, but my trouble seems to be getting there. Once I'm at the theater, I'm glad I'm there. But getting there seems to be so difficult. I find that to be the case with many things. I want to go to a party or out to dinner with friends or whatever, but getting there takes an Act of Congress (i.e., something that is burdensome).

Today I'm creating a day of leisure. After all the standing and walking I did yesterday, my foot is sore and swollen. So today I'm staying off of it as much as possible. 

Thursday, January 17, 2013

January 17, 2013

I felt so glam wearing this duster!
It was a busy day and my left foot is reminding me that it hasn't been that long since I was in a cast or boot using crutches. I can tell by looking at my foot that tomorrow will be a day when I wear sandals because my foot will be slightly swollen. If I try to put on a closed-toe shoe, it will hurt my foot.

I finally got to wear my beautiful "duster" tonight that I bought to wear to a wedding in early November. It was probably 80 degrees on the day of the wedding, so I've had the duster hanging on a door until I could wear it. It was too hot at Thanksgiving. It was too hot at Christmas and New Year's Eve. So tonight I wore the duster and got so many compliments. It's velvet and has hand painting on it. It's mid-calf length and I wore a pair of velvet pants with it. I felt glamorous in it and had a big smile on my face all night.

Today I'm creating a wine and cheese party at my Tuesday client's office. I shopped, set up, and then went home to change clothes. I went to that party first looking glam, and then went with Mr. B to Martini Madness at the Houston Center for Contemporary Craft. I drank champagne at the first party, and martinis at the second. I just good two Tylenol so I won't wake up in the morning with a terrible headache. I had a great day!

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

January 16, 2013

I saw a great bumper sticker today. It read:
Bayou City Art Festival Board meeting.
Honk if you love Jesus
Text if you want to meet him

Today was the first Board meeting of 2013 for Bayou City Art Festival. It's my second year as president of the organization. Last year was a time of transition for us. I was new as president. We had a new Executive Director. We had revised the by-laws to include term limitations. And we were moving from an operational board (one that is involved in the day-to-day activities of an organization) to a governance board (one that is concerned with the strategic aspects of an organization). The latter two caused quite a bit of tension for people who had been on the Board for years. They didn't want to leave the Board and enjoyed the day-to-day operations of the organization. But change is the only constant in life.

Today I'm creating an agenda for the Board meeting. Fortunately, things went as planned and people stepped up to fill the positions and take on the necessary tasks.

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

January 15, 2013

Roz, before she lost a front tooth.
Sometimes it takes me awhile to figure out the obvious! For example, I slept on the right side of the bed where there was a reading light on the end table. But last year, I switched to the left side of the bed to protect my foot/ankle while it was injured. I had to lean over and stretch to the right side of the bed to turn the lamp on and off. So today I had a light bulb moment. I finally switched my reading lamp to the table on the left side of the bed. Now I can see when I'm on the computer or reading in bed. It only took me 11 months to figure out that simple and practical move.

Earlier this week Mr. B told me that Roz had lost a tooth. I looked in her mouth and sure enough, there is a tooth missing. It's on the bottom, just left of center. Since she is a Shih Tzu, she has a serious underbite which makes the missing tooth really noticeable. We've had her for five years, but really don't know how old she is because she is a rescue dog. Losing a tooth makes me think she is older than we thought, or else she has bad gums.

Today I'm creating a press release. I was at my Tuesday client's office earlier today, but didn't stay long. Carpenters had built and installed a beautiful bookcase with cabinet doors and drawers on the bottom. This morning the painters were in the process of varnishing the pieces and the fumes were overwhelming. After being in the office for an hour and a half, my head was throbbing! It's actually too cold in Houston (38 degrees) to open the windows to let the fumes escape, so I slipped out the door. I'm going to take some Tylenol and then turn off my handy reading lamp so Roz and I can have a nap.

Monday, January 14, 2013

January 14, 2013

Last night it was -3 degrees in Santa Fe. This
is a picture of our side yard a couple of years
ago when the ground was covered in snow.
I had a flashback last night to childhood times at my paternal grandparents' house in Bryan, TX. At some point they added on to the back of their smallish house that was built in the early 1940s by my grandfather and great-grandfather. The result was a big room with storage and a washing machine at one end and "the sleeping porch" on the other end. This is where my grandparents slept in twin beds. The top half of the walls had louvered windows that were cranked open during the summer and closed tight (or should it be tightly?) during the winter. When we would go to visit, my older brother and I took turns sleeping on the porch on a roll-away bed. In the sumer, the sounds crickets and owls were very soothing, and the freshly washed sheets that had dried on the outdoor clothesline smelled so fresh. In the winter, the sheets were flannel and my grandmother would get up several times during the night to pile quilts on me. By the morning it was almost impossible to move because there were so many quilts on top of me. That's how I felt last night. It was cold outside and in the house, but the bed was cozy and warm because I had hand-me-down quilts on top of me, just as when I was young and on my grandparents' sleeping porch.

My grandfather always got up at dawn so he could work in the vegetable garden or do other chores before work. Lots of times when he got up I'd move to my grandmother's bed to snuggle. It was wonderful in cold weather because she slept under an electric blanket. Remember those? She always pin curled the bottom of her hair before going to bed and put on a hair net. Remember those? When my grandfather was finished with the garden or other chores, he would come back in the house through the sleeping porch door and say, "Mama, it's time to get up." That was her clue to make breakfast while he showered and got dressed for work. Everyone in the house had to get up for breakfast, after which he read from the Bible and said a prayer. I've said it before and I'll say it again, I admire the simple life they enjoyed together!

Today I'm creating a clean kitchen. I loaded the dishwasher yesterday while I was cooking. I'm really good about cleaning as I cook. But as I was cooking yesterday, I noticed that it's time to clean the glass front cabinets. That's my project for this afternoon.

Sunday, January 13, 2013

Jan. 13, 2013

Some bottle cap earrings.
Once again I wasn't able to sleep last night. I was awake during all the rain, although it wasn't as bad as predicted. I watched the sun come up, or at least I watched the sky get lighter. I don't know if the sun really ever came out today. Then I felt the cool front, which was terrific. Now, what will really be great, is if I can sleep tonight.

Thanks Mr. B for going to the grocery store for me today, although I was laughing at the six phone calls I got from him while he was in the store.

Today I'm creating dinner for 20 people. I made a delicious salad, scrumptious baked ziti with Italian sausage and vegetarian version, tasty garlic bread, and yummy cookies (chocolate chip and macadamia nut). Everyone enjoyed the food. I could tell because lots of people went back for seconds.  

Saturday, January 12, 2013

January 12, 2013

Good morning! Yes, it's before noon on Saturday and I've already had a productive day. In fact, I was up at 8 a.m. to get ready for a 9 a.m. breakfast meeting. Thanks for buy my breakfast and good conversation, Nicola!

The weather is really icky (I can't believe icky passed spellcheck). We're waiting on rain and a cold front to pass through Houston, so when I left for breakfast it was 99% humidity and 70+ degrees. I need to go to the grocery store today, but who wants to go in the rain? Oh ... the downtown Randall's has a parking garage. I guess that all the people living downtown don't cook because there's hardly anyone in the downtown Randall's on Saturdays. I must say that my neighborhood is overrun by three Kroger stores in close proximity, all of which are always crowded.

Today I'm creating jewelry. I got some vintage buttons in the mail yesterday and am looking forward to making bracelets out of them. I haven't done this before, but why not?

Friday, January 11, 2013

January 11, 2013

Earrings made with Indian-head pennies and
vintage beads.
I couldn't sleep last night. I laid in bed – awake – until around 9:30 a.m. when I finally fell asleep. I'm not sure what I'm going to do to get myself on schedule, but it needs to happen. Little Roz didn't mind that I slept until 2:30 p.m. because she has been right next to me snoozing away, with her head buried in a pillow. She's so little and sweet when she is asleep, yet so cranky and unpredictable when she is awake. Or have I just described myself?

What happens if it's raining, with thunder and lightning, in Houston on Sunday during the marathon? What happens if it's snowing in Foxboro, Mass., when the Texans play the Patriots? It's an important Sunday for sporting events. But I think I'm more concerned if the weather is bad in Los Angeles for the Golden Globe Awards. I would be very disappointed if I didn't get to see all the fashion statements as the celebrities walk down the red carpet.

Today I'm creating jewelry. I made some earrings last night, which I haven't done in awhile. Really fun.

Thursday, January 10, 2013

January 10, 2013

Fun lunch, Marta!
I'm still typing and writing 2012. How long does it take to break an old habit? I'm not sure, but with me it's more than 10 days!

I had a fun lunch today with friend and former colleague Marta. I don't think I've seen her in six months, so it was good to catch up. And I got to eat Pad Thai. Marta, like me, is keeping a hand in marketing communications while pursuing other creative ventures. Besides making jewelry, she is also doing really remarkable pet drawings. Since I can't even draw stick figures, I'm so impressed by people who can draw or paint. As Marta used to say when we worked together, "I'm words and she's pictures."

Today I'm creating jewelry. After lunch I went to Michael's to get some supplies. It's difficult to be around beads that are on sale when you're on a budget. But I only spent my cash and didn't reach for a credit card. Good for me.

Wednesday, January 9, 2013

January 9, 2013

My friend Sandy sent me an email about actress/vocalist Julie Andrews' celebration of her 79th birthday. She made a special appearance at Radio City Music Hall for the benefit of AARP. One of the musical numbers she performed was "My Favorite Things" from the legendary movie Sound of Music. Here are the lyrics she used. If you sing it, it's especially hysterical.

Botox and nose drops and needles for knitting,
Walkers and handrails and new dental fittings,
Bundles of magazines tied up in string,
These are a few of my favorite things.

Cadillacs and cataracts, hearing aids and glasses,
Polident and Fixodent and false teen in glasses,
Pacemakers, golf cars and porches with swings,
These are a few of my favorite things.

When the pipes leak,
When the bones creak,
When the knees go bad,
I simply remember my favorite things,
And then I don't feel so bad.

Hot tea and crumpets and corn pads for bunions,
No spicy hot food or food cooked with onions,
Bathrobes and heating pads and hot meals they bring,
These are a few of my favorite things.

Back pain, confused brains and no need for sinnin',
Thin bones and fractures and hair that is thinnin',
And we won't mention our short shrunken frames,
When we remember our favorite things.

When the joints ache,
When the hips break,
When the eyes grow dim,
Then I remember the great life I've had,
And then I don't feel so bad.

Today I'm creating clean clothes, and singing the verses of Dame Andrews' song.

Tuesday, January 8, 2013

January 8, 2013

Happy birthday to Elvis Presley, who would be been 78 years old today had he not overdosed at the age of 42. His autopsy showed high levels of 11 prescription drugs in his system, yet doctors stated that the cause of death was heart disease. Oh please!

It's only 3:00 p.m. and I'm exhausted! I got up early this morning so I could set out the continental breakfast before a meeting this morning. I didn't stop moving until about 2 p.m. I'm just not used to being on my feet for that long!

Today I'm creating time for an afternoon nap with the dogs. I also need to write a note to my Tuesday client for giving me a lovely Tiffany pen in appreciation for my work. What a nice surprise!




Monday, January 7, 2013

January 7, 2013

The beautiful Plaza in Santa Fe.
I was such a good girl today. I took care of all my errands. Of course, my legs are tired because I'm not used to all the walking and standing I did today. I spent 30 minutes walking through the venue for a meeting I've planned for tomorrow. Then I was in Target for more than an hour getting supplies for the meeting. Finally I took everything I bought back to the venue and unloaded the back of the Explorer. My dogs (a.k.a. feet) are barking!

The season premiere of The Bachelor is tonight, but I don't think I'm going to watch it. I know. I know. I'm the ultimate reality show junkie, but I have to say that I'm sick of The Bachelor and The Bachelorette, especially the way the women act on the shows. Women are always crying or screaming or scheming. And can you say slutty? I just don't know how a woman could say her heart is broken because a man she has known for 30 days or less sends her home without a rose. My opinion is that The Bachelor and The Bachelorette have run their course! There, I've said it.

Today I'm creating chili for dinner. I also need to send out a reminder to a gathering that is taking place on this coming Sunday. Done and done.

Sunday, January 6, 2013

January 6, 2013

I'm watching the first show in Downton Abbey season #3. It's now 1920 in the series and Lady Mary just got married. I wonder how many weddings in the next year will be influenced by her gown? What's influencing me right now is the speech. In fact, the voice in my head sounds like a British aristocrat.

I'm a slug who slept most of the day. Now I'll be up all night (again). And since I didn't run my errands today, they're piling up for tomorrow. I've realized that since I semi-retired I don't know what to do with all my time, so I don't do anything. This is a bad habit that I've developed and I need to replace more productive activities. If I'm not writing anymore, which is what I used to do all the time, then I must channel my energy into keeping the house clean, cooking, gardening and crafting.

Today I'm creating a list of things I'm going to do tomorrow and Tuesday. Right now I'm praying for the motivation and energy to get up and get dressed tomorrow.

Saturday, January 5, 2013

January 5, 2013

It was an exciting Texans' game this afternoon, but since they normally play on Sunday I'm now confused. I'll wake up in the morning and think it's Monday. Yikes.

It rained almost all day, so the Pettits stayed indoors. Mr. B kept telling me that his feet were cold, even though he had on socks. I suggested putting on a second pair of socks, but he thought that was weird. Personally, I'd rather be weird than have cold feet.

Today I'm creating dinner. I don't think it will be anything special. Maybe eggs and toast. Actually, that sounds really good on a cold, damp night. The weather is supposed to be clear tomorrow, which is good since I need to run errands I didn't do today.

Friday, January 4, 2013

January 4, 2013

We had a very nice birthday dinner for Dr. Mc last night at Brooklyn Athletic Club, which is owned by friends. BAC just opened at the end of December 2012, with great outdoor areas and a small indoor space. When I say small, I mean SMALL. Thanks to Shep for making a table for us. We can't wait to go back when the weather is warmer to play some games in the outdoor space. As we were leaving last night we were talking about Mr. B's birthday, which is March 18. The weather should be really nice by then.

I haven't spoken to my friend Mitzie today, but I know her family is in mourning after the Fiesta Bowl. She and her family are HUGE K State fans. In fact, Mitzie and her husband, Bob, went to the bowl game in Phoenix. The pic-of-the-day shows them photographed with K State grad and fan Eric Stonestreet, who plays Cameron Tucker on Modern Family. They were all smiling on Wednesday, but not last night after Oregon beat K State (35-17). Hope they had a good time in Phoenix otherwise. Bob is such a football fan! I'm sure he is now looking forward to the Cotton Bowl when Texas A&M plays Oklahoma. Should be an interesting family rivalry since their daughter and TAM grad, Ashley, married Oklahoma native, Taylor, on Nov. 3, 2012.

Today I'm creating dinner for Mr. B and making plans to get out of the house on Saturday. I've been such a lazy bum that I have lots of errands to take care of this weekend.

Thursday, January 3, 2013

January 3, 2013

Happy birthday, Dr. Mc.
I haven't been able to sleep all night, so I decided to write my blog early. That way I can have a nap later in the day at the time I would normally be writing my blog.

It's Dr. Mc's birthday. I sent her an email on Wednesday stating that this birthday is special because it occurs on 1.3.13 (1313). Oh my goodness, the math nerd that she is responded to me that it is cool because 13 is a prime number and 33 (her age this year) is only divisible by prime numbers. I take it that prime numbers are significant or interesting to someone who works in statistical analysis? Then she texts me at 11:47 p.m. last night that it was only 13 minutes until her new year. I didn't respond for fear that she would start another conversation about prime numbers or something else math related. What happened to the good ole days when she and I had meaningful conversations about shoes?

Today I'm creating something for Dr. Mc, but I can't say what it is because she reads my blogs. Hummm, I just realized that she has on my scarf in the pic-of-the-day. I was wondering what happened to it. Happy birthday to my cousin, Susan, also. She is either 57 or 58 years young today. Sorry, Susan, but neither 57 or 58 are prime numbers.

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

January 2, 2013

Steel fabrication of a wreath created by
Jim Robertson is
now affixed to the front porch.
My New Year's wish has come true. I drove myself to the doctor's office this morning and left walking on my own two feet, without the scooter. As I've said before, I don't mind wearing the boot for a little longer, but I'm tired of being non-weight bearing. Oh wait. Being non-weight bearing is sooooooo yesterday. Today ... "I'm walking on sunshine, wooah, and don't it feel good," as the song goes. Everybody sing!

There is a commercial that I find so annoying. It's for some kind of pizza snack food. At the end of the commercial a telephone rings that sounds just like the telephone in the house. I immediately want to jump up and find the house phone, but then I realize it's on the television. This is almost as annoying as a commercial that had a door bell ring. I don't remember the product, but Rose would start barking whenever the door bell rang. Very annoying.

Today I'm creating plans for Dr. Mc's birthday, which is tomorrow.

Tuesday, January 1, 2013

January 1, 2013

Bonjour, ami!
I seamlessly ended the old and rang in the new with a nod to Madame Clicquot and her mighty-fine Brut. Tres bon!

Mr. B and I had plans to go to dinner and a movie last night, but the weather didn't cooperate. It was raining and then it would stop and start again. We were staring out the glass portion of the front door trying to decide whether or not to venture out, when Mr. B reminded me that the weather was exactly the same as it was when I fell in February 2012. So we happily decided to stay home and watch a movie.

Today I'm creating resolutions. I asked friends last week if they made resolutions for the new year. I was surprised when both answered "no." I'm not saying that I keep the resolutions I make every year. If I did, my life would be greatly decluttered and I would be at a lesser weight. But I do think I'll keep my 2013 resolution to get in better shape. Regardless of whether or not you make and keep resolutions, I wish everyone a happy, healthy and prosperous 2013.