February 1, 2008

It's hard tp believe that a whole month plus a few days have passed since Christmas! I dew declare!!! Time has a way of speeding by-- or does it? While sitting in the dentist chair last week, I fidgeted and fretted, waiting to get out of there, thinking I had been there for hours, only to look at my watch on the way out and seeing I was only there 30 minutes. And then when my daughter and I went shopping for the after Christmas sales, we were certain that we only were in the stores about 2 or 3 hours, but WOW! How did 7 hours go by? So the conclusion is this: when we're having a good time, time flies by. When we're not having a good time, time drags. Nothing new---but, I'm definately thinking about how that affects my age, since my birthday is on Feb. 7., and I'm going to be 64, which, even when I was 40, seemed like an eternity away. Yet, in such a short time, here it is!!! Where did those years go?? And why do I still feel 40? As some of you have heard, life is like a roll of toilet paper; the closer to the end, the faster it goes! So since I haven't made my New Year's Resolutions yet, (as time is relative), I'll make my self-promises a month late. Therefore, here goes: I'm going to have the best time I can as the years speed by. I'll not waste my time by suffering fools. If people around me are unhappy, I can't make them happy. I won't worry about the things I can't effect. I'll surround myself with people who love and support me. I'll not feel guilty for saying "no," and I'll be as kind as I can. I dew declare only time will tell if I can keep my resolutions!!

December 22, 2007

Some of you may be wondering what I've been up to since September. And even if you haven't been wondering, I dew declare, I'm going to tell you anyway!

October brought sadness to my daughter, as her father, my ex-husband, passed away suddenly. I offered her my sympathy, but since I was very content to live in a state far away, married to someone else, I didn't grieve overmuch. Although I must say, his was a sad life. 'Nough said.

November brought much happier events. One of the fun times was the Rosebuds Birthday party, held at the HP clubhouse. It was there that the reins/ reigns of the queen were transferred to me. I was s(elected) Queen of the Red Hat Rosebuds, although I must admit it was more like arm-twisting, but I do promise to do my best to keep the Rosies the best Red Hat group around! All of us looked so chic in our red and purple dress-up clothes. But the highlight of the event was the talent contest(or no talent, as the case may be). By far the prize for perserverance goes to Carole Chambers for her rendition of "Happy Birthday" on the comb. It was a pants-pisser! You go, girlfriend!

The other November biggie, of course, was Thanksgiving, and THANKFULLY it was peaceful. I always have trepidation that something calamitous will happen at my daughter's. But there were no oven fires this year. Even though we missed my youngest grandson because he went to NY with his other Grandpa, we enjoyed the delicious meal prepared by my daughter. The overeating at Thanksgiving ushered in the manic food frenzy known as the Christmas season. We've all read the magazines about how to cut back calories, and drink that seltzer water instead of the egg nog, but who listens to that swill?

December brought us that long awaited "Mah Jongg Cruise." Or, as it was known by some as the "Red Hat Cruise." It was attended by all 14 of us! Yay! It was the most fun I've had without a husband in a long, long time. I won't say who left her passport in her luggage, who fell on the bus, who kept the tour bus waiting, who gambled A LOT, or who got locked out of her house for two hours after we got back waiting for her husband who can't follow instructions, but you know who you are! The only real downer was Mary's illness, and I'm happy to report that she's out and about again. Good for you, Mary!

And then we had the Christmas party--- it was Vice Queen Marie's idea during the summer to have a progressive party where we would see everyone's Christmas decorations. And that's how we managed to have a 12 hour Christmas party. (Of course, Marie didn't decorate.) We ate and drank, exchanged gifts, played games, won prizes, laughed and laughed, and then did it over again 5 times!!! It'll be hard to top this next year. I was very impressed with the generosity, creativity and diversity of these wonderful women I've come to admire, and I'm proud to call them my sisters. I dew declare we are a classy bunch of broads!

Just yesterday Lois, Marge and I went to see "Fred Clause" just to get that extra dose of Christmas spirit. After the movie we went to critique it at Dunkin' Donuts, and we agreed it was fun fare for the kids. There were some overt messages that were distracting, but also some funny scenes, like the "Siblings Anonymous Meeting." All in all, we rated it a 6.5, according to our expertise.

So now it's just a few days before Christmas, my favorite time of year. It's now that I become somewhat philosophical and wonder what all the shopping, preparing, eating, and general hubbub have to do with the real meaning of Christmas. But then I follow the rest of the lemmings to the mall, cry or laugh appropriately at Christmas movies, sing along with carols, and spend too much money on kids who already have too much. Despite all the negativity, though, what I still love about Christmas, besides the religious aspect, is that the majority of people are kinder, laugh more, and are more optimistic than at any other time of the year. And even the news will report an upbeat "feel good" story. And most of all, it's the time of year when we can all recapture a real or fictitious childhood where innocence and the wondrous belief in the impossible make our hearts happy. I dew declare: Have a Merry Christmas!

Jeanette, Queen Mum II

Sept 22, 2007. I dew declare...

It's been a while since I've written. I've been sooo busy with family and non-Red Hat matters. My daughter's birthday was Sept. 14, and my granddaughter's 16th birthday was Sept. 16. Since I was planning to go to PA, we had to celebrate early. Then it was off to PA for my 45th high school reunion. I went to a (then) small rural school in the Pocono Mts. called Pleasant Valley. There were only 47 in my graduating class! We had what I would consider a great turnout. Thirty graduates attended, some with their spouses or companions, and 2 of our former teachers; but two members, sadly, passed away. We had a Rock n' Roll theme, with music of our time. One of the class members owns a catering business and catered the affair. Another lady owns a gift shop and provided little funny gifts for prizes. I thought I'd get a prize for coming the farthest distance, but I was beaten out by someone from Sarasota! The class King and Queen of the Sweethearts Dance cut the cakes that were covered with yearbook portraits of each of us done in icing. We also had a display of memorabilia: scrapbooks, yearbooks, a photo collage, a pennant, varsity letters, and such. All the men received caps with an embroidered PV HS Reunion insignia, and the women received a canvas tote bag with the same logo. The function was casual, and the hall resounded with laughter! It was wonderful to just talk and see my old friends again and walk down memory lane.

I also had the opportunity to visit some former colleagues and friends, some of whom I hadn't seen since I retired in 1996. Of course, we all did the personal inventory: who got fatter, who got grayer, who had some "work done." We all agreed, though, that the time has just flown by, and even with the vicissitudes of daily living, we all are looking pretty darn good! It just reminds me that life is just like a roll of toilet paper-- the closer you get to the end, the faster it goes! I dew declare!!

On the plane I happened to be sitting next to a lady from Largo, and as we got to talking, I inquired as to why she was going to PA. Her answer was that she, too, was going to attend her 45th High School reunion on September 15. What are the odds of that? I dew declare!!

Jeanette

August 16, 2007. I dew declare...

Can it be that summer is almost over already? NO! Hello-- we live in Florida, the Land of Endless Summer. Some people say there are seasonal changes, but is that just wishful thinking? This time of year, of course, means back-to-school shopping for a lot of us. That was what I was doing last week with my 3 grandkids-- ages 16, 12, and 9. Since, according to them I'm fashion-challenged, I can't buy anything for them unless they're with me. I don't know what styles are "gangster" or "ish." I don't even know what the words mean! Anecdote: While we were shopping, my youngest grandson was hungry (as usual), so we went to Subway for lunch. He noticed an older woman who had a scarf tied around her head over her curlers. He discreetly leaned over to me and said,"Look at that Grandma wearing a dewrag!" I dew declare!!!!!

What does back to school mean to you? Does it dredge up memories of first day finery soon stained at the knees and frayed at the cuffs? Old waxed hardwood floors and genuine slate blackboards? Noisy bus rides? New school supplies-- #2 yellow pencils, loose leaf paper in a heavy black cardboard notebook? A new lunchbox filled with trade-worthy goodies? Searching for last year's classmates who miraculously have gotten way taller than you remembered? And looking for the desk with your name taped to it, hoping that you get to sit next to your best friend, and not next to that kid that smells bad and picks his nose? Waiting for recess to play hopscotch or double dutch or kickball? Such are some of my memories. And then came HIGH SCHOOL... I dew declare!!!

Also this month marks the 30th anniversary of the death of my high school heartthrob, the King himself--Elvis Presley! I know that people of my generation were divided into two camps: those who LOVED Elvis and those who DID NOT! I and my friends belonged to the former category, and I remember playing my 45 RPM record of "Don't Be Cruel" until it was scratchy and skipped! We alternately drooled and screamed! No matter which group you were in, it can't be denied that Elvis had a profound effect on our music and culture. His passing provokes one to remark, "Where were you when you learned that Elvis died?" I'll never forget-- I was watching TV in my family room in the afternoon and the announcer broke in with the news. I was in a state of shock and disbelief. The KING was gone! I've always wished that I could have seen him in concert. But, alas, it was not to be. I guess the second best idea is to travel to Graceland. Road trip, anyone?

I dew declare!!!

Jeanette

July 16, 2007
I dew declare...

As I promised to myself, I DID get to see Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix! Queen Lois and I went to see it, and I guess we actually saw two different movies because she gave it a 5 out of 10, and I gave it a 9 ! She thought it was a little too slow and just couldn't get into it. She was also disappointed in Harry's "love interest." Now my review: The best part, for me, was the SPECIAL EFFECTS! Dazzling! Can we say Oscar?? The characters are becoming more complex. showing dimension to their personalities (it's not all fun and magic and flying around on a broomstick anymore). Therefore the actors are having to grow, too, and Daniel Ratcliff, especially, does a superb job as a brooding, confused teenage wizard. He receives his first kiss, too; an innocent peck under the mistletoe with the lovely young lady he sent longing looks to in the previous movie. The message of the film is quite obvious to adults (there is good and bad within all of us-- but which one we choose is what matters), but the movie is intended, after all, for a younger audience. I like the fact that the movie remains true to J. K. Rowling's vision. I'd say see it in the theater!!! I dew declare!

Jeanette

I dew declare--I almost forgot! The LAST of the Harry Potter series will be out on July 20. It's called Harry Potter Meets David Copperfield. Just kidding! It's called Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. If you need a gift for the HP fan in your life, or you're one yourself, dear reader, don't miss this one. Will Harry die? Will he graduate from Hogwart's with honors? Will he wake up and find it's all a dream? Hmmm... Many bookstores have midnight parties for fans and muggles. I dew declare!

June 26, 2007
I dew declare--

Ah, yes, we're in the midst of it...It brings out a plethora of memories for each of us. You either love it or hate it- there's no in- between. Just think back to the vivid memories of childhood or some other memory, and I'll just bet those events involve...

SUMMER!!!

Things I love about summer: No snow! Long daylight hours. Swimming in my pool. No snow. No school. Tomatoes, corn, berries, and peaches. Summer romance. No snow. Flip-flops and sandals. No snow. Beach books. Shorts. Watermelon. No snow. Fireworks. Gentle rain. Thunderstorms. Cool-looking sunglasses. Fishing. Did I mention no snow?

Things I hate about summer: Mosquitoes, sunburn, heat rash, humidity, SWEAT, buying a swimsuit, sun-baked cars, BO, melting ice cream, crowded beaches, hurricanes, speed-oes, hot sand, bored kids, sticky clothes, bad hair days.

All in all. I'll take SUMMER!! Then again, I guess that is why I moved to Florida!

Let me know your thoughts, dear reader. I'd LOVE to know some special memories that your have of SUMMER. Share some of yours and I'll share some of mine. OR add to my list!

Write to me:seese_j@yahoo.com.
I dew declare!
Jeanette

June 21, 2007
I dew declare---

Vacations: It use to be that travel by plane was exciting and fun (not to mention, faster). What happened? Now I'm at loss as to which method of transportation to use. Ah, bring back the old, cheap railroad!

TV: Who liked the ending of the Soprantos? I did!!! Everyone was expecting blood, guts, and gore, but the ending left the viewer to imagine his own finale. Was Tony whacked, as hinted in the blackout, or does life go on, with its twist and turns?

Books: I need a super read this summer--- a beach book with a decent plot, maybe some sex, and not much deep thought. Any suggestions?

Movies: I must be the only one on the planet who hasn't seen Shrek the Third, and Pirates of the Caribbean. I WILL see the last of the Harry Potter movies when it come out later this summer! HP is not just for kids.....

Politics: I am sick of the impending elections already!!

Family: My daughter is painting my youngest grandson's room. She planned it last year. He was into cars (he was 8), and wanted a garage theme, so she bought gray and black paint. As usual, she procrastintated and now that she is ready, he's 9 (almost 10), and wants a WWF theme. For those of you who don't know, it is "World Westling something or other". Of course, the colors he wants are red and yellow..., and now the drama will commence. I dew declare!

I dew declare!
Jeanette