Yeow! Ouch! It's starting to smart. Another postal increase goes into effect tomorrow! I can feel the pain in my wallet already. The price of everything will soon rise!
I used to be a prolific letter writer, most were handwritten. For the majority of my life, personal computers were something out of science fiction. I honestly thought we'd have flying cars before p.c.'s! Even after they became popular, none of my friends or relatives owned one.
My letters were absolutely beautiful, too! I bought scenic cards of all sizes that were blank inside until filled with my words, which often extended all the way down the back cover. As a finishing touch, I would place a lovely sticker upon back of the envelope that matched the scene or theme of the card. Plus I used pretty or unusual commemorative stamps on the front. Many recipients told me they never threw out my correspondence. All but one of these people are gone now. The double zero years will always be known as the death decade to me.
Often, I feel like a dinosaur. I'm still struggling to adjust to emails and computers. I don't tweet or text, or even know the difference between the two. And frankly, I don't care to learn. In the early 1990's I did own a word processor in attempt to start a professional writing career. It was already obsolete when I purchased it. The thing was little more than a glorified typewriter.
Back in the 90's, during my Stuart years, our neighborhood was a assigned a new mailman. He was a big, overweight fellow with a beard. Soon, we were issued a statement informing us that the mailboxes had to be relocated out by the road, or at least to a spot where the mailman wouldn't have to step out of his truck. -- If that guy was ever forced to actually do some walking, he wouldn't have been lugging around that big butt & gut!
My father attached our mailbox to the lamp post half-way down our driveway. We had an acre lot, so anyone attempting to steal our mail had to trespass on our property, unlike here!
Of course sometimes mailmen are forced to come to the door; packages are too large for the box, or a letter requires a signature. My favorite mailmen just say, "Hello" hand me my mail and leave! It really bugs me when they try to make small talk or comment on my mail. The bearded one was a really intrusive type!
When I was going thru my ordeal in court, (it was quite a scandal in the neighborhood!) he actually had the nerve to ask me why was I getting all these letters from a lawyer and the courthouse. I didn't answer because it was none of his business! But I'm sure he got all the gory details from the neighbors. When he spotted one at a mailbox, he'd always turn off his truck to chat.
Back in the 90's, most aspiring writers still had to snail-mail a manuscript to a publisher. Every time I got a manuscript back rejected, (and this happened a lot!) the bearded one would lean on his horn. -- This made me want to go after him with a knife or a club! I would rather have my failures kept quiet. But he made sure the whole neighborhood knew!
Once, I sent my friend & neighbor, Gertrude, a birthday card with a large celebratory sticker on the back. I wanted it to be a surprise!!! -- Well the big mouth in the blue uniform told her he picked up a birthday card addressed to her from the mailbox down the street, and to expect it the next day!
Gertrude disliked this guy equally as much as I did. She resented paying someone to relocate her mailbox. As a snowbird, she told of her mailman up in Chicago who walked from house-to-house with a big pack on his back. Unfortunately, we were stuck with this sloth for a long time.
Eventually, he was transferred. Gertrude & I went to the RED LOBSTER to celebrate! Less than a year later, my father decided to put our house up for sale. We moved to Vero Beach and the decade of death began.
Saturday, January 26, 2013
Saturday, January 19, 2013
A FAREWELL SALUTE TO THE MAPLE BLONDIE
Recently, I celebrated my birthday. First, I treated myself to the latest horror movie in 3D. Afterward, I went to APPLEBEES for my favorite dessert of all time, the Maple Blondie, only to be informed that this piece-of-paradise-on-a-plate had been discontinued. All at once, I was disappointed, shocked, outraged, saddened and horrified. It was the main reason I liked to eat at APPLEBEES! It's their signature dessert!!!
RUBY TUESDAY'S also has a Blondie, but theirs is bone-dry and horrible!
I noticed APPLEBEES seemed to be emphasizing a healthy menu, now. Well I've got news for them, I don't go to a restaurant to eat healthy! (That's for at home.) I go to indulge! I don't treat myself to a restaurant that often. Plus no animal died in the making of a Maple Blondie!
To me, a meal is incomplete without dessert. It's my reward for eating all those awful vegetables like carrots & beets.
I've never been overweight due to my magic metabolism. I can drop weight fast just by eating yogurt or jello for dessert for a few nights rather than my usual pastries. I'm the only woman I know who can do that! I can easily fit into a tight outfit when the occasion arises. Also I work my weights when I'm trying to lose, but I'm not a fanatic about it.
I see these women with the big muscled-out arms and my reaction is ugh! Personally, I think this looks downright hideous on a female.
There is a beautiful woman in Vero Beach who is a fitness expert as well as a gifted writer. She has a column in our local newspaper. When I read it, I enjoy it. I genuinely admire this person. But at the same time, I don't want to be anything like her. Because our ideas of fun are just too different. Sweets are tantamount to poison in her mind.
There is an old saying, "To eat well, is to live well." I believe this means eating food you actually enjoy, at least every now and then. You would have to chain me to a restaurant chair and duct tape my mouth shut to prevent me from ordering dessert!
Columnist Erma Bombeck used to say, she often wondered how many women passed up the dessert tray that last night on the Titanic. -- I'm with Erma! I look forward to meeting her in the afterlife. (Yes,I'll probably drop dead due to my high triglycerides.) And when I do, I'm sure we'll both be enjoying Maple Blondies. Because heaven just won't be paradise without them.
UPDATE: I just learned some APPLEBEES still have the Maple Blondie. Sadly, the one in Vero Beach where I live does not.
RUBY TUESDAY'S also has a Blondie, but theirs is bone-dry and horrible!
I noticed APPLEBEES seemed to be emphasizing a healthy menu, now. Well I've got news for them, I don't go to a restaurant to eat healthy! (That's for at home.) I go to indulge! I don't treat myself to a restaurant that often. Plus no animal died in the making of a Maple Blondie!
To me, a meal is incomplete without dessert. It's my reward for eating all those awful vegetables like carrots & beets.
I've never been overweight due to my magic metabolism. I can drop weight fast just by eating yogurt or jello for dessert for a few nights rather than my usual pastries. I'm the only woman I know who can do that! I can easily fit into a tight outfit when the occasion arises. Also I work my weights when I'm trying to lose, but I'm not a fanatic about it.
I see these women with the big muscled-out arms and my reaction is ugh! Personally, I think this looks downright hideous on a female.
There is a beautiful woman in Vero Beach who is a fitness expert as well as a gifted writer. She has a column in our local newspaper. When I read it, I enjoy it. I genuinely admire this person. But at the same time, I don't want to be anything like her. Because our ideas of fun are just too different. Sweets are tantamount to poison in her mind.
There is an old saying, "To eat well, is to live well." I believe this means eating food you actually enjoy, at least every now and then. You would have to chain me to a restaurant chair and duct tape my mouth shut to prevent me from ordering dessert!
Columnist Erma Bombeck used to say, she often wondered how many women passed up the dessert tray that last night on the Titanic. -- I'm with Erma! I look forward to meeting her in the afterlife. (Yes,I'll probably drop dead due to my high triglycerides.) And when I do, I'm sure we'll both be enjoying Maple Blondies. Because heaven just won't be paradise without them.
UPDATE: I just learned some APPLEBEES still have the Maple Blondie. Sadly, the one in Vero Beach where I live does not.
Sunday, January 13, 2013
THESE BOOTS WERE MADE FOR STRUTT'N
It's no secret that I love clothes! And if it's "OUT THERE" I'll wear it!
My favorite time to buy winter attire is after the holidays when all the stores dramatically slash prices to make way for the spring & summer line. Also I shop catalogs if I can find a big enough bargain.
Long have I held a love affair with boots, from cute ankle lengths right on up! And it pains me that I live in a state where the weather is only cool enough to wear them 3 to 5 months a year. I'd sleep in them if I could! Curse you Global Warming!!!
Among them are 2 pairs of riding style boots that I bought in Thrift Shops 25 and 30 years ago, neither is leather. Amazingly, both are still in good enough condition to wear. A couple years back, I bought a pair new and they fell apart the 3rd time I wore them. I was really pissed, I had paid full price because I loved the style!-- In my opinion, someone at a factory in China deserves a good whipping!
That reminds me, I have an over-the-knee pair with long straps in the back like cat-o'-nine tails.
Right after New Year's, I ordered a pair for a price I couldn't pass up! They're dark-gray and thigh-high! To my delight, they arrived on my birthday! They fit my legs like gloves and are just as comfortable as can be!
They are so high they dwarf even my over-the-knee pairs! And even my shortest mini skirts completely cover the tops. But they look magnificent with stirrup pants or a long sweater with opaque hose.
I can just hear a former neighbor of mine saying, "A woman your age in those, shame on you!"
I just turned 62. However, I've never let age inappropriateness stop me before. I look young for my age and I still have thighs to die for, as well as my magic metabolism. Guess you could call me the geezer-teaser.
Back in the 1970's during my blonde years, I was quite striking! Everywhere I went I was mistaken for a model. Men were too intimidated to come close. During that period I was taking frequent trips to Europe. I could walk into a restaurant in Paris or Madrid and turn every head in the room.
In 78 the Gypsy Peasant style was in vogue. This was my favorite look of all time with its sashed peasant blouse, long flowing skirt, & boots. I was in Lucerne, Switzerland all decked out in my Gypsy Peasant outfit, wearing the same chic boots all the French girls in Paris had been sporting. The 3 inch heels made me 5'9. Today, it would make me 5'10! -- Believe it or not, I actually grew an inch in my 50's!
I'll admit I'm not the most graceful woman in the world. I was coming down the long stairs into the lobby, half-way I slipped and tripped . I tumbled, bum-pity bump all the way to the bottom floor! A British couple rushed to my aid.
"Are you all right, dear!" the woman exclaimed. I assured her that I was. "It's so nice to hear another English-speaking voice," she intoned.
Of course at my age, I could break a bone! -- That's why I take calcium and dolomite and other minerals. I've done so for decades. Recently, I had a fall in a restaurant parking lot and got up without even a bruise, so I guess they work.
Whenever I buy a new pair of boots, I have a little romance with them. I'm always trying them on, or constantly going to look at and touch them. This passes after I officially wear them in public for the first time. Then I start to ogle and fantasize about other shoes.
My favorite time to buy winter attire is after the holidays when all the stores dramatically slash prices to make way for the spring & summer line. Also I shop catalogs if I can find a big enough bargain.
Long have I held a love affair with boots, from cute ankle lengths right on up! And it pains me that I live in a state where the weather is only cool enough to wear them 3 to 5 months a year. I'd sleep in them if I could! Curse you Global Warming!!!
Among them are 2 pairs of riding style boots that I bought in Thrift Shops 25 and 30 years ago, neither is leather. Amazingly, both are still in good enough condition to wear. A couple years back, I bought a pair new and they fell apart the 3rd time I wore them. I was really pissed, I had paid full price because I loved the style!-- In my opinion, someone at a factory in China deserves a good whipping!
That reminds me, I have an over-the-knee pair with long straps in the back like cat-o'-nine tails.
Right after New Year's, I ordered a pair for a price I couldn't pass up! They're dark-gray and thigh-high! To my delight, they arrived on my birthday! They fit my legs like gloves and are just as comfortable as can be!
They are so high they dwarf even my over-the-knee pairs! And even my shortest mini skirts completely cover the tops. But they look magnificent with stirrup pants or a long sweater with opaque hose.
I can just hear a former neighbor of mine saying, "A woman your age in those, shame on you!"
I just turned 62. However, I've never let age inappropriateness stop me before. I look young for my age and I still have thighs to die for, as well as my magic metabolism. Guess you could call me the geezer-teaser.
Back in the 1970's during my blonde years, I was quite striking! Everywhere I went I was mistaken for a model. Men were too intimidated to come close. During that period I was taking frequent trips to Europe. I could walk into a restaurant in Paris or Madrid and turn every head in the room.
In 78 the Gypsy Peasant style was in vogue. This was my favorite look of all time with its sashed peasant blouse, long flowing skirt, & boots. I was in Lucerne, Switzerland all decked out in my Gypsy Peasant outfit, wearing the same chic boots all the French girls in Paris had been sporting. The 3 inch heels made me 5'9. Today, it would make me 5'10! -- Believe it or not, I actually grew an inch in my 50's!
I'll admit I'm not the most graceful woman in the world. I was coming down the long stairs into the lobby, half-way I slipped and tripped . I tumbled, bum-pity bump all the way to the bottom floor! A British couple rushed to my aid.
"Are you all right, dear!" the woman exclaimed. I assured her that I was. "It's so nice to hear another English-speaking voice," she intoned.
Of course at my age, I could break a bone! -- That's why I take calcium and dolomite and other minerals. I've done so for decades. Recently, I had a fall in a restaurant parking lot and got up without even a bruise, so I guess they work.
Whenever I buy a new pair of boots, I have a little romance with them. I'm always trying them on, or constantly going to look at and touch them. This passes after I officially wear them in public for the first time. Then I start to ogle and fantasize about other shoes.
Saturday, January 5, 2013
SNAIL-MAIL KIND O' GAL
Here we are in a brand new year. I for one, am happy to be alive! I had feared we all might disappear from the surface of the earth in December of 2012. On the other hand, all the usual problems remain, plus new ones are popping up all the time.
Postage is rising again, the later part of this month. Ugh! That means more inflation, or perhaps stagflation. As a backward member of the Boomer generation I'm not into all the new technology. I still send out handwritten letters and mail Christmas cards.
In fact, the day after Christmas I bought 4 boxes of beautiful cards at half price. I'll admit it's starting to get expensive to send them. However, I still have enough holiday "FOREVER" stamps to get me thru a few more seasons, also my card list continues to get shorter.
I've got to say, last Christmas I was impressed as to how fast my packages moved thru the mail. Often, the merchandise was delivered the same week as I placed the order. Unfortunately, the postage sometimes cost as much as the item itself. -- And I always choose the least expensive rate, too!
Mail crawled back in the olden days! As a 7 yr. old, I forced my grandfather to buy an extra box of breakfast cereal so I would be able to send away for that Jiminy Cricket sippy cup with the moving eyes. I needed 2 box tops along with my dollar. Anyway, I had to wait 6 to 8 weeks for delivery, which is almost a lifetime in child years.
By the time it arrived, I had forgotten all about it! Receiving it was a big anti-climax, too. Sure the eyes moved, but the cup was an unappetizing flesh-colored pink; even Jiminy's hat! Within 6 months, the plastic cracked and my cup had to be thrown out. It wasn't even worth my dollar! And a dollar was worth a whole lot more in 1958!
But at least the shipping & postage were free! Back then, it was free on ALL orders from catalogs, as well. Plus you received a free gift from the company and some really nice items, too. This was true in many cases until I reached my 40's.
Several years ago, I ordered a book thru the mail and received an empty package. (You could actually see where it had been slashed open at the bottom!) Fortunately, the company replaced the book at no extra charge. I called the Post Office and complained to a supervisor. I asked why on earth they would deliver an obviously empty package in that condition! It should have been investigated because it left the company intact! Their response was similar to, "Yeah, it's our fault, but that doesn't make us responsible." If it hadn't been so sad, it would be laughable.
Unlike most people, I enjoy getting junk mail. It's fun to wish shop thru all the various catalogs I receive. But I really wish they would put an end to Saturday mail! It's just a nuisance. Plus every time a problem arrives via mail, it always seems to come on a Saturday. Everything is closed and I can't deal with it until Monday, but I'm left with 2 days and 2 sleepless nights to worry over it.
My family had a P.O. Box until we moved into the city limits in 1960. Always it was a treat to go pick-up the mail! I loved to ferret thru the garbage cans for unopened letters and packages. Usually there was plenty! I would bring home hand fulls of other people's junk mail. Frequently, I found packages, too! There was a doctor in town who was constantly throwing out sample medicines from pharmaceutical companies, and I mean some large boxes filled with all kinds of pills!
Of course my parents threw everything out. But it was just the thrill of the unexpected! Always I hoped to find something wonderful in one of those boxes!
After moving into town, we had an actual mailman deliver to our house. Man, we really were moving up in society!.. Although our initial mailman was rather incompetent. On several occasions I came across neighbors unopened bills blowing across our lawn. (At least I didn't have to root thru any garbage cans!) I took them to my mother, and she would steer me in the direction of the correct neighbor. Then I got to play postman.
Back then, our mail box was attached next to our door. That meant the mailman actually had to get out of his truck. During the 1990's we were forced to move our mailbox to a more convenient location for the mailman, one less so for us.
When I noticed the mailboxes in this neighborhood, I became uneasy. Anyone driving by in a car or walking down the street can help themselves to my mail without ever setting foot on my property. Anytime I place checks in the mail, I either wait until I see the mail truck, or I drive to a mailbox.
Eventually, I'll get with the times and pay all my bills online. But I intend to fight it as long as I can. I trust computers even less than I trust the Post Office. However, I know that one day soon, I'm going to be sending out electronic cards.
Postage is rising again, the later part of this month. Ugh! That means more inflation, or perhaps stagflation. As a backward member of the Boomer generation I'm not into all the new technology. I still send out handwritten letters and mail Christmas cards.
In fact, the day after Christmas I bought 4 boxes of beautiful cards at half price. I'll admit it's starting to get expensive to send them. However, I still have enough holiday "FOREVER" stamps to get me thru a few more seasons, also my card list continues to get shorter.
I've got to say, last Christmas I was impressed as to how fast my packages moved thru the mail. Often, the merchandise was delivered the same week as I placed the order. Unfortunately, the postage sometimes cost as much as the item itself. -- And I always choose the least expensive rate, too!
Mail crawled back in the olden days! As a 7 yr. old, I forced my grandfather to buy an extra box of breakfast cereal so I would be able to send away for that Jiminy Cricket sippy cup with the moving eyes. I needed 2 box tops along with my dollar. Anyway, I had to wait 6 to 8 weeks for delivery, which is almost a lifetime in child years.
By the time it arrived, I had forgotten all about it! Receiving it was a big anti-climax, too. Sure the eyes moved, but the cup was an unappetizing flesh-colored pink; even Jiminy's hat! Within 6 months, the plastic cracked and my cup had to be thrown out. It wasn't even worth my dollar! And a dollar was worth a whole lot more in 1958!
But at least the shipping & postage were free! Back then, it was free on ALL orders from catalogs, as well. Plus you received a free gift from the company and some really nice items, too. This was true in many cases until I reached my 40's.
Several years ago, I ordered a book thru the mail and received an empty package. (You could actually see where it had been slashed open at the bottom!) Fortunately, the company replaced the book at no extra charge. I called the Post Office and complained to a supervisor. I asked why on earth they would deliver an obviously empty package in that condition! It should have been investigated because it left the company intact! Their response was similar to, "Yeah, it's our fault, but that doesn't make us responsible." If it hadn't been so sad, it would be laughable.
Unlike most people, I enjoy getting junk mail. It's fun to wish shop thru all the various catalogs I receive. But I really wish they would put an end to Saturday mail! It's just a nuisance. Plus every time a problem arrives via mail, it always seems to come on a Saturday. Everything is closed and I can't deal with it until Monday, but I'm left with 2 days and 2 sleepless nights to worry over it.
My family had a P.O. Box until we moved into the city limits in 1960. Always it was a treat to go pick-up the mail! I loved to ferret thru the garbage cans for unopened letters and packages. Usually there was plenty! I would bring home hand fulls of other people's junk mail. Frequently, I found packages, too! There was a doctor in town who was constantly throwing out sample medicines from pharmaceutical companies, and I mean some large boxes filled with all kinds of pills!
Of course my parents threw everything out. But it was just the thrill of the unexpected! Always I hoped to find something wonderful in one of those boxes!
After moving into town, we had an actual mailman deliver to our house. Man, we really were moving up in society!.. Although our initial mailman was rather incompetent. On several occasions I came across neighbors unopened bills blowing across our lawn. (At least I didn't have to root thru any garbage cans!) I took them to my mother, and she would steer me in the direction of the correct neighbor. Then I got to play postman.
Back then, our mail box was attached next to our door. That meant the mailman actually had to get out of his truck. During the 1990's we were forced to move our mailbox to a more convenient location for the mailman, one less so for us.
When I noticed the mailboxes in this neighborhood, I became uneasy. Anyone driving by in a car or walking down the street can help themselves to my mail without ever setting foot on my property. Anytime I place checks in the mail, I either wait until I see the mail truck, or I drive to a mailbox.
Eventually, I'll get with the times and pay all my bills online. But I intend to fight it as long as I can. I trust computers even less than I trust the Post Office. However, I know that one day soon, I'm going to be sending out electronic cards.
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