oh happy day!

I saw this lovely photo and had to share.  I love brightly colored bouquets of roses, as oppossed to one single color. 
Since its been awhile I figure I need to come back with something lovely.  I have been working on several things, and will be posting my own pictures soon.  But wishing you a happy day, whether you celebrate Valentines day, or not.

changing friendships

Today I met with two friends for lunch.  I haven't actually seen either of them since October so I should have been excited.  But it was with a weary heart that I went to meet them.

  A few months ago, I found how little my friendship meant to them, and that any driving had to be on my part if  I wanted to get together.  I live 30 miles from them.  For Seattle that can be your commute on a daily basis. Regardless, every time it required driving to my home there were many reasons why they couldn't.  Once I quit traveling into their town, they quit calling.

One of them has taken a job out of state and wanted to share that information and that she would be leaving town on Sunday, while her son who is 12 and her husband remain here.  I think I was supposed to feel more sad, or shocked, but since I've only heard from her twice via text message, since the last time she cancelled on me earlier this fall, it was like the the sadness had already happened back then, so it was just now there would be a legitimate reason for her not contacting me.

  I'm happy that she thinks she's found something she wants to do, and I hope it all works out for her. She kept asking if I would come visit her, and I had to be honest probably not. Why would I pay to fly to another state, when she couldn't even make the effort to come to my home 30 miles away?

 Ultimately the last time they cancelled on me, upset me because it was one the gals birthdays, and I was planning & had started preparing a tea luncheon.  One other person was invited- she was the only who could attend. When I get and email saying " its my birthday I've decided to do something else with someone else", I was pretty pissed. And then the other said she couldn't make arrangements for her son to get home although presumably they had been made earlier.  After a couple hours I called the one with the son, and she proceeded to tell me she had plans to go out with another friend. OK Fine, I get it. I'm good to be around if I will travel, but not the other way around. So I figure this will be the demise of our friendship since I have no plans to travel to see her.

 As for traveling if I have a spare dime to travel, it will be to see my daughter in England.

I wish them both well. Although we had some things in common, I don't think they are strong enough to keep the threads of friendship from unravleing.

I don't get why clothing manufactures ignore the overweight.

This is a personal gripe, that I've had for years and years.

When I was little, my grandmother wore the most hideous clothing, awful fabrics and prints. I didn't realize then she had little choice.  She was a short woman but she had and extremely large bust (it scared me when I was young that I might inherit it-shudder). Her clothing in her later years really didn't match her personality.
I teach fitness classes, and I attend fitness classes, but I have a terrible time finding things to wear.  I am in the 16-18 size group.  This varies from manufacturer to manufacturer- god forbid that we could actually come to some kind of standard.  I've been going to hot yoga, and believe, regardless of size or ability you want to be able to wear shorts and some type of built in bra tank top that has wicking fabric.  Can I find one? heavens no! So frustrated I'm going to have to make my own. 

After all the bitching that people do about overweight people being lazy- did you ever think its because they can't find appropriate clothing to wear to participate? and if they do, they have to pay twice what the size m pays?  Believe the cost isn't that much more.  I used to be a designer and production person for dance costumes so I have the experience of making from wee little ones to adults.
Well that's what I have to share today- sorry for the gripe.

The cards are signed

Oh Christmas Cards, oh Christmas cards, how can it be Christmas without you?  I love Cards, whether they are Christmas, birthday, hi how are you, I just love getting those pieces of card stock that someone took the time to make or buy and send.  I haven't been such a good sender these past couple years of Christmas cards, but I always think of them.  A lot of people on my card list I might only hear from once a year at Christmas, and if i don't get a card, I wonder about them.  Are they OK? did they move, what's going on?  sometimes I only sign names, but I usually try to write something personal.  Even if I put the "standard" letter with the card, I still try to personalize it. Sending true greetings is fading in our society.
Not so many years ago, I used to sell supplies for making cards and scrapbook pages.  I taught lots of little classes on making extra things as well- gift boxes, gift items, some of my favorites were the handles for marshmallow roasters. Regardless, fewer people make cards, and even fewer people seem to send greeting cards. I know because my mailbox is empty but my email has electronic cards in it.  These are OK for when you forget and want someone to know your thinking of them. But it will never be equal to a real card.
So in time for the holidays, I've got my my letters written and cards signed. Tomorrow its off to the post office for stamps and mailing a 2 packages.  I love that these packages will be a surprise to the recipients.  Isn't that great? Not expecting anything and a little surprise will great them in a few days. May you get your holiday greetings out soon, however you like to do them.

December brings so much at once!

Isn't it amazing how we look forward all year to December?  I love it because there's extra time with my family- my daughter and hubs.  She is flying in the 19th. Not so many days away now. I want to have things all decorated for her. Last year we didnt' decorate because we were selling the house. We never put up a big tree or anything. This year, its going to be all out, even dragging stuff out of storage if I have to.  I want to have some cookies made &(frozen) so we can sit and decorate them together and get a chance to chat a lot.  The shopping mostly done, since we aren't doing much this year, things are tight just like everyone else.  We do need to sell this house, but not trying agian til spring.  We do have plans to go see the burlesque nutcracker.  Every year since Miss P was 3 we've done the traditional Nutcracker. she was watching it, then she was in it.  This is the first year she isn't performing in one. So for something different we're going to see a different take on it. 
I have been crocheting some things for her, but I can't post them on here yet.  I made her an interesting piece for her birthday, but it was going to cost 60 dollars ot mail, so its waiting here for her to come home.  I have something else on my hook for her for Christmas as well, but no pics at the moments but its a lovely cashmere& silk yarn. 
I'm starting my job with the YMCA teaching in January.  I've already been doing some trainings for them, and meeting some great people who will make up the health and fitness staff as well as some people who will be in membership.  It's going to be a fun place.  I never really wanted to work in a traditional gym because they aren't all that inviting most of them time. But this facility has a lot to offer.  Can you tell I'm jazzed? oooh wee! few jobs have made me excited like this.
well to keep it short I will be off but hope to post again soon!

Happy October & 50/50

I love October.  It promises crisp fall nights, leaves in changing colors, pumpkins on the porch, silly costumes, creativity for those who make their own costumes- my family always did, and the smell of warm apples and cinnamon.

Years ago when I lived in Southern California, we used to go the apple farms, and pick up apples, and cider, and come home and make fresh apple butter, apple pie or apple crisp, sauteed apples served with quiche or pork chops.  I loved the smell of the dry air, and the cooler weather that came at the end of fall.

I'm yearning for a trip to get apples and the smells of memories.

As for today we went and saw the movie 50/50.  It was really quite brilliant, and so funny in many parts.  Seth Rogan has a language that is not comfortable for all to listen to, but he was pretty funny all the same.  I'm not giving away anything but I will tell, because you are watching someone who has cancer, the tears will flow, and it doesn't matter what sex you are. 

I hope you get a chance to see it.

I will leave you with this statement I overheard: 10 years ago there was Steve Jobs, Bob Hope and Johnny Cash.  Today we have no jobs, no hope and no cash.  Isn't that how it feels?

Pumpkin shortage?

Fall is officially upon us and the pumpkins are sitting  out at the grocery stores.  This year they're saying there may be a shortage of the lovely squash.  So I thought I better get around to using some fresh ones that are out there, and probably stock up on some canned pumkin for later in the winter. I've post this recipe before but I like to revisit it now and then. 

PUMPKIN SOUP
1 sugar pumpkin med size cut in half seeds removed, and roast with meat side down on foil lined baking sheet. I cook at 400 degrees for about and hour ortil  the meat is very tender.
1 can of light coconut milk
1 Tbsp approximately of mild red curry paste
1 16 oz can of chicken broth ( you can use more if soup is too thick)
additional, 1/4 tsp ginger, 1/4 - 1/2 tsp coriander-ground, cayenne to taste, if you don't like ginger or coriander, not a big deal if you don't add extra.
about a quarter of finely chopped onion.
(seasoning is so up to individual, I try to not use much salt, as it is usually in the chix broth.)

Put all the ingredients into soup pan, and heat, I use and immersion blender to smooth out the pumpkin, be careful to not splash your self, or use the blender before heating the liquid. You could also put half the mixture into a regular blender and repeat with 2nd part.

Once it is all heated through serve with some yummy whole wheat french bread, and a side salad.