1999...

Happy New Years my darlings!  It's my wish that 2019 brings you peace, health and happiness.  May you experience pure joy, laughter and comfort in your days and restful, sweet slumber at night. I hope you get a chance to put into the world good and special things, and that those same things are visited back, upon you.

I plan to enjoy my family and friends and indulge in good food and wine.  I will revel in the joy of a long beach walk and the heady scent of warm sea breezes.  I will marvel at nature in all it's glorious forms.  I will, as a nod to my Scandinavian heritage, practice hygge while reading at least 50 books.  Goals of self care-both physically and mentally are also on the list.

Not really too ambitious if you want to call these 'resolutions' but that's my plan.  I will practice grace and compassion as I try to be an aware person, mindful of the feelings of others.   And be grateful for each new day and all the opportunities afforded me.

All that begins tomorrow. So, to loosely quote prophetic words of the 'Purple Master,' tonight I'm gonna party like it's 1999!  Happy New Year.   XO

Merry Christmas, Darling...

Merry Christmas, Darlings.  I hope this night finds you reveling in comfort and surrounded with love.  May thoughts of those who are not with you warm your heart with fond memories.  Let the birth of Jesus signify a rebirth of your personal faith and a fresh new beginning to practice tolerance, respect and love for each other.   After all-it's the reason for the season.

God Bless and keep you.  Merry Christmas and Peace to you all,  Love, Jodi XO

Lost Control...

Recently, I saw an ad for the medication Vraylar which is being used to treat bi polar and manic episodes.  Hmmm, I thought, that's a new one for me.  I watched with amazement as the possible side effects scrolled up the screen.  Dizziness, drooling, weight gain, fainting, seizures, severe confusion, and uncontrollable movement of mouth and tongue.  ARE YOU KIDDING ME?
This drug sounds like it would induce a psychotic episode or two..

Back in the day, Dane would gleefully shriek with giggles when it was explained that the weight loss drug Alli, was known to cause gas with excessive oily discharge.  It was advised that you carry a spare change of clothes and perhaps an adult diaper.  Don't want to experience an 'Alli Oops' in public!

When I decided to investigate side effects a little deeper, I learned that the drug Xeloda causes your fingerprints to disappear.  Not real painful and possibly very useful in a criminal case.

Ambien may help you sleep but it's likely you will be privy to night terrors, hallucinations, and severe sleepwalking events. Something called 'sexsomnia' was also prevalent.  Who can rest with all that going on?

Once-just once, I would like to hear of-or be prescribed some drug that erases wrinkles, causes quick and permanent weight loss, with noticeable improvement of vision and hearing.  Athleticism would be ratcheted up a few notches.  A sense of happiness and well being would overcome you and life would appear through rose colored glasses.  Good fortune would surely come your way.  What a cool thing that would be.

Maybe someday.  Till then I guess I'll just stick to my tried and true panacea.  Good 'ol M&M's!  Eating them, I am quite overcome with joy even though I do drool a little.

Have a great week and enjoy some M&M's-the red and green ones!  XO

Easy to Forget...

Baby it's cold outside. Yep, and more than a little cray cray, too!

You would have to be living under a snowbank to have missed the hoopla regarding the classic Christmas hit, 'Baby it's Cold Outside."  People that must be the biggest hypocrites alive are questioning the lyrics.  As if...,

I rarely listen to top 40 music, but I have memories of 'racy' lyrics going back as long as I can remember.  My Dad would cringe as we sang along to 'She's havin' my Baby.'  Dad would ask us if the two in the song were even married!  A baby before marriage?  Whoops-not supposed to advertise that!  How scandalous.

We all know old Mick and the boys were not making an apple pie as they praised the sweet taste of 'Brown Sugar!'  Or wanted to 'Spend the Night Together.'  And when Rod Stewart verbally seduced his girlfriend in 'Tonight's the Night,'  no one even blinked an eye.

When I saw Dave Matthews in concert, I sang along blithely while he crooned 'Crash into Me' where he unembarrassedly admits to being a peeping Tom. (I still love that song, tho!)

Rap lyrics are even more heinous than my kind of innocent examples of possible offense.  The songs are played openly and have labeled and degraded women since 2 Live Crew back in the day.  It's gross, negative and completely without creativity that those words were ever recorded and played publicly.

So, are we offended by Dean Martin and others who have remade the song?  There is a list going around that can find racist, misogynist, homophobe implications on every Christmas song ever made.  So now what do we do?

I don't know about you, but I choose to sing along.  Christmas songs, that is!   Stay warm and have a great week.    XOXO

'Tis the Season...

I  think I need an injection.  Yep, some kind of shot is due.  And I don't mean the occasional B12 that keeps me level.  Or some Schnapps with Nicole. This calls for serious assistance.  

I simply am not in the holiday spirit.  Mini rant-why do we call it the "Holiday's?"  We celebrate November 22 and then muddle along or freak out-you pick-until December 24.  Seems there is room for one more 'holiday' between those two days.  May I suggest one that doesn't include tons of extra effort coupled with feelings of inferiority?

Neighbors have their yard lights out and I see decorated Christmas trees in some windows.  I still have my autumn wreath on my front door and my tree is still in the basement.

I have to admit that the Sunday temps were a welcome respite, but that sunny day was just a tease.  It may as well snow because that's our December reality.

Last week we received our first Christmas card.  I have not yet purchased much less signed and sent out mine yet.  I still have time, right?

My Pinterest and YouTube is rife with holiday decorating ideas.  I used to totally over decorate making my house like a mini-Bronners.  Now, the tree and a Christmas Starbucks mug seem enough.

I've noticed that the malls are packed.  The shopping frenzy has begun-with out me.  I hate Christmas shopping-the pressure is too much.  I'm far too impatient to park a mile away and stand in line for more than 2 minutes.  I'll just donate as usual.

Now, here's a little positivity.  I am looking forward to some holiday parties, tasty treats and I DO sing along with the Christmas carols.  That's all I got.

Any advice?  Are you 'feelin' it?  Let me know if you have any ideas for me.  

Have a wonderful week. OXOXO

As Time Goes On...

On Saturday, my family got together to celebrate our Mom's 80th birthday.  80 years young, my Mom still 'does it all.'  Very independent while being very generous with her time.

Celebrating a birthday of 80 years is rife with happy memories.  I recall snooping through Mom's dresser and finding her 'diamond' tiara.  Modestly, she tells me that she was once crowned the 'Raspberry Queen' in a local pageant.  How exciting and glamorous!  You know me-even as a child I was searching for the glamour.

  As a 'young Mom', I have very early memories of my Mom-the original beach bunny-hauling all 3 of us to the beach for a relaxing day in the sun.  However, running crowd control on the 3 of us was anything but.  And keeping the baby (Lisa) from sun burning, too!

Mom raised us with a diet rich in 'homemade.'  The aroma of fresh bread filled our house almost daily and we indulged in hot bread and her tasty jam.  She canned and preserved our garden.  We sat down to dinner together every single night.  And there was most always a luscious dessert.

I have always been able to count on my Mom not only as a mother, but a friend.  I have felt supported through all phases of my life.  Ups, downs, and all arounds-she is there.  She was the best Grandmother in the world to Dane and he completely adored her.

These days we talk often and share the highs and lows of everyday life.  The weather, our health, and just small talk-that's our deal.  Lisa, Mom and I are looking forward to a rare 'girl's vacation' in Florida this year.  We'll hit the beach, drink some wine, celebrate, and eat some luscious desserts.

Happy Birthday, Mom-you are the BEST.

P.S.  Holla to my sister and brother in law for once again, hosting Thanksgiving.  It was beyond delicious.  You two are also the BEST!

Not Today...

In case you need something else to ponder this week, feel free to join me in wonderment at the   amusing news stories that have me shaking my head.

PETA kicked up a fuss over the unfair treatment of animal crackers.  Animals, yes and crackers yes. Yep, those cute little boxcars boxes that had the animals presumably caged and  on their way to a (gasp!)animal cracker circus.   Barnum Animal Crackers succumbed to the PETA pressure and has freed the animal (crackers) from their torturous lives in that classic boxcar packaging.  They are now to be viewed as freely roaming the range.  Ponder that as you bite the head off of the rhino!  

And then there was that debacle at McDonald's.  After being told by her manager to stop eating bacon while working, things took a turn to the ugly.  Unable to comply, the bacon munching cook then assaulted the manager by backing her up into a corner and waving hot, crispy bacon at her.  The fight then escalated into full combat and the cook reportedly threw a bag of unknown substance at the manager.  I'm guessing some pressed chicken parts or some such thing was being hurled about.  Third degree assault and battery charges were filed against said cook and the Golden Arches Supper Club then  went on to serve about a million more that day.

And how about the furor that erupted over the Georgia-Kentucky football game?  When Tambira's father refused to change the channel, and bodily blocked off the television,  Girlfriend took action.  With no other possible choice, she loaded up her gun and emptied the magazine randomly while her parents and grandchildren scrambled to safety.   Guess she had a Netflix series she preferred watching.  Presumably, or sometimes a girl just has to take charge of a situation and show 'em who's boss.  Or maybe she just was cheering for the Detroit Lions for the win.

Crackers, bacon and football-a combination that's perfect for a tailgate party!  And speaking of perfect, (a very loose segue-I know...) stop in to Atlas Jewelry and see the gorgeous Kara.  As a licensed Diamondologist and jewelry expert, she will hook you up on whatever you need.

P.S.  No animal (crackers) were harmed in the writing of this blog.  However; some managers suffered bacon grease burns and two chickies got sorta tipsy.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving and I'll see you next week. xoxo