Red Rover Red Rover

Happy Saturday Evening fellow bloggers. I'm in my usual position on the couch, thus the picture of my feet, the coffee table and the hairy rug. Thanks so much to Angie for giving me a ready made post for a weekend evening! I love these surveys, tags, or whatever they're called.

1. What is your current obsession? Blogs and Facebook.

.2. What is your weirdest obsession? Having plenty of toilet paper on hand. If we get below 10 rolls in the house, I start to panic.

3. Recall a fond childhood memory? Spending Friday nights at my Grandma Jamieson's house and sleeping in the room with the angel wallpaper.

4. What’s for dinner? I had two beef tacos and some cheese dip from La Hacienda. (and a couple Dos Equis!)

5. What would you eat for your last meal? Hm. Probably a filet, corn on the cob, fresh tomatoes with loads of salt and pepper and some mashed potatoes with loads of butter. Oh, and some fresh bread and ice cold water.

6. What’s the last thing you bought? Besides food or something for others? A dress for Will and Bri's wedding next weekend.

7. What are you listening to right now? Top Chef Masters is on Bravo. I like the regular series so much better. Give me my Padma!

8. What do you think of the person who tagged you? I love me some Angie. I found her blog while randomly perusing blogs. She made me laugh. Then, I followed her blog and twitter throughout the Memphis Tigers' basketball season. I fell in love with her, her blog, her life, her sister, her kids, her dog! I enjoy having her be a part of my life each and every day! And, she always supports my life one way or another.

9. If you could have a house totally paid for, fully furnished house, anywhere in the world, where would it be? The mountains just outside Bryson City, North Carolina.

10. If you could go anywhere in the world for the next hour, where would you go? St. Croix, overlooking Buck Island.

11. Which language do you want to learn? Well, since it looks like we might be going to Portugal in September, I'm thinking Portugese. Prior to that, I would have said Italian. I love the way it sounds.

12. What’s your favorite quote (for now) "Where there's a will there's a way."

13.What is your favorite colour? Red (btw, I got my new red camera!!!)

14. What is your favorite piece of clothing in your own wardrobe? I'm with Angie, totally pajama pants.

15. What is your dream job? Working with a non profit, such as SPCA, or some kind of group with older people.

16.What’s your favorite magazine? hm. 442? A soccer mag. (oops, "football") I do also love me some PEOPLE. Also, the old ones: Ladies Home Journal, Redbook, Good Housekeeping!

17. If you had $100 now, what would you spend it on? I'm looking for a new red purse. Well, actually, it's last year's Roxy red purse.

18. Describe your personal style? Casual Bohemian

19. What are you going to do after this? Read my favorite blogs.

20. What are your favorite films? Shawshank Redemption, 16 Candles, Forrest Gump, The Godfather, Steel Magnolias, Beauty and the Beast

21. What’s your favorite fruit? Peaches or strawberries.

22.What inspires you? People who overcome adversity, the human spirit, and my friend, Anjeanette.

23. Your favorite books? All Harry Potter. YaYa Sisterhood. The Book of Joe.

24. Do you collect anything?Not really. I wish I did! Maybe I should collect diamonds??

25. Any advice from bitter experience? I think the best thing for all of us is to let go of the bitter and just keep moving forward.

26. What makes you follow a blog? When I read it, if it touches me and I feel close to the author, I want to continue reading to see how their life is going. I care very easily about my blogging friends.

And now.... I tag....

Mel (or Pam!)

Jan

Sherrie

Dusti

How to Celebrate

I am now going to make the most profound statement of my life: Funerals suck.

We lost a dear friend last Friday, and the weekend was filled with sadness, funeral preparations, casseroles, ham, visitation, story telling, the funeral, the burial with full military honors. Through all this you feel like you're walking on eggshells. You watch people's hearts break right before your eyes. You sit there in shock as someone you love and respect is blessed and buried.

Then, like all good Southerners, you go to the family's house to eat.

But then, something very good happened. People went in the pool. Kids started swimming and splashing. Music was playing. Cold beer was drunk. And all of a sudden, smiles reappeared. We all realized we were doing exactly what Gary would have wanted us to do. We were celebrating. We were celebrating a wonderful life and a wonderful man. We were celebrating that we were all there together. For those few hours we were all together and lifting up the other.

And for some reason, every good celebration must have a Belly Flop Contest.

Hugs were everywhere.

And grandkids posed with their best style.

Old friends reunited.

Newlyweds carried on.

Some people even showed off.

And some people went ALL out to bring joy to the masses.

Sure, there were plenty of moments of intense sorrow---



But for this one afternoon, they passed quickly,

And the celebration was back.

With love to the Wombwell Family. xxx

Under Cover

I've decided I do not like the "under cover" plot device. I've watched many a show where the main character goes undercover to solve a mystery, a crime, or whatnot. I never enjoy these episodes, even during my favorite show, "Law and Order: Criminal Intent."

These shows stress me out, as the main character always ends up in danger, or doing something evil. Their "real" friends are concerned, as they think something has gone awry. They people they're trying to fool always catch on at a critical moment. When drugs are involved, it seems the person always ends up on drugs!! Everyone is stressed. This stresses me.

I especially hate the story lines when someone pretends to be crazy to go into an insane asylum to solve the crime. They are just one step away from being put there permanently. What if it doesn't work out? What if they forget about their cohort being undercover and leave them there? It give me an elevated heart beat just thinking about it.

It's just too stressful for me to watch. I have enough of that in my own life, thank you very much!!!

I'll just change the channel to Top Model. That doesn't stress me at all. :-)

No Exit

See this sucker? He and I are going to be the end of each other one day.

This little guy sits right outside my office. He came with the building. I think the building was built in the 1950's.

Yes, I know this little cherub is required by law and is intended for safety and to save my life in case of fire. But, honestly? I think he may be aging me quicker than normal.

I'm sure you're wondering just how a simple EXIT sign can drive a woman crazy. Well, this is not your everyday, normal, run of the mill sign. This thing is alive.

It talks to me. When I come up the stairs in the morning, it's talking. It sounds like there's a bad connection and it's about to blow. It hums at me, but not musically. There are times it seems like it's yelling at me. At times, I would swear he is laughing at me with his loud raucous off kilter buzz. He has a personality; sometimes I swear he knows when I've just sat down and starts yakking. And, since it is connected to the ceiling, and I am only 5'3", this presents a conundrum. Luckily, I have a softball bat in the corner of my office. I am forced to press the black reset button AT LEAST five times a day. If anyone walks by my office and EXIT is talking, they are trained to shut him up. (again, via the bat)

I'm starting to think he's real. He actually was respectful as we watched the Michael Jackson memorial.

But don't worry, he's back to his normal tricks now. Bzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

PS: Rest in Peace Gary Wombwell. We will miss you dearly.

Things I'm Loving Right Now (Summer Version)

Believe it or not, I'm feeling very positive on a Monday! Here's some things bringing a smile to my face:

The color RED. I've decided I'm going through my red period. I'm currently on the lookout for a red purse and I'm yearning for a red Canon camera.

OPI nail polish. My current color of choice is, "Grape Wall of China." Prior to this, I was wearing, "The Lifeguard Makes Me Blush." What great names for purple and pink!

The Simpsons. Watching it still makes me giggle.

Heirloom Tomatoes. Salt and Pepper. Delicious!

My new toothbrush that has the little rough things on it that "clean" your cheeks. It tickles!

Dizzee Rascal's song, "Bonkers." Listen to it, I promise, you'll feel like dancing. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ci40ae8BlcE

Dr. G, Medical Examiner. LOVE HER.

Divine Secrets of the YaYa Sisterhood. (Thanks Pam, or Mel) :-)

Afternoon thunderstorms.

Reading my daughter's blog, and the fact that she's writing a blog.

Pioneer Woman Hamburgers.

Garnier "Skin Renew" Anti-Puff Eye Roller. It feels so cool on your under eye skin. Ahhhhhhhh.

My Blogging Buddies. I enjoy reading about their lives, their joys, their challenges, their children, their triumphs and tragedies.

Harry Potter is just around the corner. Need I say more?

My new Timex watch from Target, black plastic band and white face.

Reconnecting with elementary school friends via Facebook. We are all thirty years older, but no one feels it. (or looks it!)

Rockett's stinky feet.

***What are you enjoying this summer????

MOST Important Question, EVER!!

Is there a comfortable bra on this earth?

I read the Obits

Everyday at lunchtime, I read the local paper, online. One of my favorite things is to read the obituaries. Sometimes, it's sad (young kids, or tragic accidents) but most times, they read as true celebrations. I love it when they add detail about the decedent's life, and when you feel like you know the person after reading it. I've read some great ones over the years, but this one I came across today may just take the cake. If I could be HALF the woman this woman was, I'd say I lived a great life. And, that part about the tomatoes? LOVE IT.

God bless you Ms. Nadel, I wish I had met you while you were on this earth .

Ruthe Galler Nadel CHARLESTON - Ruthe Galler Nadel, widow of Eli M. Nadel, of Charleston, died from cancer, Sunday June 28. She will be deeply missed and always loved by her children: Eric Nadel (Heather Nadel), Jim Nadel (Elizabeth Finlayson), Amy Nadel Romanczuk (Alan Romanczuk), by her grandchildren: Alex Romanczuk, Joby Nadel and Marie (Robert) Haynes, her great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Ruthe was the eldest child of Ada and Avram Galler, born on New York's lower East Side and raised in Brooklyn, in a Yiddish-speaking family. She met her future husband July 4th weekend 1937, over a game of ping pong. He won both the game and her heart. They married in 1941, and lived in New York City, Washington, DC, St Louis and Charleston. She remained devoted to him until her death. Ruthe received her Bachelors of Science from Brooklyn College (1941). She was a teaching assistant for Abraham Maslow and a member of the Scientific Research Society, Sigma Xi. During the war years, she planted victory gardens, walked the Brooklyn Bridge with Eli, received her Masters of Science from Massachusetts State College (1943) and was one of the first women in the field of Bacteriology. She began to lose her hearing in the 1940's from otosclerosis and in 1960, experienced the first symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis. Disability colored her world, but did not daunt her remarkable spirit. She found ways to contribute as a scientist and researcher or through volunteer and community activity. Though virtually deaf, her love for music never waned. Her mobility declined, but she fought to stay active. She was a member of the Ethical Society for over 50 years. Her beloved Eli died in St Louis in 1981. Earlier, at the Medical University of SC, he initiated plans to start a Cancer Center (now Hollings Cancer Center) where this past year his widow received excellent care for her Breast Cancer. She returned to Charleston when her first grandson was born, bringing together three generations in one household. She went yearly to the Stanford Jazz Workshop and became the darling of jazz greats such as Stan Getz, Dizzy Gillespie, James Moody and Tootie Heath. She was a familiar sight zipping about on her mobility scooter, bright orange flag waving behind. Books were always a passion, expressed as a member of the Jane Austen Society of North America, and of Friends of the Library; as a National Library of Medicine librarian; and as a habitual browser in used bookstores. At the age of 82, she joined BookCrossing, a book lovers website, where her zest for life brought her admirers from around the world. In her life, she loved one man, cherished her children, and adored her grandchildren. She re-read Jane Austen yearly, delighted in fresh tomatoes straight off the vine, gardening, and nature. She won hearts around the world with her spirit, wit, courage and humor. One of her last wishes was to know that she made a difference in the world. To the hundreds who reached out when the severity of her illness became apparent, know that you made her world brighter. Her family thanks you. Celebrations of Ruthe's life will be held later in Charleston, San Francisco Bay Area and online. To be notified of these events, e-mail bummala@gmail.com. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, please send contributions in memory of Ruthe Nadel to the Stanford Jazz Workshop, P.O. Box 20454, Stanford, CA 94309; or to Hospice of Charleston, 3870 Leeds Avenue, Suite 101, North Charleston, SC 29405. Arrangements are being made through PALMETTO CREMATION SOCIETY, Charleston, SC.