25 September, 2010

FALL IS HERE, Maybe?
Noriko’s advanced aquacise this afternoon helped immensely. Jump and kick, work out the energy and keep going….for some reason thoughts of my ex-husband, my anger and my overall dissatisfaction with life bubbled to the top today. Why is not obvious for I lead a blessed and abundant life but old memories haunt me now and again.

Saw the Oprah show yesterday with the Gov. Christi of NJ, the mayor of Newark and Mark K-berg the benefactor who is granting $100 $million $dollars to the defunct Public Schools of Newark NJ. The show was fascinating, Oprah was in high gear and the cause is worthy but leaves many questions unanswered. Namely how did the Newark schools get so bad and why did it take so long for someone to step up to the plate? That the $100-million will answer the need is unlikely but the process has begun.

DH is in a funk. Between the outdoor maintenance and saxophone practice he seems to be overwhelmed. His sons on the west coast are living life in the laid-back lane but that is their choice, he cannot control what they do or want. His step-daughter is going gang-busters in her job and making great strides. Unless the band pressure is on him, the only other issue on the table is the upcoming interview for our CCC* application, something he’s been after for three years so I do not see the anxiety. We will get approved, we will sell the house and we will move.

29 September 2010

INTERVIEW DAY FOR THE REST OF OUR LIFE
Tonight is an anxious wait. After all the work compiling financial statements, medical records (the only thing lacking was the entrance essay “Why did I choose this place…”), we had the final interview with the CCRC* personnel this morning. The admissions committee meets tomorrow morning when five key personnel – having reviewed your records – discuss your potential as a future resident in their community and decide if you are IN or OUT. I feel like a contestant on “RUNWAY,” hearing Heidi Klum saying “sorry, you’re OUT! Please leave the runway.”

Do need a haircut but my favorite gal, Daisy, if off for the whole week. That means mid-next week before I will have another free-time for getting hair done. I hope my wavy-do did not look too ‘ole lady’ this morning. We learned it was 'beauty shop' day at the health center and the lineup of white haired ladies was endless. Soon to be me?

As we left the interview I noticed the hall bulletin board posting the color-layout I did for Noriko advertising her Tu-Th FLEXERCISE class and to announce that we will be doing a flex-demo at the upcoming October 6th Health Fair. The Flex-Group (ladies + 1 man), were surprised at my savvy computer skills and said they needed someone like me in residence. Let that thought be heard by the examining committee.

For reasons of nervous anxiety I keep rotating around the house to keep busy this afternoon; laundry, kitchen work, cutting up thrift-shop-plaid shirts for some future quilting project, clearing out clutter for the house cleaners and trying NOT to eat. Whew! This East Coast rain has made the atmosphere quite muggy and dense and it is beginning to wear me down. Was thinking I really need a drink but then remembered giving up the strong stuff last year. Somehow ginger ale is just not the same (?).

The focus on dinner tonight is an Antipasto Platter, the layout I like to do when I have lots of stuff in the fridge without a lot of anything. The assortment will include pate and cheese, baby greens and carrots, couple of cheeses, smoked oysters, pickles and scallions and maybe a bean salad; this with some leftover chowder and seafood gumbo (only about a half-cup of each). We eat out tomorrow evening and the big shopping day comes Friday after a workout.

Finished reading Jimmy Buffett Philosophy: the Porpoise Driven Life and must say I loved every minute of it. Not BY J. B, but written by several philosophy professors and graduate students, the book is ABOUT J.B’s lyrics, books and lifestyle. Have not heard if J.B. commented about the book but the interpretation of his writings against various philosophers (ancient and modern) was a revelation to me.

Because of the frequent references in the book I got used to listening to Buffet’s music while I read, or afterwards to realize the deeper meaning of lyrics. I have enjoyed his books in recent years and this ‘Buffett Manual’ has helped me better understand paradoxical career. We are almost the same generation (he’s four years younger), but the time-context of many of his references apply to my life as well.

Just discovered Buffets new hotel venture: Inspired by the lyrics and lifestyle of Jimmy Buffett, the hotel’s sense of place and attention to detail make it the perfect setting for guests who want to escape the everyday, engage their senses and make lasting memories. Anyone who has ever dreamed of escaping to a tropical island and sipping a margarita will enjoy being immersed in the Margaritaville experience at this hotel. The Margaritaville Beach Hotel in Pensacola Beach, FL.

Watched the elimination night for DWTS and must say if they had not eliminated Michael Bolton, I would have had to issue a contract to have him ‘taken out.’ HOW can a singer, and musician make a living selling music and have absolutely NO RHYTHM whatsoever? Compared to Kyle Massey, Bolton looked like a nearly-dead zombie. Sorrentino actually does have some rhythm but just does not know how to dance, he’s not so far behind.

The first few weeks of DWTS is always painful to watch until the real duds get cast out and the competition begins. Yes, Bristol can dance but WHO put that dowdy mauve-lavender rag on her? Get her a costume designer! Maybe one of the ‘RUNWAY’ contestants would like the challenge? bbf

* Continuing Care Retirement Community

The work load I have chosen for myself does get over whelming at times.

As of today:
The packed boxes that my sister, Jan, will take to my Mother and to a recently married niece, Meghan, have been dropped off. Methan gets a quilted-table-top set and cookbooks for her wedding presents and Mother is getting some fabric remnants for her tote-bag designs.

Jan and Rich leave this afternoon for Tulsa, Ponca City, OK and then to St. Joseph, Missouri where they will, in order, visit a Remington Museum, attend a wedding reception and stay with Mom. When they return to NC, Mother comes with them for an extended visit here. Jan and I spent some time yesterday looking a the calendar for Mother's visit and deciding who gets to do what with her each day.

That's one quilting project done and the next deadline is not far off. Jen and Doug's quilt has been on the dining room table for two weeks and still needs binding and labels for the Quilt Show; deadline is Monday, October 13. Actually Mother will be here that same weekend and can see all the fantastic quilts.

Two weekends ago I was consumed by a quilt workshop with Gayle Bong of Wisconsin. Her "thirtysomething" workshop was a great learning experience. While I have no plans for making a triangular pieced top at this time, I did learn how-to so I will not be so timid about triangles in the future.

Progress continues on PowerPoint 2007, and bookmarking DVD's for the DANCE IN AMERICAN FILM lecture series planned for January 09. I have declined to be in the OLLI catalog for the Winter term as I am just not ready to announce. I was helped last week by Robin and Corinna at the Seymour Senior Center's theater but had so many problems and technical notes that I forgot to test out PowerPoint. The SSC theater is so great that is what inspired me to begin this project in the first place. Out of six lectures, 1 and 2 are sill loose, 3 is just beginning to get attention and I wanted to have the first three "in the can" before announcing. Back up will be the listing in the Senior Times for the first-quarter calendar, and on the OLLI Spotlight E-news for the OLLI members. Those deadlines come in November and that gives me a couple more months to perfect my slides, film clips and research.

But I swear, if I have to get one more "something for Dummies" to understand how to pull this off, I'll - - - scream! Have just arrived at the point where I feel comfortable doing outlines and new slides in PowerPoint, but still working on importing still frames from the movie scenes. Soon!

This week has seen two doctors appointments. Monday the dentist replaced an old filling and added a 'porcelain boot' to the upper right molar. Thankfully the pain in that side of mouth is gone. Today I had a thorough review at the eye doctor's. Next up, a trial for a different contact lens and a new left glass lens. Both doctors have confirmed that body parts get old long before we are ready. And my husband reminds me of the Medicare deductible which we will undoubtedly exceed this year.

Tomorrow, Thursday, is Dance Day at UNC Wellness. Thursdays have become my mega workout day with two of Claudia's classes. First is a continuation of the jazz class, followed immediately by the new Tap dance class. Yes I bought new tap shoes (first in 50 years), and am hoofing into a new routine. That means my legs will ache Thursday nights and I will be stiff on Friday morning but I like that better than walking four miles (not going to happen). I put a lot of energy into this and that gets me through the weekend. This came about after the center's Pilates teacher left, just when I was getting up to speed. Bummer.

Back to the study of dance musicals from mid-century. Loving Gene Kelly, James Cagney, Fred Astaire and learning mucho-info about choreographers.

Did you watch DANCING WITH THE STARS? They were not kind to Cloris but I was impressed with Susan Lucci and Tony Delovoni (sp?), she chose the right red dress.

Thought for today: Life is what happens while you are making other plans. John Lennon.


until later, b

BACK IN NORTH CAROLINA

DINNER for 2

Monday’s dinner followed a new plan. Vegetable shopping came first then an hour, or so, of prepping. Using quart-sized, plastic deli containers, I prepped the following:
- 1 qt. shredded carrots and a half red onion, sliced and drizzled lightly with vinaigrette
- 1 qt. one cucumber, seeded and chopped with 4 scallions, chopped, drizzled lightly with vinaigrette
- 1 qt. l bulb, sliced fennel (minus the fronds), and ½ green pepper, chopped and drizzled lightly with vinaigrette. Prep ahead of time and chill all of the above.

Halve a rotisserie chicken; bone, skin and shred the meat. In the bottom of a quart container pour 3-4 tablespoons of your favorite creamy-style salad dressing (peppercorn is Dear Hubby’s choice). Load in the chicken, cap and shake until all meat is coated. That done, before dinner steam some green beans and chop a tomato.

Here’s the ingenious part.
As this is an entree salad, set out FOUR salad plates (that’s right, 4). On two of the plates place a half slice of bread, preferably stale.

Prep and toss any mixture of greens, or bagged salad mix you like. Divide evenly between the four plates, add some alfalfa sprouts, a handful of steamed green beans, half a tomato, half a hard-boiled egg, couple of olives and some pickle chips if you prefer. Drizzle the plates lightly with vinaigrette.

TOP the plates with a generous spoonful of each of the quart-prep-vegetables and divide the chicken mixture between the TWO plates without the bread. Dash some pepper, dill and herbs of your preference and serve.

The remaining TWO plates (with bread), are TOMORROW’s salad. Wrap tightly in sealing-plastic film and refrigerate overnight. Remove the soggy bread first and then prepare the meal. Fix a lunch or dinner salad by adding a different meat /tofu topping, or cold pasta and tomatoes, or Thai noodles with sate peanut sauce and chilies to taste. Most of the work was done last night and you got two salads for the work of one!

DANCING
Saturday night was a trial for us both. Traveling in different directions the week before, each got home on Friday and re-packed on Saturday for an overnight at the Four Seasons Sheraton in Greensboro for the Carolina Heartland Ball. This is an annual event sponsored by the Heartland NC chapter of USABDA and unfortunately comes the weekend right after DH's band camp. We were tired before the dance began.

DH wore a tux, I was resplendent in a white satin, shell-top and long black skirt accented with a boldly printed, green shawl, some vintage jewelry (in green), and white gloves. We were such a handsome couple one would ever know we almost did not make it to the ball. The errors are too boring to mention and some of the situation is not resolved yet. We did manage to Fox Trot, Waltz and Rumba but DH refuses to Tango when highly proficient dancers are within looking range. We got a much needed workout but by ten o’clock we were done for. Looking back I know where we went wrong. No champagne. One of my deep beliefs is that "nothing bad ever happens to you while drinking champagne."

Sunday morning we enjoyed breakfast at the hotel and headed home. The final stopover was at Sheetz (I-40, Exit 154), to gas up and get a car wash (the first in five months of drought). The kid in me just loves being in the car while the 'UltraSonic' wash is underway. Both the car and I feel much better and cleaner. Still no champagne.

DANCING WITH THE STARS
After a yoga workout today, some serious food shopping afterwards and a back ache most of the afternoon my evening plans are to catch up on DWTS. Since most of the duffs have already been eliminated, we are down to serious dancing where the mistakes can be fatal. Vote for Kristi and you vote for a champion.

In the coming days I hope to fill in some stories of my Missouri trip and experiences. Until then, dance while the music plays. . . . b