Timely Tuesday - Favorite Things

How do you pick your favorite perfume? Do you read the poll on a magazine on what's the latest scent? Would you spend some time at the perfume section of a store and sniff some or all until you find the best one?  As for me, I use to sniff the little sampler on a page of a magazine and if I actually like it, I will wait until they have some sort of bonus for the particular line of perfume, then buy it. As I get older, I would just pick a new scent every now and then but only get the smallest size. But a couple of years ago, my girlfriend from Ottawa was visiting and as soon as I hugged her, I got just a tiny hint of her perfume and I immediately ask her what she had on. At first I thought that what's nice on her skin might not be the same for me. That's what I have read regarding different reaction of scent on every one's skin. Since I didn't really have anymore favorites at the time, I thought that if I see it and can afford it, that I will buy it.  So far I have bought the perfume a couple of times and then I couldn't find it anywhere.  Until last week, I was out shopping with Jeff's mom and there it was inside the display cabinet at Ross Dress for Less.  Only one left, I thought it must be my lucky day and it was meant for me. Of course I bought it.

Timing is very important when it comes to getting a good deal on something that you would like to have but do not want to pay an arm and a leg for it.  Sometimes you might have to wait for a few days because you know that the will be having a sale.  But what if you were window shopping and you found something you like but someone already has it in their hand. Do you wait just in case that shopper changes their mind and put it back in the rack?  Do you just re check the rack just in case you miss it the first time?  Do you just forget about it and leave?
Well, I guess it was another lucky day for me last Thursday because I found this Purple purse that I kinda like but it must be meant for me because it was on sale this time. 

Maybe Monday - Flower Arrangements

When someone ask me what I will be doing when I retire, I use to say that I would like to work at flower shop and help with flower arrangements.  But when I actually retired, I thought I would just volunteer with Jeff’s mom at the Senior Center.  Lately I have been doing some flower arranging just for the house every time someone brings me flowers when they come for dinner. Jeff suggested that maybe I should just drop by one of the shop in the area and ask if they would need a volunteer to help out during their busy times. Of course, I would offer to receive some sort of training and eventually come in for a few hours when called upon. I thought that I would take some sort of survey to see what my family and friends would recommend.  Here’s a couple of recent arrangements.

Maybe I just like the idea but maybe it is a lot of hard work and trying to remember all the names of each and every flower in the shop.  Has anyone work as a florist or help out at a flower shop? Do you feel happy when you get flowers for any occasion?

Soulful Sunday - Soulful Son

Sunday has been a very difficult day for me for the past two and a half years as this was the day my son died. A few days ago, my daughter found a photo of a Fisher Price record player and she sent it to me. The memories of my son as little boy came so clear to me and that is why today is going to be all about my Gino. I found his baby book and I turned to the page where he was around 2 years old.  So I read about how he loves listening to music and usually the top 40’s. My sister was his babysitter and she introduced Gino to some of the music of 1980’s.  Here are some of his favorite songs and although he won’t admit this to his friends that he knew or even like these songs, I know he did and his aunt would remember all of these moments very well.

Two less lonely people in the world,  Even the nights are better, by AIR SUPPLY (I believe Gino’s dad still has this album.  At the age of 2 and later, he would hold this album while his aunt would play the record over and over for him)

If you leave me now, Saturday in the Park, by CHICAGO

Africa and Rosanna, by TOTO

Sunglasses at Night and Never Surrender by COREY HART (check out his photo the first time he had his Corey Hart hairstyle).

More than a feeling by BOSTON (it was funny when the SING STAR came out for PS2 game, he would sing this and it would remind me of his childhood).

When it comes to Gino’s favorite toys, there are two toys that are so clear in my memory and they are GI Joe and Masters of the Universe.  He would save the money that he would get for doing a chore and would buy one or two of these toys for his collections. He took care of them and organized them in their own carrying case.  When he is playing with He-man characters, the words “by the power of Grey skull”  would be echoing from his room.

  

One other toy that he loved was given by his grandfather (see photo below).  My father was overjoyed when Gino was born and I am very happy that he was able to enjoy Gino’s childhood.  I remember my Dad’s prayer – “please do not take me away until I have the chance to see my grandchildren”.  His prayer was answered because he was around to watch his grandchildren grow up. Gino passed away on my Dad’s birthday. 

Simply Saturday - Poker/Pool Night

Poker night with the boys are usually Friday with Jeff’s co worker and one of his friends holds one every now and again and it’s usually Saturday.  My first experience playing with the boys was when Jeff hosted it. I made some manly appetizers such as Jamaican Jerk Chicken Wings, Loaded potato skins, crusty bread with hot chicken ala king. The boys were very pleased with the food as compared to the last time Jeff hosted it because they had pizza and KFC. I lost money since I was too excited and very aggressive player. The next Poker night was hosted by another guy sometime in August.  I was not comfortable staying home alone so I ask if I can join the boys.  Since they were short one player, I was allowed to play instead of staying home.  At the end of the evening, I was the big winner.  Now I know I won’t be allowed to play with them. 

So the next poker night will be hosted by a long time friend. We have not decided if we will be going but apparently I am allowed to play with the boys. I don’t know any of the players except Jeff’s friend.  Not sure how much are at stake but I will have to play conservatively if I want to stay in the game until the end.  The nice part about his friend’s place is that he has a very nice pool table in his living room. A bonus for me , because if I get kicked out early in the evening, I can just practice shooting pool.   

A long time ago I use to go with my girlfriend to a bar/pool hall and play. It was sort of funny because we looked like a pro walking in with our own CUE in a carrying case over our shoulder. I also remember going with my son when he started learning how to play and eventually got better and beat me.  The other funny memory of shooting pool, I was not allowed to play against my son-in-law.  The reason for this was the curse:  if I played against the guys that my daughter was dating, after they lose from playing me, she would end up breaking up with the particular boy.

This is my pool cue that I bought a long time ago. I made a carrying case which has two slots inside for each piece and a little pouch where I keep my chalk and a cue shaper.

Fearful Friday - What is wrong with this photo?

Last Monday on my way home from my volunteer, I had to stop by Sears to pick up Jeff’s pocket watch that needed repairs. While I am sitting on this particular corner, there are two left turn lanes and I am on the farthest left and another car is on my right, actually there are more cars behind us who are all turning left. All of a sudden this van comes along and thought he would turn left when he found out he was on the wrong lane and that the left turn arrow is actually red light. There were cars honking but the van just sat there to wait for the lights. He could have just continued straight and turn left at the next light, but NO, he just did not move. That is when I decided to take my phone and take the photo.  Now imagine the left turn lights have turned green but for the other traffic that is coming from my left and right. The van decided to back up because he was going to be hit by the cars making a left and soon after the cars coming from my right trying to cross the intersection without hitting this van.  As soon as our left turn arrow turned green, he now makes his turn so slowly and just stopped after crossing the intersection.  

Don't think the driver was fearful at all, but I was so glad that after all that waiting he was able to make that very unsafe left turn and was not plowed by other cars. For those of you who have not been in San Jose, they have a lot of these signs on their streets. 

This sign is just for U turn so you can go to a tiny strip mall without having to go all the way to the next set of lights and make a U-turn. When I am on the road and making a regular left turn, if there are at least 5 or more cars, most of the time only one is making a left turn, the rest of the cars are making a U-turn. OK, I think I have too much time on my hands, better start some of my 2011 projects.

Truthful Thursday - Disappointment and Delight

Disappointment defined as saddening situation, a letdown. 

A long time ago when I was experiencing a lot of disappointments in life, I learned how not to expect too much and how not to get too excited easily. There was a bit emotional training and eventually I was able to handle disappointments without getting too upset or sad.  It worked for a while until a couple years ago when a saddening situation occurred and I am experiencing some of the same anxiety. Some of these feelings and emotions are still very strong and I have read that they are normal after a loss so I do understand. But lately it’s the silly disappointments that are causing this anxiety to initiate the pain of the loss, that stabbing pain right in your heart, then the sadness begins. I guess that is why I am sharing this thought today.

Delight means happiness.

Although I have an issue to take charge off, this does not mean that I am not experiencing DELIGHT. The happiness in my life surmount the every now and again disappointments. Jeff tells me that “it does not take much to make me happy”. If you remember reading an earlier post about my happy list, they were small and simple.  So here’s more of my happy list: surprise bunny sightings, making a long putt, listening to a favorite song from the past, reminiscing stories with friends, completing a new project.

The photo below has added a bit of happiness every time I come home. Jeff's mom gave me the bunny and I decided to put it in our front door.  

It is amazing how such a small and simple thing can bring so much happiness. 

 

Whipped Up Wednesday - Family Dinners

This weekend my niece is visiting from San Francisco and will be joining us for lunch. After she saw the photo of my chicken pot pie, she mentioned that she would love to try them. I think I will make the mini pot pie as it is cute and tiny and individual size. Since we will be experiencing some cool temperatures, I also will be making cream of potato and bacon soup. No ideas for dessert yet but I am sure I will be checking out recipes before Saturday. I love having family members join us for Sunday lunch or dinners.  This is actually all new since I moved in with Jeff. We started having his mom join us every Sunday, unless we are out of town or she has other plans.  Do you have regular family dinners or just on special holidays? Sometimes I don’t make a big production, a simple meal is just as special. We all look forward to getting together and catch up with our stories.

Yesterday, I decided I would plan and organize my week so I won't forget to do certain chores or do some of my hobbies. I guess most of you will have similar schedule during the week as you all work and only have weekends to do some of the things I do during the week. 

Monday - Volunteer day

Tuesday - Mother in law day

Wednesday - Housekeeping Day

Thursday - Hobby Day - this will include Golf, tennis, arts/crafts, shopping

Friday - Free Day

Although I have planned my week as above, I know that they will vary from week to week as there are appointments or other things that are more important to take care off.  Weekends will be spent with Jeff and we won't have a schedule as he is a WINGING IT kinda man. Do you like planning ahead and being organized or do you just go with the flow and wing it?