Typing Thursday - Still loves it

After all these years, I still enjoy typing or as they call it now keyboarding or is it word processing.  I first learned how to type in high school using the really old manual typewriter.  My girl friend and I decided to take summer school and enroll in one of University offering two classes for the summer.  We thought it would be helpful if we took Shorthand and Typing.  We really enjoyed our summer that year as we met some nice students and at the same time learned two new skills.  When we return to our regular school we can take our notes using our new knowledge of shorthand.  My first job as a student was the Secretary to the Dean of Architecture at Adamson University in Manila.  It was a great job for first year student because it paid my tuition fees for as long as I worked there.  The year was 1971.

The second typewriter I was asked to use was an IBM Selectric.  By this time we have immigrated to Yellowknife and I got a job with the Separate School District/Management Company. After a few years, they purchased the one with the correcting tape. It was  great for special letters because it covered the mistakes well. The year was 1977.

I'm sure there were others that followed but what was very interesting was that even after we had computers and other equipment to make our jobs easier, there was that last few years at my last job where we had to use a type writer to make some document for identification.  What was interesting about it?  Well some of the very new young officers did not even know what a typewriter was.  Since I was the only one left who knew how to use a typewriter, one of the supervisor had asked me to give a quick training in order for these officers to be able to produce that special one time document.  The year was 2010.

 

It's hard to believe that after 42 years, I still enjoy typing and I am currently involving in preparing a training manual at my volunteer job.  Of course now my speed has dropped since it has been a while since I have done a lot of typing.  I tried doing one of those online test and my first try resulted in 69 words per minute with 0 error - not bad for a retiree.

WOW Wednesday - Little Bow Ties

When I found out from my daughter that her favorite nephew wanted to wear a BOW TIE, I immediately checked on line how much it was.  Then my daughter sent a photo of what she just made.  Now you must be guessing what I have done, right.  I actually found an easy one with a tutorial.  I watched it and then I started making them.  

It has an elastic so it's adjustable.  I hope Blake will like wearing them.

Since this was a very short post, I remembered something that I wanted to share after Christmas.  I took this photo because I have not seen this particular one's.  Do you recall the Seinfeld episode about PEZ.  Well, this reminded me of that particular show.

Batman and Pirates of the Caribbean

 
 

Three Tuesday - NFL Playoffs

You probably won't believe this but this past weekend all I did was watch the Wild Card NFL games.  The games were actually exciting as I try to really understand how the game is played.  Jeff had to go into to his workplace for a few hours and was a little hesitant at first abandoning me on Sunday.  I actually had a day off from my golf volunteer so I opted to stay home.  In other words, that was the most foot ball I watched over the weekend.  So here's my three picks to move forward and hopefully be part of the SUPERBOWL XVII.

I have to cheer for them because this is Jeff's team

 

Still my favorite team as it was my first pick when I decided to follow NFL

 

My last pick and only cheering for them because of Jeff's cousin's boyfriend.

Mindful Monday - Age of technology

Remember those days when we did not have cell phones or email?  Maybe some of you cannot relate to it but I am sure most of my older friends can.  I believe there's only a couple of my friends that still use snail mail.  Now a days, even if they have a cell phone, text messages or other social media are the way to communicate.  Sometimes it's very difficult for me to know how to interpret some of these messages on text or email because you cannot see their facial expression or hear the tone of their voice.

But what I do know is that it does not matter what you are using to connect or reconnect with your family and friends, you still have to be MINDFUL of what you say or how you say it.  I believe there are just certain things that deserves a personal touch, like actually picking up the phone or if possible, meeting in person.

 

I mentioned to my daughter that I was considering joining Twitter in the new year but after reading all the rules and regulations, etc. I decided that I am not ready yet.  One of Jeff's relative was asking us during our Thanksgiving dinner if anyone would join Twitter.  She actually thought that I would be the one to do it because I have a blog.  Some of our friends and some relatives have asked me also to join Facebook.  Because I have a choice, I think I would prefer to join Twitter than Facebook.  

 

When the time comes and I have the nerve to try Twitter, here are some of the people that I will be interested in following:

• Rickie Fowler - Golf 
  
• Roger Federer - Tennis
• Train - Bay area band
• Sharks - if they ever return to Hockey
• Jim Parsons - Sheldon of the Big Bang Theory
• Blake Shelton - Country Artist
• Tom Brady - NFL New England Patriots
• Hugh Jackman - Actor
• Caroline (Beth Behrs) - Two Broke Girls 
• Ellen Degeneres -        

 

How many types of social media do you follow or use?  Do you have a favorite that you spend most of your time on?  Which one will you never join or use?

 

Soulful Sunday - Soul Food

Today I will just share some of the latest food that we have tried.  I apologize if I make you crave or hungry for one of these but maybe you might want to try it someday.

Our New Year's Eve platter (crispy green beans, chicken bites, potato skins, pizza)

Two filet mignons, half baby back ribs, mashed potatoes and steamed brocolli from Tony Romas

Best chicken wings I have ever tasted (left side is spicy and right side soy garlic)

Tonight we are having home cooked dinner as my MIL will be joining us.  We decided to return to our Sunday schedule.  I made Chicken curry with potatoes and apples, steamed broccoli and steamed rice.  Unfortunately no dessert as we are really trying to cut down on sweets.

Special Saturday - The Meanest Mother

Yesterday my MIL gave me a piece of paper that looked like a copy of a newspaper clipping.

After reading it, I called her and asked her why she gave it to me.  She said that she found it while cleaning one of her desk drawer.  Apparently a long time ago, Jeff gave it to her and she was so touched by it and kept it.  For those of you who had a mean mother, I know you can relate to this.  Please take time and read the following article.

THE MEANEST MOTHER

I had the meanest mother in the whole world.  While other kids ate candy for breakfast, I had to have cereal, eggs or toast.  When others had cokes and candy for lunch, I had to eat a sandwich.  As you guess, my supper was different than the other kids' also.

But at least I wasn't alone in my sufferings.  My sister and two brothers had the same mean mother as I did.

My mother insisted in knowing where we were at all times.  You'd think we were on a chain gang.  She had to know who our friends were and what we were doing.  She insisted if we said we'd be gone in an hour that we be gone one hour or less - not one hour and one minute.  I am nearly ashamed to admit it, but she actually struck us.  Not once, but each time we did as we pleased.  Can you imagine someone actually hitting a child just because he disobeyed?  Now can you begin to see how mean she really was.

The worst is yet to come.  We had to be in bed by nine each night and up early the next morning.  We couldn't sleep till noon like our friends.  So while they slept - my mother actually had the never to break the child-labor law.  She made us work.  We had to wash dishes, make beds, learn to cook and all sorts of cruel things.  I believe she laid awake at night thinking of mean things to do to us.

She always insisted upon our telling the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, even if it killed us - and it nearly did.

My mother was a complete failure as a mother.  None of us has ever been arrested, divorced or beaten his mate.  Each of my brothers served time in the service of this country.  And who do we have to blame for the terrible way we turned out? You're right, our mean Mother.

Look at all the things we missed.  We never got to march in a protest parade, nor take part in a riot, burn draft cards and a million and one things that our friends did.  She forced us to grow up into God-fearing educated, honest adults.

Using this as a background, I am trying to raise my three children.  I stand a little taller and I am filled with pride when my children call me mean.

Because, you see, I thank God.  He gave me the meanest mother in the whole world.

As you can tell, this must have been written a very long time ago because some of this would not happen now a days.  I can really relate to this and I am so thankful that God he gave me a mean mother but most of all, I am also filled with pride because I am  the luckiest mother for having such a wonderful daughter and son.

Frosty Friday - I had to scrape my windshield

It's not the same as removing a ton of snow that covered your car from the night before, but last week I had to scrape the windshield and all the windows.  I am so glad that my daughter gave me a really nice ice scraper a couple of years ago.  The trick is to go out and start my car and leave it running for a few minutes and when I come out, the frost would have melted.

The next day, I decided to find our extra car key so I could warm the car, lock it and go back in the house.  The result - my car was toasty warm and the frost on the windows melted.  I can deal with this anytime because I don't need a big broom to sweep the snow nor shovel the drive way.  My car is always parked outside in our drive because Jeff's car has to be in the garage in order to be plugged in every night.  One time he forgot to plug it and he ended up working from home because his car would have not made it to work.  He did not take my car because he knows I need it that day.  I was not able to take a better photo of my car with the frosts but here's my proof.