I hope I'm not too late....

It's time to share Holiday Eating Tips with everyone I care about. (I have no idea where this came from-I didn't write it--wish I had--but I love it!)

Holiday Eating Tips
1. Avoid carrot sticks. Anyone who puts carrots on a holiday buffet table knows nothing of the Christmas spirit. In fact, if you see carrots, leave immediately. Go next door, where they're serving rum balls.
2. Drink as much eggnog as you can. And quickly. Like fine single-malt scotch, it's rare. In fact, it's even rarer than single-malt scotch. You can't find it any other time of year but now. So drink up! Who cares that it has 10,000 calories in every sip? It's not as if you're going to turn into an eggnog-aholic or something. It's a treat. Enjoy it. Have one for me. Have two. It's later than you think. It's Christmas!
3. If something comes with gravy, use it. That's the whole point of gravy. Gravy does not stand alone. Pour it on. Make a volcano out of your mashed potatoes. Fill it with gravy. Eat the volcano. Repeat.
4. As for mashed potatoes, always ask if they're made with skim milk or whole milk. If it's skim, pass. Why bother? It's like buying a sports car with an automatic transmission.
5. Do not have a snack before going to a party in an effort to control your eating. The whole point of going to a Christmas party is to eat other people's food for free. Lots of it. Hello?
6. Under no circumstances should you exercise between now and New Year's. You can do that in January when you have nothing else to do. This is the time for long naps, which you'll need after circling the buffet table while carrying a 10-pound plate of food and that vat of eggnog.
7. If you come across something really good at a buffet table, like frosted Christmas cookies in the shape and size of Santa, position yourself near them and don't budge. Have as many as you can before becoming the center of attention. They're like a beautiful pair of shoes. If you leave them behind, you're never going to see them again.
8. Same for pies. Apple. Pumpkin. Mincemeat. Have a slice of each. Or, if you don't like mincemeat, have two apples and one pumpkin. Always have three. When else do you get to have more than one dessert? Labor Day?
9. Did someone mention fruitcake? Granted, it's loaded with the mandatory celebratory calories, but avoid it at all cost. I mean, have some standards.
10. One final tip: If you don't feel terrible when you leave the party or get up from the table, you haven't been paying attention. Reread tips; start over, but hurry, January is just around the corner.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING! toodles, Anita

Light Bulbs

I had one of those light bulb experiences yesterday. Know how you can use an expression for years and know what it means then suddenly have it become real to you? There’s a good reason old sayings are old sayings!

As you know--if you read me ever at all--our life is pretty challenging because of Richard’s Alzheimer’s and I adjust to that better some days than others. But a lot of little things can absolutely break me, which is what happened Wednesday.

Every day brings new experiences and a series of things--basically just Life—had happened culminating in a flat tire on my way to choir practice and it was “the straw that broke the camel’s back” and suddenly I realized: I’m the camel and I’m carrying a big load and that flat tire was my last straw! For about 15 minutes I sobbed and was hugged and patted by some friends—who also tried to feed me—and soon I felt better and could go back to choir and sing.

Interesting huh? Think about youself (as camel) and what straws break your back? Although I don't think we can predict what straws do that-they change due to circumstances. Just a Friday thought.

10 on Tuesday (or Friday. Late is such an ugly word.)

10 things I’m thankful for
1. My good health
2. Richard’s good physical health
3. Kaila
4. Carter
5. Koty—where ever he is
6. Friends and family
7. A job I love
8. Enough money to do what needs to be done and a little bit more
9. That I sing and read and knit and clog
10. That I have choices