Wordless Wednesday

Sunglasses

"My future's so bright, I gotta wear shades."
Today is National Sunglasses Day so it seems fitting to give sunglasses some thought. My daughter & I love to wear our sunglasses, even on cloudy days. We both have very sensitive eyes and need to keep them protected. Another reason we like to wear them is, we think it makes you look so much better in photographs. I dislike being in photos, but can tolerate the ones where I am wearing my shades.
This photo is circa 1989 and was our Christmas card photo that year with the caption, "Have A Cool Yule!" We thought we were so cool! HA!

OC Wine Trolley

On Friday night, we gathered "The Fab 15" as we deemed ourselves, and went for a fun two-hour ride aboard the OC Wine Trolley. It is hosted by local realtor, Al Ricci, and, frankly, I think it is a brilliant marketing move on his part. He obviously wants to sell houses and in these rough economic times, he thought of a way to keep his name out there and put a fun spin on it.
As we ride around Old Town Orange, Al gives his 26 passengers a little history lesson on Orange. He just keeps talking while the group chats and laughs and pays little attention. No, wait, maybe that was just our group! There are several stops at local restaurants where they come on board bearing tasty bites from their menu for us to sample. Everything was just yummy. Only suggestion I might have is to get the sturdier acrylic plates that have a place on the side to hang your wine glass. Oh, yes....the wine!! They were pouring what I expected to be tastes of several wines from Cupcake. Their pours were very generous and full glasses that seemed boundless. This may have added to the volume of The Fab 15 as the night continued!

Memories were made that night...and a few hangovers!!

Thin Pancakes

"No matter how thin you make pancakes, there are always two sides."
Many of you probably saw this photo and thought this blog post was about food! Actually, isn't at all. It's another way of saying that there's two sides to every story. It's about the fact that we all carry opinions about situations and things and sometimes, we cling to these opinions, even in the face of facts that prove us wrong. I am guilt of this many times. I am a person with strong opinions. I can be very judgmental, both silently and vocally. This is my strong suit and my downfall. I make huge allowances for some people and I don't give others an inch to make a mistake. These are not pretty things to admit, but they are honest.
We all have opinions (our side of the pancake) and they feel valid and true for us. We cling to them sometimes even when they no longer serve us well. If this is true, then we must also acknowledge that the other person is clinging to an opinion (their side of the same pancake). It feels no less true and valid for them. Finding a happy medium between the two sides, even if it means respecting each other while we agree to disagree, is a sign of maturity and growth as a human being.
Please pass the syrup!

Wordless Wednesday - Happy Summer

Friend Power

I was reminded once again today that friends are what make life worth living. Many studies have been done to test this theory. One study followed 1,500 older people for 10 years and found those with a larger network of friends outlived those with fewer friends by 22%. Why you may ask? Companionship provided by friends may ward off depression, boost self-esteem and provide support. The study also found that as people age, they are more selective in their choice of friends, so they spend more time with people they like. We tend to gravitate to people with similar interests. Just as a harried mom of preschoolers needs the company of other women in the same boat, older woman tend to enjoy girlfriends with like interests and needs. Spending time with our girlfriends is not a frivolous notion, it is a lifesaver. It is not something that we should try to fit into our busy schedule, it should be a priority that keeps us as healthy as regular visits to the doctor. And when I'm with my girlfriend, I don't have to get on the scale or take my clothes off ~ much better than the doctor!

Book It!

Books are a big part of my life. There are stacks and stacks of them all over the house. I have still not moved to one of the many book readers on the market today. Not sure why, but it may be the same reason I choose to read my newspaper, in old school print form, at my kitchen table rather than online. I probably read three to four books a month, and, even with passing a few on to other book loving friends, they still add up. I ran across this wonderful idea that combines two of my favorite things ~ books and parties!
Gather a group of your fellow reader friends and have each bring a "bag of books" to trade ~ paperback, hardcover, anything that needs a home. Starting with the owner, each person writes their name on a sticky note inside the cover once they've read the book. After a book has made the rounds, it goes to a good cause such as a library or shelter. Serve a few snacks and drinks and you've got a party with a purpose. What could be better??