#1 Reason NOT to carry a vintage purse...

A.  You are more vintage than the purse.
B.  You can actually remember purses just like that one
C.  Someone walks up to you and says...
                "Wow!  I can't believe you still have that purse!"
D.  Your daughter-in-law gives you a beautiful NEW Coach purse for Christmas
E.  All of the above.

Vintage purses for 25-year-olds are cool.  Vintage purses for 35-year-olds are chic.  Vintage purses for those over 60 are well... let's just say... not a great idea.

I mean... it's a great purse - super condition - perfect size - lots of fantastic compartments - beautiful leather - a great example of 50s style.  Definitely vintage! As of today, though, it's not just a part of history; it IS history!  So long, vintage purse!

This is the new me - stylish (in spite of my flip flops) - modern - trendy.  So NOW!  And best of all... it's red!

Now that I look at the two together, I wonder where my mind was the day I bought the vintage purse.  I'm not 25.  I'm not 35.  I'm not even 45.  I'm 63.  There is NO way I should be carrying a vintage purse. I'm way too vintage myself!

So... thank you, Amy!  Thank you for dragging me out of the 50s and back into the new millenium  and giving me a beautiful, beautiful purse and some je ne sais quoi.  (See how sophisticated I am now?  I'm telling you. The purse make all the difference!)

 Anyone want to buy a wonderful vintage purse????

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What's a new year without...

... some very fine New Year's resolutions?

I read a blog post this morning (LivingLifeGratefully  AKA Happiness Is...) where a husband and wife make New Year resolutions and then seal them up until the next year.  I thought it was a pretty cool tradition.

I thought about doing that myself - making some resolutions and sealing them up until next year and then checking to see how I did. I thought... If I seal them up, I'll forget what I wrote and that would make it more fun.  Then I thought... Heck, I can't remember anything for more than 2 days anyway.  Why bother sealing it up?  As long as I don't have a chart or a spreadsheet to remind me, I don't think I'll have any trouble forgetting that these are here.  (Although I hope they stay somewhere in my head at least long enough to accomplish one or two... or one.)

I guess the problem with going public, is that I might not put every resolution here, but if I succeed, I promise to let you in on the secret ones next year.  Really!

THEN I wanted to make rules about making resolutions.  That's how I roll.  You know... like they have to be measurable... or there have to be at least 10... or they have to be something I can complete in a year.  That kind of thing.

THEN what happens is that it becomes so cumbersome I don't bother.  I've visited this fun house before!

SO!  My first resolution is...

1.  Change the way I roll.  Don't have so many rules - or lists - or requirements before I start something.  Just... start it!

2.  Blog at least 2-3 times a week.  Surely I can manage that - especially if I follow Rule #1 and just do it - without structure or pre-planning - or rules - or a chart - or a pattern. You get the idea.

3.  Hand-write a postcard every week.  I can hardly sign my name in less than 2 pages.  A postcard is a great challenge.  I had an aunt that wrote postcards every week.  I was one of the recipients and I loved them.  On the other hand, I tried it with Chelsea last year and her reaction was more like indulgent amusement.  "Oh brother!  It must be Wednesday.  Here's another one of those stupid postcards from Jane."  Okay.. she never said that but I could hear her sigh and  feel her eyes roll. I could!  So this year, I'll scatter my focus for the sake of the recipients.  (Make them beg for more.  That's my theory!)

4.  Play my guitar(s) at least 2 hours per week.  I'd like to aim higher but I'm afraid I won't be able to hang.  Unless, of course, I could learn to play on my back while lying on the couch (where I crash after work, moaning and whining about how tired I am).  Oh heck!  Live on the edge!  I resolve to play my guitar at least 2 1/2 hours per week! (Watch out Keith Urban, Leo Kottke, and John Mayer!)

5.  Acquire affordable cleaning help.  63 years old with lupus?  Cleaning is not my "thing".  On a good day, the best I can do is to think about cleaning.  This ain't no luxury.  This is a necessity.  AND... I'm thinking that if I achieve #5... then #6 is a Gimme!

6.  Have my kids (and grandkids) to my house for dinner more often.  I'd like to aim at once a month (at least).  I love their company and dinner out is always too rushed.  BUT I need #5 in order to do #6. 

7.  Be healthier on January 1, 2013 than I was on January 1, 2012.  That's kind of hard to define, but I think I'll know it when I see it.  I'm trying to get off (and stay off) some of my meds.  Color me crazy, but I might even include some exercise in this process.  (As limitations allow - lower your expectations, please!)

8.  Take steps toward retirement - like cleaning out my house (I might sell it.  Who knows?!?)  - talking to the Social Security chumps and the State pension peeps - scaling down the budget (ugh) -  maybe looking for side income.  I would LOVE to retire by September 30, 2014.  Whether I can do that or not is still up in the air  I'm sure going to head in that direction and see where it leads.

I could make 10 or 20 small, meaningless resolutions just to impress you with numbers and ambition, but since these are BIG ones, I think I'll settle for 8.

Oh!  And if you want a postcard, email your address to earringlady@live.com.  :-)

What's your most challenging New Year's resolution???

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2nd Christmas * New Year's Day

On Christmas day, I visit each  one of my kids and their family.  I love to see the different ways they each decorate their houses for Christmas and how they celebrate the day.  The best part of course is the "Christmas Day" excitement on the faces of all of the grandkids.  

I think in this era, there are more likely to be vision of iPhones, Rocksmith, and video games dancing in their heads than sugar plums.  The details are dated, but the premise lives on.

On the Sunday after Christmas, all of the kids and grandkids come to our house to celebrate a family Christmas with lots of love, food and of course, more presents.

This year (for some strange and unknown reason) I decided to make pillows for each child and a Love pillow for each family.

This is how it looked when they arrived - with the presents (and pillows) under the tree...

I try hard to listen to each child throughout the year - to know who they are - what makes them so unique (and, of course, they all are) - and of course to listen to parental suggestions.

This year I hit a couple of home runs, which is always so much fun!  There's no way to say which reaction made me the happiest.  It was just a happy, happy day, so I guess I'll do this in order of age.

13-year-old Gregory said that he wanted a top hat (much to the surprise of many), but it seemed perfect for Gregory, so I found a really nice one (complete with feather).  To see a 13-year-old light up with excitement is a rare treat indeed and one that I'll cherish forever.  What do you think?  Perfect?? (Oh yeah... the sweatshirt was a hit, too!)

Then there was 6-year-old Mr. Bryce, who only wanted 5 things for Christmas, one of which was a new chair.  He had an old red, plastic chair that he loved so well and so long that if finally cracked.  There was no new chair for him at his house on Christmas and so he was hoping with all his might for one yesterday.  He was not disappointed!  (He added a blanket upon his arrival at home)

Which leads us to 4 1/2 year-old-kate - not quite 5, but SURELY not just 4! (She will be sure to tell you!) Kate said she wanted drums.  I think she was inspired by the Fresh Beats.  ANYWAY, this girliest of girls spent the day channeling Carl Palmer (Okay.. I'm showing my age.  Sue me!) with a sparkly pink drum set, just perfect for an aspiring rock star.  (Go Gos? Bangles, anyone?  Yes, I'm still old!)

Don't get me wrong,  I don't think anyone was unhappy or disappointed.  Those were just the I-got-exactly-what-I-wanted presents.

Alex (who is 11) got a month's worth of drum lessons (His parents will pick those up after the first month) which he has  been asking for, but can't be all that exciting written on a piece of paper.  Next Friday, he'll be WAY excited!  :-)   He also loved spending time with his cousins. I love the look on Alex's face in this one with Brynn.  Alex is such a tender, kind, child.

Next is Matthew, who is 6 years old. Matthew is a perpetual motion machine. It's hard to get a picture of Matthew that isn't blurry. Got him!  So serious in this one!

And last but not least, Brynn, 18 months old and as beautiful as Christmas.  Brynn loved the boxes, doll babies, and all of Kate's presents (which she shared with me - one at a time).  She also got a set of drums (thanks to her thoughtful dad, who supplied me with the gift) and a Trunki (chosen by Uncle Scott), which she rode around all day.

Brynn also loved tearing off the Christmas wrapping paper (which she then threw over her head behind her).  "Opie!  Opie!"  she offered enthusiastically for anyone who would let her "help" open their gifts.  She also loved climbing on the folding chairs and being held by her Uncle Scott.

And this... is a Trunki...

One more picture - with pillows before everyone left...

What an amazing day and the BEST way to start the new year!

My life is blessed beyond measure! 

Happy New Year!!!

New Year's Day - Part II

Ok... you got the highlights in the last post.  This one is just captioned pictures of our day (and occasional comments - of course)

 Kate opening her stocking - drumsticks of course!

Gregory * Pre-hat

Brynn, Scott and Crystal (Brynn does love her Uncle Scott)

Brynn helping Uncle Scott open a gift.

Alex opening his Eagle's Fathead (Fatheads were the gift of choice this year)

 Amy and Alex

Bryce opening his game from Michael

Brynn helping her dad (Richard) open a gift

Greg and Gregory

(I don't know who gave Greg that Christmas tie but it sure was "special")

Gregory, Amy, Alex, Greg, Julie and Brynn

 

 Kate and Brynn

Aunt Amy, Brynn and Kate

Aunt Amy and Brynn

Gregory loved his new clothes (and.. um his hat.  Did I mention that??)

Bryce's new jacket fit JUST right!

Matthew, Bryce, and Brynn

Brynn. Richard, and Matthew

Brynn, Scott and Crystal

Bryce and Aunt Amy

(Bryce ate 15 meatballs. I think he liked them)

Greg

Brynn, Kate, Julie (our next addition is due in February) , and Crystal (expecting our June, 2012 baby)

Julie

Crystal

Amy

Amy, Alex, Greg, Gregory

 So!  One thing I noticed is that Brynn was everywhere!  Gregory and Alex had a scavenger hunt to find their presents (I hide them)... Matthew and Bryce were running everywhere (when Bryce wasn't sitting in his new chair)... Richard set up Kate's drums in the guest room so, once the presents were opened, Kate was gone gone gone to play her drums.  

It was a glorious day!  If I find a couple more pictures, I'll put them here.  

Thanks for the visit!

Happy New Year!

(Again)