HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERY BODY!
My friend Noreen sent me an electronic greeting. It's kind of fun. Take a look...
Link here to watch the turkey!
Mom's advice: Eat more Vegetables!
Mike called on his way home from work tonight. His cousin had sent him an e-mail saying that he was looking forward to Mike's smoked brisket on Thursday. Mike wanted to let me know that he would be preparing one to bring.
This is a new Thanksgiving tradition here. Before Mike became a master at smoking food, we never had anything other than Turkey, Turkey, Turkey on my favorite holiday. A couple of years ago however, Mike decided to smoke both a turkey and a beef brisket for the big day. This, of course, was in addition to the stuffed roasted Turkey that I have made each year for almost the last forty years.
Since, I had been going steadily since 8:00 AM this morning, I decided to put my feet up and enjoy chatting with my eldest son. He had had and even longer day. After a couple of minutes, Mike said something like this; "Well Mom, It's been a long day and I'm pretty tired. I know you have all the time in the world, but I've been talking all day, and I don't feel like talking any more."
I really do understand. It's just that when one of my boys call, I want to stop and enjoy the opportunity presented whenever possible. At their young age, they have multiple responsibilities and are working very hard. I remember how it was.
But just for the record.... I don't feel as though I have all the time in the world. The days, weeks and years go by very quickly now. And there always seems much more to do that there are hours available.
For instance, today, after my usual cup of coffee and a few minutes looking at the newspapers, I did 2 loads of wash, folded the clothes and linens, made the bed, cleaned the frig and the kitchen, straightened the house, washed two floors on my hands and knees, made 4 or 5 necessary calls that were not social.
Then I showered and dressed, made shopping lists for two markets, went to the Torrance Farmer's Market, came home and put the produce away. Next, while resting my ankle, I jotted down a menu for Thanksgiving dinner and made lists for Trader Joe's and Whole Foods markets.
Next, I got up, washed and folded another load, put that away, made sure I got out the paper shopping bags for reuse today, put them in the car, took some frozen cold packs out of the freezer and zipped them into my insulated shopping bags.
Following this, Pete and I went to Trader Joe's, where I ran into a friend who was checking out. We stopped for a minute to hug and quickly tell each other our Thanksgiving plans. At that point, I left Pete so he could say "hello" to our friend and navigated my shopping cart around the busy store.
After leaving TJ's, I packed the cold items in the insulated bags to keep while I went to pick up the free range organically fed turkey we'd ordered, and the rest of the items needed from Whole Foods Market. At this point I realized I had forgotten to bring in an item I had intended to return. So, I ran back in, returned the item and proceeded to do the rest of the shopping.
After arriving home, the groceries were then brought into the house, and put away. At this point, I went outside to supervise the tree trimming which I'd arranged in order bring our very big Ficus tree to a more manageable size.
This required contacting our next door neighbor who had complained that it had been blocking the sun from their back yard. After checking a couple of times to see if it was cut back to her satisfaction, I went into the house to contact the exterminator to see if he could come back tomorrow to help eliminate the ants that were overrunning our home.
This competent man advised me that he would come in the morning but explained that the reason they were back so quickly is that the neighbors probably were having the same problem. I asked him how much it would cost them to spray their yard too. He gave me a price. I re-contacted our neighbor and repeated what I had been told, and asked if she would be interested. She said yes, so I called the exterminator back to ask if he could spray my neighbor's yard too.
With this arranged, I called my chiropractor and asked if I could come in for an adjustment and asked Pete to rinse two cups of black eyed peas, cover them with water and start them cooking so we could have them for dinner. He agreed. Then, I then went to the chiropractor.
When I came home, I started cooking the rice, drained the beans and seasoned them, and brought out the stuff for the salad. This is when Mike called!
After getting off the phone, I started another load and called Pete down to dinner. We ate our meal and then there was the neccessary clean up. I took another load of dried clothes upstairs to fold, folded that and put it away. Then, Pete and I watched TV for an hour. When the program we watched together was over, Pete then wanted to watch an episode of Rome, which I didn't feel like watching.
So, I came into my office to check if I'd received some expected electronic mail, answered a couple of notes from friends, checked my other e-mail addresses to see if there was anything important, and deleted some undesirable comments from this blog.
It is now 11:20 PM and I still have another load of washing to fold.
Tomorrow the exterminators will be here at 8:30 AM. After they leave, I will run a couple errands, and begin the real preparation for the big meal the next day.
The thing is ... most of my days are pretty busy. I just don't seem to be able to keep up as well as I did when I was younger. Well, thanks for listening.
Heidi is finally back!
This makes me glad.
I am, however, having a problem.
Every attempt I make to comment
on her recent entry "uncompromising",
I receive the following message from Typekey:
"Your comment was denied for questionable content."
Eek! I'm confused.
Lately, I've been attempting to catch up on my long overdue correspondence. You know the kind. Thank you notes - Birthday cards - Get Well Cards....
I pulled out a card I had purchased for a friend who's been ill. On the front of this card, there is a small abstract drawing of a flying angel. Above the picture were these words; "Hang in there. A little angel told me"... Inside the card are the words; "Your rainbow is on its way." Then there was a drawing of a rainbow.
Until I started to add my personal note, it hadn't registered on my brain that the drawing of the rainbow was in shades of gray. A GRAY RAINBOW?
After a moment's consideration, I concluded that sending a rainbow with no color didn't seem very uplifting. So, I decided to add the color.
I must tell you that I can barely draw a stick man. And, the only thing I know how to paint is a wall. Nevertheless, I was determined to send the get well card out with the morning's mail.
That's when I remembered a gift that Matt had sent me a few years ago. It is a child's book on painting which included poster paints and a big fat paintbrush. That's another story.
I got everything ready to begin my art project. At this point, I remembered that I had once heard that there was a consistent order to the colors in every rainbow, but for the life of me, could not remember what they were.
No problem, I thought, "I will just do a Google search." After about 45 minutes, I gave up and called My Source.
Mike was eating his dinner, so I asked him to call me back and why. Mike said; "ROYGBIV". I asked; "ROYGBIV?" He explained, and said he would call me later.
I just finished adding the color to the card. My friend is an elementary school teacher. I am sure that any one of her students could have done a better job! But, at least I tried. The card goes out in the morning. At least it may give her a smile. :-)
This was shamelessly stolen from Dieter.
Here is the link!
Who knew?
There is an intro, but it is quick.
Please take a minute to check into Rocketboom. Enjoy.
Women friends from all over the place have been sending me questionaires. I will respond to two of them. So for my friends... especially for Glorianne and Brooke, here are my answers. They are true for only this moment. Things are always changing.
GETTING TO KNOW YOUR GIRLFRIENDS
Welcome to the 2005 edition of getting to know your girlfriends!
1. What time did you get up this morning?
.........8:00AM
2. Diamonds or Pearls?
.........RUBIES
3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema?
.......the last one I remember is the Hitchiker's Guide to the Galaxy, but I know we have seen films since that. I asked Pete and he could not recall either. If the memory comes back to either of us, I will change this answer. What can I say ... we are getting old! :-)
4. What is your favorite TV show?
......Right now: Commander and Chief.
5. What do you usually have for breakfast?
......Depends on my mood. It is either a rice and egg omlette or a bowl of natural high fiber cereal with milk and banana. But everyday begins with a BIG cup of coffee.
6. What is your middle name?
......Ugh...Lois.
7. Favorite cuisine?
.......These days; Indian.
8. What foods do you dislike?
........I have never developed a taste for Sea Cucumber or Brussel Sprouts. I don't like processed food. Give me something fresh and organic if possible.
9. What is your favorite chip flavor?
.........Today it is Terra Original Chips.
10. What is your favorite CD at the moment?
.............I will have to go down to check.
11. What kind of car do you drive?
..............I drive a Jeep Cherokee. A real gas hog, but my back doesn't start to hurt when I sit down. My big criteria for me choosing a car is if the seat is comfortable for me. I would love to replace it with a newer hybrid. As soon as I can find a newer hybrid which we can afford, ... and a seat that will support my much abused back, I will change cars.
12. Favorite sandwich?
.......1. BLT with real mayonaise.
.......2. Fresh turkey on the day after thanksgiving. Well, maybe a fresh turkey with Bacon, Lettuce and Tomatoes, AND mayonaise. Yum.
13. What characteristic do you despise?
........I don't know if dispise is the correct word, but I am uncomfortable with people who seem to hide behind a facade and never let me know who they are and what they really think. I hate to be kept quessing. I hate it when people nod and say "uh huh" to me but who are really judging me and proceed to go behind my back and distort my words to others. I feel betrayed when I find out. I would prefer openness and honesty even if that results in tears or an argument.
14. What is you favorite item of clothing?
.......I am not sure I have a favorite. I want my clothes to fit, be simple, comfortable and to flatter me.
15. If you could go anywhere where would you go?
.......If I could, I would travel to Africa and to undeveloped countries with my Spiritual Mother. I long to see the faces of the people who live in these places ...get to know them. I long to smell the air, see the countries and eat the food prepared. Sigh.
16. What color is your bathroom?
......We have three bathrooms upstairs and one downstairs. The downstairs bath is green with touches of Red and White. One bathoom upstairs is all Yellow ... thus it is known as the yellow bathroom. The guest bathroom has white on white wall paper. The last one is white, white, white.
17. Favorite brand of clothing?
Who cares? If it fits well and flatters, I'm there. But I prefer cotton and beathable fabrics.
18. Where would you retire to?
...... I don't know if this place exits, but I dream of a house on the beach that faces the ocean ... and has a grove of trees in the back with a trail that goes through forests and by streams. This dream home still has neighbors and a friendly community nearby filled with spiritual and like minded and open people.
19. What was your most memorable birthday?
....Last year when I turned 64 and danced with abandon to an African Beat on stage in front of people I love. Lived in a moment where I experienced no fear, no self-conciousness, and just JOY.
20. Favorite sport to watch?
.........Track and Field
21. Furthest place you are sending this?
..........Who Know? I am posting this on my blog. I guess it is being sent around the world, for anyone to see.
22. Who do you least expect to send this back to you?
..........Me! I can't believe I've done this. I am posting this for Brook and Glorianne and any others who have sent this questionaire to me. :-)
23.Person you expect to send it back first?
..........I don't think anyone will send it back!
24. Goal you have for yourself?
..........To be more disiplined in my Spiritual Practice, to develop a quiet mind and become an intrument of Peace.
25. When is your birthday?
..........October 25, 1940. Yes. I just turned 65!
26. Are you a morning person or a night person?
..........I have been both. I love the mornings and adore the quiet nights. This depends on what is happening in my life.
27. What is your shoe size?
......My foot has grown to be size 8, but now I only where Birkenstock Arizona Sandals, size 38 narrow.
28. Pets?
........Not now, unless you count my pet paperclip. You know the one. It is the Microsoft Paperclip that lets you know you have saved a document.
29. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share with us?
.........Yes. Love is working in the world, even now in the darkest of times. There are many beautiful souls who are working for PEACE. More and more people are joining the effort to change the world consciousness. LIGHT EXISTS AND IS MOVING, EVEN IN THE DARKEST PLACES.
30. What did you want to be when you were little?
..........A nurse.
31. How are you today?
..........Good, thank you.
32. What is your favorite candy?
...........CHOCOLATE!
34. What is a date on the calendar you are looking forward to?
........... NOVEMBER 17TH
QUIZ TWO: GETTING TO KNOW YOUR FRIENDS
1. What is your full name--> judith lois Pusateri. Maiden name: Chodos.
2. What color pants are you wearing--> I am wearing my nighty and robe right now.
3.What are you listening to right now--> Ticking clocks.
4. What was the last thing you ate--> I haven't eaten yet today, but I had a large cup of coffee.
5. Do you wish on stars --> Not usually. I just gaze at them.
6. If you were a crayon, what color would you be?--...Red or Green
7. How is the weather right now--> cool and raining
8. Last person you spoke to on the phone--> ...a person at Citibank.
9. Do you like the person who sent this to you--> Yes, very much.
10. How old are you today--> 65
11. Favorite drink--> Water, but I love a cup of coffee.
12. Favorite sport--> ...Track and field.
13. Hair color--> dark brown. Hiding under the brown is white.
14. Do you wear contacts--> yes
15. Siblings--> brother
16. Favorite month--> All of them.
17. Favorite food--> Right now ... Indian.
18. What was the last movie you saw--> I can't remember at the moment. But, I love movies.
19. Favorite day of the year--> Any day when I feel joyful.
20. What do you do to vent anger--> ....I write, I talk, and i cry. Sometimes I yell.
21. What was your favorite toy as a child--> ...my bike.
22. Summer or winter--> ....I used to love the winters, rain and brisk air. I loved fall and spring. I still love these seasons, but I usually hurt less in the summer when it is warm. So I guess I like it warm these days.
23. Hugs or kisses--> .....Hugs!
24. Chocolate or vanilla--> ...CHOCOLATE
25. Do you want your friends to e-mail you back--> YES.
26. Who is most likely to respond--> NO ONE.
27. Who is least likely to respond--> ...ANYONE.
28. When was the last time you cried--> Last week.
29. What is under your bed--> ...a clean green carpet and an emergency light.
31. What would you do over if you could--> ...I would love to experience again the birth of each of my sons. The Miracle of their birth filled me with awe.
32. What are you afraid of--> ....Becoming incapacitated and dependant on others for everything.
3. Plain, buttered or salted popcorn? ...Movie Popcorn, no butter.
34. Favorite car--> .... I don't know which car, but I want a comfortable fuel efficient hybrid SUV so I can sit and drive without my back hurting.
35. Favorite flower--> I love Tulips and Yellow Roses and all kinds of Spring flowers.
36. Number of keys on your key ring--> I have to go look. Be back in a second.... I'm Back. There are 4 keys on my keyring.
37. How many years at your current job--> ...All my life.
38. Favorite day of the week--> Monday. Monday!
39. What did you do on your last birthday--> ....I went to Washington DC and spent the day with Matt and Yvette! :-)
40. How many states have you lived in--> ...Two. Minnesota and California.
41. How many cities have you lived in--> ....I think it has been six.
42. Favorite Disney Character--> My son.
Have I bored you enough? How many people actually read this post? I am guessing most people stopped reading after the first few sentences. Am I right?
I go along with the League of Women's Voters and Barbara Boxer on the upcoming election this coming Tuesday, November 8th.
Mom's Voting Recommendations:
VOTE NO on Proposition 73!
This, of course is a sticky issue.
And for the record,
NO ONE IS PRO ABORTION!
I believe that all life is sacred.
Yet, this is why I feel it is very important for all women to retain the right to choose. This includes minors. My reasons for urging you to vote No on Proposition 73 is four fold.
ONE:
I personally have met and talked with MANY women who were sexually abused and raped by their own fathers or step-fathers. Some of these women attempted to tell their mother, but found that instead of their mother protecting them, the mother allowed this behavior to continue. Either because the mother did not believe her child, or felt powerless to do anything about it. Some women were even punished for daring to speaking of this awful crime.
For a girl or woman to be forced to carry and give birth to the child of her abuser is horrible. Society still does not always welcome the birth of a new baby and take care of the mother giving birth out of wedlock. In fact it is often the very people who work toward eliminating the right to choose who also complain about mothers having children out of wedlock and do not wish to pay taxes to provide the mothers and their children with the necessities of life.
TWO:
People still had abortions before they became legal and safe. Most women who had to resort to this action had to find a back alley abortionist and either died or had their health ruined by botched abortions.
When I was a teenager, my own mother told me that she was in favor of legalizing abortion. She felt this way because she lost a good friend due to a botched abortion. This friend was already the mother of four. And choose an abortion because of an impossible situation. You may think that she should have chosen to give birth to a fifth child, but we do not know what she was going through.
I believe that this choice should be left up to the mother and her God. But, I want women to be able to retain control of their own bodies. It would be nice if all children felt free to discuss anything with their parents, but even in the best of homes children don't always do that.
THREE: If a woman chooses to have an abortion for reasons of health, she should be free to save her own life and health. This is an awful choice for a woman to have to make. However ,every doctor must feel free to fully inform his patient and every woman should be able choose. We must retain the right to control our own body.
FOUR: What proponents don't tell you is this law FORCES DOCTORS TO REPORT these procedures TO THE GOVERNMENT. Why does government need to know? They've also slipped into their initiative language adding; "unborn child; a child conceived but not born" to our Constitution.
This step actually changes the definition of the legislative language. THIS IS THE REAL REASON THAT THiS INITATIVE WAS PUT ON THE BALLOT!!! This is the first step in outlawing all such proceedures, and would take away the right to choose. PAY ATTENTION HERE!
Enough said....
..............
This is what Barbara Boxer has to say about the propositions if you didn't link to her letter at the top of this post.
Proposition 73 is just the latest attempt by right-wing conservatives to take away a woman's right to choose. This dangerous measure would jeopardize the health of our teenagers, when we should instead be focusing our efforts on preventing teen pregnancy. Prop. 73 unwisely tries to legislate family communication and unrealistically expects teenagers to navigate through a cumbersome and confusing judicial process.
As the San Francisco Chronicle said in their editorial opposing Prop. 73, "The way to reduce abortion is not a law that requires frightened young women to either face a judge or the wrath of their parents. It's about increasing communication -- about sex, about choices, about consequences -- that prevents an accidental pregnancy in the first place." Vote NO on 73.
VOTE NO on Proposition 74
Proposition 74 is an effort to divert attention from the real problems facing California's public schools by turning teachers into scapegoats. The initiative does nothing to improve California's public schools -- and could actually harm them by making it harder to recruit good teachers.
Schools in California can already dismiss teachers found to be deficient during their first two years of service without a hearing. In fact, every local school has a system in place to deal with struggling teachers. At a time when we should be encouraging people to choose a career in teaching, Prop. 74 will hurt those recruitment efforts by not affording due process to those in the teaching profession who do so much for California's children. Vote NO on 74.
VOTE NO on Proposition 75
Prop. 75 targets teachers, nurses, firefighters and police officers with new political restrictions designed to weaken their ability to advocate for better schools, patient care, and public safety. That's why campaign watchdogs like the League of Women Voters of California oppose Prop. 75. Corporations already outspend unions on politics 24-1, according to the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics. Yet the governor's corporate campaign contributors put Prop. 75 on the ballot to increase their grip on our government, and make it easier for the governor to pass his harmful agenda. Vote NO on 75.
VOTE NO on Proposition 76
Proposition 76 is an attempted power grab by Governor Schwarzenegger that gives him the power to bypass the legislature and make cuts to the budget without any oversight or public approval. Prop. 76 does not protect education funding -- and it would in fact reduce the long-term Prop. 98 school spending guarantee by $4 billion per year. Under Prop. 76, local governments could also lose hundreds of millions of dollars for police, firefighters, health care and social service programs. Vote NO on 76.
VOTE NO on Proposition 77
Proposition 77 is a flawed redistricting initiative that cuts out the public, has no accountability provision, and is unfair to those most underrepresented.
This is another clear power grab by the Governor and his allies who reach all the way to the most conservative Republicans in Washington, DC. Vote NO on 77.
VOTE NO on Proposition 78 and VOTE YES on Proposition 79
Everybody knows we need to do more to make prescription drugs more affordable. So let's do it right.
Proposition 79 will provide real prescription drug discounts to seniors and lower income Californians who need them the most. Prop. 79 will also establish a pharmacy assistance program to help businesses, small employer purchasing pools, and labor organization health and welfare funds -- among others -- receive the same pharmacy discounts and rebates from drug makers. Finally, drug companies would be held accountable by a state advisory board that would review the pricing and access of prescription drugs under the program.
Prop. 79 will make a difference. Proposition 78, on the other hand, calls for a voluntary system and at the end of the day will mean little or nothing for the people of California. So vote NO on 78 and YES on 79.
-------------------------
YES on 80
This is a common-sense consumer initiative that will help prevent energy blackouts and massive fraud by unregulated private energy producers like Enron. It will override the failed energy deregulation policies, put utilities back in the business of serving the public, and encourage development of more renewable energy sources. The ultimate result will be more affordable energy for ALL Californians.
I urge you to join me in voting NO on 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, and 78 -- and YES on 79 and 80. Most important, please remember to vote in this important Special Election to be held on Tuesday, November 8th!
Listen to Mom...
She is telling you that you must watch this video!
Thanks Karen for sending it on.
Our phone has been ringing off the hook the last couple of days. This weekend alone, I have received phone calls from
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Senator Barbara Boxer, and countless other notables.
Trying to clear out my email in basket, I find also that Dianne Feinstein has been trying to reach me as well.
Who knew that these people would be interested in talking with little ole me?
Last night was a fitful night.
All night, I had a recurring dream that I had checked into a hotel in Long Beach. Michael had taken me to the hotel ... and left after I was checked in at the front desk.
I went out to explore the area ... but then I realized that could not remember the name of the hotel, nor where it was located. When I looked, there was no hotel room key or check-in paperwork in my purse.
I seemed to be waking up between the dreams. I kept telling myself; "This is just a dream. This is just a dream."
But when I went back to sleep, the same dream, or a variation of the dream, repeated over and over.
When I actually got out of bed this morning, I was exausted.
While writing the memories of this dream on my posted pad earlier today I felt incredibly sad. Tears welled up in my eyes. I wonder what this is all about. ???
Simultaneously, I was both dreading ... and looking forward to ... Pete's retirement.
I was looking forward to it so because he would be freer to 'just get up and go out' during the week. And, we would ... finally... have more time to do things together.
I was dreading it because too much 'togetherness' can cause conflict. Even after all these years, there are times when we just don't play and work very well together. We are still working on our communication skills.
Pete told me that he had been dreading the inevitable 'Honey Do List.'
What can I say?
We are in the adjustment period.