From your emails, it is obvious that Christmas shopping took its toll. Congrats to all of you who were computer savvy enough to do some online shopping. The following is an actual shopping experience at a local mall. M
P.S. Gertie's daughter's best friend's grandmother has recently recovered from a broken hip, and life is pretty much getting back to normal for her. Except for putting on her panty hose. She just couldn't quite manage those moves. And, being a lady who didn't feel 'dressed' without a dress and hose, she decided it was necessary to go back to the days of garter belts. Phone book in hand, she called all the stores she could think of. She found the hose she wanted, but no luck with the necessary garter belt. A friend suggested Victoria's Secret. She called. Sure enough, they had garter belts.
So, with credit card and walker, she went to the mall. A lovely young sales girl showed her their selection. They were not as grandma remembered. Mumbling to herself as she studied the elastic and figured out how she could alter this contraption to fit her needs, she became aware of the other sales girls and a few shoppers observing her contemplation. She completed her purchase and stepped to the door. She realized the crowd was holding back their laughter, so just to give them something to remember, she turned to the group and in a stage whisper said, "My boyfriend's a hottie!" She could still hear their laughter two stores away.
Make 2013 special by keeping your sense of humor.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Saturday, December 22, 2012
Here are some reader ideas for last minute gifts. Thank you all for your responses.
1. I love to give 'gift coupons.' For instance: "date with Grandma Coupon." I make and print a certificate on my computer. We go to lunch and I give them a set amount of money for shopping.
I started this when my grandchildren were young, but, as teenagers, they still enjoy our 'date.'
2. More ideas on gift certificates for everything from: 'shampoo & set' to 'shoveling your walk.'
Nothing is more personal or appreciated more than gifts of your time and talent.
3. I love to bake gifts. 'Christmas Bread.'
1 pkg. yellow cake mix 3 tlbs. maraschino cherries juice
1 (4oz.) pkg. instant pistachio pudding 1 C. sour cream
3/4 C. maraschino cherries(quartered) 4 eggs (beat separate)
1/2 C. walnuts 1/4 C. oil
Combine all ingredients and mix with a large spoon. Mix 1/4 C sugar and cinnamon to taste. Grease 2 bread pans or 4 small pans. Sprinkle part of cinnamon mixutre in pan; put dough on top. Sprinkle remaining cinnamon mixture on top. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes or until tooth pick comes out clean. Cool and wrap in foil. Store in refrigerator a couple of days before serving. Easy and So good!
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Remember to count your blessings. Life may not be exactly as you wish, but you still have much to be thankful for. Jesus is the reason for the season. AMEN
1. I love to give 'gift coupons.' For instance: "date with Grandma Coupon." I make and print a certificate on my computer. We go to lunch and I give them a set amount of money for shopping.
I started this when my grandchildren were young, but, as teenagers, they still enjoy our 'date.'
2. More ideas on gift certificates for everything from: 'shampoo & set' to 'shoveling your walk.'
Nothing is more personal or appreciated more than gifts of your time and talent.
3. I love to bake gifts. 'Christmas Bread.'
1 pkg. yellow cake mix 3 tlbs. maraschino cherries juice
1 (4oz.) pkg. instant pistachio pudding 1 C. sour cream
3/4 C. maraschino cherries(quartered) 4 eggs (beat separate)
1/2 C. walnuts 1/4 C. oil
Combine all ingredients and mix with a large spoon. Mix 1/4 C sugar and cinnamon to taste. Grease 2 bread pans or 4 small pans. Sprinkle part of cinnamon mixutre in pan; put dough on top. Sprinkle remaining cinnamon mixture on top. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes or until tooth pick comes out clean. Cool and wrap in foil. Store in refrigerator a couple of days before serving. Easy and So good!
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Remember to count your blessings. Life may not be exactly as you wish, but you still have much to be thankful for. Jesus is the reason for the season. AMEN
Saturday, December 15, 2012
Dear Maggie Montclair,
Christmas is almost here, and I have put off my shopping because I just don't know what to buy. When my grandchildren were young it was easy. Now, I am at a loss. Last year I gave money, but that seems so impersonal. Do you have any suggestions?
Out of Ideas in Santaville
Dear Out of Ideas,
I'm going to let Gertie answer your question. She has so many friends with good ideas. M
P.S. Gertie here. I have checked with several friends and come up with the following ideas.
1. My dentist's mother-in-law's sister's neighbor had the same problem last year. She solved it accidently while going through some old pictures. She found an old photo of one of her granddaughters, at age three, sharing a cookie with her. She put names and dates on the back, framed it and wapped it as a stocking stuffer. She found and framed a picture of her with each of her grandchildren and gave them the pictures along with a check. Her grandchildren liked the pictures, but she knows that thirty years from now they
will mean much more to them.
2. Another friend's uncle's second wife's oldest daughter asked everyone their favorite restaurant. She then went to the dollar store and bought each recipient ten $1 items which she wrapped and put in a stocking that she had crocheted. The main present, a gift card to their favorite restaurant, was stuffed into the toe of the stocking. She said they all had a fun time opening all the small gifts and were happy to receive the restaurant cards.
3. A very clever and talented friend has learned how to fold money into shirts, blouses, animals, etc. You can use whatever bills bring you to the amount you want for your gift. Just use the internet and look up 'folding money.' I must admit that not everyone can do this. It takes someone with patience and the ability to follow abstract directions. I hope you have better luck than I had!
Send me your ideas and I'll pass them on.
Christmas is almost here, and I have put off my shopping because I just don't know what to buy. When my grandchildren were young it was easy. Now, I am at a loss. Last year I gave money, but that seems so impersonal. Do you have any suggestions?
Out of Ideas in Santaville
Dear Out of Ideas,
I'm going to let Gertie answer your question. She has so many friends with good ideas. M
P.S. Gertie here. I have checked with several friends and come up with the following ideas.
1. My dentist's mother-in-law's sister's neighbor had the same problem last year. She solved it accidently while going through some old pictures. She found an old photo of one of her granddaughters, at age three, sharing a cookie with her. She put names and dates on the back, framed it and wapped it as a stocking stuffer. She found and framed a picture of her with each of her grandchildren and gave them the pictures along with a check. Her grandchildren liked the pictures, but she knows that thirty years from now they
will mean much more to them.
2. Another friend's uncle's second wife's oldest daughter asked everyone their favorite restaurant. She then went to the dollar store and bought each recipient ten $1 items which she wrapped and put in a stocking that she had crocheted. The main present, a gift card to their favorite restaurant, was stuffed into the toe of the stocking. She said they all had a fun time opening all the small gifts and were happy to receive the restaurant cards.
3. A very clever and talented friend has learned how to fold money into shirts, blouses, animals, etc. You can use whatever bills bring you to the amount you want for your gift. Just use the internet and look up 'folding money.' I must admit that not everyone can do this. It takes someone with patience and the ability to follow abstract directions. I hope you have better luck than I had!
Send me your ideas and I'll pass them on.
Thursday, November 22, 2012
Maggie is back from her latest book tour and preparing for a Nebraska Thanksgiving.
P.S. Gertie's neighbor's sister's best friend was feeling sad and kind of sorry for herself. She read somewhere that in order to feel better just start listing your blessings.
So, she started with:
a warm home,
enough food,
WAIT! STOP RIGHT THERE! If you SHARE these two blessings,
you will have a HAPPY THANKSGIVING.
P.S. Gertie's neighbor's sister's best friend was feeling sad and kind of sorry for herself. She read somewhere that in order to feel better just start listing your blessings.
So, she started with:
a warm home,
enough food,
WAIT! STOP RIGHT THERE! If you SHARE these two blessings,
you will have a HAPPY THANKSGIVING.
Monday, October 29, 2012
Dear Maggie Montclair,
Before I became a widow, I didn't think much about loneliness or money. With a husband and family, I was never lonely. Hubby made a good living and took care of the finances. In a heartbeat, all that changed. I am fortunate to have enough money, but I have learned all about loneliness.
Then, I began to receive those e-mails about 'random acts of kindness.' I tried it a few times, and now I always look for opportunities to do something that I would never even have thought about before.
Last week I paid the tab for a mother having lunch with her young daughter. I could see that they had been shoe shopping and were enjoying the morning together. I overhead her say how they needed to hurry home and get the laundry finished. The little girl reminded her that they also needed to stop at the grocery store. The young mother checked her watch and commented that the baby sitter had already been at their house for over two hours, but this was her birthday and daddy was in Afghanistan.
Somehow, doing a 'random act of kindness' makes me feel less lonely. I urge everyone to try it.
Random Ruthie
Dear Random Ruthie,
I just love your very clever name! I too have received those e-mails and enjoy doing 'random acts of kindness.' It makes me feel that in some small way I am counteracting some of the meanness in the world.
Sometimes we can't pay a large check, but if we pay attention, we can find opportunities to do something nice for someone for $5 or less. It is not as much about the money as it is the surprise that a complete stranger will do something nice for you without expecting anything in return. That makes you want to pass the kindness on. M
P.S. My friend, Gertie, is a great movie fan, and when I shared this letter from Random Ruthie, this was her comment.
"One of my favorite movies is, "The Bucket List." In one scene Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson are sitting on top of a pyramid. Freeman is explaining to Nicholson that to get into Egyptian Heaven you have to answer these two questions.
1. Have you found the joy in your life?
2. Has your life brought joy to others?
When you think about those two questions, you realize that they both require action on your part. Even the smallest 'random act of kindness' brings joy to others. You bring joy to yourself by keeping those acts a secret, not only from the recipient, but from everyone else you know. It is a 'secret randon act of kindness' that answers both questions on a positive note."
Before I became a widow, I didn't think much about loneliness or money. With a husband and family, I was never lonely. Hubby made a good living and took care of the finances. In a heartbeat, all that changed. I am fortunate to have enough money, but I have learned all about loneliness.
Then, I began to receive those e-mails about 'random acts of kindness.' I tried it a few times, and now I always look for opportunities to do something that I would never even have thought about before.
Last week I paid the tab for a mother having lunch with her young daughter. I could see that they had been shoe shopping and were enjoying the morning together. I overhead her say how they needed to hurry home and get the laundry finished. The little girl reminded her that they also needed to stop at the grocery store. The young mother checked her watch and commented that the baby sitter had already been at their house for over two hours, but this was her birthday and daddy was in Afghanistan.
Somehow, doing a 'random act of kindness' makes me feel less lonely. I urge everyone to try it.
Random Ruthie
Dear Random Ruthie,
I just love your very clever name! I too have received those e-mails and enjoy doing 'random acts of kindness.' It makes me feel that in some small way I am counteracting some of the meanness in the world.
Sometimes we can't pay a large check, but if we pay attention, we can find opportunities to do something nice for someone for $5 or less. It is not as much about the money as it is the surprise that a complete stranger will do something nice for you without expecting anything in return. That makes you want to pass the kindness on. M
P.S. My friend, Gertie, is a great movie fan, and when I shared this letter from Random Ruthie, this was her comment.
"One of my favorite movies is, "The Bucket List." In one scene Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson are sitting on top of a pyramid. Freeman is explaining to Nicholson that to get into Egyptian Heaven you have to answer these two questions.
1. Have you found the joy in your life?
2. Has your life brought joy to others?
When you think about those two questions, you realize that they both require action on your part. Even the smallest 'random act of kindness' brings joy to others. You bring joy to yourself by keeping those acts a secret, not only from the recipient, but from everyone else you know. It is a 'secret randon act of kindness' that answers both questions on a positive note."
Sunday, October 21, 2012
Maggie is back from her Iowa vacation. She enjoyed a wonderful family wedding, a cousin's reunion, and traveling with her California cousin, Diane. She is working hard to catch up on your e-mails.
Dear Maggie Montclair,
Last week, I overheard two women talking about me. One said, "isn't she beautiful?" The other women agreed. Now, I know that I am not a beauty. I never was. Even when I was slender! But, at that moment we were at a conference, and I had made a special effort to look nice.
I have been thinking about that compliment and what it did for my morale. For the next few days, I actually felt beautiful. My spirits soared. I decided that women I know and consider good friends should have that exceptional experience. So, I told a dear friend that she was beautiful. Not 'looked' beautiful, but 'was' beautiful. There is an important difference. Just watch a Housewives Reality Show, and you will understand what I'm talking about.
My friend denied any claim to beauty. She said, "Oh, my hair is a mess and I've gained five pounds." I said, "yes, you are. Just say "thank you." We both laughed, she said "thank you," and later, she told me that she felt wonderful the rest of the day.
I decided that what was really being said was, "you are such a good friend that you are beautiful in the most significant way." Now I look for opportunities to let my friends know that they are beautiful. Corny? Maybe. Beautiful in Bedford
Dear Bedford Beauty,
Aren't you glad you overheard your friends talking? Maybe that is a good way to let a friend know that you think highly of her. Say it when she can innocently overhear your comment. Somehow, women are more likely to believe a compliment when it is overheard rather than directed to them. In fact, such a compliment would do wonders for a stranger who has worked to put together a social or business meeting that you appreciate.
I'm so glad that you reminded us how to respoond to a compliment. Just say, "thank you." Many times it makes your day. If so, be sure to express that sentiment. M
P.S. Gertie loves to tell this story about a compliment that backfired. Her neighbor's second cousins mother-in-law had an elderly maiden aunt. One day her neighbor was visiting with the mother-in-law and asked if the maiden aunt had lost a fiance' in World War Two. The mother-in-law smiled slyly and proceeded to explain: When the maiden aunt was in high school a young man came-a-calling. The aunt met him at the screen door and listened as he told her that she was the most beautiful girl in town. He offered flowers and a box of candy if she would honor him with a walk around the block.........Without hesitation, she opened that screen door, and using all her strength, pushed him right off the porch! Word must have spread because no young man ever knocked on her door again.
Dear Maggie Montclair,
Last week, I overheard two women talking about me. One said, "isn't she beautiful?" The other women agreed. Now, I know that I am not a beauty. I never was. Even when I was slender! But, at that moment we were at a conference, and I had made a special effort to look nice.
I have been thinking about that compliment and what it did for my morale. For the next few days, I actually felt beautiful. My spirits soared. I decided that women I know and consider good friends should have that exceptional experience. So, I told a dear friend that she was beautiful. Not 'looked' beautiful, but 'was' beautiful. There is an important difference. Just watch a Housewives Reality Show, and you will understand what I'm talking about.
My friend denied any claim to beauty. She said, "Oh, my hair is a mess and I've gained five pounds." I said, "yes, you are. Just say "thank you." We both laughed, she said "thank you," and later, she told me that she felt wonderful the rest of the day.
I decided that what was really being said was, "you are such a good friend that you are beautiful in the most significant way." Now I look for opportunities to let my friends know that they are beautiful. Corny? Maybe. Beautiful in Bedford
Dear Bedford Beauty,
Aren't you glad you overheard your friends talking? Maybe that is a good way to let a friend know that you think highly of her. Say it when she can innocently overhear your comment. Somehow, women are more likely to believe a compliment when it is overheard rather than directed to them. In fact, such a compliment would do wonders for a stranger who has worked to put together a social or business meeting that you appreciate.
I'm so glad that you reminded us how to respoond to a compliment. Just say, "thank you." Many times it makes your day. If so, be sure to express that sentiment. M
P.S. Gertie loves to tell this story about a compliment that backfired. Her neighbor's second cousins mother-in-law had an elderly maiden aunt. One day her neighbor was visiting with the mother-in-law and asked if the maiden aunt had lost a fiance' in World War Two. The mother-in-law smiled slyly and proceeded to explain: When the maiden aunt was in high school a young man came-a-calling. The aunt met him at the screen door and listened as he told her that she was the most beautiful girl in town. He offered flowers and a box of candy if she would honor him with a walk around the block.........Without hesitation, she opened that screen door, and using all her strength, pushed him right off the porch! Word must have spread because no young man ever knocked on her door again.
Monday, September 24, 2012
Dear Maggie Montclair,
I read your book and am doing all the things you suggest. Although I am busy, I still feel empty inside. What more can I do to make myself feel whole again? I am not truly happy because I still miss Jim. When will that go away?
Still lonely and missing him
Dear Still Missing,
Being busy, volunteering, traveling and doing fun activities are what you do while time passses. The pain will fade but never be completely gone. As I remind widows in my book, grief is not like the flu. You don't get over it, you learn to live with it. M
Gertie says: Time helps, but I don't think we ever get over the fact that we feel cheated. This is not the way we planned to live out our life. We expected to grow old together. To enjoy the grandchildren together. To retire and spend our leisure time together. Now the "together" is gone and we miss that warm body on the other side of the bed.
Of course we will always carry that sadness with us. And that is alright if we don't let it dominate the rest of our days on earth. We can't let that disappointment and sadness keep us from noticing the good things that we still have in our lives. Now, more than ever before, we must count our blessings.
I read your book and am doing all the things you suggest. Although I am busy, I still feel empty inside. What more can I do to make myself feel whole again? I am not truly happy because I still miss Jim. When will that go away?
Still lonely and missing him
Dear Still Missing,
Being busy, volunteering, traveling and doing fun activities are what you do while time passses. The pain will fade but never be completely gone. As I remind widows in my book, grief is not like the flu. You don't get over it, you learn to live with it. M
Gertie says: Time helps, but I don't think we ever get over the fact that we feel cheated. This is not the way we planned to live out our life. We expected to grow old together. To enjoy the grandchildren together. To retire and spend our leisure time together. Now the "together" is gone and we miss that warm body on the other side of the bed.
Of course we will always carry that sadness with us. And that is alright if we don't let it dominate the rest of our days on earth. We can't let that disappointment and sadness keep us from noticing the good things that we still have in our lives. Now, more than ever before, we must count our blessings.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)