Ever Feel Like a Beatle?

It's no coincidence that the word "epaulet" contains the name Paul.

Random statement you say?

I think not.

Even though epaulets (or epaulettes) made their appearance in fashion history way back in the 17th century (per the dreaded Wikipedia ), I'm pretty sure the military fashionistas of that day knew that hundreds of years later, a pop band named the Beatles would bring them to the forefront of fashion. I think they even knew that the band would have a member named Paul and thus, the name epaulet was born.

In case you're unfamiliar with the legendary epaulet, here you go:

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Why am I blogging about this you ask? Excellent question.

 

I recently bought a new coat and I loved it in the store when I tried it on. The day I wore it for the first time in "real life" I immediately felt like a Beatle. Yes, a Beatle.

 

As soon as I said it to a few co-workers, they were like, "Yeah...I can kind of see that."

 

My new coat --> Epaulets --> Beatles' Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.

 

This stream of consiousness is how I roll.

 

Tell me if you can see the resemblance and why I almost burst into "Yellow Submarine."

 

 

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(And yes, I tried to rotate the photo. Sorry if I'm giving you whiplash.)

 

 

 

Do you see what I mean???

 

Meanwhile, while I've got a Beatles/epaulet identity crisis, John says to me, "How many buttons are on that coat?"

 

 So, now I'm having a freak out over buttons...

 

Buttons the Clown?

Red Buttons?

 

I.will.not.return.this.coat.

 



November Photo-a-Day Challenge Catch Up

I'm a smidge behind, so here we go.

November 4: television

A Sunday in the Fall. What did you expect?

November 5: 5 o'clock

I was actually in my boss' s office at 5PM, but I WISH I'd been home drinking this! I made up for it later.

November 6: a favorite thing

Yup. That's right. I'm 40 years old and I have a Strawberry Shortcake fleece blanket. I've had it for a few years and it's my favorite blanket to nestle under when it's cold outside. So there.


November 7: reflection

Sick and no makeup. I also look like the neighbor on "Home Improvement," Wilson.


November 8: something you do everyday

I contribute to the hole in the ozone layer. Still. I realize that this isn't the 80's, but I have thin hair. I NEED hairspray.

November 9: small

A marble.

It's Election Day: Shhhh!

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November 6th.

 

Election Day.

 

Shhhh.

 

What you say? I should, "Shhh???"

 

Yes, that's right.

 

Growing up, I remember learning about elections and shortly after a presidential election (I'd have to guess the 1980 election) I asked my Mom who she voted for.

 

WHOA.

 

You would've thought I asked her to hand over the Hope Diamond. Or tell me who was buried in Grant's tomb.

 

I got a very serious/stern response.

 

"You do not ask people who they voted for."

 

OK then.

 

Did you ever get this response? (I'd like to think it wasn't just me.)

 

I have to say that I've carried this with me for the past 30ish years.

 

I never discuss voting with friends, co-workers, or even family. I even feel funny asking my husband who he voted for.

 

Why do I bring this up, you ask?

 

Facebook.

 

Or, in the weeks leading up to Election Day, shall we call it, "Politicsbook?"

 

I've blocked more people from my Facebook newsfeed over the last few weeks than I have over my entire Facebook "career."

 

People of the U.S. certainly have a right to their opinions and the right to voice them (benefit of living in this country!), but the whole, "I'm going to shove my political opinions down your throat and that will make you change your mind" is NOT the way to go, in my humble opinion.

 

Asking friends on Facebook who they're voting for, is NOT the way to go, in my humble opinion.

 

With Facebook and social media, everything is so "out there." And I realize I sound really old saying this, but is having everything so "out there" the way to go? Maybe if people had boundaries, it would work, but of course, that's not the case.

 

I realize this has been a rambling of my opinions and if you've read this far, thanks.

 

To summarize: it's no one's business but your own (and your soulmate's if you so desire) who you voted for. Don't ask someone who they voted for. Don't tell someone who you voted for.

 

As Laurel & Hardy say, "Shh....it's a secret."





It's the WEEKEND! & November Photo-A-Day Challenge Days 2-3

It's the WEEKEND!

Oh wait, did I already say that? I'm going to say it again.

It's the WEEKEND!

Phew. After a tough week, I'm going to enjoy every single minute of this weekend.

Started it off with a quick drink with friends last night and then had a nice dinner with John (with a lovely Appletini.) Watched some "Big Love" (Yes, it's been over for a while, yes, I'm only on Season 4). Slept in this morning and am now leisurely blogging. Ahhhh.

Now onto business.

November Photo-a-Day Challenge

November 2: colour (or color as us non-Brits say)

This photo doesn't quite capture the brilliance of these colors, but I love them. This is from the area rug that I have in my office at work. It's a bright spot in my day and catches people's eye as they walk by. It's amazing what a little color can do.

November 3: breakfast

I love these. Love love love them. (Is that a ringing endorsement or what?) They're great if  you need a quick pick-me-up snack or an easy breakfast. Chocolate for breakfast? I'm in!

November Photo-A-Day Challenge

A lot of my blogger and Facebook friends have done "photo-a-day" challenges.

Some have done for an entire year, but I think I'll start small.

One month.

Here's my challenge for the month of November:

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So, shall we start?

 

November 1st: something beginning with "c"

 

 

 

 

Since I'm new to this, I'm not sure if I'm supposed to caption the photo. I'll just give you some hints -- not for vegetarians! Jimmy Buffett wrote a song about one in paradise!

 

I'm sure you get it.

 

P.S. It was today's lunch and each bit of greasy goodness was.worth.it. (So take THAT Weight Watchers!)



 

Yup, Still Here

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Can someone stop the merry-go-round?

I'd like to get off.

The past few weeks (dare I say "month") have been non-stop.

Go, go, go go.

I miss writing and blogging, but I've been so freaking tired, that I just haven't felt like doing it. I'm actually writing this as I cook dinner, so let's hope I'm on my multi-tasking game and don't blow this place sky high.

Speaking of which, apparently my multi-tasking game wasn't on par on Sunday night. Sunday night is laundry night around here. Imagine my dismay when I went down to the basement tonight and happened to notice clothes in the washing machine. Smelly damp clothes. ::sigh:: Yes, they've been there since Sunday night. Space shot. Interplanet Janet.

The craziness all started a few days before we visited my parents in Florida, which you can read about HERE. Two nights prior to our scheduled departure, John was awake in the middle of the night saying he had some pain in his lower abdomen. Immediately I flashed back to the kidney stone he had a few years ago. (He was in so much pain then I thought maybe he was giving birth to an alien baby.) So, I say, "Well, let me know if you need me to take you anywhere." (i.e., the hospital.)

Shortly thereafter, I hear, "I hate to say this, but..."

Oke doke, throw the clothes on and we're off to the E.R.

He had another kidney stone. Luckily the pain wasn't quite as bad this time, or actually the pain was different. He more than likely passed it either at the hospital or shortly thereafter. (Is that TMI?)

So, that happens. We go to Florida. We had to get up at the crack of dawn on a Sunday (like 4:30 a.m.) to get to the airpor to come home. Now, granted, we were in our house by 11:00am at the latest, but our sleep was totally thrown off and all we wanted to do was sleep all day.

That week was OK/fairly normal, although I was scrambling to make arrangements to go to Birmingham, AL for work the following week.

I did that on a Monday and that day was prettty much wasted in flight. (No direct flights from Boston to Bham.) Did have a lovely dinner that night with some colleagues. Was go go go the next two days (with a little diversion trip to Hobby Lobby, my new fave store.)

Got back from Bham very early Thursday a.m. and headed to work. Had a half day Friday so I could help the lovely Miss Grace prepare for her big honor. She was named Citizen of the Year by the program that she attends! Here are some highlights (unfortunately, some are blurry):

I think I did a little too much handshaking and hugging on Friday night because I got a nasty cold.  I got my haircut Saturday night (hopefully I didn't get my hairdresser sick!) and pretty much was out of commission for the rest of the weekend. (Translation: This place looks like a dump.) I did do some laundry on Sunday night (although only apparently half-way.)

I called in sick on Monday. Bleh.

Went back to work on Tuesday to a bazillion emails and just general busyness.

Silver lining? Last night after driving Grace to a social program, I decided to have some "me" time. A Burlington Coat Factory just opened up nearby, so I decided to peruse the merchandise.

I left with this sweater:

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It might not look like much, but with a black knit mockneck underneath, it's pretty snazzy. Out of my clothing comfort zone, too.

 

The best part? A bunch of people at work complimented me on it. Let's face it...we all want to hear that a clothing choice we made that was "out on a limb" was a good one.

 

So yes, I'm tooting my own horn. And I need to...so maybe the merry-go-round will stop.

Upsizing

When my Mom recently told someone that she and my Dad were moving to Florida, the person said, "Oh, you're downsizing?"

My Mom hesitated for a second and said, "No, actually we're upsizing."

My retired parents have moved to Florida and are living in the largest house of their married lives.

John and I went down to visit them last week and helped them to get things in order, do a little visiting, and celebrate my Mom's birthday.

Here are some photos of the "upsized" pad:

Raymander Alexander says, "Come in, but show yourself around. Don't expect me to get up on your account."

Formal living room/front room:

Formal dining room:

Family room/Great room:

Other corner of Family room/Great room (with a peek at the backyard):

Master bedroom:

Master bathroom with lovely tub:

Breakfast bar/Kitchen:

Dining nook:

Guest bedroom:

Office/Man cave:

Raymander Alexander says, "Thanks for coming. Show yourself out."

Happy birthday MOM!