Heather Weidner's Blog, page 112

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas from Disney and Riley!

December 21 - Winter's Here

It's the Winter Solstice. How many days until spring?

It's also my sister's birthday! Happy Birthday, Cortney!

I Have Proof! Reindeer Tracks

            One year, it snowed late on Christmas Eve. It rarely did that in Virginia Beach. I didn’t know which was more exciting, Christmas or snow. We opened the front door, and there were real, honest-to-goodness reindeer tracks on the front steps. I couldn’t believe it. I had proof. I saw them. That’s where the reindeer waited while Santa unloaded all of my loot.

            I found out much later that my “reindeer” was the next-door neighbor’s German Shepherd JoJo.

Things I'll Never Do Again...

Someone asked me this week if there was something that I would never do again. There are lots on the list. Here's one from the 1970s...

My mother had a matching pair of hand-crafted, wooden rocking chairs in her living room. The backs of each had an ornate opening that was very large at the top, and the cut-out narrowed sharply at the seat of the chair.

When I was about five years old, for whatever reason, I stood on my tip-toes and put my head through the wide opening at the top. I couldn’t stand on my tip-toes forever, so I slid down to the narrow part, and I got stuck. I couldn’t get my head out.

My mother tried pushing and pulling to no avail. Finally, she was able to rescue me by picking me up and sliding my head out through the top.

Gifts for the Word Nerds

I have had so much fun recently shopping online for my reader and writer friends. Here are some great sites with some fun, literary gifts...

Café Press

Uncommon Goods

The Literary Gift Company

Signals

Zazzle

What Would You Like to Tell a Younger Version of You?

I keep telling myself that I'm not middle-aged. I plan to live to a hundred, so I have some years before I reach my midpoint.

I'm at that strange time where I feel pops and creaks. Fun and dare-devil activities have been toned down for fear of doing real bodily harm. I've roller skated, skied, sledded, sailed, and tubed. I can mark those off the old bucket list. Though, I'd still like to try hang-gliding one day in Kitty Hawk. I ruptured an Achilles tendon a few years back, and it took years to get back to semi-normal. I still can't descend steps quickly or wear high heels. So now, there's always that little voice in my head when I think I want to have an adventure.

I have high school friends who are becoming grandparents. How did that happen? We were just in college. I also have some high school friends who have toddlers because they waited late in life for kids or they started a second family.

Being in the sandwich generation is interesting. I am reminded daily of my dinosaur status by the twenty-somethings at work. I went to a trendy store at the mall on Friday to get my niece a gift card for Christmas. I knew standing in line at the cash register that I was clearly on the path to becoming one of the "old" people. The store was too dark, and the music was some throbbing techno-tronic industrial pop that sounded more like screeches and screams. In the fifteen minutes that I was there, I couldn't decipher any words. Then kin of the Addams Family waited on me. I had flash backs to Halloween, and I felt like Marilyn Munster in the store. They all were staring at me. If you don't know who Marilyn is, Google her. I'm sure there are some episodes on YouTube.

I just want it noted that I'm not ready for the glue factory yet. I'm finally at a point in my life where I don't worry as much as I used to. I wish I would have enjoyed my twenties more and not stressed so much. If I could talk to my younger self, here's my advice.

1. I have reached the point in my life where I don't care what's trending in pop culture or fashion. I don't know the latest bands or who's kissing whom. I'm interested occasionally, but there are too many other things that grab my attention.

2. Don't stress so much. You cannot take life or yourself that seriously. Who cares what others think or say. Wear what you want to wear (as long as all the important parts are covered).

3. Forgive and let the small stuff go. There are stupid people in this world, and you can't always fix them.

4. Be kind to others, even when you don't feel like it.

5. Jettison friends or acquaintances who constantly belittle or bring you down. Don't feel like you have to continue these relationships because you've invested time and energy. Spend your time and energy where it's appreciated.

6. Don't isolate yourself. You need friends, confidants, and healthy relationships. Balance the social media with real human contact.

7. Enjoy life. Marvel at the sunrises and rainbows. Don't miss the fun because you're preoccupied with the small things. Unplug once in a while.

8. Keep all of your life in balance.

Enjoy what's left of your weekend. It's going to be in the high 50s here in Central Virginia. (That's a gift for December.)  I'm going outside with the Pair of Jacks to play.

Lisa Scottoline's DIRTY BLONDE

I usually read Lisa Scottoline's Rosato and DiNunzio series. I wanted to try some of her other books, so I picked up Dirty Blonde from 2007.

This novel, set in Philadelphia, is about Judge Kate Fante, who gets a case from a local writer who pitched an idea for a TV crime show to a childhood friend. The writer is suing the friend who went on to produce the show, which became a smash hit. The judge rules in favor of the producer, and a melee breaks out after her ruling. Later that day, the producer is murdered, and the writer is found dead of an apparent suicide. But there is something fishy with the story.

Judge Fante and her private (secret) live are thrust into the spotlight because of this case. She risks her job, career, and reputation to solve the murder after she is censured for her behavior.

I enjoyed Scottoline's description of Centralia, PA (Judge Fante's home town). This is a real town in northern Pennsylvania where underground coal mines caught fire in 1962. It led to the evacuation of the town that is still burning.

The novel's true murderer's reveal was a little flat, but all-in-all, it was a quick, fun read. The naughty judge makes good. I look forward to reading more of Scottline's works.

 

December 12 - Ugly Christmas Sweater Day

It's Ugly Christmas Sweater Day. Google it. There are lots to choose from!

December 4 - National Cookie Day

Today's National Cookie Day!

What's your favorite? Mine are chocolate and peanut butter. It's time to make the Christmas cookies!

My Favorite Presents...

I'm almost finished with this year's Christmas shopping. Hopefully, I'll wrap up the shopping and decorating by next weekend.

What was your favorite present?

I've had several through the years. These aren't in any particular order.

I asked for a puppy one year, and I got a sister.My sister graduated from high school, and I graduated from college in the same year. That year for Christmas, Santa brought us cars. Mine was red (of course).One year, I remarked that I never got a Snoopy Snow Cone Machine for Christmas. My sister gave me one (when I was in my thirties).My husband gave me my engagement ring in an Easter egg one year at brunch.We got our first puppy, Domino Phoebe, for Valentine's Day.