Coveting at the Convent
27 Sep 2009 1 Comment
in Scranton
Mini Red and I were off to Scranton this past weekend to visit Aunt Dot. This year has been so crazy that we were unable to visit in the Spring so this was our first trip of the year.
It’s not easy to go on these visits. The drive is long but beautiful and we love Aunt Dot but she is almost 97 and can’t walk anymore, which has taken a toll on her especially mentally.
These women that live at this residence have given of themselves for most of their lives and I don’t think any of them are under 80 years old. At this point in their lives the little bit that they have is very important to them. What is even more important is to show off their families and what their families have done for them. For example last year I brought Aunt Dot a HUGE remote control for her TV. She loved showing it off and everyone wanted one. I try to do something special for Aunt Dot since Mini Red and I are her only family whereas most of the Sisters have a lot of family, often local, that come for visits.
This visit I knew would be tough since last week had been a rough week at work. It was a little more difficult than I had expected since Aunt Dot’s mind has deteriorated a lot more since the last visit. The first problem was a mix up in the days. She though we were coming Friday and the entire convent became aware of this situation as she refused to eat dinner Friday determined to wait for us. I felt so bad but Aunt Dot and I speak every day and every day I would remind her that it was Saturday the 26th that we were coming.
On this visit I can’t tell you how often she repeated herself and asked me the same question over and over. I tried giving different answers to see if one would satisfy her but it seemed to be a crap shoot. I felt like I was in the movie “Groundhog Day”. I also got yelled at a lot because she would tell me I was doing something wrong but really I wasn’t. It was almost comical but soon became tiring.
Then there were the chocolates. She has me bring three boxes of chocolates to give as a thank you with my thank you card. One goes to the head nuns, another to the staff at the residence and the last one to the Sisters on her floor. The last box she had me open because she wanted to count the chocolates in the box and divide them up to make sure each Sister got one. So I opened the box and she counted them by touching each of them. Then she ate one!!! She counted again by touching each one of them. I sat there just watching her and by the fifth time I had to turn away because it was making me crazy. We then went to the dining area on her floor which consists of two tables and seating for four at each table. She brought the chocolates and at the table she counted again then separated some out into the box top, hands all over each. She instructed Mini Red to deliver the box top of chocolates to the other table. It was tiring as she had us pass the chocolates around our own table. I wasn’t about to have one and the other Sister at our table is diabetic so she was limited as to how many she could have.
Then there was the cookie coveting issue. Our table had cookies and the other table had slices of pie. At our table we each took a cookie and then the Sisters at the other table got wind of it and wanted cookies. I asked Mini Red to take the plate of cookies over to them but Aunt Dot said, “No! They have their own!” I explained that they didn’t and she wasn’t having it. She grabbed the plate of cookies as we could hear the other Sisters whispering deciding who would go get the cookies from our table. Mini Red and I stayed out of it as Aunt Dot got hold of the plate of cookies. She rearranged the plate by touching each one and finally taking one and putting it on her plate. The Sister that was sent over seemed scared of Aunt Dot but the taller Sister wasn’t scared, she came over and picked up the plate and brought it to her table for the other Sisters. In the end Aunt Dot didn’t even eat the cookie she had put on her plate.
I know she has lived a long tough life giving of herself so Mini Red and I try to give back to her but I tell ya… It isn’t easy.
We are so glad to be home.
Pink Hair for Hope
19 Sep 2009 1 Comment
Have I ever told you about my hairdresser, Kim?
No?
This chick is freaking awesome. Finding her was a fluke years ago and now Mini Red goes to her as well as Squirrley Gurl and Mrs. M to name a few. My Mom has even gone to her on occasion. She has taken me to a new plateau with the styles I wear and we have even played with color… Enhancing my red that is.
The first time she did low lights I noticed she kept checking over her shoulder. I asked what was up and she told me she was worried someone would tackle her for touching my hair color.
I love that when I bring Mini Red in she will tell me something along the lines of, “I was thinking about your hair and I think we should try…” I feel so special that she thinks about me when we aren’t together. We are already planning the low lights I want to do in October and I want to go darker than last time. So excited.
Last time I was in I cut four inches off my hair. She knew that I wasn’t ready for that my previous visit but she knew I was ready the next time which shows she definitely is in tune with me. The thing is… It’s not just me it’s Mini Red too and everyone that goes to her. The last time I was in she told me about these colorful extension and thought of Mini Red.
Today I took Mini Red to get her hair trimmed and she got two purple extensions in her hair. Evidently, Salon 4 is supporting the National Breast Cancer Foundation with Pink Hair for Hope. You can have a lock of pink hair extension added to your own locks for a $10 donation. Lasting from Sept. 1 until Oct. 31, all proceeds of this campaign will go to the National Breast Cancer Foundation to help fund breast cancer research.
According to the American Cancer Society, more than 212,000 new cases of breast cancer were diagnosed in the USA in 2006, adding to the 2.3 million women in the U.S.A. with a history of breast cancer.
So I donated $20 and got two hot pink extension added to my hair. This is such a cool way to show your support for those who are fighting in a fun and special way.
Breast cancer has touched many of us in our own way. For me my Grandmother and Godmother both had breast cancer. Adding a funky color like this is something I think is very cool and fun but I don’t think I would have done it if not for such a great cause. I’m tempted to go back for more now.
If you want to show your support and sport some pink hair, of various degrees of pink, check out Salon 4’s website for their contact information and stop by or call them for an appointment. $10 is a drop in the bucket even in this economy plus you get something back. This is way cooler than sporting a “I Voted” sticker.
Come help make a unique difference with Pink Hair for Hope.
My two cents…
15 Sep 2009 1 Comment
in celebrities, music, news, odd people
Kanye “Fuck Nuts” West needs to be banned and boycotted.
He apologized for a third time on the Jay Leno Show stating that it’s due to not taking time off especially after his mother’s death. I say, “Bull shit!” Excuses, excuses… He has done this time and time again and he will do it yet again.
This jerk needs to be taught a lesson and needs to learn his place. Maybe this is a job for Emily Post? Then again… Not sure if anyone can get through his thick skull.
So fed up with this dude that I do and will continue to change the station if any of his music is played.
I apologize for my profanity but I am really tired of people like this.
The Kensington Labor Day Parade
07 Sep 2009 1 Comment
in family, fun, holidays, local
If you’ve been to Kensington’s Labor Day Parade before then you have a predefined area to sit along with your family and friends. You also know to bring a bag for the candy that gets thrown at you and a trash bag for the political handouts as well as the candy wrappers.
The parade always starts out with all the politicians:
Then come Kensington’s Fire trucks:
The Kensington Fire Department has quite a fleet of trucks. Oh and here is a small sampling of my family:
There were bands:
… And fighting pirates:
The PTA was rocking out:
While the kids tagged along behind:
Then there were Horses and dogs:
Oh and then MORE Fire trucks from Rockville, Hyattstown and Silver Spring. It was unbelievable how many fire trucks there were:
There was a float… of sorts:
I really hope to see more floats in the years to come.
There were people that had something to say. Some of it was understood some of it wasn’t:
The parade has really grown over the years. I ran into a a lot of friends and even one who was in the parade for a local Stage Hand Union. The problem is… They were at the end and everyone’s ADD had kicked in at that point. Maybe next year they will have a float to really get noticed. I can’t wait.
See this is why I leave the beach early… To not only beat traffic but also to see the parade and then walk into town for the Festival and catch up with everyone after the summer.
If you’ve never trekked out to K-Town for the Labor Day parade I suggest you mark your calendars and make it out for the next one in 2010. There’s nothing like a small town parade and this one is just outside D.C.
Do you know The Mower Man?
02 Sep 2009 Leave a Comment
in House
Do you know The Mower Man,
The Mower Man, The Mower Man,
Do you know The Mower Man,
He services Montgomery, Howard and PG Counties Lawn Mowers?
Yes I know The Mower Man,
The Mower Man, The Mower Man,
Yes I know The Mower Man,
He came to my home and made my lawn mower like new again?
Since moving into a house the task of mowing the lawn has entered my life again. I was EXTREMELY lucky to get a hand me down lawn mower from Mr. & Mrs. M. I quickly realized I needed to figure out how to maintain this mower, which would save me a lot of money in the long run. I overheard my cousins talking at a family event about this Mower Man. You tell him where you keep the mower and he comes to your home, you don’t need to be home, and services the mower. If you get a service contract they will contact you and come out every Spring and change the oil and sharpen the blades and check for anything else that might be needed.
As a single Mom who works full time and has an issue with procrastination… This service is perfect for me. I finally got the contact info and called. They came out the next day.
When I got home from work Mini Red and her friend were sitting on the front step chatting up The Mower Man. I think he got a kick out of them. I tried to save him from them and soon found out we know a lot of the same people. As Squirrely Gurl can attest… My world tends to be quite small.
I was so excited to find a service like this and the price is definitely right. The Mower Man was very personable as well as knowledgable and the mower is now purring.
Thanks Mower Man!
