Weblog 201
December 13, 2009~ 12:00am
On Thursday when I was off from work- (the week now sadly over) -I joined mum for dinner as well as joined her for the annual 'Home For The Holidays' Christmas Cantata at her assisted living residence. Because my staying for dinner always seems to create some confusion when I accompany her into the dining room, I slipped in early when I saw some staff inside preparing to let them know they'd need an extra chair at table six. The room was so breathtakingly pretty, decked out for Christmas with the 12 foot tree-
so I had to snap a picture! Looking around at all the twinkling white lights, the lovely linens, everything perfect- I wanted to take photos so you could see how special it looked.
When I rounded the corner on her floor and entered her room, mum too looked especially pretty-- and happy, sitting in her easy chair and decked out herself-- in a Christmas sweater and a big grin!
The dinner was scrumptious. (Just a light one because dessert would be served back in the dining room after the show) but I had a smoked turkey and grilled swiss cheese sandwich and a MOUNTAIN of buttered baby lima beans (which I love, and don't get too often- they don't seem to be on a lot of restaurant menus.) Afterward, we all made our way to the chapel, which was also garlanded in evergreens and twinkling lights.
It was heartwarming to see the residents coming in with their families, traveling with walkers, wheelchairs, everyone smiling. There was even a group of wheelchaired residents dressed up in elf caps and jingle bells for part of the show. They did a candy cane routine to a recording of Andy Williams singing "It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year", swinging their canes this way and that in time to the music. (I believe they were called 'The Jingelizers'. LOL!!) (Yes.....this Christmas Cantata is the first I've ever seen where the roles of Mary, Joseph... shepherds, kings, and the Angel Gabriel... were played by folks over the age of 85!) -and it was wonderful.
They were in full costume. Coming along in their wheeled-walkers with the staff assembled behind in bright reds and greens, singing and harmonizing traditional Christmas songs. The chime choir was seated in front, and some of the ladies from mum's table were there. They played chimes, triangles and DRUMS to 'Little Drummer Boy' and 'Hark How The Bells', and even an African Christmas song. (They have a music director who's a delicate little woman as energetic and lively as the Eveready Energizer bunny! She was hopping around, tickling the ivories on a gorgeous baby grande, moving the show along with gusto.)
I have to say....my eyes filled with tears on more than a few occasions. The whole evening was touching. I so often war with feelings of 'bah-humbug' at this time of the year, yet there were the old folks, showing me how to celebrate.
We clapped uproariously when it was over, and all joined up again in the dining room which was offering a HUGE display of homemade cookies and cakes, a punch fountain- even a hot fudge fountain for dipping pretzels or marshmallows for a sloppy, delicious treat. I came home with more Christmas spirit than I've had in a while, and mum.....well, she was just so pleased I'd come to share it with her.
If you read my blog from this past week, you will know what trials I've been through trying to order gifts on line. Update on that: the orders haven't shipped (since placing them Wednesday) --but they've been taken off 'hold'-- and are now 'active'--(whatever the hell that means.) I mean... pack it up and ship the damn stuff! Release the damn e-card emails and send them to their designated recipients--(doubtless, so they too can begin their torturous journey through the bowels of the beast 'Discovery', trying to redeem them through these morons.) LOL!! (Oh, I'm sure there's gonna be snags.) THIS IS THE LAST YEAR for the 'Discovery Store'. It deteriorates more every year, this being the absolute worst.
Besides the lovely evening with mum, Saturday brought a second bright spot with our movie viewing. I'd chosen the 2008 film "Rachel Getting Married" -
and it was an interesting and deceptively complicated film. My first thoughts were: I HATE ALL THESE PEOPLE!- and I wondered how I'd stomach almost two hours of the upper crust trying like crazy to display just how enlightened-eclectic their tastes could possibly be, and how socially 'hip' they are....and (dare I say it?)...'groovy'. LOL!!
I won't give away the plot, but let me say that when Jonathan Demme is the director, there's gonna be darkness- and there was.
Besides having eyes big enough to swim in like warm chocolate syrup, Anne Hathaway turns in a remarkably real performance as a recovering, drug addicted 'bad younger sister just out of rehab'- to a perfect (and perfectly likable) older sister Rachel. (Even the yuppified spelling of 'Kym' rather than 'Kim' was irritating to me.) But little Kym turns out to be-- (what I perceived by the end of the film) the family's 'Judas Goat'... the one who bears all the guilt so they don't have to.
There are secrets. There are raw emotions and abrasive relationships, and fireworks aplenty. It's a 'Who's Afraid Of Virginia Woolf' for the younger than middle-aged crowd, and very much worth seeing if you haven't as yet.
Deborah Winger plays Kym's mother in the kind of role Mary Tyler Moore brought off so well in 'Ordinary People'- but she's even less sympathic. By the closing credits, you realize she's a person who learns nothing, faces nothing, and lives in a carefully constructed bubble of self-pampering and avoidance. (It was really weird to hate any character Winger plays, but she plays it so well, you just have to.) The secrets aren't neatly revealed or tied up at the end, they're hinted at. Much like real life.
That's it. That was my week. Not much accomplished, but I was off from work, and man.....that has to count for something. And back at it tomorrow...buried in it, I have no doubt. (Send me a snorkel. I'm gonna need it!.)
December 13, 2009~ 1:45am
I've sung the praises in this blog previously about the beauties to be found in the Carnegie Museum of Pittsburgh-- and I wanted to share one of my favorite yearly spectacles. It's the HUGE holiday creche scene depicting a vast assortment of figures in fine, minute detail-- it's the Carnegie's Neapolitan Presepio, and one of the finest examples to be found anywhere.
If you want to enjoy more samplings of this intricate artistry-
like the one above- visit Associazione Italiana 'Amici Del Presepio', and you'll be treated to altogether charming individual figures and arrangements like the one of Joseph above- sleeping while the angel pays him a visit to let him know that Mary is 'in a family way' and could really use his help- (at least I think that's the subject matter there. LOL!!) Oh, do go visit. It's completely magical..
December 15, 2009~ 8:00pm
Today is my daughter's birthday......HAPPY BIRTHDAY, HOLLY!! On this day a few decades ago....I was..........(sore. LOL!) and our Christmas Tree- (a small one for the bedroom) was decorated with diaper pins and pacifiers and basically anything small enough to get my hands on and stick on a little tree.... how time flies. Gosh.
And today, wonder of wonders, the packages are finally through the bowel blockage of the Discovery Store- the e-cards have been delivered and the actual packages are now in the hands of UPS. It took several phone calls and an almost obsessive-compulsive checking of their tracking site, but the deed's been done.
HIP HIP....HOORAY!!
December 16, 2009~ 8:00pm
I'm feeling a little blue today.....missing my cat. That Beethoven was just the happiest little guy at this time of year! He loved everything Christmas!
It's only natural that his death in early September should come back- like Marley's ghost, and haunt me during this time. He LOVED LOVED LOVED egg nog! I'd put a small bit in a bowl every night until the stores stopped selling it for another year. (This year, I can't even look at it in the grocery store. Makes me too sad.)
We called him 'the Christmas Cat'- and here he is, as he looked about 10 years ago during tree trimming time.
As you can see, he was sitting right inside the lid of one of the ornament boxes, staring raptly at the tree, already lit. (He'd house himself in each box as it was emptied, and just admire and admire.) The presents underneath became his own domain. He'd curl up against them like he was one himself.....(and Buddy, you were. Your truly were.) I miss him a LOT.
***
(Return To Weekly Archives)
On Thursday when I was off from work- (the week now sadly over) -I joined mum for dinner as well as joined her for the annual 'Home For The Holidays' Christmas Cantata at her assisted living residence. Because my staying for dinner always seems to create some confusion when I accompany her into the dining room, I slipped in early when I saw some staff inside preparing to let them know they'd need an extra chair at table six. The room was so breathtakingly pretty, decked out for Christmas with the 12 foot tree-
so I had to snap a picture! Looking around at all the twinkling white lights, the lovely linens, everything perfect- I wanted to take photos so you could see how special it looked.
When I rounded the corner on her floor and entered her room, mum too looked especially pretty-- and happy, sitting in her easy chair and decked out herself-- in a Christmas sweater and a big grin!
The dinner was scrumptious. (Just a light one because dessert would be served back in the dining room after the show) but I had a smoked turkey and grilled swiss cheese sandwich and a MOUNTAIN of buttered baby lima beans (which I love, and don't get too often- they don't seem to be on a lot of restaurant menus.) Afterward, we all made our way to the chapel, which was also garlanded in evergreens and twinkling lights.
It was heartwarming to see the residents coming in with their families, traveling with walkers, wheelchairs, everyone smiling. There was even a group of wheelchaired residents dressed up in elf caps and jingle bells for part of the show. They did a candy cane routine to a recording of Andy Williams singing "It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year", swinging their canes this way and that in time to the music. (I believe they were called 'The Jingelizers'. LOL!!) (Yes.....this Christmas Cantata is the first I've ever seen where the roles of Mary, Joseph... shepherds, kings, and the Angel Gabriel... were played by folks over the age of 85!) -and it was wonderful.
They were in full costume. Coming along in their wheeled-walkers with the staff assembled behind in bright reds and greens, singing and harmonizing traditional Christmas songs. The chime choir was seated in front, and some of the ladies from mum's table were there. They played chimes, triangles and DRUMS to 'Little Drummer Boy' and 'Hark How The Bells', and even an African Christmas song. (They have a music director who's a delicate little woman as energetic and lively as the Eveready Energizer bunny! She was hopping around, tickling the ivories on a gorgeous baby grande, moving the show along with gusto.)
I have to say....my eyes filled with tears on more than a few occasions. The whole evening was touching. I so often war with feelings of 'bah-humbug' at this time of the year, yet there were the old folks, showing me how to celebrate.
We clapped uproariously when it was over, and all joined up again in the dining room which was offering a HUGE display of homemade cookies and cakes, a punch fountain- even a hot fudge fountain for dipping pretzels or marshmallows for a sloppy, delicious treat. I came home with more Christmas spirit than I've had in a while, and mum.....well, she was just so pleased I'd come to share it with her.
If you read my blog from this past week, you will know what trials I've been through trying to order gifts on line. Update on that: the orders haven't shipped (since placing them Wednesday) --but they've been taken off 'hold'-- and are now 'active'--(whatever the hell that means.) I mean... pack it up and ship the damn stuff! Release the damn e-card emails and send them to their designated recipients--(doubtless, so they too can begin their torturous journey through the bowels of the beast 'Discovery', trying to redeem them through these morons.) LOL!! (Oh, I'm sure there's gonna be snags.) THIS IS THE LAST YEAR for the 'Discovery Store'. It deteriorates more every year, this being the absolute worst.
Besides the lovely evening with mum, Saturday brought a second bright spot with our movie viewing. I'd chosen the 2008 film "Rachel Getting Married" -
and it was an interesting and deceptively complicated film. My first thoughts were: I HATE ALL THESE PEOPLE!- and I wondered how I'd stomach almost two hours of the upper crust trying like crazy to display just how enlightened-eclectic their tastes could possibly be, and how socially 'hip' they are....and (dare I say it?)...'groovy'. LOL!!
I won't give away the plot, but let me say that when Jonathan Demme is the director, there's gonna be darkness- and there was.
Besides having eyes big enough to swim in like warm chocolate syrup, Anne Hathaway turns in a remarkably real performance as a recovering, drug addicted 'bad younger sister just out of rehab'- to a perfect (and perfectly likable) older sister Rachel. (Even the yuppified spelling of 'Kym' rather than 'Kim' was irritating to me.) But little Kym turns out to be-- (what I perceived by the end of the film) the family's 'Judas Goat'... the one who bears all the guilt so they don't have to.
There are secrets. There are raw emotions and abrasive relationships, and fireworks aplenty. It's a 'Who's Afraid Of Virginia Woolf' for the younger than middle-aged crowd, and very much worth seeing if you haven't as yet.
Deborah Winger plays Kym's mother in the kind of role Mary Tyler Moore brought off so well in 'Ordinary People'- but she's even less sympathic. By the closing credits, you realize she's a person who learns nothing, faces nothing, and lives in a carefully constructed bubble of self-pampering and avoidance. (It was really weird to hate any character Winger plays, but she plays it so well, you just have to.) The secrets aren't neatly revealed or tied up at the end, they're hinted at. Much like real life.
That's it. That was my week. Not much accomplished, but I was off from work, and man.....that has to count for something. And back at it tomorrow...buried in it, I have no doubt. (Send me a snorkel. I'm gonna need it!.)
December 13, 2009~ 1:45am
I've sung the praises in this blog previously about the beauties to be found in the Carnegie Museum of Pittsburgh-- and I wanted to share one of my favorite yearly spectacles. It's the HUGE holiday creche scene depicting a vast assortment of figures in fine, minute detail-- it's the Carnegie's Neapolitan Presepio, and one of the finest examples to be found anywhere.
If you want to enjoy more samplings of this intricate artistry-
like the one above- visit Associazione Italiana 'Amici Del Presepio', and you'll be treated to altogether charming individual figures and arrangements like the one of Joseph above- sleeping while the angel pays him a visit to let him know that Mary is 'in a family way' and could really use his help- (at least I think that's the subject matter there. LOL!!) Oh, do go visit. It's completely magical..
December 15, 2009~ 8:00pm
Today is my daughter's birthday......HAPPY BIRTHDAY, HOLLY!! On this day a few decades ago....I was..........(sore. LOL!) and our Christmas Tree- (a small one for the bedroom) was decorated with diaper pins and pacifiers and basically anything small enough to get my hands on and stick on a little tree.... how time flies. Gosh.
And today, wonder of wonders, the packages are finally through the bowel blockage of the Discovery Store- the e-cards have been delivered and the actual packages are now in the hands of UPS. It took several phone calls and an almost obsessive-compulsive checking of their tracking site, but the deed's been done.
HIP HIP....HOORAY!!
December 16, 2009~ 8:00pm
I'm feeling a little blue today.....missing my cat. That Beethoven was just the happiest little guy at this time of year! He loved everything Christmas!
It's only natural that his death in early September should come back- like Marley's ghost, and haunt me during this time. He LOVED LOVED LOVED egg nog! I'd put a small bit in a bowl every night until the stores stopped selling it for another year. (This year, I can't even look at it in the grocery store. Makes me too sad.)
We called him 'the Christmas Cat'- and here he is, as he looked about 10 years ago during tree trimming time.
As you can see, he was sitting right inside the lid of one of the ornament boxes, staring raptly at the tree, already lit. (He'd house himself in each box as it was emptied, and just admire and admire.) The presents underneath became his own domain. He'd curl up against them like he was one himself.....(and Buddy, you were. Your truly were.) I miss him a LOT.
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