The (Lack of) Help
It was once again chilly and windy when I finally headed to the gym for my first session there this week. I did 20 solid minutes on the elliptical machine, then hit the arm weight machines. I had the time to get some work on the free weights in before I stretched, too. It was a little busier there than last Wednesday morning, but still far from full.
I was hoping to get some vacuuming done when I got home, but I got into watching the Jeanette MacDonald/Nelson Eddy special I dubbed off my old tape last summer, and then I made leftovers for lunch. I just plain ran out of time. I spent too much time loafing.
Work was exactly the same as yesterday - busy during rush hour, otherwise quiet. Good thing, too. The teenage girl who called out on Monday did it yet again. I'm lucky it was quiet when I finished, or I probably wouldn't have been able to leave when I did.
Life is a lazy river - no matter where you are. Movies, musicals, mysteries, pop culture, and lots of other great stuff.
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Balance and the Busy Day
I don't usually do yoga on Tuesdays, but I'm not going to have the time to do it for the rest of the week! I overslept (I need to figure out how to get my clock off of "sleep" mode) and was late arriving. Carrie was the teacher; we mainly concentrated on twists and hip-openers. I did what I could, but my side's been sore for the past week. I wonder if I've been sitting in front of a computer for too long lately.
Went straight to the Collingswood Library after class, but that place was quiet as a mouse. I guess everyone's still away for the week. There wasn't even anything to shelve. I organized DVDs, then read upstairs for a little while. After I left, I grabbed milk and a pretzel from WaWa, then rode home.
I had leftovers for lunch, then headed to the laundromat to get a big bag of laundry done, including bathroom towels. Once again, this was the only time I could get it done...but now I'm wondering if I should have waited. It was crazy-busy the whole time I was there. I did get a drier and a washer, but it was noisy, with lots of families and college students and older people trying to use eight washers at a time. I got out as soon as I possibly could.
Since I had a little time after I got all the laundry put away, I took down the Easter decorations. I do want to get to vacuuming and dusting eventually this week. It'll be easier to do with fewer knick-knacks around. I got everything put away, changed, and made my dinner for work with just a few minutes to spare.
Work was quiet for the second day in a row. It did get busy during rush hour, but otherwise, I spent the first two hours shelving stray items and the last two hours shelving candy. I was in and out with no fuss.
I don't usually do yoga on Tuesdays, but I'm not going to have the time to do it for the rest of the week! I overslept (I need to figure out how to get my clock off of "sleep" mode) and was late arriving. Carrie was the teacher; we mainly concentrated on twists and hip-openers. I did what I could, but my side's been sore for the past week. I wonder if I've been sitting in front of a computer for too long lately.
Went straight to the Collingswood Library after class, but that place was quiet as a mouse. I guess everyone's still away for the week. There wasn't even anything to shelve. I organized DVDs, then read upstairs for a little while. After I left, I grabbed milk and a pretzel from WaWa, then rode home.
I had leftovers for lunch, then headed to the laundromat to get a big bag of laundry done, including bathroom towels. Once again, this was the only time I could get it done...but now I'm wondering if I should have waited. It was crazy-busy the whole time I was there. I did get a drier and a washer, but it was noisy, with lots of families and college students and older people trying to use eight washers at a time. I got out as soon as I possibly could.
Since I had a little time after I got all the laundry put away, I took down the Easter decorations. I do want to get to vacuuming and dusting eventually this week. It'll be easier to do with fewer knick-knacks around. I got everything put away, changed, and made my dinner for work with just a few minutes to spare.
Work was quiet for the second day in a row. It did get busy during rush hour, but otherwise, I spent the first two hours shelving stray items and the last two hours shelving candy. I was in and out with no fuss.
Monday, April 09, 2012
Avoiding the Wind
Though I did get up at a decent time, I had a few things to do this morning before work. The big one was sending off a few late Easter cards, including one to my brother in the Navy. That took longer than I thought, and between that and the heavy wind, I just barely got in on time.
As it turned out, I probably could have taken all day. We were dead for most of the afternoon and quite a bit of the evening. It got busy during rush hour, but otherwise, I either stood around or did candy. Other than a father-mother pair early on who fussed over soda prices, there were no problems with customers. The problem was the same one we always have during holiday weeks - ie, lack of help. Not only did a lot of people who normally work in the day take their vacation time, but the teenager who was supposed to work tonight called out at the very last minute. (Again. This is far from the first time she's done that.) The managers had to take her place. I grabbed I Can't Believe It's Not Butter sticks on sale, peanut butter, and the last bag of Easter Mini York Peppermint Patties (they never have enough of those in stock, and they go fast), then headed home.
At least the weather's going to stay nice. It looks like a chance of rain Wednesday night; otherwise, the wind will die out, and it'll stay in the upper 50s-lower 60s and sunny, which is pretty much what it's supposed to be at this time of year.
Though I did get up at a decent time, I had a few things to do this morning before work. The big one was sending off a few late Easter cards, including one to my brother in the Navy. That took longer than I thought, and between that and the heavy wind, I just barely got in on time.
As it turned out, I probably could have taken all day. We were dead for most of the afternoon and quite a bit of the evening. It got busy during rush hour, but otherwise, I either stood around or did candy. Other than a father-mother pair early on who fussed over soda prices, there were no problems with customers. The problem was the same one we always have during holiday weeks - ie, lack of help. Not only did a lot of people who normally work in the day take their vacation time, but the teenager who was supposed to work tonight called out at the very last minute. (Again. This is far from the first time she's done that.) The managers had to take her place. I grabbed I Can't Believe It's Not Butter sticks on sale, peanut butter, and the last bag of Easter Mini York Peppermint Patties (they never have enough of those in stock, and they go fast), then headed home.
At least the weather's going to stay nice. It looks like a chance of rain Wednesday night; otherwise, the wind will die out, and it'll stay in the upper 50s-lower 60s and sunny, which is pretty much what it's supposed to be at this time of year.
Sunday, April 08, 2012
Easter Adventures
I got up much earlier than I usually do on a Sunday in order to head over to Dad and Uncle Ken's for breakfast. I hurriedly ate half of a grapefruit and gulped some tea. Remembered I'd forgotten to sign my Easter cards, so I did that, too. It was sunny again, but even windier than usual, and the wind was chilly. I pulled stockings on under my teal ruffled dress (worn over a peach blouse), grabbed everything I needed, slipped into my good white flats, and hurried out.
The trouble started just half-way down the street. I don't often wear my good white shoes. I don't usually have a reason to wear nice clothes! The shoes were just something I'd bought at Fashion Bug about two or three years ago. Maybe that's why the sole suddenly came unglued on my right one as I rushed. I was in too much of a hurry to go back and change! The other started about half-way to Uncle Ken's. By the time I arrived, the top half of one sole had come off entirely, and the other was just starting to. Jodie drove me back to my place briefly later in the morning to get a pair of sandals. (We also stopped at CVS.)
Thankfully, most of the day went much better after that. Dad, Uncle Ken, Jessa, and Jodie were the only ones home when I arrived. Rose, Craig, and Khai appeared a mere 10 minutes later, and Dolores came shortly after them. Jodie's son TJ and his friend Riff arrived an hour later. I gave Rose the small bouquet of red roses I bought from Flowers By Renee yesterday for her birthday. I have no idea when I'm going to see Khai again, so I gave him his birthday present today. He got the Fisher Price Roly-Poly Apple I bought at the Barrington Antique Center a few weeks ago and a small foam Nerf football. My sisters and I had that Roly-Poly Apple when we were little, and we were making him ring well after the toddler years. We all ate tons of Jodie's French Bread Casserole and canteloupe, grapefruit, and pineapple chunks.
We finally headed to Karen and Jim's house around 12:30, about a half-hour after Rose took both of her boys home for naps. I went with Jodie and Dad; Jessa drove the boys. (Dolores and Uncle Ken were going out to dinner with her family.) Karen and Jim are my cousins who live in a development in largely rural Washington Township with their 6-year-old son CJ. They have a huge house with a big back-yard, and the family tends to hold a lot of parties there.
Karen met us at the door. She was greeting guests; Jim was doing dinner. CJ was hitting golf balls into the kitchen. CJ's always been a golf nut (it's genetic - his father and grandfather are, too) , and it seems his passion has just grown stronger in the last year. He idolizes Tiger Woods (and no, don't try explaining what the guy's been doing these past few years) and wants to join golf tournaments. I spent a lot of the early part of the afternoon outside, watching him hit golf balls around the backyard and babbling on in arcane golf language.
I was delighted to see that Jim's 22-year-old daughter from his first marriage, Taylere, was there as well. She's in her last semester as a journalism student in Rutgers at New Brunswick, and I haven't seen her in ages. She's also friends with Jessa, and they spent a lot of the afternoon together.
I was inside watching Jess and Taylere play some golf video game on the XBox when Karen called us outside. She'd hidden a bag of plastic eggs around their yard. Some had CJ's initials; others were filled with marshmallows. Taylere, CJ, and I went around looking for eggs. I only found two of the marshmallow eggs, but Taylere and especially CJ made excellent hauls.
We finally had dinner around 3PM. There was tons of food, and it was all excellent. Jim made a big ham; Taylere roasted asparagus. Jodie brought macaroni salad. Jim whipped up real au gratin potatoes dripping with cheese. Karin baked croissants from a can. There was also cole slaw and corn, but I didn't have those. We had tea, coffee, tiny tartlets from Desserts By Design in Audubon, and my Orange Coconut Cream Pie and Easter Cookies for dessert.
Eating all that food all day, along with the meat and cheese tray Karen had set out when we first arrived, wasn't the smartest thing I ever did. I spent the next hour or so laying around with a bulging, sore stomach. I first watched Riff play chess with CJ, then giggled at Jessa and Taylere as they got into Lego Indiana Jones 2: The Adventures Continue for XBox. TJ read quiz questions for a game he plays at one of the local restaurants to us to see if we could guess all of them.
By that point, it was starting to get dark, and I was getting bored with all of the theological and political talk Jim and TJ were doing. Dad, Jodie, and I left around 7. Jessa and the boys opted to stick around a little longer.
The road was perfectly fine until we hit Deptford, where the traffic seemed to just stop. Dad pulled off into the Deptford Mall area, where he and Jodie spent ten minutes arguing over whether or not to go straight or turn back onto the highway. Jodie finally won, and she turned out to be right. According to her cell phone, the highway was clogged for miles because of a nasty accident. I finally got home around 8PM.
I hope all of you had a lovely Easter or Passover! For everyone else, enjoy your spring.
I got up much earlier than I usually do on a Sunday in order to head over to Dad and Uncle Ken's for breakfast. I hurriedly ate half of a grapefruit and gulped some tea. Remembered I'd forgotten to sign my Easter cards, so I did that, too. It was sunny again, but even windier than usual, and the wind was chilly. I pulled stockings on under my teal ruffled dress (worn over a peach blouse), grabbed everything I needed, slipped into my good white flats, and hurried out.
The trouble started just half-way down the street. I don't often wear my good white shoes. I don't usually have a reason to wear nice clothes! The shoes were just something I'd bought at Fashion Bug about two or three years ago. Maybe that's why the sole suddenly came unglued on my right one as I rushed. I was in too much of a hurry to go back and change! The other started about half-way to Uncle Ken's. By the time I arrived, the top half of one sole had come off entirely, and the other was just starting to. Jodie drove me back to my place briefly later in the morning to get a pair of sandals. (We also stopped at CVS.)
Thankfully, most of the day went much better after that. Dad, Uncle Ken, Jessa, and Jodie were the only ones home when I arrived. Rose, Craig, and Khai appeared a mere 10 minutes later, and Dolores came shortly after them. Jodie's son TJ and his friend Riff arrived an hour later. I gave Rose the small bouquet of red roses I bought from Flowers By Renee yesterday for her birthday. I have no idea when I'm going to see Khai again, so I gave him his birthday present today. He got the Fisher Price Roly-Poly Apple I bought at the Barrington Antique Center a few weeks ago and a small foam Nerf football. My sisters and I had that Roly-Poly Apple when we were little, and we were making him ring well after the toddler years. We all ate tons of Jodie's French Bread Casserole and canteloupe, grapefruit, and pineapple chunks.
We finally headed to Karen and Jim's house around 12:30, about a half-hour after Rose took both of her boys home for naps. I went with Jodie and Dad; Jessa drove the boys. (Dolores and Uncle Ken were going out to dinner with her family.) Karen and Jim are my cousins who live in a development in largely rural Washington Township with their 6-year-old son CJ. They have a huge house with a big back-yard, and the family tends to hold a lot of parties there.
Karen met us at the door. She was greeting guests; Jim was doing dinner. CJ was hitting golf balls into the kitchen. CJ's always been a golf nut (it's genetic - his father and grandfather are, too) , and it seems his passion has just grown stronger in the last year. He idolizes Tiger Woods (and no, don't try explaining what the guy's been doing these past few years) and wants to join golf tournaments. I spent a lot of the early part of the afternoon outside, watching him hit golf balls around the backyard and babbling on in arcane golf language.
I was delighted to see that Jim's 22-year-old daughter from his first marriage, Taylere, was there as well. She's in her last semester as a journalism student in Rutgers at New Brunswick, and I haven't seen her in ages. She's also friends with Jessa, and they spent a lot of the afternoon together.
I was inside watching Jess and Taylere play some golf video game on the XBox when Karen called us outside. She'd hidden a bag of plastic eggs around their yard. Some had CJ's initials; others were filled with marshmallows. Taylere, CJ, and I went around looking for eggs. I only found two of the marshmallow eggs, but Taylere and especially CJ made excellent hauls.
We finally had dinner around 3PM. There was tons of food, and it was all excellent. Jim made a big ham; Taylere roasted asparagus. Jodie brought macaroni salad. Jim whipped up real au gratin potatoes dripping with cheese. Karin baked croissants from a can. There was also cole slaw and corn, but I didn't have those. We had tea, coffee, tiny tartlets from Desserts By Design in Audubon, and my Orange Coconut Cream Pie and Easter Cookies for dessert.
Eating all that food all day, along with the meat and cheese tray Karen had set out when we first arrived, wasn't the smartest thing I ever did. I spent the next hour or so laying around with a bulging, sore stomach. I first watched Riff play chess with CJ, then giggled at Jessa and Taylere as they got into Lego Indiana Jones 2: The Adventures Continue for XBox. TJ read quiz questions for a game he plays at one of the local restaurants to us to see if we could guess all of them.
By that point, it was starting to get dark, and I was getting bored with all of the theological and political talk Jim and TJ were doing. Dad, Jodie, and I left around 7. Jessa and the boys opted to stick around a little longer.
The road was perfectly fine until we hit Deptford, where the traffic seemed to just stop. Dad pulled off into the Deptford Mall area, where he and Jodie spent ten minutes arguing over whether or not to go straight or turn back onto the highway. Jodie finally won, and she turned out to be right. According to her cell phone, the highway was clogged for miles because of a nasty accident. I finally got home around 8PM.
I hope all of you had a lovely Easter or Passover! For everyone else, enjoy your spring.
Saturday, April 07, 2012
"In Spring, the Easter Bunny Never Sleeps"
First of all, happy birthday to my sister Rose, whom I'm so proud of for being a good lawyer and a good mother.
It was once again bright, sunny, and windy when I woke up this morning. Began today with The Artist's Way and the American Top 40 re-run. We headed back to April 1978, when disco was king. Hits from that week included "Can't Smile Without You," by Barry Manilow, "Running on Empty" by Jackson Browne, and the two blockbuster songs that had pretty much been on top for months, "Stayin' Alive" and "Night Fever," both two of the biggest hits of the Bee Gees' careers.
It was a lovely day to inaugurate this year's Spring Yard Sale Season. I made a quick run to the bank first (saying "hi" to the teller on my way), before checking out a few sales in Audubon. I couldn't find the one on South Davis and there was nothing interesting at the sales at the White Horse Pike and Spruce Avenue, but I hit the mother load at Washington Terrace. A man was selling at least 10 or 15 crates of LPs, ranging from classic rock to jazz, vocalists to a stray cast album or two. I picked up 17 records and four cassettes for 24 dollars (some of the records were 3 dollars):
Elton John - Madman Across the Water
Herman's Hermits - Herman's Hermits and There's a Kind of Hush All Over the World (Lauren loves these guys - she has a crush on Peter Noone)
The Who - Quadrophenia soundtrack
Oliver - Good Morning Starshine
The Carpenters - Singles 1969-1973
Bing Crosby - The Bing Crosby Story: The Early Jazz Years, 1928-1932
Rosemary Clooney and Bing Crosby - Fancy Meeting You Here
Phil Harris - That's What I Like About the South
Tony Orlando and Dawn - Greatest Hits
Don Henley - Building the Perfect Beast
Al Stewart - Time Passages
Judy Garland - Her Greatest Hits!
Jackson Browne - Running on Empty
Gary Puckett and the Union Gap - Gary Puckett and the Union Gap Featuring "Young Girl"
Bells are Ringing - Original Broadway Cast Album with Judy Holliday and Sydney Chaplin
Steve Martin - A Wild and Crazy Guy (Yay! More Steve Martin in loony mode! Even has "King Tut!")
Since I was already in Audubon, I decided to treat myself to a cupcake at Desserts By Design. Not a good idea. They were mobbed, and I wasn't about to fight the crowds in that tiny store. I went a few doors down to Flowers By Renee instead to get a present for Rose's birthday. Thank heavens Renee wasn't busy. I guess people already put in most of their Easter flower orders.
I went home to put away the flowers and the records, then went back out on foot. Went to the Oaklyn Library first to do this week's volunteer session there. I rearranged a few DVDs and shelved some children's books. They sounded like they were going to work on some new shelves, though, so I left early.
My next stop was Dad and Uncle Ken's. Jodie was working on the French Toast Casserole for tomorrow morning when I arrived; Dad was doing work around the house. Uncle Ken and Dolores were watching the History Channel. Dad said we're going to get together around 10AM with Rose and her boys for breakfast, then leave for Karen and Jim's between 1 and 2. All are fine by me. I had to push to get this holiday off, and I had no desire to rush it.
I spent the rest of the afternoon at home, running cartoons and Easter specials and movies while first cleaning the kitchen, then doing holiday baking. Did Barbie Presents Thumbelina while I was in the kitchen. When a group of kids make fun of a girl's tiny tree, Barbie tells them the story of a diminutive, fairy-like creature who did make a difference. In Barbie's version, Thumbelina is a Twillerbee, a small nature-dweller who lives with her friends in a flower-filled meadow near a large city. Thumbelina and her friends find themselves small fish in a huge urban pond when Makenna, the spoiled daughter of a pair of yuppie business owners, insists on having their flower patch uprooted and brought to her room. Thumbelina discovers that Makenna's parents intend to build a factory on the meadow, destroying the Twillerbees' homes. She sets out to prove that a person can be brave and change things for good, no matter how big or small they are.
I wasn't crazy about it. The problem with environmental tales for children is, no matter how well-meant they are, they often tend to be preachy. Thumbelina is no exception. The "make a difference" message was laid on a bit too thick. The story has absolutely nothing to do with Hans Christian Anderson's fairy tale whatsoever, either.
I believe this was one of the earliest Barbie titles released by Universal. That means there's some very nice animation, including the Twillerbees' eye-popping, almost Seuss-like meadow. Even so, it wasn't enough to offset the too-obvious morals. If your daughter is into the Barbie specials, try either the earlier ones or the most recent ones first unless she's a big fan of going green.
I switched to Easter specials around the same time I finished the kitchen. I made Cinnamon Swirl Bread for me and rolled-out Easter Cookies to split between me and the family tomorrow. Ran Here Comes Peter Cottontail, then Yogi the Easter Bear.
I did Easter Parade while having salmon and a spinach-citrus salad for dinner. A dancer (Fred Astaire) has to find himself a new partner when his old one (Ann Miller) leaves him in the lurch when she accepts an offer to star in her own show. He randomly chooses a chorus girl from a bar dance show (Judy Garland) to work with him. She's awkward at first, especially when he tries to force her to be just like his former partner - something she isn't. He finally discovers her own comic rhythm that propels them to the top ranks of vaudeville stardom. What will he do when his old partner makes a play for him...and his best friend (Peter Lawford) makes a play for his new one?
One of the best of the Freed Unit MGM musicals is this delightful charmer. Everyone gets a good number in. Astaire astounds with "Drum Crazy" and the trick photography on "Steppin' Out With My Baby." Ann Miller gets an amazing "Shakin' the Blues Away," while Garland finally got fastidious Astaire into hobo togs long enough for their hilarious "A Couple of Swells." Peter Lawford may not be the singer that the other three are, but he does get my favorite of the songs written directly for the film, the sweet ballad "A Fella With an Umbrella."
First of all, happy birthday to my sister Rose, whom I'm so proud of for being a good lawyer and a good mother.
It was once again bright, sunny, and windy when I woke up this morning. Began today with The Artist's Way and the American Top 40 re-run. We headed back to April 1978, when disco was king. Hits from that week included "Can't Smile Without You," by Barry Manilow, "Running on Empty" by Jackson Browne, and the two blockbuster songs that had pretty much been on top for months, "Stayin' Alive" and "Night Fever," both two of the biggest hits of the Bee Gees' careers.
It was a lovely day to inaugurate this year's Spring Yard Sale Season. I made a quick run to the bank first (saying "hi" to the teller on my way), before checking out a few sales in Audubon. I couldn't find the one on South Davis and there was nothing interesting at the sales at the White Horse Pike and Spruce Avenue, but I hit the mother load at Washington Terrace. A man was selling at least 10 or 15 crates of LPs, ranging from classic rock to jazz, vocalists to a stray cast album or two. I picked up 17 records and four cassettes for 24 dollars (some of the records were 3 dollars):
Elton John - Madman Across the Water
Herman's Hermits - Herman's Hermits and There's a Kind of Hush All Over the World (Lauren loves these guys - she has a crush on Peter Noone)
The Who - Quadrophenia soundtrack
Oliver - Good Morning Starshine
The Carpenters - Singles 1969-1973
Bing Crosby - The Bing Crosby Story: The Early Jazz Years, 1928-1932
Rosemary Clooney and Bing Crosby - Fancy Meeting You Here
Phil Harris - That's What I Like About the South
Tony Orlando and Dawn - Greatest Hits
Don Henley - Building the Perfect Beast
Al Stewart - Time Passages
Judy Garland - Her Greatest Hits!
Jackson Browne - Running on Empty
Gary Puckett and the Union Gap - Gary Puckett and the Union Gap Featuring "Young Girl"
Bells are Ringing - Original Broadway Cast Album with Judy Holliday and Sydney Chaplin
Steve Martin - A Wild and Crazy Guy (Yay! More Steve Martin in loony mode! Even has "King Tut!")
Since I was already in Audubon, I decided to treat myself to a cupcake at Desserts By Design. Not a good idea. They were mobbed, and I wasn't about to fight the crowds in that tiny store. I went a few doors down to Flowers By Renee instead to get a present for Rose's birthday. Thank heavens Renee wasn't busy. I guess people already put in most of their Easter flower orders.
I went home to put away the flowers and the records, then went back out on foot. Went to the Oaklyn Library first to do this week's volunteer session there. I rearranged a few DVDs and shelved some children's books. They sounded like they were going to work on some new shelves, though, so I left early.
My next stop was Dad and Uncle Ken's. Jodie was working on the French Toast Casserole for tomorrow morning when I arrived; Dad was doing work around the house. Uncle Ken and Dolores were watching the History Channel. Dad said we're going to get together around 10AM with Rose and her boys for breakfast, then leave for Karen and Jim's between 1 and 2. All are fine by me. I had to push to get this holiday off, and I had no desire to rush it.
I spent the rest of the afternoon at home, running cartoons and Easter specials and movies while first cleaning the kitchen, then doing holiday baking. Did Barbie Presents Thumbelina while I was in the kitchen. When a group of kids make fun of a girl's tiny tree, Barbie tells them the story of a diminutive, fairy-like creature who did make a difference. In Barbie's version, Thumbelina is a Twillerbee, a small nature-dweller who lives with her friends in a flower-filled meadow near a large city. Thumbelina and her friends find themselves small fish in a huge urban pond when Makenna, the spoiled daughter of a pair of yuppie business owners, insists on having their flower patch uprooted and brought to her room. Thumbelina discovers that Makenna's parents intend to build a factory on the meadow, destroying the Twillerbees' homes. She sets out to prove that a person can be brave and change things for good, no matter how big or small they are.
I wasn't crazy about it. The problem with environmental tales for children is, no matter how well-meant they are, they often tend to be preachy. Thumbelina is no exception. The "make a difference" message was laid on a bit too thick. The story has absolutely nothing to do with Hans Christian Anderson's fairy tale whatsoever, either.
I believe this was one of the earliest Barbie titles released by Universal. That means there's some very nice animation, including the Twillerbees' eye-popping, almost Seuss-like meadow. Even so, it wasn't enough to offset the too-obvious morals. If your daughter is into the Barbie specials, try either the earlier ones or the most recent ones first unless she's a big fan of going green.
I switched to Easter specials around the same time I finished the kitchen. I made Cinnamon Swirl Bread for me and rolled-out Easter Cookies to split between me and the family tomorrow. Ran Here Comes Peter Cottontail, then Yogi the Easter Bear.
I did Easter Parade while having salmon and a spinach-citrus salad for dinner. A dancer (Fred Astaire) has to find himself a new partner when his old one (Ann Miller) leaves him in the lurch when she accepts an offer to star in her own show. He randomly chooses a chorus girl from a bar dance show (Judy Garland) to work with him. She's awkward at first, especially when he tries to force her to be just like his former partner - something she isn't. He finally discovers her own comic rhythm that propels them to the top ranks of vaudeville stardom. What will he do when his old partner makes a play for him...and his best friend (Peter Lawford) makes a play for his new one?
One of the best of the Freed Unit MGM musicals is this delightful charmer. Everyone gets a good number in. Astaire astounds with "Drum Crazy" and the trick photography on "Steppin' Out With My Baby." Ann Miller gets an amazing "Shakin' the Blues Away," while Garland finally got fastidious Astaire into hobo togs long enough for their hilarious "A Couple of Swells." Peter Lawford may not be the singer that the other three are, but he does get my favorite of the songs written directly for the film, the sweet ballad "A Fella With an Umbrella."
Friday, April 06, 2012
Sort-of-Good Friday
I had a rather busy day today. First of all, I did end up going into work early. They called me again this morning and asked if I could come in at 11. I told them to make it 12, and I'd do it. I could go grocery shopping after work, but I did want to get to the gym. They said it would be fine.
I went to the gym around 10:30...and then had to ride all the way back home, as I'd forgotten my work clothes for later. This wasn't an easy task. The gale-force winds from earlier in the week were back, making all riding today rather difficult, despite the sunny day. I did finally get to Lucile Roberts at 11. Thank goodness it was only slightly busier than Wednesday morning. I did a quick 20 minute run on the stationary bike, then another 20 minutes on the leg-based weight machines. There was just enough time after stretching to change, hurry to work, get my paycheck, and get someone to sign me in.
Work was very busy for most of the afternoon and evening. Today is Good Friday, the beginning of the Easter/Passover holiday weekend, and if people weren't off all together, they probably got off early. We're still in the beginning of the month, too. Not to mention, April and May are huge sports months. The Masters' golf tournament is this weekend. Baseball just started this week. Hockey and pro basketball will be winding down and going into their playoff seasons soon. March Madness should be winding down soon as well, if it hasn't already. Thank heavens my relief was a teenage boy who recently moved up from bagging to cashiering and has never had trouble coming in on time.
I went straight in the back. I was hoping Sonic would be open, but no dice; they were still dark, and despite it being 7PM, no cars surrounded the building. I guess they're gone for good. They were probably in a bad location anyway, stuffed behind that very big and popular Chick-Fil-'A. I wonder what's going to happen to it now? Unlike the barbecue restaurant when it went belly-up, that's not exactly the kind of building you can instantly remodel into something else. They'd probably have to tear it down to do another fast-food place with indoor seating.
Ended up grabbing two slices of pizza and a Diet Dr. Pepper at Tu Se Bella's, the pizza parlor in the Audubon Crossings Shopping Center. That might have worked out even better. It was warm and fragrant inside. The crowd wasn't bad, either. I think I missed most of the dinner people. I ordered a plain cheese and one topped with tomatoes and asparagus while everyone else talked about sports and holidays and watched the Masters on the TV on top of the soda coolers.
Went right back to the Acme after that to get my grocery shopping in. I had a ton to do, too. I badly needed sugar - I was almost out. Picked up the Domino's on sale because the Acme brand that's a better price was gone. Got a good sale on chocolate chips and frozen fruit concentrate for baking; stocked up on supplies to make Easter cookies and an Orange Coconut Cream Mousse Pie tomorrow. Restocked my fruit and vegetables, too, including asparagus on sale for $1.99 a pound.
I'm not thrilled with my schedule this week, but I don't think the manager had much of a choice. Everyone took off on vacation at the same time again. I work 8 1/2 hours Monday and Wednesday and until 9:30 on Tuesday. I had to beg for Easter off. I already asked for my birthday, and I got Friday. I agree with the manager who does the schedules; I wish one of the head managers would stick around long enough to help make a some kind of a schedule that would allow people to choose their weeks off, instead of everyone going off randomly and leaving the rest of us in the lurch.
I had a rather busy day today. First of all, I did end up going into work early. They called me again this morning and asked if I could come in at 11. I told them to make it 12, and I'd do it. I could go grocery shopping after work, but I did want to get to the gym. They said it would be fine.
I went to the gym around 10:30...and then had to ride all the way back home, as I'd forgotten my work clothes for later. This wasn't an easy task. The gale-force winds from earlier in the week were back, making all riding today rather difficult, despite the sunny day. I did finally get to Lucile Roberts at 11. Thank goodness it was only slightly busier than Wednesday morning. I did a quick 20 minute run on the stationary bike, then another 20 minutes on the leg-based weight machines. There was just enough time after stretching to change, hurry to work, get my paycheck, and get someone to sign me in.
Work was very busy for most of the afternoon and evening. Today is Good Friday, the beginning of the Easter/Passover holiday weekend, and if people weren't off all together, they probably got off early. We're still in the beginning of the month, too. Not to mention, April and May are huge sports months. The Masters' golf tournament is this weekend. Baseball just started this week. Hockey and pro basketball will be winding down and going into their playoff seasons soon. March Madness should be winding down soon as well, if it hasn't already. Thank heavens my relief was a teenage boy who recently moved up from bagging to cashiering and has never had trouble coming in on time.
I went straight in the back. I was hoping Sonic would be open, but no dice; they were still dark, and despite it being 7PM, no cars surrounded the building. I guess they're gone for good. They were probably in a bad location anyway, stuffed behind that very big and popular Chick-Fil-'A. I wonder what's going to happen to it now? Unlike the barbecue restaurant when it went belly-up, that's not exactly the kind of building you can instantly remodel into something else. They'd probably have to tear it down to do another fast-food place with indoor seating.
Ended up grabbing two slices of pizza and a Diet Dr. Pepper at Tu Se Bella's, the pizza parlor in the Audubon Crossings Shopping Center. That might have worked out even better. It was warm and fragrant inside. The crowd wasn't bad, either. I think I missed most of the dinner people. I ordered a plain cheese and one topped with tomatoes and asparagus while everyone else talked about sports and holidays and watched the Masters on the TV on top of the soda coolers.
Went right back to the Acme after that to get my grocery shopping in. I had a ton to do, too. I badly needed sugar - I was almost out. Picked up the Domino's on sale because the Acme brand that's a better price was gone. Got a good sale on chocolate chips and frozen fruit concentrate for baking; stocked up on supplies to make Easter cookies and an Orange Coconut Cream Mousse Pie tomorrow. Restocked my fruit and vegetables, too, including asparagus on sale for $1.99 a pound.
I'm not thrilled with my schedule this week, but I don't think the manager had much of a choice. Everyone took off on vacation at the same time again. I work 8 1/2 hours Monday and Wednesday and until 9:30 on Tuesday. I had to beg for Easter off. I already asked for my birthday, and I got Friday. I agree with the manager who does the schedules; I wish one of the head managers would stick around long enough to help make a some kind of a schedule that would allow people to choose their weeks off, instead of everyone going off randomly and leaving the rest of us in the lurch.
Thursday, April 05, 2012
An Artist's Balance
Started a beautiful spring day at home. I read Maisie Dobbs in bed for an hour and did the first pages for The Artist's Way. I already write in a journal every morning; I'll just answer the questions put forth in the first chapter in this morning's entry. Mostly it talked about the traumas and doubts that can build up in your mind and block creativity, which is a major problem for me.
When I finally got out of bed, I had oatmeal and a half of a grapefruit for breakfast, then cleaned the bathroom. I had four Sailor Moon episodes on during the morning that involved the Soldiers rescuing artists who are having problems or are experiencing a block.
In the first one, from the original series, Serena and Raye are thrilled to be visiting the animation studio that's bringing their favorite comic book heroine, Sailor V, to life. One of the animators isn't acting like herself; when she starts talking about how she'll turn the movie into the tale of the glory of evil, even Serena can't help but smell a Negaverse plot.
The second first season episode had Serena and Darien modeling for a shy artist who hides her plain exterior under a glamorous name and persona. Serena does her best to convince the young woman that she's as beautiful as her artwork, inside and out...even after Zoicite of the Negaverse attacks!
The theme of the fourth season was dreams, dreaming, and how we dream, the perfect background for two more artsy tales. Lita's old friend Tomoko has become a successful romance writer with the publication of her novel "The Moonlight Pegasus" that has everyone in Tokyo talking. Tomoko, however, has had her heart broken and is trapped in a serious case of writer's block. It'll take support from Lita, Rini, and Serena and an encounter with Tiger's Eye of the Amazon Trio to inspire her to write again.
In the second half of the season, Serena and Rini encounter an artist who believes in painting only the truth. The truth, however, doesn't sit well with many of his clients, who think too well of their beauty to believe what they see in the pictures. He's flat broke and is so starving, he even wolfs down Serena's notoriously bad cooking. CereCere of the Amazon Quartet is determined to make the young man an offer he can't refuse, but it may end up costing him his dreams of artistic freedom.
Made this week's errand and library runs in Collingswood and Westmont next. I had a quick roast beef and cheese on a pumpernickel bagel at the Bagel Shop. (Picked off the American cheese. I forgot to tell them to use provolone or Swiss. I'm not fond of American; it's mostly fillers.) Bought a pile of birthday and Easter cards and toothbrushes at Dollar Tree. Hit the Haddon Township Library, then rode over to the Collingswood Library. There wasn't much going on at either place. It's too nice for people to be spending a lot of time in a library! I mostly just shelved DVDs. Did take out DVDs for Max and Ruby and the Barbie As version of Thumbelina, along with the massive MGM musical Rosalie.
I guess it was too nice for yoga, too. There was only one other student in the class besides me. Even the teacher Lee wasn't there; one of the weekend teachers, Scott, took her place. He was really nice, though. We mostly concentrated on opening sore and tight hips and legs. I really like these afternoon classes better than the morning ones. They go slower, and because they're usually smaller, they allow for more intense instruction.
I took the long way home through Newton River Park to take advantage of the lovely weather. Made a stop at CVS on the way. I needed new hair bands, and I wanted a second plastic head band with teeth that really hold your head. The fabric headbands tend to slip down my hairline. Treated myself to something I'd never seen before, too, a Peeps krispie cereal treat. It was a very marshmallow-y yellow "chick" with little crunchy Easter sprinkles mixed in.
When I got home, I ran most of Rosalie while making Pasta Primavera with Asparagus and leftover chicken for dinner, then Spiced Crumb Pudding for dessert. Rosalie is pure musical fantasy. A West Point cadet and football star (Nelson Eddy) and his buddy (Ray Bolger) pursue the pretty girl Eddy met at a nightclub overseas to a fictional Balkan country. He's stunned to discover his sweet and strong-willed Rosalie (Eleanor Powell) is really a princess, and she's engaged to marry a prince. The prince, however, would rather marry her lady in waiting (Illona Massey). The goofy King (Frank Morgan) has no desire to be a ruler, either. He'd rather be a ventriloquist. It's his wife (Edna Mae Oliver) who is determined to marry her daughter for political reasons. It's Bolger and Rosalie herself who finally come up with a way to make everyone happy, including the stubborn Eddy.
Some of the most elaborate musical numbers ever filmed (check out Powell's famous dance on the drums to the title song) are undercut by miscasting. Powell is nobody's Balkan princess; Eddy and Bolger aren't exactly football material, either. This was originally a Broadway show in 1928 with Gershwin music and Marilyn Miller as the title character. MGM had planned on filming it with Marion Davies during the early talkie era, but her ongoing problems and the rapid end of the first musical cycle caused them to cancel the production.
When they picked it up again in 1936, they retained the rather ridiculous semi-operetta plotline, but dropped the Gershwin songs. Maybe that wasn't a bad idea. I've heard it wasn't the Gershwins' best score to begin with, and Cole Porter came up with some fabulous songs. The title song is so awkward in this context, I can believe Porter wrote it as a joke. On the other hand, the quiet "In the Still of the Night" sequence still smoulders. Eddy looks and sounds so darn hot singing this classic ballad, I'm surprised Powell wasn't a puddle on the soundstage. Not the most necessary MGM musical, but fun if you ever run into it or pick it up with a Warner Archives order (it's been available there for several years); recommended for fans of the cast, Cole Porter, or the big 30s musicals.
Started a beautiful spring day at home. I read Maisie Dobbs in bed for an hour and did the first pages for The Artist's Way. I already write in a journal every morning; I'll just answer the questions put forth in the first chapter in this morning's entry. Mostly it talked about the traumas and doubts that can build up in your mind and block creativity, which is a major problem for me.
When I finally got out of bed, I had oatmeal and a half of a grapefruit for breakfast, then cleaned the bathroom. I had four Sailor Moon episodes on during the morning that involved the Soldiers rescuing artists who are having problems or are experiencing a block.
In the first one, from the original series, Serena and Raye are thrilled to be visiting the animation studio that's bringing their favorite comic book heroine, Sailor V, to life. One of the animators isn't acting like herself; when she starts talking about how she'll turn the movie into the tale of the glory of evil, even Serena can't help but smell a Negaverse plot.
The second first season episode had Serena and Darien modeling for a shy artist who hides her plain exterior under a glamorous name and persona. Serena does her best to convince the young woman that she's as beautiful as her artwork, inside and out...even after Zoicite of the Negaverse attacks!
The theme of the fourth season was dreams, dreaming, and how we dream, the perfect background for two more artsy tales. Lita's old friend Tomoko has become a successful romance writer with the publication of her novel "The Moonlight Pegasus" that has everyone in Tokyo talking. Tomoko, however, has had her heart broken and is trapped in a serious case of writer's block. It'll take support from Lita, Rini, and Serena and an encounter with Tiger's Eye of the Amazon Trio to inspire her to write again.
In the second half of the season, Serena and Rini encounter an artist who believes in painting only the truth. The truth, however, doesn't sit well with many of his clients, who think too well of their beauty to believe what they see in the pictures. He's flat broke and is so starving, he even wolfs down Serena's notoriously bad cooking. CereCere of the Amazon Quartet is determined to make the young man an offer he can't refuse, but it may end up costing him his dreams of artistic freedom.
Made this week's errand and library runs in Collingswood and Westmont next. I had a quick roast beef and cheese on a pumpernickel bagel at the Bagel Shop. (Picked off the American cheese. I forgot to tell them to use provolone or Swiss. I'm not fond of American; it's mostly fillers.) Bought a pile of birthday and Easter cards and toothbrushes at Dollar Tree. Hit the Haddon Township Library, then rode over to the Collingswood Library. There wasn't much going on at either place. It's too nice for people to be spending a lot of time in a library! I mostly just shelved DVDs. Did take out DVDs for Max and Ruby and the Barbie As version of Thumbelina, along with the massive MGM musical Rosalie.
I guess it was too nice for yoga, too. There was only one other student in the class besides me. Even the teacher Lee wasn't there; one of the weekend teachers, Scott, took her place. He was really nice, though. We mostly concentrated on opening sore and tight hips and legs. I really like these afternoon classes better than the morning ones. They go slower, and because they're usually smaller, they allow for more intense instruction.
I took the long way home through Newton River Park to take advantage of the lovely weather. Made a stop at CVS on the way. I needed new hair bands, and I wanted a second plastic head band with teeth that really hold your head. The fabric headbands tend to slip down my hairline. Treated myself to something I'd never seen before, too, a Peeps krispie cereal treat. It was a very marshmallow-y yellow "chick" with little crunchy Easter sprinkles mixed in.
When I got home, I ran most of Rosalie while making Pasta Primavera with Asparagus and leftover chicken for dinner, then Spiced Crumb Pudding for dessert. Rosalie is pure musical fantasy. A West Point cadet and football star (Nelson Eddy) and his buddy (Ray Bolger) pursue the pretty girl Eddy met at a nightclub overseas to a fictional Balkan country. He's stunned to discover his sweet and strong-willed Rosalie (Eleanor Powell) is really a princess, and she's engaged to marry a prince. The prince, however, would rather marry her lady in waiting (Illona Massey). The goofy King (Frank Morgan) has no desire to be a ruler, either. He'd rather be a ventriloquist. It's his wife (Edna Mae Oliver) who is determined to marry her daughter for political reasons. It's Bolger and Rosalie herself who finally come up with a way to make everyone happy, including the stubborn Eddy.
Some of the most elaborate musical numbers ever filmed (check out Powell's famous dance on the drums to the title song) are undercut by miscasting. Powell is nobody's Balkan princess; Eddy and Bolger aren't exactly football material, either. This was originally a Broadway show in 1928 with Gershwin music and Marilyn Miller as the title character. MGM had planned on filming it with Marion Davies during the early talkie era, but her ongoing problems and the rapid end of the first musical cycle caused them to cancel the production.
When they picked it up again in 1936, they retained the rather ridiculous semi-operetta plotline, but dropped the Gershwin songs. Maybe that wasn't a bad idea. I've heard it wasn't the Gershwins' best score to begin with, and Cole Porter came up with some fabulous songs. The title song is so awkward in this context, I can believe Porter wrote it as a joke. On the other hand, the quiet "In the Still of the Night" sequence still smoulders. Eddy looks and sounds so darn hot singing this classic ballad, I'm surprised Powell wasn't a puddle on the soundstage. Not the most necessary MGM musical, but fun if you ever run into it or pick it up with a Warner Archives order (it's been available there for several years); recommended for fans of the cast, Cole Porter, or the big 30s musicals.
Wednesday, April 04, 2012
Springtime Sunshine
Started a gorgeous but still windy spring day with a run to the gym. It was too nice (and I got in too late) to be there for long. I did 20 minutes on the elliptical machine while watching The Price Is Right, then moved onto the arm weight machines for 10 minutes and another 5 or 10 minutes of stretching. I wasn't the only one who kept my work-out short. There were only two people on the treadmill when I came in, and not too many more in an exercise class behind them. The one person I'd seen on the weight machines was long gone by the time I got there.
Made leftovers for lunch and ran some more Monkees. In "Monkee Mayor," Mike Nesmith throws his green wool hat into their town's political ring when several neighbors homes' are targeted by a scheming contractor out to build parking lots. Micky finds himself taking on another kind of con man in "I Was a 99 Pound Weakling." When he joins a sham health club to impress a pretty girl, Peter and Davy end up rescuing him, from the con man and himself.
Work was a little bit less busy than yesterday, especially when I went in. Otherwise, it was pretty much more of the same. I was asked to come in early on Friday, but I turned them down because I was going to do the gym that day. I thought about it and mentally revised my schedule, but by the time I did it, they'd asked someone else. Now I'm a little embarrassed. I don't have that many hours this week.
In good news, two packages in the mail I've been waiting for finally appeared on the front porch. One was Molly's cute peach bathing suit. It's the last outfit I wanted for her that isn't retired yet, and it comes with a lot of pieces, including a chunky "shell" necklace and a beach towel.
The other was two books I ordered off of Amazon. Barbara Michaels' The Wings of the Eagle is one of my favorite books. It was out of print for years, but it seems that her books have finally been re-released in paperback. I'm a sucker for Gothic romances and Scarlet Pimpernel-esque stories, and this has both themes in spades. Also bought The Artist's Way. I took another Julia Cameron book out of the Haddon Township Library last spring that really did a lot for me, and I'm hoping this one will be equally helpful.
Started a gorgeous but still windy spring day with a run to the gym. It was too nice (and I got in too late) to be there for long. I did 20 minutes on the elliptical machine while watching The Price Is Right, then moved onto the arm weight machines for 10 minutes and another 5 or 10 minutes of stretching. I wasn't the only one who kept my work-out short. There were only two people on the treadmill when I came in, and not too many more in an exercise class behind them. The one person I'd seen on the weight machines was long gone by the time I got there.
Made leftovers for lunch and ran some more Monkees. In "Monkee Mayor," Mike Nesmith throws his green wool hat into their town's political ring when several neighbors homes' are targeted by a scheming contractor out to build parking lots. Micky finds himself taking on another kind of con man in "I Was a 99 Pound Weakling." When he joins a sham health club to impress a pretty girl, Peter and Davy end up rescuing him, from the con man and himself.
Work was a little bit less busy than yesterday, especially when I went in. Otherwise, it was pretty much more of the same. I was asked to come in early on Friday, but I turned them down because I was going to do the gym that day. I thought about it and mentally revised my schedule, but by the time I did it, they'd asked someone else. Now I'm a little embarrassed. I don't have that many hours this week.
In good news, two packages in the mail I've been waiting for finally appeared on the front porch. One was Molly's cute peach bathing suit. It's the last outfit I wanted for her that isn't retired yet, and it comes with a lot of pieces, including a chunky "shell" necklace and a beach towel.
The other was two books I ordered off of Amazon. Barbara Michaels' The Wings of the Eagle is one of my favorite books. It was out of print for years, but it seems that her books have finally been re-released in paperback. I'm a sucker for Gothic romances and Scarlet Pimpernel-esque stories, and this has both themes in spades. Also bought The Artist's Way. I took another Julia Cameron book out of the Haddon Township Library last spring that really did a lot for me, and I'm hoping this one will be equally helpful.
Tuesday, April 03, 2012
Monkees and Motorcyclists and Spies, Oh My!
Started out the morning with cereal, grapefruit, and more Monkees. Peter finds himself involved in a spy plot when a ballerina from an Eastern Bloc country falls for him in "The Card Carrying Red Shoes." The Monkees pursue a quartet of attractive biker chicks at a hotel, but wind up in a motorcycle race with their tough boyfriends in "The Wild Monkees." And in "A Coffin Too Frequent," the guys help out an old woman who is being lead on by her nephew to believe her husband will return from the dead in their beach house.
I managed to get to the laundromat a little earlier than last week, around quarter of 11 this time. Glad I did. There was one other person when I arrived, and only a few when I left. Everything was open, and I was able to get my small load done quickly.
When I got home, I put my laundry away, had leftovers for lunch, and mucked around online for a while. I worked until 9:30 tonight, and there were a few things I wanted to do, since I wouldn't be in until late. For once after an online session, I did manage to get going quick enough to get to work on time.
I wish I hadn't. Work was a pain tonight. First of all, we're still at the beginning of the month, and it was really busy again...until around 7PM, after which it died so quickly, I got bored stiff. Had some annoying customers, too. One woman threw a fit because she couldn't get the bread she wanted with her WIC Check. "But the Acme in Westmont lets me do it!" she fussed. Well, they're not supposed to let them get that bread. You're only allowed to get what WIC lets you get. Another woman got mad when the coupon she was supposed to get for milk didn't come out...despite the fact that she didn't buy the right cereal, and she was wearing a Shop Rite uniform! (Shop Rite is one of several local supermarket chains that is our major competition. Others include Wegman's, Super Fresh, Thriftway, and Pathmark.)
Started out the morning with cereal, grapefruit, and more Monkees. Peter finds himself involved in a spy plot when a ballerina from an Eastern Bloc country falls for him in "The Card Carrying Red Shoes." The Monkees pursue a quartet of attractive biker chicks at a hotel, but wind up in a motorcycle race with their tough boyfriends in "The Wild Monkees." And in "A Coffin Too Frequent," the guys help out an old woman who is being lead on by her nephew to believe her husband will return from the dead in their beach house.
I managed to get to the laundromat a little earlier than last week, around quarter of 11 this time. Glad I did. There was one other person when I arrived, and only a few when I left. Everything was open, and I was able to get my small load done quickly.
When I got home, I put my laundry away, had leftovers for lunch, and mucked around online for a while. I worked until 9:30 tonight, and there were a few things I wanted to do, since I wouldn't be in until late. For once after an online session, I did manage to get going quick enough to get to work on time.
I wish I hadn't. Work was a pain tonight. First of all, we're still at the beginning of the month, and it was really busy again...until around 7PM, after which it died so quickly, I got bored stiff. Had some annoying customers, too. One woman threw a fit because she couldn't get the bread she wanted with her WIC Check. "But the Acme in Westmont lets me do it!" she fussed. Well, they're not supposed to let them get that bread. You're only allowed to get what WIC lets you get. Another woman got mad when the coupon she was supposed to get for milk didn't come out...despite the fact that she didn't buy the right cereal, and she was wearing a Shop Rite uniform! (Shop Rite is one of several local supermarket chains that is our major competition. Others include Wegman's, Super Fresh, Thriftway, and Pathmark.)
Monday, April 02, 2012
Windy Spring
Started this morning with oatmeal for breakfast and a couple of second season Monkees episodes. One of the most popular episodes of the entire series - with Monkees and fans alike - is the hilarious "Fairy Tale." In this minimalist take on fantasy stories, Peter is an out-of-work peasant who adores an, ahem, lovely princess (Mike Nesmith - yes, in a dress). When she's captured by some nasty knights, Peter turns to his three friends and a special locket to help rescue her.
Mike was also at the center of "Monkees In Texas." The boys visit his Aunt Kate in the Lone Star State, and find themselves mixed up with bandits determined to run her off of her land. Micky's the one who's in trouble in "Monkees On the Wheel" when he accidentally wins a fortune on a fixed roulette wheel during a gig in Las Vegas. The guys have to prove they aren't crooks...while trying to catch the real ones!
As with yesterday, work was on-and-off busy all day. Unlike yesterday, however, we didn't have nearly enough help, leading to long lines for much of the morning and afternoon. Didn't help that my relief was late, either. A manager had to come in for me.
By the time I got home, this morning's clouds and cool air had given way to brilliant sunshine and warm skies, though the gale-force winds remained. I went for a short walk when I got in. I'd been inside all day, and I wanted to enjoy at least a little of the fresh air. The trees are getting greener every day. Most of them are just starting to pass the flowering stage now. The daffodils are pretty much gone, but the tulips have emerged, and the violets are beautiful.
When I got in, I decided it was the perfect time to pull out my spring clothes. Even if we get a few more days in the 50s and lower 60s, I probably won't need the turtlenecks or the heavy corduroy pants and skirt again this season. (I barely needed them during the winter.) I can wear sweaters and jackets over t-shirts until Mother Nature starts behaving a bit better.
Ran more Monkees as I had leftovers and a spinach "pancake" (spinach with eggs and cheese cooked pancake style - an old last-minute-meal favorite from when I lived in Wildwood) for dinner. Aliens replace Micky with a robotic lookalike in "Monkees Watch Their Feet." When Peter and Davy finally catch on, they at first turn to the government, then decide to take on the aliens themselves.
Started this morning with oatmeal for breakfast and a couple of second season Monkees episodes. One of the most popular episodes of the entire series - with Monkees and fans alike - is the hilarious "Fairy Tale." In this minimalist take on fantasy stories, Peter is an out-of-work peasant who adores an, ahem, lovely princess (Mike Nesmith - yes, in a dress). When she's captured by some nasty knights, Peter turns to his three friends and a special locket to help rescue her.
Mike was also at the center of "Monkees In Texas." The boys visit his Aunt Kate in the Lone Star State, and find themselves mixed up with bandits determined to run her off of her land. Micky's the one who's in trouble in "Monkees On the Wheel" when he accidentally wins a fortune on a fixed roulette wheel during a gig in Las Vegas. The guys have to prove they aren't crooks...while trying to catch the real ones!
As with yesterday, work was on-and-off busy all day. Unlike yesterday, however, we didn't have nearly enough help, leading to long lines for much of the morning and afternoon. Didn't help that my relief was late, either. A manager had to come in for me.
By the time I got home, this morning's clouds and cool air had given way to brilliant sunshine and warm skies, though the gale-force winds remained. I went for a short walk when I got in. I'd been inside all day, and I wanted to enjoy at least a little of the fresh air. The trees are getting greener every day. Most of them are just starting to pass the flowering stage now. The daffodils are pretty much gone, but the tulips have emerged, and the violets are beautiful.
When I got in, I decided it was the perfect time to pull out my spring clothes. Even if we get a few more days in the 50s and lower 60s, I probably won't need the turtlenecks or the heavy corduroy pants and skirt again this season. (I barely needed them during the winter.) I can wear sweaters and jackets over t-shirts until Mother Nature starts behaving a bit better.
Ran more Monkees as I had leftovers and a spinach "pancake" (spinach with eggs and cheese cooked pancake style - an old last-minute-meal favorite from when I lived in Wildwood) for dinner. Aliens replace Micky with a robotic lookalike in "Monkees Watch Their Feet." When Peter and Davy finally catch on, they at first turn to the government, then decide to take on the aliens themselves.
Sunday, April 01, 2012
No April Fool's Joke
It was cloudy, cool, and still when I got up late this morning, around quarter after 10. I didn't get to breakfast until past 11! Brunch With the Beatles concentrated on the songs put out by the Beatles' own company, Apple Records, today. That meant lots of great later and solo songs - "Get Back," "Something," "Come Together," "Hey Jude," and "Let It Be," along with George's "What Is Life?" and "Give Me Love," Ringo's "No No Song," Paul's "Uncle Albert" and "Band on the Run," and John's "Whatever Gets You Through the Night" with Elton John.
I had Pear-Spice Pancakes for breakfast, then decided it was time to change the AG dolls into their spring dresses for Easter. Samantha now wears the Lace Dress and matching shoes with Springfield Collection tights. Molly wears the Polka-Dot Skirt Outfit, but kept the same socks, shoes, and ribbon. I put Felicity into her pink birthday dress with the floral pinner and Jessa into a floral shirt and long jean skirt, with Springfield Collection black vinyl flats that are actually a bit big for her without socks or tights.
I was putting the girls' clothes away and looking over old journals in the back room when I heard talking outside. It sounded like my neighbor Michael and someone else...my landlady's adult nephew Andrew? I thought at first he might have come to mow the lawn, but then I listened further...
Andrew: Yeah, she's gone. She got sick in the hospital. Picked something up there. You know how it happens. She was already sick. It's not their fault.
Michael: I'm sorry. She was a nice lady. Have you told Emma yet?
Andrew: Nahh, I haven't gotten to it.
Told me what? I had the very bad feeling I knew already. I hastily pushed the journals back into their crate, grabbed a pair of clogs and my blue raincoat, and hurried downstairs.
I immediately went to the front of the house and knocked. Andrew answered the door. Yes, it was what I thought. My landlady, Eleanor "Miss Ellie" Harris, is dead. It sounds like she died last night of some infection she picked up in the hospital when she was getting over something else. Andrew and his mother Linda, who live a few houses down on the same block as us, are in control of the house for the time being. Andrew says they won't be able to figure anything out with the house for over a year, and even after that, they'll probably just rent the bottom floor out to another quiet career professional or older person.Which means yes, I will be staying here for the foreseeable future.
I'm going to miss Miss Ellie. She was a really sweet old lady, and so nice to me. She never minded it when my rent was late, and she really enjoyed the letters I gave her with the rent. I don't think she ever even saw the one I gave her with my rent check yesterday. I'll miss raking for her. I'll miss seeing her come home from work and hearing her come through the door. I'll miss knowing that another independent woman is downstairs, living alone and doing her own thing, too.
I was in a bit of a daze when I rode to work, which wasn't a good thing. Today is the first day of the month, and the lines were backed up when I arrived, despite there being plenty of help. It did calm down a bit later, but we were on-and-off busy for most of the evening.
I bought a sympathy card for Linda and Andrew after work. Alas, when I got out, I discovered the reason for those off-and-on crowds. We were getting a rather nice shower. I just rode home and got wet. I'll deliver the card tomorrow, either right before or right after work.
I finally got a hold of Mom when I got in and had a short but pleasant chat with her. Miss Ellie's death aside, I do feel a lot better. Talking to Cassandra and Jody on Thursday was a big help. I'll be turning my efforts towards spring cleaning and getting ready for Easter and Lauren's visit next month this week.
I also talked to Dad. Sounds like I'll be joining him and Jodie for that delicious French Toast Casserole on Easter morning, then heading up to our cousins Karen and Jim's house in Washington Township for dinner. Fine by me. Mom says they're not doing anything in that neck of the woods for Easter this year, so that should be fun.
It was cloudy, cool, and still when I got up late this morning, around quarter after 10. I didn't get to breakfast until past 11! Brunch With the Beatles concentrated on the songs put out by the Beatles' own company, Apple Records, today. That meant lots of great later and solo songs - "Get Back," "Something," "Come Together," "Hey Jude," and "Let It Be," along with George's "What Is Life?" and "Give Me Love," Ringo's "No No Song," Paul's "Uncle Albert" and "Band on the Run," and John's "Whatever Gets You Through the Night" with Elton John.
I had Pear-Spice Pancakes for breakfast, then decided it was time to change the AG dolls into their spring dresses for Easter. Samantha now wears the Lace Dress and matching shoes with Springfield Collection tights. Molly wears the Polka-Dot Skirt Outfit, but kept the same socks, shoes, and ribbon. I put Felicity into her pink birthday dress with the floral pinner and Jessa into a floral shirt and long jean skirt, with Springfield Collection black vinyl flats that are actually a bit big for her without socks or tights.
I was putting the girls' clothes away and looking over old journals in the back room when I heard talking outside. It sounded like my neighbor Michael and someone else...my landlady's adult nephew Andrew? I thought at first he might have come to mow the lawn, but then I listened further...
Andrew: Yeah, she's gone. She got sick in the hospital. Picked something up there. You know how it happens. She was already sick. It's not their fault.
Michael: I'm sorry. She was a nice lady. Have you told Emma yet?
Andrew: Nahh, I haven't gotten to it.
Told me what? I had the very bad feeling I knew already. I hastily pushed the journals back into their crate, grabbed a pair of clogs and my blue raincoat, and hurried downstairs.
I immediately went to the front of the house and knocked. Andrew answered the door. Yes, it was what I thought. My landlady, Eleanor "Miss Ellie" Harris, is dead. It sounds like she died last night of some infection she picked up in the hospital when she was getting over something else. Andrew and his mother Linda, who live a few houses down on the same block as us, are in control of the house for the time being. Andrew says they won't be able to figure anything out with the house for over a year, and even after that, they'll probably just rent the bottom floor out to another quiet career professional or older person.Which means yes, I will be staying here for the foreseeable future.
I'm going to miss Miss Ellie. She was a really sweet old lady, and so nice to me. She never minded it when my rent was late, and she really enjoyed the letters I gave her with the rent. I don't think she ever even saw the one I gave her with my rent check yesterday. I'll miss raking for her. I'll miss seeing her come home from work and hearing her come through the door. I'll miss knowing that another independent woman is downstairs, living alone and doing her own thing, too.
I was in a bit of a daze when I rode to work, which wasn't a good thing. Today is the first day of the month, and the lines were backed up when I arrived, despite there being plenty of help. It did calm down a bit later, but we were on-and-off busy for most of the evening.
I bought a sympathy card for Linda and Andrew after work. Alas, when I got out, I discovered the reason for those off-and-on crowds. We were getting a rather nice shower. I just rode home and got wet. I'll deliver the card tomorrow, either right before or right after work.
I finally got a hold of Mom when I got in and had a short but pleasant chat with her. Miss Ellie's death aside, I do feel a lot better. Talking to Cassandra and Jody on Thursday was a big help. I'll be turning my efforts towards spring cleaning and getting ready for Easter and Lauren's visit next month this week.
I also talked to Dad. Sounds like I'll be joining him and Jodie for that delicious French Toast Casserole on Easter morning, then heading up to our cousins Karen and Jim's house in Washington Township for dinner. Fine by me. Mom says they're not doing anything in that neck of the woods for Easter this year, so that should be fun.
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