The Thrill of New Undergarments

Many of you women can relate when I confess that I wear my bra's until they are completely without elastic and threadbare. I have 2 that I've been switching out but found that last week one of them had died. I had one prior to using those 2 that had pooped out a couple of months ago- the wire had broken free and was digging into my ribs. That was one heck of a trooper, that bra! I don't know how long I had had it but it took a licking and kept on ticking. I had ordered several bras from Ebay as well as Lane Bryant but they just didn't do the trick. They ended up in the thrift store pile.
This past week-end, I decided that enough was enough. My breasts have enough issues without being thrown into a bra that does absolutely nothing to hold them up. I also decided that I was going to have the lady in the lingerie section measure me so that I wasn't simply guessing on my size.
My first stop was our local Target- they typically have reasonably priced bras. Their stock was very low, however and I found nothing. The lady at the check-out at Target ( I had purchased some coconut M&M's to cheer me up) suggested I try JC Penney. Eureka!
I had forgotten all about good old Jacq Penne'. I was assuming that I'd have to trail into Macy's and pay a king's ransom for an undergarment.
I got there to discover to my delight that they were having a sale in the lingerie department. I began to look around- out of the corner of my eye, I caught 3 racks of the original bra that I loved (the one where the wire had popped out) in many different colors. They originally sell for $30 but were on sale for $17.99. I think I let out a little squee of joy at that moment!
I reluctantly asked the very young and slim sales girl if she had access to a tape measure to measure me. She was happy to do so although I felt keen embarrassment- she was likely thinking , "Geez, I sure hope MINE don't sag like hers when I get older."
They had white ones and tan ones in my size so I went wild and bought one of each color. I left the store feeling so happy! I am sporting the white one today. While it feels different as I was used to wearing nothing more than a rubber band around my middle, I am so happy that I found what I was looking for and in a price that I could afford. Life's simple pleasures......

Jen in July

My youngest sister turns 37 today. Seems like just yesterday she was trailing behind me or riding home in my car from attending kindergarten at St.Mark's. (We have an almost 12 year age difference) She was a happy child and I often took her out to lunch at a local Chinese restaurant called Hong Kong House. They always gave her rock candy for dessert. She felt very grown up eating there as it had an elegant atmosphere. Her other favorite treat was a frosty from Wendy's. We also took her to the beach with us on a regular basis. She was a sweet little girl and I enjoyed taking care of her. I think a lot of folks thought she was my child and that I was a teen mother. I didn't care- where I went, she went, too.
She is now a mother of 4 children and lives halfway around the world. We talk on a weekly basis if not more often. When she and my other sister and I get together, we can laugh ourselves into delirium. On this day, I am especially grateful that she was born.
She is the smallest one in these photos--

I AM TURNING INTO PAULA DEEN

Yesterday I decided, in the words of my sister, to fore-go the usual greasy 4th of July fare. I settled on a menu of sauteed boneless chicken breast cutlets, Italian beans with ground Italian sausage and hot peppers, spinach sauteed with garlic, fresh kale sauteed with olive oil and balsamic vinegar, fresh crusty bread and fried skillet potatoes. We also had salad with oil and vinegar and fresh tomatoes from our garden.
While preparing the chicken cutlets, I thought it would be a good idea to not only sautee them in oil but to add a little butter as well. I dipped them in egg and Vigo Italian bread crumbs and got them all prepared. I added my butter to the oil and fried away--they smelled so good! After draining them, I wanted to keep them warm until dinner time so I fetched a covered casserole dish. I thought, "Why not butter this dish so that the cutlets will stay nice and moist?" So I did! Well, let me tell you, those were the best chicken cutlets I've ever made or eaten- my husband and guests agreed.
So today while cooking, I've added some butter here and there and everything smells so good and looks so pretty! Except for the hardening of the arteries that may ensue, I think I am on the Paula Deen path to butter happiness!!

Angry Seniors

Do you ever wonder why senior citizens are often so impatient and angry?? I know that living in Florida exposes me more than normal but geez...I look at what they have going for them : Most are retired with adequate retirement funds (esp here in Florida), their children are grown, their time is their own and there is no particular rush to do anything. Yet , in the grocery store lines, they are often the most vocal when there is a small wait. Some even take to pitching fits and acting more like children than grown-ups who know better. Some are even fortunate enough to have homes in Florida as well as up North. I will never have that type of income.
I often envy them their freedom but quickly realize that I have many more years of life ahead while their days are numbered. Perhaps this is what makes them so angry and impatient--I just don't get it. Some seem to think it's their right to be abusive to store clerks and the like.
I hope that when I reach a certain age, I will remember these thoughts and try to be a more grown-up grown-up. I pray that I live long enough to have a choice.

Memory Triggers

I wonder why certain foods or smells seem to trigger memories out of nowhere. Last night I made a Southern dinner- salmon patties, field peas with snaps, fresh tomatoes from the garden , kale greens and cornbread. It was quite delicious but as I was cleaning up the kitchen, a very clear picture of my Aunt Shirley came into my head and I started to cry uncontrollably. She passed away from cancer this past March. I could see her as clear as a bell walking into her kitchen. I think it was the cornbread that made me cry as we used to eat that quite a bit at her house.
It came on so suddenly and after a few minutes, I felt better. I guess I just miss her and wish that I could talk to her just one more time. I'd give anything to sit down at her kitchen table and have some cornbread.
**She is the one pictured at left with her sister (my Mom)

My Heart and Soul

These are my precious grandchildren- they have my heart now and always.

Midwest Bound

I will be leaving on Thursday to go and visit my sister in Minnesota. I've never seen her new house and haven't been to visit her at all since her 40th birthday party and it was a few years ago...we won't mention any ages!
I am very excited as I know it will be cooler than it has been here in central Florida. I also adore the small town that she lives in. I wish I had more time to spend there but am grateful to have 3 days. I am also looking forward to being out of the office for a couple of days.
I have done my grocery and sundry shopping for the week, have cleaned my house (as much as it's going to get cleaned this week-end) and am now going to rest until time for 4:30 Mass-- after which, we will cook some steak on the grill and watch one of the movies I rented. I chose "Gran Torino" and "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button."
Wishing you a pleasant week-end and a fabuolous week ahead.