Love this cartoon - very funny (and true)! Will be getting my hair cut on Tuesday - I keep trying to grow it in but it then becomes too much for me to care for; believe it or not, doing my hair and eye makeup can make me very dizzy. Once I realized this it made a difference to how my day went so, most of the time I do not wear eye makeup and just do the bare minimum to my hair. I have saved up to have my hair highlighted, perhaps to match the gray that is already there. If I highlight in a blond I would have 3 colors - a bit much, I think. We'll see.

Cartoon provided by: Reader's Digest

Hunched Over

Pretty much all of us are either hunched over a computer, iPod, or Blackberry. Everyone is texting, FaceBooking, Tweeting, E-mailing --- we are all like busy little bees. The problem seems to be that so many of us don't look up --- we don't see the faces around us, the beautiful sky, the mountains, trees, butterflies, birds. We are very self-engrossed. We also don't hear the voices as we hardly ever talk on the phone. Do you think we might be missing the point? Being with people, talking with people, looking people in the eye -- truly communicating not in texting shorthand but with words and touch. Just thinking.

Cartoon provided by: Reader's Digest

Greg's Family

On top is a photo of Greg with his bride, Lillian. Below is Greg lovely daughter, Deirdre, and his grandsons: on the left is Jay and on the right, Luke. Great looking family, right?

I wrote, yesterday, about finding Deirdre on FaceBook last week - it really does feel like I found a niece and two great-nephews. John is excited for me too. Happy time!

Photos provided by: Deirdre

My "Brother" Greg

The above photo is of Tony (Greg's older brother) and his new wife and Greg, on the right. Greg and I grew up together. We lived next door to each other every summer from the time I was an infant until we were both adults. He was the brother I never had. We played together virtually every day until we were teenagers. He was a gentle, kind, and sweet person even as a child. Tragically he passed away in the early 1980's - he was so young. He left behind his lovely wife, Lillian, and his precious daughter, Deirdre (who is a year younger than our Krista). Just recently I "found" Deirdre on FaceBook and we have been communicating via FB ever since. It is like finding a long-lost niece - it makes me very happy.The above photo is courtesy of Deirdre. She tells me he was an awesome father which doesn't surprise me in the least. Greg has two beautiful grandsons who are almost the exact same ages as Krista's girls. I miss him.

Where Are We?

We don't have GPS in either of our cars but whenever we travel we rent cars and they always have GPS. I am amazed at all the good things about GPS: you know exactly where the next gas station (thank God, a bathroom), restaurant, hotel is. Then, there are the bad things: you are going along happily, following the GPS map, and then there is a detour (not on GPS) and you have no idea where it's going or, worse, the map is totally wrong. Mapquest can be totally wrong too - it's actually funny sometimes. Modern times!

Cartoon provided by: Reader's Digest

Body Image

Since last mid-October, due to vertigo, I have been unable to work. Before that happened I was successfully losing weight - having lost 14 pounds in 5 months by just being careful about how much I ate. I was very happy and encouraged by this, as you can imagine. However, since then I have been the "Prisoner of Zenda" in my own home with but a few "high points" in my life: My beloved John - it makes my day when he gets home after work. My darling daughters and granddaughters - seeing and speaking with them on Skype every few weeks gives me something to look forward to and to cherish. Following my family and friends on Facebook - I can look on the computer several times a day for short periods of time and catch up with them. Reading - although I can only read for 5 minutes (10 on a good day) at a time I am still a reader - love my books and a few magazines as well. TV - news, court, comedies, etc... whatever to pass the time. I alternate all these things to break up my day. Food - I eat 2 or 3 meals a day but I am totally sedentary (cannot walk, etc... for exercise due to vertigo - I fall too easily) and so have gained all I lost - plus. This does not make me feel very proud of myself but it is the truth - I am not happy with my "look" - not very fashionable at all (there is a tribe in Africa who thinks fat is beautiful :0) --- where are they when I need them). We have a terrific stationary bicycle in our living room (to motivate us) but we have not figured out a safe way for me to get on it without falling or feeling really dizzy -- still working on that. If I could figure it out so that I could get on it alone I would be able to get in a little exercise each day. We will keep trying!

Cartoon provided by: Reader's Digest

Child Proof Caps

Every once in a while, my pharmacist will forget that I do not have "little ones" at home and give me my prescription with a child proof cap. Help!! I have quite bad arthritis all over my body but especially in both my hands. Getting off a child proof cap is virtually impossible for me so off I must go to ask John to open it for me; talk about feeling foolish.

Cartoon provided by: Reader's Digest