Zero, Zilch, Zippo…

by Beemie // September 3, 2017 // 2 Comments

…all = nothing!

Alphabetical Post Z

I must say, this was the worst idea I have ever had. Alphabetical posts…at least I can say I am not a quitter. I made it to Z; even though it took 14 15 16 months to do it. My creative non-fiction writing ability was really put to the test…fortunately, none of this was graded because I may have scored a big huge ….

Feel free to print and use for adult coloring…pencils not included.

The summer was busy with odds and ends that consumed much of my time.

Immediately after school let out on June 13, I drove to Massachusetts to enjoy a fun-filled week with the Family Matriarch and the Kitchen King. I also visited my sister, Keary, where I received the three years worth of correspondence of my parents during WWII. I believe there is a book in there.

Once back in Maryland, I cleaned a closet in the garage (I will spare you the photo of the actual empty closet). The following photo is the intention for the currently empty closet.

I think the housekeeper (me) will love it.

Closet cleaning meant multiple trips to Goodwill for donations. I happen to live where our Goodwill receives donations from the “movers and shakers” of the metropolis; thus while donating at the back door I have been known to pop to the front. I recently scored this beautiful Vera Bradley bag…I don’t think it was ever used.

The housekeeper thought the bag was beautiful, so I might just give it to her.

In addition to serious closet clean out, I also sewed slip covers for some furniture in our sun room. While cleaning that closet in the garage, I found leftover fabric from when I originally made the slip covers which have become quite faded and damaged by the sun. The furniture out there is a mish-mash of various hand-me-downs, but I love the room and especially enjoy sitting out there in the summer to watch my garden grow. ( if interested you can read an old post I wrote about the room here)

The pillow in front was sewn over 10 years ago…if you look carefully at the double welting, you’ll notice the solid fabric from the back pillow that I just completed is the same fabric as the very faded smaller welt…the ottoman is next. I’ll try to remember before and after photos.

The beach was fabulous this year. Once again, Peggy Anne hosted and we had a blast. Below are a few snapshots from our time at the beach.

I would go back in a minute.

We really loved our reader sunglasses.

Squished into a car for fabulous bagel breakfast at Uber Bagel.

Christmas in July gift exchange.

We built exactly one sandcastle…

It seems I managed to fake my way through this “Z” post. Now I’ve said my ABC’s….The next time I write, I will fill you in on my beautiful niece’s wedding a couple of weeks back and some back to school makeovers in my classroom.

Happy Labor Day!

Yesterday,…

by Beemie // June 29, 2017 // 2 Comments

…Today, & Tomorrow

Alphabetical Post Y

Yesterday, Hubster and I celebrated 31 years of wedded bliss. If you follow me on Instagram, then you have already seen this photo, if not then here we are yesterday, as well as 31 years worth of yesterdays ago…

Image (1) Moving on …Today, as in the Today Show….I used to love the Today Show. It was my go to morning show from a very young age. I remember the days of Barbara Walters & Tom Brokaw . I even pictured my self as the next Jane Pauley after she took BW’s seat. My inspiration for my life in broadcast television came from the following…

MTM hair

jane pauley

It seems I thought the only qualification was my long hair back in the day.

The Today Show just doesn’t hold the magic of the past. Since I have been out of school for the past two weeks, I have only watched some of it each morning. A few mornings, I have even jumped ship and headed over to Good Morning America. I feel like an unfaithful viewer.

Tomorrow always brings a promise…

free beer

Hubster & I enjoy a visit to an Irish Pub when we are at the beach. We like it because we can walk to it and the food always satisfies. Upon a recent visit, we noticed a sign similar to the one above written on a chalkboard. Both of us made a comment and discussed whether or not we thought there was an Irish holiday the next day. We ordered and a younger couple came and sat next to us. The man told the bartender that he had been to the pub yesterday and thought they were offering free beer today. The bartender turned to the chalkboard and said, “Oh no, free beer is always tomorrow.”

Until tomorrow…

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X Roads…

by Beemie // June 7, 2017 // 6 Comments

…translation “Cross Roads”

Alphabetical Post X

It has taken me just over 12 months to reach the letter X in my pursuit to write 26 alphabetical posts. This quest was intended to keep me writing, but it seems the opposite has occurred; it has stunted my growth . (Thankfully, it has stunted the growth of my hips as well.)

Today, my x post is all about “Cross Roads”; whether it be crossing something off a “to-do” list, eliminating a behavior, or looking for a point in the right direction.

There are only two more full days and two more half days of school left this year. The Farewell Assembly for my 5th grade class is Friday morning. They tend to call it their graduation ceremony. I used to correct them when they would inquire, “What time is the graduation ceremony?”, but I have grown weary from repeating this same phrase 800 times per day, “It is a Farewell Assembly, not graduation; and it starts at 9:30 am.”

“Resistance is futile”, I will let them call it what they want…, but have no fear; I do not intended to give in to the masses in other areas because many times the M is silent.

Cross the ~~2016-2017 school year~~ off the “to-do” list.

When I was a stay at home mom for 20 years, I used to pop over to the local Hallmark store to purchase cards for birthdays, holidays, etc. I loved using my frequent buyer card, and never really gave much thought to dropping between $20-$30 for a stack of cards for my large extended family. Now when I say stack, I probably had at least 10-15 cards. Since returning to a full-time job I started buying cards at the grocery store while doing my weekly shopping. I truly never looked at the back of the cards to note the price. By the time I reached the cashier, my groceries and cards were rung-up together, thus I never noted the price.

In April, the Family Matriarch turned, 70. Leading up to her birthday, I searched for the perfect card. The day I found it in the store, I began to weep because it nailed every sentiment I had hoped to find for my dear sister. When I went to the cashier, once again I had several grocery items, so I honestly had no idea of the price of the actual card.

Fast forward to Mother’s Day…school was quite hectic the two weeks prior to Mother’s Day with mandatory testing, county science fair, band concerts, and collecting permission slips for our annual trip to Mount Vernon. I went to the grocery store only to purchase Mother’s Day cards for my two sisters, and my mother-in-law. After reading a “gazillion” cards I brought three to the self-checkout. I scanned without thought, bagged, and returned to the terminal to complete the final purchase… the screen stated, in big bold numbers with a dollar symbol: $19.92.

$19.92,

FOR THREE CARDS

Needless to say, I paid for the cards, sent the two cards to my sisters, and Hubster presented his step-mother with the third card. Now don’t get me wrong, I like nice things, I am willing to pay for quality, I will spring for classic & iconic, but three cards…round $19.92 to $20…$20 for three greeting cards. This cross-road has me professing, “I will no longer purchase single greeting cards.”

My final cross-road has me looking toward the summer. At present, I have many, many balls in the air. If you’re old enough you may remember…

I love watching Captain Kangaroo

I spend most days of the school year avoiding this pratfall. The summer points me toward sewing, lunching with friends, visiting family, spending time with my Son-sters, a wedding, and most of all pointing me toward my favorite cross-road…

Happy almost summer vacation!

Where’s Waldo…

by Beemie // May 3, 2017 // 6 Comments

…or Beemie?

Alphabetical Post W

My two Sons-sters loved the Where’s Waldo books, lots of illustrations and few to no words. It seems my blog for the last month has followed this pattern, only in addition to no words of the written kind I also featured zero illustrations. A New York Times bestseller, I think not.

If my body could ft into those skinny jeans, I’d definitely give this outfit a try.

The month of April featured a spring break from school, where quite honestly I did nothing, except shop. I can happily report that my shoe size has remained the same for years, unfortunately clothing sizes seem to fluctuate.

April also found me at the movie theater with Peggy Anne…she surprised me and purchased the two of us tickets for Beauty and the Beast. I loved the movie. I actually felt like I was watching two movies because I was awestruck by the costumes. Truth be told, I actually wept while gazing at the wondrous combinations of materials and trims.

This collage of Emma’s costumes are nothing compared to the lush fabrics used in Beast’s jackets.

This spring, I have had the privilege of reading books intended for those of us over the age of twelve because the novels my students are reading this year, I read in full last year, thus I only require a quick daily refresher of the chapters. The books I have read may not be on the popular reading lists, but they have been interesting.

E.B White was quite an interesting character and I loved learning about how he was inspired to write Charlotte’s Web. Upon completion of the above book, I was encouraged to follow-up with the actual E.B. White:

I am reading one or two essays at a time…I especially enjoyed the essay he wrote 1939 about the television. He was not impressed and believed it would be a detriment to society. Hmmm,… with classic programming like the one below, I’m ~~not~~ sure he was on point.

Never mind!

This book found me both laughing and crying. I highly recommend.

I am just about done with:

While the above is not for the weak of stomach, it explains much about human nature and the need to survive.

Next on my list is:

Hubster has already finished it and tells me to make sure I have tissues at the ready.

So as you can see, I haven’t really been away, just not here on my blog. There are only 29 days of school left and I can’t wait. I love the summer. My flowers are in and the vegetable garden goes in next weekend.

Value…

by Beemie // March 21, 2017 // 6 Comments

…my top five.

Alphabetical Post V

When I see or hear the word value, it often conjures the notion of saving money…this, naturally has me cocking my head to get a better view or leaning my ear in the direction of the anticipated savings. While a good value always peaks my interest… please know, this will not be a post where I dumpster dive, yard sale my way through a weekend morning, or score a great find at TJ Maxx, Marshall’s, Home Goods, DSW, the “Gucci” Goodwill, Talbot’s Outlet, any one of an abundance of local consignments shops, or Target…(perhaps I am not saving that much money if I shop at all of these places).

It is no coincidence, ~~I think~~ that the value of the tile V in Words with Friends is 5. V in Roman Numerals is 5. When taking a survey, typically, the scale is 1, being the least desirable and 5, the most desirable; thus 5, is the golden or should I say Golden Roman Standard (GRS).

There are many things in my life which meet the value of GRS.

GRS: My Family

GRS: My Career

While I have much commentary (some positive, some not) about my job as a teacher in a public school, I do feel fortunate to have a job. There are many without a steady income and health benefits. Many factors within my job are out of my control; therefore for Lent I have given up stress and worry. This may sound like a joke (many found this humorous when I announced this on Ash Wednesday), but the truth is it is very challenging to just shut this down. I think this may be harder than giving up chocolate or another beloved food. So far, I have only had to talk myself off a ledge of stress once…21 days down only 19 more to go. I am hoping I will give up stress and worry for good because I value my mental health.

GRS: My Siblings

This masterpiece is nearly 50 years old, but it’s no wonder my kindergarten teacher insisted I stay for another year to inspire another group of students in the fine art of family portrait.

You can read more about my extended family here.

GRS: Friends

Too many to insert photos, but here is a cute definition….

GRS: Time

This post is short because I value the time you take to stop by and read my little blog…Have a wonderful day!

Underwriter…

by Beemie // February 20, 2017 // 8 Comments

…my current job title.

Alphabetical Post U

Truthfully, I still don’t fully understand the job of an actual underwriter. I know my own meaning is I just can’t seem to get it together to write a post; thus I am “under-writing”. I have always been a “story-teller”; usually not at a loss for words, although as mentioned in the past, sometimes I need to kick myself to hold my tongue because I do need the job that employs for 190 days per year.

Nothing out of the ordinary has kept me away from the keyboard. There have been exactly zero snow days this year. A two-hour delay a couple of weeks ago was quite disappointing.

This amount of snow screams: 2 hour DELAY!

I have avoided watching news shows …so no 60 Minutes, Today Show, or Meet the Press; thus without media, I have fewer headaches. I have not gone complete cold turkey on the news because I still read the daily newspaper. Sadly, skipping political stories finds me reading the obituaries and sports. In case you’re wondering, the matriarch of a famous seafood establishment recently passed and a player on the University of Maryland women’s basketball team has been named Big 10 player of the year. I also check the Facebook timeline; however I think I may be developing carpal tunnel in my right wrist because I spend more time scrolling past politically polarized posts from both donkeys and elephants.

I tried to find an image of something that represented neither party, but wasted 30 minutes searching for images. The decrease in headaches mentioned in the previous paragraph came creeping back. I did find this image….

This speaks volumes to my current political mood.

There is some good news, albeit shallow. Hubster and I have discovered a new series.

Hubster needed to find something to pull me away from the sewing machine on weekends.

Speaking of the sewing machine, I have spent a great deal of time at my machine on weekends. Due to absence of snow days, Project Snow Day (read here and here) is lacking and the auction is a month earlier this year.

Oh, and this goes out to Hasbro, just because like the ostrich, my head has been in the sand with all the political news; it has not gone unnoticed that the most significant game piece of Monopoly has been discontinued. The thimble; worn to protect the finger and push the needle when sewing….gone! It seems there is nothing sacred. Hobbyist seamstresses such as myself must go forth in a game which involves taxation, yet, no representation.

It seems protest is required. I am going to wear my thimble (because I will be sewing) for the rest of the day in support of thimbles everywhere on the planet. I know a revolution when I see one.

From my mother’s sewing collection…she was always up for a good protest, unless it was from one of her children about the rules of the house…dictatorship was a house rule…and no, this in not my middle finger.

Have a wonderful week!

Tyler…

by Beemie // January 27, 2017 // 7 Comments

… as in Mary Tyler Moore.

Alphabetical Post T

Last week, I started to write a post about television. Needless to say I never finished it, but when I heard the news of Mary Tyler Moore’s death, I started to write again, only this time the tone of my post changed. Here I am today starting from scratch.

I recall being back in my childhood home sitting in front of our 15″, or maybe it was 19″, black and white TV. After sitting through a another Saturday night of the Lawrence Welk Show, (a staple of both my parents and the only show permitted to be watched during Lent for a good many years until they relaxed that rule because they found they were missing out on great television) we settled in for the Saturday night comedies. I don’t remember what time the show aired, but I do remember the evening ending with the Carol Burnett Show.

Mary Tyler Moore was not only a funny lady, but she had an elegant way of ” taking a nothing day and certainly make it all seem worthwhile”. Yes, I stole the line from the soundtrack to the show.

Although I was only 7 when the show first aired, I wanted her hair. To be exact, I wanted the hair she had in the early years of the show because it had a “That Girl” flip…oh, how I longed for that flip.

Her teeth were perfection…no wonder she “could turn the world on with her smile.” At the age of 21, I finally wore the braces I had hoped would give me those “Chiclet” pearly whites.

I know Mary Tyler Moore did not decorate her own sets, but I loved the “M” monogram that hung in her apartments. When I moved into my college dorm I purchased a big yellow “C” (for my real name) made of cork to hang on my dorm room wall. I think Mary may have influenced my affection for monograms.

Over 20 years ago, Hubster and I attended a charity fundraiser auction. One of the items for auction was a script signed by the writers of the Mary Tyler Moore Show. The script was titled; “Chuckles Bites the Dust.” We were in a bidding war with a local meteorologist and,I kid you not, Tom Clancy. TC backed out when it reached $100. I wanted that script and so did the meteorologist. We won and we paid way too much for that script, which sadly sits in a plastic container in our attic, probably dry-rotted, but it’s ours.

signed-mary-tyler-moore-script_1_b9176d2fec55361de8c274cf7e114b54

This is not our actual script….sorry, Mary, I didn’t feel like climbing into the attic.

My favorite line from that episode was part of the eulogy read by Ted Baxter (Knight) on air for Chuckles the Clown, “A little song, a little dance, a little seltzer down your pants.”

My recollections of Mary Tyler Moore may be superficial, but I truly believe that Mary ‘Richards’ showed my young self that I could “make it after all”.

Seven ’17 Sentiments…

by Beemie // January 7, 2017 // 10 Comments

…in the New Year.

Alphabetical Post S

I went back to school on Tuesday after a wonderful break and it was the lonnnnggggest short week ever. When I am feeling blue or haggard due to the daily demands of being a classroom teacher, I try to remind myself that I am lucky to have a job and to just keep teaching. One of my colleagues has been so overwhelmed that it sent her to the doctor this week.

Since I know what it feels like to be submerged in stress (read here) I have tried to offer words of wisdom, but words are easy; actually allowing yourself to take something off your plate is not so easy. When providing unsolicited counsel of my own experiences to those in distress that I often have plenty of lemons , but no lemonade; that person may say something like, ” Wow, you seem to have your act together!” (Those who really know me are laughing so hard right now they need to change their underwear. Sorry for the inconvenience.)

The “act together” comment from those who I seem to have bamboozled that my life seems ~~in calamity~~ calm, cool, and collected reminds me of the persona “Fernando Lamas” created by Billy Crystal.

Sentiment 7

Little do they know this is really what is going on in my daily life….

Sentiment 6

Things have changed because I seriously have decided…

Sentiment 5

This is why during the school year, Hubster does most of the cooking. (Honestly, I think he really likes the deluxe health benefits my job provides.) He is a great cook and although I grew up in the era of ” I can bring home the bacon…”

Sentiment 4

I am perfectly happy with him frying it up in the pan!

There are many experts out there who tell us we need to find ways to relieve stress…

Sentiment 3

My sister, Keary, bought me an adult coloring book for my birthday last year…I tried it, but then I stopped because the color pencils required sharpening…I didn’t want to add another job to my life. In my profession, I sharpen a few thousand pencils every day.

I do believe my best stress reliever….

(no, not alcohol)

is my best friend….

A dark and blurry photo of two young kids who are still in love.

Sentiment 2

Operative word here is “girl”, for he still calls me his “child bride” and believes it!

Another step I have taken to relieve worry is to remind myself that ….

These two are adults. Yes, I did buy them the t-shirts and they did wear the hats for the throwback photo at my request, but they have significant others, jobs, benefits, and lives beyond the one that we created. We have raised independent beings …apparently, that is the job of parents.

When my mother was dying in 2009, I entered her hospital room having just driven 7.5 hours with my sister, Susan from Maryland to Boston. In the days before this trip, I had walked across the stage to receive my Masters degree at the ~~old~~ nubile age of 46; I was very much a ~~hip and trendy~~ well-ripened and exhausted adult.

My mother, was slumped in the chair next to her hospital bed. Her hair was combed straight back and white, like I had never seen before. I walked over to her while Susan stayed near the door. We both thought she had died in that chair. I called to her, ” Mum…Mum”, no response. I turned to Susan and frantically exclaimed, “Get a nurse!”…Susan was frozen, so I grabbed her by the arm and together we summoned a nurse.

My mother and Susan; a time Susan didn’t mind being close.

The cool-headed nurse brought us back to the room. She told us to call her name again. Susan did not want to get too close, so I along with the nurse tried to give her a little shake on the arm, while I called out again, “Mum…it’s me…Susan is here too!”

My mother began to wake. As she muttered my name and tried to focus her eyes, she whispered, “Oh, it is you…you know I’m dying.” There was never much “sugar-coating” when it came to her making a point.

As she focused more, I was crouched down in front of her. The voice which once commanded attention was now fragile, but just as pointed. She had a clear view of my hair because she advised, “You need to do your roots.” At that moment, I knew that no matter what your age or state of mind, your mother is still your mother.

Sentiment 1

I had hoped I would find myself writing more, but I will refer to Sentiment 5. This does not mean I am giving up on my blog, it means that for now things are status quo…Writing is excellent mental health, but so is reading, watching TV, and sewing….

A Cautionary Sentiment

Have a great week!

PS: This is Us comes back of Tuesday, but also check out Good Behavior on TNT….Lady Mary not so lady-like.

Rest, Relaxation, and…

by Beemie // December 27, 2016 // 6 Comments

…resolutions.

Alphabetical Post R

My winter break from school began promptly at 3:35 pm last Thursday and I didn’t stop moving until yesterday around 11:30 am when Son-ster #2 headed back to Pittsburgh. I have no regrets, I loved having my boys home for Christmas.

I especially love that not only did I still have the Santa hats for this “throw-back” photo, but I also captured the “red-eye”. #2 refused to put in his retainer, I suppose I can’t have it all.

We had a wonderful time filled with games, eating, dishes, gifts, napping, eating, Christmas movies, eating, and more dishes. I wouldn’t change a thing. Not even the fact that when Hubster turned on the oven on Christmas morning to pre-heat for the 22 pound turkey he received an error code “f3” …once the code was “Googled”, we determined nothing would be roasted in the oven, so cue the gas grill…

Voila…grilled turkey!

This is the actual turkey…luckily #2 had gifted Hubster an i-Grill for Father’s Day.

We also had grilled sweet potatoes and grilled herb dressing. I can honestly say it was truly delicious.

The next several days will involve sleeping in, a bit of sewing, some after-Christmas shopping, a visit from the Family Matriarch and the Kitchen King as they head to Florida, a dinner hosted by us (cooking courtesy of someone else due to aforementioned oven), a visit from my nephews (my sister Susan’s sons) & their crews, and finally New Year’s weekend with Peggy Anne.

From the sound of this post it seems it should be titled, Run, Rush, and Resolutions, but trust me not dealing with school life for a week is rest and relaxation. As far as the resolution goes the below (found on Pinterest) is my motto.

ny-resolution

Hope you are having a wonderful holiday season.

If you live near me, can you recommend someone to fix the oven, I am pretty sure we will need it in 2017.

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Quick Update…

by Beemie // December 3, 2016 // 2 Comments

…alive and well!

Alphabetical Post Q

When last I left you, I was waiting for a new floor and furniture for our family room. The floor has been installed and the furniture delivered. I did some Black Friday fabric shopping and scored two fabrics I intend to include in the room.

Here is a peek:

I think I am truly in love with the new floor. We had a wall to wall berber prior to this, but I love the look of wood.

The art work which I will frame for a spot in the room, is a painting by a local artist. It features the Domino Sugar plant whose lighted sign greets incoming ships and visitors to the Inner Harbor of Baltimore. Hubster and I have a long running joke about this sign. When we were dating in college, we would go out downtown. Free parking was limited so often we would find a spot a long walk away from where we were going. One night a friend of Hubster joined us and stated he knew of a perfect free parking place…it indeed was a good, free parking spot illuminated by the Domino Sugar sign; however it was over a mile from our intended destination. Today, if we don’t find a parking spot within close proximity to where we are going we laugh and say, ” I guess were stuck under the Domino Sugar sign.” While not hysterical, it is a fond memory.

I have to leave you here dear readers because at this point, I need to work on my own outdoor lighting for the holidays, not one hall has been decked, nor are the stockings hung by the chimney with care. Also, it ~~seams~~ seems the fabric will not sew itself.

Have a great day!

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