Wearable Towels

This morning I was watching the Early Show. They had a segment on informercials and how they're booming in this economy. They did a run down of some of their most popular products which I was quite familiar with except for one. They showed a brief clip of "towels with arms." I have not seen this one in my area. I looked it up on line and sure enough it's there. For men and women. They're selling point is that there is no velcro or snaps and it wont fall off. You can wrap it like a tunic or for the men you can go toga style. Oh my word! seriously? It looks like a frumpy dress, toga, or better yet clothing from the Flintstones. Check it out it might be something you want Santa to bring you. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WjdyjL0dbG8

New Traditions

Every year mom schedules the family thanksgiving the Saturday before the holiday. Most of the cousins are married and have other families to visit. The night before she has her great nieces and nephews come over. We bake cookies, make homemade chex mix, prepare the bread dressing, and of course we give our turkey a spa treatment complete with a butter massage. Saturday friends and family arrive to celebrate. Mom plans this weeks in advance. She creates a trivia game for everyone and hands out prizes. Each year the prizes seem to get bigger and better. This year mom was a little stuck on what to do for the trivia. I suggested we do a murder mystery game. I found some that were family friendly and holiday themed. I tossed the idea around and she loved it. No one would be expecting it. We took a gamble and dove in. We had fun pairing the characters with the guest coming. It was difficult on some when they fit 3 of the characters to a T. We mailed the invitations along with they're character synopsis. We weren't sure what to expect. I knew that my cousins Tara and Rusty would be fine with it as they've done one before. The others I wasn't quite sure. Would they be hostile to the idea or embrace their character. Were we in for a surprise. Everyone got into character and played their part well. My favorite character was my cousin Britanie. She was Tele the roving reporter. She brought these black plastic glasses because as she says all reporters have glasses. I said what era are you from the 80's?
We had a blast. In doing the game and getting the meal on the table we left out a few dishes, but it was the best Thanksgiving we've had yet. Everyone was happy and laughing. It was a great one and I think we've started a new tradition!

Dancing shoes

The shoes I wore tonight to swing class. Beautiful but not friendly with my toes!

Cloud Illusions...

It was an unusual day. The sun shone brightly in the early morning. However by mid morning the clouds rolled in. I left work on my lunch break to run errands. The air had cooled off a bit. As I sat in the drive through at the bank I noticed the clouds. They were beautiful! It was as if God was painting a picture for us. When I finished I decided to take the long way back to work. I had to see these clouds. Hues of Charcoal, slate blue and white filled the skies. In some places it looked like a roaring sea with billowing waves. In another place it looked like peaks of meringue. I drove on but the urge to pull over and gaze at this site became stronger. I stopped at the post office to mail a package. As I sat there I was able to gaze at the sky. I was in awe. My time was running out and I had to get back to the office. As I pulled into the parking lot I saw that the clouds were above us. As I gazed at the clouds it reminded me of when I was a child with bubbles in the sink. I'd gather the bubbles in my hands, squish my hands together then pull them apart watching the bubbles stretch. I wish I had more time and an actual camera instead of my phone. I wanted to keep taking pictures but alas it was back to work. It was an amazing site to see!

Lightning bugs

Tonight as I stepped out of my cousin's house I noticed yellow lights flashing. I realized there were lightning bugs flying about. As I drove away there was a grove a trees which lit up like twinkle lights. I reverted back to my childhood mesmerized by the twinkles in the night. I wish I could have pulled my car over and watched them. I think I could have sat there for hours watching the beautiful bugs.

"I wanna bop with you baby"

123 123 rock step 123 123 rock step...It's all coming back to me now. Tonight I went by myself to a the Y for swing lessons. I've taken ballroom dance lessons and had a few in swing but it's been about 3 years. I arrived with my stomach in knots and clammy hands. I wondered if there would there be anyone my age? What am I getting myself into? I wish I had friends to talk to. I walked to the door slowly as I pondered everything. I must have looked unsure of myself as a lady asked "are you new at this?" "Yes, is this where they're doing the swing lessons?" I replied. She said yes and told me what I needed to do. She and her husband were also new. After signing in I joined her and her husband as I felt I had made some new friends. Thank you God! Slowly some other newbies joined us and we began talkig about our worries about the class.
We entered the dance hall and headed to the back for our lessons. From the start they divided the girls on one side and guys on the other. The teachers went over the steps a few times and then said "Find a partner". Worry struck my face. There were already lots of paired up couples and I had come by myself. The website said you didn't need a partner. Who was I going to dance with?
"Hi, can I be your partner?" a gentleman asked me. I nervously shook my head and replied "yes". His name is Phil and he's around my moms age. He was extrememly nice and patient. I didn't get a handsome guy as my partner but looking back on it Phil was perfect as I felt at ease with him. After class I stayed for swing dancing. I sat with Phil and some other new friends I had met. Phil got me out on the dance floor and away we went. Other men asked me to dance. Some I liked dancing with and others I didn't care for too much. One of the teachers danced with me. He complemented me sayng "I was good". I smiled and said thank you. It was a confidence booster as there were times I was unsure of my moves. I loved being turned out and in several times. I had so much fun. My feet are killing me. I could use a foot massage. I can't wait for next Wednesday night. If you're in town you should come. I'm glad I got out of my comfort zone and tried something new.
I had friends say they might be interested if there were hot girls there. I'll have to say there were a good mix of young and old couples and singles. Everybody dances with everybody. Once you're there you forget about that and just have fun dancing.