Picking up Guys

OK, here's what I've learned...First, you learn Picking Up Guys from your mother (more on this point in a minute); Second, you can practice the technique anywhere!!!

Yesterday my mother wanted to go to the yarn store to pick up some Fun Fur, a soft, shaggy yarn. I had another errand to run so I told Mom to go do what she had to and we would meet in the yarn store. I finished my errand, went to the wool store and there she was, huddled in a corner having not gone up to the store at all. It seems the elevator was broken and she was concerned about riding the escalator on her own (thank goodness she didn't go up alone!). so, her plan was I would go first on the escalator so when she was ready to get off I could hold her hand and make sure she didn't loose her balance. So, that's what we did...when we got half way up the escalator, so it was too late to get off, it occurred to me, how was I going to get her back down???? Well, we got into the store and I secured a cart for her and sent her off on her shopping expedition while I tried for figure out how to get her back down. I went over to the manager of the store to see if perhaps the elevator was only going down...no such luck, it was totally not working. In the meantime there was Mom, shopping to her heart's content! Well, we finished picking out what we wanted to buy and now we were standing in line at the cash registers. I looked to my left and there was a strong looking, young, high school boy. No problem I was certain he would help me get Mom down on the escalator (which I should mention has a very large immediate drop and continues in a very sharp incline). Well, it seems that he wasn't leaving right away, was on his way to another store so he was sorry but he couldn't help! Now my heart was thumping big time...what do do! We paid for our purchases and went into the hallway and approached the roller coaster style escalator and what did I see coming up the escalator but a very good looking man! He was definitely the hero type, over 6 feet tall, broad shoulders, good looking...definitely worth a try to see if he would help. I asked and he was only too happy to help. He took Mom around the waist, held her hand with his big strong hands and away they went. Oh yes, I continued down the escalator as well! As we all road down Mom told him of her concern of loosing her balance and how grateful she was for his help. I told him that was baloney, she did this trick all day long picking up men! He smiled and said his English wasn't so good but he did understand my joke! Believe me when I tell you I was relieved to get into the car and drive home!!!

Pet Peeve

So, you know what its like to be exhausted...you were up late the night before and its 6:00 in the evening and, if you had your way, you'd be cozy in your bed with a good book! Well, just how I felt last night...maybe too much of the clicking on the Mah Jongg tiles (NEVER!)...I'm feeling like I can sleep for a week, look at my calendar and see I have a JCC Board Meeting. Ok, not a bad thing; the meetings are over early, so off I go! A light supper is always served! Tonight it is vegetarian chili and a big tossed salad, great! Dessert: assorted cookies! The topic of the meeting is the annual audit (just the meeting to go to tired!) and I've already heard the presentation at the finance meeting, double glazed over eyes! So, I zoned out on a double chocolate meringue cookie with choc fudge in the middle, OMG, delicious! Enter my pet peeve...I am sure there was coffee in that chocolate...I WAS UP ALL NIGHT! Well, not really up just never getting into that ram sleep! I can't believe it! Now I think I'm more tired than when I went to bed last night! Ok, napping is in my future for this afternoon!

Mah Jongg Mania

Monday night we had another of our Mah Jongg Marathons...it is the best! We all have commented on the wonderful sisterhood we have developed! The food is the best; this time Roberta made a split pea soup with flanken in it...YUMMY! She served in it bowls that looked like vegetable bowls! Perfect! you could be a glutten without looking like one because everyone had the same bowl! The Mah Jongg was relaxed! No crazy people in this game; just fun. We play for $6 each day and you make money; loose money, whatever! So, can't wait for the next one!

Beautiful Weather In Conencticut...NOT!!!

Well, it is January so having, snow, sleet, rain and whatever else should be expected...doesn't mean I have to like it! Last night I had an interesting adventure...I left a meeting at the JCC at 10:00 with freezing rain steadily falling. The parking lot was a sheet of very thin ice, however, negotiable (thanks to a friend for giving me a ride to my car!). There was not a city truck in site so, of course, those of you who know Quarry Road will know I was getting concerned about getting up the hill. Well, Newfield Avenue wasn't bad...a few slippery spots but not bad, first part ok! When I turned onto Quarry I thought this doesn't seem so bad, made it up the first hill fine! Second part ok! Then I started up the second part of the hill...seemed to be doing ok...hmm, what was that car parked on the left side of the road, with its lights on, just sitting there...poor things, they must be afraid to go down the hill, not me, I'm just zooming up the hill...UNTIL my car started to go sideways and then slowly started sliding down the hill. Good news, I did not hit the car on the left (I found out later they had done a 360 on the hill!). Well, now that I had my foot almost through the floor boards on the brake, I had to figure out what to do...I'm across the road and what do I see but a car deciding to come up the hill!!! I put down my window, waved my arms, blew my horn to get the person to stop but they kept coming, UNTIL they were about 3 feet further up the hill than I was and then, they stopped! (well, truthfully, it made me feel better they couldn't get up...I thought it might have been just me!). So, I called 911 and told them of my problem, they asked if I had been in an accident, I said not yet! So, they said they would be coming...not sure when so I sat there waiting. Eventually (you know it felt like hours!) two young guys came; pushed my car around and watched as I slided to the bottom of the hill and was able to get the car into Blue Rock! Now the challenge was to walk home...David, had come down to meet me by this time, however he was on the other side of the street and getting across the street was impossible! Somehow David made it over to me and we slid, he was going to go home for his ice skates! Well, walking on the snow on the grass worked and, eventually two city trucks came. One didn't have chains and could barely make it up the hill...that made me feel much better! After the road was salted one of the young guys came and drove us home! What an adventure. The good news is, nobody was hurt! That in itself was a miracle! So, how many days until Spring????