Absolutely Fabulous Thanksgiving November 24, 2012

Absolutely Fabulous Thanksgiving At Last

November 24, 2012

 

     Two days ago you were left wondering if we would ever get to our Thanksgiving dinner.  Both my friend and I decided to go home and take naps to wait on the bird to roast. 

 

     By 5:30 we got the call that all was prepared, and we were expected to arrive right away.  I'm not going to rave on and on about the fabulous decorations, the banquet-sized dining room table, laden with Martha Stewart-worthy decor and dinnerware.

I will include just a small corner of the table here in one photo.  The food had not been set on the table yet.

 

 

 

 

     I will tell you that the center tray, loaded with lit candles, lit the entire dining room.  The dishes full of food and condiments covered every other square inch of this table.  At the other end of the table was yet another huge glass vase full of more Christmas ornaments!  The theme was red and white, with simple red snowflake graphics on the placemats and runner.  The linen napkins were tastefully embossed with a deer, rustic style, and wrapped with silver bells napkin holders.  Totally Southern Living magazine quality. 

 

     The turkey was done to perfection and the few dishes of food we brought were squeezed onto the table somehow.  The chef was our guest's good friend, and outdid the finest restaurant chef.  Our host was impeccable in his catering to our every need. 

 

     All in all (until I get more photos to prove it) this was the most beautiful and delicious Thanksgiving meal I've ever had.  But wait, there's more.

 

     The four of us spent hours at the table having the best time just enjoying funny conversations and appreciating our blessings.  I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving, too. 

 

      As for Black Friday, had to mention that, I used part of the day to remove my fall wreath and replace it with the Christmas wreath.  Then my neighbor and friend supervised me while I made a pinterest-inspired Christmas tree for the front porch.  However, I had to go borrow my neighbor across the street to plug in the extension cord which is at the peak of the roof of my 1950s porch.  It all happened within 30 minutes. 

 

       How did I do that?  With a very well-used tomato cage and a string of Christmas lights wrapped around it.  Of course the cage was upside down and the four wires that would normally go in the ground were wrapped with clear tape to make the pointed top to the tree.  So last night, Christmas officially started to crank up at my house.   It was beautiful to see just the lights shining last night.

 

     Here is the photo from pinterest.com.  It is so beautiful at night because the cage seems to disappear and you only see the lights.

 



 

     So, as the video says, "Merry Christmas, Charlie Brown!"  (I'll try to post more photos tonight, when I edit this.)  Now go bake some sugar cookies. 

 

      www.pinterest.com/mimihylton



Will Have To Wait For Turkey, But Not The Nap

November 22, 2012

 

 

      We were invited to Thanksgiving dinner at noon, but the harried host informed us that the friend had not cooked the turkey yet.  Not a problem for two senior citizens who are just as happy with a cup of coffee and a cheese sandwich.

 

       Plan B took us to look for a suitable place to sit and nibble until the turkey "got cooked."  Boston Market ripped everyone off with only one menu choice of a turkey dinner complete with pie, overpriced, so we left in search of alternative places to wait.  But hold everything, all restaurants closed for the holiday. 

 

      This is why America is great:  Burger King was still churning out "Have it your way" meals.  We used a coupon and got two whoppers and fries for $5.  That satisfied us completely and now both of us have gone our separate ways.  "I'm going to nap," grinned my friend.  "Me too," I giggled.

 

     Ahhh, there is nothing like a great nap after a hearty Thanksgiving meal.  Our host will call us later today when the real feast is prepared.  We are both grateful for our host's invitation, the table decorations and settings were outstandingly beautiful, and we are both grateful for Burger King.

 

     Happy Thanksgiving to everyone.  We are blessed.

 

 

www.pinterest.blogspot.com/mimihylton

Plans Changed Since 11/17/12 November 20, 2012

Plans Changed Since 11/17/12



November 20, 2012

 

 

     The plan was to go bowling on Sunday morning.  That was changed by being invited to watch the giant Christmas star being erected in downtown Orlando.  So by 7:15 I traveled to watch the star hanging which turned into an almost 2 hour process.  In any event, the gigantic star now floats majestically, and Christmas has begun, even though Thanksgiving hasn't.

 

      Had a pleasant breakfast with family and friends where I made a complete fool of myself by complaining about anything and everything.  We went to a nice restaurant around the corner from the dangling star.  For some reason, I turned into a rather spoiled child, so that everyone could hear my every complaint. 

 

      Returning home, knowing my next activity was bowling, I spent 3 hours on  pinterest.com instead, after sending an apologetic email to all involved with breakfast.  Obviously, I was contrite.

 

      Soooooo, Sunday afternoon, I felt so guilty, I felt I should do work instead of enjoying myself.  I edged my sidewalk and driveway, swept all the trimmings into piles, and vowed to bag them the next morning.   I really felt guilty about breakfast.

 

     Instead of choosing another fun activity to enjoy during my holidays, I did indeed bag all of the grass trimmings.  Then I looked at the piles of mail and other paper staring at me when I came inside.   I have a slight aversion to mail of any kind.

 

     So my fun activity for Monday was spending over 7 hours going through piles of mail, junk mail, political mail, and receipts.  Someone from the show "Hoarders" should have been filming, because I can't through mail away. 

 

      Lo and behold, I can see the surfaces of my little loveseat, my dining room table, my buffet, and the top of my stove.  And I hauled out a bag of the mess of trash that must have weighed over 30 pounds, if not more.  You really should have seen my assembly line.  But wait, there's more.

 

      In all of that paper left from the clearing, I then had piles of important records to be put in date order and filed.  So Tuesday, today, that is how I have spent my day.  The reward is that my paperwork for my taxes for 2012 are at least in one large manila envelope, and all of my important financial statements are neatly filed.  

 

       Tomorrow, Wednesday, the day before Thanksgiving, I am heading to the bowling alley  at ll:00 for a few games, then I'm driving to our Universal Studios theme park to spend the afternoon in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, enjoying some butterbeer and Harry Potter memories.  My guilt has been cured by hard work.

 

      My job for tonight is going to the grocery store to fill a cart with canned vegetables and canned fruit.  All of this will be taken to the Coalition for the Homeless, which is what the head kitchen manager said they need for the big meal on Thursday.   It's a small step, but it will help.

 

      Blessings on everyone and Happy Thanksgiving.  Planning on enjoying fun activities wore me out! 

 

www.pinterest.com/mimihylton

 

     To read about the hanging of the giant star, and see photos, and other fabulous Orlando events, go to this pinterest site:

 

www.pinterest.com/thedailycity

 

     

Nine Days of Thanksgiving Holidays To Practice

Nine Days of Thanksgiving Holidays To Try My Retirement Activities

November 17,2012

 

     With my school holidays starting, I am heading out with my beautiful new bike to ride to my heart's content.  But wait, there's more.

 

     When I was forced to take a detour on my way to work a week ago, it sent all traffic through a beautiful greenway/park I didn't know existed.  So for the past week I have taken that detour to and from work.  Immediately upon turning into the park, I become one with nature.

 

     There appears a flowing river,  a wide bike/running/walking/dog walking/stroller-pushing concrete pathway along the entire bank of the river.  Hundreds of migrating birds circle overhead.  Egrets are busying themselves along the river bank across the river.   People are strolling with babies, dogs, walkers, bikers, and I should be there.  Oh, and don't forget the people quietly fishing the river.

 

     Professional size soccer fields, two playgrounds, and one gigantic exercise center are also on the property, safely fenced from pathway traffic and the winding road for car traffic.  Who forgot to tell me about this treasure in Orlando?

 

     So, to add to my retirement activities list, a year ahead of when I'll need it, I'm loading up my bike and heading to that park for some peaceful riding.  I will not have to look for cracks in the road or traffic that might squash me.

 

     Number 9 (or is it 10) on my list is now to head to the park and ride my bike for awhile.  I might even pack a little snack in my bike basket.  Pictures later today.   This practice run will confirm its place on my list.

 

     Have a bountiful Thanksgiving meal, and please help those who need one.

 

 

 

 www.pinterest.com/mimihylton

Buy a Homeless Person A Meal November 14, 2012

Step One--Buy A Homeless Person A Meal   November 14, 2012

     So I was back in IHOP, sitting not 20 feet from a homeless person, who was guarding all of his baggage and worldly possessions.  IHOP, in downtown Orlando, is very kind to the homeless, and allows them to sit and rest and drink free coffee.

     So during my meal with my friend, I asked the waitress to order a full meal for the man.  That is one way I can help, even though it's very temporary. 

     I have also been searching on pinterest.com for homeless helping pins.  There are ideas I can follow.  Wish me luck.  I am taking baby steps here.

     When you go to buy your 20 pound Thanksgiving turkey in the frozen food aisle this week, pick up several more and take them to a shelter.  That will add to the food they can serve next week for all of those who depend on us for their Thanksgiving meals.

     Please leave comments/suggestions for how I can improve the lives of even a few homeless families in the future. 

     I'm going to enjoy my Thanksgiving Day meal at a local Chinese buffet.  I'm very fortunate. 

www.pinterest.com/mimihylton

360 Days to Go--To Help The Homeless November 12, 2012

360 Days to Go To Help The Homeless         November 12, 2012

      Sunday was another flurry of activities, including another 7am breakfast, shopping at a drug store, putting out signs for a food truck event, attending the Food Truck Bazaar, and shopping at a sale at Sears, where I bought a new winter coat, gorgeous.  But wait, there's more.

     Here is my horoscope for Sunday:

     "You're wasting your energy, Scorpio, and you know it. You go out to dinner, attend parties and shows, but you're never really present. You listen to people but what they're saying doesn't interest you in any fundamental way. Yes, you're bored, and you're afraid to admit it to yourself. The depth of your inner search requires that you use a lot of energy to reexamine your life."
So I guess I'll have to go back to reexamining my life again.

     Besides that, my blog stats told me you don't really want to read about my social butterfly status.  I get that.

     I have told several friends that I would like to do something to help the enormous population of homeless in Orlando.  This is the exact opposite of how I really feel.  We have thousands of decent humans living/existing in homeless camps in the woods, shelters, and extended stay motels.  I can't give money, but I will contact several organizations to see what small start I can make to ease their need for food, shelter, and safety. 

     Thanksgiving is nearing and I am able to do something.  But what exactly?

     Would you be willing to send comments/suggestions for how I can be a part of the solution to homelessness in some small way?

     I think the first small step would be to return my new winter coat. 




     www.pinterest.com/mimihylton