"HILDA-ISMS" and "HILDA-SPEAK"

My Mother returned to Florida early yesterday morning, flying from Little Rock, to Memphis & then on to Orlando.

After several days of stories & videos in/on the TV News regarding the snow storm/blizzard in the North-East -- causing the airports to close & the cancellation of thousands of flights worldwide -- Hilda had no problems getting home on time. In fact, she arrived in Orlando ahead of schedule.

The Little Rock airport seemed quite busy & crowded when we arrived there at five A.M. yesterday. [Snow storm problems ??] The ticketing area had long lines for so early in the day. It was good that I had printed Hilda's boarding passes off the computer at home. Saved MUCH time & potential hassle.

My Mother told me when she arrived, in Orlando it was wall-to-wall people in the main part of the airport terminal & that she did have to struggle to get through all the people.

Give the 83 year old woman a break, people !!

No doubt, the Orlando congestion -- much greater than Little Rock -- was again due to all the people who vacationed in Florida at Xmas & now found their return flights canceled & needing to be re-booked.

Once my Mother began her flights back to Florida, things started returning to ... ah ... "normal" around here. That means I did laundry, start keeping my own schedule & I got to eat some of the leftovers without sharing. The cats also got back to living with just one person in the house.

The last of the Xmas cookies that Hilda made before she came to Arkansas were -- & are -- all mine now. They won't last much longer.

Because we have lived apart for so many years -- I left home for college in 1965 & only came back for "visits" -- even with her being my Mother, often our current "visits" require a time of getting re-acquainted to each others mannerisms, speech & little "quirks".

As we both grow older ... there seem to be more "quirks", for both of us. Being together on a non-regular basis sometimes highlights our little ... "differences". It sure does for me.

My Mother met & married my Father in England during World War II. She's been in the United States for about 65 years, but in her case ... you can take the gal out of Great Britain, but you can't take Great Britain out of the gal.

Below is a list of "HILDA-ISMS" I seem to always notice when we are together:

** She loves her cup of hot tea. She drinks at least two or three cups a day, sometimes more. And not any tea. It's a tea from Canada. She brings her tea bags with her each visit.

** She's fussy about her food. (It was ME who was the fussy eater as a kid.) There is always a "pressure" on me to have the food she likes/will eat in the house when she visits. Thank goodness for visits to Captain D's for fish 'n' chips.

** If she's sitting down ... she's knitting. She learned to knit as a child & can make ANYTHING using yarn & needles. Sweaters, quilts, baby clothes. ANYTHING.

I don't hear it, but many people who meet Hilda notice she has a bit of an English accent. I guess she re-formats it on her trips back ... "across the pond". When she returns -- at least for awhile -- she does sound VERY British.

With, or without, her accent, there is also the realization during our visits of listening to "HILDA-SPEAK". This would include some of the following dialog:

** "Cheers" == This is an expression she uses often in place of "Thank you".

** "Ta" == She will use this sometimes in place of "Cheers". Hand her the vinegar for her fish 'n' chips & she might say "Ta".

** "Ta Ta" == This is used in place of "Good-Bye".

** "T.T.F.N." == This is an abbreviated version of the above & stands for "Ta Ta for now".

** "I have to tiddle" == Hilda's headed to the bathroom.

** "I have to take a quick tiddle" == This "tiddle" is the last minute, ready-to-travel variety.

There are probably more words/phrases my Mother uses. It's just that our in-frequent visits through the years, bring certain ones to my ears & remind me of the years passing & moving us both along in this thing called ... "Life".

T.T.F.N.

WANT FRIES WITH THAT ??

For most of the past 20-plus years, I have gone to Florida for Christmas (Xmas). This year, my Mother came to Arkansas to "experience" Xmas in more Northern latitudes.

Xmas in Arkansas this year means no palm trees, nor live oak dripping with Spanish Moss. Certainly no tan lines being formed. Still, the colder weather here in Arkansas -- due to the cold temperatures dipping further South -- was mirroring the weather Florida was experiencing at the same time.

My Mother, to her credit, brought plenty of warm clothes; a few of the items she bought specifically for this trip. That's not to say she spent a whole lot of time outside during her visit. He blood has "thinned" too much from all the years of living in Florida. Cold temperatures are not her thing.

I have never been one for decorating my house at Xmas ... either inside or out. That also means I never had decorations -- & lights -- still to take down -- or turn off -- come, say, oh ... February. [It happens -- too often -- around here. Remember, this is ARKANSAS.]

My "Xmas tree" this year was a woven, wall-hanging tapestry I bought many years ago in a crafts store in Bogota, Colombia. It has served it's purpose several times for me & this year, provided a place for the presents my Mother & me each had to open.

Of course, with any & all things "new", each of the cats had to take terns inspecting the tree & presents, before granting "approval". Here, Nibblets does the honors.

Precious is developing into a bit of a "poser" when it comes to photographs. Here she gives me the "OK" that everything has been sniffed, touched & approved.

As I have written previously, this years main gift to my Mother was a printed, hard-cover book of the first 15 months of my blog. To say this gift went over BIG on Xmas morning, is an understatement. If she was not knitting or doing word puzzles while here, my Mother was reading the book, with about a third of it already read before her visit was over.

Note to fellow bloggers: This is a great gift idea & so easy to do. Any & all blogs get extra impressive in a book format. [Thanks ... to Wendy Ray for the original idea.]

Of course, one of the things I have to consider when having my Mother visit me, is feeding her. She's pretty much a meat 'n' potatoes person, who cooks for herself. I tend to fix my food as an after thought, & too often settle for fixing rice -- which is one item Hilda will NOT eat -- & veggies. Actually, my Mother isn't one to try different foods. No Chinese, Mexican, etc.

Being of English origin, my Mother does love her Fish 'n' Chips. And thankfully, the fare offered at Captain D's meets with her approval & it is one "fast food" -- other than Wendy's -- that she enjoys & will eat.

This Xmas visit, we went to Captain D's on two occasions. Hilda enjoyed her Fish 'n' Chips, & although it's not a food item I would normally eat, I too enjoy it ... as an occasional menu item.

Sticking to my odd eating habits, I did not get french fries with my fish, but instead, substituted corn on the cob.

French fries -- for me -- are a no-no.

JUST A MATTER OF TIME

I have always loved dogs. I enjoy going to people's homes where they have a dog I can fuss over & play with. I like dogs & dogs seem to like me.

The first dog I remember our family having was a mutt named Whitey. He would always find a way out of the fence surrounding our yard & be gone all day, only to return home at night, naturally, needing a bath.

Whitey lasted until one night at dinner time when the sound of a fire truck's siren stopped on our street, meaning the fire truck was right ... THERE !!

Everyone in the family ran out of the house to see what was going on & if there was a fire on our street.

Everyone ... but Whitey.

When we all returned, Whitey was laying bloated on the floor & all the cube steaks -- which were on our plates when we ran outside -- were gone.

Shortly after that -- I'm not sure on "details" -- Whitey was gone, too.

The next dog we had was a Cocker Spaniel named Sally. A friend of my Mother won the puppy at a bingo game. Somehow, we ended up with the prize.

Cocker's have been described to me as a dog "... with a bite, just waiting to happen". Sally lasted about five years with us, & then, she too ... "had to leave".

The last dog I had was in high school. A black & tan mutt named Jinx. She was a great dog & a wonderful pet. But, like all the dogs our family owned, she had "issues".

Jinx liked to "travel" & would often be gone for days at a time. We once had people call who lived across the lake from us, telling us Jinx had somehow made it to the other side & was hanging around in their neighborhood.

One night, a neighbor who lived down the road a few miles, brought home Jinx in the back of his truck, in an empty concrete bag. Jinx had been chasing & barking at the one lone sheep in the neighbor's pasture. He shot & killed my dog.

I've never had a dog since Jinx. I never handle death very well, with people or pets close to me. I would just rather avoid the whole mess.

Well, there was one other major dog, but she belonged to other people, which in retrospect, may be the best way for me to have a dog in my life.

When I moved to Arkansas, the neighbor's dog from across the road -- Sassy [photo above] -- adopted me as an almost constant visitor/companion. I later learned Sassy's owner -- a young girl about 18 years old -- was killed near here in an automobile accident. Maybe in a way, Sassy ... needed me.

About five or six years ago, the people who "owned" Sassy moved & I never saw the dog again. Sassy was a great dog & I often wished she had been mine.

But then ... fate had other things in store for me.

A different neighbor's cat started showing up around the house. Like an idiot -- after all, I'm a "dog person" -- I started feeding the animal, as shown above. [This is the oldest photo I can find of my sweet, "Momma Kitty", Precious.]

I've told the story before: one cat became three cats; one cat on the porch, became three cats in the house; one cat became three cats in my heart.

One of the great things about my trio, is the never ending way they will amuse me through their "investigating" any new item brought into the house -- a la shopping bags or boxes -- or when I allow them access to normally closed off areas, such as an open closet door.

This A.M. I was getting ready to go work out at the Hays Center in North Little Rock, when I heard a noise in my bed room. As when any of the three are in the house, I had to investigate the sound.

Wobs was on the floor, in front of my dresser, looking upward, which is how my eyes flowed ... to see the head of Precious, in the cabinet. [She's been in the lower drawers previously -- naturally -- but this is the first time she got in the top part of the dresser.]

I was gone for about two hours. When I returned home, Precious was still in the dresser. No doubt, she was comfortable & enjoying the new found location to relax & snooze.

Well, as soon as Precious came down & went outside, I heard another noise coming from the bedroom, this time more of a "flop" sound. I entered to find many of my clothes on the floor & Nibblets having made herself comfortable in the same spot as Precious had previously occupied.

Nothing like some comfortable gym shorts to lay on, to make a lady feel right at home.

When Nibblets vacated the dresser, I put everything back together & made sure to close the doors. After all, what TWO cats have investigated & enjoyed, the THIRD is sure to want to do as well.

It's just a matter of time.

COLORFUL BAMBOO

With the cold & wet weather conditions we have had in Central Arkansas for the past few weeks, the local landscape is taking on the colors of fallen/dried leaves. That would be shades of BROWN.

For the next few months there will be little, if any, change in the "dead look" which will permeate the color palette, save for the often scattered pockets of Pine Tree green.

The only other color to arrive might be WHITE. That means snow, & frankly "No thanks". I had more than enough for one lifetime, as a kid, living in upstate New York.

Not only is the ground covered in fallen leaves, but the deciduous trees now look naked without their leaves. This large Willow Tree on my South property looks kind of creepy & sinister.

The Clematis vine at the mail box -- which flowers continuously from April until just recently -- looks pitiful. With the vine providing so much color, for so long, it seems sad to see it look so brown & barren in it's present state.

The above photo -- taken about six weeks ago -- shows the abundant flowers the vine produces all growing season.

I don't know the official name of this Clematis. I would love to have a couple more plants, since this variety seems to do so well in this area of the country & with our weather conditions.

I am able to combat the muted Winter brown colors on my property with the large number -- & variety -- of Bamboo plants I have growing. The colors of the Bamboo -- depending on the species -- range in various shades of green, along with yellow, gray & white.

The sun -- along with the shading effects it creates through the Bamboo -- adds a colorful contrast in the winter landscape. It provides me an uplifting feeling walking through the Bamboo in the Winter cold.

There are two species featured in the above photo -- Phyllostachys Vivax & P. Edulis 'Moso'. [Sorry ... there are no common names for these two species of Bamboo.]

NOTE: The Moso is a "giant Bamboo" & in the movie, "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" there is a scene of a sword fight in the top of a forest of Moso Bamboo.

Again, above, the sun light provides color variations, especially if the Bamboo is "moving" in the breeze. Bamboo provides more color stimulation to the viewers eyes than the plain green of Pine Trees.

Not all the Bamboo on my land is of the "giant" variety. The photo above is a plant named Sasa Veitchii. [Again, sorry, no common name.] It grows about three or four feet high & quickly spreads as a ground cover. In the colder weather -- NOW -- the edge of the leaves develops a bright white-stripe affect.

For the next months, I may be reminded constantly of the change in seasons as I rake & dispose of the leaves which have fallen on my land. Thankfully, the colorful Bamboo provides a stimulus with both its size, shape & many color varieties.

COLD SHOWER

It's not officially Winter yet & already Mother Nature has provided much of the United States with record show falls & temperatures at or below freezing.

The local & national news has had stories & articles each day on people stranded due to snow, be it on a highway, or in an airport, suffering the effects of too many canceled airline flights. It's never fun sleeping on the floor, or worse, in your car.

Here in Arkansas, we have had the cold temperatures, worsened by winds which have reached as high as 50 MPH. Temperatures in the 20's have been brought down to zero with the "wind chill".

The wind, rather than the cold, has been the problem locally. Many homes & business have lost electrical power due to the wind toppling trees & dropping them on to the power lines.

So far, in these cold weather conditions, we have been spared any ice & snow.

Knock wood !!

I can live with the cold. I can tolerate the electricity going off ... briefly. [It was off from 1:30 to 3 A.M. Monday morning. Thank goodness for warm cats in the bed.] I can deal with the snow.

Ice storms, I don't want, or need.

While all the nightly news shows were detailing the weather problems, there was a small blurb about the impending "meteor shower" which is an annual event every December.

Now that's something to catch my interest. I've always enjoyed seeing "shooting stars" in the night time sky, created as bits of space debris "burns up" upon entering Earth's atmosphere.

According to NBC News, the best time to see the "... 100 meteors per hour" -- from the size of a grain of sand, to football size -- was "... after midnight & an hour before sunrise".

Works for me. I get up early every day.

With fond hopes & illusions of seeing a sky full of meteors, I was out the door at 3:15 A.M. today, flashlight in hand. I was "layered" in my clothing & hoping I would find the sky cloudless for viewing.

I ventured to the far back of my property & was pleased to be greeted to just a few clouds, all on the Western horizon. The longer I stood & looked skyward, the more my eyes "adjusted" to the darkness & the many more stars I could see came into view. A perfect night for the "Meteor Shower".

Well, it was also a perfect night -- or early morning -- to freeze my fanny off.

Despite my heavy coat, hoody & sweater, I was rapidly getting chilled, no doubt due to the fact I had failed to put on a pair of thick pants. My "house pants" provided squat as to warmth.

I lasted about 25-30 minutes outside -- in 25 degree temperatures -- before I decided frost bite was not an option. As I was walking back to the house, it dawned on me that none of the cats had joined me in coming outside, as they might normally. I'll give them credit.

And as for the "Meteor Shower" ?? For all the hype & expectations ... I saw one brief flash of light, from one basically tiny meteor. It certainly was not "football size" when it burned up.

Thus ... I started today with a cold ... "shower".

"TURN OUT THE LIGHTS ..."

I (almost) never look at the obituary pages in the newspaper. Seems depressing, especially since I am getting older. A lot of people being written up are younger than me.

I have some friends who ALWAYS read the page of obits. Not just a paragraph or description, but every article, about every person.

I figure if someone dying is important enough, the information will be on the main pages of the paper, or on the Internet. Everyone else, well, I'll depend on one of my friends to keep me aware/updated on someones "passing".

Don Meredith died last week. "Dandy Don" made the "main pages", for sure. At one time, he was the star quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys football team & later one of the announcers when Monday Night Football was first broadcast on ABC television.

I hate the Dallas Cowboys. I LOVE any team that beats them. Last night, that love affair would be with the Philadelphia Eagles, who beat the Cowboys.

The Dallas football team now has only four wins this year. They've lost NINE times ... so far. Hopefully, they will lose a few more times this season.

Sad to say, but at one time I LOVED the Cowboys; way back in time, when Don Meredith was their quarterback.

Back then, the Cowboys actually played their games in Dallas, not in Arlington, Texas. They played in the Cotton Bowl. Outdoors. Not in some billion dollar stadium, that owner Jerry Jones built.

Every year, "Dandy Don" would lead my beloved Cowboys to exciting winning seasons, culminating in a divisional championship.

Then, every year in the NFL Championship game, the Green Bay Packers would hand the Cowboy's their butt.

I loved the Cowboys back then, but each year, Don Meredith couldn't seem to help the team win "The Big One". Every year, he & the team, broke my heart.

When "Dandy" retired early & moved on to being the color commentator for football games, I lost interest in the Cowboys.

Gradually, I came to detest the Cowboys. Still do. I'm not sure why.

It was just the opposite for Don Meredith. I always liked him & was glad when he was announcing & no longer getting clobbered on the football field. I would always think of him when I would be in Texas & be driving through Mount Pleasant, his hometown.

On many of the football game telecasts , as it became clear one team was about to win, the "good-old-boy" in Don would break into song, singing: "Turn out the lights ... the party's over".

"Dandy's" gone now. God bless Don Meredith.

The lights are out & the party is over.

MMM and M

"MMM&M" -- Mertle, Marty, Memphis & Meowathon.

It's hard to believe it is already three weeks today, since I was over in Memphis, Tennessee to run in this years MEOWATHON, 5K race.

The race, in support of The House of Mews, was a fun event, as I have written previously. The extra good "mews-news", is that over $32,000 was raised this year for this fine cat rescue/adoption agency.

One of the other highlights of the day in Memphis was having lunch at Mosa Asian Bistro with my friends Marty & Mertle. This is a couple I have known for over 30+ years, as Mertle & I worked together at Maybelline Cosmetics.

I often describe Mertle as ... "The sister I never had". [My parents had "perfection" when I was born, so there was no need for any other children in my family. At least, that's the way I look at it.]

It would probably not have been easy for anyone -- including Mertle -- to actually be MY sister. I would no doubt be a "pincher", or a brother providing "noogies".

Actually, as sweet & angelic as Mertle is, I bet it would be hard to pick on her as a sister.

Wait. This is ME. I am sorry to say I have hurt Mertle's feeling on more than one occasion as an ADULT. I surely -- "Don't call me Shirley" -- would have done so as a KID BROTHER.

So, having strong feelings for my "sister" & always a bit sad that now days I don't see her & Marty as often as I once did, it was good to have a long lunch -- with GREAT FOOD -- with them both, while I was once again in Memphis.

The above photo was taken at lunch on November 20th, 2010. I really like this picture Marty took, as it shows how happy me & Mertle both are to be together again. The joy shows on our faces.

Actually, Mertle is laughing at the fact, that with my arm around her, I just told her she felt "SOLID". [Got to love a woman who reacts like that.]

It was a good day ... for "MMM&M".

XMAS SEASON

Well, so far, the approaching Xmas Season doesn't have the "pressure" associated with it as some Holidays in the past. Maybe it's because all "gifts" are taken care of & I will not be traveling to Florida this year, since my Mother will be coming here.

Then again, there will be the some "pressure" -- real or imagined -- associated with keeping Hilda entertained & involved during her visit, as well as making sure she is warm, in a latitude 800 miles further North than the warmer weather she is used to.

As I wrote recently, I have had my blog printed into a book for my Mother's Xmas gift. That was the last item I had to acquire. However, some members of the household have not had gifts bought for them ... yet.

Earlier this A.M., on the NBC News show, they presented the "fact" that 52% of dog owners -- & 48% of cat owners -- would buy Xmas gifts for their pets this year.

I don't remember how this "fact" was determined or substantiated. Part of their information was wrong right from the start -- Who "owns" a cat ??

What I do know, is the three "Girls" in this household are spoiled rotten & get gifts & presents all year long, be it snacks, special treats, comfortable beds or the "kat kondo", as examples.

Still, I am sure I will be included in the 48% group of cat ... ah ... "providers" who will give them something "special" for Xmas. But, if they want a bird or a mouse ... well ... that they will have to acquire those themselves.

__________________________________________________________________

NOTE: For readers unaware of WHY I favor the term "Xmas" ... you'll have to do some searching in my blog archives to find my post on Mrs. Gilmore, my beloved seventh grade teacher.

POST OFFICE SURPRISES

Is there ever any positive news in the media about the United States Post Office ??

It seems every month some new crisis arises for the Post Office, from the agency being billions of dollars in the red, to the arrest of some postal carrier who has horded hundreds of thousands of pieces of undelivered mail.

And let's not get started on the increasing costs of mailing a basic letter. It's at 44-cents now & the Postal Service wants the cost to increase. It's that ... "We're losing money" thing.

If it were not for magazine subscriptions & "junk mail", some people would not get any mail at all. With the current "electronic age", many people no longer write letters or need stamps to pay their bills. It's kind of similar to the current state of many daily newspapers & weekly news magazines; the Internet & electronic media are making them obsolete.

For many years I have utilized the U.S. Post Office more than most people. I have -- mostly -- only good things to say about not only about their services, but also the individuals who work for the Post Office.

Since way back in the 1970's, I have always rented a postal box at my local Post Office. I had one in mid-town Memphis, the same one I kept even when I moved to (exclusive) Bartlett, Tennessee. One of the first things I did when preparing to move to Central Arkansas, was to rent a P.O. Box locally.

When I was working -- & traveling -- I had much of my mail addressed to the P.O. location. When I returned home from my travels -- or just when I felt like retrieving my mail -- I could get it 24/7. Very convenient.

I also like the Post Office because of the stamps; having been -- & still am -- a "collector". Most all the letters & payments I mail utilize "commemorative stamps". These colorful stamps seem to coordinate with my envelope colors.

My most recent stamp purchase was for the Holiday Stamps shown above. While I buy most of my postage stamps on-line, these I bought at my local Post Office.

Through the years, visits to the Post Office have brought me into contact with the many fine people who work there. These folks are always helpful & seem to enjoy their jobs. Said visits have also brought me some "surprises" when it came to my mail.

The biggest surprise -- & one I still remain curious about -- occurred at the Post Office in Memphis .

Picking up my mail one day, I received a Sports Illustrated magazine. It being in the month of May, I was curious to see the cover photo & graphics proclaiming the Super Bowl results. The magazine appeared to be about four months late.

It was not until I got home & had a closer look that I realized the magazine was FOUR YEARS & FOUR MONTHS LATE. It was in perfect condition, not a rip or a tear on it. Just ... "late".

I have always wondered where the magazine had been for all that time.

I had a "surprise" again yesterday when I went to the Post Office. Entering the outer lobby, on the table to my right, I noticed a single piece of mail which looked similar to a weekly newsletter I subscribe to. Sure enough ... it was the newsletter -- ADDRESSED TO ME.

I can only assume this piece of mail was put in the wrong box & whoever received it, tossed it on the table, rather than taking it into the service desk, or at the very least, putting it in the outgoing mail slot for re-delivery.

I mentioned it to the agent on duty, who was most apologetic. I've received mail previously addressed to others, but I take care to see the mail is re-handled, & would never leave it on the outer lobby table.

I continued to contemplate the chances of my timing & arrival at the Post Office yesterday afternoon which enabled me to find MY misplaced mail, before anyone else might have picked it up, or toss it in the rubbish can.

Was it "LUCK" ?? As in ... "Time-to-get-to-the-airport-&-get-a-flight-to-Las Vegas", lucky ??

Maybe ... just another Post Office "surprise".

BAMBOO BOOK TOUR

Sarah Palin was in town last week. She was at the Sam's Club in West Little Rock, signing copies of her new book.

Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee is also on a book signing tour. I think Mitt Romney is also coming out with a book soon. No doubt he will be out there with his Sharpie.

Are there anymore Republican Presidential-Wanna Be's writing books ??

The book tour thing looks pretty good to me. Fly to a different city each day. Scribble in a book handed to you. Fly to another city & repeat.

Now that I am a book author, I guess I can set up a tour of my own. The only problem; I only have one copy of my book .


As a Xmas gift this year for my Mother -- Hilda -- I've had my blog printed into a hard-cover book. She lives in Florida & does not have, or use, a computer.

The book is 235 pages & has an index & dedication. The book is titled "Bill's Big Bamboo". [How original, I know.] I did make it "Volume One", as I plan on "publishing" future blog posts.

I printed my book with a company called Sharedbook. It was easy, fast & not too expensive. The whole process took only minutes.

And unlike Palin & the rest of the "authors" ... I didn't use a "ghost writer". My book is all written by ME.

I also have DOZENS of Sharpies, for if/when I go on my "Bamboo Book Tour".

NO CAMERAS OR REPORTERS, PLEASE !!

BROCCOLI IS MY FRIEND

I love pizza. I could eat it each night for dinner & then have the leftover slices -- if there were any -- for breakfast the next day.

Hot or cold. I love pizza.

When I lived in Bartlett, Tennessee -- an exclusive suburb of Memphis -- my home was quite close to two pizza chains -- Domino's & Poppa John's. Not too many Friday night's went by without a pizza being delivered to my home.

For toppings I would get pepperoni, onions & black olives. On a LARGE pizza.

I would often call in my order & tell them I had a "special" coupon, from another pizza company. Would they accept the coupon ?? They always did.

They never asked me for the coupon when the pizza was delivered. Good thing, since I made up the coupons & the "special" when I called in the order.

I'd call & say: "I have a coupon from (other company) for a large, hand-tossed, three-topping pizza for ... ah ... $5.99. Will you honor that"??

Viva La Competition !!

I may have "cheated" a bit on the pizza & the price, but never on the tip to the guy or gal delivering the pizza. Minimum tip: $5.00. The tip is where they make their money.

It was interesting that the people delivering were always the same folks. I guess they knew my address was easy money for them.

I love pizza. Just writing about pizza make me want one real bad. I can almost taste it right now.

As much as I love & have enjoyed so many pizzas, I have not eaten one since April of 2007. That was the last time.

There are a many foods I have not eaten since April 2007. Think onion rings, hamburgers, ice cream, tacos & a lot of other common foods which used to be on my plate.

I also don't drink beer, wine or hard liquor any more. No thanks. I'll drink water.

In April, 2007 was when I had my heart surgery. Since then, I've tried to make up for all the poor eating habits I had for so many years.

I still grave certain "treats". What I would not give for a handful of peanut M&M's.

The Dustin cartoon above is a reminder of some of my eating habits in the past ... & the results of same.

Now days ... it's "NO" to pizza for me, along with a lot of other foods I loved & consumed in the past, as if there were no consequences.

Well, there were consequences. They are called "scars" & I've got them on my chest & left leg as a reminder.

Now days, I eat a lot of vegetables. No "flesh foods", other than some chicken every so often.

Tonight for my dinner I'm having noodles & broccoli.

After all ... broccoli is my friend.

But, I still would LOVE a pizza !!!

GOODWILL & A GOOD LIFE

Tomorrow is house cleaning day. I have my place cleaned once a month.

Sandra -- the lady who does all the work -- has been cleaning for me almost the entire time I've lived here in Arkansas -- 14 years. She's trustworthy, does a great job & I would dread the day she would not want to come clean for me. I pay her well ... as an "incentive".

I'm pretty neat & certainly not a slob, but I just don't want to clean house. I don't mind doing laundry, changing the bed & running the vacuum every so often. I don't want to do the MAJOR cleaning ... like the kitchen & bathrooms, especially the floors. I'm not a big fan of dusting either.

Tomorrow will be "Xmas Bonus Day" for Sandra. I always give her a "double salary" at this time of year. It's because I appreciate her ... & of course, part of the "incentive" thing.

On cleaning day, I leave the house so Sandra can do her job without me being in the way. I always go to the Hays Center to work out & kill time. I also do some "retail activity", with damages usually being done at Barnes & Noble & Target.

Also on the schedule tomorrow is a trip to the Goodwill Store. I donate clothes each year. It cleans out my closet & gets me a deduction on my yearly taxes.

This past month I bought a new microwave oven. The old one -- which I have had for 20+ years -- is also going to Goodwill tomorrow. [Please ... no comments on the three knife blocks in the photo. There is actually a FOURTH block in the kitchen.]

I lay out the clothes I am going to donate on the bed. Everything I give is clean & in good condition.

I give away clothes I wore when I had a job. Now they just take up space in my closets.

The final step -- before putting the clothes in large trash bags -- is "the inspection". Wobs & Nibblets provide this service.

Then tomorrow: a hard work-out, donate the clothes, spend a little money & come home to a clean house.

Life is good.