In getting ready to 'downsize', I've been going through our photo albums as well as a 'box' of pictures--which were mostly copies. I just finished choosing our best wedding pictures and uploaded them to 'save' digitally. As far as I knew, the only 'cake traditions' were the bride and groom feeding cake to each other--and possibly saving (freezing) a piece of the cake to eat on the first anniversary.

That reminded me that I'd recently seen a lot of stories on Facebook about grooms 'smashing' the bride's face into the cake. When did 'wedding couples feeding each other cake' turn to 'smashing' the bride's face into cake??? I would have walked out...and dumped the groom!!! That has to be the most idiotic, disgusting, disrespectful thing I've ever heard of! Thank heavens, we're "old-fashioned"!

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As I put up my small Christmas tree here in my office/tv room, I found a small bag of 'special' ornaments. Every year, I see these ornaments--which brings back memories. Most are 'homemade or handmade'; but all are special in one way or another. 

First, there is the one shown in my Gallery:  a green, hand-made ornament my sister had made--for her, my brother, and me. It was the first year she and her husband were back in Illinois, after living in Texas. They have a pretty 'snowman' picture on one side and the date (year) on the other. 

Then there are two that commemorate my mother and grandmother.  Each one has some dried flower leaves from their memorial services. 

Next, are a set of tiny 'snowmen angels' that I bought: each has one of our names on it--me, my husband, and our two children.

Next there are wax ornaments that came from Germany. My brother-in-law and his family were in Germany for four years for his company. They sent us several souvenirs from there. If I get a good photo of one of these, I will post it in my Gallery.

Finally, there are the ornaments that a number of my pen pals sent me over the years. One is a set of small hand-sewn ornaments I'm looking at right now: It's about 1.5 inches by 2 inches and says "JOY", my name,  and "'81" (the year she made it).  Susan passed from cancer in the 90's. So that brings back so many memories. 

 Another 'set' sent by a pen pal in Canada: small red birds (maybe 2 inches long), which have an attached 'hanger' so they can be put on the tree branches. Then there is a 2x4 inch 'pillow' that another pen pal made, which has a 'dove' stitched one one side. 

Then there is an Angel from yet another pen pal--made from yarn, with a doll's head and 'wings' made of gold ribbon. And it also has pearl strands on it. That is on the top of the tree here.

Finally, there is one set I almost forgot: glass angels, about three inches tall. They are in different poses, but each has a small gold 'halo'. I didn't use them this year, which is why I nearly forgot about them. I usually put them on a larger tree. 

   As I said...so many memories.  And ornaments I will always treasure.

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I was just advised that many may not realize what I was talking about! Apparently, some people have 'other ideas' on what this might mean.   I simply meant the new practice of making a big deal out of telling friends/family whether it's going to be a boy or girl. The subject came up recently, when a relative mentioned they are expecting a baby. And my daughter and I agreed that we hope there's no big 'reveal'!

We prefer the old-fashioned way of just 'telling people'  if the parents 'know' in advance. Back 'in the day' we didn't find out before birth if it was a boy or girl--and that was fine with me.  We just TOLD our family when we were expecting--no big 'party'.  

And what I think is ridiculous, according to what I've been reading online--the mother-to-be actually doesn't even "know" beforehand! She apparently chooses someone close to her to arrange the party & be informed whether it's a boy or girl--then at the big 'reveal', the parents learn along with their guests! I've seen some articles online where one of the parents was extremely disappointed at the reveal--one good reason to keep it private, in my opinion. Not to mention, one article told about a sister-in-law (who was the planner) who told her mother--who then told "everyone" (all her social media!) what the baby's gender was, before the mother even knew!  

 I'm not saying they shouldn't "know" the gender, if they want; I just don't think it's necessary to plan some big party & go 'wild'--like some of the things I've read about recently.    

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I haven't answered this poll yet, because it's complex! So here is my 'answer'.

I definitely prefer a phone call from family and friends.  But a text is good for a 'short' conversation. My kids--now in their 50's!--often text, via Facebook when they don't have a lot of time.  I absolutely hate texting by cell phone!  So..if possible, I use FB's chat (Instant Messenger) to 'text' my kids.  I can 'type' quite well using my keyboard. Not so much on a tiny cell phone keyboard. 

As for 'not friends'--I prefer them to 'call' and leave an answer on the machine! That way, I can decide if I even want to listen,   .  

As for pen pals or friends I 'write' to--I prefer email. Snail mail only if the person doesn't have a computer! So you can see my dilemma.    "ALL" is my answer--depending on 'who' I am communicating with. 

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 I don't feel "old". I don't "feel" elderly. But according to everything I read and hear, at 75, I am definitely 'elderly'.

Sometimes, contrary to my actual wishes, I do 'act' elderly. I can't walk very far now. And climbing steps is problematic.   But my 'mind' doesn't feel elderly. I'm still able to do creative things. In fact, I think that's what keeps me feeling 'young'. 

However, I admit I prefer 'golden oldies' in music. I never bother listening to 'modern' music. And I think a lot of the 'new' customs are silly. I don't understand the big deal about avocado toast. Or having 'gender reveals' when someone is pregnant.  We didn't know if we were having a boy or a girl--and it didn't matter, as long as it was a healthy child. That's what's important. 

On the other hand, I'm very much 'modern' in my beliefs. I think every person deserves the right to be happy, to love whoever they want, and to be whoever/whatever they want.  Who someone else loves doesn't bother me; it isn't my business.  I may not like how they look; but again, it's not my business. I believe in 'live and let live'.

My thought is: worry about yourself, not what someone else does.  I think the world would be a better place if everyone believed that. Let's hope that's what the future brings.

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I just got an 'ad' email from Dairy Queen, so that's on my mind right now.  I absolutely love 'soft' Dairy Queen ice cream!  (My husband prefers HARD ice cream, lol--but he'll sure eat DQ!) 

Of course, it's kind of expensive to do 'constntly'. So we don't go there often.  We especialy love the Blizzards: Choc Chip for my husband and usually Choc/Cherry for me.  We normally get the 'large'--and it will last us 3-4 days.   I did once try their special that had Caramel chunks-very good!  

Of their current Specials, I might try that S'mores Blizzard or the Choco-dipped Strawberry. But...the 'Cotton Candy' one sounds a bit too rich for my taste!  I did try the Royal New York Cheesecake once--very good!

  And as I mentioned in my poll just now : I've had and enjoyed their Banana Splits. But it's just not 'me' now. 

 And...as I said, DQ is a bit expensive, so we usually just get ice cream at the grocry.  Today, I got Black Raspberry Choc Chip--a diet splurge for my upcoming birthday, lol.   My husband chose: Mint Choc Chip. And surprise: his 'Breyers' was less expensive than my store brand! Oh, well..I got MY fav flavor! Now...if I can just 'ration' it, I'll be fine.  

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I just realized my 'NOTH Anniversary' was 2 days ago!  Wow. Fifteen years. I can't imagine NOT being here now. Before I joined Not Over the Hill (The Hill or NOTH)--I wasn't active on social media. Oh, I had an account at the 'first' social site (I think it was first, anyway)--but didn't "do" anything there. And I didn't 'stay' there long.  (PS--I won't NAME it, since that's against our Terms, lol; I was surprised to see it's actually still 'around').

And of course, I used Cloudeight's Stationery.  So when they announced they were starting this social site for the 'over 40' group--I decided this was where I wanted to be! And I've never regretted it. I hope to be here 'forever': I hope my daughter will ask to have my page put in the Memoriam group, when the time comes. But for now, I plan on continung to be an active member for a long, long time!  

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Something made me think of this recently.   So my new 'avatar' for the Computer Group page/account is my first computer-style device: a Brother Word Processor. I bought it at an office equipment  store, which is also where I got my ribbons and disks. 

I used colored ink 'ribbons':  blue, green, red, and brown, as well as black. And..I had 2 or maybe 3 'font' disks: Script as well as Pica and Elite.  I used blue or green ribbons with Script for letters--which was mostly what I did back then. Well, that and my 'writing', of course. 

And yes, it had a Floppy Disk drive, for storage. You can also see the 'handle'...which could be used to carry it, when the keyboard was 'up' (stored, covering the screen). One thing I especially liked about this: I could actually 'type' when I wanted:  insert paper (usually stationery) & 'write' letters by typing onto the stationery, which was usually 4 in. by 6 in. (I think I actually still have 1 of those stationery pads here!).  

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I'm sure I'm not the only one having senior moments!  But just a sample:  A few days ago I asked my husband to take the Kodak camera (a good one) outside to take pictures of our lights.  He did, and got some good pictures. 

 However, when I uploaded the pictures to the computer, I noticed it said the battery needed to be charged. So I immediately went to look for the battery charger. It's nowhere to be found! I 'thought' it was on the dining room hutch. Nope. Not there. 

So I started looking: in both file cabinets in this room, the 2 drawer nightside thing where I keep things like extra USB cords, SD cards & flash drives. No--not there either.   I even looked in my 'boxes' of stuff; yeah, I have several 'boxes' where I store things--keep them near my desk.  Nope. Not there either.   Yeah--I even looked in my walk-in closet where I store some things.  I'm out of places to look--and still haven't found that. 

Plus...I also can't find the 'control device' for the NIX digital picture frame.  I had put that away (in this nearby file cabinet) a few months ago; but I decided to put some nice Christmas pictures on it & use it again. Yes, I do have the digital frame--but no control device. So that can't be used. (Yeah--it 'should' have been in that file cabinet with the frame--but it isn't!)

Yes, another senior moment. Where did I put it? Where did I put the camera charger?    My husband laughs at how much stuff I "lose". Usually, I know where everything is--or I can eventually find it. But not this time.  I'm totally frustrated!

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