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Semi-Tourist Pink Saturday


Most of the time I'm feeling like a tourist in New York City. Actually I feel like a semi-tourist, because I know the transportation  system, understand the currency and generally know we're I'm going. I'm also probably more relaxed than most tourists because I'm not trying to see a dozen attractions every day and if a bus appears too crowded I just wait for the next one. It's a whole new universe for me.

I was at a friend's retirement party on Friday and the question I was most asked was about my travels. I mentioned Florida and Chicago, but on reflection I should have said that I was on vacation in New York City. I'm doing a lot more want-tos than have-tos and I'm a lot more punctual than I've been for the last thirty years. My library books will be returned tomorrow and I spent the afternoon picking up snacks for book club tomorrow night. I'm checking things off my to-do list every day. I'm not so much stopping to smell the roses -- there aren't very many roses in the neighborhood -- but I'm stopping to see the roses or mums or pink t-shirts in all their lurid glory.

I'm joining up with my friends at Pink Saturday for some pink weekend fun. We've been blessed with another beautiful autumn day. There's just a slight nip in the air -- my capris will be retired very shortly -- and it's dry and clear.  I hope you've had a great day, too. As always so happy you stopped by to visit and take good care of yourself.

Random 5 Friday on Saturday

To be precise it's time for my Random 5 Friday post. Since it's Saturday it's not really Random 5 Friday, but happily I can still be random on Saturday.

1) I don't mean to obsess, but I am so missing Google Reader. I like Bloglovin' but there are times I can't comment when I open a blog there and I get too I lazy to find the blog and comment. It's not for lack of love that I'm not around as much, but for lack of Google Reader.

2) I just got an email from the library reminding me that "Revenge Wears Prada" is due on Tuesday. What a change from the days that you had to keep track of a book's due date. My goal is not to pay late fees for my library books, and I may succeed this time.

3) Speaking of "Revenge Wears Prada..." I should have read the reviews on Amazon first. I've finished the book and it was just okay. I didn't read "The Devil Wears Prada," but I liked the movie a lot.  The plot here was very predictable, the characters weren't very nice and Meryl Streep was nowhere to be found. Happily I didn't buy it, but since my reading time could be devoted to a hundred other books, this wasn't a great choice.

4) We had another glorious fall day today. I'm treasuring every one of them. In a couple of months these days will be history, but for now it's the best.

5) I had my second bowl of butternut squash soup this season here yesterday and it was perfect. Any other squash soup devotees in the group?

It's been pretty random today, but I like to think there's something for everyone. Thanks for stopping by and take good care of yourself. Wishes for a sweet weekend!

I Never Know What I'll Find on the Sidewalks of New York

For no specific reason I wasn't in an especially upbeat mood today. It wasn't a bad day. I got a few errands done that I needed to do. I arrived early for a meeting in Midtown despite horrendous traffic congestion because of the United Nations General Assembly. My meeting went well, though the project won't move on the time frame I had envisioned. All in all, not too bad. But I was at loose ends. I hadn't accomplished all I had hoped to do. And on a very minor note, I had no topic -- that I wanted to write about -- for a blog post. This last is certainly not a big problem, but more indicative of my state of mind. And then...



William Butler Yeats, right in front of me on East 41st Street...


   And John Greenleaf Whittier...

And Gwendolyn Brooks

I had been so intent walking to the appointment I hadn't noticed this series of plaques set in the sidewalk. My mood changed immediately. Once again the sidewalks of New York are my inspiration.  

Thanks for visiting and take good care of yourself. Please stop by tomorrow for Random 5 Friday.   

(Almost) Wordless Wednesday

Autumn in New York...First Pumpkins

I hope your day included joys of the season. As ever, thanks for visiting and take very good care of yourself.

Hey, Make Me Over


I caught a glimpse of myself in a store window this afternoon and I wasn't thrilled with my reflection. I wasn't struck with the the thought of either chubby or old, two thoughts that have come to my mind more than once when seeing my reflection. The words that came to mind were "plain" and "drab." I thought I looked pretty good when I left my apartment. I was wearing jeans, a gray shirt and a red quilted jacket for a pop of color.

Later as I sat sipping coffee I thought about the words I would like to come to mind when I see myself -- pulled together, attractive and every once in awhile, sophisticated. I don't expect to look like the mannequin in the photo, but I think it's time to reinvent my look.

If there are any style bloggers who have ideas or web sites that would like to do a makeover, please think of me. In the interim, I'll be going through my closet and looking at the outfits that speak pulled together, attractive and sophisticated. I appreciate any tips you've used for keeping your wardrobe fresh, fun and still economical, please let me know. It's time for a style reinvention.

I enjoy visiting the website Generation Fabulous, a great place for midlife bloggers. Today I'm linking up with this month's bloghop, Reinvention. Please stop by and visit. 

Thanks for visiting and take good care of yourself.



I Can't Believe I'm Writing This Pink Saturday


Once again, I'm happy to join my friends at Pink Saturday, for some Pink Saturday (yes, I know it's Sunday) fun. This is sort of a selfie -- just learned the word -- and you can see one booted foot and one sneakered foot. What I am finding it hard to believe is that I am thinking and now writing how much I miss my exercise classes. These cute pink exercise clothes illustrate my thoughts. I know that even at my most fit, I won't be wearing the blue top or the short shorts, but the pink shirt could definitely be part of my wardrobe. From the first estimate I have at least three more weeks of wearing the boot, and besides the joy of walking unencumbered I am so eager to get back to my classes. I never thought I would say that, think that or write that.

Today is a glorious day in New York City and I enjoyed being outside and sort-of-strolling. I've had a busy few days with a baby shower on Friday for a sweet colleague and spending time with visiting blog buddies from the UK, Sheilagh and Trish.

Happy first day of autumn and happy Sunday. As always, thanks so much for visiting and take good care of yourself.


Completely Random 5 Friday

It's Friday and time to join the group at Random 5 Friday for the fun.

1. As promised I am delighted to announce the winner of the Orbit for kids Back to School giveaway. It's Lavender Dreams, definitely one of the sweetest blogs in Buttercupland. Please stop by and congratulate her. You'll enjoy the visit. 

2. I've started my relentless consumption of pumpkin items, one of my favorite parts of the autumn. I had a pumpkin latte on Wednesday and a pumpkin mini-muffin this morning. Let the pumpkin season begin!

3. I was walking on a gritty very urban street in Queens, NY this afternoon and my eye caught what initially I thought was a very stalky weed. I did a double take and then a triple take and yes, folks, someone is growing corn. It's not as high as an elephant's eye, but those are real ears of corn.

 
4) My blog buddies Sheilagh and Trish are here from England, a long awaited visit. We had a great dinner tonight and we're spending tomorrow together, too. They're visiting my neighborhood and you can guarantee there will be pictures. They brought lots of gifts, including Smarties. I am in sugar heaven.

5) I'm doing okay with No-Spending September, but not great. I've had an unexpected slew of presents -- I got carried away on the Amazon website the other day -- and the medical expenses, eye drops and a special cushion to use to ice my foot. I'm not really counting those, and I'm really not including the beautiful black boot. Oops, I almost forgot downloading two books on Amazon. It's the library for the rest of the month.

Pumpkin, ears of corn in the most unexpected place and glorious weather. It's been a great start to the almost-fall. Keep these days coming! As always, thanks for visiting and take good care of yourself.

  

Come to the Fair!

You are Cordially Invited to Attend the First Annual -- Possibly -- Buttercupland Chanukah/Christmas/New Year Fair. 

No R.S.V.P Needed

There was a snap of cold in the air yesterday morning, which is now gone. The sun was shining brightly yesterday and today, but that one little snap made me realize that fall is just about here and with that thought I began to think about the holidays that are ahead. 

I am one of those people who has a gift list completed -- I'm sorry I can't help it -- and is beginning to buy gifts. Last year I shopped via a number of blog friends and found treasures -- books, candles and beautiful art work. I'll be blog buddy shopping again this year, too, and I'll be doing posts featuring some of the very talented citizens of Buttercupland, and friends. If you're a writer, artist or candlestick maker, please join the fun. I'd love to feature your work in the fair, too. If you would like to have your work included -- you have an Etsy store, a website, you've written a book (electronic or print) please let me know. The more the merrier! There's a lot of creativity in our blog world.

Just think, less visits to big box stores and the mall. Last year, I loved sitting in my robe with a cup of tea and ordering thoughtful, original and beautiful gifts. I'll be doing the posts in October, so you can get all of your shopping done early and spend the rest of the season cooking and crafting all the nice pins you've found on Pinterest. I know that would make a lovely season for me, and I wouldn't miss last minute visits to Macy's in my down coat and boots.   

One quick sneak preview...

A Scrapbook of Motherhood Firsts  is a wonderful gift. I gave copies to two friends last year and they were both delighted. It's a lovely gift for new moms and not-so-new moms. 

Please join me at the fair. No need to R.S.V.P. You're always welcome!

Today was another glorious day in New York City. I made an excursion to the Metropolitan Museum and enjoyed seeing the Egyptian collection. I never get tired of seeing it. 

Thanks so much for visiting and take good care of yourself. 

The Library Girl Comes Home...

...to the library.


Though it made none of my "lists of things to do when I retire" I knew I wanted to renew my library card.  I think I visited the library three or four years ago -- to renew my card -- but promptly lost it and relied on book swaps and kindle for my reading material. This has worked only okay. I haven't read very much and I blamed it on a lack of concentration, and I'm sure that was a big part of it. The kindle was great to carry on the subway, where I did most of my book reading.

But I've missed being in a library. Starting with early trips with my mother I loved the library. Every summer of elementary school I joined the summer reading club and spent many hours reading books and magazines in our branch library. I was a fixture and when I turned sixteen the librarians offered me a job. They know I'd have good attendance, I was always there. I loved my nook at the library in college and had jobs in both the Mount Holyoke and Dartmouth libraries. I worked at the reserve desk and processed books and managed to memorize just about the entire Dewey Decimal and Library of Congress catalog systems. I planned to become a librarian, but through fate sent me in a different direction.

I hadn't realized how much I missed spending time in a library. I spent a wonderful afternoon in my branch library today. I wrote a blog post for tomorrow and caught up on reading I wanted to do and I looked at books. Once again I was the girl who loved being in a library and loved looking at books. I almost couldn't believe I could take books home the same day I got my card -- remembering the waiting period in Hartford in 1967 -- and came home with J.K. Rowling's "The Casual Vacancy," -- I've really been wanting to read it -- and Lauren Weisberger's "Revenge Wears Prada." I've spent the evening reading "Revenge," and expect to finish it in the next few days. No television, no computer, just reading. I may have overcome any lack of concentration. I 'm hoping that all I needed was an afternoon at the library.

I also discovered this surprise a block from the library...


I need to return "Revenge" between Pumpkin Pie and Fudge Brownie. It's a whole new way of keeping track of when my library books are due.

It was a glorious early autumn day today and it's definitely sweater weather. I've put my flip flops away and taken out my jacket. It's time to savor the fall.

Hope you're savoring the fall and enjoying this week. As always, thanks for visiting and take good care of yourself.

Be Kind to Your Cuticles...

...You're all they have, and they love you so! 


My last post -- and some great comments -- got me thinking. Why don't I take care of my cuticles? I can walk two blocks to the nearest drugstore -- and there are probably another five drugstores within four blocks -- and get a hundred nail care products, ranging from just a few dollars to truly ridiculous prices. I can just put on some hand cream every night, or just a dab of olive oil when I'm in the kitchen. This won't cost much more than a few cents and it will take about five minutes at most.

I'm lax about hand cream -- though there's a big bottle I keep at the computer so that I can keep my hands in better condition. I'm not much better with facial products. I was thrilled to get a wonderful exfoliating product at BlogHer and how many times have I used it? Once, only once. It is in two parts and takes about ten minutes to do a treatment, but I certainly have ten minutes. I've kept up with icing my foot and my panoply of eye drops and I'm doing exactly what I should be doing with my boot and compression tape, but the little things that are kindnesses to myself don't keep up with.

I often write to friends and end with the phrase, "Take good care of yourself," but lately I'm not taking especially good care of myself. I'm not terrible, and it's probably nothing most people would notice. I keep up with haircuts and sunscreen and pedicures, but not so many other things. I've got no complicated psychological thoughts on this, other than I've fallen out of the habit and didn't even realize it. It's time to get back in the habit. Tonight, while I ice my foot I'm going to use some of the lovely hand treatment I was given as a retirement gift, and tomorrow I will pamper my face with an exfoliating treatment. I'm going to make sure that I really take good care of myself. After all, the feeling is mutual, cuticles. I love you  too!

My thoughts and prayers are in Colorado and Washington, D.C. tonight. Heartbreak and more heartbreak.

As always, thanks for visiting and take good care of yourself! 

To Polish or Not to Polish Pink (and Blue) Saturday


We've had some really serious posts this week. I feel very grateful that I've been able to share some of the deepest thoughts of my heart -- forgiveness, atonement, national tragedy. I do believe that friends that matter talk about things that matter. But friends that matter also laugh and share silly and fun times. For this Pink Saturday let's talk manicures and pedicures. For or against?

I love pedicures, but am only so-so on manicures. I know that sometimes my hands look less neat than they could -- oh those pesky cuticles! -- but I do keep up my toes. This summer I wore blue nail polish which was slightly more lurid than the color shown above. It was a lot of fun and I think every friend I saw commented on how blue my toes were. My toes are now a sensible "Parisian Pink" or maybe it's "Ballet Slipper," and they have just a hint of pink. My finger nails are unpolished right now, but at most they are done in "Parisian Pink." I did go wild two summers ago and let Jess and her cousin Katherine talk me into a French manicure for her brother's wedding, but I haven't had any temptation to do it again.  

I think I could go on for several paragraphs about the joy of the pedicure. I carefully select the color, my reading material -- usually something on the line of "People" -- have an iced coffee with me and then completely relax. I feel like I've had a vacation by just crossing the street.  Bliss!

As ever, I appreciate the visitors to Buttercupland. You were all -- especially the requests you made -- in my prayers for the last few days. Thanks for visiting and have a spectacular Sunday.

(From the Ridiculous to the Sublime) Random Five Friday

So happy to once again be part of Random 5 Friday, one of my favorite parts of the week. This week we're moving from the ridiculous -- my love of Smarties -- to the sublime, prayer and forgiveness, and all in five steps.

1) I love Smarties and have only found them -- until this week -- in Canada. For those who have never had the experience of savoring a Smartie, they're like jumbo M&Ms, but with a harder shell. That's a description of just about my favorite candy, but it doesn't begin to do them justice. After being in the local bagel shop maybe a thousand times I noticed them at the counter this week. Nirvana!


2) Completely stream of conscious...One of my favorite things is getting an iced coffee -- soon to go to hot coffee and bagel here. It's not fancy at all, but the bagels and coffee -- and the muffins in the background -- are really good.

3) I saw both the eye doctor and the orthopedist this week. Eye and foot are doing well. I go back for x-rays in two weeks and then get fitted for new orthotics. And yes, I am wearing my boot religiously.

4) Speaking of religion...Tonight Yom Kippur begins. It is a day of fasting, prayer and repentance and the most significant day of the Jewish calendar. The day is specifically set aside to forgive others and to ask for forgiveness from those we have wronged. I literally ask my friends for forgiveness. Sometimes this is very easy and sometimes it is difficult to put aside our feelings of having been hurt and wronged. I am asking all of you to forgive me for those times when I may have been hurtful or unkind.

5) Yom Kippur begins at sundown tonight -- our services begin at 6:30. They resume tomorrow morning and with a break in the afternoon resume again at 4:00 and end at approximately 7:30. The services are long and demand a great deal, but they are also moving beyond measure. This is a time to reconcile with G'd and our community and to strive to be a better person. My mind does wander from time to time, and I've found bringing a list of prayers a good way to refocus. Please let me know if you have any prayer requests and I will bring them with me. Prayers for peace in the Middle East and for our friends on the New Jersey shore and Colorado top my list this year.  

From the ridiculous to the sublime in five steps. Is it any wonder I love Random 5 Friday! I'll be away from the computer tomorrow, but back on Sunday for Pink Saturday (on Sunday). Have a great weekend, and as always, so glad you stopped by to visit. 

Orbit for kids Back to School Giveaway

When I was in school one of the great taboos was chewing gum. In fact chewing gum was a taboo a lot of the time and I remember my mother commenting that gum chewing wasn't "nice." Nonetheless, or in spite of all the taboos, I grew up loving gum, especially bubble gum, even though I was never very good at blowing bubbles. Chewing gum was a treat, though the dutiful student that I was, I never chewed gum in school.

I'm still a fan of chewing gum, especially bubble gum. At BlogHer'13 I met the folks at Orbit for kids, who have given me the opportunity to host a giveaway. I'm calling this a back to school giveaway because it includes a great insulated lunch bag -- perfect for school, work or just out and about -- and lots of Orbit gum.

After trying the Orbit for kids gum, bubble gum is still my first gum love. But the strawberry banana is a very close second. I always chew gum when I fly and I've added a little gum chewing to my on-the-ground life, too. I hadn't thought about keeping my mouth moist, but that is an issue for me, and chewing sugarfree gum is a great solution. I'd never thought that the forbidden chewing gum would one day be good for me.

If you would like to be entered in this giveaway please be a citizen of Buttercupland -- on Bloglovin, Google+ or Google Friend -- and just for fun leave a comment letting me know if you share my affection for bubble gum. Again, thanks to my friends at Orbit for kids for letting me host this giveaway. The last day to enter will be Thursday, September 19, and I will announce the winner on Friday, September 20.

It's summer again in New York. Air conditioner is going and I'm thinking about which t-shirt will be the coolest for my errands today. I'm not complaining. The thought of ninety degrees would be very welcome in January when I'm thinking which turtle neck sweater to wear.

As always, thanks for visiting and have a terrific Thursday.

P.S. I received products to sample for this giveaway, but I wasn't compensated.

Remembering September 11, 2001

An odd thought came to me when I was walking over to my polling site yesterday. My first thought was that the air felt like the air on September 11, 2001. But then I quickly changed my mind and said to myself, "No, it was just a little cooler that day. The air feels too heavy today." I don't think there are any other days of my life when I can remember how the air felt, or what I was doing or what I was thinking at almost any given moment. But as we all know, September 11, 2001 wasn't any other day. This was the day when I, my colleagues, some of the friends I love best in the world and my city became a part of history. I've written about this day every year that I've blogged and this link best tells my story.

Today, as always, to the memory of those who went to work on a beautiful September day and didn't come home. We will never forget you.

 Rebuilding, April 2013 

Bye Bye Pain Fairies

As I've been sharing lately, I've not been a stranger to pain this week. Thankfully, it's nothing super-serious, but I feel the pain fairies have definitely stopped by my house. A few days ago I came home to find a gift from my friends at UrgentRx. These are credit card sized envelopes that you carry with you in case of sudden upset stomach, pain or headache. Just imagine, you fall on a slippery supermarket floor and there's not a water fountain in sight and you would love to take something for the pain. Or imagine, you're on the subway and squished and hot and get a headache. The headache relief powder -- you don't need water for any of them -- is lemon-lime and the flavor for an upset stomach is cherry. And, they dissolve immediately, giving instant relief.


I'm optimistic that my visits from the Pain Fairies are over, but I've once again learned that anything can happen any time. I'm going to tuck the envelopes I received in my tote bag. I hope I don't need them any time soon, but it's a comfort to know they'll be there. Again, thanks friends at UrgentRx, and just a suggestion, can you make an envelope for those of us who are easily the victim of insect bites? We can get itchy in the middle of Manhattan. Please, I need something to keep the Itchy Fairies away.

It's summer again in New York City. It's hot and it's humid. I walked over to vote in the primary and stopped at a Mr. Softee truck on the way home, one last day of summer treat. I'd like to think that today will end the endless phone calls for the candidates -- there are eight people running for City Council in my district -- but I would wager there will be a runoff in several races, which will increase the calls. I dislike the calls, but really like the ability to vote, so I'll take the not so sweet with the very sweet.

Thanks for all the comments about yesterday's post. I appreciated everyone who stopped by and will definitely stop and visit all of your blogs. It may take me a day or two, but I will be by.

So glad you all stopped by to visit. You make my day happier.


P.S. I was not paid by UrgentRx for this post, but I was given samples of the product to try.  
  

What Do You Wish You Knew Before You Started Blogging?


When bloggers get together the topic often -- always -- turns to blogging. It doesn't matter whether we're at a blogging conference of 5,000 bloggers or over tea with just a few blog buddies. Blog questions are the best ice breakers. What do you blog about and how long have you been blogging are the basics and before I know it I'm just chatting away with people who were strangers ten minutes before.

I'm feeling a little reflective today -- maybe that comes with being inside much more than I've been since last winter -- and I thought of a few things I'd pass on to new bloggers, or chat about with those of us who have been blogging for years.

My thoughts -- in no particular order ...

1) My favorite part of blogging is...I don't have a favorite. I enjoy when people leave comments. I enjoy putting posts together and thinking about topics I want to write about and I enjoy taking pictures to illustrate posts. And I love meeting my blog buddies.

1b) About comments...comment, comment, comment! Social media is social and commenting is visiting. I have met some great friends by taking a few minutes to let them know how much I like their blog, how moved I am by their post, or simply to let them know that I grew up in New England, too. Everyone doesn't answer, but I think it's similar to going to a party. I may talk to a dozen people and a few or maybe only one of them may be someone I want to spend time with again, but I've had a fun time.

2) My least favorite part of blogging is the mechanics. I like being part of linky parties, but I don't like linking. It's goofy, but it seems "technical" and difficult to do. Of course when I've done the link or added a graphic I realize it doesn't take long at all and I am a little perturbed with myself. And I am still overwhelmed by the thought of moving Buttercupland to WordPress.

3) Don't be too hard on yourself. Every post won't be nominated for the Pulitzer Prize. The important thing is to keep writing. It takes time to get your voice and be comfortable with putting out your thoughts and life publicly. I look back on some early posts and it seems they don't sound like "me." What I value about them is that they led the way to the fun I've had blogging for the last almost five years.

Let's chat, my dear blog buddies. Are there things you wish you knew before you started blogging? If not, is there advice you would like to share with new bloggers. The floor is open.

It's another beautiful day in New York City. I will be going outside today, and no fear, I will be wearing my boot. As always, thanks for visiting. 

Is Google Search...

...guaranteed to scare me to bits? Of course the answer is yes! 

When I was growing up we lived on the second floor of a two-family house. We generally used the back stairs and the front stairs were for company. At night the landing and the front stairs were very dark and I was convinced that monsters lived on the front stairs. Of course I could turn on the light and see that there were no monsters, but I just avoided them entirely. By the time I was in seventh grade my fear had evaporated, but the monsters were real for years before then.

The mythical monsters on the front stairs have been replaced by the monsters in Google Search, but these ogres and sea serpents are real. I made the mistake of "googling" "boot for broken foot," and was very unhappy with what I found. Even though I know monsters live in Google Search I was unprepared for all the awful things that can happen to broken bones in ones foot, especially the particular bone I broke. I didn't Google my spinal cord tumor for at least two weeks after the surgery and saved myself a lot of angst.

I'm giving up Google Search for now and I'm sticking with Pinterest. I'm going to research cupcakes and autumn leaf arrangements and leave the medical advice to my orthopedist. But you can be sure I am wearing my boot religiously, just in case the monsters in Google are real.

It was another glorious day in New York City and I happily joined my college roommate for coffee and conversation. Five days with my boot, and fifty-five days to go.

Thanks for visiting and wishes for a great week!   

(Various Shades of) Pink Saturday

It's a beautiful Saturday in New York City and time to join the fun for Pink Saturday. I know this title sounds close to "Fifty Shades of Grey," but it's a lot less racy. This tiny park sits between two office buildings and is just half a block from my eye doctor's office. It was the perfect place to sit outside and read before my appointment yesterday. I thought the impatiens would be a good choice for Pink Saturday.

I'm making every effort to relax and just let myself heal. My eye is feeling and looking much better and I am keeping track of the eleven times a day -- three different drops -- I need to treat it. I did get out for an outing and was delighted to find local apples at the fruit and veggie store. I also bought a lime and am going to treat myself to homemade guacamole tonight.

Any Keurig users in Buttercupland? I won a sample pack of "Brew Over Ice," which consists of four Keurig samples of iced tea and coffee. I'd like to send it to the first person who leaves a comment telling me they would like it. I'm not sure when I'll get to the post office, but I think it will be iced coffee/tea season for awhile. Today feels like a perfect summer day and there's very little humidity.

As always, thanks for visiting and have a pretty in pink Saturday!

So Happy It's Random Five Friday

Thankfully, it's Random 5 Friday, one of my favorite parts of the week. And what a week!

1) A picture is worth a thousand words...or at least four. The magic words are six to eight weeks. I broke a major bone in my foot as a result of my fall on Monday and yes, black boot is the new chic. I'm sure I won't be asked to be part of Fashion Week, but I think the look has a certain je ne sais quois.


2) This solves my problem of when to switch from my beloved Croc flip flops back to sneakers. Today was blissfully cool and I wore a light sweater and this foot ensemble to my next medical adventure...

3) ...to the opthamologist. My eye felt funny yesterday -- I know that's not a clinical term -- and I was able to wangle an appointment to have it checked, just in the nick of time. I now have antibiotic drops for the next week and will be diligent in using artificial tears on a regular basis. Just one application of drops and my eye is feeling much, much better.  

4) And, yes, I'm going to take it really easy. I think this is a sign from the heavens to read, blog, watch movies and sit quietly outside somewhere close to my building.

5) Am I the only person in America who has never watched "Breaking Bad?"

I'm stopping and smelling the roses this weekend. I will be back tomorrow for Pink Saturday, and yes, it's a flower theme, so you can join me in some quiet floral time. Until then, thanks for visiting and sweet, sweet dreams.

 

Happy 5774


Today is the first day of Jewish New Year, 5774. We traditionally eat apples and honey in hopes for a sweet new year. My wish for all is a year of peace, happiness, good health and sweet, sweet times! 

An Announcement from the Buttercupland Department of Public Safety


Like my list of errands, I had a list of blog posts for this week. The schedule for today was to do a giveaway of a product I was introduced to at BlogHer. It was a "Back to School" giveaway and since school is starting in many parts of the country -- or has started -- I was all set to join in. But most of today was spent in medical pursuits, as will part of tomorrow. My hope is that it's only part of tomorrow. I have broken some of the bones in my foot, but the good news is that they are not dislocated and I should be able to avoid surgery. The last I find very good news. I see the orthopedist tomorrow morning and will know more at that time than I know now.  


Accidents happen and this definitely was an accident. But I've thinking how I can avoid trips and falls in the future. I generally do look down as I walk, but I need to remember that being careful as I walk is not a part-time occupation. I need to remember that water makes tile floors slippery, that wet leaves make streets slippery and that throw rugs in the bathroom and kitchen can be problems. I feel very lucky that I didn't break my ankle or leg or still worse, my hip. But even breaking a few bones in my foot will change a lot of plans.  

I'm still hoping to do my giveaway tomorrow and continue on this week with some very fun posts. Please be careful. The bones you save may be your own. As always, thanks for visiting and take good care of yourself. 

No-Spending September

I've "celebrated" No-Spending January, April and October and Low-Spending February, and now I'm adding September to the No-Spending list. Adding September to the list came to me when I was thinking about my glorious week on the river. There was lots of talking, reading, movie watching and visits with friends. One thing I didn't do was shop. I did spend twenty minutes in the college gift store, but without the intent to buy anything. I just enjoyed looking. We did do some grocery shopping, but I wasn't stocking the kitchen. Thanks to K's organization and thoughtfulness we had great meals and there were snacks and coffee whenever I wanted.

I've been an organized shopper this summer, but I've been a shopper.  I bought exercise clothes, makeup, new sneakers, a tote bag, sweater and socks. These are all things I've needed, but a lot more than I've bought for quite awhile.  For the last couple of years I've kept a list of things I planned to buy when I retired -- bigger purchases -- and I checked the first item off that list, too, my new and beloved iPad. It was a lot of shopping for someone who has tried to refrain from buying things.

I've decided to that it's time for another No-Spending month, and officially declare this No-Spending September. Whatever I own can last for the next month. The search for the out-of-stock lipstick I've been looking for can resume in October. Halloween decorations can be bought next month, too. Michael's won't be sold out.

One of the things I heard most before I retired was that I would save money if I wasn't working. I am spending more money. I brought my lunch most working days for years, didn't frequent pricey coffee stores and didn't invest in a lot of work clothes. Now I have time to meet friends for lunch, coffee and dinner seven days a week and there's a cute place on every corner in the neighborhood. Being at home during the day during the hottest summer in years has given me truly horrifying electric bills. I go through paper goods at an astounding rate. I don't want to feel deprived or be a candidate for an extreme thrifter reality show, but I do want to find ways to be economical and still enjoy living in New York City. I've got some ideas for grocery thriftiness, but that's for October. One month at a time!

I did get some of my errands done today, but a mishap in the middle of the day derailed me. I slipped on a puddle in the entryway of the grocery around the corner. At least four women shoppers offered to help me up and they couldn't have been nicer. My foot isn't too badly swollen, but it isn't as it should be despite spending the rest of the day elevating it with ice. If it's not better in the morning I will get an x-ray, but I wanted to give the ice a chance to work. I also couldn't see sitting in the emergency room on Labor Day for hours. I'll keep you posted and of course, appreciate prayers.

Always enjoy your visits and hope you had a much less eventful Labor Day than I did. Sweet dreams!



Welcome to September

I am home from my wonderful, indulgent and fun week in Northern New York. While the weather didn't get as cool as I'd hoped -- love those first sweater nights -- the nights were great for sleeping without an air conditioner. There was a breeze every morning and it was lovely. It doesn't feel as though there will be a breeze in New York City for months.

I drafted a long post for tonight. But I reread it and it needs some work, which I will do tomorrow. I've made my list of things I hope to get done this week. I'm not sure how many I will get to, as the Jewish New Year begins on Wednesday night and that's not a time for errands. But I feel rested and relaxed and tomorrow will be a time to accomplish a number of my back-to-New York errands.

I'm happy to report that the third time was a charm and I had an easy travel day. No delays -- we got in a half hour early -- and record time getting home. Tonight I'm going through my mail -- a lovely blogger gift was part of it -- and will spend some time reading. I read every night on vacation and that's a habit I want to keep.

Wishes for a great Labor Day and thanks for visiting!