A Tale of Two Perfumes

Two bottles of perfume sit on my dresser. I’ve had them for years, and that’s not likely to change soon; I mainly wear perfume when heading out to church once a week. But each one feels like an old friend.

The first is 24 Faubourg, which I read in book by Princess Diana’s butler was her favorite scent (regulars will remember my long-time affinity for Diana). I searched it out on Ebay and asked my dad to give it to me for Christmas one year.

The other is Obsession, a scent which my mamaw liked. It’s lowlier than the 24 Faubourg, something you could pick up at the corner drugstore. My dad had just bought Mamaw a big bottle years back, right before she died. It ended up with me.

So now, when I’m getting ready to go out, I like to take just a few seconds to decide which perfume it will be.

Do I need a little touch of confidence, like Diana had? A little reminder that, even though life can be hard, Diana always carried on. She could do it – and I can too!  Those days call for a little 24 Faubourg.

On other days, I’d just like a little comfort — the kind that a mamaw (even one who could be pretty darn unstable at times) could give. Unconditional love. I’m highly doubting that that’s what the perfume designer was going for, but that’s what Obsession smells like to me.

When I first got each of these bottles, I remember shaking my head and thinking they might outlive me. Now, they’ve each gone down significantly, and I’m in no hurry to see them go. They’re familiar, and pleasant. They smell like confidence, and comfort, and good memories of those who’ve moved on.

How about you? Do you match a perfume to your mood or situation? Do you have a favorite?

Callista Gingrich: A Closer Look

Now that Newt Gingrich is on his second surge, I figure I’d better give him a closer look. I love his work on the Contract with America back in the ’90s. I also love his debate performance, and smile as I imagine him putting Obama in his place.

But, I’m not thrilled with his personality — he seems like someone you would not want to work for or with: conceited, my-way-or-the-highway. I also fear some things from his past, like his alliance with Nancy Pelosi for a global warming commercial, his ethics violations, and, oh — his 3 marriages.

Which brings me to current wife, Callista. Usually first ladies (and potential first ladies) don’t inspire much in me, either pro or con. But I always get a bad vibe with Callista. Not sure exactly why; maybe it’s the scary photos of her that seem to come out frequently: (tell me, if you know – are the wide eyes the result of cosmetic surgery, or does she do that on purpose all the time?)

But I don’t want to indict someone on the basis of a few bad photos. So, I dug a bit deeper. The New Yorker ran a recent feature on Callista that was interesting. I recommend reading it, but in case you’re short on time, here’s the good stuff:

• Her hair is certainly distinctive, with that one piece that kind of swirls back over the rest. She gets it done at Sugar House in Old Town Alexandria. The article recounts an incident at a book signing (of Callista’s book for kids, “Sweet Land of Liberty“), where a woman teased Callista: “You and I have such beautiful natural color. Yeah, right!” Reportedly, Callista kept her face frozen in a decidedly unamused-looking smile. Obviously, I can’t vouch for whether or not this incident is true. The problem is, it certainly seems consistent with the image Callista projects. And come on, who’s she fooling into thinking her hair is naturally that color?

• The Gingriches have a half million dollar line of credit at Tiffany’s. Why? “Callista did not want him to run for President. That’s why he had to buy her so much #&!! jewelry,” a former strategist says.
• The Gingriches took a cruise through the Greek islands last summer and basically all of Newt’s staff quit over this, feeling that it hurt his image as a serious candidate. Why did they go on the cruise? “Either go on this vacation, or we’re done,” Callista told Newt, according to one of the Gingrich advisors who quit last year.
• There are some things about Callista I definitely admire. Aides describe her as “very disciplined, professional.” She is trained as a classical pianist and plays French horn as well as singing professionally.
  

  Newt and Callista Gingrich in 2000 - the year they got married

• The former Gingrich strategist had a withering assessment of Callista: “She’s the single most self-centered person I’ve run into in politics — it’s all about her.”
• The formal, put-together look you see is no act. “I don’t think she owns a pair of jeans,” says a friend. “Casual Friday is not something that happens a lot around Callista.”
• Callista’s mom, Bernita Bisek, named her only child Callista after a former boss’s wife, a woman who was “the nicest lady, a very pretty lady.” Money was tight for the Biseks. Callista’s mom was a secretary and her dad worked in a packing plant. Mom sewed all of Callista’s clothes, even knitting her vests.
• Callista attended Luther College, where she practiced piano 6 hours a day and joined Delta Alpha Delta, which a friend calls an “anti sorority — there was no hazing, and anyone who wanted to get in, got in.”
• After graduation, Callista moved to DC for an internship and never came back. She began buying her own clothes then, and of course met Newt Gingrich. She began dating him, although he was married to second wife Marianne at the time and was also leading Monica Lewinsky-related charges against Bill Clinton. Callista was 23 years younger than Newt, the same age as one of his daughters.

So I suppose I’m wondering why a seemingly “good girl” (church-going, smart, industrious) would decide to carry on a years-long affair with a married man. Just doesn’t make sense to me. What do you think — would Callista make a good first lady?

Right to Work is … Right

As if an Indiana winter isn’t excitement enough, we Hoosiers are facing a contentious issue this month: right-to-work legislation.

If you don’t know what that means, I can’t really blame you for a lack of interest. It wouldn’t trip my radar either, had I not had dealings with a union during my teaching days. Back then, (22 years ago now – my word!), another young, newish teacher came to me and warned me that a union rep would soon be visiting me to solicit my membership in the teacher’s union. She told me that I might want to look into what the union stood for.

I did, and I’m so glad. When the older union rep teacher visited and told me that union membership was “the professional thing to do,” I was armed with what union membership really meant. It meant allying myself with a group that supported Planned Parenthood and almost every other nutty sideshow out there (American Eskimo Day, anyone?). I came to learn that, unofficially, it also meant demanding that my rights were guaranteed, even if that meant backing out of volunteering when a contract wasn’t met, etc. Sure, I was young and idealistic at the time, but I’d become a teacher because of my compassion for kids — not to line a bunch of union administrators’ (and liberal politicians’) wallets.

In subsequent years, some union reps tried to convince me to join by telling me I could opt out of the political portion of the dues. But they weren’t fooling me. The union was giving X amount of money to, say, Planned Parenthood. If they gave fewer of my dollars to them, they’d just compensate by giving more of someone else’s. Either way, I felt, I would bear the guilt of associating myself with them.

Saying no to union membership was one of the first times I’d had to say no to an authority figure and explain my reasoning. It was just another step in growing up, and I feel the experience made me stronger in many ways.

So, back to Indiana. Our governor wants to pass right-to-work legislation, which basically says that  unions can’t require non-members to pay union dues. The governor contends that, should this bill pass, Indiana will be more attractive to businesses looking to locate here. I’m all for it. Why should unions fear, if they feel their services are really useful to employees? If I supported the teachers’ union and their agenda, I would have gladly paid dues to them. The fuss over right-to-work leads me to believe that unions just want members’ dues automatically, without being accountable to them. Do you know how much many union workers earn per hour? I remember when I first learned that GM workers at a plant near my school could earn $60,000 a year with no college degree, just tightening lug nuts all day. It’s insane and unsustainable — and union members/leaders know this. That’s why they’re fighting this legislation so hard.

I see an irony in liberal union members’ arguments in opposing Right to Work. They complain that, if some employees don’t have to pay union dues, those employees still get union benefits and are therefore “free loaders.” Hey, wait a minute: aren’t liberals the ones advocating free rides out there on every other issue (welfare, childcare, you name it)? Why get upset about those “freeloading” on union benefits, but praise those “freeloading” on healthcare?

Indianapolis will host the Super Bowl February 5, and some of the unions’ brightest bulbs are considering publicizing their plight by clogging city streets with trucks or by staging work showdowns. I’m not sure just how they think this will help their cause with the general public. If I traveled to another city for a big event and a bunch of yahoos messed up my trip in order to promote their own selfish agenda, you better believe I would not be feeling all warm ‘n fuzzy towards them or their cause.

Our newspaper states that local union members are unsure whether or not they’ll participate in such a protest. They’re “awaiting guidance from the Indiana AFL-CIO before deciding what to do.” To me, there’s much of the problem with unions in a nutshell. Do you await guidance from your union boss before deciding what to do? Who to vote for? Nope, me either.

But Jeff Combs, Teamster organizer, doesn’t care: “You can tell them we’ll take the Super Bowl and shove it,” he said. Real mature, Jeff. Your eloquence speaks so well of your organization.

Indiana legislators: Shove right-to-work legislation through. Shove it, please.

Book Chat

My reading for the month:

After enjoying “The Murder of Roger Ackroyd” last month, I decided to read another Agatha Christie mystery. I honestly think I’ve read this years ago, but I’d forgotten it, and my daughter recommended it, so there you go. The premise: 10 people go to an island where they are the only inhabitants. Each has been hired by a mysterious man none of them have ever met, and he’s not at the island, either. The island’s guest house holds 10 indian figures, along with a framed copy of the poem “10 Little Indians.” The mystery begins when one of the folks dies unexpectedly, and the others notice that one of the indian figurines has broken as well. In short order, more of the guests die, and more figurines disappear, and as you can imagine, paranoia ensues. Who is killing the people? If they are the only ones on the island – it must be one of them, right?

After reading this, I watched the movie. I enjoyed it, although its ending was different (I actually preferred the movie’s ending – more hopeful). Good read!

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I enjoyed “Free-Range Kids: How to Raise Safe, Self-Reliant Children Without Going Nuts with Worry.” It resonated with me because I tend to be the laid-back mom in groups — the one who is fine with my kids trying this or that, going here or there. I don’t worry about them being abducted, etc. – but that’s rare these days. Lenore Skenazy explores why parents these days are so paranoid: TV is a lot of it, with its 24/7 coverage of missing children (she points out that, statistically speaking, it would take 750,000 years for the average child to be abducted by a stranger while playing unattended in the yard).

She writes in a humorous tone about the lunacy of parenting today: baby wipe warmers, grocery cart seat covers, etc. She also makes some good points: years ago, many teens married and began raising kids. Nowadays, we give teens very little responsibility and freedom at all. Is it any wonder they are frustrated?

I recommend this book if you’re like-minded (it’ll have you nodding your head), and if you’re not as well (it’ll help you relax, maybe).

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“Wise Blood” by Flannery O’Connor took me back to high school. It’s the tale of Haze Motes, a young man haunted by Jesus, whom he continually sees as a ragged figure flitting from tree to tree in the back of his mind. The reason it took me back was that it reminded me of Seminar in American Lit class, where every tale was brimming with symbolism, deep meanings, and other things – if I could just understand them. “Wise Blood” is full of the ridiculous – street preachers preaching The Church of Christ Without Christ from the top of their beat-up cars; men stealing and dressing up in gorilla costumes; policemen pushing cars over cliffs, stolen prehistoric men being deified … if this all sounds confusing, it is — but once I get to the bottom of it all, I have a feeling it’s going to be filled with “aha” moments as well. I’ve read — and been provoked to deep thought — by many of Flannery O’Connor’s works. Recommended, when you have Cliffs notes nearby …

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I almost quit “Surprised by Laughter: The Comic World of C.S. Lewis” after the first chapter. It’s written by Terry Lindvall, PhD, and you know, books by PhD’s are often off-putting to me. Sure enough, chapter 1 read like a dissertation. But I do love Lewis, and I’m glad I persevered, because the book only improved. It reminded me why I do love Lewis, and that I need to read more of his stuff. Stat.

What other author offers such hope and beauty? Describing death and heaven: “The term is over; the holidays have begun. The dream is ended; this is the morning.” On music, specifically, Chopin’s preludes: “they are so passionate, so hopeless, I could almost cry over them. They are unbearable.” He also loved the grandeur of Wagner’s music — I just love it, because I sense in Lewis a kindred spirit, albeit one whose lifetime didn’t intersect with mine (interesting side note – it almost did. He died the year before my birth, on the same day JFK was shot). I find it a little bit of heaven on earth when such … collegiality turns up. And when it does (for me, at least), it’s usually through books.

“Surprised by Laughter” is divided into 6 parts: The Idea and the Legacy, Joy, Fun, The Joke Proper, Satire and Flippancy, and Conclusion. You’ll learn a lot about Lewis in addition to reading a whole bunch of examples of various types of humor he used in his writing. Recommended.

Thanks to Booksneeze for the opportunity to review this book.

 

Menu Plan Monday

For many people, the week before Christmas is the busiest of the year. For me, it’s probably this week. I will give 13 piano lessons and practice with most of the 14 band students I’m accompanying at ISSMA solo and ensemble contest this Saturday. It’s busy, but it’s a good busy. But something’s gotta give, and this week, “something” is probably labor-intensive meals. We’re keeping it simple …

Monday: Roast Chicken and Veggies – a favorite, and I’ve made it so many times I could probably prepare it blindfolded:

Cut up a couple of chicken breasts, a couple of carrots, a couple of potatoes – put in a roasting pan, then top with 1/3 c. olive oil and a packet (actually I use 1/2 packet) of dry onion soup mix.  Bake 45 minutes at 450.

Tuesday: a Stouffer’s frozen meal. I know, I’m hanging my head (just a bit), but I do have a coupon for a free one, so at least there’s that

Wednesday: leftover buffet – because the fridge is filling up …

Thursday: Vegetable fried rice – I made this about a month ago. One child loved it. Another threw up (totally unrelated) and says she never wants to see it again. Should be interesting. I’ll probably add chicken.

Friday: Cheese Stuffed Breadsticks – the kids love these. I think they’re pretty great, too (side note: I looked around the blog featuring these when I got the link. Holy cow – lots of yummy food there. Check out her “favorite recipes from 2011 post”).

What are you cooking this week? No need to search for ideas, when Org Junkie is here with tons.

Weight Watchers Ice Cream Treats

Ice cream may seem like an odd January blogging topic, but then again, is it ever a bad time to discuss ice cream? I didn’t think so .

So when MomSelect offered to send me some Weight Watchers ice cream treats in exchange for a review, who was I to say no?

I’ll have to say I was a little apprehensive before trying these. I find that  lot of “diet” ice creams taste like it — icy and not creamy. But I was pleasantly surprised. Each of these was really yummy. The Dark Chocolate Dulce de Leche (or caramel, as I would say) was really delicious. The ice cream was creamy and tasty. Same for the Dark Chocolate Strawberry bars.

I didn’t try the Dark Chocolate Raspberry bars as I’m not a raspberry fan, but I’ll tell you that the other four family members made quick work of the box. I’m taking that as an endorsement. And the Fudge bars were tasty as well – they reminded me of a Wendy’s Frosty on a stick. Clearly a good thing!

If you’re doing the official Weight Watchers thing, each of these treats ranges from just 1 to 3 points. And if you’re like me –unofficially yet continually trying to stave off the pounds just waiting to take up residence on my body — you’ll appreciate knowing that each treat is just over 100 calories. You’ll find these much more filling than 100 calories worth of chocolate (which I think is about 4 Hershey Kisses. Hey, if I have to stop at 4, don’t get me started!).

Try a box of these next time you’re at the store. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.

(Side note: the treats arrived in a box of dry ice, which my kids enjoyed almost as much as the ice cream!)

You Say Tomato, I Say Tomahto …

I came across this the other day: 10 words you mispronounce that make people think you’re an idiot. Before you click through, can you guess any of them?

I know that my #1 prediction was nuclear vs. nu-cu-lar, and sure enough, it was there. Any disdain I felt for George W. Bush began with that word, and to this day I cringe when I hear nu-cu-lar.

But some of the others? Guilty. I used to say expresso instead of espresso, until I saw the word written and had an “ah ha” moment. And I fear I’ve been guilty of filling a purscription or two – hey, it’s my purrogative, right?

And candidate – oops, I’m pretty sure I usually call them cannadates. I hope you don’t think I’m an idiot because of it

But I haven’t said ofTen in years, ever since my third grade teacher said, “Often is a word that is oftten mispronounced.”

And some folks say awree when they mean awry? Hmmmm … must be regional, because I’ve never heard that one.

Language — we all learn as we go through life, and I’m still learning. I just learned in the past month, for instance, that plebian should have the second syllable accented, not the first. I suppose it’s not much of a problem, though, since that’s a word I only encounter in reading. If I’ve ever spoken it aloud, I can’t recall it.

I’ve also learned in the last year that this lovely plant …

… is called a ka-lan-KOey. Here I’d been calling it a ka-LAN-choe (hanging my head).

I also say February without pronouncing the first r. But, to my credit, I do know the difference between Calvary and cavalry (which you already knew, if you read my book).

What are some of your pronunciation pet peeves? Go ahead, be vunnerable, and ax me about them in the comments. I’ll try not to get fustrated.

Paris Stream Creations

Watching the 84th (or whatever number, I’ve lost count) Republican debate the other night, I was intrigued by the discussion of jobs for kids. Not so much by whether such a topic is racist (??), but I was reminded that I think that jobs for kids are a very good thing. So many of today’s kids seem to have an attitude of entitlement. Whaddya mean, empty the trash? Why should I clean up my room? etc. At the same time, today’s kids seem to want more and more. And most of those ‘wants’ aren’t available at Walmart for $9.99. No, now they want electronics costing over $100 or those requiring costly monthly contracts.

So, how does this little rant tie in to today’s topic? One of my piano students, Paris Stream, is homeschooled. One of the beauties of home schooling is that it frees up some time for kids to pursue hobbies. One of Paris’ hobbies is crocheting, and she has taken the initiative to open up an Etsy shop with some of her creations. Paris and her sister, Eden, are always impeccably dressed and look so stylish. Paris’ creations reflect her style fashion sense. I was really excited to discuss the 12-year-old’s new business venture with her recently.

Girls in White Dresses: What inspired you to start crocheting and knitting?

Paris: My grandma taught me to knit first, then I got on YouTube and watched some videos and learned to crochet.

GiWD: What is your favorite thing to make?

I love making hats and headbands. I recently started making amigurumi stuffed animals, and I’m enjoying those a lot also.

Where do you get ideas for things to make and for colors/type of yarn to use?

I mostly find patterns I like online (YouTube, etc). and pick a  yarn color I like — simple as that! Sometimes I get pattern books for Christmas and my birthday.

What else do you enjoy in your free time?

I like to draw, play piano (editor’s note: good choice!), and read. I mostly crochet, though. I prefer to crochet, but I can knit as well.

Paris and her sister’s appearance each week is testament to their fashion sense. Next time you need a cute hat, scarf, or other item, why not give Paris a try? Her prices are reasonable and she even takes custom orders. You won’t be disappointed, and you’ll be helping a young person make a success of herself — something we could use more of these days.

Small Space Organizing: Review

January often brings the “urge to purge.” We’ve gotten a new load of stuff at Christmas, maybe watched a few too many episodes of “Hoarders,” and before you know it: ugh! We just want to get rid of some of the stuff that most of us in America have way too much of.

Kathryn Bechen addresses this is her book, “Small Space Organizing.” She advocates living in smaller spaces, which is kind of an “in” sentiment, given the state of our economy. Current trends are actually to downsize and live in smaller spaces, and this book addresses that. What do we really need in an apartment, dorm room, studio apartment, or smaller home? How can we decide what to keep and what to give away, and how can we organize what we do have?

Kathryn’s best small space organizing tips?

1. Keep your gadgets and appliances simple by buying only what you’ll truly use.

2. Use all-white dishes and clear glassware to cut down on how many dish sets you buy. If a dish breaks, you can easily find a new similar white piece and not have to get a whole new set.

I found this book to be repetitive in spots and offer little in the way of earth-shaking, new ideas. But, it was helpful nonetheless in making me think about the objects I surround myself with: what’s important and what’s not? In the end, it’s all just stuff, so we’re best not to attach too much emotional sentiment to items. This would be a great book for a teen off to college, for a couple getting married, or for anyone who’s downsizing.

Available January 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group. Thanks to Revell for a review copy of this book.

Menu Plan Monday

It’s shaping up to be a busy week. Added to my 11 piano students will be 12 band students who I’ll be accompanying on their solos at ISSMA contest January 28. This week, several of them will be coming to my house to practice, and I’ll be going to lessons for several others — all around dinner time. So, I’ve tried to fill the week with dinners that won’t be too labor-intensive.

Monday: fish – I usually buy bags of tilapia filets when they’re on sale at Meijer for around $3.99. I just sprinkle them with spices and bake them, and serve them over rice with a vegetable.

Tuesday: Poppyseed chicken – this is a good recipe to double and keep one in the freezer …

Wednesday: Bean Soup – prepared in the crockpot. Also French bread in the bread machine.

Thursday: Football Fiesta Casserole – the kids love this; it is pretty yummy

Friday: tacos – I’ll just prepare chicken with taco seasoning and put out bowls of taco fixings …

And because it’s not a week without a yummy dessert, I would like to try “Ben’s Bars,” which I cut out of the paper’s Amish Cook column awhile back.

What are you making this week? Tons of ideas at Org Junkie‘s.