Baggy Pants and No Static Cling

It's officially The Changing of the Seasons here at the Villa. This involves two projects: the Switching of the Wardrobes, and the Cleaning of the Humidifier.

The Switching of the Wardrobes isn't going to be too bad this year. Last spring, I found that most of the previous year's spring/summer clothes were too big. It's been a long time since I had that problem; for the last decade or so, my weight seemed to go in the other direction despite all my best efforts. So I had a lot of comfortable, loose-fitting clothes, they were just a little looser. This summer, in between tantrums at the food stamp office and sofa surfing, I managed to work in a few thrift shop excursions. My focus was PJs for the hospital stay, and a few pairs of pants/jeans. Good thing: the pants I bought are already a little loose, but I think they will get me through the winter.

The Cleaning of the Humidifier is next. This would be a much easier chore if, at the end of each season, I emptied and rinsed it out. And every year, I swear I'm going to do it...Yeah, haven't managed even once. Last fall I imposed on Bro #1, who had come for a visit. And I seriously thought about waiting 2-3 weeks, when Bro #2 will be here...but I'm already waking up with that choking-on-a-dustball feeling. I have a dry, dry nose; I can already feel static electricity in the air. So I'm going to practice Not Being a Whiny Crybaby, and clean it myself, or at least give it a shot.

I wuv my humidifier, I sparkly pink heart my humidifier. It's a Sears floor model that Bro #1 and S-I-L sent when I first bought the house, and it was not brand new then, so it's got to be close to two decades old. I coddle it back to life every year. When it needed a part -- a belt -- a few years ago, I actually found a schematic of this model on the Sears website and was able to order the part. I was awfully impressed with Sears... and with myself! And at least once or twice a year, I will shop at Sears while I'm picking up a new filter.

I think some of this comes from Grandpa Harold who, in his entire life, owned four cars. (I think he owned each for an average of 15 years.) He even had a car on blocks for years through WWII. When he could finally get parts and tires again, he meticulously, methodically, put it all back together and brought the car back to life, to the amazement of friends and family. He drove it for many more years.

If something is made well, and it's taken care of, I think it should run forever. My sewing machine is close to 60 years old. I had a 13" black & white tv for 20+ years. It finally went to appliance heaven, and ever since, I've had to buy tvs about every 2-3 years. And I recently, regretfully, gave up a 40+year-old Hoover vacuum. I could have had it serviced again, but it weighs more than a Buick, and I was persuaded that it was time for it to find a new home. (I hope my folks really did take it to Goodwill, and didn't heave it into some dumpster when no one was looking...)

They don't make 'em like they used to. I think I'll be lucky if the new vacuum lasts five years. Manufacturers realized that building things cheaply not only increased their profits, it guaranteed future sales when the item irreparably broke down -- and spawned the phrase "planned obsolescence." Wouldn't it be nice if, in the name of environmentalism or anything else, manufacturers of cars and appliances started taking pride in their products' durability and reliability?

Four Generations

There are some disadvantages to being the oldest child: high expectations, responsibility for younger siblings, etc. But mostly there are advantages. (Don't argue with us; you're outnumbered.) And those include being able to meet a great-grandparent. Bro #1 had that privilege; the last "great" of our generation died the year I was born so I didn't get to meet him. And here, Bro #1 is pictured with Dad, Grandpa K., and his firstborn, Supergirl #1.

SG#1 set the bar pretty high for those who followed. She is smart, funny, kind, thoughtful... very super in every way. Today is her birthday. I will be hunting for that adorable baby picture I know is around here somewhere. Meanwhile, Happy Birthday!

Literary Jewels

I couldn't read while I was in the hospital, or for the first few weeks at home. I've finally got enough functioning brain cells to read again; how I've missed it.

Grandma Flo had a button box that, to me, was as good as any jewelry box on the planet. There were a few exotic carved wooden buttons, beautiful rhinestone buttons, some irridescent pearl and abalone buttons. And there was a pair of fabulous bakelite buttons that looked like little pineapple upside-down cakes. I never tired of playing with them; it was a thrill every time I opened the button box.

I feel that way about Alexander McCall Smith's books. I always know I'm in for a good read and he's never let me down. There are eight books in The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency Series. I just finished the sixth, "In the Company of Cheerful Ladies," and each one is more charming than the last. They are almost written as folk tales although the modern-day Botswana characters have modern-day dilemmas.

Why hasn't anyone made a movie or six out of these? Or even a TV series? Initially I imagined Oprah as the protagonist, Precious Ramotswe. But I've changed my mind; I think Queen Latifah is a better choice if she can manage the accent. (She has to be a woman with "a traditional build.") And Mma Makutsi, her sidekick/assistant...I can see Jada Pinkett Smith although it might be a stretch for her to play "plain." Really, Hollywood, get with it already.

I have to read them in order and I'm waiting for "Blue Shoes and Happiness" but in the meantime, I have David Sedaris' "When You Are Engulfed in Flames." Sedaris is a laugh-out-loud author, occasionally a scream-out-loud and laugh-til-you-cry author. The only thing better than reading his books is getting them on tape/CD and hearing the author read them. Sedaris is a whole 'nother button box.

Love of reading runs in the family.
Bro #1 was a great reader, with a flair for the dramatic!

Big C Update

I'd normally have lots to share, but I'm losing a terrible battle with a backache. Backache 10, Cootina 0.

"Other than that, Mrs. Lincoln..." Other than that, I'm doing pretty well. I'm still struggling with some bone pain and nausea, but it's manageable. Over all, I really think I'm one of the luckier cancer patients. One day of harvesting - I still have not even heard of anyone else who hit their mark in one day. Fifteen days in the hospital. So even though my crumbling spine gives me some trouble, I still think I'm ahead of the game compared to so many others who have a much, much harder time of it.

I don't think my mental state has improved much; I still have almost no focus or concentration so I'm going to milk the "chemo brain" excuse as long as I can.

I'm not quite sure what that "rapture" business is, but I thought that after Obama won, there was at least a chance I might just vaporize, disappear in a fit of ecstasy. On many levels, I'm relieved just to still be here.

The Russians Aren't Coming

Another good thing about this election is that Sarah Palin will be going back to Alaska. Thank goodness, Mom reminded me, we can all sleep at night knowing that Governor Palin is manning, er, womanning the frontlines, keeping an eye on those pesky Russkies from her back yard. Now that they know she's well armed and not afraid to use 'em, I think that's one border that won't be a problem for us.

Darn tootin'. You betcha.

(I got the picture here, with an interesting story about Gov. Palin.)

Yes, I'm Ready, President Obama

I stayed as long as I could last night at Bill’s but finally at 10pm I had to call it quits. I was frustrated that a winner still had not been declared: that was a moment I really wanted to share with my friends. (And here in Idiotana, it may still be disputed: Obama defeated McCain by about 13,000 votes; less than half of one percent. A record 2.7 million votes were cast here, and it took until 2am for the state to declare for Obama.)

Around 11pm, sitting here on my sofa with my eyes propped open, I had the absolute thrill of seeing and hearing Barack Obama declared the next President of the United States.

I sat amazed and dumbfounded as I listened to McCain’s concession speech. (Transcript here.) Who was that sincere, patriotic, gracious man...and where has he been the last two years? I’m glad I got to see it because I believe it was absolutely John McCain’s finest moment. It was a relief to see him end his campaign, and begin Obama’s term, really, on a note of bipartisan conciliation and... we keep saying it... grace.

I managed to keep my eyes open a little longer, because I was determined to hear Obama’s acceptance speech. (Transcript here.) It was quite a bit more subdued than I expected, but in hindsight, that may have been a wise choice. There were thousands of people in Grant Park and I’ll bet that most of them, like me, were close to hysterical already. Whip them into a lather? hmm ....maybe not!

I think this is one of the most exciting, most historic, most moving moments of my life. I’m so proud to be an American today. (See Jamie Lee Curtis' eloquent "Thank you, Barack Obama.") It’s kind of a strange feeling; it’s been a long time since I felt this way! I’m absolutely ecstatic that Michelle Obama will be First Lady, that we will have smart, lively, young children in the White House. I’m flying my flag, and ready to serve.

I’m ready to start the protests if Obama and a Democratic congress still can’t get anything done. I believe that Obama was elected to institute change, not just talk about it, and the congressional old-timers need to get on board or get packing. WE HAVE VERY HIGH EXPECTATIONS FOR YOU. I’m ready to start persuading the few Republicans who still admit it that Tax & Spend is better than Borrow & Spend.

Whatever Obama wants from me, I’m ready to help, to sacrifice, to serve, I'm even ready to try and get over the fact that the President of the United States might be younger than I am.