Review – The Widow and the Orphan

The Widow and the Orphan by J. Thomas-Like

 

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

So, so, so, so sad. I had tears in my eyes reading about Pepper who found the man of her dreams only to find out that he was dying. Throughout the book we find out how Pepper and Gabe manage to pull themselves through this tragedy.

Insisting that they get married, Gabe treats her to a beautiful wedding only to be surprised himself when an unexpected child shows up! Having to plan a wedding, then a funeral and cope with motherhood….you wonder what will happen next…..yes, there is another surprise.

But you will have to read to book to find out the situation Pepper finds herself in next. Lovely story.

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And here’s another A Box

Although I am often writing about my Avon business (which I love) I often find myself wondering what my customers would like to see.  I put myself out there and often get calls, texts and emails asking me about various products that I sell and always asking for books to be dropped off or mailed to them.

After some time planning my job of interacting with people and passing out my books and sample I have noticed that everyone is interested in something new.  Yes we all use mascara (usually black) and we all love eyeliner (colors vary) and of course we all need that skin care regimen….but what would really pump you up to go in there and order something new!

And I am finding out that our new A Box has everyone jumping.  A value of $48 but you can get it for only $10…..and a new one is available with every campaign…..I even buy them….was thinking of doing a raffle or a giveaway incentive on the ones I buy – if I can part with them.  I have a video here that maybe will have you looking at the A Box a different way…..maybe you would like one!  Need one?  Order it at www.youravon.com/ashapiro

What does your kitchen counter look like?

Delta recommends only 4 items on your counter

 

Coffee maker (of course, a day without coffee?)

Soap dispenser (can do, although I usually use the one in the powder room)

Stand Mixer (no way, baking days are over)

Fruit Bowl (fruit doesnt last long enough to be in a fruit bowl)

So that leaves me with only 2 items on my counter BUT where is the toaster oven, and the microwave?

Ok that makes 4 since I eliminated 2……BUT I also have my knives in a block, my container of tea, sugar bowl, coffee cup holder, and since my counter is small to begin with – no room..actually a little working area to make a sandwich or two.  I often clean off my counter of unnecessary items only to bring them out again because they are used…..every day…..so why go through the trouble of putting them in an out of the closet – which is jammed already.  I really need to rethink my kitchen counters…..but it is so much easier to leave the cookies out on the counter then to climb to get the out of the closet every time a grandchild asked for them!

What does your kitchen counter look like?

Time to Declutter

Declutter Your Mind: How to Stop Worrying, Relieve Anxiety, and Eliminate Negative Thinking by S.J. Scott

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Ah, clutter…we all have it. And in today’s world it has gotten into our minds. There are some very good points in this book on how to handle the everyday worries and anxiety that seem to affect all of us. But reading about eliminating it and doing it is quite different. We can always try and I do follow some of the points given in this book but somehow I really am not sure you can turn off what swirls in your mind every minute, hour or day.

But at least this is a road map to follow. And I suppose if you are really diligent about it, it will work. Having just retired I certainly have eliminated the stress of work….that’s a start!

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We went there

It was the hottest day so far in July – 95 degrees….and we went into the city to see a Broadway show.  We heard raves on A Bronx Tale and just had to see it.  We dont do it often but while we managed to get to the theater via car and also found a parking lot right across the street from the theater…..it was a good day.  Being too hot to wait on line outside, my hubby ventured in and spoke to one of the men there who so kindly got us chairs and allowed us to wait in the lobby until the opening of the doors in a half hour.

The seats were good (small theaters are the best) and the show was fabulous.  It was more for us baby boomers who remembered how things were back in the day when we sat on stoops (those are the stairs outside of your building) and hung out with friends, some singing and some getting into trouble.  Nowadays everyone is hooked up to a tech device….where are the good old day?

If you get a chance to see this show, or have seen it already let me know.  It’s a tale of a boy who witnesses a killing and then is torn between his his two mentors —- his father….and a mobster.  Read what the NY Times has said about it here ……when it first came out.

 

Tomorrow is the day

Yesterday I spent two hours going over papers.  Reading, signing and having them notarized.  Picking options, making copies … Today I sorted through them re-checking everything to make sure I had all the forms properly filled out.

Tomorrow I will take all these papers and go directly to the office where I will put in my Retirement papers to make it official.  How do I feel you ask me (or maybe you dont) but I really cant explain it.  Happy, Sad, Afraid, Sorry, Excited…

All of the above.  I want to because it is time.  I look forward to doing whatever I want, waking when I want – even if it is early in the morning.  Shopping in stores that are not crowded – doing errands during the week instead of everything on Saturday or even better, on my way home from work.

Yes, I am looking forward to it…..will let you know how it went – they say it will take about two hours….well, once it is done all I have to do is finish out the rest of the school year (12 days but who’s counting)  and – that’s it!

Bowling time

Are you a bowler? Have you ever been. That was one sport (if you can call it a sport) that I loved and excelled in. I even belonged to a league. Now at the age of 70 I am more inclined to stay away (the knees arent what they used to be) but I still love to watch it….

So this weekend when I was invited to my grandson’s birthday at a bowling alley, I was excited to go.  And I wasnt disappointed.  The kids had a ball, and I loved watching them.  Taking pictures of them, and the way they got into bowling was great.  They also had arcade games there so the little ones who didnt want to bowl could be entertained.

And what better food than pizza, chicken fingers, and french fries……