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Dear TwinkleGrammers,
I was thinking about sending out a TwinkleGram Christmas wish, and the next thing I knew, it was 2008. So, let's pick it up where we are: if you celebrate Christmas, you likely have your tree down already (or not), cards mailed (or skipped them this year), wrapping done (or perhaps you stuffed everything into grocery bags like I did one year), unwrapping behind you, exchanges at least in the works, you no longer care about burnt out bulbs (WAHOO!), and long ago rifled the rest of the turkey leftovers down the garbage disposal because you simply couldn't stand to look at one more spoonful. All that, and the New Year's confetti vacuumed up, too. Or not.
Or perhaps you've decided those colorful little confetti dots that are stuck all over your carpet add something to your decorating scheme, and, in fact, you might, by golly, just send a digital picture of your dot-o-color idea to HGTV! Which I've been watching way too much of lately, and which makes me discontent with my surroundings.
Wherever you find yourself today, one thing is for sure: every new year brings a new beginning, as does every new second. So, what are we waiting for?! Let the NEWNESS BEGIN!
And begin AGAIN if you've already blown it between paragraphs. Remember, every new second is . . .
new.
New.
NEW!
Peace and grins,
 |
 Today's Message
Well, yippie for us! George and I finally got to take our cruise! It was our first Real Vacation in several years, and we were more than ready to kick back and hit the sea. Cruising was fabulous, aside from that One Terrible Day that threw us for a loop--literally. Ah, how quickly things changed due to tropical storm Olga! But alas, soon there was a new beginning to the post Olga tossing and turning, and we quickly resettled into that wonderful relaxed place.
Although we vacationed toward the end of 2007, after the wild year we'd endured (two knee replacements, one broken leg . . . ), the fact we were heading off to relax felt like a new beginning, which is what got me to thinking about change. Yes, it was time for change.
The first thing I did after we boarded the ship was to scurry to the spa and make appointments for a haircut (time for a spiffy new "do", especially since I'd been cutting my own hair the last year or so), a pedicure (only the fourth in my life) and a hot stone massage. At 9:30 the next morning, I was in the stylist's chair with a drape around my neck, listening to myself say, "Do whatever you want with my hair. It's time for SOMETHING NEW!" (Those of you who've been with me for a few years know this isn't the first time I've done something this drastic in a salon chair.)
Standing behind me, both of us facing the mirror, she studied my head for a bit, pulled backmy hair, pushed it around this way and that, made note of my cowlick, turned me around and tilted my chin up toward her for a closer inspection, then spun me back around toward the mirror. I must say, I felt duly scrutinized, already cuter (man, I was flashing her an enthusiastic smile!), and ready for action. Ready for change. Ready for a new beginning.
Then she spoke, and I am not exaggerating any of this.
"You need color in your hair, and I've got time to extend your appointment! And see these dark circles under your eyes, and the deep lines around your chin?" She points so I don't miss the terrible tragedies. "I have a wonderful skin treatment that can help eradicate those issues."
But wait, there's more.
"We also have an onboard special going for teeth whitening, which you need. That would definitely help brighten your face," which, by now, had turned into a cross between wide-eyed shock, and grief for the pitiful mess of a woman I'd suddenly become.
I stared at her for a moment, striving to pick my ego up off my undoubtedly flabby lap, which I was glad secretly blobbed itself beneath the giant drape--although I felt certain she'd noticed that, too, while she was snapping the drape into place.
Okay, Charlene. Let's give both of us a chance to start over. You have a choice here: You can hissy fit, become depressed over vanities, or, yes, at least pretend you're starting over.
Make yourself clear: you are here this morning for a haircut. Period. You are on vacation. And, you are fine the way you are--well, aside from the hair.
"I appreciate your observations," I say, struggling to MEAN IT, "but to be honest, the only thing I'm concerned about this morning is my hair. And," I say firmly, "I'm happy with the silver." She raises her eyebrows, smiles, takes my--HINT!--and begins cutting with the fervor of an Iron Chef competition. She nearly gives me a pixie, but it's a GREAT haircut, and believe it or not, I am grateful for her talents.
Thank you, God, I noticed the CHOICE for a new beginning, a fresh start, a do-over.
Later that day, I received my hot stone massage. Absolute bliss. Bliss. Each moment the therapist worked her magic rendered an eagerness for the next moment of her magic. When she was done, I slithered into a terrycloth robe and sat in a lounge chair watching the ocean, while sipping a cold, refreshing glass of water. The next morning I got my pedicure, which I received while sporting a sexy new do and an utterly relaxed spirit. I selected a RED-red polish in honor of the holidays. YES, ADORABLE!
HERE'S THE DEAL: You have a choice here, right this very sentence. You can choose to let careless words (yours, or those of another), or a television advertisement that makes you feel like you're sub par, or a bad day, or your third red stoplight in a row, or your stupid mistake, or your bad memory, or your ruined meat loaf, or the friend who forgot to call you on your birthday, or your mouthy child, or your snoring spouse, or the (fill in the blank) ruin many of your next moments, days, weeks, months or years. OR, you can determine to start over. On the spot. Right now. Wipe your memory clean. Extend the benefit of the doubt. Accept your humanness. Offer grace. Move on. Clarify your wishes.
See the reality: you are God's beloved child, and every moment offers a fresh choice as to what you want to do about, and with, that status!
Sure, you might not be able to go on a cruise, get a massage, a pedicure and a new "do" right this minute (or even within the next couple years), but you can TAKE FIVE to TAKE TIME to START AGAIN! You likely can, within the next 24 hours, don your robe, get you a nice glass of something refreshing, and sip it while staring at something beautiful (which is always in the eye of the beholder), whether that beauty come packaged as a picture of your kids, a sunset or sunrise (or a picture of one), your favorite pair of worn out slippers, a Happy Meal from McDonalds, or your own face in the mirror, which reflects living proof that you are ALIVE and ready for a new beginning.
Here's to Happy New Year, happy moments, happy new beginnings and happy you.
If you're the friend who received the forward, SUBSCRIBE!
PS That picture of We Two Lovebirds is pre haircut. And honestly, doesn't it look like it's right out of On Golden Pond?!
Adorable? YES! OLD? Absolutely! |
Dearest Dorothy BOOK CLUB, Audio and Large Print News
Dearest Dorothy, If Not Now, When Reading Group Guides! Go Get Them! Dearest Dorothy, Merry Everything! is available in audio. Go Get It!
Dearest Dorothy, Help! I've Lost Myself! available in large print. Go Get It!
If the Audio and Large Print items are out of your budget, perhaps you can talk your library into stocking them. Better yet, maybe they already have them. But the Reading Group Guides are FREE! WAHOO!
Need some FUN post-holiday reading?
Dearest Dorothy, If Not Now, When?
by Charlene Baumbich by Penguin Books
Paperback ~ Release Date: 2007-09-25 
List Price: $14.00
Our Price: $11.20 Buy Now |
TwinkleGrammer Survey Says
I am laughing while typing. The last survey addressed what we forget, and it seems many of you forgot to fill out the survey since about half as many participated in this survey as the last. HAHAHAHA! However, I have no doubt the holidays consumed your extra time. But now we're getting back on track, so GET RIGHT TO THE NEXT SURVEY, WHICH IS ABOUT OUR PETS! Dogs? Cats? Iguanas? Allergies? Fears? ANNOYANCES?
But FIRST, isn't your curiosity piqued about what we forget/forgot? Wonder no more: This link will take you to the WHAT WE FORGET survey stats! And here's something that'll make you feel better--or not: The worst thing MANY of you have forgotten is your children! Seems you've left them stranded all over the place. The good news: You did ultimately remember them. Whew!
Since typed answers aren't available to you, I'll share a few of my favs. Y'all have the most interesting lives! The response with the * wins this month's book give away! I'm contacting the winner in privately, lest she didn't want her name revealed, what with that dart scar on her head. ------------------------------
THE THING I MOST ROUTINELY FORGET TO DO IS:
--After turning on the hose to fill the water trough for the donkeys, I'm usually in the house and think, "Did I turn off the water". So, that's how I get my exercise running back and forth checking on my absentmindedness. Just turned sixty years old this year and will be retiring from the postal service in a few months after 30 years of service. I just hope I can retire before I do something to embarass myself.
--Practice my mandolin. I have wanted to learn how to play one for years and bought one almost two years ago. It is laying on the piano bench and every night I think tomorrow I will remember to practice. I should put it on the chair where I sit to eat as a reminder.
--Anything my husband tells me to do :)
TO WHAT DO YOU ATTRIBUTE YOUR GROWING FORGETFULNESS?:
--hyperactive five-year-old and a fight-picking fourteen-year-old!
THE WORST THING I FORGOT TO DO WAS:
*--To tell my mom that I had a steel dart broken off in my skull when I was 4 years old. I didn't remember about it until 9 years later!! At first I didn't want to rat out the big kids watching me (I walked in front of the kid who threw it) Sure....it hurt like HECK!! And then, well, after the first couple of years or so, ya just kinda forgot it had happened even though it grew a BIG cyst around it... until the doc removing the cyst said, "Hey! It looks like the tip of a dart in here!" BINGO!
If this TwinkleGram was forwarded by a friend, SUBSCRIBE! |
| An IMPORTANT REMINDER . . .
"Forward email," "SafeUnsubscribe," "Update Profile/Email Address," etc. links are available at the bottom of this e-mail. Those are all hyperlinks for YOU (not me) to do those things. So, please keep a TwinkleGram handy so you can make changes, like, say, you get a new email address. The way I've set things up, it's WAAAAAY easier for YOU (not me) to handily manage your own subscription. Thanks! | |
