Sunday, July 29, 2018

INDEED... IT HAPPENED


Dedicated to: Gail, who through a stroke of luck, happened  upon my blog and had such kind words to send my way. So happy you accidently discovered Living As Linda. And… had a chuckle or two while visiting.

So low and behold the big day has indeed now come and gone. The day I turned 70 years old.

Turns out it was a wonderful day, as was the big celebration a few days before. Am so telling you… a sure way to overcome the shock of becoming way old is to totally have a bunch of your favorite folks at a happy bash and bingo. Next thing you know, the disturbing realization of being much closer to The End is suddenly soothed by celebrating with family and friends.

For believe you me… turning 70 is a milestone, for sure. Besides, who even knows whether or not I’ll even be around for 75 so what the hell. Celebrate now. Serioulsy… know just how many people never even SEE 70?? I have too many friends who didn’t and don’t even get me started on celebrities, etc. who not only kicked the bucket before hand but more importantly… suffered from ill health. Uh… apparently my addiction to Diet Coke and a high carb diet has paid off pretty well up to this point. From here on in, who the hell cares whether or not I hold out to 75. Life has been pretty damn good to me and I’ve enjoyed the ride, plenty. Thus shed no tears if I happen to meet my Maker before 75. I’ve lived what I affectionately call a “lifetime” already, thank goodness. So what could be bad?


Besides… becoming 80??? OMG. I don’t even want to think of my physical condition by then. For I see no glory whatsoever in not knowing what the hell day it is or not being able to drive or God forbid… being in pain. Nor is there any glory in living beyond the monies one may have to support a somewhat comfy life style. No bucks, no life, is the way I see it. Anyway…


Sure enough, I had a great party. There were about 44 of us gathered for a great evening of excellent food, excellent rock and roll, bebopping on the dance floor and naturally… enjoying some outstanding birthday cake. The weather was delightful after days and days of rain and plans for having coffee and cake out on the veranda, amongst the stunning NC mountains, worked out perfectly fine. Yippee. My guests and I had fun, for sure.

Oh yeah… in case you don’t know exactly what 70 looks like in 2018… boom. There you have it in the picture up above. Thanks btw, to the photographer, Nick, whom I hired to make sure the momentous occasion was captured for posterity. Yes… I know. Jane Fonda looked about 40 at her 70th birthday party, but basically SHE is a freak of nature. Not to mention: stunning. I on the other hand am neither but who gives a shit. Which reminds me... you've checked out Christie Brinkley lately?? SO not fair. Oh well.

All in all I have about 175 pictures and I must admit, everyone in them look like they had a terrific time. The tables and centerpieces all looked pretty festive and thus I was able to capture just the vibe for which I was hoping. It was simple: fun and feast.  Bingo. Mission accomplished.

And just to assure we got off to the right start, btw, I had guests being served champagne as they entered the party. My take is: no sense being bummed when you can so easily be buzzed. Kinda like: why take chances your shindig is a flop.

I must admit… I would have loved to have had my brother and parents at my party. They would never have believed that I was so happy to celebrate this occasion. Nor that I am so happy here in my beloved little town, let alone how glad I am to have my sister and sister in law living here, as well.

So basically, the bottom line is: YAY BIRTHDAYS! For all of you who can celebrate in a big way or small… celebrate indeed! Life is to be enjoyed and while they say it’s the little things in life that count, believe you me, bigger, happy bashes totally don’t hurt in the least.

Now of course, I’m off to begin my pre-prep for a colonoscopy I am having this week. The actual prep begins tomorrow. Don’t ask. Yet another sign of being 70. Not a great sign mind you, but a sign nonetheless. Speaking of which: Dear God. Please don’t let me shrink one iota this coming year. I could almost handle the colonoscopy better than I might a short stature.








Sunday, May 13, 2018

PURGING


No. I’m not bulimic. Though at times I totally think it’s an optimal way to keep my weight in check. Instead, as I’ve mentioned before, I’m in the throes of purging a zillion household items.

It all began about two months ago, knowing my 70th birthday was just around the corner. For some reason, THIS birthday, more than any other, has affected me far more than I’d have ever imagined. I mean seriously… it hit me that when you hit 70, you have totally entered into old age. When you hit 80, you’re CERtainly looking towards the other side of the grass. Anyway…

The major reaction to my birthday this year is to completely rid myself of 50% of everything in my house. I have SO many things I no longer need nor use. From my beautiful fancy china, to jewelry, to lingerie, to crystal wine glasses, to vases, to books, to DVDs, to linens, to almost any and every thing. I’ve got so much stunning crap, you’d never believe it. But stunning or not... the time has come to purge with a vengeance.

I started with my closet. And… I'm not even close to emptying it. There are 3 pretty decent sized closets in my house, my personal walk in closet definitely being the largest. Which actually is why I fell in love with house in the first place. I’ve also got 2 smaller closets and another 2 even smaller. In the meantime, I’ve already carted off 6 huge bags of stuff I’m  finally ready to part with and as we speak… I have 4 more bags sitting on my bedroom floor ready to head on out next week. I’m way far off from completing this task, too, considering the 10 bags I’ve filled is only from ONE side of my closet. Eeks.

Plus… I haven’t even tackled my drawers, the linen closet nor the other two closets of clothes, either. I’m telling you… this is a project that could take me well into my 71st birthday! But that’s okay because I truly have to say… it’s a fanTAStic feeling to be cleansing myself of all this beautiful, adored shit. You’d almost think I’d be so sad to rid myself of so many things I’ve enjoyed for so many years but actually… its like lifting so much weight off my shoulders. Talk about conspicous consumption!

Oh yeah… and I’ve got to eventually get to the garage, too. THAT will be like 4 projects rolled into one. It’s just that the time has come for all my crap to find a new home. To I hope, a really nice home. Actually, my kid should be really happy I’m doing all this because 1.) he probably doesn’t want any of these treasures, valuable or not and 2.) whatever I don’t get rid of now… he’ll have to do when I kick the bucket! Oh… get this… I even seriously considered getting rid of my house and downsizing! Then of course, I came to my senses. Although I did check out several condos, but I’m so not ready for that YET.

It’s just too bad I’m so lazy for were I to have a garage sale, I could rake in plenty! But even that is too overwhelming for me to even think about. Just tagging the items could take me weeks. Remember: I’m old now.

I’m basically way into the less is more mode right now and as I said… I’m pretty happy about it. My goal is to make my house look much like it did a week after I moved into it. Something here. Something there. Minimal accessories. Whoever said purging isn't healthy needs to think again. For me... it's cleansing as hell.   




Wednesday, May 2, 2018

AM SUCH A LAZY ASS

I know. It’s been AGES since I’ve added to this blog of mine... which many of you call fantastic, btw... and part of the delay has been due to my being so damn busy. Which is totally true; yet an even bigger part of it has been due to my simply being so damn lazy. So lazy in fact, that this is actually the very first entry I’ve added since the end of 2017. So much has been going on that frankly, I don’t even know where to start… let alone what I can even remember. The thought of creating all the posts I wish to upload is so overwhelming to me that… uh… I’m just way too lazy to even attempt it. Therefore…

I’m beginning to think that maybe the best way for me to catch up and remind myself of what I’ve been up to for the past six months is to merely do it by way of pictures. Now THERE’S a lazy-ass way of doing things, if ever there was. Of course I’m going to have to go check which picts I have and hopefully come up with a few that will bring us all up to date in the Land of Linda.

Naturally… the first item to note will be THE big event of 2018. And, no. I don’t mean Michael Cohen heading to the Big House, which of course I pray he will eventually share with the guy who’s now in the White House. Nor do I mean the wedding of Harry and Meghan which is a huge event if ever there was. 

No. I mean, instead, MY TURNING 70 YEARS OLD IN JUST OVER TWO WEEKS FROM NOW!! 

To me, this is THE major wonder of all that may happen in the coming year. I am just so floored over this, I can’t even tell you. Oh yeah… and as a side note… Harry’s marriage happens to occur on my very birthday but trust me, it goes without saying, MY event is way more monumental! Therefore…

I am going to start my picture blog with a shot of my birthday invitation. I loved every minute of creating it… and btw, you’d have thought I was creating the invite to Royal Wedding, but whatever. I eventually came up with something I liked and for all of you who didn’t get one specifically, it's a shame, for I must say, the evening is going to be totally excellent. Besides, like for all major events, I had to have SOME sort of a cut off point.



Granted… I could totally write an entire entry for any one of these photos but as I said, I’m too damn lazy. Anyway, up next is a shot for a friend of mine who decided to become a vegetarian. She even uploads a bunch of videos in which she tests vegan packaged snacks, in real time. Some are apparently pretty decent in the taste department while others totally suck. In her honor, I myself tried a vegetarian dinner one night and I must say it was deLICious. No wonder. Look what I made.



Speaking of food… I don’t know where I was but from the photo, I apparently had ordered breakfast. A damn good breakfast, I might add. Uh… and pretty filling. Again, no wonder. Check out my order which  is pretty much true to form although I must admit I never finish the entire meal. Well, except for this morning. Wow. Some hungry man meal, if ever there was.



So I was in Florida a couple of months ago and had a fantastic time. Most people take photos of all the activites they do and all the people they were with. Not me. I had to shoot a pair of boots I saw in Nordstrom’s which are way up my alley. Uh… minus the pricing. I’m thinking they were around $500 – $600 but now they’re on sale, priced at $300, so never say never. Except: unless I move to Hollywood, I think we’re safe to say never.



This photo is maybe my alltime favorite. I was still in Florida at the time and it’s of a man named Abe who soon became my buddy while I was out on the hotel’s patio, off the pool area. I was totally intrigued by him IMMEDIATELY. Namely because he never put his teeth into his mouth unless he was leaving the hotel. Soon enough he started chatting me up while on the patio each day and don’t ask what I learned about this 90 year old man! After being there for five days, I learned PLENTY. Including the fact he loved every outfit I had worn each day. Huh? He’s sizing up my clothing rather than checking out all the hot young ladies in their string bikinis?? Shows how off his thinking is as he gets really old. Oh yeah… his wife kicked the bucket a couple of years ago, so his daughter wanted him to check out some senior living facilities. You can now see why. He spent hours napping, which actually, is right up my alley. I can't beLIEVE how much this photo... which he had no clue I took... makes me laugh!



So one day recently I decided to make some eggs. I cracked three, thinking I’ll go with an omelet. I was STUNNED to find that I instead, was having five! I couldn’t believe it. Two of the eggs I cracked actually had twins! There were two with double yokes and frankly, I almost cringed at the thought of eating them. On the other hand, I was starved, so I lived on the edge and scrambled them anyway. Like what the hell are the odds of this ever happening??? 3 to 5 maybe???



This may be my favorite photo of all, one which I think I may actually have to frame. I was in Atlanta for a long weekend recently, and we were on the 18th floor. Which in turn gave me excellent views from the huge balcony off the bedroom. What I was most struck with was the building across the way, which was made of glass windows that were sort of all lined up, but catty-cornered to each other. So that basically, each corner was touching the one next to it but at an almost 45 degree angle. Granted, I was far from being able to check it out for size and/or degree verification, but the reflection from these windows, of all the buildings around it, gave it a fanTAStic, amazing architectural design. It totally blew my mind. I zoomed my lens way in, and bingo, this is what I was able to capture! I so deserve a photography award.



Ever go out to dinner, hoping you’ll be safe and sound from any criminal activity? Yeah, well I do too, which is why I was a little startled when I was dining at a downtown restaurant recently and lo and behold what do I see as soon as I walk in? A GANGSTER POINTING HIS GUN!! Seriously. Naturally, I fell in love with him immediately thus had to pose with this guy who I’ll just call Johnny the Thug. I also had to imagine, btw, this is SO not what I call great customer relations, but wtf. I took a picture with him nonetheless. I mean really… in this day and age, and especially my being so anti gun, talk about politically incorrect. A crazy photo op however, right??



I adore this next photo! Man… I simply HAD to laugh right out loud! So the deal is… Zebulon had gone outside to play in the backyard, which he does a zillion times a day, given he has free access to come and go as he pleases. This time however, apparently he went out just after my lawn had been mowed and voila'! I took one look at him when he came back in and grabbed my camera immediately!  Can you blame me?? He is just so adorable, you can't believe it. This is hilarious. Just LOOK at his paws!



Speaking of outside… SPRING IS HERE. Want proof?? Here. Take a look at the flowers you can see when walking downtown. Stunning! Unfortunately this flower remains in bloom for maybe two weeks?? Which is too bad, for it only means one thing: summer is here soon; a season I HATE.



And last but not least… ME AT 70! Also, me with the beginning of permanent wrinkles. EEKS. So not attractive but it is what it is. In the meantime I am, for the first time ever, having a mild meltdown at how old I am! It's amazing to me that I'm so freaked about beginning my 70s, mainly because I can not even IMAGINE reaching my 80s. Also because, you are officially OLD when you are in your 7th decade. I'm even beginning to purge all my worldly goods, unless they are absolutely exceptionally important to me. Even my treasured private biographical library of every member of the British Monarchy, starting with Queen Victoria, is on it's way out the door. Not to mention the purging of my closet, jewelry, DVDs, knick knacks, etc. etc.


  
So there you have it… my life from the past six months in a kind of photographic capsule. Now… if only it won’t take me another six months before I get back into the blogging groove, I’ll be a happy woman. More importantly YOU’LL be a happy reader. Unless of course this lazy ass way of life becomes a permanent life style for me, which is so probable, indeed! YEA! MY BIRTHDAY IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER. Gulp.