Showing posts with label #GenFab. Show all posts
Showing posts with label #GenFab. Show all posts

Sunday, May 5, 2013

What My Mom Taught Me - A Mother's Day Tribute


My mother passed away over a decade ago, yet I feel her presence daily.  Not in that metaphysical twilight-y zone sort of way, but more so by the many things she taught me.
Mom and me (circa 1988)

My mother was not a gourmet cook, a fashion icon, or a fabulous decorator. And, of course, neither am I.

Instead she concentrated on having a smile for everyone, every day.

She taught me to appreciate the truly important things. A kind gesture, a thank you, a loyal friend.

Now that she’s gone, she’s still teaching me. Reminding me to take the time to spend with those you love. 

She taught me that life isn’t about counting hours; instead it’s about appreciating minutes. 

L-R, Mom as a bride (1945), a young mother (1946), and attending church on Sunday (1951)
Mom grew up during the depression, and she instilled a deep sense of re-purposing materials, do-it-yourself projects, hand-me-down clothes and furniture, and appreciation for anything (or anyone, for that matter) with a patina. 

I miss her more and more everyday.

If you're lucky enough to have your mother this Mother's Day, give her an extra hug, spend an extra minute, and please, above all, appreciate the time you have together. 


Please continue reading posts from Generation Fabulous and learn what their mothers taught them by clicking on the links below.


Monday, February 11, 2013

My Not So Secret Crush on Alex Rodriguez


There were about seven of us girls at a local restaurant to celebrate my birthday, when in walked Alex Rodriguez, otherwise known as A-Rod. 

Yes, THE A-ROD!  The New York Yankees third baseman!

He came over to the table and said he heard it was my birthday and was it okay if he joined us.  He proceeded to explain that my friends had arranged this wonderful birthday surprise for me as they heard he was in town and they knew I was a big fan.  

I was wide-eyed and tongue-tied but Alex was gracious, smiling, witty, and charming. It was my best birthday dinner EVER!
A really bad photoshop of my picture over his former wife's face.
Sad. I know.
But my sister-in-law thought it was real when she saw it on facebook.
Original Source: Newscom

And then I woke up. 

Seriously.  I woke up. I was DREAMING!

Ever since Alex Rodriguez joined the Yankees I have been a big fan.  Much to my real-life husband’s chagrin, I refer to Alex as my “make-believe husband”.  

And I have stuck with him through all the media hoopla. The Madonna kabbalah (who would have thought he’d go for the older ladies-and do I have a chance?) the Cameron Diaz popcorn time, and all the carrying on with the adorable Kate Hudson.  

But if he leaves the Yankees I just might drop him like a hot potato.

Baseball fans are fickle like that you know!

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Dear Readers,
I am lucky to belong to an amazing Facebook group called Generation Fabulous, GenFab, or #GenFab, for short. And this week, I'm participating in this group's fourth blog hop on celebrity crushes. Please read some of the funny stories that they've shared!

And I'd love to hear about your celebrity crush in the comment section below!

Note: This GenFab bloghop was featured in the Huffington Post on 2-12-13. Click HERE to view their summary and slideshow. Yes. That's my Alex and a quote from yours truly on slide 14.

Sunday, January 6, 2013

Smokin' Hot: A Complete Fashion Disaster

Dear Readers,
I am lucky to belong to an amazing Facebook group called Generation Fabulous, GenFab, or #GenFab, for short. And this week, I'm participating in this group's third blog hop! Our assignment is to write about our worst fashion mistake. 

No matter your generation, we've all had them! The 50's poodle skirts, the 60's saddle shoes, the 70's hip huggers, the 80's big hair! Each generation has had their fair share of bad hair and fashion disasters! Read on and enjoy!  

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My worst fashion mistake. 
Of course, you see it NOW.
                                   

But back THEN, in 1989, at the time this picture was taken,

...my mother might have told you it was the hair hanging in my eyes.  
(She was a smoker)

...my former hairdresser might have said it's the stringy long hair.  
(She was a smoker)

...my boyfriend would have mentioned the excessive black eyeliner.  
(He was a smoker)

...and of course, my dermatologist would remind me that I need to spend a lot less time in the sun. 
(You know, he might have had a point there!)

But today, you and I know what it is.  

It's that nasty cigarette dangling in my hand.

Let's face it, a cigarette is not exactly an attractive fashion accessory. But apparently I thought it was at the time.

That cigarette, and many others, caused discolored teeth, premature wrinkling, and at one time, excessive coughing, chronic colds and upper respiratory infections.  

Not to mention occasional burn marks in my clothes, smelling like an ashtray, and a direct hit to my disposable income due to the cost per pack of those ridiculous things.

Talk about a fashion nightmare! 

HBO even made a point of showing how unflattering a cigarette looks on the ultra chic and fashion forward Ms. Carrie Bradshaw in many episodes of Sex and the City.
Photo Source: Tumbler
http://26.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_l0dsigt2j51qz9bjro1_500.jpg

YUCK!

Smokin' hot - it's not!

The best thing I ever did, THE BEST THING EVER, is quit.

Don't let Carrie Bradshaw's...and my... fashion faux pas, be yours.  

If you smoke, STOP NOW!

Because honestly, 
it should never have been "in" fashion.


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You really do want to read the rest of the GenFab members' fashion hazard posts, which you’ll find listed below.

*NOTE: *You must be a member of  the GenerationFabulous group to participate with a fashion entry in this BlogHop. If you are interested in joining contact HERE for more information.



And please, share YOUR fashion nightmares in my comment section below!

Monday, December 3, 2012

Bald Men Have the Prettiest Wives - or How I Met My Better Half


Dear Readers,
I am lucky to belong to an amazing Facebook group called Generation Fabulous, GenFab, or #GenFab, for short. And this week, I'm participating in this group's second blog hop! Our assignment is to write about how we met our spouse/significant other.
In addition to my post, you really do want to read the rest of the GenFab members' posts, which you’ll find listed at the bottom of this page.

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He was ON THE FLOOR in a BAR when I first spotted him. 

Kneeling.  (You sillies - what were you thinking!!!???)

He was KNEELING on the floor talking with two pretty girls who were sitting at a table in the country-western nightclub that I managed.  His long lanky legs stretched across the aisle that was the main thoroughfare of the club. A few waitresses had to walk around him, and some customers in the dark smoky bar nearly tripped over the long legs that were blocking most of the aisle.

It was my job to tell him to move.  He nodded good naturedly with that 'good ole boy' smile he has.

And then...he ignored my request. THE NERVE!  (Did I mention that the two girls were VERY pretty?)

Argh. IDIOT.  I went back over and told him to move his legs out of the way.  

Again, he smiled and nodded. And again, he brushed me off.

I went back over and told him he had to move. NOW. Or he was out. O*U*T - OUT.  Leave. His choice.

Smart boy.
    
He moved.

He started coming in regularly to listen to the country bands the club featured.  We started talking. He had moved up to CT as a teenager from his native Virginia. He pronounces his home state in a soft slow southern drawl, "Vah-JHIN-yuh."

I kind of liked the way he talked.  Yup. Me, a born and bred New England Swamp Yankee. 

I also kind of liked the way he was a true southern gentleman and never said anything bad about anyone.  And he was funny.  REALLY funny!  Quick witted and always making me laugh. One day, while a group of us were teasing him about the 'bald' head that he hid under his cowboy hat, he countered back that bald men have the prettiest wives.

For some reason I thought about that remark a lot.

Whenever he came in the club I made it a point to sit and talk with him for a while.  We became fast friends. And for some reason I start noticing that the bald men I saw around town actually did have REALLY pretty wives. Go figure.  

Eventually, one of the customers at the club started dating him.  I told her to be good to him and that I thought he was a really nice guy.  A keeper!  I told her not to screw this relationship up.  They go out a couple of times … but it never leads to anything serious.  

He continues to come in and we talk.  One night he asks me if I’d ever like to go out to dinner or something with him. Because I make it a habit not to date customers, I say: "Sure. As friends, right?"

He nods, but never sets a time or place.

A few months go by and some of my friends start saying that they think he likes me and that we should go out.  I laugh it off and say, "nah." But secretly I’m thinking, "hmmm, why not?" A few weeks later he goes away with some buddies for a short vacation.

I realize I miss him when he doesn't come in that week.  Really miss him.  And when he returns I tell him so. But kind of casually.  You know, like in a collective 'we' missed you this week.  I think he takes it in a friendly way.  But he does ask again a little later, "Would you like to go out to dinner sometime?" 

This time I'm quicker on my feet. I say:  "Yes. Thursday. Pick me up at seven."

We went out on that first date in September 1991 and got married five short months later in February 1992.  Poor boy.  He still doesn't know what hit him! 

You see, I simply decided I wanted to be one of those pretty wives.

And the moral of the story? Marrying my handsome husband automatically made me one.


Read how some other members of GenFabTM met some of the people who became their other halves below...

Enjoy!  


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