Goodbye to January

It seems like the holidays were just here but in fact we have already made it through the first month of January. Man time flies. One month down and 11 to go in 2009. January wasn’t especially remarkable in my world. I got my fair share of culture between attending a couple of Avalanche hockey games, a night at the Symphony and watching (on TV) our new President get sworn into office. I reacquainted myself with my gym and am proud to say I have lost the holiday pounds that creeped up on my body between Thanksgiving and New Years Eve. I have spent some quality time with friends and I have enjoyed some down time by reading a few good books. All in all, I can’t complain. I hope the start of 2009 was good for each of you as well. If not, February starts tomorrow. Make the most of it.

And baby makes 14

As you may have heard, a woman in California gave birth to octuplets earlier this week. Personally, this is something that I couldn’t even begin to imagine. What is even more stunning to me is that the mom already had six young children when she went for fertility treatments resulting in the 8 babies she just gave birth to. According to an article on the Today Show website the mother is “fairly young” and lives with her parents.
I’m sure I’m going to offend someone here so I apologize in advance but I find this whole situation completely irresponsible. The family’s friends and community will undoubtedly help and support them. I’m sure there will be donations like there are with many other large births in the form of donated transportation, diapers, and other necessities but at the end of the day this woman signed up for this. She had a sizeable family and decided she needed more. I guess my question is why would you put forth the effort and costly investment associated with fertility treatments when you clearly already have a healthy, sizeable family. Given the sacrifices and challenges that now face this family, the decision to do this sounds a little bit selfish to me.

Again, my apologies if I have offended anyone. Just hang with me for a few more days. Toad will be back on Monday. :-D

Observations of a Mail Geek

I just read today that the Postal Service may consider cutting back from six day a week mail delivery in an effort to cut their multi-billion dollar deficit. According to a study, this tactic could save the Postal Service anywhere from $1.9 billion to $3.5 billion. I am a complete mail geek. I love when the mailman comes. I probably check the mailbox 2 or 3 times a day before he comes to see if maybe he came and I missed him and I get cranky when he comes late. The funny thing about my mail obsession is that I don’t’ get a lot of fun mail. Like most of you, I primarily get bills, junk and magazines. I was kind of upset when I heard the Postal Service may be cutting back to 5 day delivery but the more I think about it, it sounds like a solid solution. There are other delivery options is something absolutely must get delivered on a certain day. Most businesses are closed on Saturday so it doesn’t seem to out of the question for the Postal Service to want the same thing. If it saves some money and helps reduce a debt then it probably is not a bad plan. This is by no means a done deal yet. Congress still needs to review and take a vote. In the mean time, I will continue my mail obsession and be happy that I get to stalk the mail carrier 6 days a week for my junk mail and catalogs.

How to obtain a healthy glow in the dead of winter

Next week I am headed to Playa del Carmen, Mexico for a few days of relaxing in the sun. In an effort to not be the whitest person on the beach and scare the other vacationers, I began to think about ways that I could work on a quick base tan. Ten years ago I would not have thought twice about heading straight to the nearest tanning salon and leaving fifteen minutes later looking like a lobster. Thankfully, as I’ve gotten older, I’ve also gotten a little smarter. I’m confident skin cancer will find me eventually, no need to rush the process.

Anyway, when I was at Target over the weekend I strolled into the skin care aisle and started looking at some self-tanning lotions. I remember when these products first came out and after lathering the lotion on, the user would then be a lovely shade of orange. For that reason I have actively avoided these products. It appears that self tanning lotion has actually come a long way. I picked up a bottle of Dove Energy Glow for Fair to Medium skin. It cost around $9 which to me was cheap enough that if I ended up pitching it after my first use, I wouldn’t feel like I’d had too much invested. I have to admit I am pleasantly surprised by the results. The color is very natural looking and not the pumpkin orange that it was when I was in college. In fact, I didn’t even realize that the lotion was really working until I caught a glimpse of my ankle in a mirror the other day. I have been lathering up my legs but not ankles and feet. I guess I need to start because there is a noticeable tan line at the bottom of my leg. Sweet! Thanks to Dove I won’t have the whitest, pastiest legs on the beach after all.

The 2 day project

For the last 5 days our jack of all trades – Norm – has been at our house re-doing our primary bathroom which is located off the hallway on our main floor. While there was nothing aesthetically wrong with the room, the shower was starting to leak slowly into the basement and mold was beginning to grow behind the tiles. For fear of sitting in the basement, watching TV and having the ceiling collapse on us from water damage, we decided to bite the bullet and get this repaired sooner rather than later.Typically when we call Norm to get on his schedule, we can guarantee at least a 3 or 4 week wait before he can get to us. When we called him on Monday, he said he could start the next day. Obviously times are tight in Norm’s world which is unfortunate for him but worked out very well for us. Norm showed up two days later (the next day actually did not work for us) and gave us a quote for “probably around $800.. unless there is some unforeseen mess when I tear out the shower”. This in itself made my husband and I cringe. The man who owned our house prior to us buying it was a self-proclaimed “handy man”. Please note the quotes around handy man. Unfortunately over time, we have found more than our share of things that he has tried to “fix” that has ended up costing us substantially when they break and we need to fix again. We never know where these fixes are or when they are going to pop up. The timing is generally never good. So.. needless to say, the bathroom was another one of these situations.Apparently the prior owner had installed the shower plumbing himself and had done a very shoddy job. Norm had to not only replace the plumbing in the main bathroom but also in the bathroom off of the master bedroom where the (cough) stellar prior guy had connected the two pieces of plumbing. Why have 2 when you can jerry rig it with one right? So..our two day job is now on day 6 and is undoubtedly going to cost much more than the originally quoted $800. The good news is that he thinks he’ll be done today. The results, while not yet finished, are great. Norm is fabulous and we can’t say enough great things about the work he does. Hopefully by the end of today, we will have a pretty new shower that is mold free with leak free plumbing and the comfort of knowing that yet another project of the former guy has been corrected and won’t come back to bite us when we least expect it.

Happy New Year

Today is the Chinese New Year. It is the year of the Ox. The Chinese New Year is often referred to as the Spring Festival and is celebrated after the fall harvest but before the spring planting season. The date always changes and is dependent on the Chinese calendar which is a combined solar/lunar calendar. I’d like to say that I know this because I’m that culturally in tune with other customs but in all reality I stumbled upon it while searching the web earlier today.

I am not sure what the traditions are for this holiday. If it’s anything like the New Year that I recently celebrated with good friends, it starts by over indulging with fine food and libations and ends with spending a day in bed cursing the headache that has plagued me by my own hand. Something tells me however that the Chinese are smarter than I am. Regardless of what the traditions may entail, Happy Chinese New Year to all. May it be prosperous and filled with hope.

Top Chef I'm Not

Anyone who knows me knows that cooking is not one of my strengths. I am capable of cooking but tend to overlook key ingredients or key instructions in the recipe. Oh… I was supposed to cook the chicken before putting it in the casserole? OOPs… missed that part. It drives my husband crazy but I’m very fortunate that he is a good cook and enjoys doing it most nights.



I begin with this insight into my culinary ability so that you will all understand how funny it was when I received a packet from the Cooking Club of America inviting me to join their club. The intro letter starts off with “Well, it’s no secret among your friends and family that you are an outstanding cook”. Hilarious! If my friends and family think that, it is definitely a well-kept secret. Average cook – Yes. Good cook, it’s rare but on occasion I don’t completely suck but outstanding cook.. in all honesty that is just not me. I undoubtedly ended up on their list because I subscribe to several cooking magazines. I may not be an “outstanding” cook but I certainly enjoy good food and it’s fun to pick out new recipes for my hubby to make. I’m pretty certain that I will not be joining the club but I definitely appreciate the invitation. It’s nice to feel wanted.

The First Daughters

Ty, the company that makes the Beanie Babies has recently introduced two new dolls named "Sweet Sasha" and "Marvelous Malia. According to a Ty spokesperson, the dolls names do not refer to President Barack Obama’s young daughters. The names were chosen because "they are beautiful names," not because of any resemblance to Malia and Sasha Obama. Right! The Sasha doll has pigtails and wears a white and pink dress with hearts. The Malia doll has a side ponytail and a long-sleeve shirt with capri pants.

Maybe it's just me but something about this is just wrong. These are people..not Beanie Babies. These girls were thrust into the spotlight by the fact that their father chose to run for the highest position of elected office in this country. Don't get me wrong.. I am a huge supporter of our new president but I think it's kind of tacky that we are capitalizing on his two little girls and creating dolls in their likeness. Oh.. sorry.. I forgot... NOT in their likeness. My bad. Pure coincidence.



I’m sure to many, Sasha and Malia (the real ones..not the dolls) are considered role models. They demonstrate to many that opportunities are everywhere and I'm sure that there are many little girls who would love to run out and get these dolls. If these dolls serve a positve purpose, and not just to put money in Ty's bank account, I encourage it. Hopefully the real Sasha and Malia will adapt well to life in the White House and will be able to retain their privacy and have fun being the little girls that they are. I wish them the best.

Jumping In Feet First

For the next week I will attempt to keep your attention while Toad is off relaxing in beautiful, sunny South Florida with Mrs. T. When I was first approached with the opportunity to be a guest contributor to To-The-Manner-Born I was a little unsure. I definitely thought it sounded like fun and would enjoy filling in for him but what on earth would I write about? Having spent the last few days pondering this, I have a new appreciation for all of you out there who blog on a daily basis and let us into your world. Thank you! Having not kept a blog myself but following many (including many of yours) each day, I can’t tell you how disappointing it is to log onto some of my favorite sites only to find that it is still the same post from the day before ..or (gasp) several days prior. How selfish of me. It’s only day 1 for me but I definitely now understand the time and effort that goes into such a task. I’m sure it gets easier over time but for a newbie.. WOW! For those who don’t update everyday… I now get it and promise to be more patient. Thanks again to all of you who give me something to read each day. I can’t promise to be as entertaining or thought provoking as Toad, but I hope that over the course of the next week I don’t disappoint and we all enjoy the ride. Thanks in advance for your support!

We're off

Toads are warm weather creatures. So, in search of warmth we are off to Florida. I promise not to return with stories and pretty pictures about how we had a better time in the warmth than you did in the cold.

Whilst away, I have promoted my dahlink daughter to Empress in Charge. She promised to continue our regular missives, in my absence. I leave you in her capable hands. I shall be incommunicado, and unable to defend you or myself from her barbs.

Be well, I'll miss you, but shall return February 2 or so.

Toad

PS. Please do not rob my house while I am away.

Follow up day

Fair Isle Sweater


The original sweater I solicited your opinion about, I did not win, but for half the price scored this one. The colors are not as vibrant, but I like it. It works very well with a camel cord jacket, barbour or light tweed. Thank you all for your opinions and sound advice.

Toad

Shorttimers Ltd

I am privileged to have met many interesting people through this blog. Its still a shock to me to whenever I am reading a blog and find a link to here. To all of you I thank. I am humbled and grateful for your review. Other times I get email from someone who has a fascinating tale to tell related to a something I have posted. This is about one of the best.

Recently I published a rambling story about my misadventures in the Air Force. The following day I received an email from a Mr. James West, who may or may not be The Wild Wild West. We'll have to find out later.

Mr. West is a disabled vet who enjoyed being short so much, he named his company: Shorttimers Ltd - Home Page

I have purposefully avoided being a shill for the companies I post about, but I make an exception here. Shorttimers deserves our support.

Toad

A friendly male reminder

Gentlemen may I offer a little advice?
First
You are NOT what you do at work!!!!!!!! You are a spouse, companion, friend, lover, father, brother......

You and the world deserve better, than for you to think of yourself so narrowly. That just because you do whatever it is that you do, that's who you are is just so wrong. Want confirmation?

Your kids don't have a clue what you do and they still like you.

Second
Gents it's cold outside. Drop her off at the door, she'll wait for you... inside.

Toad
(Can you tell I have spent too much time with the recently unemployed lately?)

The Gentleman's Library Sale at Bonhams

If you are not the sort of chap the Hovey sisters are likely to invite for cocktails, but still have a taste for the exotic, may I suggest a quick on-line visit to Bonhams auction Wednesday.
The Gentleman's Library at Bonhams auction house - Telegraph

Stuffed animals, travel accessores, shells, buttons and gimcracks of all kinds. Just the kind of clutter so perfect for a erudite gentleman's quarters.

Toad

So Long, Adios, TTFN

Toad

Edmund de Rothschild

I had planned to write about this later in the spring, but events overtook me.

I am a Rhodoholic. Gardening in an oak and hickory forest has given me an appreciation of Rhododendrons, Azalea's and Mountain Laurel. They are amongst the few plants that grow here and the deer won't eat, I have come to love them.

The greatest Rhodoholic that ever lived recently died, Edmund de Rothschild, scion of the Rothschild banking family. His family garden is known as Exbury Gardens and is THE worlds treasure garden for lovers of RAMLs.
Exbury garden web site home page

His Daily Telegraph Obituary includes the following about his life: Edmund de Rothschild - Telegraph
"After his return from the Second World War in 1946, Eddy de Rothschild set about the restoration of Exbury Gardens in Hampshire, the 260-acre woodland garden created by his father Lionel in the 1920s and 1930s. The gardens had been greatly neglected since Lionel's death in 1942.

Over the next 50 years he replanted some three-quarters of the acreage, and produced several dozen new rhododendron hybrids. He also developed the highly successful Solent Range of Exbury deciduous azaleas, which are noted for their strength and colour. In 1955 he opened Exbury Gardens to the public.



Well into his eighties, Eddy de Rothschild would hurtle around Exbury's network of garden paths (designed to be wide enough for his father's Armstrong-Siddeley) in a small car with the number plate NMR 1. He would stop the car to pass the time of day with the visitors, and liked to get out to hack off dead branches and blooms with a stout rhododendron-wood stave."


I have several of his rhododendron hybrids here at The Park. They are an enduring legacy to a fascinating man.

Toad

Toad the Massage Virgin

Mrs T. gave me a gift certificate to Massage Envy for my birthday last year. If you are unfamiliar with ME let me explain. It is a national chain of massage parlors offering a more therapeutic, less inclusive service than those near the airport in most major cities. Or so I'm told.

I had forgotten about it until recently, then I had to search high and low for the card. Without prodding and unknown to my bride, I made a reservation for a couples massage for our anniversary. We were told to be there 10 minutes early, since there were important papers to fill out.

Lest there be any misunderstanding, allow me to announce that in my 50+ years I have never had a massage of any sort. I am a massage virgin.

Driving there I made two completely uninformed snarky comments which I will share. I was wrong about only one of them, but only temporarily. First, I publicly stated that this was probably a business which will not survive these troubled times.

Second, I allowed that this seemed to me to be a lousy way to earn a living. I feel I am right here.

So naturally, we arrived on time, but late, the waiting room was packed, which pozalutely stunned me. A clip board with the all important papers were handed to us. Mrs T is a Catholic school educated, former school marm, so anything on a clipboard is vitally important, and likely to be graded. Her best penmanship is also required.

Page 1 is a survey.

First 2 questions I got 100%.
#3 what are my massage needs? How would one know?

#4 Have you ever experienced massage therapy? Resounding NO.

#5 How often do you get a massage? correct again

#6 Do you get a massage as often as you like? Again, I am a 50+ massage virgin. I answered Yes. This was the correct answer, or so I thought.

#7 How often would you like to get a massage? See above. So far I'm batting 100, except for #3.

#8 What days would be most convenient for you? Huh? I answered "For What?"

#9 What do you look for when scheduling a massage? I answered, "a human being to answer the phone." Correct again.

#10 What qualities are you looking for in a massage therapist? My answer, "Someone who is not the mother, wife, sister or daughter of a friend or acquaintance.




I certified I had answered truthfully to the best of my knowledge.



Page 2 was entirely name and phone. I used a bad number and got this page wrong.


So we had our massage. Two lovely young women administered them and I am hopeful the pain in my back and arms will go away in a couple of days.



As they say in horse racing, I have won my maiden, and I still think it would be a horrible way to earn a living.



Toad

Shoe Dog

Somehow I have turned into the shoe guy, which I find odd, because I have always liked what I liked and didn't care about the rest. My taste in men's shoes is fairly conventional, although I do prefer suede to calf, and insist that leather shoes be shined.

Over the past week or two these have passed my desk. The first pair may hopefully just be a joke, or filler to someones spring clothing line. I hope they are not serious.





Frighteningly, the second photo is serious. Made by esteemed British shoemaker Grenson they are suede, made available in most pastel colors, and even with the lower exchange rate frightfully expensive. I shudder to think what suit would be most appropriate. Nothing of mine thankfully.

The final photo is from the Timberland Boot coming spring collection. I think I like them.




Toad

Friday Night Date Night, part 2

We were joined by friends for Date Night Friday this week, and once again it was my pick. I chose Last Chance Harvey with Emma Thompson and Dustin Hoffman.

Turns out it was a pretty good choice. It's the story of a divorced father, estranged from his family who leaves NY to attend his daughter's London wedding. Throughout Dustin is a fifth wheel, until he meets the redeeming Emma.

Strongly recommended, although probably better for an over 40 crowd. Younger views may have no clue who Dustin Hoffman is, unless they saw Mr. Magorium.

Toad

Presidential Polls

Beginning this weekend will be a number of polls of presidential rankings. Who's best, who's worst. All will respectfully conclude, probably correctly, that it is too soon to rate the most recent presidency, that time will tell, and its for posterity to decide, etc, wa wa wa.

One consensus you will likely find is that near the bottom of most polls is our 14th president Franklin Pierce. Franklin is credited with having almost as much to do to cause the civil war as anyone else in history. He was a drunk, warmonger, racist, anti immigrant tyrant. His domestic policy included keeping Irish, Italian and Catholics from immigrating, while attempting to ship those already here back. Jeff Davis served as his Secretary of War. His own party didn't nominate him for reelection.

Well, Franklin survived his one term presidency, and had a grandson. His grandson had a granddaughter who is still very much alive. She was born Barbara Pierce. Barbara's distinction is to be one of only two women whose husbands and sons were US presidents.

Perhaps you recognize Barbara (nee)Pierce better as Barbara Bush.

Is it nature or nurture? Perhaps even mediocrity is hereditary? The jury is still out.

Toad