Children Know Best

My parents are at the age when they are ready to let my sister and myself take over the reigns. After 89 years of being at the helm, they are relinquishing power to the younger generation. We promised them that we would use sensible judgement, but they already knew that. They also have the power to veto the decisions. They are totally comfortable with this new arrangement. Even though  I am the younger generation to my parents, I am the older generation to my children. The other day my oldest son called me and told me where and when I was going on vacation. He decided that I was going to Cape Cod, the second week of August. He told me where I was staying and what I would be eating. He wants a family vacation with his family, us and his in laws. I am so glad he made that decision for me. I booked a room and am counting the days till then. Sometimes you just need your children to do the thinking.

Figuratively Speaking

I have a friend who goes to a doctor a few times a year. Some doctors are just more personable than others and build a rapport with their patients. This doctor always talks about his wife and how feisty she is. He says that in the office he is the boss, but at home she is the boss. He always says that his wife's favorite expression is, "If you don't do what I want, I will kick your ass". Every time he says that, he laughs. After years of going to this doctor, my friend found out why the doctor laughs when he says this. My friend met the doctor and his wife at a local store and was surprised to see that she was in a wheelchair. She has diabetes and had both legs amputated. When she says she will kick his ass, it is meant figuratively, but with love.

Coming Attractions

I went to the movies a few weeks ago. I do not go often as there are not many movies that peak my interest. I saw The Great Gatsby, and while it was a good movie, I liked the book better. Prior to the movie starting there were about 10 coming attractions. Each one was worse than the next. They all were loud and violent. As each one ran, I said to myself that I would never go to see it. Years ago they showed two maybe three coming attractions. Now, they show so many that you think the movie will never start.

Happy Birthday

Today is my husband's birthday. Lucky 7-11. I always joked with him that he has a lot of luck, mainly because he married me. Today he is 61 years old but could pass for his 40's. Kind of like Dorian Gray. Again, thanks to me. I take care of everything so he has no worry lines on his face. When I met him in 1979, Sky Lab fell out of orbit and landed on Earth on 7-11. That was a big event. He has been talking about retiring since he was 28 and in one more year it will be a reality. Where did the time go?

The Fashionista

My mother is a "Fashionista". She is 89 years old and still has the best sense of style. One of her favorite things to do is go shopping. TJ Maxx and Marshall's are her stores of choice. She can go there a few times a week and always find beautiful outfits. My dad will sit in the car and wait for her. She walks a bit slow these days, but when she reaches the threshold of a clothes store, she takes off like a race horse. She can navigate the racks like a pro. She will buy the outfit and then match the shoes and a bag. When she gets home she will lay them out on the bed and make sure she really likes them. If not, back they go and another round of shopping begins. Her closet is stuffed with clothes and the shoe boxes are piled high. Sometimes I raid her closet and take home some of her cast offs. It makes me smile to see that at her age, her appearance still matters.

Changing of the Guard

Today our last intern from this year is leaving. We are making a party for him. Each year interns come and go, but some of them just blend in better than others. This one did. He became part of our little work family. He took a genuine interest in what went on in the office and in our personal lives. Some people have a quality that makes them likable after only knowing them for a few minutes. He will make a wonderful psychologist because he is kind and caring and actually listens. I have no idea who his replacement will be and I can only hope that whoever it is, will fit in as well as he did.

Does Macy's tell Gimbel's?

Years ago there was an expression "Does Macy's tell Gimbel's? The statement was about keeping a secret, more so in business than personal. It meant that you do not give away trade secrets or give any advantage to your competitor. I still use that saying. At least once a week I get a solicitor phone call. They ask a wide range of questions from who is your telephone carrier to what model copy machine do you have. If I did not call you, why do you think that I should reveal any information to you? Sometimes the caller thinks they are being slick and pretends that they know me. I have been a manager too long for anyone to pull the wool over my eyes. I try to be polite and not hang up, but sometimes I just have to end the call abruptly. The bottom line is, do not ask me questions that are none of your business.