Hello! My Name is OCD...What's Yours?

It is my belief that all of us have obsessive-compulsive behaviors to some extent or another.  I suppose I would place myself at least slightly toward the "extreme" end of the scale!

As I sit here blogging I am drinking coffee--coffee which is very hot.  I do not like lukewarm coffee, and I have already reheated this cup umpteen times.  Can one die of microwave infusion into one's coffee?

I guess it would be obvious if I didn't mention my hair right away...now wouldn't it?  I am a slave to my hair, and I admit it often.  But did you know it's Biblical?  Yes, Proverbs 16:31 says "White hair is a crown of glory!"  So I must keep my crown lookin' good!

One of the more ridiculous aspects of my OCD is the arrangement of the $$s within my wallet.  They must be in descending order, with all faces forward and upright.  What?  You mean you don't do this?  What's wrong with you?

I am a passionately slow eater.  (Shut up, family.)  If I can't chew my food 150 times or so, I just won't eat.  Yes, I am always and ever, now and forever, the last one to finish a meal.  And it is not usually very popular.

I read the same way I eat.  You will never hear me say I read a book in a record amount of time--unless it is record slow!  I have even been known to write out a list of characters with identifying info so I will be able to recall each for sure as I slowly progress through the book.  The bad part of this action is that when the book is finished, I probably can't remember any more about it than the speed reader can!

You will not find ANYTHING in my recycle bin that does not belong there.  You would think the "recycle police" inspect my bin every week.  If the free newspaper is wrapped in plastic, I take the plastic off before putting the paper in for recycling.  Oh, and I religiously save plastic grocery bags and take them to Mission Arlington for use with their food distribution.  (Except that I've finally gotten with the program and take my own reusable bags for groceries, etc.)  (When I remember!)

I ALWAYS look back over my shoulder before making a lane change in my car.  I understand that most people trust their rear view mirrors, but this is how I was taught, and I insist it's the only way to roll. 

This obsessive compulsive action of mine is my most treasured:

 That's a photo album (or two) and a file folder from each and every one of the cruises Jack and I took together!  There are actually more albums and there is another chest of folders!  There is probably nothing else in my life I was so disciplined about!  Or so OCD'd!!  And I love it!


So what are you a little OC about?  Surely there's something!!!




 

 

  

Basking in Memories...Again

My plans for this foggy day fell through, so I'm going to take advantage of my extra time by sharing another treasured memory.  It took me a while to discover this, but I can actually see how many folks view my blogs.  The one with the most views so far is this.

Many times I am asked what my favorite cruise was.  I always say I loved them all, which I did!  However, I must admit that the one I'm reminiscing about today always pops into my mind--for several reasons.  It was certainly our most unique.

It began at the Long Beach, CA airport on March 6, 2003.  Now I DO have a favorite ship, and we were cruising on it--the Crystal Harmony.  And it was a Big Band Cruise.  Jack loved big band music. Oh, and the destination?  Tokyo by way of the Hawaiian Islands!

The timing was a little questionable--there were lots of rumblings in Iraq.  This made Jack more nervous than it did "the eternal optimist."  In the lounge where we waited to board the ship, it became very obvious that we weren't going to have a big crowd on board!  Well, that was an understatement.  This ship holds 954 passengers (love the size), but there were 90 on board as we sailed away.  There were many more crew members than passengers.

(Hot Chocolate out of my Crystal Harmony mug as I blog!)

When the 7 longs and 1 short sounded for the life boat drill and we opened our door, there was not one person in our hall!  (It is usually a mob scene--at that time with everyone in his or her life vest!)  It was downright eerie.  Here we are at our first formal dinner

 After asking the first couple of nights for one of these much sought after "tables for two by the windows," we noticed the maitre 'd was snickering as he granted our request!  We looked around and realized everyone was sitting by the windows!  Just lined up along each side!

Here was our Big Band--Ted Herman.  The singer is Beryl Davis, an amazing 85 years young!  Her signature song from many years ago was I'll Be Seeing You sung with the Glenn Miller Orchestra.

This was a 16 day cruise.  I think our kids were worried about our ability to stay busy and entertained for that long.  The main reason that was not a problem is that Crystal has more activities than any other cruise line I have ever been on.  In addition to the big band, we had a physician whose lectures we never missed, a darling little Japanese girl who taught us to speak a few phrases and write our names in Japanese, something called "Repertory at Sea," like mini plays, and more.  I took a John Grisham book to read and did not even finish it as I remember.

One of my most fun memories of the trip involves a special live camera set up in the Harmony's computer lab.  We coordinated times with Jay and Terri (the Metzgers were out of town), went to the lab, and J & T were able to see us!  Of course, it wouldn't do for us to just hold up our "Aloha" sign, I had to have us dress up!  We put on our life jackets and our old dead leis.  My humor did not transmit well, and J & T couldn't imagine what was goin' on!  (Neither could the few fellow cruisers who saw us!)

Here we are in Hawaii at the Pali Lookout, then my favorite picture from Tokyo.  Crystal's theme song is What a Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong.  And it is!   

P.S.  The captain told us during the trip that the assault on Iraq had begun.  I'm glad that didn't keep us from going! 
 

The State of my Heart

I think I have a very soft heart.  As the years have gone by, I believe it's become even softer.  I have never been able to watch commercials about starving children.  I grab for the mute button and turn my head when that sad music and those pitiful animals come on.  You know the one I'm talking about.

I can't pass beggars on the streets without giving them money.  Yes, I know they may not buy food and water with it.  Oh--and just let them have a poor old dog with them, and I'm really hooked.  I might just empty out my billfold.

My current problem is: I don't think I can stand it if Mr. Bates is mistreated and unfairly accused  ANY MORE!!!  (This will only be meaningful to those of you who watch Downton Abbey.)  It's bad enough that he's falsely imprisoned.  I just can't take any further unfairness toward him, and I feel it coming.

Well, that's just problem #1.  Problem #2: I haven't seen Les Miserables yet.  Am I going to be able to withstand its sadness?  I know it's wonderful.  I must see it.  How bad is it when one must gird her loins and steel herself to see a movie, for goodness sake.

I'll let you know how I do.  I think I can...I think I can.

My Sad Tale of Frustration

One time years ago when I was a fanatic couponer, I spent hours organizing my coupons, making my specific list, and gathering the items at the grocery store.  When I got ready to check out, I had no coupons.  I had lost them someway, somehow, somewhere while shopping.  It was awful.

When I was taking my cousin Sarah back to the airport after Jack's funeral, I failed to exit at the airport exit, heading instead on my usual route to Silverado.  By the time I corrected, Sarah missed her plane and had to wait 4 hours for the next one.  Couldn't believe I did that!

Up until today, those are the big frustrations I remember.  But, today is WORSE!  It all started with a purchase I made at a shop on Jekyll Island.  I bought this 550 piece jigsaw puzzle.

My plan was to work on it leisurely while watching my TV shows.  So, last Wednesday after I got home from Bible Study Fellowship, I decided to set up my table and my puzzle and start working it.

Well, you would have thought I was working against the clock.  There was nothing "leisurely" about my efforts.  "Frantic" might be a better description.  I even went to choir Wednesday night, and I think I still had all the edge pieces assembled by bedtime.  (Not that bedtime was reasonably early.)

Last night I didn't quit until midnight!  Not even watching TV.  Just keeping on putting in "just one more piece then I'm going to bed."  So, this morning, after just five days, I completed it--sort of.  Here it is.

You may not be able to tell, but I sure can!  There are two pieces missing. 

Now I can just read all your minds.  "She dropped them and Charleigh-Girl ate them."  But I was sooo careful, and I honestly don't think I did or she did!  And I'm sure it's physically impossible for two pieces to be missing from the factory.  They were in a sealed plastic bag!  So what happened?

I guess I won't be glueing this one together like I have many in the past!  And I won't be buying another puzzle!  My back was already killing me, even before having to crawl around the rug looking for the missing pieces! 

So I guess I'll just have to live with being a "recliner potato." 

Celebrating 2013!

A trip to celebrate the coming of a new year with my bank travel club has become a tradition with me.  Last year it was Palm Springs, CA, with its 80 year old "show girls."

The year before?  Also California.  Will I ever allow you to forget the Rose Bowl Parade?

So...where was I this year?  At a place I'd never even heard of before--the Jekyll Island Club on Jekyll Island in Georgia!

    
  

To get to Jekyll Island we flew into Jacksonville, FL, and traveled by van for less than hour, then over a causeway to the island.  Only about 1200 people live on the very small island--about 7 miles long by 2 miles wide.  The hotel is very old but beautifully refurbished and maintained.  Here is my room and my view.

The sunset in that second picture was spectacular, but my camera refused to capture it!  It was every shade of pink to orange to very red!  It is said that the sunsets on Jekyll Island viewed through the Spanish moss hanging on the ancient trees like these, are like a kaleidoscope.

Jekyll Island constantly reminded me of "Downton Abbey."  The homes were not as grand, but these were actually just summer "cottages" of the rich and famous.  Here was one of the cottages, owned by Rockerfellers.

This cottage originally had 19 bathrooms!  Why?  Because it was owned by the Crane Family--of Crane Plumbing Fixtures!  First picture snapped from side through beautiful hedge.  We had dinner here one night.

 Here I am waiting for...

...our delightful (but very cold) carriage ride around the massive, shady grounds of the hotel.  We were worried about our horse, Daisy, who had to pull all 12 of us by herself for an hour.  But she did great!

We were shuttled to the nearby beach.

We relaxed and rocked on the hotel verandah.

Since I am such a lover of all creatures great and small, I visited this center, which is on the grounds of the hotel. 

We visited nearby St. Simons Island via this trolley:

As we approached this bridge, there was a yellow sign which said, "Warning: Terrapin (turtle) crossing next 4 miles!  I wasn't quick enough to get a picture.

Then it was the big occasion:  New Year's Eve!  We had a lovely 5 course dinner in the Grand Dining Room of the hotel, then walked a short distance to the Morgan Center for music and (watching) dancing.

Our fearless leader, Kay Baker, took more pictures than I did, but I couldn't wait to post the ones I have!  We were quite proud of ourselves.  Eight of us made it to midnight.  More pics later to prove it! 

And here's my favorite, taken in my hall on New Year's day, which I title, "The Party's Over!"  One lone lifeless balloon!

Then on New Year's Day we had a fabulous brunch in the Grand Dining Room with everything imaginable on the menu.   

HAPPY NEW YEAR!