AND THE NEXT MAJ AWARD GOES TO . . .

Just got my own copy of HOSTAGE.  And of course, the next MAJ goes to Robert Crais for showing that teenagers and kids can do important, demanding things, come up with creative solutions in the face of danger,  and even save the day. 

 

(Completely aside from the award, I just like his books.)

AND THE AWARD GOES TO:

Announcing the debut of the MAJ award, which for now goes only to mystery writers, but later, who knows.  Obviously the MAJ isn't writing to get what we need, even tho some of us do sorta need our mysteries!  MAJ is for fun, and we do need fun.  

Since this is the anniversary of the death of beloved Robert B. Parker, the very first MAJ is awarded posthumously to him for Best Female Character Created by a Guy!  Sometimes I can almost hear Susan talking to Spenser-- or almost see her.

Congratulations.

CLUTTER - getting smart to get what we need

Is your New Year's resolution to build some new drawers or cabinets or even more ambitious storage to hold what you haven't yet thrown away or given away?    

AARP (of all places) has a quickie six-step tutorial about hiring a contractor.  Hopefully, it applies to all states.  It includes checking out the prospects, what to insist on, even how to negotiate!

Now all you need is to get somebody fifty-something to admit he or she's a member, and to lend you the Jan/Feb 2011 magazine.    Or you can pretend you're going to build a store room and just read their bit on Dancing with the Stars!

Just put my money back where you found it!

For the first time in ages, I bought TIME at the checkstand.  I salute the woman named Phyllis for talking back to Michael Crowley, who supposedly wants Social Security payments cut.   So for the only time, I wrote to TIME:

To: letters@time.com

Let's hear it for Phyllis Hagmaier, Williamsburg, VA (January 10)!
Social Security is not a gift. Not only have we paid into Social Security all our lives, but people working long past retirement age still pay in.


Then Medicare is deducted from the monthly payout. And it pays only part of medical expenses.

The names of people who authorized "borrowing" should be published. But above all, the debt should be repaid.
                                       ***
Maybe we should stop worrying for a minute about identity theft, and get our Social Security savings paid back.

Thanks to TIME for publishing Phyllis' letter.

LAST MINUTE GIFTS: PART TWO

One more thing:
Parties or no parties, maybe give yourself a gift--eliminate one thing that might be causing that upset stomach you've been trying to ignore.   One thing like sugar, or Jeroboam size coffee, or refusing to exercise, or maybe excess arguing with the boss or whoever. 

If that doesn't work, what if you gave yourself a talk with your doctor, or gave yourself a new doctor who listens?
Happy next few years!

LAST MINUTE GIFTS

Even if Christmas is not your holiday, don't you sometimes feel a little spirit of giving creeping in at this time of year?  Would you like to give something to someone you care about--especially if it didn't involve crowds, traffic, and possible mayhem in stores?  Or maxing out your charge card. May I suggest:

Take a bowl of fresh raspberries to a neighbor you've met but never really got to know.

Send two (2) greetings to people whose birthday is at Christmas.

Buy a bunch of those tickets at check-out that contribute to meals for less fortunate families in the area.

Use your best letter paper or best season's greetings cards and send your favorite doctors a thank-you note for all those times they returned your call when they needed to go home to their families.

Give the mailman a break and mail things after the 25th. There are, after all, twelve days of Christmas.

Call somebody you haven't talked to in years.  Maybe they're waiting to hear from you, especially if there was a misunderstanding way too long ago.

Even if you're busy, call boring Aunt Sofronia and let her talk for a few minutes.  You can always set the oven timer for ten or fifteen and tell her something's burning.

Send some grown-up a toy or a cartoon he might like.

Apologize to somebody even if it's not your fault.  Even if they started it.  Doesn't count if you don't really mean it.

Give everyone you care about a gift by writing to tell them you want to spend more years with them, so you're giving up smoking, or you actually signed up for their gym and want to hitch a ride with them, or you walked a mile today.  Doesn't count if you don't really mean it.

Happy New Year!

BRAS Fitting room learning

Wanted to try a different size in the best bra I've found so far.   One clerk bombed out on me.  (Why do some of them march down the center isle without looking to left or right, which is where the customers are.)  Told them I found the size but didn't want another black bra.  One young clerk with glasses went into the back room and found 1 beige, one white.  Then did I get a surprise!

Tried on the black and the beige:  they didn't work as well as the size I had at home. 

Then I tried on the same bra, same size, in white!  It was completely different and gives me a great, becoming fit!  In this case, the fact that the manufacturer could have had more quality control was good for me.

Meanwhile the clerk who actually helped me disappeared, but I stayed around  until she came back.  I wanted her to have the sale, because it's rare to get someone who really helps.

Moral: from now on I try on several even though they look alike.