A compliment? Or not? – Our local grocery store has a “helping hands” crew that loads groceries into cars for anyone who needs help. That’s usually women with lots of kids and the elderly or disabled. I had just finished checking out when the checker asked about helping hands. At first I thought he was asking me (after all he was bagging my stuff). He wasn’t. He was asking the woman in back of me. She was at least 30 years younger; had one child that wasn’t unruly; and no issues walking. At first I felt complimented that I looked healthy and young enough to carry my bags. Then I wondered why she needed help. Whatever!
Changes in attitude – Two people we know have been downsized in the last few months. Their attitudes couldn’t be more opposite. One has trashed her employer although her position is one that has been eliminated at most companies many years ago. I was stunned by the anger. She is 73. She could do a lot of things, fun things or charity work. The other person is a man in his early 50s with two kids in college. He looks at it as an opportunity. He is thankful for his many years of employment and looking forward to the next stage. Nothing kills opportunities more than anger and resentment. Who wants to be around cranky people?
Thumbs up – I’m having a procedure on my thumb this week. Nothing serious, just a cyst removal that will take 15 minutes. (No sympathy required although I am accepting Starbucks gift cards.) The big deal is the big bandage I will have to wear for two weeks. It will make the simplest tasks complex. This is the perfect week to put my feet up and eat out!
Surf’s up! – The weather is predicted to break this week (finally!) with temperatures hitting 50 midweek. Despite the snow cover we have, the forecast alone has lifted my spirits and made me want to dance. (Oh hell! Most things make me want to dance!)
A touch of Buffett – Weather changes for the warmer always make me long for island music. Here is one of my favorites. Served up with a margarita, it’s perfect. It’s from the concert he did after the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. You can see some shots of the Gulf in the video.
Views and Mews by Coffee Kat 
Great observation about the difference between accepting changes with gratitude and acceptance versus anger and resentment! I like the way you’ve accepted your surgery with no complaint, and see the bandage as an opportunity to forego the kitchen and rest as much as possible. Well done! Attitude is everything. 🙂
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Oh, there was plenty of complaining. I was so surprised at how big a deal this turned out to be. It really looked like a small wart. I have enjoyed not doing stuff but it’s also boring.
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I always ask the Helpful Hands if they could come home with me and put everything away, that is where the help is needed.
I feel a “Many Uses of a Thumb” essay coming on. I think you’ll be surprised at all the thumb does in a day. All the best for a positive recovery.
As for cranky people….AMEN! I have some of that attitude around me as well and frankly I’m tired of it.
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I try to take them home when they are young and fit (and hot works too) but mostly from Home Depot or the garden center where I have heavy stuff. As for the thumb, I already have problems with spellcheck (I use words they never heard of) so it should be interesting. It’s not a big deal but they are telling me it will be bandaged for 2 weeks. They also asked me all kinds of questions about MRSA which made me nervous. I have to wash my entire body with an anti-bacterial soap for 5 days prior. I didn’t do that for my breast cancer surgery. I’m sure it’s just precautionary but they sure scare the crap out of you.
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Perhaps I should work on some obit headlines….dying from a thumb wound could cause creativity to run amok!
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The grocery stores in our area ask EVERYONE if they would like assistance. They probably don’t want to piss old people off by asking only them. I sure hope that it will be many, many years until I will have to say “yes.” Of course, with your nearly amputated thumb…
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With my poor thumb I am expecting my husband to do the grocery shopping! The one place I will take help is at the garden center. Somehow a bag of this and a bag of that gets heavy!
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Will you still be able to blog soon after the surgery? I hope so, if not, get hubby to transcribe while you dictate. Sending you virtual Starbucks coffee.
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I hope so. We’ll see. It’s not a big deal so I should be able to manage after a couple of days.
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What is it with cranky complaining old people?! Not that I am not old and never get cranky or complain, but there is a limit. I have told everyone if I get out of hand they should slap me upside the head and tell me to behave like a nice olf lady. Of course, I haven’t told them that whatever happens to them after the slap is their own fault.
Sorry about the thumb but do make the best of it and get as pampered as you can.
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Yes crankiness can ruin a social occasion for sure! I would have loved to slap her upside the head!
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She might have slapped you then there might have been a brawl. That might have been interesting for the observers though.
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She’s taller than me so maybe I’ll rethink this!
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Yeah, if she is bigger then you be nice even if it kills you.
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Hope that your surgery goes as planned and that you get to put your feet up afterwards. Will be interesting to see how difficult it is for you to type with a boo-boo thumb in bandages. You and your spellcheck may become best of friends.
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If I was smart I would have prepped ahead of time. However, I have hit a slow spot and the ideas weren’t rolling in fast enough to stock them up. I’m hoping it’s not too bad. Probably a lot slower.
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What a contrast between the two people who were downsized! OMG! Don’t you just shake your head at how angry some people get with no reason? Best of luck to the man with kids in college.
I’m glad your weather’s looking up. And thanks for the Jimmy Buffet song. It’s the tinkling steel drum sound that makes me want to dance. (I think those weren’t steel drums the percussionist was playing. What do you call them?)
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I blogged too soon about the weather, it’s been snowing for about 5 hours now. So tired of it all. Not supposed to be a big event. Wonder if Mother Nature knows that. I’m not sure what the sound is but makes me so homesick for summer. Loved the shorts and tank tops on people!
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Good luck with the thumb — nuisance only, but do milk it! Just don’t pour milk ON it.
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Will do! Promise!
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“This is the perfect week to put my feet up and eat out.” I don’t know Kate, maybe it was the idea that you had just mentioned your imminent thumb surgery approaching, but I just couldn’t get this silly image outta of my head. I pictured you climbing into this wheelchair, feet elevated as high as you could raise them—UP— raising your arm and pointing your finger straight ahead. Then exclaiming—like something Captain Kirk might say—”OUT THERE!” And swoosh, zoom… and away you’d go! But now, I can’t get this even sillier phrase outta my head… “Restaurants… the final frontier.” Oh god, I think I better go get a cup of coffee!
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Better get two, strong and black!
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Your telling me. LOL.
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That’s one of my favorite Buffet songs, Kate. Nothing puts me in a better mood than his music. 🙂
As for the two individuals who lost their jobs; the man will definitely have more success and happiness down the road. I feel sorry for the woman.
Yay for warmer temps! Ours are coming with rain, but who cares!
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Yes ours will also come with rain but who cares. You can use an umbrella when you grill your steaks.
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1. When in doubt, always assume it’s a compliment!
2. That whiny dinosaur needs an attitude adjustment.
3. Good luck with the cyst removal. (Milk your disability for everything you can. Go grocery shopping and accept the Helping Hands request.)
4. Enjoy the warmer temps when they arrive.
5. Keep laughing . . . it’s the antidote to insanity!
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Thanks Nancy! It’s snowing right now but it’s not supposed to be a major event. I may have a margarita before dinner to get me in the mood. I always milk surgical events even when they are a simple 15 minute procedure on my thumb. I still can’t believe that I have to have it done in a surgical center with full anesthesia. Looks like you could numb the area and take it out but then again, I’m not a doctor with malpractice insurance.
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we’re on our 2nd day of sunshine and it makes ALL the difference! Hope the cyst removal goes OK and that you can handle your Starbucks with the other hand 🙂 Love me some Buffet music!
MJ
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I will handle that Starbucks any way I can! Send some sunshine our way. We are currently having snow.
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I love the…but accepting Starbucks gift cards. I’m sure while your thumb is under wraps, Hazel will do all the cooking, of course there goes her diet.
No one likes change…so I get Ms 73 being pissed off. My health food store closed and I still have black crepe around my fridge even though a Whole Foods just opened.
The only welcome change is that weather you mentioned. Boy, am I ever ready for a little relief and so are my feet that like Moses after walking that damned desert all those years.
I know why people migrate south…the birds were right all along.
LOVE THE R5 🙂
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that ARE like Moses after walking that damned desert all ….I sounded like Mork there.
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I am depending on the beloved husband to do the cooking! (Hazel is now a sacred cat and we cannot chance any extra morsel passing those willing lips.) We’ll have soup the first day (anesthesia you know — no booze) but then who knows! Maybe steaks on the grill if the weather truly breaks. My gym will probably close in 3 years and I’m already in mourning. First it’s free (with my health insurance). Second it’s populated by….ummm….mature ladies. That give me blog fodder and I don’t have to worry about young gorgeous bodies. I have to think of where I will put the black crepe. Don’t throw yours out, I may need it. I can understand being pissed off, just don’t ruin a dinner with constant bashing and obscenities! You have to look for the blessings in all that happens. Some things don’t seem to have any but job loss often does. Love my Susannah dose!
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I understand completely about Hazel being off limits in the kitchen, and if Hubs is serving soup why not scotch…you need a beverage after all.
CHANGE blows since those blessings take time to get here…and don’t worry…I can FedEx that crepe over night 🙂 As long as Starbucks doesn’t go under.
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If SB goes under, just call the undertaker. Don’t worry about the black crepe.
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I’m making a note for my heirs.
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LOL Nanu Nanu
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Words escape me…what can I say…Nanu this.
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LOL!
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Agree about the attitude thing. Some years ago I started going to a place for retired people to meet and have fun etc. I played cards there for several years but met more crabby, bossy, rude, obnoxious and bitchy old people. I took my winnings and left. Well, we didn’t play for money, but I still left.
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I hear you! We had dinner with these friends and I’m not anxious to do that again.
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I try to save all my grunty grouchiness etc just for my husband in the privacy of our home. lol
We let it rip there. 🙂
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That is exactly what husbands are for!
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Hope the thumb heals quickly!
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Me too. I’m about to learn how important it is to dexterity!
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