These jeans are good enough

A few weeks ago as my parents and I were returning from a doctors visit I noticed my Dad was walking through they're parking lot continually pulling up his jeans. When I asked him about it he started mumbling that he needed a new belt because his pants kept falling down and he couldn't make the one he was wearing any tighter. "Did it ever accrue to you that you need new jeans"? "There's nothing wrong with these" he shot back. "No holes, their good, they're a size 36. Nothing wrong with them". "Really? Didn't you tell me the doctor said you weighted 148 pounds"? "Yeah so?" "I have a good 50 pounds on you and my jeans are a size 32 33 so explain how you wear a 36? Your belt is fine your jeans are too big." I wonder if he asked his new "friend" Alexa to explain to him what I was trying to say if he would have gotten it any faster? I let it go. That night I went through my closet and took out two pair of jeans I had been toying with getting ride of because they also were stretching out soon after I put them on. That next weekend I took them to my Dad. "Here, I brought you a present." Skeptical he looked at them and asked what size they were. "Does it matter, try them on. I guarantee they are going to fit better then the ones you have now". "Don't you need them" he asked. "Don't worry about it I have tons of jeans." The next day he called purring into the phone. "These are nice. They fit really well, what size are they?" 33's I replied. "What, really, wow." All he could do was tell me he couldn't believe how much weight he lost and the doctor was not going to be happy. That was three weeks ago. The next week was another doctor. As we got into the elevator I saw he had an old pair of jeans on. "Why aren't you wearing the jeans I gave you? "We're only going to the doctor, these are good enough". Now a day's he life consists of Publix, shopping at a big box store, getting his lottery ticket and a doctors appointment here and there. Those size 33 waist jeans will never again see the light of day. After all, at 87 years old why wear jeans that actually fit you and you are happy in when you can wear jeans that are good enough? You know he went out and bought a new belt, I'd bet my life on it. R-

The call to Mother Nature

What a dreary day. It's what you might call a South Florida winters day. Been raining almost all day and it is a lovely 55 degrees. I love it. It's a great day to do nothing. Or see a movie, cook, clean out something. I'm choosing to relax from an evening of wine tasting, amazing food and charity auction items to benefit Veterans with PTSD. My friends Hank and Mindi hosted the event. Scott Harvey wines provided the libations and the food was catered by Streeter catering. Tons of auction items and lots of friends old and new to round out a magical night under the stars. As always Mindi made sure the event and dining outside was perfect. You see the last time she planned an exstravent event under the stars it was for her wedding anniversary and renewal of their vowels. She had planned this for months. Every detail gone over again and again and again. Black tie, dining, and dancing under the moon light of their lush and tropical gardens that were insanely light to perfection. The 85 guests came out to celebrate and party. I can't tell you how many calls Mindi and I had over this event. The menu alone changed a thousand times. However, the one person she forgot to call and discuss things with was Mother Nature. Mindi had completely rolled the dice and decided not to call her. Mother Nature was not happy she wasn't included. And boy did she let us all know. Gale force winds with torrential down pours all night. Not one candle was lit on those tables but a few of us were. Mindi is a married to an idea kind of girl. You see she hates change of any kind. So when the executive order was given to move her living room furniture out to make room for the 85 guests to watch the wedding party come down the sweeping stair case for the vows, (I was the man of honor) I have to say she took it like a champ. On the outside at least. Cursing Mother Nature all night long. She was not going to have a repeat of that fiasco last night. Mindi had what I would call a "come to Jesus" moment with Mother Nature. Mindi talked and Mother listened. Boy did Mindi talk. I know I was there. Listening in on that phone call. And Mother complied. She had no choice. Mindi's rath would be felt far and wide. Last night there were a few of us who remember that fateful stormy monsoon, balancing our dinner on our laps where ever we could find a spot. We spoke of it in hushed tones and glances. But in the end it was truly wonderful. Mindi says this is her last charity event for the year. I know it is only January but this one was supposed to be last November. We her friends are holding guard over her to make sure she keeps her promise to help herself this year instead of all those who don't have the word NO in their vocabulary. You know who you are. I have done battle with the likes of you all before. We are armed and ready. The word of the year, NO. R-

Goodbye and hello

Lets just say it has been a crazy end of the year. From the unpredictable election (though some of us saw it clear as day from start to finish) no one gives hairdressers or a Gemini much credit. Which sometimes is a good thing when you want to fly under the radar. We have a gift for being able to look at most things and come to a conclusion and see the outcome before the majority wonders what it is they are even looking at. But this I will save for another posting. So to continue with the end of the year hell that was a world wind of holidays, charity events, family drama and two weeks of me saying "I can't remember the last time I got the flu". I along with many others are so glad to say bye bye 2016 don't let the door hit you on the way out. I'm not a reflective kinda person when it comes to "was it a good year or a good riddance kinda year"? But today when I finally put Christmas away, which consisted of five items! Tallied up my book for 2016 to see I made $5,000. less then the year before, and started to clean some things around the house before Regina comes tomorrow. Cause that's what we all do. Clean before the cleaning girl/guy comes. There was this ah ha moment. For many years I could never get into celebrating the ending of one year and the start of another. I mean I still have rent to pay I still have my family drama to deal with. So how can a simple date change make a difference? Well, maybe I will have to rethink that. Last year was about loss of money, business, loved ones, and a lot of if it can go wrong or be delayed it did. But after I got the mail I started thinking, maybe the energy is shifting for the better? So far my parents got a refund check from the mortgage company. Paper work to the Veterans for help with my Dad's benefits is on track and today I got a refund check from Uncle Sam for something I did't even know about. Well at least I know where the money will come from when I go to the dentist tomorrow for my cleaning. Not putting any eggs into the basket mind you but I did take it out and dust it off. Another thing Regina doesn't clean. I will gladly look upon 2017 with an optimist attitude. Along with the decision to get a new haircut. Change is in the air.

I'm Backkkkk

So today is the start of the new year (2017) I figured I would list the date because it has been years since I have blogged anything. Nothing to say, too much to say. So I went dark. But I have been thinking the last few weeks I should revisit blogging. It was always a way for me to get my voice heard and at times count the blessings along with question the obserity of my life and or the situation I find myself in. Now mind you I will tell my tails to all my friends along with clients and think would this have made a good blog posting? Where is the humor where is the can you believe that encounter or the really? The you want to go there with me after being told something so ridiculous and expecting I would believe it. Now that I have turned 60 I have taken the rains of being the voice of reality to those who don't have a pot to piss in or a window to throw it out of yet feel entitled. To the unsuspecting individuals that let their stupidity show when it falls from their mouths. Oh who am I kidding. I have been doing that for years and a lot of times throughout this blog. So this is me. The self proclaimed voice of my reason, the upholder of the mirror, the two by four to what were you thinking? As I type this a list of people, observations and truths comes to mind. Get ready for a whole lot of living in delusion on the banks of denial. R-