My childhood home had one bathroom, one black-and-white TV, and one telephone, and I had no idea that we were deprived. Now I can’t go anywhere without my cell phone, my lap top computer, my Ipod, my Ipak pda, my digital camera, and my car with the voice-activated navigational system.Here are a few modern, essential items that help soften the reality of being this old:Ipods. Now we can have all our favorite songs instantly and not have to move the needle and accidentally scratch the spinning record. The only downside is that I listen to my Ipod when I jog on the treadmill at the fitness center. Someone usually has to tell me to quit singing out loud while listening to the Pet Shop Boys.Online Banking. Now we can pay bills without getting a loan to buy stamps.Birds Eye 4-pack frozen peas. These single-serving packets microwave in 1-1/2 minutes so there is NO EXCUSE not to have vegetables with dinner.Bare Minerals Make-up. This “wonder powder” covers facial flaws faster than that old tube of fabric-staining liquid goo called “foundation.”The Comedy Channel. For all recovering news junkies, try watching the Comedy Channel before bed. It’s as good as Johnny Carson used to be. A second favorite irreverent show is Red Eye on the Fox Channel.A Vinturi wine aerator. Look for this great invention at www.vinturi.com. You can pour one fabulous glass of wine without consuming the entire bottle.Free funny computer cards. Go to www.jibjab.com and look for the animated cards that star your friends and you. To laugh until you hurt, watch the “farting birthday” cards.Those are just a few of the new inventions that make life easier. We deserve them.
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Today’s Cabernet
Tonight’s blog was fueled by a glass of 2000 Merryvale Clone Six Cabernet Sauvignon from Beckstoffer Vineyards in Napa Valley. I joined this wine club while visiting wine country last fall. It’s a real treat to receive quarterly shipments of wonderful wine that I can’t find in Idaho. The Merryvale wine is always superb, and I’ve never been disappointed. And, the UPS guy is always so polite. He still asks for my signature to prove I’m at least 21. What a great guy!This recent shipment came with a note stating the wine would age well for several years. Yeah, right. It won’t see 2009.
Midlife Cabernet: How Did My Children Grow Up So Fast?
Just when you figure how how to be a good parent, the kids grow up and move away. There is no chance to do it over. You can only hope that they don’t write a tell-all book about their horrid childhood.
Every other vocation requires education, study, and aptitude. With a baby, it’s on the job training with no salary, 24 hours a day, and you’re under pressure to be Parent of the Year. In reality, you look at the tiny bundle and mutter, “What do I do now?”
In past generations, young families were surrounded by grandparents and extended family members who could help. But with a mobile society and jobs in various locations, young couples often don’t live near their parents. Grandma can’t pop over to babysit or demonstrate how to swaddle or provide encouragement for breastfeeding. The best alternative is to find groups of other novice parents and share tips, childcare, and wine, if necessary.
After raising two marvelous children, I can look back and realize what I did right and wrong. The best advice I can give is to pick your battles. Once my three-year-old daughter threw a major tantrum because she wanted to sleep in her party dress while I tried to cajole her into her pajamas. In hindsight, I was the silly one. It would have saved a lot of drama if I had agreed and tucked her in bed, frilly outfit and all.
I’m fortunate to live near my grown children and their families, and I’m in awe of their amazing parenting skills. My daughter’s first daughter is spunky and creative, just like her mother. I predict some interesting times in the near future. My son dotes on his baby girl, and it’s fun to watch them together. I would allow her to sleep in a party dress any time she wants.
It sounds like a cliche, but kids do grow up too fast. Another amazing reality is that now we’re all about the same age. I couldn’t possibly be old enough to have grandchildren.
Quick – Go to this web site: test.elaineambrose.com
Yeah! My web site is up and running, thanks to the brilliance of my creative daughter Emily. Now I’ll just sit back and wait for the hundreds of orders for my books and speeches. Or, I’ll sip on some wine and be grateful for the occasional charity event that wants me to read from my books.Check out this link:Elaine Ambrose – Motivational Speaker, Humor Writer.
Quick – Go to this web site: elaineambrose.com
Yeah! My web site is up and running, thanks to the brilliance of my creative daughter Emily. Now I’ll just sit back and wait for the hundreds of orders for my books and speeches. Or, I’ll sip on some wine and be grateful for the occasional charity event that wants me to read from my books.Check out this link:Elaine Ambrose – Motivational Speaker, Humor Writer.
Today’s Cabernet – Screw Caps from Down Under
Tonight’s blog was fueled by a glass of 2007 Jester Vintage Cabernet Sauvignon from Mitolo Wines in Australia. It was recommended at Seasons Bistro, my new favorite wine bar in Eagle. I was skeptical because of the screw top because I’m a cork snob. Don’t you just love that exciting pop of a cork? Why mess with something that has worked well for centuries? Well, the bottle was only $21 so I gave it a try. Surprisingly pleasant. I guess I’ll just have to keep tasting other non-corked wines. This is serious market research.
