We departed from the usual home-with-a-DVD style and celebrated New Year’s Eve at a party. This morning my husband told me that we were the oldest ones there. !!!!! My, my, my. We joined several families and took over a lovely restaurant which is closed during the winter season. A local young man invited a score of NSA (New Saint Andrews) students and grads to join in the festivities. Musicians, good ones, abounded and we had a great time of listening and singing, chatting, and game playing. Nourishing soups and crusty breads took the chill off the evening.
I met a young lady whose father is famous. Instead of the potentially wearisome question, “Are you so and so’s daughter?” I delighted in mentioning ever-so-casually, “Your aunt is my friend.” Her jaw dropped. It was the niece of Dana at Hidden Art. Now, I’m easily amused; but this is the closest I’ve gotten to meeting one of my online friends in real life (is IRL an acronym?). I know, a niece in Oregon in not the same as the aunt in Georgia. But it was a delightful connection and it was fun to be fans together of a lovely lady who, in my mind, is the hallmark of the modern gracious southern lady.
One of my resolutions this year is to improve my posture. Slumping is so unattractive; I tend to slump, especially at the computer. I recently learned a great tip from an intern choir director. Lift both hands straight above your head. Lower your arms but keep your shoulders and chest in the same position. It is a great posture refresher. A dear lady named Precious, who employed me to clean her house when I was in the 8th grade, used to admonish me, “Look at the third story, Carol! Keep your shoulders back and your chin up.” Can you recommend any other exercises for good posture?
A Living Pencil 
“I’ve begun a master journal of the books I’ve read, in which I write a short synopsis or two-sentence review of the books”.
Good idea!
I guess I said I don’t reread much becuse I usually remember a story in quite a bit of detail. It is so much like watching a movie for me. But I have reread a few (entertainment) books. Phantates being one and Narnia and Tolkeins books as they take more for me to read because I usually skim over the names when reading through the first time (bad habit of mine) I often forget the educational or inspirational books I read though and that bothers me. Maybe keeping a journal would help with that.
I guess it is relative and in my current position I only have so much time to devote to reading so maybe picking a few books and concentrating on them would be a good idea and expanding my list as time allows. I am looking forward to hearing your reviews on your list to help me refine mine.
Kcaarin
Hope y’all had a wonderful time at your party!!signed, wife of the famous man, mother of the young lady you met, sister to Dana in GA
Isnt that fun!! It’s a small world afterall…..
So if course, now I need to know who the famous father is!?!?
I friend of mine, an elegant English lady who stood brilliantly erect at over six feet tall told me once that her mother-in-law (from whom she learned) told her to think of a string at the top of her head that is pulled up. I used to tell my daughters “String!” as their admontion to sit or stand up straight. It seemed better than saying “sit up straight!” (By the way her MIL was also the mother of a famous person, her husband being his brother)
Loved hearing this! I just figured out the familial connection right before Christmas!
Hi “wife, mother and sister” – your daughter is really a lovely young woman. But you don’t need to be told that! We had a wonderful evening. When book lovers meet conversation flows effortlessly. I came away with a children’s author to check out and some wonderful Anglophile talk to savor. LimboLady, I sent you an email with the famous father link. Just trying to preserve other people’s privacy (I love the English pronounciation with a short i). Roseteacup – I love the string clue. My husband and I were trying to come up with a similar verbal clue that was better than, “Honey your slumping.” William Bennet wrote a book called “Slouching Towards Gommorah” so we decided Gommorah would be a great word. Except, Curt keeps saying Sodom and that really draws odd looks when someone overhears it. Heh heh!
I have told a lot of people about Better Posture. And I think a lot of people have noticed a difference in me. I will tell anyone who’ll listen, that this is a great tool if you want to have a good posture..