Barbara/ingebrita ~Jan. 19

We're starting the new year with Barbara/ingebrita whose birthday is on Jan. 19th. As she'll be traveling around that time, we've decided that she'll post some thoughts here, leading to the birthday.

So Barbara, what are your thoughts as we approach Jan. 19th? What's been planned?

Re: Barbara/ingebrita ~Jan. 19

When I think of birthdays two things come to mind.  The first is getting to spend time with my dearly loved grandparents and the second is getting to choose what kind of cake I wanted.  My grandmother died in 1996, age 90, and my grandfather died in 2001, age 95.  I still miss them!

Lemon Jello Cake
1 pkg. lemon cake mix
1 small pkg. lemon Jello
2/3 cup oil
3/4 cup apricot nectar
4 eggs
1 tsp. lemon extract

glaze: 1 cup powdered sugar
juice of 2 lemons

Mix the cake ingredients together and beat well according to cake mix package.  Grease and flour an angel food cake pan or two bread loaf pans.  Pour batter.  Bake 50 minutes at 350 degrees.  Let cake cool.  Prick holes in top of cake and drizzle glaze over the top.

A few years ago I learned that I was allergic to wheat so I haven't had this cake in a long time.  Next time I go to the health food store I'm planning to see if they have a wheat-free lemon cake mix.  If they, do, I think I'll see how it works with the recipe!

Re: Barbara/ingebrita ~Jan. 19

I love lemon cakes too! perhaps you could have key lime pie instead, Barbara?

But not till the 19th. Hold your horses, young lady!

Re: Barbara/ingebrita ~Jan. 19

Since I will be in Florida on my birthday I think I will order a slice of key lime pie - it's probably the best place to enjoy one.  :)

I had a good old fashioned cold this past week - haven't had one in years! - and I guess it made me think of my 8th birthday.  I was home from school sick with a cold and my mother brought me a gift during the day when it was just the two of us.  When I opened it I was so delighted because it was a Magic-8 ball!  Exactly what I had asked for!  (My parents had a history of not quite getting or understanding what it was I really wanted…)  A very good memory.  Just the two of us, content and tucked inside on a cold winter day, surrounded by the snowy woods…

Re: Barbara/ingebrita ~Jan. 19

I recently went to a friends 50th. I'll find a photo. Most of the photos came out with orbs all over them especially the ones where we were dancing and having lots of fun. Photo coming soon.

What birthday is this one Barbara? Or is that none of my business?

Re: Barbara/ingebrita ~Jan. 19

susie's 50th 2008

Re: Barbara/ingebrita ~Jan. 19

That's quite a picture, Jenny.  :)  Was your friend wearing a wedding dress?  I love the tiny overhead lights!

I will be 52 - the idea of getting older, wrinkled and gray never bothered me.  The only thing that bothers me is not feeling as strong.  We were lifting weights for a while and will be getting back to that soon.  (Tim was sick a few times this fall, and his stepdad died in December, so we got off track.  I need him to adjust the machines at the gym for me - my goal is to get strong enough to do it myself!)

Now I'm remembering my 18th birthday…  I was a rebellious teen and left home when I was 17 to live with a boyfriend who was not good for me.  One of my boyfriend's friends was secretly interested in me and flirted with me from time to time, but I was passionately loyal to the jerk I was with.  For my 18th birthday my boyfriend and I went to my parents' house for a party with my family.  In the middle of dinner the guy who was interested in me showed up at the door with a birthday card and present for me!  (I still remember the rush!)  We chatted for a while and then he left - I was too stupid or shocked to ask him to join us and no one else did…

To make a long story short, in March, two months later, he finally made his move.  He knocked on the door of the apartment where I was living with the jerk and told me he had heard that we were having problems and that if I ever broke up with the jerk he would like to date me.  And then he was gone.  My intuition told me this would be the golden opportunity to get myself out of a rut.  A couple of days later I called him, he came and got me in his old car (which broke down on the way to get me!) and he proposed marriage that night!  I said yes and Tim & I have been together ever since - 33 years.  Sometimes I felt guilty that I “used” him to get away from a miserable existence, but I came to love him very deeply very quickly.

So now when I'm with a group of people my age and they start complaining about how dumb their kids' decisions are when they're teenagers I usually pipe up and say that you never know, I made the smartest decision of my life when I was just 18!

Re: Barbara/ingebrita ~Jan. 19

Barbara, what incredible sharings! And I like your take on your decisions as a youngster. One bad one but it led to one WONDERFUL one. So you married young. I guess it's important to marry whenever you find someone right; and then take things as they come. How different your life has been from mine, who married late!

Keep those thoughts coming! Jenny, that is quite a photo; the movement in the center. I see an orb that's red, on a person…

Re: Barbara/ingebrita ~Jan. 19

Meenakshi, My daughter is 27 now and is just starting to think about getting married and having children.  My sister didn't marry until she was 36, and chose not to have children, and I'm happy she has been available to give Larisa advice about college and the world of work.  Even though Beverly and I chose polar opposite paths we're very close.  There are many ways a life can be lived, especially at this time in history when we have more freedom to make such choices.  As a stay-at-home mom it makes me sad when I hear women arguing about which is better for the children.  A wise pediatrician once said that it will be good for the children either way because happiness is contagious.  If mom and dad (or mom and mom or dad and dad) are happy with their choices, the kids will be happy, too.  Different people need different things - isn't it wonderful that we can achieve peace and unity when we allow our fascinating differences to flourish?

Re: Barbara/ingebrita ~Jan. 19

Check these orbs. Susie wanted to look glamourous so had a lovely pink dress made.

Re: Barbara/ingebrita ~Jan. 19

What does it mean that the orbs are in these pictures?

Re: Barbara/ingebrita ~Jan. 19

Barbara, Jenny, Meenaskhi, et al
Let me begin by wishing Barbara a very happy birthday.  Mine is not too far off. In exactly 55 days I will turn 50.  Can't wait.    BTW, where in Florida are you going to be.  I live in Florida.  Let me know.

Re: Barbara/ingebrita ~Jan. 19

Happy 50th in 55 days Gina. Are you doing something special to mark the occasion?
Being 50 something is quite different. I'm 55 and still getting used to this altered phase of life. I've realised health is suddenly a bigger issue especially when I have no real interest in slowing down or retiring. It would be nice but just not me.
I like the way Barbara is revisiting other birthdays here.

Jenny

Re: Barbara/ingebrita ~Jan. 19

Jenny,
I was planning on taking a couple of days off but my “boss” decided that I could not take my 50th off because it was spring break.  I told her that I am only 50 once and she said spring break comes every year.  Ah Well, go figure.  LOL.  Youngsters, they absolutely do not know everything.

Re: Barbara/ingebrita ~Jan. 19

Gina, Thank you very much!  Sounds like you're counting the days!  What are you planning for the big 5-0?  For me it was a non-event, it seems we barely notice birthdays any more.  We'll be in Dunnellon - near Ocala.  Tim's stepdad and his wife retired down there and he recently (in December) died of cancer.  We're going down to give Liz a hand with things - she'll probably sell the house and move in with her sister.

I spent my 17th birthday on a 747 jet flying from Athens, Greece to New York City.  I had never been on an airplane before, my family and I traveled to Greece by ship in 1972.  My sister Beverly and I were flying home a couple of weeks before my parents, so there we were, holding hands, clinging to each other as we boarded a plane for the first time in our lives, alone, at an airport surrounded by tanks and soldiers.

We were living in a suburb of Athens on 25 November 1973 when Ioannides staged a counter coup that overthrew Papadopoulos.  We woke up that morning to the sounds of military band music being broadcast from speakers on poles on the streets.  Then tanks rolled by.  A few hours later our widowed landlady, dressed head to toe in black even though her husband had died years ago, came rushing upstairs in a panic to tell my parents that all foreigners had to go immediately and register with the new government.  That rotten boyfriend I mentioned earlier was visiting us at the time, so he had to go, too.

Anyhow, we made it across the Atlantic on that memorable birthday, but while my sister got used to flying - she's been to Sweden, Spain and Ghana, besides flying around the U.S. - I managed to avoid it for 34 years.  Last June my daughter Larisa persuaded me to fly with her and Tim to Florida to visit Tim's stepdad, Erik, before he died.  (We had driven down before for visits…)  Much to my surprise I enjoyed it!  And Erik thanked me for making the effort and I thanked him for giving me the incentive.  He was a very kind man, always concerned about what others were going through.

So the day before my birthday this year I will once again be in the air and am not anxious - it's wonderful!

(The picture of Beverly and me was taken by my grandmother on the Greek island of Santorini in the spring of 1973…  Meenakshi, notice the lack of blue I was talking about?  I think it's much prettier now.)

Re: Barbara/ingebrita ~Jan. 19

Barbara,
That is a beautiful picture.  What an amazing view. You sure have travelled a lot in your day.  Wish I did when I was younger.   I can't even imagine being around any hostility such as you were.  I have been through Ocala on my way to Sarasota a few years back.  However, we are in Panama City Beach, about eight hours northwest of Ocala.  I love it here.  Right now it is about 39 degrees with a small breeze.  Brrr….I have today off and going to finally get my laundry done.  LOL.
Not sure what I will be doing on my birthday.  Prolly spending it with Greg.  All my family is up north in New York.  Oh well, enough for now, must go and get greg up for work.  TTYL.  Maybe if you are ambitious enough, you can drive up to PCB for the day.  LOL.

Re: Barbara/ingebrita ~Jan. 19

Gina, My family living in Greece for a coupe of years is the only overseas traveling I've done!  And at the time I didn't appreciate it very much, but now I'm glad now to have had the experience.  A couple of years ago I actually made it as far west as Buffalo, New York, and Key West, Florida is as far south as I've been.  Yahoo maps says it's about 5 1/2 hours from Dunnellon to Panama City Beach, but that is probably still too far to make a visit possible, even if we met each other half way…  We will only have two full days with Liz…  I like the idea, though. :)   39 degrees sounds like a heat wave to me! - yesterday we didn't get above 25.  Have you been hit with any hurricanes?

Re: Barbara/ingebrita ~Jan. 19

Thankfully no we have not been hit with a hurricane yet.  However, we did get the after effects of Ike, Hanna and Fay.  With Ike and Fay, our surf was well over 9 foot in some spots and it eroded the shoreline.  I do have some pictures up on that.  Maybe another time we can get together.  Weather here is cold.  about 49 now.  Going to only be in the fifties all this week. 

Re: Barbara/ingebrita ~Jan. 19

I see your photos now, Gina - very impressive!  You call 49 cold!?!  When I woke up this morning it was 25 with a wind chill of 15.  It is now 18 with a wind chill of 1…  :)  Glad I don't have to go anywhere today, although I did sneak out to start the car so it could warm up for Tim this morning.   Brrrrrr!!!!

Re: Barbara/ingebrita ~Jan. 19

Barbara, I really like that picture of you and your sister. Which is who or who is which? Yes, I see that the colors at Santorini are so different from what I picture them. I don't think Aley has read your post yet; it's her dream vacation and I thought she might  come by.

I so agree that to be close or even to have happy children one does not have to be similar–in fact, it may be better to be different! Were you always wise this way, or is this something you learned as you grew?

Gina, special friend of ours, I'm looking forward to your birthday too! Oh, BTW, I live in Florida too- Miami; and we HAVE been hit by hurricanes! [another story–oh I know, I”ll hope over to the have you ever thread and post it there]

So, key lime pie, eh, Barbara?

Choices:

Re: Barbara/ingebrita ~Jan. 19

Miami huh?  Only about a 12 hour drive for us.  As for my “cake”  I rather it be served by either Harrison Ford or Tim McGraw.  That is my only birthday wish.

Re: Barbara/ingebrita ~Jan. 19

Re: Barbara/ingebrita ~Jan. 19

I think Tim McGraw is a country music singer…  I've heard the name but am not familiar with his music.  My son and his wife would probably know, they're big country music fans.

Re: Barbara/ingebrita ~Jan. 19

Oh ok; will look him up; and Barbara, which singer do you want for YOUR party? What song?

Re: Barbara/ingebrita ~Jan. 19

Dave Matthews ~ The Best of What's Around

Re: Barbara/ingebrita ~Jan. 19

Meenakshi, Thanks, I'm glad you like the picture. :)  Beverly is on the left and I am on the right.

(Laughing)  I don't think I was ever wise on my own, just very curious about why people behave the way they do and feeding off the wise observations of others.  There is a book written for kids called What Makes Me Feel This Way? Growing Up With Human Emotions by Eda LeShan which was a marvelous revelation to me when I was younger.  She explained that having a “good” childhood is sometimes an accident of chance.  She gave the example of a pair of bookworm parents giving birth to an active and rambunctious child.  He might grow up feeling very unhappy trying to keep himself in check to please his parents.  But if those parents had a bookworm for a child that child might experience a delightfully happy childhood.  Conversely, that naturally rambunctious active child would probably enjoy being raised by a pair of outdoor-loving pioneers on the prairie, where his energy and activeness would be appreciated.  But pity the poor bookworm born into that family with no books to devour and the parents always prodding him to do some more hard work.  Because of that illustration I decided that “good enough” parents were ones that tried to figure out what each child needed and tried to give them what they needed to flourish.  It's sort of the greenhouse theory of parenting.  Different plants need different amounts of light, water, humidity, temperature, etc. to thrive.  What sustains one would kill another.  And each child needs something different to blossom into who he or she could be, which is why I don't think many child raising theories are too helpful.

Yep, key lime pie - it has been decided!!  I'll take the one from the Key West Key Lime Pie Co. - it looks the most tempting!

Yahoo maps says Miami is 5 hours from Dunnellon, so I guess meeting you is out of the question, too!  Florida is a very big state!  We can get to anywhere in Connecticut or Rhode Island, and parts of Massachusetts in 2 hours or less…

Re: Barbara/ingebrita ~Jan. 19

I hadn't even heard of Dunnellon so far; so yes–big state!

Barbara, I like the way you describe the way I like parenting—the greenhouse way. I had once read that kids don't need to be treated the same; they need to be brought up uniquely. I follow that too.

It's strange how we lump 'em together as “kids” when they're people going thru childhood…!

So how are you as a grandmother, Barbara? How's it to be one? You're a young grandmother aren't you?

Re: Barbara/ingebrita ~Jan. 19

Meenakshi,

It's nice to know someone shares my parenting philosophy!  My son Jon likes to say we're not raising kids, we're raising adults - similar to your concept about people going through childhood.

Yes, I guess 44 was a young age to become a grandmother.  What surprised me about being grandparents was that no matter how ordinary and unremarkable Tim & I think we are, our granddaughters seem to think we're the greatest things walking on the face of the earth!  To hear those squeals of utter delight and excitement, “Grammy!  Grandpa!” - there's nothing quite like it.  They hang on our every word and think everything we do is amazing.  There must be some kind of magic at work because other people don't react to seeing us and being with us like they do!

This is the day that Ella Grace Maelyn became my granddaughter.  She was 2 1/2 when my son married her mother.

This is the day that Eliza Victoria Rose became my granddaughter.

This is one of my favorite pictures of them, Eliza, age 3, and Ella, age 8.

Re: Barbara/ingebrita ~Jan. 19

BEAUTIFUL BUTTERFLIES!
BEAUTIFUL PARENTS
BEAUTIFUL GRANDMOTHER…

No wonder they shout out in glee!

~~~~~~~~~~

For your virtual birthday party, Barbara, do you prefer indoors or outdoors?

I'm thinking of

Re: Barbara/ingebrita ~Jan. 19

I've thought long and hard and cannot ever remember an outdoor birthday party.  January is too cold in New England.  But that gives me an idea.  I've always wanted to go snowshoeing!  A hike in the woods on snowshoes with couple of people and hot cocoa waiting for us at the end, sounds about perfect to me!

I know there are places in Provincetown in the summer similar to the cafe you have pictured there, minus the palm trees…  but I'm a very informal person.  This is more my speed…
Townsend Lobster & Seafood ~ Provincetown

Re: Barbara/ingebrita ~Jan. 19

Barbara,
Yes, Tim McGraw is a country singer.  His wife is Faith Hill.  Awesome music and very handsome.  Harrison Ford, well, he is Harrison Ford.  Star Wars, Air Force One.  When I lived in New York, he used fly his plane to a small airport about 30 miles south of us and I vowed that I would stake that airport out every June…Never happened.  LOL.  Tim McGraw's father was Tug McGraw, the New York Met and Philly relief pitcher. 
Meenaskhi, that outdoor cafe looks very inviting, and Barbara that is a wonderful shot of an old new England town.  I remember going to Boston.  I love Boston and then we visited Glouster.  We were right in the spot where they filmed the movie “The Perfect Storm”.  Such a good movie with such a sad ending.
It is now only 48 more days!  Counting them down anxiously.

Hey, BTW, to get off the subject.  How does one post pictures in a blog or response.  I see all these pictures, but I can't seem to do it.  Help please.

Re: Barbara/ingebrita ~Jan. 19

Gina, I'll have to have a listen to Tim McGraw and Faith Hill.  Do they perform together?  There are a few country singers I like, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Willie Nelson and Emmylou Harris, but I never listen to country radio stations so my exposure has been rather limited.  When I do listen to the radio I listen to it “streaming” on the web, independent radio, Martha's Vineyard & the World, WMVY:  http://www.mvyradio.com/    I like the station because it has a huge music collection and plays all genres - it isn't tied to a corporate playlist.  I get pretty passionate about the evils of the music business, so I should stop before I get started!!!  There is a documentary that supports my point of view, which I recommend to anyone and everyone, Before the Music Dies.  http://www.beforethemusicdies.com/

I love Boston, too.  And all the charming seaside towns surrounding it.  We live about half way between Boston and New York and have quite a split between Red Sox and Yankee fans.  You should see some of the bumper stickers around here!  I'm adding the Perfect Storm to may Netflix list - thanks for the tip.  I've been seeing some great movies lately, all recommended by various friends here at Gaia!

48 more days - what is the exact date?

I'm probably not the best one to try and explain posting pictures, but I'll give it a try.  (And I'm not sure my way is the best, it's just how I've managed so far…)  First of all you have to have the picture in your computer somewhere.  For the blog, under the tags box is an Images box.  Click on browse and find your picture and click on open.  It doesn't really tell you that it got it, but the picture should be there.  I also check the little box to put the image in my gallery, too.  When you send the blog post the picture should be there.

For the group discussions I put the picture in my photo gallery first (I see you know how to do that).  Then click on View & Comments to get the full size picture.  Click on the full size picture and copy it, then take it over to your entry on the pod and click on paste where you want the picture.  It should appear!  Hope that makes sense?!?

Re: Barbara/ingebrita ~Jan. 19

Barb,
Thanks for the tip.  I will try it doing it tomorrow.  March 5th is the date.  Faith and Tim recorded a couple of songs together but as a rule they usually don't perform together unless either of them are not on tour.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7mHaFMqde6A
Take a gander at this video.  Awesome.  He wrote it after his Dad died. 
I have to agree with you on some music that is not fit for the ears.  I used to listen to contemporary music but that  got to annoying.  Now, I really enjoy the country music.  It relaxes me.
I remember going to Quincy Market and just roaming around the plaza there.  Down here we have a new outdoor shopping area, much like Quincy, yet more tropical…Pier Park.  So nice.  Lots of new stores and some chain stores like Borders, Victoria Secrets, Yankee Candles, Target.  We have Margaritaville and so much more.
Let me know what you think of the video.

Re: Barbara/ingebrita ~Jan. 19

gina, Live Like You Were Dying was a wonderful video - I agree with Tim McGraw’s sentiments. My mom was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 55 and she died of it at age 59. I like to think I learned a lesson about how precarious this life can be. I hope I have.

Re: Barbara/ingebrita ~Jan. 19

Barbara, before you fly off to Florida, here are some balloons to celebrate your birthday. Hmmm…you can't carry them with you can you? BUT  you can always log in here and see them….


2 days to go!

         
Source

Re: Barbara/ingebrita ~Jan. 19

Many thanks for the colorful balloons, Meenakshi!!!

Re: Barbara/ingebrita ~Jan. 19

So–are you back, Barbara? Here we all are, wishing you

A VERY

We’ve gathered at

and are singing for you

Source of some of the gifs

Re: Barbara/ingebrita ~Jan. 19

WOW! I’m overwhelmed!! Thanks, everyone!!!

Re: Barbara/ingebrita ~Jan. 19

Happy Birthday, Barbara!  What an auspicious time for a birthday - as the days are getting longer and we are preparing for the rebirth of Spring.  Best wishes for a wonderful 2009 and a birthday that sets a positive tone for the rest of this exciting year!

Peace,

Earon

-=-=-=-=-====================================

Re: Barbara/ingebrita ~Jan. 19

Thank you, Earon! Spring will be extra special this year, I suspect. We’ve already had 26 inches of snow this month, way above average for the Connecticut shoreline. I never saw snow cover from the air before - I was flying home from Florida yesterday - it had a strange beauty…

Re: Barbara/ingebrita ~Jan. 19

Happy Yesterday Birthday, Barbara !! I'm so glad I know you here, and that we discovered we have Cape Cod in common !!!! And lots of other things, too !!!!!

Amongst my friends and I, we have birthday MONTHS not birthday days. the earlier and later cards and gifts come in, the better. Stretches out the celebration !!

In mid-January in Seattle, as usual, my daffies are already over an inch high……

Halfway between Boston and New York….. I know Connecticut well, too. Hartford, the coast, my sister lived in Old Greenwich for awhile. Traveled NY-Boston dozens of times by car, both directions.

Small world it is !!!

May your next year of life be the most wonderfully delightfully spectacular YET. Thanks for allowing us to get to know you better, here in this thread !!

Blessings, OM Bastet

Re: Barbara/ingebrita ~Jan. 19

Happy birthday from Australia. You are spanning the world.

Re: Barbara/ingebrita ~Jan. 19

Thank you, Jenny! I hope you’re keeping cool “down” there!

Just knowing that the world is round

Here I’m dancing on the ground

Am I right side up or upside down?

Dave Matthews (Crush)

Re: Barbara/ingebrita ~Jan. 19

Thank you, OM! We do have a lot in common! If you ever find yourself on the east coast traveling up I-95 again I hope you’ll stop by to see me. (Just give me a little warning so I can get off Gaia and tidy up the place…) Daffodils in January! Hard for me to imagine. Seattle must be so lovely, and I wouldn’t even mind the rain I hear so much about. (Bright sunny days can bother my light-sensitive migraine-prone eyes…)

Re: Barbara/ingebrita ~Jan. 19

Barbara my birthday wish to you.

50’s just a stepping stone.

Wishing you many more.

I’m working on 61 :-)

Re: Barbara/ingebrita ~Jan. 19

[Wow Lars, what a fab link!]

Re: Barbara/ingebrita ~Jan. 19

Thank you, Larry! The cake looks scrumptious!! Nice to know that the peace symbol is only two years younger than me… I wish you many more stepping stones, too. :)

Re: Barbara/ingebrita ~Jan. 19

Shhh..Barbara’s status says: “en route from Florida to Connecticut and looking forward to getting back on Gaia for more than a minute!”

While we’re waiting for the birthday girl to show up again; here’s some appetizers…STAY AWAY FROM Lars’ CAKE, NOW! That’s for later.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~“

And here’s my gift: Barbara, you can open it anytime you like:

A camphor chest from China



inside which are  [click on the box to see!]

Re: Barbara/ingebrita ~Jan. 19

Thank you, Meenakshi for the beautiful box and the wonderful scarves and for this wonderful thread! It’s been a rewarding experience for me and I’m looking forward to celebrating the next person’s birthday!

Liz created a memorable birthday for me in Florida. She found an authentic Key Lime pie and even put a little birthday candle in my first slice. She also gave me a little bottle of genuine Key Lime juice and a recipe to bring home with me. Enough juice for one pie so I will have to find a special occasion to use it! :) Rare stuff!

We enjoyed the afternoon at a place I was curious to visit, the Crystal River Archaeological State Park…

A National Historic Landmark, this 61-acre, pre-Columbian, Native American site has burial mounds, temple/platform mounds, a plaza area, and a substantial midden. The six-mound complex is one of the longest continuously occupied sites in Florida. For 1,600 years the site served as an imposing ceremonial center for Native Americans. People traveled to the complex from great distances to bury their dead and conduct trade. It is estimated that as many as 7,500 Native Americans may have visited the complex every year. Although primarily an archaeological site, the park sits on the edge of an expansive coastal marsh.