The Trouble With Orange

The Trouble with Orange

CStratton

I have had a love hate relationship with certain colors. Some colors will be my favorite for life: orchid, robins egg blue and lemon yellow sit on my permanent list. I never get tired of these colors. But I’ve held ambivalent feelings for a few certain hues.

Burnt orange marked the color of early marriage. When I first was married, my husband had a house. In the house he had a shag rug with variegated shades of orange…talk about loud! The rug called out “look at me, first” when one stepped into the living room. In order to compliment the rug my previously bachelor husband chose a tangerine velvet sofa and love seat, just the right look for a singles pad. I, of course became co-owner of this piece of furniture when we married and moved into the house. I hated it!  The whole room gave me a huge headache. And as luck would be, the material on that sofa held up like iron, for years, through a new puppy and two babies. Projectile vomiting flew out of one child, always timed when I sat on the sofa with him. I still can remember wiped off the slimy substance off with a wet towel. The sofa, no less for the wear and tear, dried off and looked as perky as before the pre volcanic eruption. Rats. The ugly orange sofa never frayed or showed any wear. I thought it would never die.

As I have mellowed in my color-opinions, I re-embraced this neglected color. Recently I found myself so drawn to an orangeish-pink dress,  that I chose it for my mother of the bride’s dress at my daughter’s wedding. It wasn’t a true orange but I did feel a little guilty for being so harsh with my past opinions regarding anything near the hue. I had to admit, this color looked spectacular on me. 

I soon found another wedding guest who felt that way. As I waited for the guests to be seated, I noticed MY DRESS walk into the ceremony. Was I seeing things? No, it was the one and the same: it even had the same fabric coat that came with the dress.  I knew that color would bring me trouble. My choice: to go back to hating orange and banning it from my wardrobe, or to embrace my inner color consultant. I stewed a moment before taking a second glance at her dress. It did look elegant. I had to hand it to her; This mystery woman did have the good taste to choose one of the more vibrant colors of the season. She looked quite nice.

I made peace with orange that day. As I look at the wedding pictures, I see a dress with a very happy mother of the bride. The color, coral might be a tad bright but when I see that hue, I will always associate it with a great memory.

Welcome back orange!

Do you have a love/hate affair with a certain color?

carol stratton

At your age?

Since today is my birthday and I’ve heard most of the sayings about growing older.  George Carlin wrote that turning 40 is like the turning or souring of milk.  40 seemed when my bill with gravity became fully due.  Certain things moved to places I wasn’t pleased with, while others just started to ache.  I went to my doctor because I had a pain in my ankle that wouldn’t go away.

He examined my ankle, took a few pictures of my ankle, looked at it again.  Finally after scratching his head he started with my most dreaded phrase, “At your age…”  I didn’t hear anything else about the diagnosis because I’m stuck thinking, what age?

At your age, what does that mean?  I know they are trying to break to me gently that my body isn’t the same lean, mean, fighting machine of my twenties-I know that.  “At your age” is now the catch phrase of “we don’t really know what’s wrong, it’s just your body getting older.”  What age exactly is “your age”?  I didn’t hear the phrase until I turned 40 then I hear it every time I go to the doctor.  Fifty is the new twenty, over the hill is now over 60.  40 remains the “at your age” age. 

What age do you think everything turns, like sour milk?  Has a doctor ever told you that dreaded “At your age?”  What did you think?

Guacamole – Fresh, easy and homemade!

Over the years, guacamole has experienced a REAL makeover! In the past when I thought of guacamole, I thought of green, smooth, unhealthy, almost tasteless stuff a person buys in the grocery store or purchases at a Mexican restaurant. Today’s guacamole is made with fresh ingredients and is actually healthy and trendy.

Some time ago, a friend of mine named Lynn invited me for dinner. Lynn is one of those entertainers who invite you right into her kitchen while she is cooking. I watched her make the guacamole and then, after tasting it, vowed to never, ever eat pre-made guacamole again. It was amazingly easy to make and the taste – well, I cannot begin to describe how good it was. She used fresh limes, garlic, tomatoes, salt, cracked pepper and avocados (Lynn, please share your recipe and tips!).

Since that time, I have come to understand that homemade guacamole recipes are as numerous and varied as ways to drink coffee! Some people use a lot of fresh garlic, others prefer cumin, and still others prefer fresh cilantro. Let us hear your favorite recipe or special tips for making fresh, homemade, guacamole.

The Concealed Question: To Carry or Not to Carry

Last Christmas, my husband’s family bought us lessons to receive our concealed handgun permits. Here it is six months later, and I have still not made the appointment. It is no secret what is holding me back, it is fear. I am afraid to handle a gun, seeing as I have hardly any experience doing so, and I am afraid not to get the permit. As a graduate student leaving evening classes, I constantly feel a hesitation or anxiousness when walking to the parking deck. At the same time, I cannot carry a gun with me on the school grounds to begin with. This decision, to carry or not to carry, has been weighing heavily on my mind. I will no doubt eventually take the class, obtain the permit, but will I exercise it…I am not sure. I was a junior in college when the Virginia Tech shootings occurred. An event like this sits heavy on the hearts of college students, people just trying to get an education, to prepare for the future. People began asking the question again, what if someone else had been carrying a gun that day? When is it necessary or time to protect yourself? These are, without saying, tremendously difficult questions. I will keep you posted about my decision and journey with this process. I would like to know, do any of our readers have their concealed carry permit, why, or why not? Does it promote a sense of safety, or insecurity?

My Rainy Day To Do List

My Rainy Day List

Carol G. Stratton

Shine silverware
Make a pot of Chicken Noodle soup with real stock
Make Death by Chocolate dessert and eat it for lunch instead of the soup
Clean out my underwear drawer
Try shopping in my closet
Get a Good Will box going
Take a nap: I’m depressed after doing #4 and #5.
Call a long lost friend
Run the shredder, dishwasher and the oven cleaner cycle all at once
Wash the combs and brushes in the house
Pamper my feet
Go across the street and play with my friend’s baby
Sit on the porch with my husband

These things seem to fall under specific categories:

• Domesticating: I save things like shining silverware for bad weather. It gives me some satisfaction I didn’t just blow off the day.

• Socializing: Reconnecting with old friends gives my life more continuity.

• Pampering: This area has become a necessity the older I get, getting less optional all the time! Those feet: how did they go from soft and pliable on their bottoms to feeling like a piece of overcooked steak? Who put those old lady feet on my middle-aged body?

• Reality Facing: This comes under cleaning out the underwear drawer”. I am amazed I could fit into the tinier ones. Somehow, underwear is the hardest item of clothing to pitch; underwear sizes being my last bastion of denial.

• Reality Appreciating: I put this under “porch-sitting”. During my carpool era, I’d pass by one of my outdoor chairs, pat it and remind it how “we would have a date soon”. It’s great to now sit “guilt free” with my husband and best friend.

Do you have indulgent things you do on rainy days? Do you have a drawer you hate to clean out? What domestic accomplishments make you feel like you’ve conquered your house?

Do you have a list?

Are you on the list?

I heard on the radio that some couples have a Trump Card, that one celebrity you keep in your mind or with your spouse that causes your heart to go pitter patter. You know that person, he/she arrives knocking at your door. You answer the door and in my case, Liam Neeson says those words from the movie Rob Roy that are forever seared in my mind.
“Have I told you lately how fine you are to me, Kelly Melang? (here I inserted my name)  Can I take you away?”
I turn, looking at my family. My husband watching the News, my boys fighting over some piece of candy found in the sofa. “Honey, you can have the house….”
This is where the Trump card comes in, I could walk out that door because heck, it’s all fantasy anyway. I asked my husband if he had a Trump card, “One? Some of my friends have lists they alphabetize.”
I ask another friend, he answers without hesitation, “Doris Day.” Doris Day? Is she still living?
We compromise on a top 5 because we know that there’s no way we’ll ever meet these people except on the movie screen or television. Others say that these lists are not healthy. What do you think? Do you have a list? Who’s on your list? What would you do if there was that knock at the door, and it’s not Ed McMahon…..

Weddings – Ideas, Questions and Support!

Do you have questions about planning your special day?  Are you willing to share ideas with other women who are planning a wedding?  Tell us about your best ideas for planning a wedding, the great ideas that came from your guests or the great ideas you have observed at other people’s weddings. 

On June 6, 2009, my oldest daughter, Kalee, got married.  It was a day more beautiful than I could have ever imagined.  After the wedding, my new son-n-law, Matt, who was smiling as big as I’ve ever seen, said . . . this was the best wedding I’ve ever been to!  The day was filled with joy, love, celebration and many details.  Kalee, her sister Jillian, her future mother-n-law, and I planned and planned and planned for almost a year.

Although we had some good ideas before the wedding, we also found that after the wedding we saw great ideas coming from our guests.  Below is a brief list of good ideas from the Goodman/Howard wedding. 

Ideas before the wedding . . . .

1.)                 Plan to be finished with everything a week before the wedding and plan a few light days following the wedding –   this means for the entire wedding party!

2.)                Bubble “wands” for when the happy couple leaves – makes great pictures!

3.)                When people ask to help . . . let them.

4.)                Let love, appreciation and thankfulness flow like a mighty river! 

5.)                Don’t take things too seriously – have fun!

Two ideas from guests . . .

1.)                 4:28:11 pm  One guest wrote down the exact time the happy couple was pronounced husband and wife.  The time was written on the wedding bulletin, shown to the couple during the reception.  It was suggested that they pass this on to other couples in the future as they attended weddings.  The note then was placed in the guest book for safekeeping.

2.)                How can we help you?  Two of my friends arrived an hour early and asked how they could help.  Needless to say, this needs to be very close friends, not a crowd!  It was a complete gift!

What were some of the things that went really well at your wedding or at a wedding you attended? 

What suggestions do you have for the bride, the mother of the bride or anyone else involved in planning a wedding? 

What questions do you want to ask others whose wedding is now a sweet reflection?

Girls Night Out Tonight!

Hi Ladies!

I wanted to remind everyone that our monthly Girls Night Out is Tonight (Tuesday, June 9th) at Ombu Wood Fire Fusion from 5:00pm to Close.  There will be 1/2 Price Wine by the Glass, $5 Martinis, and $5 Appetizers!  Grab a friend (or two), a neighbor, your sister, your mother, a co-worker, grab SOMEBODY and have a much needed, and long overdue, Girls Night Out!

And opps!  We have a correction on Ombu’s Phone Number.  The correct phone number is 336-293-4346.

There will be Drawings:  Lunch for Two, Early Bird Dinner for Two, Bottles of Wine, One hour consult with June Delugas Interiors, and Two Carowinds Tickets!

We hope to see you Tonight!

–Jennifer

Are you too old to have children?

The oldest woman to give birth is 72 years old.  She just gave birth to twins!  A woman in Cincinnati was denied the ability to adopt a puppy from a rescue because she’s too old at 69.  When are you too old to have a child?

I planned on children before I was 40 and my second child came in April, 2 months before I turned 40  He was named Maximum for a reason, he provided the answer to the “Are you going to have any more children?” question.  As they say, “the heir and the spare”, I feel blessed.

I felt my age being up at 3am for three months straight and this time it wasn’t because I was out with friends.  I feel my age chasing them down the aisles in the grocery store, trying to keep my cart free of cereal straws, candy, and processed food.  I feel old after a long day of cleaning up dog poop, spilled jello, and glue out of someone’s hair. 

I feel young when they hold my hand and ask me to run with them on the playground, and I do!  I feel young when the cocoon we so eagerly watch for over two weeks actually produced a little (ok, pathetic looking) brown moth.  I feel young when they tell their friends I’m 30, well ok, 30 is actually old to them.

What do you think?  What’s too old to have a child?  Do you have experiences as a parent that makes you feel too old to have children?  Too young to have children?

Tom Petty’s Not the Only One “Free Fallin’”

This week, I have been working on an article that will explore day trip opportunities.  In addition to some great family activities — I’ve found some fantastic opportunities for adults!  On Tuesday, I was invited to experience simulated skydiving at Paraclete XP in Raeford. 

First — please understand — I am not a daredevil, nor am I a risk taker.  The whole skydiving concept has never appealed to me…I don’t even like flying so the urge to jump out of a plane has never sounded even remotely appealing.  Pretty much, I’m a chicken.  I also avoid skiing because I don’t see the fun of flinging oneself down a mountain and I don’t ride horses because they have free will and lack a brake pedal. 

But this was too cool to pass up…  In a nutshell — Paraclete XP has this really big wind tunnel that creates the skydiving experience in a much safer and controlled environment.

Because I had such a great time, I wanted to share my experience with Forsyth Woman blog-readers.  Visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W9RHsuS3OcM to watch the video clip of my flight! 

When you watch the video, you’ll get a great chuckle out of my hair.  I had double braided it prior to “lift off” with the optimistic hope that I could avoid a really big tangle post-flight (incidentally, it didn’t work).  My hair decided to go for an independent free fall resulting in the striking resemblance to Pippi Longstocking caught in a tornado…perhaps I was trying to land in Oz???

At any rate — I hope you enjoy the video…I had so much fun! 

When we were kids, we rarely passed up the opportunity for adventure.  As adults, we let other things get in the way claiming a lack of time or worry about what those nit-picky insurance agents will say.  As a result, these kinds of experiences pass us by…but it’s so refreshing to have the occasional reminder to let go, relax, and enjoy the free fall.

What about you?  Do you have any exciting adventures you’d like to share?

PS:  Check for the Day Trip article in July’s issue of Forsyth Family.