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The Call to Duty – Maid of Honor 101

Posted on May 31, 2012

“A dame that knows the ropes isn’t likely to get tied up.”  Mae West The wonderful world of wedding season is upon us.  For some, this means excitement and joy, for others it signifies relief from the abyss of planning purgatory.  Having personally survived many weddings (my own as well as my children’s) and being witness to countless others, I feel it is my duty to right the ship on Maid of Honor duties. Ladies, if you have been honored with a request to be a Maid or Matron of Honor, you’ve essentially been called to duty.  Don’t panic.  This is a job for the tenacious; the tough; the strong and forcible!  YOU CAN DO IT!  Here’s how you can do it with style……

Categories: All, Holidays / Occasions

“Duh” is not a word

Posted on May 28, 2012

Our culture embraces intelligence and beauty.  It is a hard fact of the world we live in.  We “fit” into specific social circles or we don’t.  You might say that you don’t care but that would be a lie.  We all want to be admired and respected.  The formula for good social form at any level is an easy one; love and respect yourself. Demonstrate it by dressing and speaking as though you do.  People make instant judgements based on these elements.  If you dress like a slob, you will be viewed as such.  If you speak idiotically, you will be viewed as such.  I am not saying you need to become someone you are not. I am saying that you need to be…

Categories: All, Communication Protocols, Everyday Civilities, Out & About

Tipping #2: It’s a Hair Thing

Posted on May 19, 2012

Ask any woman in America who “does” her hair and you will be provided with a monologue.  It will be delivered in much the same way a spy cryptically delivers the formula for the H-Bomb.  It will be divulged quietly and abruptly.  If you are a close, personal friend you will receive more information than if you were merely an acquaintance.  After all, we don’t want the world to learn of the magic hands we’ve studiously searched for.  We found the prize and we don’t want to share. He or She is ours. 10 years, 6 weeks and 3 days ago I was forced to painfully re-enter the stylist search.  “My girl” decided to bear children and become a stay-at-home mommy.  I can still…

Categories: All, Out & About, Tipping

Cheerful Stupid

Posted on May 15, 2012

A few years ago, my daughter was describing a situation she caught herself in unwillingly. She was involved in a friendly conversation at work with several of her fellow nurses.  It was friendly only on the surface as one of her colleagues clearly had an axe to grind with another nurse.  As the axe wielding colleague gave way to temptation and verbally assaulted the other, the rest of the group was left with their mouths agape and an uncertainty on what to do.  The nurse receiving the tongue lashing politely handled the situation with noble composure and professionalism.  No rescue or interference was required.  It also would have been professionally unwise.  The rest of the group stood there with an expression my daughter aptly…

Categories: All, Communication Protocols, Entertaining, Everyday Civilities, Out & About

Something Smells Fishy

Posted on May 12, 2012

My daughter and son-in law love to fish.  With two of their own tadpoles to tend to, they don’t get to take advantage of their hobby as often as they’d like.  Although I don’t personally share their passion for angling,  I’m often privy to their occasional rant.  The diatribes generally involve dramatic reenactments of those who bend the rules on the water making the merriment of fishing miserable for all the others.  The diatribes should be saved for the retelling of the size of the fish and the extreme and heroic efforts taken as the battle was won. In our neck of the woods, fishing is a year round sport.  This may be obvious except for the fact that from December to March the…

Categories: All, Gaming

The Invitation: Sans Child

Posted on May 9, 2012

This posting will be painful for some of you, but necessary.  Please try to remember that what does not kill you just might make you stronger.  At least, it will enlighten you.  Ignorance might be bliss but it isn’t if you step on the toes of another person. You’ve received an invitation. You’ve studied it for hours.  The invitation does not list your child by name nor does it mention that children are invited.  The invitation may be in written form or verbal; it does not matter.  The rules apply for each scenario.  What do you do?  In the midst of your bewilderment you will recall these words:  THEY ARE NOT INVITED.  You are now plotting… You are considering bringing your bundle of joy,…

Categories: All, Communication Protocols, Entertaining, Everyday Civilities, Holidays / Occasions

Airport C.O.P. – Phone Call Faux Pas #2

Posted on May 6, 2012

I’m self-appointing myself a C.O.P. (Cellphone Opposition Policewomen).  I don’t have a badge yet but this is the mental picture I have of myself.  I recently returned from a business trip where the business took five hours and the time spent in the airport, 14 hours.  There is nothing glamorous about business travel.  What awaits the weary business traveler is bad food, long lines, security checkpoints, erect nap times and personal space invasions.  I can muddle through all of these with a minimum amount of whining.  What I cannot seem to overcome however, is my hypersensitivity to cell phone usage in the airport.  This cannot be overstated. I personally chose to carry a regular cell phone.  It is not a smartphone.  It does not…

Categories: All, Communication Protocols, Everyday Civilities, Out & About, Travel

Destination: YARD SALE!

Posted on May 2, 2012

Elizabeth Taylor once said “It’s not the having, it’s the getting“.  Liz and I were not besties but I’m sure she was alluding to the great American past time of the garage sale.  It’s that time of year again where the American public opens themselves up to the humbling experience of self-enterprise.  Where complete strangers follow the beacon of handmade signage to obtain the holy grail of ” THE DEAL”.  I confess I am one of the flock. Not only do I look forward to this pilgrimage as a customer, I also become a vendor.  Today, I’m directing this entry to the pilgrims. Each year I tell myself that it will be the last.  Exhausting hours of preparation and imploring my friends for extra…

Categories: All, Holidays / Occasions, Out & About