This might be the first Christmas that liquor did not touch these lips. However, it’s been non-stop cheese and sugar consumption in the garden. We’ll be back to regular programming after a quick detox.
Wishing you a bright and prosperous New Year.
mental health
Can You Hear Me Now?
Being buried with a cell phone is the second most requested item to be placed in a loved one’s casket, immediately after a request to be cremated with a pet’s ashes.
“We had a young man die this past summer and they put his cell phone in the casket for the viewing and it rang constantly,” says Frank Perman, of Frank R. Perman Funeral Home, Inc. of Pittsburgh, Pa. “It was turned to silent, but you could see the phone light up so you knew people were calling. And they were leaving messages.
THE NEW TAPS:
“Some people will call the deceased just as they’re lowering the coffin into the ground,” he says. “It’ll be prearranged and you’ll hear a faint ring.
Cell phones are the most popular, but I-Pods and Game Boys are also going to the grave.
Funeral professionals are only too happy to comply these days, as long as people don’t try to cremate gadgets along with anyone’s remains.
“You can’t cremate any kind of electronic device like a cell phone or hearing aid or pacemaker,the battery will explode. If a family wants the cell phone with a person who’s being cremated, I’ll put it in the urn afterwards.”
Continue reading….
*according to a survey of 100,000 people last year by the British charity Age Concern (sort of the AARP of England)
Hand Made Christmas
Years ago, there were a couple of Christmas’ that I had to craft gifts and it embarrassed me. I wasn’t proud of my work. Well, I’m over that and pleased to be shopping handmade whenever possible on the Etsy. I could be a poser and pretend that I stitched up this darling apron that even arrived gift-wrapped!
Or knit these hand warmers.
But my friends and family know that I’m too busy to bead up this cool copper eyeglass leash…
So, I’ll give credit and support these crafters, who came through with a quality product and speedy shipping.
Thank you and happy ho-ho!
Happy Holidays from Urn Garden
Here’s my holiday gift-giving-don’t. An urn as a surprise Christmas gift. Bad idea.
The guy who bought the urn pendant for his girlfriend. He called ahead to check the return policy in the event she was uncomfortable with his gift. She was.
One well-meaning lady wanted to buy this urn for her daughter’s boyfriend who’d lost his mother the prior Christmas. She just knew he’d be thrilled to find the Purple Passion urn under the tree. He wasn’t.
Both clients had their bad idea jeans on that day.
Please. Call me if your significant other specifically requests an urn as a Christmas gift. It’s kind of a personal choice, don’t assume.
Merry Christmas!
Vintage Christmas pix via Square America.
Entertaining Under The Influence
As a gift to myself, I purchased Amy Sedaris’, Hospitality Under the Influence. So glad I did, it’s currently sold out on Amazon…but if you find it….GET IT!
Great recipes, craft ideas, and entertaining tips that made me chortle.
I found this little gem:
Most people want to contribute when someone else is grieving, but often they are unsure of what to do. I know when I hear the words “it was a freak accident, immediately think “I need to roast a chicken.”
I always like to keep what I call a grieving kit tucked away in my closet for these occasions. It’s like a first-aid kit for the brain.
THE GRIEVING KIT
- Alprazolam
- An assortment of handkerchiefs (personalized if time permits)
- A laminated picture of a religious figure or icon
- Candles
- A mix tape of sad songs
- A tuft of hair from the deceased
- Extra Alprazolam