EVERYTHING TAKES LONGER IN FLORIDA
Before I go out for the day I sit down and make a list of what I want to accomplish that day.

For example yesterday my list was as follows:

Get tire repaired ( had a flat the other day )
Go to Flea Market (haven't been there since I came down to Florida)
Go to new Dress Shop in town (I have a 10% coupon)
Go to the Bank (need cash)
Go to the supermarket (even though I eat out a lot still need milk, etc.)
Go to library (wanted to pick up some books and also see what programs they will be having in January).

After I got the flat fixed did some rethinking. I know how busy the stores can be so I said, "first things first", get money and food, then see what time I have left, and proceed from there.

When I got to the mall, where the bank and market are, it took my some time until I got a parking space.

When I finally got into the bank there were only four people in line and one teller.

It didn't look bad BUT the customer that was being waited on must have had a million dollars worth of business to conduct because she was there forever!

The manager came by and explained that one teller was out with the flu and the other teller was out to lunch. It took me one half hour before I got waited on.

Next stop was the supermarket, which didn't look too bad at first, but when I approached the deli counter it was very busy and for some reason the help is VERY SLOW. They talk slow, walk slow and slice slow!

After all that I decided to call it a day.

At the rate I am going it will probably take me a week of Sundays to get the rest of my list done.

Such is life in sunny Florida.

posted by millie garfield @ 5:24 PM | Permalink | I LOVE COMMENTS >> 1 comments

 
AFTER WILMA
When Wilma hit the Delray Beach area in Florida I was still up North, I looked for detailed news on the internet, TV and the newspapers. The reports told of severe damage to the area but it did not reveal how it affected the lives of the people who lived through it.

By the time I arrived, the electricity was restored, supermarkets were open and the phones were working. What I saw were porches blown off, shrubs and trees either gone or damaged, and the roof of the clubhouse was gone. Fortunately my place had minor damage.

Through word of mouth I did learn what had happened to some of the people who live here.

Recently, the Sun-Sentinel had an in depth story about how the storm has effected the lives of many residents, After Wilma, many in damaged retirement communities find a new place to call home.

One 91 year old gentleman has lived in his home for the past 32 years but when the ceiling of his condo caved in, he had to vacate.

"Yet he was almost forcibly dragged by a case manager to a retirement center a few miles away."

"Repairs haven't even started on his apartment but when they're done, he isn't so sure he'll go back."

He, like others that relocated to the assisted living facility like eating in the dining room, like their new lifestyle where someone else takes care of life's basics and there are plenty of people their age.

What a life saver the assisted living facility is for these people, whether they decide to stay there permanently, or just use this time to pull themselves together.

Maybe something good with come out of Wilma, afterall.

posted by millie garfield @ 4:16 PM | Permalink | I LOVE COMMENTS >> 0 comments

 
What I Know on the Piano
When my mom and I go out together, a lot of times we end up doing something that she normally wouldn't do.

This time we were at CompUSA and I saw a keyboard hooked up to a Macintosh, so I asked her to play something.



posted by Steve Garfield @ 12:25 PM | Permalink | I LOVE COMMENTS >> 0 comments

 
I CAN OPEN IT
Those of you who have seen my video blogs know the trouble that I have opening jars and packages. I want to tell you about my latest conquest!

While I am here in Flordia I go out to eat more then I do back home. Who wants to stay in and cook in this nice weather. The trouble is that when you go out to eat I am presented with a few problems.

First of all, most restaurants offer a full course dinner which includes soup or salad, entre served with two vegtables, delicious bread, beverage and dessert, the trouble with that is, you eat too much.

The second problem is if you choose to go to a popular restaurant you have to wait a long time to be seated, even if you go at 4:30pm.

The third problem is, it can become costly.

What my friends and I do is go to a place like Wendys once in a while. The food is good, the price is right and there is no waiting. There is one problem at Wendys. When I order the Chicken Oriental, it comes with little packets of salad dressing, chinese noodles and almonds.

You guessed it, I can't open the packets. I found a solution, I bring my own two inch scissors!! Who knows, I might make some new friends that way, lots of people will want to borrow my scissors!!

Millie

posted by millie garfield @ 5:20 PM | Permalink | I LOVE COMMENTS >> 0 comments

 
A Blogging Pioneer

Patrick J. Kiger writes in this month's AARP Bulletin, Older, Wiser Bloggers. Want a Place in the Blogosphere? Join the Club.

Among the pioneers is Millie Garfield, 80, of Swampscott, Mass., who's been writing "My Mom's Blog" for the past three years. "One day, I saw an article in the Boston Globe about bloggers, and so I asked my son Steve, who's into computers, 'What the heck is this blogging thing?' " she says. "He said, 'Ma, you should start your own blog.' "

posted by Steve Garfield @ 9:20 AM | Permalink | I LOVE COMMENTS >> 0 comments

 
A FLORIDA ADVENTURE
Since I arrived in Florida I have been to the supermarket, deli, bakery, Walgreens, Costco, car wash, gas station and auto repair shop.

Now you might ask, "what were you doing in a repair shop?" I'll tell you.

The company that I ship my car down with requires you to have no more then a quarter of a tank of gas in the car, which means one of the first things I do when I get my car is go to a service station to fill up the tank.

Fortunately, Steve came down with me and we rented a car while we waited for delivery of my car, which came six days after I arrived.

Once I got my car, off I went to the gas station to fill her up and what do you know, the fuel filler door would not open!

I needed help!

The only person around was an ELDERLY gentleman who was filling up his tank. Here I am, this cute young chic approaching this old guy, he was so startled he took the gas pump out of the tank and the gas went all over the ground and over his pants!! He did not realize what was happening until I called it to his attention.

He did try to open the fuel filler door, but to no avail.

The next day I called an auto repair shop, from what I told them on the phone they knew what the problem was and ordered the part for me.

I am back in business now, but that poor guy, I don't know how he is going to get those pants cleaned up.

posted by millie garfield @ 5:22 PM | Permalink | I LOVE COMMENTS >> 0 comments

 
Video: Hanukkah Rocks
My mom schedules Hanukkah at her convenience, before she heads off to Florida.

Here's a video from Hanukkah this year:



Happy Holidays!

posted by Steve Garfield @ 11:20 PM | Permalink | I LOVE COMMENTS >> 0 comments

 
NICE AND EASY RUM BALLS
Before I take off for Florida I want to leave you with a delicious holiday recipe. If you do make them be prepared for many compliments and requests for the recipe.

Millie's Rum Balls

1 package chopped dates
1 stick margarine
3/4 cup sugar
1 egg
2 cups rice crispies
3/4 cup chopped nuts
1 teaspoon rum extract
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup coconut flakes

Cook first four ingredients on medium heat, stir occasionally. Cook until mixture just comes to a boil. Cool for about 15 minutes, add rice crispies, chopped nuts and flavorings. Mix well.

Wet hands and form into small balls, roll in coconut flakes.

Makes about 40 balls. Can be made in advance, freezes well.

Hint: Do not use a Corning pot, mixture could burn, best to use an aluminum or stainless steel pot.

I probably will not post for a while, have to get unpacked, go grocery shopping, get the computer connected, contact Florida friends and see what damage the hurricane has caused in the Delray area.

In the meantime I want to wish all my blogging friends a Merry Christmas, a Happy Hanukkah and a joyous New Year.

Millie

posted by millie garfield @ 4:23 PM | Permalink | I LOVE COMMENTS >> 0 comments