"Dear _________ :"

Flying home from Orlando last week, CT and I sat next to an older woman.  I'm guessing this woman was probably in her mid-70's, and looked like she would have been a school teacher in her younger years.  I don't know why I thought that - she just looked like a school teacher; silver-gray hair pulled up, no make-up, sensible shoes, a cardigan sweater, and glasses.  She was traveling by herself, and mentioned to CT that she had recently moved to Orlando, and was heading back to the Chicago area for a visit. 

After take-off, our seat-mate took out a large envelop that contained a stack of what appeared to be a variety of letters that she received (envelopes and all).  Probably 20 or more in total.  She carefully took out one letter at a time, and re-read the note that was sent to her.  Then, she proceeded to take out a stack of copies that appears to be her pre-typed reply letters.  I was impressed to see that she even printed her typed letters back-to-back, so as to save paper.  Quite the environmentally friendly thing to do.  I tried not to read her letters (for fear of getting caught "cheating" - like when you were in school) and I did not want to be reprimanded by our seat-mate/school teacher. 

So, as I quickly glanced over, I saw that she began each letter with, "Dear ________ :", and then she filled in the blank with the recipient's name.  What was even more interesting was that she then continued to handwrite the remaining part of the letter, and not just one-line endings.  She proceeded to write paragraphs and paragraphs for each letter.  Then she carefully and meticulously folded the letters, addressed and stuffed the envelop, and very carefully sealed the envelop with a quick lick.  Her movements were very gentle yet with purpose -- very efficient. 

I thought how peculiar this was -- this elderly school teacher with half typed and half handwritten letters.  (I know some elderly folks who do not even own a computer, and those that do own one, well, let's just say that powering up the computer can be a challenge.  I am sure, too, that there are some elderly folks who can run circles around me and my computer skills.)  Anyway, I wondered why she choose to send her replies in a combination format, and then via Snail Mail.  And then I got to thinking about the handwriting on those letters.  

A handwritten letter is truly a thing of the past.  I honestly don't remember the last time I wrote or received a handwritten letter (birthday cards sent in the mail don't count!)  Today, messages I receive are in email, instant message, or text format, and I easily discard them with a quick click of the "delete" key.  Yet when I think about notes or recipes in my grandmother's handwriting, it just makes me smile.  And I can still visualize my dad's handwriting -- his signature, notes that he might leave on the counter top for my mom or us kids, or even notes of phone numbers that he would write on the wall in the laundry room (right next to the phone).  How I wish I would have kept more things with their handwriting, now that they are both gone.    

I wonder how our seat-mate/school teacher felt about the handwritten letters.  And I wonder if the recipients of her letters would keep them and treasure them long after she is gone.  Maybe she would just shrug and say that her combination typed/written letters were strictly for convenience sake.  Or maybe our seat-mate/school teacher was somewhere in the middle - holding on the something of the past, recognizing the importance of handwritten notes, yet incorporating today's ways and conveniences.  In this case, I think holding on to the past is a good thing.    

Home Sweet Home & Star Wars

Well, as my few friends and followers know, we spent the last week at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida.  We arrived home late yesterday, completely exhausted but filled with so many great memories.  While we LOVE to travel, we also love coming home.  Yeah, I hate the part of unpacking and doing vacation laundry, but I love the feeling of being back in my own space -- in my own warm, cozy home.

Our vacation was absolutely wonderful.  There is nothing like visiting Walt Disney World and seeing it for the "first time" through the eyes of a three year old (Ella) and a seven year old (Katie.)  Both Leanne and I have many stories to tell of our vacation; here's is just one that I'll share, and it is about my beloved CT.

CT is a fanatic about all-things Sci-fi, specifically, though, Star Wars and Star Trek.  The guy has seen all Star Wars and Star Trek movies at least 100 times, and our DVD library is filled with CT's own personal copies of the movies.  And every time there is a Star Wars or Star Trek movie on TV, CT insists on watching it -- commercials and all -- because, you know, there might be a good part coming up that you don't want to miss.  (Side note:  coming soon, my blog about CT's Star Wars and Star Trek Christmas Tree - stay tuned for that one!)

Anyway, here we are at Disney, browsing around a gift shop, and CT stumbles upon the following:

CT's eyes light up - really big, as he begins to browse through this cookbook.  Yes, a Star Wars Cookbook, featuring "Darth Malt" and more "Galactic Recipes".  It takes but a minute before he is at the cash register making this purchase.  Now, the funny thing about CT making this purchase is that the guy DOES NOT cook - AT ALL!  The poor guy doesn't even know how to boil water!  Yes, my CT is clueless when it comes to the kitchen.   And considering that he was a bachelor until age 43, I wonder how he survived, and my guess is that he survived on cereal, bananas, coffee, and the good graces of his mom (who is a great cook and probably stocked him up with weekly meals.)

So, tonight as I'm taking the photo of CT's new cookbook, I shout out to him, "Hey, do you know that this is Volume II of the Star Wars Cookbook?  That means that there is a Volume I."  And he shouts, back, "WHAT? VOLUME I?"  And then, I hear the click click and tap tap of the keyboard as CT is on-line with Amazon.com searching for Volume I.  Oh yes, he found Volume I, and it is called "Wookies Cookies".  CT yells out, "Oh, I've got to buy this one too!"  So, the non-cook will own two Star Wars cookbooks. 

Anyway, CT has promised me that he will make something for me from his Star Wars cookbooks, and while I'm not going to hold my breath, I'll definitely blog about it should it ever happen!  Yes, it is good to be home.

Disney Here We Come

CT LOVES to travel.  He traveled extensively before we met, and when we met, we continued to travel.  Since the six years we have been together, we have been very, very fortunate to travel to some really great places, including:

• Hawaii (Maui)
• Dominican Republic
• Italy (Rome, Florence, Venice)
• Mexico (Playa del Carmen)
• Florida (Orlando)
• New York (NYC)
• California (Napa Valley, Mendocino, Carmel)
• New Mexico (Santa Fe)

I truly loved each and every vacation we've taken and would quickly pack a bag and go back to any of these places tomorrow.  Oh wait - I am!  Tomorrow we embark on an extended family vacation -- 10 of us are venturing down to the Wonderful World of Mickey Mouse in Orlando, Florida.   

Planning for the trip began in May, and let me tell you, trying to plan a vacation with 10 people can be a little challenging -- trying to incorporate different budgets, wants, needs, etc.  It took hours on the computer and countless phone calls to Disney, but in the end, we managed to plan what will be a really great trip.

Have you ever been to Disney?  Well, if you haven't, I can honestly say that it is truly a happy, happy place.  You are practically transported to another world, where you forget your old world and the trials and tribulations of home life.  In the countless phone calls to Disney over the last couple of months, I noticed that at the end of every conversation, the representative would always say, "Have a magical day today!"  The reps always sound so sincere and HAPPY when they say this to you, that it just leaves you in a good mood. I think my sister-in-law has the Disney phone number on her speed dial, as she calls them every day trying to secure the best reservation times for dinners, etc.  Personally, I think she just likes to be told, "Have a magical day today!"   

While this is a return visit for us, most of the family has never been to Disney, and I think they will find the experience truly MAGICAL. 

Ok, I gotta run and go finish packing.  Until next week, here's to YOUR magical day!