Ms Millie and Friends

Day of Celebration

Ms Millie — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 15:51:15 +0000

Today is my youngest grandchild’s first day of kindergarten. Sam, I understand from his Mom is all cool about the whole thing but Mom had tears in her eyes. I can relate as I recall those days many years back when my first son started school. “Where has the time gone and when did my child get this big?”. We truly think we want them to grow up fast, but when we actually see it happening, we seem to change our tune.

The other big event is my granddaughter Desiree who gave me the name “Nana Banana” when she had turned two years of age. I was up there for her birthday in New York on this day and she hadn’t seen me for awhile and was curious about what she should call me. I kiddingly said my name is Nana like Nana Banana. Well Desiree looked up at me and then gave me a cute smile and left the room. It seemed only minutes later when she returned with a sheepish grin on her face and handed me a wooden ice cream stick with a picture of a chiquita banana pasted on it. This is for you Nana Banana and hence my name became Nana Banana for all of these years.

Today, Desiree is 21 and I am wondering when and how did all of these years pass so quickly? It brings to mind the saying ” in a blink of an eye, they are all grown up.” She will be graduating college next May and planning to be married on June 5 2011. And this too will be another special day to celebrate and be with family and friends. I just love happy events!

Current Mood: Esctatic

Wonderful Weekend After All

Ms Millie — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 00:12:12 +0000

The hurricanes went out to sea fortunately and everyone seemed to have great weather for the last weekend of summer. I had a good time relaxing, doing my exercise and also volunteering at the gift shop on Saturday afternoon.

It is an enjoyable time for me as I get to meet people from all walks of life and chat for a few minutes. A favorite for me is hearing about their whereabouts and where they are from. This week I will be back in the gift shop on Wednesday afternoon to fill in for a vacationing volunteer and then again on Saturday. Tomorrow I get to visit my first graders and hear about their long weekend.

Life is good and I hope your weekend went well, too!

Current Mood: Happy

Fun-Sun-Prayers

Ms Millie — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 03:46:56 +0000

The news is speaking of names like Earl and Fiona that can play havoc with everyone’s nerves as they are planning for the Labor Day weekend. Just knowing that these particular names are attached to pending hurricanes is stressful. Ms Millie’s immediate concern is for my family on the East Coast out on Long Island. It seems that Florida’s Gulf coast is in the safe zone for now but we all know how Mother Nature works, don’t we?

In a matter of minutes she can change her course!

So my thoughts and prayers will be for everyone this weekend to enjoy the last days of summer with some sun- fun-and safety, too.

Happy Labor Day and smile.

Current Mood: rolleyes

Power Class-Sight Words-Pin Cushion

Ms Millie — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 01:57:14 +0000

Crazy title for a odd ball day that started with a ninety minute class of power yoga. Each week, I find I am able to add a pose to the very many that we do and I enjoy challenging myself. My planks have definitely made my arms stronger and I truly believe the downward dogs are stretching me to the point of believing that perhaps I have grown an inch or two. I don’t believe that is possible but what I do know is that I am standing taller with an improved spine alignment. It just happens to be one of the many perks of practicing Yoga.

With lots of energy and a clear mind I headed for the elementary school. Once there I spent two hours working with the students on their list of sight words, and the results were great. Most of them have been practicing at home and it shows as they share their results. They love to compete with each other and I feel it gives them an incentive to use their skills to their upmost. I left for home with a great feeling of accomplishment to have some lunch and take a break before my appointment at 4.

It has been two weeks since my last acupuncture treatment and my breathing capacity has vastly improved along with my physical endurance and superior circulation. Linda recommended some additional pins to be placed in other areas just to help continue my awesome progress. Some of new places were my forehead, both cheeks of my face and the side of my nose. These positions were to help with the allergy season approaching and prevent sinus congestion. I had wished I had brought my camera as I think it would have made for a funny but frightful photo. My next appointment will be two weeks from today and I look forward to some more good results.

That’s it for today and don’t forget to smile .

Current Mood: Playful

Making New Friends

Ms Millie — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 03:08:52 +0000

This seems to be the happiest time of the year for Ms Millie as I turn the door knob to enter the classroom where I will be meeting 15-18 new friends. I admit I do get a little nervous but once I see their adorable faces and inquisitive eyes I am excited and smile my biggest smile. Julie introduces me to the first graders and then explains to me what they will be learning and where I can be of help. This class is composed of 6-7 year old children and they have just begun to write and learn about punctuation.

I feel honored to be involved once again at Marlowe Elementary. It is like my second home and I feel so comfortable in this role. When I think that it has been seven years since that wonderful day back in 2003. That is when my friend Merrily asked if I would like volunteer for her at Marlowe. There have been so many wonderful changes that it has made in my life.

The best part is that I have met and bonded with many, many children throughout these seven years. Each child has made an imprint in my mind and many have touched my heart, too. I am fortunate to have class pictures hanging on my wall right near my computer and I can always look back and remember each wonderful child. The first students are now in middle school looking like young men and young ladies, that they are.

These children are our future ambassadors, educators, scientists, doctors or whatever they might choose. And I am happy to know that I played a tiny part in their beginning years of education.

This will be another wonderful school year at Marlowe. I just love making all these new little friends!

Current Mood: Esctatic

End of Summer Blues

Ms Millie — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 00:10:41 +0000

We are hoping next weekend will bring with it some cooler temperatures as most of feel this has been one of the hottest summers on record. The rain has come down in record downfalls which means minimal concerns about a drought this year, and the lawns are sporting a hearty shade of green.

I feel I am ready for a few nice warm sunny days with cooler degrees at night. Just the thought of no air conditioning and open windows allowing fresh air to enter my rooms is something I know I will enjoy. It just seems to give me energy during the day and a coziness to sleep at night. Who knows, Fall might be just around the corner!

Have a great weekend and enjoy whatever you are doing and don’t forget to chuckle a bit. Ms Millie

Current Mood: Playful

Three Years Later

Ms Millie — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 02:31:42 +0000

Wow! It has been three years since my first post on Ms Millie and Friends and yes, I am surprised at me, myself! Why. you might ask? I am usually excited and have a go get-em attitude with a new class or hobby for awhile and then out of nowhere, comes the feeling of boredom. Then, I start questioning myself as to what else might there be for Ms Millie to try or do after I do my exercise and volunteer hours, that are my priority.

Before 2003, I had worked full time for thirty years and raised a family but I did have a schedule to get every thing done and it was overwhelming as I recall. And, I am pretty sure I must have thought to myself , ” just wait till you are retired and you will have lots of time.” Well for Ms Millie, lots of time and not enough interesting things to do creates restlessness. And so to my rescue, came my wonderful son Darrin’s suggestion for this blog. He did the homework and the framework and the rest has been up to me. I can tell you that I have loved every moment and every word that I have written.

It has been a wonderful journey as I look back to where I was then to where I am at the present time. When I think of all of the wonderful events and people that have made an impact on my life it has only inspired me to keep writing.

I want to thank you for your past readership and invite you to stay on this journey with me. Sparkles will be smiling along with Ms Millie and Friends.

Current Mood: Playful & Surprised

Bittersweet

Ms Millie — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 23:27:59 +0000

Tormenta and Sam lounging in their Brooklyn, NY backyard, July 2010

My eyes filled with tears on Saturday when I learned of Tormenta’s demise. She loved kids and was a wonderful loving dog to all the family and friends, and also a great playmate for Sam (the dog) and their two cats, Homer and Bonkers. Tormenta belonged to my son Darrin’s wife, Maria, and was a huge part of their family. Tormenta could fairly be credited with playing matchmaker of Maria and Darrin in the first place. All together, they are a very close, loving, and happy family. Tormenta will surely be missed.

The pain, sense of loss, and tears are overwhelming me today as I vividly recall my sad time when I lost my little Cairn Terrier, Bear, about ten years ago. Unfortunately, I have never had the courage to do it again. Recently though I have once again been tempted to adopt a dog from a local shelter. These wonderful animals become a part of you and of your family.

It was early last year that they were told that Tormenta was on borrowed time with an inoperable tumor. But fortunately she went well beyond the predicted date by months and always remained happy and active enough to eat, romp, and play.

I would like to believe that perhaps there is a “Doggie Heaven” and that on Saturday they decided they needed Tormenta to fill in a special spot. Tormenta heard the call and left her loving home that will always remember her and her loving ways. My utmost wish for right now is that the loss has not been too traumatic for the little ones and that Sam (the dog) is adjusting to life without Tormenta. They were all so awesome and lovable together.

Here is a recent picture of the two of them together for you to see. She, Tormenta, is in the foreground, smiling as it were, for the camera.

Current Mood: Sad

Weekend is Here

Ms Millie — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 00:34:25 +0000

It has been a very nice week and I am so proud of all of my accomplishments. Next to each goal I had notated for that day, I put a check mark and ended up achieving all of my endeavors for the week.

Now this is an awesome feeling and I am wondering if I can achieve this high grade every week? I am finding that by my listing my goals on a pretty sheet of paper that it not only puts the ideas in motion but it also registers in my brain. This becomes apparent when I awake in the morning. as I stretch and count my blessings (that I know my name and I can move) and just like bingo, I know what my game plan is for the day.

And the neatest part is that I do have options. And because they are all volunteer-oriented, I can change my mind at a moment’s notice and still do some good.

So there is something good to say about retirement and being able to fill our empty hours with worthwhile deeds. And we can pat ourselves on the back for a job well done! Have a great weekend and don’t forget to smile

Current Mood: Happy

Startled A Few Neighbors

Ms Millie — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 01:58:58 +0000

As a rule my neighbors and I are on different time schedules and it is a rare occasion to see one or another. But this morning as I headed to my car all decked out in my yellow curly wig and made- up clown face I could see my neighbor Tom from across the way staring at me with his mouth agape. (In the past year we have lost two neighbors to dementia) and I had a feeling Tom might be thinking here we go again. I quickly rolled down my window as I exited my driveway and smiled and explained what Ms Millie was up to. He laughed and said thank you for reassuring me and for doing what I do.

This little episode put me in an even better mood as I giggled on my ride to the hospital. Pearl was waiting for me in the lobby and noticed my happy face and I told her about my neighbor’s reaction to my wig and costume.

We set up our pushcart and headed off to help some patients feel better. They seemed to like my yellow wig and Pearl’s purple wig and little hat.

Current Mood: Mischievous & rolleyes