KEEP SHINING ON, SHOES

Salud, Kids!

I won't bore you with, well, boring details of what is swirling and twirling in my life these days. But, I'm poppin' back into IU for a quick moment to say, like these red socks at this time of year...professional shoe shines are alive and well in South Florida. Well, West Palm anyway.


You heard me. Shoe shines.



Listen, in my opinion (which no one cares the least bit about) there are not enough men in the world who give a tiny rat's ass about the hue of their feet leather (don't even get me started on the possibility of shoe faux-leather).

Men feet (well, their shoes) are a BIG DEAL. It's the first thing you notice. Okay, their smile, then shoes.

Now, don't get me wrong, kids. I personally do NOT get my diamond encrusted flats and stacks polished. Come ON!

However, I proudly say that my son cares enough to spend cold cash to get all spit 'n polished. Don't be giving me the squint-eye, I'm talking about his SHOES, okay? The water hose is good enough when he wants to be really sparkly all over!

As a fan of fancy-whatever, I smile to myself, secure in the knowledge that gentility of the 30's and 40's, when men-folk really snazzed it up in the attire department, still lingers on...in small ways...like highly shimmering shoes.

One more thing.

Those red socks?

Don't consider them appropriate ALL year (not just during the ho-ho-ho season)?

Well, think again.

Our buddy across THE pond, British-Brian, demonstrated the quiet elegance of them while enduring my company aboard the Queen Victoria.

Off I go...my diamond (CZ) encursted shoes await.

See ya 'round the beaches-real or virtual.
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EYELASH EXTENSIONS AND REVERSE BRAZILIAN WAX

Salud, Kids!

Just when I thought we had taken fakery to the limit, they pull this shizz over our eyes. Fake hair extensions attached to real hair just isn't enough.

Bring on the fake eyelash extensions. Forget real ones or even regulation fake ones. Who needs 'em?

Even my sweet Cavi-Girl is throwing shade in the general direction of this absurd bit of vanity and we are sort of pro-vanity in these parts. It IS The Palm Beaches.Oh, don't get me wrong. If there is a VALID reason to thrust extension hairs upon your eyelashes, get on that. However, to pay hundred of dollars, pecos (probably thousands), euros, pounds (probably hundreds of thousands) to some beauty professional (using that term very loosely) just so you don't have to use eyeliner and mascara. Please. What did Maybelline do to deserve such disrespect?

Naturally, scads (that's a lot) of people are pouncing on this rage and prancing in and fluttering their lids closed for a total eyeball transformation.

I suppose there are worse places you could attach fake hair extensions, but I dare not utter the words else tomorrow we will discover it being done in some high-falution' (fancy way above my head) spa place in Beverly Hills.

Hell, they are probably already doin' it. You know, the opposite of Brazilian Waxing will be all the rage. Sorry for the image, but there is just no other way to say it, kids. I am not about to seek images for THAT. Come ON, who needs to see THAT? We don't even need to think about it, do we? We are thinking about it though, aren't we?

I never claimed IU was classy, now did I?

Alright.

If mascara just ruins your image, for hundreds in the U.S. your lashes can be just like these.

Until they fall out and you have to fall back on old reliable. You know, letting your real ones grow out...so you can go get fake extensions.

Endless, vicious circle.

Gotta go and hit up the Maybelline counter. I respect their black-goo!

See ya 'round the beaches-real or virtual.
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WEARING IT PROUDLY

Salud, Kids!

You know how they say it is NEVER too late to send a Thank You note? Well, that's what we always say 'round Indiscreetly.

Therefore, it is NEVER too late to post a worthy blog on Indiscreetly Us, and I offer you a beautiful submission from our dear, British-Brian and Mo.

Yeah, toss a seashell at me for being tardy, but no less appreciative.

I won't say much more, except that I grew up knowing and wearing poppies. As the daughter of a veteran, I was schooled early on regarding the importance of its meaning.

Brian is quite correct, where WOULD we be without such sacrifices?

Contributed by: Brian Wilson
Bath, UK
All Rights Reserved and Copyrighted

________________________________________

Thanksgiving - we have a lot to be thankful for - and a lot to be thankful to others.

At this time of the year all you good folks in US land are celebrating Thanksgiving and on the 11th November you have "Veterns' Day."

Over this side of the "pond", on 11th November, we celebrate "Poppy Day" or Remembrance Day.

Since the end of World War 1 is has been kept as a memorial day to remember the members of the armed forces who have died in the line of duty, in all wars and conflicts.

There are still members of our armed services being repatriated to the UK
It is on this day that we remember the fallen of all wars and conflicts.

This ceremony takes place on the first Sunday after the 11th November not only in UK, but also in all countries of The Commonwealth.

This year, we had the significant reminder of the ceremony , on a Sunday, at 11 hrs, on the 11th of the 11th month of the 11th year (11 - 11/11/11)=
The date is very significant - on that date in 1918; hostilities formally ended "at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month" of 1918 with the German signing of the Armistice.
So at this time of the year, we in the UK, observe two minutes of silence on 11 November.

But, why the poppy? Well, just after WW1 a poem,"In Flanders fields" , became very popular. It noted that poppies bloomed across some of the worst battlefields of Flanders - their brilliant red colour an appropriate symbol for the blood spilled in the warThe British Legion - the organisation that collects money and gives support to ex service people and their families, has, for many years, used the poppy as a way to raise funds.
Poppies are made and sold just before 11th November.


Most people in the UK buy and wear a poppy, not to celebrate war, or to show support for any particular war - but to celebrate the sacrifice of so many - a sacrifice that is still being given today.

Wear your poppy with pride.


After WW1, most villages/towns and cities built a war memorial with the names of the fallen and it is here that local people remember all those who have died in the service of their country, in all wars.
The main site of Remembrance is in London, at the Cenotaph in Whitehall.

It is a very solemn occasion and the Queen leads the laying of poppy wreaths on behalf of the Country, followed by representatives of the armed services. politicians etc ..



Then, led by the massed bands of all the Services, there is a long line of ex-servicemen marching along Whitehall past The Cenotaph, saluting as they pass by and handing their wreath to be placed on the steps of The Cenotaph.

The Cenotaph - laying of the wreaths before the march past of the veterans.





In 2009 there was a particular poignant part of this march past - the last three British-resident veterans of World War I attended the 2008 ceremony but they all died in 2009.
Henry Allingham, Harry Patch and Bill Stone.
All WW1 servicemen in 2008.





I was going to say "sorry" to you all for this blog - with it's tone of sorrow and sacrifice - but heck, if it had not been for those who fought and those who gave their lives - where would we be now?


We must not forget all those who have died and have suffered in the all to many wars in recent years - and realise that it is sad reality that more young men and women will join the fallen in the years to come


I cannot say more than to recite the poem, written by Laurence Binyon in 1914, that closes all such Remembrance services: -

" They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn
At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
We will remember them.


Love to all on Remembrance/Veterans Day - and all the best for the upcoming Thanksgiving Day - we all have a lot to be thankful for!


Brian and Mo













Brian Wilson
brian@europaassociates.co.uk

ROARIN' OUT OF SWEET NOVEMBER

Salud, Kids!

The holidays are twirling all 'round, well, Thanksgiving has twirled right on in and out.We did it al fresco and it was fabulous. But, done-is-done, so like the month of November, it is time to move on.

Although the temps will be dipping over the next few days and nights, South Florida is not the ideal locale if you dream of a white Christmas.

As a matter of fact, we went ahead and started a rip-roarin' blaze in the outdoor firepit the other evening.

Did we care if the thermometer was nestled in at 73 degrees? Nope. Not even a little bit.


A flame, a glass of wine and some fun board games and we're talkin' perfection.

See ya 'round the beaches-real or virtual.
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ME AND MY DOG DOING HOUSEWORK, FORGET THE PILATES

Salud, Kids!

Working out is the shizz, isn't it?

You buy all sorts of cute outfits and either go to classes or buy assorted dvd exercise titles.

Let us not forget the bicycle fanatics, hunched over their ridiculously expensive bikes. There are tons of 'em around here...zipping along the coastline...all the while ignoring the basic traffic laws (they want the right-of-way as they should have, but they don't want to follow the law themselves). Go figure. Lance Armstrong, look what you started.

Yeah, it's all the shizz, going back to Jane and before her Jack LaLanne.

I won't kid ya, around my digs it is played out a LITTLE bit differently, this exercise insanity.

Getting all dolled up in crappy shorts and a faded tee shirt, I pop in some music and get busy feeling the burn, the sting and the smell of cleaning solutions. Ah, the burn of scrubbing toilets, showers, tubs, sinks, mirrors and let us not forget about the muscle-toning that comes while flinging a vacuum cleaner hither-and-yon.

Wait, I forgot all about changing sheets, overall dusting, AND laundry (lugging loads up and down stairs is a million times better than any stairmaster or spinning class).

Now, I fully realize this is making you bubble with envy...the image of me getting all toned and fabulous-not to mention my gleaming toilet bowl.

But, wait.

Another dweller 'round these parts has a different idea of exercising her exercise options.

Yep, she puts on cute-as-can-be official workout togs, plops down an official-official Yoga/Workout mat, pops in an official-official Pilates (fill in the blank workout DVD title) and stretches, tones and just basically puts me to shame with her regime.

Why bother with ANY of this jazz when your mutt can do it FOR you?

Gotta get busy training MY mutt to take over the household duties like the dog in this video.

See ya 'round the beaches-real or virtual.
Read me fictionally, The Bainbridges of the Palm Beaches, Barnes & Noble, eBooks.

BRITISH INVASION, CALLED SOPHIA GRACE

Salud, Kids!

If you don't know about Sophia Grace, then you have MISSED IT!!

The United Kingdom should be quite proud of this kid and her side-kick, Rosie.

Go look for 'em if you don't know what I'm talking about...in the meantime...here is the fabulous, Ellen, and HER sidekicks puttin' it on as those two precocious English girlie-girls!!

Enjoy...

See ya 'round the beaches-real or virtual.
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NIGHT AND DAY INTO BYE-BYE DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME

Salud, Kids!

Here we go again...swinging those clock-hands hither-and-yon (yeah, I know most timepieces don't even have those anymore, just go with it, okay?).

Well, I'm not sure, but I think this time it is yon as we are sliding things back an hour.

Yep, we bid adieu to DST and I'm good with it.

Really, I don't give a tiny rat's ass about it, I just wish they would keep it one way or the other (I have this rant on a long-playing record).

Although a recent article blathered on about how switching the time around could be hazardous to our health and so forth. Something about our internal wiring and jazz like that.

Whatever, I'm just happy as a South Florida clam to grab that extra hour this weekend, and now I'll let the elegant Ms. E sing about all things Night and Day without one note wasted on DST.



See ya 'round the beaches-real or virtual.
Read me fictionally, The Bainbridges of the Palm Beaches, Barnes & Noble, eBooks.