I'm feeling...

I love how my mom has a way of putting a positive spin on things, even the word anxious. Usually when someone says they are anxious about something, it invokes a negative feeling. They are worried, preoccupied, and usually are not happy or excited about whatever it is that they have to do.
Then you have my mom, who weekly, perhaps even daily uses the word "anxious" But instead of saying it as a synonym to worry, it carries of meaning of readiness or excitement. For instance,

"I am anxious for my Pilates class to start."
"I am anxious for my new garden to be planted."
"I am anxious to hear about how the party was last night."
"I am anxious to hear from my daughter in Uruguay!"

I have to say I love hearing that my mom is anxious about something.

*Picture credit http://home.att.net/~boyym/Feelings.html

Mom's not only reading Oprah Magazine

Recently there was an article in Real Simple magazine with some of the origins of a few common phrases. I always used to ask my mom where she learned her phrases from. Hardly did I receive an answer, but here is some history to some. Enjoy.


From Real Simple Magazine, compiled by Claire Sulmers

*Scholars think "spill the beans" originated in ancient Greece, where voters cast ballots with white or black beans. If a clumsy voter knocked over the jar or helmet that held the beans, the secret was out.

*The origin of "raining cats and dogs" is a little murky. According to one account, heavy rains in 17th century England turned city streets into rivers that carried trash, along with dead cats and dogs. A less grisly story attributes the phrase to howling wind, which sounds like cats and dogs fighting.

*In ancient Rome, the general and politician Pompey believed salt was an antidote to any potential poison in his food, so he added a grain of it to everything he ate or drank. That's why when people are skeptical of something, they "take it with a grain of salt."

*In the Middle Ages, scholars wore a square cap similar to our graduation mortarboard. People believed the hat actually helped the owner think - and the term "thinking cap" was born.

*No one knows the origin of a "skeleton in the closet," but here's one theory: Until the Anatomy Act was passed in England in 1832, it was illegal to dissect a body (executed criminals excepted), and doctors were allowed to work on only one cadaver during their careers. Those who didn't want to get rid of the skeleton kept it hidden in a dark corner or hung in a closet.

*Picture credit to realsimple.com

On a slow boat to China

Mexican food is practically non-existent here in Montevideo, Uruguay and finding ingredients to make our own authentic food has been equally as challenging. I knew of some acquaintances traveling from the states to Montevideo, and asked Mom to buy few items that they could bring us. Among others, one item was masa, or cornmeal to make tortillas. Well, mom asked her sweeetheart to buy a small bag, but what he brought back was a good couple pounds. The considerate woman she is, Mom felt bad about asking our new friends to carry it back in the suitcase among the other smaller things we had asked for them.
"No problem mom, we really don't have to have it. We can stick with flour tortillas for now."
"Oh but I want to send it! I will. I'll just use the slower route of postal service. It will get there, but on a slow boat to China!"