grateful to be me

#livethankful

I have learned to appreciate who I am. It has taken a very long time. But I am grateful to be who I am.

sunday stealing

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Sunday Stealing: Shop On The Corner Meme

What kind of job did your mom have when you were growing up? she did not work outside the home

Have you ever known anyone that’s been on tv, including you? my dad hosted a high school trivia game show on our local network back in the 70s (before cable hit big)

What was the most interesting animal you have seen in the wild? I love to see foxes, they're so sleek

What holiday do you enjoy the most? I love the holiday season--from Thanksgiving to New Year

What was the first video game you ever played? Pong

What is the one thing you own, that if it got lost, you would be bummed? my iPhone/iPod/iPad

Do you have a favorite breakfast item? love scrambled eggs... or maybe bacon

What do you find yourself buying all the time? books, it's an addiction!

When was the last time you got a real letter in the mail? I got a nice card from my friend who battled and beat breast cancer

Do you have a most prized piece of jewelry? no

Do you own any board games? Apples to Apples

What chore seems the most daunting right now? vacuuming

Were you born in the state you live in? yes

Have you ever lived in a house that has been broken into? no

What is your favorite cheese? all of them

Who do you know that watches the most sports? my brother in law

postsecret

PostSecret is an ongoing community art project where people mail in their secrets anonymously on one side of a postcard. I like to post one that speaks to me each week.

finished reading

From the publisher:

Free-spirited Annie Quintana and sophisticated Julia St. Clair come from two different worlds. Yet, as the daughter of the St. Clairs' housekeeper, Annie grew up in Julia's San Francisco mansion and they forged a bond that only two little girls oblivious to class differences could—until a life-altering betrayal destroyed their friendship.

A decade later, Annie bakes to fill the void left in her heart by her mother's death, and a painful secret jeopardizes Julia's engagement to the man she loves. A chance reunion prompts the unlikely duo to open a cupcakery, but when a mysterious saboteur opens up old wounds, they must finally face the truth about their past or risk losing everything.

I was excited to read an exploration of friendship with a background of cupcakes. And I enjoyed much of the book. My complaint is that the author packed in too many threads. In packing in so many storylines, there is a reliance on cliches and stereotypes. Which prevented me from loving the book. Because less is more and I could have loved this book.

self-care

#livethankful

I learned about self-care in my therapy journey. Even though I live by myself, I don't always take care of myself. Until therapy taught me how important it is to put myself on my to-do list. I take any and every opportunity to take care of myself--from napping to getting a manicure. I love exploring the many ways I can simplify my life.

saturday 9

Paint It Black

1) This song was chosen because yesterday was Black Friday, the traditional day of sales. Have you begun your Christmas shopping? I just have some little things left

2) Are there any Thanksgiving leftovers in your refrigerator right now? sadly, no

3) AAA says Thanksgiving is a big travel weekend. Did you venture far from home for your holiday dinner? about a mile

4) Keith Richards likes France but, alas, the French authorities haven't always been fond of him and his criminal record. Have you ever been to France? I have--and I would love to go back

5) Mick Jagger jokes that, to be polite to fellow hotel guests, he always finishes trashing his room by 10:00 PM. What kind of hotel/motel guest are you? Are you rockstar rambunctious, or are you quiet? Are you neat? Have you stolen any towels, bathrobes, etc.? I am a quiet, neat guest

6) Mick Jagger got his financial savvy as a student at the London School of Economics. Are you good with money? no, I'm terrible

7) In the early 1990s, a then little-known actress named Angelina Jolie appeared in a Rolling Stones video ("Anybody Seen My Baby?"). Name an Angelina Jolie movie. Maleficent

8) In the early 1960s, the Stones nearly avoided tragedy when their tour bus skidded off a bridge. Tell us about a near miss you're thankful for. my car slid into a snowbank, narrowly missing an embankment with a huge drop

9) In 1966, when this week's song was popular, CBS telecast How the Grinch Stole Christmas for the first time. What's your favorite Dr. Seuss story? I love them all!

this is a tough one

#livethankful

This holiday season, I've knit gifts for everyone in the family. I'm struggling to let go of the idea of a lot of gifts, or that they have to be store bought. Letting it go. It's time to shift my focus from the material.

kindness

#livethankful

I'm grateful that over the years I've learned to value kindness. Being kind to others or others being kind to me; it's important. Kindness matters. And it doesn't have to be a big grand gesture, it can be the smallest, simplest, thoughtful act.

thanksgiving

refresh

I haven't spent a lot of time writing about my theme for the year but I have been quite successful in several areas of my goal. I have refreshed my finances, my professional development, and my relationships. I've taken time to be quiet. I've taken time for me.

stillness

#livethankful

It is the calm before the storm. I was very grateful for the atmospheric stillness when I was out and about this afternoon.

Issued by The National Weather Service
Caribou, ME
Wed, Nov 26, 3:14 pm EST
... WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 AM EST THURSDAY...
* LOCATIONS... NORTHEAST AROOSTOOK AND NORTHERN PISCATAQUIS
* HAZARD TYPES... SNOW
* SNOW ACCUMULATIONS... 7 TO 10 INCHES.
* TIMING... DEVELOPING BY MID EVENING AND LASTING THROUGH THURSDAY MORNING. HEAVIEST SNOW WILL BE LATER THIS EVENING WITH SNOWFALL RATES 1 TO 2 INCHES PER HOUR.
* IMPACTS... MODERATE IMPACT PRIMARILY FOR TRAVEL.
* WINDS... NORTH 10 TO 15 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 30 MPH.
* VISIBILITIES... LESS THAN ONE HALF MILE AT TIMES.
* TEMPERATURES... IN THE UPPER 20S.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
A WINTER STORM WARNING FOR HEAVY SNOW MEANS SEVERE WINTER WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED OR OCCURRING. SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF SNOW ARE FORECAST THAT WILL MAKE TRAVEL DANGEROUS. ONLY TRAVEL IN AN EMERGENCY. IF YOU MUST TRAVEL... KEEP AN EXTRA FLASHLIGHT... FOOD... AND WATER IN YOUR VEHICLE IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY.

w.w.w. wednesday

To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions…

• What are you currently reading? I'm reading How To Eat A Cupcake by Meg Donohue. And I'm listening to: The Andy Cohen Diaries: A Deep Look at a Shallow Year, read by Andy, my BFF.

• What did you recently finish reading? I haven't finished anything this week, but I've made great progress!

• What do you think you’ll read next? I have no idea. It's time to look for a holiday read!

the force

Mine and every teacher's favorite time of year. I might need more than the force.

ten things tuesday

Linking up with Ten On Tuesday this week.

This week's topic is 10 Things You Are Thankful For.

1) I am thankful for my health.

2) I am thankful for my family--near and far, and our ability to connect regularly via social media and technology.

3) I am thankful for my friends who accept me for who I am.

4) I am thankful for my cozy, cluttered apartment. It is home. It is my safe haven.

5) I am thankful that I live in a region of the country that allows me to experience nature daily. Even though I sometimes whine about being at the end of the earth.

6) I am thankful for my profession. Although teachers aren't always treated as professionals. But I have the ability to grow with my students. I say I learn more from them than they do from me.

7) I am thankful for opportunities to connect to the community--through volunteer opportunities as well as social opportunities.

8) I am thankful for my appreciation of the small things in life. Living in the moment and enjoying the present help me appreciate little blessings.

9) I am thankful for being able to afford frivolous things--like daily coffee at Dunkin' Donuts and manicures.

10) I am thankful for my very blessed life.

intention

#livethankful

Today I am grateful for having clear intentions.

noun
1. an act or instance of determining mentally upon some action or result.
2. the end or object intended; purpose.

musing mondays

Click here to play along.

Musing Mondays asks you to muse about one of the following each week…

• Describe one of your reading habits.
• Tell us what book(s) you recently bought for yourself or someone else, and why you chose that/those book(s).
• Tell us what you’re reading right now — what you think of it, so far; why you chose it; what you are (or, aren’t) enjoying about it.
• What book are you currently desperate to get your hands on? Tell us about it!
• Do you have a bookish rant? Something about books or reading (or the industry) that gets your ire up? Share it with us!
• Instead of the above questions, maybe you just want to ramble on about something else pertaining to books — let’s hear it, then!

This week I'm thinking about holiday reads. I like to read holiday-themed novels this time of year, and I often pull out old favorites to re-read.

Some of my favorites:
A Redbird Christmas by Fannie Flagg
Skipping Christmas by John Grisham
The Christmas Cookie Club by Ann Pearlman
The Christmas Tree by Julie Salamon
and A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

What would you recommend?

peace

#livethankful

I am grateful for down time. I relish escaping the hustle and bustle of the school week. I am grateful for peace.

postsecret

PostSecret is an ongoing community art project where people mail in their secrets anonymously on one side of a postcard. I like to post one that speaks to me each week.

sunday stealing

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Sunday Stealing: Thanksgiving Meme

1. Are you celebrating Thanksgiving at home or elsewhere this year? With whom will you spend Thanksgiving Day? I'll be spending the day with my parents and my sister and her family will be over later in the afternoon

2. What do you have for breakfast on Thanksgiving? my usual breakfast

3. Do you go to a Thanksgiving parade or watch one on TV? I like watching Macy's Parade--attending it is on my bucket list (of course, with exclusive seats)

4. Do you serve appetizers, lunch, or snacks during the day? we'll snack on olives and pickles

5. What do you wear on Thanksgiving? it's gotten pretty casual--so jeans and a sweater

6. What's your Thanksgiving table like -- do you use special plates/silver/glasses, etc? Do you have a centerpiece? A color scheme? Candles? we use "the good" dishes but don't go over the top with decorating

7. Do you serve buffet-style or family-style? What do you have to drink? family style... and possibly I'll have a glass of wine

8. Once you're at the table, do you say grace or a toast or does everyone go around and say what they're thankful for? we do a combination of both

9. Do you have dessert right after the main meal or later on? later on

10. What do you do with your leftovers? we don't usually have much left over

purpose

#livethankful

I am grateful that I realize my purpose is to work with youth. Even though I am not convinced that teaching is my ultimate job, I know that whatever I will do involves children, especially teens.

saturday 9

The Main Event

1) This is the theme from a romantic comedy set against the backdrop of boxing. Sam admits she's not crazy about boxing. What about you? Do you enjoy boxing, martial arts or wrestling? not so much

2) If you went to a dance club on a Saturday night in 1979 or 1980, you might well have danced to this. What are your plans for this Saturday night? I don't have any plans for tonight

3) Gilda Radner was one of the original Saturday Night Live performers and in 1979, she parlayed her TV popularity into her own one-woman show on Broadway. Who is your alltime favorite SNL cast member? the whole original cast--so creative!

4) Sally Little and Nancy Lopez were at the top of the LPGA in 1979. Do you golf? no, I am not a fan of golf

5) The movie The Main Event co-starred Ryan O'Neal. He is better known for Love Story, and saying the line, "Love means never having to say you're sorry." When did you last apologize? oh, I apologize all the time

6) O'Neal got his big break on the nighttime soap opera, Peyton Place. He played Rodney Harrington, the handsome golden boy that all the girls dreamed of dating. Tell us about your big high school crush. my big high school crush was a star basketball player (naturally) and an all-around good guy; not classically good looking but his personality more than made up for it

7) In researching this week's Saturday 9, Sam discovered that The Main Event is a popular name for sports bars all across the country. Do you enjoy sitting at the bar or do you look for a booth or table? depending on how many people are with me, I usually prefer a table

8) The Mane Event was the salon Sam went to for years. She switched when it got too hard to get Saturday appointments. As a consumer, what's more important to you -- convenience or price? convenience

9) More than 50 years after her first million-selling album, Streisand recently had a #1 hit with her current CD, Partners. What's the last song you bought/downloaded? I just downloaded Ellen's The Only Holiday Album You'll Ever Need Volume 1

passion

#livethankful

I am grateful to have passion in my life. I enjoy and value so many interests. And there are some wonderful friends and family who share my passions.

friday 5

Books (the sequel)

1. What’s the most unusual book you’ve read?
Griffin & Sabine by Nick Bantock was a really unusual epistolary book
2. What’s the most challenging book you’ve read?
One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcí­a Márquez was a book I couldn't finish. I just couldn't get into it
3. What writer have you read the most books by?
Stephen King, I think, although there are several authors that I have read all of their works
4. What book had a cover that was just right for it?
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
5. What’s a book that has illustrations you love?
The Harry Potter series by JK Rowling

booking through thursday

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If you could change the ending of any book you’ve read, which would it be and how would you change it?

I have stared at this for about an hour trying to think of a book I would change. I'm seriously drawing a blank. I don't read a lot of Happily Ever After books, so I'm usually satisfied with the resolution to the story. One book that comes to mind is Gone Girl, simply because the characters are so unlikeable that I wonder what the heck happened to them, especially as their family expands.

accomplished

#livethankful

I was busy today and accomplished a lot at school. All while in a very chill mood. I whittled the pile of correcting down to a manageable stack (just one class's essays to read). Although I am assigning an essay to my psychology classes. But, for now I'm ahead of the game. Of course, it's only 10 o'clock, so that could allll change! For now I'll be grateful for my accomplishments.

can you feel the love

#livethankful

Something am filled with love when I talk about my dad. I'm a Daddy's Girl. Our relationship has morphed over the years to almost a mother-daughter relationship, but I like to think of it as a friendship kind of relationship. And now, as we get older, I find myself occasionally in a caretaker position. But really, when I talk about my dad, I get kind of gushy. It's because he's beloved in the community and well-known around the state (actually, around New England) and people speak fondly about him. I joke about his daily emails with my students, but they all know how much it means to me to get even the silliest forwards.

I know I'm filled with love about my sisters, and their families, too. But there's something special about Dad.

w.w.w. wednesday

To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions…

• What are you currently reading? I'm reading How To Eat A Cupcake by Meg Donohue.

• What did you recently finish reading? I finished The Good Girl by Mary Kubica and The Hundred-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out of the Window and Disappeared. Loved The Good Girl, liked The Hundred-Year-Old Man.

• What do you think you’ll read next? I have no idea.

sunset

#livethankful

As I was driving home from school today, I was having a pity party because I had been at a frustrating meeting and was lamenting and whining to myself. I was in a rotten mood. And then I opened my eyes and looked at the sky. And I realized that I can drive all the way home in this funk or I can look to the sky and remark at the beauty of the transition from day to evening. I watched the sky become velvety. It was beautiful. And it gave me hope. And now I'm home and in a wonderfully relaxed mood.

ten things tuesday

Linking up with Ten On Tuesday this week.

This week's topic is 10 Musicians You Would Bring Back From the Dead.

1) John Lennon.

2) Jim Morrison.

3) Mamma Cass.

4) Kurt Cobain.

5) Rosemary Clooney.

6) Judy Garland.

7) John Denver.

8) Frank Zappa.

9) Ella Fitzgerald.

10) Elvis.

makes me smile

#livethankful

Pictures of dogs make me smile. I'm glad I'm so easily amused.

musing mondays

Click here to play along.

Musing Mondays asks you to muse about one of the following each week…

• Describe one of your reading habits.
• Tell us what book(s) you recently bought for yourself or someone else, and why you chose that/those book(s).
• Tell us what you’re reading right now — what you think of it, so far; why you chose it; what you are (or, aren’t) enjoying about it.
• What book are you currently desperate to get your hands on? Tell us about it!
• Do you have a bookish rant? Something about books or reading (or the industry) that gets your ire up? Share it with us!
• Instead of the above questions, maybe you just want to ramble on about something else pertaining to books — let’s hear it, then!

I just finished, The Good Girl by Mary Kubica, and I'm thinking about it as a movie. One of the plot devices that worked well for this book was the shift of point of view between Eve, the mother, Gabe, the detective, and Colin, the abductor. I don't know if this would work as a movie. Plus the book is told in "Before" and "After" sections, splitting the timeline of the story between the aftermath of Mia's abduction and the aftermath of her return (before her return and after her return). It wouldn't be as twisty a story if it wasn't told in that manner. And the twistyness was what I liked.

just finished...

From the publisher:

Born to a prominent Chicago judge and his stifled socialite wife, Mia Dennett moves against the grain as a young inner-city art teacher. One night, Mia enters a bar to meet her on-again, off-again boyfriend. But when he doesn't show, she unwisely leaves with an enigmatic stranger. With his smooth moves and modest wit, at first Colin Thatcher seems like a safe one-night stand. But following Colin home will turn out to be the worst mistake of Mia's life.

Colin's job was to abduct Mia as part of a wild extortion plot and deliver her to his employers. But the plan takes an unexpected turn when Colin suddenly decides to hide Mia in a secluded cabin in rural Minnesota, evading the police and his deadly superiors. Mia's mother, Eve, and detective Gabe Hoffman will stop at nothing to find them, but no one could have predicted the emotional entanglements that eventually cause this family's world to shatter.

There's been some comparison to Gone Girl, but I don't see it. It's a twisty story told "Before" and "After" Mia is found. And the narration's point of view switches from Mia's mother, Eve, the police detective, Gabe Hoffman, and the abductor, Colin. So, although the story isn't told in chronological nor from one point of view, it works.

In the aftermath of Mia's return, her shock leaves her with amnesia, and it's obvious that something big happened to her but the reveal... ah, the reveal is very well done.

postsecret

PostSecret is an ongoing community art project where people mail in their secrets anonymously on one side of a postcard. I like to post one that speaks to me each week.

love to laugh

#livethankful

I have to say that working with teenagers makes me laugh. Often. I laugh every day, multiple times. Even when I feel my patience running out, I can usually change my mindset and laugh it off. I have been told that I have an infectious laugh. I take that as a major compliment. I love to laugh.

sunday stealing

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Sunday Stealing: Taking Stock Meme

Making: plans for the week--meetings and meetings and meetings

Cooking: nothing

Drinking: iced coffee

Reading: The Good Girl by Mary Kubrica

Wanting: a nap

Looking: at the week's weather forecast

Wasting: time, but enjoying it

Wishing: for holiday cheer

Enjoying: my weekend

Waiting: until nap time

Liking: how comfy I am in my chair

Wondering: about my finances

Loving: that my eldest niece is expecting!

Listening: to a ridiculous show on Bravo

Needing: to finish up my Christmas knitting

Smelling: a wonderful candle

Wearing: jeans and a sweater

Following: people on Facebook, when I don't really understand what that means

Noticing: that my toes need a treatment, it's pedicure time!

Knowing: what's up

Thinking: about vacuuming

Feeling: sleepy

Bookmarking: videos to use with my classes

Opening: myself to the possibilities

Giggling: at some funny videos

music

#livethankful

I grew up in a musical family. I sing but I don't like performing. My dad is a professional musician these days. I grew up listening to classical, choral, big band, crooners, and pop music from all decades. I feel lucky that I have an appreciation for almost all music. And I worked in radio when I was in college. I had regular listeners! Fans!

saturday 9

All About That Bass

1) This song is body positive. In that spirit: What physical feature would you never change, no matter what? I would never change my mouth

2) The lyrics mention how often the media uses Photoshop to present a more ideal female form. Is Photoshop on your computer? If so, do you know how to use it? I don't know how to use Photoshop

3) She also sings about Mattel's Barbie doll. According to Toys R Us, this year's best-selling doll is not Barbie but Disney's Elsa. Have you seen Frozen? I have seen Frozen, although I enjoyed it, it is not my favorite

4) In the video, Meghan dances merrily around her twin bed with its pink head/footboard. Describe your bed to us. my bed is a double with a 1950s pressed board headboard with two sliding doors on either side and a shelf in the middle--it was my parents' until they got a king size bed

5) Ms. Trainor began writing songs when she was 11. Would you find it easier to write lyrics or music? lyrics

6) Meghan recently performed "All About that Bass" on the CMAs with country star Miranda Lambert. Who is your favorite country singer? Dolly Parton

7) In September, Meghan had to cancel several concerts because of throat trouble. Are you battling a cold, cough or sore throat this morning? no health concerns today

8) Meghan was born in Nantucket, MA. "Nantucket" is an Algonquian name that means, "faraway island." How did your town get its name/what does it mean? my town has a french name--because of the river and stream that twist around it, making it almost an island

9) According to the National Weather Service, between rain and snow, winter brings Nantucket the most precipitation it sees all year. How is the weather where you are today? it is 29 degrees and mostly cloudy, and the wind is cold

finished reading

It's a charming, far-fetched tale. As I read it I wondered, "What next?" several times. I don't know if that is good or bad. I think I'm the only one of my reading group to finish it.

color my world

#livethankful

I am a fan of color. Back in the '80s when it was "the thing" to get your colors done, I learned I am an Autumn, and I embraced that palette and have a true appreciation for how color looks on me. I have an eye for color--matching, accessorizing, coordinating.

Color is also fun in knitting.

friday 5

Superpowers

1. If you temporarily* had the power of invisibility, what’s the first thing you’d do with it?
there are a couple of meetings I would like to attend
2. If you temporarily had the power of telekinesis, what’s the first thing you’d do with it?
I would move things around just to freak my students out
3. If you temporarily had the power of teleportation, what’s the first thing you’d do with it?
I would go visit my Pennsylvania and Virginia sisters
4. If you temporarily had the power of super-stretchy limbs, what’s the first thing you’d do with it?
oh, I would turn on the projector for myself instead of having tall students turn it on
5. If you temporarily had the power of super strength, what’s the first thing you’d do with it?
I would like to move the furniture around my classroom without needing help

* say, for exactly twenty-four hours

booking through thursday

click the icon to play along
If someone you know has just published a book—do you feel obliged to buy a copy? Even if it’s not the kind of book you’d normally read? From the archives.

A former student of mine has published a couple of sci-fi/fantasy novels and I have not picked them up. But a family friend wrote a book and I rushed to pick that up.

smells

#livethankful

I am grateful for the scent of puppies and babies. I am thankful for the scent of baking bread, cookies, and cake. I am thankful for the scent of brewing coffee. I am thankful for the scent of flowers. I am thankful for the scent of autumn. I am thankful for the signature scent of my perfume, how it combines with my natural body oils to make it mine.

I am thankful that the scent of cloves takes me back to when my mum was alive. Or Merle Norman cosmetics, they take me back then, too.

I am not terribly thankful for the funky body odors of teenage boys.

w.w.w. wednesdays

To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions…

• What are you currently reading? I'm listening to The Good Girl by Mary Kubica and I'm reading The Hundred-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out of the Window and Disappeared.

• What did you recently finish reading? I finished Neil Patrick Harris Choose Your Own Autobiography and we're now best friends.

• What do you think you’ll read next? I have no idea.

texture

#livethankful

I'm thankful for all the adventures and misadventures I've been lucky enough to have which give my life texture. I'm thankful that I can talk to anybody, that enriches my life and gives it texture. And I'm thankful that I've learned to knit because I love the textures involved in choosing yarn and finishing projects.

ten things tuesday...

Hat tip to the History Channel for these tidbits:

9.2 million veterans are over the age of 65.

1.9 million veterans are under the age of 35.

1.8 million veterans are women.

7.8 million veterans served during the Vietnam War era (1964-1975), which represents 33% of all living veterans.

5.2 million veterans served during the Gulf War (representing service from Aug. 2, 1990, to present).

2.6 million veterans served during World War II (1941-1945).

2.8 million veterans served during the Korean War (1950-1953).

6 million veterans served in peacetime.

There are approximately 23.2 million military veterans in the United States.

As of 2008, 2.9 million veterans received compensation for service-connected disabilities.

noise

#livethankful

As I mentioned yesterday, I am sound sensitive. Having said that, I should explain that when I was in college I was a radio DJ and wearing headphones and blasting music has made me sound sensitive today. I am thankful for loud music when I'm in the mood for it, for quiet music when I need some noise, and my appreciation of both.

just finished...

I listened to NPH's recording of his book and I'm so glad I did. We are now best friends.

not just a day off

It's not just a day off. In fact, my teachers association did a clothing collection for the local Veteran's Hospital and I knit a couple of hats. I put notes inside, thanking them for their service.

Same yarn, different patterns: a beanie and a toque.