shAARP Talk: Observations from AARP

I'm heading off for a long weekend of turkey, stuffing and hopefully a work out (thanks Richard). But before I leave, I wanted to leave you all with a little holiday humor from the funny bones at the New Yorker.

Turkey Wish

After Thanksgiving dinner when I was a kid, my dad would make me pull the wishbone apart with him to see who would win the "Turkey Wish." I always thought it was kind of stupid, but my dad took this tradition really seriously. Here's how it went:

1988: I win. I wish for a pony. Dad says I can't wish for that because it's too expensive. I wish for a dog instead.

1989: I win again. Dad yells a word I've only heard in R-rated movies and then hits his hand down on the table, hard. I wish for a Nintendo.

1990: Dad wins. He is really happy. He kisses my mom on the mouth and yells "Now who's the loser?"

1991: I win. Dad locks himself in the bathroom. There's a loud crashing sound like a pane of glass shattering. I wish for us never to play Turkey Wish again.

1992: Dad says my previous wish doesn't count and makes me play. He wins. He wishes for a new son who isn't "such a failure at everything he sets his hand to."

1993: I win. Dad moves to Wisconsin.

1994: Thanksgiving morning, 5 A.M. The phone rings. It is my dad pretending to be an old lady. It is a bad impression. He asks if any one remembers the tradition of the Turkey Wish. I can hear him sobbing softly in the background. He makes up some excuse about needing to go put on his "old lady dress" and hangs up. The next week I receive an envelope in the mail with twenty broken wish bones soaked in tears.

Happy Thanksgiving!

posted by Farley Katz

Have a wonderful holiday no matter where you are or what your plans are. I'm sending out the best joo joo possible for families across the nation!

Oh Richard Simmons...you never go away do you? I was watching holiday-related videos on YouTube (don't tell my boss) and came across Richard doing the holiday hustle while shopping. Amusing? Yes. Annoying? Yes. A reminder to work out this weekend? Maybe!

If you're like most people, you're probably looking for ways to save a buck or two. Well the good news is that even in these tough times, there are lots of things you can do to save money without seriously impacting your quality of life. Surprisingly, there are lots of health care choices you can make to save money without compromising quality. For starters, you can always use generic prescription drugs rather than name brands. Also make sure to be aware of any government programs you might be eligible for. You might be surprised to find you can get assistance in paying for medical costs. Being smart in these tough times can really pay off.