Just when I had forgotten what it was like to do something without a cat helping me...

The 4 SisterDears and MotherDear at the Wedding

I'm home! It took a few minutes for the cats to act like themselves around me and then they were all fine. Well, except for Grayson... He jumped right on the counter and started rubbing on me and purring, but then Grayson loves everybody!

Gandalf was the clingiest when I first got home. I woke up in the middle of the night and went out to my recliner to watch Hot in Cleveland's Season Finale, which I missed last week as it was the day I flew up to Boston. Naturally, I fell asleep in the recliner, but when I woke up, Whitey was laying with his head on one arm kissing me and purring and Gracie was curled up in the crook of my other arm. Awww...

And then as I was typing this post, Whitey and Grayson started doing their little Push me-Pull me dance and spilled my glass of water all over my desk and my keyboard. I hope I don't need a new keyboard. I guess I'll know pretty soon, right?

Today is unpacking and trying to make it like I never left. Oh. And working. I have a bunch of emails and voice-mails to respond to and follow up with (y'all).

Enjoy today's trip around the sun! I know I will! Big Hugs ♥xo

"Then close your eyes and tap your heels together three times. And think to yourself, 'There's no place like home'."

Well, it's that time again. Time for 'hugs and kisses goodbye's and 'see you soon's and 'I've loved every minute's and 'I can't believe it went by so fast's! Time for a few tears to fall, too.

It's finally time to go home!

Tonight I get to sleep in my own bed, after a bunch of squealing when I first see my kitties followed by lots of scritches, head bonks and purrs!

Enjoy today's trip around the sun! I'll be flying a little closer to the sun on my way HOME, so I know I will! Big Hugs ♥xo

Time Passages

Last night was the mini-reunion for my high school classmates. We met at a favorite town restaurant named Jade East, although the townspeople simply refer to it as "The Jade". We've been going there for about 5 decades and very little about it has changed. It seems to be frozen in time, so it's actually the perfect place to meet up!

Thankfully, the new owners did re-do the bathrooms. :)

I'd show you more pictures, but because Linda graciously got out her camera and took photos of the group, I didn't bother... Once she puts them up on Flickr I'll share the link. Here's a few I swiped off of John's Facebook page.

Homeroom Buds - John always sat in front of me ...Meuse, Mills...

I don't know who these old peoples are.

Well, no matter how long your vacation is, there never seems to be enough time to do everything you want to do or even everything you planned to do. Having said that, I always wish I had made my vacation shorter so I could be back home in my own bed with my cats and my usual routine. Funny, eh? Does this happen to anyone else?

Today is laundry and packing day, then very early tomorrow morning I'll be putting on my traveling shoes. It's going to be a very long travel day. My bil Jim will picking up my parents and me and dropping us at the airport about 5 hours before our flight as that is what his schedule will allow. You takes what you can gets when you fly on a workday! Then we have a non-stop 3-hour flight to Jacksonville where my friend Al will be picking us up. Once we get our baggage and get in the van we'll have about a 2-1/2 drive home to the Swamp, assuming the weather and traffic cooperate. When I drove my parents to the airport 2 months ago I drove into a mini-monsoon just leaving Jacksonville and it took me about 4 miserable hours to get home. I sure hope that doesn't happen tomorrow as rain IS in the forecast. Yuck.

I wish I could click my Ruby Red Slippers because Oh, Auntie Em... There's no place like home.

Enjoy today's trip around the sun! I know I will! Big Hugs ♥xo

SisterDear night

SisterDear night, originally uploaded by WillThink4Wine.

SisterDears, MotherDear, Wine, Tiaras, Sea Glass and Italian food... We had all of those things, with a CousinDear, a Dad and an Enrico Suave thrown in for good measure!

My sister Tina and I drove to Winthrop, MA yesterday afternoon for a quick visit to our childhood haunts. We hunted for sea glass and other treasures while I snapped off photos and we spoke to a few of the current residents.



Tina will be picking up our brother Paul at the train station this morning for a short visit with our parents and us today.

This afternoon will find me at the Jade, a favorite Chinese restaurant here in town as well as a long-recognized landmark for a Mini-Reunion of my high school class. Despite several attempts to get a final count of confirmed attendees, I still have no clue how many (or how few) will be there... but I will be!

And sometime this afternoon or tonight Linda will arriving for a brief but welcome visit. I'm pretty sure a glass or two of wine will be involved!

Well, I've got SisterDears sleeping on the floor to wake up and visit over coffee before they head out today. There's lots on tap today as both my parents and I approach the end of our vacation!

Have a wonderful day! Big hugs :)

Random picture sampling of grilling Pizza

It is SO good!






Light grill - medium high heat. The trick is... Brush dough with olive oil, toss the dough on the grill, leave for about 5 minutes. The oil helps to cook the pizza dough. Brush with olive oil and flip the dough... toss on your toppings of choice and cook another 5 minutes or so... or until cheese melts. mmmm...

Enjoy today's trip around the sun! I know I will! Big Hugs ♥xo

Partly Cloudy with a Chance of Pizzas

... Followed by Widely Scattered Photos tomorrow.

Tonight is Personal Pizzas on the Grill a la my multi-talented nephew Mike. On top of being a Music Teacher, a singing Piano Man and Aria's awesome Dad, he also cooks. From scratch. Seriously.

Speaking of Aria, isn't she the cutest?



I know!

Cutest.Baby.Girl.Evah.

Her Mommy and Daddy are bringing her here this morning to spend the day with her Nana and Grampy (aka my SisterDear2 Lynda and bil Rick) so they can set up Danielle's classroom for the start of the new school year. Unfortunately, I'll be keeping my yucky summer cold self downstairs - far away from Aria - hoping to NOT expose her to my cold. Of course, she's already been exposed to my hugs and kisses last week before I had any symptoms, but just in case...

Yesterday I pretty much did not much other than take Day-Quill, blow my nose and recite over and over "Rain, Rain, go Away". I'm hoping that my gravel-y, sneeze-y chanting brings lots of sunshines today, for me and for you! Big Hugs :)

I'm sorry I haven't been able to get on the computer much. When you combine a big family, a wedding and just 10 days and it makes for lots of busy! In fact, except for the Wedding Rehearsal and the first half of the Wedding, I've barely taken any photos! What about that?!

It's been raining and dreary for days, despite this being the driest summer for New England and the drought causing everything to be brown and crunchy... My summer cold is just the pits... OK, we're done with the bad news.

There IS lots of good news though! Tomorrow is forecast to bring the sunshine back! And as if that wasn't enough to blow my skirt up, my nephew Mike will be coming over tomorrow night to prepare made-to order personal pizzas on the grill for everybody! Friday night is MotherDear's Italian and SisterDear Night! mmmmm.... Then late Saturday afternoon is a mini-reunion with my high school classmates at our favorite town Chinese restaurant. Sometime early Saturday evening, in between dropping Amanda off at college and photographing the sights in nearby Lexington/Concord, Linda will be dropping by for some wine and conversation.

Sunday is my last day here and is slotted to be a quiet family day, interspersed with a bit of laundry and packing.

We'll be leaving for the airport early Monday morning for our flight back to the Swamp. Oh, dear bed, how I've missed you! Al tells me the kitties are all doing fine, but I've missed them lots and can't wait to be covered in fur and purred on again.

I sure hope none of you has this cold! Enjoy the day. I'm going to try! Achoo. Big Hugs ♥xo

Tuesday? Already?

3 (out of the possible 4) SisterDears at the Rehearsal Dinner

Just a quick check in. I decided not to bring my laptop and that turned out to be not such a great idea. Ah well, we'll all muddle through.

What I did bring apparently is a nasty summer cold. It hit me on Sunday night, blessedly a full 24 hours after the wedding. Now I just hope I don't give anybody my cooties, especially sweet baby Aria! The floodgates started last night. I hope it's mostly passed by Thursday because that's when the weekend starts heating up. My nephew Mike and my niece Danielle are dropping Aria off for the day so they can get Danielle's schoolroom ready for the new year. Then that night Mike's making us all homemade personal pizzas on the grill, all made to order. I suspect the piano keys will then be tickled for a while!

Today? Well, today I'll be doing laundry, blowing my nose and fillin' up on Day-Quill again. Perhaps I can force myself to watch another movie on the ginormous flat TV with Surround Sound. Maybe I can get someone to peel me a grape?

Enjoy today's trip around the sun! I know I will! Big Hugs ♥xo

Oh, how we danced!

On the night they were we'd... Or the day they were we'd! I took lots of photos, but not with my iPhone so I can only show you the photo of the gazebo setting which I took at the rehearsal. Well, only if you're my friend on facebook. I'm a bad blogger, but a great Auntie because I came to see my nephew get married and enjoy his wedding... And I did that quite well!

We're still at the hotel but we'll be checking out and heading home to my sister Lynda's house late this morning. It' been a whirlwind of activities for the past 4 days. Here's hoping the next 8 aren't nearly as hectic!

I've been trying to keep up with you all in my reader...

See you Saturday, Linda!

Enjoy today's trip around the sun! I know I will! Big Hugs ♥xo

Duck

My grandniece Aria sitting in Duck. Duck used to be her bathtub. Duck has now been repurposed as Aria's toy box at Nana's.

'Duck' was Aria's first word and it remains her favorite word. She pronounces it perfectly. It's the first word out of month in the morning, after her nap and many more times throughout the day.

Lets see... In a nutshell... Yesterday is a blur, mostly involving airports, running through said airports and a lot of pain from running. Today will be a whirlwind of pre-wedding activities. Tomorrow a large group of us will be doing early check-in at the hotel near where the Wedding will be held where there will then be yet another day of pre-wedding activities. The day after tomorrow? Well, that would be the actual Wedding Day!

And Aria kissed me goodnight last night! Woohoo!

Have a wonderful day! I'll try to visit but the next few days will be iffy. Big Hugs ♥xo

You can fly, you can fly, you can fly...

And I am!

peter pan you can fly mp3 | lyrics

free music downloads | music videos | pictures

Since this is a travel day for me and since I did nothing remotely exciting yesterday and in keeping with the travel theme, I thought I'd share a video. For those of you who do not yet read Carnival's Senior Cruise Director John Heald's blog I present a video from the talent contest from his most recent cruise.

It's a belly dancer!





I would SO love to be able to belly dance! What fun!

Next time you hear from me I'll be in Massachusetts! Ah, New England... where the Weather Channel is forecasting today's high to be 84 gloriously unhumid degrees and the lows will be in the low-to-mid 60's. Oh, be still my heart!

Enjoy today's trip around the sun! You know I will! Big Hugs ♥xo

Time to Fly!

In less than 24 hours, this is where I'll be! One more sleep! Woohoo! My flight leaves in the wee hours of the morning, which is great for me as I'm up early anyway, plus I'll get into Boston around 10am... not so great for poor Al, who is driving me to the airport. :-D

My sweet kitties have been extra clingy in the past few days... They SO know I'm leaving soon. Gracie has no experience with me leaving, but I'm sure she's picking up vibes from the boys. I know they'll be fine as Al will be taking great care of them, but I will miss them terribly. However will I sleep without 4 kitties hogging the bed and pillows?! Well... I'll just have to make the best of it!

I've decided to bring just one software disc - my accounting software - to install on my sister's computer. I really don't want to lug my laptop all around the airports. I can make do for one work week. Any software SisterDear2 does not have that I may need will mean work I will just have to finish up when I get back home. That's all there is to that, and it will be fine. I love that I can pretty much take my office with me and work from anywhere there is a computer and internet access! It also means that if I ever move again, and I know I will, it won't be difficult to move my business.

Now I just need to make sure I remember to forward my phone to my cell phone before I leave for the airport!

I picked up a few extra memory cards for my camera yesterday. I filled 3 memory cards on my last trip and did not have a 4th card so I missed photographing some things - not this time! I can't believe how much cheaper they are now!

Well, time to start my day! I somehow managed to put off packing until today and I have 2 loads of laundry to do before I can pack!

Only 1 more sleep for me, but only 4 more sleeps for the bride and groom... I wonder how they're doing?

Enjoy today's trip around the sun! I know I will! Big Hugs ♥xo

I dusted and cleaned... and it had a great fall

...I had a great big sad and a big old cry for myself yesterday morning. Somehow while cleaning the baker's rack I knocked my grandmother's teacup from the top shelf down to the hard floor. These are the larger pieces. It smashed to smithereens and broke my heart. Far too many tiny slivers to try to glue it back together.





It was my most treasured possession. I still have the saucer and a cereal bowl, but the teacup was my favorite, for some reason. Damn.

I liked the dust much better than my smashed teacup.

Then my niece (the artist and art teacher, and Aria's Mommy) saw my Facebook update and told me to bring the pieces up with me and she would make me a necklace or "something" out of the pieces. And so I started crying all over again. I then went dumpster diving and retrieved the larger pieces out of the trash. They were they very first things that I packed!

I hope today goes better than yesterday. Ya know what? I know that it will. Big Hugs ♥xo

Swampy Sunday

I chose a cheery and bright photo today sort of as a mood setter for me. Remember that list of to-dos I had yesterday? Well, nothing got moved into the ta-done column. Not a single, blessed thing!

It started off with an early morning phone call from a young couple wanting to look at my Yellow House, followed by an unplanned lunch with Al and Barbara while we watched some Wedding Planner show as rain came pouring down in a deluge, blurring into a stormy evening full of thunderboomies, frozen pizza for dinner and no interwebs. I wish I could say I at least managed a nap during the rainy day but... no.

So I've got to get 'er done today so I can relax, secure in the knowledge that I won't have to run around at the last minute wondering if I forgot anything. I hate that kind of stress and try to avoid it at all costs.

Oh... and I got my suitcase out and put it in my bedroom. The cats are totally 'on to me' now. Especially Grayson.

Enjoy your Sunday! Life is grand, y'all! Big Hugs ♥xo

Boston, You're My Home

4 more sleeps! Then I fly up to Boston for 12 days to have a SisterDear visit!



I can't wait to see them! And the nieces and nephews, too! And my grandniece, Aria! And Music Night!

I'll get to see some old familiar places and faces. I'm meeting up with a bunch of high school friends at the Jade, the local favorite Chinese restaurant that's been around for more than 50 years. It is even rumored that Linda will be taking a drive up from Norwich, CT for a visit one day!

I'll also get to photograph some places and all the someones I love... who isn't a cat!

Like a SisterDear or 3...



or perhaps the Boston Theatre District...



... or maybe we'll be having so much fun we'll forget to take photos. Sometimes that happens!

Oh. And let's not forget... the Wedding of my nephew Brian and his lovely lady, Anna!

I'll be busy this weekend doing last minute preparations... like laptop maintenance, getting all the current backups loaded onto said laptop (it is a working vacation), laundry, packing and stocking up on cat essentials and such. I'm also hoping to squeeze in a pedicure somewhere!

Busy. I am! Enjoy your Saturday, y'all! Big Hugs ♥xo

Sometimes...

...Whitey stands with his back legs up on my desk and his front legs down on my keyboard table. Then he takes his outstretched left paw and paws at my face ever so gently. You should also know that while he does this he is also purring very loudly.

And then, only when he is quite certain that he has my full attention, he does THE cutest thing. He kisses my nose.

Srsly.

Kari asked yesterday if Whitey has ever been away from me since he was gotcha'd a year ago May. Yes, he has. I do take the occasional vacation or long weekend. Sometimes my parents are here with them. Sometimes my friend Al comes over to take care of them. Al also has 4 cats. If there were such a thing as reincarnation, I would want to come back as one of Al's cats. Spoiled rotten. Since my parents are already up at my sister's waiting for me to arrive, Al will be coming over at least twice a day to feed them and attend to litter box duty. He will also be brushing them, scritching them and giving them treats.

You should also know that as much as Whitey is a sweet, sweet Mama's Boy, he is exactly this same way with Al - or anyone else who cares to take a moment to talk to him or touch him! In fact, all 4 of my cats are very social. They will all meet and greet anyone who comes to the house. Grayson loves absolutely everybody! Gandalf may hide for about a minute just to size you up, but then he'll be right out there, wondering when it's going to be his turn to get in your lap. Gracie also likes everyone and doesn't mind letting you scritch her, but she does not like to be held by anyone. Not even me. She'll sit in my lap forever, but I can not pick her up. Well, I can... but she'll leave all kinds of scratches as she wriggles away.

As if Al wasn't going to be giving them enough attention, there are my dear friends across the street. They will also be visiting my poor, abandoned kitties. Their 16 year old daughter is quite smitten with them... especially Whitey, since he loves nothing better than sitting in her lap and being brushed!

They all will be absolutely fine and dandy while I am away visiting the sisterdears.

I, on the other hand, will be missing them all like crazy.

Happy Friday the Thirteenth! I can't believe this week is nearly done already! I hope you all have a wonderful day! Big Hugs ♥xo

Iz live or iz Whitey Time?

Whitey relaxes like nobuddy's bizniss

I stepped out onto the patio yesterday and saw this. Whitey was napping with his two front legs stretched out way up in the air, like he was reaching for something. Or like he is Supercat, flying through the air with the greatest of cheez.

Iz bird... Iz plane... Iz SuperWhitey!

I ran in to get my camera and shot a few photos.

Suddenly I realized he had not moved a fur. I actually had a twinge of dread. I had to concentrate really hard and I watched for signs of breathing.


And then it happened...

Iz alive!

He yawned.

Did you notice... he still has not moved his back legs?

Phew! Hi ya, White-ums!

I wish I could relax as good as Whitey! It's an art form! Srsly.

I made a big ol' chicken salad yesterday from that 2nd Rotisserie Chicken I bought... Yes, I bought 2! Sorry, no photos. It's nothing special; just some finely chopped red onion, a shredded carrot, some parsley, salt and pepper and mayo. I didn't have any celery, but it's still good! Mmmmm...

Only 6 more sleeps until I fly up nawth! I've got to get my business stuff organized this weekend as this is a working vacation for me. I've got to bring my laptop. Rats. I was trying to avoid that, but the alternative is bringing all my software and installing it on my sister's computer. That doesn't seem like a great idea, so time to get out the laptop and shake out the cobwebs.

Swell... Something else to carry around the airport. I hate that.

Oh... and in case you missed it on Facebook last night...




Well, that's all I know today. Is it just me or has this week flown by? Big hugs ♥

Stuff happens

Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible. -Dalai Lama

Gracie

Gracie looks pensive. And she was. She's planning exactly how and when she will whap Whitey. He dared to touch her derriere during their afternoon nap on the patio. And she did not keep him waiting long! :-D

Lets see... what else....

Oh... And then this happened...

Ooops

While my neighbor and dear friend was stealing my grass again on his brand new, fancy schmancy and very expensive zero-turn lawn mower this pole jumped right out in back of him! But the car is fine and the pole is still holding up that part of the carport cover. Absolutely never sweat the small stuff.

I'll have to ask him how his baby is! I'm pretty sure his mower is worth more than the car!

I had to run to Wally World for cat food or risk the dreaded Quadraphonc Stare of Don't You Love Me? yesterday after work, so I picked up a rotisserie chicken and invited myself to dinner at Al and Barbara's. I'm just thoughtful that way!

Happy Humpday, y'all. I hope it's a good'n! Big Hugs ♥xo

I missed Happy Hour last night

Who knew Sonic had a Happy Hour? Not I.

After the yummy success of the Sonic Chocolate Sundae the other night and because I worked extry hard yesterday, I was certainly not about to cook anything last night! So I drove through Sonic to try their Grilled Chicken Salad. I used my new favorite Vinaigrette rather than their dressing... whatever that would have been - because they didn't ask if I wanted any and I dang sure didn't get any. The salad? Not so much, even with my yummy dressing. I mean, it was OK, but nothing special.

However! I noticed on the Big Menu outside that they have Limeade! And I love Limeade. And they have flavors for the Limeade... like Cranberry. I love Cranberry. And I especially love Cranberry and Lime together!

O mai goodness!

And as long as I was trying new stuff, I ordered some Onion Rings. I tried their Marinara that came with... I wasn't feelin' the love. So I whipped up a small batch of Tartar Sauce. Because I'm from New England and that's how we DO Onion Rings.

O mai goodness!

Wait until my parents try those Onion Rings!

I can't believe we've been here over 5-1/2 years and I've never tried Sonic. And it being right around the corner and all!

Seriously.

I may drive through between 2-4pm for Happy Hour tomorrow - when drinks are half price! Limeade anyone?


Happy Tuesday, y'all! Big Hugs ♥xo

Night Nap Intermission with JT

During my Night Nap Intermission last night (that's what I'm calling them now) I turned on the TV and scrolled through the guide. I tuned to PBS because one of my all-time favorite singers, James Taylor was singing with Carole King, another of my favorites. Awesome!

The two of them just finished their 2010 Live at the Troubadour tour.



And it's hard for me to believe that this...



...was 39 years ago.

The Time Tunnel

Wow. Seriously, where does the time go?

I now have 9 night naps before I leave for home - the wedding, the mini-high school reunion, Duchess Linda, and the sisterdears. And yet 9 days seems like an eternity right now.

Time. It's a funny thing.

Enjoy today's trip around the sun! I know I will! Big Hugs ♥xo

Carnival Dream and Intermittant Interwebs

I had the joy of calling AT+T DSL Technical Support at 4:26 this morning. My modem keeps turning red on Internet and blinking on DSL. Not good. He started a Trouble Ticket but I have to call back at 8:00am. Apparently, AT+T Technicians are allowed to sleep in on Sunday mornings.

I got 90% of my errands run yesterday. I never made it to Sam's, but what I have on my Sam's list will wait. I ended up at Kohl's since it's just down from my computer guru. I found some dandy bargains! Not exactly the white dressy shell I was looking for but what I did find will do nicely. I got some clearance stuff at 70% off... I love 70% off!

My friends got back from their cruise in a Penthouse Suite aboard the Carnival Dream. They had a fabulous time!

They said their Dining and Cabin staff were simply spectacular. They raved about the food in the Dining Hall and practically drooled about the food in the Steakhouse! They opted for Your Time Dining for this cruise and told me they will not do that again - at least not on a ship as big as the Dream. Their wait was always a minimum of an hour for lunch and dinner. They had room service deliver breakfast every morning so they weren't sure about the wait times for breakfast. :-D

Room Service... Ahhhh!!!

They also said the ship was immaculate and the shows were fabulous...

However... you knew there would be one, right?

I leave it for last because it has nothing to do with Carnival, the ship or the crew. It has everything to do with rude, inconsiderate people. On a ship of approximated 4000 people, it seems that my friends experienced more than their fair share of rude idiots on this cruise. They saw everything from lots of young children allowed to simply run around the ship, push every button and ride the elevators as they wished, young adults having rumpy pumpy in the pools and spas, drunk and disorderly conduct... My friends say they saw several "arrests" and many guests were asked to leave the ship.

Oh. And my friends were in bed before 10:00pm every night... imagine what rudeness they DIDN'T see!

Carnival Dream Ship Facts:

Gross Tonnage: 130,000 tons
Length : 1,004 feet
Cruising Speed :
Staterooms: 1,823
Guest Capacity : 3,646 (double occupancy)
Total staff : 1,367
Registry : Panama

Today I'll be working on my business website (interwebs permitting) and doing some laundry. I hope your Sunday is lovely! Big Hugs ♥xo

Saturday, Snoopy and Sonic Sundaes

It's Saturday and I have much too much to do. What happened to the kind of Saturdays that meant you had the day off to relax?

I wanted to paint the trim in my hall bathroom today but...

I have to pay bills, go the the credit union and the post office, run over towards the mall (but not the actual mall) and pick up my computer from my guru (who has no doubt by now probably figured I'd abandoned it) and stop at Sam's to pick up a few things.

If I have any energy left after all of that running around I may peek in at Lane Bryant because they're having a BIG sale and I have a 40% off coupon - and I DO need that dressy shell, after all.

My neighbors have been gloating over the fact that since their daughter just got her driver's license they can now just hand her the keys and she can run out and get them whatever they are wanting... for instance, a Sonic Sundae. Well... Sonic is right around the corner from the Swamp, as in a mere few buildings away. Guess what I did last night on my way back home from dinner at friends? Yup! I drove through Sonic and got myself a Chocolate Sundae!

Unfortunately, it was before 8:00pm so I had to pay full price - $2.19. After 8:00pm it's only $.99. That is totally awesome, but there was no way I would have come back once I was home.

So. What are your weekend plans? Big Hugs ♥xo

Gracie down-under

This is Gracie with her most favorite thing in the world... her pink sparkly fuzz ball. She's hunting under my desk, perched atop my laptop case.She will bat it around, carry it and chase this thing around for long, long periods of time. You'd never believe a cat would have THIS long an attention span!

Note... I just discovered what happened to my Kabuki brush! Gracie must have high-tailed it from the bathroom with it and hid it under my desk. I'm glad I found it - it's a $28 brush for my Bare Minerals! Doh!

This week has flown by! I can't believe it's already Friday. Yesterday was a very busy day in the office. I was either doing quotes or processing orders. Dare I call this a trend? It's the 2nd week in a row! I'm hoping and praying!

I went out to eat last night with my friends Al and Barbara. Nothing fancy at all - just Long John Silvers Captain D's! I was in the mood for fish, but something quick, close by and inexpensive. I even get a senior discount there! :-D

I've been sleeping in sets, for lack of a better description. I can barely stay awake until 8:00 and then I wake up about 12:30. I can't get back to sleep so I watch my DVD'd shows until 3:00 or 4:00 and then go back to bed and sleep until 6:30. I hate it when this happens. I blame Whitey. He likes to walk on me or kiss me awake.

It is not because I'm getting older.

Is it?

Enjoy today's trip around the sun! I know I will! Big Hugs ♥xo

Serendipity and Selective Color

On a whim, I decided to pop into Beall's Outlet on my way home from the bank yesterday, and am I ever glad I did! I found an outfit for the wedding AND an outfit for the Rehearsal Dinner! I also picked up 2 pairs of Jambos, 3 pairs of slacks, 2 semi-dressy tops, a new purse and a funky chucky necklace and earring set. Bonus: I filled up my discount card and got to take an extra 20% off everything!! Woohoo!

I thought I'd kill a few birds with one stone today. I'm trying out a FREE new toy by Screenr to demonstrate ONE way (there are many) to do Selective Color in Photoshop while showing you the bold floral jacket I picked up. The Screenr screencast also does sound, but I don't have a microphone hooked up to this computer. Sorry. (The demo is mostly for Linda and Lisa, but feel free to watch, y'all!)



My nephew's lovely Bride-to-be chose Tropical as her wedding theme. I love black and white with a pop of color so I love this jacket and it sort of fits in with the Tropical theme! I'll pair it with a nice pair of black slacks and a dressy white shell! (It won't be the casual V-neck top in this photo - it just happened to be the hanger I grabbed to throw it on to take the photo.)

Now I can stop worrying about finding anything to wear to the wedding and I also don't have to go to the mall on Saturday. I'm quite pleased about that! And if it's miserable degrees hot on the day of the wedding, I can just take off my jacket and be much cooler but still look nice.

Divine.

Enjoy today's trip around the sun! I know I will! Big Hugs ♥xo

Back to a hairstyle far, far away

The Hairdate in this photo would be circa 19ohmysweetLord. I'm going to guess that I was in first grade as I still have my baby teefs. Alas, there is no date on the back of the photo so I can't be 100% sure.

My mother is fond of telling people that she always cut our hair when we were kids. Now who would believe that? I suspect it was really one of my baby sisterdears. Surely my mother could not have done this?

Although I must say, the dimples are rather adorable. Never mind that I have a unibrow and a bunch a freckles - some of which are not actually mine but were later added to the photo in what appears to be greenish-blue ink. An excellent choice as my eyes are blue and the dress is green and black.

A strange thing happened at the Swamp this week. Grayson and Whitey tapped noses and nobody hissed or got whapped. And if that wasn't strange enough, Gandalf and Gracie started doing head butts and wrassling while they waited for me to open their food. There was even some Water Bottle Cap Hockey yesterday. It's always been Gandalf's favorite game... and I think he may be teaching it to Gracie.

And 2 weeks from today I'll be flying home to visit my sisterdears. Life is good, y'all. Big Hugs ♥

That'll do, Donkey. That'll do.

I got my roll-up blinds up yesterday! Of all days wouldn't you know that yesterday afternoon was mostly overcast? No matter. There will be many, many, many sunny afternoons in the days ahead for them to block the sun.

The cats are a bit miffed over them covering up some of the shelves, but I think all the strings help to make up for that.

I had some of the leftover Lemon Basil Pasta and Chicken last night. It wasn't fabulous leftover. This would be a dish I would plan to use all in one setting. I won't save the leftovers again. Just saying.

A friend of my friends who are currently mid-cruise in the Penthouse Suite stopped by yesterday to check on their house. I just love neighbors and friends here in the Swamp. People don't do stuff like that where' I've lived before. Anyway... then he called and came over to visit and chat. That's when it happened... he saw that Red Chili Pepper plant. You know... the one that my Dad thought was a Bell Pepper plant when he planted it?




The plant is now a pretty big shrub with at least 100 Chili Peppers hanging off the limbs, sort of like icicles from a Christmas Tree. Well, he asked if I was planning to make Pepper Sauce with them... and don't you know that he loaded that plant right into the back of his truck when he left. Yes, he did!

Have a wonderful day, y'all! I know I will! Big Hugs ♥xo

Lots of Lemony Goodness

 

This was pretty much my view of the monitor yesterday any time I tried to sit down at the computer... except sometimes it was a gray cat. :-D

I finally gave up and got some of my chores done. I think they knew it was the weekend and I wasn't working so they expected more attention. They got it! Not that I had a choice you understand.

I've been trying to throw out 'stuff' that is still cluttering my life and closets and drawers, even after the Yard Sale. I tossed a bunch more stuff yesterday since today is trash day. Little by little, I keep chipping away at it and soon I will get it to my liking. Have you ever seen that show on Style called Clean House with Niecy Nash? I watched 2 episodes of the supposed "Messiest Homes"... OMG... those hoarders sure will motivate you to cull your cah-rap... right after you're done saying, "OMG! How did they ever get to that point?!" There are truly people out there who are "possessed by their possessions". Bless their cluttered hearts.

I also took a nice nap in my recliner. Ahhhh....

The Grilled Chicken with Lemon Basil Pasta was a hit by all accounts. Al and I both loved all of it, while Barbara liked the pasta but is not generally a fan of chicken... like ever.

I also made had a yummy salad. I found a really awesome Balsamic Vinaigrette dressing I had never tried before that totally ROCKS. It's made by Marzetti. I found it in the refrigerated section. I'll have to try some of their other flavors. They all sound yummy! For dessert we had Lemon Cake, keeping with the lemon theme.

Personally, I don't need an excuse for Lemon Cake.

It's Monday and a brand new week lies ahead. I hope this week is as good as last week was, business-wise! And I hope you enjoy today's trip around the sun! I know I will! Big Hugs ♥

Third time's a charm?

August? Seriously?

Dining with Flat Smon's Cat

Welcome to August! I hope it's the month of cooling off because the temps here have been nearly 100 degrees every day for months and the 'feels like' temps... well, they've been miserable. And I'm right sick of it.

August is also the month of my nephew's wedding. Holy cannoli, I'd better get out to the stores next weekend to find something to wear!

Photo Credit: The Pioneer Woman

I saw this recipe on Pioneer Woman and I had planned to try it the day before yesterday. It's called Grilled Chicken with Lemon Basil Pasta.

Doesn't it look yummy?

The trouble was I couldn't find any fresh basil!

I finally found some at another store that isn't Wally World yesterday so I was supposed to make this last night. Al was going to grill the chicken for me. I had made a lovely salad.

Just after Al and Barbara arrived a nasty thunderstorm rolled in, scared the devil out of Gandalf and knocked out the power. We waited over an hour. The house was getting increasingly hot. We were getting really hungry! We finally went out for a quick bite at a local greasy spoon. Not only was it NOT was my mouth has been looking forward to but it happened to be a new cook so it wasn't even up to Huddle House's normal greasy spoon fare. Ack.

So... I've rescheduled the Lemon Basil Pasta and Chicken for tonight. 

I'll let you know.

And I'm still on the hunt for Pancetta for another recipe I found on PW. I'm probably going to have to go all the way over to the south side to our one and only Publix to get it. Sometimes living in Hicksville is No Fun.

Enjoy today's trip around the sun! I know I will! Big Hugs ♥