116 shopping days left til Christmas

I only point this out because I OFFICIALLY started my shopping today! I hesitate to mention it at all, since it's just a matter of time before the holiday music starts playing!! (that drives me nuts before Thanksgiving) anyway ... maybe this way, I won't panic when people start talking about it. I hope I didn't panic anyone !?! ha-ha

annoying .. TOTALLY annoying!!

The public has long complained about TV commercials. Partly because they have more screen time than any show you are watching & partly because of how they target an audience. HOW STUPID do they think we are??! The Allstate commercial portrays the company as ever-so- thoughtful in their decision to give a discount to New Car buyers (boosted by the cash for clunkers program) and in plain view is the fine print that they do NOT offer it to California and yet ... the commercial is taking up my time, wasting my cable dollars while it PLAYS THE COMMERCIAL IN CALIFORNIA!! Who, in their right mind, are going to "pump up the volume" of their artificial lashes ! Or that the gal on the wrinkle cream commercial is a day over 23??!!
Now I admit, that there ARE TIMES when I see the Carl's Jr 6 dollar burger commercial and it does put me in the mood for a sloppy burger (and once, we DID have it for dinner that night) but more often, I make mention of what was part of a commercial and not even remember the product at all! The ultimate insult is print ads for "full figured" clothing that uses LESS THAN FULL FIGURED models for the merchandise. Add to that - the clothes are hanging off the inappropriate sized models so everything is baggy & frumpy. I want neither!!!! Soap box Sunday is over :o)

so much to do .... soooo much time!

I know that sounds a little odd ... not the way you are used to hearing the saying, BUT- I have a ton of things to do before vacation but vacation still feels too far away! I want to leave in 4 days and yet I have at least 12 days of things to accomplish and we aren't leaving for over 20 ... so there you go. NOT soon enough to begin an official countdown but soon enough to wish it were! Tomorrow, I am hoping to get over a long standing obstacle ... the store room. It has been over crowded and unorganized for a couple of years but now ...... over the top. If I can muster up the energy (and the temps stay cool) then I can accomplish 4 things at once by getting in there.
1. start another batch to donate
2. pull my fall clothes out
3. sort the vacation clothes (gotta wittle down this year with the luggage charges)
4. get the luggage out

not to mention some fall decorating that I will start before we leave! Hmmmm I better attempt to "dream" about all the progress I could make in just one day!?!

what's wrong with this picture ??

well actually .... nothing!

I had to laugh a while back when I sent someone an Easter pictures a few months ago and they pointed out that there was a poinsettia in the backround!! Talk about out of place?! The good news is this is a healthy plant .... probably about 14-15 inches across that started out as 2 itsy-bitsy plants the first of December. I guess we found the right place to park it.

I ALREADY messed up my game plan !!!

poop. I was geared up for 23 days of walking and here I am .... day four and I could not get one in. BUT, it was replaced by some painting, cleaning, pulling, climbing, pushing, squatting, reaching, etc around the office for 6 hours straight! I'm disappointed, but not too upset. My plan will to get in 2 walks when possible in case this happens again! I was only to work til 1pm and there we were .... crawling out with our hands full at just before 4. Ya just never know?!? HOWEVER .... I do have the opportunity to sleep in a little tomorrow and I just might do so.

the chirp lives !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

alright LouLou .... it may have taken it's own sweet time (perhaps because it had to walk a ways) but YOUR CHIRP has arrived at MY house!! Yup .... 3:30 this morning. dagnabbit!

on a brighter note ..... today will be a 1/2 day at work & I am off tomorrow as well meaning that I will not be going back to work til Wednesday! Top that with the fact the the Captain is going to work with me today to do some maintenance & "stuff" for me .... so it's not like a work day at all! We will be hitting the beach over that way before heading home ... since there is a heat wave forcasted for the area that will actually make that beach warm (not the norm). With a little luck ..... it will put us at Taco Temple at the right time for some super nachos :o) Yesterday was DAY THREE of my "23 days of walking" before leaving on vacation. Here, I have posted pics from the Elfin Forest that was Day One, & The Bob Jones trail on DAY TWO .... and our boardwalk beach walk yesterday. enjoy!!

sand dollars that are still "walking"

the trees sorta make tunnels off & along trail

great scenery .... great company

the walk along this boardwalk leads to some incredible views of the estuary!

& the weather was PERF

Havin' a little bit of relaxed fun today sorting thru the clutter that has built up on my craft table, while doing a load of laundry, watching an old movie on TCM, & waiting for the Captain to finish all the formatting & installation he feels necessary on my pretty new RED laptop! Every once in a while I would think about something to start laying out for a scrap page and spend a few minutes doing so before I would get back to the chore at hand!! So ..... as you can see a got a start on a page for BOTH Addy & Anthony, pics that were taken a few days ago when they were here for a visit. I tend to add most of my embellishments on top ... I like more depth to the finished product. And usually, that means I do a lot of pages via the computer BEFORE I get around to embelishing. That's what works for me !

My grandkids are adorable & (un-objectively of course ....) pretty darn

photogenic .... although I find that

Anthony is much more willing to pose or

hold a thought. Addy gives it one shot

(if that) so you gotta be quick! I tend to

get a lot of her feet and the back or top of

her head!! ha-ha

Tomorrow could be a nature outing if the weather cooperates with our planning. If so - I am hoping for a Kodak moment or two.

But for now....... I have a shrimp salad calling my name from the dining room &"Confessions of a Shopaholic" in the DVD player for the evening movie :o)

why the last 26 hours have been sooooo good!

Sometimes, life allows you to experience a LOT of really cool things in a short time span. THAT is the case here!

Savannah & Tori looked beautiful (new haircuts). It made it sooooooooo obvious how grown up they are getting !!! (yikes)

Terry got back into town late (from work), but luckily, got over in time to grab the last serving of the pasta casserole that Richie had made. (super yum). So we got in a mini visit!

Terry & the Captain talked & talked & talked!

Anthony was showing us all his new found coordination "tricks" so he was jumping & spinning for gramma (a LOT)

Auntie Cindy was doing what she does SOOOO well ...... being an amazing auntie. She & Addy were growling at each other!





Mom & Dad were "sharing the love" (that we ALL are very thankful that they have for each other!!!!)

NO SLOUCH in the auntie department ..... Sow is teaching Addy the all-important talent she has mastered herself. One never knows when one will need to balance a stuffed duck on their head(?) !

What an adorable pair of "blossoms"

well OF COURSE .... I need a picture of tootsies! The four of us were lookin' groovey

and our ride home was scenic & typically enjoyable ...... it sprinkled or showered on & off much of the way and just for fun I was snapping pictures as we drove. The clouding & moisture seemed to intensify some of the colors & I loved it!

ANOTHER THING that I always enjoy is the bantering back & forth that the Captain & I do when we are on road trips. Sometimes serious subjects, often just funny things .... but ALWAYS interesting!

It was a great 26 hours and ...... only the beginning of my weekend. super-duper, wowie- zowie .... YIPPEE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

30 degrees hotter .... here we come!!

OKay, rather than dwell on the fact the Bako is 30 degrees warmer than home .... I choose to point out that IT IS TOTALLY worth it to check in with family. SO- in lieu of the fact that we are gathering up for a family style meal .... THIS is what is accompanying us there! YUM
I can practically smell Richie's cooking already (another yum). Gonna see my sissys, Mom & Dad, kids & rugrats. I am OFF WORK today and this is a GREAT WAY to use the unexpected free time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What a fun way to start a weekend :o)

without an internet connection .... what did I do?

finished the last load of laundry
(almost) caught up on my magazines
watched an old movie on TCM
cut out the sundress I am getting ready to make
vacuumed
sorted some newly uploaded pics
made pineapple cookies out of a cake mix

gee ... I guess technology has kept me from a few things!!

(but I'm glad it's back)

FIRST "Addy" weekend a success!

Little Addy .... prissy about her new purse (& her night-time pink blanket )... but she would have little to do with the tutu & butterfly wings that gramma found for her.

MOSTLY ... she was pure delight
At dinner she wanted milk & steak ("more") JUST LIKE her grampa!

We have just completed our first official weekend with our 2 year old grandaughter, Addyson. We had some touchy moments when she wanted Mommy (only)... and I confess we surrendered her to mommy & daddy late Saturday night (so I could get a full night's sleep without worrying about her getting scared or something)- but by Sunday morning she was back to hang out with gramma without qualms. THEN the entire gang went to the local Zoo to run off some energy (worked on all the adults but not the kids!!?!). The Evens foursome headed over to the children's museum after lunch, while the senior citizens recovered (and grandpuppy Toby got some attention), then gramma & the wee ones played some freeze tag & make believe before the potty breaks & final check lists were done.

I'm exhausted, but with a smile on my face. It's wonderful to have a noisy house full and lovely to have it quiet again (the best of both worlds if you ask me). Thanks kids- for making the trip over to make it a great weekend. We loved it.

and today is ......... (you guessed it)

zippity-do-daw!
I'm home a little early. Already have 2 loads of laundry done. Most of my clutter is put away. Plans for dinner are decided. and now ..... I am just kicking up my heels with a little playtime while waiting for my grandkids to arrive!!!
With luck, little Addy will be hanging out with us for a couple days, while big brother Anthony pals around with Mom & Dad! It's our first time with her alone for more than a couple of hours (well .... since she was 3 months old anyway) so we'll see how independant she is (or isn't). I have a few goodies up my sleeve to keep her occupied.
Watch for further developements!

splish splash

hey ... imagine that ... a bird bath being used by a bird, FOR A BATH. Pretty groovey (and great entertainment for the kitty kats)!

sometimes w-o-r-k is a 4 letter word

Weekends are just toooooo darn short!! It takes me a day or so to get into it, a day to enjoy it, a day to make use of it, & a day to get over the fact that it's ending. and THAT is more days than a weekend has! AND- if I use part of my weekend to get (dare I use the word) chores done .... then it's even shorter. I need a weekend stimulus program. Let the chant begin .... more weekend, let week. MORE weekend, less week.
enjoy yours ... whatever it may bring!

yes Pops, sometimes you DO forget things .... BUT

BUT- that is part of why you are here with us. So we can remind you of some of the most important things!! YOU CAN lean on us & count on us & rely on us. THAT'S what we're here for. Try not to forget ..............

how interesting your stories are to us.
how funny you can be at times.
how important your opinions are to us.
how much we have learned from you.
that each day you are with us is a great day.
how impressed we are with your honesty & integrity.
how special it is to see you every day.
how much we appreciate every thing you do for us & with us.
how helpful you really are around here.
how much the kitty kats like coming to visit you.
what an amazing achievement it is to be 85.
the wisdom & experience you share with us.
how very much we love & need you!

and if you forget .... it's ok too. Cuz we will remind you.

our neighbors .... what a gold mine

Imagine .....
there is someone seriously ill or a death of someone close
there is some issues going on of concern
there is some exciting news
there is a significant birthday
there is .... well, nothing in particular at all.
imagine ....

a neighbor comes over to console another neighbor at a time when there is NOTHING to say or do to make things better. returning more than once, even though the one grieving might lash out from frustration & fear.
a neighbor comes over to lend moral support without being asked- just to be there in case you need to talk, or vent or a hug.
a neighbor is as excited & happy for you as you are in sharing something wonderous
a neighbor is there to poke fun at you & laugh with you & celebrate with you.
a neighbor comes by or stops in their tracks JUST to say hi.
imagine .......
THOSE NEIGHBORS ..... are real.

now "that's" a real BBQ

usually once a year our neighborhood gathers together for a BBQ. We each bring a side dish or appetizer or such & pitch in a few bucks for tri-tip, beens, & garlic bread that is whipped up by some friends of one of the neighbors. WHAT A SPREAD it turns out to be. We see faces of those we wave at without really know where they live or what their names are ..... we gab with those we have slowly gotten to know enough to remember their names ..... we reconnect with those we wait waaaaay too long in between to socialize with .... and we eat (and eat, and eat). There are unique concoctions. There are interesting ones (to look at but not necessarily try). There are yummy ones I make a mental note of. There are pretty ones I would take a picture of if I had my camera. And there are the ones you hope will show up again. The conversations are lively & interesting, and you can make yourself a part of any one of them. The phrase "we should do this more often" is heard more time than I can keep track of and yet this is the 5th one in 5 years. The weather alsways seems to be on its best behavior when the event rolls around and this year was no exception. So with my tummy full & the warm clear night watching over me, I think I shall take a look at the starry night and the full(ish) moon before I settle in for the night. Tomorrow, I am going to dig out some fabric cuz I feel a sewing bug coming on!

f-i-n-a-l-l-y

It's FWIIIIIDAAAYYYY !!! +^@)?$:*}!(#"^-%\`&/,)!(@;*$]%=

(need I say more?)

I miss my FOO!!

I form that sentence with "my" Foo but let me tell you- she is EVERYONE'S Foo! Without going into a huge amount of detail (although well worth it), let it suffice to say that she is memorable. Nearly everyone who I have ever introduced her to simply loves her. And those who don't- are NOT in my life (no need for explanations, it's just a fact). She is .... in a word ... genuine. And because one word is NEVER enough from me, I'd like to add that she is sweet, & compassionate, empathetic, adorable, warm, affectionate, smart, loyal, & fun. She is my sister. Lucky me :o)

timing ISSSSSSS everything!

I know, I KNOW .... "they" say that it is location, location, location but I KNOW better. It's the timing.
there was boy, my best friend at the time. We spent time with each other nearly every day for 2 years (at least) .... even if it was just signaling each other from our bedroom windows. We would go out together (even proms) when we were both "unattached" at the same time, but they weren't considered dates. We teased about being attached at the hip and there were people that each of us dated that seemed threatened by our friendship. Once, we kissed and then we looked at each other and started laughing. I'm not sure why. It was actually a good kiss. Maybe because it was so out of character for the "friendship". One night he came over & seemed to stutter & stammer. At some point I interupted him and told him that I was promised to the guy I had been dating for the past 5 months. The stammering stopped. The stuttering stopped. He just looked at me. And he trotted off with a wave. I found out 2 or 3 days later, when I went to his house to find out where he'd been hiding himself ..... that he left for boot camp the day after I'd last seen him. We crossed paths about 10 years later- both VERY married, and realized that he had come to tell me something important that night. Something that, had the timing been different, would likely have changed the course of my life.
Timing.
The only job I have ever loved from the day I stepped into it - was a result of timing. Being gifted with my Captain was timing. Finding this home I feel totally connected to was a matter of .... timing.
and still
NOT EVERYTHING is a result of timing right? Is there some destiny or fate involved on some level? Do we learn from past lives that allow us better future ones? Do we keep coming back and doing it until we get it right? (like Bill Murray in Ground Hog Day)
For now, I want to keep it simpler. After outing the bedlight last night I looked to see if the moon was shining on the water yet (not quite) and I layed my head down. Seconds later I lifted my head and looked out the window again (for?) just in time to see a deer & small doe or fawn trot by AND an instant of a glisten on the water. It was there .... for me to see. Just an instant. A very small snipit of time for me to take to slumber with me. Timing WAS everything!!