Anniversary, Friends and of course...COVID!

Today is our 46th wedding anniversary.  We've been going to Flemings to have dinner and celebrate since 2016, tonight it's the same.  It was a really nice dinner of steak and wine and love.  Hard to believe it's been 46 years, really hard to believe.  

It was a nice weekend too spending time at the cabin with each other and a small select group of friends.  Saturday evening we had two couples over for HEAVY appetizers for dinner and homemade lemon cake (I did not make, Lesa did).  It was wonderful with the guys outside sitting by the new porch fireplace sharing cigars, drinks and lots of guy talk.  We three girls stayed inside around the fire chatting and having a nice evening.  

Also got news that the oldest granddaughter, Snicklefritz, has Covid.  I was so worried about her last night but she is already doing better.  She has been vaccinated, two shots and so far only fever the first day, still sore throat and sniffles but all in all she's doing well.  I will steer clear as I do NOT want to get sick this close to the surgery, February 3.

Thursday I did my pre-op and it went smoothly until the dang lab tech took blood and not in a good way.  She was young and babbling, somewhat scattered.  The first thing she said was that they didn't have the butterfly thingy's and that she would have to use a straight needle, bigger. Then she proceeded to poke and prod in the edge of my inner elbow area, not even in the middle, where there are obviously veins, large veins.  It hurt and when she could not get it in she decided to try the left arm.  I looked at my right arm she just beat up with the needle and told her it was going to bruise and from this photo I was truly right.  Before she started in on the other arm she hem-hawed around then went out to find another nurse, thank GOD.  The other lady came in and said oh I hide the butterflies and dug around and came up with one to use, thank goodness.  It went in perfectly and 6 different vials were filled.  I didn't notice the bruise until yesterday morning when I was getting into the shower.  OMG I was shocked.  It didn't hurt but it is quite ugly.  

Anyway it is done and I am ready to git-er-done!  The hip book I have to read kind of scares me and there is a lot to do.  There is a lot to do with this and work and home.  Time is ticking away...Here's to my new hip and and feeling better.  

Happy Birthday To Me

Continuing on with the weight loss journey I fixed some veggies with andouille sausage and a little Lawrey's Seasoned Pepper. SOOOooo very yummy.  The scale is down 16 pounds now and I can tell you I feel lighter.  Oh, I know there is a long way to go but I'm already feeling the effects of the pounds melting away.  Hey look, I'm not perfect especially when I wanted to celebrate my birthday without being tied to a diet.  The past few days I have enjoyed but not gone overboard.  Wednesday I met my childhood best friend for MEXICAN, my favorite, and I ate chips, queso and had one cheese enchilada and a margarita.  But, I wasn't over stuffed and I was quite satisfied.  I didn't eat the beans or the rice at all.  Then yesterday, MY 65th BIRTHDAY I had a Schlotsky's for lunch.  That was because I HAD to be at work and because of a glitch in my accounting had to be there well through my lunch and was in danger of overeating.  The Hubby picked up a sandwich for me, still no soda/pop and I ate it with gusto and continued on with my work.  Plus, IT WAS MY BIRTHDAY!  

For dinner we, my sweet family all went out to dinner to a local restaurant called Roka, an Asian-Fusion restaurant.  I was going to have my usual Pad Thai but opted for coconut shrimp and a cocktail, and for my "birthday cake" I had about 5 bites of their yummy bread pudding.  Honestly I was very content with my food choices and I didn't overeat any of it, left a lot on my plate.  The main thing was enjoying the company of my favorite people in my life.

Getting those warm hugs.  My life is so full it is bursting and I could not be happier.

Happy Birthday to me.  I think 65 is going to be fun.

My Golden Year

According to They Hubby today I have hit My Golden Year today.  I was born, 56 years ago today, so that means my birth year was 1956.  I wonder what that means exactly, and I have no idea, but It find it interesting. It is going to be a bit of a busy birthday day week.  Last night we kicked off the celebration but eating fish tacos at Full Moon Cafe.  I love those things.  Today B has invited me to join her to one of her doctor appointments to hear our little baby's heartbeat for my birthday!  That is the best birthday present ever.  So excited.  After that wonderful honor I will head home to meet my sister for lunch today.  I haven't seen her since Christmas.  Tonight is out with some girlfriends, our birthday club for dinner.  Actually, we have been friends for about 26 years from church and decided many years ago to celebrate each other's birthdays each year.  Such fun we have and what great friends.  Later in the week will be lunch with one of my bestie's too.  The best thing is that art class begins again for the summer session.  I am very excited to show my instructor some of the stuff I have started while on break.  I've also been contacted to do yet another commission piece!  How exciting.  Maybe this is my Golden Year, at least my golden week!  Happy Monday all!

Happy 4th of July

The 4th was celebrated at the cabin retreat area with lots of bang, boom and Hoorah!  Dancing was the thing to do as The Hubby and B enjoyed.  I chose to stay close to the cabin and watch Clayton and Mondo through all the whoopla! 

Old time friend, Bucky came to join in the festivities with The Hubby.  They had a fabulous time catching up on old times...

and partaking of the fireworks show, a very safe distance away, thank you very much The Hubby!  No more accidents for him! 

Earlier in the day we did have a slight accident when Clayton took a slip-slideing away trip down some rocks into the river.  He's fine and a bit cooled off from the 100 degree days. 

So did Bucky and The Hubby on Sunday evening.  Ahhhhh, that is cool and refreshing. 

I chose to sit in a chair and take some pictures.  I don't do creek or lake water much anymore after a lifetime of swimmers ear. 

Happy 4th of July to one and all!

The Calm Before The Storm

It is Saturday morning and it is the calm before the storm. The storm being the bazillion people that will descend upon our little oasis under the sun.  I was up early and it was still quiet with only the birds singing the the birth of yet another morning.  It is only a little after nine and the golf carts are whizzing past with giggling kiddos and chatty adults.  On the chart of events this morning is the Donut Dangle, Egg Relay and Apple Bobbing, and more for the kiddos.  About 11:30 will be the best dressed dog parade.  Lots and lots of kids and dogs will be in attendance, not Clayton.  The Hubby has just taken Clayton for his usual run in the meadow and I'm on pins and needles with all the children.  Clayton LOVES kids and since he will be free of the leash I'm very nervous that he may get away.  I scolded and warned and pretty much YELLED at The Hubby to never take his eye off of Clayton.  On a good day he can lose the little guy, coming back to the cabin requesting my assistance to look for him.  I'm a bit on edge. 

Happy 4th to one and all.

Celebrating the Anniversary

The weekend was spent at the cabin, our favorite place and that was just a given to mark 35 years of wedded bliss.  The plan was to come home and get a bit duded up and go out to eat someplace nice.  I wanted to try out a restaurant we had never been to, Polo Grill at Utica Square.  I took off the jeans (doesn't happen very often) and put on the "dress up" clothes and off we went.  I pulled the Jeep into the parking to find it empty.  What!  I was not happy.  So we then decided to try Palace Cafe on Cherry Street, closed.  Crap!  Then it was off to Brookside and Garlic Rose, one of my fav's.  Closed again.  What about The Brasserie next door.  We saw lights and people so parked and walked around to find a note on the door, "Closed for a Private Party."  Okay, this was not turning out right.  It is Sunday evening, fairly early and nearly all the good restaurant (not chains) were closed.   Finally, we found Ciao on Brookside, a nice Italian eatery.  We had a very good meal, me filet and The Hubby sea bass.  Finally, we got to clink glasses and have a nice time together. 

Aluminum Boat and Lightening

Another ride on the pontoon boat.  Here are the facts:

• 2 pontoon boats
• Beer, lots of beer
• long ride to see fireworks on the water
• 8 young adults that have already spent the day in the water with said beer
• 9 adults, tired adults
• "Storm is approaching," the lake patrol said, "keep watch for lightening cause you're in an aluminum boat."
• Beautiful fireworks
• Dead boat battery after the fireworks show with impending lightening

Need I say more!

Saturday of stuff to do!

Today, well this weekend, we stayed in town, away from the cabin.  I have a bunch to do here at home and plan on gettting it done.  So far this Christmas season I have accomplished what I set out to do and not had an ounce of stress involved.  Seems like everything has just fallen in place for me.  I like that!  I baked fruitcakes the other night because the opportunity happened to be just right.  Yesterday I went to Daddy's house and put his new electric blanket and mattress under the new sheets and duvet cover.  It is just beautiful.  (I think I need to paint him a picture to hang in there.)  I went there to meet the Sis and return her overnight bag for her trip to the hospital on Monday.  That done I was able to open my Saturday, today, to paint and bake and just hang out at home.  I long for those kinds of days and they don't happen often.  Seems like we are constantly in motion with no time to just hang out at HOME!  I know we do at the cabin and I love to go there on weekends but there is nothing like home.  I don't have to get dressed today, brush my hair or my teeth (may have to rethink the teeth-blech).  I can just roam around the house and do nothing or I can do my laundry, which has piled up, while watching Christmas shows.  I love staying at home sometimes.  I don't have to venture out the door at all this weekend except to pick up the paper in the driveway.  We do have a function/party Sunday but I will be ready to get out by then.  Here's to baking and the smells of a happy kitchen.  I should have some pic's for the cooking blog tomorrow...keep an eye out.   Toodles all and happy weekend, happy baking, happy day!

Boo

Have I told you how much I dislike Halloween.  I have never been a fan of Halloween, even as a kid.  Oh I must admit that it was fun when I was very young and the neighbors would make homemade things like popcorn balls and candied apples to give away, when it was innocent, the days of innocence.  As I got older and realized that you had to go out in public and actually wear a costume, well that was not fun for a person that wanted to blend in with the scenery.  I was not a fan of standing out in a crowd.  It has taken me a lifetime to overcome that fear.  As I got older the fear of embarassment was just too overwhelming and I avoided at all costs any kind of get-ups.  I even hated trying to come up with the ideas for costumes.  Just hated it.  The only thing I ever really did was dress up like a gypsy because Momma had a cool dress with glitter and rick-rack on it to make me look pretty.  I was always that gypsy.  When the girls were old enough to dress up I just refused to go out and buy a costume.  It was such a waste of money and besides it brought up the fear again.  Then the problem of having the damned candy in the house.  I LOVED the candy but it was a killer for whatever diet I was trying to attempt before the holidays and my downfall until the end of the year.  It was a vicious cycle that I have broken.  When the kiddos are little you just have to let them have some of the candy but I would secretly throw it away a little at a time (or eat it.)  Then it got to the point that whatever candy I would buy to give out would be the kind I didn't like.  Now, and for the past several years we go to the cabin on Halloween (if on the weekend) or I just don't turn my lights on.  I avoid the grocery store and the candy aisles if I can and just try to get past the day.  I don't have any kind of religious affliction against the holiday, it is just a horrible fear from childhood.

July 5...the day after

We have survived yet another 4th of July, but it was not without injury. The weekend was spent at the cabin with B&B2 bringing a couple of friends to join the fun. B's friend VS came in from Washington DC while R was in from here. Love both of them. I had my world kind of widened when R arrived because he shared some of his new piercings he recently received. Let's just say it is a good thing I think of the guy as my son because one was down south! I'm glad I'm a very open-minded person and not easily shocked.

After last years horrible trip to the ER I told everyone that I would help with security and somehow it turned into me sitting at the entrance gate for hours making sure everyone that came in was supposed to be there. Well, I just said I would help not man the gate, I was a wuss and backed out but The Hubby felt he needed to do something since he wasn't doing the fireworks anymore so he did it. He was Safety Man!We had an awesome day yesterday with fun in the sun, after a downpour for several hours. I spent most of my day reading a book on my Kindle while the crew spent time at the creek. I fixed a fantastic dinner of grilled chicken, a couple of salads and fresh fruit. It soon began time for one of the highly anticipated events of the day (for B), Best Costumed Dog. B&B2 of course brought the granddog, Mondo, and dolled him up as a lady. The little fellow won, blue ribbon and all. They had a girly hat, a mumu and sunglasses that he kept on the whole time he sat there.

The evening was moving on and the four friends decided to take a ride on one of the golf carts. Yes, they were also full of a lot of liquid stuff so it didn't help what was about to happen. R was driving when B2 told him to turn left urgently. Well, four on the golf cart turning that rapidly is not a good combination and over they went onto the asphalt and gravel. B2 and VS were on the side that hit the road, and the golf cart actually was on B2's foot. He was in so much shock and pain that he just took off walking while B and R helped VS off the ground. She sustained a road burn on her shoulder and elbow while B2's elbow and his foot were cut, smashed and road burned. I don't know how he walked off except he was in shock. Luckily the paramedics are always on hand so both got immediate help and aid. B2's foot was still in bad shape this morning but the paramedics did not seem to think it was broken and today he had it x-rayed with the same result. The chaos after the accident was horrible as R was just distraught that he hurt his friends that he feels as close to as siblings. It didn't help that alcohol was playing a huge part in the tears and self-blame. If I did not hide his keys he was going to drive home and that was not going to happen. It was just horrible with drama. We finally got him settled down but I don't think he got the point about drinking until this morning because he drank more and was worse. He felt bad because the golf cart was damaged and he knew The Hubby would be pissed, he was. A statue light also got knocked over and then this morning a piece of summer sausage was found on the floor when The Hubby took a spill on it. R was eating it when we went to bed. It was a tragic night but after a short talk with him this morning he may get it, I hope. I plan on giving him a call as a friend and pseudo-mom and try to talk to him about his behavior and his drinking and choices. I think he's a little lost right. I don't want him to use this as a pitiful me ploy, I'm a f...up...I want him to learn from this and be responsible. Just scary stuff you know.

This morning everyone was a little on edge, tired, sore and angry. I fixed a great breakfast of Creekbank (eggs, potatoes, bell peppers, onions), bacon, sausage, biscuits, juice....we were stuffed. It was definitely a rather quiet breakfast with soft chatter. The Hubby is angry but surprisingly not as much as I thought he would be. I think he sees a very troubled young man.

The golf carts battery was upended so battery acid spilled and burned a hole somewhere and damaged the starter but they were things that can be fixed which The Hubby has half done already. Things will be okay.

I really hate this holiday. Fireworks, masses of people and drink are just not ever a good combination.

Today is my birthday...Woo Hoo!

Today is my birthday. I am 53 years young. Now I'm really having fun with life!

Last night some of my friends treated me to drinks and dinner at Los Cobos. What a great evening I had. Cosmos, laughter, guacamole and chips, and time with friends, what more could a girl ask for. I am finally feeling like the gaping hole that has been in my heart for the past three years is closing up because of these ladies and how they take care of me. My emotional happiness is on the mend. Here's to you Harri, Smithey, PO, Huff, Sin, GiGi, EL,and Lash. Thanks so very much for making me feel special. I love you guys truly.

A Celebration of Food, Music and Culture

I don't know if I have mentioned this before but B teaches at the junior college part time. She teaches in the ESL (English as a Second Language) department. Today she took me to a celebration with the students and teachers. Everyone brought food from there culture to share. Oh my goodness the smells that wafted throughout the room was awesome. There were students from: Syria, United Arab Emirates, Vietnam, Venezuela, Mexico, Columbia, Turkey, Dominican Republic, Koren, India, China, Russia and Kazakhstan, just to name a few. The food ranged from tamales, samosas cooked like eggrolls or deep fried, salads, kabobs with homemade yogurt, rice pudding, Asian gelatin's, taco soup, just awesome food. After we pudged our stomachs the students cranked up the music. They danced salsa, rap, and for some strange reason there was a common song they all loved that talked about "move her body like a cyclone." B warned me that they might grab you and want you to dance, but thank goodness I was left alone. It was great fun watching the students and teachers dance and laugh and have the best time. A great luncheon, truly. I know the pictures are fuzzy but is the best I have from a memorable occasion. The first picture is me trying to find paper to write so I could remember so I could blog about it later. All I could find was an envelop that contained a bill to jot down notes. The second picture is of the gelatin's which were very beautiful. The rest of the pictures are the dancing and the older lady was a hoot. I think she works at TCC. She had a great time shaking her booty.

A New Future

When the TV kicked on this morning showing the results of the election I was not surprised. I was absolutely undecided when I picked up my ballot, right up to the end. Old habits are very hard to break, but I am so very pleased to see the outcome. I feel that it is our new future and it is so exciting to see it in the younger generation, my girls especially. I can remember being 18 and voting the first time for Nixon, yeah I know, I know but that was a MILLION years ago. It is the same feeling of new, a new future, a new world. How wonderful to start this day with a new hope and that is what Obama is for all of us. I look forward to the new future.

Birthday & Cheesecake

Today is my birthday. Yes I'm going to shout it out to the heavens. TODAY IS MY BIRTHDAY!!!! I went to workout, then to work, then to my facial and massage and I've just finished eating Taco Bell. I haven't had that in over a year and I decided that today I would enjoy! Now it is time to clean the house a little, wash my hair (all the oil from the massage), go to the store and then PARTY TIME. Already I've received several email messages from friends and family and a flower arrangement. The Jazz girls had muffins, coffee and fruit after workout and of course a few gifts. It is already going to be a good day...oh wait, except I've already pissed off B today.

She is coming tonight and she just called to let me know that she told her best friend about it and invited her to join us. That is OK 'cause I like Rachel but then she asks if she can bring Mondo, the granddog. "NO", I say. She is mad and says he is much better and would be good. I insist and more emphatically, " NO." We said our goodbyes but she is really angry at me. I really like the guy but it is MY party, my friends/guests and we don't need a huge dog roaming in between our legs slapping us with his massive tail with joy. We just want to drink, eat and be merry, not clean up dog hair and spills. Am I wrong?

Oh well. TODAY IS MY BIRTHDAY!!!!

Here's you some cheesecake...:)