Mafalda Von and the Hot Pink Couch

Today, I had lunch with my friend, Mafalda.  We were celebating her birthday.  We met for lunch at the cutest little restaurant, that just happened to be the place where our work Christmas party was held.  The weather was nice enough that we were able to sit outside while we ate.

I've known Mafalda for about five years now.  I always leave her feeling inspired and a bit giggly.  I met Mafalda through work, via her daughter.  (who also happens to be named Judy, albeit Judy with a "y" not an "i.")  Judy would tell me stories about her mom, how she just LOVED my boss.  (my boss is on tv a lot, so he is a well known figure in our little town)  She would send him letters commenting on his commercials and his ties.  I think one of her biggest thrills was the time she met him while in our office. 

Mafalda turned 93 today.  She's as sharp as a tack, despite having suffered a heart attack, a couple strokes (the most recent being in February of this year), breast cancer, glaucoma, and the loss of all her siblings.  There is one exception; her sister, Mary, is 102!  She always asks how my lovely daughter is.  She asks about Steven.  She asks about my grandmother, who is also 93, and no matter what I say, she responds, "God bless her."  She loves my fingernail polish.  She and her daughter watch Dancing with the Stars and the Bachelor.  She loves her dog, Luke.  And, today, I found out that she loves coconut cake.  She is feisty, she is kind, and she's a treasure!

I hope I get to celebrate many more birthdays with Mafalda Von. 

*********************************************************

Well, we have a new addition to our house.  We bought this pink couch yesterday. I found it on Craig's List.  I plan to put it in our 3rd bedroom.  Right now, there's too much junk in there for it to fit, but I thought I'd show you pictures anyway.  It also REEKS of dog, so I'm going to have to work on that quite a bit.  But, if I can get out the smell, and get rid of the twin bed (anyone need one?) in there, find a way to hide all our vacuums, and camoflauge the ironing board,  then I think I'll really be on to something.  :-)

Right now, it's on its side.  Rockett is digging the smells.  P U

No, I don't have hard wood ceilings.  This picture is turned upside down so you can see the shape of it.  Pretty fancy, eh?  :-)  I needed this thing like I need a hole in my head, but people, I just HAD to have it.

Fur Ball

***Note to my wonderful readers:  I'm having some serious blog block, so I had to get motivated by Steven's pictures.  All these are a few years old, but it was a fun time we had before I blogged.  So, now you get to enjoy it too.  Aint you lucky!***

A few years ago, Steven and I attended a fundraiser for Pet Helpers, called, the "Fur Ball."  It was a formal affair complete with silent auction, food, drinks, and dancing.  Proceeds went to a local non profit that supports humane treatment of animals.  As you know, this is a cause near and dear to our hearts.   A friend of ours was able to get tickets for many of us, as his employer gave a valuable item for the auction.  So, we went for free.

WELL, free until Steven rented his tux, I bought a dress, etc.  Think prom for adults.

We have wonderful friends, we are very lucky that way.  But, sometimes, it's kinda hard to be around these folks.  You see, they're all at least 10-15 years younger than me.  They're all tall, thin, and gorgeous.  They're all highly succesful in their occupations.  They are all really really smart. 

Sometimes, I feel like a clutzy, short, stupid gal. 


Like, take a gander at this picture.  "One of these things is not like the other........"

But, after my initial gulp reaction and trip to Insecurity Town, I let it go and just enjoy the company of nice people. 

It's not very often we get together dressed to the nines.  So, it's fun for us to look at each other freshly showered and coiffed.   Luckily, we always act with the utmost class.

And, since we normally see each other after sweaty soccer games, we very rarely get a photo like this:

A good time was had by all. ( Even the the clutzy gal.)

So Nice I Had to Post it Twice

Lisbeth kicks a&* folks.

Saw the movie.  Loved the movie. 

Hot Dogs and Swiss Roll Cake

It's a new week now.  Thank goodness!!  No more gloom and doom for awhile folks.  Things are already looking up, we are going to see, "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" today.  I love love love the books, and was introduced to it by my YaYa, Sandie.  (Hi Sandie!)   Another one of the YaYas (Mel) is seeing it today.  This single event has catapaulted me out of the doldrums.  Hip Hip Hooray!!

And, looking back on the past week, I looked beyond a few really good things.  We went to a friend's birthday celebration last week.  His girlfriend made him a "swiss cake roll birthday cake."  It was divine!  It's always a GOOD thing to celebrate all that is good.

Leigh's daughter, Summer, likes to name her party dresses.  This one is "Princess Black."  I wonder if I would like my clothes better if I named them.  (I call these, "don't choke my stomach jeans?")

I don't care how old you get, it's always nice to have folks sing to you on your birthday.

And, don't we all still make that all important wish?

Last night, we went to a Hot Dog Party.  What is a hot dog party, you ask?  Well, my friend, Gitta, hosted, provided the dogs and buns, and guests were to bring toppings for the hot dogs and sides.

There was, of course, the ususal suspects.  (ketchup, mutsard, onion, chili)  And, since we're in the south, there was some okra.  I took bacon, onion, tomato and cream cheese.  I highly recommend that combination on anything.    And, I made my first-ever potato salad.  Thanks Pioneer Woman.

So, it's been a great week already, and it's only 12:10.  I hope your day and week are fantabulous!

Happy Between Saturday and Sunday

I had such a nice anonymous comment today.  Thank you anonymous person.

Thank you to all my friends who take the time to read my mumbo jumbo.

Thank you one and all.

And, happy almost Sunday!!

This Week Was Poopy

I had one of those weeks where I felt like I was shaking my head all the time.  There has been too much sadness, too much reality, and too much poop.  I'm so very thankful that Friday is finally here and I'm back on my couch doing my Friday thing.

My dear friend had to put her dog down last weekend.  This makes me so sad.   Saying goodbye to a family member is just sad sad sad.

Another friend is dealing with her father's declining health.  There's nothing we can do to take away the pain, or to make it better.  We, as humans, have to be there to support and catch when they fall.

We have a client who, because of his accident, is in a permanent vegetative state.  He's only 24.  The accident happened when he was 19.  He is on a feeding tube, and now Medicare is backing off from the responsibilty of paying for his food.  Our job is to cut through the governmental red tape, not to fix this kid, but just to ensure that he will continue getting food.  The injustice of this pains me. 

I think of the client's mother and wonder how she gets through each day.  Is she disappointed and angry about the fate that life has dealt her, or is she thankful that her son is still alive; even in this limited capacity?

I posted something on Facebook about the fact that I believe in marriage for all people, straight, gay, three-headed, etc.  One person made comments that deeply disturbed me.  I know that not everyone in the world thinks the way I do, nor do I think they should.  But, my heart aches when people discriminate against someone, simply for who or what they are.  How can anyone think they are any better than anyone else?  I know that is a naive question, but it is gnawing at me.  Why can't everyone just love the other?

It's been a week my friends.  It's been a week where it's been tough to think positively, and let things go.  But, I have a feeling that things are about to change.  My couch has been freshly shampooed (thank you dear!), birds are singing outside in the yard, and best of all, Mary's scans came back clear again. 

I have to rejoice in the little things, instead of sweating em.

Fursday

HI Sandie!!!

Adulthood

Sometimes I hate being a grown up.

You have to think about things like new roofs, rather than vacations.

You have to pay taxes, rather than get that refund that lasts you all year long.

You can't look past the dog poop, you have to pick it up.

Sometimes I hate being a woman.

It's our duty to take care of things.  Who takes care of us?

We have to talk everything out, men get to hold it all inside.

We have to walk in high heels and men get to wear flats.

Sometimes it's so hard to be a mom.

Moms worry all the time about their babies.  24 hours a day.

Moms hearts break for their kids.

Kids leave their moms.

Sometimes it's really hard to be a blogger.

Bloggers get writers block, or more like, "idea block."

Bloggers are afraid to reveal too much for fear of insulting or hurting or revealing.

Bloggers live for comments, and when they don't come, ohhhhhhhhh the agony...

BUT

I wouldn't change being a grown up, a woman, a mom, or a blogger. 

I love living my own life as a grown up.  I love being able to make my own decisions.  I love being able to vote.

I love the feelings I have, even if they confuse me all the time.  I love when you find a good group of women and you all embrace being a woman.

I love my children and can't imagine my life without them.  They bring me such joy, and I love their take on things.

And, I love being a blogger.  I get my feelings out, I have a record of my life, and I have met the most WONDERFUL people.

So, I guess that's the Libra in me folks---life is all about balance.  And, each day that's what I'm trying to do; just balance.

Here we go again.........

More thoughts in my head on a Sunday night in April---

• Am I the only person left in the world without a touch pad phone?  I swear, I can't make my fingers manipulate those things.
• Bailey keeps losing hair and weight.  I can't help but worry.  My animals are like my kids.  Right now, I'm in denial about them aging.

• That Ramona on "Real Housewives of NYC" is a nutjob.
• When my mom would get to the really drunk part of her evenings, we would describe her speech as, "nut talking."
• I swear, I like every show they put on Bravo.
• One of Taylor's friends got engaged today.  She is 19.  She will be married before she can legally drink.  I hope she is making the right choice for her.  I can't help but worry.  (two worry thoughts so far)
• Oh, another worry:  my brother's baseball team is struggling this year.  Granted, they have 17 new players this year, and this is to be expected, but I still worry.
• What is it like to be tall and thin?
• I watched a movie with subtitles today.  It was a 1955 B/W titled, "Death of a Cyclist."  It didn't suck.
• Steven looks good in hats.
• I stress that I'm forgetting something important.  Am I showing my loved ones enough love? 
• Lisbeth Salander is my hero.
• Taylor turns 18 in June.  She already has her tattoo planned.
• I met someone last night who will be working with troubled teens in an outreach program in Utah.  I am so impressed with her and wish her well.
• I don't like smug.
• I had a bit of road rage this week.  It's been a long while since I've had that.  It's such a wasteful emotional thing.  I must remember to turn the negative into a positive.
• Sometimes I feel helpless to make things better in my friends lives.  (another worry!)
• I'm going to a "hot dog" party next weekend.  Yum.
• I need to remember to look outside the box.
• It's time for a new pair of black sandals.  I've been wearing the same ones since 1998.  I kid you not.  Nine West Cloud Nines.  I was wearing them the day I met the boy.
• Okey dokey, enough randomness for April 18th.  Here's hoping we all have a happy worry-free week!!

Another Wonderful Friday

I took a half day today.  I didn't do anything exciting or planned with my time.  I came home and napped.  Then I got up and went to the grocery store.  I watched the Grey's rerun when George gets hit by the bus.  Sniff Sniff Sniff.  I just made the most marvelous dinner.  (filets, PW crash hot potatoes and roasted asparagus)  Now, I'm sitting on my run down couch.  Sixth Sense is playing on the tv with no sound.  I'm listening to my ipod, and one of my favorite songs just came on.  (Jose Gonzalez-How long?)  I'm following my brother's baseball game on line.  Steven is playing chess on the computer with some guy in Switzerland  (honestly, how cool is THAT!)  .  Rockett is lying next to me.  The cats are in their respective areas licking themselves.

All is right with the world tonight.

No telling what tomorrow may bring, so we need to relish and enjoy these perfect moments.

Here's some more perfection for your viewing pleasure.  (please forgive my lack of camera skills)   Down here in da South, it's Azalea time.  They always seem to bloom perfectly in time for the Masters.  So, before they fall off the bushes and the heat/humidity of summer are upon us, here you go:

They make everything look so pretty...even the "Crime Watch" sign.

Right now, they are literally everywhere.

And, the colors are pink, purple, red, white, orange.  Just lovely.

We may not get turning leaves in the fall, or big snowflakes in the winter, but we do get Azaleas in the spring.  I'll take it. 

Happy Weekend Friends!

xxx

Typical Evening on Bronwen Court

When it's time for bed in our house, it becomes a battle to get your spot in the bed. 

How many people sleep in this bed?  Just two. 

How many animals sleep in this bed?  Anywhere between one (always the dog) and five.  (We have four cats and one dog. ) Let me show you what last night's arrangement was:

In case you're wondering, and can't interpret from this Picasso-like drawing, that square thing is a bed, the square things next to it are nighstands, and the thing on the right is a window.

As you can see, leg room is almost non-existent.  And recently, Charlie has taken to sleeping between my legs.  As you know, most people don't lie perfectly still throughout the night, so any time we attempt to move, it becomes a struggle to see who is the most stubborn. 

Steven usually gets the raw end of the deal.  As you can see, he has the three cat fence on one side, and the dog on the other.  Last night, one of our cats decided to scratch himself all night.  Scratch-Scratch-Scratch-

Scratch-Scratch-Scratch-Scratch-Scratch-Scratch-Scratch-Scratch-Scratch-Scratch-.  Yeah, it's real easy to sleep through THAT.

Rockett woke up around midnight and wanted to go outside.  Since we had our windows open to let in the cool spring air, she overheard some kind of creature crawling in the backyard.  And, since she doesn't allow any creatures in the backyard, she then had to go outside to show it who is boss.  So, I get up and let her outside.  So, now we've had two major interruptions in our sleep combined with the lovely sleeping positions listed above.

We finally get back to sleep and the next event in the evening?  WOOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.

That's a really loud train whistle.  And, then the really loud train.

Yep, this is a typical evening in our house.  Often times, we hear cats gagging, water drinking, food chomping and human snoring.  (To be fair, I'm the loudest snorer of the seven of us.  And yes, the cats do snore.) 

But you know what?  I wouldn't have it any other way. 

Yuck

I've never been a huge fan of Kenny Rogers.  Most of his songs kinda annoy me.  And, when he tries to hit notes out of his range, he always wiggles his head in this strange way as if that's going to help him reach the note.  I never liked how he wore three piece suits.  I didn't care for the hair parted down the middle.  I really don't like, "You decorated my life."  Bla Bla Bla.

The Gambler is just dumb.  And, the MOVIE based on The Gambler? Dumber.

But this?  DUMBEST.

F-f-f-friday

It's Friday night again.  Oh, how I love a Friday night. 

I have HouseHunters on the TV.  I'm listening to Missouri Baseball.  Taylor just left to hang out with new friends.  Steven is walking Rockett. The weekend is ahead, and the week is behind.  Ahhhhhh.

My left eye has hurt all day.  Should I wear a patch?  Would that be c o o l?

We're going to NYC next month.  I am strangely intimidated by the whole thing.  I'll go to any foreign country in a heartbeat, but this city thing is scaring the dickens out of  me.

Our oldest cat, Bailey, has been losing weight lately.  He also looks like a cat/chicken.  The front of his body is gorgeous.  The back is getting hairless and skinny.  Steven took him to the vet today, and he's lost six pounds in a year.  They are testing him, thinking he might have thyroid issues or feline diabetes.  I'm trying not to borrow trouble, but oh, how I worry about my four legged babies.

I wonder if I'll ever have a big closet.

My Friday treat is a bagel from Dunkin Donuts.  Not only is it a treat to get the bagel, but to see the young kids working in there.  Today, one of the gals waved to me when I walked into the store.  That made me feel so good.

Have I mentioned how much I love freckles?

If I could choose any ethnicity of which to look like, I would pick Indian.  (Like the country)  I love the coloring, the dark hair, dark eyes. 

Polka Dots make me smile.

How do some people end up with SO much money and some people end up with nothing?

Glass cutting boards give me the willies.

I can't stand to touch my belly button.

How cool would it be to have a secret tunnel in your house?

I'm not sure what I think about Tiger Woods anymore.  I bet he really doesn't care what I think. 

Happy Weekend all!  I hope you giggle like a small kid this weekend!!

It's a Good Day

Thank you dear.  xxx

My Day

This pretty much sums up my day:  I had a wedgie ALL day long.

From the time I left the house, through the many ups and downs of my chair, through the numerous trips to the copier, through lunch, through trips to the potty, re-stocking my desk supplies, running reports, working on checklists, drinking my diet coke, the car ride home and the walk up the path, I had a wedgie.

I spent most of my day picking said wedgie out of my behind.  And of course, I had to look over my shoulder every time, because there's nothing more silly looking than wedgie picking.

I found myself growing frustrated.  WHY can't I find a comfortable pair of drawers?  Why do drawers shrink so?  Why does my rear end grow constantly?   Do men have these problems?  I don't see men picking at their rears as often as I do women.  Why do we have to wear pantyhose and get wedgies?  (note:  I haven't really worn pantyhose in years, but I do remember how horrible they are)  Why does a wedgie make you feel ugly even when you're wearing a pretty dress?  Why Why Why do our A&#$es eat our underwear???

Not meaning to keep moaning, but I have a big old zit right in the middle of my chest.  How does that get there?

Yeah, a typical Tuesday in my life.  Wedgies and zits.  How was your day?

Eggcellent Easter

Happy Easter to all!  For my friends who can't wrap their head around it, happy Sunday!  Either way, I hope you all have a wonderful day with family, friends, or both.

And in the tradition of holidays, let's take a look at some vintage cards and try to figure out just WHAT in the heck was going on in this world when these cards were created.

Apparently, all eggs are all the rage this year.  Look at these bunnies in their stylish egg-ware.  I am wondering what little ditty they are dancing to.  For some reason, I'm hearing, "YMCA."

For those of you who like a little Gestapo/Nazi style with your Easter greeting....

Does this egg make my butt look big?  I mean, really?  Does it?

Okay, bunnies playing baseball.  Very small infield.  LOADS of weird looking birds in the stands.  That just SCREAMS Easter to me.

I would freak OUT if this crawled out of any egg in my house.  Those lips are scary.

As we noted before, eggs are REALLY in this year; even in vehicles. 

But, me, the girl with the hat, the boy/girl and the bunny all wish you the best of days. 

And here's hoping you wear the egg well.

Start Wining!

The first alcohol I ever tasted was, “Boone’s Farm Tickle Pink.” I was 15 years old and living in Terre Haute, Indiana. (see Pete Grimes) Now, if you’ve never had TP, it’s a lot like Kool Aid with a kick. I think the cost for a bottle in 1978 was about $1.79.


My wine palate hasn’t changed much in 30 years. I like sweet wines, such as Rieslings. One of my favorite wines is Cafe Chardonnay, which runs about $6.99 for the double sized bottle. It’s just one step up and away from Tickle Pink. Over the years, I’ve tried to like red wines. Red wine just seems so much more sophisticated! If I’m at a party, I’m the one drinking the beer, while all the cool kids are sipping their red wine in their cool wine glasses.


Well, last night, I went to my very first wine tasting. I was invited by my friend, Laura, who is a member of a group that tastes wine monthly. I was very intimidated walking in there, just knowing my usual taste (or lack thereof) in wine.

I needn’t have been so afraid. First of all, for once, I was one of the younger folks in the group. Most of the women were well into their 60's. There were about 15 women there and they were enjoying their wine and each other’s company. (at one point, the talk was on Viagra and Sex Toys; glad to know some things never change...)


Anyway, I am happy to report that I tried 5 different wines, paired with glorious cheeses, and I truly liked them all. I tried a Burgundy, a Pinot Noir, a Sparkling Chardonnay, a Bordeaux and a Shiraz. With the exception of the Shiraz, I would, and did, buy the others. I felt like I really stepped outside my comfort zone, tried something new, and learned that I liked more than I thought!

I think I was invited to join this group, and I might just have to go for it.  I think it would be interesting to learn more about wines, and find more that I enjoy.  And,  I figure, if nothing else, at least they’ll keep me abreast of the latest and greatest in bedroom toys!