Boo!

This is what we will be doing at our house this evening.  Our black cat has lined up the pumpkins and the mice, and they will be performing songs for all the Trick or Treaters. 

The excitement begins when the bats join in the merriment!

(The only way you'll know if I speak the truth is if you come see for yourself!!)

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Skip To The Loo My Darling

I spend a lot of time in the bathroom.  I mean, a LOT of time.  I am sure if you examine your day, you will find that you do as well.

By the way, I'm not talking about the bathing and/or showering part of your day.  I'm talking about the bodily function that many of us don't discuss.  My bowels, and their functions, keep me hopping.  Offhand, I'd say I easily have close to three blogs I can write about this very subject.  So, if you are a loyal reader, I apologize in advance if I repeat themes.

Being a frequent bathroom user, I have developed quite the particular preference when it comes to this special room.  I understand that it is normally one of the smallest rooms in the house, but oh, how that room can make or break your day!  Here are just a few of the elements I use when rating a bathroom as good or bad.

Good Reading Materials:   I enjoy the gossip rags, clothing catalogs, or even a sports magazine.   If you are at my house, you will find a crossword puzzle and a couple photo albums in our little haven.  Bonus points to the bathroom with any of the "Uncle John's Bathroom Readers."

Bad Reading Materials:  Any kind of tool catalog, auto part magazine, auto trader.  Even worse?  No reading materials at all. 

TOILET PAPER:  This is one item of which I will never economize.  Personally, I like the Northern 3 Ply.  Many like Charmin.  I do enjoy the Charmin, but can't use it regularly, too much lint.  But, I'll take that any day, over the one ply sawdust I've been exposed to in my life.  Oh, and it must roll over, rather than under.  Ugh.  I've got problems.

Lysol:  HATE THIS STUFF.

Location of the Bathroom Within the Home:  Have you ever been to someone's house where the bathroom is directly off a main room?  Everyone sees you enter, times your stay, and pretty much knows everything you're doing in there.  The best bathroom is one down at the end of the hall, up the stairs, or even the outdated outhouse.

Door Shutability:  How horrible is the door with no lock?  Or, the door that won't quite "click" shut.  I've been in this bathroom many a time.  I pee as fast as I can, stressing the entire time that someone is going to walk in on me.  And, yes, I've had the folks walk in on me.  The only thing worse than someone walking in on me is the polite knock on the door and having to answer, "Just a minute."  Then you have that awkward exchange as you leave the room.  Argh. 

Little Soaps and Guest Towels:  I never use either of these.  I never feel like I measure up to the "guests" goods.  They look so pretty, I don't want to be the first one to disturb them!

EXTRA Toilet Paper:  I have a very huge fear of running out of TP.  (probably because this has happened in my lifetime!)  We keep many many rolls in our house.  If our stock falls below ten rolls, I break out in a sweat.  So, I always find out just where the extras are held.  The bathrooms that have them out in plain sight for me are my favorites.  Thank you Mary and Larry.

The Exhaust Fan:  I've stayed in so many hotels that do not have the exhaust fan.  Honestly, that's one of the first things we look for upon check-in.  (Yes, we are freaks!)  I love the fan.  I love its loud purring sound.  I love how it drowns out any other sound.  I love that is "exhausts." 

Have I missed anything that you have on your list?  Let's design the perfect potty!!!

Bliss

I'm sitting on my bed in my PJ's.   My bed has clean sheets.  Rockett is lying next to me.  The windows are open a bit and I can hear a gentle rain.

It's a good night.

Windy Wedding Report, or How I Apologized Mid Song

I am very lucky.  I have some crazy friends that entrusted me with their very special wedding day.  You see, here in the great state of South Carolina, a Notary Public can perform a wedding ceremony.  And, since I'm one of these noble folks, I am "official."  Prior to yesterday, I had officiated at one wedding ceremony.   I enjoyed it, and truly felt honored to be asked to be a part of their day.  (credit to Johnny for this gorgeous pic!)

Oh, let's add another element to the mix.  I also sing, and have done more weddings and funerals than I can honestly remember.  I always enjoy this, especially when the chosen song is something fun to sing.  (Note: I am really OVER the Paul Stookey wedding song.  Blech.  Never again is too soon for me.)  Anyway...I was asked to sing a lovely song written by Ben Folds, "The Luckiest." Love the song. 

One more note of interest?  Steven was the official photographer.  You can see his camera peeking through behind the matron of honor.  And you can see my head checking out this kiss.

So, for the past month, I've really focused on finding the right opening remarks, closing remarks, pre-kiss remarks, prounoucement words, etc.  Luckily, this thing called the internet is a huge help for a Notary Public like myself.  In addition, the bride and groom wrote their own vows, so I didn't have to worry about those! 

I practiced with the piano boy (I call him piano boy, as he is a spry 18 years old, a freshman at the local college, and can run rings around me, musically!!)  I practiced at home, I practiced with headphones on, I practiced in the car.  And, when I wasn't practicing, that darn song was running through my head. 

I was ready and prepared. I had my backpack with my wedding binder, handkerchiefs for crying bride and groom, towel for sweaty Judi, spray hair wax  (a wedding necessity), chapstick, camera and phone. 

BUT THEN REALITY HIT.

A few days ago, Mother Nature decided to give me a nice juicy head cold.  So, singing was going to be a great challenge.  Excuse me, singing would be no problem, singing WELL was going to be a problem.  So, I stressed about that all week.  (Reminder to self, you are NOT in control)  Yesterday morning, I woke up and it was a WINDY wonderland.  The wedding was held on the river, so it was even windier.  Luckily, I brought paper clips, so I was able to clip my words and song in my trusty notebook.  Oh, silly me.  This wind was mightier than the paper clip.  It blew my papers, it blew my hair (note in pix!), it blew over the PA speaker.  It blew the brides veil off her darn head!  (Kudos to her, she recovered nicely!) 

And, as I was singing my overly practiced gorgeous song, it happened...There was a HUGE amount of  PA feedback during one of my gorgeous notes, and I said, "SORRY" and kept on singing.  WHY in the world didn't I just keep singing?  What posessed me to apologize for the feedback on a windy day?  Good gravy, I said SORRY during the most important day of Brad and Chrissa's life. 

Frank Sinatra never would have done that.

At least no one I knew was there. LIE!  All my dearest friends were in attendance.

At least my dress didn't blow up over my head.  Well, I don't think it did.  I haven't seen all the pictures yet.

CONGRATS TO BRAD AND CHRISSA!  So sorry for the SORRY.

I'b all stuffed ub

I don't need this thing today. 

I don't need it, because I have plenty of snot in my nose.

Ah-choo!

STAYCATING

Sometimes, I take for granted this gorgeous city of mine.  I went downtown tonight to practice for an upcoming wedding, and it was just a perfect Tuesday evening.

I always feel like I'm on vacation when I'm downtown.

Even the most simple of signs looks neat downtown.

Everything has so much character.

Little nooks and crannies hold such interest.

Palm trees are everywhere.

Even the views from the parking garage are pretty.

All this Ballooney

As I sit here preparing to watch, "Law and Order: SVU," I just realized that I have a problem with balloons.

First of all, I always struggle when I go to spell it.  The two "ls" and two "os" always mess me up.  So, for the remainder of this post, and in an attempt to not stress myself, I will refer to them as B's.  Thank you for indulging me.

I was think about the B boy.  I can't even begin to tell you how annoyed I am by this story, the media coverage of it, and the constant reference to this child as "B Boy."  I have no idea what the "real" story is, but I'm guessing it aint pretty.

Most things with "B" in it annoy me.  Remember, my all time most hated can't stand to hear make me cringe when I hear it song is, "99 Luft B's."  Ugh.  Can't stand the song (either language), the video, or the singer's name.

Can't stand the sound of a B when it pops.  My blood pressure rises each time this happens.

Ewwwwwwww, that feeling of a B rubbing against your hair to get it all static-y.  Yuck!

Heroin B's.  Enough said.

B Bouquets?  They're deceiving.  They look so pretty at first, but the next day, they're starting to die, losing air, and losing their luster.  The become depressing reminders that the good thing is over.

They float all around the house, mysteriously.  One day it is in your living room.  Come home from work, and it's now in the bathroom.  FREAKY.

How impossible is it to tie that knot?

B animals!  Argh!

B payment?  See?  It always implies something bad.

Give me flowers any day of the week.  But, you can keep your B's. 

Here's hoping we all have a B free week!  They're of the devil I tell you!!!!