Sunday, March 25, 2007

Hot, hot, hot...

That's alll I can say about Nashville. It was in the 80's all week---in the house too. I ended up having to turn on the air conditioner. It was gorgeous and not too humid earlier. This is pretty typical for us. We never have much of a spring---we go from cold to hot in a couple weeks. When we first moved here 22 years ago, I can remember breaking fingernails to raise the storm windows and lower the screens. All for about a week of fresh air.! After doing that for a couple years, I gave up. We never open the windows. Today we got some much needed rain. We've had under an inch for the month and my newly blooming flowers are suffering. Hopefully this drencher will perk them right up.

Mindy called today with the news that Commander's Palace had an employee party and crawfish boil. She was looking forward to the food (so typical) and was surprised to receive (now I've already forgotten the name of it) a shining star award (I think that's it)---framed and everything. She's also getting a pair of earrings. Can't wait to hear about them. Considering she hasn't been there very long, she was very happy to be acknowledged in front of the entire staff. She DOES love to be the center of attention! Luckily for us, she gets that attention in positive ways. We do believe that girl will go far!!

Backing up is hard to do...

It's true! I ran into Butch's new sports car yesterday---not a great way to start a Saturday. I was just telling everyone on our ski trip that the only fender benders I"ve had have been related to backing up (well, okay, not counting the time I ran into our house as a teenager---that was a smoking related accident). I finally have figured it out. It's because I'm so short!!! I really can't see out the back. I was trying to figure out how it happened yesterday and that's the conclusion that I came to. His little car is just not easily visible. So, you ask, why didn't I stop when my "back up" alarm sounded? Well, I did. I checked all the mirrors and rear window and decided that the sensor was sensing Steph's car (which shouldn't have been here anyway). So, I continued backing up slowly, ignoring the sensor as I had Steph's car in clear view. Then it happened---a little bump. My heart sank. I got out to assess the damage and felt pretty good that it wasn't too bad. That relief was quickly dissolved when I realized whose car we were dealing with. Here's how the conversation went in my head with the angel on my right shoulder and the devil on my left:
A: "Maybe he won't notice".
D. "Are you kidding me! He can detect the slightest scratch a half mile away. You're in for it"!
A. "Well, he's still sleeping, so I won't wake him just to give him bad news".
D. "Doesn't matter when you tell him, you're in for it"!
A. "Should I call him at 8, 9 or 10? What if he doesn't notice? Shoud I confess"?
D. "You're definitely in for it"!
A. "Okay, what will he do? He'll just get really quiet---as if he isn't quiet enough already. It'll definitely ruin his weekend. He loves his cars. They are little mini homes---he really can sustain life in there---food, water, blankets. Hmmm, maybe I need to move in there for a couple days".
D. "You're DEAD"!

It pretty much went down like the D said it would! Picture it: the dent is the size of a softball---no terrible crease, scratches or missing paint. Maybe the body shop can just "bump" it back out. Yeah right!

Lessons learned:
1. Sit up real tall in the seat when backing up.
2. Don't park behind me.

Thursday, March 22, 2007

Segway


Here it is...us on our Segways. We even have a video clip of us doing a synchronized routine. It's all good!

Tuesday, March 20, 2007

Falling Down

What is it about people falling down that is so darn funny? Butch and I are watching America's Funniest Videos and the ones that crack us up the most are the ones with people falling---into water, into each other, crashing into things, or just falling down. It reminds me of our trip. Although, seeing Pam fall off of her Segway and crack her tail bone wasn't funny at the time, I guarantee you that had I caught it on tape, it would have been a $100,000 winner. Sorry Pam, I'm sure I would laugh!!! I guess it's because I'm the queen of falling down. Somehow it's not quite so funny when I do it!

Monday, March 19, 2007

Fun Quiz

I'm a daffodil. Here's the explanation:
You have a sunny disposition and are normally one of the first to show up for the party. You don't need too much attention from the host once you get there as you are more than capable of making yourself seen and heard.

Find out what flower you are by taking this quiz.
http://www.thisgardenisillegal.com/cgi-bin/quiz.cgi

Sunday, March 18, 2007

A Great Life Experience

I can't believe that I forgot to mention that while in San Antonio, I had one of the most fun experiences of my life. We took a Segway tour for 3 hours. It was a total blast! Luckily for us, the other 4 that were to be on our tour didn't show up, so it was just the 5 of us with the guide. Afterwards, he told us that he had the most fun with us that he'd had in a long time. He took 48 pictures of us--the most ever with a group, according to the owner. We had him laughing the whole time. I'll have to post a picture later. (That's the only problem with blogging on my laptop and having my photos on my main computer upstairs---I have to send them to myself).

I told Butch that I wanted a Segway for Christmas. I guess it wouldn't be too much fun unless I knew someone else that had one. I could use it to get the mail!

Shopping Results...


Here you see Mindy's new purchases.

Anna and Lauren's new "stuff"!

I took many pictures of them trying on their new clothes and modeling them for us. In this picture, they are showing off their new sweaters.

Aren't they cute!

Ready for a night on the town.

Tragedy!

I didn't mention this because I never wanted my blog to be a source of sadness (and because we hadn't told Mindy and didn't want to upset her). Well, a few weeks ago when the painters were here, our little kitty, Cleo got really sick. I took her to the vet and was told that she was in kidney failure and in really bad shape. I made the decision to let her go. The vet said she had injested something poisonous---perhaps anti-freeze. I suspected the painters had left something out that she had gotten into. But, in today's newspaper, Butch read about a recall on the very pet food that we used. It causes kidney failure and was killing pets all over town. Now we know for sure what caused Cleo's untimely death. Still sad, but at least we understand what happened and now I won't harbor bad feelings towards my painters. We are going to write a letter to the cat food company and try to get reimbursed for the $361.00 vet bill.

Wednesday, March 14, 2007

What is the record for time spent in a mall....

I do believe we've set it! 8 hours in the Northstar Mall in San Antonio! We arrived on Monday which was a pretty nice day. We immediately went to the pool to "catch" some sun. After a couple hours, we got cleaned up and went exploring. We had dinner on the Riverwalk at the County Line. We wanted some good Texas BBQ and this was supposed to be the spot. Our very own Corky's is better! Our lackluster appreciation for the food could also be due to the fact that I dropped a big, juicy, sauce filled rib all the way down my blouse and pants. One outfit down the drain (you know that I do plan two wears for every outfit when I travel)!

Tuesday morning 8 a.m., we walked a couple miles of the Riverwalk to get a "feel" for what's here. Upon our return, I discovered that my t-shirt was "gunked" up---from what I do not know--perhaps it was my forage into the "bush" to smell an unknown, yet gorgeous flower. Let's just say that I felt like I was back in the days of the Wild West, or the current day slums of Mexico. I don't think I've hand-washed this much laundry in the sink in my entire life! At least the sink and soap were upscale!

Then came the rain---we had no alternative but to go to the mall. Lacking sun, the girls needed something to make them smile. There's not much that does it better than shopping. 8 HOURS! Yes, hard to believe, but we were there longer than most of the employees (as a few told us). We laughed, ate, spent too much (I guess it's been way too long since I bought a new bra---now 48 bucks at Victoria Secret---last time I bought one, seems like they were $24), and walked the "dogs" until they were worn out. I must say, I wasn't even quite ready to quit. The girls even said that was the longest they'd spent at the mall. Pam observed that it was only because they had their banks WITH them.

We got home about 8:30 p.m. and went straight to the bar. We had drinks and appetizers for our dinner. Anna insisted I have a second Bloody Mary---she said I'm funnier when I drink! Hmmm, she's only been with me drinking one other time and I can't say I was proud of that!

After being properly libated, we went to the girls rooms where Mindy, Anna and Lauren put on a fashion show for us. They tried on all of their new clothes while I took the pictures (to come later). We only had two regrets---Mindy couldn't get hueves rancheros and Anna didn't get the grey jeans! In bed by 11:30 p.m. A long day...

Sunday, March 11, 2007

Forgot the picture...

Seriously...

Bruce had me going for awhile. We had a great week. Here's just one picture I took from the Boreas Pass. You can see Peaks 10, 9, and 8. Or is it 9, 8, 7---oh well, they skied them all!

I'm off tomorrow for San Antonio.

Here's the Picture



And to think only Butch and David knew to get it in the left ear....

Tuesday, March 6, 2007

Those Crazy Boys.....

All it takes is one boy (Bruce) to egg on the others and they are back in high school again. You would think at mid-50's, they would be able to withstand peer pressure. But, alas, not! I'll post a picture when I return. Who woulda thunk? What will work say?

Sunday, March 4, 2007

Frightenening Discovery

This is not the way I want to start the day! Here we are in Breckenridge, CO with friends. I'm up first---as usual---won't even mention the time I got up. I decided to go online and do a little shopping---it's no secret that I've decided to join the ranks of those who prefer to avoid the noisy and crowded malls, wasting gas and running from here to there. Instead I like to shop from the comfort of home in my jammies with a cup of tea by my side (and a few cookie crumbs on my chin). Well, this morning, as I was logging into a site, I was asked to update my profile. To my utter horror, I discovered that at 55, there are only 2 age groups left OLDER than me! When in the heck did that happen? Turning 55 in January has been far more monumental than I ever suspected. Somehow, when I was busy with life, "older" age has crept in (I refuse to accept being OLD). I think it might have something to do with the fact that now I pack more slippers when I go on a trip than shoes! That should have been a tip-off!

Thursday, March 1, 2007

Too much to do, too little time.

Can't everyone relate to this? For me, it's especially true as I try to get out-of-town. We leave Saturday for our ski trip to Breckenridge with friends. I'm slowly getting things together. I have been able to plan a few scrapbook layouts---not exactly to the extent I would like, but at least it's something. I also have to finish getting everything put back into my vanity. That may or may not get done, but at least I'm not stressing about it.

Played bridge today and came in 3rd---still on a roll. The game continues to grow with 8 full tables now. My partner and I have been invited by another pair to go to the National Bridge Tournament with them this summer (here in Nashville). The tournament runs from the 18 to the 29th of July. You take a team of four to play in "knock-outs". Sort of like a single elimination tournament. Then there are Swiss pairs that requires a team of 4 also. I don't know much about all of this---they'll just tell me when and where!

I'm teaching a class tomorrow morning to my Overbrook group. After that, I plan to finish up the packing as we have to leave the house at 4:30 a.m. on Saturday. I'm planning on taking my computer, but I don't know whether I'll have internet access or not. While in New Orleans last weekend, I discovered something called "featherwifi". You can "purchase" internet access by the day or week for a really cheap price. In any event, I can at least do my journaling. Butch will have his computer and he has sattelite internet access. We'll see....