Travel Tuesday

Well, I'm on the road again! 

Today I leave to meet Sandy at the Barnsley spa/resort in GA. I'll meet her there for lunch. Then we'll take a tour of the ruins of the Manor House and garden. After that, we should be able to check in. 

We'll only be gone a couple days, but we're looking forward to it. I'm also hoping to get a few updated pictures.

Me on Monday

Whew! It's been a long weekend--no pun intended!

My sisters arrived on Thursday afternoon--all 6 of them!!

I wanted to take a picture of them with all of their stuff like I always did for Camp Aunt Barb, but half of them had put their stuff away by the time I got this shot! From left--clockwise: Joyce, Janet, Jeanne, Janice, Sharon and Jennifer.

Don't think by looking at Janice in this picture that we aren't having a good time! Janice is having some serious cognitive problems and gets overwhelmed easily. When we're all together, it's VERY loud--more than she can handle. She didn't want/understand about doing a picture, hence the scowl!

Janice was busy snatching any phone lying around. She no longer has a phone since she kept leaving it at many places. Jennifer felt like it was time to take it away. Actually, she didn't know how to use it anyway. At one point, she had picked up 4 of our phones! She got pretty upset when we tried to get them back. We had to keep and eye on her to see where she was going to hide them. She takes all kinds of little things and hides them, or just moves stuff around. I didn't care--it kept her busy. 

The girls told me that she had tried to put the password in my phone too many times. 

I have never seen the message before!! Good to know that my phone can't easily be hacked!

The weather didn't cooperate, so we didn't get any pool time at all. Still we had fun playing many games. Stephanie and Mindy and the boys came over Friday night. The sisters were happy to see them and my girls were happy to see the sisters!! 

We ate a lot. A. Lot! We drank a lot. A. Lot! We talked a lot. A. Lot. We argued a lot. A. Lot. We even cried a lot. Okay not really a lot, just a little.

We can never all agree on anything. Stephanie made the observation while playing poker with us that we fought like kids---back and forth, very loud! I will admit, I made a comment that came back to bite me! During a poker game, Joyce and I were the last ones "in." She is the baby of the family. I said I was dropping because she was "too stupid" to try to bluff me!! Well, bluff me she did! I jinxed myself for the rest of the time. Still, all in good fun!

I did so poorly that I texted my friends a picture of sixty cents that I had left with the caption: "Well, I'm playing with some real poker players! Only the first night and I'm losing 10 bucks!" 

You might recall that I won quite a bit from my friends when we were at the beach a couple months ago. While at the beach, winning,  I sent a picture of the $35.00 I won from my friends to my sisters with the caption: "Like taking candy from babies!"

Connie "nailed it" when she responded to my message about losing 10 bucks: "No, you lost 10 bucks of OUR money!" Hahaha! Then I texted them that I needed them to come over next week to play poker. I lost $47.00 over the 3 days! Basically, that was ALL of my coins! My poker purse (which I inherited from my mom) is completely empty of coins!

It's been six years since we were last together all at the same time. We've vowed to get together every year. We can rotate cities--St. Louis, South Bend and even Salem, MO. We need to do it. We MUST do it. 

I miss them a lot. A. Lot!

What I Buy Wednesday

Whew! I'm still catching up after our trip. My sisters--all SIX of them (my 2 sister-in-laws have been in the family for 50 years, so they are sisters!) are arriving tomorrow for a long weekend. Sooo, it will be next week until I can get back on track with the blog. 

But, I can post what Sandy, Mindy and I bought in Paris. Stephanie forgot to photograph hers. 

Once we were on the trip, the weather was a bit grey and cloudy. I decided that I wanted to get an umbrella. I don't know what's happened to all of our umbrellas. I have an ugly black one in my car. I also have my London one. Now I have a Paris one. I've already put it in my car. When I saw the scarf, it reminded me that I need a new white one. I liked the little silver Eiffel towers. I got the Starbucks mug from Disneyland Paris. We spent Sandy's birthday there. The macaron key chain was an impulse buy because it was something like 2 for10€ or 3 for 12€. Steph treated me so I didn't really buy it! I've put it on the little white tree I have in my scrapbook room. Butch bought the chocolates from Stohrers dating back to 1730.

It's such a cute shop. Nicky bought what he says is the best chocolates he's ever had here. He gave me a taste--it was pistachio filled--really delicious!

Lastly, the lemon napkins---I bought them since I had just put together my summer table scape.

Notice the vase of flowers. They couldn't be more perfect. They are from Mindy and Justin for us giving up our aisle and window seats on the international flight from hell to get home! We traded them for an aisle and a middle. Oh, the things you'll do for the love of your children! I want everybody to be happy! Anyway, the flowers were a fun surprise.

Now for Sandy's purchases: 

She made quite a haul. She got herself 3 Starbucks mugs: two from Disneyland and Disney Studios and one from Paris. The champagne flutes are from Disney too--the glasses came with the purchase. The purse was her birthday present--June 3rd--we celebrated at Disneyland. She got a birthday button to wear. You can see her macaron key chain. She bought the placemat for Titan's food and water bowl. I love her gold tote and hat. The macarons in the box and the baguette in the box are socks. The cup is from Laduree'--she and Greg had a really good brunch there. 

Greg got himself this chef's apron, a flag pin--and I think the other two things might be stickers. 

Mindy and Justin:

*Chocolates shaped like little pastries

*Eiffel Tower chip clips

*2 kinds of tea (one from champagne and one from the place on our street)

*Face cream and face mask from local shops

*Souvenir Disneyland champagne flute

*Disneyland Starbucks mug

*Bottle of champagne from the small family-owned vineyard they went to

*Pins for their backpack

I'd say we all did our part to add to the economy of Paris!! 

From now on, I think we are going to have "show and tell" when we are together. 

Me on Monday

Well, we just got back from our trip to Paris. Of course, I have a lot to share--but it's going to take a few days to get my act together. In the meantime, here's my recap of May by the numbers.

Movies Seen—0—my friends and I gave up our Regal Crown Club membership--it's all horror, sci-fi, kids movies or Marvel. There's just nothing that interesting to see.

Books Read—14 (It's sad that only 4 out of 14 were 5 stars)

  5 Star:

A Good Girls Guide to Murder

A Perfect Marriage

The Briar Club---favorite of the month.

Animal Farm (yes, I read this in high school, but I wanted to read it again).

Podcasts—5

Lunch Out—7

Dinner Out:—3

Documentaries/Movies/Series  

Hulu:

***The Tanya Kach Story

*****The American Pope

*****Deli Boys—7 episodes

****Mother’s Instinct

*****The Ken & Barbie Killers—4 episodes

*****College Greek Life (6 episodes)

*****Foxhollow Murders (4 episodes)

***Chondra Levy

***Secrets of Miss America

*****Hunting Jon Bonnett’s Killer

****My Crazy Arrest (2 episodes)

Netflix :

****Scouts Honor

Peacock

*****Law and Order Organized Crime—3 episodes--I love this show, but it's hard to keep up with now. I don't know when new episodes come out which means I have to remember to check it.

Scrapbook Pages Completed: 3

Flower & Garden

Home Depot:           $200.00

Roadside stand              45.71

Home Depot    121.55

Total:                          $367.26

I decided to go with ALL red again this year. 

This is just a view of one side--right after planting. Wouldn't it be somethin' if my clematis was red? Red just shows up so much better.

Trips:

London with Janet & Butch—12 days

Okay, that wraps up another month!

Monday Mystery

While we were in Wales, we came across this unusual thing.

It looks like a big ball on a pole. There appears to be a hole in the top and then four more holes along the bottom. Right under the four holes are 3 stepping stones on the ground.

I have no idea what it is. Butch guessed that it's some sort of game--like 4 kids line up around the ball and toss a ball into the top. Wherever it comes out, the kid standing there has to catch it. Then they have to keep moving back on the stones. 

I guess that sounds logical. Still, the game must have a name. We asked our tour guide, but he had no idea. He agreed with Butch's theory. 

It's a mystery for sure. But then, I like a mystery that can be solved. Anyone??

I decided to do a search: "game with big ball and four holes on the bottom?"

What popped up was this:

Funnel Ball

To play: You and three friends would stand around the Funnel Ball pole, one at each opening. One would throw a basketball or kickball into the top and everyone would wait for it to come out from their opening. Then the lucky kid who did get the ball to come out on their side would get hit in the head by it, start crying, and run to teacher. Thus the Funnel Ball match was completed.

Sounds fun doesn't it? 

Scrapbook Saturday

We had our AYM meeting last week. Several of the members are a little behind, so they are not all represented.

This is my April layout--Easter through the years:

Nancy--she's big in to sports.

Nancy--February happenings.

Susan--I type her journaling so that's not on the page yet.

Susan--Mardi Gras.

Friday Funnies

Okay, this one took me a minute. Then I thought it was hilarious!!

Ten Things Thursday

How about some beautiful porches?

I love everything about this porch. All that white--swoon! But I'm not fool enough to believe it. This would require way too much work keeping it looking pristine and, well, white!

This one is more realistic. Even dirty, it will still look like this.

This one looks like it's in another country. It must be a popular color as you can see other balconies in the background.

Ooops! This isn't exactly a porch, but a really sweet "nook." It's a pretty little spot. The only thing missing is the book!

Oh, my! This is so pretty leading to the garage. I wonder what the house looks like? Actually, it looks like the garage contains a full house too.

I do love the neat and formal look of this, but I would definitely want some colorful flowers.

Now this is a welcoming front door.

This looks like the exact same door, but the sidelights (windows) are different. I wonder if this is some sort of entry that juts out from the house with a little porch on both sides--or maybe it's a duplex. Still pretty.

This is a sweet little porch--love the pink.

Pretty in pink. I have to admit, I love a throw on a front porch, but again, not practical. It does make it look so homey. 

Then there's this.

Our front porch. I love the swing--it's 25 years old this year. My brothers and sisters gave it to us as a housewarming gift. Would you believe that the cushion is also 25 years old? The best part--it has been outside in the weather ALL 25 years! We just pressure wash it in the spring and it's good to go for the season. 

This is the other side of the porch--the side that doesn't get used. At all.

I love the blue beadboard ceiling--the blue really does keep the birds from building nests in the corners. A few times we've had nests in the wall planters. 

I've been tempted to get a couple of rugs, but then decide against it. Just one more thing to clean.  I'm tired of cleaning.

What I Buy Wednesday

About 6 weeks ago, our garage door broke. It was old--40 years. I called a company out to repair it. That was $1500. Then, this is where "he" got us, "If you agree to purchase new garage doors within 30 days, we'll apply this to the cost of the new doors."

Okay, we knew we needed new doors. They have been painted so many times, they were definitely in need of replacement. We had actually looked at replacing them about 10 years ago, but didn't due to the cost. You can see the one on the right is a little different. That one is a custom door, so it wasn't just a cut and dried replacement. 

Anyway, we didn't even let the guy leave. He got his "supervisor" on the phone. I think he was probably the salesman. Anyway, one thing led to another, he gave us a quote. I got him to assure me that our little repair guy would get some sort of bonus--which Butch said they probably do anyway--part of the job--get the customer to buy new doors. Then, Butch asked for a ridiculous discount if we decided right then and there rather than waiting. The supervisor agreed! Done!!  

I guess it was about three weeks later they came out and voila'--new doors!

We are very pleased! Plus, they will never need painting. Butch had the idea to add the handles and hinges to add a little interest. When picking out the doors--I had no idea there were so many choices--I knew I did not want windows. We have two windows in the garage, so it's not dark. Those windows have wood blinds on them. I just didn't windows that I would have to clean all the time because I know myself. It would drive me crazy to pull up and see dirty windows!

This is one of those expensive--what I call--"unfun" purchases. You might need it, but it's not fun to buy. We've seemed to have a lot of these lately. The pool---oh, don't get me started...!

What was your most recent "unfun" purchase?

Travel Tuesday

I don't know if I've mentioned that we're leaving for Paris this Friday. Sandy, Greg, Stephanie, Nicky, Mindy and Justin are going with us. Butch has planned the itinerary and we are doing so much. 

Here's a peek at our schedule:

May 31st Saturday

Check in to hotel

Hop on Hop off bus

Happy Hour—Bramble

7:30 Margaux

Walk Pont d’lena Bridge

June 1st Sunday

La Flanerie or Odettes

Notre Dame—Mass

Koff Burger Montemarte

Walking tour Montemarte

Hotel to rest

Walk around Latin Quarter

Cafe drinks

Dinner (TBD)

June 2nd Monday

9:30 Eiffel Tower

11:00 Opera House

Starbucks Opera

Galeries Lafayette

Champs Elysees

3:30 Arch de Triomphe

Hotel to rest

Happy Hour Harry’s NY or Bar Hemingway

Dinner—Roger la Grenouille

June 3rd Tuesday

Disney Paris

June 4th Wednesday

Cemetery visit Jim Morrison’s grave

Lunch Midi Cafe crepes

7:00 Le Train Bleu

June 5th Thursday

Open all day

June 6th Friday

9:00 Visit Saints Chapelle

6:00 Dinner Moulin de la Galette

9:00 Moulin Rouge 

Butch is a master planner. Just take a look at his packing spreadsheet!

This works for him. As for me, I'm a list person. 

International Check List

Travel documents

Airline ticket/boarding pass 

Passport

Money

Medication 

Kindle

Phone

iPad

Computer

Chargers

Converter plugs

Umbrella

Sunglasses 

Pashminas

“Jacket in a packet” (rain jacket)

Snacks

Pants

Tops

Lounging outfit

2 tennis shoes

1 dress shoe

Footies

Nightgowns

Slippers

Underwear

Bras

Jewelry

Makeup

Ditty bag

Blow brush

Quick and easy. Works for me and my packing cubes (love those things).