Me on Monday

As I begin this, the memories are coming fast and furious. This most likely will be a long post. So, if you are not interested in a 74 yr. old woman who has fallen in love with a man who is not her husband—just skip it. You’ve been warned!! 

I started paying attention to music in the 5th grade. I fell in love with the Beatles and their big hit, “I wanna’ hold your hand!” After seeing them on the Ed Sullivan show in 1964, I was hooked! Bad! Really bad! Three of my friends and I started our own Beatles group. I was George. We were 12 years old and stretchy headbands were in style. We’d flip our hair over the top of the band to get the appearance of those long-haired boys. We strummed tennis rackets and sang our little hearts out 3 or 4 four times a week after school!

Next came Peter Noone from Herman’s Hermits. I was so in love with him that I smooched the back of the record album which had a full-size face of him. I remember being so in love with him that I thought I might die! Dramatic, I know, but that’s how I learned how to kiss!

There were others that I loved through the years, David Cassidy, Michael Jackson and so many more. I surely could easily have been a groupie—except, I had no money, no records and no transportation. So, there was no going to concerts or following them around. 

Fast forward to NKOTB. For those of you who are not “blockheads,” that stands for New Kids on the Block. I have Stephanie to thank for that. She fell hard for them when she was in 6th grade. She and her best friend, Malinda were consumed with everything NKOTB. They had it all: bedding, dolls, records, t-shirts—anything and everything. Since I totally related to her and her adolescent, all encompassing LOVE, I was all “in” helping her to get as close to them as she could. I convinced Malinda’s mom, Connie to camp out with us to be the first in line at Turtles Records to get the best seats at their concert when they first came to Nashville. 

As we were sitting on the sidewalk outside the store, Channel 2 News showed up and were interviewing Connie. She was so nervous, she told the reporter that I watched them every afternoon! What? What did that even mean! They turned their cameras to me and, I don’t know, I probably said some stupid stuff. Add to the fact that it was cold out and I had the hood of my coat tied tightly around my head and looked completely ridiculous! When the cameras were turned off, Connie turned to me and said, “I am so sorry!!” Yeah, she made me look like an idiot on local tv!! We were joined by other friends, Pam and Bruce—about 11 of us—and ordered pizza delivery on the sidewalk. We turned it in to a party! I was always about creating memories—and this was a good one for me too!

So all of that music history brings us up to now—62 years later. I have fallen in love with another musician! His name is Patrick Murphy. He is a vocalist at our church. There was no sneaking around. Right in front of Butch, one Sunday I said, “I have to go and talk to him!” I darted off and introduced myself. I told him how much I loved his voice and music. I just knew he had to be in the music business. I asked about that. He told me he was and that he appreciated me letting him know how I felt. Okay, I did use the “L” word, but only related to his voice! He is in the music business, so I went to his website and signed up to find out where he was appearing around town. Occasionally, I get an email when he cuts a new record. 

Just goes to show that you are never too old to fall in love! Even though, this love of another musician will remain unrequited, I can at least listen to his music and see him at church every Sunday! Luckily, Butch isn't the jealous type!

Enjoy! Just click on his name and then the link that appears.

Patrick Murphy

Something for Sunday

Last Sunday, I was making a new recipe--Spinach and Artichoke Chicken. When I realized how much it was going to make, I invited Mindy and Justin over.

Anyway, when they walked in, Justin showed me this picture:

He wanted to know what this flower is called. I immediately said the common name was "pinks" but could not recall the Latin name. I cannot recall things very quickly anymore. A few minutes later, it came to me--it's dianthus! I asked him if he bought these for his balcony garden. He said, "No, you have it out front!" OMGosh! Of course I do!

Since I don't go in and out the front door much, I don't really pay attention to what's happening out there. Plus, Butch and I have happy hour on the front porch when it's nice--which has been a lot lately. Then, we walk out the front door, but you can't really see these from the porch unless I stand up and walk to the edge. Still, I should have realized since these are perennials and have been here for--probably 25 years at least!

Scrapbook Saturday

I'm so excited to share Jordan and Robbie's wedding album. I started it when they got engaged in August and finished it up last week. I didn't want to post anything here until after I sent the album to them. Of course, I wanted them to see it first. 

So, without further ado--here it is:

Title Page:

I just loved this quote--so romantic--perfect for these two!

Inside the pocket on the left is this little book of some of their favorite pictures from their adventures!

I sent Jordan some questions--so she actually did the journaling. 

She is a fabulous writer. I like to think she takes after her Grammy!

This page is all about her ring. It is as unique as she is!!

She and Robbie designed it. It's so pretty!

The Invitation.

I mounted the invitation on one side and added a little shaker box with another great saying on the back.

Introducing: Mr. & Mrs. Robert Loakes

Another romantic quote: "My soul has searched long and far to find yours."

I used my sewing machine to add a zig zag stitch to hold down the hearts.

The Honeymoon to New Zealand.

The "NZ" on the right is mounted on a file folder.

It opens to show more pictures. They are going to add their trip journal inside of the folder.

The end page is a series of questions.

Jordan couldn't answer the questions in the small amount of space I had available. 

So, I added the envelope that she sent our thank you note in. I included the thank you note AND "the rest of the story" of each of those little questions. She can be as verbose as I am!!

I loved making their album and it meant a lot to me that they respond like this:

From Jordan:

We just got our wedding album and absolutely LOVE IT!!!!  Thank you so so much, Grammy!! 🥰🥰 it is so beautiful 🥹 you thought of everything; from the proposal all the way to the honeymoon. It made us so happy looking at it ❤️ I'm excited to read and look at everything in depth later today, after work 😊 thank you so much again! It means so much to us 🩷🩷 

And thank you for sending my regular album!! I didn't realize you were still working on one for me. I have my green one you gave me a few years back, and I thought that was the only one. Seeing this new one was a huge and amazing surprise 😊🥰 i can't wait to spend time reading all the Journaling and remembering the amazing memories 🩷🩷 you're the best ❤️ i love you so much!!

From Robbie (love this boy so much):

Seriously thank you so much, it is such a lovely gift and I can't wait to show it to people in the future :D  

We are going to sit down and go through them thoroughly tonight, we can't thank you enough they are really beautiful 

And finally, from Jordan!:

That is so sweet and thoughtful 🥹❤️🥰 I cant wait to go through them both tonight! I love you so much Grammy 😊

Friday Funnies

Notice the misspelling?

Ten Things Thursday

Today, I thought I'd share some re-purposed vintage windows and shutters. 

1. I like the simplicity of this one.

2. 

3.

4. 

5. 

6. This is my favorite--but I would add a few more things.

7.

8.

9.

10.

What I Buy Wednesday

Well, I've seen everything now!! Actually, that would include Butch too!

Here's the story:

We went to dinner at our favorite steak restaurant--Sperry's. The food was delicious as usual. We ordered a piece of caramel cake to take home--their cakes are fabulous. But, I prefer to have dessert when we get home--something to look forward to.

Anyway, we had the cake and enjoyed it. The next morning, Butch handed me the bill and asked me if I noticed anything. (Pardon how this looks--I had just put some cuticle oil on my nails so that's why it's messed up. Look closely and you should still see "the problem"!)

A "To Go" charge!!! We have never seen that before. 

Thirty six cents!! I asked for a "to go" box for half of my prime rib. And then there was the cake. So I guess it's eighteen cents per box. It seems ridiculous to us--just another way to nickel and dime people. Seriously--18 cents?

Seems like they could just add a quarter to something--like the salads rather than add another charge. 

Now that I look at the bill, another thing that bugs me: $1.00 for anchovies for a Caesar salad? Anchovies are the main part of a Caesar. They always came automatically with a Caesar. Then they started asking if you wanted them. Now, you have to ask them if you want some. I get that they don't want to waste them, but to charge extra?! 

Hmmm. Maybe our "go to" steak place has "to go!" 

Well, not until after June 5th--as we have reservations to go with Mindy, Justin, Stephanie and Nicky for Butch's birthday.

On second thought, maybe we should just carry our own "to go" containers--to make a point!! I'm sure the health department would have a problem with that!!

Travel Tuesday

Today is about traveling, but not about us. Rather, it's the turkeys! They are back!

They were here for several years--even nesting in the trees in our side garden. For whatever reason, they were not here last year. That seems odd--but I'm glad to see them back. I know that for some people, they are very destructive. For us, they just make a pass through--usually twice a day--eating along the way. You can almost set your watch, their pattern is so predictable. But, this year, there are only two of them. Maybe they have babies that will soon be joining them. 

I'll keep you posted.