Scrapbook Saturday

I don't know if I've ever mentioned that Butch does the journaling on our trips. He started doing that many years ago. Well, now he's taken it a step further. He is adding pictures to the journal. In fact, he has started going back to his previous journals and added pictures. 

Not only does he add the pictures to his journal, he has been going back to each photo and adding comments to the meta-data section on each one. Now that's obsessive! And everyone thinks I'm the crazy one!!

And that's not all! Since I discovered that he has a feature in iPhoto on his Mac, he's been going back and editing every photo in his library! His Mac is newer than mine, so all he has to do is tap edit and with AI, his computer decides what things need fixing or deleting. With the touch of a button, it's done! I can certainly remove things from pictures, but I literally erase them. It's not nearly as perfect as his. Rather than completely removing something, my computer will smudge or blur it. It's definitely better than nothing. Still, I'm jealous of the capability of his newer computer.

Anyway, that leads me to the point of this post. Butch, without realizing it--has become clear that he is a SCRAPBOOKER!!! Words and pictures is the essence of scrapbooking!!

I sure hope this doesn't mean he expects to be invited on our scrapbook retreats!! 

Friday Frustration

So today, I'm posting on behalf of my sister, Jeanne. I feel her frustration!

Last week, there were all kinds of storms and tornadoes in St. Louis. Jeanne had finished all of her gradening chores--getting everything ready for the Memorial Day party she's having tomorrow. Having just done this myself, I knew how much work was involved. 

She was all ready, flowers planted, patio cleaned, everything looking good. Then this happened.

That's a lot of hail and tender plant destruction. Once the hail melted she was left with this:

She had to wait until the rain dried up before they could get it all cleaned up. She said that many of her flowers were destroyed and blooms lost. Ugh!

I feel her pain. It takes so much work to keep everything looking good. And, her garden is beautiful. It's so frustrating! 

On a happier note, Mitchell was here yesterday. I hired him to pressure wash our patio and pool deck. It's a lot. I certainly wasn't going to be involved doing it and I didn't want Butch to wreck his back. It's a job for a youngster!

It took just about all day--he had to take 2 breaks to log in to two one hour lectures for school. And, it was like Grand Central around here. The pool people were here and our lawn people were here. There was so much going on all at the same time--and the noise of all the different equipment--pressure washer, leaf blower, pool vacuum--it was sooo much!

Anyway, it's all done and I am so happy.

Everything looks so fresh and clean--at least for a little while!

My brother told me I should get rid of the pond. But, I love it. I've always liked a water feature. Once it's cleaned out for the season, it's fairly easy to maintain. We had 6 fish survive the winter. We'll add more soon. 

Now I just have to hope that the girl next door that I'm hiring to keep everything watered when we're gone the week after next--does a good job. I'm counting on it. I'll really be frustrated if she doesn't! 

P.S. So we were having happy hour yesterday. All of a sudden Butch said, "There's a snake!" Sure enough, it went in to the pool shed or behind the pond. I don't like snakes so I'm kinda' freaking out. We'll see. He said that due to the cleaning, we've probably disrupted its regular place. 

Five Things Thursday

When we were in London, Janet and I went to The Borough Market. (Butch and I tried to go last year, but it was a Saturday and it was jam packed--we didn't stay long). Janet and I had a great time browsing the different booths. This one had all kinds of unusual vegetables. 

1. I have no idea what these are and didn't see a sign.

They are a pretty color--maybe some sort of beet?

2. These were pretty cute.

I've heard of currants but I don't think I've ever tasted them. They are tiny--the size of peas.

3. These were the cutest little watermelons I've ever seen.Wouldn't they be cute hollowed out and filled with chicken salad with the watermelon on the side?

I put my water bottle in there to show you how little they were--about the size of a grapefruit. I wonder if they are sweet. Actually, that's not much watermelon. I'd probably need 3 at a time!

4. I have no idea what a rambutan is. It looks like some sort of animal.

Seems scary to me. I didn't touch it.

5. Now these are no big mystery. They are mushrooms.

I have never seen any like this before. They are so tiny with such long stems. I'm not sure how they are used.

I always love seeing different fruits and vegetables in other countries. Sometimes I'm even tempted to buy them. But I remember what happened when I forgot that I put a banana in my carry on bag when we were coming back from Africa. That was an unfortunate brush with the law that I do not want to repeat!

Words of Wisdom Wednesday

Travel Tuesday

I'm going to narrow down my dozens of pictures from our trip to London. They are not in any particular order. Here goes:

One day we went to Canterbury. Here we are in front of the Canterbury Cathedral. So much history here. 

Here we are on our "rock and roll" walking tour.

I've included this picture just so my daughter, Sandy can see if we had the same tour guide (on the left). He was quite a character.

Here I am at the Rules restaurant--oldest in London--since 1798. The food was delicious. We had the BEST mussels. They were stuffed with bread crumbs and cheese. I always say that the thing with mussels is you just can't look at them when you eat them. They don't look particularly appetizing.

We're at the White Cliffs of Dover. This was part of the tour that took us to Canterbury. Butch felt like we would have seen them better from the water. He expected them to be more like the Cliffs of Moher in Ireland. They are definitely "whiter."

We took a tour of the "Royal Mews." For those wondering what that is, it's basically the garage and stables of Buckingham Palace. This was something new for us, so I thoroughly enjoyed it.

One of my favorite things to look for while traveling is seeing different birds. This is a magpie--so pretty and all over! It's a pretty large bird. My pictures weren't very good so I pulled this from the internet.

This was another favorite--the Himalayan Parrot. They were all over in St. James Park. Even though I've been to this park many times. I had never seen them. Our tour guide brought some peanuts so they would take them right out of our hand. Janet didn't want to do it, so she was supposed to take a picture of me. She missed it! Birds are too darn fast.

This was our first time to Highgate Cemetery. It was the most beautiful cemetery I've ever been to. We had the added bonus of so many flowers in bloom. It was so pretty and a very interesting tour. 

Afterwards, we went to the Camden Market. The street food looked amazing, but I have a problem. I want to be able to sit down when I eat. I don't know how you can possibly juggle everything--plate, drink and actually eat at the same time. That's just not for me. Instead we found a good restaurant. After lunch we browsed the shops. That's where I found my sweatshirt. A fun day.

I forgot to mention that Janet and I went to London first. After 5 days, Butch arrived. He made reservations for us at The George--the only remaining galleried inn. We went specifically for the Sunday Roast. Our reservations were for 6:30 p.m. There were 3 types of Roasts--but they were all sold out. In addition most of the chicken dishes were gone too. Butch was "bummed" but since he loves fish 'n chips, he was fine. I don't remember what Janet got. I ordered the mushroom chili. It was unusual and good enough, but I probably wouldn't order it again. Still, I was happy to be at another one-of-kine place with so much history.

I later found out from my friend, Diane--that Sunday Roast is eaten mostly between 12 & 2. No wonder it was sold out!

After touring Kensington Palace, Janet and I walked to The Gore Hotel. We had drinks in the bar where The Rolling Stones celebrated the launch of their Beggars Banquet album in 1967. I have to admit, I am not familiar with that. I didn't have money for records. 

After our drinks, we had a "cream tea" in the library of the hotel. A "cream tea" is just scones, clotted cream, jam, and tea. We didn't want the full afternoon tea since we had dinner reservations. That was okay with me since the scones are my favorite part of a tea!

When Janet and I toured The Tower, they were putting in the poppies in preparation for VE Day. They weren't for sale yet, so I didn't get to buy one.

We stopped in Hatchard's Book Store--the oldest in London--1797!

In preparation for VE Day and all the parades, the flags lined the streets.

"The Mall" is the road leading to Buckingham Palace. It was a beautiful sight to see it lined with the Union Jack! They were all over. It was an exciting time to be in London.

Another bird. We got this picture at the Camden Market. 

This one is called a Pied Wagtail. Isn't it pretty? Birds in England are larger than the ones we're used to.

This is St. Bartholomew the Great Church--the oldest in London--dating back to 1123. It is still an active parish. Can you tell that we love seeing the oldest of everything? I'm enthralled with ALL of it. That's why I love London so much. Everywhere you turn there's something new (old) to see. Or, you might be walking around and all of a sudden you see some of the old original Roman walls! It's all so exacting to me. Especially this:

One of the first public drinking fountains from 1860. I take everybody to see it, but I don't think anybody is quite as excited as I am! It's just so cool!

Butch and me from the top of the Sky Garden.

That's The Shard in the background.

Here we are at the Swallow Falls in Wales.

The water level was low, so we were a little disappointed. We have better falls right here in Tennessee in the Smoky Mountains. Still, it was fun to get another picture.

Janet and I taking a "selfie" in front of Henry VIII Hampton Court Palace. This was Janet's favorite place--it's one of mine too.

Our view from The Sky Garden down the Thames. 

The Tower is on the left with the Tower Bridge behind it.

At The Tower.

When Janet and I arrived in London, our taxi driver was warning us to be careful of our phones because people were stealing them. Then, one of our tour guides told us the same thing. She said that people on bikes will literally snatch it out of your hand as they go by. Well, I did not doubt them, but this plaque set into the concrete affirmed it.

"A member of the public had their phone stolen here." Someone added, "The police didn't help though." Really, what can they do? Anyway, Butch and I came across this in front of St. Bartholomew's church.

And last, I have to end with this. 

The crud from just one set of suitcase wheels. 

Clean your wheels people!!

I love London so much. It's my favorite place in the world. England and I go way back! I've always loved English literature. My Aunt Marie gave me a copy of Jane Eyre for Christmas when I was 8 years old! I was thrilled to have it, but I didn't read it until I was 10. Then there was Agatha Christie when I was 11. Next, The British Invasion. I love it all--the history, the beauty, the books, the shows--all of it! Oh and definitely the tea! I do love pomp and circumstance! I cannot wait to go back!

Me on Monday

I've admitted this before. I’m spoiled. But you might not know that I can throw bratty fits. Not the kind where I throw myself on the floor kicking and screaming, but more the kind where I go silent and become unreasonable. I know this, but when I'm in the midst of it, I can't talk myself out of it. I want what I want and I want it NOW! 

I had an "episode" this week. 

First, the background. You know I like white. White makes everything look clean and fresh--until it's not. Our house is trimmed in white and we have white columns. In the spring, everything is disgustingly filthy. Everything white is dirty. Besides the dirt, everything is covered with thick, sticky, pollen. Everything has to be cleaned--and I mean everything. 

There is so much work to be done to get the pool, patio, and porch ready for the season. Here's the list:

Clean out the pond.

Pressure wash the patio.

Pressure wash the pool deck.

Clean out the pool shed.

Blow up the floats.

Clean all the furniture.

Clean and put out cushions.

Move plants from the sunroom to the patio.

Wash all the window frames to get rid of spider webs, pollen and general dirt.

Buy flowers and plants.

Re-pot plants.

Fertilize.

That's just out back.

In the front, the porch has to be cleaned.

The 6 white columns have to be cleaned.

Cushions need cleaning.

Furniture needs cleaning.

The 4 sets of French doors need cleaning to remove dirt and spider webs. Which leads top mopping up the mess inside since the doors are not air tight. It's a mess!

So here's what happened last week. 

Butch and I were having Happy Hour on the front porch. I started to "wig out" about how filthy everything is. I also freely admit, I am over-the-top about this. But, I was getting myself worked up feeling like there's so much work to do and we're way behind. Nevermind that we were in England for the past two weeks--or at least I was. I guess I thought Butch would have it all done before he met me there. Well, he didn't and that's when I had my "fit." I was feeling so overwhelmed with everything that needed to be done, that I got myself all worked up and took it out on Butch--as usual. It's unfair and I know it. But when I get like that, I can't help it. 

So, we started in the next day and got quite a bit of it done. But, I hated doing it. My back was killing me--it even cramped up on me in bed that night. We're too old for all of this back-breaking work! I've hired Mitchell to come do the pressure washing out back. 

Also, I need to remember that it's pretty typical of me to feel tired and defeated at night with all that needs to be done. In the morning, I'm ready to tackle the world. I don't know how Butch puts up with me, but he has for nearly 54 years now. I'm so glad he does. 

And then there's this. I've always talked about how well he takes care of me. My favorite thing he does is serving my tea in bed in the morning so I can read for about an hour before I get my day started. He does it in hotel rooms too. 

Anyway, when we were in England, we were out and about. My hands were feeling dry. I asked Butch if he had any hand lotion--not really expecting that he would. I mean, I didn't have any since I use a smaller purse when traveling. How did I think he would? He pulled this out of his backpack:

OMG! He pulled this out! Not only did he have hand lotion, he also had mosquito repellent and a wet towelette! I've always said he can live out of his car with all the stuff he carries--including snack bars and water. Truly it's a survival kit on wheels. Well, I guess now I need to add his backpack to that list. One of these days, I'm going to make a list of everything he has in there. Oh and did I mention he has Equal in his backpack too? Like I said, he does a good job of taking care of me! 

I need to quit being such a brat! 

Something for Sunday

I thought I'd share a few pictures of Stephanie and the girls. She and Morgan went out to visit Jordan in LA.

They went to Disney.

This slinky dog headband is so Jordan! I think it's adorable.

I love this picture. They all look so cute.

I'm so happy they were able to sneak in a long weekend. I hope they make it an annual tradition!