Monday Mystery

So.

So many things changed this year due to the pandemic. The girls and I were to do a needlepoint workshop that was ultimately cancelled. In September, we were supposed to go to New York to see Hugh Jackman in The Music Man. Also cancelled. I had taped the original with Robert Preston from TMC for when the girls would be here for the needlepoint workshop---to familiarize themselves with the iconic music from that show. You might recall this post from April 2007--Misguided First Love. Still one of my favorite songs.

Who do you thing does it better? You be the judge. The Beatles or Robert Preston (Comes in about 2:45--you can move forward to that time)?

This past weekend, was the culmination of all of that. I became the needlepoint teacher AND we watched The Music Man. We still plan to see Hugh Jackman in April---hopefully.

Anyway, on to the mystery. 

Saturday night, after our "lessons", we watched the movie and stitched. When it was over, Mindy asked Stephanie if she remembered St. Cecilia's production of The Music Man. Mindy was in 2nd grade at the time. She said that she had tried out for a part, but didn't get it. Stephanie had no memory of it even though she would have been at SCA at that time---around 1992. She doubted Mindy because she didn't think SCA would do that play since it featured a man in the lead role (SCA is an all girls school). I didn't remember anything about it, so couldn't weigh in. Sandy was already off at college then, so she was no help either. 

It seemed to be an unsolvable mystery. The only thing left to do was for Stephanie to reach out to the Director of the Drama Department at SCA---who still happens to be there!! Social media can be a wonderful thing!! She got a response right away Sunday morning. She said, that, "yes, SCA did produce The Music Man" and even named the girl who played the lead--Marian the Librarian. 

Mystery solved! Thanks to technology and social media. So easy!

A Few More Pages

Just thought I'd post a few more scrapbook pages that I've done recently. 

Oh My Gosh!!! Short of posting each picture separately, I cannot get them to go in the order I want them to. Okay, posting one at a time---I guess. What a hassle! I really do not like this new Blogger platform. Oh well, what can I expect for free?!!

This is my layout for our every other month "round robin" where we each do a layout for someone else. I was thrilled to do a vintage layout where I could use some cabinet cards, mini doilies (I put a brad in the middle), vintage ledger paper, milk caps and some mini "dolly" books. 

Karolyn did this layout last month for me. She even made that little graduation hat with the tassel. The tassel is homemade too!! That's part of the fun of our "round robin" layouts---new ideas and techniques. We tend to spend more time on the layout for someone else. 

In 2019, we had three graduations in one month---all three of Sandy's---Elizabeth 8th grade---Victoria high school---Mitchell college. Here's two out of three. 

I needed to make a couple tags to let people know that this layout contains a couple fold outs. Also, I used the actual map as part of the background. I circled the places we visited.

Here you can see the layout fully open.

When I finished the layout above, I decided to make a few extra clips with the scraps laying on my table. So easy to do. That should save a little time the next time I need one.

This layout was for AYM. I added a pocket for extra pictures and did a quilt pattern to incorporate the patterned paper. I mounted the journaling on top of the Chatsworth map from our trip. If you look closely at the pocket on the right, you'll see I made a few clips using 

washi tape.

"Tea and Tales" is what we called our book club trip to England. It had been a long time since I used the paint technique on a transparency. When you dab the paint behind it, not only does it make the print stand out, it acts as an adhesive. 

This is the kit for AYM next month. I'm excited to play with it!! I have ideas!

Friday Funnies

Five Things Thursday

A few random things for today:

1. After my Travel Tuesday post about our day at the Stones River Battlefield, Butch got out one of his Civil War books to explain it all to me again. Remember, I said I couldn't keep the generals straight? Were they confederates or union? Well, Butch explained it all to me again. Do I really have it down now? Well, no, but maybe a little! (You can see a closeup of the book a little further down. With this new Blogger platform, I'm having trouble getting the photos exactly the way I want then to appear.)

2. Justin grew up in a family with avid gardeners. He's doing the best he can with their little balcony. He definitely has a green thumb. 

He has flowers AND vegetables on the balcony. 

I need to drive down to see their garden in the sky from the sidewalk.

3. I thought this was the most darling first day of school picture I've ever seen. Someone posted it on Facebook. What a clever idea!

Oooops! Here's that close up of the Stone River Battle. 

4. You might remember that I hired Parker, the little granddaughter of my friend, Pam, to paint me some rocks. Well, I've been passing them around the neighborhood--all to people I don't know. The only problem is that I don't get to see any reactions. Anyway, as I'm nearing the end of the rocks (don't worry, I've ordered more---Mindy wanted some too!), I noticed this on the plate. Apparently, she tried out a few designs before committing them to the rocks. Now that's serious and I love it! How darn cute!!

5. Another puzzle in the books. We finally finished this one. It took a really long time for a couple reasons. It was really hard, so we weren't motivated. Plus those extra pieces threw us for a loop. As it turned out, there were only the 3 that were extras. Funny that we would discover them at the exact same time! We're glad it over. I wish I'd have kept count on how many we've done since the beginning of the pandemic. I'm sure we've surpassed the number we've done in our whole 49 years of marriage!

That's if for today.

A New Way to Play

Bridge that is! 

Last Tuesday, Connie and I went to Richland to play bridge for the 2nd time since March. Things have definitely changed in this time of Covid. There are a lot more rules outside of the regular bridge rules.

1. We have to wear masks.

2. There can only be 6 tables--and they are larger and spaced out:

Definitely a bit of a reach now. 

3. You have to carry your own bidding box to each table.

4. You have to wash your hands or use sanitizer after each round.

5. We're in the ballroom, so when it's lunchtime, only 4 people to those large round tables.

We've missed bridge. Although we still make a lot of mistakes, we're not doing too badly. For the second month in a row, we've come in 2nd. This past week, we were FIRST---going in to the last round. Our opponents, the east-west pair were also in first their way. As it turned out, we knocked each other out of first. We both landed in second. I think the next time we play, we'll try to play them at the beginning of the day. We might as well get it over with right off the bat!

Still, it's been so fun to do something normal!! Our regular Thursday group has folded, so once a month at Richland is it. You cannot learn to play bridge or improve only playing once a month. I told Connie, we'll just relax and have fun. Yeah, that's what we'll do. 

I miss the challenge. I always felt like this was something to keep my brain active. There are so many old people who play and are so good. It must be good for your brain. 

Oh well. 

Tuesday Thoughts About...

...leaving stuff lying around. I've recently noticed that I only tend to get worked up if the stuff lying around is his. My own stuff doesn't seem to bother me. 

We each have "areas" that are ours---like the tables next to our chairs in the family room. Those are pretty junky with every day stuff. And, he has his "bowl" in the kitchen where his stuff tends to be all around the bowl, even though there's still plenty of room IN the bowl. Occasionally if that gets to be too much for me, I simply scoop it all up and dump it in to the bowl. It fits the term I coined years ago with my organizing business---"organized chaos"---for those areas that just need to be corralled and most likely will never stay neat and organized. Somehow, having it all contained is better than all sprawled out.

That's pretty much it. We don't have junk lying all over the house. If we did, I'd go crazy! I prefer neat and tidy. Okay, my scrapbook room is usually pretty neat and tidy, but is so crammed full of stuff, that it can be hard to tell!

Then there's this:

My shoes in the dining room. Since I've been walking every morning, they have been here. I sit on the steps and just have to reach around to put them on. Makes sense since I go in and out the front door. 

Last week, we were putting a few things in the dining room that we plan to take to the beach in a couple weeks. I looked at my shoes and said to Butch, "You know if those were your shoes I wouldn't be able to stand it." He simply said, "I know."

And that's why we get along so well!! As long as it's my stuff, it's okay! And that's just how it is!

Me on Monday

On Friday, we celebrated our 49th anniversary.

Then, August 21, 1971. Me, 19 and he, 20--just two kids. Really!

Now, 49 years later. Just a bit older, but still kids at heart! 

We've gotten to that stage in our lives where we don't need anything or want anything. We pretty much buy what we want when we want it. We're trying to get rid of stuff! I think for this year, we'll consider our first step in remodeling our Santa Rosa beach condo as our anniversary present. I'll keep you posted on that.

Still, it's the little things.

I woke up to this. I kissed Butch and said, "You are too! When did you buy that candle?" He said, "I didn't. The other one was finished and I saw this one in the cabinet. Thought it was appropriate!" I had totally forgotten that I bought this. Actually, it's champagne toast scented.  I do remember buying that--just not the "you are loved" label. It smells divine.

A little later, he brought me these. They smell so good too.

We had a relaxing day. Our plan was to go to the club for dinner. We hadn't been there since Butch's birthday in June. 

They had the doors open. It was a beautiful view. I didn't request to sit outside because I didn't know how hot it might me. The food is always delicious. We shared the homegrown, heirloom tomatoes with burrata to start. Then we shared the fried clams and the meatballs on polenta. We took home the leftovers. As it turned out, we just about had the place to ourselves. There seems to have been a pretty big turnover at the club as I didn't recognize any of the wait staff. 

When we got home, I told Butch that I wanted to take a picture of our hands and wedding bands. We've never done that before---and didn't really know how to do it. I couldn't remember how the hands are supposed to be. It was awkward, so we tried a few ways.

We sort of wished that we had one from when we were first married as a comparison. But the point here is that those gold bands were a really big deal in 1971. No diamonds. We didn't have two nickels to rub together. We bought these rings for $350---90 days same as cash! And that's how we began. Diamonds came later. Still, these are most important to us.. Our initials are carved on top with the date etched on the inside. Butch's is worn just about smooth. I tried to get his re-engraved a few years ago, but the jeweler said he couldn't do it--short of smoothing it completely and starting over. Oh well.

It's all gone by so darn fast. Here's to 25 more!!

Scrapbook Sunday

A few weeks ago, I was giving Jeanne and Janet a hard time because even with quarantining, they didn't manage to get their AYM pages done. I asked them, "what in the heck have you been doing when you were staying home?" They didn't really have a good excuse. Since they feared being "kicked out" of the club, they put it in gear!! 

This year, we're doing a "book of favorites"!

Here are Janet's layouts:

Her favorite drinks are frozen, sweet drinks.

Her favorite memory is a week at the beach with the grandkids.

Her favorite day of the week is Sunday since it's her family day. She cooks two meals for the family so they have leftovers for the week.

Her favorite quarantine project was babysitting for the grands!

Her favorite jewelry.

Her favorite city is Branson, MO. I'm seeing a theme here---most of her favorite revolve around the family!

Her favorite first road trip was a trip out west. 

She hasn't finished all of her journaling, but she's well on her way!

And now for Jeanne's layouts.

Jeanne's favorite memory is of her best friend growing up.

Her favorite quarantine project was a landscaping project.

Her favorite city is Pompeii when we were on our sister's trip to Italy.

Her favorite jewelry.

Her favorite drink is beer!

Although Jeanne has a couple more to do, she has her journaling done. I've always been a proponent of doing it right away. Sometimes if you say you'll do it later, you don't. 

So that's it for today!

 

30 Questions Guest

I invited anybody to answer the 30 questions and said I would share them. So, Mindy took me up on it. 

1. Who are you named after? 

I don’t know if this is true or not, but I’m told I’m named after “Mindy” (Pam Dawber) from the TV show “Mork and Mindy” because Dad had a celebrity crush on her. When I “came to” after being sedated for my wisdom teeth removal I was doing Mork’s “nanu-nanu” handshake to the nurse and doctor!

2. Last time you cried? 

I teared up watching “Dead to Me” season 2 this past Saturday— which is weird because I think it’s technically considered a “comedy” 🤔

3. Do you like your handwriting?

 Sometimes I like it. But really wish I had the same handwriting as my Mom or sisters. 

4. What is your favorite meat?

 Chicken breast— we go through like 4lbs per week!

5. Longest relationship?

 7 years 😍

6. Do you still have your tonsils?

 Yes 

7. Would you bungee jump?

 Absolutely. I love a good thrill and heights!

8. What is your favorite cereal?

 Cinnamon Toast Crunch. Agree with Mom on this.

9. Do you untie your shoes when you take them off? Yes.

10. Do you think you're strong? 

Yes! Barry’s gym has made me strong!

11. Favorite ice cream? 

Pistachio or cookie dough

12. What is the first thing you notice about a person?

 I don’t know— it’s really about their whole vibe/look

13. Football or Rugby?

 Football! Go Titans and Pats!

14. What color trousers are you wearing?

 I pretty much wear the same black Nike running shorts every single day now that I’m working from home. (P.s. they’re the “tempo” shorts and I highly recommend them)

15. Last thing you ate?

Panera Bread Broccoli Cheese Soup— I crave Panera soups so much that sometimes I order the “you-pick-two” and get two soups for my meal!

16. What are you listening to? 

Reality Steve’s podcast (recommend if you watch the Bachelor/Bachelorette)

17. If you were a crayon, what color would you be?

 Red

18. What is your favorite smell?

 Bath & Body Works “cherry merlot” smell... sooooo good!

19. Who was the last person you talked to on the phone? 

Delivery guy

20. Hair color?

 Blonde, but currently have some teal highlights since I don’t have to look professional until 2021!

21. Eye color?

 Gray

22. Favorite foods to eat? Chips and dip (queso/salsa/green onion/etc)

23. Scary movies or happy endings?

 Both

24. Last movie you watched?

 Jurassic Park— it stands the test of time and just never gets old! 

25. What color shirt are you wearing? 

Flowery-patterned workout tank

26. What is your favorite holiday? 

Does Epcot Food and Wine Festival count as a holiday?? Or Mardi Gras?

27. Beer or wine?

 Wine. Give me all the Pinot Grigio.

28. Night Owl or Morning Person?

 Morning!!!

29. If you could live anywhere, where would it be?

 Boston’s Back Bay or Miami

30. Favorite day of the week?

 Sunday because it’s the only day that Justin and I consistently have off together!

Thanks for playing Mindy!! But, I have to say, considering I "birthed" you, your eyes were blue. I don't know when that changed.They look sort of greenish---probably hazel--- I guess I'll have to look close the next time you are over!!

Friday Funnies