Friday Funnies

Five Things Thursday

How sweet is this? Now this is what serving your community means--help when needed.

I had no idea about this. They say "necessity is the mother of invention." I don't know who "they" are, but this good idea led to something we all enjoy and take for granted.

How beautiful is this? I love the contrast of the oak with the white. And those light fixtures---so pretty.

We all know how expensive groceries have become. But what the restaurants are facing is crazy! In one year, prices have quadrupled!

This is one of the most awesome ideas I've seen. What a great idea for an old baby grand. They definitely take up less space this way AND becomes a practical storage solution. I love it! What a conversation piece!

Something to think about..

I read an article a little while ago about how there will soon be a shortage of trades people. I think we are seeing it already. Our heat and air guy told me that he can't find people to work--even at $65.00 an hour. There are contractors and bigger companies paying much more and he cannot compete. 

It's happening in the auto industry for sure. My car is currently in the shop to repair all the damage that happened when the upstairs window fell on it. When we took it in (which took a month to get that appointment), they said it would be 4 weeks due to the employee shortage. 

It's everywhere. Restaurants can't get enough help. There aren't enough workers in the healthcare industry. The grocery stores and chain stores need help. Help wanted signs are everywhere.

I think it's just going to get worse. Then I saw this which really is something to think about it.

College isn't for everyone, so maybe entering the trades is something to consider.  

Unemployment is so low, that if someone wants a job, there are plenty out there! And good paying jobs at that!!

Tuesday Thoughts on...

...The Crown. You know, that ghastly series on Netflix? And yes, I am watching it. I actually like it except for the fact that there isn't much actually based on FACTS! Just a couple things I've noticed that are out-and-out untruths--or at the very least very misleading to the viewers.

Here are just a few things--all in one episode that are untrue:

1. There is no evidence that Princess Di talked to the Queen prior to her interview on tv.

2. There is no evidence that she voted "no" over and over again on the tv show to abolish the monarchy.

3. There's no evidence that Princess Di cooked breakfast for Prince Charles after the divorce. They lived separate lives.

I happen to be reading Lady in Waiting by the Queen's good friend, Lady Anne Glenconner. Ironically, as I was checking the veracity of the above incidences, I came across a statement by her. She says the show is complete fantasy.

What bothers me the most about the show is that so many (dare I say the majority)  will take everything as truth. 

Hasn't this poor family been through enough?

Monday Mystery

This mystery is easily solvable. 

I wonder what's in the bottom drawer.

This set of drawers is in my scrapbook room and holds all of my scraps. Each drawer holds a different color. I'm pretty sure it might be "white" down there. But now I also have white in the top drawer along with black and brown. The problem is the weight of everything above is so heavy that I cannot open that drawer.

I could solve the mystery simply by taking a few of the top n drawers off. I'm just too lazy to do it. Maybe tomorrow. But, I doubt it.

Something for Sunday

I follow a blog called Patio's Postcard. She blogged this a few months ago. I thought it was brilliant!

Marriage Is Hard

Divorce Is Hard

Choose Your Hard

Obesity Is Hard

Fitness Is Hard

Choose Your Hard

Being In Debt Is Hard

Financial Responsibility Is Hard

Choose Your Hard

Communication Is Hard

Discord Is Hard

Choose Your Hard

Life will never be easy. It will always be hard. But we can choose our hard.  Choose wisely.

                ... The Minds Journal

Scrapbook Saturday

I am continuing on with the layouts I did on my retreat.

For the title on this page, I used a Christmas card from a previous year. It said "It's Christmas Time in the City." I changed the "in the city" to "at the Centennial Club." I wanted it to print in white. I thought I could do that by choosing white with a black background. Unfortunately, my word processing program (Pages) wouldn't allow me to do that---or at least I couldn't figure it out. So I chose gold instead. I'm fine with it.

I just had to document our -4 degrees and out little snow--that's about all we get, just a couple inches.

This page is about our annual trip to Sandy's the week before Christmas.

And now, this is one of my favorite pages: "Let's Dish" about my assorted Christmas dishes. I got the idea for the felt pockets from Ali Edwards. It was tricky making them since I am not great with the sewing machine. I had fun journaling on each round "plate" to tuck inside the pockets. I made the banner with the scraps of felt.

Friday Funnies

Five Things Thursday

1. I'm going to start with another cool thing I learned in the photo course I took recently. You can isolate an image from a photo on your phone.

Even really old photos:

Pretty cool, huh?

2. This car was in front of me the other day at a stoplight.

The first I ever heard about the duck connection and Jeeps was on our mother/daughter trip to Savannah last fall. I bought a box of ducks from Amazon and divided it up. I gave all of the family members who have Jeeps some so they could put them out. There are 5 of us with Jeeps. I've only put one of mine out because I don't always think about it. You are supposed to wedge it into the radiator. Instead, I put mine on the windshield. It's too bad I don't get to see the reaction when it's found. I love surprises!

3. Connie, Nancy, and I saw this last night. Butch and I saw it on Broadway a few years ago. Fabulous!

To add to our experience, Otis Williams, the last living Temptation, sat right behind us. I didn't know it was him, just that the guy was flamboyant in a crazy, colorful, patchwork coat. (Sort of like Joseph's amazing technicolor dream coat!) After the show, they had him up on stage to say a few words and take a bow. The entire cast got down on the floor and paid homage to him. It was such a fun thing to witness. I tried to find out what he was doing in Nashville as he doesn't live here, but I wasn't able to find anything. I need to put Mindy on it. That girl is a really good detective!

4. I thought I'd share a few garage pictures now that we're a few weeks into it. 

It's starting to get a little junked up. 

I saw this little trash basket and had to see what was in it. Actually, it's a great way to store golf balls. 

Aside from the fact that he has bikes in 3 different locations, the place still looks really good! This is the only thing I don't like--and never have--the shop vac. He plans to continue to store it in the middle of the garage. I don't know why, but it's been in this spot for probably 25 years. Oh well, it's his space. He can do whatever he wants. I did my part in making the clean-up happen and that's all that matters!

5. Who remembers this?

You can imagine the panic that set in if we couldn't find the tv guide! There was no onscreen guide, or the ability to rewind. If you missed the beginning of the show, you missed it! My grandmother used to put a checkmark next to the things she planned to watch. 

I do love all the modern technology. But, I have to say, there's just something about seeing a remnant of the past that was so important to us. I just wish I had an "in person" copy!! That would be cool! It's a fun reminder of how it used to be. 

"We've come a long way baby!!" (If I remember correctly, I'm pretty sure that was the slogan for Virginia Slims cigarettes for women. Back when cigarette commercials were on every channel!

What I Didn't Buy Wednesday...

So. I went for my colonoscopy pre-procedure meeting with the doctor. She told me that all of my medical records look so good that this will be my last colonoscopy--barring any bad results this time. I'm sure that was meant to make me feel good. But, really it doesn't matter to me. Unlike most people, I don't mind having the occasional colonoscopy--every ten years. But, I also have to say, I am the ONLY person I know who doesn't have to drink two gallons of nasty tasting stuff. My doctor has always let me have the "pills." Years ago, I asked why everyone else has to drink all that stuff. He said, "Colonoscopies are all I do. I have found that it really doesn't make much difference---so why not let people have the easier way?" Sounded good to me.

This time is no exception. In fact, the prep has even gotten easier! I had my choice between these two:

The one on the left is a minimal amount of liquid that you drink followed by 6 cups. of other liquid of your choice over the course of an hour. The box on the right contains the pills--same thing--you take 1 every ten minutes over the course of an hour followed by one cup of liquid. Then, 6 hours prior to the procedure, you repeat the process. Seems easy enough.

I picked the pills because I remember from the last time that I had complete control over the entire situation. I was able to watch my shows and just go to the bathroom on the commercials--unlike my friend--who shall remain nameless (okay, it's Connie) who fell asleep, bolted awake when "it" started to happen, and messed herself and her floor all the way to the bathroom! TMI, I know, but it's too funny not to share! She even laughs at herself! (On another note, I experienced this same situation when I was so sick a few months back--except I had the forethought to put towels down).

The doctor--or maybe she's a nurse--explained that the prep is expensive, so she was giving me a $50 off coupon. And if it was still too expensive, I could come back and get some samples for free. They phoned in the prescription. I drove through CVS on my way home. They hadn't received the prescription yet, but I asked if they could tell me how much it was going to cost. It was going to be $200 and my BCBS drug plan would pay $28.00. So I knew with the coupon, I would only owe $122.00. I was okay with that. I felt like--since I can afford it, I should leave the "free" samples for someone that might not be able to afford it. 

When I called later to see if it was ready, they said that because I'm on Medicare, they (Medicare--or maybe the pharmacy--not sure) would not honor the coupon. All of a sudden, $178 was just too much. So, I went back down to the office and picked up the free sample. 

So that's what I didn't buy this week.

And then to top it off, there's this bonus of using the pills:

I get to eat breakfast! I don't have to start the liquid diet until after breakfast the day before my procedure!! I'm going to have biscuits, cream of wheat and maybe some fruit!

It's just not that big of a deal! I say that now. We'll see how it really turns out! Wish me luck!

Tuesday Thoughts About...

...Bloody Mary's.

Nicky is our family Bloody Mary maker. He's quite good at it. They are handcrafted, one at a time! Not even assembled style. One by one. Believe me, they are worth the wait! 

Actually, I don't have to wait. He makes the first one for me every time. That's why he's my #1 son-in-law! 

Nicky makes them for every holiday and any time we are celebrating something. This time, the reason was because Sandy and Greg were in town this weekend. The little cold snap closed the golf courses, so we stayed home and played games all day. The guys got to watch a little of March Madness while we girls, napped and got ready for dinner.

Mitchell and Emily met us at the club for dinner. That's always fun and a lot of laughs. Afterwards, we played Texas Hold'em. We hadn't played in quite a long time. And then I remembered what I don't like about it. It's a little too slow for me and you can't get out. On the other hand, I came in 2nd and won $25.00! It's a $10.00 "buy-in." 

The weekend went by way too fast. At least they'll be back in about a month for a comedy show at the Roman hosted by Kid Rock. I'm looking forward to that. Considering that the show is during the week, I don't think there will be any bloody Mary's involved with this visit!

Me on Monday or Monday Mystery...

...you pick.

I am officially an idiot! Here's the story:

This past weekend, Sandy and Greg were in town. On Friday morning, I said, "Oh remember, we have to change the clocks tomorrow." Greg spoke up and said, "No, that was last weekend." I looked at Butch and he said, "Yeah, that was last weekend!" 

I couldn't believe it. How could I have possibly missed it? I really couldn't figure it out. Then I realized that Butch must have changed all the clocks while I was still in bed reading last Sunday morning. Remember, my favorite thing to do is wake up, Butch brings in my tea and I read for awhile. 

Yep, that's what happened. Without me ever realizing it, the clocks were changed and that was that. Except, all week, I kept thinking, "Wow, I can't believe it's still dark at 6:30 a.m." I thought that several times. Now I understood. I never even noticed that it was light later in the evening.

Here's the mystery part. I spent a lot of time in my scrapbook room last week. I kept looking at the little clock I have there and thinking, "How can this clock be off an hour?" I thought that maybe I didn't realize it was always off and that I hadn't changed it in the fall. Still, I used that clock to remind myself when I needed to quit working for whatever my next activity might be. I ended up constantly checking my phone. It wasn't until yesterday morning--after all the girls left--when I was back in my scrapbook room, that it dawned on me. That was the only clock in the house that hadn't been changed--due to me not knowing that Daylight's Savings Time had already passed me by. And to think I never even missed the loss of that hour! 

Could I be any more of an idiot? Oh well, I doubt I'll be changing any time soon.

Something for Sunday

It's been a long wait--a really long wait--a 4 1/2 years wait--since Hurricane Michael decimated my friend, Connie's condo in Mexico Beach. They've had one problem after another--as how most things go. But, finally, it's ready. There are still a few things they are waiting on--which might be a couple more months. Now it's ready--mostly--for them to enjoy. 

I'm looking forward to seeing it in person soon! She's taking all of us girls on April 22.

We'll break it in for sure!! 

I'm so happy for her (and Jack) that it's finally finished! Well, except for just a couple details. Finally! it's been a long wait!