Friday Frustrations & Friday Funnies!

Boy do I have some frustrations for you today! Let's go!

1. I ordered a floral arrangement to be sent to a friend, Madelyn in a nursing home. Her daughter, Madelyn (yes, they both have the same name) sent me this picture telling my how happy she was to receive it. 

Here's the problem. This is a Thanksgiving arrangement and an ugly one at that. I immediately sent an email to the company I ordered from telling them that I was unhappy as what they sent looked like it was leftover AFTER Thanksgiving. 

This is what I ordered:

Isn't it beautiful and festive? And, it wasn't cheap! I sent this picture to my friend whose mother received the arrangement. She responded right away---"No, that wasn't what my mom received. That was the arrangement from her Thanksgiving meal at the "home!" She said she'd send me a picture the next day. Now, I've already sent a nasty email to the company and feeling pretty bad. Then, the next day, I got an email from the company that said, "The flowers are not guaranteed, but based upon availability!" They then said that they were sending my email of dissatisfaction to the floral provider. In the meantime, please accept this $15. coupon off your next arrangement. 

Then I got the picture of what was received. 

I am still not satisfied! This doesn't look anything like what I ordered. I've contacted the company again. I have never heard from the florist. About that $15.00 coupon: My thought is, "Are you kidding me? Why would I order another arrangement from you that I won't get?" The company is called "From You Flowers." I have posted all of this on Facebook too. This isn't the first time that I've had problems with flowers. I'll have to let you know how it turns out.

2. Next up is this. I had a Pampered Chef egg slicer for years---for years!!! Finally, a couple of the wires broke. So, I bought this one at the grocery store. It's from Everyday Living.

The very first time I used it, it broke. Okay, I'll just take it back. Well, I get my receipts via the Publix app. So, I go there to find the receipt and now it won't recognize my login info. I've tried every which way. I am so frustrated. I think I'll just carry it in. 

Okay wait, I need to stop right here. I've been bitching and carrying on about all of this---and you'll see what else as I get to it below. Butch just said, "Barb, I know you are a strong woman and will get this figured out!" I actually laughed out loud! Talk about trying to calm me down! Okay, it worked. I'm a little calmer now. But it won't last long.

Let me carry on.

3. I'm tying to make a purchase from Walmart. I bought these really cute runners:

Really cute and only $32.00 each. They are non-slip and stay put pretty well. They fold up nicely and not too bulky AND they are machine washable. So, I decided I wanted to buy a couple for when the holidays are over. I found what I wanted. When I went to check out, the website is not recognizing my login information. I've tried everything: copying and pasting my password, having a code sent to my email that never arrived---trying that three times and finally resetting my password. I can't do that either. I guess I'm going to have to call! There is nothing that makes me madder than not being able to spend money when I want to!!

4. So! When I was cooking for my luncheon on Tuesday, I had this bag of coconut. It had a "cut here" to re-seal the bag.

 I cut there. Apparently where I cut was wrong. 

Somehow I managed to cut in the wrong place. Now I've cut beyond where the self-seal is. I still have to use a clip. Okay, that's not the end of the world, but it is frustrating!

5. This really ticks me off and if I'm honest, it's my fault. I was making my most favorite cake for my luncheon--an Oatmeal Cake--It didn't rise. I was trying to figure out what went wrong. I haven't made this cake in a couple years. Anyway, I went through the recipe to see if I had left something out. Now, mind you, I am very methodical when I cook. I start with assembling all of the ingredients on the left of the mixing bowl. When I add something, I move it to the right. That way, I know I've put everything in. I still couldn't figure out what the problem could be. Then it hit me when I was in the shower. I don't know about you, but I do my best thinking in the shower. 

That's when it hit me. "Hmmm, I wonder if the baking powder is expired?" OMGosh, was it!

It expired in March of 2016!! Holy smokes, no telling when it actually died!! Okay, that's on me. Apparently I don't use baking powder very often!

And then this. I hate having an odd number of things, but I have a 6th frustration this week and actually a 7th!

6. I was on Instagram the day before yesterday. I was zipping along, liking this and that, commenting here and there. Then I got this message:

In case you can't read it, I was banned, locked out or whatever you want to call it for commenting too much! I didn't even know that was a thing! I sent this picture to the girls. Mindy explained: "If you don't post regularly and then all of a sudden start posting, Instagram thinks you are a "bot." I don't really know what "bots" are but I do know they are responsible for scooping up thousands of concert tickets. 

Somehow, I've gotten myself mixed up with them. All because my life doesn't revolve around social media. I check Facebook twice a day--morning and evening and Instagram when I think about it--maybe every other day. I guess I have to be more diligent in checking that out more often. I guess you'll have to call me "Barb the Bot!"

7. So. We made a purchase through Amazon of some nutritional supplements that Butch was told to get from an orthopedist. We ordered them, but never received them. Amazon says I need to contact the seller. I do. The seller says I need to contact Amazon. I'm caught in a ring of hell now!

****Update: Just got a notice that the flower company is refunding me 30% of what I paid. Well, it's something, but not enough!! Oh well, I need to let that go.

Okay, that's enough negativity for one post. Now on to a few funnies.

A Laid Back Sunday

The whole reason I like to go to Mass on Saturday is so that we can just chill out on Sundays. I might scrapbook a little, but mostly I spend the day reading or catching up on my blogs. This past Sunday I got up at 4:30 a.m. The only plan I had was to just hang out in front of the fireplace with my tea, computer, Pandora and my Kindle. At least it started that way.

By about 10 a.m. I decided to go to Sam's and get the "stock up for Christmas run" out of the way.

Little did I know I was going to have lunch there. I started with a piece of bacon, sausage, egg and hash brown casserole, orange juice, a slice of salami on a pretzel chip, a ham cube, a shrimp taco, an energy vitamin drink, brownie brittle and a piece of chocolate cake. I could eat like this all the time. A little of this, a little of that---just enough---well, actually, not quite. I wonder how many calories all of those little bites added up to. Anyway, I was full enough.

Sam's is not a good place for me to go. That's why I limit my trips to just when the whole family is going to be together. I am too much of an impulse buyer. Plus, all of those little bites taste good right then in the store, but when you get it home, it's not quite the same and then you're stuck with 50 of whatever it is. With just the two of us, there's quite a waste. I was proud of myself. I only impulse bought 2 things. One for a Christmas gift and the other was Olive Garden salad dressing. Butch says I have a problem with salad dressings (you know, my multiples issues). When we cleaned out the pantry a while back, we ended up throwing quite a few away. That kind of justified my "restocking" with these two very large bottles of Olive Garden dressing. The trade-off was that I had about 5 other items in my cart that I put back. I maintained quite the willpower on this trip.

When I got home, I spent some time with my book. I just finished Killing Lincoln by Bill O'Reilly which I highly recommend. I decided to read a "holiday" book---if you can call Hercule Poirot's Christmas---an Agatha Christie murder mystery a "holiday" book. I haven't read her in years, but have been a fan since my very first book in the 7th grade---The Murder of Roger Acroyd. Back then, I flew through those books. I still love a good mystery. Anyway, after a little reading, I was ready to get back to work.

I bought 2 bouquets from Sam's---both white mums, one tipped in green. I love all flowers, but am partial to white ones for my arrangements. At Christmas time, I love to have an arrangement on the dining room table all season long. I usually put it together right after Thanksgiving. But this year, I wasn't doing any entertaining, so decided to wait. Mums last forever. When I make my arrangements after Thanksgiving, all I have to do is swap out the flowers one time during the season. The greens stay fine. They might dry out a little but that's okay.

I get all of the greens from my garden. I like to get a good variety of colors and textures. Remember the milk bottles in the carrier I bought at an antique shop and used last year? Well, I start with putting one of each type of green in every bottle. I tuck in the flowers last. I am no expert flower arranger, but you can't go wrong with this method.

 The red berries of the foster hollies look nice with the vintage cherry tablecloth. Since it's so close to Christmas now, I won't have to replace the flowers. I won't even have to add water. I'll take another picture on Christmas to let you see how it held up.

A friend of mine (Beth Ann) gave me this test tube set years ago for my birthday. I like to keep flowers in it year round. I've gotten kind of lazy about it this year due to all of our traveling. But I usually have something in the garden to put in it. These are just leftovers from my arrangement.

 I like having this view from my kitchen sink.

When I was finished with the arrangements, I put together a few simple hostess gifts. I like to think of things that are useful.

An easy idea is to add some pretty, wired Christmas ribbon to a pair of candles. Everybody loves candles.

 I cut rosemary from the garden and tied up a few spring with some pretty, wired Christmas ribbon. It smells so good. You can leave it on the window sill all winter long. It will dry out, but you can still use it for cooking.

I heap them all up in a basket so they are easy to grab and go for any holiday event. I should probably add a tag, but then I'd have to take the time to make some. I need to do that ahead for next year.

Morgan just got her first job. She is hostessing at The Corner Pub. Right off we were worried about how that would interfere with all of our holiday festivities---ornament exchange, Jordan's birthday party, family trivia, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. She's off on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, but we don't know about the other days. Carson (her boyfriend) asked if he could still come even if she has to work. She wasn't too happy to think that her boyfriend would also be having fun without her! I think it's so cute that he wants to hang with us whether she's there or not. Who does that?? We love that boy!!

One last thing that will do your heart good. My brother, Matt is not on facebook, but his wife, Sharon is. She just posted this. I’m so proud of him that I had to post it on my blog!!! Way to go Matt, I love you!!

"While standing in line at the grocery store my hubby looks at me and says how about if I pay for that elderly lady's groceries. I told him to do what he wanted. Yes he followed the voice inside. We left a stunned yet thankful elderly woman and teary eyed checker. Listen to your inner voice."

Next up----holiday decor from my friend, Nancy's house.

Travel Tuesday

Wow! It's been a crazy two weeks! 

My sister, Janice, had a pretty serious surgery. It didn't go as smoothly as we would have liked, but after 8 days in the hospital, she was able to come home---in St. Louis. She was cleared to go to her home the next day to Salem, MO where she has a cabin on her twin--Jennifer's farm. I spent a few days getting her settled. Jennifer was with us most of the time when she finished her "farm" chores. 

I organized Janice's entire place including all of the cabinets. She had just moved in late May. Now lest you think I'm that amazing, let me set the record straight--it's a small place--just 16x40. Still, it kept me busy. 

Add to that, the 5--yes, count them--five DOGS!

Now, most likely I'll get the names wrong here--starting from the left (dogs): Jack, Wilbur, Zelda, Lola and Mugsy. The last two are Janice's dogs. They are all great friends. They roam around the farm in a pack--if Janice will allow hers to go! Her white dog, Lola loves to swim in the pond and come home all filthy! That's why Janice had a dog bath installed in her cabin! In the background is Parvez, Jennifer and Sami.

Anyone who knows me, knows I'm not particularly fond of dogs. You know, the hair, the slobber, the smell--all of it. But after taking my turn watching Lola and Mugsy for two weeks, they somewhat won me over. They are really good dogs. It got to where they came to me to be let out and for food--even after Janice came home. When we first got to the farm, Janice and I were sitting outside. When Jennifer's dogs came over, Lola and Mugsy got on either side of me and growled viciously at them! I screamed, because I thought I found myself in the middle of a dogfight!! Turns out, they were just protecting me! There's something charming about that. Now don't get me wrong. I didn't come away wanting a dog---they are just too much darn work!! But I do get how people love them. I have to admit, I wonder if they'll remember me the next time I see them--probably September. 

Anyway, on to the cabin.

There's plenty of space for one person (and two dogs).

Along with organizing everything, I "Old Englished" her table top.

It's an antique and the wood is oak.

Old English is amazing! It just evens everything out and restores some of the beauty.

The farm is beautiful. This is the view from Janice's front porch. 

While I was talking to Butch one evening, I got to see the prettiest sunset. By the time I got off the phone, this is all that was left of it. You can still see a strip of pink against the blue sky.

There are wildflowers everywhere. The very first thing I did was go out and collect a bouquet. There are Black-eyed Susans, two types of Queen Anne's lace, ox-eye daisies, wild shrub roses, and two other pretties I couldn't identify.

On Saturday morning, I did a few more things to help Janice before I left. All was good. I was sad to be leaving as I felt she needed more help, physically. Still, I was excited to be heading home. The plan was to go to St. Louis and attend the closing of our high school--Rosary--after 55 years. Jeanne, Matt and I were going together. I was planning to head home the next day. 

That evening, when we got home, everything changed. I got the call from Jennifer that the small hospital in Salem was taking Janice by ambulance 3 hours back to St. Louis. I planned to meet her there at 11:30 pm. As it turns out, due to Covid, Barnes-Jewish Hospital would not allow anyone to come in after visiting hours--no exceptions--even in an emergency. 

It was a scary situation, but by Sunday morning, we found out that it all was a false alarm. Janice was perfectly fine! That small hospital just didn't know how to deal with her situation--at least that's what we think.

Anyway, Jennifer and I went to the hospital. Janice was able to come down to the cafeteria--only one person is allowed to visit in the room. I said, "well, this is a hell of a way to get me to buy breakfast!!" I was just happy that she was okay.

When breakfast was over, we had a tearful good-bye. I got on the road. Little did I know that the five hours I had ahead of me would turn in to seven!! The first hour hold-up was due to an accident. The second hour hold-up was due to road work--dead stop each time. 

Due to the "emergency" the night before, Butch wasn't expecting me. I wanted to surprise him. I did. He heard the garage door, so came out. He said, "Oh, this is a surprise"--but not in an excited kind of way. He's not a very excitable kind of guy. When the girls were growing up, they would say, "moooom, dad's not excited!" Yes he is, he just hides it well!

On the other hand, he surprised me with this:

A beautiful bouquet of flowers! And this:

Now the guy doesn't really know much about trees or flowers. He said he found this perfect heart leaf while out walking and thought of me. He was disappointed that in a day, it dried and curled. I told him it was a redbud leaf and it was the thought that counts! Honestly, I thought it was so sweet. I'm keeping this leaf for my scrapbook.

He's never really been a romantic type of guy, which makes this so special. As we get older, he does more and more romantic things without even thinking about it. When we were younger, I always wished he'd be more romantic. But, I have to admit--it's seems way more special now!!

Okay, that's enough! I've rambled way too long!

One Crazy, Busy Week!

I hit the floor running on Monday morning and haven't stopped. But, I've certainly gotten a lot accomplished. I'm hosting a shower here on Saturday along with Connie, Karolyn and Nancy. We've had it planned for a couple of months, divvy-ed up the jobs and have it under control.

Margarita was here on Monday. The house was clean since we were out of town last week, so I had her do some work outside---clean up the chipmunk mess on the front porch (they dig in my lovely planters, scattering dirt all over), water flowers, and polish a silver tray. Little did I know that the kitchen would end up being a wreck. If anything can go wrong, it will---not my personal philosophy, but it does seem to be true at the busiest times.

Morgan called to see if she could have friends over. I warned her that it would be okay, but that there better not be a mess since I was having the shower. They showed up around noon---7 of them---boys and girls. They ended up making mac and cheese for lunch and then baked brownies. You might think you know where this story is going, but you would be wrong. They did clean up---although I'm the one that had to apply the elbow grease to the boiled over mac & cheese water on the stove. They were here 8 hours!!! Yes, you got that right---EIGHT!!! I sort of have a love/hate relationship with having them here---glad they feel welcome, happy to know where they are and what they're doing, fine with all the food and drink consumed, but at the same time, wish they would go somewhere else, mess somewhere else, leave after a reasonable time, bring their own towels, etc.  But what really got to me this day was that I was searching for one of my Starbucks insulated cups. I have two. When Steph and Mindy stopped by after work, I asked them about my cups. They didn't know anything. It never occurred to me that they were out at the pool. Here's the result of that:

Somebody BROKE one of my cups! Morgan is paying for that. I've figured out what really bugs me the most when they are here---is that feeling of having no control. I want to seem like the nice "grammy" so that they really do want to hang out here. But for crying out loud, I've got to get this figured out. About the time I set a "rule" with the girls, something else pops up that I didn't think of. Rule #259---no using my cups! I think by the time I hit rule #300, they'll give up and quit coming.

Now back to the story of why the kitchen is a wreck. Here is the email that I sent to my "shower cohorts" on Wednesday morning:

Okay, I'm trying to remain calm, cool and collected. It's hard.

Yesterday, my dishwasher flooded my kitchen. That's a slight exaggeration---it only flooded the part between the counter and island all the way down, sopping the rug. I cleaned up that mess.

Butch thinks he can fix it. He has the entire dishwasher torn apart---I've never seen so many parts. Then he brings in the hose from outside and has me turn it on. I went on record saying I didn't think that was a good idea. It wasn't---you can figure that one out.

Anyway, what a HUGE mess. All I can say is FTS (or DFTS---"double"---Nancy and I made that up for really extreme situations). 

I think I just need to leave and hope everything is all cleaned up when I get home.

PS Not a word to your hubbies. It would not be good for Butch to think I have no confidence in his appliance repair abilities. The Maytag man he is NOT.


End of email. Now I have to eat crow---he did get it fixed and cleaned up the mess. Still, it seems like I need to give the kitchen a thorough cleaning---seems a little grubby now with all this activity and foot traffic.


Wednesday afternoon, I went to the grocery store and started my cooking. I decided that since I was going to be in the kitchen anyway, I'd get a jump on food preparation for our family vacation next Saturday. We'll be at the beach from July 2nd to the 9th.

I put on my showtunes, poured myself a glass of wine and began chopping Vidalia onions (the best) for my spaghetti sauce. Despite my Italian heritage, when I cook Italian, it's an event. I go all out. I've got toasted ravioli and Italian bread in the freezer from St. Louis. We'll have a nice Italian dinner at the beach.

I make really, really good sauce. My mom made good sauce too---not so much in my opinion, but everyone else loved it. It never had enough meat to suit me. I use 4 lbs. of ground chuck. I like it thick. I think it's better than mom's, but I've never made it for any of my siblings, so they might disagree. It seems kind of sacriligeous to criticize your mom's cooking, especially when she was "full-blooded." But, oh well. I'm just glad to have this done and in the freezer ready for our trip.

I also made the spinach balls for the shower and made a second batch for vacation. Just a little planning is all it takes to stay on top of things and save me some valuable time next week. 

I cut the hydrangeas for the floral arrangements. I'll make them tomorrow. Annabelle hydrangeas are so easy and beautiful. Just cut, put in water and let the vase run dry. They will dry to look exactly like this. The leaves will wither, but the flowers remain beautiful. I'm going to add some nandina and whatever else I have in the garden to make the arrangements.

It was a fun, relaxing couple of hours in the kitchen and I'm ahead of the game for Florida.

This morning, when Mindy was here for breakfast, Butch showed her this little thing he made to save a buck. Butch, Mindy and Stephanie have joined a running club in preparation of a 5K in August. Butch saw something similar to this and then priced it. It was $18.00 which he thought was outrageous. Did he forget my Starbucks cups were $15.95 each? Mindy thought it was hilarious. Can you see the zip ties? It just hooks on your hand while you run without you actually having to grip it. 

He showed it to Stephanie this evening when they went running. She got a laugh out of it too. Then he showed her another that he found at Academy Sports for $6.00. He's going to give Mindy his "homemade" one. Now, to my way of thinking---he could have gotten each of the girls a $6.00 one for the cost of the $18.00 one. That's why he has more money than me!

One last thing. This morning I went for my regular nail appointment. I finally found someone I really like---Christine---her American name---I can't pronounce her "real" name. I have an 8:30 standing appointment and have been to her at least a half dozen times now. She wasn't there when I arrived. I was only waiting a couple minutes when a girl walked in and said hello to me. Thinking it was Christine, I got up and started following her. She looked at me real funny and said, "do I have you?' I say, "are you Christine." She says, "no." I say, "oops, sorry." I really do have to start paying attention! That was pretty embarrassing. You know what I'm thinking---I don't have to say it---it's much too politically incorrect!!

Ten Things Thursday

Let's look at some beautiful bathrooms!

1.

Okay, this is gorgeous! I love all the white--especially the shiplap. But, where is the Kleenex, soap and waste basket. That's not to say it still wouldn't be beautiful, but you'd definitely have to take away the flowers on the sink.

2. 

OMGosh! I could totally get in to that pink vanity! So pretty!

3. 

I love everything about this one--the vanity with the white baskets, the tile, that rug (swoon) and the color scheme. 

4. 

I think this one is attractive. You can't go wrong with black and white.

5.

I do like this one, but would rather have a softer aqua on the walls.

6. 

I think this one is attractive, but I'm not exactly a "brown" person. I don't wear it and don't care to decorate with it. I do like that faded tile ceiling. It might be tin.

7.

Just wow! 

8.

Even though pink is my favorite color, this might just be a little too much for me. I do love that pink vanity!

9.

Love the ceiling and the green tile. I'm not sure about the floor. I don't like the vanity at all--but I do like the sink.

10.

The painted flowers brings this bathroom to life. I wonder if I would get tired of it?

If I had to choose just one, I think I'd go with--guess which one I would choose!

It's------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------number 3! That peek of a crystal chandelier put it over the top!