Holiday Cheer

I love, love, love Christmas and all it offers.

The snow, Christmas lights, walking downtown Seattle, wrapping presents, having cats eat the ornaments, overnight company, King Wha, holiday candles, cheesey potatoes, piano music, car seat heaters, holiday movies, fudge, Christmas Craft, laughter, opening presents and on and on. I love it all.

One of my favorite parts of Christmas is December 24. We all looked like a picture in a magazine. All of us crowded (and literally crowded) into one room with the fire going, the tree lit and packages piled everywhere. All seven of us laughing and patiently watching as each one of us opens a present. So much thought has gone into each gift and we all take such pleasure in every one of them.

Thanks family for making this again, a lovely and memorable Christmas. I want to have Christmas this year on my birthday. Everyone overnight and sitting in the livingroom with a replay of fun. It makes scense since it is exactly 6 months from Christmas and all I want is a Birthday Craft! Oh know, not another!!! This could be great, please let me know if I can have my selfish birthday wish. I'm giving you plenty of time to think and purchase a new glue gun.

All Things Shinny and Gold

Well I think everyone wants to share with a bit of Christmas delight.

I received a wonderful gift from my overweight, adopted, alpha cat Abner!

He doesn't have the opportunity to bring a mouse without a head, or a bird without one or two wings since he's an inside cat, so yesterday he left me a Christmas gift all decorated with lovely gold curled ribbon. Where did he hide this marvelous gift?...how about the cat box!!

Sure enough, he's obsessed with the Christmas tree and all things around it. He has consummed the gold ribbon on one particular gift. As a result, my gift was about 3" long with entwined gold. This guy is crazy. Last night he discovered the ornament that I received from Mike and Jimmy's annual party. It is a glass bird with an actual peacock feather on it. I don't know if its the smell or what, but he has been caught dragging this 8" long bird through the house. Now mind you it is glass so this could be an accident waiting to happen. So I took the bird and hid it behind my clock on the mantel. Well big boy must have smelled it out because next thing I know all 20lbs of him are walking the tightrope of the mantel with the bird once again in his mouth. He is not very graceful so when he jumped off, along with him came one candle, a picture and two Christmas stockings.

Not to blame only Abner, but so far all paws are pointing to him as I also found one of Sheri's original Christmas Craft ornaments (candy cane made out of salt dough about 20+ yrs ago) partially eaten, and we all know who is food motivated in this household.

Well, I didn't know what to expect with these new cats as this is our first Christmas together....lots of laughs! I'm the winner once again!

Lorne Cakes

Yesterday Sheri and I met up with Lorna for dinner.

Once again her house is decorated like only a Christmas shop could be. She has more stuff than you can imagine...inside and out. You can tell that she really loves this time of year or she wouldn't have collected so much!

Great thing is to me she looks great! I know the cancer has been creeping up in her body, but it has given the outside of it a break. Her hair has grown back to where she even has had to have a haircut. It weight looks much better than the last time I saw her and her spirits were up and she was up to going out to dinner for new and interesting flavors. She talked of next year which can only make you smile.

This sarcastic, beautiful lady can only brighten your day and this is what she did for me. Thank you Lorne Cakes!

Augusten Burroughs

Yesterday was a very crazy Thurday. Everyone of us had issues at work...me- Tokyo flight cancelled and I had to stay at work late, Sheri-not feeling great and was on an airplane to get here, Taylor-needed to report/file to the authorities regarding a family and their children, Morgan-Tom wanted a last minute brief and now!....these are normally okay things to deal with in our lives as part of our jobs, but we had plans! Augusten Burroughs is in town and we have tickets to his reading and book signing.

So instead of a casual and easy going afternoon for all of us, we had a bit of tension building to be at the start of the program at 7pm. Of course, it all worked out fabulously and we had an amazing time and the last one of us (Taylor) walked right past Augusten as the lights were turned off to indicate the start of the reading.

How fun as we all were able to get together for something that meant a lot to us, and not everyone would enjoy such an event and who would understand. Can you see Charley, Dave or Tyler driving for over an hour for this and truly appreciate the evening? We on the other hand, wouldn't have traded it for anything.

Thanks to my family, that we all love so many of the same things and we all understand each other so very well.

Great Smells

You all know how much I love the smell of Tide with a follow-up of Bounce...one of my favorite smells.

So last night I just pulled out of the dryer a warm, lovely Resto housecoat. I had it on for about 1hr before it was time to retire to bed. I even threw it on top of my blankets so I could enjoy it and my freshly washed "B".

This morning getting up in the dark, I slipped on a hairball. Since we are all cat owners, we all know what it feels like...a shock when your toes get the wet, chilly, goo between your toes. That's okay. I clean it up and walk just a few steps when I know feel something damp on the back of my leg. What could this be???? How about hairball juice!!

While cleaning it up with my fresh housecoat on, the bottom somehow got into the mess. Now I have to throw it into the washing machine and what am I going to wear when I get out of the shower? We all know how cold my bathroom is...the solution! My backup housecoat! Hooray - thanks sister!

Election Night

Yesterday was such a great day.

I started out the door around 8:15 with my dog in tow to go see Cheryl as it was her birthday. My plan was to stop off at the Danish Bakery and pick up this almond pastry she loves to have with coffee while the kids are at school. The bakery hadn't opened yet, and I didn't was to wait as Cheryl and I don't really have very many opportunities to just visit.

The news was saying all morning that traffic was terrible due to rain and election day so I just head onto her house, but decide to stop off and get my tire checked since I'm right there in Renton and a bit early for Cheryl's....I have a nail in it, but they will fix and rotate my tires. Great. I'm waiting and who walks in but my little brother. I'm sure I enjoyed the visit (one sided visit) much more than him, but again it makes me realize how much I really do miss him. We had what I thought and hoped was a decent conversation for about 15min.

Cheryl and I talked and had coffee, laughed etc...went to the bus stop and picked up Alex and then decidied to get Dim-Sum at a restaurant that I've been dieing to try. Yummy! I love dim-sum. Hugs goodbye and off to home.

I rake leaves to fill up my yard waste and proceed inside to make homemade cream of tomato and rice soup. Turned out great. I enjoyed this while watching the debate. It had me glued from 4pm until 10pm last night. I throughly enjoyed it and Marian and I texted all evening. I'm a little sad that I couldn't share this with Charley, but he has his own opinions and they don't always agree with me (how can that be?)....but would have still enjoyed having someone with me for the occasion.

All this to say....had a fun day off!

Coffee

Hey all coffee drinkers....I was lazy and ran out of coffee but didn't want to drive to Costco to pick up the coffee beans I like so.....I instead went to Trader Joes. Again they have come through. I love Trader Joes. Who would have thought all these years of occasionally going there to have it be my favorite place to go grocery shopping?

Well, since I like to grind my own beans I purchased Trader Joes 1lb 10oz French Roast whole beans for under $10. It looks similar to a Quaker Oats container...kinda fun, anyhow, it is great. I like a robust cup of coffee and this fits just right. They also supply a grinder right next to the coffee so people can do it themselves instead of at home.

Thought I'd share a new and great find!

P.S. Another Christmas Craft class tonight!! :)

HOME!

Charley and I got back home after an amazing trip. It was lovely and Greece is wonderful. Being gone so long was very relaxing and our routine was fun. We'd sit out on the balconey every morning having coffee, feta, olives, oj and a pastry or some sort. I even have tan lines on my feet!

You could strictly eat veggies if you want. There is a great variety and since meat is so expensive, people are very creative and so very yummy! I did eat goat, lamb and octopus. All were good?!! We did have a McFarm at the Athens airport and guess what it is? A burger with a spicey sauce and instead of hamburger, its pork sausage! Different and interesting, but I wouldn't call it great.

Coming home...I miss my family and my cats miss me. Last night I had 35lbs of cat on me the whole time. Fall happened while I was gone and somewhere under the leaves I think I have grass. I went searching for my girls yesterday. Was on my way to surprise Morgan at her office. Fortunately she called me and she was in court in Tacoma. So that didn't work. Went to Taylor's school....she already left, so that didn't work. Maggie called, we met for coffee. Finally a person to hug!

So listen everyone...Sheri, Morgan and Taylor...meet me here in an hour! Is that possible? No. What am I to do? I guess go make french toast and coffee, sit on my front porch and fill the recycle container with leaves. Good to be home!

Cigarettes

The world over here needs to catch up...smoking is everywhere. It apparently okay to hold your ashes over the grill, in a clothes shop, restaurant, actually anywhere you want. At first we wouldn't eat if the "chef" was holding a cigarette while cooking. Then we realized, we wouldn't eat. While shopping in the grocery stores (8x10 room with various food items) you can smoke there as well. Nothing like buying a new top and it smells. Crazy. Maybe we are the only ones who find this odd.

A dinner tonight with the aunties of octopus as the main item...I am looking forward to it. They are so cute and funny even if I don't understand everything said. You can pick it out.

Must go, off to a ceramic shop on the other side of the island and hopefully they are open. We called and they said it depends on the weather...questioned if sunny open? couldn't give us an answer. The stuff looks fabulous. Things you actually would like at home, nothing with a decal!

Miss everyone!!!

Greek Myths

Here are a few surprises for me and information:

- All roads in the town are actually sidewalks that cars feel the need to drive on and no where to park an actual car.

-Roads are like a driveway...the main road all around the island reminds me of the road to the Lake House. That quality. Also the island is a big rock. The roads have been blasted into the hillside and a bit of concrete splashed down and now its considered the road to travel on. You might see a guard rail or more often not...and if you happen to glance down, you are about 300-400 feet above the ocean water or gully. The goats seem not to have a problem but feel they have the right-of-way and this is another road concern. Need-less-to-say, you travel about 15mph and it takes forever to get anywhere.

-All Greek food is not just seasoned with lemon and oregano. It is very good and a great variety. Not a lot of meat is used and at dinners (I mean at the aunties houses) it reminds me of Grandma Nugents house....at least 3 types of veggies are served.

-Bread, where to begin. My weekness. Auntie bakes bread every other day. She has these great baking pans about 50yrs old and about 4inches high and they are square that take up the whole oven space. She fills these pans as quickly as I can put together a pie. Then when ready to come out of the oven, a large cotton cloth is put on the kitchen floor, upturn the pan and break apart the loaves which look a bit like our french bread shape. You keep doing this same process because you have 3 pans. One pan is for regular eating and the other breads are then spliced and put back into the over to slow bake to remove all moisture. This bread is now stored and used to "dunk"...you can buy it at all the bakeries.

-We picked up a hitchhiker...a little old Greek woman was standing by an old cemetary carved into the hill waving her cane and shouting. We stopped and fortunately we had cousin Chris with us who could understand her. She was just waiting for a ride to get back into town. Cute and very typical looking old gal. We sort of figured out from the conversation, that all her family has died and she visits the cemetary for a few days? or few hours? can't tell and then back into the city.

-Everyone is related somehow and everyone is a cousin. Amazing, got to be a little cross-breeding somewhere. Charley is a little sensative to my comments on this.

-Polmigranites (SP?) - they grow upside down on the branches,lot of volunteer fruit trees mixed in the old olive orchards. Other trees, orange, apple, lemon, lime, fig....speaking of fig...not bad. I think we have had them over ripe and the ones I've had aren't outragiously sweet.

-Lots of flies - crazy you would think we are in Montana on a ranch.

-Siesta - all shops close up about 3pm-6pm for nap time....and I mean everything. You can't even purchase a bottle of water.

Well this is longer than I thought, but I'll think of more Greek facts and report more later.

Where is Taylor?

Hey - I've been really good at keeping in touch with you guys and reading your blogs keeps me in touch with whats going on at home....but where are you Taylor?? This makes me worried, so please, please write about what's going on and if things are going allright.

Another quick Greek adventure....when on the computer, and even on the blogspot, you have to rely on your memory as to which buttons to hit as most of it is in Greek. Nice. So I'm hitting areas on the screen by color codes...many a time, I've had to start over because everything has been erased. Just another challenge!

Ikaria

Hopefully this is going to come through...even blogspot.com is coming up in Greek and I can only hope that I hit the correct buttons and in the right area.

So here is a story...back in Athens we are looking for lunch. You know when we all travel we want to embrace the culture etc. well, I've almost changed my mind and wanted to go to McDonald for a McFarm..whatever that is!

We look for a place for lunch and I just want a jambon and formage pie and what I end up with, oh God make me forget...on the corner inside the meat market a cafeteria where obviously the locals eat and of course Charley the Greek loves all of this and steps right up to the counter. The waiter, cook whatever speaks some English, we want a small plate of veggies and fish? We get, a great greek salad which is interesting over here as it contains no lettuce. Imagine if you will, says Rod Sterling, a plate with sauted ocra in a tomatoe sauce, fava beans, peas, spinach with rice. All yummy but swimming in olive oil. The next plate salt cured perch and smelt. Must have been fried maybe as well? A big plate all neatly displayed like a flower...face, teeth, eyes, bones, everything. charley is just popping them in his mouth - yummy - I cannot even try this stuff and as I am trying to consume the veggies I can't look too much around because there off to my left is a skinned goat hanging upside down and "looking" right at me with its beaty eyes, HELP!

All I can say is now that I'm in Ikaria and the aunties are cooking, it is normal again.

Greece

We ventured to the meat and fish market yesterday. I've seen a lot in SFO and even in Seattle at the Asian market, but it doesn't compare to the one in Athens.

Taylor would be currently in food therophy as I think I will be soon....can you imagine a tray full of either goat or lamb heads. These are skinned with keeping eye balls. Oh my god! And the fish, couldn't be any smellier. We have lots of pictures to share on this subject.

Athens is a very dirty city. They are working on restoring the ruins but down town there are many ghetto neighborhoods. At one time, we got ourselves in an area that a policeman had to escort us out of and as he said in Greek..."quickly".

Must go, but will share more later..

Greek Week

Today is the start of the festival. Charley has spent the last two evenings working to set up "his" booth. It always surprises me how much time is put in just to set the loukoumades (donut) maker.

For those of you who have tried these delicious treats, you know they are worth every calorie. I can hardly wait. I'm going on Sunday to work, eat and enjoy the entertainment. One thing I know he really enjoys is sharing his culture and traditions to those around him. He glows when he sees a face in the rush of people that he can sweep behind the scenes for a quick taste of Greek wine or a swig of ouzo. So Morgan, Tyler, Taylor and Dave get ready you will be embraced and introduced to many whose accents can be so strong, its hard to understand what is being said, so go with the old stand-by...nod your head and smile!

Along with the festival...I'm packing for Greece. I've not been on this long of a trip and afraid a carry on just isn't going to cut it. Charley has told me of the item that are a must to bring back and I need an extra suitcase just for this purpose. We still aren't sure of everywhere we're going as we so many choices being in that part of the world. I know a few days in Athens, ten days on the island to enjoy and take care of all the legal and attorney issues (hopefully they will know some English) and of course consumming a goat or two :( I always enjoy a farmers market, but that doesn't mean I want to have all of it for dinner. We'll take a ferry to Turkey, but where are we to go the rest of the time??? Rome, Croatia?? Stop off and see our friends in France? So many decisions and not much time left to really figure it out. I guess it is nice to be so flexible that if you find a place you want to stay for a couple more days, you can actually do it.

So while colleges are dealing with Greek Week so am I!

Future Vacations

Okay, so this afternoon I get this e-mail from one of the Interline Cuise Websites that I have available to because of the airlines and amazed at the discounts for last minute cruises. I liked the cruise Charley and I went on last March. We decided we would like to try another one again and right now my sweet Marian and Clarence are cruising. Granted she e-mailed me and said they were the youngest couple on the ship, but having a great time.

Just a couple of examples of last minute cruises...$550 balcony 13night cruise starting at Rome and going through all the neighboring countries...$1100 17 night cruise starting in Athens and covering again all neighboring countries, $130 4 night Mexico out of LAX. Between the hotel and food you would spend much more than this and not have to keep packing and repacking to another hotel in another destination.

So here is my plan...just take time off with a plan to vacation, but not make any definate location plans until you get the best deal! I love last minute schedules anyhow because that has been my life over the past 15years and I think this is a great answer to affordable vacation excursions.

Bad Headache

I figured out this morning what my excuse is going to be for not going to work yesterday or now today...really bad headache and followed up with cramps. Who can question this? Its not like I'm ill very often and work has been so stressful that everyone has a spliting headache.

I wouldn't have missed the enjoyable day I had yesterday with the "4". Sunny day, open farmers market, yummy sweet treats, lunch that included fried food. Love this type of day and catching up with everyone.

AGAIN!

Oh my gosh....again I went to work with two different shoes! It was the same mismatch I did the other day. Only difference today was I had to work in Global Services. I cannot hide my feet that easily as I run around more. Would this have been a good look walking around with Chief Justice Ginsberg?....my guess is not!

When I discovered it this time, I was waiting for the employee bus. Forget it. I got back in my car and drove home to correct my footwear. Since I need to wear black shoes with whatever uniform I'm wearing for the day, I have many upon many pairs depending on what pants so that the length is correct.

Help me with solutions because this is getting embarassing. Perhaps I'll move only one pair of shoes in each room and in each closet? Gotta be something better than this.

Failed Relationshps

I love reading the thoughts my daughters have to share.

Yesterday Taylor blogged on "relationships" or better put "failed relationships". The way you have learned to communicate is amazing and you and Dave have the best relationship because you have learned to encourage speaking your thoughts and feelings. Dave has no choice but to learn along side of you and I'm sure the conversations you have are priceless.

I must say again today what I have told my family many times in the past, that my own failed marriage has left me without the burden of guilt. We all know I forgave twice and the third time was it. Both girls have over the years been very strong at their opinion that I shouldn't have even gone that far. As I explained many times, I needed to do this for me and what my family meant to me. I needed to be able to be free of questioning myself...did I give it enough tries? I have succeeded with this and only still sad that the "family" wasn't in tact for the future of the girls, husbands and grandchildren but that too, I have discovered is replaceable.

Today, is the first time I have questioned the amount of trying. Is this because Taylor has referenced myself and her dad in her blog? All I can say again, is I'm sorry you girls have had to become a statistic and from the experience can only improve and apply what we have all learned, to our own new relationships.

I'm sorry.

Too Much In A Hurry?

Okay, so I was really good yesterday with keeping my mouth shut, which we all know if very difficult for me. See if you can guess what I was keeping a secret.

All day when sitting at a table, my feel were under it. On the employee bus, I had my feet crossed under the seat. I only walked on carpeted areas. Can you guess yet??? I had on two different shoes!

Not only are they different, one is higher than the other, one is hard soled so it makes a clicking noise when you walk on anything other than carpet, one is that plastic/soft sole stuff that squeaks... but at least they were both black.

You would think I would have noticed??? that I walked like the hunchback or someone with a bad limp?? Good thing is that not one person noticed.

Iris Garden at Giverny

I found it!!!

Thanks again Taylor, I looked at the website that you attached to your blog and viewed all the pictures while having my coffee.

I narrowed it down to about 7 pictures and have found the one. Everyone take a look at it. I want something that we all shared and it needed to be in Giverny. We all know how crazy I am about iris' and the colors in this picture will work great with the colors in the living room....tell me what you guys think?

I know this is a replica by some random artist using oils, but it may look better than a copy of the original....or do you think I should just get a copy of Monets painting and just have it framed???

First Day of Court

I just don't understand???? I was allowed to take pictures of the first day of school for many years, first time for lots of things. How come when I asked if I could very discretely come to court for my best girl, Morgan, to take her picture sitting up with one of the partners of her firm and the judge the bad guys, that she turned me down?

Morgan will you reconsider another time? I'm not asking to take a home video just a picture? :)
We are all so proud of you that we bust out with pride!

Splendor in the Grass

Since my darling, SELFISH, youngest daughter moved and took her own Christmas gift of Splendor in the Grass, the wall still just doesn't look right without it.

We tried Darcy as a joke and nearly wet myself when Dave and Tay put it up on the wall. It was so funny. But I left it up there for about a month. Recently I moved "Homer" and it looks good, but just not great.

I've looked for my favorite film/book antique poster, whatever, of Mockingbird, but they are very expensive....so I must thank my darling, SELFISH, youngest daughter for helping me find the replacement.

Your blog has been showing Monet "Art of the Day"...they are amazing. That was such a memorable trip with all the girls I love to his home and garden in France. I'm going to watch each day and select one of my favorites and one that will cover the big wall in the livingroom which will go with red walls and eggplant couch!

So hooray for helping me figure out how to make this my favorite room again. I'm very excited.

P.S. The iris bulb I took from Monets parking lot still blooms every year as its been planted in France, California and Washington.

Peter

Last night after I got off work, I met up with Peter.

He stopped by to see me after his flight arrived and looked like the same guy we all remember. He's staying in Issaquah as his meetings are with Costco and he didn't mind driving out to the Mark later. Of course he didn't need my simple directions from Google since he still loves all the latest electronic devices and has his hand held gps...whatever.

Anyway, we had a great time, loved hearing about his new wife, Pauline and her daugher Maggie who is 6. He said they are trying to have a baby as he is now 41. I don't know how old Pauline is though. He still works out of his home in Mission Viejo and travels a lot out of Orange County. I didn't ask if he has any pets?? but doesn't have visitation rights with Baxter and Sherman, but I think they still go to Camp Molonari.

He loved hearing about everyone, plans to call you, Sheri, and next time he comes up we will be having dinner over here, but he'll be doing the cooking. I told him I still have thoughts of his famous ribs with the secret "rub"...he now had added a specialty item...Asian salad??? Great!

So I loved my evening and I still love Peter. He is a great guy you just need to hug.

FIGS

okay, so we all love fruit and endulge when a certain fruit is in season. We have polished off a box of peaches just last night. We had two leftover from the trip to Prosser and Charley of course having the sweet tooth that he has, needed? wanted? ice cream and peaches. What a delicous combination.

Anyway after much thought, I still feel my favorite fruit is a plump, bursting at the seams, green grape. I love the others, but this seems to call my name everytime I'm viewing the produce section. So after claiming my favorite, I must comment on a really nasty and disgusting fruit...the fig.

Last night Charley and I had dinner with Grandpa Neal, Jackie and one of her BF's. We picked a few figs from the backyard as they truely are Charley's favorite. What a sweet mess of yuck! He loved it and since no one else seems to give two "figs about them" :) he gets to swing by dad's and get them as they ripen.

I guess they are very plentiful in Greece and he as apparently cleaned up many a fig tree like a locus in a field of corn in one sitting. Doesn't this sound like a great three week trip???? Goat and figs!

Haven Kimmel's Blog

So this blog today is exactly what we all fear - Richie?? are you kidding? I have to devert my eyes even as I read it not to look at his face, it might as well have been road kill.

Only thing left out is "dolls"...again, my poor daughters who were deprived as children without them because the thought of walking down aisles in a toy store and looking at all the faces heads me straight to the padded room. Again, I want to thank my lovely sister for this craziness. Saying that dolls will talk to me, removing their heads and hiding them in my bed or surprising me with heads on the Christmas tree and how about putting them on top of my bedroom door so when I open it now its raining dolls with or without heads.

I love that our family wasn't the only one that thought of these personal torments...it just must be another club.

Fall Is Here

Just adding to Morgan's fall observation.

Yesterday I started Grandma Nugent's 9 Day Sweets. This is a definate sign of fall. I removed the catnip from my antique pickle jar and have now replace it with bright green cut up cuke's. I will continue the 9 day process and fill the pantry (at least until my sister arrives for a visit with an empty suitcase. and leaving with it full.)

This is a bummer of a summer as I finally have someone else in the family who is interested in canning. Tyler. He wants to make salsa. Unfortunately, due to the crummy weather the tomatoes haven't rippened like they should. This may not be the year to go through everything that is involved in the salsa making. At $l.49/lb for tomatoes as compared to other years at $ 12 a box...this would be the most expensive salsa around. But on the other hand, someone actually wants to help the Little Red Hen???

I must say there it is one of my top feelings of accomplishment when I leave the finished product on the counter until Thanksgiving, just to see how beautiful the jars are.

Kitchen Favorite

My Taylor witnessed an interesting and creative fix one day in my kitchen. My one and only spatula had separated once again...the wood and the plastic end. So again I got out the glue and put a temporary fix on the thing. You squirt glue in the hole where the wood is inserted into the plastic end. This only works for about two uses as when it goes into the dishwasher, it will come apart and at the most inconvenient time, like while mixing cookie dough.

For my birthday, I received the most beautiful ice blue spatula. It is one piece so it can't come apart, strong from top to bottom so the end won't bend. Everytime I use it, I can't believe how I managed in the kitchen without it.

I don't know where Taylor found this treasure, but I suggest everyone add it to your Christmas list as it will also be one of your favorites.

One of Many Wedding Tales

I will continue to write story after story for you Morgan, even though I'm sure I will tell the story as well since once again I had to double my minutes on my cell do to the extreme overages I've been experiencing.

The ceremony: My beautiful daughter Taylor and stunning daughter Morgan standing only feet in front of me was amazing. I was the spectator and not involved and it was a lovely position to be in. So now the everyone in the wedding party is standing up in front of Judge (I use this as if it is him first name) and I can hear Taylor starting to loose it and look at her and she is already starting to cry with Katie poking her in the back...okay so seeing Tay crying, and thank goodness we had our make-up done in waterproof goo as it now would be running everywhere, I have to pull out my handy tissue from my pocket (another reason I selected this particular top..chapstick, tissue, lip gloss and gum all fitting nicely without much of a lump), so I decide to look at someone else and since Morgan has more of a side vision to me I look at Tyler. This was a great choice as well as a terrible choice. His eyes are ready to pour over with tears now. Great, now where so I look??? I pick Judge. I only had to regroup for a few sentences and then could look where I pleased with drier eyes.

What was the best part at looking at Tyler was that I then had the confirmation that I needed as the "mother of the bride" to personally see how much this meant to him and how overwhelmed he was by being the luckiest guy to marry my daughter and how much he obviously loves her. He then got control before he started making noises that the "dudes" would hear and I'm sure never let him forget it.

This is my first of many short stories to share. Enjoy!

Dave's Party

I know, its been a very long time....but now I have a story to tell.

Dave's surprise party started this way: First I loaded up my car with things Taylor needed. Platters, blender, plates, cups, plastic forks etc., food and every fan I have in the house as the temperature the last few days have been in the 90's. No problem, love that she needed me for something as she is a big girl now.

I get a call that can I also pick up some balloons? Sure, its just down the road. I'm off to get them and have just shy under a quarter tank of gas. We all know, that I never let the gas gauge light to go on. So I figure, no problem I'll get gas on the way back as I have to get going.

I get the balloons and as I'm walking out the store, two have popped. They bring me more. I get myself and the balloons in the already packed car and another one goes. Of course, screaming every time this happens. "Do you want another one?" no, this is just fine, but am advised that I should keep the air conditioning on because its so hot that they are expanding and causing the blow out.

So I'm driving down the road with A/C on high to avoid only having strings left when I arrive at the party. As I'm driving down the road, I let out a scream only when required. Can't see out the windows and thinking I'm being shot at. I get another call from Tay....sink is plugged, can you stop and get some Draino??? No problem, but must unload the balloons first because I can't turn off the A/C. I drop off everything and find a grocery store and looking for a gas station as with the A/C on used up more than usual...still no light gauge on.

All is well, the party is wonderful...so proud of Taylor and sitting with Mike and Jimmy and they reflect how big the girls are and seems just like yesterday, Mike first mooned them! Great! A new worry. Will he fill the need to do it next weekend? Such a purvert! He can't get enough of Justin and actually offers $200 for 20minutes in the bathroom! What??? His humor sometimes is frightning.

So now we leave the party. I'm parked on a very steep hill facing down. Now my car will not start and not enough gas! We call AAA, that will be 2-3hrs...okay, we take off looking for a gas station and end up asking someone on the street. Get to the Shell and I purchase a gas container while Jimmy is filling it and I'm in line to pay, I'm asked if I'd like to purchase some weed??? NO, just gas. All is well, we brake the container to be able to empty the gas in the car and it starts...off to home as I work the next morning at 5:00.

Thinking my evening excitement is done, I get home to let Georgia out only to see that Abner would also like in. He has been out for about 6hrs. What???

Well, I guess it does feel great to tell my story and laugh about the goofy thing...I'm sure there will be more adventures with Lori at another time.

Dark Red

I just received a pre-ordered 20lb box of bing cherries. I got up on my only day off today to meet a friend of mine at 5:30am...what I received is the most beautiful box of variations of red cherries.

I don't remember ever really focusing on how the plump shape, 3" tan stem against the deepest red possible was so eye catching. It's a pity to not be able to keep this display in my house all the time, but as the cherries rot, not so pretty of a color or the fruit flies.

I see lots of belly aches coming my way, so if anyone wants to swing by...you will get to go home with a treat bag full of red!

Abner and Chloe

Abner and Chloe's former parents came over the other afternoon as they are getting ready to back to China.

What sweet people. They were so happy about the cats adjusting to their new home and very gracious that I had even invited them. They brought over an automatic cat scoop litter box thing and a big bag a treats for Georgia and five bags of Greenie treats for the cats...of course, new toys as well.

They are very tiny people and when you put the Big Boy in a lap, it is so funny looking. So I have asked them to come by again, to just e-mail me and they are always welcome. I couldn't have asked for better new pets and the ex-parents...wonderful. They definately new them, but didn't jump into their laps as I think they have adjusted really well.

Pre-Birthday Morning

What a beautiful day...just being a brat and wanted to share my morning experience.

The sun is out and I'm wearing my new silver sage housecoat and slippers, eating the two leftover sticky buns from McGavins and drinking coffee from my special coffee cup that I only use on my days off, again to always embrace the occasional day off. My dog is on the front porch in her bed and I'm watching the two eagles circle the lake. Can you beat this???

Inside I'm pretending this is my birthday today and this is my gift.

Thank you to all my loves for the wonderful day on Sunday....I love my family!

My Special Day

What a day I had yesterday....my Taylor with me!

I haven't had a day like that for such a long time. We just hung around, grocery shopped, split a sandwich. Everything was great. My favorite part was coming home from a paddle boat ride with my neighbor and seeing my Taylor sleeping in her bed. She is so pretty and looked so calm and at home.

This is what I love in life. Very simple and clear.

Word Verification

Am I just getting old and having problems with my sight or does anyone else seem to be challenged every now and then when you have to read the letters after you have typed your comments on someones blog?

I know I'm not always drunk or seasick, but the wavy letters sometimes blend into each other...example: two "n's" together??? or an "l" next to an "o"... please help me find some security and reasurance that its just not me!!

Tokyo

What a bummer....Charley and I tried to get on our flight yesterday, but it turned out to be full. We also made the decision if coach was available, we still wouldn't go. Snobs??? YES. We thought we'd try again today, but last night made alternate plans to go to Vancouver BC for a few days instead.

It was a bit of planning for the animals while I'm gone and I don't want to change that. Amanda is having Georgia do a couple overnights and then Morgan is picking her up Sunday night. The cats....well I can't put food out for a few days because Big Boy will eat it all up in one sitting. I purchased ($60) feeder that will automatically distribute food up to 3 times a day with whatever quantity I select. Perfect. It is pretty slick and I'll continue to use it even when I'm around. What I won't keep around is the large black plastic I've layed out in the laundry room with 3 litter boxes. The place looks horrible, but this is temporary! Maybe the cats think this is cat heaven...one big litter box???

The flights have instantly gotten full since colleges have gotten out. I don't want to waste the block of time I have off as it doesn't seem to happen often enough, so I'm happy with our new plan.

Once again, he passed the "test". I didn't feel responsible at all for us not getting on the flight and we spent the day just running around and doing nothing substantial.

It was and still is a great "birthday dinner" destination, but now we'll do it again later.

All for Sheri

Well, United was once again the first one to announce big cuts in the airline. All others have started making their announcements. I don't feel any real threat as to being furloughed, but have to be aware and ready if someone who is furloughed from another station and has more senority than me, can exercise their bumping rights. Worse case, and this is the worse...me bump into another station to finish out my last 4 years with UAL.

I don't think it will happen, but need a plan if it does. I should be safe from all of this, but UAL hasn't told much as to the stations as to where and how much of a cut there will be. We'll see.

My flowers this year have been fabulous....for about 1 week! The rain has beaten them down so badly and I'm very sad that the iris' didn't have a chance to last for weeks like they should have.

Cats...Chloe has hunted out every toilet in the house and uses them as well as her own water dish and Georgias. These guys are inseperable. Abner is a food hog and extremely vocal about it. He is a guy that you can't "free feed"...there would be nothing left and he would be the new world record for the fattest cat!

There, hope this update will satisfy my nagging sister!! but you are right, I've been lazy...but talk about lazy. Joined the Y again, and haven't used it. Does this make sense? Of course not.

Happy Pets

The house is very busy at night. How can I tell....well, the past few mornings lots of things are moved. This am...the pickle jar which holds the catnip which is in an enclosed baggie is out in the middle of the floor with the jar on its side and where could the lid be??? Hopefully, when I vaccum it will appear. The birds on the piano...do they have a wooden mind of their own and can move around as they please? Again, another mystery. I have found many of my under the sink items in my bedroom, curtains opened and pillows thrown around from the couch. I think everyone is adjusting just fine!

So we all know how expensive good make-up is, well not all of us have amazing skin and I need it. Well I dropped my bottle of Origins face make-up and it hit the counter, splashed all over the place and after I started cleaning up and saving as much as possible, looked down at my housecoat...quite an ugly color of artwork all over the front. It reminds me of the paint machines at the street fairs that you put in the color of paint you want on a piece of paper and spin it. Thats what happened. I instantly threw it in the wash and guess what??? I still have the piece of art. Didn't come out. I love my Resto housecoat (Sheri got for me a million years ago)...but I think its time to replace it with another. Believe it or not, I'm a bit ashamed sitting on my front porch in it and that just can't happen!

Abner and Chloe

These guys are great! If I knew how to post a picture of them here I would, but everyone of you know how I am challenged with expanding from what I know of the computer, camera and cell phone.

I've closed all doors down the hallway, but found out that if you don't make sure the door "clicks", then Big Boy just pushes his way in...all 19lbs of him. Georgia still looks in wonder as to what that big black low back thing is that creeps by my bed. Its so funny.

I'm very happy with these guys and they show amazing promise to be great lap cats. Morgan had the experience last night as Abner jumped up and snuggled with her while she was laying down. Chloe is a bit more cautious, even though her other parents said it would be the other way around...go figure

So after just 3 days, all is well and if I can't find them....they are very food motivated. Just a shake of a treat bag and poof...here they come a running. Unfortunately, it is a battle for Chloe to get anything, since Abner will literally jump, push, whatever it takes to eat everything as if it is his last meal including snacking on Georgias food.

Can't wait for everyone to spend some time with these great new additions.

Bishops Weed

So this weekend with the great weather started out amazing...A bike ride on Alki Beach with Charley and then dinner outside. Lovely and people liked my basket as once again it was used. He still doesn't want one on his bike? Go figure? Then the next day a concert with Morgan, 10 Grand. Just to see this many pianos on one stage was breath taking and then to hear David Lanz play, spectactular. What an evening.

This brings me to Sunday...to everyone else in my family you would consider this work, but I worked in the front gardens from 7am to 2pm. I had to finally stop because my fingers started cramping and now this am my fingernails are tender from being pulled from the skin ripping out the lovely Bishops Weed. Cheryl warned me when I planted it from her garden to mine about four years ago. But I thought it would fill in so beautifully around all the other plants. Wrong. It was taken over and smothered everything else. It is all gone, but as it is a weed, it will be showing up again by the end of the week.

But the weekend ended with Sunday dinner hosted by Morgan. Love your back yard. So cozy. Having everyone together always makes my heart warm.

Today another day off and I'm going to finally plant the veggie garden, prime the rest of the pickets for the front yard. Does this sound like fun to anyone else besides me???

Cats, Cats, Cats

Well Sheri and I went last night to see a couple of great cats that their parents are moving back to China. They are great! I really hope this comes to be my new pets as I'm surprised how much I miss Dr. Will and Mr. Darcy.

I'm afraid to be too hopeful because the guy said I could have them at the end of the month??? what's that about, I wanted to take them home last night. So I've made a plan to call him today and tell him that I was in contact with Pet Finders to pay the referal fee. Maybe this will make him feel he is already commited to give them to ME!

I'm not sure how to play this hand of cards and be guaranteed to win????

Survey Says....

Hey everyone, I'm curious about how many blogs each of you read on a regular basis???

New Friends

so last night I met up with Sheri on my cute main street in Burien with her boss and his wife. I am so glad I did. Not only was the wine great and the 909 is very cute and cozy, but the best thing about it is that her boss is on my team!

He expressed a couple of times that he wants Sister to consider moving up here at some point and work at the desk across the aisle from him! We love the new changes of her job which includes the fabulous benefit of flying up whenever we have a party but it will be amazing to have once again as my neighbor!

So look out, I'm going to start getting fliers from homes once again that I think would be appropriate for her and her farm.

Love It!!!

Book Pantry

I love my Paperback BookSwap on line. Today I received my next book club book, it doesn't look very interesting and an author (which I'm afraid to name, thanks Morgan) that I don't really enjoy. The joy though, is that it isn't costing me anything. Once I requested the book....poof! a copy was in the mail to me.

Not having a book lined up when the current one is being finished, is way to stressful for me. Currently on my chair in my bedroom I have a running stack that now is six deep. This should reduce all crazy book stress for quiet awhile. To me its like having the food pantry full...just the same as the book pantry....all very calming and secure.

Floating Biscuits

I can't say enough about this weekend. What a joy that we all love each other so much that any and all adventures are amazing. Everyone has brought up comments about this weekend and they all are so great....

My only disappointment was the leftovers from Dessert Wind brunch that Morgan so generously took care of, was floating in a puddle of water. Again, I was so over worried of the creamed gravy spoiling and insisted on putting the leftover boxes on ice that of course, ice melts and water then can leak into the non waterproof containers! Not a pretty sight seeing floating sausage, parsley and worst of all gravy. The special treat I was so looking forward to "sconey" was saturated. Bummer.

This did bring back not so pleasant memories of when Sheri and I were little girls and she always the dish washer and I the drier....we often had "hamburger gravy" on mash potatoes and the smell of it in the yucky, dirty dish water was enough to make you heave up the marvelous and tasty dinner we had.

So all this means is....I can hardly wait to go back there again for brunch.y

is this fair?

how is this right???? I see a colorist every 8 weeks but still wake up with not only my period, but two zits on my right cheek? Shouldn't one cancel out the other...its hard Barbie being 37!

family

last night having dinner with our family (unfortunately without Charley, Morgan or Tyler) but including Jordan was such a lovely evening. It made me miss the times that I had with my brother. Denny and I were always so close and I can't count the times I we bailed each other out of situations. I didn't realize how much Jordan looks like my little brother....perhaps some day he'll want to get together.

I do hope we can include Jordan in some of our family functions as she fit in so easily and such a bright, beautiful young adult.

Another try..

Well, I'm starting the day in the most positive way possible...Charley just left for work, I'm drinking coffee, looking at cats on-line and getting ready to visit MOM. Funny thing I wouldn't have even thought about bring flowers to her, thank you Charles for remininding me. I guess I need to think of something besides darkness when I think of my trip back up to Harborview.

Oh well, they day can only get better and end lovely with all my girls and I'm so looking forward to seeing my niece Jordan after so many years.

what a day...

this is putting it mildly...I should say what a past three days.

My patience, tight jaw, short temper, gentleness, compassion, creative four letter words have all been to a major test. All is well with Grandma in that she had her surgery and hopefully will stick to the plans the doctors have for her without too much drama. But forget the part of this that I thought would be crazy to the real crazy part...whats with Harborview Hospital (or as Charley calls it Harborzoo)...I think his name for it is a bit more correct.

What's with the random people eating my left over food! If I knew that would happen, I would have left more of it and not use so much tabasco! This "garbage" food was snapped up quicker than if it was left outside for the crows. I feel really bad for these people, but sadly it was one of the highlights of my day as I'm talking to Sheri and describing what was currently happening to my last two bites of cheeseburger!

What a day and I'll be back there again in a couple of days...perhaps I won't eat anything?

Surprise

okay, so I'm a little late at joining the party. By a bit of presure and feeling a bit left out, I now after a couple cups of coffee, finishing a book and sitting on my front porch listening to the birds, have decided to "blog."

What a day this is starting out. My Taylor is again moving out. I'm so proud of her is so many ways and so happy that her and Dave are happy and adventuring out. Last time she "moved" was in August to London and I cried and sulked...now once again. My poor children who have put up with me on this issue. It took me a year and a half to quit crying on Sundays when I dropped Morgan back off at school and that was just and UofW!!! I love my girls so much.

So off to make Taylor her favorite breakfast burito and packing the car to help her move.