Tuesday, September 30, 2008

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.

Monday, September 29, 2008

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.

Thursday, September 18, 2008

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.

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

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.

Saturday, September 13, 2008

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???

Friday, September 12, 2008

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.

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

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.

Monday, September 8, 2008

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!

Thursday, September 4, 2008

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.