Hey, All! Achoooo!

It's definitely Spring  here and the pollen is piling up.  In anticipation of Cutie Girl's birthday dinner I cleaned off the deck and patio twice yesterday and then gave up.  By the time I would get from one side to the other there would be more pollen and tree "stuff" where I started.  You know, all those little bits that come off the trees as they are pushing out their leaves.  Some look like little brown worms, some like tiny bunches of berries, some just look like seeds.  In any event, the stuff is everywhere!

Nurse J has a bad cough and bronchitis.  It got to the point she and IT Guy left for the Urgent Care during dinner.  The girls stayed here with us.  When they returned from the doctor Cutie Girl opened her gifts and it was time for bed so they left.  Nurse J is feeling a little bit better and is resting.

Cutie Girl is still drumming!  She loves to drum on everything and with anything!  So we got her a drum.  She loved it!  Put on a little show for us.  She would drum and drum, then finish with a single beat and bow and twirl; then start act two.  Cute!

BeyB had her name in the paper again for the honor roll.  I asked her how driving was going.  She told me she can brake pretty good but has trouble with the accelerator.  I told her it takes time and she'll get it; she's only just starting.

Bikini is getting ready for another work trip.  This one is to California.  Brief will handle things while she's gone.  Boxer and Bloomer are doing well and keeping busy.  It's time to start thinking about Summer activities.  And when the next school year starts, Boxer will be in Middle School!  Without a doubt, all the children are growing up too fast!

It's a pretty day and Golfer is out on the course.  I'm just taking it easy today and doing a couple odds and ends.  Going to go get comfortable and read a while.  Friends have me hooked on Dorothea Benton Frank's Low Country books.  :)

Stay safe!

Happy Birthday, Cutie Girl!

We love you!  xoxo

Hey! I'm Trending!

We get the morning paper every day.  I don't read every article, but I scan each page and when something catches my eye I read it.  I usually stay away from disturbing, upsetting articles.   We get enough of that with the news and updates online.  I always read the funnies.  And I like looking at the local section to see if there's anyone I know.

In Sunday's paper was an article "Should you go blond?"  And it then went on to give the pros and cons of doing so - cost, damage to hair, complexion compatibility, etc.  In the article it explained the various degrees of blondness and discussed silver and/or white hair.  Seems silver and white is very popular and trending now.  So, yay, me!  And I didn't even know it!

Stay safe!

The Porch

Got this from a friend recently.  It made me smile.

On the first day, God created the dog and said, "Sit all day by the door of your house and bark at anyone who comes in or walks past. For this, I will give you a life span of twenty years."

The dog said, "That's a long time to be barking. How about only ten years and I'll give you back the other ten?"

And God saw it was good.

On the second day, God created the monkey and said, "Entertain people, do tricks, and make them laugh. For this, I'll give you a twenty-year life span."

The monkey said, "Monkey tricks for twenty years? That's a pretty long time to perform. How about I give you back ten like the dog did?"

And God, again saw it was good.

On the third day, God created the cow and said, "You must go into the field with the farmer all day long and suffer under the sun, have calves and give milk to support the farmer's family. For this, I will give you a life span of sixty years."

The cow said, "That's kind of a tough life you want me to live for sixty years. How about twenty and I'll give back the other forty?"

And God agreed it was good.

On the fourth day, God created humans and said, "Eat, sleep, play, marry and enjoy your life. For this, I'll give you twenty years."

But the human said, "Only twenty years? Could you possibly give me my twenty, the forty the cow gave back, the ten the monkey gave back, and the ten the dog gave back; that makes eighty, okay?"

"Okay," said God, "You asked for it."

So that is why for our first twenty years, we eat, sleep, play and enjoy ourselves. For the next forty years, we slave in the sun to support our family. For the next ten years, we do monkey tricks to entertain the grandchildren. And for the last ten years, we sit on the front porch and bark at everyone.

Life has now been explained to you.

There is no need to thank me for this valuable information. I'm doing it as a public service. If you are looking for me I will be on the front porch.

Happy Anniversary, Nurse J and IT Guy!

Love you!

Coffee Snob

I'm not quite this bad with coffee, but on our road trip I came to the realization that I. AM. A. COFFEE. SNOB.

We - mostly Golfer - did a huge amount of planning for our road trip.  Kept him busy while I was recuperating from surgery.  We decided to take advantage of breakfasts offered by hotels and lodging, and to take a small cooler with things to have a light lunch.  I admit it.  I am spoiled by Starbucks.  And by Golfer who makes excellent coffee.  It's great when he makes it.  When I do -- not so much.

Coffee offered at hotels was usually not very hot.  I was okay with that because I always let mine cool a bit so I don't burn my tongue.  But sadly, along with "not hot" came "not good".  One morning it was so bad at the breakfast bar that I went back to the room and tried making some in the little room pot. That was even worse!

When I drink coffee I want it to look and smell like coffee.  I don't want to be able to read the paper through it.  Perhaps I got hooked years ago in Switzerland.  When they would bring our coffee at the guest house on the side of the mountain overlooking the cows, they brought a pot of warm cream to go with it.  You had to make it about half and half to drink it.  And it was goooood!  And those are good memories.  We went to Switzerland twice.

So I get a bold coffee now and have a splash of half and half in it.  I usually only drink one cup and that is in the morning.  I want it to be good coffee.  I don't want any froo-froo coffee concoction.  I don't want to take five minutes explaining my order at Starbucks.  Just bold coffee.  I'm funny that way.

Stay safe and have a cup!

Driving Issues

BeyB is preparing to get her driver's license and the last time we were all together there was some discussion of traffic laws.  And more discussion about drivers who don't follow those laws.  I could write a book!

While Golfer and I were on our road trip, we saw quite a few ignoring basic driving laws and courtesy.  It did not help that on the way home we must have been in the midst of the Snow Bird Migration going North.  I have never seen so many large RVs towing cars, cycles, off-road vehicles, bikes and other assorted "stuff".  And there they were all loaded down and still would pull out in front of us to attempt to pass another vehicle.  I think that if you can't go fast enough to pass a slow vehicle you have no business in the passing lane.

That goes for trucks, too!  I see absolutely no reason why a big eighteen wheeler needs to pull out in front of someone to pass another eighteen wheeler when they are both going the same speed and traffic is backing up behind them.  And this usually takes place going up a hill!  Of course, when I am made Ruler of the World this will not be a problem.  Trucks will need to have their own road system, or perhaps have their own lane added on to existing roads and only operate between midnight and 6:00 a.m.  And before anyone gets all bent out of shape, I know they provide a needed service in the transporting of goods.  And I know there are some very courteous and polite truck drivers.  But some just simply should not be on the road.  And I have personal proof of this.

Anyway, we wish BeyB well and remember when Nurse J and Bikini were learning to drive.  Good luck to all and stay safe!

A New Guest!

While Golfer and I were on our road trip, a new resident moved in with us.  BeyB and Nurse J helped him get settled in.  We need to work on his personal space and privacy issues.  :)  But he seems quite happy out there in the back yard.

Stay safe!

Happy Easter!

I hope everyone has a lovely day.  Remember to have thankful thoughts.

Bikini and family are well and the kids are finishing their Spring break week.

Nurse J and family are doing well and BeyB is just starting her Spring break week.  Here is Cutie Girl with her new bunny.

Have a great day and stay safe!

Home!

Jacksonville NAS Lodging

Hey, everyone!  Golfer and I returned home from our wonderful road trip on Thursday.  Fifteen days and 3,110 miles of great times.  We saw friends we had not seen in a long time, visited with Bikini, went to places we had never been, and saw some beautiful parts of the country.

Since we returned home we have been busy catching up.  First on the list was lots of kitty woogies!  The furry kids missed us, even though they were in excellent care with our friend, L.  Every time we sit, we have a kitty on our lap.  And often more than one kitty!

Everything is unpacked and put away, the laundry is all done, and cleaning has been done.  A few errands have been done, and that included a visit to the Post Office.  I had made arrangements for our mail to be held while we were away.  It was delivered every day.  We were not happy.  When I got my turn at the counter I just told the clerk I wanted to see the person in charge.  I must have had "the look" because no questions were asked.  I didn't really accomplish anything, because it was after the fact, but I felt better after having my say.  And they are "looking into it".

Kirk was in great need of a good cleaning.  There is a new car wash on Rt. 17 and I thought I'd try it.  They do a great job.  I picked the interior and exterior wash with added tire shine for $24.  I won't go there all the time, but in this case it was great.  We had Florida sand, assorted bits, and many, many bugs to be cleaned up!  The guys even took the floor mats out and washed them while the interior was being vacuumed.

So now we are getting back to normal.  There are some larger household chores to be done in the next couple weeks, things like window washing and touch-up painting.  The weather is getting nicer here and I want to get a bit done out in the yard.  We have several service appointments scheduled for things like the yard weed and feed, the sprinkler system turn on and repair, and the A/C check-up.

Golfer has gotten to play some golf this weekend and catch up with his golf buddies.  They're doing the final planning for their annual Myrtle Beach guys golf trip.  And shortly after that it will be time for our Myrtle Beach trip for the Military Retirees Tournament.  I always look forward to that one.

All is well and we had a great time.  I have a couple other posts turning around in my head and they will be coming soon.  :)

Stay safe!