Sunday, May 31, 2015

She Sails Sea Chelle by the Seashore

Finally! A day at the lake!

The weather cooperated with our work schedules today and we were able to take the boat out. We met Jana and Co. and spent our time tubing, wakeboarding, kneeboarding, and floating peacefully with cool drinks in hand.

It was a fabulous way to spend the day and something that we had all been looking forward to for quite some time.

I would write more about it, but, I am tired and I can hear my pillow calling to me. Luckily, there is that old saying about a picture saying a thousand words; here are several thousand for you.


















Friday, May 29, 2015

Friday Favorites: My Girls, Part One

I am extremely fortunate to have a number of amazing women in my life; women who mean the world to me and without whom I would be lost. Today, I want to talk about the two currently living under my roof, and, not just because today is one of their birthdays (although, it totally is! Happy birthday, Katie!).

Katie and The Teenager (doesn't that sound like a rad teen band?) are two of my favorite females for a variety of reasons. For one thing, they are hilariously funny to spend time with. They find humor in most situations and are always laughing. When one is in a bad mood (usually The Teenager), the other usually finds a way to make her feel better. And, when there is simply no solving the problem, they are good about giving one another space. That's huge in any relationship.

Watching them together reminds me of my girlfriends and that makes me happy (it also makes me miss my Girls, but, that's a post for another day). I'm glad that they found each other and I'm glad that they have a friendship that will last a lifetime, because, when they are old and gray-like me and my friends-they will remind each other of their youth and of what it was like to grow up in a small town in rural America. Oh, their kids will get sick of hearing about it, but, that will be half the fun.

That much, I know.









Thursday, May 28, 2015

Throwback Thursday: Git Along, Little Cowboy

That teenager who went on a date last night?

Yeah, not so long ago, he was just a little cowboy.

What girl wouldn't want to date a guy who once rocked  Buzz Lightyear Underoos, cowboy boots, and a stick horse?

No girl I'd want to know, that's for sure.

 
I hope she knows how lucky she is.

Wednesday, May 27, 2015

The Man-Cub Has a D.A.T.E

With a girl.

This is...okay? I mean, it's great, right?

He's sixteen.

He's cute (if I do say so, myself).

He's got game.

It's time.

On the other hand, he seemed genuinely surprised to hear that a sixteen year old girl probably doesn't want to see Mad Max on a date, so...he may not have quite as much game as he would like to have us believe.

He's still cute, though.

Tuesday, May 26, 2015

And, Right Back at Her

The weather, while not ideal, did not keep us from our holiday weekend fun. I still managed to get one brief hour of sunshine, during which I braved the frigid temperature (60 degrees) to don my bikini and to relax in a lounge chair; my body really appreciated the vitamin D.

I also managed to get in a long walk, despite the smattering of sprinkles that preceded a large shower; my body appreciated to exercise.

Yesterday evening, Jana and Co. came over for a BBQ and the weather was nice enough to allow for steaks and chicken on the grill and wine on the porch. I did have to employ the services of a quilt once the sun started to set, but, otherwise, it wasn't too bad out.








While we were enjoying each other's company, Chris, Jana, Hugh, and I made plans for the next few weekends at the lake as well as making tentative plans to spend the 4th of July at Lake Powell (which, now that I have put it out there, probably won't happen; I am a jinx like that).

Speaking of the 4th; while we were catching up, Katie and The Teenager were busy working on their latest KB TieDye creations: Colorado and American flag t-shirts for the folks who had pre-ordered for the 4th. So, I suppose I should credit the weather with holding off long enough to allow them to finish, as well.









In hindsight, I guess the weekend wasn't so terribly bad. Oh, we still would have enjoyed spending it on the water, but, it could have been a lot worse, and I need to recognize that fact. Besides, it isn't about the BBQs or the boat rides; it's about the brave men and women who died in order to give us the freedom to pursue those things. Honoring their sacrifice isn't weather-dependent.

Period.




Sunday, May 24, 2015

In Which Mother Nature Returns the Middle Finger

Yesterday was just as crappy as predicted, maybe more so. I had about two hours of sunshine early in the morning, and I used it to get a little yard work done. I pulled the chaise lounges out of winter storage and got them set up on the back porch, with a cute little table between them, perfect for relaxing in the sunshine with a cool drink and a summer read.

Of course, two minutes after I positioned the table, the heavens opened up and it hailed, hard.

Touché, Mother Nature, touché.

The rest of the day was spent working at the hardware store, where I managed to accomplish enough to spare me having to return until Tuesday morning, which, feels pretty good today. I also did a new workout, cleaned out my closet (two large trash bags ready for charity), and, somehow, managed to get in my 10,000 steps for the day (the Fitbit is a harsh taskmaster).

I felt pretty smug in my accomplishments, but, truth be told, I would much rather have been on the lake.

The sun is making an appearance this morning, but there are dark clouds crowding the horizon, so, I don't hold out much hope for a nice day. I am currently debating the logic in packing up my car and making a quick trip to Mayberry to deliver flowers to my Dad's grave, or, spending the day like a lazy slug on the couch. At this point it could go either way.

The Teenager won't be lazy, today; she got a job at a shoe store in Neighboring City and she has spent the last two days selling the hell out of shoes in the kid's section. I'm super proud of her and I'm thrilled that she is enjoying what she is doing. I'm not so thrilled with her commute, but, that's the way it's going to have to be for a while.

Speaking of which, Hugh and a friend of his are in negotiations to purchase a house in Neighboring City. If the deal goes through, The Teenager and Katie will have a roof over their heads by the time the new semester starts at the college. They will be rooming with the friend's son-who is a friend of theirs from school-as well as one or two more roomates, whom they will have to find on their own.

This could end up being the most economical way to house the child through the remainder of her college years. It could also end up being a nightmare (never asked to be a landlord). Time will tell.

And, speaking of time, it is time for me to get off my ass and determine a course of action for this day. Unfortunately, we all know that it won't entail a cocktail on the porch.

Eff you right back, Mother Nature.


Friday, May 22, 2015

Friday Favorites: The Weather Be Damned Edition

Have you heard me bitch about the weather enough, lately? No? Good, because I am about to bitch about it again.

I just started the first of a three-day weekend. A holiday weekend. A weekend traditionally known for BBQs, boat trips, lazy mornings on the porch, and other warm-weather activities.

So, what is on the radar for the next three days?

Rain.

Wind.

Cold-ass temperatures.

Bah to the fucking humbug, Mother Nature.

In an attempt to show Mother Nature the middle finger, I invested in a few items that make me feel decidedly better. They can be utilized in any weather, but, I am still holding out hope for at least a few hours of sunshine over the next 72 hours.

Take that, Mama N!


-Food Network Magazine, because food porn is my jam (yeah, I said it).

-A love story by James Patterson, perfect for kicking back with on the porch (even if I have to do it under the cover of an old quilt).

-New royal blue earrings, because they are pretty and they will match my patriotic bikini (holding out for that sunshine!).

-Too Faced Semi-Sweet Chocolate Bar eye shadow palette, consisting of summery shades of gold, cocoa, and tan (and, coveted for months).

-OPI nail polish in I Can't Hear Myself Pink (because sandals are happening, rain or shine).





And, there you have it; the perfect remedy for the springtime weather blahs.

(Still holding out for that sunshine, though)

Thursday, May 21, 2015

Throwback Thursday: Missing Pieces

Really missing this guy a lot lately.


Wednesday, May 20, 2015

In Which We Shall Allow the Weatherman to Live

The forecast for today was right on the money; we had sunshine and warmer temperatures than we have been seeing. The wind even held off long enough for the kids to enjoy the slip 'n ' slide without feeling like they were taking a polar plunge.

The Man-Cub and his friends had a really good time. And that was despite (or, maybe due to) the fact that only a handful of their girlfriends were brave enough to don a bikini, liberally douse themselves with biodegradable dish soap, and hurl themselves down a plastic runway.

As far as I am concerned, it was the girls' loss.

The brave souls who did meet the challenge all had a really good time and I do believe that we can chalk it up as a success.

Now, to prepare ourselves for the crappy weather that the weatherman has forecast for the remainder of the week and into the holiday weekend.

(That sound you are hearing is the sound that my head makes when it hits my desk, repeatedly.)