Friday, June 30, 2017

Friday Favorites: Nothing in Particular Edition

One: This morning, I visited an old friend for a massage. I haven't seen her in ages and I had forgotten what an amazing job she does. I scheduled myself for another visit next week and I am looking forward to getting back in a routine with her.

Two: After my massage, I picked up the pieces that Queen B and I painted at the ceramics studio. Both our pieces turned out great, but, I'm partial to my under-the-sea plate.



Three: When I got home, I read for awhile before heading out to visit with a client. I just started this book a couple of days ago, and, after my appointment with the client, I returned to finish it. It was really good.


Four: I read the book on my kindle, which, continues to be a favorite, year after year.

That's about it for today, I need to go soak in a bath with epsom salts, because, one of the great things about my massage therapist is the degree to which she takes the term "deep tissue" to heart; I'm a bit sore from our session. Which, is fine by me.

Thursday, June 29, 2017

Big Brother Season 19

My thoughts so far:

-I can't believe I am watching this show again.

-I miss the days of Dr. Will; he played the game with his brain and not with his emotions.

-There is an awful lot of ink in the house this season, and, most of it is on the women. Not that there's anything wrong with that, just an observation.

-Josh is a ticking time bomb; I give him a week before the producers magically appear from behind the walls and quietly spirit him off to the psych ward.

-Cody is stone cold, but, I'm pretty sure Jessica is going to bring him down like Delilah brought down Samson.

-The Man-Cub has chosen Jason, the Rodeo Clown as his "guy" this season. I hope the clown doesn't disappoint him.

-Megan's hair is lovely and/or disturbing; I can't decide which.

-Christmas is a terrible name. Ditto Ramses.

-Kevin is super creepy.

-If they have to bring a veteran back into the house, must it be Paul? I hated him in his season and I have no reason to believe that I won't hate him now.

-We are two episodes in and I am not completely hating it. That may be the most surprising twist of the season.



Tuesday, June 27, 2017

To Cut or Not To Cut

That is the question.

I think I hate my hair. Scratch that, today, I know I hate my hair. Yesterday? Yesterday was a good hair day, I merely disliked my hair, yesterday. Who knows what tomorrow will bring?

Which, leads to my dilemma; the hair: should it stay or should it go?

The last time I had a serious haircut was July 13, 2010. I'm not even kidding, I marked the day. That was the worst haircut of my life, and, I went on to boycott scissors until I met Sally and Megan, my current go-to hairstylists, three years later . Both Sally and Megan have humored my reluctance to cut the strands, which is why my hair now extends below my shoulder blades and why it is starting to resemble that of the creepy chick from The Ring. Only, you know, blond.

I can't do much about the blond-it's the only thing camouflaging the gray-but, I can elect for a more modern and age-appropriate cut. Or, should I? Is forty-mumble, mumble, too old for long hair? Or, is long hair OK, as long as it has some style and not just a lot of length? I mean, it spends ninety percent of its' time in either a messy bun or a ponytail right now, so, it's not like I'm even taking the time to curl it or anything (Laziness may be to blame, not gonna lie); why shouldn't I just cut it off?

Answer: Because then I won't be able to throw it up into a ponytail or a messy bun (See above: Laziness).

Sigh.

I do not know.

In the event that I do decide to bite the bullet and cut it, the top three contenders for the new style are these:




They are all three similar and don't look as though they would be too hard to maintain. I also think they could be arranged into a messy bun, and/or possibly thrown into a ponytail.

I have my next appointment with Megan in mid-July so I have some time to decide. Or, I could just decide not to decide and I can eventually tie my hair around my neck and hang myself with it.

You know, either way.

I'm Stressssing Out

Stress.

Man, I thought I knew all about it back in High School, when my biggest worry was what college to go to and whether or not I would make friends. What if I was a big 'ol lonely loser?

Then, when the kids were small, I thought life couldn't get any more stressful, what with bottles, and play dates, and dangers lurking around every corner. What if they got hurt on my watch?

Now, I'm finding that having older kids-adults, really-is just as damn stressful as having infants and toddlers. I actually long for the days of High School and I would totally take being a lonely loser over being a impotent parent, any day.

I can't live their lives. I can't tell them how to live them. All I can do is watch them make their way and pray that they avoid the dangers lurking around every corner. They may be adults, but, they're still on my watch, no matter how old they get.

At least now I know what fills the empty nest.

Worry.

Sunday, June 25, 2017

Ah-Maaazinnnggg Glaze, How Sweet It Is

Today, Queen B and I went to Amazing Glaze, the ceramic painting studio in Hooterville; we hadn't had a chance to spend any quality time alone together recently, so today was our day.

For our projects, Queen B chose a water dish for her cat, Nemo, and I chose a plate with an underwater theme, which I intend to use at the luau that Hugh and I are throwing later this summer for the Cub and his friends.

The ceramic studio has recently set up a painting station on their back patio and, even though it was warm out today, Queen B and I elected to sit out there to work on our projects. It was a good choice, there was enough of a breeze to keep us from sweltering, and, with the water fountain bubbling away and the birds singing in the nearby trees, it was both relaxing and calm.

We painted for about three and a half hours, and, our finished pieces will be fired and ready for pick-up next Friday. I'm excited to see how they look when they are done, and I'm glad that I got to spend the day with my baby girl.











Saturday, June 24, 2017

About That Mammogram...

Thursday morning, I went to the hospital in Hooterville to have my annual mammogram because it is Poke, Prod, and Pull Season here in Chellesville (mammogram, dental cleaning, and a pap smear, what fun!), and, while I've never generally dreaded the process, I don't exactly love it, either. I know, who does, right?

Well, after this particular experience, I may actually have graduated to dreading it just a teeny bit.

When I got to the hospital, I checked into the general boarding area and awaited my flight to Gropesville. The flight attendant on duty showed me to my seat and explained the particular features of the new machinery, which, is now capable of taking 3-D images of the 'ol bewbs.


Then, she handed me off to the technician who would be piloting the plane, who, took one look at me and declared in dismay "Oh. You're wearing a dress.".

Which, yes, Einstein, yes, I was.

"Are you wearing a slip?"

Noooo, because it's not 1957 all up in this joint.

"Ok...I have a cape...I'll have to get you a gown...just...just tuck in your underwear around your waist"

Because you're about to fondle my breasts in the most intimate way possible but looking at my panties may offend thee? Okaaaayy...

So, I slipped out of my (very cute, by the way) dress and swaddled my offensive lower half into the gown.

As expected, I was fondled into the machine, the positioning of The Girls requiring several adjustments and more than a little bit of "gentle" tugging. I'm used to that, though, so, no biggie.

The unexpected portion of the program came when the new machine required waaayyy more time to expose the bewbs to the imaging software. What used to take, like, ten seconds, now requires thirty; thirty seconds during which your delicate girlie flesh is flattened out to dimensions proportionate to that of a pancake served up at the local Ihop.

On the upside, they no longer require you to hold your breath, which, may have more to do with it being impossible rather than it being  some huge advancement in technology.

Anyway, the process, while absolutely necessary and life-saving, is now slightly more uncomfortable, and, not something that I am looking forward to repeating anytime soon, so, fingers crossed that my results are good, show no suspicious areas, and don't require additional images or a re-check any sooner than twelve months from now.

Also, note to self: Next year, wear jeans and spare the poor technician the embarrassment of checking out your undies; she's clearly not interested in learning Victoria's secret.

Friday, June 23, 2017

Friday Favorites: Everythings Coming Up Roses..and Lillies...and Fish? Edition

I must confess; it doesn't feel like summer yet, folks. I suspect that has a lot to do with the boat still being in dry dock and the fact that the Cub is up with the sun every morning for his job; there have been no lazy days spent poolside or eating Popsicles on the porch.

Sigh.

Despite my personal feelings, some obvious signs of the season do exist, however; the massive blooms on my rosebushes being the most obvious.

Bellaroma

Fragrant Plum


Marilyn Monroe

Tropicana

Mister Lincoln

Chrysler Imperial


Elizabeth Taylor

Ink Spot

With the exception of three plants, all of the bushes have produced blooms this season, and, the  holdouts (Hotel California, Bride's Dream, Chicago Peace) are budding even as I type this (I didn't get  good pictures of All American Beauty, Just Joey, or Rock and Roll, when they bloomed).

Not to be outdone by the roses, my tiger lily plants have put on quite a show, possibly the most beautiful one, ever.



And, while we missed the height of the peony season while we were in Hawaii, I did manage to capture a few blooms.


Flowers are always a favorite for me, and, as I've been saying, a sure sign of summer, and, since I didn't plant a vegetable garden this year, I am utilizing the flowerbeds and rose bushes for my gardening therapy.

Oh, and I also planted a small herb container for Hugh to use when he grills. Basil is my absolute favorite herb, with thyme coming in a close second. Both of them are happily growing next to oregano, which, rates third on the Herb Top 10 Favorites play list.




A new garden favorite this year is this iron art piece that Mom bought for me when she was here last week for an appointment with an opthamologist who will be doing surgery on her cataracts in early July.


The headlight on the bike is solar and lights up at night, the spokes on the wheels spin with the breeze, and, the baskets in the back hold enough birdseed to feed the neighborhood.



 I love it.

Speaking of new things, I mentioned a while back that I had purchased a few things at a shop in Hawaii and had had them shipped home. The items were originally intended for use in the Man-Cub's bathroom once he leaves for school, but, I couldn't wait that long to display them, so, they are temporarily gracing the dining room table.








The glass fish is absolutely adorable in person; he's filled with sand that I brought back from Hanauma Bay (it sparkles in the sunlight!) and shells and coral that Hugh and the kids found on the various other beaches that we visited. I picked up the glass floats (displayed in the large jar) because their history so  intrigued me. I'm hoping to collect more floats in various sizes, colors, and vintages when we make return visits to the island.

 And, that about covers this week's favorites. Tune in tomorrow when I tell you all about my latest mammogram.

Because my life is just that interesting!

Allow Me to Introduce Bennie

As in Buh, Buh, Buh, Buh, Benniiiiieee! Bennie and the Jets

Come on, you know you're singing it.

Bennie joined our automotive family at approximately 10:00 this morning, weighing a solid 3,470 pounds and measuring 168 inches. Queen B is expected to make a full recovery from the sticker shock.




We are looking forward to getting to know Bennie a little better the next time Queen B visits. In the meantime, we are setting up an insurance policy and savings account for any unforeseen expenses that may arise during Bennie's lifetime, as any good parents would do for their grandcars.

Now! Cigars all around!

Welcome to our world, Bennie.

Wednesday, June 21, 2017

Happy Official First Day of Summer!

I'm kicking it off with drinks on the porch with my compadres from Booster Club, whom I have missed seeing since graduation.

The weather is supposed to hit 100 degrees by noon, so, I'm planning on lots and lots of ice, ice cold wine, and, maybe some frozen grapes or something along those lines.

Whatever we nibble on, I know we will have good conversation and lots of laughs.

And, that's how you kick off the summer.

Monday, June 19, 2017

How I Spent My Weekend

This weekend marked the first weekend of the summer here at Casa de Chelle, and, it's starting to feel a little more like normal. Granted, not having a garden to tend is weird, but, I made up for the lack of garden therapy by finally tackling the mess that my scrapbooking room had become.

The space started out looking like this Saturday morning...




...cluttered with the detritus of every craft that I made the last three months of the Man-Cub's senior year as well as pretty much everything else that had made it into the house and not been relegated to a dedicated space. In short; it was a wreck.

I popped Beauty and the Beast into the DVD player and I went to town,  organizing, cleaning, and generally thinning the herd, so to speak. The final product is a room in which I can feel comfortable creating again. Heck, who knows, I may even get in there and finally catch up on the kids' scrapbooks, as was the original purpose of the room.

Don't laugh; it could happen.




Once the room was finished, I spent the remainder of the day cleaning the house, which, was no small feat, considering that it hadn't been done appropriately since well before graduation.

Sunday morning, I got up early, which finally gave me an opportunity to enjoy some time on the porch with a cup of coffee. The weather was beautiful and I passed the time watching the lone hummingbird that has been visiting the feeders this year (Where have all the hummers gone? Inquiring minds want to know) and capturing nature in all her glory, including the magic of an intricate spiderweb and the bees buzzing my rose bushes.

It was very relaxing.






And, lest you think that I am avoiding the subject of it being Father's Day (which, I probably am because I still find it difficult to comprehend that Father's Days still happens without Dad here, despite all the happy Facebook posts and Instagram messages to the contrary), I did celebrate Hugh with a card and gift and the opportunity to do what he likes best...grilling.




He made a most delicious meal, and, hopefully, enjoyed himself while doing it.


Today, it's back to the coal mines for another week of drudgery, because, it may be summer, but, here in the adult world, we gots to make the money to pay the bills.

Anyone else miss the lazy days of being a kid?