Friday Favorites

Thank God it's Friday. It's been a busy couple of weeks and I am just about peopled out; I am looking forward to a weekend with nothing on my plate but nesting. Before I get to that, though, it's time for the favorites from the past little bit, including the time that I have had to spend with Queen B and Mom; when I say I'm peopled out; they don't count.

The Man-Cub drove Mom home today, before the ink was even dry on the contract for her new home. Wait, what?! Yep, we found a house! And it only took three days! It's a town home that checked all of Mom's boxes: 

• Single story
• Low maintenance
• Large enough rooms for her current furniture
• Enough storage space
• Move-in ready
• Quiet neighborhood
• Near the Senior Center, church, stores, and medical center
• Plenty of green space

It was in her budget and she will close on it September 6th. 

There is also a rose bush in her yard, which she was happy about. 

Speaking of roses; the bushes at both Not So New Job and my house are going gang-busters this year! I love them, so of course that makes me happy.

Also making me happy is this new mug.

I picked it up at the dollar store down the road from us and it cracks me up. Ha! Egg pun!

Anyhoodle, I'll leave with this: pictures of the last two dinners that we had with Mom. The first is a tortellini in cream sauce that I had at our favorite little Italian place the night that Mom decided to put in an offer on the house, and, the second is last night's dinner, which I enjoyed with Mom, Oscar, Emily, The Man-Cub, Shanti, Queen B, Hugh, and Mikey.

Queen B will be flying back to Texas on Monday, but I'm not going to think about that right now. I mean, why ruin a perfectly good Friday Favorites?

The Return of the Redneck Yacht Club

About a million years ago (or, three, same diff), Jana and I talked about making a fancy dinner on one of our boats. We envisioned a gourmet picnic-style meal with wine and the glow of the setting sun. 

Fast forward to Tuesday night, when we joined Chris and Jana at the nearby state park for dinner on their boat, which is semi-permanently docked on a rented buoy (they were on a waiting list for a slip on the dock, but the buoy became available first so they figured something was better than nothing).

In order to get to the boat, we had to take a jetty, which involved some creative gymnastics to board. I was up for the challenge, and, to my credit, did not fall into the lake.

The fanciest part of our meal was the pan of Rice Krispies treats that Jana made for the kids, but that is the way it goes (for the record, we still plan to have a smaller, more intimate and fancier dinner on board one of our boats at some point in the future. You know, three years from now or so).

The evening was slightly overcast, with the threat of a major rainstorm looming on the horizon, but, luckily, it held off and we were able to enjoy the water without a shower.

It took several trips, in two jetties, to get us and all of our baggage out to the boat, but the ride was smooth and the company, impeccable.

While Jana worked on prepping dinner, Chris helped the kids blow up the paddle boards so that Queen B and Shanti could float for a bit.

He aslo blew up a raft that he and Jana lovingly refer to as the "hot tub", because they can fill it with hot water from the boat and use it to warm up in after getting out of the cold lake water. The kids were impressed. We are rednecks, hear us roar!

Dinner was definitely a redneck affair, with chicken cooked on a small grill and on a hot plate. This took quite a bit longer than Jana had anticipated, but we had Rice Krispie treats to munch on in the meantime, so no one complained about the delay.

Queen B killed some time swabbing the decks for fun (or, because she had spilled her beer and didn't want to be a bad guest; her momma raised her right!).

I didn't join in the swabbing, but I handed her the mop.

While we waited on dinner, Jana and I visited and I enjoyed the view of the sunset over the bow of the boat.

After dinner, we visited for awhile longer before taking the jetty back to the dock, which, was interesting in the dark.

We ended the night with a quick selfie and a promise to plan that other dinner soon. Hopefully, really soon, like, two years  from now instead of three!

What's Up Wednesday, July 2022 Edition

 

Is it hot where you live? Because, holy Hannah, it's been hot here in Colorado. And, for once, it hasn't been a dry heat. Dry heat, I can handle; this humidity shit? It's for the birds. Southern birds. Thankfully, August usually brings in cooler temperatures, so, here's hoping that next month is cooler and less...sticky.

And, that's about enough talk about the weather; let's move on to What's Up Wednesday with Sheaffer and Shay, shall we? Ha! Say that ten times, fast!

What I'm Eating

Hugh and I recently visited a little Italian place that we love; they've change location and lost a bit of their original charm, but the food is still delicious.

We also ate at a local brew pub, where I had an awesome Asian chicken salad. You know, because I was being healthy.

Of course, eating healthy went straight out the door when Queen B arrived in town and we went to her favorite wing place. Talk about deep-fried overload! Spoiler: Not sorry.

What I'm Reminiscing About

Hugh, the kids, and I went to Mayberry for Stampede this past weekend. The Stampede rodeo is the oldest pro rodeo in Colorado; it turned 100 this year. My dad volunteered on the committee for just shy of 30 years, so, to say that Stampede is a part of the fabric of my life would be to understate the truth.

A lot has changed over the past few years and, even as we enjoyed the parade and rodeo; I couldn't help but reminisce about the way things used to be. It probably didn't help that we were all too aware that this was the last year that we will all journey back to Mom's house for the celebration; just the thought of new owners marking their parade-viewing territory by lining the sidewalk with folding chairs an hour before the canon goes off to signal the start of the parade made me tear up. I also got stupidly emotional when the High School band stopped in front of the house to play the school song in honor of my Mom's 60th class reunion. Change is hard, y'all,

What I'm Loving

Queen B is home! And we got to travel as a family, which we haven't done since the Man-Cub graduated from HPU back in December. I love my family!

My office manager gifted the staff with this candle; her obsession with Outlander is well known and we all got a chuckle out of the gift. It also smells very much like I imagine Scotland would smell in the fall, so that's awesome.

While we were in Mayberry, we dismantled my Dad's old pinball machine and loaded it in the truck for the trip to the Man-Cub's apartment here in Petticoat Junction. I love that old machine and it fills my heart to know that the Cub will give it a good home.

And, speaking of my Dad's old games; I found his old Carrom Board and couldn't resist bringing it home. I have no idea how to play the game, but it was from Dad's childhood so I'm willing to learn. 

What I've Been Up To

I ran a near-perfect golf tournament and managed to raise $30,000 for Not So New Job.

Hugh, The Newlyweds, and I spent the long 4th of July weekend in the mountains, riding four wheelers, making s'mores, and noshing on an epic Campcuterie Board (Trademark!).

What I'm Working On

With the golf tournament out of the way, I am free to concentrate on the next fundraiser, which is the annual Barn Dance, scheduled for September 9th. If the fundraising season doesn't kill me, I'll be shocked.

What I'm Dreading

I said it last month and I'll say it again; I am dreading cleaning out my childhood home when my Mom moves. There is just so much stuff and a lot of it has great sentimental value. How do you decide what makes the cut when you are downsizing?

What I'm Excited About

I'm going to be taking Senior pictures for Phoebe's daughter and I'm really looking forward to seeing her and her mamma. If everything works out, they'll get to spend a night with me and we'll get some quality time to catch up.

What I'm Watching

I watched the latest season of Stranger Things and loved it.

Hugh, the Man-Cub, Shanti and I went to see Thor: Love and Thunder. I didn't hate it.

I especially loved the 80's music soundtrack to both the movie and the Netflix series. The 80's rocked and it's awesome that the latest generation is embracing the soundtrack of my youth.

Lastly, I just binge watched all four seasons of  The Handmaid's Tale because I am a late adopter of all the things cool.

What I'm Reading

I'm about to bore the shit out of you: I m reading grant reports for a grant monitoring process that is driving me to drink. At this point, my brain is so overwhelmed with information; I'd be lucky if I could retain the content of a Dr. Suess book.

What I'm Listening To

The swamp cooler at Not So New Job is gasping as though it is on its' last legs. Hell, it probably is.

What I'm Wearing

Still rocking the cute shoes! This is my newest pair; I got them on Amazon and I am in love with the ruffled detail.

What I'm Doing This Weekend

I will probably be making the three hour drive back to Mayberry to deliver Mom back to her house. Before I leave; I need to throw together a dish of my famous baked beans for Queen B to take to Mia's engagement party. That's about it. What an exciting life I lead.

What I'm Looking Forward To Next Month

August is truly summer's last hurrah, so, with any luck, Hugh will get the Sea Chelle out of drydock and we will get in some boating. That's assuming there is any water left on which to boat. Damn drought.

Favorite Amazon Find

I purchased these gardening sleeves and they are one of the best things I have ever spent money on. Hands down. No pun intended.

Getting the Gang Back Together

We left Mom's house at noon on Sunday and made it back to Petticoat Junction just in time to host the first official Porch Night of the season. All the usual suspects were present and accounted for, including Mama Jill, Craig, Anthony and Bethany, Baby Cooper, who is no longer a baby, plus his new brother Porter who is a baby, Mama Jill's oldest daughter and her youngest granddaughter, The Newlyweds, Mikey, Kenzi, Katie and her brand new fiance, Mia and her brand new fiance (lots of weddings in Queen B's future!), Queen B's long-lost friend, The prom King, Chris, Jana, and, of course, Mom, Queen B, Shanti and the Man-Cub and us.

Oh! And a puppy! Mikey's, to be exact.

It was a great turnout and we had a great time visiting, eating, drinking, playing with the kids and dogs, and generally just enjoying a beautiful evening and great company.

I had forgotten how much fun these gatherings are and I can't wait to host the next one; hopefully sooner, rather than later.