PIZZA NIGHT AT DICK AND DUCKIE'S HOUSE

Jennifer, Jeanette holding George, Duckie holding Lucy

back row: Bob, George, Garrett, and Dick
front row: Jennifer, Me, Jeanette, Barbara aka "Duckie"

I'm so happy. This afternoon our friends, Bob and Jennifer, arrived from Atlanta to spend the week with us. Tonight we got together for our usual Saturday night "Pizza Night" at Dick and Duckie's house. We had a wonderful time. After dinner, the guys ended up watching basketball (Final Four, I think George said) and the girls played Mexican Train. Fun!

FRANK, THE BUILDER

Tonight our builder, Frank, came by with his wife, Becky, and Frank's friend and assistant, Donna and presented us with a framed "sample board" of the paint colors, trim, brick, stones, granite, etc. used in building our new house. I think we'll hang it in the garage, but it was a really nice gesture. Frank's an awesome guy!

I ALMOST KILLED NEMO

I'm not sure exactly when I got Nemo, but I know I had him for awhile before Hurricane Ivan "visited" us in October, 2004. I remember when we evacuated, I left him behind (I put a weekend feeder in his bowl) since I just knew we would be back soon. Wrong! It ended up being a week before we could get back in our condo to check on things. Even then, we had to climb the stairs, since we had no power which meant no elevator, and it wasn't easy since we lived on the top floor. But, I digress...Anyway, I've had him for awhile now. His bowl is in the master bath right by the tub. It's nice to watch him swim around as I relax in the tub. (A glass of wine helps too!) I've worried from time to time about how much longer I would have him since I've always thought goldfish didn't live long. Well, surprise, surprise. I did a little research and found this:
Lifespan/Longevity
Longest known lifespan in captivity25 years (high)
Expected lifespan in captivity10 years (average)
Although there is one report of a pet goldfish who lived 43 years, 25 years is a more reasonable maximum lifespan for a goldfish kept in a pond. In an aquarium, ten years is more likely. In the wild, lifespan is undoubtedly less.
43 Years! Guess I better stock up on his food.

Anyway, I told you all that to tell you this:

I clean his bowl out once a week. I use a net and put him in a plastic Fudpucker cup (only the best for my buddy Nemo) with some distilled water, while I clean out the bowl, wash off his rocks and refill the bowl with distilled water. Here's the bad part...
I reached for some paper towels to dry off his bowl and my arm knocked the cup off the counter. Now my bathroom counters are relatively high, so I freaked. Water went e-v-e-r-y-w-h-e-r-e and poor Nemo was laying on the tile floor panting for breath. I starting apologizing to him out loud as I scoop him up quickly and fill the cup with more water. I just knew I had killed him for sure. Nope, he started swimming around immediately and now he seems fine. I ended up giving him an afternoon snack to further show how very sorry I was.


I once saved Bree's goldfish (named Goldie Hawn), but I'll save that story for another day.

IT STILL MAKES MY BLOOD BOIL

I've been on my computer WAYmore than normal and here's why. Pull up a chair and let me tell you a sad, but true story:

On February 28th, the last day of the month, I got a speeding ticket less than 8 miles from my house on a 4 lane highway. I wasn't speeding, I promise, and I'm certain of it since I was riding behind a sheriff's car for awhile and I looked at my speedometer just to check my speed. I was doing about 3 miles over the limit so I slowed down. He turned left and I went on. I'm not kidding...within half a mile, I was pulled over by another cop. He wrote me a ticket for doing 54 in a 45 zone. I repeat...54 in a 45. Keep in mind, it was the last day of the month!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I was furious, but kept my cool and explained that I couldn't be speeding because of yada yada yada. He wasn't impressed or moved in the least. I got a ticket. An $82.00 ticket, no less! I paid my ticket and opted to go to driving school on-line to keep my insurance from going up. I wanted to go to court to fight it, but wasn't sure if I should or not. I've heard pros and cons about doing that. I waited until after our trip and then after my ultrasound, etc. to take the 4 hour on-line driving school course. Which explains why I've spend so much (wasted) time on the computer. I passed the test and copied my completion certificate and made the trip to the county courthouse today to turn it in and end this whole experience. The courthouse is right next to the library which is where I was driving home from on the day of the ticket. Today, I took care of the ticket situation, bought my new car tag, and renewed some books at the library. Soooo...coming home I was literally re-tracing my steps from the day of the ticket. I noted the following:

Mileage starting out from library: 4779.00, Speed Limit 65

Mileage 4780.9, Speed Limit 55

Mileage 4781.1, Speed Limit 45

Mileage 4783.1, Speed Limit 55

Mileage 4785.8, Speed Limit 45

Mileage 4787.4, entrance to our neighborhood

Even though I personally wasn't speeding, you can see why they ticket so many people. (Especially on the last day of the month!) It's hard to drive and keep changing speeds quickly.

Am I angry? You bet. It still makes my blood boil. Can I do anything about it? Not really. George said "Babe, just forget about it." Hopefully, I will...in time.....maybe getting this off my chest will help. :-)

Okay, now I can get back to the important things I do on the computer...like blogging!

I WANT WHATEVER THEY HAD

This photo was taken at a competition in June. The competition was
between 9 women who had to have makeovers, they had every
possible beauty treatment available to them over a period of time.

I got this from a friend today. Unbelievable! Wonder if it's true? If so, I want what they had!

A BUSY BEE - THAT'S ME

I've been on the computer for hours, literally, working on all kinds of projects today and tonight, but never found time to blog until now and I'm just too tired to think. Tomorrow's another day...

PRAISE THE LORD

I haven't gotten an official call yet from my doctor's office and probably won't until Monday since the doctor won't return until then. But....a "source" I know (who will remain nameless) called and said all is good.

Praise The Lord from whom ALL blessing flow!

Thanks for all the prayers!

WORKS FOR ME WEDNESDAY

I personally don't need expensive facial soap. I love Neutrogena...but...I would get frustrated because after awhile it would get "mushy" around the edges. Now, as soon as I buy a new bar, I take a sharp knife and cut the bar into three small bars. I put one by my bathroom sink, one in the shower, and have the last one on hand for the next time I need one or for my travel bag. Voila! No more problems. This works for me!

Go here for more ideas.

NO NEWS YET

The ultrasound was easier than I thought it would be, but I don't know results yet. Maybe tomorrow. I will not freak out in the meantime!

Thank you all for your prayers. Keep lifting them up please.

Psalm 56:3
What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.

I FEEL OLD, HOW ABOUT YOU?

Eddie Haskell, The Beave, and Wally

HOPE AND HEALING

I woke up early this morning. I couldn't sleep. I guess I was thinking about my ultrasound scheduled for this afternoon. I stood at my kitchen window and prayed. When I went to my computer, one of my daily devotional gave me a message I needed to hear:


You can be radiantly certain of this: Difficult circumstances are opportunities for you to intentionally focus your faith in God and to see what he will do to give you hope and healing.

DANCING WITH THE STARS

I think Joey and Kim are going far!

Oh My Word! Am I a happy girl tonight? The answer is a big YES! Dancing With The Stars is back. I love the show. Tracey has a good post about it and I couldn't say it better. I totally agree with her.... point by point.

WHY I'M THANKFUL (AND LUCKY TOO)

I have so much to be thankful for and I've been thinking about it alot lately. Tonight as I was getting back into my car at the grocery store, I spotted a shiny new penny - face up - on the pavement. It's supposed to mean good luck. But, I don't need a penny to remind me that I'm thankful and lucky too!

This post was orignally posted on June 13, 2006 and it's still so true!


My friends and I talk about this alot....we live each day as if we're on vacation...we do things most people do on their vacation...we play tennis or golf, we walk, we do lunch, we have cocktails and watch the sunset, go out to dinner, spend the day on the beach, go boating, etc. Of course, we do normal things too like cook, clean, shop, water plants, do laundry, pay bills, buy groceries, etc., but most of the time, we're blessed to be doing really fun and great things. I know for sure NONE of us take it for granted...we know how very, very blessed we are. We express our gratitude alot. Everyone (or their spouse) has worked really hard for a really long time in order for us to be at this point in our lives. We've raised our children and now we're able to spend quality time with our spouses and our friends. It's wonderful...it really is, but we never want to forget how very lucky we are. When I say my prayers at night (and sometimes during the day) I ALWAYS thank our awesome God for the gift of my life.

GO WITH THE FLOW

I'm the type of person who likes to plan her day in advance. I like for things to go as planned. Which, of course, rarely happens, but a girl can hope.




Here's today:

Planned: Get up early and do a few chores before getting ready for church
Reality: Got up just in time to rush around like crazy and hurry out the door

Planned: Lunch right after church, somewhere quick, but nice. Maybe our favorite french cafe?
Reality: George didn't feel well so we came straight home from church. What to cook? Nothing was planned so I was trying to come up with an idea. But, by the time we changed clothes, he felt better and wanted to ride bikes to the village for lunch. We did. Great barbecue lunch and a good bike ride.

Planned: Go to the beach for a few hours of reading and relaxing.
Reality: Not enough time so we layed out by our pool for awhile. Very nice.

Planned: Do some laundry and maybe catch up some ironing I've put off for awhile while watching two DVDs I checked out of the library and need to return tomorrow. Balance the checkbook.
Reality: Did none of the above.

Planned: Dinner out with Jack and Linda
Reality: Dinner out with Jack and Linda

Planned: Sticking with my plan.
Realtiy: You gotta go with the flow.

MY FAVORITE ACCESSORY

I meant the frame...but he's my favorite too!

A NEW ATTITUDE

I woke up this morning with a new attitude. I know it was the prayers...mine and those of my friends. So thank you dear friends. I decided to push my worries to the back of my mind and get on with life.

After a few chores around the house this morning, George and I took a long bike ride. What a gorgeous day! You can't help but feel good just to be outside. We came home and packed our beach bag and went to the beach for a few hours.

Tonight, Frank (our builder) had a 50th birthday party for his wife, Becky. Great fun.

I'm looking forward to church tomorrow. We've missed a few weeks due to our trip and last Sunday I wasn't feeling well.

COLOR ME BLUE

I haven't felt like myself in a few days now....mentally or physically. I'm a little worried about the ultrasound on Tuesday if you want to know the truth. I'm not really in pain...pain is maybe the wrong word, just a kind of weird twingy feeling mainly on the left side of my abdomen that doesn't seem to go away. It's got me down though. Even my friends at tennis this morning noticed even though I tried to act as normal as possible. Jeanette called me this afternoon "What's going on? You're just not yourself." I know it, and I hate it, but that's the fact.

After tennis, I knew I needed to get away so I put on my swimsuit and headed to "my heaven" (see March 21st post if you're not sure what I'm talking about). I needed to be by myself for awhile and have a good talk with God. I needed to gaze out at his wonderous waters and for awhile just reflect.

This too shall pass. (sigh)

WORKING GIVES ME A HEADACHE

I worked today at Stein Mart 10-5. We had a very busy day. It was actually fun, but I was happy to leave by the end of the day. George met me for pizza afterwards and I got my shower early and settled on the couch for Grey's Anatomy. Oh My! It's getting good.

I've suddenly got a headache though, so I'm off to bed early.

GUESS I'M BALANCED AFTERALL

I found this on Tracey's blog and decided to try it. After answering a few questions, I found out this about myself:



You Are 50% Left Brained, 50% Right Brained

The left side of your brain controls verbal ability, attention to detail, and reasoning.
Left brained people are good at communication and persuading others.
If you're left brained, you are likely good at math and logic.
Your left brain prefers dogs, reading, and quiet.

The right side of your brain is all about creativity and flexibility.
Daring and intuitive, right brained people see the world in their unique way.
If you're right brained, you likely have a talent for creative writing and art.
Your right brain prefers day dreaming, philosophy, and sports.

Guess I'm evenly balanced? Amazing, since I never feel that way.

Wanna try it? Go here.

"MY" HEAVEN

This is "my" heaven:
(All these photos were taken here on our local beach, bay and marina.)

A few years ago I read The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold, a novel told in the first person by Susie Salmon, a 14-year-old girl who is raped, murdered and dismembered in the first chapter. I couldn't bring myself to read it when it first came out, but I kept hearing so much about it, so I finally broke down and did. It's not easy, but it really is a fascinating book and brings up lots of things to discuss. I guess that's why Oprah loved it and it went from book club to book club, mine included. When we're introduced to Susie, she's already gone, looking down on her family from her very own heaven. That's what intrigued me....her very own heaven. In this book, everyone's heaven is different. Your heaven is what you want your heaven to be. Doesn't that sound heavenly? No pun intended.

Today, I bit the bullet. Yep, I put on my swimsuit for the first time this year and went to spend the day on the beach. I mean actually in a bathing suit, sitting on a chair, sunning myself, kinda day. I'm lucky. I know it. I don't take it for granted. I'm truly thankful. I live in Paradise. I can go to the beach every day, any day. Thanks to my sweet husband who worked so hard for so many years so we could retire in a place we love.

Anyway, as I sat there today all by myself, I couldn't help but think about how heavenly it was and it made me think again about The Lovely Bones and the idea of our very own heaven. If I could choose my very own heaven, it would be the beach. I love the smell of the salty air, hearing the seagulls, the laughter of children, the sounds of the waves crashing in. I love the feel of the sand between my toes. I love how food tastes better on the beach. I love spotting the dolphins and seeing the herons walk up and down the beach. I love taking long walks with friends and talking the whole way. I love the wonderful breeze. I love pulling my chair right down to the water's edge and letting the waves tickle my toes and keep me cool. I love to take a good book and then get drowsy and take a little nap. I love getting up early and seeing the sunrise and then watching the fishing boats come around the jetty and head out for the day. I love watching the sun set slowing over the water and I can almost hear it sizzle as it slowly leaves. My heaven would have all of this. And on some days in my heaven, I would have all my children and grandchildren with me, laughing and building sandcastles, flying kites and jumping the waves. Other times, I'd love to have cocktail parties under a beach umbrella with my Mom, Aunt and sisters and cousins and daughters and daughter-in-laws like we do now as often as we can. Some times, I'd just like to spend days all by myself like I did today. But mostly, I'd like to take long walks holding my sweet George's hand as we talk about life and how blessed we are.

Yep, that would be my personal heaven.

Hugs,
Kat

OFF TO EXERCISE AND FIND MY STAPLER

I was just trying to convince myself to get in a good walk before I talked myself out of it, when I read a friend's e-mail and saw these. I get the message. I'm off to find the stapler and grab my ipod and tennis shoes!

PACK-IT FOLDERS WORK FOR ME

Oh My Word! If you've never tried these packing helpers, you just have to! Trust me and do it. We bought our Pack-It Folders years ago at a luggage shop and they are amazing! You use the folding card that comes with them to fold each of your items into a neat stack and then close up the pack. I put a piece of tissue paper between each item...it makes it easy to lift items out...just lift the edge of the tissue paper with the items that are on top of what you need, get your item, and then replace the others. Presto....everything stays in place. When we go on long trips, we each take 4 of these. They hold quite a bit. Sometimes, I write down on a piece of paper what's inside and tape it to the front, so I don't have to open every pack to find what I need. I even re-fold dirty things and put them back in their place to stay organzied (no...not dirty underwear...that would be disgusting!).

These things are great and they WORK FOR ME! (for more good idea, click here)

ANOTHER FULL DAY

I'm still having problems with the pain in my back on the left side right about waist high. It's not as bad as it was when it started when we were on our trip last week, but it's still there. My doctor has ordered a pelvic ultrasound next Tuesday, so we'll see what it shows. Send up some prayers please!

I decided on the spur of the moment to drive over to Pensacola today to do a little shopping. I hit two of my favorite shops...Duh and Celebrations. I always find something at both places when I go, so today was no exception. Sometimes I just love to get in my car and take a drive all by myself. I listen to a good book on tape and just go. Fun!

Tonight, since our friends, Ed and Jane, are in town, we had them over for drinks along with Jack and Linda. We all went to Graffitti's for dinner. It was wonderful to get us all together again. Jane has just finished her chemo treatments and she looked wonderful! (I forgot my camera!)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ERIC!

It happened soooo fast...from a little boy to a grown man, married and the father of 3!





Happy Happy Birthday Eric!

33.... I just can't believe it. I can remember, oh so easily, the day you were born. What a special day! You stole my heart immediately and nothing has changed. You've very special to me and so many, many others. You've ALWAYS made me proud to say "I'm his Mom". I love you very much!

BOUTIQUE LADIES LUNCHEON

The "Bou" ladies of Stein Mart get together every three months for a luncheon and meeting. This was my first one and it was fun. All the ladies are really nice. Working twice a month and getting my discount every day I want to shop works great for me!

PHOTOS FROM OUR TRIP

I've spent most of the day downloading photos from our trip. FYI...Rather than post them here, I've gone back and added photos to my posts during our trip, March 8-12.

PALM SPRINGS AERIAL TRAMWAY

From the top! What a view!
In route to the top.
We're smiling 'cause we made it to the top and we're not even thinking about the trip back down.

A view from the tram right after we left the platform, headed upwards.Another view from the tram.

I'm finally getting around to downloading and organizing our photos from our trip. Here's some from our fun trip up the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway...I couldn't get them to post in order though. Click on the photos to see up close. The first one especially...it shows just how far up we were.

If you get a chance go to this website and check it out, especially the video about the history of the tram...amazing! We really enjoyed our time there, even the spooky (for me who doesn't usually like heights) ride up there. Each time the tram got to one of the 5 towers along the way, the tram swayed and shook. It was sure worth it once we got to the top.

DANGER AT MY DOOR

I'm trying to be good with my eating, I really am...but what can you do when these yummies are delivered by these cutie pies?!

29 YEARS

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO US!

29 years ago I married my best friend. He is my soul mate, the father of our children, my lover and still my very best friend. I don't deserve this man, but oh God, thank you for the gift you have given me!

DO IT WITH ME

It's that time again. Remember to do your self breast exam.

I first posted about this last month:

"It's funny how you can go to one blog and then see something interesting and visit another blog. Kinda fun when you've got some time on your hands. I'm glad I did today. Through Rocksinmydryer, I found Holy Mama's and boy does she have a good idea to remind us all to do breast self exams on the 17th of each month. (Her January 20th post explains why she started this.)
As a breast cancer survivor myself, I know how important it is to do this every month and also to get a mammogram. I'm glad to be a member of Club 17. Join today...don't delay. I'm a poet...didn't know it."

MY VISUAL DNA

This was kinda fun! Leave me a post if you try it too, so I can check out yours.

Read my VisualDNA™ Get your own VisualDNA™

HOME AGAIN HOME AGAIN JIGGITY JIG

It's ooooohhhh so nice to be home! We had a wonderful time, but there really is no place like home. I feel like I should do like Dorothy and click my heels together and recite "there's no place like home, there's no place like home....."

We left for the airport this morning at 6AM and literally traveled ALL day. We flew from Palm Springs to Atlanta, drove to Columbus and stopped and saw the kids for awhile and then drove on home.

I'm still feeling pretty yucky. My bad is hurting alot unless I keep taking Aleve. As soon as the plane landed in Atlanta, I dialed my doctor's office so I could talk with the nurse before they left for the weekend. She said that the medicine won't work on some strains of kidney infections and mine might be one of them OR (and this I didn't want to hear) it might be I have a kidney stone. She suggested I go to the emergency room or a "doc-in-a-box" type place if it gets worse this weekend, otherwise, call them on Monday. Luckily, George's car has seat warmers and they helped alot on the way home and so did the Aleve. I've never had a kidney stone, but my son has several times and so has my friend, Beth, so I know I don't want one for sure!