I'M OKAY....REALLY....

But I feel like a dog trying to catch it's own tail! I got home from my trip a few days ago and got to spend a few days with Mom and Sherry before they left yesterday morning. I spent all day yesterday zipping around trying to get things done and my bags repacked because I'm leaving again this morning for a quick trip to Jackson to see Bree and Jay.

Where did the last week go???? I've got lots to tell (and photos too)...just no time to do it. Sigh!

I miss blogging and I feel "out of the loop", but I'll be back on Saturday night.

Till then..................

Hugs and kisses,
Kat

IT STILL FEELS LIKE HOME

I love Nashville.

I really do. And there's a handfull of people who would jump in real quick if they heard me say that. Why? Because when we moved here 18 years ago, I was not a "happy camper". I came "kicking and screaming". Like a dummy, I thought it would be nothing but country music, cowboy boots and cowboy hats and lots of clothes with fringe. (Don't get me wrong, I love country music and I like cowboy boots and hats...just not every day.) Yep, I was such a dummy. Nashville is actually a very cosmopolitan city, full of life and excitement. And absolutely beautiful. I love that you can experience all four seasons here. And every season is beautiful. I can just drive around for hours and drool over the magnificent homes, stone walls, lush landscaping and the many choices of great places to eat and shop. George and I had some fun this afternoon after our dental appointments to do just that. We took some time and just rode around all over the place. We also rode by our old houses. One of the streets where we used to live is changing big time. McMansions everywhere. I think one of the country stars must live in one of them since we saw a tour bus. We also visited our old country club, Hillwood, and talked to the tennis pro who was there when we were members. Nashville still feels like home. It's been 10 years since we left. Guess what? I left "kicking and screaming". I didn't want to leave. I guess I should just go ahead and admit it right now. Each time we've had to move (because of business), I've left "kicking and screaming" and then settled in and loved my new city...and then left once again "kicking and screaming". My Mom once told me "Don't worry. You always bloom where you're planted." And Mom was right, of course.

There's absolutely no plans for us to ever move again. We love living in "paradise", but if we ever were to move, Nashville would be my first choice. Two of our kids love Nashville too. I'm hoping one of them decides to make Nashville home so I can come more often. How about it Eric and Angela? Bree and Jay?
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Our dental appointments went well. Thank you Lord. Tonight we're having dinner with our dentist and one of his daughters. His wife and other daughter are on a mission trip. Again...I'm so thankful that our dentist is also our good friend.
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We're heading to Memphis tomorrow. Bree and Jay are meeting us there. I'm so excited to see them and I'm REALLY excited that Bree and I will be shopping for THE dress. Wish us luck!

Hugs and kisses,
Kat

SING IT WILLIE

Time for another road trip!

Wow, the two weeks has flown by and now it's time for the dentist...again. We're driving to Nashville for a few days and then we're heading to Memphis. Bree and Jay are meeting us there on Friday. Bree and I will drive to Brinkley, Arkansas (it's just an hour or so from Memphis) to look for the perfect wedding dress (fingers crossed!) and George and Jay will play golf. Then on Saturday and Sunday the four of us will be watching our 9 year old grandson Carson play in the World Series baseball tournament in South Haven, Mississippi. Bree's birthday is Sunday, so we'll be celebrating it too. This will be a whirlwind trip, for sure!

Hugs and kisses,
Kat

HAVING FUN

Carol, Sherry, Jeanette, Mom, Me (squinting!)

We're having fun and staying busy. This afternoon my friends Carol and Jeanette came over to join in the fun. We played Chicken Foot, a dominoes game.

We're eating good too. Sweet champagne grapes, spinach dip with hot crusty bread, roasted marcona almonds with rosemary, and a olive tapenade with crumbled feta cheese and crackers. Some of us had pomegranate martinis and some had red wine.

Life is good!


Hugs and kisses,
Kat

I'M READY

My Mom and Sherry arrive this afternoon....

so you know what that means, right?



A lot of games
Lots of wine and chocolate, of course!

Laughter...lots and lots of laughter

And very little time on the computer

And the problem is....

absolutely nothing!

Hugs and kisses,
Kat

THIS AND THAT

My latest obsession - banana popsicles! I buy the Publix brand. So good. Only 40 calories. Heaven on a stick.

What's your favorite flavor?

~~~~~
This morning George and I rode our bikes to Another Broken Egg for breakfast and then got in a 15 mile ride. 15.3 to be exact. Yeah! It feels good to feel good. I felt like I could have done 20 easily, but George said no. He still doesn't want me to push myself too much. Neither one of us wants my bronchitis to flare up again.

I'm so glad I got some good exercise and had a big breakfast because before I could even get showered and dressed, I got a call from my friend Beth (the one who has MS and back issues). She was on her way to the emergency room. I hurried and dressed and got there as quickly as I could. Her chest port was very painful and she was worried about infection. It turns out she was right. So...I had a long day in the emergency room. (I've spent more time in the emergency room with her this year than I ever dreamed possible.) We ended up having to leave her car at the hospital since she couldn't drive home. We were both tired and when we stopped at the pharmacy for her prescriptions, it took FOREVER!

Beth is really having a hard time. Her life is a constant whirl of doctors (plural) appointments, procedures, MRI's, emergency room visits, etc. I actually called her Mom today and suggested she come. Beth needs her Mom. She's flying in either tomorrow or Saturday. Thank you Lord. Please say some prayers for my friend.
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Speaking of Moms...my Mom and Sherry are coming on Saturday!! Yeah! Can't wait.
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Our 9 year old grandson Carson's baseball team just won the state championship! More on that later. I'm hoping to have a photo soon and details. We're so proud of him...and our son George who coaches the team.
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So tired tonight. Yawn. Can't wait to hug my pillow. Night night!


Hugs and kisses,
Kat

I'M FULLY AWAKE!

I woke up this morning in a bit of a panic just thinking of all the things we still need to do for the wedding. We've accomplished a lot, but there's still sooooo much to do.

Next week, Bree and I are going here to begin our search for the perfect dress.

Hugs and kisses,
Kat

IT'S A HARD QUESTION

This was in my fortune cookie the other day. My heart did a little "pitter patter" when I read it. Yippee!! But then I stopped and asked myself "What exactly does my heart desire?". It's actually a hard question. There are so many ways to answer it.

What is your heart's desire?

Hugs and kisses,
Kat

FEELING GOOD

I'm b-a-a-c-k! Yep, I'm feeling good. Finally!

If you've never heard Michael Buble sing this song, you're in for a treat. Starts out slow, but then...WOW!

So crank up the volume and enjoy. Really really loud...come on...the neighbors won't mind. Do this for me. Get on your feet, close your eyes, feel the music and just dance. Don't be shy. It's okay to be silly. No one has to know. Just do it! I promise you...this 5 minutes will make you will feel good too.

Hugs and kisses,
Kat

MONDAY, MONDAY

I am so ready to feel like myself again. Ready to ride my bike, exercise, play tennis...you know, just do "my thing". Between the bronchitis and the dental surgery...and all the medicines...I've been a slug, a real couch potato.

So....this morning I was determined to do something...anything. I decided to ride my bike up to Starbucks for a coffee, which isn't too far. If I felt like it, I would do more, if not, I would just ride back home. Well, it felt so good to be outside and getting some fresh air so I just kept going. I was at almost 10 miles when the rain came. Big time rain. Luckily, I was near my friend Jean's house, so I stopped in for a visit. The rain continued. And just wouldn't stop. She finally brought me home in her car and I left my bike there. And it's still raining and it doesn't look like it plans to stop any time soon.

Oh well...a nap on a rainy day never hurt anyone, right? Curling up with a good book and listening to the pitter patter is my new plan....and then maybe the nap.

Hugs,
Kat

THIS SHOULD BE ON MY FRONT DOOR TODAY.

....another couch potato day.....

Where has my strength gone? Between the bronchitis and the dental surgery, I'm feeling "puny". And I'm on antiobiotics for another week. sigh!

Hugs and kisses,
Kat

HE WAS CUTE AND HE WAS NICE....

...and we loved his accent, but our waiter proved the fact that you can't hand your camera to just anyone and expect good photos!

Kari at Just Livin' Large is visiting her sister Sherri who lives about an hour away from me so I was very excited that they were willing to drive over for a visit. They came to the house and got to meet George and Miss Daisy too. I rode them around by golf cart and showed them this area and we had lunch at Cantina Laredo. I'm bummed that we didn't get some good photos. I don't have one single photo of the three of us smiling and in good light. These lousy stupid dark photos are all I have though. So sad! Why, oh why, didn't I check the photos after our waiter took them? I'm so frustrated. Maybe the ones on Kari's camera will be better.

But take my word for it....Kari looks AMAZING! And skinny! She's a Weight Watchers success story, for sure.

Kari and Sherri

I promise you they weren't sad...I guess the darn waiter took photos either before or after we thought he did. Where am I? I was sitting right there, but believe me, you don't want to see the expression on my face in this shot! LOL

It was fun getting to meet Sherri. Since she lives nearby, I hope she and I can get together and have some fun. Kari said that was okay as long as she heard about it first BEFORE reading about it on my blog. LOL

I hope to see them again in August.

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A big THANK YOU to Barbara at Purple Goat Lady for giving me a new award. The PREMIOS DARDO (which means Top Dart) acknowledges the value that every blogger shows in his or her effort to transmit cultural, ethical, literary and personal values everyday.

Hugs and kisses,
Kat

CAN'T WAIT....

and here's just one reason why.....


Sometimes I get to meet some of my blog friends "in real life". Today I'm having lunch with a blog friend from Texas and her sister. Can you guess who? Here's a hint...I met her for the first time last July.

More later.....

Hugs and kisses,
Kat

(I'm so thankful I'm feeling better today so I can keep our plans. Not much pain and the swelling is almost gone.)

I'M GETTING GOOD....

at being a couch potato!

Last night wasn't fun. I had trouble sleeping. My mouth hurt and so did my tummy. I think the pain meds did a number on me. George ended up getting up at 3:30 and going out to get me something to eat, so I could take medicine for the pain. Luckily, it worked and we were able to sleep.

We're back home now and I'm feeling a bit better. My mouth is still tender, but my face isn't as swollen. I plan to spend the rest of the day on the couch with Miss Daisy...just chilling out.

This too shall pass....

Hugs and kisses,
Kat

I'M GLAD I DIDN'T BUY A LOTTERY TICKET TODAY

....since today was NOT my lucky day!A few weeks ago when I had my teeth cleaned it was found I had a decayed tooth under a bridge. Not good. The bridge would need to be destroyed to get to the tooth to repair it. Which meant a new bridge. Not good. All of the above meant lots of $$. Today was supposed to be the bad part and I would leave with a temporary bridge and then return in two weeks for the permanent. Okay, that was do-able! Not what I wanted to do with my $$, but something I had to do.

But.....

This morning once the bridge was removed (gosh I HATE the shots and all the noise), it was discovered the tooth couldn't be saved. Which mean an extraction and stitches....and more shots. I guess they could tell I wasn't too thrilled. I think they thought I was just concerned about all of the above, but I was also thinking $$$$. We do have a wedding we're planning! Anyway, they offered some absolutely wonderful "goofy" gas (not sure what it actually is) and I said "yes please". That was the best part of the day! Anyway, because of "this and that" I can't do a permanent bridge again, so now I need several implants. Not good. More trips. More $$$$!

So.....

I now have a smaller temporary bridge and must be super careful until I go back in two weeks. This whole things is going to take month of trips to the dentist! More $$$$!

Joy, joy, joy!

Lots of moaning and whining here tonight...from me. Sweet George has been very supportive.

Home tomorrow.

Hugs and kisses,
Kat

I ACTUALLY LOVE SEEING MY DENTIST....

socially, that is.

Our dentist has been our friend for almost 15 years. It's worth trips to Nashville for him to remain our dentist. We both love him, his wife and their two great teenage beautiful daughters. Tonight we met them all for dinner and ended up going back to their house to play card games. One of the girls baked yummy chocolate chip cookies for us to munch on while we played. We had so much fun.

But...tomorrow morning...now that's different. George is just getting his teeth cleaned. But me....
I won't be having fun and games. Say a prayer for me please.

Hugs and kisses,
Kat

NO DOUBT ABOUT IT....

I need use way too much stuff to make myself presentable! As I did my packing for Nashville this morning, I frustrated myself trying to remember what all to pack. There's a "potion" or lotion or gel or spray or cream or brush for every part of my body. What is the deal?!

And I bet you thought I was a natural?! Ha!

Stop laughing. Seriously. Stop it.

I can laugh, but you can't.

I do need a cart! LOL

How 'bout you?

Hugs and kisses,
Kat

MY QUESTION FOR YOU....

LOL....sad, but true...this is the only exercise I've been able to do all week. It's been nice to spend some extra time on the computer though. Speaking of that...did you notice my new blog "look"? What do you think?
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Yeah! I'm feeling so much better today. I know...I know...I can hear you Mama (smile). I know I'm not completely well yet and I have to be careful because bronchitis is sneaky and can come back (I know this from past experiences)...but... at least I'll get out of the house today. A quick trip to the library and to the nail salon. Somethings are important, right ladies?

I'm so glad I'm feeling better, no fever, no weakness. I feel stronger than I have all week.

That's real good since George and I are going to Nashville later this week. I'm not driving, just reading my book and taking it easy. We're going because it's time to see the dentist for "part one" of my expensive necessary dental work. Yuk! It still makes me sick to think they will have to destroy my bridge in order to take care of a bad tooth underneath....which means a new expensive bridge. And two trips. We'll go back in two weeks since I will have a temporary bridge until they install the new one. Think lots of these...$$$$

The good part...we love Nashville. It used to be our home. Love, love, love it!

~~~~~~
Have a good day!


Hugs and kisses,
Kat

BRALESS

This gave me a chuckle, but....

I'll never be asked that question since I don't have enough to hang that low!! LOL

I'm feeling a bit better today (thank you Lord, chicken soup, my meds and dark chocolate wink, wink), but I'm being good and staying in another day and resting. I hate it, but one advantage of that is wearing comfy clothes and just a pair of socks...and no bra. Ahhhhh.....

Did I just hear an amen?


Hugs and kisses,
Kat

I'VE GOT REASONS TO JUMP...IF ONLY I COULD

I don't physically feel like jumping for joy, but in my heart I'm jumping this afternoon. Why? I've got several reasons:

I mentioned in a recent post that I planned to move over all the posts from my other blog to here at Just A Beachkat. I had no idea at all how to do it, but I really wanted everything together in one place. Well, help arrived BIG TIME. My sweet friend Robin at Nothing Like It e-mailed me instructions on how to import them over. The 36 posts I wrote AND all your comments! Quick, easy and painless. Thank you Robin! I owe you lunch once you're back home.

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My sweet friend, Linda, sent over a LARGE pot of homemade chicken soup. She said it's guaranteed to get rid of bronchitis and I believe her. Oh.My.Word! It's absolutely deee-lious!

~~~~~~

I got this sweet e-mail from my aunt Sherry (you know the one who loves chocolate almost as much as I do):

Kathy

I'm glad that you're resting....you'll need your energy when we get there!

When you mentioned your cough, I remembered a tidbit I read in my Prevention magazine: Eating chocolate calms a cough. Theobromine, a chemical in cocoa beans, was more effective at calming persistent coughs than codeine was---without causing drowsiness. Opt for dark chocolate which contains more theobromine than milk chocolate.

We really did need one more reason...read as excuse...to explain why we eat so much dark chocolate!!
Hope you are feeling better soon!
Love,
Sherry

I guess George needs to make an emergency run to Kilwins for some dark chocolate! wink

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Okay, back to the couch for me.....sigh! It's so hard for me to just lay around!!!

Hugs and kisses,
Kat

I'M FATIGUED, BUT THESE GIRLS ARE AMAZING!

I got this video in an e-mail a friend sent me. It's the Ross girls who were popular in 1944. I've never even heard of them. Their act gets better as it progresses and you will be amazed at how the sisters exit the stage at the end of their performance. (HINT: Watch past the first 50 seconds or so, then Whoa! lookout!)

How do they do it?!
~~~~~
Thanks for all your well wishes. I literally slept all day yesterday after I got home from the doctor and all last night...until around 5:15 AM! I guess my body needed it, plus the cough medicine is a doozy!

Still feeling yucky so I'll be in the bed reading or on the couch watching movies most of today too. I have my dentist appointment next week so I need to get well quickly.

I sure hate missing church this morning though.


Hugs and kisses,
Kat