Prayers

Prayers are with the families who lost loved ones Virginia Tech today. I have calls and emails into my friends hoping no one we know was involved.

What a horrific tragedy.

Southern Women's Show, Nashville

I slept in today and then realized that there was a Southern Women's Show at the convention center. I took the "mothers" there several years ago; and there really wasn't a whole lot that I was interested in. But, with it being quite a boring weekend, I figured I'd drag my sorry butt out and get a little exercise in, if nothing else.

They had the usual "Help Me Love Myself" schlock--weight loss centers, Veta Vita Vegimens of every sort, and lots and lots of undergarments that make you lose ten pounds, boom--just like that! Imagine. There were some good causes mixed in with the normal women stuff--breast cancer donation center (where you get a little blinky pink ribbon to show your support), the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation had a booth and, although it's not in the same league, there was a Siamese Cat Rescue Center booth.

Which is where I found this little number (minus the cat, obviously, he's not Siamese). This has to be my favorite purchase of the day. Is it not the sweetest? Dave crawled right in and has been in his "bag" ever since I brought it home. Too cozy.

Over all, I got some more lavender oils (scents being my downfall), ordered some more vitamins from Juice Plus (which my mom has been taking for years after advice from her eye doctor--she has macular degeneration), a nail file (made from crystals---ooooh) and some hematite rings for the teenager (suppose to heal-uhhuh). I picked up some brochures from local merchants that I may need in the future and was in and out of there in about an hour. It was good to get out, I admit. Worth $10 at the door? Not really, but fun just the same. Better than sitting at home.
On my way out of town, the rains had stopped and the clouds were just beautiful. I took this photo of the old train station (with the tower), Union Station, which is now a hotel--of course. I have yet to step foot in here; but if it's anything like the outside, it must be breathtaking. Next door is The Frist, our local art museum. I was totally unaware that there was a Matisse and Picasso exhibit going on. I'm going to have start reading the paper more often. Duh.

The hub is cooking a turkey for supper which smells absolutely divine. I am totally starving! Yum. Maybe a pretzel will hold me over?

Spring?

Blah blah blah blah. That's about how I feel today. I want to do something, but I don't feel like doing anything. Ever have those days? What to do. My face is a little sore today, one of those dull-can't-quite-put-the-finger-on-it, ever-so-slight pain. Enough to just make you feel blah. It's also kind of tingly. Guess it's doin' its thing. Kinda rainy outside, not cold but cool. Another layer of blah.

These iris are our flowers of the month from my brother Jim. They are absolutely gorgeous. I am spoiled rotten. My other brother John sent me a new cd. I call him DJ Mixer John. I'm listening to it now. Fun! (Beck's Two Tone Devil with a Microphone is playing now, well, actually Kid Rock . . . )



The poor birds. The gold finches don't know if they should turn yellow yet or not. You can see the one on the railing has already turned, the one at the feeder is still deciding.

Our friend Fred came by this morning and mentioned they missed seeing my new pysanky. I didn't make a one this year. Last year was even marginal as these are the only ones I did then. Oh well. There's always next year, right?

Well, let's see how many Spring entries I can do this year! Think I'm up to three or four now. Lovely.

Happy Birthday Raphi!

Oh gee, 25 years old, already! Why, I remember when you were only in your teens, a young French boy, eyes full of wonder. Now look at you. Working for a living, counting the days 'til holiday . . . poor you.

Raphael is our OLD friend who visits from time to time. He began visiting us as an exchange student in 1997 while we were living in Leesburg, VA. We have had so much fun over the years.

Joyeux Anniversaire, Raphael!

Who Am I Kidding?

I can see myself in any one of these clips, how embarrasing. When did I get old? hehe. Thank you Beth for the video. I had forgot who sent it to me! Age! Geesh.

You're So Vain

I finally broke down and had my first treatment for rosacea and sun spots. Yea! I have been wanting to do it for years (thanks Dianne) as my face is getting redder and redder and I am getting more "age spots" as we speak. Just in the last couple of months, these "connect-the-dots" spots have appeared going down my face. (What is with that?!) It is driving me crazy! It's hell getting old. At this point, makeup doesn't even hide the broken capillaries formed by the blushing of rosacea. Lovely. (Before shot.)

I decided on IPL, intense pulse light, as it seems to be the least invasive. I set up my appointment and went today at noon.

The technician puts this really cold gel on the face, covers the eyes and puts the little wand up to your face. They say it feels like a rubber band smacking you, I liken it to a needle going in, just a very short, sharp, split-second pinch. Ouch. It hurt, I tell you. It goes by very quickly, which is the saving grace of the process. I would say they "hit" you probably a dozen times. It's one of those things, you don't like it but it is needs to be done.

(After shot--guess I was expecting blood and bruising--what a baby!) I had it done a little over an hour ago, and now it just feels dry and looks like I was in the sun for a little today, just a tad red--what else is new. I go back in a month to have the same routine done again. I'm hoping to get rid of most of the Scottish ruddiness I have once all the treatments are done (4 in all). Let's hope.

I know, I'm really not the vain type. But lately, as I look in the mirror and see all the broken capillaries and new "spots," it just drives me crazy.

Now, all I have to say is "Face." I can hear the hub and kid now. hehe.

For my own record--one day after.

Spring, Again?

It has warmed up a bit today, after the much-needed rain this afternoon. It was sad to come home from Riverside to find all the new growth of last week brown and shriveled from the freezing temperatures we had missed. This was the last picture I took before leaving Riverside. Sniff sniff. This bunch of day lilies and iris is located on the back of the house--the front being the river side. This tree is also in the back and this is where the wisteria is entwined. There were still a couple blooms waiting for me--if you look really close at the bottom.

Here are some pics of the shutters that were installed while we were there this weekend. What a difference. This is the kid's/guest room on the left and mom's/guest room on the right. I can't tell you how much these shutters add to the place. Beautiful. Every night, before I fall asleep, my mind starts turning on what else I can do with the place. It's so much fun to dream.


This is the master bedroom. I painted the little alcove the softest of blues to match the sky. Enough of that ugly woodsy green. I'll have to do the rest of the room (haven't decided what color yet) upon our return. Now, we are able to sleep in as the sunrise doesn't interupt our sleeping slumber. You'll notice the screens leaning against the wall there. For some unknown reason, none of the windows have screens. These are new Anderson windows, go figure. I'll have to look into that once we get back there. (You see, the wheels on the bus go round and round . . . ) To the right is the master bath. Again, what a difference these shutters make.

Here is the side of the house where you can see the development of the ramp. I can't wait for that to be finished so the moms can come down. I tell you, the stairs here scare even me! Two of the three are very steep and straight down. I have been paranoid since mom's fall a couple of weeks back. I can't seem to get that picture out of my mind. Look at the air conditioner units raised. We get occasional flooding here, duh. This area will also be fenced in for the dogs. It will have an entrance through the screen porch to get in and out of. That way, we can just open the door and let them out. I've learned that rule over the years!

(Note: That SUV is a RENTAL! I don't "do" SUVs on the norm, I promise.)

Mobile Bay

I'm already pining for Riverside. So is the hub and kid. Sigh.

The Pier is only a five minute drive from us and is situated right below the quaint town. We spent a couple of hours Friday afternoon here. It was a breezy and cool afternoon; and the white caps were in full glory. We watched the seagulls floating along and the purple martins holding tight to their homes as the wind blew. There are martin houses around the beach line which they lovingly called "The Purple Martin Riviera." There must be over a dozen houses hugging the shore here. It was fun watching them return from wherever they had been and trying to get in the holes before the wind blew them away.

Here the kid is looking towards Mobile. You can barely see it in the distance. The new pier is a beauty. The restaurant just reopened after much renovation in the aftermath of Ivan and then Katrina. Most of the private piers here in Fairhope have not yet been repaired. All you see are all the old pilings sticking up from the water. Kind of sad. I'm sure they hurriedly repaired after Ivan only to get smacked with Katrina. I don't blame them for putting it off. What a heart break those two hurricanes brought.

This will give you an idea of where are are. The kid is pointing to our location on the Fish River,; below it is Weeks Bay, then Mobile Bay and then you run smack dab

into the Gulf of Mexico. You can see, as the crow flies, we are not far from the sea at all. Not sure I'm ready to conquer that, but it's nice knowing it's there. I'm going to have to track down a copy of this map. I love the illustrations, especially the "oyster bed!" See all the oysters tucked away sleeping?


These tell you a little bit about the ecosystem here. There is quite an abundance of life.


And, this was the beautiful sunset that was given us on Good Friday. Breathtaking.

Easter Monday 2007

I forgot to wish everyone a happy Easter Monday. We all should be relaxing near a body of water reflecting on our joys; but it is way too cold out there! Eh! So, instead, we sit inside, heat blaring and giving thanks.

I just opened the door to let the cats out; and there sat a box. I knew what it was from the "GLASS" tape wrapped around the box. I was giddy with glee! I have been corresponding with Natalie Sarabella and she has been showing me her new line of "ornaments." She has taken ostrich eggs and painted and embellished them in all sorts of ways. Of course, me being The Egg Lady to many, I was in awe. They are absolutely gorgeous, to say the least. She had showed me photos of several; so I couldn't wait to see what was in the box.


When I opened it, I couldn't believe the beauty in front of me. This egg is painted full of spring and summer growth--beautiful flowers and butterflies--all jewelled with crystals which add to the magnificence of the piece. Is it not a sight to behold?


When I look at this sign of rebirth, the egg, I have to reflect on how I have been blessed with so much in my lifetime. I am so thankful for many things, mostly my family, their health and love. I have such an abundance of love coming from so many; and I feel so fortunate to be on this earth. Indeed, I am humbled by it all. Like these flowers, I grow and give thanks for life.

Thank you, Natalie, for sharing such beauty and reminding me what the Easter Season is all about.

A Wonderful Weekend

Sunset on Mobile Bay

Home again, home again, jigity jig. But how hard was it to leave? Really hard, for all of us. It gets more relaxing each visit (hehe, this was only No. 2!) I got a lot done but was able to relax a little also this time. Although a tad chillier than our last trip, it only made it more invigorating for me. I would get up and get me a cup of tea and grab my grandmother's old reliable quilt and sit on the porch. The kid pointed out that it was so quiet, you could hear the rustle of the feathers as the osprey flew over head. I have never, in my 40 plus years, ever experienced that. It was amazing.

Thursday, upon arrival, we started a fire. Our first "real" fire since leaving Virginia. (Our house here in TN only has gas logs--ugh.) We just decompressed from the long drive. Here's Rootie and Reese. Reese is the local love-of-a-dog I had told you about before. She is just the sweetest thing ever. I was terribly worried about Rootie and her as Roo is extremely dog aggressive. If Reese and her got into a fight, I actually was worried about both. At any rate, I kept Roo on her leash and played up Reese, pretending she was a baby. (Rootie loves babies and when we talk about her "baby"--a stuffed toy, she gets all giddy.) So, much to my astonishment, they got along. I believe Reese being submissive helped tremendously. Phew! Guess we may be building that fence for nothing? Well, there's still Frankie!


A friend had brought his little river boat over for us to use and so the kid and hub made it out on Saturday. Aren't they just too cute puttering down the river? Rootie doesn't much like water and the only time she ever has jumped in was years ago. We had rented a place off the Chesapeake Bay. I think it was Raphael, the teenager and I were going out fishing. They had been coming and going for days on that boat. But, as soon as I got in it and we scooted away, Rootie decides to jump in the river and come after me! Now, again, she has never swam before; so we had to turn around and come back to get her on land. It was too funny. So when Roo started whining when the guys took off, I had to keep a close eye on her. She's much older now and that water was still plenty cold. She stayed with me though. We're thinking about getting her a life jacket. She would be way too cute in one, don't ya think?

Well, it's lunch time and momma's hungry. I'll post a little more later today or tomorrow. Good to be home.

Happy Easter

Joyous Easter.

Easter Weekend

That's us, on our way to Riverside. Heading out tomorrow for the weekend. I'm sure I will post; but just in case I don't, wishing you a very joyous Easter from our family to yours.

PS The hub made it home safely tonight from Singapore.

And With Spring Comes

. . . allergies! I looked out this morning to a breezy day. Snow? Nope, just pollen and small blooms. (These blooms were completely full yesterday.) Ahchew. I had purchased these essential oils on sale ($1.99 vs. $16.00!) months ago. I whipped the sniffle one this morning and sprinkled some on little pieces of flannel for the kid and I. Poor guy, he has really been hit hard this year. He's even had to use eye drops. Hopefully, this will help a bit.

Look what else I saw this morning. Like I have said, I haven't been home long enough to look around and seems like the caterpillars have taken over my tree, once more. I normally get rid of them before they get big like these by tearing the cocoons down before they hatch. Ew. Since I can't stand to kill anything and definitely don't use pesticides, I guess these guys will have a field day on my leaves this year. My own fault.

The skies were beautiful today. We were due thunder storms but they never materialized. We have some of the prettiest skies here. I could just sit and watch the clouds for hours. This was taken by the coffee shop looking towards the west side of our valley.

This is what I did today. I finally drug the ol' supplies out and made a couple of "London boxes." I lovingly call them "London boxes" because that is where I first saw this process--at Pollock's Toy Shop. They are so much fun to make. Of course, spring is the theme this day. Ok, now I am totally pining for London.