Lost and Found

The other day I decided that Kevin had eaten both of the wedding pies that he had brought home for us. Once again, I was wrong. Tonight I found the strawberry pie on the back seat in my T&C.

While it was tasty, I'm sure it was MUCH better on Saturday. Oh well.

I saw some pictures of me from Holly's wedding and I have to say, I still look too portly. So sad. I worked my butt off at the gym but apparently not hard enough. I really need to knuckle down and get some serious weight off.

Even though I looked the best I could for the wedding I'm very disappointed and actually, quite ashamed. Once I get done with my pity party I'll be back in the gym, changing out my routine to make better progress. I sure wish I could afford a trainer to guide me.

Win some, lose some

Today Holly called me at work from Alaska. Their flight was a bit rough and they had ear issues but landed early and wandered around Anchorage for a bit before having a delicious dinner. They drove up to Wasilla to the Agate Inn arriving at 10:30 PM -- Mike said it was the nicest place he's stayed in. Phew! I didn't realize it was more of a B&B than motel -- he had said he didn't want to stay at a B&B, yikes. It was light out until well past midnight.

Because they arrived so late last night they missed out on walking the resident reindeer but were getting ready to feed them after we talked. Later they planned to pick up some fishing gear and licenses. I look forward to hearing from Holly about their adventures. They were heading up to Denali National Park where they are staying at the McKinley Princess Lodge. There are a lot of activities available for them (think Love Boat meets the Woods) but I bet they go out on their own.

On the losing end, Kevin and I headed over to look at a used car for sale by someone on Craig's List. Thank goodness we took the vehicle over to Belle Tire for an inspection. Let's just say, there was more than $2000 worth of work needed plus tires on a car selling for $3200. We passed. We'll need to start all over again tomorrow.

Joy

Don't you find that when some big event culminates you have a sense of letdown? Or is it relief?

This weekend was full of activity. I love to see all of my family get together and Holly's wedding was the impetus this time.

I gave my niece Carla her quilt and she absolutely loved it. She appreciated all of the different fabric choices and the lovely quilting. And the label of course ~~

And she's taken it back to Santa Barbara today. Now....when will I find the time and $$ to go see her and the quilt's new home???

Holly's wedding was a beautiful day. I didn't take my camera to the chapel and I have some regrets about that but the professional photographer and my family took ample shots. I can't wait to see them.

I expected to bawl my eyes out at the wedding. Didn't happen. I think the only reason was I refused to make eye contact with anyone. Ok, maybe with Holly and Mike, but that's it. I bolted up the aisle on Mike's father's left arm, his wife on the other arm, and she and I lit the tapers at the unity candle table. Phew! Didn't trip -- long dress, 3" heels, squishy carpeting -- usually a bad combination for me!

Once I sat down my knees began to quiver. As we stood to watch the bride, Holly looked beautiful coming up the aisle on her dad's arm. The wedding ceremony was over in less than 15 minutes (that comes into play later..)

At the reception I sat at the table directly in front of the bridal party table. Holly's matron of honor Daminica, gave a sweet toast

and she was followed by Mike's dad.


Remember the short ceremony?? Well, we're quite certain that Larry's toast was longer than that!

Holly was radiant (don't all moms think that about their daughters, though?) ~~


and she and Mike really enjoyed their evening ~~


as did their good friends Frank and Daminica ~~


Doesn't the jewelry that Holly designed for Daminica look fabulous!! You can see it a bit in the earlier picture of her too.

We were all dancing fools, especially Kevin who did the Gator with several of the guys -- you'd have to see it to believe it!

My feet were so sore at the end of the night. I didn't dare take my shoes off for fear I'd never get them back on. I'm paying for it today!

After breakfast and a bit of visiting with my sister Denise's family we parted ways and Kevin and I headed over to Holly & Mike's apartment to take them to the airport. A bit hungover and definitely tired, they were both very excited to get to Alaska.

Here they are at Metro Airport, toting the luggage my parents gave them for the bridal shower ~~


They look so darn happy and in love ~~

I've been tracking their plane's progress on three different websites and it looks like they'll be arriving a bit earlier than anticipated. I'm so excited for them to get there -- I know Mike is going to love it there. He said today that he might consider a buy out from Ford next time it's offered............

ETA -- Looks like they landed at 9:41 PM -- about a half hour early. That's only 5:41 their time so they have about 6 HOURS of daylight left!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Nearly Time

The big day is tomorrow. My Holly Dolly is getting married. So many different emotions ranging from sadness and melancholy to joy and pride. I believe she has found her soul mate. She has the best temperament and it will serve her well in her marriage.

Here are some shots from yesterday's wedding rehearsal.

Groom to be ~~

~~ looking pensively over at his parents.

The chapel altar ~~

Ok, so I was standing a bit crooked (no alcohol was consumed prior to the rehearsal!)

Holly and the ex ~~

(I think I'm aging a bit better, but maybe that's just me)

Holly looked beautiful, even with 'devil' eyes.

Practicing the ceremony ~~

Mike had a hard time remembering that when he repeats the vows he needs to be looking at Holly, not the minister.

And finally, preparing to leave the chapel ~~


Oh, and here was my dress for last night ~~

or at least the fabric. It was another sleeveless sheath that I thought looked quite nice but no one took a picture of me :(

Today was a busy one for me. Kevin was trying to hook up with a car from Craig's List but they never called so I went ahead with my plans for the day. Tidied up the house, got a manicure, got my eyebrows waxed for the first time in years (I know!), and a 15 minute massage -- ahhhhhh!

My friend Mary, with the torn up knee, came over to re-introduce herself to Maggie. She and her son will help look after Maggie while Kevin and I are in Davison. Thank goodness for her!

I headed off to the gym for one last workout. I can only imagine how dreadful I'd look and feel about myself if I hadn't lost the 25 lbs and 30+ inches. I still need/want to lose another 30 lbs but that will take more tweaking of my diet and exercise regime.

I filled up the gas tank and got the T&C washed so it would be ready for tomorrow. Since we're driving to Davison on Saturday, then down to Metro Airport on Sunday before coming home I knew the tank needed to be topped up. It's supposed to rain Sunday so I don't want to have to stop for gas.

I still need to get my things in order to take with me tomorrow. I'm putting that last stitches on the quilt label for Carla's quilt. Giving it to her tomorrow will be a welcome distraction. My stomach was awfully queasy earlier tonight -- I hope it settles down. Can't you just picture me tossing my cookies in the middle of the chapel -- or worse yet -- fainting??? Everyone keeps asking me if I'm nervous so I guess it's ok that I am.

I'll be so glad when the day is over and the kids are on their way to Alaska.

Hotter than....

...the Dickens! Today it was 92º with humidity to match. I'm not a fan of heat like this. I wilt. My hair looks like it's been permed. I took a half day off work to help Kevin find a car. Yesterday, as he so skillfully puts it, his car took a dump. Right on Woodward Avenue, a main road around here. Turns out he's blown a cylinder and there's no fixing it this time.

I turned to Craig's List to help locate a prospective vehicle. You should have seen his face light up when I found his exact car in excellent condition. He was positively geeked. I'm afraid, though, that it's probably already been sold so we'll be back to square one tomorrow.

With all of the wedding activities it's not exactly a good time to be shopping for a car but it always seems to be a 'hurry up and buy' thing anyway.

Tomorrow is the wedding rehearsal. Not sure yet if I'll try to make it to the gym. Kevin and I will drive up after work. I'll be glad to have him with me actually. I think I'll be able to focus on other things and maybe I won't get so emotional. Hard to believe the wedding is only 3 days away.

The baby blanket is done -- just need to bind off, bury the ends, and block it. I made the label for Carla's quilt yesterday so on Friday I'll set the ink and sew it to the back of the quilt.

Today at work, three of my coworkers brought in jewelry for me to audition for the wedding -- so nice! I found several pieces that work well but my manager insisted on bringing in a few more pieces tomorrow. I really appreciate the way they try to help polish me off!

Monday, Monday

Sometimes the news is just more important than the mundane tasks of the day. Today there was more coverage of the protests in Iran, a terrible commuter train wreck in Washington, DC, and a crazy earthquake in Alaska, right where my daughter will be next week!

I know Holly will be packing all sorts of useful things for a honeymoon in Alaska (yes, some of those things too!) but I can bet she isn't counting on earthquake protection. I asked her today if she had the sights all picked out that they want to see and she reiterated that Mike doesn't want anything scheduled. Hope that works for them.

When I travel I like to wing it too, to a certain degree, but I always have a game plan to account for changes in the weather, etc. I'm not as regimented as my Mom & Dad about that. I remember once on a trip to Chicago, my parents and I were in the Chicago Art Institute and I had to cut short my visit because Dad deemed it time to eat. Their big concern is always where are we going to eat next. As if the potential existed for a skipped meal. When I have more time I'll write about my solo trip to Britain that I took 10 years ago next month. Time certainly does fly by.

I noticed today that I now have visitors from 20 different countries -- the newest being Pakistan. It's so amazing to think that people from such diverse cultures can be stopping by for a visit.

Peace to everyone who stops by and I hope that all is well with you and those you love.

Happy Father's Day

Today I switched my bed from winter to summer mode. I laundered the sheets, wool blanket and the comforter. The blanket went back into the linen closet and the two-sided comforter was switched over to the colorful side. I always enjoy sleeping in my bed after I've made the seasonal change.

Making my bed is a lot like a wrestling match, though. Getting that fitted sheet to stay put on at all four corners wears me out! I keep thinking I need to switch to a day bed instead of my queen bed. But then I think.....where would I store all the things that wind up on the bed, against the wall? I need a big trash bag to sort through everything that makes its way into the piles. I'm always rediscovering treasures I had forgotten I even had. The next time I tidy up I'll take before and after pictures. Maybe that will shame me into not repeating this bad habit.

Besides laundry, today I sat in the sun for a bit, trying to even out the tanned/burned areas. No more sun until after the wedding. I listened to the Tigers' game and they won so it was a good game. My next door neighbor sat outside today (first time following her double mastectomy on Wednesday) and our neighbor, a massage therapist, gave her a facial. I thought that was such a kind gesture.

I drove out to see my parents this afternoon and brought them dinner from Boston Market. Actually, it turned out that it will probably be enough to feed them for several days. Both Mom and Dad seemed to be good. Mom was over her flu and Dad seemed 'with it'. I tried to figure out how to use the portable oxygen tank that Dad will use for Holly's wedding. Note to self: do not turn the valve opener until the unit is READY for use. The thing leaked oxygen like mad until I could get the valve closed. It was insane and my parents laughed hysterically!

I've always been one to say 'hmm, wonder how this works'.

Lastly I stopped to see my friend Kate, who had surgery Thursday for breast cancer. She's doing remarkably well -- I think I'd still be in bed myself. She's got her knitting projects lined up for the three weeks she expects to be off work. I'm hoping her pathology reports come back better than expected. Go Kate, go Kate, go, go, go Kate!

I'm off to bed. I need to bank some zzz's since this week will no doubt be a week of restless sleep. Plus, it's that 'time of the month' -- perfect timing, eh?

More wedding preparations.....

Well, I was all set to blog last night when the most wicked thunderstorm struck. Since I don't like to be on my computer when there's lightening cracking all around, I decided to forgo the post. I would have told you that I picked up the Spanx I had ordered and stopped at Eddie's Alterations to pick up my dress and newly-made wrap. I'm hoping the wrap doesn't turn out be a bother, fussing with it as I walk, etc. I guess I can always ditch it. It's looking like it will be quite warm next Saturday, 87º and sunny.

Today I was busy with more wedding prep. I got my pedicure (first one in about 8 years!) from Q Nails in Warren, who had been recommended to me by friends at work. I can't begin to tell you how much it was needed. I was expecting pain but was instead pleasantly surprised with the great calf massage and foot buffing and polish. I don't know why I don't treat myself to this more often -- they only charge $20. I think I'm worth that, occasionally, right?

Next I picked up the toasting wine for the wedding party to imbibe at the reception. Dave at Champane's recommended a California sparkling wine that was on sale, even better. I also picked up several bottles of red wine, which I thought I could take to the reception but apparently they'll only serve 'me' if I bring in wine. I can get that, since the country club only makes money on their wine.

I zoomed from there to the Berkley Chop Shop for my cut and color, where I nodded off in the chair while Kyle was cutting and then drying my hair. Guess I was running out of steam, or maybe it was just very relaxing.

Next I spent an hour knitting with friends at Right off the Sheep, bringing everyone up to speed with my wedding prep stories. The brown wool I had ordered for making fall bags came in finally so I can get going on my brown & pink and brown & light blue combination handbags. After the wedding, when things settle down.

I picked up a few things at Trader Joe's and then stopped at the Dale and Thomas popcorn store to pick up Dad's gift for tomorrow.

Things were going all too well when the phone rang and it was my Mom. She was exhibiting flu-like symptoms and thought maybe I needed to come and take her to the hospital. After a few minutes it was decided she would up her fluid intake, follow the BRAT diet and I would call her tomorrow.

My mind was racing -- how would I take both her and my Dad to the hospital? Dad cannot stay home by himself and Kevin was at work. And what if they decided to admit Mom -- then I would have to take Dad back to the apartment and stay the night. Sorry to say, I don't really know how to care for him. I don't what meds he takes when. He has a boatload of prescriptions. He kept saying 'I want to go home', while I was talking to Mom. She repeatedly said 'you are home' and he said 'that's a load of shit' and she told me 'see what it's like?' We're going to have to really think about a different living arrangement. He's deteriorating rapidly.

Tomorrow is going to be a challenging day....off to bed I go.

100 ! ! !

This is my 100th posting! I am really surprised I've been able to keep at it. I had planned to have a giveaway for this momentous occasion but wedding plans have gotten in the way. Soooooo, once things have settled down I will start doing giveaways. I promise.

Tonight, after I got home from the gym, I headed out to the front flower beds to make a dent in the weeds. I got most of them pulled and managed to only get one mosquito bite. While I was working away I heard the music from an ice cream truck. Only, it was a motorcycle with a side car for the ice cream freezer. Call me crazy, but I've never seen a ice cream motorcycle before. Of course I did NOT have my camera but I will take a snapshot the next time I see it.

10 days to go.....

Holly and Mike's wedding will be here in no time. As all of my friends and family know, I cry readily at weddings. Even TV weddings. There's just a lot of emotion there, add the traditional music, and it pushes me over the edge.

Tonight I was searching for solutions to this problem. I don't want to be a blithering idiot but I know I don't stand much of a chance of making it through the day without tears. I know Holly will be beautiful, Mike will be handsome, and it will be such an emotional day.

So help me out here -- what are your solutions to the excess tears??? Answer my poll on the right side of the blog. If you have any other comments, by all means, share them with me!

Baby blanket update (don't peek Joyce)

As promised, here is an update of the baby blanket (don't pay any attention Joyce). I only have one more section to go, then 8 rows of garter stitch and it will be finished. Sink the ends, block the blanket and it's good to go. It's the the first baby blanket I've knitted. I know, shocking! I'm sure it won't be the last.

And in medical news..........

In the strange but true category -- I went to my dentist last week for a massive filling. I asked him if he knew what this strange white tissue was that I was pulling from the inside of my mouth. It was stringy and sticky and very odd.

He asked me what toothpaste I was using, to which I of course said 'why do you ask???'
He guessed it was Crest Pro Health and declared that several of his patients had the same problem. Apparently there is an ingredient in the toothpaste that causes your mouth to exfoliate or slough off tissue. He suggested that I stop using it. Since I always do what he says (he was the doctor who diagnosed my GERD) I immediately switched and have had no issues since. Of course, now I have leftover Pro Health because I naturally bought the multi-pack from Costco!

Consider yourself warned!

Tomorrow my next door neighbor is going in for a double mastectomy. Makes my sunburned chest seem pretty silly. I'll just apply the Solarcaine and go to bed.

Life's a holiday on....

...Primrose Lane. Years and years ago that was a theme song to a TV program. If you're not old enough, look it up!

My Primroses were bursting with blooms so I had to take a few shots of them last weekend.

I know it's been a few days since I lasted blogged (thank you Eddie for checking on me today!). Nothing wrong, just busy and then yesterday I was having photo issues. Every once in a while I save the uploaded pictures to the wrong folder and then spend exasperating moments trying to track them down.

Last Thursday was the final quilt guild meeting of the 2008-9 year so there was a lot going on. I arrived early to help Carol with the potluck set up. Here are a couple of tables overflowing with food, especially the dessert tables.

It comes as no surprise that quilters also love to eat! It's a guaranteed calorie overload.

It was a super busy night. Our president Joyce received her President's Quilt, made by members of the guild. She has a fondness for Scottie dogs, even though she doesn't own one.

Plus she loves scrappy quilts so this was an excellent design for Joyce.

We also picked the winning ticket for our raffle quilt. The humor of the giveaway came from the gal turning the big drum of ticket stubs. She turned and turned and turned the drum. When the president stuck in her hand to draw the winning ticket, it was Cindy -- the drum turner!

This quilt was made by our Chicken group for the guild to use as a fundraiser. It raised over $2600 for our guild programs!

During Show and Tell I showed Carla's quilt, complete with the binding but still needing a label. I have to get that on before Holly's wedding.

Friday was a bit slow at work so I took a half day. I really wanted to nail down my wrap for the wedding -- little things like that were causing me to wake up too early each day. I tried an upscale resale shop in Royal Oak but they only had ponchos with fringe -- not for me. I headed over to Haberman Fabrics, known for their couture fabrics and bridal gown room. They didn't disappoint. I found a fabulous gray sheer fabric with metallic sparkles that looked great against their purple fabrics, the color of my dress. I bought enough to make a rectangular wrap and decided to make an evening bag with the leftover fabric.

I started cutting out the pattern during the Red Wings last game of the Stanley Cup playoffs. Big mistake. I kept getting madder and madder and eventually accidentally marked my Statue of Liberty t-shirt with my Sharpie! Urrrrrrrrrrrrrrrggggghhhhh. After their loss, I was in official mourning for the weekend.

Saturday I skipped the gym and started working on the bag. I added a pocket and magnetic snap and a ruffle to the pattern and ended up with this sweet little bag. I found the perfect chain for it at Munro's in Berkley today. When I took the original dumb chain I had bought back to Haberman's they would only give me store credit. Don't you just hate that!





Here's a close up of the metallic fabric that started it all. I took the piece to Eddie's Alterations and it's going to cost me $50 to put a hem in the wrap and shorten my dress for the wedding by 1 3/4". Even though I sew I didn't want to tackle either task. The fabrics are just too slippery for me! I haven't had anything altered in years so I have no idea if the prices are fair but I've seen his work and not only is it exquisite he's very quick.



Those are sparkles not pearls you see. I think it will be a wonderful complement to my dress.

Sunday I sat out in the sun, trying to brown up a few of the areas that will be exposed by my dress. There wasn't a cloud in the sky most of the afternoon so of course I got a bit pink. No worries, it will peel and be fine by the 27th. Right?



And finally another picture of one of my Gertrude Jekyll roses. They are just marvelous and smell so nice when I step out the door.



Well that just about gets me up to date. I'm off to work on the baby blanket. It's 3/4 of the way done. Phew! Pictures tomorrow.....

Click, click, click

Isn't is amazing how the Internet has made our lives easier? Today I only had to click a couple of times and the 3 month supply of my prescription was refilled. Just now I had to click a couple of times and ordered an Amazon gift certificate for my niece, who has a birthday tomorrow.

Earlier tonight I was checking some of my favorite blogs and finding all sorts of great things for sale, again, at the click of my mouse. You sure can get into trouble on the web!

Running out of steam tonight. The past two days I've awakened at 4:30 AM and not been able to get back to sleep. Have you ever noticed how noisy the birds can be at that time of the day?

I've had too many little thoughts about Holly's wedding pop into my head to allow me to sleep soundly. Tonight I chatted with her, though, so now the thoughts are in her head, not mine. I relinquished them!

Rudely interrupted...

Last night I was about to show you one of the pair of earrings that I made at Holly's party on Saturday, when I was so rudely interrupted by a thunder storm.

Diana, the consultant, delivered them to me last night. Each pair turned out beautifully -- can't wait to wear them.

I would heartily recommend Designed by You for a home party for you and your friends. She even does fundraisers with women's church groups.

So that's the end of last night's post. :)

I've been watching the Red Wings game tonight and it's not looking good for them to finish the series tonight. Guess that just means we'll be winning at home on Friday, right??

I didn't get much knitting done at all today. Darn work gets in the way of any fun! So much speculation about Delphi and its future existence. I think just about everyone is wondering how long they'll be able to hold on their current jobs. I'm nearing my 25th anniversary at MetLife but not sure what's in the cards for me. I'm not one for change but I guess sometimes you just don't have a say in things.

Uh-oh -- I hear thunder so I'm guessing the wicked storms they were predicting may be on their way. Making this quick so I can shut down my computer.

That dog of mine is such a sneaky snake. I caught her again making her way outside with a tissue in her mouth. I don't know where she finds them but she does.

While outside I snapped some more pictures of the peonies.

I turned upside down to take this shot with the ants:



Gotta go, it's really storming.

Too much fun!

Yesterday was one of those days when, at the end of the day, you can't believe you got so much done. I did get to the gym and then showered and headed over to Bra-vo for my wedding undergarments. Let me just say that is THE store to go to for the perfect 'item'. They actually measure you and then pick out the best possible article. I had to order my Spanx hose but they should be in before the wedding. I was able to find a bachelorette gift for Holly, too, so it was a great shopping experience.

Next I was off to Holly's party. We started with a Designed by You jewelry making party. There were about 15 ladies there and the concept was well received. My niece Erica was sharp enough to let the consultant, Diana, know the colors of the bridesmaids' dresses so she tailored the bead selection for the best possible match.

Here are the various bead trays from which we made our selections:





Holly created necklaces and matching earrings for each of her attendants as her gift to them for standing up in her wedding. Holly's friend Daminica designed a pearl and Swarovski crystal bracelet for her to wear on her special day. Diana measured Holly's wrist for the proper size and declared she had never had anyone with such a small wrist.



While Holly opened up her gifts Diana continued to finish off as many pieces as she could. Here's Holly with a classy wedding day thong from her future mother-in-law. Notice the 'I DO'???

This lighting in the room was terrible so this is the only shot I kept. :(

Later, the girls piled into a limo bus and rode down to Ferndale's Boogie Fever club where I met up with them for some dancing and drinks. It was a surreal experience. I haven't been there in ages but I swear the same trolling men are still there. And the same over-exposed women are prowling. The girls headed over to some cowboy bar where Holly rode the mechanical bull (I'd like to see the photos of that!) and I just went home.

Today I got knitting on the blanket and now have 10" done, leaving 20" to go.

I spent the day out in the sun trying to get rid of my farmer's tan while I knit:

Obviously, it's going to take several more days in the sun. I did get a little pink today, even though much of the afternoon was overcast.

And finally, here are a couple of shots of my backyard flowers. I should have shot the peony in the morning because by the afternoon it was fully opened and not quite so pretty.

If you know the name of this last flower please let me know. I planted it a couple of years ago and cannot remember what it is so save my soul.

P.S. The Red Wings kicked the Penguins butts last night -- the game was actually showing on the jumbo TVs at the dance club -- so that puts us up 3-2 and they headed back to Pittsburgh for Tuesday night's game 6. GO WINGS!!

Too Darn Late

I got home too late from Holly's bachelorette party to post today. Check back tomorrow. Should have some pictures.

Surprise, surprise!

Today was a super busy day at work, leaving no time to finish my mid-year review. I have that to look forward to next week.

Tomorrow will be a busy day. It's Holly's bachelorette party with the jewelry making party starting it off. I'll be off to the gym first thing in the morning then home to clean up. I need to get over to Bra-vo to find my undergarments for the wedding. If there's time, I'll get over to Eddie's Alterations to see about my dress hem. Not sure if it needs shortening yet -- I'll take the shoes I'm thinking of wearing and find out.

I've been knitting on the baby blanket and have 3" done so far. 27" to go and 3 weeks to get it done. No pressure.

When I went out to the backyard to take a picture of my budding peonies I snapped several shots. I couldn't believe my eyes when I transferred the pictures to my computer.



Isn't it wonderful??!! I never saw the ladybug until the picture was on my computer monitor. What a marvel. Don't you just love nature -- so full of surprises!

Finishing up

I finished the 78 tartan napkin rings for my sister tonight. Phew. Carla's quilt was washed and is in the dryer. This is the first time I've used a wool batt so I'm curious to see how it compares to my normal cotton batts. I'm hoping that it softens up a bunch once it's washed.

The Red Wings played like they were on their last legs tonight and lost 4-2, which happened to be the score predicted by the local sports station. Only problem is, they were predicting the Wings would win by that score, not lose by that score. So in the absence of a win, I've drowned my sorrows with a yummy Michigan Riesling from Longview Vineyards. Can't wait for Saturday's game. If they win, I'll be popping open the Cherry Port from that vineyard.

Tomorrow I'll be working on my mid year review at work, all the while performing my regular duties. I hope to get the review done and turned in so I won't need an extension. We've all been joking, half-heartedly, that this might be our last review, based on the latest news from Delphi and lack of news from our management team. Time to get that resume fine-tuned......

Buds-a-poppin'

I absolutely love it when my roses begin to bloom. They smell as delicious as they look. One by one, they emerge and fill the air with a scent like no other. I often cut them and put them in a glass on my nightstand so I can smell them all night. I hope this will be a good season for them. I still need to get the soapy water and spray them profusely. I HATE aphids. There are always certain creatures for which you find no discernible purpose.

Kevin, who I assure you does have a purpose, went to his doctor and was fitted for a heart monitor. He's trying to determine where his dizziness and frequent incoherence are coming from. Now I would tell the doctor, that Kevin is, afterall, a male of the species and as such, is often reluctant to pay total attention to anything that does not involve sports. But seriously, his red blood cell count is high and his vitamin D is low. This is completely peculiar since Kevin has been known to devour about 2 pounds of cheddar cheese each week, not to mention the cold cereal that he also eats with fat free milk. Hopefully they will come to some logical conclusion. He has health insurance that he pays for directly. Nothing fancy, bare bones minimum. Good if he falls off a cliff but not much else is covered.

Here my 29 year old son with all his monitoring 'stuff' -- he wanted you to see all the wire stuff ~~

I finished sewing the 72 napkin rings for my sister. Now I just need to trim the loose threads and finger press them so the seam is smooth.

This Saturday is Holly's bachelorette party and we will be starting the day off by making jewelry. This is a home party business named Designed by You. I saw the ad in the newspaper several months ago and thought it would be a fun activity for the party participants. I'll let you know!

I'll leave you with a couple more pictures of my roses. Yummy!