Wassup?

Outside my window: Grey and drizzly today. Sounds like a great time to spend in my scrapbook room. Hmmm. Shall I create, or organize? I think I need to organize something. I have a lot to do, so I need to just start somewhere.

I am thinking: About whether I want to go to a barn sale tomorrow, or just stay home and work. I think I'm going to let the weather decide---raining, stay home---sunny, barn sale. Sounds like a plan.

I am thankful for: A good night's sleep---since I haven't been getting one since this cough! Maybe tonight.

From the kitchen: Leftovers in the refrigerator---no cooking today. Something from freezer club tomorrow.

I am wearing: Since I usually update my blog in the morning, I'm usually still in my robe.

I am hoping: to be up in my office by 8:30 a.m. and in my scrapbook room by 9:00. I have to pay bills.

I am reading: Gone Girl---this book is unexpectedly good. It's really good. I love the format of books where each chapter is a different voice/perspective.  I am also reading American Pickers.  I don't usually read two books at the same time, but they are so different from each other that it's okay.

 I am busy creating: I did a little project for Jordan's graduation party last night. 

I made this shadow box frame for her dorm room. Just a little reminder of home and family. 

We talked about her upcoming orientation at the University of Tennessee on  June 6th and 7th where she'll pick her classes. She said that she's going to get the best dorm. She seems certain of it. Butch said, "yeah, along with 10,000 other kids that think they are getting the best dorm." Then we talked about dorms in general and my tearful reaction to them. They are "nasty" brick-o-block, motel-like rooms---old, tiny, dingy and uninviting. We "cozy" them up the best we can. Part of Jordan's graduation gift from us was the Pottery Barn catalog. I'm letting her pick out her bedding and room accessories.

Stephanie and Morgan "decorated" her car. She got straight "A's" and was exempt from ALL of her exams. As we were leaving last night, I told her that we expected straight "A's" in college too. She won't have any trouble with that.

I'm bummed: that this happened AGAIN!! This is my biggest pet peeve. I can't believe that people are so inconsiderate!

 My car is on the left---perfectly parked between the lines. I always choose a forward facing spot just so someone won't do this. My car is filthy right now, so I had to get dirty to squeeze in to my car. Seriously, I wanted to do something terrible to this car. Instead, I thought, I need to have some cards made up that say: "thank you soooo much for blocking me in." One of these days, I'm really going to do it.

I am hearing: GMA on the tv (Good Morning America).

Around the house and garden: I cut some rhododendrons for the kitchen table. The peonies are in bloom and plan to cut some of them too when the rain subsides.

In other news: I'm really looking forward to the Lapps visit next weekend. I'm planning to cook a bunch of stuff from the freezer in an effort to get it cleaned out. I would really like to get it defrosted soon. Connie gave me a couple of new recipes I might try.

One of my favorite things right now: I really enjoy playing "yahtzee" on my iPhone with family and friends. It's actually called "Dice With Friends" but it's "Yahtzee." There must be some sort of copyright to prevent the use of the name.

I appreciate: having a cleaning lady. That allows me more time to do the things I love.

I remember: One of my early jobs with Charles Chips. My best friend, Reenie and I went door-to-door to try to get people to let the truck stop by. They gave two 16 year old girls a company car---a 1963 Chevy. We loved the car, the job---not so much! Charles Chips have re-appeared in the grocery stores---that's what reminded me.

How the weekend is shaping up: The Potter's are picking us up to go to Angelo's for dinner tonight--we're meeting Bill and Nancy there. Angelo's is a new Italian place that Connie has just discovered. Other than that, we don't have anything else planned for the weekend. 

Hope yours is a good one!

A Few Things

I saw The Great Gatsby yesterday. It was fabulous! In fact, I'm thinking about seeing it again. It's really that good---even though I already knew the story. The period costumes, homes, decor---are all so wonderful. And Leonardo---need I say more?

So while I was grocery shopping, I saw these on an end cap. They looked like some pretty tasty snacks. then I noticed that they were shaped like little dog bones.

 I looked at the main sign and saw that they were indeed, pet biscuits.

 I looked back at the product to see where it said that it was pet food. Thank goodness that it had a little window that showed they were dog biscuits. I was pretty close to buying them for happy hour.

Nothing says Mother's Day like pink napkins. We had a nice meal at the club. The rest of the day was pretty relaxing. I got some really nice gifts---as usual. Mindy got me The American Pickers new book. Steph gave me a gift certificate for a date with her for lunch and a movie. I'm thinking I should see Gatsby again with her. I know she'll love it. Then, Sandy called with a surprise. They are coming in for Memorial weekend. I'm so excited.

Monday I was a bit under the weather---as I predicted from last week when Butch was sick. Turns out, it's just a cold, but still, it's annoying.

There's really nothing much going on. Later...

Isn't it Against the Law?

Going without auto insurance? Jordan was "rear-ended" yesterday and the lady had no auto insurance. At least Jordan had the sense to call the police. Butch said that the lady would most likely get an extra ticket/fine for driving without insurance. Big whoop! That doesn't fix Jordan's car. Of course, her insurance will pay for it, but then Steph's insurance will probably go up.

I just don't understand how people get away without having insurance---especially if it's a law. Seems to me that one of the other states we've lived in, you could not renew your auto license without showing proof of insurance. That would take care of the problem---or else people would be driving around on expired plates. If you get caught doing that, your car should be impounded and not released until you've met all the requirements of the law. If you haven't gotten your car within a year, then it would be forfeited and sold by the police to pay for more officers and/or raises.

Problem solved.

Overwhelmed...

...and I don't know why. It's not like I have any sort of deadlines. I just set goals for myself and then work towards them. But for now, I am completely overwhelmed. I have a lot of outside work to do and I really want to give my scrapbook room an overhaul. That's what has me paralyzed. The funny thing is that I can talk a pretty good game. I tell people to just get started. Usually that's what I do--even when I was overwhelmed by clients and their messes. First I questioned why I even agreed to the job. Then, I just got started. Why can't I get myself moving? The best answer is that I don't have a huge chunk of time. But, I know better than anyone, that 15 minutes here and there will get the job done. I guess I'm just procrastinating, or just plain lazy.

Instead of just getting up there and starting, I wrote this post instead. See what I mean---I just can't get moving. Now I have to get ready to meet friends to see The Great Gatsby. Maybe I can get started later today. Oh wait, I have gifts to wrap and then there's our stitching club at Nashville Needleworks. Maybe tomorrow...well, I have one of my AYM meetings. Maybe the afternoon. Maybe, maybe, maybe.

I need to just get started.

Iroquois Steeplechase

We couldn't have asked for better weather for Steeplechase. It was supposed to be nice and sunny with a high of 70. There were times that I think it was warmer than that. 

Mindy had an awesome fascinator that went perfectly with her dress. 

 She posted on Facebook: "I call this my Kate Middleton look. I mean minus the prince, the size 2 physique, and the killer accent."

 
 Grammy with Jordan and Morgan. Jordan is wearing the fascinator that I made for Stephanie last year.

 This is Morgan's new boyfriend that isn't. Or so she says. But I don't think you hold hands with "just a guy friend." This was our first time meeting Will. He was so sweet---and so darn cute---very personable too. Not at all shy.

 The patriarch! We had a few moments when the "kids" were all off seeing people and being seen. We talked about what a good time we were having with the family. There's is nothing he likes better than having the family together. They've all grown in to such fun people. Little did we know that we would one day be "partying" with our kids.

 Stephanie and Nicky. I love his blue pants. Steph is wearing her favorite headpiece. I should have gotten a close up of it. It has a bird's nest with blue eggs and a bird perched on top.

 There are a lot of newspaper photographers that walk around. We caught Mindy "posing, just in case!"

The "kids" all walked down to the in-field to visit friends. Nicky had to beg the people at the Vineyard Vines tent for this whale hat. He plans to give it to Mitchell---who loves VV clothes. I do too.They are so preppy.

 Right before the Iroquois race, they have the running of the hounds. Our box is right on the finish line. We have a great view of all the action.

I asked Morgan if she was wearing false eyelashes. She isn't. Will said, "they're just luscious." I'm not sure that's exactly what he meant, but it was cute anyway.

The food was good. Only one glitch---I forgot the bottled water. We had bloody Mary's, gin & tonics, beer and 4 Cokes. Not enough non-alcoholic drinks for 3 non-drinkers for the whole day. Luckily, we always know plenty of people at the race and were able to "mooch" enough water to get us through.

It's always a long day---we left the house at 9:15 and didn't get back home until 7:15. The races ran late. I don't really know how that happened. The last race was supposed to run at 5:30, but didn't run until after 6. That's the first time that has ever happened. We were all exhausted.

We have had our box for about 25 years now and have always brought our friends. This is the first year we made it a family affair. The girls asked if we were sorry we didn't bring our friends instead of them. We had to say that we weren't sorry. We love our friends, but I'm afraid they may be bumped for the family now. Any time we can get everyone together is something to cherish. With jobs and social lives, it gets harder and harder for us all to be in the same place at the same time. And now with Jordan heading off to college...I don't even want to think about it!

Being Nice is a Good Thing---Isn't It?

I’ve always said that I’m not a deep thinker. But I recently saw an episode of Blue Bloods that got me thinking.

I kind of consider myself a “goodie two shoes.” I don’t do things on purpose that would make people mad at me. In fact, I consider myself a “people pleaser.” I like people and I want people to like me. I don’t think that’s wrong. I’m a fixer and a helper. You have a problem---I can help solve it. I like helping people. I consider myself nice.

That leads me to an email I got from my sister, Jeanne today. She mentioned that I am the “friendly one.” Yes, that’s true. I zipped an email back to her saying, “that’s why people invite me to their parties!” That’s true too. I try to make a point of talking to people I don’t know. I give my friends a hard time for just sticking together in their own little group at a party while I flit around. Actually, I have a confession to make. It’s a little deeper than just being friendly. I think it might be more of an egotistical act. I think to myself, “I want these people to think that (whoever is giving the party) has some really nice friends”. That’s it. I try to be nice. Aren’t we all taught to “be nice?” You don’t have to like everybody, but you have to “be nice.” Here’s the thing: I want everybody to like me, so I’m nice. I guess that applies to strangers too.

Case in point: today at the post office, I had one of those moments where I, once again was aggravated about people, not being prepared and taking too much time at the counter while the line just continued out the door. Then, a lady got out her check book. That reminded me that someone paid with a check yesterday too. Who does that? It takes so much longer than just swiping a card. Of course, I don’t let my frustration show in public---I just complain later to my friends and here on my blog. That doesn’t sound very nice. But it’s the truth. In my head, I’m not always nice.

When I was finally ready to leave, a lady was coming in. I smiled at her and held the door. She said, “Excuse me, have you ever mailed a singing birthday card?” For a second, I thought maybe it was a trick or I might win a prize for the right answer. Honestly, as I racked my brain to recall if I had, indeed, ever mailed a singing card, she quickly filled in, “I mean, does it require extra postage?” Then I realized that to her I must have looked like someone that worked at the post office. No, that couldn’t be it. They don’t smile. It was just because I was nice. Continuing my “nice” streak, I told her that if the card was larger than a quarter of an inch thick, or weighed more than one ounce, it would cost extra. Then it hit me. Heck, I could work at the post office. And I bet I could make it more efficient too.

You just never know where being nice could lead you. And come to think of it, I have nice friends too. 

I’ve always said that I just want it to say on my tombstone---“she was nice.” I think that would be a good thing.

What's Happening?

*****Update: Thanks to one of my internet friends, I've corrected the name of the flower below! See the "I forget" below and you'll know why?

Outside my window: It's a gorgeous day---especially after all of this chilly rain. In the 80's today.

I am thinking: Should I give Mindy and Stephanie the pillows I made for them, or make them wait until Christmas?

 This one is for Stephanie. I don't know if you can see it, but the ball fringe also has little tiny green ones between the red ones.

This fleur di lis is for Mnidy. I had this one finished in a raw silk with some sort of loopy fringe. 

And lest you think I forgot Sandy---I already had her pillow finished before LAST Christmas and sent it to her for a surprise.

I am thankful for: Good friends that bring me surprises!

Nancy was antiquing up through Pennsylvania. She found this little butter pat (I guess that's what it is---it's about 4 inches in diameter) in the Liberty Blue pattern that I am just starting to collect. I don't know what I did to deserve her!!

From the kitchen: I made a new recipe last night for my freezer club. It's pretty good and easy!!

Beef and Macaroni

1 lg. onion, chopped

1 tbsp. olive oil

2 lbs. ground chuck

2 pkgs. taco seasoning

1 large can of diced tomatoes

1 box elbow macaroni, cooked until half done, drain

1 cup mozzarella

1 cup cheddar

Cook onion in olive oil until transparent. Brown meat. Add tomatoes and taco seasoning. Simmer about a half hour. Stir in macaroni. Bake at 400 for 30 minutes. Top with cheese and bake an additional 5 minutes. This makes pretty much, so you can freeze it---just leave off the cheese until baking time.

I am wearing: my around the house clothes---specifically, black pants, master gardener t-shirt and socks (I never run around bare footed).

I am hoping: to chill out in front of the tv tonight---but I have some cooking I need to do for the weekend.

I am reading: Gone Girl. I just started it. This is the book that one of my bridge friends loaned me. I got tired of juggling the book really fast and bought it on my Kindle. It actually makes me a little sad that I'm so hooked on my Kindle. 

Sort of makes my library obsolete. Still, I can enjoy reading my Kindle in here.

I am busy creating: This is my latest needlepoint project. Connie and I are doing it. She's way ahead of me. I am just about finished with the first snowman and have done just about all of the background.

 This is about the size of a dinner plate. When it's finished, it will be mounted on a large styrofoam ball on a wood base. It's a snow globe!

 I'm bummed: That I didn't get my errands done this morning. I allowed plenty of time, but when I got to the post office, there was a long line. This makes me so mad! They have 5 windows and only had one open. Why is it that people feel compelled to tell the postman what's in their package? One lady was mailing a birthday gift to her grandson in Germany, one man was picking up mail that he had held and had to tell the postman where he'd been and another was returning a pair of shoes. Seriously, do they think he really cares? All he cares about is whether you have anything "liquid, hazzardous or perishable, cash or credit, do you need stamps?"

It took me twenty minutes to make my way to the front only to discover I had to fill out some customs form (I'm mailing an envelope to the UK). I should have paid attention to that lady who was mailing to Germany. I had to get out of line and start over. I just left. I didn't have time to wait another 20 minutes. Now I have to go back out tomorrow morning and make my rounds.

I am hearing: Golf on tv. Can you spell b-o-r-i-n-g?

Around the house and garden: I took a stroll through my gardens this afternoon to see what's blooming. Spring is the most exciting time---seems like something new is blooming every day.

 This is called a "fringe" tree. It's a good under tree for the shade. The white fronds only happen in the spring.

These red berries are so pretty. I'm completely drawing a blank on what it is. 

 This was the biggest surprise---the blooms on the Russian sage Papillion lavender are so unusual. (now I remember, it's French---not Russian).  Just gorgeous.

I went out to the perennial garden to cut some of the white peonies. Unfortunately, they are already past their prime. The good news is that the pink ones haven't bloomed yet. The bad news is that these look like snake holes to me!

In other news: I was on fire at bridge today!! Not in my play---in fact, I made some pretty stupid mistakes. But I had the best cards I've had in a long time. That means next week will be---can you spell it again?---b-o-r-i-n-g! It works that way---good cards one week, bad the next.

One of my favorite things right now: Playing Dice with Buddies on my iPhone. It's a free app and is exactly like Yahtzee. Wanna play? Just download the app and invite me!

I appreciate: DVR capabilities so that I can fast forward through all the commercials.

I remember: that I have a lot of presents to wrap tomorrow. It's going to be one busy day!

I forget:  many of the names of the flowers, plants and trees that I so painstakingly studied while designing my gardens 18 years ago. That bothers me.

I regret: that Butch was sick this week. That means that most likely I'll be sick next week.

What's wrong with this picture:

I don't think I need to point it out! I love when you take pictures and have something unusual show up. I'm so easy---I like any type of little surprises.

How the weekend is shaping up: Tomorrow night, after Happy Hour, we have poker. Connie has picked a new restaurant for us girls to go to---looking forward to that. 

Saturday is Steeplechase---our annual horse race to benefit Vanderbilt Children's Hospital. Central Parking always handled the parking and we got the best parking spot. Now that Butch is retired, that's another little perk that is gone! We'll be trekking in the mud.

This year, we are taking the family. I'm trying to keep the food simple (pork tenderloin sandwiches with honey mustard, deviled eggs---or stuffed eggs---as they are known in Tennessee, veggies and dip, celery stuffed with homemade pimento cheese, hummus chips and hummus and chocolate chip cookies.  And, of course, appropriate beverages---bloody Mary's, gin and tonics, water, soda and beer. We've got it covered.

Steeplechase is the place to see people and be seen. I'm over it. I know we'll have fun---but it's ALL day. They were calling for rain, but it looks like it will be nice after all. I'll post pictures on Sunday.

Mother's Day---brunch at the club. Then I'm going to play around in my scrapbook room. A girl can hope anyway. We'll see.

I hope y'all have a great weekend too.