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Friday Favorites Birthday Fun

Last Thursday, Richard, Emily, and the baby girls came to town for birthday celebrations.  Other than face-time calls, this was the first time I’ve seen them since February.  Before heading to Mema Mary’s house, for birthday celebrations, they stopped to see Glammy.  We played with the Barbie estate for for a few minutes.

The next day, when I walked into the ‘playroom’ I saw this

Favorite # ONE

Thinking back, I remember that while we were playing, Rory was trying to load the Barbie car with a Barbie doll, Barbie’s baby, and a toilet.

Seeing this just made my day.

Apparently traveling with a potty is paramount.

~

Later we went to Mema’s house

where the whole family gathered to celebrate.

On this occasion we would be celebrating my birthday and Emily’s birthday.  There are several June birthdays in my family.

One that would happen on the next day was…

Favorite #TWO

This little one is two years old!

Happy Birthday Adrian!

~

Favorite #THREE

Birthday CakeThe pink candles were mine and the yellow ones for Emily, whose birthday is June 6th.

I’m thinking about it right now and wish I had more!

Amanda told me that it came from Biscottis.  I looked it up on their website.  Biscottis cakes start at $65.  Now I know I need to get into the baking profession.

~

For my birthday, LB surprised me with

Presents!

This is my

Favorite #FOUR

A new wallet by Hobo

(Lauren clutch wallet/Velvet hide/Color: Dew)

Then when we returned home LB surprised me again with a belated birthday present.

My

Favorite # FIVE

The One Heart Charm bracelet from Brighton

I like the combination of silver and gold.  It is very pretty and was very thoughtful of LB!

~

Thank you for taking time out of your day to stop by my blog.

Thank You Ma’am

Didn’t your Mama teach you to say “yes, ma’am” and “no, ma’am”?

We were at the Treasure Island Resort on the morning of my birthday.  Hoping for eggs Benedict (my favorite), LB and I made our way to the BRGR restaurant.

(this is the view from our suite)

Walking in, we saw a sign that read:

“Please seat yourself”

LB and I thought that, under the [COVID19] circumstances, we should sit outside.

There was only one other couple in the entire restaurant, and they were also outside.  We looked for a small table, but there was only one, and it was right next to the other couple, and did not seem to be an adequate 6 feet away.

So we chose a larger table… a table for six.

A female server emerged and asked if we were expecting others to join us.  I answered, “no, it is just the two of us”.  With no words, she waved her arm and motioned for us to move, as she pointed to the smaller table and declared that the tables we had chosen were meant for a larger group.

Bewildered, LB and I followed as she put us right next to the other couple.  This interaction was the first clue that we were to be waited on by someone who is completely lacking in ‘social skills’.  Neither one of us liked the way this was handled, but being that I do not deal well with conflict, and it was my birthday… no argument was given.

She brought our coffee and she took our order.

LB ordered the frittata sandwich.  He mispronounced the word frittata, she abruptly corrected him, but brought him his order. Eggs Benedict was not on the menu, but my breakfast was excellent!  Kudos to the chef!

I had a bacon, cheddar, onion, and spinach omelette…

that came with a loaf of bread.

As our server patrolled through the outdoor dining area [checking on ALL TWO of her tables], she would occasionally stop to ask if anything was needed.  If she provided LB with a coffee refill, or anything, he would respond as any southern gentleman does, with a friendly “Thank you ma’am”.  Each time she replied. When she replied, she would do so quietly, and beneath a mask.  I wasn’t sure, but it sounded like she said the word ‘BRANDY’.

It wasn’t until LB got the check that we saw that the server’s name was BRANDI and he realized she had indeed been correcting him when he would say, “thank you, ma’am”.

I had picked up on this a little earlier, but said nothing because

I wasn’t sure that I was really hearing what I was hearing.

Brandi brought our requested take out boxes and we filled them with half of our breakfast and left the BRGR restaurant that morning.  Brandi was rewarded with a good tip, but in my opinion should have been rewarded with a “can I speak with your manager?”

When LB and I discussed this as we left the restaurant, he was [for lack of a better expression] BLOWN AWAY that he had apparently offended this young woman.

LB and I later discussed my thoughts on being called “ma’am”.  I told him that although I’ve never confronted anyone, it does make me feel old.  Albeit, I understand the use of yes ma’am, no ma’am, thank you ma’am.

If you want to thank me, and you say,

“thank you ma’am”

I’m okay with that.

  LB had no idea that this was ‘a thing’ until he googled “Thank you ma’am offends”.

In the article he shared, the writer, Kelly Kazik concludes, maybe we should not be offended by this (manners are a good thing after-all).

Although the Treasure Island Resort was beyond impressive, unfortunately, the resort’s only restaurant left us feeling a little disconcerted.

We wouldn’t go back to the BRGR restaurant during our 2020 stay at the Treasure Island Resort, but we did enjoy the other half of our breakfast, in our suite, the following day.

~

Thank you for taking time out of your day to stop by my blog.

Fifty Four Facts

About ME!

No, I didn’t just pull the number 54 out of the air.

I remember when I turned 30, my mother-in-law joyfully told me “in 20 years you’ll be 50!”

Apparently I didn’t think it was possible.  It must have been that I was still in the invincibility stage that most people experience during youth.

Today I am going to engage in an exercise of self-awareness and share…

54 Very Random Facts About Kim

Here goes…

  1. I’ve lived on the “Westside” of Jacksonville all of my life.
  2. I was born on the same day as Marilyn Monroe, different year, of course.
  3. I used to have a problem with sleepwalking.
  4. My tonsils are long gone.
  5. Mexican cuisine is my favorite…
  6. However I could live on rotisserie chicken and diet orange soda.
  7. I fainted when I got my ears pierced.
  8. My Aunt Linda pierced my ears with two giant needles.
  9. Autumn has always been my favorite season; this year spring is a close second.

  10. Peanut M&Ms is my favorite candy.

  11. I graduated from Edward H. White high school in 1984.
  12. As a senior in high school, I joined the girls cross country team.  Today I’m still running.
  13. I have successfully completed a half marathon.
  14. At the age of 18 I was married; just after I turned 19, I became a mom.  Think about that for a minute.
  15. I am 3 credits (1 class) short of attaining my bachelor’s degree.
  16. I have an Associates degree in Interior Design Technology.
  17. When my son broke his arm, I fainted in the ER.
  18. I auditioned for and joined the Chancel Choir at First Baptist Church Jacksonville.
  19. At one time I was a bank teller.
  20. My first job was a proof operator at the bank where my Daddy was the Executive Vice President.

  21. The first time I took my drivers test, I failed.

  22. I was apprehensive about retesting with the same instructor.  Mema Reid encouraged me by saying, “better the devil you know, than the devil you don’t”.
  23. Red-orange is my favorite color.
  24. I’m terrified of reptiles, and sticks that look like reptiles.
  25. I’ve read the Bible from cover to cover, excluding the index.
  26. Although I took lessons for many years, I cannot play the piano.  Much.
  27. As a little girl, I signed my Mama up for piano lessons.
  28. I was the first one in my family to beat BOWSER [Super Mario World]!  When it happened, everyone screamed.
  29. I love to cook and bake.
  30. I’d love to manage my own bakery.
  31. Every morning I drink a cup of warm lemon water with cayenne pepper.

  32. I have a giraffe collection.

  33. My house was built on property that has been in my family since 1912.
  34. I DO NOT LIKE water chestnuts.
  35. At one time, rollerblading was a favorite pastime.
  36. I home-schooled my children.
  37. When I was young I wanted to be Marcia Brady.
  38. I played softball positions pitcher, catcher, and second base for my church softball team.
  39. I’m a shopaholic.  It is bad.
  40. As a victim of the Backmasking era in the eighties, I burned all of my records.

  41. I’m obsessed with my cat.

  42. I’ve maintained an exercise regimen since 1983.
  43.  I believe I can do anything that I put my mind to.
  44. I polish my nails just before I board the treadmill.
  45. While engaging in regular treadmill time, I watch the 4th hour of the TODAY show.
  46. I have worked as technical support resolving DSL connectivity troubles.
  47. The first movie I attended was a showing of “Bambi”.  I was six months old.
  48. Eighties music is my favorite.
  49. My worst habit is grinding and tapping my teeth.
  50. I’ve owned three white Nissan Altimas (2004, 2007, 2014).
  51. My eyes are green.  My Daddy used to call me Green Eyes.
  52. I do not have any tattoos (you wouldn’t put a bumper sticker on a Bentley).
  53. In 2015 I became “Glammy”.

  54. Today is my birthday.  I was born on a Wednesday in 1966 at 7:52 AM.

Every June 1st at 7:52 AM, my Mama calls me to wish me a Happy Birthday.

Thank you for taking time out of your day to stop by my blog.

 

I Love Everything About My Birthday

This morning I opened  a birthday card

and read this:

I Love Everything About Being Us

A kiss that leaves me smiling.

A joke that  makes me laugh

A text, a call, a message.

A random photograph.

A heart-to-heart discussion.

A getaway for fun.

Our running list of projects

or one that’s finally done!

Some quiet time together – no problems, plans or fuss…

celebrating every day

of us just being us.

Happy Birthday!

~

I read this little card aloud with a lump in my throat, as I periodically paused to laugh out loud.

I Loved it!

~

“A getaway for fun”

is mentioned in this card and we did just that on my birthday this year.

Originally we had planned to visit Yosemite National Park, but with all of the COVID19 hullabaloo, the reservations were cancelled a few weeks prior, and new, airplane-free plans were made.

We were able to make those plans happen and enjoy a couple of nights in a resort on the Gulf of Mexico.

~

The suite was amazing.

WOW was the word of the day.

This is the entryway…

And this is our arrival selfie from the living room…

“A random photograph”

I wasted no time checking everything out.

There were 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, and 3 balconies.  Also a small kitchen/dining area with an adjoining living room.

~

On birthday Monday, we hit the beach.

We spent most of the day under the umbrella, but would occasionally have to walk to the ocean to cool off.  On one occasion, while walking back to my chair, I noticed a patch of shells.

I stopped to run my fingers through, and while there, was met by a new little friend.She was interested in my “combing” through the sand, and decided she would help me.So much for social distancing!

We had a little chat about pretty shells and then she went on her way to enjoy her June 1st day at the beach.

Later in the evening, LB and I took a walk that would eventually lead us to a MEXICAN restaurant!Carmelita’s Mexican Restaurant

The sunset over the ocean later that evening was the perfect end to a perfect day!

“Some quiet time together – no problems, plans or fuss”

…celebrating MY Birthday

by us just being us.

~

Thank you for taking time out of your day to stop by my blog.

Quarantine Week 8

Week eight of the COVID19 quarantine began as an easy work week, mostly because it started on Wednesday instead of Monday.

Monday was Memorial Day.

Since Memorial Day has come to be known as the unofficial start of summer, it seemed only fitting to have a pool party.

Because it RAINED, the pool party became a KITCHEN party.But that’s okay!  I enjoyed the visit.

During our visit, my sister introduced me to a new pastime via YouTube.  LB introduced us all to fun with squirrels on YouTube.

Watch it… I promise that this will make your day!

~

Tuesday was a “just because” day off that I had chosen during 2019 vacation selection.  LB took the day off too.

We did nothing other than my typical cleaning/organizing.

I have been organizing everything in my house for the last few weeks.  I am expecting shoe boxes from the Container Store to arrive sometime this week.

via GIPHY

Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday I was back to work and there was no shortage of work to do.  I stayed busy and frazzled.

But on Friday afternoon, I said goodbye to my team and my desk for the NEXT FIVE DAYS!

If you’ve ever read my blog, you know that FRIDAY IS MY FAVORITE.  On this particular Friday, my long awaited Container Store shoe boxes arrived!  If I had written a Friday Favorites, this would’ve been #ONE!

This is going to be life changing.  Or at least, closet changing.

Not all that impressive in the photo, but this is only 20 boxes.  In my closet, there are 74 more HUGE shoes boxes with shoes that I can’t even see.

I’m looking forward to getting reacquainted with each and every one of them.

via GIPHY

This covid19 quarantine has been the strangest event I’ve ever experienced.  And the fact that we have now seen how quickly the world can change is mind blowing.

I’m not sure if I will be publishing any more “quarantine” posts, because things are changing again.

But life goes on, and this is my journal.  I’ll be writing about something.

~

Thank you for taking time out of your day to stop by my blog.

Quarantine Week SEVEN

Although my Friday and Saturday posts revealed a lot about Quarantine Week SEVEN, I feel compelled to officially document this historic and eventful week.

One of the highlights of my week was the long awaited visit to Blush and Ivory Salon to have my hair de-quarantined.

Short and wavy.  It grows so fast no one will ever know.

Quarantine Week SEVEN was a LOOOONG work week because 2 of our 4 person team were in vacation mode and I was inundated.  But its over now, and I’m off for the next two days.

LB and I went to Costco on Monday and [among other things] we came home with a rug for the patio

 

While we were there I missed my face-time call with my Richard  because Costco will not let you in without a facemask.  It isn’t easy to talk while wearing a facemask.  However, I feel like that time was redeemed when I had the opportunity to talk with

Lydia

on Friday night about everything from the cat that she left in Florida [and misses dearly] to the upcoming 5th birthday party she has started to plan.  Yes, she is adorable.

  It was a late night call, and she was very tired and emotional, but I thoroughly enjoyed having a glimpse into her precious little heart and hearing about all that is near and dear to her.  I’ve been talking about it all weekend.

And speaking of the weekend, I began my Friday with thoughts of a FOUR DAY WEEKEND in the forefront of my mind.

Last October, when vacation bidding began, I chose the day AFTER Memorial Day as a PDO [Paid Day Off] JUST BECAUSE.

As of this moment, I’m very glad that I did.

On Saturday, we had friends over to make up for our missed Cinco de Mayo excuse to go out for

Mexican Food

This is my Mexican-inspired food.  Tastes better than it looks.

We ate a lot and had a great visit!

On Sunday LB and I did nothing but sleep late and anticipate two more days of NO work.  Memorial Day will involve having some of my family over for lunch, and [weather permitting] a pool party.  I’m going to feed them hamburgers, and enjoy every moment of their company.

Thank you for taking time out of your day to stop by my blog.

¡Feliz 23 de Mayo!

because saying feliz veintitres de Mayo takes too much energy.

Happy 23rd of May!

With the Covid19 crisis, it has been a couple of months since we visited with other human beings.
LB and I missed out on Easter Sunday church and festivities, the annual Kentucky Derby party and even Cinco de Mayo.
Last week when LB and I met at Olive Garden with friends to celebrate Laurie’s birthday we all decided that we would have to get together for that missed annual Cinco de Mayo party.
The party happened on Saturday

~

~

Ray brought his homemade rubber-band gun

and no, Boo did NOT get shot.
We tried to follow CDC guidelines while catching up.
LB lit the torches and we sat out by the pool and talked into the night.
And we ATE a lot!
Steak fajitas and toppings, re-fried beans, queso dip, chips with salsa, and…

Cream of Coconut Cake

  • Servings: 16
  • Difficulty: easy
  • Print

Ingredients

  • 1 box white cake mix
  • ingredients needed to make cake: egg whites, oil and water)
  • 1 (15 oz) can cream of coconut
  • 1 (8 oz) container COOL WHIP thawed
  • 1 (8 oz) package sweetened flaked coconut

Instructions

  • Prepare and bake white cake mix according to package directions for a 9 x 13 pan.
  • Remove cake from oven and, using a fork, poke holes all over the top of cake.
  • Open can of Cream of Coconut (making sure to stir it first) and pour over warm cake.
  • Let cake cool completely then ‘frost’ with COOL WHIP topping.
  • Top with flaked coconut (I did not use the whole package).

 

It was delicious, if I do say so myself!

Thank you Laurie for documenting this event with photos!

And thank you for taking time out of your day to stop by my blog.

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