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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.

Friday Favorites

Today is my Favorite kind of Friday as it is the beginning of a VERY long weekend.  An appropriate ending to a VERY long week.  Although it was a long week, it provided some great

Friday Favorites

Favorite # ONE

Hair Therapy!FINALLY!

Can you believe I actually published this pic?

On Friday May 15th, Demetra sent a text asking if I would be able to come in on Tuesday May 19th.

Are you kidding me???

via GIPHY

Demetra and Stacy have rearranged their salon to keep their clients safe and socially distant at the

Blush & Ivory Salon

And I’m happy with my new hair DO!

~

I’ve been shopping online for an outdoor rug to liven up my patio, but haven’t been able to find anything that would arrive before Memorial Day.  So on Sunday LB and I made a visit to Costco to see what was in stock.  We left with my

Favorite # TWO

A Patio Rug

and it looks great with my patio furniture.

~

Also from Costco

Favorite # THREE

Guacamole

Everyone loves guacamole, right?  But as soon as you make it or open a container, it begins to turn brown.

Here is the solution to having fresh guac all week long

Only 90 calories per serving, perfect for dipping celery or carrot sticks, cucumber slices, or any other raw veggie that needs flavor.

This stuff will make anything taste good.

 

~

Favorite # FOUR

Stickers

From the Talented Kitchen

Now I’ll be able to tell which container has what kind of flour.

~

Favorite # FIVE

Seniors

via GIPHY

Sydney is graduating from high school this year!  She is my sister’s baby girl.

She recently had a photo shoot and this is one of my favorites from Gina’s pictures of our 2020 graduate.

We are SO PROUD of you Sydney!

and you’re cute too!

~

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

Quarantine Week SEVEN

Has everyone in your house gone stir crazy yet?

via GIPHY

When a home body like myself is ready to get out of the house, I know everyone else must be!

With the exception of taking a couple of drives, LB and I have stayed in the house for six weeks, working from home, having groceries delivered, and enjoying evenings by the pool.

There has been a lot of shopping online, Pinterest pinning and baking.  Most recently I made banana bread.  Next on the calendar is cream of coconut cake.

We have watched a few movies and sort of started following the series Bosch on Amazon Prime.  I’m not a fan of homicide programs, but this one was recommended by Rush, so LB thought it was worth checking out.  We may have watched all of season one.

This past week we started venturing out, following social distancing guidelines and trying to be as safe as possible.  Mostly.

On Sunday I visited Mama’s house for a Mother’s Day Tea Party that I shared in this post.  It was a sweet time with the girls.

Stephanie and Amanda always make me feel special.  Later that day, Richard made me feel special too. He is a faithful face-timer and my most serious child.

And so my Mother’s Day was complete.

~

On Friday evening LB and I both went out to celebrate a milestone.

We met at Olive Garden with our friends Wayne, Laurie, Debbie and Ray in honor of

Laurie’s 60th birthday!

I’ve never seen anyone enjoy spaghetti as much as LB did that night!

Every last bite!

He saved the chicken parm for later.

We had such a good time, we’re planning another get-together real soon.  I’m looking forward to it!

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

Mother’s Day

I had no idea that I would enjoy a tea party as much as I did!

My sister planned a Mother’s Day gathering for the ladies in our family.

 

On Sunday afternoon, we met at Mama’s house, for the first time in MANY weeks.

The table was beautifully decorated with a place for everyone.

Set at each place was a pair of Mickey Mouse ears to wear.

Each place was chosen (or chosen for us) based on matching headdress color (your mouse ears much match, or at least coordinate with your outfit).We donned our ears and posed for the group picture.

No doubt, we were meant to be together!

~

The MENU

was exceptional.

There was avocado toast…

charcuterie at its finest

on a dachshund cheese board, of course

a cheese laden salad

and

British scones with clotted cream and assorted preserves.  Prior to today I had never tasted British scones or clotted cream, but I am now a convert.

~

Dessert included an assortment of cookies

including a family favorite…

Raspberry Almond Shortbread.

Then the

pièce de ré·sis·tance

 

a strawberry lime cheesecake trifle…

which looked better than it tasted (I’m allowed to say that because I made it).

As I mentioned previously, I had no idea I would enjoy a tea party as much as I did.  I think it is because I love these people so much.

Picture time was a bit of a circus, but quite entertaining.

Chynna is a trooper, managing babies of every shape and size.

I’m impressed!

Happy Mother’s Day!

~

 

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

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