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Happy Birthday Elvis!

He is eight years old today…and has been with me since he was three months old.

Elvis is a rescue kitty.

It was December 12, 2009 and my plan was to give my oldest daughter Stephanie a kitten for Christmas.  LB and I went to the Humane Society and looked at all the adorable kitties that were living there.  Some of them were in crates; some of them were playing together in the Kitty Cabana.  As we walked into the Kitty Cabana I noticed one little black fur ball scurry behind a kitty play set. Of course I went after him.  Given the fact that he was so skittish, I was surprised that he let me pick him up.  Not only did he let me pick him up, he let me hold him close and snuggle.

I had found a winner!

We took him home.My plan was to keep him for about a week before Christmas and then take him to Stephanie on Christmas morning.

It was only a few days that he was with us and I knew I wasn’t going to be able to part with him.Exactly one week later, we went back and adopted Aymie.  She and Stephanie are inseparable.  Aymie is obviously a good sport.

She will also be 8 years old in October.

If you have a kitty in your life, you know just how special one can be.

Elvis has been on numerous trips and through several moves with me.  He tolerates no visitors and hides under the bed as soon as he is aware that company has arrived.  To most people, he seems very unsociable.
However, when he detects that his mama has arrived home, he comes running.  He then leads me to the living room for some hello-let’s-have-a-brush time.

Elvis sleeps on my bed at my feet. He is anxious for me to get up in the morning and has been known to sit by my head and pat my nose. His favorite time is when I’m sitting in my living room chair letting him sleep on my lap.  He is sleeping on my lap as I type this post.  He is just a precious little fur ball, and I’m so happy to have him in my life.

Happy Birthday Elvis!

Unexpected Discoveries

Although Irma trampled the town last night, my family members were safe in their homes;  I’ve received no reports of serious damage from them.

As I mentioned in my last post, LB had to work hurricane duty on Sunday and Monday, so I stayed with him in his office through the entire event.  It would not have been wise for him to drive home on Sunday evening and back to the office early Monday morning.

It wasn’t an easy night.

LB had purchased a very impressive High-Rise Premium Comfort Airbed by Intex.  I woke up at least three times with my head on the floor.  The other multiple times I was awakened were almost as unpleasant.

So glad last night is over!

At this time, the most we have been able to do is make a quick property check to our home and head right back to this office.  As I walked through the house earlier, checking for damage, I found a leak in the kitchen ceiling.  I found it the hard way as I hit the floor full force when I stepped into the water that was all over the kitchen floor.

Talk about unexpected!

On a happier note, during our random-family-hurricaneIrma texts, my younger daughter introduced me to a new website.  At first I was skeptical since it was presented as a picture of shirts displaying quotes from the movie Christmas Vacation:

While I’m not likely to wear a Vacation Holiday Tee, the boots in the bottom left corner caught my eye.

Amanda encouraged me to visit the site, saying “it’s a cute website mom, you would like it”.

So I Checked It Out

She was right.  I like it.  That was an unexpected discovery on a tempestuous night!

Some of the tops/tees on jane.com are displayed as outfits:

There are many other items of interest on jane.com.  At this time FALL is being promoted on the site (imagine that), there is an app to download and currently a giveaway to enter.

Some other on trend items areSo Many Tassels!  $6.99 each

and

Fall Jewelry Must Haves $9.99 each

Back Zipper Booties $29.99

and

Transitional Sling-Back Booties $21.99

And for someone at my office looking for a winter coat (you know who you are)this one is only $24.99!

 

Thank you for the recommendation Amanda!

Hurricane Hysteria

As I began this post

Hurricane Irma

was a Category 5 storm.  As info, a hurricane with winds of 157 mph or greater is a Category 5.  Hurricane Irma is currently ravaging the Caribbean Islands; LB and I are watching the Weather Channel for an update on the turn that she will take.  She is expected to turn toward Florida.

More storms hit Florida than any other U.S. state, and since 1851 only eighteen hurricane seasons passed without a hurricane impacting the state.  Approximately 488  hurricanes have affected the state of Florida.  This damage report includes a death toll of 10,272 people in Florida and $115 billion in other damage (primarily from Hurricane Andrew and thereafter (source)).

With the exception of the slight impact we felt from hurricane Matthew last year, I can’t remember having experienced a hurricane in Jacksonville.  Needless to say, everyone is a bit antsy about the uncertainty of what is to come.

Even Elvis is looking to me for answers.It is apparent to him that something isn’t quite right.

Since LB has to work on Monday, we are taking our necessities and heading to his office early on Sunday.  We will be spending the night and “hunkering down” here while Irma passes by.

This office has all the comforts of an office.

 

But we bring the party with us

 

During this time, my daughters are with their dad, my son and his little family are riding it out in their home, my Mama is at her house with my sister and her family.

We are in Jacksonville

keeping in touch via text:

 

 

Those are random, I know.

Welcome to My World.

My Mama is terrified (to say the least) of hurricanes, since her experience with Dora in 1964.  Thankfully, Jacksonville has not experienced such a storm in my lifetime.

Since we have no control over the weather, there is no reason for hysteria.  Several hours after beginning, as I continue this post, Hurricane Irma is headed our way, and expected to arrive in about nine hours.  That said, I know my Mama has been praying, because the storm has since downgraded to a Category 2 and the path has shifted away from the east coast of Florida.

God is in control, and in Him I place my trust.

Friday Favorites

Guess What Day It Is

Andrea cat friday weekend viernes GIF

Hee Hee!

I thought that was cute!  And funny!

Speaking of funny…

Favorite # ONE

recently my daughter tweeted:

I literally laughed out loud!  This is SO Stephanie!

 

Favorite # TWO

I like BIG BOOTS and I cannot lie…It is too hot in Florida to wear boots in the fall.  But when I found these boots on Amazon for under $30, I had to have them.  Although I love living in Florida (except when a hurricane is heading my way), I complain about not being able to wear my boots.  Regardless, complaining will not change the fact that I won’t be wearing them until December or January.

 

Favorite # THREE

I am obsessed with chicken wings!

Am I the only person who could eat chicken wings every day?  Last Friday LB and I had buffalo chicken wings ONCE AGAIN at Racing’s North Turn for dinner.  They were great.  Every last one of them.

 

Favorite # FOUR

The Bee Gees special that aired last spring has been waiting to be watched in my recorded programs until recently.  Last Sunday LB and I played this while we were cleaning up around the house and realized it was a pretty dang good show.

I’ve always loved the Bee Gees!Stayin’ Alive: A GRAMMY Salute To The Music Of The Bee Gees aired on  April 16 and featured the talents of John Legend, Celine Dion, Demi Lovato, Pentatonix, Nick Jonas plus many others.  They each paid tribute to the Bee Gees’ pop legacy by performing songs made popular by the Bee Gees.  We watched it TWICE!

 

Favorite # FIVE

The Ethnicity Estimate.

Where in the world did I come from???

When I came across this CLICK BAIT on FaceBook last week, I nearly drove my Mama crazy… although I was just teasing her.  How I could be Brazilian is beyond me.  The three times I was estimated to be 53% Puerto Rican was also puzzling.  Later, I took a FB quiz “How Puerto Rican are You?” and scored 100%.  Since I am thoroughly Scots-Irish & English (as far as I know), I thought it was pretty funny, but I should probably stop clicking on those things!

That picture is horrible!  Apparently I have no pride.

 

As I always mention, I LOVE Fridays and I thoroughly enjoy posting my Friday Favorites!  I hope someone out there enjoys reading about them.

TGIF!

 

 

How to Wear White Pants

I’ve been following fashion bloggers for several years.

Once in a while I will come across a “how to” post.  The posts that really tickle me will have a title like the one I am using today.  Although this one is an exaggeration.  Every time I read one of these posts I am tempted to reply “you didn’t tell me where to start”.

How to Wear Pants

  1. Start out without pants on – undies recommended, but not required.
  2. Hold the tops of your open, unbuttoned trousers with the front facing forward and legs untangled, dangling in front of you.
  3. Place one leg through the corresponding pant leg. If it’s your left leg, put in in the left pant, right goes into the right pant.
  4. Step forward, placing the other leg into the other pant.
  5. Pull up, zip, button.
  6. Add appropriate top, jacket, accessories, etc. and You’re done!

Okay that was FUN!  Now on to the real topic.

Just because it is after Labor Day, doesn’t mean I am going to stop wearing my white denim skinnies.  I just love them and I have to keep on wearing.  Besides… it isn’t even fall yet.

My white skinny denim is from venus.com and I’ve mentioned these more than once.

Not sure how I’ll style them this fall, but they are incredibly easy to wear with just about any top during the spring and summer.

Here are some of my favorites:

Top: Nordstrom Rack, $12 (similar)
Jeans: Venus.com, $29
Shoes: Bass Outlet (similar)
Bracelet: Gift (similar)
Top: White House Black Market, $12 (same, similar)
Jeans: Venus.com, $29
Shoes: Rampage on Amazon (similar, similar)
Necklace: Gift
Bracelet: Gift (similar)
Top: Forever21 (similar)
Jeans: Venus.com, $29
Shoes: Payless (similar, similar)
Necklace: Gift
Bracelet: Gift (similar)
Top: Classy Crossroads Boutique
Jeans: Venus.com, $29
Shoes: Stein Mart (Gift)
Approx. dates: Jeans are about 1 – 2 year ago, but still available. Shoes and top are 3+ years ago. Top: Shein.com, $10 (same)
Jeans: Venus.com, $29
Shoes: Old Navy (similar)
Bracelet: Gift (similar)
Top: Shein.com, $12 (same)
Jeans: Venus.com, $29
Shoes: Old Navy (similar)
Sunglasses: Coach (similar)
Tote: Michael Kors (similar)

I have no doubt that my white jeans/pants would go perfectly with (and be perfectly appropriate for me)

Back to School

There are several blogs that I follow… most of them are fashion blogs. One in particular that I enjoy is Coast to Coast (by Lisa, an East Coast girl in a West Coast world).  She will occasionally post an outfit or publish a post that is fashion related, but she includes a little bit of everything in her blog. That is my kind of blog! I’ve picked up several ideas from her, including “Friday Favorites” and “Show and Tell Tuesday”.  Today when I looked at her blog I found a post titled Back to School by The Blended Blog ‘asks’.

Since I enjoyed reading Lisa’s answers, I thought I would join in the fun for a walk down Memory Lane.

My Back to School Answers:

1. Did I love school or hate it? I didn’t love going to school, but I loved having the opportunity to make good grades, and I’ve always enjoyed learning something new.

2. Start school before or after Labor Day? LB and I were just talking about this Sunday.  He mentioned that school used to start after Labor Day because most schools didn’t have air conditioning. I honestly can’t remember when school started.  But I do remember graduating from high school in June!

3. Wake up: Eager Beaver or Slow Poke? I’m pretty quick to jump up out of bed now. When I was growing up I must’ve been a slow poke; I remember Daddy calling “Rise and Shine, Beeping Sleauty”

4. Favorite Breakfast? Usually cereal with milk

5. Favorite Cereal? Something chocolateyI still love chocolate cereals!

6. School Uniform? No, we didn’t wear uniforms back in the 1800’s… except for during P.E.  That’s a topic in itself!

7. New outfit for the first day of school? Yes.  Usually.  I think.

8. Walk to school or ride the bus?  The bus rides began in the 8th grade…but up to that point, my Mama drove me.

9. Backpack, tote, or messenger bag? I always carried my books until I started college at the turn of the century.  Then I had a backpack.

10. Eat school lunch or pack lunch? A metal lunchbox with a glass thermos.  Sounds dangerous, right?

11. Remember the little milk cartons?  They were so cute.

12. Paper bag or lunch box? It was a Charlie Brown lunchbox.  Not sure why I didn’t have something a little more girlie?

13. Favorite thing to do at recess? Wasn’t a fan of recess… definitely didn’t enjoy Duck, Duck, Goose!

14. Favorite back to school item?  Hmmm…. probably the new notebook… a Trapper Keeper… or something similarly awesome!

15. Chalkboard or Dry erase board?  Chalkboard… and the worse thing ever was being called to the front of the class to work a math problem to be watched by all (tears).16. Regular pencil or mechanical? Regular… number two, of course17. Homework as soon as you got home or after dinner? I don’t remember having much homework until high school, but at that point, with all the extracurricular activities, it was do homework whenever you find the time.

18. Favorite after school snack? Ice cream… at my Mema D.’s house… which was part of the reason I was a little chunk.

19. Favorite after school show? The soaps (also with Mema D.) on Channel 4… typically the Guiding Light which started at 3PM right after school. Remember Reva and Josh???

20. Favorite subject in school? Art… no question.

21. Least favorite subject in school? P.E. (Physical Education) OMG… remember the physical fitness tests? Getting sweaty then having to go back to class! Wearing those ridiculous outfits a/k/a gym suits!  I have searched the internet high and low and those things are nowhere to be found.  I’m convinced that God Himself intervened!

22. Name of your best friend in high school? My aunt Debbie, Kim M., Kellie G., LaTresia B.

23. High school Mascot? An astronaut. Edward H. White (center) to be exact!

24. SAT or ACT? SAT is the only test I remember having to take before college. The MLST (Minimum Level Skills Test) was the goofy test that we were required to pass to move on to the next grade.

25. Favorite year in school? My Senior year.  Definitely!

26. Class ring or no class ring? Yes I have a class ring. Because I dropped it, there is a chip in the stone, but it is still pretty.27. Attend or not attend high school reunions? At this point I have not attended any of my reunions. Hopefully I will be able to do so in the future!

Labor Day Weekend Getaway

For Labor Day Weekend 2017, LB planned a trip to Daytona Beach.  I was supposed to have Friday, September 1st off, but alas, I have NO seniority, and had to report to work that day.  I would have to run home and pack quickly to leave for Daytona on Friday evening.

The great thing about packing for a weekend retreat is that you don’t have to pack too much. HOWEVER, if you’re like me, you want to make sure you pack enough to see you through any scenario that may arise.  The way to effectively compromise is by implementing Strategery… (love George W. Bush)

When LB and I head to our favorite hotel in Daytona, there are a few activities that I keep in mind when pulling together my weekend outfits.  They are:
· Friday night out to dinner· Saturday at the pool party (or basking on the beach if the pool-side karaoke becomes bothersome)

That’s My LB
· Saturday night activity (typically a concert at the Daytona Boardwalk-Bandshell)  on this particular trip it was raining on Saturday night so LB took me to

Caribbean Jacks

for dinner, instead of to the Bandshell concert.

We heard the Dewey Rose Band for the first time.  They were good.

Dinner was great… low carb, of course, Crabby Patties and a salad.

With all that in mind, I like to try to coordinate clothing that is equally fun and practical.  I managed to get it together quickly.

Here is my list

· Swim Suit
· Sandals
· Sun Hat (Hello Sunshine)
· cover-up (YES, I do have one)
· Denim or White Shorts
· White Jeans
· Two or three shirts (similar color palette)
· Cross-body Bag
· Beach Tote
· Sunglasses
· Accessories
· Personal Items

Whether you use my list to pack for a vacation or grab the unfolded laundry and throw it in a suitcase, heed the words of this prudent sage…

“The only rule is don’t be boring and dress cute wherever you go. Life is too short to blend in”
~ Paris Hilton

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