Show and Tell Tuesday

July 25, 2017

All day I’ve been asking myself (and a few others) “WHAT am I going to post on my blog today?”

LB says “Post about the Treadmill”. Wendy just looks at me and goes back to work. Elvis just looks at me.

So… I come home from work, do my treadmill ritual, and then come outside. As I sit by the pool with my macbook, I start scouring the other blogs I frequent for ideas. Currently I have a favorite and when I read her post, I had to replicate what I saw. http://coasttocoast2.blogspot.com/ has linked up with momfessionals.com to share ideas in a post titled Show and Tell Tuesday. Today the goal was to share what’s on your phone i.e. what you use your phone for most or what apps do you have that others may also enjoy.

That Said…

When I access my cell phone this is what I see:Let me clarify… when I access my cell phone on Tuesday, July 25 at 9:17, this is what I see.

Because I am extremely organized, my apps are alphabetized (with the exception of my Fitbit and My Fitness Pal). Some apps have been placed in files according to category. Here are the app screens on my cell phone:Alarmed is a reminder which I love. Amazon Alexa allows for communitcation with the Echo. QT is my home security system. The Mail is overwhelming because of the AOL email account that I’ve had since the 1800’s. Every Tom, Dick and Hautelook that I’ve ever subscribed to sends junk to this account. My Gmail accounts are for important things from Family, Attorney, MaryKay, and, of course, LB and are checked more than once a week. The 19 messages today are from a group text “The People I Love” formerly known as the FamDamily.

Let me check in and see what they conversed about today…

We have a picture of my nephew at summer camp: A giphy from my daughter Amanda: And a report from my Mama about her first night with the apparatus (more on that another day). Along with encouragement from my brother-in-law:

Yes Folks… this is normality. And because I am not permitted to access my cell phone during working hours, I find all this, and more, at the end of the day.

My current app obsession is with my FitBit.

At this point today I’m viewing:

Obviously I’ve outdone myself and will need to hit the sack to regroup.

See you tomorrow.

Maybe.

Rainy Weekend

July 24, 2017

Saturday and Sunday are typically filled with opportunity to DO WHATEVER I WANT! This past weekend had limited possibilities due to the rain. Nevertheless, LB and I made the most of our rainy weekend. Following our Friday night little pizzas, we watched a movie and stayed up too late. Because of the late night, we slept in Saturday morning.

The day began beautifully with the sun shining bright and hardly a cloud in the sky. After straightening the house and finishing the laundry, I went outside to work with my needy plants and pull the weeds out of my marigold flower bed. It needed work then and it still needs work.

Then the thunder began. It wasn’t long after that the rain started.

So I went inside and got on the treadmill.

The day seemed to fly by and become date night time before we knew it! There were three possibilities for the evening. 1. Jerry’s Sports Grille is a restaurant near the beach that we enjoy going to for a steak dinner. And if it isn’t football season, there will be a cover band playing. 2. The Cellar Upstairs is our favorite Saturday night place and one of our favorite bands “Ain’t too Proud” would be entertaining. 3. Ragtime Tavern Seafood & Grill is a beach side restaurant with live music. But it was rainy and we didn’t feel like going out.

Luckily LB had purchased a rack of lamb from Costco the week prior and was in the mood for some home cooking. This was a first for me but after I figured out what to do with it, we ended the day with a very nice dinner.

And then we watched Deadpool. No commentary… watch the trailer for yourself.

The sun didn’t tease us on Sunday morning. It was overcast outside and the rain would be coming soon. I made the usual Sunday morning Breakfast for a King which LB thoroughly enjoyed. Afterward I began assembling breakfast wraps and lunches for the upcoming work week.

This is my breakfast wrap assembly line. LB loves them!

After some treadmill time we decided to brave the weather and head to the store. Obviously if you can’t hang by the pool, or go to the beach, shopping is the only logical option.

And we picked up some nice shorts for LB

We ended the day with dinner at our favorite Mexican Restaurant LaNopaleraA rainy weekend turned out to be a pretty good weekend!

Friday Favorites

July 21, 2017

Its that time again… my Friday Favorites

Favorite # ONE

This tee shirt from Ross

With a criss-cross design (in the back) and a $4.99 price tag, this item is my Friday Favorite # ONE

Favorite # TWO

Betsey Johnson Designs

This week I visited a Ross Dress for Less store in search of a pair of unique jeans. My quest was fruitless, but in the process I discovered the designer handbags in the Accessories Department. The Betsey Johnson handbags were very cute at unbelievable prices

Betsey Johnson designs the cutest handbags and jewelry.

I love this Betsey Johnson watch

and these shoes

Favorite # THREE

There was a birthday party for my two year old GLAM Daughter that was held at my house this past Saturday. In this picture my son Richard is showing his friend a scrapbook/photo album that I put together highlighting his story from birth to age eighteen. It made my heart happy to see that he appreciated my work about his life enough to share it with someone.

Tonight my sister Gina visited Richard at his Starbucks side job. She video taped him as he constructed a coffee for her. In the recording, I heard him tell Gina that his mother ‘had not even come to visit him’. I’m glad to see that my family members keep up with each other. Although I tend to let my full time job wear me out to the point that I don’t want to go out for coffee after I’m off work, I’m always aware that they are out and about and I’m always watching to see what they are up to. I love each of them DEARLY!

Favorite # FOUR

Baking for my LB

This week I have hit the kitchen TWICE to prepare goodies. Baking Event No. 1 was to ensure my Man had a dessert to partake in every night at 10:00 PM. For this I embarked on a venture to create a Lemon Blueberry Cake. I have a Board on PINTEREST dedicated to Desserts and I used this saved pin from Sally’s Baking Addiction to bake a delicious cake for him. He is currently enjoying a slice every night. Event No. 2 was to participate in the ‘pot luck’ at work to wish Farewell to a long time co-worker ROB ROB Ross. By request I took my Red Velvet Oreo Truffle Brownies to share. Always a hit, and dubbed ‘Crack Brownies’… these are D-E-L-I-S-H-I-O-U-S!

Favorite # FIVE

This Car

The Ford Mustang 2015 Anniversary Limited EditionLB and I rented three of these automobiles and he had researched purchasing one before we stopped to look at a car for sale in South Florida. While driving to a vacation stop in Tampa we decided to stop at the Mullinax dealership and take a look at the Race Red Beauty. He never dreamed he would actually own one, but the fire in his eyes made me think he was destined to drive a Ford Mustang. I was right.

He’s nearly obsessed…

It’s a beautiful car and LB deserves it! And I get to enjoy it too!

It goes without saying that FRIDAY is my favorite day of the week!

TGIF!

and Party On!

WENDY Sometime!

July 20, 2017

She was mentioned in this post, on April 4th when I talked about Every Single Diet…

My friend WENDY!

At the time of that post, she had lost 20 pounds.

By Friday, July 8th she had lost nearly 70 pounds. She came into work that day styling her new white capris, feeling so good about her progress and with good reason.

She was looking great!

Wendy’s desk is next to mine and while we sat there discussing how well she has done several of our team members were gathered close enough to join in the conversation. She had experienced a couple of difficult weeks at home, but was unwavering in her resolve to make healthy choices for herself. At some point in the discussion it was suggested that Wendy should do something nice for herself. There was mention of a massage or a pedicure, but I knew what she really wanted.

A New Hair Style

Wendy has been talking about a new hair style for weeks. She has been looking at pictures to find just the right cut for herself. So I told she should do it. Of course she refused. She didn’t have time and other excuses. I suggested that we go during lunch to a salon that was close by. Once again she refused. I pressed on, but could see, as much as she wanted to do it, she wasn’t going to let herself. Finally I told her that I was going to get to work and if she changed her mind, at any point before lunchtime, just say “okay Kim” and I will put the plan into motion. She hesitated, but before I turned around she said “okay Kim”.

Just Hair in Fleming Island is about 2 minutes from my officeSo we decided to celebrate with a makeover She was a little nervous at first

No more ponytails Julie was a pleasure to work with and celebrated with us as she herself had lost a LOT of weight. She did a great job helping Wendy with her new look.And she’s a happy girl! Then the styling began… Wendy looks great! And so does her hair!

She has done what others only wish they could do.

And I’m so proud of her!

Shopping at Ross

July 18, 2017

LB and I checked out a new shopping location Sunday afternoon

Because Gina (my sister) came to my house Saturday styling some of the cutest jeans I’ve ever seen, I set out to find a pair for myself. Obviously I don’t need a reason to go shopping, but it’s always nice to have a goal in mind.

The jeans were unique and appeared to have been deconstructed and pieced together. Patchwork jeans might be a better description.

She wouldn’t send me a pictureNo Luck

There are A LOT OF THINGS at Ross which was a bit overwhelming at first, but I pressed on, hoping to find those jeans.

Along the way I came across some items of interest

…like this top. It has a cute elephant design on the front.But a stripe down the back that didn’t make sense.

Later I found a similar top (same fabric and same eggplant color). Unlike the elephant top it has a choker neckline (and a sugar-skull). It was only $7.99Bought it!

Some items were very cute

Some not so much

I was impressed with the selection of designer handbags

…and especially liked the Betsey Johnson bags

I never found those jeans, but I may be going back to Ross for a handbag soon.

Did I ever mention that I’m a shopaholic?

Happy Birthday Lydia!

July 17, 2017

The invitations were in the mail

and arrangements were made for Lydia’s birthday party to take place at my Mama’s house. As a matter of fact, when I arrived home from work on Friday night, the kids were at her house decorating for the next day.

Everyone was preparing for the big party… anticipating having a great time!

Then a discovery was made. Mama had a broken water pipe in her front yard. LB turned off the water at the street and began investigating the trouble. Soon after the discovery, a conversation with the water company revealed the pipe may have been leaking for 10 days. It turned out to be a tree root that had caused the damage.Luckily LB and a good friend were able to repair the pipe and restore Mama’s water, although that didn’t happen until the next day.

The plan would have to be adjusted.

Since I live right next door, the obvious and logical conclusion is to move the party over to my house. It didn’t seem possible at the time, but I was able to get the place organized. The kids brought the decorations over and plan B ensued.

The big T-W-O birthday party went on as scheduled.

There was a plenitude of people…Goodies Galore…A plethora of presents…

LOTS of presents!

Little Lydia received so many presents, her Mama and Daddy had to have help transporting them to their house.

She loved all of her gifts, and had a great time with her Mama opening each one.

But there was one gift that Glammy was able to present to the Birthday Girl… the pink princess piano

Lydia wanted me to play first, so she took hold of my fingers and pressed the keys… then we experimented with the microphoneAnd Glammy showed Lydia how to play “Itsy Bitsy Spider”It turned out to be a lovely day for a pretty little girlHappy Birthday Lydia!

Glammy loves You!

NumNell Knox

July 16, 2017

When my daddy was just a little guy, learning to talk, he heard his Mama being called Irma Nell Knox by her parents. She was a teenage mother raising a baby and living with her parents (circa 1947). Hearing the name Irma Nell Knox, my Daddy (as a toddler) translated her name to be

NumNell Knox

While you may think this is totally bizarre, I think it is adorable. Apparently she responded when she heard the full name call and he thought he would achieve like results by demanding “NumNell Knox! Get up! Breakfast!”

My Daddy and his mother, My Mema have gone to be with Jesus. But not a day goes by that I don’t give a thought to both of them. Two people who greatly influenced my life.

Irma Reid

(aka Irma Nell Knox) died October 17, 2007 at the age of 78.

She was born July 16, 1929 in Valdosta, Georgia to Alton Knox and Grace Bennett Knox. She married my Grandpa, Harold Reid when my Daddy was just a little fella. He adopted my Daddy and has loved him as his own… even to this day.Mema was an old fashioned, Southern girl. If you ever heard her speak, you would immediately recognize the southern dialect. I talk to people from around the country every day and once in a while I’m asked, “where are you from?” In every instance I will admit, I’m from North Florida… Jacksonville, but most of my people are from Georgia. They will reply, “Yes, that’s it!” If you know me, and you recognize that I have a southern accent, it’s likely due to the fact that I’m a direct descendant of Irma Nell Knox.

I’ve gone to church all of my life, (since before I was born) and my first church was a church that my Mema and Grandpa Reid helped to start.

Faith Memorial Baptist Church

…a place that was a second home to me for 30+ years.

While I was growing up, my Mema was there with me every Sunday. She sat on the second row, left (piano) side. I would typically sit with her and she always had Juicy Fruit Gum. One Sunday I commented on a ring that she was wearing. It was (is) pretty! It was a beautiful silver ring (she always wore silver jewelry). She took it off of her hand and placed it on mine. She would do that again before I graduated High School. I still have both of those rings and wear one of them EVERY day.

What I remember most is that she loved me unconditionally.

The stories I could tell would keep me typing all night.