Summertime, Summertime

Happy First Day of Summer and Father's Day too. And thanks to the original Father for giving us a beautiful day to celebrate.

Appears summer was officially ushered in and the weather report for next week looks beautiful. I am looking forward to delving into some of the books I have been stockpiling for the beach.

I got to spend the weekend in Ossineke attending a graduation party for my cousin, (yea, Kristi Jo!) and seeing my Dad. It's always great to catch up on things with my family and Dad seemed to enjoy the gifts I got him to try and show my love and appreciation. Good old Dad, always looking out for me. I guess it's true what they say about a parents job never ending. Hoping to get him down to catch a Tiger's game. (aren't they doin' awesome?) And then indulge him in a steak dinner and a hot fudge brownie sundae, a diet that my Mom discourages.

I have hit 2 grad parties and a wedding in the last couple of weeks and am about half way thru this crazy schedule. All this partyin' is exhausting! Some summers bring no parties, but not this one! Looking forward to a quiet week and upcoming weekend.

Hope y'all enjoyed whatever you were up to. Maybe weddings or grad parties or time with your Dad. Summer is officially here! Whoo Hoo! xo

Around the way Girl...

As you all can see, I am enjoying the long awaited sun. Ahhh.. A little sun, a little cockataila.. It really doesn't take much. Just a simple girl with simple tastes! In keeping with my lazy ass, today I am going to respond to the tag sent to me by blogfriend Charles of Razored Zen. It's called "Four Play My Way." Thanks for letting me in on your world Charles--and now here is (a drum roll please) my answers.



Four movies you can see over and over again
Gone with the Wind (the only history I've ever paid attention to)
Breakfast at Tiffany's (romance wins again)
Casino (Sharon Stone's character got ALL the good clothes)
Slingblade (uh, huhh)


Four places you have lived
Ossineke, Michigan (started out)
Alpena, Michigan (first apartment)
Ossineke, Michigan (first house purchase)
Harrison Twp. (the BIG move!)


Four t.v. shows you love to watch
Guiding Light (I KNOW!)
anything HGTV (especially home makeovers)
Oprah (again, most women love her)
Sports!(Lions, and Tigers and Wings, oh my.) and PISTONS!


Four Places you have been on a vacation
Cancun, Mexico
Florida Keys
Costa Rica
San Francisco, CA


Four of you favorite foods
anything dark chocolate
Coffee
green beans
Popcorn


Four websites you visit everyday
My answer is the same as Charles. The people who comment on my site are the people that I visit. xoxxxx to all


Four things you hope to do before you die
be a derby girl (this one I am planning--Blonde Bomber beware!)
travel to Africa on a photoshoot and stay in remote villages
indulge grandchildren
read ALL day


Four novels you wish you were reading for the first time
Gone with the Wind
Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil
Little Women
The Prince of Tides


Tag four people you think will respond
I never put that pressure on any one for that big of a comment. Usually I hate these survey-like things. Uh, who really cares? They seem so self indulgent to me. PLEASE don't feel you have to respond in comments. Now, if you are a blogger and want to use this format for an easy (sort of) post, g'head. It's not my idea of "foreplay" but what the hell.... xoxo


OH. And this is REALLY important. The Detroit Red Wings are and will always be the greatest hockey team EVER. All you haters--give it a rest. You know who you are, and next year we will graciously give you lessons again.......xoxoxo

The World I Know.....

Happy Saturday and DDay to y'all. Here are pics of myself--glee full at our Red Wings putting on a hockey clinic for the Penguins, and my son, Dane enjoying his "Great Wall of China" birthday cake at P.F. Chang's where we celebrated our personal Dday! It was a great day for all as Detroit brought it and so did Chang's! Whoo Hoo! P.S. I won't bore you with a labor story; however I will tell it upon request. xoxo

Breathe again.....

This weekend, on my drive up to the beach house, I saw 3 used Volkswagen bugs for sale. A red one, a Peptol Bismo pink one (that one I think I want!) and a black one. It made me think of all of those awful crimes committed out west that involved the criminal driving a Volkswagen. I have read that the seat(s) are removable and therefore an easy transport for a body. Now, my guess would say that most vehicles could accommodate without all of that bother, and be alot speedier in case of a car chase. But what do I know?

Can I admit to now and then loving to read true crime? No, not those trashy magazines of my youth where the crime inevitably was rape that turned into love for the captor. Eww.. Totally predictable and really not all that interesting. But somehow forbidden and mysterious--at least to a preteen on a babysitting job, with the child asleep and probably 4 more hours to kill.

I have grown to enjoy the work of Ann Rule, a popular author of the true crime venue. She has had experience in police work as well as psychology. Her stories are chilling in all of their realism and I guess it's true what they say in that the truth is stranger than fiction. Many of them have been made into movies. Ironically enough, she was personally acquainted with Ted Bundy when they worked together at a hot line, and then later wrote his story, complete with an interview.

Although I am not interested in gore (uh uh, Charles), I do like the way she is able to get into a criminal's mind and show how he developed from a seemingly innocent childhood and usually a very good good family life. Quirks and sometimes fetishes slowly fester and grow till a sociopathic monster develops and can somehow justify his--or her creepy and then murderous behaviors. I am always amazed at the careful planning and effort that is put into each crime, when somehow the genius madmen emerges. Ann Rule has written about LOTS of such cases, and always tries to humanely portray the perpetrators as once regular citizens gone awry. She also meticulously describes crimes scenes and their processing before the days of D.N.A. testing. Ann also handles the distraught families with care and compassion.

In these tense days, when some of us Detroiters as well as some of the nation, holds it's collective breath while the search for little Neveah continues, her mother has admitted to openly befriending child sex offenders. Please let this child be found safe and unharmed. Lets all pray that Ann Rule never has to portray the missing child in an all too real story or movie.

P.S. Go Wings! Bring it to the Joe! Beat up those birds as well as you did those awful Black hawks! Yeah, yeah, yeah! xoxo

I Will Remember You......

Happy Memorial Day, or as my Gramma used to say "Decoration Day!" Up north where summer comes a month later than here, it was the time you put all those awful plastic wreaths and flowers on the graves of your loved ones. God knows that the real ones would not yet survive with the chance of one last snowstorm!

So, today I took some quiet moments to remember my loved ones that have passed naturally and tragically. First comes to mind my beloved Grandparents. The memories that came from those two is such a huge part of who I am today. They taught me things and made me laugh more than you can believe. They have been gone awhile, but I still miss 'em. xo Its, been years, but I had two cousins that were killed young on motorcycles. Such shock and question when death comes to someone so young. It was so sad and such a waste, and of course I wonder at the sense of it all. It probably should have disillusioned me in the way of bikes, but no-- I still want one. Recently an acquaintance was diagnosed with brain cancer, and quickly and painfully succumbed last week. I feel horribly for her family and my nephews who lost a treasured "Nonny." For all of the children who are missing and then found abused or dumped for dead by usually a parent or even a stranger--may their little souls rest in peace. Tiny angels to entertain my Grandparents who loved children. And give their families have the strength to carry on-- or just breathe. For all the veterans and those still serving in our wars. And the innocent victims of war. These deaths are crimes in their own right. I have had family that have served, but have been lucky enough to have survived. Except that they now have memories of horrific sights burned into their brains forever. But at least they are still here to talk about (or not) it. I don't know if I could ever possess that strength.

So whoever or whatever you choose to memorialize today, have comfort in the fact that we all have lost. Circle of life, I presume. Luckily for me, my pea brain chooses to remember all the good stuff and none of the bad. My own coping technique, I guess.

Clean white light, smiles and kisses for all of my angels, in heaven and still here with me. xoxo

P.S. Go Wings! Rock it out at the Joe on Wednesday and let's get on with the finals!!! And a whoo hoo to the Tigers who are now up 4 (i think) games. Detroit Rules!!

No Diggity.....

I saw an interesting bumper sticker whilst out and about the other afternoon. It read, "Why should I press one to hear it in English"? I concur. A couple of years ago, an airline mix up necessitated me going thru a refund process. My call (when that damn Travelocity gnome failed me) was routed to India-- without delay. I spent MANY hours with long conversation trying to convince the person I could barely understand that I did not wish to vacation in Key West just a day after a major hurricane--among other problems. Naturally, my paperwork got misplaced not once, but twice, before I simply gave up. To my shock and amazement, 2 full years later, I got a full refund check in the mail. Yippee! Can't help to wonder if less of a language barrier would have been helpful. Or maybe that someone local could have handled the call. Also on the off chance that someone is actually monitoring my call, say to Blue Cross, when I DO have to press one for English, I always mutter something expressing the ludicrousness of such a situation. Last I checked, this still is the good 'ol U.S of A.

Living in the greater Detroit area does make for some amusement when sitting in traffic jams, between dodging potholes. I am speaking of the considerate drivers who provide the entertainment of sporting those crazy vanity plates that one could make a career out of reading. Now, to me, a personal plate is sorta like a tattoo. Very personal. Truly a commitment--as if we need that stress. And expensive and probably more visible. The original price of those plates or paper tabs is high enough for me without adding the "personal" touch. However, not everyone shares my view, apparently. I have narrowed down some of my favorites to share with you. THNXDAD, spotted on a very sexy Jaguar. The thankful driver? Not so much. When I saw: JUICEEE, on a battered Neon, I wasn't sure, but I didn't guess it referred to the apple she was munchin' on. The same goes for CANDEEE, SEXAAY!, LUSHIS, and HOT2TROT. Ummm, okay. Wonder what the dude with JACKAZZ was thinkin'? I was truly puzzled when I spied: DMB4EVR. I could only hope that the driver stood a small chance for SOME mental growth. Then a window sticker helped me figure out that he was a rabid Dave Matthews Band fan. Whatever. Hope he doesn't change his mind anytime soon. Oh, and my favorite bumper sticker-totally tacky--but worth a giggle says, "My other ride is your Mother." I WILL be checking with her on that one!

Aside from your everyday plates and stickers, I can't help but be gleeful when I figure out a particular encoded one. Often I speed Ruby up to get a look at this person who is so proud of his hobby, child in school, or sports team. Risking a speeding ticket is stupid but I just can't help myself. I am a JACKAZZ... xoxo

Celebrate Me Home......

Can you stand a little more minutia? After shoveling and spreading mulch all day, (thanks, Rose) I am exhausted. Whipped. My yard is a half acre, fully landscaped and fully a pain in the ass to keep up. All I can say, is unlike housework, yard work is infinitely more gratifying. This mulch thing won't have to be redone for a number of years, and I hope to be in a condo by then. (Penthouse, anyone?) I am so tired, sore and a little sunburned, that my post this week is going to be a total bore with a side of snore!

Spent a glorious Mother's Day weekend up north hangin' with my Mom. Had a smooth trip up with no hitches-- traffic or otherwise. The weather could have been a little more accommodating and hence poor Ruby did not get to go topless. Drag.

Saw most of my family and some friends. Gave my Dad and 2 nephews haircuts. Watched Curtis Granderson act the 'Spiderman' at Friday night's game. Then checked Sportscenter on Saturday morning to make sure he got the "Player of the Week" recognition he so deserved! I bow to you, dude! Betcha your Mommy is proud.

Ate at my sister's restaurant and hung out with the Rosa's regulars. Always a good giggle with yummy food and wine thrown in. Went to church and breakfast with Mom before heading home to get ready for the Wing's game. Saw my Son and the pets that I am Mom to. Lola thinks every day is Mother's Day when she honors me with her presence. An hour later, it's back on the road to the Joe. Collected my red rose and "cheerin' towel" at the door! Was seated by some crazy 'duck hunters' that were as much fun to watch as the ice action. Celebrated later at Pegasus with many other hungry fans, and Mom's.

Hauled my tired cookies home to get a good night's sleep before tackling the mulch stuff. The yard is looking great with approximately 8 more yards to spread tomorrow. (25 total!) Now that I have significantly bored y'all, I am going to have a glass of wine and hit the bed. This Mommy is hit.

Happy Belated Mother's Day to all. xoxo