U Can't Touch This....

Oh, yes, I can... In Marathon, Florida today I met this cool French Bulldog named Hammer, at a tiki bar while enjoying peel and eat shrimp and a lime drinky thingy. Apparently he is a regular at said bar and actually arrived by boat with his owner-- on the front like a giant hood ornament. In the Keys it is very common to see dogs, cats, and even chickens wandering around restaurants. And I love it. And can I tell you, this dog had his swerve on!! I couldn't take my eyes off him as he strutted his stuff on his way to his normal table. All the waitresses and bartenders called out to him by his name. As a crazy animal lover, I just HAD to meet him. Turns out this big boy, all 165 pounds of him, is a total cream puff. He allowed me to pet and hug up on him. I ran my fingers thru his face wrinkles and smoothed the fur on this knotty head. He gave me a kiss and posed for the photo. (sort of!) After he was properly fawned over and treated to some fish, he took his coolness back out and got in his boat and motored off into the sunset. Kind of a canine rock star that did 'ol baggy pants, MC proud.

I will be here enjoying the pleasures of the Keys for five weeks, doing a remodel project on the condo, so get ready for more 'paradise updates'! My own personal 'Hammer Time!' Makes ME feel like a rock star... xo

Summer Breeze....

Lately I have been reading like a crazy woman. My ipad is hauled around with me and pulled out anytime I have to wait for anything. Lately it has been enjoyed at both my Dr.'s and dentists offices, de-stressing the wait time and turning it into a little 'escape'-- as much as possible while anticipating these delightful occasions.

I stumbled across an author named Lisa Genova when her book "Left Neglected" came up on a list of 'must reads' I must have read somewhere. Left neglect is an actual name of a disease that the main character suffered after an auto accident WHILE TEXTING. The story takes on a large responsibility by educating readers on the little known condition. Our brain can actually 'forget' it has a left side and will not send the normal cues out for response. We also learn how a moment of carelessness can be a very slippery slope and potentially life altering. I found it fascinating to learn of the bodies capability of stubbornly holding on to this condition and the characters determination and humor in dealing with it.

Then, as I am wont to do, I moved on to her next book, "Still Alice" that also tackles a medical condition. I had never heard of the horrifying thing known as Early Onset Alzheimer's. Again it is highly informative and very tragic at the same time. If you have ever known anyone with Alzheimer's, you already known the horror of realizing that you are losing your mind. Very heartbreaking. Makes me thankful for the health I enjoy while wondering if my forgetfulness and need for lists is something more than my usual run of the mill dizziness.

I still am uncomfortable with giving a 'real' book review. Blogfriend Charles, however, does it superbly. Let me just recommend and see how it flys. After such serious fare, I am on to a few biographies and memoirs. Don't be too impressed--this one is by Cheryl Burke and it's a welcome mind break. Anyone reading anything interesting? Would love to know what y'all are into currently. Those of us in D town are once again digging out from a winter blast. What a great time to settle in and READ!!! xo P.S. Auntie misses her precious Aeryn...xoxo

Heart Shaped World...

Happy Valentines Day. I will not get into the fact that hearts, flowers, chocolate and champagne are a few of my favorite things. I will not apologize. I will use any excuse or day to celebrate these things and love doing it. Whatever, how ever. And like we used to say in the 70's--do your own thing, baby....

A very special sa-mootch to two of my very favorite valentines who just happen to be celebrating birthdays on February 14. First, my Gramma Iola who is 97 years young and as fabulous as ever! Your doing great, Babe and we all love you very much! Then to my favorite little furbag, Lola Simone who is 6 years old and the best nap buddy in the world. You have my heart.

And lest I could ever forget, YOU my readers who give me the time of day each week and take a moment to comment. I smile at each and every one. To my special Valentine blogfriends, who's blogs I visit and comment on--I feel like I've known you forever. You entertain, educate, and amuse me and I thank you so much. Why do I feel like I am accepting the Grammy? Cuz it's an honor-that's why! Love and hearts to y'all. Now go eat some chocolate and drink some champagne with someone you love. And don't forget to stop and smell the roses...xoxoxo

Rubber Ducky....

Happy day after the Super Bowl! Two fabulous parties later, I'm looking forward to a nice, quiet day. Not really a big football fan, I usually mindlessly root for the team that has the coolest colored uniforms or the team that gives me the best odds in the pools. And I look horrible in green, so the Steelers were my team. But wait! With Troy Polamalu (that name is soooo fun to say!) and Clay Matthews, there is HAIR to consider! Whoo Hoo--now your talkin' my language! Grown men in spandex and flowing locks. Certainly a trend to consider..And the Black Eyed Peas rocked the half time. Finally a musical show not featuring an old, tired band. When I had the pleasure of attending the Super Bowl in Detroit, the Rolling Stones were the entertainment, and they have most definitely have gathered moss. I know. As usual, I am a waste of a ticket. The game did not disappoint and I won 150.00 smackeroos on the betting squares!! Never mind that it cost me 100.00 to do it!

Sooo, what a perfect day to prematurely indulge in the little known 'holiday' that is 'celebrated' on February 09, called "Reading in the Bathtub Day"! I was very chagrined when the jets on my Jacuzzi did not cooperate in making massive bubbles and foam. I had my heart set on a Mr. Bubbles soap beard and afro for my pic. Drat! But you get the drift..

Drifts! Survived the blizzard with very little effort. With the fireplace on and pets layin' on me, we snuggled in and watched the snow globe that was our backyard. Denzel Washington stayed snug in the garage till all was plowed the next day. I had a memories flashback when being reminded of blizzards up north as kids. I will tell of those times in a later post.

Have a warm, happy week and stay 'up' as these gray days of winter are upon us. You can always read a good book in the bathtub. Bubbles preferred. xxoo

Diamonds are a Girls Best Friend...

"A kiss on the hand may be quite continental, but diamonds are a girls best friend......"

Me and my dollfriends, Kara and Mandy are pictured here at a cocktail party hosted by Kara's family recently. Had a wonderful time doin' what I do best--mixin' and minglin', seein' and bein' seen! These two darlings are the 'diamond girls' at Atlas Jewelers and I would like to recommend them for all your jewelry needs. They are knowledgeable, creative and very helpful in choosing or designing all things blingy. And, obviously, they look fabulous while doing it. Find their new store at 23 and Van Dyke and stop in. Tell 'em Jodi sent you. xx

Word on the street is that we are in for a major snowstorm sometime in the area of Tuesday. A foot more snow is possibly on the way, so you know what that means. Yep, a total pain in the ass for all on the roads and maybe more school closing. If I was up north, I would love to be skiing in the fresh powder, but that will not happen in the middle of the week. So, get your bread, milk, candles and such and be prepared to weather another one.

By the way, the Miami trip (all 28 hours of it) was a total success. Got most of what we needed all picked out. I must comment that the cabbies in Miami are the best! They are so helpful and informative when it comes to showing off their city. Downtown Miami is much like our own Detroit, with it's beauty and danger all at one time. The art and shopping are crazy cool and I will get back there when I have a larger time frame to enjoy it. Till then, it's winter wonderland and countin' the days until spring.

Happy Birthday to my nephew, Dylan, who turns 17 today. The best is yet to come, babe.. xoxo

Miami.....

Hello Dears. Witness here myself and Mark (The Walking Man) as I cajole him into a hug and a photo last week when we met for coffee. The frosty January day was made brighter as we shared joe and caught up on each others lives.

Mark has always got more writing going on than I do, and when I commented on a recent poem of his, he pulled it up and patiently went over it with me. His spoken word with it's purposeful inflection help me to understand it better. We also talked of his work with the children of Detroit, (don't remember what school) and his efforts to help them with their numbers and letters as they peck away on his laptop. I shared with him that I recently signed up for Big Brothers/Big Sisters in Detroit. After what proves to be a long, reference and background check, I hope to be placed with a child. I will keep y'all posted on that venture that will surely be as much for me as it is for the child..


Jetting off for a quick overnight trip to Miami on Monday. It's not as glam as it sounds, tho. Waking up at 5:00 with a quick coffee, skipping my workout and hauling it down to Detroit Airport in the early morning frost is just the start. The parking, shuttle and feel up by the TSA comes next. I abhor walking barefoot thru the check while getting scanned and patted down while possibly contracting a nasty fungus or something similar!! And the lines to get coffee will be crazy long. GRrrrrrr, it makes me CRABBY!


Remember when flying used to be glamorous? We would get kinda snazzed up and enjoy complimentary food AND cocktails. At DTW at 6:00 ayem it's more like 'Night of the Living Dead' with people--not just kids-schlubbing around in their pajamas as if the the early hour somehow deems this appropriate. GROSS. Now after being treated like common criminals, MAYBE we will get peanuts (just what I need to add to the inevitable bloat!) and a $10.00 cocktail made weak with cheap vodka. All paid on a credit card because they do not accept cash! WTF?..Anyways the trip is just overnight for business. The business of SHOPPING!!! We are embarking on a remodel project at the condo and if you ever have visited the Keys, you already know that it's a great place to buy t-shirts, fishing equipment, and hand blown pipes. So, Miami is where we will ferret out the deals we need to get the project movin'. Be back late Tuesday night where I hear a slight warm up is due. After 2 days of 78 degree weather, I sure hope so.

Still have one eye on the last football game that will determine who will join the Green Bay Packers at Superbowl. Took a long nap during the previous game because the sound of 'crowd noise' and only a passing interest tend to clunk me out. So, who's your pick and do you even give a fat fig? We have already been invited to 2 parties--and that's really my interest. Just need to know what team jersey I'll be sportin'.

That's all I have in the name of riveting triviality for y'all today. Have a great week and keep warm! xoxo

Detroit Thang....

Can you go to any further extremes than we did this weekend? Let me explain. On Friday night we were guests at the Black Tie Event at the Detroit Auto Show. Wined and dined on the 70Th floor of the Marriott, piano player and all. Then, cocktails in hand, we were escorted to a heated shuttle and delivered to Cobo for the big event. Another reception awaited us that included all the goodies AND complimentary foot massages for us dip shits who insist on crazy heels. Then the show itself with, yes, more champagne and lovely 'auto show models' looking gorgeous and bored. (made me think of our darling, Michelle, (Michelle's Spell) when back in the day she, too was the eye candy!) Anyways, the vehicles only moderately interest me with the fashion being waayyyy more exciting. And it did not disappoint. Detroit peeps can turn the shit out when it comes to seein' and bein' seen. And the madness continued back on the 70th. floor for desserts, the piano man, and, yup, more booze..

After recovering with coffee on Saturday morning and NOT seein' my face in the fashion 'don'ts' pages of the morning papers, I had to get it together for a 4:00 departure time back downtown for the 40Th birthday party of Detroit's own, Kid Rock. Thankfully most of the hard stuff, (massage, eyebrows threaded, haircolored, pedicure, etc.) survived from yesterdays prep. I told my Mom, when she called mid facial, that it now takes me twice as long to look half as good. She did not disagree..

Kid Rock did not dissappoint as he trotted out many of his besties to add to the entertainment. Lucky enough to have scored a suite--our view was great. Even if you don't appreciate his music, the spectacle was unmatched. Again the people watchin' was supreme. I love the energy and was treated to a steady contact high in addition to the vodka drinks! Whoo hoo, that's alot for this old chick...

As you can guess, today I'm movin' kinda slow at the junction. Newspapers, naps, crummy t.v. and Chinese takeout being on the agenda today. Oh yea, and maybe some internet shoppin'. Anyone know where I can find a lighted fur coat and hat?