One More Cup of Coffee...

Can you believe I'm a day late in posting on National Coffee Day?  Whoo Hoo!  This might just be my new favorite 'holiday'.  Yes, I've flirted with the whole tea thing, but I'm a true blue coffee girl at heart.

As a child, my Gramma's farm always had the BEST coffee.  She perked in the old fashioned percolator pot and we tricked it out with full fat Half n Half and as much sugar as we wanted to.  That smell along with bread baking takes me right back to that little kitchen.  It's where my coffee habit took roots along with the wonderful memories of Grampa coming in from morning chores and settling in to a big cup.  And we thought we were sooooo cool!

Growing up, I would always volunteer to wrangle open the can just to get that first heavenly smell and I still love the scent in my giant Tim Horton's can.  As a teen, I worked at a private country club and could drink all the coffee I liked.  The caffeine never kept me awake back then and my Dad and I would often drink one last cup while watching Johnny Carson.  Now if I indulge after 2:00 p.m., I will toss and turn all night.  I love Bailey's or Kahlua and coffee, but unfortunately I have to partake in that treat early or order it with the dreaded decaf.  Don't get me started on the revulsion I have for decaf.  I mean, what's the point?

I always hate to support the 'big guys' but good old Dunkin' Donut coffee and Tim Horton's are my favorites.  Something about them just taste 'roastier' to me.  The anticipation during the short drive thru wait can make me crazy and I'm never happier as I peel back the tab and burn my tongue on the very first sip.

Over the years I started collecting Starbuck's cups altho I don't really care for their coffee.  I love the emblem with the split tail mermaid.  Uber cool!

Over the years, I find myself totally weaned off the sugar addition, but will sometimes add cinnamon.  Being out of Half n Half is practically an emergency at my house.  I recently saw a t-shirt that said, "Coffee first, talk later".   Yes, as I walk like a zombie to the pot, that is my first thought.

So do you love coffee?  How do you prefer your cup?  Do you NEEEED your caffeine?  Not a real challenging question, I know, but tell me anyways.

Or maybe we can go out for coffee!!!   (Mark, call me!) xo

Breathe...

Hello my darling Sweet Potatoes!

 How about a little 'corn' for a Monday night?  I 'yam' exhausted from a full weekend of fall projects, yard work, and then a day of painting at a friends house.  Dirt under my fingernails and a sore back are where it's at!   Vegging on the couch is all I feel like doing.  'Peas' and quiet is what I crave the most and I don't 'carrot' all!  'Lettuce' tune into 'Dancing with the Stars' and maybe pour just a small one...

So what else will this first week of pumpkin season bring?  'Beets' the hell outta me!

Enjoy YOUR week and 'peas' forgive my silly, slap happy delirium! xo

Motorcycle Man...

Thank you to my buddy Mark, who made my day by taking me for a ride on his Hog.  He caught me drooling over his Harley and offered me a ride.  It's no secret to friends and family that I have always been slightly obsessed with all things 'bike'.  Was it really that gorgeous out just one week ago?  Oh yes, nothing like having the perfect day for a little cruise that left me feeling like a bad ass for a second or two.

 Still amazed that you can get a ticket for being in a car without a seat belt, but a bike has no seat belt or helmet requirement.  How does that make sense?  Well, it was not for me to ponder-I was far too happy just having my moment and being a bad ass.  What an escape from my usual reality as we lit it up a little and did the 'Harley wave' to passing bikers.

Also, I have to thank Miss Lynn for loaning me her man as well as her 'bitch seat'.  xo

Keep the shiny side up Mark and Lynn!  (I am SUCH a bad ass!!)  Y'all are the coolest.  xo

Rockin' in the Free World...

Good morning, Dollies.  Eastern Market was the site for 3 Sporty Spice Girls rockin' the Carolina blue and representin' the Detroit Lions.  Note the towers in the background that some ingenious and kinda brave person or persons managed to artfully graffiti.

 It's a late start for me today after spending a crazy afternoon downtown tailgating at attending the Lions game.  My brother will tell you that I'm a waste of a good ticket, as football is not really my sport.  The Detroit Tigers have most of my love, but I do dig a good party, so I can endure the actual game.  Dinner at 'Legends' was amazing and as usual, the people watching was superb.  And Kristin and I do enjoy checking out the 'tight ends'!  All in all it was a fabulous night in Detroit with perfect weather and Tigers and the Lions kickin' ass.  I have to say it... Lions and Tigers and Vodka-oh my!

Enjoy your week and I have to haul my cookies off to the gym for a little sweat detox.  Luckily vodka does not have much of a smell..

See y'all next week! xo

Up We Go...

HaPpY LaBoR Day 2014.

  Someone or ones apparently thought Devil's Night came early this year!  As I walked out to get my paper on Thursday morning, I was met with this sight.  And I must say, they did quite a job.  The cherry trees hosted quite symmetrical formations while the smaller shrubs were decorated in a more horizontal fashion.  Charmin two ply, ultra strong, no less.  After all this is Harrison Twp. where no expense would be spared the little darlings!  As I looked both ways down my street, I confirmed that, yes, I was the only yard of honor.  While out photographing this 'art installation', my neighbor informed me that it was the night before the first home football game and pranks were to be expected.  Really?  Football in August.  I didn't think that classes had even started.

Oh well, after admiring the handiwork, I got to cleaning this mess up.  Most of it pulled down quite easily leaving only a few tails for the kids to come by and giggle at.  I can't say I minded too much.  I remember doing the same thing to a favorite teacher once in high school, so I guess divine retribution was visited on me.  Next time I will pay attention to Mickey, who was pacing around at 2 ayem trying to give me a heads up.

Lately, I've been enjoying giving out a question to my dear readers.  So how about this-have you ever pranked or been pranked?  Joni, Laurie, Gayle and Beth...You do not need to answer that one.  And Mr. Maxwell, belated apologies for the mess we blessed you with!

Have a great week on this, the first week of fall.  xo

Hurray for Hazel...

Hello friends and may I introduce you to my grand kitty, Hazel.  Along with Mickey, I have inherited her as another pet.  No, she does not have eyes like Max Scherzer, she is in fact blind in one eye.  Dane rescued her from a shrub on Hazel Street-hence her moniker.  She's slightly skittish, being feral and all, but she seems to be adjusting well, and I get a kick out her in the absence of Lola.

  I love all animals and in a perfect world I would own pigs, calf's, monkeys, ponies, goats, llamas, and many others.  We would live on a farm and I would have many hot, half nekkid farm helpers to feed and groom them.  I would pet, snuggle and love on 'em all without all the dirty work.  My idea of paradise!!

So I guess my question is this:  are you a cat lovin' person, a dog lovin' person, both, or neither?  And, have you ever had a favorite pet?  Let me know!

Have a wonderful week.  Can you  believe it's the last week of August already?  And a belated Happy 30th. Anniversary to our dear friends Lori and Ivan.  They celebrated last weekend with a lovely party, and I marvelled at how they are barely 50 and already at this milestone.  Stay in love my dear friends. xoxo

Black Widow...

Did you ever have a week that just flew by in a blur?  After arriving home and enduring the death of our precious Lola, surprisingly the world just kept turning.  It did not stop while I mourned anew. I had to buy cremora, pay bills, look after the yard, see my Little Sister, and plan to head up north for a family wedding and to rescue my Mom from her 2 weeks of dog sitting Mickey.  Events just keep happening no matter how much you'd like to stay in bed for a nap and a good read.

Tragically, people in the Detroit area cleaned up from the massive flood.  Tearfully they put their belongings on the curb and prayed for a way to replace the things that they lost.  Sister in law, Cheryl completed 60 miles in the Susan G. Komen cancer walk. The training she did was intense and she stayed focused.  Hooray Girl, you did it again and we are so proud of you!  National Coney Island and shopping for my Little Sister's school supplies took up most of a Wednesday afternoon and I muddled thru knowing that a nap would come later.  Cousin Kristie and her man Kevin wrapped up plans for their wedding and on Saturday it all came together in a lovely celebration..  It was a happy event although I couldn't help but blink back tears thinking of how the time has past.  Their beaming smiles and faces full of love were so optimistic and I pray that they can stay that way. .

I fear for the future of all of us-mostly the inevitable.  Handling life's sorrows is so hard.  I'm not sure how anyone prepares for having the air knocked out of you.  No one can predict what might be waiting around the corner for any of us.  One rainfall, one phone call or one split second can change the color of how we view the world.  I look at everything differently now.  Happiness is a moving target with no guarantees.  Nothing is the same and  I have changed.  Baby's are being born and the circle of life continues relentlessly without skipping a beat.  I'm happy for those new parents while mourning the grandchildren I will never have.

I pray for the strength to continue without constant question.  Live for today.  Be good to yourself and others.  It's the only chance we have at living thru this thing called life.  xo