My Favorite Part of You...

Happy Birthday today to my brother, Steve.  It won't be necessary to say how old he is today-let's just say he is my younger brother-by 18 months.  I can clearly remember being a big sister to that curly haired, hyper little boy.  As a big sister, Steve, was like my own personal baby doll.  I watched over his every move and anticipated his every need.  He did not speak until he was 3, not because he couldn't, but because he didn't need to.  Steve wants milk, Steve is hungry, etc. etc. etc.   As his real live Chatty Cathy, I took care of everything.

Fast forward 50 years or so and you will find us hanging out any chance we get.  We have vacationed together for the past 13 years and we have no intention of stopping the fun anytime soon!

As a little side note, this week was also National Sibling Week.  My sister, Lisa joined me here for a quick visit, so I had the pleasure of vacationing with BOTH my siblings!  How often does that happen?  I feel sorry for 'onlies' who miss out on having a sibling.  There is nothing like close friends that just happen to be family. 

I've heard it said that you can't pick your family.  Guess, I just got lucky.

 Happy Birthday little brother.  xo

You will...

My buddy Matt is 100% Irish, so when his visit coincided with St. Paddy's, we headed down to Key West to celebrate his heritage.  Along with others Irishmen-true and faux, and one Norwegian  girl, we did our duty.

As usual the people watching was supreme with nutballs decked out in their finest Irish themed finery.  The revelry was probably unmatched this side of Ireland!  Matt even threw down an authentic Irish jig at one party and then on Tuesday (after a few lunch cocktails), got a large shamrock tattoo. Somehow, he blames me for this, but I am, as you know, innocent.  I just located, read the reviews, called and set up the appointment, and dragged him to the parlor.  I also conferred with the tattist on size, color and design.  I'm sure the artist thought my tipsy ass was a pain in his ass.  But, the tattoo is perfect!!

All my company has gone home and I have a few quiet days before my sister, Lisa joins us on Saturday.  Then look out Keys, there will be 2 Norwegian girls on the loose!

Have a good week and take time to smell the clover-I mean roses. xo

No Way No...

All sorts of crazygood reasons to celebrate this week.

 Last Friday, on March 13, all Detroiters in the know, acknowledged this as the date that is the numerical same as the area code associated with Detroit, 313.  Not sure exactly why this is of great note, but well, Detroit can give the nod to anything positive these days.  Coincidentally, it was also Friday the 13th.

Then, the very next day on the 14th of March, someone declared this National Pi Day.  Again, I'm a little gobsmacked as to why some nerd thought we should recognize this day nationally.  As a total math dunce, I chose to run out and buy an overpriced, but delicious apple crumb pie.  Whoo hoo-works for me!

And just when you thought all the hysteria was behind you..  On March 15, while I was blithely making my way thru the Marathon Seafood Festival,  the coolest thing evah.....I spot a real life mermaid.  Yes, there she was selling sea shells or some shit by the seashore!  OMG, turns out she loves a good photo op and was all too pleased to pose with me.  Dreams do come true people!

So anyway, now that I've survived this trifecta, or hat trick if you will of nuttiness, what do you think will happen tomorrow?  Yes, me and my merry band of revelers will make our way to Key West to be Irish. There will be the wearin' o' the green, and the singin' o' the songs, there may even be the drinkin' o' the whiskey, as we celebrate St. Paddy's Day.  Erin Go Braugh and all that.  God save me..

 Have a great week and watch out for mermaids, leprechauns and unicorns!  xoxo

Wrapped up...

Hey, who loves puppies more than anything in the world?  Yep, this girl!  When friends and German Shepard breeders, called and said that their new litter was ready for visitors, I was out the door FAST!  I grew up afraid of German Shepard's, but these little darlings posed no threat.  As I approached the wading pool they were in, I gave full respect to the mama and let her sniff me up and down.  She seemed to approve, so I started scooping up her sweet little furballs.  They were all a puppy(s) should be.  They were soft and cuddly, they smelled delicious, and had that marvelous 'puppy breath'.  At one point, I just climbed into the pool and let all 5 of them walk around and lay on me.  I can tell you this-it's the closest thing to heaven that there is for me.

Thank you Daryl and Tammy for sharing your perfect puppies with me.  I am happy to hear that they were all successfully adopted out to loving homes.  What's better than knowing that they will be loved and cared for?  Call me when you have another litter and I will show up again and smother them with love.

 

Have a wonderful week, y'all and take the time to snuggle something or someone you love.  It's the best! xo

Towards the Sun...

The irony of a beautiful ice sculpture is that it's too cold to enjoy it.  The weekend they carved them, the temps were at an all time, record breaking frigid.  There isn't enough hot chocolate and Baileys in the world when the wind chill is -20 degrees.  I love watching the carving live and am absolutely amazed at the talent these artists have-in the freezing cold.  I managed to see some of them the following weekend before the local dipshits smash or tip them over, and it was awesome.

By this time next week I will be enjoying the balmy weather in the Keys.  I am anxious to get away for an extended vacation-it's what we have been working for and dreaming of.  Lots of friends will be visiting and the usual Key's antics will take place.

 Here's my irony.  I have misgivings about, well, just not being here.  Home is where I feel the closest to Dane and somehow I feel as though I'm leaving him behind.  There is something so very final about this and I am choked with emotion once again.  The responsibility that kept me from a long holiday is the very thing I miss the most.  I'm still feeling without direction.  Totally rudderless. 

 Pray for me friends, that the sun provides the balm to soothe my broken heart.  Thank you all for listening and sharing my pain.  It helps so much.  I love you all.

And to Dane, you know where to find me Honey. xo

Sugar...

On a ridiculously brisk Saturday afternoon, friends and family gathered to eat wonderful pastries, sip luscious Mimosas and enjoy a crazy cool hot chocolate bar with amazing fixings! Day drinking with sugary treats?  Whatever was this crazy party?   Shockingly, it was a baby shower! 

Gone (thank God) are the days of rubber chicken and wet green beans affairs.  How about a mixed green salad, fruit and chicken strudel?  We all groaned about calories for a second before tucking into  the delicious chocolate mousse.  There was nary a pink and or blue confection in sight.  There was no bingo games or the such that caught grown women cheating for a dishtowel.  The 'games' were cute and involved imagination as we wrote wishes for the baby's future.  I won a door prize that had wine, glasses, snacks and all the fixin's for a little partaay.  How very cool and useful.

Many helpers including a very handsome husband, (Tom!) made the gift unwrapping go quickly and efficiently.   Mom and Dad were adorable and gracious as they thanked us all for the loot and coming to celebrate the birth of their first child.

The whole baby shower/cocktail party wrapped up in 3 hours including lunch.  Let's hope and pray the baby's delivery goes similarly!  Can't wait to welcome baby Vivienne to the world.  She is one lucky baby that will undoubtedly be surrounded by the love of her parents, family and friends.  I try not to feel sorry for myself as a realize once again, that I will never be a 'Glamma', but Autie J. will have to do. 

And can we talk about the Mommy?  No schlubby maternity wear here!  Kara looked fabulous-a true Madonna.  Beautiful, healthy, fashionable and glowing.  She makes it look so easy!

I felt honored to be a part of baby Vivienne's pre-welcome into the world.  Thank you to Tom and Kara for this.  xo

For you...

H

Happy Valentines Day- just a couple of days late,.

I know, I know.  Hallmark holiday and all that jazz, but I love it and any reason to celebrate love, works for me.

This lucky girl hauled in those beautiful roses from my man, and Hazel kitty is obsessed with munching on the ferns in the arrangement.  Had dinner out with friends in a town called 'Romeo'.  How perfect was that?

I was pleasantly surprised to receive in the mail a note and some darling heart shaped earrings from none other than Michelle-a.k.a. Michelle's Spell!  Michelle notoriously hates Valentine's Day, and no amount of Conversation Hearts and Hello Kitty valentines on her yoga mat could change her mind.   So the thought was extra special to me.  I love the baubles and you too, Dollfriend!

 And today, I splurged at Rite Aid for the 50% off chocolates cuz chocolate is always a treat even if you buy it for yourself at a huge discount.

Hope your day was lovely whether it was celebrated in some way or just made fun of.  Whatever works for you,  my Sweetheart!   xo