Just Can't get Enough....

Okay, so now I've become one of those weenies that take a picture of herself while driving. I was not ACTUALLY driving, but at a light when I tried out the feature on my phone that allows self photographing, by letting you actually see yourself as you do it. Astounding huh?

Actually, the only place it seems I've been lately is in my car. I've put a gajillion miles on poor Denzel Washington this week! Had errands, hospital visits, and shopping junkets that had me runnin' the roads. The shopping included many Lowe's and Sherwin Williams visits as the house is being painted. My front door is now a stunning shade of 'copper rose'-thanks to my Mom who painted all three of my exterior doors! Dodging raindrops from the storms that were in and out of the area made the job even more challenging. Home owning is constant maintenance and I will be happy when the day comes to move into a condo. Girlfriend is gettin' tired...

And then there was that crazy police officer that just had to remind me that Denzel was cruising 5 miles over the posted speed limit, one block from my house. Yes, I got another ticket-this one in my driveway, (how convenient) for my lack of self control. $120.00 was the price of that little reminder, and no, I do not want to go to traffic school to have the points removed. Sheesh, you'da thought I committed a capital offense. It happened during one of our rainstorms and the good 'ol boy got soaked to the skin while issuing said ticket. Hope you don't catch a cold-NOT!

AND then, just to add insult to injury, while attempting to parallel park on a busy street in Royal Oak, I sorta sideswiped the car ahead of me. When will I learn to NEVER attempt such a feat? It was only by the skin of my teeth that I even passed that section of drivers training and apparently I've not improved my skill all thatmuch. The other guy had little to no damage, but Denzel suffered a long scar on his 'cheek'. Grrrrrr.r..r..r.... The Popo was more forgiving this time and did not ticket me. Oh, there was the usual head shaking and tongue clucking and I could read the thought bubble that something about 'women drivers'. Oh, hells bells. Luckily my collision dude is gentle with me and Denzel....

Why is it that the busier you seem, the more likely this shit happens? And since I have slipped my L7 disc, these events were even physically painful. Nothing like a little constant, stabbing back pain to improve your mood. My chiro-cracker and masseuse have helped some, but DAMN that shit hurts! I have a little more painting to do, and with any luck I won't be in traction by next week. Cross your fingers, say a prayer, take a lap around the rosary beads-just do what ya gotta do. I need all the help I can get.. xo

Cat Scratch Fever...

Hello all you cool cats and kitties! Take 'paws' as I, the famous Lola Simone Tigerlilly, comes at you as a guest blogger this week. My Mom is having a cat-astrophically crazy week. She is just too busy with her fall projects to drop you a line. Not to be catty, (meow!), but I've barely had my fuzzy little tummy rubbed! I'm 'feline' neglected.. Trust me- the fur is flyin' up in here! Till next time, pussycats, I'll just be purrin' and endurin'....

Blowin' in the wind...

When I was 5 and in kindergarten, the principal of our school came into our classroom and announced that our president had been shot. My teacher broke into tears but, of course, as children, we had a hard time understanding. I remember getting off the bus at my Grandmother's house where my Mom was painting her kitchen. As I burst thru the door as the little bearer of bad news, the reaction was less than serious. A drama queen at a very early age, warranted this response, I suppose. Eventually the television confirmed my news and my Mom and Grandparents were very distraught. I can remember it perfectly. Over the years, I have come to understand the brevity of the death of President Kennedy and it's effect on us personally as well as a country. Watching the funeral live-in black and white-furthered the incredible pain.

On 09-11-01, at 8:45 a.m. I was driving to the gym on what would be the last day of normalcy as we knew it. On the radio, I heard that the World Trade Center had been hit. 5 minutes later, I arrived to find everyone looking at the televisions, while the second plane unbelievably hit. It now was apparent that this was no accident. The images would be repeated thousands of times, but I will never forget that first horrific view, where I was, and who I was with. Gym acquaintances that I had very shallow relationships with, are permanently in my memory, as we shared those first images.

On the 10 year anniversary, I plan to take a moment from my usual personal 'dramas' and remember those who lost their lives, their grieving family's, and the fireman and others who put their lives at risk with the rescue. I am saddened but proud of all of them as well as our great country. In my own way, I have to learn and move on, taking note of everyone I love as well as our freedom.

But I will never forget.

Dog Days are Over...

Happy Labor Day! First of all, I want to apologize for my lack of blog visits this week. A family emergency has kept me too busy to read and check in with all my favorite blog friends. Hopefully this week things will free me up to enjoy your escapism and wisdom.

So the late starting, extremely hot, summer is winding down. I am thrilled to have shut off the air conditioning and have opened the windows for the lovely fall breeze and sound of the crickets at night. At the beach house, some of the leaves are starting to turn and I welcome the rich shades that will soon be upon us. And the glorious smell of sun dried orange leaves! School starts tomorrow and that means that the daily 2:30 p.m. 'carmageddon' at the end of my street will be in full craziness-note to self.

My flowers are looking tired and I will soon replace them with Mums before putting my yard to bed for the winter. My usual fall house re-org projects loom overhead for the colder or rainier days ahead. In addition, I plan to paint all tree doors on the house-hopefully with help from my Mom, who is a painting machine! In addition to spending time with my Little Sister, I'm going to do some volunteer work at the Cass Community project. I will continue to plug away at my Ancestry.com work. (It's getting VERY interesting!)

So much for my planned 'labor'. I will give up lazy days on the boat, and pack up my bathing suits and sandals, in favor of warmer clothes and suede boots. Shopping will be necessary to update the closet-one can never have enough boots!

However, there is one thing that the season will not affect, and that's the power of a good Bloody Mary-or three-with friends. Now if I can just discipline myself to enjoy said cocktail(s) AFTER I've done one of my fall projects! Or not....