Heartthrob (Deluxe Version)...

13 years ago today, Randy and I stood before 6 of our friends and made the vow to stay together.  Hell, we had already been a couple for 7+ years, but now we had the paper and the name change-not to mention a few tax breaks!

It was a balmy day in Everglades City Florida on that day when we eloped.  A short ceremony followed by a champagne brunch and Key Lime pie and a couple of hours later we were in a boat zooming around the 10,000 islands and picking shells on small sandy islands.  That night at the Everglades Seafood Festival we gorged on stone crab claw and lobster tails.  The festival had two big name country bands and we count them as 'our wedding bands'.  Thousands attended our 'reception' and I'm sure all agreed that the food and music were superb.

What can I say?  We met cute, but that's a whole another post.  Randy accepted my (20 years ago) then 9 year old, and has raised him and loved him like no other.  The best of the best and even better.  And I have been loved, indulged, and treated like a queen-all while enjoying the freedom to still be me.  It is important to say that I had been single for a long time and had doubts that I would ever find anyone like him.  But life can throw you for a loop, at the very same time it throws someone special in your path.  Someone who fits. 

And fit we do.  Kinda like the perfect pair of good leather heels, worn with a big, soft, old sweater.  Comfortable, supportive, and warm and familiar.

It's been 20 great years and much has gone by as we have loved and learned in this thing called life.  And the adventure continues.. All my love, Randy.   xoxo

Paint a Smile...

How am I doing, Carol Merrill?  The Dale family has finally zoomed into the millennium with a new television  Yes, we have succumbed to peer pressure and finally ditched our old tube style Sony. We have flat screens in other rooms but have not upgraded the main t.v.  So here is that bad boy-all 72 inches of him!  The pic is HD and extremely clear and the 'sound bar' makes it seem like we have surround sound speakers everywhere!  Don't yet get the BluRay thing.  Something called bluetooth enables my smart phone to play thru the thing without any other electronics.  I abhor wires showing and I love that it is wireless-or at least hidden in the wall.  Yes, I love it and feel like a regular Judy Jetson!

Last weekend we went to the theatre and saw 'Life of Pi'.  Can I just say that it is the ultimate in movie theatre experience?  I sat there with the dorky 3D glasses on and jumped out of my skin at the reality that is provided by something that I always blew off as a gimmick.  The  movie was directed by Ang Lee and he does not disappoint.  The story is simple and sweet with lots of action thrown in.  There is very little dialogue since Pi mostly interacts with animals-especially one large Bengal tiger.  The cinematography is simply stunning with amazing oceanic views.  I ducked down in my seat more than one time as it appeared that a fish or whatever was going to land on top of me.  I must also add, that all day I was so excited for the ultimate carb loading experience that is 'theatre popcorn'-you know the large tub that practically comes with a warning from the Surgeon General.  I imagine it to say something like, 'upon complete consumption of this 8.00 tub of salty, fake oiled and extremely buttery tub 'o corn, proceed without haste to the nearest E.R. and request an artery blowout providing you still have one left open.'  That test should be immediately followed by a brain scan for dropping 8 bucks for ten cents work of popcorn.  I barely escaped Dr. care by eating only about a third of that hot mess!  And by sneaking in my own water, I saved another 4 bucks!  Yay me, both healthy AND thrifty!

So now that my home theatre is in place, I think I'll just settle in and watch one of the zillion channels that I overpay for.  In the comfort of my own living room with my own popcorn.  I just gotta figure out that 'BlueRay' thing.  Oh, and does anyone have a good recipe for that damn popcorn? xo

P.S. A huge shout out and thanks to our friend and technological genius, Tom who spent most of his Saturday here at the ranch, hooking us up.  Couldn't have done it without you. Giant hugs and samootches! xoxo

Stairway to Heaven...

Hey Babes!  Are we living in the Arctic Circle or what?  It is frigid out!  My Mom and my sister, Lisa, are here and we are shopping to redecorate Lisa's restaurant.  Decorating and all that it entails is one one of my very favorite things to do.  But, as we check out JoAnn Fabrics, Lowe's, etc. and load up the t

ruck, we are surely freezin'!  But it's a process, and one I enjoy.  Fabric swatches, paint samples, and accessories are my thing-but this weather does inhibit the process.  Down jackets, scarfs, and mittens are simply more clothes than I care to deal with!

 

Today is my Dad's birthday.  He would have been 79 today.  I have thought of him on and off all day and it helps that my Mom and sister are here to share memories. We have had lots of laughs thinking of Dad and how impatient he would have been with all of our messin' around.  Hope heaven is providing him with a good euche game, a strong Manhattan, and a meat and potato dinner. A big hot fudge brownie sundae would be his perfect ending.   A Tiger game where they take the win would top off Dad's perfect day.  So, Happy Birthday Dad!  Hope your day is a wonderful sunny 75 degree day.  Oh, and Happy Martin Luther King Day.  Keep your dreams alive.  xoxo  Stay warm my Muchachos-winter is here!! xoxo

Ho Hey...

My doc begged me to get the flu shot.  But did I listen?  Oh no, my dumbass knew better. I got one last year, but the needle was so big, I swore I'd never get one again. (wuss!)  My pharmacist offered to do the poke, but I again, declined.  Thanks, I got this.  I told him that I rarely get the flu and even then, I usually shake it in 24 hours.  It's a good excuse to nap and eat ice cream.  Not the influenza virus he says, shaking his head-much worse and possibly fatal. So on Thursday, when I felt the headache emanating from behind my eyes, and and overall achiness coming on, I knew I had made the wrong decision.  Shoulda bit the bullet and took the damn shot.  By Friday, I could not get out of bed.  Ditto for Saturday and Sunday.  And Sunday was 64 degrees!!!  And now, just to add insult to injury, pnemonia has set in.  What a mess.  So, today, looking like 'Night of the Living Dead' and 'Zombie' combined, I trudge my weak ass back in to the doc who I allow to give me the 'I told you so.'  He chews me out for not coming in earlier, but HELLO Doc, I could barely sit up, much less find my way in here!  He then pulls out a syringe with some crazy elixir, promising me that I will feel better yet this afternoon.  Scripts for Tamiflu and the Z pack will have me sittin' up and takin' nourishment by tomorrow.   Hot damn!  Lesson learned.  Next year I will for sure get the shot and get it over with.  Losing a whole weekend is just not worth it.  Not to mention my poor, sore lungs.  Lola has been ever vigilant in support of naps and puts up with my near constant barkin' like a seal.  So please, hear my public service announcement and GET THE SHOT! Have a great week, and stay healthy for goodness sake.  xoxo

Hello, Dolly!...

Hello my muchachos!  I come to you today with extreme frustration.  My computer is acting up and not allowing me to do what I normally do. Giant grrr..rr..r.  If my son stops by today, I am sure he will be able to sort this shit out.  Until then, this is it!  Enjoy your day as we finally are in the first full week since the holidays.  Thank God, normalcy is upon us.  Well, as normal as this effed up world can be.  See you when I get this stuff handled! Mucho luv, j xo

Locked out of Heaven...

Happy New Years Eve, friends.  Yes, that night is upon us again.  Many of you know that NYE is one of my least favorite nights to celebrate.  All that forced gaiety,  kissing of strangers, and evaluation of last year and hopes for the new year just has never been my thing.  Way too much of a change at failure.  Isn't the world hard enough without setting yourself up for that shit on purpose?  How about a little spontaneity here?  The planning for my NYE outfit was exhausting enough without deciding about my future year.  I mean, what's the point?  

  I'm very happy to be past the time in my life where I HAD to go out, just in case I'd miss something.  Like the new year would not dawn if I wasn't out there a ringin' it in.  Also, I abhor the always unflattering paper hat and the annoying noisemaker that some idiot hands out and insists we wear.  The deafening sound of kazoos at midnight seems like a horrible musical start to anything other than a kiddie parade.  And the hat is an awful fashion choice designed to make you even more sad as you are forced to endure Auld Lang Syne-quite possibly the worst song in history.  I'd rather hear Gagnum Style-KIDDING!!  The whole thing can go on without me.  No longer do I antagonize over hair, makeup, a date, and the perfect dress and heels.  I can do glamour on another night without all the amateurs!   Some friends have invited us over for a very casual get together.  Casual dress, snacks, kids(!), a bonfire and WII 'Let's Dance'.  If we have s'mores, it'll be perfect.  And tomorrow, without a hangover will be soon enough to try to scrabble a plan together for the new year.   Sound like a plan?  It does to me.  Now I just need to know, does glitter eyeshadow go with a sweat suit?  Hell yeah!  It's New Years Eve, Baby!

 

  P.S.  If you have not driven through Rochester, Michigan during the holidays, you are missing a big holiday treat.  As far as you can see, the storefronts on the main drag are covered in lights.  It's the coolest thing.  And the Perfect Margaritas at Rojo aren't too bad either!  See you in 2013 Lovee's xoxo!

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas...

Wishing you the Merriest of Christmas and the Happiest New Year.  I hope your blessings are many and your troubles are few.  May you be compassionate and loving to all those you meet.  Have faith that things will work out.  Treat others and yourself with care and honesty.  Be patient and hopeful. Enjoy good health and much laughter.  Let your creativity flow.  I love you all.  xxoo