Girl of Glass...

Had a ball today doing the arty thing.  Friend Pam and I visited a local glass art gallery and took a class.  The studio is filled with light and gorgeous glass works by artist Stephanie.  I have played around with glass by doing mosaics and such, but never before had I fused glass.  With Nora Jones and Sade on the stereo, Stephanie gave us a short history on glass-it's been around since 500 B.C., followed by a tutorial in glass fusing.  I designed 8 pieces and observed as she fired them.  She then added bales to the glass allowing them to be strung onto a necklace.  I loved it and it was a total two hour escape from reality and I recommend art as therapy to anyone.  Try it-you'll love it! xo

Beer Thirty

Tomorrow Randy, my brother and Warren leave for Michigan, officially ending the annual "Sloth, Indulgence and Debauchery Tour" for another year.  I will be staying on.  I've had a blast the past ten days, but some down time will be fine with me.  Every year, I swear it gets harder to keep up the pace required to 'relax' on vacation.  I simply cannot hang like I once could. 

 

 I have completely embraced the Florida custom of 'Early Bird' happy hours and dinner.  This time frame I used to find amusing as the 'old people' hurriedly made their way in for half off drinks and appetizers.  I don't understand that schedule in Michigan, but it is beginning to make sense here in the Keys.  The fresh air and sunshine find me yawning around 10:00, necessitating in a very early start to most nights out. This schedule perfectly coincides with the nightly sunset celebrations-an event that requires a waterside seat and numerous cocktails to be properly viewed.  The beauty of the sunset over the water is breathtaking and certainly deserves to be appreciated. 

 

Clap, clap. Whoo hoo.  That's gorgeous, now can I please have another rum runner? 

 

Early Bird also is a  financial boon.  My rum runner goes from $5.50 to $11.00 after 7:00 and the same percentage applies to food.  $12.00 for conch fritters? Sheesh!  It's crazy but genius, really.  The way I see it is that the old people and cheapskates can fill the restaurants and bars and get their food and drunk on and then make way for the people that didn't get off the boats or beaches till six o'clock.  Less waiting for seating and a bargain to boot.

 

Tonight we found a spot that served my wine for $2.50 and a great little salad for $5.00.  Dinner and two drinks for ten bucks is a bargain anywhere and with the money I saved maybe I can buy a kicky little sarong or some other necessity  Happy and thrifty to boot-that's me!

 

Day Late and a Dollar Short...

Today finds me a day late in my usual posting schedule and more than a dollar short. 

Yesterday, near the end of a grueling day in Key West, I was approached by these two skin care experts for a little 'facial relief'.  After a leisure drive that included a stop at the No Name key for lunch, many 2 for 1 Margaritas, and much participating in the 'Duval Crawl', there is no doubt that I was ripe for the picking.  Also, due to the fact that I had 9, count 'em, spots of pre-cancerous stuff zapped off me last week, I could understand the boys recognition of a likely mark.

Now, I have worked with these little scammers before.  They are from Israel, totally gorgeous, dressed in the latest designed wear, and smell delicious.  The same qualities that you can find down the strip at the gay bars-with one major difference-these hotties could sell a vegan a t-bone2.  Down at the disco, I have no trouble being 'convinced' to spin around to Donna Summer.  Oh, but this is different....

After being seated and plied with wine (the cheap stuff), Dollface #1, got an up close view of my poor old, sun ravaged, alchohol dehydrated, and sleep deprived skin.  It was hard not to check him out, as he gently applied the 'magic'.  The sincerity in those liquid, Hershey candy kiss brown eyes was inescapable.

Now, I could have resisted. (Yeah, right). But, the effects were very visible and I had heard good things previously about the product.  I truly was in need for a regime that did not include liquid Soft Soap and generic moisturizer.  But experience told me, that after Dollface #2 had sufficiently got to size up my spending capabilities (again, the liquid eye thing), I would have to strongly hold out until he cut the price in half, at least, and threw in 3 times as many freebies.

End of story is that I bought the starter line.  This morning my skin still looks terrific.  But, you might want to heed my warning.  If you see a gorgeous, dude offering to change your world, run-don't walk.  And make sure you DO NOT look into those eyes...sigh, but I am weak, and there's one born every minute!!!

Happy Trails...

Twas the night before holiday
and all through this shack;
not a creature was safe,
as we tried to get packed.
Suitcases were stuffed
with the utmost of care;
with tank tops and shorts
to wear while we're there.

Lola will be happy
all snug in her truck bed.
While visions of fishies
dance in her head.
With Daddy in his Ray Bans
and an ipad in my lap,
and Lola cuddled up for
a 24 hour nap.

When suddenly I heard such
 an awful chatter,
I bolted upright to see what
was the matter.
Oh now I know,
I thought in a flash;
it's just the toll girl
demanding some cash!

Now I've officially left
behind the snow.
Temps are much warmer
five states below.
So on to the condo,
the courses we flew.
With a truckload of stuff,
and Lola kitty, too.

I sprang out the door;
and let out a whistle.
(And just what the hell is
'down on a thistle'?)
I've been heard to exclaim,
upon this great sight.
Ahhh, it's my bed,
hello and good night!

Okay, I've spared you fine folks my version of the originals missing verses.  You can thank me later. The cornball factor is high enough already with what I have wrote! 

Yes, we are on our way for the adventure south.  Bring on the BBQ at the Smokin' Pig in Valdosta and the fresh Mahi in Islamorada.  I am all set for some R and R!  Be comin' at you next week from Islamorada where the rum is cheap and the men are loopy.  I'll navigate it all as I always do.  Happy trails... love j   xoxo

When it was Now...

Coco Chanel has been quoted saying, "A girl should be two things: classy and fabulous".  And that's exactly what Kristin and I were going for as we were out and about at a fundraiser this past Saturday night.

The decorations were nice, and the food was your basic wet chicken affair.  The drinks were weak and the D.J. was mediocre.  Ahhh, but the company was rockin'.  Had plenty of thing to catch up on with friends that we don't usually see, not counting Kristin.  The bidding was fast and furious and that, and the raffles will send a class of 6th graders to Washington, D.C. this spring.  That's donations the easy way for me.  Nothing too desperate here, folks.

On the other end of the spectrum, this week I was made aware of two, young, mentally ill guys that were living on the streets with barely enough clothes.  The local thrift store was where I went to buy jeans, socks, flannel shirts and t-shirts for them.  You would have thought I'd raided Nordstrom's when I gave them the bag of goodies.  Their faces were happy and they couldn't wait to change into the clothes.  The boys (well, men actually) were humble and grateful.  I was amazed and touched.

I've barely given the rather privileged kids a second thought in regards to their 'needs', but the two guys will stay with me awhile.  No one is throwing a big fancy party in their honor.  A warming shelter in this frosty weather and the hopes of a bridge card will be the biggest thing to happen to them.  I pray something goes right in their lives.

I love doing little things like this.  Buying a dress for a Snowcoming dance for a little girl whose family is having a rough time or handing a cheeseburger out the car window to the guy who stands at the Moross and I94 exit, is what makes me feel good these days.  Wish I could do more, but feel honored to be allowed to help.  Maybe it's the mother in me-I don't know.. But I do know that it opens my heart a little every time and I feel blessed. 

Have a blessed week-I know I will. xo

Rosalita...

Oh for Pete's sake-where will the madness end?  Cousin Mike just couldn't resist the opportunity to catch me off guard while he took a little 'bite out of crime'!  Shameless opportunist!  This past weekend I have spent up north assisting my sister Lisa, Mom, some of Lisa's staff as well as some friends in giving the place a little face lift.  Rosa's Lookout Inn has been freshened up and painted as befitting any lady.  Sort of like a trip to the dermatologist for a little botox with a bonus stop off at Sephora for some new lipstick. And she looks fabulous!

Rosa's Lookout Inn is located in Spruce, Michigan and originally opened up in 1936.  My Grandparents held their wedding reception there, at about the same time.  My sister purchased the place and turned an old, tired business into a landmark.  Much money was invested in new bathrooms, kitchen and other things just to bring it up to code.  Her menu reads like a walk thru Tuscany with a wonderful steakhouse feel.  She has won numerous awards as the favorite Italian restaurant in northeast Michigan.  Her staff makes you feel right at home while serving up the best lasagna you ever tasted.  Always just the right amount of garlic and cheese!

But more importantly than just giving you a food and service critique,  Rosa's specialty is making you feel warmly welcomed and at home.  All of her staff treat you like family and take care to make sure that your experience is one that you will remember for a long time.  No detail is too small.

If you ever find yourself in northeast Michigan, be sure to do yourself a favor and stop in for a bite at Rosa's.  It's divine.  Mangia, mangia! xo

Snowblind...

Urban legend has it that the Eskimos have 100 words to describe snow.  How very intriguing, delightful and amazing.  Recently, during our latest snowfall, I realized that I have a few words of my own.  Growing up in northern Michigan necessitated these descriptions to define how the snow would impact our lives.  I still look at snow in this way. 

Last week I was treated to my favorite vision/version of snow.  This one I call 'glitter snow'.  It is best seen at night with an outside light to illuminate it.  The accumulation on the ground as well as the falling flakes actually appear coated in glitter-sparkly and magical.  Kind of like my world in a giant snow globe with huge flakes slowly, ethereally drifting down.  Also it's very reminiscent of my old disco days.  For an awesome moment, you can even forget that you are freezing...

'First snow' is that light skiffling that we get early in the season where it's still a novelty and we are temporarily transfixed by it as if it's the first time we've ever experienced the event.  Generally this snow does not last, leaving us oddly disappointed.

There is 'snowman snow', which obviously is the type needed to roll 3 balls, stack them and add accessories.  This is the type of snow we hope for during 'snow day' snow, when we would have the whole day to accomplish the creation.

'Powder snow' obviously makes for the best skiing conditions and beats the hell out of 'fake snow' which the machines make, and are like hard, icy pellets.

'Driving snow' has the distinction of falling in a driving way plus making actual driving treacherous.
A close cousin is 'blowing and drifting' snow, which usually brings us the prayed and danced for day off from school or work.

'Spring snow' is that freakish storm that happens after we've had a few 60 degree days in April.  Such snowfall is met with irritation and rolling eyes.  Often it catches us off guard in say-a tee shirt or bathing suit, shivering.  Uttering oaths seems to relieve the frustration a bit.

Lastly, my all time favorite that even beats out glittery snow-'melting snow', when it's going away and the sun promises spring.  That followed by summer and fall and the inevitable 'first snow' of winter.

Maybe the Eskimos can add my 8 words for snow to their Inuit language.  What do you think?  Do you have a word for snow?  Don't answer that Mark (The Walking Man)!!   This is a family friendly blog!!