Checkmate...

Hello Dolls!  For some reason as I try to write my post, my home internet keeps going in and out-6 times so far!  Soooo, I'm going to try to make this as short and sweet as possible!  And speaking of short and sweet, check out galpal Sue.  She perfectly makes that criteria, and we had a wonderful dinner out not once, but TWICE this week!

How scary is the Corona virus?  I have heard that it is possible to even be exposed from products recently shipped from China.  Please check the origins of things that you are buying-just in case.

I saw an episode of Dateline as well as a news story about girls getting murdered because of their activity on social media.  PLEASE do not share everything about your personal life!  It's just far too exposing and dangerous.  It has become too easy to learn about and become obsessed with someone and take it a step further.  It's a social problem borne of social media.  And it's totally preventable.  Keep some things private, for Pete's sake.

And we are half way thru (well, almost) February!  Not to wish any time away, but the gray days can pass anytime now!  Girl needs some sunshine!

On the cable front, we have binged watched 'Ozark' and loved it!  Can't  wait till season 3 in March.  Check it out if you are inclined.

Enough waffling on about nothing as well as dealing with my internet problems.

Y'all have a sweet week-Valentine's Day is on Friday.  Grab a kiss, Hershey's or otherwise!  XO

Can't you See...

On February 04, 2000 Randy and I eloped and made plans for our lives together.  We came into this union with previous marriages behind us and I like to think that we were more prepared and ready to make the compromises necessary.   (Randy is especially skilled at this!) This is especially important because we really are quite opposite people!  Randy loves to stay on the go and I am a total homegirl.  He's a workaholic and I am pretty lazy.  I adore sweets and he could care less.  He can stay on the boat all day and although I'm good for awhile, I really am a land lover mermaid.  Randy is a total people person and loves to be part of a group.  I am more of a loner and a total commitment phobe.  I can read all day and he can't sit still that long.  I could go on, but you get the idea.

However, we share way more important things-concern and love of family, mutual respect, love of dining and security, as well as the value of our special friends.  These are the things that bond us.  Our goals are discussed and agreed upon and we value each others opinions.

  Our adventures have spanned from Alaska to the Keys and many points in between.  We always have fun and are happy wherever we land.

I can't believe how fast time has flown and anniversaries are certainly markers of that.  I thank God often for the kismet that put Randy in my path so many years ago.  I wouldn't be single now for anything and I can't imagine life without him.  He has been my rock.

Hopefully he takes a minute to read my rambling.  Here's to the next twenty with all the adventures it will bring.  And if I don't say it enough-I love you.   XO

Tears of a Clown...

Coulrophobia.  Phobia or fear of clowns.  Okay, I can't say that I am exactly afraid or even phobic about clowns-a simple revulsion of them is more like it.  However, on Friday night when this dude was advertising for the Shrine Circus I didn't feel anything bad at all!  A few cocktails maybe helped but he really looked more like a chef with blue hair and bad makeup.  It wasn't till he skipped off that I realized the softening I experienced.  I also extremely dislike elves, trolls, garden gnomes, and flying monkeys.  I don't get why Keebler would employ tree dwelling cookie bakers, but hey, those Pecan Sandies….I've always hated The Wizard of Oz because of the abundance of various scary creatures, and even Travelocity's mascot of the traveling gnome annoys me.  I once made friends remove their garden gnome before I would visit their new cottage.  Can't explain it, those are things that just make me squirm and look like I've encountered a really bad smell.

But.... I have extreme trust in people.  I regularly forget to lock my car and house and leave my purse in my abandoned cart as I forget myself and wander away to look at something.  And it's only in my advancing age that I'm afraid to drive in a blizzard or fog.  I'm not afraid of heights, flying, swimming in the ocean or trying new foods.  Spiders don't bother me and I love my dentist.

Dane found it amusing that I feared 'things' that weren't even real as opposed to true danger and he loved teasing me about it.  But show him a spider and he would run shrieking out of the room!  All in all, I think I'm a pretty fearless person.  Probably my biggest fear lately is not having a few (or a few hundred!) books on backup to read.   Shudder!

That said, I want to know if YOU have any phobias or fears.

And if you want me to stop by for a Pecan Sandie, you better remove that yard gnome.  After all, a girl has her limits!  XO

Pop Muzik...

I just may have a new favorite (holi)day!  Yep.  Sunday was National Popcorn Day and as you can see, I was only to happy to indulge in the 'celebration!'

Growing up, popcorn was a staple snack in our home.  Mom never made it and Dad always did.  After taking a quick poll to see who wanted popcorn, all of us would traipse into the kitchen to watch him do his magic.  The routine never varied.  I would grab the huge bread pan and Lisa would snag a stick of butter from the fridge.  Dad always made a big production of adding the kernels and would always hit the lid on the pan-much like a chime-signaling that the popping was done.  With mouths in full watering mode, we watched as he carefully buttered and salted what had to be at least five gallons of popcorn. Someone retrieved the napkins and we filled our bowls with our favorite treat.  Mom was 'treated' to a mess in the kitchen that included greasy popcorn bowls and salt on the counters.

To this day, popcorn is still my go to.  I absolutely love it!  I make it exactly like Dad did totally shunning the microwave option.  The only change is that I pop in EVOO and use pink Himalayan sea salt.  Yes, I totally overindulge, but hey, it's a whole grain.  Right?!

Now on to honor a true holiday....Happy Martin Luther King Day.  I wonder what difference he would have made had he been allowed to live and spread his wise prophecy.  Among my favorite quotes of his is this one, "We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools."

Have a wonderful week and stay warm my Dolls. xo

Underneath...

Big changes in the Dale household.  We have dropped some of our pay channels and are now using a Firestick.  We actually watch very little television and really it usually acts as a sedative and background noise. But maybe we can save some money and catch one of the series that has everyone so knotted up about.  Apparently our not-so-old television isn't 'smart' and in order to 'stream' (what the hell is that anyways?) channels and movies, we had to utilize this device.  Randy spent two hours installing the thing and now I don't even know how to turn the t.v. on!

I find it completely boggling and want to just have one remote control that does everything along with a few quality channels.  Logically, why can't we ala carte order our favorite channels, bundle 'em up with a price and call it a day?  I'm sure there's a good reason (MONEY?!) that this isn't an option.

All that being complained about, what are the series that have enjoyed?  We scanned for at least 30 minutes and still didn't find anything that exciting.  Recommendations would be appreciated.

If I can get the remote to work AND stay awake, I should be all set!

P.S.  UPDATE  from last weeks post.  I was able to thank and pay for some new crocs for the generous woman at the thrift store.  She resisted my gesture, but I insisted and got a very sweet
'God Bless' from her.  What a great way to start my week.  OXO                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    

I Love it Loud...

Gotta tell you a little true story that happened today.

 While perusing Second Hand Rose thrift store, a rather rumpled looking man wandered in.  On this chilly day, the gentleman was shoeless and without a coat.  Yes, shoeless.  He spoke to the woman at the register and explained that he had just been released from the hospital and they had lost some of his clothes.  He was directed to the store in hopes of some help.

As he ambled off to try to find a pair of shoes,  I waited to see if I could help.  Soon he came back to the desk, still in his stocking feet and told us that there were no shoes big enough for his feet.  At this, the employee kicked off her Crocs and gave them to him.  Because the Crocs are backless, they fit him well enough to get by.  The manager of the store then offered him a coat and a referral to the Salvation Army where more help would be available.

Everyone seemed satisfied, but I can't help wondering how the generous, shoeless, woman got through the day and her bus ride home.  She is a very sweet lady that treats everyone with a smile and a kind word.

I have been wondering all day what I can do to give back to someone who so unhesitatingly gives the shoes off of her feet to a stranger.  I am counting on you, dear readers, to give me some suggestions.


Any ideas?  Please let me know!  XO

Better Now...(Thank Goodness!)

This is a public service announcement.  RUN don't walk to the nearest doctor or pharmacy and GET A PNEMONIA SHOT!

Finally, after two weeks of congestion and barking like a seal, I finally feel human.  Steroids, Antibiotics, an inhaler and prescription cough medicine has at last cured me.  Well, mostly at least.  Still coughing and having plugged ears-but 80% better is still okay with me!  I have had pneumonia many times but this was far and away the worst case I've suffered through.  You would think I had a two pack a day habit!

Happy New Year's Dolls!  We are doing our usual stay in over at Kristin and Bob's.  A few friends, lots of food, champagne and trying to make it till the ball drops.  (and with enough champagne, K and I will throw down our amazing Zumba moves! Perfect!

I'll spare you all my resolutions/intentions for 2020.  Oh, wait..maybe just one resolution.

Next year I WILL get my pneumonia shot!

Stay healthy and have a wonderful New Year's Eve.   XO cough! cough!  XO