It Only Hurts When I Blog

Greetings, Bloggy Ghouls and Gals!

Happy Halloween!

Here is Little Miss Adorable, in her Halloween stripes.

I have a 'Ghostbusters' movie t-shirt to wear to work today, I imagine some people at work will dress up.

By the way - it's FRIDAY! You know what to do, march in a circle chanting 'Fri-day! Trick or Treat! Fri-day! Trick or Treat!'

Did you watch 'It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown' this year? I missed it! Drat! According to the internet it was on earlier this week. Double drat!

Hey - I'm just thankful it's Friday, it's Halloween, and it's November Eve!

I think the time changes this weekend too! Lots going on.

Gotta go! Happy Halloween and be careful tonight!

Greetings and Happy Halloween Eve!

Did you buy your candy yet?

Here's a 'fall photo creation' that Heather made - good photo-shopping, Heather!

I was asked yesterday whether I had eaten some of my Halloween candy.

I explained yes, I had; that the neighbor next door has a nut allergy, so I 'HAD' to eat the candy that had nuts in it to prevent her from being exposed to it.

They said that was a very original EXCUSE for eating my Halloween candy. Tee Hee.

Ooops - just got email about a work issue - gotta go. Happy Halloween Eve!

Greetings, Bloggy Midweekers!

I can't wait till Halloween to post this picture, I tried but I can't do it.

TOO CUTE FOR WORDS! I love the little tail in the background, don't miss that!

People at work tell me they smile every time they see a photo of Savannah, and I believe them, because I do it too!

I had a meeting at my desk, and my attendees were distracted by photos of Savannah on my screensaver, and weren't paying attention to ME!

Our receptionist emailed me (after several photos of Savi) - 'I've decided I want a grandbaby too - where do I rent one?'

Just a few weeks and I'll be visiting, stay cute till I get there!

Gotta go - running late as usual!

TTFN!

Greetings, Twofer Tuesdayers!

I am running late, don't know exactly why...

Anyway - here's a few random acts of bloggage...

First - how about dem Titans this year? They just happen to be the only football team with an undefeated record this year - 7 and 0! I can't believe it! And the backup quarterback has done it all - actually I think he is now officially the primary quarterback.

Second - I have decided that nondairy creamers are wasted calories, and brought in some nonfat dry milk to use instead of creamer. You know what? It is very healthy and tastes just fine in coffee. (yes, we all tried it when we were kids and it's strange color and flavor is still in my memory).

Third - Poor Charlie had a few senior moments last night. (yes, I do the same things too but he had several funny moments in a row).

We went out to dinner (AGAIN) last night for the Logans 'two can dine for $13.99' deal. We both had grilled chicken, salad and potato.

Charlie got stuck trying to think of the words 'cell phone'.

Then he was trying to drink a beer while he had the hiccups, and it would slosh in his hand whenever he picked it up to try to drink out of it. It reminded me of being on the cruise ship during rocky seas.

Then, when we left the restaurant, he walked over to the WRONG VEHICLE and tried to get in.

My loving, caring statement to him after all this? 'Are you having a STROKE?'

Gotta go! TTFN!

Greetings, Monday morning BLAH-gers!

Little Savi's face tells it all - UGH - MONDAY. Tired, worn out, and it's only the beginning of the work week!

It just HAS to be a better Monday than last Monday (I'll tell you later whether it was or not).

Charlie and I went to the Outback steakhouse for his greatly belated birthday dinner (actually, he had about four birthday dinners, but this was the expensive one).

We had coconut shrimp for an appetizer and 16oz prime ribs and garlic mashed potatoes and green beans and hot pumpernickel bread.

Bill with tip - $70. Worth every bite.

Not much else to tell - it has turned cold and we'll have some frost this week! Brrrr!

Have you bought your nut-free Halloween candy yet? I'd better go get some! TTFN!

Greetings, Blogregation!

Here is Miss Savannah, looking cute in avocado fleece!

Heather - don't you wish all her jackets had cute matching hats like the hat in the photo of Roxy I sent?

I looked for a cute jacket/hat combination at Target yesterday and wasn't crazy about what they had.

I need to go research a failed job overnight at work, but since it isn't one of the important ones, I'm not in a hurry.

Anyway - on to the topic of the day - Halloween Trick or Treat Faux Pas.

The little girl next door came over to sell us some 'school fundraiser' stuff yesterday. (To be NICE, I spent $26!)

I mentioned Halloween. She said her brother wasn't going to go trick or treating this year. She said that was OK because she always gave him her candy that contained NUTS. Turns out she has one of those nut allergies, and I never knew!

She said that she'd grown out of being sensitive to being near nuts, she just couldn't eat them. She also said she can eat pecans, but I wouldn't even go there. I sent her back home with a handful of individually wrapped Twizzler licorice sticks that I had in the house.

Guess what else I bought for trick or treat candy?? Peanut M&M's! Sheesh.

Good grief, Charlie Brown. I wonder what I have been giving them for the past 6 years? Probably plenty of candy with NUTS in it, because that's what I like!

Two questions:

First question - what causes all these nut allergies in kids nowadays? I thought I heard that it was because we parents ate so much peanut butter, and so many nut oils the manufacturers use. Is that true?

Second question - what did YOU buy for Halloween candy, and did you avoid nuts? I guess I will from now on!

I could switch from M&Ms to Kit Kats or Mounds bars - both are favorites. My 'regular' choices include almond joys (nuts), peanut butter cups (peanut butter), baby ruths (nuts), butterfingers (peanut butter) and other nut-intensive candy.

Ahhh - I just remembered that for the past couple of years I also had those 'bats and jacks' Halloween pretzels available for trick or treat! Saved by the pretzels! I need to go see if Sams Club has any of those.

TTFN!

Greetings, Bloggy Weekenders!

I'm going to skip my Saturday morning water aerobics so I can go vote early. They are only open till noon, and it's not in the direction of the health club.

I'll compensate by drinking a large iced coffee (in a mason jar that used to be a spaghetti sauce jar) to boost my metabolism. Right!

I just have a quick story, then I need to go make some breakfast.

Remember last week when I bought gas and overheard the 'stamina' conversation?

Yesterdays trip to the gas station was just as good.

The conversation on the other side of the gas pump was a farmer trying to convince someone to buy his bull. The farmer was talking loudly on a cell phone while he got his gas.

Some quotes:

'Naw, naw - there's nothing wrong with that bull - 'cept he's got a messed up EAR'.

'You know all dem calves I got?' I got them 'offa' HIM.'

'Yeah, I can sell you a younger bull, but that's gonna take a year or two. This is the one I got'.

Have a nice Saturday! TTFN!

Greetings, Bloggy TGIFers!

Here's a nice photo of pink sand at Horseshoe Bay Beach in Bermuda. Aaaaahhhh....

By the way - they sell BEER and rum drinks on the beach. We tourists think that's normal, having been on a cruise ship!

It's Friday! You know what to do, march in a circle chanting 'Fri-day! Fri-day! Fri-day!'

I went out to lunch yesterday with a coworker (who had a coupon).

A little boy was sitting at a nearby table, singing a little song to himself. It was very cute!

Question of the day - I put my hair up a lot in these big octopus style plastic clips. My hair isn't usually dry yet when I do this. When I take the clip off at the end of the day - my hair will still be damp! Will my hair mildew???

Inquiring minds want to know!

TTFN and have a nice Friday!

Greetings, Bloggy Thirstin for Thursdayers!

Heather - I hope you got some sleep last night. Good luck today!

It's after 6 already so this will have to be short (that's beginning to sound like a broken record).

Charlie is off deer hunting at the Laurel Hill WMA - he was drawn for a hunt that lasts till Sunday.

I'm off to work and have had a VERY busy week. More of the same to look forward to!

I need to mail out Halloween cards, I get about ONE written out per day.

Gotta go! TTFN!

Greetings, Bloggy Middlers!

This is going to be short, because I'm running late.

Here's another cute picture of Savannah and her cousin at the zoo. OMG! What a great photo spot!

Contemplation of the day -

Manufacturers keep making laundry detergent more and more concentrated. A small bottle is supposed to have 50 washloads in it.

Even if I use twice as much as the instructions propose, I still don't see SUDS except while the washing machine is filling.

Why is that? Is it a trick?

I bought an 'all natural' laundry detergent recently. Even if it's 'Natural' fragrance, it is Naturally STINKY to me.

Meaning - too much natural fragrance in it.

Which means I want to use less of it.

Which means I won't see any suds at ALL.

Which means I won't think my clothes are clean.

I'd better go to work, I'll be distracted and won't think about it there.

TTFN!

Greetings, Bloggy Twofers!

Since's it's Tuesday, I'm going to post a second pumpkin photo of Savannah, just cause she's so adorable.

In this one you get to see her cute sneakers and the flowers on top of her hat!

Changing subjects to NEW CARS - by this time the word is out, so I won't spoil the surprise that Buddy Joe has a new JEEP, a brandy new 4-door color red, 4 wheel drive of course.

I was in Big Lots this past Saturday, and my phone rang. Joe told me he was in Franklin, driving his new Jeep out of the dealership.

I told him I was at Big Lots, and said 'Come over here so I can see it!'. Joe came and picked me up, and we went to lunch at Baja Fresh (love that place - we had blackened shrimp tacos that were soooooo good) in Cool Springs.

So, I can proudly say that I got the first passenger ride in Joe's new vehicle! (brag, brag)

Have a great Tuesday! TTFN!

Greetings, Monday Morning Blah-gers!

Nothing Blah about this adorable little punkin, Miss Savannah!

Cute, cute, cute! Everyone tells me that photos of Savannah make their day.

The last time I sent a picture of Savannah to our receptionist at work she emailed me - 'I've decided I want a grandbaby too - where can I rent one?'

I've had work issues off and on all weekend with overnight jobs, so I've got to make this short and go 'check on things'.

TTFN and have a nice Monday!

Greetings, Blogregation!

I didn't make it to the blog yesterday - Charlies kids and grandchildren are coming over today for lunch. Yesterday I shopped, unpacked from my cruise, and started cleaning!

As seen on a church sign this week: 'Heaven is no trick, and Hell is no treat!'

I have a couple of Elephant stories for you, believe it or not.

The first one is a true story from my friend SY. (those are initials). SY is a speech therapist. One of the mothers told her that she had taken her daughter to the zoo.

The daughter declared ‘Look Mom, a Freakin’ Elephant!’

The mother, horrified, chastised her daughter about her use of the word ‘freakin’. The daughter was perplexed. She pointed out – ‘Well, that’s what it says on the sign!’

‘A-F-R-I-C-A-N Elephant - A Freakin Elephant, Mom!’ Uh – difference in pronunciation, I’d say!

The second story is rated PG (at least), and occurred Friday when I bought gas for $2.99 a gallon. (By the way, it was $2.90 at Sams Club a day later).

On the other side of the pump (as it were), two young 20-somethings were having a very boastful and loud conversation. I really don’t know exactly what it was about, but I know what I overheard.

One was saying to the other ‘I’ve got the STAMINA of a F**-ING elephant! It’s just awesome, I can't believe it!’

His buddy, trying to be encouraging, said ‘Ice it down, boy, ice it down’.

TOO FUNNY!!!

Greetings, Bloggy TGIFers!

Look at our darling girl, STANDING UP!

She's growing up so fast I can't believe it.

It's Friday - you know what to do - march in a circle chanting 'Fri-day! Fri-day! Fri-day!'

I am running really late so I've got to go.

TTFN and have a great Friday!

Greetings, Bloggy Lobster Lovers!

I took a photo of this St. George Bermuda restaurant sign to show you how expensive the food can be in Bermuda!

We went on a 5 hr. 'highlights' bus tour one day, and stopped at St. George, the botanical gardens, a lighthouse, and other scenic spots.

I'll say I'm pretty cheap, so there is NO WAY I would spend almost $80 for a lobster, my wallet would catch on fire and burn my fingers.

While in St. George, we walked around, took pictures, and toured St. Peters church, which dates back to the early 1600's.

http://www.bermuda4u.com/Attractions/bermuda_attractions_st_peters_church.html

I'm running late - so TTFN!

Greetings, Bloggy Middlers!

This is the little tram/train that carried tourists from the cruise ship into Kings Wharf, Bermuda to the restaurants, shops, and public transportation.

Interrupting myself - we had lunch one day at the 'Frog and Onion' pub. It is named 'Frog and Onion' because the owners are a Frog- Frenchman, and an Onion - a Bermudian. Isn't that great?

On to my story...

The tram driver apparently gets very tired of the tourists, especially ones that can't decide whether to get on, or poke along (being on vacation).

While I was on the tram, he yelled out to one group who was too slow - 'MAKE AN EFFORT, PEOPLE! I HAVE TO GO! MAKE AN EFFORT!'

It sounded pretty rude to me, but it was worth writing about!

TTFN!

Greetings, Bloggy Twofers!

I made it through Monday. Thank goodness. I had a busy day yesterday.

Here is darling Miss Savannah, dressed in her Halloween candy outfit (or is it a prison uniform?), sitting in the yard EATING GRASS. Adorable!

I have a 'leftover' story from the Newark airport. Yes, it involves 'socks'.

I was sitting near the shuttle bus ticket counter, waiting for my shuttle from the airport into New York the day before the cruise.

A woman walked up to the ticket counter wearing jeans and carrying a huge, leather purse. She put the purse up on the counter while she spoke to the ticket agent.

When she was ready to pay for her ticket, she left the purse up on the counter, hiked up one leg of her jeans (in front of everyone, mind you), and started pulling $20 bills out of her sock! I guess the pocketbook was just a decoy.

I've heard of people hiding money in their sock, but I would have taken it out in the ladies room or something. Everyone in eye sight knew all her money was in her sock after that.

It was quite funny at the time - I told the story on the shuttlebus and the driver got a 'kick' out of it. By the way - the shuttle driver had on REALLY fancy cowboy boots.

Gotta run! TTFN!

Greetings, Monday morning Blah-gers!

I'm Baaaack! Happy Birthday today to Gilbert, his gift from me was a new suitcase that he bought before the cruise and used during the cruise.

We had a wonderful time on the cruise, except Aunt Nancy and Gilbert caught nasty colds the last couple of days. Is anyone feeling better yet?

My end-of-cruise bill was $400, plus I gave Nancy $140 for the spa package that got put on her bill by mistake.

This is an adorable towel monkey from the cruise ship. The room stewards make them and we find them in the room when we come back to the room in the evening.

We couldn't stand to take him down so we left him 'hanging around' for several days.

We had an elephant, a dog, a monkey, and a hamster. (Did I miss one? I dunno).

I feel kind of disoriented today, and a little woozy with NOT feeling the boat rocking. My feet are puffy from all the standing and walking.

Back to WORK today and my overnight jobs are running slow. Joy of Joys!

Have a great day and TTFN!

Greetings, Blogregation!

No time for bloggage today, I'm flying back to Nashville.

I wonder if I will be able to repack my luggage to stay under the 50lb weight limit.

Good thing they aren't weighing ME to see if I weigh more than I did when I left.

See you soon, Charlie!

TTFN!

Greetings, Bloggy Binge-Eaters!

Today's photo is of a cruise ship buffet - spectacular, no?

Lighted ice sculptures, gorgeously arranged and decorative food, and delicious to boot.

I think they have a chocolate buffet one day, by the way.

By this time, I imagine I am packing 'more bounce to the ounce' after unlimited food for an entire week.

I certainly HOPE I have forced myself to get more exercise than just walking to the restaurants and back! I have a very hard time passing up free food.

Lets see - up early in the morning, walk to the coffee shop. Walk back to the room.
Take a shower, choose 'morning attire'.
Walk to the main restaurant for breakfast. Walk back to the room.
Change clothes for poolside. Walk to the pool.
Walk back to the room, change clothes again. Walk to lunch.
Some days eat lunch poolside - they have a huge cookout each day at the pool - ribs, chicken, burgers, hot dogs. Mmmmm!
Walk somewhere, do something - (I don't know yet, I'll tell you when I get back)
Walk back to the room, change clothes again.
Happy Hour somewhere.
Dinner somewhere.
After dinner show somewhere.
Dancing and nightlife somewhere.
Walk back to the room, collapse, take a pepcid AC. Sleep until it's coffee time again.

I could get used to this...

Greetings, Bloggy Dearests...

It is already time for us to depart Bermuda - sniff! sob!

But not until the end of the day. Time for a last beach trip, a last bus ride, last pint of beer in a pub that isn't on the ship.

By the way - before I left, I phoned my calling card company (AT&T) to get international dialing instructions for the calling card. An automated voice asked 'What country will you be calling from?' I answered 'Bermuda'. The automated voice answered 'We're sorry - you cannot use this card to make calls from Bermuda'.

Sorry, Charlie! My voice is the same, just hoarse from singing bad Karaoke.

Time to start taking ginger tablets again (homeopathic remedy against motion/sea sickness) and put my Sea Band acupressure bracelets back on.

It's time to head north, back to the October we used to know.

Hey - what am I talkin about? Two more days (which is a whole lot of hours if you count 24x7) of CRUISE ship fun!

What'll it be? The gambling deck? Bowling alley? Karaoke? or all of the above?

GOTTA GO!

Greetings, Bermuda Cavers!

The question is - will I have time for caving, beach going, dining out AND shopping, all in one day?

I dunno!

I think these are called the Crystal Caverns - awesome.

I do like caves, except more than once, Charlie and I have had elevator problems while below ground and had to get out another way. (no, no panic)

Sorry - times a-wastin! TTFN!

Greetings, Bermuda Bloggies!

Our cruise ship docked in Bermuda today - we'll all go ashore and feel woozy until we get our landlubber legs back.

Yes, you are seeing right - this is a gorgeous pink sand beach. PINK.

HOW LOVELY IS THIS??

Some of my family (including me) are taking a 3.5 hour snorkeling trip today, stopping at several different snorkeling sites including a sunken ship, coral reef, etc.

Yes, I bought an underwater camera before I left (27 shots is all you're getting!).

Good thing it is really expensive here - I might not be in a hurry to leave!

Dear Diary,

I've always imagined what it would be like to go on a cruise. Bliss, pure bliss.

Now that I'm actually on a cruise, I should be carefree and 'living the life'.

However, being my obsessive-compulsive self, all I can think about is how much everything COSTS.

It's like I have this little electric meter running, and I see the dials going around and around and around (digitally, of course), accumulating about as fast as the national debt or McDonalds burger sales.

A small example...

Gratuities... $10-$20 a day.
Gasoline surcharge - $7 a day.
Unlimited soft drink plan - $7 a day.
Spa and lap pool membership - $10 a day.
Specialty coffees - $3-$10 a day.
Beer and 'girly drinks with umbrellas' - I shudder to think.

Thanks, Dear Diary, for listening. I thought I was just seasick - it's wallet-itis!

Greetings, Bloggy Cruisers!

Today is my first full day on the Norwegian Dawn cruise ship.

I have attached a photo I found that has some of the layout marked.

Nancy and I are in the 'aft' of the ship. That's the BUTT, if anyone cares.

Nancy has already appointed me the 'coffee runner' - it will be my job in the morning to go get cappuccinos at the Java cafe' (or whatever the name of the place is) on the ship.

The specialty coffees aren't free, by the way. I wonder if I can have Baileys Irish Creme in mine???

Why have evil, fattening cream in your coffee instead of alcohol, anyway?

Aunt Nancy and I are rooming together - I hope I don't snore!

Charlie - do I snore?

For that matter - I hope Nancy DOES snore, I'll feel right at home...

Greetings, Bloggy Birthday Buddies!

Today is Charlie's Birthday, and I'm off on a cruise to Bermuda.

How mean is THAT? Shame on me!

This photo of Charlie was taken at his daughters wedding. Very nice!

Hey, everybody sing along...

Happy Birthday, to you!

Happy Birthday to you!

Happy Birthday, Dear Charlie!

Happy Birthday, to YOOOUUUU!

Charlie knows that I will make it up to him when I come home. Actually - we started celebrating last weekend - I treated him to the 'Eagle Eye' movie and to dinner, and we've already got a date to go out for PRIME RIB once I get back from Bermuda.

Happy Birthday, Charlie! Have fun, whatever you do today!

Greetings, Bloggy Cruisers!

Yes, that's right!

I left this morning for New York, about to go on a glorious 7 day cruise from New York to Bermuda and back. Round trip airfare - $470. YIPES!!!!

I've known about this for a month or so, it is for a surprise birthday party for my uncle, who is turning 80.

I wasn't going to go - but Nancy talked me into it and bribed me with a free room!

Poor Charlie has to stay home all alone and HUNT and FISH and do whatever he wants to while I am away. Poor thing!

TTFN - I've written some blogs to keep you company while I am away. More later!

Greetings, Bloggy TGIFers!

It's FRIDAY!

You know what to do - march in a circle chanting 'Fri-day! Fri-day! Fri-day!'

Would you look at this ADORABLE outfit Savannah is wearing! Precious! Precious! Precious!

She looks even cuter now that she can sit up all by herself - she's so grown up already!

I really don't have time to blog, it is after 6 and I have things to do.

The heat is running again this morning - brrrr...

Gotta go to work - have a nice Friday and a wonderful weekend!

TTFN!

Greetings, Bloggy Thursdayers!

I'm running a bit late this morning, apologies for the short bloggage and no picture.

It's too late to remind Nancy to tape Survivor, but Charlie says you can watch the show online at their website. Good tip, Charlie!

OUR HEAT KICKED ON LAST NIGHT! BRRRR!

It was 42 outside this morning. Wintry! I'm not ready to start spending money on heat, maybe we ought to lower the thermostat. Our thermostat has settings for heating and cooling, then 'decides' whether to use air conditioning or heat. I had to dig out a cardigan to wear to work that I haven't worn since winter.

The serviceman came yesterday for our winter heat and air unit tune up, and found a huge wasps nest inside it. He had to do some cleaning all right - but I doubt he expected the 'bee' factor.

Gotta run! Have a nice day!

Greetings, Honey-Mooners!

Hey! It's OCTOBER! Look at the big and glorious harvest moon-age.

It's almost time for the Great Pumpkin to arrive, flying over the pumpkin patch, bringing toys to all the children...

There is a huge, temporary tent set up at our local mall. I thought it was a fireworks tent but it is completely filled with Halloween costumes - I've never seen anything like it! A portable costume tent... Halloween and Halloween costumes must be really big business.

Why don't we overspend on Halloween costumes, then bail out the witches and goblins? Ahem.

Changing subjects...

Did you notice that the Hippie couple on the Amazing Race were also the beekeepers?

Sorry about that, Charlie...

Gotta run - Happy October!