It Only Hurts When I Blog

Greetings, Bloggies!

Not Friday Yet? Oh, drat. Savannah thinks the same thing... Check out that pout.

However, it's Farewell to April and Hello to May day!

(Did you pay your April bills yet?)

I'm afraid to say anything, lest it all fall through, but we are hopeful that we have found a new home for Old Don Q, and do not need to transport him there.

Fingers and toes crossed until Saturday...

So - wha's happenin'? ADAM, one of my very top IDOL singers, was in the bottom two last night? My belief is that so many people think he has a 'free pass' to the top that they didn't vote for him. My girl Allison, as well as Danny, were the top 2 and well-deserved to be there.

My picks are Adam, Allison and Danny for the top 3, and Adam or Allison to win, but ANY of those three would suit me fine.

Any big plans for May breakfast, Cinco De Mayo, or Mothers Day weekend? If you haven't bought your mothers day cards, NOW is the time to go do it and get those in the mail!

Guess I'll exit, stage right - toward the DOOR and go to work.... TTFN!

Greetings, Bloggy Middlers!

I took the time last night to dig in the photo archives for a picture to post on the blog today.

Here is a belated photo of Marcia, yesterday's birthday girl, pictured in the center here.

Lyn is on the left, and my mother is stunning, as always, especially with her cats-eye sunglasses and long hair. I am AWOL in the photo.

I love this picture!

I remember my mother wearing that sleeveless pink, white and blue checked shirt many summers - SHE didn't seem to change sizes every year the way I can!

Also notice needing a JACKET on the water in Maine - we always travelled with a sweatshirt or jacket, once the breeze picked up.

TTFN and Happy Birthday again, Marci-Ann!

Greetings, Bloggy Fishermen and Happy Birthday to my sister Marcia!

Have a great Birthday!

I should have a picture of Marcia up on the blog, but I am running too late this morning!

I am running late after answering a question in email from someone at work regarding the donkey. That takes priority over the blog.

I'll just show you the HAUL that Charlie and TY made yesterday fishing for bream (which is pronounced 'Brim'), and you can all comment about that.

BTW - the donkey brayed again overnight, but not as loud and not as often. Thank heavens...

TTFN!

Greetings, Monday morning Blah-gers!

Here's another adorable photo of Miss Savannah, enjoying the warm days they had in New England this weekend.

Yes, it's Monday. Back to work. Joy of Joys.

We are bleary-eyed this morning. At exactly 1:38 am, Old Don Q got his voice back and started calling over to the donkeys next door.

I actually thought there was something WRONG (dumb me), and Charlie got up and went out on the deck to shine a flashlight on him. We discovered he was SINGING.

He kept up that racket off and on during the night, sounding like a wailing flock of canada geese. It is 6:02 am, and he is out there 'singing' again. If this is his idea of a serenade, it is a 'siren-ade'.

I think it was the corn that did it. Old Don Q made a marked improvement yesterday in 'vim and vigor'. He stopped acting like a slug and started acting like the male donkey he is... (no further comment).

(I don't know if they have answered or not, I'd need to be outdoors to hear them).

TTFN - hope I don't fall asleep at my desk this morning...

Greetings, Blogregation!

Miss Savannah is a bit sideways in this photo - or was it Heather?

I'm going to make this short, because Charlie and I are going out for a walk in the park instead of swimmage this morning. It is around 60 now, but headed near 90, so we'd best get a move on...

I was just reading a review of KFC's new grilled chicken - the reviewer liked it!

However, why you'd go to KFC for a bucket of grilled chicken rather than just getting a $5, delicious rotisserie chicken at Sams Club - you can make that call!

Contradicting myself - I can see the 'bucket o' grilled' if I was on vacation, or getting it for myself if all the rest of the family wanted fried, or getting a plate if just wanted 2 pieces.

The review said the grilled chicken was about half the fat and sodium of fried, which sounds like a big improvement to me.

But did they put the nutrition info in the article? Nope. Sheesh...

TTFN and have a nice Sunday!

Greetings, Bloggy Weekenders!

My Uncle Johnny, who is 66, runs marathons. He has been running for many, many years, and looks as young and trim as he did 20 years ago.

He gave an interview at the end of the Boston Marathon earlier this week. His daughter (my cousin) sent the link around afterwards - it is PRICELESS!

He ran the Boston Marathon this year in 4:40 and was interviewed about running shirtless when he crossed the finish line!

Here's an article, complete with video...

http://www.boston.com/sports/marathon/blog/2009/04/perfect_for_running_naked.html

Here's the link to the video with a shorter article...

http://multimedia.boston.com/m/22124458/shirtless-at-the-marathon-finish-line.htm?pageid=14155

We love you, Johnny! Keep running!

Greetings, Bloggy TGIFers!

Here's a sweet picture of Miss Savi that I haven't posted yet. She's a little lamb with a little lamb!

It's FRIDAY, folks!

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

One more time! March in a circle chanting 'Fri-day! Fri-day! Fri-day!'

I just realized that most of my sentences so far end with an exclamation point. Uh... I guess that means I'm happy it's Friday! (exclamation point added for emphasis)

I looked out the window this morning, trying to see Old Don Q (the donkey) in his favorite spot next to the barn wall. I noticed one of the neighbors horses doing exactly the same thing - hanging his head over the fence and staring at the barn.

We noticed yesterday that Old Don Q acts a lot like a hound dog - he turns around counter-clockwise once or twice each time he wants to lie down, and then goes to sleep. We don't have any idea how old he is, but he certainly isn't 'frisky' like the young horses next door.

I wonder if he'd like that 'Ba-donk-a-donk' Trace Adkins song??

Have a wonderful Friday and a great weekend! TTFN!

Greetings, Bloggy Snow Shovelers!

Mom & Gil let me have this winter photo of their front walk. OMIGOSH, what snow!

Charlie says things like 'Who can LIVE there?'

Can you see how high the snow is? Click on the photo if you can't see it clearly. Pretty impressive, and pretty darn cold.

No thanks, I'll stick to my wimpy Southern winters with barely any snow. Suits me just fine.

Donkey update - no takers yet, and nobody beating a path to the door to ask for him.

The guy at work seems to have lost interest. No news from the next door neighbor either. Poor, homeless donkey, though he seems content enough!

Charlie says he ignores pretty much everything except people coming close to him. Other animals, cars, even the lawn mower running doesn't phase him a bit. (that's good!)

I made a joke yesterday that OTHER people get stray animals that weigh less than several hundred pounds, but not us...

TTFN and have a nice Thursday!

Greetings, Bloggy Middlers!

Here's another great photo from Easter - Savannahs outfits are so cute!

Two of the kids next door (and their mom) came over to help with the donkey. They have horses, and the kids were exceptionally gentle and nice with him.

They brought over some corn, and the donkey loved that, and even ate it out of the neighbors hand. He let the kids pet him a little bit, very gently.

Though he was wary and afraid, he was never mean or aggressive toward them, which was a big relief. I was worried he would try to kick or bite, which he didn't do.

They already have three horses. I don't know if 'Dad' next door really wants another animal (with 2 dogs, chickens, a cat or two and three horses), but if they want him, they can certainly adopt him!

We'll also see about the guy at my work. He wants the donkey, but doesn't have a way to transport him and doesn't have a fence up yet at his place. I'm not sure how that will work out.

Anyway - that's the update, and I am sure there will be more tomorrow!

TTFN!

Greetings, Bloggy Knights-errant!

Here is our lost soul - the famous Don-key Hotay. (I am sure you get the reference).

We are asking around to try to find someone who will come get him and take care of him. We have some interest from one of Charlie's former coworkers.

Animal control's comment - 'No, we can't help you. Looks like you've got yourself a donkey'. Not very helpful.

Old Don Q trots away when anyone comes near him, but he's eating and acting like a donkey ought to... He is quite ragged and has either been fighting or attacked by another animal.

The neighbors horses are interested, and come to the fence to look him over, but he ignores them. He DOES look at the female donkeys (called Jennys or Jennets, by the way) owned by the neighbor on the other side, and stands and daydreams about them. They are a light cream/gray color, and he's all manly and studly in his brown suit.

Just holler if you know someone who wants him! At least he's safe in the barn lot, and away from the road.

Greetings, Monday morning Blah-gers!

Little Miss Savannah looks like she wants to figure out what to do with those hangers! Time to get her one of those 'barrel of monkeys' games.

I just booked my return flight from Providence to Nashville for Labor Day weekend.

I will be in Maine for my retreat weekend, then visit Providence after that. Heather, I'll be coming back home on the Sunday of Labor Day weekend, so I can recuperate on the Monday and get ready to go back to work.

Cheryl - hint - there are $100-each-way fares right now on Southwest to Nashville from both Providence and Boston (they start service to Boston in August).

I'm running a bit late because I booked that airfare just now.

That burro/donkey is still here - no owner has shown up yet!

I've named him Buddy, Jack, and Fred so far...

TTFN!

Greetings, Blogregation!

Here is another cute 'Savi photo' of Easter egg hunting. ADORABLE!

We started the morning with an additional visitor - a jack donkey who had wandered off, presumably to 'get to know' one of the neighbors female donkeys. He is in our barn lot until we find his owners.

Mom & Gil have started off on the next leg of their trip - to Alabama to visit my nephew Will.

We had a nice day yesterday, though not as strenuous as the day before!

We had egg sandwiches at home for breakfast, then went to Franklin to see where I work, then drove to the rental car place to get their rental car, then back home.

We had turkey on marble rye 'sammies' for lunch, then went on a driving, sightseeing trip.

We went to the part of Columbia where Charlie grew up, then drove 'into the country' to show them Papa Boudreauxs Cajun Cafe (it was too early for it to be open, so we didn't go in), then through Santa Fe and Water Valley, then drove on the Natchez Trace Parkway for a bit.

We spoke to a couple at the 'Gordon House' stop along the Trace (there are restrooms there). The man looked and sounded a lot like Willy Nelson... I wonder if he pays HIS taxes? That was another Jimmy Dickens joke, by the way - he said he's 'Willy Nelson after taxes'. Ha!

The couple we met had sold their house, quit work, and they travel full time. They had one of those little 'Smart' cars - they said it is only 8 feet long and fits in the garage section of their fifth wheel camper so they don't have to tow it behind them. What a great idea! (Not that I could live in a camper full time, but I think it is great for them!)

http://www.smartusa.com/

Anyway - we had a lovely drive, and stayed home for dinner (I made roast pork tenderloin), and did some wash so they could pack up again, and we watched 'Bucket List' that evening.

I am doing wash again - 'after company' wash, and Charlie is trying to find the owner of the donkey. He's already spoken to one farm owner who said the donkey is not his.

Have a nice Sunday! TTFN!

Greetings, Bloggy Vacationers!

We had the most wonderful day yesterday. I left work at 11, and when I got home - nobody was here! They returned shortly after - Charlie, Mom & Gil were out walking around the 'outback'.

We chatted for a bit, we got ready, and headed to the Opryland Hotel. Temperature around 74 degrees, sunny, warm and beautiful.

We walked around the Delta and Cascades atriums, and enjoyed viewing the blooming and exotic plants, flowers, and waterfalls.

If you've never been there, you can't imagine how all of it can exist indoors, with streams flowing, and fish swimming in them.

We had lunch in the Cascades restaurant, we split an appetizer of shrimp and chicken quesadilla and each ordered a bowl of crabmeat soup (which we always get when we go there). The crab soup price has stayed the same ($8) for several years, but we noticed the BOWLS continue to change periodically to a smaller capacity. The soup and quesadilla were delicous.

We then 'meandered' back through the Cascades and Delta atriums and back to our car, and reparked close to the Grand Ole Opry (we got a good spot near Dave and Busters). We walked around the mall, and the men spent some time in Bass Pro Shops while my mother and I were shoe shopping (no luck).

There were some wonderful bargains on Harry and Davids gourmet clearance shelves, but thanks to a hot car, I was able to resist.

We then walked to the 'will call' office at the Grand Ole Opry, got our tickets, went through the gift shop, and hung around outside. The little museum had had a power outage that day, and unfortunately was closed. We didn't mind - it was SO beautiful outside.

The Grand Ole Opry show was the best one I have ever seen (heard?), AND we had great seats close to the stage. There were many acts, all excellent, and LOTS of wonderful bluegrass and western music. Also, Darius Rucker, formerly 'Hootie' of Hootie and the Blowfish, sang two songs in his unmistakable style.

Both the Riders in the Sky and the Sons of the Pioneers sang cowboy music, which was just incredible. (Cool Water, Tumbling Tumbleweeds). The Sons of the Pioneers were originally founded by Roy Rogers, and the Smithsonian has acclaimed them to be National Treasure.

My mother wanted me to tell one of the jokes from the performance - Little Jimmy Dickens (who has been on the Grand Ole Opry for over 60 years) said woefully - 'if you take Viagra, you'd better swallow it fast, or it'll give you a stiff neck!'

After the show was over, we walked across the street, back into the mall, and had dinner (yes, eating dinner at 9:30 at night) at Romano's Macaroni Grill. It was excellent!

Whew - I'm tired just writing about all we did yesterday! We'll go a little slower today, I promise.

TTFN!

Greetings, Bloggy Visitors!

First - look at this adorable picture of Miss Savannah in her Easter outfit.

She is the prettiest baby ever!

Second - Mom and Gil arrived safely in Nashville yesterday afternoon, and we had a lovely afternoon and evening at home.

Their plane flights didn't include any food at all - not even peanuts, so they were pretty hungry by the time we got home!

I took out some cashews, a sharp cheddar and almond cheese log, some leftover prime rib which I sliced into little cubes, salsa, and crackers. We dug into those, and had venison chili later in the evening with all the toppings. YUM-O!

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

I am working half a day, then we're hitting the Opryland Hotel this afternoon and the Grand Ole Opry tonight. Temperatures are expected to be mid 70's today.

TTFN and I'll tell you about it tomorrow!

Greetings, Bloggy Travelers and Hunters!

Here is Miss Savannah, hunting for Easter Eggs. She looks excited, and I love her basket!

Is that a frog? I guess so!

Mom and Gil arrive this afternoon at the Nashville airport. I'll leave work early and go pick them up.

Charlie is going to make his famous venison chili for us all for supper - thanks, Charlie!

Have a nice day and safe travels, everyone!

(yes, I know the blog is short again but I was cleaning the guest bath...)

TTFN! xxx

Greetings, Bloggy Dearests...

I mailed my taxes on Monday, if anyone was wondering.

I was up at 2am checking on a job, with GOOD news for a change...

A fix went in last night that will help speed things up and let me sleep at night. I was checking on it to be sure everything was working as planned.

So - we should be back in bloggy business in the morning, right on time for Mom and Gils visit!

TTFN and have a great Wednesday! I will!

Sorry gang - no time for bloggage - duty calls...

Chat among yourselves, and Nancy - tell us about your new apartment! What's it like and send us some pictures!

TTFN!

Greetings, Monday morning Blah-gers!

Here's a cute photo of Savannah, digging for treasure!

Is Savi looking for toys, or books, or ??

Well - how was your Easter? Ours was great!

Charlie and I went swimming at the health club. We had the pool to ourselves - well, not counting the lifeguard for most of the time.

Then we came home and watched 'Ben-Hur' off and on until it was time for Easter dinner.

We had blackened prime rib for our entree...

I bought a fully cooked, heat-and-eat prime rib, cut slices of it, seasoned them, then we seared them on a 500 degree grill outside for a minute or less per side. The prime rib was OUTRAGEOUSLY good.

I also made garlic mashed potatoes, green beans with mushrooms, and corn.

My Easter candy was Starbucks dark chocolate expresso truffles... OMIGOSH...

Just a few days till Mom & Gil arrive, yesterday I washed the guest room bedding and got the towels out.

Have a great Monday! TTFN!

Happy Easter, Blogregation!

Here is another PRECIOUS, PRICELESS photo of Savannah and the wonder of easter eggs!

Heather, I just LOVE these!

As seen on a church sign down the road 'The tomb is empty so you don't have to be...'

Easter memories? Everyone dressing up!

Pretty new Easter dresses (that were usually too cold for the weather).

Pretty new patent leather shoes (that were usually uncomfortable).

White straw hats with velvet ribbons around the crown...

And of course, Easter dinner, usually Ham or Ham and Turkey both.

Charlie and I went to the Cajun Steamer yesterday for a pre-Easter feast. We had oysters, fried crawfish tails, and I had tilapia stuffed eggplant with crab sauce. OMIGOSH.

We are off to the health club right now, then having prime rib later on... MMMMMMMmmmm.

Happy Easter, Everyone! Love you!

Greetings, Bloggy Easter Basket-cases! (just kidding).

Here is the CUTEST picture EVER of Savannah with the Easter egg tree!


We used to make those trees when Heather and Evan were small, and I just LOVE the 'gnarly' branches Heather found for this tree.


BEAUTEOUS MAXIMUS, HEATHER!


I'll be off to water aerobics and last minute shopping - I hope everyone has a WONDERFUL Easter!


There were tornadoes in Tennessee yesterday, so I do want to say how sorry I am for the families who were affected by them.


We spent some of our work day in the 'safe places' at work, interior hallways and restrooms.


TTFN!

Greetings, Bloggy Easter Bunnies!

It's Friday! Hooray!

You know what to do - Hippity Hoppity in a circle chanting 'Good Fri-day!' ,'Good Fri-day!' , 'Good Fri-day!'

Look at this cute flowerbox - or Easter egg box! Adorable!

Sorry this is short - still keeping an eye on jobs at work.

TTFN, glad the Easter cards arrived, and Happy Easter Weekend!

xxx

Greetings, Hop-a-long Bloggies!

No time for bloggage, issues with my jobs at work.

Gotta go! Have a nice Thursday! One week till Mom & Gil come to visit!

Greetings, Easter Bunny wanna be's!

Just a few more days, and the Easter Bunny will be coming to visit.

Candy eggs, marshmallow bunnies and chicks... it's a real sugar-fest!

Did I mention I may get a prime rib for Easter dinner?

There are very few things I like as much as prime rib, maybe Cajun food or seafood!

Are you having anything special for Easter dinner on Sunday, like ham or lamb or crown roast of pork?

Interrupting myself to speak more on CAJUN FOOD... I went back to the Cajun Steamer yesterday for lunch with a co-worker.

I had a dozen char-grilled oysters and a side of crawfish etouffee to dunk them in. AWESOME, AWESOME, AWESOME.

I need to say THANK YOU to Charlie for doing the mulching in the yard himself this year.

We have neglected it the last couple of years because the landscapers were charging $500 for our yard. The mulch will end up costing between $100 and $200. That's more like it!

He also trimmed the ends of my hair for me, saving me money at the hairdresser. What a guy!

THANK YOU CHARLIE! YOU DA MAN!

Greetings, Bloggy Twofers!

Savannah was yelling (articulating) something when Heather took this picture - it's funny!

Those shoes kill me too, and the striped baby leggings, and... and... and...

Speaking of babies - Charlie and I watched 'Baby Mama' on cable the other day - it was funny, not the best movie ever made, but we enjoyed it.

We also watched 'What Happens in Vegas', which was mildly funny too.

Last night I watched the last hour of '30 Days of Night' - a vampire horror movie about a town in Alaska that has 30 days of darkness, and gets a vampire infestation during that time.

It was creepy - but what I liked about it was the vamps had their own LANGUAGE, which I thought was quite relevant!

Any good movie recommendations out there? Seen anything funny? No documentaries, no cartoons, no tear jerkers, please.

TTFN! Get that Easter shopping done! I might go pick up a prime rib this week....

Greetings, Monday morning Blah-gers!

Heather - it doesn't sound like all the time riding in the car did your neck any good.

Your grandmother could tell you about that!

Get better soon!

Today it will be cold (40) with mixed rain and snow showers. Yuck.

Charlie is taking our Easter cards out to the mail today - as you know, I send a lot of cards!

I have this 'kiddie' Easter song playing in my memory - Heather will know it.

Here comes Peter Cottontail,
Hopping down the bunny trail,
Hippity, Hoppity, Easters on its way,
Bringing every girl and boy,
Baskets full of Easter Joy,
Hippity, Hoppity, Happy Easter Day!

There are jelly beans for Tommy
Colored eggs for sister Sue
An Orchid for your Mommy
and an Easter bonnet too...

Here comes Peter Cottontail,
Hopping down the bunny trail,
Hippity, Hoppity, Happy Easter Day!

I just looked it up on the internet, and the REAL words are just a touch different...

http://www.indobase.com/holidays/easter/easter-songs/peter-cottontail-song.html

Have a nice Monday! TTFN!

Greetings, Blogregation -

Happy Palm Sunday! Do you have special plans for next weekend?

Some of the schools have spring break this week - so a lot of folks are on vacation.

Charlie and I just returned from the health club, and we're going for a drive a little later.

I'm on my second load of wash, too, so I am having a productive morning.

We've had two nice, sunny, warm days in a row, but the next couple of days are supposed to be cold with a possibility of SNOW showers! Brrr! I'll bet it won't snow...

Yesterday Charlie and I spent a LOVELY afternoon at the Keg Springs winery.

We needed to restock our wine supply of 'Crusade'. We sat out on their deck which overlooks farms and hills, and enjoyed some Wine, Cheese and Baked Lays. (Not exactly snooty, but just right, yesterday!)

The temperature was about 70 - big blue sky, no humidity, and no mosquitos. DELICIOUS and just WONDERFUL.

Ahhhh - did my mental health good...

TTFN!

Hey gang - no time for bloggage.

I had more issues this morning with overnight jobs, and now I need to leave for water aerobics.

TTFN!

Greetings, Bloggy TGIFers!

I can't believe it is Friday already, but since it is...

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

Heather, this 'old fashioned' photo of Savannah is very artsy looking!

I like it, of course!

Tennessee, Alabama, and some other places had strong storms yesterday and some tornadoes. Thankfully the worst they had around here was flooding.

It's funny, because just a couple days ago I dreamed I was staying in a lodge and a flash flood occurred. I made it inside, but there was a rushing river right next to the windows.

Anybody want to guess what that means?

Last night I dreamed that Charlie was 'fake conducting' outside of a store, using some long straws he took from a discarded drink. He had a tux on like we were going to a wedding. In my dream I thought it was funny, but I wanted to go inside to use the ladies room! Ha!

Have a great Friday and a great weekend! TTFN!

Sorry, darlings - no time this morning to blog, I was watching a job at work instead.

Gotta go! Have a nice day anyway!

Greetings, Bloggy April Foolers!

It's April, and there's no foolin' about that.

Congratulations to Will and Kako, by the way - I need to send a card!

I know that I've told this story many times, but my very first computer job was at Systems Architects in 1982.

The General Manager (Ed) called the four 'new hires' into his office for orientation on our first day, which happened to be April 1st.

He sincerely apologized to us, and said that due to an error, he could only hire three of us, and one person would have to leave.

We looked at each other, devastated. Who would have to go home? It was like a bad reality TV show.

Then Ed burst into smiles and said 'Just kidding - April fools!' Not funny if you were expecting your JOB to depend on it.

We totally bought it, just like I bought it when Brother-in-Law Steve told me I had a flat tire on April fools day.

Oops - be wary, and have a nice day!