The OTHER Daughter

Hello, this is Granny Jannys other daughter, Polly. I thought I would start her blog this evening. We have had a wonderful time visiting. We have gone to the beach, eaten more seafood than needed, let the cat out twice in one day and had to chase her down, painted our toes, "O" and ate two dozen Krispy Creame Donuts in one day. Life is Grand! And Barb just in case you have read this, we had the best bacon for breakfast! Too bad so sad, next time stick around. We have had a wonderful time!

OK, this is Granny Janny and everything Polly wrote is true but I would have left out the Krispy Creame part. Katy and I worked this afternoon while the rest of the family went shopping at Broadway at the Beach. There was a wedding reception at the aquarium but we were finished by 4 so we met the rest of the family for an early dinner. If you are in Myrtle Beach the week before the 4th of July and plan to eat out then you eat at 4 in the afternoon or 9 at night. After dinner Polly and Tony did more shopping while the kids and I came home and played UNO. The kids also played Twister but I was the "caller". We thought that was best since I am still wearing my neck brace. This is short but I currently have four children bouncing off the walls shouting, "Grandma! Grandma! Grandma!" Nitey nite.

Katy Fest Continues

Once again we arrived early so Miss Kate can make her rounds to visit all the animals. She also found two small leaks in the tunnel (water leaks are not good grandma, they never get smaller and need to be repaired right away), a jellyfish who didn't look so good and one of the sword fish has a new injury on his side. She reported her findings to the proper authorities at the aquarium and I quietly slunk to my office to hide. How much would you like to bet the aquarium staff is marking off the days until Miss Kate heads back to MT? Ed Parsons told her that he would try to catch up with her tomorrow when he feeds the octopus so she can help. Kate spent the morning meeting more of the staff (I can't imagine there are any she has missed) and helping me with some filing. In case you are wondering...I am not third or even fourth choice of things to do at the aquarium. More like a necessary evil you have to deal with before you can do the fun stuff with a clear conscience. On my way to a meeting this morning I found her talking with a family at one of the tanks telling them all about the fish, their habitat, what they eat and where they came from. Bet those folks wondered how they picked up a personal tour guide. After lunch Kate joined the camp kids and went snorkeling in Murrells Inlet. The tide was extremely low so it was not the best of days for that activity. She did learn the proper snorkeling techniques but the water was too murky to see much. I snagged Miss Kate when the camp kids returned and we did a little shopping (can't tell what we bought, who do you think this is...Polly??) at Broadway and then headed to Planet Hollywood for an early dinner. We had the burgers (yes, AGAIN) and stopped at the gift shop for a Planet Hollywood t-shirt and hat. That stop was amateur shopping...we moved up with the big dogs and went to Goody's for a power shopping trip. We found two of the CUTEST dress up outfits, pajamas and t-shirts for Miss Kate. We hit the jackpot and listen to this Anny....they were ALL 60% off! Not bad huh? I had to get my prescription filled so I dropped Kate off at the condo while I headed down the street to Wal-greens. They had computer problems but after seeing me in my neck collar and arm sling they took pity on me and filled mine first. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! When I arrived home Kate and Morty were all snuggled up on the couch watching Hannah Montana. Is there some sicko network that broadcasts Hannah Montana 24 hrs a day or am I hallucinating??? We are off to bed.

Katy The Kayaker

Katy attended day camp at the aquarium today and kayaked with the most annoying little girl in three counties. I didn't ask a lot of details but I get the impression that sometime this afternoon Kate threatened to hold the little girl under water with her very own paddle. Ok, Kate MIGHT not have actually held her under but she seriously considered that action. We arrived early again this morning and Kate visited all the critters especially the stingrays and the bow mouth guitar fish. She has also gotten to pet the bonnet head sharks. I have been getting zero work done due to medication overload. I'm in the process of cutting back but as soon as I do the pain returns big time. My Dr's office has requested the records and x'rays but for now I'm back to ice packs and wearing the neck brace more. Oh joy. This issue has got to be resolved soon...I ain't havin' fun! Barb left today and we were not ready to let her go back home. She stopped by the aquarium at lunch time and we went to Margaritaville for one of her favorites...nachos. Bet her seatmate is thanking us right about now. I dropped Barb off at the airport and did a few things at work until Kate finished camp at 4. My kids and I are so lucky to have Barb and Anny in our lives. I offered dinner at Planet Hollywood (Katy's all time favorite place) or a different restaurant of her choice but she said the sweetest thing. "Grandma, I want to go back to your house and cook with you." So that is just what we did. We fixed chicken fried steak, mashed potatoes, cream gravy and fresh corn on the cob followed by ice cream for dessert. Katy peeled the potatoes and we didn't even need a band-aid! We used linen napkins, dimmed the lights, lit the candles and played classical music in the background. We had our very own "fancy" dinner. While Katy and I loaded the dishwasher Ginglebelle pinned Morty down and gave him a bath. I'm sure that made Morty's day! We have had our showers, have books in hand and we are ready for BED. Hope Morty and Ginglebelle are too because it isn't easy reading with a cat sitting on your head.

KATY FEST

This entire week has been declared KATY FEST. Kate came to work with me early this morning and had a ball. No people, no music and she had the run of the aquarium. Kate made herself right at home and I think she now knows more people who work there than I do. She made friends with Ed Parsons who took her to see Gabby (328 lb green sea turtle) be put in her tank to eat and get medicine for her injured eye. Kate spent a big part of the morning at Friendship Flats with the stingrays and then moved to the horseshoe tank. The best part was when Ed came back to get her so she could watch the aquarists feed the sharks. Oh my goodness...we were standing on a teeny tiny little rock ledge (Polly, quit reading right NOW) just inches from 10 and 12 ft sharks. If I had moved my right foot 6 inches I would have had my foot on a shark. In a shark? I know Katy had a good time this morning because she didn't even ask go to the gift shop until 3 PM.
Barb, Kate and I had a wonderful dinner at Bonefish Grill this evening. Of course Barb had our favorite...bang bang shrimp. Kate had tenderloin and I had chicken marsala. Everything was outstanding as always. After dinner we stopped at the Old World Market and did some window shopping before going to the show at The Palace. Excellent performance.
Tomorrow Katy is going kayaking with a group of kids from the aquarium so she should have a good time. Barb leaves tomorrow but Katy and I are trying to think of ways to convince her to stay longer. So far.....nothing is working. :-(

Good News!

Barb, Katy and I went to see Dr. Lorch at 11 this morning and he gave us very good news. Almost all of the motion is back in my arm and shoulder and the feeling has returned to my hand and arm. He beat the tar out of my left arm with his "little hammer" and I had no reaction so I have lost the reflex in that arm but according to Dr. Lorch that is not a real biggie. Of course it also isn't his arm. I still see this as a big improvement over the pain I had the last time I was there! He does not think I will need surgery but I am to continue wearing the ever so attractive cervical neck collar and arm sling. I am also supposed to continue physical therapy for the next two months. We asked him if he had any idea what caused this flare up and he had the audacity to say AGE but did have the good sense to also say that the main cause is probably from working at the keyboard so much. Of course he is all of 30 yrs old. Just wait, his time is coming. My pain medicine is cut in half and I have two more days of the prednisone to complete so I am making progress.
Eddie and Mike had to be sooo ready for us to go home but I have to say in spite of not feeling well I can't tell you the last time we had so much fun together. I hate it Eddie wasn't with us over the weekend but she thoroughly enjoyed her much needed beach break with her girlfriends. Mike was delightful and could not have been more hospitable. Katy is still talking about Uncle Mike's invention....THE SWINGSHOT! Hey guy, you really should get a patent. Mike, once again.....Barb and I are very very sorry about the whole prune issue.
We stopped at a great farmers market (McLeods?) on the way back to the beach and had peach ice cream cones. Well, Barb and I did but Katy opted for the more traditional chocolate and chocolate ripple. Guess she isn't a rebel like Banana Barb and Grandma. We unloaded the van, threw in a load of laundry and took off for dinner at one of Katy's favorite places...Planet Hollywood. We had great hamburgers and milk shakes and Katy chose a really cute souveigner mug to take home. After Planet Hollywood we did a little shopping at Broadway At The Beach and made a quick stop at the grocery store. Barb and I HAD to have our salt & vinegar chips...it's a tradition. Diet Cherry Coke, salt & vinegar chips and Big Love (HBO series) on Monday nights. Yep, big time at the beach tonight.

Church, Brunch and Shopping

We had a great Sunday. Everyone (except me) made it to church on time. I missed my early dose of pain medicine and was not in any shape to sit in a church pew for an hour so I stayed in the recliner. However, I truly am much better and as long as I take my meds on time I am in very little pain. I hope to be able to return to Myrtle Beach after my appointment with Dr. Lorch tomorrow morning.
Mike took everyone out to a wonderful brunch at Providence Cafe after church. Great sandwiches with fried green tomatoes and mashed potatoes! Sounds like a "interesting combination" but everything was very good. After brunch we came back to the house and Eddie was home! Cameron and Mike had a boys day out while Eddie, Avery, Katy, Barb and I hit our favorite shops at South Park Mall along with a stop at the food court for a bite to eat before we came home. Claire's of course was a hit with the girls as well as Lubby Lou's. We window shopped at Front Gate, Tiffany's and Macy's. Avery bought two cute new outfits at Children's Place while Katy shopped for her family at several different speciality shops. We tried to talk Katy into letting Grandma and Aunt Eddie buy a few cute outfits just for her but she declined on this trip. Oh well, I bet we go shopping again before she is gone. We shopped at Bare Essentials so I could replenish my makeup and no I didn't buy a wheelbarrow load. Eddie had a new experience at Bare Essentials. She has never worn blush and decided to experiment and see how it looks on her. The two salespeople were both men....wearing makeup including lip gloss and curled eyelashes. Anyway, what he picked was absolutely perfect and just what she was looking for. As we were leaving Katy whispered in my ear, "Grandma...was that man wearing makeup?" Yes Katy I think he was and we aren't in Kansas anymore.

Saturday at The Carter's

Mike made pancakes for Avery and Cameron and then the three of them headed over to visit Mike's old fraternity buddy Pat. Katy and I finally managed to drag ourselves out of bed just in time to go to Le Peep's for breakfast with Barb. Katy had sausage gravy and biscuits and Barb & I had bacon & eggs plus the three of us shared an order of pancakes. Nice way to start a Saturday or any other day! We did a little shopping after breakfast and Barb found a beautiful painted scarf in a little boutique called Pariz and I found a big glass pitcher in a great little gift store called Dazzles. We also went to Barnes & Nobles and Katy got the first Nancy Drew book and of course we also bought a book for Cameron and Avery. We all came back to the house and Mike took the kids swimming while Barb and I stayed behind and read. Barb and I fixed a good dinner this evening from all the leftovers in the refrigerator. Chicken salad, broccoli and cheese, glazed carrots, corn on the cob and hot rice pudding. Mike took Cameron and Avery for ice cream at Ben & Jerry's and Barb & Katy have gone to see Spiderman 3. I tried to talk Mike into leaving Cameron and Avery with me to put to bed but he was afraid I wasn't up to it so he's going to skip the movies this evening. The plan is for everyone to go to church tomorrow morning and I'm sure the day will also include a little shopping (as we promised Avery she could go with us next time) and the pool again. I do feel better but this medicine makes me dopey....dopier?

Blue Skies and Sunshine

Today was a much better day. Ann & Jim left for Vegas about 9 this morning. They are such nice people and I always enjoy visiting with them. Barb took me to physical therapy this afternoon and I feel so much better. Still can't sleep in a bed but am doing fine in a recliner. I also changed my appointment with Dr. Lorch to Monday at 11 so hopefully we can get home by Monday evening. Barb made a wonderful dinner for everyone this evening. Princess chicken and rice, fresh broccoli with cheese and glazed carrots. She also made rice pudding. My mother always made rice pudding when I was sick so I am now officially spoiled. Mike took Katy, Avery and Cameron to Carrowinds and the water park today. They had a ball and were pretty tired when they got home. Everyone sort of piled on the couch and watched a Hannah Montana marathon. This medication makes me so loopy I feel like I'm in a fog but at least the pain is gone. The physical therapist asked me how I was doing driving. Driving, yeah right....it's all I can do to get from room to room and not run into a wall. Think the driving can wait a few days.

Eddie has jumped ship.

The really sad thing is Barb and I were trying to worm our way into the car but Eddie kept slapping our hands away as they pulled out. Mike took Avery, Cameron and Katy to the pool this evening for swimming and pizza. The kids said they had a great time. Barb and I had a sandwich at The Brick Oven and more physical therapy tomorrow at 2:30 pm. Fun, fun and more fun. My day consists of counting pills, taking pills and looking for the pills.I have to take next. I can't wait to see what happens tomorrow.

Poor Mike

I love my son in law Mike and I think he used to love me too...that is until I became lame and moved into his home with my friend Barb and Granddaughter Katy but Katy is much lower maintenance than Barb or I. To make things even more interesting Mike's parents are arriving tomorrow and will also be spending the night AND Eddie leaves tomorrow afternoon for a weekend at the beach with her girlfriends. Folks, you can't make this stuff up. The good news is the medicine and physical therapy are helping my shoulder and please oh please oh please maybe I won't need surgery. Barb takes me to physical therapy every afternoon and we spend the rest of the day playing with the grandchildren and trying to keep my meds straight. I see the spine specialist on Tuesday and he will do a scan to determine if I will need surgery. I vote no to surgery.

And The Doctor Said....

I went to the spine clinic (Dr. Lorch) this morning and he determined that I have a bone spur, a bulging cervical disc or a pinched nerve. I'm in physical therapy twice a day, percocit, predisone and a muscle relaxer. When the swelling goes down they will do an MRI to see what is going on. He won't let me travel until the feeling has returned to my arm. Eddie is as thrilled as I am.

Got a hammer???

About now I would welcome a good solid smack right to the middle of my forehead if it would take my mind off this pain. Barb took me to a "Doc In The Box" place this afternoon and I am seeing a spine specialist in the morning. I did get a script for pain medication and that is taking the edge off. Katy went with Eddie, Avery and Cameron to VBS this morning and had a great time. Cameron, Avery and Katy are really enjoying each others company. Avery did very well at her swim meet this evening and she had a big crowd there to cheer for her. Her coach asked her to swim in the relay but Avery declined. Once she gets a little more experience she will be more confident. Dinner was easy this evening...we ate cheeseburgers at the pool. Too bad there isn't a swim meet every night. :-) I'm not feeling very chatty this evening so I'm going to go find a hammer and go to bed.

The Travelers

Barb, Katy and I made it to Charlotte just fine. With this shoulder issue I was strictly ornamental and not any help with the luggage. You haven't lived until you travel with a ice filled, drippy zip lock bag on your shoulder. Nobody wanted to sit by me or my soggy shoulder. Polly, Tony and all four kids met Barb and I for lunch at the Marriott. It was so good to see everybody but I wish I had felt better. Matthew is so big! He talks just like Polly did at that age and his face is so expressive. What a doll baby. Tory is all grown up and going into the 8th grade this year and Sarah is still my baby girl. Katy is delightful and a real pleasure to be around...think I will keep her. The flight from Chicago to Charlotte was uneventful. It's always a good flight when takeoffs and landings come out equal. Barb, Katy and I hadn't eaten dinner yet so we ordered pizza and I don't think there was a scrap left. Katy is going with Eddie tomorrow morning to help with bible school and Barb & I will keep the home fires burning. Time to see if this shoulder will let me go to sleep.

The Party's Over...

Great song, I don't remember the lyrics but it says it all for today! Bob & Linda's surprise party was a huge success. Rob, Jeff and Aaron did a wonderful job with the food and decorations. I'm sure Grandma Verna played a major role with the food as everything was delicious and there were several homemade things on the table. Cousins Chris, Joe and Larry were there from Urbana and Lou & Charlotte came in from Denver. Of course we sat together but only created minor disturbances. Huge improvement over our previous party behavior.

The rental car, oh my goodness the rental car. I get to the counter and the Enterprize agent asks if I would like the Trailblazer, Dodge something or other or the Xterra. I've never driven an Xterra so I said I would like that one. It did not occur to me to ask about the color of the vehicle but I do think if you are a rental car company and you are about to hand the keys over for a vehicle that is state truck yellow...it would be nice to mention that fact ahead of time. I swear the thing had a long white arm on the side with a bright red stop sign. IT WAS THE UGLIEST THING I HAVE EVER SEEN. So next time you rent a car ask about the color, I certainly will!

The shoulder is bearable. I've been "staying ahead" of the pain by keeping it iced down and taking pain meds every two hours. You better believe I will be in my Dr's office the minute I get back to Myrtle Beach. I really really hope it's a simple fix.

Polly and family are still about an hour out of Chicago so I won't get to see them until tomorrow morning. Hopefully we can meet for breakfast or lunch so I can at least see all the kids before we take off for Charlotte.

Guess I better get a move on, Banana Barb just called and she is on the shuttle on the way to the hotel. Neither one of us have had dinner yet so that will be our first stop.

What a day...

First of all I didn't drive to Charlotte yesterday. My shoulder was still hurting big time so I stayed home and alternated ice and heat. Thought it was better so I left for Charlotte at 2:30 AM and arrived at the airport about 6:30 AM. My bag was small enough to carry on but I knew I would be asking for trouble if I tried to handle luggage going through two airports. I went to the check-in counter for United since United Airlines was in letters two inches tall on all of my paperwork. Approximately 30 minutes later I got to the counter only to be told that yes my paperwork does say United, however, it's really U.S. Air. United and U.S. Air have a reciprocal ticket sales agreement but that does not apply to the check-in counters. Don't you think it might be a nice idea to mention that someplace on that 6 page single spaced document I had in my hot little hand? Oh goody, so another 10 minute walk and I get to the U.S. Air counter and check my bag. I don't know what the heck happened in Charlotte yesterday but apparently a gazillion flights were canceled and all those passengers plus their screaming toddlers were trying to get through security this morning. My flight was scheduled to leave at 7:50 AM and I arrived sweating and panting just before they closed the door. Don't you just know my seatmates were THRILLED that I made the flight. By then the shoulder is a little ouchy but no biggie. By the time I changed planes in Detroit and arrived in Chicago I was in so much pain my teeth were chattering. I was standing in baggage claim at O'Hare silently patting myself on the back (with my right hand) and feeling so superior becuase I was smart enough to buy polka dot luggage and would be able to spot my bag as soon as it hit the belt. It was right about then that the belt stopped and I was the only one standing there...bagless. Yep, they lost my luggage. The whole time I was walking to baggage claim I was silently chanting, "Hang on, hang on..the hotel will have ice and a hot tub." Well they did but unfortunately my bathing suit was in the missing polka dot bag. The Marriott is very accommodating but somehow I think they might have been a little miffed finding me nekid in their hot tub at high noon. Soooo....I went to my room and took 2 Tylenol PM's and slept sitting up in a chair. Until the x'rays are done I won't know for sure what this is but I'm betting on a pinched nerve. If I sit "JUST RIGHT" there is absolutely no pain but if I try to lay down or make the mistake of picking my purse up with my left hand...OH MAMA. I pickup the rental car tomorrow morning and will head to Fithian for Bob & Lindas surprise party. Hopefully, Polly & family will arrive in time to go with me. I can't wait to see everybody and have been looking forward to this for weeks. You can relax now, I'm done complaining. :-)

Hi! My name is Big Ole Whiner..what's your name?

This morning I did something I have never done before. I went to the chiropractor. My left shoulder has been bothering me for the past two weeks (I am now OFFICALLY old, I'm talking about Dr's visits) and then yesterday my left arm and hand started to tingle. I woke up in the middle of the night with pain running down my left arm and jaw and my hand was numb. I thought oh great, I'm having a heart attack and the cat box needs to be emptied. Come on now, be honest...every woman's nightmare is to have to call for help and the house be a mess. So I was laying there wondering if I had time to empty the cat box before the paramedics arrived and came to the conclusion that since my arm had been hurting for the past two weeks it PROBABLY wasn't a heart attack. Just to be on the safe side I took two aspirin (just like it said to do in Readers Digest) and tried to go back to sleep. However, the part of my arm that wasn't numb hurt like a big dog and I ended up in the recliner for the remainder of the night. On my way to work this morning I took a chance and stopped by my Dr's office. I love my Dr's name...Dr. Winston MacIver. Makes you feel better just saying his name. He checked my shoulder and suggested a chiropractor. Well, I'll be a ding dang doggy. I have a compromised rotator cuff with nerve involvement. I may have to have surgery so Polly & Eddie you two talk amongst yourselves and decide who gets to take care of me while I recover.

Soooo...I am trying to finish up a few things at work and get on the road to Charlotte. Eddie, I will be there this evening and I will call you when I leave home.

Procrastinator

I hate being a procrastinator and it's one of the things I dislike most about myself. I had the whole weekend off and my friends and family all know how rare that is with my job. Sooo....I leave for Charlotte tomorrow (before I fly to Chicago on Friday) and today I have to clean the "almost dones" off my desk, meet with a corporate client and two brides, get the car washed & gased, LAUNDRY and pack! Geesh...what an idiot! So that means I'm running around like a complete moron today trying to get things done that I could and should have finished days ago. Polly, you came by this trait very honestly and Eddie is reading this laughing her butt off because she is the complete opposite and probably knows what she is fixing for dinner on Thursday November 5, 2009.

I am so excited about this trip. I get to spend some time with Avery and Cameron...oh yeah, Mike & Eddie too. :-) Then I will meet the MT kids (oh yeah, Polly & Tony too) in Chicago and bring Katy home with me for a week. Barb is meeting us in Chicago and flying back with us for a few days so Miss Katy should be returned to MT thoroughly spoiled and completely unbearable. On the way back to Myrtle Beach from Chicago Katy, Barb and I will be spending a few days in Charlotte and we will get to see Miss Avery's swim meet. She is a Shrimp and no I'm not being judgmental, Shrimps is the name of her age group.

OK, I have procrastinated long enough, gotta "git er' done"!

Ramblings From The Dark Corners Of My Mind

Big Love, another great HBO show, started their second season last night. If you ever thought you would like the polygamy life style all you have to do is watch one episode of this show and you will be cured. After rereading my blog entries me thinks that I spend way too much time watching TV.

Debi and I met Chris for lunch at California Dreaming (LOVE their house salad with the hot dressing) and then headed over to Hamricks for a little shopping. They usually have a good selection in the "Jumbo Petite" section but today it was nothing but old lady itchy polyester and t-shirts with giant sunflowers. Oh yea, lovely. My gut isn't noticeable enough...I have to put a giant sunflower on there? Don't think so. They were having a good shoe sale but the last thing I need is another pair of shoes. That last statement translates to "I would love another pair of shoes but Hamricks didn't have anything that I don't already own".

The humidity is way down today and am I ever happy about that. Humidity and I do not make a good mix as I'm cranky enough already. Guess if I wanted to avoid humidity living at the beach was probably not a real good choice. Oh well, just add that to the list of "what were you thinking" decisions I have made over the years.

We were robbed!

The Soprano finale was a huge disappointment! This has been such a well written show and deserved a better send off than it received. If that was the best the writers could come up with then it truly was time for the show to end. The only explanation I can come up with for the black screen is on the previous episode Tony had a flashback while he and Bobby were on a boat. Tony said something along the line of, "What do you think it will be like when "it" happens?" Bobby responded with, "You won't know what happend...everything will be black and silent." Or something along those lines. At the time I wasn't real sure what "it" was but maybe Tony was talking about getting killed. Oh well...it's just a TV show Jan, get over it!

Taking Rosemary to the airport was a real adventure. Her flight was delayed from 8:40 PM to 11:30 PM so it was a long evening especially for Rosemary. We had a wonderful dinner at Angelo's before going to the airport so nobody was hungry but wouldn't you know, this was one of the few times I didn't have a book or magazine with me and the gift shop was closed. We did some serious people watching and decided you can tell a lot about a person by how they handle minor annoyances like a delayed flight. There was one man who was so upset I thought he was going to have a stroke. Stomping, yelling, swearing...wouldn't you just love being married to him! It's not like you can cross your arms and do a "Jeannie blink" to make the airplane appear. We decided he was one of those parents who would go berserk if one of his children spilled a glass of water. My kids spilled so many glasses of milk, water and Kool-Aid when they were little that I started wearing fuzzy socks to dinner every night just to sop up the mess. The plane finally took off about 11:45 PM and I know Rosemary was glad to get to Detroit and crawl into her bed.

Since Hollywood seems to be a theme for me today...how about Paris Hilton? Anybody besides me think this is probably the first time in her life she has ever heard the word NO?? I had to chuckle when I heard that she was concerned that one of the guards would photograph her using the bathroom in her cell. Hmmm, based on the pictures I have seen of her in the tabloids I would think "the modesty ship" sailed some time ago. It's hard to believe her parents think they have done her any favors by never allowing her to take responsibility for her actions.

A WHOLE weekend away from work!

It is great having a whole weekend away from work. You would think I would accomplish something significant...naaaaaaaa. Started another Jodi Picoult book (SALEM FALLS) last night. When I find an author I really like I usually read all of their books. Unfortunately that is also the way I shop. I am not fond of shopping so if I find something that appeals to me I tend to buy every color they have much to Polly & Eddie's chagrin.

Ginglebelle and Morty have opened an all night kitty gymnasium in my bedroom. From 1 AM to almost 5 AM they were running across the bed, leaping (well, Morty doesn't leap very well) onto the dresser, knocking over perfume bottles, sending books flying across the bookcase and then sitting on my chest while taking a bath. Ginglebelle has also discovered that she can sit on my clock radio and hit the on button almost every time. There are some very strange radio talk shows on at 3 AM. Who is Art Bell and what did his mother do to him? That is one strange man.

Tonight is the finale for The Soporanos. I was probably one of the last people on the face of the earth who started watching the show. Of course I had heard of them (I live in Myrtle Beach not under a rock) but never thought the show would appeal to me since I do not like violence, think swear words are a sign of a poor vocabulary and nudity doesn't belong on television. Heck, at this age I wear a robe in the shower just in case the mirror isn't fogged while I dry off. Nobody needs to see that. Anyway, I was recuperating from a bout of pneumonia and HBO had a Soporanos marathon . The next thing I knew...I was hooked. Great writing, acting and story lines.

Rosemary's flight to Michigan was canceled on Friday evening due to the FAA computer debacle. She is scheduled to leave this evening around 9 so I plan to see if she would like to go out for oysters one more time. Maybe that will hold us over until she returns in October.

It's time to put clean sheets back on the guest bed and get ready for my next round of company.

New Habit

My mother and grandmother kept sporadic diaries and I always wished they had written more. The entries that I love the most are the ordinary ones and you can tell they were almost embarrassed and could not imagine anyone being interested in their daily lives. So with that thought in mind this is my new adventure and I hope to make this a daily habit. Ok...maybe weekly. OH ALL RIGHT...I will do my best to post on a regular basis.

Rob and Ashley left this morning. Rob is my first cousins (Bob Adolph) son and Ashley is Rob's girlfriend whom he met at Rose Hulman. Rob graduated in May and will be moving to Houston this month to start his new job with Exxon. Ashley is working for Boeing in St. Louis and plans to start her PhD at Georgia Tech in January. They are so much fun and I loved having them here. Rob & Ashley fixed a wonderful lasagna dinner on Wednesday evening for 6 of my friends (Sid, Tom, Rosemary, Kim, Tressa & Cameron) and after the guests left Tom, Rob, Ashley and I played euchre. Not many people play euchre here in SC so Tom and I really enjoyed the evening. It was decided by all that Tom was no longer allowed to be the bartender. The house is so quiet since Rob & Ashley left. Morty & Ginglebelle go from room to room looking for them.

I finished another Jodi Picoult book this afternoon...THE PACT. I love the way she makes a story twist and turn. I have already read this months book club book (FOR ONE MORE DAY by Mitch Albom) so I will have to find something else to read tomorrow. Today was a lazy day and if I have my way tomorrow will be more of the same!