Porky Pug

Cleo's Favorite Activity

A recent trip to the vet for an annual check-up and shots revealed the shocking news: Cleo has gained 3 pounds, a hefty weight increase for a pug. I had been thinking that she was taking on a slightly sausage like appearance, and the scale confirmed my suspicion. So, now she is on a diet consisting mostly of portion control with a side helping of increased exercise. The combination of the two should do the trick. Since I am her walker, perhaps  the  longer workout will cause me to lose a couple of pounds as well, a side benefit that greatly appeals.

On Becoming a Girlfriend, Again

Me, Kathy, and Di

I suppose this is the autumn of my life, but it feels more like spring as I am finding myself returning to my past and rekindling lost friendships with high school chums. Why now? Certainly my 50th high school reunion was a major catalyst for this surprising revolution, but other factors have played a part as well.

1. I find myself with extra time on my hands. Thank you, retirement! I have been busy pursuing long lost hobbies: painting, photography, knitting...and developing new ones, blogging and discovering that I love to write. It's like journaling for me or, perhaps, a mutant form of scrapbooking. My life on a page.

2. The dynamics of my main group of pals has changed and not in a good way. Get-togethers of all 9 of us often turn into contests where everyone is talking and no one, except me it seems, is listening. Perhaps after 20 plus years together, we are not such a good mix. Or maybe I just don't fit in anymore. I like conversation; these Group of Nine gatherings are yelling matches with the same person always winning because she has the loudest, shrillest voice imaginable. It is amusing, though somewhat deafening, to watch the situation unfold in all its self-centeredness. My thought: clearly time to expand my horizons a bit.



Kathleen

So that is exactly what I have done, still keeping tabs on the Group of Nine, in all their dysfunctional glory and recognizing that when I see only three or four of them, rather than the whole group, we have great fun and there is actual conversation, with give and take...question asking, even. What a concept!  

I think it is working for me. I think I am on the right path in my autumn.

Mary Jo, Kathy, Me, and Di

Birthday Bonanza



Scooter Inspects My Gifts

Yes, another birthday has come and gone. The celebration lasted 2 weeks, and I enjoyed all the food, gifts, and fun company. I am feeling very spoiled and very blessed. Lucky me.

 

With Bill and Sue at La Gare

The festivities began with  cocktails, followed by a superb dinner and champagne.  A giant piece of carrot cake completed the meal.



Chris

A couple of days later, the party was an outing with Jane and the boys.
After a stop at the Jelly Belly Store, we enjoyed a picnic in the park. The weather was perfect: not too hot, not too cold.



With Baird at Sea Thai Bistro

Her surprise visit from Washington was my good fortune...lunch at one of my favorite restaurants and shopping. I redeemed my gift certificate from Bill and Sue at Urban Gardens, a wonderful store full of treasures. I had no problem treating myself to a fun gift, and I even had a little $$$ left over for future spending.



Pineapple Upside Down Cake

At the final birthday gathering, I was feted with more  wonderful  presents, a delicious meal, and this scrumptious dessert.  I am a fan of butter cream frosting, but this cake, with its crusty sides and bottom,  topped that by a wide margin. Big yum!

So another birthday bites the dust and I look forward to the next one, a biggie with a zero in the one's column. Ouch.

Wordless Wednesday: Parking It With Chris

Seeing Red

Haiku Friday

Green morphing to red

as Mother Nature's paintbrush

puts on quite a show.

janice

2012

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Go, Bears!

Haiku Friday

Always so hopeful

As football season begins,

Rooting for my Bears.

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Shaping Up is Hard To Do: Final Edition

I quit! For now, that is.  The remodeling projects that I had on my To Do List are completed, and order has been restored once again, leaving chaos behind. It has been a long process...6 months, if you consider that I began with the new wood floor installation in spring.

This final project involved the foyer, hall, and guest bedroom.  The most difficult part of the stage was the bedroom because moving heavy pieces of furniture was a big part of the job. Thankfully, that job was efficiently handled by the painting crew, while I had only to concern myself with the smaller furniture items and the multitude of collectibles of all shapes and sizes, not exactly an easy task.

The primer went on first, paving the way for the soothing pale green paint that I selected for the walls. The end result did not disappoint, though I was a little sad saying farewell to the cheery wallpaper that had decorated the room for so many years.

My favorite part of the whole project came at the very end: the installation of a new light and ceiling fan, looking blissfully happy hanging from the now popcorn-free ceiling.  I am  very glad to finally have smooth ceilings, so fresh and clean looking after thirty years. 

What took me so long?