tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7342163819495544412024-03-06T14:01:50.381-06:00Snooty Primadona's Sparkling Outlook On Life... Or NotI'm still HOT... It just comes in flashes now.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger651125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-734216381949554441.post-54321619958540765442017-09-23T18:13:00.002-05:002017-11-25T09:18:11.808-06:00New Orleans for Our 39th Wedding Anniversary & My 64th BirthdayI planned this trip for 3 months before we left, to insure a good time was had by all. Our 31 year old daughter who is an environmental lawyer for the State of Texas, joined us for the trip, at our request. It just happened to be the weekend of the Halloween Parade, which turned out to be a blast of fun. Yes, and I am thoroughly behind on my Life Updates.<br />
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I rented a beautiful house through Home Away/VRBO that was located 3 blocks from Frenchman St. and 6 blocks from the French Quarter. Luckily, it was right next door to a friend-of-a-friend, who was having a party for the Halloween Parade, which was starting just blocks from their/our house. It was all very exciting and had a bit of a Mardis Gras feel to it.<br />
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We arrived in NOLA on a Thursday and quickly settled in to our lovely house. We had reservations that night for Dickie Brennan's Steak House and it did not disappoint. Old World charm and New Age cuisine meet in the middle. The Escargots & Bone Marrow appetizer is to swoon for. We took Creme Brulee in *go boxes* back to our house & ate them on the patio. We stopped briefly to watch this tap dancer/jazz singer who was totally entertaining.<br />
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Friday morning we were up and out early, having grits, eggs, bacon & toast at a corner breakfast spot just blocks from the house. Yum. Afterwards, we went back to the house and got ready for a day in The French Quarter.<br />
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We ate lunch at the legendary Acme Oyster House and were not impressed with the fare. The grilled oysters were dodgy at best. Afterwards, we walked to the Starbuck's on Canal St., which is the largest one I've seen, to date. Frappucino with caramel. YUM.<br />
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Next, we walked around the Quarter until I yelled *Uncle*. I needed a break. With no place to sit outside, we hailed a female driven Bike Taxi and had her give us the Grand Tour, for which we paid her nicely. It was great and we ended up at the Cafe' Du Monde, looking out at the Saint Louis Cathedral. What a fabulous sight to behold!<br />
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Our daughter was arriving that day so we ventured back to the house to await her arrival. Once she arrived we all got ready for dinner and eventually took an Uber to Muriel's Jackson Square, in the French Quarter. It was the absolute best dinner we had in NOLA this trip. Supposedly haunted, we never saw or felt any ghosts at Muriel's.<br />
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On Saturday we had reservations for brunch at Brennan's in The Quarter, at Noon. After waiting, we were seated and offered champagne for our anniversary, which we happily accepted. After excellent people watching, Eggs Benedict, and lovely cocktails, we were all ready to expire or at least retire for an hour or two. It was an amazing brunch experience.<br />
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After brunch we went back to our house to get ready for the Halloween Party that was to be next door later. Since we had no costumes, daughter and I wandered down the street to an open costume market and found cat ears & tails to wear, for a mere song & dance. Once we decided and paid for our purchases, we walked on to Frenchman St. where floats were readying for the Halloween Parade that was to come. We stopped in a jazz place called Mouton (I think) and heard some of the best jazz I've heard in ages. There were also musicians playing outside in the street that were equally as amazing.<br />
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The party turned out to be fabulous and the people were all quite interesting. Costumes were amazing and we felt humbled, at best. Still, I felt quite adorable as a cat. Just sayin'. When it was time for the parade to start we all walked en masse down the street (Elysian Fields) to the start of the parade. It was all very exciting and we spent the next hour enjoying the whole of it all. New Orleaneans love any excuse to have a parade or a party. We were happy participants.<br />
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Sunday was my 64th birthday and we had Noon reservations at Commander's Palace. Not only was the food to swoon for, it was a total party. Afterwards, we walked around the cemetery where Marie Laveau is buried. Although damaged by Katrina, it still stands, much in ruins. Still it's all quite intriguing. We loved it!<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-734216381949554441.post-90992212279351182432016-08-18T17:06:00.001-05:002016-08-18T17:06:18.518-05:00Snooty's Marvelous Reality Cooking TV Show Audition Experience... Or Not<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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Well, I did it. I finally decided to audition for a reality cooking show in
Dallas, Texas in early 2016. It was for a show that is on mainstream network
TV. I'd like to say it went well but since I'm writing this, it means I didn't
make the cut. On the other hand, I learned a lot more about what the producers
are looking for in an audition. I was not in that category(whatever it was)
this time.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This is the actual cheesecake I took to the audition: </div>
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<br />
Honestly, I was not approaching the audition as I would have approached a
casting call at the local Community Theater. That was my first mistake because
it's really just that... On a Hollywood scale. I thought I would be judged and
praised for my cooking expertise so I brought my *A Game*. Only it's not about
the food. Not even a little. The dishes other potential cast members brought to
the audition were downright disgusting. I know this because toward the end of
the audition we were all tasting others dishes, left and right. After the first
two samplings, I stuck to my own culinary offering. I seriously had to <s>bite
the bullet</s> calm down my gag reflex to keep from spitting it out or throwing
it up. However, although I felt ancient among all of those fresh, shiny faces, my dish was as delicious as ever.<br />
<br />
I discovered that the team of amazing people that oversees the *whole audition process* teaches each
contestant to cook before the competition actually begins in Los Angeles. They teach you the
skills you need to be good and it's up to you to perfect those skills. That's
when the show begins. So, the show has evolved since its inception, just like
any reality show. They aren't necessarily looking for *you* on a plate which is
what I was told to bring. What they are looking for is your personality on a plate.
And youth. They are looking for youthful personalities to sparkle youthful
fairy dust on their show. They are not looking to cast someone who is old and
can't remember what she walked into a room for. I've always entertained the
idea that I was born too late or too soon, in time. This experience confirmed
that theory.<br />
<br />
But that got me thinking... Wouldn't it be a hoot if they had an old farts
reality cooking show? Baby Boomers would howl with laughter like insane asylum
loonies at the Senior Moment Antics, right? It would make the millennials
implode from rolling their eyes so much. Just a passing thought, really. It's
gone now.<br />
<br />
This is the extra cheesecake I made in case of emergency:<br />
<br />
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<br />
Anywhoo, while standing in line to enter the audition room (in numerical
order), we (those of us who were there to audition) began to talk and get to
know each other. In our time slot there were about 22 of us. I found out that
most of the other people auditioning had already been to several auditions. I
was in awe. They will travel as far as is necessary and everyone has *a story*.
The young woman in front of me was a Dallas nurse and part-time yoga
instructor, married to a Peruvian whose family had taught her to cook their native dishes. The young woman behind me was from Baton Rouge and was a struggling
single mother just reaching for The Golden Ring. Behind her was a 59 year old woman who had lost 100 lbs., learned to cook healthy, and
reversed her diabetes 2. The stories were as diverse as they were compelling. I
wanted to hurl after tasting their food but they had great stories. I realized
I was out of my league and out of my age group, which is 60+.<br />
<br />
So. I made my Green Chile Cheesecake, which is to swoon for. Apparently, it
confused the Millennial producers (tasters and interviewers) but those auditioning loved it. The taster kept
asking me if it was a mousse. If it's baked in a spring-form pan then I call it
a cheesecake. Period. Trust me when I tell you it was the best dish there. The
taster stabbed a chunk out, tasted it, gave me a look, and moved on. I knew I
was toast until I tasted the other dishes presented. At that point I was
actually naive enough to think I had a chance. I didn't. I didn't have the
story or the presentation they wanted. I wasn't bouncy and/or enthusiastic
enough, nor was I funny. I was a nervous wreck. First time jitters I suppose.<br />
<br />
Our rental condo in Dallas:<br />
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<br />
<br />
The call back never came. Fortunately, I was too busy eating my way through
Dallas cuisine to care much. By Sunday it began to dawn on me that I was
apparently not their girl... Umm, woman. After much contemplation I realized
how silly I felt. I guess most artists feel like this at some point, for one
reason or another. The feeling of total inadequacy was overwhelming and it
intensified my feelings of being too old to be good enough for anything. Don't
worry. It was just a passing mood of sorts.<br />
<br />
<br />
Our Rental Condo in the SMU District:<br />
<br />
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<br />
<br />
Because we spent a great deal of money getting ready for this and on the
rental condo and the gas to get to and from Dallas, the ingredients to make the
test cheesecakes, and the final entry cheesecake... It hardly seemed worth it.
Except that I got to do something I had wanted to do since the inception of TV
reality shows. So, that's a good thing, right? I still had fun doing it and
might even do it again, although probably not... I'm no spring chicken. My time
in the limelight has passed me by. I was busy raising kids during a time when
there were no cooking reality shows or anything else for that matter... My
*hey-day* was before cell phones and digital cameras, so yes, I believe I was
born too soon or too late. I would have been a jazz singer had I been born
earlier. Like the Roaring Twenties. No lie.<br />
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of authorities"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="macro"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="toa heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Closing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Message Header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Salutation"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Date"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Block Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="FollowedHyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Document Map"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Plain Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="E-mail Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Top of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Bottom of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal (Web)"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Acronym"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Cite"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Code"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Definition"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Keyboard"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Sample"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Typewriter"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Variable"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Table"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation subject"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="No List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Contemporary"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Elegant"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Professional"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Balloon Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Theme"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="List Table 1 Light"/>
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<![endif]-->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-734216381949554441.post-14317328840925067412016-08-01T10:36:00.000-05:002016-08-01T10:36:10.999-05:00The Fox Family Is Back In The Hood... With 4 Fresh New FacesIf you've been reading my blog for any amount of time, you already know about our love for the <br />
resident foxes here. So even though we don't see them on a regular basis throughout the winter, we are always filled with excitement when we find that they have returned in the spring. This year we've been seeing Mama Fox and Papa Fox on a regular basis.<br />
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Mr. Snooty was taking trash out to the dumpster yesterday evening, so he had to go to the alley through the garden (AKA The Fox's Lair). He caught some movement out of the corner of his eye and 4 (perhaps even 5) baby foxes were wildly playing in our garden. By the time he told me about it and I raced out with my camera, all but one of the babies had been shooed back into their den by Mama Fox. However, I did manage to get a quick shot of one baby playing on top of our covered lawn mower.<br />
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We have never been so privileged to see them this small before so we figure yesterday was the first day she really let them out of the den. You can cup one baby in two hands.<br />
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So, fast forward almost two months. The Fox Family took some sort of sabbatical and we didn't see them for awhile. Not sure why, but they are mysterious little creatures. Nonetheless, they seem to be back and the <strike>kids</strike> kits are, like always, wild injuns. Mama Fox looks spent and almost emaciated. Poor dear. She really is an attentive mother. It seems that all is well with our beloved Fox Family.<br />
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And, a nice shot of Mama Fox and her baby girl (we think). She sticks like glue to Mama.<br />
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Oh and here are two pictures, each one showing the different looks of Mama and Papa Fox. She looks sweet while Papa has a very intense gaze.<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-734216381949554441.post-771750985522970272016-07-06T14:49:00.000-05:002016-07-07T09:19:28.395-05:00Checking In One Year Later... The Kitty ChroniclesI can hardly believe it's been almost a whole year since I began the mad search for the two kitties I didn't know I wanted. Sure, we had a bit of a rough start with <strike>The Black Beast</strike> Trouble #3 using me for a scratching post and teething toy. She also claimed Mr. Snoots as the sole person she would allow to show love to her. I was a mere toy in her Kingdom of Many Toys.<br />
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Upon the advice of others I started my second search for a young female cat or kitten that would fit with us. I had to drive many miles (okay just 30) at night to pick up our new girl. She's a <a href="http://www.fanciers.com/breed-faqs/manx-faq.html" target="_blank">Manx Rumpy</a> and she is such a love. The woman I got her from demanded $100.00 for meeting me halfway, which completely freaked me out so I just gave her the cash, jumped in the SUV and drove off before she tried to rob me. Oh wait. She basically did rob me. Even though I had new kitty in the carrier she was scared all the way back. Once she got inside our house she found her way back to the master bedroom and stayed under the bed for 5 days. We named her Pepper. I know. We're idiots with no imagination.<br />
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I finally removed all of my cookbooks from the kitchen windowsill
shelf so the girls would have a place to watch birds, flies, anything
that moves, really - whatever - while they bask in the morning sun. It
has been more than a success in spite of the fact we seem to have cat
hair everywhere. Yes, we both brush them nearly every day.<br />
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Finally, T-3 brought Pepper out of her shell and she slowly adjusted to the sounds and goings on of our lives. Pepper and Trouble were getting acquainted and life was good. Then something unusual happened. It became very apparent that T-3 was no longer being a brat. The two romped and played together and all the biting and scratching came to a sudden halt. It was also revealed that Pepper was the dominant (or alpha) female and I think Trouble was more surprised than we were. Pepper rules the roost. The reason it's funny is because she's much smaller. Go figure<br />
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When the holidays rolled in and out they were in awe of everything so doors had to be closed and locked. Thanksgiving and Christmas brought our kids who always come in like whirlwinds, with dogs in tow. It was immediately decided by *The Girls* that dogs weren't their cup of tea so they both hid under the bed until the holidays were over.<br />
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After surviving the holidays things settled down and we all fell into an easy pace and comfortable existence, learning to live with 2 indoor cats for the first time. Believe me, it is a huge adjustment for us since we've always had outside kitties. I honestly have to stop and think before I move to let one of them outside. Then I remember. I've also had to adjust to not yelling at kitties when I hear scratching that sounds like rips in the universe. All of our other cats have always scratched the furniture but these two love their scratching posts.<br />
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Pepper likes to play fetch with her many mousies and is better than most dogs because she brings it back to your feet. If you don't notice, she'll let you know. She also loves to play soccer/golf balls in the living room with Trouble. Yes. The ones we use for putting.<br />
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Trouble is a master soccer player with golf balls. Nothing has been
broken yet but she can really wallop those balls and she picks them up
with both front paws to hurl them across the room. She also caught a
mouse in the house that was alive. Good girl. Save mommy. <br />
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Then came April. That's when we made the decision to replace the 60 year old brass faucet and stopper in the guest bathroom sink. Anyway, it took the plumber 3 long hours just to get the damned faucet out, while we suffered through the loudest removal ever. Loud. Loud. Loud. Both kitties stayed under the bed almost a whole week. They were clearly traumatized by the incredible amount of noise for an unbelievable amount of time.<br />
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As traumatizing as that ordeal was, the guy had to come back the next day for a couple of hours, making new loud noises before charging us an eye popping $900.00. The faucet set itself was only like $150 so the rest was labor which traumatized me. That was two months ago and the girls are still scared and they run when the doorbell rings. They still are slow to warm to strangers so they hide.<br />
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List of Scary People Who Come To Our House & Ring Doorbell:<br />
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Mail Carrier (who is always talking on her phone)<br />
Housekeeper (who is always talking on her phone every Wednesday)<br />
Wednesday Night Dinner Delivery (usually the same guy)<br />
Lawn Guy (comes early every Thursday)<br />
Friends (sometimes we have friends over for dinner) <br />
2 Grown Children (one with a dog)<br />
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I swear the girls were fine before the blasted plumber came.... I've now noticed that The Black Beast is shedding profusely and has signs of dandruff. WTH? Maybe it's just easier to see because she's so black. I'll keep telling myself that. Right.<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-734216381949554441.post-3816339827969130092016-02-08T19:08:00.001-06:002016-04-14T00:06:25.981-05:00The Truth About Bacterial Meningitis... Part TwoAfter Mr. Snooty found me laying on the floor of our bedroom, babbling unintelligibly and unresponsive, the ambulance came and delivered me to the same hospital where my children were once both born. After arriving, at some point, I had a grand mal seizure. Hubby looked over at me thinking I was just yawning then suddenly realized I was seizing and alerted the nurses. I was out (or in some parallel dimension) and have no recall of what actually happened. I only remember my wonderful dreams. Well, most of them. All I know is what has been relayed to me by Mr. Snoots and others.<br />
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Apparently, the doctors did not know what was was wrong with me because bacterial meningitis has the exact same symptoms of a great number of illnesses. That makes it very difficult to properly diagnose in a timely manner. At one point my vitals were so bad (?) they believed I only had a couple of hours to live. Which, of course, led to the decision to put me into an induced coma... To buy them some time in trying to diagnose. I'm still not sure if I had the two strokes before or while in, the induced coma.<br />
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I guess somewhere along the way someone decided to do a spinal tap (or
something like that) and soon they discovered the bacterial meningitis
and after one week brought me back from LaLa/Wonderland. The first time I sort of *came to* the doctors asked me if I remembered anything and I said, "Remember what?" My precious husband was there every day as often as he could be, as was our son, giving me whatever strength they could. <br />
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My most precious daughter was on spring break at the time, from SMU law school (she was also doing an internship for a Dallas law firm), while also studying to take the Bar. She stayed all night with me every night for a week, Bless her heart and soul. Evidently I spoke to her many times while I was in the coma and then when coming out of the coma. I could neither hold a thought nor play a hand of gin, which really made me mad for some reason. I had to be bathed by a stranger, had a catheter in, the tube I'd had down my throat had irritated it to the point I could barely swallow anything but ice or Jello, and apparently I was not at all nice. To anyone. That is just not me.<br />
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When I was slipping in and out of the coma, I thought I was at my brain doctor's house with he and his family and I was ready to go home. So I thought I called our daughter to come and get me (because I knew she was in town) and she refused to, saying that spring break was over and she had to go back to finish law school and graduate. The truth is that she had been asleep on the uncomfortable little *window seat* in my hospital room when I demanded that she take me home. Of course, I don't have a solid memory of this. But, it did happen and I was mean to the one person I could not and have not, ever hurt. Luckily, she has a nurse friend who warned her of what I would be like so she was at least prepared. I won't even go into the time I thought there were spiders all over the ceiling and started freaking out. It took everything she had in her to calm me down while trying not to laugh.<br />
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Anywho, Snooty Daughter went on to graduate, moved back to Austin, passed The Bar, was sworn in by a Texas Supreme Court Judge and got a fantastic job with the state as a lawyer for environmental issues. I wasn't able to go to graduation because although I was by then out of rehab prison, I still couldn't walk. I've never in my life been so proud of her. She knows I would not have missed it but for the doctor forbidding me. I was still taking physical therapy every day, but on a walker. I had no physical strength and used our extra computer chair (with no arms) to maneuver my way around the house, using the walls to move faster with my hands. I kid you not. It was a real laugh fest. Not.<br />
<br />
So anyway, once they transferred me to the rehab hospital I saw many roomies come and go. I think I was there longer than anyone and got to know all the workers and patients by name. Once my mind began to return I had many late night talks with many nurses and students of nursing. I can't remember any of those conversations but they helped to pass my sleepless nights while there. I was STILL on the crazy IV antibiotics so it's entirely possible I didn't even have those conversations. I was still having to take breathing treatments twice a day (those really hurt) and to go PT (Physical Therapy) and OT (Occupational Therapy) every day. Those really cut into my nap times because Lord knows you can't sleep in a hospital at night. They wake you up every hour or so to check your vitals. I wonder if my vitals revealed I was sick of being awakened. Sleep heals you, right?<br />
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I was overwhelmed with determination to make it back home (sooner rather than later) so during my nights of insomnia and interruptions I began to shuffle up and down the hospital halls with my trusty (not really) aluminum walker adorned with <strike>golf</strike> tennis balls on the two front legs. My ultimate goal every night was to reach the communal fridge where free ice cream was available to all who could walk there and get it. I'm pretty sure there was only one other person who roamed at night, like me, but she was on the other side where they had their own fridge. I might or might not have raided theirs on the down low a time or two. Everyone else was either bedridden or needed assistance with a wheelchair. The ice cream was ALL MINE! Time moved like an ailing tortoise but I SURVIVED hospitalized captivity because of that ice cream. It was not easy.<br />
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There were many other crazy dreams and things that happened but I've said enough. For three years now, I've slowly been coming back to life and good health. I'm also older and wiser now. I know that if you always put others needs first, you will suffer in the long run. I still take care of everyone else but now I also take time for ME. It's just part of surviving this world as long as possible. I also see life differently now. Trivial things that once mattered to me are no longer important and those I love are more important than ever. I can't really explain it, but the way I see everything is different now. It was one helluva a way to learn a lesson but I was given a second chance and, I've gotten it right this time.<br />
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Be well, my friends! <br />
<br />
Don't forget to take care of YOU! Truly love and appreciate every single day of your life... It's such a special gift that can be taken away so swiftly...Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-734216381949554441.post-67508375759476677652016-02-03T09:33:00.000-06:002016-02-03T09:33:26.714-06:00The Truth About Bacterial Meningitis... Coming From Someone Who KnowsFor the last three years, since my near-death experience with bacterial meningitis, I have done extensive research about it and how you contract the disease. You don't *contract* it in any way. It's like a sleeping dragon that lives within your body, only awakening when you neglect to take care of yourself. Good Grief! I've been doing that for years. The cold hard truth is that even the most seemingly harmless illnesses can cause what we would know to be the *Perfect Storm* inside our bodies. Frightening though it may be, we all have the very bacteria that causes it in our bodies. Normally, they are dormant as long as we take care of ourselves. We don't all always do that, do we?<br />
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I spent a week (or more) in an induced coma until the doctors could figure out what was wrong with me. I don't remember a thing. If I had, I'd have gone stark raving mad. Thank God they finally deduced that I had bacterial meningitis which meant 24/7 I.V. antibiotics and a catheter which is oh so comfortable. I also had a small stroke, a medium stroke, and a seizure, almost like a cherry on top. Mr. Snooty thought at first I was yawning then realized I was seizing and alerted the nurses & doctor. Again, I don't remember a thing.<br />
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After being in CCU for over a week I was slowly coming around and moved to the ICU where they let me eat mounds of ice cream. Thanks so much for that new addiction. Every single day they would asked me annoying questions like my name & date of birth & who was the president. I was foggy on all answers at first. I damn sure didn't know the date. I said the president was Osama Bin Laden, then cried. The I.V. antibiotics made me completely nutso while they worked their magic on me. Oh, the stories I could tell of my Alice-In-Wonderland-bacterial-meningitis-induced antibiotic stupor.<br />
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I still (3 years later) have a scar on my lower lip where the whatever-it-was tube was during my induced coma (like they couldn't have occasionally moved it around... whatever). There were many other atrocities I cannot speak of but they were humiliating and degrading none the less. No matter how great the hospital, you will feel degraded... More than once.<br />
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I was *restrained* (tied down with straps) numerous times because of the IV going into my neck. It leaked constantly because it had not been properly inserted, which made it itch beyond belief (and yes, I scratched like a kitty with fleas). Before I was moved to the rehabilitation hospital (Hell South, where I was the only person under 80) they inserted a Pic Line (while watching its progress on an ultrasound). I never had a moment of trouble with it beyond that point. I still despise the nurse that repeatedly tied me down. Learn to properly insert an IV, idiot. You really get paid for your ineptness?<br />
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My brain doctor, my heart doctor, and my regular GP were the ones who saved me as well as the nurses. I literally owe them my life. It happened the first night of Spring Break, when most doctors take vacations with their families. Hubby found me on the floor of our bedroom, babbling and coated in sweat. Great visual memory for him, huh? He called the ambulance and the rest is history. I have no recollection whatsoever.<br />
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I spent nearly 2 additional months at the rehab place, which made me very irritable but I did ultimately survive. Bad roomies (no private rooms), bad food, no one to take me to the bathroom (after they said I couldn't go alone), freaking wheelchairs & walkers, shower seats, and canes. The atrocities of the elderly are only a breath away, my friends. Take care of yourselves, be well, exercise often, love hard, and laugh always. Growing old is not for pansies.<br />
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What I've told here is merely the tip of the iceberg, as it were. My life, as I previously knew it, is over. But you know what? It's not so bad. I like being alive...Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-734216381949554441.post-62942842610707024702016-01-18T11:12:00.000-06:002016-01-18T16:27:58.485-06:00A Pebble Beach Wedding To Die For... Carmel-by-the-SeaI had no intentions to miss attending this wedding, although Mr. Snoots was scoffing at the mention. Yes, it was far away. Yes, we had to leave here at 5:30 in the freaking morning with 6 hours of flight and layover time. Yes, we also had to drive more than an hour from San Jose in an unfamiliar rent car searching for an unfamiliar destination. And yes, we were only able to reserve a room at an old cottage style Inn in Carmel that was pretty much a dump (for $200.00 per night). I'm pretty sure the Art Deco carpet was original to our cottage. The only thing that attracted me to this particular inn was that our daughter was staying there (w/ friends) as well. That upped the place a few notches or a hundred. Their garden was very pretty and well kept though.<br />
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At any rate, I was so mesmerized by Carmel that I was hardly able to do a competent job at driving. Curvy little streets, most with names but some maybe not. Actual numbers of places seemed to have been entirely ignored long ago. Very few traffic lights seen. Most everything seemed disguised in the thick forage and trees.<br />
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Of course I've seen <a href="http://www.carmelcalifornia.com/" target="_blank">Carmel-By-The-Sea</a> and <a href="http://www.pebblebeach.com/" target="_blank">Pebble Beach</a> on TV and in movies. Who hasn't, right? But none of that prepares you for how delightfully beautiful and quaint these places are in person. I really have to give <a href="http://www.biography.com/people/clint-eastwood-9283502" target="_blank">Clint Eastwood</a> major snaps for all that he accomplished in Carmel over the years (20+) he was mayor of Carmel. It is still quaint and unspoiled by fast food restaurants or anything that is part of a "chain". It's almost as if you have stepped back in time, to a less complicated world. Still, whatever you can't find in Carmel can be had in Monterey, a mere 4.5 miles away (or 12 minutes). I couldn't even find a pair of stockings in Carmel. Not joking. Thank Heaven I took along my Garmin GPS. She served me well.<br />
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Clint Eastwood also rescued (saved it from becoming concrete condos) a 22 acre parcel of land called <a href="http://www.missionranchcarmel.com/" target="_blank">Mission Ranch</a>, which has a lovely restaurant/bar and guest rooms, as well as wedding/party venues. Friday night we co-hosted a party there after the Rehearsal Dinner, with a live band and Open Bar that was truly great fun. We didn't have to do a single thing, other than pay for it. My kind of party hosting. <br />
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On Saturday, we wandered around Carmel, exploring, shopping and eating. We walked down to the ocean and beach but found it necessary to call for an Uber to take us back up the 6 vertical blocks to our cottage.<br />
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We ate lunch at a wonderful little bistro called A.W. Shucks, where we dined on delicate little oysters, fresh salad with bread and of course, cocktails. I highly recommend the place if you can get in. It seems to stay busy but the wait staff is as polite and savvy as you can find..<br />
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Since the wedding was being held at the <a href="http://www.pebblebeach.com/5th-tee" target="_blank">"Old Fifth Tee"</a> on the Pebble Beach golf course, it was set to happen at 4:00 PM (before the sun set and it turned cold). Rather than walk straight uphill for two blocks in my brand new expensive satin heels to take the bus they provided for wedding guests, I suggested hubby try that uphill walk in my heels if he thought it was so easy. He declined and gave in to my demand of taking an Uber to Pebble Beach. It only cost us $8.00 + tip. Uh-Huh. No blisters and shoes that still look new... Priceless.<br />
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Upon arrival at Pebble Beach, the scenery literally took my breath away. I've never seen a lovelier wedding venue. A group of musicians played soft, soothing classical music as the guests anticipated the arrival of the wedding party. Staring out at the gorgeous Pacific Ocean, I was in no hurry to be done with such an intensely beautiful sunset.<br />
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The bride was one of the most stunning brides I have ever seen, wearing a full length hand made lace dress that fit her perfect figure like a glove. They had 12 bridesmaids and 12 groomsmen plus a rather large House Party, which our daughter was part of. After the ceremony all the wedding party and guests (150+) walked *en masse* (barefoot, I might add) to the club house, for the reception. However, not before a toast of champagne to the newlyweds as they left for the club house in a golf cart.<br />
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We initiated celebrations on the outdoor deck of the club house with champagne and cocktails and then the hors d'oeuvres started to roll out. The staff had by then turned on all the heaters because it gets cold there at night in November. We had tiny little lamb chops, demitasse size cups of a delicate artichoke soup, smoked salmon canapes, some kind of small fritters, and the list goes on.<br />
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The real surprise happened when we were then herded inside and treated to a brilliant 4 course sit-down dinner that even had dinner napkins monogrammed with the bride & groom's initials. We were served a fabulous dinner of locally grown, raised and prepared salads, beef tenderloin, stuffed flounder, dreamy potato stacks, assorted desserts, wine, champagne, cocktails, and finally, The Cake The picture tells the story better than I. The meal was absolute perfection, as was the service. There was also a fabulous 8 piece band that could play everything from Bach to ZZ Top. We even danced a few times.<br />
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The cake was among the prettiest that I've seen.<br />
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Being the *Old Farts* that we are, I believe we missed the slicing of the cake because were the first to leave, around 10:30 PM Pacific time. I think the bride's parents were thankful to us for starting the trend. I wasn't able to snap a picture of my friend, the Mother of the Bride, but I can tell you I have never seen her look more divine, with the grace of Jackie Kennedy/Onasis.<br />
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I'll tell you more about our day in Monterey, CA another time...<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-734216381949554441.post-22978763708493242672015-11-02T11:36:00.001-06:002015-11-02T23:47:10.783-06:00What A Difference A Little Rain Can Make....<span style="font-size: large;">We've been in a drought for so long I'd forgotten what a difference rain can make with the yard. Having been under watering restrictions for the last three years, in the throes of a horrid drought, we were beginning to think we should switch to Xeriscaping. We lost a total of 7 trees and endless amounts of landscaping plants. I should have taken pictures of the carnage but it was just too depressing. And so the adventure began to find the right plants to work for us. This picture was taken standing on our front porch on August 7th of this year.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3qsdmupzBFz6ur0Owcd2npa4vtM1dup1mD-7sqQatyNJJglPs_8SO6-i5Ghuxxzw2174EjOkrCQt8DFoA92I4liF_ewOBhi59-JlWc28V5-3eHZUF4mjN53-XfC40Z7j8Qx35kGBhQiQO/s1600/P8070001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3qsdmupzBFz6ur0Owcd2npa4vtM1dup1mD-7sqQatyNJJglPs_8SO6-i5Ghuxxzw2174EjOkrCQt8DFoA92I4liF_ewOBhi59-JlWc28V5-3eHZUF4mjN53-XfC40Z7j8Qx35kGBhQiQO/s640/P8070001.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Even though we slowly and methodically planted ornamental grasses and other drought resistant plants, nothing seemed to really take hold and flourish. Still, we planted away hoping something might someday take root enough to last. At least a year. But with water rationing at 2 days per week, triple digit heat, and no rain, severe winter ice and snow storms... it just wasn't happening.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Thankfully, this year, we have received flooding amounts of rain since early spring. It doesn't mean we're off the water rationing. The City says we'll never go off water rationing again. Water is too precious in our part of the world and like ours, many wells have gone dry, at which point you have to wait for the City Works to lay a new line for what was once watered by your water well. For us that meant the entire front and back yards. We had to wait 12 weeks which means we lost a lot of what we'd previously planted. We tried to take it all in stride but we lost trees too. It's been devastating.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Thankfully, Mother Nature occasionally blesses us with massive amounts of rain. In <b>two months</b> (August and September) our front half-circle bed has tripled in size. This year she is my new best friend...</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFCxwo63F_uZx7D_CsTIKw2dUzD-SqAOVy-2ezZO68zqoDNOOsuhGzf6XR0Kk4760l0HRBKDDcF2cszH67gsPjRl_A4mvqBZyp6VmJ9tBFhjP2KxAI3Fxi_767zLfw8kpCpeQaeyTKdYRo/s1600/PA240064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFCxwo63F_uZx7D_CsTIKw2dUzD-SqAOVy-2ezZO68zqoDNOOsuhGzf6XR0Kk4760l0HRBKDDcF2cszH67gsPjRl_A4mvqBZyp6VmJ9tBFhjP2KxAI3Fxi_767zLfw8kpCpeQaeyTKdYRo/s640/PA240064.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Even some of the ornamental grasses we thought were long gone dead, are back. To think I almost had our yard man remove them, but here came a rainy late summer and autumn and I love the results. Perhaps the larger grasses are from 2014 summer planting. I never have a plan in mind because you can never predict which ones will survive the brutal seasons. It also depends on what is available at local nurseries. I tell our yard guy to plant the new ones in the holes of the formerly living ones but he never listens. He just plants a new one beside the one that appears to be dead. Helter Skelter. However, now I'm thinking he might be on to something. Hmm.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-734216381949554441.post-16885883216281345232015-10-23T08:19:00.001-05:002015-10-23T08:19:08.606-05:00Introducing My New Best Friend...CloSysFor approximately 40 years my dentist has been patching me back together because I've never been very good about taking care of my teeth. I forget to floss most of the time. And, over the years I've had countless tooth abscesses, often resulting in loss of that tooth. Sometimes he was able to bond the tooth to its neighboring teeth but that can only work for so long.<br />
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Because I'm a major teeth grinder at night, he made me a mouth guard to wear while I slumber. Unfortunately, I would almost always awaken to find it somewhere in the bed or on the floor.<br />
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Finally he was forced to remove two teeth which ultimately became tooth implants. Twelve months and $10,000.00 later I eventually emerged with <a href="http://snootyprimadona.blogspot.com/2011/11/whew-what-fun-to-be-had-during-oral.html" target="_blank">the two implants</a>. What a nightmare that was! I dread ever having to go through that ordeal again, which has made me slightly more conscientious about caring for my gums and teeth. Slightly.<br />
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Then, about two years ago my dentist attended a conference where he ran into a colleague he had not seen for some time. The other dentist told him about a product he'd had a great deal of success with called CloSys and that the success was astounding. So he began to tell his patients (us included) about this wondrous new product, which we immediately went out and purchased.<br />
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CloSys is an alcohol free mouth rinse unlike any other. We now use it to rinse about 2-3 times per day and neither one of us has had a moment of problems concerning our gums or teeth for the last two years, which is a miracle unto itself. This stuff really works! It does come with a little flavor packet you can add or not. I chose not. I like the clean water taste of it with no flavoring.<br />
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It is available for purchase at grocery stores, Walgreen's, CVS, etc. and I usually find it on the bottom shelf of the mouthwash section. Also, it comes in a box and has an easy-pull safety cover on the opening. I'm sure they sell other products as well, I had just never heard of them.<br />
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I wish I could say this company was paying me for this sterling review (it seems no one ever does) but they are not. When I find something that actually really works, I like to share it with family and friends. It's especially important for people who smoke to use it as it prevents many mouth problems that result from smoking. Anyhoo, give it a try. You are welcome to check out their website <a href="https://closys.com/" target="_blank">HERE</a>.You can thank me later.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-734216381949554441.post-77153234311071635392015-10-16T00:13:00.000-05:002015-10-16T10:16:24.176-05:00How Did I Not Know This About Where's Waldo?After watching an episode of Millionaire w/ Meredith a few years ago, I discovered that there was apparently a tiny hidden woman who was topless among all those crowds of tiny people my kids had to search through to find <a href="http://waldo.wikia.com/wiki/Where%27s_Waldo%3F" target="_blank">Waldo</a>. We had so much fun searching for Waldo *back in the day*. How did I not know about this sinister secret?<br />
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Certainly, other parents across the world must have the same feeling of ineptness at this disclosure. Of course, we didn't discover the internet at home until the mid 90's, so it's entirely possible that we simply weren't privy to such pertinent information. It's not like it was the front page news, okay? It was long before information streamed daily at your fingertips. That was around the time our kids learned to lock us out of our own computers by their computer teacher at their private school. Yes, she was immediately bombarded with calls from irate parents that day. But, it taught us to pay closer attention to what our kids were doing on said computer. That was then.<br />
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Still, what recourse do we have as parents? Tell our kids we're sorry for having missed this strange addition to an otherwise wonderful way of focusing our children's attention to tiny details? Seems a bit late through the gate to me. "Gee honey, you're 30 but I'm sorry for that bit of exposure during your formative years. I should have been more watchful." However, I'm further convinced that our son hid *Find Waldo* under his bed along with my Victoria's Secrets catalogs, for future use.<br />
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That said, we fought constant battles against the porno spam, which was abundant in those days. I mean, they did start the internet, right? Right. Click the wrong link and your child was inundated with multiple windows showing porn. Those were NOT fun times. It was a constant stress. Today, they have controls. Back then, we parents were the controls and we often failed due to sheer ignorance.<br />
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The truth is, we were being exposed to a whole new world of information at that time and were just barely able to process even a portion of it. We didn't even have cell phones then. We had car phones, at best. They were large, cumbersome, and we carried them in enormous bags and had wires that plugged into car lighters. No one worried about their conversations being monitored unless they were drug dealers, for crying out loud. Although not quite in *olden times*, we were living in soon-to-be-antiquated technological times, for sure. Boy, were we ever naive.<br />
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The threats are even greater today. Parents must monitor their children's use of the internet if they want to provide protection for their most precious gems, children. I shudder to think what kind of darkness awaits future kids on the internet. And we also have to navigate through what they read. Is there no end? It's little wonder today's parents are stressed to the max... You have my sympathy.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-734216381949554441.post-27879470094997607262015-10-07T12:42:00.000-05:002015-10-07T12:42:00.160-05:00A New Backporch For The Snooty Household.... After 35 YearsI was the first one to admit that the wrought iron patio furniture we'd inherited was many years past its beauty and functionality. For years I'd watched longingly as friends updated their outdoor furniture, dreaming of the day I'd be able to replace our own. Over the years I had spray painted the old furniture countless times but by the next year it would all look shabby again. Also, the squirrels had completely eaten my outside linens so much that they were in shreds.<br />
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I did everything I could to make it look less shabby, all to no avail. I'd buy new pillows, new tablecloths, more plants, new chair cushions, outdoor candles, you name it. Nothing really helped hide the fact it was all slowly falling apart, wired together in many places. I didn't really want any one to see it. I didn't even want to look at it. The picture right below was taken in 2009 when things still looked pretty good.<br />
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Finally I found a deal that we just couldn't pass up. I was browsing at Sam's Club online and found a deal for a square dining table w/ 4 chairs along with a living area set that included a sofa, 2 matching chairs, 2 side tables, and a cocktail/coffee table. The side tables can be slipped under the coffee table for storage and all sitting pieces had nice, thick pads that tie on. All this for a mere $1099.00 and yes, FREE DELIVERY. It also came with lumbar pillows, which I did not like at all so I gave them to a friend who did. Honestly, I couldn't find a better deal anywhere. Below is the picture I took after all the new goodies arrived and were assembled by Mr. Snooty. I already had the chaise lounge which matches nicely with the entire set of outdoor furniture.<br />
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Next, I went to Overstock.com and searched for the pillows I knew I wanted. Found them. I got 4 square Sunbrella pillows, plus 4 matching seat cushions I wanted to use as backs for the dining chairs. They were a bit uncomfortable without something soft to lean back on, so these were just the ticket. I spent a total of $82.00 (including shipping). They are really well made and just what I had been looking for. This is a picture of everything BEFORE adding the pillows.<br />
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Before it all arrived I also went to Target.com and ordered the outdoor rug I'd had in mind. It's reversible and you clean it by hosing it off with water. Sweet. $129.00 on sale with FREE SHIPPING.<br />
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Don't the pillows add just the right touch? Mr. Snoots had to, of course, put almost all of the pieces together but we are thrilled with how our new patio looks. I can foresee spending many long hours out there with friends and family. The cushions are soooo comfy! As soon as the 90 degree heat goes away it will get us outside more often, which is a good thing, right? And, no sore feet or aching backs from going everywhere to look.<br />
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Next, I'm off to shop online for outdoor furniture covers that will be delivered FREE...We have brutal winters here and this year is predicted to be the worst yet. Really? It can get worse? Heaven help us...Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-734216381949554441.post-90840920214844459152015-09-25T15:02:00.000-05:002015-09-25T15:02:59.668-05:00Meet Our Two New Family Members....Trouble and PepperOur 20 year old black & white tuxedo cat was diagnosed with kidney failure after the first of the year so skiing in New Mexico was the only trip we took until August. After all the good years she gave us we felt it was important to stay close to her until she got close to the end. No, we didn't spend thousands of dollars to put her on cat dialysis. I don't believe in that for an elderly cat. There is no cure for elderly cat kidney failure so we were not going that direction no matter what. The vet did give us some powders to mix in her food which helped for a while. Yet, it was quite painful to watch her go steadily downhill over 3 months time. Eventually, she wouldn't eat or drink and stayed in the same spot 24/7. R.I.P. Miss Trouble. We loved you well and we'll meet up with you someday.<br />
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At first, we weren't going to get another pet. Really. Then I found myself thinking I'd see her in all the old familiar places, heard her meow. You get the picture. I knew then that I needed a new baby to love on. My life just wasn't as good without a furry baby. So the search began.<br />
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After looking at all of the animal rescues and PetSmart (also rescues) I became exasperated that I couldn't find *the one* that I was looking for. There has to be an immediate bond for me and the kitten, which I wasn't finding. A friend told me to check Craig's List but every time I'd call they had already found forever homes.<br />
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Finally, in late June, I found one that needed a new home. A lady had been driving down the street, saw a bag making wild moves, stopped her car and discovered that it was a little kitten. I almost died over the story so I felt that I was lucky to fetch her & bring her home. The lady was afraid to take her to the pound for fear of her getting put to sleep. I immediately bought a cat carrier, some kitty food, and new toys on my way to pick her up. Meet Trouble (#3) when we first brought her home....<br />
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Yes, we ended up calling her the same name as our previous cat because we're getting old & couldn't remember any of the names we came up with. Our daughter thinks we're idiots. <br />
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And this is what Trouble #3 looks like at 4 months old....<br />
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The more comfortable she became with us, the more I became her *toy* and major teething source. My hands, arms, and feet were totally scratched and bitten. I was miserable and she had decided Mr. Snoots was her favorite. Tired of the condition of my hands, I went on a new quest to find her a little friend. She just looks like <strike>a little stinker</strike> trouble, doesn't she?<br />
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Oddly enough, it was Craig's List once again. I found the most adorable <a href="http://www.fanciers.com/breed-faqs/manx-faq.html" target="_blank">Manx *Rumpy*</a>, which is a Manx with absolutely no tail. A total opposite of the Black Beast - Trouble, little Pepper was sweet and at first so very shy. She spent the first 5 days under my bed so I put out food , water and a litter box for her, and she was obviously eating, drinking, and using the box. So, I gave her time to adjust at her own level of comfort. Less than a week later I had to ban the two new best friends from my bedroom just so we could get some sleep. Their romping up & down the halls was keeping us awake. This was Pepper when she first came to us....<br />
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This is my little cupcake Pepper now. She's quite the social butterfly and the perfect addition to our family. She is a total angel and Trouble finally quit biting and scratching me....<br />
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I guess she really just needed a little buddy. They romp and play together constantly and you don't ever really see them apart. At first I felt sorry for Pepper but quickly noticed she could hold her own with The Black Beast. They have so much fun together as well as provide us with countless hours of sheer entertainment. It's actually been difficult to get decent pictures of them because they are always tearing through the house at warp speed.<br />
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I think we'll keep these two characters. Only love can break a heart and only love can mend it again....<br />
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-734216381949554441.post-15185466571090226252015-09-15T12:34:00.003-05:002015-09-15T12:34:19.421-05:00Ruidoso, New Mexico In the Summer... Absolutely DivineWe've always gone to Ruidoso, New Mexico in the winter to ski, so it was a truly wonderful experience staying at the <a href="http://innofthemountaingods.com/" target="_blank">Inn of the Mountain Gods Resort & Casino</a> during August. We've been having triple digit heat here in Texas, so 80 degree weather was like Heaven. <br />
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Ruidoso has had a blessed summer of much needed rain which has made everything look like something out of a brochure. The above picture was taken from our balcony, of the tenth hole. The rest of the 18 hole championship golf course is even more beautiful than this picture. Every single day you could see the course crew out grooming from sun-up to sundown. It was breathtaking. It was quite challenging playing with at least half the holes being uphill and we were told no carts on the course until 10:00AM... We teed off at 9:00 AM. So, for an hour we played aerobic golf since it was mostly uphill. Needless to say, we were thankful when 10:00 rolled around. Luckily, we had a fast five-some playing ahead of us and a slow five-some playing behind us. It was like we had the course to ourselves.<br />
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This was taken at twilight.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWkqDyr0aobwycAaCflaVigmvAC5Ecsh9dlfdGsKXvC680U2BzLEEgGPQSrNvCK43MQh0u6Lt6BhuoWwyBuoQK-THqivwD5Pm1US_-ZjalbESIiTQnnDmMvTmtDupzc97Rt199t54uqY-D/s1600/P8170018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWkqDyr0aobwycAaCflaVigmvAC5Ecsh9dlfdGsKXvC680U2BzLEEgGPQSrNvCK43MQh0u6Lt6BhuoWwyBuoQK-THqivwD5Pm1US_-ZjalbESIiTQnnDmMvTmtDupzc97Rt199t54uqY-D/s640/P8170018.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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This was the 9th hole looking down at the Inn of the Mountain Gods. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSTSzv_wa57YF8o97srHiD1nT60XD0f1d8bCWsNeASx45XnFY2IhFtNTIw2zFjwGXqxNkApxKh22t62MgSAjFFdqTThSasDTFqqv97cq56fIJq95EoLDGAaej2aRBSoG7nGZ8jfKAxOmfY/s1600/P8160014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSTSzv_wa57YF8o97srHiD1nT60XD0f1d8bCWsNeASx45XnFY2IhFtNTIw2zFjwGXqxNkApxKh22t62MgSAjFFdqTThSasDTFqqv97cq56fIJq95EoLDGAaej2aRBSoG7nGZ8jfKAxOmfY/s640/P8160014.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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One day we had lunch at the golf course grill which was nothing special, but it was good and the drinks had ice so we were happy. We also had drinks at the Buffalo Bill Bar and enjoyed the lovely views from the patio as we enjoyed them. </div>
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We were also able to do the <a href="http://innofthemountaingods.com/activities/img-ziprider/" target="_blank">Apache Eagle Zip Rider</a> which was a blast! The zip line is accessed by ATV and you can go two at a time. Thankfully, hubby stayed at the bottom to record my ride. The man going at the same time as me was heavier so he went across much faster than I. Still, it was a total rush of adrenaline and such a frightening joy, if that makes any sense. You go all the way across the lake in less than 3 minutes. Video will not show here because it's too big by 34 MB. Sigh. So, here's a picture of where you launch from. I never have received my one and only picture I paid for. </div>
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The ATV ride up to the launch was another adventure unto itself, I kid you not. There is another Zip up at the Ski Apache Ski Area called the <a href="http://innofthemountaingods.com/activities/ski-apache-ziptour/" target="_blank">Apache Zip Tour</a> that is one of the 10 longest in the U.S.A. Unfortunately, it rained the day we were scheduled to go, so we cancelled. Might be more fun in the winter anyway.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHdTkPTsXhm8shJjTGbGgDNhR3Grn_6OocpvoFGIRiF01f6M3vSxhddarNm88EEJ4NAC9bErYx9bB7lWaZeBkmuwf_vzBuJYGe7FYu_6aMmnBhGyLw5sDhma9T0B4Y7EQoigVEx8wEUxSn/s1600/P8160003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHdTkPTsXhm8shJjTGbGgDNhR3Grn_6OocpvoFGIRiF01f6M3vSxhddarNm88EEJ4NAC9bErYx9bB7lWaZeBkmuwf_vzBuJYGe7FYu_6aMmnBhGyLw5sDhma9T0B4Y7EQoigVEx8wEUxSn/s640/P8160003.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Apache Indian Teepee across the lake.</div>
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All of their rooms have been updated this year and the room was lovely, the restaurants were better than ever and the room service is still outstanding. We never even saw the need to leave the hotel. We didn't gamble but we did walk through the casino to have lunch at the casino restaurant one day and it seemed pretty dead.</div>
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I think I'm back to blogging since it is the best way to recall what I've been up to and when I did it. Yes, I'm old and it's a huge help....</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-734216381949554441.post-30938075217171409292015-03-10T15:00:00.001-05:002015-03-10T15:00:09.938-05:00Ruidoso, New Mexico... A Deceptive Mystery of SortsWe just returned from several days of skiing at our closest ski area, Ski Apache, owned and operated<br />
by the oh-so-often deceptive Apache Indian Tribe. Let me explain by number.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Mh88T4DGO1NZfzQot9QUAT1C8qzQxitn3_pHZdevqby_aJvgyJa3bjO7vDwlpZ5TOHrR3FwNaAs7PIImK7S3pYpdro2b7YfpoQXPuC64wzp4pnP9ZuLBf-tvDq_0vw54scEkoKAAMQSr/s1600/P2180006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Mh88T4DGO1NZfzQot9QUAT1C8qzQxitn3_pHZdevqby_aJvgyJa3bjO7vDwlpZ5TOHrR3FwNaAs7PIImK7S3pYpdro2b7YfpoQXPuC64wzp4pnP9ZuLBf-tvDq_0vw54scEkoKAAMQSr/s1600/P2180006.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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1. After 25 years the website for Inn of the Mountain Gods STILL DOESN'T WORK properly. After making online reservations, one must still contact reservations at the hotel to secure a room. They add new pictures, new menu items, remodel the entire hotel, adding more rooms, and still the website can't seem to deliver even the smallest improvement, or just retain the info for that matter.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmTy822lTlxxJourKllwWZkOp77xHFGy4Zqm6kilnFth3BaYk0hbjNoRmzUnfvro-YPOWzm803H7XKMFpu_bGVmW79xrULHuuvD0PnnsESG6fNbfoPNbWh8FThFVySwwmwWgxbphDbRf4N/s1600/P2170002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmTy822lTlxxJourKllwWZkOp77xHFGy4Zqm6kilnFth3BaYk0hbjNoRmzUnfvro-YPOWzm803H7XKMFpu_bGVmW79xrULHuuvD0PnnsESG6fNbfoPNbWh8FThFVySwwmwWgxbphDbRf4N/s1600/P2170002.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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2. The hotel still boasts fine dining at their upper end restaurant "Wendell's". Although we had an amazing Caesar Salad made by our waiter at the table, dinner still took more than two hours to deliver. There were only 9 tables of people (2 tables of which were 4) and 3 waiters. Unacceptable. I could have handled at least half the tables even though I haven't done so in more than 40 years. (Shut. Up.)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_POvdlhV0I2l_skZV5hsWB1Y7zsrElcsmPZtRhBwXr_ftFZhCT9xAZ7g6KtKWeEI6fWI5RVA-31JsMShNqi2SzJNXe1XR1LXXXrJzv1Fq6I0xupkpH9oIMnbmSsXwfbpJLuDTqg4EXh5f/s1600/P2180003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_POvdlhV0I2l_skZV5hsWB1Y7zsrElcsmPZtRhBwXr_ftFZhCT9xAZ7g6KtKWeEI6fWI5RVA-31JsMShNqi2SzJNXe1XR1LXXXrJzv1Fq6I0xupkpH9oIMnbmSsXwfbpJLuDTqg4EXh5f/s1600/P2180003.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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3. The web cam at the ski area website boasted great and plentiful snow. The reality was that there wasn't much snow and what there was, was *made* snow. It was slush in the sun and like black ice in the shade. I have certainly skied better snow, even in Ruidoso. It's not a new concept. Had I known how truly dangerous the skiing was, I'd have gone shopping in town instead of wasting a whopping $115.00 for less than 30 minutes of skiing. Enough said there.<br />
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4. When I first checked the <a href="http://www.skiapache.com/the-mountain/the-mountain-cam/" target="_blank">Ski Apache web cam</a> (on the <a href="http://www.skiapache.com/" target="_blank">Ski Apache website</a>), the gondola was running. When I arrived at the ski area 45 minutes later, no gondolas were running and there was no wind nor extreme conditions preventing it from operating it during normal hours. Hmm. Color me confused. So, if I wanted to get to the top of the mountain I had to ride 3 exposed (to the elements) lifts. Did. Not. Happen. The huge parking lot was nearly empty upon my arrival, which shocked me, although I'm not sure why. I've been there many times before when the ski area was void of skiers.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1jcuB3-7HtTSd7fqNFSxGhjk_CaYlW3nnLIqUXY06puolYTdRm9mcRfzgtmu0q6cNiP8D8AAN5taspK9KRPz5tZJxi0OmaZ6T12zY_mjn9-WcBQ7ZWhyTvJy8h_hBTR8AF-0YnMBfNk8q/s1600/P2180007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1jcuB3-7HtTSd7fqNFSxGhjk_CaYlW3nnLIqUXY06puolYTdRm9mcRfzgtmu0q6cNiP8D8AAN5taspK9KRPz5tZJxi0OmaZ6T12zY_mjn9-WcBQ7ZWhyTvJy8h_hBTR8AF-0YnMBfNk8q/s1600/P2180007.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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5. Following our <a href="http://snootyprimadona.blogspot.com/2010/02/snooty-primadona-banned-from-hotel.html" target="_blank">last excursion to stay at the IOMG</a>, I refused to even enter the casino during this trip. The Apache Indians may shun us if we wear anything made of snake (or reptile), but I in turn, refuse to lose my money to their obviously shoddy gaming establishment. They do not deserve any of my money, thank you very much. <b>If I'm going to gamble away my money it will be to people (like the best hotels in Las Vegas) who treat me well and kiss my fine derriere while I'm losing my hard earned money. IOMG is not that place.</b> Furthermore, they allow smoking at the tables but do not allow drinking at the tables. What kind of crazy ridiculousness is that? Get me drunk for free and I'm all about losing money. What part of this seems confusing? Oh. Dear. It must be that devil firewater they all seem to find so addicting. Since I'm 1/16th Cherokee I do not understand this craziness. I can handle it. Why can't they? C'mon. Really?<br />
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6. Inn of the Mountain Gods also offers NO PAY PER VIEW movies in the rooms nor spa services. In my opinion this is sheer idiocy. We would have watched multiple movies (at whatever price), and I would have totally accessed the spa and all its services, and they would have made money. (Can we spell revenue lost through laziness?) I simply do not understand this absurd oversight. Stupid non-marketing, really. Even in Las Vegas I can get BOTH AMENITIES. Uh-Huh.<br />
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7. Our last night there we ordered room service filet mignons and all the sides for dinner (only one side was offered for your effort of showing up in the dining room) and it was more prompt and much more delicious than our first night in the restaurant. Seriously? What's that all about?<br />
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8. I did ski one day but the conditions were horrendous and I didn't ski very well. Being a fair weather skier I'm convinced that had the conditions been better I'd have been Hell On <strike>Wheels</strike> Skis. The sun was out and it was seasonably warm, but the snow itself sucked. It was scary and it was dangerous and I didn't like it.<br />
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9. I so wanted to do the <a href="http://www.skiapache.com/the-mountain/ski-apache-ziptour/" target="_blank"><b>Apache Zip Tour</b></a> until I discovered that it can reach speeds up to 70 MPH. during your *tour*. <b>WHAT? Umm... No. Not I.</b> I'm brave if I reach that speed with my car. I'm no longer a speed freak in any way, shape, or form. Besides, the <b>PRACTICE ZIP LINE</b> is located at the bottom of the mountain, something like 30 to 45 minutes away. Honestly, I just feel that they don't have all the kinks worked out yet (yes - excuses, excuses), so I'll wait until I'm sure they are good to go.<br />
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10. Yes, I've become a wimp. I can live with that. Also, I can't stand the Apache Indians and their mistreatment of their <strike>clients</strike> bread and butter, the tourists. I'm now looking for whiter slopes with friendlier folks, still within reasonable driving time... I'm a tree. I can bend. I can also pray.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkUexffWI9-09AbFlCyjuVWG4IiGY9vtOtxUnAtGTH_Wf1-vO9kxVAmykQhEQdaCijTQVndhL38hjCA1uJzERhP5hfpb3lIjDoHcv6NW2y0A2TQTA-KSchwGbCR-zuXU243Hie38w0oH4I/s1600/P2180009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkUexffWI9-09AbFlCyjuVWG4IiGY9vtOtxUnAtGTH_Wf1-vO9kxVAmykQhEQdaCijTQVndhL38hjCA1uJzERhP5hfpb3lIjDoHcv6NW2y0A2TQTA-KSchwGbCR-zuXU243Hie38w0oH4I/s1600/P2180009.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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In addition to all I've stated above, Ruidoso and the surrounding area have been devastated every year for the past five years (maybe it's been 10 years). Fire. Flooding. Drought. Fire. Drought. Very, very sad indeed. Lost businesses, lost homes, lost valuable employees, lost friends, lost forest, lost wildlife, lost ski area terrain. The list goes on, as must I. Ski Apache will, I'm sure, continue to to let what they've built deteriorate as well as discourage future tourists by continuing their deceptive ways. Not much has changed in the last five years, nor the last 30 years. The Apaches still run the only game in town and I'm Cherokee. Perhaps that is my problem and I am at the end game with Ski Apache, as well as being done with the entire tribe....<br />
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Now, it's time to get back to golfing... Just as soon as the weather warms up.<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-734216381949554441.post-2056203101530285432015-01-25T17:32:00.000-06:002015-01-31T14:28:45.579-06:00Must Be Time For Another Road Trip... 2015 Edition<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrCOMZncYoeJdDCN0W8kWE6-02ADH9m4iCp_FaabUAwsItG2Vzt_7e68c_b-8BZBVKaqSJzrTT9WJ22rzdqf-RR3nDUKegkHL_WWS2JtWt6bnlj5qk1vXr6wjhTT2ul1eIYKABg18kejvM/s1600/P1270020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrCOMZncYoeJdDCN0W8kWE6-02ADH9m4iCp_FaabUAwsItG2Vzt_7e68c_b-8BZBVKaqSJzrTT9WJ22rzdqf-RR3nDUKegkHL_WWS2JtWt6bnlj5qk1vXr6wjhTT2ul1eIYKABg18kejvM/s1600/P1270020.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a>Lately I find that I just don't have the patience for much of anything
aside from keeping my nose to the grind, as it were. I don't know if
anyone else goes through phases like this, but I certainly do. I feel
restless and the things I normally derive joy from doing on a day to day
basis, are either boring me to the verge of tears or causing me a great
deal of frustration. It's the same feeling that you would educe from
taking one step forward and three steps back in a walking race. Uh-Huh.<br />
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I have no patience with long stoplights or people who seem to be asleep
for the first few seconds after the light changes to green, because they
are talking on their freaking cell phones. I have no patience with
people who ring my doorbell unannounced. I have no patience for
neighbor's dogs who bark for hours on end, nor do I have the patience to
suffer through visits from Jehovah's Witnesses or anyone selling
anything. The people who block grocery store aisles are now on my hit
list. I'm beginning to scare even myself. And today, a neighbor child is
blowing an industrial size whistle, seemingly non-stop and I'm
envisioning ripping it from her mouth and tossing it to Kingdom Come. You know. Right after I ask the parents if they are deaf or something (like stupid). <br />
<br />
I used to refer to this strange emotional phenomenon as PMS and later, I thus blamed
menopause. I no longer have either *condition* among my repertoire of
excuses for foul moods, so I'm fairly perplexed as to what I can blame
this on. Am I really just a total bitch after all is said and done?
Possibly, but hopefully not that uncomplicated. Perhaps it's just
*crotchety old age syndrome*. Whatever.
I think I'll go with <b>Early Spring Fever</b>.<br />
<br />
Mr. Snoots, the poor dear, doesn't really understand but in an effort to
prove his allegiance he feigns sympathy and understanding. I cannot say
that I blame him for that ploy. Were I in his predicament I'd probably
resort to the use of a <i><b>sledge hammer</b></i>, so I must praise him for his acumen.<br />
<br />
<b>Oh patience, where art thou?
</b><br />
<br />
Sensing this, Mr. Snoots, in his infinite wisdom, has suggested a road
trip. I'm always game for a road trip! So, we're headed to our favorite little ski town. <a href="http://www.discoverruidoso.com/" target="_blank">Ruidoso, New Mexico</a>. We'll only
be gone for 4 days but usually that's all I need to set me right with
the world again. As I've said before, all work and no play makes Snooty a
very cranky entity indeed. Very. Cranky.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
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Mr. Snooty plans to stay at the hotel and take care of business on the
computer, which will keep him busy. Then, we can go to dinner in the
evenings. Normally, when I go skiing alone, I have room service, watch a
movie
and go to sleep. So, this should be tons more fun! However, when the
hotel removed my person from the casino for taking pictures, they
completely squashed my pension for gambling. I wouldn't give them my
money even if they begged me and rolled out the red carpet.<br />
<br />
Of course, Mr. Snoots doesn't ski anymore but I don't care. I'm just
thrilled to not be going alone. I went alone for so many years once the kids were gone and after
a while, it just wasn't fun anymore. We humans need contact with other
humans and he's my #1 choice, so it will be nice to have him along.<br />
<br />
Did I mention that I'm now considered a senior and can ski for a <a href="http://www.skiapache.com/passes-tickets/" target="_blank">discount price</a>? When I turn 70, I can ski for free! That's my goal. So, I'll finally be getting a *deal* after skiing <a href="http://www.skiapache.com/" target="_blank">HERE</a> all these years. <br />
<br />
Anyway, I'm out of here as soon as I can gather all my ski things but that might take a while. I promise to try take lots of pictures but I'm more forgetful these days. Two <strike>full</strike> half days of skiing is probably more than I can
handle in my out-of-shape condition. It might well kill me, but I doubt
it. Only the good die young.... Most likely I'll be as sore as a two
bit floosie on payday. Besides, I ski like an old lady now. You know. <i><b>Because I'm an old lady now.</b></i>
I can only dream about how I used to ski but, I'm perfectly good with
that. As always, I'll take my bottle of champagne, a jar of Icelandic
caviar, cream cheese, chopped red onion and toast points to have for my
afternoon snack. It became a ritual for me about 20 years ago and I'm not one to break tradition. Well, not this one anyway.<br />
<br />
<b>See you soon!</b><br />
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-734216381949554441.post-39745439682906423362014-12-15T02:09:00.000-06:002014-12-15T02:09:00.238-06:00Christmas Is Almost Here... Are You Ready?For me, the holiday season has already been full of parties and good cheer, decorating, and making Christmas gifts for friends and family. We threw away our old fake tree at the end of the last Christmas season because I was tired of trying to make all the lights work at once. Not that much to ask for, is it? Silly me. So, we ordered a new tree from an online outfit that is well known. Ten days later the tree arrived with the box seemingly intact and <strike>we</strike> I trusted that the tree was fine as well. I will admit that Mr. Snooty asked me if I'd checked the lights and I simply pooh-poohed him. The tree was brand new and retail price.<br />
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<br />
Fast forward a few weeks and I finally had Mr. Snooty bring in the tree for assembly time. Once the three pieces were out of the box and on the floor I realized that the last time we'd bought a tree was the DISPLAY tree at Lowe's, which was already assembled AND fluffed. Uh-Oh. Okay, so fine, it will be some work but it'll be fine.<br />
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<br />
Many hours and scratches to my arms & hands later, it seemed I'd barely made a dent. Only then did I deem it necessary to watch the instructional video. Yup. That's right. Another *faux pas* by Moi. So, I plodded on along and did the best I could, promising myself to do it right next year. (Uh-Huh. Like next year I'll be younger.) But, I'm actually pleased with the outcome.<br />
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<br />
<br />
Then came time to turn on the lights. All lights were working <b>except one small section of the middle part. </b>Swell.<br />
<br />
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I ended up taking it apart and fluffing from the bottom section up. It really does make sense to watch the tree tutorial. Who knew? After that process, this was my final product. Not bad, really. <br />
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<br />
I had to make a decision to either get the tree decorated or send it back while waiting another 10 days to receive a new tree. I opted to keep and decorate the tree so we could enjoy it for the holidays, and I added an additional strand of 100 lights to that section. The cycle of adding lights begins again. I must be crazy or old. Oh wait. I'm old.<br />
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<br />
<br />
<br />
Anyway, I've been trying to gather the energy to put up the outside garland/lights. So far, I have the front porch done, so enjoy. This might be all you get.<br />
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Last picture is of what little I've done on the outside. Maybe I'll put up the dining room and living room lighted garlands outside and maybe I won't, but it will still be festive. And at least I finished the front porch and the tree, if not much else.<br />
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<br />
Merry Christmas and Cheers to All! Here's our Christmas picture from 2013. Might as well add it, right?<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-734216381949554441.post-29960323437759247562014-07-11T16:08:00.001-05:002014-07-30T11:27:37.842-05:00So, I Guess I'm Not Done With Golf Just Yet...<br />
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Well, color me happy! I survived 36 holes of golf within two days and didn't do too badly for barely having even played last year at all. Predictably, I won the most dubious award called Ladies Shortest Tee Shot. Yup. I saved my big shot partner from receiving the male version of the same award, with my less than perfect tee shot.<br />
<br />
Always a fun tournament, they seem to have weeded out all of the drama couples, making for a really enjoyable weekend. Everyone involved actually cares more about having fun than winning, which makes for very little drama, if any. We play a *SHAMBLE* format meaning each pair takes the best drive and you play your own ball to the hole. We also don't do sandtraps.<br />
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I also made <b>my first eagle</b>, with the expertise of my fine Scottish partner (actually he's a golf pro in Hawaii who was visiting) on the second day. On a 4 par he hit his tee shot 4 inches from the hole. I sank that sucker with fervor! I'm thinking I still love golf... for the moment. Best of all, I think that perhaps I'm not done yet.<br />
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<br />
There is a point at which you finally *get it* with golf... at least for some people. I do believe I think I'm there. Or not. It might be a sucker punch waiting in disguise, to knock me off of my high horse again. However, for now, I'm feeling quite full of myself and my golf game.<br />
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Since we returned home we've played once at the club and I shot a miraculous 100, which leaves me wondering... Who am I? I can hardly wait for Sunday, when we play again.<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-734216381949554441.post-80675574779176677042014-06-24T12:54:00.003-05:002014-06-24T13:17:51.900-05:00Perhaps My Last Golf Tournament... So I'm Going To Have Fun!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This coming weekend we're participating in the same golf tournament we've played in for the last five years (except last year when I was just out of the hospital from having bacterial meningitis). It's always held at a golf course close to Abilene, so it's only a 2 hour drive.<br />
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I'm still trying to get myself back to normal physically, so this tournament is going to be a major challenge for me. I've only played a handful of times in the last year but that was due more to bad weather than my physical condition, although I'm still incredibly weak. We went out to the club to hit balls last week and I was sore for the following 4 days. Gah.<br />
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I'm tired of being weak and exhausted all the time but because of my blasted inflamed ankle, I am extremely limited as to what and how much I can do physically. So, I've been doing what exercises I can from the comfort of my desk chair. Mostly upper body exercises and leg lifts, which will never get me back to where I was once upon a time, but will hopefully get me to where I can eventually up my routine.<br />
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At first, we weren't even going to play in the tournament this year because we felt that it wouldn't be fair to whoever my partner might be. However, after speaking with the organizers of the tourney, we were encouraged to still come play. My high handicap appears quite enticing to the guys who are big hitters and my putting continues to be something short of miraculous. Since the tournament is a *shamble* this works quite well for me since I just don't have the strength to hit amazing tee shots. Well, I've never hit amazing tee shots, to tell the truth, but because of my handicap no one seems to hold it against me. That handicap actually makes me the popular girl for tournaments.<br />
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So, I am going into this tourney with the belief that I can still play golf because I'm pretty good at believing my own lies at times. Who knows? Perhaps I'll pull off another golf miracle and win something. It has happened before. Still, I'd appreciate as many good thoughts as people are willing to send my way. I think I'm gonna need it....<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-734216381949554441.post-8848260008999263582014-06-08T11:30:00.000-05:002014-06-10T11:08:42.237-05:00Happy Father's Day?My husband never really wants anything for birthdays or Father's Day. When he does want something he just goes out and buys it, which makes it difficult to buy him anything. Ever.<br />
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So, last year I decided I would wash the exterior and detail the inside of his car. You know, because he washes his car maybe five times per year... and never gets it detailed. Great idea, right? Obviously, it's something very important to him (or not).<br />
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The day before Father's Day I told him I needed his Lexus to go to a luncheon and that he needed to drive our old Suburban for the day. He couldn't take my Sequoia because (I told him) it was almost out of gas. Okay, white lies in place, he left for the office and I got started on my project.<br />
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I spent the entire day sweating like Miss Piggy as I vacuumed, scrubbed, polished and shined his lovely little Lexus. He has been known to call it his little *cream puff*. Once my job was done, I inspected my fine work and was satisfied that I had done as good a job as any professional could have. I was happily exhausted.<br />
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Then I remembered that I had a 3:00 PM appointment with the doctor and if I didn't hurry, I was going to miss that appointment. I quickly ran inside, changed clothes, grabbed my purse and raced back outside to my car (the Sequoia). I started my engine and backed out of the carport with time clearly the only thing on my mind as I swiftly backed into the driver's side of his Lexus. Oops!<br />
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After my doctor's appointment, I had the dubious honor of spending a great deal of time on the phone with the insurance company. As polite as they were, it wasn't in the least bit fun.<br />
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Needless to say, he wasn't thrilled with the final outcome. Gee honey, look what I did to your car! Oh. Well. Happy Father's Day anyway! I guess it will be the year he remembers most vividly... Argh.<br />
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I think that this year I shall give him the gift that keeps on giving (no, not another dent in his car)... A subscription to the <a href="https://www.dollarshaveclub.com/our-blades" target="_blank">Dollar Shave Club</a>. He's going to love it! It's a new web site that offers men a monthly new razor at rock bottom prices, often saving the consumer up to $100.00 a year. What man doesn't love to save money? I just loved their promotional video. Funny, funny.<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-734216381949554441.post-45061908446575998762014-05-29T08:18:00.000-05:002014-06-08T11:29:11.551-05:00Cabo San Lucas... The Dolphin EncounterOn the third day of our trip we were scheduled to go into town and have our *Dolphin Encounter* at Cabo Dolphins. Let me just say that I could be happy simply living with the dolphins, but since that's not possible, <a href="http://swimwithdolphinscabo.com/" target="_blank">Cabo Dolphins</a> is my closest chance. Such gentle, amazing creatures.<br />
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Transportation to and from the dolphin facility (in Mercedes vans no less) is included in the price and they were punctual both ways, proving to be an efficiently run attraction. After a 7 minute talk (from Mariu, our adorable Mexican trainer who spoke excellent English) on how to behave with the dolphins, we were in the pool and soon swimming with our 9 year old female dolphin named Tamarina. <b>The dolphin was adorable even though she tried to French Kiss Mr. Snooty when it came time for his big photo op with her.</b> What a hoot! I've never seen him laugh so hard, seriously. Anyway, we all got to take an individual ride with a choice of the dorsal fin on top or the pair of anterior pectoral fins (you hold on to two fins while the dolphin swims on its back). Mr. Snoots chose the dorsal ride so I opted for the pectoral ride. We also each got to dance with her, pose for pictures and kiss, of course. Tamarina was quite the ham and truly knew how to work the crowd. Before parting, we all had the opportunity to feed her some salted fish and the tour was finalized with a wonderful show from all the performing dolphins.<br />
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I'd give you more pictures but we haven't figured out how to get them off the CD yet. Same goes for the DVD video. We're ignorant about such things but I'm determined.<br />
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I don't know how other places with a Dolphin Encounter are rated, but <a href="http://swimwithdolphinscabo.com/" target="_blank">Cabo Dolphins</a> is a well run attraction and we enjoyed it more than anything else we've ever done. We were part of a small group of 7 people, which seemed perfect to me. There were also 2 other groups (in opposite corners of the large dolphin pool), one of which was all children, and we couldn't help but giggle when we heard them squeal in unison at the antics of the amicable dolphins. The adult trainers who work there take their care of the dolphins very seriously and you can tell how much they love their charges.<br />
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Our best friends flew into San Jose to join us in Cabo on day 4, which really made the trip fun. Since I had made all the reservations, I was totally relieved when they loved the resort. They, too, fell in love with the magic of Cabo San Lucas.<br />
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We dined at <a href="http://www.loscabosguide.com/alexander/" target="_blank">Alexander's</a> one night (which was great), one night at the hotel's Steakhouse (which was horrible), and one night at <a href="http://www.pandibacco.com/" target="_blank">Pan di Bacco</a> (which was great), laid around the pool playing an occasional poolside game via the pool entertainment staff, with the masses, and had a total blast people watching. The marina in Cabo is also great for watching the masses.<br />
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Our friends left the day before us so we dined alone together at a lovely restaurant called <a href="http://restaurantromeoyjulieta.com/" target="_blank">Romeo y Julieta</a>, located just off the Cabo Marina. It was totally wonderful and we'll definitely return on our next trip to Cabo. We were exhausted by this point so dinner was quick for us. The Caesar might have made me a bit queasy, made with too much mustard, but I still ate it. The next morning we left at the freaking crack of dawn, thanks to American Airlines and my inability to understand online reservations. Still, it was a wonderful vacation that I hope to someday repeat, although at a different resort. We always need new experiences, right?<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-734216381949554441.post-16780009684254198502014-05-22T09:37:00.000-05:002014-05-22T09:37:04.972-05:00Cabo San Lucas.... A Hidden Mexican Gem!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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After a ten year hiatus from going to Mexico (because of the raging drug wars), we just returned from Cabo San Lucas, Bahia, Mexico, vacationing there for 8 days. Having never ventured to the Baja, I wasn't sure what to expect. What I found was something very close to what I consider my own personal paradise. It was sheer Heaven On Earth. We felt incredibly safe the entire time... at the hotel and in town. Apparently, there isn't much cartel presence on the Baja. Other Mexican beach destinations are still considered to be unsafe, so we decided it was time to experience Cabo.<br />
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I researched the popular Baja, Mexico vacation destination for almost a month before we left because there is a lot to know before you go. I wondered if Cabo was better than San Jose' (where the airport is) and what exactly the differences might be. As it turns out, both places are fantastic but do offer different Baja experiences. Cabo is a party town, with their hotels offering mostly All-Inclusive options that often turn into parties. There are endless bachelor & bachelorette parties to set the mood and are often quite entertaining.<br />
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On the other hand, San Jose' offers nicer restaurants, culture galore, museums, art galleries, and higher end souvenirs. San Jose del Cabo tends to attract the older crowd, while Cabo San Lucas mostly caters to the younger generation. Who wants to sit around watching other old people? Certainly not us. There are fewer All-Inclusive hotels to choose from as well. Needless to say, we chose Cabo. We like to watch people and Cabo was the place for that. This was the morning view from our room.<br />
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The first day we arrived we merely settled in. We walked around the massive Riu Santa Fe property and marveled at how so many people could be attended to and fed, all at once? Later I made an appointment to get my hair trimmed and reserved time for a couple's massage on the beach the next day. We weren't disappointed in any way. Listening to the crashing waves while getting a massage was quite a treat. And, my haircut is so cute I might have to go back, just for that.<br />
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One of the first things we learned is that you can't really swim in the ocean, at any of the Cabo hotels that are on the beach. First of all, there is a deadly strong undercurrent that has taken many lives of those who didn't believe. It was fine with me. <b>These toes don't go into the ocean under any circumstances anyway.</b> Second, the waves break right up against the beach and their force is powerful and scary. They could pull you out and under in the blink of an eye. Especially an old fart.<br />
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At our hotel, the <a href="http://www.riu.com/en/Paises/mexico/los-cabos/hotel-riu-santa-fe/index.jsp?utm_source=Google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_content=CaboSanLucas&utm_campaign=Properties&src=tig_us_ppc_cabosanlucas_google_brand_properties_santafe_exact&mkwid=s1cQeuAvU_dc&pcrid=24028832655&pmt=e&pkw=riu%20santa%20fe&gclid=CM6D38r9ur4CFQIT7AodnDsAcg" target="_blank">Riu Santa Fe</a>, it was rather a drop off from the hotel beach to the water which meant there were only lounges on the upper hotel part of the beach. There was also a lifeguard to keep people out of the water. It looked like a full time job to me. Interestingly, I discovered that the beaches are made of ground up granite, which is plentiful all around Cabo. The famous Land's End mountains and The Arch are also made of granite. In the following picture you can just barely see the yellow flag out, which means you can swim that day in the ocean as well as take water taxis to town. After the first day, we only saw red flags, meaning no one was allowed into the ocean.<br />
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Did you know they legalized pot in Mexico? I had no idea. It is now legal to possess no more than 25 grams, which I assume is around two cigarettes worth. We saw them selling it down on the beach in front of the hotel, even though they appeared to be discreet about their business. Our friends had to point it out to us since we just thought they were with the other vendors selling Cuban cigars and silver jewelry. Ha. What a couple of old farts we are. From what I understand, this *decriminalization* of marijuana is Mexico's attempt to curb the cartel activity. Good luck with that.<br />
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As far as the All-Inclusive goes, we like it for the free liquor 24 hours per day (you never know when the urge to have a shot of tequila will strike, right? HA!), the breakfast and the lunch. We always find the a la carte restaurants (only open for dinner) to be below our culinary standards (yes, we're food snobs), so we opted to take a taxi into town for some really delicious meals. We liked <a href="http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g152515-d1031953-Reviews-Alexander_Restaurant_Los_Cabos-Cabo_San_Lucas_Los_Cabos_Baja_California.html" target="_blank">Alexander's </a>so much that we returned three nights in a row. Personally, I think all of the food in Mexico has a *funny* taste so a trip to the beach in Mexico is always akin to staying at a spa for me. I always lose a few pounds. Bonus. I'd probably lose more if they didn't have bottles of liquor in every room and a fridge full of cervesa to boot.<br />
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At the hotel I had lovely spinach/mushroom omelets, bacon, fresh fruit and homemade bread every day for breakfast, with guacamole, pico de gayo and chips for lunch. What else could anyone possibly want? Believe me, our hotel had it all. The buffets were stunning with their array of offerings. Like any buffet, it was wisest to arrive early for the freshest goodies. Breakfast was my favorite but not if it had been sitting under the heat lamps for any period of time. Oddly, Mexicans don't like spicy hot food so when I asked for jalapenos, I was given sliced, canned ones. Made me kind of laugh. No fresh peppers to be had anywhere! In Mexico. Go figure. I think it's a regional thing because my roommate at boarding school was from Celaya, Guanajuato, Mexico and her parents used to send her cases of spicy hot goodies in different forms. That was where my pallet discovered an attraction to the provocative hot pepper (the hotter the better). <br />
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Stay tuned for the rest of the story in a few days....Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-734216381949554441.post-33694833706242753792014-01-30T11:00:00.000-06:002014-01-30T23:14:52.905-06:00Did You Have A Pet Chameleon As A Kid In The 1950's & 60's?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim6XkHwc8hkzEN32AIIt82B0xHcwhvLV6R4NvGWNSjQP_hQV6uGOZL7J29EV25P0dGEkwwqquri7LGEG11hQzTzDMDDJPE60oWj7hKwTqxb_bwJBhKs5rOGLtWPn95WYBa5XKUX8o_anfp/s1600/green-anole-lizards--5020-pic1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim6XkHwc8hkzEN32AIIt82B0xHcwhvLV6R4NvGWNSjQP_hQV6uGOZL7J29EV25P0dGEkwwqquri7LGEG11hQzTzDMDDJPE60oWj7hKwTqxb_bwJBhKs5rOGLtWPn95WYBa5XKUX8o_anfp/s1600/green-anole-lizards--5020-pic1.jpeg" height="320" width="320" /></a>I'm pretty sure I don't know many people my own age who didn't win a chameleon as a prize at the traveling carnival as a kid. Especially in the late 1950's and early 1960's. Carnivals, Rodeos and Fairs would award us with these fantastic, gorgeous little creatures that we had no idea how to care for. Frankly, we were children and could barely take care of ourselves.<br />
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The little lizards came equipped with a tiny red string around their necks that were attached to a tiny little gold safety pin. This enabled us to pin it to our shirts and thus, thwart their otherwise inevitable escape. As I recall, they were only about 2" to 2-1/2" in length and maybe 1/2" wide. They were very sweet but hey, they were on a leash. <br />
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How were we to know we were actually torturing these delicate little guys that had no defense against us? As it turns out, the only defense mechanisms they had were the very reasons we all wanted to win one. We were told, as children, that chameleons would change colors when placed next to different colors. I'm pretty sure it wasn't drastic change but we did see some. Or we just thought we did. They were really anole lizards but no kid wanted a prize named that, right? So, to us they were resplendent chameleons.<br />
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As soon as my brother & I would return home from the Fair, we'd be running all over the house holding our prizes up to different colors, with great, ghoulish glee as they performed their color change. Sooner or later, we'd become bored with them and go in to dinner, forgetting all about them. Days after, we'd find them in a physical state something short of fossilized, shrunken and dead. I do remember mourning the death of one or two, at least. Of course, we had funerals for them, but what little devils and heathens we were! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGb44jmvnqhGnw5f9QVkzaAy76JfCNOQyTvBZ2CCxf9nJi9_xKIZy1qBlb5KW_o2i2PM4FVSp9MOVM-5e5E9wrf77_ATz0YUFBRQqKlHdc-qzvRuiqm3qmSi5qDjM3uSXA9BponRNZ4dWF/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGb44jmvnqhGnw5f9QVkzaAy76JfCNOQyTvBZ2CCxf9nJi9_xKIZy1qBlb5KW_o2i2PM4FVSp9MOVM-5e5E9wrf77_ATz0YUFBRQqKlHdc-qzvRuiqm3qmSi5qDjM3uSXA9BponRNZ4dWF/s1600/images.jpg" /></a>Oh, the misery it causes me now! Why? I just found out that those changing colors reflected their feelings of fear, anger and sheer confusion. They can't hurt you. I just read an article explaining <a href="http://science.howstuffworks.com/science-vs-myth/everyday-myths/10-false-facts.htm#page=9" target="_blank">this magical thing that chameleons do</a>. I feel like such a serial killer because it also makes me realize that we undoubtedly must have tortured horney (horned) toads when we were children too, which are now almost an endangered species. They aren't nearly as beguiling as chameleons but we didn't have to wait around for the carnival or the circus to come to town to get them. If you just went out to your backyard where the dirt patch was and sat still for a while, they would come within catching distance. Yep, that's how we passed the long summers in Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico as children.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj349BHDR92UzZ1M-IdjZARenKfuG-_8zQntdFKaMgLjGKVl12_tt3Trl2rcHHeg54TyUL1Mjnbx9q1WKTZ43RQ97u7SFbTNkn7-CzRYLGbQrPn1B0FOXSMCJsPEPuhQEyaw9n4aySi-bzE/s1600/2012_0226_07_horned_toad_lizard_2_by_czoo-d4t2q26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj349BHDR92UzZ1M-IdjZARenKfuG-_8zQntdFKaMgLjGKVl12_tt3Trl2rcHHeg54TyUL1Mjnbx9q1WKTZ43RQ97u7SFbTNkn7-CzRYLGbQrPn1B0FOXSMCJsPEPuhQEyaw9n4aySi-bzE/s1600/2012_0226_07_horned_toad_lizard_2_by_czoo-d4t2q26.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a>Now, I'm worried about my own Karmic future. I hope they won't one day be sitting in judgement of my soul. If so, I'm in trouble.... deep. Don't even get me started on the crawdads (crawfish), goldfish and teensy turtles with painted shells. We unknowingly murdered them all....Unknownnoreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-734216381949554441.post-87860834492636087742014-01-24T10:07:00.000-06:002014-01-24T10:07:16.823-06:00Tony Bennett... Still A Class Act & A Cool Cat<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggB6xHDpSKRAaZPp0vFecrBeObeX3d9aLFzuguu71xVYTow5fQSvomeS0kxp9LApbDbgBcp-488CjQfse8xd_7QDJ5JKOeWd0DdYWXFAdzAJXB24H_rJjMvilb7_8znf69F2w0FxFeUPmc/s1600/390px-TonyBennett210-1000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggB6xHDpSKRAaZPp0vFecrBeObeX3d9aLFzuguu71xVYTow5fQSvomeS0kxp9LApbDbgBcp-488CjQfse8xd_7QDJ5JKOeWd0DdYWXFAdzAJXB24H_rJjMvilb7_8znf69F2w0FxFeUPmc/s1600/390px-TonyBennett210-1000.jpg" height="400" width="260" /></a>Last night Mr. Snoots and I attended an incredibly delightful concert given by 87 year old Tony Bennett with our best friends in tow. We're all still totally giddy from the experience. Seriously. This talented singer wowed the crowd repeatedly with old standards such as "Fly Me to the Moon", "I Left My Heart In San Francisco", "The Best Is Yet To Come", and a tear-jerking rendition of Charlie Chaplin's song "Smile". He continues to be what I think of as *A Cool Cat*.<br />
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Wikipedia says: <br />
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"Based upon a suggestion from a teacher at American Theatre Wing, he
developed an unusual approach that involved imitating, as he sang, the
style and phrasing of other musicians — such as that of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stan_Getz" title="Stan Getz">Stan Getz</a>'s saxophone and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Art_Tatum" title="Art Tatum">Art Tatum</a>'s piano — helping him to improvise as he interpreted a song."<br />
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It was his own personal and unique style. Biddly bee bop de bop de bop... and so on.<br />
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Playing to a solidly full house for two hours, Mr. Bennett proved he can continue to belt out the songs with his still silky voice AND remember the words. For an 87 year old, that is quite some feat. His last number was performed *a capella* and with no microphone. There wasn't a dry eye in the place and when he was done, there wasn't a single person in their seat. I can't even count the standing ovations he received last night. We were duly mesmerized.<br />
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His show opens with none other than Tony's thirty-something daughter Antonia (also a jazz singer) who sang a handful of good old standards before she beckoned her father out onto the stage for his performance, which I considered a total treat. Clearly, she didn't inherit Tony's *pipes* but she's good and very professional in her delivery of said songs. Later in the show she returned to the stage to do a duet with her Dad and they even did a little *soft shoe* together. It was truly priceless.<br />
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Tony Bennett even graced us with 3 curtain calls and all four of us agreed that Mr. Bennett seemed hesitant to leave the stage, to our delight. He's just adorable! He might not be jumping around on stage like Mick Jagger at 70 years old but there is nothing about this man that represents his age of 87. He still has lots of bounce in his step and I can't help but wonder if we'll still be seeing him performing concerts in his 90's. This fan certainly hopes so.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9kh0zM8azoAmot8HN8O-QvUkKWHp3sycynUdOCrOhedM1tqnCcwLTqHb-dbLymLQPG1tdOFIuvCINpTxB_RUFkba5Z28-9zyqGjUW45IyXGoFm3xpgtGKZghInuJWQqRKMpvaoQlBKg0i/s1600/us.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9kh0zM8azoAmot8HN8O-QvUkKWHp3sycynUdOCrOhedM1tqnCcwLTqHb-dbLymLQPG1tdOFIuvCINpTxB_RUFkba5Z28-9zyqGjUW45IyXGoFm3xpgtGKZghInuJWQqRKMpvaoQlBKg0i/s1600/us.jpg" height="400" width="298" /></a><br />
<br />
I grew up on Tony Bennett's music... Along with Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Ella Fitzgerald and all
the other great singers of the 1950's and 1960's. My mother had all his
albums along with countless others. We were literally lulled to sleep
at night with old standards being sung by velvety smooth voices emitting from our hi-fi. I still
crave this stuff. I hope I always will.<br />
<br />
<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-734216381949554441.post-28319784008181379552014-01-15T19:46:00.000-06:002014-01-15T19:46:01.384-06:00The Full (Wolf) Moon Tonight... Watch Out For The Crazy People<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLb6xxFxnWTBLP-8EgLzIeF1WgIZfGQ1MTTSjAph8vvoUNCPB-1-mZbdAo2aGzmzcMpNjka8tHKfQtBQwq3KSxexW219yr7BmaGbX8WSFzKB1j7yNaLDse_aoaAxRvxf3V6gO1a_a-O_ZF/s1600/wolf-under-full-moon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLb6xxFxnWTBLP-8EgLzIeF1WgIZfGQ1MTTSjAph8vvoUNCPB-1-mZbdAo2aGzmzcMpNjka8tHKfQtBQwq3KSxexW219yr7BmaGbX8WSFzKB1j7yNaLDse_aoaAxRvxf3V6gO1a_a-O_ZF/s1600/wolf-under-full-moon.jpg" height="232" width="320" /></a>I love it when a full moon has a special name and a story behind that name. Tonight we'll be viewing The Wolf Moon, which makes me laugh and think of the movie Teen Wolf that starred Michael J. Fox in the 1980's. Every time the full moon rose, he grew far too much body hair and played basketball like an animal. Literally.<br />
<br />
<u><b>According to the time-trusted Farmer's Almanac:</b></u><br />
<br />
"• <b>Full Wolf Moon – January</b> Amid the cold and deep snows
of midwinter, the wolf packs howled hungrily outside Indian villages.
Thus, the name for January’s full Moon. Sometimes it was also referred
to as the Old Moon, or the Moon After Yule. Some called it the Full Snow
Moon, but most tribes applied that name to the next Moon (February)."<br />
<br />
While this is all fun and informative, I endearingly call this monthly time warp period *When The Crazies All Drive Their Cars*. You know it's true, right? In a city that has grown faster than it can keep up with, it is magnified several times over here in the *Outback of the Oil Fields*. It's like they all come creeping out of the deep, dark cracks to simultaneously drive me totally batty in traffic.<br />
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Moving violations abound here. Texting, & talking on cell phones while in school zones, cutting off someone without signaling, (with lack of room to do so), making left hand turns out of the right lane (and vice verse), running totally red lights, taking cuts through parking lots, pulling out to the center lane to merge w/ traffic (yes, it IS illegal), among countless other transgressions committed during any given time of day here in the outback of Texas. Doesn't anyone have any sense in their heads anymore? Don't act like a human... Act like a polite and patient human<br />
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Every Wednesday our Puerto Rican housekeeper comes by way of her morning client dropping her off (around 2:00 PM) and I get the dubious pleasure of driving her home to her apartment. I suppose it's only fair to share the limo service we are bound to if we want help around the house. I don't want it but I NEED it since I can no longer do it myself. Only it's during 5:00 PM traffic for me. With the blaring setting sun in my eyes. Today will be my first day to do so during a full moon. Oh joy. It sounds like Quadruple Jeopardy or something even harrier. It's scary and I don't like it but I shudder at the thought of Hilda driving her own car, so I digress<br />
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Although most weeks I drive her home, there is always some bonehead that attempts a daring brush with death while I'm driving in traffic, honoring me with being an up close and personal witness to his/her madness. I shudder to think what today's drive will be like. It usually takes about 40 minutes, round trip and by then my poor nerves are completely frazzled. Hopefully, today's drive might even provide a bit of comic relief, if I'm lucky. If not....<br />
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Please pray for my very soul....<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkBh1ZNlFSTqw6GZLtLp5flXbtpybli1c1VjKZ1JRR1S7bKbRgE2QlMbDzbbHuj-gZSRBCALpRGfOG3aPy5cqvVcG1WdUVFVMO7JvFPKjbMMmLhqZ9hCpMWT_ONI4IdZGAAcsBLA4rkIau/s1600/Rottenecards_69537695_nngqz3h5sp.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkBh1ZNlFSTqw6GZLtLp5flXbtpybli1c1VjKZ1JRR1S7bKbRgE2QlMbDzbbHuj-gZSRBCALpRGfOG3aPy5cqvVcG1WdUVFVMO7JvFPKjbMMmLhqZ9hCpMWT_ONI4IdZGAAcsBLA4rkIau/s1600/Rottenecards_69537695_nngqz3h5sp.png" height="224" width="320" /></a></div>
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Update: Nothing happened today because Hilda came at 12:45 PM and was ready to go at 4:00 PM. Just when I was ready to make my report I realized that perhaps she knows something that I don't. About the moon. Apparently, an hour earlier makes all the difference. Anyway, what a bonus to have a better drive to and fro.... Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-734216381949554441.post-40138102603672038422013-12-09T14:37:00.001-06:002013-12-11T11:28:14.872-06:00My Most Recent Blunder... The Fun Never Ends Around Here<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnAaXT7yXAmmMRJmRV4tWVUgE5yGRNp0xzgJIgFdgQAmMVHODLI0m5t9uw4bXz4SidvMTu4WzjtK8-g5Q7qR_to5fGc_vxkTxIbKywX7QHG0hQZMMT1A9RHs79_J8qzof5ZnrS8S6nRcjX/s1600/PC050025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnAaXT7yXAmmMRJmRV4tWVUgE5yGRNp0xzgJIgFdgQAmMVHODLI0m5t9uw4bXz4SidvMTu4WzjtK8-g5Q7qR_to5fGc_vxkTxIbKywX7QHG0hQZMMT1A9RHs79_J8qzof5ZnrS8S6nRcjX/s320/PC050025.JPG" width="240" /></a>It seems I've been talking to myself on this blog as of late. However, that has never bothered me... <br />
much, and it's certainly never stopped me. So, I continue with my mindless babble, perhaps driving away even more readers and the few who have braved making comments. It's okay, really. I understand that it's the busiest time of year for everyone. Fortunately or not, my shopping has been done, the tree has been decorated, the house bedecked with Christmas cheer, and we decided to not send out Christmas cards this year.<br />
<br />
Granted, I could be out in the guest house or out at our storage unit... cleaning out years of semi-hoarding, but it's too freaking cold for that. You need to be able to move quickly for that kind of work and layers of clothing doesn't really allow for that kind of industrious labor. That's my excuse and I'm sticking with it.<br />
<br />
So, I'll tell you the tale of my latest blunder. Actually, I wasn't going to tell anyone but decided it was too damn funny not to tell anyone and everyone that would listen. We all know I don't have the making-the-tree-lights-work gene from past years, but I'm also<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieXS87IPqFktrhbl5lYVk-hUSgZMYePZQcqaoXQNtwzu-0K8PExPhimfNI_Z0LsYYIBWKz30TwQ4auSZjO6JFzrRQGWAh2f03S0545FQlL57ThkijZGkf7mlRWzZxR9cGgSVkvBrkQReLH/s1600/PC090019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieXS87IPqFktrhbl5lYVk-hUSgZMYePZQcqaoXQNtwzu-0K8PExPhimfNI_Z0LsYYIBWKz30TwQ4auSZjO6JFzrRQGWAh2f03S0545FQlL57ThkijZGkf7mlRWzZxR9cGgSVkvBrkQReLH/s320/PC090019.JPG" width="240" /></a> stubborn, which tends to make up for that.<br />
<br />
After I rearranged my Christmas tree the other day to accommodate the new ornaments I'd bought, I turned off the lights and happily went to bed and slept with visions of spiked eggnog in my head. Or something like that. The next day at dusk I went to turn on the lights and the entire center section of the tree didn't light up. Wha? There must be at least 600 lights on the stupid tree. You know. At least 6 or so years of throwing on new lights just to avoid this very thing. I was stunned into silence but it didn't last long.<br />
<br />
I wanted to throw the tree through the living room windows and be done with it. I was just so frustrated after all the hanging of ornaments, adjusting and tweaking, so tossing it wasn't really an option, just a momentary dark thought. Mr. Snooty wisely chose to stay out of my way. That was Friday night.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsnSWdxBVoiyMfmwP_W5kruY31uqVhtO5D0dv5WHpDNIz8RKub14Zn1V8QIfdBR434i0-ldbN6MrzIsgwXDVe5ddcktbiwTJcsu3ts4nQlbp3r7swrHz7aORiu6Ody-dmOPqdtYAt7A-FF/s1600/PC090032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsnSWdxBVoiyMfmwP_W5kruY31uqVhtO5D0dv5WHpDNIz8RKub14Zn1V8QIfdBR434i0-ldbN6MrzIsgwXDVe5ddcktbiwTJcsu3ts4nQlbp3r7swrHz7aORiu6Ody-dmOPqdtYAt7A-FF/s320/PC090032.JPG" width="320" /></a>Actually, I couldn't imagine Christmas without lights and since I always keep several boxes of new strands of lights, I went to gather them up and head back to the tree where I would tackle the job of adding new lights. I carefully removed all the breakable ornaments and attempted to find the strand that threatened to ruin my Christmas. No luck there but my hands might possibly be scarred for life from the branches.<br />
<br />
So I begrudgingly spent most of the day on Saturday taking off ornaments, adding new lights, then once again decorating the tree, but just the mid-section. Still, our tree is 7.5' tall so it was no small fete, I assure you. At last I was finished and as I reached to the back of the tree to hang one last crystal prism, I stepped on something under the tree skirt.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHY4ic0debDnH6qoLxGOjnPKWg5kl95Z6n3HDLH1-6dwKAOGFH0rl8-g1xGMeYvI5_yYbaSOuRMMy4H5babode3T26TDfyO6qDMzP5Q46B7bnUrDy5ckmSgAj98Z7yfaqNowz5XnSrwTt1/s1600/PC060034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHY4ic0debDnH6qoLxGOjnPKWg5kl95Z6n3HDLH1-6dwKAOGFH0rl8-g1xGMeYvI5_yYbaSOuRMMy4H5babode3T26TDfyO6qDMzP5Q46B7bnUrDy5ckmSgAj98Z7yfaqNowz5XnSrwTt1/s320/PC060034.JPG" width="240" /></a>Yes, I stepped on the button that turns those lights back on that I thought were burned out. What a light show it provided! Somehow, I had failed to notice that little button had slipped itself under the tree skirt when I wasn't looking. No, I wasn't drunk although I wish I could say that I was. However, at that point I just went in the kitchen and fixed myself a nice stiff drink and went back to the living room to sip it as I looked upon my glorious light show.<br />
<br />
When Mr. Snoots came into the room I told him of my blunder and we both broke into hysterical laughter and toasted to our fully lit tree which now has more than 800 lights on it. It's now more complicated than the New York City subway system. But you should never lose your sense of humor, right?<br />
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<b>Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all!</b>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6