Goodbye, hot August…

Tonight is the final hot August night.  Good, although our nights here in the nawth Georgia mountains are cooling down nicely.  We appreciate that.  Come on September and coolness!

Not much exciting going on here.  MM and I are getting piddly things done.  I went to the senior center yesterday to call bingo, then Joan and I worked on a sorority craft project.  Amy needed help with mailing labels for invitations to a friend’s baby shower, so I got those ready to print.  Piddly stuff, but it was at least a variety of stuff.  We don’t like plain ole dull.

And today we meet long-time RV friends for lunch.  That will be very special, as will dinner with Brian and Faith tonight.    I feel a little beading in between eating is in the cards today.  Woohoo!

Make your day a good one.  That’s life in paradise, y’all!

Harlequin novel…2011 version

He grasped me firmly, but gently, just above my elbow and guided me into a room, his room.  Then he quietly shut the door, and we were alone.  He approached me soundlessly, from behind, and spoke in a low, reassuring voice close to my ear.
"Just relax."

Without warning, he reached down and I felt his strong, calloused hands start at my ankles, gently probing, and moving upward along my calves, slowly but steadily.  My breath caught in my throat.
I knew I should be afraid, but somehow I didn't care.  His touch was so experienced, so sure.  When his hands moved up onto my thighs, I gave a slight shudder, and partly closed my eyes.  My pulse was pounding.

I felt his knowing fingers caress my abdomen, my ribcage.  And then, as he cupped my firm, full breasts in his hands, I inhaled sharply.  Probing, searching, fully knowing what he wanted, he brought his hands to my shoulders, slid them down my tingling spine and across my panties.

Although I knew nothing about this man, I felt oddly trusting and expectant.  This is a man, I thought....  A man used to taking charge.  A man not used to taking 'No' for an answer.  A man who would tell me what he wanted.  A man who would look into my soul and say . . . .

"Okay, ma'am, you can board your flight now."

And she lived happily ever after.

The end.

Cool Monday in paradise

We woke up to 54 degrees this morning.   Love it!  The attic fan is pulling in that free coolness through the whole house as I type.  I am so ready to shut off the A/C and open all the windows.

So the head count yesterday was 30.  The crowd began nibbling on yummy smoked fish dip and deviled eggs.  The sideboard was FILLED with good good…marinated green beans, baked beans, cabbage casserole, marinated tomatoes, mac ‘n cheese, roasted potatoes, roasted asparagus, cole slaw, rolls, potato salad…I know I am leaving something out.  Unfortunately, I didn’t get a BEFORE photo.  And I didn’t get any of that roasted asparagus, since I was last in line.  Bugger.  Not that I needed any more food on my plate!

Our gals are great cooks…and great friends.  I was too busy to take photos (bad me).  I laughed at all the guys sitting out on the deck (would have been a good photo), with the gals all inside.  Isn’t that the way it goes?

Dick did a great job on the smoked salmon.  It was a bit time consuming---put the rub on, marinate 8 hours, take the rub off; put fillets in aluminum “boats” to dry out for 4 hours; smoke’em; remove skin.  And it didn’t really taste smoked!  It was very, very good.  Leftovers tonight.  Come on over!  We always manage to feed the multitudes.

That’s it from paradise, y’all.  Make your day great!

What season is it?

My new azalea bush seems to think it is spring.  This bit of pink caught my eye yesterday, and I assumed a piece of paper had blown into it.  No, there were two tiny blooms that I had not noticed!  This poor thing is mighty confused.  Hang on…cooler weather will be here!

Joan and I scored some fresh Silver Queen corn at the farmer’s market yesterday, along with eggplant, squash and peaches.  Yum.  Sounds like a good meal to me, complete with dessert!

Dick got the salmon all rubbed and marinated overnight.  This morning he has to knock off the rub, lay the fish on paper to dry out under a fan for 4 hours before smoking them.  I sure hope they are good!  I’ll let ya know.

So my affair is Beginning Day for my sorority group, Beta Sigma Phi, after taking the summer off.  Well, our group just “slows down.”  Most chapters don’t meet over the summer, but we do, simply because we want to see each other.

I think we are ready for everyone, and if not, it will be OK.  This is a NO WORRY ZONE.  I have declared it.  All will be well here.  There will be friends, perhaps some family, lotsa food for sure, so good times will roll!  WYWH (for those of you who are so far away!).

Life is good, despite the weather up nawth.  Stay safe, y’all!

Irene is not a lady…

Irene finally made landfall this morning, and I know there are sooo many folks still not prepared or evacuated, despite all the repeated warnings.  It is better to be safe than sorry, people!  And these are the same folks who will expect to be rescued—immediately—putting our EMTs, military, Good Samaritans, etc., all in harms way themselves.  And then the lawyers will get involved!  Oy…

So, last evening we met friends for pizza, then a “concert” on the square (performed by friend Nelson with songs, banjo and guitar).  A fine time was had by all.  Dick and I drove out afterward to check on our wee campers, and to sit a spell by the campfire and visit.  It was a perfect Mayberry evening.

Today it is time to finish chores…a most important one is to knock down the spider webs on the deck in preparation for my affair tomorrow.  Yes, it is sorta catered—I am picking up a ham today while Dick is smoking some salmon.  Everyone arriving tomorrow will bring a dish or two of some good stuff.  WYWH!

Stay safe.  Life is good, y’all!

Friday funny

Have a great day.  May everyone be smart and stay safe from Irene and her destruction! 

Ding dong

Note to self:

Make sure the 5:15 beeping phone reminder is set for PM, rather than AM.  Big difference.  Followed by an incoming junk fax 30 minutes later, both interruptions made for a very early morning for the of us.  Bugger.  We are awake and up.

There are plenty of things that need doing, of course, with 30 or so folks coming here Sunday afternoon.  But those preparations are not appealing at this hour.  I am awake, but not inclined to function.  Yet.  I don’t do mornings.

Did I ever mention that?

So, chores can wait.  Dick has his coffee and is surfing on his computer.  Missy is sleeping on the floor between us.  I have my cuppa, see just a wee bit of pink beginning in the morning sky, hear the birds calling to each other, and think that now would be a good time to go visit all my fave blog buddies.

Maybe this getting up early isn’t so bad after all.  Naw, I don’t want to make a habit of that!

Have a fabulous day.  Life is good, y’all!

Girls rule!

Dan and Joan are back from their FABulous moho trip to Alaska and other parts of this beautiful country (and Canada).  They came over last night and we played a couple of rounds of our marbles game after enjoying some good Alaskan halibut.

We girls kicked butt twice…so the guys caved in and quit.  Wimps. Weanies.  Yes, they were.  Girls rock!  At least this time.  I am sure they will issue a challenge! 

This board has two sides, one for 4 players, the other for 6, and is played with two decks of cards that are distributed to each player in a certain rotation, depending on the number of players.  The value of the card is what advances your marbles.  Pretty cool game, with lots of tricks to it!  But it is easy to learn.  Srsly.

Do you have a favorite board game?

Kids tell tales!

A six year-old goes to the hospital with her grandmother to visit her Grandpa.

When they get to the hospital, she runs ahead of her Grandma and bursts into her Grandpa's room....

"Grandpa, Grandpa," she says excitedly.  "As soon as Grandma comes into the room, make a noise like a frog!"

"What?" said her Grandpa.

"Make a noise like a frog - because Grandma said that as soon as you croak, we're all going to Disney Land!"

Be careful, Grumps

Monday family stuff

Boy, did we have loads of good food at the annual Redding reunion yesterday!  And cake.  Wait, I never got a photo of the dessert table.  Horrors—failure!Trust me, there was quite the variety of homemade cakes and pies.  I can report for sure that Pat’s Carrot Cake was delish!  That was all I could manage, except for a wee sample of Debbie’s chocolate pie.  Also delish!

Cuzn John has the attention of son-in-law Tom and cuzn Will…deep in thought.






Aunt Rebecca, widow of Uncle Chester, was the senior attendee.






Cuzn Pat was always so good to let me play in her jewelry box when I was a gangly pre-teen.  I guess that prompted my love of bling at a young age.  That’s Will’s wife caught mid-blink.  Sorry, Von!







Rebecca’s son Tommy is there on the R.  Susanne (where’s mama Nan?), with youngest attendee Autumn.  And Lucy is in the orange (dtr of Tom and Cynthia).  She didn’t want her photo taken and kept hiding when I pointed it toward her.  I discovered she has to do a paper on genealogy and will be getting in touch with me!  I am delighted to help.




Fred (Pat’s hubby), Lavon (wife of John), and their daughter Cynthia (mother of Lucy).  Got that?  We need name tags!






I missed photos of several folks who had to leave early.  And just plum spent too much time talking and not taking enough photos, and that is a bad mistake at a gathering like this.
Next time, right? 

The Southern Ten Commandments

This is much easier to remember!!!

1.  Just one God.
2.  Put nothin' before God.
3.  Watch yer mouth...
4.  Git yourself to Sunday meetin'.
5.  Honor yer Ma & Pa.
6.  No killin'.
7.  No foolin' around with another feller's gal (or 'nother gal's feller).
8.  Don't take what ain't yorn.
9.  No tellin' tales or gossipin'.
10.  Don't be hankerin' for yer buddy's stuff.

Now that's plain an' simple.
And bless your little cotton pickin’ heart.

Have a super Sunday.  I’m going to a family reunion today in hawt South Georgia, y’all.  Won’t that be a hoot, seein’ lotsa kin?!

Saturday stuff

I will have to tell y’all that Dick got a big kick out of your comments on his, um, new creations.  He has already delivered one to the lake playhouse.  Lucky Haley!

Speaking of our gal…we both finished the book The Help recently, and had made plans to see the movie (same name) at our local theatre last night.  I asked Dick if he wanted to go with us (no, it was not a chick flick), and he said YES.  All three of us really liked the movie!  And of course we ran into several folks we know.  Living in a small town, that happens a lot.  So that is our one movie for the year.  We don’t get out much.

But today, I really am getting out and hitting the road southbound to see sister Nan.  I predict an evening of good food and laughter.

Wish y’all could join us!

Redneck paper towel holder

Anyone want to order one of these???

Plastic and PVC.  Guaranteed not to rust.  Cheap.

Paper towel not included.  MM isn’t either.

Animal play

This is a short video of a house cat on a boat, and a few dolphins in the water interacting.  Sweet!  It made me smile…and wish that the whole world could play nice!

http://www.wimp.com/catdolphins/

Hat tip:  Pat Duggan

Happy printing…and other stuff

Ta da!  The new printer is installed, and working on all three computers.  There is still a lot for me to learn about it, of course, but at least it is operational.
Now I can print from anywhere in the house.  Unattached!  Sw-eet.  Wires are so messy.
Sorry to frighten y’all about saying Blogger eat my blog yesterday…I should have said “post.”  I used my phone to post a photo and short blog post yesterday morning, and it never showed up anywhere…in my trash or spam folders, nor on the blog.  Oh well…it was no big deal.  Just annoying.
So I just finished reading The Help and loved it.  Not that I could relate to those having help, way back then.  Mother would get someone to come in and iron occasionally, but that was it.  Haley and I plan to see the movie real soon, which is getting rave reviews already.   Has anyone else seen it?  Or plans to see it?
Amy brought over two chickens to smoke (in the smoker on our deck) while I kept the wee boys Monday.  Dinner AND boys…that’s a good deal any day of the week and twice on Sunday.  She did a “rub” on the birds, and we let them smoke for about 4 hours.  They were good, but not quite as moist as what we had Sunday.  We’ll have to try it again and play with the time and temps.
I made a pasta salad that was yummy, and posted the recipe on www.dyerdining.blogspot.com .   MM and I had it at Disney and loved it.  Let me know if you try it.
That’s it from paradise, y’all!

Where's the post?

Blogger ate my blog today. Srsly. It is not here. It is not there. It is not anywhere.

Are you going to 2 for 2?

Sent from my iPhone

Monday, Monday…

…so good to me.  Remember the Mamas and the Papas?  Now this song will be an ear worm all day long!
But “so good to me” is what these folks above really are.  Janelee and Gene (flanked by daughter Kelle and son-in-law Richard) have been friends of ours since way back in the early ‘80s, a good many of their 50 years of togetherness.  Gene even ‘tied the knot’ when our own two daughters got married.  Those knots are also still holding quite well.  Good job all around!
We stopped at a BBQ chain on the way home yesterday and discovered they had a nice and inexpensive Sunday buffet.  Let me tell you:  their smoked chicken was awesome!  Really awesome…tender, juicy, with just a slight smoked taste.  Dick got a side of ribs and tried both the rubbed and the Tennessee BBQ sauced ones, but they didn’t compare to that chicken.  No sirree.  We will be smoking some soon, since we don’t have a Sticky Fingers anywhere around these parts.  Chicken is good stuff, and very versatile!
So Missy was waiting by the front door when we got home.  I missed my little furball.  She missed going outside, and promptly did just that. I know where I rate.
It’s good to be back home.  Life is good, y’all!

Homeward bound

Murfreesboro, TN, was our overnight destination. MM and all the kids except for Brian attended a 50th wedding celebration last night. Gene+ and Janelee looked fantastic, the food and music was great..a good time was had by all.

St. Paul's was a perfect spot for the celebration, considering that Gene was the rector there for 20 years. How did that time fly by???

Family and friends make life sooo good!

And home. We shall be there soon.

Sunday smiles, y'all!


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Saturday silly Seuss

How do you like the new ambulance?  Now that’s funny, I don’t care who you are!

Dr Seuss 2011:
I do not like this Uncle Sam,
I do not like his health care scam.
I do not like these dirty crooks,
or how they lie and cook the books.
I do not like when Congress steals,
I do not like their secret deals.
I do not like ex-speaker Nan,
I do not like this 'YES WE CAN'.
I do not like this spending spree,
I'm smart, I know that nothing's free.
I do not like their smug replies,
when I complain about their lies.
I do not like this kind of hope.
I do not like it, nope, nope, nope!

We might as well laugh, since the people have no control.  Yet.

Barb, in answer to your question, '’cutting doughnuts” refers to slamming on brakes and turning your vehicle round and round in circles.

Smiles, y’all!

Slip sliding away!

So the printer is still sitting next to my computer, untouched.  Amy called yesterday morning to say that my friend Jennie was bringing her grandson over to play with the wee boys, and did I want to come watch them all play on the slip and slide?
Of course!  Work can wait.  And play the boys did.  First on the slip and slide, then riding bikes down the driveway, cutting doughnuts at the end.  And nobody got hurt.  Amazing.  Sean being a city boy didn’t know much about that doughnut cutting business, but I think he will give it a try the next time he visits.
We had 3 tired boys by lunch time…followed by naps (for the short people)…and an overdue haircut for moi.
Somehow or other the day evaporated, and it was soon time for dinner with our Thursday night gang.
Staying flexible is the motto around here…and so we are.  I wouldn’t have it any other way.
The end.
Have a lovely weekend.  How did it get to be Friday so quickly?

Safe delivery

So Dick got the fifth wheel all hooked up early yesterday morning.  Easy peasy for him to do.   Checked tires and lights.  Off we went!

We safely delivered it to the owner in Marietta, backed it in all neat and tidy into its new slot, and we then headed out to visit Sear’s scratch and dent store (nothing there we needed).  Next stop:  Sam’s Club—love that place.  I brought home a new wireless all-in-one printer…that I hope I’ll love.  Anyone want to come help set it up???  That is today’s project.

Working on the printer sure beats thinking about current events in the economy and the world.  All that stuff just makes me realize how blessed we are to be living in Mayberry, where life is slow, but still good!

Keep on smiling, y’all.  Smiles are free!

Lower the tank

Dig hole.
Hook up tank.
Lower tank in ground.
Make sure it is level.  No.
Remove tank.
Remove more dirt.
Reposition tank.
Level.  Check.

Cover up tank.

Man and machine...a beautiful combination.

Progress.

Priceless!

Thanks, honey.  I'm glad you still like to play in the dirt.

New yard art

Having missed latest addition to the front yard late yesterday, Missy was mighty curious about that monstrosity, so she had to go inspect it first thing this morning.

She jumped up on the blade arm, but decided her paws were way too short to play with anything there. Besides, it was time for her morning rounds to sniff out her domain.

Meow (happy Tuesday in kitty speak).  Life is good, y'all...



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Card fun and other stuff

Haley’s card class was fun yesterday afternoon, as always.  Each of these cards was easy peasy, but then again, she is a great teacher who makes learning easy!

So now it is Monday and time to do the RV meeting notes, laundry, and a few other chores…when I would much rather be playing. 

Friend Diana and I were comparing iPhone and iPad apps yesterday (it was great seeing her and Bob here for lunch.  Dick graduated from high school with both of them, so they really are OLD friends!). 

Anyway, we each discovered some new things that we will both find either helpful and/or fun for us or our grandkids.  But I can’t play today till work is done.  Work?  Who wants to be an adult?!!!

Whatever you (have to) do, make today special.  I am especially thinking of friend Sarge, who is going through chemo-lite and not feeling so good.  He could sure use some good bloggy love, and Empress Bee, too!  Love you guys…better days are ahead.

Sunday thoughts…

WORRYING does not take away tomorrow's
TROUBLES.

It takes away today's PEACE.

May you each have both peace and joy in your lives today…and every day.  Count your blessings, y’all!

Life is good, especially with long-time friends stopping by for a short visit this morning.  That puts a big smile on my face.

Observations on Growing Older, continued…

A little wisdom in honor of my baby sister, whose birthday is today.  Nan, you might as well start now to get prepared for the big one next year:

~ Everybody whispers.  

~ Your “get up and go” has “got up and gone.”
 
~ You have 3 sizes of clothes in your closet...2 of which you will never wear.

~ You begin to wonder about the “here after,” but it is more likely to be in a room wondering -  what am I here after?

~ But old is good in some things:

old songs,
old movies,
And best of all, OLD FRIENDS!

And another that I shall add to that list - a baby sister who is aging right along with me.

Happy birthday, sweetie!  Here’s cake for everyone…enjoy!!!

Monkey Man

Only because someone called on the phone for Dick did I discover that my idiot of a hubby was up on the freaking roof! 

Mr. No Fear was taking down a scaffolding that has been up for what? three years or more???  This is the man with two bad knees who is also TOO OLD to be up climbing on any roof anywhere!  Sheesh.

I have told him many times that if  he kills himself doing something stupid, he is NOT gonna Rest In Peace because I will be too mad at him.  So there.  (I did stay outside until he was safely down.) 

Time to check my list:

Fried chicken is ordered for the RV meeting tomorrow.  Check.

Roster is copying, then will be stapled.  Check.

Baskets, serving/eating utensils.  Check

Plates, cups.  Check.

Agenda.  Oops, not finished…but it will be.

Let’s see now…Haley’s scrapbook open house tonight, RV meeting Saturday, Haley’s card class on Sunday afternoon. 

That’s about it for our weekend.  How’s yours looking?

Mystery solved!

See, it wasn’t an ark after all.  Not that we would have a need for one around here, as dry as it is. 

MM thinks he is going to have some sweet dreams in his “new” hammock.  All he needs is a pillow, he says.  I think I can arrange that for him. 

Empress Bee, there is no beyonce the big metal chicken around here anywhere!  Click there if you want to read a funny story.

But, I could probably go for that cute deer I posted yesterday.  Yes, it is a muffler for the seat, stainless steel, so it won’t rust.  My friend Dinah has this cute little number at their place on a nearby lake, and she uses it as a bench for when she is cooking on the grill.  She told MM that he ought to make one for me.  He probably could, if he put his mind to it.

Look at that little deer eyeball.  I tried to get up close (using my iPhone), but it doesn’t show up as well as it should, but that is a large marble!  Quite clever.  This guy sure has a nice view.  If he could only see!

Boy is it hot.  My car registered 93 today, and I am definitely not talking about MPH either.  Fortunately, it cools down at night, and for that we are grateful.  Very grateful.

Enjoy your day.  Stay cool and hydrated, y’all!

Wordless Wednesday–MM’s new project

Tuesday testing

Hello, deer! Checking out this new set up.

Cheers!


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Tuesday stuff

In case you don’t want to biggify the photo, it is the one and only bumper sticker on our moho:

Squandering the Kids’ Inheritance

This is to remind me of WHY we are not fully retired.  We still work so that we can go play.  And reminds me of the reason for all this paperwork spread out here on my desk.  We have a busy week ahead, getting organized for the annual meeting with the folks at our RV park this weekend.  We’ll be ready, and git-er-done.  And there will be food!

Raise your hand if you enjoy a good massage.  I had a great one last night from a student at the local tech school.  I opted for a shower first after getting home late, and never made it  upstairs to do my normal nightly pre-post…can you say L-A-Z-Y?  I was in the zone, so I simply zoned on out!

More of the same today, but I’m making progress.  And we may get rain.  We sure need it.

That’s it from Mayberry today.  I hope your day is as great as you want it to be!

Life is good, y’all!

Sweet birthday boy!

Well, he hasn’t been a ‘boy’ for quite some time, but he is still my very own sweetie pie son.  And always will be.

Faith put together a nice cookout for Brian yesterday, and invited us and his siblings to celebrate Brian’s birthday…a day early.

There was much enthusiasm and drama for the traditional birthday song…

 

 

Fine job of blowing out the candles there, Unka Brian.  Now let’s get to the eating part!  We’ve got some hungry boys and girls who need CAKE!

Hmm good!  And there were TWO cakes!

Birthdays sure are a lot of fun, especially to the short kiddos.

Happy birthday, honey.  Dad and I love you bunches!!!