Streaming Day

Obviously this is a newly created day, but I liked it. I started streaming a series from CNN about the 60's and it was fascinating. Can't wait to finish it!

This morning I visited with Brianna, my 4th grader, and enjoyed our time together as usual. She said that as soon as school's out, she and Mason will be going back to spend the summer with their parents in Louisiana and will possibly get to stay. For their sake, I hope they do, but don't know how probable that is. If they do come back for next year, I will be their mentor. But again, I hope they get to stay.

Our dinner group went to a new restaurant this evening called the Restless Palate and all of us agreed, our palates are restless no more. All of their food selections were out of the ordinary and all were delicious. We tried mashed cauliflower with horseradish, fig and black garlic flatbread, grilled Romano salad, pear and pecan flatbread, among many other things. This place is absolutely going into our rotation and for now, once a month. It was delicious!

Hummus Day

Whew! Dodged a bullet today. I didn't think to look up the day until this afternoon and was delighted to find Hummus Day because I actually have two different kinds of hummus in my fridge right now. Along with some raw carrots. So that was my afternoon snack (although I usually don't have a snack). It's also May Ray Day which I noticed earlier in the week and assumed this one would be a snap. Just walk outside, catch some rays, and done. However, we haven't seen the sun today and it's been pouring all afternoon. Glad there was a backup plan.

Addendum: After I posted this about 6:30, the sun peeked out so the dogs got a proper walk instead of a quick spin around the block and I soaked up a few rays. So I did double duty today... Hummus Day and May Ray Day!

Accounting Day

This is for you, Gretchen: An accountant is someone who solves a problem you didn't know you had in a way you don't understand. It's accrual world.

Didn't do much today except get a manicure and pedicure. My tutee, Thomas, didn't come Monday or today and get this - his parents are out of town and he and his brother are staying with their grandparents. The grandma called me Monday to say that he came home from school sick and wouldn't be here that day. Personally I suspect he's playing grandma and when she called today, I feel certain he is. And my heart goes out to her because he's a serious wild child.

Walnut Day

I've known for quite some time that walnuts are probably the healthiest nut, but I've been hung up on almonds. So I bought some walnuts this morning and snacked on them several times during the day. And I give 'em a big thumbs up!

I visited Mason at school today and started getting a little sad because there's only two weeks left. He and his sister might be moving back to Louisiana to live with their mom and dad and I really hope they do, but will certainly miss them. However, I'll start with two new kids next year, so it isn't all bad.

I took the dogs over to Connie's (Justine's mom) house this afternoon to play. Glory and Justine play like 10-year-old boys and Simon just barks at them. But Connie and I enjoyed some chocolate wine and pretty much ignored the dogs. They burned calories while I ingested them, but I'm not complaining.

Love a Tree Day

I've always loved most trees, especially the really big ones  (my absolute favorites are the giant sequoias in northern California... thanks, Andrea). I also loved a giant oak that was in the backyard of one of my Heights houses. I actually took a photo of an oleander in my backyard that I love because it's shaped like a tree and not a bush.

My neighbor, Ann Roe, came home from a long cruise last night and I've missed her.  She's the one who takes care of Simon when I'm gone and I knew her fridge would be empty, so I took her out to dinner and we both got caught up. She shared her trip stories and I told her about everything she's missed in the neighborhood. Good friends are so special and I thank God for them.

Chocolate Chip Day

Whew! I lucked out on this one. I didn't really want to buy a bag of chocolate chips or even chocolate chip cookies, but at Trivia last night, one of my teammates brought homemade cookies. After sampling last night (just to make sure they were good), I wrapped one up and had it it for breakfast. Yum!

I saw Sage today and she is on the downhill slide to going home. An aunt and uncle came down from Fort Worth to visit her last weekend and Friday they came to take her out for an overnight visit. She was so happy about it all when I first saw her and then it all proceeded south.  At first she talked about what they did, then said that they talked to her at length about their expectations. And that's when she started changing. She wasn't happy that they were going to make her go to church. I explained that many teenagers don't like to be forced to go, but that I was and looking back, I'm so grateful that I was. That was the basis of my spiritual foundation and without it, I'd be a different person. So she moved on to the fact that someone will be with her everywhere she goes. And again I explained that because she was a wild child and a runaway, I would expect nothing less from them. I told her she has to earn their trust and I'm sure she'll do it quickly (she's 16 1/2 and thinks they'll do it until she's 18).  I finally asked if she was a little bit afraid of the change and she said yes. So I'll continue to let her vent and continue to assure her that what her aunt and uncle are doing is what any good parents would do. They love her and want her to be safe, whether she likes it or not. And in the meantime, I'll continue to pray for her.

Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive Day

I had to go to the grocery store this morning, so also bought some canned goods and crackers for the food drive. Fortunately, our clubhouse collects the food for the mailman to pick up. Piece of cake!

And now I'm getting ready to go play Trivia at the clubhouse. I'm the captain of a team and one member canceled at the last minute. I hate it when that happens! But I'm hoping we can pick up a stray when we get there because I couldn't find a sub at the last minute. Every brain helps because the questions aren't easy and with old folks, we need to pool our memories to come up with the answers. Here's hoping we'll win at least one game!

Blame Someone Else Day

I only have Glory to blame for the fact that I'm not getting enough sleep. I've always been a sleepy head and now feel the best after 8 1/2 or 9 hours. However, Glory wakes up with the daylight and is ready for her walk. It's hard for me to go to sleep before 10 or 10:30, so the result is less sleep. That bitch!

I had a wonderful lunch today with our regular lunch bunch... Kitty, Cathy, Sharon, Ann Dulin (Little), and Kay. We haven't gotten together in months and I don't go into Houston as much as I used to, so I just loved seeing them all and spending time together. Kitty had just won $4,000 on a gambling excursion and insisted on treating (Cathy usually picks it up when we're at Federal Grill). We always share appetizers and desserts, along with our individual entrees. It's such a special treat for me that I always overindulge. But for that, I can only blame myself. Wah, wah!

Limerick Day

Spoiler alert: this might be a little naughty.

There was a young man from Brighton
Who thought he’d at last found a tight ‘un.
He said, “Oh my love,
It fits like a glove.”
Said she, “But you’re not in the right ‘un.”

Today we celebrate the birth of English writer Edward Lear, who was born in 1812,  and wrote his ‘Book of Nonsense’ of 72 limericks in 1846. The book was a huge success, not only making the author popular, but also boosting the limerick into popular culture across the world. And I'm pretty sure he did not write the limerick above. I just thought it was funny.

Receptionists Day

After getting the stitches out of my mouth (hallelujah!), I stopped to get a small bouquet of flowers and took them to our receptionist at the clubhouse. She was so surprised that I'm pretty sure no one else did anything. She's fairly new and I really don't know her yet, but I told her we do appreciate her. Can you imagine all the old fogies she has to deal with on a daily basis? A job I wouldn't wish on anyone!

Thomas came this afternoon and I certainly earned my money. All he wanted to do was talk. He wanted to know (again) why I wasn't married anymore and why I never had babies. Then he told me I should find my husband again and get back together. When I explained that he married someone else, Thomas thought I should meet his wife and we could be friends. This kid's wheels never stop turning.

Shrimp Day

I don't eat much shrimp, but do love it, so I liked this day. My concoction was edamame pasta, spinach, garlic, shrimp, and parmesan cheese. I didn't season it enough, so it was pretty bland today, but when I eat the leftovers, that will all change.

I can't got to the elementary school this week due to state testing, so feel a little lost, especially since today was one of the days I go. So I went to Home Depot for plants and HEB for shrimp this morning, which helped. Glory's buddy, Justine, came over this afternoon and although she's six years younger than Glory, she really didn't want to play much today. It was sad watching Glory nipping at her and being ignored. So we're heading out for our evening walk now. Maybe that will cheer her up.

Women's Checkup Day

It was time for my semi-annual checkup in order to get my prescriptions refilled (that's certainly a way to get people in), so I scheduled it for this morning after I saw what we celebrate today. I knew after my bone density test that I have osteopenia, which is not really serious, just means you have a moderate risk for fractures. So I didn't think anything about it. But the doc said that it's not a big deal unless you have a fracture and so now that I have, he's starting me on Boniva. It's an easy fix... one pill once a month. I have heard about bad side effects, but I'll hope for the best and stop it if I have any problems. And then we'll figure out something else because no more broken bones here!

Mother's Day

One of the many reasons I chose not to have children is that my mother was perfect in my eyes. As a child I always wanted to please her, even into high school. She never gave me a curfew because she knew I'd be home at a reasonable hour (it helped that I got sleepy as the clock approached midnight). When my friends would ask me to do something that I believed to be questionable, I would ask Mom assuming she would tell me no, but she never did. It was always, "You do what you think is right." It made me so mad because I wanted to tell my friends that she wouldn't let me. So I would lie, say that she said no, and then stay home. And when all the girls were bitching about their mothers and saying they hated them, I would chime in, too, because I didn't want to be different. But I always felt bad about it. I always loved her and still do. And I believed that's what it took to be a good mother and I knew I wasn't like her. As I said before, that was only one of the reasons, but I know better now. But I feel very blessed that she was my mother and I miss her so much!

Kentucky Derby Day

Not actually an official national day, but one we celebrated today at my house. Everyone didn't make it into the photo, but we all had fun. There were a couple of betting pools and I won $20 in one of them. Someone told me not to feel guilty since I was the hostess and all I could say was, "I don't." Hostessing is a big deal for me, so I just felt I deserved it (actually no one really cared). I love horse racing, just hate the fact that it's over in two minutes. But exciting, nevertheless. And Simon even made it into the shot!

Beverage Day

Since I only drink water and wine (worked for Jesus, right?), I decided to share a beverage with Dad and Uncle Tommy today... Clamato and vodka. I love it, too, and never have one without thinking of two of the strongest men in my life. It always makes me happy... in more ways than one.

Our dinner group tried a new Italian restaurant tonight. Lesson learned... we're not going back. Food was mediocre and the service was awful. When it's a new restaurant we always give them a second chance, but not so tonight. At least we laughed a lot and although a 20% tip was automatically added to our bills, most of us gave the waitress a little extra. She was close to tears at the end and it actually wasn't her fault, as far as we could tell. Always give them the benefit of the doubt... that's my motto, (possibly learned from Frank Wiggins, my hero)

Cinco de Mayo

I celebrated at lunch all by myself (as usual) with a margarita, guacamole and chips.  I even put the margarita in the glass I painted to make it even more festive. Granted the chips are made out of popcorn, but I like 'em and I think it was a perfect celebration!

Not to change the subject, but the mosquitoes are killing me!!! After all the heavy rains we've had, they've taken over the city. I even have to put on repellant just to sit around the house because they must hover around the back door until it opens and then dart in as fast as they can. I believe I'm going to have to call a service to spray once a month. Not sure what they charge, but at this point I'm pretty sure I don't care. These suckers are bleeding me dry!

Renewal Day

Granted it's also Star Wars Day, but that ain't happnin' here, so I was perfectly happy with Renewal Day. I reorganized my closet for summer and not a moment too soon... it was a mess! And I'm not really sure I would have done it now, were it not to celebrate the day. Yay me!

Thomas, the second grader I tutor, came this afternoon and just as in school, he's seriously restless this close to the end. He tries to goof off a lot and today he was touching my face (as he sometimes does) and then reached down and put his hand right on my boob! I was so surprised that I didn't react quickly enough, but I got it together and just said he couldn't do that. Is that normal at age 8? Seemed a little weird to me, but also a little funny.

Garden Meditation Day

I sat outside this evening with St. Francis, thanking God for all my many blessings. I don't really meditate and I think praying is better anyway. Two of the people I'm thankful for are mentees... Mason, the first grader, and Sage, the 16-year-old. I visited with both of them today and they always make me happy.

The weather here has been beautiful the last couple of days and I'm thankful for that, too. I just feel so fortunate and am so very grateful for all the people in my life (and Glory and Simon, too).

Melanoma Monday

This day reminded me that I need to get my annual full body check from my dermatologist. I've never remembered when it was time, but now I realize that May is my melanoma checkup month (although I might get it confused with March, but at least I'll be in the right vicinity).

I had gum surgery this morning, which isn't awful, but it's not pleasant. I've had to keep ice on it this afternoon, take antibiotics for a week, and go beck next Monday to get the stitches out. Other than that... piece of cake. But since I realized that Rob had his appendix out today, I certainly can't complain.

Egg Month

Last night before we finally headed to bed, all the women decided not to put on makeup this morning for breakfast since we were everyone was driving home. Best plan ever! A peach named Norman cooked each of us an omelet to order and mine was delicious. We all sat around drinking coffee (them, not me), rehashing the weekend, and making plans to get together again. It really was all pretty perfect.

And then the rains came! The drive home was pretty miserable. Took me over five hours instead of four, but the light at the end of the tunnel was seeing my babies again. I farmed them out this time... Glory to the home of her best friend, Justine, and Simon to Ann Roe. I'm so blessed to have such good friends, old and new. What a great weekend! It was good for my soul.