Five Friday Favorites - Glass

Friday again? Yes, indeed, and it's time to play Five Friday Favs. Today, it's glass items. What are your favorites?

These are mine:

1. My specs! No, I don't wear John Lennon or Benjamin Franklin glasses (okay, close), but I love my glasses. No contacts for me.

2. My mom's china. She gave it to me. It's the Easterling Celestial pattern, which, of course, is no longer made. She got it in 1957 - ultra-mod, don't you think? At least, Jeston-esque.

3. Sea Glass... found on the beach, worn smooth by the surf. You'll find plenty of brown glass, but it's these colors that are the treasures.



4. Stained Glass... beautiful!

5. Last, but not least, blown glass. And when it's an ornament, too? Bonus!!

So, what about YOU? Let us know!

Get Ready

Tomorrow's Five Friday Favorites will be:

Glass items

See you tomorrow :-)

Horses

Sometimes, you just don't realize the effects:

Please take a moment and look at this small article by clicking HERE.

This is very near where I live. Isn't it wonderful they're okay?

Where Do You Want To Go?

I have a tiny calendar on my desk at work...it's about 3" x 2" and each day is another picture of Greece. Not just what you expect, but random color photos from around the country... each island. Beautiful blue waters, cafe scenes, the insides of churches, paintings, dolls, boats, ruins, statues, windmills (beautiful!), landscapes, flowers, and art. Just to name a few.

Needless to say, I want to go to Greece. (Thank you, calendar)

And Iceland. I realllllly want to go there, too. I could go into my various reasons, but "puffins" are number one.

So, what about you? Where do YOU want to go? Your dream place?

It Rained Like Crazy!

I could tell you, but you can check out a few photos HERE.

The ones near the end are closer to my house.

It was HELL getting to work today - took me 3 1/2 hours!

Defensiveness

Oh, that's right... I had to take defensive driving. The last time I got a ticket was 1979, but I got one this year. Yep! With Nicole in the car with me. Not a good plan when you have a new driver with you.

She got a ticket about 3 months after getting her license last year and I got all high and mighty on her about it had been almost 30 years since I got a speeding ticket for going 40 in a 35 zone. She took the same defensive driving class and had her ticket dismissed (thank the insurance gods!).

Soooooo.... with all this behind her, I get my second-ever speeding ticket for the SAME THING - going 40 in a 30. My child was greatly amused by this. My only comeback was she wasn't allowed to get another ticket for 30 years. We'll see.

Anyway... Texas law mandates defensive driving classes MUST be 6 hours long. I can assure you, you are aware of each minute. I went to a comedy class, so it was better. Actually, the guy was pretty funny. The best part was how he tortured the texters and young ones.

Well, that's over and now I wait for my certificate and get MY ticket dismissed. Guess Jerry is next!

Mimeographed

Nope... you can't copy a "real" painting by painting with your mouse.... it's like a mimeograph copy rather than a perfect scan.

Here's my mousey mimeograph:

To see the real deal.... click right here. And once you're through gasping from the difference (rich colors, lovely textures, and actual depth!), explore Both Sides of Ben Marlan and enjoy his beautiful art.

Here's a big THANK YOU to my dear friend, Gary, for sending me Ben's way!

Now, don't you wish you could smell one of the freshly mimeographed tests right now??

Five Friday Favorites - Designs

It's time for Five Friday Favorites! Our selection for this Friday is Designs.

If you choose to participate, please leave a comment here so we can find you.

Now, here are my Five Friday Favs:



1. Maps... I love the old hand-illustrated maps. I tried to find some examples of the nautical maps with sea monsters, mermaids, and various other depictions, but wasn't as successful as I had hoped (click to see larger).

2. I found myself finding designs in nature as I began my search. Did this face just "happen" or was it magnificently designed?






3. And how could I, as a bona fide seventh generation Texan, not include a photo of the Texas capitol rotunda? Now, isn't that just beautifully designed? Mmmm hmmmmmm... that's right ;-)







4. Shells... I had to pick more than one example. First, the lightning whelk (Texas State Shell) - I love this shell because I remember finding many each summer of my entire childhood. To find a whole one was a treasure and I keep one on both my desks to this date.

The interior of the nautilus shell is almost divine... the perfection is amazing

And the sea turtle shell is priceless. Now an endangered species, these shells were once used to make beautiful jewelry and adornments... I prefer it to stay on the turtle.

5. Finally, a simple braid. I don't know if there is a more beautiful design to me. Especially when it is on the head of a little one.

I look forward to seeing your five favorite designs...

Happy Friday!

A Normal Day

That's my goal today.

Life with Miss Priss has actually been stable lately. Of course, she wants to drive to Galveston this Saturday with a pack of friends, so she is motivated to be on track. We think we're finally going to let her do it - with permission of said friends folks.

Life at work has been a zoo. I didn't think it could get this busy, but it has, which is good for business, but I feel like I can't catch my breath. Oh well, we all know things cycle around and come back eventually. I hope it does that soon.

I'm discovering I am not the world's best manager. I have an employee that just won't go home when I tell her to... she just keeps working and saying, "I'm almost done." I keep saying, "Pack up and go..." I have to get more forceful... not sure that's the hill on which I want to battle. Not today.

It might be time for Lynda to have a solo vacation. I could really enjoy that.

Have you ever had a vacation or a weekend trip by yourself? What did you do, where did you go?

REMINDER: Tomorrow we'll have the Five Friday Favorites. What will it be??? I'll tell you so you can get ready... list your five favorite designs. What do I mean by designs? You tell me! Designs in nature, architecture, fabric, cakes, clothing, etc....

Who'd Win?

This is just for fun....

Who do you think would win? Who is REALLY the king of the jungle?

Would a silverback gorilla take a lion or would the lion take the silverback?

I'm kind of pulling for the lion. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrr.

Afternoon Delight

No, not THAT... (I wish!)

A delicious raspberry mango smoothy.

It came with my apple walnut salad I had today for lunch.

Now, isn't this an exciting post?

What did YOU have for lunch today??

Peace In This World

Ah... this is good stuff.... the music ensemble from my church:



Enjoy!

I Don't Post on Saturdays

So what the heck am I doing here now?

I thought I would share another work adventure with you. I already told my pal, Gary, but what the heck... why not tell all my friends?

My company provides contract workers for various clients. Many of which are very professional - these are not contract blue collar positiions, but white collar.

We keep trying to find that "just right" person on Long Island. Now, you would think there are tons to choose from. Our screening process is pretty tough and once they get through it, we make a decision. I am on my third one for a particular client! I don't know how many more times we can go through this.

Yesterday, this gentleman, who had been a previous employee of the client (so he already knew how the work was to be done) and a licensed New York Appraiser, decided to TAKE HIS SHOES OFF in the middle of the office, walk around in his socks, and talk extremely loudly on the cell phone. Bad enough that I received emails regarding this.

I don't want to call a grown man over the age of 50 and ask him why he didn't keep the shoes on his feet.

Another guy decided to sit down in the client's office in front of a TV and FELL ASLEEP. At work!

What is wrong with these people?? I don't know how many more of those emails I can get.

I need to find two decent, hard-working, fairly intelligent people on Long Island.

What's up with that?

Five Friday Favorites

I don't even know if someone already does this, but I'm doing it now... sharing five of my favorites on Friday...

So, why not movies? (thanks for making me go there, Gary!)

Here are five of my favs:

1. To Kill A Mockingbird

(who says people don't look good in glasses??)

2. It's a Wonderful Life

(Jimmy! love you)

3. The Breakfast Club

(acting!)

4. Twelve Angry Men

(more acting!)

5. Monty Python and the Holy Grail

(imo: funniest movie, ever!)

Guard: Where'd you get the coconuts?
Arthur: We found them.
Guard: Found them? In Mercia?! The coconut's tropical!
Arthur: What do you mean?
Guard: Well, Mercia's a temperate zone!
Arthur: The swallow may fly south with the sun, and the house martin or the plover may seek warmer climes in winter, yet these are not strangers to our land.
Guard: ... Are you suggesting that coconuts migrate?

Controversy

So... let's shake it up a bit. I've been thinking there are so many controversial subjects - things we tread lightly around and hope we don't disturb the waters. I think most people have strong opinions on these subjects but don't often "go there." So, I am going to go there with these:

1. Should gay couples be able to marry?

2. Does age matter in relationships?

What are your thoughts? These are mine:

1. Oh, yes. I do think so. Now, being raised in a conservative home in the south in the "olden days," you might think I would be anti-gay, but I am not. And, I also have strong spiritual beliefs, but, amazing as it may be, I believe they encompass this issue wonderfully and support Love (yes, capitalized) in any circumstance. I am happy to say that I belong to a spiritual community that embraces all people, all races, all religions, and all spiritual paths.

Speaking of my spiritual community, we just happen to have two married gay people, Jason & deMarco who are working with our youth (my daughter included!) whom I think are extraordinary human beings and also happen to be fantastic singers. They were recently featured in a Showtime special, "We're All Angels."

Yep, I support two people (of legal age) enjoying a personal relationship in whatever manner enriches their lives.

2. In my opinion, age DOES matter in relationships. Always? No... are you 25 and your partner is 45? great! Are you 18 and your partner is 50? Yeah, that matters! This is just strictly my opinion, but what kind of intellectual relationship is possible when the age difference is so vast?

Now, change the spread 40 and 72... possibly "do-able" as both have had an opportunity to have life experiences.

I know, I'm biased on this one, but stay in a decent range, people!

What do YOU think?

Favorite Part?

Okay... this is to settle a debate amongst friends...

What's your favorite physical part of the gender to whom you are attracted?

Me? I love men's arms...

don't get me started.

Too late... I think I went there.

And Sometimes, Weirdness Overtakes Us....

I don't know...don't ask!

(You'll probably need to click on it to get a bigger view... not really sure that will help, though)

After The Gumbo

Sorry to be late in posting... it's just been a bit busy here.

Yep, the family got together yesterday and it was a big gumbo festival!

The best part was seeing my nephew, Josh (26), and niece, Kristin (22)... they are both so incredibly gorgeous and even more intelligent. I never realize how much I miss them until I see them.

So, what did YOU do?

Nap Time

"Off the Clock"

Ever feel like just taking a nap?

Easter Gumbo

Oh yeah, you read that right!

We got an email from my favorite brother the other day... he and his wife decided to have Easter Gumbo on Sunday instead of a traditional Easter dinner. Now, this is a first for our family, but it looks like it's a big hit because EVERYONE is showing up - nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, grandparents - the whole shabang.

Now, what you don't know is my husband (Jerry), my sister's husband (Chuck), and my favorite (and only) brother (Darren) all think that they make the best gumbo on earth. When one of the others make it, you can hear the other two over in corner somewhere talking about what should've been included or left out... or how the roux just wasn't right, etc....

They think we don't know, but we do.

Sunday will be seafood gumbo. Delicious no matter which of the three make it.

Although my family has no clue about this blog, I am not taking the risk of choosing a seafood gumbo side, people.

Does your family have a non-traditional special dinner? Some of my Mexican friends have tamales for Christmas dinner. Our Lebanese neighbors have kibbe (oh, how I wish she'd make us some right now!). How about you??

Don't get me started on the chicken and sausage gumbo... oh my goodness!

Hey! It's Gary's Birthday!

Woohooo!




Happy Birthday to my friend, Gary!



As you all know by now, Gary is one of my favorite peeps....and today is his special day.

Do me a fav and go wish him congrats on making it around the sun one more time.

Hope your next ride around is spectacular, Gary :-)

ER

Yikes!

I had a visit to the ER Saturday night.

Everyone in my house had gotten some kind of bug and got over it quickly. It was my turn to get it on Friday. I slept most of the day on Saturday, but by Saturday evening, I really just couldn't breathe well and it, well, freaked me out. I am sure anxiety didn't help anything!

Sooooooo... Jerry took me to the Emergency Room where they proceeded to run a hundred tests. One of these tests was a possible indicator of blood clots OR it could just indicate an infection in the lungs. Well, once they had that test, off to the hospital I went.

People, I had every kind of clot test you can imagine - CAT Scan, VQ Scan, Doppler, and a heart scan.

Until the results came back, I had to get blood thinner injections... in my STOMACH! Remind me never to get rabies. Those things HURT.

Fortunately, all tests were clear and I was released. I have a little bronchitis... that's no biggie after all that.

Maybe tomorrow I will tell you about my poor roommate...

Later, Gator
Soon, Baboon
You Wish, Jellyfish!

Enjoying Others

Happy Friday, everyone!

I have been looking over my past entries along with the comments, etc... amazing how much time has past and what all has occurred in such a short amount of time. I started this for me - as an outlet to express privately. As I have mentioned before, none of my "real life" friends or family know about this blog of mine (exclude the husband, of course).

This is on purpose. I can talk about them all I want and they don't know it! Actually, it lets me feel completely free to say what I want, be who I am, etc....

So, what's been the best part of it all? Oh, I think you know... getting to meet and know some of you! I have a group of people that I must visit every single day - some more than once.

One of the best things is becoming true friends with a few... people I know I will care about as friends for a long, long time.

So, let me share three of my favs... maybe you should give them a whirl.... I think you'll be glad you did:

If you have visited me frequently, it will be no surprise that my friend, Gary, is at the top of my list... his blog is an adventure all by itself! Trust me, people, it changes frequently and is always fun! Plus, you have the opportunity to purchase wickedly amazing pottery! I know, I've done it, and I am going to do it again ;-) Gary, thanks for being that friend I mentioned above - you rock!

Oh, and Katie... I just can't miss her, either! I love her posts... she just opens her heart and lets her light shine. Sometimes funny, sometimes sad... always interesting. I am so glad our paths crossed and I intend to remain a faithful follower.

And finally, Melissa! A high school journalism teacher who shares her experiences in a manner that makes me keep coming back to find out more. I sure would've like a teacher like her. It's nice to know people like Melissa are teaching our kids. And enjoy her Sx3 posts on Sundays!

There are so many more, but I'm hoping that just three will be just enough to send you their way. If you go, say, "hi" for me!

Breathe

Breathe

I did this a long time ago... I am not sure if it has ever been seen by anyone other than me (and those people who happen to reside in my house)... Happy Thursday!