Weekend Eve

Well, it IS my weekend as I have taken tomorrow off. Sometimes we just need a "me" day to do whatever we want to do - or not. It's supposed to rain and I love rainy days so I may just lay on the couch and sleep all day with my four legged friends.

Tonight I'm having some friends over for dinner. This is a wonderful group of ladies that I formed a very special bond with. We get together every month for our own little hen party, some adult beverages and a lot of laughter! We usually meet at one of our favorite watering holes but we recently started rotating amongst our homes. I host tonight and they're gonna love it. I made a bit crock pot of Chicken Merlot and we're going to have some wonderful crusty bread from La Bella Italia paired with a plate of yummy EVOO and freshly grated romano cheese. I guess we'll have salad so we can say we ate healthy. And a good glass of nice chilled Pinot Grigio. They'll be here in two hours and I can hardly wait. The smell in the house from the chicken cooking all day is starting to get to me!

The birds are starting to show up in force (grackles and starlings) which means Spring can't be far behind. I know when my bird feeders get raped of all their food in one day, that the black birds are back. But I'm getting some Red Wing Blackbirds which are very pretty in flight. It's really cool to see a whole flock of them take off and the big ribbon of red that follows. I've noticed male Red Bellied Woodpeckers who are in full mating color and the cardinals are as red as ever. We'll have little fledglings before we know it.

The pond for some reason is holding water now. Of course it would - just to torque us a bit. As soon as the weather breaks, we'll drain it completely, trouble shoot the leak situation and get it ready for some new fish. My neighbor says the fish are happy in her pond so I doubt I'll get them back.

OK. I'm off to stir the chicken and get the rest of dinner ready. Bon Apetito!

Thank Heaven for Weekends

What a great weekend this has turned out to be. After last weekend with all the back-breaking work with painting the bedroom, I was determined to make this weekend a more relaxing, slower paced 2 days.


A co-worker and I drove up to beautiful Mathews County to visit a former manager of ours. After a half-hour detour to check on a possible leaking rear tire, we arrived just before noon. What a beautiful drive it was. Route 17, while it has its share of stop lights, is really a nice drive. Our friend lives just a stone's throw away from the Piankatank River and what a view that is. This picture isn't one I took, but gives you a real good idea of what we saw. It was rather (ok - very) chilly standing on the river shore, but worth every minute of it. Lunch was wonderful and filling, the sangria was most tasty (evident of the empty jug at the end of the day) and the hospitality unmatched. This dear friend was a role model for me, a mentor for me and most of all, a true friend. I miss her presence each day at work and treasure the time we can get together.


Today is going to be slow-paced. I plan to relax the rest of the day, read the newspaper, see what's on sale this week, and enjoy the Great American Race at 2pm. I have always wondered why NASCAR has their "super bowl" of events as the first race of the season. Seems it should be the other way around, doesn't it? Oh well. The first race of the season is always an exciting one and true NASCAR fans will tell you that you never know what will happen and it ain't over until it's over. All it takes is one - one hundreth of a second to cross the finish line first and visit Victory Lane. Check out NASCAR if you're new to the sport - see what you think.

Enjoy your Sunday, be kind to your loved ones but most of all, be kind to yourself. Relax, refresh and renew - because it is all about YOU.

The Dog Days of February

Now, that doesn't sound right does it? Oh well. It's been a very long week at work, it's been raining all day and my feeble little brain has had enough. Gosh, and it's just hump day.

You will be happy to know that the bedroom is spic and span with a shiny (well, not really, I chose a flat finish) new coat (or two) of paint - ceiling too! Don't get too excited - I went with very natural, neutral colors for now. I did paint one wall as an accent but it's very subtle. But the wall is an easy one to get to and move a few things out of the way, so I can "bump it up a notch" later when the mood hits me to get wild and put a real color on the wall. I'm just too afraid of taking a risk with too much color - and have to repaint it again and again. Chicken little I am I am.

Zippy didn't get any paint on him but he kept coming into the room and walking around - I think he like the sound of the tarps squishing under his feet. Either that, or he's just a little weird. Ok, I think we know the real answer here.

Schatze could have cared less. Mr. Wonderful too for that matter! Although he was a great help getting the room put back together, the ceiling fan blades on, dressers moved into place, etc. I couldn't have done it without him. I think I'll keep him (and no Diane - he doesn't hire out!). And sorry, but I forgot the before and after pics - I do hope no one looses sleep over that.

So, the writers stike is over! Yipee! How long before a new NCIS comes on? Bummer though that we have to wait until '09 for a new season of 24....my new favorite show (after Mr. Harmon, of course). I'm sure we'll benefit from this strike in some form or fashion - like, maybe they will keep any new reality shows to a minimum...ugh! So over those.

OK, I've rambled enough. Until next time - Ciao!

Now What?

The Super Bowl is over, Super Tuesday is over and the ground hog saw his shadow. Whatever will we do for the next six weeks of winter? Although, if the weather is like it is now (we hit what, 75 today?) I don't think we'll have anything to worry about. I've seen daffodils peaking through the dirt and the birds are out in full force in the mornings...no one seems to know what season it is. The flowers will get out and bloom and we'll have an ice storm and it will kill them and anything else budding/blooming that thinks it Spring already. Poor little songbirds won't know what to do.

It's decided - I'm going to paint the bedroom on Saturday. Mr. Wonderful has agreed to help me move furniture out of the room Friday and I'll get it taped off and ready to roll - literally! Should only take a couple of hours as long as the dog and cat don't decide to help. I'll be sure to keep everyone posted on the progress. Before and after pics? We'll see.

Hey - it's Tuesday night. That can only mean one thing - NCIS!

Ciao...

February Already?

Wow - where does all this precious time go? Tomorrow is Ground Hog Day already. What's the little guy gonna do this year? Sunday is Super Bowl. We have Valentine's Day this month as well as President's Day - it's a happen' month!

It has been a hectic couple of weeks. I promised myself that when the Learning 2.0 thing was over with, that I'd spend more time investigating some of those wonderful tools that I learned about. NOT! I just don't know what happens to my time. I always thought I was pretty organized and detailed, but some days I have my doubts. But my "to do" list at works never really seems to shrink (just the opposite), and the ATP list at home hasn't gone anywhere in a couple of months and I still have pond issue to deal with.

Speaking of the pond. We've filled it once again (sans the milk) and turned the pump off to see how much water we loose. It's just been one week and so far, ok. It's a complete mystery to us. All good things come to those who wait. And wait, and wait...

Hmm...what else is going on? Now that I have my Mom's den painted, I think I'm going to tackle my bedroom next weekend. No time like the present, right? Why put it off. Like working on the backyard this weekend. Sunday is supposed to be "warm" for this time of year (mid-50's) so I think I can get out there and clean out the bird pit, clean up the lower deck, trim some perennials and clean up the potted plants. After all, it will be Easter before I know it and time to put new stuff out. Schatze will enjoy a day outdoors as well.

My poor little Schatz....we both feel like it won't be long for her. She seems like she's on her last legs which actually give out on her going up and down the 3 steps from the garage to the house. She's had a wonderful life (I always said that if I'm reincarnated, I want to come back as my dog!) so we can't get but too upset. Then there's Zippy - he's, just, well, he's a cat. What else can I say?

Be good - or be good at it! Ciao.