Fox Trot with Robbie

Weekend recap.

Weekend fun has included: Friday night dinner and a movie. Some of us watched "Frozen" while others paraded around the house, and even others just sat and enjoyed the company. Everyone picked just what comfort zone they fit into. All the children stayed up past their bedtimes, but Saturday morning were still blissfully asleep at 7:00 a.m. - so all was not despair.  Sausage, oatmeal, and eggs were our breakfast choices. Plus the drink of astronauts = Tang. Coffee for the adults. 

Saturday we just visited. Tried to take a walk not realizing how breezy/chilly it really was. In short order we returned to the warmth. And played some more with Nanny's makeshift toys...

Everyone enjoyed building with these "blocks". 

How cute are these toes? 

Very. 

After lunch Daughter and her entourage went home.

Mr. Macho took a nap while I tidied up. Then we got all cleaned up and joined our dancing friends for an evening of, well, dancing. 

I have tried to upload a video that my friend took at the dance of me dancing with our instructor. I have a feeling I will delete it because it is not doing what I want. If I can get it to work I will upload it later.

I am about to step outside and not waste this sunny day.

Peace. 

So sorry.

Have I failed my audience? I apologize to all you fans sitting on the edge of your seat just waiting for my next thrilling post. I guess I have been feeling a little sluggish in the writing department.

Since getting back from the coast I have had some busy, full days. Full of trivial pursuits. I must say that I have been enjoying myself, what - with spring here and all. Mr. Macho has been working in over drive... all of last week and into this one. I have had to attend dance class by myownself for two weeks in a row. I am loving the West Coast Swing. And. The waltz. Love the waltz. Leg intensive work out, for sure. But oh so pretty.

Last weekend we enjoyed good weather. We took several walks around the neighborhood. We visited with Son-in-Town and his family. We took a nice Sunday drive and visited all the local truck dealerships for an overdose of sticker shock. Yikes. I don't think I have mentioned that Mr. Macho had a fender bender while I was away. His personal truck is in hospital.

Have also been bizzy crocheting my little fingers to the bone. Have completed my big granny square afghan that I've been working on for a few months. Will post photo below. Currently I am working on three more afghans. Two baby ones. One scrap afghan.

Am trying to keep up with the house work between my social engagements. Yesterday, after I babysat, dropped off a gift, had my inspection sticker updated, I enjoyed three episode of Downton Abbey at my girlfriend's home theater. We are all the way up to about the third episode in season 3. Today I'm going to substitute at a bunko party. Friday Daughter and family will arrive for a fun spend the night/movie party. We will be viewing "Frozen". Fun times, man.

I had to pamper my little MKL, Jr. potted cactus and bring them back inside last night to save them from the deep freezer that was brought in by gusty winds yesterday. Not to worry. Temps will quickly recuperate to our spring time comfort level today and for the rest of the week. I do not think we are finished with the cold, yet. Sweaters will not be boxed up until May this year. Maybe.

***

Humpty. Dumpty. 

Or. Hump day. Dump day.

I have really cool friends. They were rock stars at the Elton John concert last week. All the young people wanted to take their picture with them. 

Friday was World Down Syndrome Day. My hair dresser asked friends to dress in blue in honor and support of her son, Ethan, who just happens to have an extra 21st chromosome. So I rocked it. I felt like I celebrated WDSD all day long. I posted this pic, along with another Instagram snap of socks - because the official theme was "Lots of socks". Because. Socks, like chromosomes, usually come in pairs. I liked and posted several feel good videos concerning Down Syndrome on my Facebook page on Friday. Viva la difference! 

See the extra chromosome?

Last Friday these 5 deer were spotted on my way into town. A very populated area. 

Also, note the flowering pear trees in the back ground. Every single pear tree in town was in full and gorgeous bloom last week. Peek week. It was exceptional. Vivid. Commented on by many. Alas. Snow-like petals fell over the weekend. Rain, wind, and new green leaves sprouting have lessened the bright white effect. 

Only one more task to complete on this afghan. On the backside there are loose ends. With an embroidery needle I will weave them in. Not sure if I will keep it or give it away. 

These are three of the babies that I sit on. Tuesday mornings. Thank heavens the mother of the twins color codes their shoes so that we can tell them apart. 

*****

I got my snack made last night. For the bunko today. Popcorn. Crushed Oreos. Melted almond bark. Mix. Cool. Break up. Serve. Enjoy. 

Easy peasy. 

Exercise and dirty laundry await me.

Peace.

Be sweet. 

A quick trip and a phone dump.

Lent started well over a week ago...and I have already dropped the ball and picked it up again. Yes, I ate some chocolate under extenuating circumstances...will explain later.

Ash Wednesday.

Do I need to explain this one?

Sweet Pea and her new repertoire of funny faces.

Quick trip to the Coast included taking Mom for a Reuben at the local billiards establishment. 

Friday night we dined at the PC Yacht Club. Brother, Dr. Bubba, and his youngest along with Aunt Mimi and her oldest. Good company. Fabulous sunset. 

Sister Amanda. Another niece. 

The sunset over Pass Christian Harbor. 

Saturday we ventured to Pirates Cove for some fried oysters and shrimp. 

These are my surrounding siblings (minus Uncle Pete). These are the people I grew up with. These are my homies. Look how pretty Mom looks! Yes. She is 93. And virtually deaf. Ellen Degeneres has nothing on us! We can do "selfies", too. 

After Mass we all converged on Uncle Pete's house. Saturday morning he had worked away making a special chocolate surprise. It was Mexican Pots de Creme. I decided to not hurt his feelings (wink, wink) and eat it. It was divine. Now I am back on the Lent wagon. No more sweets. Mea culpa. 

***

I am grateful that the rain subsided as I was leaving Mimi's house this morning. Once I hit the highway it was smooth sailing. Much better, actually, than the rainy drive down. Then, I passed the aftermath of three different accidents where rain caused cars to slide off the road...and into a tree on one occasion. 

*****

Tomorrow is St. Patrick's Day. I will help bury one of my bunko ladies in the morning. I am sad at her passing. She was a dependable lady. A bit of a bohemian, an artist. Rest in peace, Judith. 

"I do so like green eggs and ham. Thank you! Thank you! Sam-I-am!"

After Bible study yesterday some of "my girls" and I tried out a new restaurant. New in town. New to us. Tandoori Oven. Let me preempt: I have previously avoided curried foods thinking I do not like them. To me curry = Indian foods. And so, the avoid. But. Yesterday I wanted the adventure of trying something new. And I liked it!! I can not name the things I ate. It was all yummy. Three different chicken dishes, a lamb dish, something called "pickles" (with lemon, carrots, potatoes, cauliflower, and hot chili peppers), rice, a hot mint condiment, and more. I will go back.

Yesterday afternoon I attended my first official Garden Club meeting. This is another adventure. Our program yesterday was about growing herbs. I look forward to participating in community projects.

Best news of the day: Daughter heard from her transplant coordinator. Her donee is doing well. He is a young man with some type of blood disease. He has left the hospital already and shows no sign of Graft vs Host Disease. She donated late in January.

Today Daughter travels with her sister-friends to the funeral of April. The girl that inspired her stem cell donation. This circle of life is presenting Daughter with highs and lows in short order this week.

More adventures to lean into today. Go out and find yours.
Be sweet.

Ash Wednesday.

Lent has arrived. This year I am adding another Lenten task to my repertoire. My repertoire has heretofore only included giving up sweets for Lent. All sweets. Well, and last year I gave up facebook for Lent. So now...after hearing a friend say that one Lent she tried to give up saying negative things about others, I am inspired to give it a try. On this first day I feel like I have already discovered something profound. Not only do I need to stop negative comments, I need to stop negative thoughts. To stop negative thoughts about others I need to think kind thoughts about others. So far, so good. But. It is only the first day. I know I will fail at some point. Blurt out some ugly tirade. But I can start again. And. I will. I am not aiming for perfect. I am aiming for improvement. In my thoughts, words, and deeds.

Be sweet.

Waiting for spring.

The cold is back. If only temporarily.

Via facebook I learned this morning that my Daughter's friend is dying. She is the catalyst and inspiration that gave Daughter the momentum to donate her stem cells. April has been fighting leukemia for a couple of years. She shared her pains and struggles with us all. Last night her husband posted that her kidneys were failing.

I know she will be free from her pain and suffering. She had the bone marrow transplant last year. Hope for her was transplanted into us all as the marrow kept her alive for this while longer. Her pain multiplied and the last few months have been a prison of pain for her. I joined the ranks of her prayer warriors last year. My Thursday morning Bible study group added her to their bigger list. In three weeks we have mourned the passing of three people that I added to that list.

I must find the eucharist, the thanksgiving, in this? I must find the thanksgiving in this. I am thankful that there are many, many friends to comfort her husband and children right now. Thank you, God. I am giving thanks that today my family is healthy. Thank you, God.  I am thankful that Daughter gave her very life blood to give someone else the chance to live. Thank you, God. Please God protect that young man that has my Daughter's stems cells in his body.

As I look out my back door this morning I am witness to dark clouds. I am witness to bare trees. Cold has infected the window pane. And I know. I know spring will come. I long for the spring. Buds. And leaves. And even the pollen. And flowers. Please God bring on the flowers.

And. Thank you, God, for the flowers. And thank you, God, for the hope of a greater love beyond all this.

No luck for us.

That's right. We did not come home from the party $10,000 richer last night. We did come home tired, full, and happy that we got to participate in lots-o-dances. The band was loud and played mostly country music, not our genre. But. They played it well.  I jumped in and did several line dances with the other girls and a random man or two. Mr. Macho doesn't do the line dance. But, he did acquiesce and stopped into the Sonic for a quick milk shake on the way home. We were in bed before midnight. And got up feeling like who-done-it this morning. We are not such badasses any more. I don't think we ever were, really. We can't hang. We are into the "less beer, more sleep" days of our lives.

We are off to the movies this afternoon. Mr. Macho wants to see "Monument Men". I am on board 'cause I just like going to the movies. Maybe tonight we will watch the Oscars. Maybe.

This week we'll see Mardi Gras come and go. Not celebrated in my neck of the woods. Then Ash Wednesday. And Lent. It is a solemn feeling season, Lent. It is a regrouping, focusing time. For me.

Gotta run. I hear Mr. Macho moving around. Almost time to head to the movies.
Be sweet.

Weekend weather.

Is good. Hard to believe it was 19 degrees two mornings ago. Today started in the 40's and is at 70 now. Mr. Macho worked in his Dad's yard again today. I attended a bridal shower this morning. Lovely bride-to-be. After that I loaded up some lunch and joined Mr. Macho. I helped very little by picking up sticks and limbs in the yard. And kept him company while he was burning the pile of leaves/straw/limbs. It isn't nearly gone, but he has put a big dent in it.

Tonight we have a Mardi Gras party to attend. Food. Drink. Dance. And the chance to win $10,000. We won't win. We have no luck. Not the good kind or the bad kind. But we will enjoy ourselves. We just hope the band plays danceable music.

Now I must go cook 5 lbs of rice. To feed the masses on Monday.

Be sweet.