Celebrations begin...

First. Thanks S-I-T...I figured out how to get around my computer and upload this sweet picture. 

I call it "Millie's sweet dream". 

Next:

Yesterday I posted a 'throw back Thursday' photo of Mr. Macho on facebook. He was tickled and surprised with how many responses and comments were left. The fun has begun.

Last night we shared a birthday dinner with six of our friends. The friends insisted on a birthday candle for Mr. Macho's free dessert at Harvey's. And. Much to his chagrin, we sang "Happy Birthday" to him. 

 ***

More cooking and cleaning today. Already have the brisket in the pot. Family will start to arrive after dark. This party is on!

*****

And. Lest I forget...Go Trojans!!

Tech glitch.

Have tried twice to retrieve photos from my iphone to this blog unsuccessfully today. I give.

Only 2 days until Birthday Bash. I think everything is getting done. Only things left are to clean house, cook stuff, get ice, pick up cake and cookies and chicken...

Tonight we will dine with 3 other couples in celebration of Mr. Macho's upcoming birthday. This afternoon I will scrub bathrooms and steam mop a few floors and wash some dirty clothes.

I did get all the pumpkins spread around the house. I am feeling like I am about to board this train. Once I get on, I can't get off. I'll just enjoy the ride.

I wish I could have up loaded those snaps. On Tuesday I got to babysit for Millie. I caught her smiling in her sleep. She must have been having sweet dreams.

Got to go clean up.
Be sweet.

Count down to birthday.

T minus 4 days. Until the party - 5 days to the birthday. I am wigged out. Trying to get all the birthday ducks to line up this week.

Today I am going to run by the newspaper and arrange for a certain someone's baby picture to be printed on his birthday.

And I am going to look for pumpkins to decorate.

And I am trying to clean up in and around the house.

And I am going to babysit Millie this afternoon.

So. Get out of here. I gotz to go.

*****
Had to add this little clip.

Things that have made me happy today....

This box I painted for the birthday popcorn this weekend.

This little solar dancing pumpkin man I bought at the Dollar Tree. I laugh every time I walk in the room. 

He is rocking away. 

Go on. Buy yourself $1 worth of fun!

Running shoes on. Check.

With Superman speed we whizzed through the weekend.

Friday night we enjoyed a lovely meal, compliments of Uncle Pete. He, Kaye, Paulette, and the two of us had a nice visit at Paulette's house then converged on J. Broussard's. Fried olives. That's all I'm saying. Yum. After we parted we had time to catch the second half of our Trojan football game. And we were victorious! Bonus.

Saturday started great. Ended poorly. Mixed messages and non-communication made it a tense day. I had arranged for us to dance at a retirement home with our friends. Mr. Macho's signals were not clear to me. Until. We reached the home and I realized he was angry. Instead of opting out of the rest of the day (he had a choice) he agreed to go ahead and go along with the social agenda that was planned. By the end of the day he was miserable and I was as tense as Dick's hat band.

Sunday dawned without any discussion of the previous day's stress. After church we drove east and met up with Daughter and family and enjoyed a lunch at the Northport Diner. It was pretty good diner fare, only everything in the place was so sticky. And there were no adults in charge. They left the place in the hands of harried teenagers. And. The check out procedure was inexcusable. So. We have BEEN to Northport Diner. (That means we won't go back.)

We dropped the children off at home. Daughter got Merritt settled for her nap. And we headed for Sam's. She shopped. We shopped. I got most everything on my list. Then we headed back to her house. Visited for a while longer. Then drove home.

We expected cool temps all weekend. They didn't start to arrive until we were on our way back home from Daughter's house. This morning, when Mr. Macho was leaving, I felt a rush of cool air when he opened the door. My computer tells me it is 50 degrees! Yeehaw!

This morning. I broached the subject of the weekend miscommunications. I apologized for subjecting Mr. Macho to a long afternoon that he did not enjoy. I asked that he be more clear when he is not inclined to participate. It will be easier. On both of us. I feel better now.

This week. We are in birthday mode. Yesterday we made some fun "Happy Birthday to Mr. Macho" purchases at Sam's. He got them set up. But dadgum if these gadgets aren't smarter than we are. We need our tech-savy chilluns to come home and teach us how to use these high falutin' thangs. I hope we eventually learn how to use and enjoy them. Geez. We are getting to be geezers.

Got to run to the gym. Then make it to my Loaves and Fish. By default I am the cole slaw mixer now. I am needed.
Be sweet.

Blah, blah, blah.

Whataweek. Political vomit. 

Yesterday I thoroughly enjoyed a Rotary luncheon where the guest speaker was our former governor, Haley Barbour. His topic was energy. Interesting and forward thinking comments about what our focus needs to be. His opinion is that we need to not be dependent on any one energy source. I liked his comment that went something like, "It is good to be hopeful. It is better to be knowledgable!" He is certainly knowledgable. He gave us much insight about what is happening with energy in our very own state. He spoke about nuclear energy, natural gas, oil, costs, and projections...

After he spoke he opened the floor for questions and the very last one had to do with our current "crisis". Wisely he said that the government shut down is not the answer. After, at least, 40 votes to try and repeal the ACA it is not going to happen. The votes to repeal, defund, or delay the health care act are simply not there. At this point we need to just let the chips fall where they may.

IF the ACA is as bad as we think it is going to be THEN speak loudly with your vote. 

Two of my girlie friends, the Guv-nah, and me. 

***

Son-in-town called this morning to let me know there was a red sky on his way to school. And we know what this means. Possible thunderstorms today. Guess I will get those baseboard finished, after all. 

It was a little comical to me that yesterday I was on my hands and knees washing the baseboards, took time out to shower and go rub elbows with the former governor, then come home and get back on my hands and knees to wash some more baseboards. That's how I roll. 

*****

Slowly, every so slowly, I am finishing the baby afghan with the bubble stitch that I started months ago. I feel like it is holding me up from starting other projects. So I must complete it! Soon.

And on with the day!

Be sweet. 

Raindrops are falling on my head.

Well. Not yet. But it is raining. And. I do plan to go out. So there will be raindrops on my head before the morning is over.

Twas another good and busy weekend. Story tellers Friday night, Saturday morning chores, dance party up north Saturday night. When we arrived at the dance we met our good friends in the parking lot. They were in a hurry to leave due to a family emergency. We were most concerned and it dampened our spirits quite a bit. We went on with our plans but things felt out of kilter. We stayed until the end of the dance - which seemed to drag on slightly - and then took our leave. We stopped at a Sonic in a little hamlet on the way home to garner a 1/2 priced milk shake. Poor girls there did not have on their roller skates that night. They were s-l-o-w. And then. And then. No napkins. Who would not bring napkins with every order?! I, mistakenly, asked for them. She said she would be right back. Five minutes later we just left.

We got home around midnight. Up early on Sunday so we could go to church. Mr. Macho napped off and on for the rest of the day. No. Not me. After a noon meal (and another nap by Mr. M.) we made a quick trip to the Wal-Mart so I could pick up some fabric and a pattern. That accomplished we drove to our little town welcome center to meet and greet Michael Farris Smith and have him sign a copy of his new book "Rivers". He seemed very nice and I got my copy. Sorry I didn't take a picture with him. You know I like the pictures. Anyway. Came on home and started reading - until my eyes started to droop. Then I shut the book and let the teevee lull me to sleep on the couch.

And there you have it.

Much to do this week. Starting to really prepare for the upcoming birthday. Trying to keep it simple, just like Mr. Macho likes it. Oh. And he nixed the new truck idea, totally. There will be no new truck. At least for now. I am at a loss as to any kind of birthday gift. And I really wanted to do something big since this is such a BIG birthday year. Ah well. Maybe something will come to me. Let me know if you have any good ideas.
Be sweet.

Smell the coffee?

Oh. It is one of those mornings. Cool on the porch. Coffee aroma permeates the house. Step out then step back in. Mmmm. Coffee.
Didn't get out of bed until after 7:00. All is right with the world.
Last night we I enjoyed the story tellers at our local art center. The tellers were from different cultural back grounds. The first was born in Japan. Her face and body language were as much, if not more, a part of the story as was her verbiage. She was enchanting. She wore the traditional kimono. She spoke English very well but used just enough Japanese to spice up her tales. Her tales were simple. Full of emotion.
Our second teller was born in Cuba. Immigrated to the United States at 3 years of age. She was an entertainer. She would be the fun friend to have. Full of life and stories, and quick with off the cuff remarks. She had all the audience enjoying good belly laughs. She regaled us with snippets of her childhood and family. Seasoned with the hot Latin flavor.
Mr. Macho laughed a little. But. I could tell this wasn't his venue. This, most likely, will be his only attendance. I can't see him going back next year.

I really thought I had convinced Mr. Macho to go truck shopping today. I have been thinking of what I could do to make his upcoming birthday extra special. He hasn't totally ruled it out. But. He is over at his Dad's right now eating the weeds. He would like the new truck. He just doesn't want to shop or pay for it.

Tonight we travel to north to attend a dance! A dinner and a dance. We have decided to join the dance club up north. They host dances once a month. We have taken the dance lessons for over two years. Now we need to just dance. Dance lessons will continue.

I must go find something productive to do. If there is something you want to accomplish in September you had better get to it!
Be sweet.