Guess What?

No rain during the night (that I know of), but it has been raining since right after I got up at 5:30 and now we have lightning and thunder and we're under a flood watch. It may clear tomorrow. I hope so. We're going half-way to pick up Eric for the week. We have important plans this morning which I will reveal later today. I'll also post a picture for my readers. Other than that..no news. Leaving soon....later...

Bumper Crop

I didn't want to plant tomatoes this year as last year we had puny tomatoes with little taste. Richard wanted to do it, so I left him in charge. We put them in the ground and fed them then and once more. They are coming out our ears and are tasty and large. My herbs are also very lush. The rain is doing a good job and it's been a cool summer, so I can't complain too much.
Last night we settled down to watch Margaret Cho. We hadn't seen her in years and then it was on Stand-Up in Richmond. I just want to say that Richard and I aren't' prudes. We like Kathy Griffin a lot, but Margaret Cho is way over the top in the disgusting area. She makes Kathy look like Mother Teresa. We didn't watch much and that was too much for us.
Rained on and off all night and raining hard now. Cheyenne was in all night the night before and then all day yesterday until we got home from the gym. Then I let her out as the sun was shining. I didn't see her before we went to bed so she wasn't in last night and there is no sign of her today.
Richard is going to do a lot of odd jobs around here today. I'll go to the library after lunch and then to the gym. Later....

Love Those Premium Channels

After Hill Street Blues and St. Elsewhere last night we turned to Showtime and watched Nurse Jackie and then Weeds. I really like them both, though I'm not up to date on Weeds as I had never seen it before. We've recently also been watching Entourage and Hung. Tonight Margaret Cho has a show on Showtime. I even was awake for most of Letterman! Nothing much happening today. I watched another wacko on the Today Show. Maggie called me to see if I had seen her. She is of the same ilk as Ann Coulter. I guess they are frustrated writers who think the only way to be recognized is to take the wacko route. I won't even go into all that she said...too crazy.
Richard is still snoozing...I've eaten, made tuna salad for tonight, done 2 puzzles and am ready to clean myself up. Later.....

Not so Bad

After being away from the gym for a few weeks I expected it to be rough, but it really wasn't so bad. It was actually good to get back and it is good to get away for a few days every now and then. Today I'll go to Yoga and then a few errands before back home. I'm trying to drop about 10 pounds so am watching what I eat and no drinking alcohol for awhile. I'm not doing the Southbeach this time, just cutting back. CHarter is here now to install our Tivo and upgrade our premium channels. We've got a plan B for our vacation if Bob can't get away to be with us. We will fly to Maine and rent a car and drive to Bay of Fundy and PEI staying in cottages or motels. It really won't cost us much more as we would be staying in motels on the way up and back anyway. We'll only be gone for a week that way. We'll see what Heather says. later.....

Ho Hum Monday

I've been busy this morning with mundane chores. The laundry is almost completed, the vegetables are cut, the deviled eggs are made as is the jello. I need to fold laundry now and get the garbage together and then fill the humming bird feeders. THEN I can get my shower and sit down. Later it's to the gym. Interesting, huh? Later.....

Cool and Rainy

We have rain with storms expected...a great day to read. I started a book by Kristin Hannah. I read a review of a new book of hers but it wasn't in so I got Summer Island and like it a lot. I think that will mostly define my Sunday. Breakfast is over and the Times puzzle is impossible today. We won't give up and will tackle it again in a bit. Tomorrow it's back to the gym and dieting. Later....

Vacation Plans

Plans for our trip North are shaping up. It looks like we will leave with Heather the day after Labor Day and arrive in Bar Harbor on the 3rd day. We'll stay there for a few days and drive on to Bay of Fundy after picking Bob and the kids up in Bangor at the airport. From Bay of Fundy we'll go on to Prince Edward Island for 3-4 days and return Bob, kids and our rental car at the airport in Bangor and we'll drive home with Heather. I'm getting excited!
I'm not sure what we're going to do today. We need to do something, but haven't figured it out yet. I need to pick up a few things at the grocery store.
I finished the newest Anne Perry book yesterday. I hadn't read her in awhile and this was a really good one...Execution Dock. I started my new book yesterday, but didn't get far as we signed up for the premium channels yesterday and watched Curb Your Enthusiasm and Bill Maher all evening. Charter has a special running at a good deal and it is locked in for 2 years. We really like some of the shows on HBO so decided to do it. Later....

Nice Visit

Jim and Nancy just left and we had a very nice visit. The weather turned out to be beautiful...I thought it was going to get hot and humid, but it never did and we were able to eat both lunch and dinner on the deck. We talked our mouths dry...we really like them and look forward to visiting them in Atlanta. Nothing much doing today. I guess we'll watch some golf later on. Later....

Surprise

Jim Moore finally called late yesterday afternoon to say they would be here about noon today. I wasn't expecting them before 3 or 4. That meant they would be here for lunch which I hadn't planned on and didn't have anything for that. I decided I would send Richard for some cold cuts and we'd have sandwiches and tomatoes. Richard thought I should make a quiche..I nixed that. I've already worked enough. Then I got the bright idea to go to Chef's..a really cool cafe in town that has quiche, soups, fantastic chicken salad sandwiches on croissants. We agreed on that and hoped they would have a cold soup today and we'd get the croissants. I called this morning and the number has been disconnected. I can't believe they closed as they are very popular and I was in there recently. Anyway, Richard set off and is going to see what's up and if it is closed there is another new upscale market in town that he'll go to. I guess it will be a surprise. Other than that everything is all clean and ready. Later....

It is Lonely Here

No bright-eyed faces in the morning...I really miss them. At least when Madison left I had Max. I have been busy this morning. Jim and Nancy are due here sometime tomorrow. I wish they would call. I have no idea when to expect them. I cleaned the upstairs, but have yet to vacuum. I made the dinner for tomorrow evening...a tortellini and shrimp salad and I'll make cheese bread tomorrow to go with it. I also made a spinach dip for appetizer which I will serve with crackers and veggies. It's sorbet and cookies for dessert. Nothing else going on today. Oh, Anne, tell Max I didn't have to "lure" Cheyenne last night. She came up on the deck by her own will and she spent the night. It may rain this afternoon so I'll try to get her in shortly. Later...

My Opinion

We saw Harry Potter yesterday and I really liked it. I just read Muir's opinion in her blog. It has been a long time since I read the book so I didn't feel as she did..mainly because I didn't remember the specifics of the book, etc. I do agree there could have been more between the main characters to set up for what is to come in the next two movies. Richard didn't think there was enough action and Richard, Jr. hasn't read the books and was somewhat confused at times.
There were a few scary scenes and Max covered up his head and held his ears. I knew he would be sleeping with us. Also, when we got there the theater was freezing so I got a blanket from the car and Max and I shared that. I would have been miserable without it.
Max did sleep with us last night...at least part of the night. When I woke up he was gone. He had gone back to his room because Grandpap was snoring. I have him all packed up and we will be leaving within the hour to return him to his rightful owner. I will really miss the little dynamo!! Later....

Good Sleep

Max slept with us and we all had a good sleep. He didn't get up until after 9. He obviously was very tired. He did watch Designer Star with me last night. He's funny...funny comments. Today we go to see Harry potter. Richard will meet us there and he wants to take us out to eat afterward. Laundry is almost done. I had to soak Max's socks overnight. He wears them outside and one pair I had to throw away...he's a boy!

General died yesterday, but I'll put his blurry picture on anyway. Later....

Cincinnati

The New York Times Travel section has a nice piece on Cincinnati today. I can't believe what has happened in Northside. I need to go there.!

Another One

Very chilly here this morning, but beautiful. Max took a walk about with the dogs after breakfast and is out with them again. He saved a baby lizard from death in a spider web yesterday. He now has him in a container and got it some ants to eat. We're trying to convince him that he must let it go today if it is to survive. He first named him Voldemort then changed the name to General. I'll have Richard post a picture of it later.
Max had trouble sleeping last night and I let him keep the tv on. I woke up at 2:37 due to Richard snoring and couldn't get back to sleep. He let Wolf out at 4 and Wolf proceeded to bark his head off. I finally got up and brought him back in. Max had just awakened again and I put him back to bed then tried to sleep myself. I finally got to sleep sometime after 5 and at 6 Richard turned on the tv. I could have shot him! I finally got up at 6:30 and Max was also up. I think he and I should take a nap this afternoon...fat chance! We'll go to the pool later. I'm making lasagna rollups for dinner. Later.....

Perfect Day

It couldn't be nicer and I'm just going to rest and relax today. Max is mad at me because I opened the gate and Cheyenne went off the deck. He got her back, but she didn't want to be in and I wouldn't let him close the gate. He'll get over it. Nothing really planned and yesterday was busy for all of us so nothing sounds good to me today. I was going to go to the farmer's market, but just decided not to. Richard is going out to get a haircut later on and he'll get whatever we decided we need. Disappointed at Tiger's performance at the Open, but he can't be great every day. Check out Daly's pants!! I think he's trying to one up Ian Poulter. Later....

Obsessions

Here is the boy at the mall at the bungee jump. He went 2 times and wanted to go more but we went to Dairy Queen instead. He was so worried about getting home before it rained because he wanted to get Cheyenne inside. When we got here she wasn't anywhere to be found and he was upset, but shortly thereafter she reappeared and he lured her in once again with salami and she stayed in all night. This morning he didn't want to let her out but I convinced him and she left and now she's back and he's so happy!

Last night he watched part of Jeopardy again and his winnings are now $13.50. I told him we could go back to the mall today for some more jumping and he could go 2 times at 6 bucks a shot. Hope you like the pictures. ...later

Boom Boom in the Night

Around 3 or 4 this morning the thunder was so loud it shook the house and there was lots of lightning also. It lasted for quite awhile. Max didn't even hear it!! Today it's cooler, but cloudy. We'll be going to the mall after lunch for the bungee jump. He's very into Cheyenne this morning. He was so happy that he got her in last night before it started to rain.
Tonight at 8 on ABC there is a program about J.K. Rowling you might want to watch. Later....

Mountain Day

We're off shortly to go to the mountains. Rain is due tomorrow so this had to be the day. Yesterday Linda called and invited us over to her pool so Max and I spent the afternoon there. It was really nice and he had a good time. I have our lunch packed and now I have to get me ready. Later.....

Lovely Day

Hot but no humidity. I'm about to head out to Yoga and not much else planned for the day. Tomorrow we'll go to the mountains with Max and Thursday probably do the bungee jump at the mall. I think I'll wait until Monday to see the Harry potter movie. Maybe the lines will be smaller by then. We're enjoying the Max!!! later....

Storms

Max heard them and said there was a lot of lightning. I didn't hear a thing. Cheyenne was in and Max was glad about that. He really loves her. Today we're going to the library to get a movie and books for Max. I really don't need a book. I'm currently reading an Elizabeth Adler book and next I'll read the new Anne Perry mystery. Anne also brought me the latest Catherine Coulter book. Nothing else to report. Later.....

Bad News Bears

I thought Max would really like Bad News Bears, but I'm striking out with movies. Anyway, today we'll go to the pool at family swim time. I'm making short ribs for dinner and I'll make Muir's Key Lime Bars also. Breakfast is over and we had a quick shower this morning. More is expected this afternoon. Later....

Lost!

For some strange reason yesterday's blog was lost. I wrote all of the day's happenings and then even showed it to Madison. Today when I went to show it to Anne it wasn't there. Go Figure. Anyway..they are soon leaving and Max is here. I will really miss Madison. We had a great time. Last night we watched Gone With the Wind. Not sure what we'll do today. Later.....

Mountains, Games, Movie

The weather was perfect in the mountains...very cool and refreshing. We ate, played games and Madison went down only once in the raft then we played more games. After dinner it was more games and we rented Oklahoma. We were sure she would love it. I forgot it had those long dance scenes and that made it a bit tedious. We should have gotten South Pacific. She did like the story. Tonight we watch Gone With the Wind. Anne and Max will be here in time for dinner. Madison leaves tomorrow and I will really miss her. We have had a lot of fun!!

Today I'm cleaning house and we're going to play games this afternoon. Later....

Elin Hilderbrand

I just finished her book...The Love Season. She has a new book out and several others, but this was the only one in the library not checked out. I really liked it and look forward to reading others.
We're off to the mountains shortly. Rain is expected later this afternoon so we must scoot. Started to watch 16 Candles last night...really stupid. We turned it off. Nothing else. later....

Grey Gardens

We watched Grey Gardens last night. Richard taped it for us when it was on HBO. He said Madison would like it also. I'm not sure he knows anything about young girls, but as soon as it started we knew she wouldn't like it. We told her she didn't have to watch and she didn't. I'm going to try to get West Side Story today at the library. We're going to see Ice Age this afternoon. Right now its raining a bit, but shouldn't rain much. Nothing much else going on. ....later

Fun Day

Yesterday was a fun and busy day. We first went to Hobby Lobby to get some projects for painting. After that Madison got her ears pierced and then we went to lunch. Next the library and then home. Richard took us to dinner at a Chinese restaurant. When we came home we watched The Miracle Worker which Madison had never seen. Today we first gave Cheyenne a bath and then began the painting. It's still an ongoing project. Tomorrow we go to the movies and Thursday the mountains for a picnic and swim. The week is going much too fast.

These are pictures from the week. later.....

Busy Day

Doing laundry but will soon head out. Madison is getting her ears pierced today and we have some other errands. I need to go to the library and she is going to need water shoes for the river on Wednesday or Thursday. Richard Jr. is taking us out to eat tonight. Yesterday we went to Bob and Heather's. Their house is beautiful. Madison wasn't wild about Tess' room...very pink. Other than that it is something. Their view is something else. Later....

Marathon Uno

This was the longest Uno game I have ever played. It went on forever. We had to reshuffle the deck 4 times and the two Richards and Madison had half a deck in their hands. I finally won making up for my loss the night before. I still haven't won at Upwords. Yesterday was nice with no rain. We had to take periodic breaks inside so Mama Wren could feed her babies who are nested in my "Out House" birdhouse on the deck. She won't go in when we are sitting there. After dinner we watched 1776 and Madison and I shot off sparklers. We woke up to rain today. I'm hoping it moves out of here as we are having a cookout. Later....

She's Here

We picked her up yesterday and then got home around 1. Later Richard went out and picked up a pizza and we had that for dinner. After Jeopardy we played Uno and then Up Words until bedtime. Happy Fourth Everyone. Madison is still in bed and I'm about to watch Wimbledon. I have started to clean the deck and to start dessert for today and tomorrow. I'll wait until Madison gets up and she can help with that. Richard will be over later this afternoon for burgers and corn on the cob. We'll watch "1776' this evening. Pretty day..no rain expected until tomorrow when I'm having people over...it figures.
Cheyenne was in all night...she dashed in here last evening after a firecracker went off somewhere. Later....

Getting Ready for Madison

We'll pick her up tomorrow. Today I'm cleaning house and this evening we'll go to Bob's surprise party. It will be good to see a lot of the people from Westgate.
Our terrace is finally finished. They did a good job and I really like Tony, but he is so undependable. Now he gave us a price on building us a new wall in the driveway and doing a few other jobs. He does do good work so after Richard checks around with some masons for a price on the wall we'll begin that project. Must get cracking. Later....

Finally!

The phone rang yesterday and I handed it to Richard. It was Heather. We hadn't heard from them since January. Bob is opening a new resort and also has a marketing business. He's only had 4 days off since December. Anyway, Friday is his 40th birthday. Heather is having a get together tomorrow at a restaurant in Sieverville. When she asked him what he wanted to do he said "just go to Richard and Judy's." She already had this planned as a surprise. It will be good to see them. Today we're going shopping for something to give him...don't know what. He likes to cook so I'm thinking of some off the wall kitchen gadgets.
Big storm last night but nice today.
Also heard from Suzanne. She's very homesick but told us not to tell Joe. I wish we could get down there, but I don't think we'll make it before October. Later....