It Is What It Is

Happy Thanksgiving!

This holiday has been a balancing act with work, home and my husband convalescing from knee replacement surgery.  I feel like a juggler  with too many balls in the air.  My good friend B and her family were supposed to come for a visit but due to their own work balance juggling act, (not to mention the weather God's not cooperating again)....they elected to stay put in New England. 

I wish I could just roll up in a ball and blink everything done...but alas that's not how it works.  I'm off to bake pies and start my side dishes.  I wish everyone a blessed Thanksgiving holiday.  I know I have much to be grateful for this year...I just wish I wasn't so tired. 

 

what's happening....

Beloved was released from the hospital yesterday following knee replacement surgery on Monday.  He's officially home convalescing.  (Read between the lines....dear friends, I've just added several more entries to my already full job description.)  Not that I'm complaining- oh no, it's all a part of the package.  We've been to this dance before with knee replacement surgery- so I have an idea of what to expect and the first full week to two weeks are the hardest.  (For everyone...)  Poor Beloved, wish I could take on some of his pain...(really, I do.)

That being said- here's some stuff to hopefully make you smile-

Love this idea of word art on the stairs.

I've seen this saying in different formats before- and I love the message.

Always...

Have a good one!

Happy Anniversary to Me.....

Well, because it deserves to be noted- It's my 22nd Wedding Anniversary today.  So, there, I said it.

No special plans for the occasion.  Small  gifts of affection were exchanged.  Words of endearment were shared.  Family dinner consisting of hamburgers on the grill.  Glad it's Friday. 

Happy Birthday, Beloved!

Oh my-he's another year older, another year better, funnier, grumpier, handsomer, hotter (I'm talking body temperature here, people....) ornerier, lovelier, sarcasticer, analyzeier, sportier and just plain more "ererereryer!'  (It really does make sense- just work with me on this okay?)

Enjoy your day- you deserve the best of everything.  Know that you are loved and appreciated for who you are to me and every member of our family.

 

 
(Ta- DA!)  Here's the Birthday Boy!  Happy 48th!

Thoughts to Ponder- and Oh Yeah....

It's been all over the Facebook and in the news and on the Twitter and so on and so forth...I will perpetuate this but with my own twist...

My alma mater, Ohio University took back the title of #1 Party School in the United States.  Personally, I think all colleges and universities are party schools- (just some more than others.)  My dad used to give me grief over that same title more than 25 years ago.  That being said-there are a number of reasons a prospective student would want to choose this fine university.  Here's one of them....

  

The Ohio University Marching 110!  Simply awesome...(I might add, Beloved was in the 110, back in the day...)

Go Bobcats!

Next up- as I'm sure you've heard as well-

MTV is celebrating it's 30th Anniversary.  In this day and age, it's not really known for it's music television programming, but back in my day it was the rage.  I remember sitting in homeroom listening to kids talk about it and I was mesmerized by the thought of it.  My favorite songs put to video.  Kind of like watching American Bandstand  when your favorite band was on- only better.  It took my parents several months later to convince them to get cable tv, so I was forced to watch at friends' houses or live vicariously through others.

So, on the heals of Beloved's class reunion and MTV's anniversary- (and also because a fellow classmate put the idea in my head...)  LISTEN UP CLASS OF 1982- WE ARE ABOUT TO START OUR SENIOR YEAR!    Woo-Hoo!  Party on- Wayne!  What a great year we have in front of us.... 

What are your favorite MTV moments?  Favorite videos or VeeJays?  (I loved Alan Hunter.)

 
I have so many videos that I remember from that time period- but this one sums up the cheese factor of some of the videos from that time...

 

Why did he wear an eye patch for part of this video?  It always bothered me.

 

Share your memories with me and even if you aren't  going to be a Super Senior from the Class of 1982- I'd still like to know your favorites too!

30 Years in the Making

Beloved recently celebrated his 30th Class Reunion.  He comes from a small town and he had about 120 or so in his graduation class.  This was probably the smallest group gathering of all the reunions we've attended, but if you judge by the fun factor- it was the best to date.

This was the third reunion we've attended.  We've been to the five, twenty and now thirty.  They have had a reunion every five years.  (Side note- I have never been to one of my reunions.  Not for any particular reason other than it has never worked out.  Although after reconnecting with classmates through Facebook, I am very much looking forward to my 30th next year.)

You know what would be great- if at 16 we could all be like we are at 46.  Seriously.  Wouldn't it be nice to just be.  No worries about what the future holds- just know that it probably will work out just fine so lets all be friends now-instead of waiting years.  Now I say that because it's just an obversation in general, not anything that we really experienced due to the reunion.  For the most part, Beloved hooked up with a couple of buddies from back in the day and they basically hit the "pause" button and continued on from where they last left off.  Which from an observers point of view, so much fun to watch.  I've heard most of the stories before, but they still brought us to tears of laughter.

 
(The one in the middle- used to be the tallest....go figure....)

 
These fun gals go with the guys above...we had the best time making fun of those boys.  I might also add, we got the dance party started...What is about being the first person on the dance floor?  You know you want to move, but something about being the first one out there makes people's feet act like they have been cemented to the spot they're standing. 

 
 
 

Something so contagious about others laughter.  I swear, my face and stomach hurt from smiling and laughing by the end of the night.

Special thanks to the gals who helped plan this shindig.

And although it was a small group for this reunion gathering- it was a mighty group.  Many friendships were renewed and common interests were discovered.  Who knows where these friendships will go in the next thirty years? 
 
 

Reading Update and other Ramblings

So someone sent me a link to the Miracle Whip You-Tube Video contest.  You could win $25,000 for your wedding or divorce by submitting a video on how miracle whip has shaped your relationship with a current or former partner.

  For Beloved and I the battle started over Hellman's Real Mayonnaise or Miracle Whip Salad dressing.   I'm happy to report that I won that battle long ago.  The only Miracle Whip that resides in my household is the smallest jar made by Kraft foods and it sits on the side door of the refrigerator waiting to be used once in a blue moon.  I have always been a MAY-O-NNAISE girl.  However, my allegiance has shifted from Hellman's real mayo to Duke's.

 

I had first heard of Duke's while reading the novels of Mary Kay Andrews.  I picked up a jar when I was in South Carolina a few years ago and have been a devoted user ever since. (Living in the midwest, Duke's is not available in my area.  I need to rely on the generosity of others who visit or live in the south to keep my supplied.)   Recently, my friend, L brought me back a jar after her Myrtle Beach vacation.  (Thanks, L!  I was running low!)

So-the question remains....Are you a mayonnaise or miracle whip lover?  Have you had discussions in your household regarding the use of either product?  Beloved and I went toe to toe when first married because I did not use Miracle Whip when making macaroni or potato salad.  Obviously, he's a convert now. 

Condiments aside, because it's summer and because I haven't posted on books in awhile I thought I'd do a little update.  Several months ago, I posted about the release of "Emily and Einstein" by Linda Francis Lee. 

 

I have to be honest.  I resisted reading this book.  Although I dearly love all books, LFL, the premise of this book was a little different for her.  So, I kept picking it up and putting it back down again.  Luckily, I found the audio version at my local library and said, "what the heck, it's a sign."  I was pleasantly surprised.  I didn't want to like this book even after starting it, but I have to tell you, I fell for it.  Pick it up, you will fall for it too.

I gobbled this up while on vacation.  Again- I'm a huge MKA fan, liked this book quite a bit but to be honest not one of my favorites.  This story follows three friends while on vacation from their lives for one month during the summer.  I liked the story line- but I kind of wanted more.  However- a great beach read and I will continue to worship at the shrine of MK.  (Again- she had me at Duke's.)

I have been reading Jodi Picoult for many years.  I have pretty much loved everything she's written up until her last few novels.  They were okay- but I just couldn't get into the subject matters.  Her newest novel, however was intriguing.  I listened to this one- and would heartily recommend you all do the same.  Ms. Picoult introduced us to her lyric writing talent in this book.  Each chapter beings with a song and I understand if you buy the book, it comes with a CD of the songs.   

Can I just say- I loved this book.  This book made me cry.  It made me uncomfortable.  It made me smile.  And for once-  a Jodi Picoult book had an ending that didn't make me SCREAM!  The novel is the story of a couple who after 10 years of a happy marriage and infertility, call it quits.  One partner goes off the deep end back into alcoholism and the other falls in love with a person of the same sex.  When the new couple decide they would like to have a baby using the still frozen embryos from the marriage- they need the permission of the ex-spouse, who now is a cleaned up- born again Christian.  As you might imagine, a court case ensues over the custody of those frozen embryos. 

I didn't think I was going to like how this one ended.  But I must say, I was pleasantly surprised.  I was so emotionally invested in this book and I find myself still thinking about it.  Pick this one up or if you have the chance- listen to it!  So worth it. 

Final book of this post-

 
 
I had never read anything by this author before.  I can remember seeing her novels on the shelves at the bookstore and at the library, but  just never chose them.  I take that back, I did check out "Hope in a Jar" once on audio book and never got a chance to listen to it before needing to return it to the library.  I won't make that mistake again. 

I liked this book.  I bought this book on my Kindle based on a brief summary on a Facebook banner ad!  (I know right?  Who'd of thunk it?!)

The idea of this book is- "Do you ever really get over your first love?"  And how does it shape you for future relationships?  This story is told between the main character from both the past and present.  We get a detail account of her first love relationship and how it is affecting her as an adult in the present.  This was a fast read, enjoyable and fun to think about.  Nothing heavy, just a fun little trip. 

Okay reading fans- still about six more weeks of summer reading fun to be had....go on out get some.  Be sure to check back and let me know all about it.  If nothing else- tell me which you prefer-

MAYONNAISE or Miracle Whip? 
 

 
 

Passing Conversation

Beloved and I were sitting in our tv viewing chairs watching "America's Got Talent." I was half watching as I was working on my laptop. Beloved was working on something else too and the tv was serving as background noise. I'm not even sure how closely he was even paying attention to the program.

A singer had just finished his performance and was receiving his remarks from the judges. The comments were not very favorable and when they were finished, the host asked what the singer thought of the comments. He said, "Well, I've never been criticized for anything ever before in my life, so I'm taking all their comments in because I want to get better."

Well, that perked up my ears. I looked up and said-"Seriously, he's never been critized for anything -ever in his life? Really?"

Beloved doesn't look up but says "Obviously he's never been married or in a serious relationship then."

You know, he doesn't miss a trick. Dammit.

My Husband Makes Me Laugh, Take 3?

Before I explain the funny, it's important to note a few things.  We have been extremely busy.  We've been out of town and are planning to go out of town again.  We have been changing clothes over for the season.  It's summer and the numbers of clothing items that end up in the hamper has quadrupled, making the laundry situation all that much more, if you know what I mean. 

Beloved and my Middle One thought they were so comical documenting this little episode.  And let me be the first to say- I know it's a problem.  Hopefully, there are those of you out there who know and understand my pain.

Here's how the conversation went:

Him- Well, I'd say you've got quite an entry this year.

Me- What ever are you talking about?

Him- Your entry in the Tour of Homes for our neighborhood. 

Me-  I have no idea what you are talking about.

Him- Well, I thought for sure you submitted an entry for the Tour of Homes so ours would be on display.

Me- Our home?  For what?

Him- For the decor of course.  They have a special category this year called "Baskets In Bedrooms." 

I have feeling you'll kick ass in that entry.

Me- (There are no words....just shake my head.....)

They say a picture is worth a thousand words though....

Enough said?

Happy Father's Day

To all the dads, husbands, uncles, grandfathers, or any male of influence.....

 
Thank you. 

 

Enjoy your day.  It's well deserved.