Mailbox Love

A little while back, my blog buddy Steph had a little drawing to celebrate a year of blogging...and lo and behold I won.  Now most of you don't know this, but I have the crappiest luck and typically don't win anything...so this uses up my quota for the next ten years or so.

So here is what I found in my mailbox...there is definitely something great about getting something so pretty in the mail!  You unwrap that pretty up there and this is what was inside...

Look at all that good stuff!  Everything was in the orange knot bag.  Don't you love the fabric? It has the Lorax from Dr. Seuss, and several other Seuss characters, on it and they are knitting. So cute and the perfect project bag for perhaps a pair of socks or a scarf!  (Yes, I know.  I could have taken a better picture of it.) There were some mints (Lobster Tin) that went straight into my purse.  A bath cube that went straight into my basket by the tub. Some beautiful stitch markers, a lavender sachet, some cute magnets (Hello! Already on the fridge!).  I know I'm probably forgetting something because I'm such a scatterbrain, but it was just full of wonderfulness!  The timing of it's arrival was perfect. It was the best "cheer me up" after sending Number One Son off to college and Car Guy to Santiago, Chile.  So thanks so much Steph!!  By the way,  I would have taken Ted E. Bear too (wink, wink).

It's just me and Number Two Son and the house is Q U I E T. We've gone out for sushi, watched some movies and ushered in his junior year of high school.  He's taking good care of me and making sure I get a few laughs in there.

I have a reveal for you tomorrow...a finished project.  Can you believe it? And the start of another. Have a good one!

{Magic of the Mundane}

Today, I am joining Sofia over at Sofia's Ideas for Magic of the Mundane. I so love this idea because it totally falls in line with my desire to get back to simple. It can be a picture, a poem or song, a short video or anything else that celebrates the Magic. So often, we get caught up in "where we're going" that we forget to look at the beauty of "where we are."


It's been a couple of weeks since I've done a Magic of the Mundane post.  It's not that I haven't seen it, it's that I've seen so many little moments of it everywhere...the excitement in one college student's face at the new adventure ahead, the hug between brothers as they say good bye, the love and pride in a father's face as he let's go.  All these things fill me with joy and wonder.  But these are momentous moments too.  Then this weekend I had a lovely moment...almost all weekend long.

My older sister lives on the west coast...California to be more specific.  She moved out there about 14 years ago.  I miss my sister a lot.  We are so different, yet so similar.  We understand each other...most of the time ;)  My sister has been a knitter for years.  I have several scarves she's made me over the years.  I love them and wear them regularly every winter.  My sister decided that she wanted to learn how to crochet.  She bought a magazine or two and found a pattern she really liked. It's an "easy pattern" and as she's learned the basics, she decided to give it a go....and proceeded to get VERY frustrated...as in ARGH!  frustrated.  So we used FaceTime, texting, videos and emails and my sister is now crocheting her poncho.  It was so wonderful that we were able to do this.  I was able to help my big sister learn something new all the away on the other side of the country. It made me remember how much fun we used to have and it was neat to be able to do it again.  It was different but the same, but always special.

This Moment

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. Happy Friday!

Inspired by Amanda Soule - Feel free to join in and share a link to your moment.

Blocking

Check that out!  That is my poncho being blocked.  Once it's dry, I'll sew it up and done!!  So excited!  It feels like forever since I've had a completed project. I really need to get back to Christmas projects.  So many to do and so little time....It really is just around the corner!

I am so looking forward to this evening.  Car Guy is away on a business trip, so the girls are coming over for some quality knit/wine time.  I wonder how much knitting/crocheting we'll actually do...hmmmm.....

Is It Just Me?

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I'm just wondering.  You see, I have this little pet peeve and I didn't know if it was just me or if it's all knitters and crocheters who feel this way.  Does it just crawl under your skin when you see a product advertised as knitted and it's crocheted and vice versa? 
Those slippers over there are great...over priced, but great.  They are being marketed as crocheted slippers.    Really?  Anybody worth their salt will look at those and know that they are knitted...duh!  How do they get away with this.  Are they just assuming that we are idiots?  Or is it because a machine can't crochet and they are thinking if it's marketed as crocheted then they can jack the price up as a hand made one of a kind item...which is so totally WRONG! Do you understand my frustration as a bi-crafty individual?  Or am I just being touchy because of all the time it took me to learn said crafts....hmmmm....

So, is it just me?  Let's do some real scientific work here and let me know.

He's In College Now

I have to say, everything went beautifully last week moving Number One Son into the dorm.  We drove down Wednesday night, stayed in a hotel and then moved him in Thursday morning. We were done by lunch. Compared to a lot of people, my dear boy was a light packer - thank you! He's on the third floor, so we were able to use the stairs and had everything in the room in two trips!

That building in the center is his dorm. 

 

There is his desk and bed.  So....institutional.  

Nothing like cinder block walls and linoleum to make you feel at home.

So much has changed since I was in college.  There is A/C in every room and a refrigerator and microwave. We didn't have A/C in the dorm I was in and microwaves were forbidden...the wiring was so old in my dorm it probably would have fried the whole building.

 Thank goodness he's a boy.  He only gets one of those wardrobes for his clothes...that and one of the little three drawer dressers. Not nearly enough room for a girl - boy did they have a lot of stuff! He lives in a coed dorm with split halls.  Down one end of the hall is the girls and the other end is the boys with the stairs and elevator in the middle.  When I was in college, they had just started coed dorms on my campus and it was girls on one floor and boys on another and after a particular hour, the two did not mix.

 

That building up there is where he will be getting most of his meals now.  

He hasn't complained about the food yet, so it must not be all bad.

I've tried to respect his privacy with this post since he is moving into a more adult world, I think it's only fair that I not post his personal space.  That's why there are no pictures of his room put together or of his room mate, etc. I've had a few text conversations with him and had my first phone conversation with this morning. He appears to be adjusting beautifully.  Mama is getting there slowly.  The house is very quiet.  

On top of Number One Son leaving, Car Guy will be gone for the next two weeks on business. He will come home for two days and then has to leave again.  Thank goodness I still have Number Two Son around.  He's been very sweet. We have a sushi date Tuesday evening and he and his friends have been hanging around our house. I love having them there. Even when they get a little loud, it's wonderful.

I also have plans to do things with my girlfriends.  There is girls' night Wednesday and *gasp* I may go to the gym on Thursday...not that I'm a member...yet.  We'll see.  Everything is happening one day at a time.

Thank you again for all your love and support, kind words and for just being there.  I really can't tell you how much that means to me.  I never have to look far to know that someone is offering a smile and virtual hug. It's a very special thing that means the world to me. It has made this adjustment so much easier!

This Moment

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. Happy Friday!

And so it begins...

Inspired by Amanda Soule - Feel free to join in and share a link to your moment.

Just a little side note:  Everything went smoothly yesterday and Number One Son is now officially a college student.  The tears were minimal on my part...as in just a few the night before, in the bathroom, where no one saw them.  I'm sure it will hit hard later this week in my VERY quiet house. Thank you everyone for your kind words, encouragement and support.  It meant the world to me knowing had you as a phenomenal back up system.  Thanks again for lending me your strength!

A Letter to My Son

Dear Son,

Life as you know it is about to change. This won't be the last time, but this is the first significant change that is leading you to adulthood. You will learn and see so much. It is the beginning of the rest of your life.

I really wish I had some great wisdom to impart to you. I hope this little bit will help.

You will meet some amazing and not so amazing people. Friendships will be made and lost. Hold on to the people that enrich your life and let go of the ones that try to tear it down.

Money will be tight. Know that you will become rich with experience and knowledge. No one can take those away from you. LEARN!

Try to pause and enjoy all that is around you. You will miss it later in life...the freedom, excitement, wonder. You will experience them again, but never in the same way.

There will be disappointment. Take what you can from it, but don't let it or hatred rule you. Let go of the negative things because they will only slow you down and make you bitter.

Above all else, know that I love you. You have brought so much joy and wonder to my life.  You leave me in awe and humble me. I know that I was not the perfect mother and I've probably let you down. Please never doubt what you mean to me. I would move heaven and earth for you if you need me to do so.

Please enjoy what life has to offer you, be safe and know that you ALWAYS have a place with me.

Mom

Eight Things

My mother sent me the email below. There is nothing better than a lot of truth served up with a great dose of humor. Hope you enjoy as much as I did

Number 8
Life is sexually transmitted...Ahem.

Number 7
Good health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die.

Number 6
Men have two emotions : Hungry and Horny. If you see a gleam in his eyes, make him a sandwich.

Number 5
Give a person a fish and you feed them for a day. Teach a person to use the Internet and they won't bother you for weeks, months, maybe years

Number 4
Health nuts are going to feel stupid someday, lying in the hospitals, dying of nothing.

Number 3
All of us could take a lesson from the weather. It pays no attention to criticism.

Number 2
In the 60's, people took acid to make the world weird. Now the world is weird and people take Prozac to make it normal.

And The Number 1 Thought
Life is like a jar of Jalapeno peppers--what you do today, might burn your ass tomorrow.

- - - and as someone recently said to me:
"Don't worry about old age--it doesn't last that long."

We are really busy right now. Things are moving right a long. I'll try to pop back in real soon. 

Silly.

This Moment

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. Happy Friday!!

I do love a good storm.

Inspired by Amanda Soule - Feel free to join in and share a link to your moment.

I Tink Therefore I....

Argh! Cuss. Swear. Threaten to Rip. *sigh*

Lovey black blob photo that shows no details.

Do you remember this? The pretty black sparkly thing? It's supposed to have a lace edge....ahem. Not so much. It has been sitting to the side for quite some time now (since Mother's day) looking very pathetic.  I just don't think it's going to work out, so I've decided to do something else with it.

Prettier black blob photo...that still shows no details.

Here it is now. I know, I know.  It doesn't look much different. But it does...I tinked back 4 rows of yarn overs, slip stitches, Knit 5 pass 4 over, etc. and so on.  It's amazing how quickly one can screw something up and how long it takes to undo it. So I'm going for a simpler boarder of my own making.  We'll see how that turns out. I finished one row of it last night and I plan to finish the rest tonight....while watching Dallas - I am so pathetically hooked...again.

And yes, that is the Herringbone poncho in the back.  Almost done with it. Yeah, I know I said I was going to finish it at the beach and I almost did. Then I made the mistake of leaving it sitting on the sofa. Someone was kind enough to move it and some stitches fell off...really my own fault. So I had to go back about eight or nine rows.  It was a little frustrating but not too bad.

In case you didn't know, I'm on a self imposed UFO quest.  No, I'm not looking for martians (found him yesterday).  I am trying to get those items up there, and a couple of more, completed before I start anything else.  I figured out that I have five WIPs.  MUST. GET. THEM. DONE.  Just so I can start a lot more...all those skeins and patterns in baggies waiting patiently...to sit in the basket next to the sofa.

Storm clouds from Monday Night.  It was a real humdinger!

I want to thank you sweet people for your kind comments and support while getting Number One Son ready for college.  You are all correct in that it is a very bittersweet thing. I'm doing OK right now....next Thursday will probably be another story, I'm sure.  Can you say water works? But you all have been so there for me and I really do appreciate it. Your support has helped me keep a smile on my face and tears out of my eyes. The person who probably appreciates it the most is my son....he can't stand it when his Mama gets teary eyed and clingy.  It's so embarrassing. So thanks bunches!

Mars....Life Out There?

So I'm sure everyone has heard amongst all the Olympic news, that the rover landed on Mars and everything went smoothly.  We are already getting pictures back and it's been confirmed....there is life on Mars....

Pictures don't lie...right?  Hopefully he doesn't have any blasters, like a 2001 Space Modulator. Those are dangerous things.

We are busy getting everything ready for Number One Son to leave home - sniff, sniff.  Linens are bought.  Mini fridge is ready and there is still so much to do.

Hope everyone is having a wonderful week so far!!

This Moment

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. Happy Friday!!

Inspired by Amanda Soule - Feel free to join in and share a link to your moment.

Serve You?

So how many of you have cafeterias near you?  I'm not talking about the school cafeterias we ate at as kids.  I'm talking about the ones that cater to...shall we say mature adults?  You know, the Picadilly Cafeteria, the Rainbow Cafeteria, K & W or J & S.  They are usually close to a retirement home....I'm not being judgmental, just honest and it might be different where you live.

These places are supposed to offer fairly decent food at a reasonable price.  It always start with the salads on ice....

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You know, the strawberries in syrup, carrots in who knows what, tons of iceberg lettuce that has no nutritional value whatsoever....And the lady behind the line...."Serve you?"

Why do all those women wear the same heinous color of pink lipstick?

So you pick your salad and then they ask what kind of dressing you want. If you aren't paying attention, you'll get a half gallon of it dumped on a third of a cup of salad...so much for trying to be healthy.

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Next comes...."Meat ma'am?"  What is that liquid that the meat is in?  It's not the correct color to be water.  Or grease for that matter - it doesn't congeal like grease or fat.  Whatever it is, it doesn't look very appetizing, so you find yourself in the quandary of what looks the least offensive....hmmm.....broiled Talapia maybe?  Or, if you are feeling really brave, you get the mystery meat that is passed off as country style steak and are asked "gravy with?" I am shuddering at this point because that gravy does congeal or you can see the pools of grease floating on top...Ugh!

Then the desserts...steer clear of these - just saying. They always look a lot better than they taste.  I remember a custard pie with a card board/sandpaper crust.  One bite was plenty for my discerning palette....Ahem.

So after being exposed to the plethora of hearty goodness (choking a bit here) you sit down and actually eat this stuff.....What?!?!

What is all this leading up to you ask?  Why am I sharing this experience with you?  Because we ate at one of these fine establishments this week with family.  When I was asked where I'd like to eat, I specifically requested that we not eat at one of the local cafeterias.  So another one was recommended.  It rated a 95% on Urban Spoon.  Who knew that the octogenarian crowd was so active on the "Spoon?"

What did I learn from this experience? That it doesn't matter the name or the geography, the cafeteria is still the same.  The decor is still the same.  The servers are still the same - do they rotate through each one? And most importantly, the food is still the same. And so help me, I swear they all put laxatives in their food....

Needless to say, I will NOT be eating in a cafeteria any time soon...if at all.  And my body heaves a HUGE sigh of relief.

Home

So I'm finally home.....It was a wonderful trip. So much fun.  I've tried to keep up with everyone, but leaving comments from the phone was a bit tedious....so sorry about that.  I might not have left words, but I was there in spirit...now back to the real world...Ugh!

I know I paint a pretty picture when I talk about this trip and how wonderful it is that the children and adolescents get along so well, but they truly do. I sometimes wish that the "littles" were a bit older so they could do more with the older ones, but looking back, I'm actually glad that they aren't.  It's so amazing to watch these teenagers who are so willing to be with these young ones. They play with the babies, take care of them, watch them and totally adore them.  It gives me so much hope and happiness...and such sweet moments when they think no one is looking.....

Little cousins are so cute...

When they want to feed you gold fish

Let you steal kisses and snuggles

And just let you hang out

These are the moments that I'm going to miss the most.  They are all growing so quickly.  Before I know it, the little ones won't be so little.  But the greatest reassurance was that every last one of them is looking forward to doing it again next year.  If you hear that funny noise, don't worry.  It's just my heart swelling.

This Moment

This Moment-a single moment from this week, no words, that I want to remember and savor. Inspired by Amanda at www.soulemama.com. Please feel free to share your link as well.

Happiness

Happiness is a cool breeze on a hot sticky night.

{Magic of the Mundane}

Please forgive the lack of link to Sophia at Sophia's Idea. I'm posting from my phone and I'm just a bit limited. I'm on vacation this week. We are at the beach with family...all 16 of us. I am here with my seven nieces and nephews and it is wonderful. It is amazing how well they get along and enjoy each other's company. They all look forward to this trip and usually start talking about it a month out.

Of course, I'm in absolute heaven because I get to spoil children and give them back. I mean seriously, who wouldn't want to spoil this....

Mother Nature

These are just a couple of examples of Mother Nature's awesomeness. They were taken through the windshield.

This Moment

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. Happy Friday!!

My nieces and nephew - A little blurry, but still pretty dang cute!

Inspired by Amanda Soule - Feel free to join in and share a link to your moment.

BORING...

So I've been cruising around the blogosphere, looking at everyone's beautiful projects and realized that my space is going to be a bit boring.  I'm still working on the same two projects that just drag on and on and on...sigh.  I thought about taking some pictures to show them off, but what's the point? They both are repetitive patterns, so all they've done is gotten a bit bigger....yawn.  I am forcing myself not to start any new, instant gratification projects and it's been HARD I tell you. Particularly when I see all the gorgeousness out there.  I am itching to start on a Citron of my own, but keep pushing it off.  My goal is to finish at least one of these - the Herringbone Poncho - while I'm at the beach next week.  I don't mind if the Chevron Scarf hangs out for a while because it's a great project to work on when I need mindless knitting...and it's a scarf, so it's a great "on the go" project.

So rather than bore you with the never ending projects, I thought I'd share some new purchases.  Whenever I go past a Tuesday Morning store, I have this compulsion to go in and see what kind of books they have because you can get some really good deals and guess what?!?! I scored!  Not one, but two really cool books!

This book is full of some really great, quirky and vintage (duh) patterns.  There are several that I can't wait to make and I'm sure that this is not helping my with my current state of boredom with current projects.  Not to mention the fact that I haven't crocheted anything in ages and I'm really starting to miss it.  By the way, I got this one for $6.00.

This is the other book I found.  What attracted me to this one is the whole section about fit.  I'm still relatively new to knitting, so learning all the tricks of making flattering sweaters appeals to me.  I don't want to be one of those women that works forever on a project only to put it on and...UGH!...end up pushing it to the pack of the closet because it looks so heinous on me. That would be so depressing.  There are some really cute accessories and sweaters. I also like the little tidbits and insights they share about their relationship. As part of a mother/daughter relationship, I always find the dynamic of other relationships interesting.  This one was only $9.00.  Like I said - SCORE!

All in all, not too shabby if I do say so myself!  And also so much more interesting than looking at the same boring pictures of the same old thing. 

{Magic of the Mundane}

Today, I am joining Sofia over at Sofia's Ideas for Magic of the Mundane. I so love this idea because it totally falls in line with my desire to get back to simple. It can be a picture, a poem or song, a short video or anything else that celebrates the Magic. So often, we get caught up in "where we're going" that we forget to look at the beauty of "where we are."


I've been away from this space for a bit.  I've missed it.  But sometimes we have to pick what we can do without for little bit and get done what we need to get done.  This summer if flying by.  I'm trying to grab hold of it with both hands and it keeps slipping through my fingers. But there are a few things that I am enjoying.

One of them is watching my oldest son turn into a man. Watching him have intelligent conversations with adults and holding his own with topics like politics and the economy.  Listening to him debate a topic while listening respectfully to someone else's point of view and arguing against it thoughtfully and maturely.  Then turning around and watching him chase his three year old cousin across the yard with unmasked glee and tossing him in the air when caught...oh those giggles make my toes tingle with giddiness! Then watching him struggle to show his father that he is growing up and does have a valid point of view...that is such a struggle for his dad as well...letting go of his little boy. It all melts my heart and breaks it at the same time.

 I've also enjoyed spending time with great friends.  Lots of late night laughter, great food and wine and a support group that can't be beat. I have been truly blessed by the friends I have...always there with a joke, a smile, a glass of wine and a hug...and occasionally a few felonious suggestions that put everything into perspective.

But the thing I've enjoyed the most this summer is the time with family. We have been deeply immersed with visits - both coming and going and it has helped ground me during all this change....and then.....

One of my adorable nieces.

there is the fact that I am currently getting to snuggle this sweet little bundle...smell that baby smell and watch her giggle and coo....Life is pretty dang good!

This Moment

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. Happy Friday!!

Inspired by Amanda Soule - Feel free to join in and share a link to your moment.

Side Note:  Hope everyone is doing well.  Life here is REALLY busy between boys going on trips and getting one ready for college...he leaves in a month?!?!  We are still here and muddling through.  Hope to catch up soon!

This Moment

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. Happy Friday!!

Number One Son playing with his cousin.

Inspired by Amanda Soule - Feel free to join in and share a link to your moment.

Happy Fourth!

OK, so I know I'm a day late, but it's the thought that counts....Right?!?!  On a real quick note...I've been asked and I have to tell everyone that the foot is doing MUCH better.  I'm in a smaller brace that I don't have to sleep in..YEA!!! and was told that I can even start weaning myself off of it. It's more of an annoyance now.  It feels so close to being healed, but I can't do things that I used to take for granted...like moving quickly.  But the Doc says that it's healing beautifully. Thank you all so much for your concern and well wishes!

Number One Son finding his way around campus

Orientation... What can I say about that...hmm...Number One Son had a blast. I think I received maybe two texts and no phone calls the whole time he was there.  And one of those texts was to let me know what time he needed to be picked up. He met his roommate, whom he'd been chatting with on line and made some new friends.  He loves the campus and thinks he will enjoy his classes.  He's pretty excited and looking forward to August. All this information was gathered in a conversation we had Monday evening when he got home...as he was packing to leave again.  Yesterday morning we took him to the airport and loaded him on a plane bound for Tulsa, OK to spend the week with his aunt and uncle and four adorable little cousins. As he was packing, he admitted that he was more excited about going to Tulsa than he was about going to Orientation.  That did this mama's heart some good.  He's getting ready to leave the nest, but he does understand the importance of family. *Sigh* Maybe he won't forget his mama. I know he'll be kept busy, so I probably won't hear anything from him until it's time to come home.  But my sister-in-law promised to send photos, so I'll try to share as I receive them. In the mean time, I get the next week to spoil Number Two Son....hmmm....what to do....

As you can see, I've been doing a lot of running around, getting nothing accomplished.  Once Number One Son gets home, we'll have a week of down time and then we will be heading for the beach for a week with Car Guy's family....16 of us in one house....Craziness, but we love it.  Hopefully I'll get some knitting/crocheting done while there and have something to show you.

Hope you all had a great 4th!

Time Flies

Hello dear friends!  Sorry I've been away so long.  Life has been keeping me VERY busy.  Have you ever noticed that when you take one day off from work, it takes a whole week to catch up? Craziness.  So I finally start getting caught up and we had to take Number One Son to ECU for college orientation. Car Guy picks him up tonight.  I haven't heard a peep out of him, so he must either be really busy or having a great time....or both. I'll give a full report after he gets home and fills me in.

The girls trip to the beach was AWESOME!  We had the best time.  There is nothing like a weekend with good friends, great food and wine, and relaxation. If you ever make it to this neck of the woods and get to the North Carolina Coast, I strongly recommend that you go to the beautiful little historic town of Southport. Once there, you must eat at two Restaurants - Ports of Call and The Pharmacy. Both of these restaurants serve amazing food, have lovely atmospheres and superb service.

This picture from Friday's Moment was taken at Ports of Call.

Here are a couple of pictures from The Pharmacy:

I commonly refer to these lovely ladies as "The Amys"

Sue and Araceli

The Pharmacy is actually in an old pharmacy and is very charming.  I'm no food critic, but I do love good food and both restaurants provided just that. Both have food for the land lover and amazing fresh caught sea food.  I promise that you will be happy eating at either one.  Neither restaurant is cheap, but I do feel that it was well worth it. I wish I had taken pictures of the food, but quite honestly, it didn't stay on my plate long enough....fresh caught wahoo, pan seared with sesame seeds and served with a ginger glaze....yum! I showed great restraint and manners by not licking my plate....my mother would be so proud!

We stayed on Oak Island at my grandparent's beach house and if we weren't on the beach, we were sitting right here:

I spent most of my childhood beach visits in this house and I love being able to share it with friends. It's a wonderful thing to be able to continue the tradition of good friends and laughter. I know that my grandparents would be pleased that we are enjoying ourselves in the wonderful home they provided for us. We will definitely be going back. 

Alas, there will be no bathing beauty photos....some things are best left at the beach...like my lily white bathing body.  Why is it that tan fat looks so much better than mayonnaise white fat? I do know that Sports Illustrated won't be calling me to be their cover model...oh well.  Maybe next year - HA!

Speaking of bodies....Ladies, if you are needing a little beefcake in your life - and who doesn't - I strongly recommend that you go see Magic Mike.  Talk about YUM!  I went last night with a group of ladies....by group I mean we took up a complete row in the theater.  I was actually kind of surprised by the movie.  I openly admit that I went to see hot rippled abs - what can I say, it's a weakness I have.  But there was a story line and a resolution and once I quit drooling wiping my chin, I actually enjoyed it.  I'm not saying this is an Academy Award caliber flick, but it wasn't just a beefcake flick.  I will say that if your are the least bit umm.....shall we say reserved, then you probably don't need to go. Ahem...there are some graphic scenes not designed for the faint of heart...she says winking.

Well I'm off to see what everyone is up to.  I promise I'll be back soon, but probably not tomorrow.  Happy 4th everyone!

Update: I am sad to say that Andy Griffith, North Carolina Icon, passed away this morning.  He was a true gentleman and benefactor to our state and more personally, my sister, who had the pleasure of working on Matlock with him.  He will be greatly missed. Rest in peace.