Not the Monday I expected!

Well, I didn't go to work today. I was up nearly all night, running to the bathroom. I am sure I got some bad food at that buffet we stopped at yesterday.  Joe has been fine, so it had to be something I ate, that he didn't eat. Anyway, it seems to have run its course, thank goodness.

I did get out this afternoon for my eye exam, and while I was at the clinic, I went ahead and got my flu shot. My eyes are still dilated, and I hate waiting for them to get back to normal....but it's only once a year.

So, nothing else new to talk about. obama's speech is on, which we aren't listening to, because I get sick to my stomach watching him and hearing his voice. What he is doing to this country is unconscionable.

Anyway, hopefully I will sleep tonight and will be off to work tomorrow. Hard to believe it is October already. Thanks for peeking in!! Peace, love & hugs.

It was a great party!

We have had a great weekend, as always when we are invited to Kathy & Jim's house, down in Naples! The bonus is getting to spend time with our grandson, Tristan.

Tristan had to leave early this morning for a class trip to Ohio, to visit several colleges. This is the third group trip to visit colleges that he and some of his classmates have made this year. They are juniors, so need to be making a decision about what colleges to apply to.  It's great that the school organizes the trips.

Jim's 65th birthday party (a surprise) was a great success. Kathy is a superb party planner, and had everything organized and planned to the second. The party was at a local "boutique" hotel, with personal attention by Chef Michael.

Kathy and I ran errands to pick up the cake and deliver it to the hotel, and we squeezed limes and made two gallons of adult beverages to be served at the party (margaritas and hurricane punch). The hotel could only sell wine and beer, but were allowed to serve alcohol brought in for an event. The florist delivered the flowers ahead of time, so we didn't have to do that.

Jim just had rotator cuff surgery on the 19th, so is still in a sling and just starting rehab. The party was good for him, to get him out and about.  I'm saying this to set up the following photos, and him in a sling.  The party guests were friends of Jim's (and Kathy's) from his college days, and/or were neighbors years ago (plus new friends, too). It was fun seeing them all again, since we met them at the wedding last summer.  Jim was a star basketball player in college, so there was a basketball for everyone to sign, and the party favors were basketball themed.

We headed home after breakfast this morning, and stopped for a quick lunch on the way home. I've got my laundry started and the suitcases are put away. (Can't be Sunday without mentioning laundry! LOL)

 Surprise!

 The salad course, followed yummy hors d'oeuvres 

The main course - beef, fish, potatoes, and asparagus - delicious!

 The birthday cake

Chef Michael

 One of the three tables

 The centerpiece at our table

Another table - all the flowers were different and beautiful 

 Jim started a conga line, after dinner

 There was lots of fun dancing

 Meeting and greeting guests (sorry - out of order!)

 

Mingling with guests 

 Lots of good conversation

 Joe and Tristan (background) and Tristan's friend, Brett

 Tristan and his mom, Kathy

 Kathy & Tristan

 Jim, speaking after the toast by his good friend, Tony (below)

 Friend, Tony...a 30+ year friendship

 The singer/muscian - he was GREAT and kept everyone dancing and laughing

 The outdoor setting was very nice

 Tristan and family friend, Todd, with the basketball that got signed by all the guests

So, there you have our weekend. It was very nice, but then was also good to get home.  Wishing you all a good week ahead!! Thanks for stopping in. I need to go catch up with all of you, now.  Peace, love & hugs.

Thank Goodness It's Friday!

Oh my, this has been a long week and today seemed like a whole week itself! It's just been "one of those days" when extra projects get thrown at you, with near impossible deadlines!  But - winding down and it IS Friday.

We are going down to Naples this weekend, to help celebrate Jim's birthday. He is turning 65, and Kathy is throwing a big party for him at one of the local hotels.  Jim was quite a basketball player in college, and Kathy invited some of his old teammates to come. Last count she relayed to me was for 21 guests. It is not a 'surprise' that he is having a party, but he doesn't know about the out-of-state, old friends who are coming. It should be fun. We aren't going down tonight, but will leave early in the morning. It's about a 2 1/2 hour ride, and I told her we would try to get there around 10:00, to help her with preparations. We will leave on Sunday morning. Short, but sweet and fun. She told me that grandson Tristan will be our designated driver, which means the adults might enjoy an adult beverage or two!

For my new friends... Kathy is our former daughter-in-law and the mother of our two grandkids, Lauren (23) and Tristan (17). We have a blessed relationship with her, and her husband, Jim.  They are also on good terms with our son and his wife, Darlene, so it is a win-win for us, as the caught in-between grandparents.  Blessed, indeed. We are always included and are always welcome in their home. Blessed.

We spoke with Joe's brother, Lou, last night, to see how our niece and the kids are doing. He said that they are as expected. Learning to deal with the loss of their husband/father, and catching up on everything that needs to be handled when there is an unexpected death. It was good to touch base.  We know Linda is a strong woman, with a strong faith, but this is so much to process. She remains in our daily prayers.

I'm thinking dinner will be 'out' tonight. I am tired and cranky and don't feel like taking on dinner when I get home. Joe won't care. He'll be happy to make me happy, bless him.

I won't have a blog tomorrow, but will post pictures on Sunday. I can keep up with FB on my phone, but don't like doing Blogger on that little screen, and I don't want to lug my laptop down there for one night.  If you miss me, you know where I am!!  Wishing you a good weekend!  Peace, love & hugs.

Thankful Thursday

I am thankful it is Thursday and closer to the weekend, though we have another busy weekend coming up.  We are going down to Naples Saturday morning, so we can attend a birthday party. More about that on Sunday, though.

I am having a good day at work, catching up on piles of things I've been putting off. Feels good! Thankful about that too!

I finished a book, and have started the second in the series, called "Outlanders" by Diana Gabaldon.  It is going to be a TV series on the Starz Network, starting in January (I believe). I am SO into the characters and their story!!! Joe has agreed that we can subscribe to Starz, because he is interested, since I've been telling him how good the books are!  Have you read any of the Outlander series?  It is about time travel. An English WWII nurse ends up going back to the 1700s, in Scotland....sounds crazy, but the history is very interesting and the storyline quite engaging.  I'm thankful to be reading the books and that I will be able to watch the TV series, too!

I am thankful for family. I am especially and always thankful for family.

This photo made me laugh this morning. I am thankful for cute photos that come my way, crazy cat lady that I am!!

Thanks for stopping by!!  Happy Friday Eve!  Peace, love & hugs.

Wednesday Hodgepodge....

It is Hodgepodge Wednesday again!  I enjoy this every week, and hope you do too.

Link up with our Hodgepodge creator here: Joyce - From This Side of the Pond

1. What's one thing that's still the same about you as when you were young?  I am still just under 6’ tall, and I have big feet to go with it! I used to be a whole lot thinner, though!

2. What’s more important-history or science? Why? I have no idea how to answer this one, but since I love history, in MY world, history is more important.  Science would be included in history, I think. Scientific discoveries become part of history – so don’t they sort of go hand-in-hand?

3. Lima, kidney, string, garbanzo, black or pinto-your favorite bean?  I truly can’t say I like one of those better than another. I love beans and vegetables of all kinds (except okra).

4. What's something people come to your town to do? They come to see the Detroit Tigers in Spring Training; they come to enjoy the Frank Lloyd Wright architecture; some come to see Joe and me; others find Lakeland a good location to stay, with Orlando and Tampa both just a close ride away, as well as the beaches.  We are in an excellent, central location for many of Florida’s attractions.

5. When was the last time you were in a meeting? Sum it up for us in five words or less.  Monday was our monthly Board meeting.  Time well spent.  (3 words!)  Today was our staff meeting, and it was also time well spent.

6. What special event would you like a VIP pass to attend?  I find the older I get, the more events I try to avoid. I really can’t think of an event I would want to attend, VIP or not.

7. What's one piece of advice you'd give a writer?  I am not a writer, but I do read all the time.  I hate long descriptions. Stop with the long descriptions. Say it in fewer words, and keep it moving.

8.  Insert your own random thought here.  I’ve been thinking a lot about joys and sorrows these past few days, as the family deals with the unexpected loss of a loved one, much too soon, right after the joyful wedding and family reunion we just had.  Trust in the Lord. We will understand some day.

Thanks for stopping by!!  Peace, love & hugs.

More Photos for Tuesday....

Okay, I have sorted through the photos from our trip, and am going to bore you with ALL of them tonight. Again, we had such a wonderful time.  The "elders" of the family are now my Joe and his two brothers.  It's a big family and I am so blessed to be part of it. I'm only sorry our two sons weren't able to attend.  So - hop out now, or proceed....

The above is Nick (Joe's younger brother) and Debbie's house.  It is almost 275 years old!

 The above is our niece, Nikki, and our nephew's wife, Rebekah. Nikki is due in November, and Rebekah in December! They were SO cute!  We took baby shower gifts for them. 

 Rebekah and her husband (our nephew) Brad.

 Nikki and her husband, Conrad.

 At the church, for the rehearsal. The mothers practicing the sand thing. I like candles better!

 The pastor, the groom and the groomsmen.

 Our niece (sister of the groom) Haley - bridesmaid.

Our niece, Carly (sister of the groom) - bridesmaid

 Our niece (sister of the groom) Nikki - bridesmaid

 Our nephew's wife, Rebekah - bridesmaid

(there were 10 bridesmaids - I didn't get a photo of all of them)

The bride (Rachel) and her dad.

 The rehearsal dinner was at an Italian restaurant, with an Italian food buffet.

There were a LOT of people at the rehearsal dinner. 

 The bride, Rachel, and our nephew, Julian - the groom

 Joe and me.

 Those young girls were all in 4 and 5 inch heels. I don't know how they walk!

The day of the wedding, Joe and I left for a few hours, to get out of the way. We had a late breakfast at this amazing place, Shady Maple Smorgasbord, which was a few miles away from Nick & Debbie's house. It was delicious, and there was a HUGE gift shop on the first floor. We could have spent more time. Wow.

Rachel's gown was just gorgeous.

 Getting ready photos - that's the "real" photographer.

 At the wedding - two rows of Joe's older brother's family.

 The two moms, doing the sand thing.... (they are both beautiful women!)

 Three flower girls - lots of ooooos and ahhhhhhhs

 The bride, Rachel, and her dad.

 Who gives this woman....

 The new Mr. & Mrs. Julian D'Orsaneo

 More oooooos & ahhhhhhhhhs

 Bubbles instead of rice or bird seed....

 The groom's parents, Nick & Debbie.  Nick is Joe's younger brother.

 Nephew, Jim, his mom and dad (Joan & Lou - Joe's older brother) and Conrad.

 Our grand-niece, Nikki (yes, another Nikki) and her husband, Dimitri

 The reception was in Bethlehem, PA, at the Steel Stacks.  They are renovating and re-purposing Bethlehem Steel's buildings. It is a lovely space.

 Looking out the window at more buildings waiting for renovation.

 Grand-nephew Nick, grand-nephew-in-law Dimitri, and nephew Lou.

 Niece Peggy, me (I changed clothes to get out of my heels - they were killing my knees)

and grand-niece, Lexie.

 They had a small cake to cut, and the rest were multi-flavored cupcakes. I understand that this is the new trend....??? I had chocolate, and it was yummy!

 The reception room - huge, with lots of room for everyone, including a generous dance floor.

A panoramic photo of the space that I copied from one of the nieces' photos.

We had a blast. It is always good to get home, though there is nothing better than family time. Thanks for looking through with me! Peace, love & hugs.