Take Me Back Saturday

Taking a long walk down reminiscent road today with Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. I love their harmony to this very day!  I'm sure everyone remembers this one--

CARRY ON is only one of my faves from these guys. 

Anyone else out there still enjoying music from one of the greatest (if not THE greatest) music eras ever?

Friday Hops!

It's the end of another week!  That means it's time for the FRIDAY HOPS!

First is Hilary's Follow Friday Four Fill-In at Feeling Beachie!  

This weeks statements:


1.      I cannot eat just one of anything! Thus the weight issue.  I have gotten so much better though and, if I had to chose just one thing it would be Weight Watcher's sugar free coconut candy.  It's so good and I know that the sugar alcohol content is bad but I really like those things.


2.      When I am in a bad mood Tucker always makes me feel better.  Tucky does not like bad or sad moods so, if he sees there might be one coming on, he runs over to me and looks at me with those adorable big brown eyes and the mood vanishes!  Music also helps sooth the savage beast called my bad mood. Right now, air conditioning helps my bad moods.


3.      Happiness is a sweet little dog named Tucker! 

4.      The most comfortable thing I own is a ratty old cotton nightgown that I've had for YEARS!  It's the most comfortable thing I have and I love to snuggle in it. 






Next is Five Question Friday from Mama M. at My Little Life. 

This HOP is a great way to get to know each other better and to meet new friends!  If you click on the button, it'll take you right over there to join in the fun! 

Questions for Friday, June 3rd:

1. If you had to choose, how would you prefer to choose to spend money...on landscaping or a pool?  I'm going to go with a pool on this one.  But, if you ask me tomorrow, I might change my mind--especially if the landscaping comes with a full-time/year-round maintenance crew.  

2. (Scott likes to get things stirred up...) Death penalty, yay or nay?  Nay.  Suffice it to say that, through all my years and countless debates, I have never changed my opinion on this.  However, I am not totally opposed to the removal of certain body parts that may have been involved in a crime. 

3. What's the worst thing your kid has gotten into when you turned your back/blogged/showered/blinked?  Well, when they were little, I would have to say it was the time our youngest gave herself a haircut (the stylist was able to give her what we used to call a pixie haircut and it turned out really cute).  Mostly, our lovelies didn't get into things that much.  I have some tales of their teenage years though....LOL

4. How often do you REALLY go to the dentist?  My dad's dad was a dentist so I'm pretty good about going--and so are our girls (once, every six months).  Hubs, not so much. It also helps that we have a really awesome dentist!

5. What is your favorite animal (doesn't have to be a pet-type animal)? I love dogs.  I've always had at least one dog from the time I was born.  They love unconditionally and are much better company than most humans I know. Second would be horses.

Tucker before the groomer last week...

Tucker after the groomer- still cute!  And a whole lot cooler!

Pay It Forward Award

Shawn, at The Becker's (Shawn and Bill), bestowed upon my humble blog the Good Bloggers Pay It Forward award. If you are not familiar with Shawn, then get yourself over there for a visit!  You'll always leave feeling encouraged or uplifted.  Shawn always provides positivity and a bright outlook on life! 

Ok, so here are the rules:

1.  Mention the blogger who gave you the award (see paragraph above)
2.  Link to their blog (see paragraph above).
3.  Pay It Forward to 5 bloggers.

Numbers 1 and 2 were taken care of in the first paragraph. Number 3 is the one that always gives me such a fit because I just want to give things to everyone.  However, when I put them up, y'all won't take them.  So, I have decided on a new way for this one-  I simply took the first 5 blogs that popped up in my sidebar that have less than 200 followers.  So please take a few minutes and go visit these blogs!  There's something delightful at each of them be it humor, encouragement, understanding, travel, creativity, family, etc so, if you feel a follow coming on, go ahead and follow them!

Jessica at Jessie's Spot
Beverly at The Beverly Buzz
A Musing Mother
Shirley at Shirley C
Stephanie at Hookin', Knittin' & Livin'


The heat is ON this morning!  Which means I have a legit excuse to sit in the air conditioning and read blogs!  Yay for HOT weather!  Wait...

THE Wednesday HOPS

The first HOP is from Patrice, at Everyday Ruralty, who hosts Wednesday Words of Weight Loss every Wednesday!  It's a fun HOP that offers encouragement and company on the issue of weight.  It's never too late to join!  Come on, this is your week to join in the FUN! 

Questions 1. Has your diet changed a lot since the warmer weather came? Well, considering that the warmer weather showed up in February this year, the answer is, "No."  The only difference now is that it's so hot I sweat sitting in the shade doing nothing whereas, from February until the first of May, I only broke a sweat working in the sun.  And, yes, my mood/attitude has taken a severe plunge.  But my appetite seems to be holding it's own.  Unfortunately. I haven't broken my rules, but I'm still plenty able to eat. 

2. Did you do anything interesting over Memorial weekend?  Yes, see yesterday's post.

3. If you could plan a get together with your blog friends, what would that look like?  Oh goodness but we would rent a HUGE beach house out on Sullivans Island or maybe go out to Folly (NOT Isle of Palms because their police are like the Gestapo--they have such delusions of grandeur out there) and we would all enjoy spending one full week together cooking/laughing/talking/laughing/sitting on the beach/laughing/going out for drinks/laughing/sharing/laughing...it would be the best time EVER!

4. Do you like yogurt? What's your favorite kind or favorite way of eating it?  I LOVE yogurt- just about any kind- frozen or not.  I like it in recipes and by itself.  BUT I'm not eating it right now because of all the sugar.  My favorite is peach followed by strawberry and Bryer's is best!  If it's frozen yogurt, I really like Publix brand strawberry but I don't turn any of it down.  Except now. Because I'm not eating it.  Because of the sugar.  I know I already told you that but now I really want some yogurt so the repeat is for me.  Guess that will be my chant for the day...

5. What's the most important quality or character trait in a friend?  I'm going to go with honesty.  I don't like for anyone to tell me something that they think I want to hear- I want it straight up.  No sugar coating either.  Sugar coating is wasted on me because I smell a lie underneath the sugar coating.  Not to mention that sugar coating is a waste of time.  Just tell me.  My BFF is very good at telling me like it is!  It's one of the things I love most about her!

NEXT is WEDNESDAY HODGE PODGE from Joyce at From This Side of the Pond.  This one is a great way to get to know some wonderful new bloggy friends and learn more about some old ones...not that I'm calling anyone OLD, mind you.   

1. Have you ever been to the US capital-Washington DC? If so, what's your favorite site? If not, what would you most like to see on a visit to that city someday in the future? Is it even on your list of places to visit? I did visit DC once and that was during my early teen years.  My aunt attended a HUD meeting and took me along.  I was mortified at the very first thing I saw when we entered the city---prostitutes lining the sidewalks!  And they looked just like Hollywood portrays them.  I was stunned.  Once we got further into the city, I loved it.  My favorite place was the Lincoln Memorial.  It still is.  Although the museums are to die for!

This is Evwardo and Birdie at the Lincoln Memorial.  They went to DC to visit Deanie.

2. When did you last attend a wedding? Are there any weddings on your summer calendar? Were you a summer bride? If you're single, is summer the season of your dream wedding? The last wedding we attended was for one of DD2's (Deanie) college roomies.  It was in October and it was still HOT outside and it was an outside wedding.  It was a lovely wedding and we didn't sweat too much.  Sitting out there.  In the hot sun.  For over an hour.  But, I'm not bitter.  The reception, however, was probably the absolute worst I've ever seen.  The atmosphere was ok but the caterers?  If they had catered Breezy's wedding, I would have had them shot.  Seriously.  There are two summer weddings on our calendar this year.  One in June and the other in August.  If they're outside, I may feign illness.  I was not really a bride at all because I don't do weddings.  We just had a simple little ceremony at the beach in JANUARY because I don't do heat either. 

That's Deanie on the far left at the reception.  She was a bridesmaid at the October wedding. 

3. What is your favorite way to eat strawberries? Fresh off the plant!  When the lovelies were growing up, I would take them strawberry picking and we would eat about as many as we picked!  Delicious!
 

4. What is one thing you are especially looking forward to this summer?The only things I EVER look forward to during summer are Hub's and DoodleBug's birthdays.  This year, I will add July 4th because everyone is coming home for that weekend! Wait.  I just realized that my baby is turning 20 this summer.  This is NOT COOL.  My baby is turning TWENTY.  How,exactly, did THAT happen?

DoodleBug on her birthday last summer. 

5. Do you use/like the self checker at the grocery store? I have used it only twice and I don't prefer it at all.  It does me no good to talk to the computer- it does NOT listen. If I go to the line of a real live cashier, I am able to engage in idle chit-chat.  I enjoy idle chit-chat with the cashiers.

6. Share a favorite piece of common sense advice.  Holding a grudge is one of the most useless things in the world to do so-- LET IT GO! There is a person in my family who can hold a grudge longer than anyone else in the history of the world.  She drives everyone in the family NUTS and causes problems at family celebrations.  We have to finagle around everything just so we can even hold family gatherings.  Pretty much, we have things now and just don't tell her about it.  Life is easier for everyone that way. Hub's grandmother (his mother's mother who lived to age 103) had two sisters.  The sisters had a falling out over 50 years ago and never spoke to one another again--Hub's grandmother could not let either of her sisters know that she had a relationship with the other one because then they wouldn't have talked to her either.  These idiot women went to their GRAVES not speaking to each other. 

7. Barefoot, flip flops, tennis shoes, sassy sandals-your first choice for summertime? Barefoot around the house and flip flops- almost year 'round!  Though I do wear tennis shoes while walking Tucker. 

8. Insert your own random thought here.  I cannot believe that, in late July, DoodleBug (the BABY) will turn 20.  TWENTY.  No more numbers that end in teen.  I do not like this.  I do not care to accept this.  I may not even give her a birthday party.  No, I'm kidding.  I'll give her a party.  Unless, NOT throwing a party means she'll stay 19.  Then I won't give her one.



It's not too late to donate!  Deanie is running in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure Global in DC on June 4.  Click the button below if you would like to donate on her page for this very worthy cause!  

Memorial Day Fun

While I enjoy and appreciate holidays, when they fall on Monday my entire week is completely thrown off.  I will not get one single day right this week.  Today is Monday in my mind and it will be Monday all day long.  At some point, however, I will skip a couple of days and be a day or two ahead of everyone.  My mind just cannot take Monday holidays anymore. 

Regardless, we had a wonderful time with Birdie, her boytoy Evwardo, DoodleBug, Gibby and her new boytoy, WS. Breezy and BestSonInLawEVER went to the mountains in NC and Deanie went to the lake with her boytoy Nichol-Ass (we love him I just call him that from one of the William Powell/Myrna Loy Thin Man movies). 

AND yesterday we had TWO birthdays:  my brother T-Bone and BestSonInLawEVER!  Love you boys!

DoodleBug, Gibby, WS

We played Farkle! after we ate while Tucker made his rounds at the table.  Yes, we let Tucker up on the table.  Why?  Because he wants to be up there.  During meals, however, he just sits in a chair.  He's spoiled rotten and we're all guilty!

Gibby rubbing Tucker's belly. 

Charlie's toy after he drug it through the dirt.

WTH is this little thing doing?!

I'm gorgeous and I know it.

 

Birdie: This is a disc.  I am going to throw it and you are going to catch it. 

Charlie: IsshegonnathrowthatIwantitLetmehaveit!

Strider:  MY stick!  Charlie: MY stick!

Strider:  IT IS MY stick!  Charlie:  I WANT the stick!

Charlie:  IGOTITIGOTIT!  Strider: GIVEMEBACKMYSTICK!

Later they played Mad Gab.  I suck at that game so I didn't play BUT it was a riot listening to them play!  

 

It's not too late to donate!  Deanie is running in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure Global in DC on June 4.  Click the button below if you would like to donate on her page for this very worthy cause!  

Dog Days

It's SO DANG HOT outside!  Which means it's almost time for me to stay inside.  Birdie brought her dogs over this weekend and we filled up the baby pool--around here, baby pool means doggie pool!

Tucker having a nice cool drink.

Mom- that was so good!

Oh no!  I'm outta here before Charlie drinks me up!

How many dogs can fit into a baby pool?

Charlie likes to put his whole head in the water--even in his water bowl.

He was going around in circles and part of him fell out of the pool!

And then he shook all over us!

And then, he shook all over us again!

Ok, I'll pretend like I'm not paying attention and then, when Charlie grabs that mild carton, I'll chase him all over the yard!

Come on y'all!  Let's play!

Get out!  I want the whole thing!

Finally, all to myself! Put that nozzle over here please.

Charlie eating the cedar tree.

Charlie under the cedar tree.

This is what Charlie looks like after being under the deck.

Stider having a cool drink.

The kids are coming over for a Memorial Day feeding frenzy later today!  Hope y'all are all having a wonderful, fun-filled, family day!