Anything Goes

Mon Aug 31 - Blog Prompt: Today is Anything Goes Day. Tell me anything!!

I have been so lax on posting on my blog this past week. I guess it is because I miss the kids so much. I just quite doing anything that reminded me of them or that I did while they were living with us. I have to get over it. Get back with my life. Then again I was working everyday last week. Excuses, excuses.

I'll be better. Especially since I start doing the prompts tomorrow.

Aquatic Camp - Day 5

f/14, 1/400 sec., ISO-400, 55 mm (digitally enhanced)
This day meant getting up close and personal with the dolphins. In addition to, once again learning how the dolphins are trained (which isn't really training them like you do pets, but a behavior modification like you use on children), the kids got to learn how to do it themselves. They also got to pet them.

Wild Thing

In the Jungle (c)Sweet Blossom Designs; Template by Sara Noendeng

Aquatic Camp - Day 4

f/18, 1/100 sec., ISO-800, 18 mm (digitally enhanced)
While the rest of the class was trying to feed the manta rays, Indy got a chance to get up and personal with the horseshoe crabs. He really enjoyed feeding them, even though the legs tickled him.

Guitar Man

Bohemia by Veronica Hurley; Fonts: Arial, Shortcut

A little four-piece band was jammin',
So I took my guitar and sat in.
I showed 'em what a band would sound like
With a swingin' little guitar man.
Show'em son.
written by Jerry Hubbard

Following directions

Last night we, once again, asked the front desk for a good place to eat. The woman on duty suggested just about every one that was on the map we had been given the night before. But finally she settled on Crawdad's for getting an excellent steak.

So we headed out following the directions and promptly got lost. So we pulled out the map and got even more lost. We finally did find the place and it was worth all the hassle. Pan ordered his steak and I got fried shrimp. I was really impressed with the shrimp. It was a light batter so you actually could taste the shrimp. Pan said his 20 oz. rib eye was cooked perfectly.

I did notice that I had failed to mention where we ate when we were in Greenwood. It was a place called Webster's and was another recommendation that turned out to worth visiting. I just wish they had a website I could send you too.

Crawdad's & company

Last night we found Crawdad's for our nightly dining. What a wonderful restaurant. Living on the Gulf Coast one would think I would be use to fried shrimp. Well I am here to tell you that Crawdad's has the best fried shrimp. The batter is not so thick that it overwrites the shrimp. And Pan had nothing but praise for the steaks.

Alarming Day

Well, I made it through another birthday with the skin still attached. I spent some time reading, knitting (Pat, I finished a hat, lol), getting Ancestry updated with the obits and trying to figure out if I needed to evacuate the building.

The hotel's fire alarms went off all day long. The first time I went to the room door preparing to leave when the maid told me the batteries were getting low and they were sending someone to fix them. But after a couple of hours, I called down. The desk told me they were having a fire alarm malfunction. Presumably, if there was a real fire after that they would have called, right?

Pan took me to the Airport Grocery for dinner. It is definitely a local place and the smell when you walked in was heavenly. Heavenly if you like true barbeque. I had the pulled roast beef, which was so tender, baked potato and salad. I know I should have had the slaw. The waitress brought me some of the restaurant's homemade gravy (that is the way she likes it) to try out. Yummy. Everyone was really great, didn't hover, but were there when you needed to be. When I asked for a glass of dry red wine, the bartender called his girlfriend to find out which one was the driest. Now that is service.

So if you ever get the chance to drive through Cleveland, Mississippi, make plans to have a meal at the Airport Grocery.

UPDATE: The Holiday Inn Express breakfast had bacon today. :)

Middle of the Week & Middle of the State

of mind. LOL. We are in the glorious town of Cleveland, Mississippi. It's bigger than I thought but we haven't found any restaurants that would agree with both Pan and I. Me? I like just about anything or at least will try it. Pan is more conservative.

We have been staying in Holiday Inn Expresses (and I don't feel any smarter) because Pan likes the hot breakfast bar they have. But the only thing he will eat off it is bacon and guess what they have not been serving? Poor baby.

Yesterday we were in Greenwood and I got to spend time at the library looking up my great grandfather and grandmother. I found the obituary for both. (Actually Pan caught them). Then we headed out for the cemetery to see if we could spot their grave sites. To many graves and not enough time. But a good reason for coming back.

Today I am going to rest, relax and kick my feet back. Do some reading, knitting and research on the computer. :)

Movies from Yesteryear

Tue Aug. 18 - Blog Prompt: Seventy years ago today the Wizard of Oz premiered. What is your favorite children's movie?

Bizarre as it might seem, my favorite childhood movie was Invaders From Mars (1953). Not really a children's movie, but just as riveting to my mind. Next would be any of the Shirley Temple movies. It was a guarantee that I would be parked in front of the tv on Sunday afternoons to watch whatever Shirley Temple was coming on.

Under the skin

Mon Aug. 17 - Blog Prompt: "What kind of animal are you underneath your human skin?"

I'm a lion. Not only is that my zodiac sign, but what I am really like beneath the skin. Take tonight for example. While casually eating dinner, Pan & I were discussing the fact that he has a $25 limit on his daily meals when he is out on the road. I don't think he, yet, understands why I blew my stack when he refuses to discuss the fact that someone at home office gave out his personal cell phone number to make sure he complied.

When it comes to home office, I tend to be pretty lenient as they are providing him with a job. At least the boss is. But those few who have been given his personal cell number, for emergencies, should not be giving it out to others within the office no matter what. If they want Pan to be aware of something, they should call themselves. I'm going to be hard put to keep my feet out of my mouth later this week when I have to meet the big boss.

Wish me luck. I'm still a lion deep inside.

Aquatic Camp - Day 3

f/22, 1/60 sec., ISO-800, 18 mm
On day three we listened to a talk by Mr. D, the curator, on how dolphins were trained. At the end of the session, all of you got to stand at the edge of the pool as the dolphins jumped by splashing you.

Hannah Montana comes home

Pink Parfait (c)Doreen Stolz; Fonts: Arial, Impact

When you finally got to try out your Hannah Montana Rock Star video and mat, you went all the way. Complete with blonde hair and head mic. You were quite good, but shy about having your picture taken.

A Little R&R

Thur Aug. 13 - Blog Prompt: Today is Relaxation Day. What would you do on a day where you could completely relax?

Shame this wasn't the prompt for yesterday, because that was at least an afternoon's worth of R&R. It stormed... rain, thunder and lightning for most of the afternoon, so I grabbed a book and curled up on the couch and read with a cup of java. There is just something about a stormy day that is so perfect for just chilling out.

Waffling

Wed Aug. 12 - Blog Prompt: Today is National Waffle Day. Tell me what you love to have for breakfast.

Ho Ho. Just to think that I had a couple of blueberry waffles with butter and confectioner's sugar with a cup of coffee for breakfast this a.m. I'm not much of a morning eater so I have to force myself to do so. And I have discovered that I really like Kashi's blueberry waffles. Sometimes just like I had this morning, sometimes with just confectioner's sugar, sometimes with blueberry syrup and sometimes just plain.

Another breakfast favorite would be omelets, but that is just too much work if you ask me. But if someone else is making well then :)

Sandy Days

Tue Aug. 11 - Blog Prompt: Summer is almost over and the kids are either back in school or on their way. Today is Play in the Sand Day and tell me about a day at the beach.

It was a hot day when Indy and I stayed behind as the others toured the pier. The sand was so white and bright it nearly blinded you. Shoes were a must when walking around on it. But there was a playground where he could crawl inside of sharks and monkey around on bars. And I could sit in the shade of a beach umbrella.

More than Useful

Mon Aug. 10 - Blog Prompt: Is there something in your home that you use for something other than what you are suppose to use it for?

I thought this was going to be pretty easy, but as I wandered through the house, it became clear fairly quick that I use things just about the way they are suppose to be used.

I have an old kitchen shelf from years ago that we use as a bookshelf. We now have it turned on its side and will be adding shelves that way and then painting it to use as a shelf for our dvds. I use doobie scrubbers to clean vegetables, although they are for cleaning pots and pans. And right now that is all I can think of.

Today, though, there is a lot on my mind which may prevent me from being more creative. I have a gyn appointment this afternoon that I am not looking forward to. The kids started their first day of school up in NC. I told them Pan and I would call this evening to see how it went. They are suppose to get their internet access hooked up this week so then we will be able to contact them through skype's video calls.

Aquatic Camp - Day 2

f/18, 1/15 sec., ISO-800, 55 mm
Mornings at aquatic camp were devoted to arts and crafts. This gave the kids a chance to get in and settled before the real fun began. Today using paints and torn paper, the Princess got a chance to make her own underwater scene.

A dinner for a dieter

Chocolate Romance (c)Christy Sturm

Being on a diet doesn't necessarily mean dull food. Beef tips with mushrooms and garlic mashed potatoes with a tomato salad and glass of red wine. Perfect!

Families and Fun

Fri Aug. 7 Blog Prompt: Today is American Family Day and what is your favorite thing to do as a family?

When the kids were here, we loved going to the pool or to the local aquarium for the day. Of course we couldn't go to the pool during the winter but we have annual passes to the aquarium and could do that all year long. Now they are gone and it is just Pan and I. So I guess we have just have to make due with traveling together, LOL.

Wiggle Your Toes

Thur Aug 6 - Blog Prompt: Today is Wiggler Your Toes Day. Where do you like to wiggle your toes?

If I am at the beach, then I love to wiggle them in the sand. At home though, I prefer to wiggle them under fresh, clean sheets.

And right now I should stop wiggling them and get ready for work, LOL.

UPDATE: Please take a moment to read my sister's post "Big Brother is Watching You"

Space Travel

Wed Aug. 5 - Blog Prompt: Today is Neil Armstrong's birthday and do any of you remember the day we landed on the moon back in 1969? What are your views about space travel?

Just like it was yesterday. I had been listening to "Walk Away Renee" by Kenny Rogers when mom, dad and the siblings went next door to watch it on the tellie. Somewhere I even have a picture of myself and sister sitting on the couch waiting for the historic moment.

I have always been interested in the stars and outer space and that was just the most perfect moment to me. I would like to see us continue to fund our space program. The knowledge that we could obtain is priceless.

Happy Birthday Bug

Today is my baby sister's birthday. It's hard to believe that she is getting "old." LOL. The picture below was taken in Hong Kong in 1973. :)

Sports Day? What is that?

Mon Aug 3 Blog Prompt: Today is Sports Day and I know I can't wait for football season to start. Are you a sports fan and do you enjoy participating in sports or just watching on the sidelines?

I can't honestly say that I am a sports fan any longer. I use to follow it when I was younger. Mainly golf and baseball. From time to time I still try to see what and who in both, but not in any of the other sports. Just too much taking up my time these days, weeks, months and years. LOL.

Aquatic Camp - Day 1

This was the first year that the aquatic camp was held for the 5-6 year olds. It was only half a day and a parent or guardian had to be in attendance. Just before the camp started the counsellor called to say that Indy was the only one signed up for the class. My heart dropped thinking that he would not be able to attend. Instead they offered two solutions... 1) they would hold a class just for him or 2) he could be included in the older group class with a counsellor doing something else with us if the older group was involved in something he couldn't participate in. We took the second solution and he was so excited to be included.

f/11, 1/800 sec., ISO-800, 55 mm

August comes brightly

Miss Mae (c)Sweet Digi Scraps; Calendar (c)Jennifer Barrette Designs

I thought I would try to coordinate this month. My blogwear and desktop match :)