Happy Halloween

Spring Blossoms (c)Kristmess; Font: Algerian
Well mine may not be so happy once the Bug sees this page. :)

A Whaling Wall

f/8, 1/160 sec., ISO-200, 55 mm (taken by the princess)
One of the things we get to pass by frequently during the week is a Wyland Whaling Wall.

Pier's Away

Scraplift of River Ribble by pepsibubbles; You've Got a Friend in Me (c)LorieM Designs
One of the advantages of living on the beach. Great view of the piers.

Nuts Ahoy

Thurs 10/22 Blog Prompt: Today is "National Nut Day." Describe what type of nuts you like to eat. Don’t forget…your favorite type may come in “creamy” or “chunky.”

Macadamias top the list right now. I have had a craving for them for weeks (months) and just bought another jar tonight. Use to be cashews, but for the last 10 or so years macadamias have set my heart aflutter just thinking about them. Of course, buying them fresh in Hawaii 3 years ago just expounded the feelings that coursed through my thoughts when they are brought to mind.

I am not sure just how to describe them though. Hard while still being soft? And I like them either salted or unsalted. I love scrapping them against my teeth and getting a fine dust of macadamia that the flares through my mouth and against all my sensory buds. The sweet, woody taste that compliments any red wine you may have on hand is the perfect ending to any meal.

Wishes for a ... Museum?

Tues 10/20 Blog Prompt: You bump into a genie and she offers to grant you three wishes. What are your wishes and why?

As I sit here and ponder, the first thing that pops up is peace in the world, the end of starvation and for each man, woman and child to be happy. But don't the majority of us already wish for this? Aren't we striving to become this world?

On a more personal note (and I really had to think on it), I wish my babies were back home. Then I have to stop and wonder if this is what I really want. Yes and no. I miss them terribly, yet I realize moving was best for them and probably for me too. Though not a day has gone by when I see something I want to tell them or show them. The ache doesn't get any duller, I have just gotten better at dealing with it.

I would wish all the happiness in the world for my children. They deserve it. They should have it.

And I would wish for the gumption to get off my duff and buy the paint and paint the house instead of just staring at the walls and saying I'm going to do it. LOL.

Wed 10/21 Blog Prompt: On this day in 1959, the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art opened in New York City. Describe a time that you have been to a museum.

The last museum Pan and I went to was in Hawaii. On the day we left we spent the morning at the Bishop Museum.

"Charles Reed Bishop, a Hawaiian philanthropist and co-founder of Kamehameha Schools and First Hawaiian Bank, built the museum in memory of his late wife, Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop. She was the last legal heir of the Kamehameha Dynasty, which ruled the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi between 1810 and 1872" ~Wikipedia

It also houses a fabulous science museum and a planetarium. Both of which Pan, Scamp, Honey, Ballerina and I strolled through at our leisure. It was a wonderful way to end a wonderful vacation. I loved seeing all the artifacts and the gorgeous feather robes. The science museum had a simulated volcano that you could walk through and see from above. But the planetarium had to have been my favorite. You knew that though, didn't you? :)

Evaluation

Mon 10/19 Blog Prompt: Today is Evaluate Your Life Day. Reflect about your life and tell how you think it is going so far.

There are things I have done in my life that I am extremely proud of. And there are things that I wish I could just sweep under the carpet. But as I look back on my life, I realize that I have found a path which I am happy to travel and be on. One that I can traverse with someone I love and trust. I think it is going fine.

Another 3D Movie?

f/5.6, 1/13 sec., ISO-800, 55 mm (digitally enhanced)
I walked in the other day to find the Princess and Indy going through the collection of 3D movies before settling on Spy Kids 3D. I probably should put them in their own book.

Chinese Dining

Changing Winds (c)Colie's Corner; Fonts: Arial, Birth of a Hero

We ate at so many great restaurants while in Hong Kong including here where we stopped for lunch.

Dictionary Days

Fri 10/16 Blog Prompt: Today is Dictionary Day. When did you start using a dictionary? Do you still use one?

I don't recall when I first used a dictionary. I do know that I have and will continue to just pick one up and read it. I love words. The way they are said and the meanings. I probably need to pick up a new one just to see what has been added. Oh yes, I still use one. :)

Grumpy the Grouch

Thurs 10/15 Blog Prompt: Today is National Grouch Day. Have you ever been grouchy? How did you act?

Are you kidding? LOL. My kids would probably say I am perpetually grouchy. Runs in the family. We use to call dad "Oscar."

But I would go around grousing, grumping (poetic license here. I know it's not a word), mumbling under my breath while giving everyone the evil eye. It's probably not a good idea to talk to me when I'm in that kind of mood. They do anyway.

All the Details

Wed 10/14 Blog Prompt: Look around the room and pick an object. Describe the object in full detail and explain where it came from.

As I glance up, I see Claudia. Dressed in white satin and tulle with sparkles, crown and a wand. With her light brown fur, she is so cuddly and soft. If I press her paw I can hear a sweet voice saying "I love you Tink and Pan." Claudia is a Build-a-Bear adoptee which the Princess gave us for Christmas 2003.

Salesperson Fears!

Mon 10/12 Blog Prompt: Today is National Salesperson Day. Did you ever get treated especially nice by a salesperson? If so what did they do that was so special?

I get treated especially nice by salespeople all week. I work with three of them and manage their commission sheets. For some reason, people who think you control their money tend to be nicer to you, LOL. Just kidding, they would be nice regardless. I think most salespeople who work around here are pretty nice. Always helpful and courteous.

Tues 10/13 Blog Prompt: Today is National Face Your Fears Day. What are you most afraid of and why?

Strange that this should come up just a week after I had to face my greatest fear. A needle. I don't know why I have such a phobia about them, but I do. And it is just medical type needles. My blood pressure will drop and I will pass out.

What kind of gummy

Quizzes Girls Games

This came from my darling Princess.

More than planes at the Air Museum

f/5.6, 1/13 sec., ISO-800, 55 mm (digitally enhanced)
As Indy is pointing out, the Air Museum holds a variety of bombs as well. He was especially taken by the this tiny one.

Great Aunt, literally

Forever (c)Armina Designs; See You Tonight (c)She's Full of Scrap; Font: Porcelain
This is my great-aunt. I wonder if she went by Eva or by Jesse?

Decorated

Fri 10/9 Blog Prompt: Tomorrow is National Cake Decorating Day. If you had a birthday cake made especially for you, how would you like it to be decorated?

An angel food cake without any icing. Just the cake. No decorations, no frills and especially no icing. That would be just heavenly.

A Reading Post

Thurs 10/8 Blog Prompt: Where is your favorite place to read and why?

This is easy... everywhere. Doesn't matter. At the table, on the couch, in bed, in the car, taking a bath. If it's a book and it's in my hands, I'll be reading it. Right now, I have one on the table to read while I eat. One on the couch to browse through during commercials. One in the bathroom. The one I have in the bedroom is a knitting dictionary which I browse through when I don't understand something I am suppose to be doing.

Top Ten

Wed 10/7 Blog Prompt: You've been hired as a writer for "Late Show with David Letterman." Your first assignment is to come up with a witty, nonpolitical Top Ten list for him to read on air.

This may just have to wait. I'm not very witty this morning. LOL. I've had a cat screaming at me since Pan left for work several hours ago. And I think I would actually have to watch Letterman to see how the lists go. Please feel free to enlighten me in my comments. :)

Choices

Tues 10/6 Blog prompt: If you had to choose between yesterday and tomorrow, which would you pick and why?

Today, definitely tomorrow. Unless, of course, something drastic happens, then maybe yesterday. Tomorrow, I may still be sore, bruised and very, very tired. But I won't be stressed about needles. I'm won't be blacking out from having one stuck in me. It's just a phobia. I know. I keep thinking I will get over it, but after 53 years, I guess I won't.

Office improvements

Mon 10/5 Blog Prompt: Today is Improve Your Office Day. How would you improve your office?

I don't think there is much I would change about my office. It is bright with lots of light coming in from the huge windows. Lots of cool pictures adorn the wall. I have my own little corner where people coming in don't usually look. And my own printer. What more could I want?

Party Island

f/29, 1/125 sec., ISO-800, 55 mm (digitally enhanced)
Taken by Pan
Not really an island anymore but the name stuck. When we first started anchoring there, there was only the ice cream jet ski coming around. Several years later a local restaurant added a party boat complete with band. This year there is a slide anchored close to the party boat. Guess the Island is becoming the local hot spot.

October Desktop

to match my October blogwear.

Halloween Night (c)New Life's Dreams

First Class Conversations

Thurs 10/1 : You're taking a business trip and, as luck would have it, you're upgraded to first class—something you've never done before. As you sit down in your new, more comfortable chair, you notice that the person sitting next to you is a famous musician. Who is it and what do you talk about?

This is a toughie as music has never been my forte. And if you are talking about a musician as someone who actually plays a musical instrument, then I am really lost. Although Meatloaf plays a musical instrument doesn't he? And he is such an interesting person. Small talk really, if I ventured to talk at all. What book he is reading. What his favorite television show or movie is. Does he have children. If so, how did he respond to being a parent.

Pretty much the same thing I would talk about to a perfect stranger sitting next to me, because that is what he would be.