Tuesday, September 29, 2015

Let's Talk Beverages



I haven't had my annual pumpkin spice latte yet (very rich and extremely caloric) but I do love their new fall cups.




This one is my usual "venti, seven pump skinny vanilla soy latte, extra hot."  As much as I love them, I do have to admit that I've discovered a local coffee shop downtown that totally rivals Starbucks.  It's five minutes away from where Meg tutors so it's become my Tuesday afternoon hangout.


A new (to me) beverage that I'm also loving comes from Tropical Smoothie Cafe.  I'm not sure if this is a local. regional or national chain but I highly recommend them.  (Anyone have one near them?)  Meg loves their Jetty Punch and Kiwi Quencher conconctions.  I usually pass on the smoothies but recently tried their Detox Island Green smoothie.  (Spinach, kale, mango, pineapple, banana and fresh ginger.)  It's really delicious and only 182 calories.







And rounding out my current beverages of choice list is my daddy's homebrew. Hopefully he'll chime in here and remind me of exactly what I'm drinking.  I just know that it's really good, especially in a frosty pint.




This particular evening followed a "two pinter kinda day" but by the time I took this photo, all was well in the world again.  *wink*










Monday, September 28, 2015

Homecoming Photos


Yes, she made it.  You'd never know by looking at her that she'd even been sick. She definitely inherited the ability to bounce back quickly from her father.








She and Gavin made a striking couple.











She was a bit weak in the knees but made it until closing.  I'm so glad she didn't miss out.



Saturday, September 26, 2015

Poor Meggie!


Meg complained of a headache on Thursday afternoon so she passed on her school's homecoming parade but did go to a friend's later in the evening to tie dye some tee shirts for Spirit Day the following day.  Later that night (around 2:00 AM) she's standing at my bedside telling me she had just thrown up.  Four times.  Ack!  She didn't seem to be running a fever so I sent her back to bed with instructions to let me know if it happened again.  She then turns to leave, stops, turns around and very nonchalantly says "So nobody's going to clean it up?"  WHAT????????????  Um....she failed to relay the fact that her vomiting (times four, remember) was on her bedroom floor.  Trust me, it wasn't fun for either of us.

Throughout the night I received many phone calls via her cell to mine, keeping me informed of all of her vomitting which were thankfully in the bucket, not on the floor.  (By the way, her ringtone on my phone is the tune to The Walking Dead.  A bit of twisted irony, don't you think?)

Needless to say, she missed Spirit Day at school and the Homecoming Game last night.  She was finally able to keep down a bit of fluid last night and does seem better this morning.  (She never did run a temp.  Weird.)  She's currently sitting up and nibbling on a bagel so we are crossing our fingers that she feels well enough to attend the dance this evening.


Thursday, September 24, 2015

Exciting News


I have a little bit of news that I've kept under wraps for the last week but as of this morning, it's official.

Meg was invited by her sign language teacher to go on an annual trip to Europe that her teacher, along with one of the assistant principals, goes on every summer.  Next summer's adventure is to Ireland, Scotland and England. Parents are invited to attend as well.  Ummm...HELLOOOOOO bucket list!

We attended the meeting last week to get the full scoop and have been pondering the possibility ever since.  It's pricey and not a decision to be taken lightly but after several family discussions it was agreed that Meg and I could both go.  (At 14 we are not comfortable with letting her attend alone and actually, neither was she.  *wink*)  And even better news...my BFF Aimee and her daughter Grace are going too!  The departure date has not yet been set with the tour company but it will be 15 days starting sometime early to mid June 2016 and we can not be more excited!






Tuesday, September 22, 2015

Focus on Finley


Finley Man turned nine months old a few day ago, and as it should be, everyday is a new adventure, experience or learned skill.

He's a master crawler and is now very adept at pulling himself up.  (Makes you wonder what he's pondering, doesn't it?)







He loves the swings at the local park...








He's not quite sure yet about the concept of shoes....





And he's learned to express himself by shaking his head no.  In this video Jay is singing to him and Fin makes it clear that he wants him to stop.  LOL!





For anyone interested, below are links to a few other videos I put up on YouTube.  (They are not searchable, only viewable by following my links which makes them semi-private.)  I shot the first two during my last visit.  The third one was sent by his parents, as was the one above.


1)  Bubble Guppies. (His new favorite show)      https://youtu.be/n69lkMYSORo

2)  A Very Busy Boy.     https://youtu.be/UA0flYg2m14

3)  Dancing.      https://youtu.be/aUi94XV9gz0


I was hoping to see the little guy this past weekend but it didn't work out. Hopefully soon.  I miss him.






Wednesday, September 16, 2015

Mid-Week Randomness


***  Our shopping excursion was a success.  The first dress she tried on was "the one" although I had it held for the day while she tried on others in various stores.  In the end we came back to Macy's for dress #1.  I was especially happy that it was on sale for $47 and with my Plenti Points I was able to get it for $23. Score!  We also found a Charming Charlie across from the mall so she also has some simple jewelry and a small clutch.  All she needs now are shoes.



***  I got mine yesterday.  Have you gotten yours?





***  As for today, I have another dreaded dentist appointment that will involve valium.  I'll be toast for the remainder of the day.  :-(





Monday, September 14, 2015

Book Club


Our latest book club meeting took place last Saturday at the home of one of the members.  She chose The Nightingale and I cannot say enough good things about this novel.  If you haven't read it, it definitely needs to be put at the top of your "to read" list.

We had a wonderful afternoon conversing about the book over lunch.  Our hostess, Janice, prepared the most awesome salad.  It was like nothing I've ever seen before and I totally intend to copy it.






Is that not amazing?  It was as delicious as it looks.

She also made these gorgeous napkins for everyone to take home.  (Yet another idea I plan to copy some time in the future.)




It's difficult to read from the photo but it's an excerpt from the book.  How clever is that?

Afterward Chica and I did some shopping at a new and very beautiful outdoor center that's ironically located just down the street from where we lived years ago. (For my family....directly west of Century Village and the "old people Publix."  LOL!

After the shops closed we ducked into a restaurant called Lime where we had a very delicious frozen margarita and some chips and salsa.  For a premade frozen drink, this little puppy packed a punch. (Don't worry family, I only had one. *wink*)






Moving forward to today ---

I'm taking Meg and a friend down to West Palm to shop for Homecoming dresses.  I'll let ya know how we fare but in the meantime, please wish us (me) luck.  :-)






Wednesday, September 9, 2015

Our Weekend


We hosted a fairly impromptu family gathering this past weekend.  In addition to plenty of eating, drinking, chatting and relaxing included in the price of admission was a boat ride for the kids...







as well as LOTS of puppy cuddling.  




I warned everyone that pockets would be checked for dog smuggling upon departure.  We had a great time, everyone made it home safely and yes, we still have two dogs.


Later today I will be traveling up to visit with this guy who recently found himself in a predicament.






Hopefully I can keep him out of trouble tomorrow while his parents are at work.







Friday, September 4, 2015

This Week . . .



Meg continues to do well in her new school.  She has however traded out her traditional PE class for a virtual PE class.  Yes folks, there is now such a thing as "online PE."  (Where is my bewildered emoji?)  She added Intro to IT into her former first period PE slot and will be doing PE from home.  She has also joined the Art Club and Earthsavers Club at school.  Both organizations perform a variety of community services in our area so I consider them to be excellent choices for extracurricular activities.

She and I attended our first high school volleyball match last night followed by our first JV football game.  Meg's bestie Grace plays on the volleyball squad so we were there to support her.  (They won. Yay!)  Meg's boyfriend Gavin is on the JV football team.  After a long soaking rain and two lightening delays they also won, 30-12.  Double Yay!






I received this very cute photo of Jay and Fin taken at 4:30 one morning this week.  Fin apparently decided to wake up and see daddy off to work.



I {heart} this photo!  And look....Jay is letting his hair grow out!  Triple Yay!


My life seems to revolve around puppy wrangling.  Getting a new puppy 3 weeks before the start of school was not the best idea.  *sigh*  It's a good thing she's cute.  Jasmine continues to be a good sport but being mauled 24/7 is really not her idea of fun.




A very happy Labor Day to everyone.  We are looking forward to spending ours with family and hope you get the opportunity to do the same.  Thanks for stopping by!