How life got in the way of blogging

Wow! I didn't realize how long it's been since I was last here until I got here. So much has happened- good and bad- this past year, I don't know where to start.
 My house improvements have all been good. The basement is finally drying out after decades of water leaking in. A major improvement was done on my screened in front porch. Once upon a time, in my old life, it was home to a dozen or so cats. Now, it is refreshed with new screens, paint (the ceiling is light blue and the swing is now white), and bright clean covers for the furniture. Plus a rug from the sale bin at Ikea.
  My love life, such as it was, is on hiatus. My choice and I'm happy for it.
  This past summer, I was awarded temporary custody of my sweet great grand son. He's living with his daddy now, since the first part of December, but he's here nearly every afternoon while daddy is at work. It was quite an adjustment, I must say, having a little one around. Jerry, the lone cat here, has been infinitely patient with being mauled and pulled at, with only an occasional hiss to express her displeasure. As much work as it is to have a baby around the house, it's also been fun to watch him grow into a sweet toddler.
  Now that these pesky holidays are past-whew-I can start to focus on getting my yard back in order for spring planting. Some trees were taken down before the roof project, then the one big tree that I left, developed a crack and was endangering my neighbor's house. So it went, too. Now there's a LOT of sun in that part of the yard and raised beds are going in to grow veggies. I've never had too much success with edibles since I had so much shade, so it should be fun to see what happens.
   This month, January 17th, my friend Frederique and I are having an exhibit of some of our artworks, that were inspired by visits to beaches. I'll try to post photos of the event. 
  Maybe I can find time to update this blog on a more regular basis, because I know all you followers out there were wondering what was going on with my wonderfully boring life!!!

Upcoming birthday musings

Oh dear, the days go by so quickly! Another anniversary of my birth is looming on the horizon.

  Such a lovely weekend, what with the art show and basking in all that glory of seeing friends and various others telling me how wonderfully creative I am. Almost an altered state, maybe a "high" of sorts.

Spent most of Sunday afternoon sorting art from the public display to its return to closets and walls in the hovel. Sunday evening, well spent, resting with compadre. 

 Monday, indulging myself in laughing and sharing creative conversation with trusted friends. Sometimes, Monday is the best day I can think of.

 Now, I'm thinking of the few days ahead, anticipating a small celebration for my birthday. At one point, I envisioned a grand party, but thought better of it. Since my special day almost always falls on the national holiday honoring those who actually work for a living, and nearly everyone has made plans for otherwise activities, I decided to forgo such nonsense. 

  I have outlived my father by a year and I pray to whatever is out in the universe that I will come close to living as long and productively as my dear departed mother, rest their souls. 

    Two sisters have gone before me in not so many more years as I have been celebrating my time on our lovely planet. I have thrown away all the pills and potions prescribed to me in an effort to ease the troubles of this modern life. I have pretty good hair and skin at this day and age. I have an attentive lover who appreciates the time and energy I can share with him. 

  Yes, I could complain about nit picky details......plenty of that...but why waste precious energy?  

We'll see how the next few days play out and hopefully the following post will be of a most happy day full of stories of how I celebrated my 64th birthday. 

Maybe I'll just stay home and listen to Beatles songs all day, then go to eatery around the corner for super girly martinis! In any event, there will be photos!!!

Party time!

This past Sunday was most excellent. For the first time in seemingly forever I had guests over to have a meal. Since I hadn't entertained in such a long time, I decided brunch would be a good place to start.

And only a few friends who are close and nonjudgmental were invited. Hahaha. 

  The get together was wonderful, the food terrific and tasty, and everyone seemed comfortable....the MOST important part of entertaining in my opinion. 

I certainly will be hosting other events soon as I have missed having my friends and family together for meals and enjoying each other's company. I don't even mind the cleaning up before and after. It is so worth it!!!!!!!

Pesky Winter Holidaze are back!!

Oh my goodness! The end of 2013 is upon us. This seems to happen every year and it just sneaks up, doesn't it?? My house is currently undergoing a major cleanup and I'm not finished with the scrubbing. There is still painting and flooring issues to deal with, but that may have to wait til spring, when the weather and my financial situation will hopefully be more cooperative.
  Holiday decorations are getting put up and tomorrow is the winter solstice, so there has to be a fire of some sort, although rain is in the forecast.
 Sunday, I am serving breakfast to some of my friends. It's kind of a warm up entertaining event, to get back into a normal sort of social life. I haven't had anyone over in such a long time, so I figured breakfast would be a good meal to start.
  No photos this time, but pictures of the weekend festivities will be posted next week.

Upcoming pesky holidays

Yes, I know the title sounds very much like the curmudgeon, but I have never been a fan of the winter holidays. The bear in me would rather hibernate until the warm fulsome days of spring return, even though the area in which I live has the mildest of winters.
  Fortunately, I was blessed a little over eight years ago with a sweet grandson, who can pull me from the depths of lonely introspection with a funny face and offer of assistance.
  Having to alter my original plans for a Thanksgiving feast, I will face the task of providing one with the help of said boy. We both suffered the disappointment of not being able to show up with our hearty appetites at the original destination, but soon got over that.
  The menu was quickly narrowed to the dishes deemed the most important, namely turkey and pumpkin pie. Opinions and suggestions from would be guests at the upcoming feast were gathered and the menu expanded upon. Ideas from trusted foodies (who read the New York Times) are being seriously considered as well.
  Grub is being obtained at various grocery stores with the aid of guest's very welcomed contribution of government funding--aka food stamps. The generosity of the American system will be mentioned in the predinner prayers. Since space is at a premium in this hovel, we will be dining in the breakfast room, in the kitchen or off laps.
  In my dreams, I envision a proper and lovelier holiday season in 2014. My heart goes out to sports coaches, hunters, fisherman and gardeners everywhere. Because, you know, there's always next year!