MSIH

Lots of Love

2012-02-10T05:58:00.004-06:00

My new little gal pal, Duchess, came home last week from the pound. Those big brown eyes melted my heart on first sight.

Many treats to be given and walks to take. Sometimes a little unconditional love really hits the spot...

...a bit of gin doesn't hurt either.

Take Me Home

2012-01-20T08:10:00.003-06:00

Photos from my holiday trip home to Louisiana

Should we really only do this on special occasions?
(Uptown - New Orleans)

The naughty boys were out in full force. Thank goodness.
(The French Quarter - New Orleans)

Condo viewing...
I'm a libra and therefore undecided.
(Perkins Rd - Baton Rouge)

You just can't get good help nowadays to climb the trees.
Must have cost them a small fortune.
(St. Charles Ave - New Orleans)

Lemon please!!
(Da Quawters - New Orleans)

Dinner under the pergola on New Year's Day
(Baton Rouge)

Holiday Cheer

2011-12-18T07:38:00.000-06:00

I really need to stop drinking.

Ho Ho Ho!!!

2011-12-13T19:51:00.005-06:00

I wouldn't touch you with a thirty-nine-and-a-half foot pole.

Gayest Thing In My House

2011-10-18T07:52:00.010-05:00

Our darling Mistress MJ has inquired about the gayest thing in her readers' homes.

Most of you know that I am very straight acting so it has been difficult to find something to post.

What?!? What is all that snickering about?

I give you my...

Big Gay Fridge

From top left going clockwise...

The State of Louisiana capital building

There isn't much to say about this one. Look at it. BP has it lubed up real nice.

Jacqueline Lee Bouvier Kennedy

Given to me after going as her in costume one Mardi Gras. Absolutely not gay.

Marilyn Monroe

A photograph I took at Madame Tussaud's in New York. What a rack!

1932 Auburn Boattail Speedster from the J.K Lilly Antique Automobile Museum in Hancock, Massachusetts.

Are you imagining the wind gently whipping through your long platinum hair as you drive around Cape Cod? No?!? Neither am I.

French Onion Soup Recipe

Don't all straight single men clip recipes?

Card from my lady BFF

We lounge in the den during the day in sensible high heels talking about our husbands.

The Eiffel Tower

J'aime Paris

Autumn Leaves

2011-10-15T16:35:00.011-05:00

I just returned home from a lovely trip to Pennsylvania. The drive through the western part of the state is breathtaking with the changing colors on the trees. These are a few photos from Google Images. Holding a camera while traveling at slightly above the speed limit is challenging so the photos I took don't do the scenery justice.

Beautiful, no?

My Minneapolis beau has a new job and has moved back to his home in Pennsylvania. So the trip was to spend time with him. That is going as well as it can considering we live so far apart. He's a good man. The highlight was laying in bed sharing white chocolate cheesecake and watching Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. The cheesecake is his highly guarded recipe. Truly Scrumptious. The simple pleasures are always the best.

I plan to go again in the spring and hope to see Frank Lloyd Wright's Fallingwater. There simply wasn't time to see it this visit. (via)

While there I purchased new dining room chairs at a flea market. They were a steal at 79 USD for all 6. I recovered the seats yesterday and the day before and they look marvelous.

This morning I'm enjoying a coffee and listening to Harry Bellafonte at Carnegie Hall from 1959.

In Living Stereo!!

Santa Baby

2011-09-20T05:07:00.001-05:00

I've been an awful good girl.
(via)

Surgery

2011-09-10T03:18:00.004-05:00

I love, uh, visiting
with Grandma and Grandpa...

and writing letters
to parents...

and pushing
lawn-mowing machine...

so Grandpa's hyena
don't get disturbed.

- Hernia!
- [Fred chortling]

Adele

2011-08-29T12:50:00.003-05:00

Seen last night on MTV VMAs. Choked me up.

Pass the Salt

2011-08-15T05:16:00.003-05:00

Friends of mine were visiting family in Myrtle Beach last week. The wife and kids wanted to get me a shark tooth necklace which would have been wonderful. I love them dearly. But Dad insisted they get this. I LOVE IT!!!!!

The Dish

2011-08-10T05:37:00.012-05:00

I live in a very small town in central Illinois where the corn and soy bean fields seem to go on forever. Which reminds me I need to tell you the story about my 20 something farm boy neighbor who likes to mow his lawn without a shirt. I'm trying my best to snap a photo before writing that post as it simply requires a visual. So let's have a substitute for the time being.

While I've made some very good friends in the few years living here, the crop of desirable gay men is smaller than anywhere I've lived. When I moved here this was not a consideration. I was attached and thought I would have someone tending my emotional garden for years to come. This is not him, but let's enjoy anyway.

Surprisingly the soil in one's garden can become compacted quite easily. The last farmer was not attentive to this. So I've taken a more proactive course in finding someone to till my soil. Several seasons have passed since the land was cultivated but I know there is a great bounty to be enjoyed with the right farmer. Someone such as this.

I've taken to social media to find some new friends and possibly that farmer. There's a 6'6" 48 year old ex-military hunk of burnin' love with whom I've become enamored. He lives up in the City of Lakes near Norma Desmond which I travel to a few times a year for work. He's a very handsome and seemingly genuine fellow. And employed!!!! I'm giddy.

So that's the poop. This is what I've been doing. I've been acting like a schoolgirl over a fellow who lives 381 miles from me. Someone please slap me.

Sensitive Documents

2011-08-08T12:45:00.002-05:00

Happens every time.

Girl Talk

2011-06-17T17:30:00.005-05:00

Where in the hell have you been?!?!?

I've been busy.

That's no fu**ing excuse!!

I know.

Well if you know this then what do you have to say for yourself?

Would you like anything in your tea?

Don't change the subject! A little bourbon.

I've got this new job at work and I'm working longer hours.

Oh Please! The tiny violins are playing and I think you can do better than that.

Well I also took a jaunt to Europe.

Good Lord!! That was last month. Post cards aren't that expensive you know.

My house has been turned inside out with you know who jumping ship.

Miss Thing, the world is full of people who get dumped.

Here's your tea.

You really need a maid, look at the dust on that cocktail table.

The maid I had used to drink all the vodka, remember.

Who cares! People would kill for a maid who gets paid in vodka. And I did NOT drink it all!

I promise I'll do better at staying in touch with you.

A decent hostess would put out a tray of something. Sheesh!

I was asked on a date last week to dinner.

Soooooooo...how was it? Did you put out?

He's a very nice fellow but it was only dinner.

Don't tell me you told him the fish story! (roll eyes)

No I didn't, and it feels good to know I still got the mojo.

Honey, that ain't mojo. You'd have some juicy details if it were that.

Thanks for the reality check.

It's the least I could do.

What'll I Wear

2011-06-17T17:06:00.007-05:00

Today I asked what the dress code is for a recurring meeting I've never been to for work.

The organizer of the event replies, "Business casual. It would have been formal but my ball gown is at the cleaners. :)"

My reply, "Thank God, mine too."

Bitch!

l'amour

2011-05-29T02:56:00.008-05:00

Seen last week on the Pont de l'Archevêché in Paris.

Returned Exhausted and Content

2011-04-18T17:08:00.011-05:00

Yesterday our local bike shop had a Family Fun Day which included a trail ride, door prizes and a bbq. I peddled the 20 mile trip in the hopes of being the winner of a bicycle they were giving away. There were only about 40 people so my chances of winning were pretty good.

Here we are departing the shop and making the short journey to the interurban bike trail.

And here is a shot down the bike path which is rather tranquil. It passes near a beautiful lake and also across several bridges. There were nesting geese and the turtles were all out sunning themselves. I was a bit too busy keeping myself upright to take many photos.

This shop also has some vintage bikes including a 70's Schwinn tandem and others that people rode on the trail. If this one below ever makes an appearance on their products list I will purchase immediately. Of course it will need an orange flag on the back for a bit of style and some playing cards held on the spokes with clothes pins for sound effect.

Events like this always attract a wide array of enthusiasts.

There were the two heavy fellows that I thought were queens but was totally wrong about. Sorry guys if you ever read this.

Then there are those people who act like you are completely in their way. They say "passing on your left" with a snide undertone that the trail should be restricted from the wrong element. For them I pretend to waver out of control as they pass to make them nervous.

Then there are those dressed like Lance Armstrong on their way to the Tour de France. How they ride on those tiny seats I seriously have no idea. My ass hurts just looking at those seats.

Alas, no new bike for Hayward. But that's just fine as I had a wonderful time and made a few new friends.

30 Helens Agree

2011-04-13T01:13:00.001-05:00

So true.

The Adventures of Mardi Gras Barbie

2011-04-06T06:42:00.013-05:00

YAY!! Look at the beads I caught at the parade!!

I love going to the Quarter after the parade.

No one told me there would be lesbians in this bar.

Let me take a teeny nap here in this garden.

I don't want to go home yet!

Follow the light! Follow the light!

(via a dear friend from MG 2009)

Kiss My Grits

2011-04-05T21:40:00.005-05:00

The first phase of Project FLOORence Jean Castlebury has been completed.

The carpeting in two rooms have been removed and I have chipped and scraped away the ancient padding underneath that was stuck or glued to the floor. CHECK

Phase 2 will be the removal of the vinyl flooring in the kitchen and bath.
Phase 3 will be the refinishing of all the oak flooring in the entire house. I'll be doing that myself.
Then the final Phase 4 will be the laying of hexagonal tile in the bathroom. I won't be doing that myself.

I find this kind of work therapeutic.

Zenith

2011-03-30T17:15:00.003-05:00

The quality goes in before the name goes on.

I Confess

2011-03-29T20:14:00.005-05:00

I've always had a bit of a thing for Patrick Warburton, aka Putty.

I can't explain it. I just do.

Lawd Have Mercy...

2011-03-25T18:37:00.002-05:00

...today has been a long day.

What was supposed to be a single one hour conference call that started at 8 am ended up lasting until 2:30 pm. And don't get me started on the urgent request to help a Project Manager who can barely sort a spreadsheet to revamp a project that involves every customer of ours around the world.

Mama needs a drink darlings!!

2011-03-23T20:22:00.000-05:00

Get Your Apperntment

2011-03-22T21:35:00.002-05:00

The Hair Hall of Fame can transform you too.

For The Record

2011-03-20T09:55:00.002-05:00

Still sealed and best left unopened.

More Crazy Week Details

2011-03-20T09:27:00.003-05:00

My dear John is moving out after 11 years of us living together.

I posted something about this which I then deleted. So some of you may have seen that post.

Not much to say about it and I won't be going into the details. Although right now I'm not entirely sure what that will mean overall but I'm just feeling sad over that.

Crazy Week Details - First Topic

2011-03-20T07:41:00.007-05:00

I posted back around Christmas that there was a gift I've been wanting to give myself for a long time. It's something that could not be purchased or placed in a box. Don't get too excited because frankly for the near future I remain without said gift.

What is it you ask?

I've been wanting for years to quit my job.

I know, I know. I can hear your words to that now.

"Get over it."

With so many people in this world who have so little, how could I even contemplate the risk of stepping away from this security? I've known a number of people with significant education, skills and experience that have struggled in the past few years gaining employment. I certainly don't want that.

On a side note, if you are ever feeling sad for yourself, watch Central Station or Children of Heaven. Trust me when I say that feeling will go away.

St. Patrick's Day was my 14 year anniversary with the company. I've had various roles and been through two mergers. On Friday I interviewed for another position, albeit still with the same company. It is a lateral move in the organization but with a higher salary.

The interview went very well. The interviewer told me that of the 12 or so interviews they have conducted so far that I am the most qualified. So I'm taking that as a good indicator of my chances.

So my gift remains elusive but I'm anticipating good news to come. If all goes well I'll need to buy something sparkly as a replacement gift.

Take One Down, Pass It Around

2011-03-18T19:42:00.006-05:00

This crazy week is finally over.

Let's celebrate darlings!

Pass me a drink, anything will do.

I'll be filling you in on the details, but for now I need a stiff one.

Lost & Found

2011-03-04T15:49:00.002-06:00

It's Carnival Time!!

2011-03-01T12:19:00.005-06:00

Did you get your invitation to the Ball?

Invitation to Momus Ball 1882

Lotus Leaf Admit Card

Lotus Flower Dance Card

Men Don't Make Passes

2011-02-28T20:59:00.006-06:00

Today was quite a busy one which included my yearly eye exam. I am very fortunate not to require glasses which is a stroke of luck considering everyone in my family wears them. Since my insurance includes a yearly exam I like to take advantage of it.

The doctor announced the I have astigmatism in my left eye. It's very minor so no glasses for me...yet.

If that day comes or rather WHEN that day comes, I want something along the line of the following.

Bésame Mucho

2011-02-23T15:08:00.004-06:00

Received long ago from John

Postcards from Madrid

The last one is my favorite.

Behind the Iron

2011-02-22T06:41:00.008-06:00

Country music will do it to you

eventually.

Let's hope my mugshot never gets out.

(via)

For the Record

2011-02-19T08:36:00.003-06:00

From my collection

hardly used

Better Late Than Never

2011-02-19T07:27:00.004-06:00

I finished knitting my scarf and hope there won't be much more use for it until next year. Although there's a good chance of snow on Monday.

Two throw pillows for my bed may be next.

By Executive Order...

2011-02-18T11:50:00.001-06:00

...of The Mistress!

Let Go of the Winter Funk

2011-02-17T14:51:00.005-06:00

The snow is finally melting and there is a glimmer of Spring. During lunch yesterday I inspected the tiny buds just starting to appear on the Dogwood. Tiny buds are also on the lilac I have planted in a large pot on the patio. Also the crocus are just starting to peep out. It's about time.

John told me that I've been a bit on the unbearable side lately. Hard to believe isn't it. The truth is that I've had a few sizable unexpected expenses over the past week or so.

The worst of it was the person I recently sold my home to threatening to sue me over a repair to something I had no idea was broken. As an old realtor friend of mine says who has been in the business for nearly 50 years, "Don't ever do business with a man of the cloth darling. They'll screw you every time." She was oh so right.

There were several other things that occurred but this post is about the anticipation of Spring.

...and I can't wait!

For the Record

2011-02-08T16:07:00.004-06:00

From my collection

Size Queen

Petit Larousse

2011-02-04T17:44:00.004-06:00

Trapped

2011-02-04T05:46:00.006-06:00

Well dears, I've been snowed in now for a few days after the blizzard that passed through this week. The streets are plowed but being a southern fellow and new to this I didn't realize I should have been strategic about parking my truck. In the lower spots it seems there was about 12 inches of snow. Around my truck naturally it's thigh deep. After much excavation yesterday and more planned today I'm hoping to be able to get out of the driveway soon. Lesson learned.

I walked down to the Hooterville courthouse yesterday to get a copy of my property tax bill for some financial paperwork I need. The building is quite old and I fully expected Atticus Finch to turn the corner at any moment. The lovely lady at the Treasury office walked to her computer and asked me if I knew the parcel number. I said no and she then looked it up by my name. Walking away I noticed on the bill that the parcel number is a 12 or so character number with dashes in odd places. How would anyone possibly know that off the top of their head? Surely she gets a lot of responses of no to that question.

There's no more wine or beer in the house so I'll be walking to the liquor store later in the afternoon. Should I pick anything up for you?

For the Record

2011-01-30T11:25:00.005-06:00

Here's another little gem from my vinyl collection.

The Original Soundtrack Album of Cleopatra

Composed and Conducted by

Alex North

When I ceremoniously travel by barge around the house,

I do so with the correct music.

The Pack

2011-01-29T08:11:00.012-06:00

We are dog sitting for a friend who is in the hospital and she is getting along swimmingly with my two pooches. The vacuum will be getting a workout today.

This is Trent who is a female Sheltie. She's a sweetheart.

I'm not sure why the male name for a female dog but her owner is on the eccentric side. The poor dear isn't very smart which is uncharacteristic for this breed. But she truly has been no trouble and is becoming more comfortable with each passing day.

A for my own brood, here is my dear Fred who we adopted some years ago from the pound in Louisiana. He's a very sensitive Basset Hound and the alpha dog.

Adorable no? He is a cuddler with a lot to say.

Then there is my sweetheart and favorite of all time, Myrtle.

She appeared in my driveway one Christmas about 7 years ago. She was cowering near a line of crepe myrtle trees in the yard and looked like a little rat with no hair. She had the mange and was maybe 8 weeks old wandering the streets. It's a wonder how she avoided being squashed by a car.

After coffee and a few morning shows it's off to work on taxes.

Wooo hooo!

In Local News

2011-01-17T11:26:00.004-06:00

THE STATE JOURNAL-REGISTER

Posted Jan 17, 2011 @ 08:00 AM

A Deja Vu stripper was given a counterfeit $50 bill as a tip late Saturday.

A man who is a disc jockey at the club, located at 3220 Lake Plaza Drive, flagged down a Springfield police officer at Fifth Street and North Grand Avenue about 8:10 a.m. Sunday. The man said one of the dancers, who is known as “Natalia” received a $50 tip from a customer.

The DJ told police that neither he nor the stripper knew the customer’s identity, police said. “Natalia” showed the DJ the $50 bill and it appeared to be copied on regular paper and was smaller than legal tender.
_______________________________________

Natalia needs to carry one of these.

Where she keeps it may take some imagination.

Seen This Weekend

2011-01-17T07:18:00.004-06:00

I had no idea previously...

...Joanna Lumley as a German customer in an episode of Are You Being Served?

...and Patricia Rutledge in To Sir With Love.

Shall We Dance?

2011-01-11T10:29:00.004-06:00

New (to me) vinyl treasures on the way!!

The last one was a necessity just to have that cover.

Flooding in Australia

2011-01-11T06:52:00.006-06:00

This morning while visiting the blogs of Princess and Damien I've discovered our brothers and sisters of Australia need our support. Disastrous flooding is occurring in the East.

Greg Kowald was driving through the center of Toowoomba when a terrifying, tsunami-like wall of water roared through the streets of the northeast Australian city.

Office windows exploded, cars careened into trees and bobbed in the churning brown water like corks. The deluge washed away bridges and sidewalks; people desperately clung to power poles to survive. Before it was over, the flash flood left at least 10 dead and 78 missing

The rest of the NPR article here.

Today I offer prayers for those that have lost their lives and also for those communities still in harm's way, especially our dear Princess and Damien.

Old Fashioned Love Song

2011-01-08T06:26:00.004-06:00

I've always loved a good romance.

Sixteen years have gone by and I've finally seen the Italian film Il Postino.

I enjoyed it immensely. Perhaps the only annoying thing was Mario's slow dialogue. He is the son of a poor fisherman so maybe they were trying to portray him as somewhat uneducated. The majority of his village is illiterate although he can read and write. He befriends Pablo Neruda and eventually learns poetry. Mario uses that to seduce the beautiful Beatrice. Ain't love a crazy thing? I won't spoil the ending in case you haven't seen it. But I highly recommend.

Because of this film I'll be starting on the biography of Pablo Neruda next. A face like that had to write some mighty powerful love poems to woo so many women. Either that or he carried a bottle of chloroform.

The current book I'm reading is a trashy gay romance that I found while trolling through CyberPete's blog. It's a lovely story about a 30 something gay yuppie who moves to the suburbs. He falls in love with a supposedly straight handyman that renovates his kitchen. Then in the words of CP, "he does more than his kitchen." I'm 45% through the book so thank you Kindle statistics. It's like eating a greasy cheeseburger, there's no healthy nutritional value but it tastes oh so good.

Purple or Aubergine

2011-01-07T16:01:00.004-06:00

LSU, my alma mater, is playing against Texas A&M tonight in the Cotton Bowl. Let's hope my cousins who went to A&M don't have anything to gloat about later.

Indecent Proposal

2011-01-07T06:48:00.005-06:00

An acquaintance and coworker of mine revealed this week that she is now engaged to be married. During the conference call in which she revealed this great surprise I asked her how he proposed. I find that very telling of his personality and I do so love a good soap opera wedding story. Well my darlings, in the future it's best to leave such a topic alone.

Now she could have lied since we were on a call with people all over the world. But no. She allowed that he "proposed to me in the shower." Insert brief awkward silence.

I won't give you a true visual. But let's imagine it looked more like this...

If it were this guy I may have said yes.

A New Day

2011-01-03T07:36:00.002-06:00

GET BACK TO WORK!!

Paging Dorothy Gale

2011-01-01T11:05:00.005-06:00

It's 2011 and I feel like I missed the party. Early in the day yesterday I was having a grand time participating in Boxer's virtual party.

While fixing myself a ham & swiss on rye for lunch, the storm sirens started to blare. So John and I rounded up the pooches and headed for the basement. I ran back up the steps to get my sandwich and looked out the window. The sky seemed fine although dark clouds could be seen about 10 miles or so away. It was my understanding that the front was passing to the north and would not affect us directly. There was no rain and it all seemed odd.

Next thing I know the electricity went out. It only went out about 30 seconds and then the sirens stopped. Everything seemed fine so we went on with our day although the cable and internet were down.

A little while later we received a call that 4 small twisters were spotted near town. One of them tore through the neighboring lakeside neighborhood and quite a few homes are now uninhabitable. There were no fatalities although a tree fell on top of a car being driven by a woman we know. She has minor injuries.

The cable and internet came up a few minutes ago and I have tons of catching up to do. Mother Nature threw me out of the party early but at least everyone is ok.

A Good Cause

2010-12-31T09:58:00.004-06:00

For those of you who may be surfing the internet today because you're bored or killing time, please head over to Chickory for a worthy cause that won't cost you anything but a little time.

We are being challenged to create a garland or other handmade decoration that has Happy New Year on it. Post a photo of it on your own blog and then head over to comment on Chickory that you have made one. For each one made a $10 donation will be made to a very worthy single foster mother of 4 by the name of Heather.

So what are you waiting for? Head over there now to read the details and I want to hear some scissors moving!!

Here's the photo of mine. To make it my own I used both yellow and white paper. I also added the center discs from my 45 vinyl records. Festive!!

Let's Celebrate!!

2010-12-31T03:30:00.005-06:00

I'm glad to see 2010 walk out the door darlings. It's time for her to go.

I raise a toast to new beginnings and to all of you.

Bottoms up!

Images Past

2010-12-28T08:18:00.002-06:00

Long ago photos of me and my siblings. That's me on the right.

Sorry, Wrong Number

2010-12-23T03:06:00.001-06:00

I'd like to thank (strangle) the person who accidentally dialed my phone number at 2:40am. I'll be thinking of you when I'm in the airport later this evening. Normally this would call for a hex but it IS Christmas after all.

Anyone for some Christmas spirits?

Getting Closer

2010-12-21T05:10:00.000-06:00

How about a waltz around the floor with The Lennon Sisters while we wait?

Inspired by Thombeau

I'm Going In

2010-12-18T07:37:00.000-06:00

I'm not finished my holiday shopping. Time for a coffee then I'm off to face the crowd.

Christmas Past

2010-12-18T07:24:00.000-06:00

Many moons ago a friend of mine, Mike, had moved to New Orleans to stay with an aging aunt who needed assistance around the house. His Aunt Martha was quite a character. She had been a widow for a long time and was a proper southern lady. Her hair was a beautiful white that was always done to perfection. She was always dressed impeccably. The thing I remember most about Martha was her smile. She was a happy old gal who loved to laugh and have a good time.

Martha lived near the lakefront in Metairie which is a suburb of New Orleans.

Her favorite color was pink and nearly everything in her home was that color: toilets, lavatories, phones, refrigerator, all the way down to the pink fly swatter.

One Christmas we decided to take the driving tour through City Park to see the light displays. Martha's gal pal whose name escapes me right now met us at Martha's house for pre-tour cocktails. The friend pulls up in her Cadillac and I learned that much like Martha, everything in this woman's house was her favorite color, lavender, even the car.

After the ladies got loaded, we piled them in the back seat of the lavender Caddy and headed off to see the lights. Of course the displays were lovely.

Eventually we made it back to Martha's house. As Mike was pulling into the driveway Martha bent over in the back seat to retrieve something that had fallen to the car floor. Having a little trouble grabbing the item her friend bent over also to assist. At that point they were both stuck in that position. Imagine two laughing semi-drunk old ladies bent over in the backseat of a lavender Cadillac who can't get up and need to be pulled out of the car.

We had a great laugh that night and many times thereafter about the experience. Martha's no longer with us and each time I think of her I get the giggles. She was a great lady.

Weekend

2010-12-13T06:17:00.000-06:00

Seen this weekend driving on the interstate between New Orleans and Baton Rouge.

This photo was the best I could do considering I was driving.

It's a truck full of turnips. Should I be surprised that it was on the highway in Louisiana?

More from the Archives

2010-12-07T07:05:00.000-06:00

Me at the tender age of one.

The big hair started early.

Intriguing Photo

2010-12-06T19:09:00.000-06:00

This photo was in a big box of family pics from my mother's family. I have no idea who this woman might be. Neither does Mom.

Dollar Store Treasures

2010-12-05T19:05:00.000-06:00

I almost bought this but came to my senses.

W is for Work

2010-12-04T04:56:00.000-06:00

It's good to be home. This was the view from my room at the W Hotel in Minneapolis yesterday morning. Cold!!

Over the week I participated in an interesting workshop about giving presentations that focused on soft skills. Soft skills basically refers to people skills: gestures, mannerisms, friendliness, etc. One of the exercises was on how to handle objections.

Our natural and typical response to someone who objects to what we say is to become defensive. So in this exercise we had to turn to one of our peers in the room and say something to really push their buttons. They were then able to practice an appropriate response.

Unfortunately to elicit that kind of response there needs to be some grain of truth to the statement and hitting below the belt would have simply been inappropriate. So my supervisor turned to me and said "Hayward, your training sessions are too long and boring." My response was "I appreciate you sharing that with me. Could you tell me more about what makes you feel that way?"

That short statement was harder to say than I thought it would be. My mind wanted to tell her, "My training sessions aren't a variety show." But she was right, my training sessions ARE long and boring. So I'll figure out how to spice them up a bit to make them more engaging. Maybe they need a comedian and a few pet tricks thrown in for fun.

Overall it was a great workshop that gave me some very specific feedback that I can use to improve my presentation skills.

Unfortunately I had no free time this week. Evenings were spent catching up on work except for the one night that we went to the Minnesota vs. Arizona hockey game. Hockey isn't one of my favorite sports but they did supply the food and drinks since we were using the company suite. Then later that night we had cocktails back at the hotel.

I highly recommend the W Hotel if you ever need to stay in Minneapolis.

Shopping

2010-11-28T05:46:00.000-06:00

Friday, in the midst of gift buying mayhem, I ventured out to buy some clothes which I rarely do anymore. During my recent move I threw out things that are out of style. Typically I buy very classic styles so that they last. I found an absolute bargain on a lovely french blue cashmere sweater.

More so than a sweater, there's a gift I need to give myself this holiday. It's not something that one can run out and purchase unfortunately and it cannot be placed in a box. If it could, I would have bought this item years ago.

The past few months have been a step in the direction of allowing me to do this. I'm about to make my life better. Isn't that what we all need in this world?

Which Flower Are You?

2010-11-26T07:14:00.000-06:00

Here's a fun quiz that comes via Princess. It's so very accurate about me.

I am a
Daffodil

What Flower
Are You?

You have a sunny disposition and are normally one of the first to show up for the party. You don't need too much attention from the host once you get there as you are more than capable of making yourself seen and heard.

I do love a party!

Only at Thanksgiving

2010-11-25T14:05:00.000-06:00

Ladies...

Do your potluck dishes remain full when you leave a party?

Is cottage cheese or marshmallows the main ingredient in your best dish?

Has the Ladies Circle Food Committee put you in charge of the drinks for the Winter Social?

Look no further...I have the perfect thing.

A number of years ago a friend brought this to a gathering for my birthday. Its so easy that no recipe is required and I later made it for a party where I was asked to bring a dish. Well let's just say I get asked to make this every time now.

Linda's Cross Your Heart (and hope you don't die) Smokies

Ingredients: 4lbs Hillshire Little Smokies

Large bag of brown sugar

1 lb hickory smoked bacon

Cut bacon strips into thirds and roll smokies using round toothpicks. Place on a jelly pan lined with parchment paper. Dredge with brown sugar. Bake at 350 for 45 minutes. Then place in a crock pot to keep warm.

Trashy and wonderful!!

Mind Your Children

2010-11-24T16:22:00.001-06:00

Seen today at breakfast here.

Girl's Best Friend

2010-11-24T06:56:00.000-06:00

Something simple for a holiday gift.

Round brilliant 18.44-carat diamond in a diamond split-shank setting.

Affordable

Love is in the Air

2010-11-21T06:52:00.000-06:00

I'm a sucker for romance.

This morning I finished reading my very first romance novel. Sure it's the junk food of the literary world and it took me 4 decades to come around to reading one but I enjoyed it.

Mary Margaret McSwain (a.k.a. Maggie) rents a room in an antebellum home in Virginia owned by two spinster sisters. When she isn't working on her historic preservation career, she's spending time trying to convince horse farm owner Rylan Quaid (a.k.a. Ry) that he's in love with her.

Of course Ry gives her a good pounding a few times and by the end he proposes marriage. Hey, it's not a mystery novel.

Speaking of romance, yesterday morning I watched Summertime with Katherine Hepburn and Rossano Brazzi. It's one of my absolute favorite romance films.

In this scene KH is having coffee in the piazza alone. She pretends to have company so that acquaintances passing by don't know she is by herself. That backfires when RB passes by and thinks she already has company. The brilliance of this scene is that the only thing they say to each other is "good evening."

Now it seems I have another lustful reading over at the Infomaniac Book Club. Yay!

Done!

2010-11-19T05:52:00.001-06:00

Well darlings, I've finally finished moving into the house across town. Closing on the old one will occur next week and then the old girl goes into other hands.

I know it's ridiculous to put your heart into a pile of wood and bricks because a home is really about the people who inhabit the place. But I did put my heart into it and there's a little piece of me that will need time to recover. Hopefully the new owner will be a good steward of the old gal.

Man Meme

2010-11-09T19:34:00.000-06:00

Dear Roses has stolen my memeginity!! I feel so dirty.

She wants to know what are the ingredients for the secret recipe for my perfect man.

Time to let the secret out.

Other than item 1 these are in no particular order...

First and foremost, he must have a mute button. There is nothing more irritating than a man who doesn't know when to shut it.
He should be able to squash his own bugs. We are talking about a man after all.
He should be handy and know his way around my workshop. This includes all power tools, pipe wrenches, vise grips, pliers, clamps, hoses, drivers, etc.
He should be able to engage in conversation but not monopolize it. No one wants to know what he had for breakfast last week. Refer back to item 1.
He should be able to fill out a pair of jeans both in front and rear. Mama likes a little variety in the workshop.
He should give thoughtful gifts. I once received light switch plates as a Christmas gift. Do I need to say more?
He should be willing to take out the garbage, clean the gutters and mow the lawn.
A pleasure trail doesn't hurt.
And finally, he should look exactly like this...

...reasonable, yes?

Stir all those ingredients together and bake for 30 minutes at 350 degrees.

I tag Princess and Jason who I know will love to participate.

Selling My Wares

2010-10-30T16:35:00.000-05:00

Today has been quite a day. Our garage sale was a success and I managed to get rid of some furniture that we won't have room to store soon.

One of the items was a king size bed that weighs a ton. I was not very optimistic about selling it but there were several interested buyers and I got the full price I was asking. The buyer was a very sweet woman in her 50's who paid for the bed and told me she would be back later in the day with her "boys" to pick it up. Well sweetie, my jaw dropped when those boys arrived.

One is 30 and the other is 25. Both well-educated, polite and so stunningly handsome that I couldn't take my eyes off of them. You know the type: perfect teeth, dark skin, deep blue eyes, just the right amount of facial hair and sizable shoes.

I think the worst part was when their mother told me how they all like to pile in bed together at night and watch television. That's why they were interested in my bed, because of its size. Unfortunately two hot guys will be in my bed tonight and I won't be there.

I need a little lie down.

The Haunting

2010-10-28T09:36:00.000-05:00

The best horror film ever made.

Boo!

2010-10-28T04:56:00.001-05:00

I live in a town where the population has not changed much in the last 100 years. The last census has us around 2000 people. This town of Nowhereburg was a small trading port on the Sangamon River in the 1800's which prompted the building of numerous victorian era larger homes. In the middle of the 1900's when everyone was tearing down these beauties, residents of Nowhereburg basically didn't have the money to do so because the port had ceased operations. Sure some of the homes are gone because of neglect but many still survive.

Several homes in the area are reported to be haunted, not mine thankfully. There's one that seems to change owners constantly and another where someone was murdered followed by two suicides in later generations.

My house is 143 years old. I never go into the basement at night and when I stumble to the loo in the middle of the night I never look directly into the large mirrors that hang in the hallway. Surely someone has died in the house and while I DON'T believe in ghosts, there is no use in searching one out.

The oddest thing I can say about my house is that the downstairs bathroom sometimes has the distinct scent of roses. That may sound pleasant but the odd part is that I don't use soap or cleaning products that smell of flowers. And I don't have fresh flowers in that bathroom. Odd.

Then there's my friend's house up on the hill that used to be a funeral home. It's quite a pile of bricks and she insists that she's heard ghosts. Not sightings but sounds of someone climbing the creaky stairs and also what she describes as the sounds of large skirts rustling. I've slept there a few times and the house is mighty creepy. Once while I was house-sitting I took a walk through her basement. Never again. Also it was about that time that I dreamed I saw ghosts in her house. Did I mention that I don't believe in ghosts?

This weekend we will be celebrating Halloween. Here we have trick-or-treating for two nights. Residents like to have one night for handing out candy and another night to take out the kids. So today I need to pop put for candy.

Enjoy Halloween! I hope you make it out alive!

Not Always Effective

2010-10-27T06:36:00.000-05:00

More Needlecraft

2010-10-26T06:02:00.001-05:00

Artwork I Love

2010-10-24T08:47:00.000-05:00

This artwork is something I purchased in Provincetown, MA many moons ago. The piece itself is only about 5x7 and is embroidery on hand dyed cloth. The cloth has a sheen to it which might be silk although I'm not sure. I remember distinctly seeing it for the first time at the shop and not being able to take my eyes off of it. Unfortunately I can't remember the name of the artist at the moment. I'll search for it.

Cozy Spot to Read a Book

2010-10-24T06:43:00.000-05:00

by A. Hays Town

UPDATE: My own spots for reading when not laying in bed...

...in my home office...

...or in the sunroom.

Week in Review

2010-10-21T06:02:00.000-05:00

This week has been a nice break from the craziness of my job. Yesterday I peeked at my work email and naturally there are people throwing hissy fits over one thing or another. I did not respond to them although Monday promises to be fun.

Tuesday was my birthday which started with John bringing breakfast to me in bed. There were poached eggs, toast, bacon, orange juice and coffee all served on a lovely silver tray. He's good to me. I lounged in bed for a bit and watched Steel Magnolias for the 40 millionth time. No matter how old she gets Dolly Parton will always look like this to me in my head.

And sadly Daryl Hannah will always look like this.

A card arrived in the mail from my father. He included a little bit of cash as a gift which is sweet that he still does that. So I popped over to the thrift store and found a Reader's Digest boxed set of vinyl records from 1959 of classical music. There are 12 albums in the set which appear unused.

Thanks Dad.

Then at the end of the day on Tuesday I received an offer on my house which is for sale. They've accepted my counter offer. Today there will be radon tests and we wait for the inspection on Friday. My house is a 145 year old wood frame house and the thought of an inspection has me quite nervous. I'm not moving to another city. Just across town which is all of 8 blocks to a smaller place that will be much more manageable. St. Joseph is buried in the yard so I'm counting on him to come through.

For our sanity...

2010-10-19T05:39:00.000-05:00

There's No Place Like Home

2010-10-15T07:50:00.000-05:00

I spent several days this week in Minneapolis for work and arrived home late last night around 11:00 pm. It's SO good to be home.

The best news of all is that I'm on vacation for the next week. HURRAY!! No big plans yet other than catching up on my stories and lounging all day in my bathrobe.

I got the fifty dollars!

2010-10-09T06:22:00.000-05:00

Let 'er have it!

Soon I plan to tell the story of why I am called The Special Man.

That's Amore

2010-10-05T20:56:00.000-05:00

I confess that I'm in love.

My thoughts are held hostage.

I can't resist.

I desire you.

One moment I possess you and the next you're gone.

My gut aches for you.

I want you inside of me.

Please oh please!!!!!!

I am speaking of the BBQ pulled pork and potato salad I had for lunch today at a dear friend's restaurant. Oh my goodness it was delicious. If there had been coconut cake I wouldn't have been able to control myself.

The Weekend!!

2010-10-02T09:26:00.000-05:00

If you take it off, please do it with class.

from 3 Nuts in Search of a Bolt

I Love a Parade

2010-10-01T16:28:00.000-05:00

It's Homecoming here in lovely Nowhereburg. The high school homecoming parade lined up promptly at 3:45pm right in front of my house today with floats decorated by various school clubs. The school band was there tooting on their horns. A fire truck pulled up with the whole football team piled on top of it. Plus several convertibles with lovely young ladies sitting up on the rear lined up too.

I decided to finish up some emails for work and thought I would walk out to see the parade which was starting at 4pm. Well, when I walked out the door at 4:10, not only had they already left but they were already back and unloading. Sometimes I forget exactly how small this town really is.

I was hoping it was a dream

2010-10-01T05:56:00.000-05:00

Last night I let the dogs out for a final moment in the yard and then walked to the bathroom for my own final moment of the day. The floor of my downstairs bathroom was slightly wet which was very odd. Then I heard what sounded like water hitting the floor but behind the wall. Behind the wall in that spot is the return on the upstairs bathroom and my John was upstairs cleaning his teeth.

I went into the very creepy basement. My house is 143 years old and I DO NOT typically go into the basement after dark. More on that later. There is obviously a leak and I also think that some of the floor boards in that area are rotten. So I shut off the water and went to bed.

In between conference calls today I'll need to deal with this problem. I suspect the bathroom will need to be gutted. Otherwise someone will be sitting on the commode one day and find themselves falling into the basement. Not a pretty thought.

Lady Bird

2010-09-29T21:59:00.001-05:00

Christina Hendricks

2010-09-28T06:43:00.000-05:00

Were you saying something? I was distracted.

Gift for Myself

2010-09-27T17:28:00.000-05:00

Rarely do I spend my mad money on electronics but recently I purchased an Amazon Kindle. Maybe when I turn 80 I'll be buying my first iPad.

This Kindle was briefly used for two months by a friend who sold it to me for half price. Such a bargain!

I fully expected not to like it. This friend let me give it a test drive and I am 50% through a book he had already purchased.

It's not a book I would have purchased myself but interesting enough to test out the device.

Honestly I love it.

Yes, there is something tragic about no real pages to turn. But it's one device where you can store lots of books which is great for traveling. Not that I go anywhere, but you never know when the mood will strike.

Surely with each one of these sold, another book seller inches a bit closer to financial ruin. I think of the scene from 84 Charing Cross Road when Anne Bancroft finds the book shop empty. Of course the shopkeeper had died in the story, but you get the idea. Maybe that book would make a good first purchase.

From my photo archives...

2010-09-25T10:38:00.001-05:00

Thanks for sharing.

From an old shoebox...

2010-09-25T07:59:00.000-05:00

I've been cleaning out closets lately. This week I was digging through old boxes of mementos and thought I would share a letter. This was written by John's Uncle Jack to his mother, Ruth, in 1945 while deployed in Germany.

_____________________________________________________________

2 July 1945

Hello Darling,

Well guess who it is writin' to you - the only fella (I should say eligible bachelor) still privileged to address your letters "Hello Darling."

It's been a long time since I've written I know, but Ruth I've been having a busy time since I last saw you & the folks - had a lot of fun at times & wouldn't trade my experiences for the world.

I'm sitting here like the stupid character that I am - trying to figure out a unique manner in which to say "so ya done it" - Baby I could hardly believe my eyes when I got the announcement - I'm sure happy for you Ruth - I don't know John, but I know that if (why if?) you married him he must be an ok guy - As you said in your letter, being at each other's wedding was something we had planned since childhood, but you're entirely forgiven - I've learned one thing over here - do things while you can because you may not get another chance - oh whatcha know? Even my conservative "southside" opinion sanctions your actions for just between you & me, there was almost a wedding in the family last October - I just couldn't though - things were too uncertain - now I think we can look forward to an "end" in this war & begin to plan & reconstruct our lives for a post war future - I hope sincerely that the war is over for Johnny - Johnny I calls 'em - so that you two can also be planning - do I sound like your mother? - hmmmmm? All kidding aside, I do lots of thinking about the future - and I think that it worries me more than the present. You know your wedding did big things for me. My gal started embroidering and buying silverware & a few other things which your cherubic bridal face inspired - or was it the music?

When you get to St. Louis again I wish you'd buzz by & see her & tell her I love her - and for goodness sakes take her picture & send it to me - she sends portraits - fine! But I'm always after her to send some snapshots & she never does - To remind you I'll send you one of me - (What a thrill!!) - Taken in front of Hermann Goering's home & sitting in one of Hermann's chairs - incidentally "Dot" is my jeep driver's wife's name.

I've met several boys from school over here (none that you know) & have been playin' hide & seek with Roy all over the continent - still have hopes of seeing him before it's too late. I sure hope this is possible.

Hell, I don't know Ruth, it sure looks like straight to the CBI for me - sure wanted to get home for a little while at least - don't know - sweatin' it out.

Well hon, it's getting late & I'll have to sign off - I wish you two the very best of all things good - & for God's sake, John, don't let her eat sweets - Touche!!?

See you when the war's over,

Jack

P.S. Almost forgot, Ralph is in Corpus - could you show him the picture?

Please write soon.

_____________________________________________________________

It's a sweet letter. John's mother died when he was a young boy so naturally he cherishes everything with a connection to her.

Seen Last Night

2010-09-18T07:29:00.001-05:00

...in Baton Rouge.

I remember the very first time I ever heard a B-52's song.

Rock Lobster was being played at a party and I was hooked.

They are truly more talented than I realized.

You in the middle!

2010-09-15T17:35:00.000-05:00

"I said get out of my seat BITCH!"

Let's Make a Deal

2010-09-15T05:23:00.000-05:00

On Labor Day I traded my vehicle in for something new. Butch, no?

Automobiles are getting ridiculously expensive. I'm not much of a negotiator but have gotten better about that over the years. My dear John is great at it. There was lots of haggling and the dealer was even ready to show us the door. Eventually he presented an offer I thought was acceptable.

Unless your willing to pay some major dollars, vehicles today are pretty much style free. Sure they function much better and this new truck drives like a luxury car. But does one really need to cough up 50k USD or higher for something stylish?

If practicality were not a concern this time I'd have one of these.

1960 Cadillac Eldorado

On the tube

2010-09-13T21:15:00.000-05:00

Tonight I'm watching celebrity bowling on ESPN Classics. Ed Asner and Gavin Mcleod are playing against Loretta Swit and Elena Verdugo.

The team with the most strikes wins a pair of Farah slacks. They'll look fantastic on Loretta.

The Hayward Hymnal

2010-09-12T07:30:00.000-05:00

Today's hymn...

Mirror Mirror

2010-09-08T15:23:00.000-05:00

"There's no such thing as natural beauty."

The Hayward Hymnal

2010-09-05T07:30:00.000-05:00

Today's hymn...

Boutte-licious

Rockin' My Headwrap

2010-09-01T11:34:00.000-05:00

Via The Hair Hall of Fame

Gopher

2010-08-31T05:45:00.001-05:00

I think I saw this fellow in the yard yesterday!

He burrowed under the fence from next door and was looking around. My neighbor has a raised deck and apparently he was underneath that decking.

If Isaac and Charo are under there we could all hang out by the pool with cocktails.