When I was growing up Memorial Day or Decoration Day as it was called until 1971, was about going to "visit the graves".
My parents would gather up all the tools and supplies needed along with flowers and throw we kids in the car. It happened every year during that holiday weekend at some point. Maybe not on the actual day but that holiday weekend. Then a big family gathering/party at our house would be after all that grave fun.
We went to my grandparent's graves on both sides of the family.
Siblings of my parents who had passed etc.
I swore they fixed up gravesites of people they didn't know.
We would weed, put down peat moss add flowers and just be certain everything was nice and pretty. My sister and I helped for a short time and then lost complete interest. She and I would wander through the cemetery. As long as my mom could see us she was fine. But no running. To my mom running was disrespectful. My sister turned around a big headstone taller than she was and skipped and asked me, is this still respectful? Oh, how we would laugh.
Mind you were were under 12 years old.
Even then my sister and I found humor in my parents strange rules.
Of course if we were laughing together my mom knew something was up and would yell, "what are you two doing over there?" NOTHING.😏
Normally this was about the time snow finally left this tundra I lived in and while it wasn't hot, it was snow free and cool and perfect to be doing this type of work.
My sister and I look at names on graves. Some headstones had photos.
That was always intriguing to us for some reason.
I remember the first time I saw a grave for a child. Her picture was on the headstone. That floored me. I ran back to tell my mother. I was probably only 9 or so but I remember it so clearly because it shook me. The little girl who had died was only 6 years old. I wanted to know how she died. Of course, my mother did not know but she told me a story about her probably being sick. Then in the car on the way home I was still yammering about this dead little girl. I kept asking why she died. Finally, my mom said, "Maybe she was riding her bike in the middle of the street and not listening to her mother."
WHAT? Did she just pull that guilt trip on me? Oh, she was good. Although at age 9 I did not realize it. Did I ever ride my bike in the middle of the street to be hit by a car that my mother so feared? Nope! Did not want to take that chance. That left an impression let me tell you.
I do believe my mom could win the gold in the guilt competition.
If she had lived past age 44 I bet she would be the standard that all others mothers would be based on. Mom's guilt-o-meter.
My parents and extended family made this trip to the cemetery like it was an outing for ice cream and the beach. My dad would call my Uncle Angelo and say, "hey we're going to the cemetery want to meet us there?" Now I know as you are reading this you're thinking, "what is wrong with this family?" I get it.
I thought it was normal until I was older. In fact one year on The View I saw a segment with Joy Behar. She too was Italian American. She told this same story of this being family outings with extended family and sprucing up the gravesites etc. I found it funny that someone else did this. Was it a traditional thing in the Italian American experience?
Or were these just two families who were nuts?
Our family always was at a cemetery. It was neither scary or weird to me until I was older and realized most people don't do this type of thing.
But growing up this was my norm. The Uncles and Aunts along with my parents did all this work. My sister and my cousins and I would be allowed to wander but not run. As long as they could "see" us we could be away from them working. So from the time I was born until my mom died this was something that was just done in my family along with my large extended family.
When I got a new mom after my mom's death this continued. The only difference is that my new mom had to go to my birth moms grave. That had to be difficult for her. But as a new teen with a new mom that never occurred to me until I was much older.
My mom was at a completely different cemetery. We would do the normal one with all the family. Then we would go to my mom's gravesite.
I did not enjoy that one bit. In fact, I hated it.
I didn't like seeing her name on that headstone. (now I can deal with that but at 14 it was too new and raw)
I did not want to put flowers there or clean it up. I didn't want to think about it all. My new mom was great. She would buy flowers for mothers day and ask if I wanted to put these at my moms grave. I always said yes because that is what everyone felt I should want to do.
I also was old enough to realize that this was a wonderful gesture that my new mom was doing for me and my sister.
I never wanted to do any of it though. Ever.
At age 23 I was married (first Rick)and my dad came up to me before walking down the aisle and asked if I wanted to go to the gravesite of my mom to leave her my bouquet. I was gobsmacked. I told him, not really why today?
He again said it but not as a request. So as I normally did when I was younger I said, "Okay I will do it." After the ceremony we had the driver take us to the cemetery. I hated every minute of it. I was seething but I had to do it. Thankfully my new husband was understanding that if my father asked I had to do this. Standing there in my wedding gown having to place my flowers on my moms grave. What the hell is that the symbol for? To make me depressed before I go celebrate my marriage? I know there are thousands of people who love this time with their loved ones.
To talk to them etc. I understand that. I think it is wonderful that it can bring people comfort. It does not bring me comfort, just the opposite.
She is not there to me. But I did it because I was only 23 and I was still listening to my father without regard to my own feelings at that age.
That should have been the first clue right? Too young to stand up and say to your father what you want to say, then you are too damn young to be married.
Today when I go home my stepmom talks about going to the graves and doing this or that. She gets upset with this one or that one because they didn't visit the grave of so and so. Who cares? To me my mom is everywhere I can talk to her anytime I like. I do not need to go to this hole in the ground. But I don't tell her that. I let her talk about so and so and just nod. Easier that way. To her, it is disrespectful to not go.
I have heard that my whole life. It lives in me but I beat it down.
I live my life my way and no sense in trying to have her see my point of view because she never will. Just like I don't understand hers. The difference is I respect her even though I don't agree. I do know it brings her comfort and joy so there is absolutely nothing wrong with it, in fact, if it brings her those things she should do it. Neither of us is wrong, we just need to do what works for us.
This past Memorial Day I sat on a boat anchored in a large cove with absolutely nothing but mountains, water, and trees surrounding us.
Not a single human in sight.
I was just enjoying my husband and nature when I told him this was far better than being at a gravesite today weeding.
He laughed and said, "I would have to agree. Let's toast to our parents and thank them" And we did just that. We told some stories about how some of their lessons still are with us. We did our own way of thanking them. Rick's father was in the air force and we discussed that too on this Memorial Day honoring those that served.
While I no longer do things the way my parents did I still like to honor those that passed. I just don't like to do it at the cemetery.
I do not wish to be buried.
I will have my ashes sprinkled into any body of water.
Water is my nirvana.
So to me, that would be the perfect resting place.
So no need to weed on Memorial Day for me.
Thursday, May 31, 2018
Wednesday, May 30, 2018
PLEASE DON'T GO .....The Chew edition
You all know how much I love The Chew from this post back when they first started 7 years ago.
I came home from our holiday getaway to watch a DVR of my favorite show The Chew. I found out they are being canceled due to Good Morning America going to 3 or 4 hours.
I don't get what that has to do with it, to be honest.
The Chew is taped, it is not live. So why can't it still be on? It's on in my area at 1pm. Do we have to have GMA on until 1pm?
ARGH!
I wanted to cry. It is like my 3 best buds are leaving me.
I wish that another channel would pick them up. They have won Emmy's, they are always nominated. But damn it, just because I don't want them to leave me.
This is my happy zen place to land. They never disappoint me.
The host chatter makes me happy, happy, happy.
My favorite 3 are there and my goodness can they make me laugh.
Every day after work hubby & I still watch daily as I wrote about in year one above in my post.
It makes my mood so much better after dealing with idiots all day.
They make me smile and laugh. Stress melts away for me.
I don't have to hear about what stupid thing Trump did today.
It is just laughs with friends and food and drink. That just sums up everything I enjoy right there!
I have to be honest my least favorite part of the show is the celebrity who comes on telling us all how they like to cook and yet they can't hold a whisk. They make me laugh every damn time. I wish there were a cartoon bubble above their heads to hear what they are thinking when these people say and do these type things. One woman came on and said she cooks all the time. They told her to zest this lemon and she didn't know what that meant. That is when I talk back to my TV and say, "Busted dumb ass" If you are going to lie don't tell chef's you can cook and then not know how to cook. I think they'd be able to tell.
Let's face it - I HATE to cook.
But since finding out I have celiac disease I need to cook all the damn time.
I went into mourning, then anger after my diagnosis.
I like to eat so I had to pull up my big girl panties and figure this out.
This show made it easier for me and fun.
Okay, seriously who the hell am I kidding? It is never fun to me, it is a necessity because I love to eat. But I have to admit there have been some things that I have tried from the show and get so thrilled that they turn out terrific that it is kind of fun.
I have learned technique. And as my boyfriend, Michael says all the time on the show, learn the technique and you can make anything.
I thought at first this was utter bullshit but by God he was correct.
The whole rue thing itself floored me. I could do this with a flour I can use.
Who knew I could make a rue and it is so easy and you can use it for a plethora of things.
I can still make mac 'n cheese with GF noodles and use my flour to make the cheese sauce. Hey, these guys were on to something.
Seriously technique to bake, broil, braise, etc is everything and once I learned that, damn I could make meals we could eat.
And if you watch it every day like me with a view from Celiac I find they make most things that I can eat. Real food is gluten-free unless baking or dredging in flour or using soy sauce. But there are substitutes for those so I would say that 90% of the time I can make and eat all the yummy things they make.
Do you know how much better my life is because of this show?
Oh please don't cancel this show!!
No one makes me laugh more than Clinton. I love him!!!
If you don't follow him on Instagram you are missing out.
Basic Grammar for Basic Bitches is a hoot! Never fails to make me laugh out loud. Good thing he's not reading this or he'd send it back to me with his red pen. Rick said just last week after watching The Chew that he would love to have drinks with him. Yes, he loves him as much as me.
Carla usually makes a lot of things I can't transform, like cakes etc.
But I have used some of her recipes for Rick, like peach cobbler.
Carla is just a doll and who can't just love her?
In all honesty, this just makes me so damn sad.
There is so little I like on TV and now they are taking this away so we can have more hours of repulsive news. I just don't understand why they would cancel a show that gets good ratings and wins awards for an extra few hours of a show that is not even in 1st place. Do we need a few more hours of news? Do we really need 24/7 news cycle of stupid people tweeting awful things? NO!! Keep The Chew going!
I will miss you Clinton, Michael, and Carla like nobodies business.
Maybe I'll get skinny now. I won't know what the hell to make for dinner.
Thank God for wine. Wine is grapes so I can have fruit for dinner right?
Besides, it is Peggy's summer water season you know. (rosé)
I came home from our holiday getaway to watch a DVR of my favorite show The Chew. I found out they are being canceled due to Good Morning America going to 3 or 4 hours.
I don't get what that has to do with it, to be honest.
The Chew is taped, it is not live. So why can't it still be on? It's on in my area at 1pm. Do we have to have GMA on until 1pm?
ARGH!
I wanted to cry. It is like my 3 best buds are leaving me.
I wish that another channel would pick them up. They have won Emmy's, they are always nominated. But damn it, just because I don't want them to leave me.
This is my happy zen place to land. They never disappoint me.
The host chatter makes me happy, happy, happy.
My favorite 3 are there and my goodness can they make me laugh.
Every day after work hubby & I still watch daily as I wrote about in year one above in my post.
It makes my mood so much better after dealing with idiots all day.
They make me smile and laugh. Stress melts away for me.
I don't have to hear about what stupid thing Trump did today.
It is just laughs with friends and food and drink. That just sums up everything I enjoy right there!
I have to be honest my least favorite part of the show is the celebrity who comes on telling us all how they like to cook and yet they can't hold a whisk. They make me laugh every damn time. I wish there were a cartoon bubble above their heads to hear what they are thinking when these people say and do these type things. One woman came on and said she cooks all the time. They told her to zest this lemon and she didn't know what that meant. That is when I talk back to my TV and say, "Busted dumb ass" If you are going to lie don't tell chef's you can cook and then not know how to cook. I think they'd be able to tell.
Let's face it - I HATE to cook.
But since finding out I have celiac disease I need to cook all the damn time.
I went into mourning, then anger after my diagnosis.
I like to eat so I had to pull up my big girl panties and figure this out.
This show made it easier for me and fun.
Okay, seriously who the hell am I kidding? It is never fun to me, it is a necessity because I love to eat. But I have to admit there have been some things that I have tried from the show and get so thrilled that they turn out terrific that it is kind of fun.
I have learned technique. And as my boyfriend, Michael says all the time on the show, learn the technique and you can make anything.
I thought at first this was utter bullshit but by God he was correct.
The whole rue thing itself floored me. I could do this with a flour I can use.
Who knew I could make a rue and it is so easy and you can use it for a plethora of things.
I can still make mac 'n cheese with GF noodles and use my flour to make the cheese sauce. Hey, these guys were on to something.
Seriously technique to bake, broil, braise, etc is everything and once I learned that, damn I could make meals we could eat.
And if you watch it every day like me with a view from Celiac I find they make most things that I can eat. Real food is gluten-free unless baking or dredging in flour or using soy sauce. But there are substitutes for those so I would say that 90% of the time I can make and eat all the yummy things they make.
Do you know how much better my life is because of this show?
Oh please don't cancel this show!!
No one makes me laugh more than Clinton. I love him!!!
If you don't follow him on Instagram you are missing out.
Basic Grammar for Basic Bitches is a hoot! Never fails to make me laugh out loud. Good thing he's not reading this or he'd send it back to me with his red pen. Rick said just last week after watching The Chew that he would love to have drinks with him. Yes, he loves him as much as me.
Carla usually makes a lot of things I can't transform, like cakes etc.
But I have used some of her recipes for Rick, like peach cobbler.
Carla is just a doll and who can't just love her?
In all honesty, this just makes me so damn sad.
There is so little I like on TV and now they are taking this away so we can have more hours of repulsive news. I just don't understand why they would cancel a show that gets good ratings and wins awards for an extra few hours of a show that is not even in 1st place. Do we need a few more hours of news? Do we really need 24/7 news cycle of stupid people tweeting awful things? NO!! Keep The Chew going!
I will miss you Clinton, Michael, and Carla like nobodies business.
Maybe I'll get skinny now. I won't know what the hell to make for dinner.
Thank God for wine. Wine is grapes so I can have fruit for dinner right?
Besides, it is Peggy's summer water season you know. (rosé)
Tuesday, May 29, 2018
Holiday Weekend
I hope you all had a wonderful long holiday weekend.
I sure did.
We got to the lake Thursday at 4pm.
After selling our lake home we would always just rent a house to go to the lake. (there are no hotels)
But this time we decided to try renting a condo.
Bernards Landing is a big resort. It has condos and carriage homes.
It has a conference center, restaurants, pool, tennis courts, shops etc.
In the photos online at VRBO it all looked great. There were docks with electricity for us to use with our visitors pass. It was small but clean and nice. We had all we needed. What we were not told is that it was the 3rd floor and the dock was a helluva hike. Great more stairs. Yipee. An old dog and 2 old farts who really didn't want to hike up 3 flights of stairs - but we did.
Here is a photo of Rick and Izzy going down to the dock. I took this from our balcony. Looks nice enough of a walk right?
But the walk up was not fun. By the 3rd day, it was far easier but let me tell you the first day it was a surprise and a helluva hike.
Or as my husband says, I leave my lawn chair and cooler with a nice buzz and I sober up by the time I'm at the house. See the teeny tiny condos up there? Yeah looks worse from this end doesn't it though?
How appropriate don't you think? It made us laugh. Like they knew we were coming. We wondered how often this defibrillator was actually used after that hike.
This was off our balcony of some of the resort. It's very large and basically a peninsula.
They allowed dogs on this tiny beach area. Beyond the trees are little-thatched roofs with lounge chairs there. So after a day of boating and island hopping, we would go to sit at this beach for awhile...you know before that hike!
It got so dark and then it just poured all night. We got to the condo and then it began to rain. We made perfect timing.
Thankfully this house had a couple of great big TV's and Netflix to watch. So we came inside, made cocktails and made some popcorn. Izzy slept through it all. She is so exhausted after swimming from 5:30a until dusk that she sleeps really well. Still gets up at 5:30a but each day she slept most of the evening from dinner on.
Izzy was in heaven as were these kids. The 4 yr old was so funny. He was walking behind Izzy at one point and just picked up her tail and looked at her butt and undercarriage. Who knows what he was looking for. But it sure made all we adults have a laugh watching this kid.
Thursday, May 24, 2018
Thursday Throw Back
We moved into our home January 2000.
At the time we had a backyard and a small patch of grass in the front.
Mike posted a meme on Wednesday that reminded me of this event that happened at our home. (This story is a throwback because I believe I have written about it here but sure didn't find it.)
We were the first to move in on the block.
After us, two beautiful young women moved into the home next door.
The first 6 months of living here we kept the grass in the back until we had the time to make it all a patio. We knew we were going to patio the whole thing because we did not want to mow.
We had an acre of land at our lake house to deal with and besides who wants lawn maintenance when you can be on the dock or on the boat?
We wanted to be at the lake house on the weekends, not mowing the house in the city. The back is only 20x20 so it's not like it was huge, but we knew it would become a nuisance since we both traveled all week with our careers and spending weekends at another home.
We had a patio table in the back and one evening we were sitting at the table having some wine and just enjoying our evening. Because we are townhomes we are smack dab against one another and the two girls came outside and waved. We waved back.
My hubby made a comment about the one young gal who was so damn pretty and so his type. Yes, she was not only beautiful but built like Sophia Vergara. (that's his type but if you ask him her eye color he wouldn't know) I reminded him that he was old enough to be their father. He said, No, an older brother.
Okay, you delusional little shit, your mind can tell you what you want but you are 44 and she is in her late 20's.
Okay maybe her Uncle he'd say. We laughed.
Somewhere along in the evening they hung over the fence and said, Hello neighbors we are Meredith and Frannie. We invited them over and Frannie said, "We thought you'd never ask" We knew right then we were going to be friends no matter the age difference and we still are to this day. It's been great.
They came over with 2 bottles of red wine. Reason number 2 why I knew I was going to like them. We had a laughter-filled evening.
They told the story of everyone thinking they were gay because they bought a home together. I said, so what, let them think whatever they want. In unison they say, but we aren't. So who cares was my response. They then asked us, "Did you think we were a couple?"
My man with no filter says YES a little too quickly as I said, No, not at all.
That made everyone laugh. If he had been close to me I would have kicked him under the table. But now they know. I did not but Rick couldn't understand why two young gals would buy a house together if not a couple. What a dufus he can be.
They thankfully laughed. This evening became a regular event.
We passed food over the fence. Need an egg, meet you at the fence.
We'd make too much for dinner and invite them over. They made cookies and brought us some. It was terrific to have neighbors like this.
I got your mail - slide it in the slot on the fence. We called this fence mail, no matter if it was mail, a magazine Frannie wanted to read when I was done etc. We had keys to one another's homes and it was all you could ask for really from good neighbors.
One lazy hungover Sunday morning we were thankful we had now built a patio. No grass to cut except a small pass in the front. It literally took one and a half passes and you were done. (before the landscaping)
Rick and I had stayed up here for the weekend because we were going to a friends 40th birthday party. We did not drive so we had a bit to drink.
Sunday late morning he was lying on the sofa napping with a hangover.
The windows were open and he awoke to the sound of someone's weed wacker. I was already up and making food to help the feeling of too much liquor in me.
This weed wacker went on for a LONG time so he mumbled something angrily and got up and looked out the window.
He saw Frannie in her bikini mowing their 20x20 patch of grass with a friggin' weed wacker. The whole lawn! Bikini good, weed wacker not good.
Rick said nothing to me and just walked out to the garage. I heard him say something to Frannie as he went to the garage.
Her weed wacker stopped.
Then I hear him talking to her but can't hear exactly what is said from her yard. I was praying he wasn't yelling at her.
Next thing I hear is a lawnmower. Ah, he gave her our lawnmower to use.
He came back in the house and said, "I gave her our lawn mower and our can of gas. I told her she can keep it if when she does her front "yard" she just goes over ours too." I asked if she was okay with that. He told me she was thrilled and I won't have to listen to that damn weed wacker for hours. And then he closed the windows while she mowed the lawn and went back to laying on the sofa.
Now Frannie always mowed in her bikini. So you can imagine how much Rick didn't mind seeing her mow. Or for that matter any of the male neighbors.
By this time we had really become close to Frannie. She is over all the time. She has cried about boyfriends. She has come over after a bad day at work with a bottle of wine and food and we invite her in and sometimes she sleeps here even though she lives next door.
Yep, we have been to her wedding, the christening of her kids, held her through the divorce and celebrated with her on the many milestones of her and her children's lives. So yes, we are that close and she knows us well. So when I tell you the next part you need to know that Rick was not harassing her, just being Rick and she so knew how to banter or react back to him. (thank God) Rick knows his audience thankfully. (ok most of the time)
Here is a video from many years ago to show you just how close we are. See the fence. Yep, neighbors on both sides. Townhome living at its finest. This is what she mowed with a weed wacker. This is why we made this no lawn. :-)
One day years later while she was mowing her and our front patches of grass Rick was at the front window. He lifted his shirt and stood there rubbing his nipples. She never once looked up. I walked by the dining room and saw him and burst out laughing. I asked what the hell he was doing. He laughed and said trying to get Frannie's attention. The following day the older woman across the street asked me what Rick was doing. I was mortified. Okay, how am I going to explain this to this old woman?
That was fun and I told Rick later he should have had to explain to this woman with no sense of humor. Then she said to me,"isn't he a vice president of human resources?" Ah, shit. Yes but he's still 12.
Fast forward a few months and Frannie's boyfriend moved in because Meredith got married. Now James was mowing. One day Rick does the same damn thing in the window to James as he had done to Frannie.
But this time James sees him and stops and lifts his shirt and does it back to him with some gross tongue action. They both howled. Rick opened the door and said to stop in for a beer when he was done.
Yep been friends ever since. But I must add that after their split we got Frannie in the divorce.
James eventually had the whole thing landscaped after we did and then he too made a patio out of the backyard. No more mowing. He gave us back our mower and gas can.
Then neighbors moved in next door on the other side of us who didn't own a mower. We gave it to them with the same deal to not mow before 10a on a Sunday. That mower has moved to 5 neighbors now.
It was cheap. Under $200 we along with the entire block, all got our monies worth.
Thankfully no one has a yard anymore. So no more mowing.
No more being unable to take a nap or sleep in.
No, we just have a dog that makes that impossible now.
At the time we had a backyard and a small patch of grass in the front.
Mike posted a meme on Wednesday that reminded me of this event that happened at our home. (This story is a throwback because I believe I have written about it here but sure didn't find it.)
We were the first to move in on the block.
After us, two beautiful young women moved into the home next door.
The first 6 months of living here we kept the grass in the back until we had the time to make it all a patio. We knew we were going to patio the whole thing because we did not want to mow.
We had an acre of land at our lake house to deal with and besides who wants lawn maintenance when you can be on the dock or on the boat?
We wanted to be at the lake house on the weekends, not mowing the house in the city. The back is only 20x20 so it's not like it was huge, but we knew it would become a nuisance since we both traveled all week with our careers and spending weekends at another home.
We had a patio table in the back and one evening we were sitting at the table having some wine and just enjoying our evening. Because we are townhomes we are smack dab against one another and the two girls came outside and waved. We waved back.
My hubby made a comment about the one young gal who was so damn pretty and so his type. Yes, she was not only beautiful but built like Sophia Vergara. (that's his type but if you ask him her eye color he wouldn't know) I reminded him that he was old enough to be their father. He said, No, an older brother.
Okay, you delusional little shit, your mind can tell you what you want but you are 44 and she is in her late 20's.
Okay maybe her Uncle he'd say. We laughed.
Somewhere along in the evening they hung over the fence and said, Hello neighbors we are Meredith and Frannie. We invited them over and Frannie said, "We thought you'd never ask" We knew right then we were going to be friends no matter the age difference and we still are to this day. It's been great.
They came over with 2 bottles of red wine. Reason number 2 why I knew I was going to like them. We had a laughter-filled evening.
They told the story of everyone thinking they were gay because they bought a home together. I said, so what, let them think whatever they want. In unison they say, but we aren't. So who cares was my response. They then asked us, "Did you think we were a couple?"
My man with no filter says YES a little too quickly as I said, No, not at all.
That made everyone laugh. If he had been close to me I would have kicked him under the table. But now they know. I did not but Rick couldn't understand why two young gals would buy a house together if not a couple. What a dufus he can be.
They thankfully laughed. This evening became a regular event.
We passed food over the fence. Need an egg, meet you at the fence.
We'd make too much for dinner and invite them over. They made cookies and brought us some. It was terrific to have neighbors like this.
I got your mail - slide it in the slot on the fence. We called this fence mail, no matter if it was mail, a magazine Frannie wanted to read when I was done etc. We had keys to one another's homes and it was all you could ask for really from good neighbors.
One lazy hungover Sunday morning we were thankful we had now built a patio. No grass to cut except a small pass in the front. It literally took one and a half passes and you were done. (before the landscaping)
Rick and I had stayed up here for the weekend because we were going to a friends 40th birthday party. We did not drive so we had a bit to drink.
Sunday late morning he was lying on the sofa napping with a hangover.
The windows were open and he awoke to the sound of someone's weed wacker. I was already up and making food to help the feeling of too much liquor in me.
This weed wacker went on for a LONG time so he mumbled something angrily and got up and looked out the window.
He saw Frannie in her bikini mowing their 20x20 patch of grass with a friggin' weed wacker. The whole lawn! Bikini good, weed wacker not good.
Rick said nothing to me and just walked out to the garage. I heard him say something to Frannie as he went to the garage.
Her weed wacker stopped.
Then I hear him talking to her but can't hear exactly what is said from her yard. I was praying he wasn't yelling at her.
Next thing I hear is a lawnmower. Ah, he gave her our lawnmower to use.
He came back in the house and said, "I gave her our lawn mower and our can of gas. I told her she can keep it if when she does her front "yard" she just goes over ours too." I asked if she was okay with that. He told me she was thrilled and I won't have to listen to that damn weed wacker for hours. And then he closed the windows while she mowed the lawn and went back to laying on the sofa.
Now Frannie always mowed in her bikini. So you can imagine how much Rick didn't mind seeing her mow. Or for that matter any of the male neighbors.
By this time we had really become close to Frannie. She is over all the time. She has cried about boyfriends. She has come over after a bad day at work with a bottle of wine and food and we invite her in and sometimes she sleeps here even though she lives next door.
Yep, we have been to her wedding, the christening of her kids, held her through the divorce and celebrated with her on the many milestones of her and her children's lives. So yes, we are that close and she knows us well. So when I tell you the next part you need to know that Rick was not harassing her, just being Rick and she so knew how to banter or react back to him. (thank God) Rick knows his audience thankfully. (ok most of the time)
Here is a video from many years ago to show you just how close we are. See the fence. Yep, neighbors on both sides. Townhome living at its finest. This is what she mowed with a weed wacker. This is why we made this no lawn. :-)
One day years later while she was mowing her and our front patches of grass Rick was at the front window. He lifted his shirt and stood there rubbing his nipples. She never once looked up. I walked by the dining room and saw him and burst out laughing. I asked what the hell he was doing. He laughed and said trying to get Frannie's attention. The following day the older woman across the street asked me what Rick was doing. I was mortified. Okay, how am I going to explain this to this old woman?
That was fun and I told Rick later he should have had to explain to this woman with no sense of humor. Then she said to me,"isn't he a vice president of human resources?" Ah, shit. Yes but he's still 12.
Fast forward a few months and Frannie's boyfriend moved in because Meredith got married. Now James was mowing. One day Rick does the same damn thing in the window to James as he had done to Frannie.
But this time James sees him and stops and lifts his shirt and does it back to him with some gross tongue action. They both howled. Rick opened the door and said to stop in for a beer when he was done.
Yep been friends ever since. But I must add that after their split we got Frannie in the divorce.
James eventually had the whole thing landscaped after we did and then he too made a patio out of the backyard. No more mowing. He gave us back our mower and gas can.
Then neighbors moved in next door on the other side of us who didn't own a mower. We gave it to them with the same deal to not mow before 10a on a Sunday. That mower has moved to 5 neighbors now.
It was cheap. Under $200 we along with the entire block, all got our monies worth.
Thankfully no one has a yard anymore. So no more mowing.
No more being unable to take a nap or sleep in.
No, we just have a dog that makes that impossible now.
Wednesday, May 23, 2018
Birthday Cards
In Hallmark, I find a lot of cards that make me laugh and of course, I laugh out loud and people say something or look at me strangely. That's okay I am having my own little party.
I always get a few cards for The Big Guy, both funny and nice.
But this card was so spot on I had to get it.
Not only accurate, it is also something I say to him all the time.
Because he is a 12-year-old trapped in a 63-year-olds body.
Here is the front of one of the cards I got him for his birthday.
I always get a few cards for The Big Guy, both funny and nice.
But this card was so spot on I had to get it.
Not only accurate, it is also something I say to him all the time.
Because he is a 12-year-old trapped in a 63-year-olds body.
Here is the front of one of the cards I got him for his birthday.
Here is the inside of the card.
It was as though I wrote the damn card.
Hallmark owes me money!
Tuesday, May 22, 2018
Shoes
In our tiny foyer, there are 2 trays for our wet boots and shoes.
Since we have had monsoon rains the theory is that the mud and dirt from your shoes after walking Izzy falls in there....supposedly.
I came downstairs yesterday to take Izzy out for a walk at lunchtime.
I tripped over these damn size 13 shoes. (yes that is Izzy's ball in his shoe)
Gee, if only there was a place to put wet and muddy shoes.
I have to admit I laughed.
I then sent him this pic and asked if he could figure out what was wrong with this picture. His answer was that 2 of Izzy's toys were not in her toy box.
(yes one in a shoe, one under a shoe)
Oh, he thinks he is so clever.
I have to admit that made me laugh but I did not tell him that.
I left the shoes like that and when he got home he called me to come downstairs.
He pointed to them and said, "You'd think that damn cleaning lady would have put these where they go. I think I may need to talk to her"
I smacked his arm and walked away while the ass stood there laughing.
Yes, we no longer had a cleaning lady. I am the cleaning lady.
Since we have had monsoon rains the theory is that the mud and dirt from your shoes after walking Izzy falls in there....supposedly.
I came downstairs yesterday to take Izzy out for a walk at lunchtime.
I tripped over these damn size 13 shoes. (yes that is Izzy's ball in his shoe)
Gee, if only there was a place to put wet and muddy shoes.
I have to admit I laughed.
I then sent him this pic and asked if he could figure out what was wrong with this picture. His answer was that 2 of Izzy's toys were not in her toy box.
(yes one in a shoe, one under a shoe)
Oh, he thinks he is so clever.
I have to admit that made me laugh but I did not tell him that.
I left the shoes like that and when he got home he called me to come downstairs.
He pointed to them and said, "You'd think that damn cleaning lady would have put these where they go. I think I may need to talk to her"
I smacked his arm and walked away while the ass stood there laughing.
Yes, we no longer had a cleaning lady. I am the cleaning lady.
Monday, May 21, 2018
4:11pm
Lady called: Is this XYZ Tub and Tile Refinishing (after I just answered the phone saying exactly that.)
Then she asked, do you refinish bathtubs?
Me in my dreams: Yes, hence the name XYZ Tub and Tile Refinishing.(but I said yes we sure do like I was happy to speak with her)
Lady: I saw your pictures on your website but wasn’t sure.
Me in my dreams: Okay so you’re stupid? You saw the photos of tubs both before and after of the refinishing along with the word refinishing everywhere but you still weren’t sure? But instead I said, “Okay good so you know a little about this then. How can I help you today?”
Lady: I need to have 2 bathtubs refinished in 2 of my homes do you give discounts for doing two or more?
Me for real: I’m sorry we don’t, it’s like when you go to McDonald's and get 2 cheeseburgers they are both the same price.
Lady: Really? I would think the 2nd one would be easier so it would be cheaper.
Me because I am feeling a bit kicky today I said something I've always wanted to say: Gee why do you think it would be easier or less labor or fewer products and time?
Lady: Oh because you are already there.
Me: (huh?) But You just said they were at 2 different houses.(2 different cities, not even the same town for pete's sake)
Lady: Oh they are.
Me: So how are we already there then? and I chuckled.
Lady: (Laughing at herself.) I guess it’s the same price then.
Oh, my goodness.
But wait there's more...
We went over options that she asked about. I gave suggestions and it seemed normal for a minute or two.
Then she said but what if I want one a different color from the other can you do that?
Me: Yes, absolutely, that is not a problem at all. What did you have in mind?
Lady: I don't know but I think I want them different.
Me: Well normally you would want your tub, sink, and toilet to be the same color especially for resale. But we can do any color in the Sherwin Williams color wheel. I go on to explain in great detail.
Lady: I think I want one white and one off-white.
Me: Okay we can easily do that for you but....(interrupted)
Lady: WAIT. Now I need to think about this. Can I book this and let you know?
Me: Well if they are not shades of white, bisque or almond it will be a special order so we can't wait until that day of the job. I would need to know at least one week prior to the appointment for anything other than the standard/basic colors. But if you go with the basic or standard colors you can wait until that day. The basic colors that the chemical companies carry are only bright white, china white (which is softer), bisque and almond. So if not any of those colors then we'd have to order it and it can take up to a week to receive so I would need to know in advance if that is the direction you wish to go.
Lady: Why? (didn't I just tell her why?)
Me: (I repeat) Because the chemical companies don't make those colors. I will have to tell them the SW color # you chose and then they will make it as a special order and ship to us. They don't carry a variety of colors in stock. Only the basics as I mentioned.
Lady: Well what color is not basic then?
Me: Head exploded. Man down!
Yes I did.
The rain stopped and we had a dry Sunday. We will have a dry Monday until tonight and then more rain for 3 or 4 days.
We are no longer in a drought.
We leave Thursday for the lake. We work and then leave of course.
But a nice long and hopefully hot weekend in the sun and on the boat is just what the doctor ordered.
It was a busy weekend and Rick had his birthday as he wanted and dinner that he shouldn't have. He can't eat seafood and especially shellfish but he insisted. He knew his tophi gout would be an issue. And it was but apparently eating it was worth it. There is nothing on the menu but a salad that isn't seafood and I HATE seafood. So I had a chicken caesar salad sans croutons. I watched him devour angry mussels, lobster, and liquor. A gout trifecta. He LOVES this dish called Angry Mussels.
It's a large appetizer for more than one person but that didn't stop ole Ricky.
Since I ate a salad and using girl math I felt I could have dessert. They had 1 dessert I could eat and I went for it. Creme brulee. Yum.
I am one of those that did indeed watch the royal wedding.
I had it ready for the DVR but unfortunately, Izzy woke us so I told Rick I'd take her out. Let him sleep in on his birthday weekend.
Izzy and I walked the neighborhood in a fine drizzle at 5am.
This dog is 9 years old. Why can't she be like other old dogs and sleep in?
Of course, my dog eats at 6am and I am not feeding her a minute early.
She stares at me until I feed her so I prefer to be a moving target for her.
I put dishes away that were in the dishwasher, I made coffee, anything that had me moving is what I did. Then it's 6am so I can feed her and relax a bit.
She will stop staring at me and I can just enjoy my coffee and a wedding.
You may think it's crazy that I don't feed her earlier. But you see when the clocks change it's whole big fat nightmare. She can't be fed earlier. I have tried later. But this gal has been in the same rut for 9 yrs. I found out they fed her at the times I feed her when she was a pup before we brought her home. So she makes us stick to that come hell or high water. We are trained.
Izzy eats and then wants fussed over and then falls asleep at your feet.
She can't do this at 9a?
But while she snored at my feet and kept them warm I watched the wedding with no interruptions or snide comments from Rick. I needed a girl with me or my gay friends. I absolutely loved that there was so much of Meghan in this ceremony. The Reverend Curry was wonderful.
Although all that emotion was just too much for the Royals from their facial expressions. It made me laugh. But I thought he was terrific and I heard all of his. The other one droned on and I could barely pay attention, let alone understand him.
The choir that sang Stand By Me was perfection.
I thought that rendition was so lovely for a wedding.
They were a British choir called the Kingdom Choir.
But to me the cellist, Sheku Kanneh-Mason was someone you couldn't take your eyes off on. He felt the music, you could just see it. He is only 19 yrs old.
On CBS Sunday Morning I saw a report on him and his talented family.
These kids are all prodigies. They all play different instruments and all are amazingly great already at such young ages.
Now for the really shallow shit.
I did not love her Givenchy gown
It was classic and beautiful, to me in a very Audrey Hepburn way.
It kept her all covered up as is required. But I found it a bit dull.
The Stella McCartney dress she wore to the reception, now that was better.
It fit her perfectly, it fit the occasion and it fit her personality far better.
So that was my pick. I mean I know you wanted to know!
Her mom looked absolutely gorgeous in the color of dress she wore. But I kept thinking, she knows no one there and her daughter is a bit preoccupied. She sat alone. She left the church alone until Charles took her arm. That all had to be a bit much I would assume.
And while we're on the Royals and shallow things, why the hell doesn't that scowling Queen just retire already? Does she ever smile? Must you die before the next generation can step in? She's been doing this since she was in her early 20's right? Isn't it time she just plays with her corgi's and horses and hang it up? They do live to be very old, don't they?
They are not a good looking lot. (Camilla!)
With the exception of Diana, they all look well, related. I saw Fergie's daughters.
They look like the Royals, not Fergie unfortunately. Not an attractive lot with the exceptions of who they marry outside the family. Thank Goodness Diana's boys look nothing like their father.
And lastly why was his ex-girlfriend there? He dated her off and on for 7 years. Rick came downstairs when I saw Chelsey on the screen and I said, "Oh my God I think that is his old girlfriend. Why would she be invited?" Rick said, "Meghan doesn't care, she got the prince." Okay fair point. But who would do that? Would you? I hear a collective, Hell No!
Okay, I am done being a shallow bitch now.
We are no longer in a drought.
We leave Thursday for the lake. We work and then leave of course.
But a nice long and hopefully hot weekend in the sun and on the boat is just what the doctor ordered.
It was a busy weekend and Rick had his birthday as he wanted and dinner that he shouldn't have. He can't eat seafood and especially shellfish but he insisted. He knew his tophi gout would be an issue. And it was but apparently eating it was worth it. There is nothing on the menu but a salad that isn't seafood and I HATE seafood. So I had a chicken caesar salad sans croutons. I watched him devour angry mussels, lobster, and liquor. A gout trifecta. He LOVES this dish called Angry Mussels.
It's a large appetizer for more than one person but that didn't stop ole Ricky.
Since I ate a salad and using girl math I felt I could have dessert. They had 1 dessert I could eat and I went for it. Creme brulee. Yum.
I am one of those that did indeed watch the royal wedding.
I had it ready for the DVR but unfortunately, Izzy woke us so I told Rick I'd take her out. Let him sleep in on his birthday weekend.
Izzy and I walked the neighborhood in a fine drizzle at 5am.
This dog is 9 years old. Why can't she be like other old dogs and sleep in?
Of course, my dog eats at 6am and I am not feeding her a minute early.
She stares at me until I feed her so I prefer to be a moving target for her.
I put dishes away that were in the dishwasher, I made coffee, anything that had me moving is what I did. Then it's 6am so I can feed her and relax a bit.
She will stop staring at me and I can just enjoy my coffee and a wedding.
You may think it's crazy that I don't feed her earlier. But you see when the clocks change it's whole big fat nightmare. She can't be fed earlier. I have tried later. But this gal has been in the same rut for 9 yrs. I found out they fed her at the times I feed her when she was a pup before we brought her home. So she makes us stick to that come hell or high water. We are trained.
Izzy eats and then wants fussed over and then falls asleep at your feet.
She can't do this at 9a?
But while she snored at my feet and kept them warm I watched the wedding with no interruptions or snide comments from Rick. I needed a girl with me or my gay friends. I absolutely loved that there was so much of Meghan in this ceremony. The Reverend Curry was wonderful.
Although all that emotion was just too much for the Royals from their facial expressions. It made me laugh. But I thought he was terrific and I heard all of his. The other one droned on and I could barely pay attention, let alone understand him.
The choir that sang Stand By Me was perfection.
I thought that rendition was so lovely for a wedding.
They were a British choir called the Kingdom Choir.
But to me the cellist, Sheku Kanneh-Mason was someone you couldn't take your eyes off on. He felt the music, you could just see it. He is only 19 yrs old.
On CBS Sunday Morning I saw a report on him and his talented family.
These kids are all prodigies. They all play different instruments and all are amazingly great already at such young ages.
Now for the really shallow shit.
I did not love her Givenchy gown
It was classic and beautiful, to me in a very Audrey Hepburn way.
It kept her all covered up as is required. But I found it a bit dull.
The Stella McCartney dress she wore to the reception, now that was better.
It fit her perfectly, it fit the occasion and it fit her personality far better.
So that was my pick. I mean I know you wanted to know!
Her mom looked absolutely gorgeous in the color of dress she wore. But I kept thinking, she knows no one there and her daughter is a bit preoccupied. She sat alone. She left the church alone until Charles took her arm. That all had to be a bit much I would assume.
And while we're on the Royals and shallow things, why the hell doesn't that scowling Queen just retire already? Does she ever smile? Must you die before the next generation can step in? She's been doing this since she was in her early 20's right? Isn't it time she just plays with her corgi's and horses and hang it up? They do live to be very old, don't they?
They are not a good looking lot. (Camilla!)
With the exception of Diana, they all look well, related. I saw Fergie's daughters.
They look like the Royals, not Fergie unfortunately. Not an attractive lot with the exceptions of who they marry outside the family. Thank Goodness Diana's boys look nothing like their father.
And lastly why was his ex-girlfriend there? He dated her off and on for 7 years. Rick came downstairs when I saw Chelsey on the screen and I said, "Oh my God I think that is his old girlfriend. Why would she be invited?" Rick said, "Meghan doesn't care, she got the prince." Okay fair point. But who would do that? Would you? I hear a collective, Hell No!
Okay, I am done being a shallow bitch now.
Saturday, May 19, 2018
Old Car Smell
My car smells like wet dog.
There are a lot of unpleasant smells but this one is in my car and I am not fond of it. I love my dog. I love how happy swimming makes my dog. But I am not fond of wet dog smell. I need a new car with new car smell.
I have a custom cover on my back seat. We got it when we got the dog for dog hair and stains. It's been great.
Now there is a beach towel over that seat cover for when she jumps into the car every day after swimming. While we drive her off she is still wet.
I take out the towel and wash it regularly. Put in a new clean smelling beach towel. But my car still smells.
I have taken off the cover and washed it.
The car smells divine for a day or two.
Then back to the ole wet dog smell.
Gave the dog a bath and we went into the stinky car. That didn't help anything. We either must stop taking her swimming every day and have a nice smelling car. Or have her drive us bonkers to go swimming every day and have a bad smelling car. We are weak. We cave, we take her swimming.
Our car stinks. Do you know how difficult it is to take off this cover every week to clean? When I struggled last week Rick said to just leave it there. It didn't smell bad. Has he lost his mind? Lost his sense of smell?
Of course, Rick smells nothing. Of course, he thinks it is fine. Of course, he likes to tell me it's okay if we are that stinky family with the stinky car. And of course, I don't agree.
Now we could walk to our favorite swimming hole with Izzy and not use the car so she didn't make it stinky. But if we walked her there she would never ever walk outside again without dragging us up there. That would be the only place she'd walk. This is why we drive it so she doesn't know where she is going or how she got there.
Her intelligence stops at the directions part, yes just like Rick. 😉
You see Izzy the Wonder Dog is too damn smart. We were fooled in this type of situation once before when she was a teeny tiny pup. Not falling for that again!
So we must drive her there.
I think I need a car for we humans and one to use with only the dog.
If only Izzy The Wonder Dog made money so we could have her use her own smelly car and we could get a new car with a new car smell.
Anyone need a 9-year-old Chocolate Labrador in a commercial?
She normally will work for only food. However, we are her new agents now and we demand money. She is highly trainable.
Just don't get her wet, she stinks.
There are a lot of unpleasant smells but this one is in my car and I am not fond of it. I love my dog. I love how happy swimming makes my dog. But I am not fond of wet dog smell. I need a new car with new car smell.
I have a custom cover on my back seat. We got it when we got the dog for dog hair and stains. It's been great.
Now there is a beach towel over that seat cover for when she jumps into the car every day after swimming. While we drive her off she is still wet.
I take out the towel and wash it regularly. Put in a new clean smelling beach towel. But my car still smells.
I have taken off the cover and washed it.
The car smells divine for a day or two.
Then back to the ole wet dog smell.
Gave the dog a bath and we went into the stinky car. That didn't help anything. We either must stop taking her swimming every day and have a nice smelling car. Or have her drive us bonkers to go swimming every day and have a bad smelling car. We are weak. We cave, we take her swimming.
Our car stinks. Do you know how difficult it is to take off this cover every week to clean? When I struggled last week Rick said to just leave it there. It didn't smell bad. Has he lost his mind? Lost his sense of smell?
Of course, Rick smells nothing. Of course, he thinks it is fine. Of course, he likes to tell me it's okay if we are that stinky family with the stinky car. And of course, I don't agree.
Now we could walk to our favorite swimming hole with Izzy and not use the car so she didn't make it stinky. But if we walked her there she would never ever walk outside again without dragging us up there. That would be the only place she'd walk. This is why we drive it so she doesn't know where she is going or how she got there.
Her intelligence stops at the directions part, yes just like Rick. 😉
You see Izzy the Wonder Dog is too damn smart. We were fooled in this type of situation once before when she was a teeny tiny pup. Not falling for that again!
So we must drive her there.
I think I need a car for we humans and one to use with only the dog.
If only Izzy The Wonder Dog made money so we could have her use her own smelly car and we could get a new car with a new car smell.
Anyone need a 9-year-old Chocolate Labrador in a commercial?
She normally will work for only food. However, we are her new agents now and we demand money. She is highly trainable.
Just don't get her wet, she stinks.
Friday, May 18, 2018
Ramblin' Friday
Some things ramblin' in my head this morning.
My favorite baseball team was in town and only got 5 complete innings in before the torrential rains called the game. It's been raining nonstop since. They did not play the next day either. They were stuck here in the DC Metro Area.
But here is the clincher - they couldn't get out of town.
They actually slept at the airport. Not the airport hotel, the airport.
Dulles Airport is practically in my backyard. In fact, so close we had to sign a document when moving in that we would not complain about airplane noise.
Now if I had known that team of cuties was in my backyard I would have had them over for a big ole slumber party.
Yes, they are young 'ens. Yes, younger than my kids would be if I had had children. But come on. Mr. high tight ass would be in my kitchen.
When my husband saw that they had slept at the airport he came into my office and said, "You lost your chance babe, your boys of summer were just down the street and they didn't even stop by to even say hello" Sigh!
Oh well, wouldn't have wanted to keep them from all their beauty sleep.
The rains have been crazy. My plants look horrible.
North of me there is flooding.
The Potomac River is very high.
And there is no chance of a clear day for another week.
Rain is expected every day all day.
Now I lived in Seattle. But it doesn't rain like this in Seattle. It's just an annoyance of a misty rain. You know, just enough to screw up your hair. It's just a pain in the ass of always being damp.
I never got used to it. This rain we are having is full-on heavy rain.
We needed rain, but it can stop now.
My landscaping was done but we need to change some things so the designer came back yesterday. The rain has washed the mulch and this one plant down a slope. All of that will be fixed as well. We stood out there with umbrellas and laughed about how this weather is wreaking havoc on their work as well as the rest of us. At this rate, nothing will be fixed until August they are so far behind.
I'll post a photo when they ever finish this up.
I leave you this Friday with this video from last night.
I do like me some Steven Tyler. But this game is a bit gross.
He has a new documentary I have in my queue to watch soon.
Steven Tyler: Out on a Limb.
Have a good weekend everybody.
My favorite baseball team was in town and only got 5 complete innings in before the torrential rains called the game. It's been raining nonstop since. They did not play the next day either. They were stuck here in the DC Metro Area.
But here is the clincher - they couldn't get out of town.
They actually slept at the airport. Not the airport hotel, the airport.
Dulles Airport is practically in my backyard. In fact, so close we had to sign a document when moving in that we would not complain about airplane noise.
Now if I had known that team of cuties was in my backyard I would have had them over for a big ole slumber party.
Yes, they are young 'ens. Yes, younger than my kids would be if I had had children. But come on. Mr. high tight ass would be in my kitchen.
When my husband saw that they had slept at the airport he came into my office and said, "You lost your chance babe, your boys of summer were just down the street and they didn't even stop by to even say hello" Sigh!
Oh well, wouldn't have wanted to keep them from all their beauty sleep.
The rains have been crazy. My plants look horrible.
North of me there is flooding.
The Potomac River is very high.
And there is no chance of a clear day for another week.
Rain is expected every day all day.
Now I lived in Seattle. But it doesn't rain like this in Seattle. It's just an annoyance of a misty rain. You know, just enough to screw up your hair. It's just a pain in the ass of always being damp.
I never got used to it. This rain we are having is full-on heavy rain.
We needed rain, but it can stop now.
My landscaping was done but we need to change some things so the designer came back yesterday. The rain has washed the mulch and this one plant down a slope. All of that will be fixed as well. We stood out there with umbrellas and laughed about how this weather is wreaking havoc on their work as well as the rest of us. At this rate, nothing will be fixed until August they are so far behind.
I'll post a photo when they ever finish this up.
I leave you this Friday with this video from last night.
I do like me some Steven Tyler. But this game is a bit gross.
He has a new documentary I have in my queue to watch soon.
Steven Tyler: Out on a Limb.
Have a good weekend everybody.
Thursday, May 17, 2018
Andy
If this wasn't Rick's birthday weekend I would be going to see the movie Book Club. Andy Garcia is reason enough alone to me! I believe in this movie he woes Diane Keaton.
I went to see When A Man Loves A Woman with Andy Garcia and Meg Ryan back in 1994. My friend Laura and I were to meet at the movie theater. As we were known to do we emptied our purses and brought in some outside food and beverages.
Now this particular Saturday matinee Laura and I decided to bring some wine for me and beer for her. We settled into the movie previews and shared some food we both brought. Then the movie started. Oh My.
We had no idea what the topic of this movie was. There was no social media telling you everything non stop. We never saw a trailer like this one below. I saw Andy Garcia was in a new movie and I said I'm in, meet you there.
As the movie goes on you realize this woman is an alcoholic and what it does to their marriage, their children, their lives. It was gut-wrenching. Neither of us finished our drink needless to say.
We put them on the floor in front of us. We threw them out as we left.
Who can drink when you are watching a movie about a woman's alcohol issues that are ripping her family apart? Not us anyway.
It never got great reviews but yet everyone I know who saw it loved it.
And no, not just Andy fans.
The depth of this man's sorrow, confusion and pain is so well played by Andy. Meg is really great as well. You don't often see her in movies that aren't comedies. This was in no way funny. While the subject matter was heavy, it was truly a very good movie. It wasn't depressing, just good.
The first scene of the movie is funny. It's cute and playful and damn he looks good in his pilot uniform. hummina! hummina!
I doubt it is on Netflix but if you ever do see it, it is worth watching in my book. And not just for Andy, but...
I went to see When A Man Loves A Woman with Andy Garcia and Meg Ryan back in 1994. My friend Laura and I were to meet at the movie theater. As we were known to do we emptied our purses and brought in some outside food and beverages.
Now this particular Saturday matinee Laura and I decided to bring some wine for me and beer for her. We settled into the movie previews and shared some food we both brought. Then the movie started. Oh My.
We had no idea what the topic of this movie was. There was no social media telling you everything non stop. We never saw a trailer like this one below. I saw Andy Garcia was in a new movie and I said I'm in, meet you there.
As the movie goes on you realize this woman is an alcoholic and what it does to their marriage, their children, their lives. It was gut-wrenching. Neither of us finished our drink needless to say.
We put them on the floor in front of us. We threw them out as we left.
Who can drink when you are watching a movie about a woman's alcohol issues that are ripping her family apart? Not us anyway.
It never got great reviews but yet everyone I know who saw it loved it.
And no, not just Andy fans.
The depth of this man's sorrow, confusion and pain is so well played by Andy. Meg is really great as well. You don't often see her in movies that aren't comedies. This was in no way funny. While the subject matter was heavy, it was truly a very good movie. It wasn't depressing, just good.
The first scene of the movie is funny. It's cute and playful and damn he looks good in his pilot uniform. hummina! hummina!
I doubt it is on Netflix but if you ever do see it, it is worth watching in my book. And not just for Andy, but...
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