WHERE AM I???

I've been traveling.

Again.

A couple weeks ago, I flew down to Houston, hung out with Mark, and we flew over to Pensacola for a wedding.  We thought we'd enjoy the beach for Labor Day weekend.  What we didn't enjoy was Tropical Storm Lee.

We flew on a tiny plane (which I totally hate) through the nasty clouds, bumping along... in the exit seats, from which I expected to be sucked out from at any moment.  I wasn't, obviously, but it really did cross my mind.  Anyway, we landed in a steady rain, collected our car and luggage and headed out to the beach.  As we drove, the weather got progressively nastier.

We arrived at our hotel, settled into our room with a lovely view of the tumultuous ocean, crashing into shore under a very dark, windy, wet sky.  Ah, lovely.

Look very closely, there's a pier in this picture, I TOLD you it was storming.

 The next day (when we thought we'd hang out at the beach) we took a drive along the coast. We were actually out on an island of which half was just natural beach.

We drove along and met a couple other crazy fools out driving.  We commented on how the sand looked like snow, then we saw an end loader clearing sand off the road. Reminded me of good old Chicago in the winter.

Between storms, we decided to get out and walk on the beach, and get exfoliated.

The sand was blowing so badly, it hurt. I had to wear my sunglasses to keep it out of my eyes.

It did wonders for my hair.

We had a snack at Hooters. Really??? Let's just say, I've been there. Period.

The wedding was lovely. And in spite of the 'ugly day, ugly bride' saying, she was beautiful and it all came off splendidly.  The storm halted for a few minutes for the sword 'ceremony'.  After the wedding,  the bride and groom came out of the church.  A group of sword bearing soldiers assumed their positions at the foot of the stairs along the sidewalk.  They held the swords aloft, and the couple walked under them. It was pretty impressive, I have to say.  They went back into the church for photos, we made our way to our car, and it let loose with another delightful monsoon.

The reception was at the officer's club on the base, and I looked a little like a woman who's been rained on.  Pretty cool. 

Started in the bar, for cocktails then on into the ballroom.  We had a very nice time.  They are fun people, and the evening ended with dancing and singing and craziness....

The next day, we had hoped to spend basking in the sun working on our sun damage.  Not so.  It was still raining, windy and foreboding looking.  We attempted to get on an earlier flight. Us and everyone else on the island obviously, as there were no seats. So we had a long wet day ahead of us.

We headed back to the base and went to the National Naval Aviation Museum. I'll admit, I wasn't thrilled at the prospect. But went along.  It was really interesting. I enjoyed it!  Saw some delightful war clothing (a couple stained with what I am certain was blood spatter), old planes, blimps, fighter jets, space ships... flying things.  Did find this display of The Blue Angels interesting. This is an actual formation. Those babies are really close...there will be no mistakes.

After that, we checked out the lighthouse.. it was (here's a shock) raining, so I didn't get out, and went down to the harbor and looked at the boats.

We did make it out that night. naturally, as we sat at the airport, the rain stopped and out came the sun. Thank you Pensacola.

Headed back to the apartment in Houston. It's quite nice, after I did a load of laundry and ran the dishwasher, I had the rest of the week to do whatever. I could get used to this life, I think. We did take a walk over to a park area that had some interesting things.  Mark sat in this half shell like thing and I sat in another and we could talk in a normal voice and totally hear each other from that distance.

It was brilliant.  I need this at home, then I could hear my family. Then again, do I really want to?

Flew back to Chicago on my birthday.  I had another one... I hate getting old. Did get some nice presents though.

Saturday, we went to another wedding.  Yep, we are on the wedding circuit.  Third one in 6 weeks.  It was very lovely too.  Another beautiful bride.

Sunday and Monday we spent on the boat, after we de-spidered it. Man those little bastards take over when we are gone.  Ugh.

So that about sums it up... I'm just such a jet setter... you'll probably see me on the new 'Pan Am' TV show.

Seriously, we had one of those cool Pan Am bags. I think they gave them to you when you flew with them.  That was back when you were treated well when you traveled, AND you dressed up.  Now, your lucky to get a swig of pop, and forget the meal... you want nuts, and a blanket?  Get real.

THE "L" WORD......

In boat ownership, the "L" word strikes fear in the heart of salty old sailors..... which is why it pretty much terrified me!!!

Not being a boat owner, you might ask, what the "L" word is?

LEAK.

Yes, I said leak, as in Titanic. As in water coming in... as in where is my life jacket??

Okay, I exaggerated a little.  We did have a small leak in a plug that was only leaking when the engine was running.  But it was eating away at my Captain.  He said he couldn't help but imagine the boat filling with water and sinking... only the top of the mast viewable. Ugh... all I could think was, 'and I spent all that time reupholstering it for nothing'.... double Ugh.

So, Saturday, we headed in to address it, and in spite of the bad back that Mark was nursing, he tackled it.  Now the poor man, had to contort himself into this hole, and reach way in there and bang the hell out of something.  And get this sticky black stuff all over him, and become way more bruised than I've seen him in a long time. This was partially caused by the fact that he was stuck... yes, I said stuck....

But, he fixed it, and all's well AND, he got out and can even stand up after. 

So, stop visualizing me  at the bow, arms extended singing the Titanic song...it isn't going to happen.

WHEW....WHAT A WEEKEND....

It was Air & Water Show in Chicago this last weekend, and if you have a boat, the place to be is out on the lake.  I kind of feel like they put the show on just for the boaters. They zoom overhead, appearing to just miss your mast, altering the beat of your heart and amazing everyone.

We headed in on Saturday, in spite of the fact that it was really overcast and beginning to sprinkle. We had sunshine in our hearts... not for long.  Loaded up the Rover with Jessica and Blain, Corbin and Ally, Mark and I and enough 'stuff' to go around the world, a time or two.  It poured on the drive in. I mean REALLY SERIOUSLY NASTY poured. We kept driving.

Got in there, parked, marveled at the soaked people who were packing it in and going home.  What, have they no faith?? We meandered our way underground through the parking bowels of Chicago and popped out on Michigan Avenue and headed to a restaurant we've taken a fancy to. We'd have a drink, wait out the storm. Mark assured us, it'd just be another half hour. Right.


We drank our fill, and headed out, it was still a little drizzly. Made it to the entrance of our garage and it let loose again.  We waited, Mark stood by his 'another half hour' thing (we were now at 3 half hour increments of time).  But, lo and behold, was that blue out west? We headed to the pier.

Guys got the boat, and we loaded our stuff.  Heading out, the sun broke through the clouds and it became a beautiful day! The show resumed and because so many people gave up, we got in pretty close!! It ended up being a 'shorter' version of the Air Show but, we saw the fighter jets, and oh my, it is so brilliant to see.  Here's a few pictures to show you what you missed....

We headed in on Sunday, this time with my mom, Scarlett and Corbin.  Dan was in Florida, visiting his grandpa, and Ally had some stuff she needed to get done. My sister's family was going to come, but decided against it, so off we went. This time, the weather was perfect! Sunny, hot, breezy - delightful. 

My good camera, that had given me such great pictures the day before, really let me down... the battery was dead. I was so disappointed. I had my little one, that is actually a really good little camera, but not so great for catching a flying by jet.  There's no viewfinder, so it's hard to follow through the LCD.  Anyway, here's the few shots I did get from Sunday.

Mark can NEVER just sit still!!

We had a great time, but, as Mark said, we need to go back to work to relax!!

Too bad, I don't work....no rest for the wicked.. or something like that.

SLACKER...ONCE AGAIN...

I'm just a lame excuse for a blogger lately.

And, I'm really a lame excuse for a photographer too.  I've either forgotten my camera, or taken it, and forgotten to use it, or, chosen NOT to use it. So pictures in this post are sparse.


But, I've been busy, nothing extremely important... a lot of silly running, wasting time and just plain having fun.

So, a recap of the last couple weeks.... I survived my house guests.  Even though I KNOW that I won't die from having them, I still enter into it with a sense of dread. Unfounded, but there! At any rate, I lived through it, as I always do, and always will.  Maybe I need to analyze this with a zillion dollars worth of analysis??? nah.... 

We did have another little house guest... our granddog Jet came to stay while his parents went to Lollapalooza.

He certainly injected a whole lot of energy into the joint! My doglets were a bit snarly at the 'need' Jet had to play!  This also meant they had to share their chewies and toys. Sharing is NOT in their vocabulary.

We got a kick out of him. We returned him, he slept ALL the way home in my lap like a baby, on his back, sound asleep.

His mother told me he was pretty exhausted the rest of the day but returned to his wild man self the next day.

I had lunch with my college roommate. Well, I use the term lunch loosely, we start at about 10:30 and go all day. There is always so much to discuss, much laughing to do, and of course a bit of shopping...oh, and if there's time, some eating. Funny how we meet now and then and pick right up where we left off.  Love her.. 

Last weekend, we headed to Milwaukee for our niece's graduation party.  She graduated from graduate school with a degree in Occupational Therapy.  She is Mark's sister's daughter; so we enjoyed seeing the family and hanging out. My whole crew went, and Scarlett brought Jet.  Once again, he was an energetic little weasel, having a great time with another furry guest!

Sunday began the week of 'Mark working from home'... (or as I call it vacation?) and we thought we'd hit the boat. Ah...not. Lake Michigan was seriously ugly. Waves that were unsafe, although sunny and warm, no sailing for us.  Monday...more of the same.  Tuesday we went shopping.  We 'needed' some stuff for the boat, and I had to get a shower present.

Tuesday was our anniversary. 31 years. That's a long time in today's world. Sad, but true. But, at any rate, we've managed to last it out! hehe.  And, those of you who have read this blog a while, might remember me mentioning that Mark may have some things about him that bug me...but...undoubtedly he is the BEST GIFT GIVER. I am seriously thrilled with this years gift. Some serious bling...and all girls, young and old love some bling. 

Wednesday we headed into Chicago, met up with Scarlett, drove around looking at neighborhoods, noting how Chicago really has some cool properties.  And also how the neighborhood can be FAB, and a half block away, frightening.

We stayed in there Wednesday night. Had a Groupon for Buddy Guy's that we needed to use.  Now those of you who don't know what a Groupon is, check it out... fun deals on fun things.

We'd never been to Buddy Guy's and really didn't know who was playing, but we had a great time. Mr. Buddy Guy himself was in the house and came up and did a couple numbers with the band.  If you're lucky enough to be there when he is there, you are in for a treat!! It was a fun night. 

Thursday we were joined on the boat by Mark's brother and his wife. We always have a great time together, and I'm ashamed to say this was the first time they'd been out on our boat this summer.  We just haven't had that many people on the boat this year. We've had a lot of stuff going on and weather issues and, we've been negligent in inviting. But we spent a lovely day sailing around, snacking, just enjoying.


So, that about sums it up. But.... (insert drumroll here).... this weekend is the Air & Water Show in Chicago. We are entertaining both days on the boat. So, I WILL take my camera and I will use it and I will stop being a slacker.  Honestly, I'll try.

One final note.... my city girl has opened an Etsy shop iamscarlett (something I need to do) and I'd like you all to have a peek.  She's talented in many ways, so don't be shy, shop freely! You won't be sorry!!
 

IT'S HAPPENING AGAIN.....

I've been cleaning like crazy.

Yesterday, I spent a 'full work shift' of 8 hours working in Corbin's room. Now, one might wonder what possessed me to spend a WHOLE DAY in there cleaning like I was hosting a surgery in that room.... Well, let me just tell you....

I'm having house guests....

and

if you remember correctly, I don't like house guests, at all. Now, let me say, it's NOT that I don't like THESE house guests, it's any house guests. I'm not choosey. 

We have other currently empty bedrooms, but, Corbin's has a queen sized bed in it, so it's the most comfy... it was also the most in need of serious help.

After the day of cleaning, I felt the need to do a little redecorating, so I felt compelled to go shopping.

Twice.

Not only does his room have some new accoutrements, but so do I.  A girls gotta have a little something after wrestling a queen size mattress to afix a dust ruffle ~ right?

Right.
 

So, don't even ask me if you can come stay here, I'm not in the mood.

Ever.




p.s. children who once lived here...you and your girl/boyfriends do not fall into the 'guest' category. So feel free to come stay anytime!!! You can even bring your hounds.