LONG TIME NO TALK....

So, as I mentioned when I posted about losing my sweet Millie, of which I am still having a hard time dealing with... there's a whole lot happening in my life.

Like I went to New York.. where we were greeted by this... so very true... really my thought exactly and not just in NYC.

We went to New York City to see Babs...as in Barbra Streisand.

(photo from New York Times)

Ah yeah.. she was returning to Brooklyn for her first concert there in 50 years, so we went.  We were in really good company, let me tell you.  The likes of Barbara Walters, Woody Allen, Sting and his wife, Katie Couric, Rosie O'Donnell, Regis, Calvin Klein and Babs' fave designer Donna Karan. And me.... and Mark of course!

Cheeky huh?

AND, we were in the 14th row, so I could see that for 70 she looks really good.  It was awesome. I know I'm weird.  I followed directions and didn't take my camera... duh me.  Had I taken it, I could have taken the above picture, I WAS THAT CLOSE.... But the lady next to me lied to me, and said she'd email me hers.  I'm still waiting....

In addition to Babs, we hit the world trade center memorial, where we were reminded the horror of that day.

All those names of all those innocent people who left home that day to never return.. possibly to have had NO PART of them return... they all kissed their loves and children goodbye that morning... ugh....it was well done. And amazingly people were quietly respectful, as they should have been.

After that, we felt the need for cheering up, so we headed to Times Square for lunch, at a deli, of course.  And to see the crazies.
   

Yep, he's got on whitey tighties.. THAT'S ALL.  I'll spare you the details of the OLD man, in a thong bikini that had boobs... it's an image I didn't need to see..

Anyway, after lunch we headed down to SoHo and ran into a store I sometimes have ordered knitting stuff from. So of course I had to go in.  Right?  Other than that, we wandered around, had delish foods and drinks and being us had to go to the water. 

The next morning after seeing Babs, we said good bye to NYC, 

and headed out to Rhode Island, a charming little town, Newport. Kind of like what you'd imagine an East Coast fishing village to be.  We hung out there, wandering around in the little shops, enjoying some lobster. 

The next day we headed over to Cape Cod, and somehow, Mark convinced me to get in a plane the size of the Miata with 8 other foolish people and fly over to Nantucket.

I have to say Nantucket was way charming... It's stone streets and expensive real estate.

After we safely flew back on the miniature plane, with a pilot that was about 12,

we headed out to our hotel, and out for dinner.  I sent my children a quick text to let them know they were not orphans, we had survived our flights.

We found a restaurant, ate outside, (it was kinda cool) and then enjoyed their live music in the bar.  Bet you can't guess what we had....

Lobster.  What else do you have in New England?

The following day, we were scheduled to fly out of Boston and decided to take a little detour to Plymouth Rock via a lighthouse.  Where it was super windy, and Mark needed his sunglasses to keep the sand out of his eyes...

Since my 10th great grandfather came into Plymouth on a little ship called the Mayflower, I thought it'd be cool.

This replica of the Mayflower showed us how SMALL the boat was.  Now I like to sail, not on this...all the way across the 'big pond'.  In steerage, no less.  

We treated the Indians poorly.. just saying.

 This houses 'the rock'

After that visit we headed to Boston, and learned we were delayed... great.  Drove around Boston, checked out Harvard, and Beacon Hill, and finally decided we would head to the airport.  

We arrived a mere 2 1/2 hours late, but did at least get home.  And home we came to all that that week 

held.  I know you are thinking it's just a dog, move on.. but I'm still sad.  Sorry.

Maybe, I need to take my cue from Liz Taylor, who said...

 Sounds like excellent advice.

SO SAD...

I have a lot to blog about... my recent trip, my daughter's first bridal shower.

But I can't.

I'm just to sad.

We had to have our sweet little Millie (or Minnie as she was more often called) put to sleep.

She got sick Wednesday morning, and I took her into the vet.  After a ton of tests and a night in the doggie ICU, and another in the regular hospital, it was determined that she had severe pulmonary hypertension.  Like high blood pressure?  Not exactly.  Not a good thing for a dog.  Possibly caused by her collapsing trachea problem or perhaps from throwing a clot into her lungs.. they weren't sure.  Either way, same treatment with the same ending......

The prognosis wasn't good, but all 3 of the vet's on the case felt that it was manageable, with good quality of life for a while.  So home she came on Friday.

Friday night she took a turn for the worst and there was only one choice.  The choice I hate more than anything.  But, I couldn't let her suffer.

I went.  I've never gone before for the euthanasia.  I wouldn't hesitate again.  It was peaceful and I was there for her. It was the greatest gift I could give her. Peace.

And now, I am a mess.  I miss her silly personality, her excitement when I came in, bringing me her toys, and her hoarse little bark. Clementine is sad, bewildered and verklempt. She misses her too. 

I am an ugly cryer.  Some women are beautiful when they cry... me...Really ugly. I am sad, and I look like I went a few rounds with Mike Tyson. 

Actually, I feel like I did too.

M4M NEW RELEASES BLOG HOP!

The blog hop is under way!  

This hop features new releases from 

As the Crow Flies digital stamps

New releases today include:

Pinwheel

Raindrop

Jessie
Ice Cream Boy

My Jessie Card

and my Ice Cream Boy Card

You can now buy these as well as the release from last month HERE

If you started here, please hop on over to the M4M Challenge blog to start at the very beginning!  

Please leave a comment to let us know you visited and "hop on"!

Hop order

M4M Challenge blog 

Ardith 

Jac 

Sam 

Trace 

Melissa G 

Sammi

MelissaO 

Alicia

M4M Blog

Have fun!! 

OCTOBER ALREADY....

It's Already October AND, I'm a blog slacker again. But, I have reasons....

I just haven't been in the mood.

I was gone.

I was sick.

I'm lazy.

There, I've run through all the excuses, choose the one you like, they all work!

I was gone, off to Houston last week.  I was SO looking forward to it.  It didn't go as planned.

We arrived, stocked up on 'supplies' ( snack foods, drinks,you know,  important things), and headed to the apartment.  I was really tired and felt kind of sniffly.  Not a good sign.

The next morning I was sick. Like lay on the couch in my pajamas and feel miserable sick.  All day. Every day.   All week.  I sent Mark out for kleenex, and some cold medicine.  He returned with all things one needs to battle a cold, in addition to a lovely bouquet of flowers to cheer me up.  We didn't have a vase, so we improvised with a drinking glass.  Only tipped over once...sending water everywhere, but nothing important was ruined. They were lovely, and did perk me up.

So, other than dinner, one night outside (it's still nice in Houston)...

and a drink at Sambuca's (MY FAVE) to hear the band, I layed on the couch and watched TV or slept.  Yee Haw...  nice vacation.

my view for the week

But, we returned on Friday and hit the boat on Saturday and Monday last weekend.

It's kinda the last hurrah... on a season that was really short.  We had SO much going on this summer we feel like we hardly used the boat.  Both the month of May and August were non sailing months ~ just too busy.  Anyway, I guess we are pulling it out early this year, like maybe next week.  We have another busy month, this month, so it's over. It has to be out by Nov. 1.

I'm verklempt.  

The 6 months of winter seem way longer than the 6 months of boat season.  

We are moving ahead with wedding #2.  I need to make some decorating decisions, I've been scouring magazines and different sites online for inspiration.  My little book is overflowing with ideas.  Secured the music, the kids picked the tuxes.  And we are beginning the showers!  First one is this month!!

I had an interesting experience today, a facial.  Never had one before.  My kids gave it to me as a birthday gift.  It was awesome.  I'm hooked!!!  Although, when I left,  I wanted to run some errands, not to be....my hair looked a fright!! I tried to comb it... haha...  I tried behind my ears, haha... tried the sunglasses on my head look... it was scary.  Note to self... after facial, you must go home, directly.  Anyway, I am now ready for a big major event coming up in my life....

I'm going to see my best girl.  In HER hometown.

CAN. NOT. WAIT.

YAWN.... SHORT NIGHT....

You all know how I feel about aging, (yes I'm STILL thinking about that).... but, last night was proof positive that it's really just a number.  A number that can get under your skin, IF you let it... which I am bound and determined to quit letting it get to me.

I saw Madonna in concert last night. 

Now she's about my age.  

We do not act the same.

Nor do we dress the same.

(photo from UK Mail)

Nor are we going to start.

BUT, with that said, I need a shot of adrenaline... and she needs an alarm clock.

The concert was to start at 8 pm, or so the ticket said.  My friend Karen and I got there in good time, time enough to wait in line for a drink and find our seats and have a couple minutes.

A COUPLE MINUTES???? How about 2 and 1/2 hours??? Now we all know I'm nothing if not a little lax in punctuality? (where'd you people think the term 'trumpy time' came from?) But seriously?

First Paul Oakenfold came out and did his thing with mixing music... it was cool, for the first 1/2 hour, maybe, but it seemed to go on and on.  We wondered if maybe we hadn't got the memo, and it had turned into a club night.  Then came the intermission.  Can we call it that? The main star hadn't actually started... where the hell was she?  I was not the only person wondering.  People were restless, looking at their phones, watches, getting more drinks (great ploy United Center).

Finally, she came out.  Her first 'set' was just not well thought out for Chicago.  It was all guns, blood splatter, complete with brain matter....murder... you know a typical Saturday night in the city.  REALLY???? I couldn't help but wonder how the two stupid women with their small children, YES I SAID SMALL CHILDREN, probably between the ages of 6-11 - 4 little ones, one rocking a hair bow, felt.  First of all, Madonna is an ADULT entertainer, Second, she likes the shock factor; Third, she's known for her adult activities.  Fourth,  she's got a rather colorful use of language (as do I, but not for little ears).  So in WHAT world would you think it was a good idea to bring your little ones, a school night no less?

Okay, I digress...

The concert started out too loud and she sounded awful. She came into herself, and overall I thought she ended up sounding great. The effects going on, on stage were FABULOUS. Her costumery was nothing short of what you'd expect from her, complete with a famous conical bra (see above) and dropped drawers reminding us their might be a 'full moon' tonight.  (Her words).

( photo from Chicago online)

She got in a political dig, and the crowd went wild, making me think this election MIGHT go well.... well, as well as it can with our current choices.

Long story short, she rocked the house, she needs to leave well enough alone with her oldies. Recognize that that is what your fans want to hear.  Not a version of 'Like a Virgin' so slow I didn't recognize that's what it was until she was well into it. Serious.  But, she brought the crowd to their feet several times, sang her heart out, and didn't fail to give us what we'd paid for.

However... she could have done all this 2 1/2 hours earlier, and we would have all been happier. And my poor friend Karen, would have gotten a decent night's sleep BEFORE her TV debut this morning... remember, Karen...Preparation H will make your eyes not swollen, and it will not make you a butt head.

You people didn't know you'd get beauty tips here too, did you???

"hOliDaY....CelEbRaTe...." going to be a singing day of that I am sure ~ maybe I should take fashion tips from Madonna...spice things up around here...

AND SO IT GOES....

I lived through another one.

Birthday, that is.

I do not care for my birthday so much.  I don't think it's the actual day... its the realization that I am another year OLDER.

What an ugly word...

I remember thinking I couldn't wait to be older... what a perfect fool I was....  ugh....

Ok, ok, enough gloom and pity...

It was a lovely birthday.  My family rose to the occasion, and treated me royally!  Mark, Jessica, Blain, Scarlett, Dan and Scott (Dan's brother) took me to dinner.  Well, Mark did, but the kids joined the festivities.  Corbin had a prior commitment so he was missing, I was disappointed, but understood.  His boyhood best buddy's little boy turned 1.  Hard for me to fathom that Corbin's buddy Lucas could possibly be old enough to have a child... seems like they were just naughty little boys getting into mischief.

....here we go again with the damn age thing.

Anyway, we went for Tapas, and it was so fun. I love Tapas.  Perfect dining if you ask me.  I like small plates, and hors' deouvres dining...just ask my kids. They grew up on a diet of such... I had a friend that used to tease me about the movie 'Mermaids' - dining Ardith style.  It worked for us, Mark traveled, why not make dinner an adventure? I feel that all 3 are ready for a life of cocktail parties and the like.  Attractive grazing.... perfect.

Okay, I'm rambling.

Anyway, the b-day weekend was nice, finally got out for a sail on Monday, when Lake Michigan calmed down (10 foot waves just aren't my idea of a nice sail).  Now it's onward in the month, and I realize we are almost at the end of this sailing season.  Boo.

WHERE DID SUMMER GO??? (old person statement).

I think having a wedding made summer seem to fly, so maybe if we are lucky, winter will fly by since we are having another then.  Works for me.  Speaking of weddings... I'm starting my dress collection for the winter one.  You know me- I gather many, and then decide and return.  Just finished returning from the last one.  And don't even get me started on the shoe situation... there's a lot of shopping pressure here!!!

And, lastly, don't forget to check out my stamps if you are a card maker... or if you are not, become one and start with mine!!!

http://www.madformarkers.com.au/catalog/

http://www.stampaffair.com/main.htm

Happy Fall~

HAVE PENCIL...WILL DRAW....

I've got so much free time on my hands, I thought I'd add a little business on the side.  I'm so funny, when I'm exaggerating....

Seriously, I work better when I have a LOT going on, or am under pressure.  Not sure why that is, but it is.  So, with that said, I unveil to you, a new FUN endeavor, besides planning wedding #2.

If you know me, you KNOW where my logo comes from....

I'm drawing images for a couple of companies that sell digital and/or rubber stamps to card artists!  And, I am loving it!.

Quite a few of them were done whilst I sat at the hospital with my mom, while they were trying to figure out WHAT was causing her to feel so crummy. (she's better now - whew).  But, if any of you have sat at the hospital with someone, you know how LONG and exhausting it can be.  This provided a little relief! I stuffed my sketch book into my purse, and it gave me something to do to while a way the time, and, in this case, be productive too!

So, if any of you have a desire to purchase digital designs, go here...

http://madformarkers.blogspot.com

and if you want a rubber or acrylic stamp, go here....

http://www.stampaffair.com/main.htm

and, if you've never tried copic markers to color with, then you haven't lived. Plain and simple!

So, check out the stamps, and I, am off to spend the day on the boat with my husband. I mean, seriously, you can't work ALL the time!

Ahoy!!