Before and After.............

It's raining, it's cold, it's Saturday and Phil and Dan arrived early this a.m. to enclose my patio and install my new sun shades. Apologies to my neighbors for the noise, but.....almost 5 hours later, completed....I'm really pleased and looking forward to the summer heat not bothering me so much. It will be nice to be able to enjoy the garden room and have my drapes open (may even remove them) since the shades are heavy enough that you cannot see into the condo. Almost done with all my projects. Just in time as my daughter is coming for a visit in early December and my oldest son and his family from Seattle will be here from the 20th of December until the 30th....Fun....

While waiting and watching the guys work, I did my holiday cards, wrapped some gifts to take to the post office next week and mail and was very productive. Proud of me :-)

today's thought from Thomas Hardy - "A man's silence is wonderful to listen to".

Autumn Flowers

Fall is one of my favorite times of year. I have just enough of a back-yard garden to plant a few things. The first year I was in the condo, I planted lots of little button mums. Each October they pop their pretty little heads out and smile at me. Being gone last week, they were just beginning to bloom. I've spent some time yesterday and today working on my patio because Saturday it is going to be enclosed and become a garden room. The flowers were so pretty this morning that I decided to cut a few and make a little arrangement. Nothing makes a home more inviting than flowers.

Today's thought from Shakespeare "Flowers are like the pleasures of the world".

Nobody said it better. Enjoy my little arrangement.

Nice to be home and have lunch with

two of my best buddies, Lorena and Jan. We've become friends through our association in the April Sound Ladies Association. Today we drove over to the town of Tomball. Tomball has been around for a long long time and is full of antique shops, novelty stores, resale shops, restaurants and whathaveyou shops. We try to have lunch once a week. Lorena is also in charge of planning the ladies luncheon each month, selecting the menu, arranging the program, working with the folks at the country club to make everything nice. Jan is a volunteer with Casa, part of Children's Services here in Montgomery. She is a very devoted volunteer and really puts her heart into it.

Leaving H'town, after all of my life there, it has really been nice to have some gals to hang out with. Missing the interaction of my friends in H'town is not as strong as it use to be, but we still keep in touch and when I do drive into town, we have lunch and/or dinner together. Friendship is a wonderful thing. I'm very lucky to have so many uniquely interesting and different friends.

Today's thought from Addison on friends "Great souls by instinct to each other turn. Demand alliance, and in friendship burn".

Tomorrow I'll highlight some other friends.

It is 160,000 tons of..................

Fun, Frolic, Food, Entertainment - It's THE FREEDOM OF THE SEAS!!!! The most most most wonderful fun ever. The second largest of the Royal Caribbean Fleet of ships, the Freedom is absolutely awesome! I've seen and been many beautiful places in my life, hotels, Vegas, NYC, LA, etc....but I've never seen as much glam, glitz and sparkle as the Freedom, and all in good taste. Not tacky, just overwhelming beautiful. Non-stop entertainment, well done show stoppers, regular movies (saw more in one week than I have in years), ice shows, art auction, food, food and more food. You can actually have a meal every hour, every day....Whenever you wish. and whatever you wish....The ports of call were fair, I must admit I think there are better ports, i.e. Mexico - but St. Thomas and St. Martin were o.k. We did take a tour of St. Martin with another couple and it was interesting. Poverty still exists in these islands. And they are not the cleanest. But nothing unexpected, probably would choose the Western Caribbean next cruise. I really recommend a cruise, if not on such a large ship, perhaps smaller. After all, there were 4200 other folks with us, not including the crew. Service was incredible and the special treat of finding a bath-towel friend each night when we returned from our evening activities, compliments of our stateroom attendant, Cherrie. Ck the pic of the cute little elephant with sunglasses
Yes, yes, yes, I will cruise again. It's good to be home but have some spectular memories and there will be more pics.

Today's thought - "Just do it!" (my own thought)

Freedom Pics cond't....

Awesome

Beautiful day and I was cruising down to Montgomery to buy some stamps and do a few errands and the huge ladder truck was stretching it's wings at the station. Couldn't resist taking a pic although I could not get all of the ladder extension in the pic. Montgomery has 2 fire stations that are very close to April Sound, this includes the EMS attachments. From past experience, I can say that they are always "johnny on the spot" when needed.

Another trip tomorrow, so I'll be away for awhile. Will bring back pics and post asap. Not taking the netbook on this trip.

Today's thought from good ole' Ben Franklin, one of my favorites "Speak ill of no man but speak all the good you know". Have a great week.

Double Hitter

No, I'm not talking baseball, even though the World Series is exciting - I'm talking the date, November 3......November 3, 1963 my oldest son, Stephen was born. Click on the pic to see the details....Stephen (aka Steve) was a cute, rough and tumble little kid who loved anything with wheels. Today, Stephen is still a cute, rough and tumble guy who loves anything with wheels (i.e. bikes). He is a devoted son, wonderful husband and father and loving brother and I wish him many more great years. He has done himself proud, worked hard and accomplished much - never wavering in his love for wheels. Switching gears to the 2nd important November 3 - first Tuesday of November - it's time to VOTE! Whatever elections are held in your area - it's important to do your civic duty, a responsibility and an obligation to honor this privilege.

Happy happy birthday Stephen and don't forget to VOTE! have a greatttttttttt day!