"Porn" for Women

Those of you who know me well will know that this is completely "tongue-in-cheek" as I am not the slightest bit interested in actual porn. But I got this in an e-mail and couldn't resist sharing it! (I think it's part of a book.)

For those of you who, like me, are married to charming men who already do many of these things, this is purely silly.

Click on the photos to enlarge them.

More Muggy Monday Musings

Happy Monday to you -- the last Monday in July! Two more days, and it's August. Wowzers! Summer is whizzing by!

The weather has turned decidedly more summery...ie. it's much, much more humid. Still, we've been so blessed with a "mild" summer.

The kids had a lemonade stand on Friday and made out quite well. They wanted to earn some money for our upcoming vacation and had a good time doing it. Edward discovered a state quarter in the monies they earned and came running up excitedly to me, exclaiming, "I have a New Hamster quarter!" I was laughing too hard to correct him. But last night in the car, I explained that it was really New Hampshire. Edward was confused and said, "Remember in that Istanbul song (by They Might Be Giants) when they say, 'Even old New York was once New Hamsterdam.' Isn't that where it came from?" *grin!*

I've changed the video on my sidebar player to a Rocco Deluca and the Burden song, in honor of our going to see them in concert this Wednesday. Yippee!! Speaking of the group, two of their songs have been featured in the new K-Swiss ads. Check 'em out here (click on "TV spots" on the right of the website). They're very good!

Let's see...my countdown to Season 7 of 24...should be roughly 5 1/2 months? Yeehaw!! Back to wings and episodes of our favorite show. I just ordered the first season of The Closer with Kyra Sedgwick. I really, really like her. (She's in one of my favorite Kiefer movies, Behind the Red Door.) I cannot wait to watch it. The third season of Prison Break begins in mid-September. I think that should be interesting...especially since I know how Season 2 ended. Mmm-hmmm.

We had a fairly quiet weekend. Stuart has a bunch of house projects that he wants to finish before too long. He worked on ripping up a 12 X 12 square foot section of our kitchen floor on Saturday. It took him 3 hours! There are 9 -- count 'em -- NINE layers of floor in our kitchen. (You have to love the "idiots" who lived in our house before us -- and by idiots we group together all the former tenants who thought they were clever enough to do house projects.) He still has about 75 square feet of floor to rip up...but he'll keep plodding along. All part of the "joy" in owning a 90-year-old house.

* * *

5 THINGS TO BE HAPPY ABOUT

• bumper cars

• fragrant honeydew melons

• cattails and bulrushes

• a weekend trip to Prince Edward Island

• four o’clock tea

* * *

There's something special (warm and fuzzy) about having afternoon tea.

Before I moved to England, I liked the idea of drinking tea, but I don't think I did it often. Then I moved there and was offered a cup every 20 minutes or so. Suffice it to say, I grew to love it!

Funny thing is I really enjoy it in the afternoon only -- maybe a little earlier than 4 p.m. I'm a coffee-drinking person in the morning and early evening but need my "cuppa" in the afternoon.

Emily and I enjoy doing her literature lessons with an afternoon cup of tea...and cookie or two. Both kids even have their own teacups.

One day, I plan to open a tea shop and offer "proper" afternoon teas. I host a Valentine's Tea Party every year and love the pomp and ceremony around it and sharing it with friends. It might be fun to do that daily...for a while.

A teabag and hot water...who knew something so simple would bring such pleasure.

When Life Hands You Lemons...

...make LEMONADE and have a lemonade stand!

We live behind a bank.

Not ideal really. There's an alley/small road between us and their parking lot, but there's a lot of traffic at certain times of the day.

Hmmm....

The kids have been dying to have a lemonade stand. They used their allowance to buy all the necessary ingredients, including the mix and drink cups.

It was supposed to happen last Friday...but we'd just spent three hours at the vet's office and Stuart was coming home, so we postponed it to yesterday.

What a perfect day for them! Hot and humid with a slight breeze.

I baked some chocolate cookies and donated them to their sales table.

From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. the two of them roasted in the sun, serenading the passers-by with sales songs/dances and calls for yummy cookies and cold lemonade. (Salespeople around the world could learn from their techniques.)

It paid off...literally.

Together, they made $29.15.

And learned an invaluable lesson in human kindness and entrepreneurism.

Friday Funnies

We are huge fans of The Muppet Show...and just ordered....SEASON 2!!! Hooray! (Thanks, Uncle Chris, for our Christmas prezzie! Gotta love Amazon giftcards!) The kids don't know yet....

The first videos are two of their favorite segments in Season 1. The one below it is from Season 2 with Beaker -- a new character they haven't met yet... Enjoy!

Staying Smart(er)

You have to love the way companies reinvent themselves.

We stayed at a local Holiday Inn Express overnight for our anniversary back in May.



Their new motto is: Fresh. Simple. Smart.

Pretty catchy, huh?

They want you to "Stay Smart." (It's even trademarked.)

And I have to say we were impressed by all the changes/upgrades they've made in their hotels.

But you can't stretch a leopard's spots into stripes and call it a tiger. The basic structure of the hotel was exactly the same as always. The smell was the same -- that stale smoke/cleaning solution odor many such places have. The semi-sterile environment was the same.

I think they could use softer lighting against warm-colored walls. Put plug-ins in the rooms and a filter air freshener in the circulation system. I'm just saying...

Still...it was nicer than before.

And I guess we did "stay smart" since it was FREE. (My hubby used to do an enormous amount of traveling for his job. One of the perks was earning Holiday Inn points....which can be turned in for many different rewards, among them: free nights.)

Here are some of the catchy/quippy slogans and write-ups for a few of their products.

On the free in-room "Smart Roast" coffee packs: Warning: Consuming Smart Roast coffee in conjunction with staying at a Holiday Inn Express hotel may result in rapid increase in intelligence leading to an alienation of friends due to your knowing the answers to everything and not being afraid to say so.

On the bedding: Fresh. Simple. Smart. We've eliminated our traditional bedspread to literally surround you with freshness. A style we call triple sheeting, but you'll call it really, really sweet...like the bedding usually found in those tall, fancy uptown hotels. You may even be tempted to sleep in, so you better set your alarm now because you don't want to miss out on our warm cinnamon rolls and Smart Roast coffee in the morning.

Check out their online store (click on the bottom right hand logo on the website) for more. Pretty ingenious to makes their products available for purchase.

I guess it is all about being smart...or smarter.

Do you think people still steal the towels?

So Noted

Part of my husband's job requires him to go along with a salesman to assess what a company needs in the way of an emergency telephone/intercom system. That means seeing what they already have and making suggestions for something to enhance or...gasp...change it.

Stuart shared the notes (*grin*) he took during the meeting with the company in Brasil. Since he didn't speak Portuguese, he didn't understand most of what was happening/being said. But he did know what they needed on the platforms....

Click on the photo to enlarge it.

Purr-fect Kitty

Since we knew we were going to bid goodbye to Abigail, I took this video of her yesterday afternoon as a way of capturing her purr one last time.

Tuesday Tidbit Tidings

Happy Tuesday to you!

Since I took a pause in my normal Monday musings to share the sadness our household was experiencing, I decided to do my normal tidbit-update today.

We had a nice funeral for our kitty, complete with prayers, remembrances, and poems from Emily and the vet. We know that all of our loved ones -- furry or otherwise -- are only ours on "loan." We need to love and enjoy them every day! My favorite line in one of the poems: "Remember that angels are not allowed to show their wings on Earth, but there's no rule against whiskers!" She was our gentle, furry "angel." And we'll always remember her.

Stuart arrived home from Brasil on Friday afternoon amidst lots of whoops and dances of joy -- even the dog joined in. We were glad he came home a day early since they were predicting a cyclone in Macae, the area where he was staying. Plus, the following night brought a ground radar failure to Brazil, diverting 11 airplanes to the closest airports, including one in the jungle. (I guess the kids would have gotten their wish for their daddy to see the Amazon Rain Forest.) Yet, there he was at home, safe and sound!

The Tooth Fairy still hasn't visited our house...despite the fact that Emily lost another tooth. Edward still doesn't want to part with his tooth. *giggle* If only we could tell him....

The weather has been kind again and allowed us a few more days of cool weather (read: no A/C!). Amazing for July when we're usually suffering through the heat and humidity... (Of course, I'll probably jinx us now that I'm typing this.) I can hear the PPL employees crying and gnashing their teeth. Perhaps they'll begin doing a heat dance?

Getting closer to the new season of 24...we hope...if the network and critics will let them write and film it. There has been so much bad publicity about this show. "Everyone" felt it was the worst season ever, and the show is going down the drain, etc... Funny how I haven't met anyone who feels that way. (Isn't a popular show allowed to have some "off" moments? I'm just saying...) Oh, well. Down, Susie, down....

* * *

5 THINGS TO BE HAPPY ABOUT

• low airfares

• perfect pool water

• falling asleep in a hammock

• your favorite inflatable beach toy

• sailing

* * *

Growing up outside of Annapolis, Maryland, for a 4-year-ish portion of my life, we lived near a creek (a.k.a. river in PA) that fed into the Chesapeake Bay. Because the creek was so close to our house, my parents (a.k.a. my dad) decided to buy a sailboat.

Prior to my birth, my dad had spent 6 years in the Navy, as an officer on a submarine. He had water in his blood (not literally, of course, or this would be a very different story) and felt he was predestined to be captain of something. (My mom might have felt otherwise.) So he purchased a sailboat and named it the "Kathie B." in honor of my mom -- or to appease her?

I'm not sure we were truly a seafaring family -- my memories are sketchy at best (I was only 5 at the time) -- because somehow we didn't own that boat -- or its successor, the "Kathie B. II," for long.

But I do remember several interesting sailing adventures which included getting stuck in a sandbar, having to balance the boat by running from one side to the next and back again...and being stopped by the "water police."

Apparently, my father hadn't renewed his owner's card on the boat...or hadn't put the new numbers on the sail, or something like that. All I knew was that the "police" had stopped us, and I thought he was being taken into custody.

My famous quote at the time was: "I knewed it. I knewed it. I knewed my daddy was going to get arrested." To which, the "water policeman" burst out laughing and gave a verbal warning instead of a ticket.

Good thing I was such a fan of Adam 12. I know my dad was glad!

Monday (in) Mourning

"Abigail," by Edward, age 6

Taking a pause in my Monday musings...

Life is all about beginnings and endings, isn't it? Knowing that doesn't actually help though.

The beginning of our week isn't starting in the happiest of ways since we've come to the decision point in our dear ol' kitty's life.

Last Friday morning, I took Abigail to the vet's to figure out why she had not been eating very well. We found out she had diabetes among other problems. Since Stuart was on his way home from Brasil, and she was a family member, I didn't feel it was my choice alone to "call it quits" for her. It was something Stuart and I had to talk about together...and I thought there might still be hope for her.

If Abigail were a younger cat with many years of life ahead of her, it would be an easier choice. We'd fight on for her. Diabetes is treatable, and we can do it. But she's elderly -- nearing 66 in fact -- and it's time to bid her farewell.

* * *

Well, it's done. She is gone.

Our hearts are breaking, but we know it was the right -- the kindest -- thing to do for her. Even in death she had the sweetest smile -- with her jutting jaw and curled tongue.

She was smiling...

Perhaps she is chasing our dear long-gone bunny, Wellington? They were such good buddies years ago...

Emily wrote a poem which she read at Abigail's funeral:

Abigail's Resting Poem

We have loved you, but the time has come

To put you down to sleep.

We have loved you throughout your many years,

But the time has come to put you beneath the soil deep.
There you shall rest

Upon your quest

To find a place where you may rest

In Kitty Heaven.

Be with God and rest eternally,

And one day in Heaven with you we shall be.

Saturday Sillies

Okay. Okay...

I couldn't resist posting a funny one this week. Enjoy!

UPDATE

Well, the Tooth Fairy didn't visit our house -- more specifically, Edward's room -- last night. And it wasn't because she forgot or got lost.

Just after we tucked him into bed last night, Edward came downstairs and tearfully told us he didn't think he wanted to give up his tooth just yet. He thought he wasn't ready.

We told him that wasn't a problem...to do so whenever he felt ready...

He just needs to be sure to let us know.

Friday Firsts

I decided to take a break in my weekly Friday Funnies to bring you (drumroll): Friday Firsts.

The event I'm about to list actually happened yesterday, but who's checking...

Edward lost his FIRST tooth.

With Emily losing teeth left and right (she's up to molars now, I'd completely forgotten that he was coming of age to begin this dental replacement ritual.

At lunch yesterday, he complained that his one tooth was hurting. When I asked which one, he pointed to one of his lower front teeth. I suggested that maybe it was loose and ready to come out. He wiggled it and sure enough it was very, very loose.

A bit of pushing and prodding during the afternoon had that baby finally falling out by about 6 p.m. -- during dinner, of course.

He decided to save it from the Tooth Fairy until tonight since Stuart RETURNED today (Hooray! Yay! Yee-haw! See: Happy Dance), and he wanted him to join in on the joy and celebration of his first tooth going under his pillow. Sweet little guy, huh?

Emily promptly told him that since it was his first tooth, the Fairy would probably leave him a golden dollar, card, and book -- as she did for her first tooth. Afterall, she informed him, it is a special time.

Way to raise the bar, Emmypie. *grin*

No pressure, Mommy and Daddy. er, um...Tooth Fairy.

A Tribute

A friend sent this to me. Isn't it beautiful??

Rainbows at Sunset

Life goes by incredibly fast.

I think you really, really see this when you have kids.

One minute, they're so tiny, helpless, and very needy...then they're all grown up and asking for keys. (Thankfully we're not at the "wheels" stage of parenting -- well, maybe bicycle wheels -- but some of our good friends are...and we feel for them!)

I got the following in an e-mail and found it very meaningful. It certainly made me think...

As you grow older:

You learn that even the one person that wasn't supposed to ever let you down probably will.

You will have your heart broken probably more than once, and it's harder every time.

You'll break hearts too, so remember how it felt when yours was broken.

You'll fight with your best friend.

You'll blame a new love for things an old one did.

You'll cry because time is passing too fast, and you'll eventually lose someone you love.

So take too many pictures, laugh too much, and love like you've never been hurt because every sixty seconds you spend upset is a minute of happiness you'll never get back.

Don't be afraid that your life will end; be afraid that it will never begin.

Queen's Brogue

5 THINGS TO BE HAPPY ABOUT
• standing on a secluded pier
• an Irish brogue
• a new lipstick
• sprawling in the chaise lounge
• not worrying about tomorrow

One of my favorite-most movies is River Queen, starring Samantha Morton, Kiefer Sutherland, and Cliff Curtis, among others.

Filmed and set in New Zealand, this movie has a "poignant and pithy" story filled with drama and action -- plus, it has a great soundtrack. Rumor has it that the director, Vincent Ward, was very exacting. He wanted the actors to have authentic Irish accents so they went for Irish brogue lessons, and all the men wore real beards. It all paid off because the acting is superb!

I found this video while perusing YouTube, and it gives a good overview of the movie. (You may need to let the whole movie load for better viewing.) The music is not from the movie.

Strip-teaser

Okay. Okay. This isn't quite as professional....but it is kind of hilarious funny. (I apologize to Kiefer in advance for a giggle or two at his expense.)

Ahem...yes.

The video speaks for itself. (Again, you might need to let the whole video load before viewing.)

From Brasil with Love

My hubby has been in Brasil since a week ago Sunday... He's there with his company, doing a site survey of the emergency intercom/P.A. systems on some off-shore oil rigs.

Communication between us has been sporadic at best, due to his flying out to the rigs for several days at a time. No cellphones allowed. *sniff.*

So imagine my surprise when he IMed me on Friday and then again on Sunday!

Last night, he sent me two photos. A (sweet) sight for my sore (missing him) eyes!

View from his on-shore hotel room in Macae, Brasil

On site, my hubby (left) with Nicolau, the sales rep. in Brasil

Memorable Musings on a Monday Morning

Happy Monday to you! Mid-July already!

We had a reprieve in the hot weather with two nice, non-humid days! Hooray! Both our A/C unit and our bill had a rest. Take that, PPL!

<--Found this photo on Penny Keating's blog. I'm a huge fan of Jude Cole and love the fact that these two men are such good buddies. I'm keeping Jude's song on my video player for another week in honor of that.

One of my favorite quotes: "One of the biggest misconceptions about Kiefer is that he got anything easy in his life. He's done it on his own, every step of the way....He's Corleone loyal. We used to have a recurring fight about if one of us killed somebody, would we rat on each other? I'd say, 'That would depend on why you killed 'em.' And he would get really mad at me for that. In his code it wouldn't matter what you did; you would just never rat on your friend." - Jude Cole, best friend - singer/songwriter/producer.

I love that: Corleone loyal!

It's still 6 months until the next season of 24. I'm midway through rewatching Season 6, which we enjoyed immensely. Apparently, they scrapped the Season 7 concept and are "back to the drawing board." Hmmm... I finished the first season of Prison Break and enjoyed that, too. Of course, Season 2 won't be out until the autumn, but I already saw the finale of that one so I'll be okay once the new season begins. I think I'll try Lost next.

Our little countdown clock is speedily ticking away the time until Stuart returns to us. He's having an interesting time on the off-shore rigs in Brasil, but now he remembers why he didn't enjoy working for the service department: being away from us! The feeling is mutual.

We spent Saturday evening looking through old photographs at my parents' house. My mom had accidentally dumped out a box of photos and spent the time cleaning them up, looking through them as she did so.

I always feel like a time traveler when I look through old photos. There's something that is triggered in my memories that takes me back to the time in the photo -- if only briefly. I can remember smells and feelings and wondering at the styles that we so readily accepted...

Last evening, I rewatched Mr. Holland's Opus. (I'm such a sucker for mushy movies!) But it was another chance to "time travel." Since I played the flute in the band, I have lots of memories of our music department. I love how the movie spans Mr. Holland's entire career at the school, and the music is phenomenal.

* * *

5 THINGS TO BE HAPPY ABOUT

• Adirondack chairs by the lake

• the road to a friend’s house

• brown sugar on fresh pineapple

• fields of wildflowers

• an amulet

* * *

That would be Route 422 East.

My wonderful friend and fellow sappy-movie buddy, Angel, and her family have been so good to us while Stuart's been away, spending time with us, watching movies, having us for Sunday lunch.

And we've discovered so many commonalities that we've decided we were "twins" separated at birth by 3 1/2 years...no hints on who's older. (We were even born in the same hospital in Maryland!)

There's a quote that says something like, "The road to a friend's house is never long..." I'd have to agree. (About 10 to 15 minutes, depending on if you speed...)

*grin*

From the Friendship Page:

"Keep your eyes upon me, keep me in your sight, Help me down the crooked road, lead me to the light. The road I'm on is dark, I'm not sure if I know the way, Yet with you right beside me, I'm certain I won't stray. Protect me from the world, I know we'll make it through, Give me all the strength I need..... Let me lean on you." - Megan Stroup

"Friends are the Bacon Bits in the Salad Bowl of Life."- Pizza Place sign

"Don't walk in front of me, I may not follow. Don't walk behind me, I may not lead. Walk beside me and be my friend." - Albert Camus

Rated "G"

Hooray! Thanks to Aduladi', I found out my blog is rated "G" -- family-friendly, right? Then how come my kids aren't allowed to read it any longer...

Maybe because of all the "secrets" it contains...about Santa, the Tooth Fairy, and a mommy who eats their chocolate....

What's your rating?

Friday Funnies

Thought this one was funny! Poor little squirrelies. Warning: Do not try this at home. (Okay. Okay. I've intrigued all the male readers out there, who just have to make one of these now....)

"Punkin' Chunkin'" with squirrels....

Enjoy!