Bob Cat or Coyote?

What a great time we had in Hilton Head!  The weather was perfect, it wasn't crowded, Emma was funny and we had fun, the entire time we were there.  We went to a different restaurant than last year to celebrate Chris' 41st  birthday and the food and view were fantastic. 

 

I was off of work for 12 days straight and it was wonderful.  I slept in, I read, I cleaned out boxes from the attic.  It was my time and I enjoyed every minute of it.

 

Donna and I did our best to instill the "shopping gene" into Emma and I think it worked.  She was walking around stores, picking things up and saying, "oh, Nana, isn't this cute?"

 

We ended up buying her something called "Magic Clips,"  which are Mattel/Disney brand dolls dressed in plastic clothes.  You hold the bottom of the dress together, like a clothes pin, and the dress comes off.  You can change the Cinderella dress with the Bella dress or the Snow White dress.  Emma played with them for seven or so hours.  Those things were the best babysitters ever!!

 

Donna and I got a chance to go to Harbor Town, a small place with tons of shops and restaurants, on our own and had fun.  We shopped and then sat by the water in front of the million dollar yachts and had wine and shrimp.  It was a great time.

 

I love this time of year...warm yet balmy and enjoyable.  Warm enough to be in the pool and cool enough to be in the hot tub. 

 

Donna and Bob spent a few extra days with us after leaving Hilton Head.  Unfortunately, just like last year, Shannon lost another grandparent.  Her grandfather died on Monday evening, right around the time his wife died last year.  Donna and Bob left today to help with Emma and support Shannon.

 

After they left, Tony informed me that we had "strange" poop in our backyard.  Definitely not canine.  Swell, what now?  Tony did some research and narrowed it down.  We either have a bob cat or coyote pooping in our yard.  The good news is, according to Tony, it's not bear poop.   How thankful you can be for basic things.

 

Our next big event is Anthony's first birthday party coming up in early October. 

 

If we don't get eaten by a bob cat, coyote or bear, I will be posting pictures of the birthday party...stay tuned.

 

Emma and Papa in the pool

Shannon and Emma enjoying the pool

Shannon, Emma, Dixie and Donna in the hot tub

 

Chris' first night of being 41

Emma enjoys her Magic Clips

Tony and Donna enjoy wine by the pool

 

You decide....bob cat or coyote poop????

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Catching Up...Small Stuff That Makes Up Daily Living

I haven't blogged since my birthday; in part because it's been "same old, same old," stuff. 

 

Ben turned 9 on August 29...wow, I can still remember going to the hospital to see him and the first time Jenna asked if I wanted to hold him.  Hold him?   I wanted to grab him up, throw my arms around him and make sure nothing ever hurt him.   After 9 years, I still feel the same way.  We have six grandchildren--and we love them all equally, but we have loved Ben the longest. 

 

I had a back breaking shift last night.  We had a ton of EMS cases come in and it seemed like the families of everyone in the Emergency Room were nuts and stupid.   Seriously, how do you walk up to an Emergency Room employee and say, "please unlock the door and let me in....I'm here to see my mom."    "And what is your mom's name?" You ask.  "Mary," they respond.   DUH...we have 30 beds, can you give me a clue as to what your mother's last name might be or should I go room to room and guess which one she is?

 

Don't get me wrong, I know that when people go to the Emergency Room because a relative or friend is there, they are upset and worried, but come on, they will get back to see their loved one faster if they give me something to work with.

 

Anyway, that was last night...I'm glad to be off until September 14.  We are going to Hilton Head with Donna and Bob for a few days.  This Sunday, we are having friends over for appetizers and good conversation.  It is so nice to kick back and relax without looking at my watch or the calendar to see when I have to go to work.

 

I am happy to say that the manicure that I got with my niece, Sarah, the first week of August is still in tact and looking good.  Love that shellac!

 

I am also amazed that it is September already.  I love this time of year.  We can sit out on the Lanai and enjoy cool breezes in the evening.  We did get a bit of "Erica" rain for a few days, enough to make my commute miserable (I hate driving in the rain...) but that seems to be a memory at this point. 

 

The other thing that has been taking up more time than I ever imagined is following the Republican Presidential bid mess.  I am not "political" per se, I don't vote and I truly don't think that any President, will change my life for the better.  That doesn't seem to be what Washington is all about.  To me, it seems like they are all about pushing their own party agenda and individual careers while screwing the American people they are supposed to serve.  But Donald Trump intrigues me.  He says what people are saying to each other in their own homes.   He's coming across as a "no bullshit" kind of leader.  There are days when I hope he gets the party nod and wins the election, but then I remember that the President doesn't operate in a vacuum.   There is still Congress to deal with.  Can Trump do that effectively?  I don't know.  But for now, with his positive poll ratings, I hope he is giving both political parties something to think about.   I often say, about many things...."when is enough, enough?"   I think America is getting to the "enough" point, and I hope that translates into a better political system for all of us in the country.  (Stepping down off of the soap box,  now.)

 

Tony is painting again.  I love standing at the foot of the steps to the studio and watching him carefully create a new piece.  He turns music on and seems lost in the rhythm of notes and brush strokes.  It's Teddy Roosevelt this time, and our hall of Presidents will have a new resident.  Hey, maybe Trump will be on our wall one day!

 

So, that is catching up.  Dixie is well and remains Mistress of all she surveys.  She spends her mornings sitting on the top of Tony's reclining chair, her afternoons napping in his closet and her late evenings, chasing me when I come in from work.  She goes to the spa soon, and our sweet smelling, little girl will be back.

 

Stay tuned for Hilton Head pictures...coming soon!!

 

September Sun