December Photo Challenge!!

this one looks interesting!!

💖

new goals

going to try something different, well different for me. I love taking pictures; I am almost never without my camera nearby. I also love Pinterest and on that site I've created a board with "Photo Challenges". Most of these are for taking 1 picture each day of  the month and then posting them. Well, with my work schedule that's too much currently, so I'm going to adapt the rules. I plan on picking a photo challenge and with in the month taking the pictures. I'm going to do a test run in December, so for week 1, I'll take pictures 1 to 7 and week 2, 8 to 14...get the idea? I'll post them here in my blog and create a facebook album as well. Anyone else up to the challenge??

Here's an example, I did this Disney Photo Challenge a few weeks ago!!

the newest adventure has begun

I met him briefly on May 25, 2016.

He let me hold him, he was content, I watched him play and rough house, he showed his spirit, a true big dog in a little dog suit. I learned more about him and told him I would be back.

On Monday May 30th as we pulled into the driveway I saw him, I still couldn't believe he was going to be mine. But soon enough I was holding his leash and walking him away from the only home he'd ever known and he was fine; it was as if he knew I was his new home.

Early the next morning we started our journey home, he cuddled in my lap, we made pit stops with much success. 8 hours later we arrived at our first stop and little Hiccup won the hearts of his new grandparents. I will admit his new brother Harry wasn't too sure but not long after we got to our home Harry was fine.

It's been 2 weeks but it feels like Hiccup has always been here at home and in my heart.

A new journey

fingers and toes are crossed, tomorrow I could be meeting my future -legged little boy.
As much as I love my Tuxedo boy Harry, I miss taking care of a little sweet canine.
He won't take anyone's place there is room in my heart for another love.

sad day...

Button was born August 17, 2001.

She was just as feisty as any big dog in a small dog suit.

After 14 1/2 years she decided this morning she'd had enough.

Button died March 28, 2016

I know you are having a blast playing with your feline sisters, Rascal and Sweet Pea.

I will love you always.

I don't want to hear it...

Several things came to mind as I was contemplating blogging...

First this quote,

"The best laid schemes o' mice an' men
Gang aft a-gley," or often go awry

Love Robbie Burns, yes I fully intended to blog more this year and yes I have but some weeks or days go awry...

My other issue is my muse, she's a wandering thing and doesn't like to linger, she prefers to flit about and dash in and out of my brain scrambling it!!

Muse

 (myo͞oz)

n.

1. Greek Mythology Any of the nine daughters of Mnemosyne and Zeus, each of whom presided over a different art or science.

2. muse

a. A guiding spirit.

b. A source of inspiration: the lover who was the painter's muse.

3. muse Archaic A poet. 

The Nine Muses were: Clio, Euterpe, Thalia, Melpomeni, Terpsichore, Erato, Polymnia, Ourania and Calliope.

mine is Calliope

Morning posts?

It happened again, yes, my eyes shut before I blogged...

Not that I am very inspired to write this early in the day but that may change thanks to a few
changes at work. Starting to take my full lunch hour and I may be able to ponder ideas while I walk.
Or those changes may make it easier to write at night...something else to ponder!

OH! maybe I can blog about words, you know those words that inspire or make you go "uh"
like ponder!

stay tuned...

the Monday after the Sunday

Freely admit I am not really a fan of football, yes when asked I will admit I like certain players and will cheer for teams in some cities but my favorite reason for the end of football season is it means that my favorite season is only days away from beginning....NASCAR!!!

Not as excited for the start of this season for many reasons but hoping my favorite "Team" does well despite the fact that their leader will be absent for much of the first half of the season; not to mention he will not race in the Cup series at all after this (although I'm hoping he does a Daytona 500 run in 2017)

I get that many of my friends and family do not understand my love of auto racing and that's ok with me, it's hard to explain how my heart beats faster as I near a track, how the smell of tires and fuel is one of the best scents in the world! The sound of a revving engine makes my heart sing! And please don't even as how the sight of a certain driver in a firesuit makes me feel!!

rain, rain go away

I'm so tired of rain, at least today that is. I realize rain is essential to keeping our  planet healthy but too much of a good thing drives me nuts. I can't go out and walk, I'm afraid I'll slip like I did several years ago when I dislocated my hip. Believe me that is no fun, the initial pain was unbelievable, I actually made a grown man cry with my screams.

Not that today was a bad day but I had things I wanted to do...

Yes there is always tomorrow...

Overtime

This has been a praying week...I thank the Lord for all the answered prayers this week. I know for myself I've been saying a prayer every chance I had, when I got up, when I drove to work, at work, during my walks at lunch, on my way home...no matter where I was I said a prayer... Yesterday when I got home I found my prayers were not in vain but had been answered and today after what I've been reading I can tell others prayers have been answered as well.

Just keep healing, don't rush it...You're doing fine!

Thank you so much Lord

oops, yes I did it again

8:30 pm rolled around and my eyelids rolled shut! Here's what I would have written last night!

The news wasn't great but it was better than I think many thought it would be.

My favorite racecar driver of all time and guy with the biggest heart in racing is out of racing for a while. Now it's all healing time for Tony Stewart. He was out having fun and had a freak accident; no I don't need to elaborate, the news media will beat this like a dead horse and to me that is not appealing nor is it important. Healing time is important!

As in the past one thing is for sure, Smoke will Rise just like Fawkes, yes this is a Harry Potter reference and Fawkes is a Phoenix, it's early and I'm allowed to wax slightly poetically, I am a writer or at least trying to be!

Tony is strong willed and all evidence shows he does not give up, I have all the faith in the world he will be back to finish the 2016 NASCAR season when he has healed.

Keeping Tony and his team in my thoughts and prayers as always.

First Wednesday in February

5:50am
it's relatively early, no news is expected until tomorrow. Sending prayers to heaven continually.

9:24pm
hoping I fall asleep quickly and dream sweet wonderful dreams, fingers crosses that the news what ever it may be will not be horrible. Sending prayers to heaven continually.

Groundhog Day

Today is February 2nd and yes, Groundhog Day. I'm watching the Bill Murray movie, Groundhog Day, what a concept, doing the same day over and over until you get it right. At this very moment I wish it was possible; to live a day over until you got it right, that if you made a bad call you could fix it. If I had that "wish" I'd send it to someone who needs to do a day over, someone laying in a hospital bed, someone I hope that all the prayers being said for him are enough.

February Fools Day

Ok, I don't think I did too bad in January, I blogged 24 of 31 days!

Button made it through the first month of 2016.

Harry passed his 1 year check up with flying colors and he lost 2 pounds since we saw Dr. Bo in October!

The weather cooperated today and I was able to walk before work and at lunch.

It's 20 days until the Daytona 500. I'm excited, nervous and a bit sad. I'm sure I'll be blogging about NASCAR a few times this year, ha!! Me thinks that's a slight understatement for this year, now 2017 is a totally different story, not sure if my heart will be in it a year from now. Maybe other racing will occupy my time...

and yes, I am once again rambling...I had an idea earlier but once I lost it, I need to keep a pad near by so I can jot down my thoughts...

It's raining...

it's pouring....

Yes, a couple of days of rain are enough to make me not blog...it was much better weather for
cuddling with the fur babies and reading.

I finished a delightful book by Dick Van Dyke, how can you not adore this man? He danced with penguins, made a car fly, played multiple characters in one movie, danced with Janet Leigh and even solved murders!!

it's the little things...

Right now in my lap is my sweet old pup Button, 6 months shy of 15 years and cuddled in front of her is her feline brother, Harry; in our lives for just over a year now. They don't spend much time  together since Button is blind and Harry is a feisty kitten when he's not asleep! In recent days I've started bringing Button on the bed with me for short spells, she's not always comfortable being close or held but she gives in and I love these times. It's even better when Harry joins us and the 2 fur children fall asleep head to head. Tonight Harry is making sure Button knows he's here, his big back feet are resting close under her neck. I'd take a picture but it's too close. The one I have here is from a few weeks ago. I'll truly treasure these simple little moments always.

another week begins

As always a new week brings promises of new adventures, for one on my friends the adventure she and her husband and family have started on can only get better as each day goes on...

They received  a  phone call and their family grew...they adopted a little girl!! So happy for this wonderful blessing.

Football Sunday

Another Sunday is coming to a close and soon I will like Sundays again. Ok, maybe I should clarify for those who tend to forget I don't like football very much and I can't get enough NASCAR.

Yes, this time of year I don't have a choice, NASCAR is still 4 weeks away and Football is currently the sport of the hour. Playoffs today and soon enough it will be the Super Bowl and all those great commercials.

I will admit I'm happy that Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos will be playing in Super Bowl 50 and as I type it does appear they will be playing the Carolina Panthers who happen to reside in Charlotte, NC the home of NASCAR!

My only gripe for the day is it's cold! yes my heat is on but I'm COLD. My friends who live north of me definitely will laugh at me, they are really cold and I have no idea what real cold weather is like, yes I do but after all these years of living in Florida my blood has thinned (haha) and I feel the cold at the slightest temperature drop.

steps closer to the Rainbow Bridge

I spent a good portion of today watching this one sleeping, making sure she was still breathing. Button had a rough morning, it didn't start out that way but after she ate and I put her back to bed and she woke with a little noise so I held her. Her equilibrium is off and being blind doesn't help. I won't go into all the details but I truly thought this might be her way of letting me know she was ready to see her sisters Rascal and Sweet Pea.

Here it is almost 10 hours later and she's up and walking much better, still not interested in food but we'll see as the night goes on.

Sunday morning note-she's still with us, up early and getting into trouble...now she's sitting in her bed deciding if she's going to get out of it...

yes I didn't blog but didn't forget

I stared at the blank page last night and could not think of a thing to write, I had a glimmer of an idea but in an effort not to rant on media types decided to shut off the computer and go to sleep!

oops I did it again!

Falling asleep before I write is not a crime just a shame! I did have something to blog about too, so since I have no new ideas for today time to go back to yesterday!!

I had to return a library book and some CD's, I still had 2 books and 2 on CD checked out but I can never resist looking in the stacks. I checked the on line catalog and reserved 2 books on the Salem Witch Trials, one is a bio on my great+++++ uncle Samuel Sewall, he was a judge at the trials and the only one to repent and admit he was wrong; very proud of that fact! Better late than never!

I found a couple books in the biographies, Dick Van Dyke and Michael J Fox, in sports picked up one of my favorite racing bios, Rebel With A Cause by Monte Dutton (about Tony Stewart) sure I know the book almost by heart but who cares! Finished off with more books on CD one mystery and the 3 book in a steamy series!

I didn't always love reading but once I started, well, just like potato chips you can stop at one! Every book is the promise of a new adventure, a chance to learn something new!

Blogging about nothing

Yes, I've realized my blog is about nothing. Sound familiar? Unless you've been living under a rock you know there was once a television show all about nothing. I will admit that on occasion I watched that show and it was rather funny at time. Not so sure my blog will ever be funny at all!

I figure if I write and keep writing maybe my runaway muse will come home to roost for a bit, she wandered away on day many months ago and any serious or semi serious writing I was in the midst of stopped happening...

Until something better comes along if you are reading this, well this is a good as it gets...

lazy days

Not that I had any plans for today but the rainy cool weather made sure I stayed inside.

I read, watched some football, had a great breakfast and then later a wonderful dinner, watch my not so little Harry sleeping and reflected on the last year with him in my life. He's such a sweet boy.

I was going to make cookies but changed my mind, maybe tomorrow...of course if I'm up to much longer it will be tomorrow!

Best laid plans...

Yes, today was one of those days, some plans worked and some didn't.

I made shortbread cookies for a cookie baker! Seriously! And he liked them!!

Traffic to Tampa was awful on I-4 so a detour onto 92 was much better but then once arriving at our destination there was absolutely no place to park, it was not a fine and fancy ramble to the zoo :(
Instead we went to lunch, score! Then to our favorite market for provisions for the rest of the
holiday weekend!

I also planned to blog, more like rant about something in social media that really frosted my cookies but then more members of social media media did it again and I'm so beyond anger that if I blogged about it I'd never be able to move on. Taking the high road it is, as they say haters gonna hate.

as corny as this is going to sound, peace out!!!!!

oops I did it again

Sleep once again thwarted my plans to blog, worst part is I actually wrote it during lunch yesterday.
I will post that tonight as I need to pull up some other data I want to add. Yes I will be ranting a bit.

Hope everyone has  great Friday....later!


ok, I'll rant tomorrow

Hump Day

Yep, highest jackpot in Powerball history...so far it stands at 1.5 billion dollars...the odds of winning are astronomical.

I just about always play the Powerball and 9 times out of 10 I do quick picks...I win $4 here and there but not much more. I do believe a few things when it comes to this game-
1. You can't win if you don't play
2. Someone has to win (eventually)
3. It don't ask you can't get, basically this refers to prayers and "Ask and you shall receive", yes, this is slightly out of context but it's can't hurt and I do my best to ask with a humble heart.

Yes, I have dreams on what I'll do if I ever win a jackpot, I will be smart and please don't ask me for money when I win, I already know who I will help and for what reasons. I pay attention and like an elephant I don't forget!

best of luck to everyone...

oops a few hours late...

Tuesday slipped by or rather I fell asleep!!

Think I'll be pondering what I'll be blogging about later today...the Powerball Jackpot and dreams of a long shot, always remember you can't win if you don't play and someone has to win eventually!!

Monday, Monday

so good to me
Monday mornin´, it was all I hoped it would be
Oh Monday mornin´, Monday mornin´ couldn´t guarantee
That Monday evenin´ you would still be here with me

Monday songs...

Come Monday, Manic Monday, Rainy days and Monday...

I had what was looking like a so-so Monday but turned into a real good Monday. I got phone calls from 2 of my favorite sisters in the world. It's nice that we may not talk a lot to each other but we know we will always be there for one another.

soon it will be time to turn to the College National Championship Football game...

Sunday, Sunday

My day started much too early, blind dog crashing into walls and 13 pound cat crashing my laptop table are not conducive to sleep.

The dreary day went by too fast and I turned off the computer too soon...a nothing day and nothing to really blog about so I'm a few hours late keeping my inner promise to blog every day, fingers crossed for a better Monday.

Saturday in the Park

Ok, wasn't really the park but the downtown market and it is Saturday.

Discovered a cute little shop only open on Saturdays! Had a nice lunch with my mom even if the service was so slow I almost stopped being hungry.

The rain later in the day threatened to ruin our dinner plans but Pops armed with an umbrella was able to grill to perfection the mouth watering filets, we added a greek salad and a fantastic wine!

I did start reading an interesting book, Founding Mothers by Cokie Roberts...

beginning week 2 of blogging...

so many things to write and can't think of one!!

right!!

Harry is in his other happy place, following Charlie, hiding from Charlie, deciding  what time he'll give his grandpa a back massage by walking on his back early in the morning

Button has eaten almost 2 bowls of food and is sleeping her deep sleep

Chloe was tricked into walking tonight, she's scared there will be fireworks somewhere in her little world

Chaz and Gus have been sighted and Roi is being mysterious

deciding what I'll put into saving next week....decisions decisions...
also deciding if I'm going to make Pizelles tomorrow

also thinking it's time for sleep

oh, I finished book 1 of 36...

week one of 52

One my way home from work I noticed some wood storks, I've seen them all week, well, one of them, then 2 but today 4 stood with their backs to me along a canal looking like 4 old men. Nothing else, just that!

tempting to let day 6 slip away...

Quitting before I've barely begun you might think and you might be right; but I can't be a quitter.
It's a time to be positive, a new year, a fresh start, the promise of adventures to come, recipes to make, books to read, challenges to be successful completing! NO, I'm still not making resolutions, just turning a phrase at this point.

And to further my goal of being positive and not lashing out with my normal sarcastic self I'll end tonight, I'll stop writing and go back to reading a book, "After You" by Jojo Moyes, sequel to "Me Before You" (sadly which will soon be a sad shadow of a book movie"

5th of January

Another day floats by...

a friend whispered she's getting married...yeah! so happy for her and her little family!

fingers crossed for a dear sister, her son is going through a rough patch, hoping Justice is not truly blind...

another dearest sister has a friend in need of prayers, sent of course and continuing...

thoughts drift to my most blissful friend starting again on the west coast, so want her to be happy; she's truly incredible.

making plans for a little trip north of here, can't wait for the adventures that await me!!

day 4 of January 2016

48 days until the Daytona 500...

Trying to eat better, a more balanced diet, drink more water, walk more, save more...

yes, I still make no resolutions!


Blogging everyday or at least trying too...baby steps here too, scattered thoughts until I decide if I have something important to say or rather write!

day 3 of the new year

Woke up to a winters day, overcast and colder than any day since winter official began!

Hate to think that the end of my New Years mini vacation is going to end with a dreary day and I have to work 5 whole days before my next day off...dang! (holiday definitely have me spoiled)

The best thing about today is it's only 7 Sunday's until the Daytona 500!!

and yes I do not make resolutions but I am all for making changes, so I hope to improve my eating habits, to walk more, read more, be better organized...but these are not resolutions!!


Best thing about today is that on this date last year I adopted the most adorable mouthy little tuxedo kitten, 3 months old and 3 pounds...at this moment he's maybe a tad over 13 pounds, curled up in his little tepee house taking a catnap! He's been a wonderful son and he came at the perfect time.

Day 2 of a Brand New Year

Toes freshly painted a bright hot pink, brunch with my mother at Waffle House, started a new book on the way to my goal of reading at least 3 books a month, watched the cats napping, had a fabulous dinner, have my powerball ticket, gave Button a bath, took Chloe for a walk, capture the great escape cat again, put dried bagels on the "bird" tree and have written a silly blog for the 2nd day in a row!

(from top to bottom-Roi, Chaz, Gus, Charley and Harry)

a whole new year....2016

I will admit last year I was horrible when it came to blogging...I will attempt to do better this year

so much going on, my little ball of black and white fur has blossomed from 3 to 13 pounds!

my boy Harry is pure delight!

I'm a year plus into my "new" job, it's so nice to be paid for what I do and to be appreciated.

2016 will be an interesting year...lots of challenges ahead....and I have resolved to not make any resolutions!