My Summer in the Rearview

 

I hope that you had a great Summer.  I am happy to report that all is well in our Emptynesterworld.  All my family members are happy and healthy; that is the only thing I ask for.  

The weather guy reported that a lot of the country experienced Texas temps for a lot of the Summer.  For that, you have my condolences.  While some people are bidding adieu to their porch/patio season, we will finally be able to enjoy ours.

We had a fairly quiet Summer.  We adjusted our routine around the weather.  Early walks at dawn and never-too-early indoor happy hours. 

After re-reading this post, I told the Mister that I just realized that we had a fairly dull Summer.  I warned him

 I may make some stuff up so I don't lose any readers.  

I'll fill you in on the Mister's arrest and my pole-dancing class at a later date. 

The Mister and I took a little getaway to one of our favorite places, St. Barth's.  We had a direct flight to St. Martin and then took a puddle jumper to St. Barth's. 

It is no secret that I hate small planes.  I asked the Mister if he was trying to kill me.  He rolled his eyes, and I took that as a yes.

And then I spotted Gray Malin!  He was one of the 9 other victims passengers on this vomit comet.  I felt better - I wasn't the only celeb going to go down.

I told the Mister that Gray and I would fly private next time.

We visited L'Atelier on our previous visits and decided to return because of the fabulous food and service.  I also needed a cocktail(s) after that rollercoaster of a flight.  

We went to Restaurant La Petite Plage one evening, and the food, service, and ambiance were stupendous.  

Another wonderful restaurant where we had dinner was Bonito.  The handsome staff had loads of personality, and the food was magnificent.

The staff also did a fab job keeping the paparazzi away.

I didn't see one photographer.

We stayed at a boutique hotel called Hotel Barriere La Carl Gustaf.  Every patio had a plunge pool, which appealed to the Mister.  I won't bore you with the deets, but I'll put it this way... 5-star prices for 2-star service.

The trip back home was eventful.  The Mister and I experienced a new "first." No, not that... we've been members of the mile-high club for years.  Our most recent first was spending the night at Miami airport.  

Believe it or not, one can find a comfy spot to camp out for the night, as you can see from the Mister's new crib. 

And the Mister is not the only creative one in the family.

Here I am in my brand-new cutoffs, getting my beauty sleep. 

Who knew that baggage claim could be so full of opportunity?

Despite the heat, I spent every Tuesday at 7AM with my picklebuddies.  The ratio of laughter to making contact with the ball was about 90% to 20%.

Actually, 20% is a bit of a stretch.

Sista came for a visit!  I am happy to report her shopping skills have remained solid and steady.  We spent a couple of hours around our Town Square.  As we were leaving and putting her bags in the car, the shopkeepers came out, waved, and thanked Sista for helping them make their quota for the day. 

The first night, the Mister asked Sista what she would like for breakfast, and she told him she didn't eat breakfast.  This is what she came down to the following day.

Food is love!

We dropped Sista at the airport and were halfway home when my phone buzzed.  It was Sista, and she asked if we were still in the area.  She said her flight was canceled, and she couldn't get a flight out until the next day.  She said she felt awful about asking us to come back for her. 

I told her no worries - we'd been driving around the airport for the last hour and a half, reacquainting ourselves with every terminal and gate.  

So that night, we took Sista to one of our favorite Mexican restaurants, and she put on a brave face and asked if we could make a quick stop before the airport at our Town Square to pick up one more thing that she couldn't live without. 

The shopkeepers rejoiced when they witnessed the second coming of Sista!

I enjoyed a few catch-up luncheons with some of my gal pals.

Here I am with my buddy Lady Madonna, one of my old tennis buds from another lifetime.  

The Mister got his eyes done!  It's not the way that I want my eyes done.  I would like more of a cosmetic approach.  He had cataract surgery.  We call it Cadillac surgery because it sounds so much fancier.  No more glasses for the Mister!  Along with a play-by-play oral diary of his journey on an hourly basis, he tells me he feels like a changed man.  He's worn glasses since he was a young boy. 

We went to a few movies, and we usually had private showings.  When you're retired, you can see a movie any day of the week. 

Trailer

My favorite!

Amazon

I read some great books!  I even added this one to my GOAT list.  I have a post in the works coming soon for your viewing pleasure.

We found some great TV shows.  We decided to re-watch the entire series of Succession over again, and it was amazing how much we missed the first time around.  Watch out for my TV rundown post.  My CEO, Chief Entertainment Officer, is working on it now.

Millie has become an accomplished sock stealer and paper shredder.  She constantly watches our every move while thinking... how can I drive these old folks crazy?  By the way... her eyesight has improved immensely since she ate my glasses.

Last but certainly not least, we lost our beautiful, lovable goofball, Chowdah, to cancer.  Someone once told me that for the first year of a dog's life, you take care of him, and for the rest of his life, he takes care of you. 

No truer words have been said about our sweet boy.

BR

BR

Eyebrows included! 

BR

BR

Loft

Loft

Loft

Talbots

I ordered this one.

Side slits are my friend.

JCrew

JCrew

ON

ON

ON

ON

AT

AT

AT

Ulta

50% Off

Sunday only

LP

LP

I have this lamp - good quality.