Road Trip!

Hello, dear friends.  How is your week going?  All is well here.  Tonight I am off to Book Club which is always the highlight of my month.  

Amazon

This is the book that is up for discussion.  
Spoiler alert:  I loved it.


Today, I am linking up with my friend, Terri, who writes the questions. I bet you didn't know it is National Road Trip Day.  You heard it here first, Ladies and Gents. 


1.  Have you ever done a spur-of-the-moment road trip?  
Where did it take you?

Last Summer, my #2 who was living in Atlanta accepted a job in Dallas.  Her new company wanted her to start asap, so she sold all of her furniture, packed up her clothes, and rented a U-Haul.  She needed someone to drive her car so I volunteered.

I definitely got the sweet end of the deal because her car was only a few weeks old and drove like a dream.  My girl drove this rickety UHaul that felt every bump in the road.  It didn't help that she has a lead foot, either.  I spent every minute doing my best to keep up with her while saying Hail Marys that she would let up on the gas pedal.

It was the longest 22 hours of my life. 

2.  If time and money wasn't an issue, what roads would you choose to travel and how long would you be gone?

Big Bus Tours

Good Housekeeping

I would like to take a trip like this one from San Francisco to Carmel-by-the Sea.  

3.  When you go on a long road trip, what snacks and beverages do you take?  Do you pack a picnic? Does the back seat turn into a nest? 

lifesabargain.net

My idea of the perfect road trip is a variety of sweet/salty snacks, a juicy audiobook, and clean restrooms along the way.  

4.  Please tell us about something interesting or strange you have seen on the side of the road.

I've seen my share of mattresses along the way.
My favorites are the ones with messages like this one.

5.  Who does the driving when you head out in the car?  Do you stop in the rest areas along our Interstate highways when you have to use the facilities, or do you choose a fast-food restaurant or gas station instead?  Not TMI... inquiring minds want to know!

The Mister prefers to do the driving when we go on a road trip.
  

Pinterest

Because he doesn't appreciate my multitasking skills.
As far as the facilities go, I prefer 5-star restrooms.
I'm still looking for one.

6.  Please share something with us about your week so far.

Last night I attended a surprise birthday party for this young man's Mom.  Emmett is our hometown hero.  Here's why.

Until next time...

Don't leave home without us!

Mother's Day Memories

Hello, dear friends.  We are having the second beautiful day here in a row.  This has become a rarity these days which makes me appreciate the sunny skies even more.

For all of you who wrote me sweet notes about my last post, all went well in Mexico.  The bride and groom met their wedding planner, and the tasting was a success. 

I have been anxious to change out my closet from dreary winter sweaters to bright, summer skirts and dresses.  I was planning on tackling that task this week, but the highs are expected in the 50's through the weekend.  There is also a threat of that four-letter dreaded word spelled r-a-i-n.

Today, I am linking up with my friend, Terri for Wednesday Medley. 

1. Where did your mom grow up? 

My Mother was born and raised in beautiful Fairfield, Connecticut.

2. Tell us about her siblings, if she has/had any. Did you have a favorite aunt or uncle?

parents.com

My mother was an only child.  She always told me how lucky I was to have a sister.  This line of conversation was usually visited as a result of me being sent to my room for teasing the ever-living daylights out of Sista.

3. What is ONE of your favorite memories you can share with us of your mom?

Pinterest

My Mother attended the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in NYC where she studied drama.  She wanted to become an actress but the dear Lord had other plans for her.
  
During my childhood, my mother would randomly burst into song around the house.  Mom wasn't shy about it - her voice carried throughout the neighborhood when the windows were open.  It was usually a show tune.  Sista and I were so used to it, we wouldn't give it a second thought.  But our friends would remind us that this was a tad out of the ordinary when they would provide us with questioning looks during her rendition of Hello Dolly! while emptying the dishwasher.

Every Saturday night, Sista and I were carted off to our Grandma's house because our parents had a date night.  I loved seeing my Mom get all dressed up.  I could tell when she was coming down the stairs when I could hear the jingle of her charm bracelet, the clickety-clack of her high heels, and the soft aroma of Estee perfume following her every step. 

4. Please share a picture or two of your mom with us.

Rumor has it that I wore that birthday hat of 3 days straight.
I was a style icon even back then. 

My Mother always dressed me in blue because I was the only one in the family with blue eyes.  As you can see, it took a while for my hair to grow in.  For the first five years of my life, people thought that I was a boy.

It's no wonder that I turned out the way I did.

My Dad isn't in this picture because he was on the sidelines holding a shotgun to the Mister's head.

5. Let's not leave out the grandmothers. Share what you will.

My little Grandma, Margaret, was barely 4'11" and was the sweetest thing in the whole world.  

Grandma faced some tragic days during her lifetime of 102 years.  She carried two stillborn babies full term.  Evidently, they were delivered too late.

My Grandma decided that a new doctor was in order for her third baby.  When the time drew near to deliver, she told the doctor that she would name the baby after him if he delivered her a healthy baby.  He asked what she would do if it were a boy.  

Dear Grandma always kept her word.
My Mother was christened Mary Andrew.

And I named my #2 girl Margaret.

6. Do you have any special plans for Mother's Day? 

We are joining the Mister's family at our niece's house for lunch.

Amazon

And we're going to listen to this book on the car ride.

Amazon

And when I arrive home, I'm going to pour myself a celebratory Mother's Day glass of vino, find a comfy seat on the couch, snuggle with the hooligans, and finish reading this delicious book.

Until next time...

AKC

Principals & Parfaits

Hello, dear friends.  I know I said that I wouldn't be back until next week, but I ended up being more organized than I thought so I decided to link up with Terri for Wednesday Medley.


1.  Ahhh... May Day!!  Happy May!  Did you celebrate this when you were a child by dancing around a Maypole or leaving flowers on someone's porch? 

Birmingham Mail

I've done a few rounds around the maypole in my time.



Will you be celebrating a special occasion in May?

Pinterest

No special occasions, but I do have some travel in my future.

And we are expecting some visitors. 

(There are so many other things being celebrated today that I

think we need to give them some attention, too!)

2.  National Mother Goose Day was founded in 1987.  Can you name a nursery rhyme that would fit your life as it was in 1987?  If you are a youngster and not yet born in 1987, you may pass, of course, but do you have a favorite nursery rhyme?  HERE is a list of nursery rhymes.

Born by 1987?

I don't think so.

3.  National Chocolate Parfait Day is also honored on this day. Parfait means perfect in French. Tell us about an ideal day, in your mind, and would/could it end with a chocolate parfait?

My perfect day would always include this trio.

Tory Avey

And I would even give each of them a bite of my parfait.

I repeat one bite.

4.  National School Principal's Day was founded to celebrate these school administrators who support and guide quality teachers and staff to provide productive learning environments for our children.  Did you have a good Principal when you were in school? Do you remember his/her name?

Mother Nancy Salisbury was my principal during high school.  
She was very nice and well liked.

It was Sr. Sheehan, the head of the Senior School, that was the thorn in my side.  She always seemed to be at the wrong place at the wrong time and catch me red-handed doing something that I wasn't supposed to be doing.

5. And perhaps the most important one is Silver Star Service Banner Day which honors the sacrifices of the combat wounded, ill, and dying service members from all branches of the military.  Do you have family members who have served this country in uniform? Tell us about them, if you will.

My Dad served in WWII in the Army Air Corp. as Staff Sargent.

  During that time, he became friendly with Glenn Miller and he asked my Dad to manage his band as they toured the troops. When my Dad asked for permission from his superior, he was given a stern no.

A few years later, Glenn Miller lost his life in a plane crash.

  

6.  It's Hump Day! How is your week going so far?

My week was going great and now that I found out that it's National Parfait Day, it's gotten even better.

Does anybody know how many WW points are in a parfait?

Are you in need of some Mother's Day gift ideas?
I've got them here, here, and here.

Amazon

Just finished listening to this one.  
This is such a fun read.  
I found myself smiling all the way through.

Amazon

You don't have to be a foodie to love this one.  
It's a great memoir with luscious recipes included.
I am loving it.

Amazon

If you enjoyed Big Little Lies, you're going to love this one.
It's keeping me guessing.

Until next time...

Music, Movies, and Memories

Hello, dear friends.  It seems like forever since I last posted.  As I filled you in last week, our kitchen was out of commission due to the floor being refinished.  

We sent Chowdah off to camp for several days while crazy pants Chile stepped into the role of my perpetual shadow.

Here's a rundown on how we spent our time.

We worked out every morning.

Chili wanted to stop by her home-away-from-home, Ulta, to pick up a new lip gloss to match her down vest.  As usual, she pulled out her diva attitude, and the sales lady finally threw her hands up and told her that she was on her own. 
Can you spell embarrassing?

We also stopped by Sea World.  At least that's what I told Chili it was so she would have something to tell her friends after Spring Break.

In reality, it was the car wash.

We drove to Connecticut for a wonderful birthday party.  Chili started whining on the way back telling me that I should turn her over because she claimed that she had bed sores.

Such a drama queen.

Lastly, Chili confirmed our suspicions.  After sleeping with us for four very long nights, we now know for sure that Chili is a confirmed night owl.  While we attempted to sleep, she continued to indulge herself in roundabouts through the bedroom with frequent crawls under the bed.  We finally put a leash on her and held her on the bed.  She must have enjoyed that because every 20 minutes she would pounce on us with joy.  

What a nightmare.  

It's no wonder she sleeps all day.

Enough about me.  I know that you've checked your calendar and realized that it is National Film Score Day.  I am linking up with Terri, who writes the questions and her fellow bloggers answer them.

1.  Let's talk about film scores/songs.  What is the first one that you thought about when you saw today's subject?

The first one that comes to mind is Funny Girl.  I knew every word to every song on the album frontward, backward, and sideways.

If you don't agree that this is one of the best scores ever written, don't rain on my parade.

2.  Do you remember the first movie you ever saw on the "big screen?"  Would you tell us about it?

At Christmastime, Radio City Music Hall used to present a Christmas show.  They still might.  One of the highlights of the show was my Dad's favorite act, The Rockettes.  After they kicked up a storm, a movie would be premiered.  The year that my parents took me Charade was being shown.

My six-year-old self fell completely in love with Cary Grant.  On the train ride home back to Connecticut, I whispered to my Mom that I was going to marry Cary Grant someday. 

Unfortunately for him, our paths never crossed.

3.  Who is your favorite female movie star?  Who is your favorite male movie star?  Go ahead and list more than one if you must.

Meryl Streep is my number 1 favorite actress.  I remember seeing her in one of her first films, Kramer vs. Kramer.  I cried my eyes out.

Whenever I watch Diane Keaton in a movie, I find myself smiling.  I'll go to see anything that she is in even if the flick was panned by the critics.

If I don't mention my first husband, I'll hear about it.  He is a very loyal follower of my blog and reads it every chance he gets when you-know-who (rhymes with Bamal) is not around.

The most underrated actors in Hollywood in my humble opinion are Christian Bale and Ed Harris.

4.  How about those old black & white movies!  Which one do you always stop and watch, even just a little, when channel surfing?

Not so much black and white films, but here are four in-living-color flicks that freeze my finger on the flicker.

5.  Is there a movie quote that makes you laugh or one that you repeat often in life that you can share with us?  Will we know what movie it comes from without you telling us?

If you don't know what movie this is from, you've got to get out more.

6.  Please share something random about your week with us.

On Friday I am off to the Cape to spend some time with my buddy, Jill.  I'm so glad that she moved from Texas.

I'll also be catching up on my sleep.

This cartoon captures the essence of every conversation my Sista and I have had for the past ten years.



Until next time...

The hooligans promised me that there will be no more disco dancing at night.
I'm not confident enough to take the floor guys off speed dial.