It's Rainin' Coats

Hello, dear friends.  I have spent the last few days in Salt Lake City at a blogging conference.  I had such a good time.  Can't wait to tell you about it!

I worked on this post a couple of weeks ago smack dab in the middle of a blizzard.  Today is all about rain coats.  Subconsciously, I think I am wishing for some April showers. 

Speaking of April showers, I don't want to brag or anything, but I finally eyed a flower on my paperwhites.  It's a late bloomer, just like me.  My brown thumb is getting greener by the day.

Bring on the raincoats! 

Nordstom

Burberry
Classic

nordstrom

burberry

barneys
I haven't been able to wear horizontal stripes since I was nine years old.  Love this one, though. 

nicole miller

ralph lauren

Cole Haan
Blue Fly

Eddie Bauer

Eddie Bauer

Linda Richards
Bluefly

Vera Wang
Blue Fly

Somebody forgot her most valuable accessory - a big ol' smile!

macys

macys
This is Donald's ex-wife's line.  Does it get your vote?

macys

jcrew

Talbots

Until next time...

Tumbler

A Kind & Grouchy Hodgepodge

Hello, dear friends.  I hope everyone is having a good week.  You know the drill, if it's Wednesday, it's time for Hodgepodge.

1.  February 17th is National Random Acts of Kindness Day.  It lands on the calendar one day after National Do Something for a Grouch Day (Feb 16) which somehow feels related.  Perhaps the 16th inspired the 17th?

Tell about a time you performed a random act of kindness or were the recipient of one.  Will you make an effort to perform a random act of kindness on the 17th?  Share details if you're so inclined, and if you have specific in mind.

 


I combined Random Acts of Kindness with Put Up with a Grouch Day.  Yesterday, I opened a door for an elderly woman who neglected to say thank you.  I said "your welcome" anyway.  She returned my words with an acid stare.  She was about 108 years old, so I ignored it.  Otherwise, I would have done the same thing the gentleman did in this video. 

2.  What's the most uplifting or encouraging thing that you see happening in the world right now?  You may have to dig deep for this one.

Our sweet Chili

We adopted our little Chili from an organization in Houston called Shaggy Dog Rescue.  Kathy Wetmore is at the helm of this fabulous rescue group.  She and her volunteers make daily trips to animal shelters to save dogs that are minutes away from being put to sleep.  Kathy then arranges for medical care, foster care and placement of the dogs on the East Coast.  After arranging the adoption, she contacts Greg from Rescue Road Trips who is another unsung hero in this scenario, who drives the lucky dogs in his semi to their forever families.  

I follow both Kathy and Greg on Facebook and it is rare when I don't mist up after reading one of their many success stories.  

Addison is a sweet little girl who is approximately 14 months old and 24 lbs.   She was found wandering the streets of Houston.  She is a darling girl with no aggressive tendencies.  She, and many other precious dogs, are available for adoption at Shaggy Dog Rescues.

3.  Black olives, black currants, black grapes, black beans, blackberries, Oreos...  your favorite food the color of night?  Your least favorite on the list?

bindi

I'll take a double order of chocolate mousse, please.  Hold the whipped cream.  I'm watching my waistline.

4.  A while back I read (here) a list of twelve things you should do before 50.   They are:  travel when you have the chance, take care of your skin, learn a foreign language, make exercise a habit, leave a toxic situation, stop caring what others think about you, stop worrying, volunteer, spend time with grandparents, pledge to work less, learn to cook an amazing dish, and seize an opportunity when it arises.

What do you think of the list?  What would you add or remove and why?  If you're over, have you done all?  What's on the list that you haven't done, but would like to do?

It's easier to tell you what I didn't do.

This is me at age 17.  Apparently, abusing the sun is not good for the skin.  Who knew?  The best part of using a sun reflector with a side of baby oil and iodine in your teens, is that you never get carded.

My middle name is "worry wart."  When I run out of things to worry about in my own family, I take on my friend's and neighbor's problems.  Theirs are more fun, anyway.

Up until this moment, I have yet to use the word exercise and habit in the same sentence. 

If I pledged to work any less, I would be comatose.

5.  Besides the classic Christmas flicks, what's your favorite film where winter plays a part in the setting?

I remember going to see Dr. Zhivago with my parents.  As I recall, there were very long scenes taking place in the icy temperatures and snow. I didn't mind though, because I couldn't take my adolescent eyes off of Omar Sharif. 

6.  When did you last feel helpless, and what did you do about it?

Why do things only break when the Mister is out of town?  Our boiler broke the other night and I didn't realize it until about 8PM.   

What did I do about it, you ask?   I promptly called the Mister in Denver and started yelling at him that we should never have bought such an old house.  He called a plumber and had him at the house
the next morning to fix it.  

Another crisis averted, thanks to moi.

7. Share a favorite Proverb.  

8.  Insert your own random thought here. 

I dragged the Mister to see this movie on Valentine's Day on the outside hope that it would be entertaining.  If you want to see it, my advice is to wait a few months.  Watch it when it comes on TV and that is, only if there is nothing else on.  

Until next time...

Big brother Chowdah loves his little sister,Chili.

Just Curious...

Hello, dear friends.  I think that I mentioned that I've had trouble falling asleep at night.  While I am laying in bed wide awake, I have a tendency to go over things that peak my curiosity.  These are some of the things that have been weighing on my mind.  

Does Oprah really eat bread every day and still manage to lose weight?

How happy do you think she is on the campaign trail?

Does Carly really think she looks better in the after picture?

When candidates drop out of a presidential race, why do they refer to it as "suspending" the campaign as opposed to "ending" the campaign?

Will Olivia and the Prez ever get married?

Is he getting bigger or is she getting smaller?

Anybody notice who was missing from Kelly's anniversary show?

How happy do you think the public was to find out that she worked out 3 times a day and got daily massages while she was in the slammer?

Will he serve time or be deported?

Why are these so darn hard to open?

Is this guy for real?

How many tv shows does this guy actually have?

For real or PR stunt?

Is the middle seat person entitled to both armrests?

Do coloring books really help to relieve stress?



Just curious.

I would love to hear your thoughts on these pressing, urgent matters.


Until next time...