A Different Life II

[ColoradoLady]

Mikki sends a hug to Lily. I know you worry...I would, as well. After all, these are our little furry "kids". I'm sure Lily will be home soon, none the worse for it. Have a good day.

[Lily&Me]

I'm sure it will be fine, but thanks, Evelyn. Monday is the big day.

Spent the morning out and about, a full hour at Blue Beacon, waiting my turn ....but worth the wait because they do such an excellent job at such a nominal price.

One always goes to BB expecting to wait...you turn off your engine, and settle in. The truck in front of me took a full 30 minutes, having "everything on the menu" done, per the young man who came out to finally call me in.

My little buggy is shining and sparkling clean, road grime from the last month or so...gone, and everything happily coated in RainX.

Labs and a quick stop at the new HyVee here....which I have been in only once, because it is so enormous it intimidates me...where I came across Junket, or Danish Dessert, which I remember my Danish Nana making we kids when we visited them on Long Island. Grabbed some.

Kind of a cross between pudding and jello, raspberry in flavor and color.

Mixed up a box, added a couple of cups of frozen raspberries I had in the freezer...yum.

Visited my longtime hairdresser, too, for a badly needed cut and a long visit to catch up on each other's lives. 21 years or so she has been doing my hair...from coloring it, to cutting it off short, to helping me grow it out post retirement.

She cut Doug's hair, too.

Lots of of life events we have been thru with each other...a good, good woman, who I am grateful to have in my life.

Rye dough resting, getting ready to go into the oven...

Sun is shining, Lily is waiting for her walk...

Maggie

[DIR1]

That looks luscious!! Makes me want dessert!!.. I had Gracie's teeth done faithfully... I was always a wreck cause she was so small... 7 lbs... she always did fine... later she developed a kidney issue and couldn't have anesthesia... other dogs I've had over the years, I cleaned their teeth myself... scraped off the tartar... they'd lay there and let me do it.... good dogs... I'm sure she'll be fine... you may need a tranquilizer!! hahaha... keep having fun.. hugs pat and love to you two...

[paiceman]

Maggie, you probably do, but when we get home from a trip with our two Labs I pull open or off anything I can to vacuum their fur from places we seldom see. The panel hiding the converter area is often full of fur, inverter same etc. Figure letting it stay just can't be good. Good thoughts for you and Lily next week, it will be fine.

[Lily&Me]

The junket is quite delicious, with a dollop of Ready Whip on top ...the abundance of fresh berries in there cut the sweetness quite a bit, and make me feel I am taking in something of nutritive value.

I'll have to make this for the grands, as I'll bet they've never had it, and talk with them about my Nana & Dida who emigrated to the US thru Ellis Island in the early 1900's. I have a picture of them in their late 70's, sitting in their back yard on Long Island.

The back yard which held currant bushes, from which Nana would make jelly.

Looks like this next early fall will see the Interstate traveling onto Long Island, to visit the two delightful women I met on Tybee Island...who live in Huntington, where my grandparents and favorite aunt/uncle lived. One of these women's grandparents lived throughout their married lives on the same street as mine, so it seems very likely the two families knew each other.

Made a reservation for Tybee for next February, and am hoping the Beach Campground at Edisto will soon be taking reservations...looks like they are working hard there, digging out the campsites, restoring the utilities and bathhouses. I need to be back there.

My rye bread came out indescribably delicious ...there's a reason bread is called "the staff of life"...good bread, real bread, is a meal almost unto itself. Yum. I never tire of making it, or enjoying it. Good, and good for you.

I bought a fresh loaf of whole grain artisan bread at the Hy-Vee yesterday, just because, which will be sliced for the freezer to enjoy toasted...$3.99, and decent, but not nearly as good as mine.

I have enjoyed having cable television again, but keeping up with the news is a mixed bag of emotions....terrorism abroad, drama and the never ending, slow motion, train wreck here.

I prefer to remain informed...but, it's a mixed bag.

I caught a clip of Tony Robbins on Dr. OZ the other day, where he was talking about the importance of gratitude and acknowledging every day what is good in your life.

In doing so, you are happier overall, live a more fulfilling life and drive back negative emotions. True.

I wholeheartedly believe and embrace that philosophy...the do what you can, when you can, never give up, get up and go on... while embracing and appreciating all that is good in your life, and doing everything you can to make the most of it.

A busy day ahead, and Lily and I are going to take a walk downtown.


Maggie

[xrvr]

We really like Tybee, can't get back very often, though.

[Lily&Me]

Tybee is a beautiful and special place, tho dogs are not allowed on the beaches , and has remained relatively preserved as a peaceful and quiet retreat.

They do have more restaurants and shopping to tempt one, however.

It will become an annual stop for me...go while you can, I say!


Maggie

[Gearheart]

I'll try to have some more currant jelly ready for Moraine View.. They are the first crop to come in.

[Lily&Me]

Lily and I walked the mile downtown to run a couple of errands, then she was tied briefly to a tree in front of the coffee shop while I got one to go...and used their facilities.

She totally charms everyone, who can't wait to touch her and say how sweet she is....that she is, just don't be another dog.

Starting to walk back home, it began to rain, so we sat on cement under a bicycle shelter for a bit....me sipping my delicious, decaf mocha, and Lily delightedly licking my face and any other part she could reach as I was, of course, at eye level.

We decided to just tough out the rain and walk back when, all of a sudden, as we were crossing a street, there was my son...heading back from an errand, he scooped us up and brought us home.

Kismet.

A good and productive day, starting to get psyched about car shopping.

Maggie

[Lily&Me]

It is 77 degrees here, as I type, with plenty of breeze to dry the ground.

Little house has been cleaned, rugs aired outside and the first load of laundry hung out to dry.

It's spring.

Spring is a time of renewal, rather poignant for me today as I plan out things needing done and remember this time three years ago, tackling that massive amount of firewood shortly after Doug had died. It all seemed pretty overwhelming back then.

Life, and I am okay.

I have been seriously car shopping, and going to look at a few tomorrow. Kind of excited at having a car in my driveway again.

An otherwise slow news day...cookie dough made up and in the frig, some will be baked tomorrow for my son and his to take on their spring break trip which commences Sunday.

It's what Grandmas do.

Maggie

[Lily&Me]

When I saw this one, a 2016 RAV4 still on the lot, I knew it was the one for me.

"Black Currant" is the color, and at a very good price.

Picking it up on Monday.

[paiceman]

Congratulations on the new ride.

[Lily&Me]

Thanks, Bud...I feel like a little kid at Christmas.

I was prepared to settle for a color I could live with, and was looking for a gently used rather than new...but this one just was perfect all the way around.

Doug would say the color is a bit too "girlie" to suit him, but he won't be driving it.

This may well be the last vehicle I ever buy.

Going to drive the Interstate out to its storage spot tomorrow, and walk Miss Lily back from that...will do a swap-out when it's travel time.


Maggie

[paiceman]

I like the color. Enjoy.

[Hittenstiehl]

Very nice vehicle. Has had good success over the last years and this body style is very clean. A versatile interior also.

That color is beautuful and yes...for a girl or two.

Enjoy your new ride.

[mimiandrews]

Nice car! Enjoy!

[Lily&Me]

Thanks ladies...I had a RAV4 before my Matrix, which I had for 10 years.

They are good vehicles, and it should serve me very well.

It has been raining most of the day today, starting with a thunderstorm in the night, which meant Lily came close and spent the rest of the night curled up next to me.

I bought a big bag of whole carrots the other day, in the interest of her teeth.

She likes them peeled.

Maggie

[rmkrum]

Maggie, great choice. The RAV4 is a solidly reliable vehicle. Great color, too. Enjoy.!

Lily might enjoy baby carrots. They come peeled already. Our little pack will do almost anything for a baby carrot or three!

[Lily&Me]

Thank you.

She likes baby carrots, too, I just grabbed a bag of whole ones which I thought might take a bit longer to chew.

Maggie

[skitique]

Hi Maggie!
I like the RAV4. They sit higher up & Toyotas are good cars. I too really like the color . Always exciting to get a car.

Hugs to you & Lily!

Jane