Bathtub time, couch time and found bloomers.

I'm famous for having the weirdest dreams.
I'm sure you've read about them. Somewhere.
I woke up Monday morning and told the Coach: "I had a dream that we were in a big bathtub, having sexy time."
He said:" That's great."
Me in my sexiest 7:30 am voice-"Ooooh, it waaaass"
Him: "I'm just happy I was there."

Thank goodness it was him and not a darn alligator.


Updating the man cave/theater/party room.
I've talked about updating this room for well over a year, and we're finally making some headway. The Coach was hesitant because he insinuated that I do everything in the house to my liking. I don't understand why that's a problem. Everyone knows it's best if I get my way.
We got a new couch after 16 years and I LOVE it so much that if I were a single gal, I'd marry it.

We've been slowly updating all the upholstery (wall panels, drapes) in the room (Thank you to my MIL & FIL for that) and we're going to redo the bar countertop and add in stone on the backsplash.  I'll share before/after photos when all is said and done.

I sent a pic of the couch to the girls for them to see the update. They both said it was lovely, and my Lolo pointed out that she was impressed with the size of our "pool table-shaped bar cart".
Honestly, I don't know where she gets it from.....
I had to empty the liquor cabinet for my electrician to do some wiring. Sassy pants.



I love finding surprises in the yard. And I don't mean accidentally walking in dog poop.

Lot's of happy orchids.

Have you stumbled upon anything fun this week? I know, it's only Tuesday but I'm trying to be positive.

Vehicle switcharoo, dem' damn gators and my girls are solid.

An update of sorts from casa de Busy Bee.


The Coach purchased a new truck for himself. I was floored by how large it is. It's actually larger in real life than this pic. He needed a bigger truck ("we're gonna need a bigger truck")  to tow his car trailer and his xl smoker. Also, the occasional Joker and midnight toker.

It's extremely deluxe inside; it has that open concept feel that people on HGTV are always looking for.
This new truck means, Lolo trades in Coach's previous truck that she's been driving for several years, after trading in (to us) her High School Toyota FJ; which we've kept because it's just a cool vehicle and we have a thousand garages and they don't make them anymore. run.on.sentence.much.

It's the old fable of vehicle move-alongs through the family. When she and Mattis drive down for Christmas break, she'll upgrade from her pickup truck. She and Mattis are stoked.  Then again, Mattis, is always stoked.  

Recent pic of Lolo and Mattis in VA.

I realized while writing this, that all four of us have white vehicles. Not Mattis, just Lolo, Linds, Coach, and Suz. The Coach and I have had solely white cars/trucks since 1997 aside from one brief time when we leased via our business silver vehicles for 2 years. Neither of us was super happy for that time period and we went back to white.
I'm not a vehicle racist.
But I am a liar.


I saw this the other day.

I adore dolphins, but I'm still having my dreams invaded by alligators weekly. It.never.ends.


So, we're all hunky-dory here. Linds is doing well too. To quote the wonderful late Donna Summer-"She works hard for her money, so hard for it honey".

No big weekend plans here. The Coach is coaching and I'm hoping to finish up my veggie garden and some of the other never-ending to-dos at this compound that we call Home Sweet Home. I'm a tad excited to be baby dog sitting Lolo and Nathan's Max Max.

What's on your agenda?
Surfing in Costa Rica? Alligator wrestling in Florida? Garage sale-ing in Indiana? I've heard that garage sale-ing is a sport for some people.

Have a great weekend doing whatever it is that you choose to do without me.
XOXO

lava- la -weekend

The Coach and I had a great dinner at Shula's Steak House this weekend with some friends. It was a 'private' wine dinner with a fixed tasting menu. We've purchased a few of these over the years at a University athletic fundraiser we attend annually. The Coach and I agree that we need to stop purchasing these; they're really expensive and we don't need a four-course meal.
Of course, I do need the four-course wine.

They served us XL crab cakes, (I opted for grilled shrimp, cause I'm crabby enough) a huge wedge salad, a filet mignon and then a warm chocolate lava cake with vanilla bean ice cream and fresh cream. Stuffed who?
Are you drooling? 

We were reminiscing about meeting Mr. Don Shula there years ago. I believe it was around 1999; he was at the restaurant with his Son and was happy to oblige us and spend a few minutes chatting.

{I completely forgot how much I loved wearing twin-sets back in the day. Cardigans w/matching tops}

As Native Floridians, both of our families were always diehard fans of the Miami Dolphins. Lately though? We're not big fans of any NFL teams. Well, I never cared about football....but even the Coach is disenchanted with the NFL. Everything is political and a lot of athletes have turned into a bunch of sissies. There, I said it.
I'm sure Don Shula can't even take it anymore.

Not sure how this turned into a football post. I really just wanted to talk about food and wine.

Anyhoo....I wish I'd saved half of my lava cake that I didn't eat. I could use it today.

Anything fun in your weekend? 

Stand up and look at those car tattoos.

It might sound like I'm whining about nonsense because I am. 
I know that in life we all get to make our own choices on how we live/act/handle/project/do life but really, it would be so much better if everyone did as I do.      *giggle giggle*

Example #753
Car tattoos.
Why?

And why the heck so many? Is this a ploy to distract me, because it really worked. Congratulations.

Like I told my girls eleventy thousand times, that's gonna leave a mark. 
Years ago I recall having a very lengthy conversation while traveling in the car with the Coach and both our girls about bumper stickers. 
None of us comprehend the concept. But then again, we might be weird. 
I might have been the only Mom who didn't put the "My child is an honor student" sticker on her white suburban back in the day even though we know my girls were (unlike their Mom) honor students. 



And since I'm ranting and raving. 
Wait, that was just one rant OR one rave? 


When you see someone slouched over, don't you want to run over and push their back IN and their shoulders back?
{Did you just straighten up?}
Let's be real though, I'm not running anywhere, but I've contemplated it just because it gets on my nerves and it hurts my back to see this. 
On occasion, after a few hours at my computer,  I've found myself hunched over before and I actually leave my body and see myself from across the room and wow-that looks so uncomfortable Suzanne! 
Straighten up and get your act together woman. Also, I should not leave my body so often in case I get lost out there.  

Now that I got all that off my back (!!) I feel a bit better. 
You know I'm just pulling your leg hairs...I'm really a ray of freaking sunshine. 

Any grievances you'd care to share with the class? 
Wishing everyone a great weekend doing something fun while having the best posture ever. 
XOXO

Too much of a good thing keeps Suz happy.

I've been on a cottage cheese and pineapple kick lately. Every darn day. 

Breakfast? Sure. 

Snack? Hells yeah!

Dinner? Suz, you might need SOME variety in your life.  

***

One of the awesome gifts that the Coach procured for my birthday this year is flower delivery from The Bougs. You might recall he gifted this to me a few Christmas's ago and I loved it so much.

So, Suz gets flowers delivered every 2 weeks. 
Why, yes, I am a spoiled little brat thank you very much. And no, I'm not going to feel bad about that either.      *removes hands from hips and moves on*

If you know me at all, which I'm sure you do, I love having fresh flowers in the house. If I can't have them, I'll cut some stuff from the yard and bring it in. Weeds, flowers, tree branches, poison ivy. Some lessons are hard learned. 

Most of the bougs that come are so large that I have to split them into two or more vases; what a daunting job I have. 

 {I don't always watch Ellen, but when I do, I'm cooking dinner}

In the words of my Grandma, "IT LOOKS LIKE SOMEONE DIED!"

Gerbera daisies and eucalyptus. It smells like a spa in here!

The white roses lasted nearly forever. 16 days. That's almost forever, right? 


What a sweet and thoughtful gift from my one and only. I'm gonna have to pay him back with something special....hmmmm....dinner and a movie? A day of fishing? A day of me not asking him any questions? Goodness...he's hard to shop for!

Anyone else have anything they're digging lately?  

Birthdays and weekends~two of my favorite things.

This little nugget had his 54th birthday on Monday.

He was (and is) so adorable! 

We had a nice family dinner at home on Sunday with his Mom, Step-Dad and Linds. 

Then on Monday, we went out to dinner with his Dad and Step-mom. I love birthdays!
The Coach doesn't get excited about his big day...he can 'take it or leave it'.
ME? I want to be celebrated every freaking day. Well, without the getting-older-every-day-part.

***
We had a nice weekend at our little rental condo by the beach. It's been 6 weeks since we were able to get over there, so we were excited. Although the Coach was gone literally all day Saturday (5:30am-10:15pm) helping to coach a college team for the day.
Yes, he retired last year. Yes, he can't say NO when someone needs help.
We're hoping to get more time at the beach before the snowbirds arrive (agghhhh, they're annoying!) and before we rent it out for the winter.


So, is it weird that I won't leave a vase full of flowers at home? I always take them with me. ;)

Callie the Cow dog enjoys our visits there because that means I have to walk her. There's none of this 'just open the front door and let her roam'. The HOA would have our heads on a platter. So, really, it's good for both of us as we tend to get more exercise.

I'm still amazed at how good she is on a leash. We've had her just 4 years now and from day one, she was well behaved and listened as best as she could. For a dog that had NO training and had never lived in a home with people, but worked her entire life, she's adapted very well. She's getting close to 13 and seems to be in good health. Her hearing is going a bit, (mine too!) but aside from that, she's a happy camper.


I hope everyone had a great weekend as well!
XO

Fall gifts from Bev

Isn't it funny how your Mom never really leaves you? 

Just putting out some Halloween and fall decor and BAM, there is my Bev.
My Mom loved giving gifts. She never had much money, but she always found little gifts to give; that was her love language.

~I've probably had the jack-o-lantern candle holder and the ceramic pumpkin on my dining room table for at least 25 years from my Mom.~

My Mom had a gift closet that was pretty impressive; nothing very expensive, just small thoughtful gifts. Bev passed away in June of 2015. When the family and I went to see my Cuz Patrick and give him the bad news he was very upset, but without missing a beat, he asked if She had already got him a gift for his upcoming (August) birthday. We all had a little giggle and assured him, that there was most likely a gift. She was always ahead of the game.  

***

In other random news, I'm re-doing my front butterfly garden. 

Not to be confused with my back or side butterfly gardens. The zinnias screamed FALL at me. Which was kind of jarring, but I purchased them anyway. And the daisies are just lovely; Bev's favorite flower. 

This is about as fall as it gets down here in SW Florida. But I'll take it. 

Have a great weekend~~xoxo

The one where I'm back on the butterfly and garden wagon.

I'm back in the butterfly business after taking a few days off here and there for traveling purposes. I really have to be HERE daily in order to keep things running smoothly and not starve any caterpillars to death. That would be cruel and I'm the opposite of cruel.

{Be free pretty Mama!}

I've released about 15 monarchs and 4 queens since Saturday.
Go me!!


I've also finally found the time to start my fall/winter garden. Nevermind the fact that it's 90* daily.
*raises fists at Florida in frustration!*
But I suppose I should be thankful that the humidity has dropped down to a mere range of 73%-87%.
Better hair days are in my not so distant future.

I was trying to go a more simpler route this time. I planted only the essentials; tomatoes (many varieties), peppers (lots of flavors, mostly sweet) and some Kale. KALE YEAH! I really wanted to do some lettuce too, but I neglected to start any lettuce seeds in advance.
So, in the voice of the Soup Nazi: NO salad for YOU! 
Unless it involves just kale. KAAALLE NO! Or I could just drive to Publix and get some.
Yeah, let's do that cause my innards require lots of roughage.

{{Diverts from current story}}Oh geez. That reminded me; a few weeks ago the Coach and I were eating dinner and I had a forkful of arugula salad just about to enter my salad hole and I noticed something odd. I looked closely at my fork and saw a cute little green and brown caterpillar. Dead. And it was almost dead inside of me. That's what happens when you eat organic. 

I was so happy after all the weeding, digging, raking, planting that I did a happy dance right there in the yard.
Well, actually, I did a safety dance, cause my lower back was a tad tired.
We can dance when we want to, we can leave your friends behind....S-A-F-E-T-Y.....try getting that musical artistry of joy out of your head.

In about 60 days I can have you all over for a dinner made entirely out of fiber. Well, perhaps a caterpillar or two; bring dental floss.

Happy hump day.
XO

Smelling this and that

This:
I'm a self-proclaimed reed diffuser junkie. And I've only found a handful of brands that are actually worth the $$ to use. One of my favorite brands is Pier One. I honestly think the store charges too much for most everything, but their reed diffusers actually HAVE scent and are long-lasting. This ( White pumpkin) is a great scent for this time of year; it's a nice sweet & subtle smell.

That: 
My newest (other)favorite smelly thing is Lume all-natural deodorant. 
How do I put this delicately.....Ummmmm.....I sweat like a man. 
A cute little construction type-working man, but a man just the same. 
I'm sure it's because I'm super healthy and the bad stuff just needs to be expelled from my body. Yeah, let's go with that. 

They have perhaps the best commercial-it's quite entertaining. 

The past few years I've been more aware of the chemicals that I don't really want to put on/in my body. And let's just think about all the glands in our pits that are so close in relation to the larger glands on our chest. 

This is an all-natural deodorant that actually works. I love it so much. I still sweat, but I never stink and really, that's the most important thing. I have the lavender and sage flavor and it smells really nice. Like me. 

Anything you've fallen in love with lately, I mean, aside from me? 
XOXO

Creating deliciousness for Callie and the reunion with my first love.

This past Saturday night the Coach and I had a rambling good time. We spent over 3 hours making food for Callie. I hope you're not jelly of all the glamorous fun we have around these parts. I know, last you heard, we were watering trees; I can hardly stand it myself.

Anyhoo, our sweet, old, beat up, wore out, former cattle herder loves homemade food. So, what else can we do, but tend to her every whim and desire?

This was our biggest batch yet; 33 jars which equate to 66 meals, which equates to 66 days of Callie being happy. (If you were wondering, we make a meatloaf type meal for her in big pans, cook it, then let it cool enough to can. Ground beef, ground turkey, eggs, green beans, spinach, white rice, sweet potatoes & pumpkin. The recipe varies a tad depending on veggies available)

FYI: That keto ice cream up there bites; flavorless & textureless, I don't know what I was thinking. And I didn't see those chocolate nuggets till I took this pic. This is what happens when I let Coach go to Costco without me.

Callie might not be the brightest bulb in the box, but she knows when her food is being prepared right from when we get out the food processor till the last pan is cleaned up. She's there to get a few licks from each (8 total) pan. Pretty much like licking the beaters when your Mom makes a cake. 

So, after all that excitement, I drove to Orlando and met up with my girl Kelly; we had a date!!


Who knew I had a thing for guys who wear more makeup than I do? 

It's been 36 years since our reunion and I just know he was p*ssed that it took me so long. Or maybe that's just his face.

 Kelly didn't know ONE Adam Ant song until a few months ago when she agreed to go with me.
That is a good friend! She said I can pay her back by seeing Meatloaf. That's ok. I don't mind watching food.

Damn flash and lighting. We really aren't 90 years old. 

The concert was great. Adam Ant is 64 and can still sing and dance. Albeit, not as fast or sexy as back in the day....but who can? 

More than likely, he's bald under the hat and scarves.

Did you know Adam Ant's real name is Stuart Goddard? Well, you're not a true fan if you didn't know that. Also, you'd need to know that in order to make a long distance/over seas call back in 1982 to see if the operator could actually get him on the phone so you could profess your love to him when you were 14.

BTW: She couldn't find his number. Tragic.

My newest pet peeve with technology and change: concert tickets. They're either on your phone or you print out this ugly piece of paper. 

Gone are the days when I could put all our tickets in a scrapbook for posterity. One less thing I'll get to burden my children with. 

So, has anyone had as much excitement as Suz this past week? Sharing is caring.
XOXO