Just couldn't pull my post out at all yesterday.  Appointments, disappointing lab results, getting ready to travel, blah, blah, blah.  I just didn't get it done.  But here it is.

Have you had any health scares recently?  Both my husband and I have.  It's been stressful.  And since I lost my kitty in February at age 17 years, I'm really missing her, and wanted to babysit my sister's cat while they go on vacation, but I can't.  My husband is allergic.  He put up with our cat, but he doesn't want to go on medicine again, so I can't babysit the cat for five days.😢

Let's just move right along...

Thanks for stopping by and have a great week. Wish me luck on my medical tests.  Please visit my friends at Happy Tuesday and Random Tuesday Thoughts.

Sunday Synopsis

 

Last Light over Galveston by Jennifer L. Wright
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I expected this book to center mainly around the hurricane that demolished Galveston back in 1900; it was, however, mostly about a young woman from a "high society" family, Kathleen McDaniel, and really had little to do directly with the hurricane. She flees from her wealth when she realizes her father does not share her nature against those less fortunate than they are. He also expects her to marry a very much older man.

Kathleen finds herself at an orphanage in Galveston attempting to build a new life for herself but knowing that she will not be able to continue to stay at the orphanage since she is not a Nun, nor young enough to be a ward of the orphanage. Kathleen meets Michael, a young man who has times to Isaac Cline at Galveston's Office of the US Weather Bureau. This is the connection with the hurricane.

Something author Wright does well is her development of the storms and the descriptions she uses to discuss the damage caused by the hurricane. I just wish more of the book had been written this way. I'd have also loved a less -than-predictable ending. Overall, I was not blown away, but it was a good book.



View all my reviews

Is it Horrible

 

Is it horrible that ??

1.  I watch too much Dance Moms

2.  I'm a female who enjoys watching baseball and basketball

3.  I'm slightly addicted to Black Rock Fuel Energy drinks

4.  I look forward to my bedtime routine

5.  I'd rather stay in than go out much of the time

6.  I'm ready for more grandkids but our kids aren't

7.  I'm a Harry Potter nerd who is very much looking forward to going to Universal Studios

8.  I think about food an awful lot

9.  I secretly judge people's grammar

10. Even though I'm from Texas, I still sometimes put beans in my chili

11. I don't like superhero movies

12. I considered having a tummy tuck but decided I'd rather go on vacation

13. 50 years later, I'm still afraid of Jaws

Now, is all that so bad?

Find more Thursday Thirteen here.

Well, It's Official

 I am officially addicted to Frozen Fuel Energy drinks from Black Rock Coffee Bar.  I love these so much!  My son-in-law introduced me to these a month or so ago, and I love them so much!  I don't drink any other type of energy drink at all.  In fact, I have only tasted one or two and never liked them. 

These are like drinkable snow cones for adults and they have about 160-320 mg of caffeine per drink.  I've tried several flavors, but my favorite is sugar free red raspberry and strawberry *frozen, not iced.  But sad face.😭  It's expensive to have them multiple times a week at anywhere from $6 to $8 apiece depending on size.  I love them so much!  I'm also not a coffee drinker.  How about you?

Moving right along...

AWWWWWWW!

HAHAHAHAHA!

My kind of pun!

We've probably all done this at some point somewhere.  My husband actually climbed into the wrong truck, and I'm not too sure the lady driver was much amused!  How embarassing!

ROFL!!!

Please visit my friends at Happy Tuesday and Random Tuesday Thoughts.  And have a great week!

Sunday Synopsis

 

The Crash by Freida McFadden
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I know everyone raves about Freida McFadden's books, but this one was not a standout. The main character is Tegan who is a young unwed mother-to-be who is both alone and lonely. Her life is in shambles. She thinks the father of her baby is going to put her on easy street, but then she remembers the circumstances of the conception.

Tegan runs from her problems, and she heads straight into a blizzard and a car crash. Luckily, someone is there to rescue her. She is welcome to stay with her rescuer and his wife until the blizzard passes and they can get her treatment for her broken ankle. But the blizzard clears, and she is still a "guest" in their home. Why haven't they taken her to the hospital yet?

That's the million dollar question in this book, but the answer becomes evident pretty quickly, and quite predictably. It also requires a complete suspension of belief. So, while I have enjoyed some McFadden books, this one doesn't make my "great" list.

View all my reviews

Happy Random Tuesday

 

Have you noticed the number of "smash burgers" that are popular now?  I honestly don't understand the fascination. Steak and Shake, Shake Shack, Wendy's, Jack-in-the-box, Sonic, even Omaha Steaks - they all have smashburgers now.  It seems to be the crispy bits that attract many. I actually prefer my burger without crunchy bits.

Over the weekend, we celebrated our youngest granddaughter's third birthday.  She had a guest from the movie "Tangled."  Rapunzel played her part so well!  We had a great time!

Tuesday-back to the real world!

And some funnies!

Please visit my friends at Happy Tuesday and Random Tuesday Thoughts.

Birthday Wishes and Southern Dishes

 

Happy birthday to me!  Do you find that your idea of "old" changes the older you get?  It does for me!  And this is a big one.  I also find that, the older I get, the harder it is to answer the question, "What do you want for your birthday?"  I really have no idea!  I think what appeals to me more now than when I was younger are experiences such as a spa day or a retreat.  What's your ideal birthday gift?

Last night, I made a new recipe, and I loved it so much I have to share it with you: Creamy, cheesy shrimp and grits.   I mostly followed the recipe, but I doubled the sauce.  I'm not fond of grits on their own, but with plenty of butter and cheese, a creamy sauce, and fresh Gulf of Mexico shrimp, I couldn't resist.  I will be making this again!

An example of needle felting at the Plumdiddle booth.

Over the weekend, my daughter and I attended Pinners Conference, our third one.  There were hundreds of vendors with products such as food, clothing, jewelry, home decor, and handmade crafts.  There were also hands-on classes.  We took two different resin crafting classes as well as classes in paper quilling and needle felting.  I had never heard of needle felting (painting with felt), but I enjoyed it very much.  It was great to spend time and have fun with my daughter doing things we love.

How about some random funnies?

The Grandma is Me Now!

Agree 100%

Also Me.

Have a great week, and remember to visit Happy Tuesday and Random Tuesday Thoughts!

Access Denied

 Hacks. 

Oh, how I dislike that word.

The word "hack" can be used appropriately, as in someone gaining unauthorized access into something, which is not good.  I have a problem with the word and the act of hacking, just to make things clear.  It's acceptable to use the word to describe a cough, but I hope none of you have a hacking cough.

What really bothers me is pop culture's use of the word "hack" to mean a shortcut or clever solution.  And to set the record straight, there is no such thing as a life hack, because there are no shortcuts in life.  Call it five IDEAS for... whatever your topic.  Doesn't that sound better than hack? 

Let's lighten things up.

To be clear, this blog is not advice of any kind!

Have a great week!  Don't forget to visit Happy Tuesday and Random Tuesday Thoughts.

Fun Photos!

 

I hope you'll join me at Wordless Wednesday (On the main blog but also on the Comedy Plus WW) and on Image-in-ing.

This is the Truckee River that runs through Reno.

Whale Sculpture near the Truckee River in Reno

Just a note:  The Space Whale is a full scale stained glass humpback whale mother and calf. A monumental testament to family, our relationships with nature, time and space and our responsibility to preserve our environment. Originally appearing as the Keyhole project at Burning Man 2016, The Space Whale now lives in front of City Hall in Reno, NV. 

The Biggest Little City in the World!

Just a note:  Reno is known as the "Biggest Little City in the World" because it offers the diverse amenities and excitement of a large city within a smaller setting.