LTNB*

*Long Time No Blog. What can I say? I have been very busy, work, travel to football games, sleep, work, walk dogs, work, laundry, work, blah, blah, blah.
My team surprised me today. It was "Bosses Day" and they bought me a new Vera Bradley Bowler bag in the new Kensington pattern! Exactly what I wanted! I feel very humbled by their love and affection. I am truly blessed to work with this group of people. If I have to be a manger, these are the people I want reporting to me.
Spent last weekend at Myrtle Beach. I had Friday all to myself. It was wonderful!!! I am really looking forward to our trip to Florida next week. Al and I need an extended time away, together.
I have been researching trips for us to take at Christmas, but haven't settled on one yet. I want it to involve sun, sand, ocean, and fun!

Man-cub came home!

My boy came home for the weekend! This is the first weekend he has had off. We really enjoyed having him here. My son is so smart, strong and handsome. He is charming, witting and entertaining!
Here he is in his dorm with the quilt I made for him.
He got home Thursday night, did laundry, saw some friends, went to the high school game Friday night and the ASU game yesterday. My mom-in-law came up for dinner today and that rounded out the weekend.
Next weekend we head for the beach. Jacob's team is playing down there next Saturday, and I am taking Friday off and driving down Thursday after work. It will be a nice long weekend.

Work is work. A little easier for me since Kristen has moved down from NYC and is the office. She has this great creative energy that keeps me upbeat.

Mid week wanderings

Things I love:
My dog, Murray's soft ears.
My other dog, Sophie, lying on her back, wagging her tail, wishing for a belly-rub.
Eggs and sausage scrambled together. (Al fixed this for supper tonight!)
New art supplies
Unlimited time to do art stuff
Getting in the "zone" on a project, feeling totally in the moment
Krispy Kreme Lemon-filled doughnuts
Crushed ice in a soft drink
The Atlantic Ocean
My sweet hubby
My fabulous son
My hysterically funny Dad
My impossibly naive Mom
My bellicose, genius brother
My sisters-in-law, Shelia and Staci
My wonderful Mother-in-Law (Meme)
Margaritas, Cosmos, Mojitos
Blackberry Cobbler
Naomi's Chocolate cake
Colors (all of them)
Color combos: pink and brown; soft blue and brown; red, orange, purple and gold; black and white polka dots
Little birds

Autumn arrives

Autumn is an ambivalent time for me. Yeah, the drier air is nice, the lack of haze brightens colors, the cool mornings are refreshing. But the slanting rays of the sun also mean the coming darkness. And I do not deal well with that.
I try to focus on the positives: the lower humidity, cooler temps mean I can rotate some different clothes, enjoying my rides and walks more.
I gave my son the quilt I made for him. Hard to tell, but I think he likes it. I know he doesn't yet understand the work that goes into its construction, but he does have a good eye for design. He has moved into a different dorm and seems to be happier there. I still mis him everyday, but I know this experience is good for him. And he needs the degree in order to make the future he wants.

teehee

This store's name says it all! No guessing at what they sell!
South Beach is wide open.
I adore big cities. The variety of people, culture, food, clothing, ideas. I love hearing different languages and accents. I love seeing how people put themselves together. Their clothes, makeup, way of walking. I usually feel too big, fat, strange & weird in my little piss-ant town, but when I go to NYC, Chicago, Miami, DC, I actually feel like I fit in.

Well, it is Thursday again. I am living for the weekend. See the man-cub play football. Have some quiet time. hmmmm