Day 35 - Lisa

Blueberries muffins always remind me of a couple things;  1) late night snacks on Mandarin Ave, 2) my sister and her infamous BLUEberry muffins as she would never drain the berries.  We'd all have blue lips, blue teeth and blue tongues.  She was the official baker of blueberry muffins.  Some habits and tastes are hard to break, we still like the Jiffy product mix ones.  The old two boxes for $1.00.  Hey it made our faces blue but not our tummies!

Day 35 - Sis

The long and the short of it is the story of my dog, I can relate.

Day 34 - Sis

Going with what Lisa blogged, I'd like to add to the sophistication of drinking martinis we also must be aware of our fashionista statements. For me, during the Winter season (football), my haute couture is simple and tasteful with three designs; the short sleeve top for those stuffy apartment evenings, the long sleeve, in the understated grey, for cooler evenings while walking the dog and those times of the eye-popping red, for that bit of wild streak in me. These articles of wear also go so well with a martini or beer! Oh I'm feeling so girlie.

Day 34 - Lisa

I have no idea what kind of life my Tia Chickie thinks my mama and I are leading out here in Atlanta but martinis?  LOL  She gave this to us at Christmas.  Pre-mixed different types of martinis because we like to dress up in our pj's, turn on some jazz, sit at our counter and relax when I get home at night after a long day at work and have a few cocktails to wind down.  Next thing you know she'll stop shipping salami's and start sending "Virginia Slims."

Day 33 - Lisa

No, this is not another picture of our dog.  It's a picture of the bizarre white line going down the middle of the picture.  How did that happen?  I have no idea.  I guess I should learn more about photography to understand these weird results just by clicking the button.

Day 33 - Sis

Looks like my daughter is going to have to make a choice soon; buy a trash compactor or stop receiving purchases made and even some she hasn't made!

Day 32 - Lisa

Such sad and shocking news today regarding Don Cornelius.  A flood of memories rushed through my head.  Growing up, it was not a Saturday morning if we did not tune into Soul Train.  We could not wait to find out which guest star(s) would be performing.  What the regular dancers would be wearing.  Seeing the newest moves, trying to guess the Scramble Board, watching the train at the commercial breaks.  It was hip, it was now and it was US!  Us as in represented my cousins, my friends, my neighborhood.  I could relate to the music, the music I love - this was the ONLY place I was going to see it back then.  George Clinton & the P Funk was not on American Bandstand.  We liked Bandstand ok, I liked Dick Clark but what was spinning or going to be spinning on my turntable was on Soul Train.  What 45 I saved up for came from watching Soul Train or listening to KSOL in the Bay Area.  RIP Mr. Cornelius.  I hope for whatever reasons you felt compelled to take your life is now eased.  For everyone else?  I wish you nothing but LOVE, PEACE and SOUL!

Day 32 - Sis

What's that line on my phone screen? Uh oh!

Day 31 - Sis

I have an obstacle course to maneuver through everyday when walking the dog. Along the way we must steer clear of little pine straw mounds that conceal cat poop of which my dog has a real taste for, that's one way to put it. The other and stronger palatable favorite, is chicken bones. Since the South seems to be the chicken eating capital, I am always on the look out for osteo-delights that are scattered at least every ten feet. Doesn't matter if there are trash cans in the area or right inside their front door, people dump them everywhere. So am I missing out or not informed of a particular cult or tradition here?!

Day 31 - Lisa

I was driving home yesterday and noticed this crowd near the railroad tracks by my job.  I was intrigued as to what was happening.  A glance up the road a bit further I saw five fire trucks.  It became obvious these people had all been evacuated out of a warehouse.  Turns out it was a minor fire.  However the crowd reminded me of when I was a kid with my cousins all living in the same neighborhood.  My mom and Tia Madeline told us about the Spanky & Our Gang kids doing all kinds of crazy things that we could do too.  Like all of us gathering at the corner of a street and just staring up into the sky.  Find out how many people you can get to do this too.  Don't say a word while doing it, just look and point into the sky.  Suckers that we were and always up for an adventure there'd we go.  Hours of standing on various corners to get all kinds of reactions; good, bad, funny, outrage, almost accidents with skaters, bicyclists and cars.  Little did we know at the time this was just their way to get us outside, lock the screen doors and do whatever they did in the house.  They claimed it was so they could clean house but the stereo was always cranked up.  Lunch would come and out of the barely opened door would appear "the arm";  sandwiches on a tray and a jug of kool-aid!  With orders to leave the tray and jug by the door and be back home for dinner.  With all the concern my mom could muster would come the following statement,  "I'm only going to call you once."  LOL!   In my best Edith Bunker voice, "Those were the days."

Day 30 - Lisa

I hope tomorrow when I have breakfast at my desk, I do not startle anyone when I have a sudden urge to yell OPA!

Day 30 - Sis

I found this a few days ago while walking the dog. This little box cutter, unknowingly to me at the time, was an omen of what was to come today. Another surprise and unexpected box of goodies from my sister, Judy (Chickie)! Lovely favorite flavors and even an article about a bird that is important to regalia in our tribe. Dang, not even my birthday, what a great way to start the week, thanks Chick. Big (( )).

Day 29 - Sis

I buy a Sunday issue of the paper and the fact that Sunday brings more in depth news of the world and local issues, it also has a slew of coupons. No, I do not use all of these, some go to others who can benefit from them. I have found though as in yesterday, that carrying them to the store or having your daughter hold them in her pocket until paying, if you don't hand them to the clerk at the checkout stand, you can't save, say $5.45 off your grocery total! :-(

Day 29 - Lisa

Starting to plan our first whole week long vacation in New Orleans in August.  Yes August, I know it's crazy hot and humid at that time but it's the only time my sister can get vacation. I live for planning trips; looking up hotels, tours, activities, restaurants and scoring a good airfare.  I'm so excited that the four of us (Steve, Yolanda, my mom and I) are getting to do this together.  I can't wait for them to experience "Nawlin's."  Just looking at the pictures below makes me feel happy.  I can close my eyes and feel myself in the Quarter hearing the music and smelling the good food.  CANNOT WAIT!  When we go it will be during the Satchmo SummerFest (the tribute festival to Louis Armstrong) and the Coolinary Days. That's when all the best restuarants serve their 3 to 5 course meals for $20 lunches and $35 dinners.  Heaven!