Week 39 - Lisa

After much debate with myself I decided against a SLR camera and went with a higher end point and shoot.  So here's a few warm-up shots to familiarize myself with my new toy before vacation comes around.  LOVE IT!  So crisp and clear.  Oh yeah, the corn on the cob shots is another example of my condition.  You know, that problem with "order."  As my abuela Emily used to say, "it's alright, I'm all wrong."

Week 39 - Sis

Not much to report but was happy to receive my team gear and now it officially feels like football season. Leading in one pool and second in the other. This might really fry some football fanatics who are playing in the pools since I don't pay much attention to it, compared to baseball I mean. Naturally had to contact one my sisters to buy and export the stuff to me as the 49ers just don't have a big following in Georgia! Pays to know someone who works at Target and can get things at reasonable prices. Also this sister, Judy to some, Chickie to family, is a rabid Raider fan so you know she has to love me. :-) Having alterations done on the shirts since my horizontal number is proportionally higher than my vertical. A mere 4 inches must be discarded before they stop looking like nightshirts. I'm sure while wearing them in the Northeast I will impress the Bills, Patriot, Giants and Jets fans this coming week. Oh the little Giant helmet and baseball erasers? Just a bonus from my sister, as she's a Giant fan too.;-

Week 38 - Lisa

As my mom stated the best part of this week was Sunday's event @ Centennial Park in downtown ATL.  Like a dork I forgot I had my camera in the "fish bowl" mode so my pictures were all warped.  Here's a few of the funnier ones.   I think Pussy n Boots was a tad confused showing up at this event, do not think it was meant for all "Paws."

Week 38 - Sis

This week we were looking forward to a fundraising event in Atlanta that was held by the Atlanta Pet Rescue and Adoption, where I adopted oneeya. It was held at Centennial Park and was a huge success, raising $145,000 that all goes back to APRA! It was a warm day, 85 degrees but there were water bowls and multiple cooling stations for the dogs. Events for the day included:a walk around the park, dog races, raffles and more. We checked in and we're both given a sway bag for oneeya. Now I think it was because she is such a sweet, well behaved dog that she received the double bonus, sigh, Lisa says no it came about from our separate registration fees. No matter, oneeya was excellent as were all the dogs I encountered. When the day ended and my very tired girl got home we investigated the swag bags and found some really nice doggy gifts and treats, including a toy for sunii. The cat's enthusiasm was an amazing display!

Week 37 - Lisa

Most exciting thing I took a picture of this week was when I turned on E! and saw my friends from BakeTown on TV.  They are the little Celebrity Faires over in the right-hand corner.  Sitting on each interviewed celebs shoulder.  As you can see I'm easily entertained.

Darla in Greg's ear.

Nessa & Darla got Kate Winslet's back.

oneeya waiting for me to get her carne asada tacos!

Week 37 - Sis

Found these little beauties on the ground while walking the dog this week. Fall is definitely here and plenty of shedding trees to prove it. This is not a bad thing since daughter #1 and I have planned a trip to the Northeast where we will hopefully see color changing trees that will out color the fall seasons we have ever known. The trees and foliage are not the only or even the main reason for making this journey. Since we don't know when, or if, we will be heading back home to California, we both have always wanted to visit the Baseball Hall of Fame, so the choice was made. A side trip to Norman Rockwell's hometown and museum is also included. We are making this taste trip of a few states we may never get another chance to experience because of time or life in general. Lobster eating is on the agenda and taking in the atmosphere, accents and the Atlantic are the extras that come with it. Just crossing our fingers we don't encounter a Nor'easter while there!

Week 36 - Sis

Sunday of course was a day that was filled with the sad memories of the worst days in American history and I had plans to watch some of the memorials on TV but there was an interruption in my plans. Earlier in the week I noticed that oneeya was scratching a spot near her shoulder and when I checked there was an extremely red area that looked close to bleeding. I thought some bug or flea was picked up while on a walk. I wiped her down and put some Vasoline on the spot figuring it might cool the area and stop the scratching. I also gave her the flea/tick meds a few days earlier than her usual monthly application hoping it would rid her of any parasite. She was okay for a couple of days and then started up again, adding paw licking and scratching other spots. So I checked the original trouble spot and found a crusty sore and she did not want me to touch it. Here's when Sunday's plan was abandoned. Thankfully the vet office she's seen at is open seven days a week and I got her an appointment. Examination and diagnosis results - she has environmental allergies and dogs don't sneeze they scratch because of it. Came home with four prescriptions, she will take them until December when the allergy season is over. See I got a rescue dog, a mutt. Everyone says they are the healthiest and not so susceptible as purebreds. I had a Boxer and she was wonderful but when she got sick it usually was a four figure bill. She was worth every penny. Living in an apartment I knew I couldn't get another Boxer even though there were some at the rescue center. I bit the bullet and adopted this nice little mix breed who now will need her own weekly pill box for six to eight months a year! Sigh, so instead of writing about the effects on the world that a terrible act by fanatics, 10 years ago committed, I'm writing about one little mutt's world and how her environment has affected her world. God bless America and my little mutt.

Week 36 - Lisa

Today is 10th anniversary of 9/11.  My heart goes out to the families of the many victims.  Hoping that the memorials in NYC, DC and PA given them the closure they need.  Of course today made me think of my mom's and my trip to NYC last September.  We spent our last afternoon and evening at Ground Zero.  Here are a few pictures from that day and from Engine Co #10's website.  Many props to the fireman at firehouse #10 for their patience with visitors from all over the word day in and day out.  They are beacons of hope and peace.

http://www.fdnytenhouse.com/

The two little red doors in the upper right corner is Engine Co #10.  That is the south tower at Liberty St directly in front of the doors.

Wish this poet never had to write these words; they are beautiful though.

Week 35 - Lisa

For my California family & friends another unidentified larger than life flying something.

They like to watch Anderson Cooper 360 together nightly and discuss world events.

Is that a python?  No, just Miss Congeniality - sunii.

Week 35 - Sis

We haven't been doing much lately but I find myself not having enough time to do anything. My time management skills seem to be on the fritz. Now some will think it's age, (shut up!), others might suggest fatigue, stress or just laziness, yawn. This has brought me to enlist the nosiest resident here to relieve me from some of the interruptions in my day. sunii is now my unofficial and very small telephone call screener. She works from many positions for only having one position. Oh the Christmas card? That's either very late or very early and was sent from my daughter Yolanda; seems time management, or lack of, can be hereditary.

Week 34 - Sis

My favorite hard candies are lemon drops and peppermints. One reason is they last a long time and they're refreshing. I have noticed that the lemon drops now don't seem to be as tart. Do you know how disappointing it is when my mouth and mind are preparing for that first taste of sugar that is almost instantly lost to a cheek sucking delight?! Now? It's just the sweet with no tart. My sister-in-law and I had a long discussion about this subject a few years back and she said her brother agreed with our opinions and the lost of this once wonderful joy in our lives. I found this brand at the local Hobby Lobby store, of course that's the first place I'd think to buy candy, the crafts store. Anyway, they are pretty good, don't think they have the same punch as I have in my head, but better than most. Please notice where the lemons are from and are used for the natural flavoring. ;- So these little bags are heading to California, you might say they're returning home, to Irene and Roque and hope they share like good siblings. The root beer candies are just an extra I threw in, but can't opine about their flavor as I don't like root beer. You know, it must have something to do with my childhood when my parents would send us on Saturdays to the all day features at our local movie house. It cost a dime to get in, (yeah I'm that old), and we got a dime to spend. Well whatever my choice was it had to last for quite some time and that usually meant Jr. Mints, Spearmint Leaves or a Sugar Daddy. I would eat the mint candy very sloooowly, one by one. Or if one of my siblings bought a soda, we would share our purchases. Yuck when I think of sharing anything with another kid I cringe. Double yuck when I think of mixing two of those flavors. Okay my Pavlova training is hitting and my saliva glands are awake so going to grab a couple of drops and suck like my Giants are right now.

Week 34 - Lisa

My eating "rules" are generally well known among my family and friends.  Stuff like I sort my fries;  small ones, long ones, burnt ones, greenish ones, curly ones, crunchy ones.  I eat all the defects first so I can savor the good ones.  Same with a bag of chips.  I do not like my food to touch.  If I want my gravy on my potatoes or meat I'll make that choice otherwise Mr. Gravy, Bub you stay on your side of the plate.  I get teased a lot about my little habits.  Whatever.  So the other night my mom and I are eating dinner.  I look down at my plate and then I look at hers.  Guess who's is who's?  LMAO!

Week 33 - Lisa

After a long day at work my geese and I head home.  ;>  These guys make my day every time they come to visit me.  I do not really know why they just do.  I stop and talk to them and they "honk" back.

Week 33 - Sis

Hasn't been much to write about this week. Life is a bit in limbo right now. Looks like some changes will be happening for my daughter and me, just have no clue when. So like this puzzle, that took me four days to finish, will just have to be patient and get it done one piece at a time. Did I ever tell you I'm not known for my patience!

Week 32 - Lisa

I hardly ever take a real lunch.  I usually eat and work at my desk.  I've never been one to waste an hour when I could work and go home earlier.  Just my way.  Lately however, I've needed to "get out" and take a drive during lunch time.  On my trip this past week I sat behind this at a red light.  Um, I guess they deliver?

Week 32 - Sis

1-Artichoke and large peach. 2-Two artichokes and large peach. 3- Next day artichoke leftover.  My daughter is known for her spacial ( no, not special )intelligence, I am not; however I do seem to know large and small. When we did the grocery shopping my daughter asked if we might have artichokes one night, I was all for it. She picked up a couple of "small" ones.

Week 31 - Sis

It was a good week with my daughter Yolanda here for a visit and some sightseeing. She hadn't seen the new MLK Center and we spent considerable time there including a visit to the old Ebenezer Baptist Church. We have tried seeing this church for sometime and thankfully both my daughters and I finally achieved the wish. All I can say is God bless the women who climbed up and down those stairs for services because you know it was in high heels! Our trip to Talluhah Falls and Goats on the Roof proved to be the biggest kick for her. She enjoyed seeing old toys, games, candy, gum that are for sale at the first site and laughed at the crazy goats at the second site. The meal at Cafe Lily's was a delight for her, finishing it with that wonderful coconut cream pie and the best tasting coffee. The weather made it, as we all know here, a little hard to enjoy being outside but we muddled through. We never have a bad time together with basically the same sense of humor, interests and memories. Have to admit it would have been nice to have had a house to share while she was here, would have been more like old times.

Week 31 - Lisa

My sister came to visit this past week.  We laughed a lot!  Ate a lot!  And sweated a lot!  She came right smack in the middle of this heatwave.  Getting out and walking to see Centennial Park and other sites was not feeling to appealing with it being 95 degrees with what felt like 90% humidity.  So we kept the activities light.  Couple highlights was Goats on the Roof, Tallulah Falls and Cafe Lily.  We also went to see Twyla Tharp's tribute to Frank Sinatra, "Come Fly Away."  We all walked out scratching our heads.  I get interpretative dance but this just didn't hit the mark for any of us three.  We still laughed and enjoyed our own show review afterwards.  Oh we went to Mary Mac's for dinner - blech!  What a disappointment that was.  Live and learn.  As you can see below sunii & oneeya had a hard time warming up Landa.  ;>