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.  ;>

Week 30 - Sis

Animals have always been in my life, either as family pets or in areas I've lived. I know people think children are big responsibilities and I couldn't agree more but so, also are our pets. Lots of people love animals and like some parents, of children, it doesn't mean they always get the care that is needed. If that love doesn't include care of either's well being, mental or physical the results will be seen quickly with behavior problems, health issues, etc. When the care and love of a pet is given it's rewarded quickly with loyalty, comfort and devotion. Now with kids that may take a few more years. ;- Of course a pet cannot carry on the family name, business or memory but it takes care of you in many departments of your life while it lives. I write this as a tribute to a person I do not know personally but through someone we relate to and share as part of our lives. So for you Laura, my deepest condolences on the loss of your baby recently and thank you for the generosity you have shown to my pet, even with a broken-heart. oneeya sends a big sloppy kiss as a thank you also. May you find comfort in all the memories.

Week 30 - Lisa

Spend my Sunday cleaning in anticipation of my sister's visit this week.  So excited.  Also spend a large portion of the day trying out this recipe from Food Network magazine.  I hate baking so making my own pie crust was an adventure.  I know you bakers will laugh.  I had no beans so I had to use coins as a weight.  Aye yi yi.  Here's the picture of the Tomato Pie published in the magazine.  Underneath is my result.  LOL!  I think the recommended 2 lbs of tomatoes is way more than needed unless they are small.

Regardless of the lack of picture consistency, it was DELICIOUS!
Here's the recipe if you are interested!
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/heirloom-tomato-pie-recipe/index.html

Week 29 - Lisa

I wish this week would have had more kicking back with our doggie in my lap but unfortunately it was wild and crazy for me.  So not a whole lot to share this week.

Am in New Orleans?  Nope, downtown old Stone Mountain.  It was a beautiful hot summer night eating dinner at a favorite restaurant - Wells Cargo.

Week 29 - Sis

 For two weeks I was looking for my iPod, praying I didn't lose it. My daughter was convinced I did and with my past history for losing items, it would seem to make her opinion valid. You know how it is, searching everywhere you can think you may have possibly put or dropped it? Usually I put it with my camera on the desk that holds the computer, printer and office supplies. When I first noticed it was missing I tried just about every place, even the remotest areas in the apartment, truck, etc. No music, no life! This past week I reached over to get something and there it was, under the printer. I swear that was one of the places I looked multiple times! My suspicion is my daughter moves my stuff around every once in a while as a sick treasure hunt so I don't get bored at home. Maybe it's payback for not thinking her cat is the smartest, prettiest or for me hooking the cat on catnip to the point of addiction. Or could it be she doesn't enjoy hearing me singing along, too loud and off key? Oh yeah? Then go to your room Lisa!

Week 28 - Sis

I've always thought my love of potatoes, any kind, was one sided. Apparently not!

Week 28 - Lisa

I'm in the middle of a three week run of Kaizen events @ work.  I love Kaizen!  It's a ton of hard work but the discovery, the opportunities, the teamwork and results are always worth it ten-fold.  I love the process and mind-set of continuous learning.  So while it can cause late nights with mental and physical fatigue along the way, I always feel rejuvenated afterwards.  Right now on day 7 of 12, not so much.  But major celebration come day 13.  LOL

Week 27 - Sis

Well it seems a week has slipped by without a post from me. I know, you were probably moaning and suffering horribly from the withdrawals that I have caused. So let's see what I'm itching to bring you about the other thing that "bugs" me here. See this luscious, juicy, colorful watermelon? I have come to believe that this is what I look like to the insects in Georgia, round, sweet and delectable. Okay the round part is not a mistake, the sweet and delectable our a matter of opinion and NO, I do not need to hear them. I swear the little critters are on 12 hour shifts because no matter what time I go out, and having a dog it's usually at least three times a day, they immediately go to work. Any exposed part of my body is a target but the ankes and arms seems to be the prime cuts for them. From what I have learned the main culprits in the area are: mosquitos, biting gnats and the, WTH, "no-see-ums." I am not kidding, bugs you can't see but bite just like the big guys. I have to buy some OFF spray very soon or get a transfusion, geez. Figure I will soon have a degree in bugology from the state of Georgia and scars to prove it.

Week 27 - Lisa

To counter or not to counter?!  This week was our version of Shakespeare's infamous "To be or not to be."  Well, after three years for me and two for my mama we finally found, agreed upon and made an offer on a home.  We had probably drove by, pondered and viewed on line more than two hundred homes in our quest to find our little slice of JoJah.  So if all goes well we will begin the process of revamping our new digs in the middle of August, hopefully moving in some time in September.  It took several back and forths between buyer and seller to land on an agreeable price but the deed, no pun intended, is done!

Week 26 - Lisa

Charlotte came over for coffee this week!

Week 26 - Sis

1. A week of nosing around the complex and what I found.

2. White cap mushrooms or toadstools growing all over. Where's Alice?

3. Emergency escape route, maybe a problem for larger and taller residents.

4. Can't tell if this was caused by no brakes or no brains?  I think the later.

5. Sun was fighting hard not to go down on this very warm evening.  Lost in a magnificent way!

Week 25 - Sis

On week 18 I bought this "Topsy Turvy " tomato planter because I love fresh tasty tomatoes, the smell alone sends me down memory lane. At the time I didn't realize the seedling does not come with this bargain or the soil. Okay, so for under $20 it was something that didn't take up much space and I see many of them hanging throughout the complex we live in, good sign of success ahead. When I purchased the seedling, which actually was a little bigger than a seedling, there were two plants in the container, so I threw one in an empty planter I had with a bit of soil and placed it on the Topsy Turvy box. So here it is seven weeks later and after now buying a plant stand, bigger planter and more soil, the extra seedling is far outgrowing the "easy to grow" seedling. 

Oh let me mention, in order to water my planter, my daughter purchased a 3 step ladder for me to reach the opening to pour the water in. Sigh, and in order for me, the vertical challenged gardener, I have to stand on the top step to do this watering. Thankfully for the summer storms the watering times have been shortened, along with the multiple trips, in and out of the apartment to get the water with the two watering containers I have. Of course the benefit is my calf and quad muscles are improving because I must climb the step stool three times to water it properly. Oh, you can multiply that climb by three since I also have two flower planters to maintain. It's now has cost over $100 for my small tomato farm. In addition to my aching muscles, gallons of extra water appearing on the water bill for a crop that hasn't made an appearance yet, I will have to make another trip to the store to buy stakes to hold up that extra plant. That's it, I'm applying for a farm subsidy! Oh the basil is producing a bumper crop. ;-

Week 25 - Lisa

Fireworks IN the grocery store?  Never in my entire 48 years have I seen this in California.

Wonder why the picture below?  This bar has been a form of contention in our apartment complex since I moved here.  Until this pictured metal bar was inserted about two weeks ago they had always used wood.  You'd drive up on any given day and find it broken, splintered, half the board down the lane.  People would blow through lacking patience for it to lift.  This was cause for constant conversation between my mom and I about the idiots who break it. I noticed that the bar is taking a really long time to come down  as the cars ahead of me pass through.  So the other day, a small sedan of some sort goes zooming through in front of me, thinking I had plenty of time, I went through too.  All of a sudden that evil possessed metal monster comes flying down.  We hear this loud thump!  I just know this thing karate chopped the roof of my 4Runner in half.  Then I hear it again.  Oh crud, it hit so hard it bounced up and came back down again.  As I look back in my rear view mirrow I see that the metal bar is now bent at the spot it hit the corner of the roof.  Uh oh.  I wonder if there are video cameras?  Will I be in trouble?  We park and I look for damage, nothing any more scratched then the rest of my beat up truck.  Fast forward a couple days and we drive up and I notice the bar is a lot shorter.  I tell my mom, "Well I wonder what idiot broke the bar this time?"

Week 24 - Lisa

I know not everyone is a pet lover but the longest I've ever gone without having an animal in my house was the 1.5 years I spent in a hotel before my move to ATL.  I was going crazy.  Now that we have a cat and dog the entertainment is endless again.  sunii is the pushed out of shape Diva kitty and oneeya is the happy go lucky doggie that never ever barks.  They have worked out their issues and now cohabitate peaceful.  sunii was here first and she tries to dominate, oneeya is a part corgi so she's a herder; this makes for Comedy Central most nights.  sunii being with my mom all day long for one full year has grown very attached, so oneeya coming into the picture has created quite the competition for my mom's attention.  As you can see in the picture below. No matter what trick or play time activity my mom tries to teach oneeya, sunii is never far away performing whatever my mom is saying.  "Look grandma, hey, hey, I'm over here, I already got it.  Stupid dog!"

Week 24 - Sis

I mean how are you suppose to react? " You know if you're going to get skin cancer this is the best one." HUH? Is a trophy given for this? Yep, went to see a dermatologist a few weeks back because I had a growth on my face, the size of maybe a pencil eraser, and a biopsy was done. Two weeks later the growth was removed and I was told again, the basal cell cancer is the best kind because it doesn't get into your blood system and spread. Okay, I had to sport this attractive dressing for two days. Not bad although it was pretty bulky and so tight, pushing my left nostril closer to the right one. I could only inhale properly through the right nostril! Two days later I was able to remove the dressing, breathe normally and get the stitches wet. Now it looks like I went a few rounds with Manny Paquiao. I am hoping this doesn't affect my close-ups after I have the stitches removed. :-/ To those in my family and friends I didn't tell about this-SURPRISE!!!! I wasn't going to bother anyone with the news since it's the best kind of cancer you could have and wouldn't want to make anyone envious.;- So please remember the sunscreen everyone and if you don't want to show every flaw in your skin do not take a picture with a Canon Powershot. LOL.

Week 23 - Lisa

Everything is in full bloom!  Gorgeous to drive around and see all the pretty flowers. Course a co-worker decided that the huge beautiful magnolias outside our office door would look pretty in a jar near my desk.  I'm pretty sure this was an act of cruelty but I can't prove it.  I instantly had a nose that made me look like Jimmy Durante.  Below are two favorites I took on my drive home from work.