Sunday, 19 August 2018

Valley Pond


My brother is a shareholder at a small recreation area called Valley Pond.  There's a swimming pond with a dock for diving, though Valley Pond is the adjacent, larger "real pond" where you can borrow paddle boats, canoes, kayaks and sunfishes, which is so nice to do on a sunny day.  There are picnic tables, Adirondack chairs, grills, volleyball and tetherball for anyone's use.  It's such a relaxing, low-key place to spend the afternoon.


A couple of weeks ago, my cousin visited from Florida, and we had a impromptu picnic at the pond.  My sister and cousin took a paddle boat out for a spin...


Here's a snapshot of the cousins before we wrapped up our fun day.









Saturday, 18 August 2018

Let's have lunch

I have been getting together with a few of my cousins in recent months. My sister joins us when she can but she lives in Phoenix now so she is not always there in person. We keep her posted...
  Yesterday we met at a place called "The Red Dog Grill". It is located on the Illinois river in Ottawa, Illinois. My cousin lives in Ottawa. We had a great time, fantastic location and wonderful company.  So many laughs and fun conversations.










We ate on the outdoor patio and enjoyed looking at the beautiful marina. Dogs are allowed on the patio, I think a certain white dog might have enjoyed this!








We all had to try a drink. This one is Raspberry Lemon tea.




This was mine. Red Dog Punch!








Then we ate.. Two of us had Carnitas tacos. 




The other two, myself included, had the daily special, which was Fish and Chips.



Sufficiently stuffed, we then proceeded to talk and laugh for a couple of hours. Let's just say I have a few ideas for future blog posts! Thank you ladies. 😉



We all agreed to post this photo!






Friday, 17 August 2018

Boomers

It is Friday. Which means nothing now that I am retired... ; )

My sister and I are going to see the production of Boom tomorrow night. I managed to get tickets at 50% off so we decided to go. 

"Boom is an explosive solo performance that documents the music, culture and politics that shaped the Baby Boomers (1945-1969). Boom takes us through 25 turbulent years, and gives voice to over a 100 influential politicians, activists and musicians. It's a mind-blowing experience for audiences of all generations."

I am looking forward to going. I will give you a review afterwards. 

Some boomer funnies from Amy...

This is sooooo true!





Have a great day, everyone. 

Thursday, 16 August 2018

When in Japan...

This is the oldest hotel in the world, founded in the year 705, and still run by the same family: Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan. The hotel in Kyoto has thermal spas, high quality cuisine, karaoke, and it's set in a peaceful wooded area, surrounded by mountains.









Wednesday, 15 August 2018

It's Time For A Birthday Party Or Two!!

Our friends Roxie and Marie have birthdays to celebrate today!!  I hope no one minds if we keep the party simple, just a bit of champagne...


Well, that may be overdoing it, but you just never know with this gang, so better safe than sorry.  Please, let me pour you all a glass.


Cheers to Roxie and Marie!!


How about a piece of cake?  I've been baking all day.




I didn't forget our favorite, chocolate-loving guy.  Enjoy, P!


And now some flowers for the birthday gals...





Here's to Roxie and Marie, wishing you both a wonderful day and a fantastic year ahead!!  xo

Tuesday, 14 August 2018

Fun facts

I thought these were kind of cool..


1) Probably most of us.




2)




Hmmm, not so sure about that.




3) 


They should have left them there.



 4) This could be true..




5) Hahaha



Have a great day!!

Monday, 13 August 2018

Monday, Monday

I don't know about you... but I really identify with this cat these days. Especially when I am reading the news. I will be away all week- and I think I will try not to open Twitter at all. Text me if anyone is indicted, arrested or impeached.



Have a great week, everyone.
Here you go... this will make Monday so much better.


Sunday, 12 August 2018

Celebration time!

Happy Birthday to Pgfan! Our music loving, traveling friend has her special day today. We send the happiest of birthday wishes and hope she has a wonderful day!










Just for old times sake..





HAPPY BIRTHDAY PGfan! 



Saturday, 11 August 2018

The Stella Awards

It's time again for the annual " Stella Awards"! For those unfamiliar with these awards, they are named after 81-year-old Stella Liebeck who spilled hot coffee on herself and successfully sued the McDonald's in New Mexico, where she purchased coffee. You remember, she took the lid off the coffee and put it between her knees while she was driving. Who would ever think one could get burned doing that, right?


Here are some of the more outrageous awards for this year:

SEVENTH PLACE

Kathleen Robertson of Austin, Texas was awarded $80,000 by a jury of her peers after breaking her ankle tripping over a toddler who was running inside a furniture store. The store owners were understandably surprised by the verdict, considering the running toddler was her own son.

FOURTH PLACE 


Jerry Williams, of Little Rock, Arkansas, garnered 4th Place in the
Stella's when he was awarded $14,500 plus medical expenses after being bitten on the butt by his next door neighbor's beagle - even though the beagle was on a chain in its owner's fenced yard. Williams did not get as much as he asked for because the jury believed the beagle might have been provoked at the time of the butt bite because Williams had climbed over the fence into the yard and repeatedly shot the dog with a pellet gun.




THIRD PLACE *

Amber Carson of Lancaster, Pennsylvania because a jury ordered a Philadelphia restaurant to pay her $113,500 after she slipped on a spilled soft drink and broke her tailbone The reason the soft drink was on the floor: Ms. Carson had thrown it at her boyfriend 30 seconds earlier during an argument.




SECOND PLACE

Kara Walton, of Claymont, Delaware sued the owner of a night club in a nearby city because she fell from the bathroom window to the floor, knocking out her two front teeth. Even though Ms. Walton was trying to sneak through the ladies room window to avoid paying the $3.50 cover charge, the jury said the night club had to pay her $12,000....oh, yeah, plus dental expenses. Go figure.


FIRST PLACE *

This year's runaway First Place Stella Award winner was: Mrs. Merv Grazinski, of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, who purchased a new 32-foot Winnebago motor home. On her first trip home, from an OU football game, having driven on to the freeway, she set the cruise control at 70 mph and calmly left the driver's seat to go to the back of the Winnebago to make herself a sandwich. Not surprisingly, the motor home left the freeway, crashed and overturned. Also not surprisingly, Mrs. Grazinski sued Winnebago for not putting in the owner's manual that she couldn't actually leave the driver's seat while the cruise control was set. The Oklahoma jury awarded her, are you sitting down?

$1,750,000.

PLUS a new motor home. Winnebago actually changed their manuals as a result of this suit, just in case Mrs. Grazinski has any relatives who might also buy a motor home.

This is completely insane! 

Thanks to Amy for sending ideas our way. Keep them coming. ; )

Friday, 10 August 2018

Before and after

These illustrations by Nacho Díaz are funny and sweet. Enjoy!