sunshine and some last words...

One of my favorite things about these vacations at Chez Kosmach is having breakfast on the back porch.

I especially enjoy that experience when the sun is shining brightly!

The view offers something different and interesting all around, from the tree with the thirteen birdhouses to the bouncy toy animals to the clusters of trees of different types near the blue-dyed canal.

Then there are the sounds!

Birdsong of several types!

Chimes on the back porch merging songs with the front chimes!

Even the sounds of cars passing on the street seem more charming.

I remembered that I needed to write in Dawn's guest book.

What should I do for her this time?

 

How about a different scribble flower and a poem?

She would not be expecting that!

Yes, that would serve as a mighty fine start!

"Rain, rain, would not go away,

refusing to let Stella and Coco play.

But Saturday's sun

allowed them to run and have fun,

until the night storm at the end of the day."

 

Yes, that really sums up the vacation rather nicely!

Now, they should be home any minute from Chicago.

Time to take Stella by the front door to welcome them!!!

(smile!)

back to back bananas for me and stella!

For my last vacation in Georgetown with Stella, I'd been surprised to find the Banana Ball game on TV.

This time, I made sure to check their schedule!

That was a good call.

That meant I was prepared yesterday for the night game...

and I was prepared tonight for the second in that series of three!

 

Of course, I made sure to dine with my brothers last evening.

I wanted to talk with them about our Aunt Linda, who is in the hospital.

I am so grateful Smitty and Tony came with me for her Birthday Tea last year, spending quality time with her!

Nice for me to spend this quality time with family and friends at the S&K Friday Fiesta, too.

I jetted off about 7 PM, though, to make sure I got back to Stella before night fell... and before I missed too much of the game!

I arrived in time for the bottom of the 3rd inning in this game that pitted the Savannah Bananas against the Indianapolis Clowns in their home city of Cincinnati, Ohio, at the Great American Ball Park.

How very cool those aerial shots were, with the downtown surrounding that diamond of green!

The Bananas took the point for the first inning, the Clowns got the one for the second inning, and neither got a point for that 3rd one.

However, the Clowns, playing on the field they'd last been on 37 years ago, got a fire lit up by the crowd, taking the points for the next three innings!

That meant that at the bottom of the 7th, they led, 4 to 1.

Then Joe Gray, Jr. smacked a walk-off home run, bringing it to 5 to 1!

The Bananas managed to get the point for the 8th inning, but couldn't score again in the 9th, leaving the final at Clowns 5, Bananas 2.

Great game!

Tonight, here's the scene, with the same teams, same field, bottom of the 3rd inning.

Kyle Luigs was the starting pitcher for the Bananas and he had kept the Clowns from getting any runs.

That streak fell apart in the third, with the Clowns getting that point!

The Clowns also took the point in the 5th inning to tie the score 2 to 2.

Not to be outdone, the Bananas took the points for innings 6 and 7!

So exciting, with the thunder rumbling outside!

Their lead may have been aided by Hall of Famers for the Cincinnati Reds doing cameos on their team.

Both Adam Dunn and Aaron Harang played in those two innings!

But it wasn't time to count out the Clowns!

They got three runs in the 8th inning to take the point, bringing their score up to 3 against the Bananas' 4.

That's when they brought in Peanuts the Elephant to pitch in the 9th.

Although the fans loved it - as did I! - that may not have been the best for the team in this close game.

See, the Bananas had already scored three runs that inning.

However, Peanuts kept them from scoring any more, so that was good.

Sadly, the Clowns didn't score any runs that inning, so the Bananas took that game, 7 to 3.

There'll be a third game tomorrow, but I'll miss that.

Can you imagine?

The folks in that Ohio town are getting three Banana Ball games in a row!!!

Wow!

That means over 120,000 fans will have seen the games over this home stand.

That's amazing!!!

what a reunion at the patio!!!

Stella and I had arrived first.

I wasn't even sure if the party on the patio would come to pass, but I had made the choice that morning that we would be at the patio at 5 PM on this first sunny afternoon in days!

We were there about ten minutes early, just hanging out and hoping.

Then we heard it: Terry had turned on the speakers!

Rock music stirred the air!

Then Susan opened the back door and stepped out... 

with Coco close behind, but moving slowly...

until she saw Stella coming across the patio...

and justthatfast, the two dogs made a beeline for each other like friends who'd been apart too long!!!

What a glorious display of love and friendship!!!

They played and played!!!

That was well worth getting carried away by sand gnats for thirty minutes...

I'm so glad we finally had this party on the patio!

how a rhodesian ridgeback spends a rainy day

First, she duly goes out on the front porch with the human, who wants to give her a change of pace.

But the ground is too wet to lie down.

Raindrops are still misting through the air and onto her face and nose.

Drops of water are still falling erratically off the roof.

There is no way to dodge them to get to the yard.

Finally, the human opens the front door and they go inside.

 

How to pas the time inside?

Well, Miss Stella has a variety of options.

She chooses to lounge on the couch, stretched out to her maximum length...

ah, yes, mine mine mine!

When she tires of being there, she drops down into her doggy bed on the floor, then settles in after rearranging the pillows...

yes, that will do!

Feeling thirsty, she rises and gets water, then repeats her time on the couch and bed. 

 

Here's the thing: she has yet to go outside and pee.

The human is concerned and walks with her onto the back porch, coercing her to follow into the yard.

They are the only creatures out in the light rain that continues to fall.

Together, they go by the Tree of Ducks that stands near the graceful canal... and a small wooded copse.

Yes, the rain barely falls in that bit of trees, so at last she has relief!

Bladder empty, and also the bowels, it was time to return to the dry house and maybe get some treats!

Then back to the couch...

every day, every day i write the book...

Yes, I cribbed that post title directly from the 1983 Elvis Costello song.

Not that it particularly pertains to this photo.

The only book I write in every day is my journal, which I keep to jog my memory from time to time.

The photo, however, was an entry in Dawn's Guest Book II, which I forgot to record back in May.

Everyone who stays overnight at the home she shares with The Koz are to write in that book, and that includes dog sitters!

To make up for my lapse, I had promised her one of my scribble flowers, so there it is!

I even brought my box of crayons so I could do it up right!

I added many of the highlights for that ten-day stay, including the parties on the patio, with goslings and without.

I spoke of the Banana Ball game on ESPN as a special treat!

I even mentioned the musical at Savannah Country Day during my stay!

Some of the many movies I watched on their channels were listed, too!

And of course I talked of special moments with their crazy dog!

I managed to fill a page and a half in their guest book.

I think Dawn will be quite pleased!

(smile!)

summer picnic luncheon on the beach!

"That doesn't look like any beach to me, g'friend. In fact, it looks just like Holliday Hall at Asbury!"

That's because you're not squinting your eye and holding your mouth just right! HAHAHAHA!

 

"Wait a minute... I know what this is! It's the Sisters In Faith luncheon, isn't it? I recognize Judy Wilburn and Beth Ballance."

 

You're correct! Neither of them were at the purple-clad table where I parked my keister, though.

I chose it for the color, of course! Patti Steinhauser, on the far left, was already there. Then we were joined by Debbie Wright, CeCe Coleman, Robin Eifler, and Sandra, the mother of Jenni from the April luncheon. 

  

"Steinhauser? Isn't that the surname of the guy in the band?"

 

Yep, it sure is! Tim was there to entertain us this time, too, but the guys called themselves the Beached Bums today! he even had her come up and sing with them for "Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow PolkaDot Bikini"!!! Very funny bit, with him wearing that swimsuit!!! Well, kinda sorta. LOL!!!

 

"Nice music for y'all's day 'at the beach'! I see there was even a beach ball!"

 

Actually, that was the "talking" ball, passed around with the holder of it asked to share a favorite story about the beach with us. Guess what? I got up and did that! I told all about Mama taking us four kids to the beach often during the summer, with a jug of water and peanut-butter and jelly sandwiches. We'd play on the beach and in the water there at Tybee for hours! That let her have some peace and quiet. Then we'd stop by the Sugar Shack on the way home and get malteds and milkshakes, and that would keep us quiet for the drive. Fun for all of us!

 

"That's a really nice memory."

 

Yeah, and it got other Savannahians talking about memories of their summers at Tybee. I really loved that! I'm glad that Asbury is one place where I'm not the only local gal.

 

"Me, too. And did you have any hot dog buns to bring home?"

 

Nope! All 16 of those buns got eaten! Good!!! Now, I'm going to take care of a few things here at home, like charging my phone. American Legion Post 36 is supposed to have its monthly meeting at 6 PM, so I'll stay in town until it's done, then head back to Stella. Good thing it's rainy, or she'd be upset about missing the party on the patio. Maybe tomorrow will have a sunny spot in it for her!

poor, hungry, dog!

I just know she had given up on me ever coming.

I'm glad I put an end to that Two First Posts meeting when I did.

It was still almost 9:30 when Stella got fed.

What a sad way to start our little vacation together!

I made sure to give her a little extra... plus some of her favorite treats... and lots of belly rubs!

Then I had dinner and watched "Scrubs" until my first niece called.

Christina had some news: she's definitely not in the control group!!!

We then talked and talked until my phone died.

See, I'd used it to take all those photos at the meeting, as well as taking notes, not paying attention to the battery indicator.

That meant I needed to go home and get my charger, which, for whatever reason, I'd neglected to bring along to Georgetown.

After being gone so long last night, I couldn't justify just running off on Stella too early today.

We sat out on the front porch for a while, watching the drizzle make the ground wetter than it already was.

We'll just have to try to catch a bit of sunshine when we can!

two first posts of georgia, post fire marshal

After two and a half hours, I made a motion to close the meeting.

I had a dog in Georgetown that was used to having her dinner at 7 PM and the time was then 8:30 PM.

No, I had not yet had supper, either, but I was more concerned about her.

Apparently, the others - Doug Andrews, John Parker, Eric Bolden, Brenda Pough, Sabrina Scales, and Justin Wells, the contractor - agreed with me.

Why was the contractor present?

He wanted to talk to the group about the four or five change orders that he was currently finishing up and would need payment for.

 

Here's two of those, in one shot: the wall to separate the event room from the entrance hall, with the former front doors installed now.

The importance of that was the fact that those doors were lockable.

That was vital, as Eric had seen signs of someone having been there on Sunday, when no one was to have been present.

Remember, he's our Building Manager, and he'd come by on Sunday to put away the chairs and tables from our first official event. 

We'd seen the setup at last week's meeting.

Post 500 had 100 diners present for their 80th Anniversary dinner!

 

The Fire Marshal verified the Two First Posts ballroom is cleared to hold 150, including any caterers, musicians, or others at the event.

Eric has requested another four packs of the banquet chairs, to increase the number of tickets sold to 120 patrons.

Meanwhile, Justin is to build another wall for a closet to hold extra party-planning items, perhaps like linens and such.

That's in addition to the new wall he's constructed on this side of the entrance at 5511 Montgomery Street.

When I arrived just before 6 PM, he was still mudding the sheetrock.

Eric had just shown him the banner Brenda designed, which met with great approval from Justin.

The other side of that change-order wall will be the game room - for darts - attached to the canteen area. 

I'm looking forward to seeing that wall finished next week!

 

Speaking of the canteen portion, the Fire Marshal has deemed its occupancy load to be 68, which seems like it may mean about 55 patrons.

After all, the occupancy has to include the bar staff, the kitchen cooks and cleaners, and the wait staff.

Right now, though, that area is still pretty well crammed with boxes.

Those all held chairs that Eric had to put together for last Saturday.

I know there is another event - Sabrina's retirement party - set for Friday, but hopefully Eric will be able to concentrate on getting the restaurant tables and chairs set back up again.

 

One nice thing about having these two events this month: it's spurred action toward prettying up the bathrooms.

This silver-framed mirror is in the women's area, with silver faucet handles and silver tap, too.

The men's room will be decked out with gold in those items.

Right now, the mirror is the only gold, but doesn't it look great?

I think both are going to look quite classy when they're finished.

As for tonight's meeting, it started out with talk of Toast, the credit card handling service, which has yet to set up the machines of give lessons.

Justin suggested we cancel it, as they have bailed on him three times when they had appointments to get their machine installed.

Doug concurred, said let's use Clover, the one Kat and Mike use.

Done!

(Though I honestly thought this was already decided several weeks ago.)

Justin also asked that his construction company's name be removed from the storage lease and that The Two First Posts LLC be on it instead.

Doug verified that will be done.

Doug also reminded us that we still need to get Sabrina and Joe Cetti's names as authorized users of the Two First Posts bank account.

Justin reiterated that the meeting with the Fire Marshal went well on Friday, gaining us these two Certificates Of Occupancy Load, which are the official papers to be displayed on the walls in both areas.

Justin said we have had the Certificate of Occupancy - which is apparently something different - since February 25 of this year.

Eric will get the COOL framed and mounted on the walls.

Larry Jackson (on the phone) said he will need a copy of those two COOLs for obtaining the business license, which he is working on with Kat Hancock.

Larry confirmed that the City Council meeting is scheduled for July 1st, but he does not yet know for sure if our petition for a liquor license is on that docket; however, he will let us know as soon as he knows.

He also confirmed that JKLM LLC will be the management for our canteen, which will be called Whiskey Tango Foxtrot Barbecue and Grill.

Then on to yet another change order, this one for a chandelier in the ballroom.

Say what?

Six of the ceiling tiles will need to be removed and there was some discussion about how to place it so it would be above the band stand.

Also, there was talk of a dance floor?

Those were all new business that I knew naught of.

That's about the time I moved to adjourn.

Let's finish what needs to be done, y'all, before we dream bigger, okay?

New York City?!?!

Where else would you host an episode of Sunday Morning Live???

Starring Reverend Billy Hester, straight from the Marble Collegiate Church, located downtown near the Empire State Building!

With special musical guest the Asbury Memorial Choir!

Streamed directly to the Asbury Memorial Church at the corner of Waters Avenue and Henry Street in downtown Savannah, Georgia!!!

Featuring opening and closing remarks by Reverend August Alderman!

And welcoming back to the podium to perform the opening prayer, let's hear it for Reverend Bob Townsend!

He's had health problems for a year that have kept him from that duty.

As he said, "This has been a rough year, but I'm not dead yet!"

You and me both, Bob, you and me both!!!

Yes, indeed, this was certainly a show that we got today!

However, Billy's sermon was the briefest ever, running about ten minutes.

That meant that we all took a vote in Holliday Hall for that to be their length from this point forward - hahahaha!

What was going on there?

The 4th Annual Men's Bake-Off, that's what!

I almost missed the whole thing, as I'd waited in line for a hug from August after SML was done.

Going clockwise from that lone dark one, I have 'Into The Woods', 'Peaches and Cream', 'Refrigerator Cake', and 'Pineapple Layer'.

As sweet as they were, I'm glad I just had shreds of them!

I sat with Sherry Giddens, who just had to tell the other two ladies about my 25-year-old Saturn.

I didn't mind the ribbing, though.

My car has been in a movie, and something I did in that Netflix film got enacted by Emily Blunt, so we both have bragging rights!

As I told them, my car shared screen time with that actress for a full count, just to be sure it was on purpose and not accidental.

What a great memory!!!

I didn't mention that my car's twin also had screen time, in one of my favorite television shows.

What a great surprise that had been for me!

I do hope Sherry and the other two will look up "Pain Hustlers"!

Meanwhile, off I go to the AMC 11.

I'm treating myself to a Nicholas Galitzine double header!!!

Woohoo!!!

First up will be yet another screening of "The Sheep Detectives", in which his age is early 20's.

Then, I'm catching him as the mid-20-something He-Man, in all his muscles and manly glory!!!

Yes, that should be a mighty fine time for me!

Later, y'all! 

ain't no stoppin' us now!!!

When the Two First Posts Planning Committee met on Wednesday, the sight in the ballroom was amazing!

Our Building Manager for 5511 Montgomery Street, Eric Bolden, had set up all the event tables and chairs for this coming Saturday.

That will be the 80th anniversary of the American Legion Post 500 of Georgia, brothers with Post 36 in this venture.

Doesn't it look fabulous???

Eric has been there every day, as far as I know.

He's had to put together more than 100 of those Lifetime banquet chairs and twenty of the Lifetime banquet tables over the past two months.

He's had to open and close the building as the new wall was built.

He's been there to open and close for the two new entrance doors to be installed for the building to comply with code.

 

At that meeting, the doors were in place and finished!

That was good as the Fire Marshal was due at 11 AM on Friday.

Well, that inspection went swimmingly!!! 

The Fire Marshal has marked us good to go!!!

Hallelujah!!!

We finally have the Certificates of Occupancy for both the event ballroom and the canteen areas!

On Monday, June 15, the inspection will take place for the Health Permit.

Mike and Kat were at the meeting on Wednesday and they know exactly what is involved for that, so I expect Whiskey Tango Foxtrot BBQ to pass with flying colors... whatever those hues may be!

We are all so excited that an opening is nigh!

By 'we', I mean Doug Anderson, John Parker, me, Kat Hancock, Mike Kajik, Larry Jackson (by phone), Eric Bolden, and Brenda Pough.

Thanks to Brenda, we'll have own own colors!!!

She's quite creative and just look at the sign she has designed!!!

All four branches of the US military are represented, as well as a family group there in the lower right corner!

Doug was so thrilled!!!

I like that penultimate line: "It's Your Turn To Get Served!"

How about that!!!

She has also designed a logo for our business cards and stationery!

I'm so excited about all of this!

Mike and Kat had a couple of changes to make for the contract, but that should be ready to be signed at next Wednesday's meeting.

And we are all going to try to be at the City Council meeting on the first Wednesday of July, looking sharp and wearing our American Legion insignia.

That meeting will concern our liquor license, so it's very important!!!

Now, I wonder where my American Legion pin is?

(smile!) 

 

swaying with the grey dogs!

The event at Asbury Memorial Church was billed as the "Battle Of The Bands", but that was not quite right!

By the end, both bands were playing together, as shown in the photo.

Just what might that song be that they played?

"Get Together", with enthusiastic accompaniment from the audience!

What a great send off!

The concert began with the Grey Dog Collective's set of 16 covers.

It consisted of Jim McGaw, Tim Steinhauser, Doug Povie, Mimi Witherington, Frank Stuber (on drums), and Eric Nelson, as shown.

They describe their sound as "mostly happy songs about breakups".

"Breakdown", "Sloop John B", "Route 66", "Wichita Lineman", "Daydream Believer", "The Weight", "Already Gone" are a few of their songs.

Those are certainly the ones I sang along with and danced to!

I describe them as a tried and true rock band for Friday night at a club, giving the crowd what they want!!!

After a brief intermission, during which I visited with Rob Norman and Sarah Povie, both there in support of Doug, the battle continued.

 

Sway Tuned was a four-piece that consisted of Bill Oakley, Ginger Honey, Alfred Heath (on drums), and Chuck Eyler, as shown.

Performing only 12 songs, here's where they differed: three of those were originals written by either Chuck Eyler or Ginger Honey!!!

They started with familiar songs - "Superstition". "Son Of A Preacher Man", "Ready For Love" - to get the audience grooving before launching into their own creations.

After their songs, they finished with more familiar works: "White Rabbit", "Can't Find My Way Home", "Use Me", and "Tell Me Something Good".

"Folk rock and blues to thrill and amuse" was their aim.

I'd describe this quartet as jazzy rock and pop served up with a different spin for a cool Sunday afternoon at a cabaret.

Glad I was able to be there for this concert!

I'm sure the fundraiser was a success for the choir!

no friday fiesta, but slunch with hinesville peeps!

And it was a three-hour meal, at that!

Want three guesses where we were dining?

Seriously???

Hahahaha!

Yes, it was Cici's time for my first niece and her girls and her man... but she may soon forego this destination.

She was in town because she's been accepted into a study about a new formulation of a GLP-1 drug.

She's absolutely elated!!

There's no way to know if she's in the control group or one of three groups who will be getting different doses, but the odds are in her favor for getting the weight loss drug in one dose or another.

I do hope that works!

Meantime, she'll be making lots of extra moolah - like $9000 - for being enrolled in the study.

Maybe she should put that aside for keeping on the medication after the study ends in 96 weeks.

I'll have to remember to suggest that to her.

Meanwhile, I gotta jet over to Asbury Memorial!

The Battle Of The Bands concert has already started!!!

So glad I was surprised with so much time with Miyah and Chloe! 

dinner and a movie with Carolyn!!!

That wasn't the order in which we intended to do those things, but the Universe had better plans for us!

I'd called her earlier about a new movie with a bit of burlesque and drag queens about it and she was all in!

Then we got to the AMC Cinema... and the movie was not yet there.

The mothership had been remiss in sending it along, even though they'd posted it as available on the website.

Tom was there, and he assured us it would be up for the later screening.

So off mi amiga and I went to Texas Roadhouse!!!

I had a yet another winner from the SING fundraiser to use, and this time I wasn't keeping all the goody for me.

For this "Dinner For Two" coupon, I wanted to share it with my friend who I haven't seen for over a month.

She was fine with that!

She even picked up the tip... though that may be because she was quite taken with tall, cool, Josh, with the flirty smile.

Yes, he really was good to us!

Then we returned to the cinema... and Tom was good to us, too!

That movie still wasn't done loading up, so he gave each of us two AMC passes to use for any other movie, any time!

What a treat!!!

I convinced her to see "I Love Boosters", with its time-travel antics and bedroom-eyes Lakeith, and she very much enjoyed it!

It was her first time seeing it, so I'm glad to share that with her, too. 

That gave me a third dance for this week's A*List, so that was good.

I've already written about that middle one, but not the one seen last Friday.

That's funny, actually, as I've talked it it with so many!!!

It's all because of the music in it.

Brian May's guitar work absolutely elevates "Masters Of The Universe" to epic level, putting it on a par with "Flash Gordon" in my eyes.

Queen - and, my default, Freddie Mercury - lives on in this new movie!!!

Nicholas Galitzine is pretty cool, too, coming off as a younger, and even nicer, superhero than Sam Jones' version of the King Features comic hero in that 1980 film I love. 

Here's the funny thing about that: Galitzine will be 32 in September.

Jones was just 26 years old when he played Flash Gordon.

Not much difference in their ages, but I was sure the one who just played 'He-Man' was the younger man!

Maybe it's just the way the character is formulated in this movie.

Cast out of his Universe, much as Superman had been...

but at the same age that Peter Quill was when Yondu took him...

'Prince Adam' has abandonment issues the other two did not.

So, when he shows up as a grown man with a job in a Human Resources capacity to resolve workplace issues, it's believable.

That's a very different start for a one-day He-Man...

which, by the way, was the moniker he gave himself as a boy, when he was trying to make sure he didn't forget all the family and others who had been in his life, back in that Universe in which he spent his first decade.

Like I said, younger and nicer... a quality he shares with the other superheroes I adore, like Superman and Flash Gordon and the Star Lord.

Very nice!

catching up at dawn!

"You mean, catching up with Dawn, right? I know darn well you were not up at the break of day to do anything."

 

Hey, you know me! Though I do wake up around that time to go pee. The sun comes streaming gloriously into my personal aquarium to let me know it's there! I usually will take another dose of acetaminophen then, too, before crawling back into bed for another coupla hours.

 

"So your right leg is still painful???"

 

As I tell everyone, it is so much better than it was, but it's not quite normal. But it's better enough that I'm only taking about 2000 to 2500 milligrams of pain relief, instead of maxing out every day at 3000. What I need to do is get my happy ass to the purple planet and start back on the treadmill. Soon, I promise!

 

"Yes, I've heard that before... but that harangue will wait for another time. Tell me about your luncheon with the Georgetown lass!"

 

That was at The King & I, naturally, so we could both get our Thai food fix. Between travels with her sales job and travels with family, she's out of town a lot. So, these luncheons are the one on one time we get every six to eight weeks. Last weekend, she was up in Virginia visiting two of her nieces before sales meetings on Monday. Friday, she leaves for California to meet with some friends before sales meetings on Monday and Tuesday. Wednesday, she and Chris will be off to Chicago to visit his ailing uncle, her bestie Elaine, and other friends and family. My guess is some of that will be a celebration of her upcoming 62nd birthday.

 

"No doubt. I remember how much traveling you once did at her age! I know that was just six years ago, but there's been a lot of changes for your body since 2022. The A-fib really slowed you down for a while there. Then you had that inguinal hernia issue since last August. It's all conspired to keep you closer to home."

 

Don't remind me. At least I've been getting mini-vacations at her house! Another of those is coming up on Wednesday! It's almost like going to a resort, as they have such beautiful views in the front and back of their house. And I'll be there until Father's Day! Four mornings that I can have breakfast on the back porch with Stella, watching birds on the canal!

 

"I'm thinking you won't have to be like Goldilocks with the beds this time. Now that the urinary tract infection has been cured, your kidneys won't be hurting like they were."

 

Hey, good point! I've been sleeping better at home, too. I was waking every couple of hours, sometimes having to switch to the other side of my bed. Honestly, I was thinking I might need to buy a new mattress! Glad that's not an issue now!!

 

"You never did say what you ate during y'all's two-hour luncheon. Just what dish does that lovely photo document?"

 

It's 'The King & I Salad' and it marries two of the things I enjoy: Nam Sod and a crispy, flavorful plate of veggies! I say 'Nam Sod', but the pork was not ground up, like in that dish. It's still seasoned the same, but in slices. So very good!!! I really should post that in TripAdvisor.

 

"You sure are having a lot of salads these days."

 

I am absolutely determined to never, ever have to deal with an inguinal hernia again. Never, ever. Salads help keep the bowel movements regular and easy, and I've really noticed the difference. Ya gotta give those intestinal muscles something to squish and move along!!

 

"Yeah, okay, I hear you, but I think I'll move along now."

 

Do what ya gotta do, dearie! (smile!)  

spending more aarp money!

I've been shopping like a woman possessed!

Some of these AARP e-gift certificates I've had for three years.

Why have I just been sitting on that free cash?

Let me say, that's coming to an end.

In the last two days, I've used nine e-gift certificates - NINE!!!

Yesterday, I spent a total of $35 on six of those AARP e-gift 'cards', with four used to benefit others and two just for me.

Today, I was out shopping again, this time with those three AARP e-gift certificates for Walgreens.

The impetus was the need for Vitamin C.

Usually I would go to CVS, so I could guerilla-shop.

I kno where everything is, so I can get in, get what I need, get out!

However, I had $20 of e-cash for Walgreens, so there I went, and look what I  found... a package of pretty new ponytail holders!

They were on sale, too.

(smile!) 

i was 1 of 5 again!

"Was there another special meeting at the Savannah VA Center?"

You do realize this is Monday, right? And that I was one of five last week for Music Bingo here at the Midtown Sports Grill?

"Pardon me if I don't count how many folks you list."

It's alright, dearie, I know you have other things on your mind than math. As for me, I like to have fun with numbers. You know this is the 250th anniversary of the United States of America being a country, right?

"Well, of course I know that. It's also the 50th anniversary of your graduation from Jenkins High School, though I haven't heard of a party for that yet."

Nope, neither have I. But I did hear that this was the 150th anniversary of Anheuser-Busch! They're touring the Clydesdale horses around the USA at various historic sites and they were here in Savannah last Saturday. They were at at Grayson Stadium for its 100th anniversary!!! Well, kinda sorta. They were adjacent to the baseball stadium, but the Bananas had a game there, so it would have been too crowded for security of the horses.

"I would think so! And you forgot a personal anniversary for you. This makes 30 years since you got your PhD at FSU!"

You're right! Nice that it falls where it does with these other numbers!

"Yes, indeed. Now, what's this about '1 of 5' for Music Bingo?"

Well, there was me. Elissa came with Sandy. Plus Amanda brought Merritt along. That made five of us, so we were at a table again, instead of a booth. I like that much better, as I can stretch my legs. It also helps for dancing in my seat, which I did a lot tonight! Such great music Russ was playing all night!

"Very good!!! It's always more fun with good tunes!"

This was my card for the first game. Just look at that diagonal!!! What a story that bingo would tell!!! "Call Me" to be "Flirtin' With Disaster" over a Free Space, then there'll be "Dancing In The Dark" while I "Kiss You All Over" - mercy me, I'd have had to go home for a cool shower if those had all come up as a winner for me!

"Hahahaha!!! Yes, I know you would have!!! You can be such a sailor!!!"

Hey, I just can't help it... or just won't... take your pick! (smile!)

"So, did Sandy win again tonight?"

No, she did not. I was the only winner at our table and that was for the second game. It was "New School Rock Mix #1" and had a lot of tunes I was singing at the table. That prompted Merritt to suggest we have a karaoke night some time!!! I know Sandy would be down for that, too.

"Hey, doesn't his band have a gig at Tybee Post Theater this month?"

Yep, but I can't go. It's on June 28th, and, as I told him tonight, I have colonoscopy prep that day and night, so I'll be at home. Certainly can't be spewing body fluids all over town! LOL!

"For sure. So, what did you win?"

The second game's prize is always a free appetizer, so that's mine now! I didn't have food tonight, just a lemonade, made fresh by Chris. Really good, too! Nice and tart, but not sweet, and ice cold.

"That does sound good!"

It was, as was the music. My bingo was on the opposite diagonal to that above, starting with "Glycerine" in the lower right and ending with "Kryptonite" in the upper left. BINGO!!!

"Good one! You've even heard Three Doors Down perform that in concert!"

Right?! It was just perfect! And the couple sitting near us clapped for me! The guy told me I 'deserved to win because I was singing along to all the songs"!!! That really made me feel special!!!

"Well, it sounds like you're doing well at carrying a tune these days. That's very good! I know you've always enjoyed singing. I hope you and your friends will do some karaoke in the near future. That will be great fun!"

Yes, it will, most definitely. Now, I'm going to enjoy my House Salad along with this new "Game With Balls". In honor of the FIFA tournaments, they're using giant soccer balls to bop folks into the water for wrong answers. Tonight, the USA is taking on England for fun and dips in the channel! Later!

spreading the love, thanks to aarp gifts

What else can I call those gift certificates from AARP?

These were either won while playing a slot machine game, a la Vegas, or they were obtained by earning Reward points watching videos or such.

They didn't cost me a penny.

But today, I took a 10-buck certificate and three 5-buck certificates to Barnes & Noble and used them to buy three future gifts for others.

 

I have my brother Smitty to thank for the inspiration to make that use of the gift cards.

I had thought to use them to buy a new game, perhaps, but then I saw this. 

Smitty has been quite taken with gnomes for the last decade, and this practically screamed his name!

The sale price, down from $25, was a good reason to buy it for him, too, so that's what I did.

Then I saw this lovely and thought of Chloe.

I've never even heard of the Kawaii Fun artistic toys, but there were quite a few items at the store.

This Super-Cute Kawaii Fun Activity Case sounded like just the thing for bday8 of that great-niece!

Her big sister usually gets all the new art stuff, so I want Chloe to have her own case full of goodies.

I also liked that it was on sale for half the original cost.

Onward I went to search for more discounted treasures!

That's when I found this.

it's a rainbow-themed blank book with a velvety soft outer jacket.

I remembered how Leila had liked the blank book I gave Miyah, so I think she will love this one!

It was originally marked at $18.99, but was 75% off - what an incredible deal!

All totaled, the three future gifts for loved ones cost me $1.20 at the register.

Shopping smarter is what I try to do.

After all, I just finished my 8th year of being retired.

Thanks, AARP, for helping me stretch my money.