i think the word you want is 'fiasco'

"The word I want?"

Okay, then, the word that would be more appropriate for this episode of the S&K Friday Fiesta than that last one. We all knew that John and Sherry Schomburg would be in town and would be visiting with their friends from the old neighborhood - that is, my brothers and the Kameron brothers and Betsy - at Jalapenos of Sandfly. We knew because Smitty told us last week.

"Oh, how very nice! Always good to see old friends and hear the tales form "back in the day" that seem to come out then!"

You would think so, right? But when Tony and Laura arrived, a fourth table was added to the end and suddenly they were cut off from the regular crowd. They found themselves sitting by the Schomburg's daughter, Ashley, as well as her husband and their two young daughters (ages 4 and 6, as I recall). That was not good. When I joined them, that seemed to add to the unsettled feeling somehow, and Tony and Laura left.

"What? You mean, they didn't stay to eat? Seriously?"

Tony said he felt he'd been disrespected, and i could understand that. This is the only time of the week when he is with men who aren't coworkers. This is his time with his brother and friends he's known since he was a kid. I could understand where he was coming from, as I went through a lot of that when I returned from the Navy.

"Even so, this was a special occasion. John and Sherry were just trying to have family and friends time, so the arrangement was thrown off."

Not quite. The first two tables were as they always are, with the guys on one side and the gals on the other. Where it all fell apart was the middle table with that young family. I feel like things could have been handled better, but, oh well. Then Laura returned, solo, and TOOK A CHAIR - from the third table - TO ADD TO THE FIRST TABLE - so she could sit with the other gals of our regular party - AND THEY MADE ROOM FOR HER. Like, seriously. She couldn't sit with me and the guests for this one meal???

"Oh, this doesn't sound like it's gonna end well..."

So I bounced up to that first table and got onto all the gals from disrespecting Ashley and her family, who were there as guests. They left Ashley and her husband to just sit as outcasts at that third table, as none of the gals were talking to them. Well, God bless Betsy! She picked up her plate and her drink and came down to the fourth table with me!!! She's such a trooper!!! And she ended up charming the little girls and giving Ashley a chance to eat her meal!

"Well, that sounds marvelous! That Betsy, she can carry on a conversation with just about anyone, can't she?"

Yes, she can! As I said, God bless Betsy. I'm glad I have the cruise next week, so I will have at least one week away. Maybe it's time for me to take a break from this. After all, the Schomburgs started it with Smitty and Mary, like ten years ago, so I'm just along because I'm a Smith kid. Maybe I need to start a new tradition, like the second Thursday go out with just my brothers. Something like that. We'll see. But I'm not gonna let it bother me tonight, as the Atlanta Rhythm Section put it. "The world is in an uproar and there ain't no end in sight, but I will not let it bother me tonight, no, I won't." I have a birthday vacation that starts on Sunday and all else can wait until my return.

"Good for you. Don't let it put you off and make you miss it. I know how much you hated missing out on that Las Vegas trip last fall. You go with Christina and her girls and have a wonderful summer holiday together, as y'all have for the past few years. See you when you return... and don't forget the sunscreen!". 

smitty wanted a party this bday!

He even gave everyone fair warning that an increased cost would be involved for dinner, as his choice was Miyabi's for his birthday.

Even so, we all still agreed to come, except the young ones... then they changed their minds and came anyway!

After all, Addison and Becca never pay for their meals!

 

So, off to the Japanese steakhouse we went, and there was even a nice cake for the birthday fellow!

Oh, my mistake... that was a RICE cake!

The chef even wrote "HBD 66" on it for Smitty!

All it lacked were candles.

(smile!)

Here's the chef making the shrimp appetizer for all of us.

I'm so glad I can eat shellfish!

My guess is we each got two shrimp, served as six pieces.

Meanwhile, the zucchini and onions were still cooking on the grill.

They smelled so good!!!

We had received our miso mushroom soup as the first course.

Then came the crisp salads, loaded with ginger dressing - yum!

I ate my salad, and my dinner, with chopsticks and was the only one who decided to dine in that fashion.

I swear it tastes better without metal utensils!

(smile!)

 

No one commented on my use 

of chopsticks for eating, either.

Then again, it could be that 

the girls on the side did, 

but I couldn't hear them.

Or, it could be they weren't even 

aware, as they were on the 

opposite end of the huge table. 

I'm not even sure that Robin and Laura saw that I used those wooden sticks.

Then again, they were raised as sisters and are usually rapt in conversation.

Tony was engrossed in having sake with his meal, and Jimmy likely didn't see.

 

I think Smitty noticed, but he knows 

I was in Okinawa for two years, 

so I think he expected it of me.

As for Mark, he really had a limited view.

I know he was more attuned to the 

difference in the size of his Michelob 

Ultra compared to Smitty's Asahi.

LOL!

Anyway, after the first, second, and third courses, we got a generous helping of vegetables... and an even more generous slab of that rice cake!

Then we watched as all the meats were cooked by our entertaining chef!

A steak for Laura and another for Jimmy...

a fish for me... 

scallops for Smitty and Mark and Tony...

chicken breast for Mary, with mixed chicken for the other women...

plus shrimp for me, Smitty, Mark, and Tony.

I had enough left over to use for two more meals!

I'm so glad Smitty chose this for our S&K Friday Fiesta!

Happy bday 66, dear brother!

(smile!)

tina tuesday with movie, dinner, and dane!

My first niece was dropping me off after dining with her and Anthony at Seasons of Japan.

Naturally, we were standing in the front yard, getting "real" hugs and chatting, when we saw familiar faces coming down Allegheny.

 

It was my youngest brother 

and his wife, 

strolling down the road 

with Dane the dog!

 

Dane was a little perplexed

 to see me, 

but only for 

a brief moment,

then he was ready for home.

I could just hear his thoughts. 

"Come along, now, 

Tony and Laura!

I'm thirsty and 

I'm ready for some 

puppy ice cream!!"

 

However, we chatted on 

for a little longer, 

until the setting sun 

convinced Christina 

to head for home.

 

What a lovely Tuesday

this has been!

she remembered me!

"Who's that, dearie? Someone's child that you've recently seen?"

 

Nope! That would be Marilyn, the nurse for UHC's Optum House Calls, who came by this afternoon as part of that Medicare Advantage program. I allowed the visit, as it was going to net me $50 on my UHC card. Usually it would have only been $15, but this time of year they up the ante. Hooray!

 

"Good for you for working the system!"

 

Oh, you betcha. Anyway, Marilyn Harris had been the one to see me a couple of years ago for the House Call. How do I know? I hadn't remembered her, but she sure did remember me!!! She was so glad to see my upbeat self was still in place! She even asked me about my volunteering for the Savannah Music Festival - how about that? I had to tell her that the inguinal hernia had kept me from doing that this spring, as I had a hitch in my giddy-up and didn't feel the need to be hobbling there. Then I led her into the dining room and showed her that I'm still going to concerts and musicals and plays!

"Good for you! You showed off your blessings wall, didn't you?"

 

Yes, ma'am, I did. She was so impressed with all my blessings2026 that she took a photo! So I did, too. She was really impressed that all of those souvenirs are from events in just the first six months of this year. I wouldn't be surprised if she recommends that other clients keep a blessings wall!

 

"That would be a very good thing. It's easy for folks to feel like they're missing out if they're not mindful of all they've been to."

 

Right? Just because I'm retired doesn't mean I'm staying home all the time. Hallelujah!

 

"Hallelujah!!! So what else happened with this visit?"

 

Oh, the usual, at first. She checked my blood pressure and all that. Then she told me three words to remember, had me draw an analog clock face set for 11:10, then asked me the three words. I passed all that with flying colors! Plus, she was delighted that I'd chosen to make a square clock face instead of a round one - that was different! Then she checked my feet to make sure they felt the little plastic needle - that was ticklish near the arches! LOL! While she was doing that, she noticed that the toenails on my left foot were pretty long. The one on the pinky toe was even curling over! I told her that the pain in my right thigh was still ongoing, even though the inguinal hernia had been repaired. That prevented me from being able to clip those nails. So then she asked if it would be alright if she did that for me... wow!!! So I gratefully accepted her offer.

 

"Wow!!! I am so happy Marilyn did that!!!"

 

Oh, it gets better. After she did that and was wrapping up the paperwork, she told me she had a gift for me. A gift for me!!! She had remembered that I loved the ocean and she had made a wreath with that theme... just for me!!! She calls her side hustle "Mae Emma Creations" and the wreath is gorgeous!

 

"Well, just look at that!!! It even has nautical twine and a real sea star!"

 

I was very touched that she made that for me! Then I suggested that I'd put it on the wall by "Oceans, Tumultuous" and she was touched by that. "You want to put it on the wall with your art work?" I assured her I did... and then she hung it for me! I like the counterpoint between the feminine wreath and that masculine mixed-media piece. Very nice!

 

"Oh, I like that, too!"

Now, I need to get ready for Marcia to pick me up. There's no music bingo tonight because of all that FIFA soccer, but we're all still getting together for dinner. We're meeting up at Panera. I'll make sure to have a salad to offset all that rich food Smitty brought me earlier. Smoked macaroni and cheese, grilled short ribs, candied bacon... even a piece of apple pie! I haven't eaten all of it, but I've put a dent into it.

 

"I just bet you have! Okay, have fun with the girlfriends!"

four meals out this week!

Monday was with my first niece and her man, right?

Tina Tuesday found me with Sandy, Marcia, and Kathy, having supper.

Nope, we were not at MSG!

That's supposed to be our Monday meetup, right?

We decided to skip that, but still wanted to have dinner together, so we met at Seasons of Japan.

Pricier than I'd expected, but it was definitely right place, right time!

This 2007 penny magically greeted me on the floor by the drink stand!

Thursday found me dining out again, this time with mi amiga, Carolyn.

We got together to see a movie first and ran into a snafu, yet again, but different this time.

The movie of interest was on its last screening, so there would not be a make-up date.

Trey made it right, and Tom gave us free cameo specials!

(See elsewhere about the great film!)

We dined at Longhorn, as she wanted their potato soup.

Fine by me!

Then, with me having missed last week's S&K Friday Fiesta, I wanted to be sure to catch it this time!

Smitty must have wanted to make sure, too.

He texted me the location and earlier time about 2 PM!

Spanky's at Mall Boulevarde was the designated spot, with 5 PM as the time.

That worked for me!

I wanted to try out their Spinach & Artichoke Dip as my meal... and I made sure to bring plenty of Lactaid, too.

It was pretty good, but I'm glad Jimmy gave me a slice of his Pepperoni Pizza and Tony gave me some of his Spuds!

No Robin at this gathering, but Addison was there with Sean again, so I made sure to properly introduce myself this time.

He won't be there next week, nor Addison.

How do I know?

Mary was getting a head count for Miyabi's, which is Smitty's choice for his 66th birthday dinner.

Fancy, fancy!!!

I'll need to be sure to set money aside for that.

Now, I'm using some Stella cash to see a musical!!!

Woohoo!!!

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!!!

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.

birthday cake from the universe!!!

It's a real beauty, too, that's for sure.

As Marcia said, I've been dreaming of this dessert for quite some time.

It's called Milky Way Cake and it is some kind of scrumptious!

Far too rich to have on a regular basis, but it certainly was perfect tonight as I continued the celebration of bday68.

This outing for Music Bingo with Sandy and the J Crew was also a perfect ending to my birthday weekend!

Elissa was absent, but Marcia had two daughters (Amanda and Donna) and her 11-yo granddaughter (BatSheva), so that was perfect, too!

Russ was dropping music that I loved all evening, starting off with "Dad Rock Mix #1", like "Learn To Fly" by the Foo Fighters, which would have given me a bingo in that first game.

That was followed by "Bar Favourites Mix #7", which would have yielded me one of two bingos if "Heart Of Glass" by Blondie or "Like A Prayer" by Madonna had either one hit the air. 

He ended the night with "90's Party Anthems #1", giving us "Macarena" and "Ice Ice Baby" and "I Like To Move It" - lots to sing and move to!

Very nice!!!

What a wonderful way to start this month of my 68th year!

 

I had a wonderful ending to the month of May, too.

Last night, my youngest brother took me out for dinner!

Tony and Laura and I went out to Tubby's Tankhouse, as they know I love seafood - and they were right!

I ordered the Tuna Tacos and they were fabulous!

They should have called them "Ahi Tuna Tacos", as the sashimi-grade fish was perfectly prepared and beautiful.

Oh, yes! 

Even in the rain, dinner out with family is a good idea! 

 

Fortunately, the rain had held off for the S&K Friday Fiesta.

Smitty and Mary surprised me with dinner not at our usual haunt but at a seafood place: Driftaway Cafe in Sandfly.

Even with Tony and Laura absent for the Bloomingdale concert, we still had enough for the party table out back!

That's because Addison was there, with her new boyfriend, plus Becca, Robin, and all three of the regular Kamerons.

I changed up my menu, choosing the Jerk Salmon Spring Salad, as it's been a while since I went Caribbean... and I have a cruise coming up at the end of July with Christina and her family... so I had that taste in my mouth and on my mind!

Most excellent choice! 

What a fabulous way to spend the weekend!

Happy birthday to me!

(smile!) 

happy birthday from Smitty!!!

There he is, making my front yard look shipshape again!

It's been more than two months since it was last trimmed.

I'd mentioned to my brother, Smitty, that I needed some help with it... and he showed up about 11 AM, weed whacker in hand, to take care of it for me!

"Happy birthday, sister!"

He not only trimmed up the front, but he got the back yard looking better, too.

What a wonderful bday68 gift from him!

(smile!)

Hopefully, that will keep it straight for the next few weeks.

The Universe is trying to counter the drought we've had, to restore a bit of humidity to the air for my birthday.

I do appreciate it, but that's several days in a row to try to make up for several months.

The weather song may change, though, as it tends to do.

But I don't mind if the days are rainy.

I like the rain.

(smile!)

friday birthday fiesta in sandfly!

"Oh, my! Where y'all early celebrating your bday68?"

Nope, but good try! After a month away from Jalapenos, the S&K Friday Fiesta was back on again for two reasons. First, Laura had her bday59 last week, but she didn't get to wear the sombrero and she very much wanted to do that. Second, our favorite waitress had returned from her vacation to Mexico and we all wanted to put money back in her pockets! We really do love Claudia!!!

"Oh, hooray! I know there are some in the party who don't think anyone else can serve us quite right..."

You got that right. See the fellow who took this photo of our group? He's the owner of this particular Jalapenos and he was thrilled that we were back. After all, our table probably accounts for at least 500 bucks of drinks and food every Friday. Smitty and Mary, Laura, Betsy and Jimmy, Mark, and Robin all have at least two drinks apiece, on average. Tony and I both abstain, as we drive. I'm glad I'm there to support him in that abstinence.

"I see everyone except Mary in that shot."

I hear ya. The guy must have taken seven photographs and Mary managed to be hardly there in all except two of them. And in those, Mark was the one invisible! Still, I knew they were there! Neither of the young ones - Addison and Becca - were present this week. However, they were at Molly McGuire's for last Friday's gathering! That was partly in celebration of Addison's graduation from Georgia State University. 

"What a lovely deck for dining!"

Yes, it was, and the guy on the lower patio was playing some good tunes for us! Lots of stuff from the 70's and 80's, but a few more recent hits, too. We were all jamming out to them! The best part is they weren't too loud, so we could still talk.

"Very good. Nothing worse than going out with family and friends and not being able to carry on a conversation and catch up. Did anyone ask about your facial mole at that one? And where was Mary for last week's gathering?"

Betsy did, but I expected that, and she didn't keep on about it. And guess what? Tony and Laura gave me a ride there! It's out on Wilmington Island and they know I'm not keen on driving in the dark. Smitty isn't, either, and he had debated about whether to come or not. Mary was out in Louisiana, visiting her brother Steve, and stayed for a week to catch the last of the graduations of those nieces and nephews.

And guess what else Tony and Laura did? They bought my dinner!!! Tony insisted, so I told him that could be my birthday present. And so there's my bday68 gift, the Cumberland Chef Salad, with Parmesan Peppercorn dressing!!! It was so very delicious!!!

"Another chef salad? You seem to be on a kick with those."

I am on a salad kick, in general, and those are just packed with protein! Ever since I had that inguinal hernia repair surgery, I've tried to bulk up my fiber intake at each meal.

"That's definitely a good move."

I totally agree. Now, before I get distracted by the free movies on MGM+, I've got a piece of news! My younger nephew in Alabama, Conner, has graduated high school!!! That was at 7 PM and Bonnie told me she watched it on a special channel. I am so glad!!!

"That's marvelous news!!! I remember he was talking about dropping out earlier this school year. I'm so glad he stayed the course!"

All puns intended? (smile!) I am, too, and thrilled that he had that special cord for attending lineman class. I told my stepmom that my Uncle Bob had made a good living as a telephone lineman. Bonnie said that Conner is more interested in fighting, MMA style. I suggested that he search for grants and scholarships to help with training in mixed martial arts. She thought that was a great idea! She'll keep me posted on any progress. Now, to the free premium movies from Comcast I go. Happy early birthday to me!

ice cream truck!!!

You scream... 

 

I scream... 

 

we all scream... 

 

for ice cream!!!

The shouting of the kids several houses to the west is what drew me to the door!

Quick, where's that $5 bill?

And out the door I went!

The truck had stopped outside Diane Sullivan's house, with a group of kids that included her grandson.

I was just as excited as any of them were!!!

I marveled at all the different types of ice cream in the pictures!!!

I had never heard of some of them!!!

Finally it was my turn!

There were three different Nestle's Drumstick cones - THREE!!!

My choice was the Vanilla Caramel, with that ribbon of extra flavor in the center of the ice cream - WOW!!!

But before I eat it, I need to call my littlest brother!!!

I gotta let Dood know it's coming his way next!!!

Woohoo!!!

vacay in georgetown with a footlong...

... chili cheese Coney! Hahahaha!

Just a little sexual innuendo to brighten the day!

I had not had one of these Sonic creations for years, so after the S&K Friday Fiesta at Texas Roadhouse was canceled due to crowds, I stopped in.

I didn't want to eat it with Stella around, so I sat in my car in Dawn's driveway.

Stella has a habit of lying on my foot, or touching it, to make sure I don't get away.

In my car, I could drink my Cherry Lime-ade in peace - aahhh!

As for the hotdog and the tater tots, they were okay, but I'm just not into fast food.

Then again, I had my first meeting with my new nutritionist this morning.

Alyn Rosales is down in Hinesville, so we had a Video meeting, with her spending an hour with me.

She wants me to eat three snacks a day, as well as three meals, being mindful of having more fruits and vegetables.

Cherries and limes are fruit... though I doubt either are truly in that Sonic drink!

Anyway, after I had dined, I went inside, knowing full well that "party on the patio" time had passed us by.

Still, I took Stella onto the back porch, to "wait for the party" to start.

We were out there thirty minutes!

No Coco ever came out, and I convinced the ridgeback that we hadn't missed it and they had decided not to do it.

Then I took her in and fed her and she was okay with the little lie I'd told.

That's no doubt due to me letting her chase the geese this morning.

We'd both noticed the adult geese up on the bank.

Of course, it had been impossible to ignore them, as they were all five honking up a storm right there!

So, while we were on the back porch, I encouraged her to go after them.

Hey, why not?

I knew they would be well out of her reach, and they were well away from the water, so there was no fear of Stella getting scum all over her.

Plus, she had been so patient during my video appointment - she deserved to have a bit of fun!

That was fun for both of us!

(smile!)

today, my brothers looked at coins in a table

 

Don't believe me?

 

Well, here's the proof!

 

Laura had started it, recognizing that many of the coins embedded in the lacquer were quite old and rather valuable.

 

Tony started looking then, like really looking, and he started pointing out various ones to Smitty.

 

Walking Liberty, Buffalo head, steel pennies - those were just a few of the types.

 

Of course, I had to chime in with a tale from our family history!

Our father once had quite a collection of valuable coins, see?

At some point, Smitty and Ronnie would go into it and take a few out, taking them to the Chu's 7-Eleven store to buy penny candy.

Daddy found out when he was looking at his collection one night.

He was so mad at them!!!

They were probably not yet ten years old.

That's been more than fifty years ago!

Smitty didn't remember any of that, and Tony was just a baby.

I guess I'm the only one now who can tell that tale.

 

So, just where was the S&K Friday Fiesta this evening?

Well, since Claudia was on vacation to Mexico, we were taking a break from that type of cuisine.

All except Laura, that was, who still ordered a shrimp quesadilla!

The rest of us had typical Spanky's fare: Chicken Fingers, Fish & Chips, Spanky's Special Pizza.

Oh, yeah!

Robin and Becca didn't make it, but the rest of us regulars were there, with Long Island Iced Tea flowing for the ladies instead of margaritas.

The guys stayed with beer.

Well, all except me and Tony, who abstained.

 

We all still had a good time, listening to Smitty's story of meeting Billy Currington in Home Depot years ago and Betsy's story of how, and why, she got pregnant at 35 years old.

Her story was new to me, but I knew the one by Smitty.

That must have been between the time "People Are Crazy" hit the airwaves and my leaving work with him to go full-time at Armstrong.

That makes that story at least 16 years old.

And Betsy's, about Addison's way into this world, must be at least a quarter-century old by now.

Guess it's not just the coins in the table that are old!

(smile!)

today, i made the friday fiesta!

I celebrated by ordering the Shrimp Ceviche!

Yes, a celebration was most def in order.

I'd missed the ones on April 3rd and 10th, though Tony and Laura had brought home chips and salsa for me after that first one.

Such a good brother!

I was determined to see both of my brothers this time, and so I did, getting hugs in Jalapenos when I entered and hugs outside when we were all leaving!

Hugs from my family and friends are as much a part of this time together as is the shared meal itself!

I know Robin has found that to be true, too, after the death of her husband, Harry.

I do wonder sometimes if I started that hugging part of the ritual or if it was already in place before I started coming out to Jalapenos?

I'm just thankful for all that touch!

We were all giving hugs to Claudia tonight, too.

Our favorite waitress for these S&K Friday Fiestas is off to her family's home in Mexico for a month and won't be at Jalapenos next week.

As I told her, I'm so glad I was there tonight!

I would have been so sad to have missed her.

I know we'll all be taking a break from Sandfly next week.

We'll either be at Tubby's or at Spanky's, but not here.

It'll be good to have a change of pace!

(smile!)

Now, I'm going to settle in to watch "The Accountant", my Diamond Reward from Comcast this week.

My guess is the title was chosen as an inside joke!

After all, Wednesday was the last day to file income taxes! 

Hopefully they know he's really a hit man!

Hahahaha!