The DailyGs

Friday Mishmash from the Swamp

noreply@blogger.com (Barb and TheDailyGs) — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 08:17:00 +0000

My SisterDear Lynda texted me a photo of Ian yesterday. I swear, I think he must be the happiest and sweetest boy. Like EVAH. I can't wait to hold him again!

Last evening Dad and I were sitting on the patio after pizza (which has become somewhat of our go-to dinner when MotherDear goes to Thursday night BWTB). Dad and I were watching the storm roll in when I got my nightly SisterDear Janice phone call. After chatting a while I handed Dad the phone. And Dad's arm screamed, "Take my picture!".

So I did.

His arms looks like this all the time because of the blood thinners he's had to take since his heart attack about 10 years ago. Most times I don't even notice them anymore. But last night... well, as I said, they screamed at me.

And here is my lovely assistant Gandalf, demonstrating how far I've gotten into the 3rd and final book of The Hunger Games.

You can just make out the bookmark.

Oh, btw, if you ever borrow one of my books, you MUST use a bookmark. Do not ever dare to fold back the page. srsly.

Tracey, I don't know if I'd actually recommend the series other than to say that they have held my interest. I was also glad to have already had all 3 of them so when I finished one book I could go right into the next book. If I had to wait for the next book to come out I think my interest would have waned. I certainly would not have pre-ordered the next as I have done with series like the Harry Potter books and the Left Behind books. I almost could not wait for the next books to come out in those series and had them all pre-ordered in Amazon!

So, as I said yesterday about The Hunger Games... a literary work of art they are not. But they are interesting enough.

The Chia Cat Grass has been quite a hit with all of them, but Gracie especially. She noms on it many times a day.

Today I have to go pick up my car from the mechanic. I had a little issue from the AC work he did for me last month and he corrected it for me yesterday.

I also had to go to the AT&T Wireless store again yesterday to have Jeremy straighten out my bill. I upgraded my plan about a month ago so of course you know AT&T has to screw up the bill. Every.Single.Time. I've been 3 months now working on getting my AT&T business lines bill straightened out. I hope that's done. The next bill will tell the truth of it. (fingers crossed).

So, it's Friday! I will finish up the last book of the trilogy today. And then onto the next book. Don't know which one yet. Oh... Miss Bee, which Kindle did you get? There are so many now! I'm still not sure I actually need a separate Kindle as I am quite pleased with the app on my iPad. Perhaps I should see a Kindle in action to see the differences?

It's also the first day of a brand new month and the start of Hurricane Season! Me? I'm hoping for lots and lots of lovely orders this month! And I hope we all have a perfectly YAYful day!

Clearing out at the Swamp

noreply@blogger.com (Barb and TheDailyGs) — Thu, 31 May 2012 04:00:00 +0000

So yesterday was the day. We got the boxes down from the attic over the garage... all of the old records from my old company that I had to keep for at least 3 previous tax years as well as the year that we (Al & I) sold the company. So that means we had 4 years of records stored. We only peeked in the top of each box to be sure the contents were in fact old company records and then we loaded them onto the trailer for their final ride to the dump. Bu-bye, old company! You served us well. I miss you!

These file folder tabs were all I saved. The rest of the stuff was unceremoniously hauled to the dump by Al.

Then there were the 2 boxes of some of my photos that we found! In the year of Hurricane Ivan and Jeanne and a few other nasty storms I had Ziplock'd all of my framed and printed film photos. Ziplock'd, Ziplock'd again and into a big plastic bag and then into boxes for lots of protection... just in case. Somehow or another these 2 boxes went undetected in the initial move from Florida to Georgia and wound up in the garage attic instead of being unpacked and stored in the storage cabinets I have just for photos. I can't wait to go through them this weekend! I have a feeling I'm going to have to get my scanner working!

I've finished the first 2 books of The Hunger Game series and I'm well into the 3rd book. I can't say that it's a literary masterpiece, but it is certainly holding my interest. I'll have to watch the first movie now, if for no other reason than to see how they manage to pull off telling the story, which in the book is mostly told through the thoughts of the central character, Katniss Everdeen. Should be interesting.

I had a few lovely orders yesterday. And it's finally less than 4 weeks until my SisterDear visit begins! YAY! And somehow today is the last day of May. How is this even possible? I hope your day is lovely. And mine, too.

Aging Gracefully-ish

noreply@blogger.com (Barb and TheDailyGs) — Wed, 30 May 2012 04:00:00 +0000

Guess what I had to do yesterday?

Well, first I need to tell you that I made Chicken Pie. The very same Chicken Pie I've been making for years and years and years. The one I've made so many times that I should know the recipe by heart by now. But I don't.

So out comes the little piece of cardboard with the recipe that I cut out of the pie crust box and taped over to keep it safe about twelvity five years ago. And I start making the roux and while that's making I go to get out my chicken stock. And it isn't there. MotherDear must have used it up and not mentioned that we need to pick up more. No problem. I reach up and get out the bouillon to make some. And I can't remember the proportions so I turn it around to read them. And I can't. No matter how many times I trombone my arm in and out and look out of different areas of my progressive glasses, I can not read a single letter. And MotherDear and Dad are out running errands. So my elderly parents can't read it for me either. Bugger. So I decide to grab Dad's magnifying glass that he keeps on the kitchen table for reading the morning paper. But they aren't there. Crap. So I decide to go get my old glasses and use them as a magnifying glass. And that worked fine. I read the proportions, put the old glasses away and went back to making my Chicken Pie. And I've got the roux made now and it's time to add the chicken stock and milk. The water is boiling for the chicken stock and I go to add the bouillon and dang if I've forgotten the proportions already. Back to get the old glasses. This time I brought them into the kitchen until I finished. Good thing because I forgot how much salt and pepper went in and I couldn't read the little cardboard card.

Welcome to a little past my prime.

I'm a little worried because I have no kids to take care of me in my old age. Although my nephew Brian has told me that he will take care of me. He's such a sweetheart.

And he can read pretty good, too.

Have yourselves a YAYful day! And me, too.

Coffee, Cupcakes, Chia progress... and finishing up the first book in the series

noreply@blogger.com (Barb and TheDailyGs) — Tue, 29 May 2012 08:24:00 +0000

Yesterday was a lovely day. Pretty much all day we had a nice, steady rain. Perfect for reading my book, which I did until my eyes betrayed me and got so heavy that I just had to close them for a lovely nap.

With 3 gray kitties. :)

When I awoke a few hours later my phone was ringing and while I chatted I also browsed Pinterest a bit. I found a recipe for 2 Ingredient Cupcakes.

2 Ingredients. No Eggs. No Oil.

100 Calories!

Basically you use a box of Duncan Hines Cake mix and a 15 oz can of Pumpkin. Pop 'em in a preheated 350° oven for 20-25 minutes. That's it! I used Red Velvet since that's what I had on hand! I also tossed in a handful of Toll House Morsels. I dusted them with confectioners sugar when they cooled a bit.

I don't taste the pumpkin at all. They are so moist and yummy!

I did not tell my Dad about the Pumpkin part. He hates Pumpkin.

He loves the Cupcakes. =:-o

I can not wait to try these with Spice Cake!

And it's back to work after a long 3-day weekend. Outside we've still got that easy, steady rain. Perhaps between lovely orders I'll get the last few chapters of the first book read today and get on to the second book. I hope your day is YAYful! And mine, too.

Tropical Storm Beryl

noreply@blogger.com (Barb and TheDailyGs) — Mon, 28 May 2012 12:48:00 +0000

The season's second named storm and it isn't quite June. We're fine here. It's already weakened after making landfall just after midnight in Jacksonville. We are under a Tropical Storm Watch and a Flood Watch until 2am tomorrow. We could get from 2-4 inches of rain and some high wind gusts.

I'm about to make a quick dash out to the Walmart for a few things before the heavy rains get here.

The Chia is already about 3 inches high! It really does grow an inch a day! I've decided I quite like the planter. It's even a gray kitty. Did you notice? :)

Nothing much planned here today. I got about half of the first book of The Hunger Games read yesterday and, assuming we don't lose power, I'm planning to get back to that this afternoon. SisterDear Janice already gave me a spoiler... unintentionally, of course. She took her 12 1/2 year old sons to see it and she was upset to discover what it's about. Y'all. I reminded her that she should find out before she ever agrees to take them. That's what Mom's do!

I hope your day is lovely and that TS Beryl doesn't mess with you! Or me either!

Memorial Monday from the Swamp

noreply@blogger.com (Barb and TheDailyGs) — Mon, 28 May 2012 05:57:00 +0000

Thank you, soldier, for my freedom and liberty.

Sunday from the Swamp

noreply@blogger.com (Barb and TheDailyGs) — Sun, 27 May 2012 08:19:00 +0000

So. Yesterday. Well, I finally got my big upright freezer moved out of the laundry room and into the garage. It was leaking Freon and not freezing properly, especially bread. It wouldn't freeze anything but if you put something (other than bread) in there, it would keep it frozen.

In other words, I couldn't trust it at all.

I've tried to get several different people out here to see if they could fix it - professional, in the yellow pages companies, mind you - but apparently not near as many people want to work as they would have you believe. Al will have a look see when he has a minute and a half. In the mean time, he brought me his small upright freezer since he and Barbara haven't even had it plugged in.

Thank you very much, Al! And thank you, RJ for helping Al git 'er done.

Da Boyz...

They were chillaxin' on the coffee table while I watched Murder She Wrote before dinner.

And in case you were wondering...

The Chia is going crazy! An inch in one day! srsly. And Gracie gave it some serious nomming when I took off the Ziplock to take some photos.

So of course, if it's Sunday it's BWTB this afternoon. Not much else going on today, other than a bit of laundry. I hope you have the most lovely day! And me, too.

We have Sprouts!

noreply@blogger.com (Barb and TheDailyGs) — Sat, 26 May 2012 12:54:00 +0000

Well, hello, little Chia sprouts!

3 days from planting, just like the directions said. Precisely on time. The Chia does not lie.

Glamour Puss Saturday with Gracie

noreply@blogger.com (Barb and TheDailyGs) — Sat, 26 May 2012 10:13:00 +0000

glam·our–puss noun \-ˌpus\

Definition of GLAMOUR-PUSS

: a glamorously attractive purrson

First Known Use of GLAMOUR-PUSS: 1941

Synonyms: babe [slang], cutie (or cutey), dish, dreamboat [slang], fox, glamour-puss, hottie, knockout, looker, showstopper, ten

Antonyms: my BrOTHERS

Finally Friday from the Swamp

noreply@blogger.com (Barb and TheDailyGs) — Fri, 25 May 2012 06:27:00 +0000

Is it just me or has this been an extry long week? Usually, I love the days that end in me getting lovely orders so this is kind of unusual for me. Since I started working from home a few years ago maybe it has something to do with with me not leaving the house during the week. Much.

I'm a housefrau.

Or a workfrau.

Or something.

Before I forget, which I totally never forget my use-to-be-Anniversary, Happy Anniversary to Mister Ex. Feel free to NOT send me flowers again. Yup. I got married 40 years ago today. And I am pretty sure today is going to be a MUCH better day.

=:-o

But it is Finally Friday and I get one more day for lovely orders before the weekend. When I get to do all of my housefrau duties. Like laundry. And shopping.

Gandalf is on Chia Cat Grass Watch.

Today is the 3rd day. They're supposed to sprout today. Or something.

Oh, and Tracey? The Ziplock bag covering is to hold in the moisture. Once the sprouts are about 1" the covering comes off. Assuming they do in fact sprout.

Got anything fun and exciting planned? I wish I did but it's still 4 weeks and 5 days to my SisterDear vacation. Not that I'm counting. Have yourselves a lovely day full of YAY! And me, too. Yes, I'll still find some YAY somewhere! :)

Thursday from the Swamp

noreply@blogger.com (Barb and TheDailyGs) — Thu, 24 May 2012 10:30:00 +0000

Did you watch last night's American Idol finale? Me and Miss Gracie did!

I don't know how I made it through all of that other "stuff" before they made the announcement at the end of two long hours, but I did! Congratulations to Phillip Phillips! He's been my favorite all year. Love this small-town Georgia boy! All throughout the competition he stayed true to himself, most often wearing his signature tee shirt with an open button-down shirt over it. Never trying to emulate another singer. Always sounding like Phillip.

I had to google Phillip's hometown as I've never been to Leesburg. Turns out it is less than 100 miles from me, just outside of Albany. Small town boy... son of pawn shop owners... blues-y, soulful, understated crooner.. You done real good Phillip!

He was overcome with emotion halfway into his song, Home, which will be his first single release, much as he was overcome in the parade in his hometown a few weeks ago. I hope he never loses that. He'll have a wonderful career. Don't get too big fer them britches, boy! :)

In other more Swampy news, I had a really good day at the office yesterday with some lovely orders. Gracie was quite pleased. Momma will be able to buy her more foods. And nip. And cozy cat beds.

Although she seems to like my bed pretty good.

Have yourself a lovely day today! And me, too!

Ch-Ch-Ch-Chia! from the Swamp

noreply@blogger.com (Barb and TheDailyGs) — Wed, 23 May 2012 11:50:00 +0000

This is what SisterDear Janice sent the kitties for Christmas! I just found it on a shelf in my office closet while looking for something else.

I decided it was time to do something with it!

I opened it up, poured the potting soil into the cute little planter and sprinkled the Cat Grass seeds on top, then covered the seeds with the remaining potting soil.

Then I added the required 1/4 cup of water, grabbed a ziplock and loosely covered the whole thing.

Sorry, Gracie. It takes about 3 days to sprout and then you'll still have to wait for it to grow a few inches before you can start nomming the Cat Grass!

So it's Wednesday which means just another day in Paradise here at the Swamp! And taking more lovely orders, of course! I hope your day is YAYful! And mine, too!

Bathus Interuptus at the Swamp

noreply@blogger.com (Barb and TheDailyGs) — Tue, 22 May 2012 08:35:00 +0000

Thanks to everyone who stopped by yesterday to wish Gandalf and Grayson a Happy 8th Gotchaversary. I had totally forgotten.

And Gracie was completely unimpressed. Brothers? What brothers?

Did anyone watch the last episode of House last night? If you haven't watched it yet, don't worry, I won't spoil it for you! :)

I tried very hard to stay awake for it but of course I fell asleep. Thank goodness for DVRs, right? I watched it this morning with my first cuppa coffee.

When House first started I absolutely loved the show! However the whole Vicodin dependency story line thing grew weary on me. They nearly lost me. Then the whole Cuddy year... Oy.

What most appealed to me about House was his intelligence. I find intelligence and intellect incredibly attractive. Not long after my divorce I briefly dated someone about as intelligent as Gregory House. Unfortunately, he also could be just about as arrogant and intolerant about some things as House. I know that intelligence and arrogance don't necessarily go hand in hand but sometimes they do!

So now what shows do I watch? Out of the possible 24 hours on nearly 300 channels of TV programming coming into my house I just don't find much that is even worth DVRing to watch later. If my parents weren't living with my I'd cancel my TV programming all together. srsly.

And use the money for another cruise or three!

So it's Tuesday again. I'm ready for taking lots more lovely orders today. What about you? Whatever it is, I sure hope you enjoy today's trip around the sun! And me, too.

Monday from the Swamp

noreply@blogger.com (Barb and TheDailyGs) — Mon, 21 May 2012 08:25:00 +0000

It's not often we see a wild elephant here at the Swamp.

Or ever.

So guess what? I got through that dreaded paperwork pile! Well, there are a few items that had to wait for a business day to do... Like My AT&T bill. Dur. Why is it that every time I update my plan it takes them about 6 months to sort out the billing? Makes me nutso cuckoo every time I open up the bill and see that... OMG, it's still wrong!

Breathe.

I didn't do BWTB because I was on a roll and really wanted to call it D for Done, so I was a bad daughter and sent MotherDear off alone. She won a game so she's forgiven me. :)

And now it's Monday again and I already have a few orders that came in late Friday when it was too late to process them. I love it when a new week kicks off with lovely orders! Yes, I do!

So what is on your day planner today? Whatever it is, I hope you have yourselves some YAY! And me, too!

Sunday from the Swamp

noreply@blogger.com (Barb and TheDailyGs) — Sun, 20 May 2012 09:32:00 +0000

Well, I didn't get through all of my paperwork yesterday. Bugger.

I wound up working on my web site instead of paperwork. I also wound up doing a little Photoshop project for someone special. I also got some laundry done and got my bed stripped and made up with some lovely fresh sheets and a fresh quilt. I just love taking a shower just before going to bed in a freshly made bed!

So it was a very good day!

Today I will try to get to the bottom of that paperwork pile before it's time to take a MotherDear to Bingo.

Have yourselves a YAYful day! And me, too!

Haiku for you from the Swamp

noreply@blogger.com (Barb and TheDailyGs) — Sat, 19 May 2012 09:41:00 +0000

True story. Last night after supper we were sitting out on the patio when Dad noticed that there was a hornet in the screened patio. On the screen. Dad swatted him. Very gently. He wanted to kill him, but humanely. You know... so guts didn't wind up all over the screen or carpet. Humanely.

Of course, that didn't happen. MotherDear and I laughed hysterically at Dad as he got increasingly frustrated with that hornet and him not dying nicely.

Squish.

Today I have a big old pile of paperwork to muck through. And then I shall read my book! And possibly a nap! I hope your day is full of YAY, too!

Fabulous Friday from the Swamp

noreply@blogger.com (Barb and TheDailyGs) — Fri, 18 May 2012 12:51:00 +0000

Can you believe we're nearly two thirds through the month of May already? I sure can't. I've been having a pretty good month at the office, too. May has certainly had some YAY for me!

A Gandalf update: He's been doing pretty good since I started letting the Gray Boys outside on May 1st... although he has had a couple of inappropriate marking incidents - 3, I believe. Compared to before, it's SO much better. He marked my new vertical blinds yesterday. Bugger. I think he must've seen a stray cat in the yard. It certainly isn't as though the blinds had any old scent on them as they are brand new. I cleaned them with the Anti-Icky Poo and I'm hoping he doesn't do THAT again!

I have no big plans for today other than taking as many lovely orders as possible. I'm hoping to get to read some this weekend. I started The Hunger Games and haven't been able to get back to it.

Have yourselves a YAYful day!

Gandalf and Gardenia

noreply@blogger.com (Barb and TheDailyGs) — Thu, 17 May 2012 09:34:00 +0000

Raspberry bye-bye

noreply@blogger.com (Barb and TheDailyGs) — Wed, 16 May 2012 08:16:00 +0000

Some of you may remember how much I loved this Raspberry Jam color. About 2 1/2 years ago. 2 1/2 very long years ago. I grew very tired of it.

So a bit over a week ago the drop cloths and paint brushes came out. The cabinets stayed the same color as did the main Classic Khaki walls.

Yes, there ARE 3 coffee pots on the counter tops. One for each of us. Why do you ask?

The one wall in the kitchen nook bump-out got the same color as the cabinets - Prairie Dust, just for a little bump of color. Every thing else that was Raspberry Jam and the two darker walls that WERE going to get Saddle Soap got painted Classic Khaki. Nice and light and airy. Me likey.

I also replaced all of the mini-blinds in the kitchen and mud room with faux wood blinds.

I had faux wood blinds in every room in my Yellow House and I just like them SO much better than mini-blinds. I decided that I'm replacing every mini blind in the house... not all in the same day of course! I've already replaced them in my office and the hall bath. I'll get to the other rooms over the next few months.

In case you were wondering, I'm not a big fan of drapes and curtains. There will be no curtains. I like my windows bright and simple. Tailored rather than frilly, I suppose.

Of course, I don't mind one little bit if you have them!

I have other projects planned, too. I always do! Replacing the kitchen floor and counter tops is something I'm hoping to get around to next year. And I'll get to them all eventually, good Lord willing and the cricks don't rise. :)

Happy Humpday, y'all! Have a YAYful day! And me, too.

OK... just a few more photos of Holly's Graduation Day!

noreply@blogger.com (Barb and TheDailyGs) — Tue, 15 May 2012 10:53:00 +0000

Holly with some of her friends

Holly was Co-Captain of the Mock Trial Team in college. She plans to start Law School after working for one year.
Holly was seated on stage with the Legal Studies Department. And Ted Koppel. srsly.
Holly was also chosen to deliver a Speech. This is Holly as seen on the 2 Jumbo-trons!

Holly with her Mum and Dad and 3 brothers, Tommy, Jack and Kevin.
Tommy was not in the mood to be in any photos but they did manage to coax him into this one!

Jack, Holly and Kevin.

Holly with her Mum and 2 of the 3 Awesome Aunties.
I'll be there for the Graduation Party!

Holly joins her cousins Mike and Brian as proud UMass Amherst graduates. And we're all so very proud of them!

Monday from the Swamp

noreply@blogger.com (Barb and TheDailyGs) — Mon, 14 May 2012 09:53:00 +0000

Poor Gracie. I had to take her from the house for just the 3rd time in her short 2 1/2 year life. She was not at all pleased about that.

And SO much louder than even I could have imagined. srsly.

But she's 8 pounds 1 ounces of pure perfection, according to Dr. Tad... who Gracie wishes not to see again for a very, very long time.

I also had to take Gandalf back in for one booster. Last month he did not have the feline leukemia shot because I was not letting him out. Since I've started letting the Gray Boys outside again, Gandalf had to go back in for the shot. Grayson had his Friday when he had his annual.

Gandalf is down from 15 lbs 4 oz on 04/23/12 to 14 lbs 9 oz on Saturday! Dr. Tad was very pleased. We're trying to get him back down to about 12 pounds. The Hills Prescription C/D food that Gandalf needs for bladder health also tends to make him gain weight. I've cut back about 90% on the Rx dry food and that obviously has helped a lot!

And here is Gandalf helping to demonstrate my new manicure. It's blurry, but I you can see that I've changed back to my favorite red - OPI I'm Not Really A Waitress.

So. I have some more opinions/input on the Gel Polish...

Saturday I went and had the gel polish soaked off. As you know, the Caribbean Coral color Gel Polish that I got before my cruise was my first experience with Gel Polish, so this was my first soak off. As happy as I am with how ridiculously long the manicure looks great, with the only negative about the appearance of the Gel Polish being the month's growth of my nail, there are some things about using Gel Polish that concern me.

To cure the gel polish you have to stick your hands into the UV lamp to cure it. No SPF protection... prolonged UV exposure. I'm thinking that can't be a good thing.
It does not take 10 minutes to soak off. It actually took a bit more than 20 minutes! Not a huge amount of time to wait for beauty, but still.
It has to be pure acetone to soak it off, not just regular nail polish remover. It was a bit stinky and the whole time I was thinking that I don't imagine smelling/inhaling that stuff is such a great idea.
Even after the soak, they have to use a tapered file to scrape it off. It doesn't hurt at all. Certainly, it's nothing like drilling and grinding like acrylic! It technically does not damage your natural nail, although it did require buffing out to get rid of the scratches and roughness. There was no discoloration. But it's not like you're just taking off nail color.
And then there's the idea that the acetone could be soaking through your skin into your body... and that doesn't sound like such a great idea either, does it, Precious?

Well, I decided to go ahead do the gel one more time. Because I just LOVE how good it looks and how long it lasts. In a few weeks, instead of the soak off I'm going to try polishing the growth with regular OPI I'm Not Really A Waitress and just let it grow out naturally.

I do think Gel Polish is a great idea for occasional use, especially on those really special occasions! However, after Googling it and doing a little bit of reading I've decided regular use is really not an option for me because it has too many potential health risks.

So it's Monday again, and my nails are once again short enough for comfortable typing! Bring on some lovely orders! Here's hoping we all have a lovely, YAYful day!

Happy Mother's Day from me and the Gs

noreply@blogger.com (Barb and TheDailyGs) — Sun, 13 May 2012 08:08:00 +0000

Happy Mother's Day, MotherDear. ILY xoxo

As you may have guessed, today is Take a MotherDear to BWTB Day at my house. I wish the SisterDears were here to go along with us as nothing would please her more! Or me!

Whatever your plans, I hope you all have a wonderful Happy Mother's Day!

Purrfect!

noreply@blogger.com (Barb and TheDailyGs) — Sat, 12 May 2012 10:42:00 +0000

Grayson had his annual yesterday. Dr. Tad declared him to be perfect!

Well... except that somehow, sometime in the last year, between last April 2011 and yesterday to be exact, Grayson managed to lose his upper left canine tooth. The gum has grown back over it and Dr. Tad says there is no indication of any pain so we'll just leave it alone.

Well, alrighty then.

And yesterday my niece Holly graduated from UMass Amherst! (Holly's the one on the left)

This is the only photo I could find on Facebook of Holly in her Graduation gown. Dur. Can you believe it? With all of today's technology! Of course Holly's mother, my SisterDear Janice, is technologically completely undeveloped. Bless her heart.

Holly will be delivering a speech today and thankfully, my SisterDears Lynda and Tina will both be there at the ready with all kinds of cameras and iPhones. That means my parents and I will be able to see some photos! Janice is holding off the Graduation Party until this summer when my parents and I will all be up there to help celebrate!

Awww... Looks like this little girl is all grow'd up now, Mum!

Why Yes, I did steal this off of your Facebook... Why do you ask?

noreply@blogger.com (Barb and TheDailyGs) — Fri, 11 May 2012 08:14:00 +0000

This is my CousinDear April and her fiance, Dan.

April's MotherDear and my MotherDear are SisterDears. Got it?

Although we grew up living close to each other and doing the Birthday cakes and Birthday whacks, April wound up living in Calabasas, CA and having Tito Jackson as her next door neighbor. Srsly. Michael Jackson's brother Tito lives next door. After April graduated from college she moved to LA to become a journalist. April is a writer and managing editor for Monsters and Critics. Basically, she schmoozes with celebrities and gets paid for it. She also has a lemon tree that produces ginormous lemons and sweet little hummingbirds but that is not what this post is about.

April is currently on an amazing "across the USA trip" with NatGeo - the Untamed Americas field trip with Casey Anderson. I don't think Brutus is along for this trip. If you don't watch Casey, why not? But Casey has a buddy... and his name is Brutus.

Yesterday I spent a good bit of time going through her photo folder of 3 days in Yellowstone National Park. Of course the scenery is amazing, but the animals really captivated me! Here's a few of my favorites.

I don't know who these people are, but hey, it's the obligatory sign!

I ♥ this one!. I call it Laughing 'Lope.

DO WANT! It's a tripod for an iPhone!! I must have one of those!

Say, CHEESE!

Thanks, Cuz! I can't wait to see where the next leg of the journey takes me. I mean you!

April's latest Check-in on Facebook had her at the airport in Fort Lauderdale 9 hours ago!

And it's Friday again! I had a fabulous day at the office yesterday! Dare I hope for a repeat performance today? Yes! Yes, I do dare! Have yourselves a YAYful day! And me, too!

PS. Congratulations!! to my niece, Holly, who is graduating from UMass Amherst today! She's also been selected to deliver a speech. I wish I could be there, Holly! xoxo Next up, a year off (i.e., working!) then on to Law School.

Swampday from the Swamp

noreply@blogger.com (Barb and TheDailyGs) — Thu, 10 May 2012 10:01:00 +0000

The Gray Boys are really enjoying being outside in their Swamp again. A lot.

And Momma is still worrying. A lot.
\

I do have to admit that part of me is enjoying seeing them so happy again!

Gracie is Not Allowed Outside. At all. She hides inside the house whenever anyone other than Al & Barbara come over. She does not come out of hiding until they've been gone at least a good hour or two.

Not to mention her Special Leg. If she should happen to encounter a stray cat, dog or other Swamp critter she may potentially re-injure her leg in her hurry to escape or hide. We certainly don't want that to happen. We want her to keep her leg, thankyouverymuch.

She meows and chitters at the Gray Boys from her safe spot on the screened patio. And then she runs into the office and steals Grayson's favorite spot on the top of the ladder condo thingy and takes herself a nice sun bath. :)

Gandalf hides from some people, but only for a little while.

Grayson? Hide from people? Oh, that will never happen! He loves everybody! He greets everyone who comes to the house.

Now dogs? Dogs he'll hide from, and I approve of that most heartily.

I actually had to look at the computer to see what day it was. Again. I'm about at the point where it just doesn't really matter to me anymore. They all end in Y, right? And for most of those days that end in Y, people call me and want to place lovely orders. Me likey!

Here's hoping today has lots of YAY in it for you! And me, too!