Confessions of a One-Track Mind

GK picked me up Friday afternoon and we went to Bryan's memorial picnic. It was pleasant. (I should say that my morning was less so: I got a new battery, but it was an ordeal.) The weather was overcast, but not raining. Humid, but there was a breeze.

Not a huge turnout; There was GK, her hubby and their two boys, Doc, his wife and their two girls, NJ (Bryan's widow), their two boys and one girl, and a few peripheral friends. There was more than enough food, a good soundtrack going in the background, and GK had a bunch of family photos as conversation starters.

It lasted for several hours, after which time GK and I both elected NOT to go to the reunion. Neither of us cared to go hang around a bar (especially after the free drinks rumor was quashed), so we went back to their motel on the beach and everybody got into the pool. (Well, me and GK's and Doc's bunch.)

Floating on my back, watching the sky go from teal to indigo to black was the high point of my weekend. I wore the Goodwill swimsuit, which fit and looked good---I will try to get a pic up, although the one GK got wasn't optimal.

I ended up crashing on their couch over the weekend. Not a pullout, just a basic barely six-foot long couch with a pillow. Hey, a/c and wifi for the win! Also, GK gifted me something I'd mentioned wanting, a southwestern-style woven blanket. It's brightly colered and just the right length for me to snuggle under!

Saw Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter on Saturday afternoon and Brave Sunday morning. Liked 'em both. Considerable suspension of disbelief required for the former, but it was still entertaining. The later was charming; I now desperately want a wee stuffed Angus!

Sunday afternoon, GK got in a bit of thrifting at MI Goodwill. This was her first trip to the new location, and she was mightily underwhelmed. I got a giant ceramic mug of a style I like for soup and such. Then we met CF at New Century Chinese Buffet. She and I and GK and NJ all had a great time.

Currently, GK and BlueRoses are in Savannah, visiting a home-bound friend. There's more to tell, but it's late. I'm tired, and I'm looking forward to being in my own bed.

More later....

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Yesterday, I ran around with Mb. Long day! Lunch, the ASPCA thrift store, Home Depot, followed by Target, WalMart (where Mb was looking for a new coffeepot---one of her cats killed her glass carafe) and Aldi. Then back to her place, and I hit my WalMart on my way home.

The ASPCA thrift is one I've been wanting to visit for quite a while. Being a Saturday, it was fairly busy, but I liked it and will go again. I got a great piece of fabric, 3 yards of a sturdy cotton with a classic red and white Hawaiian hibiscus print. Not sure what I'm gonna DO with it, but I'll think of something! Also got a couple bits of bling---two brooches and a bracelet. One pin was a leaping gazelle or impala, the other is an abstract thing that looks like Liberace's boomerang. The bracelet is plain chain and destined to be an extender for a necklace that's much too short. (I don't do choakers, but I got one with a pretty charm for Christmas.)

At Home Depot, I made my first investments from the card pwcorgigirl gifted me with for Xmas: I got a box of Mr Clean Magic Erasers, a tube of Super Glue, and a bag of concrete. Had a bear of a time with the bag---60 pounds of concrete is surprisingly dense and heavier that it seems.

I think what I'm going to end up doing is digging out the old mailbox, getting the hole to a size where it will accomodate the new one, putting it in there and shoveling the concrete powder into the hole a little at a time and wetting it down. Because frankly, I can't lift the damn thing out of my trunk, so that's the only way I can think of to do it.

It did get frosty last night, but I managed to stay comfy. Wore the ensemble I'd planned to church, and got some bad news: There's been a rash of thefts among area churches, and somebody pilfered our heating and a/c unit. We're insured, but it's still going to be a major pain, although as AI pointed out, "That's going to earn somebody some butt-ugly kharma."

Our guest speaker didn't show up---we figure he must've gotten his weeks mixed up---so a couple of the Buddhists pinch hit. Which was very nice of them...although one gal drove me to distraction---if I had ten cents for every time she said, "You know", I could've gone out for a steak dinner. It was a persistant verbal tic. Sometimes, she'd say it two or three times in a row. Arrrgh!

Movie night is next Friday. I'm really looking forward to it, partly because we haven't had movie night in a few months, partly because it's a Bogart classic, We're No Angels. Ah, Bogie!

Next month's discussion topic for CUUPs is suppossedly going to be "Dead Mothers", which wasn't what I expected when it was brought up. I *thought* they meant IRL, since most of the group is 50+ and is of an age to have lost a parent or two. They were talking about TV moms...okay, I can do that, too.

Now I'm home. And it's a funny thing; since I spent a few months having to make special trips to check my email/look things up/etcetera, I thought I'd be online contantly making up for lost time. Instead, I'm NOT checking my email every fifteen minutes. In fact, yesterday, I didn't turn my computer on at all! But it's so nice to have the option.

Glory be, I'm writing! I finally jumped in and started work on the idea I've had for Person of Interest fic. It's around the thousand-word mark and just getting started. Heaven knows how long it'll wind up---but I'm just happy that I have a plot taking root.

Have a good week, y'all! (I know I'm going to! Alcatraz debut Monday, Justified season premiere Tuesday, Royal Pains, White Collar and fresh PoI on Thursday. Yay!)

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The thrifting happened, but as with so many things one wants!wants!wants!, it fell flat. GK was running around doing things with BC and his youngest all morning; it was nearly two when we hit the road.

Did the Rockledge Goodwill first. I was very selective; having just dropped off a shitload of crap, I was in no hurry to get more. My haul, courtesy of GK, was a red and black tribal print tee, a string of beads, a book and a candle-snuffer (The latter is going to church, as the one we had disappeared during a robbery).

GK said she was starving, so next came a side-trip to McD's. From there, we visited the Humane Society thrift, which was closing in ten minutes, and they all but shoved us out the door at the stroke of five.

When I'd dropped off some stuff there a couple weeks ago, I'd spotted a heavy-duty scale at another store, and GK was looking for one for BC*. We went there, but it was gone. GK, BCsDaughter and Bestie had more patience than I; I sat in the van and zoomed through the first 63 pages of my new book, "How Not to Make a Wish", drumming my fingers and wondering what the hell they could possibily find so enthralling in that dump.

We arrived at the Chinese Buffet at the same time as J. (CF was already waiting.) It ended up just being the six of us, very cozy, lots of girl-talk. We talked about GK's travels and our adventures in organizing my place. GK's dogs were a hot topic with J, who would love to get her hands on them to rehabilitate them. A good time was had by all.

Then GK and I, along with BCsDaughter and Bestie, went to the mall and saw Sucker Punch. (Which, incidentally, I think is a crap title, but I confess, I don't know what I'd call it.) OMG! Awesome, amazing, fabulous movie! We discussed it the whole way home, or at least until we dropped BCsDaughter and Bestie off at BCsDaughter's house.

Our final stop of the day was WalMart, where GK picked up a chrome link belt and got me a few perishables and a couple sundries. I have ample canned goods, but lacked a a few things like eggs, fresh bread, a shaker of parmesan, trash bags...and although it wasn't a major need, she also let me get another package of sheet protectors...maybe the package I *thought* I had will turn up---if I ever had them in the first place---but this way, I've GOT them and can work on reducing my 'zine stash some more.

We didn't get everything done that we'd hoped to, but it was a very good visit nonetheless.

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* GK is concerned about BC. I'm not the most observant person; I hadn't noticed that he's walking oddly, or how much fluid he's retaining in his legs (makes me look positively svelte) and based on some internet research she's afraid he's developing pulmonary hypertension. His dad had a heart attack before 40, and other members of the extended family have also had heart problems. He's defensive and denies anything is wrong.
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Long chat with GK this morning. She'll be here Friday! \o/

We talked about her itinerary; she'll get here about noon on Friday. She's got a friend she wants to touch base with in the afternoon, and she's talking about hanging out with BC en famile in the evening. Which works for me; it's movie night at church (Burton's Alice) and I figure I'll get enough of BC and his tribe going back and forth to Tampa on Saturday.

Saturday is our visit to the RenFest. I have to keep reminding myself that it's at a different site from the one we're used to; sometimess you really can't go home again. But it's still 'Fest, and I get to hang out with Doc, which is always cool. GK says she's not going to wear garb; I'm undecided.

Sunday/Monday...a high school friend of ours lives in Savannah. She had a stroke last year, and GK wants to drive up and see her. I'm invited to go along---if I do, it'll be the first time I've been out of Florida since 1999, unless you count the gambling cruises that went into international waters, which I don't.

Monday evening, we're going to try to get togther with T, J, SBJB (or Tuesday evening, it's still up in the air), and Tuesday we're going thrifting with BC's daughter and her friend.

It's going to be fun; she's also promised we'll study organizing my kitchen. I was talking about not being able to easy see what I have. Baking? I'd love to, but do I have the ingredients I need? Casserole? Quick and easy, but not when I can't get at my Corningware. It's so crazy-making! She says she'll poke around and see what suggestions she can offer. I'm sure I'd cook more if it wasn't so higgledy-piggledy.

Another offer she made was, I need a copy of my mom's death certificate. I've looked all over, can't find one in with my other papers (I have Dad's and Peter's, but not hers.). It's available online through the Florida Department of Vital Statistics, and she's going to get me a copy so I can take care of some business.

Right now, pillows are in the washer with HOT water, and I've been asked if I can provide a blender. Yes, I can, but I'll have to excavate it first.
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The trash at the curb went away this morning; it represents years of feeling closed in and helpless. Gone, baby, gone. I can only imagine what it'll be like when the whole house has been decluttered. Better Homes and Gardens, here I come!

Dropped off three boxes of donations at a thrift store, yay! And didn't buy anything, double yay! (Did look around and contemplated a pair of bookcases, but this was one time no money worked in my favor. They were nicer than the ones I have, but the ones I have are free and clear.) A few more boxes out the door, by golly, and my living room will not have brown boxes on the floor.

In two weeks, GK will be here. I'd say "two short weeks", but I suspect they won't be. I have a lot to do between now and then: laundering linens, cleaning the kitchen, and I've really got to go nuclear on both bathrooms. I may be lackadaisical about housekeeping when it's just me, but GK has higher standards and at some point, I suspect she'll want to pee and shower. I'd rather not get The Look from her when she emerges.

As usual, it seems to happen every year around this time, we're having another cold snap and talking about chances of frost overnight. Just when you think it's safe to take the comforter off the bed---!
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What am I doing up at this hour? Time change. Yesterday, I was up early enough to zoom over to the Big Church Food Giveaway and get a bunch of goodies, bring my loot home and put it away, and still make it over to the standard Monday doctor's appointment. It was a lot more worthwhile than the first time I went---in addition to canned goods, I got ground turkey, ground veal, some nice muffins and a bag of Halloween candy left over from their Fall Festival. Yes, there was a tract in it, and yes, I graciously allowed a young man in a trim polo shirt to pray with me---I have reached the point where I will take good mojo wherever I can get it! We may not believe in exactly the same thing, but it's all Intention, whether you call it prayer or meditation or spellwork.

After that, I paused for a cheeseburger (because by then I was ferociously hungry) and went over to J's---she is starting her own business, training dogs, and because of her CP, she needs a good communicator to make phone calls for her. Who knows, it might at some point, turn into a Real Job. At the moment, it's basically good will...which was my destination after I left J's---the Goodwill on Merritt Island.

I tried on a bunch of stuff, but didn't actually get much. I found two very pretty empire tops with 3/4 sleeves: One is black, white and beige---the pattern has a striped background with circles on top, like links of a chain or "O"s---and a solid black band between/under the bust. The other has wavy indigo flowers---think psychedelic---on a beige background, and ties at the waist with an indigo self-best. I have dark blue pants to wear with that one and black leggings for the other.

I also acquired two skirts, one of which was half-priced. There's a really nice black twill tulip skirt (Studio 1940)---that'll go with everything---and a beige knit pleated number. I have enough browns in my wardrobe that beige---or camel, it isn't a LIGHT beige---will harmonize nicely. It's just to the knee; I seem to have crossed a Rubicon with regard to skirt lengths---I didn't used to go that short.

All four pieces ended up being $12 and change---not wildly extravagant---in fact, less than any one of them would've cost at Fashion Bug or similar store. And later, I did NOT go into Payless, although replacements for my worn-thru faux Sketchers are definitely on The List.

It was after 4 when I got home, and by then I was DONE. Came home to 20 emails---yikes! Had a quiet evening of TV and had the light turned out at midnight---the old midnight, because I haven't changed that clock yet. And here I am, up that what is for me OMG in the morning....

Set off the fireworks, fling the confetti, cue the acrobats! This is my 2000th LJ post, and today is my 4th anniversary here. Woohoo! Good times!

In the spirit of having something to celebrate, let me invite you all to visit The 4th Annual Come as You're Not Party, a ficathon produced by the indefatigable karaokegal, with lots of fandoms represented and fresh stories from a bunch of fine authors (including a schmoopy Leverage fic from yours truly).

It's a beautiful day, the weather is warm without roasting, and I'm feeling chipper despite the back still not being a happy camper. I had an email this morning from ang5fam, who announced she was off to do some thrifting. This sounded like such a good idea that I hustled into some clothes and hit the road myself. I started the day with $9 cash and came back with folding money (so I have something for the collection plate tomorrow)---but I did put $10 on my debit card.

The first place I went to was the St Vincent dePaul on 520---they're fairly new and I've been wanting to check them out---there was nothing amazing; the don't separate plus sizes, didn't have any aluminum or anything else I collect, but I picked up a couple of newish pot holders and wash cloths for cheap, namely a buck and a half.

Then, since I was in the neighborhood, I wandered into the Sharing Center. It wouldn't have been so bad if I hadn't fallen in love with the hat---it's navy, very High Church, and I have a dark blue silk blouse that I picked up over the summer that it will compliment beautifully. It was $10, and they threw in the copy of Belle Armoire I found.

I meandered out to their furniture barn and discovered a sweet little area rug---4'x 6' in Neapolitan colors: pink and white flowers (with a smidge of green trim) on a chocolate background. For $5, I was not going to pass that up! Since my bedroom has brown walls for the time being, I figure it'll work in there---I'm planning to put it in front of the closet door---and when I get the other two rooms swapped around, it can go into the library, probably under my desk to keep my feet warm.

Total for the day was about $18 and not much gas to speak of. I'm contemplating my ensemble for tomorrow---the hat, the blouse, a scarf that will add a note of color, paired with some winter white pants that I really ought to try to wear more before they get too big for me.

Happy Halloween A splended Samhain to you, my darlings! Blessed be.