Fall-like weather

After a certain point in life, it all comes down to the weather. There was even a song written about it with the lyric: "I get all the news I need from the weather report...." Always a conversation starter, stating the obvious, or asking the obvious, such as "Cold enough for you?" At church yesterday Gretchen asked me why I had no jacket because it was substantially more chilly than previous Sunday mornings. I told her it felt like Alaska out there but many folks countered this statement, claiming they like this type of weather. Not me! (By the way, it's mid 70's during the day....)

In a couple weeks I will be having my nasty windows cleaned from the outside.  The lady just called me to confirm the appointment. It makes my stomach feel queazy just thinking of the guy standing on a ladder this high up but it is too hard on my window hardware to have them wrestle the panes from the frame to tip them down. The company which made these windows is no longer in business and the guy who makes the repairs for them is running short of replacement parts. I cherish my windows and want nothing to happen to them as a result of having the glass cleaned. It has happened before so I am not being overly concerned, just properly so. 

It is a long way up there....

When they use the tall ladder to wash the sliding glass doors, at least they have the railing to offer some 'assurance'. That 'safety' feature is not available at the windows, however. I get the willies just thinking about it now, and hope I am not home when they do it!

Sailboats on the river

This is what a beautiful day looks like!

A day for the books

Last night Justin used my car to drive to Daytona for the Romney/Ryan event, with Jesse. The crowd was huge and really needed a larger venue. Unfortunately, Justin was not able to get close enough to get his cheese head autographed. The two guys decided to stop for wings on the way back so it was quite late when he got home.

Our plans for Saturday were centered around Stephanie and Erica making the trek from Southside to OP to have breakfast with us at Grumpy's. The ladies wanted to go to the Romney/Ryan store on Fleming Island to get yard signs, decals, and t-shirts, etc. Plus, Erica had never been to my home so they were coming here as well. This is all very exciting for me!

I made sure Justin was up and ready for breakfast in time, and off we went to Grumpy's. A short wait and we were seated, saving two seats for our friends. Once they arrived, we enjoyed our time and meals together. 

They mentioned seeing the Fall Festival going on at Town Hall and asked about stopping in there. Stephanie is a crafter so would love such an event. I knew the Art Guild had a booth there where I have worked in the past. Justin looked it up on his phone and sure enough, there was a Romney/Ryan booth at the fair! One stop shopping!

Justin, my kind gentleman, dropped me off and then parked the car, having to walk several city blocks to do so. Nice! The two ladies parked at the Winn-Dixie Plaza and walked across Kingsley to the Festival. The ground was covered with straw which was sort of messy but better than walking on dirt. The food vendors lined the perimeter and boy, if only we'd not just eaten at Grumpy's......

We found the Art Guild booth right off the bat and I greeted those working, two of whom I knew. The woman I didn't know asked me, "Are the lady from the picture at Great Hang Ups, eating the ice cream?" Um, yes, that would be me! Her piece was hung right above mine in the show. Fun!

Several booths featured animals, the shelters being well represented. Our two friends love dogs and had plenty to enjoy, some in cages and some on leashes. Other vendors had pet accessories for adorning them with sport team items or even entire costumes. 

Erica is so pretty!

The day started out cooler but as we strolled the grounds, it got warmer and warmer. Even I was warm but not uncomfortable. Eventually we found the R/R booth which was crowded with people. We got the yard signs, decals, and other campaign items, much of it free. And Erica got herself a t-shirt, which she changed into in the bathroom. Everywhere on the property one could see R/R signs, with only a minute number of the opposing team's items. "Their" booth had no lines or crowds around it. 

I was drawn to a booth where the vendor had stainless steel serving and eating items embellished with beads. I bought myself a set of serving tools with cobalt blue beads wired to the handle. Justin's sales pitch to me? "They are dishwasher safe!" 

Eventually we made it around the ever-expanding show, and worked our way to the food vendors. As we looked, Justin found a booth with fresh-baked bread so we took a loaf of that. Earlier I had picked up a mini-pumpkin pie for him which was in a foam box.

Erica had seen a stand selling Filipino food so that's what she was hungry for. One stand was cooking 'soul food' and smelled so wonderful. The owner of the restaurant was standing outside the booth and greeted us as we got closer. He said to me, "Oh, you look so pretty today!" and I gave him a hug. Later, Stephanie asked me if I knew that guy and I told her, "Now I do!" 

Justin and I found a vendor selling knishes so we each took one to-go. Mine is brisket with mashed potatoes, to be eaten later. I got my heart's desire of a funnel cake and found a place to sit down. The others set off to find their heart's desire. Stephanie came back with meat on a stick, and Erica had some sort of Oriental noodle dish. Not sure what Justin ended up with, but he did bring me back a soda, without my asking!

When it was time to go, Justin went to get the car, and the ladies crossed back over Kingsley to theirs. Justin picked me up at the curb, again the gentleman, and we got home before our guests arrived. Stephanie has been here before, but never Erica. 

Once parked, and in the lobby, she was all set to move in!!! She loved the place and wants to lie down on a sleeping bag in front of the patio doors. Erica asked me how I ever leave here. It does become harder and harder, especially when all things are going well!

He calls these his 'Fred Flintstone' feet!

Justin showed us his feet when we got home, filthy black except where his flip flop straps were. Even my feet were filthy and I was wearing closed-toe shoes! Stephanie's feet were okay but her ankles were black. THAT is why they spread that annoying straw at the Festival! It was early afternoon when they went back to Southside, with just enough time for Erica to get cleaned up for her next engagement at the Riverside Arts Market. A high culture day for her, beginning with Grumpy's!!

After his nap he went grocery shopping and laid up some supplies for the coming week, including what I need to make Swedish meatballs. I forgot to tell him about the spinach, though, so will get that on another visit. Can't wait, but now, must rest after my busy day!

I loved it!!! and love my friends and my son! 

The Kim Burger

If I lived in Manitowoc, I wonder if a restaurant would name a perch sandwich after me. Maybe Harborside would do it--name it "Something Fishy Going on Here" or similar to that, incorporating my name somehow. If I ate shrimp, it would be Jumbo Stuffed Shrimp! Here, on the shores of the river, I have a burger named after me!

Wednesday evening I went to The Club, as I mentioned, to sample my personal sandwich. It turned out to be something other than a sandwich, but not being one to complain, I waited until Thursday to do so. The menu described the 'entree' as beef tips on crostini with garlic and spinach. Not really a slider, but it was described as being 'new'...

Was it ever delicious?! But with the others having the beer-tasting buffet serving the actual sliders (the 'old' ones?), well, I was disappointed. My version featured tender morsels of beef splayed on two pieces of crostini, and then draped with fresh spinach and an abundance of garlic. Oh my, the garlic! I could barely stand myself, nor could Justin stand himself, after eating it. And I DID eat the spinach!

                                                       

Well, the next morning after much brushing, rinsing, and spitting to rid my mouth of the garlic smell and taste, I wrote a note to Chef. (This name is used like it's his first name, which is actually Sheldon. I guess it's like calling your pastor Pastor). My thanks were extended for the honor of having a menu item named for me and all that BUT---

I went on to say I was thinking more along the lines of the simpler delight of a mini-burger like we had at the cabana last summer. I told him the grown-ups might like this version better, but simpler tastes as mine like a mini-burger. Justin suggested pureeing the spinach and garlic into a paste to spread over the burger, and I shared that with Chef, as well.

                                              

He wrote back and thanked me for the review. And, he is going to change it! He said it is his life's desire to make me happy (I paraphrase here...) and said the staff likes to make me smile. To which Justin replied, when I read him the note, "Oh, great!" or something like that....Chef asked me about adding cheese to it and grilled onions and I granted him permission to do so! 

I am not so difficult to please---just get the right type of hot dogs in the cabana and the right slider in The Club, and I am good! AND, I raved madly about the onion straws which were extraordinary the way they came. I would go everyday to have an order of those. I told Chef I seemingly don't mind onion breath but do mind garlic breath!

This all just makes me laugh and oh, so happy! I think they are grasping at straws (onion straws!) at The Club these days!

I can't play poker!

Several years ago when we played card games with our friends, Bruce asked me, "You don't play poker, do you, Miss Kim?" My face gives me away!

My dinner, and Justin's, came from The Club last night as I went to sample the new Lahaie Day Slider on the tapas menu. When I got there, a round table usually comfortably seating 7 or 8 people had closer to 20 around it. Two of my neighbors, Joe and Rose, were seated at the adjoining table so I plunked myself down with them. 

As people were coming in, more chairs were pulled around the first table as the circle backed away from the table. Since I was going to order food, it was best for me, and my table-mates, to stay where we were. Joe and Rose were taking part in the beer-tasting event going on which provided slider-style burgers and chicken wings, and had left the table to get their food. Mine was being delivered to me from the kitchen. 

Hugh looked up and saw me alone at the table, and I heard him say, "Kim's sitting by herself..." as he got up and came to where I was seated. He urged me to join their circle and promised me no one would use profanity or talk about live-in situations. Nice! I did explain Rose and Joe were filling their plates and would be right back, assuring him I was just fine where I was, but also thankful he was concerned for me.

The "live-in situations" comment came from the other night on the sundeck when one couple was explaining about getting their son's apartment or house ready for the girlfriend to move in with him. I don't remember reacting openly to their conversation but something must have been expressed in my face, or from him knowing me (I hope the latter), which made him say such a thing to me. I am such a pain to have around! But yet, they wanted me!

Gradually a couple ladies left that table and came over to where I was seated. Miss Chardonnay came in and sat next me, quite gingerly, as her back is giving her a fit. She was having an MRI this a.m. to see what's going on. She recently began doing yoga with our upstairs neighbor who is an instructor and I can't help but wonder if it's related. 

Betty and Kathy came over and our heads were together with Joe and Rose, talking about the debate from the night before. Miss Chardonnay was the only one not in the know, admittedly so. She took the opposite position of the rest of us, and kept trying to hush Rose. "Excuse me, I'm talking!"---just like in the debate!! 

Kathy was able to explain a few things to her but as she was speaking, I picked up my to-go bag with Justin's dinner in it, to leave. Miss C. grabbed my arm and asked me, "I didn't offend you, did I?" I assured her she had not but I did want to take Justin's dinner to him. Betty was concerned about my walking home alone but I was fine. So fine, in fact, that Justin was standing at the railing, watching for me! He claimed he heard me coming....I was not laughing so I don't know what gave me away!

My adorable nephews

My nephew, Angelo, is trying on hats with his grandma, Lynn. Here he is sporting a Santa-style hat with Yoda ears attached to it. He is so darn cute!

Angelo is playing with an electronic device behind the wheel of this ride-on toy. I often see people doing this  when driving down the freeway! 

My nephew, Bryson, was celebrating his birthday and seems overjoyed with this giant coloring book!

Manny and Gabe watch as more birthday presents are being opened. I miss them terribly!

How to Win a Debate: 101

From breitbart.com:
1. "He did call it an act of terror." The worst untruth told by a moderator in presidential history. Candy Crowley's intervention in favor of Obama caused the president's cheering section to burst into applause, in violation of the rules, and there was little that Romney could say in response. But she was wrong--Obama's reference to "acts of terror" in his Sept. 12 statement was in a general, abstract sense, and came long after he had described the 9/11 attacks on U.S. diplomatic missions as demonstrations against an anti-Islamic video. Even Crowley seemed to realize what she had done: it wasn't long before she walked back her own comment.

(Emphasis mine)

Speech from the Rose Garden on September 12 in part: 

"Of course, yesterday was already a painful day for our nation as we marked the solemn memory of the 9/11 attacks.  We mourned with the families who were lost on that day.  I visited the graves of troops who made the ultimate sacrifice in Iraq and Afghanistan at the hallowed grounds of Arlington Cemetery, and had the opportunity to say thank you and visit some of our wounded warriors at Walter Reed.  And then last night, we learned the news of this attack in Benghazi. 

As Americans, let us never, ever forget that our freedom is only sustained because there are people who are willing to fight for it, to stand up for it, and in some cases, lay down their lives for it.  Our country is only as strong as the character of our people and the service of those both civilian and military who represent us around the globe.

No acts of terror will ever shake the resolve of this great nation, alter that character, or eclipse the light of the values that we stand for.  Today we mourn four more Americans who represent the very best of the United States of America.  We will not waver in our commitment to see that justice is done for this terrible act.  And make no mistake, justice will be done."

Mitt was right!!!

http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2012/09/12/remarks-president-deaths-us-embassy-staff-libya