Friday

......and so good.  Had the last two days off.  In those two days, I decided I will make my own coffee for my drive to work. Yep. I brought a can of coffee, creamer, and a new mug. I'm set. The deal is, whenever I make coffee it doesn't seem to taste as good as other places. The money I plunk down to Starbucks and 7-11 (although 7-11 is just $1.79) adds up. So I figure the more coffee I make at my own chateau, the closer I can get to the Mercedes in my driveway.

I do dream big.

Now 'cuse me while I go read the directions on the coffee can :) 

Happy Friday! 

Friday Frapp

76 F was the temperature in Dallas as I left work today. Yep. I decided the weather was warm enough to take a spin thru Starbucks. I just had to purchase my first Mocha Frappucino in 2012. Yep. I certainly did.

The temperature told me it was warm enough for to deserve such a treat.

A chum of mine and I discovered we visit Starbucks at different times of the year. She is more of a 'go when it's chilly outside', for her warm caffeine fix. While I am a 'go pretty much every day that's over 75 degrees' to get my cold beverage treat.

I realize I don't visit Starbucks for their hot beverages. I think because the coffees are too strong for my taste. If anyone has a Starbucks hot cup o coffee they like, please do tell. Otherwise, I will wait for the next unseasonably warm Dallas winter day.

Something bout the whipped cream on my Frappucino makes me smile....

Total Tuesday

Need some coffee. Early in the morning as I write this. In fact, I'm headed out the door to work. Cats are fed. Stuff in the dryer. Oatmeal ready--with it's fresh strawberries sliced in--and I'm off to work.

Joy. I'm blessed to have a job. However....

Anyway, it's the Results Show for Dancing With the Stars tonight. I'll predict now. Melissa and unfortunately, Michael Irvin. I still say his pro-dancer didn't tap into him from the start--was the downfall. I don't care for Mya--yet Melissa and Michael.

And I have a stat counter on my blog. I love seeing where everyone comes from--repeat visitors and new visitors--just get a kick out of what technology brings on home. It's also amazing to me, I can tell someone who was once a grand part of my life seems to peak at my blog just about everyday. The stat counter tells me the location of the system looking at my blog. It's funny--they're no longer in your life physically, yet they remain interested in your life.

Amazing.

I'm off to work. Oatmeal and coffee await.

I await for the Results tonight....

Post Script:

Michael Irvin lives to dance another day! In the Bottom Two, yet wins the dance off!! Next week another double elimination--however, until then I'm gonna enjoy this win for Michael!!

Thoughts for Tomorrow

11 am February 26 a couple things will happen at the same time.
Movie Man will exit the building for the final time.
Sussers, a cousin in Iowa, will have quadruple bypass surgery.
You talk about some emotional tugs here.

Movie Man--OK. I know I'll get weepy. However, I will see him after I get off work tomorrow for a cup o' joe. Plus we have a road trip Saturday. But ya know, Movie Man is still leaving the building we've shared the same floor since July 2003. Movie Man said some great stuff to me today. About my strength and how I helped all my 'kids' get stronger and encouraged them. The whole be patient thing kicks in--because my kids have all left, and as Movie Man says, I'm the last leaf on the tree. It's time for me to float off to my own adventures. Hmm. That guy is good. I wonder WHERE he learned to say stuff like that? More about him tomorrow.

Sussers. She's been like my big sister, even though I really didn't realize it. During when my mom died, when I was 13 and when my dad's health faded and eventual death in 2001. I was grateful she was there. Sussers is 13 years older than me. Her mom and my dad were siblings. Mom and Dad adored her (Hey, don't tell Sussers' siblings!) She's back in Iowa. Where all the memories are. I need to call her.

When I had my little heart adventure Sussers checked on me, and I know--worried--like I am now. Even as old as I am, Sussers and her three siblings' still say I'm their cute little cousin they usta lock in the closet. Oh wait--they tell me I just imagined that. Uh...sure. Nope, I'm their little cousin they took to the movies, scared me about the boogey man would come and get me, or take me to my dancing lessons. Sussers' mom made the BEST biscuits--while Sussers--well--can make pretty good nachos...:)

Anyway, my own cardiologist told me, recovery wouldn't have been as long or intense, if I'd had bypass surgery. Why? Because with bypass they work outside the heart--while with my little mitral valve replacement adventure, they have to go inside the heart. Nonetheless, I need to call her, before she reported on CNN by being the Iowa woman who makes a daring hospital escape. Trust me on this. We're family. It could happen. Besides, Sussers needs to get this little adventure outta the way. She's gotta be stong enough to make me more nachos! Cute cousins deserve such treatment! :)

Saturday Smiles

You should be washing dishes. Mop the floor. Doing laundry. Instead you pet just about every cat in the neighborhood---oh wait, they ALL live with you. Pop your daily meds. Take a shower. Notice the man who once again said he'd call so you two could do coffee hasn't and probably true to form: won't. Which is too bad, because you hoped he'd changed---finally.

Nonetheless, you feel a giddy. January 20, 2009, Inauguration Day inches closer. You bask how more History is being made.

You also realize there's movies to see, paint to buy, dreams for another house, food for all the neighborhood cats that seem to live with you. And then there's the pipin' hot coffee with the scrumptious piece of pie at Celebrity Bakery that screams your name.

Yea, all that other stuff can wait. You got things to do. To make you smile, you post some videos from a time before you had to be responsible for the dishes, the floor, the laundry and now that pesky mortgage because you crave a roof over your head and all the neighborhood cats. A little David Cassidy and the Partridge Family, then Osmond Brothers when it was still all five of them, and then a little rock n roll because you did always like a little Kiss.

The Osmond Brothers

...and now a little Kiss

Cougar Cool-Aid

‘Cougar’ has taken on a whole new definition. Not such a strong, gorgeous feline in the forest anymore, but a strong, gorgeous feline who resides in her own habitat, on any given street, in any concrete or non-paved jungle, on any given hemisphere. The cougar, I speak of, is an older feline who has a hanker for younger cubs. You know the celebrity roster: Demi Moore, Joan Collins, Susan Sarandon, Halle Berry and even “Mar” aka Mary Tyler Moore—guess tossing that cap in the air was a good thing! .

What about the everyday woman? Clips coupons. Likes the sales at Target. Watches The Next New Food Network Star? Ya know, like ME?

See, I was told I’m a cougar. Why? Because I have a sweet little crush on this guy. Even though Movie Man is 18 years my senior—we’re more like little brother (one I never wanted) and big sister (when he listens to me). No, I’m talking about this guy from church.

CHURCH?!?!? :)

Calm down.

I don’t think he’s older than 25---if he’s even 25. Early 20-something. When this guy was born—let’s says 1983—I was---well---hmmm…uh…doing things. Chums look at me like I’m nuts (hey no nod of your head! J What can I possibly see in him, they ask? After all, I could have carried him in my belly!

After some ponder: his potential. Hugs ain’t bad either, yet, we’ll stay on topic. His potential. An aura of maturity circles him. Our conversations have centered on writing, and have taken place only in church. Granted, he’s young, with so much more to experience (heck, so do I!) He hasn’t got a clue what’s in store. Yet, from his vibe, I’m confident when he hits life’s bumps in the road—he’ll be able to smooth em out—no problem. I just see it. Know it. Feel it.

My chums shake their head: He’s too young for you! Look, I’m not asking to wear his letter jacket or get married. However, I do wonder how our conversation would be over coffee. To hear his view of the world. Our history making election. His dreams. Then I wonder still, would I be able to carry on a conversation with a guy who never experienced life without computers, cell phones, or gasoline less than a dollar a gallon?

Maybe I could. Maybe I couldn’t. Almost makes me want to find out.

Nonetheless, I see a good man on the horizon. His parents did a good job. His potential. Our future looks even more brilliant with more guys like him at the helm.

If that makes me a cougar---so be it.

Now, if you will excuse me, I need stalk my prey for this night: Blue Bell Coffee Ice Cream.

...One last thing....I mean it....

As I toodled around Des Moines, last weekend, I took in the city's growth. Some familiar places I see in Dallas--and take for granted--stood so tall and proud in Des Moines. Case in point, my chum D said, "There's On the Border-it's suppose to be good." Huh? Then there was a Fuddruckers, where D and her hubby, enjoy their burgers. I told her my favorite burger place in Dallas is Burger Island. There was the Cheesecake Factory--in Des Moines? Sure thing! After our toodling, I hankered to quench my thirst with a coffee drink. Imagine my surprise we had to travel miles--literally- to find one. What? Starbucks not on every or every other corner? Not being able to say, "Oh, well, I missed that one, but another one will just down the road a piece." Instead, I have look on a map to find one of the 10 Starbucks, Des Moines has, to get my Mint Mocha Chip Light Frap fix. Think of the gas used! Oh goodness--those poor deprived people! :)