Wats nu

I am sparing you any more vacation pictures, well, at least for a post or two. I don't want to be like a colleague's husband who sat down next to me and my husband at their house and DESCRIBED to US Each and Every Picture from Their Honeymoon in EXCRUCIATING DETAIL for like, oh, 45 minutes. I still want that Time Back, Please, Thank you Verrry Much.

Our sons have been away at Scout Camp this last week and we miss them like crazy. They called last night homesick and it tugged at my heartstrings so badly I wanted to jump in the car and drive three hours to see them. Thank Goodness they will be home tomorrow afternoon. Our dog, Charley, who thinks All Children were put on this Earth to play with him and is very close to both boys, misses them too. He nudged at our oldest son, D.'s bedroom door and went in to see if D. was there. Really cute and touching. The cat and dog have been cuddling each other to make up for the Attention Deficit Disorder they are experiencing with the absence of children.

This is the first time in almost fifteen years that it's been just the two of us. I have been enjoying our time together and my husband, K. has been spoiling me rotten with wonderful meals including blackened scallops and salmon served with sauteed baby zucchini and angel hair pasta. Bellissmo! Tonight we are having a dear friend and her daughter over for Tri tip and asparagus on the grill, bruschetta with heirloom tomatoes, and for Dessert, Grilled Lemon Pound Cake with Nectarines and Whipped Cream. XXX K!!

My neighbor is a WIENIE. He put a TV satellite dish right outside my home office window which essentially blocks my little view of the Santa Monica Mountains. I went over to ask him to Please move it and the TV Satellite company WILL DO THIS Free OF CHARGE, (I checked, of course!), and he told me some B.S. about "costing him Time and Money." It will cost your more than that Neighbor in the long run, that's for sure. My husband is going to talk to him soon because sometimes it's better for the Menfolk deal with it. Men have a harder time saying "No" to other men.

To say I'm Annoyed is an understatement. However, after a few days of pouting, I made a choice, a conscious decision to Not Let It Ruin the Enjoyment of my wonderful home. This wienie also gave me a gift, he showed me how he really feels about me, us, our neighborhood. I get it. It has also given me a kick in my complancey booty when I realized how twisted up I was about this and opened my eyes and heart to the issues of folks in blogland and IRL who are dealing with huge stressors and this includes the Wienie. Also, that overall, he is a quiet and clean neighbor which is a Huge Blessing especially after learning about what other folks have to put up with their neighbors including threats of violence and restraining orders. So, this perspective means my problem won't matter in five years.

In addition to my major Attitude Adjustment, I've also put in some Feng Shui fixes to decrease the poison arrow effect of the satellite by placing a couple crystals from my rock collection including Fluorite and amethyst and a prism that belonged to my late brother next to the window on my desk that faces the dish. I am also planning on getting wind chimes to help create more positive energy. It's either that or I'm getting out the B.B. gun. Just kidding. No, Really, I think this Feng Shui stuff is helping because it gives me a miniscule feeling of control. Either that or I'm hoping the Wind Chimes will annoy the eff out of Wienie.

On more upbeat news, I found a wonderful new hairstylist. (I guess the term, hairdresser is out of fashion? Hmmm.) My other "stylist" moved to Scotland, (Talk about climate change from Sunny SoCal to Misty Scotland!!), and I have been on the lookout for a new one. I tried one other stylist a couple months ago and she couldn't get my bangs right. I have some curl in my hair and I ended up with "wings". That was okay in the 1970s, but not a good look at almost 48 y/o. This new stylist has long hair and bangs and she got my bangs to cooperate, so I'm good to go. Finding a good hairstylist is like finding a supportive, affordable, and Most importantly, a comfortable Bra that you stick with that brand and style Forever.

For someone who is Not A Shopper by Nature, (I know, I know, I'm sick or something), I have been doing quite a bit of shopping with the boys at camp. I realize this is a distraction technique. K. and I went out and ordered a new couch and loveseat for our den and I've been hitting the thrift stores pretty hard. I've scored some Killer Finds including a pair of nice Levi's jeans that my friend's artist daughter is going to embellish with her anime style artwork. Also, an Enormous, brand new ceramic bowl, and lots of great beads and vintage jewelry parts and single earrings for refashioning into necklaces and chain belts. I have been inspired recently to exercise my creative muscle with some beading and jewelry making for fun. I had forgotten, (because it's been so long since I've done anything the least bit crafty), how much hard work goes into it - the designing, the color choices, the multiple trips back and forth to the craft store, the redoing of my crappy wire wrapping, etc, etc. I am enjoying it and am almost done with an embellished chain belt for a friend of mine. I shouldn't be too embarrassed that I won't post Before and After Pictures of my efforts.

Thank you for seeing What's New with me. I appreciate it and I have to say this is one of my longest blog posts ever. I need to vent more often. Happy Friday to you and yours and What's New with you?