June Bride

"Oh, they say when you marry in June you're a bride all your life and the bride groom who marries in June gets a sweet-heart for a wife."

And Hannah was an exquisite bride!

The ceremony was lovely. Robbie and Hannah looked so happy.

The reception was wonderful and everyone had a great time! It really was a perfect day.

Channeling Dr. Seuss

She has a marked thoracic kyphosis
with an exaggerated cervical lordosis
as a result of the kyphosis.
There is osteoporosis.

This lady's back pain has been reduced to a limerick.

What We Watch

We're so into this at our house. I've always been a huge Robin Hood fan ~ reading everything I can find, watching every movie ever made.... But this show ~ Robin Hood (on BBC America) is amazing!

Watch the trailer!

A Little Spittle

Letters to Tracy (part III)

Tracy, Tracy, Tracy,

Almost forgot to tell you the funniest story of the night... (Only I thought so. Suzie is on antibiotics)

Scene 1 Act 1

We are at the show and it is Cabaret seating. At our table a very nice man sits down (also at our table is Johnny's ex, Joanna Carson, or as we call her, 'the non clapper'), he turns out to be John, Michael’s gardener (I guess they keep the cheap help at the same table in case we discuss salaries.) (FYI, Michael must have liked the Walton's because guess who sat two tables ahead of us?) (One more FYI, John Boy doesn't have to pay much for his pants to be tailored and why do I know this, you ask??? He's not very tall.) (One last FYI… we have not had a lot of sleep in the last few days and are very, very, very tired... we think we are extremely funny, so when we recover from jet lag and the like... don't tell us we weren't. Because we are sending in these letters and our resume's to the writing staff of Frazier. Speaking of Frazier, David Hyde Pierce is one of Michael’s neighbors and John the gardener worked for them...which luckily brings me to my point.)

We were chatting it up with John (Suzie was trying to explain to John about redesigning the yard)... when John inadvertently (or not) spit a bead of spittle (or as I call it, "John's Little Spittle") on Suzie’s bottom lip. Of course, I couldn't see it. But Suzie, ever the hypochondriac, carefully wipes off her lip for the next 2-1/2 hours. When we got to the car... (scene 1 act 2) Suzie went hysterical because, as the songwriter wrote, "You never know the power of a little spittle."

(curtain goes down)

The Show!

Letters to Tracy (part II)

Dear Tracy,

It was a great show.

Now Tracy sit down, you'll never believe this.........

Background to the story...

After the show, they have these lists, one for people requesting to go back stage and one for (donors) a reception, to meet MF et al. Now hang on...well, out with it quick, we met John-Boy Walton... Okay, truth be known...we never really liked him or the Waltons...but if we did wouldn't that be cool? Actually, he is a very nice man.

Now for the secret of the evening... you see this part is so yucky, we haven't been able to talk about it... We were back in the dressing room with Terrence and this actor named George Furth came in (he's a character actor, you'd know him), well he walks in and says, "I've got to 'pee'." Then goes to the bathroom, "pees", and washes his hands (at least we hoped that was why his hands were wet), but doesn't dry them...then comes out of the bathroom and introduces himself and shakes our hands! ARE YOU JUST APPALLED!!! Then he hugs Terrence and leaves wet hand prints on Terrence’s back.

Incase you haven't heard much about Terrence, he's very kind and mild mannered. And remained so when Dianna dryly told him, "The Rolls drives nice...sorry about the gate." (His eyes got big and he rocked up on his toes and calmly said, "It's okay, things can be fixed, things can be fixed." We think he's still crouched in the corner of the dressing room muttering...'things can be fixed.'

Then we met Rosemary Clooney. She is so beautiful. Her pictures don't do her justice. She's a friendly person and squeezed our hands a lot, which made us feel important. Then some man took a picture of us with her. And against Suzie's better wishes, Dianna told her she loved her book and got out every last word of her review, before Suzie drug her out of the room.

Then we talked to MF and Derek, his assistant. Derek exclaimed Suzie was the worst fan. After Suzie whined, Michael's eyes got big and he rocked up on his toes and calmly asked Derek to repeat what he had just said. We weren't about to tell MF that Suzie had thrown away her souvenir backstage pass, so we just ignored MF and the last we saw, he was crouched in the corner whimpering, "worst fan...worst fan!"

Well, kid (as Mazie would say), you’re the greatest (as Jackie Gleason would say). We hope this will be our little secret, because if you let the cat out of the bag, at the next fan club party, after MF sings, we'll get up and say..."and for our last number, we'll sing for you, "The Spy Who Loved Me... dedicated to Tracy G." And last we’ll ever hear of you...you'll be whimpering the corner..."But I didn’t tell! I didn’t tell!" (FYI, we are now laughing so hard at your expense, and at our supreme wit.)

Love, Suz and Di

Disclaimer: Everything in our story was true, (even Derek calling Suzie the worst fan), except for we didn’t leave the boys whimpering and muttering unintelligible phrases in the corners, and Canadian tablecloths leave a lot to be desired.

Letters to Tracy

Eighteen years ago, my best friend, Dianna, and I began an amazing adventure when we were asked to run a fan club for an incredibly talented and genuinely kind man, singer/songwriter, Michael Feinstein. Letters to Tracy highlights some of our more memorable moments in our adventure thus far…

Dear Tracy,

We have had the greatest weekend and no one wants to hear about it... Although, Suzie did reveal a bit to her favorite check out girl at Walmart (sweet girl, no English) and since you are our new best friend (or in other words, you're "in") you're our victim.

Friday: We went to the rehearsal. We were there about 3-1/2 hours. Do you remember Ricky Ricardo's rehearsals? It was just like that...not extremely exciting, but glad we went. Michael was late...he had forgotten his suit...half way there, he had to turn back (in Massachusetts terms...it would be like backtracking from Boston to Haverhill on a Friday afternoon). Derek (assistant – his not ours), brought Coda the dog. It's a Shiatzu complete with a silver water bowl. There was a band there called, "The Big Kahuna and the Copa Catt Pack," if you like jazz, you'll love this band. They are jazz, and swing with a Hawaiian flair. Rosemary C. didn't rehearse (and after seeing her, she really could do her show in her sleep, she's sooo professional). After MF was finished, we visited for a bit. (He ate, we watched, the dog begged.)

Saturday, we went to MF's house at about 9:00 a.m. and met Ed and Mazie (his parents) there... it was a tearful reunion, to say the least. You'd love her Tracy. The home is magnificent and the memorabilia is incredible (the tour took 3-1/2 hours (she even showed us the special curtain hems)...of course the tour included two stops... one to cry to Mazie about our moms, and the other stop was to stuff our mouths with muffins in the pantry.

After the tour, we had lunch (salad, smoked tuna and pinwheels). After lunch, Suzie being the kind human being that she is... snuck upstairs with Mazie to steal her perfume and check out any Canadian table cloths that may have been brought home to nest. (Clears her throat and moves on.)

Then we made Ed give us a RRRR (Reckless Ride in the Rolls Royce).

(To read the rest of the Letter to Tracy, click read more)

Okay, this is top secret! Ed and Mazie bought a house. So we tell them we want to see it. (Backtrack... Ed and Mazie are easy to get to know, are friendly and are willing to do anything. For instance, Ed said to me I'd better go pick out a salad dressing and I walked over to the refrigerator and had no qualms about opening the door and taking what I wanted. FYI, the one I picked out Ed said was MF's favorite, so I stuck it back in because there was only a little left, and after all, salad dressing is a very personal thing. Ed said for me to take the dressing Michael didn't care.) (Don't ask what kind of dressing, I didn't pay that much attention.)

Sooooo we tell them we want to see their new house and Ed asks if we want to drive there. We tell them yes but only in the Rolls Royce. (It has always been Di’s dream to drive a Rolls through a McDonalds drive-thru and search the car for spare change at the window). So we all pile in, I called shot gun. Mazie didn't know what it meant.

So Ed starts explaining about Wells Fargo and the Wild Wild West and Mazie is confused, so Suzie tells Mazie it just means riding in the front seat (Suz had to shut everyone up so she could discuss the beverage trays that fold down in the back seat.) So as we pulled out of the driveway, I tell everyone to look straight ahead at all times so that when all the people stare at us well will look cool. (It was my first time in a Rolls. I was waiting for everyone to look at me as I drove by. The only problem was that the only other people who passed us were two Mexican gardeners).

Then what we didn't know was that Ed and Mazie bought the house four doors down! NO KIDDING! We pull into the driveway and I, being very disappointed in our short drive say, "This is IT?" And when they said yes, Suzie asked why we drove. (FYI… There was a little dent in the car on my door (when I am visiting, I've told them that's my seat), so anyway...Suzie tells me to look, I've scratched the door on my side of the Rolls. (I can now comfortably call a Rolls Royce a Rolls because I was in one for 30 seconds or so). So back to the scratch... thank heavens Ed and Mazie aren't gullible, I however needed a transfusion after my hemorrhage. So after looking at the new house we drove to Griffith Park. It was fun.

Since I'm spilling my guts, I can tell you that after the long day and all the drinking (we all went for the hard stuff... Diet Coke with caffeine), I had to go to the bathroom. It's a natural thing and everyone does it. Even MF. So what's the big deal? I don't know but Suzie wouldn't let me go. Apparently, she was doing her usual needless worry (she's giggling as I type), and was afraid that perhaps, I might clog the toilet... I informed her that even Queen Elizabeth has clogged a toilet or two in her day... Suzie put her foot down and still wouldn't let me go. Next time, I'll have to bring some Depends. (Just so you know how the story turned out, Suz drove me to HER mothers (who lives 45 minutes away) so I could go. Apparently, she doesn't care if I plug her mom's toilet. I wonder what Suz thinks I eat.) (Fast forward 4 years… Suzie actually did use the downstairs toilet before the bathroom was remodeled. There was a crack in the toilet seat and she claims that it almost pinched her and she would have had to have surgery. She got mad when I started calling her Fanny.)

Remember now, Mazie’s house is a secret, and we really do know the words to, "The Spy Who Loved Me."

Left around 2:30.

More later…
Love Suz and Di

My Widget

I really, really hate the heat.

Shadow's Menagerie

She used to rip these babies into shreds. Shreds. Now she collects them and carries them around in her mouth where ever she goes.

And she's not spoiled. She's loved!

More Potter?

I knew about the theme park in Florida, but a brand new story and a mini movie? Perhaps it's just a rumor... but check out this link. I just might have to take a trip to Florida next year!

Happy Father's Day

Potter Prequel

The Harry Potter prequel. Have you read it yet? It's brilliant. And yes, it's just a tiny hint of a riveting story ~ and that's all it'll ever be ~ but my imagination has been busy filling in the blanks all week. Thanks to Rowling for this little bit of the Marauder's story. I loved it!

Happy Birthday, Shadow!

The puppy is 8-years-old today!

Shadow has had a very busy day so far....
She's been on a special morning drive in Coach over to PetsMart where she had a manicure and shopped for two new babies (including one that keeps quacking even after she walks away ~ now that's fun to watch!), and... a beautiful new red collar. Bob thought a bit of bling might be in order for her new collar, but I always say, "less is more." No bling. Sorry Shadow.

Shadow's Aunt Diane suggested that Shadow is one who might not look too different from year to year. I say... Lucky Dog.

Happy Happy Birthday

Dave and Carrie Dear! Happy days will come to you all year. If I had one wish then it would beeeeee...... A happy happy birthday to you from me!

To two of my favorite people, I wish you the happiest of days.

Kiss Me Kate

It's a sad, sad, sorrowful day when my very own sister... my flesh and blood... doesn't know from whence Kiss Me Kate came. Hmmm.... I'm not even sure you know what Kiss Me Kate is!

So here's your challenge....(and NO CHEATING)... I want to know where Kiss Me Kate originates (and no, it's not a song from Seven Brides for Seven Brothers). I'm not rolling my eyes. I promise. (coughing fit).

Ready?

Hint #1: The cast includes someone ~ who starred in our favorite of all time, Lost Horizon (please tell me you remember that one....you know... "The world is a circle without a beginning, and nobody knows where it really ends...." ~ BOBBY VAN.

No?

Hint #2: Cole Porter had quite a bit to do with this.

I'll just move on. Shall I?

Hint #3: There's dancing.

Hint #4: And singing.

Hint #5: "Wunderbar"

Nothin?

Hint #6: You'd better brush up your Shakespeare...

(sigh)

Hint #7: It's one of my all time favorites. FAVORITES.

Hint #8:










You still don't know... do you.

I need Tylenol....

I’m on a diet…

So everyone else must eat.

These salads look particularly good today:

Classic California Cobb

1 ripe avocado, peeled, chopped
1 Tbsp. lemon juice
8 slices bacon, chopped, crisply cooked
1 bag (10 oz.) mixed salad greens
2 boneless skinless chicken breast halves, grilled, chopped
4 plum tomatoes, quartered
1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese
2 hard-cooked eggs, chopped
4 green onions, sliced
1/2 cup (Kraft) Roasted Garlic Vinaigrette Dressing
TOSS avocado with lemon juice. Place in large salad bowl. Add all remaining ingredients except dressing; mix lightly.
SPOON onto salad plates. Drizzle with dressing.
4 (2-1/2-cup) servings (420 cal)


BBQ Chicken and Fruit Salad

4 boneless skinless chicken breast halves (about 1-1/4 lb.)
1/2 cup BULL'S-EYE Original Barbecue Sauce
4 canned or fresh pineapple rings
1 bag (10 oz.) mixed salad greens
1 pt. (2 cups) strawberries, cut in half
1/2 cup KRAFT Light CATALINA Reduced Fat Dressing
PLACE chicken on rack of broiler pan.
BROIL 4 to 6 inches from heat 20 to 25 minutes or until chicken is cooked through, turning and brushing frequently with barbecue sauce during last 15 minutes and adding pineapple during last 5 minutes of broiling time. Cut chicken into strips.
ARRANGE greens and strawberries on serving plate. Top with chicken and pineapple. Serve with dressing.
4 servings (380 cal)


Strawberry Salad

2 bags (10 oz. each) torn romaine lettuce
2 cans (15 oz. each) mandarin orange segments, drained
4 cups sliced strawberries
1 medium red onion, sliced
1 cup Caramelized Almonds
1 cup Poppy Seed Dressing
TOSS lettuce with oranges, strawberries and onion in large bowl.
SPRINKLE with Almonds.
ADD Poppy Seed Dressing; mix lightly. Serve immediately.
8 servings (380 cal)

Spinach and Avocado Salad

1/2 cup sliced avocado
1 tsp. lemon juice
3 cups baby spinach leaves
1 small blood orange or naval orange, peeled, cut into sections
1/4 cup Catalina Dressing
3 Tbsp. orange juice
2 Tbsp. PLANTERS Pecan Halves, toasted
TOSS avocado and lemon juice in medium bowl. Add spinach, orange sections, dressing and orange juice; toss lightly.
SPOON onto 2 serving plates.
SPRINKLE with pecans just before serving.
2 servings -- 250 cal (Save 40 calories and Light Catalina Reduced Fat Dressing.)

Lemonade Cheesecake
I’m not too sure about this one… but it sounds refreshing, and it’s only 170 calories!

1 pkg. (8 oz.) Fat Free Cream Cheese, softened
1 tsp. CRYSTAL LIGHT Lemonade Flavor
1/4 cup cold fat-free milk
1 tub (8 oz.) COOL WHIP FREE Whipped Topping, thawed
1 ready-to-use reduced-fat graham cracker crumb crust (6 oz. or 9 inch)
BEAT cream cheese and drink mix in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until well blended and smooth. Gradually add milk, mixing until well blended. Gently stir in whipped topping. Spoon into crust.

REFRIGERATE 4 hours or until firm. Garnish with fruit, if desired.
8 servings

You can't judge a book by it's cover

Or so they say. But I've always hated the cover art for the Twilight series. In fact, it kept me from reading the books until the 3rd one came out. And the cover of Breaking Dawn isn't exactly winning me over either.

I just don't get it. None of the artwork of the first three seems to correlate with the stories... unless I'm missing something (which is quite possible)... but a flower? A shredded ribbon? An apple? And now a chess board (which of the four, has the most potential for making sense).

But all this being said, it's true. You really can't judge a book by its cover. I thoroughly enjoyed the Twilight series, and while I'm not going to stand in line at midnight to get this highly anticipated tome, I will be reading it soon thereafter!

“Remember it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird.”

“Mockingbirds don’t do one thing but make music for us to enjoy . . . but sing their hearts out for us. That’s why it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird.”

Pffft. I seriously doubt Harper Lee had an entire flock of mockingbirds outside the bedroom window singing their little hearts out every night from 11:00 p.m. to 5:30 a.m., when those words were penned!

EVERY NIGHT! It's a cacophony of loud, incessant, rapid fire, warbling, chirping, calling, and trilling all. night. long! Why do they sing all night? Why can't they be like normal birds and sweetly announce a new day?

These are the little troublemakers that shredded my patio cushions and Bob's hammock to build their nests, and the very same ones that keep attacking Shadow when she goes outside!

So have at it, Scout. I'm not buying the 'sin' theory.

Bobcats and Snakes in the backyard?

And she even thinks for a minute I'd move to Arizona? A BOBCAT! A huge big BOBCAT right at the sliding door! Those things eat people!

And a snake? A SNAKE! And when I asked what kind of snake, she blithely says, "A long one." A long one? A long one?

Seriously. And I thought Shadow's pesky bird problem was "wildlife."