Wouldn't it be Nice.. and ooo it was!

Oh my, Saturday night's Beach Boy show was wonderful. The minute the music started, I enjoyed the best 2 hours I've had in months!!!!! We had great seats just in front of the stage and were surrounded by a few thousand baby boomers dressed in their Hawaiian shirts and carrying beach balls.  As I looked around, mid concert, there were as many men as women clapping,  tapping and singing along. They're still led by icon Mike Love..all 70 years of him.(Forever) one of my favorites  His side kick on the keyboard and vocals, Bruce Johnston, was celebrating the anniversary of his very first Beach Boys debut back on April 9th, 1965 in New Orleans. Joining then on stage at The Stone were Mike's son Christian, who sounds remarkably like his cousins' the Wilsons. Also on hand Saturday night, was guest drummer, guitarist and Beach Boy belter, John Stamos... yep Uncle Jessie. He was really good too. They played, interrnission free, for 2 solid (gold) hours....Thanks to my iPhone, I have several of my favorite songs recorded for instantaneous pickmeups whenever the need arises.  We also enjoyed a great "cheat night" at the Forest Grill inhaling beef, salads,drinks and warm carbohydrates smothered in butter.  Yes, the venue was a casino. No, craps didn't provide us any "pin" money.  I did not partake. I have no trouble spending money but I must have something tangible in it's place when I leave the building. I did...a ticket stub from an awesome show and a huge chocolate stain on my clothes from that giant creme puff (In My Room).  God Only Knows....it was a wonderfully, relaxing week-end!

To the Beach......

Tomorrow we're headed to the Beach.... Boys.....There will be a whole room of flabby armed, tummy tucking, off key, baby boomers in the house.  Some of us will be wearing our Hawaiian beach shirts, others will don their best elastic waist pants and , if we're lucky, we'll be able to spot a few middle agers who enjoy singing along with icons just because they know the words.  The "Boys" on stage will have us clappin' and singing with their very first tune and there won't be a self-conscious bone in our bodies. Last year when the show was over, we followed Mike Love down the hallway of the hotel... it was all the poor guy could do to stand up... He's older than we, needed a cane and his body guards were mainly there just to hold the old guy upright.  They're playing at Turning Stone so we may go up a bit early so Lee can lose a few bucks at Blackjack or Poker and I'll donate my usual $50.00 on the slot machines.  They won't get any more than that even if I'm winning... I don't really care for the slotless slots...  no noise, no coins clinking into the tray when you manage to hit 3 cherries in a row.  There's a lot to the atmosphere that is lacking in their casinos.  They can pump all the oxygen they want in there, they're still just gettin' 50 bucks! We will, however, have a great meal (Lee's cheat night) and we'll spend the night, take the shampoo, conditioner and lotion, use every towel and washcloth and rifle a new pen or two...what night's sleep is really worth over $200?  God Only Knows :-)

Another 'ology.....This one helps us get through Springology....  Phenology....

Phenology

Look to animals and plants to tell you how the seasons are progressing! This is called phenology, derived from the Greek “phaino,” which means “to show” or “to appear.”

Watch plants leaf, buds burst, trees fruit, animals hibernate, birds and butterflies appear, and insects emerge, and you’ll find that nature tells you what time of year it is—which affects this year’s planting dates, wildflower viewing, beekeeping,  allergy season, and more!

For example, here are ways in which we plant by nature's signs in our neck of the woods:
• Plant peas, beets, and lettuce when the first leaves appear on the lilac bush.
• Plant corn, beans, and squash when the lilac blooms.
• Plant cabbage when the dogwood is in full bloom or when apple tree blossoms bud.
• Set out tomato transplants when the first ladybugs appear.
(Thanks Farmer's Almanac)

Well our snow is finally gone..even the plowed up, dirty piles. My daffodils and tulips are "up" and I'm going out to check the blossom progress on our lilacs.  The sun is actually trying to shine and I hear we're in store for one day in a row of the bright, yellow stuff. They're saying 73 for the beginning of next week but I'm not falling for it. I think they got their April 1 and April 7 forecasts mixed up.  April Fool....not me!!! (well actually, it is me ). Anyway, it's time for the golf cart to come out of hibernation, the rake to come out of storage and the seeds to hit the soil.  Bailee even learned in school this week that if you mix "soil and water you get mud!" Genius!!!  Today I'm getting out my beautiful, plaid L.L. Bean  barn boots and hit the Walnut Grove and the back yard for some signs of the season and some waterfall photos.  I love my backyard!!!!!

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday to Jess.... Wow, TWENTY-NINE.. where did that time go?  Starting her 30th year on this screwed up planet.  She has made such strides in her relatively short life.  She's made some lousy decisions that turned out great and some great decisions whose outcomes remain to be seen.  She is trying so hard to follow her goals!  She wants a solid, healthy, financially stable life for them (she and Bailee) and is right on track.  If it takes her 5 years to finish her classes because her number one priority is Bailee....so be it!  She is an amazing Mom. So much more patient than I ever was....maybe she made that decision when she was little and said, "Crap, I can do better than that!"  Well, she sure has.  Bailee is smart, well mannered,  a good reader (@ 4), humorous, fun, grounded, loving.....OK, I could go on but you get the point!  Jess's doing a great job raising her and trying to put life in perspective for both of them.  As I look back, thankfully it is Jess who blessed us with a grandchild and not Jeff.... I would hate to be 700 miles away from a grand baby and on top of that he puts girl's underwear on his dog.!!!!!!!! Just sayin'  

So, I'm off to pick up Miss B from school as she and I have a couple of birthday projects to complete.  Tonight we have a birthday supper planned for Auburn and maybe even a birthday cake. (Oh darn, note to self....get a birthday cake!)  We might just have a couple of pictures to share tomorrow.


         HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESSICA ANN HATFIELD BROWN

You're never too old to learn

Yesterday morning I received the spring and summer edition of "Adult Continuing Education" catalog.  Wow, it's a prime example of never being too old to learn or maybe it's having way too much free time or even Help, I need to catch up to the 21st century.  Here is a sample of some classes that are offered:

• Quickbooks for beginners or intermediate or even advanced learners...3 worthless classes for those of us in our "Golden Years". Nothing is ever "quick" anymore.
• Exploring computers for Senior Citizens...$95 to learn how to turn on your computer...For $95 I'd rather  learn how to turn on my spouse!
• Medical Terminology and Basic Anatomy... Now, there's one I could use. I know where most of my parts are but I can't remember which pill makes which part work.
• Beginning Swing Dance... their idea and my idea of swinging are entirely different verbs...mine involve a rope or another couple.
• Your Master Plan..... isn't working all that well
• Your Inner Guidance.... more often sends me to the bathroom than to peace
• Your Soul's Journey...just plain makes my feet hurt!
• Soap makers for Gardeners...  What the hell does that mean?
• How Money Works.... I've got this one.. You make $500, your bills are$450 and your taxes are $55,, Ok , maybe I don't have it!
• Cake Decorating... I barely know anyone left whose candles would fit on anything I'm capable of baking... or that would fit in my oven.
• Creative Writing...It's summary begins...Are you writing regularly?........Hallelujah... I finally found one think I do do regularly!!

So, needless to say, I probably won't be continuing my education outside the home any time soon. Although, I'm thinking I could maybe teach a few classes.... We'll talk about those another time. My inner guidance is sending me in another direction right now!!!

Monday - catch up.

This morning finds me sitting at my desk, lights on, listening to the first "April Shower" accompanied by wind and thunder.  I think I can actually see the grass growing if I look closely.  Our back yard is beginning to look springy and the squirrels and chipmunks are quickly trying to relocate their stashes from the snowbank pantries they have made over the past month to someplace a little more secure. Turkeys were here this morning and the deer stopped in for a visit last night. A busy time at EIEIO.

Heart beat -  We're settling in to our new prescription regimen.  I put Lee's morning and evening pills out for him along with a detailed description of how many, when, what they look like and what they're for posted on his dressing room mirror. (just in case I drop dead).  He's acclimating pretty well and appears to be taking it all in stride.  Our menus are beginning to change.  I think I'm missing the salt as much as he is but we're "dealing about it!"  We are looking forward  to the addition of a new garage kitchen in the near future.  We need a change of venue for our broiling facility and the great room/kitchen is NOT the place.  We've been checking out some pretty fancy stoves...those of you who know me well, know that a stove has never been a priority much less a necessity. We went to the store the other night and it took us forever as Lee thought he had to read the saturated fat, sodium, cholesterol and calorie content on each and every item!  By the way, eating healthy is not synonymous with eating cheaply. This is not what I thought the Golden Years meant!!!

I made it through my 59th birthday.  Now, I get to begin my 60th year and I'm seeing some big changes.  As long as we're all around to implement them, I'll be happy.  As I said on Friday, I was nonplussed with the birthday wishes I received. I had 152 well wishers on Face Book alone along with many cards, text messages, phone calls and gifts. Thank you all so much... After a few stressful weeks, it was a welcomed day!

This week brings Jess's birthday. She'll be 29 and starting her 30th year. My Mom will celebrate her 89th birthday in a couple of weeks and that will begin her 90th year. Wow,,,,, we'll be having some milestone birthday parties next April. Where in the world did all that time go? We have lots of April birthdays. As one of our cousins remarked this week-end, there must have been some great 4th of July celebrations in years' past :-)

That about wraps up our Monday morning "catch up."  I'll try to scrape up some words of wit or wisdom for the rest of the week. Sometimes it seems like they're both on sabbatical. Have a great week everybody!

Happy Birthday to me

                                                                               TO ME

Well yesterday wasn't the best day ever but that's a "story" for another day. Today..it's my birthday and I can't remember a day when I have been so humbled and happy and smiled so much by noon!  I awoke to 12 early morning text messages... expressing wonderful, sincere words of love and joy. I have received 10 phone calls, 24 emails, 27 cards,  flowers, balloons, mouse pads, kisses, hugs and mugs. I have even had 87 "happy birthday" posts on Face Book. EIGHTY SEVEN.( I didn't know I knew 87 people)... once again, I LOVE Face Book!!!  Tonight we're celebrating at one of my favorite restaurants, Balloons (where else would you celebrate a birthday?) with some of my best buds!  One of them even shared the nursery with me when we were born 59 years ago...WOW.... I must say I have the best Hatfield family and the best bunch of friends... They always say you have only a few real friends but you sure couldn't prove the few part by me today.. I have MANY and I am thankful....I know it sounds trite but every day IS a gift and I accept each     humbly and with love!