Lunch with Michele

Michele and Bruce were on their way to Boulder, Colorado to spend August in less humid weather and decided to stop in Kansas City for lunch.

We made a quick stop at Melissa's new house to see the progress. Violet loves taking pictures and is getting pretty good at it. This is her new room. Violet's closet is as big as a bedroom and she tells me I can move in with them and live in her closet.

Violet also snapped a picture of Michele peeking her head around the door.

I wanted a picture of Michele and Violet. This is the best I could get out of Violet. She was in one of her silly moods. After a quick lunch at Chick-Fil-A (fancy, huh!) Michele and Bruce were off to Boulder and Violet, Lincoln and I went to Build-A-Bear (more about that later).

Annual Girls Trip to Florida

Another great girls trip to Florida.

Debbie, Robin and I started our vacation at the Mexican restaurant at the airport. They serve the best margaritas using Grand Marnier. Too bad you have to take out a loan to pay for them.

Our first day was outlet mall shopping in Orlando. Probably a good idea since it rained most of the day. Typical Orlando weather.

Then it was off to New Smyrna Beach. The Islander Resort has burgers and hotdogs on Thursdays, so it's a good day to sit by the pool.

After lunch, it's a little Bingo time. Cheap way to spend the afternoon before heading out to our favorite bar and grill for karaoke.

We usually don't plan any sightseeing outings (except for shopping) while we're away. It's more a time for relaxing.

We've been going to Merk's Bar & Grill for several years. Their food is great and the karaoke is hilarious. I'm not a singer and would never get up in front of people and sing. This group of people are strictly "sing in the shower" type people and in my opinion should stay there. Robin and Debbie are good singers and try and coax me to participate especially after a few drinks.

But I can't go away on vacation without an incident. This time I fell trying to navigate my way around the Murphy bed and pull out couch while going to the bathroom in the middle of the night. I fell flat on my face and sported a black eye for the rest of the trip. If anyone mentioned it, I just told them I was in a bar fight. Sounds better than tripping in the dark.

Besides sitting around the pool, we try and plan a few hours to actually sit on the beach.

Like most vacation, they end too soon. I look forward to spending time with these ladies but I always seem to be ready to come home. Then I sit at home and wonder when I'm going to take my next vacation. Cheers to many more years of good times and sunshine!

Michael in New York City

While I was in Florida, Michael was running around New York City seeing every site he could fit into 5 days. I got tired just reading his Snaps and Facebook posts.

Michael and Brandon planned a trip to NYC to see a Mets game and a Yankees vs Royals baseball game. They also rode the subway and went to Times Square, Freedom Tower, 9/11 Memorial & Museum, Coney Island, Central Park and my favorite, the Brooklyn Bridge. This is only a few of the places they went. And I thought when Michele, Courtney, Melissa and I went 5 years ago, we did a lot. Nothing compared to this.

Homemade Dog Food

The Taylors are at the lake this weekend so I've got dog duty.

It's always a treat for Lola and Khloe when they come over. There's no kids running around. They sit at the door and watch all their friends (other dogs) walk by. And the food's better. I was making their dinner and they were so excited. Over here, they get hamburger instead of chicken! This time I also put the peas and carrots in the blender and mushed them up. Now Khloe can't eat around the peas!!

Hall & Oates and Train

Wow! I made a bucket list for 2018 to go to three concerts. It's only July and this is my third concert and I still have two more scheduled for this year.

This time it was Hall & Oates. Their introduction was a film clip of vinyl records with song titles on them. I was amazed at the number of songs, that I knew, that they've recorded.

And they still sound the same as they did back in the 70's.

I thought Train was also an older group but they didn't start recording until the 90's. My cousin Gary's wife, Lee Ann, is more a hard rock type person. Train and Hall & Oates were just one note shy of being too much of a "chic" band for her. Our next concert is Billy Joel in September. Mark another item off my bucket list.

Birthday & Pool Party

I still see a handful of my friends from work and we got together for Regina's 65th birthday. Regina's the one on the far right.

Robin (the one in the middle) has a pool at her house so we headed out to Peculiar, MO for a pool party - just the 3 of us. I like having a friend just a little older than me. She gives me helpful advise on all the things you need to do when you turn 65, especially concerning insurance and Medicare. I hate to talk about these things because I don't want to get older but I haven't figured out how to turn back the clock. Happy Birthday Regina! May you have many, many, many more!

Heading to Virginia on the Appalachian Trail

It seems as though the new Fitbit is helping. I'm not as far behind Michele in our trek along the Appalachian Trail.

I really don't know much about this adventure. I know Michele is recording my steps. I know I'm "virtually" walking the Appalachian Trail. I know Michele posts these cute pictures of us on a map of the Appalachian Trail.

But for her posting my progress, I could be walking into the Atlantic Ocean, walking in circles or just collecting these badges from Fitbit and the Appalachian Trail walk. Some how I got this badge from Fitbit saying I climbed 10 floor. Hmmmm, doesn't seem like something you'd get a badge for.

After my walk the other day, I took a quick picture of myself and noticed I got Maryellen in the picture. I'm going to have to get her some workout gear like Olivia Newton John's "Let's Get Physical" so she can sweat like I do.

A Medical "Annoyance", A Trapped Bunny and Killing Wasps

If you've ever been troubled with "trigger" thumb, you can understand the discomfort this can cause. I went to the orthopedic surgeon this morning to see what could be done to prevent my thumb from locking in either an open or closed position. The surgeon said this was very common and more of an "annoyance" than a life or death situation. 

The treatment was shooting cortisone into the joint at the base of my thumb. The pain from the shot was so intense and the longest 15 seconds of my life. Needless to say, I left the doctor's office in tears from the pain.

When I got home, I noticed a small bunny running around my deck. As I tried to capture a picture of the scared bunny, I realized just how important it was to have the use of your thumb. Mine was numb and swollen from the aforementioned shot. The bunny couldn't find the steps and kept looking over the side of the deck. I'm not sure but I think he jumped to freedom as opposed to using the steps. I was busy picking my phone up off the floor and missed his escape.

Michael stopped by and as we were walking around the house, he noticed a wasp hovering around the bottom of my deck. I wondered where the wasps were coming from since Jamie knocked down all the nests when we painted the house. On further investigation, we found several nests between the joists under the deck. I know the preferred time to attack the nests is either early morning or late evening but I didn't think I could get Michael to come back then. I made him buy an extra can of wasp spray just in case I need to tackle the nests again.

New Fitbit and Appalachian Trail Update

Earlier this week I was at the DMV registering my new car. After waiting over an hour, I decided to do a little internet shopping. I should never be left alone for any length of time with internet access and nothing else to do.

The result, the new Fitbit Versa. It's a little bigger than my previous Fitbit Alta, but feels much lighter. Plus it has a lot more features and it's waterproof so I can wear it when I do my river walking at the pool.

I also thought it might give me an added boost to try and catch up a little on the Appalachian Trail. After 10 weeks, I'm still about 20 miles behind Michele. I love how she's created a new figure for me. I've dumped the shopping bags and now I'm on full throttle. Don't worry, Michele. I'll run out of energy before I get too close.

I did collect another badge, the Cherry Gap badge. Still not sure if these are actual badges or Michele is just trying to keep me interested and motivated. I do love my bling!

Build A Bear "Pay Your Age"

Melissa, Violet, Lincoln and some of their friends headed to the mall for Build A Bear's "Pay Your Age" sales event not thinking it would be so popular.

When they got there, the line was pretty much wrapped around the mall. But since the store wasn't open yet, they didn't think it would take that long to get in the store.

After being in line for several hours, Lincoln had to have a break. Violet was adamant about staying. Even though there were some Facebook reports of fighting and unruly children, Melissa said that was not the case.

I hate to say how long she stood in line (9 hours!!!!) but Violet and Lincoln got their coveted Build A Bear animals. Now when people talk about the fiasco of the Build A Bear "Pay Your Age" sale, Melissa can say "I was there!"

Maryellen Gets a New Outfit

Michele stopped by on her way to a conference in Omaha and brought Maryellen a new outfit.

Although the poodle skirt originated in 1947, it became most popular with teenage girls in the mid 50's because they were easy to dance in. 

I remember when Michele turned 40 and had a big 1950's party. I wore my poodle skirt and, I believe, I looked just like Maryellen. Thanks Michele!

4th of July

My 4th of July was very quiet but it's never quiet at the Taylor household.

Violet and Lincoln made their version of a fireworks display on paper plates.

Violet could work on arts & crafts projects all day long. Me, well I was in bed long before it got dark enough for the fireworks displays to begin. Besides it was way too hot to be going outside. The joys of getting older.

Happy 12th Anniversary Melissa & Jamie

It doesn't seem like 12 years have gone by since Melissa and Jamie got married.

Family day at Royal's stadium kicked off their weekend celebration. Happy Anniversary! May the next 12 be even better.