Sex And The City VS. The Golden Girls

  For the last few days I have done pretty much nothing but lay around. Hey, be nice! I’ve been a little under the weather. Sheesh, give a girl a break, okay? J So I have been laying here sleeping, reading, and watching television. I admit that I have read a lot. I love it. But it doesn’t take too long before my eyes get weary and I doze off. Today that happened and I woke up to a Sex and the City mini marathon. Now, I used to love that show. I actually think it had a hand in me starting to write more. Well, as I watched it today I started thinking about friendships.

  I found myself grinning when I thought about some of my close friends and the crazy things we did when we were younger. I thought about how one relationship led to another for some of us. Some of us found love early on, others later. No matter what, we knew each break up was hard, but somehow we ended up stronger because of it. It molded us into who we are, and who we love today.

  But now that I’m a little older I think we have somehow transitioned over to The Golden Girls. I don’t know when or how it happened. It just did. Now…some of my best friends are older than me, so I’ll blame that! Steering it back… I started thinking and comparing the two shows. I thought that Sex and the City was really just a younger version of the Golden Girls. Then I actually amused myself with comparing the characters. Will you play along? Come on, I know you have seen the shows!

  Let’s start out easy. The Sex and the City (let’s refer to it as SATC) character of Samantha Jones is kind of, er…slutty. The same can be said of the character Blanch, on The Golden Girls (TGG.) Come on, keep playing! The character Sophia on TGG is the motherly, protective sort. I think Charlotte from SATC is the same way. Now here’s where it gets hairy. I believe that Dorothy on TGG is kind of brainy. Miranda from SATC is the same way. So that leaves Rose, TGG resident airhead, and SATC’s main character, Carrie. Was Carrie an airhead? Eh, I’d say it’s a tossup. Her “writing” was brainy, but her relationships with men…not so much. I would say that when it came to men she may have been an airhead.

  So, that is how I’ve spent my last couple of days. Sad, isn’t it? Actually I love both of those shows. They both had made me feel just a little bit better. How could you not feel better after hearing lines like these...

  "I have low self-esteem, but I express it the healthy way...by eating a box of Double Stuff Oreos."  

     

  Or…

  “You're not going to believe this, I just saw a cloud that looked exactly like a cotton ball.”

  So, maybe I’m a little feverish, but you get a sense of my humor now!

So, are you and your friends Golden Girls, or Sex and the City gals? Have you seen a change in yourselves over the years, or have you pretty much stayed the same? Do you have any shows you watch to make you feel better?

W.P.I. - Here is a quick way to dry herbs: lay a sheet of newspaper on the seat of your car, arrange the herbs in a single layer, then roll up the windows and close the doors. Your herbs will be quickly dried to perfection. What's more, your car will smell great.

We Were Never...

    I promised in my bio that I would tell stories of strange things that happen to me every now and then. I gave you all a week. I guess that is enough time before I tell you one of my 'A Day In The Life' stories.

    Last fall I was given a chance to go to Maine. I had never been there. I also never pass up an opportunity to experience something new unless that ugly four letter word interferes-work. Fortunately for me I could get the time off. I flew up there and met my bestie, who was there on business. 

     Now, when I go on vacation I have certain pictures in my head of what I expect the area to be like, or certain things I expect to see. While in Maine I wanted to see the craggy coastline. I wanted to see a lighthouse. I had a weird idea that I wanted to hear a bell from a buoy. I don't know why on that one!  I wanted to see  lobster and sail boats moored out in a bay. I wanted to see the brilliance of autumn, but we were a couple of weeks too early for that. I wanted to eat fresh seafood. I wanted to shop. I have the ability to be a shopping ho while on vacation. T-shirts are a must! 

   Bestie's family, which I consider my family too, has traveled a lot. We told them about staying in Portland, Maine. We also told them we were going to take the train to Boston for a day. Of course they had visited around the area that we were, so they suggested a few places. They told us to visit Rockport. "It is pretty, along the coast, and has a lot of shops." That's all I needed to hear and we were on our way. 

    We set out on the two hour trip to get to there and got hungry. This roadside stand had the best lobster rolls, and fresh cut fries with vinegar. I crave it even now.

    After brunch we set back out along the sometimes windy roads on our way to Rockport. I was in awe as some of the houses were of the brightest colors. I kind of thought that was a thing of movies or books. The morning clouds broke and the sun started to shine as we hit Rockport, and some of those pictures in my head became real. We stopped and walked down to a park overlooking the bay. I took in the beauty of the landscape and was overwhelmed. It was exactly like the picture in my head. After an hour of taking in the majesty of the bay in Rockport we set out to shop. Unfortunately there were no shops. It was one of those beautiful small towns that if you blinked you missed it. Well we blinked and ended up in the next town, Camden. Now Camden was many of my pictures in one. It had the bay with boats, and shops. Not just regular shops, fancy colored ones! We couldn't park fast enough as I was slowly falling in love. It also was a small town, but a small town of my dreams. 

    We spent the day there, eating, shopping, and picture taking. It was a beautiful place that I would go back to in a heartbeat. Thank you Camden, for fulfilling some of my dreams of Maine. Both Camden and Rockport were beautiful.

    We just figured bestie's sister got confused. The towns were so close together it would be pretty easy to do, right? Um, no. After inquiring with her about this she responded, "Rockport, Maine? We were never in Maine. We were in Rockport...Massachusetts!" 

    We got lucky that Camden was close to Rockport, although Rockport was beautiful in and of itself. 

Have you ever had an instance like this happen to you? Were you as lucky as we were or did it turn into a nightmare? Come on peeps, share with me!

    

Man Wars- Country Music Style

      So I've decided to have a man war. But I'm breaking it down into certain categories, or genres, if you will. 

      I was perusing the internet looking for a good looking man or two when it dawned on me. Why put one or two up, when there could be many? As soon as I saw the first picture I quickly realized this could turn in to much, much more. Each one has their own look, their own "thing," if you will. I'm just curious to see who you think is the cutest one. 

      Because we are taking a vote.

      :)

      Without further ado let me show you the man who started it all off tonight...

Blake Shelton... yum!

      It may be hard to beat Blake. I mean he's one of the top country vocalists right now, and he's on the wildly popular "The Voice" show. Who doesn't love some Blake?

      If you had someone a little different on your mind, yet still on a popular reality singiing show I'm right with ya...

Oh Keith Urban, that smile!

      Yes, Keith has his screaming female followers as well. This ought to be interesting. But what happens when a not so well known gets thrown into the mix? Well, at least the next guy isn't well known to me. Is he you?

Meet Chuck Wicks. Le sigh.

      After seeing his picture I want to know him better. A lot better. :) I have to look him up when I'm done with this. 

      I'm going to give you one last hunky hunk hunk. This is one I am a little more familiar with. I've seen him doing interviews, and he cracks me up. And that brings up another question... but first...

Oh Luke Bryan, you make so many hearts flutter!

      Do you listen to country music? Who is your favorite singer? Who, in your opinion, wins this man war? Does a great personality make someone more handsome/cute? 

Food Fight

            Do you ever notice how some foods are so much work they just aren’t worth the trouble? I have to admit that I never really thought of it that much until my old boss stated she thought chicken wings were too much work. Huh. I have to admit she got me thinking on that one.

            I, being from around Buffalo originally, would never think a chicken wing is too much work. Come on, we are basically raised on chicken wings! Who cares that you have to eat at least ten to get full? Or that your hands get covered in hot sauce, grease, etc. I never thought of the actual “work” that you have to do to get a meal out of them.

            Ever since then I’ve thought about some of the foods I eat. Ribs tend to be a lot of work. Many times the reward is not worth the work, if you know what I mean. It just seems that the time it takes to pick the meat off the bone far outweighs the food that ends up in the belly.

            Shrimp is another one that is a pain to me. Who wants to take the shell off of your food before you can eat it? Or, better yet, how about deveining it? Blah. That just gave me the willies. So no, shrimp is not high on my list, either.

            We’ve had company for the past week-ish. The Charmed One’s mother is visiting. Sunday we took her to Tybee Island and on the way back we stopped at a local seafood restaurant. We ended up ordering crab legs. *sigh* It was when I was digging, clawing, and fighting for the tiniest pieces of meat that I decided what I was going to rant about. Really? That much work and effort for such a small amount of food is absurd. And a total waste of time.

            I’m not even talking about preparing these foods. I’m simply talking about these foods being presented before you, and you diving in. Or trying to dive in. Preparing some of these foods could be a whole different rant. J

            Do you consider some foods to be work? Which ones do you think are the worst? Do you continue to eat them, or pass on them?

            

Celebrity Encounters

      For two months I've been trying to write a blog about my new employment.

      For now we'll make a long story short. I'm a horticulturalist and was lucky enough to land a job at an awesome nursery/garden center not far from where I live. We opened another location in the beginning of March. I'm one of the lucky ones that gets to go back and forth between the two, and I love it. 

      I haven't become used to the local celebrity scene. Sometimes I forget that I live in an area that has a few "famous" people. And needless to say, I never expect to run into any of them. Especially in my place of employment. Even when I do... I'm clueless!

      Enter Jamie Deen. 

      Someone pulled in one Sunday after we closed. (The gate was still open, so some people pulled in.) Actually many people did, but when it hit twenty minutes after closing time I was getting anxious. I waited on the last person that pulled in. The man had two adorable boys, who were very well behaved. The customer was super nice and very personable. 

      I was clueless to who he was.

      Until I walked into the shop and my boss said, "That's Jamie Deen." He was grinning from ear to ear. I was dumbfounded.

      It seems that because Savannah is so small the celebrities that live here are very recognizable. 

      Enter Kelly. Who is oblivious.  "I just waited on Jamie Deen?" (In my mind I was replaying every word, every action. I asked myself, "Was I an idiot?" :)" My boss just laughed.

      A couple weeks later I was working in the same location when a co-worker approached me during my lunch and told me Paula Deen was shopping there. A smile crossed my face. Our paths crossed a couple times during her shopping spree. I was just excited to see these two picking out their own plants and liking it. I like that they are visible to the public, considering.

     Three days ago I was back in my original location. It has been hot, and it doesn't take long for your shirt to stick to ya, for perspiration to bead along the forehead. After finishing up with a customer I was heading back to where I was originally working when I passed a man that looked familiar. I did a double take. (This man was very worthy of another look, if you know what I mean.) My mind couldn't work fast enough to figure out who he was. I went on with my task at hand, feeling as unclean as ever. :)

      Just a few minutes later I passed a couple co-workers who mentioned that Billy Currington was shopping there. Then it all came together. That is where I recognized him from. He is a country singer. A cute one at that. I had totally forgot that he lived very close to the store. Needless to say I am dumbfounded that I am blessed with these opportunities, no matter how clueless I may be at times! 

      I'm also extremely happy that these people like plants!

      Do you live near any celebrities? Who might they be? Would you recognize them? 

      W.P.I.- One plant that one of these people bought was Durnata. Royal purple, 1/2" blooms that are edged in white lace, are born in grape-like drooping clusters from spring/summer to frost on this large tropical shrub sometimes grown as a tender perennial or annual. In freeze-free climates the Duranta can be used as a hedge or screen or train them into beautiful small trees. In the mildest portions of zone 8B-9 it will often act as a die-back perennial. The blooms are followed by 1/2" golden berries giving it the name of 'Golden Dewdrop'.

      

Come On Get Happy

  Happiness is…

  Happiness is the wonderful scent of gardenias tickling your nose when you step outside.

  Happiness is having someone there to pick you up when you fall.

  Happiness is a good book on a rainy day.

  Happiness is a face or two that always brings a smile, even when in the worst of moods.

  Happiness is watching new life come from a tiny seed, eventually producing tasty goodness.

  Happiness is a child’s laugh.

  Happiness is being able to help someone in need.

Two faces that always make me smile!

  Happiness is getting together with friends or family.

  Happiness is a steamy cup of coffee first thing in the morning.

  Happiness is warm arms wrapped around you at the end of the day.

  Happiness is a good friend who immediately texts What’s wrong? when you post on Facebook that you want a cigarette after it has been three years since you last had one.

  Happiness is having a roof over your head and a dependable car.

  Happiness is having cyber-friends.

  Happiness is a new pair of shoes that you just want to wear everywhere.

  Happiness is having freedom.

  Happiness is Golden Girls marathons.

  Happiness is giving or receiving compliments.

  Happiness is making someone smile.

  Happiness is having memories to fall back on when someone you love is no longer here.

  Those are just a few that happened to strike me as I wrote this. I tried to keep it real, not too serious, not too funny.

  What are some things that make you happy?

                                                                              

Carpe Diem

            Two little words.

            Each morning since early January the Charmed One and I start off the day with two little words. They are not what you would think. And you may think it is dorky, but this is a phrase we have adopted and have lived by since.

            What is this phrase, you ask? Okay, okay. I’ll tell you.

            Carpe Diem.

            I remember learning about this phrase waaay back in school, but it never sunk in.

            Then life happens. Sometimes life is good. Sometimes it isn’t. Sometimes you roll along, while others you bounce up and down on the highs and lows. It was during one of those lows that this phrase came back to me.

            A while back we went through a rough patch. (See previous blog, "Adios Podunk.") But there was a brightness ahead that was within reach. We just had a lot of work to do in a short period of time. Every morning we woke up we would look at each other and say, “Carpe Diem.” To get to where we wanted to be we had to Carpe Diem, or, seize the day. And that we did. 

           Here is the link to that rant...https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8169573800220509986#editor/target=post;postID=4429996528038560272;onPublishedMenu=allposts;onClosedMenu=allposts;postNum=28;src=postname

            We seized each and every day until we made it to our destination. And we haven’t stopped.

            I don’t really mean to be philosophical, or cliché, but it may come off that way. Sometimes things happen in your life to make you stand back and say, “Wow. How did we get here?” Or maybe you just realize that life is really short. That is kinda how we started this Carpe stuff. We realized that life is too short to be brought down by people, places, or certain situations. We did everything we needed to, every day, to get out of Podunk and to our “happy place.” Every day since we’ve given this life 100% of ourselves. We wake up happy and go to bed happy. Every day we give it all we got. We seize it. J

            Do you have a phrase you live by? Do you seize every day?

W.P.I.- The Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow plant (Brunfelsia pauciflora) is a decorative shrub native to Brazilian woodlands. It is colorful plant that blooms late in the season and blooms prolifically. Although it prefers a warm climate, you can grow it in a large pot and bring it into shelter if frost threatens your area.

            Although this plant officially grows well outdoors only in zones 9, 10 and 11, it is widely popular due to its unusual flowering habit. In late summer through winter, the blooms open a soft purple, change to a pastel lilac and finally turn to a near-white before fading away. It is this color change that earns this shrub its common name -- and its popularity. You will have all three colors blooming at once on a bush.

Seeing Red

      It started yesterday. I woke up and was fine. Then I went to work and it progressively got worse. 

      One of my eyes felt like it was tired and burning. It felt gooky, crusty, and gross. I put drops in. It didn't help. I had sprayed an organic concoction earlier at work and wondered if somehow some got in my eye. Next I washed said eye out with eye wash. 

      That didn't work. 

      One of my co workers is in the health profession too. She looked at it and didn't think it was pink eye. Sadly the symptoms continued throughout the day and into the night. I thought for sure it would feel better after a good nights sleep. So I slept. 

      Then I got up this morning. The eye that was bothering me the day before was still a little bothersome. But as the day progressed I realized the other eye was the one that was suffering more. Sigh. 

      I had to work like this. But today I was inside. Side by side with the boss, who probably thought I had a late night, etc. Face to face with customers who probably thought the same. It wouldn't fly wearing my sunglasses on the inside. So I wore my red eyes proudly. 

      And still do. 

      They are bothering me like crazy, but I'm hoping that after one more night they might be back to normal. 

      Then I realized. It's allergy season. Is this what's bothering me? Is this why my eyes are red, itchy, and irritated? Could it be this complicated yet this easy? 

      We'll see. Time will tell. If they aren't better tomorrow I'll have to make an appointment to get them fixed. Maybe I'll get lucky enough and they'll correct themselves. Let's hope.

      Do you suffer from allergies? What are your symptoms? 

Sugar High

      So my page-views here have dropped to nearly non existence. It truly makes me wonder. But for now I will put the wondering aside and write what I want. Because I can. :) I mean, if no one is reading this anyways... *smirks*


      If you visit regularly you know a few months ago I started a new job. In the real world I'm a horticulturalist, so Springtime is a blur. People come out of hibernation and want to make their outdoor living spaces as pretty as possible. They need to get their vege's  in the ground, existing plants fertilized, or replace plants that may have

died. 

      What does that mean for us workers? It means at least five ten hour days a week. Ten hour days. Ten.

      That makes for some weary, brain fried people. It makes for weary, dead tired people. Day after day. One might wonder... How do we make it through?

      SUGAR. And lots of it. 

      If you know me you know I gave up most of my sugars. But when the boss brings in fresh, hot Krispy Kreme I cannot say no. None of us can. 

      This happened several times. Then I started putting two and two together. And I had my bosses pegged. They wanted their employees to get a sugar high to move faster and get more work done. Haha. 

      It seemed to have worked. We've made it through the long, hard, exhausting days. When donuts aren't available one of us visits a local coffee shop for their sugary treats. Then a cupcake store opened.... *hmph*

      Needless to say we move fast so the calories and sugars from these sweet treats don't stick to us. 

      But I worry about what will happen when we slow down. Will we keep eating the sweet morsels of bad for us goodness, or will we slide back into a normal eat-a-regular-snack? 

      Do you rely on sugar or caffeine to keep you going at work? How many hours do you work a day? How often do you visit this blog?

W.P.I.- Stevia (Stevia rebaudiana) is a species of shrub and herb native to the rain forests of Paraguay. It is in the sunflower family (Asteraceae) and is related to lettuce and marigolds. Also known as sweet leaf and sugar leaf. Stevia is used as a dietary supplement and sugar substitute.

      Stevia is stable up to 400°F which makes it a viable alternative to sugar for baking. However, adjustments have to be made for the lack of moisture and bulk. 
For every cup of sugar that is replaced by Stevia there should be 1/3 cup of the liquid or other bulk added to the recipe. Some suggested additions are: applesauce, yogurt, fruit juice, fruit purée, egg whites or water. Any liquid that is used in the recipe will work fine.