So, I don’t want to brag or anything, but I’ve kept a small tomato plant alive for like, two weeks now.  With real baby tomatoes on it! It’s snacking tomatoes type (I can’t remember the real name — but the grape-like tomatoes that grow well in a planter rather than that ground). I’m impressed. So far my basil, cilantro and thyme are doing well too — but to be fair, those are pretty easy.

I truly do not have a green thumb, so I’m always happy when I haven’t murdered plant life…at least not yet. Stay tuned though, LOL! This could turn into a Murder Mystery at any time. The mystery part being “How did she murder the innocent plants this time?”

What’s your Wednesday brag?

Crazy, LOL!! It was a very good weekend. But —

Friday, we did things I can’t remember during the day. Then that evening, Youngest, his wife and her mom came over. Maggie had the best time of her life getting everyone to talk to, and pet, her. However, I made Youngest mad when I said I think Maggie likes his mother-in-law better than him He insisted she liked him the best. The whole conversation was ridiculous, LOL. Also Maggie is very spoiled.

Saturday morning, Youngest came over so he and Wizard could go register the car in his and his wife’s name. But when Youngest came to the door, Wizard rushed him out and Maggie didn’t get to see him. She did a round of Serious Mad and Sad in her bed after that. In that time, I baked a cake for Middle son. Then Youngest came back and Maggie’s joy almost exploded her heart. Youngest hung out and we talked which is always nice. That evening, we went to Middle’s house to celebrate his birthday, and from there we went to dinner and had a great time! We also viewed the baby’s nursery in progress, it’s going to be so pretty. We all talked way too much. Middle liked his lemon pound cake. His favorite cake is the easiest to make which was a bonus for me this year. But also — Middle is an amazing son and both Wizard and I just wanted him to know that. We got home around 9pm.

Sunday morning Wizard left around 7 am to go racing, and I left at 8 to get to Oldest’s house then we went to brunch, followed by going to see Turbo do some amazing bike riding on U shaped dirt hills. This boy had training wheels just a month or two ago and now he’s riding right into BMX territory! I also had to watch his dad on the same hills and that made me laugh. He’s still my son, LOL. No matter how successful he gets, Oldest loves nothing more than riding bikes with his son. Then we went back to the house and visited and finally I went home.

My voice was shot after that, but I didn’t care. We got to hang out with all three kids and families at different times in one weekend, and it was totally worth the price of all the driving and a cranky throat.

Today Wizard gets to stay home, while I’m trotting off to the dentist for a 9AM appt. I’m not complaining though. I had to suddenly cancel on them last time due to a last minute bloodwork snafu before my surgery, and the dentist managed to slot this appt in before I may have to do anything else of a medical nature. I really appreciate that kind of kindness and customer service.

How was your weekend?

TGIF!! Let’s get right to sharing five random things about our week. Here’s mine:

1. Maggie wants to show you all her new pink collar. So I told her she must let me take a picture…and yes, my dog is weird, LOL
2. Monday morning, we predicted a quiet week. Um, we were wrong and spent most of it busy running around, making arrangements, talking to medical types and just doing things that have to get done. I think I’m beginning to see a pattern in that Wizard and I keep ourselves busy And this week, I’m pushing just a bit now to build my energy and strength a bit more now that the last surgery is healed.
3. Oh, also, we bought a car! A RAV 4 in a shimmering white. We’re replacing out 13 year old Ford Edge that’s been a really good car.  We’ve been trying for quite a while (like over a year now) to find a car, so it’s nice to get that done. What I’m happy about is the seat raises up to make it easier for me to drive. That is super helpful for height challenged folks driving SUVs!
4. We are getting the front windshield in the Camry replaced today. While that’s being done, Wizard will work on getting the Edge ready to sell and I may bake some cookies for Youngest. I already have oatmeal cookies for us, but Youngest mentioned this cookie in passing when I was at his house last week. That got me to thinking that I could make a double batch, give him some and freeze the rest to have on hand. I found having cookies in the freezer is super convenient as long as someone name Wizard doesn’t realized they’re in there, LOLOL.
5. This weekend we are going to Middle Son’s to celebrate his birthday. I’m making his favorite lemon pound cake to take, and we’ll go out to dinner. The goal is to make sure my pregnant daughter-in-law who’s working full time and juggling a bunch of stuff doesn’t have to do anything. I’m may try to see Turbo and his parents Sunday while Wizard is racing — but these days they have a ton of weekend commitments so that’s pretty iffy. They are so good about accommodating us when they can, so I’m never upset when they’re busy. But Turbo sure is growing up fast!

That’s my week, how was yours? I hope everyone has a great weekend!

It’s been a week of news. Some bad to hear, but will be okay eventually (vague, I know but that’s all I feel like discussing right now). Which let to the the realization that I shouldn’t yet go back to walking dogs at the animal shelter. Then a tumble of things followed like concerns over how much hour homeowners insurance is going up. A rock that flew up and hit the car window, cracking it, and that’s not cheap these days. Just a series of things — I’m sure you all have had those weeks. Nothing tragic, just a series of annoying things.

But then, I also had a gift card to a store in town with a fair chunk of $$ on it. We got it for switching our pharmacy to this store pharmacy. So I went to buy practical things we needed or would need in the near future.

What did I end up buying? Some pears we both really like that we can’t get at our regular store… and a few bottles of wine

I showed Wizard the pears, and he was satisfied.

Then I showed him the wine and his face lit up. This is something we rarely buy anymore, partly due to inflation and partly because both of us just didn’t want it. But I told him that I’m tired of being practical, we weren’t going to buy it in our regular budget, so why not indulge when we had the gift card?

The retired accountant known for being practical and cheap, agreed! I was a hero for my executive decision making!

What have you done for yourself this week?

Happy First Monday of June! The months of 2024 sure seem to be flying by. Let’s talk about our weekends. Mine was good but intentionally quiet.

Friday, I had lunch with Biker Witch. It’s always nice to see her, but the restaurant was crowded and loud. Its graduation week, and the restaurants have been crammed all week and all times. Kind of weird. But it’s always a win when I can spend time with Biker Witch. I also called my brother. We don’t talk enough, so it’s good when one of use manages the amazing feat of picking up the phone and dialing the other

Saturday: I did a short workout. I’m struggling with yoga, partly due to an injury a couple months ago, and just not recovering enough energy yet. I’m going to switch to just doing 10 or 15 minutes of stretching yoga and some light weights to see if my hip will finally hill and I’ll feel a bit more energetic. And I tackled my big project of cleaning the carpet in our room. It’s normally not a big chore but this time it was. We had various stains from doing the floors, having the house painted, Maggie, and a crime-scene worthy nosebleed on my part I got it as clean as it’s going to be and I’m happy with that.

Sunday was little chores, then Wizard and I bought some plants. We just had three spots we want to fill on the hill, and I wanted a few herbs. I hope to work on plants for my little sun patio now that life has slowed a bit for us. I have a vision of what I want, but I don’t really have the skills to do it, LOL! But trying is half the fun.

Oh and Sunday morning Maggie and I found a dead snake on our walk. No, I didn’t actually check to see if it was dead, another woman had checked and told me before I got to that spot I passed quickly and kept going. I am not knowledgeable enough about snakes to take any chances. Then later, Maggie chased a little critter (mouse or rat) out of our backyard. She spent the rest of the day going out and checking the perimeter of the yard for anymore unwanted critters. She’s finally earning her keep!

And something I wanted to comment on (and this is just my opinon). While I dropped my RWA Membership years ago, it gave me a pang to see the organization file bankruptcy last week. I once truly loved that organization when it’s focus was on supporting all writers. Things will always change, and maybe it needs to, but I will always remember the version of RWA that helped me learn my craft, make a lot of friends, and promoted the idea of respecting and encouraging all romance writers even when their chosen work wasn’t my cup of tea. It appears to be a sad end, but I guess we’ll see if there’s in Phoenix in those ashes.

How was your weekend?