Tag: Marriage

Captains Log: Day 28 or 399? Garden vlog, puzzle upgrade and a plethora of smokers.

Friday morning I did a little garden vlog. Hold onto your seats, it’s riveting.

Excuse the noise; pool equipment, pool fountain, and air conditioner because Florida.

***

We had a nice, quiet and productive weekend.
Saturday we got our first delivery (insta-cart) from Costco; it went well.
The funny thing is they won’t deliver to our house, but they will deliver to our rental condo.
(zip code snobs)
So, I set up the delivery time and we chilled and waited: (our big outing for the weekend) our delivery guy was right on time.

The Coach was watching a fishing show (also riveting) on TV when I said I was ready to go home with our goods.

He said, “what do you need to get home for?”

I replied slightly embarrassed: “I have a new puzzle.”

Good lord. Send help ASAP. 

We got everything on our list aside from

*ONE THING*

Can you guess what we couldn’t get? 

***

Speaking of puzzles, because apparently, I can’t NOT speak of them. The new one that Linds stumbled upon in Target while getting her essentials is THE. BOMB.COM.

The one I had been struggling with for many weeks, and finally finished, well, it turns out it might have been from the bargain bin at Wally World.

The one Linds picked up? Ummmm…it’s top freaking shelf. Like Nordstroms top shelf.
Wait, does top shelf mean liquor? Well, then it’s way better than Albertsons Vodka; that sort of top-shelf.

I didn’t even know there was a hierarchy in the land of puzzles, but I’m here to tell you, there is one.

The pieces feel different; like they’re made from the remnants of a baby bird’s feathers that have been mixed with the recycling goods from the Taj Mahal.

Wait. That sounds kind of gross. WHO AM I? 

I’m just a girl. Standing in front of a puzzle. Hoping it will help me to solve it. 

 

*ahem, almost a quote from Notting Hill which I watched a few weeks ago and It’s one movie Ernie
can quote*

Such a good RomCom.

***

On Sunday I pressure washed the pool lanai and outside furniture while the Coach put together his newest smoker.

Not only is he a Goldilocks with his chairs/office, but he’s also Goldilocks with his smokers.

He has the HUGE tow-behind one that requires a big azz truck and a small smoker/box but needed a medium-sized one too.

{Small and Medium side by side; the new one looks like a time machine. I suppose it IS a time machine for meat.}

He doesn’t complain about my shoes/plants/garden/skincare addictions, so, would I ever complain about his smoker issue? 
Hell.to.the.no.

So, it’s Monday. Let me check my calendar and see what’s happening this week.

Well, it looks like I’m TOTALLY open if anyone wants to get together.

Or not.

Have a good one my people.
XO

Goldilocks and the new office

I started this post a few weeks ago when we were living our ordinarily boring days. *sigh* 

We converted the girls’ playroom to Coach’s home office.
It’s all finished aside from a desktop and printer.

I guess that means, it’s not 100% finished. I’m a liar. 

I ordered the desk, file cabinet (behind desk) rug and a desk chair from Pottery Barn when they were having a spectacular sale. I was hesitant to even order the chair because it seemed so expensive to me,  but it looked really timeless and comfortable.

Some of the items were taking forever to come in and then I found out that the chair was going to EVEN more delayed.
Finally, I came to my senses, called and canceled the overpriced chair.

Later, the next day I was at Office Depot picking up some printing and I saw some great chairs there. I almost purchased one for him; then I decided I’d let him choose his own chair. 
See, I’m nice. 


The chairs at OD ranged from $200-$400. Much better prices than PB.

I finagled him to go to Office Depot one evening to shop and he poo-pooed every chair he sat in.
Too small.
Too hard.
Too ugly.

Finally, I asked him where he purchased the office chair that he has in his actual office.

“I ordered it online from Costco about 10 years ago.”


Really now.

It goes to show you, we all probably do better with fewer choices in life; that could be a positive spin regarding prison or arranged marriages.

A few weeks later we were in Costco and they had two desk chairs to chose from.
Goldilocks Coach tried them both; and decided that the more inexpensive one was the most comfortable.

Y’all it was $99.

We have too many choices in life and it can make it harder. Right? 

Like right now, I’d take ONE PLY generic TP given the chance.

Oh, and we still have all the kid’s books, toys, and games in the office if the Coach needs to take a break from running our empire company.

So, is anyone making any changes at home? 

Well, aside from rationing paper goods and hiding from sick people?

~~We’re going to the chapel and we’re gonna get married~~Ok, maybe NOT an actual chapel

Our Lolo and Nathan became engaged on Christmas eve this year!

We knew it was coming; Nathan asked us permission back in August.
Do all guys still do that?
I know I was thrilled that he was raised to know this is a good thing, but surely he knew we would say YES. We adore him! Actually, aside from asking the Coach and me, he asked my In-laws, Lindsay, our BFF’s Don and Kelly, etc….I think he might have asked the waiter that night too.
He’s a good one.

Lolo is not a traditional girl (neither is her sister) and had no desire for a diamond. She told me this years ago and I tried to argue with her. “You’ll regret it later, everyone wants a diamond!”

She never wavered in what she wants. She wanted an aquamarine stone. Simple.
Nathan had his Grandmother’s ring and visited a jeweler, asked him to find a nice aquamarine and use some of the diamonds from G’mas ring to come up with something for Lolo. 
He did well; she loves her ring. 
And if I could take a good close up pic of them both, they both have aquamarine colored eyes.
I can just picture my future grandbabies right now.
{Christmas day: “let’s take a picture, but I’m breaking out, and I don’t want to put on makeup, so avoid my face”}

I’m so thrilled for them.
But 10 minutes later she decided to burst my wedding planning bubble.
She doesn’t want a traditional wedding at a hotel, a church, the beach, etc.
It’s going to be small in an unusual venue and we have to wait until she finishes Grad school.
It looks like I won’t need to shop for my Mother of the Bride dress for a few years, but then again, I have time to lose some weight.  She waited a long time for her Prince Charming and it will all be worth it.
BONUS: The Coach and I were engaged on Christmas Eve, so I declare that it’s good luck.
We’re so incredibly happy for them both!
Wishing everyone a safe and happy beginning of 2020. XOXO

Bathtub time, couch time and found bloomers.

I’m famous for having the weirdest dreams.
I’m sure you’ve read about them. Somewhere.
I woke up Monday morning and told the Coach: “I had a dream that we were in a big bathtub, having sexy time.”
He said:” That’s great.”
Me in my sexiest 7:30 am voice-“Ooooh, it waaaass”
Him: “I’m just happy I was there.”

Thank goodness it was him and not a darn alligator.

Updating the man cave/theater/party room.
I’ve talked about updating this room for well over a year, and we’re finally making some headway. The Coach was hesitant because he insinuated that I do everything in the house to my liking. I don’t understand why that’s a problem. Everyone knows it’s best if I get my way.
We got a new couch after 16 years and I LOVE it so much that if I were a single gal, I’d marry it.

We’ve been slowly updating all the upholstery (wall panels, drapes) in the room (Thank you to my MIL & FIL for that) and we’re going to redo the bar countertop and add in stone on the backsplash.  I’ll share before/after photos when all is said and done.

I sent a pic of the couch to the girls for them to see the update. They both said it was lovely, and my Lolo pointed out that she was impressed with the size of our “pool table-shaped bar cart”.
Honestly, I don’t know where she gets it from…..
I had to empty the liquor cabinet for my electrician to do some wiring. Sassy pants.

I love finding surprises in the yard. And I don’t mean accidentally walking in dog poop.


 Lot’s of happy orchids.

Have you stumbled upon anything fun this week? I know, it’s only Tuesday but I’m trying to be positive.

Too much of a good thing keeps Suz happy.

I’ve been on a cottage cheese and pineapple kick lately. Every darn day. 


Breakfast? Sure. 


Snack? Hells yeah!


Dinner? Suz, you might need SOME variety in your life.  



***

One of the awesome gifts that the Coach procured for my birthday this year is flower delivery from The Bougs. You might recall he gifted this to me a few Christmas’s ago and I loved it so much.
So, Suz gets flowers delivered every 2 weeks. 
Why, yes, I am a spoiled little brat thank you very much. And no, I’m not going to feel bad about that either.      *removes hands from hips and moves on*

If you know me at all, which I’m sure you do, I love having fresh flowers in the house. If I can’t have them, I’ll cut some stuff from the yard and bring it in. Weeds, flowers, tree branches, poison ivy. Some lessons are hard learned. 

Most of the bougs that come are so large that I have to split them into two or more vases; what a daunting job I have. 

 {I don’t always watch Ellen, but when I do, I’m cooking dinner}




























In the words of my Grandma, “IT LOOKS LIKE SOMEONE DIED!”



























Gerbera daisies and eucalyptus. It smells like a spa in here!





























The white roses lasted nearly forever. 16 days. That’s almost forever, right? 


What a sweet and thoughtful gift from my one and only. I’m gonna have to pay him back with something special….hmmmm….dinner and a movie? A day of fishing? A day of me not asking him any questions? Goodness…he’s hard to shop for!

Anyone else have anything they’re digging lately?  

I’m a good one.

I like to update my chalkboard plate seasonally during the year.
I found this quote {Abraham Lincoln gets the credit} the other day and I found it to be fitting with where my brain has been lately.

I had a friend in the past who was all about her career; which isn’t bad, but she occasionally tried to make me feel inferior because I chose a different path.  I know, I know, someone can’t “make you feel” a certain way, but you know what I mean; the ‘digs’.
And no, we are not friends any longer, turns out she was a fraud in most aspects of her life.

BUT, there have been times in my life that I did feel ‘less than’ because I didn’t have a college degree or a fabulous career. Beauty school was where I landed and mostly out of convenience; my friend who lived with my dad and I had a car and was going to beauty school after High school and I had no vehicle or college options. College wasn’t even discussed in my home. Ever.

But, I did always know I wanted to have a family and to be a Mom.
And I think I did that pretty darn well. The Coach and I raised two amazing humans.
I remember when the girls started school and friends/family would ask if I were going back to work.
I thought I would.
Turns out, my time was best served at home and volunteering; PTA, Girl Scouts, etc. And it still is.
The best part is the Coach supports whatever I want to do and he likes that I’m able to take care of all the stuff he would have to do if we were both working full time.
House stuff. Bills. Gardening. Shopping. Errands. Critter care. Etc….

So, at almost 52 I finally feel confident that I’m the best version of myself doing what I enjoy.
I’m a good homemaker.
I’m a good wife.
I’m a good Mom.
I’m a good friend.
I’m a good human.
I’m a good nature lover.
I’m a good butterfly raiser.
I’m a good daughter.

Honestly, I could replace good, with GREAT. But I don’t want to dis ol’ Abe.

I’m pretty sure most people at some point struggle with life choices. It’s human nature.

Anyhoo. Thanks for listening.

XOXO

Bee happy
Bee a good human
Bee content

How to celebrate 28 years of wedded bliss without committing murder

May 25th, 1991 was the day the heavens opened up, the angels swooped down and we said our vows in front of our family, friends, Minister and perhaps some future ex-cons.

It’s been a really fun ride with some ups and downs, but mostly ups. I’m not a big fan of heights, but I’m persevering the high highs.
People sometimes ask how we’ve got along so well for SO long (34 years) and I always say, “it takes a lot of patience.” (for the Coach) I’m a piece of work and he’s simple.

We were discussing something the other day and it was along the lines of me being a bit high maintenance. (I’m really NOT that bad, but we both have $$ taste in some ways)
I said: “you didn’t know what you were getting into.”
His response: “Yeah, I didn’t know you’d need to go from the Trailer park to The Four Seasons.”

Whatevs. I once saw a trailer park named The Four Seasons.

So what did we do to commemorate 28 years?
Well, we were both pretty excited to make our first batch of homemade dog food. For Callie. 
(in case you thought it was for us)
And yes, she loved it!

Then we went to a graduation party for four of Coach’s softball players. We had a pretty low-key weekend as Coach is recovering from some sort of bizarre infection in the dermis layer of his knee. He’s supposed to take it easy.
Suz’s first party selfie. 
How CUTE IS THIS SHORTS ROMPER? 
I never find cute stuff like this that fits my shape. 

I took that pic in the bathroom of the party to share with Lolo and Lindsay as all three of us are obsessed with rompers and jumpsuits.
I asked the Coach before we left the house: “Can I wear this and get away with it with my almost 52-year-old legs?”
His response was stellar:

“Yes, you look fine.”


Honestly, he’s lucky to be alive today.

Happy Tuesday Y’all.

XO