Golden Gate Guardian

Golden Gate Guardian

Here is a someone to be proud of -what service.

Chili Cook Off in Lieper's Fork

On Oct. 20th, Lieper's Fork, TN had their annual Chili Cook Off.  This year was a little different because they moved it from main street to a field within walking distance.

The weather couldn't have been better.  The chili was good and by the time we got to the end of the contestants, we were full.  One out of the 7 of us who went was chili free on there clothes.

It is always a good time and I highly recommend going if you have a chance.  They also do salsa too.

Obamacare summed up in one sentence

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdnY8r7_fLw

Lots of truth in one sentence.  And a lot of scariness to think that some Americans are fine with it.

Fall mums

Fall mums, a photo by Regina0 on Flickr.

Growing up, I didn't used to like mums very much. My high school used spider mums to sell as a fundraiser for homecoming every year. I was not aware there were other varieties.

We found these earlier this week and I love them. The best part is they are perennial!

My Uncle

My dear uncle passed away on Sept. 11th, just before his birthday on the 22nd.  He was such a good man.  He was very easy going and such a good sense of humor.

He will be missed!

I am losing my mind

On the train ride home last night,  I put my lunch bag on the over head rack since there were 3 people in our 3 seat row.  My seat was near the exit, and when we came to my stop, we all piled off.

Before heading home, I stopped at Costco for Gas and a few items.  I jumped on the highway and was on my way when I realized I forgot to grab my lunch bag when I got off the train.  I still able to go back and see if I can get it from the station.  The gentleman was so nice, but he said they wouldn't have gotten it to the lost and found so fast.  He told me I could go to the train yard and gave me directions.  He said I wouldn't miss it.

And he was so right.  The yard is quite large and you cannot miss the lights and the trains.  There were people there cleaning out the trains from the day.  The gentleman I spoke with was so nice and tried to help locate my lunch bag.  Unfortunately they could not find it on the train.  I thanked him for his help.

Losing the lunch bag is just a minor inconvenience anyway-it is much better than leaving my purse on the train, so I was thankful to have my purse.  I went to get back in my car and low and behold, there is my lunch bag on the back seat.

I am losing my mind, I totally do not remember reaching for it when I was detraining!!

Cuppow

Southern Living had a twitter about this product and thought what a great idea it was!!  I want to ramp up my use of mason jars - using it for Mason Jar Meals (reference Big Red Kitchen for additional recipes), homemade yogurt, storing other items around the house.  This is a nice added bonus - and fairly inexpensive too. 

I cannot wait to get my cuppow!

http://cuppow.com/

A Little Greece on the shirt

I had to tell James he got something on his shirt. 

He told me there was a little Greece on it.

(rim shot sound)

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to all mothers and mothers -to-be. 

My mom was going to have dinner at her house, then after talking to her neighbor, it was off to the Japanese Steakhouse, Nikkos.  It was an excellent choice.

The food was excellent.  The staff was friendly and helpful.  A good time was had by all.  The manager turned out to be a fellow high school alum (a few years ahead) and he loves his job.

After eating leftovers today, I have decided my mother's June birthday should be celebrated at Nikkos as well.

For all who love their salad dressing, a sesame dressing with a hint of peanut, they do sell it separately.  I will be stopping in to get some myself.  It would go well on lots of other food.  Our waitress says she eats it on everything.

Thanks Mom!!  I love you!

Norland Pub

One of our favorite places its the Norland Pub.  They have the best wings.  My Personal fo favorite flavor is Gold Mine. 

You can ask new if they serve other food and I will tell you yes. I cannot tell you what other things they serve because I always get the wings.  :-)

The food is great, the people are nice, and they have a back porch in nice weather.

3 year Old Logic

I had the chance to visit my brother's family this weekend.  The nephews are so precious.

Cameron just turned three.  His Boothe Ryan is 3 weeks old. 

Cameron and I were playing Candyland when he noticed my poisoned nails.  He asked me what was on my nails.  I told him lacquer, nail lacquer, which happened to be pink.  He listened and replied, ”Yeah, boys wear blue lacquer. ”

Mom, dad, and I were laughingover that one!

Serious Manners Violation

Let me be the first to admit that I an not always on too of doing the right thing when out in public.  Don't you find it easy to always recognize it in others and share immediately?

For instance, today while riding the train, the woman sitting next to me thought it was a good time to floss her teeth.  I don't see where any food was consumed in the recent past.

Maybe this is a not so subtle hint she would like the space to herself.  The problem is, this is a pretty full train.

Iti s not a pleasant experience sharing her private routine on a public train.  Has anyone else experienced this lately?

A Big Communication Error

My friend Mary found out she had ovarian cancer last fall.  She has been a trooper and finished her chemo in March.  During this time, she has been involved in several programs available for people with cancer, such as yoga. 

She talked to me one day and said there was a cancer relay going on this past weekend from Gettysburg, Pa to Washington DC and she was volunteering at a checkpoint and was I busy-could I help out.  I happened to be available and was looking forward to helping with this effort.  After speaking with the person she suggested, I signed up for a transition spot in Fairfield, PA. 

This past Saturday was cool, but not raining.  My volunteer shift was from 11am-2pm.  I found the spot easily enough and was there plenty early.  At about 10:40, I called the volunteer coordinator to ask what I should start doing since the next volunteer was not scheduled to come in until 12pm.  Imagine my chagrin when I found out I had signed up for a Friday slot and not a Saturday slot and the runners had come through 24 hours earlier.

Lesson learned, always clarify items.  I did not know the race was Friday/Saturday.  I only have very limited information from my friend Mary and the day never came up in conversation with any of the other people I spoke with regarding the relay.   Nor did it appear on the materials I received. from the volunteer coordinator.  They assumed I knew and I assumed I was signing up for a Saturday time slot.  Oops.

It opened up a little more time for me and I was able to get other errands done that day.  Hopefully I learned for the next time something like this comes up!! 

Snow in late April??

There is truly something wrong when there is snow in late April in the Mid-Atlantic States.  Driving to work this morning, I came across a wintery mix on the mountains.  A short while later I heard it changed to snow on the traffic reports. 

Nevermind that we have had a mild winter.   We do get mild winters from time to time.  But when it comes to snow when everything started to bloom early because of our mild winter, there is something wrong.

It looks like the cool weather will be sticking around for a few days.  It is not time to pack away the winter clothes just yet.  Hopefully it will be for just a limited engagement.

My territory

Chase has claimed the vehicles as his own.  He is very content to wait in the car for my parents to return-because he knows they will return.

A bird and his millet

To get him to ingest the sunshine factor by Harrison's, I put it on his beloved millet.  It worked and it made me laugh.

This is the Life

Sophie girl is making sure she gets comfortable on the bed.

The New Little Guy

Congratulations to my brother and sister-in-law on their new son, Ryan Patrick.  He was born this morning and everyone is doing well.

It will be fun to see Cameron interact with his little brother when Ryan comes home.

Economics 101

A New Makeup Product

I kept hearing about Smooch Studio-from my sister and from the radio station I listen to, WFRE.

Eyeliner has been a problem with me in the past, especially pencils.  They seem to end up under my eye by the end of the day.  My preference tended toward liquid eyeliner, then gel eyeliner when that came out.  But alas, that also seem to end up under my eyes as well, even the waterproof items I tried.

My sister recommended the eyeliner from Smooch Studio.   I thought I would give it a try.  And you know what, I am so glad I did.  I have been wearing the gel eyeliner for about a week now and it does seem to stay.  I must add that I did purchase their product call stay put, a sort of primer in addition to the eyeliner.  Although it seems the eyeliner would stay by itself.   When I had tried the waterproof pencils on the back of my hand,  they seemed to have a nice staying power and I did have to put some elbow grease using a baby wipe to remove it from my hand.

I believe I have finally have found a solution to eyeliner that stays.

 Here is the link to Smooch is you would like to browse.
http://www.smoochstudio.com/

Hugs and smooches,

Regina

The Florida Saga continues

After the stress of my dad's heart attack, the remainder of their stay went well.  They usually mosey back to PA.  Camping at favorite campgrounds and visiting family and friends.

Two weeks after my nephew and I left, they started the trak back home.  They were going to stay a few days in Ocala.  While driving on I75, they were on a newly pave road with an edge drop to the shoulder.  The camper tire got caught on the edge and started swerving and my dad tried to correct.  The swerving became worse.  Thank the Lord above, the hitch broke and the camper rolled, much to my mother's dismay.  They had purchased that trailer only a year and half ago and that was my mother's dram trailer.  Once campers roll, they are totaled.  Their good friends happen to be leaving the next day to make their way home and stop to help my parent's salvage things from the trailer.   They are dear people and I am so thankful they were able to help. 

My parent's dog, Chase was having a hard time with this as well.  He was new to this camping.  This was his first year with them and he had just gotten accustomed to the trailer as home and he did not want to leave it.  He kept crawling and small spaces and had to be dragged out. 

After securing a UHaul and packing it to the brim.  They made it home in two days.  They seem to be much better after their somewhat stressful winter.

They made it home safely and all in one piece.

Unplanned trip to Florida

Mid March found my nephew and I driving to Florida.  My parent's were there camping as they are every winter, snow birds.  My father had a hear attack at the end of February and we were going to visit and be with them when he had a his second surgery to put a stint in.

We left on a Thursday night at 8pm from PA and arrived at the campground at 1pm on Friday.  We were bushed but glad we got there timely.  My other nephew and his girlfriend were already there since Wednesday night-they had driven too.

We all had a good time visiting, enjoying the nice Florida weather, and great seafood.

My nephew and his girlfrien left on Sunday while his brother and I had a few more days to visit.  The day of my dad's surgery, they thought he would be there overnight for observation, but ended up going in at 7:30am and leaving at 9pm.  He would have left earlier but his blood pressure decided to rise and he could leave until it went down.  He is doing well.

My nephew and I left Wednesday night at 7pm and arrived back in PA at 11:30am on Thursday.  Again we were bushed but had an unremarkable drive.  Thankfully  the weather was nice when we arrived which made our departure from Florida a little more bearable.

We were truly blessed with a good trip.