October 30, 2012

#1 son-in-law Nick, Dr. Mc and Mr. B enjoying the evening.

It's a late post for me today and I have a feeling I'll be awake even later. Somewhere around 9 p.m. tonight I realized I was in the process of drinking my fifth Diet Coke of the day. Besides the potential effects on my health, the caffeine is going to keep me awake for hours. Then I ate a cookie, so let's add sugar rush to caffeine high. Mr. B has given me a margarita in an effort to counteract my elevated brain activities, but I'll be in hyperdrive for hours.

I was surprised and excited today to receive a card and handwritten note from friend Viki. I think I've mentioned before that Viki and her husband, John, were great down-the-street neighbors who moved to Washington state several years ago. Although I'm an avid user of emails and my cell phone, I miss the days when people were less connected. Today it is always a joy to receive letters and cards in the mail, just as when I was a child and received the same from my wonderful grandmother, Nannu.

Today I'm creating marketing magic for my Tuesday client. The weekly meeting didn't require me to write a newsletter, but I did create a direct mail postcard, as well as the outline for a magazine article. Some people think that anyone can write, but trust me when I say that concepting and creating something that seems effortless isn't an easy job.

October 29, 2012

Well wishes to people on the eastern seaboard.

I got a letter from United Healthcare that a doctor I've been seeing for probably 10 years is no longer part of its system. It's very disappointing! I really like her and don't want to look for a new doctor, but I also don't want to pay to see her "out of the system." What to do.

On a brighter note, we got a Sur La Table catalog in the mail on Saturday. I had so much fun looking at it this afternoon. I love all the kitchen gadgets, but who needs them and who has room for them? Examples: pop-up turkey timer; potato gloves; bacon and egg turners (the ends looks like fried eggs or strips of bacon); smiley spatula set (they have smiley faces on the yellow ends); batter dispenser (what's wrong with a measuring cup); sphere ice molds (cubes from the ice dispenser are no longer in vogue); whiskey stones (cool drinks without diluting them); and the list goes on and on. File this catalog in the "for those who have everything" binder.

Today I'm creating organization with the fabric I have downstairs. I know I've been threatening to do this for a week or so, but I think I may actually get to it today. Or maybe not.

October 28, 2012

So many people decorate for Halloween
as much as they do for Christmas.

Another beautiful day in Houston. It was supposed to stay in the high 60s today. I definitely love this weather!

I'd like to switch up the furniture in the house. I've been in the mood for some time, but it would involved new upholstery and that is so expensive. I'd also like to paint the living and dining rooms, but Mr. B is totally against that. In my mind it's time for a change!

Today I'm creating time to attend an art opening. We didn't buy anything, but I did enjoy the mimosas and the nap I took when we got home.

October 27, 2012

A tote made from an old canvas bag to go with a knitted cap. 

Mr. B and I were invited to several Halloween parties tonight, and opted not to attend any of them. This works very well for him since he doesn't like to dress in costume. Instead of going out, we are sitting in the TV room throwing away papers. The room looks better already.

One week from tonight my goddaughter, Ashley, is getting married. She has been a self-professed diva from a very young age, and decided to have a black-tie wedding. That's easy for Mr. B. He just puts on his tux and he is ready to go. I honestly don't have a thing to wear. I found a beautiful long tunic online and ordered it. It arrived today and it is outstanding, but not right for a black-tie wedding. Now I'm back to square one, except that I have an expensive new tunic to wear with ... I don't know what. I've found another long top online and I'm trying to decide if I should order it. I guess I have until tomorrow night to make that decision, since nobody mails on Sunday.

Today I'm creating relaxation time. I don't know how creative that is, but relaxation time is much needed.

October 26, 2012

Drank some champagne I got for my birthday
in June. Yum!

I'm helping with another fundraiser tonight. Actually, I'm waiting on a crew to show up and set up. It's an auction with probably two dozen items, so it's small compared to the 65+ auction I did on Monday. All I have to do for the one tonight is give advice and show people where to put things. My kind of project!

I'm looking forward to a relaxing weekend. Although we have an event tonight and another one on Sunday, tomorrow, Mr. B and I are going to sneak away to the Urban Market in Houston. This is a market held three times a year with lots of antique dealers. I can always find great fabrics and trims.

Today I'm creating pumpkin patches in my yard, a friend's yard, and a client's office. When did pumpkins get so expensive? I've already decided that I can use five more pumpkins at my house, so I'm sure I'll be visiting Canino's on Airline again this weekend.

October 25, 2012

The mischievous little girl in me loves this photo!

I got all showered and dressed for lunch today with a friend, but her dog is sick. Now what?

I'm seeing more and more posts on Facebook asking people to stop with all the negative comments and mudslinging about the presidential candidates. I posted that same sentiment a couple of weeks ago. One man wrote long comments two or three times a day calling the candidate he didn't support a liar and worse. I wanted to tell him to get a life, but instead unfriended him. As I was telling someone yesterday, I may not like certain acts by a president, but the man is the leader of my country and I'm going to have respect for him, even if I don't agree with him. (Someday, and I hope it's during my lifetime, I hope to replace "man and him" in that last sentence with "woman and her.")

Today I'm creating organization in my make-do sewing center in the dining room. I can't stand the mess anymore, but the cooling system in the garage apartment still isn't working. The least I can do is organize my fabrics and move them to the eat-in nook in the kitchen so the mess isn't visible when the front door opens.

October 24, 2012

Richard Lawn, who takes care of the garden in Santa Fe,
said he is cutting everything down to the ground in
preparation for the winter. When next in SFe, the garden
will probably be covered with snow <sigh!>.

I just had lunch at Tiny Boxwoods with Melissa. I love to sit at the bar and eat Tiny's Summer Salad. I hope that when it gets to be winter I can still get the summer salad.

Yesterday when I got home from my Tuesday client's office, I spent some time on the computer before closing the lid and having a nap. I slept for three hours, which may be considered too long for a nap. Aren't those usually about 30 minutes to an hour?

Today I'm creating a design for a clutch bag that Melissa can carry at Ashley's wedding. And I'm working on an ad for a client. I got a note from a client that the magazine article I wrote was "wonderful." It's so nice to be appreciated!