Three Things

Thursday is here, which means it's time to share three thoughts--even if the person asking you to share three thoughts doesn't feel like sharing much of anything herself.

Let's begin.

1.  I've been sick since February Saturday with a hacking cough and sinus pressure that has not yet caused my head to pop straight off my shoulders.  But it's coming.  It can only be a matter of time. 

2.  What makes the above ten thousand times worse is that I've missed the summer-like weather we've had.  All I can do is glance longingly from inside during the few points in the day I actually feel like living moving about.

3.  The pity party is now over.

4.  (Because three is only a suggestion.)  On Saturday, Son is giving a presentation at Virginia Commonwealth University as part of the Chesapeake Bay Governor's School Science Symposium.  He'll be discussing his senior project for Governor's School which involved creating an underwater microphone.  It also involved many years months of frustration, several trips to Radio Shack (there are no Radio Shacks in Mathews, by the way), a few canoe trips to the Gwynn's Island bridge, and lots more that's way beyond my comprehension.  Hopefully he'll be delivering the speech in layman's terms (that include diagrams with stick figures for old people whose brains stopped working on precisely the exact same day that their child--who is now delivering scientific speeches about underwater inventions to a panel of judges--was born).  Either way, I am very proud of his accomplishments and look forward to his talk.

4b.  (Because I can't leave Daughter out.)  Daughter played her first varsity soccer game Tuesday night.  Even though I was so sick I could hardly see straight, I sat in the stands and watched.  Mathews lost but we played Gloucester which is a far larger school.  All things considered, they did fairly well considering they haven't had much time to practice.  Daughter played most of the second half, and although it's vastly different from JV, I thought she did very well and am very proud of her.

Now it's your turn to share three things or two things or six things or four things.  Whatever you want.

Anything at all.

Three Things

Thursday is thrust upon us again, and that means it's time to share three things. This is one of those weeks where I struggle to come up with even one thing to share. It's been a rather blah 2014 month week thus far, snowstorm notwithstanding. On the one hand, there is so much I could tell if I were at liberty to do so had the time to do so. On the other hand, the day-to-day stuff is the same as it ever was.

Let's begin with the sharing of three things.

1.  Same as it ever was will always remind me of this song by the Talking Heads. (If you're unfamiliar with it and click on the link, the words don't crop up until after the second verse.)

2.  The Talking Heads will always remind me of college, because I saw them live at U-Hall at the University of Virginia. My friends-to-this-day Iris and Lenja (rhymes with Kenya, but she's from Finland) lived with me in an apartment complex directly across the railroad tracks from U-Hall.

3. My son has been accepted to UVA. He's still waiting to hear from other colleges he applied to (and what sort of financial aid they might offer) before making a final decision, but it's a relief that he's been accepted to my alma mater. The nightmare of the financial aid forms never seems to end. It's March and I am still working on last minute items for some of the colleges he hasn't even been accepted to yet.

4. (Because three is simply a suggestion.) Speaking of my college roommate Iris, if all goes well I will see her this weekend. There is no doubt in my mind that some Talking Heads songs will be a part of the mini-reunion.

That's it from here. I hope there's something more exciting going on in your world. Even if there's nothing exciting, feel free to share three things thoughts here. And remember, three is merely a suggestion. If you wish to write one thing or twenty-one things, I welcome your words.

Three Things

If it's Thursday--and it seems to be, once again--then it's time to share three things, three thoughts, three of whatever happens to be dancing around the cobwebs neurotransmitters in the ballroom that is your brain.

I'll go first.

1.  I think the opening sentence of this blog post is proof enough that I'm exhausted, but not nearly as exhausted as the Mathews High School girls' basketball team, which traveled to Petersburg last night for a tough loss which seals the end of the season for us.  Although that particular game was pretty much a whipping, they certainly ended farther along than anyone originally thought based on how the season kicked off.  (Not so great.)  I'm extremely proud of them all--and their coaches.

2.  The boys' team, on the other hand, beat Franklin the other night to advance in regional play. Friday night they play (I think it's Surry?) Surry at Lancaster.  Daughter and her friends and I and my friends are all going. (That last sentence is so bad that I'm leaving it just as it is, as proof of how tired I am.)

3.  Mathews didn't win the top spot in the coolest small town contest run by Budget Travel (Berlin, Maryland, did), but we made the top five.  Click here and here for more.  Also, if anyone from Berlin, Maryland, would like to trade houses for a long weekend, please let me know.  Mathews is indeed cool, but I sure could use a vacation away from home and wouldn't mind checking out uncharted territory, which Berlin represents.

4.  (Because three is just a suggestion.)  The house pictured here lives along East River Road somewhere in between Cardinal and Bohannon.

5.  (See above.)  Today I'm doing a Meals on Wheels route down Haven Beach, filling in for the regular driver.  I'm particularly excited because I've never done the Haven route before, so this means new people to meet (and help) and potentially new places to photograph legally!.  Stay tuned.

That's it from me.  Now it's your turn to share three or five things.  Whatever you want.  Anything at all.

Three Things

Welcome to yet another Thursday, the day of the week dedicated to the sharing of three thoughts.  This isn't to say that my two readers anyone reading couldn't leave three thoughts any other day of the week.  It's just important to make sure we do so at least once a week.  It stretches us  and reveals to the world the inner workings of our bizarre brains and forces us to write even when we'd really rather be hibernating.  For example.

Let's begin.

1.  Yesterday morning I jogged up and down Williams Wharf Road, and, thanks to the cold weather,  I started off with a scarf, a headband for my ears, and two layers of shirts.  One length of the road is one mile, and I did four.  By mile two the ear-covering headband, gloves, scarf and outer layer of shirt had been removed.

2.  That's because things warmed up quickly yesterday the higher the sun rose.  By the afternoon it was SEVENTY TWO beeyooteeful degrees.  And sunny!  Taking advantage of the unseasonably warm weather, I worked on my back yard, picking up pine cones and sticks and more pine cones and more sticks and so many pine cones and too many stinkin' sticks until even Mother Nature had to call a time out.  When a gust of wind blew the wheel barrow holding a load of how many stupid sticks and prickly pine cones can there be! over sideways, I took that as a signal that I was working way too hard and should instead at least stop for a bit to acknowledge and appreciate the glory of a 70-degree day in February.  So I did.  Gladly.

3.  Daughter's basketball team plays at 6:00 p.m. tonight at West Point for the conference (formerly known as a district, and why they have to change the rules on us old folks is beyond me because it's still basically a district) tournament. The last time we played West Point on their turf, we beat them in overtime.  My sincere hope is tonight we beat them swiftly with no need for overtime.  The team has the capability, that is not even a question.  What they sometimes lack, however, is a substantial dose of mental fortitude and pure desire to completely annihilate crush their opponent.  In case I've not said this here before, I am a firm believer that all success in sports and, perhaps, life is a certain percent (fill in whatever number you want, it doesn't matter) skill and 150% positive sheer attitude of  annihilation determination.  They have to visualize success and sincerely, passionately believe it is theirs in order to achieve it. No doubts, no questions, no negative thoughts, no what ifs.

Now it's your turn to share. Whatever you want, in whatever quantity you want.

And let's win this conference district tournament, Mathews! Please! Thank you.

Three Things

This quaint abode is on the right side of Godfrey Bay Road as you approach Misti Cove and Sandpiper Reef.

If it's Thursday, and it appears to be, then it's time to share three things--even if you don't think you have one two things important enough to share. In this case you = I (a very complicated, advanced math equation).  This time of year there just isn't much going on other than the hamster wheel of daily life that involves work, basketball, and surviving the winter.  Who knows, maybe I'll surprise myself.

Let's give this a whirl.

1.  Daughter's basketball game ended in V-I-C-T-O-R-Y Tuesday night at King and Queen.  Last night's game against King William was cancelled due to snow.  Next week, the very same week the high school is holding the meeting for spring sports even though we're still in the throes of winter sports, we're headed to the district tournament. Just like there was no break between cross country and basketball, there doesn't appear to be any sort of rest for the weary between basketball and spring soccer.  Is it summer yet?

2.  Yes, it's snowing again as it has been since October as I type this. It's supposed to change over to sleet, rain, snow, hail then rain sprinkled with a heavy dose of WhoKnowsWhat by today.  Either way, it's hibernation season!  Please? cold and dreary.  Nothing new on the weather menu here.

3.  As the snow started falling last evening, my mother brought over a pan of piping hot, homemade rolls fresh from the oven.  If there is one crumb left today, I'd be very surprised, they were absolutely delicious.

Well, it seems I can come up with three things after all.  Doesn't mean there is anything exciting here, but then again that isn't necessarily a bad thing.

Now it's your turn to share.  One thing or two things.  Three things or more.  Whatever is on your mind, anything at all.

Three Things

Mathews High School Varsity Girls Basketball Team
Daughter Maria, front row, first on left

Welcome to Thursday, the day of the week dedicated to the sharing of three thoughts, which can be random, related, or not even fully formed sentences.  And three is only a suggestion.  Three goes with Thursday better than two which sounds better with Tuesday or one that belongs with Wednesday.  But there is no rule saying you couldn't share thirty things on Thursday if you were so inclined.  I'm clearly losing my mind, is it Spring yet? flexible that way.

I'll go first with my three paragraphs things.

1.  These are pictures of my daughter's basketball team.  They won against Middlesex the other night and played the best I've seen them play all year.  Our last home game is tonight against King William.  The seniors, pictured below, will be honored.

2.  Now that all the snow has melted, unfortunately I am able to see all the junk that is in my yard. That junk is not limited to the overabundance of tree limbs, pine cones and pine needles so common this time of year.  Nope, I am talking about two basketball goals lying topsy turvy in my driveway; a boogie board (which was used as a sled after the real sled broke) in the middle of my sidewalk; two large chunks of red plastic representing what used to be a sled  before out-of-school teenagers got to it (see above); a leaf blower on my porch (hey, it worked on that last batch of snow and is way easier than shoveling steps and porches); the hose stretching from the garage to the creek (for reasons I'll never understand, but teenagers are involved); and, well, just lots of junk.  The next warm day I really need to get out there and pick some of this stuff up.

3.  Airfare has been booked and registration submitted for Baby Sis and I to run the St. Jude's Half Marathon in Nashville April 26th.  The worst part will be the 13.1-mile jog through the city, but the best part will be seeing our friend Lauren.  Click here and here for a glimpse at last year's adventure.  (Anything involving Baby Sis begins and ends as an adventure.)


That's it for me.  Now it's your turn to share three things, which can be three sentences or three paragraphs. Or thirteen or thirty three.  Whatever floats your boat.  Anything at all.

Seniors:  Hannah R., Whitney E., Emily B. and Shanice W.

Three Things

Glimpse of Queens Creek from my back yard Wednesday morning

My driveway

Queens Creek as seen from my parents' back yard

Waverly Lane

Once again it is Thursday, which means it's time to share three things, three thoughts, three whatever-is-on-your minds.

I'll begin.


1.  So, yeah, it snowed here Tuesday night.  To be perfectly honest, I was hoping for more, but beggars can't be choosers.  School was out and work was cancelled.  Hey, I'll take it.  Thanks, Mother Nature.

2.  Today is my father's 73rd birthday.  Unfortunately the calendar is so full I doubt I will even get to tell him happy birthday in person-- even though he lives next door.  But we'll celebrate appropriately when we can.

3.  I need a vacation and am painfully aware of all the days, weeks and months to plow through before summer makes an appearance.  Still, I am really tired and need a break.

4.  (Because three is just a suggestion.)  The Christmas tree is finally down--and it's not even Valentine's Day yet!


That's it from here.  Please share three or more or fewer things, whatever is on your mind, anything at all.

Three Things

On Sunday's jaunt that started in Redart, I paused to admire the reflections in this marsh.  As I was driving away, something caught my eye.

Up there.  In that tree.

Pardon the lack of light, but it was a dreary day.

There he is.

I love the zoom on my camera.

Welcome to Thursday, which is a day sometimes usually reserved for the sharing of three thoughts, no matter how random.  Three is just a suggestion, you can share nothing, you can share everything or you can share something in between.

I'll go first because I can.

1.  A dear, dear person with whom I've worked for many years retires this week.  Since I don't go back in to the office until Monday, we had to say our goodbyes yesterday.  It was the first time in, well, ever I've shed a tear for someone who was leaving at work.  I could write a book on things we've been through together and will miss Sandy a great deal.

2.  My Christmas tree is up.  Still.  Yes.  Even better worse, because it is still up, I plug in the lights every night at supper time.  Hey, it's up, might as well enjoy it. The lights create a nice table side ambiance.  Dear Queens Creek Neighbors Who Can See Said Christmas Lights Illuminated Every Evening:  We're aware of the date on the calendar, we're just struggling to meet daily demands and will take down the tree whenever we can.  Or not.  Your patience and tolerance are appreciated.  Thank you.

3.  In local news, this week's Gazette Journal reports that 106 species and 17,405 birds were counted in Mathews and Ware Neck during the Audubon Society's Christmas Bird Count.  If any of those Christmas birds counted happen to be searching for a Christmas tree to perch in, I happen to have one still standing in my living room.  Also, is it too late to add one heron in a dead pine tree to the official birding count?  After all, had the heron above known such an official, organized event was going on, he surely would have flown a little bit south to be included in the headcount.  (Or is it beak count?)


Now it's your turn to share three things.  Or more. Or less.  Whatever is on  your mind.  Anything at all.

Three Things

It appears that Thursday is here once again, and that means it's time to share three things, three thoughts, three whateverisonyourminds.

(One of the advantages of not writing for money--or for anything, actually, other than your own amusement--is the ability to completely botch the English language force words together like whateverisonyourmind and then have the audacity to make it plural.)

Anyway, back to the three things.

1.  The Mathews varsity girls won last night against a very tough opponent, Lancaster.  After they lost Monday to Northumberland, I was a little worried about this game. However, after I gave Daughter her highly embarrassing, pregame, good-luck kiss, I knew it was all going to turn out fine.  And it did.

2.  These are more shots from J&M Marina in Deltaville.

3.  I just finished reading the book Born to Run by Christopher McDougall and am seriously contemplating a New Year's resolution that involves signing up for a full marathon. I am also very glad I never spent more than $50 on a pair of running shoes, because the gist of the book is we were born with everything we need for distance running, all we have to do is get out there and do it.  Too much support and cushioning throws off our natural stride.  I was also highly intrigued by the Tarahumara Indians studied in the book.  But that's a topic for another day, outside of a blog that's supposed to be about Mathews.

That's it from me.  If you have something--or two things or three things or more things--to share, please do so.  If you are still wondering why a grown adult would squish whateverisonyourmind together and then make it plural and then write it down and hit the "publish" button on her blog without batting an eye, join the club.  Let's blame it on another long day and the fear of starting the Christmas decorating, which hangs like the sagging branch of a Charlie Brown Christmas tree over my entire existence.

Three Things

It's hard for me to believe it's Thursday once again, but it appears to be so.

That means it's time to share three things. As always, three is only a suggestion.  If you want to share forty three things, that's fine too. Really. I don't mind.

I'll go first.

1.  On Tuesday, my son voted for the first time.  It was a very proud day for me.

2.  On Wednesday, my son lost his car keys. We still can't find them.  It was a very nerve-wracking day for me.

3.  Today daughter will run in the regional cross country meet.  It will be a proud yet nerve-wracking day for me.

4.  (Because three is only a suggestion.)  My nerves need a vacation.

I could write a book on each one of these three topics, but there isn't enough time.

Now it's your turn to what three things, whatever is on your mind.

Anything at all.

Queens Creek

Three Things

Another Thursday is here, and that means it's time to share three things or thoughts, however random.  Also, three is merely a suggestion based on the fact that it goes with Thursday.  If this were Wednesday, I'd call this One Word Wednesday.  Four Fears Friday.  Seven Secrets Saturday.  It's all about alliteration, although I am really liking the thought of sharing seven secrets no matter what day it is.  Maybe another  time.

Anyway, I'll go first. Here are my three things.

1.  I made homemade bread last night.  It wasn't awful; in fact Son and Daughter ate one whole loaf. (No bread machine, all by hand.)

2.  As a rule I avoid bread. It makes me feel awful, lethargic, unwell. I do not need any outside assistance feeling lethargic.  I was born ready for a two-hour nap.

2b. Lethargy is why I drink tons of coffee and iced tea, but never after, say, 10:00 a.m.  I load up early in the day and then coast on the caffeine until the after-lunch desire to sleep for three hours, which comes no matter how much caffeine has been consumed.

2c. Speaking of coffee, I bought a French press, which makes outstanding coffee in limited quantities, albeit with some degree of labor and patience not required of regular coffee makers. I'll use it mostly on the weekends when there's more patience time and less pressure to get out the door in a hurry.

3.  This weekend I will attend an oyster roast at my friend Glenda's house.  I'm bringing my camera and my throat lozenges, because if this is like any other similar gathering I'll be laughing until my throat is raw.  Several high school friends and their families will be in attendance.  I can't wait.

That's it from here.  If you have three or more or fewer thoughts--or even secrets--to share, please feel free.

Happy Friday Eve.

Three Things

The months weeks are just zipping right by.  Although I thought I just typed these same words yesterday, evidently it's Thursday all over again. That means it's time to share three things, whatever happens to be on your mind.

Here are mine.

1.  I am officially out of work until the government reopens.  Although I ought to be concerned, oddly I am not.  Back in the Dark Ages of college when I worked at Busch Gardens during the summers, there were days when park attendance was lower than projected.  To save money, my supervisor would ask for volunteers to cut their shifts early. I was always the first to volunteer.  No, I didn't get paid for those forfeited hours, but I never viewed it that way.  Instead, I focused on the fact that I had the afternoon off!  An unexpected gift of free time!  There must be something wrong with me, I've always been this way.

2.  Baby Sis's birthday was yesterday, and my present to her was registration in the April 2014 Nashville Half Marathon.  It's just as much a gift to myself, because a trip with Baby Sis--anywhere--is more fun than a barrel of monkeys.  (For the time being we will ignore the fact that a half marathon can hardly be confused with fun and birthday gifts, but see #1.  My brain clearly is malfunctioning wired differently.)

3.  Today I am attending the state fair for the first time since 2008. Now this will be fun.  Click here and here for blog posts about my previous adventures there.

Now it's your turn to share three things. Or two things. Or more things.  Whatever floats your boat.

Three Things

Once again we find ourselves at the day of the week called Thursday (o jueves en espanol), which on this blog is the day dedicated to sharing three thoughts.  The randomer  more random the better, even if you spontaneously erupt into another language (como espanol).  However, if your three thoughts are related, nobody is going to fuss. This is a no fuss, no stress, no drama sort of blog.

Usually.

Since I can, I'll go first.

1.  Yesterday Mathews High School's boys and girls cross country teams beat Gloucester.  Mathews is a much smaller school than Gloucester, so this is quite an accomplishment.  Daughter ran her personal best, I believe she came in at 27:29 (give or take on the seconds).

2.  Speaking of running, I went for a six-mile jog near Bethel Beach yesterday.  There were no mad dashes from fiddler crabs coyotes, however I did almost run into a goat that had sprung free from his pen.

3.  Baby Sis and I are signed up for the Outer Banks Half Marathon in November.  If it is a fraction of the fun of last year's race, we'll have a blast. Yes, as strange as it sounds, it is possible to have fun jogging 13.1 miles--but only with the right people. Never underestimate the fun that accompanies an out-of-town adventure with Baby Sis.

4.  My three things seem to be related to running and aren't random enough for me.  Therefore I must toss in another thought for good measure. Remember that three is just a suggestion, one I rarely adhere to.

5.  The Guinea Jubilee is this weekend.  For reasons I can't explain, I've never been. It's not that I don't want to go; something always seems to prevent me from going.  Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on your perspective) Daughter's birthday celebration is this weekend, and I feel confident that attending the Guinea Jubilee isn't going to be high on her list of ways to acknowledge turning 15. I'd like it noted for the record that in spite of thousands numerous inquiries as to how she does wish to celebrate, I do not have a solid answer yet.  Maybe if I threaten to take matters into my own hands and announce we're going to Guinea Jubilee, she'll come up with something.

That's it from me.

Now it's your turn to share three or more things. Whatever is on your mind.  Any language thing at all.

Three Things

Welcome to Three Thing Thursday, where I share three thoughts and encourage you to do the same.  Three is merely a suggestion, there are no hard and fast rules here.

I'll begin.

1. Yesterday, in preparation for Blog Fest 2013, I spent five solid hours dejunktifying my upstairs bedrooms (two of which belong to my teenagers, who evidently love living in squalor mountains of old school papers and half-empty water bottles).

2.  Do not consult your dictionaries, dear readers because dejunktify is so a word. I've been using it for years now, especially in To Do lists for my children. "1. Dejunktify your rooms. 2. See #1. 3. I said dejunktify, please."  Evidently they're unclear on the precise meaning of this word, because the amount of dejunktifying I did yesterday tells me they've not focused on it since they were born in a very long time.

3. I absolutely adore surprises, and yesterday after the marathon dejunktifying session and an away cross country meet (where daughter broke her own personal record!), I dragged up the front steps to find a package from a good friend I met through this blog.  It contained Kona coffee, a candle, wine, and cocktail napkins that will be perfect for this weekend's festivities. Have I mentioned how much I love surprises?

That's it from me.  Now it's your turn to share three thoughts.

Whatever is on your mind.

Anything at all.

Three Things

Once again we say hello to the day of the week called Thursday, and once again I ask you to share three things.  Always remember that three is merely a suggestion.  There are no hard and fast rules at all in my life here on this blog.

Let's begin.

1.  Yesterday I had the honor of watching a cross country scrimmage between Mathews High School and Gloucester High School.  Yes, it required getting up at 5:30 a.m., and no, I wasn't thrilled about that, but yes, Mathews dominated, and yes, I am thrilled about that. (Yes+No+Yes+Yes=It was all good in spite of the early hour.)

2. Son is in training to be a server at one of my favorite restaurants of all time, Robert in New York City Merroir, over in Topping at Locklies Marina. (If you do the Facebook thing, click here for their page. Otherwise click here for more info.

3. I would like to say thank you to LLC, a commenter whose real name I do not know even though she's visited here since the Blog Cabin show came to Mathews.  I'm usually able to send side notes to commenters here and there, but I can't with LLC because there's no email address assigned to her Blogger account.  Regardless, LLC, I'd like you to know that I appreciate your faithful reading and clever comments. Thank you.

3b.  This same thanks extends to everyone/anyone who has suffered through the years reads and comments.  Thank you!

Now it's your turn to share three (or more-- or less) things.  Whatever happens to be on your mind at the moment.

Three Things

Once again we greet the day called Thursday, and on this blog that means we share three things.

I'll go first.

1.  Son is currently in Dacula, GA, visiting Middle Sister. (That's Dacula, not Dracula.  I don't know why they insist on dropping that letter, but every time I see, write or say that word I want to insert the "r" back where it belongs.  Dracula. Except it's Dacula.  This circular, superfluous commentary is now coming to a close. Please remain seated until CBW's brain comes to a full and complete stop.)

1b.  Anyway.  They spent yesterday touring Georgia Tech and downtown Atlanta, which is not far from where Middle Sister lives in Dracula Dacula.  I am so grateful they're able to spend some time together. We don't get to see her often since she's so far away, but her being there gives him the opportunity to spend quality time exploring yet another city as he contemplates his future.

2.Yesterday I ran five miles for the first time this calendar year in months, and it didn't feel awful, surprisingly.  My route took me from Wayland Baptist Church to Onemo and back, and I absolutely loved the peace and quiet of those back roads even as I gasped for breath.

3. This week my father fixed a broken headlight and parking light on my car. He also fixed my tractor, which was out of commission (technically it was a tire issue), and made sure my grass was cut these past couple of weeks--no easy feat. When you're a working mother who spends most of her time away from home due to all the associated and conflicting demands, these gestures are priceless.  I really appreciate all he does for me and am very grateful to have him around and feeling well enough to do all that he does.  (Hi, CB Mother!  I also appreciate everything you do, like taking Daughter to and from cross country practice and fixing us wonderful dinners and taking care of our dog and cat. Thank you!)


Now it's your turn to share three things.  Or four things.  Whatever you want.  Whatever's on your mind.

Soybean field in Moon, VA.

Three Things

Welcome to Thursday, where it's time to share three things.  

Whatever happens to be on our minds at the moment. 

These things can be random, related, ridiculous, serious, germane, inane or whatever.

(Remember that three is just a suggestion.)

(Often the very creator of Three Things ignores her own suggestion.)

1.  This weekend I will join a few friends from Mathews High School's class of 1982 for a midnight cruise aboard the Spirit of Norfolk.  Norfolk is about an hour and a half away from Mathews, and the cruise ends at 2:30 a.m.  Chesapeake Bay Woman would like to state for the record that the last time she drove to Norfolk for anything that began at midnight and ended at 2:30 a.m. was this time:  N.E.V.E.R.   However, because there's this thing called YOLO, CBW is eagerly awaiting Saturday and is hoping sure she can stay awake, because the characters coming along will keep her laughing hysterically.

1b.  Although CBW has modeled her entire life after the concept of YOLO, always game for doing something fun even when she can provide thousands of reasons why she can't or shouldn't (such as the yard which is taking over her house and the myriad of home maintenance projects that require attention), she never knew there was an acronym for her lifestyle and her philosophy and was very pleased to be informed by her children that it stands for "You only live once."

1c.  CBW's children also informed her that she was the last person on the planet to know what YOLO means.  CBW blames her lack of TV watching and general isolation from mainstream anything for this state of affairs but is glad to learn there is a label for why she is going to Norfolk Saturday night for an event that begins at midnight.

2.  Daughter, who had never played volleyball before other than in the back yard and in a swimming pool on vacation, didn't make the volleyball team.  Instead she's running cross country, which she's never done either.  We've had to get up at Ohsodark:30 a.m. this week for practice, but it's all good.  She's trying a new sport, a new challenge which will put her in prime shape for basketball, and I'm very proud of her.

3.  We all survived Son's 18th birthday. Yes.  Multiple teens and one frazzled, dazed and confused mother all survived. I feel like I've lived nine lives in less than a week.  Twenty nine, to be more exact.  YOL29?


Now it's your turn to share three things, or more things.  If you can't think of anything to say, tell me how long ago (and how) you heard of YOLO, so I can know exactly how far behind the times I am.

Three Things

Welcome to Thursday, where I try to share no more than at least three things and encourage you to do so too.

I'll begin.

1.  A few weeks ago, if you'd told me there would be another Blog Fest (click here) in Mathews--this year--I'd have thought you were crazy.  If you said Not only will there be a 2013 Blog Fest, but new bloggers will join us too, I'd say no way.  Get out of town.

Kay from Canada is researching travel options and Sheryl from here is coming, in addition to many from the other two Blog Fests.

No way! Get out of town! 

It's true.

2.  Whether you're contemplating a trip to Mathews for Blog Fest 2013 or just need a week, a weekend or even a night away from it all, please check this vacation rental out.

3.  Son, Daughter and I are traveling today to Dewey Beach to visit my college roommate Iris, who has a vacation house there.  It will be great getting away and seeing her and her family.  It's hard to believe I've known her for over 30 years.  (Click here for a post about the last time we visited her.)

4.  (Because three is merely a suggestion.)  With various trips out of town, back-to-school stuff, major family celebrations (Son's 18th birthday and parents' 50th wedding anniversary), and Blog Fest 2013 to prepare for, the months of August and September are more than full.  One blink and I'll be applying for Social Security  it's going to be October.

Now it's your turn.  Please share three or more things. Whatever happens to be on your mind.


5. p.s.In case I don't have the opportunity to post from Delaware, have a great weekend.

Three Things

Callis Wharf

If it's Thursday, and it appears to be, it's time to share three things--hence the clever name Three Thing Thursday, which is where I share three random thoughts and hopefully you do too.

I'll go first, because that's just how it works. Or rather, that's how it has worked in the past, not that we can't change things and have you all go first.

Let's just begin.  Please.

1.  Yesterday Daughter, her friend Olivia and I, as part of our quest to forget that Son is gone for the week, traveled 81 miles to Doswell, Virginia, to Kings Dominion, an amusement park.  I first went to this park back in the 1970s when it was called Lion Country Safari.  Back then there was one tiny wooden roller coaster and the rest was a safari-like drive that led you past elephants, lions and zebras who were either sleeping or so depressed and unimpressed with their environment they just couldn't move.  Although the safari is no more, I'll have you know that tiny wooden roller coaster is still there, and we rode it yesterday.  We also rode the Rebel Yell, also there since the '70s.  While I gladly observed from the comfort of my park bench, Daughter and Olivia rode all of the high-thrill rides, including something called the Volcano, which looks like a death trap that propels you straight to hell utter and complete torture. I dragged them on things like the tiny wooden roller coaster and the Rebel Yell.  Speaking of yelling, my throat is still raw from all the screaming.  Olivia begged dared me not to scream on the tiny roller coaster--particularly since that tiny roller coaster is intended for tiny people, also known as small children.  Nope.  Couldn't help myself.  Screamed and laughed the whole way.

1 b.  The last time we were at Kings Dominion was last summer right before Son had his major surgery.  Although yesterday was intended to help us forget that Son is away this week, everything reminded me of him and those days leading up to the surgery.  I'm so grateful all of that is behind us now. Also, I miss him.  The quest didn't work.  Regardless, Daughter, Olivia and I did manage to have a good time.

2.  Tuesday evening I had a long overdue dinner with one of my first blog friends, Angie. After two hours of conversation that only skimmed the surface of catching up, we talked about dinner at my house in the fall, which is the soonest either one of us is free.  That got me thinking about extending the invitation to other blog friends.  After a preliminary poll about interest and availability, it looks like I'll be throwing a party here late September, a sort of reunion of some of the wonderful friends I've made from this blog. Details are sketchy at the moment, but I'm excited to have something to look forward to. Plus it forces me to clean my house, something I loathe, but which is necessary at least once a year. If you're reading and want to attend, let me know, the invitation is open to everyone.

3.  After the half marathon I ran in April, I decided to give myself some time off from running to recuperate.  Well, here it is July and I'm still recuperating giving myself time off. If I don't sign up for another race, there will be no motivation, no reason to run. If anyone has any recommendations for a good half marathon for the fall, no matter where it's located (preferably continental United States), let me know.  Otherwise I will probably sign up to do the Outer Banks one again in November.

I could keep going and write up to 23 things today, but this is too much as it is more than enough.

Now it's your turn to share three things.  Or three and a half things. Or one and three quarters. Whatever you want, whatever is on your mind.

Three Things

Welcome to Three Thing Thursday, where I share three things, and hopefully you do too. If three is too many things, one is fine. Two is too. Whatever you feel like, whatever you want to do. Before this Dr. Seuss opening paragraph gets any longer--and believe me I could continue on forever-- I'll start.


1. Son and Daughter hopped on a Greyhound bus from Richmond to NYC yesterday, traveling alone to see their grandparents, and everyone is fine including me who has suddenly rediscovered religion in that I've said more prayers in the past 24 hours than my entire life, I think.

2. Saturday, if all goes as it should, I will be transported by boat from Reedville to Smith Island, Maryland (click here for background on this unique destination). I've never been and am very much looking forward to the diversion from worry adventure.

3. All during vacation we ate nothing but fish, no meat. As a rule, I don't go out of my way to eat a ton of meat, but every now and then I get a craving--such as when I've gone a week eating nothing but seafood (and homemade guacamole). This particular craving caused me to Google a chili recipe, which I made with half ground beef and half ground turkey. However, the end result is I now have a huge vat of chili and only me to eat it. Son and Daughter won't be home for a week. I'm not sure what I was thinking, there's no way I'll consume a fraction of what I made. Most normal people would freeze it, but there's nothing normal about me or my life my freezer isn't working properly.

3b. By the way, who the heck craves, cooks and eats chili in the hottest month of the year?

3c.  If what to do with too much chili in the heat and humidity of July with a broken down freezer is my biggest concern, I'd say life is pretty darn crazy good. Great even.


Now it's your turn to share three things. Or two things. Or one and a half.

Whatever you want.

(Want some chili?)