Tuesday, July 9, 2013

A "Goodbye" Cup








Missing the eldest already as he (soon) makes his way back to Florida.
Won't be seeing him again until my April travels next year.
Love ya kid, and so good to see you!



Can't SAY enough good things about The Fast Diet! Loretta came up to me and said:

"I can see you have dropped weight already!" 

and a few days ago when I met James for a going away brunch he laughed

"Mom...your jeans are sagging...have you lost weight or have you just decided to join my fashion statement."

Pretty incredible for 2 weeks in. 

Going to remain on AFD until I reach my goal...then switch to the 5:2 or possibly 6:1 to maintain it. And before any vacationing commences I am buying some new jeans.

Only 27.5 pounds to go!  And my short term goal to fit back into those black leather pants!
My next weigh-in is Saturday!

"Idgy" only
                                                        (one dozen)

                                                                                        More days!!!!

And many cups of coffee...and Biscotti on the Non-Fast days...and 300+ gazing balls until real hugs...and *surprise* as the County Fair is on during that first week up...so at least one day of fair chow and cotton-candy and perusing the photo entries :)

Found our beach-side getaway, too! Already reserved! Check this out:





 
Right across from The Dunes.
Can't wait

And the excitement is mounting as in only




more days until our Gathering in Pennsylvania.
Last count 50 of our 115...maybe more! Included in that number Luann and Shirley from Canada and Dave from the UK!

And we are going to release Paper Sky Lanterns :)




Not only in memory of our spouses...but also as a CELEBRATION of our new lives...friendships...and adventures together!

LuAnn has started something new with the "Traveling Hat" by adding her Canadian Pin...so Diane and I must catch up before it is passed on.





(...yeah...we chose a travelling hat instead of a pair of jeans...because there isn't ANY magic available that will make one pair fit all of US!)







                               Diane (down from Chicago) with THE HAT

                                                         passing it




                                                  to ME (Indiana) last Spring

                                                        and passed
                                                              on





                                        to LuAnn (from Canada-right front)
                                               at the Fall Iowa Gathering.
                                          I lost a HAT but I received Flat Stan.
                                                     
                                                        It was a great trade
                                

So in Pennsylvania...Flat Stan...who is now in Lillian's clutches (I think...the Flat Bastard gets around) goes to Deanna and THE HAT? Well...as soon as Diane and I add our pins (brillant idea...pinning) it will be on it's way again.

Hoping that when Lillian travels to Russia she will be wearing THE HAT!  We can't send STAN to Russia...way too much chance of an International Incident.

Anyway...to commemorate both Indiana and Lillian's High-Speed Adventure on the way I found the perfect pin

                          A mini-version of an Indiana State Police Shield
                                        And yes...you CAN find anything
                                                          on Ebay
                                                  (except Jimmy Hoffa)

And a note to Gail W.  who recently shot a SPITTING COBRA outside her African home ...and posted pictures of the dispatched reptile...honey...you are going to HAVE to visit us now...cause there is no way we are braving 12 inch spiders...10 inch centipedes...and Spitting Cobras!

Not happening.

The garden and flowers are flourishing with the alternating heat and sunshine...with (still green) strawberries hanging from each set...and the cucumber vines filled with yellow blooms...and oodles of green beans. Using my herb baskets to cook with every day now.

This week's book...passed on by Donna (Dane's mom)...a delightful summer read Carl Hiaasen's:  Sick Puppy.  Hiaasen is a great deal like what would happen if Dave Barry and Christopher Moore got together and had a "love child". Absolutely hilarious.

If you are into the environment...against litter-bugs...anti-lobbiest...dislike politicians and LOVE Labrador's...well...THIS is the book for you! 

 A Summer must read!