Beautiful Fall Day

After many weeks of putting it off, I finally took a load of things to Salvation Army. It looks like Sundays are the best drop days because they are not open for business and I was in and out in 5 minutes.

Then to Shoppers Food for some things, watched some of Redskin game, took weedwhacker to front and back yards, trimmed ugly bush in backyard, finished watching Redskins barely win over the Rams and now I am suffering through a movie that I rented, "Duplicity" with Julia Roberts. It is horrible but I WILL PERSIST.

Bridge

I installed a Bridge Game on my computer, updated version of the one Dean has, and was totally obsessed last night with trying to get used to it. Still haven't managed to work out the kinks but stuck with it for about 4 hours. Could be a problem!!! Not with game but with my obsession with playing.

Only signed off when Dean called to remind me of a Lifetime Movie I wanted to see at 9 PM, "Georgia O'Keefe". It turned out to be a wonderful movie and so worth watching.

Lucy

Yesterday I had to attend Lucy's family reunion in Falls Church. For years now, when she comes to town, I have been odd-man-out at her reunions. I think it is because she can't fit me in with her circle of friends at the Country Club (who used to be my friends also). Who knows???????
I am still not happy about the way she treated me in Florida last year, so I was not looking forward to this meeting. But I went with the stipulation that I had to leave early to go to dinner with Michael and Mikie in Baltimore. Somewhat of a lie because those plans had been cancelled for this week. Will God punish me for telling a SMALL WHITE LIE?

Hair !!!!

After living thru stringy hair in OC and not being able to see most days because it was in my eyes, I called to have my haircut Thursday at 4:00. Should have done it before I went away but didn't get around to it. Now I can see and so far I love it but will see how it works when I wash it myself. I am one of those that only washes their hair every 5-7 days. Must be the way we were trained as kids. Until commercials started pushing the latest, greatest shampoos ever, most people only shampooed once a week. My hair seems to be more manageable several days after washing.

Ocean City

Well, I made it to OC safe and sound in 3 hrs. and 20 mins. including 2 pee stops.

Sunday it was really cloudy and looked like rain so we just bummed around all day. Hitting some antique shops and eating out.

Monday we took the ferry from Chrisfield to Tangier Island, had a family style lunch at Hilda Crockett's Chesapeake House, toured the island in a golf cart (took 10 mins.) and then returned on the ferry.

Tuesday was gorgeous so we went to the Boardwalk and had lunch at Brass Balls and then just walked and sat on benches for 2 hrs.

Wednesday it had started to rain sometime during the night so I packed up and started home by 11:00 AM.

Home at 4:00 after several stops including a thrift store in Denton, Md.

It actually turned into a pretty good trip. Dean waited till Tuesday to start criticizing my smoking, etc. Then I know it is time to leave because I'm obviously starting to get on her nerves. The old saying about fish and guests start stinking after 2 or 3 days is certainly true.

Cool Saturday

I am dragging my feet this morning, as I usually do.. I've been up for 3 hours now and am going to lay back down for a while. Will be in a flurry in about 2 hours to get things thrown in my suitcases and get on the road to OC. I always work better under deadlines. Getting ready ahead of time only means sitting around twiddling my thumbs and being bored.

I figured I will miss beach traffic if I wait till noon to leave. Dean left Frederick yesterday at 2PM and didn't get to OC until 7:30. Traffic was very heavy but she was traveling in rush hour on a Friday night.

It's cool and damp this morning so it should be a good traveling day. AND it's supposed to get up in the 80's for the rest of the week. Sure hope it turns into a good week.

I went to Rheba's yesterday to fix holes in bathrooms where she had lights replaced after I painted. And hung miniblinds in her bedroom. In 2 weeks I'm going back there to paint 2 more bedrooms and a bath.

Shawn is leaving at noon today to return to San diego and I'm so glad I got to spend some time with him. Next month my other brother is coming to visit for 10 days so that's something else to look forward to. Love my family!!! They are so critical and yet so tolerant of other family members.

Visiting

Well, did get on the road to visit with dad and Shawn. And as it turned out, we met in Hagerstown at Longhorn Steak House and Vicki came along. Dad had not shaved nor gotten a haircut yet but I was told that he accomplished those today.

After lunch I took Vicki to her car in Smithsburg and then followed to her office to see the progress on her office expansion. Looks a mess to me but she says it will be ready in 3 weeks..??????????

Went back to pap's and walked around the yard with Shawn and chatted and then headed home about 4:30.

Hung 3 rolls of paper on 1 wall in a kitchen in Dale City this morning, picked up a few things that I needed on the way home and have been just lounging around all afternoon and evening. Now I have to start ironing and getting things together to leave for OC on Saturday.

Summer Is Gone, So Sad

I primed and papered a bath on Thurs. and Fri.

Packed and went to Deb's on Saturday for her Labor Day picnic on Sunday. I am always so impressed by the way their family interacts with each other. They all allow the others to be themselves. Hard to explain, but it works well for them.

Monday morning I was getting in truck to go to work and Shawn called to say he was arriving at Dulles Tuesday afternoon at 4:25. We agreed to meet in Leesburg for dinner at 6:00.

I went to work hoping to get finished but didn't, so went back Tuesday morning and was done by noon. If I could just work longer without getting so darn tired, I would not have to return to so many jobs. But if I try to continue, I start making mistakes and then I decide it's time to go. Head straight to my sofa for a little nap and then I can function again.

Met Shawn at TGI Friday's for dinner after wasting time and money at Ross.

Now I think I am going to my dad's today to entertain Shawn because Vicki has to work and he can only take our dad for (he says) about 15 minutes. So what is he to do the rest of the day?????? Guess I will be his saviour.

Have to work tomorrow.

Looking Back

The summer has passed so quickly and there is so much to catch up on that I am just going to hit the high points.

Took my dad to 5 of the 6 Totem Pole performances. Vicki filled in for #3 because I was just returning from St. Simon's Island, GA. where I spent 6 days over the 4th of July with Mike, Gwen and family, and Michael/Mikie(who is pregnant-due in March). Lots of fun and beach visits but "BOY WAS IT HOT!!!". Bad time of year to go south.

July 17-18 I went to Deb's to get a review of Kaleigh and Deb's trip to France and Monaco with the French Club.

July 23-24 Ashly visited with me, and we did our usual shopping and eating out.

July 25 had dinner with Janet, an old friend.

July 29, lunch with Nancy, another friend.

August 9-12, Kaleigh stayed with me and we visited JMU in her quest to choose a college for 2 yrs. from now.

After Totem Pole on the 19th, I went to Deb's to paper her powder room the next day and took Felicia out to dinner for her 19th Birthday. Cassidy tagged along and we had a great time.

Ashly came back to stay a few days from August 17-19. She actually likes hanging out with me. Who would have guessed?

August 24-28, I painted for Rheba and although I was exhausted it felt good to work an entire week again. All summer I have had small jobs here and there but nothing intense. The excerise is great as I tend to be sedentary otherwise.

Sunday the 3oth went to brunch with Susie.

Ashly went back to college the 21st and Felicia went back the 29th.

Preseason football has started, which means the summer is fading fast!!!!!!!!! Drat, but love the cool nights.