Super Bowl Sunday
Wayne and I were at Sam’s Club yesterday afternoon, stocking up on goodies for a small Super Bowl party we’re having with friends. I’m not entirely sure who’s playing, but I know the Seahawks aren’t in contention. It was a bad year for our favorite football team.
Like many of you, I'm looking forward to the commercials. From what I understand, some of them will be in 3-D this year. Although he probably won't admit it, I suspect Wayne watches the game for the commercials, too. I think he’s hoping for another wardrobe malfunction.
Where am I?
My monthly e-letter went out late yesterday, and already I’m being asked, “Has Debbie permanently moved to Florida?” The answer is no. We have a winter home here in Vero Beach, and it looks like we’re going to equally divide our time between our two homes.
This gives me the opportunity to answer two of my most frequently asked questions. 1. Where do you get your inspiration? The answer, my friends, is simple. All the inspiration I need comes from having to make two house payments. 2.) When will you retire? Again, the answer is almost self-explanatory. I’ll retire when the houses are paid off (and the ink on our Florida mortgage is barely dry, so I'll be around a long time!).
Separation Anxiety
Wayne and I left Bogie for the first time since we arrived in Florida. I was scheduled to attend Book Mania in Stuart , Florida, over the weekend (I had a fabulous time!), and our housekeeper’s daughter agreed to take him for the weekend. We immediately underwent separation anxiety.
During the cocktail gathering the evening before the book festival we had the good fortune to meet Dr. Nick Trout, a veterinarian who has a wonderful book titled TELL ME WHERE IT HURTS. Wayne immediately confessed, as if he were charged with murder, that we had left behind our four-month old puppy. Then I added, “And we left him with STRANGERS.” Dr. Trout instructed us both to have another glass of wine and call him in the morning.
Book Fair
Wayne and I are off to the Martin County Book Fair in Stuart, Florida this weekend. My husband generally attends with me, especially if the event is within driving distance of our home. The event starts off with an evening cocktail reception to raise funds for the library. While I’m practicing my power schmoozing techniques, he’ ll be doing a private wine tasting and menu sampling. I always enjoy book fairs. Not only is it a wonderful opportunity to meet my readers, but I often am able to spend time with other authors whose work I read and admire.
A Frost in Vero Beach
I don’t expect a lot of sympathy from those of you in the throes of winter, but it froze in Vero Beach last night. We’re talking Florida! I realize there is very strong evidence of global warming, but you’d be hard pressed to prove it to me this morning. I’m huddled over my computer, pausing every few words to rub warmth back into my fingers. I look a little silly in my Christmas tree sweater, but it’s the warmest one I have with me. Spring can’t come any too soon. Stay warm, my friends!
Too sick to knit
Oh, woe is me! Picture me with the back of my hand pressed to my fevered brow. I’m down with a bad cold. How sick am I? Let me put it like this: I was too sick to knit. Now that’s really sick for me. I’ve been coughing, wheezing, blowing my nose, and generally feeling wretched. I slept nearly all of Sunday, but don’t know if it was due to needing that much sleep or all the meds I downed. What I really need is Charlotte’s chicken noodle soup. With or without the soup, I’m on the mend and back to work this morning.
Foot Fetish
Bogie, our 4 month old puppy, has a foot fetish. Not shoes, mind you, but feet. Yesterday I discovered him with his entire head thrust inside of Wayne’s shoe. For a moment I feared he was stuck and hurried to the rescue, only to discover a look of sheer bliss on his face as he quickly gulped down another breath and reinserted his head. It isn’t just the smell that interests him--he also loves our toes. No one is exempt. To our puppy, feet are a delicious temptation. Fair warning to all who enter our abode; bring steel-toed shoes for protection!
Short
I couldn’t stand it any longer. After months of patiently waiting for my hair to grow out, with visions of moving my head back and forth and my hair going swish, swish, I broke down and had it cut. Short. Over-the-ears short. Florida-comfortable short. Short enough to crawl out of bed, run a brush through it, and walk out the door. I think I’m gonna enjoy this!
American Idol
Tonight is the night. American Idol--my favorite television show, starts this evening and I can hardly wait. I’m under no misconception of my own singing ability. Anyone who has ever heard me do karaoke (and that number is exceptionally few) will testify I should stick to my day job. Still, I know what it is to dream and I feel a certain kinship with the contestants. I encourage others to dream big dreams because you never know where those dreams might take us . . . we might even end up on American Idol. Well, you might, but don’t expect to see me!
A relaxed lifestyle
We live in what is basically a retirement community. Most everyone on our street is retired and enjoying a relaxed lifestyle. This point was recently driven home in a rather unique way. Last Friday I had to run an errand, and on the return trip home I saw a woman driving a golf cart down our street. That isn’t an unusual sight, but what I found rather amusing was the fact that she had her right arm extended out to the side. Attached was her dog on his leash. She was walking him using her golf cart. Now that is a relaxed lifestyle if ever I saw one!
How to have fun while exercising!
I’m back to walking the track two miles each morning with my good friend and fellow writer, Martha Powers. The miles just disappear as we chat and laugh. Twice this morning someone stopped us with the reminder that we were having far too much fun. This is the way exercise was meant to be! The key for me is finding something I enjoy, and in the case of walking, having a great partner. So, if one of your personal resolutions this year is to get more exercise, I suggest finding a partner to do it with you--one who's as much fun as my friend Martha.
Marine Life in Florida
Wayne and really love our new home. It’s on the Indian River in Vero Beach and we had the pleasure of watching four or five manatees right by our dock. I hesitate when I state the number because, well, err . . . it appears to be mating season. Every time we’ve been on the river we’ve seen dolphins too, which I so love. They are friendly and charming and simply delightful. Florida inspires me!
Bogie in Florida
Wayne and I are in sunny, 80-degree Florida--don't hate me! Bogie, our puppy, however, doesn't appear to like it here nearly as much as Wayne and me. He's attempting to dig his way back to Washington State. Our back yard resembles a World War I battlefield, complete with trenches. We didn't have a clue he had this penchant for digging, but then the ground was mostly frozen in Port Orchard so he didn't have much of an opportunity to show his true colors. The dog trainer advised us to sread cayanne pepper in his holes with the promise it wouldn't hurt him. It works. He starts digging, sneezes a couple of times and abandons the hole . . . . only to start digging in a new location! Ah, the joys of puppyhood.
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