Wednesday, October 18, 2023

Up since 3:21 am. I guess that is a good thing since we have to leave for the airport at 5 am on Friday. The extra early flight was not by choice but to get a non-stop to Albany.

Yesterday I completed 2 of 6 lessons to get my Florida boating license. The first was relatively short and easy but the second lesson was twice as long and had tons of information which felt overwhelming after a while. Lots of information about safety jackets, running lights, flares and warning sounds. It was the running lights that had me wondering how I was going to pass the test. Lights telling you there is a tugboat going by in the dark with a barge either behind or next to it??? Since we won't even be boating in the dark I was questioning why I needed to know it all. But in the end the test was for the most part about the basics (red light on the port side, green light on the starboard side for instance). I got 100% LOL. You have to get at least an 80% on each section or you have to retake the whole lesson. After we get our boating licenses, we will have in-person training on actual boats. We are trying to get through the license part this week.

Today involves working on that and getting my robot vacuum functioning again. The brushes had to be replaced and are arriving later. Oh yeah and I have to finalize my shapewear for the dress I am wearing to the wedding on Saturday. I hope I don't have to make a choice between comfort and smoothness.

Have a winsome Wednesday!

A fourth dress showed up yesterday and finally one I really like that requires no altering! It's a navy blue (my favorite color to wear) poplin shirt dress with a long twirly skirt. I even have shoes that work with it, miracle of miracles - very pale pink, nearly tan suede kitten heels with a small ruffle across the toes. I'll add some pearls and a pashmina and call it a day.

It's from a company called Pari Passu that makes size 12 and up. Every item comes in three different cuts - one for pear shapes, one for apples/rulers (me), and for hourglasses. Such a smart idea. And interesting that they define plus size as 12 and up. At my height, a size 12 is on a very good day.

Another bird crash today. It's one a day at this point. I have been closing the shades on one side of the house so they don't think they can fly through. This morning's happened because I forgot to close the blinds before I went to bed.

So much stinky smoke from the prescribed burns north of us. The balloons went up this morning, but I can't imagine they had a very pleasant view or trip. I could hardly see them.

Supposedly the landscape guys are coming today to start up again on the grass pad and moving cactus.

I need to clean. My house is really dusty.

Trying not to overdo on food, but not dieting per se. I'm debating on a walk given the air quality...

Have a lovely day, all! Liz, I remember "port" is left because they both have 4 letters... And it's awesome that you are taking boater safety classes. I wish they were required in MI. A lot of people on the water there have no clue what they are doing and do a lot of dangerous stuff as a result.

Sounds like a perfect dress!

Florida only requires a license if you are under 35 years old BUT the boat club requires the license and in-person training. Best way to protect their boat investment but we actually are quite happy to have it included.

Greetings all

Early check in for me since I have lots of running around in the afternoon. Poppy has a vet appointment for shots but she whines in the car. I am going to have DH drive us so we can take the SUV which I hate to drive.

Liz that boating stuff sounds like a lot of work! Who knew there were all those rules. Reminds me of my 76 year old friend *****cently flunked her written drivers test. It had all this stuff about what sized car seat to use for what age kid. Like who cares. But she did eventually pass. So sounds like it's worth the study. The big thing about boats is they don't have brakes. Especially true with sail boats where you have to estimate the momentum to guide the boat to the dock without crashing. Glad they have lessons on the boats. Sounds like something you can't learn just by reading a book.

CC yay on the dress. Good to have an outfit you feel good in. I am going to check out that seller.

Sorry the birds are still self destruction. Maybe your neighbors know how to avoid this. Ballooning in the smoke. No thanks. I have never been up in a balloon and likely never will. Might have done it at a younger age. They are indeed fun to watch.

I didn't make the chicken last night so I absolutely must tonight. Chicken, spinach and cherry tomatoes. Should be good.

Not much else. Soon I will begin my hyperventilating about our Halloween party. I feel better this year - maybe because of the new floor. Not in panic mode yet.

Cheers all. Diane S

Sounds like you have a tasty and healthy meal planned. We are going to "Burgers and "Brews" at the clubhouse tonight. Probably not real healthy though I will get a salmon burger.

That sounds suspiciously like... cooking!

Liz, good going on the boating lessons. It is smart of that company to require licenses. My parents used to have a powerful speed boat and a pontoon. That speed boat could be a lot to handle. Our Bella liked going out with us on the pontoon, but she got motion sick on the speed boat, so she had to sit that one out.

CC, your wedding outfit sounds lovely. The shoes sound very chic. I love fancy shoes, and spent the 80s prancing around in stilettos. Now I can barely manage those charming kitten heels. Wedges still work. Are the pearls something you purchased or inherited?

Diane, hopefully pups car ride went smoothly. And CC is right, it sounds suspiciously like cooking at your house tonight!

No cooking here. DH's Texas brother arrived today, and they are out with some friends. My BIL was an Amtrak conductor, and he gets together with a small group of "railroad men" in this area, and DH gets invited, because he is an enthusiastic audience for their stories. Some people (DH) just love anything that goes on wheels, air or water. Me, I just want to be conveyed from here to there.

So I am eating my leftovers from last night, some shrimp, asparagus and mashed potatoes. An actual meal instead of some kind of frozen pizza.

We had a very nice visit with my Aunt and Uncle last night, and I had a productive day at work. Knocked back some paperwork, and set up my lesson plans to take me through the end of October.

And now a 4 day weekend... Yeah!!!

They were gifts from my mom. She was a jewelry lover and liked the "good stuff". I don't have too many outfits where pearls look right these days, so it's nice to have an opportunity to wear them!

That's lovely. I have my Grandma's pearls. I too find there aren't a lot of occasions to wear them these days, but I sure do treasure them.

I used to be the same with heels - my bunions show it. Now it's wedges or short block heels LOL.