Today was Katie’s (my favorite niece that isn’t really a niece) birthday. Oh, to be 27 years-old again. Honestly, I’m not sure I’d go back that far even if I had the chance. I’d rather start over with a bit more experience under my belt and already on the other side of some pretty dumb mistakes.
the party
We had a small party at her house to celebrate her special day. Her parents sold this same house around 4-years ago and when it came back on the market, Katie bought it. My granddaughter is pretty happy about that. If she takes one thing after me, it’s her love of water. I saw her feet more than her head today. 🙂
She and Ari (Jerilyn’s granddaughter) love hanging out together and both were devastated when the the first crack of thunder ran them inside. Ari cried and Coco pouted and both of them blamed Jerilyn… like the rain was all her fault.
the 80’s house
Of course, we’re still in the process of attempting to sell the 80’s house. In the meantime, we’re spending a lot of time in the sunroom and the dogs are making us crazy. Perry spends the majority of his time just like this — looking down at one hound or the other with a scowl.
TIL (Today I Learned): James Caan improvised scenes while filming The Godfather. He broke the FBI character’s camera after getting genuinely heated. From his upbringing, he instinctively pulled out money to pay for the damages and walked away.
Almost midnight and we just got home from a 4th of July celebration in the Ville. Two bug zappers and a fire to keep the bugs away and I swear I didn’t see a one. I even bragged that there wasn’t a bug to be found the whole night. When I got home, I felt an itch and found I have a big skeeter bite right between my eyes!
More photos to share tomorrow of the festivities… happy 4th of July! 🙂
TIL (Today I Learned): Trent Reznor recorded Nine Inch Nails debut album Pretty Hate Machine on his own at night while working as a janitor at Right Track Studios in Cleveland.
Ben, Colette and I ate at Pho Shiki (again) and I took the standard “in the car” photo. I skipped the “bowl of pho” photo this time around because I was hungry. 🙂
Yes, Coco is wearing a sweatshirt and it was 95°. I thought she was crazy. After 10-minutes in that frigid restaurant I wished I’d have worn one too.
Now the good stuff!
Yesterday I noticed I was no longer wearing my Oura ring — the sleep/activity tracker that I’ve told you about before. Even though it can be worn in water, I still take it off when I shower/take a bath or do dishes. Otherwise, it never leaves my finger. But at some point it sure did. The sucker was GONE.
After looking EVERYWHERE without success, I knew I needed help. The ring doesn’t have GPS, so I downloaded an app that locates bluetooth devices called Wunderfind, opened it and waited for magic to happen.
No Oura ring showed up from the office.
Wunderfind told me to walk around. By the time I got 1/2 way down the hall, there was a signal named “Oura.” Yay!
It was like a treasure hunt so Perry joined the fun!
Exactly like that “hot and cold game” we played as kids, I walked around pointing my phone. We walked toward the “warmer” signal and backed away when a “cooler” one appeared. The signal rose to 65% once I got in the garage… and over the trash container, the signal was around 89%. ARG!
Rummaging around through the container, the signal was strongest over a bag near the bottom. Pouring the contents of that stinky bag onto carboard, out rolled the ring! I told Perry what an amazing job he did — but really, the app was the hero. It’s a free download and saved me $300 bucks.
TIL (Today I Learned): Surgeons who play video games at least 3-4 hours a week make 37% less errors and work 27% faster than those who don’t play video games at all.
I’ve been absent here but for good reason… and not because I’m the one confirmed case in Indiana of monkeypox. While monkeypox symptoms are similar to the flu or COVID, it includes a nasty rash. A NASTY RASH! For the record, COVID is still around, you guys. My favorite brother’s wife is the only one in my family right now still sick — and this is her 3rd time to be infected after vaccinations and boosters.
Happy birthday to my Momma!
At least all the Hoosiers in the family were healthy to celebrate my sweet Momma’s birthday today. Pretty sure she’s 59 this year. Looks great, doesn’t she? She’s smiling because we arrived with KFC and that’s a big favorite of hers. No cake… per her orders. I wish I’d have thought to take a candle to stick in a chicken leg.
I tried setting up my phone camera to get group photos but my success rate was close to zero. Still have to share my one photo where everyone *almost* made it in because Perry and Coco pulled some pretty good faces.
Ben then took control and had 10 shots fired off in less than 2 minutes. He also had everyone move and got wood blocks from Carl that I didn’t have. Not taking anything away from his skills — at least we were all in the middle of the photos.
Here we go, Monday!
Let’s make this a good week! (Unlike the last two.) 🙂
TIL (Today I Learned): Before the Hoover Dam was built, there was a town where Lake Mead now is called St. Thomas. The entire town was purchased by the federal government and abandoned. However, the water level of the lake has fallen so much that parts of the town can be seen and explored.
My favorite human on the planet graduated from 5th grade yesterday. Yes, she’s now in middle school. Oh my!
My “receiving a diploma” photos were awful. I did get this… but it’s not much better.
And this… which is so much worse. Seriously, if my son sees I’ve posted this, y’all will be visiting me at Adams Funeral Home. 😉
So after the graduation ceremony, we went to our favorite eating establishment — Pho Shiki. For this trip, we had some entertainment. Not bad for 11 years-old. Of course, that’s only my unbiased opinion.
