I have an acquaintance (she was a friend of my deceased sister-in-law, Sheri) who is a author among other impressive things. Not gonna’ lie… she’s way out there different and would likely be happy to know I said that about her. She recently had a birthday, and at her celebration they started a new tradition.
A symphony of life.
Everyone at the celebration was to choose a word to describe her and SING their word of choice at the same time as the others sang their word choice. All together it “created of symphony” of her life. Perry barely got an off-key version of “Happy Birthday” and was darned lucky to get that. His cake had 5 purple candles to symbolize 50… and 2 pink to make 52.
We embraced the same old traditions…
Like… not getting ONE group photo without someone being stupid.
The pesky neighbors didn’t get the memo. They look the same in every photo. 🙂
It only went downhill from that point…
I went to bed without even cleaning up the mess.
When I crawled in bed last night, the trash can needed emptying and there were 400 forks and spoons in the sink. It was all worth it though — Perry said he had a great birthday. ❤️
Now you know: New York City is owed over $1 billion in unpaid parking tickets and speeding fines.
I didn’t need 5 calendar reminders just to remember today is Perry’s 52nd birthday. He’s made yet another fun-filled, successful orbit around the sun!
Today we’ll celebrate his special day with Chinese food and smashed cake.
I showed Perry his cake — the one I had delivered from Walmart (yes, I suck) that was smashed on one side by a crushed lid. He laughed. What he doesn’t know is that I actually remembered to buy ice-cream too. Who wouldn’t be thrilled with a birthday celebration like that? 😉
Ole’ Perry is an easy-going guy — sometimes too much so.
Perry’s always up to go anywhere and try anything. My family has become his… and that ain’t easy, y’all.
He works hard and is generous — and he’s not picky except when it comes to food. I’m not saying he cares so much about having big meals because he’s fine with a peanut butter sandwich. But never mention having goulash or mushrooms. Oh… and never, EVER, offer him sushi.
When I met Perry, he had hair. 😉
And then, we worked together for quite a few years and both of us lived through it. (Barely!)
Happy birthday to Perry — I hope his upcoming journey around the sun is amazing!
Now you know: Compared to their overall weight, koalas have among of the smallest brains of any animal. They are so dumb that they cannot identify leaves as food and refuse to consume them when they are placed on a flat surface as opposed to branches.
We’re supposed to have a big ole’ heat wave headed our way. Why, it’s forecasted to get up to 29° F today. While still pretty darned cold, it sure beats single digits.
When I was a kid, I thought it was hilarious to make a face with my eyes crossed. Mom would yell at me to stop — claiming my face could freeze that way forever.
What about this face Mom?
Relieved my face didn’t stick like that… and thrilled it didn’t shatter into a million crystalized ice shards when I wasn’t acting stupid. Whew! That was close. 🤪
Blind people can drive?
While at Mr. Pesky’s eye appointment yesterday, there was a dude in the waiting room using a red-tipped cane. I heard him struggling with his memory too — he asked the guy sitting beside him, (who was 85) where he worked at least 3 times.
I walked to the car and saw the dude come outside. He was using his cane to navigate the railings on both sides of the steps that led to the parking area. Tap. Tap. Tap. Then, I watched as he walked to his truck, got under the wheel, and drove his blind self right out of that parking lot!
Mr. Pesky didn’t drive and all he had was a pair of dilated eyes!
Now you know: In 1988 Ivan McGuire, an experienced skydiver with 800 recorded dives, jumped from the plane for his 3rd dive that day. He had his camera rig with him but completely forgot to equip a parachute rig, thus he jumped to his death from 10.000 feet. The camera footage of the fatal fall survived.
My 4 hours and 3 minutes of sleep were gone by 3:00 PM yesterday. That’s about the time I needed to start fixing food to go with the ham of the century!
Smoking at 275° with cherry bark and cherry glaze is what made this thing amazing! The glaze consisted of 1 18oz jar of cherry preserves, 1/4 c siracha, 1/3 c molasses, a healthy splash of flavored soda (cherry coke is good) and 1/4 c bbq rub. All the ingredients go in a pan that also sits in the smoker. Glazing (and glaze stirring) begins once the internal temp reaches 100° — and again every 10° thereafter — until 145°.
The pesky neighbors smelled it and came running!
(Note the photobomber between my legs. Heh.)
2023 wasn’t so bad. To check out a recap, click here!
Not one single resolution — just looking forward with hope and determination, envisioning the possibilities that the coming year holds.
Happy New Year! 🥳
Now you know: A bear was the first living being to survive a supersonic ejection.
Traditionally, our family holiday gathering is on Christmas Eve. But not this year! Here I am on Christmas Eve morning and there’s not one present left under the tree.
And although the lights are still twinkling, there’s not one present under this tree either!
But I’m grateful!
Just because we didn’t celebrate this year on the same specific day and was minus a sibling, many of our traditions were still intact. I always cherish the moments our tiny family spends together. The warmth of these relationships are a precious gift.
Being able to celebrate Christmas in good health and with a sense of well-being is also something I’m grateful for. And expressing gratitude — especially during the Christmas season — is a wonderful way to appreciate blessings.
Here’s to creating beautiful memories and embracing the love that surrounds us.
May the spirit of giving and kindness fill your homes — and warmest wishes for a joyful Christmas. 🎁
Now you know: Candy canes are shaped to resemble a shepherd’s staff as a way to remind children of the shepherds who visited baby Jesus.
