Sunday, October 19, 2008

Feeling fall arrive and summer slip away...

It's hard to believe I picked almost 70 cherry tomatoes last week off my dwindling tomato vine, but it's true. I also now have 4-5 small peppers and a couple of white eggplants left on the bushes; that's right, white! I didn't know such a thing existed, but thought I'd grow them for the novelty and sure enough--they are rather pretty. They look like large eggs except they are almost irisdescent and have the smoothest skin imagineable. We're not big eggplant lovers; but my sister Cathy (that lived in Naples, Italy for 3 years and is a wonderful cook) has cooked lots of unusual dishes with the eggplant I've given her this past summer and even up until recently.

Russell and I (and Katie) spent last night in Raleigh as we volunteered to watch our two granddaughters while her parents, Kelly and Chuck, attended Kelly's 20th high school reunion in Myrtle Beach. K&C said they had a good time and we sure did! The funniest thing happened when we took the kids to CharGrill. My sister Nancy and her husband Keith came along too. Madison (7) and Carly (3) love dessert and both asked for some after our meal. We decided to split a humongous chocolate milkshake that CharGrill is famous for. Dividing perhaps a 20 oz. container among us 5--Nancy, me, Madison, Carly and an extra one for whomever--meant no one got a whole lot. As I handed Carly her cup I said, "What do you say?" That precious angel could win a prize for her amazing manners: It's always "Thank you, you're welcome, may I have, etc." and her entire demeanor is grateful, kind and humble--all that coming from a 3 year old. Seriously! But when I said to her, "What do you say?" she answered me with "Is that all?" Isn't that hysterical!

So we came home today and Russell helped me sort of "catch and carry" (by way of green plastic wire) my passion vine which is so passionate it's about to grow onto my roof from the front porch posts. Together we wrapped it where it was "loose and wild," then he ran a wire from the middle post of our porch to the outside left and right post and now the little guy can run all it wants on all 3 posts and beyond! Sadly, I only got one flower and you know they are UNBELIEVABLE!!! One of the most interesting flowers in the plant kingdom, if you ask me. The butterflies had taken over the past few weeks (in a good way) and I watched the black and orange Monarchs light here and there; but last week we had more wasps than butterflies (not good) and I stayed away from the vine. My other "bonus" plant that went crazy this year was my lemon scented (I think?) geraniums. I have two and each grew to about 3' high and 2' wide. Amazing! They are in pots at either end of my torquoise garden bench.

So that's what I've been up to: gardening and grandkids. It doesn't get much better.

Till next time, remember: You don't have to be crazy to read this, but it might make more sense if you are.

Ciao!
Annie I.

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

I don't understand...

Okay, so I just published a blog that I wasn't through editing. I don't understand. I must've hit a wrong button. All the margins are screwy. But I guess y'all got the gist of the thing. Anyway, after the loose bracket incident, I went to my orthodontist and got it glued back on. After that all three of us (Russell, Katie and I) have been sick to one degree or another (and even before, but that's another story). It turns out Russell has the flu (per our doctor) or something very similar. Katie and I have sinus infections; but I'm sure eventually we'll all be well. Later 'gator.

Saturday, August 30, 2008

Is it just me or...

Is it just me or...
are my pedicures not lasting as long as they used to? I know, that's a lame topic of conversation when we're facing much more important national issues: this being an election year, gas prices outta control, health care worries and oh yeah--that nasty hurricane tormenting our friends on the Gulf Coast.

I declare I am NOT going to cave and get a pedicure every 2-3 weeks like my sister, Nancy. It's just the point of the thing. Then again, she just retired after 30 years of teaching--the lucky duck; so I guess I can understand her choice: she has money and time. I seem to have neither lately. Still, it seems to me that if they can make paint stick on CARS for heaven's sake, they should be able to make paint stick on finger nails and toe nails? I'm just saying.

When I stepped out of the shower tonight I noticed not 1, not 2, but half of my hot pink tootsies are chipped. And of course it's Saturday night and the nail salons aren't opened. Maybe no one in church will notice tomorrow morning if I wear socks with my heels. Do you think? ;-)

Well, that was my 2 minute rant and I sure feel better.

Remember: Save our nails!
Annie I.

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

I've been polarized!

Y'all, wait a minute! I've been polarized and as the song goes, "I can see clearly now." I am so excited. I just got my new prescription sunglasses (polarized at the advice of the kind lady who fitted me). After all these years, the trees are greener, the sky is bluer and I practically stop to let an ant pass through when driving--me, not the ant. I believe I could see one if I tried.

So that's it around here. I hadn't had my eyes checked in a few years (my bad) but was tickled to hear that my vision had actually gotten better since my last check up. In fact, I only really need glasses to see far off--like a wedding, a movie, or a car coming into my lane; which I hope doesn't happen. But the point is: I've got new glasses--both regular and sunglasses and I'm a happy camper.

I'm keeping this one short. So until next time...

Keep on keeping on!
Annie I.

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Change in plans

Hey y'all,

Well my last blog has not happened quite like I planned. So the article you read tomorrow in the Georgetown Times won't be about the diamond-studded burrito I was recently served (though it will come next time). That's because when I looked at the calendar I realized I was celebrating TEN YEARS this month of writing for S.C.'s oldest newspaper, Georgetown Times. I decided to dedicate the column to my friends, readers and bookbuyers who have made this ten years possible. THANK YOU!

But don't worry--the diamond story will be published soon. Oh and I'm visiting my orthodontist this Friday; so pray along with me that no brackets, posts, wires, or whatever have been knocked loose--I think I'd know by now if they were. Still...

Y'all keep in touch and remember to tell your Mama I asked how she is durring!

Hugs, not drugs,
Annie I.

Friday, August 15, 2008

The third blog from moi, aka a "magnet for the unsual"

Well, this magnet for the unusual (a.k.a. moi) did it again: I ran into a BIG problem recently when I had lunch at one of our popular Mexican haunts here in town. Taking the final bite of my BIG BURRITO, I bit down on something HARD, real HARD!

Now, you'll never believe it, so let me just tell you: I bit down on a diamond! Isn't that ridiculous? I know! I know! If they had only ASKED me at the counter, "Would you like a diamond with that burrito?" I would've said, "Most definitely, not," but alas, I was not asked.

Luckily it did not knock of a bracket or a wire from my braces, nor did it knock a filling loose, but it did hurt my feelings and knocked me for a loop. Hubby Russell and daughter Katie just shook their head. The manager said she was sorry and would I like a free burrito in the future. (Only if it comes without diamonds.)

If you want to know more, read my Georgetown Times (S.C.) column next week (Wed.) and I'll tell you all about it. www.gtowntimes.com Oh! But as they say, "Wait! There's more:" I'll also tell you about the fly in my salad at the sushi bar two weeks earlier. If trouble comes in three, I'm staying home. Natch. ;-)

Remember: You don't have to be crazy to read this blog, but it's probably a pretty good idea.

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Do you read eyebrows?

Well, I hope my new blog (this being my 2nd entry) is now readable. I didn't blog for over a year--you know; the usual reasons, new home, new town, new life--not really, my life is still pretty much the same. I write columns. I write books. I do signings, talks and some acting. I garden. I cook. I travel. I visit family and friends, (vice versa).

Anyoo, I just "activated" my account with Google and if I did it right, you can now read these words, but not my eyebrows.

That's a family joke--reading eyebrows. Many years ago, I was riding in the car to Disneyworld with some of my crazy (did I say that?) family. My sister Cathy was in the backseat with her napping baby. So, I turned around and whispered what I wanted to say. But my headrest covered the lower 2/3 of my face, exposing only my eyebrows which were going up and down frantically. That's when Cathy said, "I don't read eyebrows" and we the entire car cracked up laughing. So much for the sleeping princess...

Sunday, August 10, 2008

Oh no! She's baaaaaaacck!

So there I was, "doing my thang," aka a booksigning (or shall I say doing a Meet-n-Greet; it's a Southern thing, honey) in the historic Dee Gee's Books & Gifts in Morehead City; when not 1, not 2, but 7 customers, all from Raleigh, stopped to chat and then purchased my books! Isn't it a small world? I was doubly pleased since Raleigh is our state capitol AND our daughter Kelly and my sister, Nancy live there. So for this week, Raleigh is my FAVE adopted city!!! A couple of years ago, I spoke to the Wake Forest Women's Club. I've also spoken twice at the Wake County North Regional Library in the past. So, a warm hello (again) to y'all and thanks for the memories!

I absolutely LOVE N.C. but we were gone for 20 years living in S.C., so it's great to be back living here again. I now consider myself a Snorth Carolinian. Though I grew up in Jacksonville, NC, and hubby Russell, aka 'Oscar the Grouch,' and I lived in S.C. for 20 years: 10 in Myrtle Beach, then 10 in Pawleys Island, we have returned to The Tarheel State for good. We have lived in Wilmington for the past year and a half. I regularly bogged in S.C., then got lazy and quit. So this is my first entry since moving away.

Anyway, I've been called a magnet for the unusal (a phrase coined by Diane DeVaughn Stokes, hostess extraordinnaire of the T.V. show "Southern Styles" in Myrtle Beach); so here's proof that even leaving one state and residing in another has not slowed down this interesting phenomenon. If things go like they always have, I should regularly have some fairly interesting anecotes and I'll share them with you, my blog buddies.

I was with Katie, our daughter and recent graduate of LSU (masters degree in flute performance) and Cathy, my sister from Virginia Beach, in our car after the book signing. We were driving to (are you ready for this?) Raleigh, for a Sip & See (formerly called a baby shower) for our new nephew Reid, when Katie started laughing hysterically. Why? Because she had on two different shoes! She didn't even notice from 8:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. Neither did Cathy or I, or the folks in Dee Gee's, or Dairy Queen, or anywhere else where we stopped that day. Amazing, huh? Turns out she had on a brown Rainbow sandal and a brown Top Sperry sandal. Thank goodness she had 1 other pair of shoes (which did indeed, match) for the Sip & See or she'd been shoeless and dare I say it, clueless? Hmmmm.... Rather sad, I'd say, considering her granddaddy (my daddy) once owned three shoe stores?

I have a way of bringing "odd luck" --not exactly bad, not exactly good--to those around me. Really. Stay tuned for more absurdities.

Remember: You don't have to be crazy to read this blog, but it would probably help.

Annie I.