My past week went pretty well. I had a great night with friends as we painted and sipped wine as part of a charity event. It was so much fun at a beautiful winery - the views were peaceful as we watched the sun set. There was an artist who talked us through the paint process. It was a really nice time and I got to catch up with friends as we raised money for a local charity. It was more fun than just going to a local bar or restaurant to catch up - although I will do this as well...LOL! Thank you to Stone Tower Winery for hosting; Jill Perla (artist) for her patience; and Habitat for Humanity for all the work they do locally and nationally. How do you stay in touch with friends?
I had to do some manual labor as the HOA insisted we remove the graffiti from our white vinyl fence. They did not like my argument that it has been there for three years and we have had no more graffiti because we left it up. The man next door had the same discussion with the HOA, but we both ended up out there. He told me we had a new deputy in our subdivision and his rule is that graffiti should be removed as soon as it's found. He sanded his wood fence and I scrubbed our white fence. I used Goof Off for graffiti and it does work with a little elbow grease. It took about four hours spread over a couple of days, but it's gone. I called the HOA and insisted they come out, take pictures and provide a letter as proof of removal. Now we have to keep an eye out to see if graffiti reappears. The fence is alongside a dark walking path and motion detector lights don't reach that far. As a homeowner I realize it's always something, but I just don't understand the destruction of property - drives me nuts. What drives you nuts?
I realized this morning that I have not even had a chance to contact my hairdresser. I like my hair short and to me it's getting too long and flat. I don't know about you, but usually once I do my hair in the morning I'm done for the day. I barely look at it again, but when it does not feel right I keep trying to fix it. I'll definitely be reaching out so I can see her before the end of the month - keeping my fingers crossed she has time.
Last week I read: "The Way Of The Knife" by Mark Mazzetti. It's about America's shadow war and the blurred lines between soldiers and spies. He covers a lot of material and I found the book very interesting. I also caught up on my old papers and magazines. I LOVE TO READ!! I carry a book or books everywhere. I usually leave one in the car so if I have a few minutes - I'm reading. What are you reading?
A friend from Red Hats passed away the other day. She passed away suddenly although she had been ill off and on for the past several months. I am going to her wake this afternoon. She was a very funny woman who much of the time had a good outlook on life. She loved to cook and eat. She always made me laugh with stories about her bird. Although she told me plenty of stories of her children and grandchildren, I will be meeting them for the first time. I am grateful that she did not suffer long and I'm sure she is keeping an eye on her family. I am grateful that she was in my life even if only for a few years.
I am going to leave it here today. I hope you have a good week. Take care. Chat soon. Marie
“You can kiss your family and friends good-bye and put miles between you, but at the same time you carry them with you in your heart, your mind, your stomach, because you do not just live in a world but a world lives in you.” – Frederick Buechner
“When everything goes to hell, the people who stand by you without flinching – – they are your family. ” – Jim Butcher
"There comes a point in your life when you realize who really matters, who never did, and who always will." - Unknown