So I'm buying large bags now - seemed like I was always running out. Not sure if it's working but the cat has started licking my ankles so I have a feeling - - -

Anyway, I read it's "prudent" to add skim milk powder to the bath - they promised it would help!

Milk Bath Recipe

1 60 - some body
1 tub warm water
1 rounded cup skim milk powder
(It's rounded to match the said body)

Stir water and milk gently with a clean facecloth, slip body into tub til done - or relaxed.

Hotel Theft, Etc.

Over the years, we have heard stories of people stealing towels, etc. from their hotel room. I don't know about you but (1) it's theft, pure and simple, (2) if I did it, my bag would burst open in the lobby, at the feet of the concierge - during a police convention, (3) do you really want to look at the stolen items day after day!
Anyway, I have a personal embarrassment to relate. you know the little (exorbitantly priced!) bar fridges in rooms? Well, ours was beautiful in design, thought it was another chest for our clothes, opened it and voila! Anything one could hope for in food and drink. My eyes drank it all in and then I just had to pick up a bottle of juice - it's lovely label beckoned to me.

"Thank you, Ma'am, your purchase has just been recorded by computer and added to your room tab."
I set juice back, closed up the fridge with it's fancy brass handle and carried on.

Check out time comes and brought bill up on the TV - they have the MC number already so they are not worried but I am! $4.75 for the "purchased" juice. Little did I know, there are sensors under each item - you lift it, you've bought it. Nice.

The icing on the cake was a charge to the room for purchases from the hotel pharmacy. I say pharmacy loosely as it was more if a beauty boutique but I digress. Anyway, thought I'd let the juice thing go cause I messed with their bounty but protested the pharmacy charges.

The desk very kindly removed the pharmacy charge, then asked if there was anything else they could do for me.

"Well, now that you mention it, I didn't use any bar items and there is a charge."

Desk: "Ah, Madame Peasant, you lift item, you pay. But we will credit that, also."

I really want to go back to that hotel cause it's so out of my league - wonder what will happen next?

Forever Loved and Missed - - -

It's been eleven years today - I guess it's the value of a Mother to be so missed, so much, so long.

The raw pain has eased but a day doesn't pass that you aren't mentioned.

Much love, Mom.

Baby Girl Names

So, Yahoo had a list of most popular names for babies. I love the wonderful ideas but I'm sicking with: Chloe, Hanna, Madison, Mya, Lauren, Brooke, Jasmine and Paige.

Now that's for 8 girls so imagine I'll have to pare it down a bit.

The boys names are great, also, but I have my boys (men) and wouldn't change them for the world so, no boys' names.

How about you?

(Oh, don't make excite, I'm just living in a "what if" world:)

Asparagus is no longer a King's ransom - if you want a nice, quick meal of it try this:

Rinse asparagus and snap off the tough ends. Lay in a single layer on an oiled pan. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese and bake 20 minutes (or so) at 350.

Delicious.

Blogging Mom

Was just sitting here thinking about Mom. She passed away March 28/98 but I miss her as much as day one. The raw pain has eased but not the loss of her personality and wisdom and laughter.

Mom was game for anything and would have blogged like no other woman! She used to call people on the phone all over the world - and this was before cheap rates!

I can see her now, on Facebook, blogging and seeking out all her buddies of yesteryear.

Anyway, Mom, here's to you! What a character you were!!!

Spring Has Sprung

Our newspaper box has been snowed in for months.

Today I thought we hadn't had paper delivery only to discover he can now put it in the box. Yeah for spring.

Tonight we walked and it was +10 - a real treat.

Hope spring has arrived in your corner.

Panning for Diamonds

Really wish I had bought my metal detector when I was thinking about it - my diamond ring went missing a couple days ago - set it on the glass lamp table - went back for it and gone! Buddy looked suspiciously guilty to me but he always does. It was his unusual "ack!!" sound that piqued my interest. Ring stuck in throat? I looked at him and wondered if I could "shake" it out of him. Put that idea aside and decided to feed him mega meals to get the process going and therefore the recovery of my ring.

The vet is not going to like your weight, Cat.

The cat blissfully ate his offerings wondering why she was being so generous - but who's to question that?! I watched him eat - imagining my ring on it's journey! Soon we were both bored and I sat down by the glass table to decide how I would approach the recovery.

Picked my hair clip up and there was my ring, caught in the teeth of the comb! Happy, happy. Well, I am - the cat's back on regular rations.

Kitchen Reorganization

Last evening I decided to start stripping my kitchen down and sorting. Every drawer was scrubbed, every item in drawer run thru the dishwasher. Then, I decided to "keep or discard".

I have so, so much stuff and hope to have a very pared down situation soon.

It's a big job, duplicate everything. This will be a tremendous help if/when I move.

How Twins Are Made - - -

An Embarrassment

Have been working out on the treadmill for 30 minutes a day since August 08. That in combination with eating less, has resulted in a 32 pound weight loss.

Every once in a real long while, I decide to add floor exercises. Today, I set my Weider mat out in the dining room, lay down in the sun and did side leg raises. Next thing I know, I have fallen asleep with Buddy, the cat, lying beside me in the sun.

You go, Jean.

Driving to an appointment, deep in thought.

As I approached the "End of School Zone" sign, I freaked inside. Had been traveling the regular speed all thru the zone.

Deserved a ticket, "But Officer, I always obey it, just was daydreaming." ($180.00 fine)

Anyway, I think it was a first.