A Tuesday Chock Full...

...of stuff you should have known on Friday.

We all know that Grandma J went to a Friday Matinee last Friday. Coincidence? Probably!

Despite her drug induced haze, and by drug induced we're talking about her wimpy dose of a half Vicodin tablet, she actually saw the movie and basically remembers. Grandma J always thinks that if she takes half the dose, she will only feel half as loony. Silly girl.




Hangover was funny as hell! OOPS! Grandma J just said hell, and she attributes it to the fact that she hasn't taken her meds yet this movie was just that funny....and a bit raunchy, thus the hell reference.

You all should know the story line by now, since the movie came out a month ago....A soon to be groom decides to have his bachelor party in Las Vegas...and we all know what happens in Las Vegas is supposed to stay in Las Vegas......and it does.

Of course, and you probably already know, the groom is the only normal member of this wedding party. He has two friends, one is a school teacher at an all boys preppy type school, and the other is a nerdy hen pecked Dr......who is really just a dentist. The final member of this entourage is the soon-to-be groom's soon-to-be brother-in-law......who is a couple of bubbles off center, and possibly a perv.

They check into a fancy upscale suite at Caesar's Palace. The suite was more that a suite...with a fancy name, but remember, Grandma J wasn't paying a whole lot of attention to details due to her drug problem.

From there Grandma J pretty much misses out on the who dang bachelor party, because the next thing she remembers, it's morning.....

Yeah, it's morning in the movie. They didn't invite us to the party, but we had one heck of a time trying to figure out what the blazes went on all night! The fun is like one of those who dunnit murder mysteries, without the murder, or the who. Are you confused yet?



The movie was hilarious, and a tad raunchy...reminding Grandma J of out of control college frat boys, more than grown, established men....except for the weird brother-in-law to be.

So go see the movie, and laugh your head off because Grandma J doesn't want to give away any of the laugh lines....

Now, on to something else that will make this whole post worth your well invested time...........

Right after Grandma J took her half dose of drugs yesterday, she sat down to read a zillion blogs. She has her laptop situated in a way so it's facing out the window, so she doesn't miss any of the excitement in the hood.

Especially, since she is one of a handful of residence at the Spa. On top of the scarcity of people, no one lives beyond Grandma J's apartment, because they are still in the construction phase.

Something walked past Grandma J's window....she thew on some clothes, and grabbed her camera.......



When she got outside, she was still able to capture a picture of this baby deer! Then she ran back inside to call Animal Control, but by the time she actually talked to someone they told her they don't go out for deer sightings because a slew of them live in the deep and heavily vegetated creek that borders the Spa. Let's hope the baby found his mommy.

This Week's A to Z letter is....

Y

And because Grandma J is on vocodin you are so special, Grandma J has a short but sweet Y post for you.....

Yodeling!



I never knew Jewel was a Yodeler...but she is! Yodel along, if you can!


Check out other Y words A to Z Mondays! It's never too late to join in!

William "Billy" D. Mays, Jr.

July 20, 1958 - June 28, 2009

You can say what you want about Jacko, but the world lost a real icon today.....Billy Mays.

A day doesn't go by that Grandma J doesn't think about Billy Mays as she breaks out her Oxyclean or Orange Glo....and recently it's the Hercules Hooks that have been front and center as she decorates her new digs at the Spa.

And Really? Have you tried KABOOM?

Yes, Billy is an Icon with a uppercase I and he will be missed by anyone who drips food down the front of their shirts or clogs their toilets, has experienced the amazing products he invented.

RIP Billy Mays, Grandma J will miss you.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

On a happier note!

It's Baby Girl's Birthday!

That's right, once again, Grandma J's youngest child is celebrating a birthday. Baby Girl Lives in Colorado, and has a wonderful husband and two gorgeous guys....

.... who are getting ready for fun and action at Grandma J's come August. Can you say P.A.R.T.Y?

Happy Birthday Kelly, I love you!

I know I owe you all a movie review.....it's coming!

IT'S BUSTED

Grandma J went to see Dr. Bob, the orthopaedic surgeon yesterday. Remember last week she had an MRI on her bum knee? Well, he wanted to go over the results with her. And he said it's busted, broke..... worn out!

He gave her some pain medication, and they discussed the future of her knee...or the lack of future for her knee.

Can you do this? Because it hurts like the dickens when Grandma J tries it....and the sad part is, it's one of her signature moves not gonna get better by itself.

The plan is for Dr. Bob to shoot grandma J up with a ton of cushy stuff that might last a long time if not forever. He's cutting me a deal because it's something the pharmaceutical company wants him to try, and since Grandma J will be a guinea pig they are giving him samples, it won't cost me or my insurance.

Grandma J picked up some flowers at Wally World while she waited for her drugs. This time she got bright ones....orange and red.

Today is Friday....maybe a matinee is a good idea since it will be over 100 degrees again....and oh yeah, did I mention it's Friday?

How about Hangover? Has anyone seen it?

SOME THINGS DRIVE ME NUTS!

I have a really bad habit of having at least two energy efficient TVs on all day long. They have to be on the same channel so I don't go batty as I sashay from room to room doing my chores. Basically it's all news, nothing I have to watch, just listen.

So, since I don't have to share get to pick what's on, you're wondering what drives me nuts, right? It's commercials. Not all commercials. Some are cute, some are informative, and others drive me crazy.

I've told you how I feel about Vince of ShamWow fame, and even more so after his arrest for almost biting that prostitute's tongue off.

Then they was that women screeching TOBY! as her dog drags his butt across her carpet.

NOW.....I've had it up to here ^^^ with the Verizon Commercial that plays every twelve minutes all day long.

*Please note, I muted the sound on the commercial to take the pictures....

you know, the one with Devon, Mr. fear of commitment.

And Cindy, who finds his Verizon wireless network dependency weird.

Oh, and don't even get me started on the Capital One commercial? Yeah, the Spaghetti Jimmy wins.... saying, "What's in your wallet?"

Is there a commercial that drives you nuts?

Over The River, and Through The Woods

Well OK, I went over the river...but there aren't any woods to go through, but there is a scenic route to the adorable, quaint little town of Salado, Texas. You actually go over a river, called the Little River, and a reservoir called Stillhouse Hollow Lake.

I really need to go to Salado more often, and definitely when the weather is more suitable to walking around town. But for today, I have two birthdays next Sunday, and I decided to look for something different and unique...so it was off to Salado.




You can click on this picture to see the kids cooling off in the Salado Creek, from the natural Salado Springs.




I love this fence made out of bicycles. It's along a bike trail that runs through town and around the park.

I did bet some shopping done, and wandered around a few antique shops, but the heat!! Seriously, there's only so much walking you can do in hot humid weather, so it was adios for today.

My last stop was the post office to mail the birthday packages.




You guys remember Jack, right? He thinks Grandma J is nuts, and I wouldn't want to ruin his day by telling him the real reason I take his picture. Do you think all of his tattoos are on his arms?

HOT In The Hood

Today was a busy day around here. Busy means getting up, have some coffee, checking emails and a couple of blogs, get some more coffee make my bed, check some more blogs. Water the weeds seeded dirt out back, then polish off the rest of the coffee while I read some more blogs.

After showing and getting dressed, I drive up to the leasing office for the coffee, pastry and fruit that they have every morning.

By noon, I'm well on my way, running errands, getting my car washed then visiting JJ. When my busy afternoon starts winding down, I look at the outside temp in my car....




Over 100 degrees! I'm just getting used to the fact that the high temperature of the day is yet to be......


See what I mean? There isn't much cooling off until after nine at night. Right now it's 11:30 p.m., and 91 degrees.

Not to change the subject, but I received this picture from Phillip Johnny Bob and his East Coast Mother.....

nothing like rubbing it in! Dude! Don't forget your sunscreen!

All you peeps who are ultra green around the gills....look away. That's right, don't read what I'm gonna say....cover your eyes and no peeking.

For those still reading....I keep my thermostat at 72. I can't help it, I love cool. The good thing is? I have never turned the heat on in the two years I've been in Texas. Where do you keep your thermostat?

The Letter X

This is probably the hardest letter for me yet! I thought it would be easy...like just pick a word like X-Ray and be done with it. Nope, not on your life.

Did you know there are tons of words that start with Xanth....and they all have something to do with yellow? Like yellow fruit, or yellow skin, or hair, or teeth, or leaves...and the list goes on.

I know, I'm boring you. Of course coming up with a letter X word isn't all that exciting for me either...so bear with me.

You wouldn't believe the plethora of things that begin with Xeno...several have to do with wood, or measuring wood, wood carving, eating wood, one who grows or sells wood, or just plain being fond of wood. Seriously, there should be a whole course study of the letter X.


Now, if your X word starts with Xer....it has to do with dry something or other. I won't go into all the dry stuff. Trust me, or look it up.

Here's another doozy for you....

For instance, did you know that there were three Popes named Xystus? Pictured is numero uno, circa 117-128. I wonder what kind of camera they used for that picture? My first camera was a Kodak Brownie, and it used 127 film. Did anyone else have one of those?

So bear with me while I call, "KINGS X"



"King's X" is one of a class of children's phrases called "truce terms," one of those sayings that call a temporary halt to a game or contest when spoken. Say for example, you and Grandma J were playing tag, and a bee flew up Grandma J's nose. She might shout, "King's X" right before she fainted. And then you would feel sorry for her and let her win.

Brought to you by A to Z Mondays. Check it out, and join us!

NO, SHE DIDN'T!





Little Susie goes home from school and tells her mum that the boys keep asking her to do cartwheels because she's very good at them!!

Mum said : " YOU should say NO! They only want to look at your undies".

Susie said: " I know they do, that's why I hide them in my backpack"!!


Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there, and to my son and three sons-in-law who are the best dads ever.

THE PROPOSAL

It's about time I saw a movie that a enjoyed from start to finish! Of course I love the whole cast, so I knew it would be hard not to like it. That being said, the plot was very predictable and nothing out of the ordinary...but it was funny..so predictable and funny is good!

Margaret Tate (Sandra Bullock) is Editor-In-Chief of a publishing company, and Andrew Paxton (Ryan Reynolds), is her assistant/secretary. Yeah, I know.....I capitalized her title, and left his in lower case......that represents the work environment they come from. Everyone in the office is petrified of cold and calculating Margaret, and they sympathize with Andrew.

Margaret is efficient and successful, and Andrew hopes to work his way into a position of editor, and is willing to jump through any hoops his boss puts in front of him.

When she finds out her application to renew her visa is denied, and she's soon to be deported back to Toronto, Canada, she bribes Andrew into marrying her, with the promise of a promotion, and a divorce.

He agrees, but reluctantly, and relishes the idea of having the upper hand for a change...she gets on her knees to propose.

They have a few hurdles to leap, because the immigration official doesn't buy their story, and has them both scheduled for separate interviews the following Monday to see how much they know about each other. He also intends on talking to their friends and his family.

Margaret doesn't have a family, but Andrew does.....in a remote town in Alaska. They decide to fly up there right away to tell his family.

It seems Andrew's family is quite prominent, and practically owns the town. Joe Paxton (Craig T. Nelson) is at odds with his son for not wanting to carry on the family business, and he also suspects things aren't quite on the up and up with Andrew and Margaret.

Andrew's Gammy (Betty White, age 87) is also celebrating her 90th birthday the same weekend they visit. She wants them to get married right then and there...while she's still alive.

This is Margaret with Gammy's dog, Keith. I shouldn't show you this picture, because I'm not going to tell you what it's all about. I will tell you that Margaret doesn't like dogs, or any animals for that matter. The feeling is mutual because Keith doesn't like her either. I'm only telling you this because I'm mean and like to remind you from time to time.

There are a few twists and turns, sprinkled with plenty of laughs....and the family dynamics all center around Andrew doing the right thing....but what is the right thing?

I will give this movie four stars out of five. I'd give it five stars if there had been some steamier scenes. More steam!

Well, holy Toledo! Or is it Cleveland? Anyhoo, I'm going to a Friday Matinee on Friday. Isn't that a novel idea? Today is Friday, right?

So, I decided to see something that looked hilarious in the previews, and I like the actors and actresses cast in it.

The proposal looks really funny and fun! Sandra Bullock is gorgeous and funny, and Betty White and Craig T. Nelson are in it too, and I love both of them and their humor.

So kiddos....I'm off to see The Proposal. Have you seen it?

Something Funny Is In The Air

because Grandma J took an afternoon nap yesterday and ended up in a far away place. Don't ask her where because she couldn't tell you in a zillion years. But Grandma J knows it had to be pretty far away because it zapped her of all her energy. How else would you explain the fact that she woke up from her nap at two in the morning?

Since she skipped lunch, due to a late morning stop at Jack in the box, she estimated that she had now missed two full meals! Since skipping meals isn't the norm for Grandma J, she fixed herself a late dinner....then went to bed..sleeping until eight this morning.

Yesterday, Grandma J took her grandchildren and friends to a water park in another town to the east. It wasn't anything Six Flagish in size or price.....which makes it perfect!





Summer Fun Water Park in Belton, Texas, is a good place to cool off when the temperatures start leaning on the 100 degree mark. This was the end of the road for Grandma J and JJ....but next time they will take that bridge across the Leon River to see what's on the other side.

It's always so sad when JJ has to say good-bye to his big sister and brother. It's even sadder lately with Phillip Johnny Bob gone.

It was a quiet ride back home for JJ. He knows he can't get on Grandma J's lap while she's driving, unless she gives him the OK. Today she didn't do that until they were off the highway....so JJ just stared at a spill on Grandma J's shirt....calling DIBS!

He is such a sweetheart....after about an hour of playing and cuddling, Grandma J said good-bye. Do you think it was easy?

He Flew The Coop

Yo, Grandma J,

Don't worry about me, I'm having fun and meeting new people and making friends left and right. Chesapeake Bay Woman is really nice and stuff. She's teaching me how to play poker how to be self-sufficient...

Like learning how to fish for my din-din. I didn't catch anything, but I have my eye on this really fat goose who thinks he owns the place the creek is all his, but I think I can take him on.....you know, being a bear and all.

I learned a new game called hoops. I think I need a couple more lessons. Then if I ever decide to come back home, I'll teach JJ.

Can you believe they have two boats? Well, the other one is technically called a canoe...seriously, this place is the bomb.

I'm learning how to play the piano. Well, not really playing...just making a lot of noise. It drives the fat goose they call Gustaf crazy. Have you ever seen a crazy goose?

Don't forget to send money. I want to treat these folks to Dairy Queen

Smooches,

Phillip Johnny B.

*and to Karen B. Yes, all the photos are from Chesapeake Bay Woman's bit of paradise. You are more than welcome to go to the blogfest. SER.I.OUS.LY

Because someone said someone is fixing it ASAP

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


To Grandma J,

It's me Phillip Johnny Bob......you won't believe how much fun I'm having! Boy, do these people know how to live!

Here are a few of the things I've been doing......



I got to ride around the place in a Gator. Have you ever ridden in a Gator? Can I have a Gator for Christmas?





Isn't this a cool jungle gym?








I wish we had a boat like this in Texas. Can we put it in the swimming pool?









La...la...la! I could swing all day long. These folks know how to live. How long can I stay?









Look at me! I'm in a tree!!!
OK, now who wants to help me down.....helloooooo!


Did I tell you I was having a good time? This is the bestest place to be.

Love,

Phil

P.S. Send money!

*pictures courtesy of Chesapeake Bay Woman and her family. Aren't they the best hosts? I can't wait to meet them at Virgina Blogfest.

Wecome to A to Z Monday

Can anyone guess what Grandma J's W Word is? Come on....I know What you're thinking, so go ahead and say it.

Well, Without getting downright graphic, and of course by graphic, Grandma J means no pictures, and no slamming the person responsible for the Whole mess.

With that being said, and of course With the Whole mess staring you in the face, Grandma J's W word is:

WHAT....

......as in WTF

Now I'm off to get an MRI, which doesn't start with W. Hopefully the problem will be rectified, and Grandma J won't have to do a whole rant involving others.

IF FLOWERS COULD TALK

Grandma J loves fresh flowers. Nothing fancy, just a colorful bouquet or two.

They are always on my grocery list, and HEB has them for $4 a bunch, and Walmart has them for $5.....they happen to fit in my budget.




These flowers have been in a room that I frequent often for exactly one week.




These have been in a room Grandma J frequents less often for the same amount of time.

A Summer Saturday


Grandma J could have traveled to Giddings Texas for a AAU Track Meet that her granddaughter was competing in, or stayed on the home front with A-Ron who had morning baseball practice.





So she stayed home and took A-Ron to practice, and her middle daughter went to Giddings for the track meet.


Practice ended at one, and we headed straight to McD's for A-Ron's lunch because Grandma J had a salad at home....BUT! They decided not to go home, but headed straight for the theatre to see a movie.




We both agreed that Land Of The Lost sounded good. Grandma J was a bit leery because we all know about Will Ferrell and his language can be pretty raunchy, but the movie was rated PG, and A-Ron isn't a baby anymore....




He treated his grandma to ice cream at $3.50 a scoop. She had a double scoop of butter pecan.




Since they still had over 30 minutes before the show started, they grabbed a table to sit and eat their ice cream......yeah, by they, Grandma J means she....because A-Ron wandered off.

To play arcade games. ummmm hello, your ice cream is melting.

And at what age do boys lean over an empty cup to catch the drippings?

So, who wants to know about the movie?

I was hoping no one would ask because I can't even begin to review this movie. It was probably budgeted at $9.95 and their was some change left over. It was terrible......the story line was about traveling in time, but not back in time or forward in time, but sideways in time.

The cast of four, and one being a monkey-ish person/thing, ran from one scene to another, being chased or dousing themselves in dinosaur urine. Honestly it was so bad Grandma J caught A-Ron with his shirt pulled up over his head so he could text someone....he was bored.

Here....take a look......

This is an example of how lame the movie was. she actually thought there was something on the other side of the door. If you go see this movie and like it, please tell me why.

M.I.A.

I'm putting our an all points bulletin for Phillip Johnny Bob. It's been a week now since I sent him first class on a trip to the East Coast, specifically, The Chesapeake Bay to stay with good friends.

He had been down in the dumps ever since JJ bit him he heard we were moving from the Compound to the Spa.

When grandma J told him he was going on a vacation to see fiddler crabs and fire ants Chesapeake Bay Woman, Kids, Mother and Gustaf, he seemed excited.....

Looky, you can see it in his eyes as he readys himself for the journey. He has his new board shorts with him and he's full of glee!

Before alarming everyone, I checked everywhere....I called his friends. JJ and I rode around the 'hood....I even checked in his closet. Yeah, that bin is his closet. You don't have a problem with that, do you?

Does anyone have a funny feeling about this guy? I'm a bit suspicious because he didn't want Grandma J to take his picture. And now I have to question the absence of Grandma J's friend Jack, the Postal Clerk!

I know I shouldn't panic, but the thing is, Phil might be scared, and I don't know how many jelly beans he had in his pocket. Grandma J was going to surprise him when she showed up for the VA Blogfest in July!!

Oh, and another thing, Grandma J is getting a feeling of déjà vu over this.....

>>>>>>

>>>>>>>>>>>>

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>








* if you have any information leading to the whereabouts of Phillip Johnny Bob, please let me know.

GAME CALLED FOR LIGHTNING

That's what the umps said, and A-Ron's baseball game was over! Just like that!

The score was 7-7 with A-Ron responsible for one of those runs. Coach Noodle wasn't too happy that the ump called the game. No siree......he would have preferred seeing Grandma J fry to a crisp sitting in the bleachers made out of aluminum.

The thunder and Lightning was nonstop, but we didn't get the baseball size hail like some neighboring towns. Grandma J went outside to take a few shots of her apartment in the night after the rain subsided a bit. With the temperature at 90, and the humidity at 79, it's like a sauna. Here is a picture of my new apartment at night....for those who asked.

You can see the lack of front yard, making it easy for future fellow senior citizens to drive their car right through Grandma J's living room window. Actually, windows in order...first two living room, then 1st bedroom. The next building, barely in the picture is a bank of garages....grandma J grabbed the first one for a price.







Don't you love the blinding flood lights? Luckily that aren't that bright in real life! This is a view from the far end of Grandma J's apartment. That corner room is the first bedroom with lots of windows on two sides. Beyond that, the two windows are bedroom #2. That garage door is Grandma J's garage. It's only a single car garage, because Grandma J's car is single.....duh!

Here is a view from Grandma J's back patio. Can we all agree that this is a really nice backyard? The leasing office didn't want Grandma J to pick this particular building or apartment because the landscaping wasn't in yet....but Grandma J is no one's fool. There are very few garages...like one for every ten apartments...and she wanted one, and it had to be next to her apartment, not "within walking distance". Because, helloooooo, just exactly how far is walking distance anyway?

These are empty apartments across from Grandma J's apartment, and they are not quite finished yet. Grandma J is fine with that because she knows for a fact that the construction guys who show up every morning are much more pleasing to the eyes than any future tenants. It's starting to rain again, see those drops on the concrete? How about the ones on Grandma J's camera lens?

Tomorrow morning the cable guy is coming to put a "drop outlet" on a different wall, because not everyone wants their TV on the same wall. Yes, in case you were wondering, this is the same cable guy who was supposed to come today.

NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM
Battle Of The Smithsonian

A Wednesday afternoon matinee that missed the cut on Tuesday

Y'all voted, and the consensus was The Hangover, and of course Grandma J had to disqualify loved all those suggestions....but after all was said and done...it was Night At The Museum that won out.

Larry Daley (Ben Stiller), the night watchman in the first Night at the Museum, has become a entrepreneur Ala Ron Popeil or my favorite, Vince the Shamwow Guy. With plenty of success and the time and money, he returns to the museum to get the old gang of cast members back together for a sequel.

Many of the old characters have been put into storage at the Smithsonian, so Larry conjures up a plan to rescue them and find the mystical tablets that made all the magic.

While he's at the Smithsonian, he runs into Amelia Earhart (Amy Adams), who he has a fun time flirting with, and Kahmunrah (Hank Azaria), who wants to take over the world.

I was glad to see that a who slew of characters from the original movie were cast.




Robin Williams, as Teddy Roosevelt, along with Owen Wilson and Steve Coogan, as the miniature cowboy and Roman centurion - are happy to see him again.



There were a host of new characters.

Some villains include lisping Pharoah Kahmunrah (Hank Azaria), Napoleon (Alain Chabat), Ivan the Terrible (Christopher Guest), and Al Capone (Jon Bernthal).

While Daley's new allies are aviatrix Amelia Earhart (sensationally spunky Amy Adams), the Tuskegee Airmen and the huge marble statue of Abraham Lincoln (voiced by Hank Azaria) on the Mall.

The movie was a bit too slapstick for me, but Ben Stiller is always funny, and Amy Adams was the best part of the whole movie

There were some real goofs, for anyone who cares about accuracy. For instance, Archie Bunker's chair, Muhammad Ali's boxing robe and Dorothy's ruby slippers are at the National Museum of American History, not the Smithsonian. But Grandma J wouldn't let small details like that get in the way of seeing this movie.

I have to say, most of the other people in the theatre laughed a whole lot more than Grandma J. And, that had nothing to do with Grandma J being too polite to laugh with her mouth full.

Grandma J, in appreciation of the slapstick factor, gives this movie 3 1/2 Museums out of 5.

FUNNY THING HAPPENED....
....on the way to the movies







Grandma J hates to break it to you, but she never made it to the movies today. I know, somethings are unforgivable, and I promise that tomorrow is another day...which means I'll make it up to you....and me!


I started out to the theatre with the best of intentions....and it was early, too early, so I swung by to see JJ for a few minutes....






Can you blame me? Seriously, this guy just makes my heart sing.




Grandma J is tempted to call this a Guess and Press, or maybe someone else already does that, so maybe Grandma J should just call it....



The back side of A-Ron....from the shoulders up. Seems some of the team members decided it was a fun thing to do...Along with mohawks.

After playing hide and seek chewing the fat with the boys a bit, Grandma J realized it was too late for the matinee, because she had to be somewhere else later on.




So a vote was taken and we all ended up at YOYO's Frozen Yogurt.



A zillion flavors of frozen yogurt...




and a zillion toppings....all self-serve.



They weigh it, and you pay accordingly. Then you make sure you have plenty of Pepto Bismol at home.





And yes, we took the yogurt "to go" because this little guy was holding down the Ford. Get it? Holding down the Ford? Grandma J cracks herself up!

You Decide....

I told you how I hurt my knee with all my moving from the Compound to the Spa. I went to the Orthopedic guy, Dr. Bob. He's the same Dr. I saw when I jammed my pinky finger and thought they'd amputate it was broken.


Just so you understand what Grandma J is going through, this is what your knee probably looks like....




And Grandma J knows for a fact thinks her knee probably looks like this.

So, with the temperatures hitting the high 90's today, and with her bum knee, Grandma J probably won't be hanging out at the pool .

She has decided to see another Matinee. And of course if she took her any of her grandson's they would want to see something Trekkie, or about Transformers. So, since you all know she won't be seeing anything like that, she has few choices.....

This is probably a chick flick, about a gal who follows a guy to Greece and he dumps her, or he jumps off a cliff. Either way, she's on her own.

Then we have a sequel to a movie Grandma J sort of liked, but didn't go ga-ga over. Either of these will do, but I want you to help me decide. Because Grandma J is nothing if not fair.....majority will rule. I will go with the Peoples' Choice! I trust you, I do.

This Is V Week.....

....at A to Z Monday

Because they are so abundant, and because there are days I think they may be stalking me....I picked the Vulture for my V word.

These guys are everywhere.....and it's still a novelty for Grandma J to see them soaring overhead every day.

I stopped along the highway to take this picture a while back. This is just a sampling of the herd flock. They were hanging out near a pasture of cattle, sprinkled with some sheep and those white birds that peck the bugs off the cattle. These Vultures were doing some organizing, and I was suspicious. I went home and read this about the Killer Vultures right here in Bell County.

Here they are hanging out in trees. Dead trees aren't nearly as appetizing as other dead things.

And looky here! They fight. Who knows what this is about, but they had one heck of a spat. Someone warned me recently about getting too close to Vultures....especially if they are eating. Recently the subject came up and this sweet lady in my doctors office told me that

the worse thing about them is their defensive Vomit. Grandma J did not make that up!

Because Grandma J has lived a very sheltered life. She thought the meanest birds in the world were the seagulls who used to swoop on over, or just walk right up and take your food right off your blanket at the beach. Years ago I told my little munchkins to hold their sandwiches up so they didn't get sand in them. My obedient munchkins put there sandwich up and some seagulls thought it was an invitation. Seagulls seem so mild to me now.

Brought to you by A to Z Mondays. Scoot on over and check out the other V words. It's not too late to join in!

When Phillip Johnny Bob...



....gets down in the dumps the whole world seems a tad darker just keeps on spinning.

Grandma J would notice PJB staring our the window, confused over what was happening. This whole moving thing was new and foreign to him. He wondered just what did this new Spa place have, that the Compound didn't? Surely there couldn't be a better band of loonies this side of Albuquerque neighbors to entertain him there.

Grandma J was a bit put out to see all the junk Phil was force feeding himself. This plate of left over Easter candy troubled her. Especially since he didn't have candy in his Easter basket this year. Come to think of it, Phillip Johnny Bob didn't have an Easter basket.

Phillip Johnny Bob said it kept him "regular" was comfort food, and he was confused over this moving thing, and he knew JJ was riding around with Grandma J. He was jealous. He wanted to run away. That's when Grandma J came up with a solution...

He was going away on a well deserved trip. One that would take him to meet fiddler crabs new friends on the shores of Chesapeake Bay.

That's right, he's off to help Chesapeake Bay Woman plan the biggest blogfest ever....the Virgina Blogfest in Mathews, VA. Of course Big Hair Envy will lend a hand, and for that Phil is grateful.

Jack wasn't working at the Post Office and this guy told Grandma J not to take his picture. She obediently said, OK.




Too bad smug postal worker doesn't know that Grandma J doesn't use flash in well lit buildings.....Gotcha, Mr. Postman!

Travel safely, Phillip Johnny Bob. I hope you write home, and I will see you next month. JJ says good riddance have fun dude.

One Person's Flavor......
........... is another person's favor

Everyone knows that Grandma J likes to pretty much ignore anything to do with killer tomatos stay on the light side of the moon.

She ignores any suggestions from the likes of Oprah and WaWa Walters, and Paris Hilton. And the days of her seeking advice from prominant advice givers like Susan Orman, Dear Abbey, Household Hints From Heloise have pretty much gone the way of the tube top.

Then one day she happen to come upon a fellow blogger's blog, Pat J (at least in my mind) knows it all who in fact had another blog....but it was a video blog. That's right, a video advice and singing information blog....on video....here is a taste .... Episode One .

It was no surprise to Grandma J that Pat J. had his finger on the pulse of what everyone wanted to know but were afraid to ask.....he knew exactly what he was talking about, and by talking, you know, rambling.....and with that being said, Grandma J was immediately hooked. Pat does more than talk and sing...he gets physical too. He dances the hully gully plays tennis...good tennis in shorts!!

Now go watch the rest of his 12 episodes at Patjseenitall.....see what i've seen.

* Grandma J is having major issues with Phillip Johnny Bob. Ever since he found out they were moving to the Spa he's been moody. Now that Grandma J visits the Dr. Bob (the ortho) every day, Phil has been seeking more attention that usual.....we are trying to resolve these issues. More on this later....

JJ & Grandma J Get Fit......

I'm turning a new leaf.....again. This time JJ and I are gonna partner up and get fit together because, yeah, you guessed it, we are both out of shape.


Huh? Yes both of us. JJ just looks thin because he's the type that photographs thin.

You all know about all my previous attempts to diet. There was the Blogger Spank My Fanny Big Butt Smackdown Diet that Big Hair Envy hosted.



Grandma J went out and bought the look, to get psyched up.



She even hit the mechanical aids with a vengeance!

This time Grandma J and JJ decided to partner up with another pair who have it all together....

........ because by golly, this pair has nothing on JJ and Grandma J. And, don't you love how Grandma J jumps from the 1st person to the 3rd with the ease of a Jackal Yeah, I made that part up.



So....tell me, how do you stay in shape??

What's Under Your Hood?

I hate to even tell you guys about my saga of getting an oil change the day after I moved, but before I cleaned the old apartment. It's not a pretty story, and I hate to be Debbie Downer twice in one week, but heck, if I had to live it, you can share in the pain. That's what friends are for, right? Um....you are my friend, aren't you? Don't answer that...just pull up a chair and crack open a bottle of Ripple because this is a doozy.


Remember how I traded in my 01 Ford Escape for a brand new 09 Limited V6 because I love my huge carbon footprint power under my hood? Well, I really love my new SUV, just like I loved my old one. Yeah, that's me and Carlous, the salesman.

Well, two weeks ago I brought my car to a Kwik Kar oil change place for an oil change. I know it's the lazy way out, and I should go to the dealer, but I quit doing that years ago with my old Escape because I had a great mechanic who kept it in tip top shape, and he picked up and delivered it from my place of work...and he washed it! But back to the Kwik Kar place.

I had just an hour before leaving for Waco for a baseball tournament for A-Ron. The Kwik Kar guy said he didn't have my oil filter in stock, and neither did the local auto parts store....he would have to go get one at Ford. I was slightly irritated, but said OK, as long as he could do it ASAP. A few minutes go by and he comes into the waiting room to tell me Ford wants a premium of $15 extra for the filter. I tell him to forget it, I'll go to Ford for the oil change. He closes the hood on my car and I leave.

When I get to my daughters, she tells me to ride with her because they won't be spending the night. Normally they do, and I drive back to stay with JJ....oh the fun!!

The next week was moving week, so I was back and forth schlepping stuff over to the new place. Since my new apartment is a new complex, it was apparent to me that my car was leaking oil on the new concrete. I'm the only one in my building and my vehicle was the only one parking along the red curb, which means loading and unloading no one should park there.

Friday, after I'm finally moved, I decide to go to the Ford Dealer and get an oil change and mention the oil leak. Surprisingly they told me I could wait, and the oil change with filter was $29.95. Yippee.

Within five minutes the Ford guy was in the waiting room, asking me who worked on my car last. I told him no one, and relayed the "almost oil change" at Kwik Kar. He asked me to come with him to look under my hood.

Holy moly! Evidently the Kwik Kar guy didn't put the cap back on the oil thing. Then the Ford mechanic raised the car up for me....

This is the view from beneath my car.

This is inside from the top. Luckily, no permanent damage was done, and my warranty wasn't affected. They steam cleaned my engine, and wrote a detailed and itemized documentation of what they did. It was $60 for the clean up. I took it to Kwik Kar and they couldn't reimburse me fast enough! Lesson learned, in the future, I will only go to the Ford Dealer.

The final cherry on top of my week was a lovely housewarming gift waiting for me when I got home.......


From the local Hospice!

It's Up And Away....

With Up!

I have to say right up front, that UP was one of the best Disney Pixar movies ever....right up there with Cars.

It starts out with Carl Fredricksen as a little boy full of adventure and dreams of exploring South America. He meets a young girl named Ellie who shares his dream.

The scenes fast forward through different stages of Carl and Ellie's lives together, getting married, never able to have children, and saving money in a jar for their dream of becoming explorers, like their idol Charles Muntz (voiced by Christopher Plummer). Carl, is a hard working balloon salesman, and they continue to save, but as it often does, life got in the way, and the two were never able to fulfill their dreams. When Ellie passes away, a devastated Carl grows increasingly annoyed when a greedy land- developer tries to have him carted off to a retirement community, in order to steal his land.

Carl decides to once and for all, fulfill his life long dream of exploring South America. With the help of 10,000 helium filled balloons, Carl is able to make his house into his own personal blimp, and soon takes to the skies. However, Carl has an unwanted passenger- a hyper-active, eight-year old “Wilderness Explorer” named Russell, who is intent on earning his “assisting the elderly” merit badge.

The two eventually land in Paradise Falls- located in South America, where they meet among other things, a talking dog named Dug, and the now elderly, Muntz.

Throughout their adventure in South America, and the perils they face, the never ending love for his dead wife Ellie is always what drives Carl to do the right thing. You will fall in love with Russell, the Wilderness Explorer as he reminds you of any eight year old boy, and as he tries so hard to live up to being a worthy real life exploring partner of Carl's.

This movie is funny, and at times will make you cry....but you will love it. I did.

I give this movie five out of five balloons.

I've Made A Huge Decision

I'm going to a matinee today. That's right, it will be a Friday Matinee on Tuesday. I know this drives some people nuts, but let's not kid ourselves, some people are nuts from the get go nuts might be a tad better than berserk.

I'm gonna see the new Disney Pixar movie, UP! Minus the exclamation point, but in 3D.

Has anyone seen it? Should I bother? The last two movies I saw were duds in my opinion, so I can't help but wonder if I'm getting too critical or just picking the wrong movies.

Be sure and check back later in the day to see if it's Up or Down. Of course it's Up because that's the name of the movie...unless it's down.

A to Z Mondays

This Week Is The Letter U.....

For Umbrella

Isn't this the best looking umbrella in the whole state of Texas? Oh wait, it's French...

All I could think of is Suz, my Busy Bee friend in Florida

For the social butterfly Princess in your life....

If you miss being the class clown, or if you think you aren't getting enough attention, this may be for you ribbit!

Italians can make anything ultra delicate and feminine...

And this ruffled beauty is a Canadian model.

This is a bit odd....a square umbrella!

This one is my favorite....almost a paisley floral.

Remember this oldie but goodie clear bubble umbrella?

Now, wasn't that fun? See more U things at A to Z Monday, and why not join in?