Emails and Phone Calls

The day has been a mixture of sun and rain, temp around 80(!).  The weather here in South Florida can change every half hour.

Got a call from my new friend (remember the wine tasting?).  She was supposed to attend a violinist performance with me on Sunday, but it turns out she may not be able to after all.

Another friend has some car problems, and I’ve offered some suggestions (I’m not auto-mechanically-inclined) regarding her problem.  We chatted amiably by email.

Got another phone call from my friend in Connecticut.  She’s coming for a visit in a couple of weeks, and she’s on a Jenny Craig diet now, so we had much to discuss regarding food!

Daughter called and we talked about her day, and what she has planned for her weekend.  She’s a very busy person!

Called my sister late in the evening.  It was her husband’s birthday today, and I forgot to send a card (hand-slapping going on here).  Got him on the phone and wished him a good one; after all, it still was before midnight!

Taking time out from mundane chores to interact with the important people in my life gives me much pleasure.  Do you take the time?

Another Rainy Day in South Florida?

Would you believe?  Well, it’s so much better than what is going on in the rest of the Good Ol’ USA!

I’m really not complaining.  I don’t do much of that, thank heavens.

I love when the day’s happenings are kind of “impromptu,” don’t you?  That’s what happened today.

I knew I had to get more litter for my “babies,” and it was getting real close to lunchtime.  A change of scenery is also most welcomed.  I called (guess who?) sis again, and, as she was available, we went on our merry way!

First stop was to Petsmart, of course.

Litter (and some extra food) was loaded into car and next stop:  PIZZA!

Our favorite Italian restaurant, of course.  And we talked and talked and laughed and laughed.  That’s what sisters do, right?

The moral of this short story is:  if you have the fortune to have a sister whom you love, and loves you back, spend as much time as you can, enjoying each other!

Twists and Turns

On the surface, it started out like a usual day:  Take care of the cats (grooming and feeding), have breakfast, check and answer emails in my personal inbox, etc.

Got a phone call from sis.  She and hubby invited me to join them at the movie theater.  Oh yes!  Right!  It’s Tuesday!  It’s the official Movie Day in her house.  She was planning to see a movie that I’ve been wanting to see:  “12 Years a Slave.”  Had a quick lunch, picked them up, and off we went.

Well, I have to tell you, it was one of the best movies I’ve seen.  It was first recommended to me by a very dear friend named Robin.  The title tells you what it’s about.  No holds barred on this one.  Powerful.  Brad Pitt makes a surprise, small appearance near the end.  Here’s the link to a trailer:

http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi1693624601/

Recommended without any hesitations.  Won’t go into details; if you’re curious (and haven’t heard about it), look it up at http://www.imdb.com/

Have to interrupt this blog – one of my cats, Rusty, who has made himself very comfortable on my desk, has “chirped” at me to let me know I have to stop typing and pet him.  And if I don’t do it now, he will continue “chirping.”  Petting done, now I can continue!!!

Err, not really.  Romeo has just joined Rusty on my desk, and is needing some petting also.

Oops!  How can I continue typing if Romeo’s tail is laying on my keyboard?

OK, boys, can I continue now?  Thanks.

Checked my Sunshine inbox to see a very lovely and supportive comment from one of my bloggers that I follow.  I felt truly humbled.  She has been supporting me on every blog this “newbie” has posted.  Thanks so much, Cher.  Please check out her wonderful “The Chicago Files” at http://thechicagofiles.wordpress.com/ and you will learn so much about the “windy city” in a light, humorous way.

This is a special day.  My late husband’s birthday.  Of course, I think of him every day, but this day was his birthday.  It still is.  His son and his family, who live in NC, called this evening just to chat and check up on me.  He’s so thoughtful – always was.  I gave them an earful about my last few days, and, since he’s always been close with his Dad, spoke about him.  It was a lovely call, and I think I kept him on far longer than I thought I would. It was just so good speaking to him and his wife.  I do miss them.

So, this “Twisting and Turning” day was just that.  I ran the gamut of many different emotions, and best of all, I will fall asleep tonight, knowing it was a good day after all.

Weekend Past

Boy, was it a busy one!  Self-improvement Saturday and Meet ‘n Greet on Sunday.  Got a chance to use my self-improvement only one day later!

It’s not the first self-improvement workshop I’ve been to in my life, but it was very challenging.  I’m basically a positive person, so I really didn’t have to work on the negative part of my psyche.  (Do I have one?)  My problem is that I’m still trying to find my passion!  It’s about time, isn’t it?  Have more work to do; speaking of which, I came home with a work book, so I can work some more on my self-improvement.  I firmly believe that we all could use some improving, what do you think?

The Meet ‘n Greet was a success!  We welcomed the most recent newcomers to our community, and it proved to be a very happy gathering. 

Of course, the wine and cheese may have helped a bit!  The day was perfect – sunshine (that’s a familiar word), moderate temps, and when you get a very social crowd together, the friendship sparks light the fire. 

While I’m sitting here, typing my blog, I started to feel awfully warm; almost to the point of sweating.  I checked the thermostat and realized the temp in the house was too high.  I forgot to adjust for the warmer temps outside. Too bad it wasn’t a “smart” thermostat.

Sunshine is even happier now! 🙂

Good Vibes in the End

The last few days have not been the best.  Neighbors sick, neighbors dying!  I’m not kidding.  I don’t have many days when I find it difficult to smile; these last few have been that.  Who else can I talk to, but my friendly neighbors on WordPress?  Yes, this is Sunshinebright speaking.

A different type of blog, veering off a little bit from my usual.  I’m thoughtful – these types of flashes of news does that, especially at this time in my life.

So, I decided to turn to my computer and see what’s up – chose not to read or watch TV.  Finished one book; ready to start another – not in the mood to watch weddings on TLC or scientific studies of monster snakes and fish on NatGeoWild.

Found The Chicago Files’ “This Is Hockey Night In…..America.”  Cher’s description of the difference in the announcers’ methods of giving “play by play” commentating is funny – truly.  So enjoyable – and, I’m not even a hockey fan!!  Here’s the link:  http://tinyurl.com/mfjk74l

Couldn’t help laughing, Cher.  Thanks so much for your great sense of humor!!  Sunshinebright is back!

Change Is Good For The Soul – Or Is It?

If you’re reading this blog and any of my others, and you’ve been on my site before, you will notice a difference in the background.

There is more than one thing (text, images, photos, videos) to concentrate on when posting a blog.  I know, it’s the message that’s most important, but I have chosen to change my background, and yet still try to keep within certain color and design parameters that I have given myself today.  I really wasn’t happy with the background that was there yesterday – I felt it was temporary – a “fix” from the solid white background that I had when I messed up early on.

I tried this one: 

but didn’t like it.

Didn’t like this one, either.

I liked the designs above, and some others but, when tiled, they looked awful.  I’ve been trying to keep similar colors that were in the original theme, “Matala.”

In order to spread the design across the whole background, it has to be “tiled.”  So, I had to find one that “tiled” nicely.  I am partial to paisley – always liked that design.

Actually, I had fun with this – choosing another design.  This is my blog, and I need to be pleased and happy with how it appears – for me, not necessarily for all who may view it.  If I get tired of this design, or decide it’s time to search for another background, it’s a simple (wasn’t at first) thing to change.

This is my happiness moment for today.  A simple thing, but hey!

 

It Started Out With a Book Club Meeting

Last month, after a book club meeting, a woman came up to me and introduced herself.  A very friendly sort, and I remembered her because she had contributed intelligently to the discussion.  She paid me a lovely compliment and invited me to her wine-tasting gathering the next day.  I liked her immediately, and since I had nothing planned for that time, I told her I didn’t imbibe but I would accept her invite just to be sociable.

The party was attended by some lovely people, and the conversation was very pleasant.  It was apparent to me that these other people were very familiar with their wines.  In the past, I have enjoyed wine occasionally, but those times became fewer as the years went by. 

The pouring began, and we started with the white wines.  I took a tiny sip – and the woman next to me was gracious enough to finish whatever little was in my glass.  If you have never been to a wine-tasting, there is just a little poured for tasting only.  After 3 or 4 different whites, we next came to the reds.  Never did like the reds, so the gracious woman next to me had a grand old time! 

Chardonnay Wine                   Red Wine

Finally, the last wine choice was poured and the representative from the winery announced he was pouring a very special wine that was a finely blended mixture of a few different wines.  It was a port.  Really?  That was a wine that I had liked, but hadn’t had any for a long time.  It was delicious, and, of course, was to be enjoyed by sipping only.  I did not share that with the gracious woman!  It was time for me to be gracious to myself.  Despite my original determination not to order any wine, I did.

I received the wine (port) today.  Up until this point, it hadn’t occurred to me, “How am I going to open it?”  I have never, NEVER, opened a bottle of wine in my life!  I always had a husband to do the “honors.”  Hmmm.  Rummaged in a kitchen drawer and found it.

How do you work this?  I never watched closely when my husband did it, but I do remember him saying he had to make sure the screw has to be kept straight.  I know, by this time all of you are probably laughing at this woman who wants to sample her new bottle of port, and can’t open the damn bottle.  Well, I fooled all of you.  I somehow, with difficulty, managed to do it and out popped the cork!!

Hello, port.  Happy me!

Predictions

I don’t like the weather person today.  I was fooled.

I had some errands to do and checked the outside temp:  70 F.  That’s OK.  So, I dressed in short-sleeved shirt and shorts.  It felt quite cool when I went into the garage, but I figured that was because that’s where the sun doesn’t shine.  The car was comfortable.  I pulled out of the garage into the sun.  What a gorgeous day!  Another beautiful day in Paradise!

Got to my destination and stepped out of the car.  Wow!!  Who turned up the A/C?  It was COLD!  Finished my business and got back into the car as quickly as my legs could carry me.  The outside temp showed a nippy 59 F.  How could that happen?  I needed someone to blame, so who else but the wonderful person who predicts the weather?

As of now, 8 PM, it’s 51 F. outside and falling, but I don’t mind.  I turned the heat on and right now it’s a toasty 75.  Hello, again, South Florida!

Image credits:  bing.com

I Don’t Care What’s Happening Outside

I really don’t.  It’s been raining, drizzling, totally cloudy, and getting cold as the sun set right now.  I really dismal day.

It’s bright and sunny in my home.  I’m enjoying my day – doing things I like to do, watching my TV programs in the background.  Spoke to several people on the phone, followed the ducks and white ibises on the lake out back.

Generally having a relaxing one.  Yesterday was busy and tomorrow will be also.

I had an interesting and uplifting phone conversation this morning.  Uplifting for the person I was speaking with, but for me, also.  It was a win-win situation kind of thing.  This lady – really no more than an acquaintance, but someone I have known for many years – had asked me to do her a favor several days ago, and I had to mull it over – she had asked me to set aside my “principles” and go forward.  We chatted about different things, and then casually I told her I made a decision:  it was a positive one.  I said I would do it.  Well, as soon as I said it, I could hear the smile on her face – her voice showed it all.  Her pleasure came through so strongly over the phone.  And a strange thing happened to me.  Actually a few things happened to me.  I felt relieved; pleased; and surprised.  I surprised myself – I had stood on this “principle” for a few years;  I was relieved finally, that I went over that “hump” that I was avoiding for so long; and definitely pleased with myself that the whole affair was resolved.  But, most of all, I felt happy, as if I had given a gift that took me great time and effort and to finally wrap up with gift wrapping and a bow for a special occasion.  Giving had its own rewards.  Rewards totally unexpected.

Image credits:  openwalls.com; redorbit.com; flickr.com; vector

Paradise Competition

I know, I know – Hawaii is known as the “Paradise” islands.  But there is another paradise that I’m more familiar with:  my South Florida.  Yes, it’s mine.  All mine.  And nobody can take it from me.

Am I being selfish?  Of course.  Today was all  mine, too:  no rain; puffy clouds, clear sky, perfect temp and all.

I know, I know – Hawaii has very clear, turquoise ocean all around the islands that stay pretty much the same temperature; however, Florida has gorgeous, different shades of blue and turquoise all around a whole, big peninsula – perfect for those who enjoy different water temps.  What could be better?

This one has almost a human face.  Quite lovely.

I know, I know – Hawaii has many different varieties of orchids that grow wild, causing much eye candy; however, this South Florida gal has plenty of different varieties of orchids that don’t grow wild – my next door neighbor is an orchid fanatic and they’re his “babies.”  Can you get any closer to these gorgeous, pampered top-of-the-heap flora?  No way.  Didn’t take any care on my part, either.  So, as far as I’m concerned, my neighbor’s “babies” are a “wild” gift of candy to my eyes.

An example of one of the varieties that my neighbor grows.

I could go on, but you get the idea.  This is a happy babe, enjoying the best of the good ol’ USA in winter.

Image credits:  Pinterest, first image; flickr, second image.