Martini Musings

BRING ON SUMMER!!! As the last few days of my job are wrapping up (I’m off in June & July), I have a lot to think about!    What will summer bring??? First of all, I have needed a break.     For a variety of reasons, the last few weeks of work have been stressful.    Maybe it was the office move, maybe it was a packed full schedule (work and personal), or maybe it was the end of the school year blahs, but I need a break!    I am grateful for the next two months to rejuvenate myself and to take time to focus a little on me!  (I work hard not to sound selfish when I say that!) So, what will my summer be like?    Well, first and foremost, I’ll be counting the days until Baby T makes his/her arrival in early September.    I’ll be getting updates from Katie but I’ll be visiting frequently too.    Things will be going so quickly for them and I’ll be along for the ride! Next, I have a list of projects…...

It’s Getting Real Now!!! Today was a great day!    We celebrated Katie’s first baby shower with an amazing group of women (and a couple of very special men!)!    Her first baby shower!!!   OMG!!!    She is five months pregnant…I’m going to be a grandma in just a few short months!!     Of course, we all know it’s been real for awhile now, but today, seeing her opening baby things…the things that she wants and needs for making life with a baby just a little easier! I have heard it so many times, but I truly felt it today…there is nothing more special than seeing your child become a parent.    For me, she is still “becoming” a parent but it is so true.    I watched her “light up” when she opened the hooded bathrobe!    She got tickled when she opened the silver puffy coat and the black & white fleece jacket!     Her heart beat a little faster when she saw the onesies and leggings!   A...

May…a month of        celebrations Oh May…You are one of the luckiest months!    There is so much excitement during May!     It starts of with the most exciting two minutes in sports, the Kentucky Derby, and ends with the celebration of our military heroes.    In between, there are First Communions, Mother’s Day, High School and College Graduations, Weddings, and Pool Openings!    Whew!    It’s full and exhausting but so exciting for so many people…all in one month! As an employee at a girl’s high school, we take celebrating high school graduation to an extreme.    Yesterday, was one of several events that are special for the senior girls and their moms (or special guests).   This luncheon is when the girls are given a medallion from the school.   They are asked to wear this at the remaining events…Baccalaureate and Graduation.    The girls arrive dressed smartly ...

The Crazy World of Divorce at this age! I have always thought I was someone who was “with it” or at least keeping up with the times.    There’s nothing like divorce at 60 to set you back…waaaaaaaaay back!    I have mentioned in earlier posts that I joined a Facebook group called Worthy Women of Divorce.   In this group, there are requests for opinions, women needing support on many levels, and there are some pretty funny things on there.    I don’t dwell on that page much because it’s hard to read about people who are struggling so.    But sometimes, when I am reading comments on there, I find many acronyms or vocabulart words and I have no idea what they mean.    I’m learning that there are lots of code words and acronyms describing divorce and dating today.    Consider this blogpost a public service announcement…if I can help someone out there, great.    If I can offer you a laugh or two, great. ...

Bathing Suit Season…              Oh the Joy!! Full Disclosure to my guy followers…this may not be appropriate or interesting to you!      As a female, I think I can safely say that I am not alone in the angst that comes with bathing suit season.    I am impressed with my friends/family (you know who you are!!)  who are in great shape and able to walk into a store to put on anything!    I am even more impressed with those of you who can put on your swimsuit on Memorial weekend without any “pre-season” worry, or even trying on last year’s suit to make sure that it fits.   Then there are those of us who get anxious about the first time out.    It is a process…move summer clothes into their summer home and try things on.    Bathing suits are on that "try-on" list.    Trying one on can take the self confidence from 100 to zero in seconds.  ...

Happy Mother’s Day!! First of all, thanks to all of you for your love, support and kind words after my “Debbie Downer” post on Wednesday…and just like that, I’m feeling so loved and have had a great weekend! My daughter, Katie, came in for a couple of days.    We went for a quick bite with friends on Friday night and then went to Mt. Notre Dame to see the show… Little Shop of Horrors .    Katie had not been in the theater (her home theater) for awhile.    It was fun for both of us to see some of the friends she met while in high school and at the same time, to see the new talent.    We had a lot of fun…lots of laughs and a great night.     One of my favorite parts of her visits, when she travels to Cincy alone, is sleeping in the same bed, talking about everything, and falling asleep to old TV shows.   We had two special nights of this!!! Saturday was my fashion show.    Katie planned her trip around...

Debbie Downer Day   Those of you who know me I am no “Debbie Downer” but some days, you just can’t help it!    Today is one of those days.   I apologize in advance and appreciate you letting me vent. Since returning from Louisville, I have been remembering how much I miss “home!”    Derby time in Cincinnati was precious for our family and we shared it with lots of our friends in the area.   There were twinges of these memories with Greg while I was away.   Louisville will always be my home and some day, I hope to be back there.    I realized that although I have a boatload of dear friends here in Cincinnati, I have no family.    Sure, many of you are like my family, but it’s not the same.   Lord knows my family can make me crazy at times, but they are my family and there’s something to be said about having them nearby.    When I was married, Greg was my family.    He and ...

Another “fun” hangover!! For those of you who have following along on this crazy journey of mine, I have had more than one “fun” hangover!    Well, prepare for another!! From the minute I arrived in Louisville, (my hometown) for Derby week, it was non-stop fun.    Maybe that’s a little exaggeration, because I had to take a break in between activities, but it seemed like non-stop! There was a birthday celebration on Tuesday night, the all-day Track fun on Wednesday, Pizza dinner on Thursday, Derby Eve appetizers and drinks on Friday, along with non-stop TV coverage of all of the Derby Eve parties that had left me off of the list.    Then came DERBY DAY!    The Saturday that many people celebrate on some level, the most exciting two minutes of horse racing.    I intentionally got up early on Saturday to watch the day-long coverage that started early.    The news teams are all over the city, looking for the stori...

HAPPY DERBY!!! Guess what??    It’s Derby week people!!    DERBY WEEK!!    For those of you who know me, you know that I was raised in Louisville so I consider myself a Derby Girl.    I was never allowed to go to the Derby (the crazy infield with the drunks from around the world!) until I was in college!   My first semester, I brought two carloads of friends home from Murray State to do the Derby. We arrived on Friday afternoon to a pasta dinner that my Mom had prepared.    There were blankets and pillows all over the place for our sleeping requirements.    I was 19…not old enough to drink, and even after my freshman year, I was still kind of “new” to the drinking game. I had learned the trick for getting liquor into the infield from a worldly friend.    We would buy a couple of buckets of chicken at KFC in the morning and then take the chicken out, stash the small bottles of liquor (pints, bought l...