The new digs

I awoke this morning all smiles.  I kissed and hugged each scottie girl as I gently pushed them away so that I could exit my bed.  I made French press with the creamer I finally remembered to purchase yesterday.  My grocery store has upped it’s game and has a shiny new aisle full of wine.  I walked up and down the aisle twitching my nose happily.  Wine does that to me.

The new house —   it’s a cottage (actually a bungalow – I prefer cottage) from 1930.  I love a home with a history.   As I sit here writing it’s complete chaos around me with boxes, papers, more boxes, unhung art, etc etc etc – said in a King and I sort of fashion — all around me.   I find myself wishing for a good gust of wind to bring Mary Poppins in to do that thing she does where everything magically moves to where it’s supposed to be.  The problem with all that, including the fact that Mary Poppins is in England at the moment, is that these things don’t have a ‘supposed to be’ place…. yet.   That’s the fun of it I think.  Finding out where my treasured items are supposed to be in the new house.

I’ve named the new digs as I name everything I just heard you say – Speckled Egg Cottage.   I love the word speckled so it’s a given.  Plus a speckled egg just like a Dapple Gray Horse makes me grin.  I really did just grin you didn’t see that part.    I moved literally about a mile away from my beloved La Petite Maison de Joie – into Frog Hollow, East Point, Ga.   We are about 15 mins S of the city being Atlanta.   About 2 mins to the Tyler Perry Studios here at the recently defunct Fort Macpherson.  Historic College Park, East Point, and Hapeville make up the Tri-Cities just S of Atlanta.   A very quaint historic district.   I’ve always admired Frog Hollow and boom – now I live here!

I had friends over last night for part business part cocktail hour wine cheese sort of thing.  Very much a pop up considering I ran to the grocery store with the new wine aisle because I had yet to actually open the refrigerator in the new digs.   After the appropriate amount of Cabernet, cheese, crackers, cucumbers, carrots and these very large beets which I’ll roast at a later date were bagged I scurried home excited to sit in the new cottage in the deemed living room area and enjoy the evening.  Yes we were among boxes and unhung art etc even though it’s chaos it was pleasing.  So pleasing that we sat up and talked for quite some time.   The house has a great vibe.   It’s happy I’m here.   I can’t really hang art until the inside is painted my signature pale bluish green (Tranquility is the name of the paint chip).   My art always looks FAB in this bluish greenish color.

It’s going to be a wonderful home – I’m sure of it.   Stay tuned for more progress. You can always find the house at #speckledeggcottage on google.  I love hashtags.  Shortcut to whatever you are following.

Have a super weekend filled with the hint of Fall (even though it’s high 90’s here in the South there’s  a slight HINT of cold late in the evening ha!), coffee with friends, a great Cab in the evening, good books , and anything else that makes you happy and content.   Oh! And Scotties.

Toodles

Much love…. Kimy

 

You can’t skip chapters……

Good Morning!  Life has been twirling swirling and doing a few cartwheels lately.   This is a good thing.  Truly.

I’ve recently rejoined the YMCA after much internal debate.   I forgot just how much I enjoy being at the gym.  I was a complete gym rat in my 20s and 30s.  I was an avid racquetball player – very competitive.  In other words,  I could most assuredly kick your ass then close with a bless your heart afterwards –  then throw in a big smile for good measure.   ::::beaming:::::   I’ve always been interested in learning Tai Chi.  I’m taking the class soon at the Y.  I’ll never forget being in San Francisco years ago- sitting in a quaint café for breakfast and watching hundreds of people in the park across the street from the restaurant in perfect unison doing Tai Chi.  It was mesmerizing.

So many people places and things make me happy.  If you’re around me you add so much to my life.  Know that.   Of course my pups add joy and silliness.  Bumble the newest pup completely did a #nobumbleno and nibbled on the new carpet I just put down.  ::::sigh::::: Oh well.  It adds character to it I suppose.   Plus she’s so incredibly adorable how can you stay mad?  I didn’t actually ‘see’ her doing the destruction – Bumble told me a small hippopotamus came in and did this.   It does look like a hippo bite.  So… we’ll go with that.  And yes…. my dogs speak to me.  Don’t yours?

There’s a wind chime of sorts I have hanging behind me on the deck as I sit here writing this morning.   There is NO wind whatsoever.  Still as the desert.   The chimes will shake suddenly making the most wonderful ‘tinkle tinkle tinkle’.  It’s startling considering there’s NO WIND to shake this chime.  When I look up it appears as if some invisible hand is shaking them up and down.   I wonder………  it’s the wondering that makes it an important event.

I’ve been very active of late doing some pleasing things like…… riding my bike on the Atlanta Beltline.  What an asset to the city.  I’ve also walked it many times most recently with Di.  Meeting Julesbee in the morning to walk it again.   I so enjoy being around masses of people. That’s also why I love being at the airport.   It’s the energy that sparkles all around me when I’m in a group of people.  I think that’s why I love the gym so much.  Everyone in their own world doing something for their benefit alone.  It’s inspiring.

What prompted me to sit this morning and write to you, is that I recently had blood taken for a life insurance policy.  I went online this morning to see the results and thankfully all were within normal range.  No diabetes, no high cholesterol no liver disease no high or low anything.  All perfect.  I’m so incredibly thankful that’s the case.  So many are battling something health wise and my time will come at some point I’m sure with this aging process (Although I’m in complete denial of that – I have the Peter Pan Complex never grow up never grow old thing going on…. don’t tell me otherwise thank you very much).   I’m THANKFUL… thank you body that I’ve completely fed too many  Krispy Kreme donuts (the hot sign WAS ON …. so….. )  too many cans of butter crème frosting (can you tell I have a sweet tooth – I’m pulling that sweet tooth in my imagination to get rid of it! Georgia O’Keefe said sugar will kill you… and it will).   I’m thankful and appreciate to you my body that is mine and only mine.    I’ve earned every 53 years of this body and it’s mine!! All mine!!!

That’s what I have to give you this morning.  Scotties, perfect blood work, the body of a 53 year old, cocktails, dinners, friends, gym, walking, biking, plants out my front door, thinking, doing, going, seeing.  Being present.   Taking the good with the not so great.

You can’t skip chapters in your life.  Savor the good bad and the ugly.   They are all yours unique to you.   Find the magic and the joy in life.  What makes you happy.  What doesn’t cut it out whether it’s a bad habit or people.   Do what’s best for you – grab life by the ears and hold on!

xo

Kimykins

** make sure you follow the cocktail… I mean blog so that you don’t miss a tale!  Leave a comment if you care ! Best to you! ** 

Happy…. and all that entails

Happy and content is the mood for this Monday June 10, 2019 in Atlanta Ga.   I arrived late yesterday from my home in Birmingham.  I float between several different places I call home.  I’ve recently moved my office back up to the main floor in my home here in Historic College Park.   I get great light in my son’s old room.  I can see out the front windows as Pip, Cricket & Bumble frolic in the front yard – digging a hole every now and then.   It’s just dirt so…. I’m ok with it.  They give me great joy my sweet little figs.

I’ve been exercising in the mornings (again) which of course when those endorphins hit my bloodstream I get the most incredible high of sorts.   It’s just a feel good contentness where  I can conquer the world –  oh and let me do so many projects…. as if I need one more plate to spin.  I’m pretty good at spinning plates it seems.  Gifted actually.   Not bragging about that I just am really good at doing multiple things all in a day.  I’m organized too about my to do lists and business and writing and blah blah blah.

I mainly wanted to touch base with everyone and say I hope you’re happy in your life wherever that may be.   I’m sitting on the back sunroom listening to birds, getting my Monday started.   I must go jump in the shower and then I’m off for the day.

My daughter turns 27 in a few days.   27.  WOW!  That’s almost 30 holy snap slap me now. Time flies by so quickly running at full speed although it seems as if it passes by slower than a long winded pastor at a country funeral in May.   Grab life by the balls and make it your own.   If it’s to be….it’s up to me.  That has never left me from my Brian Tracy days in my 20s.   Make it happen.

Toodles

Kimy

 

Waiting on snow……. in the South

There’s nothing quite as maddening as waiting on snow….. in the South.  I have too many things on my to do list….  for this to happen today.

I have book club tonight up in Ellijay where my cabin is.  I was to head N around noon — it’s only about an hour and some change from the city.  The perfect getaway.  N. Ga has become a Little Napa of sorts — with winerys and vineyards welcoming guests to come sit sip and stay a while.   Tonight was to be the first meeting of the Ellijay Literary Society.  We were set to meet at Ellijay Coffee House which is my nest when I’m up at the cabin.  I sit, sip a latte write read work dream rewrite my to do lists…etc etc etc (said in a very King and I sort of way).  This is my 3rd book club.   I’m sort of a cat lady but with book clubs.    I think 3 is my limit.  Just like dogs.  3 dogs.  3 book clubs.  That’s the limit she said.    Friends will say ‘how do you have time to do all that you do?’.  I look at them…. blinking… thinking ‘what all do I do?’  I suppose to some I am fairly active (ok..maybe a lot).  But there’s so many things to do go and see.  Also…being single (again) I CAN do anything basically…that I want to do.  And THAT…. my friends……  makes me a very happy girl.  ::::wiggling my toes merrily:::::  Anywho…… we’ve rescheduled book club for Thursday evening (note to self to change that!).

Back to the impending snow……

If you’ll recall the big one in 2014 —    

And the really big one which I do not recall at all.  I was 12ish. Blizzard of 1977.  

I do remember walking up to Stroups the little store at the corner of the entrance to our street where I grew up in Morrow, Ga.  My sister and I walked up to the store…there were no cars because of all the snow.  It didn’t seem overwhelming or anything…  but then again…. I was 12.  So.   I just remembered being in awe that we were allowed to walk up to the store by ourselves.  Of course we also went through the woods to get there which my parents would have completely put my older sister on major restriction for doing that.  I mean… HELLO…. creepy woods!!!

A quick recap of the snow in 2014 – I was intown meeting Di for a quick lunch…. snow flurries began to sprinkle down while I made my way to Buckhead…   ‘Its not going to stick’ I remember clearly thinking.   It’s just snow.  Good grief.   By the time we ate..chatting away as mother nature plotted and planned…  I left thinking I could scoot over to Goodwill on Roswell Rd one of my favorites.   I turned to look up as I got into my car… for the first time realizing the parking lot was now white.   I still had doubts…  but instead of heading to Goodwill, I got onto 400 headed S back to Historic College Park (only about a 25 / 30 minute drive no traffic).   As traffic almost completely stopped on 75 downtown I prayed feverishly to the Gods that be please please just let me make it home.   I just want to GO HOME….   THANKFULLY I did make it home about an hour later.   But many thousands were stranded on the roads left to the kindness of strangers.  Thankfully there were many kind strangers around that day.  And what to my wondering eye should appear? A text from my neighbor to come have Snowapacolypse cocktails which I did.  I braved the frigid dangerous snow to walk next door carrying a bottle of wine as we sat and giggled and cheered to the weather.   Cocktail hour in the South has come upon us indeed.

So far no snow.   Schools have closed.   I have errands to run.  I’m still going to run them.  Another snow experience……I remember my trip to Maine – Kennebunkport to be exact.  Years ago with Di.   It snowed the day we were to leave.  We awoke to a complete white out.   It was so deep the cars were almost buried.   We were set to fly home later that day.   All I could think is we’ve GOT TO GET OUT OF THIS FROZEN HELL AND TO THE AIRPORT.  Everyone at the hotel we were staying in didn’t seem to be too worried.  It was the last day of the season because they closed due to this kind of weather. They reopened in the Spring.  I remembered the movie The Shining…. and all that snow.  That’s the curse of an over active imagination in situations such as this.   So many images begin to swirl through your head.   Snow plows came…   we skidded all the way to the airport.   My hands were clenched in a claw around the handles by the door.   It was maddening.  Fun trip though in hindsight.  Snow and all.  :::smiling sheepishly::::

Well….. today is Tuesday…. so on the ‘to do list’ for the house is cleaning the living room and sunroom.  Maybe I will…maybe I won’t….  it’s all up in the air because of the snow of course.   It’s now 10:13 – no snow still.

I’m off to run errands…..  toodles.   Snowballs and all.

I’ve taken pics of my nest here in Atlanta to share…….  I would take pics of the snow….but I digress.  You’ll see where I sit in the mornings to sip my coffee and go through emails etc….  covered in quilts in the sunroom overlooking a bamboo forest in the back.  There’s a massacre of defluffed stuffed toys from Bumble the newest of the Scotties.  Cricket is shy and chose to sit poised at the end window watching for snow.   Amazing to think I live 5 minutes from the airport… I rarely hear planes… unless they are diverted.  The historic district here is quite lovely.   One of the oldest in Atlanta.  Home of prestigious women’s Cox College back in the 1800s (it burned).  Now we have Woodard Academy previously Georgia Military Academy.  Lovely old homes and some cool new ones.   And then there’s my wee chalet.  You can see Cricket the Scottie gazing out the window …. waiting for…. you guessed it.  Snow.

**Make sure you follow Kimy’s world to see if in fact…. snow ever showed?**

 

 

 

 

Happy 2019!!!

Can you imagine?!  2019 already.  Wow.

If you’re anything like me (which hope there’s not too many of ‘me’ running around – world would be in chaos but happy) I love sitting down the week before the upcoming new year plotting and planning.   Doing the usual new years resolutions, a vision board / book for good measure – looking over everything again and cementing this in my brain.  Goals are set –

For me – I’m very visual – the vision board plan really works.   I have a minor version I use on post it notes which is just a bulleted version of goals/ outlines of my life without the photos that I use in my yearly planner.  Yes — I have to have a planner!  I’m very tactile and enjoy writing something down and marking it off.   I buy the year at a glance with the weekly version also in there – that way I use the weekly pages as to do notes and go back and make sure I’ve done everything I needed to do.  Works really well for me considering I own and run two companies, have many balls up in the air.   I sat down with a dear friend, Jake Rothschild (if you know ice cream then you know Jake – Jakes Ice Cream – Irwin Street Market in Atl on the beltline )  at his delightful home around the corner from me (his house is called Sweet Selma Farms – it’s an urban farm – he has chickens and turkeys) his home was previously a tackle shop I think as the story goes.   So it’s a very unusual home.  Much like mine.   We sat with his two story tree twinkling as a roaring fire glowed in the corner.  The tinkle tinkle of the fish tank as candles were lit and wine was poured.   We cut photos from magazines and worked on our vison books.   It was quiet, mindful and purposeful.

The most important part of any year is what is the MOST important thing – which if done everything else will fall into place around that.   For me – it’s health / active lifestyle.    I’ve been very still lately it seems.   I think the divorce took so much out of me emotionally.   Being still –  in bed watching movies covered in Scotties.   Time to get up shake it off and GO DO SEE.

So #1 is health / active lifestyle.   Work, travel, projects anything else will completely fall into the best place if #1 is taken care of.

Work is very important –  then there’s travel which is a given.  Writing projects –  my house projects – getting the rentals ready to go.

Life is good and it’s what you make of it.   Work hard play hard.

I’m heading up to the cabin this afternoon.   This will be the first time I take the new pup Bumble.    I need to buy a harness for her.   It should be very interesting indeed.   Pip and Cricket are great in the car.  Pip sleeps in her bed in the back looking out the window.  Cricket always has to be in my lap wedged between the drivers side door and my leg.   That’s always her spot.   I’ve never taken Bumble on a trip except when she was little and couldn’t really leave her at home yet.  I’m pretty sure Bumble will want to sit with Pip.

I see a hot tub in my future, a roaring fire – libations and post it notes with more focused points of my 2019.   It’s all coming together folks.

Ok…. Off to do my errands then pack up to leave.

More in 2019!!!!

**Make sure you follow my blog to see where life has taken this southern gal…… ** 

 

 

 

Graduation Today

The Doodle (aka my daughter Laura) graduated today with a 2nd degree in Nursing from Samford University.  I’m so proud I could POP.  POP I tell you.  When she graduated from University Of Alabama a few years back with her first degree, you kind of sit back and think… ok what next?  She began talking about nursing, and then began this two and a half year journey that finished today.  Remember when she first drove off after high school?

I have to tell you — I didn’t realize I was going to feel so…. sad!  Don’t get me wrong.. I’m ecstatic she graduated and even spoke at pinning ceremony.  A high honor for sure.   Once again…. so proud I could POP! See?!!! I just popped.  Literally.

I just dropped Jennie off — my girlfriend who accompanied me for the graduating festivities including the pinning on Friday and graduation today.  It hit me like a brick wall.  Her apartment in Birmingham will not be hers any longer.  She’s accepted a job in Atlanta at Children’s Healthcare which is a BIG DEAL.  She’ll be in NICU residency.   I can’t even imagine.  (popping again)

She’s moving out of her apartment in a week.   Her nest in Birmingham.  Where she’s studied hard, and ate sushi and lived for years now.   She’s packing up to move back up to Atlanta.  Her beau is there who I adore,  Lee.  I’m in Atlanta too where of course I’ll see her.  I have homes in both Birmingham and Atlanta for business.

I can’t explain this sadness.  It came out of left field.   It makes me sad to know her apartment will not be hers any longer.   She’s extremely ocd about being organized.  Everything in it’s place.   Her closet is just so – from shoes to dresses.  Her backpack always full of books.  Her class schedule and her planner.   Her couch where she would sit for hours and regroup from a hard exam or study or just sleep.

I’m excited for her – gosh I love her so very much.  I’m so proud of the smart, beautiful articulate driven woman she’s become.   She’s not a little girl, or even a college student any longer.   I’m biting my tongue begging her to start a master program or…. anything.  She’ll be working now.  No more Spring Breaks.  No more can you bring me Chick fil A between classes.  Can you get me Real and Rosemary I’m exhausted from studying.   I’ve named her Nurse Doodle which I think she secretly likes.  #nursedoodle I teased I would get her lab coat inscribed.   She cringed but smiled.

I’m surprised by my reaction – it got worse the closer I got home.  Thinking about her empty apartment.  That’s what made all of this so real.  I’m literally sitting here crying.   Oh good grief.  I think this is normal.  Right?!  It’s a huge passage.  She’s turned the corner.   She’s all grown up ‘really’ this time.   Now on to her making her life her own.

Ok.   I feel better now.   I just needed to cry it out.

I really am so very very proud of her.   Every test was a nail-biter.  Every new semester harder than the one before.  Then actually thinking about employment which she gained immediately before even graduating!!  yes — I’m EXTERMELY proud of this girl.  :::::beaming:::::::

She wanted to celebrate last night at Chez Fon Fon we had a blast!!! Long wait which is normal especially for a Friday evening.   She glowed.  She had just been pinned.  Such an accomplishment.   We toasted Nurse Doodle!  Today was actual graduation.  Celebrating all around!!! Cheers and woots!!!

Adulting is hard sometimes.  Actually many times.   Smiling again.

Humor me.  Here’s all of these brilliant youngsters walking in to be pinned

This is the BEST PART — Laura Kennedy Davis speaking at pinning ceremony

This is graduation from Samford today.  Skip up to 1:18 where she is announced.   What a day!!!

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Charleston SC – Annual GF trip Dec 2018

A GOOD friend knows all your stories…. a BEST FRIEND helped you write them.

So many of you know my yearly Dec bestie trip with Di. We are two peas. Very different in many ways however very much alike in others. We travel well together. You know what I mean. You have friends who are completely dear to you… BUT ….. can you travel with them? Not everyone is travel worthy.
For instance…. Diane and I can go for periods of being quiet. No need for words. We just enjoy being in each others company. We can be in our own little worlds (for me it’s #kimysworld ) and she can do the Di thing. We have similar sleep patterns. We go to bed early we get up early. We go for periods of amazing conversations…. spilling our souls and we know the other one completely understands. We enjoy good food and amazing coffee. We love books…. she’s a quilter I am not but admire the heck out of her craft. We find quilt shops when we travel. I love quilts so it evens out. We both love cocktails and a good martini. She’s very corporate I’m an overtly creative business owner. We bonded years ago in a Single Parent class at Peachtree Presbyterian in Atl. If you’re an adult and in Atlanta you’ve probably been to the single parent class at PP. I’ve met some of my dearest friends there. Gee whiz I’ll probably head back there again at some point. Being single and all and a parent to boot.
Speaking of friend who you don’t travel well with…….. I’ll NEVER forget ‘that trip that shall not be mentioned’ where we took another friend with us to DC. :::::cringing:::::: this particular friend who actually sadly none of the original group of this friend level are friends with her any longer. For various reasons (mainly she’s selfish, narcissistic, a taker not a giver… oh but I do digress ::::coughing her name begins with the letter after J….:::::: ) Anywho…… on this DC trip during December.. think cold, Christmas cheer, etc…. this particular friend slept until noon, stayed up until wee hours of the morning… talked loudly on the phone when we were in bed, and watching TV loudly….. it was pure hell I tell you. HELL. There ended up being a bitter argument the first full day of the trip between Di and one whose name begins with the letter after J.   Incident caused by the one named with the letter after J.  Completely. I was there.  One storming off to sob and one being really piffed who stood very still turning red and redder.   I just stood there blinking thinking OH MY GOD WE HAVE 4 MORE DAYS LEFT :::blink blink blink:::: I took a deep breath knowing I had to be the peace maker. Good lord don’t ruin my upcoming cocktail hour were my real thoughts. Cocktail hour must be saved!!!! Everyone made peace, I smiled a LOT during the trip.  Di and I vowed to NEVER ask her on another trip…. LIKE EVER. Which we never ever did. Well… she did invite herself (yes…. she actually did) on a family trip with my dad… she ended up flirting with my father so much that my dad took me aside and said “I think she really likes me”. Mortified…I took the one whose name begins with the letter after J aside and said “stop sitting in my dads lap”. EXACTLY. ::::::rolling my eyes and turning red:::::::
Di and I started our Dec trips years ago…. we’ve been all over the US… back to special places like DC and Key West several times. Seattle was a wonderful trip – we’ve never really had a bad trip – ever I don’t think. Well.  Except with you know who see above.  We decided to return to Charleston this year. I’ll show you our pictures at the end.
We found the first night a lovely place to nest called Darling Oyster House – and darling was it!! The cocktails were divine and food tasty. We were at Hanks our last night which is a given….HELLO! We enjoyed the Charleston Jazz Christmas Concert. Have you ever been to Spoleto Festival in Charleston ? A must! We shopped, we drank we slept and talked enjoying the charm of Charleston. We had lunch at Poe’s Tavern on Sullivan’s Island which is my favorite place not because it’s really great food it’s because it’s in celebration of Edgar Allen Poe! AND it’s on Sullivan’s Island which I love. We popped in on an estate sale of all things on Sullivan’s Island. I bought a piece of original art and a few planters. I love estate sales!!! I took a sabbatical of sorts a few years back to Charleston. I nested on the beach at the lighthouse on Sullivans Island almost every night – writing, dreaming, sipping Firefly sweet tea vodka watching the sunset. Reading, people watching… it’s a magical place indeed. People ask about our wee traveling companions ‘the mice’….. we bought these precious felted creatures on our Toronto trip. They travel with us because it’s silly and fun. Don’t you think?
Next year (we start planning the next year literally while we are on the current trip) we may go to Boston. Or Telluride. Or……… ?
What are some of your favorite trips you’ve had with friends?
To friends and trips……. life is short take the trip!!!
#kimyanddi

 

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I just realized

Oddly enough — I cannot stand to read directions.  It’s as if I think I have some kind of divine connection with whatever the product is and I just don’t need to read the directions.  Point made just this very moment when I touched the button to turn on the tree and realized there are also colored lights on the tree.  Who knew? Obviously not me….. because I didn’t read the instructions.  Well cool!

So how did your Thanksgiving turn out? Good I hope.   I felt very blessed for all the activities and invitations.   That’s the interesting part about the post D word (divorce) are the dynamics change – the friends shift – it is what it is.   It’s the nature of the beast.  Interesting enough when I divorced ‘the one who shall not be named’ – I was the one to retain all the medical community friends – even though he was the doctor – he was such a….. well. You get the drift.    Very thankful for friends and those relationships that continue on.   Of course things change its just a fact of life.  Change isn’t necessarily always bad – I suppose I’m a sort of chameleon of sorts – I’m able to be flexible enough to shift from to being single again.  Although I sort of feel as if I was single all along.   I’m rambling – forgive me.   I feel as if a faucet has been turned on and I must write write write — which goes into rambling at times.  ::::wrinkling my nose and smiling::::::

My Thanksgiving recap – my son and I joined neighbors and friends at the Pritchards home.  This is the day before Thanksgiving.  George works for me hosting estate sales and his wife Linda is a flight attendant at the age of 71!! Is that just incredible or what! She’s completely my hero.   It’s always a delight to have any event at their home.  They completely have everything down to a ‘T’.  From dishes to decorations to food.  Lunch was incredible!   THEN….  that evening Andrew and I ubered to the Sun Dial downtown Atlanta.   It’s the lovely iconic round building you’ll see in our skyline.  Sadly, about 2 years ago a small boy was killed in the rotation of the floor (pinched to death I think which is horrific) thus the floor does not rotate at the moment.   Which is a bummer for sure.  It’s the only accident they’ve ever had since opening in 1967.   Hopefully they’ll be up and turning again soon.  Anyway… if you live in Atlanta you’ve seen the building and hopefully you’ve had cocktails and dined in the restaurant.  It’s quite lovely.  You can’t beat the view that’s for sure.

Thanksgiving day, I saw my son off as he headed to his dads (the one who shall not be named) for the holiday.  I drove down to Newnan to see my twin nieces and the baby Charlotte who is really, truly, I’m not being biased here I don’t think  — just the cutest darn two year old you’ll ever see.  She’s just incredibly darling.  I’m sure you’ll agree.   I got my Charlotte fix then headed North of the city to my besties house – completely thankful for friends who actually like to cook.   Di can cook let me tell you.   We had Watergate Salad (a very political green concoction) candied yams, corn casserole, turkey that was picture perfect and cranberry sauce.   It was very tasty indeed.   I watched them put up their tree – as she uncovered ornaments many of them I was traveling with her when she purchased them… I realized —  agonizingly so…. that I forgot my ornaments at the now X husbands house.  :::::::deep sigh::::::::  Snap.   I really don’t want to even see him much less ask for the ornaments back.  But they are some really special ones in there….from travels and kids and snap.   I’m going to have to ask for them back.   Maybe I can get him to leave them on his front porch.   UGH.  :::::: deep sigh again::::::   I emailed him.  Hopefully they’ll be returned.   I’ll keep you posted.

My Thanksgiving ended with cocktails at my other besties house and neighbor.   We have this table with all these collected items that get changed and moved as the days roll on.  It’s our alter to life I’ve named it.   Somewhat witchy I suppose which adds even more appeal.   I finally was able to spill the beans that our other bestie Jennie secretly married Stephen who she’s been with for about what….4 years now?  I’ve been DYING TO TELL ANYONE!!!!!  I was sworn to secrecy…..  and I kept the damn secret much to my chagrin.  Fudge.   I did keep the secret… she finally told her kids and all the other important people family wise thus I was able to finally tell Anda.   Extremely happy for her.   ::::dreamy sigh::::::

Anda and I tootled down to Senoia this afternoon.  It’s about 45 minutes from the city —  it’s where they film the hit show ‘The Walking Dead’ which is a favorite among many.   Sweet quaint town – we had dinner at MacGuires Irish Pub.  Very good.

I am happy to report that Bumble is playing well with Pip and Cricket.  She’s still the pesky younger sister but they’ve made great progress.

Ok.  I’m all written out for the evening.  Off to soak and read ‘How to live a charmed life’ very good book.  Then slip between my thick soft flannel sheets with slumbering Scotties.   Sweet dreams! xxoo

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Pre-Thanksgiving Nov 2018

Hello out there (did I hear an echo?)

I’m sitting here — with Scotties draped over my quilted sofa as my laptop is perched on a pillow in my lap.   Bumble the newest of the Scotties is so sweet when she sleeps.  When she’s awake – not so much – especially when she bites.  Those teeth are sharp!! My son said the other day “Mom – you look like a crack addict”.  My hands and arms are punctured from baby scottie Bumble Teeth. OUCH!   I can assure you I’ve never done crack or any other kind of drug….  I’m a wuss when it comes to things of that nature.  OK there was the pot smoking incident —  but truly – my arms and hands look as if I got in a fight with a cactus and the cactus won!  Bumble has very sharp teeth – she’s teething..she’s a puppy.  I”ll be happier when she’s beyond this stage and a full grown scottie dog.

Jennie  and I saw A Star is Born today.  With Lady Gaga and the guy with the blue eyes.  Sam Shepherd was also in the movie.  Oh I’ve always had the biggest crush on him.  Remember the movie The Lifeguard? Good lord YES!!!!  The last version of the movie with Barbra Streisand and Kris Kristofferson was the BEST though.  That’s what I need… a Rockstar cowboy.  Nah…. that sounds exhausting actually.  Fun to think about for a minute or two.  I really don’t need anyone in my life that way for a bit I think. More than a bit.  I need a rest.  Focused on work, my kids, writing and travel.   Oh… and doggies.  Love my sweet scottie girls.  Pip, Cricket and baby Bumble.

I have my tree up pre-thanksgiving (my mother is rolling over in her grave I assure you).  I NEVER put my tree up until the day after Thanksgiving.  It’s just a strange season for me this year.  With the divorce….. it’s not that I’m in a depressive state although that would be just fine considering….  You must have the lows to experience the highs.  Feel it for what it is.   I have another friend who has recently married … I’m so happy for her!!! She deserves the best the world has to offer and she has gotten it in the form of her now husband.   So very happy for them.   Back to the tree up before Thanksgiving has even started.   I believe in enjoying the holiday that’s current — but this year… I just needed to put up my tree.  So it’s up.  It’s flocked with lights.  LOVE it.  Heck… I may leave it up all year for that matter.   It adds a certain…..  Aspen feel to the living room I think.  Hm.

I’ve many wonderful options for the Thanksgiving holiday and hope you do as well.  Options are good. I am completely blessed.   I could stay in my pjs all day and watch Netflix…..  but I won’t.   I could though.  And that’s the best part about the entire affair.  Is that I can do whatever I want to do.  What a giddy feeling that is.  Pretty silly I know….to feel giddy about that sort of thing.   It could be the Limencello kicking in.  I love Limencello.  Who doesn’t, right?  I’ll never forget the evening the neighborhood girls met at Pat’s house (before they moved out West).  Pat brought out the Limencello.  We giggled until we cried.   Limencello has that affect on people I think.  It’s such a sunny happy lemony color.  Even the name sounds happy.   Oh! Remember the evening in Key West with Di – we met a KW local who had homemade limencello.  This delightful lady left the restaurant went home and brought us back a wicked limencello and we sipped and sipped – then we commenced to giggle and chat as Key West came alive at night.     Yes.  Definitely the limencello kicking in here.   Interestingly enough – a friend gave me this lovely bottle I’ve recently opened.   I’m by myself — just enjoying the heck of this sunny giggly producing liquid.   Merry making if you will.

I think about what makes me happy — people places and things.  I enjoy my small collections of items throughout my home.  My bird nests, my ships clock.  My cabbage bowls.   They bring me joy to see them.  More silliness I think.   And guess what — that’s a wonderful thing indeed.

I’m hopeful you have wonderful holidays planned.   If it’s just you in your pjs or a grand affair.  Make it your own.  Enjoy it because it’s your decision to do so.  I’m very thankful this year.   It’s been interesting thus far this season.   I’ll let you know how it turns out.

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Thistle Patch Cottage

If you know me you know I love a good project and I LOVE bringing a home back to life.  I purchased Thistle Patch Cottage which is a 1919 sweet little home nestled in a place called Woodlawn which is a historic area of Birmingham Alabama.  Completely urban neighborhood which has been in decline in past decades now has new life with people buying and loving these homes again.  I am one of these people.

As I was putting up the newest Little Free Library in Birmingham a car pulled up and a 30 something year old woman jumped out.  She introduced herself saying she just bought a home around the corner and wanted to stop when she saw me putting up the Little Free Library.  She said you must be one of my people.   That’s it — in a nutshell.  Build it and they will come.

I envision Thistle Patch Cottage with a cool minty green exterior with creamy/white trim.  Fig vines growing abundantly with a climbing pink rose on the front from Charlie Thigpens nursery.  I see rosemary bushes and Russian sage out front.  Stone rabbits and succuments spill over from clay pots.   A true cottage is being formed in this home that hasn’t been truly loved in so many decades.   Scotties will be running like banshees inside jumping from couches to chairs and running circles chasing one another.  Opera will be playing in the background or some Eagles for good measure.

The inside will be a light fern green – a glaze almost if you will on the walls.  A cream/white trim to compliment the calming color.   There will be art and birds nest and whatever else I fancy.   Because that’s the entire point — it’s my creation.  I’m very excited.  VERY.

There’s a group called the Woodlawn Foundation that I hope to become a part of.   They are pouring love, money and interest into saving these historic homes and adding new ones to compliment what’s been lost.  They are giving to this community what is needed. Love and interest.

Stay tuned to see Thistle Patch Cottage’s transformation.

Toodles – Kimy

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