I decided not to wait another full week to share my smiles. There have been enough in the past few days. Besides, that it's Thursday (and therefore, almost Friday) is reason enough. So - the most recent smile-prompters:
- I was really pleased with the way this week's Gillespie turned out.
- I got a new, upgraded iPhone - for free!
- Riley and I got to have dinner with my folks - and Mom fixed "THE chicken breasts."
- Had a nice lunch with David at Jason's Deli yesterday.
- My Mother's Day flowers are still alive.
- I've been able to sleep with the windows open the past few nights.
- Josh and I got to interview singer/songwriter Derek Webb today -- a great interview -- and next Tuesday's show is already in the can.
- I finally wrote a new post for my political blog.
- Got an unexpected invite to today's ballgame. Even though the Cards didn't take the opportunity to sweep the Pond Scum...er....Mets, it was a beautiful, sunny day, and the perfect way to spend a couple late Spring afternoon hours.
- My latest culinary endeavor - "King Ranch Chicken" - turned out to be pretty tasty. :)
Well, here it is, Sunday night again. Guess who's been blog-slacking? It's terrible. The only thing I can say in my defense is I've been quite busy. And mostly in a good way. So...to the smiles:
- Riley had her Girl Scout bridging ceremony this week - she's moving on to Cadettes!
- Her acting performance for the Stages Showcase on Thursday was quite good - even if far too brief.
- Was very sweet to see a segment of the Showcase dedicated to special needs kids.
- Had a wonderful "staycation" in STL this weekend with my beau.
- In one of the strangest coincidences I've ever heard of, the two framed photos hanging in the room at the Ballpark Hilton were of the homes my grandparents owned on Portland and Westmoreland Place -- how those two particular photos wound up together in my hotel room, I'm not quite sure I'll ever understand. Still, it was rather a nice reminder of Grandma and Paw-Paw Moore.
- Dinner and the Cards game with David, Julie and Mike was lots of fun - even the part where the three of them moved to another section while I was in the restroom just to mess with me. (Yes, I'm plotting my revenge. ;) )
- There was a dude seated in the row in front of us who truly looked like he could be the love child of Fingers Malloy and John Brodigan.
- We got to see Shelby Miller pitch a one-hitter.
- I got a cool new Cardinals jacket.
- Our shopping trip to Main Street in St. Charles on Saturday yielded some yummy "Float Trip Pickles" and assorted other goodies from one of my favorite stores - The Olde Town Spice Shoppe - along with Mother's Day gifts for my Mom.
- During the walk we took down to the river and Frontier Park, we spied a wedding party being photographed -- and noticed the bridesmaids - and bride! - were all wearing cowboy boots.
- Our little impromptu BBQ at home last night was quite tasty. And I now know how to microwave corn on the cob.
- I taught David how to play Canasta. And he beat me!
- Brunch at Mike and Julie's today was nice -- we had a beautiful day for it, and I'm grateful I got to celebrate a happy Mother's Day with both my Mom and Riley.
- I got both the front and back yards mowed today (as the nine lawn bags lined up at the curb can attest.)
- We had sunshine yesterday and today.
- I got to spend much of my time this week and weekend with my love.
- I am now capping off my weekend by enjoying a Haagen Dazs salted caramel ice cream bar.
:)
I knew it had been a few days since my last post. I didn't realize it had been five. And it isn't for lack of smiles. More for lack of time. Then, too, the wannabe writer in me is balking a little at churning out posts just for churning's sake. Especially when they amount to little more than lists. Still, the lists are of happy things and reminders to me of the many blessings life has to offer. And I know the more substantive prose will come when it's ready. So, with that little bit of self-conscious rambling out of the way, some of my smiles from the past few days:
- Riley's last May Day celebration at her elementary school, though this one was bittersweet: I enjoyed watching her class finally get to perform the Maypole Dance, and hearing the Fifth Grade Chorus sing, but it was strange realizing that her time there is coming to an end -- six years has flown by.
- Later that evening, the strings concert at her school (which was short and sweet.)
- Lunch on Thursday for a belated celebration of Administrative Professionals Day with my secretary Judy, who's one of the sweetest people I know.
- That afternoon's visit to the dentist (who also happens to be my dear friend, Laura) with Riley yielded news that she has no cavities, but eight loose teeth! (Not that I am looking particularly forward to the orthodontics that will soon follow, but it's good to know she's progressing along.)
- Lunch Friday at Espino's (where I once again regained my FourSquare "mayorship") -- always delicious, and since my dining companion was David -- bonus!
- Friday evening, Riley attended a party at her soon-to-be middle school -- the kids had a blast and parents got informed re: all the fun things we have to look forward to.
- We got to put in a brief appearance at Dan & Tina's Cinco de Mayo party on Saturday -- was good to see them, and I got a kick out of their niece's kids -- especially little Chloe who let me help her open her birthday present and then reached up for me to pick her up and help her out of her chair -- been a long time since I've held a little girl in my arms.
- Dinner at Dave & Busters with David and his girls was delicious, and we had lots of fun shooting hoops, playing air hockey, racing horses, "driving" race cars and "riding" roller coasters.
- We followed that up with some yummy treats from Fritz's and lots of giggles around the kitchen table.
- Today, I was able to help my folks with a few computer problems -- I think.
- I also attempted another new dish for dinner -- "Doritos Casserole" was Riley's pick -- and it actually was quite tasty.
- Lastly, though it may seem strange that the (seventh) anniversary of my Grandmother's passing would prompt a smile, it did -- because thinking of her and remembering just how amazing she was most always brings a smile to my face. I like to think she's smiling back. :)
