On a Lazy Sunday Afternoon in March

Last night we attended a 50th birthday bash for one of Bill's co-workers (Bill is my husband). It was a theme party, 1970's to be exact. Yesterday afternoon Bill and I combed local thrift stores in search of clothing for our costumes. Bill settled on a funky psychedelic tie and a brown vest as there were no leisure suits available :( I, on the other hand, bought a daring brown turtleneck. And who says I'm afraid of taking risks! Not to worry, my costume plans were taking shape. Last year I had bought a brown suede skirt at a vintage boutique in town (the tag actually said it was from the 1970's), and I had some killer suede boots that I was dying to wear. Some big funky earrings would complete the look. Alas, I was going to borrow a friend's Afro wig, but never got around to it, so I resolved to curl my hair to give it that big frizzy look so popular during that era. Although, I guess you could say I'm genetically blessed because big and frizzy has never quite been a problem with me. As for Bill's costume, he decided the tie was better suited to a sixties party, so he elected to wear a white shirt open to just the right degree to expose all of his chest hair along with a gold chain and some light colored slacks to match the vest. But something was missing and I knew just what to do. I made some quick work with a bit of mascara, eyeshadow and some eyebrow powder and tah!dah! Bill was transformed into Dirk Diggler, the disco king, complete with sideburns and Fu Manchu moustache. Let the night begin, the boogie night that is.

The party was held at a hall the next town over. The invitation said costumes were optional and Bill and I were a little nervous that we might be the only ones in costume. However, we spotted a few bushy hairstyles in the parking lot and felt pretty certain they were going to the same party. It turned out they were (phew!). Some people went all out with big hair, hot pants, halter tops, platform shoes; every fashion faux pas from the decade was represented in some form or another. I swear I saw Donna Summers there and she looked mahvelous. The deejay played all kinds of dance music and most everyone took to the dance floor, even those who couldn't dance (me!). Someone jokingly told me I was going to wind up on Youtube, at least I think she was joking. I haven't checked the site yet and I'm kind of scared to do so.

Well, we weren't the first to leave, but we weren't the last and yet we managed to stay out way past our bedtime. So that's why I'm enjoying a lazy Sunday afternoon in March. I hope you get to enjoy one every now and then as well.

Hey! What happened to summer? I guess I was a little ambitious in entitling my last post "Memorial Day Part 1" because I never did get around to Part 2! Well the second day of the weekend was really great. We never did get to host our cookout because it turned out to be such a hot day that one of our invited couples who has a pool, the beloved Newtons, persuaded us into taking all of our food over to their house and spending the afternoon/evening with them and the Snyders and the Stumpes (in the pool of course!). Fresh fruit Daiquiris and homemade bread and lots of other yummy stuff and above all, the company of good friends, made for a perfect Part 2 (and who said that sequels are never as good as the originals?)."

And now we are well into July, almost August in fact, and again I ask, "What happened to summer?" I guess I'll fill you in this fall.

Ciao,
Modgirl

P.S. The picture was taken in The Garden of the Gods during our trip to Colorado in late June/early July.

A Memorable Memorial Day Weekend Part 1

When I was growing up I was never much for Memorial Day, Independence Day or Labor Day. To me Memorial Day was a tease, a holiday that dangled the promise of summer vacation in front of me but then, the very next day, I was slapped in the face with having to go back to school, a hot, un-air conditioned school that sapped all energy from me and all desire to learn along with it. Fourth of July was never too exciting because I was already on vacation and therefore failed to appreciate the "day off" aspect of it. And well, based on my dislike of Memorial Day, you can well imagine why I didn't much like Labor Day. Don't get me wrong, I actually liked school, but not when the weather was so tantalizing and I lived up the road from a beckoning lake.
Now that I am a fully formed adult and have been in the workforce for so many years, I have gained a new appreciation for these holidays, both for their historical importance and for the break in the work week, especially for the break in the work week and the opportunity to commune with friends. This Memorial Day weekend was no exception. Ah, but it was exceptional.
We started out the weekend by going to a restaurant/diner/bar on Friday evening and playing trivia with my brother-in-law Kenny. The 3 of us, Bill, Kenny and myself have dubbed our team "May the Schwartz be with you," derived from the Mel Brooks classic "Spaceballs." We placed an impressive second out of the 6 teams competing. Well maybe there were only 5 teams, but still we earned a gift certificate for $15!
Saturday Bill and I did some puttering around the house and yard in preparation for a cookout we were hosting on Sunday. We also made dessert for a party we were going to that night. We went on-line and opted for a no-bake lemon cheesecake recipe. I love to cook (or not, depending on the recipe), and I especially enjoy cooking with my husband. We're a pretty good team. Bill readily assumes the role of sous chef if the situation calls for it and he also cleans up after me if it turns out that I'm the primary cook. In short, the recipe was a hit, which is always a relief when we bring something to a party that we've never before made. Some people might say we're brave, others might say we're foolish. I like to think we're somewhere in the middle, adventurous perhaps?
Our friends the Snyders, whom we've known since our kids were small, hosted the party and they had invited 2 other couples. All 4 of their sons were there, as well as some of their friends and a menagerie of pets. Michelle served Mojitos made with mint from the garden and homemade simple syrup. We provided the rum. I figured if the pie didn't work out, at least we'd helped fuel the festivities with the alcohol! But the true centerpiece to this gathering was the spread that Michelle and Jerry had provided. Babyback ribs that melted in your mouth, watermelon glazed chicken, pasta salad, grilled asparagus and roasted corn salad~YUM! Oh and Margaritas made by Terrel Meyer, oh my! We had a great time. We wound up staying way past the time we'd intended, but that's how it is when you're with friends and having a good time.

Musings on What to Do on a Lovely Friday Afternoon

Ahhh! 3:15 on a Friday afternoon with work behind me and the weekend ahead and a question in my head, "What should I do now?" I could go home and take a nap, after all I was feeling a little drowsy, but I wanted to do something a little out of the ordinary and there was that pesky gym bag haphazardly packed and perched on the passenger seat of my car, its contents slightly spilling out of it, particularly my bathing suit. Earlier in the morning I hastily put a towel, flip-flops and a comb in the bag. All of the things I had forgotten to pack the day before and which had precluded my carrying out the plan to go swimming then. Nothing was going to stop me today except for my lack of self discipline, but as a precaution, I had also packed my gym clothes. Again, nothing was going to stop me from getting some sort of workout into the schedule except for my lack of self discipline and the desire to curl up and take a nap. I clenched my teeth, put the car in gear and headed for the JCC.

To anyone who's wondering, I took the plunge and swam about 12 laps. Nothing impressive, I know, but I didn't want to push myself. I have to say, it felt great to be back in the pool. As a reward for my efforts I went into the sauna for about 10 minutes and emerged a slightly newer, definitely more relaxed, self. Now I can start to enjoy the weekend as I hope anyone who reads this will as well.

Until the next time! Modgirl

I'm not really sure how this works, blogging that is. I think I created a spot...look for me on Modgirl Spot and let me know if the magic happened. As I develop a feel for this whole thing, maybe something interesting will take place. Let's just take it one step at a time...Okay, here goes. I'm going to click PUBLISH POST. Don't judge me too harshly. Modgirl