Graduation AND Engagement Weekend Pictures!

North Carolina State Graduation Cake


Linley and Her Family


Julianne and Dick waiting for the Graduation to begin.


Chris and Frannycakes having fun with the camera!


Chris and Linley at Graduation.


Chris and Linley....aren't they cute?

The Ring

With This Ring I Promise.....

There is a song that I like that goes "With this ring I promise to always love you, always love you." Well, yesterday, May 9, Christopher presented Linley with an engagement ring and this promise. We are so happy for you and love you both!

Hey Yall! Well, it is almost midnight on Thursday and I am alone in the living room typing away on a Frannycakes post. I am feeling sad right now because my time here with my friends is coming to an end. I have had such a good time and enjoyed laughing more than I have in a long time. All of these things makes it hard to leave.

Friday will be fun visiting my Aunt Dot and cousins. I can't wait to see Mom and Dad and the whole gang from Jacksonville. Of course, I can't wait to see Chris on Monday night and visit with him and Linley and Maeby Shea! And Jamie and Lesley will be joining us during the weekend so we will have the whole family together. I wish I could spread all this out a little because it will be hard to take it all in during such a short period of time. But since I can't, I will just enjoy them all while I can.

I will talk to you later......

Where in the World is Frannycakes? Part 3

Hey Yall! Today is my last full day at Pawleys Island.....sniffle, sniffle. I have had a wonderful time and plan to not change that a bit until I leave!

Now for a recap of yesterday..... After several cups of coffee, we dressed and headed to a consignment shop here at Pawleys. They had some great furniture and some cute furniture and clothes. Next we headed to Georgetown and picked up Jeb and met John at the Ball and Cue. I had fried chicken, rice and gravy, squash casserole and lemon cake. And it was delish and did not disappoint in the grease department! Next we went to the caterer's house and talked wedding reception. That was alot of fun AND she had just moved into a new house and I couldn't listen to the reception plans for looking at the decorating and ideas I could take to my house. Next, we went to DeBordieu to pick up Ruth and then to the grocery store and then back to the beach house. We were pretty lazy the rest of the afternoon probably from the wonderful greasy lunch. Virginia and Ruth made Beaufort Stew for dinner. It also was DELISH! After everything was cleaned up and finished, we got on our pj's and got out the cards. These people like to put a little money on the table and I usually lose mine. I am not talking alot of money....25 cents per hand. The first game I lost all my quarters. The second game I won!

The other ladies are coming in today. I guess I will need to get some more quarters to lose. I can't wait to see what kind of food they bring! Cause they never disappoint!

Tomorrow I pick up my rental car and head to Georgia. It will be so nice to visit with Mom and Dad. It has been a year since I have been down and that is way too long. On the way down, I am stopping in Statesboro to visit my Aunt Dot. Hopefully I will be able to see my cousins too. I always have such a good time around them! I wish I lived closer to everyone. That has kind of become my theme song these days....

Well, I guess I need to go and get ready for lunch. Always anticipating that next meal! Talk to you later! Tootles!

Where in the World is Frannycakes? Part 2

Hey Yall! Greetings from Pawleys Island where we have the heat on! Can you believe it? And let me tell you, the heat feels good coming from the vents....real good! Sorry about not posting yesterday. We were very very busy. Scratch that. We were not busy. We did have things to do and people to see and food to eat and naps to take......Did you hear that? Naps to take? I took the most glorious nap yesterday. But I guess I will start at the beginning cause I know you are wanting to hear ALL the details. Okay, okay. Virginia and I accompanied Elaine to interview a caterer for Mary Ann's wedding. That was exciting. I remember the nervousness I experienced just talking to the people at the hotel where we were having Jamie and Lesley's rehearsal dinner. I can't imagine planning a wedding! But that was exciting and we meet with another caterer today. After our meeting we headed to check out a furniture store because Elaine was looking for a love seat for the beach house. After looking at the beeeeeeeautiful furniture, we headed to Steinmart because Frannycakes does not have a Steinmart in Maine and she loves Steinmart! Then it was time to EAT! We met Bethie at Pawleys Island and had a delicious lunch. Nothing better than eating good food with good friends!

Elaine had to tutor so she dropped Virginia and me off at the beach house. We had talked about laying out in the sun between the dunes cause it was just too dang cold to lay out on the beach. There is just something wrong about lathering up with sunscreen when the heater is on in the house. After getting my stomach full, all I could think about was wrapping up in a blanket and taking me a nap! And that is just what I did. And it was GLORIOUS!

For dinner, we had chicken enchiladas and as usual, we were delish. After dinner, my boyfriend John, who also happens to be Elaine's husband, herded up us and drove us to Brusters for ice cream. And it also was delish!!!!! Thank you John!

So what do we have planned for today? Well.....we have another appointment with a caterer and since we will be in Georgetown we are going to the Ball and Que for lunch. Yum Yum Yum. I do love a little food with my grease. Nothing like good country cooking! And after that? Well who knows. I will let you know later!

Friday, I head to St. Marys with a detour to Statesboro. Monday I head to Raleigh. I can't wait to take care of my Bo Bo. Then on Friday, Dick, Julianne, Jamie and Lesley arrive for the weekend celebration of Linley's graduation from North Carolina State University. I can't wait to see everyone!

I talked to Julianne yesterday and she wanted me to give her a shout out on my blog. So without further adieu......HEY Julianne!

I guess I will go get another cup of coffee and get ready for some serious chit chat. I will talk to you later! Tootles!

Where in the World is Frannycakes?

I finally touched down in God's Country around 5 yesterday afternoon! It looks kind of funny though. They have green down here.....green grass, green trees and this thing that I vaguely remember.....flowers!

Dick carried me down to Portland to catch the bus to Boston. Great way to go to Boston.....especially with gas prices and a husband who had a shut down that was starting Sunday. As it had been previously, my bus trip was wonderful with the exception that I was disappointed that we were watching "The Bee Movie" and I had half way watched it on our flight back from Italy. Notice how I threw that fact back at you!

I got a new phone for Mothers Day! It is a smart phone and appropriately titled that because you need to be smart to use it. If I could just get my email to work on it, I would feel alot more confident. I am not sure I can actually get calls because I have not heard it ring yet. The only way I know that I was getting a call was because I was holding it and looking at it trying to figure it out when it said I was getting a call. I will admit that despite some people thinking I should run back to Maine and RETURN that phone cause I am not smart that I have actually figured a couple of things out. So there! And I do have 30 days to return it. And I will be back before 30 days to do that after "Where in the World is Frannycakes?" is over.

We may be getting rain this afternoon and that will be fine. It is just so relaxing here and I am with my bud.........life is good!

I keep forgetting to report that our niece Maggie and her husband Ben are having a baby BOY!!!!!!! We are so excited for them and I know Vickie, the new grand momma, is ready to head to the states! Congratulations to the new family! He will be one lucky very loved little man!

I guess I need to go........relax! Talk to you later! Tootles!

This is a quick post just to let you know that I found a bathing suit. I know that I said I wouldn't post a picture, but I know you wanted to see it and I couldn't let you down. So without further adieu....





















Frannycakes at the Beach

Hey Yall! I have been busy today! I started cleaning out our closet. The key word is started. Because just throwing stuff away is not the only chore in there. I am taking out winter clothes and putting in summer clothes. I am sorting things to be taken to the Goodwill. I am throwing away things that I have been hanging onto for some unknown reason. Everything is being sorted on my bed. Then I take it to where it needs to go. It may take a while!

I just came downstairs to eat my oatmeal. Yeah, I know it is after 12 but I just got around to eating it. If you have high cholesteral, you should be eating it every day. Mine has been high in the past, but with the help of drugs, it is in a normal range now. It stayed about the same level for several years. Then I started eating oatmeal every morning when I worked in Roanoke Rapids. I have it checked every six months and the next time I had it checked the level was down by 60! And I can say that I was not doing any type of dieting along with it, so it cannot be attributed to that. I make mine by the bowl in the microwave using 1/2 cup of the old fashioned Quaker Oats, skim milk, 2 pkgs. Splenda, some salt and cinnamon. Yum Yum. It sticks with you!

I checked the CNN website before I posted and it reported that Paul Davis and Al Wilson had died. If you were a teenager or in college in the 70's, you have to remember Paul Davis. I guess if Dick and I had a song, it would have been "I Go Crazy" even though he may not know that. Of course, I have to fill him in on alot of things! I had his greatest hits CD and would torture my children by making them listen to it over and over. Just one of the perks of being a parent! I also loved Al Wilson and one of my favorite songs of his is "Show and Tell". Julianne thinks that song is just nasty. So whenever it is playing on the radio, I turn it up so she can really enjoy it!

I never did make it to get a bathing suit. I do plan to go tomorrow though. I know......I said that yesterday and the day before, but I do plan to go tomorrow....

I guess I better go back upstairs and get back to work! I will talk to you later...Tootles!

Hey Yall! I am having to regroup this morning. My hair stylist is sick so they called this morning to reschedule. Only fair though. I cancelled on her over a month ago because it was snowing and I was faking illness. Remember? It was the day before my scheduled haircut that my hair looked the best it ever had? Well, it has disappointed me every day since then and I will not be tricked again! My new appointment is Saturday afternoon. Yes, THE Saturday afternoon before my flight on Sunday to South Carolina. I was worrying what I would look like with new color and haircut yesterday. I am pretty sure I will look like a freak now. Just got that feeling......

So what do I do today? Well, I need to get off the 'puter and shower and dress and go look for a bathing suit. Ugh! What a horrible thing to do. And it started out to be such a nice day! I will update you later on what I find. However, you can be damn sure there will be no pictures accompanying it.

The golf course is opening on Thursday. Do you know what that means? The golfers will be a little rusty after staying indoors all winter. Last year during the first few weeks after the course opened, I would collect at least 15 balls a day in the fenced in part of our yard. Keep 'em coming guys and gals! We have friends we like to gift with our collected golf balls. Did I just type that we have friends? That would imply that I have made friends......actually Dick gives them to co-workers. Just needed to clear that up!

I guess I better go upstairs and get ready. I will talk to you later! Tootles!

Chris and Maeby Shea

Hey Yall! I am afraid that my posts are getting duller and duller. Of course my life is pretty dull right now, so that would explain the dull posts.

Julianne was home this weekend. I think she was sorry she came though. We subscribe to the child raising theory of "work 'em like a dog" and since she was home she had to come out and help us in the yard. Just ask the boys.....they don't want to come home any more!!!!!! When they were still living at home, it was a knock down, drag out to get the yard mowed. The boys say that as soon as they moved out we got a riding mower. You know who does the yard work now? Frannycakes is the yard girl. I actually enjoy it most of the time.

I have realized today that I only have winter clothes that fit. None of my summer clothes fit. So I went to Auburn to look for a couple of things to wear down to God's country. I got two pair of capri's. That is about as close to a pair of shorts that I am getting. I am finally getting around to getting my hair cut. My appointment is tomorrow afternoon. No telling what I am going to look like for my trip....you know....down to God's country.

I guess that is all my news. I will talk to you tomorrow! Tootles!

Horticulture Day, Part 2

Hey Yall! I thought that we were only going to do yard work on Saturday. I was mistaken. Did some raking, some weeding, some picking up limbs and chopped up some leaves with the lawnmower. Mowing leaves beats raking leaves any day! Then I power washed the back porch. Amazing! I think I should be a professional power washer! Of course I could not do anything over a one story house....Cause I am afraid of heights! The back porch looks so good.

I can't wait to see how sore I am tomorrow!

One week from today I will be in beautiful Pawleys Island. I can't wait!

Talk to you later....Tootles!

Hey Yall! We had horticulture day here at our house yesterday. It was that time to go outside and tackle the yard and all the mess that was left after the snow melted. Well, most of the snow melted. We still have an island of snow left in the back yard and a couple of islands in the side yard. Keep in mind that we have had weather in the 70's the past few days. It takes a while for this much snow to melt. I had to rack out snow to clean one flower bed. It just does not seem natural to me to have to do this!

The yard was a mess. Keep in mind that we have not been without snow since the beginning of December. Every snow storm would cause some small limbs to break off. Leaves and pine straw were mixed into the snow. Just a mess. My front flower bed did not fare well. It had at least 4 feet of snow most of the time. The box woods were split. I had to cut them down to pretty much nothing. I don't know if they will come back right, but I figured I had nothing to lose. If they don't recover, I will just pull them up and replace them. My oak leaf hydrangea had several limbs that were split under all the pressure. So it has been trimmed back and hopefully will recover too.

We finally finished up around 4. Dick and I can hardly move. We are pathetic! My arm, back and hands hurt! Dick's knee, hands and back hurts. We are moving around like we are 100 years old! There are a few more things that need to be done outside but I think we will have to put it off till next weekend!

For dinner last night we went to a little hamburger place on the highway. We ordered and then sat in the truck and ate and watched people. It had gotten kind of chilly plus I had not put on make up after my shower. So that was kind of fun. I am glad we tried this place again because our first experience there was awful. Not that this time was fabulous, but for a roadside drive in kind of place it was good.

After dinner we drove to Home Depot. Dick got some screen to replace the screen on the back door that Weezie has clawed when she is terrified that someone has left her out in zero degree weather and forgotten about her. Now that has not happened....too many times. While he was getting the screen, I looked at the rugs and found a jute rug for under the table in the kitchen. It has a green canvas binding. I can't wait to put it down. The rug I have under the table now is too small. Maybe, just maybe blogger will let me post a picture of it. Maybe.

I will talk to you later! Tootles!

Hey Yall! Okay....you may have guessed this already...or maybe not....I am in a funk. A major funk. Why? Well if I knew that I could get out of it! I don't have any reason to be in one. Maybe it is being in the cold and snow for so long. Maybe it is because I am missing everyone so bad. Maybe it is because my body needs a tan bad. I have even considered going to the tanning bed......something I said I would never, ever do. But I am about to.... Maybe it is because I am bored.... I have been by myself alot lately. Dick has been having alot of dinner meetings. But this is not his fault. I just need to get out of this funk. In a week I will be leaving for a trip down south and hopefully that will be just what the doctor ordered! I hope.

I am so agravated with blogger. I had a wonderful post complete with a couple of pictures and only one of the pictures would upload. I needed both pictures to do the post, so I saved it and will post it once I can get the other picture to upload. UGH!

I have added some new blogs under Frannycakes Recommended Blogs. Go check them out. One of my favorites is Mack's Mess. It is "written" by a Boston Terrier named Mack and is from his point of view. It is hilarious! If you go, be sure and go back and read previous pages. His April Fool's post was so funny. Mack's momma is one funny person....not that she writes this stuff or anything.....

You know I love me some Today Show. I can't decide if I like Kathie Lee on the last hour or not. Maybe after they stop that promotion of her and how great she is and how lucky we are to have her I will like it better. What do you think?

My daddy just loves Kathie Lee. So much. He loves to tell me about how she makes little children sew her clothes for pennies. In sweatshops. For long hours. I hear about this just about everytime we are together. I did like her and Regis together. I didn't miss them. They were good together. I am just not sure I like her and Hoda. I can't stand how she calls Hoda "Hoda Woman" and how Hoda gushes when she talks. Come on Hoda........

My plans for the weekend include starting to paint my kitchen table and chairs. I am painting them black. I can't wait. I know I will feel like I have a new table and chairs. I would have loved to have done this around Christmas, but paint needs the temperature to be above freezing and the garage isn't heated. I could have done it in the basement, but didn't want the paint fumes in the house. So, maybe this project will get me out of a funk. We will see. I am afraid it will take more than paint to take care of it.

Well, the washing machine is beeping telling me that it is finished so I better go finish that job. I will talk to you later....Tootles!

I Did It!!!!

Hey Yall! I did it!!!!! I actually figured out how to add the music to my blog! I am a genius!!!!!! Okay, maybe that is stretching it a little, but after four plus hours working on it, I finally got it work.

I hope you all enjoyed your April 15th. Thankfully, we had mailed our little gift to Uncle Sam last week. I hate waiting till the last minute even though that is what we always do.

Can't think of anything else to tell you about. I just wanted to tell you that I was excited about my music. Hope you enjoy it!

Tootles!

Good Morning!

Hey Yall! Frannycakes is feeling some pain this morning! I can definitely feel some discomfort from my torture/physical therapy session yesterday. I think I am going to have to exercise the other arm or I will look like a freak at the beach. Too bad I didn't get exercises for the stomach, hips and thighs. I know Dick's blood pressure just went up reading that.....we have a basement full of workout equipment and I know how to use it. Deep breaths Dick...deep breaths.....

I have been busy this morning taking care of a little housework. I didn't do much yesterday. The laundry stops for no one though!

Blogger has me feeling like a blithering idiot! I love blogs that have music on them, so I decided to download one to my blog. I set up a play list and was so excited and impressed with myself and copy and pasted it to the blog and what happened? Nothing, absolutely nothing. I give up. I can't take anymore disappointment with this today. Tomorrow is another day......

I have to run to Auburn to take some things back and I really need to go to Portland to pick up a dress shirt for Dick that had to be ordered and is in. But I don't think I will be venturing that far south today. Dick is not eating out tonight so I need to be home to cook dinner. I made Virginia's famous turkey breast over the weekend, so I just need to put together a couple of things to go with it.

And finally I was able to post a picture of my latest purchase at the Goodwill! Blogger must be feeling some remorse..... I found a bag of bingo numbers and letters that are on ping pong balls! I realize that is not exciting to everyone, but I love letters and numbers on things and this has both! Don't they look cute! This is not the container I am going to use. I just wanted you to see how cute they are!



I guess I need to go get ready for the day! Talk to you later....Tootles!

Dang It!

Did you see my title? I really wanted to type Damn It but you know I don't cuss so I decided to use my next best favorite word. I am so aggravated with Blogger!!!!! UGH!!!!!! I have been trying to post pictures for the past few hours and can't manage to do it. If somebody out there in blog land has any suggestions, please send them my way because I am about to, well, just type Damn It next time. Damn It Damn It Damn It!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I forgot to tell you that Skippy came to visit us a couple of weekends ago. Skip was Jamie's big brother in his fraternity and was also a groomsman in the wedding. We just love him and always thoroughly enjoy our visits. As we had expected, we had a good time and hope he will come back to see us. Hey Skip......hope you read this!

I saw my orthopedist today. The x-rays looked good. He moved my arms around and wanted to see me lift my arm and move it behind my back. He was amazed how good I did. I told him it still seemed tender. He told me that most people who have this break are unable to move their arm anywhere near as much as I can. He really was not sure he even wanted me to go to physical therapy. I told him I just wanted to make sure I was able to get 100% of the range of movement back that I had before I broke it. So he filled out the necessary paperwork for me to go for 1 visit and get some exercises so I could do them at home. The physical therapy offices were right next door, so I went in to make my appointment since I was right there. They took my information and asked could I come back at 1:00. So I went back for my torture, sorry, physical therapy. I can't imagine what that must feel like if you don't have the range of movement that I have. I tell you, I am glad I was only there for one visit. It was hurting! I guess I will start tomorrow. Can't wait.

I guess I will go and try to figure out why my photos will not post. UGH!

I will talk to you later!

Engaged!

Good Morning!

Hey Yall! I told you I would be posting more! Unfortunately, this post will be short and sweet because I have to scoot out the door right after I take a bath in a mere 40 minutes. I have an appointment witht the orthopedic doctor this morning. My arm is much better, but not completely healed. I will let you know what he says.

Dinner went well last night. I was not stressed out by the company coming....probably because it was only "guys" coming over and not the wives. Guys really don't notice the things that wives do, so the pressure was off. As long as you give them enough beer and fill their stomachs, the guys are happy. Now that I think about it, that kind of applies to me too!

Now I have 35 minutes.....gotta go but I will be back!

Finally!

Hey Yall! It is me again. Finally. I think I need to clear up a few theories that have been floating around about me and why I have not posted.....

1. I have not been asleep on my new fabulous red couch all this time.

2. I have not become an Olympic Skier and been in training.

3. I have not withered away to nothing from dieting. Trust me.

4. I have not been eating out and shopping with my many friends I have in Maine.

5. I have not made any friends in Maine. (explanation of number 4)

6. I have not been expanding my mind learning things I don't already know.

7. I have not been laying on the beach in South Carolina.

8. I have not been gardening. Trust me again.

9. I have not been spending lots and lots of time on the computer.

10. I have not been a happy camper.


It feels good to get that out of the way! Now I can tell you the things I have been doing!

1. Cleaning my house

2. Throwing away crap

3. Cleaning my house

4. Cooking

5. Cleaning my house

6. Organizing paperwork

7. Cleaning my house

8. Organizing cabinets

9. Cleaning my house

10. And finally, cleaning my house.


Bear with me.....it will all soon become very clear to you. My computer went to be repaired over two weeks ago. I just got it back. And while my house is cleaner, okay, much, much, much cleaner, and my life is much, much, much more organized, I did not have my connection to my friends and family. And being 17+ hours from the boys and my family and friends, having that connection is very important to me. Vital to my happiness. I am going to try and keep a little better balance with everything. But there is a saying that we like to quote in our little family....."If Mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy". Clear to you now?

I do want to thank Dick because he was truly feeling sorry for me. He actually left me his work computer a few days. He could sense the desperation. Thanks precious! I love you!

I have some new and exciting ideas for posting and being more regular in my posting. I have an excellent support group that reminds me regularly that I have not posted. I am sorry that I have let you down and will try to do better. But keep in mind that with a life as exciting as mine, sometimes there just is not a post. But remember that I have some new ideas about posts so hopefully you will not disappointed quite as much!

So what is happening with us right now? Well......Tonight Dick has invited a couple of guys from work to eat with us. One is here from Michigan and lived in Georgetown near us when we lived there. The second one has just started here and still has his family living in Michigan while they finish out the school year. Hmmmmm....that sounds so familiar..... We are having Shrimp and Grits and salad and bread and ice cream with chocolate for dessert.

Linley Shea is graduating May 10 and we are all very excited for her! Yea Linley! We will all be going down for the celebration. I can't wait to see her and Chris AND my new grand baby, Maeby Shea. If you have not visited Maeby Shea's blog, then please do.....it is listed in my recommended blogs.

We have another wedding to attend! Mary Ann got engaged last weekend. She and her beau Justin have set the date and it looks like November 22 is it! Mary Ann is very near and dear to my heart and I am so happy for her! And Justin, of course!

AND some other BIG NEWS!!!!!!!! Our niece Maggie and her husband Ben are going to have a baby!!!!!!! We are so excited for them and can't wait for the bundle of joy to arrive.

I know I have left out lots of other stuff, but I will be sure to include it as soon as I remember it......

It feels great to be back on the blog! I have missed you lots!

Talk to you later!

IT"S HERE!!!!!!!!

THE RED SOFA IS HERE.....THE RED SOFA IS HERE.....THE RED SOFA IS HERE......

And it will be delivered Saturday morning! I am so excited!!!!!

I predict some fabulous couch naps this weekend.......BY ME!!!!!!

Don't Want To Hear It!

Hey Yall! I told you I would be back. I have been a wee bit tired. I am not used to being a jet setting world traveler. But I am ready to share some details of our fabulous trip. But first......

We are getting snow today. I wasn't sure it would snow again. Wrong. It is coming down and making everything a nice shade of pure white again. I love it. Some of you...okay....one of you....JOHN.....didn't think this would be possible, but it is. I still love it!

Why is it that the day before you have an appointment to get your hair cut, not just trimmed, that your hair looks the best it has ever looked and you second guess your decision to get it cut? Mine did it to me yesterday and so I got up this morning and cancelled my appointment. Okay, the snow did help me make that decision. Of course, there have been days that I would have trudged through snow to get this head of curls cut. I now know these curls have a mind of their own and will probably look like crap today, laughing the whole day.

I visited the broken arm doctor on Monday. He said the bone is growing back where it should be and would not need surgery. Which is always a good thing to hear because I have had more surgery than most people and don't care to have any more. Ever. I go back in a month. I will probably need some physical therapy, hopefully not too much.

Okay.....now on to the fabulous trip to Italy! Our plans were to fly out of Portland on Saturday, March 1, change planes in NY and fly to Rome, change planes and fly into Catania, Sicily. Dick's mother, Gran Gran, was going on the trip with us, so we had to get her up here to fly with us. So she was flying into Boston on Friday. The plans were for me to drive there on Friday, pick her up, drive back to Maine, finish up with last minute packing, and leave leisurely and carefree on Saturday morning. Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah! Thursday, the local weathermen started strongly hinting that the flurries we were predicted to get beginning Friday night was turning into a full blown snow storm. By Thursday night, they were warning about the incoming snow. Dick had a particularly stressful week at work and every time I mentioned to him my concern about the weather and our scheduled flights out on Saturday, he would immediately stop me and say he didn't want to hear about it. On Friday morning, I got up at 5 and watched the weather and decided to call him around 6:15. I told him I thought maybe we needed to drive down to New York that night because if we didn't, based on what the weathermen were saying, we wouldn't be able to fly out of Portland. No he said......we weren't going to get out on the road that night. Okay.....I have tried to tell him about the weather several times. I have tried to not press the issue because of his stressful week. I mean, it was his family we were going to see and would be cutting the trip short because he didn't want to put a little thought into it, but it was his decision. I was just trying to help. So, if we had our flight cancelled because of a foot of snow that had been predicted for 2 days.....so be it. I was leaving in 30 minutes to go pick Gran Gran up and wouldn't worry about it any more. Fifteen minutes later, he calls back, and someone at the office said if we didn't get out of Maine that day, we wouldn't be leaving on Saturday for Italy. Hello? Did I not just say that? Had I been talking to myself for the past two days? Okay. It was decided that I would pick up Gran Gran and hang around Boston until Dick and Julianne drove down. I started looking around like a crazy person at the things that I had planned to do when I returned from Boston that afternoon. I grabbed a big bag and started throwing things in it. Cause I wouldn't be back before flying to Italy.

On the way to Boston, I called Julianne and gave her some last minute instructions about my things. I picked up Gran Gran and decided to go find the airport parking lot that we would be leaving my car in. I plugged the address into the GPS and it was unable to find it. Add to this problem the fact that Boston doesn't have street signs and that my brain was on overload. I couldn't find the place. We drove around and around and around and around and finally we pulled into a Wendy's and wait for Dick and Julianne. When they got to Boston, they couldn't find the Wendy's but were able to find the parking lot! Well, finally, we found them. It was so frustrating. But finally we were off to New York.

I had called Delta to let them know that we would not be flying out of Portland, but would be checking in at JFK. They were so nice. That would be no problem. They would transfer me to someone who could take care of that for me and let me know if I would get some type of credit or if there would be a fee. A fee? For not getting on the first leg of the flight? What? The gentleman that I was transferred to listened to my story about the snow and New York and Italy and told me yes, there was a fee involved.....but that he would do some checking to see if there had been any weather alerts issued for Portland and to hold on. After a long hold, he came back on the line to tell me I was in luck and the fee would be waived because there were weather alerts issued for that airport. Whew.

Dick must have seemed a little bit panicky at work cause his HR ladies came to his rescue. They booked us two rooms near the airport in NY and printed out the directions to the hotel from Boston and to the airport from the hotel. They are the greatest.

We were able to experience the rush hour traffic of Boston on our way south! I will be honest....I have seen worse in Atlanta. But we were all excited and it didn't seem to matter in the least. When we saw a sign for Cracker Barrel, we knew where we were eating dinner. Maine doesn't have Cracker Barrels. And we love us some Cracker Barrel breakfast. So we ate and headed to the hotel. Of course I had way too much stuff to take because I had thrown all kinds of stuff in a bag that morning. I had already packed my suitcase and it was ready to go. But these things I threw in was just stuff I was afraid I would be sorry I hadn't packed. So I did some repacking and left a bag full of things in the truck at the airport.

The next morning, we arrived at the airport and searched for a place to park. And that place ended up being the parking place as far as you can get from the terminal. No kidding. Thankfully, there was a train for us to ride. We jumped out of the truck, got our suitcases and were just about blown away by the wind. We made our way to the train. We checked in and went through security. Starving, we decided to eat at Chili's. Okay, that killed an hour......only 3 to go. We walked through some of the stores and made our way to our gate. On the way there, we passed a Dunkin Donuts and from then on all I could think about was those donuts in the case. I was immediately possessed. We all went and got a drink or magazine or gum or something to kill the time. Finally, Gran Gran said she had been possessed by the Dunkin Donuts too so we headed to get us a treat. It was delicious. We should have gotten 2 each. Our first gate was changed, so we moved and unfortunately, so did most of the people at the airport! Everyone was on our flight. It was packed. Julianne and Gran Gran sat in the two seats in front of us. I felt like a sardine!

So, this was the beginning of our trip. It got a little crazy fast. But thankfully, we were able to leave on time for Italy. And we were really excited. Stay tuned for Part Two!

Details, Details, Details......to be continued......

Hey Yall! I know that some of you are eagerly awaiting the exciting details of our fabulous trip to Italy. Unfortunately, you will have to wait ANOTHER day because Frannycakes is just plain exhausted. I do plan to start tomorrow and I do have some fabulous pictures courtesy of Dick the photographer. I was unable to take pictures with our new camera because of my unfortunate fall on the ice. I did have my small idiot proof digital camera that I snapped away on throughout the trip. I have not viewed those pictures yet. But I do know that the ones Dick the photographer took are wonderful because I spent an hour at Walmart printing out the first 200 of them. I plan to go print out the remaining 300+ pictures and whatever is on my idiot proof one.

Again, I want to say that we had an absolutely wonderful time. Italy is a beautiful place. Sicily is fabulous! Venice is fabulous! Rome is fabulous! Did I mention that Italy is just fabulous? It helps to have a wonderful tour guide when you go....by the name of Vickie.

I will be back tomorrow!

Can you believe it? Two posts in one day! As I was ironing this morning, I was listening to Matt (and Meredith and Al and....) and they were talking about the Presidents plan to help people facing foreclosure. Since the dropping dollar was on my mind and Matt had already told me that if I was planning a trip to Europe to put the brakes on it, well, I decided to write the President a letter, cause, you know I am sure he reads my blog.....



Dear Mr. President Bush,

After hearing about your plans to help people facing foreclosure due to the economy, I decided that maybe you could help us out. You see, we make our monthly mortgage payment every month. That is not the problem. I heard this morning that the dollar has dropped in value even more and our upcoming trip to Italy will cost us even more because of this drop. We would very much appreciate you making our March mortgage payment to free up that money for us to make up for the drop in the U. S. dollar. You wouldn't mind doing that for us, would you?

Next time you are in Maine, give us a call.

Sincerely,

Frannycakes

This morning, I got up at 5:30 and got my shower so I could get dressed before Dick went to work. I went back downstairs to get some more coffee and check the news and a few blogs. I clicked on the TV and who do I see? Matt Lauer telling me that if I have a trip planned to Europe to put the brakes on it......the dollar value has dropped. Great. Do you think he just doesn't want me to go to Italy and instead go see him in New York? Could it be?

Today will be a busy day. I have finished packing my suitcase but still have to finish Dick's. I have some ironing to finish....fun to do with a broken arm! Notice I didn't say "good" ironing. I need to take Weezie to get a shot so she can stay at her boarder. And at 5 I have a haircut appt. Nothing like waiting till the last minute, huh? I like to live like that.....just ask Dick.

I made red chicken stew yesterday while I packed. So dinner is ready for tonight. Dick is picking us up dinner for tomorrow night after we get back from Boston. Hopefully Julianne will be riding with me to Boston is pick up Gran Gran. I should have everything ready already, so maybe it will be a relaxing evening. Did I say relaxing......You know that won't happen. It couldn't. The weatherman said this morning that we are getting another snow storm Friday night. I love the snow but it is time for spring. The snow is starting to obstruct my view of the outdoors. At least from my recliner in the den.....

I guess that is all I have right now. I will try to post again before the trip....Tootles!

It Cannot Be Denied........

Yvonne has left a new comment on your post "Frannycakes is back. I am in a much better mood th...":

.....I have a red couch, chair and ottoman.....
It was so much fun talking to you! We'll have to do that again real soon!!

Frannycakes is back. I am in a much better mood than I was yesterday morning. After a night of nonsleep (is this a word?) and pain, I was pretty ticked off about the whole situation. Plus, I had let the pain med's wear off and the full force hurting was going on. So I learned not to blog when in pain. I also had to apologize to my home healthcare worker (Dick) for being irritable while he was dressing me and doing my hair........more on that later!

Home Healthcare Worker, who shall be referred to now as HHW, swears I was going antique furniture shopping when I fell. Many of you probably remember that I WAS antique furniture shopping when I broke my petite feet. And if you didn't already know that, I did not mistype feet. The word Frankenstein comes to mind....

I had gotten in the car with several purchases I needed to return. I also needed to return some fabric samples from the furniture store. Guess what? I ordered my new.......drum roll please.........RED sofa, chair and ottoman! Yes! Unfortunately, the sectional was just too big for our room. I can't wait for it to come in. It should be here when we get back from Italy or very shortly after. So.....I got a little bit sidetracked. Sorry. Red sofas do that to me. We still have a lot of snow here... and ice... that I slipped on when I got out of the car to check to see if I had broken a tail light after I hit the 4 foot snow bank in the front yard. I have already given you all the nausea details. If you would like more of those, I can give them!

We went to the ER in Lewiston that we had taken Chris to when he had his kidney stone. If you remember, I wrote about how he was treated with lightening fast speed because he had a male doctor who had had kidneys stones in the past. I swear. I have never seen anyone get hooked up with pain killers so fast. The Brotherhood looks out after each other. And while we really didn't wait in the waiting room very long, I was not given The Brotherhood treatment. We actually thought they had forgotten about us a couple of times. Dick took a nice nap. Then he got bored. He demonstrated his dance moves wearing a white plastic glove. (Michael JACKSON.....his cousin!) Then he moved to the little lighted thingies and wanted to look in my eyes to see what it is they look at. I swear! He just about blinded me doing that! Then he wants to look in my ears! They came to get me for my x-rays and decided to give me vicoden on the way....By mouth....they asked if I had eaten....ummmm.....not since breakfast, so he went and gave me two packs of saltines. So I have a mouthful of dry saltines trying to answer questions NOT about my arm like "Your not from around here, are you?" I am amazed they were able to pick out my soft southern accent spoken through dry saltines that were spewing from my mouth like a dust storm! I am sure I left a trail of crackers from the ER to X-Ray.

After another little wait and having my eyes examined yet again by Michael, I mean Dick, I was informed I did indeed have a fractured humerus. After another wait, two nurses came in and put on my new straight jacket and informed HHW of all the things he would have to do for me. I loved these Angels of Mercy! The one thing they did not tell us that HHW would have to do is.........MY HAIR! This is not good folks. It is not good even when I do it. I have realized that I will just have to pull it up in a clippy every day. We are having a hard time even doing that! Thank goodness I will have some females with me on the trip. Now I have to get up before 6 in the morning or I won't be able to get dressed all day. And I have to take a shower at night. Thankfully I have a wonderful HHW who takes care of me.

I talked with my brudder last night. Everyone in his house has been battling the flu. I talked to Virginia, who called sounding like she was concerned, but was enjoying the humor of my humerus. I talked to Elaine, who also seemed concerned, but wanted to rub it in that had I followed HER advice and stayed in SC for the girls weekend that started last night I wouldn't be having this problem. I talked to Gran Gran and Debbie who were concerned and Debbie, bless her heart, volunteered to take my place on the trip to Italy. Now wasn't that sweet of her? I kind of talked to Vickie while she was talking to Dick as I dried off from my shower. (If my HHW doesn't watch himself, I am going to report him for his inappropriate conduct while helping me shower and dry off. I swear!) Mom and Dad called. They were concerned. Daddy was aggravated with me. It seems that he only checks my blog once a day and it was before I had posted yesterday! So Tommy.....you get your 20% back. I know, I know......most of you don't know what I am talking about.........Mom and Dad love me more than my brudder. Up until Daddy's birthday, Tommy was getting 20% of their fortune. That would leave me with 80%. He messed up. Thinking that having his very adorable children sing Happy Birthday to their grandaddy might assure him of another percent or two, he gambled. And lost. They called on the 12th and his birthday was the 16th. Bawahahahahahaha! Daddy wanted me to be the one to tell him he had lost his 20% and I was now 100%. You know....cause they love me more! Then I had to go and screw up and post on my blog AFTER he had checked it that day. Dang it! So you still have 20% Tommy. Consider that your Christmas present from me!

My biggest surprise last night was a phone call from a blog friend! Yvonne called me! We have so many things in common that it is scary! We have decided that we are actually twins that were separated at birth! She is the skinny twin.....! I am afraid that my soft subtle southern accent may have startled her. She sounded like the professional, successful woman and mother that she is! Hopefully we will have the opportunity to meet soon! Thank you for calling Yvonne!

Can you tell I am limited in my activities right now? Have you also realized that I typed this using one hand? My college typing professor would be so proud! Hopefully spellcheck is working again or you will see how bad I type one handed!

Better go.....talk to you later! Tootles!

update: Big Head Fred has volunteered to come and help me!

Humerus?

There is nothing humorous about this post. I am not a happy girl. Proceed with caution.

I fell on our ice covered driveway yesterday around lunch time. After laying there deciding that I was not going to pass out, but pretty sure I was going to throw up, I got up and went inside. I stopped at the bathroom to take care of that problem, but the passing out possibility has entered the picture again. So I make my way to the sofa but have to stop by the kitchen garbage can to try and throw up again. I finish and grab the phone on my way to the sofa. My arm is screaming at this point. I call Dick to please come take me to the hospital. Long story short, and I will fill you in on everything later, I have a fractured humerus. They do not cast this type of fracture. You get a sling with a swadle (belt that velcro's around your waist). You sleep on your back without the sling. The pain killers have helped, but not the whole time. I didn't sleep well and I am hurting. Bad mood? The worst.

I will talk to you later.

Hey Yall! Yes, you are reading right. I have updated. Let's not make a big deal out of this.......even though it has been a long time!

Okay....what has been happening in Frannycakes life? First of all, I had a wonderful time in South Carolina, as usual. Elaine, the hostess with the mostest, entertained me with the thing we do best together....shopping. You know how it is when you have something special to attend (wedding) and you are not sure if what you have to wear is good enough? Well, we shopped, we purchased, and we returned. What did I end up with? A new top that I wore to the rehearsal dinner...on sale for $24. I also bought a new pair of suede boots cause I live in the frozen tundra. They were 75% off cause they are virtually useless in South Carolina right now! I can't wait to wear them. Of course I have to wait till the slushy mess around here is over.

Friday I went to see Julianne at school and spent the day with her. We had a great time. It makes me feel good to see Julianne happy. We had lunch at a Mexican restaurant. We love us some Mexican food! Then Julianne humored me and took me to the Goodwill, my favorite store. And I was not disappointed! One lucky family member will receive an almost new pair of designer needlepoint shoes. (I would tell you the name of the company but I am too lazy to run upstairs to get the shoe and bring it back down!) I looked the company up on the net, and priced the shoes.......$350!!!!!! Julianne spotted the shoes (of course she would!) and said we should get them. Someone is going to be very happy and if they don't fit her, then I will probably sell them on Ebay. I know I have said it before, but our Goodwills in Maine are very, very different from the Goodwills in the South. Did I tell you what the price was on the shoes? $2.99! I think I should be a Goodwill Personal Shopper!

My Valentine took me to dinner to celebrate Valentines Day. We had a great meal at Le Fleurs in Jay.

I think I have found my red sectional! Only it probably won't be a sectional. And maybe not red. We think the sectional will be too big for the room. Bummer. And I have a trillion different choices in the upholstry line to choose from and I have already told our "designer" that I can't make a decision. So there is no telling what I will end up with. Hopefully I will order it this week.

Guess where I am going THIS week? Raleigh! To see my BOBO! I can't wait to see Maeby Shea and of course, Linley Shea. Chris said that Maeby Shea went for her shots Saturday and she weighed 13 lbs. I can't wait to spend some time with them.

Whew! So much to think about. I am in total brain overload right now. Which is probably the reason I have not posted because my mind is going 100 mph! Yep...that is it. I return to Maine on Tuesday. Wednesday, I go pick up Weezie from Julianne. Thurday I pack and clean. Friday I take Weezie to the boarder on the way to get Gran Gran in Boston. Saturday we leave for Italy. I was asked this week if I was excited. Well, yes, but no. I am unable to think that far ahead of time even if it just next week. Too much at one time! It seems like my life is like that. I go for so long doing nothing........them BAM! Everything at one time! I guess the alternative is doing nothing. So I shouldn't complain but that has never stopped me before so don't expect it to stop me now! I will be excited about Italy as soon as I get back from Raleigh!

Chris called yesterday and he is sick with a bad cold....hopefully not the flu....

Jamie and Lesley are going skiing next weekend! I know they will have a great time. Don't break anything! Grace Darling had her "little no babies" surgery last week. Since she had a problem with licking her incision, she left the hospital with a cone. She is a cone head! And she is not happy. Hopefully, it will be off soon.

Dick and I had a fairly relaxing weekend. Saturday we went to LL Bean and got him a pair of shoes for Italy. Of course we also got a lot of other stuff too. They were so crowded that I couldn't shop for me. So maybe I will go over tomorrow and look around. We ate BBQ on the way home in Augusta and I ran into Kohls to pick up a couple of things for the trip. I am returning everything I purchased....just didn't look as good at home! Oh well. Sunday, we went to Auburn and got a case for our new fabulous camera. I need to get a degree to use it, but....it is a fabulous camera! That afternoon Dick watched the race while I piddled around. Dick said he was not going to work all day today. I asked him if he wanted me to go to work with him and nag him all day about leaving early....he said I could.....of course that owuld involve me getting up early and getting dressed. I am still in my sexy flannel pj's right now. Guess you figured out I didn't go to work with him!

We are getting rain here this morning. The temerature is just a little above freezing and chunks of ice are falling off the roof and making lots of noise. It sounds like someone is trying to break in. As usual, our guard dog Weezie does not break a snore then it falls. I feel so safe!

I guess I should go get a shower. I have so much to do and you know what I want to do when this happens.....TAKE A NAP! But I will fight it and get ready cause I really need to vacumm. And dust. And...........just fill in the blanks....it all needs to be done.

I will talk to you later! Tootles!

This will be a really quick post because it is late and my feet are hurting. But I had to let you all know that I feel like I have had my batteries recharged. Tonight, the daughter of one of my best friends got married. Ashley was a beautiful bride! The wedding was in Georgetown where Dick and I lived off and on for about 17 years. At the reception, I got to see many people that I have not seen in a long time. And after living in places where you know no one and people could really care less whether they get to know you or not....well.....it felt good for people to want to give me a hug and catch up. It was wonderful to see everyone. And it made me miss Georgetown so bad. So bad! But my emotional batteries are recharged and will sustain me for a while. Thank you Ashley for getting married. And thank you Georgetown for not forgetting me. I love you all.

Hey Yall! I just wanted to let you know that Frannycakes will be leaving on a jet plane Thursday for a little vacation.......that is if she can make it to the airport. It has been snowing off and on for the past couple of days and is supposed to snow tonight and tomorrow. I am keeping my fingers crossed!

I will be leaving my beloved computer here. I know, I know. The horror of it all! If you need to get in touch with me, you can email me. Hopefully 'Laine will let me check my email at her house. I just won't be checking it as much. I will be thinking about you all!

Tootles!

Hey Yall! It is dreary looking outside. We are supposed to get a little snow, rain and ice. We should be over it by Sunday. BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH Yes, you read that right.....BLAH!

Even though it is now February, I still have a hangover from the January blues that I seem to get every year. That is about the only kind of hangover I get. I know that made it sound like I want a hangover....I do not. I had a few of those during my earlier years and I really don't want to repeat that wonderful feeling.

I made my bedskirt. It looks marvelous! It was easy and fun to make. It makes my bed look so big and HIGH! I have the material to make my curtains. I really wanted to find some trim for the curtains, but I wasn't able to find what I wanted at the price I wanted to pay. I need 18 yards. So I have improvised.....I will let you see the finished product when I am....like....finished!....and you can tell me if it looks hokey (cheap). If this was my forever and ever house, I might pay for the trim I want, but unfortunately, this isn't the forever house. We are closer to that house, but not there yet. I got a pattern for the curtains for my kitchen. I am excited about that. I may be sewing alot this weekend. I really want to finish my bedroom before I go to South Carolina. I need to sew all weekend for sure! But I might need to sleep some too....we will see.

I can't remember if I told yall we were going to Las Vegas. Well, that trip has been cancelled. I didn't think I would care that we weren't going, but I guess it did cause it has made me even sadder. Suck it up Frannycakes!

We are, however, going to beautiful Italy. So I shouldn't be too sad should I? Dick and I don't seem to be able to talk about what we want to do there because he has been busy and I feel like we will just be going there with nothing planned. Vickie has been so nice with suggestions. I just don't want to be the one responsible for everyone having a good time. Too big a trip for that, right?

The shower is calling my name and if I don't go to the grocery now, we will be eating cereal all weekend. Hey! I may be on to something! Dick, take a deep breath....I will have "adult" cereal for you! I will take care of my man!

Talk to you all later! Tootles!