The gift of 5 senses

Have you ever stopped to think about what a gift our senses are?

This week I got a crash course in the gift of eye sight.

I happened to be at the grocery store of all places. I grabbed a cart and quickly switched out my sunglasses for my "inside" pair.  No big deal. Take one off, put the other on.
In my haste, I jabbed my eyelid. WOW! That hurt!

With only one eye in focus, I managed to guide my cart down each aisle without crashing into anyone. I paid for the groceries, drove home, and all seemed to be fine. Denial. It works for a little while. Reality usually wins.

It wasn't long and I found myself here.

I explained what happened and the doctor assured me I did the right thing by coming in. She discussed  how quickly "blunt trauma" can happen with the simplest of tasks.

With skilled calm, the doctor tested each eye with delicate care and placed the dreaded drop in my right eye to dilate it. I waited for about 20 minutes for the liquid to do its magic. It was easy to pass the time.

You see, my doctor is pregnant! First child! We talked about lots of stuff! I asked lots of questions. (Surprise surprise!)  Questions like, "Did you have a reveal party?"

That's the big thing now. Expectant parents want to know the sex of their baby. Some go to great lengths to find out. I've heard of guests biting into cupcakes with pink or blue on the inside, balloons escaping from wrapped boxes... reveals can get pretty elaborate!
My doctor wasn't in to all that. After all, she is a doctor and when she went in for an ultrasound, it was pretty obvious there was a little boy bouncing around in her tummy! She just picked up the phone and called family and said, "Hey, guess what? We're having a baby boy!"

Okay---SQUIRREL!
Back to my eye!

With my eye dilated and ready to check, she flashed a bright light and really peeked into the retina to be sure no damage was done.

To my great relief, my eye was swollen ,but not injured.
She is confident I will be fine. Whew!

All I have to do is place these drops in my eye for a few days and learn how to hook my glasses with greater accuracy!

We only get one pair of eyes. I'm so thankful for my sight. Take care of yours too!




 

Tea week in the UK

Did you know it's National Afternoon Tea Week in the UK?

Here's a trivia question for you.          How many cups of tea do the British drink in a day? 
I'll let you steep on that for a bit.

I was spoiled on my recent holiday to England.
These two made sure I had tea any time I wanted.

 My dear England friends, Marion and Alan.

One day I asked why their tea tasted so much better than when I make it at home here in the states.
I have a tea maker,sugar cubes and cream. Somehow it doesn't taste at all the same.

They shared their secret.

A proper brew! It says so on the box! "Bringing you a proper brew!"

We made a beeline to the grocer near their home and snagged a box.
Wish we would have bought more because now I have a problem.

I only have enough for two more days!  I've been on the hunt for the liquid gold.  Some specialty store has got to have Yorkshire Tea. Here's hoping I find some soon!

Each sip has been heavenly. I think its because I bought the bags of tea in England.

And as for the tea tasting so good over there across the pond? I'm positive it's because my friends brewed it for me themselves.  A proper tea all for me whenever I asked! Now that's something to celebrate.

May you take the time this week to sit and enjoy a cup of tea every day. I know I will.

The answer to the cups of tea drank in England?

165 million! 

Like oxygen!

It's so stinkin' hot here in the Midwest. Downright sultry.
On sweltering days like these, what's a girl to do?

Think gelato!

I frequented gelato shops any chance I could while in Spain. I guess you could say I needed gelato. 

Okay, maybe 'needed' is a bit of a stretch, but I was on holiday and filling up on gelato was like oxygen. Eating gelato sustained life! Wink wink!

Looking back at photos, you'd think that was all I ate!

I really did have gelato every day. Sometimes twice! No wonder I'm having a hard time with my zippers!

So many flavors!

I spooned in every bite...

I should have collected the spoons!

My favorite flavor?  Straciatella. (chocolate chip)

These happy girls saw us coming night after night. They had the little spoons ready! We got to try every flavor.  I wonder what they thought of us Americans!

Have you ever had gelato?
Which do you prefer...Ice cream or gelato?

The planning begins

Remember this?

1900 names on the guest list that included kings and queens, a tiara on loan from the queen, and an exquisite gown designed by the Alexander McQueen team.

A beautiful day viewed by millions around the world. A day The Duchess of Cambridge will never forget.

This weekend, our daughter began planning  her own fairy tale happily ever after.  

Her very own royal wedding. A special day she won't ever forget.
She got engaged! 

No, the guest list won't include kings and queens, and unfortunately a tiara from the queen will likely not be something borrowed.  Further, the dress won't be created by a famous designer, but its going to be beautiful.  Lovely. All because my baby girl will be wearing it.

It has been a whirlwind weekend. Already we have been discussing venues and  started the guest list.

Let the merry making begin!

What's inside?

Windows and doors fascinated me while in Spain.

Houses are closed up pretty tight due to the heat. I loved walking past entrances like this one. Imagine what the inside of this place looks like!  Is it spectacular? Just a facade?  

How about these? Not so great on the outside, but magnificent inside?  

Beautiful tiles are a part of the interior in most homes. I peeked wherever I could!

Majestic views and celestial palaces awaited behind some of those doors!  We could see for miles in this "backyard!" What a view. My photos really do not do it justice. How would you like to have a BBQ on that patio! The vibrant tiles glistened in the hot sun, and  I can still hear the sound of water babbling from a built-in wall fountain.
A serene place.  Priests from all over the world come to this captivating spot in Casa Don Bosco, Ronda,Spain.  Peace and rest is in store for them.  

All these photos of doors and windows got me thinking.  Wondering about people.

Looking at a door or window like the ones above, (bars on the window, faded brown door) its easy to keep walking. Worn and chipped, there is nothing special to see. Undesirable. They're not eye catching like the stained glass door. But, walk inside and our perception changes. Immediately.  We have a different view.

What if we really looked at the human race and saw people for their worth? Didn't judge by our first impression? Yeah...what if?

Simon the Pieman

Yesterday I met with my writing group.   Surrounded by men and women who totally get me, they remind me just how much I love to write.  A shared interest. Writing.  
I love the quote, "Remember, we're the normal ones!"   My group. The normal ones. They make me a better writer.

This is the first time I've seen them since my holiday. They asked lots of questions. Questions like, "What was your favorite?" "Did you find lots of research?" "Did you go to Rye?"

My answers..."So hard to pick a favorite." "Yep. Lots of research" "Yes I went to Rye"
After I answered "yes" to Rye, the reasonable next question was, "Did you go to Simon the Pieman?"

"Why yes, as a matter of fact I did go to Simon the Pieman!"

Right then, I knew the content of my next blog!

Beware. You may get hungry!

Like the sign states, Simon the Pieman is the oldest tearoom in Rye. Full of England charm on the outside, I couldn't wait to get inside.

It wasn't hard to tempt me. My mouth salivated looking through the window. How can anyone possibly resist such sweetness! NOT ME! Where's the front door?!

  These cakes date all the way back to the 1600s. They originated from (where else) Eccles, England!

The reason I couldn't  button my jeans when I returned home from holiday! Shortbread. Evil, I say! Evil! I managed to pack on  more than a few pounds stuffing my face with this irresistible sweet. DELICIOUS . We would go for afternoon tea and one of these bars always jumped  on my plate!  I dare you to take just one bite!

 Oh, these too, people. These too! Meringues! I ate the WHOLE thing! They're like an Oreo! Creamy goodness stuffed between two tasty meringues. Yum.

I LOVE SUGAR!
Simon the Pieman is the idyllic English tea room. I felt right at home. You will too.

Have you ever been there before? What treat was your favorite?

My Peeps

In many Thursday posts to come, I will be reliving my holiday in Spain. It was magical.  By writing, I get to travel back and vacation  all over again.

Here we go...

I know its kind of a funny picture, but this was me the whole trip. Fully engaged. Present.  I smelled every flower (they were so fragrant), heard the sound of the waves crashing , felt the hot sun, and tasted the most amazing almonds I have ever had. (By the way Paula, I need some more of them-wink wink!)  

Before I can tell you what we did, I need to introduce you to my traveling companions.

This is John. If I hadn't met him, I wouldn't have met his wife, Yvonne (next photo!). Because of John and Yvonne, I met my wonderful England friends,  Marion and Alan (John's sister and brother in law.) And then, John and Yvonne have these lovely friends in Spain. Antonio and Paula. This fairy tale started in the dental office where I work. Because I talked to John, these angelical  people are a part of my life.

Life NIKE lesson here..."Just do it!" TALK TO PEOPLE! You never know. You  could end up on a jet plane headed to England and Spain!   Who knew!!

My girls. Marion, Me, Yvonne and Paula. 3 countries represented in this photo! WOW! I just now figured that out!  Ha! England, America and Spain. We are so awesome!!

Marion and Alan are from my happy place-England!

Antonio and Paula. Doesn't Paula look like Marilyn Monroe? Seriously.  She came down into the lobby and the first thing I said was, "Hey, you look like Marilyn Monroe!" All she needed was the fan to lift the dress!  

Antonio was our tour guide extraordinaire! He is fabulous. We would have NEVER been able to do all the things we did in Spain had it not been for Paula and Antonio. He is a for real tour guide! We got to sit back and enjoy all of this trip because he was our fearless leader. Who knows the food that would have been delivered to my table if they hadn't interpreted the menu for me! They kept my tummy full of delicacies. Oh, and one time, I saw this woman wearing the cutest pair of pants. I said to Paula, "Can you tell her I love the pants she is wearing?" She proceeded.  No, I didn't speak the language, but smiles and laughter ensued. Kindness doesn't need interpreting! That was really a fun moment.

Yvonne and I. I wuv her.

Hubby, Paula and John. "I think I can, I think I can!" It was a steep hill!  

 These people hold the key to my heart.
Stay tuned...