Climate Change

My yard is back!

After the snow last February, ficus trees, bushes, flowers, almost everything died.

Thanks, Mom!

What a difference a year makes.

Three Day Pit Stop

What I need is a better pit crew. This guy's team would work.

They can change four tires in under three seconds, while I'm stuck waiting three days for new tires to come in.

Could explain why my man, Lewis Hamilton, won in Malaysia. this weekend.

Pole position. Fastest lap. Race winner.

Il Divo - Popera

Il Divo had a chance to gain a new fan, but halfway into their cheesy tribute to Broadway musicals, I was expecting Captain Stubing and Cruise Director Julie McCoy to pop out on stage and invite everyone to the Lido Deck. Their talent is undeniable, their faces perfection and the orchestra beautiful, but after they got through the only two songs that always make me cry when done right, Memories from CATS and Dolly Parton's I Will Always Love You, with not a tear in sight, I realized I was on the wrong boat.

Movie Madness - The Grand Budapest Hotel

Get outta town!

 

Clinton Global Initiative University

The Clintons are in Tempe all weekend, bringing their University to town, talking about some incredible new ideas and introducing some amazing new thinkers.
Watch the whole thing here -  CGIU Livestream

Hacked

The bank texted this morning. My trusty USAA bank. We've been together since my old Navy Wife days. They asked, digitally, did you recently go to Barrio Queen? Yes, Thursday Happy Hour. ZTejas? Yes, Friday lunch. Grassroots? OK, OK, I can't cook, so, yes, after work on Wednesday. And the kicker, is there someone at a service station right now on your account buying something worth $109.23 and $53.24? Stuck at a Carpet Depot about to empty the business bank account, I had to think fast.  Saturday morning? Someone on my account at a service station spending $109.23 and $53.24? Yes. Yes, yes, yes. Sounds just like Shawn. Super premium fuel. Mixed especially for him. Throw in some barbecue and other goodies at the store. I pushed 1. Let the charge go through.

But then I got home. Shawn hadn't gone to the gas station today, after all. I called USAA and was told about the yahoo in Georgia trying to buy something on my dime. I just got hacked. Again. It's been a long few months. The warning letters from corporate America - Target. Neiman Marcus. Maricopa Community College. Things are scary out there. I bought an Xbox game for the Xbox guy back at Target in the fall. They even carded me to make sure I was over 21. I got a few holiday deals on my Neiman Marcus card, way down south at Arizona Mills mall and, stupid me, took an English class at SCC last year, but after reading all my warning letters and waiting, I seemed to get away with no harm done. From the big hackers. It's one little guy I need to worry about.

Crossword hint: Seinfeld cohort - 6 letters

Elaine
Kramer
George

even Newman


So many options to plug in to the complicatedness of life.

Tequila and Bugs

Celebrated Queen Maddie's birthday at Barrio Queen followed by a walk around 

Spring Equinox Canal Convergence.

Book Club - The Orphan Master's Son

I only got as far as, "And don't forget, citizens: the ban on stargazing is still in effect," but we still had lots to talk about on a beautiful night in Maddie's river-run-through-it gorgeous yard with her delicious dips and famous ratatouille. There was the where's the plane? The Dudley and his partner from the VA. The scooter ride to Chili's, no wait, Pei Wei. The health reports. The prayer circle. The Africa and Peru adventures. And, to top it all off, the perfect ten fingers and ten toes and smiling face of little grand baby, Finn.

Three LLLucky Ls

Green with envy - Guinness, Irish whiskey and lucky charms - the calm before the shit storm.

microdwell

microdwell

at Shemer

23!!!

Jennyfer Stratman

Jennyfer Stratman
 - one very cool, talented chick