Random Acts of Kindness

I was just taken by surprise today by a Random Act of Kindness. It was just a small thing, but such a kind gesture from a thoughtful young man.

I stopped at the Corner Cafe in Independence at the end of my day for a quick bite to eat. It wasn't really the end of my day....I had been up since busy since 8:30 this morning and I still would be busy until 8:30 tonight. I was tired and hungry and decided to have some of my favorite comfort food.....chicken and noodles ( see post" The Chicken and Noodle Diet")

I wasn't able to eat them all. In fact, I could only eat about one fourth..I was actually just too tired to eat. I know that sounds pitiful but it is true!!!

The young server came over, about my son's age. He said.."you didn't save room for dessert, did you?" I shook my head ruefully and maybe my smile was sad, I was feeling pretty overwhelmed and tired, but yet happy....I know that really doesn't make sense, but that is true too. I asked for a box to take my dinner home, and paid him for my meal. He came back with a box and a question...." what is your favorite pie?" I told him "I don't eat pie", he knew that wasn't the truth, he could tell from looking at me!!!!

He said, "No, really! If you were going to eat a piece of pie, what would it be?"

I just gave in and said "apple"

A few minutes later he appeared with a piece of pie and a clean fork and napkin. He just smiled at me and said "Enjoy"

And that is true! I just thought it was an incredibly kind, nice thing to do for me a tired, middle-aged nurse, sitting there, alone, in my Hospice uniform scrubs.

It really makes me feel happy and joyously tearful that there ARE kind people in this world. He is a gem!!! He is a diamond!!!!

Thank you God, for giving us this wonderful world!!!!

The Lord is my Light and my Salvation
Psalm 27:1

Margaritaville

Some of the gals and I have a trip planned to Key West in November. "The Meeting of the Minds" will be in session! It will be a great! I have been there before on that weekend, quite by accident! Wow, it was a blast!! And walking on Duval Street from the Southern Most Point ( where we were staying in a fantastic hotel, call me for details!)we heard the best Jimmy Buffet impersonator that I have EVER heard!! And one hears a lot of Jimmy Buffet in Key West, everyone wants to cash in!!! However, this one was super!! In fact, as we got closer and closer..it turned out it was Jimmy Buffet!!! Giving a free outdoors concert, the street was packed with a Margarita and LandShark guzzling crowd!!! I totally humiliated my husband by asking everyone around me..."is that really Jimmy Buffet?" They all just ignored me, of course, thinking I was the most pathetic, middle-age woman they had ever seen. Well they were wrong..I know a few women that are just a little more pathetic then me!!! But anyway, I digress!!!!

We were hearing my # 1 fav of Jimmy's "Tin Cup Chalice"..click on my link to groove shark! And then of course, he played my #1 favorite "Margaritaville" followed by my #1 favorite "One Particular Harbor". Parrot Heads Unite, as I list three #1 favs! We are the people our parents warned us about!!!

Flashback!!! Labor Day 2008: We heard Jimmy, in concert at the Nissan Pavillion, near Washington DC!!! It was an amazing experience!!!! The crowd showed up early (at least 12 hours before stage call!) The partying began and you have never experienced such a crowd! What a blast!!!

Then, as if life isn't already perfect!!!, we had 10th row, center,tickets....and he gave an incredible, fun, musical concert!!! I will never be the same..he is NOT just a pretty face!! LOL He is truly a musician, entertainer! JB, I really love you!!!!
( but not as much as my husband, Doc, of course!!!!)

You know I have to get the business plug in, of course! I bought the tickets on my own web site for less then 1/3 what those same seats were selling for at the MGM Las Vegas, later in the concert tour!!!!
I was able to WRITE IT OFF on my taxes as it was a business expense, TRULY!
And I made a commission on the sale!! You just can't do any better then that!!!

If you are curious about how I made this all happen...feel free to call, I might just share it with you......WE ARE HIRING!!! Mrs Vintagegreenjeans AKA Mrs Docsislandtimetravel.com....teaching my part of the world to get out there and have fun !!!!!

The Magical Disappearing Ribs!

Well, I came home tonight so HUNGRY and no ribs! I was so hoping to have one for supper but every one of them was gone. Oh I am so sad! And hungry! Oh well!!! Supper was a huge success last night. Always is when my hubby cooks!!!!! But he doesn't believe in leftovers, so he sent it all home with the girls!!!!

Better for my waistline anyway!!! But I am SO hungry!! LOL And looking at that pic made me even hungrier.

PS By the way, that hand belongs to Doc, not me!!!!

Sunday Dinner

Tonight was Sunday dinner, ribs and beans. My husband cooked and it was really good!!!! But not your typical Sunday Dinner Menu! That is because we had the not your usual Sunday dinner girls here!!!

The girls are Ashley, our daughter (in the middle)
Jessica, her cousin (on the left) and
Ashley, our daughter's good friend and our "adopted child", on the right.

It was great to be together and catch up on news before they all scatter again..our Ashley to teach school, Jessica to go back home to Chicago and our other Ashley, back to Paris, to school.

Being young is really fun, if I remember correctly!!!!

Pasta Salad

My favorite recipe blog?

the pioneerwoman.com

Wow, there are some amazing recipes on that site. Go have a look, you just won't believe it! Most are high fat recipes but all are delicious, so for that occasional splurge, I go online and choose one. Everything has been very good. Her "Favorite Burger" recipe is a no brainer, yet I would never have thought to combine the ingredients! ( does that mean I need a brain? wait! don't answer that!!) I told my good friend, Jane, about the burgers and the seasoned mayo. Score!!!! She and her husband loved them too!!!
Check it out..you won't be sorry! They are not all her original recipes, some of them have been in my recipe box for years..like the "Best Chocolate Cake" recipe. I got that recipe from another friend, Carol twenty seven years ago, when our first borns were babies!!!! That cake never ceases to amaze my guests.

This pasta salad recipe is better then anything you would get at an upscale, overpriced restaurant. The dressing would be wonderful served on toasted, crusty french bread as an appetizer.

I think I need to be excused so I can go eat!!!!

Perry Yacht Club Fund Raiser!

Hi! We were at a wine tasting tonight in Brookside (Kansas City, Missouri) About 50 people from Perry Yacht Club......a fund raiser for the Junior Sailing Program, a worthy program!!!

I don't remember what we tasted, but it was all really good and the company was even better!

I hope they raised a lot of money!

My children all participated while growing up in a Junior Sailing Program. These programs teach more then sailing ....they teach self confidence and team participation skills......all helpful in adult life. I can't even begin to count the hours spent in boats, watching, helping, wringing my hands, when the kids were young.
Some parents enjoyed following their kids around in motor boats, shouting instructions, tips etc. I didn't know how to sail and the kids were thankful, I think!!! I was reduced to saying things like.."just do the best you can!!!"And, the famous, "it doesn't matter if you win"....( yeah, right MOM!)

And of course, there was the summer I taught them to water ski...I didn't know how but I had seen it done! My instruction? " Just hang on!" It surely didn't help that I was just learning to drive the boat that summer..I had seen that done too and I was pretty sure I could imitate! After I hit a few docks and tangled up the stern lines in the prop, I got the hang of it!

As you see, confidence has never been a problem, but perhaps over confidence might be!!!!

Back to the wine tasting! Sure was nice!!!!

Camp Food!

As you know, we love our camping trips!!! They are all about getting together with friends, enjoying the great outdoors, campfires and the FOOD!!!!
We have found, number one, we always bring way too much!!! Number two, a lot of the gals really enjoy cooking for others, so meal preparation becomes a event in itself!!First, we congregate around the picnic table, which, of course, has a table cloth( plastic) and flowers( real)...we have a glass of "something" ( which can range from "sody pop" to beer or wine). Then we start to cook!!!!! The fun begins!!!!!
Here is a copy of a recent organizational E mail I sent out to the camping girls.


"Just a suggestion about meals at Roaring River! I have taken the liberty of assigning meals...if anyone has other suggestions or not happy let me know, we will switch it around!

Friday Dinner: Carolyn, Cheri and Lucy (Some of the gals may not be in until later, so we could heat it up if need be, for them)

Saturday Breakfast:Connie and Judy

Saturday Lunch: Janetsue and MaryKathryn

Saturday Supper: Laureen, Trudy and "Janet Too" ( Laureen feel free to make your stew or pot roast YUM!!!)

Sunday Breakfast: Laureen always makes pancakes!!! JanetToo bring syrup
Janetsue bring vegie sausage
Karen bring bacon Lucy bring Juice
MaryK bring fruit Judy bring hostess donuts!!!

Everyone bring just one bag of your favorite chips, nuts or crackers to share

Karen would you bring a dessert or two ( or a package of cookies) for the entire weekend?

Everyone might want to bring a little bread and peanut butter or lunch meat ( just enough for you) in case something "flops!"
And of course everyone bring their own water and adult beverages

We always have way too much food, so go easy!! And we do have a few dietary restrictions, some of the gals don't eat pork or shell fish
That being said, get together and plan whatever you want to have! the sky is the limit!!! Dutch ovens are acceptable!!

Also maybe we will catch a trout! And lucy said she would clean it and cook it!!!! LOL

And if you want to tell me to go jump in the River, that's okay!!! But then you get to do the food assignments!!!!LOL"

See!! That is how we do it!!!!

Docs Island Time Travel Taxi

Hi everyone! Yesterday I promised I would post a pic of Doc's automobile! Docs Island Time Travel Taxi. This is our advertising on wheels! Achieves many of our business goals!!!!
1) Constant advertising!

2) Fun to drive!

3) Room for six, comfortably!!!! For those trips to Wood River, Illinois, meetings at the corporate office.

4) Major tax deduction....business expense..that rocks!

5) Did I say fun to drive??!!!

We usually get a lot of stares and comments...it can be very regional, though. Plenty of attention in Kansas City, but when we are in smaller communities, it really draws the attention....I think there are not as many Mobile advertisers in those rural areas...or maybe they usually see trucks and tractors. The car is a "novel" idea.

"You know you want to......getpaid2havefun.com" Now there is an interesting statement!!!

Call me if you want to learn how!!!

Doc 816 914 5872
Janetsue 816 305-5872
Recorded Message ( for those that don't want to talk to us! yet!) 1-800-519-3070

Somewhere over the rainbow

Somewhere over the rainbow....that would be Lake Lotawana. Actually, it is the pot of gold at the bottom of the rainbow.

Such a beautiful and fun community, a fair number of the residents are third and even fourth generation "Lake Rats". Many of the kids that grew up together, got married and now live and raise their families at Lake Lotawana. The Lake was developed in the early
1900's, starting out as a private, summer retreat and grew into a year round, tightknit community. They have their own Police, Mayor and Church! It is a private lake, so don't head out there with your fishing rod! It is carefully monitored by all the home owners and the Boat Patrol! You have to live there...it's the rules!!!

My family were lucky "Lake Rats" for 15 years. We loved living there and sometimes long to move back.....however, even more happy and exciting adventures beckon us furthur away, to other Lakes, other places.

We had a nice afternoon at the Lake today, got to say a hello to old friends and catch up on news, some of it a bit sad to hear.

A burger at the Canoe Club, the latest hot spot to open at Gate 2, cheered us up and filled that "empty void"!!!! Live Music Thurs through Saturday nights and an outdoor deck....we will be back soon! Tomorrow I will post a pic of Docs Island Time Travel Taxi at the Canoe Club

PS: The art featured above hangs in the Canoe Club....signed Needles 'o8

Bubba Keg

We bought two "Bubba Kegs" tonight at Bass Pro. The best ever for kayaking and those rum drinks, that everyone loves!!!! Small at the bottom to fit in the drink cup holder and large at the top to maximize your drinking enjoyment! Go get some soon!!!

Flower Thief!!!

I have to pass by this beautiful hydrangea every time I walk to the boat dock, which is at least twice per day!

I have such an urge to cut it, bring it home and stick it in a vase! It belongs to my neighbor, so I just have to be content enjoying it and taking pics!!!

Beautiful!!!

That's my girl!!

"Woof" translates to "dog" in our grandbaby's language!

This is BettyJane, our chocolate lab. She is eleven years old...we also have her cousin, PeggySue!!! Peggy is a yellow lab and is fourteen years old!! In people years, that would be 98 years old! Wow!!!! And she still has her own teeth!

Today I had a run in with a dog. I got bit! Yes, I am fifty three years old and have never been bit by a dog!!! Until today!!! LOL

OUCH! IT HURT!!! THAT LITTLE " WOOF" WAS MAD!!!

Oh well! The doctor said I will probably be okay and live to be bit again!!!
But kidding aside, the authorities take dog bites very seriouly. I had no idea, but the doctor said he is required by law to report dog bites. Then they are investigated by Animal Control. Oh dear! I hate that it all caused so much trouble to me and the dog and especially the family. I just hope he doesn't have rabies! If I start foaming at mouth, someone please tell me and take me to the hospital!!!

Doesn't matter!! I still love dogs.....just not that little "woof"!!!!

White Buffalo= Trout!!

White Buffalo..no, not those large animals that roamed the plains! The confluence of the White River and the Buffalo River...the best trout fishing ever, according to those Arkansas girls!

This will be the second year the the group of us "meet up, down there" to do some fishin' eatin'and campin' I am already anticipating!!!
It is going to be great!!! Can't wait!!!
My friend, Sheryl, from the Phoenix area, who I haven't even met, but feel like I have known forever, is flying in to KC and driving with us. Tammy from the Baltimore area is also flying to Little Rock and catching a ride with Lucy, the ultimate fishing woman and our mentor!!

MaryK will be in our caravan from KC and pulling her 1970 vintage trailer, "MinnieHaha". Mrs Vintage Greenjeans, aka Janetsue, will be pulling her sweet, little, old 1959 Winnebago....aka "The Double J" ( named after me and my wonderful husband Doc/Jim who encourages me to pursue my dreams!!!!) ( those dreams being camping and fishing!) Thank you, dear husband, for allowing me, to be me!!!

After years of wonderful family life, raising kids, working and fixing up old "Lake" houses, it is really an experience to just be free to fly, free to fly fish!!! LOL

All in all, there will be about 25 of us!!!!

If you want to do a little brainstorming about your next trip, check out www.docsislandtimetravel.com click on YTB Outdoors..you will be amazed at the great fishing, hunting and extreme trips that are offered. If cruising is more your speed.....if you love the beaches..take a look at the cruises!!! It doesn't cost a thing to click and look and dream!!!!

And remember, if you can dream it, you can do it!!!!!

"First comes love, then comes marriage"

Just found out I am going to be a Grandma again!!! I am very happy about that!!!! Little #1 will only be two years old when little #2 arrives. #1 probably won't like #2 very much in the beginning, but as they grow up together and become playmates, they will learn to love each other!!!

"First comes love, then comes marriage, then comes David with a baby carriage!"

We used to chant that over and over when we were kids! I don't think we really knew what it meant or even thought about it...it was just a nice catchy tune!!!!

The day each of my children were born, was the most important day of my life. There will never be a better or happier day. That was the day I knew true love and what it meant to be totally consumed with awe and attention for that tiny little baby. Then that tiny little baby grows up and has his own tiny little baby. An amazing process, just as God planned. Each generation learning the importance of family and the responsibility of raising a child.

I love my daughter-in-law, my son couldn't have picked a better wife for himself or a better mother for their children. She showed determnation and dedication as she went through a few difficult months of early infancy with our #1 grand daughter.

#2 and #3, 4 and 5 should be much easier! We have already put in our order for lots of grand babies!!!!! LOL

Missouri to Florida in a 12 year old car!

This is Kevin, my "baby". As you can see, he really grew up fast! In fact, it has been a long, long time since he was a baby!

Kevin moved to Florida from Missouri via Massachusetts, back in Jan 2008. He landed a job as a Field Engineer for Siemens fresh out of college! In fact, he started two weeks after he finished and he finished one semester before his college classmates. He had finished high school one year earlier then his classmates!!! Not sure what his hurry was but it did not apply when it came time to switch his car to Florida plates!!!! You can see he even looks a bit sad!! LOL!

He was just too busy traveling to Peru, Mexico and stateside to be bothered!!!!
So here, he documented the important moment, which happened just a few weeks ago, right before he left the country AGAIN!!! Bye Kevin, I miss you!!! Thanks goodness for Skype...we talked with camera for 30 minutes FREE!!!! I got to watch him eat cheese (Peruvian) and crackers(Peruvian) and he gave us a tour(through the miracle of computers!!) of his hotel(Peruvian), his home for the next three months.

Anyone want to travel to Peru? How about Machu Picchu? How about shopping for those handmade Peruvian sweaters? Peru is definitely on my list!!!!!
visit www.docsislandtimetravel.com for some great airfares!!!

And enter the trip of a lifetime sweepstakes...a new fab trip every month..... NO CATCH!!!!

Pink Camo/ Pink Spin Cast Rods

This song makes me laugh!!!! Click on the link to hear it!!!!


"I am gonna miss her when I get home.....right now I am on this lakeshore and I'm sitting in the sun

I am sure it will hit me, when I walk through that door tonight


Yeah I am goin' miss her...oh looky there, I've got a bite........"
(Sing it, Brad! )
Remember the singles ad? Forty year old male, looking to meet a woman that has a boat, knows how to clean and cook fish. Send picture of boat.
Now what is that all about? LOL

The Chicken and Noodle Diet

My husband Doc has been on a super weight loss program for the past month with great success, even though I have sabotaged it the entire time!!!

Our business has a great product that can be bought online through Aisle 19...click on my link to use this shopping site. Doc has been consuming this called Optimal Meal Formula ( Xymetri) and losing weight..it is a "complete" meal replacement with 100% of the nutrients your body requires, and only 160 calories. ( I obtained the info from the product label) Those of you who know Doc are aware he is very careful about what he puts in his body. (with an occasional splurge!)

Well, tonight was chicken and noodles! I just couldn't resist..I felt bad about presenting it to the dieting Doc, but I figured he could drink a shake if he wanted and that would leave two big bowls for me!!!!

Doc is scheduled to speak at a business presentation regarding this product. On Saturday, July 11th at the Double Tree College Blvd in Overland Park, he will talk about his experiences this product, he has been so impressed with the outcome.

I guess that pretty much rules out pizza Friday night for supper!!! And sugar has been outlawed at our house!!!

If you would like to join us at Super Saturday this weekend...the business presentation is open to our guests and free......call me! 816 305-5872

Food (and Beverage, Adult)

My goal has been to "blog daily". A better goal would be to exercise daily. Or clean the house daily. Maybe, to wash clothes daily. Remember "Dear Diary"?! A lot of us "gals born in the 50's" kept diaries. I had one with a lock on it..I kept the key around my neck, so my brothers couldn't read it. Truth is, they probably didn't want to but I would have been mortified if they had!!! I even had a list, right on the inside front cover, of "boys I have kissed" and "boys I would like to kiss". The first list had two names, the second list had about 25 and most of them were TV stars and Super- Heros.

My point???...blogging is the new age diary, better then the second generation journaling or the third generation dear diary. It gives us a chance to write, express ourselves and hope that some one will read it and laugh, cry or get mad and call us "ridiculous waste of airtime"!!! For those of us that love to write, the blog gives us opportunity to publish our work, even if read by only a few!!!!

Why the pic of the beer? I was going to write about food and beverage but after one sip, I started to wax poetic.

Check back tomorrow...I am going to talk about food and tell you my favorite blog of all!!! I read it daily!! ( Hint, it is not mine and there are just the best recipes ever there!!!!)

Try saying Kayak, four times, really fast!!!

Wow! I am a little tired today!!! Or maybe, I have had a few too many carbs! Or it just could be a combination of both. This year the 4th of July really "took it out of me!!!" LOL!!!!

Betty ( our 11 year old chocolate lab) and I took a walk down by the lake this evening. It was so beautiful out, the temperature was just perfect for an evening kayak paddle. The Old Town kayaks just sat there on the boat rack, looking abandoned. There were even some spider webs and tree pollen clinging to the pretty plastic hulls!!!

I walked to the lake a second time, to take the picture above and a beautiful kayak sliced the water just in front of me..... so fast, I couldn't even get a picture!!!

Is there a full moon? Maybe I can still get a paddle in..let me go find my husband and twist his arm to go!!!!

PS: If anyone wants to come paddle with me early evenings, please call...it is easy and fun on our quiet lake, even if you have never paddled!!! I will show ya how!!!
Call 816 305 5872 for all your kayaking and travel needs!!!!!

Boat Parade and Dream Trips!!!!!!

We had a lot of fun participating in the boat parade at Perry Lake..right up until the open warfare with water balloons was declared!!! We beat a hasty retreat!!!!!

Doc had bought us these matching T shirts and hats, we were a hit and very stylish.(LOL) We decorated the Boston Whaler Dauntless with red, white and blue streamers, tinsel, flags and banners. The Boston Whaler lends itself well to a boat parade, already being a very pretty ivory color hull, red stripe and red Sunbrella bimini.

We survived the 4th and now, I am ready for a real vacation!! How about an ocean cruise? Or maybe a trip hiking in the Rockies!!! Maybe fishing in Alaska is something you have been wanting to experience. What is on your "Bucket List"? We have great prices on many trips......a recent client got a fabulous package to Washington ...she wanted to visit some of the "Twilight" settings.......
she got a SUPER price on her trip and she is still talking about it, enjoying photos, wants to go back!!!!!

Browse http://www.docsislandtimetravel.com/ to plan your next get away!!!!!! Call with any questions or to let me walk you through the web site, especially if you have never booked online!!! It is easy and fun!!!!

Let's celebrate America!!!!

Happy Birthday America!!

Old Glory! You have never looked so beautiful to me. I have become acutely aware of those around me, that are so comfortably and proudly Patriotic!!!

And I capitalized Patriotic intentionally, because in my mind it has become a very important adjective. Those of us that are Patriotic and Proud, those of us that still put our hand over our heart, when we hear the National Anthem.

Those of us that shed a tear when we hear the the song "God Bless America" and we remember the pain of 9-11.

Those of us that are proud of our family's military service, for their service to our country, so we may continue to enjoy the freedoms that so many take for granted.

I will never take those freedoms for granted, so help me God!!

Those of us that are not afraid to talk openly about our political and religious beliefs.

Yes, God Bless America!!!! We NEED your blessings and we WANT your blessings upon this great nation!

"The weather is fine, wish I were beautiful"

Got my aircard! Vorizon internet is the greatest invention yet!!!! Typing from campground at Perry Yacht Club! The bugs are eating me up and I didn't catch a fish.........having a great time!!! More in the morning!!!!

Time for "Reflection"

Thanks to everyone who continues to look at my blog, sending comments and good wishes. I wish I understood more about this whole process, but it is a steep learning curve..LOL.

Getting a new laptop over the weekend was exciting but I am finding out, like a new relationship, there is a lot to learn, a lot to adapt too!! LOL AGAIN!!

The office store tranferred all my files, but now I am realizing there are all kinds of things I need to re-load, re-locate!!!!

Plus my computer savy children are working so far from home.... one in Lima, Peru, one in Kodiak, Alaska ..thank goodness one is still close, in Leawood.

She will probably call today to say they are moving to Australia!!!

In the meantime, I am earnestly working on Skype, Facebook, Twitter, Blogspot and all things fun and wonderful!!!!

"Calgon, take me away" ( to Peru, To Kodiak, to Leawood!)

An important document...the Declaration of Independence

Doc and I were driving to Perry Lake yesterday, pulling my red and white trailer. We stopped at CVS so I could run in and buy some necessities for a fun 4th of July weekend. Some sunscreen, mosquito spray and extra flags, red, white and blue banners, you know what I mean!!!!

When I got back in the car ( Doc's Island Time Travel Taxi), I realized I had shopped too long!!!
Doc had waited in the car and wanted to talk politics when I hopped in.

We discussed the writers of that important document, the "Committee of Five" and their commitment to our freedom and our country. They recognized that this would be an important day in the history of our Country and would be forever celebrated.

I admit, I have forgotten a lot of history I learned as a child, and often am more focused on the grill and fireworks, then in the true meaning of our celebration.

A quick review:
4th of July: Commemorates the adoption of The Declaration of Independence July 1776
During the American Revolution the legal separation of the American Colonies from Great Britain occurred on July 2, 1776.
The Second Continental Congress voted to approve a resolution of independence. It had been proposed by Richard Henry Lee of Virginia in June 1776.
The statement explaining this decision, made by the " Committee of Five" was written with Thomas Jefferson as its principal author.
Congress debated and revised the Declaration, finally approving it on July 4, 1776.

And now we get to celebrate 4th of July!!!!!

So go eat a hamburger and enjoy!!!!! I already feel better just remembering what brought us to this important day!!!! How about you???