A is for Adventure

I hope none of us ever get too old to enjoy a new adventure as we travel through life.  It would be a sad day if we can’t look forward to tomorrow, even when what we have on the calendar isn’t all that great.

Each new day is like a blank sheet of paper in a notebook.  It still has to be lived.  You never really know which way each day will go either and sometimes things surprise you and what you thought was going to be bad was actually a great time.

This goes for my part-time job as well as daily life.  Things are in a constant state of change.  Sometimes things are challenging, but a person has to rise to the challenge and make the best of each day.  And yes, I know we all struggle with this from time-to-time. 

During the A to Z this year, I may bring you some of those adventures, along with facts about things and places most of you probably don’t know.  There could be recipes as well and maybe a cat post will even sneak in.  Hee-hee.  I’ll try to keep the rants at bay, although with this being an election year, I can’t promise that.  Some worthy tidbit may cross my mind.  Over the course of the month, I hope you’ll find reading my blog is an adventure and hopefully one that will leave you with new information, or maybe a laugh for the day.  If I can do, I will have succeeded. 

Welcome to the A to Z challenge for 2016 everyone!  I look forward to meeting new friends and visiting some old ones.  I enjoy learning from each of you and will definitely visit everyone who visits me, so please leave a comment.

A day in court

Yesterday was a new adventure for me.  It was also my first time in the new courthouse here.  I met a friend there for a hearing on spousal support in her divorce proceedings.  There were three of us gals waiting to testify on her behalf.  We all sat together in a pew behind the railing.  As it turned out that wasn’t necessary, but we were her support group, so it was nice to be there.  I was a bit nervous about the whole thing anyway and not feeling like me so it was just as well that her lawyer took care of the whole thing.

The new courthouse is a beautiful three-story building with sweeping staircases and ornate railings.  These days it’s similar to going through TSA at the airport, having to walk through a scanner and put your handbag, keys, sunglasses, etc into a tub to be scanned.  They didn’t have all that the last time I was in a courthouse for something, but that was years ago and times have changed.

I did set off the scanner but the officers said it was only my hot pink sandals and they could tell I wasn’t smuggling anything in there. Hmmm...

Once in the courtroom, it was like a scene you’d see on TV with two tables set up for each plaintiff and their lawyers.  But I found it unusual that each table contained a computer.  There was no jury, just the judge up on his high perch behind a dark, carved desk.

We couldn’t hear the proceedings very well once they swore in the plaintiffs.  The lawyers did most of the talking, never leaving their places at the table except to hand over documents to the bailiff who kept his eye on the three of us.  Unfortunately, the microphones were at table level and the lawyers stood.  On occasion, they asked their clients questions, but for the most part did all the talking for them.  This would speed things up, they said.

We could only snatch bits and pieces over the next two and a half hours.  Once closing statements were made and the judge made his ruling, we were free to go.  My friend’s lawyer ushered us into a small room outside the courtroom and we all introduced ourselves and had a nice chat.  I’m extremely glad he was more prepared than the other guy.

Then it was off for a quick lunch where the four of us chatted about the verdict over soup and salad.

I think my friend came out on top, but we’ll see if her soon-to-be-ex complies with the judges orders. 

I was glad to get home, as I’ve felt off-color since going on this new medication for osteoporosis.  I can’t function on that stuff and won’t take anymore of it.  More on how that goes later.  I’m still waiting for a call from my doctor.

Raven’s Always Looking for an Adventure

This cat is always into something around here.  Recently he discovered the large decorative pots we have in the foyer of the house.  Koki always jumps in and out of them and I guess he thought he could do the same thing.  He’s been craning his neck from the stairs for weeks and even putting his feet on the rim to look inside.

Raven finally decided to take the plunge.  We were watching TV and heard the pots rattling.  This is what we found.

 Raven

Raven

I’m glad we were home because he could have been stranded for a while.  He was glad we came to the rescue when he discovered he couldn’t get out himself.  But do you think this stopped him?  Not for one minute.  He was back at it jumping in there again a few minutes later.  I didn’t want him to become boisterous in the night and actually knock the pot over and break it, so I had to get clever with a solution.

This is what we did as a temporary fix until he gets older.

 This is an old pizza pan that fits just right.  Koki got a surprise when she tried to jump in there not knowing this pan was there.

Of course now that he can’t get in there, he’s attacking the dried straw arrangements we have in other pots around the house and looking for something else he can get into.

He finally dug out a dust rag and played with it on the floor for an hour.

Occasionally he can indulge Koki to play too, if he runs at full speed from end to end of the house on the second floor.  She finally can’t stand it any longer and will chase him.  If they were kids, I’m sure I would hear the laughter because they have a blast.

My computer problems are finally solved and I’m up and running again, but have been working on a website for our house the last week.  That challenge is finally finished.  Thank goodness.  It took way longer than it should, but my husband was helping with the project in between several football games.  It was so noisy downstairs I couldn’t even think about what I was doing.  I’m not up in my office again where it’s quiet and peaceful.

Around the Neighborhood

From Parade of Homes Website

From Parade of Homes Website

From Parade of Homes Website

From Parade of Homes Website



Every February our city hosts the Parade of Homes here, so naturally that brings in many visitors. I’m sure businesses around town are happy for the additional revenue, but the traffic is a nightmare during this period. Going anywhere is about like when you go out during holiday time.


The purchase of a $12.50 ticket allows you to see the 26 homes on display. They are definitely something to see, if only to get ideas for decorating and such. Many of them are way over my budget, but I am always amazed at what I find. It seems all the builders try to outdo each other. Some of these homes are so elaborate, I’m not sure the common person could live in them, and use half of the things available.

Most years, we usually go and visit a few of them. This is a situation because it inevitably rains part of the time and finding a parking place is near to impossible because there are so many visitors to each home. Naturally, you have to remove your shoes and carry them with you, or take the time to put on “booties” that are provided at the door. Once inside, there is usually standing room only, so it takes quite awhile to get through each house, as you wait to wait for people to leave so you can get in the rooms. We always take the camera though and try to get a few pics of some of the oddities.

My little sister in New York enjoys my stories about all this and hearing about the spectacle every year.

There are certain things I will never forget from years past, such as the bowling alley in the basement of this one huge home, or the “cave” complete with waterfalls and climbing rocks for the kids in the basement of another. Then there was one with a stone meandering walkway. This ended up at a Grecian swimming pool, or perhaps something like you’d see in Rome with tall-lighted torches all around and carved statues. They told us the torches ran off natural gas, leaving me to wonder how much that would increase your gas bill.

I must also not forget to mention the master bath that had a pond around it with goldfish swimming around. They wouldn’t last long with my cats in the house. There was also one that had a bed frame made of tree limbs decorated with colorful ornaments. Every year is certainly and adventure and a feast for your eyes.

If anyone is interested in any of this, I am including a link to the website here, so you can look at the homes online. Prices this year range from $303,900.00 to $2,699,500.00

http://paradehomes.com/