•• Pretty Distraction ••

I started my blog, here with WordPress using “Bacardi Blonde”. Then, I decided that didn’t really *fit* me. So, I took a poll. I ended up choosing “Catch and Release” because that is what this blog really is… a catch and release of emotions, thoughts, and various random things that float through my mind. I find myself wondering though, if that truly is the *best* name. I know, I probably create more stress over this for myself, than I do for anyone else.

However, my mind has been tossing around a few names, and I know, you hate change, but guess what?…. I seem to love it.  With that said, I’m deciding amongst these names… who knows, I’ll probably end up keeping it the same, anyway.

Catch And Release, Write & Wrong, She Will Be Loved, and as you may or may not have noticed, I changed from ‘citygirl’ to ‘luckygirl’. I think that luckygirl draws on my love of Vegas and helps create a positive site for me to keep my focus on when things get sad.

This has been a good weekend. The wather was wonderful. The storms that we’ve had lately seemed to have just disappeared… at least for the weekend.

My weekend started out wonderfully. I had a decent day at work (something that doesn’t happen that often), relaxed Friday night. On Saturday morning I got up early, took my shower and got ready. I attended a Garden Party with a few of my friends. There were four of us girls, and we met up at one of the girls, M’s, house. It was beautiful. We had colorful dishes and napkins, she baked a magnificent quiche, some delicious mushroom caps that were stuffed with a cheese and baked, she mixed a delightful champagne punch, that just oozed SUMMER. One of the girls brought some delicious scones that were cinnamon and raisin, and the other girl brought a Lemon Triffle. We ate outside on her patio, and enjoyed the sun and food. After a brief encounter with the *mister* that was aligning her patio, and then the frog that tried to ATTACK ME!, okay.. the frog didn’t REALLY try to attack me… but, it did eye me!, we decided to drag our chairs out under one of her huge shade trees. Once under the tree, the weather was perfect. There was just a slight breeze every now and then, to cool us off, and the sun still kept us warm. M’s garden is just beautiful. The colors were so vivid and varied, the bird baths that were all over, the whole atmosphere gave me sucha  peace. I’m not an ‘outside’ person at all. Nature and I, ususally don’t get along. However, being there, with the delicious food, the beautiful surroundings, and of course… the laughter with friends, made for a wonderful day. I love gathering with friends, when you can go from talking about books, music, movies and then go to talking about sex, to relationships, to everything… THOSE are the friends that you treasure and you keep close. They are rare finds, and I’m so blessed to have found so many wonderful, inspirational, women to have in my life.

I visited with my mom and dad before the Garden Party, and then again after it. My mom is my best friend. Without a doubt. Later Saturday night, my aunt and uncle came into town for the night.. My uncle is going to roof my great-aunt (my grandma’s twin)’s house in a couple of weeks and they were down to measure the roof for her. I went back over to my grandparents and visited with everyone some more.

Mothers Day began with a nice breakfast with my grandma and my aunt. My mom wasn’t feeling too well, so she didn’t join us.   Then we had a fun-filled (and exhausting) trip to Wal-Mart. We shopped some, and then headed home so they could get on the road. Then, a trip to the Mall and to the Apple Store, for my very FIRST — OFFICIAL iPod. I’m so excited I can hardly stand it. I have had many mp3 players, but this is my FIRST iPod. It’s cute, it’s silver, and it’s a 2G iPod Nano. I could have gotten a larger one, but this one is just fine…. well, at least for now.   The day ended with some Bath & Body Works, some Tupperware, and a delicious dinner.

Now, I’m exhausted and my body aches from all the running around. (I think that I’m getting old, surely this is a sign). It’s time to get things ready for bed.

I hope that you all had a wonderful weekend… regardless if you celebrated Mothers Day or not, it should be enjoyed.

 I live in what is considered part of “Tornado Alley”. I have grown-up with this lifestyle, so you would think that 33 years later I would be completely used to it. When I was younger, I was terrified of the storms. I’m talking terrified to the point of … please just kill me now, my heart thumps harder and I begin to hyperventilate. Over the years, I’ve been in some horrific storms. Total devastation within a block of my home. Complete chaos all over the city.

Now, I have to admit that even when I was terrified beyond all reason, there was a part of me that felt some… enegery or excitement to it all. I used to think that storms were out to get me. Like there was some big Storm Guy up there that decided… “oh.. there’s ~S… let’s get her! That’s right, BLOW her down!!.” Now, I realize that is not likely the case… however, it’s how it felt at the time. In some twisted part of my mind, though, I always wanted to ride along with the Storm Chasers… like those of Stormgasm or the millions of others all over the place.

A google search, of my state and ’storm chasers’  just pulled up about 408,000 results. Yeah, there’s a lot out there!  So, in my research I found a place called Storm Chasing Adventure Tours! for the  low ARE YOU KIDDING ME price of $2,300.00 I can reserve my seat to go on this 6 day storm chasing tour! If I book back to back tours, I can get it at the bargin YEAH RIGHT price of $4,000.00!

Hmmm, wonder if I should put that on my WishList — any offers?

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