Crazy cocktail time

6:30pm is cocktail time here and I was just cutting up limes for a well-deserved vodka and tonic when the dogs started barking like crazies. As this happens roughly ten times a day: the UPS guy, Fedex gal, Rob the mailman, landscaper, neighbor's landscaper, other neighbor's landscaper, the neighbor opposite's landscaper, their contractors, a jogger, a dog walker, I tend to ignore them. But this was late for any one other than a walker so I looked out and I could see someone or at least the shirt and tie of someone who I presumed had something to do with my neighbor's renovation project. SO I yelled at the dogs to shut up and went back to mixing the drink.
Then I looked out of the window and I saw a bunny streaking across the lawn with Jefke in hot pursuit. I didn't want the cat to get the rabbit so I ran outside in my fluffy slippers and sweats screaming at the cat in the hopes of distracting him. That was when I became aware that another neighbor was driving up the cul-de-sac and can see me in my fluffy slippers having a meltdown on my drive. So dignified. Anyway, his car got between the rabbit and the cat and he sat there long enough for the rabbit to get away. I waved and the cat followed me back up the drive towards the house. Whereupon my other neighbor came to see if I was ok as she heard the screaming. OK by now I am mortified.
However, it turns out she was coming over anyway as she saw someone lurking about my property (which was what disturbed the cat) and wanted to check if I was alright.
Well I think whoever it was was probably just lost and my screeching scared them away.
But the weirdst thing was she said it was "a black kid" and I thought "oh, no not a missionary at cocktail time".
I think I've got a little racist living here and I really need that cocktail now.

Happy Birthday?

As if turning 50 wasn't traumatic enough, Steven received another poke up the arse from his HMO in the form of a birthday letter. In addition to wishing him many happy returns, they also urged him to go get a colonoscopy. A truly depressing letter within an accompanying leaflet that portrayed six elderly people all happy and smiling; presumably at the thought that a tube up the anus would protect them from colon cancer. Go tell that to the forty year olds who died of the disease.

Home alone

Steve is in California again, but I couldn't face the six hour flight and three hour time delay again. Twice in two months is enough. It's enough for me to know that once again the weather in San Diego is worse than it is here.
So I get to spend some quality alone time with the animals and to notice how much cleaner the bathroom is when Steve takes his grooming kit away with him.

La Jolla Beach

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Originally uploaded by modernemama.

It's cold today, ironically it's 10 degrees warmer in New York. We walked through La Jolla, which is kind of like Palm Beach without the humidity (or today the warmth). We did have a great meal at George's on the Cove, particularly memorable: the dungerness crab salad and beef shortribs on smokey mashed potato, and especially the sparkling Schild shiraz.

Cape Cod Vacation

A vacation in Cape Cod is the perfect way to cool off this summer. And what better way to spend the holiday than with old friends. This is just what the Jaggers, Steve and Jane, did during one hot week in July this year.
A relaxing week at the Village Inn on the Green in Falmouth, Mass combined with the celebration of twins Elliott and Samuel Thygessen's christening made it one of the best summer holidays we have had.

Jersey Shore

A Jersey beach vacation has been planned for this coming weekend thanks to the kindness of John and Betty H, who have extended their hospitality to Steven and his wife Jane. Asked to account for his generosity in inviting the us to become houseguests this weekend he said: " The boy looked like he needed a break".

Heatwave Wipes Out Cleaning

The recent heatwave has caused another case of "dirty house syndrome" in the beautiful harbor section of Port Washington, NY.
Mother of two, Jane Jagger (42) stated that the rising temperature led her to stow the vacuum in the closet , pick up the suntan lotion and head for the beach.
With the mercury reaching 101F yesterday and the hot weather set to continue until the weekend it looks like Mrs Jagger won't be cleaning until the kids go back to school.