To know Gert is to love her

Niece Monya sent over this email where you send personal stuff around to your personal address list so that the people closest to you should, well, know you personally. Here's Gertie's answers...


1. Do you like blue cheese? No.
2. Did you ever smoke? No.
3. Do you own a gun? No. Dad did.
4. What flavors Kool Aid was your favorite? Grape.
5. Do you get nervous before doctor appointments? Yes.
6. What do you think of hot dogs? I can take em or leave em.
7. Favorite Christmas movie? None.
8. What do you prefer to drink in the morning? Coffee.
9. Can you do push ups? (Children beware...).... When it was necessary.
10. What's your favorite piece of jewelry? My diamond bracelet.
11. Favorite hobby? Reading
12. Do you have A.D.D.? No
13. What's one trait you hate about yourself? Sleeping so much.
14. Middle name? None.
15. Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment.
A. Dogs
B. Eating my potato
C. Eating my chicken in the refrigerator
16. Name 3 drinks you regularly drink? Tea, Coffee, Coke
18. Current hate right now? Hearing ambulances.
19. Favorite place to be? Nowhere special.
20. How did you bring in the New Year? Watching tv.
21. Where would you like to go? No special plans.
22. Name three people who will complete this? NA
23. Do you own slippers? No.
24 What shirt are you wearing? Pajama tops.
25. Do you like sleeping on satin sheets? Never had a set.
26. Can you whistle? No
27. Favorite color? Blue
28. Would you be a pirate? No.
29. What songs do you sing in the shower? None.
30. Favorite Girl's Name? Lori
31. Favorite boy's name? Sam
32. What's in your pocket right now? Kleenex! A box full of kleenex.
33. Last thing that made you laugh?
35. Worst injury you've ever had? Cutting a finger. Stitches.
36. Do you love where you live? Yes.
37. How many TVs do you have in your house? 4, I think.
38. Who is your loudest friend? Sadie Singer.
39. Do you have any pets? Yes, 4 dogs and a favorite, Matee.
40. Does someone have a crush on you? No.
41. Your favorite books? Tuesday with Maury.
42. Favorite Sports Teams? Redskins
43. Favorite thing to cook? Matzo ball soup;
44. What song do you want played at your funeral? Oh SHIT!!!!

Playing catch up - again....sigh

Well, seems like blogging is a commitment and, with all my other commitments, well, you can see where my priorities lie. All is well though at the Mansion East, and Gert is pink as can be. She's doing quite well. although the summer has flown by with hardly any excursions. But, with all the friends surrounding us, we've had a pretty good time just sitting at the Mansion.

Sophia has been filling in for me most Saturdays as it's sort of the best sailing weather ever so John and I have taken the opportunity to hit the marina on Saturdays. So, John and I try to sail, Mom has the side benefit of getting excellent chinese food, weekly (one of the reason Mom's clothes no longer fit....that, and, well, oatmeal cookies). John and I tried to sail a few weekends ago with Lorne and Victoria but the weather gods were against us. We got to the marina early to prep the boat only to find not an inch of wind blowning. This actually worked to Vic's benefit as, at 8:45 she finally called (they were to be at the boat at 9......typical Victoria...sheesh.). Anyway, she called to report that they were just getting up - late night with friends, nephews, et al. After hemming and hawing, John and I decided to crash at their place as Lorne's power boat was back in the water and, wind or no wind, that thing was going out! So, we drove down to Lusby to board the IrROCKtional and off we went. Boy, did we GO! I spent most of the day falling on my butt as I refused to believe that one had to hold on to go over a wake at breakneck speed. Took a very nice unintentional dive while trying to get back on the boat once - the crew held up 5.0 but I think it was closer to a 9.7.



We ended up going to a 'beach area' which, well, was a 'river area' as the tide was in so sand was not available. But, ended up sitting, floating, and chatting most of the day away anyhow. We're nothing if not flexible! After we tired of sitting, floating and chatting, we took the boat over to the Tiki Bar where we proceeded to, well, sit and chat. Had a great time. Pictures will be forthcoming as they're in the camera still (a problem with digital cameras...).



Last weekend, John and I tried to sail but ended up sitting on the boat, at the bar, listening to music. Had a great time as can be witnessed by the picture at the left. John and I sort of specialize in these types of shots. Sailing or not, it was a totally glorious day.






So, today finds me down in Wilmington, NC, visiting Sharyn while John remains home with Gert and 5 dogs (did I mention that I have the best boyfriend ever?). Sharyn and I did a fair amount of beach sitting yesterday, which is the same game plan for today. Since the beach was deserted except for a few folks, we decided to feed the gull. Luckily, neither Sharyn nor I require much entertainment....The shot to the left is proof that they really do get pretty aggressive!

On updates and, well, not...

Well, it seems like time just flies around here! Since my last update, I've returned from a fantastic (that's 'f'ntastic' to you, Bobbi and Nancie!)cruise from Ft. Lauderdale. John and I boarded the Enchantment of the Seas for a 4 day cruise which was supposed to go to Key West, Cozumel and then back. Due to the hurricane though, we got diverted to Nassau instead of Cozumel. So, August 29th found us in the same town in which I rang in my 50th with dear Bobbi just 2 short months ago. Not a problem though as John and I made our own fun. Did the requisite jewelry store shopping (visited a gorgeous necklace that I'd fallen in love with in June. Luckily, I fell more in love with its case-mate, an emerald/diamond number which was just too expensive...), cocktail sipping and, this time around, we found a great beach where we stripped down and hopped in for about a 4 hour float. A great time was had.

Key West was also a blast as I started the day off right by taking John to one of my favorite spots - breakfast at a local off-the-beaten-path spot - Pepe's. Bloody Marys ensued, a gorgeous omelet and the best homefries this side of Cuba. Walked around and acclimated John to my 'other' hometown. Walked around the Marina and drooled at the pleasure boats, drinks at Sloppy Joe's, shopping at Fast Buck Freddy's, drinks at Hog's Breath, drinks at....well, you get the idea. Waddled back to the ship in time for sailing (quite a feat after a day of Key West). Interestingly, we'll be back there for fantasy fest in October. That's Rasta John on the left.

Came home and 'relaxed' back into the homestead with loads of clothes and major vacuuming. Not sure what happened but the dogs must have exploaded as the floors were just coated in fur! Of course, that happens around here anyway. Which brings me to the 'Furbicator.' For those of you dog owners, this thing is worth the very hefty price tag. It strips the undercoat quite easily. Killian is about 10 lbs thinner! Amazing invention.

Gert's doing quite well. Did mani/pedicures last week and was quite jealous that her nail color is much better than mine. Amazing how many people mention how gorgeous her nails are when we go out.

Mom and I went out yesterday to buy a woodstove to try and stave off the huge increase in oil costs we suffered last year - heating bill quadrupled - ouch! Did lunch with John at a vietnamese pho restaurant where the utensils proved to be quite a challenge with a 91 year old. Those goofy spoons just don't work too well in arthritic hands. But, she managed to still proclaim the meal 'delicious' and it was. It's amazing to me though how much I learn daily from her - she's really got a truly positive outlook about everything. Situations are not 'challenges,' they're just something to deal with. And, we end up getting very creative sometimes.

Sophia has been over the last 3 nights, making fantastic dinners. I've repaid the debt by doing baking so she's good on fresh bread, oatmeal cookies, banana bread (yesterday) and marble pound cake (today). It's a damn good thing that I don't like this stuff! Mom's certainly appreciative and she's showing it. Bought her some stuff in her normal size which was too small - she thought the stuff shrank until I gently noted that the stuff was brand new and maybe she was expanding....funny.

John and I were going to take Mom down to Saint Michael's this weekend to go on a 2 hour sailboat ride on a charter but got concerned about the long commute and wearing her down. With the Bay Bridge damaged, it will take at least 2 hours to get there, then a 2 hour sail and 2 hours back = 6 hours or an exhausted Gert. So, that's out. We'll find something else to do with her. John and Mom have a mutual admiration society - of course, part of Mom's fascination with John is that John is the owner of Mom's dog...Matee.