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On Thursday

November 2, 2017 at 9:09 am by Claudia

This morning’s view (taken just a few minutes ago) of the living room. After a gray and rainy day yesterday, it looks like the sun is going to make an appearance.

Don is in the middle of all the celebrations going on in Houston. Congrats to the Astros! This morning, as I came downstairs, I remembered everything Houston has been through this year and, though this victory doesn’t set everything to rights, it sure must help to be able to celebrate something wonderful.

By the way, the cast of Margaritaville got a VIP tour of NASA yesterday – they got to see some stuff that one doesn’t see on the standard tour. Don had a great time. NASA even had a welcome to the cast message, with the show’s logo, on their monitor in Mission Control. Somebody bought me a T-shirt. He also got a few little presents for our Little Z. He’s a good uncle.

I’ve been bringing this plant back from the almost-dead. It’s one of the two plants that Don didn’t water when I was in Hartford. Remember? One did bite the dust, but this one had life in it so I took it back to Hartford with me. There are still bits of brown that I am hesitant to pull out because there’s often green growth further along on the stem.  It’s so much better than it was!

I have errands to run today and, I think, dinner with Rick and Doug tonight. I leave for Chicago a week from tomorrow. It’s a pretty quick turnaround. But there’s a family gathering planned for the day after I get there and I don’t want to miss it. My niece and nephew will be there with their families, as well as Mere and her family.

Happy Thursday.

Filed Under: Don, houseplants 30 Comments

Back Home

October 29, 2017 at 9:38 am by Claudia

I was so tired yesterday that I just couldn’t get up the mental energy to write a post. I flew home on 3 hours sleep and traveling involves not just the flight, but the AirTrain at JFK, then the subway (long trip) into Manhattan, then running to buy a ticket for the bus, then the bus trip home, then a cab ride to my cottage. And I’ll have to do it all over again in a couple of weeks!

I also had to get going early so that I could pick up our mail at the post office, buy some groceries and rake the huge amount of catalpa leaves that were on the ground. Today is rainy, and we’re supposed to get a lot of it over the next 36 hours.

I made sure to find the time yesterday to drive over to Rick and Doug’s house because THEY’RE HERE! Yay! They are exhausted, of course, and they’re far from settled but they are very happy to be here and they’re enthralled with all the deer and the wild turkeys they can see from their sunroom. Their dog, Sam, is also loving it. It’s my first time meeting Sam, who is absolutely adorable. He’s a lover, a face-licker (I couldn’t be happier) and it was so nice to spend some time with a sweet dog. In fact, I’m calling myself his Aunt Claudia. I’m so happy they’re here. Still can’t believe they are only a 5 minute drive from my house.

One of the things I loved about New Orleans was the vintage signage I saw everywhere. I shared some of the photos on Instagram and I’ll share them here today.

They tell a story, don’t they? I love vintage signs.

The show tour officially opened on Friday and the opening went extremely well, according to Don. Jimmy was there and he appeared at the curtain call and they all sang “Margaritaville” together. Don said he heard audience members scream when they saw him. A big old party followed and everyone had a great time. Today? They fly to Houston for a week of shows. Then it will be Chicago.

I slept nine hours last night, which is a rarity. But I really needed it. I’m going to take it easy today.

Happy Sunday.

Filed Under: Don, Escape to Margaritaville, Mockingbird Hill Cottage, New Orleans 26 Comments

Hey, Nineteen

October 12, 2017 at 8:48 am by Claudia

Make that nineteen years of wedded bliss.

We were (relatively) young whippersnappers, weren’t we?

Seriously, the wisest decision I’ve ever made was to marry this man. I had no intention of ever being married, was happily single…and then he walked into my life. Suddenly I was faced with a choice; avoid commitment, which was my previous M.O., or embrace it, despite the fear. I chose to embrace it and everything I worried about; would I feel smothered? would I have space? would I get bored with him as I had everyone else? would I lose my independence? – all of it fell away into nothingness.

The truth: I found an extraordinary man. Even in the midst of my fears, I knew that. I still know that. Every. Single. Day. And there’s not a day that goes by where I don’t thank God for bringing him into my life.

We met on July 4th. Four years later he proposed on July 4th. And the following October, in Nevada City, California, we were married.

I’ve never been one to disparage my husband, or to ‘commiserate’ with other women about my spouse. I have too much respect for him to do that. And why would I? As far as I’m concerned, I found the best partner in life I could have ever hoped for.

We’re in different parts of the country today, but we’ll celebrate when I get to New Orleans. We’ll have a lovely dinner on his day off, which is the 23rd. I mean, how romantic is New Orleans? Lucky us!

Happy Thursday.

Filed Under: anniversary, Don 82 Comments

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Welcome!

Welcome!

I live in a little cottage in the country with my husband. It's a sweet place, sheltered by old trees and surrounded by gardens. The inside is full of the things we love. I love to write, I love my camera, I love creating, I love gardening. My decorating style is eclectic; full of vintage and a bit of whimsy.

I've worked in the theater for more years than I can count. I'm currently a voice, speech, dialect and text coach freelancing on Broadway, off Broadway, and in regional theater.

Thanks for stopping by.

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