Dickens wrote that it was the best of times and the worst of times. I kind of felt that way about this weekend.
I’ll start with the worst first. One of my cousins, who religiously followed this blog and commented quite often, passed away yesterday. She was 65. She broke a leg while body surfing and in a freakish circumstance, suffered a pulmonary embolism. When we were young, in our late teens to early twenties, we hung out quite often. We, along with one of my sisters, took a road trip to Florida and we got into all sorts of adventures—both naughty and fun.
Always positive and always happy. And a friend of this blog community–she was my cuz!! And I’ll miss her comments here!
Debbie was a good person. She was very spiritual too. We didn’t agree politically and our last words on social media were of a political and argumentative nature. Luckily, I ended the conversation with that fact that I still loved her. She was my cuz. And I’m still in a state of shock. We saw each other at the Gorman Family Reunion in April and it was a true blessing. And that is all I’ll say because it’s really difficult to process the fact she’s gone.
I’m also nursing a hangover today. Between our Bastille Day dinner last night and drowning sorrows with half a bottle –ok—three quarters of a bottle of Côtes de Provence, I fell asleep at nine o’clock last night and am feeling a bit under the weather at the moment. In fact, I just sent Bonaparte out to get me a can of Campbell’s Chicken Noodle Soup and a package of frozen peas. My hangover food! I managed to drink a tall glass of chocolate milk earlier!
I kid you not! Wine does not agree with me. I’m so sick today!
But I have to say, before this news of my cousin, the weekend started off great!
As a Nordstrom Card holder, I have early access to the Anniversary Sale. But here’s the thing. The past couple of years, the Anniversary Sale has left much to be desired. And it’s getting worse. The goods are getting shoddier and the selections are becoming a bit too trendy—which is fine for some but doesn’t ring my bell. But—there’s always underwear and my husband mentioned in passing that I could use some new underwear. I love my comfy granny panties but he was right—I mean, some of my drawers are like ten years old and that’s just nasty!
Trust me–you don’t need early access. Nothing is spectacular!
So, I got in touch with one of my ex-Nordie’s co-workers and asked her to pick out some Hanky Panky panties for me, which she did. After all, I would rather see her get the commission. And I’m not naming her because something happened that really got my goat. When I stopped by to see her, I asked her to come up to the lingerie dept. with me because I also needed a bra. She asked the other sales assistants if they would kindly assist the customers that she had and every one of them said “No”. What bizitiches! And that is what I despised about working at Nordstrom! My managers were fantastic. I loved Michael and Jamie so much and I still stop by to see Jamie but Michael is now in Seattle! But the commission sharks were vile! Absolutely vile and I think Nordstrom upper management loves this sort of bad behavior.
Yes. I picked up nice panties and a bra. And today I’m back in granny panties!
My friend is such a sweet woman and is just kind to everyone. But there’s no way I would go to any of the women in the POV department at KOP besides her. Ugh. After witnessing that behavior, I’ll shop online!
Yesterday, we met my stepdaughter, Claire, and Bonaparte’s granddaughter, Sophie down the shore for some serious beaching at Wildwood Crest, where they have a summer place! I frolicked in the ocean with Sophie, read a book, basked in the sun and frolicked some more and all the time, my wig stayed on, got wet and dried beautifully!
I got a new two piece from Swimwear for All. So the tummy bulges but I don’t care. This swimsuit is comfortable and allows me the freedom to frolick in the waves!
Not a cloud in the sky. This street of nicely-lined homes is so picture-postcard perfect!
My bestie Sophie. We hung out throwing those surfer toys into the ocean and hanging in the ocean. She also entertained me with stories of summer camp! I miss having kids around!
The lifeguards were on watch to protect my wig if it fell off and got carried away by a wave. It didn’t!!
And an extra was the huge sandbar! I hadn’t seen a sandbar like that in years!
When we arrived at the beach, it was empty and filled up very quickly!
I love the feeling of scrunching my toes in damp sand–don’t you?
There was an abundance of seaweed too. I was tempted to bring some home for salad!
When we arrived home, I quickly showered, changed and got to work to prepare our Bastille Day Dinner out on the deck. The Frenchman requested Béarnaise sauce to accompany the steak to which I complied. I also made enough to dress up the asparagus spears. And we had a lovely dinner!
I cleaned up nice! From the wig that dried fabulously from salted water to coming home, showering and putting on my French-girl hair that Bonaparte got me for my birthday and a Breton striped shirt to celebrate Bastille Day!
I set the table outside in French colors (actually Franco-American colors since we share the red, white, and blue )
We started out with Kir Royals and the Alain Ducasse Gougeres that I make..
From there it was the delicious Paoli tomatoes and Mozerella topped with fresh Basil..
On to Filet Mignon with Bearnaise sauce….
…and asparagus spears dressed with the same sauce and topped with grated Jarlsberg. And I wonder why the scale isn’t giving me lower numbers!
And here’s the cause of my hangover. I can’t even look at this….
Waking up to rain was no pleasure today so we were both happy that we decided on yesterday as the beach day! I made my way downstairs to do some ironing. My tee shirts needed to have wrinkles ironed out. Ironing while hungover is not fun.
I was running on slo-mo! It took me an hour to iron four shirts. An hour!!!!
But—boy, what an exciting day today proved to be. Yesterday being Bastille Day and today being the World Cup Finals with France v. Croatia! Who would win? Both teams are incredibly talented and it ended up to be a very French weekend! France won 4-2. And it was a nail-biter at times but France’s young team proved to be more adept at today’s game!
My World Cup ensemble. Blue Salut Tee, white shorts and red toenails! Check out my lashes–that L’Oreal mascara is really good–they look fake!
I need a flag like this! Allez les Bleus! I’m so glad they won–and a certain Frenchman told me that despite my hangover, I will celebrate later with champagne! Yeah. Ok!
We’re taking Sophie to see Cirque du Soleil Tuesday evening. Luckily, we only have to drive up the street and she’ll be enjoying dinner with us.
You can see this tent from Route 422, the road I take to work. And every morning the nosey rubbernecking adds ten minutes to my commute. I can only hope that tent is fully air-conditioned!!!
To prepare ahead, I made a three-cheese Mac & Cheese earlier this afternoon. I made a béchamel sauce and added Cheddar, Colby and Jarlsberg cheeses. Then I added the cooked macaroni and blended it all together. I allowed it to “set” in order for the pasta to soak up the cheesy sauce. For dessert, I made a nougatine that is now in the freezer.
You have NO idea how tempting this was to me when I made it. I wanted to dig a large spoon into it while gulping down chocolate milk. But I didn’t.
Mac & Cheese stays well in the fridge for up to a week. And it works because when I arrive home from work on Tuesday, I’ll only have to heat the food up and not have to worry about cooking. It’s so much more enjoyable that way!
And now, I’m going to relax for a bit and take a bit of a well-needed rest! Sometimes we have those weekends where one day it’s all good and then you’re hit with horrible news. Life is certainly a roller-coaster of sorts—isn’t it?
Here’s what I wore this week to work. We had a blood drive and due to the fact that I’m a universal donor I donated. You lose a pound for every pint you donate and I’m sure I gained it back twofold after last night’s dinner!
Monday’s outfit was a simple tee shirt dress from Old Navy and my black Rondini Sahara sandals. I went with my blonde Wren wig!
Tuesday, I went with a “Blood Donor Friendly” outfit. I had to get up and lay down on a table so I wore an old pair of J. Crew Minnie pants, an Old Navy top and ballet flats. I kept my arms bare because….
Wednesday was more pants because I was too lazy to shave my legs for two days in a row!
Just in case anyone would forget what day it was! Guess what day I wore this? With a white denim skirt and Jamison again! I don’t wear this shirt enough!
And that was my week in clothing! And to toast Bastille Day and the World Cup–here’s a toast–and you can listen to my Frenchman give the toast!!