Day Eighty Eight

My mom turned 88 years old on March 26. We had a birthday party for her today. I love it that today is Day 88 in 365. Too cool! Here are her candles on the Jell-O cupcakes my sister Jane made for her (taken in the negative setting: check out http://kaykel.blogspot.com/ ) And here she is with most of her grandchildren and greatgrandchildren. She enjoyed her day and always hates to see us leave. Love you, Mom!!

Day Eighty Seven

My daughter Kelly came in today from Murfreesboro to visit and treated her dad and me to a coffee and cheesecake at the Dolce Cafe in the old Maddux building on the square. I forgot to bring my cell phone for picture taking and told her to take some pictures so I'd have something to post here today. She started taking some cool pictures and suddenly discovered the negative picture setting. It was like eating potato chips--once she started, she couldn't stop. When we got home, I grabbed my cell phone and we drove all over the neighborhood, snapping pictures in the negative and marvelling at how cool they look. I said, We should start a blog with these pictures. So we did. It's called Positively Negative (at least for the time being) http://kaykel.blogspot.com/ The picture here was one of the only "normal" ones I took all day, looking down Hudgens Street at Spark's Grocery store and just across the street from where the old Cookeville water tower once stood beside Capshaw School. We had the best time today taking pictures.

Day Eighty Six

The Nashville Flea Market has been my little piece of heaven once a month since 2004. I like old stuff. (Insert joke about hubby Neil here) I'm a junker and a collector. Anyone who has been to my house can attest to that. There's just something about rust and peeling paint that appeals to me. I guess I was born out of my time. Today, Neil found some beautiful plants for our yard--these blue and pink hydrangeas and some ferns. The Fiesta ware lady is always there with her colorful dishes. And see that crock sitting on top of that great pie safe? It's mine now. You can find literally anything for sale at the flea market. From vintage clothing to brand new fishing poles. And of course the proverbial tube socks. Lots of practical and plenty of weird. I highly recommend a visit to this flea market. You don't have to like old stuff. It's just fun. http://www.tennesseestatefair.org/FleaMarket.htm

Day Eighty Five

This is my mother, who turned 88 years old today. Happy Birthday, Mom!!! We've got a party planned for her this Sunday. Today, my sisters--that's Jane at the wheel and a shout out to Ann, who was in the back seat--took Mom to a long overdue eye doctor appointment, where it was discovered that she has better eyesight than any of her children! She didn't even need a new prescription, just picked out some new hip frames. Way to go, Ma! You da best! Love you always and forever!!! (can't add enough exclamation points on that one)

Day Eighty Four

I can't seem to escape the call of holiday candy. I always have to have something chocolate anyway. When I ran out of my pretty pastel M&M's the other day, I naturally jumped in the car and drove to K-Mart, the nearest M&M's store, and trolled the Easter candy displays for those irresistible little chocolate calories, only to realize they didn't have any (no big surprise there), but I did find a big bag of gourmet jelly beans. Like my Lindor truffles, gourmet jelly beans are a seasonal treat for me. Last Easter candy time was the last time I'd had a jelly bean. So I bought them. And a bag of regular colors M&M's (got to have the chocolate fix!). I'm not afraid to mix the gourmet flavors. But the licorice jelly beans must be banished first. I don't do licorice in any shape or form, no offense to you licorice people out there in candy land. These made a pretty little pile on my desk. Now they're gone. Just these. There are still some in the bag. Tomorrow is another day.