Life in the Middle Age Lane

Emilio has a love of music, classical, rock, irish, hip hop, symphonic, etc.  I loved being at home and all of a sudden hear the most beautiful music coming from his room. He played in several different venues while in Texas and one in North Carolina. Good friends of ours flew Emilio down to play at their block party in Wake Forest.  He had the best time.  Parker and Michael were the best to have him up there. We went to several school recitals and holiday shows featuring Emilio's violin.  At one show he told me he will be doing a solo and I automatically assumed it was a violin solo.  That kid surprised all of us with vocal solo from Phantom of the Opera.  It was incredible.  NO one knew he could sing like that. Emilio, during the summer would play at Mucky Duck  on Wednesdays at their Irish Jam Sessions.  He was the youngest one up there for a few years. He was such a regular that for his 16th birthday we gathered a crowd ...

I always wanted to be a little devil.  Okay that's not true. Here is the real story behind my costume this year. Originally, this dress was to be worn for Fogerty's Red Night in Key West but had to wear a costume that night instead.  So I thought  that I would accessorize it and wear it as a costume to a Halloween party a friend had this past Saturday.   The second part of the story is the fact my weight is slowly creeping back and the original costume I ordered online did not fit me.  (always read the fine print a Medium = size 2 thru 8) in what world is a size 2 the same as an 8?!?!?!? I  think the whip/pitch fork accessory really made the outfit.  Actually it made it difficult to balance my drink, the camera and the whip.  I kept taking pictures with my drink, sipping my camera and dropping the whip. It was a very confusing night. I was going as a shot girl, and I realized two things... 1) my boobs will not look like the pic...

ROT Rally 2010 Austin, TX Christopher "Doc" Lloyd and me The first year Shelby went away to school, it felt like we were two kids left home alone for the first time.  John ran around in his underwear until it was time for work. (He so going to be mad at me for posting this but I think it's just so darn funny! ) and I , well I can't think of anything I did differently except made more time for me. One of the things John and I decided to do,  being early empty nesters was to be more considerate of each other and do things we both enjoy.  There are very few things we both enjoy together and we have had to compromise quiet a bit to figure things out.  One thing we knew for certain was that we wanted to grow old together and not grow apart. These is where the motorcycle rally in Austin Texas comes in.  We traveled with another fun couple for the Republic of Texas Motorcycle rally.  Concerts, beautiful bikes, and people from all walks of life..... in...

A good friend of mine is hosting a huge Halloween party at her home tonight.  She has over 90 guest planning to attend.  Because of Pinterest and my ability with a hot glue gun I set to work on these really cute costume contest trophies for her. You can check them out on this blog  here . I had the misfortune of not finding the three dimensional skeletons (I went to 4 different dollar stores)  so I had to do with the 2 dimensional ones and use some creativity in making them stay upright. I'm not crazy about my belt buckle but I think at this point, I was tired. Tell me what you think.  I wish I could have posed them but that would have required cutting them up and was too worried that it would look awful.  Also, I was able to get 4 skeletons in a package for a $1.  I think the entire project cost me $20.00 I have a craft room full of paper and ribbons from our early days in Girl Scouts, being a Room Mom and PTO. ...

When we first starting going to Fantasy Fest ,we had no idea that this would turn into a yearly event for us.  And every year it just gets stranger and stranger.  It's definitely an adult Halloween party that last about 10 days and after a few days you wonder if anyone there is  from Earth. These folks just got in from the farm along with their own "Mad" cow. Friday nights costume was a toga.  I probably could have used a slip but did not pack one and this costume was a last minute one, bought at Fairvilla.  A huge store that probably makes all their money this month right down the street from the pier. You probably are asking why I'm the only one in costume while John gets to wear his normal clothes.  It's part of the fun in attending Fantasy Fest, our group of women love the costumes and make up. Gotye   Can't have a parade without beads being thrown. This is just a glimpse on the craziness that go...

This is our third day in the Keyes and have enjoyed amazing food, good friends, and lots if good laughs. If ever down hear you must go to the pier at the White Tarpon and try the Key Lime Martini.

Key West , Florida I have no idea who those folks are in that picture.  But it sums up what Fantasy Fest is all about in a PG13 sort of way.  First time we went to Key West was in 2008.  John's employers keep their boat docked in Key West and they invite us down for this festival every year in October.   Do you know that insurance commercial with Mayhem causing mishaps and accidents.  Well, it's like a whole week of those for most of the attendees at FF.  It's a great place to people watch and see the most amazing costumes.  And also to see no costumes, or clothing, or inhibitions.  Not a place I would take my kids to but I would take my mother.  She would have a blast looking at everyone! So many different costumes.  I guess the best way to describe it is Halloween for adults on Pixy sticks. Lots and lots of Pixy sticks. One of my favorite stories was told to me on the day we were leaving Key West and we are sit...