So we didn’t bake clams, but we had a real nice time. I felt like Queen for a Day.

Last Sunday, my family threw a combined birthday party for the Thriller and me (our birthdays are a month apart). The best part, of course, was having everyone at the house at the same time. Mavis cooked a wonderful feast for about 15 family and friends, and the kids wouldn’t let us clean up afterwards.

Thoughtful gifts were given to both of us. From clothing to homemade items to gift cards to household and office needs — they were the greatest. Then the Thriller threw me a curve ball and presented me with the netbook I’d been lusting after. (He is ozzum indeed.)

After the younger generation left for the day, the Old Ones remained around the dinner table. We laughed and goofed off for a good couple of hours. It was a great day.

Now I get to spend the day with Justin and Jake, then the rest of the week at school. It begins…

FO

It was a hot one, lemmetellya fiends. But we had a blast. In spite of the 100-degree heat, we enjoyed the bears (black, brown and polar), lions, lemurs, tiny monkeys, baboons, flamingos, snakes, seals, birds, exotic cats and giraffes. Jake was in charge of the spritz bottle, and we all got multiple mist treatments. I applied and reapplied sunscreen like it was my job (except I forgot my own face. Oi.).

Our geriatric spines may never be the same, but we sure loved our day together. Both boys were great sports about everything, and the Thriller was the ultimate host, making sure we were all as cool and hydrated as we could be.

We. Walked. Everywhere. And everywhere we walked was uphill and six miles to get there. But what a workout, eh?

Behold, the Zootorial…

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Fantastic day, short night. Today, we conquer the park.

Grammie Fink

Probably. But we’re going to the Cleveland zoo anyway today, despite temperatures likely reaching the mid-90s, with lots of lovely humidity pushing the heat index to over 100.

Armed with sunscreen, a spray-nozzle bottle of water (for misting purposes — keep those boys cool), a double stroller, two full sippy cups, and plans to not stay all day long, we should have a blast. Bring on the wildlife.

Jake’s looking forward to the monkeys the most. I will report back with the day’s high jinks.

Happy Tubesday, and for those fiends with real jobs, rejoice that it’s a short week!

FO

And innocence, and delightful creativity, and wondering what goes on in a toddler’s mind as he sits in his own world for 90 minutes without going anywhere or acknowledging anyone.

Such was the case yesterday, when the boys came to visit Grammie and Grandpa for the night. The Thriller wanted to build them a sandbox, but instead decided to convert a circular flower garden in the back yard into a glorious sand pit for Jake and Justin. The work paid off…we did not hear a word from Jake for an hour and a half; nor could we coax him in to eat dinner. Small price to pay. It was fun watching him.

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And now he and his brother & parents are off to Myrtle Beach for a week…what will Grammie do? Ah, I know. SmartBoard training at school. Party, ja?

Happy Finkday to all!

Once in awhile, really great friends come along. Some drift in and out of your life, but the true blue ones are always in your heart.

Such is the case with my wonderful fiend BoomR.

You have to go to his site and listen to his music. I’ve heard and worked with some great saxophone players in my time, but this guy is at the top of the heap. Fortunately for all his audiences, he’s a fantastic singer too! (I’ll let him give out his website if he wants to.)

We go way back. Check out this shot of us in the studio, circa 1986. HA

Good times, good times..

Welp, Jake is helping me type this, and Justin is getting into k bku  vbc b <– that, so I’ll fly for now. HB, BoomR luv!

FO g g gf nm,j,