My Best Friend and First Follower

Zia is my oldest (nope, that's not right), my longest-running friend...and my first follower. We are the kind of friends that can say, "shut up", and smile while doing it...doesn't sound polite, but we have been friends for over thirty-something years...She lives on the Outer Banks, and is a fabulous Real Estate Agent/Broker...If you want to find some great beach front property, she's the one....The photo her dogs (three of about 10 on any given day), at their beach house last Sept.

The "Etc." in my business name covers so much....but, today it's about living one's best life, without sounding like a Martha Stewart wanna be.

This morning's routine was pretty much like every morning; feed the cats, feed the deer, feed the birds, feed the squirels, clean the litter boxes, sweep the porch, make the bed, make the coffee, check in on the email. Even though it's Sunday, I made myself do my workout....I can't sit there on Saturday night, eating a pint of (even though it's low fat) butter pecan ice cream, while watching "The Biggest Loser"...she lost a hundred and sixty pounds, and won a quarter of a million dollars. I don't need to lose that much, but I needed to do the workout (this is after I went to the grocery store this morning and bought another pint to sneak in the freezer to hide the evidence. My husband doesn't read this blog, so I'm safe in my confessions.)

Living the best life includes having people over for salmon steaks, grilled along with grilled green beans, which are marinated in lemon juice and garlic. The secret to having them come out green after grilling is to smash up two vitamin c pills and add to the marinade. I have those disposable pans for grilling...with the holes in them, so the whole thing doesn't fall through the grate. Some good chardonay, good friends, some laughs, and fruit salad for dessert. We will enjoy a respite from the heat (this is Texas in May), so we will enjoy it all on the porch.

I have, as most of us, been affected by the economic down turn...people aren't building...and they are all tightening their belts, but managing to do some design, along with the "Etc." things...such as the floorcloths, custom window treatments, and an upcoming gig, decorating trees for Macy's (starting in the fall), keeps my head above water, and my attitude somewhat upbeat...we all have to pull together, and enjoy life one day at a time.

So, have a wonderful Sunday...I plan to...