Fabulous Since 1961

Where I Blog Now

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 25 May 2019 15:47:00 +0000

After a few years of having to hide my blog, you can now find me at, Late, In Love, And a Little Drunk

You're My Person.

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 19 May 2019 14:29:00 +0000

I know I said that I wasn't going to post anymore here, but I wanted to share these four special people in my life.

Do you know that saying? The first time I heard it was on Grey's Anatomy. It's having someone in your life that is always there for you, shows up no matter what, puts up with your BS, (in my case, chemical sensitivities) and continues to love you. As I read through Ecclesiastes this morning, which is a book a usually find kind of depressing, I was given hope and gratefulness. I had alway thought of Ecc 4:9-10 as talking about a married couple;
"Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor. If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them."
But today I realized it's talking about having a person.
I don't have a person; I have four. When my world fell apart Renee, who wasn't even home, but out of town, without me asking, drove through the night arriving at my house at 1am to sit with me. She then visited multiple times, bringing me encouragement, and packing up boxes.
Monica, who lives in Indiana, canceled appointments, found someone to watch her three homeschooled children, and drove to Asheville to spend a week with me.
Sarah, who was celebrating her 25th Anniversary, and on her family vacation, changed her plans and hopped on a plane in Orlando, to come take care of me.
Darlene, (and Mark) who has been my rock for so many years. She has helped me through many trials, and always provides a place of refuge for me. I don't even have the words to describe how special our relationship is.
I fell down, and these four friends picked me up, and I am so grateful for their friendship.

About Last Night...

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 16 May 2019 20:55:00 +0000

I did not sleep. Instead I writhed on the floor as my gallbladder tried to kill me; this is the third attack I've had in six weeks. Right now Darlene is wondering if she should take me to the hospital, because it's never a good sign when your pee is orange. I spent part of the morning laying across a bench, admiring the incredibly blue sky, listening to all the familiar sounds of Orlando, and hoping the sunshine would have some healing powers.
This is going to be my last post on Daily Observations. It makes me sad, but life has changed and it's time to start fresh. If you're here from Facebook, you'll still be seeing links to new posts, but if you are here from another blog, or find me through a bookmark, you will have to email me for a link to the new address.

Yesterday Was Really Crappy.

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 15 May 2019 09:59:00 +0000

I knew 2019 would bring a lot of change to my life. After living with us for 7.5 years, Megan and Oliver were getting their own place, meaning I was going to have the time and space to finally start working on my art and Etsy shop. Brewier and I had started picking up furniture at thrift stores to make over and sell, and while sharing a house with the kids was fun it did add stress to our not so great marriage, but Brewier was getting help for his mental illness, so I had hope.

What has been shared on Daily Observations for the past 17 years are the high points, the good stuff. When I look back through the archives I think, "See, it wasn't so bad." Except that it was. I was in an abusive, marriage and am just now realizing how bad it was. To quote my doctor, "You've been brain f**ked for 38 years."

Monday, Brewier went to a see new psychiatrist in Tampa; he would only see Brewier if I went along. I thought I could do it, that I was strong enough to spend time with Brewier. I was so wrong.
I spent yesterday sitting in a chair weeping, the emotional beating I took making my body feel like it was physically abused. As I scrolled through Pinterest trying to numb my mind with pretty pictures, this article popped up. I read it, and it was if someone had written my life.

How Was Your Mothers Day?

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 14 May 2019 13:45:00 +0000

Jessica and I celebrated together by going to a brewery in Brooksville. One of the brewers at Marker 48, had given me couple of free beer tokens last fall, and I had been holding on to them until Jessica and I could go together. My dad would have been so proud to know I am still able to do this trick he taught me.

Because two of our beverages were free, plus it was happy hour, we ordered four delicious, dark beers to sip on as we ate the tastiest BBQ from the Barbie Que food truck. No, we didn't finish all that beer, it would have been too much of a good thing...a couple of these were 8%.

Here I am, awkwardly doing my best Vanna White. There is a reason she gets the $$$, looking graceful is not easy.

While at Jessica's, Brooke asked if she could "massage" my legs and feet. This took nearly an entire bottle of lotion and an hour of time. Kate joined in by attending the leg that Brooke wasn't massaging. I think I was elevated to a higher spiritual plane...or I just fell asleep. While the girls did it out of love, I rewarded them; Kate with a couple of dollars, and at her request, Brooke got a pack of gum, each stick getting kissed before chewed.

Brookes latest favorite thing to do is play Patty Cake.

Brooke was delighted to be able to pick out her own sneakers; Spiderman. She much prefers boys clothing to frilly girl things.

I was really excited to be able to visit with Vickie last week. She was diagnosed with cancer and given a year to live...that was eight years ago. Her disease has provided her the opportunity to work on her art. She is currently busy with pet portraits, but for my 50th birthday she gave me this:

and this one of Megan and baby Oliver.

Our visits always include a trip to Hot Dog Heaven.

Florida does have the most beautiful clouds; I'm so happy to be here enjoying them.

I'm Not Depressed. Really.

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 08 May 2019 19:09:00 +0000

My mom called, concerned about my mental well being after reading my blog, but honestly, I'm not depressed. Unsettled, heartbroken, sad, angry? Yes, those are things I'm feeling, but being around friends has kept me from falling into the pit of despair. Of course, I'm probably still in shock. Jessica said to me last weekend, "You know mom, you're not going to remember this year." She's right. I went through a very traumatic experience in 1995, followed by more trauma during the next four months, and I have no memory of the following year. This time though, I have a blog to help me remember.
I got a text from my brother Greg, asking if I wanted to meet up for coffee; I think it's been over a year since I last saw him, and it was good to hug him and catch up.

I found these on my phone, taken last week at a mall while Jessica's three oldest were in sewing class. Jackson and Brooke were ecstatic to get to ride the carousel; I'd never seen a double decker one before. Jackson headed straight for the top, and spent his ride doing acrobatics on his horse. I kept waiting for him to go careening over the rail.

What's My Plan?

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 07 May 2019 20:43:00 +0000

I'm getting asked that alot, so to everyone who is wondering what my plan is, I'll tell you...I don't have one. Darlene has encouraged me to rest and heal; my Dr said I should disappear for a year to heal, (there is more to my story than just Brewier walking away). God has told me to be still and rest; him I'll listen to. Today I made myself get dressed, put on makeup and went out for coffee, followed by a trip to Goodwill, and a stroll down Park Ave, where I was disappointed to find that Pottery Barn was closed for renovations. I'll have to get my catalog fix this weekend when I visit Jessica.

Because it makes me happy and I do love organizing, I did this to my drawers here at Darlene's house. Anyone in O-town want help organizing? Let me know.

Foxtail Coffee in Winter Park.

I found a death star cookie jar at Goodwill

And I forgot to tell you, I have a new ride!

No that's not it. This dreamy Cadillac is so long it took up two parking spots, is pink inside and out and is pure perfection. When I spied the car, Aretha Franklins' "Freeway of Love" popped into my head and my eighties dream of owning a pink Cadillac like this one, flooded over me.
This is what I'm driving now. I went with a 2012 Toyota Sienna, with all the features I wanted, plus more. I found it at a dealership just six miles from Jessicas house, here in Florida.

Somebody Call the Waambulance.

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 06 May 2019 17:59:00 +0000

I've started and deleted half a dozen partial posts this morning. It's hard not being whiney right now. I'm loving my time in Florida; it was my home for nearly thirty years, and I have some really good friends here. At the same time I'm missing Asheville, with all of its activity and the ability for me to walk, hike and spend time outside. The Beer City Festival is next month. I had planned on going to it, but the thought of going by myself does not thrill me; it's an experience to be shared. And that's where I'll stop my post today because I'm kind of feeling sorry for myself. So, photos from last week are what you get.

This weeks reading provided by Jessica...it's like she can read my mind.

You know the quote by Eleanor Roosevelt 'Do one thing every day that scares you.'? Posting this pic should count for a month of things. I'm working on doing the scary things.

Saturday morning with Jessica.

My grandchildren are weird.

Man Does Not Live by Bread Alone.

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 30 Apr 2019 22:17:00 +0000

But Cheez-its...Cheez-its are another matter. I have eaten more of this snack cracker in the past month, than I have in my entire life. Here is a photo of what I have been living on, (missing are the eggs, sprouted wheat bread and rotisserie chicken) I love being near a Costco! It’s challenging trying to figure out what to eat when I can’t cook, (I'm not eating out) so for now, this works.

I've been in Tampa this week visiting with my chicken pox covered grandchildren. They were all so excited to be sick, each kid anxiously awaiting for the pox to appear on their skin. This crew is sick so infrequently, that they look forward to illness because of the perks of getting to sleep on the sofa, eat ice cream and watch Netflix. Jessica wanted to give Kate some Advil and she cried out, "No! I don't want to get better!" Chicken pox...they just aren't that bad.

Jessica, Katherine, and I went out to a couple of breweries Friday night, my reward for watching the kids all day while Jessica was meeting. Here's a secret, 5 kids are easier to watch than one, because they keep each other entertained.

Brooke, wearing a sweater I bought for Jessica when she was 18 months old.

Right now I'm torn about blogging. There is SO MUCH I have to say, but do I really want to share it?

The Second Half.

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 22 Apr 2019 22:42:00 +0000

I got a call from Sarah as she was arriving home from the family Easter lunch, asking me if I wanted to come over. I was out of the house in less than five minutes*. We sat outside until dark then went in to watch tv. The next thing I knew, it was morning, Ethan was asleep on the sofa with me,(it's a big L shaped sofa) and John was making coffee. It turned out to be a really nice Easter.

*I love being at Mark and Darlene's, but I can't be outside at their house because of all the beautiful blooming jasmine.

Weird Easter.

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 21 Apr 2019 18:59:00 +0000

No family, no kids, no hosting a brunch, and for the first time ever, I don't have an Easter basket. It's funny the things that punch me in the stomach and remind me how things will never be the same.
Darlene is under the weather and stayed home from church, so we watched a teaching online from the Mission Church in Temple Terrace; I really enjoy their pastor. The weather is once again spectacular, but I am inside, not knowing what to do or where to go, so here I sit reading and making notes, trying to come up with a plan for my life.

Mark is my Cheez-it buddy...and a pretty funny guy.

Could It Be Any More Perfect?

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 20 Apr 2019 20:57:00 +0000

(Said in my Chandler Bing voice)

This kind of day is a rarity in Florida...the kind of day that make tourists think they could live here. When Sarah and I left for the beach at 6:30, yes, in the morning, the temperature was 57 degrees, with a delightfully cool and humidity free breeze; it was cold enough that we needed to put on our seat warmers as we drove to Starbucks. The beach was nearly deserted save for a handful of fisherman, and a washed up tree that looked like a giant octopus. We walked the length of Bethune Beach and into the Canaveral National Seashore. By 9:30 our faces were starting to turn pink, and we left in search of breakfast. We drove down A1A, but all of the beach side cafes I used to go to are gone; high rises taking their places, so we thought we would try downtown New Smyrna. The handful of restaurants were packed with vacationers, and we made the decision to go to Sanford, but not before exploring the farmers market. While the beach was breezy, Sanford was downright windy, but that didn't deter us from sitting lakeside, because it was just so beautiful out.

I Forgot About Good Friday.

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 19 Apr 2019 20:55:00 +0000

Well, I remembered it was Good Friday, I forgot that people do major grocery shopping on this day. I went to Costco to pick up some groceries (I am in salad heaven) and trying to walk through the store was like driving through Atlanta during rush hour. There was nothing I could do but be patient and go with the flow of people.
We are having some fantastic Florida rain storms this afternoon, making it the perfect time to read a couple of Dr. recommended books, and drink coffee. Mark has a Pixi espresso machine. Im getting really spoiled.

Palm Trees are My Fave.

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 17 Apr 2019 20:04:00 +0000

After staying inside all of yesterday, internetting and watching gun videos on Youtube with Mark, I thought I should probably get out and enjoy the sunshine and cool temperatures; eighty four degrees, which is pretty darn cool for Florida.
I drove through my old neighborhood on autopilot, pushing down the feelings that arose as I cruised by the familiar, and pulled into my friend Eileen's driveway. She's an octogenarian, but you would never know it from her energy and mental sharpness. I took a photo of us, but she asked that I not post it because she was out of hairspray and her hair was, "A mess." I did get a photo of our old home, the one I planned on living in forever. I agree with Eileen, that this is the best it has looked since we moved out.

I texted Sarah, and we met for lunch; Publix sushi under the palms with a lovely breeze blowing.

And that was Wednesday.

The Toes Tell the Story.

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 16 Apr 2019 17:26:00 +0000

They are painted; a near death defying feat for me, and a telltale sign that I am Florida bound. Or was Florida bound, because I arrived here yesterday, emotionally and physically exhausted. I rolled into downtown Orlando at 4:45, and didn't arrive to my destination, five miles away, until 5:56.

I had plenty of time to take pictures of a downtown I no longer recognize.

Before leaving Asheville, I stopped into Horse & Hero, where Noah gave me this print I've been admiring for over a year, and a seltzer to keep me hydrated as I walked around.

We stopped to see Melissa at Asheville Chocolate, while Oliver enjoyed a giant chocolate topped with krispies.

One last stop for a beer at Catawba, on a rainy Saturday.

I had plans today to go visit some people and shop at Costco, but instead have decided to stay in and rest. I may even put my pajamas back on.

Then and Now

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 12 Apr 2019 16:26:00 +0000

This photo came up in my FB feed as a memory from six years ago. I remember thinking I looked old, and then continuing the thought with, "One day I'll look at this photo and think, wow I look young." That day is today.

This is me yesterday wearing another one of my new outfits. I look at the photo and think, Wow, I look old, followed by the thought, "One day I'll look back and think, Wow, I look young." I'm now considering if I should try growing my hair out...
the biggest reason I keep it short is that I can cut it myself.

Yesterday I visited the Biltmore; I really wanted to see all the tulips in bloom, and I wasn't disappointed. Everything is so lush and colorful. The thousands of azalea bushes on the grounds are covered with buds, and look like they should be bursting forth next weekend.

The Inevitable Question

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 11 Apr 2019 08:49:00 +0000

The people at the Fika Meetup were lovely; I'm pretty sure I was the only one not wearing a hearing aid, and without a doubt I was the only woman not wearing fragrance. My visit lasted about 30 minutes, which is a pretty impressive length of time for me. The most uncomfortable part of these meetups is the inevitable question, which I've talked about before, "Are you retired or do you still work?" If only there were a hidden camera to record people's expressions when I tell them I've never worked. I imagine it's the same look a unicorn would get if ever spied by a human. At this point all conversation usually stops; its as if people think since I've never worked outside the home, I have nothing to talk about, so I made a list of a some of the things I've done. The first is home educating Jessica and Megan. This was the wild west of home education, there were no co-ops, support groups or curriculum. I've made money by selling my artwork and craft work, making jewelry, doing calligraphy, baking, cleaning houses, childcare, I've done seamstress work, and have an Etsy shop where I sold mostly vintage goods. Oh, and I bartered my health care for several years by working for my doctor. I was offered a book deal based on my craft blog, which fell through because I couldn't go to bookstores to promote the book.
I've staged several homes for selling, organized closets, laid tile, hung drywall, put up crown moulding, painted, wallpapered, reupholstered furniture, built a lattice fence, cut hair, did makeup for an author's book jacket photo and did image consulting.
I would be so bored with a 9-5 job.

After the meetup I walked around downtown, (Wicked Weed was brewing and it smelled delicious) for a while, visiting Justin at Horse and Hero, and checking out all the fairly new businesses on the South Slope.

Even the art shops in Asheville have taps.

Getting Out.

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 10 Apr 2019 13:17:00 +0000

Introvert (ISFP) that I am, it's pretty easy for me to keep to myself, engaged in reading, art projects, or more recently, binge watching shows on Netflix. Sunday I thought it would be a good idea to see people, so Megan and I went the The Beehive to visit with Sophie, and MAx was there! We've been visiting with Max since the coffee shop opened, and it's always a treat to see him.

In an effort to help me meet people, because I love talking to and being around people, (I'm just not the best at it) Megan found a Meetup group for introverts walking distance from her house, so I joined the group and walked to the meeting Monday night. Because it's a group of introverts I wondered if anyone else would show up, but there ended up being eight of us, though one woman was an extrovert New Yorker who comes to the meetings because she likes the people. I learned all kinds of things about Bill Clinton from her, because her best friend was roommates with Gennifer Flowers. The group meets again tonight, though I'm debating whether or not to go because people were encouraged to bring their dogs. I'm not a dog person.
I am however going to a Fikka meetup this morning. Twenty people have RSVP'd so it's debatable if I will be able to stay (fragrance and fabric softener)

Spring really is here and my view from Megan's bedroom window is pretty sweet considering how close to town we are.

Morning:

Evening:

How Does One Pack...

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 07 Apr 2019 23:25:00 +0000

When You don't know where you will be living or for how long? The majority of my wardrobe has consisted of thrift store finds, hand me downs and a few new pieces purchased a couple of times a year at TJmaxx. It has served me well, but as I packed for my trip to Jessica's, last month I noticed how shabby my summer clothes were looking, and the two pairs of jeans and three sweaters I've been wearing for the past two winters didn't look much better.
Sarah suggested a shopping trip to purchase a capsule wardrobe that would work for spring through summer.
Loft was having a 40% off sale, and between that and Nordstrom Rack, we put together a dreamy collection. With Sarah's help,I ended up getting 4 pairs of pants/jeans, 2 pairs of sandals, a dress, 2 sweaters, 7 tops, and a pair of shorts. Whew! I've never done anything like that, but boy was it ever fun! I feel like I finally have clothes that fit me and make sense. Last week I wore a couple of my new outfits and documented them for Sarah.

New sweater and jeans. Jeans that fit! Jeans that weren't from a thrift store or a hand me down!

...and another pair of jeans, in a leopard print, with a top I already had.

Thank you Oliver for being my photographer.

I Have a New Address

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 05 Apr 2019 20:13:00 +0000

And Amazon doesn’t deliver to it. Whaaat?! I placed an order yesterday, and only my vitamins will be delivered to a PO Box.
This could be a problem.
For anyone interested this is where you can reach me.

Tricia Welch, PO Box 8702, Asheville, NC 28814.

Everyday I walk to the post office and peer inside my empty mailbox...except this time it wasn't empty, but held a treasure from Sarah O. Sarah travels the world and sends me surprise packages filled with smashed pennies and ephemera. Thank you Sarah <3 Now that I am caught up on sleep, I'm getting restless. What am I supposed to do with myself while living in limbo?

Resting.

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 03 Apr 2019 17:10:00 +0000

Saturday we took the last of the things destined for storage to the unit. As I closed the door on all of my worldly possessions, my body, which had been remarkably strong and pain free these past two months, gave in and I felt like I had been hit by a truck. A big truck. I had trouble gathering the strength and energy to walk out of the building. I spent the rest of the day and all of Sunday in bed next to Megan, binge watching "Wayward Pines." I'd given her the dvd's for Christmas 2017, yet we had never watched them; I'm glad we waited because it was just the kind of show we love. Once we finished that series, we started binging Colony on Netflix, and when I'm by myself Im watching The O.A.
My plan this week was to purchase a vehicle. I'd looked at a 2005 Toyota Sienna a few weeks ago and watched as it sat on the lot unsold. I prayed about it and decided today would be the day I would buy it. It sold yesterday, prayer answered. Now I'm questioning if a minivan is the way to go or if I should look at something like a Prius. The pro's on the minivan are, I can haul stuff, all my grandchildren fit in it, I can sleep in if need be (this freaks a lot of people out when I talk about sleeping in my van, but hey, it's something i have to consider). The pros of a Prius or other smaller car, better gas mileage. Ugh! This really throws a wrench in my plan of driving to Florida this weekend.

This is day three of no crying for me. It's amazing how getting more than three hours of sleep a night can improve one's mental state. Right after this picture was taken Oliver and I had a sob fest...Megan was fine.

The Hardest of Days.

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 28 Mar 2019 23:50:00 +0000

Our home is now just a house, empty space full of memories. I feel like I'm in a dream/nightmare and nothing feels real. I have no idea what I should be doing, or what life is supposed to be now...and I'm really tired of crying.

My final morning.

Hell Week and All the Feelings.

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 24 Mar 2019 12:19:00 +0000

Monica went home last Monday, and Sarah flew in from Orlando Wednesday morning, with John and Ethan driving up Thursday night. This was their families vacation week...and their 25th Anniversary. My friends overwhelm me with their love and I don't think I could survive this without their support.
Oliver's dad died this past week. Matthew hadn't had any contact in over six years, but it still impacted Oliver, especially since Brewier has now also abandoned him and the rest of the family. He has a lot of feelings going on for an eight year old, as he watches me cry while dismantling our home to put in storage, and tries to understand that I don't want to leave him and Megan, but have been given no choice. You can't rent a home without an income.
I've sold as much as I could, and donated several van loads to charity; the movers arrive on the 28th to put the rest in storage, though I've questioned why I'm even doing that...should I just sell everything? How do you start life over at 57?
When will my chest stop feeling like it is being crushed? can a person die from crying?

This is where we live, it's our nest of safety and comfort.

My state of being:

Young and Innocent.

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 18 Mar 2019 15:06:00 +0000

Sorting through things...how do I still have so much ephemera after moving 4 times in 6 years? I'm going through a box of stuff collected since I was a kid, and came across this menu from a state dinner I attended. A group of us high schoolers were attending a two week journalism class at EKU during the summer of 1978. Somehow, the professor teaching it, wrangled tickets for us to go to this Midwestern Governors dinner in Lexington. Here's what I remember about it. I ate caviar at the cocktail hour and didn't care for it, now knowing that it was very cheap caviar. I tried to use a secure phone line and got a talking to by secret service. I then thought it would be a fun idea to act suspicious the rest of the night to give the secret service guys something to do. In today's world I probably would have been taken to the pokey. The dinner itself is a bit of a blur, because I sat next to the professor and he kept pouring me glass after glass of wine. Back then I thought he must be really cool. Now I know he was being really creepy.

The other thing I remember is the dress I wore in this photo. My favorite dress ever. It was a super soft brushed cotton, with flowers in plums and lavenders on it with mossy green leaves. I wonder what happened to it, because it brought me joy.

One of Our Favorite Days

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 15 Mar 2019 21:38:00 +0000

Every year Megan and I look forward to this day. As annual passholders to the Biltmore Estate, we each get two tickets for free admission, and if friends haven't claimed them by the day of expiration, we drive to the ticket parking lot and give them to people. Some of the folks we offer them to look as if we are trying to pass off a bomb, but most are really surprised and happy...and so are we.