Big time happy mail RAK today from Los Angeles !!

TY Tawni, you are the best! I'm going to crank some stuff within the hour.

how do hackers get into my blog??

Every now and then a weird post appears on my blog. (two today and I just posted last night!)

I don't understand how these appear but apparently someone has way too much time on his/her hands.

I apologize to my readers for the spam. I delete it as soon as I see it.

Either pick me up or can we go to bed now....I'm tired...

Red Bulls et al found around Madrid

Too bad I can't rotate these damn photos in this damn blogger software!  Anyway, I had fun sampling the different 'power' drinks found throughout Madrid.  There were more but I didn't get to try them all.  I guess I have to go back and resume my taste-testing.  I liked all of them and wish they were available in the US.

  

Miss Daisy joined us in the garden today too

Squirrel hunter (Elsie) and pest (Annie)

Elsie chases the squirrels and Annie chases Elsie. It really irritates Elsie because she's on a mission and Annie doesn't have a clue!

Divide and conquer in the garden

In April 2012 I bought two pots of these colorful foliage plants. I wish I could remember the name of the plant right now but I can't...Anyhoo, at that time I divided the two full pots into about 15 or so plants. They've had all summer to grow and multiply so today I divided three of the established plants and now have a total of 24. Tomorrow I'm gonna divide more into the other garden. What a deal. :)

See the larger plant. In the back? I have many more outside of photo range that are my future dividing targets.

Sister Sparrow and the Dirty Birds at Clearwater Jazzfest

http://www.sistersparrow.com/
I spent today in Clearwater with thousands of my friends.  Not really my friends but we all had something in common.  We were there to enjoy the music.  I also wanted to try and relax a bit.
It was a beautiful, sunny day.  Not a cloud in the sky.  I could have used a few clouds or an umbrella but with the bullfrog and hat, I survived. 
The sun started going down around the same time this fabulous band, took the stage.  I saw SS about 18 months ago or so at Skipper's Smokehouse.  They opened for another famous band but after seeing them rock the stage, I left after the headliner played a few songs.  I couldn't wait to get the CD into the car player. 
I've been following SS ever since and have promoted them to everyone I think would enjoy their sound and energy.  Yes, I did miss the  Tampa show two weeks ago but dang, it was day 3 of my surgery and I wasn't leaving the house. 
They continue to be one of my favorite bands and their music is in constant rotation on my ipods and Pandora, yes, I created a Sister Sparrow Channel. 

It's a family affair.  That's her cousin on drums.  So much talent in this band.

too bad blogger's new and improved software still doesn't give you the option of rotating a photo... above is her brother and he can play the harp.  boy, can he play the harp!  Below are more of the dirty birds.

 I am looking forward to the next show.  Soon please. 

The girls like their greek yogurt. Today vanilla Oikos

No, we don't share the yogurt. I leave a little in the bottom and around the edges for them. They love it.
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This is a first-Daisy sleeping in the girl's crate!

Elsie and Annabelle Beep-Beep have no opinion.
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Daisy in her plastic

This is the pile of furniture coverings I use when I leave for a few days because I don't trust daisy anymore. I was going to fold and put them in the closet but she has decided to take a nap.
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the apartment in madrid - a few folks have asked so here's a few shots

me doing what i do best - researching the places to go next!  wi-fi thanks to the neighbors but that will soon be a thing of the past.

bedroom.  we finally got the lights to work.

to the left of the sofa.  3rd floor apartment with fun street action below. I guess I should have shot a few pics outside the window.  Next time.  Soon.

Across from the sofa and entry to bedroom.  Sparse but what more do you need for a rental?  It was perfect for us.  I'm looking forward to a return trip soon.

Bathroom to the right with a shower that reminded me of the stalls found on the cruise ship.  Kitchen table to the left. Kitchen to the right past the bath.  Doorway into the foyer and stairwell.

 Bathroom with washing machine.  Perfect for this back-pack traveller.

Kitchen.  Small fridge to the right under the counter.  Don't need anything more since there are so many cafes and bars steps away.

Undisclosed location in the South of Spain

I had the incredible fortune of being able to stay on the beach for almost a week during my visit to Espana.  It is like a dream now when I look back at the photos.  The first photo is the home where I stayed.  (beautiful green awning!)  The next photos were shot from the roof of the home.  We walked down a path along the side of the home and the Mediterranean Sea and the beach is RIGHT THERE!

Southern view from rooftop.  There is one home between this one and the beach. 

 Mountains to the north - behind the home.

 Self-portrait. Southern view from rooftop.

 Sunset on my last night there.

My last day at the beach.  Storms were rolling in and the sea was a little rough.  It was totally 'flat' the first few days.  Warm water.  Deserted beach a 3 minute walk away.  Was I dreaming?

Added to my bar glass collection thanks to this very nice guy

I've learned that if you ask and are polite you can usually get what you want or need.  Jan and I stopped at this bar and I really wanted the small beer glass used for my water.  So I asked if I could buy it.  Of course the cute man gave it to me.  He continued to hang out with us, brought us tapas and a couple of shots (similar to baileys and yummy).  At the end Jan had a couple of beers, I had a bottle of water and 2 shots of something, plus the other shots he just brought to us... two plates of tapas (ham, cheese, crackers, etc.)... total:  7 Euro.  We left him a nice tip and I will visit this place again. 

 

Windmills in Spain

We saw 100s of these on the drive south.  Who knows how many 100s more were out of our view.

Final day

Skin snips and stretches. Even a small graft. Inside and outside stitches. Housebound for another week.

I have some before photos but they are kind of gross.

Off to CVS for percocet and antibiotics.

Oh-so-wish I would have gone to publix before I started this ordeal!
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Day 2 and the cancer cells in these two spots are gone

Doc said All Clear.

Tomorrow is the sew-up or reconstruction-depends on how the spots look and how vain I am... I really don't mind the scars that will be on my nose. Life lines. No one looks at me anyway (except you Joni!) So who cares about a little scar. Hopefully little!

No, I haven't seen what's under the bandage. I elected to 'pass' when offered the mirror.

This type of surgery is time-consuming but interesting. Google MOHLs if you want to learn more. (add cancer or skin or procedure if you don't get a good hit on your first search)

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Day one and it isn't over yet

He's done two digs and I'm now waiting on the results of the second. Hopefully it is clear because I am over this and ready to go home.
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Lucky Bamboo delivery today from Doug and Tim - Thank You!

And boy oh boy am I ready for some good luck and fortune. Can things get any worse?

Perhaps I just jinxed myself again!  oh well...
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Jimmy updated this flower box while I was away

It really needed updating! TY
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Fall birthday flowers from Joni

Crotons and zinnias. Beautiful. TY
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Frog party on my patio

They have started congregating in this corner. Gross.
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Happy Birthday Gardenias from Vikki and Billie

They will be planted in the yard soon. TY
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