odds and ends, mostly odd

(not our deck - you figured that out already)

Here we are, out at Flintstone Manor, three summers ago we killed the entire summer having our deck refinished. Naturally the weatherproofing treatment which, according to its literature, could be applied with startlingly minimal preparation, began to peel off almost immediately. Now, Himself arises, looks out the back, starts cussing and grumbling. I could think of better ways to start the day. Like a cup of hot coffee with real cream, taken in silence. Of course we have contacted the owner of the home maintenance company. The first time we called, he came over in less than 10 minutes, gasped in horror, and promised that workers would arrive the very next day. They did not. Ever. Deck situation went downhill from there. Owner has formed a new company with a slightly different name. It would have been cheaper and more durable to have John Derian découpage it with $20 bills.

On a more cheerful note, the sun was here all day Sunday!

It's enough to make me believe that we will have a summer!

And here's a collection of things that go with my Hydrangea Pencil Skirt - I was racking my brain and refusing to wear it with a gray teeshirt or a jumped-up sweatshirt. I feel better having come up with a few choices, even though that pink cashmere sweater is sufficiently bright to make an Easter egg out of me should I choose to actually wear it. I'm getting close enough to oval without encouraging the impression, so maybe that match is a non-starter.  However, to my happy surprise, the electric plaid silk blouse has a line of color in the pattern that is actually Hydrangea and has a nice dressy look with the skirt. This is where I should point out that I did not buy the electric plaid skirt, it was a disaster - if memory serves, it was a heavy quilted mess. Happy with the blouse, though.
The one that works best is in the upper right corner - the bluish blob is exactly the Hydrangea color, perhaps a touch faded, so not obvious but nice.

Let's see, what else is new? Well, my sister signed up for eHarmony.com, filled out the questionnaire, paid her initial fee, and waited. She has a very whimsical and creative turn of mind, so without ever having seen the questionnaire, I'm betting that at least some of her responses were, um, original.

note color-coordination with Hydrangea skirt, above

What makes me so sure? After 3 months without a match, they sent back her money without being asked.

Lastly, a report on the St Paddy's Day event we attended. It was unlike any other St Pat's event in New York or Boston, guar-an-TEED.  Next year, back to pipes, local (and other) pols, old guys who can lower a few, and some thought given to those who served, those who defend, those who protect, and widows and orphans.

In hindsight,  perhaps the reason I felt like a relic was my shoes - those adorable Kate Spade dark  green suede sandals? I tried them on right before the event and they were perfect. Perfect!

Well, readers dear, they grew. The expansion began as we got into a taxi. By the time I had wobbled from the elevator to the bar - which was suspiciously uncrowded and more suspiciously didn't have Jameson's - the shoes had become loose. The totter from the bar to the table was more than they could take - only my capacity to exercise my Iron Will kept them near my feet.  The shoes had cost some money, too, so I was afraid to have more than one glass of wine. No way to celebrate!

When I feel better about the shoes, I'll take them to a fancy shoemaker and see if there's a way to stuff them. Sigh. Of all the pointless places to get thinner - the sides of the feet!

Oh, another random note - I like silk tees under jackets and sweaters and have gotten a lot of use out of mine. Last week another caught my eye, but not for a good reason.

At first glance, I thought this was a test shot that accidentally got onto the website. It looked like the model was just practicing holding still and the hot pink outlines over the chest were leftover tailor's chalk. No, it seems the marks are deliberate: