By Georgia Osten
The other day, as I was rummaging through this drawer in my dresser looking for a birthday card or something, I ran across my passport. This must be a very important drawer because my social security card was in there as well. Anyway, I looked through the passport, it doesn’t expire until 2030! I was so excited! It’s not that I’m planning an

By Georgia Osten
It was a Baseball weekend in the Sunshine State this past weekend. We arrived in Tampa on Thursday morning. Everyone was still at work or at school, so we Uber’d to their house. The dogs were happy to see us and we were happy to be off the airplane and relaxing in familiar surroundings. The school part of the family had a half day

By Georgia Osten
So, as I’m sitting here, the first warm day since before Thanksgiving, I’m wishing I wasn’t at work. I’d much rather be out in my garden pulling up weeds and planting some good things. I’ve ventured out to WalMart and their garden department to find some new plants. EVERTHING needs to be replaced. Nothing survived! The three

By Georgia Osten
Laissez les bons temps rouler
Oh, what a party! I’ve never seen such a crowd. It certainly wasn’t the Balmy Weather that brought out the crowds. I guess it was a bit warmer than the weather we had all week prior to the parade, but the wind kept up a pretty brisk blow. We arrived at Margaritaville a bit late

By Georgia Osten
My favorite hands down! I started out watching the Super Bowl LVII, just because it was on. I didn’t really care who won, so I thought that would be a pretty good attitude to just sit and enjoy the game. The National Anthem by Chris Stapleton was fantastic! If I could capture that feeling and tribute in a bottle and sell it?!? There was not

By Georgia Osten
It’s been a long time, but we finally got Her back. She had a bit of an accident on the way to Florida for Christmas. We kind of crippled our way for the rest of the trip from Mississippi to Tampa. She went in to see “the doctor” as soon as we arrived and stayed there. For a looooooooooooong time! We had a joyous Christmas with family

By Georgia Osten
I wish I had a “before” picture. I can tell you this much. I think we planted two different kinds of jasmine out front around the electric pole probably 10 years ago. Starlight Jasmine and Carolina Jasmine. They were beautiful and smelled divine! I always thought if I could run electricity to the jasmine, I’d decorate it with lights for Christmas, it would

By Georgia Osten
It was a Win/Win situation, just to get things straight. We wanted to go to the Chili Festival in Galveston on Saturday. We happened to catch the festival during a 20-30 minute halt in the drizzle/downpours. Of course, sections of The Strand and cross streets were blocked off and we made our way amongst booth after booth of

By Georgia Osten
Well, as usual, I think I’ve bit off more than I can chew. Not to mention the puzzle that’s kicking my bottom! Feeling a bit better after an unfortunate accident, make that two. I’ve had a 3-day weekend to rest up, sleep in, and still in pj’s until noon. I’ve only had my Cocktail twice today, that’s two Tylenol and two Ibuprofen. It didn’t occur to me I had

By Georgia Osten
We are blessed in this lovely neighborhood with wonderful friends and neighbors. It’s not a very big neighborhood, only 3 streets, and not a lot of renters. But our neighbors who live here are the best! When I got home from work on Friday, I got a text from a neighbor on the next street over. Would we like to come over, sit around the fire pit and have

By Georgia Osten
It hits me around this time every year. It’s puzzle season at my house. Actually, my kids started it. For our trip to Indiana for Thanksgiving, my daughter brought several puzzles. Their family are avid puzzle “putter togethers.” Several 1000 piece puzzles were accomplished in that 3-4 day trip. When we got home from Tampa, where we spent Christmas

By Georgia Osten
It’s a long drive, but when you’ve got tables, Christmas presents and the family canine, that’s the only way to go! We left after work on Friday because we’d already planned to stop about halfway. A few unexpected slowdowns along the way made our trip a bit longer than we expected. No problem, we found a Best Western in Gulfport

By Georgia Osten
Every December, 2nd Saturday, you can look forward to a rare and beautiful sight. It’s the Crystaland Parade put on by the Bolivar Peninsula Chamber of Commerce. Last night was a “Chamber of Commerce night” for sure! The skies were clear, the fog took a bit of a break and the trailer/floats, golf carts and various vehicles turned out

By Georgia Osten
I want to Believe in Magic always and forever.
PawPaw and I were sitting around here last night, thinking about our Grands. I saw this on FB the other day and couldn’t help but think of all the Elfies and Leons we’ve known. Pierce and The Littles have an elf they call “Leon.” One time, when PawPaw was staying with them

By Georgia Osten
Well, it sure felt like it! All the way to Indiana with the Carnell’s, what a treat! Prior to us getting to Indiana, my daughter sent our shopping lists to E in Bloomington, the turkey, ham from Honey Baked, broccoli, rice, potatoes, pie-makin’ stuff, you name it. We were covered. She even sent a box with our favorite coffees, spices,

By Georgia Osten
Never a doubt. The invitation was open-ended. My daughter, Leigh, treated me to the most wonderful experience. I guess she and Mel have attended the Kemah Wine Fest for a few years now. I think I was invited last year, but since it happened on the same weekend as the Nutcracker Market, I declined. I’m only good for one event

By Georgia Osten
This is how I trained my girls andThe Beat Goes On. We did our yearly Nutcracker Market Thing. This time, nine of us! My two girls, Leigh & Kelly, one Granddaughter, Addyson, our Bestest Friend, Mel & her Mom, Barbara, our San Antonio family, Linda, Wendy & Aubrey, and me. How many years now? It’s only been the last 3 or 4

By Georgia Osten
Well, almost. I’m in full swing though. I’ve gotten lists from a few members of the family, but some of the others just come natural. I know a gift when I see it and some members of this family are so easy to shop for anyway. Trying to save a little stash for the upcoming Nutcracker Market. Oh, so much fun to be had! I’ve heard we’re expecting

By Georgia Osten
Busy, Busy Saturday. I finally got the nerve to step into my garden, but every time something touched my leg, I jumped a foot off the ground. I made headway though, filled up one garbage can with sweet potato vine and whatever that other thing is that sends out long vines from one side of the stairs to the other. I actually managed to

By Georgia Osten
No, I’m not talking about Sonny & Cher, but they were, admittedly, one of my favorites. This past weekend, we were surprised with a visit from some nieces and nephews and some nieces-in-law and a sister-in law. What a nice group of kiddos! I remember them as youngsters (all of them) and I’m so happy to say how delightful they are as

By Georgia Osten
What a fun fun week!
It’s been a long time since we got to go on our monthly getaway/birthday celebration, but we finally got to leave home for the Island. First stop – new cell phones, a costly venture, all Freebies aren’t exactly what you think they’ll be. HELP, we need a teenager or someone younger than

By Georgia Osten
Yep, my D-D-D-Dear Bestest Friend in the Whole Wide World just celebrated another trip around the sun. I did remember to tell him Happy Birthday that morning, but it wasn’t until I was on my way to work that I remembered what I wanted to give him for a Birthday Present. As I passed the Kite Store, I pulled out my phone to call

By Georgia Osten
Well, it ended for us on the Gulf Coast of Texas, but across the Gulf on the coast of Florida, it was a totally different story. Our youngest and her family of 5, who now live in Tampa, watched Ian closer and closer until Tampa was told Mandatory Evacuation. They loaded up the two cars, two dogs, three kids and did as

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By Georgia Osten
Long overdue at my house anyway. No excuse. Maybe it’s because we get so busy in May and the chaos lingers through the Summer. By the time Fall gets here, and in anticipation of a cool down, a pot of chili, and nights outside by the fire pit, you realize how much you’ve missed your little handful of friends.

By Georgia Osten
I had so much fun at the Cultural Foundation Fall Festival. My husband had to talk me into going, I’m such a home-body. He and his buddy had spent the better part of two weeks over at the Crab Festival grounds getting it ready for the BPCF. I loved seeing old friends and especially some of my favorite vendors, some who have been coming

By Georgia Osten
I’m exaggerating of course. I’m really getting in the mood for Fall. I have more energy and more desire to get out to begin cleaning up after Summer. The front garden for instance. Right now, the sweet potato vines have taken over, the variegated ginger is out of control and in need of thinning. The main thing that worries me is

By Georgia Osten
Yep, I still get one, every year, and I ain’t complainin’. Growing up, my birthday signified the beginning of school. Right after Labor Day, we’d prepare for the school year. New clothes, new school supplies, a backpack, pencils and paper. My birthday would normally fall on the holiday, so school would start right after