All of a sudden, my white boring tablecloth doesn't look so boring anymore. It took about 15 seconds flat to cover it three inches deep in messy newspapers and mail and coupons and catalogs and a laptop, etc. You'd hardly even know the cloth is white. That took care of that little prob.

I am simply crazy for walking my dog. We walk up and down the prettiest streets, mostly canopied with oaks. The architecture is varied and impressive (not on my little street, but right around the corner). One of my favorite things is to walk at dusk and see the trees silhouetted against the dimming light. It gives me such peace and hope and makes me think of Michigan.

My other favorite thing is to observe all the cracks in the sidewalks and driveways. Cracks in cement are so chummy. I ask Jazzi, Aren't we having fun?!? Tonight I saw the Crime Lady a few dozen times, it seemed, there was no escaping her, wherever I went, here she comes. She asked if Jazzi could have a Beggin' Strip, or even a Chicken Tender (what's that?). I stuck to the BS and asked for a very tiny piece as Miss Jazzi is getting an impressive girth on her. Which I don't get since we are WALKING to LOSE weight. Half a block later it's the van again, sneaking up on us. CL asks, Did Jazzi eat her Strip? I said, Not yet, I use it as a bribe to get her to walk farther. CL thought that was a good idea.

And I love to imagine what people are doing in their homes at that particular time of say, especially when I know who lives in the house. It's very entertaining to walk, and too bad the both of us are gaining weight doing it.

This afternoon I went to the movie The Secrets of Jonathan Sperry. What a sweetheart of a movie. It's about a Christian older man (played by Murray from The Mary Tyler Love Show and then the Captain of Love Boat) who makes friends with adolescent boys in his small town. The spiritual influence he imparts is wide and deep. I also enjoyed studying the 1970 clothes, cars and lifestyle in general. How, in 2010, are we THAT removed from such a pleasant time? Since I was 10 years old in 1970, the movie was such a treat. Go see it, KEM says. If you live in St. Petersburg, it's playing at BayWalk.

My friend I told you about yesterday. She was born on Christmas day. So I should never have an excuse not to remember her birthday. And I always do remember it, just not always to her. Somewhere along Christmas day, I think, IT'S CRISSY'S BIRTHDAY, and I forgot to send a card. Rats, I'm such a crumb.

Well, Crissy had an intercom system in her house. Crissy loved to talk all night when I spent the night, but old KEM couldn't last. I mean, I'd last for a while, enough to hear this deep slow radio voice come over the com a few times, GIRLS, time to go to sleep. It was her father. Her mother was a saint and her dad was very patient. The next morning I would always wonder how long Crissy had talked before she realized I was asleep.

One of the funniest things we ever did had to do with a former boyfriend of mine. I had knowledge (a dangerous thing in the hands of a giddy teenager) that Mark was visiting in FL. I even had access to a phone number. Trouble. Crissy INSISTED I call him to arrange some type of meeting. Well, I called him, but of course it was awkward and I am a shy wallflower, you must remember. So I quickly had nothing to say. Meanwhile, Crissy is standing by telling me what to say and going into hysterics. Which of course made me go into hysterics. I kept waving her off to STOP IT!, to avail? Certainly not. I was laughing so hard I couldn't croak out anything. That phone call was the biggest flop ever of my slim-pickins romantic life. Then Crissy's dad, one to be on top of things, recommended, Would you quit chasing that boy! Needless to say, nothing ever came of that phone conversation, if such it could be classified. In fact, it yielded the direct opposite results I had in mind when I dialed. But it was a good laugh, in a peculiar sort of way. Crissy is a hoot.

Okay, a giant Target trip rounded out the day. I didn't have a written down list, only a mental list. You ever tried that? I got sidetracked in the shoe department because about a year ago I was visiting my sister and she bought me Target label black ballet type shoes, fake patent leather. Those shoes wore like slippers from the first second I had them on. And people liked them, Where did you get those?? So, I wore them to a frazzle and thought I'd look for some more. Jackpot! I now have a replacement pair, cute as can be, little dif style. My feet are not looking good in most shoes, have to "luck" out. And I'm switching to flats most of the time to save the old back.

Okay, I need to go squeeze some OJ before all the oranges on my floor start leaking (counter is full of junk, oranges on the floor, man, I am LOSING it). I am going to turn respectable very soon, you just watch. This is because my mother-in-law is visiting in about three scary little weeks. Mike thinks I am going to entertain the two German girls from his company when they are in town next week. I hope he knows I think he's kidding.

Happy Lil' KEM