Okay, so even though I am back at work, the title of this post refers to something else. We are unfortunately having another COVID surge. This time it is mainly unvaccinated people, but they are still filling up the hospital. It is back to combat readiness for the staff. Everyone I know is a little bummed out by this surge, but hopefully, it will inspire anyone who is hesitant to get the vaccine to do so.
I haven't been doing much since mid July. We did see my niece who was down from Portland, so that was nice. I haven't seen my brother and his family for a while. At Christmas, we didn't go because that surge was huge and deadly. Everyone is doing well and my nephew has a nice new girlfriend from Nicaragua.
These pictures are of the wild parrots that we have in the neighborhood. Legend has it that sometime in the 60s, a man from Anaheim released 6 green parrots and they have multiplied. Like my Egyptian geese at the park. I have seen the parrots in Santa Ana, Fountain Valley, and here in Huntington Beach. This flock lives in some trees across the main street at the end of our residential street. Another theory is that they were released when Busch Gardens closed.
So let's look at some outfits, shall we? On July 19th, I wore a dress that I got at the thrift shop. The suede shoes are the ones that I bought at the swap meet on July 10th.
I wore a crepe/chiffon jacket from Kate and Rosy on top.
The next day, another garage sale/thrift/rummage dress. It's really cute - the skirt is crystal pleated. It borders on too short, so low heels from Gucci keep it more professional.
On top, an athleisure jacket from Bloomingdale's.
On July 21st, I went for an all-ivory look. I love an outfit that is all one color. That day, I wore pleated slacks with a peplum top from Nordstrom that has mesh at the shoulders and upper back.
The tricolor metal lariat is from Macy's.
On top, a swing jacket in ivory with gold metallic spots, from a bespoke Korean brand.
On July 22nd, I wore one of my favorite dresses, from Saks Fifth Avenue Black.
It has a keyhole back and a full skirt with a petticoat layer. I wore my black suede and gold lurex shoes, and a trio of garnet/ruby necklaces.
On July 23rd, I wore a scuba knit dress from Forever 21. The rust suede sandals are White House Black Market.
It has a bell shape and then a peplum skirt trimmed in lace.
I have been wearing this jet bead lariat a lot lately. It's from INC and I got it in DC. Some costume rings and my Hermes CDC round it out.
On Saturday the 24th, the POD finally went back. The company gave me excellent service.
On Monday, July 26th, I wore a jersey knit dress with side ruching from Connected Apparel.
This is a really comfy dress. I wore all gold and sapphires with it.
On Tuesday, I decided to combine a bunch of stuff that I had always worn other ways. The chiffon skirt is double layered and has lace panels down the sides. It's from INC.
The brown chiffon top has abundant gold embroidery. It is the Nine West brand. They made clothes from 2005- 2009 or so and I always liked them. I don't know if they are still around.
My belt is from Paloma Picasso and I bought it at a thrift shop in Carpenteria, a little south of Santa Barbara. My necklace is chocolate and white diamonds.
On Wednesday, July 28th, I wore white Calvin Klein slacks and an animal print top - I don't remember where I got it.
As you can see, the top has three layers. The back is solid black knit. I got my agate necklace at a pop up shop here in Huntington Beach. These shoes killed - I wondered why I never wore them. Donate - maybe someone else's feet (without bunions) will fit them.
I saw this swallowtail butterfly lay down and flap it's wings. He flew through the sprinklers and got his wings wet.
He slowly flapped them until they were dry.
Then he flew away - look at the swallowtail in his little shadow.
On Thursday, it was still pretty hot out, so I wore my Worthington dress. It is white lace with black lining.
I don't know what this type of lace is called. I wore all pearls with this dress, even the shoes.
On Friday, I wore my other white slacks from The Limited. I got a ton of compliments on this Dana Buchman top.
The embroidery is beautiful, and the colors are unusual.
For Sunday lunch, I made St Louis Seasoned Pork Loin, stir fry vegetables, and rice a roni, garnished with strawberries.
I also made a parfait for each of us - peach yogurt, strawberries, Honey BunchesO' Oats, strawberry yogurt, and blueberries.
On Sunday, it turned another month to August. Monday, August 2nd, I wore a very nice knit sheath from INC.
It is very slinky and has a beautiful placed pattern.
It also has silver studs scattered around the pattern.
On Tuesday, August 3rd, I wore a couple of very old items. I know the pants would be considered vintage.
The top is part of a set. The skirt has the same gathered waist as the top. I got my blue and tan agate necklace at the Taste of Charlotte Food Fair in Charlotte, North Carolina.
On Wednesday, August 4th, I wore this dress that has a really cool mosaic design.
The gold lurex tank is St. John.
I wore a trio of gemstone necklaces - amethyst, topaz, and emerald. I loved this outfit.
On Thursday, I wore another very comfy outfit. The slinky knit slacks are Antthony Designs.
The top is chiffon with lurex dots. It is completely sheer, so I wore a basic black ribbed tank underneath.
The usual favorites in accessories - jet lariat, CDC bracelet, Italian twisted gold bracelet.
By Friday, I was tired, and I had to get my blood drawn for my physical. I wore this darling navy sheath dress with Gucci sandals.
The yoke is embroidered with seed beads and bugle beads. I wore a matching necklace/earrings that are moonstone and blue topaz, and belonged to my mom.
My August Birchbox has already arrived!!!
From top to bottom:
1) Marcelle CC Cream Golden Glow SPF 35 - good for days when I am just being casual. Saves the Chanel for when people will see me.
2) Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Pink Dream Body Cream
3) ModelCo Instant Brows Brow Pencil in Medium/Dark.
4) Oribe Priming Lotion Leave-In Conditioning Detangler - a favorite brand that I will be using tonight.
5) Aceology Brightening Treatment Mask - very high retail value !! I will also use this tonight.
Usually every Sunday, I do some care - self and car. I take Snowball through the car wash and shine her svelte Polar White body up. Not today. She still looks gorgeous.
I also do my nails for the week and do any other out of the norm self care stuff, like masques and deep conditioning and that sort of thing.
Two more stories. I went to my "annual" physical in July. It was a non-event, since I am doing well, and I had my colonoscopy a couple of years ago. But I needed my blood tests.
So I went to the lab. Ouch. Note the giant vein right next to the bruise. I have pipes for veins, but the poor phlebotomist was brand new. It took her three tries.
So I got my results today. The good old cast iron liver is fine. The good old bone marrow is superb. The old pancreas chugs mightily along. But..... my cholesterol is high, as is my "bad" cholesterol. Bummer. I have never watched what I eat. But I do eat a lot of high fat stuff - butter, cheese, meat, candy. I am going to give up my giant tostadas with cheese and sour cream and my chocolates for a few months and see if that is the problem. I'm sure that will help. I eat a lot of junk and it has finally caught up with me.
Now for the most traumatic of the stories. Sometime before I returned to work, I took Vinni and Kenni for their usual walk. I followed their regular course through our tract - I have noticed that dogs will tug and pull in order to do their exact route. So I was blithely listening to my true crime podcast as the boys and I set out.
All of a sudden, Kenni collapsed. He lay on the ground, all flabby and exhausted. Then he threw up and basically checked out. He is almost fourteen, in poor health, and I have already dug a crypt for him in the backyard, so I figured it was time. I called Doc and told him that Kenni was dying. He got directions and set out to rescue us. All of a sudden, Kenni got up, shakily walked a few steps, and then began to trot back toward our street. So I followed, figuring that we would meet up with Doc on the way. He soon stopped and Doc pulled up. He got Kenni in the car, still looking terminal, and I told Doc to leave Kenni in the car and I would help remove him when I got home. We were about 5 minutes away. So Doc left while I brought Vinni home.
Then, Vinni dropped over !!! I called Doc again. He said that Kenni had revived and was in the back yard guzzling water. So then Doc came back to help with Vinni. So both of us got in the car and went home. Vinni went into the back yard and began drinking.
Everyone was fine, including me. Doc diagnosed my canine lightweights with heat exhaustion. I am physically fine, only filled with bad lipids, and now suffering from even more PTSD.
I go back to work tomorrow. Maybe something interesting will happen that is not disease-related. We do have an inspection next week that will give me an opportunity to show off. I need to plan my costume.
Stay tuned for more fun? ???
