Welcome to the new feature of Friday’s Five….where you will find Five Top Things in my life at the moment.

Today’s Five….Top Five Things That Annoyed Me This Week!

1).  Teenagers who sleep until noon then get up and watch television until I get home from work leaving their dirty dishes and un-vacuumed floors for me when I get home!

2).  Lego directions….enough said

3).  My women friends blowing me off on a girls night for their latest squeeze.

4).  Parents that live within my townhouse community not watching their children, disciplining their children, and having any respect property.

5).  Back to school expenses…senior pictures, school supplies, cheer-leading expenses, volleyball expenses, oh and new fall clothing expenses.

This was my vacation week. I spent a few days at home just trying to catch up on all the chores that I have failed to get done this summer in between my work schedule and the kid’s sports schedules.

We were able to take a short two day trip about 3 hours away to our states wine country.  Several of the wineries were small in nature and although I wondered as we pulled into the informal rock drive of the first stop I found that their wines were quite wonderful.  About mid-way through our journey we came upon this wonderful winery where obviously the owners had put some money into the appearance.  There was a wonderful newer building that was built to look like a Tuscan villa.  Not only was their seating inside, but as well a wonderful large patio outside.  A bed & breakfast was not too far away along with a pond and more seating in the grassy area.  There was a place for live music on the weekends even.  You can bet we will be going back just to sit here in the beauty and relax.

We left the wine country this time with five bottles of wine in all.  We purchased this great tasting dessert wine with a hint of raspberries that will be just wonderful with a cheesecake.  Since we have been home we have both had trouble with saving this wine for the next dinner party!

This is one of those simply beautiful days that just makes you grateful to be living. Sunny and 88 with just a slight breeze so it doesn’t feel so hot. I could easily feel like a kid again being outside today.

Luke and I had some friends over last night for dinner and drinks. I made a swordfish dinner with a greek salad and for dessert a tropical fruit salad with a small scoop of vanilla ice cream then drizzled with honey. I was so happy with the way it turned out and best yet the presentation turned out simply perfect. I just had to share the photos……

In my past writings I have not spoken much about too many things personal.  However I found that I ended up struggling with things to write about.  Soon I will be posting several of my photography that I enjoy doing as well as digging deeper into more detail posts.

If you have read my “about” page you know I am a single Mother to three great children.  I married young with my first child arriving just a month after my 18th birthday.  My 2nd child followed a short 15 months later and my third followed a long 10 years later.

I have been divorced since April of 2004 and have been in a relationship for about 3 1/2 years….my ex is mentally abusive and an alcoholic and worse has not moved on since I left him in Sept of 2003.  In five years he has not had one steady girlfriend and is angry all the time because I am in a relationship.  He is bi-polar as well.  This week has been a bad week in the world of dealing with my ex husband…whom I’ll call…Tim.  This week is what I call the “down swing” of his bi-polar moods.  Last night there were seven phone calls to my phone all with crude and nasty messages (yes I saved them).  As soon as I finish saving for the retainer on my attorney I will be filing for full custody vs joint.

On a more fun note, I just downloaded the new Kim Cattrall voice for my TomTom and I can’t help but giggle a little as she sends me on my trip.

Well three weeks after the last post here I am.  Baseball games, planning short vacations, traveling with work have all filled my days.  My kids are off with their father for the next couple of days so I am going to go over to Luke’s this evening and cook for him and his daughter (one of his daughters).  I have written down a lot of ideas for this blog and I am hoping to start on some of those ideas after the dinner this evening.

Well this isn’t my first attempt at writing a blog. However, hopefully this time I will be able to commit the time I want to this each day.

It isn’t like anything big has happened since I took a break from blogging other than just life in general. Work is still stressful and overwhelming, but with the kids out of school for the summer life seems to be a little less about running on the hamster wheel at the moment.