Quote by wxt55uk

I hope your day improves too, Kimmi, and yes, naughty, Butters.

I spent the day doing a little writing. It is simply too hot, too dusty and too dry to go outside. Still no rain here; we need it, as everyone is worried about wildfires. The government has just sent out an emergency alert about them. That has never happened before. 😳

Something cold and wet, please, Bear... Thank you, Kimmi. 😊

We've been getting Heat Advisory alerts all week. Yesterday's said the heat index was 108; today's is 111. 😳

Quote by KimmiBeGood

My cat is in the doghouse! I was in urgent care two nights ago with swollen lymph nodes and pain just inside my ear. Dr thought it was a lingering infection from pneumonia and gave me an antibiotic that didn’t work.

Pain has been indescribable!!

I saw my regular Dr today and she said she saw what looked like a scratch around the swollen insides of my ear. My left neck, face, jaw is swollen, too. I remembered Butters tried to hurdle my head and scratched my ear 3 nights.

Dr said, “That’s it! It caused this massive infection and cat scratch bacteria won’t respond to the antibiotic ER put you on.

Sigh.

Started new antibiotic and steroids today, and pain is livable now. And went to acupuncturist and he stuck a needle right behind my ear. Ouch! But it all felt better by the time I left.

Hoping my day goes up from here. 🙄

OUCH! Naughty Butters!

Of course, now I have Ted Nugent's Cat Scratch Fever running through my head. I also have the same vision as Ape...😉

As much as I'd love a glass of wine, I'm gonna just grab a Coke Zero and go mod some more in the corner. TGIF all y'all!

Sometimes confession isn’t good for the soul.

For I Have Sinned

Quote by fuzzy1954

TGIF at Rumps

Lights On

Big Beautiful Bertha filled

Doughnuts placed

Jukebox On

Traffic

Give Me Some Lovin

I do love me some Steve Winwood.

It feels like an oven outside. The Heat Advisory says that Heat Index values up to 108 F are expected. I went out to do errands and regretted it. I know better. This is the time of year when we go out in the morning and stay the fuck inside in the afternoon.

I just want a tall glass of ICE WATER, please and thanks.

Quote by fuzzy1954

Night all just a random thought what do you say to pain 1 to ten hmmmmm I'll ask around if anyone cares

They better be keeping you comfortable. Otherwise I'm gonna have to raise some hell.

HUGS my sweet friend.

How about a little Mac and Grace today?

Boardrooms & Boudoirs Part Nineteen - Ch. 73-76

The kids around here are back to school this week! My own gkids don't start until the end of the month. I still get a tingly feeling when I see advertisements for school supplies. You can take the teacher out of the classroom, but the passion still lives in my soul. That said, I am happy to be retired. I have other things that occupy my time now.

I have a Mac and Grace story waiting to be approved. I'm close to wrapping up book 4 and was going to take a break from these characters. I'm sure you're not surprised that Grace had other ideas and has been chattering away in my head about book 5. Lol.

I've got a chunk of time today that I hope to devote to finishing a couple of stand-alone stories that are nearly there on my flash drive. Fingers crossed 🤞🏻

Quote by Piquet

Ok, fellow Lushites, there are eight days left until the big announcement and, as we all know, after that, competition stories get shelved somewhere between the unknown and the long forgotten. So it's time to get reading, liking and commenting. As a suggestion, I'm making new contestants and stories with low numbers of comments a priority to offer a bit of encouragement. Good luck to all.

I'm in the process of reading, liking, and commenting the comp stories. There are some really unique takes on this theme. I love your thoughts on being encouraging. I do try to get to all of them. 😎

It's too hot to walk outside this time of year. But I did swim in the pool in the morning yesterday and the Gulf in the afternoon. It was pretty calm which was nice.

My quads are still feeling the workout from Wed with a different trainer. Not sure if it's a good thing or a bad thing that I can still feel it this many days later. 🤷‍♀️

In the “you get what you pay for” category, the used refrigerator that I bought in January for my garage is no longer cooling properly. It had a one-month warranty, which has long since passed. Gonna suck it up and buy a new one that is “garage ready” and on sale at Costco. They will haul the old one away.

Just some tea this morning for me. But put everyone’s drinks on my tab today Bear. My son got a job! It's hybrid remote so he will be able to continue working on his health issues. Amen!

Happy belated birthday, Bear. 🎂❤️ You can have all the beached mules on me today!

The party for my friend with Alzheimer's was nice. He was having a particularly good day. He grabbed the card I had for him out of my hand, called me "troublemaker," and laughed. That was his nickname for me in more lucid times. It was a nice feeling to be recognized even for a brief moment.

My gym trainer is out of town, so I've been working out with a different trainer in the interim. Different workouts and I'm sore in different places. I went in for a 6:30 am workout this morning. I told him to let me know when he has a Friday slot available. My trainer doesn't work on Fridays, so it would be a fun way to add a session here and there.

Ten more days and my nephew and his fiancée will come to visit for a week. I'm excited to see them and celebrate the new engagement.

Unfortunately, hubby has a meeting this morning, so my brother and I will be swimming without him. Hopefully, he will be able to join us after the meeting. Technically, he wasn't supposed to be home until this morning, so I'm trying not to be bummed that he has a meeting on his day "off."

I'm getting closer to having some new stories to publish. Woo hoo!

Grabbing a Coke Zero and heading over to the corner to mod for a bit.

TGIF

Quote by wxt55uk

Kat, I have not had any issues lately logging onto LushStories, unlike sometimes in the past. Could it be something more local? I can't offer more than that. 🙄

I've been quietly reading the competition stories; there are some real crackers, and I wonder how the judges will score them. What will they look for? Action, novelty, storyline, characters... hopefully it's more than just good grammar. Anyway, I just dropped in for a mug of Yorkshire tea, Bear... To take away. Thank you. 😎

Have a fantastic weekend, Rumpees. 😎

Last night and this morning, I was able to log in on the first try. Who knows? It's like dark magic. Hahaha.

I still have so many partially finished stories on my flash drive (which I think I will need to have buried with me some day...LOL), but I'm getting close to being ready to edit a fun story called Three Bourbon Slushies and a Beached Mule.

What's it about? Well... A redhead walks into a bar...

Well, I managed to get on Lush today on the first try. No error messages. No getting kicked out. It's been a rough 7-10 days, with hit-or-miss ability to connect. I'm not sure what's different today, but Hallelujah!

Of course, I need to go shortly. Heading to visit our friend with Alzheimer's. It's his birthday. I have no idea what to expect.

I'll take a Coke Zero to go. I drank more than usual up on the island last week. My fave was the Beached Mule. Keep your eyes open soon-ish for a story I'm writing called Three Bourbon Slushies and a Beached Mule. It's what happens when my imagination meets vodka, ginger beer, and pineapple juice. LOL

Home sweet home. But it seems as though I brought the rain home with me. Ah well.

Had a lovely visit and dinner out with my oldest daughter, her hubby, and our granddaughter last night. Then picked up my brother this morning and flew home.

The universe works in mysterious ways, enabling me to bump into my son at the airport this morning before we got on our flight. What a lovely turn of events. Any chance I get to hug one of my kids is a wonderful blessing.

He is making progress with his health issues and it looks like he has landed a new job.

It's a calming feeling when all the kids seem to be doing well at the same time.

My own sinus issues are no better. I've been doing some additional research and will look into another possible specialist after my brother’s month-long visit is over.

Hubby leaves for work travel tomorrow morning and won't be home till Friday, so I should have time to finish editing a few new stories. Fingers crossed.

Hugs! 🥰

We leave the island today and head downstate. We will spend some time with the oldest child and her hubby and our granddaughter before picking my brother up tomorrow and taking him home with us for the month of August. I will use the car ride today to read more of the comp stories. So far there are quite a few really excellent stories.

Had a delightful time at the piano bar last night but made sure to turn in at a decent time. Trying to make the 9 am boat. Coke Zero to go please and thanks. 🥰

A new car for each of my kids and their spouses so they can have reliable transportation.

Quote by CarltonStJames

My reading has dropped a ton, but Kimmi, techgoddess, sprite, WannabeWordsmith never disappoint. RowanThorn has jumped my rankings with my current reading of his Pussycat Park series also.

Right back at you CSJ! Your stories are always a pleasure to read. 😉😘

Quote by Seeker4

Where is everybody? I mean, it is Friday and a long weekend here in Canada (or most provinces, anyhow) but still, that should mean more people out drinking, not less.

Coffee is on, a dark roast from Kenya. Teas are Assam and Yorkshire Gold. Kettle is ready if you want something else hot. And the bar is open for whatever you're craving to get your weekend going.

Pops in for a Coke Zero. I'd have a glass of Moscato, but I'm gonna be imbibing later at the piano bar. Last night on the island and all. Heading downstate tomorrow to see our oldest and her hubby and daughter. Haven't seen them in person for a while. (I FT regularly with our granddaughter. She takes the phone and sets it up so I can watch her play or paint or whatever and we chat about life. LOL).

I've had time to write this week... and have added to the long list of partially finished stories on my flash drive. Hubby travels next week and, sadly, I won't be able to join him. I'm hoping to complete and edit a few things. Fingers crossed there will be some new techgoddess material in August!

Quote by CarrieTNmom

I love Mackinac Island! So relaxing and restful. There is a big yellow house that is an Airbnb with comfy rocking chairs on the front porch that is a perfect place to take a nap. It’s nice to rent a couple bicycles and ride around. And don’t miss out on the fudge! Enjoy!

We have been coming here for years. It's our happy place. ❤️

Enjoying the clip-clop of horses outside my window on Mackinac Island. Hubby is working and I'm writing. Feels good to have the words flowing while I have time to devote to writing. These two things do not always line up.

It's nice to have a little break from the heat too.

Hope all y'all are having a good week! 🥰

Quote by wxt55uk

I have just dropped in whilst sitting in a tent in Kent having had a nice time over the weekend catching up with friends. Packing up later to drive home, our youngest daughter gets married tomorrow. 😀

First of, Kimmi, sorry to hear about your father. My thoughts are with you.

Ape, you need to do what is best for you, but I can tell you at 63 that I don’t miss work at all. I love been retired, like Kat’s husband I was an engineer. I owned an engineering company, sold it a 54, stopped running it at 55 and became a consultant, then stepped fully away at 57. I would suggest consultancy is a good half way house between full retirement and working if you can get it.

Congratulations to your youngest! Hope it is a lovely wedding! ❤️❤️

Quote by Seeker4

Gooooooooooooooooooooood morning!

Croissants and Lapsang.

Last day before returning to work. I am honestly debating moving up my retirement right now. Last week was heaven. I know it won't always be like that but writing engaged me in a way my work simply does not anymore. And I do have ideas for other things I can be doing if I am not living the daily grind. We are well off to say the least so I'm not really even working for the money anymore. Maybe the health benefits but not the money. So my boss and were discussing August 2028. I'm going to go back and tell him 2027 is more realistic and probably healthier for both me and the company. It means I won't see our big project through to the end (the main reason for picking 2028) but there's more capable people doing the work there anyhow. I will think this through some more, but I am really questioning whether I can handle 2 more years at this point knowing that removing work from the equation for even just a week made me all the happier.

My hubby retired back in 2024 from a job he was ready to be done with. He was tired of being the boss. Now he works for a guy who used to work for him and he's loving the hell out of not being in charge. He's just doing engineering now, no more dealing with other crap. He's happy which makes me happy. And he can often shift work around so we can enjoy the perks of my being retired.

You have to do what feels right for you. 11 years ago, I decided I couldn't teach forever, the way I once thought I could. 8 years ago, when I was finally eligible, I retired. I ended up finding a whole slew of things to do that make me happy, including writing more!

Cheers! I'm glad you have a plan!

Quote by CarrieTNmom

I don’t know what this place is really for but anything with “Honky Tonk” in it has to be good. I’ll just watch and listen for a bit.

Welcome to the best hangout on Lush. There is a little something for everyone here and it's a judgment-free zone. 😎

1. I have dual citizenship (US and Canada)

2. I am ambidextrous

3. I am a bisexual woman married to a straight man

The Sultry Siren (my Wherefore Art Thou competition story) is now available for your perusal. It's the story of a man's obsession. Please enjoy!

Quote by Seeker4

Mine kind of stalled. Got a buildup that develops the art element, then a seduction (also with artistic qualities) and some hot sex, but an ending? Can't seem to figure that part out. I have c. 900 words to work with so I'm not lacking space, just not sure how this ends.

Usually, I use every single word allowed. But this time I've only reached about 3500 words. Which has me wondering if I need to add something more. Now I'll teeter on the fence and overthink it for a bit longer.

Good morning, all y'all! Missing my grandson already. We had a lovely 9 days with him visiting us, and hope to make this an annual thing.

We are heading up to Michigan on Saturday because hubby has work up north. Hoping the air quality allows me to go outside while we are up there.

I'm almost done with my comp story. I'm not sure it is artsy enough, but it has some definite heat. Once I submit mine, I'll start reading others.

Quote by JamesLlewellyn

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Bitch, bitch, bitch…

Imma help Kimmi with these… 🔥