A pretty good week...

...some pretty good things.
Even though I have been working longer days and even have to work today on Saturday, this week(so far) as been a good one. The workplace atmosphere has been very civil--even downright jolly sometimes!
Of course, I feel like my garden is dying slowly from weeds choking it and lack of attention, but my just bloomed feverfew(see above--I took the photo on Monday) are doing great.
An unassuming plant with a funny name and not-so-nice scent, but nothing seems to kill this flower, it spreads (I planted seeds five years ago and have never had to replant since), looks so nice stuck into bouquets(and the scent isn't all that bad) and sticks around until the first frost.

Another good thing, and one I am mildly excited about:
My finding what seems to me the perfect beach book(if I ever get there again!)for the summer.
Kate Morton's "The Forgotten Garden". I was in the bookstore on my lunch break one day this week, returning some books I had bought for Rachel--I thought she needed two books on her summer reading list for school but found out her school had lent her them so she didn't need them. And, I also had a printed out 33% off coupon that Borders/Walden Books sends me from time to time in my e-mail. I happened to spot this book on the shelf and the title drew me to it(maybe because "The Secret Garden" is one of my favorite books?) and when I read the information on the back of the cover of this fat novel(because, of course, all beach/summer books must be at least 550 pages long, right?),

"A tiny girl is abandoned on a ship headed for Australia in 1913. She arrives completely alone with nothing but a small suitcase containing a few clothes and a single book --- a beautiful volume of fairy tales. She is taken in by the dockmaster and his wife and raised as their own. On her twenty-first birthday they tell her the truth, and with her sense of self shattered and with very little to go on, "Nell" sets out on a journey to England to try to trace her story, to find her real identity. Her quest leads her to Blackhurst Manor on the Cornish coast and the secrets of the doomed Mountrachet family. But it is not until her granddaughter, Cassandra, takes up the search after Nell's death that all the pieces of the puzzle are assembled. At Cliff Cottage, on the grounds of Blackhurst Manor, Cassandra discovers the forgotten garden of the book's title and is able to unlock the secrets of the beautiful book of fairy tales."

..I was hooked and knew I had to buy this book! Even better, with my exchange of the returned books and my coupon, it cost me 60 cents. And, I got a seal of approval from the bookshop salesperson who rang up the purchase. She got excited when she saw my selection and told me she had read it and she would like to re-read it again--it's apparently that good. Now, I cannot wait to begin reading this one.

Earlier this week, another good thing:
my lunch date at the Matunuck Oyster Bar with Mr. F on a sparkling, perfect summer day, dining al fresco, and discovering my new favorite wine--Newport Vineyards Riesling(I bought some bottles already at the wine store to stock up for further summer sipping)

Then, yesterday, I was able to leave work at an earlier, more normal time for a change. On a whim, I decided to head over to Marshall's (just to...look, right?), and once inside I noticed there was a wall and more of bathing suits and cover-ups. Usually, I hate shopping for bathing suits and having to try them on. Last year, out of desperation(my favorite tankini was ruined and too old and I felt I could no longer wear my once favorite bikini now that I was over the mid-40 hump and my belly not so firm as it once was) I chose a one-piece suit which fit me okay and I called my matronly "mom suit". I never really liked it, though.
So, I decided this time, to look over the bathing suits quickly, and discovered a few in what looked to be in my size and they were two-piece "tankinis"(silly name, but I really like how they look). I headed into the dressing room with three possibilities. The first was two loose and frumpy looking. The second fit okay, but I decided was just not "me"(dangling gold bead things at the hip, and this gold medallion embellishment at the chest area. But, the third...was just right! It fit perfectly and I thought flattered my shape. I couldn't believe it! And, it was priced at 14.99!

And finally, another good thing--an impromptu cook-out/supper at some friend's house last night. Nothing fancy--everyone came by with something purchased quickly at the store down the street--corn, pre-made potato salad, come wine, some beer, and some sausage and burgers on the grill. The evening was warm, under a starry sky(and full moon) and it was a nice time spent with a few good people.

Of course, I am greedy and want one more good thing-- I wish I could stay home today and potter around in the yard and watch some of the Wimbledon games, but it's off to work I go.