Thanks for stopping by. I’m going to guess most of you are old friends who found me from Of Pups n Pearls. Some of you have known me since Chanknits, and a precious few may know me “in real life.” Either way, the past year has been fraught with change, and the best way to get re- or newly acquainted is to keep reading.

This is my 7th blog, according to WordPress. I actually began blogging with Blogger, and some of the WP blogs aren’t really mine. For at least a couple of the sites, friends added me as a safety net, and most of the ones I really created are no longer relevant. I don’t knit much at all these days, but that’s a time/priority problem, not a total lack of interest, and Mugsy and Sissy don’t need their own forums now that they have crossed the rainbow bridge. Of Pups n Pearls was supposed to be benign enough to last a lifetime, and while I will always be a dog person and a pearl lover/wearer, if you stick around for a bit, I think it will become clear why I needed a fresh start, which is both new and a nod to the past.

The “real life” folks may have an inkling as to the inspiration for the name, and you’re probably in the right neighborhood. In college I bonded with Dom and Asti, and immediately decided bubbles were my friends. I would even add Sprite to red wine just to have the fizz. A few years later, a fire service friend dubbed me “Bubbles” (both because of my personality and my … glutes), and today, I always have a sparkling wine chilling at home. So when a colleague began calling me “Chanpagne” a few weeks ago, it felt like picking up a favorite book in a beautiful new edition, or sliding into a classic linen sheath on a hot summer day. I’d like to think I’m a little refined and have reconnected with my bubblier side again, so here we are.

Other things you should know if you’re new here…

• Gretchen Greer, aka: Gg, the girl, Princess, or any other nonsensical term of endearment that may flow out of my mouth or off my fingertips, is the only dog in residence these days. She leads a charmed life, and is an only dog by choice, which remains surprising to me after her intense attachment to Sissy, our beloved, gone too soon Basset Hound. Lady Gretchen Greer is a Jack Russell Terrier with her own staff, an anxiety disorder that is managed with tricks, pampering and pharmaceuticals.
• We reside in The Woods, which is the blogiverse term for our little house in the woods. If you’re new, you’ll find I make up words and names constantly.
• We escape to the Outer Banks when we can, but only off-season. Gg isn’t a fan of hot weather and neither of us enjoys crowds, and OBX really is beautiful any time of the year.
• I work in the auto industry. Currently, I lack a job description (seriously), so let’s just say I am in service and used to be a service advisor. Gg works there too, or at least I think that’s what she’d say; she goes in with me on Saturdays (when I do go in) and co-workers and customers seem to enjoy her. They think she’s sweet and well-behaved, so it’s gratifying for both of us.
• Yes, I used to be a firefighter and I still love the big red trucks (and especially the pretty hunter green ones of my volunteer station, and the white and yellow ones too). I left because of a back injury that had me on permanent desk duty.
• That’s ironic because I also love weightlifting and running, both things I thought I’d never do again after my not-wholly-successful back surgery many years ago. Conventional medicine has changed its approach, so yes it’s safe and smart for me to be active and strong.
• I love to cook and bake, although I’m a better baker than a cook. I suspect like all the blogs before this one, this will be a mosh of ramblings, book reviews, recipes I enjoy and who knows what else?!

That’s probably enough of a recap for some and an introduction for the rest of you. I hope this is a return to regular posting, but we’ll see. Is there anything you’d like to know or see me write about soon?