Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Favorite Things
Good Morning, Y'all! As I enjoy the golden sunlight streaming though the window this morning,I have to reflect on the beauty of this time of year, and some of my favorite things. The oak tree, that is turning to GOLD outside my window absoltutely takes my breath away! Tucker, the neighbor's labradoodle, curled up in a pool of sunshine on his side porch, right next to a gathering of his family's pumpkins, just makes me SMILE! The taste of coffee and a bagel(multi-grain, of course!)shared with my friend, Lee, this morning was a treat. Heading to the Farmer's Market(truely my FAVORITE spot in town!) to purchase a flat of pansies(the one's with the little "faces" on them)and then bringing them home to plant on a sunny fall afternoon gets me excited. Happiness is not found in the big, expensive "stuff" in life, but in the special times spent with friends and family, enjoying the simple things that surround us. Each day is a gift, if we only slow down long enough to notice and enjoy it! May you enjoy today, as a gift from God!
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Crunch Time!
Hi Y'all! I have been absent due to a minor funk, caused by a fender bender at the local shopping center. IT was MY fender that was bent, but I did not cause the bending! It was a Beavis and Butthead wanna-be and his buddy, driving a 15 year old Pathfinder, that hit the gas in reverse, and in turn, hit me.
Now, I am quite grateful to have NOT been hurt. I am also quite appreciative that this young man was driving a car that carried insurance. However, he did not have his license or his registration. As any good momma would do, I told him to call someone to bring it to him, or he would be in far worse trouble than if he just had a minor moving violation. The friend did arrive and brought the goods before the police arrived.
I must say, the officer was wonderful, as was the lovely lady who just happened to witness the accident. I really believe that this guy thought that this was MY fault and that he could get out of it, had it not been for the witness. He actually thought that I hit HIM! The officer handled that well as soon as he arrived, letting the young man know immediately that the person backing out of a parking space does NOT have the right of way. Interesting that this guy missed that info along the way.
At any rate, I have had to get snarly with the rental car folks(of which I am now driving Sam, the silver gray Impala!) and the insurance folks, who initally said that their client was not responsible(another case of denial!) and then claimed that they would only repair it with used parts. Long story made short, getting snarly sometimes can work in one's favor! Snarly MOI refused that and I am having the full repairs done with new parts.
I LOVE my little blue Passat wagon. It is not(according to Annie B) a "cool" car, but I adore it. It is so comfy, good on gas and can zip in and out of traffic with ease with very few blind spots! I could probably make a commerecial for V-Dubs! The family has THREE right now, and we all love them!
I'll let y'all know next week if the crunch in the right fender restores my cutie -patootie car back to it's original condition. Sam the silver Impala just won't do, in the long run! I am just a V-Dub driving Mama, who misses my seat heaters, leather seats and really good radio in Patty the Passat. Im looking forward to many more good miles with my car, once the crunch time is over!
Now, I am quite grateful to have NOT been hurt. I am also quite appreciative that this young man was driving a car that carried insurance. However, he did not have his license or his registration. As any good momma would do, I told him to call someone to bring it to him, or he would be in far worse trouble than if he just had a minor moving violation. The friend did arrive and brought the goods before the police arrived.
I must say, the officer was wonderful, as was the lovely lady who just happened to witness the accident. I really believe that this guy thought that this was MY fault and that he could get out of it, had it not been for the witness. He actually thought that I hit HIM! The officer handled that well as soon as he arrived, letting the young man know immediately that the person backing out of a parking space does NOT have the right of way. Interesting that this guy missed that info along the way.
At any rate, I have had to get snarly with the rental car folks(of which I am now driving Sam, the silver gray Impala!) and the insurance folks, who initally said that their client was not responsible(another case of denial!) and then claimed that they would only repair it with used parts. Long story made short, getting snarly sometimes can work in one's favor! Snarly MOI refused that and I am having the full repairs done with new parts.
I LOVE my little blue Passat wagon. It is not(according to Annie B) a "cool" car, but I adore it. It is so comfy, good on gas and can zip in and out of traffic with ease with very few blind spots! I could probably make a commerecial for V-Dubs! The family has THREE right now, and we all love them!
I'll let y'all know next week if the crunch in the right fender restores my cutie -patootie car back to it's original condition. Sam the silver Impala just won't do, in the long run! I am just a V-Dub driving Mama, who misses my seat heaters, leather seats and really good radio in Patty the Passat. Im looking forward to many more good miles with my car, once the crunch time is over!
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Trip to the neighborhood bookstore
Hi Y"all! I am just back from the neighborhood bookstore. I really like to support the independent bookseller in town, but, it is a bit of a drive, and with the gas prices on the high side, I chose to shop this evening at the nearest store. That would be Borders, just a few minutes and a couple of right turns in the VW away. Plus, I had downloaded a 25% off coupon.That is ALWAYS an incentive to shop!
My goal this evening was to purchase the book for my college alum book club, that meets in a couple of weeks. Our fam is headed for the coast this weekend, and rain is predicted. Reading may be a chosen activity, depending on the severity of the weather. "The Bible Salesman" by Clyde Edgerton is the current selection. I went right to the book, that is only available in hardback, at this time, picking it up and heading toward the check out counter.
I have to mention that it is extremely difficult for me to pass by the bargain bins without taking a look. The titles of books ALWAYS draw me in. I am in constant amazement just HOW certain books could ever be published in the first place! I wonder just who would this book appeal to, and what would make someone buy it? Some times I can figure it out and other times, I just have to shake my head in disbelief!
For example, there is a new book out. . .a memoir of a woman who was a child star on the Brady Bunch years ago. I will have to admit that I did watch that in my childhood. At this time in my life, I really have no interest who this woman dated and what she did while on that show! It was no surprise that, even as a new release, her memoir was 40% off!
The most unusual book was one titled "BANANAS: the Story of the Most Perfect Fruit." Now this attention grabber was in the 5.99 bin. I had to wonder, just what would have led someone to WRITE a book about their favorite fruit. What publishing house would have agreed to publish this volume? And the most burning question of all would be, WHY BANANAS? Inquiring minds want to know! Now be honest, don't YOU want to know?
My goal this evening was to purchase the book for my college alum book club, that meets in a couple of weeks. Our fam is headed for the coast this weekend, and rain is predicted. Reading may be a chosen activity, depending on the severity of the weather. "The Bible Salesman" by Clyde Edgerton is the current selection. I went right to the book, that is only available in hardback, at this time, picking it up and heading toward the check out counter.
I have to mention that it is extremely difficult for me to pass by the bargain bins without taking a look. The titles of books ALWAYS draw me in. I am in constant amazement just HOW certain books could ever be published in the first place! I wonder just who would this book appeal to, and what would make someone buy it? Some times I can figure it out and other times, I just have to shake my head in disbelief!
For example, there is a new book out. . .a memoir of a woman who was a child star on the Brady Bunch years ago. I will have to admit that I did watch that in my childhood. At this time in my life, I really have no interest who this woman dated and what she did while on that show! It was no surprise that, even as a new release, her memoir was 40% off!
The most unusual book was one titled "BANANAS: the Story of the Most Perfect Fruit." Now this attention grabber was in the 5.99 bin. I had to wonder, just what would have led someone to WRITE a book about their favorite fruit. What publishing house would have agreed to publish this volume? And the most burning question of all would be, WHY BANANAS? Inquiring minds want to know! Now be honest, don't YOU want to know?
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Just GOTTA love the Southern Autumns!
Hi Y'all! Today is the most GORGEOUS day! Sunshine, a light breeze and temps in the mid 60s! Perfection! The sky is a clear and almost cloudless Carolina Blue(sorry about that, Duke fans!). Downtown, we have James Taylor singing a free concert on the square for Senator O. I am not there, but can't help but hum "In my mind I'm goin' to Carolina. . ." on a day such as this one. It is VERY hard to stay in the house and take bare of business, when I LONG to be out and about! I am, quite honestly, much like the ADHD kids at the school on days like today. It is just tough to focus on the jobs at hand! I think that I will just cut this post short and give into by desires to he outside. I'll pick up some sticks, sweep the porch or maybe roll out the garbage cans. ANYTHING, to enjoy this day out of doors. Seems like I might just need a good dose of Vitamin D from the sunshine. . . for my health. Yeah. . .that is it! I NEED to bypass the ironing and unloading the dishwasher for my health! ;-) "This is the day that the Lord hath made. I will be glad and rejoice in it!"
Monday, October 20, 2008
The ULTIMATE of a GREAT mom!
Hey Y'all! Life has been MIGHTY busy in the parts lately. When I work fulltime some weeks, continue my volunteer activities and my afternoon teaching gigs, something always suffers. That something is usually my family! The launbdry mountain grows while the contents of the frige shrinks! I just gotta share with you a tale of one GREAT Mom!
This Mom called me and asked me to meet her at a preview for an estate sale in her former neighborhood. It seems that an older couple, who were well traveled and who had accumulated treasures from around the globe, were downsizing to a retirement complex. Their children had taken what they wanted after the parents had moved. The rest was to be sold at a tag sale on Saturday morning, set to open at 7 AM!
We scoured the sale, identifying the best pieces and noting the not to be missed prices on many of the best things! This Mom has a daughter who is in her early 30s. . . married to an Episcopal rector and are new parents of a precious little girl. Funds are limited in the purchase of "drop dead gorgeous" dining room funiture. Here at the sale, was one of those "drop dead gorgeous" double pedistal mahogany tables, complete with three leaves AND table pads for a FABULOUS price! After speaking to the tag sale guy, we learned that we were the 9th people interested on the table. So, we hatched a plan.
This Mom went home after getting a bite of dinner and napped. Got up at 11:30 and dressed warmly. The temp was going down into the low 50s with a steady rain. She got a collapsable chair, a stadium blanket and a flashlight and headed to the tag sale house to spend the night on the front porch, to be first in line for the table, arriving there at midnight! Guess what? The early bird got the table. . .and several other great deals to boot! She spent the evening on the porch with 2 men who were dealers, and by opening hour(actually at 6:05 am)there were more than 40 people in line to find their treasures!
Now I have done some wacky things, but this one takes the cake, as far as being one GREAT Mom! Needless to say, her daughter and husband are quite excited to meet the truck arriving tomorrow, laden with the table, but also a wonderful mahogany corner cabinet, complete with lights and incredible storage below! Let's just call this one Christmas in October! Just another adventure on the life of a GREAT Mom! I am impressed! Now tell me, would YOU be that good?
This Mom called me and asked me to meet her at a preview for an estate sale in her former neighborhood. It seems that an older couple, who were well traveled and who had accumulated treasures from around the globe, were downsizing to a retirement complex. Their children had taken what they wanted after the parents had moved. The rest was to be sold at a tag sale on Saturday morning, set to open at 7 AM!
We scoured the sale, identifying the best pieces and noting the not to be missed prices on many of the best things! This Mom has a daughter who is in her early 30s. . . married to an Episcopal rector and are new parents of a precious little girl. Funds are limited in the purchase of "drop dead gorgeous" dining room funiture. Here at the sale, was one of those "drop dead gorgeous" double pedistal mahogany tables, complete with three leaves AND table pads for a FABULOUS price! After speaking to the tag sale guy, we learned that we were the 9th people interested on the table. So, we hatched a plan.
This Mom went home after getting a bite of dinner and napped. Got up at 11:30 and dressed warmly. The temp was going down into the low 50s with a steady rain. She got a collapsable chair, a stadium blanket and a flashlight and headed to the tag sale house to spend the night on the front porch, to be first in line for the table, arriving there at midnight! Guess what? The early bird got the table. . .and several other great deals to boot! She spent the evening on the porch with 2 men who were dealers, and by opening hour(actually at 6:05 am)there were more than 40 people in line to find their treasures!
Now I have done some wacky things, but this one takes the cake, as far as being one GREAT Mom! Needless to say, her daughter and husband are quite excited to meet the truck arriving tomorrow, laden with the table, but also a wonderful mahogany corner cabinet, complete with lights and incredible storage below! Let's just call this one Christmas in October! Just another adventure on the life of a GREAT Mom! I am impressed! Now tell me, would YOU be that good?
Friday, October 10, 2008
I've Been MIA!
Hi Y'all! I have been totally missing in action. Action being the main word! Lots going on with the working world, meeting the family needs and just trying to keep up with everything that I volunteered to do, before I realized that it would ALL happen at once! Truely a "stop me before I volunteer again" moment!
I was running as fast as I could, trying to be Wonder Woman at the church, the school and at home, when a funny thing happened. Wall Street decided to take a DIVE of massive proportions. The last time this happened, I was far younger, back in the 80's and had little or nothing invested. I remember being in Atlanta, buying for my store, and seeing the sheer panic on the faces of the people in the airport, as they stared blankly at the tvs in the terminal.
This time, I was the one in DISBELIEF, when I heard that Wachovia was in DEEP trouble. As a stockholder, that kind of news makes the stomach drop, as if you are in a VERY high elevator. Makes ya' want to be sick! Down to a buck a share, from close to $50.00 per share. That was more than a year of college for Annie B! That was also inheritance from my Dad. Wachovia was a "home state" stock that was to us, a blue chip investment. Even after asking my investment guy three times in as many weeks, "Should I ditch the Wachovia?" His answer was to hold it, that I did not need it anytime soon. No, not for a couple of more years. . .until it would be time to pay tuition.
So, while I was running to and fro, trying to take care of everyone, the investments that were to take care of me and my fam in the old age years have tanked.It is a scary sick feeling, all caused by the extreme greed of many near the top of their game. At this point, about all we can do is to pray that, whichever way the election rolls, it will be the "right" way. I heard about the Great Depression" a bit from grandparents. It was so painful a memory, that they spoke of it sparingly. Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it. Bummer!
Time to put on the big girl panties and deal with it. Promise. . .No More Woeful Posts. "Tomorrow is another day", as one well known Southern Lady once said! Just call me Scarlett!
I was running as fast as I could, trying to be Wonder Woman at the church, the school and at home, when a funny thing happened. Wall Street decided to take a DIVE of massive proportions. The last time this happened, I was far younger, back in the 80's and had little or nothing invested. I remember being in Atlanta, buying for my store, and seeing the sheer panic on the faces of the people in the airport, as they stared blankly at the tvs in the terminal.
This time, I was the one in DISBELIEF, when I heard that Wachovia was in DEEP trouble. As a stockholder, that kind of news makes the stomach drop, as if you are in a VERY high elevator. Makes ya' want to be sick! Down to a buck a share, from close to $50.00 per share. That was more than a year of college for Annie B! That was also inheritance from my Dad. Wachovia was a "home state" stock that was to us, a blue chip investment. Even after asking my investment guy three times in as many weeks, "Should I ditch the Wachovia?" His answer was to hold it, that I did not need it anytime soon. No, not for a couple of more years. . .until it would be time to pay tuition.
So, while I was running to and fro, trying to take care of everyone, the investments that were to take care of me and my fam in the old age years have tanked.It is a scary sick feeling, all caused by the extreme greed of many near the top of their game. At this point, about all we can do is to pray that, whichever way the election rolls, it will be the "right" way. I heard about the Great Depression" a bit from grandparents. It was so painful a memory, that they spoke of it sparingly. Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it. Bummer!
Time to put on the big girl panties and deal with it. Promise. . .No More Woeful Posts. "Tomorrow is another day", as one well known Southern Lady once said! Just call me Scarlett!
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