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!
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Absurdities in the news!
Hi Ya'll! In these unsettled financial and political times, I find myself spending more time reading news publications and tuning in to the t.v. to follow what is going on. As I was reading our local paper, several interesting articles caught my eye. Each one made me stop, and reflect. . . "Just WHAT were they thinking?"
#1. Ed McMahon RAPS about his finanacial troubles! Now REALLY folks! The man is WAY up in his 80s and he is joining a rap star to make a recording to raise money to bail himself out of finanacial difficulty? Just what are they thinking?
#2. PETA suggests that Ben&Jerry's Ice Cream use MOTHER'S MILK, in the place of cow's milk in their ice cream! PETA stated that milking cows is cruel! Just what were those PETA folks thinking?
#3 The nation of Austria allows 16 year olds to vote! When I was 18, I was CERTAIN that I had every right to vote and would make an excellent choice! I look back now and wonder, "just what was I thinking. . . " on some of my choices at such a young age. The very interesting thing about Austria is, that they allow voting at 16, but their citizens must be 21 to drive a car! Do Austrians value hiway safety above well qualified governmental officials? Are they on to something good here, or is it yet another ABSURDITY in the news?
It's your turn to let me know, "Just what are YOU thinking?"
#1. Ed McMahon RAPS about his finanacial troubles! Now REALLY folks! The man is WAY up in his 80s and he is joining a rap star to make a recording to raise money to bail himself out of finanacial difficulty? Just what are they thinking?
#2. PETA suggests that Ben&Jerry's Ice Cream use MOTHER'S MILK, in the place of cow's milk in their ice cream! PETA stated that milking cows is cruel! Just what were those PETA folks thinking?
#3 The nation of Austria allows 16 year olds to vote! When I was 18, I was CERTAIN that I had every right to vote and would make an excellent choice! I look back now and wonder, "just what was I thinking. . . " on some of my choices at such a young age. The very interesting thing about Austria is, that they allow voting at 16, but their citizens must be 21 to drive a car! Do Austrians value hiway safety above well qualified governmental officials? Are they on to something good here, or is it yet another ABSURDITY in the news?
It's your turn to let me know, "Just what are YOU thinking?"
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
World View @ 5 am
Good Morning, Y'all! Just thought that I would report on the state of the world before even the birds are up. Why, you might ask, would anyone CHOOSE to rise and attempt to shine at such an hour? Well, the Hubby had to catch the early bird flight to DC today, so he was stirring around 4am, to get to the airport by 5 for the 5:55 flight to our nation's capitol. With the lights on, I figured that I might as well rise and head to my early morning destination, as well. Both Annie B and Big Poodle continued to snooze on, ispite of our stirrings.
With a banana and a cup of coffee for fuel, and a water bottle in hand, a sweatsuit clad moi, headed to the car to make the short drive to the fitness center. All was quiet and still in the neighorhood. Not a creature appeared to be stirring. Even the usual black cat was absent on the street. After leaving the neighborhood, for a busier artery in town, traffic was picking up. I cannot say that the folks in the cars that passed me seemed to be very bright-eyed or bushy-tailed, though. All seemed to be pretty subdued, heading to their respective destinations.
Arriving at the gym, life was a different matter. The woman at the desk is ALWAYS smiling and friendly, and the 6 am aerobics class was about to crank up. The music videos were thumping their beat loudly, with their artists moving to the music on the video screens. The other gym participants are all moving and focused on their tv screens or tuned into their ipods, not noticing the other exercising folks present.Let's face it, none of us looked particularly great at that hour! Everyone moved quickly into their own athletic groove, ignoring, or seeming to ignore, what was going on around them. I joined in, on the treadmill and then with the weights, in pursuit of better fitness and a smaller pant size!
The real world was still there, and I made a wake-up call to Annie B, promising to be back home within 30 more minutes, to usher her out the door for school.
By this time, the pitch blackness of the night was gone and it was officially "the morning rush" on the roads, all shared with busses and trucks. The neighnorhood was out and about, with dogs and newpapers being gathering inside. A new day had dawned and I was there to catch it all. Have a great one, Y'all! Maybe I can fit a siesta in around mid-afternoon. I'll let you know if early birds really do, catch the worms!
With a banana and a cup of coffee for fuel, and a water bottle in hand, a sweatsuit clad moi, headed to the car to make the short drive to the fitness center. All was quiet and still in the neighorhood. Not a creature appeared to be stirring. Even the usual black cat was absent on the street. After leaving the neighborhood, for a busier artery in town, traffic was picking up. I cannot say that the folks in the cars that passed me seemed to be very bright-eyed or bushy-tailed, though. All seemed to be pretty subdued, heading to their respective destinations.
Arriving at the gym, life was a different matter. The woman at the desk is ALWAYS smiling and friendly, and the 6 am aerobics class was about to crank up. The music videos were thumping their beat loudly, with their artists moving to the music on the video screens. The other gym participants are all moving and focused on their tv screens or tuned into their ipods, not noticing the other exercising folks present.Let's face it, none of us looked particularly great at that hour! Everyone moved quickly into their own athletic groove, ignoring, or seeming to ignore, what was going on around them. I joined in, on the treadmill and then with the weights, in pursuit of better fitness and a smaller pant size!
The real world was still there, and I made a wake-up call to Annie B, promising to be back home within 30 more minutes, to usher her out the door for school.
By this time, the pitch blackness of the night was gone and it was officially "the morning rush" on the roads, all shared with busses and trucks. The neighnorhood was out and about, with dogs and newpapers being gathering inside. A new day had dawned and I was there to catch it all. Have a great one, Y'all! Maybe I can fit a siesta in around mid-afternoon. I'll let you know if early birds really do, catch the worms!
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Gotta LOVE the South!
I have traveled a bit around the U.S. I have even crossed the pond a couple of times to see what was on the other side. In my travels, rarely do I see the humour that Southerners display on the license plates of their personal vehicles. Yes, I am talking about personalized license plates. Some are quite clever. Some have a very clear message. Others make me ask, "Just what WERE they thinking, when the owner of that car decided to place that message on the back, for all the world to see?"
On my way to our downtown church the other day, I just happened to have the good fortune to be behind such a vehicle. It was a BRIGHT green Dodge Charger of unknown model year. It resembled the vehicle that "starred" in the old "Dukes of Hazzard" tv show from years ago. Now, just to set the record straight, I was NOT a fan of the DoH, but had plenty of friends(especially males) who thought that there was NOTHING better. I do believe that they all had their eyes on a certain Miss Daisy Duke, who now has short-shorts that bear her name.
At any rate, I was behind this VERY loud car, sporting a personalized license plate. I read the plate, just as I was passing the Governor's Mansion of our Great State. The plate read, "MEAN R NU." Translation: "Meaner Than You." From the looks of the driver of the mean green machine, I am thinking that he was correct. He probably IS meaner than I am! What I want to know. . . Is that a GOOD thing?
Like I said in the title of this post, you just GOTTA love the South, where folks don't need to wonder what we are thinking! We just put it on our license plates to tell the world! I just wish that I had been in the possession of a camera, so that y'all would not think that I was making this one up! It was FOR REAL!
On my way to our downtown church the other day, I just happened to have the good fortune to be behind such a vehicle. It was a BRIGHT green Dodge Charger of unknown model year. It resembled the vehicle that "starred" in the old "Dukes of Hazzard" tv show from years ago. Now, just to set the record straight, I was NOT a fan of the DoH, but had plenty of friends(especially males) who thought that there was NOTHING better. I do believe that they all had their eyes on a certain Miss Daisy Duke, who now has short-shorts that bear her name.
At any rate, I was behind this VERY loud car, sporting a personalized license plate. I read the plate, just as I was passing the Governor's Mansion of our Great State. The plate read, "MEAN R NU." Translation: "Meaner Than You." From the looks of the driver of the mean green machine, I am thinking that he was correct. He probably IS meaner than I am! What I want to know. . . Is that a GOOD thing?
Like I said in the title of this post, you just GOTTA love the South, where folks don't need to wonder what we are thinking! We just put it on our license plates to tell the world! I just wish that I had been in the possession of a camera, so that y'all would not think that I was making this one up! It was FOR REAL!
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Stop Me Before I Volunteer Again!
Hey, Y'all! A dear friend sent me a little "love" gift in the mail the other day. It was a note pad that said, "Stop Me Before I Volunteer Again!" Do you suppose that she is trying to tell me something? This friend is a little older than I am, with all three of her children grown and married, or about to be. She is pretty wise, on many fronts!
To be totally honest, I probably really have said "yes" a few too many times, lately. I think that the reality is hitting me, and I am beginning to be a little overwhelmed! My youngest daughter, Annie B. is 16. In two more years she will be in college, and my involvement, as a parent,on a day to day basis, will be about over. So I said "yes" to a BIG job with her school, which is a two year stindt. Then I said "yes" to a pretty big responsibility with my church. That one does not really kick in for a couple of years, so I am currently "in-training" for that. Then, of course, there are my little "paid" jobs at school, my after school teaching of art classes at home and of course, my little "Y'all Spoken Here" enterprise. Hmmm! Just how many hours are there in a day, anyway?
To be totally honest, I probably really have said "yes" a few too many times, lately. I think that the reality is hitting me, and I am beginning to be a little overwhelmed! My youngest daughter, Annie B. is 16. In two more years she will be in college, and my involvement, as a parent,on a day to day basis, will be about over. So I said "yes" to a BIG job with her school, which is a two year stindt. Then I said "yes" to a pretty big responsibility with my church. That one does not really kick in for a couple of years, so I am currently "in-training" for that. Then, of course, there are my little "paid" jobs at school, my after school teaching of art classes at home and of course, my little "Y'all Spoken Here" enterprise. Hmmm! Just how many hours are there in a day, anyway?
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