One Perfect Day & Then Another

This is the way Hank reacted when we said we wanted to take his picture!! How perfect!!!

Hank turned 19 months old on the 17th, and, as I was not working Wed, Thurs, & Fri, I got to go & get him Wed am and keep him til tomorrow evening (Fri).

I cannot tell you how this has made an impact on my life! Hank is my first grandchild, and I am totally, head-over-heels in love with him--but then, you know that if you read my blog! It's like the fog has lifted & I now understand what it is to love unconditionally. I thought I had this with my own children, but Hank has brought about such a different kind of love. I can't bear it when he wrinkles up his face & begins to cry--my heart feels as if it is being ripped out! When he smiles & laughs, I am complete--the happiest person on the face of the earth.

He is now beginning to communicate with the world, and it's so touching looking at things through the eyes of a 19 month old. He loves stars, flags, and pumpkins. We only brought 4 pumpkins home from the patch--and the porch is already full! He loves to play & laugh. He loves trucks--now I do too. And he loves me--this is the first love I have felt so intensly--at least in this manner. I just don't have words. . . . .

Tomorrow is the last day of his vacation with me, and already I am saddened. I want to be with him every day of every week of every month. I just haven't been able to thank God enough for sending me this bit of heaven!

Jobs--Thanks to Sunday Scribblings

I just love writing--and mainly about useless, less than noteworthy subjects!! But, I do like to see the written word. And this intrigues me---everyone's jobs. Mine haven't been spectacular, but here goes:

1. First Job--had to have been babysitting. As the oldest in the family, I was well prepared for this, and as a "responsible" young teen, alot of moms called on me.

2. Worst Job--worked at the tag office for exactly 2 weeks. Yuck!!! No interaction with others, having to type perfectly---

3. Best Job to Date--probably the 2 1/2 years I spent as a dental assistant. I loved the pace, the changes from hour to hour. I was too young & silly to actually consider becoming a hygenist, or even a dentist. But I look back on those days as really ,really fun ones.

4. Fun Job--worked at 3 ladies clothing establishments. Granted they were in small towns, but I had fun. Didn't make anything!! Traded most of my pay for clothing.

5. Most Tempting Job--as a legal secretary. Worked both in my home town & at the larger metropolis as a legal secretary. The tempting part was that I worked for men really close to my age, and we were all young and not very rationale! Would put the phones on hold at 3 on Fridays and go out for Happy Hour!!! This doesn't meld well with a hubby & children at home, so it didn't last long!!!

6. Current Job--as an administrative assistant for the school superintendent (read secretary & catch all person!). Have had this job for 15 years!! And I was only going to stay 2 or 3. But life hands out changes that we don't foresee & I have been forced to stay in the workplace. I'm working for my high school driver's ed teacher!!! (Now Supt of Schools). It's a great place to work, it's 5 minutes from home, and there is no pressure.

7. Dream Job--caterer & baker. Am currently trying diligently to make a place for myself in this area. For the past 5 years I partnered with another secretary at school & we did "after hours & weekend" catering. During that time I took cake decorating classes. Last Nov I bought her out, and have stayed busy with the catering. Still, I would like to do this full time. That "stable paycheck" won't let me!!! Maybe when I get a little more ahead.

8. Fantasy Job--would be a chef & caterer full time. And people would look to me with awe, seek out my dishes, stand in line for my food, and schedule months in advance for my services.

9. Fact About All Jobs--have never, NEVER applied for any job!!!!! The dentist recruited me out of high school, the law office came to me to see if I would fill in, the school contacted me on the recommendation of a college teacher, and the retail shops liked the way I put clothes together so they called me. Have had several other jobs along the way--owned a ceramic shop, taught painting lessons out of my home, etc.

All these jobs--so little time left! ha ha ha

And A Fun Time Was Had By All!

I want to share a fundraiser with you that I participated in last evening. A women's club, of which I am a member, has a fundraiser each fall to add money to our "scholarship" fund. This fund awards monetary grants to girls/ladies in college.

So--it's always a chore to come up with a "new & exciting" fundraiser, but this time it was both!!! As we have 2 meetings monthly in Sept & Oct, baskets were handed out at the second Sept meeting, and members drew for "themes" for their basket. One could spend as much or as little as they desired. The baskets were to be brought to the second Oct meeting (last night) and a silent auction was held. As we have a meeting, members were allowed time to bid before the meeting, and again after the meeting. When time was called, bid sheets were collected, baskets distributed to high bidders, and money collected. Fun and easy!

My theme was "black cats" (how appropriate!!!), and my basket is included in these pics. Now, granted, I am not the best photographer, but I think you can get an idea of how diverse & interesting the baskets were!!! Some baskets were auctioned for as little as $5, and some were auctioned for up to $40. Haven't heard the total yet, but each year we manage to add at least $200 to our funds. And only 16 attended last night.

So GOOD JOB gals!!! Another successful fundraiser!!!

Did you know that today is "National Dictionary" day? Who even knew there was such a day!!! It's held today, as this is the birth date of Noah Webster, and it's held in his honor!!! Now, how about a --word for the day--??? Borrowing right from the yahoo home page (cause I'm too tired to get up and find a dictionary!!), the word is SCRUPULOUS Meaning: acting with extreme care

Ok, that wasn't the hardest of words, but use that sometime today! And if asked what the heck you're doing using those 50cent words, just tell them it's all for Noah!!!

And, another reason for me to celebrate (as if dictionary day wasn't enough!!!), I don't have to work Wed, Thur, or Fri!!! Happy Dance, Happy Dance, Happy

Dance I feel like a new person!!! I can't wait to stay up later than 8 pm tonight!!! And, this is scary now, I can't wait to not have to go anywhere, clean house, and organize my catering & craft supplies! That's just wrong--to be excited about that! See what happens when you have too much "working" time!! I would just once, like to have idle hands for an hour!!! Would match my idle mind!!!

That's it for now folks, but I hope to take some pictures around the area during this time, and maybe have some inspiring thoughts -- not. Ok, how about humorous thoughts??? Random thoughts???? Simple thoughts????

You'll just have to come back and see!!!!!

My Silly Ya Yas

Guess what???? This wasn't even close to Halloween!!! This is what my silly ya yas & I do when we get together. And it was last spring!!! We had gone to the "upscale" shopping center and had lunch at a quaint little sandwich shop. Then headed out to shop at the stores, found all these sunglasses, and began trying them on, rolling with laughter. The salesperson kind of acted like she didn't speak English the first time we asked her to take our picture, but when we beg long enough, we can get through to people!

Like I said, every now & then we go to the "upscale" center--you know the type, none of the women work--their position in life is to shop. And they all are so "hoity toity"--and so when we grace them with out presence, I'm sure they have something to talk about for weeks!!!

Every read Jill Conner's "The Sweet Potato Queens Book of Love"? Or any of the Sweet Potato Queens?? If you haven't GO NOW and get a copy--quit reading and get the book!!! It is one of the funniest things ever, EVER!!! These gals honestly dress up and attend parades & functions as the Sweet Potato Queens!! I so want to be one of them. I guess you could call my ya yas & me "Sweet Potato Eyes"--you know, queens in training!! Being in the "upper mid south" we still consider ourselves "southern bells" (with bats in the bellfrey!), and have uproarously good, irreverant fun when we are together.

We haven't gotten together in several months, so an outing is due & I am soooo ready for a day with them. Talk about cheap therapy!!! No subject is too sacred, no bodily function too taboo, no family problem too secret---oh my granny's garters, I miss them -- the phone call is going to start tomorrow!!

Anyhoo---just thought I'd share a little fun tonight.

Have you ever been so pooped that you were lethargic???? I'm there sisters! I think I have pushed so hard the past two weeks that I'm below empty. Must not have heard the "low fuel" bell go off! This morning I just couldn't get wakened--managed to get dressed & make it to early service & Sunday School, but when I got home all I could do was through on the loungewear and sleep! Woke up, had a sandwich, and here I sit, posting this through yawns!!! Hubby said my body is trying to catch up, but I think it just stopped dead in its tracks. The skidmarks on the sofa are from my body rushing to lay down! I just hope I can shake it before work time tomorrow!!! Oh well, I'll just take some Excedrine Migraine--it's got so much caffeine that it gets me going for a while!!

Oh boy--Desperate Housewives is on! Bye!

Workin 9-5

It's SATURDAY!!! And here I am, sitting in my Target Halloween lounge capris, faded Old Navy Halloween t shirt, with a house full of clutter, laundry, cleaning, projects---decorating a cake for a noon shower, and watching an A & E Biography about Dolly Parton.

I like Dolly--and she is one amazing lady. I remember watching her on the Porter Wagoner show growing up--I thought she was sooo pretty. Then, as I got older, and didn't think I liked country music, I kind of left her. I was reunited with her beautiful voice while watching "The Best Little Whorehouse In Texas". I began to follow her again, from a distance, then. Now, watching this bio, I am reminded how business savy she is, how genuine she is, and how much she & I are alike. That's right--I said Dolly Parton & I are alike!!! I have even been told that I have features like Dolly--now before you go looking for a photo of me---NO--it's not those features. I have been told by a few (probably legally blind) people that I have a smile & eyes like Dolly. Interesting, as most people probably couldn't remember those features to compare!!! But, as I listened to her tell of growing up, the similarities deepened--Dolly was raised in a Pentecostal home--so was I (well 1/2 of the home was), Dolly always loved to sing, so did I (and I still do), Dolly has no reservations about singing & acting, neither do I, Dolly doesn't take herself too seriously, neither do I, and the most similar characteristic--she states that everything she does, she does in a big way. SO DO I!!! I love hard, hurt deep, go 24/7 non stop, attack any new interest with gusto--to the point that I run my interests into the ground. Dolly loves her husband with no reservations--same here. Even tho, sometimes we don't seem to match our mates-- And Dolly loves people---I do too. I find people so very interesting. I'm often labeled as "nosy" and "too curious for my own good", but in my eyes, every person is special, unique, and has a life story that impacts this life.

Ok, I'm rambling, but my point of that last remark is--every person on this earth is one of God's creations. At some point in our lives, either something happens to us, or doesn't happen to us, than affects how we choose to go on. We can choose to be the very best in our capacity, regardless of what life has thrown in our path, or we can choose to sit back, be filled with the "whats wrongs" in life, and become so bitter and mean that we loose the meaning of why we are here.

Some can choose to embrace love--not just love for another person, but love for what God has given to us--the beauty of a new sunrise, air to breathe, taste for this journey and so on and so on. Some of choose to look at what "we are owed", who "wronged us", who to blame for our "lot in life" etc. Some choose to make the very best of each challenge handed them, take care of the physical person, the emotional person, choose surroundings (people & circumstances) that elevate us above the "crud" of life. Some choose to sit back and blame others for misfortunes, fill minds and bodies with what will anesthetize, bring instant pleasure, erase thoughts, regardless of the long term impact of the "soother".

I guess that's what I most admire about Dolly's story--she was brought up in the humblest of stations in life--12 children in the family, dirt floors, poverty--yet she chose to focus on the love she learned at home, the possibilities that awaited her, the need to be a productive individual--regardless of the long hours and hard work it cost her. And I guess that's what I WANT to be a similarity between she & I. Regardless of the sweat along the way, I want to be the very best I can possibly be--to experience all that life shows me in this setting--to share the love of humanity, spirituallity, creation that runs so deep inside.

This morning my dad called to wish me happy birthday--now dad is quite a character! He's eclectic, eccentric, and conservative! When leaving me a note, an email, or a card, he always signs his name "your earthly father"!! And this morning he reminded me of his old nickname for me "Sweet Pea". Then he told me something that just grabbed my heart--I have to make you understand that my dad is of British heritage, and has, throughout my life, been VERY reserved with his emotional displays (until his later years). He said that when he married my mom, she became the light of his life, and that when I was born (I am the oldest), the light began to shine my way!!! Isn't that sweet?? And it didn't really hit me til I got off the phone. My dad never, never told us kids that he loved us, hugged us, things like that until after my brother was killed in an auto accident at the age of 19 (way back in "77). But that opened up a new phase of "dad" and, to this day, surprises my sister & me. That's just one of the things that I am thankful for on this day. That I actually know my parents love me & are proud of me--don't ever have to wonder about that. And it's a great lesson--I have had a determination for the past several years to let those around me, both family & friends, know how much I care for them. Even everyday people I encounter at work or the store--I want to leave them with the feeling that I am just overflowing with love for humanity!!!

Ok, maybe this is a hormonal day---but hey, it's a good one!!!!! Enjoy this Saturday---love the one you're with---teach your children well---and listen to Cosby, Stills, Nash & Young! And Dolly!

Fill In Friday

Got this from Tuesday Update!!! It's fun--if you choose to do this, send me a message cause I want to see yours!!

1. Once upon a time I thought I would have all the time in the world, that my kids would stay small forever, and that I could do everything I set out to do!!!

2. Goblins screaming and bats flying, Halloween comes quickly.

3. I don't like white tea and ginger--my preferences run to black tea and cinnamon!

.4. Way down yonder in the land of cotton???

5. Keys hold opportunities; locks are for scaredy cats.

6. Have you seen baby pigs? They're so cute & pink!

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to going out to eat with my hubby , kids and Hank, tomorrow my plans include ( that was tomorrow--I just realized it's early tomorrow morning!) and Sunday, I want to be really, really lazy!

TGIF!!!

Well, here's another Friday!!! They just seem to come so rapidly anymore! And I just seem to cram so much into the "in between" days that Friday is lookin good!! That and it's payday! Gotta love that payday---
Last night I participated in Taste of CV and it was a small success. Not the turn out of last year, but advertising wasn't as good either. The organization lost it's director in July, and I truly think the effects of her good works are just now being felt! But, had rave comments on the food I served & cake I decorated, handed out lots of cards, so that, in my eyes is a success!!! The downfall is that MY FEET STILL HURT!!! At least at the office today I can sit on my fanny!!!
Dear Penny has returned from the Ukraine with what I sweetly call--"travelers trots"!!! She was even admitted to the hospital yesterday for 24-48 hours observation--extreme dehydration & some type of intestinal bacteria. What a welcome home!!! You go & help another area of the world, do your good deeds, and end up with yucky stomach!!! Feel better today Penny!!!
Let's see, a bridal shower tomorrow, a cake tasting tomorrow and a cake for Monday evening and I'm finished for a week!!! Tuesday has a glow around it!!! Fall break for the school is Wed - Fri, so I'm off those days & WHOO HOO I get to keep Hank!!! He just isn't old enough to know how I'm going to spoil him those days!!! We're going to take pictures at a pumpkin patch (already have a custom "pumpkin patch" frame), eat ice cream and play, play, play. Oh, and I'm going to take him around showing him off!!!! Looking forward to Hank coming over puts a lift in my step!!! That kid is soooooo lucky to have me as his ya ya!! I'm going to be the one all the other kids envy!!! ha ha ha
Get to have dinner out with my kids on Saturday evening!!! Hubby is taking us out for my birthday---BUT no age will be discussed!!! Have you seen Kenny Chesney's new video for his song "Blink"---makes me tear up every time!!! And it's soooo true--you blink and the years roll by. So--to all my blog homies---let's make a pact---let's (from this minute forward) make the most of each day. Sounds easy huh? Maybe we should wear reminders--post its all over ourselves saying "I am making the most of this minute"!!! Thanks for the reality check Kenny!
Hey--I gotta get off here and frost two cakes to take to work with me this morning!! They are small, small, small, but they still need my attention!
Have a great weekend friends--more later.