Hip, Hip, Hooray!

I love a success story, don't you?

Delta Airlines has emerged from bankrupty and thwarted a take-over bid by US Airways.

Kudos to Delta and to all of its employees for six long years of reorganizing, downsizing, restructuring and everything in between.

No Catchy Title Will Do This Justice

Let me just preface the main point of this post by saying that I am not really a morning person. I'm not one of those people who **jumps!** out of bed, ready to face the day with reckless abandon. I'm not one to issuse a cheery "Good Morning" three seconds after my eyes pop open.

I can get out of bed without too much of a struggle, but I prefer to putz around for awhile. Shuffle to the sink to brush my teeth. Shuffle downstairs to get a cup of coffee. Waking up gradually has always worked best for me.

But, that's not the reality at our house. My husband and I are usually up at 6:00 each morning, like it or not. I shower and get myself ready as fast as I can. Doug and I tag team with Adam. I rarely set foot downstairs until I'm ready to leave because I don't need distractions. I try to impose a pretty time-sensitive rountine upon myself so I get out the door and to the office in a reasonable amount of time.

So it went this morning, with one change. My husband, out of the goodness of his heart, said he would drive my car today so he could stop and get the oil changed on his way to work.

I hopped in his car, which is actually parked on my side of the garage due to the huge Dumpster parked at the end of our driveway.

I put the car in reverse and somehow forgot about the huge Dumpster until the back bumper made contact with it. Somehow I managed to totally zone out the half ton hunk of iron sitting in our driveway.

The damage wasn't as bad as it could have been, but it was damage none the less.

My first fender-bender ever, and it happened mere feet from my front door.

I called him immediately and explained. I knew he would be understanding. I met him at Starbucks to show him the ding. He was laughing about it at the end, and he had me at least cracking a smile.

And that's why I love him.

The Porch Project - End of Week 2

Short and sweet this week.... all the windows have been framed,

and the floor on the extension was laid.

Extension portion as seen from the street.

It's Never Too Soon to Instill a Strong Work Ethic

Shake and fold....

Into the laundry basket....

So much laundry, so little time....

A Dream Come True

This morning I had one of those life is stranger than fiction moments.

Last night I dreamt I got out of the shower, wrapped my hair in a purple towel, got dressed and went shopping. I my dream I was very busy; I must have had a lot of errands to run. At times I was even driving in a convertible, glorious purple towelhead blowing in the breeze.

So, fast forward to this morning. The sun comes up. The 16 month old alarm clock sounds. I get in the shower. I get out of the shower and wrap my head in a towel. Doug gets in the shower. I begin chasing the alarm clock up and down the hallway attempting to get him out of his pj's and into his clothes. I make it as far as a fresh diaper (thank the good Lord!) and the doorbell rings.

It is 7am.

And then I remembered it must be the man bringing our Dumpster (read about our Porch Project here).

And I also quickly deduced he was ringing the bell because the Dumpster was going to be dumped near the side of the garage where I park my car.

Down the stairs I went to answer the door. Towel on head. Baby in nothing but a diaper. Though it was on the tip of my tongue, I did not say "Come into our trailer and have a cup of coffee."

I had deduced correctly. Dumpster Guy needed me to move my car.

By this time Doug had finished his shower so I left the diaperd one with him.

I went down to the garage, planning to jump in the car, pull it in front of the house and run quickly inside. Instead, Dumpster Man began a little Dumpster Theology.

"I could put 'er there instead," he said, pointing to the yard just beyond the end of the driveway. This is not yard as in "grass". This is yard as in "dirt, pinestraw and a ground-up tree stump". I calmy explained that perhaps the Dumpster would sink and that the original placement would do just fine.

Finally, in a burst of shear awkwardness, I said, "You know, I dreamt last night that I went to the grocery store with my hair wrapped in a towel."

And Dumpster Guy just stared at me blankly. It was, after all, only 7am.

With that, I hopped in my car, gunned it out of the garage, up the drive, and came to rest in front of our house. A mere 15 feet lie between me and the privacy of my dear home.

Then, just as I stepped out of my car I saw them. Two mothers and their children. Walking to the bus stop at our corner.

I am sure they didn't see me galloping and tripping into the house. The purple towel on my head couldn't possibly have caught anyone's attention.

Categorizing my Jeans

Following up on my post a couple days ago about how I've really not stuck to my New Year's nutrition and work-out plan, I thought it would be prudent to write about how I've categorized the jeans in my closet.

It's a secret, really. I don't tell many people. But I'll tell you.

Let me preface by saying that I never had different sizes of clothing until I navigated the 9 months of pregnancy and the months following. I didn't have "fat clothes" and "skinny clothes". I didn't weigh myself after a weekend of beer and nachos. I just always stayed the same size.

I gained 50 pounds when I was pregnant with Adam. (well, really it was 47 but let's just talk round figures here ... get it???). My doctor predicted I'd gain 40-50 pounds ("mostly fluid") right from the start. I didn't disappoint him. Suddenly my carefully controlled world of weight was out of control.

A month or so after Adam was born I bought a pair of jeans that was 2 sizes bigger than I normally wore. I am still wearing them today, though they are a bit baggy. The day I came home from the store with those bigger jeans I went into my closet and took out every single pair I owned and made three piles:

Pile 1

I Realize I'm Fat But I Just Had a Baby and These Will be Falling Off Me in 3 Months.

Pile 2

Whew! At Least I Can Fit Into These Now

Pile 3

When Donkeys Fly

The stacks still loom there. Every morning I see them.

But I remain sure, without a doubt, one of these days as I'm getting dressed, Adam will proclaim "Gong-kee! Gong-kee!", while pointing out the window.

In Which I Ask for a Do-Over

At the beginning of 2007, I was all giddy with excitement at the prospect of what lie ahead. A clean slate, if you will. That's how many people think of a New Year. That's how I thought of it. You can read about all of my life changing pledges here.

So, how am I doing nearly 5 months later. Uhhhh.... Not so good. Not good at all.

I commited to watching TV less and reading more. Hasn't happened. I mean, I have to keep up with Jackie on Workout, The Family of Little People, Dancing with the Stars, and now there's the family with 6 yr. old twins and 2 yr. old sextuplets. I have to keep up with the news. Just an excuse, I know. I should be making better choices.

And the eating plan went to hell in a bowl of potato chips. Up at 5 a.m. on the treadmill? ha! More protein, less carbs? ha! I have failed. I did it for awhile and lost some weight. But then I quit doing it. That's why I am not rejoicing in the fact that summer is just around the corner. As it stands now I will not be **all that and then some** in a bathing suit. In fact, for the very first time ever in my whole life, I am considering nixing the two-piece suit.

We have accomplished something on the list...
the most important thing...
the thing that will help me above all else...

We go to church regularly and are more involved again.

So, that being said, I was thinking today how thankful I am for do-overs. Remember as a child asking for a do-over when you didn't jump the rope 20 times in a row? Or when you didn't make the basket or win the running race against your friend on the playground?

As a parent, I hope I get to honor a lot of do-overs. Because the feeling of accomplishment is just as important as the task.

And, aren't we blessed that God gives us a chance at a do-over no matter how many times we mess up? He never loses faith in us. He never lets failure cloud His days. His love for us is unending, no matter how many times we might fail.

So, here's to the glory of the Do-Over!

I'll try again tomorrow.

Coffee, Tea, or...Diet Coke, or...

As I write this I am sipping my afternoon iced tea. Unsweet tea in which I add one and a half packets of Splenda. One packet is not enough; two is too many. It has to be just right.

It's important to the flow of this post that I make the distinction of afternoon iced tea. You see, I have a bit of a beverage addiction.

There. I said it.

I always have to have a beverage on or near my person. It starts with the morning cup of coffee. Usually with cream and Splenda, sometimes I splurge for a sugar-free vanilla soy latte from one of those over-priced coffee places. If I have a cup at home, I never finish it, and I frequently leave the cup on the vanity as I am getting ready for the day.

And, since I mentioned leaving the half-full cup on the vanity, I might as well address the other part of my beverage addiction.

I waste a lot of beverages by leaving them sitting around to get watered-down, too cold, or too warm. I've done this since my beverage addiction started at the age of ten. It used to drive my brother nuts. He would call me names and rant about it. At that time I probably could have been broken of the bad habit but it made him so mad I continued just because it irritated him. Little sisters are like that.

Before I married my husband I tried to warn him about all of my quirks and bad habits. Leaving half-drunk beverages sitting around was near the top of the list. To his credit, the only thing he ever says about the beverage graveyard around our house is, "That's so Jilly." God bless him.

After my morning cup of coffee, I have a mid-morning Diet Coke. Regular Coke or Diet Pepsi will not do. It has to be Diet Coke. Preferably fountain Diet Coke in a Styrofoam cup because the ice doesn't melt as quickly. If I have to have a can I cannot pour it over ice. It gets watered down too quickly. I have been known to finish a fountain Diet Coke. I never finish Diet Coke in a can because the last few sips taste too much like aluminum.

For lunch I prefer iced tea, again in a Styrofoam cup. I sip it for the rest of the afternoon, often finishing it in the car on the way home from work. I would never consider a Diet Coke at this time of day. It does not sound appealing in the least.

My husband and I often have a cocktail as we chat about our day, make dinner, and dodge flying pasta and corn tossed by the 15 month old toddler we call our son. I try appeasing the little tyke with an array of beverages, to no avail. I'll have to work on that.

And that ends my beverage parade for the day. Notice that it did not include phrases like, "I drink half my weight in water each day." Or, "I always keep a bottle of water with me because it is so good for your skin."

Blah. If I wanted to drink lots of water I would have been born a fish.

The Porch Project - End of Week 1

Well, the first week of our remodel project is behind us. We were blessed with great weather and progress is evident. I got a chuckle the first day, when my husband emailed me with one of those "it's going to cost more money" scenarios. The porch is supported beneath by four iron posts and we knew one needed replacing. Turns out all four were bad. Chalk one up to the bank.

The picture above shows where the current porch stops and also shows the end of the house, where the new room will extend. The door leads into our kitchen. This door and the wall with the big picture window will be "busted out", as Bayley says.

The photo below shows the room overlooking our backyard. This was taken from our living room

Finally, a view from below. These steps will be torn out and a deck built, with french doors leading to the deck from the new room.

Move Over Anne Leibovitz

Besides the 452 loads of laundry I did this weekend, my biggest accomplishment was buying a new camera. Suffice it to say the rest of my weekend was viewed through the lens. I now officially have a new hobby, though I have much to learn. Here are a few of my favorite weekend snippets.

Little Adam pines to go outside. "Ide".... "Ide"... "Ide".

Aah! Success! Mama put my shoes on and set me free.

A sweet after dinner kiss......

To Fear

In God, whose word I praise, in the LORD, whose word I praise

in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?
I am under vows to you, O God; I will present my thank offerings to you.
For you have delivered me from death and my feet from stumbling,

that I may walk before God in the light of life.

~Psalms 56: 10-13

Last week our Sunday School class started a series on Fear. The class leader asked us to write down one of our fears on a slip of paper and place it in a box. I immediately, without hesitation, wrote "I fear the death of my child."

I looked over at my husband's response and he had written, "I fear growing too tall." I knew immediately that meant that he really had no fears. His faith in God overshadows his fears.

"Oh," I thought. "I wish I could be that faithful and sure. I really do. But I fear losing my child."

When I was young I had lots of fears. I was deathly afraid of answering the telephone. I'm not sure why, but I was. I didn't like to be in the presence of people I didn't know. I feared having to talk in front of the class. At the end of each school day we rode the bus from the elementary school to the high school and then walked home. And I was fearful every single day when I got off the bus. The high school boys scared me.

As life progressed I was fearful of rejection. I was fearful that people would not like me. I was fearful that I would get fired.

But now I have to say that I don't fear much at all. I realize that God has given me the gift of free will to make decisions that can calm many of my fears. I avoid dangerous situations and use caution, so I don't fear being raped, murdered, or hurt in some way by another person.
I keep a healthy perspective on what other people think of me. I live my life the best I can. People will think what they want regardless. I don't fear loss of job because I know I can find another. I don't fear hardship or illness. I will bear those burdens should they come.

But I fear losing Adam or Kendra or Bayley. When Adam was just a few days old I had a horrific dream in which he died. I cannot bear to write the details. When he was a tiny baby, terrible thoughts would pass through my head - just mere seconds long - and they would literally make me shudder.

I know that Adam does not belong to us. He belongs to God. But Adam is ours to grow and nurture and protect. His hand is ours to hold. And I fear that somehow, in an instant, his hand will slip from mine when I was charged with holding it, and Adam will be gone.

This is all the more reason to not live in Fear, but rather in Joy and Celebration. Each and every day. And I must remember that Adam's little hand, if it should slip from mine, will be caught without fail by God's.
And who could possibly ask for more?

Secret Language

Yesterday morning Adam was down the hall with his dad as we were getting ready for the day. "Nee-naw", Adam was saying over and over again.

"Nee-naw."
"Nee-naw."
"Nee-naw."

"He wants his toothbrush," I casually said.

My husband rushed in. "How do you know that?"

"Just do", I replied.

I know that just like I know the two throaty grunt sounds he makes (sort of like "gug-gug") mean either cracker or chocolate chips depending on which kitchen cabinet he is pointing to.

Not that I give him chocolate chips or anything.

Please, Recommend a Book

I keep counting the days 'til my week of vacation in June.

The whole week is highlighted in yellow on my calendar.

We're not going anywhere but we plan to venture to the pool every day, and I hope to indulge myself with a stack of books.

Today seems like good day to do a little on-line book shopping.


If you could take one book to the pool with you this summer, what would it be?


Thanks for your recommendations!

**UPDATED TO ADD: Thank you all for your recommendations. You'll see to the left that I have a very ambitious reading list for the remainder of the year.

Random Thoughts

If last week found me answering Random Questions, today finds me with random thoughts that don't really fit into one neat and tidy blog:

* The shootings at Virginia Tech is mind-boggling and so very, very tragic. But, one thing that really angers me is the immediate finger-pointing. Hindsight is always 20/20. We can all think logically if we are removed from such things. Why are so many so quick to place blame? I think it just makes this story, and so many like it, all the more tragic.

* Many times each day my thoughts turn toward Heather. My blog design is just one of many that this talented lady has created. She's also a walking testament to an unwaivering faith in God. She now has a topic category on her blog called "Brain Stuff" that she did not have this time last month. In fact, she just added that category last week. And then I keep thinking of other blogs, of other faithful ladies, who never expected to start out a post with things like "today is my last day of chemo". Oh, my heart aches for Heather and her family and all others who are suffering in any way. And I thank the Lord each day for the blessings in my life. Today I have to decide what to cook for dinner or what to wear to work. Others literally have life-and-death decisions to make.

* On a lighter note, Adam has a new talent. He has known where his nose is for a long time. He has also been very drawn to other people's noses for a long time. The little guy can squeeze hard, let me tell you. Last weekend he discovered that his finger fits into his nose and several times had one finger in each nostril. Nice. And, for the record, he would stick his finger in his nose when Doug or I would say "know", as in "I didn't know that" or, "I know I put that away."

* To those of you read my blog and comment, thank you. My list of blogging friends is growing and you all inspire me in many different way. To those who read but don't comment, thank you, too.

* And finally, in the all-things-hip-and-cool category, these are the shoes that Elton John loved .

For Heather

Please, keep praying.

Join in on April 18th if you are so moved.

Thank you.

Random Questions from Susan

Susan at Learning for Lifetime had a really neat post the other day in which she answered questions posed by a fellow blogger. Susan asked for volunteers to answer some random questions posed by her and, since I am always open for bloggety fun, I volunteered to play along:

1. What's your worst pet peeve? This question is always hard for me because I have so many! I guess my worst would be laziness. There is so much to experience and give back in a lifetime, and I just hate seeing people make the choice to let so much of life pass them by.

2. (For Susan, who thought I should extend my Thursday Thirteen to others.)What are five things you would do if "money were no object"?
1. Hire a masseuse/hair dresser / manicurist / housekeeper to be at my beck and call.
2. Travel to my heart's desire (first class all the way) with my precious family.
3. Set up a foundation to do all sorts of philanthropic work. I'm especially passionate about helping children.
4. Build our dream home, which would include a gym/workout room, a pool, a guest house, lots of fireplaces, a movie theater and a huge library.
5. Help my family and friends with some of their dreams.

3. If you could be an inanimate object, what would you be and why?
What: A first edition Shakespeare novel.

Why:

And since you know you cannot see yourself,
so well as by reflection,
I, your glass,will modestly discover to yourself,
that of yourself which you yet know not of.

-- and--

He who has injured thee was either stronger or weaker than thee.
If weaker, spare him;
if stronger, spare thyself.


4. OK, fess up, some people have eaten crayons or tasted glue. What's the strangest thing you've ever taste-tested? Where were you and why did you do it? That would be dry cat food when I was 7 or 8 years old. I loved my cat so very much, and she loved the cat food so very much. So I thought I might like the cat food, too. But, I didn't.

5. And because I LOVE music and Linda used music: If you were standing before all of your friends and family and they asked you to summarize yourself in one to two songs, what would you sing and why?

We Bow Down, by Twila Paris. This song is a wonderful testament to my love of the Lord. Without him I am nothing.

You are King of the Heavens and King of my life
King of the land and the sea
You were King of Creation before there was time
And King of all Kings You will be

My second song, We are a Family, is one I listen to with my 15m old son Adam in the car sometimes.

If you're up for answering five random questions from me, leave a comment.

15 Seconds with Elton John

So there I was, anxiously tap-tap-tapping my foot while I waited for the elevator to come to the 34th floor of my boss' highrise. I'd just completed my oh-so-important tasks in her condo prior to her return from a 6 week trip. I'd purchased her groceries, replaced the plant in the middle of her dining room table, watered her trees on the balcony, and picked up her mail. (And, just for the record, my job does include other tasks that more adequately utilize my college education, but that story would not be very interesting, I'm afraid.)

So, there I was.....tapping my foot. And finally the ding sounded and the down arrow appeared, indicating that my ride had arrived.

The doors opened. And I stepped on. And then I realized I'd stepped onto the elevator with Elton John. Yes, the Elton John. Sir Elton John. Crocodile Rock Elton John ('cause that's my favorite EJ song).

I didn't for one minute think, "This guy really looks like Elton John, but why would he be in this elevator?" Elton John has a penthouse on the top two floors of my boss' highrise. Here in the Buckhead area of Atlanta. On Peachtree Road. ** Just in case you ever wanted to come here and attempt a Elton John sighting. **

EJ: G'day. Nice day out there, eh?

I say : Yes. Yes, very nice.

I think: He's really short.

I say: Sounds like we are supposed to get quite a rain storm tomorrow.

I think: Oh, that was brilliant. He probably doesn't care.

EJ: Oh really. Didn't know that.

EJ: 'Live here, do 'ya?

I say: No. My boss, ____ does. I believe you've met her.

I think: I know you've met her 'cause she has a photo of you and her in her library.

EJ: Yes! How is she?

I say: She's fine. Travels a lot.

I think: I really want his autograph.

**Ding** The elevator arrives in the lobby.

EJ: G'day then. Love your shoes.

I say: Thanks.

I think: He! Likes! My! Shoes!

Until next time (me + my sassy shoes),

The Olden Days - circa 1986

Earlier this week I received the Spring 2007 edition of Visions, the Iowa State University Alumni Association's magazine. I love when this little bit of Midwestern / Iowa State news arrives in my mailbox. I usually read it, cover-to-cover, the same day it arrives.

This issue was especially reminiscent as it celebrated the 150th Anniversary of Iowa State. One of the features was a timeline, beginning in 1858 when ISU was founded as the Iowa Agricultural College.

As I neared the 1980's, the highlighted events began to sound very familiar and I easily remembered most of them. My first year at ISU was 1986 (21 years ago!!!!-- yikes!). That was the year the Program for Women in Science and Engineering was founded.

But it was one of the items from 1987, my sophomore year in college, that really stood out. That year the ISU Library's card catalog began to go online. It wasn't fully computerized until 1992.

"Imagine that," I thought. "I guess I did spend my entire college career flipping through long drawers of cards, trying to find a book or other reference material."
How did I ever do research without Google and the vast resources of online information?

How did I write my term papers without Word? There was only one building with "computer labs" on campus at that time and it was nothing short of a miracle if you were able to find a computer that was not being used. And, since I'd never taken a "computer" course, I wouldn't have known how to use one anyway.

Further on in the timeline it was evident how quickly technology creeped into the every-day at ISU.

* In 1991 all students began paying a mandatory computer fee.

* In 1996 The ISU Card was introduced, allowing students, faculty and staff one universal (computerized) card for library privileges, access to univeristy events, food service, and even banking and financial services. That is a far cry from my days at ISU, waiting in lines hundreds of students long, for hours upon end, trying to get my student loan check.... an actual PAPER check.

* In 2001, the first students graduated from the online Masters in Agriculture program.

Flash forward with me to 2023. The Year Adam Gradutes from High School.

He will have heard all about the "olden days" when his mom and dad were in college.

No computers!

They sat in classrooms where the professor taught in person!

They took class notes in long-hand!

In notebooks!

Oh, the horror.

Please Pray for Heather

Many of you probably already read Heather's Blog. She is also the very sweet, faithful and talented lady who designed my blog. Heather and her family urgently need your prayers. It seems she has been diagnosed with a brain tumor. Her family has already faced immense health challenges with their sweet little daughter, Emma. Now, another challenge.....

Your prayers are greatly appreciated.

The Porch Project - Chapter 1

I always like to have a little a little project in the works. Could be typing and filing all of my recipes. Could be organizing all of my holiday decorations into appropriate categories in storage containers in the basement. This will assure that santas and snowmen are with their own kind. This works better for the bunnies and pumpkins. Everyone now gets along much better.

Our new project is much bigger. It's The Porch Project. Namely, removing the old screened-in, mold-infested, pollen-covered porch that is stuck to the back of our 30-year old house and replacing it with a walled/windowed room. The photo above is the porch last Saturday afternoon. Notice the rickety stairs and ugly lattice work below. The steps will be replaced and my oh-so-talented husband has been busy drawing up plans for the new L-shaped deck he will build around the new porch.

Kendra and Bayley hard at work destructing the porch. Loved every minute of it, they did. They were sorry when it was over.

This is the porch with the side and back walls torn out. The white door leads into our kitchen now. You can also see the white window on the right of the photo. The window and door will be knocked out so the new room will extended all the way to the end of the house.

A good day's work done. Four walls gone. Hopefully you can see a bit of the great back yard view we have. Wonderful big trees and even a little stream.

The Porch Project continues Monday, April 16 when the contractor begins to weave his magic.

Stay tuned.....

A Picture-Perfect Easter

I hope y'all had a great Easter. We did. Cold. But great. I would be posting our Easter pictures today, but it seems our digital camera is missing. At first I thought I'd misplaced it, since I've been living on the edge for quite some time now. But then my husband suggested that Adam, our 15 month old, probably threw it away during his "throw-away-everything-not-nailed-down" phase. That sounded like a strong possibility. So, we're going with that. That's one of the great things about having children. You can blame them for things.

If Adam hadn't thrown away the digital camera, I'd have taken pictures of the eggs I devotedly and painstakenly decorated for the children's baskets. They would look something like this:

And then I would have posted a picture of the eggs I made for the neighborhood egg hunt. Those would look something like this:

And I would also share a photo of the meal I lovingly made for my family.

It would be similar to this:

I'm sorry Adam threw away the camera. I hope you get the picture anyway.

Somebody's Gotta Do It

Since I have been a little on the edge lately, I began planning for something that I could really look forward to... The Day of Beauty. That Day finally came yesterday.

It was a very scientific and intelligent approach to curing all that ails me:

1. 90 minute massage
2. facial
3. hair color
4. manicure / pedicure

In that order. All in one day. Oh, yes I did.

I'm a really loyal consumer. Give me good service, at a fair price, on time, in a friendly way and I'm yours. So, yesterday's Day of Beauty also allowed me to see some wonderful people that I've been using for a long time for all my various primping and priming.

Aba, at Jolie the Day Spa, has been doing my massages for nearly 3 years. In that time she's morphed from an overweight "big black mama" (her words) to a lithe, muscular "black yoga mama" (her words again). Dreadlocks included. The same time I was pregnant with Adam, she was going through re-birthing therapy. Now, I don't know the in's and out's (pun intended) but suffice it to say that she did not want me to be induced to cause Adam to come out any sooner than he wanted to. "Because then," she said gently, "he will always feel like he should be rushing somewhere and should be someplace he's not." "That's not all bad," I'd say. "It'll give the kid a sense of urgency. Kids these days are just too lazy."

Next I was on to Erin, Wonder Woman of all things natural and wholistic for the skin. She's nearly completed course work for a Masters in Wholistic Nutrition and I love talking to her about what we put into our bodies and how it affects our skin.

Franco, at Moda Salon Spa worked his magic to once again make me a natural blonde in under two hours.

And, finally, Phillip at Nail Premier (next door to Publix) transformed my hands and toes back into something presentable. Really, what gal can resist a fresh French manicure and Monte Carlo Red toes?

With a little help from my friends, I'm feeling much better today. Hey, somebody's gotta do it.

Until next time,

Who'da Thunk It?

Wow! My first-ever blog award, from one of my favorite bloggers, Vader's Mom. To begin with, she's an Intellectual Property Rights Manager and a Paralegal in Entertainment Law. And I love her Thursday Thirteen series. (And, just for the record, her blog is second on my Favorites List, just after my husband's!)

When I started blogging just a few short months ago, I was mostly concerned with what I would write and what other people might find interesting. Little did I know that I'd find so many wonderful blogs to read and contemplate.

I nominate two blogs for this award, because all others I'd consider nominating have already gotten a nod. Here are the rules:

1. If, and only if, you get tagged, write a post with links to up to five blogs that make you think.

2. Link to this post, so that people can find the exact origin of the meme.

3. Optional: Proudly Display the "Thinking Blogger Award" with a link to the post that you wrote.


Work, Marriage, Kids and One Old House: My wonderful husband keeps me thinking (and a whole lot more!) both in person and through his blog. We started blogging at the same time, and it's been a great time so far.

The Happiness Project: Whew! This one is awesome, folks. Gretchen undertook all things Happiness for one year. Make sure you read her bio. She's done some interesting stuff.

Happy Thinking!

Just Call Me........

I saw him again today, just like I do nearly every other morning on my way to work. The man who shaves while he drives. Doesn't need a mirror. Has probably been doing it so long he can do it in his sleep. In fact, I think that would be a good idea because it kinda grosses me out. I mean... shaving is personal. Others aren't supposed to see that.

So, because I am subjected to this commuter abuse, I have been trying to give him a nickname. Remington seems waaaaaaaay too masculine, since he has at least two chins to shave. Maybe that's why he can't do it before he leaves the house. Not enough time and too many chins. One day the perfect nickname will come to me. And I will most certainly let you know the moment the glory shines.

This also got me thinking today about all the nicknames I've applied and been privy to over the years:

* When I was in middle school there was a creepy-looking high schooler who was deaf in one ear and drove what he thought was a really cool souped-up black car. He had a straggly goatee and was really skinny. My friends and I called him Groaty. (Rhymes with throaty). Ironically, Groaty's sisters were really pretty. He must have gotten into the bad gene pool. Years later my brother told me that Groaty tried to run him down with his car near the post office. If I'd have known that then, I would have made up an even uglier nickname.

* The cemetary superintendent in my hometown is known as Coon. Don't ask me why. I didn't give him the name, but it really cracks me up. "Hi, Coon." "How ya doin', Coon?" I wonder if his wife says "Coon, can you please pick up some bread and milk on your way home from the cemetary?"

* The high school janitor in my home town was nicknamed Stinky, for obvious reasons. Then he was also elected Mayor when my mom was City Clerk. "Stinky the Mayor." Only in small town USA.

* Back in 2002 when I was training for a marthon, I spent the winter running around and around and around the track at a gym near my office. Every morning at 5:30am there I'd be, along with about 20 senior citizens, including Pink Flossy, the lady who wore bubble gum pink sweat suits and flossed her teeth the whole time she walked.

* A friend of mine dated a guy for a couple months. On what would turn out to be their last meeting, she brought him some cookies for the holidays. She never saw him, or the fancy plate the cookies were on, again. He is known as Plate Man.

Oh, there are so many more. Maybe Part II will follow when I finally come up with a name for the Shaving Man. Hey, when you drive the same route 245 days a year, you have to entertain yourself some way.

Until next time,