Sunday, December 19, 2010

Caroling

Yesterday was yet another busy day. Took things to the church that were to go in the fruit bowls to be delivered to those in nursing homes, the hospital and my Daddy. I was torn in 2 directions because my BFF was in town for her future son-n-law's graduation. She, her daughter & son-n-law were stopping by my folk's house to see my Daddy which I thought was so sweet. They were running behind time because they stopped to get them a poinsettia. It was great to see them all again as always. I just cannot thank her enough for doing that visit.

We went back to the church to begin the caroling for those on our sick list. Daddy was the 2nd one on the list. I stood by him singing so he could hear as I knew he didn't have his hearing aids in. Tiffany handed him her list of songs and he sang along. It was when our preacher had prayer that mom and I started crying.

Then it was off to the hospital where my friend Mike E's mom was recently admitted for jaundice and too my pyridium as well a transfusion. She looked pretty good considering all that. I think she enjoyed us because she told us to come back. I think Mike really appreciated it. He was holding her hand when we entered.

Another stop at another nursing home where the lady had alzheimer's and was unaware of us. Then to see Mrs. Mavis. We surprised her with everyone. She thought it was just Nancy and I. Mrs. Mavis is greatly improved and can now use her hands again.

Rhett & I didn't have anything to eat all day so we were starving. I said I could eat a half of cow! We took the leftovers from the cow to my folks! LOL We also had something for Don.

We came home and I began wrapping presents. Didn't got to bed til late.

We have such a wonderful church family. I am so thankful for them.

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Two Weeks in Review

The week before last, We had our first Christmas party with one of my art groups which was fun especially for me. Don asked where my stuff was. As he went thru the gallery, he said, "This one looks like one of your's." It WAS my photograph! LOL At least he recognizes my style.

Friday I knew I had to call in a script for Daddy. I had to pick Rhett up from school. Then Daddy needed stamps. I called the neighborhood drug store to make sure they sold stamps. I figured I'd kill 2 birds with one stone & save gas. When I got to their house, Mom told me I had to go pay some bills. I still had to get yet another prescription! Mom thought that may have been part of the problem... he wasn't taking his pills. It is not like they cost him a lot. Their power and water which was due on 11/24 & the car payment. I thought I should put his checks in the bank 1st to make sure there was money in there. I thought it wise I go inside to the bank near their house where they know Daddy. I know I need to get a POA now for sure. Then I made the car payment. I had 10 mins to pay the power bill & water bill! Now I am in a car that the power window do not work! I made it just in time at the water works. A nice old security guard let me in at 1 min til. The clerks gave me a dirty look. I told him I could almost kiss him! Then I got his other script.

Daddy wanted me to come back @ 9 am to go pay his Visa bill. Aunt Betty was coming to see him & mom said she could pay it. He got mad and said "Whatever" which means he doesn't like it.

I still had to go get ready for the City's Christmas party. I'd bought a Reba (McIntire) black sequin cowl neck on sale. I'd gotten a pair of legging pants with smaller black sequins going up the sides of the legs on sale. I wore hot pink short boots and my white coat with the white fur collar. By the time I got ready I was so tired I felt I needed a drink!

We sat with my friend Debra and her husband as we usually do. Debra and I were busy catching up so Don went to get his food. I saw Tommy I knew he was coming with his sister Cathy. I went to speak to him. Cathy was already asking Don if they could sit with us. My friend Patti came later. Don let me fast dance with Tommy. Patti danced with him later. I didn't know the girl could dance! I got good pictures. I was thankful to be with my friends I sit with once at year at this party.

Saturday I go to my folks to pay Daddy's bill. I saw that it was due on the 10th! I could have paid it next week! Mom says he has to have things done right then. I paid our cell phone bill and got a few things, 3 Christmas gifts and some groceries for them.

I was thankful I got to talk to my cousin Patsy who had a stroke back during the summer. She is doing well. She goes to therapy 3 times a week which tires her out and she goes to bed afterwards. She had to go to the dr once a week. Her grandson and his wife moved in with her and take her to her appointments as she can no longer drive. Her right leg shakes now. I broke down on the phone with her because earlier I was telling Rhett about how Uncle Frank, Uncle Bert , Uncle R. F. and Daddy would pass who they said was their "favorite brother-in-law" around. They would say, "No, he's YOUR favorite brother-in-law!" Patsy laughed with me as she had heard this many times herself. I realized my Daddy is the only one of them left. That was when I lost it. Later Rhett asked me why I was crying.

I got to see Aunt Betty for a few minutes. She had gotten Daddy a pair of pjs for mom. I was relaying messages between her and Patsy. It was good day. I was thankful for that small blessing of talking to one relative while seeing another one.

We had to hurry home because we were going to a pig roast at church friend's house. They live out in Ft. Mitchell with land and horses. Don wasn't ready! He'd been hunting. We got lost. Brian was following us so it was the blind leading the blind. We ran into one of the deacons who knew where he was going. By getting lost, I was able to take pics of a field cotton! LOL I got pics of their horses too. One paint had a blue eye. There was a man there with a fancy camera so I asked him if he saw the horse's blue eye. He had not and he sounded excited about it. Last night Rhett zoomed in on the eye and you can even see the horse's eyelashes! So I cropped it with just the eye. It looks so cool. That will be my brother-in-law's Christmas present. Sh. Don't tell him.

We stopped at the car lot our friend owns where Don was working prior to his latest job. Joey still has a black Park Avenue. Don was thinking of getting it for Daddy and us taking over the payments on his car. This car doesn't have a radio. Aunt Pearl used to have a 5th Ave car which I loved and loved to drive. I hated it when they got rid of it. I wanted it! This one has black interior and black leather seats. It is not bucket seats either. My camero had black interior with leather seats and I said "NEVER AGAIN!" We will wait to see what his drs say before buying this one. It is an older model than mine.

It was pretty windy standing in the lot talking to Joey and my friend Nancy. I wound up taking a hay fever pill when we got home. I still had my bills to pay, one for mom and get them more groceries! I forgot the grocery list (which I seem to do a lot!) so I had to call Rhett from Walmart's. Just as I was about to reach for potato soup for our supper, a lady took the last 2 cans! I could have cried at that point. I had to ask a manager to get some more and I was thankful he did. Rhett & I didn't get home til after 9. Don was asleep on the couch. He didn't want soup then. I was so tired I could have cried. I fixed Rhett some chicken noodle soup and went to bed.

Sunday was church and lunch with friends. We had a singing at a church we attended before we got married. They wouldn't let us get married in that church and I swore I wouldn't set foot in it again. I had forgotten about my words. Don told me it had been over 16 yrs since I had been in it. The songs helped me. I was so relaxed I probably could have went to sleep.

Had to get milk and bread for my folks. They were having the yard raked when we arrived. I knew the yard men left. I was changing into a thicker sweater when I heard a leaf blower in the front yard. I looked out the bathroom window and saw it wasn't the yard men. I figured it was mom's icky neighbor. She called him a lot worse and he is probably everything she called him! I am throwing on this sweater, ordering Rhett to get my glasses, telling Don to come with me! I did have my sweater on before I got the door unlocked. I said, "EXCUSE ME! My mom just paid to have those leaves raked up and you are blowing them back in her yard!" He said he just paid his yard man over Friday and her yard men blew them back in his yard. He'd had his car washed and her guys blew leaves all over his clean SUV. Why it was not parked in his fenced in yard is beyond me. Then he said the other yard men did the same thing and he spoke to them about it but didn't do any good. He said this was the 3rd time it had happened. We knew nothing about it.

Don said it was technically city property. He didn't say it loud enough esp for me.

So here I am on the sidewalk, Mom is behind me. Don is standing on the porch and my child is there. The man got a smart tone and said "What do you want me to do, have my yard man come back?" I told him no that mom would try to get in touch with her yard man (which won't be easy). Also I told him, "You do realize my mother will get out here tomorrow and rake those up and she is too old to be doing it!" She even told him in a soft. meek voice so unlike my mother she would do this. It must have made him feel bad. He said he was just mad and he would blow them out of her yard. Not sure this is resolved. I am going to get some orange florescent spray paint and draw a line where mom's fence ends even though it will go across the sidewalk which IS city property. I am sure he heard me saying, "I just cannot believe how people act these days!"

I was so mad I was shaking when we came inside. Mom apologized to me! It was not her fault! I told her I had become her. I will not let anyone take advantage of my parents! We went back to church. I'd left my keys at mom's so I had to use Don's this morning.Aunt Pearl wanted to come stay this weekend but Momma told her she had her hands full with Daddy. Mom is not sure if she got mad or not but she can't worry about that.

The next day was another day, but I was in a good mood and thankful for that good mood. Thankful for everything esp my parents still being around. I can't remember much about the week now as I was so busy going taking Rhett to school, working, going to the store for my folks that I just veg on the couch once I get home. I haven't done much Christmas shopping either.

Last Friday we had a Christmas party at my friend Mike's house. He didn't have one last year since his mom was in a nursing home. This year he felt like he could have one. He almost started to call it off because he had another tear in retina but he got it repaired. He had no tree up this year which is so unlike him. He did have a lot of Santas displayed everywhere. I was able to see our good friend Anne for a couple of hours.

The next day, Rhett & I were decorating at the church for a Christmas fellowship meal that night. Only my friend Nancy and her daughter showed up! Later one of the decon's wife came to help. The only problem I have is once you get the stuff up, someone always comes in wanting to change it but she only changed 3 small things I could live with. We made tiny cards for the tables with my many Christmas rubber stamps. We laughed, joked, cut up and had fun but I was hungry and tired. I still had to go home to cook! I stewed about us not having any more help but if there had been more, certain people would have made us want to pull our's and their hair out so it worked out for the best. Nancy and I are too much alike it is not funny. I got THE most perfect Christmas photo. I am so proud of it. I also want to paint it. It is calling to me, "Paint me. Paint me." but there is no time for painting right now. Nancy has already put dibs on my 1st painting.

I dropped my cell phone and it died. I knew we'd have to get me a new on the next day. Why is everything falls apart or breaks right at Christmas time?

Our Christmas dinner was delicious as always. It was bittersweet because my parents could not attend, but we took them a plate of food. They were missed by others besides me. Daddy was most appreciative since his retirement party didn't bring him anything.

Sunday morning Bible class was meant for me. It was about Martha & Mary. I realized I had to let go of the angry feelings of no one showing up to help us decorate the day before. I did what I was meant to do and the good Lord knows this. We had lunch with friends at Cici's which was near where I would get my new cell phone. I am not in this century with my phone. Rhett loves it. I think he held it more than I did Sunday. He was doing all sorts of things with it. Sadly by getting a new phone, I lost my "Mandy" ring tone. My new one is "Ode to Joy" because it sounds Christmasy. Don's is "A Fifth of Beethoven". It is like his deep voice is saying, "You're in trouble now" to that tune! LOL I need a tooth capped but instead I bought a blue tooth! LOL So this week has been about learning to use my new phone. I knew I had to have one. I am thankful I have it.

Sun nite I burned my hand making cheese toast! Monday my coat re-hurt it. Tuesday the nurse bandaged it at work for me and gave me ointment, gauze and tape for it. I was thankful for these freebies.

I missed last week's Thankful Thursday due to being too busy nowadays but that does not mean I am no less thankful. Last week had it's ups and downs as each week does. Some more down than others. I have sent out my version of the 15 days of Christmas in photos and other Christmas images I found on the internet as well as some of my own. I have gotten lots of good feedback on them which makes me feel good as well as many "keep them coming!" It is rather funny to me, I may pick out an item that may have 12 images in it but it may not be exactly to my liking or is not Becky worthy. Then I will find something I like much better. It has been rather time consuming finding just the right image. Just as we want people to have the right image of us. It has become harder and harder to find a certain number of images to match the date so it has been a challenge. If I cannot find an image, I can always use my own photographs even if they do not have a number of images in them.

I had a lot of small blessings last week and some hard times, but I survived them all. On Monday I was thankful for the scarf my sister-in-law gave me for Christmas two Christmases ago. Instead of wearing it around my neck, I used it as a scarf over my head. I felt like an old lady but I didn't care because I was warm on that oh so cold windy day. Must remember to re-thank Kim.

Took Tues off to get my license renewed, take Daddy to his dr in a borrowed wheelchair. It was hard seeing him sitting in it. Thankfully he did not fracture his tail bone. He has tiny tears on 2 ribs which will be sore for another 6 weeks or so. Thankfully he had gained some weight although he said he had on too many clothes. He cannot drive until his heart doc okays it next month. I did errands for them which consists of going to the drug store only to be sent back to it again later. I am beginning to think I live there.

Yesterday Rhett forgot his trombone so I went back to get it for him. I am such a good mom. Don would not have gone back for it. I just don't want him to make a bad grade. So I was late to work, but it turned out ok. Some days I just feel like I have the weight of the world on my shoulders. This was one of them. Almost had a pity party on the way to work. I need a tooth capped; a new tooth. Dropped my phone Sat & it died so we had to get me a new one. I am now in this century and Rhett is thrilled. He has a new toy to play with. He knows how to work it better than I do. I need a new tooth yet I got a blue tooth! LOL Priorities. I have to have this phone with me now.

So I was having this little pity party with a blue tooth in my ear. Blue tooth on, no one calling. Then I thought "What if God called me on my bluetooth?" He would tell me that everything is going to be ok. To just give it over to Him and He will handle it. I immediately felt better. Although I have been grouchy at work for many reasons. One of them being....Illy is pulling another one of her stunts again. They don't know when she will be back. Some of the many notes she has sent as well as other things have nicely disappeared. I had to recopy time cards this morning, scan them and send them via email when I had other things to do. I do this every time yet nothing ever happens. But I cannot worry about that. I have enough to worry about now.

I feel terrible. I am such a bad friend.

Since my Daddy fell after Thanksgiving, I have been so busy. Mom can tell me he or she has a script that needs to be filled. I go to drug store to get it. When I get back, she has found another one for me to fill! Luckily the pharmacy is nearby. If I don't pay a bill when Daddy wants it paid, he says he will drive to pay it and he is in no condition to drive.

All my life my Daddy has told me daily who died as was listed in the newspaper. We do not get the paper. I have been really busy at work. I'd keep saying I was going to go on line to look up Iris' mom's obit, but never found the time. I guess I was still expecting Daddy to tell me.

Tuesday I knew my friend Iris was picking out something for her mom's funeral as she told me in an email which was harder than she thought it would be. That Tuesday was one of THE busiest days of my life. I had to take Rhett to school, get my license renewed, take Daddy to his regular dr in a borrowed wheelchair which was really hard seeing your Daddy in a wheelchair, get lunch, pick up scripts, go to the bank for Daddy, pay my own bill, pick up Rhett after drama class which let out at 4:45. Still had not checked the newspaper nor emailed Iris or called her. Rhett had a band concert at 6 pm.

It wasn't until yesterday, I finally remembered to look thru the paper where I saw the visitation was a little after the time I was to pick up Rhett. His band concert was at 6. There would have been no way I could have done it all & gotten to the concert on time. The funeral was yesterday at 10! I had been out one day. I was Wed because Rhett forgot his trombone. We were short staffed at work. Last night I called Iris' cell last night and left a message of apology, but she did not pick up. I feel terrible. I hope she is not too mad at me & can forgive me.

I have had a good hair week this week and I am thankful. We have another art party to go to Friday night. We are supposed to make baskets for some folks in nursing homes Saturday then go caroling. Nancy and I fear we will be the only ones again. Iris' mom was one of the ones we were going to do this for. I had this really strong urge that we should have done this last Sat but we couldn't since we decorated and had the dinner. Iris's mom passed away on Sunday. I just hope and pray no one else we are doing this for passes away!

My BFF will be in town Sat. Genie and Jena want to come see Daddy which is so sweet. I know she is thinking it may be the last visit. I want to be there when she comes then I feel bad since the caroling was my idea. I just cannot be in 2 places at once. Our preacher understands and told me not to stress about it. I just wish we had more time in December. It needs to be two months long. But then everyday should be a celebration of Jesus' birth.

What are you thankful for? Care to share? Then join us at the following....
http://womentakingastand.blogspot.com/ where Laurie talks about slim pickens at this Christmas time. It will be sort of a hard candy Christmas for us as well. I plan on giving my photographs as gifts this year. If only they will sell in the New Year...!

Thursday, December 2, 2010

Emotional Roller Coaster

Since Sunday, life has been an emotional roller coaster. I experienced several crying jags which I feel I am entitled. My parents cannot hear so they hear what they want to hear. First, mom told me the dr said Daddy had a heart attack. The nurse was helpful and informative which was surprising. She said his enzymes did not indicate he had one. I chased the dr at the hospital down. He told me he did not have a heart attack. He said they said they understood everything he said. I told him they cannot hear! He was wanting Daddy to go to a rehab nursing home. My mom does not drive so this would be really hard on us. We were leaning towards in home health care which is what we will be getting. We have to do what my parents and I feel is the right thing to do - not what others think is right.

It was a great shock to me to realize I now weigh more than my Daddy! Where has my father gone? I was so thankful my husband was there to help me Sunday in the ER especially when Daddy had to go to the bathroom. I don't know what I would have done without him.

You know my life is never without drama....

Rhett now has drama on Tues & Thurs which means he doesn't get out til 4:30 or 4:45. Luckily the boss let everyone off at 4 yesterday to go vote. I felt like this was a blessing; an unanswered prayer. I still had to pay on the loan at BB& T which I couldn't pay the day before because I left my check book in purse at home due to changing to a Christmas purse. It was raining. I go to open the bank door only it was locked. I am looking at the sign on the left door for the time as I knew it should be open. This mean lady that is over everyone that works there tapped on the other door pointing to a printed sign that said they had an emergency. I would have to go to the one on Broad St. in Phenix City. I knew I couldn't do this and still pick up Rhett. I am mad, but wondering what kind of emergency they had which required closing. I get in the car. I hear sirens. They are getting closer. I look behind me and a police car has pulled in behind me! I figure I cannot get out now and I have to pick Rhett up! Then a police car pulls in from the wrong side and is no aimed at my car! I am thinking they think I am a bank robber! No one is moving towards my car. I open my door and look back at the police car behind me. I close my door due to the rain. I throw up my hands in question hoping they won't think it is an aggressive move and shoot me! The police behind me knocked on my window and asked, "Did you see anything?" I said, "No, she wouldn't let me in!" The cop in the other car is digging in his trunk. I figure he is pulling his shotgun out. Another woman from inside the bank came out the front door to holler something to the 1st cop. Another car has pulled up beside him. I figure I can manage to pull out of there and I did. I told Rhett about it who didn't get as excited as I was except he was doing a tv update about it. Don called to make sure I got Rhett so I told him about it so he could watch the news. This bank was robbed! The man got away in a silver 4 door car. My car sometimes appears silverish so they probably thought I was him! Just think if I had gotten to that bank earlier... The good Lord is surely looking after me. So I was the one who drove away! LOL Just thankful I was able to!

I firmly believe your prayers worked...
The heart Dr. saw Daddy last night after Rhett & I left. We went by their house to check on things, get the paper & mail in, leave different lights on, etc. Daddy did fracture his tail bone, but no heart attack. They do not know why he fell except for the high blood pressure which they seem to have under control now. He has an irregular heartbeat which was probably another reason why the ER doc admitted him. This Dr said he does NOT need to go to a rehab nursing home; that he can just go home at his age and in his condition. They are going to do an MRI today. He may be able to go home later. A relief for us all.

I was even more ticked off at this Dr C for getting us all upset about going to the rehab nursing home, but I will let it go as we are going home. We will do the best we can. If mom feels she needs help, then we will try to get hospice involved or do whatever is necessary.

I called my cousin Robbie for my parents because they wanted Aunt Va's wheel chair for Daddy. I was shocked that he called me last night. He said he'd clean it up for us and bring it to their house this weekend. So everything seems to be working out.

I know I had lots of friends and family praying for us. Thank you all for all your prayers. They worked! I received a wonderful email from our preacher & his wife. We love them and are so thankful for them. Don't know what we would do without them.

Daddy did fracture his tail bone, but he had no concussion or broken bones and we were thankful. He was able to come home from the hospital yesterday for which we were also thankful. We will receive in home health care.

Once again I sent out quotes of the day this week that went to other folks who needed them who replied to my friends who sent the quotes to them which made my day today. Yesterday I sent out my 1st day of Christmas email. I am going to try to do a different picture for each day. The 1st day of Christmas one was a beautiful holiday home scene/photo. Today was 2 angels I drew awhile back for the 2nd day of Christmas email which I have gotten lots of good feedback from. These two angels were something many people needed today so I have done my good deed for days! LOL

This is what my friend wrote and what his friend wrote...

This is what you sent me, and what I forwarded to Elsie yesterday.  This was her response back to me this morning.   She is a very sweet woman who lost her husband last year so she is adjusting to life without a partner now.   I think she was married for almost 40 years.

Subject: Re: Quotes of the Day

Thank you so much for sharing these quotes with me. I do hope that what I say, what I do and how I act reflects Christ who lives in me. My prayer would be that all of God's people would walk in the light of Christ. My God bless your day and the year to come.

Your Sister in Christ,
Elsie

Would that we all could be like Elsie....

And despite whatever emotional roller coaster you may be on, remember to be ever thankful for your many blessings. Keep a positive attitude. If you would like to share your thankfulness with us Thankful Thursday, please join us at Iris' at the following...
http://www.eph2810.com/

Sunday, November 28, 2010

Another Fall

On Thanksgiving eve, after a fellowship meal at church I was bit concerned about myself. After having cricks in my neck for weeks, carrying a big heavy bag, I could hardly lift my right arm! Scary! I took a half of a muscle relaxer and did not cook my pies until Thanksgiving morning. Thankfully it got better. I'd also had another weird dream, but haven't gotten with my dream team about it yet.

Hope everyone had a happy Thanksgiving as did we. When Rhett was saying the blessing, I whispered for him to remember our health which he did. Just felt that was important this year. We had the best meal we have had in awhile especially my sweet potato casserole for me. I made Daddy a bowl of egg custard. He went back and ate it all which made me feel good. I don't fight shopping crowds in the wee hours of the morning. I like my sleep in my nice, warm bed thank you very much. I did manage some shopping and lucked up on some bargains. I buy things knowing I will alter them now. Does that make me an alterations lady? LOL

Had some funny things to share... like Rhett being in another play. This time it is a cowboy theme. I heard him telling his Daddy from Mom's kitchen that he would be playing the character of what I thought was "Horse Feathers" which I repeated as if he said "NEW YORK CITY"! Then Rhett said his name is "Horace Feathers". LOL

This morning the phone rang and I knew it wasn't good. Long story short, my father got dizzy & fell in the yard. We think he may have hit his head on the curb. Not sure if he blacked out. He crawled back to the house as my mom was still asleep. She was not able to get him inside so she called me. She had gotten him inside by the time we arrived, but we took him to the ER where we spent the ENTIRE day. His blood pressure was high. His ECG was irregular so they are keeping him overnight for observation just in case. Better safe than sorry. We went to eat, came back & he was still not in a room an hour & 30 mins later! But he is in one now. Please keep my Daddy in prayers. We are thankful there was no concussion or broken bones, but he will be sore for sometime.

Sunday, November 21, 2010

Accidental Art

 


I love when this happens. I call it "Accidental Art" by ~theRAV~ I am selling this as a photographic copy. $15.00 for a 5x7, $25 for an 8x10.

Becky aka ~theRAV~
Posted by Picasa

Thursday, November 18, 2010

On a Creative Bend

What can I say about this week? I could say a lot; I could complain a lot about another Illy episode at work, but I won't. It wouldn't do any good anyway. I have complained by email to my close friends. By Wednesday, this week just felt like a week and a half, but I am in a much better mood today. There were the usual ups and downs, but mainly ups. The only real downer was my Uncle R. F. passed away. I am just thankful it wasn't on Thanksgiving because that would have made the holiday hard and really sad. But he is better off now. He is no longer suffering. My mom has taken it well in my presence.

Since Sunday when I took some of my abstract doodles in to the PC arts, Cindy's words have echoed in my head. I worked one all week nights until Tuesday night when I felt it was complete. I am pretty happy with it. Even thought about taking a piece of plywood, stapling black material to the plywood and placing pins to hold the abstract on the board to take pics of it. Then I thought a memory board would work. Just wonder which one would be cheaper? Never thought I'd want a solid black memory board, but it would certainly service a purpose here. I have always wanted a pink gingham one or a cream colored one with matching ribbons that reminded me of the sleeves on my wedding dress. It is a lattice work design or a repeating x design. It is on Don's stereo speakers and on our china cabinet.

I even got an idea that Don and I could make photo holders. I would love it if he would help me make stuff.... if I just could get him to do it. When I told this to my BFF Genie in an email, she said I was really "On a Creative Bend". I liked that. Even thought of using that as a suggestion for our abstract/non-realist group. Can't wait to suggest it to them. If they like it, if we use it, I am sure Genie will be thrilled!

I am being nominated as vice-president of the Phenix City Artist Guild! Of course I will have to be voted in, but just to be nominated is really awesome. I feel so comfortable; so at home with this group of artists like I belong. That is a wonderful feeling. I am thankful for all this.

Rhett went to his new pediatrician today and I fell in love with her. She was so sweet. She kept calling him "dear". The only problem I had was he had to fill out a question-aire which asked if he liked boys or girls; if he'd had sex; if there were guns in our home, etc. I almost started to x thru it, but I didn't want to cause waves on our 1st visit. He asked me if I read them. Even he couldn't believe the questions. He is in good health and I am so thankful. Maybe a little shorter than he should be even though I thought he was getting taller. I know he has grown because I had to buy him new pants. LOL He is almost as tall as me now. Just can't imagine him being taller than me and I will have to look up to him.

I have gotten good feedback from other PC artists who were so glad we painted the window; who are especially glad Rhett helped. They think it is wonderful as do I.

I had another weird dream last night. I dreamed Don bought us tickets to Hawaii! I'd forgotten stuff and had to go back. Then I was rushing to get to back to the airport in time and to my waiting guys. I kept going up and down stairs until I was hot and tired and literally hot in my sleep. I was so scared Don was going to be so mad at me if we missed our flight. I know the dream was telling me how unorganized I am.

I have been re-readingOn The Night of The Seventh Moon by Victoria Holt. I'd read this out of high school and was so enamored with it. Rereading it has made me question those feelings now. I am sure I was just a starry-eyed teenager then. I don't think the book had any bearing on my dream.

My friend Lyn's book II of Place of Sage is out in book stores now. She is on a book signing tour in Washington state. Please check it out if you have the time.

What are you thankful for this week? Care to share with us at Thankful Thursday? Then please join us at the following...
http://womantakingastand.blogspot.com/

Saturday, November 13, 2010

"The Ever Changing Chattahoochee Art Show'

After work Friday, I took my newly framed photograph to be hung inside the PC art gallery for "The Ever Changing Chattahoochee Art Show". It was well placed and looked really good hanging where it was hung. Not just because it was mine hanging there. It was just the perfect spot for it. There was some really good stuff. One lady. Dale, who is new to this guild, had a very neat idea. She painted a large canvas of what could be the Chattahoochee River. In small matching black frames she randomly placed some of her photos of the ever changing Chattahoochee. It should have won an award if any were given as well as Mrs. June's 3 dimensional layered painting.

Well, the art show was bit disappointing today. We had very few people show up for it. I am not one to just sit around and do nothing when I could be creating. After all, we were surrounded by all that beautiful art. So I went out to my car to get my purse which had my art journal my BFF Genie gave me. I knew I had all sort of pens, markers and crayons in it also. I began pulling them out, but everyone suggested I help paint one of the windows where Cindy, the other abtract artist had started some stems and leaves. I was scared I would mess up, but it can easily be wiped off. So I started painting flowers. I got so into it at one point, that I was sticking my tongue out unaware until another artist, Phyllis told me not to bite it off! I am used to this comment as this is one of my bad habits.

Painting these flowers sort of reminded me of the red & white verigated tulips I'd been looking for and sent links to via email recently. I started out painting red flowers. Then added orange ones and covered some of my red ones with orange, then purples and lavendars. It got good to me. I had so much fun. I also realized I saw a pattern in them. Cindy has her style and I have mine. Like my trees, I like to think my flowers are feminine. I really can't describe it. I can just see it; see my style in them. The other side of the window did not look as good as the side we painted on. I did snap pics of them as well as some other shots I hope to upload tonight or tomorrow.

There was supposed to be a Veteran's parade downtown around 1 pm. My parents were going to come to the show, but I told them to come around 3. They were bringing Rhett. I told Daddy he HAD TO bring his cane as it is so uneven ground around the art center. When Daddy walked in, the 1st thing he asked was "Where is your art? LOL So I gave them the grand tour.

Then I asked Rhett if he wanted to paint some flowers on the window where I had added more stems and leaves on the right side. He painted three roses and some grass. The grass was done with a weird looking brush. Not sure what it is called. It was sort of like a wide angle brush that fans out even more than a rake. Rhett was using his brush like a pencil. He doesn't know how to hold it like I do, but he still made recognizable roses. This made me realize I am quite comfortable with a brush in my hand. He had to get the hang of the odd brush, but he did well for the 1st time. I'll make an artist out of him yet! LOL We may go back over there tomorrow to paint some more. They want to do an undersea theme on the other window. It is a free day there tomorrow.

One of the officers at work brought his kids just as we should have been closing up. Bernard just loves my "Rainy Day in Ga" one! (Anne!) I told him how I want to duplicate it again so it can also hang in the Phenix City Library. I also told him I have magnets of it for $5 each I am selling. For now he wants two of the magnets; one for each kid. He'd love to have "Rainy" to hang in his dining room. I'd love for him to buy it! So the day was not a total loss for me. I think the others may have heard us talking about it. Since the magnets were not in the building, it is technically not a sale there.

We did wonder where everyone was today. We wondered what we can do to bring more folks in to the arts center. I know I emailed everyone I know. I put it on the bulletin board at work for the entire Gov't center to see. I put it on Facebook. It didn't hit me until later this evening that today was the Ga/Auburn game! I even watched the last part of the game. Shock I know.

My Uncle R. F. in Texas has not spoken since Sunday. There is blood in his urine now. My cousin Gail thought we would have been out there by now. Daddy is just not physically able to make that long trip and mom won't leave him. We are not taking Rhett out of school. Mom really doesn't want to go being the homebody she is.

Today was a good day. Hope your's was as well. Hope you were artistic in some form or fashion. Hope you tried something new artistically like I did.

Friday, November 12, 2010

I Had to Take Care of Me

Let's just say our granddaughter Wesley Rose's birthday was different... being in a skating place with inflatables. The birthday room was far too small for the crowd of folks who came to her birthday. We as grandparents couldn't get in the room. I had to take pics from an awkward angle outside the door so needless to say, I didn't take many pictures. I got one good one of Wesley. Rhett got all hot and sweaty jumping. He was a referee in an inflatable ring until some kid grabbed him by the neck & took him down! I was not a happy momma at that point. Rhett did the right thing... he stayed down. Don went over to check on him to make sure he was ok and not dead! LOL Because Rhett got so hot, we had to go home for him to take a shower before going back to church. That turned out to be one of those Mom moments... where he came out of the shower and I could still see dirt on his arms! I am sure mothers everywhere could relate to this happening at least once in their lives. Yet the child says they washed.

It has been a pretty good week despite the fact that I had a terrible crick in my neck from last Wednesday. It was so bad I had to take a half a muscle relaxer at night which lead to having a weird, bad dream about a friend. I didn't go into details with her about the dream only asked her to please be careful and she said she would. One friend said I shouldn't tell her at all, but sometimes we just have to do what we think is right. My dream team has not gotten back to me on the meaning of my dream yet. I stood up to the bad guys in this dream so I was proud of myself. When they told me they would shoot me in my car, I told them, "Go ahead... I need a new car anyway!" LOL My dream would make a great CSI story, but without all the gore. Thankfully the crick in my neck is better now although I think it is still lingering around a bit because it bothers me some in my sleep. Last Sunday night I finally had to just lay down, get comfortable and rest in order for my neck to finally start getting better. I had to take care of me.

I got THE perfect frame on sale at Michael's for my photo in the upcoming art show this Saturday and I am thankful. I got some green music scrapbook paper early in the week. I only got 3 sheets of it. I planned to make a song bird with it. I told my friend Nancy about it. As I was gathering my stuff Wednesday morning, I placed my red cardinal on this paper and realized I want the music page as the background instead. I will still try it both ways.

My friend Iris' mom was in the hospital. I did two good deeds or Random Acts of Kindness on Wednesday. I paid my respects to an employee who passed away. I was able to run in and sign his visitation book before the visitation as I was in a hurry. Glen had been cremated so I didn't feel so bad about my rushing. I was the 1st one to sign it. Then I ran to pick up the pictures I took of the GED graduation at work last week. I came back by the assisted living nursing home where Iris' mom lives. There are actually 3 buildings. I went to the wrong ones at first! Then I went to the right one. Iris was sitting in the doorway when she saw me. I think I really surprised her. Here I was with a bad hair day and no make up on, but that shouldn't matter with friends. Luckily I had the pictures with me that I had taken when we had our girls weekend at her house in Madison last month. Hard to believe it has been over a month now. At least her mom got to see the pics and I saved postage. Her mom looked good. It was a good thing Iris came because she talked to the dr who was over medicating her mom! I was talking away when I realized church started at 7 now instead of 7:30 so Rhett & I were late for church, but I felt like I really needed to do this. I felt like I was doing what I was supposed to be doing at that moment in time. Sort of like in Laurie's post for Thankful Thursday. I was glad I went now and wouldn't trade that moment for all the tea in China. All the crab legs in the sea are reserved for Rhett.

We still had plenty of time to put up the Ten Commandments poster I'd gotten for our class as well as pass out bookmarks on the same subject. We had an interesting discussion too.

Visiting the nursing home made me think our church needs to do something for some of the folks we have had on our prayer list that are in nursing homes. Besides going to see Mrs. Mavis, I'd like for us to go caroling to Iris' mom and my friend Mike E's mom as well. Only I want to do it early in the month not wait until the last minute or right at Christmas when everyone is overwhelmed with the things they have to do at the last minute.

Rhett and I were off on Thursday for Veteran's Day. We slept late. I re-read old words. I like what I write even if I make a lot of typos. I never said I was perfect. I still had to print my 8x10 for the art show which meant going thru 3 memory cards before I found the photo I wanted. We got barbecue sandwiches which upset my tummy later. We got the glass cut for the frame. Then we went to the man who did the backing for my last framing for the art show this summer who did not charge me. I thought this would be interesting for Rhett to watch the man work his magic. I told the man I had to put my faith and trust in him last time. So I was not the least bit ill at ease with him yesterday. The glass I bought was not coming clean so he cut me a piece of window glass and kept my piece of glass he'd clean later which was fine with me. Rhett was amazed at what this man did. The man wasn't going to charge me again, but I couldn't let him do that. I gave him some money anyway. I am highly recommending him to everyone I know. I am so thankful for finding this nice man. He is an angel.

Then we went to turn in the Christmas card order for work. I was also meeting my two new friends who works at this office supply company now. One of them was the one I had the dream about. I took some of my latest artwork with me for them to see including the newly framed photograph for the art show. Jan, my other new friend liked my latest abstract I had with me! Annica gave me the red cap she knitted for me for Christmas all neatly wrapped. She made the tag herself. I had such a fit over the one she knitted for Kristina to take to the little girls in the hospital in Indy with cancer who have no hair, that Annica said she was going to make me one too! It is SO cute. I am so thankful I got it all done within a couple of hours. I am thankful I had yesterday off to do it otherwise it might not have gotten it all done today. Yesterday was a very good day and I am thankful. I am thankful for my new friends.

I am excited about the art show tomorrow & have invited everyone I know. Don wants to take Rhett hunting. Rhett has a cold so I do NOT want him to go. There will be a fuss. I will tell Don if he takes Rhett & he gets worse, then he will have to take off work to take him to the dr and pay the bill. Yea, right. Like that is going to happen. Rhett has a well check up with a new pediatrician next week which may have to be changed to a sick child visit.

I am so tired of dealing with other women's attitudes at work that I don't even have time for my own! LOL. Thankfully I was able to laugh at the absurdity of it all and not let them spoil my day today. Life is too good to led crazy people get to you.

Taking my art this afternoon after work so it can be hung for the show. We plan to watch a movie on Disney tonight called "Avalon High". I love stories and movies about King Arthur. Hope you have a great weekend.

What were you thankful for this week? Care to share with us at Thankful Thursday even though I am posting late? Then please go to the following...
http://womentakingastand.blogspot.com/

Saturday, November 6, 2010

Zebra Flowers

 


I took these a few weeks ago at a consignment shop. I have since printed the photo at Walmart with a black border around it. It is one of my new favorite pictures. I love it! Hope you like it too.
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Thursday, November 4, 2010

Rest, Change, Hymn Hum & Concern

As I stated in a previous post, our weekend was about REST. I guess I needed it more than I knew. The verse "Come unto me ye who are weary laden" comes to mind. It was also about change. Change as in how we spent Halloween. Change in the fact that our son is growing up on us. But at least the family tradition of taking Halloween pictures at Elisa's has not changed. I realized I get kind of bossy when taking pictures. Funny that we can take charge of the things we really like to do in life. Where photography and art are concerned, I do not stand on the sidelines. I am in the game. I am in my element. I have had two photo ops this week. The 2nd one today made me feel like a professional photographer. Perhaps I have missed another calling.

Life is about change. My father was forced to retire this week due to his age and feebleness at age 85. He was very upset about it. Although I know it is for the best, I know it must be hard on him as a man. I just hope it doesn't put him into a downward spiral.

Then today I thought about the Serenity prayer...

God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.

Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as He did, this sinful world
as it is, not as I would have it;
Trusting that He will make all things right
if I surrender to His Will;
That I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with Him
Forever in the next.
Amen.
--Reinhold Niebuhr


I had several quotes of the day I sent out yesterday which was my BFF Genie's birthday. Ironically this was one of them...
Be the one who remembers to bring a camera.
-H. Jackson Brown, Jr.-
(I usually am the one!)

In yesterday's email, I added another lunch experience I am famous for. It is Not a quote but...
I went to a Chinese place for lunch yesterday because I wanted hot tea on that coolish day. The waitresses misunderstood me when I shook my head that it was just me. They thought I was waiting for someone. After waiting what I thought was too long, I finally had to tell them I was ready to place my order. They made a big production about my being alone! I haven't felt that uncomfortable in awhile. The owner is very religious and plays instrumental religious music. One hymn came on and I couldn't recall it. Of course it stuck in my head. I had to look it up on the internet when I got back to work. What would we do without the internet? My 1st search was unfruitful. I finally had to type in some of the words of the hymn. I typed in the most uncommon words in hopes of finding the title. I typed in "...I raise my Ebenezer..." and got the title "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing." You are singing this now, aren't you? LOL If not, you are probably going to google it! If I had not found it, I would have emailed you K & Larry

If you do google something like this as I did, you will find several versions of the song and once you click on one, it will play several for awhile. I so enjoyed listening to everyone yesterday especially the ones that had a Irish sound to them.

Later I thought about the fact that I may have already sent an email out about this song because I seem to remember K and I talking about how beautiful it was; how one lady had the voice of an angel and could sing certain notes that K could once sing but cannot anymore. Then she went to a Church of Christ site and found more without instruments. This made me feel like I have Alzheimer's. LOL But perhaps it was another song. Anywhoo it led me to an instrumental of "A Time for Us", the theme song from "Romeo and Juliet" which I had not heard in ages and ages. It was like an old friend. It is wonderful that music can feel this way. Has a hymn touched you today? If so, which one?

Well, I am a little concerned about Daddy. When I picked Rhett up yesterday, Mom told me to go speak to him. I would have anyway, but knew something was up when she said that. Daddy told me about them letting him go at work as a part time bailiff the day before due to his age and feebleness. We knew it was coming and he is 85! He wasn't the only one they let go so it wasn't just him. He knew he'd fallen while at work. He admitted he staggers but refuses to use a cane and thinks someone saw him and told on him. He agrees it may be for the best as he didn't always feel like working somedays. As he was telling me this, I thought his speech was different. I got closer trying to watch his mouth. It seemed like the side the cancer was on wasn't working above his lip. Not where the cancer was. It just wasn't normal to me. He just sounded different. I think I know my Daddy pretty well to know he didn't sound like himself or when something is wrong. One word came out funny. I don't know how to describe it exactly esp in an email. I might could mimic it. It was almost like he was slurred. Of course he is more concerned about the money he will miss.

I asked mom if he'd been talking funny and she said she thought he was. She also said he took a flu shot. He was told he HAD to take one because if he didn't, if he got the flu, he might die. Mom said she would watch him carefully of course and let me know. I thought he might have been so upset about the loss of his job that he may have had a facial stroke. I haven't heard from mom this morning so I am thinking no news is good news. I will call her later. I was hoping they might be sleeping in. I talked to her and they are okay. She thinks he sounds better and he was just upset. I have had some wonderful emails from friends about this so they have been a blessing unto me, especially Annica's, Anne's, Cheryl's and Genie's sweet words. I am so thankful for my many wonderful friends. I am so thankful I still have my loving parents. I am thankful I had a few good hair days this week. LOL Sure I may fuss that a light switch isn't working. I fuss, get it out of my system and go on with life. Some days nothing seems to work right, but today has been a pretty good day thus far despite the light switch.

My mom has a full plate dealing with Daddy and her sister who is driving her crazy! I wish we all could go away to a nice quiet cabin just to get away from everything, but alas it will turn pretty cold this weekend and they would be better off at their nice warm home. But just thinking of it, was a nice release for me muchlike thinking of a walk along the beach. Ah, sigh.

Quote of the Day:
Pick up your brushes and paint today.
-Peter R. Stone-

I have an art meeting tonight. I am going to volunteer my services to create flyers. Granddaughter's birthday coming up this weekend. Art show next weekend. I am thankful for it all. What are you thankful for this week. Please share with us Thankful Thursday at the following...
http://womentakingastand.blogspot.com/ where Laurie has a really good post about gratitude.

Sunday, October 31, 2010

Halloween 2010

BOO!!!

This weekend was about rest. And change. I probably would not have gotten to go to Market Days anyway. We slept in. I think we all needed the rest.

Somehow I managed to fall up our back three steps yesterday! This is the 2nd time in a week or so that I have trully felt my guardian angel was with me. As I fell, I felt strong arms around me lifting me so my fall would not be so bad. Otherwise I would have hurt my wrists. Don came a few seconds later to help me up, but I was already getting up. Thankfully my knee is not really sore today.

I had an art meeting to go to about starting up an abstract artist group. I took a few things with me. My latest abstract was one of them. Cindy had a great book for inspiration. We tried to come up with a name for this group. My 1st thought was Abstract Artists of Alabama. Then we came up with Oddball Arts as well as a few others. As we were thinking of names I worked on my abstact, adding forest green leaves. I think I had some good ones this morning as I was waking up but cannot remember them now. We need a lot of people to attend this to keep the cost down. It is $25 to rent the room. So the more we have, the less we have to pay. I will be inviting EVERYONE I know!

Rhett had wanted to be a policeman for Halloween for a couple of years now. We found a costume at Walmart for a reasonable price. I realized we probably won't be able to find costumes in his size next year. I asked a friend at work for some pins and such for his costume. Gil supplied me with a couple of things as well as offered a lot of ideas.

As is our family tradition, we meet at our oldest daughters house and take pics of our granddaughters with Rhett. Tatum was a disco girl from the 70's with the funkiest shoes you have ever seen. Wesley Rose was the pretties fairie with gold glitter in her hair that shone in the sunlight. Rhett dropped his gun right almost as soon as we arrived. Elisa said, "You dropped your gun there, Barney!" So I think that may be his new nickname!

We took pics outside but the sun was so bright, it was hard for the kids to look at the camera. The leaves would create shadows on their faces. But we managed to get some really good ones. I haven't uploaded them yet.

This was a year of change.... Rhett was invited to a spend the night Halloween party. So this was the first time we didn't either go to the American Legion or go trick of treating with the girls or to a church that was hosting a Halloween party. I guess that means my baby is growing up on me.

I know he was leery as we entered the house with a rubber wild dog on the front porch and real dogs in the house. But he had a good time. I was told he giggled most of the night. They stayed up til 3. Brandon's mom told me she took the skeleton, Mr. Bones down from the shower because of Rhett who said it felt like someone was watching him go. LOL

It sure was quiet in the truck after we dropped Rhett off. We watched the show "Scared Shreckless" and it made me miss Rhett. It was pretty funny.

We picked Rhett up before church this morning. Rhett was a little ill at times from lack of sleep. I told him if whinned, he couldn't do it again. He slept some, but I took a nap after a great lunch. I think I slept hard enough for both of us!

Happy Halloween everyone!

A Little of this... A Little of That...

Sorry I didn't send out a notice about the Columbus Artist Guild to all my in town friends and fellow art lovers. I almost didn't go to the meeting, but now am glad I did. It was supposed to be various artists displaying their works & held at the Britt David library where parking is limited. I now take two drinks with me.... leaded & unleaded Pepsi; regular Pepsi & caffeine free due to the fact they didn't have anything except diet drinks at one meeting.

I saw Bobby Jones, the artist I met at Arts on the River where I bought one of his ACEO trading cards. He remembered me, but said he never got an email from me. It made me think I had Alzheimer's because I was sure I emailed him. I know I emailed everyone about him. I just happened to have the pics I'd printed of my art this week with me so I was able to show him one of my newest abstracts which he liked. His website is:
http://www.straightlinez.com
so check him out if you haven't already.

We were inspired by questions like "How many of you feel the need to do art daily?", "How many of you did art this month?", "How many of you did art this week?" I, of course, raised my hand held high to these questions.

There was a lady potter name Elizabeth Satterfield from Hamilton, Ga who had an amazing story. Her grandmother & mom were potters also. She practically grew up on this much like my friend Chandi did. She went back to school to get a degree in Fine Arts. She had been an abstract artist painting huge pieces prior to her degree. As part of her curriculum, she had to take some pottery classes. When she walked in the pottery studio, she said it was like coming home. It smelled like her grandmother and she knew she'd found her calling. She also had to take photography. Her professor nearly cussed her out because her negatives were always dusty due to the pottery. He called her a "dauber" as in dirt dauber which led her to place dirt dauber nests on most of her pottery. Her pottery is a little bit different in style and texture. She makes what is called frog houses also. She tries to uplift the south in her work. Love that!

Lisa and Jim Moore displayed their art. Her's was jewelry inspired by an older piece she found in the 1930's and has tried to copy. Lisa is normally an abstract artist who is going to the other side - realism. She running in a lot of marathons also. Jim displayed his art on fishing lure which won him a ribbon at the art show.

Maggie Yanko of Russian heritage paints Russian style eggs.

A lady who will be at Christmas in the South displaying her Santas and other such dolls was very interesting and funny. She is the sister of former president Eric Maddox who videotaped the meeting. I loved the faces and materials on some of her creations. Her husband buys a lot of materials at estate sales for her. She is from Eufaula. So if you go to Christmas in the South be sure to stop by her booth to see these amazing faces.

Rebecca Kissell and her husband Bill make homemade soaps and were selling them. When her husband who is a school teacher retires next year, their business will probably become a full time job for him. Their company is called Secondhand Dogs Soap Co. Their website is:
http://www.secondhanddogssoap.com/
Most are unscented, but they do have Christmas soaps in Frankincense and Myrrh. I liked the Frankincense better. $6 a bar. Rebecca designed the labels for the soaps which are beautiful but small pieces of art. These soaps can be used on dogs as well. They are good to use on chigger bites too.

It was all encouraging to know what other artists can do.

Thursday, October 28, 2010

Another Great Week in Review

This weekend wasn't about me. It was about doing things for others and I am thankful I was able to help Chandi Saturday. When I talked to her, I would see glimpses of her mother, Pat, an old friend, former neighbor and 2nd mom to me. Then Sunday was a most excellent day for us. One of the best. We were so thankful to see our old preacher, his wife and sons as I stated in my previous posts.

Monday it rained which we badly needed even if it made taking my son to school and driving to work difficult. I felt like I was taking him to night school it was so dark! I did manage to capture another rainy day shot which everyone really likes. Still hard to believe it was taken in the morning and not at night. I think I will soon have enough for a series of these rainy day shots. The week thus far had it's various ups and downs, but nothing major thank goodness. Don started a new job this week and we are ever thankful for this blessing. We hope and pray it will not be temporary.

Tuesday I saw God. Well, I saw one of his many majesties. There were still lingering dark clouds from Monday's rains, but the sun was shining up through a cloud. I just cannot do it justice to describe what I saw. I knew it was a sign from God. I was in awe. So much so that I didn't reach for my trusty camera.

Tuesday after work I took my "song birds" to Walmart to see if they would print as 4x6's and they did! Yeah! The cardinal is the best of the two. They are both still works in progress. They just look a little too plain jane for me right now. I have another neat one I put a black border around on the machine at Walmart. No one knows what it is so they ask. It is black and white flowers I took at a consignment shop. Maybe I should frame it, take it there and ask the owner if she wants to sell copies even if she charges a commission fee.... So my art and photography made me very, very happy this week as it usually does. A photograph really is worth a thousand words and then some.

All week I dealt with that irritating skin tag on the upper inside of my thigh. It was like a thorn in my thigh! Even the band-aids were uncomfortable. One day I wore one of Rhett's Harry Potter ones thinking it might be better, but it wasn't! I finally found one that worked, but it did a number on my skin. I couldn't get in to see Daddy's dermatologist until 12/9 on Donny Osmond's birthday. Still I needed to make an appointment especially after Daddy having a skin cancer as well as Momma's skin problems and the oh so fair Irish skin I inherited from the Graddy's. I tried to get in with my regular doctor to have the skin tag removed. I don't like calling him now. The nurse doesn't call you until after 6 pm. She called while I was at Walmart printing pics only to tell me she'd call me back the next day with an appointment. That next day, my phone went off in my pocket playing "Oh Mandy..." which nearly scared the pee out of me! LOL By then the skin tag had finally turned black so I knew it was only a matter of time until it fell off. The nurse was going to give me an appointment on 11/4 (!). I explained it had turned black & I wouldn't be needing the appointment. I don't think she liked this too much. Oh, well....

I wore a new turquoise shirt I'd gotten at Sears on sale for $2.99. I went thru old pants tying to find soft pull on pants that would not be tight on my thighs. I found a pair of matching pants for this shirt thus making a new outfit. I wore these pants when I worked at JCP so they are probably around 30 years old! I loved the colors. They put me in a good mood on a dreary day. Amazing that color can do that for me.

I made Iris' corn salad recipe to take to church for finger foods last night. I didn't go by the recipe as I think I put to much Blue Plate mayo in it last time. I tasted it and it tasted good to me. After I'd gotten it mixed up really well, my mother took the plastic bowl and shook it up as if I hadn't mixed it well enough. This made me feel like a little girl again. It sort of ticked me off, but I just shook my head and let it go. Tiffany really liked this dish last nite. We didn't have a lot of folks there. I split a chicken salad croissant with Theopal so there would be enough to go round. K made these and they were very good. My corn salad went well with the taco soup. I was asked where my dip was but I didn't make that this time.

We receive a letter for our dear friend Helen. I was afraid to open it for fear it would say her daughter Barbara had succumbed to cancer, but thankfully that did not occur. Upon a friend's recommendation, Barbara went to the Winship Cancer Institute at Emory Clinic in Atlanta on 10/18 & was given a glimpse of HOPE. She is to return there on Nov 1st for an aggressive chemo treatment. On 10/19, she went for a ct scan & was notified the next day she had an absess in her abdomen. She was to go to Emory on 10/21 to have it drained. It was learned her red blood cells were low which required a transfusion before surgery. After this she was feeling much better.

On 10/25 Barbara and family set sail for a cruise. She talked often of visiting Key West & dining at the original Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville Cafe. So Barbara, Helen and Barbara's son Eric go to the 1st stop at Key West then to Nassau in the Bahamas & return on Sat., 10/30.

Helen asks that you keep them in your prayers and that Barbara's "final wish" will be completed without incident and will bring her much joy. She thanks each of you for your support and prayers. She thanked me, the church and everyone for lifting them up. I thank you for your prayers on their behalf.

This week my friend Anne and I have been dream interpreters for my friend Bob's latest dream. It was a lot of fun and we had some good laughs over it. Hope you have had a great week too. Care to share with us at Thankful Thursday? Then please join us at Lynn's place at the following...
http://www.spirituallyunequalmarriage.com/my_weblog/
where Lynn asks which scripture has an impact on your life or " a scripture verse that God is using in your life to craft your character or one that has exposed a lie, a verse that brought you peace or comfort or a passage that has inspired you to draw closer to Jesus."

I have several... When I first started making collage posters for church families that moved away, because the collages were often like patchwork, I thought of Joseph's coat of many colors and often used that on the matt of the finished piece of art. Gen. 37. When we did VBS the year before last, our theme was "Fishing for the Master" which made Matthew 4:19 very important to me... "Come follow me and I will make you fishers of men." The Song of Ruth is always one of may favorites too and we used it in our wedding so it holds a special place for me.

Sunday, October 24, 2010

Helping Others

This weekend was about helping others. It wasn't about me.

When I grew up, we had a neighbor named Pat. She was divorced with 2 kids and moved back home with her mother, Bea. They lived in a large house that was made into a duplex next door to us. I was older than her two children, David and Terri. Pat was always cool & in style with the latest fashions, took me places with them, taught me a lot and was like a 2nd mom to me. Later she would marry another man from Anniston, Alabama, move away and have a daughter name Chandi. Her name is pronounced Chandi.

I'd see Pat when I worked as a receptionist at a Hair Salon. Pat told me I shouldn't be working there and she was right. It was just a stepping stone to get to where I am now. Even then I was artistic and told by a hair dresser that I was wasting my tiem there. I have wasted a lot of time in my life.

Lo and behold when I married Don, Chandi was in Stephanie's class so we would run into each other at school functions especially band related ones. Chandi was a majorette.

It was always good seeing Pat. I'd see her at lunch sometimes in recent years. If I had not seen her in awhile, I'd ask mutual friends that worked with her how she was doing and to please tell her hello for me.

Chandi got married and had two girls. Rhett & I saw them and Pat at the movies when he was in elementary school. Rhett said he doesn't remember that day. I found Chandi on Facebook and we became friends there where I was able to keep up with Granny Bea and Pat thru her. I told Chandi about Market Days also as she was interested in trying it. I gave her as much information as I could via FB, emails and phone calls. Chandi set up her crafts Saturday at Market Days. She paints flower pots in Auburn & Georgia colors, birdhouses, she had wooden Christmas ornaments as well as trinket boxes. The trinket boxes reminded me of some of the artwork that Pat used to do back in the 70's and I told Chandi this.

Chandi wasn't feeling well when she set up. Once she was set up I went to see what all she had. I forgot my camera so I went back to take pics of her sitting there with her crafts as well as took individual shots of her items so she could put the photos on Facebook, hoping it would help her sell things even if I sold nothing.

I was thankful my friend Cheryl came to visit me at Market Days Saturday. I had not seen her in awhile. It was great to see her again and talk with her. She brought me a gift. Thanks, Cheryl!

Rhett & I took our sweet time packing up and unloading after Market Days. I managed to pinch my finger on the framework Don built for me, but it wasn't bad.

I really seem to be into birds lately. I'd gotten another smaller bird template. I had a small piece of scrap book paper I bought just because it had music notes on it. It was just perfect for this bird. I'd typed out the words "Song Bird" to go across the bird's width. I placed the Song bird on 1st a maroon Christmas colored card stock then put that on a dark forest green card stock so it appears double matted. I haven't measured it yet so it may be an odd size and hard to frame. Then I had some thin red card stock that had music on it. I cut the cardinal shape from the ornaments I bought on sale at JCP. I had one piece of a beautiful midnight blue thin cardstock with lighter shades in it which I placed this bird on and absolutely fell in love with it. I cut a bill out for the bird and may add some white and yellow stars to it. I placed "Song Bird" across this bird also. I plan to take them to Walmart to see how they will look as 4x6 photos. I have not tried to take photos of them yet.

Then Rhett & I wanted to watch a werewolf movie on Disney. He wanted to watch it in the dark so I had to stop being artistic. Don had not gotten home from work yet. So here we were sitting in the dark when he got home. I told Rhett Don wouldn't want to sit in the dark to eat his supper so he'd better go cut it on in his room & we 'd watch it in the dark there. I'd left the outside light on otherwise Don comes home to a dark house. Then the lights come on as we are going in Rhett's room which is now in the dark. Don couldn't figure out what we were doing. It was a really cut movie. Brook Shields was in it & played a good funny part. You should watch it if you can. You are never too old to watch Disney! LOL

Today we had a baptism at church. Their whole family was there. They had a herd and a half! LOL We went to lunch with church friends at El Vaquero. More friends joined us there. As we were waiting for our food, our old preacher, Damon, his wife Vaydra and their two boys came up to the table! I jumped up immediately to hug them. Rhett is a few months older than their son Jaden. We thought the boys would get to grow up together, but that did not happen. I got their address, phone number and emails. It was so good to see them again. I was so surprised to see them that I did not even think to grab my camera. I was a little hurt that Vaydra didn't remember my name. Who could forget Becky? Who could forget me? LOL

Nancy invited me to go with them to see Mrs. Mavis at the assisted living nursing home she is living in now. It had been awhile since I saw her. It was back last spring when Nancy, Tiffany, Doris, and I went to see her in another nursing home. The one she is in now is really nice. Mrs. Mavis has lost the use of her hands now and can no longer feed herself. We had a good visit with her. As we were leaving, I went to get my camera out of my purse. It wasn't there! Nancy was the voice of reason by telling me not to worry; that it was probably still on the church pew. She called Brother Larry while I went to the bathroom. Luckily it was there! I was so thankful.

If I had reached for my camera at El Vaquero, I would have panicked. Don would have had to take me back to the church to get it. I wouldn't have gone with Nancy and them to see Mrs. Mavis and I would have missed that.

We decided we are going to do something special for Mrs. Mavis at Christmas time. We are going to make her a wreath for her door. If she already has one, she can put in on another inside door. We found 2 roses at Big Lots; a red one and white one to go in the wreath. Nancy can make her one of those small Christmas trees she makes out of coat hangers. We will get other church memembers to come and sing Carols for her as well as the others at the facility. It was a very good day. Hope your's was too.

Friday, October 22, 2010

This Week in Review

Rhett watches a cartoon "Phineas & Ferb" where they say, "Ferb, I know what we are going to do today..." I have begun saying this on occasion when we are about to go somewhere to do something together. Rhett thinks this is funny.

Most days I do know what I am going to do. I know I am going to get up every morning, get Rhett ready for school and myself ready for work. I know I am going to work and thankful I have a job to go to that provides for us. Some people cannot find jobs nowadays. I usually know what I am going to wear although sometimes I change my mind which is a woman's thing to do. Sometimes I change outfits several times. But this morning I knew what I was going to wear due to a very irritated skin tag on the inside of my upper thigh near my groin. I had to wear loose fitting running pants after I "doctored" my leg and put a bandage on it. I apologized for wearing them to work, but my supervisor did not care as long as I was there unlike some people namely Silly Illy Nilly Dilly. I am thankful for all the clothes that I have; thankful I had these pants today. Some people may not have enough clothes to wear.

This skin tag reminded me I needed to make an appointment with Daddy's cute dermatologist which I did although I cannot get in until December on Donny Osmond's birthday!

Some days I know what I am going to eat for lunch on my way to work in the morning before 8 am! LOL Other days, my hormones may be off and I may not have a taste for anything. Or if I get something, it may not be what I really wanted. Still I am most thankful for the food I eat. Some people may not have enough to eat.

Today was about doing some of the things I should have done earlier in the week although there was no great rush for them to be done. Today is about having lunch with a friend. This week has been about hearing old songs on the radio which for me have felt like an old friend. I sang my heart out along with them. An old Beatles song, another oldie but goodie, "Love Grows Where My Rosemary Goes, and "Take It Easy" by the Eagles. You are singing those songs now, aren't you? And as always it has been another week of an artistic idea or two or three or four for which I am ever thankful! It has been about making Christmas bird ornaments. Why am I so into birds lately?

I do hope it has been as good a week for you as it has been for me thus far. Here's hoping you have a wonderful weekend full of things you want to do that make you happiest and not just things you need to do.

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Arts on the River & Glad to Be Here

Well, thankfully this weekend was rather uneventful except not being able to go with my church friend Nancy to the Hummingbird festival as planned. I admit I was disappointed, but I did Market Days instead since Don didn't have to work & he could help me set up. Since I thought I wouldn't be here, I did not know it would last until 5 pm due to Boots on Broadway, honoring our soldiers. I did a new red, white & blue piece of artwork just for this day. I made a few copies of it - a 4x6 & a 5x7. I am still working on this since I am still finding more hearts within it. It is called "The Heart of the Matter". I like it. Rhett did too. I remained at Market Days til about 4:30 pm. I ran out of shade and was tired by then.

Arts on the River was also held downtown on the grassy center median a block up from Market Days. Rhett stayed with my art so I could go take a look at the other artists participating in this event. Later I found out the entry fee was $75 plus $15 for something whereas my fees were already paid. So I came out better.

The 1st artist I spoke to was Annetta Berry, an oil painter artist from Waverly Hall with an English accent. Her art was so very colorful. But the 1st artist's work I saw was Elsie Prather from Dothan, AL. She had all these swirly, circular abstracts I really, really, really liked. Did I mention I liked them? LOL She was so sweet. Although she was not the 1st artist I talked to, she kept thanking me and shaking my hand when I complimented her on her art. I told her and some other artists a little about myself being an abstract artist/photographer and the fact that I was back down a block at Market Days, inviting them to come see me, etc. Two artists did come down to see me! Elise was one of them. She hugged me like an old friend. Kindred souls;kindred artists.

There were several artists from the Columbus Guild, but I only spoke to one of them. When I told the artist I spoke to I was down at Market Days, he went "oh" like I was doing something way, way beneath him, but I didn't let that bother me one bit. No siree. I had to laugh at it. I didn't have to pay the fee that he did nor worry if I was even breaking even.

Tom Corley of the CAG had some beautiful paintings of buildings in Venice.

Then there was Peter Dobson, the artful Dobson. As I walked up to his spot, the 1st thing I saw was a cloud literally glowing yellow! I told him this then discovered he was English! He had the most amazing photographic art there. I was really pulling for him to win an award. He did all sorts of special effects with his photography like superimposing a sphere in his photographs. Awesome. He had one I wanted so badly. It was checkerboards fractured or fractal art. Unframed it was $70 so I had to walk away from it. He also lived in Wales in a town I couldn't pronounce although he tried to get me to say it, but I still couldn't get it nor did I have the patience for it. His wife, girl friend or whomever said she just calls the town "Mac". LOL He got an Honorable mention last year at this event. He has a website which is.... www.arttfuldobson.com I think you will really like his work as much as I do so please check him out.

Sue Jordan is an older lady artist who normally sets up at Market Days near the PC art people. She had given Rhett a small painting of birds prior to this event. She was set up at Arts on the River where she could display more and bigger pieces.

Fred Prieto of Columbus had some amazing photographs. He was rather talkative about his photos which were well displayed. They were given 3 hours to set up their artwork.

I met Melissa Brantley of Columbus who had a collage made out of tickets from clothes purchased that formed the $ sign which I thought was a clever idea. She also came down to see me later in the day. She bought one of my "Rainy Day" magnets. She loved that I had mini artwork. So thanks again for this idea, Genie & Anne!

There were several graphic artist beside Peter Dobson. Bobby Jones from Waverly Hall was another. There was something about him that was so familar as if I have met him before. It wasn't as in that "met you in another life" line. Bobby had worked at Ft. Benning as a graphic artist where there were lay offs then more lays offs. His friends encouraged him to go out on his own and he did. He is president & CEO of his own company is called ... StraightlineZ "Art is Everything...and... Everything is art!" The website is... www.straightlinez.com

Now he had those artist trading cards. ACEO cards is what I think they are called. I tried to walk away from one, but found I could not walk away. It was a black & white sketch of what looked like material. I knew I could do this myself and have done it the past. It is signed and dated on the back. After I bought it, he told me it was a shroud over a skeleton! Leave it to me! He thought he was a member of the CAG, but has not received anything. I told him I'd make sure he got info from now on. Interestingly, he is a member of the Joseph House. Some of his work is there now. It seems some artists or whoever came down from Atlanta and told the Joseph House they didn't have enough abstract artists! They welcomed him with open arms so there is hope for me yet! Just wish they didn't have such high fees.

The lady who was in charge of Arts on the River is Lois Tryon. She is also an artist that lives in Columbus. The site for Arts on the River is.... www.artsontheriver.com

I am not sure who won what awards. As we were leaving, I thought I saw red ribbon on one of Charles Willis' pieces of art.

This Saturday was very interesting. I am surprised I don't have whiplash because I felt like I was at a tennis tournament watching the people passing back and forth. A wedding party went by with the bride in the lead with her beautiful cream colored gown which she held high above gold glittery heels. I was never sure who the groom was as all the groomsmen followed then the bridesmaids in their navy blue gowns. I think they took pics somewhere on Broadway then returned to the Rankin building near me for a reception. The flower girls had such pretty matching dresses with big gold bows on the back. One groomsman had to buy himself a cookie on the way back! Pizzas were ordered from the pizza place on my right side.

All the little kids wanted to take my INSPIRE rock I use to hold down my bio page. One little girl picked up one of my baskets of older artwork, but thankfully put it on the other side of the table! I found out the hard way that the sun shines on my side of Broadway in the late afternoon. I had to move away from my set up to not be in the sun as it was hot. By doing this, I got to better observe people's reactions to my work. Their reactions were worth this as I got a lot of ooh's and ah's. LOL

I even got a little sunburned esp on the nose and neck making me a redneck! LOL Later we went out to eat because a transformer blew the power out at home. Good excuse not to cook. Rhett & I were pretty silly. Penny would call it punch drunk from being tired. Don asked me if I got sunburned. I thought my lips felt chapped. Rhett tapped my nose and asked if it hurt. It didn't. He told me, "Then you are not sunburned" just as serious and straight faced sort of like his momma. That is when I lost it, became silly and we got the giggles. I love so my life.

Be sure to check out the art if you get the chance.

Sunday nite after uploading pictures, the memory card for my camera didn't want to work once inside the camera. It nagged at me all day long Monday. I went to Walmart to see if the card would still work and thankfully it did. I made a cd just in case. I had never made a photo cd before and it didn't put my pics in the order I took them. I tried it again in the camera. It still wouldn't work. Because I'd taken the time to load only the really good pics on that cd, I tried to load all in a different order thinking they would be in the order they were taken on memory card. WRONG! This caused me to have not 1 but 2 discs which would cost more. I decided to just take the 1st disc because it was cheaper. Then I got really down and depressed thinking it was my camera. All I could think about was getting home to try Don's memory card in my camera to see if I did indeed have a bad memory card or my worse case scenario - something was wrong with my camera.

I get to mom's to pick up Rhett who had a magic trick for me before I can even get in the door! It was cool & he wouldn't show me how he did it.

On the way home Monday evening, near our house, a blue SUV at a stop sign on decides it can make it before I cross the bridge on Sanfort Rd. I threw on my newly worked on breaks and went "Uh-oh". I just knew I was going to hit it broadside, but the good Lord was surely watching over us because I stopped without crashing into it. As Momma would say, "Stopped on a dime and gave you 10 cents change." There was only enough room for the car to barely pass, but I like to think there was an invisible angel standing there between us and that car! I told Rhett the Lord was surely with us. I was so thankful it was a near miss. We are so thankful to still be here. Rhett said he saw his whole life pass before his eyes. Later my friend Bob would say if his whole life flashed before his eyes, he'd be there awhile. LOL

So today the 1st quote of the day coincidentally is:
Blink your eye - that's how fast life can change.
-H. Jackson Brown, Jr.-

I got Don's camera as soon as we got inside and told him about our near miss. Well, Rhett I were vying to do this, talking over each other. It WAS my memory card that wasn't working. Thank goodness it was not my camera! I put that memory card aside and put in a new one. So thankful my camera still works. I realize I have had it for several years now, but it has become like my right hand; apart of me. I would be totally lost without it. Of course I could have started using Don's camera if mine had not worked, but it wouldn't be the same.

I know Minnie Pearl used to say, "So proud to be here" and so are we.

Tuesday I had a dental cleaning and the dentist informed me I will need a crown for Christmas! Afterwards I went to a consignment shop and got several pairs of pants that just fit me. One pair of jeans has pearls and studs on it! I put my Reeboks in the shoe shop to be reglued. I paid my JCP bill and saw my friend Jimmy. It was nice to visit with him for a good awhile without customers interupting our visit. I got Rhett some things to wear. I seem to be buying him a lot of red and black lately; his school colors and one of fave color combinations. I got his Christmas gift to his Daddy, two bird ornaments which had THE uglies tan ribbon with a silver glitter bell & peach colored pipe cleaner bow on it. YUCK! I couldn't wait to get home to yank that off! Jimmy even told me I could make that only better. All on sale. YEAH me!

When I got home, after we ate, I did yank that tackiness off and used the birds as a template using Christmas cardstock to make Christmas bird ornaments. I realized the more I add on to it, the more I will have to charge to make them. But this will probably be the Christmas craft I make as Chistmas gifts this year.

I'd almost forgotten today was Thankful Thursday. This week has been such a good, blessed one. Hope your's has been as well. What are you thankful for? Care to share? Then join us at Thankful Thursday at Lynn's place at the following....
http://www.spirituallyunequalmarriage.com/my_weblog/
where she posted 10 things no one knew about her. Hmmm. What can I tell you about me that you don't already know?

1. My least fave color is pea green.
2. I don't like lima beans. They make me gag!
3. When I get a tickle in my throat & cough, it will set off a sneezing fit.
4. I can find a template out of most any object or use it as rubber stamp.
5. I interpreted a friend's dream this week & it fit him to a t which was kind of eerie but cool.
6. I am a pack rat. I throw nothing away.
7. I gorge out on certain foods. I love buttered popcorn at the movies and will eat it until it almost makes me sick. I will say "Never again", but always do. Rhett and I just cannot sit thru a movie without popcorn.
8. I can hold the toes on my right foot weird so that one sticks up on way and the one next to it is not as high but sticks out too.
9. I cannot swim, but I sure can dance!
10. When I get cold, I sneeze. Sometimes if I drink tea at an eatery, I will start sneezing & have a sneezing fit.

Monday, October 18, 2010

I Choose

Dr. Hal Brady's local radio inspirational message this morning was a good one.
It was about attitudes and how they determine our day.
We choose how we are going to feel today.
We choose to be happy or not.
We choose to be angry or argumentative (Illy!)
I choose to be happy today.
I have decided today is going to be good day.
I am going to be a good person
and be nice to everyone.
I am going to smile and laugh alot.
I plan to have a fun day.
I plan to do at least one or two random acts of kindness before today's end.
How about you?
What do you choose to be today?
~Becky~

Friday, October 15, 2010

Lame But Thankful

Last Friday I had a rather really upsetting occurrence happen in my life, but I got it all straightened out - thank goodness. Don thought it was funny whereas I did NOT! It is like I have become the parents of my parents. I am the one who has to go the Principal's office, so to speak.

Don helped me set up for Market Days Saturday, but Rhett and I had to take it all down, put it in the monster truck, take it home and unpack it. Two very nice young soldiers helped us take the "walls" that Don built for me to hang my artwork. I guess R & I looked pretty pitiful trying to take them to the truck. I was so thankful for these guys.

I finally got to meet my friend Annica who worked for an office supply company we use at work. We had been like ships passing in the night, never meeting for years. She came to my 1st art show with the guild, but since we didn't know each other, we probably walked right by without knowing it. I had told Annica I was going to start calling her "Wilson" because she was like Tim the Tool Man's neighbor on "Home Improvement". LOL Annica is one of the sweetest ladies I had ever talked to on the phone. I don't know what it is with me... I think these people I talk to on the phone are blonde, but they always have darker hair. A Annica didn't look the way I thought she would. LOL This is not the first time that has happened.

Annica brought a bag of caps she knitted for little girls who have cancer. Our granddaughter Shelby thought of the idea so her mom asked people to donate ribbons or whatever so she, Kristina could make bows. Shelby has been in the newspaper in Indiana about her idea! Since Annica knits, she volunteered to make caps. They are so cute! I had a "fit" over a burgundy one with a white bow, the 1st one I picked up out of the bag Annica brought. "Fit" is a southern term if you didn't know that! LOL There was another really delicate cap; oh so soft. I had such a fit over the red one that Annica is going to make me one for Christmas! Yeah me! She also makes purses. I love the shoulder bag she made which was done in fall colors and lined with pretty checkered materials. I should have had a fit over the purse as well! LOL It was so nice to finally meet Annica and her husband who seems just perfect for her. They bought my "Rainy Day in Ga" magnet. We have since been emailing back & forth up a storm, but it has not brought any much needed rain to Georgia. LOL

It has been a rather calm and uneventful week this week and I am thankful. Just an ordinary life. Well, maybe not so ordinary.... We got Rhett's Halloween costume. I was thankful we found one to fit at Walmart as it was cheaper. I made him try it on in the costume dept. He went, "Really Momma?" Yes, really. He says this a lot lately. I have noticed I have been saying "That was lame" a lot this week as well.

An art activity was a bust on Monday evening because it WAS really lame. So Wednesday nite we gathered leaves before class. I tried my very best to be artistic with those leaves, but they just wouldn't cooperate. I hate it when that happens. I was unimpressed with my outcome. It was really lame too. I think my muse is on vacation on a sunny beach somewhere.

Speaking of leaves, I had found leaf card holders at Kohl's but only got three of them. They were able to find me more from another store. I use these to hold pics of my son. I traced the oak leaf on cardboard to make a template. I gave one to my BFF Nancy at church Wednesday night. Wednesday nite I saw old pics of Rhett when he was smaller. So cute! Nancy let me borrow one to have copies made of his cuteness with is mouth wide open.

I got new glasses this week for $20 like Rhett! I love my pretty pink Jessica McClintlock glass case even more. I'm trying to get used to bifocals & trying not to feel like an ole lady! LOL I went with the bifocal lines because it was cheaper. $20 is a lot cheaper than $75 any day of the week! Rhett told me they make me look younger. Thank you, Sweetie. Such a diplomat. He will make a good husband when his wife asks him, "Does this make me look fat?"

This week Rhett cooked his 1st cake. Well, it was one of those mini cakes, but still a cake. In fact, he cooked two so far this week. My little chef. So proud of him and thankful for him. Even shared the 2nd one with is Daddy.

I admit I am a little disapointed I won't be going to the Humminbird festival in Hogansville, Ga tomorrow. My BFF church friend Nancy doesn't feel like she can leave her hubby Tom after he almost died last month. Not that I blame her. I just sort of figured she would change her mind about going.

This week I am thankful for finally meeting a new friend. I am thankful for having a normal week even if some parts of it were lame. What are you thankful for? Care to share with us at Thankful Thursday? Then please join us at the following...
at http//www.spirituallyunequalmarriage.com/

Thursday, October 7, 2010

Girl's Weekend

I had The best girl's weekend this past weekend! After getting lost, Jody & I arrived just in the nick of time to go with Iris to pick my BFF Genie up at the Huntsville airport. Iris was going to have Genie's senior picture from our annual blown up and the word "Wanted" put on it to hold up, but Iris' daughter Meredith talked her out of this. It was a good thing because my BFF Genie doesn't like to draw attention to herself. Genie was calling me as we were on the elevator at the airport to get her. Somehow Genie had managed to hurt her foot the day before. I noticed she was walking funny. I found it interesting that I know her that well, but after over 50 years of friendship, I suppose I should know her very well. We drove back to Iris's to await the arrival of our other friend Connie who also got lost.
Unlucky for me, I was having a bout with the runs. Iris bought us all these special glasses with our names on them. They had a very unique blue curly stem. She had a bottle of champagne and we had a toast to friendship. One glass only even for the non-drinkers. Of course I took pictures of my glass and bubbly inside it! We had lasagne, salad with homemade garlic rolls Iris made for us. We sat around the table talking and laughing. Then Iris pulled out her annual. She had where we had signed it marked. I honestly don't remember what I wrote in her's, but it all came back to me as she read it. Ever the writer, it was almost a full page long! It began with "How 'bout ya?" which was something Iris always said back then. This brought back so many memories I'd forgotten. I could tell Genie was getting tired. She was the first one to call it a night after teaching half a day, catching a plane and probably suffering from jet lag.

I used an old beige shoulder bag for this trip instead of the purse Kristina gave me with my art on it. I happened to have some Pepto in it, but I don't know how old they were because they tasted really OLD. I worried they would make me sicker. I think I had to get up twice during the night, but slept fairly well considering I was in a strange bed without my own pillow and I did wake up shaking once thinking I had a stomach flu. Genie & I shared the same room which had a window, but was it was covered up from the inside so there were no windows in the room. We cracked the door and sunlight came in from there. Having visited before, I knew what should have a closet was attic storage. I mentioned it would make a great room for a vampire. A vampire's lair. Keep this in mind for later...

Luckily I did feel better in the morning. Iris had made breakfast crepes consisting of sausage, eggs and cheese. Yum. I'd always wanted to have crepes before but never had them until now. They were delicious. Iris had prepared alot beforehand. I am not that organized. Martha Stewart has nothing on her and I told her this!

We went to a festival much like the Cotton Pickin' Fair in Gay, Ga only not as large. It was interesting to see new and different things such as LARGE paper mache pumpkins in orange and BLACK with their faces carved out and painted inside. I'm still trying to figure out how they were painted on the inside. The lady wanted $135 for them. No one seemed to be buying. I tried taking a pic from the other side, but didn't get a good one due to all the people passing by. There seems to be a fair amount of artists in Madison, Alabama. There was a gallery I went inside. I saw a studio which let in a lot of sunlight. Small but cute. Very well organized where mine is not; its all over the house! Don will tell you this. There were some abstracts so I got some ideas. Not to be bragging, but I think we have better artists at home. One artist drew very good pencils portraits, but then the mouth or some other part would be sliding off. Even I thought that was weird! I guess the artist was trying to be like Salvador Dahli. LOL I did buy a zebra watch band for $4. I got business cards and info sheets to check out later. I could probably submit my art for this festival, but it would be a long, long way to have to go for an art show. I have gotten spoiled by doing in town market days less than six miles from home.

We came back to Iris's for lunch which was to be chicken salad, my favorite. Iris is a lot like Genie is - a very fancy cook whereas I am not so much. I thought she had celery in it, but discovered she was putting green grape halves in it, toasted almonds and some sort of yellowish sauce she wouldn't tell me. She was making a corn salad which I'd never tasted before. I worried the barbecue corn chips wouldn't agree with my tummy. And she made cornbread. I was thinking it was a very different combination. As I was dipped out a helping of the chicken salad, I saw it had rice in it as well big chunks of chicken. The corn salad was very good, but I would leave the onions out of it. The cornbread really brought out the flavor. Because of my upset tummy, I ate lesser portions which is probably a good thing. LOL

Then we went to the Rocket Center in Huntsville. I was really missing my hubby and son so they could share this. Believe it or not I did not take as many pictures because I do want to come back there with them. Iris got a discount for the center and paid our way inside. There was a circle frame that reminded me of the movie "Stargate" and my wild imagination was creating scenarios of astronauts traveling through time! LOL Genie took lots of pics for her class as well as bought a book. I bought Rhett a few small things. He really liked this cool pencil that is lavender, shaped like a rocket at the top and changes color when you touch it! He knew it did this before I did!

Then we went back to Iris's to change for dinner. We went to a steak and seafood place called Connor's in Westbridge Street mall. There was a small body of water and this mall structure is built over it. It used to have several gondolas, but only has one now. So it has a very Italian feel to it. Walking through it makes you feel like you are in another country or at least I did. I was missing walking with Don and holding his hand, wishing he and Rhett could be there to share it with me. At Connor's I got lobster bisque soup then a 10 oz ribeye steak which I couldn't eat all of it. I think it was the best I have ever had. After we ate, we walked around and looked in shops I had never entered before such as Anthropology, but had heard about. So colorful. Got lots of ideas here with pieces of materials to use as wall hangings, a paper mache wild animal heads. Took neat pics of gigantic white stone horses outside another eatery, a huge fortune cookie in an art gallery. That was obviously meant for me. A cold front had moved in and we were getting blown away. Since there was only one gondola and it was lite up, I didn't think my camera would do it justice. It just looked like a half moon sliver.

Iris' daughter worked at a store called Papaya. Rhett called me while we were inside, but I had trouble hearing him with all the music. I was loving the prices of the clothes. I couldn't find the sweater I really liked in my size, but Genie got a black pea coat for $23! Wish I had gotten me one too.

Back home at Iris', I called Rhett and talked to Don. Afterwards we all sat in the living room talking and laughing. Iris and I went to bed about midnight. The next morning I awoke to another story idea about vampires and Iris's house. I shared it with Meredith, Iris' daughter then everyone. We all could collaborate on it. I already had the dedication to all my friends there and this weekend. Of course they all laughed at me.

That last morning we went to a country club called the Ledges up on a mountain, passing the biggest Church of Christ I have ever seen. The leaves were beginning to turn on the trees on the way up. The mansions built here were out of my world. Huge, huge houses with very little land. The clubhouse we were going to looked like a castle. The inside made you feel as if you just stepped back into an earlier century. It was very dark. I didn't like the dark colors so much. I had eggs benedict for the 1st and last time. I don't like my eggs runny so I ate the outer part. I wasn't impressed with it. I am not fond of English muffins. Too pickie I know. Although I am willing to try new foods, I realize I am just a plain ole country girl at heart. I like normal foods.

They had a variety of deserts. The red velvet cake looked good but it had raspberries flavor in it which I don't like so I was glad the others tried it first. Genie got a lemon tart. Connie got a pound cake that had an almond topping again I was glad I didn't get that one. Iris got a chocolate one with some ice cream. I decided on a two layer chocolate cake square. Iris was watching me as I tasted it. I made a face. I told them this always happens to me especially if we go to Golden Coral or Ryan's. I think the chocolate cake is going to taste like a chocolate cake only it doesn't. Don said it is my hormones. Iris tasted of it and said it had armeretto in it and that is why. So at least I know I am not going crazy! LOL

I'd taken some pics before we ate. We just left our purses to go outside to get the mountain view. It was weird to not worry about your purse. As we were leaving, we took a few more pics of the front of the castle like building. Then we drove around looking at all the many mansions.

When we got back to Iris' where we took more pics of us outside the house. All too soon we had to start bringing our packed bags down. I changed clothes. I knew I'd be hot in the car on the drive back home with sun shining in on us. How do you say good bye to good friends and a great weekend? You don't. You plan to get together again in July at Iris' condo in Gulf Shores!

On the way home Sunday, Rhett was calling me to ask, "When are you coming home, Momma?"

I am so thankful for this girl's weekend. I cannot stop thinking about it and reliving it. We had so much fancy food it is hard to come back down to earth to reality and eat at Burger King. I am thankful nothing bad happened while I was gone. The weather was just perfect as if the whole weekend was meant to be. The good Lord truly smiled down upon us.

Monday morning was back to reality. Don had blocked me in which made me late for work. He went out to his truck in a tank top and silk boxers only to realize fall has arrived in the south! LOL

Having sent this out as an email to all my friends, my friend Anne paid me one of the best compliments I have ever received. Besides saying I should be a writer, she said she felt as if she were there.

What were you thankful for this week? Want to share? Then join us at Lynn's at Thankful Thursday at the following...
I had The best girl's weekend this past weekend! After getting lost, Jody & I arrived just in the nick of time to go with Iris to pick my BFF Genie up at the Huntsville airport. Iris was going to have Genie's senior picture from our annual blown up and the word "Wanted" put on it to hold up, but Iris' daughter Meredith talked her out of this. It was a good thing because my BFF Genie doesn't like to draw attention to herself. Genie was calling me as we were on the elevator at the airport to get her. Somehow Genie had managed to hurt her foot the day before. I noticed she was walking funny. I found it interesting that I know her that well, but after over 50 years of friendship, I suppose I should know her very well. We drove back to Iris's to await the arrival of our other friend Connie who also got lost.
Unlucky for me, I was having a bout with the runs. Iris bought us all these special glasses with our names on them. They had a very unique blue curly stem. She had a bottle of champagne and we had a toast to friendship. One glass only even for the non-drinkers. Of course I took pictures of my glass and bubbly inside it! We had lasagne, salad with homemade garlic rolls Iris made for us. We sat around the table talking and laughing. Then Iris pulled out her annual. She had where we had signed it marked. I honestly don't remember what I wrote in her's, but it all came back to me as she read it. Ever the writer, it was almost a full page long! It began with "How 'bout ya?" which was something Iris always said back then. This brought back so many memories I'd forgotten. I could tell Genie was getting tired. She was the first one to call it a night after teaching half a day, catching a plane and probably suffering from jet lag.

I used an old beige shoulder bag for this trip instead of the purse Kristina gave me with my art on it. I happened to have some Pepto in it, but I don't know how old they were because they tasted really OLD. I worried they would make me sicker. I think I had to get up twice during the night, but slept fairly well considering I was in a strange bed without my own pillow and I did wake up shaking once thinking I had a stomach flu. Genie & I shared the same room which had a window, but was it was covered up from the inside so there were no windows in the room. We cracked the door and sunlight came in from there. Having visited before, I knew what should have a closet was attic storage. I mentioned it would make a great room for a vampire. A vampire's lair. Keep this in mind for later...

Luckily I did feel better in the morning. Iris had made breakfast crepes consisting of sausage, eggs and cheese. Yum. I'd always wanted to have crepes before but never had them until now. They were delicious. Iris had prepared alot beforehand. I am not that organized. Martha Stewart has nothing on her and I told her this!

We went to a festival much like the Cotton Pickin' Fair in Gay, Ga only not as large. It was interesting to see new and different things such as LARGE paper mache pumpkins in orange and BLACK with their faces carved out and painted inside. I'm still trying to figure out how they were painted on the inside. The lady wanted $135 for them. No one seemed to be buying. I tried taking a pic from the other side, but didn't get a good one due to all the people passing by. There seems to be a fair amount of artists in Madison, Alabama. There was a gallery I went inside. I saw a studio which let in a lot of sunlight. Small but cute. Very well organized where mine is not; its all over the house! Don will tell you this. There were some abstracts so I got some ideas. Not to be bragging, but I think we have better artists at home. One artist drew very good pencils portraits, but then the mouth or some other part would be sliding off. Even I thought that was weird! I guess the artist was trying to be like Salvador Dahli. LOL I did buy a zebra watch band for $4. I got business cards and info sheets to check out later. I could probably submit my art for this festival, but it would be a long, long way to have to go for an art show. I have gotten spoiled by doing in town market days less than six miles from home.

We came back to Iris's for lunch which was to be chicken salad, my favorite. Iris is a lot like Genie is - a very fancy cook whereas I am not so much. I thought she had celery in it, but discovered she was putting green grape halves in it, toasted almonds and some sort of yellowish sauce she wouldn't tell me. She was making a corn salad which I'd never tasted before. I worried the barbecue corn chips wouldn't agree with my tummy. And she made cornbread. I was thinking it was a very different combination. As I was dipped out a helping of the chicken salad, I saw it had rice in it as well big chunks of chicken. The corn salad was very good, but I would leave the onions out of it. The cornbread really brought out the flavor. Because of my upset tummy, I ate lesser portions which is probably a good thing. LOL

Then we went to the Rocket Center in Huntsville. I was really missing my hubby and son so they could share this. Believe it or not I did not take as many pictures because I do want to come back there with them. Iris got a discount for the center and paid our way inside. There was a circle frame that reminded me of the movie "Stargate" and my wild imagination was creating scenarios of astronauts traveling through time! LOL Genie took lots of pics for her class as well as bought a book. I bought Rhett a few small things. He really liked this cool pencil that is lavender, shaped like a rocket at the top and changes color when you touch it! He knew it did this before I did!

Then we went back to Iris's to change for dinner. We went to a steak and seafood place called Connor's in Westbridge Street mall. There was a small body of water and this mall structure is built over it. It used to have several gondolas, but only has one now. So it has a very Italian feel to it. Walking through it makes you feel like you are in another country or at least I did. I was missing walking with Don and holding his hand, wishing he and Rhett could be there to share it with me. At Connor's I got lobster bisque soup then a 10 oz ribeye steak which I couldn't eat all of it. I think it was the best I have ever had. After we ate, we walked around and looked in shops I had never entered before such as Anthropology, but had heard about. So colorful. Got lots of ideas here with pieces of materials to use as wall hangings, a paper mache wild animal heads. Took neat pics of gigantic white stone horses outside another eatery, a huge fortune cookie in an art gallery. That was obviously meant for me. A cold front had moved in and we were getting blown away. Since there was only one gondola and it was lite up, I didn't think my camera would do it justice. It just looked like a half moon sliver.

Iris' daughter worked at a store called Papaya. Rhett called me while we were inside, but I had trouble hearing him with all the music. I was loving the prices of the clothes. I couldn't find the sweater I really liked in my size, but Genie got a black pea coat for $23! Wish I had gotten me one too.

Back home at Iris', I called Rhett and talked to Don. Afterwards we all sat in the living room talking and laughing. Iris and I went to bed about midnight. The next morning I awoke to another story idea about vampires and Iris's house. I shared it with Meredith, Iris' daughter then everyone. We all could collaborate on it. I already had the dedication to all my friends there and this weekend. Of course they all laughed at me.

That last morning we went to a country club called the Ledges up on a mountain, passing the biggest Church of Christ I have ever seen. The leaves were beginning to turn on the trees on the way up. The mansions built here were out of my world. Huge, huge houses with very little land. The clubhouse we were going to looked like a castle. The inside made you feel as if you just stepped back into an earlier century. It was very dark. I didn't like the dark colors so much. I had eggs benedict for the 1st and last time. I don't like my eggs runny so I ate the outer part. I wasn't impressed with it. I am not fond of English muffins. Too pickie I know. Although I am willing to try new foods, I realize I am just a plain ole country girl at heart. I like normal foods.

They had a variety of deserts. The red velvet cake looked good but it had raspberries flavor in it which I don't like so I was glad the others tried it first. Genie got a lemon tart. Connie got a pound cake that had an almond topping again I was glad I didn't get that one. Iris got a chocolate one with some ice cream. I decided on a two layer chocolate cake square. Iris was watching me as I tasted it. I made a face. I told them this always happens to me especially if we go to Golden Coral or Ryan's. I think the chocolate cake is going to taste like a chocolate cake only it doesn't. Don said it is my hormones. Iris tasted of it and said it had armeretto in it and that is why. So at least I know I am not going crazy! LOL

I'd taken some pics before we ate. We just left our purses to go outside to get the mountain view. It was weird to not worry about your purse. As we were leaving, we took a few more pics of the front of the castle like building. Then we drove around looking at all the many mansions.

When we got back to Iris' where we took more pics of us outside the house. All too soon we had to start bringing our packed bags down. I changed clothes. I knew I'd be hot in the car on the drive back home with sun shining in on us. How do you say good bye to good friends and a great weekend? You don't. You plan to get together again in July at Iris' condo in Gulf Shores!

On the way home Sunday, Rhett was calling me to ask, "When are you coming home, Momma?"

I am so thankful for this girl's weekend. I cannot stop thinking about it and reliving it. We had so much fancy food it is hard to come back down to earth to reality and eat at Burger King. I am thankful nothing bad happened while I was gone. The weather was just perfect as if the whole weekend was meant to be. The good Lord truly smiled down upon us.

Monday morning was back to reality. Don had blocked me in which made me late for work. He went out to his truck in a tank top and silk boxers only to realize fall has arrived in the south! LOL

Having sent this out as an email to all my friends, my friend Anne paid me one of the best compliments I have ever received. Besides saying I should be a writer, she said she felt as if she were there.

What are you thankful for this week? Care to share? Then please join us for Thankful Thursday at Lynn's at the following...
http://www.spirituallyunequalmarriage.com/

Quote of the Day:
A returned smile can change everything.
-H. Jackson Brown, Jr.-