Life on FL's nature coast!

Listening and Waiting...

2009-11-29T08:33:00.002-06:00

What a jam packed week we've had. We started in Alabama, went to Florida, then to Georgia, now we're back home in Alabama. We spent 3 days in Florida looking at rental homes, since we can't buy anything until our home sells. It seems we brought the rainy, dreary weather with us from Alabama, but at least the temps were warmer! We still haven't made a decision, as Gary says, "after a while, all the homes start to look alike!" but we have several options and we are just trusting the Lord for His guidance.

It's so easy to start what I like to call the "Panic Spiral of Doom" when we start thinking about everything that needs to get done in the next few weeks and all the decisions that have to be made. Gary and I are trying to avoid the "what if's" and just focus on taking the next step. Each day brings new challenges, but we have to take them as they come and just do that day what we can do--remember, we are not promised tomorrow, so why worry about it, right?!

If you're struggling with some decisions that need to be made, I challenge you to just be still and listen for the Lord's direction. He's waiting patiently for you to seek Him and He has promised to give you a firm place to stand! (Psalm 40)

Season of Change...

2009-11-22T16:21:00.004-06:00

Yes, friends, don't stroke, I have decided to blog again! I had to laugh when I stared at my blog for about 5 minutes trying to figure out where and how to do a new post. That's a sure sign you've been gone from the blog world too long!

I chose to title this post "Season of Change" because that's exactly what I've been experiencing the past few months and am looking forward to in the days and months ahead. I am emerging from a season of quiet. A time, where I felt I needed to be still and listen for the voice of God. Despair and negativity were consuming me as I was pleading to the Lord to rescue me. When I felt He wasn't hearing me, I cried louder. But it was in the midst of my pleas that His still, small voice commanded me to be still, to be quiet, to be faithful and serve Him for such a time as this--regardless of the circumstances.

And so I hushed. I quit focusing on my "checklist" of the Lord meeting my needs and started learning a new habit of thankfulness and contentment in all things. It was a daily struggle, and one in which I didn't always win, but the Lord has consistently been chipping away at this self-centered, control-freak of a shell that I am and has reshaped and molded me and shown me that if I just get out of HIS way, then He will reveal to me the life and blessings He so longs to bestow upon me.

And like the first, new blooms in Spring, I am emerging with new life out of a cold, silent "winter", eager to see what the Lord has in store for me, for us, in this new season of our lives.

I'm back, but busy!!!

2009-08-09T15:57:00.003-05:00

Hey friends! I'm back from two weeks at the beach (which was total heaven by the way), but I've hit the ground running! I started back to work at the school the day after I returned and now I'm waiting on my son, Zack, to get here from college (UCF in Orlando). He'll be here until Wednesday, then he heads back to school.

Hopefully, I'll be able to upload my vacation photos and blog by the end of the week! Hang in there with me---I really am gonna do better on blogging, just catching up and getting back into the swing of things right now!

Have a great week!

Gone to the beach...

2009-07-22T06:00:00.000-05:00

...see you in two weeks!

And here I sit...

2009-07-21T07:44:00.004-05:00

I'm leaving early in the morning -- heading down to West Palm Beach for two weeks before reality sets in August 5th and I'm back to work. In preparation for my trip, I've been making a list of things to do. I'm a list maker. Making lists. Yep! That's one of my specialties. Making lists. Checking things off! But the problem is, I'm NOT checking things off!

You know how sometimes when you have so much to do, it's overwhelming and you sit not knowing where to start? That's me -- sitting here -- blogging, twittering, facebooking, and 'oh yeah, I wanted to look that up real quick' or 'shoot! I forgot to read that yesterday! let me catch up on her posts now!' or 'oops! There goes the dryer! I'll just turn it back on for about 15 more minutes to let the clothes fluff before I put them away!'

Sound familiar?

And then before I realize it, hours have slipped by and I've accomplished nothing! So, I'm off to finish the laundry, pack, run errands, and head to the chiropractor. But if in a little while you see me on facebook or twittering, or if I stop by and comment on your blog, shhhhhh! Pretend you didn't see me... and it will just be our little secret!

Busy Weekend...Busier week ahead!

2009-07-19T23:37:00.003-05:00

This weekend Gary's daughter, Blaire, came in town with her husband, Jon, and 8 month old son, Carter. Yes, that makes Gary a "Paw-Paw" and me, well, I'm a "MeMe"...cause you know I'm too young to be a granny!!! We had a wonderful weekend just loving on that baby and watching every little expression on his face and oooooing and ahhhhhing over every little jibber-jabber he made with his voice! So precious! They actually live in Georgia about 10 minutes from my mom, but we don't get to see them often enough. So, we were thrilled when they agreed to pack up half their house and head south!

Click this link for photos...

These next few days are crazy busy for me. I have several Dr.'s appts (just check-ups/chiropractor, etc.), laundry to do, groceries to purchase, packing, driving... ahhhh! I'm tired already! I'll be headed to West Palm Beach on Wednesday for my last two weeks of summer before I have to report to school on the 5th of August.

Where did the summer go?! Not gonna think about that now...just holding on to the notion of an endless summer! Wouldn't that be nice?!

How 'bout you? Can you stand the heat or do you prefer the winter?

GROUT: Ghastly to Great!!!

2009-07-17T08:08:00.005-05:00

Some of you that are my friends on Facebook or Twitter have been following my kitchen grout dilema! Hubby and I decided to tile the kitchen about 6 years ago--neither one of us having ever tiled anything before, were like the blind leading the blind in Home Depot. For some unknown reason I chose a light sand colored grout (like the sand in the Gulf). Over the years, it has become dingy and stained and no amount of products, by themselves, or mixed by my experimentation in my homemade chemistry lab (also known as the kitchen), would work!

But Wednesday evening, the Twitter gods shined down on me and my Grout Angel, also known as Antique Mommy, sent me a message about a product called "Grout Renew" an All-in one colorant and sealer. So yesterday I ran right out, well, actually drove, cause here in South Alabama it was about 97 degrees with what felt like a heat index of 110, and I wouldn't have made it further than the end of my street before passing out, ummm...where was I? Oh yeah, I drove over to Home Depot and picked me up some magic in a bottle!

I chose a color called "Sandstone"...uh-oh! Not the sand color again! No, this one is a darker taupe color, like the sand on the east coast of Florida. Also picked up some little spongey things on a stick to paint with (also recommended by Antique Mommy), came home and got to work!

Four hours later I was finished and looking over my kitchen floor with the smugness of a Grout Colorant Expert! Ok, well, that's a little bit of a stretch. But I was really pleased with the results! It probably wouldn't have taken that long except I went back over a few places once I got the hang of it! ('Before' and 'After' pictures below for your viewing enjoyment!)

It just goes to show, out there in Cyberland, not only are there great friends to be made, but a wealth of information waiting to be discovered!

A sampling of products I used in my desperation...

The floors "before"...you might think they don't look so bad, but...

closer up this is the nasty grout!

Drove over to my local Home Depot...

Excited about getting started with the "Grout Renew"!

After...

Actually, it's the Dog Days of Summer!

2009-07-16T06:55:00.003-05:00

I love animals. Really, I do! I have three cats and a dog! But I'm about ready to make my neighbor's dog disappear. We have leash laws here, but apparently the neighbors don't think it applies to them.

They just open up their front door and let their dog, Booger, [yes, you read correctly] run free outside anytime they are home. Booger likes to dig in my yard. Booger likes to poop on my driveway. Booger likes to pee all over our yard to "mark" it--which in turn, makes my puppy dig his heels in and refuse to leave the driveway--which in turn, forces us to walk across the street and down a few houses to an empty lot for him to do his "business".

Neighbors are nice people and hubby doesn't want to say anything to them about it because he's afraid it would make them mad. What??? I have no doubt they would say something to us if the 'poop' were on the other foot!

What would you do?

But wait, there's more. God smiled down on me this morning. While hubby was outside with our ever-so-precious puppy a few minutes ago, Mr. Neighbor asked Gary if they could give us a key to check on their dog while they are out of town the next 10 days.

Of course we will!

[Note: no animals were hurt during this posting!]

Whatever happened to the lazy days of summer?

2009-07-15T07:42:00.003-05:00

One of the best things about my job working at a school is that I have the summer off. Well, really, not the whole summer, just the months of June and July. But even for that, I am grateful! By the way, do you remember the days when we would get out of school the first week of June and not go back until after Labor Day weekend?! Whatever happened to that schedule?

Anyway, I have not been able to sleep in one single day since I've been off. Most days I get up between 6 and 6:30 a.m. The latest I've slept in was 7:30 a.m. And I have not really been able to just "chill" and do absolutely nothing. The first two weeks I was out of school, I was cleaning the house like a mad woman--even scrubbing floors for hours with a toothbrush! Then I decided to organize the office and clean out drawers and old files and from there, I moved to the outside of the house! My poor hubby! I've had him cutting down trees, and he and I have worked like mexicans the past couple of days trimming bushes, weedeating, cutting limbs, edging, etc. {No offense to any of my mexican friends out there! I think y'all are the hardest working people I know!}

Today, I'm paying for it. I don't know if it's because I've been working out or from working in the yard, but I have sore muscles where I didn't even know I had muscles! But there's no rest for the weary! Gary's daughter and her husband and baby are coming in town for the weekend, so it's off to mop, dust, and get the guest room ready! Amazing how your perspective of a "clean house" changes when you know a baby will be crawling around!

I do plan to finish out the summer taking advantage of "lazy" though... I'll be vegging in West Palm Beach July 22nd - August 4th, then it's back to reality August 5th... what a wake-up call!

Missing my family...

2009-07-14T09:26:00.002-05:00

It's been a long time since I've blogged. No good reason. No excuses.

But today, more than ever, I've realized how much I miss my "family". The friendships I made over the years through the blog were stronger bonds than I knew could be possible from strangers that became friends. When I was hurting, your tears fell right along with mine. When I was rejoicing over good news, your applause could be heard louder than anyone else's. When I needed prayer, you didn't ask questions, just went straight to the throne and lifted my name.

You've always been there for me. Cheering. Loving. Praying. Encouraging. And today, I was reminded how much I've missed you, and how much I need this circle of friends.

Thank you for being here...then and now.

I'm not worthy...

2009-04-13T09:17:00.004-05:00

Good grief. I can't believe it's been over two months since I've blogged. Why is it that I feel I have less time to blog now than I did before? When Zack was home I was busy cooking, doing laundry, being Band Booster president, and still had time to blog. I can't explain it. Maybe it's not a time issue, maybe it's lack of motivation. I'm so not worthy to be a "B Club" member! ;-)

So, here's what I've been doing in a nutshell...

Valentine's Day was good - remember, we decided to give each other gifts starting with the letters in our names... T was a bag of Twizzler's (my fav!), R was roses, and for the life of me I can't remember the rest. My memory is gone. Oh yeah, he gave me a yo-yo for the Y, but I can't remember A, C, and E.

Spring Break we went to Orlando and spent the week with Zack. We had a great time! He even surprised us one night with tickets to the Blue Man Group show at Universal which was a blast! He is such a good son and doing so well in school. We are so proud of him. We also took our baby, Knightro (puppy) with us for the week. That was an adventure!

Back hard at work at the school. Seems things get really crazy busy the closer it gets to the end of the school year. I'm counting down the days...27 more school days. I'm looking forward to being off this summer and spending time with Zack. He'll only be home a few weeks here and there.

Church is going good. The Lord is dealing with me on so many levels and I am slowly learning to surrender every area of my life to Him. I've also joined a Sunday School class that I really like and am getting more involved.

I'm reading a fantastic book by Randy Alcorn called "Edge of Eternity" which is piercing my heart every day. I also recently finished "Five People You Meet in Heaven" by Mitch Albom which has so many wonderful lessons in it. He also wrote "Tuesdays with Morrie" which was another excellent book. Guess I've been reading alot in my free time.

So, that about sums up my last two months. It's been raining like crazy here and although we need the rain, I'm ready for a little sunshine! I was going to say I'll try to do better blogging, but every time I say that, I disappear for months. So, until next time...

Please pray...

2009-02-07T11:30:00.002-06:00

Hi bloggy friends! I just wanted to tell you about a friend of mine that I worked with in Atlanta at the South Metro Baptist Association. His name is Novel and he and his wife, Martha, are among the sweetest people you will ever meet!

Right before Christmas, Novel found out he has prostate cancer. I've set up a blog and am doing updates to keep their friends and family informed---these two are friends with just about everyone in every Southern Baptist Church on the southside of town! And trust me, if you knew them, they would immediately become your friends too! There are no two people more warm and loving.

Please stop by and offer up your encouragement to them and "bookmark" their site so as to periodically check in on them and pray for them. I know it would be greatly appreciated!

http://novelsjourney.blogspot.com/

In the Name of Love

2009-02-02T17:11:00.004-06:00

Love is in the air! Can you believe it's already February? Valentine's Day is right around the corner! This year, because neither Gary nor I really need anything, plus [like everyone else] we are trying to "pinch pennies", I decided it would be fun to give each other gifts that correlate with each letter of our name...BUT here's the catch...it can only come from the dollar store!!! How funny is that?! You can find some really odd and interesting things at the dollar store!

Since my name has more letters than his, we agreed to spend $10 each. I think it will turn out to be pretty funny and I will definitely share our "findings"!

So, what are your plans?

True Colors

2009-01-30T10:39:00.004-06:00

So a week has passed by since I last blogged...and I was doing so good there for a while! It's been an extremely busy week. Zack made it back from Washington, D.C. safely...and just in time! They've had quite a bit of snow in the past couple of days. He was glad to get back to temps in the 80's! But, now he's fighting a bad sore throat and cough--probably from over exhaustion and also the extreme cold, but he'll be alright.

It's been quite interesting to see and hear how passionate some people are about politics. Honestly, I really don't care that much about politics. It's only been in the last year or two that I've really thought [much more than a minute] about my views on certain issues. I can't imagine though, that even if I really cared about politics, that someone's political views would cause me to sever a friendship.

Unfortunately, I've experienced that this past week. I had a childhood friend that I've known since the 5th grade "un-friend" me on Facebook because, as he put it, "I had to take a break, you were going way over the top with all the 'O' entries."

I was stunned.

I looked back at all my status updates and over a week's time, I only used the "O" word (he makes it sound like a 'dirty word') ONE time and that was when I made reference to Zack attending the staff ball and the Bidens and Obamas showing up. I was excited for Zack and the opportunity he had to witness history personally and made comments on my status regarding his travel, what he was doing that day, etc. NO political 'stands' or comments whatsoever! BUT even if I did share my political views on my facebook status every moment of the day, is that seriously something to sever a friendship over? Wow. I just know that my relationships mean so much more to me than that.

I really don't know why I'm that upset over it. I mean, we were elementary, jr. high and high school friends...best friends. We even went to prom together (as friends) cause neither of us was dating anyone. But, we haven't really kept in touch that much since high school. I guess it's more the shock of it over such a ridiculous thing that stunned me so much.

And disappointment too--Christians that choose to act like this. The past few months I've really been struggling with Christians that claim to love, but the reality is that it's conditional love---Christians that make racist comments throughout the week and then proudly hold their heads high on Sundays---Christians who don't think the "brother's keeper" applies to them. Christians that will pick and choose which parts of the Bible they want to quote and which parts they choose to disregard.

I love to read and re-read the Sermon on the Mount in the book of Matthew...and Romans 13 really is applicable no matter what your political views are. I just think that as Christians, we should show kindness and love to everyone we encounter---not just those who agree with us.

A Night to Remember!

2009-01-22T19:09:00.003-06:00

Zack attended the Staff Ball last night in Washington, D.C. and had a blast! He was texting me all night and sending me pictures via text messages and even some video messages. Here's just a snippet of some of the hundreds of pictures he took. Hopefully, when he gets back to school, he will upload all of them and I can share the link with you! (Please pray for his safety as he travels back to Orlando tomorrow!)

A little something sweet...

2009-01-19T21:50:00.004-06:00

I just love decorating cupcakes and thought I would make some tonight in honor of tomorrow's inauguration celebration! I made several different designs to share with my co-workers. There's something for everyone in red velvet or chocolate fudge!

Check out the concentration...

Move over Martha Stewart!

Something for everyone...

Knightro says, "Mommy! I want some too!"

Up on the hill...

2009-01-18T17:46:00.002-06:00

This is the only photo I have so far. Here's Zack in front of the Capitol today. They have been going non-stop since he arrived in D.C. yesterday evening! Last night he went to a New Hampshire campaign dinner, this afternoon he attended the 'We Are One' concert at the Lincoln Memorial and tonight he's headed to a Florida campaign dinner. He is having the time of his life, in spite of the cold temps!

The eagle is in the nest...

2009-01-17T21:28:00.004-06:00

I heard from Zack all along his route and they made it to D.C. about 8:00 p.m. eastern time. He said it's 'ridiculously cold' but he doesn't care! The friends he's staying with have a place on Constitution not far from the capitol, so they'll be able to just walk everywhere. He's super excited about visiting all the monuments and the Smithsonian. He's been to D.C. numerous times, but it means so much more to him now that he's older and cares more about American history and politics. Please continue to pray for his safety while in D.C. I will post updates!

On another note, congrats to my friend Jean! Her son, Anthony and his wife, Lori, welcomed their first baby into the world last night! Go here to see pics of precious Austin and congratulate Jean on this new blessing to their family!

History in the making...

2009-01-17T07:35:00.003-06:00

This morning I awoke an anxious mother because Zack left very early to drive to Washington, D.C. It's about a 13-14 hour trip from Orlando to D.C. and he's never taken that long of a trip before! I am glad that at least he's not alone. His friend, Lauren, who was an area organizer in Florida for the Obama campaign, got them tickets to the inauguration and also tickets to an inaugural ball. He has been so excited! He's been counting down the days since Christmas!

Regardless of political views, I believe everyone is aware of what a history-making moment this is in our country! I am so thrilled that Zack has the opportunity to witness it in person! Please pray for his safety today as he travels. I will post updates!

Blind...but not mute

2009-01-14T17:48:00.004-06:00

About two years ago, there was an older gentleman who worked in our local post office named Sam. I affectionately (sorta) referred to him as "Postal Sam" whenever I would discuss him with my hubby after visits to the post office. Postal Sam was not a very friendly man. He seemed irritated with the mere thought of even having to wait on customers. Plus, he always had this white puss-like stuff in the corners of his mouth that just repulsed me. I would stand anxiously awaiting my turn in the slow moving line, praying for some other ever-so-friendly postal employee so as not to get Postal Sam. Without fail, I always would end up across the counter from Postal Sam.

As he would bark out "what can I do for you?" I found myself concentrating on the mysterious substance in the corners of his mouth. I came home complaining and told Gary how grossed out I was by his mouth and what an ornery old man he was, blah, blah, blah. And can I just tell you... hand on the Bible...the next morning I woke up with sores in each corner of my mouth? I had NEVER had this problem before and with gleeful delight, my hubby said, "that's what you get for talking about him!"

You would think I learned my lesson.

When my hubby turned 50, I began to notice he would hold things at arm's length to read them. I began to relentlessly tease and torture him...especially when he had to give in and get glasses! To which he quickly replied, "your day is coming!"

"HA! I have a long way to go before I reach 50 mister!"

A few months ago I turned 42. Overnight my perfect vision vanished! "How can this be? I'm only 42!" I said to myself. Gone are the days of reading medicine bottle labels, grocery labels, mail, any kind of directions or instructions, without holding them out as far as my arm will reach.

Lately, I've resorted to putting on my hubby's glasses--the very ones over which I tortured him.

So, have I learned my lesson? Hmmmm....maybe mute wouldn't be such a bad thing.

It's all about who you know!

2009-01-13T19:10:00.004-06:00

So, you stopped back by! Can you believe I'm posting again?! I just had to log on and give "props" to my friend, Lindsey for my blog re-design. She teaches computer at our school and also is in charge of the Yearbook. That girl has more talent in her little finger than I will ever have my whole life! It's amazing what she can do...and in such a short time! I'll say something like this, "I'm thinking about a new look for my blog" and with the likes of Jeannie or Samantha, she will give a twitch of her nose or a bob of her head and voila! A whole new look! (That's Jeannie from "I Dream of Jeannie" and Samantha from "Bewitched"---she's too young to know that!)

Today she was trying to show me how to do some things in Photoshop and after about the 3rd step, I was completely lost! But it's all good...as long as I have Lindsey around...she is my go-to girl in all things design!

Stop on by and introduce yourself to her! I promise it will be worth your while! The girl talks faster than anyone I know and her blog is absolutely precious!

Thanks Lindsey! You're the best!

2009...off to a running start!

2009-01-08T16:55:00.005-06:00

Happy New Year! Let me introduce myself...my name is Tracey and I'm a slack blogger. I know, I've been horrible at blogging ever since Zack went off to school...which is weird, because you would think I would be blogging more often since I have more time on my hands. Unexplainable. Other than maybe my blogs would look like this.

I woke up.
I went to work.
I came home.
I ate a bowl of cereal for dinner.
I went to bed.

Woah, Nellie! Exciting stuff, I know! Try to contain yourself! But, that really is the gist of my days lately. However, I did get a new puppy. Kinda sounds like I'm in the 1st grade class and we just got back from Christmas break and we're all reporting on what we did or what we got. My turn! My turn!

Anyway, the puppy keeps me busy. It's like having another baby---not sure I was quite ready for that. He's on a schedule...he eats, he poops, he sleeps...and then he does it all over again. Come to think of it, me and the dog have alot in common.

So welcome me back to the bloggy world. Kinda reminds me of that obnoxious Christmas song by the guy that wrote "Footloose"... anyway, the "Celebrate Me Home" song. Can I just tell you how irritated I get during the Christmas season when I hear that song playing on the radio?! Is he telling someone to celebrate him coming home? Is he telling someone to celebrate his home...like maybe in Pirate language...ahoy mateys! celebrate 'me' (my) home! Regardless of the meaning, I hate it...double hate...loathe that song.

I digress.

So, in the spirit of hospitality, I'll welcome YOU back to my blog. Come back often, I'll do my best to be here!

A fun weekend!

2008-10-19T18:33:00.003-05:00

Zack came home for the first time this weekend since school started and it was so great to have him home! I'm so thankful the Lord provided safety while he was traveling, cause you know how worried mamas can get when 18 year olds are driving 7+ hours! I'm going to try to link to the photo albums that I've posted on Facebook. You can literally load 60 photos at a time in like 2-3 minutes...so much easier than the 5 or 6 blogger lets you load at a time. Here are the links...hope it works!

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=62846&l=5cf0b&id=705199065

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=62849&l=99daf&id=705199065

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=62844&l=19818&id=705199065

If this works, then I will post links to the photo albums where we moved him in and also my birthday weekend (his first game marching too).

Oh me-me...it's a Meme!

2008-10-12T17:36:00.002-05:00

I was tagged by Kat to do this meme, so here goes...
What you are supposed to do...and please don't spoil the fun...Copy/paste, type in your answers and tag four people in your lists! Don't forget to change my answers to the questions with those of your own.

A) Four places I go over and over
Work
Church
Grocery Store
Bathroom (haha!)

B) Four people who e-mail me regularly
My hubby
My family
Dianne
My co-workers

C) Four of my favorite places to eat
Carraba's
Jason's Deli
Eastside Grill
Home

D) Four places you'd rather be
any beach
Orlando
Turks & Caicos
Perdido Key

E) Four TV shows I could watch over and over
The West Wing
Dancing With The Stars
What Not to Wear
House Hunters

F) Four people I'm tagging
Dianne at Glasses of Grace
Joy at Joy's Corner of the World
Jill at Who Could Ask for Anything More
Lisa at Tropical Mexican

You! Yes, you!Come on, play along!

...and I haven't forgotten that I still need to post pictures!!!

Gone...but hopefully not forgotten!

2008-10-03T17:51:00.004-05:00

I can't believe the last time I blogged was August 28th as I was getting ready to take my road trip to the first UCF game. Wow! Now, here I am again, in Orlando, killing time while Zack is at band practice. This is family weekend and I am so pleased that Gary was able to come with me this time. Tomorrow will be his first time seeing Zack march in a college band and he is so excited!

The August weekend was so much fun. I got to meet Zack's new girlfriend and we were all able to celebrate my birthday together. Zack got me the sweetest UCF Mom coffee mug as well as some UCF Knights earrings. I will post pictures from that weekend (I promise!) when we get back home. I have posted them on Facebook because it is so much faster to upload photos than Blogger, but I will post them here too.

Things have been going well...I've just been staying busy working full-time at the school. Then when I get home in the evenings, it's constant caring for my new baby....no, not that kind, I got a PUPPY! He is so precious! I told Gary when Zack went off to school that I needed something to take care of...I was feeling so lost and without purpose. He said, "well, what do I look like?!" ha ha! I told him he could take care of himself for the most part, that I wanted a puppy! So after many nights of looking online, about a month ago we decided on a Friday afternoon to run over to the Humane Society and we found the sweetest dog (aside from Miss Daisy, of course!) He is just over 6 months old and a dachshund/terrier mix and has the most precious face! He is so needy and has been such a good boy in his crate-training. We named him "Knightro" (the UCF Knights mascot) because he is tan with a black tail and the Knights are black and gold. I will post pictures of him too. But let me just say, I NEVER thought I would love an animal so much! He is my precious little buddy!

Zack is doing well in school. He got an "A" on his first paper for Freshman English and so far has "A's" in all of his classes. He has matured so much and our relationship, although it's always been good and we've always been very close, has become even better. He has opened up so much and is always so good to call me at least once a day and tell me something about a class, or something that happened in band, or a grade he made on a test, etc. I really am trying to give him his space, but the most wonderful thing is that the more space I give him, the more he draws closer. Does that make sense? Not sure I worded that correctly.

I can't believe it's October already. It's been so great pulling out all my fall decorations and the cooler temps in the evening. This is my favorite season...I love all the warm colors, the browns, reds, oranges, etc. There is nothing more beautiful than seeing God's display of artistry sweep across a hillside in rich hues. He is the Master Artist!

I miss all my sweet blog friends and hope you will forgive me for my absence. I will try to do better on my updates as well as checking in on you all. I am so ready for another "B Club" reunion! ...that is, if I haven't been voted off the island yet! ;-)

Have a great weekend and I will post pictures upon my return! Love y'all!

Road Trip!

2008-08-28T22:56:00.007-05:00

I am so excited about going to UCF this weekend for their first game---and Zack's first game marching in a college band! I went by Cracker Barrel today after work and picked up two audio books to listen to on the way down and back (thanks Kat for that tip a while back and for my sweet award today!)...hopefully it will make the travel time go by faster.

Got my game tickets via Fed Ex and I'm ready to go! Lots of pictures when I return!

UCF let's goooooooooooo Knights!

Lazy Saturday...

2008-08-23T12:48:00.003-05:00

Gary and I cleaned house (big time!) Thursday when we got home from work. We did this so we could just lay around and do nothing this weekend. We knew it was going to be a rainy weekend with "Fay" headed this way...so we thought, how much better does it get than laying around on a Saturday while it rains all day.

Right now I'm sitting in the recliner with the laptop and he has an "Eagles" Concert DVD in so loud I can hardly think...but it's nice...each song he keeps saying is his "favorite". The rain is coming down and it's getting more windy.

Several of you mentioned that Zack looks older now! It was amazing to me to see how much he changed in just the 6 weeks he was away for summer term at UCF. He came back and seemed so much older and wiser! ;-) Plus, he has started wearing his glasses more---started when he had pink eye in both eyes and the Dr. ordered him to not wear his contacts for 10 days!

After summer term ended, Zack went to Las Vegas with my sister and niece for 4 days. It was their second time (they went last summer)...and they had a blast! However, Air Train lost his luggage.... It's been a nightmare of a story and we had to spend hundreds of dollars just before he went back to school replacing everything he had lost. Now we're in the process of filling out tons of paperwork and filing a claim with them! Ugh. Never again will we "check" a bag! Carry-on's only!

Zack has had band camp from 8a - 10p all this past week (including today). GREAT time for "Fay" to hit, huh? Zack said it's rained everyday since last Monday and they haven't been able to set drill on the field. I know the Band Director must be having a fit! The first game is a week from today---August 30th. I'm going!!! Woo-hoo! I'm so excited to see him marching with close to 350 kids! Big difference from high school band! He is having a blast! I'm planning to leave Friday when I get off work and come back Sunday (my birthday).

I'm trying to talk my sister and niece into going down with me for the weekend. Unfortunately, hubs can't go because of his duties at church. My niece plays Varsity Volleyball at her H.S. and just smacked her head real bad in last Thursday night's game diving for a ball---lost her vision for about a minute, which was real scary. My sister ended up having to take her to the E.R. Thursday night. She had a concussion and Dr. said she absolutely cannot play for the next week. Keep her in your prayers. She said today that she has a bad headache and neck pain. I hope she's going to be alright.

Well...gotta go....and do absolutely nothing! Kinda nice for a change...

Is Anyone Still Out There???

2008-08-20T16:45:00.007-05:00

I have been a terrible blogger...no excuses...I know we all are busy, so I'm not even going to try to run down my list of reasons why I haven't blogged!

We just got back from taking Zack back to UCF for the Fall. He was only home a little over a week, which went by way too quickly, and then we had to pack him back up and move him back. Unfortunately, since he was going to be living in a different dorm than he did in the summer, we had to completely move him out at the end of summer term. It's a good thing, though! His "dorm" for the school year is much nicer! It's a 4 bedroom, 4 bath, apartment style dorm, plus he has a full size bed instead of a twin bed and his room is larger.

We just got back late Monday evening and I've been doing better this time---I miss him terribly, but I haven't cried for a week straight like I did when we took him down for summer term. Plus, I've also been busy with work, so that helps. Unfortunately, we took him down there just in time for "Fay" to hit Florida. They actually closed the campus Monday evening at 8:00 p.m. for 24 hours---the kids didn't have to leave, they just closed the restaurants, stores and student union. So, I've been one worried mama with one eye on the weather channel and the other texting him to make sure he's ok!

Here are some pics from the weekend...plus I'll be back soon with a post on some "observations" from our trip. Love y'all!

(All pictures are clickable)

Getting ready to leave...

This picture doesn't do justice to how packed my car was!

Here we are! Tower II...

Almost done setting up...can you tell by the look on his face that he is REALLY wishing I would put the camera down!

Notice what we were watching on tv!

Yep, he has his very own bathroom!

Kitchen...this is NOT my idea of clean! This is how we found it when we arrived. It was left like this from the previous "tennant". It literally looked and smelled like someone had just cooked a meal in there.

Living Room/Dining Room

Tower II

View from the Tower II patio looking out towards the football stadium

1st floor patio area...

Tower II (taken from the stadium area)

Yes, I have a ton of pictures of the fountain in the center of campus! I just love it!

We have found a new way to go that only takes us 7 hours from our doorstep to his---we go across 84 East to 75 South...we pass thru some quaint little towns with some interesting things. Here is a picture from a little town called Whigham. Don't think I'll be attending that event! Only in South Georgia!!!

By the way, I'm on Facebook too...so if you're on there...look me up at "Tracey Brennan Shields-Kirksey"

Been a long time...

2008-07-29T18:13:00.004-05:00

Wow! I can't believe it's been almost a month since I last posted! In some ways, it seems like a long time, but in other ways, it seems like just yesterday!

This summer has flown by and for that, I'm grateful! Zack is finishing up Summer Term this Thursday and we're going down to move him back. He will only be home two weeks, then we have to move him back down for fall/spring. I know that will be hard, because it will be a long time before he is able to come back home--probably Christmas break. Unfortunately, we have to completely move him out of the dorm he is in now because he is in a different dorm in the fall. He's excited though, it's a 4 bedroom, 4 bath, apartment-style dorm--so he's thrilled that he's getting his own bathroom!

He's done real well---adjusted well, made alot of new friends, enjoyed his classes. It's been a newfound, liberating experience and it feels like he's matured so much in these past 6 weeks. For me, it's been kinda rough. Initially, I cried and cried and wasn't too motivated to do anything, but I'm adjusting--and thanks to my sweet friend, Joy, reading about others that have experienced the same feelings I'm experiencing has helped. She loaned me a book about surviving the empty nest syndrome, and I'm slowly working my way through it!

I start back at the school on August 5th. This year they've asked me to work full time, and since I don't have too much going on with real estate, I accepted. I do have a closing tomorrow though, for which I'm thankful! They are few and far between!

I've missed my bloggy friends. I check in from time to time, and hopefully soon I'll post some photos that I've been meaning to post for the past two months! Thanks for the sweet emails and for checking up on me! Love y'all!

Happy 18th Birthday Zack!

2008-07-01T23:01:00.001-05:00

Here is a video my sweet hubby made and brought home to me today. Be sure to turn your speakers up for this great song! It was a hard day being apart from Zack on his birthday, but I'm headed to Atlanta tomorrow and he will be flying in tomorrow night to spend 4th of July with all the family in Atlanta

Sleepless in Montgomery

2008-06-28T01:45:00.003-05:00

I'm still here. Thanks for checking on me. We got back late Monday night from Orlando. I've had a pretty rough week. I'm feeling sad and like a fish out of water. I don't know how to stop being a mom after almost 18 years of "mama-ing" ;-) The house is quiet without him here and I feel lonely. I will update with some pictures soon...but right now I don't feel like doing much of anything. I can't sleep and have little motivation to complete any tasks. I know it will all be okay, but right now I'm having a hard time adjusting. Just say a prayer when you think of me and check back soon! Love y'all.

Mine says "panic"

2008-06-18T14:28:00.008-05:00

I love those Staples commercials where they show someone trying to do something the hard way and then they show an "easy" button, which implies your experience with Staples. Right now I wish I had an "easy" button. What I'm feeling would be more appropriately described as the panic button!

So much has been going on these past few weeks since graduation. Some day when I don't feel so overwhelmed, I'll post pictures and details. Right now, I'm less than 2 days away from taking Zack to college and the very thought takes my breath away.

I don't know how to prepare for it. We've purchased things for his dorm room, bought supplies in the form of laundry stuff, toiletries, medicines for a make-shift "First Aid" kit, etc., but I still feel that inner panic that I'm forgetting something vital to his very existence---which interpreted would be the level of comfort in which he has been living these past 17 years.

Being his mom describes who I am.

Hello, who are you and what do you do?

I'm Zack's mom, his caregiver, his provider, his protector, his safety net. What I'm feeling right now can best be described as watching him climb up a rope ladder and stepping out on the high wire for the first time with no safety net. There are butterflies in my stomach, a sense of panic that almost takes my breath and the fear and uncertainty of if he's going to make it.

[Sidenote: have I ever mentioned that I battle gripping fear? I am such a control freak and feel like if I can just keep a handle on things, keep control of things, then I can control the fear. When I feel things are beyond my control, I really struggle with overwhelming fear. But holy cow! that's a discussion for another day---laying on a sofa with a therapist!] Edited to add: I would be on the sofa...the therapist would be in a chair!!

As I sit here, a day and a half before heading to FL, I can't decide what to do next. I can't think of simple words. I can't make lists and plan and organize, which I usually do so well. I can't steady this uneasy feeling. I can't imagine continuing to function in my household without my sweet child here every day. So for now, I will paste on the smile and share in his excitement, but rest assured the ride home won't be fun.

You'll keep going back for more...

2008-06-12T23:06:00.004-05:00

I have to share my newest all time favorite blog entitled "Stuff Christians Like". It absolutely CRACKS ME UP (come on, we have to be able to laugh at ourselves!). Go here and check it out. I promise you, you'll keep going back for more!

Summer Bible Study

2008-06-10T23:09:00.005-05:00

I was perusing the L.P.M. blog when I noticed they are beginning a new study series entitled "No Other Gods" by Kelly Minter. I saw a video on YouTube that has made me really think long and hard about what "gods" are priority in my life. There are so many things hindering my worship. My heart has formed a hard shell around it and I want to break thru it before it hardens like cement. My spiritual walk is not where it once was and certainly not where it should be. I've dug my heels in and held the Holy Spirit's conviction at arm's length. I am going to commit to this study and I pray that I will allow the Lord to renew my first love.

Anyone interested in joining me with this study? I don't know that I will be able to have the accountability for every Tuesday on Beth's site, but I'm going to do my best to keep up. If you want to know more about it, head on over to the Living Proof Ministries web site and read up.

Click here for the video from YouTube. Quite a powerful song...

How do you eat an elephant?

2008-06-04T15:55:00.006-05:00

...one bite at a time! I have had so much going on these past few weeks and so many pictures to post, that I'm going to have to do it just a little bit at a time. I was gonna say "sorry" for not posting in so long, but actually I'm not...cause I've been doing what I need to do and that is focusing on this extremely happy time in Zack's life and our lives. We are so proud of him and all that he has accomplished and all that is on the horizon for him. We have been very busy getting him ready to leave for college in two-and-a-half weeks...but who's counting, right?! After he's gone, I'm sure I'll have plenty of time to blog!

I'll try to post over the next few weeks the photos from the events as they happened. For starters, here are prom pictures from May 10th...

I think all photos are "clickable" and will enlarge!

Because I'm on staff at the school, we went to the banquet. Can't beat a free meal, right?!

Here's a picture of Zack and his girlfriend, Christi

full length shot...

This next one is my absolute favorite! I was instructing them on what to do and you should have heard Zack "jawing" all the way over to the other side of the reflecting pond about how stupid this was! I said, "just do it! It will be awesome!" I loved it so much, I had it blown up! Everyone that has seen it said it looks like a picture out of a magazine.

Here is Zack with some of his friends...(Daniel and Emily)

Check out the grin on Zack's face! This is him with two of his favorite teachers! The one on the left was his Bible teacher and the one on the right was his Government teacher. Just before the picture she said, "hey! This might be worth something someday! We could be taking a picture with a future president!"...and check out Zack's grin!

That's all for now. I'll be back with pictures from the end-of-the-year band concert, the end-of-the-year band banquet, graduation, and orientation at UCF. Hope all is well with all my chickies out there! I miss checking in on you!

Ask and ye shall receive!

2008-05-10T12:50:00.004-05:00

Wow! I'm making up for lost time with 2 posts in one day! Jean mentioned in her comment that she wished she could hear them. Well, here ya go! Here are two videos of the jazz band. I didn't video the concert band (with my digital camera) because it was eating up so much of my memory card. Check out that cute alto sax player with those awesome solos!

Coming up for air...

2008-05-10T07:23:00.012-05:00

Yes, I'm still here! I did make it back from the Disney trip and hit the ground running full speed! I thought I would post quickly while the "house" is still quiet this morning and before I get busy on my lengthy "to do" list.

We had a fantastic trip to Disney! It was well-planned (if I do say so myself!) and our itinerary was scheduled down to the minute and everything was great!

Here are some pictures...

Each morning we had a buffet breakfast at the Rainforest Cafe in Downtown Disney. Here is Gary with a "rasta" hat on with dreadlocks...

Here are some of our kids waiting on the Rainforest Cafe to open for breakfast. Jackson is going to be the new Drum Major next year.

The first day we went to Magic Kingdom. Look at how gorgeous the weather was...and look at how CROWDED the park was!

We rode some rides with the kids. Here we are on Thunder Mountain and I was in the front seat with another girl taking pictures the entire ride. Gary kept hollering at me to put the camera down before I lost it!

After Magic Kingdom, we had dinner reservations at Planet Hollywood in Downtown Disney. It was great food and great service. Here are some of our kids...

Then we loaded the busses and went back to the Magic Kingdom for their "Wishes" nighttime fireworks spectacular. It was great...but so crowded!

Here are the Seniors making a "senior train" to keep from losing each other as they made their way back thru the crowds to the busses. This group of kids have been together in the band since 6th grade and are a very close-knit group. (that's Zack in the red shirt).

The next day we went to Epcot (Gary and I). The kids could choose whatever parks they wanted to go to each day, so it was pretty relaxed not having to keep 112 people together! Gary and I wanted to ride "Test Track" and "Soarin" at Epcot. Here he is in front of the sign that says "Dummy Assembly" (you can probably click it and see it better).

Here is Zack (left) and some of his friends at Epcot.

The next day, Gary and I decided to go to MGM/Hollywood Studios since he had never been. I tried to make the picture look like the big hat was on Gary's head, but it didn't turn out too well!

I was determined to get him on the Tower of Terror! Look at his scared little face! We had a great time!

Here we are having lunch. I am STILL on my water!!! No sodas now for about a month!

...but then I did have this...

...and he had this...

and then the whole group met at MGM/Hollywood Studios for the Fantasmic show. Oh my word! It was the first time we had seen it and it was INCREDIBLE! Best fireworks/show at Disney in my opinion!

We had done all the other parks (Magic Kingdom, MGM, Epcot) and even though we had wanted to go to Animal Kingdom, on the last day we were just wiped out! We got up and did a little shopping at Downtown Disney and thought we would just take it easy the rest of the day until the Awards Ceremony. But Zack kept texting me telling me we HAD to come to Animal Kingdom and at least see the Lion King show. So, we headed that way and I'm so glad we did!

Here is the "Tree of Life" in the center of the park. Again, look at the gorgeous sky!

Here we are on "Everest". This is my ALL TIME FAVORITE RIDE! It was awesome! I was taking pictures throughout the ride! We ended up riding it three times. Here the "yetti" supposedly ripped apart the track...we go right up to it and then the ride starts going backwards and then reverses and goes forward on a different track! It was awesome!

Here are Zack and his friends on the ride. If you enlarge it, you may be able to see him in the white shirt almost at the back on the left side (his friend Brandon is behind him also in a white shirt, with his hands raised up in the air).

And Zack was right...the Lion King show was spectacular!

Here are some pictures of our groups performing. This one is the jazz band. Zack is the 2nd from the left on the front row (alto sax).

Here is our Color Guard. They performed at the Indiana Jones theater at MGM.

Here is our concert band.

This is us on the last day waiting at the awards ceremony--looking a little hot, sweaty, and tired!

Here is our Band Director and Color Guard Coordinator receiving awards.

Here is the group of Seniors with the awards.

Y'all...I don't know how many of you are familiar with competitions, but all three of our groups SWEPT "Best in Class" awards for each of our divisions! I was boo-hooing! They all did an awesome job and the awards were the icing on the cake!

I'm still crazy busy getting ready for our band concert Monday evening, planning the end-of-the-year banquet for about 400 people Thursday evening, family comes in town Friday and then Graduation is on Sunday (18th).

I feel like I'm swirling around in an EMOTIONAL VORTEX!!! We have been with these band kids since Zack was in 6th grade, and now we are moving on and inducting new presidents Monday evening at the concert. I love each one of these kids like they are all my children. I'm going to miss them so much.

Then Graduation is a few days later. I've been crying all week! I told Gary last night that maybe I'll cry all my tears out before Graduation...he said, "ummm, yeah, I don't think so."

Jr./Sr. prom is tonight. I will take lots of pictures and post some of that and Graduation as soon as I can take a moment to breathe. I miss y'all and hope each of you are doing well. I haven't had any time to read blogs, but just know I'm thinking about ya! Oh yeah, and my heel...doing MUCH better since I got the shot! I highly recommend it!

We're outta here...

2008-04-22T21:09:00.003-05:00

We are leaving in the morning for Disney with the band. 7 months of planning and it's finally here....woah, I'm tired already! The kids have worked hard to get ready for this competition--hopefully we'll come back with a big 'ole trophy! We'll be back Sunday and hopefully I'll have some pictures to post.

Speaking of road trips...I'm curious to know the PRICE of your GAS?! Today ours was $3.49 a gallon. I'm glad we're riding the bus!

Leave me a comment and tell me the price of your gas and your general area of the country! Maybe then I won't feel so bad about ours!

If only it really worked...

2008-04-17T23:52:00.005-05:00

It's late, I'm tired, but I can't go to sleep! I normally don't have this problem at all--I usually am in bed between 9:30 and 10:00 p.m. and it takes me no time to fall asleep! This has been a hectic week with an even more hectic day today...

This morning I had an appt. with the orthopaedic doctor about my foot. It's been hurting for months, progressively getting worse and so I decided before we take that Disney trip next week with the band, that I had better get it checked out. I felt like I had a bone spur in my heel---I can't even convey to you adequately how painful it is---maybe like stepping on a nail every time you walk? Anyway, it was confirmed with x-rays and the Dr. told me that I could no longer wear the very cute wedge-heeled sandals that I had on and if I wanted to get better I had to...

A. wear tennis shoes for about 4 months

(are you kidding me? You are seriously putting a crimp in my fashion statement!)

B. put aside my cute sandals, heels and flip-flops

(now he's gone to meddlin'...he has no idea of my VAST love affair with the flip-flop!)

C. get a mold made of my feet for special shoe inserts for my apparent high arch

(Right. Hello, Blue Cross/Blue Shield? Yes, I have high arches and doc says I will continuously have issues with bone spurs unless I get these special inserts...can you send a check for $275?)

I proceeded to half-jokingly tell him that I could NOT wear tennis shoes for the next 4 months--I have to dress semi-professionally and how in the world would tennis shoes look with these cute outfits? I mean the horror of it all! He was sooooo not amused and in a somewhat irritated tone told me that if I wasn't go to do what he said, I would just keep suffering.

Look, mister...just 'cause you have shiny plaques all over your walls with lots of letters behind your name, and certificates with beautifully embossed gold seals all over them doesn't make you the boss of me! I mean, come on! I only sought out your expert advice to not follow it!

I'm a rebel like that...yessirree.

After our little podiatry showdown, Doc agreed to give me a shot in my heel. He came back in, needle in hand and proceeds to tell me that he can give me a shot anywhere on my body and it would be fine and I wouldn't feel a thing, but THIS was GOING TO HURT! Okay, well, hang on just a minute while I contact the A.M.A and nominate you for "Best Bedside Manner".

He was not kidding---it did hurt and it has hurt all day. And I'm not sure what else he put in that shot but all day today I was sweaty and clammy, and I mean s-w-e-a-t-y! Plus I've been bouncing off the walls, talking more than usual (which is hard to imagine), and I CAN'T SLEEP!!!

Oh yeah, one more thing...I came home from working at the school, took off my cute wedge-heeled sandals, put on my Nikes and went to meet a client for a final walk-thru. What can I say? I'm a trendsetter! Tomorrow you'll see this soon-to-be the rave all over the fashion mags! But remember, you saw it here first!

You win Doc...now put that voodoo doll away and let me get some sleep!

Safe and Sound

2008-04-14T08:27:00.002-05:00

He's back...safe and sound! Yesterday morning he was at Niagara Falls, last night he was home, sleeping in his own bed! Even though he was exhausted, he was so eager to tell us all about the trip, give us some souvenirs he had picked up for us (so thoughtful!), and show us his pictures. I will post more pictures and details soon but right now...I'm COVERED UP in piles of laundry he brought home!

Sneaking a moment...

2008-04-12T13:33:00.003-05:00

Gary and I both had yesterday off for a long weekend which I thought would be great to get some things done around the house that we've let go far too long. Hubby, on the other hand looks at it as extra time to prop the feet up and relax! He eventually saw it my way, after I kept poking him and grabbing his sides where he is extremely ticklish, until he agreed to get busy with our "chores".

Friday I woke up (unfortunately) at 6:20 a.m. and couldn't go back to sleep, so I decided to walk on the treadmill and then get breakfast ready before we started our chores. We ended up working in the yard all day and really got alot done. Today we're cleaning house and I'm sneaking a few minutes to blog while I'm waiting on my floors to dry. Hubby is hard at work vacuuming the house. He hates it when I have a "to do" list, but he's good about helping me around the house.

This morning I said, doesn't the yard and deck look so nice and clean? Which he had to admit it did, but said he hated doing the work. Yeah, well. Welcome to the real world, right?!

Zack is on his way today to the Canadian side of Niagra Falls. He has called me several times and seems to be having a great time. I keep reminding him to take lots of pictures---so hopefully when he returns, I'll get to post a few. I told him I just didn't want pictures of "stuff", I wanted pictures of him AND stuff! We'll see!

I better get back to work before hubby catches me sitting here blogging! Hope y'all are having a great weekend!

Hear ye, hear ye

2008-04-09T19:55:00.002-05:00

I just got Zack off on his senior trip. They are headed to Boston for a few days and then on to Canada to Niagra Falls. They'll be home late Sunday night. He's real excited about all the places they are going to see in Boston--among which are the Freedom Trail, the Old North Church, Paul Reveres' house, Bunker Hill monument, Boston Common, etc. Hey, does anyone remember a set of drinking cups that had the Paul Revere story on them? I can remember them from when I was young and I used to love looking at the pictures. I have no idea what my mom ever did with them.

Anyway, they'll be back late Sunday night. I told him to take lots of pictures, but he's a guy, we'll see how that goes!

I've got Friday and Monday off from school. I'm looking forward to a long weekend--I sure need it! We have house work and yard work to do, but I know we'll be resting alot too.

I still am sticking to my WATER ONLY! I really have been proud of myself for saying "no" to soda or sweet tea. Mel asked what happens after the two weeks---well, hopefully I'll stick with it and decide to cut something else out of my unhealthy diet!

That's about all that's going on around here. I hope everyone is having a good week so far!

Take the challenge...

2008-04-05T20:43:00.006-05:00

Today is DAY 5 of my "no soda" challenge! I've been having lots of headaches and just feeling plain sluggish by the afternoon, so I decided to take the Dr. Oz challenge (if you watch Oprah, you know who and what I'm talking about). He said we would be amazed at how good we feel if we would just challenge ourselves to TWO WEEKS without soda! I still have one cup of coffee in the morning, but after that...it's only WATER the rest of the day. The second day I was having a pretty bad headache, maybe some caffeine withdrawals, but honestly, I've felt much better these past few days and can say that my body craves the water. The only downside so far is the getting up 2, 3 sometimes 4 times in the middle of the night to use the bathroom. Ugh! I'm going to try to keep it up and start focusing on a more healthy me! And by the way, "you're welcome" for the cute little Sesame Street artwork, just in case you feel like coloring, you can click on it, print it and color it. And who says I'm not a full service blog?!

Also, I saw this on Dianne's blog and thought I would take the test too. I think it's pretty accurate--I tend to be very courageous and don't back away from much. Below are my results--take the test and let me know your results too!

Which Positive Quality Are You? Your Result: Courage You are Courage. Courage is bravery, daring to do what is right in the face of adversity. Courage allows for the triumph of good over evil. "Courage does what must be done no matter what the consequences."
Love
Faith
Friendship
Charity
Peace
Which Positive Quality Are You?

This and that...

2008-04-01T20:56:00.004-05:00

Today I took a mental health day. I don't work at the school on Tuesdays because that's usually my sales meeting day at the real estate company, but we didn't have sales meeting today. So, for the first time in a long time, I didn't have anything on my "schedule". For a few minutes this morning, I thought about cleaning the house, but I haven't had a day off in so long that I just decided to lay around all day--and that's just what I did--and I enjoyed every minute of it!

On another note, Zack came home with these the other day...

Yeah...it makes it all the more real and guess what? Mama's not ready!!! The days are slipping by so fast that he will be in college before I know it. I'm sad, but I'm so proud of him!

Speaking of time...I'm gonna end this right now so I can watch the Barbara Walters special on how to live to be a hundred and fifty! Can you image?! Let's check it out...

The Passion...

2008-03-21T09:16:00.003-05:00

We just got back from a few days in Atlanta and posting about any of that today seems trivial and irrelevant. However, I will mention that Ladybug has been found. This little lamb has been found safe and alive and is in the process of being returned to her mother. Praise the Lord!

During Easter, we spend so much time focusing on the resurrection which is a wonderful thing and the reason for our hope, but sometimes we gloss right over the pain and suffering of the cross. The blood that was shed for my sake. Today is Good Friday and honestly, right off the top of my head, I don't really remember why it's called "Good Friday". Today represents the day that my Lord and Savior struggled to carry that heavy wooden cross up to Golgotha (Calvary). Today represents the day that He was whipped and beaten beyond recognition. Today represents the day that those spikes were driven through His hands and feet and He hung on the cross with the weight of my sin on His chest....while His mother, Mary, looked upon Him with tears stinging her eyes.

Can you even imagine it?

Think about the pain we feel when we get a splinter in our hand? And if you're like me, the thought of my child feeling any pain, physically or emotionally, cripples me to a puddle of tears.

But Jesus endured every lash of that whip, the pain of the cross--His bones crushing from the weight and position of the cross...He was thinking of me...and He was thinking of you.

If you've never seen The Passion of the Christ, today would be a good day to watch it and be reminded of what the Lord has done for you. I know it's "Hollywood", but it really brought the story "to life" for me. I literally sobbed in the movie theater when it first was released and it probably doesn't hold a candle to the pain and suffering Jesus really went through that day.

So I urge you today to focus on the cross.

"But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His wounds we are healed." Isaiah 53:5 (NIV)

Happy St. Patrick's Day

2008-03-17T08:29:00.003-05:00

Happy St. Patrick's Day! Yes, I'm part Irish and Italian---which you know is not the best of combinations---we're stubborn and we have tempers! There won't be much kissing going on today! I've been sick in the bed since I got home from work on Friday...literally. (Sorry Dianne for missing your call!)

I started feeling bad Wednesday and it just progressively got worse, but I made it through the work week and then crashed this weekend. I was supposed to show houses Saturday, but could barely talk, couldn't breathe and just felt plain miserable by the time Friday night rolled around. I literally stayed in the bed all weekend and drank Alka Seltzer Plus and took Tylenol Allergy and Sinus medicine. I'm feeling better this morning, but still not 100%.

I hope you all have a wonderful week. We're on Spring Break this week, so I'm enjoying some much needed rest!

A Mother's worst nightmare...

2008-03-12T16:59:00.003-05:00

Please stop by Cynthia's blog, "Walking On". She needs our prayers--her whole family needs our prayers. Let's help get the word out on this missing 13 year old girl and pray that "Ladybug" will be found safe.

Aunt Bee, please pass the tissue!

2008-03-10T10:10:00.007-05:00

Sometimes it's not until I slow down that the stress, worry and emotions catch up with me. I can stay busy and keep all my "plates" spinning in the air and not have too much extra time to think...but that all caught up with me this weekend.

Friday after I got off work at the school, I went and showed houses until dark. Saturday, I was out doing more of the same (in the cold!) and my young couple finally decided to write an offer on a home we had seen the night before. After a busy afternoon, hubby and I ate dinner out and then came home to just relax and do nothing! I got my jammies on, turned my electric blanket on "high" and settled in to find something good on t.v. Have you ever tried to find something good on t.v. on a Saturday night? Gee whiz! There is nothing good on! What's the deal? Does everybody go out on Saturdays?

Anyway, we can always find something decent on TV Land (classic tv), and such was the case as Andy Griffith was on. It was one of my favorite episodes--where Opie accidentally kills the mama bird with his slingshot which leaves the baby birds with no one to feed them. After Andy opens Opie's window and makes him listen to those baby birds crying all night (ahhh, such torture Pa!), Opie decides he's going to care for the baby birds. Fast forward--the birds are healthy and out-growing the cage and Andy is telling Opie he needs to set them free. Opie asks his Pa, "but how do I know I've done all the right things and they'll be able to fly?"

FLOODGATES OPEN! Oh my word! I started bawling my eyes out (and if truth be told, I've got a puddle of tears on my desk right now just typing this). I've seen that episode a million times, but this time it was different. I was Opie--I could so relate to that sweet little guy not wanting to open the door to the cage. But he finally does and the birds fly away singing up to the trees.

And Opie says, "The cage sure looks awful empty, don't it Pa?"

To which Andy replies, "Yes son, it sure does...But don't the trees seem nice and full?"

New look and wishful thinking...

2008-03-05T21:01:00.002-06:00

I decided to give my blog a more beachy look tonight...thought it might make me visit more! What do you think? Can you see the water background? Ahhhh, so relaxing...wish I were there!

Search and Rescue...

2008-03-04T13:11:00.003-06:00

Call off the dogs! I've been located! After receiving the "B Club Infraction Notice" this morning, I decided it was time to check in with my girls before the next knock at my door was either someone with the Department of Homeland Security, or Tonja with a pail of tar and the rest of the B Club girls with bags of feathers! Oh, it's so nice to be reminded how loved I am, even if it's in a 'kick your butt' sorta way! Seriously, thanks girls for being concerned and missing me!

It's more of the same around here, except with an elevated stress level that's off the charts! I'm still working hard at the school during the week, real estate has picked up on the weekends since I'm working with several clients, and I'm chin deep in financial aid forms, scholarship applications, essays, etc. not to mention the trip to Disney that I'm in charge of for our school's band that's coming up next month.

Almost every evening, I'm working on paperwork from the time we finish dinner until it's time to go to bed. I spend hours on the internet finding scholarships, pouring over information on the UCF web site trying to make sure I've completed items on their "to do" list; staying on Zack to make sure he's writing his essays in a timely manner; responding to about a dozen or so parent emails with tons of questions about the band trip; updating the band blog so I can cut down on my parent emails; and occasionally doing a load of laundry or two. Most of the time I'm so tired, I can't even begin to form two sentences to blog about.

And then the tornado that blew through here two weeks ago puts all my "stuff" into perspective. There were several families in our church that lost their entire homes along with a lengthy list of those that received major damage. Zack was supposed to go to work that afternoon at 3:00 p.m. which was right when the tornado hit the very same exit where he works. Just a mile or two down the road from his job, there was complete devastation. Needless to say, he didn't go to work since we were "hunkered down" under a tornado warning and the mayor had enforced an immediate curfew. Thankfully, there was no damage in our area. A few days later, we rode through the worst hit subdivision which is beyond any description I could give--the pictures don't even do it justice, but I'm posting one that sums up what's important...

I'll leave you on a much happier note---our school's Drama department performed "The Scarlet Pimpernel" 4 nights last week/weekend. Zack played "Coupeau" and even sang a solo! Hello! I was so impressed and proud! I didn't know he had it in 'em! It was great! After seeing it every time (we had to be there to open the coffee shop during intermission), I am so crazy about the music! I had never heard it before, and being the literary ding-a-ling that I am, had never heard the story before either. That's Zack, the skinnier soldier...

Zack sitting at the table and his (real-life) girlfriend, Christy, with her arms around him...

Guess I've been living under a rock. A big, heavy paperwork rock. Now I know why paper always beats out rock in "rock--paper--scissors".

Oh, the weight...gotta go try to dig out.

Happy Birthday Dianne!

2008-02-13T17:11:00.003-06:00

Monday, February 11th was Dianne's birthday! I've been home sick for the past several days and it completely slipped by me without me getting a card in the mail, emailing her on her birthday, calling or posting about it! I'm SO SORRY Dianne!!!

If you don't know Dianne, she is the kind of person that NEVER forgets a birthday, and is always sending cards, for special occasions or for no reason at all other than to just let you know she's thinking about ya! She is the most encouraging friend I've ever known. She's one of those friends that the day you meet, you feel like you've been friends forever, and know that you've made a friend for life. She and I can go months without seeing each other or talking on the phone, but when we do, we're giggling and can just pick up right where we left off. Dianne, you are such a special friend and I'm so glad you're in my life. "Happy Birthday" late---I wish you many wonderful blessings in this next year and hope you know how much I love ya!

If you haven't met Dianne yet, stop on by and wish her a happy birthday, you'll be glad you did!

Instant Gratification

2008-02-08T17:32:00.000-06:00

We complain about the cross we bear but don' t realize it is preparing us for the dip in the road ahead that God can see and we can't.

Whatever your cross, whatever your pain,

there will always be sunshine, after the rain.

Perhaps you may stumble, perhaps even fall;

But God's always ready, to answer your call.

He knows every heartache, He sees every tear,

a word from His lips, can calm every fear.

Your sorrows may linger, throughout the night,

But suddenly vanish, by dawn's early light.

The Savior is waiting, somewhere above,

to give you His grace, and send you His love.

God promises a safe landing, not a calm passage.

Someone sent me an email this week that contained the pictures and the poem above. I thought it was too good not to share. I've been reminded so much lately that God never promised my cross wouldn't be heavy, but He has promised me the victory and that I would not walk alone. I hope this makes you stop and think, and cause your lips to praise Him even if you are in the valley or in the midst of a raging storm. You are not alone.

Rollin' in the Dough

2008-02-06T20:06:00.000-06:00

It's been almost 8 years and I've finally developed a love relationship with my rolling pin! It was one of those things in "setting up house" that I just had to have, but never used. It's been sitting in the drawer, faithfully, for approximately 416 Saturdays wondering if today would be the day it could be doused in flour and rolled to its' heart's content. But the days grew into weeks, and the weeks into months, and the months into years, and it continued to be overlooked. Except for the times that Nana would come to visit and would hear of no such thing as a ready-made pie crust! Oh no ma'am! She would whip out the rolling pin and in a matter of minutes we had a beautifully scalloped-edge pie crust made from scratch. And then it would be returned to it's dark home in the drawer.

But brighter days were ahead for that rolling pin! A few weeks ago, after growing weary of rotating the usual Saturday morning choice of pancakes, waffles or drop cheese biscuits, I spied a recipe on the Bisquick box for rolled biscuits. "I can do this!" I thought. That rolling pin was not going to intimidate me any more! So out it came and it performed beautifully! And now, I'm obsessed with my rolling pin and the search for the perfect biscuit. Over the past few weeks, I've tried every combination of biscuit-making...Bisquick with milk, self-rising flour with milk, self-rising flour with buttermilk, but tonight, perfection... achieved with Bisquick (yes, folks, Bisquick) and buttermilk. As Rachel Ray would say, "De-lish!"

I've not been feeling well the past few days, came home from work today, took almost a 2 hour nap and woke up feeling a little hungry, a little naseaous, and not much in the mood to cook anything for dinner. But there was one thing that did sound good, and that was a hot, buttered biscuit. And a few minutes later I had these...

(click the picture to enlarge for mouth-watering goodness!)

I'm a purist--no jelly, no jam, no peanut butter, just a good, fluffy biscuit with melted butter. Now that's some comfort food! So, if you've been taunted over the years by your rolling pin, get it out and give it a try...your thighs will not thank you!

And if you've perfected the perfect biscuit...give me your tips!

Gotta keep going...

2008-02-03T17:50:00.000-06:00

We have a "sick house" here! Zack has been feeling bad since last Sunday with a sore throat, cough, headache, and some days a low-grade fever. He's only missed a day and a half of school because of so many obligations. This morning at 3:30, I woke up with a terrible sore throat and headache. Needless to say, I'm still in my jammies and forcing myself to get up and catch up on the laundry from last week.

After a long, rough, week at school, I had to show houses for 3 hours yesterday afternoon and then head back over to the school because Gary was helping run sound for our first "Battle of the Bands". Zack played the keyboard in one of the groups and they did a great job---but it was a long day and I was exhausted and ready to get in bed early.

We found out last night by one of the deacons from our former church (who's son was in one of the bands) that a dear friend of ours had just lost her life late yesterday afternoon. She was the church administrator (of our former church), we shared the same birthday, and I sold several houses for them (and extended family) over the years. She was only 58 years old, but suffered with heart trouble and diabetes. She had fallen Friday and broke her leg in 3 places and had to have surgery. Saturday, in intensive care, she seizured and coded and they couldn't revive her. These are all the details we know so far. Gary left a message for her husband last night expressing our deepest sorrow. I know we'll be going to the funeral some time this week. We want to go for her husband, but are not looking forward to seeing some people from the church, as things did not end well there. And that's a whole other story for another time...

Well, the laundry calls...and so does my electric blanket!

Catching up...

2008-01-29T10:28:00.000-06:00

It seems like my occasions to blog are become fewer and fewer. I miss you, dear friends, and miss reading about what's going on in your lives! I try to check in every so often and "catch up" on your last few posts, but don't always have time to comment. Just know that you, my bloggy sistas, are in my thoughts---especially my "B Club" girls!

I'll try to update you on what's going on down here with us, without this become so lengthy that by the time you're done reading, you're ready to gouge your eyes out...or order a pizza (which sounds like a much more pleasant idea!)

In my world of real estate, I've been pretty busy lately. The new year has been off to a great start and in spite of what you may keep hearing in the media, I think the market hit rock bottom last year and now we are turning a corner---at least, I hope that is the case. That's the feeling I get here and also what I'm hearing from other Realtors and experts in our industry in this part of the country. I picked up a new listing two weeks ago, along with another buyer, both of which are former clients. So aside from the part-time stuff I do at the school, I've been super busy in the evenings and on weekends with clients too...which can be pretty tiring, but I love it! I really am passionate about real estate and love working with buyers and sellers and playing a part in the whole process!

School has kept me pretty busy too. I'm still working as the Guidance Assistant 4 days a week and inbetween achievement tests, college transcripts, and subbing for absent teachers, I'm juggling planning our Band's spring trip to Disney! Yes, Gary and I are still Band Booster Presidents until the end of the school year. Sometimes that can be a full-time job in itself! When I'm updating the band blog, emailing parents, talking with the travel company and figuring out a rooming list for 85+ students and 25 chaperones, sometimes I'll spy hubby with his feet propped up, kicked back in the recliner catching a re-run of Seinfeld, it's then that I realize I got the raw end of the deal! Yeah, yeah. I like to say he's the "pretty face" and Mr. Microphone of this partnership, but I'm the brains behind this operation!

Zack has had some pretty incredible opportunities lately! He has made me so proud that my cup runneth over! As many of you know, he's been volunteering in a local candidate for president's office for several months. Now I'm not going to get into a political debate here on who the better candidate is, I'm just so proud that my son is so involved and passionate about a worthy cause...even though he will not be old enough to vote in the Primary this next Tuesday. Anyway, back to my story! A team from the National Headquarters in Chicago came down to the local campaign office here two weeks ago and were so impressed with Zack that they've asked him to "head up" their student division in this area! They've also asked him to speak in the local schools here to students on the importance of voting. Oh! my! word! I would crawl up in the fetal position and die if I had to speak in front of a group! And when I asked him if he was nervous, he just replied with a simple "no". This past Sunday, his candidate was speaking at a rally at UAB and Zack was given a special delegate ticket and sat in the 2nd row! 2nd row people! His candidate shook his hand and also signed Zack's copy of said candidate's book! Zack has made some incredible contacts through his volunteerism and was introduced to a gentleman that will be running for Governor of our state in two years. The person who introduced Zack told this gentleman, "you need him working with you on your campaign!" My heart could just burst with pride! Zack is totally in his element in this crazy world of politics--he's passionate, driven, and determined to make a difference.

...which is why he's majoring in Political Science at the University of Central Florida! He's already begun picking out his classes and is very excited about one entitled "Presidential Campaigning". One day you'll see his name on a ballot, and I couldn't be more proud of his ambition and the goals he has set for himself. He starts classes in mid-June and that countdown is LOOMING over me! I have been "knee-deep" in housing applications, scholarship deadlines, registration and book deadlines...aaahhhh!!! I'm so stressed in that area, that I'm afraid I'm going to miss something that is vitally important in this whole college process! And those of you that have already been through this with your children, I have only one word...FAFSA. Holy cow at the length of that paperwork! I'm not sure I'm going to make it out on the other side, but if I don't, I hereby bequeath my precious little kitty, Zoe, to my friend Dianne, so "Sweet Kitty" will have a playmate and also because she's the only other person I know that loves her kitty as much as I love mine!

And finally, yes, I said "finally"...are you still with me? Is your pizza almost here? The Holy Spirit has been hammering away at my heart in an area that I have let harden. Several years ago, we went through a terrible experience at a former church and I've been using that as an excuse not to serve Him wholeheartidly. I've had the attitude of, "well if this is what I get for serving, then I'll just take a seat on the bench and watch from here!" I've been reading the book, "Get Out of that Pit" by Beth Moore. It's taken me a while because I have to read it with a box of tissue (literally!) and it's so emotionally overwhelming for me that I have to put it down for a few days (or more) and then pick it back up again. The Lord is bringing me to the outer ring of this den of fire that I've been in and for some reason, I'm just not ready to step out into the fresh air. Partly for fear of what I know HE will expect of me, and I'm not sure I'm ready to leave my "comfort zone" and partly for fear of disappointing Him again. But as the song "Through the Fire" says (which has been so powerful in ministering to me), He never promised that our cross wouldn't be heavy, just that HE has already provided the Victory! Go on now! Preach it! I better wrap this up cause I hear an altar call coming!

Well, "kuddos" to you if you stuck with me through this whole post! We have alot going on here in our "neck of the woods" and I just wanted to catch you up and let you know that I miss you! I'll try to check in a little more frequently so you don't have to take a nap while reading my latest post!

Too good not to share...

2008-01-21T19:19:00.001-06:00

Today was the second time in a week that this song crossed my path. I can hardly get through it without the floodgates opening. It has been ministering to me in a very timely way.

Please take the time to watch the video by The Crabb Family, "Through the Fire".

Milk, Bread and Eggs

2008-01-19T16:36:00.000-06:00

No, my absence from blogland is not due to being abducted by the "children of the corn"...I've just been covered up these past two weeks. I've had a few calls from blogger friends wanting to know my "thoughts" on the New Hampshire and now the Nevada caucuses...don't even get me started! Especially today, all I could do was laugh at the coverage on television. Besides, I had way more important things to do.

Like get caught up in the swirling vortex of panic that ensued once the news announced last night that we MAY get between 2 - 4 inches of snow today. What?! This is the deep south! It doesn't snow here! We don't do snow!

You should have seen the rush at the grocery store last night about 5:15 p.m. I, too, succumbed to the pressure of feeling the need to have milk, bread and eggs on hand in case of a wintry blizzard that might keep me indoors for more than say, 8 or 10 hours. I told Gary we must go to the grocery store right! this! minute! Think about it...why do people rush out and get milk, bread and eggs? Are we going to live off of french toast if we're snowed in? Or maybe we can have scrambled eggs too! I asked Gary that question on the way home from the store and he said, "oh, I can think of lots of things we could make with those ingredients!" Okay, let's hear 'em!

*silence*

then hysterical laughter when he couldn't add more to our menu than french toast and scrambled eggs!

Needless to say, we didn't get snowed in, nor did we get 4 inches of snow. Maybe 1 or 2 inches, but it's all gone now! It was beautiful while it lasted and here are some pictures from our Winter Storm '08! Okay, Jean, you can stop laughing now!!!

Here's part of our back deck...whew! Better get some snow shoes!

This is looking out the side window of our bedroom towards the neighbor's house (you can see the snow on the roof of our carport)

This is looking out the dining room window towards our front yard. Notice the snow on the neighbor's house across the street. Their house isn't covered up so much by lots of trees like ours is.

Spoiled little Zoe doesn't realize how good she has it indoors. Gary took her outside on the deck to let her little paws feel the snow. She was quick to want to come back inside!

Tonight it's supposed to go down to 17 degrees! Brrr! Better go get started on letting all the faucets drip so the pipes don't freeze! Hey, do you guys up north do that? Stay warm amigas!

Please just sit down and pass the corn!

2008-01-04T15:58:00.000-06:00

Yesterday, after a full day of working to get the house back in order, I laid down to take a quick nap before deciding what to do for dinner. When I awoke, the Iowa Caucuses (or is it "Cauci"?) were in full swing. As I've said before, I'm not much into politics, but what I was witnessing on tv certainly caught my attention.

Now let me preface my observations by saying that I mean no disrespect to Iowans. I mean, come on, a state that grows corn could not be all bad, right? It should be a food group unto itself. Silver Queen corn, whole kernel corn, creamed corn, corn fritters, corn nuggets, corn on the cob...and don't even get me started on popcorn, candy corn, and not to leave our native American friends out, Indian corn! But, I feel those corn-growing Iowans have been wandering in the corn fields too long, along with their children...which would make them children of the corn.

Bada-bing! I'll be here all week, people! Try the veal!

I digress.

So here are my observations of the Iowa Caucuses. It was like watching a grown-up political version of "duck, duck, goose". The Democrats all gathered in a big room, went to their respective corners for the candidate they were supporting, and started counting off. The head "duck" gets up on a chair, tells people to raise their hands, and when he points, holler out your number and put your hand down. Well, that didn't work. Okay, let's all raise our hands, start counting off, but each individual duck points to another duck to say their number. Oh shoot! That didn't work either! Let's all waddle out into the hallway and come in one by one and say our number as we enter the room. Oh no! We lost some! Where did they go?

Here's where they went...

You see, if said group doesn't have something like 15% for their respective candidate, they have to disband and choose another candidate.

Now it becomes "Red Rover, Red Rover, send Biden's group right over!" Oh my word! The pressure of standing in the middle of the room deciding which corner to run to. This was the most hysterical thing I've ever seen in the world of politics.

And to think the Democrats were criticizing Florida for the hanging chads episode.

Did you see the Republicans? Nice, orderly fashion---mark a ballot, have a little church, now let's all go eat!

God Bless America.

Every time you hear a bell ring...

2008-01-03T15:15:00.000-06:00

Today I'm packing up Christmas. It makes me sad. I always feel we never have had enough time to enjoy our decorations, even though we start putting them up the week of Thanksgiving. I got 4 trees down, with one to go---but it's the mega tree, so I save it for last. It pretty much takes me an entire day to "un-decorate" the Great Room.

Or maybe I'm trying to hang on just a little longer. There's something magical in the air at Christmas time. The twinkling lights, the anticipation of knowing what gifts under the tree bear your name, the crackling of a warm fireplace, listening to Christmas music and sipping hot cocoa with extra marshmallows. It's like we can step out of the reality that is our world and just forget our cares, the daily stresses and worries, and just enjoy the season of Christmas.

When the trees are packed up, the decorations carefully wrapped, the Christmas dishes stored for yet another year to pass, the realization of beginning work again, the bills piling up, deadines to meet, chores to be done, rushes over you as briskly and quickly as the northern wind, sending a chill up and down your spine.

But I want to hold on to the warmth. I want to hold on to the Christmas spirit, the joy and delight in seeing a gift that is truly treasured. In remembering the greatest gift ever given, that alone should create the warmth of Christmas each and every day in our hearts.

I want to find that warmth again, for I fear I've grown cold to that fire that once burned within. But yet I hold on, with knuckles white, trying to firmly grasp other things that have taken first place in my life.

This year, I want it to be different. Am I willing to make the changes and decisions and choices that I know will bring about change? Time will tell. But for now, I hold on to hope, with a grateful heart for all the Lord has done for me thus far.

Happy New Year!

2008-01-02T09:44:00.001-06:00

The gifts have all been opened and much food has been consumed and it's time to wrap up the holiday season. Weighing heavily on my mind this 2008, is the fact that my baby will be going off to college in about 5 months. I can remember when he was younger and he would say "I'm going to be the 'Class of 2008' "...how awfully far away that seemed! And now here it is. I'm standing at the edge of a cliff with my baby bird in hand, ready to gently toss him in the air to see if he will fly.

But the fact is, I'm not ready to let him fly. It's not a fear of if he will fail or succeed, because I believe he will succeed. He has succeeded in everything he has put his mind to. Some of the fear is in the unanswered questions of have I taught him enough? Is he grounded enough in the truth of God's Word not to be swayed by anything or anyone he may encounter at college? Has he been schooled in how to be a proper gentleman in matters of the opposite sex? Has he been taught the difference between right and wrong, and also the consequences of making wrong choices? Is he considering what the Lord would have him to do in the career path he may choose?

I've tried to guide without smothering. I've tried to encourage without pushing. Above all else, I've tried to love without condition. Does he understand and recognize these things or is he secretly so eager to get out on his own that he's counting down the days? The countdown. It's like a black cloud that looms over me as night falls too quickly on the rising sun.

A mom. It's who I am. I'm Zack's mom. Even though I consider myself to be a career professional, my first priority and greatest love has been being a mother. Without that, who am I? Without the need for checking his temperature and doctoring him when he's sick, or cooking him one of his favorite meals when he's hungry, or praising him on a job well done, or telling him I love him before retiring for the evening...in the absence of all of those things, who am I?

Here's what I hope he knows I am---I'm his biggest fan. I'm his constant encourager, his sounding board, his cheerleader, his advisor, but most importantly, as he spreads his wings and flies away, I hope he knows that I am and will always be his safety net.

Merry Christmas!

2007-12-24T14:29:00.000-06:00

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and many blessings in the New Year!

I'm late! I'm late! For a very important date!

2007-12-17T21:48:00.000-06:00

Oh my goodness! I almost missed Boomama's Bloggy Christmas Tour! Better late then never, right?!

This is me and my two favorite guys, my hubby, Gary, and my son (and only child), Zack.

Welcome to our home. Hubs was in charge of "Exterior Illumination", he's better known as Gary Griswold! "Let's add just one more strand..."

This is taken from the back deck looking into the Great Room

I collect snowmen and this cheery guy will welcome you as you come in through the kitchen door. I made you a red velvet cake, but me and my boys had to try it before you got here, just to make sure it was okay!

Hubby hung some Christmas balls in cobalt blue and lime green to match my kitchen. They are hung with fishing line, so they almost look suspended in air! I love them!

Here's the tree in the kitchen. It has a Disney theme and some of my favorite ornaments from when Zack was growing up...

...like this one...from his first Christmas...

From the kitchen, you'll enter the dining room. I love to completely transform the china cabinet with Christmas china and figurines.

Next you'll find yourself in the office, where I spend most of my time (aside from the kitchen). This is our patriotic tree!

Now let's head down the stairs to the Great Room. Here is my favorite tree! It's 12 feet and decorated in crystal, silver and blue ornaments. This is also where you'll find some of my snowman collection on the entertainment center and the village and the stockings on the mantle.

Here's a better picture of the tree, along with the lighted garland and wreath hanging on the "overlook" upstairs.

This is the view looking outside onto the back deck from the upstairs "overlook".

Another one of my favorite things...the Nativity which is located on one of my sofa tables.

This is something new we've added this year. Hubby got me the table, mirror and lamp (not pictured) for Mother's Day. This is located in the long upstairs "hall" which overlooks the Great Room. I added a silver tree with two silver deer for a festive feel.

Here is my son's tree. This year he wanted to decorate it in an Atlanta Braves theme. We did pretty good finding lots of ornaments!

I thought this one was precious! It reminded me of how much he loved the Braves, even as a child, and to this day!

Here is hubby's tree in our Master Bedroom. It's his "nostalgic" tree. It has those tacky big colored bulbs and lots of tinsel. We also have a ceramic tree on the dresser that was passed down from my mom---which reminds me so much of my childhood.

I think that wraps up the tour. Thank you so much for stopping by! I love meeting new friends--so leave me a comment so I can repay the visit!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Holiday Hectic?

2007-12-13T08:22:00.000-06:00

I woke up this morning with a million and one things to do running through my head! I switched my days off this week so I could stay home today and clean and get ready for our annual Band Christmas party (which is after the band concert tonight), plus my mom is coming in town today. I keep going from room to room and doing little things and then I get distracted by something else that needs to be done in another room! I think I need to slow down and fix myself a pot of coffee! Hubby took the day off too, and he's already out with his "to do" list in hand.

So, instead of cleaning, I'm sitting here blogging. I sat down to google "holiday hectic" on the images page and this is what came up...

Isn't that so precious?!

Okay, enough of a break---I'm puttin' on my running shoes and gettin' busy!

My Little Political Activist

2007-12-11T16:47:00.001-06:00

It's no secret that I am not interested in politics AT ALL! Not to say that I wasn't raised in a political household. My mom was and still is very much into politics---I guess it skipped a generation. Hold your gasps! I do vote! I have pretty much been a straight ticket Republican. I think it just happened that way because my parents always voted Republican and I voted for who my mom told me to vote for! It certainly wasn't because I took the time to look into the views and/or opinions or position of any of the candidates.

And I guess I should say "shamefully" that I still am not interested in researching and studying anything of a political nature. I was like this in high school too---I loved World History, but hated American History and Civics!

Hubby, on the other hand, is very much into politics and will argue and debate anyone who holds a different opinion politically. It's never been any fun for him, because my position has always been, "I don't care"! But now, the strange world of genetics has somehow mysteriously created a political monster in my offspring, otherwise known as my only child.

Today after school, he went and volunteered at the local office of the candidate named in the photo. I certainly don't want to mention the name, because I don't care to get spammed by those for or against this particular candidate.

I know nothing about what he stands for or where he stands on various issues. Son has researched the candidate and I'm not sure how "off kilter" he may be politically, but I know this, I'm proud that son is thinking for himself. I'm proud that he's passionate about politics, instead of out on the streets being passionate about something else that may be harmful. I'm proud that he has enough confidence to walk into an office of total strangers and volunteer his time.

And another thing...he is even considering majoring in political science. I know one vote he won't get...but mommy will ALWAYS vote for him, in every aspect of life.

The many faces...

2007-12-10T19:23:00.000-06:00

I was intriqued by Tonja's comment on my previous post that my new profile photo makes me look younger than my previous photo. I'm one of those people that is constantly changing hairstyles AND hair color! My natural hair color is black...well, with the exception of the gray that continues to show itself more frequently. I've been everything from heavily highlighted goldish blonde, to dark auburn and now back to black.

So what do you think? Does the longer, darker hair make me look younger or older? I'm debating on whether or not to get it cut over the Christmas break...

Weigh in...

Spreading Christmas Cheer...

2007-12-05T21:39:00.000-06:00

Every time I want to add another string of lights outside the house and hubby thinks we've done too much...I remind him of this house a few streets over from us. Now THIS man loves Christmas! He gets started right after Halloween and has it all finished by Thanksgiving! There was so much, that I couldn't get it all in one picture, so I had to piece it. Click on it to enlarge!

Elf Yourself!
I saw this on Heather's blog and was cracking up, so I knew I had to do one of our family! Click HERE to see the video...then take a minute or two to make one yourself and let me know so I can come check it out!

B's Bombard Birmingham

2007-12-04T07:49:00.000-06:00

This past weekend, the "B Club" girls bombarded Birmingham! Could you hear the laughter? Could you hear the continuous chatter? We had so much fun! Wish ALL the girls could have been there!

Friday, Dianne (Glasses of Grace) drove down from Atlanta and met at my house, then we both went over to Birmingham to meet Kat (Justabeachkat), Tonja (Gatherings) and Sandi (Whistlestop Cafe) at the Cheesecake Factory at The Summit. After a long wait (but who noticed other than our growling stomachs?) we were finally seated and enjoyed a delicious meal and lots of sillyness and good conversation.

On the phone with Jean (What's up at the Stauffers?...or Musical Jean on my blog!). We each passed the phone around and told her how much we missed her and wished she were there! We saved a seat at the table for you (I think Tonja has those pictures).

Group shot at dinner (crop, ladies, crop!)

Woah! Can you say overexposed?! I'm really not that white! A little too close to the flash!

Tonja, Sandi, Me

Dianne and Kat

Let the sillyness begin...

I won't say what Tonja is doing, but look how hard I'm laughing!

These "to go" bags are the perfect size for a bonnet!

Saturday, we drove back over to Birmingham to meet the girls just after breakfast for some shopping and lunch. Kat got each one of us a flamingo Christmas ornament and Tonja made us each a necklace with a "B" charm on it! So very sweet and thoughtful! That morning, we got to visit with Jill (Who Could Ask for Anything More) for just a little while---she had driven over from Atlanta and had to get back for previously scheduled entertaining, but we are so glad we got to meet in real life...and by the way, she is just as beautiful in person and really, really tall!

The group outside of Anthropologie (Rhoda, Me, Kat, Sandi, Tonja, Jill, Dianne)

We shopped around The Summit for a little while and then Rhoda (Southern Hospitality) took us over to a wonderful, quaint little area in Homewood with lots of shoppes! We had a wonderful day, the weather was perfect, and a great lunch at O'Carrs. Then we each went our separate ways.

Lunch at O'Carrs. We were so glad Joy, Tonja's sister could join us!

Now give us your best side! Even sticking her tongue out, I've never see Kat take a bad picture!

Back home...gotta get the "annual" picture in front of the tree before Dianne heads back to Atlanta!

It's such a gift to connect with these ladies online, and an even greater blessing to meet them in person and continue that relationship as if it had been a lifelong friendship. I am so thankful for each one of you and can't wait for our next get together!

Christmas Bloggy Miracle Needed

2007-12-03T19:40:00.000-06:00

I had a wonderful weekend with the "B" girls and will post pictures soon....but right now I'm in the middle of a BIG 'OLE MESS with my blog!!! I'm trying to change some stuff around and now I think I've messed it up!!!

All you bloggy girls that have cute Christmas layouts...I am in need of a Christmas Bloggy Miracle...my blog needs help!

Knee Deep...

2007-11-27T14:04:00.000-06:00

I hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving surrounded by lots of good food, friends and family. We went to Atlanta, a little later than planned, due to a severe migraine that had me throwing up (too much info) and pretty much in bed all day Tuesday, but we got there and were able to spend a few days with family. Wednesday evening we went down to Atlantic Station and did some shopping and had dinner. Thursday we had Thanksgiving at Mom's and Friday we did a little shopping and then helped my sister decorate her Christmas tree. Saturday we helped Mom with her decorations and then headed home in time for Zack to get to work and me and Gary to duke it out over the Georgia/GA Tech game!!! Go DAWGS! Victory for the 7th year in a row!

Here are some pics...

This is me and my nephew, Draven (my younger brother's son) in the car on the way to Atlantic Station. So many people think that he and I look alike!

Here are Zack, my niece, Taylor (my older sister's daughter) and my nephew, Draven (my younger brother's son). Zack was in such a silly mood! He kept messing up the pictures and making everyone laugh...as you'll see below...(check out Zack's shirt!)

This is my sister, Terri and her daughter, Madison Taylor (she goes by Madison, but I call her "Tay-Tay")

I like this picture...it's me, my sister and my mom (as you can see, I favored my Dad!)

Here's Zack being silly and messing up our picture again! I was laughing so hard! When my sister saw this picture, she said I reminded her of Paula Deen.

We finally got Zack to be serious...

Here's one of me, my sis and my mom at California Pizza Kitchen at Atlantic Station. Check out my sister's eyes!!! They are so doggone blue---I'm jealous cause I love 'em!

Just a few more of my precious baby!

I'm still knee-deep in decorating. Sometimes I feel like I'll never be done, but as I look around, I can see we're making some headway! Zack has been home sick for the past two days. I took him to the Doctor yesterday and he has a viral infection (sore throat, headache, fever). He's been laying in bed for two days watching Seasons 1 & 2 of The West Wing. I think I'm getting hooked on it too!

This weekend is the second "B" Club meeting and I can't wait! We're meeting in Birmingham and I'm really looking forward to it. I've met Kat already, I've known Dianne for forever, I've talked with Tonja on the phone, but this weekend, I'm hoping to meet Tonja, Rhoda, Sandi, Jill and whoever else shows up!!! I'm so excited!!! Don't forget your cameras, girls!!! I'm just sad Jean can't be with us! We'll be thinking about you and we'll take lots of pictures!

Okay, enough of a bloggy break...back to decorating!

Happy Thanksgiving

2007-11-20T08:05:00.000-06:00

We're headed out of town today, so I thought I would take this time to wish you and yours a Thanksgiving surrounded by wonderful friends and family with much for which to be thankful. God is good...ALL the time!

Torn Between Two Holidays!

2007-11-19T10:55:00.000-06:00

My house is a wreck! I'm torn between two holidays...feeling like a fool, lovin' both of you, is breakin' all the rules...oh, sorry! Got a little carried away there!

Seriously...I love the Thanksgiving holiday! I love everything about it--the food preparation, the family gathering, the turkey plates, the fall colors, football, shopping, etc.! But I don't feel like it get's its rightful due around here!

You see, Labor Day weekend, I put away my "beach theme" and bring out all my fall decorations. Then, October 1st, I bring out the halloween decorations and then the turkey plates and turkey and pilgrim decorations November 1st. But now, the dilema! It's not even Thanksgiving yet and I'm feeling the pressure already of having my house decorated for Christmas. If we wait until we get back from Atlanta, then I'm waaaaay behind and am stuck decorating all the way up until the week before Christmas---too much stress!

So, this weekend our plan was to get 4 of the 5 trees up, along with some other indoor decorations. That way, we would only have the outside to do and the big tree in the living room when we return from Atlanta.

What's that saying about 'the best laid plans'...

Ahhhh, yes. I pulled something in my back and we only got 1 and a half trees up and now my house is a DI-SAS-TER and we're supposed to leave tomorrow for Atlanta.

This too shall pass.

Part II - The Decision...

2007-11-17T13:16:00.000-06:00

It is a wonderful thing when God gives peace about decisions. We all had so much anxiety regarding Zack's future college decision before leaving for our college preview trip. Like I mentioned in the first post, we anticipated Zack choosing Florida State after our visit there on Monday and our Tuesday visits were just going to be "formalities". I was trying to get accustomed to the idea that my baby was going to be 4 hours away. Even driving down to Orlando that evening, Gary made the comment that we would keep our Tuesday appointments at UCF and Full Sail, but he felt like we would just be going thru the motions, that the decision had already been made.

Tuesday morning was a rainy, cold, dreary day. I prayed that morning that the Lord would somehow allow Zack NOT to like either of the two colleges we were about to visit, cause you know, mama can't handle being 8 1/2 hours away from her only child!

UCF (University of Central Florida) was our first appointment. We met with one of the Admissions Directors and then proceeded to tour the campus, followed by a housing tour. As we walked from building to building, I became more and more impressed with the campus, the staff and just the atmosphere in general. I could see Zack there and I had peace about it...but no way was mama going to influence his decision! We decided to have lunch at the University Rec Center. As we were eating, we asked Zack what he thought and also mentioned that it would be a good idea to write down pros and cons for each college. And he replied, "this is it! This is where I want to go!" I had to swallow hard and told him that I was having the same feelings and had peace about him attending UCF. Gary felt the same and it was just neat to see how God was working through each of us individually to accomplish the same end result...peace.

We decided to keep our appointment at Full Sail so as not to leave room for any doubt or questions. None of us were impressed. I think our minds were already made up about UCF and we were not considering anything else. Zack's comment was, "I'm not weird enough to go here!" It's a media arts college (film making, film producing, music production, video game production, etc.) and there were alot of "artsy" people and it seemed most of them were chain smokers!

We went back to UCF for the Marching Knights rehearsal Tuesday evening. We were sitting on the sidelines watching, when one of the Director's assistant came down from the observation tower and said the Director was inviting us to come up to the tower to view rehearsal from there. Wow! We were so impressed! He was so kind to Zack---said he had heard that he was there on a college visit and had heard all about him from his assistant (whom we had met earlier in the day). There were several times throughout the rehearsal that he would talk with Zack and tell him to watch for this, or this is why we do it this way, etc.

By the end of the evening, it felt like home...to all of us. We have accepted the offer of admission from UCF and his spot is confirmed...get this........beginning Summer term. Yep! You read right! Zack will begin classes June 9th, just under 3 weeks from his high school graduation date. That's one mama's still trying to get used to! He's excited though! He's going to try to get Freshman English out of the way and he also says he'll be used to the campus and ahead of all the other freshman when they start in the fall. Plus, we think this will help him not be so stressed once band camp starts the end of July.

Here are more pictures of the campus...

These are some of the dorms...

This is a street with a bunch of little shops, etc. (If you've been to Atlantic Station in Atlanta, that's what it reminds me of...Florida style!)

Here's another picture of the shops with some dorms...

Zack in front of the reflecting pool

The Rec Center pool in the background...

The Welcome Center with the Pegasus UCF logo...

Zack watching the Marching Knights rehearsal...

This is a pic I found on the web of the Rec Center...this is only a small part of this very large facility! It has a two-story rock climbing wall in this area pictured, along with a huge cardio room with work-out equipment, basketball courts, indoor pool, outdoor pool, sand volleyball, etc. Hmmm...will he ever do any work?!

So that's the latest! Thank you for your prayers while we were on this trip and your kind words of encouragement. Please continue to keep Zack in your prayers as he begins this new chapter in his life.

Also, I've told Gary he needs to start looking for a job in Florida...somewhere within a reasonable driving distant to UCF...to which he replied, "I could always do my dream job! Driving the Monorail at Disney World!" Uh....yeah....how 'bout something that pays more than minimum wage?!

Zack's thoughts on the subject..."good grief mom! Are you going to follow me everywhere?"

Yep. That's the idea.

Happy 80th, Dad

2007-11-14T19:26:00.000-06:00

Dear Dad,

Today would have been your 80th birthday. I've thought about you all day. We would have had the biggest party for you today, but I know you've been celebrating since you arrived in heaven.

I wouldn't wish you back. I know you are free from pain, free from cancer, and you are in the presence of our Lord. But I miss you--especially on days like today. I've been working today, and have been pretty busy, but you've been on my mind. I've had to swallow hard a few times today and kept pushing back down the sad feelings that were creeping up in my heart, but now I can't supress it any longer. I've been looking at pictures of you and the tears continue to puddle, even now as I type this.

It's so weird, Dad. In some ways it feels like you've been gone a long time...I can't believe it's only been a little over a year...but in other ways, it seems like it was just yesterday I heard you laugh and call me "sweety heart". I dream about you so much. Sometimes they're so real, that when I wake up, it's almost as if I've been talking with you and it takes me a moment to realize it was just a dream.

So much has happened in the past year---it seems like a lifetime of things and you weren't there with us for any of them. If I think on it too long, the sadness is overwhelming, so I shut it out. As hard as it has been for me, I think it's been harder on Terri. She and Taylor both miss you more than words can express. You know how she is, Dad. She beats herself up. She is so much like you---a "tough as nails" exterior, but a heart of gold. We all wish we would have spent more time with you and told you we loved you more often.

I remember as a teenager, in the mornings you would come downstairs to the kitchen, pat me on the head or brush your hand up and down on my cheek, and I would pull away. I'm so sorry Dad. I was a stupid teenager. What I wouldn't give to feel your soft hands again. I loved you so much but didn't show it, and I knew you loved me. I have never doubted your unconditional love for me. As much as I probably hurt you in my teenage years, you loved me through it and held on as tight as you could. Thank you Dad, for not letting go.

I hope you know how much I loved you and still love and miss you. We all miss you terribly. There's a void, the empty place at the holiday table and the emptiness in our hearts---we all feel it at each birthday celebration or holiday gathering. Things just aren't the same. You always provided the comic relief...whether you meant to or not!

I wonder if you are keeping up with what each of us are doing. Sometimes I wish I could ask you if I'm making the right decisions or what something in the Bible means, or where is that verse...etc. I know it may sound silly, but sometimes when I pray, I ask the Lord to tell you how much I love and miss you. I wonder if you know that.

I thought I would post some pictures of what we've been doing, as well as some of my favorites from when you were still with us.

Remember this? This was our first Thanksgiving together after Gary and I got married. Look how young we all look!

This is one of my most favorite pictures! I can't believe you agreed to pose for a Christmas picture with Zack and Draven in your boxers! You were a good sport, Dad!

This is another cherished photo. I think this was the last time our entire family was all together at the same time and able to pose for a family photo (summer 2005).

This was Zack's 16th birthday (July 1st), just a few months before you went to be with the Lord. It seems like you declined so quickly. I think July was the last time you were able to get up and come eat dinner and socialize.

I love how you are cracking up---and look at Zack...he was laughing so hard, his eyes were all teary---just like you used to do!

This was just two weeks before you passed away and the last time all four of us kids were together with you.

This was the worst day of my life. I haven't been back to Mom's church since your funeral. I'm not sure I could. Such overwhelming, indescribable grief.

Thanksgiving, just a few short weeks had passed, but it seemed like time was standing still. Everything was a blur that Thanksgiving. This is evidence that we had a turkey...but I don't remember much else. I know you would have given Gary a hard time about his shirt.

Christmas was even harder. We all were still numb. You know how mom takes a picture each Christmas of the kids and puts it in that big frame...look at their little eyes. All we did was cry--we missed you so much--no one sat in your chair.

This was downtown at Atlantic Station. Honestly, I can't remember if this was during the Thanksgiving holidays or Christmas...but look at Zack in your Yankees jacket! And look at Mom--her smile has not been the same since you've been gone. It's so different---there's even something missing in her eyes.

You missed Draven's first "double digit" birthday (January 6), he turned 10. You would have laughed and teased him about how they mispelled his name on his cookie cake. They put "Craven"!

We took Mom to "Fire of Brazil" for what would have been your 50th wedding anniversary. We all typed up memory cards and gave her a memory box full of our memories of you. It was rough---especially for mom.

Here's Taylor at one of her many volleyball tournaments. She's on a traveling team and she's quite the player, just like her mom! Thumper, Jr.! I know you would have been hollering "let's go tay-tay!"

Here is Zack's very last high school performance as Drum Major. He loved every minute of it and was so passionate about it---putting his whole heart and soul into each performance. You taught him that passion, drive and determination.

...not to mention...INTENSITY!

Mom and Taylor got to come see his last performance. Taylor actually took the pictures of Zack from the field. She has quite the eye for photography. Do you see how Mom's smile has changed?

This is the most recent photo of Zack. This was taken exactly one year after you passed away. I couldn't help but think of you all that day, remembering how much you kept asking mom to put in the video of "that boy" (Zack conducting)---and here he was, one year later, making one of the most important decisions of his life. The three of us had such peace and clarity that day. We know the Lord was looking out for us in a very special way, and I'd like to think you were too.

In closing, I just want you to know that we are doing our best to live happy, healthy, fulfilled lives. You taught each one of us, from your kids to your grandkids and your son and daughter in-laws. You trained us up, Dad...and even though we may stray a bit from the path, we will never depart from it.

I love you. I miss you, and I look forward with great anticipation our reunion in heaven one day.

Your brown-eyed girl,

Tracey

Happy Birthday Jill!

2007-11-13T06:13:00.000-06:00

I want to personally wish you a happy 40th birthday! It's a wonderful time and let me tell you from experience, since I'm all of 41 years...these can be the best times of your life! I've been so blessed to have met you in this bloggy world and have appreciated your humor, honesty, transparency and encouragement in your posts and comments. I'm thankful for our friendship and I hope you have a wonderful day surrounded by the ones you love! Happy Birthday!

Your sweet, covert hubby has been working behind the scenes, emailing all of us and asking permission to take over blogville! Each blog you visit today, he wants you to be reminded of how much he loves you! Here's what he had to say...

Birthday’s can be difficult. Milestone birthday’s can be devastating. To some more so than others, but to most people…they really seem to matter, to an extent, anyway. (How’s that for covering both sides of the fence?)

That is most people, except my wife Jill @ Who Could Ask for Anything More. Today is her 40th birthday and my co-conspirators I call BFOJ’s (Blogging Friends of Jill’s) have allowed me the distinct honor of being a guest columnist.

My hope is that wherever my wife goes within her circle of BFOJ’s today, she will see this message and know how much she means to me, not to mention how much the BFOJ’s think of her for letting a grizzled hack like me hijack their fantastic and very personal blogs.

Rather than do the traditional acronym exercise (J = Jazzy!) or the "40 Things I Love About My Wife" entry, I thought I would share the four most wonderful things about Jill -- the things that make me love her more every day.

She loves my older kids – Not everyone who marries into a new family will connect with the entire crew, but Jill never missed a beat. With my older kids, she accepted them and loved them – at first simply because they were my kids – and now because of who they are. She treats them with kindness, respect, gives them guidance on chores and other responsibilities, but is very respectful of their mom and never tries to "mother" them. She educated herself about Bay’s food allergies and is very cognizant of his limitations when planning and preparing meals. Rarely a day goes by that she doesn’t make a special version of our family meal just for him. Many times Jill has invited Kendra to come along to the salon to get their nails done. At 11 years of age, Kendra has always gravitating to older girls and more mature activities and this is a special way for them to spend time together.

She loves my parents - I can’t say I was ever really "close" to my folks in the sense that I sought them out for advice about life. So I wasn’t sure how that dynamic would play into my relationship with Jill. She has such a kind heart for that generation and quickly threw her arms around my folks and loved them unconditionally. Since we first met, my Mom has passed away and my Dad has endured a mountain of health issues. Through it all, Jill has been a steady, loving partner. In fact, on the occasions when my Dad visits, we have to make some alterations to the house to accommodate him, his wheelchair, his walker and his personal needs. Jill not only goes with the flow of the décor disruption, but lovingly plans meals that my soon-to-be 82-year-old father doesn’t get as often as he would like. It’s amazing how a simple plate of fried eggs and bacon can light up a proud man. My favorite time of our visits is in the evenings. Jill typically beats me home from work and when Dad is in town, they have usually already cracked open a new bottle of wine. Dad isn’t afraid to ask for service and Jill takes great pleasure in keeping his glass full. It is a precious time.

Her patience – Full disclosure: patience is not my strong suit. In fact, it is probably my greatest weakness and barrier to volumes of peace and happiness. That said, I find myself much more patient in the last four years in so many areas of my life (hmm…coincidence?). If you look up the word PATIENCE in the dictionary, you see a picture of Jill. Despite the chaotic nature of our house, I have rarely seen her react with desperation. In fact, I just see her continuing to raise the bar. As my patience has improved, she get even MORE patience. Her thoughtfulness and patience with Adam is uncanny…not that all mothers’ don’t have that nurturing gene…but even after a solid 10 minutes of whining about something that I find unintelligible…Jill merely says (for the umpteenth time)…"Adam, use words to tell Mom what you want." She is amazing.

She makes our house a home – Imagine buying your first home together…and it’s already 27 years old. Granted it was in good structural shape, but the majority of the décor was stuck in the 70’s. Over the past two years, Jill has developed a beautiful vision of how our house should look…how it should become a home. We started with dark wood throughout and some of the most exciting beige paint you could imagine. We’ve progressed to vibrant colors, amazing window treatments and bright open spaces. The original kitchen was hideous, but is now a show place. The powder room was engulfed in mind-altering striped wallpaper but now looks like a museum exhibit. She goes bits and pieces forward as time and budget allows and every step of the way she is filling the gaps of her master plan. We’ve both said that this home is the first, last and only one we will ever buy and we joke that our next stop is either the Retirement Home or the Funeral Home. We want a home in which we can build family traditions and memories and one that the kids will want to bring THEIR kids to. We want to grow old right here. Together.

There are obviously many more things that make Jill the woman to whom I have given my heart and want to give my life. She is the woman I dreamed of marrying. She is sweet, but tough, Honest and direct. Kind and loving. She gives without request or expectation. She nurtures with care and patience. She loves unconditionally.

Truly…I am blessed. Happy Birthday, Sweetheart.

We're back...

2007-11-07T18:45:00.000-06:00

Sorry it's taken me so long to get online to post anything! I've been playing "catch up" since we got back and I'm still not caught up...so I may have to do this update in several posts over the next few days--so bear with me!

On Sunday, October 28th we were in Destin for my friend's daughter's wedding. It was absolutely gorgeous! A beautiful couple, a beautiful setting and just a perfect day all the way around--from the bright blue skies to the vibrant colors of the sunset, The Master Artist displayed His handywork!

The deck at Sandestin overlooking the beach...

Check out this handsome fella!

Don't they say the camera adds 30 pounds??? Gee whiz!

a beautiful sunset...

I had to include this picture! The colors in the sky were MORE vibrant every time I turned around! It was absolutely breathtaking having dinner on the deck, ocean in the background with this glorious sunset---it couldn't have been a more perfect setting!

My sweet baby...isn't he handsome?!

The parents of the bride...our dear friends...we love ya!

It was a wonderful day and a perfect beginning for a couple who has placed Christ at the head of their marriage! Thank you for allowing us to be a part of your special day!

{Unfortunately, I was unable to hook up with Kat. She had company that evening and we were leaving early the next day, so we were early to bed and early to rise. Sorry Kat! I'm sure there will be a next time!}

Getting ready to leave for FSU the next morning. We love the beach and hated to leave! Isn't the water gorgeous?!

Monday was spent touring the campus of FSU (Florida State). It was a nice day, sunny, but getting a bit cooler. We did the van tour and then did alot of walking around the entire campus. We grabbed lunch on campus, stopped by the Music Office and to our disappointment, found out the Marching Chiefs rehearsal had been cancelled that afternoon. BUT we made arrangements to stop back by on our way home Wednesday. (Photos below)

Zack in front of the FSU Film School...

The FSU Football Stadium and the bronze statue of the Unconquered Seminole

Walking thru the campus...he was so bold, independent, and sure of himself. I had to take this picture, because I couldn't have been more proud, but also teary at how fast he has grown up!

A closer view...I thought this was a cool photo

FSU Marching Chiefs Rehearsal (this was actually Wednesday afternoon). That's Zack and Gary sitting on the bleachers...

Monday evening we drove down to Orlando. After arriving at our hotel around 9:00 p.m., we were all exhausted and ready for a good night's sleep in preparation for our 10:00 a.m. appointment Tuesday morning at UCF (University of Central Florida). We met with Zack's Admissions Advisor, did a 2-hour walking tour, followed by a Housing Tour, grabbed some lunch on campus, met with the Assistant to the Band Director, then ran over to Full Sail University for our 3:00 p.m. appointment.

UCF Welcome Center and Admissions Office

The fountain at UCF in the center of the campus

The balcony outside the Rec Center and pool in the background

Zack watching the UCF Marching Knights rehearsal from the tower

Another hour long walking tour (with a golf cart ride here and there to view the back lots) at Full Sail. We were exhausted, but doing our best to remain focused and interested. All the while, watching the clock since we were due back at UCF for a Marching Knights rehearsal from 5:00 - 7:00.

Entrance to Campus at Full Sail University

Back Lot Tour

Another photo taken from the back lot...

Another long day and into the evening, but we were able to have a nice late dinner and get to bed at a reasonable hour. Wednesday we slept in, took our time checking out of the hotel, grabbed a late breakfast and then headed back to FSU for the Marching Chiefs rehearsal at 4:00 p.m. before heading home.

We were back home, safe and sound, and exhausted and ready for our OWN beds by 9:00 p.m. Wednesday night!

We had a great trip and the Lord really answered prayer. Tune in next post for Zack's decision!

Road Trip...

2007-10-27T23:29:00.000-05:00

We're headed out of town in the morning! Sunday we'll be in Destin for a friend's wedding and from there we're headed to Tallahassee for a college visit Monday at Florida State. Zack will have a full day that includes a tour of the campus AND a Marching Chiefs rehearsal. Tuesday we'll be at University of Central Florida in the morning, Full Sail in the afternoon, and then back to UCF for a Marching Knights rehearsal that evening. We'll be busy, busy, busy and I'm sure pretty tired by the time we return too!

Please pray for safety in our travels and wisdom in the decisions Zack will be making for his future college choice. Hopefully, I will take lots of pictures and will post a full report when we return.

An Emotional Week...

2007-10-24T18:55:00.000-05:00

My heart has been so heavy lately and my mind has been so pre-occupied that I've not even considered sitting down and blogging. I was telling hubby that sometimes I feel like I need to "de-frag" my hard drive to make room for more info. because my processor is running slow! (A little techie humor at no extra charge!)

Let me back up since my last post and update you on what I've been up to. I've found it very unnerving that as I sat typing my last post at almost 4:30 in the morning, worrying over such trivial things, a mere 24 hours later, the world was going to change for one of our dear students.

Last Thursday, a little after 3:00 a.m., one of our sophomores awoke to what he thought was his alarm clock. It turned out to be the smoke alarm. His room was filled with black smoke as he quickly made his way down the hall to his mother's room where a locked door awaited him. He pounded on the door, screaming, trying to get to his mom. Finally he broke through the door, only to be pushed back by the heat and smoke. He made his way back down the hall and out the door where he banged on neighbors doors and screamed for help. No one would answer, so he stood in his front yard, throwing things through his mother's window and screaming. Finally, a neighbor came out to help him, but it was too late. His mother was found, along with their dog, in her bathroom.

Preliminary reports show it was an electrical fire that started between the wall of her bedroom and the living room. This child lost everything. His mom, his clothes, their house. His father is not in the picture and from what I understand, never has been. He has a sister who is a freshman at Univ. of Alabama and an older brother.

The first person he called, even before his grandparents, was our football coach. What struck me is that we haven't won alot of games this year, but this coach has won the hearts of our football players. He is a great example to them, and a father figure to some of them too. Isn't that the type of winning that matters most in life?

Our coach was going to forfeit this past Friday's game, but Jordan wanted to play. One day after his mom lost her life, he was on the football field, running over 230 yards with 29 carries, scoring several touchdowns, one being the winning touchdown of the game. Jordan dedicated the game to his mom. Coach said, "we had 12 players on the field that night. She was definitely looking after him."

Read more of the story (and see photos) by clicking here

You can also click this web site and watch a video with Jordan and our coach. It's about halfway down the page in the video box and you have to watch a few minutes of the sports report before they get to Jordan's interview.

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I've also been thinking so much about my Dad. We're approaching the one year anniversary of his death (October 31st). In some ways, I can't believe a year has passed and in other ways, it seems like it's been a lifetime since I saw him last. Those sad feelings keep trying to creep their way to the surface, but I'm staying busy and forcing those thoughts and emotions into the corners of my mind for another time. I can't allow myself to go there. Not right now.

Mom is having flowers in memory of Dad this Sunday at her church. I know it's awful to say this, but I'm glad we're going to be out of town on college visits with Zack. I haven't been back to Mom's church since the funeral, and just don't think I could handle it right now. If you think about it, please say an extra prayer for my mom and all of our family during this difficult time.

I wanted to post this picture my mom found. I was being a little "ham" and I love the look on my Dad's face!

Also, please continue to remember Jordan and his siblings in your prayers. And if the Lord lays it on your heart to donate to the trust fund, you can email me and I can give you instructions on how to do that.

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Thank you, sweet Kat, for my BFF award. The feelings are mutual and you picked the same chickies I would have picked! Thank you again, for the awards I've received in the last few weeks.

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My mom drove to Birmingham for the Hoover Marching Invitational that our band attended this past Saturday. You can go here to read all about it! Here's a picture of me, mom and Zack after they performed and were back at the bus ready to change!

Well, I think that about catches up on what I've been doing the past week. Hopefully, I will post a report and pictures when we return from Zack's college visits.

Various and Sundry Things

2007-10-17T04:24:00.001-05:00

You know it's bad when you wake up at 3:30 in the morning thinking of all the things you need to do! I tossed and turned, adding more things to my "to do" list and finally just decided to get up.

I emailed a few clients, got my newspaper ad in before the noon deadline today, and typed the bus list for our away game Friday and competition in Hoover on Saturday.

Just a few more weeks of this and things will start to slow down...but for now, it's high gear and full speed ahead!

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First, I want to thank my friends for the thoughtful awards that have been passed on to me in the past couple of weeks. I promise one day soon I will get to posting on them. Right now the thought of doing all the linky-loos and passing on the awards is overwhelming---problem is, I let it go too long and I've got lots of catching up to do!

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We have a trip planned at the end of this month, which also marks the one year anniversary of my Dad's passing (October 31st). In some ways, it will be good to be "busy" and try not to think too much about it---but I'm also wishing I could be there for my mom. She's having flowers placed in the church in memory of Dad on Sunday, the 28th, and hopefully my brother and sister will be with her that day.

We are headed to Destin on the 28th for an afternoon wedding at Sandestin and then leaving from there to go on down to Tallahassee for a college visit at Florida State University on Monday, the 29th. We'll get to tour the campus and then we've arranged for Zack to attend a Marching Chiefs rehearsal from 4:00 - 6:00 that evening.

After leaving FSU, we're headed down to Orlando for a college visit on Tuesday, the 30th at University of Central Florida in the morning, Full Sail in the afternoon and then back to UCF for a Marching Knights rehearsal from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.

Whew! We're packing alot in during those two days...but figured we would get them all checked off the list while we were in the area. Pass the tissue please! Mama's gonna need it!

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Saturday we're headed to the Hoover Met for the Hoover Invitational Marching Competition. It's Zack's last competition. Again, pass the tissue! My mom's going to drive over from Atlanta with a friend of hers and spend the day. I know Zack's glad his nana is coming!

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Lastly, it was great meeting new friends that de-lurked in the previous post. I've stopped by and welcomed you to our bloggy circle, but there was one that I couldn't contact---so just know I tried and thanks for stopping by!

Hope you all have a wonderful rest of the week!

De-Lurking! Come on out of the closet!!!

2007-10-11T06:31:00.000-05:00

I have seen this recently on a few blogs (Kat & Tonja) and I have to say, I'm with Tonja and not sure if I missed the day---but nonetheless, I thought I would post about it too!

I have made the sweetest friends by "delurking"! Last year, I delurked on Kat's blog and have developed a great friendship and even went to visit her. I have met so many wonderful people thru this bloggy little world and if you happen to stop by here on occasion for a looky-loo, then I would love to meet ya!

Go ahead...leave a comment! Just click that little button below and get to commentin' (that's how we say it here in the South). Come on---share the comment love!

Teaching an old 'dawg' new tricks!

2007-10-08T16:30:00.000-05:00

This past Saturday, Zack and I went to the Auburn game with some good friends (she's also the Guidance Counselor that I work with at the school). I wasn't sure I wanted to go, cause, you know, it's Auburn and all, plus I would be missing the Georgia vs. Tennessee game. But that didn't turn out to be much of a game after all.

I digress.

So when we get there, they inform me that my orange shirt was more of a "Tennessee" orange than an "Auburn" orange. Are you kidding me people? It was the only orange shirt I had in my closet! Be glad I wore it! I could have worn one of my many Georgia shirts to remind all you Auburn fans how Georgia put the smack-down on you last year!!!

And plus, I'm not thrilled about wearing an orange t-shirt. People might mistake me for the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown! Ahhh, just in time for halloween! How fitting.

Anyway, we had a really great time. It was so much fun to be in that environment that I even caught myself screaming along with the thousands of fans, "Waaaaaaaaaar Eagle! Hey!"

But, I told them I had to draw the line when the band played the tune "Glory, Glory to Old Georgia" replacing it with "A-U-B-U-R-N"

... oh no, you dih-ent!

This was taken from our seats. We were so close to the field! And yes, it was very, VERY hot and humid! It does wonders for my hair! I promise one day I'll post a picture when I'm having a good hair day---except it's been so long since I've had a good hair day! Maybe I should go to Miss Daisy's groomer!!!

(See videos from Saturday posted below)

Gonna need a bucket for all these tears...

2007-10-03T19:37:00.001-05:00

I have felt in control most of my life. Well, except in the area of eating right and my weight, which is a whole other topic for another day.

Or another decade.

But what I am facing is beyond anything that I can control. My sweet, little, blue-eyed baby boy is entering into a new chapter in his life and is ready to spread his wings and fly. But this mama is not ready for him to leave the nest.

From the time he was a baby, until he was 9 years old it was just the two of us. My ex had an affair and left when Zack was 18 months old (that's a whole other story for another day too!)---so needless to say, Zack and I have been very close the entire time he was growing up.

My life has revolved around raising a sweet son to eventually turn into a fine young man and now I'm feeling a little apprehensive about letting him fly. Each day that passes is one day closer to him flying the coop!

Y'all, I cried the first day I took him to Kindergarten and I cried as I watched him drive out of the driveway the first day of this, his Senior year. Everything this year has been a "last time" and although I could not be more proud of him, I'm feeling so sad because it seems like he's grown up so fast. When I say I blinked and he was grown, that is exactly how it feels. Cherish each moment, you young mothers.

He has received several college acceptance letters (University of Alabama, Troy University, etc.), but his top three choices are Florida State, University of Central Florida and then Auburn.

When I got home yesterday evening, there was a letter from Auburn. The first line read "Congratulations" and the last line said "War Eagle". Everything in the middle was a blur due to the buckets of tears I was crying. Somehow, at that moment, it just seemed more real to me than ever before and I could not. stop. crying.

When he got home from practice, I had the letter sitting at his place at the table. He was happy, but informed me that his first choices are still in Florida.......which was quickly followed by a "Good grief! You need to get a grip, mom!"

...and for a brief moment, I thought I might give him a little 'ole nudge right outta the "nest"!

It's Monday...can I rest now?

2007-10-01T19:57:00.001-05:00

What a weekend! As I mentioned in my previous post, Zack had a band competition in Gadsden on Saturday (Mid-South Marching Competition). For you newbies, he's the Drum Major for our school's 85+ member marching band. 2nd year in a row. Yeah, I'm a proud mama!

Anyway, we left on Saturday morning for the day-long event...performed at 6:00 p.m., awards ceremony was supposed to start at 9:00 p.m., but actually was more like 9:45 p.m. and we left Gadsden at 11:15 p.m. By the way, the band won an all SUPERIOR rating!

It seems our bus drivers, or should I say the lead bus driver, decided he didn't want to go the way we came (up 65 to 459 and so on), he decided he would take a "short cut" home. Coming, it took us 2 and a half hours. Going home, it took us almost 4 hours. Yep. You heard right. We pulled in the school parking lot at 3:15 a.m.!!! Parents that left the stadium and went home the way we came, got back to Montgomery around 1:30 a.m.

When Gary called the bus company this morning to "complain"...the gentleman said he found that hard to believe because said bus driver was the VP of the company and had been there 40+ years and has a "great sense of direction".

If you're a moron.

Hey VP--stick to navigating your way around the office!

And for your viewing pleasure...I'll leave you with a picture of me and the son. Yes, I was working like a dog all day and was hot and sweaty...he's the cute one on the left! For more pics, go to the Band Blog from the linky to the right...but don't comment there...I want to remain "anonymous" on this WORLD WIDE WEB!!! ha ha!

(Okay, I have to add that when I first posted this, I posted it on the WRONG blog!!! I posted it on the band blog!!! TOO FUNNY! So much for anonymity!)

Just checking in...

2007-09-29T08:42:00.000-05:00

Yes, I'm still around---but have been unbelievably busy. Things at work (both places) are hectic, football season and the band are in full swing, Band Boosters opened a Coffee Shop at school and I've been covered up with that, I've been sick with sinus problems and a sore throat, Zack hurt his shoulder at Field Day at the school and has been going to therapy all this week, and today we are headed to Gadsden for a band competition.

Most nights I don't even have time to get online, but I do check on my friends when I have a minute or two. Hopefully things will start to settle down and I can get back to blogging. I know they will once football season is over!

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

The smallest member

2007-09-18T07:48:00.000-05:00

How can something so small hurt so bad? You would think all 98 pounds of me (okay, you can stop laughing--a girl can dream!), something so tiny, wouldn't have that much affect! Way back in April, I fell while meeting a repairman at one of my listings and cracked my wrist and broke my toe! The wrist is fine, it's the toe I'm still having trouble with.

Each time I think it's healed, something all of the sudden will feel like bubble wrap popping and then I'm hobbling like a little 'ol lady! I'm sure it doesn't help that I wear flip-flops or heels every day.

Ouch, ouch and triple ouch! Any advice for my little 'ol toe? I feel like such a baby, but it sure does hurt! Hmmmm...maybe I'll ask my chiropractor today--I already think of him as my general practitioner!

...and this little piggy cried waaa! waaa! waaa! all the way home!

Good Intentions...

2007-09-15T20:14:00.000-05:00

I can't believe another week has slipped by since I last posted! I keep thinking that "next week" my schedule will ease up some, but it fails to do so. I know everyone is busy, but sometimes I feel like I can't seem to get ahead.

I'm currently working with a client who is in the military and is relocating out west. I'm working with a relocation company that requires so many reports and extra documents that sometimes I wonder if it's worth it! Last Wednesday, the relo company emailed me a 25 page document that I had to fill out and supply reports to back up my documentation. Oh, and by the way, "we need this back in 24 hours!" I got home from working at the school, made Zack some dinner and started working on the paperwork a little after 6:00 p.m. Just before 9:00 p.m., I was finished and scanned and emailed them the report. Then the next day, they emailed another 3 page document that they inadvertently failed to send the first time. That one is still sitting on my desk!

I didn't realize how adding a day to my work schedule at the school was going to affect my entire week. Right now I'm working at the school on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Tuesdays I attend sales meeting for the real estate company for which I work. At the school, I'm the assistant to the Guidance Counselor and also full time "sub". Any time a teacher is out, I'm the "go to" girl. Let me tell ya...I have a new respect for teachers! That is some hard work! (Especially the younger grades) It seems like I've been filling in alot for middle school English, Bible and Science. Woah! It's been a long looooooooooooong time since I was in middle school! Anyway, "kuddos" to all you teachers out there---you all deserve a raise!

In the midst of real estate and my school schedule, Gary and I are Booster Presidents again for the band. That in itself is a full time job. When I take the time to get on the computer, it's usually to update the band blog with announcements and then I'm too tired to update my personal blog! We're taking the band to Orlando in the Spring, so I'm knee-deep in planning that trip, plus we have to run the concessions stand for football games, so any "free" time I have is usually spent in purchasing supplies and begging for volunteers to work!

Zack and I are also busy with college applications, essays, transcripts, etc. (Pass the tissue, please!) About two weeks ago his first acceptance letter came in the mail. I called him downstairs to open it with me (as I was all teary) and it was from Alabama. His words were, "big deal mom! Call me only if it's to a school I'm really interested in!" So far, he's been accepted to Univ. of Alabama and Troy University. His top three choices are University of Central Florida, Florida State University and Auburn University. Since I am a die-hard Georgia fan, I'm not really "rooting" for him to attend any of those particular colleges. Of course, mama would like to have him as close as Auburn (which is just 40 minutes up the road), but I want him to go where he really wants to attend. Pretty soon we'll be scheduling some college visits.

Well, it seems as though I've updated you on way more than you ever cared to know...but just know this...I'm not staying away from blogville for any reason other than lack of time. I miss you, my friends, and look forward to the weekends when I can "catch up" with all of y'all!

Restful Saturday

2007-09-08T21:44:00.000-05:00

Today I've done absolutely nothing (well, maybe a load or two of laundry)...but other than that, I've laid around and watched football all day. Alabama beat Vandy, my beloved DAWGS lost to South Carolina (ouch!) and now Auburn just went ahead against USF. It's been a very restful day following an extremely busy week! It's nice to have a day to recoup.

Recently there was a story on the news about some tainted cat food. They interviewed a lady who was very upset saying, "I think my cats are sick from the food I just bought that was on a recall list, but still on the store shelves. Look at them! They are just laying around and lethargic!"

To which I turned to Gary and said, "...and that's different from any other cat?!"

This is how I find my cats all the time (see below). You would think that they are just worn slap out from having to clean the house, do laundry, cook dinner, etc.

Aubbie...

Zoe...

Zoe asleep again in her favorite Xerox paper box lid...

Zoe saying "mommy, please stop taking pictures and let me sleep!

Wonder if I should call the Vet and tell him my cats are lethargic?!

I love doing these things!

2007-09-05T17:00:00.000-05:00

I saw this on Kat's blog and I love doing these to see how "accurate" they are! Isn't it funny that a few posts below my "color" was purple...and now my "aura" is Violet! Try it and let me know your results!

Your Aura is Violet

Idealistic and thoughtful, you have the mind and ideas to change the world.And you have the charisma of a great leader, even if you don't always use it!
The purpose of your life: saying truths that other people dare not say
Famous purples include: Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Jr., Susan B. Anthony
Careers for you to try: Political Activist, Inventor, Life Coach

What color is your Aura?

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Appointment Television for me is rare...BUT I LOVE this show!
Countdown to new season premiere of Dancing with the Stars...
T minus 19 days!

Fall, Come Quickly!

2007-09-04T07:53:00.000-05:00

I'm really looking forward to some cooler weather. I decided to usher in September by putting away all my "beachy" decor and bringing in the harvest! One of my greater weaknesses are dishes and my mom bought me a beautiful set of caramel colored dishes for Christmas that I haven't had the opportunity to use until now. I just received the wall hanging for my birthday from a dear friend of mine at church, and took some birthday money to purchase a few more knick-knacks at the incredible sale they are currently having at Hobby Lobby! So if you haven't done so yet, take the time to add a few "fallish" touches to your decor...even if it's in the triple digits outside, it will make you think fall is just around the corner!

I also wanted to thank my bloggy friends for their birthday wishes. My mom came in town Friday and brought my nephew (my brother's son), and my sister came in town and brought my niece (her daughter). We had our first home football game and Gary and I worked the concessions stand almost the entire game--but we did get to watch the half time show and Zack did a great job! Then we had a great weekend with family, playing games and eating too much!

I hate that I missed the first "B" club meeting! I hear Kat, Tonja and Jean had a wonderful time and I can't wait to see more pictures. Dianne and I promise to make the next event and certainly don't want to relinquish any voting rights! So glad you girls had fun! It was great getting to talk to all of you, but next time, let's bring in an interpreter for us Southern gals for our yankee friend Jean! (Just kidding! I LOVE your accent!)

Wishing all of you a wonderful, restful week!

Overloaded and Overwhelmed

2007-08-28T09:00:00.000-05:00

I know that we're supposed to be the "stronger" sex ...not physically, but able to multi-task and manage and execute flawlessly our many responsibilities. Sometimes, like a circus act, I feel as though I'm trying to keep so many plates spinning on various wooden dowels. I run back and forth to each one, spinning, trying to prevent them from all coming crashing down on me!

There have been several nights where I've awakened in a panic remembering something I forgot to do and I quickly add it to my "to do" list. Last night I was looking forward to sleeping in a little longer this morning(7:00 a.m.), but awoke at 5:15 with the many things I need to do today running through my head. I ended up emailing band parents with announcements for the week and answering an "in box" full of questions from said band parents.

As my list grew longer, I realized that something had to give and so I eliminated attending sales meeting this morning. Sometimes, I feel I'm so involved in other "stuff" that I have to put my "real" job on the back-burner. Working 4 days a week at the school and taking care of all the little details that go along with being Band Booster President leaves little time for anything else.

A "must do" today is stopping by my Chiropractor's office to take care of my aching back. I think stress camps out between L5 and S1---(anyone with back trouble can relate to that terminology!)

Plus, my heart is heavy with another "plate" we're considering adding to the spinning mix. Please pray for us regarding some decisions we will be making in the near future. I will elaborate more in upcoming posts.

Love you, bloggy friends--hope you have a wonderful day!

The Big Boo Cast

2007-08-25T23:04:00.000-05:00

Y'all, if you haven't stopped by Boomama's or Big Mama's today,

you are missing out!

They did their first Pod Cast together

and it is too funny. Go check it out!

Have a great weekend!

Need your opinion, Internets!

2007-08-22T16:42:00.000-05:00

We've been in our current house for a little over 4 years. The walls are all still the same neutral tan color throughout the entire house as they were when we purchased it. We've furnished it and hung pictures, etc., but have not changed any colors. I know, being a Realtor, that "neutrals sell" and lots of colors translate into lots of work for a potential buyer.

But here's the deal...we're not selling and we don't have plans to sell in the near future. It's time to add some color and interest back into our surroundings. So, I've been thinking for some time now that the Dining Room is where I want to start. All of our furnishings and accessories are dark neutral colors--olives, tans, browns, plums, etc.

I want to do this mural in the dining room with maybe the additional walls being a dark olive or a gold-ish color...

(Here's the entire mural)

(Here's a sample of how it looks in a room)

Now, be honest! Tell me what you think of this Tuscan countryside mural. I've told hubby it's all I want for my birthday---to have the dining room done!

Worth the read...

2007-08-21T09:54:00.000-05:00

I kept hassling Antique Mommy about creating a link on her sidebar that featured her latest series of posts about "The Box". I wanted to direct readers to her site to read them in order beginning with Part I. I know some of you already frequent her blog, but if you're don't, you must go grab a box of tissue and begin reading here. Her eloquent and descriptive words will transport you to another day and time. She is definitely worth the read and will leave you wanting to turn the page...

Thanks T, for providing the link. I think you are amazingly gifted!

A Colorful Monday

2007-08-20T16:38:00.000-05:00

School started back for us on August 8th and I've been busy busy! I remember the days when school started after Labor Day. What ever happened to that?!

One of my favorite things as a child was getting new school supplies. I have always been the QUEEN of organization and it was so exciting to me to have a new organized binder, freshly sharpened pencils and a huge box of brand new crayons. Open up that box and take a whiff! Ahhh! I love it!

I was very particular about my crayons. They absolutely, positively had to stay in gradating order. Don't you dare borrow one of my crayons and put it back in the wrong spot! I was also very particular about my coloring books. My two absolute favorites were The Brady Bunch and Dennis the Menace. Those were the ones my little brother was NOT allowed to color in. And I'm sure you can imagine that I was NOT one of those kids that colored outside the lines!

So, in honor of back to school and my wish for a brand new box of crayons, I decided to do this fun little quiz. It asks some pretty random questions and the weird thing is, it picked my FAVORITE crayon color!!! Now that's some spooky Crayola voo-doo right there!!!

You do it too and let me know what color you are...

You are most like: You are Purple
You are vibrant and strong, and often associated with royalty. Your power may cause other a little discomfort at time, but only because they are weaker than you.
Take this quiz: Which Crayola Box of 8 Color Are You?
Visit Toys For Your Blog.com for more blog quizzes

You are most like:

You are Purple

You are vibrant and strong, and often associated with royalty. Your power may cause other a little discomfort at time, but only because they are weaker than you.

Take this quiz: Which Crayola Box of 8 Color Are You?

Visit Toys For Your Blog.com for more blog quizzes

Worth Sharing...

2007-08-19T17:21:00.001-05:00

For the third time in a week this quote crossed my path -- I thought I would share it with y'all. Have a blessed Sunday!

Terrible Two's...sure, I'll play along!

2007-08-18T11:47:00.000-05:00

Since I'm TOO tired to post about my terribly busy week, I think I'll just take the cue from my TWO friends, Kat and Dianne and post about all these interesting things you've always wanted to know, but were TOO afraid to ask.......

1. Two Names You Go By: Tracey and Mom

2. Two Things You Are Wearing Right Now: nightgown and t-shirt

3. Two Things You Want In A Relationship: honesty and security

4. Two of Your Favorite Things to Do: lay out on the beach and listen to the waves, kick back in my recliner and read my latest issue of "Coastal Living" or "Southern Breeze" and wish I was laying out on the beach listening to the waves!

5. Two Things You Want Very badly At the Moment: my house to be cleaned by the twitch of my nose and a personal assistant

6. Two Pets You Had/Have: my sweet kitty, Zoe and my other two cats, Sylvester and Aubbie

7. Two People Who Will Fill This out First: I'm not sure. I'm not usually very good about participating in things like this, but I sure do like to read other people's!

8. Two Things You Did Last Night: went out to dinner with some friends at a great new steakhouse called "Ox Yoke" and then went to see all the remodeling they just did on their house.

9. Two People That Live In Your House: my hubby, Gary and my son, Zack

10. Two People You Talked To Last: my hubby, Gary and my son, Zack

11. Two Things You're Doing Tomorrow: going to church and then putting a friend's house on the market that's being transferred within the military.

12. Two Longest Car Rides: Georgia to Washington DC, Georgia to West Palm Beach, FL

13. Name 2 of Your Favorite Holidays: Christmas, Thanksgiving

14.Two Favorite Beverages: sweet tea and Coke Zero

Hope you'll do this too..and if you do, let me know so I can stop by and read your list!

Not the EYEBROWS too!!!

2007-08-13T16:20:00.000-05:00

Thank the good Lord for hair color! Okay, well in a round-a-bout way... thank the Lord for creating such geniuses to invent hair color!

Since I inherited my Dad's jet black hair and also the added benefit of having some serious gray hairs invading my head since my early 30's, I've been having to color my hair on a regular basis, cause goodness knows I don't want to look older than I am! I've tried various hair colors and having worked in a hair salon for several years in Atlanta, knew that I could quickly and easily do this at home.

My recent favorite is L'Oreal Natural Match. I mean, if it's good enough for Penelope Cruz, then surely it's good enough for me. {Except my encouraging sister informed me that "I'm sure L'Oreal Natural Match has NEVER graced the locks of Penelope Cruz's hair!"} Well, thank you, sister, for that spreading of sunshine!

I'll have to say I really liked it and I'm pleased with the results---just like Penelope Cruz's... except without that illustrious shine, light reflecting body and manageability, no sign of split ends anywhere, healthy bounce, not to mention the flawless skin, perfect teeth and dimpled chin. Other than that, it was just like hers! {Sarcasm mixed with dellusion, people!}

But what I'm not happy about is the white hair I had to pluck from my eyebrows this morning. WHITE eyebrow hair people, not just graying! So, do I dare put this home color kit on my eyebrows too? It's either that or continue to pluck and then I'll eventually have to draw them on just like the "big hair channel". I don't think I could pull off that constant "surprised" look!

Or, I could let it go and look like "Doc" from Back to the Future.

Lab coat anyone?

Hurry by Jill's today!

2007-08-11T11:49:00.000-05:00

Jill at Who Could Ask for Anything More is shutting down comments first thing in the morning. If you want to win this cool bag and choice of books, stop by today!

Queen of the Back Roads!

2007-08-08T18:42:00.000-05:00

My mom has always had a wonderful sense of direction. One of her favorite things to do is to read a map (nerdy, I know!). You could drop her in the middle of no-man's land and she could find her way back to civilization. She has this inner compass that points her to her true North, which enables her to always have her bearings.

She was the one to guide our family in the right direction. My father was constantly traveling and preaching, sometimes for several weeks at a time, which left her to raise the kids. And whether we were going on a family vacation or just across town, she always had to tell my Dad which way to go. She continued to demonstrate her exceptional navigational skills as she traveled the journey with my Dad to his final resting place where the Lord took the wheel and ushered him into heaven.

This past weekend we went to Atlanta as a 'last hoorah' before school started today. The guys were busy all weekend with Braves events, which left mom and I doing what we do best... shopping, eating, running errands, etc. Now, I lived in Atlanta from the time I was 10 until 7 years ago (age 33) when hubby moved us to Alabama. I tend to think I know my way around Atlanta, but with the growth and construction and never-ending roadwork, sometimes I find that things can change quickly.

Without fail, we would get in the car and my mom would take a turn on a road that I had no idea where we were headed. I would say something like, "but I thought we were going here..." to which she would reply, "I know" and that road would lead us to exactly where we were going--just not the direction I would have gone, but usually a quicker way to get there. I even told her, "Mom, you are QUEEN of the BACK ROADS!"

It got me thinking about how many times I've taken the driver's seat in my own life--knowing exactly where I want to go and choosing and directing my own paths. If I would only surrender that control to the Lord, He could take the driver's seat and lead me down a road that might have less 'traffic' or fewer obstacles. But I tend to want to take the wheel, especially if I think the route He is taking me is altering my destination--when in fact, the route He would take me would bring more blessing.

How about you? Do you have trouble taking the back seat?

Proverbs 3:5-6

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.

Lord, I pray that I would daily surrender the driver's seat of my life over to You.

Caught sinning on the way to church with John Tesh

2007-08-05T23:06:00.000-05:00

About a week or two ago, my hubby was talking about how fast I drive, especially on this one area called the Northern Boulevard, which is a road we take to connect us up with the Interstate to get to church. It tends to be a heavily patroled area and my hubby made the remark that if I didn't slow down, one of these days, I was going to get a ticket. To which I replied, "No way! I'm very careful and I am always on the look out!"

Well, as the saying goes, "pride goeth before a fall."

On Sunday mornings, John Tesh does his radio show and it's just full of interesting little tid-bits of information, that frankly, I'm usually wondering how I've made it almost 41 years without knowing! This morning I was in a bit of a rush (my hubby would say like every Sunday morning) and I was putting on lipstick and just entranced in some information Tesh was dishing out when I rounded the corner and my heart sank! There sat Mr. Police Officer who quickly flipped his lights on as I was already getting over into the emergency lane--knowing I had been caught.

Mr. Buff comes up to my window and wants to know where I'm going in such a hurry as he politely asks for my DL and Insurance card. To which I sheepishly replied, "well, CHURCH if you can believe that?!?!"

After a few minutes I was once again on my way to church, with ticket in hand... 72 in a 55.

When hubby came down off the platform, I whispered, "how much do you love me?" In answer to his puzzled look, I flashed him the ticket.

His response? ..."I told you so!"

.88 cents well spent!

2007-08-01T08:58:00.000-05:00

We've still been "knee-deep" in Band Booster things, getting ready for school to start back next week, and our church is moving this week to a new building.

In anticipation of the church move, Gary was instructed to go purchase a set of electronic drums since the new "temporary" building is not as large as our current church building, and also the acoustics would not be able to handle his "real" drum set. After much shopping and comparing prices, getting checks cut, etc., he came home last night with these...

Except they didn't look like this--it was all in a million pieces in a huge box! His plans were to go to the church later today (after band camp) and take the new electronic drums and get them hooked up to the sound system and all that other electrical, wirey, ~~messy stuff~~ very intricate and complicated work that guys like to do.

After a late dinner with friends, we came back home and this 8 year old kid in a grown man's body could not wait a moment longer! It was like Christmas! He had to tear into those things and put them together just to "try them out". Around 11:30 p.m., I threw in the towel from the spectator's box and went to bed, reminding him that all good boys and girls would be trying to get some sleep and he dare not wake them!

At 12:30 a.m. I sat straight up in bed to what sounded like the entire team from Extreme Home Makeover hammering and pounding and hammering and pounding. And did I mention hammering? I thought to myself, "you've GOT to be kidding me?!"

I got up, looked down into the great room from the balcony and saw him with the headphones on just going to town on those drums! I marched back into the bedroom and scanned each square inch for my weapon of choice--reminding myself that whatever I chose would be falling from 15 feet, so I'd better choose wisely.

This was my first option...

...although I would have liked to have sent him on a trip at that very moment, I thought the falling suitcase might dismember this very ~~annoying~~ expensive drum set that belonged to the church.

still scanning the room...

...how about this?

...I wanted to get his attention, not kill him! Plus, he had on a very nice wrinkle free polo, which saw no use for the iron.

oh yes! This will work...

...not only will it get his attention, but if it happens to bust open, it could freshen my great room with the loveliest of scents---kills two birds with one stone! Hmmm, but on second thought, maybe this liquid and the "electronic" part won't mix.

Desperate times call for desperate measures. Precious minutes are slipping by that I could be curled up in bed getting some much needed rest.

And then my eyes landed on this...

Yes, boys and girls, it's not just for fun balloon making anymore. Hurled from the corner of the balcony (see exhibit "A" below) at 12:40 in the morning, multiplying the speed times the velocity is quite effective in whacking the culprit in the back! Stunned he takes the headphones off, puts the drumsticks down and says "can you hear this?"

No, Captain Obvious! It's just my sweet way of calling you to bed.