It's a Wonderful Life!!

It's A Wonderful Life

I have found a fantastic web site - this site will get me organized once and for all. It all starts with one simple tool - an egg timer.

Mr. Man is quite familiar with the egg timer. Thankfully, I haven't been forced to pull it out from my arsenal lately - but I will soon, FOR ME.

The Home page has so much information on it - but don't let this scare you away. The German Gem, Tina, turned me onto The Flylady and I visit it often. It is really mind boggling all the "stuff" that is on there and in no way will I turn into the flylady's protege, but I can dream, right??

The premise is that you can "Cruise Through the Holidays" and have the majority of your running around, gifts bought and wrapped, house ready to decorate, etc., done by December 1st. No small feat.

All this is accomplished by setting the timer for 15 minutes at a time, and concentrating on one section of your home or project at a time. So, I printed out the Flylady's Holiday Control Journal, and I am making my list and checking it twice.

Mr. Man gets three gifts for Christmas. We have been doing this for years and he is quite fine with that. We talk about Baby Jesus getting 3 gifts from the 3 Wise men, the Father, Son and Holy Ghost - you know all the 3 stuff in the Bible - remember Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego - they even survived the fiery furnace. It is not that I BUY alot of stuff, but I do like to decorate and have friends and family over.

My Bunko Babes will be here tomorrow night. So, this is the deal on dinner. It is quite amazing......but considering the cast of characters, you'll see.

I bid on Tu's now famous Egg Rolls at the Missions Auction. I won - so I saw Tu in the hallway outside the silent auction and this was our conversation:

ME: Tu, guess what, I won the bid on your Egg Rolls.

TU: Oh, Great, when do you want them?

ME: Well, let me think a minute.............well I do have Bunko this Friday night, I know it is short notice, but what about then?

TU: That is perfect, I cook your whole meal - you not worry about a thing.

ME: Oh no Tu, I was just talking about the Egg Rolls.

TU: Oh no, let me do this for you - I will cook your whole meal, really.

ME: Oh, Tu, that is just too much, I just couldn't let you do that.

TU: What do you want, shrimp? vegetable stir fry? do you like rice or noodles?

ME: Well, if you insist, but it is just so much, I will pay you.

TU: No, you not pay me anything, let me do this, I want to. OK, I will do a shrimp and vegetable stir fry, noodles, and Egg Rolls.

Well, to know Tu is to love Tu. She was insistent and well, she just would not take no for an answer. I just bid on the Egg Rolls. So, my Bunko Chicks are in for a treat for dinner.

But I'm doing dessert, and my friends it is CHOCOLATE - to die for.

Let's Roll Some Dice!

Peace!

The Postlude - All Hallows Eve

It was a hectic day, that Wednesday afternoon, of all Hallows Eve. This is it's significance in the Catholic Church:

The Catholic Church designated the following holidays:

• November 2 - All Soul's Day

  Remembrance of all the dead.

• November 1 - All Saint's Day

  Remembrance of the dead who found special favor with God. Since saints = holy people = hallowed, All Saint's Day is also known as All Hallows Day.

• October 31 (night) - Halloween

  The evening before All Hallows Day was called All Hallows Eve, which was shortened to "Halloween".

So, folks were swarming around Mr. Man's school this morning. I park in front of the Church and walk across the street to the school, and by 8:00 a.m. I saw at least 10 folks walking in the church.

I told Mr. Man that this was a special day for Catholic folk, that they honor the people who had died this past year. His head must have still been buzzing from the sugar metropolis from the night before, he only commented, "THAT'S NICE". And well, it is nice that folks honor and remember the dead, but my child is one that likes dialogue. He likes to chat and discuss things at great length. He says he is half Catholic and half Methodist. Just thought this would take on more chatter from the back seat.

Speaking of back seats ---- does anyone know the law about weight limits/heights before a child sits in the front seat. He is driving me crazy wanting to know if I have called the Police Station to get this info...... I take the position he rides in the back seat, except when we go to church, which is 1 1/2 blocks from home. So he is in the back.

I remember All Saints Day at church the year my sweet daddy passed. I slipped in by Beaux in second service - the fellow that lives with Sam and Baby Thomas! And bless his heart he had to listen to me snort and sniff my way through the service. I mentioned this to Beaux the other night at a party, and he didn't even remember....I guess I am a quite cryer, but the sniffles and snorts were there. This is an emotional service and always has been since then.

So, back to Wednesday - All Hallows Eve - Mr. Man's home room mother and I are friends and I phoned her to see what I could do to help. She said only one other mother had called. So, I told her I would make a couple of treats. And I had so much fun - I made Spider's out of Ritz Crackers, Peanut Butter and 2 Raisins for the eyes and stick pretzels. And worms in dirt - that is chocolate pudding with chocolate cookie crumbs sprinkled on top with gummy worms stuck in the mud. Mine didn't look quite right, because I went to Walmart and I guess everyone else had the same idea, cause they had no chocolate cookies (I used box choc. cake mix and cocoa pebbles for rocks) and they were out of gummy worms (I used green yucky sour long thingys that I had to cut).

Here are some pics of his class party:

Check out the cat vegetable cut-ups. Shae and I put that together at the last minute - it didn't turn out exactly like the picture, but it was cute. That would be the worms and dirt around it!

And please notice who my child sits by everyday at school, Kathryn S., that Jay S. may be my son's father in law someday afterall! They have been in the same class since diapers.....

So, we rushed home to get our costumes on. Mr. Man laughed the whole time at me, I guess it was the Ho Wig, or something! He thought I was crazy looking. It was way fun and I already have an idea for next year.

Our first stop was Trish's. Then Leisa took Mr. Man and Wild Walker to Innswood to meet some friends, and I went on over to Trunk and Treat. Here are the pics.

I guess my favorite costume was Hadley V. as Cruella De ville!

My favorite trunk was Jonathan and Jessica W. - it was wonderful with candles - very mysterious indeed.

My favorite photo is frustrated Mama (Julie) with Keith. He had enough already! Been there, done that, honey.

I got a wonderful bag full of Smoothie King treats - vitamins, supplements, t-shirt, and gift card for my prize which was the most "Creative Trunk". I have no idea in the world how that happened, because in my opinion, there were some far more creative trunks than mine out there. I whipped up in there, and threw mine together in a matter of 10 minutes. The children were running out and I was still spinning my web. But all my thanks, it was way too much fun for one whole day!

So, Mr. Man and I, the Good Witch, are left with a boat load of candy! Oh, my lord......this year was cream of the crop, the best. I dumped out his candy on his bed. It filled up a 3 gallon tub!

Oh, my Lord, DANGER ZONE - DANGER ZONE......so I packed it all up and it is in the trunk of my car where it will stay until I sort thru it and give it away. Woodley School will be the recipient of this!

Here are a few from Zoo Boo:

OK, I know anyone reading this is just about to throw up by now, because I am and THESE ARE MY pics.

So, what were your favorite costumes?? Decorations??

Is your head still swimming in a syrupy sweet cobweb of sugar?? Or are you free and clear??

It's a Wonderful Life!

Peace!

The Forbidden Fruit

I was watching Oprah this afternoon. It was quite interesting. An important and world renowned heart surgeon was the guest talking about the importance of taking care of yourself BEFORE it becomes necessary to see him. I thought that unusual, they are in the business of fixing, not prevention. Profiled was a 42 year old stay-at-home mom that was 50 lbs overweight and life had become miserable for her. She was drinking a huge amount of soda, eating horrible and sleeping all the time, sometimes 16 hours per day. This peaked my interest.

She went thru a battery of tests and it was determined that although she was only 42, her body age was 56. Shocker! She went on a 90 day regimen of exercise, drinking water, yoga and strength training along with walking 30 minutes a day. Huge changes, but the amazing thing was the transformation she made in just 90 days. It was just incredible. The thing I noticed were her eyes - they twinkled! She radiated with confidence and energy.

These are the things the famous doctor told her: Throw out anything that lists these items in the ingredients list:

1) Sugar

2) High Fructose Corn Syrup

3) Enriched

4) Partially Hydrogenated anything...

So, guess what, she started COOKING! And drank water in the place of soda's.

I love this guy, he is singing my song. He says butter substitutes are the worst because our body can manage butter, just not all that hydrogenated stuff - they CLOG the arteries. Use Olive Oil, Canola Oil, Flax Seed Oil, and keep them in the refrigerator because they become unstable and break down.

So, there is my song and dance about inspiration and holding food to a higher conscienceness. It is my problem area.

I didn't do so good this week! It is dangerous for me to sleep anywhere there is sugar. I spent the night with Wild Walker while Leisa was as Cursillo, and they have lots of sugar lurking in the cabinets - which I promptly identified and made plans to eat. I felt bad afterwards and guilty.

My greatest accomplishment in all this is the realization that I have to be careful about places I go, and things I do! A buffet would not work right now. A trip thru a drive-thru either. The M.U. house gives me trouble - I identify with comfort and meals - family meals together - well, not now, but long ago.

This is a process to get to know me! Know my weaknesses and my strengths. I had a great weekend with some Cursillistas - I love these people. And they love me. My friend KK is a wise owl, and he is willing to impart, in a loving way, some things I needed to hear. Oftentimes I go thru life, just making the day, without regard for my future. Much like the woman I wrote about earlier. Often, I feel, life happens to me and I am not in control. This is not working well, and it makes me all stressed out. And a stressed out me is not how I want to be.

Our Lord is about peace and harmony. I like doing the right thing. I just need some RIGHT going on in my life.

Now, to end the night - your nightcap - I'm having bourbon with a splash of sprite. A little funny that I really should be too embarrassed to tell, but everyone knows I have no secrets - my life is an open book that I want to make millions on some day!!

Last Friday - I was ranting and raving about the injustices that are being committed against me and our business - I was angry - I was pissed, way beyond belief. Now I will preface this with saying that undergarments are just not my thing, they make be feel binded and constricted. So, I see a dime on the floor. Now bear in mind that just last week I lost 5 lbs, and I just barely fit into my shorts, but they are some of my favorite. They just don't give.......So I bent down to pick up the stupid dime and my britches split wide open about 12 inches in the crotch.

Knowing that I have the uncanny ability to find humor in most any given situation, I busted out laughing so hard I thought I would literally hyperventilate. So did the M.U. and my friend Becky. I think it made our day! Moral to this story is I need to lose 5 more lbs and have the britches double stitched before they go on my bare bottom again. The M.U. said the devil was coming out in me........I hate it when she is right!

Peace!

Hump Day - Really?

I visit several blog sites most everyday, one of which is my Metro Ministers blog. I loved his most recent topic about taking responsibility and instilling this characteristic in our children. He went on to say that this was difficult in light of the news coverage of some pretty stupid folks in the spotlight these days. You can go there yourself and read it.

One of the guys was Michael Vick who recently plead guilty to Federal Dog Fighting charges. Don't you just love the antics of stupid people. You may have seen the video clip of Saturday Night Live "Really". You must REALLY check it out - it is just simply hilarious. It is about Micheal getting caught at the Miami airport carrying weed in a water bottle thru security.

Speaking of Metro Minister - his sermon Sunday really spoke to me. On Monday night I even listened to it again. It was about craving the presence of God in your life. Oh, how important that is. I even picked up a CD of the sermon tonight at church. There is a certain peace that came over me after I came home Sunday. I had been in such a bad space, what with business troubles, and A.F. troubles - just refer to the Bitch Column! I have made some decisions regarding those challenges. They weren't easy decisions to make. Plus, if business continues in the vein it is going, my main manufacturer may be in second position soon. Who knows, I may be better off in the long run.

But God, please help me with this Anger! I am not natured to stay angry, but the more indiscretions that are carried out the more resentful I become. I know the thing to do.....This is what the AA Big Book tells us:

"If you have a resentment you want to be free of, if you will pray for the person or thing that you resent, you will be free. Ask for their health, their prosperity, their happiness, and you will be free. Even when you don't really want it for them, and your prayers are only words and you don't mean it, go ahead and do it anyway. Do it every day for two weeks and you will find you have come to mean it and to want it for them, and you will realize that where you used to feel bitterness and resentment and hatred, you now feel compassionate understanding and love"

Well, for me right now, that is like crossing the Atlantic Ocean in a row boat with two minnows and a fishing pole. But, you know, it just may work. I love the AA Big Book. If I had to chose 2 books for the rest of my life, it would be my Bible and the AA Big Book.

Mr. Man is with the A.F. He hasn't seen him in 3 weeks, and I needed a little break. The Contractual Issues are getting better, but we have to keep up the good work when he returns. He being out of school and home all day while I am working was just not the best plan. So, he is working with the A.F. on his route.

I went to Walmart at 10:30 tonight - so my shopping is done for the week. I needed to get the food to follow my no sugar and no white flour routine. That is going good. I have slipped up twice with Mr. Man's Apple Jacks. I just can hardly resist the ONLY sugar in my house at 2 am (ya know, my bad habit of getting up in the middle of the night to eat). But tonight at PHAT I lost 5 lbs. So I must be doing something right. My mind feels a little less foggy. This always happens, I abstain from sugar and white flour and my mind clears. This is a good thing. It must be that pink fuzzy cloud.

Peace!

Circa 1937

The M.U. celebrated her 70th Birthday in a fine fashion. Her children gave her a party. It was not the party we had imagined or planned, but it was the party SHE wanted. And the way I figure it, if you are turning 70, then you should celebrate it the way you want. She doesn't like to be the center of attention and she doesn't hear well (remember she is 70) so large crowds make her nervous. I liken it to my long and almost forgotten tripping days in college when I heard voices. (Gotcha - NOT!) Dadgum, when I turn a mere 50 I am throwing myself a huge party and everyone is invited. So, here is my Mothers family in attendance:

My dear Shae beautifully designed the floral arrangements. She even let The Blue Eyed Beauty, Sassy and Mr. Man help with one arrangement. She has a certain flair with flowers! My A/R guru AJ made a wonderful tasty crab dip (the M.U. favorite seafood) and she also artfully carved the watermelon boat, chock full of fresh fruit. The small but friendly crowd devoured all but about two cups of fruit. We are hearty eaters, if nothing. To borrow from The Pioneer Woman, the little punks had the first taste. Check it out:

Basically since Katrina blew her nastiness our way, my immediate family has had division amongst the ranks. God love him, Allen withdrew and softened his stance and made this birthday extra special for our Mother! I believe this is one reason it was so important for her to have those close around. Only one word comes to mind for this current situation: hopeful. I asked Allen to grill the steaks, because he is the Grillmeister. He handily agreed. He brought the steaks over to the Club House and jumped in the pool with Mr. Man for a swim. Mr. Man is glad to see his Uncle Allen again.

So, here he is coming in all sweaty and hot, with a tall drink. Of ice, he loves to chomp ice. It drives me crazy. Why exactly do folks feel they must chomp ice?? I have never quite understood that concept. But it works for him. I used to work routes with him from time to time and he always knew the stores that had the "best ice" as he liked to call it. Back in the days when he was a bourbon drinker, he would consider it a crime (and punishment) to have a glass with just a few cubes. He wanted the glass overflowing with ice. I often wondered what the addiction to ice was about.

I think he looks quite well. He seems happy and is working, which is a huge advancement over the past two years. We are so proud of him!

All this is Gods goodness hard at work. Lots of intercessory prayer from a huge number of folks.

It was unfortunate that my sweet Andrew was not able to join us. His "betrothed" has been cramping for about a week now and she miscarried over the weekend. I have very mixed feelings about this. I will solicit more prayers for him as well continued prayers for Allen. Our Lord is so good and knows and wants to meet our every need.

It is always good to be with Lee and Remi. Remi's mother drove down from the mountains of Tennessee to be with us. She likes the little names I so freely give to everyone and has requested one of her very own: T.O.M.  - which stands for The Other Mother! She even drove all day on HER BIRTHDAY! We love you T.O.M.!! The M.U. opened an unusual gift, it was a fruit bowl - that is a bowl with holes in the bottom and a plate it sits on to catch the water from the fruit. It was beautiful, a gift from Betty and Uncle Jr. Sweet Leisa made some wonderful stuffed potatoes for us along with steamed asparagus with a simply divine sauce. The M.U. thought the cake was the prettiest birthday cake she had ever seen. And it was beautiful, I ate the last little bit at 1 a.m. this morning. It was not only beautiful, but tasty! Guess what...............it's gone, done, never to be forgotten!

My cousin Jean and her family were there. It is always good to be with them. We love to get together for birthdays, so we were in our element. Russ and Russ II came,along with Ryan. Ryan is getting something very special! A service dog or a companion for him. They left Saturday going to Orlando to be with the dog and learn its commands. Ryan has Muscular Dystrophy and he is a special boy and has been in a wheelchair for about 5 years now. He always has a smile on his face and Mr. Man loves him. He especially likes to hang onto his wheelchair and ride wherever Ryan rides. We don't like him to do that, but he finds every opportunity to jump on the back - then we pull him off. They are a special family - we missed Matt, he was working.

I particularly enjoyed two pics - each of my precious brothers and my mother, she is my heart. I hope to be just like her in 2031!

So, all was well with our souls last Friday night. The Club House was the perfect place to have a party of this size. There was enough room for everyone to mingle or sit and have an intimate conversation. The food was outstanding! But most of all, I am proud that my sweet Mother could enjoy herself around the family she loves so dearly.

Peace and Love!

Twenty Things I Have Enjoyed Lately

 

This would be a Top Shelf Margarita.

I liked it all right.

It tasted good.

But one is not enough.....

So, without much fanfare - I had another version, it was much tastier.

It was a Mango Margarita.

I haven't paid much attention to my feet lately in light of the fact that I fell about 6 weeks ago and lost a toenail.

Guess which one it is??

I like to pick my toenails - it's one of my bad habits.

I'm trying to ax this bad habit.

Compliments of my favorite nail shop in Dallas and my Target Visa Card.

Good movie for kids.

Adults: If you can get past talking rats taking over in the kitchen, then it is OK.

This was rain day fun in Dallas.

Dead Woman and Boy Float holding hands, ear to ear.

It takes little to make me happy.

Knowing that my brother, Lee, is 10 years my junior and is balding.

I Love balding men.

Does that make me ancient??

Making a Flag Cake with Mr. Man.

It called for 6 sticks of butter, I cut it to 5 sticks to save on calories.

I got the recipe from The Pioneer Woman, she got it from The Barefoot Contessa.

Everyone said it was divine. I thought it needed more butter.

From left to right:

Brandon, Bill a/k/a Duce, Pat (Remi's mom), Remi, the Motherly Unit, Mr. Man, and my brother, Lee - the one going bald.

We stand on ceremony. Notice the Plate Chargers, Silver Wine Goblets - an Heirloom from my Maternal Grandmother, Candles, Fresh purple/pink Lily, Wine (2 kinds - of white), Ice mugs, Plastic Tea Pitcher, Water Bottles, White Linen Napkins (notice Mr. Man with his in the lap). This was first course salad. Then we had the deliciousness of frozen Lasagna. Like I said, we stand on ceremony!

Nothing warms a mothers heart more than witnessing her son's first shot.

He said it went down smooth...

Uncle Lee's up next for the chopping block. And I hold the hammer.

Mamaw is not amused, but Pat is elated (or maybe she can't wait to put that shot to her lips!) We love you Pat!

At long last, I found a game I can win against Mr. Man. Amazing. Backgammon. I played sometimes all night in college with my friend Cynthia. We liked to drink all night also.

He'll never be a better player than me.

I let him win sometimes. Like this play, he just bumped me - I am black.

He's scared now.

I can think of only a couple other things I would rather be doing early morning by the pool than this:

1) Finishing a not so good book. But sometimes in life, I like to prove to myself I can finish SOMETHING.

2) Drinking a strong mimosa.

I don't like to have a cocktail alone. I never have one actually. But this particular morning, I just thought it would be good.

No one wanted one with me.

I know it is blurry, I am a horrible photographer with a not so great camera. But it works.

The Absent Father (NOT) has an ad in the Dallas Voice.

I have the newspaper in my hot little hands if anyone is interested in checking it out. You know for further details.

A.F. will just absolutely flip out when I show it to him.

"THE LAST SUPPER"

I prepared a culinary delight for our last meal. It was:

Grilled to perfection Pork Loin marinated in Pineapple and Soy Sauce, then peppered with Celery Salt, Grilled crookneck Squash, brushed with butter and cracked black pepper and kosher salt, Grilled Eggplant served with Goat cheese spread atop, Fresh Baked Bread, and Boiled New Potatoes.

They raved. But left the Eggplant.

Daphne (the queen of the house) is waiting for Mr. Man to drop something. Wonder if he did???

Mr. Man - 30 minutes after the shot his Uncle Lee gave him.

I'm looking for a bigger, heavier hammer.

Some of my SISTERS at La Fiesta Brava last night.

Sallie, Julie, the A/R guru AJ, Tina, and somebody I don't know.

the A/R guru AJ and Tina are supposed to be at Girl Scout Camp (what kind of beverage is that in front of them??), and Julie was supposed to be at a Tennis Match - she said it was canceled. Sallie is ALWAYS so happy and full of life, next time I will announce I am making a pic so she can get ready (like the others!)

Now Dearie - that Corona must have been fabulous.

Sallie is totally and completely amazed! AS WE ALL SHOULD BE!

I LOVE YOU MY DEAR FRIEND PAIGE.

Quite possibly the cutest and happiest woman with child that I have ever seen.

My Precious Sam, you are getting ready to go on the ride of your life, so put on your seat belt honey.

Our beloved SISTER Linda, she can solve all your problems in one fell swoop.

I'm putting her on my payroll, pronto.

I think I can re-build this into a chopping block.

Maybe I can quit looking for a big mean hammer and just find a noose.

Don't ya think this would work just fine??

The Canna's Lee and Remi just planted in their yard.

These are my favorite colors in the whole wide world.

The Canna's that are about to bloom.

My other very favorite colors.

These things I have enjoyed lately. Hope you enjoy them also.

Peace Out!

Switching Gears

The outpouring of love and concern for me softened the rough spots, for which I am grateful! I could feel prayers. I put forth the war call and my dear SISTERS heard my cry! Isn't friendship a wonderful thing?? Doesn't God feel good!! After a sleepless night, I gave all this to our Lord, for it is far too great a burden for me to do alone. I know the answers and resolution will come - and I have a masters degree in patience! So, time alone will tell.

Switching gears for tonight.

Mr. Man had a baseball game tonight. The first pitch was a pop up and he caught it handily! I was a proud Mama. He came to bat 4 times and hit the ball each time, once between 1st and 2nd base that went to the outfield. On his 3rd time up to bat, he was called out at 3rd base, but after the slide, he got up, brushed himself off, and ran off the field, just like a pro! If this business does not make me some money some day, maybe Mr. Man could go pro and make us a living -YIKES. Life is good!

I am on the mailing list for The Yokel Market located in downtown H'burg. My dear friend, Sha, turned me on to this place one day for lunch. We had a wonderful salad - the best anywhere - comprised of all Organic produce, all grown right here in Forrest County. It has a small salad bar, but you won't be disappointed. Then we went there another time and I had a Reuben sandwich. It is a meatless variety (not sure what they used), but it was to die for. If you are ever in downtown H'burg., you really owe it to yourself to try this food and then meander over and buy some locally grown fresh produce. They have a good variety of whole foods and you really can taste the difference. They also have grains and nuts that are bought in bulk, meaning it is a large container and you scoop out how much you need. The best damn peanut butter anywhere, that is ground right there (as a matter of fact, you do the grinding). A young couple own the joint along with the husband's sister. I enjoy organic food and really should restrict my diet to this, in light of some facts I want to share:

Hey y'all! First, let's have some bullet points provided by the Organic Consumers Association (OCA) that underscore why it's so important to support local food producers:

>Each year, the average American consumes 260 pounds of imported food.

>98.7% of foods imported into the U.S. are NOT inspected by the FDA for safety.

>Of the scant 1.3% of imported foods the FDA tests, over 200 shipments of grains, fish, vegetables, nuts, spice, oils and other imported foods are detained each month for issues ranging from filth to unsafe food coloring to contamination with pesticides to salmonella. The other 98.7% of untested food is immediately green-lighted for the American diet.

>The U.S. imports almost twice as much food today as it did just ten years ago, yet the FDA's budget for testing imports has been cut nearly in half since 2000.

Check out their site: The Yokel Market for more information. It also contains links to some fun stuff to browse. Who wants to go to lunch sometime??

Love and Peace!

Hump Day - that's it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d0rGr0N3gOk    

I found this cool artist tonight, I will come back to this one again and again. One thing I love about computerese is the music. I will have to link some of this stuff to my blog.

Mr. Man update: He moved himself up one notch and got a yellow light today. I was a proud Mama - not the perfect angel I had envisioned. Mr. Man has a restless mind (and maybe wandering hands!). I really think that perhaps he is tiring of the routine of Kindergarten. I won't read too much into these infractions. He and I are both looking forward to NOT hearing that damn alarm clock going off in my room (the alarm clock is in my room - I sleep with Mr. Man - so it just rings and rings until it stops - isn't that radical??). In some ways he is much like the Absent Father, ya know the restless mind and wandering hands - then he is much like me - hates alarm clocks and loves to sleep in! He is our child.

I have been blogging rather than reading Paul's letter to the Romans. I just couldn't bear it any longer. As my dear friend Paige knows, I love me some Old Testament. The stories, the history, lies, deceit, murder, mahem - who wouldn't love this stuff. Then there is the New Testament - all about love, patience, kindness, devotion. How many different ways are there to tell this?? I dunno, I may be a warped individual, but I'll take the OT anyday to the NT. I love Jesus and He loves ME - bottom line.

Tonight was simply perfect. A great plate of spaghetti, a well behaved boy, and good friends. My friend Sam is with child! I had the urge to reach over and feel Thomas kicking. I must do that soon, cause time is drawing nigh. What a wonderful time in her life. I remember those days - what I remember the most is how absolutely mouth watering fabulous food tasted. I gained 70 lbs. with Mr. Man. I would like to just blame it on him, but I put the fork to my mouth. I remember how huge I looked and I just smiled and felt great - life was grand. I told her tonight that the greatest part was pushing. Just knowing that this rounded ball of life was about to be in my arms. What a delight. Total out of body experience (no pun intended!). Well, that will be the only time in my life I will experience that. It would be the 2nd immaculate comception if that came to pass again.

How I will miss WAP. I have most of my evening meals alone or with Mr. Man. It is so nice to sit over dinner and have adult conversation.

My brother, Lee, will be here tomorrow night. We will go to Mr. Man's ballgame Friday night and may go to Aunt Annie Jane's in Ocean Springs on Saturday. It would be so nice for him to be closer. He is such a neat guy and we love Remi, his mate. They just got back from a cruise to Honduras and Belize. They are cruisers....they cruise a couple of times a year. Summer is fast approching, we we will make the trek to Dallas. Lee and Remi have a beautiful home with a great pool. It is very relaxing. Mr. Man loves going to Dallas - and the shopping is out of this world. I have my favorites - but I can get my fill from the mall which is a 10 minutes drive. One fell swoop!

I am tired and ready for bed. I got alot of work done today, so tomorrow should be a breeze. Work has been unusually quite - orders are up and checks are coming in - so no need to fret! Life is good.

I still can't find my camera - I am getting worried it may be lost.......I want to download some pics, I want to get my pic world in order.

One of my favorite singing artists is Sarah Brightman. She starred in Phantom of the Opera on Broadway - guess who was her hubby - Andrew Lloyd Webber! A Whiter Shade of Pale http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fC0uv1kC1RM is one of my favs! It was originally recorded in 1967 by Procol Harum - I like this clip also  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NaxtMqKuTAk

I know there is a fancy way to link this, but I haven't figured that out yet.

Love and Peace!