It's a Wonderful Life!!

The Grinch Who Stole Christmas!

OK, So I had a little get together for some High School friends, etal.

I had initial trouble that lingered long past dark. I haven't had gas for 6 days. Finally a plumber came out and began the job Friday - Noon. This consisted of gathering up the 62 feet of pipe, plus materials, plus rental of a ditch wench to dig the ditch thru the Magnolia roots. We (and I use that term loosly!) had to cut down a Nandina tree to get to the meter. This job was involved and time consuming and expensive - to the tune of $2900 - you  know I have no secrets and tell no lies.

My party to begin at 7pm. The plumbers were still here working - still no gas. No big deal - I can deal so long as I have water and electricity - gas, I thought was optional. Well, let me tell you sports fans, to not have hot water is a little awkward. You have to shower all over town at friends and neighbors homes. You can't really wash dishes - and if it gets cold, well you are just shit out of luck.

The plumbers were "on call" for Saturdays. The were a little disgruntled at first with my communication with them. By the end of the night I gave the main guy (there were 4) one of my nerve pills. I offered them appetizers and cocktails. The wife which stayed the duration, Tiffany, accepted. So Tiffany and I had a few Cape Cod cocktails together and complained about working on Saturday. But my gratitude was big! 

I thought this appropriate considering the fact that I have not had hot water or heat for SIX days. I have taken showers in 4 different places in 6 days - I STINKED, STANK AND STUNK the skipped days.

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You’re a mean one, Mr. Grinch. You really are a heel.
You’re as cuddly as a cactus. You’re as charming as an eel.
Mr. Grinch! You’re a bad banana with a greasy black peel!

You’re a monster, Mr. Grinch. Your heart’s an empty hole.
Your brain is full of spiders. You’ve got garlic in your soul.
Mr. Grinch! I wouldn’t touch you with a thirty-nine-and-a-half foot pole!

You’re a vile one, Mr. Grinch. You have termites in your smile.
You have all the tender sweetness of a seasick crocodile.
Mr. Grinch! Given the choice between the two of you I’d take the seasick crocodile!

You’re a foul one, Mr. Grinch. You’re a nasty-wasty skunk
You’re heart is full of unwashed socks, your soul is full of gunk
Mr. Grinch! The three words that best describe you are as follows, and I quote:
STINK, STANK, STUNK!

You’re a rotter, Mr. Grinch. You’re the king of sinful sots.
Your heart’s a dead tomato splotched with moldy purple spots.
Mr. Grinch! Your soul is an appalling dump-heap overflowing with the most disgraceful assortment of deplorable rubbish imaginable, mangled up in tangled up knots!

You nauseate me, Mr. Grinch, with a nauseous super “naus”!,
You’re a crooked jerky jockey and you drive a crooked hoss.
Mr. Grinch! You’re a three decker sauerkraut and toadstool sandwich with arsenic sauce!

They finished at 10PM and now I have hot water. The plumber decided to join our party. William is one of those strange characters, but a nice guy. It looked like a crime scene in my backyard. Major ordeal.

Here are some pics of the plumber that lingered.

My friend Brian, played the piano and was in rare form - could it be the plumber had inspired him? Seems as if to me if the plumber had enjoyed a Christmas Party and he partook of some adult beverages and food, he could have at least cut me a deal on the jumbo bill.

But now my pipes are safe and sound for the future owners of my home.

Some pics:

It's a wonderful life! Merry Christmas!

Peace!

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!

Fall Festival and Annual Pumpkin Carving Party

Well now, where do we begin.....I made a big pot of Chili this afternoon, in and amongst work and running errands. Leisa and Wild Walker came over to eat a bite before the festivities began. Our first stop was the annual Fall Festival at Mr. Man's school. It was the best ever. There were about 25 booths set up with games galore - from the Dance Party Tent (which was Mr. Man's favorite), the hay ride, costume parade, three or so jumpies, to the Haunted Hallway (children under ten had to be accompanied by an adult). Mr. Man was brave, but to tell the truth, it was a bit scary. Here are some pics.

There were lots of adults dressed up, but the kids costumes were amazing. We had Elvis, the Hershey's Kiss, Ninja's, Pirates, a Coke Machine and lots of pretty girls in princess costumes. We ran into Mr. Man's teacher - she is the one in the pic right beside Mr. Man - and she bragged about how well he was doing in school with his behavior and scholastically. It made me proud for just a moment.

Now, bear in mind that Mr. Man had ample preparation and warning - he was clear on the rules from the get-go. I told him he was not to run wild and I had to know where he was at all times. As it turned out, I spent half the time wandering around looking for him. It was like he took a hit of speed or something. He lost all control.

The icing on the cake was when Wild Walker and Mr. Man duked it out after Wild Walker poured a juice pack on him when Mr. Man was in the Dance Party tent. Oh, my Lord, they fell out of that tent fighting like a bunch of red-necks. I was horrified. So, I broke them up in front of a growing audience and proceeded to calm him down - we went for a hay ride. When we returned, he darted back into the masses....it took me 30 minutes to find him.

So, I gingerly escourted him to the car and spanked his leg with my ever sturdy ping pong paddle, which Leisa brought "just in case". I was mumbling something like "I am so damn mad with you - I told you not to run off - and you did it anyway - have you lost your mind???"

Here are some cool pumpkins......

So that was that for the fall festival. It was lots of entertainment and a walk on the wild side.

The mood was a little tense on the ride home. Mr. Man apologized and told me that he was "just excited" - and I can relate to that. It makes me crazy to not know where he is in public. In fact, most of the kids were going from tent to tent without their parents. The Fall Festival probably would have been more pleasant if I weren't so freaked out about that. But, that is just the mother in me - not to mention the fact that he is only 6 and he should't be wandering aimlessly around unsupervised. I have to moniter my child - he has a tendancy to live life on the edge.....and sports fans, that puts me over the edge......

I love annual events. They are predictable. One of my all time favorite annual parties is the Pumpkin Carving Party at Sara and Wes J's. We all get together and craft an amazing piece of art. Our beloved pumpkin. It is just the best! Over the years we have become quite skilled and we take great pride in our work. Sara provides the carving utensils - and she had lots of patterns to chose from. We gather round the table and very intently get to work dotting our pattern, sawing, digging out the guts. I chose 2 bats above a haunted house with a big tree on the side. It was the hardest pattern I have ever attempted - and I have to admit, it was awesome.

Here is the finished product.....

It takes concentration and determination to accomplish this! Sara J. was the first to finish - man, she was quick out of the gate. Wes was last, but he did it free-handed, that artist in him....But I took the longest. I love all of them. They looked magical lit on the table outside. It was a brisk night. There was a wonderful bon-fire. It was Mr. Man and Walker's job to gather the pine cones and fire wood. They enjoyed every last minute of this.

I just love their home. It is so inviting and comfortable. It was nice the kids could go outside and run and play. I have awesome memories of spending some weekends out there. One of my favorites was a Friday night and we commenced to stay up till the wee hours of the night and crashed. We got up the next morning and made the best damn pumpkin pancakes in the whole universe. Isn't friendship the best gift in the world??

I love my friends!

Thanks be to God for surrounding me with the most loving folks around, bar none. I am truly blessed!

I must go crash now and we WILL sleep late - don't ya just love Saturday's?

Wahooooo to a lovely evening!!

Peace!

Halloween - The Prelude

I've often thought this a tad odd, considering my Christian persuasion, but my favorite holiday is Halloween. Mr. Man and I love to decorate and carve pumpkins and go to parties and festivals. It is basically stress free, unless of course you attend the annual carving of the "Christian Pumpkin" at church. There is nothing like a room full of overactive kids of all sizes and shapes and ages holding knives and digging out the slimy stuff pumpkins are made of. It was enough to just about send me over the edge last night.

I, of all people, forgot to take my ever trusty camera, but my friend Sara did have hers - damn she's always so organized and together! So here is the shot of Mr. Man digging out pumpkin guts.

Next to us is Tu and Quinn, my new buddy! Julie tells all about the Christian Pumpkin in a lovely way. Quinn and I have become buddies since I pick him up for Karate on Wednesday's. Emily and Mr. Man are in the car also, and I have to ask those two chatter boxes to be quite for a minute and let Quinn say something. He is a quite boy with a sweet spirit - I have found him to have alot to say if given the opportunity. I think Mr. Man is sometimes conflicted about Emily. He sees her as his buddy and "one of the boys", and wants to "protect" her on the other hand. It is funny how I see their relationship evolving. But she is tough as nails and I have to hand it to her for stickability!! But often Mr. Man will want Emily to come over and play - and I have to make him pinky promise he will be kind and nice to her. Emily and I like to play word games on the way to get Mr. Man from school. She likes that - and well, you know, I love a little word play myself.

Angie and Josh had a Halloween Party last weekend. My friend James, the world traveler, went with me. It was fun - I love to see adults in costume. Josh was even in drag, and well, I don't remember who Angie was, but she is the one with the white face and unibrow - I didn't even recognize her. Sam was the witch with the dangles from her hat. She completed her witchery with orange and black stripe tights with pointy shoes. Beaux wanted to be Professor Snapes from Harry Potter, but he thought he looked more like a Rock Star..... Wes, and my A/R Guru, AJ came as a Groomsman and Bridesmaid, and Tina came as Tina. The adult beverages were really tasting good and well, I had way too much fun for one evening.

If that weren't enough, James and I thought we needed a night-cap. So we headed down the middle of Swan City for a local tavern with a mahogany bar. We met this sweet couple, Clarence and June,  and we joined them and their appetizers (they had stuffed mushrooms!!)......they had been married 24 years and I guess we solved everyone's problems til around 3:30'ish. I liked Clarence's hat! We invited them over, and they were especially pleased when they found out my business involved pork skins. On their way out, I loaded them up with as much as I could - I just bet they thought they hit the jackpot with us.....

Here's to Clarence and June!!

It was a spooky night come to think of it!

Stay tuned, there will be more Halloween '07 events coming soon.

Peace!

My Friend, James

Don't you just love old friends?  Not age, but the length of time you have known someone. James grew up down the street on 15th Avenue with me. He is actually closer to my youngest brother, Lee's age. But at this point, who is counting. When you achieve my age, 10 years or so isn't really important. I run with chicks 10 years my junior and I just think I am young!

James called last week to say he was in town with his parents, and wanted to come by for a visit before the USM ballgame. He came by and never made it to the game. We were just chatting and catching up. We threw the football for Mr. Man and he dressed up in his Ninja Halloween costume. The the giant spider attacked! Of course, we had to ask about our families and this and such.....yadda yadda. We laughed alot and it was a lovely evening.

James is a cool cat! I admire his LOVE for life. James does what James wants to do. He works for a while and saves his money, then he travels to whatever country that suits his fancy. His sabbatical is life! It is woven so neatly in his psyche and manifests itself in a whimsical sort of way.

He calls New York City his home now. He just visits here. I don't think for all the love or money in the world could Swan City swoon James for a permanent residence here. Now I love Swan City - it is where I was born and bred. I tried to leave one time and contracted West Nile Virus - so I don't mess with divine intervention any more. I am just contented within my present confines and station in life.

I visited New York several years ago and phoned James to see if we could hook up. We had a fabulous time. He escorted me all over New York. We went to Canal Street and bargain shopped. We went to China Town and had lunch. We would pop in some dive and have a cocktail. It was fun and I felt safe with a New Yorker at my side. I have been to New York un-escorted and that was like country come to town. I couldn't get my coin in the subway, I would hold up the flow of traffic just trying figure out what street I was on. I had to ask the bus driver which direction he was going and where I would end up. New York is NOT the friendliest city in America, but with a New Yorker at your side - all is well.......

And so, this is to you, my dear friend James! May your heart stay warm and your beer stay cool!

And a tadaaa to old friends......:)

Happy Trails to You!

Peace!

The Glory Days

I love this time of year, when the leaves begin to fall and the temperature outside is not only bearable, but downright marvelous! I especially enjoy my patio - always tempted to stay a bit longer. I get all my candles out and there is nothing in the world like a patio when the sun sets. This is my favorite time of day! Even though this is mosquito alley/valley - we take precautions! It is nice to be out stirring around. Like an active squirrel trying to find his nut....

I had a wonderful weekend last week. I attended the absolutely best 50th birthday party in the world (for my friend, Jay). I would make some minor adjustments, but, all in all, it will be a good plan to prepare for MY 50th. I have 3 years and a few months to get ready. I am excited. It will be big sports fans. The challenge here is how do you get folks excited about a party when your birthday is January 2nd....This has been the story of my life. Some folks get real excited and worked up about birthdays. But mine being on that certain day has never quite thrilled me. I mean, who wants to party on Jan. 2nd. Maybe I should have a 49 1/2 birthday party - then it would be July 2nd - and that is nothing to get excited about either - what with July 4th there and not to mention the damn heat. But God is good and WE will figure something out.

Back to last weekend - after the best 50th birthday I ever attended, my date (Sara F.) and I went to the preachers house. We had Vietnamese cuisine - it was quite tasty and I was a little toasty. I am not much of a drinker these days, but I got a little tipsy, what with tasty, toasty and tipsy how could I go wrong? It just was a lovely evening filled with great friends to share fun times.

Mr Man's school had the Fall Fling on Saturday evening, and the Great Entertainer was my date. It was a 10K draw down and my name was one of the last 25 called! I was excited for a moment that I just may win something for once in my entire life. But it was not in the stars. We left soon after my number was up. I was tired from all the tasty, toasty and tipsy from the evening before, so we called it an early evening. Which is highly unusual when Brian and I get together.

Sunday was one of those days that was just plain lazy. I didn't even get the paper from the driveway to read. I just laid on the couch and snoozed. I bet I slept 18 hours in a 24 hour period. It was just plain glorious and I don't feel guilty one bit. Actually, I need a day like that every blue moon or so. My life gets so crazy and hectic (much like every one else's in the whole world), that sometimes this 46 1/2 year old body just needs a do-nothing day. I just can't imagine anyone being bored??? That word is even hard to type, much less ponder.

I love my friends. There is not much at all lacking in my life. I am not in need. I feel blessed.

I have missed my blog lately - but to be perfectly honest, work has been kicking my butt lately. That is my only excuse. I promise to visit more often and make my small contribution to literary history! HA........

It's a Wonderful Life Y'all!

Peace!

The Entertainer

I spent the greater part of Friday with my good friend Brian. We graduated from High School together and have been close for several years now. He is a professional entertainer and has a work schedule I could only dream about! Playing the piano and going to parties - what a life!

He has 1300 songs in his repertoire. His hands move so gracefully over those black and white keys, effortlessly- it is amazing. God has truly gifted him in extraordinary ways with this talent. Brian has favorites - the year 1939 is his favorite - all the oldies but goodies. Even though I am not a musician, if I know the words, I don't mind singing along. He loves to play "name that tune". We have been doing this for so long, he often trips me up, but I know alot of his favorites. My all time favorite is "Summertime". So that is always my request.

Here is Fantasia, American Idol Winner for Season 3 in 2004. She gives a fabulous performance:

For us lovers of that era, you just can't beat Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong's rendition. This is an excerpt from a music review from NPR about the musical "Porgy and Bess":

"Set in the fictitious slum of Catfish Row in 1912 Charleston, S.C., Porgy and Bess tells the story of Porgy, a crippled black man, and his attempts to rescue Bess from her pimp, Crown, and her drug dealer, Sportin' Life. It was a commercial failure on its first Broadway run, but was eventually regarded a classic from one of America's most important composers, blending traditional black church music, chords from Gershwin's Jewish heritage and quintessential American jazz."

This story could be from today - a classic! My Goodness gracious, I could have read those story lines in the Sunday paper!

So, for us purists:

'Nuff said........

But back to Friday. I sort of go off on tangents sometimes, those wandering mindless times I enjoy!

Tina, etal, were leaving for Germany on Saturday and I wanted to give her a couple of Brian's CD's. Tina's Tonto Freida (misspelled, I'm certain), I think Tonto translates to Aunt, was here one night when Brian was playing. She couldn't speak a word of English, but we all knew she loved Brian!! I asked Brian over for lunch and if he could bring a CD. Tina came by quickly and promised to pass it along.

To know Brian is to love him......he spent the afternoon and evening with me from there. He was in rare form and we had so many laughs! Who got a call from Governor Haley Barbour?? Well, Brian did (me too!) and he was imitating the Governor! "Hello, this is Governor Haley Barbour, this is to inform you of impending weather in the Gulf of Mexico. DO NOT BE ALARMED. Watch your local weather for details" and some other mumbo jumbo.

We were on my patio - ambiance was pleasant, candles lit, kids played nice, good friends. Wild Walker was with Richard, so Leisa was solo for a few hours. Mr. Man begged for Emily to come over, he was even nice to her! Check out the hummingbird. I worked long and hard for that pic.

Then it started thundering and Wild Walker doesn't like thunder. Richard brought him back to Leisa and stayed for Brian's performance. He is in his element at the piano. I acquired this piano in a funny sort of way, back in my wilder youth.

My former husband was a bookie - yes, he bartered and traded if someone lost. So - to someone else's misfortune, it was my piano. Oh, my goodness, maybe I should now donate it........but I like to play, and I really like for Brian to play. So, I think I will keep it for now. So Richard (Leisa should really marry this guy - but she just won't even discuss it), brought Wild Walker over and things picked up around here. It would have been unbearable if it weren't for the entertainment!

And guess what, I captured it all.......the good, the bad and the ugly! My 14 year old Alex, absolutely loves Brian - so he hangs out by his feet when he plays. If the song is fast, he scratches to the tune - REALLY!

The sweetest Church Lady in the world, Diane, has nothing to fear about Mr. Man getting a head start on his piano lessons. But he does like to sit at the piano and "pretend" - it just come out like banging - not too sure if he is gifted in the piano?? We'll see. I tried to get the red out of Wild Walker's eyes - it just didn't work. Hummmmmmm.

It was a memorable night - and Mr. Man and I were sawing logs by 10pm.

So, my many thanks to my dear friend, Brian!

It's a Wonderful Life!

Peace!

Ramblings

  I really have no topic tonight, just various ramblings.

I feel I have neglected my blog far too long. There is no way to catch up this far out! Confession time: I have discovered "Jewel Quest II" - it is a game on comcast that I am addicted to. There are so many other things I could be doing, but Jewel Quest has been occupying way too much of my time. Part of breaking an addiction is admitting there is a problem. So, there you go........

My ever friendly accountant pal, Pam, gently told me at church Wed. that taxes were due Oct. 15. The M.U. will be so pleased to know that I am at least thinking in that direction.  Wouldn't it be nice to be Elizabeth Montgomery on Bewitched and squiggle your nose to get a job done. If I could be Elizabeth Montgomery just twice a year for one day - my house would be organized and my taxes would not be delinquent.

Mr. Man has been under the weather lately, what with two trips to his favorite doctor in the world with an earache. Bless his heart, he has been up and down almost every night hurting and tossing and turning and crying. He has missed 2 days of school and let me tell you sports fans, it is hard to work with Mr. Man home all day. If he were sick and running fever, he would probably lay around and watch TV or read. Miraculously, he feels good during the day, but the nights give him trouble. Last night was the first in 10 days he has slept thru the night.

The Contract between Mr. Man and myself is still in place and working fabulously! He is one strong willed young boy, a mere challenge. He is completing his chores, behaving the majority of the time, getting green lights at school and collecting his money! He loves Fridays when I give him $5.00 and then he turns around and gives me $2.50 to save. That is our deal - some may fault me for rewarding good behavior and doing chores - but let's face it folks, some of us mortals are motivated by the almighty dollar. And the way I figure things, $5 is a small price to pay for positive results.

The A.F. is furious. He is steaming mad with me. If I were a cursing woman, I would phrase this in another way - but I try to keep it clean around here. He has received 2 demands from me via 2 separate attorneys on 2 completely different matters.

One is child support - which I have not received a dime since the first of June. I have never withheld visitation from the A.F. so I called to see if he wanted to get Mr. Man last weekend (we are on an every other weekend schedule). He said sure and picked him up last Friday after chess club. I gave Mr. Man an envelope to give to his dad, enclosing a receipt for Mr. Man's medicine ($60) and my co-pay ($15) on the doctor bill (which I pay his health insurance!), asking him to help me with some of it. I also asked him to buy Mr. Man some socks and underware - since I purchased his school uniforms and school supplies. I thought this a small request. On Sunday he "dropped" Mr. Man off in the driveway. Unbelievable! Then he called to promptly cuss me out - saying I was the scum of the earth along with my brother. Well, I just hung up on him and went about my way.

The second issue is business money he owes. Now somehow, someway in his warped pea brain mind he thinks he does not owe that. So, this is the deal: He ordered the products, the products were shipped and received by him, and he sold them to his customers. The problem herein is he didn't pay me. So not only did he profit in the usual way, but he profited by not paying his broker (ME!). I just can't see anything right about this. His response to this will be the manufacturer (not me - remember he owes me money and I WANT to see products shipped to him) terminated his distributing rights. He will come up with some cock-a-manie excuse to try and get out of paying me. While he was cussing, he told me I needed to sue the manufacturer! So, I just bet his brother in law attorney has advised him, his beef is with the manufacturer, not his broker. I am sympathetic to his woes. I would even be willing to come to some sort of re-payment agreement. I would even be willing to take a note secured by a Deed of Trust on the two houses he has on the market for sale. He is so hostile and out there,  I can't even broach the subject. So, I have turned this over to my dear, ever capable SISTER Attorney to handle, bless her heart. Who on God's green Earth will ever understand that man?

I am feeling very positive about business. Some very good things are going on right now and we are fired up over here! My phone is ringing off the hook, and we are wheeling and dealing. Mr. Man and I have prayed over this business for a long time. I have asked God to bless it and help us to prosper.  We have been walking through a valley for so long, that I just have a vision of greener pastures in the future. Can you tell I have been reading my new Joel Osteen book, AGAIN???

Speaking of which.....It is a #1 New York Time Bestseller:

"Your Best Life Now - 7 Steps to Living At Your Full Potential"

"Your journey to a brighter future begins with these seven steps:

One: Enlarge your vision

Two: Develop a healthy self image

Three: Discover the power of your thoughts and words

Four: Let go of the past

Five: Find strength through adversity

Six: Live to give

Seven: Choose to be happy"

So, there you go!! I highly recommend this book, you really must.

Wanted to share some more pics of Bunko:

I couldn't get slide to work the other night when I posted Bunko Queens. It was a great evening!

AND:

It's a Wonderful Life!

Peace...

The Saturday Evening Post

As Saturday's go, this has been quite average. Not much would I change today with the exception of getting alot of much needed money in the bank.

Business is OK. Other than one important aspect. The A.F. was told by the manufacturer he couldn't represent one of the products I sell to him. This did not make him happy, me either. This goes into the red zone with him, considering over the past recent months our agreed upon support has not been met. He was already in arrears with me as far as his business commitments. This is not good. I am not pleased! At this point I have no leverage with him to hold his freight. I am on a wing and a prayer.

This was to be Mr. Man's weekend with the A.F. That did not happen. But we have had a blast this weekend and we have been productive. I like these weekends. I have done about 6 loads of clothes and put everything away nice and neat. Mr. Man has helped, he likes to help. I want to raise him to be a helper and not one of those men that thinks the woman should do IT ALL.

We worked in the yard some, here are some pics of my yard:

   

Ms. Leisa and Wild Walker came over and the boys played baseball outside. Then a little card game with the neighbor, Bennie.

And then, I had to intervene:

So, this is a product of being too competitive. This is what we call a time out at our house. It generally works. As I have said before, Wild Walker and Mr. Man sometimes mix like oil and water. I told Ms. Leisa one time that we should just stand by and let them duke it out. They would end up scratching each others eyes out. So, instead, we limit their time together to about once a week.

Mr. Man lately has been saying words like: crap, idiot, freak, freakin - well those are just not acceptable words at my house. I had to give him a small dose of soap today. I told him I was washing that garbage out of his mouth. Now some may find this extreme, myself included. When nothing else works, and the behavior continues, I take extreme measures. Lord, forgive me.

He spat and sputtered for about 30 minutes. He lived thru it and survived. I haven't heard another raunchy word.

Mr. Man has been on his best behavior since. We went for an afternoon swim and cookout at my smart and funny bookkeeper's Trish and Mr. Tom's. It was fun and Mr. Man was in rare form. He danced just like a white boy and shot basketball, well, like an African American boy.

So, it has been a day of fun! And accomplishments! And discipline!

It's a Wonderful Life - Grace under fire!

Peace!

Summer Fun Days at The Water Park

This was a very cool day! There are not many things I love in this world better than a water park. And sports fans, this was a day that will go down in my memory bank as the Big Kahuna! And yes, there are some tales to tell.

Many of my SISTERS were present and in their finest regalia. One aspect of my church I love so much is over a 15 year period, I have come to know and love many fine folks. My SISTERS are my heart, but it is always fun when I go outside my core group. Over the years I have seen kids from the 6th grade mature in faith and knowledge to go forward on their life journey to adulthood. Most went to college, some to the ministry, and others to further their professional careers. My hope is Mr. Man will follow in some mighty fine footsteps from those that went before him. What a witness that is for the body of Christ.

The day started out quite nice, we planned to leave at 8:30 - but pulled out of the parking lot with 2 vans at 8:45'ish. Thought that was remarkable considering it is summer and it involved getting kids up and dressed for a day of fun in the sun. This takes some preparation. There were a few clouds in the sky, however, it turned out to be the picture perfect day. Speaking of pictures:

If you like slides, then you are close to heaven. For me, I am more of a lazy river kind of girl.

The rumors are still milling around about the fact that some long-standing friendships are on high alert status. So, I just want to put everyone on notice that I not only post your pic's, but I post my own. I may even ask you when you least expect it to take a quick shot at me. I don't particularly have any photography skills, I just enjoy the documenting the day kind of thing. The M.U. has concerns that one unpleasant side effect of WNV for me is memory loss. I enjoy carrying my camera in my purse, unless I have "forgotten" where I put my camera the last time. It makes me feel like a good Girl Scout. I wonder if the motto for G.S. is still "Be Prepared"?????  We got to the water park, claimed our Cabana, listened attentively to the Dynamic Duo's (Debra and Kaylee) and then split up in 15 different directions. I headed straight for the lazy river, did I mention that I love a lazy river?? I must have gone around 3 times right by myself before I even saw anyone in our group. And oh, by the way, Debra and Kaylee, well, they are top shelf in my book! This trip was planned perfectly. We didn't lose but one child - MINE! Imagine that......

 

Rookie Mama and I were circling the park looking for him. She found him. Generally, RM is a little like E.F. Hutton, when E.F.Hutton speaks, we listen. But no, not Mr. Man, my son. He was still playing (in the kiddie pool section, none the less!). He is oblivious to all that goes on around him when he is "playing". The loud speaker that announced "EVERYONE WITH P.H., PLEASE MEET AT YOUR CABANA" - do ya think he heard that?? Bless his heart, he may have had water in his ears. Leave it to Mama to take up for her little one. He is looking down-trodden and sad. Well, he should be. That might have something to do with the fact that Mr. Man has history with RM. Once I was in a bind (ya think?) and asked RM if she would get Mr. Man dressed in his baseball uniform when he was at EE daycare. She said he did exactly as she said. To the "T". That made me a proud Mama. I have to tell him 10 times to get dressed, but RM does it once and he obeys so dutifully. Authors side note - see my memory ain't so bad after all....... Well, he wasn't so obedient today for RM. She pointed her finger at him and said get out, we are leaving. He looked at her and said "NO, I AM STILL PLAYING". So after recanting the tale to his horrified mom - she continues - and yes there is more. So, she tells the lifeguard "GET THAT BOY OUT, WE ARE LEAVING" He may be cute, but he is a bit head strong. He gets that from the Absent Father, not me!!!!! Some more pics of all the precious little girls on the trip. Do you think God was playing a joke on me when he blessed me with a boy???

And then the gnarly, smelly, boys....

Mr. Bus Driver Benson, you aren't really gnarly or smelly, but you are one of the boys. So, I had been around the lazy river (did I mention I love a lazy river??) about 35 times, and I was tired, so I decided to go rest under our cabana. Well, about that time, Mr. Man comes dragging up, sad looking, and a bit upset. Wild Walker is in tow talking in his usual upper volume voice, that Mr. Man had to be "saved" by the lifeguard. Evidently, he had gotten cross ways under some blue floats during the wave action. Which, by the way I hate after a horrible experience on another church trip many years ago. He whimpered for about 2 minutes, then he was off "to play". I said be careful and kissed him on the head and waved bye bye. Mr. Man is a great swimmer and I not even for one minute would allow my child to wander off if he didn't know how to swim. He has been swimming since he was 18 months old. So, Mr. Man and I had been on the big pink slide once. He wanted Sweet Sydney to come along with us for the second time. See, I didn't stay on the lazy river all day! We were standing in the humongous line when I overheard Sweet Sydney and Mr. Man talking, it went something like this: S.S.: Sam, What is that on your side? Authors note: it is a brown quarter size birthmark. Mr. Man: It is where the Angel kissed me when I was born. S.S.: "OH"  Authors note: she starts looking all over her body.

I interject and said that maybe the angel kissed you on your head, and now it is under your hair. S.S.:  I don't think I have one of those. Mr. Man: The Angel kissed me and that means I'm Christian. Authors note: not I'm A Christian, but I'm Christian.

I wonder if S.S. will discuss this with her father, our Metro Minister?

Dad gum, she doesn't need to be kissed by any angel. She is Angelic enough - now isn't that the sweetest little face in the universe. I could only hope that Mr. Man may one day be lucky enough to call Metro Minister father in law!! Last but not least are my SISTERS:

Now, quiz for the day - which one of us is with child??? No, it is not the one in the green paisley dress suit, it is the one with the pickle!!! If it were the one in the green paisley dress suit, it would be the second immaculate conception!! One final good-night: Life is very, very good! Peace!

P.S. Typepad is making my post look terrible - the spacing is all wrong - sorry. They have been having technical problems for a couple of days......