Meet tres' petite Ya-Ya MJ...

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of spending the day with a beautiful family. You might recall, in July I had a maternity shoot with the daughter of Ya-Ya SQ. A first for both of us, but what a wonderful experience for me. As a very unprofessional photographer I had the chance to basically experiment shooting portrait style photos with what I call, very "ghetto" lighting equipment. Thank goodness they trusted me enough to let me give it a shot. In the end, I (and I think they too) were very pleased with the outcome. Thanks to those two special people in my life for allowing me to be a part of such an intimate moment in their lives. Can't forget to thank the hubby Ra-Ra for not only helping me set up everything, but for letting me take over his office for the day!











So, yesterday, armed with the faith and trust of this wonderful couple I jumped feet first into to my very first baby shoot! I must say she is just gorgeous! It was my pleasure and honor to photograph her. She is a truly a blessing, what more can I say?



Without any further babble...meet MJ!





Or, maybe I should have said without any further bubble....and she blew several for me yesterday!


Thanks again to this family for their trust in me and most importantly your love and encouragement.

Go and make it a great day!

Love,
B

Friends...the family you get to choose!

"The most beautiful discovery true friends make is that they can grow separately without growing apart".



I came across these photos this morning as I was browsing the thousands I have on my computer. These were taken in 2006 at the beautiful "Tea" the Ya-Ya ladies gave my daughter Fred before her wedding in May. Everything was just lovely, gorgeous table settings designed by each Ya-Ya, using their own china. Each table had a theme, fabrics, flowers, dishes, etc. Of course, we all were required to wear our best "Tea" apparel including hats and gloves. It was a wonderful day!





Just a few examples of the tables that day...

We Ya-Ya's don't get together that often these days and some of our visits are not always photographed, but they should be. You see, we have been growing together for about 24 years and now we are often apart more than together. We all have very different lives than the lives that bought us together. That life was our children. Now most are grown and left the nest and we are all learning a new dance. Growing is what we are doing, moving on to the next exciting, and often unsettling part of life. New dances are hard to learn after you have been doing the same one for so long! But, we are all adapting and finding our groove by indulging in new hobbies, new jobs, new hair-dos, and would you believe...not a single new husband!




Yep, growing separately is what we are doing, but I don't think we could or would ever grow apart.



While going through these photos, I realized I have an astonishing amount of Scrabble pic's. I am beginning to think that Scrabble is a little bit of a camera hog (she has been known to show off in front of the camera and don't ask me to prove it)...is that because she is so comfortable knowing that I personally touch up every photo or is she just living up to the whole "Queen" thing? Honestly girls, what do you think?

We have had just this very week...a request to be an honorary Ya-Ya! What do you think? Certificates of honorary Ya-Yahood (which would of course include a confidentiality agreement)! To be discussed at the next official meeting...

Love to all,
B

Politics and all that blah, blah, blah...

Let me say right from the get go that this blog was never intended to be a political platform for my personal views on Presidental candidates. I am hopeful that this will be my only comment on anything related to politics.

Those of you that know me personally, know how I will vote this year and many of you understand the reasons why I will vote for a particular candidate. No, he is not my first choice for President for several reasons, but nonetheless, he is the choice of my party. I do not recall at any time in my voting history such an election year. Never before have I been so disllusioned with both parties and especially the national media.

Yesterday, I happened to watch a enough of the ABC daytime show, "The View" to make me sick. The hosts Joy Behar and Barbara Walters should be ashamed of themselves. Their lack of professionalism in an interview with Fox News anchor Bill O'Reilly was an outrage. It was totally expected of Joy Behar, as she has not a professional bone in her body, but Barbara Walters.... Regardless of their political views, he was a guest and should have been treated as such. Just another obvious exhibit of the media exercising their power by allowing such shameful and arrogant bias toward a particular party.

And what is up with the musicians? Some of my most beloved bands issuing orders of "Cease and Desist" because they don't want their music played at Republican functions. Come on. Get real. Are you kidding me? If the candidate of their choice had chosen that song, would they seek legal action? Probably not. They have no idea how their music is used on Myspace, Facebook and personal websites. Are we all subject to a "Cease and Desist" order because they don't like the content of our sites because it does not convey their political agenda? Or maybe they are not happy with the way my husband and son-in-law played a song around the campfire one evening, or will they be stalking Karaoke bars around the country, pulling off contestants they don't like with long canes. No more send in the clowns, here come the attorneys. Not a likely scenario is it? It is so political that it stinks of favoratism. It is not a shock that many of the Hollywood elite think we are not smart enough to think for ourselves, their celebrity status (we put them there) allows them to soar to new heights in the political world. We hang on every word, every thought, and every worldly cause. Then, they want us all to follow them right to the polls. I for one, refuse to be force fed their ego's with a spoon!

I can tell you when Geraldine Ferraro ran as Walter Mondale's VP in 1984 there were no photos taken from behind her at high heel level between her legs while she was speaking to crowds. We did not talk about her glasses, suits, hair, children or her "First Dude". She was a woman making history and that was all that mattered. And there were certainly no nude paintings of her in bars and if there were, respectfully, they were never shown. No one questioned her ability to run the country and a home at the same time. It makes me so ashamed that it has come to this and I am upset with the women of America for standing by and letting it happen. Regardless of your political affilliation you should be appalled.

Lastly, I do believe this election, like most will be won on promises that neither candidate will ever be able to keep. Platforms, like anything else must grandiose to appeal to the masses. You must say what you think the people want to hear not what they need to hear. We need to hear that things are tough and they are going to get tougher, we need to hear certain individuals are not entitiled to something that they did not work for, and speaking of work, do it and shut up about it and stop expecting others to carry your load, stop expecting a bail out every time things don't go your way, take responsibility for yourself and your family and know that certain acts have definite consequences, stop blaming McDonald's for your weight gain, stop whining about hurricanes as you rebuild on what is left of your home, then you get hit again and expect the government to help you out. Please America...help yourself. Because your inability to help yourself is killing this country! Some of this is COMMON SENSE people!

When one candidate tells you we will stop spending $10 billion dollars a month in Iraq, does he mean that a war in Afghanistan will be free? He says that is where we are going next...for free? I sorta doubt it. When someone promises you the same exact health care he has, but fails to tell you how much it will cost you monthly and what you have to do to qualify for it, should you believe it without question? Health care in this country is a major concern for all of us, regardless of your party. If I had to pick the candidate with the most enticing plan you know who it would be. Why? Because it sounds good and it is what I want to hear, but assuming it will be a reality is a longshot. He will run on that platform succesfully because the American people want to hear it and many will never question its actual cost to them. I also think the other candidates proposal is bunk too. You can't get anything for $5,000.00 per family as far as health care and opening it up to go out of state just makes them harder to catch when they bail on you.

So, they all make promises that sound good in the dark, but in the light of day we should all question the authenticity of these promises and do our own homework. There is no question that the last 8 years have been difficult, but I believe both candidates would have struggled had they been served up that plate. No doubt the next President will inherit a mess, plain and simple. I have my doubts as to how either one will handle it and if you are smart you should too. I think it all comes down to character, policies of both candidates concern me, so my decision is based on character and experience of the individual.

There you have it. I have ranted. It was not my intent to sway anything you feel personally about me or your candidate. Voting (legally) is your right! Your choice is your choice. All I want people to do is their homework and break free of the prejudice of the national media. Make your own choice, not a choice influenced by them. Choose, vote, and be proud of your choice.

I am Smileforbee and I approved this message.

Love and hope to all of you.
B

Buzz for the day...

Think of all the beauty still left around you and be happy.

-Anne Frank





It is amazing after several years of drought and watering restrictions here in the South that flowers will still bloom at all. These roses never cease to amaze me. They are planted right outside of my backdoor, and even though the pots on the patio are dead and have been for a while, these gorgeous roses continue to bloom, no matter how much they are neglected. Even through years of drought they perform without hesitation. They were used two years ago in arrangements and little containers that we hung on chairs at my daughters wedding in May. Now, as the leaves are falling and days are beginning to cool off they are still bringing me joy.
So the quote above seemed fitting to share with all of you, as often we need to be gently reminded of the beauty around us.

Happy Birthday today to my dear friend Scrabble. News is, she will also be welcoming a tres' petite Ya-Ya next June. Love you bunches Girlfriend.

If any of you are heading to the Apple Festival in Ellijay this weekend...stop by and see my friend Dana with Old Red Barn Co. She makes the best darn soaps and scrubs out there. I hope she has plenty of "Man Soap" because I need to stock up! You can find her link on this page, so order online if you can't make it to the Apple Festival. I recommend everything she has, but the "Man Soap" is a family favorite.

Have a peaceful and blessed day!
Love,
B

Just breathe.....

Today I am doing something that I normally do not do. It has been my past experience to just say NO whenever my mind heads in this direction. Primarily because...I will admit it...I have NO patience.
Just doing this can make me sweat (which is not hard to do these days), scream in frustration, cuss like a sailor, make up silly words that I would never, ever use in public, get jittery, and yes, at times I have even cried. Why? then you ask, are you torturing yourself by doing something that causes you so much pain...and what the heck is it you are doing?




You guessed it! I AM SEWING! You see, after many years of watching me suffer through the headaches of using a very cheap sewing machine, Ra Ra decided it was time to give me a really jazzy sewing machine this year for Mother's Day.
Oh, my! How my life and the lives of my family could have been so much nicer had I had this machine 25 years ago. All of the tears and ugly words they never had to see or hear, banished with the quiet hum of this beautiful piece of machinery. Mommy smiling and happy, so happy to be sewing, heck, I would've been whistling all day and into the wee hours of the morning. I am beginning to visualize myself as a possible Disney character, Snow White or maybe even Cinderella, doing chores and sewing with all of the sweet little birds fluttering about helping her thread the needle, cut the fabric, stitch the seam....
OK, enough of that. Besides, those of you who know me, know I can't stand to be around birds, much less have them fly around my house trying to land on my shoulder. Anyway, the point is, I am not going to spend all my time sewing. But I will tell you, I can breathe easily these days knowing that my new sewing machine is sitting there in the closet just waiting to help me create some fabric masterpieces or my own Disney fantasy. Thank you Ra Ra! I know this machine would have meant no diapers or formula for the children 25 years ago, but deep down, I know it's the one you would have bought , if you could have!

To my daughters Richie and Fred...I am absolutely sure I could improve on those matching collars. Remember those? They had the quilted puff appliqued hearts and rick rack trim on them. I know you all just loved wearing them (about as much as I loved making them)! Just think, we could add the third one for Cha-Chee and all three of you could match this Christmas. Let me know soon, as the Holiday Season is almost upon us.

Have the best day ever! And don't forget to whistle while you work!

Love to all,
B

I LOVE Fall!

"Autumn, the year's last loveliest smile." William Cullen Bryant



This is a photo of my little Fall display outside of my cabin near Blue Ridge, GA. Ra Ra and I went up this past weekend to relax and do a little sprucing up around the cabin. Of course, a trip to Home Depot for pine straw was in order and I found myself picking up a few mums (can't resist them) and a couple of pumpkins. I can't think of a better way to spend a Saturday afternoon than listening to Auburn football on the radio (thank you XM)and spending time creating this little display for everyone to enjoy. I just hope the deer or the elusive bear does not enjoy it too much before I can return next weekend.



I look forward to the days ahead spent at "Miss "B" Haven" for so many reasons....

A fire in the fireplace (no gas logs here).
Sleeping with the windows open.
The "Apple Festival" (which means a new jar/or jars of apple butter).
Excuse to buy a new pair of tacky flannel pants (I can no longer sleep in them because of an internal combustion problem) but I wear them to be comfy.
Funnel Cakes are everywhere...and I want one, because it just feels like the right thing to do!
The mosquitoes are GONE!
I have my view back!
Chili (no explanation needed).
You can't escape the colors (the traffic I could do without, but they deserve the beauty as well as I do).
The air smells GREAT....all the time.

And..........

A flannel shirt is not only acceptable, but it can hide a multitude of your Festival food sins, know what I mean?



Have a wonderful day!
Love,
B

The Wind of Change

Hello friends! I am so far behind in keeping you up to date with all that has taken place since my last post. Shame on me, I know.

I celebrated my 48th Birthday yesterday. The Maytag Man fixed my washer (new pump) and I finished off the day by doing 9 loads of laundry. Apparently his services did not include laundry...I asked...he said I could not afford his prices...truth be known he probably could not afford mine either! It was a lovely day though. Lots of phone calls from family and friends, cards from friends I don't see as often as I would like and the hint of Fall in the air. Perfect in my book.

It has been an odd sort of month, peppered with bad news, fallen trees, sick pets, broken appliances, new purchases (I will tell you later), Auburn football and flat tires. But, on to the purpose of this post.

As life would have it, as it often does, with Death there is always the promise of Life. In the last month sad news has touched my life with the passing of friends and family members of those close to me. Some were expected. Courageous battles were fought and finally lost. Lives forever changed by many years of struggle. It is a difficult toll on those that remain, but mixed with a sense of peace that the fight is now over. Two were taken together tragically in an auto accident, an unexpected death that is hard to understand and even harder to accept. Dear friends, we love you all and share in your heartache. Please know that you and your families are in our thoughts and our prayers.

But........

I mentioned The Wind of Change, right? Even with Death, there is Life, and so it is with a heart filled with much joy that I announce that my daughter Richie and her husband K3 (Monk) are expecting their first child in May! The Wind of Change blew in suddenly last Friday with a pair of baby booties riding high on the Fall breeze as my family was tailgating in Auburn. Congratulations Richie and K3!




I do have so much more to share, but this post seemed to be my first priority! Have a blessed and wonderful day. Enjoy your Autumn wherever you are, it is so brief, but yet, holds so much promise! For without Autumn, there could be no Spring.

Love,
B

Happy Birthday Richie!

23 years ago today Pops drove all the way to South Carolina to see the prettiest girl in the world....You know that story well and all of the other stories associated with your "Birth" day and I love telling you about that day every year. I know it has not been the same for you since Pops is no longer here to call you and tell you his story, but always remember how very lucky you were to hear it for all the birthday's before. Stories of our lives are important. They should be told to remind us of what we were and what we can aspire to be in the future.

Happy, Happy Birthday to you! Of course, how could I pass this moment up without sharing a little bit of your past 23 years.....









Come on...we have to make it to Pooh Corner by one...



Love, Marm

Yippeeee! It's "Magic Mental Monday" time....

Gee! Another reason to hate Monday! This morning I started my day at 4:10 AM. Not by choice, and I will not bore you with the details, but since I had an entire morning ahead of me I thought I would get a head start on the quote and photo for the day. What a nice touch I thought to myself to have it all ready for the few of you who actually read my blog...first thing in the morning! But as Monday would have it....my Internet Explorer was having its own Monday meltdown and would not cooperate. Anyway, here we go!

"Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting. So, get on your way!"



This photo was taken last year on our trip to Yosemite. It is a trip and a moment I will never forget. Prior to this photo being taken I had been shopping in the Ansel Adams Gallery. The tourist traffic was getting heavy during the lunch hour and the pushing and shoving was beginning to get the best of me. We stopped for a minute to regroup and as we chatted about lunch,shuttle schedules and the location of the nearest restroom, I gazed upward and there it was...the beautiful early afternoon clouds that Yosemite produces (if you are lucky)!
To some people these are just clouds, a momentary break from the sun, a quick bit of shade, but for some of us like myself, it can actually make me drool a little right from the corner of my mouth! Because most people don't realize just how difficult it can be to photograph something like Half Dome in a cloudless sky. You must have something there to give even a little perspective as to the size and scale of this landmark. It is enormous, and to be lucky enough to have a cloud form, was for me...just sheer magic! It was for me at that moment, at that time, a gift from the Heavens!

If you have not had the pleasure of visiting this beautiful National Park, my wish for you is to have that opportunity at least once in your lifetime. And remember, every once and a while stop and take a moment to look up, not everything worth seeing is right in front of you.

May your day be blessed with the chance to enjoy the beauty of nature around and above you.

Monday morning mayhem...

Gosh, I hate a Monday! I know I'm probably not alone, but I am having a me, me, me, moment and I feel the need to waller (is that a word?) around in it for a few moments.

First off let me say this...because I don't like Monday's and I'm going to assume that you don't either, lets start a new tradition! I will post a positive quote every Monday and try my best to find a photo to go along with that quote. Sound good? Maybe the quote and an accompanying photo will be enough to lift those feelings of dread and give them a swift kick in the rear!

Then when you have a weak moment and begin to reflect on things like...waking up to doggie poo (your Mom's dog's poo and it looks like your hubby may have stepped in it while maneuvering his way around in the dark) in your room, or doggie throw up (not your dogs either), or an immature co-worker, or that fact that summer is over and you are back at school, or you sat in traffic this AM because of the aforementioned, or your weekend went by too fast, or you need to go to the grocery, and, oh how I hate to go to the grocery, or you realize you will have your Mom's dog for 5 more days, or....

Well, you get the picture, right? We could all fill in the blanks with an endless amount of just plain bad Monday stuff. But, before I move on to that new idea I have, I've got a couple of things to clear up. This blog thing is new to me and so I am learning as I go along so to speak. Bearing that in mind, there are a couple of previous posts that I would like to correct. Not because of anything major, but because as you are writing (and learning)you realize just how hard it is to name a person in your post. Sometimes I want to scream in the wee hours of the morning and call someone for help, but I don't. What makes it easier is when a friend actually reads the post and is kind enough to make a suggestion for a name or you have a "light bulb" moment and realize...that was so obvious, I should have thought of that when I was posting the other night at 2 AM. So.....from now on the young woman in the previous post that I called Air Bear (we really did call her that a long time ago) will now be referred to as Ebee and my beloved Dodger will now be Ra-Ra. The Ra-Ra thing should have hit me square in the head, but I am much slower to respond these days, even to my own thoughts, and "light bulb" moments are few and far between. It just takes a little longer for me to flip the switch, OK? Enough said.

Drum roll (make drum roll sound in your head) please as I roll out the first "Magic Mental Monday" quote(this name can be changed too if something better is sent my direction). No ties here, I am open for anything!



"When you are reluctant to change, think of the beauty of autumn."



Well, there it is...feel better? I do. Just to let you know, on some Monday's there may be more than one photo. Today was tough, as I have many, many autumn photos, but I had to show some restraint.

A quick thanks to SQ and Scrabble for all of the kind words about what I am doing. I love you both (more than a new pair of shoes)! And if I have to be the Ya-Ya Historian....well....that's ok too. Look, somebody has to do it! After all, I am the youngest, so therefore, my mind is probably the sharpest.

She's leaving on a jet plane...to JAPAN!

We Ya-Ya gals have had a big week. Emotionally it ranks right up there with some of our most joyful and our toughest. SQ welcomed her first grandchild on August 2nd and Nurse Nancy says goodbye to her first born in less than 12 hours from this writing. But, just as life has a way of welcoming the new, it also has a way of forcing us to say goodbye...even when we are not ready. So I guess it is fitting that as we celebrate the arrival of our tres petite Ya-Ya, we say farewell with the heaviest of hearts to our Air Bear. What a beautiful young woman she grown to be...confident, kind, artistic and strong enough to board a plane in the morning for a move to Japan.



It's hard for all of us to look at these fabulous young adults and realize that they have grown up right before our very eyes. When and how did this happen? It is though it happened overnight while we were not watching. Maybe we were painting or quilting or mixing a batch of Margarita's??? Maybe Scrabble was doing a reading or an episode of "Thirtysomething" was on. The point is, I don't know when it happened, it just did! It is not conceivable to me that she is the very age I was when I met her Mom. Twenty three years has passed far too quickly and that makes me just a little sad. Why it was only yesterday we were car pooling to "Mom's Day Out", teaching them to swim at the neighborhood pool, cutting the crust off their sandwiches, adjusting the chin strap on their party hats, wiping their noses, reading them stories and crying with each other as they boarded the school bus for the first time.

In the last couple of years 8 of the 13 kids have walked down the aisle to begin their own families. They are all learning about risks, commitment, mortgages, school loans, job security and health insurance. True, those are all of the necessities of the real world, but don't be overwhelmed! I want them all to know this is the "good stuff". Right here, right now. Memories that last a lifetime, places to go, friends to meet, children to have, happiness to make and joy to embrace. You can and will have all life has to offer and it begins now this very moment. Make the most of each and every day and don't rush your life, it will move fast enough for you sooner rather than later. Believe me when I say that! Practice patience, for within it, you will find the strength and courage to face most any obstacle. Lastly, have Faith in something. Anything. Because you will need it in the darkest of moments when life throws a curve at you when you least expect it. But enough preachy sounding stuff...

Air Bear I am proud of you! We all are. It has been my privilege to watch you and the rest of these talented, fantastic, extraordinary kids grow up! Personally, I am a better person because I have had each one of them in my life. 10 of these kids are not my biological children, but who cares! I love them and would do anything in the world for them (except maybe hold something from the reptile family). I look forward with much anticipation toward the next 23 years....and remember we Ya-Ya's have set the bar pretty darn high.

Below are my dear friends Nurse Nancy and her hubby QBert with their petite Ya-Ya's....from the left K-Bug, Air Bear and GG.



Sisters. Each one special in her own way! Happy (almost) your Birthday GG!



So what farewell would be complete without a Texas Margarita (not pictured) or some kind of chocolate concoction? None that I know of...



Decadent chocolate chimichanga with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream and cherries. Perfect. Chocolate makes even the saddest of times bearable and the Texas Margarita...well, I shouldn't have to explain that one. Really, I shouldn't.

So, now there is only one question to ponder.......

What do you think of a documentary entitled...."The Ya-Ya's Do Japan"?

Music, nostalgia and glory days...

Today is Monday. It is a funk day for me. A day I usually spend catching up on something...laundry, phone calls, news, cleaning, and computer time. Which brings me to this post.

As I meandered around the internet today, I listened to my Playlist. The very one you listen to as you read my blog. I found myself in a deep nostalgic wave that engulfed my every thought. I began thinking about just how personal my music choices had been, not just a song I liked, but each one held a specific memory for me. I began pondering music and how it can quickly transport you to another time, another place in your life quicker than almost any other sense...at least for me anyway.

Each song was chosen very carefully, not on a whim, but a gut feeling that for some reason it had touched my life. Lets take an example...

"Smile on your Brother" by Buffalo Springfield. Not a shock to those of you that know me I was born in 1960. Turbulent times they were. The Vietnam War, Civil Rights, Women's Movement, Free Love, protesting....all part of my childhood. That song conjures up a lot of emotion for me. Oh, how I wished to be older then. Older so I could protest and march and stand up for something! I was too young to understand everything that it was about, but old enough to know it stirred a rebellious streak in me that I carried way in to the 70's. We were a generation of young people thrown into a mixing pot of 50's morality and 60's rebellion. Children that would eventually come of age in the 70's, known from then on as "latch-key" kids. Kids that came home to an empty house, because both parents were working, kids of divorce and kids that were hell bent on NOT raising their kids like we were raised. I am a product of the 60's no doubt and all of the baggage it carries with it.
Today, that song conjures up more than just a vision of hippies and war protesters and the need to rock the world...today, I see the Vietnam Vet's that suffered in that war and I am honored to know a few of them. I see their empty faces in photos upon their return and it makes me sad to know I was not old enough then to be more sympathetic or understanding to their plight. That song is important to me now because it is a reminder for me to always look at both sides, hard as it may be, not every cause is worth the pain of rebellion or worth my time and effort. Sure, bandwagons are made to hop on, but every once in a while, hop off and look at where it's going, where its been and better yet, who is riding with you. Then decide if it's worth the ride. One song. Hundreds of memories. Another...

"Please come to Boston"...Wow! Most people know it is right up there as a personal favorite. But, the memory it holds in reality is quite sad. It represents a chapter in my life that is linked directly to letting go of my "first love". Heartache and despair all wrapped up in one 3 minute song. The memory of that hurt is still painful to this day! I love the song though and it tugs at my heart every time I hear it.

"Tuesday's Gone". What can I say? Homecoming 1977. A fast car, a good friend, a misunderstanding that almost sent me to jail, but, kept the friend from going (his fast car). No jail, but he lost his parking permit for the rest of our Senior year. All of this happened the very day Lynyrd Skynard was in the plane crash that sadly took the lives of several band members. 96 Rock here in Atlanta played that song when they announced the crash. Three friends sat in the front seat of that black Monte Carlo listening to reports, and we knew, without a doubt, that Southern Rock would never be the same. Never has been.

I guess I could go on and on. In fact, I know I could. So, when you are listening to my Playlist...remember it really is my life in a way...put to music. Memories of happy times, sad times, changes, lost love, hurt in my young heart, love without end, my children, laughter and celebration. Bet you never thought about it like that? If you know me, one or more of these songs could have you and a special memory attached to it. If ya think so, let me know which one sparks your interest.

Have a wonderful day!

Sending Prayers

Yesterday I received a call from SQ. Now that may not seem odd, but Sunday afternoons are not usually a time for Ya-Ya talking. But, we are waiting on the call concerning the arrival of our tres petite Ya-Ya, so....I thought maybe this was the call. Instead, it was news concerning Scrabbles hubby and the impending heart cath that will be done this morning. Now, you must know this is certainly not his first time. I do believe he holds some kind of unofficial record for heart cath's at St. Joseph's. But, nonetheless, we worry. The first time this happened we all arrived at the ER at different times, storming in while demanding info about his condition...confusing the hospital staff as to which one was the "real" MRS. Poor guy they probably thought...with that many wives he needs a stay here! All kidding aside, we love him. He is a Ya-Ya Hubby and that means he has the love from all of us...24/7. This morning, as we all begin our day, we are sending our prayers, our happy thoughts and all of the positive white light we can muster to him and Scrabble. We love you two!

Meet my Dodger!

Well, I have promised this post for quite sometime and today I finally sat down and made the commitment. I really have been busy. On July 10th I did a photo shoot with a petite Ya-Ya (expectant daughter of Ya-Ya SQ)and her husband. My very first indoor maternity shoot! I took to the bed for a couple of days afterwards with the vapors. It was so stressful for me (most of it self inflicted), as it is one of life's little moments you do not have a chance to capture again if missed on the first try. But, it was such an honor for her to even ask me, knowing that I am NOT a professional. She trusted me, ME, with the chance to capture her moment in history and I was very touched by that. I thank them for giving me the chance to share in such an intimate and special time in their lives. It is my hope that they will allow me a future post with a couple of photos so you can see how I spent my day sweating profusely and praying that I was not over my head with a camera I call affectionately call "The Beast". Anyway, meshed along with the shoot, there has been a visit from my brother and his daughter, a baby shower, a quilt project, my middle daughter and her husband moved to a new home, and the delivery of a new fridge and dishwasher. So, there. I have been busy, not to mention the hours of editing photos. I now feel purged and confident you will accept my apologies for taking so long to introduce to you my soul mate in this life...my Dodger.



Twenty seven years I embarked on a journey with the above young man. This photo was taken on our honeymoon with my Minolta 35mm (still have it, still works)on November 16, 1981. We were married on the 14th. We were about to take a little ride on the observation lift that would take us high above Gatlinburg, TN when I captured this moment. I love this picture. So do all of our daughters. Other than the fact that he is 27 years younger, he looks pretty much the same. Personally, I think he has aged much better than myself considering the work he does. Very physical work. Long days exposed to the elements outside, on his knees, often behind a shovel or machine, or holding a pump, walking back & forth through mud or dusty Georgia red dirt, enduring long periods of blistering sun or bone chilling nights in freezing temperatures. What might you guess he does? Dodger is a concrete finisher. Yep, concrete is his life. Has been for most of it too. His Dad, Brothers, Uncles and numerous Cousins were and are finishers too. It runs through his blood as much as it runs through my washer and dryer (that is another story for another day)! It is a tough job, his endurance is phenomenal, his patience and strength are staggering. I think he works too hard. There was a day he would argue that statement, today, he may be more inclined to agree. Concrete works takes its toll on your knees, your back, shoulders, and skin. He loves it though and for the last 20 years it has put food on our table, clothed our daughters, built a home, paid for braces, put 3 children through college and paid for 2 weddings. 27 years ago, I could have never imagined what was ahead of us. Never imagined that he would work as hard as he does for me or our kids. Dedication has made him a successful businessman and provider. Patience has made him a husband you could only dream about. His loving heart has made him a Dad that is truly a blessing from above.

I don't really have all the words to tell you about him. Nor, do I have the space in this blog to tell you all of the good things about him. If you have had the opportunity in your life to know him, I know for a fact, you will never forget him. He is just that great. Plain and simple a good hardworking man with two of the roughest hands you'll ever see. Cut, bruised, and callused, but always gentle enough to hold three daughters, wipe a tear, touch a face, comfort a shoulder, grip a tiny hand, or guide an arm for a walk down the aisle. Those hands have held me in moments of sadness, uncertainty, despair, happiness, love, excitement and joy. How lucky I have been for the last 27 years to "have and to hold" them on this journey we have embarked on together. By some accounts we may be half way through it already. But I know our journey will last as long as he can hold my heart in his hand and personally, I don't think he will ever let it go. Always and Forever, Dodger, always.

This is my Dodger now (or 2 years ago at our oldest daughters wedding). I think he looks GREAT for all we girls have put him through!



I wish each of you a blessed day!

I have a Ya-Ya hangover!

Ooooohhh....the dreaded Ya-Ya hangover. I spent the evening with the ladies and we did something that some of us had not done together in over 20 years....
We started a quilt! That's right Dana, a quilt! I can tell you the last time I quilted I did not require the use of bifocals or wine for that matter. Now, the bifocals are a necessity and the wine is strictly for medicinal purposes.

This is a quilt we are making for a tres petite Ya-Ya. In fact, she is not even here yet, but hopefully she won't arrive before we are able to finish this quilt! Seriously, we will have it done. We must, as the shower for this little princess is July 19th. But, last night once again, we worked together as a team and managed to cut and piece together 5 little squares and other odds and ends that will become her quilt. Much slower than we were 20 years ago, but with age comes patience and a much more relaxed attitude towards perfection and deadlines. We were minus one last night, as she is the little ones "Granny Sue", but she was there in spirit, as each one of us is when we are not a full coven. HA!

Ahhh...we may try, but we gals can't escape one another...ever. All of us carry the same brand (except one, we still love her) and that makes us a gang. We are bound by all of the secrets, joy, confessions, heartache, happiness, children, husbands, love and loss that have formed us as women. Our friendship is as unending and intertwined as the Celtic triskle knot (our brand) that represents the 3 phases of our lives....phases we are spending primarily one way...
together.



I know this post has nothing at all to do with Dodger! But, the Ya-Ya's have a way of sidetracking me! Stronger forces pulling me from within! Actually, the pictures have not a thing to do with the quilt, but I forgot my camera last night and the only photo I have of the progress is on my phone. Yuck! Anyway, Scribble liked these photos and I thought I would use them in lieu of my bad phone photo. I promise, my meet the Dodger post will be next. Until then, have a beautiful and blessed day.

Cabinet Renovation

Eighteen years ago my cabinets started their life...pickled. Yeah, that was a popular thing back in the early 90's. I begged for white, but that was not to be and it was a good thing Dodger (my husband) said a flat out NO! I must have been delirious at the time, because I had three small children under the age of 8. White cabinets would have made my life a nightmare. Cleaning, wiping, wiping, cleaning. That is all my life would have consisted of day after day. Anyway, after 18 years I decided it was time for change. So, this is where I began. Removing doors, hinges and knobs. Then a good clean with ammonia. That may sound like a simple process, but I had 32 doors and 17 drawers to clean, prime, paint, glaze and seal.



The doors piled up and I began to hallucinate, cry and think about chocolate.



I guess at this point I should confess that there were a couple of things that I could not have done without...



But, I perservered, and made it to this point...





Then I had a little meltdown after a gallon of primer turned over and spilled on my hardwood floors...I sunk to a new low when I dipped Ghiradelli semi-sweet chocolate chips into the peanut butter jar and ate it right off the spoon. While I was still in an altered state, I did a little mock up with my shiny brushed nickel hardware. I felt inpsired, wiped my mouth and moved on to another door.



Now, you must know that there were many a day this old gal worked 12 and 13 hour days on this project. But, I had a deadline and a mighty big incentive to finish. A 50th Birthday party for Dodger loomed ahead in the horizon and believe me, it haunted me in my dreams. Forty plus people in my house and in my kitchen! It was enough to make you have a pajama soaking night sweat. I finished this project in a week and a half with a few days to shop and party plan to spare. And just for you...here is the end result. It was worth every peanut cluster I popped into my mouth. Just for your info...Valspar "Ginger Sugar" satin paint on the cabinets, glazed with Valspar premixed "Burnt Umber" glaze. Center island Valspar for Martha Stewart "Andiron" satin paint. All hardware and hinges purchased at Lowe's.









Well, there you have it. My kitchen cabinet update. It could have been complete had my hubby wanted that stainless steel dishwasher and stainless steel refrigerator for his 50th. I kept waiting for the delivery, but it never came. Maybe come September the delivery truck will come for me.

Next post...meet Dodger.

Sorry...I really have been very busy!

Well, I have finally figured out a few things that are essential to doing this blog thing....first and foremost, my Internet Explorer must be working in order to download a picture. Second, deep breathing while you count to 10 helps the frustration level. Really it does.


So, I have reached a milestone and maybe...just maybe I can get this thing going.


I have so much to share! I have completed my kitchen cabinet project and pictures will be posted of the stages of insanity I went through to complete them. Bags of peanut clusters were consumed and one day I had a complete meltdown that also involved chocolate in several odd ways. No photos of that, but I will share with you what I did to make it through the final stages of the project.


Three days after the project ended....I hosted a party for about 42 to celebrate my hubbie's 50th Birthday. So. There you have it, I have confessed all of my sins (those committed in the last couple of weeks which involved chocolate) right here on my blog. I think. I am sure there were more and I do promise to share them.


In closing, a few words to the two people I know are watching. Rachel, I did it all by myself. I know you were sending powerful vibes my direction! Dana, finally you can see some of my photos...I thought they would be bigger and maybe they are... somewhere out there. Let me know if you find them.

My weekend starts today. So, until Sunday evening.....

Welcome Everyone!

This blog is officially Under Construction! I look forward to sharing my photographs, my thoughts and my life with you as I perch upon the edge of my "empty nest" with great reluctance to jump on in! Until next time...have a blessed day.