Update on Jeremy

As I intended to do, I deleted all the frequent updating from Jeremy's surgery yesterday. It just wasn't something I wanted to have everyone reading - however, unfortunately in doing so, I had to delete a few comments. Some well wishing - some comical!

Anyway, Jeremy is at home recovering now. Down time will hopefully be 10-14 days. After that, I think he'll begin to feel better and start life without his tonsils! I'm hopeful that he will notice a significant difference.

So, he's doing as well as he can for now, and taking advantage of the time to sleep! Interestingly, he has some pretty cool neon blue stitches in the top of his mouth. Pain wise, he says he doesn't hurt until he needs to swallow - and it is visibly obvious that having to do that jolts him to his very core!!

For Mama

My mom is in Ohio visiting with her parents. She's requesting recent pictures for my grandmother, so here's a few newer snapshots that I've taken.



Just waking up! Addison and Shirley Temple (aka Abby Long) :-)

SLOW DOWN, TIME

I mentioned a post or two ago about my recent trip to Jersey. I can't believe a week and a half has already passed, before I got to sit down and write about it.

So, to tell you about the event, it was the post-wedding reception of my "little brother" Jared Tinsley. He married a couple of weeks ago, a sweet little gal named Meranda from Indiana. If you need more details, you'll have to ask Teresa. I did not know her, but got to spend a few minutes getting to know her at the reception, and from our conversations, I think that Jared snagged a good one. And as Laura would say, "Teresa finally got her a girl!" As far as the event itself, it was a beautiful occasion, decorated to a hilt! And what else could you expect! We're talking Teresa's kid here!

I wasn't there but just a few minutes and Jared came over to where I was standing, hugged my neck and took me over to meet his bride. We immediately became friends as we shared our nauseating nervousness at being there. Obviously she had tons more reasons to be nervous than myself, but I was walking in to a crowd of people where I knew every face, but had not seen them in YEARS! Some of them close to 7 years since I'd seen. It was an overwhelming sense of nerves that came over me as I walked in. Anyway, Jared introduced us and I instantly liked her. I was introduced as his big sister from Savannah. Laughingly after we had met, he put his arm on my shoulder and asked me what I thought about his bride. I was quick to reassure him and then he let me know that he knew I'd tell him exactly what I thought. He reminded me that I had on more than one occasion (although not in front of them) let him know exactly how I felt about his previous "girlfriends" - one in particular - I showed him little mercy where she was concerned, and lo and behold, if she didn't turn around and break his heart right in half.

Anyway, I'm tickled pink he's finally moved on to pursue his chosen path in life, but man, I'm feeling OLD!! I can still see those three little rascals in the back of a light blue mini van with drum sticks flying everywhere, music blaring, and seeing what stunt they could pull next to trigger squeals from me or their mother. One of the funniest things I remember was one weekend before we went off, they had all three just gotten a crew cut. Along with that crew cut, came some type of "gel stick" to make their hair spike. Matthew was spiking his hair with that stick every 3 minutes. He didn't let go of that little stick the entire way to our destination. He had little white balls of gel caked in his hair by the time we got to where we were going. I still laugh thinking about that. And now they're all "growed up!" I just wish time would slow down. It's overwhelming me!!

Speaking of time, this morning I was brushing my teeth and Addison was in the other room playing. All of a sudden she came barreling into the bathroom as if something was after her. She came to a screeching halt right in front of me and looked up with her eyes just glistening with excitement....trying to ask me a question so fast, I could barely keep up with her. This is what she said, "Hey Mommy, I'm gonna be 4 soon, ain't I?" I shook my head, because I couldn't answer with my toothbrush in my mouth. After she got my answer, she said, "And, and.... after I turn 4, then I'm gonna be 5, right?" Same answer! She threw her hands in the air and started yelling YYYYAAAAAYYYYY!!!!! as she flew out of the bathroom as quickly as she had come flying in. I was tempted to yell, "SLOW DOWN, TIME!!"

I'm way too young for this! lol!!

Poor Abe!

As we all know, GEICO is known for all of it's intriguing little commercials with the gecko. I was getting ready to look at a news clip online the other day and this commercial was before it. It just cracked me up. I found it on YouTube. Make sure the volume is up so you can hear what they say....



LOL!!LOL!!

Something I Believe!

Back in December, at the very end of the year, I wrote a post called "Little Dirt Roads." This link will take you back to it, just in case you never read it. I was reminded of that little story this past weekend after an event occurred to me on my way home from Jersey.

(I'll elaborate on my trip to Jersey in my next post - haven't gotten a chance to sit down yet and write it all down -until now)

Anyway, my experience started a few minutes after I left the reception at the church there in Jersey. I had talked to Laura on the phone and had mentioned that they had just opened up a new El Charro in Covington, GA. El Charro is at the top of my list of favorite Mexican restaurants, in addition to the host of memories that go along with the good food from there. It was a frequent eating place for us when we lived there, so it has many holds on me! :-)

Just out of pure sentiment and desire to see the new restaurant, I began this battle in my head and my heart as to whether I should run in quickly and grab one of my favorite items there and then hit the road. I had in my head, if I did that, it would take approximately 20 minutes and would delay me that long in getting home.

Therefore, I fought a "mental battle" the whole 10 miles there. When I was almost there, I decided I'd journey on home. As I began to pass the driveway to El Charro, I found myself slamming on the brakes and whipping up into the parking lot. I talked out loud to myself at that moment for the "on the whim" decision I'd made......my little conversation to myself went something like this....."I don't know why in the world I just did that. Glad no one was behind me. I'm not even starving and I act like this is something I have to do!"

I got out, went in, marveled a little over the new scene and took my seat alone in a booth for a few minutes to take it all in and enjoy my little $3 nacho cheese and beef tostada. As I sat there attempting not to scarf down my food in attempt to get back on the road ASAP, I sat there texting Laura, rubbing in the fact of where I was sitting. She was NOT happy with me, to say the least. I was feeling on top of the world. It was an unusually peaceful feeling. I was thinking that it was because I was getting to eat without having to constantly pick up taco pieces falling off of Addison's fork between her plate and her mouth!

As I sat there enjoying the serenity, I looked at my clock to see how much time I had wasted on my trip home to stop there. It was exactly 24 minutes. I paid and left.

The trip was going well, and the clouds were starting to gather pretty heavily ahead of me. I called Sis. Arlene Head, who I knew had not too long ahead of me, traveled the same route that I was headed. I asked her if she had experienced rain on her journey and that it was looking like I might get myself into some pretty quickly. She warned me that there was definitely rain ahead and they had just come out of it.

I hung up the phone and was prepared for whatever was coming. I was still feeling "peaceful." It began to pour rain and I was focused on what was happening around me. Barely able to see ahead of me. After I traveled in some very hard rain for about 15 minutes, it stopped as quickly as it had started. About 5-10 minutes out of the rain, I was brought to a sudden stop at the top of a hill. Staring me in the face was multiple firetrucks, cop cars, and emergency personnel, and good Samaritans everywhere. Directly on the road in my lane ahead of me was a car flipped over and in the ditch to the right was a mini van - which they had covered with a blue tarp - and as I turned around was able to see the body in the van through the window that they had yet to pull out.

I turned around at the policeman's instruction and thankfully had GPS in my phone to get me on an alternate route. As I drove off the opposite way, it was almost as if I had this small whisper to my heart that let me know that I had been in the shelter of an Unseen Hand. 20 minutes ago, had I been where I now sat, I might not be writing this story.

And as corny as it may sound, my little 24 minute enjoyable meal at El Charro, I believe, became another memorable "Dirt Road" in my life. Just wanted to tell you about it.

I Have Rights!

My brother in law, Don, sent this to me! No description needed! If you can't make out what this sign says, click on it, and enlarge it.

For My Mom and Dad

I was reminded of this song yesterday. I got lucky and happened upon it. This is for my Mom and Dad. They haven't been able to hear the records for quite some time (I'm certain of that because they are sitting in my bedroom), so this is for them. May the memories flood your soul!

Unless I am badly mistaken, this was always one of my Mom's favorite songs. If it wasn't, it sure got played about as often, when I was a kid, as I play Priscilla McGruder at my house. And now, the memory is a very sweet one for me. I love this song! Laura get the Kleenex out. I promise you'll need it.

My Detailed Friend

After you read what is about to be posted, you will understand why I gave the post the name that I did.

Throughout the process of getting my new blog together, I met a charming friend who was one of the first people to help me out. She allowed me to publish a tribute she had written for Priscilla on the same day I had - the day after she had passed away.

Ever since the initial email to her, we have found that we have quite a bit in common and I actually stumbled upon her last year at NQC. For fear of intruding into her personal space while she was writing, I did not approach her, but very vividly remember wondering what had her so captivated as she wrote in a notebook. Since I've gotten to know her a little bit, I now know the kind of things she was putting in that notebook. I have found her to be one of the most inspiring individuals I've had the pleasure to ever become acquainted with.

We have found that one thing we have in common is our love for "details." Jeremy gives me a hard time, all the time, for this trait. Sometimes I tell him it is a "professional" thing. Details are what make my job a success or a failure.

On Wednesday, my "detail friend" (lol) whose actual name is Sony, posted on her blog, a very inspiring post regarding details! I want you to read it. Please read it! I love it! (if you click on "a very inspiring post," it will take you there.

It's Personal

I am working on a brand new project, and once you see it, you'll understand why I've not been as busy with this site as I normally am.

I won't take much time to explain - and some won't even care to go look at it, but if you know anything about me, you know this is something that I care a great deal about. This is a very personal project to me.

If you follow this link to my new blog, you will understand why I feel this way. So far, I've had several individuals stop in. Some have left notes, and I still have promises of things to come in. I hate to say it this way, but I'm almost holding my breath. Everyone with promises, says they will get it as soon as they get a minute's break. We'll see.

The Power of Determination

When I was in nursing school, I was constantly looking for sources of written encouragement to give a little bit more determination - because some days, quitting looked like a better option than finishing.....especially during the Mother / Baby days. I hated the maternity section of nursing school. Hated every minute of it!

One day, I ran across this little fable and it inspired me.....I typed it out on my computer in a artsy form and pinned it right above my desk in my little rickety house where I lived during college. Sometimes at midnight while I was sitting there studying for exams, it would occur to me that this story was sitting above my head. Somehow, every time I read it, I had a little bit more energy - and the will to study a little bit longer.

I ran across it in my scrapbook a few days ago. I totally forgot I kept it. So, maybe it can inspire you.

Two frogs fell into a can of cream
----or so I 've heard it told----
The sides of the can were shiny and steep,
the cream was deep and cold
"Oh, what's the use?" said number 1
"Tis fate - No help's around--
Good-bye my friend! Good-bye sad world!"
and weep still, he drowned.

But Number 2 of sterner stuff,
dog paddled in surprise,
the while he wiped his creamy face
and dried his creamy eyes.
"I'll swim awhile, at least," he said
----or so it has been said----
"It wouldn't really help the world
if one more frog was dead!"
An hour or two he kicked and swam-
not once he stopped to mutter
But kicked and swam, and swam and kicked,
then hopped out via BUTTER!

My Patriotic Side

I know it's been one of those crazy weeks for everyone. Most people were off Monday for the July 4th weekend, so there were parties to attend, vacations to take, home improvements to be done, and all kinds of other stuff going on.

I was kinda busy myself and have continued to remain busy this past week, therefore not getting the chance to get on here and post any new items. Especially when July 4th was here.....but I want you to know that I am a very proud American. The idea of traveling to any other land just gives me the "willies." I'm not that adventurous, so I'm content where I am.

Anyway, since I've been kinda preoccupied, and not blogging, I ran across something that I wanted to post. It's one of those things that almost makes you cry, makes you smile, and makes you breathe easier. Not sure how it has those capabilities, but it just is a great reminder of why I love America. I'm sure there are some that would argue that the Gaither Vocal Band do a better rendition of this, but this one is my favorite.

This is from my patriotic side of life.......

And just in case you have any trouble figuring out the words he's saying the first few lines, the lyrics are :

Oh beautiful, for heroes proved,
In liberating strife,
Who more than self, our country loved,
And mercy more than life,

America, America, may God thy gold refine,
Till all success be nobleness
And every gain devined.

The Transformation

As you know, we rarely have a time when we don't have a project of some sort in progress. This week I've been without Addison, so I've gotten some serious stuff done.....well one serious thing done that is next to impossible with little hands who love paint as much as hers do - hanging around. So, there are no little fingerprints anywhere in this project.

Mom is asking for pictures, so here is the almost completed task. It is lacking the beautiful white 3 inch chair rail that will make the whole thing POP! Like it's not already with the red. Much to my surprise, my hubby has not had one negative word to say about it. For that I'm so grateful! Sometimes, my ideas can be a little over the top, but this one has gone over well. It also helps that my furniture is very neutral with no color.....so I assure you, some was needed. But the whole wall being red would have been a little too much. This has been the perfect combo for us. It gives us just the "cozy" and "warm" feel I was looking for.

So here are my before and after pictures. BTW, every wall was painted the same color in our house for a fast move. We didn't take the time to plan a million different colors before moving in, so this is a work in progress. But this transformation has just been amazing and it makes me smile every time I look at it. I am now past my fear of color! Looking at the older pictures, I simply cannot believe I tolerated that bland look as long as I did - mind you, I had taken everything off the walls before I snapped the pics, but still.......

(by the way, I see / realize that my couch was not centered under the picture....it has since been readjusted!) lol