Red Hearts, White Snow, Chocolate Kisses ...

Happy Valentines Day 2007 ...

LeAnna had a party at school this morning ...

The kids were SO excited! I sort of felt sorry for the teachers ... there were brownies with tons of icing on them, candy hearts, candybars and treat bags full of candy ... and some of the kids valentines that they passed out had candy attached!

Woo-Hoo!

As for me ... I don't really want to talk about my day ... if it's going to happen or go wrong, usually I'm right there to reap the benefits! ha!

It all began this morning when my "motorized" toothbrush (somehow) sprayed my shirt with toothpaste .... ever try to get out toothpaste from an outfit?! The wet wipe I chose to "attempt" to wipe it off with left a souvenir all over the front of my shirt ... so then I had white toothpaste dots AND white lint! AND no time to change before going to school for the party!

Went outside ... it was snowing! Went to open my door - frozen shut!

And on, and on ... oh yeah ... tripped over a cord today (in my own home) and fell flat on my face!

Ever want to just go " AAAAHHHHHHHHH"!

Oh well ...

Enough!

Just ended a two hour conference call for my job ...

Yes ... need a break ...

So ... here's hoping you had a "happy heart day" ...

I'm sure the day will get better (power of positive thinking) =)

Happy Wednesday, tammy

It's Official ...

Good Afternoon ...

Well ... we're Happy Homeowners! We offically closed this morning ... and we get the keys this Saturday ...

We're excited!

It's still a little overwhelming ... so much to do ... where do you begin?


So ... a funny ...

On the way home from a birthday party Sunday evening ... LeAnna said the funniest thing ...

We have this little game we play ... and she'll start it whenever she's ready to play ...

So she said: Mommy, I love you more than the moon!

And I said: I love you more than the sun!

(and so on and so on ... trying to describe our undying love bigger and better each time!)

So ... she starts naming "little things" ... like ...

I love you more than my stuffed animal, etc.

So I started naming little things ...

So I said: I love you more than the griddle that Daddy bought me for Christmas!

She stops ... has a funny look on her face ... and then says ...

"You love me more than that thing that Granny wears?"

hahahaahahahahahahahah

She thought I meant "girdle"!

I laughed so hard that I thought I was going to wreck!

Oh my goodness! I needed a good laugh! Bless her heart!

So ... she officially knows the difference between a "griddle and a girdle" now!


Another 'BIG' happening ... we started a program at church called "The Biggest Loser" ... we met last night and weighed in ... it goes for 10 weeks ... everyone puts in $50 ... at the end ... the one who has lost the most "percentage of their weight" will win! The pot has $1,500 in it!!!!!

Everyone seemed so excited about it! ... yes, Nate and I both joined ...

My "ideal" weight is 110 pounds ! ahhaahahhahahhahahahhhahahahahahahahahah

Anyhoo ... I'd be happy to lose 15-20! We'll see!

I don't think I'll win ... but it is fun to have "support" with a large group doing it all at the same time!


Happy, happy - Joy, joy ... tammy

My Funny Valentine ...

Good Morning ...

Last evening was our Valentine Social at church ...

we had a good time ...

it was a dress up affair ...

with Italian for the palette,

chocolate for the brain (gotta have it)

and ... comedy to heal us all! (laughter is the best medicine - right?!)

Every year we take these same, goofy pictures ... we are usually always wearing red and/or black ... at a church Valentine Social ... and ends up Nate usually has a funny face in the picture ... always!

He's my "Funny" Valentine! =)

Nate rocks! Love Nate!

Thanks Nate - for being my Valentine all year round!

oh yeah ... feeling better ... today will be my 4th day with Antibiotics ... usually by the 3rd day I'm feeling better ... started feeling better yesterday ...

Thank God for a cool-mist humidifier! Couldn't breathe without it! =)

Be Blessed Today ...

Happy Sunday ... tammy

I Need Some - Coughing, Sneezing, Runny Nose, Chest Congestion, Headache, Stomach Ache, Fever, So I Can Rest Medicine ...

Good Evening ...

well ... not at my optimum ...

still not feeling well ... having to "function" though.

This just happens to be the weekend that I scheduled clients before we move - knowing I wouldn't be taking any more pictures until sometime in March ... and I absolultely did not feel like taking pictures this morning ...

although, the pictures went well ... the baby did GREAT! And I think the parents will be very pleased ...

Now, more pictures tommorrow and then Pack - Pack - Pack!!!!

It's REALLY starting to hit me now! We found out last night that we would be getting the keys to the new house next Sunday! Wow! It has come upon us very quickly!

I'm excited ... but nervous ... and spazzin' a bit - all at the same time!

so ... happy friday evening ...

as for me and myself ... I'm getting ready to converse with the couch for a bit!

tammy

A Jar Of Love ...

Good Evening ...

I think my "feel bad" feels bad!

I've been feeling kind of "eh" for about a week ... but nothing that a little Clarinex wouldn't help ... then yesterday started feeling a little worse ...

I had a doctors appointment this morning anyway - so while there, found out that I had fluid behind both ears, sinus issues and a low grade temp ...

As the day went on ... I started feeling worse! Yuck! Not fun ...

So my wonderful Mom, on her day off, offered to pick up LeAnna from school today ...

She then took her home with her and they played, filled her "new pantry" with can goods and dishes, and made home-made cookies! Then sent home her "cooking adventure with Nana" in a jar to enjoy later! Wow!

For LeAnna ... that's a little slice of heaven ...

She came home this evening BOUNCING though ...

Mom said she had gotten into the fridge into a can of icing! Oh well ... that explains it!

"Thankfully" she bounced off to church with Daddy ... and I went to bed ...

I just got back up because of "low sugar" ... been fighting "high sugar" all day due to infection in my body! UGH!

Anyhoo ...

Always something I guess!

I was happy LeAnna enjoyed her surprise afternoon with Nana!

Thanks Nana for making some special memories for LeAnna to recall another day.

As for me ... as soon as my food digests, I'm back to bed!

tammy

Holding Up My Cup ...

Good Afternoon ...

Whirlwind ... that's me ... that's life right now!

Wow! .... B b b Uu u S s s Y y y

Tonight we have a ladies meeting at church, which happens to also be our Secret Sister reveal for the year and drawing of a new one ... I have always enjoyed doing this ... sometimes you get a good one, sometimes you don't ... I tend to get really excited the first couple of months with my "new" name each year and then by the end of the year I find myself not doing like I did in the beginning ... So I'm excited to reveal tonight but more excited to get my new name!

I received an email today from my cousin who found another poem of my grandmothers' in their house. She was known for her poetry and was even recognized by a society in New York - which she was very proud of ... although she wasn't able to attend the ceremony to receive her honor in NY, she was still happy that she would receive such recognition.

Here's the "new found" poem ...


God Blesses all His Children

God blesses all His children
With His wonders rich and rare
The earth is filled with His glory
And each child gets His share.

Each child may hold his cup up
And get it filled to the brim
With just exactly what he asks
For the promise is to him.

“Ask and it shall be give you
Seek and ye shall find
Knock and it shall be opened”
Are the words that come to mind.

Dear Lord I hold my cup up
Fill it for me now
I pray for a mighty out pouring
To deluge us all somehow.

Out pouring of the spirit
To guide us in the Word
And songs to brighten up our day
And magnify the Lord.

By Mabel Neely


My sweet Mama Neely ... what a lady of integrity ... who set such a great example of a christian to me ... she basically set the bar for our family with her "daily-faithful" bible reading, memorization and prayer everyday ... and fasted one day a week (Thursday) ... every Thursday, without ceasing from the time of a very young lady until she died at 95!

WOW!!! Like I said ... she set the bar for "our family" ... for the Bible says ... "train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it" ...

... the Bible also says ... "her children rise up and call her blessed" ... which is so true in her case ...

What a great lady ... and once again ... I'm reminded, this day ... of her ... such a sweet thought on this Tuesday ...

Happy Day ... tammy

A Page In The Story ...

Good Evening ...

Saturday evening ...

getting ready for Sunday ...

Sunday's are busy for us ...

and right now we're in Leadership Training classes at church on Sunday afternoons/evenings ... so it makes for a VERY long day ...

We have choir practice at 10:00am ... Sunday School at 11:00am ... Sunday morning worship at 12:oo noon ... and then our Leadership classes begin - usually around 3:00pm or so ... tomorrow we're taking our lunch and eating it there ... it's a four hour class ...

So ...

lunches are packed, homework is complete (for the class tomorrow), got my stuff ready for Sunday School tomorrow ...

Now it's just wind down and go to bed ... which shouldn't be too hard ...

So ... today ... we went to purchase the couch and chair that we had found for the new house ... got there and it was gone ... sold out ... never to return .... AAAHHHHHH .... not good ...

I was SO settled about this couch and had already started working the detail of the room around it and the chair!!!!

SO ...

Back to square one ... find another couch!

So ... lesson learned ... If you find something you like ... don't put off purchasing it ... as we did ... for fear it will not be there when you do decide to go buy it!

Yack! Did NOT make me a happy camper in the least today!

Oh well ... man ... and it was such a good price too!

Ok - enough!

So ... happy thoughts ... positive thoughts ...

I did however, find a really cool place today ... really neat shop ... bought a couple of things for the new house ... one sign that I'm really excited about ... it simply says ...

"Home is where your story begins" ...

Wow ... cool huh?! Love it! ... Can't wait to find that perfect spot for it!

Just so neat ... "your own story" that you create in your own home, that makes your family what it is ... and the pages unfold everyday ... some good, some bad, some interesting, some boring, some exciting, some sad ... and then these pages of your story start creating chapters as seasons come and go in your life ... that eventually creates your "book" ... but for now it's a continual story ...

okay ... getting deep now ... drifting out a little far ...

coming back now ..


So they are calling for more snow tonight?! We'll see in the morning I guess! One thing about Nashville weather ... you're always surprised at what actually happens AND if you stick around for 30 minutes it WILL change! =)

I trust you will find peace, hope, healing and whatever else you may be needing at your place of Worship in the morning ...

Happy Saturday Evening ... tammy

A Routine Snow?

Right outside the door this morning

Princess ... through the sliding glass door this morning ... she had shaken most of the snow off when I took the picture!

Good Morning ...

S N O W ! ! ! !

Can you believe it?! Finally!

Woo-Hoo ...

LeAnna was SO excited this morning ... she didn't have to go to school!

Yesterday she was SO disappointed because she HAD to go to school!

Princess liked the snow as well ... she's been going out and coming back in with a white mustache! too cute!


So ... yesterday ... LeAnna says ... "Mom, what does routine mean?"

Another "golden" opportunity ...

So I said ... it means doing the same thing every day ...

Then, yesterday afternoon ... Nate was eating a peanut butter and jelly sandwich ... she absolutely LOVES peanut butter .... and in fact ... eats a peanut butter sandwich EVERYDAY for lunch ...

So ... Nate said ... why don't you try some jelly with it? Yes ... LeAnna is five years old and has never experienced JELLY! So ... after conversing about her "routine" of eating peanut butter sandwiches everyday - she FINALLY decided to try jelly! She tried it and she "says" she likes it ... but decided to eat her sandwich with just peanut butter "one more time"!

Oh my!

It's so nice to be able to put your "definitions into action" instead of just explaining them!

The other day she asked the meaning of a word ... and once I gave her the meaning, she then asked the meaning of that word, and so on and so on ... to the point that I finally said ... "we can't have this discussion anymore right now" ... ha! I was about to go nuts!


So then ... I started thinking about the word "routine" ...

It is SO easy to get into a routine with just about everything in your life!

I tend to want to cook the same things over and over - I guess because it's easy and you know the family will like it! And when you do "go out on a limb with something new", it doesn't always go over well.

I tend to eat the same things at each restaurant I go to ... I know I like it and I associate that particular item with that restaurant ...

When taking a shower and getting dressed, I usually do the same things in the same order each time.

When going to the grocery store ... I tend to go down the same isles in the same order each time.

When going shopping - at which ever store I go to, I usually shop in a particular area first, then move on to the next area ... usually the same order each time!

Even in my devotion time ... I start and end and do everything in between the same each time!

WHY IS THIS?!?!?!

We are creatures of habit ... and we get "comfortable" in a ROUTINE!

For the most part a "routine" is not a bad thing ... but it can be if we allow it!

So ... thanks LeAnna for making me "aware" of my "routines"!

Thank God for kids!


So ... today was a nice day to snow ... with the weekend ahead ... and LeAnna's very excited to be out of school for Three Whole Days!!!! =)

Happy First Friday in February - tammy

Retro Nostalgia and Memories ...

Today I happened to think ... I've been bloggin' about a year now! ... So I looked back ... it was one year on the 26th of January!

The title of my first blog entry was "Nostalgia and Memories" ... which is in a "sense" what I could call "today's blog entry" ... my "nostalgia and memories" a year ago were about my grandmother, who had just passed away ...

today ... it would be "nostalgia and memories" about my journaling (bloggin')

I now have a whole year worth of journaling to print out and pass down to LeAnna! Proud of myself ... it takes dedication to blog ... and at times I have found it to be somewhat trying ... but I stuck with it and I am so glad I did ... now it's more of just "something I do" ...

I have to admit ... there have been MANY times if I had "true journaled" it would not have been good ... ha! The things I "refrained" from would have needed to be journaled under lock and key! =)

Oh well ...

Back at the new house today ... trying to finalize plans on colors, where to put what, etc. ... Argh! Two weeks away!!! AAAHHHH!!!!!!

Okay ... enough ...

It's all going to be okay ... (notice I'm trying to convince myself as I type)

So ... Happy Wednesday ... tammy

Panic ... Pack ... and Confess ...

Good Evening ...

AAAHHHHHHHHH ! ! ! ! !

We found out today ... that we close on the 13th ... and take possession on the 20th!!!!

Oh My Goodness ... slight panic here ...

I haven't retrieved the first box yet! Or decided definite on anything as far as colors, etc.

Yikes!

Okay ... so ...

breathe in ... breathe out ... make that belly button sink to the floor ... stretch those arms out towards your feet ... longer ... drop those shoulders to the floor - relax the shoulders more ... feet should be in pilates stance .... inner thighs closer together ... lengthen your neck ... sink your belly button MORE ... MORE ...

ARGH! That's what I heard today ... on a Monday morning! Ugh!

Although ... I do feel better about myself when I leave ... it's just tough! yack!


Okay ... so ...

LeAnna decided that today should be "confessional" ...

... out of the blue today ... while fixing her hair for school ... she says ...

"Mom - you know what?"

"what baby?"

"One day at Granny's house before Christmas ... me and Dawson were playing and ... and ... well ... we got in Papaw's closet and ... well ... Dawson opened a present for me ... it was mine ... "

"what?!"

"yes ... we wanted to see what it was"

"oh my ... LeAnna does Granny know about this?"

"well ... yes ... she knows"

"well what did she say?"

"well ... I can't remember exactly what all she said - but I do remember her saying something about we needed to put that up right now!"

"LeAnna Rachel! Oh My Goodness"

"well ... Dawson is the one who opened it"

... now that opens the door for an "accomplice" discussion, don't you think?!

ha!

so I said ...

"So you mean on Christmas night when you opened up that gift, you had already seen it and didn't say anything?"

"yes mam"

"Oh My Goodness LeAnna"

So ... I made a phone call to Granny today ... and she said that she knew about it ... and was laughing about it ...

So all is well ... but I thought it was funny that she just "out of the blue" decided to "confess"!

Maybe she'll rest better tonight ... knowing that's off her conscience! =)


So ... it's time for night-night ... very tired ... we signed the final papers tonight and all we do now is show up at closing ... with a lot of money !!!!!!

YIKES! seriously got to go to bed after thinking about that!

Happy Monday ... tammy

Shocked!

Good Morning ...

I am shocked today! A blogger friend of mine and also - friend growing up ... had not posted in a while and I wondered what the problem was, I felt that something might be wrong ... she was having chest pain and wanted to rule out a heart attack, so her family took her to the ER ... it was anxiety ... but in the process of "tests" (labwork, etc.) she passed out (sight of blood), but this time - bp lowered and her heart rate lowered until her heart stopped! A nurse noticed and pounded her on the chest and her heart started back! They ended up putting in a pacemaker in case she passed out again and her heart couldn't handle it, the pacemaker would kick in! I just can't believe it! We are the same age, one month apart! I am so sorry Tracie ... my thoughts and prayers are with you --- speedy recovery! She also has a child a year or so older than LeAnna ... I'll be praying for Mike and Caroline as well ... Wow!

Yesterday ... we took LeAnna to the Circus ... we've had tickets since the first of December ... so our seats were very good ... she was excited, as she gave us the "play by play" since she had just seen the show with Granny and Papaw on Thursday! =) The Circus was great - but it wasn't the "WOW" factor like last year when we went ... it didn't seem as dramatic ... there was a lot of detail that was amazing, but as far as BIG and WOW it just wasn't as big of a deal as the last two years! Oh well ... change of pace I guess...

Busy day today ... as usual for a Sunday ...

I pray that you find peace, comfort, healing, happiness, repentance, blessing ... whatever you need today in Him!

Happy Sunday ... tammy

Diving In ...

Good Morning ...

My head is swimming ...

Knowing I have 4 weeks to pack, decide what's going where, decide on paint colors, pick out counter tops, choose some new flooring, close on our new house, sell our current house, find some new furniture .... AAAHHHHH!!!!

It's a bit overwhelming when I REALLY stop and think about it all ... But ... in the midst of it all ... I still feel peace! Wow! What a feeling! Just to know ... it's the right thing to do!

Anyhoo ... we are meeting at our new house today to go over the contract, sign it, etc. before we close in two weeks ... then to the Circus! LeAnna's already been to the Circus once this week ... Granny and Papaw took her Thursday evening ... they had a blast! And we're going today ... we've had tickets since the 1st part of December ... it will be fun!

Okay ... so ... here's my "tabletopic" card today ...

"what are the most important qualities you look for in friends?"

I would have to say ....

#1 - a sense of humor ... I love to laugh ... and they say laughter is the best medicine ... I have issues with dead, boring, dull people

#2 - sincerity ... there's nothing worse than an unsincere fake person ... I don't like to be around people who are one way to my face and different behind my back

#3 - positive ... I have found that the best people to surround yourself with is positive, encouraging people ... and in this "negative world" that we live in, the more "positive" the better!

There are MANY qualities that I can think of that I "prefer" in a person ... but these are 3 imporant ones to me.

So ... I'm off to the (almost funny to say Circus - when I feel like that's what we're living right now!) ha!

Happy Saturday - tammy

Moving On ...

Good Morning ...

This morning I had a Parent/Teacher Conference at school for LeAnna ...

It went well ... she is on track for Kindergarten ... a few areas we need to work on, but nothing outstanding ... all in all, it was a good report. I got to see some of her work ... hear how she acts "away from us" ... also ... heard that she LOVES chatting with the teachers and they pretty much know everything about us here at home! =) Oh my! Definitely wants to make you be on your best behavior at ALL times! ha! And ... the teacher said ... she has the cutest little
southern accent! ha!

Oh well!


Well ... we are MOVING!!!! I can't believe it!

We had talked about it ... tossed it around in our head a bit the last several months ... and had made a decision to wait and maybe think about it towards the end of this year - maybe be in another house by Christmas!

Well ... the phone rang two weeks ago on a Saturday afternoon ...

It was a couple (we are acquainted with) who said ... "Tammy, we've been praying about some things and God laid you and Nathan on our hearts to call - about 15 mintues ago!" ... she said, "we are thinking about putting our house on the market and wanted to see if you guys would be interested before we list it with a realtor" .... AND we'll give it to "YOU" for $20,000 less than if we listed it with a realtor!!!!!

WOW!!!

I said ... well ... Nathan and I have been "talking" about maybe making a move in the near future ...

She told me their plan - that they had found a house ... and just wanted to see if we would be interested before "they" got the ball rolling...

SO ... she told me to discuss it with Nathan and get back with her ...

So ... I did ...

We really couldn't believe it ... but didn't really know how it would all work out ...

They needed to know an answer (yes or no) within a two week period ...

So we just prayed about it ... talked about it ... prayed about it some more and talked about it some more ...

To make a VERY long story short ... (because a WHOLE lot happened that I don't have the time to type! ha!)

We decided to meet with them and look at the house ...

We did ...

We loved it ...

It's an older home (built in 1989) ... but they have totally re-done practically the whole house ... and it would be "almost" move in ready if we purchased it ...

There would be a few things we would do - but just things to match our taste and "already purchased/owned" decor.

Like I said ... to make a long story short and to cut out a lot of the details ...

God worked a miracle on our behalf and theirs ... we both feel peace about it all (both- meaning them and us) ... it couldn't have worked out more smoothly (so far) ...

And we already have a closing date ... yikes! February 15th!!!! That's a BIG YIKES!!!!

We won't take possession until February 24th ... but you know what? That's not very far away!!!

We're planning on spending about a week - doing the changes we want to make prior to moving in ... But we are SO excited!!!

And ... it's not worked out yet ... but we possibly have our Condo sold ... it's in the works ... and we know beyond the shadow of a doubt that God is going to work that out too!!!!

I've saved the best for last ...

The house is located NEXT DOOR to my Mom!!!! Talk about someone who has been praying! And if you don't think God answers prayer - to the very last detail ... just talk to my Mom!!! She is so excited - that she just about cries everytime we discuss it!

We left Mom 1 1/2 years ago - not to leave her "alone" ... but it was "time" for a move ... we had been there with her since Daddy died ... and she HATES being alone ... But we felt it was time to make a move ... so we did ... and she has done fine ... but ... I know she's been praying ... not sure if she even knew exactly "what" she was praying for ... but I know without a doubt, she prayed for God's Will to be done ....


And now ... after the way EVERY bit of this has worked out ... we know beyond any shadow of any doubt ... that HE has worked it all out according to His Will ... we know we're doing the right thing.

So ... in about a month ... we'll be new happy home owners! We are so excited .... and feel SO blessed ... and what a blessing to know that you're in God's Will ... it's the best peaceful feeling ...

So ... I'm sure in the weeks to come - you'll hear of our "craziness and our happenings" ... beacause ... as you well know ... "if it's going to happen, it's going to happen to me" ... So ultimately this has all worked out GREAT ... but it's the little "bumps" along the way that make "our" lives interesting! ha!

I'll keep you posted with pictures, etc... (of course) ... =)

I'm so HAPPY to have a front yard, a back yard, a side yard (fenced in) ... yea! I'm excited! And I'm not there yet ... but I already feel "at home" even before arriving! It just SO feels like the right thing ... and that's one of the best feelings in the world!

Happy Thursday ... tammy

Me and My Dad ...

Good Morning ...

8 years ago today ... my Dad passed away ...

A long, hard struggle with LIFE he had ...

but I learned alot from him.

He taught me, not by words, but by example ... to love, endure and smile through the pain!

I watched him - most of my life - endure hardship and pain, but he always had a smile on his face and LOVED people! He always made time for others, always wanted to do for others - he just loved being around people! NEVER met a stranger ... could strike up a conversation with anybody! Could sell you ANYTHING! If you wanted to do good with a fundraiser - call him! He would raise you all kinds of money! (not sure whether people just felt sorry for him or what!) ha! Anyhoo ...

There were things about him that absolutely drove me insane at times! But those are things I choose "today" not to reflect on ...

Today - I remember the good.

Even after 8 years ... yes ... I still cry ... no there's no tear stained paper as I type this ... but there is a tear stained keyboard! =)

I recall as a little girl, being "Daddy's Princess", "Daddy's Girl" ... and as I watch LeAnna and Nathan today, it brings back such sweet memories of me and my Daddy! The way he throws her in the air, the way they giggle with each other, whisper in each other's ear - give kisses, give shoulder rides, the way she holds him so tight while laying her head on his shoulder ...

I remember ... the texture of a white t-shirt on my Daddy ... the way I felt so secure and comforted against it ... even today when Nathan has on a white t-shirt, I feel that "secure" feeling all over again.

I was ... Doodlebug, short britches, shortcake, and many other names I can't even remember right now ...

I guess the impression I have the most right now ... is watching my Dad face the struggle of his life ... having to sit at home while my Mom went to work ... there's something about a man needing to "care for his family" and when that can't happen like it's supposed to, it wears on your mind ... he felt that ...

I watched him, wanting to be "so normal" ... but even though he was sick and wasn't "normal" ... I still watched him, take classes at Nashville Tech ... bettering himself in fields he was always interested in - Computers, Computer Aided Drafting (CAD) ... and remember the smile on his face when he got his test scores in the mail! I also watched him take flying lessons ... I remember going with him once a week and sitting in an airport with the receptionist while he was up in the air taking lessons, week after week ... he loved it and was SO excited about it! I also watched him and the look on his face the day he found out, that because of his sickness, he would not be able to complete his flying lessons ... he was just 6 hours away from becoming a pilot. A dream he always had ...

But ... he still smiled ... took it all in stride ... and was happy that he didn't give up.

Yes ... there were days he was SO tired of being sick that he even talked of taking his own life ... that was scary to me. Thank GOD he didn't!

It's VERY hard to watch someone, well ... anyone for that matter, especially a parent, suffer the way he did and for so long ... My Mom, to be HIGHLY commended, went WAY beyond the call of duty on her part! I know that on November 9, 1968, when she repeated "for better or for worse" did she EVER think she would go through what she went through in the years following.

From time to time ... I still have special memories that pop into my head out of nowhere ... and I linger there for a bit, just recalling ...

My Dad gives me courage to go on ... he did, he went on - he made the best out of a bad situation and still smiled about it ... and no one knows better than my Mom and myself what he actually went through - because we went through it together.

When I think of my own personal struggles and yes there are days when I think ... WHY ME?! I guess everyone at some point in their life, for whatever reason .... questions ...

But today, I think of my Dad's life and ... I am encouraged ... even though I cry just thinking of his struggles ... I am encouraged today because of it ...

He suffers no more ... no ... today, he's at peace. And in that, I have peace.

Today ... I am thankful ... and I am blessed beyond measure.

I miss my Daddy ... and wish SO BAD he could have seen LeAnna ... he would ask me all the time, "when are you having me a grandbaby?" ... he loved children ... and I wish so bad he could have seen her - he would have LOVED her and spoiled her to death! She would have been a "grand-princess"! LeAnna loves looking at pictures of my Dad and watching videos of him ... it's almost as if she knows him just because of that!

I am not sad today ... just solemn in my remembrance.

"He who has gone, so we but cherish his memory, abides with us, more potent, nay, more present than the living man. ~Antoine de Saint-Exupery "

Ernest Morgan Johnson

October 2, 1946 - January 23, 1999

Happy Tuesday ... tammy

Growing Some Gray ...

Good Evening ...



Does anyone care to take a wild guess at what this picture is?





Okay ...

so ...

I wake up this morning ...

look in the mirror ...

and discover this ...

New Hair Growing ...

Not just growing ... but growing GRAY!!!!!!

WHAT!?!?!?!?!?!

Okay ... and I was just getting used to the idea that it's going to happen ...

But so far ... it's only been "once brown hair" that turned gray ...

But ... looking in the mirror this morning and seeing that "new hair" ... like 2 inch long "new hair" was growing out gray!


Oh my ...

I've been told that for every gray hair you pull out, two grow in it's place ... ! yikes! Maybe I've pulled too many out! ha!

Oh well ... it's inevitable I guess ...

LeAnna is MUCH better ... she's had a rough weekend, but feeling much better today ... I sent her back to school today, but only for a 1/2 day ... she coughs SO bad when she lays down! And nap time would not have been good for all the other kids today if she had stayed! She was very happy to just go 1/2 day and tomorrow is 1/2 too ... she STILL doesn't enjoy nap time, for whatever reason ...

Here's a tip I found ...

"Conditioner: Use your hair conditioner to shave your legs. It's a lot cheaper than shaving cream and leaves your legs really smooth. It's also a great way to use up the conditioner you bought but didn't like when you tried it in your hair..."

Turning in early this evening (hopefully) ...

Happy Monday Evening ... tammy

Happy Birthday ...

Happy Birthday To Princess !!!!

She is 1 Today!

We put a princess tiara on her and gave her a birthday bagel on a princess plate ... she seems to like all the attention!

LeAnna wanted to plan and have an "official" party ... and invite other puppies to attend, along with party hats, cake and favors ...

rrrriiiiiggggghhhhhttttt ....

OH well ... this small quaint affair that we had this morning will have to suffice ...

Not an extremely busy day, but several things on the agenda today ... so busy we must get ...

Happy Saturday, tammy

Blah ...

Good Afternoon ...

Blah ... blah ... blah ... blah ... blah ... that's the "vibe" in the room today!

LeAnna is on the couch and not feeling very well!

It all started yesterday with a simple runny nose ... then got progressively worse last night ... Nate ended up at Walmart at midnight to purchase a humidifer just so she could breathe better! She was so stopped up that she could only breathe through her mouth ... then it was back and forth with a runny nose! And today ... basically not feeling good all over!

We ended up at the doctor ... they did a strep test, but thankfully it came back negative ... so we have a "viral infection" ... but we have several meds to take ... so hopefully she'll be better soon!

She's definitely not herself!

Anyhoo ... I'm not feeling all that well myself either! Guess it's just that time of year ... but you know ... with this crazy weather, it's a wonder we're not all sick with something! Yikes!

So ... tabletopic card for today ...

"what's the one thing you wanted as a child but never got?"

Well ... I used to always ask for a baby brother or sister! My Dad told me that you got baby brothers at Kroger and baby sisters at H.G.Hills ... I pretty much embarrased my Mom one day at the grocery when I asked a store clerk where to find the babies! My Mom had to explain ... ha! Oh well ... a lot of people don't know this ... but when my Mom was pregnant with me, the doctor heard two heartbeats and led her to believe that she might be having twins ... she even had two names picked out ... oh well ... it was just me! Don't know if the world could have handled more than one of us! ha!

Happy Thursday ... tammy

Who Is This Child?

Good Afternoon ...

Today I sat at the dentist office with someone else's child ... a child who I had never met before today ... a child whose behavior was shocking at times ... a very silly child who could hardly contain her energy for more than 10 seconds at a time ...

I'm kidding ... not about the behavior though!

Today LeAnna had a dental appointment for some fillings ... her first ...

We followed protocol ... an antibiotic regimen, to help protect against a bad bacterial infection that is easy for open heart surgery patients to contract.

We arrived and she was being her usual clingy self (as she does when going to unfamiliar places) ... they came and got her, took her back and started the medicine, brought her back and in about 10 minutes ... all of a sudden ... she jumped up and took off running ... then back to me and started rubbing the walls, saying, "oh, look at the bushes ... and the water, feel the water .. ooh" ... I looked at her like she was nuts and said, "are you okay?" ... then up and down, jumping, running ... then she started stumbling around, fell twice ...

So, by this time I'm thinking ... "what in the world?" ... Who Is This CHILD?! She's never acted so crazy before!

So I went to the counter and asked ... after some quick observation ... found out she was having an adverse reaction to the medicine! Oh My!

Whew! Yikes!

They finally came for her and in about 40-45 minutes we were ready to go home! She did fine and now .... she's sporting two "blue" fillings! (After checking out her teeth in the mirror, she said, "they must have thought I liked blue - my fillings are blue!")

A little irritable this afternoon ... and a tingling chin is not making her very comfortable ... just a whole new experience today!

So ... anyhoo ...

My tabletopic card today says ...

"If possible would you live year round in your favorite season?"

Well ... my favorite season of all is "FALL" ... I absolutely love the colors, the crisp air, the crunching of leaves, the decor ... my favorite dining room table decor is during the Fall ... I just love everything about it!

But ...

I think I would eventually get bored ... and welcome the break of Winter, Spring and Summer ... which in turn would give me something to look foward to the following year - Fall!

Happy Tuesday, tammy

An Unexpected "Exterior Decorator" ...

Good Morning ...

So ... this morning ... early ...

The doorbell rings ...

Not abnormal ...

Other than the fact that it was ...

5:00 A.M.!!!!!!

Okay ... so ... no ... not UPS or Fed Ex or even USPS that early!

No!

So ... naturally, Nathan gets up and heads to the window!

What woke me up was the doorbell, however, I thought it was something in a dream ... I just remember him looking out the window and saying, "someone just rang the doorbell"!

Then ... I looked at the clock ... 5:00am! WHAT?!?!?!?

So ... he goes downstairs ... looks out the peep-hole ...

and notices that our white van is now decorated like a cake! Draped ever so nicely with toilet paper and shaving cream ...

Ah ... they shouldn't have! Wow! Just for us?! Man ... what pals we have!

Then ... he notices that before "they" left ... they decided to decorate his work truck as well! Man ... how thoughtful!

And ...

then ... to put the "icing on the cake" so to speak ... they graced our front door as well!

Now .... if I just knew who to thank! I have a few in mind ... and a few nice words ... no ... paragraphs to say to them!

To top it all ... it started to rain this morning! Imagine the mess ... as you can tell from the picture, most of the decor has dropped to the ground ...

Ever try to clean up wet toilet paper?!

Argh!

So ... how's your Monday morning starting out?!

ha!

So ... here's my tabletopic for today ...

"If you could have any view from your backyard, what would it be?"

I would have to say ... water .... whether it be a lake or ocean! And I would want my deck to have a long bridge-type access to a dock that set nicely on the water!

Happy Monday ... tammy

A Sweet Reward For Pressing Toward The Mark ...

Good Evening ...

Went to Pilates this morning ... today was worse!

Very intense ... and actually "feeling it" tonight!

The instructor this morning was a bit tougher on us ... I found it frustrating at times because she kept telling me to do something that I thought I was already doing (you know, the push the belly button to the mat thing!) ... but later, realized she was "mentally" challenging us to try harder ... it worked ...

So ... to reward myself ... I made Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies! ha!

And ... put them on my platter that I made (first time to use it) ... which also sat on top of my new island that Nate bought me for the kitchen ... love it! And it actually matches the cabinets! It's a nice workspace for the kitchen - and - the barstool fits it nicely too! (Shown is 1/2 of the first batch ... with two more batches to follow) Yum- yum! Good reward! =)

Happy Day ... ready to lay me down to sleep ... peace - out, tammy

"Let Me Outta Here!"

Good Evening/Morning ...

Yes, another long day and late night and now ... early morning!

This morning ... well ... Thursday morning ... getting LeAnna ready for school ... I was in her room getting things together and I called for her to come finish getting dressed ... I heard this muffled sound ... "I can't"

So I said, "LeAnna ... come in here right now and let's finish getting dressed!"

... another muffled sound ... "I can't and I need your help"

I said, "LeAnna NOW!" ...

... again ... muffled, but louder ... "I can't and I need your help, please!"

So I walked toward the muffle, into the hallway ...

I said, "Where are you?"

she said ... "in here"

I opened the linen closet (very small I might add - the width of a towel folded three times)

... there she was under the last shelf, balled up on the floor and stuck!

She looked at me and said, as she was crawling out ... "I told you I needed help!"

She had somehow managed to get in the closet, under the shelf and close the door! Once there ... she was unable to get out to reopen it due to the door being shut, not allowing her room!

Oh my! Neverending excitement around here!

We did some shopping today with the family ... we still have family in from out of town for the party earlier this week ... found some deals! I like finding "deals"! Shirts for $3.99 are right up my alley kind of deal!

Tomorrow ... well ... today ... however you choose to look at it ... we have an 8:15 am appointment to tour and register LeAnna for school ... I have toured before ... Nate hasn't ... so -fun! And then it's testing! Fun for LeAnna!

Okay ... so ... update on how the Pilates class went ...

Well ... not as sore as I thought ... but sore in places I've never been sore before ... yikes!

This 8 week course should be interesting! I go back Saturday morning (a make-up class) ... since I agreed to "two times a week" instead of one, they are giving me an extra day this week ... so ... more tightening up the muscles and sinking the belly button to the floor techniques! OH MY Goodness! Ever TRIED sinking your belly button to the floor while laying on your back?! And then ... knowing you 'think' you've accomplished that - the instructor comes over and says ... come on ... sink it to the floor!!!! WHAT?! Okay lady .... I know I have a pooch in the front (and the back) and it might "APPEAR" that I'm not ... but trust me ... I'm forcing my button to the stinkin' floor already!

Ha! Sorry ... but 45 minutes of Pilates ... well ... let's just say if you've never tried Pilates ... try it on for size before making any rash decisions about how "EASY" you think it would be! And this was the first day! Yikes!

Encouraged? Yes ... I am ... it's going to be tough, especially in the beginning ... and the instructor even said "mentally and physically challenging" at times ... but I'm going to try my best to hang with it ... They said in 10 sessions I would feel different ... in 20 sessions people would begin to notice ... in 30 sessions people would begin making comments like "what have you been doing?" .... yeah we'll see if that happens! ha! With two sessions a week ... that doesn't seem like much ... but one session will last you at least a couple of days! ha!

Okay ... so ... my "tabletopics" card for today ...

"If you lived to be 100 would it be more important to have a sharp mind or a fit body?"

Well ... I would have to say sharp mind ... because if I had a fit body and not a sharp mind, I wouldn't mentally be able to enjoy the fact that I had a fit body because I would be out on a limb in loo-loo land weaving baskets somewhere... but boy I sure would look good! ha!

Yes ... definitely have to say a sharp mind!

Happy Thusday Evening ... yikes ... Friday morning ... nite, tammy

An Evening To Remember ...

Good Evening ...

Well ... last night was wonderful ... I was so pleased with the outcome ... and the best is that my Mom was TOTALLY surprised! We gave her a surprise 65th birthday dinner at the home of Sylvia Roberts, whom she has worked for, 20 years this year. I have been so busy planning and getting ready for this party but could not blog about it, in fear of the "surprise" getting out! I'm so glad it was such a success, but I'm so glad it's over! =)

It was a beautiful evening, magical almost ... everyone seemed to really enjoy themselves ... from the valet parking at the front door, to the band playing soft jazz while we walked around and chatted with old and new friends, while the catering staff walked around with trays of hor'dourves and then the wonderful dinner which was later topped off with birthday cake and ice cream ... and six special speakers with the perfectly chosen words of honor to my Mom! She couldn't keep her mouth shut - she was so shocked! It WAS a magical evening!

What a birthday ... and what a day to remember!

___________________________________

Today I looked at my "tabletop discussion card" ... and it said,

"What was your favorite childhood meal?"

* fried chicken

* mashed potatoes

* mac n' cheese

* corn

* green beans

* home made biscuits

And what is SO funny about pulling this card today ... I had made my mom a large platter (from the Fire Station) that listed my favorite characteristics about my Mom and then in the middle of the platter I listed my favorite childhood meal! Thought this was too wierd! I gave the platter to her this morning and she cried! She also cried just about the whole time last night ... she was so surprised and overwhelmed!

I told someone at the party ... "tonight I actually did it, pulled it off, but tomorrow (today) I die"! ha!

I did relax some today ... not as much as I would have liked to ... but some ... and tomorrow ... starts my pilates class ... woo-hoo ... the "2007 goals" are kicking in!

I might be so sore tomorrow that I'm unable to move ... we'll see!

Happy Tuesday ... tammy

Happy Birthday Mom!

Good Morning ...

It's Monday ... January 8th ... my Mom's 65th Birthday today ... Happy Birthday Mom!!!

I hope when I turn 65 that I look as young as you do!

Busy weekend ... family came in to visit with us this weekend ... lot's of food, laughter, making memories ...

Got a LOT on the agenda today ... so this post will be short and sweet ...

Some dear friends of ours gave us the coolest gift for Christmas ... it's called "Tabletop Discussions" ... which is right up our alley ... we love it! It's a clear, acrylic cube that holds small square cards of questions that are discussion starters ...

Here's one for today ...


"What do you miss most about childhood?"

* I miss the innocence of childhood ... the "not knowing" when something inappropriate was mentioned.

* I miss the non-responsiblity of a "live at home child"! ha! ... even though I love being grown up and own my own ... just the thought of "someone else" worrying about the "grown up things"! =)

* I miss my family and the times we spent together ... my Dad's side of the family were ALWAYS together and they are all dead and gone now ... I miss the "comfort" of that childhood feeling.

* I miss sitting on my Mom's lap or my Dad's lap ... snuggling up and them holding me tight ... I think of this sometimes when I'm holding LeAnna ... I can still remember how my Daddy's white t-shirts smelled (I'm sure Cheer had a lot to do with it!) ha! But I'm big on smells and what they represent.


Thank God for memories ... they mean the world to me ... and I love making the "good ones"! =)

Happy Monday ... tammy

Way To Go Grace ...

Good Evening ...

So ... I'm walking LeAnna into school this morning ... and ... it had been raining ... floors were wet ... slippery ...

I rounded the corner and then ... ever so politely slid to the floor sideways ...

Yes ...

So ... everyones reaction was different ... one lady standing in front of me watching it happen ... acted as if I was really hurt ... she was like ... are you okay, Oh my goodness ... are you okay ...

I was like ... I am So Fine! As red as a beet, but I was fine ... ( I had plenty of padding to cushion the fall) =)

Then ...

There was a slew of people behind us walking in ... but the lady directly behind me ... said ...

(are you ready for this?)

She said ... "Did you fall?"

Ah ...

Well ... my first thought was this ... "No, I didn't fall ... I just thought I would check out this pretty tile here on the floor!"

ha!

But I didn't ... I said ... "Yes".

Then ... red faced, got up and hurried to LeAnna's class ...

Poor LeAnna ... she didn't want to laugh out loud at me, but it happened so quick and then I got up so quick ... I heard her chuckling under her breath like she was trying to hold it in, as not to "laugh at my calamity"!

Anyhoo ... Way To Go Grace!

Oh well ... at least the rest of the day has been "uneventful" as far as falls, bumps and scrapes!

Happy Friday Evening ... tammy

Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue ...

Good Evening ...

Today was a good day ...

... Back to school

... started a new project for work

... met with my interior decorator, who I'm doing some bartering and trading with pictures in exchange for some "decor" and upgrades to the house

... went to a "Mourning to Morning" session with my uncle this evening

Productive day ...

My thoughts and summary for the day ...

... LeAnna was a little shy about actually walking through the classroom door this morning ... but did fine and had a great day ... made a 2007 party hat to wear today ... good first day back.

... new project for work ... I like new, but not "new that I don't know" ! ha! Learning something new can be fun though ... definitely something different ... a new challenge!

... chose some material for window treatments in my kitchen, dining room and great room area ... chose paint colors for the kitchen and foyer ... excited about this "change" for the new year!

... the session this evening was very encouraging as always ... my uncle is still having trouble dealing with the death of my aunt ... it's only been 8 weeks ... so it's still fresh ... the holidays were difficult and it's just going to take some time ... listening to the different ones speak, give their story, vent, cry, divulge their feelings was interesting to me this evening ... you have to really put yourself in their shoes or you would think they were crazy for talking the way they were ... but I remember when my Dad passed away and I attended these sessions for about a year ... and I recalled how much it helped ... and how silly I must have sounded at times ... and even selfish at times ... having my own little pity party ... but that's all part of the grieving process ... my uncle made mention to me this evening that he felt so bad and even guilty at times for having a good day! One lady said she was ticked off that her husband up and died suddenly in the back yard one day last year! But these emotions are all part of the process that you go through ... I'm just thankful that there is a program such as this one to attend - for hurting people ... believe it or not, it helps when someone looks at you and says "it's okay to feel that way" ... it sort of validates the way you feel.

So ... I'm definitely ready for "bed-nite time" ... as LeAnna would so sweetly put it!

Big weekend ahead! We have some family coming in ... the anniversary of my grandmother's death is this Sunday - it will be nice for the family to be together to reflect. And then my Mom's birthday is Monday ... we will probably take her somewhere really nice for dinner ... it all worked out great for some family to be here to help us celebrate her special day Monday ... I'm sure I'll be very "reflective" after this weekend! =) You know me ... and my "moments"!

Happy Thursday ... tammy

The Princess Bride ...

Good Evening ...

LeAnna's last hoo-ra before returning to school tomorrow ....

She decided to play "dress-up" ...

and was "trying" to coax Princess into being the BRIDE!

Princess was trying to eat ... and was not amused ... not very happy ...

Don't mess with a woman and her supper!

She finally gave in ... and at least tried to smile about it!

Thanks Princess for being a good sport about this!

End of Christmas vacation ... back at it tomorrow ...

Happy Wednesday ... tammy

One Blue Cheer For The Brown Man!

Good Evening/Morning ...

Today LeAnna had a playdate with her friend Miquela ...

First ... we went to Wendy's for lunch ...

Then ... the Fire Station to make ceramics!

They had a great time!

Miquela decided on a cheerleader, which she painted blue ...

And LeAnna ... a gingerbread ornament ... (Although ... more than the gingerbread man ended up brown!)

She's still got the Christmas Spririt!

It really worked out good though ... seeing that I forgot to get a 2006 ornament!

So ... we now have an "official" 2006 ornament.

I made a special piece today ... in honor of my grandmother, Mama Neely, who passed one year ago this coming Sunday ... we miss her so much! It's SO hard to believe it's been one year! One year ago at this very moment ... my family was keeping vigil around her bedside ... until she passed on the 7th ...

Such sweet memories ... this is one lady I can truly say was Proverbs 31! Such a virtuous woman ... so many good things about this lady ... hard to think of a bad thing - as a matter of fact, I can't even think of a bad thing. What a role model to our family ... Even up to the age of 94 at her death, she was still praying and reading her bible everyday, still memorizing scripture ... and writing poems! Wow! And boy could she write! She was even honored by a society in NY ... an honor for her! Yep! She's missed! What a legacy though ... some of our family will be gathering this weekend for a time of remembrance, recollection of sweet memories ... looking foward to making more memories!

Today is the 2nd of January ... tomorrow is the 3rd ... still striving to get off on the right foot this year! .... I'm going to do this! .... I can do this ... I will do this!

notice ... I'm talking myself into this! ha!

Happy Tuesday Evening/Wednesday Morning ... tammy

2 0 0 7

Happy New Year!

2007

Wow!

I love the first day of a new year ...

here are my first thoughts when thinking of a "new year" in no certain order:

* fresh start

* new

* beginning

* clean

* peaceful

* bible

* a good book

* reading

* cold

* organization

* planning

* new calendar

* goals

* exercise

* diet

* cooking

* cookbooks

* eating

* naps

* chocolate

... like I said ... no certain order! =)

ha!

I have set some "goals" for myself ...

I have even enrolled myself in a Pilates class ... starting January 10th!

My goals are serious ...

I'm in hopes I can stay focused and serious for more than the month of January!

I hope and pray, if you have set some "goals" for yourself ... that you can stay focused as well and follow through ...

Happy Day One of 2007! .... tammy