Checking Out Ned's House

Hank and I took Friday afternoon off to go talk with the folks at the group home that Ned will be moving into at the end of the month. This hasn't been like "shopping" for mother's room...this is a brand new home so we can't see it "in action" prior to his moving in. We're acting on faith and I have to tell you...all your well wishes and particularly the prayers are working miracles. Mother is much more calm about this than I thought that she would be...she called several times the first two days after we told her that the time had come but she's settled down. There is no explanation other than the power of prayer!!

We are very pleased! We chose the bedroom in the back corner that had two windows. Ned has a lot of Carolina and Clemson things in his room at home so we'll move those along with whatever else he wants to take. He will be able to walk over and see mother anytime he wants but we are going to discourage her going over to his house too much...can't have her trying to take charge or contridicting what the caregivers tell the guys. It's Ned's house...mother can't think of him as anything other than her baby but I'm convinced that he is going to blossom and grow and surprise the heck out of everybody with what he is capable of doing on his own. Enjoy the photos...

Frugal Friday- Week 2

Last week, I made a commitment to change one thing a week in an effort to become a more savvy consumer during this recession or whatever the heck it is that we're in these days.

In week one, I called our local telephone/internet/cable TV provider and bundled our services, saving between $40 and $50 a month. Good start, don't you think?

This week, I bought a new car. Before you holler FOUL...let me explain. I was driving a leased vehicle...a 2006 Land Rover LR3 and it was time to either buy it or turn it in. Talk about a gas guzzler...oh my WORD! Not to mention that 99% of the time, I was driving that tank around with not another living soul riding along....just little ol' me.

I had several objectives as Hank and I set out to shop for a new car. I wanted to buy and not lease, with the lowest possible payment. We needed to be able to get all of our tailgating paraphernalia in for football season. I had to have an IPOD jack. I preferred leather seats as I drink a lot of coffee and SPILL a lot of coffee, but that wasn't a deal breaker. Last but not least I will NOT buy a car if the car salesperson doesn't make a good first impression. I will walk right off that lot and not look back. I'm a tough customer...

After checking out several options, including the Toyota Highlander and their new crossover (can't remember its name) we stopped in the visit the Saturn folks. I liked them...no pressure and no dickering over price. A couple of hours later we drove away in a new Saturn Vue that met all of my needs with a payment that is $200 lower than the LR lease per month plus it gets about 26 miles per gallon on the highway plus PLUS it will be mine in the end...not like that dadgummed leased vehicle. I know we could have been even MORE conscientious but for us, this was REAL progress in a better direction. We ain't perfect...

Stay tuned for FF-Week 3. Here's a hint...our kids aren't going to like it one bit!

There was one little glitch that almost caused me to back out of the purchase. There weren't many customers that day but at least one couple purchased something and as they walked out of the showroom to drive away, all of the salespeople and service people stood at the door and did some kind of cheer with a whole bunch of whooping and hollering. I looked at our salesman and said in my sweetest voice...If those people stand at that door and whoop and holler at us when we go to leave so help me I will turn right around and give you these keys back and you will lose this sale before you know what hit you.



Ten minutes later, we departed in peace and quiet.

Ramblings...

Hank and I are mildly addicted to television. We both work in busy offices and have to operate in a "political frame" (read "Organizational Behaviors" by Bolman and Deal) the majority of the time. It's tiring and we like to come home, take care of daily odds and ends, eat some supper and go on little mental vacations in front of the television.

I don't know why we like what we like, but we're generally compatible TV watchers. We mourned the end of West Wing and The Sopranos...neither of us gets Survivor or most of the other reality shows with the exception of American Idol, and my dirty little secret, Celebrity Apprentice. We laugh our heads off at Big Bang Theory...and then there's LOST!!

Incidentally...we're watching American Idol now and tonight's twelve are VERY disappointing thus far. Some of the girls are over-performing to the point of looking "affected" somehow.

This kid, Kai, is pretty cute though...He loves his mother very much! He also reminds me of Sayid from LOST so that definitely gives him an edge in my book.

Guess what I'm doing on Saturday morning...Hot Rocks Massage. Hank gave me a gift certificate in my Christmas stocking. Ninety minutes of BLISS...I could use some bliss. How about you?

Tell us...what brings you bliss??

Oh wait...the last kid, Adam. He's quite the talent...WOW. Randy compared him to Edward Cullen...oh my goodness! Hank has no idea who Edward Cullen is...that's another of my dirty little secrets...I might be in love with a vampire.

I rambled through this one pretty well, didn't I?
Told ya! You didn't doubt me, did you?

Blog Friends are Amazing

Thank you all SO much for the kind words of support as we begin the moving process with Mother and Ned. We told them yesterday that our target is the last week of March.

I'll be back with FUN blog stuff tomorrow...

Challenges

This isn't going to be a typical Life of a Southern Belle post...there...you've had fair warning.

I'm having a moment....or perhaps a series of moments... I'll also say that, goodness knows, there are so many people out there with much worse things happening in their lives. I count my blessings everyday but this is what is causing me stress and if I can't vent about it here...well...there aren't many places I can vent about it.

I'm feeling edgy. For those of you who are familiar with my mother and my brother Ned, you know that they're quite a pair. Ned is 40 years old and has Downs Syndrome. Mother is almost 81 and suffers from an Alzheimer's-like dementia. They've rarely ever been apart (not at all save ONE night in the last ten years) so you can imagine the dependence they have on each other. About a year ago, we had to find someone to help them at home because mother refused to move to assisted living unless Ned was with her. We've tried so hard to reason with her (it isn't possible) and accommodate them but it's been hard...and tiring...a real BIG stress in our lives for several years.

About four years ago, we discovered that a non-profit faith-based group (Aldersgate Special Needs Mission) was endeavoring to build homes for developmentally disabled adults around the state. As God's grace would have it, they were planning to build one of the homes on the property of The Oaks, a Methodist Church supported Life Care Community, less than ten miles from our farm where mother grew up. We were excited and encouraged, believing that this was our answered prayer.

Aldersgate is a group of good solid very well meaning people who were not well-equipped to accomplish the task at hand...good hearted, I have to believe, but TERRIBLE communicators. All we asked was that somebody touch base with us by e-mail every few weeks...even if the message was "no progress" at least we would know that the whole thing hadn't folded up. We wanted to assist but they didn't take us up on our many many offers. Hank is the most patient man in the world and even HE got frustrated. They were going to be ready to take residents in 2006....then in the spring of 2007....then March of 2008....NOW they're saying that the doors will open in approximately 30 days.

We've been up and down and up and down. Mother doesn't want to move but says she's going to do what she has to do because Ned needs to get settled and she "doesn't want him to wake up one morning and find her dead in her bed." (ARRRGGGHHHHHHH....thank you for allowing me to scream!) We don't want him to wake up and find her dead in her bed either BUT she keeps saying this in front of him...over and over.

It is time....past time. Mother needs to be in assisted living and Ned needs a chance to live his life to the fullest extent possible...he's been sitting at home with her these past few years and doesn't have any friends his own age. He just hangs around with old people. The situation has been extremely complicated to manage....we couldn't just go in and take him away even though we've always believed that Ned needed to be out in a good group home with friends and activities and maybe a job. Mother just wouldn't let him go. We couldn't talk her into it and we tried plenty!

Hank and I went over to pick out Mother's room on Sunday afternoon. She will have a sitting room and a bedroom and can look out the door and see the front door of the house Ned will be living in. They can walk over to see each other any time they want.

I guess I'm a coward...I want to snap my fingers and have this all over and done with. Packing them up and driving them away from their house is just going to be AWFUL! (How in the WORLD are we going to move them both at one time...she refuses to go before him and won't let him go before her...AAARRRGGGGHHHH...I think I was due a second scream!)

I know...I'm being a big baby. Thanks for letting me have a moment. I'll buck up and in true Southern Belle fashion will get them organized, packed up and moved as soon as we get the good word. It will be a tough few weeks though...mother doesn't deal well with stress, and this is going to be MEGASTRESS for her. She will call us seven or eight times a day from the moment we tell her that the move is scheduled and we'll have to go round and round and round with the details over and over and over. At some point she'll say she's not going at all and will have quite a few VERY unkind things to say about me as this will ALL be my fault in her eyes. I'm prepared for it but I never enjoy it, and even though I know it's "the dementia talking" it will still hurt my feelings. I may need to get a refill on my flying pills.

Keep us all in your prayers. BIG PRAYERS!

A Bailout Package

We've been talking to our kids about being a little more thrifty. Neither likes to talk about it and each can come up with 1000 reasons why they desperately need whatever it is that they purchase. Lorelai can spend more money than one can imagine at Walmart or Target. When questioned it's always "shampoo and conditioner." She must have the cleanest most well-conditioned hair in the world. Generally Legare doesn't do too bad, but as a full-time grad student, he starts to feel a little pinch toward the end of each month.

Last week when I did my Frugal Friday post I received the following comment:

Anonymous said...
I think Legare needs a bailout!
Friday, 20 February, 2009

I was talking with Legare on the phone while reading my comments so I asked...

Me: Legare, did you by chance make an anonymous comment on my blog?

Legare: Me? No...well....maybe...OK...well....yes, I did. LEGARE NEEDS A BAILOUT!!!

Me: Good luck with that pal...let me know it works out for you...

Oh heck...who am I kidding. Let me introduce myself...I am Belle, wife, mother, educator and ECONOMIC STIMULUS PACKAGE for my kids!

Where is my checkbook?

Frugal Friday

I was watching the Today Show yesterday morning and Suzi Orman was talking about money management during these difficult economic times. It occurred to me that I could probably be a lot more frugal...I'm just always in a rush. I never read a sale paper...I buy toilet paper when we need toilet paper and toothpaste when we need toothpaste, never planning ahead. Apparently, I could do better. I'm going to try to change ONE thing every week and see where that gets me.

Here is what I did this week. I called our local telephone company. They provide our cable TV, telephone service and internet service. Did you know that you can "bundle" services and adjust long distance calling plans? I adjusted a couple of things and we're going to save between $40 and $50 every month, depending on our long distance minutes. Who'd a thunk it???

I'm feeling pretty good about this...

Do you have any ideas or tips to share??

Three Quotation Thursday

If you have an important point to make, don’t try to be subtle or clever. Use a pile driver. Hit the point once. Then come back and hit it again. Then hit it a third time—a tremendous whack. Winston Churchill

Oh my stars....would that we could sometimes just WHACK the people over the head instead of merely whacking the point!!
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I object to people running down the future. I am going to live all the rest of my life there.
Charles F Kettering

Don't you just wonder how some folks get through the day? I know at least ten people who should be walking around carrying hand baskets as they are convinced that civilization is getting ready to go to "H E double toothpicks" in a hand basket. COME ON...lighten up. Sing a song...dance a dance...hug somebody...eat an ice cream cone...BE JOYFUL...it can't hurt now, can it??
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A sense of humor... is needed armor. Joy in one's heart and some laughter on one's lips is a sign that the person down deep has a pretty good grasp of life. Hugh Sidey

And that's all that I have to say about THAT!

For goodness sake, use good sense in applying your scents...

Every now and then I'm running an old post from back in the day when nobody ever read my blog but ME! I was in a meeting with Lola this afternoon and we were reminiscing about this bit of fun from back in the summer...Hope you enjoy!
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July 2008

Let me just say that a southern belle knows how to wear her signature scent properly. The gal I'm getting ready to tell you about is NO southern belle. I was scheduled for a meeting this afternoon with someone I'd not ever met before. I walked to the lobby to greet her and at about five feet from my "hello, how are you" and handshake I ran into nothing short of a FORCE FIELD of scent. She had not just applied her perfume/cologne liberally...it was like she had bathed in it, washed her hair in it, dipped her clothing into it and THEN sprayed some more on for good measure. I like nice smells and am a big fan of aromatherapy but this was brutal....nevertheless, I put on my most professional facial expression and off we went to the conference room where two others were waiting.

After the introductions, we sat down to chat and within two minutes my colleague Lola, who was sitting next to me, started to cough. We had closed the conference room door and the smell was about to overwhelm us. Lola got up and moved down to the other end of the table as tactfully as she could, all the while asking questions and talking to our guest. At about the six minute mark, Lola started to WHEEZE....she has asthma issues. I left the room a moment to adjust the thermostat, hoping that things might be more bearable if the air wasn't so still. At about eight minutes, Lola excused herself to go get her inhaler from the car and my head was beginning to throb. My other colleague in the room, our fearless leader, Robert, was holding up the best but I took note that, as the chief of the little powwow, he did not tarry in wrapping up the meeting in record speed. I don't believe our visitor had ANY idea...she must have a defective sense of smell. (and so must the people who live with her)

After she left we actually had to MOVE the chair she sat in out of the room and now at home even after changing my clothes and some six hours later, I can STILL smell it. I think I'll go wash my hair.

Valentine's Day Dinner and a Movie

We invited our friends Tom and Ann over for dinner and a movie on Valentine's Day. I decorated the dining room with lots of candles...pillar candles on the table and floating candles in containers with beautiful camellias from our yard. We enjoyed spring mix greens and beet salad, chicken piccata, and Barefoot Contessa coconut cupcakes with a nice Kendall Jackson chardonnay and Gevalia Costa Rica Peaberry coffee.



Tom and Ann hadn't seen THE BEST MOVIE OF ALL TIME, The Big Chill, in a long time so we moved to the den with our dessert and coffee and enjoyed the movie while was also enjoyed a nice fire. It was a nice relaxing night...What did you do?

Last Swap Photos--Hallalujah I Figured It Out...kind of...

From Michelle
From Michelle
That amazing candy from Kathy
Up close of the glass paperweight from Kathy

From Sara

OK....so apparently if I upload them over from Picasa instead of my photo folders they will show up. Strange, isn't it? Sorry for the multiple posts but I want you to see what I got for real.

Valentine Swap--WHOO HOO

I AM VERY AGGRAVATED WITH BLOGGER RIGHT NOW. I'VE BEEN TRYING TO LOAD MY SWAP PICTURES FOR A WEEK AND HAVE THUS FAR HAD ONE OF THEM UPLOAD. I don't understand what the problem is but I didn't want to wait any longer to do this post. PARTNERS....I'll continue to try and won't give up until it works...in the meantime...EVERYBODY...read about the great things I received...
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I hosted a swap for Valentine's Day and we had a pretty good turnout of folks who wanted to participate. There were a couple of glitches, but I think everything turned out alright. I haven't had any complaints...

I ended up with THREE swap partners because we had trouble locating a couple of folks ended up not participating after the fact and it was easier just to grab those folks for myself (more for me MORE MORE MORE).

My original partner was Michelle at Doublewide Dreamer . Look at what she sent (darn blogger if the pictures would upload you could see)...candles, fun decorations, scrapbooking supplies, coffee...WOW. There was enough loot to decorate around my house and at the office. Come to find out that Michelle is a middle school teacher and a church musician and piano teacher...just like I used to be.

Then I partnered up with Kathy from Emptynester...She send some things from her favorite hometown shops in Georgetown, Texas. Coffee, a musical pin, a beautiful glass heart paperweight, chocolate truffles...look how big the truffles were! I say "were" because the one I'm holding in my hand (it's a good picture of a white chocolate coated truffle in the palm of my hand)was the last one left by the time I took the photos. YUMMY!




Finally...Sara...From the Desk of Sara. She lives in Canada and the guy at our local yokel shipping shop didn't know how to "send something to a foreign country" so the good old USPS had to do the job...it took them a long time, but the package did eventually get to Sara. More cute things for me...an XOXO pillow (I did some of my best photo taking in this picture that WILL NOT load for love nor money), cute fleece throw, candy, a yummy topping for ice cream or toast...the packaging is in French so I don't exactly know what it says but it is delicious.

I hope that everybody enjoyed the swap...We'll have to do it again sometime! I'll keep trying with the photos....

Sixth in the Sixth

The Simpkins Family tagged me for this meme. Go over and visit them...they are the sweetest family you ever did see!!

Well...when I went to my sixth picture in my sixth folder, I discovered that I'd already used that one in a tag so I went to the seventh picture in the seventh folder. I might have used this one in a post but here goes anyhow...

This lovely pig stands outside a stellar BBQ restaurant in Walterboro, SC. DUKES BBQ is pretty darn good. Give it try if you're over that direction sometimes...it's about, oh I don't know, seven or eight miles off of I95 in the lower part of the state.

Karma...otherwise known as What Goes Around Comes Around OR You Reap What You Sow

Folks talk about karma a lot. It's not "new age" you know...the concept is as old as time and in my grandmother's words simply means that You Reap What You Sow or as I so often tell my children...What Goes Around Comes Around.

I'm a big believer and a FIRM believer that while big things are important, it's the sum total of the little things that really make a difference. Things like putting a shopping cart in the parking lot area designated for shopping carts rather than leaving it in a parking place or letting the person with just a few items get in front of you in a checkout line if you have a buggy full. Holding a door for someone or smiling at them when you pass...even if they are strangers. How about letting someone turn or merge into traffic on a busy day and NOT giving in to road rage?

I guess we could call those things "small graces" but they are graces nonetheless. Most mornings at work, the custodian fills our coffee pot up with water and puts a nice clean filter in for us. It might take her five minutes and doesn't cost a dime but oh my stars...what a blessing.

The economy is in a fix right now but grace and kindness don't cost a thing, yet can help improve the feelings of the recipient AND the giver immeasurably.

Has anybody shown grace and/or kindness to you lately?

HERE IS THE CHALLENGE...Write a post about it and please let me know so that I can read it. LET'S START A MOVEMENT...OK, so I don't know what to call our movement BUT LET'S DO IT ANYWAY!!!

ARE YOU WITH ME???

This and That

It's one of those days...I got nothin', but I promise better things to come...like photos of our trip to the farm yesterday with Mother and Ned AND photos of my swap packages AND a picture tag...AND...well, you get my drift...

1. I'm planning a special Valentine's Day "dinner and a movie" at our house.


2. I've lost five pounds in the past month...did not; however, get the exercise piece of the plan under control.


3. I'm feeling the need for a Gilmore Girls marathon.
   
4. I observed a co-worker behave in a most unprofessional manner in front of a group of people the other day...it was painful to watch.


5. I just finished reading Tori Spelling's autobiography...DON'T JUDGE ME.


6. I'm trying a new skin care regimen that includes this night cream...the smell is quite relaxing...
   
7. Hank's 50th birthday is coming up in April. I've got to make plans!!

OH....and I don't want to go to work. I want to stay home and catch up on my blog reading.

The Sweet Moments

I'm looking out the sunroom windows at Hank and Lorelai sitting by the pool laughing and talking. The cold snap has left us and it's a beautiful sunny 70 degree day here in the South Carolina Lowcountry. I heard Lor on the phone a few minutes ago with a friend saying, I promised my daddy that I'd hang out with him this afternoon. Hank was beaming! If there ever was a girl who had her daddy wrapped around her little finger...well...it's our Lorelai.

Ordinarily, I'd go bouncing out there too, but I'm letting him have his moment. I had my moment last night. Hank had fallen asleep by the fireplace and I was upstairs in bed reading when Lor came in, climbed in, and snuggled up by me. After a few minutes she said, Did you know that you have a smell? Not QUITE knowing how to take that, I replied, Well goodness, I TOOK a bath just a couple of hours ago. NO...she replied, It's a MOMMY smell. And with that, she took a deep breath, smiled, snuggled in a little closer and fell asleep.


Oh yes...The Sweet Moments...they really keep us going, don't they??

Lorelai Pulls a Fast One

Lorelai traveled back to Clemson on January 5, and we haven't seen her since....until about a half hour ago. All last week, Hank and I kept saying, "Lor...why don't you come home this weekend...Lilly (our neighbor) is coming and you can ride together." Lorelai would indicate that she was going to stay at school. I heard a car door awhile ago and thought it was Hank...when I look out the back windows, here come Lor and Lilly marching in the back gate with very pleased looks on their faces. Yes siree...they pulled a fast one.

Her laundry bag must have weighed 40 pounds and I can barely get in the laundry room now that they're sorted all over the floor...I've got to go put clean sheets and towels in her room and plan decent meals for the rest of the weekend.

I am SO SO SO HAPPY that she's home for the weekend!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lemuria Books Found Me...

I got a nice comment the other day from Caroline at Lemuria Books...Don't know how she knew I had them on my Southern Belle Shopping list but anyhow, here's what she said...

Thanks so much for listing Lemuria as a shopping link on your blog! We really appreciate it! Lemuria also has a blog... check it out sometime: http://blog.lemuriabooks.com/

Also keep an eye out for Gayden Metcalfe and Charlotte Hayes' new book:

Some Day You'll Thank Me for This:
The Official Southern Ladies' Guide to Being a Perfect Mother

I can hardly wait! All southern belle mothers and daughters of mothers (LOL LOL LOL, I really just DO amuse myself sometimes!!) need to read this one. Maybe I"ll get a couple and do a giveaway!!!! That would be fun, wouldn't it??

Home Again, Home Again, Jiggity Jog

Home again, home again, jiggity jog....My mother used to say that everytime we drove back into the yard from a trip outside the town limits...don't know why...it was her thing. Now her thing is "life goes on...." said real wistful-like with a big sigh (like perhaps she would choose otherwise???)

Anyhow...we took a couple of days away last weekend to have perfectly delightful time at the home of fellow Rowdy Girl Meg and her husband Will. If you weren't on board with my blog back in the fall, we had a grand Rowdy Girl Weekend down at the summer house in Beaufort. You can read about it here, here, and here.

We were going back to Beaufort but at the last minute Sue and Lewis couldn't come so Meg and Will graciously offered to host Hank and me in their beautiful home. We arrived Friday night and enjoyed a delicious chili supper, had a beautiful brunch on Saturday morning, and then headed to Charlotte to spend the day at South Park Mall. Our wonderful wonderful husbands followed us around for five hours, then we ate dinner at Cheesecake Factory and THEN spent another two hours backtracking to pick up a few things that we'd pondered about purchasing all day. There were some very good deals to be had so we did what we could to contribute to stimulating the economy...at least in North Carolina. That's what SOUTH Carolina gets for not have a really fabulous mall!!!

I got quite a deal on a Michael Kors bag and found the cutest Juicy Couture dress for Lorelai at a deep discount. Hank found a pair of jeans and a sweater. It sounds like we didn't think about Legare but as he called me on Friday afternoon to report that he had found several deals at the Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus near him...and charged them to MY Visa card...we didn't feel compelled to send him any surprises.

We missed Sue and Lewis....SUE...we didn't talk about you one bit...not a single time. We didn't talk about Lewis either. We'd NEVER talk about y'all when you aren't with us, just as I know that you and Meg would never EVER talk about me when I'm not around.

The Rowdy Girls ROCK!

My Eyes...MY EYES!!!

To the woman I saw in Starbucks this morning who was wearing tights with nothing over them and a much too snug knit shirt that just barely covered her stomach...

Just because they make those tights and that shirt in your size...well...that doesn't mean that you should wear them. EVER!!

I was just trying to help...

Before I get going here...Please think happy thoughts for Legare...he has a summer job interview Monday morning at 9:00 sharp. It's tough for lots of folks out there and first year law students aren't catching any breaks either...lots of firms just aren't hiring this summer.

One day last week I had my cholesterol checked (it's DOWN!!!!) Since I didn't get my morning coffee and decided afterwards to have chai tea instead, I developed a humdinger of a headache that I just couldn't kick. I ended up going to bed before Lost and Damages (so you KNOW I really felt bad). The next morning Hank asked if I was feeling better and I indicated that I did, and felt like it was all about the caffeine. He laughed and laughed at me....a wicked sort of laugh. WHY, you ask, did he do that??? Well...

A year or so ago when Lorelai was still at home and we were running all over creation with her and her activities, days would go by and Hank and I would realize that we hadn't really had a meaningful conversation. I noticed, though, that work had him a little edgy and knew that his cholesterol was up...so...I made an executive decision to cut back his caffeine. My understanding was that he had two or three cups of coffee every morning after he got to work and a diet coke later in the day. My reckoning was that if he had decaf at home in the morning at least he'd be cutting back a little.

Now...I didn't tell him that I had replaced his regular coffee with decaf. If I had, he would have declared up and down that it didn't taste good and blah blah blah. After the second day, he mentioned in passing that he had a headache. Another day or so passed and he didn't say anything so I figured things were OK. The fifth day, he informed me that he was going to the doctor because something was REALLY wrong. He was having excruciatingly painful headaches...not like sinus...something was WRONG!

My facial expressions quite often give me away. One look and he asked emphatically...WHAT DID YOU DO??? I had to confess...and come to find out that lately he hardly had time when he got to work to drink even one cup of coffee and had given up the diet coke entirely in an effort to drink more water. WHO KNEW!!!?? So, we made a pot of coffee right then and an hour later life was back to normal, or as normal as it gets around our house.

So...his evil laugh was directed at me and my pain. That wasn't very kind, was it? I was just trying to help!! As we ended our conversation this morning, Hank observed that the decaf incident was one of the more tricky things I'd tried to pull on him over the years.

My reply...Oh Honey...you have NO idea...No idea whatsoever about the true nature of my bag of tricks. Actually, I think he probably does know...he just prefers to live in denial.

Things I've Done...How About You??

Have mercy...After a couple of really calm and restful weekends, this weekend is going to be a humdinger, although I should have lots of FUN to report but probably not until Sunday afternoon.

I've seen this going around and thought that it would be fun...I've done the things in pink.

1. Started your own blog 2. Slept under the stars 3. Played in a band

4. Visited Hawaii 5. Watched a meteor shower

6. Given more than you can afford to charity

7. Been to Disneyland/World 8. Climbed a mountain 9. Held a praying mantis

10. Sang a solo 11. Bungee jumped 12. Visited Paris

13. Watched a lightning storm at sea 14. Taught yourself an art from scratch

15. Adopted a child 16. Had food poisoning

17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty

18. Grown your own vegetables 19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France

20. Slept on an overnight train 21. Had a pillow fight 22. Hitch hiked

23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill 24. Built a snow fort

25. Held a lamb 26. Gone skinny dipping 27. Run a Marathon

28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice 29. Seen a total eclipse

30. Watched a sunrise or sunset 31. Hit a home run 32. Been on a cruise

33. Seen Niagara Falls in person 34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors

35. Seen an Amish community 36. Taught yourself a new language

37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied

38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person 39. Gone rock climbing

40. Seen Michelangelo’s David 41. Sung karaoke

42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt 43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant

44. Visited Africa 45. Walked on a beach by moonlight

46. Been transported in an ambulance 47. Had your portrait painted

48. Gone deep sea fishing 49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person

50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris 51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling

52. Kissed in the rain 53. Played in the mud 54. Gone to a drive-in theater

55. Been in a movie 56. Visited the Great Wall of China 57. Started a business

58. Taken a martial arts class 59. Visited Russia 60. Served at a soup kitchen

61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies 62. Gone whale watching

63. Gotten flowers for no reason

64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma 65. Gone sky diving

66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp 67. Bounced a check 68. Flown in a helicopter

69. Saved a favorite childhood toy 70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial

71. Eaten Caviar 72. Pieced a quilt 73. Stood in Times Square

74. Toured the Everglades 75. Been fired from a job

76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London 77. Broken a bone

78. Been on a speeding motorcycle 79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person

80. Published a book 81. Visited the Vatican 82. Bought a new car

83. Walked in Jerusulem 84. Had your picture in the newspaper

85. Read the entire Bible 86. Visited the White House

87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating 88. Had chickenpox

89. Saved someone’s life 90. Sat on a jury 91. Met someone famous

92. Joined a book club 93. Lost a loved one 94. Had a baby

95. Seen the Alamo in person 96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake

97. Been involved in a law suit 98. Owned a cell phone 99. Been stung by a bee

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So...How about you????

Miss Priss Strikes Again

She's at it again...my assistant's four year old daughter came up with another zinger. Priss asked her mom to scramble her some eggs for breakfast the other day.

When mom didn't move quickly enough Miss Priss said, "Hey good lookin', time to get cookin'...those eggs aren't going to scramble themselves."

Talk About a Steel Magnolia

I've been having a little bit of fun sharing some of my older posts from back when NOBODY was reading my blog. This one was originally posted back in May '08 and was QUITE a night. Hank and I felt a strange combination of emotions...we were mad as heck but really proud at the same time. Tell me what you think...

May 5, 2008

Lorelai is a high school senior and attends a small private school in our community. Legare went to the local public high school. I'm a big believer in public education but also a big believer that not every situation is good for every child. Legare would not have liked Lor's school but it is perfect for her.

She invited a boy (here ever after known and referred to in this blog as "Boy") she has known casually...an acquaintance really...to attend her prom on Saturday night. Boy is a friend of Lor's friend Riley's boyfriend, Ralph.

J.D., a good ol' lowcountry boy who attends the same church youth group that Lor does asked her to his prom at Legare's alma mater on Friday night. Our good ol' boy wore a black tux with a camouflage vest and tie. Some of you may be cringing but honest to goodness, NOBODY is more peculiar about things than this southern belle and I'll declare...it really did work for him. We all liked it....even Legare, who has very little camouflage in his wardrobe and definitely Hank, who has a lot of camouflage in HIS wardrobe. Lorelai wore her gorgeous pageant gown and they made quite a nice picture. She had a fine time and J.D. was quite the gentleman.

Saturday night was another story entirely. Lor and I were both feeling edgy for some odd reason as Boy's arrival time drew near. He was on time but something just wasn't right...a mother's intuition. Hank and I only laid eyes on Boy once before and he didn't make enough of an impression on either one of us that we even remembered what he looked like. He was oddly chatty...

We went out in the front yard to do the requisite photos of the presentation of the boutonniere and corsage then Hank, Legare and I followed Boy and Lor the 10 miles or so to the country club where the whole group was assembling to meet the limousine.

I'll be dadgummed if Boy didn't run off the side of the road three times between here and there. I was fit to be tied by the time we parked the car and joined the group of students and parents snapping pictures. I spoke to a couple of folks and noticed Lor out the corner of my eye walking arm in arm with her daddy under the oaks. After a few minutes she walked back toward Boy, whom Ralph had engaged in quite an animated conversation over by the golf course.

Hank informed me very matter-of-fact-like that Lor, in a likewise manner, informed him that Boy had been drinking and that she was telling him that he had to leave. She wasn't ASKING Hank what she should do. She was TELLING him what she was GOING to do. All she needed from him was to keep ME as far away from the whole thing as possible....she could handle it and didn't want me going into "mama rage" all over Boy. By this time, a couple of other parents were noticing that something wasn't quite right and began strolling over toward the golf course where Lor, our beautiful, strong, confident, 17 year old steel magnolia of a southern belle was giving Boy what for!!! I don't know when we've been so proud.

Boy went on his way....good riddance to an immature pitiful excuse for a prom date who had so little respect for our daughter, her parents, her friends, her school and HIMSELF that he would come into our home, put her in his vehicle and drive her through town to meet the limo for her senior prom while TANKED!!! Thank GOD, that He had already laid a sense of unrest about the whole thing on both Lor and me. HOW DARE THIS BOY PUT OUR DAUGHTER IN HIS TRUCK AND SO MUCH AS START THE IGNITION WHEN HE WAS UNDER THE INFLUENCE. My only regret is that we didn't take his keys and wait with him for his daddy to come get him...it all happened so fast and we were so distracted with Lorelai that we weren't thinking.

How does one salvage prom night after such a brouhaha? We (moms and friends) gave Lor about 60 seconds to sob and with a flurry of make-up cases, water bottles, and diet cokes, our gal pulled herself together and joined the others for group photos minus Boy. Did I already say good riddance to bad rubbish?? She told me later that in a symbolic gesture, she ripped the corsage off of her wrist and slammed it into the ladies room trash can. Then I reminded her that Boy didn't even buy the corsage...her daddy and I bought the corsage. Oh well...if it made her feel better...

Even though she admits that for another hour or so she really just wanted to WAIL, she held her head up high, got in the limo, and had a good time with her really really good and caring friends for the rest of the evening. I'll tell you what else...it took a lot of character for her to do what she did and it surely was not easy, especially with most of the high school and their parents milling around 50 feet away. She's quite something, our Lorelai!

Brilliant! Or just too tired to fight?

Last Friday as I drove home from a meeting, I remembered that I had a roll of wallpaper in the back of the car that I needed to return. We papered a bathroom back in the fall, and while I'd procrastinated on the return and figured that they wouldn't take it back after four months, I was driving right by the store and thought I'd give it a whirl.

I walked into the interior design/wallpaper shop and made my case. The clerk was happy to look up my account but was clear that after 90 days, they did not take returns. Sure enough, my 90 days were over back in December. So....OK...I didn't follow the rules...I understand that.

Not caring to bring an odd roll of wallpaper home to put in a cabinet just to throw away in 10 years, I said with a sigh in a defeated sort of way, "You just keep it...I'm not going to do anything with it but eventually throw it away." The clerk replied, "Alright then, well thank you so....wait...what??"

"You just keep it. I'm not going to use it so you just might as well try to sell it again," I repeated.

Another woman walked up behind the counter...I think she was the owner...and said, "Do we still have this pattern in stock...look and see." The clerk did and sure enough they still had it. While she wouldn't give me cash back, she did give me a store credit, which was hunky dory.

Shoot...I know I wasn't brilliant. I was just exhausted from a very busy week at work and didn't have any fight left in me. Still and all...I DID get my way didn't I?! Could it be that, in the right situation, PITIFUL works better than tough? Hmmmm...food for thought.

NEWS FLASH NEWS FLASH NEWS FLASH

Don't forget to mail your Valentine Swap packages!! Mine are going in the mail at lunchtime today!

Ever Get Frustrated?

Apparently I was trapped in that chair and NOT getting my way.

Hank says I STILL get that look on my face when I don't get my way.

EDITORIAL COMMENT 1/25/09- I've been dubbing old VHS tapes of when my kids were little over to DVDs this afternoon and all of a sudden, I realize the they BOTH looked exactly like the picture of me when they were little and didn't get their ways! Oh my goodness!!

Three Quotation Thursday

She lived in capital letters.
Al Carmine in his Eulogy for Marion Tanner, model for Auntie Mame

That's quite a compliment, I think.
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If we couldn't laugh, we would all go insane.
Jimmy Buffet

A year or so ago when my mother and Ned were here for an extended visit while we were finding someone to help them back at their house, things got more than a little tense. Something or other struck me SO funny one night while we were eating supper and just I started laughing...a great big belly laugh. I laughed so long and so hard that tears were streaming down my face. I finally got hold of myself and felt so much better...it was amazing.
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Charm is a glow within a woman that casts a most becoming light on others.
John Mason Brown

This quotation just makes me want to be the most charming southern belle in the world....I like the idea of casting a becoming light on others because the glow then reflects back on you and that is FAR better than putting someone down. I've been practicing this a little bit with a difficult coworker and I'll declare...it seems to work on that individual AND makes me feel better about myself. Holding on to bitterness can be toxic to everybody...the older I get the more I realize that a bad attitude just doesn't accomplish anything...NOT that I'm perfect...I have my moments but I'm REALLY trying...How about you?

Big News

My administrative assistant was leaving her house one morning with Miss Priss, her four year old daughter, in tow. As they walked to the car, Priss said, "Today is January 12th." Her mother looked at her and said, "How did you know what the date is?" Miss Priss looked up at her, hand on hip, and replied, "I WATCH the NEWS!!!!!"

Who knew!

Terry--Please Phone Home

Actually...Terry from Cherished Treasures...you don't need to telephone. If you'll just e-mail me at lifeofasouthernbelle@gmail.com that would be fabulous. Your swap partner is having trouble getting in touch and needs your e-mail address. I'll be more than glad to forward it to her. I CAN'T WAIT UNTIL WE ALL GET OUR PRESENTS IN THE MAIL...I love presents!!! LOVE LOVE LOVE THEM!

I Can't Help It...

I'm trying to organize my photo files and know that some of you have seen these pictures but I just had to show Lorelai off again. She was in her first ever beauty pageant last year...was most photogenic, wrote the best essay, and was second runner up. Every southern belle needs to be in at least one pageant, I suppose, as long as they go about it in the right spirit.

The photographer could tell right off the bat that she would ham it up for him and boy did she. We all laughed and laughed while he snapped and snapped.

Valentine Swap Partners

AND we're OFF...
I drew names out of a hat (actually in the Land of Belle it was a sweetgrass basket)

and here are the swap partners. I checked the list five times but that doesn't

mean I didn't mess something up. If I did, just let me know ASAP.

Queenie Jeannie and Meghan at The Best of Fates

Randi at Dukes' and Duchesses and Maureen at Mom Times Two

MGBHLH and Megryansmom at Look It's Megryansmom

Lynette's L.A.M. Blog and Kimm at Reinvented

Kristin at Something about nothin and Suzee at The Anderson Blog

The Murray Family and mbkatc230 at Emptynester

Diane at Four Paws and Co and Rachel at Livin and Lovin

Linda at LINDANJAKE and Kally at A Little Bit of Life on the Side

Mary Jane Liegl at A Day in the Life of a Retro Housewife and

SC at From the Desk of Sarah

J at Musings from Left Field and Melissa's Heart and Home

Coco at Coco's Cuckoo World and Noah's Mommy at Project Mommyhood

Michelle at Doublewide Dreamer and ME-Belle from Life of a Southern Belle

Terry at Cherished Treasures and Diane at Mom to Monkeys

Kirby3131 at The Goat and Ruth Ann at My Remodeled Nest

Stephanie at Belle's World and Georgie at Decisionally Challenged

Sara at This Beautiful Thing and Chitown Meg at The Randomness of Meghan

Remember the plan. We'll buy our goodies and get them in the mail no later than January 27. The theme is LOVE and FRIENDSHIP and I propose that $25 be our guiding cost, not including shipping, and that each blogger should do a post on what they receive from their partner sometime right around Valentine's Day.

Now QUICK...go to your partner's blog and leave a comment to let them know the process has started. You'll need share your e-mail addresses so that you can communicate mailing addresses in private. If you don't mind, leave me a comment after you've connected so I'll know that everybody is covered. Include the answers to the following questions either in a comment or the e-mail...you might want to ask each other some additional questions (or answer the questions in a post so that your entire group of readers can learn more about you.) It's entirely up to you...

I can hardly wait to see all the fun stuff we share...

Questions:

Coffee, Tea, Both or Neither?

Regarding chocolate...Milk, Dark, White, All, None

What are your hobbies?

Do you collect anything?

What are your favorite colors?

What magazines do you subscribe to or routinely purchase
(we don't want to buy you something you already have!)

Do you like to cook?

Do you like to read? What is your favorite book?

Favorite music?

Do you like to work in the yard?

Do you like to entertain?

Favorite stores?

Packages need to go in the mail, with a delivery confirmation please, no later than January 27th so that we all have time to enjoy our surcies awhile before February 14.

How Hank Got in Hot Water...

We were both at home for lunch the other day and Hank asked me what I thought we should have for supper. I indicated that he should choose because I was going to have a protein shake and a salad. I'd worn a skirt the day before that was a little bit tight. In a moment of apparent temporary insanity he looked over at me and said, "I thought I noticed a little something (translation FAT) that wasn't there (pointing toward my "middle") before the holidays."

Hot Hot HOT water!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By the way....don't forget the Valentine's Swap. The deadline is tonight (Friday, the 16th). I'll do the pairings first thing Saturday morning.

Hank might not be getting a Valentine this year!!!

What's In a Name...

...in the case of Precious, our little maltese, not much. She looks cute, I'll give her that; however, her name should be Miss I Am the Center of the Universe and Will Fuss and Whine and Get All in a Dither When I Don't Get My Way.

I've got news for old Precious...I, Belle, am Miss I Am the Center of the Universe and Will Fuss and Whine and Get All in a Dither When I Don't Get My Way and she's not taking my spot! To top it off, I'm just not much of an animal lover...mother (remember my mother???) didn't let us have pets growing up.

When Lorelai was about ten, she wanted a puppy worse than anything. We had an ornery cat and two dead dogs who had lived outside before going to their great reward in dog heaven. A new dog needed to be able to stay inside where it could get some attention and therefore had to be small, not shed, and definitely not smell. I saw the cutest little Maltese one day and got the bright idea (yes, it's MY fault) that a Maltese would be perfect for our household. We found a breeder four hours away and got on her list. The night she called to tell us our puppy was ready, Lor danced around the house and laughed until she cried...she was BEYOND happy!

Bright and early on the Saturday of 4th of July weekend in 2000, we hopped in the car and headed up I-95 to get the pup. Twelve hours later, having survived brushes with several crazy holiday drivers, we were back at home with the new member of the family.

Precious has never quite understood her role in this family. She thinks that she is a person. She is rude when we have guests. Lorelai has always loved hugging and cuddling up with Precious but not so much the washing and feeding. Hank quickly became the primary caregiver and he has her utterly and completely spoiled. They sit together in the recliner every night and watch television. She cries when he leaves and when we all go away, we have to get someone to come check on her as she is too sensitive to leave at the kennel. If she doesn't like the way the person looks she won't go out so we had to talk the lady who cleans our house once a week into coming back when we're gone...Precious likes her. If Daisy is out of town, we can't go out of town.

IT'S MADNESS....PRECIOUS IS A DOG!!!!

Don't forget about the Valentine's Day Swap!!!!

Precious will get upset...

A Valentine's Day Swap

I've never hosted a swap before and thought that this might be a fun time to do one. Here's how it goes. Anybody who wants to participate should let me know by commenting by January 16. I'll pair everybody up randomly (you know I love the good old pull the names from a hat method), we'll buy our goodies and get them in the mail no later than January 27. If you want to mention the swap on your blog to try to drum up a few more participants, feel free!

The theme is LOVE and FRIENDSHIP and I propose that $25 be our guiding cost, not including shipping, and that each blogger should do a post on what they receive from their partner sometime right around Valentine's Day.

Anybody want to share a little love and friendship with a blog buddy?

The Scary Television

For those who are not familiar with my mother and my brother Ned, you might need to click HERE to get to know them before you continue reading.

The 12 year old television in mother's den gave out on her a couple of months ago, leaving her and Ned with just the smaller TV from the bedroom to watch. Each of them is used to having his/her own television. She wanted a new TV just exactly like the one she had and there was not one to be found SO, we gave them a spare from our house to keep peace in the valley, so to speak.

Our Panasonic was an inch or two larger than her old RCA, but it was close enough and had a simple remote. We put it in the den, turned it on and away things went....

Mother: WAIT....it's too big....the color is too bright...it's too loud...IT'S GOING TO SCARE NED!

Belle: What? It's a TV...it's NOT going to scare Ned. NED...come in here...what do you think of the TV...do you like it....does it scare you?

Mother: Don't say that...don't ask him that...why would you ask him that?

Belle: You just SAID that the TV was going to SCARE Ned. Well, Ned...are you scared?

Ned: I like it...where's the remote?

(Ned proceeds to sit down on the floor in front of the TV to find his favorite channel...)

Mother (muttering under her breath): I don't know why you'd say such a thing...putting ideas in his head like that...

So...We're thinking that the television situation is resolved. About three nights later, mother calls. Hank answers (he's SO patient with her) and she tells him that the TV we brought to them is broken. It won't turn on. She'll just HAVE to get another one. He asks her about the remote then he gets Ned on the phone and asks him about it....same story...it just won't turn on. Mother gets back on the line and Hank explains that we'll go buy her a new one but she needs to understand that it is NOT going to be anything like what she has...the screen will be flat and more rectangular than squarish and they'll have to get high definition or the picture won't be as crisp and clear and....Mother interrupts and asks him to hang on for a minute....she returns and says....

I jiggled the cord and it came back on...it's a miracle...what a relief. Bye now!

Let's say it all together now....GOOD GRIEF!!!

Three Quotation Thursday

BACK...by popular demand...Three Quotation Thursday!

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"Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be."
Abraham Lincoln

Belle says: What else is there to say? It's pretty simple, really...

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"Never argue with an idiot. They drag you down to their level and then beat you with experience."
Anonymous

Belle says: I really need to learn to walk away OR keep my mouth shut OR both. Sometimes I'm the idiot!

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"As you journey through life take a minute every now and then to give a thought for the other fellow. He could be plotting something. "
Hagar the Horrible

Belle wonders: Is there someone out there plotting something against me? I don't think so but then again... Wait...what about the new girl? Paranoia is not an attractive southern belle quality, is it? Guess I'll have to get her first! (I'm KIDDING or am I? Really, I AM! Plotting...no...kid...No...plot...NO...KI...Wait....WHAT?)

I'll Be!!

I'll be if Southern Whimsey hasn't passed along another Lemonade Award to me! I'm humbled and oh so grateful for the vote of confidence. Go over there and visit...Whimsey is one of my new faves.

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!

I'll pass the award along by and by...

Happy Things to Share

All Things Southern and Preppy, Confessions of a 40-Something Mama Queen AND Small Town Girl passed a long a wonderful award to me.

Good GOLLY do I LOVE an award and I do so appreciate the kind thoughts and words. I don't know when I've enjoyed anything as much as I enjoy blogging. I surely do wish I could make a career out of it.


Here are the rules:1. Put the logo on your blog or post. 2. Nominate at least 10 blogs which show GREAT ATTITUDE and/or GRATITUDE! 3. Be sure to link to your nominees within your post. 4. Let them know that they have received this award by commenting on their blog. 5. Share the love and link to this post and to the person from whom you received your award.


I want to pass the love along to 10 great blogs that I enjoy reading on a routine basis. They make me laugh, they make me cry, they make me absolutely want to do things perfectly (Miss Janice, that's you!) and generally make me a better blogger because I don't EVER want to disappoint anybody who reads my blog.


There are SO many more of you out there and one of these days an award will make it to you too...stick with me!!

Coco's Cuckoo World

Diamonds, Fur, and Laundry

Froggity

Etiquette with Miss Janice

Honeysuckle and Cupcakes

One Fabulous Mom

Ritch in Love

Blah, Blah, Blah, Blog

La Jeune Marie

Simple Yet Classic

All Things Southern and Preppy, who is QUICKLY becoming one of my favorite people passed along another award to me that I should have passed along awhile ago but I just got SO caught up in holiday magic that I put it on the back burner. It's the Smile Award...goodness knows I TRY...some days are easier than others...





The qualifications to receive the award are:

A. Display a cheerful attitude- I'm pretty successful most days
B. Love one another - You know, it can be a challenge some days...not with blog friends but boy howdy some of the people I work with...YIKES
C. Make mistakes - I'm the QUEEN...
D. Learn from others- Yes, I do...every single day.
E. Be a positive contributor to the blog world- I hope that I am...I try really hard!
F. Love life- I do indeed!
G. Love kids- Education is my life's work...who do we think is going to take care of us in our old age if we don't love and nurture each new generation?

The Rules:
1. Must link it back to the creator
2. Post the rules
3. Choose 5 people to give it to
4. Recipients must fit the characteristics above
5. Create a post to share this
6. You must thank the winner


I'm going to pass this along to:

Confessions of a Control Freak

Lowcountry Fayes

Looking Through the Eyes of Luv

Six in the Country

The Simpkins Family...Our Life

January 5, 2009...No More Bad Belle

Legare is back in Chapel Hill....Lorelai will be leaving this afternoon to go back to Clemson...by the time you're reading this, I will be sitting at my desk after two weeks of vacation. Hank doesn't want to hear my complaining because he only had three days off during the holidays. I'm also starting back on my low carb diet today. I lost almost almost 30 pounds last year but put the diet on the back burner during the kids' graduations and never really got back in the groove...I've gained back about seven pounds. Todd the Trainer quit on me a couple of months ago and I allowed that to be my excuse for not going to the gym...I've been a Bad Belle!

TODAY IS A NEW DAY!! I'll be in the gym shortly after 4:00 PM. I'll give you an update on February 5...YOU, my blog friends are going to be the ones who hold me accountable because I would NEVER want to disappoint you...not in a million years.

I'm also getting some other priorities in order...I urge you to go over to Warm Pie Happy Home to see what Ruth Ann wrote about getting a good start to the new year. She made me think about several things, one of which is my career. Last year, I let a special project take me over just a bit....I'm storying...it took me over almost completely for several months. While my efforts, along with help from others, made a big difference for a group of at-risk students, I need to do a better job reminding myself that my true life's work is here at home for my family. I've got to leave my work outside the home at the office and really "be present" for my wonderful husband and children.

Yes, indeed...today is a new day!

Fabulousness

Confessions of a 40-Something Mama Queen....otherwise known as Tardevil, passed along a fabulous award to me awhile ago and I hope that she'll forgive me for saving the passing on of the love until after the holidays. NEWS FLASH...this just in...I'm also receiving this from lmerie at The Green Grass Grows All Around....I LOVE BLOGGING, I DO I DO I DO. I knew that my blog inspiration would start to wane and I wanted to be able to get people all excited again with some fun. There are others of you out there who I'm going to asking forgiveness of also...the passing out of other awards and tags is coming SOON!

Here are the rules...
1) Add the award image to your sidebar.
2) Copy and paste the rules and instructions in your post.
3) When posting on receiving the award, make sure you include the person who gave you the award and link it back to them.
4) Post 5 of your addictions.
5) Post 5 winners and link it back to them as well.
6) Let your winners know you gave them an award by leaving them a comment on their blog.


WOW...Five addictions...this will be a no brainer as I have about 500 addictions...

1. My fuzzy old warm red plaid bathrobe. Hank says that I'd better be searching for a spare as he is concerned that I might have some kind of spell if something happened to it.

2. Blogging...duh

3. The television show LOST.

4. Pepsi...but I'm about to beat this one.

5. Morning Joe on MSNBC...he just about aggravates the life out of me most mornings but I keep going back...

I've been having fun making new friends and catching up with old friends over the holidays...let's see...I'm going to pass this along to:

Belle in Bloom

Thank God for FRYdays

A Southern Accent

Are You Serious!

Southern Whimsy

I Had a Plan

I had a plan for this afternoon....my final afternoon of vacation. It involved a sofa, television, and DVD of The Women.

There are four teenagers in my den watching my television and using my DVD player. They are sitting on my sofa. I am unhappy...

Additional remarks at 10:34 PM--I finally got my space back later in the afternoon and enjoyed about four hours of doing absolutely nothing...it was glorious!

One of my Favorite Posts from 2008

I was looking back through some of my early posts when hardly anybody was reading my blog and thought I'd share one of my favorites with you (although it didn't get a single comment when I wrote it back in July). Here...for your reading pleasure...

A CHICKEN FRYING FAILURE

We were reminiscing last night about some of my early culinary mishaps when Hank and I first got married. I still cannot fry "real" chicken...that is, chicken on the bone. Over the years I've learned to do pretty well with chicken tenders...soak them in Texas Pete, shake them up in self rising flour with some salt and pepper, fry them in the deep fryer until nice and golden brown. Yummmmmmmmy! They are one of Legare's favorites.

I don't like to think that I've ever been a disappointment to anyone, save a nice sweet lowcountry grandma...not my own, thank goodness. WAY back in the day when I was a fresh-faced newly married 21 year old first year high school music teacher, one of my students, a great big football player named Abe, overheard me lamenting to another teacher that I just could NOT fry chicken to save my life. On my first attempt, I had dredged it in corn meal (a la fried fish) rather than flour, and bless Hank's sweet heart, he tried to eat it, but it was scorched on the outside and raw in the middle. I'd seen the error of my ways regarding the corn meal, but dredging it in flour didn't produce any better result. The next time it was done in the middle and soggy on the outside.

It had never occured to Abe that a grown woman might not be able to fry chicken and this new information troubled him. He showed up the next morning (a Friday) with instructions from his grandmama written down in pencil on paper yanked out of a spiral notebook. His expectation, and hers as well, was that I would practice over the weekend and report back on Monday morning. I was young and used to following instructions from my elders so I did just that. If we'd had a smoak alarm back then, which we didn't, it would have gone off twice. When I messed it up on Saturday morning for the first time, I went back to the grocery store and started all over again on Sunday. It was sad...I wanted to cry...How was I going to report back to Abe and his grandma that I had failed?!

Abe was at my door before school started on Monday morning for a full report. He shook his head in disappointment as I spared not a single detail of my efforts...there was no denying that I was a Chicken Frying Failure. On Tuesday morning, there was a message in my box to call Abe's grandma. She made me recount my process step by step and told me to try again. My report on Wednesday was no better. On Thursday afternoon, she showed up in the office with a tin plate of fried chicken (still to this day the best I've ever had) for Hank's supper. She had rallied the troops and another grandma was there with a macaroni pie...the school secretary brought broccoli casserole and the custodian's wife sent a banana pudding. They were afraid that Hank was starving. I eventually mastered the macaroni pie, broccoli casserole and banana pudding, but I remain, to this day, a REAL Chicken Frying Failure. Thank goodness for chicken tenders.

The First 2009 Life of a Southern Belle Award Goes To...

Just a Beach Kat

For those of you who aren't familiar with the award, I'm continually discovering new blogs that I enjoy reading and sometimes I read things that just inspire me or tickle me to no end and I say to myself....now that gal is a Southern Belle. Southern Belleness transcends geography....it is a philosophy...a state of mind...style and substance...wit and charm...joy and sunshine...grit and determination...love...respect, and so much more. The standards for receiving the award are high indeed.

Visiting Kat's blog just makes me feel all warm and fuzzy. Whether she's doing wonderful things with or for her husband, her children, her friends...she has such a beautiful heart and sense of style that you just have to feel inspired. Go on over for a visit and you'll see what I mean in short order.