To da island, mon...

We just got back from Jekyll Island last week and we had the most wonderful time. I have to say that the reason I loved it is because the Georgia coast is all about conservation. They have kept the barrier islands as natural as possible. There is a bike path that we rode nearly the entire distance - almost 20 miles in two days. My tush was very sore, but the riding was fun. To see more images visit my Flickr site, but here is one of my favorites.

One thing that isn't in my pictures is the Love Bugs. They were swarming while we were at the coast. Only in the afternoon and not on the beach...but still. I had never encountered them before. It did open the door to have some "birds and bees and lovebug" discussions with my 9-year old. She has determined that the act of sex is disgusting and isn't anywhere on her agenda. I hope she feels the same when she is 16!

I miss blogging. School has absolutely got me busy. I have to think much harder than I did 30 years ago! I am enjoying it, however, and I hope to teach when I am finished. That is quite a ways off, though, so for now I just think about tiny time frames - this semester, this week, this minute. It keeps me from going MORE insane! The most important thing is to maintain that sense of humor!

"Waste not fresh tears over old griefs." - Euripides

Dust off those saddle oxfords

Well, gang, I have taken the plunge and returned to college. My posts will be very few and far between, but I just wanted to let y'all know that I am alive and well (and probably tired and stressed - I hate tests!). I am taking sociology, world history and PE (yep, I said PE). These classes will give me enough credits to get the Hope scholarship next semester. Please feel free to email me and I will write back. I will continue to monitor Israelisms and the all the gang there.

I love all my blog readers (okay, both of them - lol). Be blessed and drop me a line from time to time. S.

"I'm wearing make-up, I lost a few pounds, I didn't name names before a senate committee!" - Barbara Streisand as Rose Morgan in "The Mirror Has Two Faces"

Why I sneeze a lot

This is what happens to my spot when I get out of bed in the mornings. Zelda is the creamy colored one and she is named after a video game. She is a little goofy and klutzy.

Cassie is the black, pretentious, prima donna who is named after a dragon on Dragon Tales (we got her when Jordan was quite young). She cannot be troubled with peasants such as EVERYBODY ELSE IN THE FAMILY!!!

I love them both. They are scottish, after all. They long for the day when they can roam the moors.

Outside of a dog, a book is a man's best friend. Inside of a dog it's too dark to read. - Groucho Marx

Rode Hard and Hung Up Wet

Pardon the equestrian euphemism, but that is how I feel after a day at Six Flags! My kid - my "get dizzy at the top of the stairs" kid is a roller coaster queen...just like her mom USED TO BE!!! I was forced to ride a couple. I rode the Batman ride and survived, but it did not feel wonderful. I also rode the Scream Machine. Funny, I don't remember it hurting that bad 25 years ago. And even though I have lost weight in the last few months...it sure was difficult fitting my tush in those little roller coaster seats! I feel completely hung over! And then we rode Thunder River and of course we bore the brunt of the waterfall. We were drenched and my shoes squished the rest of the day. Did I mention it was hot? Don't you just love summer in Georgia? They should hand out little oxygen tanks at the gate! I just don't think I am cut out for amusement parks anymore.

The Saturday morning Doggie Playtime issue was resolved. The "no pets allowed" signs were removed and we can continue to meet there until the new dog park is complete. I have been taking Zelda and Cassie now. Although, Cassie has to stay on leash much of the time. She has "big-dog" syndrome.

As I continue to pursue life away from my desk, I looked into opening a Three Dogs Bakery in Atlanta, but I don't have the few hundred thousand to tackle that project. So, in lieu of anything else, I have decided to go back to school. I will take one class a semester for the time being. And, I am majoring in English. I hate business and management (blech!). And math just ain't my thing. I love to read and I love to write (I really am going to finish that novel some day), so English wins! Woo Hoo!

Lee, I just saw your comments! I have been remiss in tending my blog, but have been checking Israelisms every hour! I have enjoyed the debate going on and I wonder if Adrienne and Greg are really just trying to be the antithesis or truly feel the way they project. If so, I can't believe people are so naive. But, I guess the media and the world view seems to be anti-Israel. What a bunch of bozos! One day they will know the truth and if it wasn't for me being a good Christian girl, I would just laugh and laugh (did I say that out loud???).

Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former. - Albert Einstein

Dogs, Fish, and Gardens

Is there anybody in there??? Pardon me Roger Waters for changing the lyrics just a bit, but I have been awol for quite some time! I always think, "if I just finish this or finish that" then my life will calm down and be serene. Serenity has yet to show itself. Not that the activities of late haven't been fun. They have. But, I keep looking just beyond that horizon for a simple, uncomplicated life. I have a glimmer of hope that it will materialize. Stay tuned to this blog and we can find out together if that ever happens.

Now, what have we been up to. Well, several weeks ago, Jordan and I graced our local theater group for a performance of The Secret Garden. It was really quite good. I don't think Jordan enjoyed it as much as I. She teased me for crying at the end. I loved the book as a child and I continue to love the story as an adult. She enjoyed the book, but I don't think she understood the musical aspect of the production. I am sure she will as she gets older.

On Saturdays we have begun going to the dog's morning out. We take Zelda mostly, because even though she is a bit shy, she is not as aggressive as Cassie. Cassie did go with us last week and as one gentleman pointed out, Cassie is not being aggressive. She is merely saying in dog..."Get out of my space!" All that attend are dog people. There is something about that connection. The whole "must love dogs" thing I guess. We are in a bit of difficulty right now as the park where we meet has been made off limits to pets. We are looking for a temporary spot until the new dog park opens. I have been in touch with my local commissioner and hopefully with the efforts of other group members contacting the people in government that they know, we will soon have a place to take our animals.

And finally, we went to the aquarium. I had been wanting to go so much. It was wonderful. From the dramatic belugas and whale sharks to the ever so cute otters and penguins - every exhibit was spectacular. Afterwards we went to Atlantic Station for coffee and dessert. And then we swung by Hapeville to look at lofts that are being converted from an old school. In fact the whole area is to be revamped. And, according to a friend of mine, the soon to be closed Ford plant will hopefully be turned into an Atlantic Station-type area. If we are going to move, we had better do it soon before property values are overwhelming. If I didn't have Jordan, I would probably go for the loft. But, I think a single family home would suit us better.

And one more thought (does this chick ever stop talking???). More and more I want to get away from a "desk" job. Even though I work from home - which is great...I still want something different. For many years I have toyed with an idea that is now predominate in my head. I have always wanted to take several of my best dishes and do a weekday lunch delivery for local businesses. It would be classified as catering and I have pursued what must be done. Unfortunately, in order to procure this occupation, I must have a separate kitchen from my family kitchen. It seems the state and the county have some crazy notions about public health. It seems, so far anyway, that I run into a roadblock at every turn. I am not giving up however. It's a good idea and there are others who have succeeded before me. I need cash...the hard, cold kind. I am exploring avenues to gain this elusive wealth and will keep my dear readers up to the minute.

"Try to live your life so that you wouldn't be afraid to sell the family parrot to the town gossip." Will Rogers (1879 - 1935)

Finally

Well, we finally made it to the Renaissance Festival! The last couple of weeks have been so busy and I haven't had time to blog and I miss it! My sister had surgery last week and is doing very well. She had a condition I call droopy brain. But, her brain is now lifted and it's quite perky!

The festival was great. So many interesting people and things to do. We watched the joust and some very funny jugglers. We shopped and then shopped some more! I really wanted to buy a "wench" outfit complete with bustier, but they were extremely pricey. Maybe next year. Jordan got a wooden sword and shield combo. She is such a tomboy sometimes. I guess that's better than having her be all frou, frou. Girls that act silly and are high maintenance drive me crazy. I always told Josh when he was growing up that I would like any one he brought home as long as they weren't a bimbo. I am so glad he is dating Jenn. She is getting her biology degree and has her head on straight.

I have had some observations in the last couple of weeks. One is that there are times that I feel like I am God's favorite. I will see or experience something and I am sure He has done it just for me. I really don't believe this is true, but it feels that way at times. Of course there are those other times when I am sure He is extremely mad at me for my behavior and He is going to take my name off the list. But, then I get another glorious sunrise or sunset, the mountains, the ocean or those geese flying in formation and I remember that He really does love me. Speaking of the ocean - I just love it. And you can't experience the ocean in a picture. You have to feel the spray and wind on your face and taste the salty air and hear the seagulls and the waves. I really need to go even if only for a weekend. Everyone needs the "beach" experience when they can get there.

Observation dos. The other day I was flipping through the channels and I stopped on a Braves game. I closed my eyes for a few moments and I was taken back 35 or so years to my Grandparents house in Hapeville. My Grandfather used to listen to the "ballgame" on the radio. He always called them "ballgames". And you didn't bother him during those times. He loved the Braves long before they did anything great (well, in Atlanta anyway). You also didn't bother my Grandmother during Lawrence Welk. I miss my grandparents very much. It seems like the family is shrinking day by day.

Observation tres. Okay, this one is kinda negative. A new Publix shopping center opened near my house. I love going there because it is so convenient for me. The negative thing is that in this shopping center there is a mailing store and it is called - are you ready for this??? Goin' Postal. Now if that ain't the tackiest name for a store, I don't know what is. And I looked them up on the internet and they are actually a chain! Get your tacky-named franchise here!!! I have a sense of humor, but some things are just bad taste. Do a Monty Python sketch, but don't put a sign above the door!

"Go through your phone book, call people and ask them to drive you to the airport. The ones who will drive you are your true friends. The rest aren't bad people; they're just acquaintances." - Jay Leno

Soccer days come to an end

Jordan got two goals today...I was so excited! This was the last game of the season. We had a pizza party afterwards and the kids got their trophies. It was a great season with a great coach. We also loved the teammates and their parents. I hope next spring will be as good. Jordan will be moving up to the next league and the competition will increase, I am sure. She is dedicated, but not very aggressive. She is too polite to take the ball away from the other team. It's funny how we teach our kids to be polite everywhere until they take the field and then we want a blood bath.

We were going to the Hapeville street party last night, but we were just too tired. I really wanted to go and had been looking forward to it for months. We will definitely hit some of the concerts this summer. Next weekend we are going to the Renaissance Festival. We have not been able to go because of soccer, but now we will get our chance and I am looking forward to that as well.

I will be glad to be back at church tomorrow. Only one week missed and I feel like I have been away forever! Two weeks ago I did the sound board and I have to say that even though those "5 million" knobs are intimidating, I don't have to concentrate as hard as I do when I run the slideshow. Once everyone is happy with their highs, lows and monitor levels, then I can kind of relax whereas when I do the slides I have to really pay attention in case somebody decides to sing something different than the norm. Which does happen more often than not. But I do enjoy working on the tech team. It keeps me busy and keeps me from making excuses not to go.

Another tid bit...as if four phones were not the creme de la creme of communication, now I can add skype to my list of devices. We added skype in order to join the Israelisms group podcast coming up in June. So now, I have another headset in my pile of tangled wires. Oh joy!

"Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter." Mark Twain

Phone Land

AHHHH!!!!

Happy Mothers Day!

What a great day! We went to Atkins Park Tavern in The Vinings and had lunch to celebrate Mom's day. The food was good, but the company was great. My Mom, Dad, Suzanne, Josh, Jordan and myself always have a wonderful time and a lot of laughs. The restaurant was giving out crocuses to the moms (my personal favorite bulb). We then went back to Suzanne's new condo for a bit and then dropped by Josh's apartment for a minute before heading home. It was a great Mom's day for me. Josh (okay, actually Jenn did the shopping) gave me a gift bag with all kinds of burt's bees stuff and a book and some other goodies.

I have to say, however, that the real treasure is my kids. That is what being a mom is all about. I have good kids. They are loving, kind and really smart. Josh is a Ga. Tech math major and Jordan is a second grader who excels at whatever she does. Jordan scored a goal yesterday at soccer and she was so proud (yeah, I was too). We did some shopping to celebrate! That kid was born to shop (I just don't know where she gets it???). Josh's brain wraps around stuff I can't even fathom. We do have some very interesting philosophical discussions. When he starts talking economics or some mathematical theory, my mind shuts down. But, when we talk about movies, relationships or metaphysics, I just love it! Both of my kids are great and I take a very small amount of credit for that.

"Hello, my name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father: prepare to die." Mandy Patinkin in The Princess Bride

Shock, horror and telephones

Chris, Chris...where for art thou, Chris?

I can't believe it! I am too shocked for words (okay, not true...I am never without words). My beloved Chris is gone. How did this happen? Where are his fans? Everyone I know was sure Chris would win. Maybe it's just the crowd I hang out with. I am sure he will have a career in music now, regardless of being voted off. He is really talented. At Starbucks this morning, we were all talking about it. I sip this mocha frappacino to comfort myself and to toast Chris for a job well done.

Now, I must share something. On my desk (I work from my home office) I have four phones. Two belong to the companies I do the majority of my work for ( I have a couple of other side projects that fortunately don't involve phones). Another is my cell and the last is of course my normal garden-variety land line. When one rings I have to get out index cards and a protractor to determine how I should answer! And then, as if I don't have enough tools to communicate with, I also have at least five email accounts and a couple of instant message accounts. A few years back I decided to "simplify" my life. Have I succeeded? NO!

Another thing about telephones (remind me to complain to Alexander Graham Bell the next time I see him), I get these strange calls from time to time. They leave me suspicious. People are always telling me that I read too much into to things. I am sure they are right. But, if anyone out there is calling and not identifying themselves...SAY SOMETHING!!! If you want to communicate...trust me...I have the tools and I have the talent.

"It can even be a single note which defines the entire song." Leon Redbone

Mondays

I feel defeated today. I can't even think of anything fun or witty to discuss. Sometimes I wish I wasn't a person of great feeling and emotion. Life would be so simple then. But, I am. I feel deeply and I feel for a long time. I look at circumstances and I know I shouldn't. I should be looking up, but I look around instead. I know how the psalmist felt when he looked around and saw the person with the bigger palace, the more successful kids, the great marriage and by all outward appearances - the perfect life. I see others who to seem to "have it all". I know in my head that is not true. They may have material wealth, but do they have salvation? If they don't then it is all for nothing. Unfortunately my heart yearns for a happier life. I have many good things in my life and I truly am blessed in many ways. But one area of my life is very near its end and I truly wish those circumstances could have been different. The funny part is (maybe I can find some wit after all) that I no longer have emotion in regard to that area of my life. Dead as doornail - as they say (who is they?). I used to weep and pray for healing, but now I am just ready for it to die. This poor dead horse has been beat for far too long.

I know I need to laugh. I need to find something funny and on purpose and out loud I need to laugh. I know this will help with my personal healing.

It's lonely tonight. I put words out, but nothing is coming back except my own echo. God, please tear down the walls I have built and let me hear another voice besides my own.

"“My philosophy, like color television, is all there in black and white"” - Monty Python

Friday...

Yipee it's Friday. I should be more excited, but I am not because this weekend looks to be very busy. We have soccer. We are helping Suzanne move. And then there is church on Sunday. I am nervous about church because Rex won't be there and anything that goes wrong will be on my head...AHHH!!! I am sure everything will be fine as long as there are no power surges. The sound board scares me when I am alone...be afraid...be very afraid. I see technically inept people!

I have to tell about two weird things I have done since childhood. These are very strange and I really don't notice them much anymore. The first is that I always imagine someone is with me. Not your typical imaginary friend sort of thing. No, this is a real person that I imagine somehow has the ability to be invisible and watch me. Now this person changes all the time. It could be my mom, an old boyfriend or anybody really. It's just whoever is on my mind at the time or what I am doing may remind me of that person. I have done this since I was very small. I was an only child (well, until I was 16 anyway) so I guess I just started doing this and it became a habit. I don't really know how to break it or if it really matters, but anyway that is weird thing #1.

Now, #2 is not as strange, but still something I have done since I was itty bitty. When I watch TV, I tend to turn my head to one side. Now my hearing and vision seem to be the same on both sides, but for some reason I have always done this. My head turns to the right so that my left ear and eye are more towards the TV. I don't think I do it at movies (I am not sure), but I definitely do it with television. And especially when the show is very intense. When I notice I am doing it (or if someone mentions it to me) then I always correct myself. But most of the time I don't even notice. How weird is that???

"In fact, I would go so far as to say that I am playing emotions and expressing them in a coherent public language called music." John Fahey - Musician extraordinaire

Great Day!

Today was Jordan's field trip to the Farmer's Market. We had such a wonderful time. But, I have to say that letting me loose at the Farmer's Market with cash in hand and a debit card is not a good idea! Especially at the plant nursery areas. My only saving grace is that by the time we got to the plant-buying I was so tired that I wanted just to hurry...get what I wanted...and go home...Woo Hoo!!! I also got some fruits and veggies. I got my first bag of vidalia onions this year. Yum! We toured the market and we toured a plant where they distribute wholesale potatoes and onions. I tried very hard not humiliate anyone by pressing the "organic" issue. And the items I got today were not organic, but I will wash thoroughly and hope the pesticides don't kill me.

I got a new book this week called House by Frank Peretti and Ted Dekker. I am nearly finished with it and it is soooo good. I can't wait for the ending. I will finish it shortly. It is supposed to be a movie by next year. Speaking of movies...I think Jordan and I will go see "Akeelah and the Bee" this Sunday afternoon. It looks like it will be very good.

AND...Paris is gone. I really didn't think she would last as long as she did. Not because she isn't a good singer...she is very good...but because I thought Pickler would last longer. She had that "cute" southern thing going on that a lot of people liked. Of course my speed dial is always for Chris. I love him and I love Taylor. Elliott is also a very good singer, but my money is on Chris and Taylor.

AND...I haven't watched Lost from last night yet. I will get to it when I can. Tonight is also Survivior. I can't wait to see what happens with psycho Shane. Good grief! That guy is really nuts (I am being convicted that it's not nice to call anyone psycho or nuts...sorry 'bout that!).

"George Bailey, I'll love you 'til the day I die" - Mary Hatch, It's a Wonderful Life

Happy Colon

What an interesting title. Mark had his colonoscopy today and all went well. The last couple of days have been hectic with making sure he was ready and trying to hide all evidence of food from him (he had to fast to prepare for the procedure). The doctor said all looked good and there would be some pathology results to come, but he was confident that everything was in order.

Now we just have to get his mouth healed and continue working on the pre-cancer sun spots on his scalp. What a year he is having! Of course my last year was weird also. Pregnant in the spring, miscarriage in the summer, tubal in the fall and hernia repair in the winter (a result of the tubal). But my health, except for the skin issues, has been good since then. We have changed over a great deal of our eating to organic...and even when it's not organic we are still sticking with fruits, veggies, meats, dairy and some grains. We have both lost weight and feel pretty good. (Okay, I know the mocha frappacinno's are not organic, but they are my one thing that I indulge in...well...everyday, but still they know me at Starbucks and they can't live without me!)

Work is going okay (blech!). I really should have been a "kept" woman. I like being the mommy and going on field trips and taking care of everything at home much better than having to provide an income. I am still waiting for Tucker and Company to get up and running so perhaps that can be my contribution instead of having to answer to someone else. I need autonomy. Being micro-managed stresses me out. Plus, at my age, I am really snappy and don't care too much what everybody else thinks. I liked working for Eric because he would just send 20 emails a day with everything he needed. And he only called a couple of times a week. He also gave me carte blanche on most projects. Ahhh, those were the days!

Tell me, O Octopus, I begs,
Is those things arms, or is they legs?
I marvel at thee, Octopus;
If I were thou, I'd call me us.

Ogden Nash (a great American Poet!)

Who am I?

For the next several posts, I think I will tell a little bit about who I am with all my deep, dark secrets and facts about my family and my life. My name is Stacey and I was born in 1961. That puts me somewhere in my forties (although, without a calculator I can never remember 40-what). I have lived most of my life in and around Atlanta. I have been married twice. I have two kids...although I have been pregnant six times. I have two dogs (which count as kids). I work from home part-time.

I am very organized, but not a clean freak. I love to eat out when I get the chance. I have many dreams and aspirations. One is to tend a garden (veggies and flowers). Right now, finances don't permit, but one day I will spend all my free time "playing in the dirt". Another aspiration is to finish a novel I started a few years ago. The outline of the book is ready as are many chapters. It just takes a very long time to write 75 - 100,000 words!

If I could live my life over there are many things I would do differently. I would absolutely finish college. If I had the money and the time, I would go back to school right now!

I love to see beautiful sunrises and sunsets with lots of clouds and color. I love seeing geese fly in formation. I love the mountains and the ocean. I used to love roller coasters, but now they kinda make me nauseated.

I am not pretty or skinny or mensa smart. But, I do love people and animals. My grandfather used to say you could judge a man's character by how he treats animals. There is also a Bible verse that states pretty much the same thing. And I totally agree with that concept.

"I think there's just one kind of folks. Folks." - Scout, To Kill a Mockingbird

Tired!

Today was the walk-a-thon at Jordan's school. I am so incredibly tired. But as usual we bought the bbq chicken dinners and Josh and Jenn came to dinner. It's so nice to have company instead of all of us eating alone in separate rooms.

Speaking of American Idol (were we speaking of American Idol?)...I can't believe Chris was in the bottom three! I can't fathom that his fans bailed on him just because he did a ballad type song instead of his usual R&R. He is wonderful no matter what music he performs. I am however, glad to see Ace finally gone. He may be nice to look at, but he is not that great of a vocalist.

Mark's health is still an issue. Everything seems to be "breaking". He has doctor appointments coming up for ailments that are literally from one end to the other. His behavior towards me has been exemplary the last couple of months. He has hardly lost his temper at all. Some of this may be attributed to the health crisis he is experiencing. Or it may be because I am going to counseling and now I have someone to affirm my position. No more mind games. I can now tell someone how I felt or what I thought or what I perceived and an objective person helps me to see realities and doesn't dismiss what I experience as a character flaw. What a refreshing concept!

It's late and we have soccer tomorrow and I need to prepare the slides for Sunday (if anyone sends me the material!).

"When you do dance, I wish you
A wave o' th' sea, that you might ever do
Nothing but that." Shakespeare - A Winter's Tale

Forgiveness

I saw an enemy today. Someone I hadn't seen in years. In fact, I thought this enemy was gone. But there she was in living color. I thought about forgiveness. I purposely avoided her because I didn't want to have a conversation and because I look terrible today after a difficult night with a sick kid. I questioned in my mind whether or not I had really forgiven her for treating me badly. I don't know her spiritual condition. She could be a believer by now. It would be much easier to forgive if she were to apologize. But, that probably won't happen. She would have to get out the Atlanta phone book and call nearly everyone in it to make peace with the many she has injured. But forgiveness is my obligation no matter how I feel. So I pray today for blessing upon her and her family and I pray that I would forgive her completely. That way, praying for her blessing would be a desired act on my part and not just an act of obedience. God, help me to obey...even when I don't "feel" like it!