A Baby Shower ~

I just love baby showers ~
especially when there is delicious food around!
But the best thing about this baby shower
wasn't the food, or the beautiful gifts,
or those that came to celebrate,

and to laugh and share memories.

No, the best thing about this particular shower
was knowing that my baby girl, my Jenny,
will be giving birth to her baby girl.
And I cried on the way to lunch.
Just with the happiness of that fact.

Two Loves ~

Yesterday I had the pleasure of having these two loves

with me while their daddy and mum ran a few errands.

Need I tell you how we rocked the room with laughter?

I love love love being loved by grandbabies~

So There Are Lots of Brooms ~

that can stand alone. Apparently,

Mr. Clean makes a well balanced broom, too.

Today I saw two separate snapshots of brooms

that were standing alone. Without help.

And didn't fall. Told you that 'ghost' in Prattville

wasn't really a ghost. And I'm still giggling,

and ringing up sales from the mass that are traveling

to town to see The Standing Broom. They leave that store

and see Patti's shoppe across the street! I'm lovin' it.

Do you have a picture of a standing broom?!

Just Another Day ~

Today was another busy one ~ many happy conversations and laughter with other females and some pretty cute babes. The telephone seemed to ring off the hook and several large shipments came in to be sorted, tagged, and found a home for. I never had the chance to eat breakfast and lunch came around 2 pm. But ~

**I saw Ian and Noah. They gave unconditional love and hugs around the knees. Noah walked with me to the bank, showing me how his new sneakers help him run faster. He grabbed the door handles to open the door for us, and giggled with me as we traveled together.

**It rained this evening! Lots and lots of needed rain! And I had a happy movie to watch and a yummy taco salad to enjoy.

**Stacey is feeling better after being terribly sick for almost two weeks, and Jenny seemed to feel a bit better today. A mother never ceases to worry about her children.

**I got to whisper to Elle that I am so ready to meet her, and I watched as her big brother came over to hug her, too. It's a strange feeling to see your baby with her babies but I love watching them.

And right now I am thinking of a soft, dark, cozy spot that I am about to go put my tired body into and relish the fact that we have air conditioning, secure doors so I don't have to sleep afraid, and those that love me. God's in His Heaven, all's right with the world.

A Standing Broom ~

Will Burdett, 2 1/2, cautiously examines a broom that seems to stand on its own, with no visible support, in a Prattville storefront. Will's mother, Christy Burdett, is preparing to open the location as a consignment shop. (David Bundy)
There is a buzz in downtown Prattville! We seem to have another resident ghost, or ghosts depending on who is talking, in one of the older downtown buildings. A customer came in to the shoppe, which is directly across the street, all excited about a broom standing upright. With no one holding it. I'll let you click here and go directly to our Montgomery Advertiser for the full story and a video that was taken yesterday. Or click here to see Bryan Henry's take on it. (He and his cameraman parked right outside our door, but they didn't interview us this time. He interviewed Patti last September! You can read about it here, but I don't think the video can be accessed.) A-N-Y-WAY, let me tell you this town is a-buzzing! John and I walked across the street with Patti earlier this evening and sure enough, there's a broom standing upright. In the middle of the room. We tried getting a snapshot through the door, however the dirt and smudges on the glass made it difficult. But if you're downtown, stop by and see the standing broom ~ then cross the street and I'll be glad to help you shop at Cute As A Button!

08/27: Just a note ~ I've been asked if I believe it's 'ghosts' or what I think about this incident. I believe in God, His angels, and I know Satan's workers walk this earth as well. I believe in Paradise and knowing His children will one day worship at His feet. I believe there will be some sort of logical explanation for this, and no, I do not believe in ghosts. I don't disbelieve but there's nothing to make me believe in "wandering souls lost in the nether world". So take it for what it's worth. Do I find it interesting? Shoot yeah, I've had lots of giggles over it and laughter watching others try to figure it out. You should see the faces of others when I tell them about it. I've always loved a good story (wink, wink)
~Have a beautiful day!

He's Six!

Today is Austin's 6th birthday ~

and if his parents feel old,

his Pa and Nan feel older. We remember

a baby we dashed over to Mississippi to welcome,

and found a fighter battling a heart murmur

and wearing a light for jaundice that made him look like

a 'glow baby'. Just look at him now. Healthy. Growing.

Here are two links from two previous celebrations. I pray there are many, many more to come ~ Austin is Five! and Austin Turns Four.

Family & Fun ~

This is Nelson, my big brother. He's not really the oldest, I am. But he's that big brother I needed. Today he was here while Jenny was visiting with Ian and Noah. Ian has always loved his uncle Nelson. Always. They go way back. Here's a link to an earlier post (and you can see what my blog used to look like!) Nelson and Ian have always connected. Now Noah? Nelson came in one day when Noah was real young, grabbed Ian, and scared poor Noah. Today was the first day Nelson has been able to get near the child!
You can see the look as we're headed down the stairs for the boys to see Nelson's motorcycle. Noah didn't want him to hold him going down the stairs ~ note that look of 'I don't think I'll hold you closely'. And he wasn't sure about sitting on the bike, but then, he didn't at the Police Station either. You can read about that here.
But he was all into Nelson going back up the stairs and until Nelson had to leave. Ian? Aw, he's still uncle Nelson's best bud. Now he wants a helmet. Bet that doesn't happen.Keep reading for an updated pic of Noah's personality! It's beginning to shine and come forth, so says his mother. After spending the afternoon with him, I have to agree. I haven't laughed this much in a while.

Silly Boy ~

As I was uploading snapshots from my visit with Noah today,

I thought of this snapshot. He had just pulled up to see me.

Compared with the little clown of today,

who wanted to show me a new way to wear a shirt.

(He was saying "like this, Nan!" in this new gruff voice.

Not sure where he picked up this animated voice,

but it had me laughing out loud.)

You can click on the first snapshot to read
the post that accompanied the photo.

And you can go here to read of his latest

laughter-causing moments at his own house!

(Just watch out for your cats around him.)
Hope your day was filled with laughter ~

Perception ~

Washington, DC ~ Metro Station on a cold January morning in 2007.The man with a violin played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. During that time approx. 2 thousand people went through the station, most of them on their way to work. After 3 minutes a middle aged man noticed there was a musician playing. He slowed his pace and stopped for a few seconds and then hurried to meet his schedule.

******

4 minutes later: the violinist received his first dollar, a woman threw the money in the hat and, without stopping, continued to walk.

******

6 minutes: A young man leaned against the wall to listen to him, then looked at his watch and started to walk again.

******

10 minutes: A 3-year old boy stopped but his mother tugged him along hurriedly. The kid stopped to look at the violinist again, but the mother pushed hard and the child continued to walk, turning his head all the time. This action was repeated by several other children. Every parent, without exception, forced their children to move on quickly.

******

45 minutes: The musician played continuously. Only 6 people stopped and listened for a short while. About 20 gave money but continued to walk at their normal pace. The man collected a total of $32.

******

1 hour: He finished playing and silence took over. No one noticed. No one applauded, nor was there any recognition.

******

No one knew, but the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the greatest musicians in the world. He played one of the most intricate pieces ever written, with a violin worth $3.5 million dollars. Two days before Joshua Bell sold out a theater in Boston where the seats averaged $100. This is a true story. Joshua Bell playing incognito in the metro station was organized by the Washington Post as part of a social experiment about perception, taste and people's priorities. The questions raised: in a common place environment at an inappropriate hour, do we perceive beauty? Do we stop to appreciate it? Do we recognize talent in an unexpected context? One possible conclusion reached from this experiment could be this: If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world, playing some of the finest music ever written, with one of the most beautiful instruments ever made - how many other things are we missing?

Thanks, Lisa, this really made me stop and ponder the way I spend my days ~

It's Broken!

Ach!!! The molar, that only got a filling two weeks ago,

has broken in half! Tonight! And I am not

feeling

very

peppy

at the moment!

In fact,

I'm a bit irritated,

a bit in pain,

becoming very frustrated,

aggravated,

and developing

a

very

very

nasty attitude.

And unless it becomes unbearable,

I'll see Dr. Holley first thing Monday morning.

Please pray for John.

He will have to contend with me until then.

Family & Fun ~

From serious, which is fairly standard for Ian ~

to funny, which is totally standard for Noah ~

I am surrounded by love and laughter when with them.And we cannot wait to meet sweet Elle~

and her mother cannot wait to have her here!

How To Fail a Test With Dignity

And my favorite!
Smiling yet?!

Yummies!

Coming back down the interstate yesterday,

we stopped in at Durbin's and picked up some of these.

They are so good and we've already enjoyed some sandwiches

with slices of these jewels, some mayo, salt, pepper, and basil.Also got a basket of Chilton County peaches.

You haven't lived until you've had one of these darlin's!

I was thinking about some homemade ice cream,

but John is a borderline diabetic and would go slap crazy

over homemade vanilla ice cream topped with peaches.

And I want to keep him around for awhile, so Hood

just imagine how good it would taste. Just imagine!

A Weekend Getaway ~

We left Friday to go here,

(oh be still my heart!)

and stayed in this beautiful condo. We've been staying

at Olde Gatlinburg Place Condominiums for about 15 years.

Or there about, we've been coming to the area for 26 years,

but began staying here when it was just the two of us.

And although we know which ones NOT to stay in,

we've made friends and now know which ones

to ask for! (Hint -the ones on the left hand side of the

7th floor rock! Gorgeous! Especially the two bedroom one!) It's only two blocks from The Village, and one of

our favorite spots to shop. You must visit The Silver Tree

while there. I promise you'll find something there.

I always do!Do you see that little window over John's left shoulder?
The one that has the arches? That's over a cheese shop,
and if you go in, and up the small staircase, you'll find
the neatest deli. It's only open a few hours each day
and is a delightful place to eat a German sandwich
and potato salad! Truly a neat experience.
And this is as close as I let The Hood get
to Clingman's Dome. I hate hiking. So sue me.
I tell him every trip I'll sit and wait for him,
but he always elects to just wander around down here.
Suits me (big smile). There are lots of others
milling around down here, too. And the view
is still an awesome one!
See?!

And this? This is the glass from the condo that I discovered

we accidently forgot to return before we left Gatlinburg!

Horrors! We stole a glass! It held Milo's Sweetened Tea

yesterday while we rode around up in the Smokey's and

I had every intention of taking it back inside. I forgot.

Until this afternoon. On the way home. When I reached

for the water bottle I threw back there. Argh. And this is me about to ask John if we could please,

please, please spend the night at The Chattanooga ChooChoo.
He doesn't have to be at work until Tuesday night, so I figured

why not?! Besides, I wasn't ready to come home!

Can you read his expression?! I can.

Which is why we are home tonight.

And I'm posting this on our blog.

And this? Well, this is where my dinner plate was.
Note the word 'was'. Obviously, I eat faster than John
and my plate was taken away. There were still one or two
corn muffins and biscuits left, but I think I gained around
two, or five, pounds this extended weekend so I stopped
when she took the plate. And just drank my tea.
My sweet, sweet iced tea with lemon.