For those of you who knew and loved Skylar Norton, a dear friend and minister of the gospel, Raymond Elliott has written a beautiful tribute to her and to her family. You can read it here. If you know of others that would be comforted with his words, I know he would not mind if you forwarded it on.

I hope Thursday treated you kindly and that Friday will be even better!

What Makes a Good Teacher?

These are beautiful Christian women, but once upon a time they were second graders at Holtville Elementary. I loved them then. And that love story still continues.

Thank you, for always reminding me of the love and joy we shared in our Land of Many Colors~

I will always and for ever be just a thought away.

2nd Post, Still in Love

they grow up too fast, these children
of our children. I wish
I could slow down time
so I can just, just one more time
smell the sweetness of their milk breath
and
watch them fall asleep as we rock,
and marvel
that they are the best parts
of everyone I've loved
and Noah, the baby, who isn't a baby
much any more
although
we try to keep him there
just as long as possible
they, who are so eager to strike out
and feel life,
and we, we want to hold on a bit longer
because to hold on means maybe,
just maybe,
we don't grow older.
Maybe?

7 Weird and/or Random Facts

I've been tagged by Kelly! So here goes, and look to see if you're tagged! It says seven weird or random facts. Here goes ~

1 - I love wearing wigs! and did so for several months, but too many friends and family members kept asking if I was "okay?" They seemed to think there was a reason, but nope. I just liked being able to have long hair one day, curly hair the next. I still see nothing wrong with it and wish I had not bowed to peer pressure ~
2 - I cannot stand to see dishes pile up in the sink, even if it's a cereal bowl. Trying to get a handle on some OCD's, I've managed to go to bed and leave them in the sink, only to get up later and go clean up.
3 - I yearn for my late teenage and early adult years. The days of drive in movies, young love, football games, and that first apartment and thinking life just couldn't get any better.
4 - I wish I could bring myself to wear jumpers and dresses more than pants. I think I have good looking legs, but always shop for pants instead of dresses. Go figure.
5 - Camping is for the birds! I hate hiking, bathing in a bath house, and having dirty hair. I'll camp. But in a super nice camper or fifth wheel.
6 - I have a birthmark in the middle of my lower back.
7 - It hurts when others make fun of me and laugh at me, not with me. Especially when they don't realize I've seen them. I don't hold the hurt long, but it still stings. So ~

*Lynne at Pages From Our Life **BTW, Lynne will begin working on a coffee table book this coming January! I am so excited and can't wait to get one of my own. I think she plans to make it a book of Prattville sites, especially the downtown area. Go to her page and leave a comment supporting her!
*Heidi at Another Year With the Murphy's
*Kristi at Sweet Home, Alabama **who is a great vet should you need one!
*Susanne at The Goodin Family
*Jenny at The Maddox Family
*Jennifer at The Crill Circus, and last but not least,
*Raymond at Hunting Humor & Tales

and if you're feeling left out, then by all means do this!! and leave me a comment so I can visit you and see if we share any weird and random traits!!

I am such a sucker for Flair on Facebook!! bbuuuuttt, you can only have 60 badges on your corkboard and Jenny and I can swap that many in a months time! SO, I posted two of the newest cute ones from today and here's one that expresses the way I feel right now about the election. I'm all for putting Biden and Palin up for the big man's seat!!
and this one is posted for you just because it made Johnny Hood laugh out loud!

Hey!! I don't have to fuss and fume because I can't put these on MY Facebook board! I can post them here for you to see~so get ready, there are lots of them {wink,wink}

Oh, and if you want to see something so stinkin' cute, click here. The post that her mom posted today asks for prayers, but I'll let you see the picture first. To update the site, just put your cursor over the header title and click. This will update the site~

Lunch Bunch, MeetNEat! UPDATED!!

Okay Lunch Bunch!!! and this includes everyone that blogs and wants to drive to Montgomery to meet other blogging buddies!! The poll is showing a preference for every other month, so~

We will meet on the ODD numbered months. How about that?! It will always be at 11 am on the first SECOND Saturday. So, first SECOND Saturdays. 11 am. ODD numbered months. This means we WILL meet the first SECOND Saturday in November!!! Yay, and yes, I'm grinning.

I did NOT want to wait until after Christmas to see you again and I knew everyone would be too busy and have too many excuses for the Saturdays in December. If you can come, great! If not, then you know you can count on the first SECOND Saturday of January. We will post a place to meet prior to each gathering. In fact, Lunch Bunch, it would be nice if you could post the information on your site.

Let's plan to go back to Eastside Grille and we will set, at that time, a place for the January MeetNEat. If you were there, put it on your calendar now. If you weren't able to come, then I sure hope you'll plan to make it a date!

Thank you for your kind words, prayers, and support in reference to the death of young Skylar Norton. I thought of her mother so often today, this being the first day that they weren't surrounded by family and friends. I'm sure it's been a hard one.

My appointment with the cardiologist went well, and I had an echogram as well. He feels that everything looks as good as it can, considering the damage done during the accident trauma. So. I see the surgeon next Monday and a surgery date will be set! The sooner, the better! I'm ready to get it over and begin the recovery process!! I'll keep you posted!

Skylar Dawn Norton~

Today. Today was a hard day. A difficult day. A very emotional day. One that rips at the heart, shuts down the breathing process, and reduces you to a sobbing broken heart. We die. We know that. It's just that. Children aren't supposed to die. Not suddenly. Without a clue. And with an "inconclusive" autopsy. It's just.not.supposed.to happen this way.

And the parents ~ Jamie crying in my arms, "I know where she is. I do. I know. But I want her here. I want her here right now." and the father, Rick ~ a tall, tall man folding half way to the ground just to hold me and cry as if his heart had been cut in two. And it had. and the brother? Tyler ~ shell shocked. Those were the only words that come to mind.

And the crowd. so.so.silent. The graveside service in an ancient cemetery filled with the thoughts of generations of family. You could hear the breeze whisper. It was that quiet. Children. Parents. Family. Friends. Angels. I know they had to be there. Too many of us were praying for them to hold us all, to comfort us, to lift us above the pain and grief.

And then, there was the other grief. This was the first time since the accident that I had been with so many from school. The school I called my second home for almost twenty years. The school I left through no wish of my own. The life I used to have. The life I still miss and am adjusting without. So many teachers, so many parents, so many students. The headache began on the way there and intensified to the point that speech became next to impossible. Thoughts were fragmented like broken glass and frustration took over.

And the tears came. It would have been so easy to just have sunk to the ground with the sadness of it all. To leave that sorrow within the confines of a piece of ground used to tears of the grieving. But no, there were too many around. So with His arms around me, and John's strength holding me up both literally and figuratively we walked that long walk back to the car. And I cried. Most of the way home. Four extra strength Excedrin's and five hours later, it had abated somewhat.

But Rick, Jamie, and Tyler? Their long night has just begun. Dying is easy. I know. It's living that's hard. And telling someone that where they have gone is so much more than one can imagine, is just not the words they want to hear. Like Jamie kept saying, "I want her here. I want her here right now." Oh, what anguish our heavenly Father had to have felt for His Own. And I know. I know He was crying with us today.

Lunch Bunch Poll

I forgot that many of you get updates through feeds and may not know that I have a poll listed on my site. For anyone interested in meeting with fellow bloggers, this one's for you~

Kristi and I are wondering what the consensus might be if we establish a set Saturday, make it 11 am, and choose two or three sites we'll migrate between. I would like to do this once a month, realizing there will be months where some will come and other months they can't. But instead of trying to find a time for all, everyone will know there's a Saturday each month to look forward and plan around.

There were several with babes this last time and they were so good. Of course, a shout out to Eastside Grill for being so understanding and even going so far as to joke and play with them.

So, how do you feel about this suggestion? The grouping would change month to month, but that would be half the fun! Vote and let us know how you feel and and have a really nice Monday.

As for me and my Sweet Man, we'll be attending the graveside service of a 13-year old family member, Skylar Norton. Skylar loved her Lord, her family and friends, and was in love with life. Her home congregation, Cold Springs church of Christ, will sorely miss her. As will we all. The autopsy was inconclusive; she collapsed while with a group of friends walking across the campus Friday around 4:30. Such a sadness for us, but a delightful new life for Skylar. Pray for all that loved her.

The little country cemetery is on a dirt road, quiet, hushed, very old, and has many many family members interned within its borders. I hope those gathering will bring some comfort to her grieving parents and younger brother~

Second Post For Saturday~

Ever taken the time to think about your last 24 hours and think, "how did I ever have the energy to do all that?" Yeah, I thought you had.

Jen and Brandon went out of town and left the boys with Johnny Friday afternoon. They picked me up at the boutique at 6 pm and we went looking for pizza on a kids meal menu. After supper we went home to find that our a/c was NOT working!!! I dozed in the recliner until early morning to make sure no one came in on us while we slept. Yes,

it got so warm, even with the overhead fans, that we left the sliding door open to the screened in porch. And I wouldn't have thought twice about leaving it open all night, but

we don't have a second floor apartment. Once I got back in bed, I think I heard Noah each time he turned over or squirmed in his pack and play. Ah, I remember those early days with Jenny now.

The morning dawned bright and early with Ian asking me if it was time to get up. "No, sweetheart, it's only 5 and it's still dark" Again, one hour later, "okay you can watch kiddie shows if you promise not to wake Noah". Noah was awake by 7. John went out for doughnuts and chocolate milk while I found that there are not many decent cartoons on Saturday mornings!

Oh, lunch! It took almost four hours from the time Haley and I with two boys got to Eastside Grille for a luncheon with fellow bloggers in the tri-county area to get back home, but what fun it was! Ian had a blast being the only male in a gaggle of girls, but Noah chose to cling tightly to his Nan and ask repeatedly for his papi, which I thought we had, but didn't.

Left John with Noah while Ian and I took some time in the pool. It was cold!! By the time we got back to the apartment, John was in the throes of the Alabama-Kentucky game {and that only got worse}. Noah kept crawling up in his lap, saying, "Pa, I scared" each time John got vocal. Ian was glad to see Pa leave for a 12 hour shift at the mill so he could get back into the kiddie shows. I got them in their jammies after supper and a pizza break, and rocked Noah while waiting on mommy and daddy.

They're home now, safe and happy and bushed. John's at work. The a/c is working, but I have the door open listening to the night sounds. I can't help but think, and hurt, for

Rick and Jamie Norton. They lost their 13 year-old daughter yesterday afternoon. Her presence will be sorely missed. She collapsed around 4:30 at school and could not be revived. It was a struggle to not get emotional last night with the boys here when we got the news. So horribly sad. You know we use the word 'lost' when we speak of death, but

Skylar isn't lost. We know where she is. She grew up in the Cold Springs church of Christ congregation and was deeply loved and nurtured. I wish there were another word to use. The autopsy was 'inconclusive'. She will be buried in a small country cemetery where scores of other family members have been laid to rest. And her parents and younger brother will struggle for answers and comfort. If you're a believer, pray for them. It's been a very difficult weekend, but one also decorated with the laughter and love of two grandsons~

Making New Friends~

This is what Kristi brought to decorate the table~

Haley brought a beautifully decorated tin with candle

for each to take home~

we sat across from,

Judy, Shannon, and Taylor~

and Ian lost his heart

we connected, we laughed, we shared

we made new friends,

new memories,

made promises to do it again

and still include the babes~

What a delightful way to spend

a beautiful October day~
And yes, Kristi, I may have suggested it
but you took it and made it happen.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart~
today shall live on for months

years

to come~

(pictured above~top: Leigh, Shannon

middle: Melissa, Judy, me, Kristi,

front: Heidi, Haley, Rebecca)

A Meme. A What?!

And now for a meme . . . {what's a meme?} I found this on a blog to the left, Mrs. B I think, and I'm a sucker for these things ~ but why is it called a meme?!

Four things I did today:
1. Left my cute little car at the fix-it-please shop, then had my Sweet Man drop me off so I could help a friend at her boutique for 8 hours.
2. Sweet Man and two of our grandsons picked me up at 6 pm and we went to Applebee's for dinner, where one ate all the cheese sticks and the other ate whatever he could reach. For dessert, we shared a Triple Chocolate Meltdown, where two of us ate only ice cream while the other two ate the cake and the leftovers on the table.
3. Came home, put a load of clothes on to wash, built a small city with kiddie blocks; read several kiddie books, several times; watched too many kiddie shows; cleaned up a toy strewn room; rocked one to sleep while watching another kiddie show ~ so much for adult conversation, but oh, the snuggling time. {okay I KNOW this is more than one. so sue me.}
4. Finally wrested the computer away from my Sweet Man and got him busy watching kiddie shows and laughing with the grandson still up and awake; and did several blogs!

Four things on my to do list:
1. Go out for breakfast in the morning, since I haven't had time to buy groceries for four this week.
2. Go eat lunch at a new place with some old friends and a few new ones.
3. Watch more kiddie shows, build more little cities, read more books several times, maybe go to the pool, and hope a little one takes a nap.
4. Clean up and arrange guest room. It's been a collect-all room way too long! and my weekends are much too short.

Four of my guilty pleasures:
1. Magazines!!! I would never admit to how many I buy in a months time. Shoot! A week's time!
2. Reality shows ~ The Batchelor and Batchelorette, Design Star, Top Chef, Project Runway, Jon & Kate + Eight, Little People Big World, etc etc
3. Eating out. I love it. Simple as that. And I don't mind eating out alone. Just me, good food, a great waiter to keep the tea glass filled and iced, and a book. Or a magazine. And a corner booth.
4. Blogging. Journals. It's all pretty much the same.

Four random facts about me:
1. I have a stupid looking pair of glasses. They are old, old, old, and one arm broke off, AFTER I gorilla glued it back on - so now there's a glob of gorilla glue on one corner of the frame. They sit crooked on my face, so I have to tilt my head to watch TV, but for the life of me I cannot remember to call and make an appointment to get a new pair. No, I will not take a picture so you can laugh and feel better. Just use your imagination, and know that my family laughs until they weep every time I put them on.
2. I love drinking cold cold whole white milk from the jug. So don't visit and ask for milk.
3. Driving on an open road with great music to sing to gives me such a rush. Driving north to Gatlinburg, TN with great music and packed suitcases puts me in a total state of relaxation. And yes, I love to be the one behind the wheel!
4. Although I have no regrets, because it's the past that has brought me to where I am today, and I know all things happen for a reason, even if I have no idea why, a part of my heart will always belong to my high school love, and another piece to the father of my child.

Four bloggers I'm tagging:
1. Haley at Holding Hands and Making Memories
2. Jennifer at Marks Madness
3. Leigh at Graham Shenanigans
4. anyone else that feels so inclined! Leave me a note so I can visit your site and learn about you!

So I Learned Something Tonight ~

This post is simply because our air conditioner is NOT working tonight {and yes, maintenance was called but didn't return OUR call}, it's been the kind of day that has left me 'wired', and add to that the fact that I'm just not sleepy yet ~ plus,

while blog hopping, I read a tutorial on how to 'strike out' letters/words and I want to try it. So here goes my playing around. If this is posted, you know I achieved it!!

This is what I want to write. And I want to strike this sentence out!

Success is so sweet ~

A Whiny Post

It's been a rather up and down kind of day, but I still feel the need to whine for just two minutes. I promise. I just got through checking on all my blogs on the left. And there were many that you have to print a non-real word in order to leave a comment. aarrgghh I hate those!! Pul-lease consider taking it off your site. I don't have it and I'm not bothered with spam.

I got halfway through the ones on the right before I just got tired of having to copy and recopy and recopy before having it accept my comment. You see, sometimes I have to do it several times before it says I've copied the correct letters and I KNOW they weren't ALL wrong. And I know I'm not the only one out there that hates these silly words. So, what do you do? Do you just not leave a comment? You leave a comment but secretly fume that there's a silly word at the bottom of the comment box?

If you must use them, then I guess you have your reasons. I had to whine and my two minutes is up.

On another note, I am so looking forward to lunch tomorrow! I need the fellowship and I need some fun!!! Leigh Graham and her sister came to the shoppe today and she's coming! Haley Gray is riding with me!! Kristy Busby and Melissa Lester will be there. I. Can't. Wait. We'll post pics for those that wanted to come and couldn't! And for those of you that didn't think it would be fun, well, you were. Wrong!
ha ha I wanted to have a 'big grin' after the word 'wrong' and when I googled big grin, this is what I found! Enjoy!!!

7 Things I Plan To Do Before I Die
1. travel to Canada
2. buy/build one more home
3. spend many snowy Christmas Days in Gatlinburg
4. help get an online site for CAAB done!
5. see all three daughters happily married to Christian men and watch our grandchildren grow in stature and character
6. watch the Tide play the Volunteers in Neyland Stadium!
7. I've really fullfilled much of my dreams :)

7 Things I Do Now
1. think often of the Garden
2. clean less often than I once did
3. marvel in the feelings on the wind
4. read
5. volunteer at a local children's boutique
6. savor, no relish, life!
7. think about exercising

7 Things I Can't Do
1. diet successfully
2. hate
3. keep a straight face when watching people
4. understand liars and whiners
5. grow long, thick hair
6. get back the 77 days I lost
7. say no to pasta

7 Things That Attract Me To The Opposite Sex
1. the eyes have it
2. tight buns
3. a good heart
4. a love for laughter
5. honesty
6. a sense of spontaneity
7. walks with the King

7 Things That I Say Most
1. What?
2. Smashing!
3. What size is Alaina/Noah (and now Elle!) in?
4. Ouchie Wahwah (with Ian and Noah)
5. Noah BeDoah
6. I love you
7. Where do you want to eat?

7 Celebrities That I Admire
1. Mel Gipson
2. Julia Roberts
3. Roy Rogers, yeah I know
4. Reba McEntyre
5. Paul Newman
6. Faith Hill
7. George and Barbara Bush, okay so this makes it eight

7 Favorite Foods
1. Pasta
2. Chips with Salsa
3. Classic Coke!!!!!
4. Custard pie
5. Homemade macaroni and cheese
6. a great loaded salad
7. Corn on the Cob

7 People Who Need To Do This
1. You
2. and you
3. and you
4. and you
5. and you
6. and you
7. and you, yeah you just THOUGHT you were being missed~

Beautiful Handwork

There's a new site for those of you interested in customized clothing!! I have seen Leigh's work and she does a beautiful job of finishing with details and coming up with one-of-a-kind outfits. Go to LeighLeigh's Boutique and check out the three items she has listed. You can visit her family site at Graham Shenanigans and see outfits she has made for family and friends. You won't find this at boutiques at the prices she has! In fact, Leigh if you're reading this, I personally think you're underpricing :) And I am so excited for you!!!