Faith, Family and Friends

Family, Fun, & Food!

Dinner tonight was with this sweet lady

and our Leslie! She's in town!

Leslie and Amanda have been best friends for ever.
And ever.

And we had such fun with them tonight at The Olive Garden. Leslie is in town for the weekend and will be staying with Amanda and will watch the season's first game for the Crimson Tide! Then there's a day on the lake, lots of girl talk to catch up with, and some shopping to be squeezed in. You just can't beat having a bestie. I know ~ I have them, and feel very blessed. Stay tuned for more pics as we will share one more meal with Leslie before she travels home!

SEC Football ~

**WARNING: lower your speaker volume**

Get ready to rock and roll ~

SEC Football began tonight.

South Carolina won, but

"it weren't a purty game"

so says The Hood.

The Tide rolls Saturday night

in Atlanta, Georgia!

The Eagle flies Saturday night,

on The Plains, and

the Tennessee Volunteers

will sing 'Rocky Top' at noon Saturday!

(These are just three of the twelve!)

Let the games begin!

September 11, 2009 ~

We have a less than one month to get the word out across this great land and into every community in the United States of America. If you put this in email form or if you can post on your blogsite and if everyone that you reach does the same ~ well, you get the idea.

* * * * * * * *

THE PROGRAM:
On Friday, September 11th, 2009, an American flag should be displayed outside every home, apartment, office, and store in the United States. Every individual should make it their duty to display an American flag on this eighth anniversary of one of our country's worst tragedies. We do this to honor those who lost their lives on 9/11, their families, friends and loved ones who continue to endure the pain, and those who today are fighting at home and abroad to preserve our cherished freedoms.

In the days, weeks and months following 9/11, our country was bathed in American flags as citizens mourned the incredible losses and stood shoulder-to-shoulder against terrorism. Our patriotism pulled us through some tough times and it shouldn't take another attack to galvanize us in solidarity. Our American flag is the fabric of our country and together we can prevail over terrorism of all kinds.

* * * * * * * *

Action Plan:
So, here's what we need you to do.
(1) Email to everyone you know (at least 11 people) and post something on your website in remembrance of Sept. 11th.

(2) Fly an American flag of any size on 9/11. Honestly, Americans should fly the flag year-round, but if you don't, then at least make it a priority on this day. Thank you for your participation. God Bless You and God Bless America!

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 ~