Rest In Peace Jo

My grandmother died yesterday.  She was gone as I was writing Tigger's birthday post.

She was 90 years old.

Everyone keeps asking if I am okay. Yes, I am a fine.  Really, I am not sad. She is right where she wanted to be. Back with my Grandaddy.  And a host of friends. I can just imagine the reunion going on right now in Heaven. And that makes me smile.

I was on a lunch date when I got the call. I didn't know how to react. And I didn't tell my date until lunch was over.

My relationship with my grandmother has always been strained.  I was the only girl, until Julz was born. I was the oldest.  If she was ever proud of me, she never told me. She always found some way to critize me, or cut me down, or make fun of me. 

But I know where a lot of my own personality was shaped. I always say I know where my "Drama Queen Gene" comes from.  She was the one who taught me that anything that still had use left in it was not trash. 

She could cook and bake and make candy. I wish I had learned how to make her divinity.
Julz did, buying her a new mixer for the task.

She could sew and embroider, making me all kinds of clothing from play clothes to prom gowns.
I have a shelf full of Raggedy Ann's. She could also knit and crochet. I never had the patience to learn.

I'm sure it will hit me later.

Happy 21st Birthday Tigger

Happy Birthday Tigger

Today, you are 21. You are as old as I was when I had Julz. You are old enough to be out on your own. You are old enough to drink, though I know that you don't care for that.  You are a man, and I am very proud of you.

 I pray for you daily. I pray that you are being loved and encouraged. I pray that your talents are appreciated. I pray that you are safe, healthy and happy.

I miss you more than words can express.
Love
Mom

Happy Anniversary To Me!!

Today is my one year anniversary.

A year ago my life changed forever, The family that I had grown to love and support was suddenly ripped from my life, without warning, without any consultation or consideration. All because my husband wasn't satisfied being faithful.  He broke his very first promise to me, and he had lied to me for our entire relationship.

In this year I have learned quite a bit about the man I had married and the person that he became. The ways that he betrayed my trust,betrayed my love.  The lies he developed and cultivated to help cover his tracks. Lies he told his friends, our family, out children.  The women, some of them my "friends" who he duped into sleeping with him with his stories about me. The fights he picked, the arguments that he started so that I would not mind when he left. The stories he told to gain sympathy, meanwhile draining my bank account.  The drinking and the gambling.  The methods he would use to alienate our friends until they were out of our lives.  The lies he would tell so I wouldn't want to speak to them again. The lies he told the children so they would want to turn against me, the only mother they ever really knew. The things he did when he was cheating on my, like deleting his Facebook, suddenly starting the gym, being called away on "projects," watching football games with guys he had not spoken to in months. I learned that very little of what he told me over the years was actually the truth.

I learned a lot about myself. I came out the other side stronger and smarter.  I learned that  I only need to buy food that I like to eat and for that I am much thinner and healthier. I learned that there is a difference between being lonely and being alone. I learned that I like being alone. I learned that I have some very good friends who care about me. I learned that the children still love me because I cared enough to raise them properly.  I learned to have fun again. And probably most important, I learned that I make enough money to make it on my own.

I learned that I can do things for myself: I learned to cook. I learned to cut my own grass  I learned that I can travel by myself and be okay. I learned to do without television, channeling my energies into more productive pursuits.  I learned to do things by myself, like eating out,  or going to the movies. I learned that I do not have to settle for anything.  I learned to see the charlatans early on. I learned that their slick talk and sweet words were just a ploy to reign me in, just as D/H had done all those years ago. I see them coming now and learn to decipher their lies quickly.  I ask questions. They appreciate me, or I see that they walk.  I won't be a sucker again.

I relished the things that I thought I had lost, like friends that have bailed over the years because they couldn't handle D/H's bullshit.  I have lost things that once I had relished, like my beloved Zipper.

Most of all, I found the Lord again. I found a faith-family that welcomed me in and I am learning God's Word again.  I am back on the path to learning what He has in store for me.

Happy Anniversary Baby
Oh yeah, that's me.

In The Spirit of Christmas

Last night I had to go to the funeral home to say goodbye to a man I had grown up with. Actually, I had grown up with his younger brother and younger sister. He had been one of those unattainable schoolgirl crushes. For the sake of the story, I will call him "John."

His younger sister had died young, after a raging infection set up in her diabetic body.  And now his mother was burying another child.

I may have made mention of the neighborhood that I grew up in. The close knit group of friends who's ages spanned nearly 10 full years.  The family that shared our circle had three children, a girl my age, whom I will call "Pam", a younger sister, and a brother who was 2 years older than me.  He was a popular jock, and other popular jocks often congregated at their home. He had are large iron weight set with a base worthy of any gym around. Afternoons were often spent hanging out on the perifery of this group of young men, trying not to get in the way but still being close enough to be notice.  John was one of those boys.

I had been 12 when I moved into this neighborhood and I don't really remember much happening until the summer I turned 13. Every day our culdesac was filled with cars, boys all new to driving, and the collection of cars were as diverse as they were.  Pam and I were the envy of our friends, a giggly group of pre-teens who would have given their eye-teeth to hang out in the driveway and observe.

As I crossed the threshold of the funeral home, I was suddenly 13 again. The boys are long since grown, with families of their own. All welcomed me with open arms, like a band of big brothers welcoming a little sister back into the fold. The first to greet me was an old band mate, a drummer. The last time he had seen me, I was well over 60 pounds overweight, and he complimented my weight loss. He told me he had heard what Darling Hubby had done, but that I was "better off" and obviously thriving. In my high heeled boots,  I towered over the two Italian boys I had such crushes, on back in the day. The oldest commented not remembering me being so tall.  The younger was every bit as handsome as I remembered, with his thick black hair and chocolate eyes. An unexpected hug from one I did not immediatly recognize caught me off guard, but I soon realized that he was the son of one of my mother's friends. His wife is obviously a very good cook. The boy from my neighborhood, who had told me that one day I  would break the hearts of men, greated me with a hug and a kiss on the cheek. Then his wife, who had never met me, did just the same.

They all congregated at the space between the door and the casket and swapped stories about John.  And they all had one. Funny ones, som that had to be shared in whispered tones, so as not to offend. His mischevious side, his wild streak, his compassionate nature.

I wonder if John ever knew what he meant to his friends.

So with that in mind, I challenge you, dear reader, in the true spirit of CHRISTmas to set aside your differences with those who have slighted you, bury the hatchet with those who have wronged you.  Tell those whom are special to you, that you love them, and then love without limits. Forget the hurt, anger, bitterness, resentment. Forgive the shortcomings. Be willing to meet that old enemy halfway. Be the bigger person. Make the first move.  CHOSE to live the rest of your days in peace, positivity and happiness.

Life is too short.
Go out with no regrets.

PEACE begins with YOU

I had to share this video.

This incident happened just a few miles from my office.

 It features two people. One black, one white.  One is also, by definition, a thief and the other is a police officer.

This story did not stop here.

Read More HERE

Not every incident has to end like Ferguson Missouri.

Let there be PEACE on Earth and Let it Begin With Me (and You)

~EnJOY

Share His Love

We believe the Christmas story because it is part of our Christian history. We are looking at it from the BIBLICAL view, but few Christians ever stop to consider the WORLDLY view too, which is what Mary was actually dealing with at the time.

When people are down on a young girl who makes a mistake and finds herself pregnant and decides to have the baby, I remind them of Mary's situation. In reality, she was an unwed teenage mother.

When someone talks about how it is sad for the baby, I remind them of the potential that baby may one day have (though not quite as great at Jesus...LOL) Many have heard me say "This baby may cure cancer!" I mean that.

When someone talks against men/women dating someone or marrying someone who already has children, I remind them of Joseph, who could have easily left and chosen someone else, but chose to stay and raise "someone else's" child.

So Christian, before you pass judgment on someone, remember the very same "scandals" that are part of our own history. Jesus himself said "...the greatest among these is LOVE"

Show His LOVE to all and leave judgment to Him.

Deep thoughts as we approach Christmas

Not Quite a Jet Setter

I had a really "international" weekend

Friday night on the way home, I stopped a the local Chinese restaurant for a quick dinner.  It wasn't too long before I got a urgent text message from my partner in crime that she was having "an ugly sweater emergency."  I will get to that later.

Saturday night, I had Greek food from The Fish Market. I went with my mother, The Chief,  amd my mother's family, who I have not seen in ages. It was so much fun! I had cioppino, which is a seafood stew. It was on the gluten free menu, but was served with a large piece of gluten-loaded bread. Go figure.

Sunday, I met a friend for lunch at this little Italian place nearby (aren't they always  "little Italian places," think about it). He made some reference to Breaking Bad, a show I didn't watch, that I did not get. I didn't think that I was suffering not watching cable, now maybe I AM missing some things.
I had a grilled chicken salad, but he had a beautiful baked lasagna dish, which he apologized repeatedly for eating in front of me. I told him that the lasagna wasn't bothering me but the heaping bread basket, filled to the brim with large peices of homemade garlic bread (with dipping oil!) was presenting a challenge for me.  Yes, I dream of bread, and it was very hard to resist.

Sunday night, as I sat down for Mexican, the chile rellano ,one of only three dishes I will eat at this restaurant. They do not batter their rellanos before they cook them, but they do smother them with cheese. They are so fatty and delicious, I can only get one maybe once a month.

Powerful Thought To Start The Weekend

Enough Said...

EnJOY your weekend

Chinese Fortune For The Day

Last night I met a friend at a local Chinese buffet for dinner.

I love this Chinese buffet.  They have an awesome selection to pick from and there are more than enough to satisfy my taste for the exotic without glutenating myself.

We discussed the stresses of the day and how, starting this Friday, I have at least one someone off everyday until the end of the year. Couple that will being in our "season" and potential for disaster is high.

The waitress brought out check and our fortune cookies. Now I do not place a whole lot of store in fortunes any more, but do find the coincidence of them all amusing.

This one read

Interesting...

As I stuggle to find meaning and a positive application of this sentiment, I pray that you have a good day today as well.

~EnJOY!

Oops I Did It Again....

Sorry y'all. Hate to keep letting down my readers (of which I have surprisingly many now!)  Things have been super busy here at work.

What did I do this week? 

Thursday, Thanksgiving was quiet. I did temporarily lose my mind and go to Cracker Barrel for take out around noon. OMG was it crowded! The line snaked all through the store part of the building. I had never seen it so crowded. I could have gone with my mother to my aunt's but I just wasn't up to it. It wasn't so bad. They called the server out, who was obviously overwhelmed by the crowd, and kept coming back to check my order. Otherwise I could have been in and out in ten minutes. It took 30, but it was well worth the wait.  I had been invited to go to the annual Midnite Madness Black Friday Shopping Excursion with my crazy cousins,  but the temps dipped well into the freezing zone. No Thank You.  I also understand, from many recent articles, that the savings are not really that big.

Friday, I woke with a start at 7:00 a.m. because I thought, in those misty morning moments, that I had overslept for work.  When I finally got calmed down, I went to Cyn's and we hung out. Still not going near a store.

Saturday, I went to Wallyworld to pick up one of my prescriptions. LOL. They had not had time to clean up from the Black Friday craziness.  I happened upon a promotional movie rack and scored the first five seasons of The Big Bang Theory on DVD for far less than they were selling them in the electronics department. I also picked up several movies for just two bucks.  I spent the rest of the day watching them.

Sunday,  I got up just in time to make church. And I am glad that I did. The message is always timely.  This time it was on "A Life of JOY."  I am always a sucker for a good reference with my name. (Admitedly, I am a huge Almond Joy fan...sometimes you feel like a nut....LOL)  The important elements that stuck with me were that JOY is internal, JOY occurs by choice, and JOY is based in Christ and that one cultivates a Life of JOY through Praise, Prayer and Practice.  Yep. Got that on lock. I pray everyday for family, friends, and enemies alike.

Monday, it was, as we like to say in the coffee business, back to the grind.  We were extremely busy and there was hardly time to breathe.

Yesterday, I was supposed to go to the Sara Evans concert, but something last minute came up and I had to change my plans. I wasn't really feeling "country" anyway.  I sold my tickets (for much less than I paid) to my God-daughter and her friend instead. Late last night she called to tell me what an awesome time that she had (and what an awesome Godmother I was) and that she had gotten to go to the meet-and-greet afterwards. So she got to meet Sara Evans. She was thrilled beyond belief and was still talking in a pitch so high, I am sure dogs all around my neighborhood could hear.

And that brings me to today, where I have laid it all out for you, my readers.
Hope everyone has a great day.

~EnJOY!

The Truth Shall Set You Free

I am so crushin' on Meghan Trainor right now!

 

Okay, I know that sounds really stupid coming from me, the classic rock/heavy metal/ hair band lover that I am. Who knew this girl had such insight?  When her album drops January 2015, I will be first in line to get it.

 

Another ditty, sure to be a classic,

 

 

 

 

 

"Lips Are Movin'" ~ Meghan Trainor

(single) 2014 - Epic

 

 

Too bad this song is a year late.

~EnJOY!



Greetings From The Loveliest Village on the Plains

Today was the last home game down in The Loveliest Village on the Plains. It was also Senior Day.

I drove down with a coworker, whom we all call Gator, and her daughter, Nici, meeting up with other coworkers and tailgated in style near the quad.

 

The Quad ready for tailgating.

 

 

I set up my spot and settled in to enjoy a day of college football atmosphere.

 

 



Speaking of atmosphere, despite being sunny, it was far from warm and really windy

I was glad to have my new raincoat with the warm, tiger fleece lining.

 

Later in the day, we took a stroll around town, taking in the sites. Neither Gator, nor Nici had ever been there before and I was all too happy to extol the rich Auburn traditions, and history.

This is one of three statues in front of the stadium. The first of three Auburn Heisman Trophy winners, Pat Sullivan. Today, Auburn faces the Sanford Bulldogs, coached now by Sullivan.

From the paw print at Toomer's Corner and the new wires, hung for the victory rolling until there are oaks once again, grown from saplings of the storied Toomer's Oaks. You may remember the original oaks died after being poisoned by a rabid bammer back in 2010.

To Sanford Hall, the oldest building on campus. I always enjoy mingling with other like-minded Auburn fans  but especially love people-watching.

 

Sometimes, you can actually spot a celebrity there, taking time out of their busy schedule to take in the ambience.

 

(I will keep your secret, Santa)

 

I also ran into my brother, Dooder, and his buddy PJ.

 

We took a minute to grab a (rare) quick pic together.

While we were waiting in line, the boys, friends since they were small, decided to clown around with my phone

 

 
 
 

 

 

 

 

But when the time came to actually take our picture, I was happy that my brother actually behaved and we have a really nice photo memory.

 

 

 

Soon it was time to make our way to the stadium.

 

 

Now despite The Boss being a huge bammer fan, she is married to an Auburn man.  He is also a coach. Because Gator had a bum ankle, and all the walking around in the increasingly cold temperatures was starting to tax it, he offered to give us his coaches tickets so that we didn't have to climb to our own seats at the top of the stadium.  He was going to sit with a friend in the end zone. This was a win/win for us all.

These were possibly the best seats I had ever had in Jordan Hare. We were eight rows behind the hedges.

The view was amazing and we settled in to watch the game. The opening ceremony was Senior recognition, and Senior band members lined the sideline. You can see them behind me. This was followed by Senior cheerleaders and finally the football team.  Aubie seemed to have a time keeping still.

I can't say that I blame him. The next part of the pregame is probably the most anticipated and most exciting in of college football today.

The flight of War Eagle.

 

They released Nova, one of two eagles currently trained to fly within the stadium, just over my right shoulder.  I had chills as he swooped down over the field, in a large graceful arc. I almost forgot to take a picture, and only got this one. 

  Watching this eagle soaring gracefully overhead was truly a breathtaking sight. 

 

 

The eagles are trained to make a loop over the crowd and then hit a target with a treat at center field. It is often said that the eagles do still possess free will, and every release is somewhat questionable. Nova decided to give the crowd one last thrill and circled overhead once more.  This time he was much lower, almost close enough to touch. Also close enough to poop on the fans two rows back.

He hit his mark and collected his reward.

 

Afterward the band took the field for The National Anthem.

 

 

As a former majorette myself, I always love to watch the majorettes, and was delighted when they were on my end of the field.

 

 

As the game started,  it also started to sprinkle. Not bad at first. The eagle handlers passed in front of us with Nova, the golden eagle and Spirit, the bald eagle.

 

 

Nova

 

 

Spirit

 

Sometime into the 2nd quarter, the rain picked up considerably and we decided that we had seen enough.

 

We packed up and headed for home.

 

Next week we face our instate rivals. one of the most fierce rivals in college football.

 

The Iron Bowl.

 

Until then, All In, All Family, All Auburn  All the time.

It's An Esteem Thing

Right now I an loving this song.

 

 

All About That Bass (single)  - Meghan Trainor - Epic 2014

 

(ya gotta love the guy in the pink shirt!)

This little ditty is the brain-child of 20 year old rising star (or future one hit wonder...who knows) Meghan Trainor. It's catchy beat, doo-wop undertone and Meghan's baby doll voice has made this song a hit. Throw in the "love your body" message and this one keeps everyone humming.

How much healthier would my self-esteem be today if ths song was around when I was growing up?

Even when I was thin, there was someone pointing out things I shouldn't love about myself. When I became a big girl, I just wanted to hide and become one of those people that you read about when they are cutting the wall out of their house to remove their dead bodies with a forklift.  Now Miss Meghan is far from what I would call "fat." As a matter of fact, the only person in the whole video who would possibly benefit from that description might just be the fella in the pink shirt, and he is getting his groove on like nobody's business.

It took me nearly my whole life to decide to be happy with myself and it took just that action.
Deciding to be happy.

Now don't think that I am going to let myself go or anything. I am having to watch what I eat for my ticker, and to keep my diabetes in check because Lord help me, I will NOT be put on dialasys when I am old.  I am just more forgiving of myself.  The added dilligence has rewarded me with a much smaller pants size and a surprisingly younger-looking, healthier appearance.  Many have commented about how much better I look now than I did ten years ago. And trust me, I am getting no complaints.

Of course, there is a "bass" worthy girl trapped inside, screaming for cake, cookies and bread. She and I dance on a daily basis. She wants to fudge and eat bbq and white cheddar cheese dip every day. I take her Whole Foods and shut her up with steamed kale and grilled portabello mushrooms.

The struggle is real.

I know that I am good for at least 17 years....

...and then they move on to the next meal ticket.

I had occasion to run into a former relative of mine (read: a relative of D/H) a few days ago, who told me that the whole family thought I would make D/H "respectable and responsible", but he again, had disappointed everyone. All had agreed he had married up. This person went onto say that  I "was (D/H's) only redeeming quality", and now he is "with trash of his own kind"  and how that spoke to his classlessness, not mine.

It's sad when ones own flesh and blood view you as a low life.

 A friend tagged me in this article today. They prefaced it with "Sounds like someone you used to know"  Even my friends recognized it.

Blessed Life

So THIS keeps happening.

Now before you think there is some magic money fairy somewhere who keeps paying my bills, you are wrong. I am responsible for myself. No need to mooch off anyone, or try to sweet talk my way into someone's wallet.  But somehow, I keep paying ahead!

I pay all my bills on line. Ther box where the "amount due" amount appears is different from website to website. For some reason, I keep paying an amount from the wrong area, thus overpaying my bill and creating this interesting credit situation with the gas company. How fortuitous!

There is no telling what the utility companies are thinking about right now given that when I had a family of five living in my house the bills were NEVER paid on time,  Kinda like The Hecks in "The Middle."

I stumbled upon "The Middle" late one night during one of my bouts of insomnia. I laughed til I cried because I could relate to so much of what the character, tv mom Frankie Heck (aka Patricia Heaton of "Everybody Loves Raymond" {excpet me}fame) was going through.  I had to laugh when "Mike's" lost wallet is finally "found" and the first thing he pulls out is the "credit card that we pay for all the other credit cards."

I know that God has been doing some miraculous things in my life lately. Like I am being rewarded for remaining faithful to His Word. For being a "Proverbs 31" wife and mother, despite what ultimately happened.

I am so humbled and truly grateful.

Yep, it's a blessed life.

Goodbye Mrs Wolowitz

The world has lost another famous TV mother.

Carol Ann Susi, that actress famous for being the unseen, but never unheard, tv mother of The Big Bang Theory's character "Howard Wolowitz" has died.  She was 62 and had played the ever elusive Mrs Wolowitz for eight seasons.

You can read more about it HERE.

Rest in peace "Mrs W."

Happy Veteran's Day

 Happy  Veteran's Day to all our military personnel, Active, Reserve, and Retired.

Our country is that great place it is because of your willingness to serve.

I salute two of my favorite military men. 

A former Air Force man, my little brother Dooder.

And his son, a future Army man, The Masonator, who completed his boot camp this summer and will go into his chosen field after his high school graduation.

 

And to the countless other miltary men and women, I salute you!

Go Vote!!

Those who don't vote on November 4th have no right to compain on November 5th.

As big a fan of Lady GaGa as I am (yes, I am a "Little  Monster") I had to laugh when I found this spoof of "Bad Romance" on suffrage.  My generation takes this for granted, but give a listen and learn something. Every woman of voting age should do it.

But Aaron G pretty much sums it up here.

Get out, Go Vote, Be Heard

Here We Go Again

Well, here we go again, my favorite time of the year...NOT.

Yes, this is the time that we "fall back" to normal time.

But there seems to be a little hope on the horizon.  Alabama Senator Rusty Glover wants to introduce a bill that will finally do away with the antiquated practice of changing time in Alabama.

HOORAY!!!!

I do not know anything else about Rusty Glover but if he pulls this off, I will vote for him for the rest of his political career.

In the meantime, I will be adjusting my blasted clock.

~EnJoy

Happy Halloween!!

I love Halloween!

I guess because it gives me one day where I can be someone else! The sky is the limit!

Today, I am Miss America...you know...the one who played the red cup for her talent this year?

 

At the last minute I had to change shirts because the one I couldn't figure out how to put on the one I bought last week that had a similar feel to this one. It was a "twist" style shirt and got untwisted when I took it out of the bag. Even the girls at the store couldn't figure it out.

So here I am in a plain blue shirt

 

I didn't have time this morning to fool with "pageant makeup" (read: false eyelashes) so I just did my everyday instead. I hate flourescent lighting...always makes me look so tired.

My department alwasy goes all out. Here are some of the guys and ghouls around the office today.

One of these girls is pregnant, can you guess which one?

 

 

 Happy Halloween y'all!

 

~En-JOY!

I Think I Am Over Facebook

I think that I am over Facebook.

I looked down and didn't post anything this weekend.  It really wasn't that I was too busy or anything. BFD was with his boys, as was W. I did spend part of Saturday at the hospital with Her Highness The Original Drama Queen (details of which I will spare you, dear reader) for her birthday.

DH used to exclaim that he was "bored with Facebook" and delete his profile. This happened several times over the last few years of our marriage. I thought that he was, indeed bored with all the drama, and fakeness. What he was REALLY doing was erasing all record of our relationship. All the posts he had liked, all the pictures he had tagged or was tagged in. all mutual friends. Then about two weeks later, he would create a new Facebook page, devoid of any trace of his marriage. He would then use it to start relationships with women, posing as a single man.  The two times that I accidently stumbled upone his new page, he would claim that he "forgot his password" on the other page and had to create a new one, and being the trusting wife, I always believed that. What a liar.

But I digress.  I am hardly using it for anything more than an online photo album.  All the awesome pics from my trips with the Divine Miss K. The pics of Tigger's first date. Kit-Kat's prom pics. The pics of Julz and her friends.  Photographs and memories.

I think that I will take a break from Facebook. K says that I can deactivate my account with our actually deleting it, so I won't lose anything.

I think I may give that a try for a while.

Two Down....More to Come!

Last night was my second official date with BFD.  I am really starting to like this guy. 

We discussed the menu items. He, having listened during previous conversations and retained such knowledge, pointed me in the direction of the items on the menu that were gluten free.  When the waitress came around, he ordered for me, even remembering to mention skipping the croutons on my salad...something I ALWAYS forget to do myself.  And when it was all over, he PAID for everything.

What  a switch!

THIS is how one treats a lady.

I guess that I should have mentioned that I am allergic to blue cheese. I was so impressed that a man was actually thinking of someone other than himself, I didn't bother to read what was included on the salad that he had suggested to me. When the loaded-to-the-hilt salad arrived at our table, along with the berry vinegrette dressing that I love (and, as luck would have it,  he does too) I couldn't help but dig right in. It was in my very first bite.  It is very hard to be beautiful and dainty when one is choking on a mouthful of nasty, moldy, blue cheese.

As I went to the ladies room to throw up, BFD ordered me another salad. 

Conversation was easy as we talked about work, our children, our stubborn, 90 year old grandmothers who both still drive, and crazy Islamics.  Before we realized it, the restaurant was closing up!

Yeah, there is definately going to be a date #3.

National Bosses Day 2014

'

Today is National Bosses Day and the team got me this cute little bouquet of flowers. The Boss got something similar. The only difference is that the The Boss's are live flowers and this beautiful arrangement of mine is silk.  Because of my allergies.

Awwww...someone really is listening =)

Tick Tock Tick Tock.....

Where does the time go?!
We are really gettting into the heart of our season here at work. I have been too busy to post on my lunch and too tired to post after work. I am FULLY aware that I need to blog about our fabulous weekend in the Loveliest Village on the Plains

Sorry y'all...

So I leave you with this musical tidbit

 

Tik Tok ~ Ke$ha (featuring PDiddy)

Animal (RCA) 2009

 

~EnJOY



The Jinx is OVER!

My weekend started with  phone call about 2 weeks ago.  The Divine Lady K called and asked me if I wanted to join her a weekend trip to The Loveliest Village on the Plains for a little match-up with

LS-Who?

 

It would also be her birthday weekend.  

 

I responded with a resounding YES before I ever gave thought to "The Jinx" 

 

I had been living under the ominous shadow of "The Jinx" for nearly twenty years. I have not been able to watch my beloved Auburn Tigers play live in all that time.  Every time I would attempt to watch, heck, even be in the same room with it on tv, something bad would happen. I had earned quite the reputation for this weird little phenomeon  and initially, people were very skeptical.Case in point. I watched every down of the first half of the 2010 Iron Bowl, affectionaly known in Tigerdom as

"The Camback"

Bama led 24 to nothing. I volunteer for the beer run to Walmart and BAM we score two touchdowns back to back

 I had proven it time and again, making believers out of friends and family. For years, people have called me to make sure that I WASN'T watching a game. . Guess who watched the final two minutes of the 2014 BCS Championship game, where Auburn lost in the final seconds? Yeah, me.  I can't make this stuff up.

As they say in sports superstision circles, "It's only crazy if it doesn't work"

 

 

I was so excited to be attending the first major Auburn game of the season, I never once gave "The Jinx" a second thought.  I excitedly told my dad and Dooder when they helped me with my new couch.  "Oh No" Dooder had said, "if the jinx is so powerful, it works while you are watching t.v. what is it going to do when you are actually in the stadium?!"

 

What indeed?

 

I guess at this point I need to bring up BFD.

I met BFD, (don't laugh) on line. He works for a large bank here in the Southeast. He has a Bachelor's in Business Management. He enjoys scuba diving, bammer football, and riding 4 wheelers.

And he is 6 foot 8.

Yep... Big Freakin' Dude.

 

BFD and I went on our first actual date on the Monday before this trip. He was sweet, and funny and every bit as tall as he said he was. He had a car accident on the way to meet me, so he had to climb out of his truck from the passenger side. Funny .

 

As me and K made our way to Auburn, he texted me, cracking jokes, and keeping us in stitches. A true bammer, never missing a chance to poke fun at us, Auburn fans.

 

It was about 10 o'clock when we arrived in Auburn.

 

 

K had booked us a hotel room, the very last one in Aurburn.  Below is our tiny little hotel room at the Microtel Inn. My last hospital room was bigger. Yes, that is a cot over the air conditioner. Obviously they are used to folks coming in for games and are trying to maximize the exerperience. When K opened the door, the smell of cigarette smoke, mixed with vomit and AquaVelva wafted out. It smelled like someone had just hosted a bachelor party in there. Obviously the hotel staff knew it too, as the windows were already open.

 

 

We had to have fun with the mirror wall behind the bed. Kinda hard to do between texts.

 

 

 Despite the lingering smell, we settled down for the night and fell asleep. Being an early riser, I woke at my usual time (4:30 a.m.) and started looking for stuff on t,v,  Around 6:30 or so, the hotel put out it's contenental breakfast. Though I can't eat them, the waffles smelled so good it was very hard to resist.  As a matter of fact there was very little I could eat on the bar. They did, however, have a large bowl of boiled eggs and heaping pan of BACON!  Breakfast is served!!

 

It was also comforting to see an old friend.

 

K was awake and we started planning our day.

 

Yeah, still texting BFD while K takes selfies.

 

This person seems a little confused.  Note the bammer license plate.

 

 

We drove into town, still deciding where to start. People tailgating all along the route. We passed several lots offering parking for $40 and $50 for the day. K decided that Tiger Ragz should be our first spot. It is one street over from the action. As we made the turn we passed this church with a sign that advertised parking for....get this....just $25!! It was right next to Tiger Ragz. We could park all day and we were practically across from Sanford Hall!  The money went to fund a missions project.  We happily paid our money and followed the kid down to the end of the parking lot, where he parked us under the pavillion.

 

 Rock Star Parking

 

We walked around the rest of the day, waiting for the game, and passed the time by shopping and taking selfies.  I had to have all the "classic" Auburn touristy shots.

Such as ...

 

On the corner

 

The mural on the side of Toomer's Drugs

 

The University sign

 

We had to get K a jacket, as it was unseasonably chilly and super windy.  She was insistent that we eat lunch at Cheeburger Cheeburger. Hey, she was the Birthday Girl, who was I to argue?

 

Yes, that is a gluten free bun and it was AUsome!

 

It was really funny to see so many people all in orange and blue in one place

 

 

K's new friend, "The Principal" texted her all day. He's a bammer too, just like BFD.

We stopped in a bar to grab some drinks and rest our feet (and our credit cards). The bammer game was on the television. I took a few minutes to update BFD on what we were doing. He was watching the bammer game too. Three gents, all dressed in matching  Auburn shirts,caps, and  khaki's were seated next to us. They were disecting the game. Our drinks came about the same time that poor Drake boy got his ankle broken. OUCH!

 

Here sits K, sometime later, texting The Principal.