Happy Birthday Tigger!!

 I pray that today is just as special as you are. I wish you true love, peace, and abundance. May you be healthy and strong, in both mind and body. It is my prayer that 2020 holds all the dreams, rewards, and adventures that your heart desires. 

Always pray to have eyes to see the best in people, 
A heart that forgives the worst, 
A mind that forgets the bad, 
And a soul that never loses faith in God. 

I miss you buddy

love, Mama Joy

Thank You For Leaving

It's been six years ago today, since my world was suddenly turned upside down. For the longest I was extremely bitter. I seethed with anger. I broke down in tears at the very thought of it all.

But now, I am better.  I didn't think of it at all until someone I was talking to sort of reminded me that today was the day.

So much has happened. So much has changed. I am a new person.

And I am thankful.

Thankful I am stronger, both physically and mentally.

Thankful that I am healthier than I have ever been.

Thankful that I now have a comfortable life, that I live on my terms. 

Thankful that I am happy.

Thankful that I actually love myself and I am enough.

I could go on and on,  but the main thing I need to say is,  thank you for leaving.

You've helped me more than you will ever know.

Between the Hedges

Every day, I pray a "hedge of protection" around my children. I pray that they be protected Mind, Body and Soul.

Apparently my prayers are being heard.

You're Welcomed!

DENIED!

And I watched EVERY down

Costume Contest Winners!

 So here is a rundown of the Halloween contest costume winners at work!

People's Choice

Most Original

Creepiest

Most Company Spirit !!!

I was super excited to win Company Spirit, given it was a last minute decision to become a lion tamer.  When I bought the outfit in September, I had planned to be the Ring Master. Then, two days before Halloween, another person announced she was going to be a ring master, so I had to change costumes QUICK!

A little quick thinking and a midnite run to Wallyworld led to the lion tamer!

Now I get a $25 gift card to boot!

~ Life is good....EnJOY!

Happy Halloween!

Some pictures from around the office.

 

~EnJOY!

Patriot Day

It's Patriot Day.

I hope this day never becomes the cruising- the- lake -barbeque- &- fireworks kinda day.  I hope it remains the somber reminder of 3000 lives lost, and countless others, forever scarred by the events that happened that day.

And for those of us who lived then, I hope we always remind each other.  I am doing my part.

  Here is the annual repost of my story.

As I sit here, listening to this recording of  Alan Jackson, as he performs this song for the very first time, tears roll down my face. I hope my heart never hardens to the point it no longer elicits that reaction.

Alan Jackson = "Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)"

Performed November 7, 2001

Country Music Association Awards

Never Forget

Wow...Just Wow...

71 blog visits in just 2 weeks!

That is an average of FIVE a day!

Geez! Is my life that interesting?

New From Pink

 This new video from Pink made me cry.

I don't understand why people aren't willing to help their partners.

Depression it real.

Let the Festivities Commence!!

It is officially my birth-week and my karaoke family kicked things off  in style!

They surprised me with a Banana Split Birthday party last night! I couldn't believe they remembered!  I was equally surprised and delighted that they took my gluten intolerance into account.

I was so excited over this yummy treat I let myself be photographed with my glasses on!

Me with the Hurricane and Kenny D

Notice the kid sitting to my left?   No that is not Tigger, though he reminds me so much of him. Ironically he is the same age. The first time I met him, it brought tears to my eyes. I really miss my Tigger.

Get in the picture Katrina!

What a great start to my birthday week!!

Its my "strokeaversary"

Three years ago today, I had a stroke. Although it was a mild one, I can not imagine how people function after surviving a major one.  I struggle with memory loss, aphasia, and right side weakness, even to this day. Not long after I made the decision to take control of my health.

I have several people to thank for that day, mainly my BFF Cyndi who recognized the symptoms, scooped me up and took me to the hospital. Also  Trudi and Phil of Iron Beach Gym for helping me follow doctor's orders and keep my promise to myself to get healthy.

Three years ago this could have had a very different outcome, but I feel the Lord's not done with me yet.

Here's To My Best Life!!

Happy 48th to Ryan too!

Happy 48th birthday to my man-crush,  former major-leaguer R y a n K l e s k o!!

Here's hoping your birthday is a home run!

Happy 48th!

Today, this little guy 48.

I remember being mad because my parents wouldn't take me with them to "The Baby Store" to pick one out.

When they didn't bring him home right away (jaundice) I thought they changed their minds.

When he finally did come home, people would ask me what I thought of him. "Well he's nice, but I am ready for him to go home." Hey, I was 4 then.

But all in all, I wouldn't trade him for anything in the world. Life has really been an adventure

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        (bother,first row, far right)                                                                                                                           

I am so proud of the man he has become. He is my hero.

Help me wish my baby brother, Dooder, a very Happy Birthday!

This musical interlude is brought to you

by CAKE

(pardon the language)

"I Will Survive"  ~1978 Perrin/Fekaris

Cover version 1996 (Capricorn Music)

I See You!

Did you know that one has to consciously unblock someone from Facebook?
One must go through at least 3 steps to unblock someone.
Meaning, it can't be done by accident.

Sad Day on the Plains

Rob Bramblett, the voice of the Auburn Tigers for seventeen years, has died. He was 53.

Bramblett, and wife Paula, 52, were involved in a two - vehicle accident Saturday. Paula also died.

Bramblett's iconic voice and enthusiastic delivery became a hallmark of Auburn sports reporting.

Auburn football may never sound the same.

Enjoy Bramblett at his best in 2013's "Kick Six" victory.

Meloncholy Day

Today would have been our 20th wedding anniversary, but instead it is just another day.

===I-------------------

Givng Birth Day 30 Years Later!

 Happy 30th Birthday to my oldest child Julz!


We got to have a little impromptu birthday party on Sunday at the local skating rink.
We had a blast skating. I had not been on skates in years, and despite a few minor stroke-related balance issues, was soon zooming around the rink like it as 1982 again.   Nunie and Mike didn't venture out on skates but we did manage to coax PawPaw onto skates. He tentatively skated up to the wall but we never got him out on the floor.  Best friend Jen got Julz these great balloons.

Our attempt to get a picture of her with them soon led to tragedy, as they were not tied to the bases and the ever important "3" got away.

We made the best of it.  

Today, is her actual birthday.  To commemorate, the Maternals sent me a "Giving Birth" Day surprise.  A lovely potted pink hydrangea. 

I never really thought about it, but we will only get to celebrate this way one time.

Happy Birthday Baby Girl!

Happy April 27th...a day of many memories.

How ironic. The memories of today continue.

Read about them here. 

Enjoy!

Happy "Perfect Date!"

A Set Back

I have a staph infection.  On my face. It is directly above the scar from the last time I had it five years ago, after a questionable eyebrow waxing.

Oh yeah, and it is up in my hair too.

Yay me.

It is very itchy. I can't put any make up on it and it is making it very difficult to do anything with my hair. Obviously the main spot is above my eyebrow. The place in my hair begins at the red patch in my hairline here, There are two larger patches on my scalp, just beyond this.

Not sure how I got it this time but the doctor said lives on hair follicles normally, and just looks for the right opening, so to speak.  Having diabetes makes me more susceptible.  Having diabetes also means I am "feeding" the infection. I can't get my blood sugar down, a sure sign of infection.
Another "chicken or the egg" situation: If the blood sugar was elevated that started the infection but if I got the infection it elevated the blood sugar.

I am on my fourth day of meds and sitting on my hands so I don't scratch the patches in my hair.

I thought labor was the most painful thing I have been through.

I was wrong

Happy Birthday Baby Girl!

Happy Birthday to my sweet Kit Kat!

I am so proud of the woman that you are becoming.

Remember, you are worthy of so much. Never compromise.

 I love you bunches!

~Mom

Things I Should Have Known

I have some pretty amazing friends. They are looking out for me and trying to help me along my journey. But they keep sending me articles about narcissistic symptoms and saying things like "Who does this remind you of?"


Yes,  everything in this article is familiar to me. Everything.

Happy Birthday A$$hole

Today is the ex's birthday. It still, even today, makes my radar go off.  It was an "important" day for so long now, that is a hard habit to break.


I don't know why. He never appreciated one thing I gave him, even when he said he didn't want anything. He would get mad that I bought him things and the one year that I decided to follow his wishes, he got mad at me then too.


Some people.

Type A All The Way

Yeah, I have Flu Type A.

When the doctor comes in with your excuse, your prescriptions, and this mask, things can't be good. 

Hello....It's Me

I have been thinking about "my son" a lot lately. 


The son I raised and loved as my own for fifteen years. The son who once told my best friend that he understood the difference between me and his biological mother . The fact that I chose him was not lost on him.


The boy I had called "Tigger" was now a man.


I have not seen him in five very long years.
Is he happy?
Is he healthy?
Is he thinking for himself ?
Is he still trying to gain approval?




We have a new kid in our karaoke group who reminds me so much of Tigger that I almost cry every time I see him. The first time I saw him, the resemblance was so uncanny, I had to ask myself if I was dreaming.  He is a very good sport about the resemblance and he jokingly calls me "Mom" when the group is together.  He is the same age. He too, had been separated from his own mother, and he welcomes the motherly attention. He patiently listened to the story about how long it has been since I had seen him, and how there was no telling what he had been told and paid me the sweetest compliment,  wishing I had been his stepmother instead of the woman his own father had ran off with.  He even let me give him a "birthday" hug on Tigger's birthday last December.




I miss Tigger terribly. 


I hope that no other mother would ever have to go through this.

Finally...

The apology I deserve. Not the way I wished it, but an apology just the same.

Happy Valentine's Day

Just when you think you are gonna make it through February 14th, someone does something sweet that almost makes you cry.

Happy Valentine's Day y'all!

On The Court

Last night was a momentous occasion for Kit Kat.


She was selected as a top five finalist for Homecoming Queen at her community college out of a field of 15 hopefuls.


As far as homecomings go, it was different from any I have ever attended.  As there is no football team at this college, it was held at the basketball game. I did not see any corsages or an alumni area and not really sure if there were alumni. There were hardly students in the ladies game.


The local title holder performed a few songs at half time and the home team gave the visitors a pretty good licking. It was all very exciting.


KitKat chose her grandfather  as her escort. and there was a great deal of discussion over his attire. My ex mother in law called Julz for advice and she suggested jeans and a sport jacket and that is what Gramps settled on.


The procession made its way around the edge of the gym, with KitKat and Gramps bringing up the rear.  They stood nervously as the announcer read the accomplishments of the ladies ahead of her.


When they came to KitKat's resume, they highlighted the fact that her grandfather served our country in the Vietnam war, which was met with applause, but Gramps missed his accolade.


After crowning the Homecoming Queen, they crowned the rest of her court as well, with little princess crowns.

 

We took a quick moment to take a few pictures, before heading out to dinner. 

 Granny and Gramps treated us to Rock 'n Roll Sushi, a favorite for all three of us.  Granny and Gramps were new to the restaurant but no strangers to sushi. Our waitress was apparently new.

I was happy to have the same menu items as the original here in town, so ordering was easy.  I love the Heart roll, baked.

We chatted and took selfies while we waited for dinner.