Endless Possibilites

Today is a beautiful day, full of endless possibilities!

I have done my "regular" Saturday "chores": vacuum, cat box (ugghh), my 3 loads of laundry (whites, casual colors, work darks), wipe down the counters, run the dishwasher. I'm done by 8 or 9 o'clock.

I don't have to go to the ball park today, thanks to the craziness that is Talledega race weekend.  Yes, I live close enough to Talledega that the craziness spills over into my town. One of my fellow divorcees lives just a bit up the interstate, between here and there. Plans are being made as we speak to vacate the premises with the young children to put a buffer between them and all the madness.

I do need to wash my car. It hasn't been washed in a long time. I haven't washed a car myself in 17 years. I know it won't be washed nearly as good today as it has in those 17 years, but I will do my best. I've gotta wait for the sun to go down some now, because I don't want to get burned.

I didn't have to buy coffee today, thanks to the nice folks in National Accounts cleaning out their storage closet and marking some thing "Free To A Good Home"

 

I usually prefer the taste of coffee from an industrial quality machine to anything a home machine will do, but this one is pretty close to the mark. It makes just one cup from that little filter pod right there. Now, where to find the filter pods. I know that I can buy them from the office. I just missed the Keurig machine, where those pods are available at Walmart.

So now that I have had my coffee, and gotten my chores done,  what to do with the rest of the day?

The possibilities are endless!

~En-Joy your day!

Weekend Experiments

Well this past weekend was a weekend full of experiments.

It started off with my cardiologist adding a new medicine to my already ridiculous prescription regime. Six pills a day...yea me! So now I have yet another pill to keep up with. I take the new pill once a day, so I am taking it with my breakfast along with the others.

 ^

New pill

 

 

The past few days I've been quite the space cadet.  There was a sticker on the bottle to avoid operating heavy equipment because it may cause drowsiness, but there was nothing about causing stupidity. I assume that a car qualifies as "heavy equipment" but it was necessary to drive it to get to the park.  It was just a short distance and I made it fine.

 

My day at the Miracle League park was beautiful!

 

"Miracle Mary", our director, broke her foot sometime last week and can't drive.  For about an hour, I was afraid I was going to be in charge. Not a good choice for my current space cadet status.  But thankfully, Pappa Smurf was able to bring her out to the park and she hardly slowed down. She tooled around on her knee-scooter and was into everything as usual.

 

We got a new volunteer, who was really interesting. A really nice (and hot) Irish fella from New York City. Salt and pepper hair, clear blue eyes with just a tinge of green around the edges, forty, slim, athletic build.  His Yankee accent was reminded me of Ray Liotta in Good Fellas. His reason for coming into town was somewhat vague and mysterious. He had played college baseball. He saw the field and told his family, a local family who I have known for many years, that he wanted to be a part of "the Miracle." He hung around and watched the games, just to see how we did things.

 

 I was able to talk to him on and off throughout the day. He told me how he played Division 2 baseball and bartended to get through college. How he had been here about 2 weeks and had sent out resumes to find a job. His specialty was customer service (no kidding) and marketing. Mary asked him if he could coach for one of our teams, to take over for another coach who had to drop out. He agreed. I handed over the jersey. Talk about jumping in with both feet!

 

My plans for Saturday night unfortunately fell through, but were quickly replaced by an invitation from Miracle Mary. I went to an early dinner at Logan's with her family, Pitcher Dan (our pitcher) and two players, Tom and Jennifer. We had a marvelous time!  

 

 

Sunday, I could feel the storm front moving in and all my joints stiffen. I was too miserable to move and thus skipped church.  I watched  a collection of movies I had borrowed from my brother and Cyn.

 

Around 4-ish, I decided to cook. Not really having a plan, I just saw what I had available and went from there.  The result was an experiment, but tasty just the same.

 

 

 

I talked to L/G very briefly. Still trying to nail down a weekend for his visit, but May has five to choose from. The OCD has kicked in, and I am finding all sorts of things wrong with the house itself that I am wondering if he will notice.

 

I nodded of very early, and woke to the music of the battle scenes from Troy playing over and over again as the menu sequence played.

 

 

And I start today, like any other Monday: waiting for the weekend.

 

~En-JOY!

Finally Friday!

I thought this week would never be over!

Later y'all ...

 

Rollin' (Air Raid Vehicle) ~ Limp Bizkit - 2000

(Chocolate Starfish and the Hot Dog Flavored Water)

Back to the Rat Race

With his big work project looming in the very near future, Saturday evening with L/G was a quiet night watching movies.

And just who would be a perfect match for a woman who doesn't like to cook?

A MAN WHO DOES!

The fritatta that morning had been a pleasant surprise but I didn't really question it. I mean what bachelor doesn't know how to make ONE fancy dish, right?

But dinner was a diffrent story. He made stir-fried rice and shrimp with sauteed asparagus. 

He had all the right pans, including a WOK! He had all the right utensils.

He even had ghee, that he had made himself.

He wouldn't let me do anything. I watched from the doorway, amazed.

Add a little white wine, and dinner was served.

Sunday morning came quickly.  L/G made me  bacon and eggs with grits and fresh fruit drizzled in honey.  We discussed the benefits of ice cold chocolate milk.

I packed for home; he packed for his trip. 
We discussed what happens next.

I had not planned to leave until 3:00pm, but a text from Julz sped things up: "Where Are You?!"

I texted back"...um, you KNOW where I am..."

Smart Retort: "Don't be smart. We are broke down on the interstate"

Omigosh!

"Leaving now. Keep me informed"

I rushed my goodbye. He told me to call him when I made it home.

I was almost two hours away from where Julz and Twin G, wife, and baby, were stranded on the interstate just outside of Meridian MS. I would have to drive right by them.

As I drove toward them, I thought about how in just two days, L/G had treated me better than I had been treated in the last two years (maybe more) of my marriage. A man that had promised before God to share my life and love, raise a family together, yet took me for granted, and in the end. just threw me away like I was nothing.  L/G, on the other hand. barely knew me, yet, he opened his home to me, cooked for me, thought of things that would entertain me, and expected nothing in return. A true gentleman, in every sense of the word.

I made it into Meridian about the same time that the text came that my former in-laws had arrived on the scene, as did the tow-truck and Julz and the Twin G family were safe.  I offered to venture off the interstate to retrieve her and bring her home, but she declined.  Her new beau was already en route.

So I was free to go back to the rat race.

As I drove back into town, I drove with a new found peace.  L/G had done his best to make sure my visit was drama free.  He was decisive, analytical and logical. Everything had been planned out and executed to a tee.I didn't have to lift a finger. A truly relaxing weekend.

 As I came in, the cats were happy to see me. They fought for a spot in my lap. I called L/G, who was glad that I made it home safe and made it in really good time.  So nice to have someone who cares. We discussed his upcoming visit and all the logistics. 

Something to look forward to - I can hardly wait!

Until then...

~En-JOY reading!

Lunch at Brent's

I only had one must-do item on my visit to Jackson: Have a burger at Brent's Drugs.

Opened in 1946 by Dr. Alvin Brent, this business soon became a Jackson icon.  It is also the setting for the diner scenes in the movie, "The Help."

L/G indulged me, and after touring some of the quaint bedroom neighborhoods, we stopped by for lunch.

The interior was an interesting mix of new and old. Booths and tables in turquoise and white. Memorabilia lined the walls. The staff was equally as eclectic.  The place was packed. We took a seat at the empty book of the end.

They were very busy. The staff was somewhat stressed. They were out of cups an silverware. Two young mothers with their young children, a boy about 18 months and a girl about 3, sat down in the booth next to us.  The little girl kept making eyes at L/G over the divider between our booths. I couldn't blame her.  He is very handsome and he was all too happy to flirt back with her.

While waiting we found The Apothecary in the back, the newest edition to Jackson's night life.

The waitress didn't even blink when I ordered my burger without the bun. I ordered a side order of fries. L/G ordered the cheeseburger.  The burger was a pretty typical diner burger.

After lunch L/G took my photo

 

Here are a few shots from the movie for comparison

 

 

We were down here on the end in the last booth

 

 (to be continued)

The Bold Adventurer Succeeds the Best

"The bold adventurer succeeds the best" ~ Ovid

With an invitation, and an open mind and heart, I set my course.

After a four hour drive (and not getting lost once = score!) I made it to the Mississippi home of my friend. Meanwhile, Julz was making her way to the Mississippi Gulf coast, with the former in-laws for the wedding of Twin B. That will play into the story later.

The Lifeguard was happy to see me and that I had made it safe. He was every bit as handsome as I had remembered. He said that my pictures on Facebook had not done me justice.

After settling in,  and a short drive around the Ross Barnett Reservoir , we decided on dinner at a local Asian restaurant.

As someone who was no longer used to a man opening doors for me, I was unaccustomed to that, and other kindnesses L/G was showing to me. He wanted to treat me like a lady should be treated, and it was obvious that it was his habit. I have been a "fend for myself" girl for as long as I can remember. I had never been out with anyone like this before. It was nice, even for a control freak like me.

After getting out of the truck myself, L/G gently reminded me that he would get the restaurant door for me. Remembering my gluten issue, he quizzed me on foods I could eat and what to avoid. Traditional Asian cuisine is to be eaten family style, small servings from larger plates. He not only ordered our dinner, he plated my food and served it to me. Wow,  girl could get used to this.

We talked about our work and his big project. Our waitress was the wife of one of his team members, so the service was excellent.  As we made our way back to his truck, he complimented me on how cute I looked. I never quite knew how to take a compliment, simply because I would get them so rarely. I did manage to remember to say "thank you." I was wearing my favorite "Angels and Diamonds" tee shirt and black dress pants. I had forgotten to put on my heels, still in the back seat of my car, so I was wearing the rhinestone flip-flops that I drove over wearing. We drove back through the bustling shopping area to L/G's home. As we passed both a Waffle House and a Walmart, I couldn't help but think things would be okay.

Back at his home, he showed me to my room. I changed into my lounging clothes, a Championship tee shirt and shorts. Over a few cocktails we continued our conversation that we had started at dinner. We talked about our children.  His son is also in his twenties. He showed me a photo of him, playing guitar. We could have easily talked late into the night, but after my long drive and with a big day ahead, we retired.  The bed, that I later learned was brand new, was very comfy.

The next morning I was greeted with fresh fruit and a frittata.

After running a few errands...

It was off to see a few sights.

 

There was a community Easter Egg Hunt going on so the grounds were crawling with little kids!

 L/G enjoys photography, a shared interest of mine.

 He carried his infrared camera, that makes everything that is green appear white in the photo.  He shot several of the same photos I have taken here. Like this one

 

He also took this picture of me with the enormous azaleas they had growing there.

 

 

 (to be continued...)

~En-Joy!



Nothing Ventured

It's time for the weekend recap. But to tell this story properly, I need to give a little background.

The summer of 1987, my mother carried my brother and me to a resort in Fort Walton Beach. We spent nearly a week there. This was an annual trip for us and we always enjoyed the resort. Laying out on the pool deck, my brother skateboarding all over the complex, touristy attractions within walking distance. And of course, the sugar-white sands of a Gulf of Mexico beach. Paradise just 4 hours from home.

On my second day there, while strolling on the beach, I met the two beach lifeguards on duty. Being a community lifeguard myself, we had some common ground to start a conversation. And that kids, is how I met your father.  Just Kidding. 

But, that is really where this story begins. On a beach, in 1987.  And this guy. Let's call him The Lifeguard, or L/G for short.

 

 

 

 

Flash Forward: Through the modern marvel that is Facebook, we reconnected some years back.  I told him about my family; he told me about his. Very similar stories: Marriages, divorces, children, step-children. We had both enjoyed photography, a common intrerest so long ago, but L/G had pursued it more seriously. His Facebook was filled with photos he had taken of the things around him and places he had been.  We would chat from time to time. I would post pics of my family, he would post pics of him and his girlfriend on vacation.  Once, when he was between girlfriends, I had tried to fix him up with one of my pageant friends who also lived in his area, but it didn't work out. I had told her that if I were single myself, I'd be on him like white on rice. That was the really the last time I had "talked" to him.

 

I'm not sure when he disappeared from Facebook, maybe a year or so ago.  But he reappeared a few weeks ago. Around his birthday. I sent him a birthday wish (don't you love Facebook?!)  And when he reappeared again, all signs of the current girlfriend were gone.

 

 

Time to step off the sideline.

 

I send him a PM. I tell him what has been going on. L/G tells me what has been going on. We both agree we are better off.

 

We chat back and forth over the next several days. He tells me about a big project at work that his is starting.  I tell him about some childish drama unfolding on  my end. He suggests that I get away from it all. He invites me to come stay with him for the weekend.  He's got the room. He'd enjoy the company. I'd have my own bedroom and bathroom. 

 

One of my favorite movies was filmed in his town. There is historical interest. Why not?

 

 

(To be continued...)

 



Sunday Brunch

This morning I decided to try the "eggs in a muffin tin" idea that I keep seeing on Pinterest.

Sounded simple enough, just like a quiche without the little pie shells ( that I couldn't have anyway).

The premise is that you use 1 egg per muffin tin. I only used 4 eggs, but it still made 6 muffins. 

I mixed chopped spinach, cheese, and bacon pieces in the eggs, then ladled the mixture into greased muffin liners. It was that simple.

The hardest part was waiting the 15 minutes for them to get done!

A dollop of salsa and a glass of Bolthouse's Vanilla Chai Tea to boost my protein count and breakfast is served.

~En-JOY!

50 Things You Simply Must Do In Birmingham

With all the free time on my hands lately, I've been Googling things to do around town. That was when I came across this article

50 Things You Simply Must Do In Birmingham (Alabama)

Though I have done pretty much everything on the list at some point in my lifetime, it looks like a lot of fun!

Now to decide what to do first!

I wonder what my new (as yet to be named) friend is doing. I bet he'd be just the person to explore some of these.

Watch for updates!

Until then...

Sitting here watching movies and eating this yummy snack mix!

 

Probably not the best thing for my diabetes, but I've had a good week, so I am going to treat myself to a little something sweet!

~En-JOY!

Lazy Saturday

Today is another lazy Saturday.

I slept all the way to 7:00 a.m.

Though I didn't drink last night, I feel hung over and I am sore all over.The tops of my thighs  and my butt ache, even when I'm sitting still. Trying not to move at all is a goal. My trainer is a sadist. There was a new exercise where I lay across a bench, with my legs hanging off behind me. Then I raised my legs as high as I could. So now I have a bruise across my pelvic bone too. It was hard to concentrate on isolating my rear because I felt like I may fart at any minute.

That reminds me of the first time Darling Hubby visited me at my house, just a few weeks after we started seeing one another.  He was going to sit in the floor across from me. He bent down, and when he did, he let one rip. He froze. I froze. After a few tense moments, I spoke. "It's okay. That's one of those embarrassing things that we have to get past. And now it's over. We got it out of the way." It was one of my very favorite stories. It was a truly real moment, and he had been so vulnerable and embarrassed. But it was just another cute thing that happened between us, that helped me fall in love with him. Oh well. Again I digress.

I went through the Saturday morning routine that has become my ritual: dusting, cleaning the bathroom, vacuuming, laundry. I'm putting off the catbox for as long as possible. As usual. I hate that job. But I know it has to be done and with no one else here to do it, it falls to me. "The Bucket List" is providing my background noise today.  I keep rewinding it (Do you rewind a dvd? Of course not, but what other term should I use?), so I can I watch key parts. Problem with this movie, they are all key parts.

For the first time in two months, I don't have plans for tonight. I'm kinda relieved. An old friend tried to get me to go out with her last night, but I just couldn't muster the energy after my sadist... er...trainer  and I worked out. I barely got out of the car and practically crawled to the door.

I don't remember how I survived the partying when I was younger. I just know that I did. The never ending hodge-podge of people and places. Constantly in the presence of others, so I wouldn't have to be alone with myself.

But a person must learn to be alone and be happy with themselves first, before they can ever expect to be happy with anyone else.

That is the lesson that I am learning now. How to be alone and content.

I guess that I had been practicing the last few years of our marriage. Darling Hubby would watch football on the big tv in the living room, I would watch old movies in the bedroom. He always got to watch the big tv. I never understood that, and it was really selfish of him to expect it but I would always relinquish it to him. Sundays, we would always come together on the couch to watch a movie or old  reruns of shows we used to enjoy growing up. We'd also watch current shows that he had recorded on the dvr. We had several throughout the week. I miss those times. So simple, but it had meant a lot.

It has been a hard habit to break. Expecting someone else to be there to make me happy. But that is not the answer. You must be happy first. Then whatever happiness you find with someone else is just gravy. So True Happiness was within me all along. I had to find JOY within JOY!

Tomorrow I will try a new church, just up the street. I had heard very good things about it. I need  to make my way back to God.  I had put Him in a box and put Him away on a shelf. I had always blamed D/H for that, but it had been my own doing.  I never felt more joy in my life than I did at the time I was in true fellowship. I love praise music. It is uplifting and that is just what my spirit needs. I need to be bathed in The Word again,

 I had always known that I was saved, from the very first moment that it happened. The feeling of peace that day, the Tuesday before Easter the year I turned 12, was so overwhelming there was no doubt. Peace, that passes all understanding.

Seeking peace in this and all things.

~En-JOY