20 years ago today I went through a life-altering event.
I gave birth.
At 8:28 a.m. Julz will be 20 years old.
Happy Birthday, Baby!
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Monday, April 27, 2009
It's here! It's here!
It is finally here! The May edition of All You magazine (available exclusively at Walmart) that features my recipe!
I was so excited when I got it that I wanted to show someone. Usually our Walmart is crawling with folks I know, and the worse I look the more of them there seems to be. I practically had a class reunion over on the cold & flu aisle last winter when I arrived at Wallyworld in my pj's at 1:00am to purchase the coughing-sneezing-stuffy-head medicine.
Would you believe, at this time I did not know a soul ?! So I shared my happy news with my cashier who seemed somewhat impressed.
At any rate, you can see me at the bottom of page 26. They "flipped" my picture (meaning the right-facing photo was reveresed so it appears I am facing left instead) and it looks funny. ...well I think it looks funny.
Kat was kinda undone because she is the one who loves to cook this recipe and they of course called it "Joy's pasta bake." My little chef has gone on strike.
I thought I'd try some of the other reader-submitted recipes and I can recommend the "Taco Soup" on page 25 but it makes a lot. I swapped from my largest sauce pan to my stock pot before I was done. I was looking at the "Pizzadillas" too...they look fun and easy.
Bon Apetite' ! or as I like to say
En-JOY
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
April 15th is upon us
The Buckets Comic strip by Greg Cravens courtesey of comics.com http://comics.com/the_buckets/2009-04-15/
I had to share this comic strip because it's exactly how I feel every year paying taxes.
I heard on the radio today that 90% of the taxes are paid by only 40% of the population.
My best bud/partner in crime Cyn and I are even thinking about checking out the local Tea Party ( http://www.taxdayteaparty.com/). I have my tea bags hanging from my rear-view mirror in support. Radio hosts Rick and Bubba will be reporting from it on Sean Hannity tonight.
Also on the radio, was a local blue grass group "Three On A String." I am very familiar with them as they were really popular in our area for the past 30+ years and at one point, Andy McGinniss, the dad of my friend Ben, played with them.
Every year, on tax day, the Rick and Bubba show have them on to sing their wildly popular "Tax Song."
My favorite line is " If ten percent is good enough for Jesus, it ought to be good enough for Uncle Sam."
Indeed!
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Happy Times
These are my 4-k and 5-K graduation photos from Valley View Kindergarten, circa 1971 & '72 respectively.
These photos are proof of two things
1) I was blonde as a child
and
2) I've favored only two hairdos my entire life...extremely long ponytails and chin length bobs.
I remember I loved that yellow dress and the part about it I loved the most, a yellow satin rose, my mother refused to let me wear.
I loved Valley View and many life long friendships were forged there.
When my baby brother was old enough to attend kindergarten, my mother went to work, so it was necessary to not only find something to do with him, but something to do with me after school as well.
Enter Happy Times.
Happy Times was a magical place with a large play yard that had several school-style swingsets, a jungle gym and slide. The yard overlooked the Little Cahaba and there were always mother ducks and ducklings waddling about or playing in the creek, just beyond the chain link fence. There were tons of toys and activites and everything was child size, including a special group of toilets.
The best part was that I could play with my friends until my mother came to collect us.
The worst part was Mrs Grimes.
Mrs. Grimes owned Happy Times, and you didn't dare cross her. She was a stern disiplinarian and the sound of her voice struck fear in the hearts of all who crossed the threshold at Happy Times.
In the three years I spent there only once did I ever face the wrath of Mrs. Grimes and to this day, I maintain it was not my fault. (Thanks Russell!) I remember her taking my face in her hands and bringing it close to hers and sternly telling me that I would behave or else. I just knew she hated me.
In the summer, we would go to the city pool for swimming lessons and then swim until lunch. We'd go on field trips on the big bus and generally have lots of fun.
When I was a life guard at the city pool in my late teens, I always looked forward to the Happy Times kids. Yes, there were a ton of them, but because of Mrs. Grimes, they were always well behaved. Heck, I was an adult and she scared the bee-jeeseys out of me.
By the time my own children were ready for daycare, there was only one place to go. Mrs Grimes had long since retired, but sold the business to her cousin, who ran it with the same passion as she did.
One of my best memories of Happy Times, was not while I was a student, nor while my children attended there. It was the summer I turned 21. My 21st birthday to be exact. My last year as a lifeguard at the city pool. Just before I got my "real job."
The last bus-load of Happy Timers had just arrived and everyone was to be on the pool deck, waiting for their swimming teachers. Usually this part of the morning was very noisy and busy, but as I stepped out of the pool house onto the deck, it was deathly silent.
Assembled on the pool deck, was the entire group of Happy Timers, waiting patiently. Mrs Grimes, grinning from ear to ear, lead the group in "Happy Birthday" in as perfect a unison as one can orchestrate with several dozen children, ages 3 to 12. When they were done, I was mobbed, everyone trying to give me a birthday hug.
But most special was one from Mrs. Grimes. She put my face in her hands and brought it up close to hers and said "I'm proud of you."
Happy times, indeed.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Power of Prayer
I am a firm believer in the power of prayer. There have been too many example throughout my life.
The latest is the reports that North Dakota's Red River crested below 40 feet, well below the expected, devastating 43 feet.
Now the focus is praying the levees hold while the river subsides.
Let us pray...
The latest is the reports that North Dakota's Red River crested below 40 feet, well below the expected, devastating 43 feet.
Now the focus is praying the levees hold while the river subsides.
Let us pray...
Saturday, March 28, 2009
What Matters Most
This week has been most unique, and is surely testing the gray-covering power of Miss Clairol.
The week began by not being able to fix my freshly cut hair. I had been growing it out for over a year. It had made it's way past my shoulders and close to mid-way down my back. I had wanted it long for versitility but after months of catching it up in a ponytail, I finally decided to get a hair cut. A cute, shoulder length, modified bob, with side swept bangs. When all was done, there was as much hair on the floor as was left on my head. The stylist was able to tame my thick, wavy hair with an expert blow-out. It looked fabulous and healthy when I walked out of the salon. The next day, however, I was reminded why I kept my hair long. I look like Rosanna Rosanna-Danna's Irish cousin.
My baby, Kat, has turned 14. Not that she hasn't already been acting 14 for some time, but she is now actually 14. Where has the time gone? It will not be long before she leaves the nest, like her sister did 2 years ago this August. My son, Ty, 15, upon sensing my meloncoly, assured me he will never leave home. Great.
Work has been extra stressful, as one of my team members moved on to a job closer to home. Because of the ecomony, we won't be able ro replace her any time soon.
The loss of a classmate to a heart attack has me pondering my own mortality. Granted, Daryl had one up on me by having a heart/lung transplant, but he was my age all the same.
My best friend, winning the war on her waistline, gleefully informed me she was just 3 lbs from loosing 50lbs since October. In the meantime, I am having trouble breathing in all the spandex support garments I'm wearing to hold back my belly bulge.
But all this pales in comparison to what my friend Angela and her family are going through right now. They have fled their home in Fargo, as flood waters inch ever closer to their house. Uncertain what may happen to their home, they are thankfully safe, secure, and together.
You can read it in her own words and see the pics here
http://hopehealingempowerment.blogspot.com/
She began telling me earlier this week, about the long hours spent aiding the sand bagging efforts, all the while telling me that things near her home were fine and that others were far worse off. Where she would manage to find the time to text me and other concerned friends is beyond me. I did not realize until I saw a news report that night, that not only was it raining, it was also snowing.
Being raised in the South, and living all my life in the South, I tend to take a few things for granted. One is that we have 4 very distinct seasons. I forget that the rest of the country is not that lucky. Winter is over by March and we begin to prepare for Spring. That very day it was 75 degrees in Alabama.We were running around in shorts and tee-shirts and at the same time, it was snowing in Fargo, North Dakota to beat the band. Now it had snowed in April my Freshman year of college and we had the blizzard of 93 in March, but those were freak occurances.
My brother had been stationed in Minot ND during his time in the Air Force. Someone had joked before he got there that the unofficial motto was "Why not Minot, Freezin's the Reason" and he soon learned why. It had snowed there for 8 months out of that year. He saw more snow that one year, than he had his entire life in Alabama. But I digress...
Wednesday, Angela relayed that CBS had interviewed her and her daughter after spotting the 11 year old sandbagging. In every message she added, "we're okay."
It was only after seeing the photos of her home, the wall of sandbags less than 20 feet from her house, holding back water from what was normally a dry field, I realized all was not okay.
It's a helpless feeling knowing that you can't do anything to help from so far away. So I did the only thing I knew I could do. I sent the largest case of coffee we produce for Ang to carry to the volunteers. I couldn't do much else, but I could warm a few folks up after spending the day wet and cold. I express-shipped it Thursday afternoon to arrive Friday, but the water would prove to be faster than UPS.
Thursday, after several days spent working on the sand bag line, Ang and Jared focused their attention on their own home again. They spent the remainder of the day carting valuable possesions to the second floor of their home, even stacking some things on cinderblocks for added protection. The need for evacuation was emminent. At 11pm. they packed up their four children and left for Moorehead, MN, only to be sent on due to a sewage problem.
When I spoke to her at 8:30 Friday morning, her usually bubbly , cheerful voice was a mixture of fatigue and fear.
I hung up the telephone and cried.
She had told me where to call and let those coordinating the volunteer efforts know about the case of coffee. The woman who answered the phone thanked me over and over. She also commented on my "darling accent."
Later in the afternoon, I heard that they made it to Minneapolis safely. A post this morning reads that they are enjoying the indoor pool and the will be touring the zoo.
An eternal optimist, Angela decided that, while she is worried what they will find when they are able to return home, she had come to terms with what might be lost. "It is just stuff and can be replaced" she blogs.
Lucky girl....she was able to save what matters most.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Want to know how YOU can help?
Follow the following links to find out how.
Donations (monetary, food, etc..) are greatly needed.
Please visit: www.givebackimpact.org and donate - these monetary donations will be doubled and kept local. These funds will assist with shelters and volunteer efforts.
Also, donate to the Salvation Army - http://www.salvationarmyusa.org
and Red Cross - http://www.redcross.org/
both organizations will be instrumental in recovery efforts.
Local radio coverage in Fargo
http://www.mojo104.com/ and http://www.fm1051.net/
..but above all PRAY
Pray that the water stops rising and the levees hold
Pray for those left behind with no where to go to ride out the flood
Pray for those who stayed behind to help
Pray for those who had to leave behind everything they owned
“ The Lord is far from the wicked, but He hears the prayers of the righteous.” Proverbs 15:29
The week began by not being able to fix my freshly cut hair. I had been growing it out for over a year. It had made it's way past my shoulders and close to mid-way down my back. I had wanted it long for versitility but after months of catching it up in a ponytail, I finally decided to get a hair cut. A cute, shoulder length, modified bob, with side swept bangs. When all was done, there was as much hair on the floor as was left on my head. The stylist was able to tame my thick, wavy hair with an expert blow-out. It looked fabulous and healthy when I walked out of the salon. The next day, however, I was reminded why I kept my hair long. I look like Rosanna Rosanna-Danna's Irish cousin.
My baby, Kat, has turned 14. Not that she hasn't already been acting 14 for some time, but she is now actually 14. Where has the time gone? It will not be long before she leaves the nest, like her sister did 2 years ago this August. My son, Ty, 15, upon sensing my meloncoly, assured me he will never leave home. Great.
Work has been extra stressful, as one of my team members moved on to a job closer to home. Because of the ecomony, we won't be able ro replace her any time soon.
The loss of a classmate to a heart attack has me pondering my own mortality. Granted, Daryl had one up on me by having a heart/lung transplant, but he was my age all the same.
My best friend, winning the war on her waistline, gleefully informed me she was just 3 lbs from loosing 50lbs since October. In the meantime, I am having trouble breathing in all the spandex support garments I'm wearing to hold back my belly bulge.
But all this pales in comparison to what my friend Angela and her family are going through right now. They have fled their home in Fargo, as flood waters inch ever closer to their house. Uncertain what may happen to their home, they are thankfully safe, secure, and together.
You can read it in her own words and see the pics here
http://hopehealingempowerment.blogspot.com/
She began telling me earlier this week, about the long hours spent aiding the sand bagging efforts, all the while telling me that things near her home were fine and that others were far worse off. Where she would manage to find the time to text me and other concerned friends is beyond me. I did not realize until I saw a news report that night, that not only was it raining, it was also snowing.
Being raised in the South, and living all my life in the South, I tend to take a few things for granted. One is that we have 4 very distinct seasons. I forget that the rest of the country is not that lucky. Winter is over by March and we begin to prepare for Spring. That very day it was 75 degrees in Alabama.We were running around in shorts and tee-shirts and at the same time, it was snowing in Fargo, North Dakota to beat the band. Now it had snowed in April my Freshman year of college and we had the blizzard of 93 in March, but those were freak occurances.
My brother had been stationed in Minot ND during his time in the Air Force. Someone had joked before he got there that the unofficial motto was "Why not Minot, Freezin's the Reason" and he soon learned why. It had snowed there for 8 months out of that year. He saw more snow that one year, than he had his entire life in Alabama. But I digress...
Wednesday, Angela relayed that CBS had interviewed her and her daughter after spotting the 11 year old sandbagging. In every message she added, "we're okay."
It was only after seeing the photos of her home, the wall of sandbags less than 20 feet from her house, holding back water from what was normally a dry field, I realized all was not okay.
It's a helpless feeling knowing that you can't do anything to help from so far away. So I did the only thing I knew I could do. I sent the largest case of coffee we produce for Ang to carry to the volunteers. I couldn't do much else, but I could warm a few folks up after spending the day wet and cold. I express-shipped it Thursday afternoon to arrive Friday, but the water would prove to be faster than UPS.
Thursday, after several days spent working on the sand bag line, Ang and Jared focused their attention on their own home again. They spent the remainder of the day carting valuable possesions to the second floor of their home, even stacking some things on cinderblocks for added protection. The need for evacuation was emminent. At 11pm. they packed up their four children and left for Moorehead, MN, only to be sent on due to a sewage problem.
When I spoke to her at 8:30 Friday morning, her usually bubbly , cheerful voice was a mixture of fatigue and fear.
I hung up the telephone and cried.
She had told me where to call and let those coordinating the volunteer efforts know about the case of coffee. The woman who answered the phone thanked me over and over. She also commented on my "darling accent."
Later in the afternoon, I heard that they made it to Minneapolis safely. A post this morning reads that they are enjoying the indoor pool and the will be touring the zoo.
An eternal optimist, Angela decided that, while she is worried what they will find when they are able to return home, she had come to terms with what might be lost. "It is just stuff and can be replaced" she blogs.
Lucky girl....she was able to save what matters most.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Want to know how YOU can help?
Follow the following links to find out how.
Donations (monetary, food, etc..) are greatly needed.
Please visit: www.givebackimpact.org and donate - these monetary donations will be doubled and kept local. These funds will assist with shelters and volunteer efforts.
Also, donate to the Salvation Army - http://www.salvationarmyusa.org
and Red Cross - http://www.redcross.org/
both organizations will be instrumental in recovery efforts.
Local radio coverage in Fargo
http://www.mojo104.com/ and http://www.fm1051.net/
..but above all PRAY
Pray that the water stops rising and the levees hold
Pray for those left behind with no where to go to ride out the flood
Pray for those who stayed behind to help
Pray for those who had to leave behind everything they owned
“ The Lord is far from the wicked, but He hears the prayers of the righteous.” Proverbs 15:29
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Making the most of second chances
My hometown has one less citizen today.
My classmate, Daryl Barkley passed away.
He was one lucky son of a gun. Not because he is the younger brother of basketball legend, Charles, but because God had given him a second chance at life.
Six years ago, despite putting his body through hell, he got a new start with a heart and lung transplant.
After the transplant, Daryl was a much different person from the one I grew up with. Anti-rejection drups took the place of recreational ones. He ate the right things, he excercised, he won a medal in the Transplant Olympics. He was caring and sincere and funny.
He made the most of his second chance.
We will miss you Daryl.
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