The Past

I had lunch with a friend today............from 25 years ago. How much do you think someone can change in 25 years? Personally, I have put on 30 or so pounds (emphasis on the or so). I did not remember how tall he was either, or did I just get shorter?

It was fun to listen to someone else's memories of me as a pre-teen! Gosh, I was silly. It was also fun to hear how we have learned from life and grown up and changed.

I wonder why people are always so drawn to their past. Reliving the "glory days" You know, back in high school when I would...................

I did not intend to go to my 20 year high school reunion. I felt like I needed to lose weight before I went and I didn't so I wasn't going to go. I also thought I was so miserable in high school! Pimples, not popular, always on the outside looking in on the fun. I didn't really keep in touch with many people from high school and the ones I did were not going to be at the reunion.

However, at the last minute, I bought a hot red dress and went!

I drank and danced with the hubby and generally just let my hair down to have fun. The cheerleaders and drill team were all there and all skinny. The jocks were there. Some of my friends from choir were there. It was so surreal. I have spent some time reviewing my yearbooks. All the signatures say "to a real sweet girl" and "keep in touch" Ha!

I think it must be human nature to look back on the past. I try never to let myself have regrets. Did I make some poor choices? Yes, I did, but they make me who I am today. If I had not kissed so many boys and made better grades where would I be today...........would I have gone to a better school and be rich?? I doubt it, but if I had would I be happy?

Despite the sh** I am going through right now, I am really happy with my life. I love my job, I love my family, and I have good friends. So I guess I just wouldn't change the past.

The Thrill of Victory

I WON A GAME!!!

So really that is not a big deal, but it was for me. I am a huge klutz and I have never won an athletic event!! I just had my very first tennis lesson. And because the other girl also a beginner could not serve, I won!!! Yea!!!

I am very excited about this new hobby. I don't know if you can teach an old dog a new trick, but I am going to try. Daddy just retired and he played tennis in high school. In fact, he made it to the state championships in doubles!! I want to find a way to spend time with Daddy, that does not involve food. Therefore, I am learning tennis!

It is really fun, but not as easy as it looks. I am glad it is not baseball because I think I have more area to make contact with the ball with a tennis racket!!! Also, it is 104 degrees here and that is really hot to be outside trying to see a little yellow ball!!!

Wish me luck.....as I "Open a new window"

Singing at Church

Every July, our choir goes on "vacation." That means we have four weeks of solos. The email went out for volunteers. I don't travel as much in July, so I usually say yes.

I have been working on this one since about early May. I was very excited because the words mean so much to me, but it is not a "sacred" song. You can hear it on the radio, and if I knew how, I would put it in here. It is "Anyway" by Martina McBride. It is based on a prayer by Mother Theresa. I have the words below.

I usually only sing at the second service. But this time they asked me to sing at both. I am a ham so okay, but geez 8:30 am is early to be ready to sing! I got there early which is enough of a miracle to scare God, but little did I know. The organist had called in sick!! I was sitting there thinking and praying. Okay, God, What do you want me to do?? The first service is very small in attendance, so they hold it in the chapel. I looked around and decided I would sing a capella. The show must go on!! Actually, I really felt moved to praise God so I did.

The organist showed up for the second service. They also gave me a mike. Which is good because the sanctuary has vaulted ceilings. Mom, Dad, Grandmother, my sister, my hubby and of course my beautiful daughter were there. As soon as I stood up to go singing, the little one started to cry..........She stood on the chair and cried through my whole song!!! I just looked her in the eye and kept going. I thought maybe on some inner level, she can hear the words. Or maybe because the song is called Anyway.....

I know the first service was much better than the second, but I enjoyed singing. I felt good that maybe someone would hear the words and be touched to feel God in their life.

As promised:
You can spend your whole life building
Something from nothin'
One storm can come and blow it all away
Build it anyway

You can chase a dream
That seems so out of reach
And you know it might not ever come your way
Dream it anyway

God is great
But sometimes life ain't good
And when I pray
It doesn't always turn out like I think it should
But I do it anywayI do it anyway

This world's gone crazy
It's hard to believe
That tomorrow will be better than today
Believe it anyway

You can love someone with all your heart
For all the right reasons
In a moment they can choose to walk away
Love 'em anyway

God is great
But sometimes life ain't good
And when I prayIt doesn't always turn out like I think it should
But I do it anyway
Yea - I do it anyway

You can pour your soul out singing
A song you believe in
That tomorrow they'll forget you ever sang
Sing it anyway
Yea, sing it anyway
Yeah, yeah!
I sing
I dream
I love anyway

A Tribute to Jerry Lewis

I recently did an in depth study of Jerry Lewis on the internet.
You are now asking "Why would you do that? Isn't he married, aren't you a married woman?"
The answer is I was bored and lonely and he always made me laugh.

Apparently the French have very strong feelings about Jerry Lewis, who knew??

Did you know that there are other people with this name.....My Daddy worked with a doctor at the Psychiatric Hospital Named Jerry Lewis, of course there was also Dr. Witchsy and Dr. Looney. Can you imagine the PA system...paging Dr. Looney... Dr. Witchsy you have a call on line 3.....

Here's a classic "typewriter"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a7ySmnxy29Q

There is also a Jerry Lewis that runs marathons and raises money for soldiers.....70 something years old, amazing. I think I went to high school with a guy named Jerry Lewis --maybe he spelled it different.

Jerry is special to me. I guess thinking about him just makes me feel happy. I feel like it is a connection to a more innocent simpler part of me. When I was 7 I donated to the MDA telethon. I remember getting the bill and Mom having to write a check for me.

I Hate Junior

Here is a list of people I hate, okay Mom always said I can't hate people just their actions. Here is a list of actions that I hate:

Osama Bin Laden--you ruined my engagement day, I should have had a lovely dinner on Sept. 17, 2001 and gotten engaged.

General Henry Shelton--you ruined my wedding, you called up my soldier 3 months early and we had to cancel all our wedding plans.

George W.--you promised to support and equip the soldier with everything they would need. After I spent $2000 of my own money on things like walkie talkies, you send me back a man whose spirit is broken, heart has been ripped apart and soul has been sucked out. I didn't vote for you. I didn't support your war. I did support our troops. I have a medal for 1500 hours of volunteer service to Army Families. My solider has a bronze star. Where is the support now??

Stephanie Dean of Frisco--I just hate you. Sorry, Mom

If It Weren't Fer Bad Luck, I'd Have No Luck At All

Gloom Despair and Agony OOOOOOOOOOh me!!

I need to figure out youtube so I can load the video of Hee Haw singing that in here!!
http://www.jibjab.com/view/150392

I feel like the luckiest unlucky person there is!!
Here are some examples:

1. I am unable to conceive..........however, after spending $15k I have a beautiful daughter
2. I had a terrible liver disease. I lived after fulfilling my two worst nightmares...I gave myself shots, and my hair mostly fell out
3. I got fired from a job........three days later I got a job offer
5. I just lost two really big acounts.............I haven't found the silver lining yet!!!

A Southern Belle's Guide to Etiquette

"A Southern Belle's Guide to Etiquette" I think I will write this book!!

I grew up learning all about manners and how to act. By the time I went to college I thought I probably could use the right fork in the right situation. But, oh, I really needed so much more!!!

Here are some situations I would like to have defined in my new etiquette book:

Infidelity:
What to do when he cheats
What to do when you are propositioned

How to text:
When driving
To co-workers when is it okay to use abbreviations

Desperate Housewives

I used to love this show!!! I watched every episode. I never understood the title....Why are they Desperate??? They all seemed to be getting some, if you know what I mean.

Then the baby was born and I started taping it. It became less of a priority if I could watch it when I wanted. It was also easier without commercials.....................

Then he stepped out on me...........suddenly the show just wasn't funny.

I also started to get the idea of being desperate. Not needing sex, just feeling that "quiet desperation" Not sure how to get out of bed, but wanting my flower garden to look as good as Bree's.............................

What is the stupidest thing you have ever done with a firecracker

I heard this question on the radio today. When I was a really little kid, I loved sparklers. I thought they were so enticing--slightly scary, but fun!!

I was around three and my parents had taken us to a party. We were in someone's backyard. I begged for a sparkler. They would not let me have one because I was too young. I probably could not articulate that I was very mature for my age, I mean come on I as three.

Anyway, somehow, my older sister was able to talk them into giving me a sparkler. I was so excited. I wanted to show I deserved it, so after they lit the sparkler I backed away slowly so I could get far enough away to wave it like crazy! I guess they didn't realize I would continue walking backwards. I fell into a koi fish pond!!!!

The worst part is I had no extra clothes and had to wear a pair of borrowed boys underwear home!!!

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!!!!!