Freedom Ain't Free Y'all

 A little late in relation to the Memorial Day holiday this week, but NEVER too late to remember the sacrifice of thousands of men and women who have fought to protect me and mine.  Men and women who've given up comfort, food, money, family, loved ones, and those who've paid the ultimate sacrifice.  NEVER pass a soldier in any type of fatigues or uniform without saying THANK YOU!  Make it a personal policy and don't miss the opportunity to acknowledge their sacrifice.  Cause, y'all, freedom AIN'T FREE!

What Wasted Time & 80s Music Have in Common

Somehow this morning I managed to waste a whole hour doing absolutely nothing of value.  An hour that I can NEVER get back. EVER.  It's gone.  I stared at my computer screens, out my window, and back to my computer screens.  I cooked cinnamon rolls (and by cooked, I mean put in the oven and took out of the oven at designated time) and ate them at my desk while sipping my second cup of coffee.  Random, unproductive, thoughts traveled through my brain.  I facebooked (reading random stuff about random people hoping to be moved or compelled to change the world...NO LUCK...oh well maybe tomorrow).  I read Paul B Evans' blog post about being happy 92% of the time.  Then I got lost in thought wondering if I am happy at least 92% of the time.  I read one email and deleted about 10 junk emails.  Yep, a bunch of NOTHINGNESS!  All the while listening to Pandora 80s rock in the background. (looks like not ALL was lost ;))

So what do wasted time and 80s music have in common?  Absolutely NOTHING! :)

Are You a YES-Man (Woman)?

Before we begin, Let me give you my definition of a YES-Man.

A person who agrees with everyone and everything around them with little thought of his/her own. Someone who allows others to dictate their own actions. (This may be wrong but I'm going with it)

Recently I've been learning a few things about myself.  Not quite sure I am interested in learning about myself but I have been forced to look at some habits and evaluate the whole YES-Man (woman) mentality.  By most accounts friends and family would tell you that I'm not a Yes-Man.  While I do say "yes" to a lot of things (love a busy life) I don't generally have a problem speaking my mind or offering an opposing viewpoint (diplomatically of course).  So I am confident that I am not a YES-Man.  

So what have I been forced to learn about myself recently?  Do you think that we can turn people around us into YES people?  What do I mean?  Well do we surround ourselves with folks who agree with us, allow us to dictate the friend rules, or those who applaud our professional efforts thus making them OUR very own YES-people?  Confused? Don't be.

Example: Friends and family would say that sometimes I just won't take NO for an answer.  So that must mean that I push, drive, or motivate those around me to say yes or allow me to do what I want.  Not so much having my way like a spoiled child, but a more mature version...like getting those around me to do what I want them to do without ever even kicking my feet.  So does this mean that I have surrounded myself with YES men OR that I just have a way of making people say YES?


What brought all this LEARNING on, you ask? Recently someone told me no and I didn't like it! Not. One. Bit. 

Oddly enough, all my friends, family, and colleagues are NOT yes people so that can only mean one thing...I must be VERY PUSHY!  Hummm...not quite sure how I feel about that.  It does help get things done but that's not a very flattering self evaluation.  The jury is still out...what say you?

It Surely Won't Last Long

These Boots are Made for Walking

Got Country on the Brain!
Me likey...

Ordered Chaos - Busy Weekend!

Let's see how many things I can get accomplished in a 51 hr period.  Friday at 5:00 pm-Sunday at 8:00 pm...GO!  For some strange reason it just makes me feel better to have a brain dump and get it off my mind.  Seeing it written down documents my craziness but also relieves some of my stress...In a weird sort of way.

Friday - beginning 5:00 PM
Pick up AGAPE race packet
Finish Slide Show for S&L banquet
Set up for banquet
Clean House

Saturday
Tanner leaves for Jamaica at 4:30 AM
Run in AGAPE 5K for our precious mothers!
Go to Macy Kate's soccer game
Have end of year team party
Go to Sams to buy food for banquet, cookout, and pick up cakes
Go home and have a Mother's Day cookout for David's family

Sunday - Mother's Day
Go to church
Decorate for SEEDS & LITES Celebration banquet
Prepare food for banquet
Church
Have banquet, do presentations, take pics, slideshow
Clean up

That should just about do it.  Now, no one can get sick, nothing can break, and no

Jumbled Thoughts

"There is an old Proverb that says,
'Thoughts disentangle themselves when passing
over the lips and through the finger tips.' 

Guess I better get to writing...let the disentanglement begin!

EMPTY

Sometimes you pour everything out and well...the picture/pitcher below says it all.

Do You Have Compartments?

I love the mirror finish! Dressy, classy, and flashy...3 of my favorite things!

Well, I do.  Yep, just like an old dresser that's been refinished over the years.  Through the years my compartment holder or "dresser" has had many facades.  It has been faux finished, painted sassy pink, sanded down to a cool beachy colored wood, and stained a rich deep mahogany.   With my many moods and idiosyncrasies, I suppose my "dresser" has looked as though it may have an identity crisis from time to time.  But within that shell, I've always had compartments or drawers.  Secret places in my mind and heart to file stuff away.  Neatly tucked away and hidden from everyone.  Only opening to those whom I wish to share. 

Classy and Elegant...Beautiful!

Faux Sassy Pink?  Yes, please

If I am completely honest with myself it is probably some kind of coping mechanism to separate things in nice, neat compartments.  Although truthfully I feel like it is the most logical way to organize my life and my thoughts.  Not sure which came first the chicken or the egg in that sense...You know like do I compartmentalize to  protect myself or do I need to protect myself therefore I compartmentalize?  Not sure I am willing to open up that can or worms right now but worth thinking about.

One thing I have learned is that compartments make me feel safe, keep me grounded, and make me feel ALIVE and for TODAY ...THAT FEELS GOOD! 

Something mysterious about this one...I bet it has some stories to tell...don't you?

April 25th - Birth and Death - Circle of Life

April 25th is a special day and marks the beginning of the circle of life for my oldest child, Tanner.  What a blessing he continues to be.  Popping out wide open, strong willed, colic, reflux, holding his own head up off the flat bed at age 3 DAYS OLD!  Wow...he really gave us a run for our money.  What a wonderful young man he has grown up to be.  Today marks his 17th birthday.  Just 12 short months away from being legal to some degree.  When you get to this place in life you reflect on what you've done over the past 17 years and just hope it is enough.  Enough love, enough discipline, enough hope, enough strength...just. enough.  Realizing the time is short to make an impact on a child that you are about to send out into the world to fend for himself.  Scary.  World, be good to him.  Don't hold my mistakes against him.  Help him succeed.

April 25th also marks the end of the circle of life for my sweet daddy. Nine years ago today, his number was up.  Taken too soon from a unfair world with imperfect people.  No time to dwell on the sad part...and It. Was. Sad.  But a loss comes with wonderful memories of the lessons he taught me.  I told someone just the other day that I got my strength, independence, and gall from my mom but my heart??? Yep, it came from my daddy.  I can't think of a time that he wasn't willing to help someone out.  He made everyone feel welcome, loved, and important!  He was the real deal and taught me that you don't need new shoes to go the extra mile.  Thanks, Daddy! Miss you!

One more thing...because you know I just can't leave without acknowledging the white elephant in the room...Look at the size of those shoes!  What in the world?  Do I have big feet or WHAT?  Now that is a big foot! So funny!