10 THINGS THAT MAKE ME SMILE

My friend Dianne had this on her blog and encouraged us to play along...so here goes:

10 Things That Make Me Smile:

1. My salvation, and knowing my whole family is saved also.

2. My family.

3. Working with little children.

4. My dog, Scooter.

5. Chocolate...in any form!

6. My friends.

7. Shopping trips with the girls.

8. Finding the perfect gift for someone.

9. Finding things that I thought I'd lost.

10. The planning and building of our new home.

A REMINDER

"You need to persevere, so that when you have done the will of God, you will recieve what He has promised." Hebrews 10:36

UPDATE

Thank-you all for your prayers. Alex had a little better night, but is still in tremendous pain. I have gotten him all settled in for the morning and I'm going to work for a little while. I can come home if he calls me. I am so blessed to work in a place where my boss and co-workers are so compassionate and understanding. I truly believe this is one of the ways that God is getting us through this trial. By providing me a place to get away for a few hours and do what I do best, but still being available to Alex. It is so important to Alex that I go each day, because he knows how much I enjoy it.

And this is what God promised us...not health and strength...but to meet our needs. And He does, and I praise Him for that.

PRAYERS, PLEASE

Today, my heart is sad and oh, so heavy. My sweet Alex is having such a hard time these days. For the past 2 weeks, he has hardly been able to get up for anything other than eating, and bathroom. He is in such terrible pain. I can not stand to see him like this. Why, why, why does he have to suffer so? He is such a brave young man, has such a sweet spirit. You've heard me say before how I believe that God is in control of this situation...and my feeling's have not changed. I realize that if it weren't for the Lord's strength, we all would have 'lost it' long ago. So, I choose to praise God and thank Him in the 'midst of the storm'.....but, I am so weary...and I am so wanting just a tiny bit of relief...just a little bit of peace for Alex. I can not understand how God can let him continue to suffer, day after day. I can not put my head around the 'greater purpose' this could be serving. I just want my son...living a normal, everyday life. Nothing grand or expansive...just a life. I know there are so many praying for him, why doesn't God answer? Or has He answered and I've missed it? Please, friends, do not take this anxious mother's heart talk this morning the wrong way. I know God is on His throne and I know He is working in our lives all the time. And I trust Him. But, this human mother is crying out, "HELP, please!"

SHOE THERAPY

According to Consumer Reports, the average U.S. woman owns 19 pairs of shoes. However, they only wear 4 of the pairs regularly. It goes on to report that 15% of these women have over 30 pairs. I will let you decide amongst yourselves which of these categories I fall into.

The survey goes on to say that many women would risk injury to squeeze into new slingbacks or stilettos, and 43% said they had indeed been injured by their shoes. Now, my friends, I love me a cute pair of shoes, but there is NO way I am going to risk injury to look cute. I am of the opinion that Flatter Shoes Flatter Fabulous Females.... That's my motto and I'm sticking to it! When I hit the big 40...many years ago though it was, I made a promise to myself...I never had to wear pantyhose or high heels again...if I did not want to. And I have only wanted to for 2 weddings and a funeral.

"Women are passionate shoe shoppers and this survey shows that shoe shopping is almost a sport for some women." Can you relate, sisters? "A new pair of shoes makes a woman feel great- and they last longer than a box of chocolate. Forget indulging in a chocolate sundae and go buy shoes for a quick little uplift", says Meghan Cleary. She goes on to say,"Trying on shoes in a store is fun, as you don't have to strip off in front of a brightly lit mirror." You go girlfriend! When you just cannot even THINK about trying on a new pair of pants in a dressing room...you can sit in a comfortable chair in the shoe salon and have someone bring out shoe after shoe for you to try on...while you are still fully clothed and in your right mind. Cause seeing yourself undressed in those dressing rooms sorta of makes us all go a little crazy, doesn't it?

So let's be brave girls...and tell all. How many pairs of shoes do YOU own? You go first....

3 SIGNS TO SAVE A LIFE

Strokes kill twice as many women as breast cancer every year, and it can happen at any age. It is a so sad to know that many people could be saved if we all recognized the symptoms. Getting a stroke victim to the hospital in the first hour is key to being able to reverse potential brain damage.

If you suspect that a person may have had a stroke...and they have even one of these symptoms...don't wait...call 911 immediately. Every minute counts. To remember the symptoms, use the first 3 letters of the word stroke.

S.....Ask her to SMILE. Look for sudden weakness or numbness on either side of the face.

T.....Ask her to TALK. Can she say a simple sentence like "The sky is blue." You know she is in trouble if she can't.

R.....Ask her to RAISE HER ARMS. Weakness or numbness in one arm is a sign she is having a stroke.


The Mayo Clinic suggests another easy way to remember the warning signs: FAST:

F.....FACE...weakness or pulling

A.....ARMS...weakness or numbness

S.....SPEECH...slurred or trouble pronouncing words

T.....TIME...Get help as soon as possible.

Stroke signs in women are sometimes varied and unusual. Please take the time to read this short article from the Mayo Clinic.

Being knowledgeable about these signs could save the life of someone you love.

CUTE CROW SHIRT

Look at this cute T-shirt I found at Target today. Just $6.00. I love crows and have a small collection of crows on top of an armoire in my house. As a family, we have never been very big on Halloween. My boys went trick-or-treating, and we always participated in handing out candy. But, it has just never been a big deal for us. I choose to decorate for fall as a whole, and do not go in for witches and such. I abhor the Halloween aisle at Michael's. They have some kind of "something' that makes this other worldly, spooky sound whenever anyone walks by. It resounds over the whole store. I don't know how those that work there can stand it. Anyway, I liked this shirt because it only had the crow on it. I have always been a fan of primitive folk art, and crows are used quite often in this type of art. They had some with witches and spiders and such, if that is your fancy, too.
HAPPY FALL!

SUMMER MEMORIES

Before summer is completely forgotten with the cooler weather,and all that Fall brings...just one more picture of my favorite summer memory. Along with BFFs Shirley and Tina, we took on the great island of Maui. I had always wanted to share this beautiful place with them, so for me, one of my dreams came true. I thank God for the chance to do this trip with them. It was PARADISE!

MY BLOG IS O.K....YOUR BLOG IS O.K.

It came to my attention this week that some folks were a little offended by my last post. So sorry. But, if you were offended,(and I mean this in the kindest way,) that's your problem. I write my blog for ME, to express MY thoughts, MY feelings, MY shortcomings, MY life. If I feel that I have some information to pass along, I'll do it. If I feel like I can share something I have learned that may help someone else, I'll share it. If I find a little nonsense and I think it will make you laugh, I'll pass it along. But, am I an authority that should be listened to and followed?...heaven forbid. I am a flawed, mistake making, struggling individual. I try everyday to make the right decisions, to live a life that is pleasing to God and my fellow man, to follow the path that will bring happiness to myself and others. I have only my God and my family to answer to.

One of the nicest things that I have found through this blogging adventure is friendship with other struggling ladies like myself. Now, I may not agree with everything they say, as I am sure they don't agree with everything that I say, but that's what makes life interesting. Your opinions, expressed in your blogs, either cause me to examine my ideas, strengthen my ideas, or change my ideas. I never want to get so set into one way of thinking that I refuse to change. With growth, comes change, and things that refuse to grow soon wither and die.

I do not intend to make any changes in the way that I use this forum. I will continue to write for myself, and follow my own guidelines. This is not to say that I do not welcome debate on issues, or for you to question me. But, a difference of opinion should never cause unkindness or name calling or ridicule. You see, my thoughts have been shaped by the life I have led, by the experiences I have gone through, by the people I have learned from...as have yours. So, we should all respect, and learn from each other.

Now, as to the issue in question: Y'ALL vs YA'LL...I, frankly, couldn't care less how you spell it. It is interesting to me that there IS even a correct spelling...and I am citing the dictionaries that I listed as my "proof." I have never considered myself a good speller...and I rely on spell checker most of the time. So, this information is worth exactly what you paid for it...Take it or leave it.

Now I am on to better things. I have wasted far too much of my time on what I thought was just a passing post. I choose to put this episode behind me.

Y'ALL not YA'LL

Having been born in, and lived in, the South all my life. I'd like to correct a few million people on their usage and spelling of the word 'y'all'.

It is spelled 'Y'ALL' and is short for the words 'you all'. If you are spelling it YA'LL...you're just wrong. Sorry. This is not my rule, but according to the following dictionaries...it is the accepted rule.

The Encarta World English Dictionary
Miriam-Webster Dictionary, 10th edition
The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language
Dictionary.com

Just one more little thing...Y'all is a second person plural pronoun. This means it is always refering to more than one person. I hear people sometimes use the word y'all when refering to 1 person...as in, "Where have y'all been?" instead of "Where have you been?". WRONG. If you are talking to a group of your girlfriends, it would be perfectly correct to say, "Did y'all go to the mall without me?"...because you are talking to a group. [If your girlfriends DID go to the mall without you, find you some more considerate friends!]


Now I hope that I have enlightened y'all about the use of 'y'all'. I share this with you because I would never want you to use this little word incorrectly, and that is just what us southern friends do for one another!

The preceeding is another in a series of public service announcements brought to you by Gatherings, a blog from the Deep South, y'all. [And, I'm talking to more than one person here].

SHOP IN STORES WITH CONCRETE FLOORS

No, I haven't gone on a discount store binge here lately, but as I was doing some housework today, I was listening to the Rachael Ray show. They had an expert on club stores like Sam's and Costco. Here are a few tips that I thought were interesting.

SAM'S CLUB: When you look at the price tag, if you see a 'C' on the tag...it is CLEARANCE priced. If the price ends in a penny such as $123.01, it means it has been marked down.

COSTCO: Look for an '*' or a price ending in.97 such as $123.97, to find the marked down and clearance prices.

For both stores, the prices on electronics will not be a major savings. You will find the better prices at an electronics store. The electronic store makes its money selling the warranty and service contracts so they price the items lower. At the warehouse clubs, they do not sell these contracts, so therefore they price their items higher.

Also, in both stores, over the counter drugs and supplies like you would find in a pharmacy should be much lower.
And, even if you are not a member of the warehouse club...most states have to allow you (by law) to shop in the pharmacy dept.

They mentioned that diapers and baby formula were equal to standards upheld by name brands. You can even buy a casket there. EWWWWW!

THE ABOVE IS JUST ANOTHER PUBLIC SERVICE MESSAGE PRESENTED BY GATHERINGS

TREASURED BOOK

This is a very special book I received for my birthday this year, from my brother-in-law, Tommy. He and I share an affinity for the written word. [Of course, he remembers when they first started printing books, I think he was a teenager then...JUST KIDDING :)] And I think he is the only other person I know who can get excited about an old book. He has quite a collection, and enjoys searching for them. He picked this one for me, and I love it. It is titled Grandmother's Child, written by Annie S Swan. It is the sweetest story of a family in London and as you can see from the inscription, this lady received as a gift in 1892. I wonder just where else this old book has been and who else has read this story. Did they find it both sad and heart warming as I did? Was it given to them by someone they loved and cared about? Did it lay in an attic somewhere, or was it stored in a trunk with someones belongings? Was it tucked away on a bookcase somewhere, or was it sold in a library sale of old books? Of course, I'll never know, but I do know something of its life from now on. It will be stored on my bookcase and listed among my treasures. I will read it one day to a grandchild, and pass it on as a dear possession to be kept and read again.

Treasure, you know, has very little to do with monetary value. To me, treasures are those things that speak to your soul, and strike a chord of the beautiful and lovely things of this world. They certainly do not have to BE beautiful, just remind you of it. This book reminds me of the love between a mother and daughter, and finally a granddaughter. It reminds me of how great forgiveness can be and it shows the tenacious spirit of a young child.

Thank-you, Thomas, for this wonderful present. Thank you for recognizing how I would delight in owning this book. I'm so glad you are my brother.

FALL, Y'ALL

I'm getting into the mood of fall. This morning, there is a touch of crispness in the air, and I love it. I love the colors and smells, and the feelings of fall. To me, it's a time of turning inward and refocusing on home and family....a time of beginning the 'snuggle down' time of winter. It's a time of long sleeves and sweaters, football games and fairs, harvest and Thanksgiving...a time of family. I welcome fall and all it stands for.

ADDICTION

62%How Addicted to Blogging Are You?

Mingle² - Free Dating Site

Now, before you "cast any stones", take the quiz for yourself.....

ATTENTION WAL-MART SHOPPERS

I read an interesting article this week about Wal-Mart, and thought you may enjoy some of the facts they have gathered about the shoppers who visit their store.

GENERAL STATS: Wal-mart boasts of 138 million shoppers each week with the busiest day of the week being Saturday. The top shopping day of the year is the day after Thanksgiving, followed closely by December 23, and December 22.

BREAKFAST FOODS: In the Northeast, most people enjoy bagels, while in Texas, it is doughnuts. Also, you who live in the Northeast prefer brown eggs, with the rest of the country choosing white. The majority of Americans drink 2% milk, except those of us in the South, we like whole milk.

PET SUPPLIES: Those in the Western states buy the most dog food, with Florida choosing the most dog accessories. Cat lovers abound in Maine...they buy the most cat food, but Nebraska buys the most cat accessories.

GROCERY:

The items most likely to be found in your grocery cart are frozen foods, especially frozen pizza. Another of the biggest sellers are frozen vegetables packaged to be steamed, and lo-fat meals.

We prefer our fruits fresh, not frozen. "DUH!"

The best selling item in the store are BANANAS! We buy enough bananas each year to circle the Earth 16 times!

Pop Tarts are the number one comfort food. It seems that those who are preparing for hurricanes tend to stockpile Pop Tarts. Extra crates are always shipped to those areas that are expecting weather disasters.

If you live in Pennsylvania, with my friend Jean, you buy 5 times more tea than any other state.

CLOTHING: The average female shopper wears a size 14 and a size 8 12 shoe. Her most popular items of clothing to buy there are hoodies, and casual shoes.

Men shoppers tend to wear a size 10 1/2 shoe. Their choice of boxers or briefs is at a tie across most of the country...with only the South showing a preference...we like boxers down here!

Our children are getting fatter! 30% of the children in ages 9-12 are buying their clothes in the men's and ladies' departments. Perhaps due to Pop Tart consumption?

OTHER BUYING HABITS: The hottest selling item now is Electronics...with the most sought after being the 32 in flat screen TV.

We buy mostly Country music, followed by Pop/Rock.

We prefer paying with cash followed by the debit card.

In an attempt to sharpen their image, the employees are now wearing khaki pants and polo shirts. No more blue vests. But they are going to recycle those for a worthy cause...so they say.

I found it amusing to look at the buying habits of Americans at Wal-Mart. I usually shop at the local Wal-Mart about twice a month. I find their groceries to be competitively priced. My biggest gripe with their store is the long wait to check-out. They may have 20 registers in the front and only 8 of them being used. I have begun to use the self check-out...which I like better.

All of this information is available on the Good Morning America website. I did not go out and poll all of America on its spending habits. I do not have quite that much free time.

BEAUTY OF NATURE

 

"You make me so happy, God. I saw your work and I shouted for joy. How magnificent your work,God"
Psalm 92:1 TMB


I found this beautiful bloom in my backyard yesterday. I didn't even know the plant was there, and I don't remember ever seeing it before.(I've lived here 25 years). I choose to think that God was just sending me a hug and a reminder that He can do all things. He does not need my help. He is in control of the world, our country, our state, and even the backyard of the Owens'home. He alone decides what will be or will not be. I can rest in that. Thank-you,God, for the flower and the message.

MIDDLE NAME MEME

I've been tagged to play the middle name game. First, the rules:
You have to post these rules on your blog. Players, you must list one fact that is somehow relevant to your life for each letter of your middle name. If you do not have a middle name, choose one you would like to have. When tagged, write your own blog post containing your middle name facts. At the end, choose one person to tag for each letter of your middle name. Then leave them a comment telling them they have been tagged.

L.....loyal. I am loyal to those I love and believe in.

Y.....yellow. No, not for being scared, but yellow is one of my favorite colors.

N.....nice. I try to be, and I must be since I was given the NICE MATTERS award.

N.....noisy. I tend to get loud when I am happy. My husband is always telling me to
quiet down. I also ALWAYS have music playing wherever I am.

I am tagging:

Dianne
Nancy Grayce

A REASON TO SMILE

Thanks, Kat, for this sweet award. I truly believe this world of our needs more smiles and laughter. I am reminded of a scripture I love...
"Be joyful always; pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances."
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
God has indeed given us all so much to smile about. We take it for granted so many times, but He keeps on delighting us every day. On this anniversary of terror, I am thankful and joyful that I live in America...that alone should make us all thankful.
I choose to share this award with Angie and Jean. Smile, girls!

NEW SHOES

NEW SHOES
Originally uploaded by Tonja Owens

OOOOH! I love to get new shoes! Saturday when I went out with my aunts and uncles, we naturally went to the shoe dept....well, the women did, the men disappeared. Such cute shoes they had! My Aunt Evelyn bought a cute, sassy pair of red loafers for an upcoming trip and I purchased the leopard and houndstooth. They are so fun! I had purchased the black ones a few weeks back, but I'm enjoying them so much, I thought I'd share them, too. I was torn between which ones to buy. but my Aunt Marie said I deserved both pairs...and I have always believed everything she told me...why stop now?

FAMILY TIES

On Friday, we began a wonderful visit with some of our relatives from North Carolina. My cousins Harry and Lisa drove the aunts and uncle down for the week-end. What a wonderful time we had. This was the first time Mom has had all her brothers and sisters together in her home. I think she began cooking last Monday, and cooked all week. She had a wonderful dinner for them on Friday night when they arrived. Joy and all her family went over and visited that night. Ian also came home from Birmingham to see them, so he went on Friday also. On Saturday, I went over for breakfast, and then took the whole crew out and about in the big city of Dothan. We went to the mall, and saw some other famous sites, and then they went back to the motel to rest before dinner. Don, Alex and I went over for dinner...even though Alex was really feeling very poorly, he mustered up all his strength to spend some time with them. Joy came over also. Mom had beef tenderloin, mashed potatoes(from scratch and with sour cream),fresh corn, gravy, green beans, rolls, and her divine cheesecake for dessert. Yes, it was as good as it sounds!
Oh, what a time we had! Reminiscing about times and people long gone. They were all trying to remember just where they were born. It seems that the family moved several times and no one is really sure just what house they were in when they entered the world. Then my Aunt Della said that when she got her birth certificate a few years ago, she found out she was a year younger than she thought, and born in a different month! My Aunt Evelyn told a story about playing with matches. She was in the house and the scarf she had around her head caught on fire, she ran from the house, catching the curtains on fire as she flew past, and headed straight for the well. My Mom had been told to draw the water earlier, and she had not done it, so she had just been sent back to the well by an upset mother. Fortunately, she was there when Aunt Evelyn got there and physically stopped her from jumping into the well to put out the fire. That's all they remember, they can not recall how they put out the fire.
Another funny story was when my Grandaddy found his prize watermelon in the icebox...with the initials 'E.M.' carved into it. WHOEVER did it carved too deep and cut all the way through the skin and ruined the watermelon. Grandaddy was very unhappy...but who to punish? Three of his children had the initials 'E.M.'...and no one owned up to doing the deed. So, what's a dad to do? Why, spank them all, so he'll be sure to get the right one. Mom and Aunt Evelyn swear they didn't do it...Uncle Elwood just grinned and looked mighty guilty!
Oh, how I love these people! Even though, I haven't ever lived close enough to see them whenever I liked, it's all ways been enough to know they were there. These are "salt of the earth" people. The kind who will always go the extra mile and are willing to help out at a moment's notice. They are people who believe in God and choose to honor and worship Him in their daily lives. These are people who have worked hard all their lives and continue to do so. Not complaining...just doing what has to be done. With a smile, I might add. They have survived serious illness and some have lost spouses and children. But, they keep their smiles and sense of humor and soldier on. The cousins are following along the same paths and are taking the Merritt family tradition forward...and now there is the third generation coming along as well, and even a few of the fourth generation. I remember fondly that whenever I was with them, as a child, I always felt I was at home...that I belonged there even though I lived 600 miles away. That speaks to the way the aunts and uncles treated us. We were part of them and their families and their way of life.
As we sat around Mom's den last evening and talked and laughed and remembered, it felt just the same. I thought of how much I love these people, my aunts and uncles and cousins...my grandmother and grandaddy. I think how proud they would be of the children they bore and raised, of the grandchildren they loved, and of the great- grandchildren that followed, and the great-great grandchildren that are just beginning their journey. Strong words come to mind...HERITAGE...LEGACY.....and the sweetest of all...FAMILY.

COUSINS

COUSINS
Originally uploaded by Tonja Owens

AUNTS and UNCLE

AUNTS and UNCLE
Originally uploaded by Tonja Owens

WHAT WOULD YOU TAKE?

Imagine that you awoke at 3:00 AM one morning with the realization that your house was on fire. Let's say you had 5 minutes to gather the things that were most dear to you to save them from the fire. What would you take? Could you get to it easily? Would you have trouble finding it? What would you use to gather it in? Is there something too big to get out that you would regret losing? Let's say also that all people and pets are already safe, so you only have to think of what you want to save.......................................................................
...................................................................................
...................................................................................
I would grab a laundry basket and try to gather:
**as many pictures as I could...especially the portraits of my children at 3 years
**my scrapbooks that chronicle special people and events
**my Bible, all the other books could be replaced
**my box of love notes and little things my children drew when they were younger
**a box of treasures that belonged to my Mother-in-law
**my good jewelry
**my laptop
**necessary medications
**a painting that my husband loves
**OH! I would have to grab my glasses first or I couldn't see to get anything else

I would regret losing most the things I have collected from different parts of the world and the United States, my real zebra skin rug from Pop, my collection of sheep, my books, my wedding china, my collection of old wooden boxes and dough bowls,
my quilts and whatever pictures I couldn't save....

I would not be able to get my piano out, and I have an antique dry sink from my Mom that would be too big to get out, too.

What would you save?.........

PLANS GONE AWRY

Don left yesterday for a business meeting in California. Plans were for Alex to go with him. He was looking forward to it so much...Don was too. But when he got up yesterday morning, he was just too sick to travel. He showered and dressed and was all packed, but his body just would not let him go. He and Don were so disappointed.
Don had to go ahead and leave to catch his plane. What a bummer. Alex feels guilty for not being able to spend this time with Don. We had prayed that God would give him a few days of relief and a little fun...but it was not to be.

It is at times like this that I get angry. It seems so little to ask that this young man have a few days of fun. So little to ask that he get to do something that others take for granted. So little to ask for 'normal.' So, I'm angry. Not at God...just at life, and situations, and illness. These are the times it gets hard to keep a smile on my face, these are the times I want to hit something and cry out that "IT'S NOT FAIR!" And it's not. But, what it is , is LIFE. And it's the life we have been given. And I do not always like it. It's at times like these that I feel as if I am going to fail as a mom...fail at keeping Alex's spirits up, and fail at showing God's strength and love...fail at finding a silver lining...fail at giving him hope.

"Because of God's great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness." Lamentations3:22,23

Please pray for us. I know I sound really down, but I am not. Please know that I do not blame God for this. Sure I wonder why, but God is all loving and compassionate and He wants only the best for us. He continues to give us strength and sanity(*?*), I know He will never fail.

YUMMY and CRUNCHY

I found this recipe...and it's likely the ONLY recipe you will ever get from me...in the diet book, Dr. Gott's No Flour, No Sugar Diet.

COCONUT PECAN GRANOLA

3/4 cup of Fruit Sweet
2 tablespoons butter
6 cups old-fashioned oats
3/4 cup toasted pecan
3/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
pinch of salt
OPTIONAL: may add raisins or other dried fruit

preheat oven to 325

Melt butter in large mixing bowl in microwave. Add Fruit Sweet, oats, pecans, coconut, vanilla, and salt. Mix until well combined. Spray a baking sheet with vegetable oil spray and spread mixture out on the pan in an even layer. Bake, stirring several times, about 25 minutes until mixture is light golden brown. Cool completely. Serve at room temperature. Can be stored in airtight container for several weeks. Makes about 8 cups or 16 servings.

You can add this to nonfat plain yogurt with sliced fresh fruit. It is also a quick breakfast cereal with skim milk, or just out of hand as a snack.

FYI: FRUIT SWEET is a liquid fruit sweetener, made from concentrated fruit juices.
It is a good substitute for sugar and honey in cooking, but is sweeter than sugar and has fewer calories per serving. This is just one brand name, and it can be found in the baking needs isles of supermarket or health food stores.

ENJOY!

REMEMBER

"Be still and know that I am God."
Psalm 46:10

MINUTES of the 1st "B" CLUB MEETING

B club 2
Originally uploaded by Tonja Owens

This meeting was called together by member, Jean, who said, "I'm heading south, so you better jump at this chance!" Fellow members, Kat and Tonja, eager to be given voting priviledges, and just being good, all- around girls, proceeded...with haste...and began preparations for the meeting. Plans were made for the opening gavel to sound at 3:00...and at 3:10...it sounded loud and clear. ... Well, maybe not a gavel, but a lot of excited female squealing and jumping about. All this was watched...at a distance...by our own hero/service man...Ray...standing at attention or at ease or something...it just looked very official and military like. And another gentleman who just looked on in amazement...and amusement.

Eager to begin the official meeting, the 2 gentlemen were hastily send off on their merry way...they SAID they were going to CHURCH!
But that has yet to be documented. However they did run into a man named Hemingway.

But, back to club news. The 3 members in attendance...parched of throat as they were, proceeded into the bar . Now, gentlewomen, never fear. We sat right by the door and only partook of diet cherry coke...and posed for several pictures. This first session lasted about 2 hours, and then our need for nourishment began to call. We made a quick trip to the nearest eating establishment , secured an out of the way booth (so as not to disturb others), ordered, and began Session 2. We learned much from this 2 hour session: the need for organization, the benefits and pitfalls of dieting, and the dangers of consuming too many sugar free candies. A near disaster was averted when Jean realized she had left important paraphanelia on the table and was able to retrieve it quickly. Hopefull no evidence was lost. Session 3 commenced in the lobby area of the hotel and rounded out the evening. Much conversation was shared by the 3 in attendance, along with a few tears, and lots of laughs.
Jean's chaperone came and retrieved her and settled her safely back in her room, and Tonja and Kat escorted each other up to their
room.
A learning session for the computer challenged Tonja was planned, but alas the computer genius Kat was only able to impart a tiny amount of knowledge, because the internet connection was faulty. That's what the genius said, the dummy just thought the computer was broken. Sleep came after much laughing and silliness, and a short flip-flop fashion show...very short! Session 4 bagan over breakfast. Jean was in absentia, but was contacted via phone for her 2 cents worth. Plans were made to hold the second meeting soon in hopes that more of the members(YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE!!!) can be in attendance. Thus ended the meeting. All arrived home safely, with warm memories and cute pictures!
And a little Pennsylvania chocolate!

Minutes respectfully submitted: September 3, 2007.

PACKED AND READY

 

Look at the new set of Vera Bradley my husband gave me for my birthday. And he let me pick out the pattern that I wanted. I have always loved this shade of green and I love blue and green together. There is just 1 more piece that I want to complete my set, the laptop bag. Cause you know, a girl's gotta stay connected...and look fashionable at the same time!

I am leaving tomorrow for a little trip. Not JUST to use my new luggage, but to meet some bloggy friends IRL. I can hardly wait. One of my friends lives way up in PA., but she's making a trip down south, and several of us Southern Blogging Babes are going to meet her. I can hardly wait! I haven't even met all the southern girls either, and I am just as excited to meet them, too. So if you hear of a tornado down in Pensacola, FL., don't worry...it'll just be us...talking up a storm!!!