Mounds of fun...

Well this past Friday I was off from work. They are replacing the carpet in the whole office & the second level (my area) was the first to be replaced. So thank you carpet people you gave me a day off without touching my vacation days!!

So what to do on a day off??? hmmmm??? what to do? Oh! I know, lets go on a field trip with 3000 5th graders!!!! lol. Actually it was 3rd, 4th, & 5th graders. My nephews happened to have a field trip to the Moundville Archaeological park on Friday. They asked if I could go with them. Well, of course. It has been a few years since I have attended the Native American Festival held there, plus I get to be the adult on a field trip! How different this would be. Boy was it, where when you are a kid, you stay with the group at all times, don't touch, blah blah blah, being the adult I got to wander to parts that interested me most & was allowed to touch some things. While the inquisitive kid in me loved seeing the Living History & stage re-enactments. It really was a good day, plus I got to see 2 of my favorite children: Coy & Colton. They are growing up SO fast it is crazy... I remember our class trip to Moundville 4th Grade, even minute details of what people wore & things we did. Those were the days...

Mom came up with the boys & spent the night. After the field trip me & her wandered around town, had dinner with Marcus & just had a great day. Dad came up on Saturday & we all (with Rob too) watch the game & cooked out. It was a really nice day. (I will post pics of our group from the field trip)

Two Glasses of Wine..

I would love to claim this story as my own,but it is not. Many of you have probably received it in email form or heard it. I received it again this morning & thought that maybe we all don't receive & read it enough. I tend to really bog down on some of the small things sometimes and I have to work on that. Life has blessed me with so many of the 'golfballs' in the story, but I am thankful for every element that fills my jar. .. :)

TWO GLASSES OF WINE...When things in your life seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar and the 2 glasses of wine...

A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, wordlessly, he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.

The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.

The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with an unanimous "yes." The professor then produced two glasses of wine from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar, effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.

"Now," said the professor, as the laughter subsided, "I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things; your family, your children, your health, your friends, and your favorite passions; things that if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full." The pebbles are the other things that matter; like your job, your house, and your car. The sand is everything else; the small stuff. "If you put the sand into the jar first," he continued, "there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls.

The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are important to you." "Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play with your children. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your partner out to dinner. Play another 18. Do one more run down the ski slope. There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal. Take care of the golf balls first; the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand."

One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the wine represented. The professor smiled. "I'm glad you asked. It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of glasses of wine with a friend."

Big Screen

Sunday was an amazing day; granted it was the day after a miserable loss to Florida State, we found a way to really brighten up the weekend.
Around 11:30 a.m. we headed up to Hoover. DSW was our first stop & I successfully found 3 pair of fall shoes (2 on clearance) that I just love! We then scooted across to our favorite guilty pleasure: World Market. We cannot go into that store without hitting the food aisles, home aisles, pet aisles... EVERY AISLE!!! :) I found these beautiful crystal & iron stars to hang in our bedroom window, a toy for Peanut, & then we hit the imported food aisle. Marcus loves the candy aisle. It is so much fun to see the candy bars made by Nestle or Hershey marketed for their European Customers. We tried an Aero bar (UK) it is a big Mint candy bar with these little bubble holes all the way through. Really good if you like mint & chocolate. Of course I hit the Italian sodas up :), then over to the cookies, baking, & pastas. I LOVE this store! After that we grabbed two cold pure cane sugar sodas for the ride and headed to downtown Birmingham.

We had purchased earlier in the week tickets to see Harry Potter & the Order of the Phoenix in IMAX at the McWane Science Center. Let me tell you, both of us have seen a few educational flicks on IMAX or done the 360 rides at Disney, but a true full length film on IMAX... WOW! It was so awesome. We saw the traditional version on opening night, so it was a bit easier to follow (plus we have of course read the books). The screen really made you feel like a fly on the wall, like you were right there in every scene, being spoken to or flying with, or discovering with. I have to say that I would love to see the whole series on IMAX. The room though, was FREEZING; thankfully I wore a cardigan.
After the movie we explored the McWane Center. If you have never done this, you should plan a trip as soon as possible. With or without kids :) We had a ball. The brain activity challenge was the funniest: you put a canvas headband with 3 small metal pieces on your forehead. Sit across from one another & in the middle of you both is a ball and two circular 'endzones' on each end of a space about 6" x 42" the object is to relax your brain enough to push the ball into the opposite endzone. The brain waves & electrodes move the ball. Marcus could not relax for the life of him at first, I could almost make the ball fly into his circle (obviously I have no problem just chilling out), after reading a tip that mathematical equations (simple ones) done in the mind can relaz you Marcus finally scored. We thought it a riot that he had to do math in his head to relax, boy are we different! :) There is so much to explore at that place, we even did not make it through the entire center! You should really check it out.

Beyond that I have had a terrible case of Laryngitis for the past 4 days. Mostly only speaking in whisper form :) Makes for interesting conversations, though I must say not talking has been great, just being able to listen or flake out when I need to without speaking is quite relaxing in itself :) Marcus just woke up yesterday with a terrible cold, so weird since it is only October & we have little sicknesses already, hopefully this will take the place of something later... maybe... we hope. :)

The dash....

Sadly I spent Monday at a funeral. Marcus' first cousin Derek passed away on Friday, September 21, 2007. He was 28, we think it was a stroke (he had been having some high blood pressure issues). The funeral of course was terribly sad, any funeral is, but when you see someone who is so close to your age lying there peacefully it slaps you in the face. The preacher who spoke at the chapel discussed one of the most interesting concepts: our dash. We all have been to a cemetary, all of us have seen a headstone bearing names of people we know or wish we could have known. There are always those headstones with years that seem so long ago, we feel sorrow at those that were born & died on the same day, those that seemed so young, and we feel surprise at those that lived so long. We focus on the two dates: birth & death. Seeing only the number that the years create. But that dash there between the dates truly is the life that person lived. The dash represents all the heartaches, happiness, anger, love that was shared or lost within the years. The preacher spoke of how we all need to think about how we are living our 'dash', whether or not we would feel fulfilled if today were our last day or now our last moments. There is no perfect way to live our dash, we are all human therefore we are all imperfect. For me that imperfection is part of what makes our 'dash' so spectacular. Mistakes are made every day by me & I am better for each of them when I go to bed. I may not yet know they were made or their depth, but a choice made changed something in my life. Those changes are worth waking up for, working for, & believing in. Consequences are not always negative, seeing the silver lining & not being able to access it teaches us endurance & faith. For even when out of reach, knowing that there is something to reach for creates faith. A life without faith can become empty quickly. We all have some sort of faith perhaps not always the spiritual kind, but a form of faith. We place faith in friends & family to be there when we have troubled times. We place faith in ourselves to continue to get up & do something every day. It pushes us when we are down & lifts us up even higher when we are happy. My dash is full of faith, hope, love, impatience, anger, dislike, romance, sorrow, every word to describe and emotion or action is here in my 'dash'. Already I have experienced so much, I do so hope that there are many years to experience so much more, but if time slipped away I do know that I have loved, I have been heartbroken, I have been loved, I have endured, I have grown, I have impacted, I have been affected, I have lived. I thank God for faith; for us being imperfect, for allowing us to see our mistakes, to have the opportunity to make a mark in this world, God granted me life & I hope that I am living it worthy of his presence, so that he will smile when he looks upon my 'dash' some day...

SS Designs...

Last night I hosted a 'trunk show' for a coworker, Sheila Skelton (hence the SS). She has developed this amazing hobby making jewelry. She uses Dichroic glass to create unique shapes & colorings that are one of a kind pieces. The kiln her husband bought & built in their work shop is used to fire these pieces at 1400 degrees for 12 hours; she then allows them to cool & adds the 'bell' for either earring creation or pendant. She also makes a cheese & cracker display out of a glass bottle that she melts down. It is so cool & such a neat display for company.

Of course, being a girl who lives to create "pretty parties" I jumped at the chance to set up a spread of finger foods & punch. I had about 12 people come in & out for the evening & Sheila did a great job with sales. I want to get the word out & showcase some of her pieces so this entry is doing just that! If any of you see any pieces that you like or even just colors, she can custom make a piece. Do note that it is impossible to recreate an exact of something you see (in case it sells before you get to it) but she can try her best. In my opinion doesn't every girl want that unique piece made only for her anyway?? I sure do.

Anyway, peruse my pics from last night & if you want a piece let me know. I can place your order or put you into direct contact with this wonderful artisan!

$25.00 for the 'Bottle' cheese & cracker set

$15.00 for earrings

$20.00 for pendants

*She MAY do a special on a set of earrings & pendant combination*

What a weekend...

Unless your head has been under a rock, most people are aware of Alabama's 8 second victory over Arkansas on Saturday night. That game was AMAZING!!!! Decisions that we as armchair quarterbacks & coaches questioned were not immediately seen as genius: 4th down, he chose the field goal over a touchdown in last moment situation??? Well when I learned Sunday morning via the Tuscaloosa News that Saban actually asked his defense - Can you hold them? they responded yes; he asked Leigh Tiffin - Can you make this field goal? he responded yes; Saban trusted & the boys provided. What a concept! Not only have you given your players confidence by trusting, but you have given them a feeling of true contribution! No matter the outcome, they would have respected him for that opportunity to attempt to prove they have the talent & confidence to deliver.
We ended up with more than a house full. Saturday morning we ended up with extra tickets (my parents already had tickets to the game - Marcus was going to with my dad, me & mom were going to shop & watch the game at home), so we called my sister Nina in Atlanta. Her husband was in New York on business but her oldest son was ecstatic to be going to his first game (he went at like 2, but this one really counts:) )So the 5 of them trucked over to Ttown & boom we had a house full of family! It was a blast. Mom happened to hurt her back at the end of the week so we had her propped up & comfy on the couch, me & the kids made cupcakes, cooked supper, & watched an amazing game. It truly was a wonderful weekend & really made me realize how wonderful it is that Nina can pop in whenever, that she is now close enough to really get to share in all our lives. It is definitely a blessing & joy!

ROLL TIDE ROLL!!!!

The weekend..

Wow, it is Friday again. As much as I dread Mondays, it seems they pass by rather quickly. Friday is already here, eagerly asking me what are we doing this weekend? Funny how we all plan & plan & plan for weekends. Even when we claim we are doing nothing, that statement in itself is a plan or agenda to do nothing. At our house it is rare we ever do nothing or even have a lazy day during the weekend. What constitutes lazy to us is probably pretty active to some & almost stagnant to others. This particular weekend welcomes another Alabama football matchup & some visitors. It seems we are forever hosting family or friends & honestly I LOVE IT! As much as just vegging out can be fun, I have found that the social butterfly within me, begs to flit around on the weekends. I love to cook & clean & prepare not only the house but myself to sit a spell & visit with someone. Every Saturday in the fall when we stay in Ttown for the games, I cook an elaborate showcase for lunch & dinner. Tailgating at our house is an event to behold. (Rob & Marcus have grown quite accustomed to having good food so when I went to Atlanta opening football weekend, they weren't thrilled. I did make some things in advance, but mostly they were on their own. :) ) The fall season hosts a bevy of busy weekends thanks to the Crimson Tide. Tonight I will be cleaning up around the house, planning my menus. Just enjoying being at home, being busy, & being thankful that I have such great friends & family to enjoy seeing over the weekend.

Ballet & Tap

Well, I just got an email from my best friend (Stacie Edhegard).... it seems her oldest little girl, Anna Claire, just started her tap/ballet classes. Let me tell you, my nieces have done these classes, two have continued while the other lost interest. There is nothing like the pictures of these little girls twirling around in utter happiness, feeling like a true princess, & taking delight in entertaining anyone who will watch, smile, & clap at their achievement. Anna Claire is no exception as this is evident in her cherub face! I just had to post these!