Earlier this month, I learned about Boo Bags. There are many different versions and varieties of a Boo Bag, but basically the idea is to surprise friends or neighbors by either decorating their front step for Halloween or leaving a bag of goodies for them. It’s kind of like an invitation to “pay it forward”, and from what I’ve read, many times entire neighborhoods end up decorated by Boo Baggin’ by the time Halloween arrives.
So, I set out to do a few Boo Bags of my own! So much fun! Tuesday night, Tim and I dropped our first two bags ~ one to my sister and Brian and one to my mother. Jenn was at work, so we left their bag on her car; I was afraid to drop it at their house because I knew Chance and Dooley (their dogs) would definitely bark up a storm and we’d get caught red-handed! Jenn got off work at 10 that night, and it wasn’t even 10:05 before she was calling me thanking me for the bag. She totally knew it was me! It was still fun, though!
My mom didn’t say a word about her bag. So last night, I went by there to pick up some cake – yummy, thanks for sharing, mom! – and she asked if I left her a Boo Bag. I fessed up, and I asked how she knew it was me. . . Jenn had to tell her! Mom was too afraid to enjoy the candy without knowing who’d left it for her! She thought maybe someone dropped it off at the wrong apartment or something! Funny!
And yesterday I had two more Boo Bag drops to make. . . my first was to Lawson, who is also known as Batman this Halloween. Jodi said she was stumped at first, but figured out it was me because of my poem’s cute font! I tend to use the Jokerman font a good bit for invites and such around the bank. And then I dropped my last bag at the Pippin’s home. After talking to my mom, though, I decided this morning to make sure Laurie and Stu knew the bag was from Tim and me, so I sent Laurie a text that just said “Boo” and she obviously figured it out!
So, it was all fun times, and even though Tim is convinced I’m the only person who’d ever do something so silly – from the bags to the poems to the quick getaways we made from Mom’s and Jenn’s – we laughed about it and enjoyed knowing we were sharing happiness.
So, Happy Halloween! Go Boo someone you love!
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Friday, October 24, 2008
Shout Out for Melissa
What what? Two posts in one day? I know, the first one today wasn't really a post. . . more of a picture show-off.
So I have a new friend, Melissa Jackson, and she is super duper talented! Check out her blog, and if you post a comment on her Inspired to Give Away post, you'll be entered into a drawing for a free - Yes, FREE!!! - painting! How cool is that? Remember, Christmas is sneakin' up on us for sure! Who wouldn't love a painting by Melissa?
So, check 'em out; she's got various lines and does all kindsa great stuff!
So I have a new friend, Melissa Jackson, and she is super duper talented! Check out her blog, and if you post a comment on her Inspired to Give Away post, you'll be entered into a drawing for a free - Yes, FREE!!! - painting! How cool is that? Remember, Christmas is sneakin' up on us for sure! Who wouldn't love a painting by Melissa?
So, check 'em out; she's got various lines and does all kindsa great stuff!
Pictures For You!
The TSA Teachers had a shower for Jenn yesterday evening. Thought I'd share some pictures for you all. . .
Ellie's Goodies
Happy Mommy & Daddy
Lovie, Jenn, Aunt B
Our home!
Our window boxes
Ellie's Goodies
Happy Mommy & Daddy
Lovie, Jenn, Aunt B
Our home!
Our window boxesNow, if I can just keep those pansies, dusty miller, and kale alive for the next 5 months. . .
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Pet Peeve
I've been all nice and cheery in my blog thus far, but today. . . not so much. I'm venting today. Hope I don't offend anyone. Hang on tight, 'cause here I goooooooooooo. . . . . .
Do people these days not know how to RSVP to a party? I swear! It's amazed me with every party I've ever been involved with. . . people don't respond. Maybe it's just a matter of waiting to see if something better comes along. I don't know, but I think it's tacky! When I was getting married, it bothered me so much. I hated to have to track down folks I'd invited to a party to find out if, in fact, they were coming. That's no fun! But I did it for my hostesses because they needed to know! And I totally understand that! Given the number of parties I've helped host, I know you just have to know how many are coming!
I know Emily Post says it's terribly rude to ignore an invitation. . . "RSVP ASAP
It is inconsiderate, but unfortunately common, for guests to fail to RSVP. Some forget; others procrastinate and then feel guilty, so they delay even longer. To many a host on the non-receiving end of an RSVP, it seems as if an invitee is simply waiting for something “better” to possibly come along. One of the sad parts about the demise of the RSVP is that relationships often suffer due to hosts’ resultant hurt feelings and frustration. It is perfectly polite, however, for hosts to call friends to ask if they plan to attend. Anyone who receives an invitation has an important obligation to reply as soon as possible." Don't they teach these things in certain girl groups? No? I wasn't ever a sorority girl, but my momma taught me to repond to an invitation. It's not hard! It takes a minute, maybe two, of your time, and it lets the hostess know to expect you or not!
Geez. . . how hard is it, really? For those of you still reading, thanks for letting me vent!
On a lighter note, I'm dang proud of our window boxes. I'll take a pic and post for you! Now, if I can only keep the flowers alive. . .
Do people these days not know how to RSVP to a party? I swear! It's amazed me with every party I've ever been involved with. . . people don't respond. Maybe it's just a matter of waiting to see if something better comes along. I don't know, but I think it's tacky! When I was getting married, it bothered me so much. I hated to have to track down folks I'd invited to a party to find out if, in fact, they were coming. That's no fun! But I did it for my hostesses because they needed to know! And I totally understand that! Given the number of parties I've helped host, I know you just have to know how many are coming!
I know Emily Post says it's terribly rude to ignore an invitation. . . "RSVP ASAP
It is inconsiderate, but unfortunately common, for guests to fail to RSVP. Some forget; others procrastinate and then feel guilty, so they delay even longer. To many a host on the non-receiving end of an RSVP, it seems as if an invitee is simply waiting for something “better” to possibly come along. One of the sad parts about the demise of the RSVP is that relationships often suffer due to hosts’ resultant hurt feelings and frustration. It is perfectly polite, however, for hosts to call friends to ask if they plan to attend. Anyone who receives an invitation has an important obligation to reply as soon as possible." Don't they teach these things in certain girl groups? No? I wasn't ever a sorority girl, but my momma taught me to repond to an invitation. It's not hard! It takes a minute, maybe two, of your time, and it lets the hostess know to expect you or not!
Geez. . . how hard is it, really? For those of you still reading, thanks for letting me vent!
On a lighter note, I'm dang proud of our window boxes. I'll take a pic and post for you! Now, if I can only keep the flowers alive. . .
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Bittersweet Day
Today’s the 14th anniversary of my Daddy’s death. It’s weird how grief works. It changes all the time, it seems. Last night on my way home from church, I spotted the brightest solo star in the sky and smiled. . . at the same time, “I’ll Fly Away” came on the radio. A could totally feel God’s presence, reminding me, yet again, that Daddy is better than ever. Each year, I find myself more and more surprised that it still hurts. But it’s different each time, too. I miss him for different reasons. . .
- I’m sad that he doesn’t know Tim or Brian. He missed the joy of seeing his daughters marry and be wives and love.
- Now that I know a happy marriage, I am sad that he took that from my momma when he left us.
- Daddy didn’t get to see Jenn’s precious pregnant belly, get to fight me and momma for a chance to feel Ellie kick or hiccup. Daddy missed our singing session the other night; we sang “Jesus Loves the Little Children” to Ellie.
- He won’t ever get to hold Ellie, get to love on her, and watch her grow like we all can’t wait to do.
- The state of our financial economy really makes me want to have a good conversation with him. Even though I’m in the same profession he was in, we never really talked about it (I was 14, you know, there were much more important things to talk about, if I was talking to my Daddy at all).
- I don’t know the father – adult daughter relationship. I always have an awkwardness about me anytime I interact with adult men. . . well not anytime but if it’s on a personal level versus a work level, I feel it. I can’t really explain it.
The bottom line is I still miss him. I guess I always will. This will forever be a day that just kind of leaves me unsettled and sad. Grief is just a strange thing. . . . this song hit me hard the other day. It totally explains how much more precious Heaven becomes when loved ones are there.
You're in a better place, I've heard a thousand times
And at least a thousand times I've rejoiced for you
But the reason why I'm broken, the reason why I cry
Is how long must I wait to be with you
I close my eyes and I see your face
If home's where my heart is then I'm out of place
Lord, won't you give me strength to make it through somehow
I've never been more homesick than now
Help me Lord cause I don't understand your ways
The reason why I wonder if I'll ever know
But, even if you showed me, the hurt would be the same
Cause I'm still here so far away from home
I close my eyes and I see your face
If home's where my heart is then I'm out of place
Lord, won't you give me strength to make it through somehow
I've never been more homesick than now
In Christ, there are no goodbye
And in Christ, there is no end
So I'll hold onto Jesus with all that I have
To see you again. To see you again
And I close my eyes and I see your face
If home's where my heart is then I'm out of place
Lord, won't you give me strength to make it through somehow
Won't you give me strength to make it through somehow
Won't you give me strength to make it through somehow
I've never been more homesick than now
MercyMe
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Nursin’ the Sick. . .
Nope, Tim’s not sick. I’m not under the weather. Rather, we spend our Monday tending to our “child” Belle. Belle went under the knife yesterday; we finally had her spayed. We’d held out under the hopes that we’d breed her someday. But not having her papers (shame on the dog seller, Shame! Shame!) means breeding her would be worthless.
This summer, the vet recommended spaying her to avoid female complications as she ages. So, since yesterday was a holiday for me, I took her to Gordon for the cheapest spaying around. Jenn took Dooley and had him neutered, so we were in it together. Brian came along, too, and boy oh, boy were we thankful!
I guess part of the cost of being a dog owner who pinches pennies and gets the cheapest spaying is that the vet released to me one pitiful, still under anesthesia black lab. They loaded Belle into the back of my car, and she was totally out of it. Dooley was even more pitiful than Belle, if that’s possible; Dooley whined and whimpered and cried just about the entire way back to Macon. Thankfully Brian held Dooley while keeping a close eye on Belle while I rushed down Highway 57 to get home as quickly as possible.
The afternoon was spent with me lying beside Belle on our bed – which is a huge no-no under normal circumstances. She was so out of it; yet if I moved as much as an inch, she’d lift her head and wait on me to be right beside her again. I guess she was just scared. . .
Which made Tim and I, Jenn and Brian decide: maybe our pinching pennies and doing the cheap vet route was the key; I mean, rather than the $300 + we would’ve spent with the vet in Macon, we forked out $75. Plus, we were able to be right there with Belle while she was coming out of her anesthesia. She and I slept in the bedroom last night, and we kicked Tim to the couch. I knew she was going to be fine when at 4:45am, she woke me up drinking out of the toilet!?!? This morning, she was quick to eat her food and drink lots of water!
At lunch, I checked on her, and she was wagging her tail, moving a little better, and even sort of ventured out into the backyard on her own accord! Not sure when she’ll be back to running like a champ, but we’re thankful, still, that she’s a healthy sweet girl!
This summer, the vet recommended spaying her to avoid female complications as she ages. So, since yesterday was a holiday for me, I took her to Gordon for the cheapest spaying around. Jenn took Dooley and had him neutered, so we were in it together. Brian came along, too, and boy oh, boy were we thankful!
I guess part of the cost of being a dog owner who pinches pennies and gets the cheapest spaying is that the vet released to me one pitiful, still under anesthesia black lab. They loaded Belle into the back of my car, and she was totally out of it. Dooley was even more pitiful than Belle, if that’s possible; Dooley whined and whimpered and cried just about the entire way back to Macon. Thankfully Brian held Dooley while keeping a close eye on Belle while I rushed down Highway 57 to get home as quickly as possible.
The afternoon was spent with me lying beside Belle on our bed – which is a huge no-no under normal circumstances. She was so out of it; yet if I moved as much as an inch, she’d lift her head and wait on me to be right beside her again. I guess she was just scared. . .
Which made Tim and I, Jenn and Brian decide: maybe our pinching pennies and doing the cheap vet route was the key; I mean, rather than the $300 + we would’ve spent with the vet in Macon, we forked out $75. Plus, we were able to be right there with Belle while she was coming out of her anesthesia. She and I slept in the bedroom last night, and we kicked Tim to the couch. I knew she was going to be fine when at 4:45am, she woke me up drinking out of the toilet!?!? This morning, she was quick to eat her food and drink lots of water!
At lunch, I checked on her, and she was wagging her tail, moving a little better, and even sort of ventured out into the backyard on her own accord! Not sure when she’ll be back to running like a champ, but we’re thankful, still, that she’s a healthy sweet girl!
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
“A Woman’s mind is as complex as her handbag; even when you get to the bottom of it, there is always something at the bottom to surprise you!” ~ Billy Connelly
Are we that complicated? I never really thought so. . . then I married Tim. God love his heart, I am sure he wonders what in the world he’s gotten himself into sometimes! While I really can’t think of many specific examples off the cuff, I know there have been many times in our short marriage thus far that I’ve said something – more like thought something aloud, and he’s just looked at me and shaken his head.
One example that comes to mind is my wondering if a gnat gets caught inside your car, and you’re going 80 down I-75, if you crack the window to let the gnat out, will he survive? I mean, that’s a lot of pressure for a little gnat. Would it be best to just smash him and get on with your drive? I asked this recently when we were coming back from Valdosta. I felt it was a very good, thought provoking question. Tim asked me what in the world was going on in my head!
The quote at the top of today’s post is so true! I am forever searching for something lost in the bottom of my purse. The bigger the purse, the bigger the search! And I love purses! Always have, really. I have a closet that’s full of bags ~ big, small, red, green, black, brown, tan, on and on and on! I just love ‘em!
So imagine my excitement when I heard about HandbagPlanet.com. This site launches October 15, and will provide women like me – who love a great bag – with exciting choices that are inspired by name brands but priced just right for us real women! Check it out! They’re also giving away a bag an hour for their first 24 hours of business; can’t beat that!
Wow, I’ve jumped all over the place in this blog. I’m sorry. . . it’s just how my brain works sometimes! From purses to gnats, everything in between!
I’m thankful for the hint of fall weather and the fact that it’s October!
Are we that complicated? I never really thought so. . . then I married Tim. God love his heart, I am sure he wonders what in the world he’s gotten himself into sometimes! While I really can’t think of many specific examples off the cuff, I know there have been many times in our short marriage thus far that I’ve said something – more like thought something aloud, and he’s just looked at me and shaken his head.
One example that comes to mind is my wondering if a gnat gets caught inside your car, and you’re going 80 down I-75, if you crack the window to let the gnat out, will he survive? I mean, that’s a lot of pressure for a little gnat. Would it be best to just smash him and get on with your drive? I asked this recently when we were coming back from Valdosta. I felt it was a very good, thought provoking question. Tim asked me what in the world was going on in my head!
The quote at the top of today’s post is so true! I am forever searching for something lost in the bottom of my purse. The bigger the purse, the bigger the search! And I love purses! Always have, really. I have a closet that’s full of bags ~ big, small, red, green, black, brown, tan, on and on and on! I just love ‘em!
So imagine my excitement when I heard about HandbagPlanet.com. This site launches October 15, and will provide women like me – who love a great bag – with exciting choices that are inspired by name brands but priced just right for us real women! Check it out! They’re also giving away a bag an hour for their first 24 hours of business; can’t beat that!
Wow, I’ve jumped all over the place in this blog. I’m sorry. . . it’s just how my brain works sometimes! From purses to gnats, everything in between!
I’m thankful for the hint of fall weather and the fact that it’s October!
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