Leftovers...

Dave and I were invited to a beautiful dinner party last night.

It was held at my dear friend's beautiful home that overlooks downtown Birmingham. It was a clear night and the view was incredible. Even though it was a bit chilly outside, tables were set up around outdoor heaters and it was so lovely. Candles and fresh flowers were everywhere. At one point, my friend came outside and wrapped a luxurious pashmina around my shoulders to keep me warm....ahhhhhh. I asked her if that was my party favor to take home. She laughed.

The food was pretty amazing...waiters walked around with large trays filled with delicious appetizers...smoked salmon and cream cheese bites with fresh dill, filo wrapped mushroom delicacies and mini crab cakes that were to die for. I sipped my wine and enjoyed every bite of the offerings.

Dinner was even more exceptional as we dined on grilled baby lobster tails (yum), beef tenderloin, Caesar salad, grilled vegetables, and a fancy mac and cheese casserole.

One would think that there wouldn't be any room for dessert after that feast, but somehow we all managed to make room for a taste of the sweets: decadent brownie squares, individual lemon meringue tarts, cookies, and chocolate covered strawberries.

It was quite an eclectic mix of people...and it was really such fun...and one of the nicest parties that I have ever been to.

When I called my friend this morning to thank her for the lovely evening, I did ask what they did with all of the leftovers...wondering if she and her hubby were enjoying lobster omelets this morning.

She sighed and said that "no, the caterers had taken all of the leftovers with them.."

What a shame!

: )

All My (grand)Children : )

Cutie Celia at two months!!!!!

and equal time for Owen and Audrey!

It's a bit "grainy" but so cute!

The Secret Life of Bees

This popular book is now a movie...and, it came out today.

I went with two of the Girlies to see it and it was wonderful!

Dakota Fanning is a teenager now and absolutely incredible in this film. And, how can you go wrong with Queen Latifah, Jennifer Hudson, and Alicia Keyes among its many stars?

It's all about mothers and daughters, family, relationships, prejudices, secrets, and the transforming power of love.

Warning: It is a tearjerker...but, worth every lump in your throat.

Go see it if you can...and, bring tissues.

"I love you a bushel and a peck..."

This cartoon in today's paper made me laugh as I thought about a future conversation that Owen and I might have.

You see, I love to sing that song to the grandkids and recently I even looked up the words to make sure that I was getting them all right.

Seeing Owen getting so grown up now and so busy learning about and discovering his own world....I am wondering if there will come a day when he will not be quite as interested in "Grammie's singing?

I'm already getting a little peek into that time when I get on the webcam (Skype) with him now. He is so into everything around him that Grammie's presence doesn't hold his interest as well right now. In fact, the other day, he discovered the button that can turn off the Skype...and, after a while of visiting with me online, he went to the button and said: "Turn off Gammie" followed by "Bye, bye Gammie". Of course, his daddy didn't allow him to shut things down...but, I realized then that my time of holding his attention was coming to a close.

I hope that he doesn't want to use that button when I am there in person!

*sigh*

: )

The Great Debate?

I don't know about anyone else, but sitting here listening to Obama and McCain go at it again tonight is stressing me out. Enough of this mean-spirited finger pointing and negativity already!

I have to say that Senator McCain seems to be coming across with a bit of desperation tonight...shaking his head and "snickering" at everything that his opponent has to say....and making negative comments while avoiding the real questions....he seems terribly uncomfortable to me.

On the other hand, Senator Obama seems calmer and more collected tonight while trying to stay focused on the issues....but, having to spend of his time repudiating some of the accusations that McCain is sending his way. I am feeling much more comfortable with Obama's demeanor and directness.

While I wasn't going to get into my own personal feelings about either candidate, I guess that I have just given away my choice to be the next President of the United States of America.

Senator Obama....you have my confidence and my vote.

What a day!

First, the good news...

My car started this morning.

So, I was able to make my appointment to get my hair cut and colored. I look forward to catching up with Caroline, my hairdresser for many years, during these appointments. However, today she told me that she had been reading my blog....so, we didn't really have much to talk about since she knew all of my latest news. We had a good laugh about that. With my life in print...it's all pretty much out there. I did tell her that I would mention her in my next post so she needed to be careful about what she told me today while doing my hair. Fortunately for her, I can't remember much of what we discussed...so, she is safe. But, I do want to take this opportunity to say how crazy I am about her. She is a unique individual, a wonderfully talented hairdresser, and a dear friend. She performs miracles with my hair every time that I go to her. Thanks, Caroline, for all that you do.

After that appointment, things pretty much went downhill.

I went to renew my driver's license. After waiting in line for quite a while, I filled everything out, paid my money...and then had to stand in front of that dreaded blue screen and have my picture taken. This picture will be with me on my license from now until 2012. Well, I am not teasing when I tell you that it is the absolute worst picture that I have ever taken. The look on my face makes me look like I am running from the law....eyes wide open and a frightened look on my face. What a waste of makeup...

From there I went to the car repair shop to get a diagnosis on my latest car troubles. I ended up leaving there without my car as they had to order some parts that won't be in until tomorrow. With my car reaching its 10th birthday in 2009, I guess that these things are to be expected...but, I still hate to have to pay for it all.

Well, tomorrow is another day....right?

Right. : )

Back to Reality....

Home.

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Carol, "Mama", and I had a great time at the casino. We had two delicious (and comped!) dinners...hit all of the slot machines...didn't hit any big jackpots....but, came home relatively unscathed.....However, after two and a half days of non-stressful, non-thinking, and fun (!!) activities...I returned to find that my car (again) had a dead battery. This seems to be a recurring problem lately in that I just had a new battery put in last week after it wasn't able to keep a charge...it "died" shortly therafter...a loose terminal was discovered....charged back up...and today, deader than a doornail. I headed back down to the battery installer, they put in another new one...but, diagnosed the problem as the loose terminal again. Tomorrow I will be heading to the Jeep dealer to have the connectors replaced...and hopefully, the end of my battery issues.

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I missed some of my favorite shows while out of town...so, I have some catching up to do now that I am back. Dancing with the Stars, Desperate Housewives, Brothers and Sisters, and Mad Men are among those that I will try and view via computer. If you haven't done that yet, try it...it's so easy to do...and, a bonus is that there aren't any commercials!!!

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For some reason, I always crave chocolate when I go on a trip...and, this time was no exception. I purchased a bag of chocolate covered almonds before leaving town (I figured that almonds are healthy so that would cancel out the fat and sugar in the chocolate and sugary coating!) ...and, now, there are only three of these morsels left. Hmmm...I'll have to pump up my exercise walking a bit for the next few days.

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Mom needed something to wear for "Halloween at the Home" so I packed up my homemade cavewoman outfit complete with a ceramic bone necklace that I had made...and mailed it out to her. I had the costume from Mom and Dad's Anniversary celebration last year when Dave and I dressed up like Fred and Wilma Flintstone for our skit. What a great memory that is....

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Lately, I find myself constantly wearing the little bracelet that my sisters and I made when Dad was sick. It brings me so much comfort and makes me feel like my dad is with me. I hope that he enjoyed going on the little gambling jaunt with me. : )

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Exhaustion is starting to hit me so I will end for today. More 'adventures' to come tomorrow, I'm sure.

Good night!

"Old McDonald had a 'sharm'....sung by Owen

Meanwhile....back at the casino....

...Having a great time....winning some....losing a little....but, being very conservative. Unfortunately, I found out that my driver's license expired 12 days ago...this was discovered when I went to cash in my 'scratch card' (for the $25 that I won!!!) I had no idea....and because of that....I received no money.... : (

They are very strict about that here. I also found out that if I were to win a jackpot...I wouldn't be able to collect anything because I am without a valid id.

AAARGH!

When the going gets tough...the tough go....

I knew that it had to happen sooner or later.

My gambling friend and her mama have been asking me to go to the casino with them over and over again...and I haven't been able to join them.

So, here I sit watching the stock markets drop to all time lows...finding myself looking for new ways to save money...and worrying about the financial future for all of us...when......

...again, I was invited to go.

It was so tempting in the the three of us always have such a good time on these trips...and, I have won some pretty big jackpots in the past....and, I have finished up the pottery boxes for the upcoming commissioned event.....

BUT, I knew that I didn't have any money to possibly lose....

BUT, it would be such a great getaway from all of the stress out there lately....

So, as I anguished over this decision for a while, something interesting came in the mail. The casino had sent out coupons for free rooms, free slot money, and meal money. All one had to do was show up. I guess that the casinos are feeling the crunch too these days and are doing everything in their power to entice people to come and gamble.

So, in hopes of helping out the economy (ha ha), I have decided to do my patriotic part....

...and go!

I will be back early Tuesday with bags full of money. : )

My boys grew up in an area of Birmingham nicknamed: "The Tiny Kingdom".

Located away from the actual city, it is a community nestled amongst the beauty of the trees and rolling hills. It is aptly named "Mountain Brook" and is really an incredibly lovely area.

The local high school is known more for its brains than its brawn and boasts of its high percentage of students who go on to succeed at very good colleges....as opposed to those who got athletic scholarships from excelling in sports....especially football.

So, you can imagine the excitement in the "Kingdom" as the football team is ranked number one in its division with an undefeated season so far!

Hoover, Alabama, is another area of Birmingham with many of the same attributes...however, they are also known as a football powerhouse and have ended many a season with a championship trophy in their case. They were even the subject of an MTV series last year called: "Two A-Days" which focused on their incredible football team and all of the "drama" surrounding it.

The two teams played each other last night...and, Dave and I thought that it would be fun to go and see this great rivalry play. It has been a long 24 years since Mt. Brook defeated the Hoover team in football.

It was a lovely night, with a touch of coolness in the air. The sounds of the beating drums, blaring bands and excited kids greeted us as we found our seats in the huge stadium. This was an away game for "my" team so we were a bit outnumbered as far as fans went. Because it was such a big game, it was being held at a larger venue than the high school field.

Dave and I ended up sitting at the end zone very close to the field. In fact, we were so close that the football came flying into our area every time that the extra point was kicked. Unfortunately you had to throw it back down to the field if you caught it...but, it still generated a lot of excitement and anticipation. One ball was so close to us that the gentleman in front of us actually caught it, much to Dave's disappointment. Men are such little boys, aren't they? : )

Looking around me I couldn't help but notice how very YOUNG all of the high school kids seemed. Boy, am I getting old. Part of the fun was watching these teenagers flirt and tease the boys sitting around them. It is such a wonderfully awkward time, isn't it?

Well, I wish that I could tell you that for the first time in 24 years, our little team beat the mighty Hoover team...

But, we didn't.

It was a valiant effort though as the game ended 28-21. Hopefully, it won't be another 24 years before we can be victorious again.

: )

It's finally here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I was so excited as I hurriedly ripped open the package that contained my copy of the Chicken Soup for the Soul: Divorce and Recovery book.

The long-awaited release date for this publication was finally here!

The first thing that I did was go right to the table of contents to look for my story: "Breathe".

After finding it, I sat and read the entire essay from start to finish just to make sure that it was all there! Even though I have reread my entry a million times, this felt like the first time since I was actually seeing it in print.

I'm proud of what I wrote...and, I am hopeful that someone else who might be going through a divorce and a difficult time will read it and find a connection to my story. I am also hopeful that it might bring them a sense of peace, comfort, and a positive outlook for a better future....as they see that they are not alone in their journey.

If any of that happens, I will then know that my story was a success...

A Day of Atonement

Yom Kippur, the holiest of days in Judaism, began at sundown last night. After a day of prayer, fasting, and asking God's forgiveness, the holiday ends with a festive meal at sundown this evening.

I find this to be a time when I do my own personal introspection and prayer. To me, a person's spirituality can be expressed in many ways. Traditionally I would be in the synagogue, but, since my divorce, I have found more peace and clarity spending time sitting outside in nature with my inspirational books and my deepest thoughts.

Whatever your religious beliefs and practices, I wish you a peaceful day.

Circumlocution

Big word for this Wednesday morning, eh?

Well, before you get too impressed, this was the word of the day emailed to me today:

Word of the Day for Wednesday, October 8, 2008

circumlocution \sir-kuhm-loh-KYOO-shuhn\, noun: The use of many words to express an idea that might be expressed by few; indirect or roundabout language.

I found it interesting that this word came up after the long-winded "town hall meeting" (turned debate) last night.

It was a war of the words again...with one big difference, though. I did feel that I learned a little bit about the positions that each are taking on health care, the environment, and the biggest (and scariest) issue: the economy.

If one could have removed the superfluous statements and digs that were made against each of the candidates as well as McCain's continual use of the words "my friends" (aaargh)....it might have actually been an educational evening.

In my opinion, way too much time was taken up with the candidates having to defend their position against the statements made by their opponent.

Stick to the facts, gentlemen...puleeze.

Well, before I get too wordy and give in to 'circumlocution' myself...I will end my 'rant' for today. : )

Tzedakah boxes!

As I head downstairs to my dungeon pottery studio each day I have one goal in mind lately...

Tzedakah boxes!! Tzedakah boxes!!

I have been commissioned by the local Hadassah organization to create 25 of these boxes...and I have been busily working on these for the last few months.

These will be displayed and, hopefully, sold, at the organization's annual "Tzedakah Luncheon" on November 16. A percentage of the money that I make on these will be donated to the organization...so, I am actually creating something for others to use for charity while also "giving" myself.

"Tzedakah" is a Hebrew word that is commonly translated as "charity". The actual 'root' meaning of the word is "justice" which, to me, really helps to define its meaning.

One of the tenets of Judaism is the emphasis on the religious obligation to perfom charity and philanthropic acts as an important part of living a truly spiritual life. Giving anonymous donations to unknown recipients is said to be one of the highest forms of giving. I love that.

The boxes that I am creating are basically banks to hold money to be given as charity. The first pictures above are painted boxes that have not been fired yet...while, the other two pictures are some of the finished ones. Each box is hand-built and hand-painted and one of a kind.

I am such a perfectionist when it comes to my pottery...so, I spend a great deal of time creating and finishing each box. After a while, there are some days when the last thing I want to look at is another one of these boxes!

Luckily, today is not one of those days....so, it is back down to the dungeon for me to get my hands in the clay and start creating!!! : )

Fascination

"The parents exist to teach the child, but also they must learn what the child has to teach them; and the child has a great deal to teach them." Arnold Bennett

While in Atlanta, Owen and Adam spent a bit of time just sitting and watching the birds that were hanging around outside of Aunt Marsha's condo. Mom Jenny joined in and the three of them enjoyed "nature's show"!

To Owen, this was even better than tv...as he observed the birds swooping down to the many feeders outside the window....eating some seeds...and then flying off again. He also was able to watch the hummingbirds slurp up the sweet sugar mixture in their feeders...their tiny wings fluttering in excitement!

His fascination with the world right outside of the window was such a nice lesson for all of us....(especially those of us that are multi-taskers....and, you grown-ups know who I am talking about!!). It is so important to take the time to observe the world around us...and to find the incredible beauty in nature. It can clear your mind of all of the superfluous stuff that gets in the way during the course of a day.

I challenge you to take 10 minutes out of your day today to sit and look out of your window...and watch the beauty that surrounds you right in your own backyard.

You will be fascinated.

I promise.

: )