Jack

His eyes are so blue and inquisitive. His sly little smile lets me know that we share genes. His carefree attitude reminds me of the kid sister I had growing up that he calls "Momma". He is so smart and entertaining. I like to be the reason that he smiles. He says "please" and "thank you" and is a bit of a drama king. He loves his little brother beyond his own comprehension. I know this because I love his mother and aunt beyond my comprehension. His "Memaw" I also know as "Mom". She is the center of mine and his world. Without her we'd be so lost. It's when I look into his sweet little face that I know there is a God and that He does great things.

Memories of him...

I was lying in bed last night trying to go to sleep and I started thinking about the time I was in second grade and Poppa brought my pet rabbit to show and tell. I don't know what sparked or triggered this memory but it's a good one. It reminded me of the little things that he did that meant so much. It's amazing to me that 20 years later I still appreciate what he did that day. Then I started thinking about the features of his face that told his life's story. I thought about the "flat-top" haircut that he had since before I was born. He was a soldier in WW2 and served in the National Guard until retirement and kept the haircut until death. Then I thought about how he'd be clean shaven from January to May and then he'd start growing his beard for playing Santa at Christmas time. The joy of a child seeing Santa did the old man's heart good. Then I started thinking about his blue eyes that have seen things in war that my mind can't comprehend, but were still windows into his gentle soul. His calloused hands were those of a talented carpenter. He hardly ever charged much more than the cost of materials because he enjoyed building cabinets and various other things. He was good husband, a great father and the best grandfather. I'll miss him until I see him again on the other side. It makes me sad that my children will never know him but am thankful that I see a lot of my grandfather in my mother. I believe that God sends great people into our lives to make us better people.

Weather

Sunshine almost always gives your mood a little boost. A bright sunny day is the best in the midst of autumn when all the colors are highlighted on the trees. The air has a cool, crisp freshness to it that makes you want to take deep breaths outside.

Windy days are the best in the middle of summer when you are out by the pool with friends soaking up sunshine. Not only does it really cool off your body but it also soothes your mood. Trees sway back and forth as clouds overhead are transformed from one shape to another and birds glide through the air effortlessly.

Snow is somewhat of a mystery here in LA (lower Alabama) mostly because we don't know what real snow looks like after it hits the ground. Snow consists of a mushy mixture of icy slush which we are completely incapable of functioning in. A vacation day is almost guaranteed since traveling is impossible if even the slightest of ice is on the ground. Children and the children-at-heart are the ones who make the most of this infrequent occurrence.

Watching the rain puts me in a dreamy state of mind. Some people like to curl up on the couch and watch t.v. while others like to read a book. Still others take the opportunity to catch up on some much needed sleep. I don't want to sleep I just want to watch the rain.

24 Hours In a Day

Sometimes I feel like my life's sole purpose is to complete the mundane tasks of cleaning, washing clothes, cooking supper and driving back and forth to work. This morning I got up and washed dog toys that got left out the rain yesterday and then started making a grocery list containing a carefully thought out meal plan for the week. I figured out that the best way to buy groceries is to make a list of meals for the week and purchase items based on what I need to fix those meals. I feel like such a loser everytime I sit down to do one of those "meal plans". It's almost like I'm planning out the meals for a whole slew of us when in actuality it is just me and the hubby. I got all of the washing done yesterday and folded and put up the last load this morning. I still have to go to the grocery store and cook dinner. I'm sure I'll vacuum again before I go to bed tonight and probably start the dishwasher. Seriously...I sit around and think about what I can do next. There is a neverending list of things to be done when you are a homeowner, a wife, a dog-owner and a working girl. I'd like just one more summer to lay in bed until noon, get up only to have an afternoon filled with watching t.v. and a night filled with making "the loop" from McDonald's to the Chevron (which is now Eagle). It amazes me that there are a lot of my friends that have added children to the mix. When do they have the time to get anything done? My mom and I had a conversation one time about looking back and wondering how you got through a certain time in your life. You just do it. For instance, this time last year I was finishing up my next to last semester of school and had just started a new job. How did I hold it together? I feel overwhelmed most days as it is. She said that you just adjust to what you know you have to get done from day to day. I think the house is much cleaner since I've graduated. And the hubby probably gets a few more meals. I'm sure he appreciates that. Don't worry...if you free up some of the time you have you'll just find something to replace it. You'll pick up a new hobby or think of something that you now have time to do. It's neverending and the Good Book does say that idle hand are the devils handywork...or something to that effect. I don't try to stay so busy. I'm probably the most selfish person that I know when it comes to my time. If you are one of my close friends you can attest to that. It's not that I don't have time to be a good wife, daughter, granddaughter, sister, daughter-in-law, friend or employee its just that I have to spread the love and it takes a while.

Random Thoughts

So why is it that your lunch hour is the shortest hour of any weekday? I sat down in the breakroom today to eat my lunch and watch the soap (AMC). Before I know it we're watching the previews from tomorrows show and everyone is gathering their things to leave. WHERE DOES TIME GO?

Why does useless information interest me so much? Do I have a thirst for things to fill up what brain cells that I have left. And don't come at me with some information that is substantial enough to actually be of some use cause I don't want to hear it. I'm so weird. For instance, I heard someone say yesterday that feta cheese was made from goat's milk. I initially argued with her about the truth of it and quickly realized that I was becoming one of my biggest pet peeves. (I can't stand it when people talk about things they don't really know anything about.) It didn't stop there. I thought about it a little last night and then again on my way to work this morning-the ingredients of feta. So first thing, after arriving at work, what do I do? I GOOGLED IT!

Do you ever get those cravings that just won't go away no matter what you eat to try and satisfy it? I've been craving Chicago-style bbq wings from Niffer's for a couple of day now. I tried to kill the craving my cooking bbq pork chops but it just wouldn't go away. Pig is not a good substitute for yardbird. So, I called Mom this morning and asked her to go to Niffer's tonight and eat wings and drink beer. She said yes just as did Gretta and Galerie. It's now a family affair. MY MOUTH IS BEGINNING TO WATER!

To those of you who blog pretty often...start blogging more. I'm addicted to reading all about your little world. Don't just sit around and think about it...BLOG IT!