Another One Bites the Dust

Rachel's new apartment...her bedroom.

Me and Jimbo

Ray

This weekend has flown by! Friday night after work the girls and I went to Santa Fe to celebrate Cindy and Terri's birthdays. My friend Susan joined us, along with two other girls I knew from high school. We had a good time all crammed into a big corner booth.

Yesterday morning we got up and helped Rachel pack the truck for her move to Birmingham. Then we went to Jimmy's dad's Cancer-Free and Birthday celebration at his aunt and uncle's house. Of course it rained, but thankfully they have a huge garage. And my gosh, how neat they are! Every tool is hung perfectly on the wall, car magazines are stacked neatly, model cars are arranged on the walls, etc. Ha! You should see our garage. Pathetic!!

After the lunch, we headed down to Birmingham since Seth had gone in the truck to help Rachel move. She lives right on 20th Street South. The only drawback to her apartment is that you have to park on the street. No likey. But otherwise, the apartment is great. She seems to love it.

We were walking up the steps and Rachel fell and she had a box of glasses in her hands. Thankfully they didn't cut her. She did skin up her foot and her arm though. We didn't stay long because she was going to some gala last night with her boyfriend. I talked to her this morning and she said she enjoyed it. She said it was fun watching all the rich people and see them bid thousands of dollars at the silent auction.

When I talked to her today she was sitting at Starbucks, sipping a latte and using her laptop. I think she will adjust to urban living just fine. Not too sure I would. I'd love to live in the suburbs of a large city, but actually IN the city would be a different story.

Today I've done laundry, talked on the phone, watched TV and uploaded some pictures that I took yesterday. Nothing exciting. I'm in my pajamas and it's almost 2:30! Oh well, it's rainy and they are comfy. I really need to go do some shopping but it willl have to wait.

Weekend's almost over, but the good news is that we get to close early tomorrow so that my staff and I can attend the town hall meeting that our city officials are having. Should prove to be interesting. I hate and despise Mondays at work. HATE IT HATE IT HATE IT. I think it's the combination of starting the week with a late day and the hoards of people who pile in on Mondays. I hate to wish my life away, but I swear I live for weekends.

The Clouds Have Parted!!

This morning I feel like my normal self! I feel cheerful and happy and the dark cloud has moved from over my head. Yay!! Funky can be a good thing-IN a funk isn't!! So today I feel funky! LOL

Got up earlier than usual due the the fact that my cat was harking up a hairball. GROSS. Bless her heart. She gets some kind of rash every summer and scratches and licks and makes terrible sores on her neck. Well, I bought one of those "megaphone" collars for her and she can't lick when she wears it. I put medicine on her, snap on that collar and she's good for the night! I think it's finally registered on her that I'm trying to help her, not hurt her, and she sits still and lets me put the thing on her. But since she woke me up harking, she must have had some residual hair. Ick.

Changing the subject, but I am convinced that Yoo-Hoo is one of the best drinks ever. At Wal-Mart this weekend I saw a half gallon of it for a little over two bucks. I bought it, brought it home, and OMG!! I've always loved Yoo-Hoo, but to get it in a carton is bliss. I made an iced mocha latte with it last night. Delish.

And that brings to mind my kitchen. Have any of you ever felt like you had just completely lost control of your kitchen?? My boys are constantly cooking and the amount of drinking glasses they mess up in a day is appalling! I keep asking them why they don't just choose one glass for the day and use it? Rinsing it out is not any trouble. But noooo. I come home every afternoon with the sink piled high. The dishwasher can be completely empty but the sink is piled high. *sigh* Ah, that's not such a big problem, just irritating. I'm glad to have them around.

My daughter is gearing up for her move to Birmingham. She is moving downtown into a really cute apartment. She is a medical transcriptionist and works from home, so she is able to take her work with her. How cool is that? She has a boyfriend who lives about a block and a half from her and she's right there at Five Points near Mellow Mushroom, Jim and Nick's, and all kinds of cool places. I think she'll fit right in. She's especially delighted to be near a store that specializes in vegan and vegetarian diets. She's funny. She doesn't do it because she thinks it's wrong to eat meat. She does it to lose weight and it's worked like a charm for her. If I didn't have to give up chicken fingers and ribeye steaks I might give it a whirl! I love soy milk, edamame, rice, beans, etc. Aw heck, I like anything except sausage and Burger King hamburgers!

All this food talk has got my stomach growling. Think I'll mosey on in the kitchen (it's CLEAN because I did it last night!) and make a latte or oatmeal or something. Everyone have a nice day and thanks for putting up with my downer posts that I have written lately. Sometimes you just have to let it out, you know?

Toodles!!!

A pretty good Thursday

I was born on a Thursday. Rachel was born on a Thursday and so was Layke. Thursday is just about my favorite day of the week.

Today started with a vanilla latte made with Jimmy's new baby, a Delonghi espresso machine. OMG, it is wonderful! I slap some ground decaf in there (he keeps his high octane beans in the machine, so I use ground espresso) press a button and PRESTO! I have a little shot of awesome espresso. I pour it into a tall glass with milk, sugar-free vanilla syrup and lots of ice. Ahhhhh. What did I do without one of these machines all these years? I know what I did. I went to Jamoka's once a week with Jimmy and Seth and plopped down 15 bucks for our drinks! Now I don't have to wait until Saturday mornings! Plus I save money. Yay!

Back to Thursday...I had a department head meeting at nine. I like to hear what everyone else in the city is doing. I'm especially interested in the recycling efforts that have begun. They are only open a day and a half a week, but this morning it was reported that nearly 500 people are participating. That's a great start. I've turned into a recycling fool! I'm no tree hugger, but if things can be used again, why bury them in a landfill where they may never go away? I pillage through the garbage at home and at work and fuss if I find a coke bottle or styrofoam! My family and my staff think I'm a wee bit nutty, but that's ok! I'll happily wash out the styrofoam containers that hold our breakfasts each Friday!

After the meeting I came back to the library and began working on some financial things that I'm going to need for my end of the year report. It has to be done at the end of September and it'll be here before I can turn around! I'll be very happy that I started doing this.

Lunch at home today was typical. Mr. Spunky Bogart had strowed seeds all over the floor. They haven't been vacuumed yet. That can wait until after 5! Jimmy went to bed after we decided that tonight we're having Cracker Barrel for supper. Simple, fast, and easy. No grease in the kitchen, no dirty dishes. Sounds perfect to me!

The afternoon has been quiet. A woman that really grates on me came in. Kind of threw my Thursday under the bus, but thankfully she didn't say anything to me. She is one of these rich women who think they are just a little bit better than everyone else. I avoid her like the plague. Jimmy and I saw her in the grocery store one day and he asked me who she was and then he said, "She looks like a bitch." Oh, how perceptive that man can be! lol

Hope everyone has enjoyed their Thursday as much as I have. Tomorrow...FRIDAY!!

Spring Bash, Baybeeee

Me and Barney!

Kiddos going on a train/plane ride

Jimbo in front of a Piper

Lined up waiting their turn

Lots of motorcycles

Details on a Harley- how cool is this??

Southern Biker Boy's jacket patches

Personalized helmet :)

Business end of a fighter jet

In memory of 9/11...and also a Gordon fan!

Well, old Albertville had a great event today! We headed down to the airport around 11. We parked in a humongous field and a shuttle bus carried us right up to the gate. It was so fascinating to see those airplanes do all those aerial stunts. One of them looked like it was on a roller coaster ride!

There were food vendors, planes, antique cars and Harleys everywhere! We walked all over the place, had a BBQ sandwich, corn on the cob, and I met Barney Fife! Wonder where Andy was?

On the way out I got a decadent treat- fried Oreos. Yes, you heard me correctly. They dip them in funnel cake batter, fry them and dust them with powdered sugar. They were really, really good and I got powdered sugar all over me! My camera was covered, my shirt was covered, my jeans were covered and my face was covered with white powder! I was a spectacle, but I don't care! LOL It was fun. :)

Happy Mother's Day!!

View from the balcony of The Lodge. Pretty, isn't it?

The Rowell Grandchildren, minus Tyler and Layke (who was working.) L to R: Jordan, his girlfriend, Kindra, Ryan (fiance') and Tisha, Seth, Jordan, Chelsea (fiancee')and Justin. Matt (fiance') and Riannon are missing, too! And Rachel. And here I was thinking I had them all in one spot! LOL

Jimmy and me. Doesn't he look thrilled? He hates to have his picture taken.

My daughter Rachel and me.

These are the pictures of the wedding that was taking place at The Lodge while we were there.

This is such a wonderful day to me. I always get such sweet attention from my kids, and I get to prepare lunch for my mother. When I stumbled over to the computer this morning, propped on my keyboard was a card and a silk rose from Layke. Now how do you suppose he knew I'd find it there first thing? LOL, my boy knows me! Jimmy had a card for me also. I laughed because he said he started to get a funny one, then opted for the romantic one. Atta boy.

Last weekend I went to Georgia for a Bo show, and my family was meeting me in Oxford. My friend Debbie from Pelham was driving, so that's our meeting spot. We had just passed Six Flags on the way home and I got a phone call from them, telling me to meet them at Best Buy instead of Cracker Barrel. When I asked why, they said that I was getting an iphone for Mother's Day!! Talk about stoked!! I was thrilled to death! When we got there a tornado was passing through Jacksonville, but that didn't dampen my enthusiasm. I have played with the thing all week. I absolutely adore it. The camera is wonderful and I've bought both Scrabble and Jeopardy to play on it. Woo Hoo!

Rachel didn't like the cover I had for the phone. (naturally) I had gotten a shock-absorbing one and a military grade protective covering for the front and I was happy. But now I have a hot pink skin for it. Guess I'll just swap them out! Seth has a Palm Treo and he's quite envious of my phone. His is nice, but the touch phone is much easier than his which requires a stylus.

Anyway, enough about my phone! Yesterday afternoon we met with Jimmy's family and went to the graveyard where his mother is buried. Of course we took pictures of one another. I have got more pictures of myself in graveyards than any other place on earth! Then after we put flowers on her grave, we all went to the State Park Lodge and had dinner on Ray Daddy. We then went over to his house for awhile.

While we were at the lodge, a couple was getting married out on the terrace. It was kind of sprinkling rain, but they got through their vows before they had to move inside. I sneaked a couple of pictures of them. It was a sweet wedding and I hope they'll be very happy, whoever they are!

I hope everyone has a fantastic Mother's Day. Lots of love goes out to my mother, who has always been there for me, strong, loving and supportive.

Saturday in the park, but it wasn't the 4th of July!!!

Blog? What blog? I seem to forget I have a blog!! Anyway, I need to get caught up...

Well, since Layke has been home it's been very pleasant. All his boxes arrived safely and he's been out applying for jobs. PLEASE, God, let him get a teaching job!!! Seth is beside himself that his brother is home and Rachel's pretty tickled, too. Especially after the other night...

Rachel made some bad decisions and was dating a guy who was quite the mooch. She finally came to her senses and dumped him, but he wouldn't leave her alone. He actually wanted to drive her car to Talladega this past weekend! When she said no he kept persisting. He sent endless text messages and called her incessantly. So it's brother to the rescue. He called the guy and firmly but nicely told him to leave her alone. Plus he told him to NEVER call my mother's phone again (which he did when Rachel ignored his calls to her phone). That is what sent Layke over the edge. He was so mad smoke was coming out of his ears. Anyway, the guy got the message and hopefully we will never see his face again. Ever. Enough of Jerry Springerness. I despise drama and this guy's family LOVES to wallow in it. It's been so peaceful since he's out of the picture.

Jimmy and I had a nice weekend. We got up early and headed out to Trade Day. Man, it was swarming with people with strollers, people with dogs, people, people, people! We saw lots of junk and lots of cute little puppies for sale. Oh the pugs were adorable! As was the English bulldog puppy. Jimmy grows weary of me oohing and ahhing over the animals, but I can't help myself! We grabbed a corndog (there's nothing better than a Trade Day corndog slathered with mustard) for a late breakfast and Layke got some boiled peanuts for the road!

We piddled around the rest of the day, going to Wal-Mart and then we ended up at the beach at the state park. Jimmy and I sat on a picnic table and watched a few people in boats quietly fishing. It was so peaceful. We've decided that we're going to go there more often. The pictures I posted are not ones that I took. I'll have to take my camera next time and take some of my own. We are trying to decide where to go for our anniversary. Just a weekend trip- so does anybody have any suggestions? We're thinking of flying, so it can be somewhere that isn't drivable.

Speaking of driving, Sunday the boys got up at the crack of dawn and headed to Talladega. I slept in, got up and ate a bowl of cereal while watching some TV, then I cleaned the house, went to the grocery store and just basically chilled. It was heavenly!

My boy is home!

After almost two years of living in Maine, my oldest son has moved home! He arrived this morning, but boy, what an experience he and his friend Justin had trying to get here!

Justin flew up there Friday to help Layke get everything packed and shipped home. They were to fly out yesterday from Portland, ME around 2:40. Well, Layke calls me and says he has good news and bad news...the flight has been cancelled but they are rebooking them. Ok, an inconvenience, but not too bad, right? Wrong. They could not get a flight out of Portland until Thursday! So Justin and Layke rode a bus to Boston, spent the night there and left out at 6 a.m. this morning.

Jimmy, Seth, Layke, Rachel and I went to lunch at Santa Fe and I heard all of the details of the trip. Layke said both he and Justin lost their cool with the airline people in Boston. They tried to make Layke pay for his luggage again. That went over like a lead balloon! I'm just glad they are home safely!

I wrote a long blog when Layke left for Maine. It just about killed me for him to go, but he did a good work up there and was blessed in countless ways. But I'm SO glad he's home!!! :)

Now, does anybody know of an opening in a school for a music teacher??? He's certified P-12, so hopefully he can find something!

It's official. I'm a Senior Citizen.

Yeah, mother thought it was hilarious to tell me to stop and get a "senior" drink at McDonald's today. I don't THINK so!

I walked into work this morning and all the girls were hiding and they had decorated my office in black. They had balloons everywhere that said "50...and the party continues..." which I felt was appropriate for me! I ain't quittin' no time soon. They had made a black tombstone and had dead ivy hanging from it. Oh my, it was quite the spectacle. No more lying about my age...not in the library anyway! Or here, where I'm telling the world! Ah, I'm just glad to be here!

This afternoon I took off work and went to Huntsville with Jimmy. Mother and Seth came along for the ride and after Jimmy's doctor visit (which went very well) we went to Ross. Ross is my favorite store in the whole entire world! I find Liz Claiborne clothes, Born shoes, Levi jeans...anything my little heart desires there at fantastic prices! Today I got three Liz shirts, a rocker shirt (it's for my wild side) and two pair of sandals. AWESOME. Jimmy got some nice shirts, too. Mother found an outfit for Easter.

Oh, let me tell you about Mother and her outfits! She wears the craziest things together and today I made sure that everything matched! What is it about older people that make them wear such strange color combinations?? Mother wore socks and open-toed shoes today, but I let it slide because she had a toenail removed last week. But she does look hilarious when she wears her big yellow fleece pullover, navy sweat pants, white socks and black Aerosole shoes. I'm not fashionista, but that is just plain funny!

After shopping we drove back to Guntersville and had dinner at Top of the River. I hadn't been there in a while and I love their slaw, cornbread and catfish. And I love the pickled onions! I love anything and everything pickled! Beets, okra, onions, eggs...pickle 'em and I'll eat 'em!

We walked outside by the lake and I took some pictures. We then went back to Mother's house and had cake. And here again is something hilarious that Mother did...I had said I didn't want 50 on anything, so what did she do? She had them put "59th Girl" on my cake. Huh? Somehow she interpreted that to mean I was born in 1959! I'm sitting here laughing out loud trying not to wake up Jimmy. Mother is a hoot!

Oh me, I can't quit laughing so I've got to find something else to occupy my time and get my mind off of my goofy Mother. Later, folks!

Tomorrow is my Birthday

Oh yes it is. And I'm not too hyped up about it. God, I hate getting older. I should still be 18. It's just not fair!! Nothing I can do about it so I might as well make lemonade, huh?

My mother has been on me to choose a piece of jewelry for my gift. She wants me to have something to keep. Well, after looking at stuff online together, I could see that we have opposite taste in jewelry! So this afternoon she and I went shopping. Mother wanted me to have a cross necklace and I found one I LOVED! It is marcasite with mother of pearl inlay. Gorgeous! I chose a long chain for it and I am already wearing it. Ha- there is no way I was going to wait until tomorrow!

One thing that has driven me batty this week is that Jimmy and Mother and the rest of my family have looked and me and asked what we are doing for my birthday. Why are they asking me? Aren't they supposed to plan something FOR me? I finally just told them where I wanted to go out for dinner. Jeez.

Oh, speaking of eating, if you live in Albertville make sure and go to the Mexican ice cream shop across the street from Whitten's!! Let me tell you, that is some awesome stuff! They had been open last summer, then they closed and I was sad. Then the other day I saw the sign again! Yay! So this afternoon we went by there and I had not one but two scoops of ice cream...coconut and pine nut. It is the best stuff I've ever tasted!

I feel all disjointed writing this blog. Nothing is falling together smoothly. Can't be "on" all the time I don't guess. All this week I've been rather BLAH. I need another B12 shot even though I had one last week. I cannot think and all I want to do is sleep.

I think I'll try and do better tomorrow. Adios. (Must be the Mexican ice cream talking...LOL)

I FOUND IT! :) :) :) :) :) :)

Last night after unleashing the hounds here I settled down to surf the internet. The whammo, it hit me. My charger was in the bag with my medicine. I'm not crazy after all! Well, not much. ;)

Today it was back to work. I spent all day working on the monthly statistical report and also going through my email, sorting and deleting. Not too much fun, but it was soon lunchtime.

Jimmy and Seth came to get me and we went to the Yum Yum Tree for a bite to eat. They usually serve enormous portions so today I asked to get small ones. She made the plate just right! Small servings of pasta salad and crab salad and an even smaller one of potato salad. Perfection!

Mother came by the library this afternoon and she had on these god-awful yellow socks with some black toeless shoes. Of course I cracked up but felt like a heel after she told me she had a toenail removed. Ouch! I went on to her house after work.

Rachel was typing and I finally got to meet the puppy, Juliet. She's a Husky and has the most gorgeous blue eyes I've ever seen! She's a strange little thing, though. Sarabella sat with me. I adore that baby! She's a Bichon Frise that Rachel got at the animal shelter and she's now Mother's dog. She's the sweetest thing!

I came on home, took of my uncomfortable tennis shoes (nothing but Sketchers for me from now on) and checked the internet. I hadn't been on since I left the house this morning and I had some catching up to do.

Around 6:30 I called a friend in Ohio. I had to tell her all about my Nashville trip and we talked until 9:30. During this time I picked up Seth from work, took him to Burger King and ate some French fries. Jimmy was playing music and right as I hung up the telephone he pulled up into the driveway. Perfect timing!

He's sound asleep and of course old night owl me is up. It's already Saturday morning. I'm such an idiot!

I'm going to go to bed and tomorrow I'll post about my Nashville trip at my Bo on the Brain blog. Good stuff, folks!

Stormy Saturday

Today has been productive around my house. Jimmy and I attacked that room of Layke's and I'm ashamed at how much junk we had accumlated. By junk, I mean clothes. We packed up I don't know how many bags to give to the thrift store. If I were industrious I would sell them on eBay, but I'd just as soon get a tax receipt.

After we finished up in there, we got ready and went shopping for Jimmy some new pants. He's lost about 25 pounds and really needed some. The only problem is he seems to be right in between sizes right now, but we did get one pair for him. I spotted a Fossil purse I would LOVE to have, but the thing was 78 bucks and I'm too cheap. I'll wait and find one on sale or just do without it. I had an outfit in my hand, too, but decided to put it back. I spend way too much money!

We went on and had lunch at Santa Fe and I had no appetite. I only had a few bites of my salad, 1/2 roll, about 1/3 of my steak and a little of my potato. I am still not hungry but I'm not sick. Strange.

Seth wanted to come home, so we dropped him off and headed out by Rachel's house. Naturally she wasn't at home. This was the second time we've tried to catch her with no luck. Then Jimmy asked if I wanted to go somewhere and I said sure, never dreaming he's drive all the way to Nixon's Chapel, through Snead, Walnut Grove and back up through Egypt to Boaz. I was SO tired of riding! He knew I wasn't real thrilled so he suggested we stop at Tuesday Morning. We ended up going in Peebles and of course I bought something. For Christmas I had given Rachel the cutest peace sign necklace and they had them 60% off today so I got one for me. :)

Next stop was Mother's house and we ended up going to the grocery store to pick up some things she needed and we did our shopping, too. When I got home I cleaned out the refrigerator and fixed a big bowl of scraps for my dogs. Well, I was feeding them and I looked down and my pug was just lying there, not moving, choking. I grabbed the little thing up and did the Heimlich Maneuver on him and this huge hunk of chicken came flying out of his little throat. He was so scared! Jimmy had picked the chicken off the bone and he warned me that Pugs would probably get choked but I thought the big dogs would wolf down the chicken. I was so wrong! I petted him and calmed him down and it scares the crap out of me that he would have died if I hadn't been standing right there! That's twice he's been choked lately. We decided to buy him canned food from now on. Poor baby!

Storms started moving in and we were under tornado warnings. My big old Great Pyrenees is petrified of storms so he flew in the door as I was coming in and got right in the middle of our bed! When it started thundering louder he moved in the den with us. He's still in here as quiet as a mouse. My cat is in love with him and won't leave him alone! She wallows all over him. This was the first time my bird had seen the dog and you should have seen the way he was hanging off the cage looking at him! It was hilarious! Yes, I live in a zoo!

I'm patiently (yeah, right) waiting on a stupid basketball game to be over so we can watch something else. NCIS is coming on and we also need to finish up Twilight. I've seen it but Jimmy hasn't and last night we started watching it and he fell asleep halfway through. YAY!! It's over!! Maybe Jimbo will stay awake to finish up the movie!