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!

Insert Angry Face Emoticon Here

Man. I went to Nashville (I'll blog about it on my Bo on the Brain blog) and I came home today happy as a clam. Tonight I started getting things ready for bed and do you think I can find my phone charger??? NO!!

What makes me even madder about it is that back when I went to the end of February Bo shows I got home and put my other phone charger and my mp3 charger on my bed. They freaking disappeared! And now THIS one is gone. I distinctly remember getting it this morning, wrapping the cord around it and putting it...in something. My purse, my camera bag or my suitcase seem to be the only possibilities. But I have searched high and low for those chargers and they just are not to be found. And I'm pissed off royally. My phone will die tomorrow, I just know it. I NEED MY CHARGER.

I looked under my bed and through my computer desk and through the dirty clothes and in all my tote bags (no small task) and underneath the dresser and chest of drawers. Nothing. I found Christmas socks, some Oil of Olay face moisturizer and several coat hangers. And of course in that computer desk I found lots of "mystery" cords. I have no clue whatsoever as to what they connect. They are going in the garbage.

This is a hissy fit on paper if you don't recognize it. I would stomp my foot if it would help. Maybe when I come back tomorrow I'll be in a better humor. And have my phone charger.