Thoughts of the Day

Artwork by Russ Flint

A big "Thank You" to my thoughtful and caring blogger friends who commented about my recent illness.  I am almost back to 100% and still have no clue of the cause.  Clint and I had been eating totally different foods which has ended up being a good thing since he didn't get sick.

We were told the prospective buyers of our house had their loan approved.  Yay for us, I was glad to hear this.  Since yesterday I have been on the phone with movers and am now waiting on a guy to come for a second estimate. 

My neighbor friend Suzan called today, she is having a going away party for Clint and me.  She corrected me when I was thanking her for the "party" and said it was not a "party" but a get-together". Believe me, Suzan and Wayne's get-togethers are parties! Thank you again, Suzan, if you happen to read this.  We are looking forward to seeing everyone.

The swallows are back today, it is our first sighting.  Clint and I grew fond of swallows since we moved to Texas, they are now checking out an old nest.  I know it is unsightly being on top of a patio speaker but we were so fascinated to watch it being built several years ago.

There are several blog ideas I want to work on, I did make some photos today. I am wanting to share some things about a passion of ours. Passions are what we seem to enjoy sharing in blogging.

One would think getting some estimates for a move would be simple.  We just had a guy come and give us an estimate. Clint is reading about the company online and not having a good feeling about using this company. The guy said he is in the middle of a company name change, we are wondering if it is to get away from some bad feedback.  We are expecting another guy, he has 12 minutes to get here and be on time.  How could we trust someone if they can't even be on time for an estimate?  He was supposed to be here from 3 to 5. Sigh.  Some of the companies I am calling want to give me an estimate over the telephone without seeing our items.

I know I am all over the place on here, talking about one thing after another.  I think now I am going to get busy and start cooking.  I found some fresh okra today and am going to stew some with tomatoes.  I just wanted to say "hello" to everyone.  Hopefully tomorrow I will have a post with some passion. ;~)

Margaritaville

This blog draft was written Friday evening, April 1, and was published this morning, Sunday, April 3, 2011. 



No, I am not ♪searching for that lost shaker of salt♪, I've been too busy searching for the hotel key. If there's a ♪woman to blame♪, it's me (Clint's words there, not mine ☺ Clint and I decided tonight we would eat at the nearby Mexican restaurant, Hacienda Degollado.  It was good that we were able to walk to this restaurant, it was just yards from the Hampton Inn here in Oak Ridge, TN.  We got there early in an attempt to beat the Friday night crowd. That was a good idea to go early, later there was a long line waiting to be seated.

It has been a long time since I have let my hair down.  We ordered a pitcher of margaritas and it has been at least a year since I have had one. I recognized an old friend and co-worker of my mother's.  I also worked at the same electronics company many years ago and she was a co-worker and old friend of mine, too.  I was so happy to see her. She actually recognized me first.

At 8:30 tomorrow morning we plan on leaving for Jackson, MS.  It is going to be a two day trip getting back to Plano so tomorrow we will spend the night in Jackson, MS.  It was still daylight as we left the restaurant and walked through the parking lots to the hotel. The sky was so pretty that I had to drag my camera from my purse and snap this picture.



The Mermaid




The Mermaid
4" x  6"
Ink on Paper

  Yesterday afternoon I went to the lobby and drew this little mermaid while Clint was taking a nap in our hotel room.  I just made up the drawing as I went along, the lighting was not the greatest. It was so good to escape for a little while and also to remember no one could call for a house showing.

I decided on a bare breasted mermaid.  I was showing the drawing to Clint when I got back to the room and we had a discussion on breasts. I decided there would not be the 'two strands of hair', sea shells or starfish on this little mermaid's chest.  (I can't keep a straight face as I'm typing this :-D)

April










April is the cruelest month, breeding
Lilacs out of the land, mixing
Memory and desire, stirring
Dull roots with spring rain.
Winter kept us warm, covering
Earth in forgetful snow, feeding
A little life with dried tubers.


The Waste Land

T.S. Eliot 
1922



Home Sweet Home



Our offer was accepted on this house yesterday!




For a long time I had been dreaming about a white mantle, these
dreams occurred in the 1980s.  There was a white
mantle in our Plano house and here's another one
that could possibly be in my life. 




I wish I could find another unique table
like this one, I really like it.



Jackie Price on the right, we could have not found
a better realtor.  I "found" him by a random phone call to a large
real estate company in Knoxville in May 2010.  He had shown
me homes then and had kept in touch the past year.

I don't want to come across as being boastful about this house.  Getting the offer accepted was another hurdle, we still have to wait and see that our buyers get their loan approved.  I have to say this week has been so very stressful with some behind the scenes happenings.

A Rainy Night in Georgia

It was a rainy night in Georgia when we arrived last Saturday.

A rare sight, an almost empty I-635 in Dallas as we left
at 4:06 am.

Scattered, smothered, covered, chunked, diced, capped,
topped, peppered, and all the way!

We spent two nights here with my mother-in-law, her apartment
is directly across from the waterfall ... we all agree she has the best view there.
We always have a great visit and a lot of fun with her.

In Alabama we heard sirens and announcements from a loud speaker
about tornado warnings.  Clint and I both agree this was the longest period of
 being in torrential rain that we have ever experienced.


I had white knuckles and was not even driving  ...
maybe from my backseat "driving".

One of the original art works in the retirement village where my mother-in-law
resides.  One of many good works of art.

Once again we were confronted with torrential rainfall as
we left the Atlanta area at 6 am Monday morning to
keep an 11 o'clock appointment with our realtor in
Knoxville, TN.


I-285 is no fun in fair weather and
white knuckles appeared for the second time :~)

A very welcomed sight!



Faith and Flowers

The pasta dishes and desserts were delicious
and the tables so festive! 


In the spring of 2005, I attended a woman's event at our church called Faith and Flowers.  I was so impressed when I walked into the event!  There was a large attendance.  The tables and stage were decorated beautifully.  The speaker at this event was Cindy Brinker Simmons, daughter of Norman Brinker.  Norman Brinker started a charity in honor of his wife Nancy's sister, The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.


I remembered this night wondering how I had missed being such a part of this special evening.  Soon afterwards I started attending planning meetings for this annual event and worked at the event.


Fast forward three years, in 2008 when I was working full time, I received an email asking me if I would chair the 2009 Faith and Flowers.  Me?  My first response was that I could not possibly do this, I was busy working, I did not know how to do this, etc. Clint reminded me I would not have been asked to head the event if there had not been some faith that I could do it. I did it and it was so rewarding! 

Thursday evening I attended the 2011 Faith and Flowers.  The attendance has greatly grown and it was a wonderful eveing.  Local tv and radio host Jody Dean was the keynote speaker.  He is now the voice of the Dallas Cowboys.

Party favors were these neat bracelets ...  in many different styles.
It was good that approximately 250 women were given these bracelets!



There was a long line when I arrived.

Jody Dean is a dynamic speaker! 

This was an encore appearance at

Faith and Flowers.

The table flower arrangements were to go
to a local nursing home after the event.
A great idea!



Bob Hill keeping the Methodist Men in line ...  it has
 become a yearly tradition that they help serve and do
other kitchen duties.  They do such
a great job, thank you guys!



I didn't get there in time to make photos of the food
 before they began serving.

Jody Dean speaking with some of the guests.