There is a strange thing happening at my home today. I am in it…ALONE…by myself…no one else is here. Friends, this does not happen very often. I can’t remember the last time, actually. Alex has an appointment for a medical test in Birmingham in the morning, and since school has just started, I hated to ask off. So, Don was able to take him. They left this afternoon and will come back tomorrow. It is really quiet, with only the sound of Scooter snoring under my feet. Now what am I going to do with these 14 hours. There’s a South Beach Frozen meal for supper tonight, and I am meeting 2 sweet friends for breakfast before work tomorrow. I know I’ll not sleep well…never do when Don is away. I’m not scared…just not completely at ease. So, I’ll be up late, I’m sure. I need to clean out my closet….well, just actually hang up a bunch of clothes, and put my shoes away, and hang my purses up…just everyday maintenance that has not been done everyday for a while. Or I could watch this week’s episodes of All My Children which I have on my DVR. I got a wonderful book from Tina for my birthday, I could start on that. Oh, and yesterday, Don bought us a Dyson vacumn cleaner. The lady who cleans for me has been saying we need one for a while…the old Electrolux just ain’t cutting it any more. Ya’ll, if I had known haw much stuff was in my carpet, I would have moved out. This thing is amazing. My dog, Scooter, is a fox terrier. He is not meant to be a house dog. But,he is Alex’s companion, and so he has taken up residence inside with us for 12 years. He sheds terribly, and it’s a wiry little hair that just sticks into everything. I thought I had been doing a fairly good job of keeping it vacumned up…but, what she got out of the carpet yesterday was unreal. O.K. that’s enough vacumn talk. I’m not going to do ANY mundane tasks for the next 13 1/2 hours. I could get all the clothes in the hampers washed and put away….but, why? Actually, the reading thing is sounding really good…then a little AMC…then some more reading. Sounds like a plan, huh? Oh, what about the closet? HMMM…it’ll keep.
Oh, why don’t I just take a nap and decide when I get up?…..Night, Night.

While perusing the blogging world today, this post caught my eye. Jill talked about her BFF, her treadmill. This reminded me that I have one of those friends too. But, I have not been treating her very well. I never spend any time with her, actually, I do my best to ignore her, and sometimes I even try to bury her,,,under a pile of clothes! No, this is not the way to treat a real friend. And she is such a giving soul. I know for a fact that she wants nothing more than to help me better myself. She waits for me so patiently, never complaining or bringing attention to herself. She’s like, “I’ll just wait over here, under the window, in the bedroom till you want me. I don’t have any where else to be, so I’ll just be here when you are ready to spend some quality time together.” I know I should be ashamed. I’ve been taught better. I know how to treat a friend. I guess I just need an attitude adjustment. So, I promise to do better. First of all, I will dust her off, being careful not to cause a sneezing fit, the dust is so thick. Then, I think I’m going to take her for a walk. Yes, that’s what I will do! She likes walking. And she doesn’t even mind if I run a little, she can keep up. I think I’ll play her some good music, too. We both like walking to a beat. And I resolve, here and now, to visit with her everyday! She’s gonna be so surprised! My legs will probably have a few negative things to say for a few days, but I think I can get them in line, too!

I have put it off for as long as I can…the vacations with fabulous restaurants to visit are gone, the long summer lunches with friends are past, the birthday parties, and back to school celebrations are finished….there’s just no more reasons to put it off. Well, I’m sure I could think of something…but I’m strengthening my willpower here, friends. THE DIET STARTS TODAY. Actually, it started this morning, and so far, so good. Oh, it is going to be a long hard battle, but it must be done. The first 2 weeks are supposed to be the worst…but, you can do anything for 2 weeks…right? Come on, sisters, let me hear some encouragement. I prayed this morning that God would help me stay focused on my goal, and not yield to temptation. In case you can’t tell this about me, I’m an immediate gratification kind of girl…So waiting for the payoff is hard for me.

EDIT: I tried to post this last night, but someone who is visiting from Birmingham had my mouse and I couldn’t post or even turn this baby off. So actually, this is day 2 now!

I do hate to be the odd woman out…so I’m playing, too. Besides, someone tagged me, I think, and I just haven’t had time. So here goes:

1. TWO NAMES YOU GO BY: Tonja and Mrs. Owens…but my friends call me the Queen!

2. TWO THINGS YOU ARE WEARING RIGHT NOW: A sleeveless black dress and black flip-
flops.

3. TWO THINGS YOU WANT IN A RELATIONSHIP: Honesty and patience.

4. TWO OF YOUR FAVORITE THINGS TO DO: Go to the beach and read.

5. TWO THINGS YOU WANT VERY BADLY AT THE MOMENT: For Alex to get some pain relief
and for the building of our house
to get started.

6. TWO PETS YOU HAVE HAD: We had a black lab named Jake years ago, and now we have
Scooter, a Fox Terrier who is 12 years old.

7. TWO THINGS YOU DID LAST NIGHT: Tried to learn the workings of my new laptop, and
went to bed early.

8. TWO PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN YOUR HOUSE: Donald and Alex.

9. TWO PEOPLE YOU TALKED TO LAST: Druggist and Ian.

10. TWO THINGS YOU ARE DOING TOMORROW: Going to work and washing clothes.

11. TWO OF YOUR LONGEST CAR RIDES: Dothan to Pennsylvania, and Dothan to California.

12. TWO FAVORITE HOLIDAYS: Christmas and Easter.

13. TWO FAVORITE BEVERAGES: Diet Dr. Pepper, and sweet tea with lemon.

It’s my birthday today, so I have decided to tell you 54 things about me. That’s just a random number, you understand!

1. I am a born-again Christian, and I am going to Heaven when I die.

2. All the members of my family are saved, as well. We will all live together with the Father one day.

3. I am a nurse, but for the last 20 years, I have been a kindergarten music teacher.

4. I love, LOVE, L-O-V-E Chocolate. If God made anything better, He kept it for Himself.

5. I have an addiction to Diet Dr. Pepper. It is one fine drink. I would be such an unhappy person if it was ever taken away.

6. I love fashion. I try to keep up with the trends…not the fads. But classics are still the best. I love to wear linen, long skirts, boots, flip-flops, cute little sweaters, and anything denim!

7. I think one of the greatest of God’s creations is MUSIC. I almost always have music playing where ever I am. I like all kinds of music…except rap and heavy metal. I like to hear 1 artist as opposed to a band…with the exception of the Eagles, Chicago, and the Beatles. I love James Taylor, Carly Simon, Michael Buble, Sandy Patti, Chris Rice, Norah Jones, Nicole Mullen, Natalie Grant, to name just a few. I also like to listen to old Disco music…and 50’s and 60’s oldies.

8. I love, LOVE, L-O-V-E peanut butter. Anyway at all…but it’s best eaten right off the spoon.

9. If I could live anywhere else in the world…I would choose Maui. My favorite place on earth. If I ever run away from home…that’s where I’m going.

10. I think shoes are fabulous! As Cinderella said, “A pair of shoes CAN change your life!” I can always find a reason to buy another pair of shoes. I could never have too many. They can be so much fun and completely change an outfit! I like sneakers, flip-flops, sandals, flats, loafers, mules, wedges, kitten heels…but NO high heels. Well, I do have 2 pair of black…but I only wear them if someone dies.

11. Purses are right up there with shoes. I love purses! I think a complete wardrobe should have a purse in every color. And you can never have too many black or brown ones. I like big ones, little ones, shoulder bags, clutches, totes, and handbags. I don’t usually pay too much for them, but they must look well made. I have only bought 2 outrageously priced purses…well, one of them was a gift. I think it is a shame when you see an otherwise well-dressed woman and she has a tacky ole purse with her. People notice these things.

12. I love my dog. He’s a fox terrier and he’s 11 years old. I had never been a dog lover until we got him. Now I can not imagine my life without a dog. He is THE best listener, and he loves me…no matter what.

13. I love to collect. I don’t know what the urge in me is, but I like to have collections of the things that speak to my heart. I collect primitive sheep, heart shaped rocks and stones, little boxes, the letter “O”, tiny salt cellars and old garden statuary. Crazy assortment, huh?

14. I dabble in all kinds of art. At the moment, I am doing a lot of collage work. I have fun doing bead work, scrapbooks, distressing old furniture, arranging flowers.

15. I have a hard time throwing things away. I always think I may need it again for something. And I don’t want to be without the things that have meaning to me.
Which leads to a lot of clutter in my life. I have tried to do better, and conquer some of it, and occasionally I am able to part with some things. But, it is hard. No, I’m not one of those people you see on Oprah that can’t get into their houses, but I just want to keep my stuff. Last year, I got into one of those “clean-out” moods and took about 50 articles of clothing and about 20 purses to work and gave them all away. They want me to get “moody” more often.

16. I really enjoy reading. I love books. Just the thought that between those 2 covers is something I don’t know, but can find out about sets my heart aflutter.
You know, you can find out anything you want to know from a book. Anything. My Dad encouraged me to get a book and read about things that I didn’t know about. My parents would not be shocked at whatever I would read (not that I went too far out). I was taught to study about things and ways that were different and weigh them against what God’s Word says. I am open to different ways of thinking about things, and to the fact that I may not always be right. However, the Bible is my standard. If anything is opposed to what God says, I am, too.

17. I think trees are beautiful Watching a bare tree put out its new leaves is the essence of spring. How fortunate are the birds who make their nests in the branches. How cool it feels to sit under the shade of the big ole sweet gum tree in my backyard. And, when the leaves start to change color, I love to sit under my tree and read let the leaves fall down on my book and my head and into my lap. I love to see the leaves dancing across the yard as the wind sneaks up on them. Looking at a bare tree against a winter sky is such a study of complexity . Oh, the shapes the limbs and branches make. How different it looks when it is undressed. (Well, don’t we all?). And after the tree has gone through its seasons…it starts over to delight us all…once again. Thanks God!

18. I ABHOR the packaging on CD’s. It comes as close as anything to making me say something I shouldn’t!

19. My favorite T.V. shows are Lost, House, Monk, and What Not To Wear!

20. The only reality T.V. that I watch is American Idol, So You Think You Can Dance, and Design Star (HGTV)

21. I play solitaire every night before I fall asleep…on my Palm Pilot.

22. I could live fine without air conditioning. Everywhere I go, it is too cold!

23. I love to travel…anytime…anywhere.

24. I very rarely take a bath…always a shower.

25. I am a very fast reader. I learned speed reading in college and still use it.

26. I have lived in the house I am in for 28 years. We raised our sons here. But, I am ready to move on.

27. I love to peruse greeting cards. I buy them way ahead of when I need them…and , of course, can’t find them at the proper time.

28. I started dating my husband when I was in the 10th grade. He was a big ‘ole Senior. Then I followed him to college.

29. I started taking piano lessons when I was 6 years old. I continued to study piano in college, and I taught private lessons at home for 22 years.

30. I have never learned to swim well. I can take care of myself…but could never save anyone else. I have a fear of water over my head.

31. I am very frightened of lightning. Especially when it is jagged and I know it is striking around me. And, I know I shouldn’t be…but …oh, well…

32. I have written several children’s musicals (preschool level). Both with my original songs, and with other published music. I hope to get these published in the future.

33. The favorite meal my mom cooks for me is liver and onions in gravy. She makes real mashed potatoes…with the lumps in…just like I like ’em. She makes a fruit salad and biscuits to go along with it. Friends, that is fine!

34. I watch Fox news every day. I really like Shepherd Smith. He is so funny. They are the only news program I feel like I can believe.

35. I rode a motorcycle to school when I was in high school. I was very popular with the guys! 🙂

36. My favorite outfit to wear is jeans, and a white shirt. Maybe a blazer and boots or flip flops or tennis shoes.

37. My eyesight is very poor. I have worn glasses since I was in the 5th grade, and I think I needed them before then. I have tried to wear contacts, but can never get a clear vision with them.

38. My husband and I own a Powersports Business. We sell motorcycles, watercraft and ATV’s. We also sell clothing for riding. All my boys started riding as soon as they were able…but never on road until they were legal…and NEVER…NEVER…NEVER without a helmet!

39. I have begun scrapbooking in the past 3 years. I wish I had started when my boys were small. It is hard to go back and try to catch up. Plus, the memory is just not what it used to be.

40. God blessed me with a wonderful sister, Joy. We are 2 years apart in age…I’m the oldest. We have a great friendship and she is always available when I or my boys need her. My boys adore their Aunt Joy. And, she, them. They go to her with things they need to talk about with someone other than a mother. I respect that, and never worry that I would not agree with her advice. She is quite an accomplished pianist and is the pianist for our church. She is a gift from God…and I taught her everything she knows. 🙂

41. I do not like frozen ice cream..I like for it to get mushy a little before I eat it.

42. I love to make things for people as gifts. It seems so much more personal, and I like to think of things they really would appreciate.

43. I like to hang the toilet paper with the end coming OVER the roll. It IS the correct way.

44. I do not like camping outside. We did it for a week when I was a girl and we have done it a couple of times since we were married. I do not like to sleep on the ground, I do not like to sleep on a mat. I do not like to sleep on the same plane with little creatures and critters.

45. I have been trying to document my family history for my children. My mom is from N.C. and my dad from Atlanta. I know that in years to come, they will not make the trips like we always have. And I have a desire for my grandchildren to know their roots. So, I am scrapbooking old pictures of homesteads, churches, people, etc.

46. One of my favorite quotes: “Be careful when you point your finger at someone else…notice that there are 3 pointing back at you.”

47. Another favorite quote: “Your character is revealed by how you act when you know that no one will ever see or know what you did.”

48. My favorite quote of my Pop’s: “You can never out give God.”

49. My husband is one of the fairest people I know. He is one of those people who can look at both sides of the situation clearly and rationally, and then carefully make a decision. He is very wise. He has gained much respect in our community for this and for the fact that he lives his Christianity every day. Our business is conducted on God’s principles, and nothing less is tolerated. I am very proud of him. But he is also the s-l-o-w-e-s-t man in the world. And, I have not been blessed with the gift of patience.

50.I like to have lots of little lamps burning in a room…I do not like overhead lights.

51. I have 2 nieces who I adore. Tara and Lori. They are such sweet girls, and I am so proud of all they have accomplished. I would do anything for them.

52. I love my Daughter in Law so much. She is a godsend to Adam and our family. I couldn’t have chosen any one else who would become so dear to me as she has. I call her my Daughter in Love.

53.I can not believe I started this project. I am just not that interesting a person. Thank goodness I’m not 80! If you read this to the end, I know you are truly a friend!

54. I want to LIVE til I die!