I need

...patience
...a day at the spa
...to win the lottery
...to remember to find time for family and friends
...to count my blessings
...to find a reason to laugh every day

Three things that hurt my eyes

1. Black athletic shoes--even worse when paired with white socks.
2. Men who wear their pants cinched high and tight.
3. Facial piercings--anywhere (lips, nose, eyebrows, tongue, and those ear "circles")

Lunch and a Movie

Betsy and I had a date planned when we learned of the release of the movie "The Proposal." Today was that day. After accounting class...oops, sorry. After what was supposed to have been accounting class (sorry Bets), we met for lunch then on to the long awaited movie.

I like Sandra Bullock. She rarely fails to entertain. Don't know much about Ryan Reynolds, but I remember him first from "Two Guys, a Girl, and a Pizza Place." Betsy had to use a mobile shout-out for that trivia, but we finally figured it out (thanks, Meredith). I know that he's married to Scarlett Johansson. He's also easy on the eyes. Cutie-patootie, is what he is. Love Betty White. She's 87 years old and plays a 90 year old "Grandma Annie."

They've been teasing us about this movie since Christmas! The trailer for the movie was enough to make me want to see the movie without waiting for it to come out on DVD. Well....

News flash: It IS worth the price of a ticket! In fact, it's worth the price of a ticket AND a DVD! It's classic SB. It's her version of "The Devil Wears Prada," "13 Going on 30," and "How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days" all rolled into one entertaining movie.

If you want to laugh and just be thoroughly entertained, go see "The Proposal." You won't be disappointed.

Three things about outside projects

1. It's hot. Thinking about the actual temp AND the heat index makes me feel like my brain is fried.
2. Age makes recovery from the heat take longer. I hate admitting that.
3. I like G-2 better than water.

He's going where?

Jackson has accepted an offer to play baseball at UIW in San Antonio, Texas. UIW is a Catholic university---University of the Incarnate Word. It has a good reputation both academically and athletically.

But, ye gods! It's 812 miles away! Beth and Billy are a mere 80 miles away, so that's a definite plus.

Jackson was so fortunate to have 2 generous offers and had the difficult task of deciding between two very good baseball programs: Delta State University in Cleveland, Mississippi, and UIW in San Antonio.

Wayne and I may need therapy to get through baseball season next spring, since we'll be too far away to get to many games. But we are proud of Jackson, and proud, too, of the way he has handled this process.

Go Cardinals!

It's Hot Already!

I got dressed for "work" this morning. That means tee shirt, gym shorts, tennis shoes, and no makeup.

I'm still working on that list of projects that I'm bound and determined to check off. Today's "work" was to be cleaning the gutters inside and out. Lovely job, but somebody's got to do it.

First, though, I had coffee, fixed a little breakfast, read emails, checked my favorite blogs for updates, paid bills, and wrote a few thank you notes. The last two items led to the need for stamps and a trip to the post office. Moreover, a little procrastinating before beginning the dreaded gutter job.

As part of the run to the post office, I stopped by the office to check in and speak to our secretary because I know she misses me. She does! Anyway, I told her my mission for the day. She said, in no uncertain terms, that I should NOT undertake such a task today, because the heat index was predicted to be 108 degrees.

Now, don't get me wrong. I don't mind getting hot. I don't mind a little sweat. But that's ridiculous.

I opted for an inside project. The gutters can wait. They're not going anywhere.

Distance: East vs West

Please, just tell me it's not a contest to see who can live the farthest away! Or to see how far you can move away from each other! Beth moved west to Austin. It makes sense, as that is where B lives. But that's 772 miles from Tuscaloosa!

Audra and Joey are moving east to Richmond to finish their residency programs, but that is 732 miles from Tuscaloosa!

Audra and Beth will be a little under 1500 miles apart! (1474 miles via I-40 and 1499miles via I-20). Whew! What a road trip that would be.

Jackson is trying to decide between a college in San Antonio, Texas, Cleveland, Mississippi, and Huntsville, Alabama.

Wayne and I just wish for ALL to move in the same general direction!

Maybe some day...

Moving On

This is the photo I was looking for when I mentioned the ACCC Honors John David, Jackson, and Brett received for the 2009 season. These three have played baseball together as well as against each other since they were four, and, for much of that time, they were coached by Joey and Ronnie with help from "Dugout Dad" (Wayne).

We've had some great times.

All three are now facing new crossroads and new decisions about baseball, about college, and about the directions they want to go. These are big decisions, and I know there are great things ahead for all three.

Three Things

1. Coffee in the morning.
2. Reading news posts on my favorite blogs.
3. Checking projects off my list.

Attack on the Garage: Film at 11:00

The campaign was months in the works. Yesterday was spent in recon and strategic planning with the commander going over the best attack route as well as alternate routes. Part of the day was spent laying in of munitions and supplies, as one never knows how long the seige will take.

D-day dawned hot and bright. The campaign was a "clean sweep." Ground troops will have a few "hot spots" to take care of in the next few weeks. But, all in all, the day was successful.

Instead of celebrating with a brandy and a cigar, I think the commander is due a Starbuck's iced coffee...

ACCC Honors

Jackson and John David were recently named to the ACCC All-North Division 2nd Team for 2009. Brett Whitaker was named to the All-Region 2nd Team.

Congrats, guys!

Big Weekend: Recap

We had a great time at the Woodruff Family Baby Shower for Audra and Baby Hayes. Sharon, Karan, and Debbie hosted a wonderful party at Sharon's house for family and friends with fabulous food and fellowship. We had fun visiting and laughing, and Audra and Baby Hayes received many precious gifts.

We moved on to another celebration: Meredith's 25th birthday. Cookout at our house. Nearly everyone was there. We were missing Jackson, Billy, and Joey. Even so, the house was nearly bursting at the seams! More eating, of course. And more food than we could get around, believe it or not!

Sunday we traveled to Montgomery for the Ames Family Baby Shower where Beth, Laurie, Joanna, and Lory hosted a wonderful party for family and friends at Beth's house. Audra and Baby Hayes received more fun gifts as well as the pretty (or is that handsome?) and the practical. He will, of course, be one well-outfitted young man.



Beth flew in for the weekend and was here for all the weekend's events. So, when the parties were over, Audra and I took Beth to Ashley Bruette's for a visit. Ashley would take Beth to the airport Monday morning.

The weekend's over. As Beth said, the Monday morning eat-a-thon detox program begins, and a new work week begins.

Big Weekend

1. Audra's back from Richmond, picking up Beth from the airport, and heading toward T-town.
2. Beth's flying in for a whirlwind of celebrations.
3. Family baby shower tomorrow, hosted by Woodruff aunts, for Audra and Baby Hayes--can't wait!
4. Meredith's turning 25! Hamburgers, all the trimmings, and ice cream to top it off for all who dare enter the melee.
5. Family baby shower Sunday in Montgomery, hosted by Ames aunts, for Audra and Baby Hayes--again, can't wait!

Whew! We can certainly pack a weekend.

Me vs the yard

I cannot check yard work entirely off my list (can one ever?), but I made a major dent in whacking bushes, yanking weeds, spraying for bugs, and cleaning the patio.

Now it's raining. Again.

At least I still don't have to turn on the sprinkler system.

Do these movies merit the price of a ticket?

1. My Life in Ruins - Nia Vardalos from My Big Fat Greek Wedding.
2. Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian - Ben Stiller, Robin Williams, and Owen Wilson; just for pure entertainment.
3. The Proposal - Sandra Bullock; you can usually count on SB (Exception: Two Weeks Notice was terrible--probably due to Hugh Grant.)

Transporting "crack" across state lines

Jackson has introduced our own special form of Tex-Mex "crack" to his new summer family. [Reminder: This particular form of "crack" is Original Rotel + Litehouse Ranch Dressing. That's it. But beware. It's highly addictive.]

He took an enchilada casserole "home" with him and made up the "crack" mixture for dipping with tortilla chips for an appetizer. He said they went through 2 recipes! That's 2 large cans of Rotel plus the ranch dressing.

Soon we'll have to come up with a 12 step program...

Don't you love it when a plan comes together?

--Audra and Joey will close on their house in Richmond tomorrow and then start to move in!
--Beth and Billy narrowly avoided being sucked into the NCAA record-breaking 25-inning baseball game (UT vs Boston @ Regional Tournament in Austin) by giving their tickets to some friends.
--Jackson gets to wear his old #24 this summer (first game of the season tomorrow: Macon Giants @ Augusta Nationals).