'Tis the Season

I LOVE THIS TIME OF YEAR!!!!

I love the cold weather, I love the beautiful white stuff that floats from the atmosphere, I love the Christmas season, the trees, the lights hanging in windows and off gutters(no matter if some of my peeps think they're cheesy - SCROOGES!!), I love the fantasy that children have of "Santa Claus" dropping from the sky and falling down their chimney. I love everything there is about the Winter season - EXCEPT shopping!!

I went to the Florence Y'all Mall yesterday with Danielle and her friend to start my Christmas shopping and do my part to help with our dwindling economy. I knew exactly what I wanted and exactly where to go to get it, but when I got there, there were hoards of people. I thought the economy was so bad that there would be NOONE out there spending their hard earned money. Gee, was I wrong. Everywhere you turn, there's people, waiting to catch the glimpse of the person behind the counter for help with video games, waiting to check out, babies crying from being strapped in their stroller for hours on end, Moms fussing at Dad's because she KNOWS the kid really needs one more set of Lego's or one more Barbie. All I wanted was to purchase 4 small items for young cousins, and it took me 5.5 hours to get out of that stupid mall. Is all this frustration really worth ruining this wonderful season?????

Next year (as with all years past), I hope I remember this and start my shopping in July!!!!!!!

Regular Unleaded

$2.85/gallon!!!!!!!

WOOOHOOO, but I had to drive to Ohio to get it!!!

Why is it that I have to drive 10 miles from my house to find a $.35 difference in gas prices???? Beats me...I would much RATHER stay in my comfort zone than drive in Ohio and risk my life as well as others!!

October 6, 1994

Yes, at 1 a.m., you were ready...but I wasn't. I was trying to get a good nights sleep, but you were not going for that....By 1:30a.m., we were heading to the hospital, watch in hand, timing the contractions, 5 minutes apart and 30 miles away from the hospital, just great.......The fun had already begun. Upon arrival at the hospital, contractions were 4 minutes apart and my nerves were already SHOT!! Nurses rushing around me telling me to "breathe" and all I wanted to do was hold my breath and PUSH!!!! After a shot of demerol and what seemed like a 20" needle shoved in my spine, all was good (for ME at the time anyway) Then after relaxing a bit and thinking this was going to be a breeze, the pushing began..... 3 hours later, you were finally here with me, all red and wrinkly.



That day, my dear Danielle, was the first day of the best part of my life. You have brought me sooo much joy and happiness (the grief and grey hair goes along with this, but well worth it!). I am so glad that you are my daughter and I am very proud of the person that you are becoming!



I love you very much, Danielle!!!
HAPPY 14th BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!

What a Difference a Year Makes

How she's changed in 1 year. She's growing into a beautiful young woman!!!

The House Next Door

"The Notebook"

What a wonderful choice in movies when you're alone. NOT!
WHAT WAS I THINKING??????

I often wonder if there's that kind of love out there for me....I thought I'd found it the last time I tried, but it just didn't end up the way I'd dreamed it would.

Anyway, enough reflecting on the things I can not change...and focus on the things that I can....

Granny

This woman has been a great influence in my life. If it weren't for her, I don't know where I'd be right now. This is the woman who ultimately raised me from an infant to the person that I am now. She taught me to cook (or tried to), to take care of myself and also to crochet. She always said that I needed to learn to do a little bit of everything, 'cause you never know when you'll need to know it. She's a wise woman. She's a woman who has endured more than any one person should ever have to; she's lost her parents, her husband, and most tragically, all four of her children, and she's still the strongest person I know.

Granny was always there for me when my mom wasn't and still to this day, IS MY ROCK!!! She's never judged me nor my actions, maybe not always agreed with them, but never once has she distanced herself from me because of something stupid that I've done.

I try to call her everyday so that she knows someone is thinking of her -
I love her so much and I never want to loose her. My life would never be the same without her in it!!!!!

THANKS, GRAN, FOR ALWAYS BEING THERE FOR ME!!

I LOVE YOU VERY MUCH!!!!