Southern Sweetheart

Happy Father’s Day to all you wonderful Dads out there.  I hope you’ve had a fantastic day with your family building memories upon memories with your children.

Today, for me, has been bittersweet.  I always cherish Father’s Day because, like most daughters, I idolized my Father.  There was, and never will be, anyone like him.  I was his Princess and he was my Prince - the model of a man that will forever be the blueprint of what I look for in a husband.  He loved my Mother and us girls with an unfailing love and he did everything humanly possible to provide for us and give us the things we not only needed, but wanted.   There’s nothing like a Father’s love, his guiding hand, his assurance when we needed it, his belief in us and  I firmly believe that much of my success today is because of him.  I could do and be anything - he always said, and I believed him.  I still believe that.  My manuerisms, my tenacity, my spunk, my courage, my fearless nature, my passion for my family - I got it all from my Father.  Seven years after his death, I can still see his small hazel eyes and his enormous smile, and I know he is proud of me.  I’m not only lucky to have had a Father so caring, generous, and kind but I am blessed.  Truly blessed for so many reasons, but largely because of the love I carry with me every day of my life - his love.  It is in quiet times that I feel it most, but I always know he’s there.

Today is not only Father’s Day in our household, but today marked the 50th Anniversary of my parent’s wedding day.  As many of you know, my Father passed away on Friday, July 13, 2001.  He didn’t make it to the 50th anniversary - but I know he was with us - and with my Mom - looking down from the Heavens above, smiling and sharing the laughter and joy that was always a part of our home. 

One day, I hope to have a home like that of my own.  I’ve resigned myself to waiting on just the perfect one for me - Dad wouldn’t accept anything any less, and neither will I.  My parents set an example that isn’t the status quo these days and I guess that’s why I’m content to wait.  Marriage, family, joy and happiness in a loving home aren’t things anyone should take for granted.  I’ve been blessed my entire 33 years of life and I know those blessings are in no short supply.  In due time, he will arrive.  Until then I’ll continue to shape my life into the best me that I can present to him. 

Friends, spend quality time with those that you love.  We all leave this earth in God’s time and none of us know the hour of our calling.  Take a personal inventory of your life’s worth, weed out the bad, and perfect the good while you have time, and recognize that possessions really do not matter.   Our carnal nature is to measure our life’s worth in worldly possessions, but I’ve learned those are the least important of all.  Instead, a life of love, unyielding kindness, authenticity, loyalty, joy, devotion to those that mean the most to you, honesty, and integrity are among the intangible possessions that matter most and it’s the intangibles that are the true measure of a man and a Father.  

Happy Father’s Day. 

Great.  A little rough play and now I probably will wake in the morning with a black eye.  Lovely. 

In other news, I got a double digit percentage raise last week.  That makes me very happy. 

I’m thinking about replacing the carpet, etc in my house to hardwood floors…just the first floor (for now).  That would be the den, kitchen, laundry room, bedroom and bathroom.  I never knew there were so many samples of hardwood to choose from -it’s nuts.  It’s like telling me to go into a shoe store and find ONLY ONE pair of shoes I want.  There are several hardwood samples I’ve brought home to try to determine which one is THE one and I can’t seem to narrow it down any further than the 3 I have.  Decisions.  Decisions.  Hmmmm….  Have any of you gone through this process?  Any pointers you can give me?  Warranty things I need to look for?  I’ve never done this before and really don’t have a point of reference so if any of you do, that would be helpful.

I officially have a headache from the blow to my eye.  I’m taking some Advil or Tylenol and hitting the sack.   

I went to the movies today.

Saw Sex and the City.

Loved it.

I should be in bed……

Alrighty.  Here goes.  Let’s take the short route and bullet the importance stuff:

• Work was, is, and seemingly will always attempt to kick my ass.  (Note:  I’m still winning, for now.)
• Attended the Kenny Chesney concert in Columbia, SC the night that he crushed his foot in the stage lift.  Had an absolute blast!  Good times and much needed relaxation.
• Attended the Chris Daughtry/Bon Jovi concert in Atlanta.  Daughtry kicked a$$ and Bon Jovi is more handsome in person than anything I’ve ever seen him pictured on - in print or television.  Bon Jovi rocked out for 2.5 hours straight and I could barely talk when it was over.  It’s amazing how well I recalled EVERY SINGLE LYRIC to songs I listened to and adored 20 years ago.  Would so totally go see him again.
• Still loving my car, although it’s not getting the gas mileage around town I had hoped.  Gas mileage on the highway is much better.  However, anything is better than what that gas guzzling SUV was suckin’ down.
• I spent approx. $300 on gas for the car in May alone.  My car gets roughly 29mpg on the highway.  You do the math. 
• Traveled to Atlanta for a conference - no big deal, except that it was a much needed diversion from the office.
• My best employee is leaving us in 3 weeks to be a stay at home mom.  I envy her.  Majorly.  But only some days.
• I thought I won an RV and $250,000 Monday.  I missed it by one word.  I’m still working on obtaining it - contest is still on.  If I finally get the word I’m looking for I’m calling sick for a month and taking a vacation to God only knows where.  Too bad it isn’t enough to call in rich to the office and quit.
• I’ve relandscaped my yard.  Again.  I realized after 7 hours in the blazing hot sun while I was soaking wet in a white tshirt, hair up, and glistening in sweat with dirt up to my elbows and a shovel in my hands that manual labor has never been a hobby of mine.  But my lawn looks fantastic! 
• Big Brother ended with a limp.  At least Adam won….that’s better than Sheila.
• Deadliest Catch finally began - and now is almost over.  I love this show.
• Started watching The Alaska Experiment - loved it.  It concluded tonight.  Not sure I would do it but I enjoyed living vicariously through them.
• Startling thing - I’m actually reading Barbara Walters biography…Audition.  It’s actually pretty good.
• Am also reading Wisdom of our Fathers.  Also very good, quick little reads before some shut-eye.
• Father’s Day will be here soon…… I miss my Dad terribly. 
• Considering my Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science you would think that I marvel in the political process, elections, debates, etc…… Normally I do.  However, this time around - I’m not enthralled about any of the candidates…..at all.  That’s a pretty sad thing in my book.  Now we’re about to embark on the general election campaigning…..this should be interesting.  But again, neither of them float my boat.  Maybe I should move to an island somewhere.  As far as the issues go….. I’m open for discussion about any of them should any of you want to email me or chat here in the comments.  If you take me up on that, the rules are that you have to play nice - we can agree to disagree if that’s how things fall but let’s do it respectfully.

I think that’s enough for now.  Let’s see where this goes and I’ll update more later. 

Hello World.  (wonder if they still use that in programming classes today?….)  Anyway, I know it’s been forever since I was here for any consistent length of time with updated posts.  There are reasons for that but who cares really?  The point is, I’m not sure anyone is really stopping by here regularly anymore - it appears a few of you may be — that makes me smile.  It’s nice to see people “looking for me” here….hell, looking for me anywhere is nice.  :)  I’ll make this short and sweet since it’s after 1am - I’m going to do my best to come back here regularly - I miss it - the release that writing gives me…and I miss you guys too.  I’ve been wondering what you were all up to and I promise I’ll get around to checking up on you all very soon!  Like tomorrow! haha  Ok. Well, maybe not all of you tomorrow - but I’ll at least get started.  Until then, thanks for keeping on keeping on and for looking in on me here. 

Ever feel cerebral yet unable to formulate cohesive thoughts?  I am sitting here with a million ideas traversing the crevaces of my neurotic expanse and yet am unable to focus or conclude anything with certainty.  Rhetorical questions only serve to propel the continuous firings of hits and misses.  And observations are just that.

A little cerebral and a little too far in my own thoughts to be coaxed out tonight.   I think I’ll marinate here a little longer……

I’m still around — just have been busy.  I’ll try to post in the next several days and fill you all in…..  Hope you’re all well…..

You people are nuts!  Love all the name suggestions for my new car - I still haven’t gotten “just the right name” though.  I guess it’ll come to me in time.  Anyway, for now, here are the daylight pics I promised.

In other news, I have a friend who’s 4 year old daughter is having major surgery Monday.  Say a prayer please that this little girl will come through the surgery with flying colors and that the surgery will eleviate the pain she’s been in.  I can only imagine what it must be like to have a child going through something so terrifying.

And wish Miss Piper a HAPPY BIRTHDAY TODAY!  It’s her very 1st!  I know she’s a dog but she’s my sweetheart and I just can’t imagine what I did before I got her.  She has a big day today too — she’s going to the groomer to get all gussied up and styled and then she’s going to my office to prance around for a little while.  Later, after work, we’re going for a special walk and she’s getting Puppy Paws ice cream and treats!  I know, you people think I’m nuts, but I don’t care.  She’s worth it and then some!  I love her!

Sleek

Sassy

Cheeky

Cocky

Bold

Provocative

Sexy

Stylish

Assertive

Sumptuous

Enveloping

Innovative

Gorgeous

Calming

Arousing

Seductive

Alluring

Tantalizing

Want to know what I’m talking about?  My newest attraction.

This is my new car.  I just bought it Thursday, 3/20 and I love it!!  It talks to me - seriously - it is wicked sweet!!!  Here’s where you all come in.  I want to name it and I’ve picked out a male name for it - mainly because it does things to me that  a man hasn’t recently! haha!  However, right now, it’s programmed in a female voice (that I can switch to a male voice) so when it talks to me I hear a “she” instead of a “he”.  So, I need name suggestions - both of the female and male variety.  So, give it to me…..leave your suggestions in the comments.  If you can come up with a female name I really like I’ll keep the programming set on a “she”……otherwise, I think I’ll change it to a ”he”.   I’ll unveil her in the daylight with pictures of both the exterior and interior once I have a firm name to properly introduce “her/him” with.   Did I mention that I LOVE MY NEW CAR????!!!!!! 

Hope you all have a great week!

I am soooooooo happy today and bouncing off the walls! Guess where I’m going on May 1st? 

AND

That’s right BABY!!!  I’m going to see Bon Jovi and Chris Daughtry at Phillips Arena in Atlanta on May 1st! Whooo Hoooo!!

I can hardly stand it! :)  heheheehehehe  Any of you out there in the reading public going?  If so, lemme know.