Freaky Friday And A Friend!

Did y'all survive Daylight Savings Time? I do not think that I have. I am still sooooo tired!!! I could fall asleep right here right now! It's not that I have not been sleeping well at night, because I have. I am just tired!!!

So I wanted to tell you about my Friday. Last Friday. I woke up excited because I was going to meet a high school friend. I haven't seen her in about 18 years so I was really excited!!! I was going to go ahead and take the rest of the day off after our lunch. Well that didn't happen...

When I first got to work on Friday I did not have any power to any of my electronics. Nothing was working. Even the phones weren't working. Now my boss had been there a while and just so you know how alert he is, he had no idea that the phone wasn't working.

It wasn't too long before I found the source of my problem. We have a backup power box, for those that don't know what that is, it is an uninterrupt power supply. You plug your electronics into it and when the power goes off it stays on and gives you time to save your work and shut down your computer. Well apparently it died. What is funny is that all week last week my office had a smell so bad that I had to keep the windows open just to stay in here and work. It smelled like sewer or a dead something. So now I think it might have been the box dying.

After hunting and finding two power strips I was able to get everything plugged in and working. I had barely settled down to get my daily work started (finally). When the next surprise for the day showed up....

An IRS agent! Yeap right there in my office. Wanting to see my boss. I had always told him if they showed up I was walking out the door. I know how intense an IRS audit can be but that has never bothered me. It is the fact that some of the advice and actions that my boss has got has not been good. Although I have told him that it was bad advice I have been ignored. I am not an accountant, I do not have an accounting degree and I am not a CPA. But I have worked enough to know what you can do and what you can't. I have also taken accounting classes while in college. But I guess if you don't have that degree in that area some people will not listen to you. Although I didn't say I told you so, I was not surprised when he was talking to the agent and she kept telling him over and over and over again that he had been misled. When really from the time his "accountant" told him certain things he could do, I was right there telling him he couldn't do it. So it's not like he really didn't know that it wasn't right, he just chose not to believe me.

The next 3 hours was spent running back and forth from his office to mine and printing stuff off for her. Then running and pulling items from files and making copies. I was so ready for 1 p.m. to get there. When I noticed that it was 12:20 I just simply told her that I had an appointment at 1. She jotted down a long list of items she would need and left. I must say that she was a very nice person.

So finally I could leave to go to lunch! Since I had spent mostly the whole day on other stuff, I did not have the chance to get my daily items out of the way like I had planned. That meant that I could not take the rest of the day off. But I was still going to get to see Lee Ann for lunch!!!

This is my beautiful friend Lee Ann! In high school I always thought she had it all together. She just looked so chic to me (ALWAYS), something I am not and never will be!!! lol I thought she was so talented because I remember that she could sing but if I am not mistaken I think that she even danced. Pretty sure of it. Just so you know, I can't do either one!! I think it was our senior year when we were both aides for the office. We would also run the concession stand after school. I remember that we just had so much fun! 

Ok back to current time, Lee Ann has a very interesting life. She had just left a photo shoot that morning! She has her own blog My Birmingham, she also writes for B Metro. She has just recently started Glamour Survival Guides. Hop on over and check them out. I think she has a little something for everyone!

So I met Lee Ann and I want all of you to know that I just had the best time!! She had made the comment that she felt like it hadn't been 18 years since we've seen each other and I didn't either. We spent quite a while at lunch - mostly chatting not eating. Catching up was fun and finding out things about people we went to school with. Some I hadn't heard from or seen and some she hadn't. We have a friend who works for the Mayor so we thought we would go pay her a visit. She unfortunately wasn't in but I know she would've been so excited to have seen Lee Ann. Not me so much as we see each other quite often. lol After a little walk around the "old" square I had to leave to go back to work. It is such a wonderful feeling to know that even though you haven't seen someone for so long that we still felt like such good friends. I have the same feelings for her that I did in school and am just so blessed to know that I have such good friends! I love ya Lee Ann!!!! Let's not wait so long next time!!!

So my Friday started out a little freaky, moved on to be a little intense, then ended with great feelings of friendship and love!! How wonderful!!!

Have a blessed day!

ZUMBA ZUMBA ZUMBA!!!!

It has been a busy busy week!! I am so glad it is finally Friday!! Well along with church, bible studies, blogging, tweeting, Facebook, family and work I have decided to add something else to my schedule. When I had lunch with my sister last week she said we need to do Zumba! I was excited. I had heard of Zumba but that is about it. I didn't even realize that we had a class very close. So that is what we did. Let's see it was me, my sisters, Helen and Emily, my daughter and her sister in law and her friend. We were all first timers. I just want y'all to know that I was making bets on how long I would last. I gave myself 10 minutes. lol

Here are a couple of shots before class:

 

Quite a big room and by the time we got started it was packed!!

My daughter and my younger sister, Helen.

Those are the pros there! lol

This was us after class. Notice the coin skirts they gave us to wear? I tell you what you really want to shake those hips so you can hear them jingle!!

At any rate, we had a BLAST!!! I LOVED IT!! I am definitely going back. I do admit though that I was working up quite a sweat when the instructor yelled "Ok warm-up's over!"

LOL I screamed "Warm Up!!" I knew then I wouldn't last the whole class. But I did!!!! I had to run to the bathroom and take about a 5 minute break but then I got right back out there! I think I did real good with keeping up too.

I just knew that I was going to be so sore! By the time the class was over my hips were killing me! But I was excited and couldn't wait for the next class! By the time I got in bed that night I slept like a baby - but dreading how I would feel in the morning. To my surprise when I woke up I felt great! My stomach muscles were sore but that was it. I couldn't get over that that was all that was sore.

Let me just tell you also that during the class we smiled and were laughing! To me it was really intense but you have to realize that I have stopped walking and doing any form of exercise since before Christmas. I have never had such a fun workout that felt like a work out!! Does that make sense? lol

Just in case you want to see what Zumba is - here you go!

If you are looking for a great work out you really need to try it! I know you are going to have a blast. Oh the best part was that before class began we seen a couple of girls my daughter went to school with. Afterwards I seen my neighbor come running towards me. It was fun to see that she was there. I had no idea she was taking Zumba class.

I am once again participating in Friday Follow this week. Hop on over and link up. This blog hop is hosted by One 2 Try, Hearts Make Families and Midday Escapades!

Have a blessed day!

I met BETH MOORE!!!

Hello everyone!!

Well last Wednesday I woke up so excited!!! It was the day that I was FINALLY meeting BETH MOORE!!!! So I had taken the day off just because I wanted to. I thought well I will have to go stand in line and I am going to be sure I get to see her!!

I had planned on getting there about noon. Then I decided I would call. They said they were giving tickets out at 1 p.m. so I thought great 12 it is. I got in touch with my buddy Mary who was meeting me there. We were texting and a tweeting lol.

So I had the whole morning to kill. I had had an hair appointment but when I got there they had a sign reading No Debit Cards and No Credit Cards. What? Really? Well by the time it took me to go to my bank's ATM to get cash and then back to the salon it would be 25 minutes - 25 minutes that I did not have to spare! Yes I could have went to a closer ATM but then I would've been charged for that convenience fee or what ever it's called. I just didn't feel like I wanted to pay any kind of fee just because they didn't take a card. So I went to another salon that I go to sometimes. Well as I walked in I reached into my pocket and realized I did not even have my wallet with me!! I had decided not to tote my purse with me (I do that A LOT) and just bring my little wallet I use when we go riding. I was going to wear another pair of jeans (beige) but had decided that blue jeans would be better. My wallet was in my other pair of jeans. Great!

Well by the time I went home and got it and back to the salon I didn't have time to get my hair cut! :( So I just decided to wax my eyebrows and mustache so that my morning wouldn't' be a complete loss. Because by this time it was getting close to 12!

I headed on over to the Family Christian Book store. There were only a couple of people in there. I went in got Mary's and Gayle's book (So Long, Insecurity) and went to the counter to pay for them. I was just chatting with the cashier as I usually do since I am a frequent visitor (too frequent). I asked for them to make sure to give me the bookmarks and as she did she asked me if I wanted to go ahead and get my tickets!!! A WHOLE HOUR BEFORE ANYONE ELSE!!!! I said 'yes that would be great!' As she handed them to me she said 'shh your the first one to get them!' So I was excited!! Here are the bookmarks - the one on the left is the one you get when you purchased your book on the right is your ticket for the book signing!

 

So I was SO EXCITED and had to call Mary and tell her that I got our tickets early!! We had decided to meet back at the store a little later. After having lunch and running a few errands it was finally time! I went in and still was surprised that there wasn't a lot of people there - about 15 or so. But of course I did see a few people that I knew. So we were just hanging out with our buddies and yaking! Here are a few pictures while we were waiting.

Mary and Gayle with the Chic Fil A cow! (ha! I'm a poet)

Before we were called to get in line.
Pretty little Morgan, Mary, Gayle, Me and Jenny Hope (who only wishes she was as beautiful as Morgan).
I have actually known Mary for a little while - such a great lady! I met Jenny Hope last month at Mary's Revive 2010 posted here. Wednesday was the first time for me to meet Jenny's little girl Morgan and also (although I have been following her on Twitter) Gayle.

Mary and I - waiting in line!

 

 Morgan, Jenny and Gayle waiting in line.
 

Me and Beth!! So excited!! We hugged here like about three or four times!! lol

Then we went across the parking lot to eat - Mexican!!

Gayle!

 

After we ate we went back to see Mama Beth again!
This time she was walking down the line!

 

And I got a better picture with her!! Chatted and hugged a minute or so longer!
As I said SO DANG EXCITING!!

It was great fun to hang out with Mary, Gayle, Jenny and Morgan. I had so much fun! Also it was great to see several ladies from church, bible study and other friends I haven't seen for ages.

Have a blessed day!

My BFF

Hello Everyone,

So on Saturday afternoon we went to a BBQ at a friends house. After several hours visiting and having fun it was time to go home. Now let me just say that I don’t drink. I haven’t in years. That’s not to say that I won’t take a sip of a Margarita or Long Island Tea from my sister’s glass. It doesn’t mean that I don’t like to go out with girlfriends or sisters being the DD while they are all ‘partying’. It’s just not something I enjoy and religiously I don’t feel right about doing.

However, my hubs does. There has been countless times that I have had to be not only his DD but his friends’ as well. This is the only time I karaoke people. They are so – um – enjoying themselves that I know they won’t remember anything the next day. Seeing that I love to sing but I can’t carry a tune this is a good time to let my screeching talent known.

There was no singing Saturday but I wanted to share a conversation between hubs and me as I put him to bed. Now he wasn’t slurring a lot but a little, sorry I don’t know how to type in slur.

Hubs: Your my BFF.

Me: Well your my BFF too.

Hubs: What?

Me: Your my BFF too.

Hubs: I can’t be your BFF!!

Me: Yes you can.

Hubs: No I can’t!!

Me: Well why can’t you be my BFF?

Hubs: Because I am not female.

Me: (giggling by now) I know you are not female.

Hubs: Then I can’t be your BFF.

Me: What does that have to do with being my BFF?

Hubs: I am not a female!

Me: What do you think BFF means?

Hubs: Best Female Friend!!

Have a blessed day!

Wonderful Weekend

Hello Everyone,

So yesterday I blogged about my day at the clinic on Tuesday and then I realized that I hadn't told you about my weekend.

I had an absolutely wonderful weekend. My friend Yvonne came home to visit. She was actually coming here to go to the 2009 Alabama Women's Conference. She grew up here and moved a few years after we graduated. I was so excited and happy to see her. I guess it's been about ten years since we have seen each other. We have always kept in contact by email or snail mail but it was good to see her. We were missing our friend Alda but we still had a good time.

Our little town has changed A LOT in the last two years, she hasn't been back in over ten. She was amazed at all of the changes in our little town. It was fun taking her on a tour. We had lunch with my sisters and then we went to visit my grand baby so she could meet him. She said she could wrap him up and take him home with her. He is so cute.

For dinner we met up with all of the ladies that came with her. Let me tell you that was a nice and fun bunch of girls. They had been playing pranks on each other and I could tell they really liked each other. After dinner we went to the confernce.

I loved the conference. I really needed it. If you have never heard Jamie Massey speak then you are really missing something. Also, if you have never heard Charmaine Bridgeman sing you are missing out. If you EVER get the opportunity to hear these two ladies please do.

Now the conference was "Reflections Of His Grace". Again it was wonderful. So spiritually uplifting for me. You know every now and then we need that. I didn't get to attend the second day, which I was bummed about. But I had Angel Food Ministries and that is very important to me too.

So a gigantic big shout out to you Yvonne!! I am so glad I got to see you, meet your friends and go to the conference. Another shout out to all of the ladies at the Springville Church of God and a special hello to my two daughters and my daughter in law! Ya'll are so much fun.


Have a blessed day!

Good to be Alive!

Hello Everyone!

It's been a while. You know Ray’s birthday is tomorrow so I thought I better get caught up before I post about his birthday. One thing that is bothering me though is that I ordered his present and it has been at the delivery facility up in Cullman since Monday. If it's not down here by tomorrow I'm calling and telling them I want to come get it. I need it by Sunday.

I know it’s been a while but my life, personal and business has been so darn busy. Everyday there’s something to do, every night and I can’t remember a weekend where I didn’t have something going on. So maybe it’ll slow down a little so that I can be more on top of it. I also need to get my emails answered again, both personal and business.

Well let’s see first of all I have to say Happy Birthday to my niece Keely she turned 4. I ended up getting her a Batgirl Barbie since she likes Batgirl so much. She loved it! She’s just so pretty. Also my Dad had a birthday on the 24th of last month. So Happy 70th Birthday Dad! Oh one more happy birthday to my brother Charles he turned 44 on October 1st.

Mom and Manuel just got back from California they had to rush out there because Danny had an aneurysm. When they left he was on life support and he wasn’t expected to live. We were all concerned and worried. He is my oldest brother and we love him. Today he is doing well, thank God, he is in rehab having to learn how to eat, walk and talk. So once again thank God.

So last month I was on Jury duty. This was my first time. The last time I was served was when I was on dialysis and couldn't do it. I was an alternate juror so I didn't get to deliberate but it was an interesting case. I wasn't bored out of my mind and I met some great people.

I know other things happened in September but I think that is just about going to wrap it up. Oh and Alabama is still undefeated, Roll Tide Roll!!!

All in all we have had a great last few weeks. I don’t know how it is around the country where all of my friends and relatives are but I do know one thing; it is absolutely beautiful here today. I woke up listening to the birds, when I got to work they were singing outside my window. It is a good day to be alive!

So this week I have been on the run every day. Sunday we old timers didn’t get home until 4 a.m. It was Rod’s “surprise” 50th birthday party and we had such a good time. I say “surprise” because his neighbor did let it out of the bag the day before. As you all know Rod, Bubba and my husband has been friends since they were 5 years old and all the important events of their lives are shared. There were quite a lot of people there when I first arrived. A lot of people I hadn’t seen in a while were there. Of course all three "brothers" and us three wives were there. After a few people had left a small group showed up. They had been at their high school reunion. I only knew two of the men and one of the ladies. After some introductions and a few hello’s I was surprised when the lady I knew came over to speak to me.

We had been friends a while back. I thought it was a nice gesture for her to do. I just gave her a couple of compliments and answered a few questions. She did mention that she had had surgery and I told her that she knew I knew she had surgery. She said “I know you know about my surgery. This is such a small town and everyone knows everything and then adds to it.” I agreed and said, “That is true”. I told her she looked good. I never would have brought it up but she did, plus everyone does know she had it.

They didn't stay long at all and left right after we talked and it bothered me when one of my friends said, “You know you’re going to regret talking to her don’t you?” I told her “I hope not. Everyone seen that she was doing all of the talking. Other than a couple of compliments and answering a few questions I didn’t say much at all.” She said, “That’s true, she did do most of the talking and you were very nice.” I responded that she had been nice too. She’s so funny though, she said, “But you know that if they were having a parade and it rained they’d blame you.” We all laughed but it’s sad to say that that is the truth.

Still afterwards, it did kind of bother me because she had asked where Summer worked and I had told her. So after that statement about regretting talking to her it made me think that maybe I shouldn’t have told her where she worked. So when we finally did get home Larry asked me how our talk went. I told him ok that I thought it was nice of her. I told him about our friend’s statement and he said, “God I hope not”. I said, “Me either, but you know my gut instinct was to just say thank you and walk away. I told her where Summer worked and now I don’t think that was a good idea.” Larry agreed. So let's hope nothing comes of it, for the life of me I don't know what can. All in all it was still a nice gesture. I was sincere in my compliments and I hope she was too.

Speaking of my husband, I am just so happy with him. We didn’t know if we were going to be able to make it to the party because he had been having gout issues. He was excited that by Saturday he could finally walk on it. I am so blessed that I have a husband that loves me, he is all about me! He’s my best friend and we really enjoy just talking and being together. His support is so important to me. God just keeps blessing me. Not only with Summer, Josh, my Grammyson, my family and friends but with everyday little blessings. I wish everyone was as happy as we are and had the blessings that we have.

Have a blessed day!

Valerie