Surprise, Surprise, Surprise

Don't you love surprises? They are so wonderful to get when your in the slumps. This past weekend the little round man and I went to North Alabama to visit family we had no seen in a while. His sister had a heart cath, his brother had a knee replacment and his other sister has a lump under her arm that will be checked tomorrow (she has had both breast removed from cancer), so eventho it was really good to see them, everything that was going on was a little overwhelming. When we got home, all the hedges had been trimmed (we have a lot) and there were pansies in the flower pots on my front porch. There was a cute little pumpkin on my porch that make everything else that much prettier.I have sorely neglected both the hedges and flower pots. Everything looked so neat and clean and ready for Thanksgiving company.

My daughter and son-in-law along with the grandsons did all this for Jay and I. Such a lovely surprise, it really lifted my spirits. You just want to stop total stranger on the street and say.....Look what the kids did!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Civil War -as told by a 7 year old

Let me preface this blog with the statement that my daughter is going to be a History teacher when she recieve her degree from University of South Alabama. She is also a Cub Scout leader. On one of the "Go see it" trips that are required to earn thier badges in the Cub Scouts..she took them to the site of a Civil War battle here in South Alabama. She very simply explained to them about the Civil War and what it was about. This is the story as it was told to me by my grandson:

"There was this war between the South and the East. The South wanted "maids" and the East said no so they had a war. There ws this guy in a big tree and he was killing all the bad guys but then the guy fell out of the tree (that was pretty dumb-huh??) and got defeated. So the East won the war and that is why we don't have any "maids".

Fall is here

Fall has finally come to South Alabama. Well as much as we get. The temperature dropped 22 degrees yesterday from 74 to 48 last night and this morning. Everyone is in thier "BIG" coats (this is South Alabama)long pant and sweatshirts. Time for homemade soup and chili. Trees are turning a golden color and the mums are in full bloom.

I love the fall...jeans make me look thinner and I love all the long sleeve shirts (hides the bat wings ). Pumpkins will keep better-usually take them into the house with the AC so they do not ruin so quickly and Halloween is right around the corner. Time to start looking for Christmas gift and working on the menu for Thanksgiving.

A Passing of Time

At the ripe age of 27, I bought my first new car. It was 1976 Chevelle Malibu Classic, 2 door hardtop, AC,beauty rims, with a 8 track player (oh yeah) for the obscene price of $ 5243. I drove this car everyday for over 10 years. By then my son was driving age and he drove it for another 10 years. I went to the hospital in the Chevelle when my daughter was born. I brought her home from the hospital in the very same car. It was cooooool!!!!!!! 350 engine with dual exhaust (glass packs)with a 4 barrel carb. Run like a raped...well it ran really good.

I have kept it all these years and have taught my 2 kids, 3 step kids and to many neighbor kids to count in this car. The Chevelle was my signature. I never owned a 4 door car until all my kids were grown. My friends got to old to climb in the back seat. Today after 30+ years, I sold it. The Chevelle has gotten sad on the inside. Outside look good and had never been wrecked after all these years. To many stereo's taken out and put back back in by the boys ( yes 4 of the 5 kids were boys). It's like losing an old friend. Although it had not been driven for over 5 years..it was in my care. Is it dumb to feel the loss of a car???????

Hello Blog world

This is my first attempt at the "blogger" world. Have seen them and thought it would be a good venue for what I had to say. Am still working and practicing for retirement so when the time comes I will be really good at it. Just had my annual evaluation for a raise and got the dreaded "Dear Carolyn " letter. Your wonderful , you have exceeded our expectatons for the year.....but.....I had to go to Africa hunting and my brother bought a 300,000 house on a island so we cannot give you the expected $ .25 raise we so generously gave you last year. We appreciate your understanding!!!!!

I work for a privately own furniture manufacture that has been in business for 50 + years. The "brother" have multiple homes and investment but the economy is bad and money is tight so no money!!!!!!!! My retirement fund is getting lower