People have often made fun of my Facebook addiction. I'll admit- sometimes I do spend too much time on there playing games and following friends' exploits. But what a wonderful tool for reconnection it has become for me.
Just recently, I received a friend request from a dear college friend that I hadn't heard from in a decade. I'd been trying to find him since discovering Facebook, but none of our mutual friends were in contact with him anymore. Benji was my little brother in our fraternity/sorority world and also one of my closest confidants. I could talk to him about anything, and he'd listen and offer an unbiased (read honest!) opinion when I needed it. He made me laugh at myself and others. I could always count on him, and for a while, we were inseparable. However, life took control after college ended and we lost touch.
So, low & behold when I got that friend request, I couldn't hit accept fast enough! And you know what- no matter how many years have passed and all that has transpired in each of our lives, we have picked up right where we left off. He still listens and lets me ramble while being a voice of reason when I need it. We've caught each other up on the details of our lives and are moving forward as older, wiser friends.
I'm often reminded of the "Reason, Season, Lifetime" poem when I reflect upon the people that have come & gone from my life. Sometimes, you think someone was a just Season because you've lost touch and time has passed. Then you get the opportunity to reconnect and realize that person is one of the Lifetimers- and always will be. And that's all I need to know when it comes to a friend.
July 17, 2010
July 7, 2010
Happy Belated Birthday, America!
America is great because America is good, and if America ever cease to be good, America will cease to be great.
~ Alexis de Tocqueville,1833
Three days ago we celebrated the birth of America- the greatest nation on Earth. The fourth of July has always been a special holiday in my family. Not only does it mark the middle of summer between school semesters, but it is a time to honor the many freedoms we enjoy based solely on the land in which we live. Freedom of religion, speech, the right to bear arms, ability to come and go as we please, shop where we want, do what we want (within the limits of the law), and all sorts of other freedoms. But these freedoms don't come free. Someone has to pay the price. Since 1776, men and women have sacrificed, fought and died so that we can remain free.
My uncle Larry lost his life in Vietnam in 1969. He was a PFC in the US Marine Corps and only 18 years old. He gave his life saving a fellow Marine. I never knew him and have only seen pictures of him. I've found his name on the Vietnam War Memorial in Washington, DC twice. Seeing it and touching it always gets me choked up. To some, he and the 58,266 other soldiers are just names carved in granite. To me, he is someone I'll only know as a picture in the hall outside my bedroom door and the younger brother my dad will never forget. He's one of my heroes because of his service to our country.
My brother is currently serving his second tour overseas. He missed the births of his two children due to deployments in addition to countless holidays & birthdays. It's bittersweet not celebrating our Nation's birthday with him, but I know he was celebrating in a different way. He's over there so I can remain free over here.
The many men and women in our Armed Forces have a more important job than I will ever have. I'll never save someone's life or defend their freedom by giving my own life. I'll never stand before a hostile enemy and pray that I see my family again. I'll never take off a pair of combat boots and shake desert sand out of them, but many others will do that every day so that I can do my job and enjoy the many freedoms I experience here.
God bless America and our soldiers!
~ Alexis de Tocqueville,1833
Three days ago we celebrated the birth of America- the greatest nation on Earth. The fourth of July has always been a special holiday in my family. Not only does it mark the middle of summer between school semesters, but it is a time to honor the many freedoms we enjoy based solely on the land in which we live. Freedom of religion, speech, the right to bear arms, ability to come and go as we please, shop where we want, do what we want (within the limits of the law), and all sorts of other freedoms. But these freedoms don't come free. Someone has to pay the price. Since 1776, men and women have sacrificed, fought and died so that we can remain free.
My uncle Larry lost his life in Vietnam in 1969. He was a PFC in the US Marine Corps and only 18 years old. He gave his life saving a fellow Marine. I never knew him and have only seen pictures of him. I've found his name on the Vietnam War Memorial in Washington, DC twice. Seeing it and touching it always gets me choked up. To some, he and the 58,266 other soldiers are just names carved in granite. To me, he is someone I'll only know as a picture in the hall outside my bedroom door and the younger brother my dad will never forget. He's one of my heroes because of his service to our country.
My brother is currently serving his second tour overseas. He missed the births of his two children due to deployments in addition to countless holidays & birthdays. It's bittersweet not celebrating our Nation's birthday with him, but I know he was celebrating in a different way. He's over there so I can remain free over here.
The many men and women in our Armed Forces have a more important job than I will ever have. I'll never save someone's life or defend their freedom by giving my own life. I'll never stand before a hostile enemy and pray that I see my family again. I'll never take off a pair of combat boots and shake desert sand out of them, but many others will do that every day so that I can do my job and enjoy the many freedoms I experience here.
God bless America and our soldiers!
June 30, 2010
Go Gamecocks!!
I'm a proud University of South Carolina fan and alum today. Our baseball team won the College World Series and brought a National Championship trophy home today. It's an amazing day to be a Gamecock!
June 21, 2010
Proud to Be.....
I consider myself many things that I am proud to be:
Wife
Daughter/Granddaughter/Niece
Sister
Aunt
Mommy to Kira & Sophie
Friend
Christian
Sister of Beta Sigma Phi & Tau Beta Sigma
Professional Woman
Avid Book Lover
Movie Line Connoisseur
Gamecock Fan
But I found a shirt that says what I'm truly most proud to be:
Yep- I am pretty awesome if I do say so myself!
Hope everyone had a happy Monday and an even better week!
Wife
Daughter/Granddaughter/Niece
Sister
Aunt
Mommy to Kira & Sophie
Friend
Christian
Sister of Beta Sigma Phi & Tau Beta Sigma
Professional Woman
Avid Book Lover
Movie Line Connoisseur
Gamecock Fan
But I found a shirt that says what I'm truly most proud to be:
Yep- I am pretty awesome if I do say so myself!Hope everyone had a happy Monday and an even better week!
June 15, 2010
Lights! Camera! Favorite Movies!
Hello friends! I've been crazy busy with the new job duties and am sorry to have neglected my blog. I mentioned in my inaugural post that I love movies. Hubby and I used to go to the movies every week for the first 2 years we dated, but we don't do that as frequently as we once did. However, Blockbuster Online and our personal DVD collection are enough to keep us entertained. I recently counted, and we have almost 300 DVDs in our collection. I guess you could say that books aren't the only thing that I like to buy.
I'd like to take this blog to share a few of my all-time favorite movies and what they mean to me:
American Beauty- Kevin Spacey exploded on the screen as a married father in the throws of a mid-life crisis. I remember going to see this one in the theater and wondering if I should really be laughing at poor Mr. Spacey's character and his life. This movie is a black comedy in every sense of the word. Excellent acting by Kevin Spacey, Annette Benning, and Thora Birch! We were also introduced to some classic movie lines (and I do LOVE a good movie line!). "That's my wife, Carolyn. See the way the handle on her pruning shears matches her gardening clogs? That's not an accident. "
The Goonies- My childhood would not have been complete without this movie. I remember getting it on VHS when I was a kid and being over the moon excited. I would watch it almost every day. I think it was the sense of adventure it provoked within kids that made it so great. I remember thinking the group of misfits on the screen were people that I'd have given anything to hang out with and have an amazing Goonie adventure. This movie allowed kids to dream and launched the career of some famous actors: Corey Feldman, Josh Brolin, Sean Astin and Martha Plimpton. I had heart palpitations when I recently read there will be an anniversary edition coming out on DVD in November. That DVD will so be in our ever-growing collection! "BABY RUTH!"
Coming to America- My absolute favorite Eddie Murphy movie EVER! How many crazy characters can Eddie play in one movie and make me LMAO?! A whole lot!!! "Give a hand to my band, Sexual Chocolate. They play so beautiful, don't you agree?"
Sixteen Candles- What child of the 80s doesn't adore a Molly Ringwald movie?! This one is classic. It was pretty much any teenager's nightmare to realize that your family forgot your birthday. That would be a nightmare for me now. And who can forget the cast of characters that Molly encounters in this one: The Geek, Long Duk Dong and the outrageous grandparents. "Dong. Where is my automobile?" "Oto-mo-biiile?"
Airplane- This is the movie that started the spoof genre in my humble opinion. Future spoofs disappoint compared to this one (with the possible exception of the Wayans' Brothers infamous spoof movies). Airplane is just plain hilarious without being gross or vulgar. It contains witty humor and non-stop laughs. It also provides me with MANY beloved movie quotes that I've been known to use religiously.
Reporter: What kind of plane is it?
Johnny: Oh, it's a big pretty white plane with red stripes, curtains in the windows and wheels and it looks like a big Tylenol.
"Looks like I picked the wrong week to quit drinking. (smoking, sniffing glue, amphetamines)"
Alas, I could go on and on, but I won't- maybe in another post. These are just a few movie classics that I'll always count among my favorites and would want with me if I were stranded on a deserted island with a DVD player & TV. Like that would ever happen!
I'd like to take this blog to share a few of my all-time favorite movies and what they mean to me:
American Beauty- Kevin Spacey exploded on the screen as a married father in the throws of a mid-life crisis. I remember going to see this one in the theater and wondering if I should really be laughing at poor Mr. Spacey's character and his life. This movie is a black comedy in every sense of the word. Excellent acting by Kevin Spacey, Annette Benning, and Thora Birch! We were also introduced to some classic movie lines (and I do LOVE a good movie line!). "That's my wife, Carolyn. See the way the handle on her pruning shears matches her gardening clogs? That's not an accident. "
The Goonies- My childhood would not have been complete without this movie. I remember getting it on VHS when I was a kid and being over the moon excited. I would watch it almost every day. I think it was the sense of adventure it provoked within kids that made it so great. I remember thinking the group of misfits on the screen were people that I'd have given anything to hang out with and have an amazing Goonie adventure. This movie allowed kids to dream and launched the career of some famous actors: Corey Feldman, Josh Brolin, Sean Astin and Martha Plimpton. I had heart palpitations when I recently read there will be an anniversary edition coming out on DVD in November. That DVD will so be in our ever-growing collection! "BABY RUTH!"
Coming to America- My absolute favorite Eddie Murphy movie EVER! How many crazy characters can Eddie play in one movie and make me LMAO?! A whole lot!!! "Give a hand to my band, Sexual Chocolate. They play so beautiful, don't you agree?"
Sixteen Candles- What child of the 80s doesn't adore a Molly Ringwald movie?! This one is classic. It was pretty much any teenager's nightmare to realize that your family forgot your birthday. That would be a nightmare for me now. And who can forget the cast of characters that Molly encounters in this one: The Geek, Long Duk Dong and the outrageous grandparents. "Dong. Where is my automobile?" "Oto-mo-biiile?"
Airplane- This is the movie that started the spoof genre in my humble opinion. Future spoofs disappoint compared to this one (with the possible exception of the Wayans' Brothers infamous spoof movies). Airplane is just plain hilarious without being gross or vulgar. It contains witty humor and non-stop laughs. It also provides me with MANY beloved movie quotes that I've been known to use religiously.
Reporter: What kind of plane is it?
Johnny: Oh, it's a big pretty white plane with red stripes, curtains in the windows and wheels and it looks like a big Tylenol.
"Looks like I picked the wrong week to quit drinking. (smoking, sniffing glue, amphetamines)"
Alas, I could go on and on, but I won't- maybe in another post. These are just a few movie classics that I'll always count among my favorites and would want with me if I were stranded on a deserted island with a DVD player & TV. Like that would ever happen!
June 3, 2010
A Week of Randomness
Another week has almost ended (thank heavens!) and I'm ready for the weekend. It's been a busy yet good week. Enjoyed a lovely day off on Monday while Hubby had to work. Boo hiss! I did find time to stimulate our nation's economy (Yes- Barnes & Noble was visited and books were purchased. It is still cheaper than crack!) and I got my FREE Spicy Chick-Fil-A Chicken Sandwich. It was decent but a little more spice than I like. Sophie the Pug begged for a bite but had to settle for pieces of waffle fries instead. Don't want to even THINK what such spicy goodness would have done to her tummy.
Started my new job on Wednesday. Two days in and I feel like my brain has reached it's threshold of memory capacity. That or I just don't have a damn clue. I'm leaning toward the second option. One positive is that my work days fly by now. When you have trouble remembering that you needed to visit the bathroom an hour ago, that is a whole lot of busy. But the people I'm working with and advocating for have been very supportive and encouraging. It is making it all worth while.
All the stormy mess we've been experiencing this week left us a mess. HUGE limb fell out a tree last night and we had to clean it up. And Hubby tried to tell me that crash last night was something on the TV. Bet he'll listen to me next time! Hubby with a chainsaw is sort of like Texas Chainsaw Massacre without all the gore and wearing of a human skin mask. I just stayed out of his way until the limb was chopped up. If I'd been manning the chainsaw, limbs (the human kind) would have been lost- so thanks to Hubby for his chainsaw prowess. I forgot how rewarding yard work can be after a long day at work. It's a great way to de-stress.
Heading to the 'Burg on Saturday for some doggone fun at Bark in the Park. Sophie the Pug is super excited! She loves seeing other dogs and acting all superior to them. Pugs have that kind of attitude and you just have to deal with it. She thinks she is superior to us, too.
Hope everyone is having a great week and has plans for a lovely weekend.
Started my new job on Wednesday. Two days in and I feel like my brain has reached it's threshold of memory capacity. That or I just don't have a damn clue. I'm leaning toward the second option. One positive is that my work days fly by now. When you have trouble remembering that you needed to visit the bathroom an hour ago, that is a whole lot of busy. But the people I'm working with and advocating for have been very supportive and encouraging. It is making it all worth while.
All the stormy mess we've been experiencing this week left us a mess. HUGE limb fell out a tree last night and we had to clean it up. And Hubby tried to tell me that crash last night was something on the TV. Bet he'll listen to me next time! Hubby with a chainsaw is sort of like Texas Chainsaw Massacre without all the gore and wearing of a human skin mask. I just stayed out of his way until the limb was chopped up. If I'd been manning the chainsaw, limbs (the human kind) would have been lost- so thanks to Hubby for his chainsaw prowess. I forgot how rewarding yard work can be after a long day at work. It's a great way to de-stress.
Heading to the 'Burg on Saturday for some doggone fun at Bark in the Park. Sophie the Pug is super excited! She loves seeing other dogs and acting all superior to them. Pugs have that kind of attitude and you just have to deal with it. She thinks she is superior to us, too.
Hope everyone is having a great week and has plans for a lovely weekend.
May 28, 2010
Another Fun, Frivolous Friday
I'm just rolling back into town after attending a conference at the beach this week. Thought my experience there would provide fodder for an interesting and riveting blog post. However, no such luck. So, in honor of nothing special, I decided to share a little more about myself by recycling a classic chain letter thing that circled the globe on Facebook. Check out my musical tastes- but please don't judge!
What does your music library say about you?
*Put Your iTunes, winamp, mp3 player or whatever on SHUFFLE
*For each question, press the next button to get your answer (no cheating!!)
*You must write down song/artist even if it doesn't make sense
*Include any comments in parenthesis
1. What do your friends say about you?
Love You Out Loud- Rascal Flatts
2. How would your coworkers describe you?!
The Real Slim Shady- Eminem (After I assume my new job duties, this will probably be pretty accurate!)
3. How would you describe yourself?
I'll Go to My Grave Loving You- The Statler Brothers (it's important to like yourself b/c that's the one person you'll always be stuck with)
4. What do you like in a romantic partner?
You Mean the World to Me- Toni Braxton (Hubby is the center of my universe and the feeling is very mutual!)
5. How do you feel today?
End of the Road- Boyz II Men (It is Friday after all!)
6. What is your life’s purpose?
Shriner's Convention- Ray Stevens (Don't think so...)
7. What is your motto?
She Went Out for Cigarettes- Chely Wright (Smoking is not something I advocate, m'kay?)
8. What do you think about the most?
Do You Remember These?- The Statler Brothers (I do like to reflect on the past.)
9. What are you going to do on your next vacation?
Mother and Child Reunion- Paul Simon (My annual shopping trip with Mom is coming up this summer)
10. What do you think of your first love/date?
Flowers on the Wall- The Statler Brothers
11. What is your life story?
Poor Unfortunate Souls- The Little Mermaid (I've known a few of these in my time.)
12. What did you do yesterday?
Watch the Wind Blow By- Tim McGraw (I was at the beach enjoying the ocean breezes)
13. What do you think of when you see the person you like/love?
Video Killed the Radio Star- The Buggles
14. What describes your wedding?
Go- George Strait
15. What will they play at your funeral?
Need You Tonight- INXS (I have no idea what to even say about this one.)
16. What is your obsession?
Lot of Leavin' Left to Do- Dierks Bentley
17. What is your biggest fear?
Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off- Joe Nichols (I don't get drunk in PUBLIC for a reason. LOL)
18. What is your biggest secret?
Best I Ever Had- Gary Allan
19. What is your biggest turn-on?
The One- Gary Allan
20. How do you describe your friends?
I Found Someone- Michael Bolton (I'm blessed to have the friends I do in my life. They have saved me time and time again. Some have come and gone, but the ones who stuck around are the ones who matter.)
21. What would you do with a million dollars?
My Favorite Mistake- Sheryl Crow
22. What is your opinion of sex?
I Want My Goodbye Back- Ty Herndon
23. What is your biggest regret?
Rhythm Nation- Janet Jackson (I regret that I am not as good a dancer as Janet Jackson. I apologize for embarrassing my friends with my horrific dance moves over the years.)
24. What would you rather be doing right now?!
Colors of the Wind- Pocahontas
25. What will you post this list as?
I Think I'm in Love with You- Jessica Simpson (courtesy of the Dawson's Creek Soundtrack Vol. 2)
The King of Country Music (and the greatest performer EVER!)- George Strait
What does your music library say about you?
*Put Your iTunes, winamp, mp3 player or whatever on SHUFFLE
*For each question, press the next button to get your answer (no cheating!!)
*You must write down song/artist even if it doesn't make sense
*Include any comments in parenthesis
1. What do your friends say about you?
Love You Out Loud- Rascal Flatts
2. How would your coworkers describe you?!
The Real Slim Shady- Eminem (After I assume my new job duties, this will probably be pretty accurate!)
3. How would you describe yourself?
I'll Go to My Grave Loving You- The Statler Brothers (it's important to like yourself b/c that's the one person you'll always be stuck with)
4. What do you like in a romantic partner?
You Mean the World to Me- Toni Braxton (Hubby is the center of my universe and the feeling is very mutual!)
5. How do you feel today?
End of the Road- Boyz II Men (It is Friday after all!)
6. What is your life’s purpose?
Shriner's Convention- Ray Stevens (Don't think so...)
7. What is your motto?
She Went Out for Cigarettes- Chely Wright (Smoking is not something I advocate, m'kay?)
8. What do you think about the most?
Do You Remember These?- The Statler Brothers (I do like to reflect on the past.)
9. What are you going to do on your next vacation?
Mother and Child Reunion- Paul Simon (My annual shopping trip with Mom is coming up this summer)
10. What do you think of your first love/date?
Flowers on the Wall- The Statler Brothers
11. What is your life story?
Poor Unfortunate Souls- The Little Mermaid (I've known a few of these in my time.)
12. What did you do yesterday?
Watch the Wind Blow By- Tim McGraw (I was at the beach enjoying the ocean breezes)
13. What do you think of when you see the person you like/love?
Video Killed the Radio Star- The Buggles
14. What describes your wedding?
Go- George Strait
15. What will they play at your funeral?
Need You Tonight- INXS (I have no idea what to even say about this one.)
16. What is your obsession?
Lot of Leavin' Left to Do- Dierks Bentley
17. What is your biggest fear?
Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off- Joe Nichols (I don't get drunk in PUBLIC for a reason. LOL)
18. What is your biggest secret?
Best I Ever Had- Gary Allan
19. What is your biggest turn-on?
The One- Gary Allan
20. How do you describe your friends?
I Found Someone- Michael Bolton (I'm blessed to have the friends I do in my life. They have saved me time and time again. Some have come and gone, but the ones who stuck around are the ones who matter.)
21. What would you do with a million dollars?
My Favorite Mistake- Sheryl Crow
22. What is your opinion of sex?
I Want My Goodbye Back- Ty Herndon
23. What is your biggest regret?
Rhythm Nation- Janet Jackson (I regret that I am not as good a dancer as Janet Jackson. I apologize for embarrassing my friends with my horrific dance moves over the years.)
24. What would you rather be doing right now?!
Colors of the Wind- Pocahontas
25. What will you post this list as?
I Think I'm in Love with You- Jessica Simpson (courtesy of the Dawson's Creek Soundtrack Vol. 2)
The King of Country Music (and the greatest performer EVER!)- George Strait
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)