Sunday, January 25, 2009
Toastmasters Please
If we could ever align the stars so we could be there the night the guy who has to take our money and give us our manual we could probably do it. So our first speech will be Ice Breaker and we are both really looking forward to getting started. Its one of the things on our list of things to do together. We like the group we are in the club with. We'll see how we progress.
The Soup Nazi
It's my new name around the Bentley household. I have been making lots of soup and plan to continue. He is on the kick of looking for opportunities for a side business and after the soup I made last night he wants to start a soup kitchen here in his home. I say - "No Soup For You!" Last night I made Tuscan Sausage and Bean Soup. Last week it was my mom & dad's recipe for Beef & Veggie soup with grilled cheese and it was so good they even had to make some because they could smell it from Georgia. I've made the Bake Potato Soup and I think the next one will be...Mexican Chicken-Tortilla.
At work we have a little cafe and there are usually 2 soups daily. When I have to buy my lunch I usually get a salad and soup. My fav is the broccoli and cheese. I am also addicted to the Hot & Sour Soup at China Express in NC. When I go home I have to go get me some because I've never had any better and I've tried a lot of place in ATL and still can't find something comparable. I have a recipe for it and I'm going to give it a shot when I get brave.
When I would go to the Belgium office they get free soup and everyone I ever tried was great and then to be free - I couldn't handle it. So there its true, I love soup. (Better Homes & Gardens Soups & Stews has a lot of great ideas)
Friday, January 23, 2009
Beads, Pearls and a Southern Twist
I love all the colors and ideas swirling around for making jewelry. Went to a local class and there was only one other lady in attendance and she was a self proclaimed Southern Belle. Even though she's from OHIO she informed me that she graduated from Southern Belle school and has converted because she loves it here. She passed my test and I really enjoyed her. We both learned a lot and made some cool necklaces. Her name was Pearl and I have to say her mother did set her on the right track to be southern with that name. Of course pearls are her signature and we both loved all the pearls in the variety of colors and shapes that are available now.
My mother gave me her pearls. They are in need for re-stringing and look pretty dingy. I took them apart and cleaned them and now I'm waiting for the class to learn how to do the knots to put them back together. I'm pretty excited about them and wish I had done this earlier - they've been sitting in a drawer for years and that just not good for pearls.
I listened to a book about GRITS/Pearls - a big ole southern etiquette kind of thing. It was read by the author and it was an interesting book. Its funny how much is ingrained in you as a kid that doesn't know there is any other way but Southern hospitality. As I listened I thought, "who needs to read this - doesn't everyone just know these things?" Sad to say I have met a few people that could use this book but it wouldn't make any difference. One big thing I have learned in my 37 years :) Some people will never get it and common sense is not something that can be learned - you either have it or you don't. A colleague/friend of mine informed me that I am suffering from chronic common sense and always complimented me on my ability to use my intuition and common sense to provide insight into his dilemmas. Yes its true I am a guru. Whatever... the powers of a southern woman should never be underestimated... its a fact, but we are nothing if not humble. One of the biggest things you can learn from a southern woman is that pearls and diamonds may be forever but hugs and a good meal can solve many problems (if those don't work a swift kick in the pants usually does the trick).
My mother gave me her pearls. They are in need for re-stringing and look pretty dingy. I took them apart and cleaned them and now I'm waiting for the class to learn how to do the knots to put them back together. I'm pretty excited about them and wish I had done this earlier - they've been sitting in a drawer for years and that just not good for pearls.
I listened to a book about GRITS/Pearls - a big ole southern etiquette kind of thing. It was read by the author and it was an interesting book. Its funny how much is ingrained in you as a kid that doesn't know there is any other way but Southern hospitality. As I listened I thought, "who needs to read this - doesn't everyone just know these things?" Sad to say I have met a few people that could use this book but it wouldn't make any difference. One big thing I have learned in my 37 years :) Some people will never get it and common sense is not something that can be learned - you either have it or you don't. A colleague/friend of mine informed me that I am suffering from chronic common sense and always complimented me on my ability to use my intuition and common sense to provide insight into his dilemmas. Yes its true I am a guru. Whatever... the powers of a southern woman should never be underestimated... its a fact, but we are nothing if not humble. One of the biggest things you can learn from a southern woman is that pearls and diamonds may be forever but hugs and a good meal can solve many problems (if those don't work a swift kick in the pants usually does the trick).
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Birthday + Anniversary
Bentley and I met on a blind date the day before my birthday 2 years ago. Happy Anniversary to us.
January has always been a month of reflection and goal setting for me. I wonder if people that don't have a birthday in January go by their birthdate or January to welcome a new year. Now I add our anniversary as another subject of reflection to the mix. Its a lot to think about. We had a great anniversary and after last year we are both grateful to be together and getting along so well. There is something about your birthdate that makes you want to take advantage of each day and live to the fullest.
I don't think about my actual age very much and a friend at work pointed out that when she was 37, she had a 19 year old daughter and 18 year old son. I had to sit down. I could not imagine it. I also had a conversation with a 17 year old girl working at Merle Norman (I was getting a facial) and she explained how she tans and lays in a tanning bed... but its ok because her mom does it too... and it hasn't aged her... how she looks young. Then she informed me that her mom is 38 - I had that moment of "She looks young because she is young" DUH! I could hear my mom laughing in my head.
I remember my mom very vividly when she was my age. I was 12 when she was 37 and I have always felt my mom was the most beautiful woman ever. I guess most little girls do. I guess some of my comfort with age is because my mom didn't seem to have issues with it and I'm sure that helps. I have always wanted to enjoy the age I am and even when I was little I didn't rush too much. Now I look forward to my 40s and I'm not afraid. I really think life just gets better and I recognize I need to take better care of myself and be prepared. I have been warned by my GiGi that getting older is not for sissies. I believe her since I had one of my first feelings of - "OUCH my knee - what the heck..." I hear stuff starts falling apart after 40 so the way I see it, I'm going to enjoy the next three years and make sure I have good insurance.
January has always been a month of reflection and goal setting for me. I wonder if people that don't have a birthday in January go by their birthdate or January to welcome a new year. Now I add our anniversary as another subject of reflection to the mix. Its a lot to think about. We had a great anniversary and after last year we are both grateful to be together and getting along so well. There is something about your birthdate that makes you want to take advantage of each day and live to the fullest.
I don't think about my actual age very much and a friend at work pointed out that when she was 37, she had a 19 year old daughter and 18 year old son. I had to sit down. I could not imagine it. I also had a conversation with a 17 year old girl working at Merle Norman (I was getting a facial) and she explained how she tans and lays in a tanning bed... but its ok because her mom does it too... and it hasn't aged her... how she looks young. Then she informed me that her mom is 38 - I had that moment of "She looks young because she is young" DUH! I could hear my mom laughing in my head.
I remember my mom very vividly when she was my age. I was 12 when she was 37 and I have always felt my mom was the most beautiful woman ever. I guess most little girls do. I guess some of my comfort with age is because my mom didn't seem to have issues with it and I'm sure that helps. I have always wanted to enjoy the age I am and even when I was little I didn't rush too much. Now I look forward to my 40s and I'm not afraid. I really think life just gets better and I recognize I need to take better care of myself and be prepared. I have been warned by my GiGi that getting older is not for sissies. I believe her since I had one of my first feelings of - "OUCH my knee - what the heck..." I hear stuff starts falling apart after 40 so the way I see it, I'm going to enjoy the next three years and make sure I have good insurance.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Page has something to say...
This picture is obviously an advertisement for Baskin Robbins/Dunkin Donuts. My mom, Leah, Page and I had to make a stop for some junk to end our vacation right. We were all wishing to "vomic" soon after this picture was taken.Page was writing in her new journal my mom bought her. She has become a very good reader and really loves it so I hope it will continue into writing. She has a lot to say and I hope she will share it with the world one day.
Speaking of sharing, my favorite ice-cream can only be found at Baskin Robbins and its a combination of rainbow sherbet and daiquiri ice. They have the best rainbow sherbet because they leave the lime flavor out. I have not been able to get the daiquiri ice in a long time so I'm not sure what has happened there. Coming from a chocoholic you know they must be tasty if I choose them over chocolate. Its not a big surprise Page is all about the chocolate.
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Good Bye 2008
This has been one of the hardest years of my life. I know I learned a lot and there were some good times but overall I'm glad this year is over and I'm ready to move on. I am so wanting for 2009 to be positive and refreshing. Instead of doing a reflection and trying to feel moved in some way - find the silver lining, etc. I'm just going to drop kick it and say Good Bye.
I prefer to think about 2009 and all the new adventures ahead.
The holiday break started out really good. I spent time with Bentley, headed home for a few days to visit my family and friends and got back in time for New Years at home. I spent the last day of the year crying my eyes out.
I was heading home on 31 Dec and received the call that my friend Ann had given birth to her little girl. I was feeling down that I wouldn't get to see "biscuit" fresh outta the oven and started thinking about flying home for a quick weekend to drop in. My mom called a couple of hours later and asked me to pull over and that loud voice in my head screamed, "NO - its not fair" since I knew it was the baby. The doctors are 90% sure she has Down Syndrome. We have to wait over a week to get the confirmation. We cried for so many reasons: fear of the unknown, heartache because they went through so much losing one of their twins with the first birth, fear if the baby is going to be okay, heartache for them since the worst thing in the world is for your baby to suffer, fear of the extra caretaking involved and how would they add one more thing to their plate and once I got home it all broke lose. I hurt for my girlfriend, her little one, and her family.
I did get to speak with Ann and she was exhausted from the delivery, exhiliration of her new little one and the anxiety of what does it mean? Is she okay? We were thinking how can you be so happy and thankful for this gift and so upset at the same time. We are hopeful the tests will come back that she is not Down but either way I hope she is healthy.
I know once we all learn more and get to have time snuggling with "biscuit" everything will be okay. I'm leaving behind the sadness and moving on to being grateful for the opportunity to love a new little girl and all the new things I'll learn from her.
My word for 2009 - Grateful
I prefer to think about 2009 and all the new adventures ahead.
The holiday break started out really good. I spent time with Bentley, headed home for a few days to visit my family and friends and got back in time for New Years at home. I spent the last day of the year crying my eyes out.
I was heading home on 31 Dec and received the call that my friend Ann had given birth to her little girl. I was feeling down that I wouldn't get to see "biscuit" fresh outta the oven and started thinking about flying home for a quick weekend to drop in. My mom called a couple of hours later and asked me to pull over and that loud voice in my head screamed, "NO - its not fair" since I knew it was the baby. The doctors are 90% sure she has Down Syndrome. We have to wait over a week to get the confirmation. We cried for so many reasons: fear of the unknown, heartache because they went through so much losing one of their twins with the first birth, fear if the baby is going to be okay, heartache for them since the worst thing in the world is for your baby to suffer, fear of the extra caretaking involved and how would they add one more thing to their plate and once I got home it all broke lose. I hurt for my girlfriend, her little one, and her family.
I did get to speak with Ann and she was exhausted from the delivery, exhiliration of her new little one and the anxiety of what does it mean? Is she okay? We were thinking how can you be so happy and thankful for this gift and so upset at the same time. We are hopeful the tests will come back that she is not Down but either way I hope she is healthy.
I know once we all learn more and get to have time snuggling with "biscuit" everything will be okay. I'm leaving behind the sadness and moving on to being grateful for the opportunity to love a new little girl and all the new things I'll learn from her.
My word for 2009 - Grateful
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