Spring Break

We went to Callaway to take Page for a picnic and bike ride. Thank goodness for the trailer bike. She loved it and I bet its the fastest she has ever been on a bike. I was relieved when Bentley didn't have a heart attack pulling her around for hours. She spent most of her time admiring nature and telling him to go faster. It was a beautiful day and we all had a blast - of course we were exhausted when it was time to go home. Page and I went to the Aqurium again - she will remember this trip much better than the last one. We painted pottery and watched many many movies, read books and she even went with me to my dermatogolist appointment where she pointed out a mole to ensure he saw them all. When they asked her if it was weird she said, "No, I see her naked" and just went back to her game.

Page is a photographer and was given her own digital camera which of course is pink. Callaway was a great place for her to collect some moments.

Bentle got to meet this part of my family for the first time when we headed over to the French bakery nearby. It's one of my favorite places and I was glad to share it. Kurt and Leah started their "adult" trip and we took Page to practice her skating. Bentley later told me its when he fell in love with her. She made us laugh so hard it was hard not to pee and we were both in tears. She was working so hard her heart felt like a rabbits when a wolf appears. I know because at one point I had to hold her while Bentley fixed her skate. She made huge improvements in the small amount of time we were at the trail.

I was very excited to have Page come and visit during her spring break. My lil brother and sister-in-law came down and spent the night on their way to Florida and dropped Page off. We did lots of fun stuff and just being together is fun enough for me. My lil apartment was stretched but we all fit and slept just fine.

it's been so long I almost forgot my password

So I had all these entries and just lost interest in them...delete. Love that key. I am just going to start today and enter whatever pops in my head before I head out. Back to my word for the year : Grateful. I am grateful that I survived another drive home without incident. I am grateful that I got positive news about my mom's cancer and even though waiting is crazy, I'd rather wait because everything is good instead of action which would be heading into a treatment schedule. I am grateful that biscuit does not have downs and is growing and laughing and helping my dear friend come into her own as a stay at home mom. I am grateful that my boyfriend cooked dinner tonight and is napping because he needs some zzzzs. I am grateful that I had lots of time with my niece, my family and that my boyfriend got to meet more of them. I am grateful that all my laundry is done. I am grateful for the beautiful weather we had today and that spring is coming in more and more each day. I hate to admit it here but I'm grateful for white tank tops and t-shirts since they are my favorite and I have them on now (what's better than 1 white t-shirt? getting to wear 2 at the same time). I am grateful for a massage I got over the weekend even though my back is sore from it. I am grateful that my stomach stops hurting when I lay down even though I'm not sure why it hurts or what I'm going to do tomorrow if it hurts while I'm at work. Maybe I'll just sneak over to the other building that has a sofa in the locker room and lay down - Ok now I'm grateful for the sofa in the locker room. I'm grateful that I have no meetings tomorrow. I am grateful that everyone in my family can get back to a normal routine even if we will all think about cancer each day. I am grateful we are here to think about it. Good Night.

Amsterdam How I Feel You

Memories fill my mind of the fun travels I've had. I took this picture from a side of a building and honestly the color blue always speaks to me. The canals were so beautiful and all the bike trails were awesome but you had to pay attention. We ended up on one of those paddle boats and in the wrong canal but we finally made it back. Once I start laughing it gets dangerous when I'm driving. Who is the we? One of my dear friends, now living in Africa, gave me so many great experiences in Europe and I really hope to one day join her in her home to see where she is from. I miss her so I go through my pictures and have to relive our excursions. Thanks Chantal! I miss you. I will find a picture of the infamous Chantal and add more.

I think Amsterdam was my favorite city that I've visited. Paris would be a strong contender if I had not gotten sooo sick on that trip and missed so much of it. I loved Switzerland because of the beautiful countryside and hiking.

During our trip to Amsterdam, we went to a theater that was some kind of old. It was beautiful and we snuck in from the rain and caught a movie with Dutch, French & English. We walked that city so many times and it was pretty easy to get around. There were some beautiful women working and many coffee houses but nothing too extreme but of course I was only in the red light district during the day.

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)

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).

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.