Category: Random Thoughts

Family Fun

We visited Savannah a couple weekends ago – our last "fling" before the start of school.

Friday night, we had dinner with Mike & Heather and the girls. They came back to Mom's to visit for a while…

Saturday morning we did some last minute back-to-school shopping.

Then the girls and Rob went to see his family on Saturday afternoon and had a blast. They went swimming, had a cook out and really enjoyed themselves with the family. The girls always love seeing the cousins and hanging out with them. And, the best part was they got to stay up late because Momma wasn't there to enforce bedtimes! (I was at Mom's)

Rob had his own fun, swapping games with the boys.

It’s nice to be appreciated

Recently, I was honored at work with an award. I was very surprised and very pleased at the recognition by my peers and management. Earlier today, a colleague mentioned to me that his manager told him how much he was appreciated and acknowledged the hard work and long hours he has put in lately.

He was on Cloud 9, just like I was.

Isn’t it awesome, how you can have such a dramatic effect on someone based on what you say? Some basic courtesies like “Thank You,” or “we appreciate you” go such a long way. And not just at work, either. I have been trying lately to seek out opportunities to praise my kids – to recognize their accomplishments, no matter how small, and to celebrate them.

It’s been so much fun to watch them as they swell with pride and pleasure at being recognized.

I don’t know about you, but sometimes I feel like parenting is a thankless job. And, I don’t expect thanks, mind you, but some days I feel like the never-ending tasks just wear me down. It’s nice to stop, focus on making someone feel good, and then go on. My whole day is better… and I’m not even the one being complimented!

It ‘ s nice to be appreciated

Recently, I was honored at work with an award. I was very surprised and very pleased at the recognition by my peers and management. Earlier today, a colleague mentioned to me that his manager told him how much he was appreciated and acknowledged the hard work and long hours he has put in lately.
He was on Cloud 9, just like I was.
Isn't it awesome, how you can have such a dramatic effect on someone based on what you say? Some basic courtesies like "Thank You," or "we appreciate you" go such a long way. And not just at work, either. I have been trying lately to seek out opportunities to praise my kids – to recognize their accomplishments, no matter how small, and to celebrate them.
It's been so much fun to watch them as they swell with pride and pleasure at being recognized.
I don't know about you, but sometimes I feel like parenting is a thankless job. And, I don't expect thanks, mind you, but some days I feel like the never-ending tasks just wear me down. It's nice to stop, focus on making someone feel good, and then go on. My whole day is better… and I'm not even the one being complimented!

I love a good book

I just started reading a new book this week. The one I just finished was one of those books that was just achore to finish. It started out well, got lost in verbosity somewhere about 1/3 of the way in and continued to ramble along for 100+ pages before the story wrapped up. I kept thinking I was going to just put it down to finish another day… but we all know what happens when you do that. You never go back. Or at least I don't.  And, the annoying thing about it was that I REALLY wanted to know what was going to happen!  I was involved (or just curious) enough to slog through the last chapters just to see how it ended.  And, well, let's just say I should've left it on the shelf and invented my own ending. I didn't like the way the story wrapped.
Oh, well. Lesson learned.
But, regardless of this recent experience, I LOVE TO READ.  It is my escape from the world, my private reality filled with fantastic characters with interesting lives and complicated situations that magically resolve themselves (most of the time) by the end of the book.  I mean, isn't that what we all want anyway? To know that our story will have a happy ending?
Reading gives me a way to expose my mind to so many things. I love reading historical fiction, or stories set in other cultures.  Even if I can't visit, I can glean some insight through the stories I read.  My brain is always hungry, always searching for more "food" to keep it going.  Do you remember the 80's movie "Short Circuit?"  I'm like the little robot – "Input! Input!"  I need input!
So, this week, I'm reading three books at once. I have one in the car (great for carpool lines) one on my nightstand, and one downstairs.  And, because they are all so very different, I haven't confused the plot lines (yet) in my head.
Input! Input!

I love a good book

I just started reading a new book this week. The one I just finished was one of those books that was just achore to finish. It started out well, got lost in verbosity somewhere about 1/3 of the way in and continued to ramble along for 100+ pages before the story wrapped up. I kept thinking I was going to just put it down to finish another day… but we all know what happens when you do that. You never go back. Or at least I don’t.  And, the annoying thing about it was that I REALLY wanted to know what was going to happen!  I was involved (or just curious) enough to slog through the last chapters just to see how it ended.  And, well, let’s just say I should’ve left it on the shelf and invented my own ending. I didn’t like the way the story wrapped.

Oh, well. Lesson learned.

But, regardless of this recent experience, I LOVE TO READ.  It is my escape from the world, my private reality filled with fantastic characters with interesting lives and complicated situations that magically resolve themselves (most of the time) by the end of the book.  I mean, isn’t that what we all want anyway? To know that our story will have a happy ending?

Reading gives me a way to expose my mind to so many things. I love reading historical fiction, or stories set in other cultures.  Even if I can’t visit, I can glean some insight through the stories I read.  My brain is always hungry, always searching for more “food” to keep it going.  Do you remember the 80’s movie “Short Circuit?”  I’m like the little robot – “Input! Input!”  I need input!

So, this week, I’m reading three books at once. I have one in the car (great for carpool lines) one on my nightstand, and one downstairs.  And, because they are all so very different, I haven’t confused the plot lines (yet) in my head.

Input! Input!

More traffic musings…

One of my girlfriends just reminded me of how I talk to other drivers while I drive…

Well, doesn’t everyone?

I mean, how else will the goofball in the other lane know that they are supposed to stay in their lane and not weave into you? Or the aggressive driver know that he is going to kill us all if he doesn’t slow down?

I mean, really! They NEED me.

Traffic Ninjas


Today, I was driving to work, chatting away with my carpool buddy (thank God for someone to talk to at 6AM or else I’d be sleep-driving!) Anyway, we’re talking about how to solve all the world’s problems and I realize I’m in the wrong lane for the tollbooth.

So, as I’m trying to merge across 5 lanes of traffic (Yes, I was REALLY in the wrong lane) nobody will let me over! What is up, people? I just need to get over, not cause an accident!

I am amazed at this. Why is it that people seem to view the stretch of the road they are driving on as THEIRS and are so unwilling to cede any territory? Do they realize that this “territory” is literally disappearing under their tires as they drive? Or that it is being claimed by someone in front of and behind them as well?

When did we lose our manners when we drive?

Now, driving is a competitive sport where the one to reach the “finish” wins and everyone else is a loser. And, we all know we don’t want to be the loser. So, we race along the highway, fighting for every inch of space and pushing slower drivers out of our way.

Driving has become about achieving a goal – getting somewhere as fast as possible.

It makes me want to stop and take a minute to remember by-gone days when families would go for Sunday drives… driving just for the sake of driving. No destination or purpose in mind… I remember many Sundays being spent with my families along back roads and country lanes, gazing out at pastures of cows and fields of cotton and wondering where the next stop would be and what we’d see. Alas, those days are gone.

Now, my kids think Sunday drives are “boring” and want to know if they can take their Game Boys or watch a movie on the DVD in the car. I know that this is partly my fault, because these distractions are a blessing when we’re on a long road trip, but I want my girls to learn to appreciate the leisurely Sunday drive as well.

And.. I want to teach my girls about having manners when you drive. I always remind myself that one car length is not going to make a noticeable difference in my commute time; one more person in front of me will not, most likely, make that much difference in when I arrive at the office. I gracefully let people merge, yielding my “territory” and being content to get there when I get there….

….at least that’s what I tell myself.