Friends

I was blessed today to hear from another friend in Mississippi that I haven't talked to in a long time. What a joy! I have three friends from Mississippi who are truly that -- it doesn't matter how long we've been apart or how long its been since we talked, we just pick up where we left off. That is a real blessing.

When someone pops into our minds and we think of them several times during the day, that probably means we should call and chat. Friends are too few and far between to let slip through our fingers, and it only takes a few minutes to reconnect. I'm talking mostly to myself, because a lot of times I'll intend to send a card, visit someone, or call and just keep putting it off. The result? I've cheated both of us out of a blessing. So, I'm going to do better!!!!

My local friend and I walked our three miles around the lake this afternoon, so I'm tired. I still have a couple of projects to work on before bedtime and better close this out. Until next time...Wanda.

Chatter

For lack of a better title, as I have nothing in particular to report on tonight; just didn't want to break my chain of blogging. Today being Sunday and my favorite day of the week (besides those ending in "y"), it was a good one! Church this morning was very good, lunch with the church bunch was enjoyable as usual, and my afternoon was spent putting pictues in my Women's Ministry scrapbook. I really should have walked but the pictures were calling me, so I gave in. Tonight was another good service at church, and I came home and ate too much and am miserable. Guess that means I'll really have to walk lots this next week. Hope all of you had a wonderful day and look forward to a great week. I love my job, I love Mondays (and each day thereafter), and look forward to being busy. I have some folks I want to send cards to, calls to make, plans to be made, housework to be done, activites to participate in, etc. What else is new?! Until next time...Wanda.

Women of Influence

That's the name of the ladies' function I attended today with Debbie and Ramona at Angela's church. I came home inspired and encouraged to be more conscious of my influence on others. We all are, you know, whether for good or not so good, so it's very important that we remember that we are God's children and let others see Jesus in us through our words, actions, body language, attitude, integrity, dependability, punctuality, thoughts, etc. etc. Get the point?

The only part of the day that I wish would have been different is to have been able to spend more time with my daughter and family. Emily had a softball game and I only got to be with her about 10 minutes. Ethan, of course, couldn't attend the ladies' thing and I only got to be with him for about the same amount of time. However, Meredith and Angela thrilled my heart - Angela is such a wonderful pastor's wife, mother and daughter that I'm always brought to tears when I'm with her. Meredith sang a solo ("Come to Jesus") and that really brought my tears. I love her so much and am so proud of her testimony. I'm going back down there next weekend (Friday after work and stay until early Sunday morning and then drive home in time to be at my church service) as they are having a sing and we are the program. ha. It's been a while since I've sung with them, but I can hardly wait.

Ok, I have things to do - like pop some corn and watch "Water Horse" that I bought at the Christian bookstore this afternoon. Until next time...Wanda.

So Excited!

These are my buddies - Debbie and Ramona (always has her eyes closed in pictures - ha). They are going with me tomorrow to Angela's.

As I mentioned in my last post, a long-lost friend was found today. We talked for 30 minutes on the phone and would have talked longer but I had to get back to work. It was as though the years just melted away and we picked up right where we left off. Now that's a friend! She now lives in Texas, so I can't pop over and see her anytime soon. However, she's coming over this way sometime in the next few months, so we will work it out somehow to get together for a few minutes or a day or two of visiting. In the meantime, we'll keep the phone lines hot. She still talks 90 miles an hour, so there's never a lull in the conversation. That's one of the things I love about her - never at a loss for words. ha.

Hope all of you have a great Saturday! Until next time...Wanda.

It's a habit!

(Can you tell I'm still reminiscing about my California trip? Mickey let me try out his car!)

Well, it didn't take three weeks of doing this for it to become a habit. It seems that I'm drawn to this computer every night to write something! However, I really don't have anything to share tonight except that as I walked my three miles this afternoon, I counted my blessings and thanked God for his work in my life.

There is one thing I've very excited about. A dear friend that I had lost contact with over the years is about to be found!!!! Her daughter and my oldest were best friends when they were little, and the mom and I were as well. The daughter saw one of my children's picture/name on My Space and contacted them. So, tomorrow I plan to make contact with the mom and do some "catching up." These computers are wonderful!

I'm planning to go to Angela's on Saturday for a tea/brunch with her church ladies and am looking forward to that as well as seeing the three grandchildren I haven't seen in a while. Hope all of you have a wonderful weekend and honor God with the way you live! Until next time...Wanda.

Secretary's Day

Much to my surprise, when I walked into my office this morning there was a pretty pink plant and an envelope on my desk. It had not dawned on me that today was Secretary/Administrative Asst. day, but my bosses remembered. There was a gift card to Outback in the card, so I'll have to see about putting that to use soon. Of course, one of them had written a note of thanks for all that I do in the card, and that was also appreciated. I love my job!

We had a wonderful crowd at church tonight and a good lesson as well. It was on spiritual growth, and that's been one of my desires the last few months. So, I'm looking forward to this series of Wednesday night lessons and even have some homework to do. Guess I should quit this and go get started. Until next time...Wanda.

Fish in the Lake

Yes, Stuart, there are fish in the lake. I saw three people pull some out today. One fellow decided his was not big enough, so he threw him back. The other two were good size and went into their coolers. I had to walk by myself today as my buddy was sick. I didn't mind, however, as I saw friends I hadn't seen in a while and just enjoyed being outdoors. There was a wonderful breeze, and I saw the world in action (firetruck with siren blasting, police cars, ambulance, and a train that crossed over our walking path). When I got home, I had two caramel rice cakes with peanut butter. YUM! (That one was for you, Kim! HA) That's all I've had, so I'm hoping the exercise and cutback on eating will get a few more pounds off. Will keep you posted on that (as if you are really interested). Hope all of you are having a wonderful week. Until next time...Wanda.

Cherokee Lake

This is my new favorite place to walk. It's exactly one mile around the lake, so three laps and I get in my three miles. It is beautiful and a perfect spot for walking, fishing, picnic-ing, or just taking a lawn chair to sit and watch the people or read. I can hardly wait for my children and grandchildren to come visit me so we can enjoy this together. I apologize for all the space between pictures on my blog - Wannie will have to show me how to correct it on her next visit. I'm tired, so this will be short. But aren't you proud of me for blogging so often!?!?!? Until next time...Wanda.

Saturday Doin's

You know I was expecting another beautiful day today. Well, when I got up this morning and looked outside - you guessed it - it was raining. Not hard, just enough to need an umbrella. I didn't let that stop me. I went to the beauty shop at 8:30 a.m., was out by 9:30 a.m., and the rain had stopped. The rest of the day was gorgeous; thank you, Lord. Got my errands done - CVS for vacation pictures, Ambers Two to drop off donations (consignment shop), etc. Came home and cleaned house, made lunch, and had a nap. The phone woke me (yes, Jawan, I was dozing when you called but didn't want to admit it - ha) and I chatted with Wannie. Hadn't much more than sat down when it rang again, and it was my friend Connie calling to see if I could have dinner with her tonight as her husband was otherwise engaged. So, she came and picked me up and we went to Applebees for dinner and was joined by a friend and former co-worker, Nancy. It was a wonderful spending time with both of them, especially Nancy. I hope all of you had a great day and will be in God's house tomorrow. Until next time...Wanda (see, I'm trying to change from "Mom").

It's me again!

I have so many pictures from my trip that I just had to post another or two. Bet you didn't know Billy Graham had a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, did you? I didn't. The next picture is of Kim and Shane's daughters - Jamie and Tiffany (Jamie is the oldest - that's Kim in the background). The last picture is Renae and Paul's oldest daughter, Kristi, with her new flame, Tai. This one was taken at Medieval Times, which, if you've ever been there, explains the crown she's wearing. We all had to wear them.

They say if you do something long enough, it becomes a habit. Well, I'm working on making a habit of daily blogging. Bet that's shocked a few of you! I have nothing in particular on my mind to write about except that it's Friday and the weekend is before me. Today was in the 80s, so I'm hoping tomorrow will be that way too as I have errands to run (nails, hair, CVS to check on pictures, consignment shop - thanks to my daughter, etc.). My Friday night dinner buddies had their grandbabies at their house, so I went to McDonalds (drivethrough) and then shopped for my secret sister a gift.

Hope all of you have a wonderful weekend. I'll chat with you soon! Until next time...Mom. (I really shouldn't sign off that way as more folks read this than just my children. Ok, I'll think of something for next time.)

California family

It's been years since my own children have seen their cousins in California and longer than that since the Mississippi portion of my family has seen them. So, I thought I'd at least post my sister's children (Renae and Paul; Terry and Sharon; Kim and Shane). Renae and Paul live in Fullerton, CA, Terry and Sharon live in Roswell, GA, and Kim and Shane live with Norma and Gwin in Los Angeles. They are all so special to me, and I had so much fun visiting with them last week.

We have a beautiful lake just one street over from my house, and I've just this week discovered what a treat it is. A sidewalk has been put in all the way around it, bridges have been built over the water, benches are placed here and there, picnic tables, a children's playground, and the rose garden are all there as well. Lots of people were there walking, some were fishing off the bridges, and families were strolling their children. Ramona and I walked there day before yesterday, and I went by myself this afternoon. I asked someone how far it was around the lake and was told it is exactly one mile. I was on my third lap around when I asked, so I got in three miles before coming home. Think I'll head for bed as soon as I finish this.

Ok, this is my third day in a row to blog, which is some kind of record for me. Don't get excited for I'll probably lapse back into procrastination mode soon.ha. Until next time...Mom.

Afterthought!

Just a shot of Norma and me with some actor outside of Grauman's Chinese Theater. There were bunches of these people dressed in costumes wanting to have their picture made with you. Then, after the picture was made, they asked for a tip. That's the way they made extra cash when not rehearsing or acting. I gave him $1 - do you think it was worth it? ha. I learned my lesson quickly and didn't take pictures with anyone else in costume.

This is what I really wanted to blog about tonight. I wish I had a picture to prove this, but I don't have it yet. I forgot to tell you that I got to play the piano on Main Street in Disneyland while on our trip!!!!! There was a ragtime pianist playing while people ate in the outdoor part of the restaurant. Some lady from the crowd asked the pianist if she could play, and he said yes. She played beautifully - ragtime just like he had been doing. While she was playing, Renae and Debbie decided they would ask him if I could play. They did, he said yes, and I played - not ragtime but southern gospel! They got my picture so I'll have to wait until they send it to me to prove that I really did! Don't know how I forgot to tell you about that as I felt quite honored. Ok, that's told so don't you feel better? I do. ha. Would you believe I've just tonight unpacked my suitcase (home on Sunday and here it is Wednesday). Talk about procrastination! I don't know what U.S. Air did, but they ruined my suitcase. The fabric was torn off on one corner and the frame was all bent out of shape. Oh well, I do have another smaller one so I'm not going to worry about it. Guess I could have filed a claim but they gave us a safe, smooth flight so we'll call it even. Enough for now. Until next time...Mom.

Recouping!

Norma and Gwin at Sea World

Me and Debbie on ski lift

Me and Norma

Me, Norma and Debbie at The Grove

Debbie, me and Norma at Universal

After ten days vacationing in Los Angeles, CA, I made it through my first day back at work. We had such a wonderful time visiting with my sister and her family and thoroughly enjoyed everything! There's not a more perfect host and hostess in the world. She and Gwin entertained us royally with places such as Medieval Times, Universal Studios, Rainforest Cafe, Church, Hollywood, Disneyland/California Adventures, Sea World in San Diego, The Grove, Farmers' Market, Cheesecake Factory, American Doll store, sightseeing in L.A., and a live Broadway play to end the week. We walked, ate, walked, ate, shopped, ate, -- get the idea?! ha. Many stars should be in the crown of Gwin. He's the most patient, calm, cooperative, and fun man I know. He took us everywhere, told us to take all the time we needed and do whatever we wanted to do, and found him a place to sit and read while we did it. I don't know of another man anywhere that would do that with three women or more. On our excursion to Disneyland/California Adventures, there were 18 of us and he never complained. I love you, Gwin!!!!

My precious son, Stuart, picked Debbie and me up at the airport in Atlanta Saturday night. Debbie's husband met us down the road, got his wife and her belongings, and they headed for the mountains for a few days. I got to spend the night with Stuart again and go to church with him Sunday morning. That was a wonderful experience. Of course, I loved getting to visit with him in his new place and he cooked spaghetti for us for supper. Just wish we lived closer so we could see each other more often. I was back on my piano stool at my own church Sunday night, and that is always a wonderful feeling.

I came home determined to get a few more pounds off and started off really good this morning with a Slim Fast, two slices of pizza and a salad for lunch, walked for 40 minutes after work, ate a tomato and cucumber with Ranch dressing for supper and then...you guessed it - I pigged out on chips. Where oh where does my willpower go? Guess I'll just have to walk faster and more often to offset those fat grams.

Ok, I've rambled enough to make up for the weeks I didn't post anything. So, until next time...Mom.