Greatest Love Songs of Leigh's Youth, as Assembled by Leigh

This post first ran on 2/14/08, but I thought I would pull it out for laughs for this, "Beach week".

With Love being the theme of the day I am posting my top 10 love songs from my teenage years. That was when loving someone or having someone to love was of utmost importance. You were nobody unless you had somebody, right? And so, with you sitting anxiously on the edge of your set....my top 10 love songs....

1. Livin of a Prayer by Bon Jovi. It's true. I never knew anyone in the union, or that worked on the docks, so I couldn't really comprehend the intense situation of it being on strike. And poor Gina, working all day stuck at the Diner with all that grease. NO wonder she cried all the time. But they had each other and that's alot-it was enough. I got that part. I mean, those things are tough, man! They were livin' on a prayer. "Take my hand and we'll make it, I swear." Now that was sexy. I knew that the song was probably in code to me. But for all the other screaming and swooning fans at the concert, Jon never did see my hand. (I'd Die For you, Bon Jovi was a close second, hand motions accompanied this song, wonderfully.)

2. Every Breath You Take-Police I hated the Police. I thought they were a joke. I mean, come on. Grow some hair and man up to a tattoo parlor like the other hair metal guys I adored (BTW-BAMA, if you or Sledge or Smooth EVER come home with a TATTOO I will personally remove the embedded ink from your skin with my creme broula torch). But my (X)"fran" that did me soooo wrong. Kelly, was their "Number 1 fan". My mother must have been drinking heavily (not really mom. I know she just spit out coffee on that one. She doesn't drink anything stronger than coffee, but to drive the point) to allow such, but she allowed me and my friend Heather and Kelly to spend the night in front of Boutwell Auditorium with 500 other of police fans to secure tickets. I was a good friend. I saw a rat as big as I was. And being in downtown, he was packing heat. But no, this is not why I listed this song. It was because Brett Butler of THE Atlanta Braves was being traded. At his last game with them they played this song and had a little video montage to him. Me and my cousin Gina were CRAZY for Brett Butler. Our hearts were broken into a million pieces. How would we go on? Would we follow Brett to his new home team, or stay true to the Braves. Ahhh ,Torn between two lovers (that song sucked, BTW)....we chose the Braves.

3. Leather and Lace by Stevie Nicks and Don Henley-this was such a sweet song. I rode around in my car just wishing I looked or could at least sing like my idol Stevie Nicks. In fact, I still do that. Listen Listen

4. Almost Paradise - Mike Reno/Anne Wilson -Hello! Footloose. Every young girl was "Almost in Paradise" when we saw Kevin Bacon dance in Footloose. Unlike every other girl, who thought he was "fine", I was more impressed with his dance moves. That man could D-A-N-C-E! But, I was more of a Willard type girl. How sweet to have no groove and yet try so hard to impress a girl. That was love, man. ListenListen

5. Is This Love - Whitesnake -If I couldn't be Stevie Nicks and I couldn't be Lita Ford, then I wanted to look like and be Tawny Kittean. What 16 year old girl didn't. If I was her, I know I would have the power to swoon Big Daddy to give me a second look or at least one of my backup hotties. I mean, I spent hours to make my hair look like this, frizzy and full. If I only had that white jag. I wore white. Was it enough? In my mind, That helped a little. That indeed would secure a deal. In any case, I spent the next 6 weeks practising my rolls across the hood of my moms cutlass supreme. Didn't work out for me. In more ways than one. Parents don't appreciate stuff like that.ListenListen

6. I want you to want me! by Cheap Trick. Actually I hated this song but I had to include it because Big Daddy played the guitar in the Air Band and this was the song they "played". Oh, Big Daddy (was little dude, aka slim then-but weren't we all...) with his flannel shirt unbuttoned, not a single hair on that 112 lb chest (I knew that because he wrested) Couldn't he see by now, that I did want him? I looovvvveeeddddd him. (Still do). He just couldn't see it past the bangs in his eyes. He was his own person. He didn't need the mullet like the rest of those inteh air band did. "I'm here! I'm Here!" I shouted over the crowd of hormonal 16 year old girls and boys trying to find someone who wanted them too. For me though, it was always Big Daddy. I hate this song. It gets on my nerves. I know mixed messages. But I am woman! http://www.amazon.com/gp/dmusic/media/sample.m3u/ref=dm_mu_dp_trk12_smpl?ie=UTF8&catalogItemType=track&ASIN=B00137VBKW&CustomerID=A2SRPX9AZVAMWT&qid=1203003478&sr=1-4&DownloadLocation=CD
If it wasn't this it would've been "Photograph" by Def Leopard. Being that I was a stalker of Big Daddy's for 12 years before he finally relented and gave in, this song allowed me to be cool. I think Def Leopard and I were one of the original stalkers. We made it cool. Now it's just a bunch of losers, certainly not like me.....

7. Close My Eyes by Ozzy Osborne and Lita Ford-What a sexy song. But today I hear it and it almost sounds like death. Imagine that the Prince of darkness singing about such grim subjects? I still don't know what they are singing about. I loved this song though. It was sad, it was deep, it was beyond my understanding. But Lita Ford rocked and in my book anything Lita did was a-ok. Listen Listen

8. Don't Know What You Got Til It's Gone - Cinderella -Ain't it the truth, man? I mean, how can you fully appreciate someone until they have broken up with you, sent your heat breaking into a million shards and then stomping on it? And then you pined and cried because "HE" was the one....How can you appreciate them until that happens? Listen Listen

9. More Than Words - Extreme. I can still recall seeing this black and white video for the first time on MTV. The nice little melody, no screaming, just a bunch of guys sitting around talking about love...because that is what guys do with other guys...they talk about and sing about love. I thought this song was ingenious and like nothing I had ever heard before.ListenListen

10. Angel by Aerosmith-Oh, takes me back...riding in the backseat of my best friend, Greg Stozier's, little corolla with by other BFF Jenny riding shotgun. Why oh why? Why can't he (special someone) see that I care for him. Why can't he feel the emotion and intensity there? "Play it again, Greg" (music cues and my hands pound the back of Greg's seat like a drum) Dun!-- Dun! Dun!---....Don't know what I'm gonna doooooo....about this feeeeeee-ling inside...." I think I made him play that song about 8 times back to back that night. As I moped and pouted in the backseat about unrequited love Jenny and Greg bickered back and forth about who made better milkshakes. McDonald's or DQ. We ended up at DQ downing and drowning my misery in a Mr. Misty cherry float. I didn't like milkshakes. Looking back now, I don't think that feeling inside was love, it was the 3 cherry Mr Misty's I downed......


While these are my top 10, I wouldn't feel right to not include :
Faithfully by Journey. "Circus life (singing to me here) under the big top, whoa...." Steve Perry sure had some pipes on him. This was a given song.
And finally,
There I was at Skate World with my friend Debby. It was here we were meeting our little bud's, Chris Cross and Chris Hatfield. Ah, but they dumped us to hang out with some other girls. We were furious, while "just friends", it sucked to be chosen last. I mean they had come to our schools skate day as our guest (they were from a different school). I learned alot about men that day. So, this song, brings back alot for me... the roller rink, the Chris's, the choosing of love over friendships......and then came couples skate. Now we had no one to skate with. "Lost in Love" by Air Supply. Enough said.

Weekend Celebrations

I hope you had a enjoyable long weekend. I did. If you have read my blog, you know that my oldest "baby" graduated from high school last Thursday. It was a very exciting time for Bama, as for us, his parents as well as his siblings. Friday morning Bama started a new job, he is working for a neighborhood pool for the summer. "A dream job", says Bama. In code that means getting paid to check out cute girls in swim suits. Blogger Bama Belle is who he reports into daily and also who told him about and interviewed him for the job. He continues to work his pizza job, albeit temporarily. He put in his two week notice because he could get more hours at his pool job. Saturday night Big Daddy and I, along with Big Daddy's twin brother, "the artist" and his wife, Mida attended a surprise party of an old school friend, Jeff. Jeff and all of us (with the exception of my sister in law) attended school together since the age of 12. After graduation from high school Big Daddy and he roomed together in college at Auburn.

It had been about 6 or 7 years since we had last seen Jeff and his wife, Mindan.

Jeff lives in San Diego and works as a scientist so his schedule is very busy, not allowing him much time to come "home". We were so happy to hear that Mindan was planing a surprise party for Jeff for his birthday here so we could visit with them. The surprise was on us though, we arrived early at the home in wait but didn't expect Jeff to enter the house by way of a back door so it was he who surprised us! It was wonderful to be able to catch up with Jeff and his family as well as another old school mate from elementary school, Lee, who we all adore. It was a night filled with laughter and remunising down memory lane. From the stories, I left wondering how these four great men escaped a stint in prison (LOL, oh, I kid to that extent) and turned out to be such wonderful men, fathers and exceptional and responsible beings. I love a happy ending!

I left the party with some fabulous recipes. Honestly, the food was some of the best I have ever tasted. Jeff's family is Greek, which happens to be one of my most preferred foods. I have already posted one of the dishes on my recipe blog, Plates and Places. The recipe is for Greek Marinated Shrimp. I plan to make this while at the beach. It's a perfect dish to throw into a cooler and enjoy beachside with a cold drink.
On Sunday we took the family to Oak Mountain State Park, where we again met my brother in law and his family.

We fished but didn't catch anything.

We also brought J Smooth's bike. He wanted to take to the BMX bike track. I will share more pictures of our day on Outdoor Wednesday.

I hope you have a great Memorial Day. I cannot help but think of those that have fought for this country, my relatives who have served, friends who are serving, and strangers who are honorable and enlist in the service for this country, for our rights, and for all of us who are lucky enough to call America home. I swell with pride. And I remember.
Sincere Thanks to those that have served and continue to serve. It is because of you, that I am able to enjoy the freedoms and the life that I have.
I hope you are able to enjoy the day with loved ones! I will be dropping by your blog, be sure to leave me a roadmap!

Weekend Update

I still haven't gotten caught up on all of my post. Now I am cataloging so I do not forget all that I want to say. You know women, there is alot up there to get out!! And today is a good day to start!

This past weekend I have to credit my highschool reunion and it's planning committee for the renewed relationships I have with my classmates. I am a sentimental old sap, admittedly. I made a vow to stay in better contact and I was not about to allow even a week to slip by without making good on it.

On Thursday Big Daddy and I surprised our friend Glenn Albarado at his brand new wrestling facility in Alabaster. Glenn was as genuinely thrilled to see us as we were him. There is a fantastic story that accompanies the explanation as to how Glenn founded the new complex. One of faith and overcoming odds. I plan to give the story in full as the week progresses. I have asked Big Daddy to assist me in writing that one. He has much more knowledge of wrestling than I. He and Glenn wrestled together in highschool and I want to give Glenn his proper due. That to come....

On Friday night, I met up with a classmate and the very first friend that I made as an elementary school student. Martha Brahan sat in front of me in Mrs. Beacham's class. I was a new student and I apprehensively turned around in my desk to see the new faces in my class. I was met by Martha's smile. I felt immediately at ease. Martha and I were friends from second grade until sometime after graduation. I went to her wedding and saw her depart to the great state of Texas. Eventually, as people do, we lost touch. Though as revealed at supper on Friday, neither of us forgot. There are those people that leave permanent footsteps on ones life and Martha did mine. It was a blessing to have even run into her at the reunion last weekend. Big Daddy and I were on our way out the door and Martha was going in. Only seconds more and we never would have seen each other. "We have years of making up to do!", says Martha. And we do. We ate supper at Margarita Grill. Always a good meal there.....if you should ever go, introduce yourself to the managers, Javier and RJ. I guarentee they will stop at your table. Tell them that the "corn girl" told you to stop in. They will know. They tease me because I love corn.

At supper I began to notice one of the employees staring at us. I wondered, then looked around to find we were the only ones in the place. I looked at my watch and it was 11:30PM. They were waiting for us to leave! We hadn't even noticed that our supper had lasted as long. To us, it seemed only minutes. There is a standing date to meet again very soon.

On Saturday we met Big Daddy's family to celebrate the 89th birthday of his grandmother.

We ate at her assisted living facility, as Peg is to frail to get out now. My MIL was so good to purchase three store bought cakes and allow the children to decorate them for a special touch.

The children, after supper, tried their skills on the golf course outside.

How precious is this little fellow, my nephew ("the Artist's" youngest son), holding a golf club in his hand?

It was a nice celebration and wonderful to be in Peg's company.

Later that day was the Green and Gold (exhibition day) Football game. Sister Sledge was really looking forward to getting back into swing with her cheer squad. Most of the squad have been together for several years now, and when it is season, they are among friends. They did a great job, though our team lost. You can't win them all......

On Sunday we were off to Fabian & Jackie's studio where Sister Sledge had practise for an upcoming dance performance. The kids are really looking good. Jackie has done a fantastic job in teaching, and today ran smoothly with Fabian's assistance to work with two groups.

After class we went with my friends Fred-D and Warrior Princess Zinnia (and kids-all are in dance together) for supper at a local Mexican restaurant, Cozumel Grill.

In all, many socials with old friends. And I love it.

GO USA! I am so stoked about the medals that the USA had obtained to this point. In particular Michael Phelps. He has brought me to my feet and cheers many times, as I know he has many. So proud! If my Olympic fantasy cannot come to pass .....his can! Go Phelps! Go USA! There is much to come!

Posted below, is Mute Monday hosted by Da Troll, as well as Peg's story and the latest news and gossip from Dancing with the Stars. Be sure to read the comments, Terri added some important information that I did not include in the DWST post. Finally, be certain to check out my other blog, "Baby's Gone Shoppin". I added a beautiful bedroom suit that a friend is hoping to sell.

I invite you to drop by Bloggeritaville this week. I hope you will. I always enjoy my island visitors! Let me know you dropped in..."delurk" and join in the fun!

Have a great week!

Tales on Tuesday

I am back! If you're reading this...you're either a really dedicated reader to this blog, really bored, or in need of professional counseling. Some of you will probably fit two of those categories. In any case, thank you for sticking with me while I recovered from my weekend and got a jump on some must needed housework since the kids are back in school. Let us raise a cup of coffee to that! As much as I enjoy having them home, and I do, my house stands in a constant state of chaos when they are home. I liken it to a shoveling snow in a snowstorm, what is the point? Now that school is back in session, this is the time when I can finally constitute some order and toss some toys that they will never even miss! But, that can wait just a bit longer....There is so much to post about.
I have to begin with my attending my 20th annual high school reunion "get together" this past Friday night. As much apprehension that I had before, it immediately vanished as soon as I saw those familiar faces (no one has changed! All have aged wonderfully!). We all fell right back into conversations of good times and memories of the past. There were many laughs. Even a tear a two...by you know who...I cry at the drop of a hat...but it was all good ones in seeing some friends that I truley love that have permanent footsteps on my heart for. I have replayed the night over and over again in my mind, only wishing I could do it all again this weekend. Where does time go?
Being with old friends (the best kind) only made me realize how much I have missed them. We spent some 300 days a year together. That's a total of 1200 days together during our high school careers....alot of TIME. And this was just high school. Most of us attended middle school together and a great number even attended elementary school with me. Alot of time. And I miss them. I didn't realize I did as much until Friday night. If anyone out there is questioning attending a class reunion, or that may have any apprehension about attending, as I did, Go. Just go. Don't regret not going. True, by not attending you wouldn't know what you missed, but what you missed would have enlarged your heart 2 x's I am certain. It did mine. Go. I wish I could recount each and every story from that night (and there were many) but due to a strict confidentiality clause, I will refrain. To some it up, we had a blast!
I will mention one really funny incident:
My classmate and friend, Glenn saw my brother in law, "the artist" and snuck up from behind him, giving the artist a hug so big, that it caused him to faint! On the floor. He was only out for about 5 seconds but bless Glenn and Tony. I think it embarrassed them both, although there was no harm done. That's some hug! Big love!

Now on to more post. There will be many. Sit down, grab a cup of joe-or something harder if that is what is required to get through it all, and come along for the ride....and thanks, sincere thanks for stopping by the island.

We're so fine, We're so Great, We're the class of '88!

*This message is made possible by Leigh's new pair of Spanks. Suck it up, and suck it in! Suck in your worries with spanks!.......*

Today is the day. It's here. My 20th year high school reunion. Can you believe it has been 20 years since Bon Jovi was my most worn out cassette in my tape deck, since huge belts were the rage. Since The Breakfast Club and 16 Candles were hits. Remember bicycle shorts as a fashion statement? Oh! Let us forget. Spandex that tight should never return, except in the form of spanks under garments. It really does seem like yesterday, but in the same breathe it seems like forever ago.
When I found out my class had planned the 20th reunion, I have to be honest and say that I didn't plan to go. There is really no good reason, why I didn't. I guess I can attribute it to anxiety associated with attending a reunion. All kinds of thoughts went through my head. Will there be anyone there I know? What if nobody remembers me? What if I don't recognize classmates or remember their names? What if I run into the old friend that one day decided she didn't like me anymore? I've put on weight. The greys peek through my temples these days like runway lights. I'm not that successful in a career sense. Aside from my domestic empire, I am and have never been CEO, heck, I am not even a paid employee of my empire (mental note to talk to the CFO). But then, I take a deep breathe and say, "Relax! Leigh!"
My friend TerriRay, and many of you blog readers have been so wonderful showing your support. Big Daddy, Fred-E, Princess Z and Kristie I speak to you when I say thank you for going and "holding my hand". I finally came to the realization that I am not alone in these thoughts. Everyone else is probably having the same exact thoughts and reunion jitters. Or at least I think they are. It would be a shame if I allowed these thoughts to get in the way of me attending. We have all changed. And I think for (almost) all of us, it has been for the better. We have grown into mature (not speaking on behalf of my brother in law, smile) contributing people. I am not 17 anymore. You all saw right through that on Monday, when I attempted roller skating at 38. By back side still bares the bruises. But no one at the reunion will be 17 (except in theri own mind through the possible help of some great surgical procedures, starvation and hair color. That remains to be seen. And I AM curious). The laws of gravity and time catch up with all of us eventually. It's a fact of life.
I have always been one to be my own worse critic. I had hoped that with age, it would improve. And it has, but I still second guess myself (despite my husband and friend Freddy's wonderful encouragement not to). As an adult, it is still a struggle but with each day and ripening of age it does get easier to accept myself for me. "Be yourself." As God intended. I am one to celebrate life's changes.
And so it is, I will relax. I will go and I will have a good time.This is an opportunity to go out and have some fun. Most of my classmates I haven't seen in twenty years, at the very least 10. I am going to go and renew old friendships, catch up with each others lives, and celebrate our youth and feel young again (if only for a moment). I cannot wait to go and to reminisce about the good old days, to share time with old friends while we are still able to, and to celebrate our changes in life. I have come to the realization that people are not there to judge me but are there for the same reason I am--- to have a great time and touch their past. Touch our past. As we age, those memories become more fonder. We tend to appreciate them a little more. I have often touted it, and I need to remind myself to go with an attitude of having fun.
As the day has approached I have been in contact with more people than I ever have from school and it has been so fun chatting and planning with one another. Oh, my gosh, dare I expose the dork that I am and say, it is almost like a "Footloose Moment". The planning and coordinating of a grand affair with classmates. Tomorrow, I am going to party like it's 1988 (remember when 1999 seemed forever away.)! Wish me luck.

And pray for my spanks, they will be working overtime tonight.

Thanks to you all for your encouragement. You know I will be reporting it all on Monday!
Have a great weekend!

High School Reunion?

This summer is the season for twentieth high school reunions. Well, it is for me, anyway. I can't say that I have feeling positive about it either. It doesn’t make me feel young and hip to say, “I just graduated from high school twenty years ago.” It seems like yesterday, especially as my oldest child is preparing to be a senior himself.
I can't say I do not care to see people, there are quite a few that I would love to see and reminisce with, but only if I could lose some 30-40 pounds-overnight. Is that asking to much? Apparently so, because my body just isn't wanting to part with any extra pounds that have attached themselves to the ole bod in the past 10 years. God knows I I've tried. Getting older sucks because that high metabolism I used to have has picked up and moved on to another fortunate 17 year old. Ahhh, yes, I remember the days-the daily actually- of driving to McDonalds or Krystals buying a large fry and washing them down with a tall coca cola.

(senior photos of Leigh and Big Daddy {ain't he cute}, circa 1988)

Those days are over. Just thinking about it has caused me to gain 4 pounds. It seems like just yesterday that I was fastening my extra wide belt over hips I didn't have and dancing around to Borderline. True. It might have actually been yesterday, though now I have hips. And a butt. And boobs.....and they have all started packing up to move south.
But then I haven't decided if I am going to go. Will I be able to handle it-the reunion. Do I really want to see people I haven't seen in 10-20 years? Many I would love to catch up with, but only if I can go in with a paper sack over my head. I have seen the class reunion web site of my peers-they all look the same. Fabulous.
They look great and I would love to see them-like Scottie, Jeannie, Staci, Freddy, John, Virginia, Susan, Karen and my dear Janet-all of them look like a million bucks. Haven't aged. As if they all have been vacationing for the last 20 years in St Augustine at the Fountain of Youth. Them in their swim caps. And then there is me in my big baggy sweats. Embarrassing. Big Daddy (who graduated in the same class as I) could care less about going -or not. Tickets to our reunion are $75.00 and if you read the blog, you know Big D is a tight wad. So the decision is up to me.
And then there is the frantic search of what to wear. Something to look Hip. precious. T-H-I-N, much like Kate Hudson. Where can I purchase that? Suggestions of apparel ideas? It is a "business casual " function. It is also a nightmare nighttime event. Seriously, it freaks me out. So I have given you some food for thought-help me dress. Send me a link or picture of your suggestions. I will post suggestions and we can vote on the best look. I will leave you with that thought, while I go and take a mild sedative with a glass of something with "proof" on the label...

Blooms Everywhere

Yesterday was such a wonderful day. From the moment I walked out the door, it was beautiful. I wish I could bottle the smell that weighs heavily in the air. It is that of honeysuckle and that dreadful privet bush that grows wild and rampant. It is a pest, but in the spring it smells straight from Heaven and is quite pretty with it's white blooms weighing down the bush limbs.....

I finished up my kitchen cabinets completely.

Now onto the other rooms in my house. We used to have people over quite frequently, until I became so down on my home looking like a tornado blew through all the time. No matter how I cleaned, it didn't last more than a day. I want to have friends over again, laughter in my kitchen, games in my den and to do that without utter embarrassment will require work. My hope is to have some friends over, like the Sanchez's, the Oddo's, as well as Scottie's, John's & John's families.

After I finished up painting, I went and picked up my friend Janet's daughter from school. She has missed over 2 weeks of school and continues to have problems. The doctors think it is gastritis. Please pray for her recovery. After I dropped her off at her home, I went and met Charnita at Ashley Furniture. For over a week now we have talked about getting together so I can hear a first hand account of the Bon Jovi concert she saw last Thursday night. She was so sweet and brought me back a t-shirt. I love it! It is exactlyu like the one she got herself. You can see it on her blog.

I was so touched that she had thought of me. We had a wonderful lunch at the O'Carr's, located inside the store. O'Carr's has been in business since 1975, originally opening in Homewood. It started as a nice cream parlor and progressed into a deli/restaurant.

The food is a sight for the eyes. Their motto is "Eat by Color". Their dishes , each and everyone, is prepared fresh and with an air of art put into each meal. They say that they "strive to make every meal a celebration". I celebrated because I ordered the cheese plate $6.60. I did say cheese! It comes with a scoop of cream cheese and olive with a variety of cheeses (port wine, Havarti dill, Swiss, smoked cheddar, smoked Gouda) an apple wedge, a couple carrot slices, and 2 slices of nut bread (which I later dropped by my parents so they could have for breakfast in the morning) and an assortment of crackers.

Charnita ordered the chicken salad and fruit $7.55. It was seasonal fruit with a scoop of chicken salad and an assortment of crackers. She said she liked the chicken salad because it didn't have "green stuff" in it. Charnita's children came with her. They are both as cute as a button. It was great to catch up with Charnita. We had much to talk about.

From there I dropped by my parents house to give them the nut bread and a cake dish that my mother had given me last week. Again, the smell in the air. Her front entry is encased by a large confederate jasmine. The smell is one that will stop you in your tracks to just breath it all in. I have found that with the jasmine variety that the smell is much more profuse. The Confederate jasmine has little white opened blooms on it...

There is also Carolina Jasmine that is most often seen in very early Spring and the yellow blooms on it more resemble a bell shape. I don't think it is as fragrant as the Confederate variety. I recommend you purchase a small container of it. It doesn't cost much, and it grows like mad. But the fragrance it worth every cent, Though the blooms and fragrance only last about 2 weeks. It just is one of those things that smell like the old south to me. My parents trained theirs to grow over the entry by using a small gauged wire. Every year there are at least one or two birds that make their homes in it and sit on their eggs. I don't blame them. This rosebush is at my parents neighbor's house. Again, how beautiful. Can't you almost smell the flowers just looking at it?

With all this talk about flowers blooming, When I got home, I took out these little envelopes that were at the reception of the wedding we went to last weekend. They told us our table number, but also inside was a small surprise, this

The purple paper heart has 12 different flower variety of seeds pressed into it. You plant the paper and seeds such as will come from it. I love the idea. I always refer to marriage as a garden, where you must constantly tend to it for if not, like a garden it will not flourish, it will be overcome with weeds. Pull the weeds, do not allow them to root. And so, these seeds I will plant in my garden outside and every year when the perennials bloom I will think of that lovely wedding in Indiana of Julie and Steve. What a beautiful thing. Love grows indeed!

The Man Who Wears Red Socks

My friend Courtney and I were talking on the phone yesterday when she said,
"Look, I have to tell you something that my husband did. He wore white socks with black shoes and dress pants".

Archie Bunker immediately came to my mind, and then a flash of red......

"Ummm....I have one up on you. Big Daddy wore to work this week a red golf shirt, beige corduroy pants, and (get ready) red dress socks with dress shoes."
"NO! He did not!"
"He did. He bought the socks on a trip he took to the dollar store." I confessed.

"We so need to start a support group for wives whose husbands dress badly."suggested Court.

Yes. this is the man I live with.
Red socks.

I had to hide his corduroy pants last summer.
I did say summer. He wore those to work in one hundred degree heat because he has not fashion sense.
But dont tell him that. He claims THAT is his fashion. He is a trendsetter.
Hmm.
I am still looking for the socks. I will bet that his coworkers think I have left him or died, certainly one of the two, to have let him leave the house like that.

This is just one of the many things he does to to annoy me & the children.
It works.
Here are some others....
Shaved  only HALF of his face to irritate me before I personally forced him into the bathroom and shaved the other face for him. Don't make a woman who is holding a razor mad.

He Looooooooovvvvessssss. Loves, Loves to walk around..... shirt unbuttoned to his navel, only to the embarrassment of our children. He enjoying being outside with his shirts unbuttoned to "impress the neighbors."
He says, " I know the neighborhood women are talking.."
Me, "Oh, yes! They are talking!"

He will leave for work  every Friday in the fall  wearing this ensemble......

 NO! I am not kidding.
TO WORK!


He actually met one of my best friends a long time ago while wearing this. She still talks about it. An impression it did make.

And here.... have mercy...Doing his best George Costanza impersonation:

I don't know why the lamp was on the floor?
Maybe to give him the proper lighting he needed for his photograph.

This almost sent our ultra conservative youngest son over the edge when Tom wanted to go to a school function like this...

But I can say this, as irritating as he can be, he always makes me laugh and keeps life interesting.
I happen to adore this...this....this man wearing red socks.
Oh! Those socks....
I am going to find them right now and burn them in the backyard......

Five Days Until Smackdown...I mean Dancing with the Stars

Guess who called last night? None other than the Mambo King himself (and God willing, the next winner of Dancing with the Stars) Fabian Sanchez!!!!

Yes!!!!!!! He does actually remember the little people. Actually I had him admit that he has long been envious of my dance moves. Certainly, I was the inspiration to his calling into the Dance World. I almost want to publish this hidden video of myself dancing, but if I did my son would be afraid it would end up on you tube and I'd be the next star wars kid. Certainly we would have to go underground, change my names to something unassuming like Martha Ann Ledbetter. But let me say....it's good. It's also much like watching a train wreck, horrifying yet you cannot turn away. If Fabian wins. It's going up. I know, I know...if that happens it will one day it will be me, still socializing with you (that said with much the utmost love and respect for the one person in the blogisphere who may come across this post and actually read it, you know that.)......

But still, getting back to Fabian, I know his schedule is so slammed and yet he called to thank me (and everyone and anyone who will vote for him & Marlee) for supporting him. That, my blogging friends, is the stand up kind of guy that he is. I would love to be able to chat up his secret dance moves but alas, I am sworn to secrecy (you know it is hard). I can, however attest to the fact that Fabian and Marlee are tuned up and are ready to dance! (this was said without him even breathing hard after long practise sessions, ever the professional).

Look here, this is one of his new photos. I recall seeing him in high school. He was always standing around like that, that same pose. Walking down the the hallway, by the telephone, in the lunchroom line......And somehow, he managed to find a career that he can use that stance with. Certainly the ambitious one, working with what he has....Good for you Fabian!

Have I mentioned how proud I am?? Have I???? Ok, I am. I really am.
It's FIVE days...get the name's in your head...FABIAN SANCHEZ and MARLEE MATLIN
and Watch on Monday and Tuesday and VOTE on Tuesday!
and because he has been reading (and laughing at my newfound stalkerdom status of my VOTE Fabian campaign)...

GOOD LUCK FABIAN!!!


PLEASE POST YOU WELL WISHES HERE. I want Fabian to see and know that he has many new fans, and well wishers!

PS to Fabian-That IS my email!


http://lbratina.blogspot.com/2008/03/whose-dancing.html
http://lbratina.blogspot.com/2008/02/let-me-tell-you-all-story-about-fabain.html
http://lbratina.blogspot.com/2008/02/smoozing-with-sanchez-brothers.html
http://lbratina.blogspot.com/2008/02/my-friend-fabian-picked-to-dance-on.html
http://lbratina.blogspot.com/2007/11/dancing-with-circus.html
http://lbratina.blogspot.com/2008/01/dancing-queens.html

Whose Dancing....

In ONE WEEK, my highschool pal, Fabian Sanchez will be dancing all over the stage of ABC's Dancing with the Stars. I have talked so much about Fabian, I thought I would tell you a bit about his highly talented dance partner, Marlee Matlin. Matlin is an Academy Award winning actress. She received worldwide critical acclaim for her film debut in Children of a Lesser God, for which she received the Academy Award for Best Actress. An incredible movie. It was one of the inspirations of me taking sign language classes for a degree in education interpretation. At 21, she became the youngest recipient of the Best Actress Oscar and only one of four actresses to receive the honor for her film debut. In addition to the Oscar, Marlee received the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Drama. She has since appeared on a number of hit television programs including The West Wing, The L-Word, Nip/Tuck, and Desperate Housewives. My personal favorite, as you might have guessed, if one the sitcom Seinfeld, in which she played a deaf tennis player. The episode is a classic. George decides to use her to read the lips of his girlfriend who he suspects is cheating on him with a friend of his. Matlin's character misreads the lips confusing the word "sweep" with the word "sleep", when the couple are discussing cleaning up after a party, saying, "Let's sweep together". A ruckus ensues. It is quite comical.
In Spring 2008, she will star opposite Jeff Daniels in the telefilm, Sweet Nothing In My Ear.
Be sure to tune in on March 17 (A week from today!) and vote for Fabian and Marlee!
More from my blog on Fabian:
http://lbratina.blogspot.com/2008/02/let-me-tell-you-all-story-about-fabain.html
http://lbratina.blogspot.com/2008/02/smoozing-with-sanchez-brothers.html
http://lbratina.blogspot.com/2008/02/my-friend-fabian-picked-to-dance-on.html
http://lbratina.blogspot.com/2007/11/dancing-with-circus.htmlhttp://lbratina.blogspot.com/2008/01/dancing-queens.html

Spending a Day in the Woods and Seeing Coach Wood

On Sunday, my friend Courtney called and invited my family to go to Joe Tucker Park with her family. It was a gorgeous day, the weather just right. Big Daddy wasn't able to break away from his WOW game to go (go figure) but I took Smooth and Sledge. We had an enjoyable time. There was hardly anyone there when we arrived. Courtney explained that we were the "heathen" crowd until late church services let out. It became packed with families very quickly. We stayed there for awhile then headed home, only to plop on the couch and think..."It's just to pretty outside!"

I hadn't quite gotten my fill of the lovely Court family so I called Courtney to see if she wanted to take the kids on the Cahaba Met Trail that I went on last weekend. She agreed.
The kids had the best time, running through the trails, jumping over the creek, skipping rocks.... They looked for beavers and found an abandoned turtle shell. We found a great vine that was perfect for the kids to swing on, because it went downhill. They could've spent their whole day on that vine, I am convinced. While the kids ran ahead Courtney and I began pulling vines down from the trees and making grapevine wreaths while we walked. I think she was very impressed at her never before tapped skill. The wreaths turned out so pretty.

On the way back towards our cars, I noticed a man on the trail. We hadn't passed anyone all day. As the man got closer, our eyes met and immediately we recognized one another. I ran and gave him the biggest hug, leaving Courtney to wonder what was going on. It was my seventh grade social studies teacher, Coach Wood!!! He and I have corresponded over the years and have run into one another on occasion. He is so special to me, and I took the opportunity to once again remind him so. I think everyone has those special teachers that make a difference in your life. Mine were all men-and all but two were coaches: Coach Wood (social studies), Coach Chimento (social studies), Coach "K" (PE) ,Coach Honeycutt (PE), Mr. McBay (assistant principal) and my art teacher Mr. Knowles. Coach Wood is really the only one I have had the opportunity to keep in touch through Christmas cards and emails. He continues to be a special person in my life and I am thankful for that. He hasn't changed at all, with the exception of having white hair. He still is slim and not a wrinkle on his face. Time has been good to him. He is still teaching, but now at is what is now Hoover High.
I always enjoyed being in Coach Wood's class. I like to think I was one of his favorites. He trusted me to run an errand to the office or something of the like. He was also involved in the boys football and basketball programs (in both middle school and high). My brother was three years younger than I. He played basketball from the time he was in elementary school throughout high school, so I saw alot of Coach Wood and would play "catch up" at my brother's basketball games. He was always interested in me and my classmates. Every time I see him, he always ask about people, wanting to know where life has taken them. I couldn't wait to get home to tell Big Daddy about running into him. Our running into one another certainly made the day even more grand!
By the time we got home, mine and my children's legs were sore and bodies completely worn out. If you get a chance, and live in the area, check out the Met Trail. It's a great hike.

I am curious....Did you have a special teacher of the past? If so who was it and what made them so special?

Questionarre from a Troll

Troll invited anyone who wanted to play tag to join in. If you know me, then you know I love these things. Humor and play along. Anybody who wants to play along should say "I'm In" in the comments section.

I give you money and send you into the grocery store to pick up 5 items. You can only pick one thing from the following departments, what is it?

1. Produce: strawberries
2. Bakery: Italian Bread
3. Meat: don't eat it. Can I get something from dairy instead? A good cheese!
4. Frozen: either fruit juice or Ms Edwards Key Lime Pie (lets pretend I am allowed)
5. Dry goods: Italian Compote-flavor, balsamic vinegar and roasted onion (to eat with my bread and cheese)

Let's say we're heading out for a weekend getaway. You're only allowed to bring 3 articles of clothing with you. So, what's in your bag?
(It'd really depend of where I am going but I'll play along. In this scenario I would rather go to the beach, but since there was no destination, I will pack for "anything goes)

1. blue jeans
2. white shirt
3. black pants

Those 3 will take you anywhere.

If I was to listen in on one of your conversations throughout the day, what 4 phrases or words would I be most likely to hear?

1. 3 Way Tie between Have Mercy! and Holy Cow! (Maybe I am related to Harry Carey?)and Bless Your Heart.
2. I love this song!
3. If you can't get along you will spend the afternoon in your room!
4. I love you.

So, what 4 things do you find yourself doing every single day, and if you didn't get to do, you probably wouldn't be in the best mood?

1. love on the family
2. Read blogs of my favorite bloggers
3. Brush fangs several times (Agree with Troll. And Happy to know Trolls brush their teeth!)
4. Eat at least one good meal. (A girls gotta eat!)

You're driving down the road, and suddenly you're hit with this sense of road rage. What 3 factors probably contributed to it?

1. Geezer pulled out in front of me even though there wasn't another car behind me for half-a-mile. Geezer than proceeds to drive at HALF the posted speed-limit. (agreed)
2. Driving with my windows down, enjoying the fresh air and sunshine. Come to a red light and the teen behind me has his music cranked way to high. So much that MY car is also jumping like a Mexican jumping bean. And let it be known, I wqouldn't complain so much but that kid has no taste in music!! Sorry, but I hate rap.
3. Politely letting someone in from of me and not even getting a polite nod of thanks. It's just rude! Rude!


What 5 activities might we find you doing?

1. posting rambling messages and hoping that someone will find it interesting "enough".
2. cooking. We are a family of five. Three of those being human garbage disposals.
3. Fishing. (If I could more often!)
4. Nature-walking.
5. Listening to music and possibly dancing to it.

(these are the highlights, equating the average day though, these answers would be slightly different:

1. washing clothes
2. folding clothes
3. vacuuming (an obsessive compulsive disorder of mine. but I have alot of dogs-and kids for that matter!)
4. cooking. we are a family of five. Three of those being human garbage disposals.
5. Dishes. It goes hand in hand with #4.

We're going to the zoo. But, it looks like it could start storming, so it'll have to be a quick visit. What 3 exhibits do we have to get to?

1. Aquatic animals
2. butterfly
3. monkeys

You just scored tickets to the taping of any show that comes on t.v. of your choice. You can pick 4, so what are you going to see?

1. SEINFELD!!! (lets pretend it's still on. Another obsession of mine)
2. David Letterman.

(I cannot think of much I would just have to see, so lets go back in time...)

3. Carol Burnett. I couldn't wait for this lady to come on TV. A master. She, Tim, Harvey and Vickie held every bit of my single digit in age mind
4. The Cosby Show

You're hungry for ice cream. I'll give you a triple dipper ice cream cone. What 3 flavors can I pile on for ya?

1. Mint Chocolate Chip
2. Daiquiri Ice
3. some kind of sherbet (I rarely eat ice cream)

Somebody stole your purse/wallet…in order to get it back, you have to name 5 things you know are inside to claim it. So, what's in there?

1. cell phone (with all my fav's people numbers!)
2. Driver's License (with my weight still testifying that I am 100 pounds, like the day I got it. Although the day I got it I lied that I weighed 100 because I was to skinny and very self conscious because I was so thin. Today I still "lie" that I weigh 100 because I am to overweight and very self conscious that I am to overweight. BTW-The lady that issued my license says it's not a lie, if you believe it. God bless her!)
3. debit card
4. antibacterial gel

5. You are at a job fair, and asked in what areas you are interested in pursuing a career. Let's pretend you have every talent and ability to be whatever you wanted, so what 4 careers would be fun for you?

1. Travel Agent
2. Tour Guide
3. Charter Fishing boat Captain
4. Guitar Teacher

If you could go back and talk to the old you, when you were in high school, and inform yourself of 4 things, what would you say?

1. Hang in there! Big Daddy will come around
2. You can't save people who don't want to save themselves.
3. Sneaking out isn't a good idea. Especially when the PD calls your parents in the middle of the night to tell them to come and pick up their daughter. "But she's in bed. You must be mistaken!"
4. It may seem funny to drive fast through a hay field and then pull up the parking break causing the car to spin, but it really isn't. You can do the same thing at the fair and not tear up your car!

Fabian Update on Entertainment Tonight

Did anyone watch Entertainment Tonight on CBS? Fabian and Marlee were on discussing Dancing With the Stars! Fortunately I saw it this time. Abbey Road told me that they were on Access Hollywood last week. I missed that one.

If you missed Entertainment Tonight, click here:

ET's 'Dancing' with Marlee Matlin

The Access Hollywood video's can be seen here:

http://video.accesshollywood.com/player/?id=224095
http://video.accesshollywood.com/player/?id=224001

And more from my blog on Fabian:

http://lbratina.blogspot.com/2008/02/let-me-tell-you-all-story-about-fabain.html

http://lbratina.blogspot.com/2008/02/smoozing-with-sanchez-brothers.html

http://lbratina.blogspot.com/2008/02/my-friend-fabian-picked-to-dance-on.html

http://lbratina.blogspot.com/2007/11/dancing-with-circus.htmlhttp://lbratina.blogspot.com/2008/01/dancing-queens.html

Let Me Tell You all a Story about Fabain Sanchez

I had the most wonderful telephone conversation yesterday with Freddy, Fabian's big brother. It sounds like Fabian is having a good time in LaLa Land, hobnobbing with all the celeb's, attending Oscar parties. I imagine it must be a surreal experience. In high school, I always knew Fabian as a star soccer player. He and his brother were both very talented on the field, so I asked Freddy, "When did Fabian get into dancing? I never knew of his doing that in school". Well the story was a interesting one. Fabian had received several scholarships to play soccer in college, however, he needed to get his grades up. He was not happy with school. He was working at a local Ryan's Steakhouse waiting tables. Personally speaking, I imagine that was a tough job, I have seen these all you can eat buffet's and the people that completely engorge themselves and leave a table full of mess and numerous empty plates....
Anyway Mr. King, proprietor of the Fred Astaire Dance Studios was eating there on one particular night when Fabian was working. He asked Fabian for a drink refill. He noticed Fabian's name tag and thought to himself, "When will I ever meet another Fabian". He asked Fabian if he was Latin and then if he knew how to dance. Fabian told Mr King that he was not formerly trained, but that his parents had always held dances in their home. Being of the Latin culture it was just a social thing, and he was familiar with many of the dances. It was then that Mr. King invited Fabian to become a dance instructor and become educated in dance and it's derivatives. Fabian thought to himself and figured, "What do I have to loose". He accepted the offer at 19 years of age and became formerly trained. For someone who never even thought much of dancing, except in social situations, and who had never been trained to take it up at such a late age and then go on to become "The Mambo King", as I like to say, among other numerous dance titles it is quite a feat. It allows one to dream big and think, "It Can happen", even to someone so far from LA and an industry that reproduces clones, Fabian Sanchez is an original. An original with a very interesting story.
It also gives me hope. Next family Dance competition night, when my 17 year old rolls his eyes about participating in our competition, I now have the story of the mighty Fabian Sanchez to share with him. "Oh the places you can go". I will say. "All because your Mama DOES dance and your daddy DOES rock and roll!" You too can go places. Don't underestimate yourself.
One day it may be your sister's handmade Dance trophy (my personal favorite)

and the next the real disco ball.