Muriel England

This past Sunday I had the honor of attending a memorial service for a long time member of my church.  Muriel was 91 when she passed away last Thursday. I can't remember when I first met Muriel, but I have a lot of memories.  One of her daughter's was the first person to know that James and I were going to be engaged. We ran into Susie while ring shopping.

Muriel had a granddaughter that lived in San Angelo, where I went to college.  Every time I came home from school I would see Muriel, and she would tell me that Valerie was waiting for my call.  I never called.  On Sunday I heard Valerie's husband, Neil, speak about Muriel (or Gigi as she was known), how much she was really loved by her whole family.  I finally introduced myself to them, and I wish that I would have called them way back when.

A few years Muriel moved to Sherman, Texas to be close to another one of her daughters.  I hope she knows that she was missed.  I hope that she knows that she is missed still.

Muriel, you are still Pretty & Smart in my book.

900 + 1 to grow on

Saturday morning my do bell rang.  I opened the door to a box.  A birthday box!  The PaVa's sent me a box full of all kinds of goodies.  At first glance I thought it was party supplies.  There were leis, and party horns.  I dug a little deeper.  Buttons?  Paper clips?

Turns out it was a box of 30 bags full of 30 items plus one to grow on.  I am still laughing, and I hope that it brings a smile for a long time to come.

Here are all of the items laid out together.

30 birthday pencils, 30 bouncing balls, 30 popsicle sticks, 30 rubber bands, 30 paper clips, 30 buttons, 30 rings, 30 rings (there were two different types), 30 leis, 30 party horns, 30 shot glasses, 30 candy bars, 30 kisses, 30 poker chips, 30 pennies, 30 nickles, 30 dimes, 30 quarters, 30 tootsie pops, 30 tootsie rolls, 30 jelly bracelets, 30 drink umbrellas, 30 birthday candles, 30 lips (they're a noise maker too!), 30 stencils, 30 jelly snakes, 30 prisms, 30 whistles, 30 bugs, 30 balloons.

That's 900 items!  The one to grow on?  A pink flamingo.

Thanks Dad & Joan!  The two of you are Pretty & Smart!

My Last Days at Work - Part II

Today was supposed to be my third last day at work.  I have been keeping a count down, and today was to be the day.  As noted in several past posts, I have been let go from the job I have had for the last two years. 

Two days ago the remaining loan center employees were called together and we were told that we would be done at 3:00 that day.  (There are only 5 people remaining in my old department & that number includes 3 managers.) That was Wednesday so, the way I see it is I got two days of vacation.  I wanted to put this post on the day that I have been counting down to.  I wanted this post to sit for a little while, so could process the early release.

As soon as the Big Boss called us all together I knew the words before she spoke them.  I wasn't sad.  I was RELIEVED!   It has been fifteen months.  Fifteen months ago the company's stock fell to an all time low.  Fourteen months ago half of the department was laid off.  Thirteen months ago we started the new year in high hopes.  Twelve months ago faith began to fade.  Six months ago the FDIC shut us down & the Spanish Overlords took over.  Five months ago we were offered severance.  One month ago we started to wrap up the good byes.  Really, we have been saying good-bye for one year and two months. 

I am glad that this downhill ride is finally over, but I want to tell you my friends that you all have enriched my life like no other.  I will miss eating lunch (and sometimes breakfast) everyday with you all.  Tea Time will be missed.

To you Andrea, Chantel, & Dee you all have become my sisters.  It took me a long time to know what it means to have and be a sister, so I hope you know how you all have impacted me. 

To Dan, Aaron & Omair, You all have been the best male friends I have ever had. Thank you for being my friends.  Thanks for the final Tea Time toast.  You guys rock!

Talking to Carly

This weekend I went and purchased a new laptop.  I am so glad that I have a computer to call my own.  This is the computer that I bought: 

James has been holding our computer hostage for the whole time we have been living together.  A friend of me told me, "Love means not having to share your computer."  I agree. 

So I have known about Skype for awhile.  I have officially set up my account.  I was able to talk to my friend Emily and her haby Carly.  They live in Cinncinnati.  I miss them.  I was so glad to see them.  Here they are; mother and daughter.

Carly will be two in June, but I took this when I was with them shortly after Carly's birth. Our chat this afternoon made me feel like I was back in their living room again. I can't wait talk to Carly Girl & Emily soon!

Skype udate:  I got connected to Soni too!

Rock Trivia Anyone?

The other night I was driving home with my husband. I was reminded with great enthusiasm that James is a true music fan. Here is some rock trivia that I was made aware of.

1. The band Starship was formerly Jefferson Starship which was formerly Jefferson Airplane. All three bands had hit songs. There was a great evolution in the musical sound from Jefferson Airplane to Starship. All three had hit songs.
2. Mike + The Mechanics used to be Genesis. When Phil Collins went solo the lead guitar & bassist of Genesis came up front to lead the new band Mike + The Mechanics.
3. One of the best guitar solos of all time, according to James was in Guns 'N Roses song November Rain.

Thanks James! You're pretty & smart.

Work Hard & Be Good

My mom drove me to school everyday until I went to college. When my mom dropped me off in the mornings, she would tell me “Work hard, and be good.” When I went to college she would tell me “Work hard, be good, and have fun, but not too much fun.” This was the bouquet that mom sent on my 20th birthday (the reason for the cookies is because she had her cell phone turned off all day on my BIRTHDAY!, but more on that in future posts). Please note that the cookie florist got the message mixed up, but you get the picture. I think that when I drop my future kids off at school in the mornings I am going to tell them “Work hard, be good, and you’re pretty and smart.”

Epiphany 2010

Today is the 15th anniversary of my grandmother’s passing. This is the picture that was in the paper last year (I would say the photo was taken in the 1970’s). I was 14 when she passed. I was about to turn 15. Now 15 years later I am about to be 30. It feels like she just passed, and it feels like she passed a lifetime ago.
Ruby Helen Maxwell Jordan died too young, too unknown, too loved to have left me. I need her and I have cried for her until my heart is about to fall from my chest.
About 3 months ago I went to her resting place. I went to tell her about all the things that she had missed. She told me she knew everything that I had told her. I went to tell her that the pain of her absence was too much to bear. She told me to let go and have peace.
I find peace in knowing Grandma is still guiding my decisions, still coloring my judgments, still letting me know what being loved feels like.