I lived to be 39...and then he made me get a job.

EXTRA! EXTRA! Read all about it. 

Apparently, due to my increase in years, dear husband decided I needed a hobby full time job.  Aside from the full time mama gig I had going.  So, he, along with a partner, bought a famous (to us) syrup plant.  Then handed me the keys to the front door and said, "go run it".

I'll let that sink in a bit. And while it's sinking in, let me remind you of a few very important facts:

• He didn't even ask for a copy of my resume. 
• Or any references.
• He never ran a drug test. Or background check.
• Nor did he conduct an interview...where he could have found out these important facts.
• I have been "retired" for more than 15 years.  
• I have never ran a small business in my life.  
• I do not have any actual experience in the syrup industry. 
• Let's just call it like it is...I've never had experience in this thing called the work industry, period.
• Therefore, I may or may not really be qualified to run a syrup plant.
• Or even be married to an owner of a syrup plant.
• Or own my own stock in that syrup plant.

My point is, if you like this syrup, go clear your grocer's shelves of it.  Pretend like it's Y2K all over again, and hunker down with cases of the stuff.  It may be your last chance to ever buy it.  From here on out, I'm the one in charge.  And while I have no idea of all the qualifications necessary, I am confident that I lack the majority of them.  

I do love the syrup. It was my PawPaw's favorite. That's the big reason behind how Temple suckered me into accepting this position. "Now, wouldn't your PawPaw be so proud?". 

I even have a bunch of those letters behind my name now, a famcy schmancy title. Chief Operating Officer--responsible for daily operation of the company.

Which spells COO.  Coo can be defined as "to make a low soft cry like a dove or pigeon".....

Yep, that's me.  The one who has made a few soft cries during the course of the past two months while I have been learning all about the syrup company and how to run it. Acquiring the ingredients for the syrup, mixing the syrup, cooking a batch of the syrup, bottling the syrup, packaging the syrup, shipping the syrup, promoting the syrup, selling the syrup, meeting with chemical treatment folks, learning how to work a boiler room, taking apart a conveyor belt with sticky syrup, managing employees, changing out a labeling machine, running a pallet jack, creating a shipment stack, wrapping a shipment stack, etc. etc. etc.

Slow and steady.... I'm trying my hardest not to sink the Golden Eagle ship, and so far, I'm managing to keep my head above the proverbial vat of syrup water. 

The Finished Goods.

So these pics are from part of the ongoing basement project.  This is the bedroom.  Don't pay attention to the funky, differing shades of green in these photos....camera operator error. 

It's actually a nice shade of green known as Asparagus and it makes the black and white bedding really pop.  We didn't want to "just" put up mattresses in the basement bedroom, so thanks to my parents for hooking me up with a headboard.  That plus a few cans of spray paint equals not only an economical solution, but a pretty addition to the room.   As for the dresser, once Temple stripped it down, the wood was really nice so we washed it down with a dark, black undertoned, wood stain. 

 I'm so happy with the results and how this room is shaping up.  Plus, it just feels good to do those jobs ourself.  

A little DIY project

You know there are those moments where I think I can actually make some of those projects they show on HGTV, or things I find on Pinterest. And then usually I talk myself out of it before I even begin.  But not so, this time I managed to complete a nice room with refurbished pieces.

 Late this summer, I decided to try out my own project with a "free to me" headboard.  Circa 1978. 

Couldn't you tell by the nice wood tone and thick, bulky posts? Complete late 70's, early 80's all.the.way.  The previous owners...my parents.  

Also up for the redo was this cute little dresser I purchased a couple of years ago at an estate sale in Tennessee.  

A few years back, I was unsure why we couldn't install a pool in the backyard that we WANTED, but my husband clearly NEEDED a huge workshop that was built in record time.

Then I undertake a project like this.  These are the days I am thankful for my husband, his shop, and his stripping skills. Let me clarify, his furniture stripping skills. 

There you have it...the BEFORE's. 
Hopefully tomorrow, I will have the AFTER's posted. 

I know it doesn't look like much now...but I promise the after is worth the wait. They turned out SUPER. Really.

Denial.

I cannot believe it is already the middle of November.  Christmas is coming soon and I'm hoping to get my decorations out this weekend.  And 2012 is just around the corner!!! Where has this year gone? Absolutely flown by.

Mommy and Me date -- edition Elder Son

Elder Son surprised me.  I assumed at his delicate age, a "Mommy and Me" date would be highly uninviting.  Much to my delight, he was truly excited to plan a day for just us.  I relish those rare moments, as I know he is fast approaching the time zone that mainly includes activities with folks his own age. 

I think his first choice was for us to go to go-cart racing....I quickly informed him that would not be real fun with me at the helm, but rather something he should probably do with Dad. He chose the zoo, followed by lunch, and then a movie (Pirates of the Caribbean) complete with buttered popcorn & milk duds.   It had been several years since he had been to the zoo, and while he really wanted to go, he was concerned (tenderhearted chap that he is) about making me go again since I had just been a few weeks earlier with his brother.  I told him I'd be delighted to take him to the zoo, so off we went: 

  

 Elder Son was thrilled to see me squirm in the reptile building.

Each time I see one of God's creations, I am more and more amazed.  Here, a "leaf-nosed" snake: 

This guy was huge (see the pinecones around him)...his shell was so neat, and those squatty legs. :)  

One of our (Middle Child as well as Elder Son and myself) favorite exhibits--the predators.  During our visits, the lioness had just had cubs, barely a couple of weeks old, so she and the cubs were not on display as of yet.  Only Big Daddy...sitting high atop his rock...looking like a scene from The Lion King.  

He came down for showtime at the Predator Zone...better known as feeding time.  The zookeepers use this time to get close to the lion by feeding him several several pounds of ground beef on a stick, in order  to check his body, his agility, his teeth, etc...like a well check to make sure there are not any issues that need to be dealt with...all from the convenience of the chain link fence separation.  

Fence (which was constructed by the lowest bidder) or not, I'm not so sure I want to be that close to his paws.

Dude, you have some seriously hairy pits.

After his lunch bucket of meatballs on a stick have been exhausted, he gets a cool "treat"...goat's milk sprayed onto his tongue.  Again, this is another way for the vets to check his teeth/mouth area from safety.

 

They are beautiful creatures.  Powerful, yes, be certain of that, but looking in his face...majestic.  

Reminds me of Elder Son....powerful, majestic, king of my heart. Oh, and he eats a lot too.

Thank you, for a wonderful day with the animals...I remember taking you there so many times as a toddler...special memories made again now as a teenager.

Mommy and Me date -- edition Baby Girl

It was no big surprise that Baby Girl chose to utilize her artistic side for her Mommy and Me time. In fact, it was a day full of all things girly for her...a trip to All Fired Up to paint, pedicure complete with shiny star studs, shopping, and yogurt with all the fixings.  

Our pottery pieces after painting:

(she chose something to remember her 10th birthday)

The lovely purple toes with silver stars...a tribute to her birthday party invitations for the upcoming "night under the stars" event that month.

And our finished pieces of art after they had been fired. 

Honestly, any day, doing anything, with Baby Girl is a joy.

Daughters...what special blessings.

Mommy and Me date -- edition Middle Child

These Mommy and Me dates took place late summer, just a couple of weeks before school began.  Each child had their own day to plan all the events.  Middle Child chose to spend hours at the Birmingham Zoo, visit Smith's in the Village to purchase a few new knights and eat at Sumo Japanese Steakhouse.  Here are a few favorites from the day:  

I love this guy peeking around the tree!  

He needs to dip in a vat of lubriderm.  

Aw, hogwash.

Who is that masked man?

Camel rides....Lawrence of Arabia would have been proud. 

Talk about being able to just sleep anywhere....even with dozens of folks watching your afternoon nap. 

However, the summer heat gets to everyone, so you need a cool drink.  

We took that as a sign to take a break too.  Nifty coke machines.  

The tiger is always a favorite.

Of course this lion is my pick of the day. 

We stopped to smell the flowers. That's important, you know. 

A barn owl's eyes are mesmerizing. Really. 

Seriously, dude, does your mom just follow you around with that camera everywhere? 

Why yes, indeed I do. 

 Middle Child and I had the BEST DAY EVER.  I cannot express the joy in this one on one time with each of my kids.  Thanks, son, for memories to cherish forever...

Just when you thought Paper Dolls were going out of style....

Baby Girl's best friend from gymnastics invited us to go trick-or-treating in their neighborhood after gym practice.  We excitedly accepted and then I remembered she didn't have a costume. So, we whipped up this little dandy on Sunday afternoon.

I declare, she has to be the cutest paper doll I've ever seen. Her brothers both thought our costume was creative but honestly asked, "mom, what is a paper doll anyway?".  Bless their hearts.

 
Personally, it was a win-win scenario for me....I cut up some free cardboard and she brought home a bag loaded with chocolate to share. :)

Diligent Work

 Due to the lack of a personal computer plus a few other distractions, yes, I did skip the months of September and October for H3.  But now for November, we are back with a new verse to hide in your heart.  A verse that we use often in our home...for every activity, job, sporting event, science fair, business presentation, home chores, etc.  In fact, this verse appears at the bottom of Baby Girl's ad in her gymnastics program, directly below her photo.  We hope it serves as a reminder, to us as well as her.  

November's H3 verse: 

Colossians 3:23

New King James Version (NKJV)

• "And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men"

New International Version (NIV)

• "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters"

Holman Christian Standard Bible

• "Whatever you do, do it enthusiastically, as something done for the Lord and not for men"

One footnote I read says the literal translation means to "do it from the soul".   You know people who do this...you do this when it is something that is so close to your heart, something you want to put your all into, your very best because you care so deeply about it...whatever the "it" is.  Think about those moments when you've heard others speak about that sweet old lady in the community or your grandmother at Thanksgiving who makes the best homemade caramel cake, biscuits, fried apple pies, cornbread dressing or like we refer to my Daddy and his smoked chicken halves.  Even when you have their recipe, it never can turn out as good as theirs....they are making it from their soul. Taking a certain amount of pride and care into every step, ensuring the best outcome for others.  Oh, to think how the world could be if we all lived by this verse....working hard, doing our very best, striving to please the LORD instead of man.

Not just doing enough here and there in the workplace, at home, with our children, in friendships, family relations, etc, to get by, the bare minimum to call the job complete.  But rather to really put our heart in it, to work from the heart, knowing that we serve a Master who blesses us daily, even when we don't deserve it.  And who stores up even more blessings for our eternity with Him.  Now that's something worth putting your heart and soul into, if you ask me.

Performing in the University of Alabama Homecoming Parade

                                                  

Yes, I realize this is not our university of choice. But that little squirt in the parade is definitely my girl of choice, and I will be there, with bells on, anytime she's flipping (even when it's on the streets of Tuscaloosa).

She had a great time participating in the parade and saw lots of familiar faces in the crowd as she traveled down campus.  And she tried her best to perform well for everyone, throwing in a few extra flips here and there for those she knew.  Her eyes were so bright when she was later naming to me all the folks that recognized her and yelled her name from the sidewalks....pretty nifty for a small town little gal. I don't think she realized there would be so many people at the parade whom she would know.  So thanks to all of you, you made her day, and thus, made mine.