Secret Secret, I HAD a Secret

I have been keeping a secret for almost a year now. And, it just about killed me.

Steven grew up in England and when he decided to live here permanently, one of the things he knew he would miss the most is his friends. A year ago, these two fellas (Matt and Paul) decided, over a few beers, that they would fly to America and surprise Steven. Paul would fly over from England, and Matt would get here from wherever he happened to be at the moment. Excellent idea, right? But, they needed help with the surprise, and this is where I came into play.

Matt contacted me via Facebook, told me of their plan, and asked for my assistance in making it all happen. No problem, right? I am, after all, the Queen of Planning. But, then I realized what this meant. I would not be able to discuss this with Steven. I wouldn't be able to plan with him, make arrangements, shop for food, do a thorough cleaning, or even change sheets without him suspecting something! This was a huge task for me, as I share just about everything with Steven. The only things I don't share are the things I don't remember. My life is an open book. No secrets. But wait, I would have to keep my mouth SHUT, and SHUT for a long time. Folks, this was NO easy task for me.

As the time drew near, I became increasingly nervous, so much had to go right. Matt had been living in Hong Kong the last year studying, and then traveled through the western US and down through Mexico, Central America, flew to Miami and then bussed (yes, by GREYHOUND!) to Charleston. His bus arrived at 3:00. His brother, who he had not seen in a year, flew from England, via Atlanta, and his flight arrived at 4:00. I had to find a way out of the house, pick both up and get them back here in one piece. Steven was shooting a wedding that day, so luck was on my side. I had worried for months about it all coming together, but when it came down to it, it was easier said than done. Eveyone was on time, no complications and the surprise was classic.

All the worry, stress, secret keeping and planning was well worth it. Steven was so thrilled and happy to see his friends and spend the last 10 days with them. They caught up on all their mutual friends, played endless games of Scrabble, drank loads of beer, swam in the surf, found sand dollars, drank more beer, watched football (English football), played the Wii, giggled, teased and just enjoyed the very special camaraderie that boys seem to have.

We all get so caught up in the material gifts we give each other. I know I stress on end about the perfect birthday and Christmas gift. But, when I saw the happiness these three felt while together, it reminded me that the best gift we can give is ourselves, and our time. I felt very honored to be a part of this secret and making it all happen. I have many more blogs to share about this great surprise and all that happened while they were here. But, for today, I just want to sit here and reflect on the special time we all had, as a result of this SECRET.

SURPRISE!!

New Background

Does everyone else find this as challenging as I do? I fully intended to blog tonight, but instead, got stuck in with changing my background and colors. What a PAIN!

It reminds me a lot of clothes shopping, all that "trying on" is really annoying. (and much of it doesn't fit!)

Dreamin'

This is NOT the blog I have in my head waiting to write.

But, last night, I had a dream that I had a big party with all my blogging friends. It was really nice to hang out with everyone in one location. Of course, I don't remember the location, I just remember the good feeling to meet everyone in person.

I'm sure we had a great time, ate great food, and told great stories, then went home and blogged about it.

But, I woke up, so I really can't tell you anything other than the fact that I met all of you last night, and I sure enjoyed it!

Big ol Blog

I've got a big blog waiting to be written. Just wanted you to know.

Boys Will Be Boys

It doesn't matter where a boy is born. It could be Missouri, South Carolina, or England.

Put them on a beach and they have to dig.

Not only do they have to dig, they have to dig holes.

Some will make great plans about the holes.

Some will make a very neat, tidy, precise hole.

Some will create a wall to protect their hole.

There is always one boy who will supervise.

And one who creates outside the box.

They don't need to talk. They communicate silently with that boy language. I saw a neat thing this weekend. That boy language is universal. There are no language or age barriers when it comes to hole diggin'.

Randomly Friday

Just a few thoughts that have been up in my brain this week:

• I've been applying mascara for close to 32 years, give or take a few years. And, I don't think I've found one, yet, that lengthens my lashes. I've tried just about every brand. I keep going back to the Maybelline one with the pink body and green lid. Curved brush.



• I'm currently watching one of my all time favorite Seinfeld episodes. It is, "The Boyfriend." In it, Jerry is hanging out with Keith Hernandez, George is trying to scam the unemployment office (Van De Lay Industries), Kramer and Newman re-tell their Keith Hernandez experience, and Elaine ends up dating Keith Hernandez until she discovers he smokes. CLASSIC.






• We have a big old banana spider in our back yard right now. I am amazed at the size of the web she has spun. This lady puts me to shame.



• Taylor starts college in 17 days.



• I'm excited to see "Julie & Julia." I love the idea that it all started from a blog. Another blog that would make a great movie is Pioneer Woman. I hope someone will do that, although I can't imagine any actress being able to catch the spirit of Ree.




• How good looking is Robert Redford in "The Sting?" Man, I used to have the biggest crush on him. Yowza.

• I love the look of those red Dell mini laptops. I think it would fit in nicely with my current red phase.






• I miss reading "The Far Side" on a daily basis. My favorite is the kid at the gifted school pushing the door when it clearly says, "Pull."

• When I was in college, there was a bar on campus called, "The Shack." (It was the only place that would serve underage folks) It was a nasty little hole in the wall. They served one food item: pumpernickel bagels with cream cheese, and a pickle on the side. What I wouldn't give for one of those right now.



• I wish I knew how to pick a good wine, and that I could learn to enjoy red wine.



• Robert Redford also looked pretty hot in "The Way We Were." But, I didn't care for that movie. But oh, when he wears that turtleneck---YOWZA.






• John Hughes sure made some great movies. Sixteen Candles and Uncle Buck are in my top 10 of all time movies.




• I'm really into Nick Drake right now.




• Which one of the Jonas Brothers is supposed to be the cute one?






• I love twinkle lights.



• If you ever want to watch a sweet movie, check out, "Mrs. Palfrey at the Claremont." It is priceless.



• I bought three new books today: Picking Cotton, Comfort Food, and Julie & Julia. I felt like a kid in the candy shop at Barnes and Noble.



• I've never seen Pretty Woman.



• Come to think of it, Robert Redford just looks good. Y O W Z A. Happy Friday!

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Birth of a Nickname

All of my life I've wanted a nickname. My given name is Judith, and everyone calls me Judi. Steven tells me that is a nickname. Uh, no. That's just the shortened version of Judith.

I didn't play any sports in school, so no chance for nicknames there. I was in choir and band, but "Soprano" and "Flute Player" just never rolled off anyone's tongue. I have two older brothers, you would think these two yahoos would have been able to come up with something/anything?

Sadly, no. They just pretended they didn't have a little sister.

I went through high school, college and the first forty years of my life without a nickname. I met Steven and as he told tales of his friends, I realized that everyone in the world, other than me, has a nickname. His was Mabel. He has a friend, Paul, whose nickname is Horris. Chris is Kramer. There was a kid in his school they named Wub. My grandmother would speak of her siblings, and I would get so confused. They all had two or three different names. I grew up thinking there were about fifteen kids in her family. (I kid you not!) I mean, the list goes on and on. My brother Jeff is known as Jamie, and my other brother is known as TJ. Me? Judi. Plain old boring brown haired AVERAGE Judi. No nickname Judi.

I started complaining about this plight a few years ago. Some friends of mine even attempted to come up with a few names. Here's a few that never stuck: Chicken Crap and Zippy. Steven said they wouldn't stick, because there was nothing behind them, no story, no history. And he's right. When it's not natural, it just doesn't work.

Then, came along this little guy. I knew him before he could talk. I knew him before he could walk! He couldn't say Judi, and so he began saying JuJu. And guess what? It STUCK!! And, I finally have my nickname. And I love it. It came from one of my favorite little boys. As many of you have noticed, I use the moniker for all my on line postings. My friends and even my family have started using this as a term of endearment for me. It makes me so happy to have a nickname.

I wasn't going to put this picture on here, but the fact that this expression on my face didn't scare the child away from me made me realize how very much I love that my nickname came from the mouth of this babe.

My nickname giver was in town this weekend. I hadn't seen him since Christmas. (his mean mom and dad moved to Oklahoma for stupid Air Force stuff!!) He came to the top of the step and yelled to me, "JuJu!!!" Awwwwww. That made me feel so happy to hear him call my NICKNAME.

And, really, JuJu is so much better than Chicken Crap.