Mid Week Mute

My Acme

Did I ever tell you about the time I sang in front of 55,000 people?  No?  Well, let me tell you....

Years ago, I used to sing the national anthem at sporting events.  I sang frequently for the SC Stingrays and the Charleston Riverdogs.  It was super stressful, but I always enjoyed doing it.  I never forgot the words.  (although, one time I came real close)

Over the course of these singing gigs, I became friendly with the marketing director of the Stingrays.  She was a young college grad and was seriously as sweet as pie.  After her stint with the Stingrays, she moved on to work for the Cincinnati Bengals.  She was moving up in the world.

Well, she took me along for the ride.  She called me one day back in 1997, frantic that their scheduled singer couldn't do that Sunday's game.  Would I like to sing?  Uh, hello.  Would I like to sing?  But of course!  Who cares that it's in Cincinnati and I'm in South Carolina?!  We'll make it work.  This is an NFL game.  There will be more people at that game than live in my little town.  Oh, and the team they're playing?  My dad was coaching them at the time.  Kismet?

So, I went on the whirlwind of finding something to wear, finding someone to keep Taylor, selecting shoes, makeup, etc.  I can still remember the excitement I felt at the opportunity I was being given.  It's probably good that I didn't have a lot of time to think about it all.  When I think of it now, I do get a little sick to my tummy.

So, off we head for Ohio.  It's an all day trip.  We rehearse at the stadium, and have dinner with my dad when his team arrives in town.  And, then I wake up and it's Sunday.  In a few hours, I put myself out there with all sorts of chances to screw up.  (forgotten words?  trip and fall?  hit a bad note?)  And, really, it meant so much to me to have the chance to impress my dad.  He was not one for compliments or praise.  I wanted to move him to feel proud of me.

It went off without a hitch.  They put my picture on the Jumbotron.  (as one friend said, "your head is the size of a garage door!")  I remembered the words, I hit the notes, and I didn't trip.  I had a 'standing ovation' from those 55,000 people.  Granted, they were already standing when I was singing, but I'm taking it.

I walk off the field, and look for my dad.  Remember, it's kickoff time at this point, so he's "working."  But, I got that precious thumbs up I was looking for.  (literally)  And, really, that was probably the best "singing" moment of my life.  I'm glad he saw me at my best.

If you dare, you can watch it all here.  Forgive the camera work--he was trying to take still photos and run the video camera. 

***I have to give special thanks to Johnny for transferring this from old fashioned VCR to a digital copy.  He's helped me to save and hang on to some very special memories.  Thanks Johnny!***

Sigh

Cinderella. Snow White.  Sleeping Beauty.  Kate.

I am a hopeless romantic.

I loved this wedding.

I remember when Charles and Diana married.  I was 19.

Horses, carriages.  Where is the fairy godmother? Seriously, that was the only thing missing.

Hats galore.

Young love.  Flower girls.  Young boys in uniform.

Tiaras.

Breakfast hosted by the Queen.

The entire country was closed for the occasion.

I remember William's birth.  I remember seeing him go to school.  I remember seeing him walk behind his mother's casket.

Harry.

Harry's personality.

Harry's fidgeting.

"You look beautiful..."

Did you see the menu?

They invited the pub landlord to the wedding.

What song did they dance to?

Did they have that formal dance?

Please let their lives be happy.

Mid Week Mute

Crisis on Brownen Court

Our ice maker is broken.

I'm about to go off the deep end people.

I love ice like nobody's business.  I know all the restaurants and gas stations that have "good"  ice.  Sonic, Zaxby's and the Sunoco have good ice.  What constitutes good ice?  Small pellet type particles of frozen water are the best.  They're great for chewing.  (although, I find myself doing this less and less; I'm afraid of cracking a tooth!)  They keep your soda, water, or tea the perfect temperature.  I am particular about the amount of ice in my drink.  (more than less, please)  If my drink is presented to me with minimal ice, I ask for an extra cup of ice.  The ratio of drink to ice must be exact, or the moment is ruined. 

I also enjoy crushed ice.  Our refrigerator ice maker, when working, has a crushed ice feature.  I save this for special occasions.  It makes the drink feel extra exciting and fun!

So, for two days, we've had no ice in the house.  I'm starting to panic.  Yes, I know we can use those horrible plastic things and MAKE our own ice, but it's not the same.  I like to put my cup up to the dispenser and listen to those little beauties tumble into my glass.  I like to put a LOT of ice in my drink, to the rim, please.  I like the security of knowing that each time I go to the freezer, ice will be waiting for me.  I guess when I was growing up, I must have run into a lot of empty ice trays in my house.  I'm always afraid of not having any. 


I'm working on keeping my fears in check, but I dread living in a world without easy access to ice.  I'll let you know if and when I hear the golden "kerplunk" of the ice dropping.  Until then, it's me and my lukewarm drink, signing out for the night.

Happy Easter, Vintage Style

Remember these two words:  Pussy Willow.

And, then, please tell me, just what does a pussy willow have to do with Easter? As I perused Easter pics last night, I noticed that the pussy willow shows up repeatedly.  Is this a tradition I am unaware of?  Peeps, eggs, chocolate and pussy willows?  And, I think this little chick in the big funny clown pants is using the pussy willow as a whip?  I'm not sure how LOVING that is?

WHOA!  What the heck?  Seriously, if someone gave me this bouquet, I'd have heart failure.  These gals are scary as H E double toothpicks.

 

For some reason, this reminds me of Easter meets Thanksgiving meets the Titanic.  I don't see this ending well.  Granted, those hats are awesome, and I do like that one chick's messenger bag, but this is not going to be successful.  First off, look at the crew.  They won't make it through one night.  And, it looks like all they have are a bunch of eggs to eat.  That is going to be one stinky boat.

 

PUSSY WILLOW.  And Hitler.  Well, that's what I see.  So "Easter-like."

Pussy Willow and Pussy Cat.

Three pussy cats just waiting to pounce and eat the newborn chick.  Yes, Happy Easter!

Cats and birds are enemies.  

I don't know about the pussy willow though.

And finally, the scary freakish sailor boy/girl feeding the chickens.  Lambs in the background and no pussy willow. THIS is Easter to me.  Although, that rooster looks like he's going to cause some trouble.

Happy  Easter to all of you!

Feel Good Friday

With regards to the blog title, I meant to post this yesterday, and I really liked the play on words.  (what with it being Good Friday and all that?)  But, I was lazy, and didn't get around to it until today, but I'm still going with it.

You see, there was reason to celebrate this week.  There were some serious feel good moments, and since those can be few and far between, I do my best to prolong the celebration for as long as possible!

All this goodness started last weekend when we celebrated with our dear friend, Dusti.  You remember Dusti, I'm sure, but in case you don't, here she is:

Since I've known Dusti, she's been working on her doctorate. She's worked, sacrificed, stressed, and stressed some more, but she's finally done!  We can officially call her Dr. Dusti!  So, last weekend, we celebrated and smiled and laughed.  I even held her dissertation.  I read one page, and was lost.  But, I do have a picture of it.

CONGRATS to Dusti.  Well done!!

And, then this week at work, we had the long awaited shower for a coworker of mine.  It was scheduled to be held in February. However, Tracy went out on bed rest in January.  She was pregnant with twins, and they were very anxious to make their appearance.  So, she spent eight weeks on bed rest to keep them cooking.  And, now two healthy baby boys are here, and we all got to meet them this week.  Here are the  lucky parents---

I hired Tracy when she was just 19, and now she's a grown lady in her 30s with TWINS!  It's like watching my own daughter grow up.   Her husband, Chris, is a police office in our little town, don't you just love this diaper cake??

 

I think we all take for granted the true miracle of childbirth. Conception, pregnancy and deliveries are amazing things.  And, then we get these little wonders in our lives.

Ummmm, I think this one is Andrew?

And, this is Ryan. 

They are just now tipping the scales at a hefty 5 pounds.  Hello, my left boob weighs more than that.

I digress.  

I hope you all found something to celebrate this week.  If not, I offer you this next picture.  Go ahead, I'm happy to share it with you.

True beauty.