people watching

I've always known I'm a people watcher.  Today, I was a people watcher who REALLY knew I was a people watcher.  There's something about it...so fun to imagine who they are.  I attended a training, and could not stop thinking about where the speaker came from (he told us Fairbanks, Alaska), what his wife must be like...then looking around the room and wondering about people.  Her, with the clearly designer purse...if you know me, you know I won't know which designer, but I can tell it's expensive because she handles it with mucho care and she smells like a salon.  All the way down to the people who directed us parking.  I can concentrate on the training, don't get me wrong......but my wind wanders.  So I'm left with this - what does a mind wandering person want to do for "income" as she ponders how distracted she gets?  Help?

august already??

Okay, those question marks are complaints per say...just an emphatic way of saying the summer went by quickly!  School starts in 18 days...part of me is singing along with LeighAnn, and part of me is glaring at my alarm clock, and picturing time invested in homework...especially math homework, at which I'm of no help.  Part of me is picturing the drive...three schools this year.  We're talking at least 50 miles a day in schools.  Green Mandy is not happy with that.

So anyway...I think we've rocked our summer.  On a budget of zero, not even a shoestring...a shoestring would've been nice.  Living near the beach is great, indeed!  Although, I'm becoming the only one in my family that wants to go...hmmmmm....my Florida babies are not acting like Florida babies!  And my husband, well, he's never really liked the beach.  I think he goes so he can look at me in a swimsuit.

And MOSI yesterday was a lot of fun, thank you, Mimi!  Tonight my sissy is having a PartyLite show...an excuse to see my nephew!  Hee hee!

I quit smoking five days ago.  I REALLY want a cigarette.  This stinks.  I'm swearing, as well, that if I gain weight because of this...well, you don't want to hear my immature reasoning.

Alright, I'm off to find something to do.  Enjoy your day!

lots of thinking

Lots of thinking tonight....spent a lot of time with family this weekend.  One day with family that I love so much, enjoying the day, soaking some sunshine & the gulf...and one day hugging my aunt, uncle, & cousins grieving the loss of my aunt's oldest daughter.  The turns & changes that life makes are not always easily acceptable to us, and quite often are flat unwanted.  Many are, but many just aren't...I am reminded to love my family, to hug them hard, & to remember to say I love you.  This applies to my friends, too.

Today, I had to go back to the feelings of loss when my dad passed away.  It was hard.  But I know that so many are going through the same and harder.  So my goal is this...to love hard, to move forward.  And to tell my family and friends I love them.  I love ALL of you.  So much.  So much.  Life is a grand, moving, can't stop it thing...and we are all here for each other.  Hold on tight, peeps.  Please.  <3

one more......

Also thought today about how Stephen didn't really "propose" to me.  Only putting this out there, because I know he knows we don't have that....and I love him.  Funny how that proposal means so much to some people.......to me, it was the beginning.  But nowhere near as important as where we are now.  <3

this i know

A brief status update on facebook reminded me......this I know.  Know what I know?  About me?  Of course you don't.  You're not me, and you're not Stephen, who knows me better than I do.  This I know - I want to be a traveler.  A constant traveler.  And appreciator.  And lover.  And wohh wooooo woooohh watch out, a touch and feel and smell and smile and enjoyer.  This I know.

I picture me, and you can feel free to picture me as well, traveling.  With the love of my life.  Me and Stephen, traveling.  Appreciating.  Loving.  Touching.  Feeling.  Smelling.  Enjoying.

I go places, and I like to think, as local as they are, that I appreciate them in a different way than most.  Not pretentious, no.  Genuine.  Touch.  Feel.  Smell.  All that.  My home is my home, I can touch Florida oak and sunshine and water and I know what  I touch.  Occasionally I'm reminded of how FORTUNATE my sister and I were growing up to see so much of our beautiful country and appreciate it.  And, of course, other sights, like Guns N' Roses, Tom Petty, & Ozzy............sights for sure.  In addition to many others.

So..........my life is pretty cool.  Do what I do, meet people that do what I do AND do other things..........reconnect with high school fo' sho's and kindahungwith's............and full speed into adult life.  My adult life?  It's pretty cool.  Jesus, thank you.  THANK YOU.  <3

we're off!

And we're off!  Been awhile since blogging, summer is a summering away.  After a week of swimming at mom's & going to my sissy's, I relaxed & consumed myself, wholly, in SEVERAL books.  Don't ask.  Stephen wondered where the hell I was for days.  Giggles.  In a book, in a book....relax.  Me and a good book are dangerous...I love to read and don't take the time that I should.  Summer seems an appropriate time.

Beach today, north west of here...not our normal spot, but it was fun!  Well, I had fun.  And Chloe had fun.  The teenagers & the tween did their fair share of complaining - suck it up, kiddos...family fun is mandatory.  You can sit and bitch, but you'll do it in the sun with a sandwich, a Gatorade, and a fake smile.  ;)

This weekend is a PTA training....a startling reminder that school starts in about five weeks.  Ouch.  The emails are pouring in regarding school stuff, the hair on my neck bristling thinking about supplies & clothes...can't we just get some Vitamin D & smell of sunscreen?  Oh summer, please draw out your love...

Have had some somber moments since my last entry...but I won't dwell on those.  Part of life.  And all that.  However, my smile is on.  Even the word smile is drawing  ;)

long, hot, & looking for deals

Summer, well school summer, is about 10 weeks long.  This mama is looking for deals...free shit to do with my four kids.  Money is tight, wallet is talking.  Any ideas, send them to me!  Otherwise, look for us at Medard Park, Lithia Springs, the library, the beach, & my mom's house.

Looking at family's & friends' pictures tonight, I'm reminded to not compare.  Our family fun is ours.  Watch out, Turner Clan, we're going to have a great summer!  :)  Avengers today, and that was fun!  Girl Scouts day camp and basketball day camp done, and I'm proud of my kids for completing both. Instead of picturing eight more weeks of figuring out what to do, we'll enjoy the what to do.  Right?  Even the figuring it out - we'll enjoy it!  Money seems to demand of all of us - spend me, make me, use me...well, money, you can kiss my ass.  My slowly decreasing ass, thank you YMCA.  ;)  Money - bite me.  Turners are strong and know how to have fun without you.  Bite me!

Closing my eyes, picturing beach, ice cream, sleeping in...Florida summers rule.  Here we come!