Driver's in South Carolina!

Those of you that know me know that I abhor parents that allow their children out of their car seats while in a moving car. Have they not seen and heard of all the instances in which kids are killed in car accidents because they were not buckled up?? Much more, it is the LAW in SC to be buckled up...most of all children. This is my biggest peeve about SC drivers.

Yesterday as I was out running errands I had a woman in a LARGE black Mercedes (you know the one the screams "Look at me!) come into my lane. No blinker. No hint at coming over. Thank God I was paying attention. I swerved a bit and honked my horn. So what does she do when we got the to the stop light? Looks in her rear view at me like it is my fault THEN she turns on her blinker. Oh my gosh! Grrrrrr

Then what is it with people not stopping for pedestrians? If not the law, isn't it common courtesy to do such things? I was at two different stores yesterday that required me to walk across the lot to the store. Cars did not stop for me. Not just one car but about 10. They all drove by. To make matters worse. A woman was pushing a elderly woman in a wheel chair directly across from me. They did NOT stop for her either. She started to cross the traffic so I did at the same time. I ended up walking SLOWLY to make the cars stop to allow them to cross the traffic safely. Probably not the smartest thing I could have done but I was ticked. What is it with these drivers that they do not even stop for someone in a wheel chair???

Clearly people are no longer paying attention or perhaps even care. These people, however, were NOT on their cell phones....they were just not noticing the human kind around them.

Just when I thought it was the way things were to be yesterday, my last errand of the day also required me to walk across the parking lot and traffic. And much to my pleasant surprise, I saw a man allow a woman to take a parking space instead of taking it for himself. Not a huge deal in the grand scheme of things but it gave me hope that there are some decent and kind South Carolina drivers out there on the roads with me.

More Bumps and Bruises... :(

Let me preface this by saying I am extremely thankful I played sports nearly all my life. I broke bones, got more stitches than I can count and certainly sprains. I think all of that prepared me for this.....

So Matthew gets home from football last night and there is a comment about him being an official football player now. I come into the room expecting to see him with his jersey on. Instead this is what I see........

Evidently they are practicing in full pads and were doing a number of head to head drills. I simply could not believe how is right arm looked. As the night progressed his left arm decided to bloom into bruises and scratches. Almost like he had been dragged along gravel.

Then to top it off his back has this lovely number on it. Matthew has no idea how this got there other than getting hit hard and having his pads rub the wrong way. Hummm... I am not completely familiar with all the rules of football but I am pretty sure a hit from behind is illegal.

Awwhhhh moments

Since school started our cat, Chip Shot, has been sleeping with Matthew. Most nights he seems to wiggle under the covers and leaves his head out...just like a "hooman." I caught this last night.

And Mister Nathan is learning the guitar. I bought him a beautiful one last weekend. He is starting on his own with a book then will get lessons after he learns all of the chords. He is doing well. He really has a gift with music. AND - he actually practices.

P.S. Nathan is actually taller than me now....officially! He loves looking over my forehead when we stand toe to toe!

Bumps and Bruises

Okay....so Matthew loves football and has now experienced his share of bumps, scratches and bruises this week. No doubt these are not his last. He is having a blast!

My co-workers

Since my new job was announced we decided to take a picture last week...basically the last pic with this team of people.

I have sooooo enjoyed these guys. Desmond and I have known each other for over 10 years now and have been lucky to work together at two different companies. Nancy has been an awesome boss!! She still amazes me with both her sense of calm and sense of humor! And Stephanie is the newest member of the crew. She holds her own with our jokes. : )

As I start thinking of my new job I realize I will miss these people. Yes, they will be in the same building and no doubt I will continue to interact with them in my new role but I will miss them still. /cry

(me, Stephanie, Desmond and Nancy)

First Day of School

Nathan and Matthew went back to school today. Both of them were VERY happy about going back...imagine that!

I took this picture before school this morning. I plan on taking another at the end of school year. I have little doubt both of them will sprout up even more this school year.

Matthew is playing football for the middle school. He is so handsome in his pads!

Trip Down Under

I am headed to the land Down Under! Melbourne, Australia for nearly 10 days in September for my new job.

Basically it takes 2 days to get there due to flight time and time change. I leave Friday and arrive Sunday. How odd is that going to feel? Anyone ever done that?

I promise to take my web cam and camera and post some pics. I will be there over a weekend so I will definitely have some sight seeing time!

What is the farthest away you have traveled? To date Amsterdam is mine but clearly Melbourne will beat that.

Olympics and sports greatness....

Last weekend I got into a discussion with a friend about the greatest sports moments. His was the 1980 Olympics when US Hockey beat Russia. Since I can honestly remember watching it I had to agree with him. (Note that I do NOT possess that gene that allows me to recall all details about sports events so for me to remember US Hockey is a big deal.) We pondered various other sports greats and their feats....but we could not seem to come up with one better than 1980.

After seeing Michael Phelps and the US Mens Swim Team smoke the Olympics this week I have to wonder if in 25 years people will be putting Phelps with 8 gold into the same category as Mike Eruzione and his team of wonder dogs. I enjoyed watching Phelps swim this week but I did not get the same feeling as when I cheered for US Hockey or even the Atlanta Braves during the World Series in 1991. That full bore cheering at a sports event is awesome.....you know the kind that makes the hair on your arms stand up and your voice hoarse from screaming! :)

What do you think is one of sports greatest moments or players? Jackie Robinson? Michael Jordan?

P.S. Can I just say that Dara Toress rocks the pool at 41? Good for her!

It is official!

I am sooo stoked. It was just announced about my new job... Here is the announcement. Woot!

" I am very pleased to announce the appointment of Judy as Manager of Finance and HR/Admin in IS New Service Delivery, effective October 1, 2008. In this role, Judy and her team will be responsible for the delivery of IS applications projects specifically for Finance, P&P alongside other corporate functions.
Judy joined SAC Air in May 2006 as a Portfolio Manager in the IS Project Management Office, where she oversees the project portfolio for IS New and Current Service Delivery. Since joining SAC, Judy has been instrumental in the development of our new IS Investment Committee process and currently facilitates the committee's activities. Prior to joining SAC, Judy served as an IT Project Manager in AIS, where she and her staff developed and supported various financial systems applications.
Judy is a certified PMP® with over ten years of experience in Information Management.
Please join me in congratulating Judy in her new role."

My BFF Shelly!!!

Middletown, Ohio is Shelly's new home town. Thank God for her being on my time zone again! I can manage a 7 hour drive to see her and whole lot better than a flight to the North West coast. She and Doug have a new baby girl and of course she is adorable.

Ruby and Mark (Doug's mom and step dad) were awesome cooks. What was that steak marinade again?? Shelly and I visited the cute little town of Lebanon, Ohio to eat at the oldest hotel in Ohio and take in some shopping.

(This might have been the rush hour in the town!)

I really missed Shelly. Thankfully I got my fix and some hugs from Miss Harper Jane that will last me for a bit.



(Can anyone say the words 'precious moments'?)

Grand Rapids, Michigan

(Matt, Rob, me and Brett in front and Dave and Chris in back. We missed getting Rob and Chris' wives in the mix. I think they were smart!)

Super little city. Never thought GR was such a pretty town with so much to do. Who knew a Northern town could be so cool? (Southern girl bias here! LOL) I managed to score a nice room at the JW Marriott with my points (thanks to years of traveling!) Check out the view from my room !!!



I hung out with friends in a local place and walked all over the city. Quaint, safe city. Loved it. I did not know Amway was founded here nor did I know it was such a populated city (Dave, did you say 2nd largest city in MI??). Gerald Ford is from here and buried here. I had never been to a Presidential Library.....okay, it was closed but I walked the campus and saw where he is buried. And yes, even ice skating and a kid's museum. Very neat stuff to do.


(Chris' wife, Jilian and Dave.....She was awesome to endure our WoW talk!!!)


(Chris claiming he really started playing WoW for Jilian!)


(Chris and Matt)

(Dave and Brett...somehow I get the feeling they have done this before.)


(Pic of the JW Marriott across the water - it is the one lit up in blue. So pretty at night and over the water.)

Long Road Trip

I just got back from a five day road trip to see my best friend, Shelly, and her family in Ohio and some of my guild friends in Michigan. 1600+ miles, 7 states, lots of Starbucks African Bush hot tea (Heather - I put that gift card to good use!) and great tunes.

Nothing like seeing good friends and having a good time!

Here is an odd conglomeration of what I passed on the road. Amazing what is out there. I missed a bunch of course...Hey! I needed to drive not take pics. : ) Some of them you will need to click on the pic to see the detail.



Anna, Indiana (I think). So nice of them to name a town after my WoW toon! lol

My old Kentucky Home! This is for Des and his love of golf! See Des, I still think of golf...it is beckoning me back....

This was in Lima, Ohio. Not a town I really want to drive through again. I missed a turn and GPS had me go down some very questionable streets. I got behind this cop and followed him out of town!!!

Funny. I did not realize London was in the middle of Tennessee...or was this Kentucky? Indiana?
A business erected this cross right next to......

this place. At first I thought it was a church but knew a church and a XXX shop could not be next door to each other...especially in rural Tennessee. This was the business man's way I think of disagreeing with this week's sales items. ;) (Click on the pic to make it bigger.)

My first post

Okay...I have gone and done it...I created a blog!!! My best friend has one that I absolutely adore so she showed me the way so to speak. Welcome to my tidbits of wisdom (lol), comments, pics, WoW talk and who knows what else. Feel free to comment. :)