Just another productive day

Yesterday I went up to the workplace of my friend Marsha to take on the role of her personal assistant - and help her in some office-y type tasks. Mainly, my assigned jobs were going to be cleaning out and organizing her desk and file cabinets. There was even a rumor that I was going to get to use the paper shredder, which we all know can bring much joy.

I got there around 1:30 and she was hard at work making calls and being a grown-up.


I took notes on her diligence so I would be able to mirror her work ethic once it was my turn. After only a few moments, I realized what I needed to do before we got that work party started.


I proposed the idea to The Boss and she was all about it because one of her deep and abiding loves in this world is a large Diet Cherry Vanilla Coke.


I got back to the office, drinks in hand, and was about to get busy when Marsha's daughter, Marlee, called to say that she wouldn't be able to pick up her brother from school. She was touring the University or something lame like that. Teenagers - always trying to be responsible and plan their educational futures.

Don't they know they are just going to grow up, get 6 years of high ed, and shred paper for living?

Anyways, The Jakester needed to be picked up, so off I went to collect my favorite of Marsha's children.


I brought him back to the office (after trip #2 to Sonic because Jake is his mother's child and a boy after my own heart), and REALLY was going to start on my tasks. But then Marlee stopped by and I had a hard time distracting myself from trying to annoy her with my camera. I can't help it. It's my love language.

Plus, isn't she so cute?


"Marlee....hey, um, Marlee...MARLEE."


She went to great lengths to ignore the paparazzi.


Knowing when my services are not wanted, I took the camera on down to admire the stylin footwear.


Pretty soon, the cute boots, Marlee, and Jake left to go home, and I realized that now was the time when real work was going to have to be done.

But, unfortunately for the filing cabinets, Marsha and I AGAIN became distracted upon finding some interesting items in her drawers.


What made us laugh was (surprisingly) not the fact that these dolls found residence in her desk area. If you knew Marsha, you'd know that type of randomness actually makes perfect sense. What got us going was the realization that these dolls were personal replicas of us.

And it just went (further) downhill from there.

I give you, The Queen.


My mini-me and I were even wearing the same pink shirts. (Let it be known that the matching stopped there, as I was not sporting white pants like like SOME tiny plastic people.)


I gave my girl this book to read so she would know where I am in life more fully. It helped us bond, I feel.


And with this, we decided it was pretty much time to clock out.


All in a day's work, my friends.

The trip, part dos

I am heading back home today after a very fun weekend.

Well, I guess I should say a very fun weekbeginning, seeing as it is Wednesday and all.

I have been in Athens for the past couple of days hanging with Meg and Tyler, and it has been great to see them again. When I figured out that I would be going to Atlanta on Sunday, I naturally stuck an Athens trip on the end. I am always (always) looking for an excuse to head to The ATH. Indeed, my desire to visit this town - my home of 2 years - is pretty constant. But, sadly, I can't always justify my every "I want to go to Athens" whim.

Those half-full toilet bowls in my life are not half-filled with money.

I was especially excited to head over to Athens after my Atlanta trip because one of my very dear friends from grad school (the adorable Karen) had a baby girl last week!

Heart, be still.

Meg and I went to visit Kare and sweet Baby AC yesterday, and I was able to gaze upon her little angel face while we chatted it up with her sweet mama. She was the most darling thing, and I was so enthralled by her that I didn't even get a picture.

Apparently I was high or something. I'm pretty sure I was cracked out on baby cuteness.

After we left, Meg and I went and grabbed some lunch and then it was back to her house to hang out. We talked, watched TV, and planned our next meal (the 3 pillars of a good afternoon).

While discussing various topics, I was deeply saddened to learn that our favorite Mexican restaurant, La Cazuela, had closed for renovations or some estupido reason like that. La Caz is dear to our hearts as it got us through many long weeks of ridiculous schooling by way of chip therapy. Not to mention that it has become tradition for us to go there every time I come into town.

You can't mess with tradition, La Caz! We are fragile enough as it is!

But thankfully, like Beyonce, we are survivors.

We managed to find a substitute Mexican place in which to stuff ourselves full of comida until our homeland can be renovated.

By the time we got home, it was time to say goodnight and farewell until we meet again. Tear, and tear.

Now it's back to The Boro I go.

OH!

Ok, this has absolutely nothing to do with this post, but I had to tell this story about Sunday night at the Travis Cottrell recording. There was the sweet older lady sitting next to me during the concert who was SO into the music (who could blame her?).

Anyways, at one point during the recording, there was a computer glitch and we were going to have to sing one of the songs again (oh darn). There was a stall while they fixed the computer, so Travis, man of my heart, suggested we all sing "Shackles."

This was the only time in my life I have welcomed a technical difficulty involving a computer.

While we were singing, I noticed Sweet Lady beside me throwing her hands up in the air like she just didn't care. There is a part in the song that says, "you broke the chains now I can lift my hands," and I mean to tell you - Homelady was raising the roof! It was so precious, I had to lean over to Faith and make her aware of the darlingness that was occurring to my left.

I hope in 50 or so years, I am still getting down with my bad self for the Lord like this woman. That image will seriously be engraved in my mind forever. Loved it!

Ya'll have a great Wednesday!

A great night

It was the Hoss and I on the open road again yesterday, but that was just fine. The Big H is doing it's part to keep me safe, and so far this trip we have been getting along very well. Although, at one point today I did accuse The Hoss of swallowing up my directions to Athens.

But then I found them. Folded up neatly and in a safe place so they wouldn't get lost.

I tend to confuse myself when I get all organized and responsible.

Anyways, Sunday was just amazing and I am so glad I was able to go to this...


And finally meet THESE sweet people face to face. Or hug to hug, as it were.


And I just have to say, if you read Faith and/or Emilie's blog and think to yourself, "They seem like really Godly, sweet, amazing people," then you might want to think about getting a job with the FBI.

Because your instincts are SPOT ON.

They really were just so fun and funny, and we just got along like we had known each other forever. I love that, and I love them! We just had the best time. It was so exciting getting to see and talk with these girls who I have just come to adore so much.

And seriously, how cute is my friend, Faith?


And, if all that excitement wasn't enough to send me over the edge, look who I ran into coming in the front door of the church!


I was walking up to go inside, and I suddenly realized that Sophie and Melanie were walking in front of me.

I really like it when my dreams come true.

When we got inside, I (said goodbye to my last smidge of restraint and) called out, "Sophie?" This caused the darling Boomama herself to turn around with a big ole smile and say, "Hey...Jenna!"

And then I died. Seriously. I am actually typing this post from Heaven.

Sweet Melanie turned around too, and I gave them both big hugs and was able to stand there and talk with them for a few minutes. And I was also so glad because Faith, Emilie, and I got to speak with them for a little bit after the show as well - just too fun, I tell you.

Here's the thing - if you sometimes read BooMama and BigMama and think, "I bet they are even sweeter and funnier in person than they are on their blogs," then I am telling you...F-B-I. Call them. They need you.

After meeting Faith & Emilie and Sophie & Melanie, I pretty much could have gone home right then and been happy for the rest of my life. But, I am so glad we stuck around because we had an amazing night of worship in our immediate future.


Lead, of course, by the amazingly talented and humble, Travis Cottrell. Boy can SANG.


Also making an appearance (as well as a solid contribution to the cause of Rocking Our Worlds) was the extremely darling and always powerful, Beth Moore. Girl can BRING IT.


By the way, all of these pictures from inside the church have been borrowed from the camera of the wonderful Emilie. She got some great shots, while most of mine came out like this.


Abstract photography is my passion.

After the concert we were on a hunt for some good food, and because Faith and Mimi are girls after my own heart, we ended up at Sonic.


And then it was off to the hotel to get settled in. Faith started out the slumber party by being endlessly sweet and giving me this cute monogrammed key chain. Woman, you are too much.


After a while, we realized we needed a little something to wash down our coneys, burgers, and tots.


We spent the rest of the night (and into the wee morning hours) talking, laughing, watching funny youtube videos, and talking and laughing some more.

It was such a fun night, and (in case you cannot tell from this post) I just loved every minute of it!

On the road again

Issue: The Sunday plans

Thoughts: Beyond excited


Issue: The Transportaion

Thoughts: We meet again.

I am actually in some transportation negotiations, so there is a possibility The Hoss and I will not have to reconcile quite yet. We need time apart. The wounds are still too fresh.

But, should the negotiations find me behind the wheel of the great maroon bus, I can assure you it will not weaken the smile I am currently sporting.

I am so excited for my latest little road trip (which starts in the ATL and in the ATH) because by the time it's all over, I will have gazed upon the faces and heard the laughs of some very dear people. :-)

More to come, but until then...I hope ya'll have a wonderful Sunday!

A day in life of a merry maid

Yesterday, my main morning task was cleaning a friend's house.

When you are almost 25, single, and are still looking for the right job, sometimes you have to get creative when it comes to finding ways to finance your existence. Keeping the boys most certainly helps me fund meals, gas, etc - but I can't keep them everyday since their mama, you know, likes them and stuff.

So not too long ago, I started cleaning Ashley's house every few weeks for a little extra monetary gain. And not too long after that, word got out and at least one other person has now sought out my services.

MTV True Life: I'm a maid.

And here are some things I did/thought about today as I cleaned the house of a sweet friend. I may be confused, I may be unemployed, and I may mop floors so I can eat - but I am most certainly a merry maid, and I choose to see the toilet bowl half full....

I woke up early and thought about how unfortunate it was that my toes had actually frozen in the night (has nothing to do with being a maid, but you have to start somewhere).

Toilet Bowl Half Full Moment: I have toes.

I washed my face, put my hair in a ponytail, and pulled the bangs to the side via a bobby pin. Then, I spent some time debating on make-up. No one's going to see me. (Don't bother). She does have mirrors in her house (A little under eye concealer and some mascara it is!).

Toilet Bowl Half Full Moment: All that good make-up decision-making paid off. A boy whom I might possibly have a small crush on was at the Country Store where I stopped to get a Diet Coke. I was able to say hello and not give him the scare of his life at 8:00am on a Thursday morning.

I left the house before my father which signaled that I was up way too early.

Toilet Bowl Half Full Moment: This gave me the opportunity to write Big Al a note that read, "Daddy, I hope you have a great day. Thank you for being proud of me even though I scrub toilets for a living. Love, Jenna Babe."

As I was cleaning a tub, I looked down and noticed some bleach had gotten on my favorite black hoodie jacket.

Toilet Bowl Half Full Moment: No big deal, it's just a little spot - plus some people don't even have jackets. And at least the bleached spot discolored the jacket orange - it will look awesome during Halloween season.

When I was pulling some clothes out of the dryer, I got my thumb nail caught and it pulled it back a little, soliciting about 1.2 tears (and causing me to cringe even now).

Toilet Bowl Half Full Moment: I have a thumb. Two, actually. And despite the injury, the left one should soon be up and running - and ready for a game of Thumb War in appx. 2-3 days.

I cleaned and cleaned until the house was as spotless as I could get it, locked the door behind me, and drove away thinking about my morning.

Toilet Bowl Half Full Moment: I wasn't counseling anyone, I didn't rescue any children from bad homes, or fight the world's injustices. But in my heart, I still put that ole Social Work degree to good use because I helped make someone else's life just a little bit better.

And that makes me and my toilet scrubber merry every time.

Some thoughts and a small Play recap

First off, I just have to say that I don't think I have ever prayed harder than I have over the past few days.


Sweet Harper is making improvements day by day, and that just moves me deeply within my soul. The faith of Scott & Kelly and their family has also touched me deeper than I could probably express, and I am just so amazed by the incredible miracle God is working in their lives.

I'm kind of beside myself if you can't tell.

There are so many cool things going on in this crazy blogland (don't you just adore it?) for Kelly, Scott, and Harper. Angie gave us all some verses that I have joined in praying, and another sweet friend of Kelly's started a prayer blog for Harper and fam. LOVE! What an amazing testimony for Harper to read when she gets older - to see the amazing story God has written for her life, starting with her very first (and miraculous) days. Amazing. Keep praying!!

"Your way, O God, is holy. What god is great like our God? You are the God who works wonders; You have made known Your strength among the peoples." Psalm 77:13-14

****************

Besides gushing about the Stamps and God and Baby Harper, I did also want to recap the play experience because it was definitely a fun way to spend a week.

So, I am proud to present....The Life of a Wardrobe Assistant.

You have to wear all black depsite being a really happy person.


You get to see (well listen backstage) to a really great play 7 nights in a row (including dress rehearsals and actual performances).


You get flowers and cards on opening night as if you were the star.


You spend A LOT of time hanging out with this stuff.


You get to hear your father's answer concerning the issue of his nervousness on opening night. Quote - "I'm shakin like a dog tryin to crap a peach seed" - end quote. But you also know he's really not because he loves this stuff like it's his third child.


You double as a photographer to snap some shots of your grandmother (who was looking like a million bucks at 87) with her child, the actor.


You get have your daddy give you a wink and tell you he "couldn't do it without you" as you leave to take your spot backstage each night.

It ain't that bad of a gig. :-)

Moving Mountains

As many of you know - there have been some updates on Harper through sweet Kelly and her family.

Babygirl is now in Tulsa, and is showing signs of improvement which is NO DOUBT a result of the thousands on their knees for her. PLEASE continue to pray for this sweet girl, her mommy and grandparents (as they travel to her today), and her daddy and grandparents (who are already in Tulsa with Harper).

The world is showing up to cover this family with prayer, and I am so thankful and amazed.

"Savior...He can move the mountains. My God is mighty to save, He is mighty to save..."

Harper

In case anyone reads this post who is not already praying, PLEASE PLEASE pray for Baby Harper who is in very critical condition. Please lift her up, as well as her sweet parents, Kelly and Scott!

Details here.

"Be unceasing in prayer...." 1 Thessalonians 5:17

So much excitement in one day!

Lots of big stuff going on in the world today...

1. I had a job "interview" this morning!

I put interview in quotes because it was more like a meet and greet with some folks at a facility here in town. It went GREAT (I love nice people), but as usual - there is no telling what will come of it. It was a great experience though, and no matter what, and I really enjoyed getting so see this particular place in action.

2. Harper's on the way!

All my blog peeps already know this, of course, but I am just too excited not to document it! Sweet Kelly is finally going to get to meet that babygirl of hers! She has been blogging and baby-ing all morning - from her hospital bed no less (don't you love her?) - and I have been checking in on her like some crazy woman with a vendetta against my refresh button.

I am so excited for this precious family as they welcome their little sweetbabe. As we all know, you will be hard-pressed to find a more amazing, loving, and Godly woman than our friend, Kelly! BIG Congrats to Kelly and her fam - and c'mon, Harper-girl!

3. Big Al's (and Big Jen's) opening night!

As I have shared, Big Al has been practicing for a play the past couple of months. He, and 2 other actors, are performing in "Driving Miss Daisy" through our community theater. They have worked extremely hard, and it is finally opening night!

Round of applause, round of applause.

What I haven't shared with you is that I am in the play as well.

Standing ovation! Standing ovation!

Ok, not really.

I personally signed off from the stage after the Camp Bravo modern dance experience (and a few plays here and there when I was younger), but I am returning to the theatre - or thea-TAH, as we cultured folks say - to help with some costuming.

Daddy asked me last weekend if I would mind assisting him with his costume changes backstage. The play has about 24 scenes, and he is in basically every other one - with a different costume for each scene!

Big Al was stressin'. He needed help with the dressin'.

I was more than happy to lend my services, and have been going to rehearsals every night this week. It has been fun, and the play is SO good that I have enjoyed being a part of it (even in a small way).

I wanted to include this link to a video our local paper did on the play - you can see a little bit of Big Al in action. We sure are proud of him!

***The part about the play begins at the 5 MIN mark, so if you do want to take a look, start there! Unless of course you would like to watch the riveting segment about some local water aerobics that comes on right before it (LOL).

On that note, I am off to get ready for the big night!

The happenings of wonderful Wednesday

Yesterday was a great day. My first order of fun was meeting up with my darling friend, Kimberly, for a lunch date.


And that's not the sun in the background of this picture - it's is her natural glow permeating my area. I almost had to wear my sunglasses during lunch so her radiance would not blind thine eye.

We had a delicious lunch at Barberitos, where it's "way fresher, way better," as they say.

I way agree.

The food was great and the company was perfect. Our conversation elicited the Laugh & Lean about 6 or 7 times, so I'd say it was a successful way to spend an hour or so.

One thing that really got us going was reminiscing about one summer in elementary school when we attended the elite fine arts camp, Camp Bravo (which, incidentally, is not the funny part). We were taking a modern dance class (also not the funny part, surprisingly), and at the end of the camp, everyone's parents came to the final performance.

Kimberly, who actually is a very talented dancer in real life (not just in her head like SOME people), was dancing on stage with her class. I was out in the audience by that time sitting with our parents, enjoying the show. What happened next gets a little fuzzy, but I'm pretty sure someone, who shall remain nameless, did something, that shall remain a mystery, to make Kimbo get tickled as she danced.

So tickled in fact, that as she exited the stage, she let out the biggest snort I, or anyone in the entire auditorium, had ever heard.

Had a large man entered onto the stage? We asked ourselves.

No, it was just dainty little Kimberly losing control.

Now, I am sure this was one of those 'had to be there' moments (which doesn't explain why I am writing about it on a blog 15 years later), but I will never forget looking over at my dad and Kimberly's dad who were both laughing so hard tears upon tears were streaming down their faces.

They Laughed & Leaned then, and we still Laugh & Lean about it to this day.

Good times.

There was even more excitement scheduled later in the day because my brother was in the vicinity. He had a few days off of work, so he made a trip down to Savannah to see some of his friends on Tuesday night. It worked out perfectly because on Wednesday, Big Birthday Boy Al was also in Savannah for work, and the two were able to meet up for a little bday lunch.

We were all thrilled because this unexpected visit meant that The Brother would be hanging around with us yesterday and would be able to catch the dress rehearsal for Daddy's play last night.


Here are Matthew and Mama waiting for the show to start. And below is Big Al (aka Boolie) on stage getting his acting on.


Matthew loved the play and said he thought it was probably one of Daddy's best ones to date. With 30+ plays in Big Al's repertoire, that is some big talkin, but I totally agree.

It was so neat that his schedule just happened to allow him to be home on Al's birthday AND be able to catch an early performance since he wouldn't have been able to see it otherwise. I know Big Al was lovin it.


After the play, Matthew headed back home, and 3 remaining Tysons headed out to conclude the birthday celebration with some dinner.


It was a great day, indeed!

Birthday Boy

Someone I love is having a birthday today!

This is a person I've loved for a long time (even before the uni-bang days).


He's a someone who endlessly loves his family.


He's a guy who has been married to the mother of his kids for 30 years (and going strong).


He's someone who is immensely proud of his son (and tells him).


And he's someone who thinks his daughter is beautiful (and tells her).


He's a fellow who is unbelievably hilarious (those around him can't help but laugh all the time).


He is a man of many talents.


He's a wonderful and caring son to a sweet yet crazy lady.


He's someone who likes to eat, drink, and be merry (preferably tailgating or watching some type of sporting event).


He's just an all-around good guy.

Funny. Devoted. Smart.

Some would say he's a great guy.

Generous with his love. Hardworking. Loyal friend.

But the people that know and love him the most (his crazy wife and kids)...

...well, we would say he's the BEST guy.


Happy Birthday, Daddy! We love you!