Flat Stacey in the Dominican Republic

My friend, Nova, offered to me a fantastic opportunity to head out with her on missions and go to The Dominican Republic. I really chewed on this one, I wanted to go so badly....but, sigh, I also knew it wasn't reasonable given the last minute everything that needed to be done. Not to mention the cost. So I declined this year, but I'm holding out that I can go with her on her next trip.

Nova and I grew up in the same town, went to the same school..okay there was only one and knew each other well simply because everyone knew everyone in Savannah. We had lost touch until about two years ago. I had moved south from our town to the city, she moved north to an even smaller town. Actually, more like an iddy biddy dot, I don't even think it has paved roads! Okay that was an exaggeration, but still, you'll need a 4x4 to get around.

Before our 20th reunion, she reminded me of something I have no recollection of....but remembering how I was, I knew I had to own it. I am sure I said it, I was a bit of an acting-out-middle-child-with-no-common-sense. She said one day in band class, our director asked us to define a flat for him. I'm sure he was talking to me, I really sucked (I played the trumpet). Apparently I wasted no time in hollering out "I think of Nova when I think of flat!".

Now HOW does one process this and make it right? No way. I apologized all over myself, and while Nova graciously said it was okay, that she laughs about it now, I'm still sick about it. The Stacey writing this would never say such a thing.

So how does this tie into the Dominican Republic trip, you ask? Nova can never say I'm flat...unless, of course, I'm in the DR with her. She made up a Flat Stacey and that girl has dozens of photos of Flat Stacey, all over the place. I laughed so hard I cried. Here are a few of my faves:


Some of the youngsters (Nova's daughter on the right) trying very hard to be as cool as Flat Stacey is.
Flat Stacey at Christopher Columbus' tomb (how awesome is that!)
Flat Stacey helping this young artist paint a mural.
Flat Stacey has arrived at the orphanage and found a Tab!
And my very favorite, my beautiful friend, Nova, with her new friend. I'm the short one in the middle.

Thanks for taking me along, Nova, you seriously made my week!

Why Bother With A Blog Friend When I Could Be Shopping?!

I was gonna post about my new gig at a fun new digi shop (oops, just did!) then I went over to Dawn's blog to shout at her. Not shout shout, but to say 'hey, thanks for your cheers on my digi blog' (oops, another digi spillover!). And come to find out, she's entered in a contest, y'all can read about it at Dawn's place. She had to pick two moms she liked and post about them.

Well, Dawn picked me, and that was humbling enough. But what she said in the post, not sure I can begin to thank her for what she said about me. I didn't know she thought so much of me, honestly, and now that I do, I'm honored. Dawn has been a wonderful friend to me as well. I think we met through another blog, I'm not sure either, Dawn Girl. I think so, though. You probably said something witty and I had to run over and see who said it!

It only hits home what I already believe. I believe in friendships. I have friends here in Lee's Summit, I have friends in my hometown, Savannah (and St. Joseph) and I have friends on the blogosphere. Honestly, the blog friends are every bit as important to me as any other. What I think truly draws me to blogging friends is this:

Shove aside physical attributes, monetary status, bad habits, stinky feet, inability to speak without saying something dumb (me, me, me) and the need to keep up with their 'stuff''. Blog friends are real, blog friends lift me when I need it, they share their wealth of information, they share their opinions (oh yeah, some of them def do this), they share their joys, their achievements, and their broken selves. All those things. More. I love my blog friends, and I have room for more. Lots more.

If you have time, I'm not sure what will get Dawn the prize, but if shouting out to her helps, go over and say hey. She's got room for more friends too, right Dawn Girl?

Double Duty Letter..

I received an email from my highschool friend today and in the midst of replying I'm thinking "I still haven't updated my blog and I'm running out of time!" So I figured two birds, one stone--ten fingers, one keyboard, idk. I have so much going through my mind I want to share, I believe I need to sit down this evening and just make up a few posts in advance. Oh, which brings me to Friday. Friday I have been given the honour (that's for you Coffee Mom, kind of a French flair) of guest blogging on Dawn's (Coming to a Nursery) blog. I love that concept--I just may try it soon. I tried to get GiGi to do that once, but she never accepted. I'll try her again later.

Anyway, here is my reply to my friend...one of the high school friends I met for lunch wayy back in March (I'll attach the pic below the letter). He's a basketball coach for one of our universities now (this is why I call him Coach). He is a slow responder to updates I send him--hence Loser--his words, not mine, but I concur.

Coach Loser,

Very nice surprise to hear from you. I am fine. Very worn out (who isn't?) but fine. My days have become very hurried with the addition of homeschool teacher to Alexander (Alex). I hit the ground running, finish up any unfinished typing if it's a deadline day (today and Friday's), then get a shower. Then get Alex up and showered and fed. Then start school. Try to check emails at lunch/while he's working on something. Never try to work at this point because I'll be interrupted.

After school, Niki and Cody arrive. I hear Niki's drama of the day, beg Cody to please take a snack and drink to dive practice as he drops his bag, grabs the keys and heads back out (he's 16 now!). I'm doing housework in between but I try not to go upstairs--I'll only be deflated at how the kids keep their spaces. This is when I do doctor, dental, ortho appointments or go to a meet (today, Liberty). Come home, dinner, then work. Blog--I hate that my blog is suffering! Then bed. Get up, do it all over again.

*Sigh* Coach, I fear I am no longer the Queen of LS. I am relegated to Cinderella status with no hope in the near future of slowing this ride down. We had roofers here for a week and today while finishing up, one rang the doorbell. I'm so beyond caring I opened the door--no makeup, ponytail, pj bottoms and tank top. THAT's how bad it is now. I didn't care at all. After that, I sat at my desk to catch a few emails before Alex needed to be awakened--noticed John forgot trash day. So....trudged out there in my PJs, ponytail and naked face to take the trash out my darned self. (it's okay, he rarely forgets--and he's teaching until 10 most nights, so hard to blame him either).

Am considering selling the nice suburban home in a few years--seeking out something quaint and small and not worrying about so much! After Cody graduates, of course. Maybe even move north, idk. I chew on this from time to time, then I remember we bought the house because it had a giant back yard--perfect for the pool we can't afford until the kids leave. Will they ever leave??

Niki is doing well in school this year..so far. Her senior pics are on my blog and on her Facebook--most of them anyway. She is indeed a senior, and has returned to North for her last year. A good decision. She is no longer allowed to date another guy from West, not even allowed to LOOK at one! (can you tell she's met a few bad decisions at West?). Actually, we have expanded that to all of West & anyone from Greenwood of late--we had a graduated straggler boy/loser lurking around for a few weeks. There. I think that covers it. Cody is a sophomore--quite a fantabulistic little diver. I'm living vicariously through him now--I dove in Savannah for the city team, but NEVER like this boy can dive. And smarter than I ever hoped to be--top 10%. (not bragging, though, Coach, you know I wouldn't brag!)

I am definitely due for some Dunkin Donuts--I was up there about three weeks ago and got my dozen. I took Alex to the St Joseph Museum--we're doing American Indians right now. I posted a blog about it--hang on....here's the link to that post:
http://jameeforever.blogspot.com/2007/08/im-cooled-off-im-reminiscing-and-lovin.html/ I didn't visit anyone, but next time I aim to visit Kelly for my birthday (yeah yeah, I know I'm the first 40) and meet her new boyfriend. I'll wave as I drive by the university, Coach. Planning on maybe going to Nova's for a bonfire--us, Kelly, Tracy--I'll inform you and maybe you will grace us with your presence. It would be grand indeed to see you and meet Mrs. Coach Loser.

~Ex Queen of LS (turning 40 and really feeling the part lately)

Throwback Thursday Time!!

This group of purple-clad Dorothy Hamill-haired gals is dear to me. If you look on the front row, the gal in the purple, second from the left, is my elementary school best friend, Tracy (you might remember her from the picture below from last year's class reunion!). Next to Tracy, I'm working that Dubble Bubble! To my left, with the bigger bubble was the third piece to our b/f trio, our friend Linda, who is no longer alive. I've blogged about going to Savannah to visit with her mother this past Spring. Next to Linda is my late sister, Jamee. So just digging this photo up was a pleasant surprise, I didn't realize I still had it. And what a treasure it is to have loved ones all in one spot!

Linda, Tracy and I played softball for many more years, eventually getting fairly competitive. I played second base until oh, about 14 or 15 years. That's when I decided I no longer cared as much about stopping grounders as I cared that polyester didn't accentuate my complexion and wasn't attractive (we wore polyester tops and baseball pants back in my day..ugh!). Those days...good. I don't think much beats a little softball team from small town Missouri going up against big town teams from all over Kansas City. And beating the socks off 'em! They said it was because we were used to the heat, being farmers' daughters and all. Dad the pharmacist, Tracy's dad the pharmaceutical salesman and Linda's mom the City Clerk let them think whatever they needed to...if it helped them feel better on the drive back to the big city! Whooped em!

For more great Throwbacks, check in at Pinks & Blues Girls....they've got it going on!

Cody, Pam, Gary, And The Man-Fire

Cody dove his second dive meet of the season today and did well, if I do say so myself. (I'm not going to go into that Varsity Letter as a Freshman last year thing again, promise--won't mention it.) He could fine-tune his entry a wee bit, but he will. He placed third, so he's a happy guy. I put up a video from my camera on here, he'll be ticked love that I did that for everyone to see!

This is a big week for him, meet today, tomorrow and invitationals on Friday. I plan on being there for it all, so plan on another peek! Go ahead, play it (that's my 'yeah').

I haven't had a good opportunity to tell you about our Saturday. Our friends, Pam & Gary (who are also Alex's best friend's parents and live in our hood AND are fun fun fun), invited us over for an impromptu BBQ. They're the kind of folks you just immediately feel comfortable around. I think I could flip my flops off to the other side of the room and perch my naked, calloused feet on their kitchen table and STILL not get thrown out. That kind of comfortable. Not that I'd do that (but I probably would).

So, while I've posted Gary's 'man-fire' from the 4th of July post, it's worth posting again. Because later into the evening, we were getting into what at the time seemed like important in-depth conversation about socks. I think after a beer or two conversation can go either way--serious or silly. This was seriously silly. Gary marched upstairs and brought down his sock bin full of orphans. Very sad. Don't think I've seen so many orphans in my life. We're going to have a fall sock-sorting party, us, them, and the other family there. Sort, match and throw the orphans into Gary's man-fire. I like that. And I also like that from time to time we are free to let our hair down and relax with friends. Even if their socks don't match.

Marcella For Cowboy Covergirl Queen I Say!

My dear friend, Nova, send me a link with a plea..she said her famiy had entered her in the Josephine Covergirl contest. I clicked the link figuring it would be a big process, but it took only two seconds to find her--Marcella 88 and click on her darling little white haired self.

I'm not sure what this contest is about (you know how those small towns can make a big deal of out of anything....pumpkin fest, watermelon seed fest, haystacking fest, old time days, spring fest, summer fest, winter fest...did I miss a fest?). But when I saw Miss Marcellas' darling little face up there, it didn't matter. She's so cute, she has to win. It's a birthday & anniversary present to her from her grandchildren. It should be considered a deed well done if you read this and click over to Marcella (promise it'll take just three seconds). Besides, I kind of told Nova I was sort of a big deal on the blogosphere--it'd be awfully embarassing if nobody voted from this link. She doesn't know a big deal from a little deal in the blog world, so I figured it wouldn't hurt to talk me up!

Remember this photo--Kelly on the left (who btw, has finally found herself in l-o-v-e), Nova in the middle, me on the right?

I Was A Terrible Friend

I said something last night in a letter that made my best friend cry. I didn't mean it to, but I also didn't think how my words might be taken.

So.....I've never done this before, I know it's probably not "blog cool" but I don't care. She's far and above my best friend, I'd rather be an unpopular blogger than not be honest. I need to remember this forever...and know that the eyes that read my words far and above outweigh the words they read.And cannot end the post without this, our favorite quote, and it is very very true: You don't suck the life right out of me, Kelly! (don't you hate inside jokes?!)

*I'm going up Monday to put flowers on Jamee's grave, it's been five years Monday. I hope all will be back to normal and I will have pictures at Dunkin Donuts of us to share. And darnnit, Kel, everytime I post a photo of us I'm wearing my crap bra--I need to remember these things!

Kelly Day Today

My friend Kelly is coming down today! Yay! I'm very excited! I usually go north to my hometown, so nobody comes my way, they don't have time to miss me before I come up again. I try and get up there every six weeks or so to visit the cemetery where my father and sister are. And of course Dunkin Donuts. When I begin to plan another day trip, I call Kelly first. We all have a Kelly in our lives, how would we ever do life without one? She's the friend I call when I need a listener. She listens and doesn't inadvertantly turn the conversation to what's happening to her. Unless it really is relative! She listens. Imagine that! And she thumps me on the head--all the time. I need those thumps, they wake me up.

These past few years I've been aware of how I listen. Because I know when I needed to sound off when I was hurting it hurt to suddenly find myself listening to them. I'm aware that when a friend calls to talk about a problem, they've entrusted me to HEAR them. There will be plenty of time down the road for reciprocation. It doesn't come naturally to me, it's a conscious effort.

Yes ....I'm happy my Kelly will be heading my way. We'll visit, thrift shop, thrift shop, thrift shop, visit, and dine. Guess it's a good thing she doesn't live too close--we'd never get anything done! Well thrift shopping...