Random Dozen - School's Out For Summer!

MY HERO!! He still has most of "it!"



My blogger buddy, Lid, at 2nd Cup of Coffee posts Random Dozen on Tuesdays and invites us to join in by answering 12 random questions and then posting them on our blogs and sites the next day. Just click on the logo and you will be magically transported to a very happy place (one of those happy places that we all try to get to now and then!)

This week's Q & As:


1. Would you rather host party or simply attend a party? I would rather host a party so I could boss everyone around. Also, I would be the center of attention during the party. After, I would make my guests clean up their messes. Actually, I would rather attend a party and people watch while I chill.

2. Tell us about the most memorable party you've been to. A long, long time ago, in a far away place called Buena Park, California, I worked for an amusement park with many wild and crazy individuals. We would have parties with themes and skits. One party’s skit had young employees playing the parts of their managers. Nothing was held back, not even the smallest secret. We laughed our butts off!

3. What is one thing you hope for in the after-life? I hope for my natural hair color to return; I hope for a body weight of 110 pounds and a D-cup; I hope to be reunited with friends and family who have gone on before me;and I hope to be fortunate enough to be in His presence, or the presence of someone close to him.

4. What do you enjoy most about sunshine? The light. It gives me a happy feeling, as if all is well in my little world. I feel motivated to accomplish my “to do” list when the sun is shining. I can usually get one or two items marked off my list: make bed, eat breakfast.

5. When you attend a bridal/baby shower, do you prefer to bring your own gift or chip in with others to buy a larger gift? I prefer to go in on a gift so that a larger item may be purchased that the bride or mother-to-be might not get on her own. I also like to bring my own gift so that I can revel in the “oohs and ahhs” upon opening it. It sort of makes me feel like the center of attention.

6. Would you rather have a FREE week of having your house cleaned or all of your meals cooked for you and your family? May I have both? I hate to clean, and I hate to cook! I suppose having someone cook for the family would be absolutely dee-vine, as long as they did the dishes while I languish in the TV room.

7. What song describes your mood today? My mood today is best described by Alice Cooper’s “School’s Out for Summer.” However, tomorrow’s mood would be best described by “Mr. Sandman” as I have a date with the anesthesiologist in the morning.

8. What is something you received for your own bridal shower/wedding that you still own or use? (If you are not married, feel free to sub a gift you received a long time ago.) I received and still use a crock pot. I also still use many linens I received. I had to hock the silver and china to pay for the kid’s college tuition, but I’m hoping to buy it back when one of them gets a job!

9. Your favorite flavor of ice cream is? My favorite flavor of ice cream is Vanilla because you can add so many things to it, like fudge, whipped cream, cookies, candy, did I say fudge, peanuts, fruit, coffee, root beer and, don’t forget fudge!

10. When was the last time you felt "tested?" The last time I felt tested was about 20 minutes ago. I usually feel tested within minutes of the 18 year old waking up. I am also tested on a daily basis at work by juggling phone, deliveries and humans.

11. "[Fill in the blank] is a food that once I start eating I find really hard to stop." [Anything made with sugar]

12. "-----" is the best motivation. “Money” “Food” “Being the Center of Attention”

Thanks for stopping by! School is out! :( Only 75 more days until it starts! :)

A Shower for Grandma-To-Be!

I was part of a wonderful celebration today! The daughter of one of the fabulous preschool ladies with whom I used to work is having her first baby! We gave a shower for the grandma-to-be! Not to take away any of the well-deserved attention owed to the mother-to-be, today we showered our attention on my friend, Jaylo, or Senorita Lopez, as she is affectionately called. (Please click here for movie star name background.)

Hayworth and I (Taylor) started out at a table for two at Bread Co. We knew that we were going to need a bigger table, as there were a dozen rsvps to this surprise shower. We started eyeballing people who were seated at a table for six. Once we shamed them into leaving, we moved all of our stuff and started staring at the people seated close by, so we could add their table to ours. It worked! By the time everyone started arriving, we had room for twelve. A few of the stars in attendance, were Patty Lupone, Debbie Reynolds, Sally Field, Ann Baxter, and Lesley Gore!

What do you get for a “Grandma-to-be?” Well, we put together a basket of goodies that included “Grandma’s” favorite books, a handprint kit, tooth fairy kit, handcrafted onesies, handcrafted cloth diapers, (why didn’t I think of this idea – I could be living on an island right now!) gift cards for Grandma’s projects (fabric and craft stores) and gift cards for Grandma’s love of reading.

We told Hayworth that she should be in the “event planning” business as she puts on the most amazing showers, parties, receptions and intimate get-togethers! Hayworth is our garage sale connection and party-panner. She hits about 20-30 garage sales a week and finds the best deals on nearly new items ranging from home décor to inspirational books. Then, she gives them as gifts to friends and family. For the shower, she decorated a Burger King crown with little babies, bows and cutie-patootie sayings. Betty Grable, brought a “grandma-to-be” sash. We made Jaylo wear both! The party favors were chocolates inside of miniature Chinese take out boxes. Of course, everything matched the table cloth of brown, blue and green polka dots.

I guess I should get used to the fact that this chapter of my life will include invites to weddings, showers and college graduation parties for children of my friends! That will be okay...as long as chocolate is served!

An Eerie Coincidence?

So, my bff Hayworth and I were having coffee the other day, while exchanging our Christmas gifts. I love getting gifts from Hayworth...anytime...for any reason. She is the Queen of garage sales! She's a very serious shopper, and a very experienced bargain hunter! The wonderful gifts she gives away are usually some of the most perfect garage sale finds that one has ever seen!

In her bag of goodies, there were two small bejeweled picture frames, an aromatic cinnamon candle, a Michael's gift card, and a very smart looking journal. She knows how much I love to write, and her gifts of journals are a way she shows her support for my writing.

As I was flipping through the clean white pages of the journal, I noticed that a page toward the front had some words written on it. I thought this was a little note to me from her encouraging me to keep up with my stories. She also saw the words, and together we said "what is that?" Well, there goes the theory of her "go get 'em Taylor" cheer!

We read the entry together and almost immediately began to cry. The words had been written by a young man about 12 years ago and he spoke about his sadness of losing his mother and how very much he missed her. We both just wanted to give this kiddo a big hug and tell him how lucky his mother was to have spent time with such a wonderful boy.

Since both of us had recently lost someone close to us, this journal posting meant more to us than just words. We knew how he felt...the love he had for his mother...and the heart wrenching pain he was going through at the time. Hayworth looked at me, and I at her. Why was this happening to us? Was this divine intervention, or was this just a mere coincidence?

Later that evening, I received an email from Hayworth where she mentioned the eerie timing and how she wished she could find this young man so she could tell him what a great kid he was. She didn't know how it would be possible since she is slightly more technologically challenged than me, having yet to figure out Facebook. Emails are challenging enough! I have to agree. (I only know how to get on Facebook, but not how to navigate once I am there!)

As I perused through my other emails, I came across a notification from Classmates that someone from my high school had signed my "guestbook." While I was there, I thought I would try a little investigative work. The young man referred to above, had mentioned his elementary school, which is actually located about 15 miles from where I live. I guessed at where the kids from that elementary school might be going to high school, and looked up the name. To my surprise, I found a student with the same name who had graduated some years ago, but fit the timeline closely. Hey, what are the chances that this is the guy?

On a whim, as I do often, I sent an email through Classmates asking this person whether or not they attended the elementary school that was listed in the journal entry. I was careful to word the email so as not to appear like a stalker, or creepy person, as my girls sometimes refer to me. I didn't mention the journal or any of its contents. I sort of felt like I just sent a fan email to Brad Pitt. I check my email at least a dozen times a day for a response. Chances are, he won't even read my email; however, I do have a glimmer of hope that maybe he will and actually respond to me. What will I do if he does respond? How will I explain the reason for my email? I thought about asking him if he wanted the journal back. What do you think? Should I just let the whole thing go?

I'll keep you posted!