Go with the Flow

Sometimes, regardless of all your careful planning, things still don't go the way you expect. Today was one of those days. Graveyard cook didn't show, Amber had to cover. Had to send her home when I got there. The baker I hired called and said his wife left him, and he now has no one to watch the kids. Down another employee.

After my 11 hour day (plus a two hour commute) all I can say is that I am so glad it is over. Go with the flow!!!

When is my vacation?!?!?!?

Volfan

P.S. Go Lady Vols!!! Make it to the Elite 8 tonight!!!

Life's Rewards

Sometimes in life, you can reward yourself and those you love with little things. Little things like a great homecooked meal (my specialty, and my favorite thing to do!) You can take little detours in life, and just enjoy someone else's company. You can reward yourself with small things, as well. Like a nice hot cup of coffee (right, Sherry?!?) or a new book, or something else you enjoy.

Nothing gives me greater pleasure than rewarding the ones I love with things, big and small. I just gave Joseph money for a tank of gas. He has worked very hard the last few weeks, washing dishes at my job. His Dad and I agreed to let him have half of his paychecks, with the other half going into the bank. With gas prices being the way they are, most of his check would be eaten away with just one tank of gas. I can afford it, so I went ahead and bought it. Obviously, this isn't something I can afford to do all the time, nor would I want to. How will Joseph ever learn the value of money if everything is handed to him.

Today, I have pre-planned a HUGE reward for Joseph, in order to celebrate his High School Graduation. My (not so) little boy is balanced on the cusp of adulthood. I want so badly to pull him back, and keep him a child. And yet, at the same time, I am so proud of the man he is becoming.

Anyway, back to the celebration. Today, I booked a CRUISE for his graduation. We will travel to Florida at the end of May, 2009 and depart Port Canaveral for 7 days and nights of FUN, FUN, FUN!!! We will visit Cozumel, Mexico, my favorite place in the Caribbean, Costa Maya, Belize, and Nassau in the Bahamas!!!

Now all I have to do is finish paying for it, book the airfare, shop for clothes and accessories, and save some spending $$$!!!

In the words of the late, great John Lennon, "Life is what happens while you're busy making other plans...."

Volfan

Birthdays

Well, today is the day....the day of my 39th birthday. Remember when we were kids, and we couldn't wait for our birthday to arrive? I don't so much look forward to my birthday anymore. Not that I dread getting old, or am ashamed of my age. I wouldn't trade the wisdom all this gray hair has put on my head for love nor money. I am sooo much more comfortable in my own skin than I was 20 years ago.

This birthday kind of snuck up on me. I was working this past Sunday (Easter) and Joy called me to the front. I was irritated, because I was extremely busy in the back, but I went because that is what you do when you're the boss. I walked around the corner to a beautiful birthday cake (Thanks, Mama Carolyn) and a chorus of, "Happy Birthday's!!!" The best part was that Joseph had worked that day for me, so he was there as well.

My family and I are no longer close, so I don't expect to hear from my brothers, or potentially my sister, as we have had a falling out. But this day is still special to me. Tonight, I think I will take Joseph and Joy out to dinner, and we will talk about what it was like to be young vs. how it feels to be (yikes!!!!) middle-aged!!!

Tomorrow starts spring break for Joseph. He tells me he is going to spend the week at his father's house, although he may spend the weekend here at home. That and something about a tank of gas.....I adore that boy!!!!

Here's to my birthday, and birthday's in general. Cheers!!!

Volfan

Time for Me

Normally, I love my life, but did you ever wish you had more time, just for you? Time to curl up with a good book, maybe a nice glass of wine, possibly in a bubble bath....Mmmmm....sounds like a dream come true, for me.

I know in a couple of years, when Joseph is in college and doesn't have a moment to throw my way, I will soooo be missing all of the busy minutes of everyday. I will miss the feeling of frazzled-ness. I will miss fixing him the 7 meals a day he eats.

So look for me here in a couple of years, potentially rambling on incoherently, when I have too much time on my hands......

Time to fix dinner....Come and get it!!!!

Volfan

Easter Sunday

Wow!!! What an amazing day!!! I had to work today, as I do all holidays, except for Christmas. We are not typically busy on Easter. Well, I am here to tell you, we got our butts kicked. I spent the whole day in the weeds....

One of my employees gave me not one, but two Easter baskets. One was loaded down with 2 Giant chocolate bunnies, 2 giant chocolate eggs, 4 solid chocolate bunnies, two Dove chocolate rose sets, 2 Bunny Chocolate lollipops, and about 400 smaller candies. The other was a basket to behold.....The Ginormous bottle of Grey Goose (my drink of choice these days) 2 bottles of wine (one white, one Bohemian style Red...another favorite) along with homemade bread, a ton of cheese, cranberry juice (for the Grey Goose) several types of bubble bath, several types of body lotion. In short, several hundred dollars worth of stuff. The Grey Goose alone goes for $80. Thank you, Jean. You are wonderful!!!

The Lord has blessed me in so many ways. Sometimes I don't understand the road he leads me down, but I know and trust that he has a plan for me. Thank you Jesus, for your sacrifice. On this day, and every day. Thank you Lord, for giving your only Begotten Son.

God Bless You All who read this.

Volfan

(P.S.) Tonight opens the Lady Vols run in the NCAA Tournament....Go Lady Vols!!! Dance On!!!

Freedom

I am so very happy for my son to have his driver's license. I can remember my excitement and anticipation during that time in my life. But I must admit, it makes me somewhat sad. Just a melancholy kind of sad. Joseph is already breaking away, gaining his independence from his father and me. I am thrilled that he is capable of spreading his wings...that we have raised him to stand on his own two feet. But I sure do miss my little guy that I called, "Butch," because he had a head full of curls, but he was such a boy's boy.

I pray everyday, and have for years for the Lord to keep Joseph safe. I pray harder than ever for this. I know when I was his age, I didn't always make the best choices. Please, God, let him be smarter than I was.....

Volfan

The Test

Well, yesterday was the test....the driver's exam....what every 16-17 year old lives for....and I am happy to pronounce that Joseph passed with flying colors. Today we will go and get his vehicle (thank you again Heidi & Joe) insured. His very own (very expensive!!!!!) policy. Did I mention my gray hair??? ;-)

Volfan

My How Time Flies

Some days the time just seems to race by....today was one of those days. My day started, as always, at 4:12am, get to work at 6am....but then I was so busy all day. Look up at the clock and it's noon already.

Tomorrow is Driver's Exam Day for my son...God help me....my hair is getting more gray by the moment.....no slowing that down either...LOL

Volfan

Did You Ever Notice

Did you ever notice how sometimes the days just run one into the next? We spend so much of our time planning and looking forward to a coming event that we sometimes miss all the wonder in the day. For example, I was driving home from work today, after my 10 hour shift. It was a normal, run of the mill day. Nothing really great happened, but nothing catastrophic, either. Anyway, I noticed all of the beautiful daffodils that had blossomed on the side of the road. From the palest egg shell to the brightest yellow. How breathtaking!! I make that drive at least 5 days a week. Daffodils are my most favorite flower, and yet I almost missed them. Before you know it, they will be gone until the first gentle breeze of next spring. I hope they hold out for a couple weeks, so that I may fully enjoy them. And that is why I always say......

"Life is what happens while you're busy making other plans...."

My favorite quote, by the great John Lennon. May he rest in peace.....

Until tomorrow.....

Volfan

My First Blog

What a day this is....my very first blog. I actually went so far as to set up and account with another blogging site, but I just couldn't get into it.

Not a whole lot to say today. Just wanted to jump in and get used to the water.

I look forward to recording my thoughts, and maybe sharing them, too.

Good Night, and Sweet Dreams.....

Volfan