And All Through The House

Rolled into JawJa early Christmas Eve afternoon, with our driver (my brother)breaking the sound barrier. Made the four hundred plus mile trip in just under six hours. We went to see my in laws first and spent a few hours with them. Bitter sweet visit. Reminded me once again how blessed I was both my parents took the express checkout. Good physical health and a failing mind are a terrible combination to live with, but was still nice to spend some time with them both.

We got to my sisters house around sunset, just as they were leaving for church service and made ourselves at home.


It still doesn’t seem possible Christmas Eve was here already with a new year just days away.

It was a fantastic time with all the family, only missing TJ, Stefan and Jamie, who had other obligations with other sets of family members.

We began Christmas celebration around noon with our new tradition of a gift swap/trade/steal. Everyone bought one nice present and we drew numbers. The first person opened a gift and had an option to keep or open another. The next person could steal the first persons' gift and let that person open another or keep what they opened...and so on and so on. It was a blast and laughed ourselves silly(er).

We had a huge dinner, compliments of our hostess with the mostest, my sister.

A couple of years ago she taught us a card game called 'Nerts' and we played it that afternoon. Everyone has their own deck of cards and is basically a group game of solitaire against each other. Our goofy brother chose to use the deck of over sized cards that came in one of his presents.

Being around our family is always a treat, whether you're one of us or just visiting our clan. It was a day and a half of pure love, laughter and merriment. As much as I'm beginning to truly enjoy living in Orlando, always look forward to time back home with the ones we moved away from.

Nonstop laughter is always good for the soul, and sure got plenty... and then some.


I was scrolling through my phone looking at pics I'd taken that afternoon and noticed two pics taken right after each other.


I uploaded them to my FB page with the caption "What's up when your husband looks happier with your sister than you?"  #batteredhusband

We all got a kick out of that one!

Tim, not so much...but he did chuckle about it.

Got to spend some time with my Lost Boy as well.

His personality is so very different from mine...actually all of ours. Maybe there was a baby swap with all three of our kids. None of them seem to haven gotten any of my 'Goofball' gene.

We ate, drank and laughed well into the evening hours, two days in a row and was the most fun I've had since the last time we were together, a mere two weeks ago for Massey's graduation.


I just couldn't (and wouldn't want to) imagine being from a family which doesn't remain tightly bound to each other. I know many people who have families like that, estranged, and  truly saddens me...for them.

Wasting precious love is a tragic way to spend your lifetime on this earth.

The Leach family love carries far, wide and deep. It was the way we were all (thankfully) brought up.

          No matter what I do or where I live or go, the love from these two constantly follow me.


That's a pretty awesome feeling to have...being loved, no matter what the circumstance.

It was traumatic losing my mother that fateful afternoon in 1977. It was equally as hard in 2002 when West Nile Virus took my Diddy. But with these two by my side every step of the way, have made it to the tender (ouch) age of fifty six.


If you have family members you don't speak to or stay in contact with, I urge you to change that. Make it your New Years' resolution.

I started this year as a wimp but  think I have ended it as a winner. I’m happy living in Orlando now and even happier when I get to visit my family still living back in JawJa. You can take a girl out of the peach state but you can’t take the peach state out of a girl.


We (Chris, Massey, Tim and I) got up this morning, the day after Christmas and piled into Chris' Mercedes aka the Falcon 9 at six AM and were back in Orlando before noon. Chris is a NASCAR driver behind the wheel.

We've made a lot of great memories the past day and a half, which will last a lifetime and be thought of and laughed about by the ones who will carry them on long after us three sibs are gone. We've raised some good young'uns and feel confident they will remain as close as Cindy, Chris and I have.

Love is truly all you need...and doesn't cost one thin dime.

How great is that?

In less than a week, we all begin another year. I urge you to make 2018 your own. Fill it with love and laughter and tight hugs.

You get what you give in this game called Life.

I've had more hits than misses in life but have struck out a couple of times. Lucky for me, my cheering section aka 'Family' has always been there to urge and sometimes provide the way for me to move on and always up.

I have a fortress of love surrounding me. Family, friends, coworkers, former coworkers, neighbors and mere acquaintances. If you put out positive vibes, they always boomerang back.

Life really is logical if you stop and think about it.


Wishing every one a happy and prosperous New Year!

Till next time...COTTON

The Birthday

I woke up early on the morning of my birthday. My first thought (or question) was, so I'm now about the same age as Phyllis Diller was in all the photos I use of her?

Not many people, especially the ones younger than me even know who she is (or was).

What a shame.

I always loved her quick wit,  the way she had of taking a different spin on the things in life, and never minded making fun of herself.

And the outfits!

I am Phyllis Diller...trust me.

To make it (myself) even better, am actually a combination of several women from the sixties.

I'm all about Granny Clampett too. 

 When they thought the billiard room was a fancy eating table, complete with pot passers.

When she boxed the giant jack rabbit. 

And Joan Rivers...

I feel as if I have ended up being an awesome eclectic combination of my favorite women from the sixties.

The future is here, when you wake up tomorrow.

The past is where I get my drive for tomorrow.


Modern technology is great but often leaves you with no memories of yesterday, unless they are on your cell or in your 'Cloud.' (which I've never figured out)



I leave my cell charging overnight in the kitchen, far away. (as far away as you can get in a tiny rental) Out of earshot and out of mind. If it's that's important, they'll come knocking at the door.


In my opinion, which is nothing but my own...people need to connect more face to face than to face time.

Yeah, Instagram and Snapchat seem to be the way to go these days, but after tutorials from my daughter...felt like it was a waste of my time.


Here's the thing... MY  thing.

I'm not looking for a shortcut in life, I'm already way over halfway there and then some.

I'd rather sit back, when I can. I'd rather have someone call me than text me. I'd rather get a card in the now 'snail mail' as opposed to something someone did with a click.


Guess I'm getting old and ranting, but the human touch seems to be missing.

Sounds ironic after this post, but my number isn't 657-5309. It's 678-485-4762.


Live  a life you'll feel proud of.

Moving to Orlando was a big deal for me. Starting again at a new job almost did me in...seriously. It took me six months to feel like I had my server MoJo back. I'm finally back on top of my game as a server and have been welcomed warmly into my new restaurant family.

I couldn't believe how excited they all were to shout out Happy Birthday to me as soon as I walked in the door to work on the fifty seventh anniversary of the day of my birth. I'm not gonna lie, it made me feel great!

Then after the dinner rush, one of the servers asked me if I had a minute to step back into the kitchen.

Bitch please...

they bought me a cake!

When I read what was written on the cake, it hit me.

These new coworkers really like me! I almost teared up. The only thing which stopped me was how solemn and slowly they all sang the Birthday Song. Why do people always make it sound like a funeral march?

I've never (for the life of me) understood why people have to painfully drag it out as if they were singing an invitational hymn in a southern church at the end of the sermon.

 I can vivdly remember our minister of music at the church I grew up in, leading the congregation in song. He would wave his hands back and forth in front of him, turning his palms over as we sang, always continually having a painful look on his face like he was begging us to pick up the pace.

We never did.  Sorry about that, Ralph G Warren, aka Minister of Music.

Hard to believe, but received over three hundred well wishes for my birthday via the web, with some still coming in two days after the fact.

One which struck me the most:


And happy birthday girl!!!!.....when I first met you a while back around the passing of Shad, you were going like scrubbing the bottom and gasping for air.....you are a true model for perseverance, fighting the struggle, and giving it your all.....I'm still digging myself, so you always inspire me!! Still following your mischievous humor and anecdotes, and always pulling for y'all, we will all get there one day maybe!! Keep on keeping on, those tipping Gods kept making it happen somehow, you are a miracle in motion!! Cheers!!




Here's something I think about quite a lot.

If how you live your life touches someone elses in any way, you're living it right.

I'm gonna keep on keeping on.

 So should you.


Till next time...COTTON