Getting There... (sometimes literally)

Well it's almost Fall and still don't have a car so just bought the little "Ronnie Ranger" I've put over 4,000 miles on after borrowing it from my next door husband since early June to drive to and from work. Guess I should've done it about three months ago but didn't really have the funds until these past couple of weeks. Making the final payment tomorrow and that little baby will be mine!

 This is a photo of the make and model.  It drives better than any car we have owned in four years. It's my 1990 Little Dynamo..."The little engine that could."

I meant to say my now "affectionately known as" mode of transportation  I simply like to call, "T.L.E.T.C" !!!

It has a nice ring to it.


We'll be a little tight for a couple of more weeks but should have enough to pay off the labor cost for my new used car I still don't have, pay off my next door husband for the "TLETC"... pay my part of the bills  buy some grub for the kitchen cabinets, pup food and even be able to buy Massey a little car by next pay day.

A Sous chef at work (one of my favorite work peeps) has a 1996 Nissan he's selling us for $800. He said it didn't look real pretty but ran great. He's having a couple of tweaks done and in two weeks will pay cash for  it.

Massey named her first little car we bought her which blew up in under two years, "Finnegan." She's already decided what to name this new /old one:

"DARWIN"

Take a guess what the Sous chef's name is?

That also has a "kinda cool' ring to it! I like it.

Just as my (our) luck would have it, was on the way to work one day last week and when got out of the little truck at the MARTA station noticed smoke coming out of the front of the hood. Or was it steam? Was it steam because it was kinda chilly that morning?

No... it was smoking because was running hot but I was running late. I said a prayer that it wouldn't catch on fire while I was at work for nine hours and half jogged to the station entrance while putting my belt on and tucking in my shirt. I looked back before going in the entrance and didn't see smoke signals so continued on my journey to "Egypt" better known as concourse F at the very end of the world's busiest airport terminal, over twenty five miles away from home.

Shut The Front Door.

I couldn't make this life up if I tried.

I came back around eleven to see TLETC (pronounced "Tu Let' Cee") still sitting there, with no yellow "Caution" tape surrounding the smoldering  spot where I had parked him.

I put my water bottle full of water in him and drove straight to the gas station less than half a mile away. Filled him up with water and took the back road home doing 45 mph all the way down highway 29 to Newnan.

Got home and he was thirsty again! Pulled  the hose out from the side of our house and complied.

The next day I had a major brain fart and listened to my husband, also known as my NOT so mechanically inclined spouse.

"It just needs coolant, I have some in the garage."

Sounded great to me. Easy fix and  we had some in the garage!

Took off for work the next morning and got to MARTA.

Parked and the hood was once again smoking.

Shut The Front Door.

Filled my little buddy with the gallon jug of  H2O I now carried and continued on to Egypt.

I went home that night  back roads again at 45 mph and he maintained well but knew either something was wrong or the truck knew he was being bought by us and decided to act like all our other cars.

Tim was off the next day and drove his car to work.

It was kinda nice. Of course you have to turn the blinker off every time you use it to turn and has an oil leak. But if you don't run the A/C and pull the seat belt out half an inch at a time and spend almost an entire minute doing so, you can buckle in and ride in semi style to your destination as long as you've checked the oil before you left and don't go more than fifty miles.

Dang, I was riding "PHAT!"

Since he was off while I was gone to work in his limping vehicle took  Tuletcee to where my next door husband's son works. (if you follow my blog this will be easy to understand) Since it was still technically their truck we got an employee discount. Twenty three bucks for an oil change, topped off all fluids, checked brakes and tires and got both hoses fixed that were making it overheat. Tim tipped the guy twenty bucks and just like that...we were on the road again!

I still keep the jug of water and two quarts of oil with me in the truck just in case.

Wonder if one time last week when I cranked my little buddy up; he moved his headlights from side to side and said "Wait a minute! This is the Cotton's driveway I'm sitting in now.Does this mean I belong the THEM? At least now I know I don't actually have to work at all...they LIKE getting cars fixed! This should be EASY!"

Smart little truck.

He runs fine now and once again feel relieved I didn't tear up another vehicle. Been there done that.

TJ showed up the next day to hitch a ride with me to work. Just as a precaution I stopped at the gas station before getting on the highway and filled up, checked the oil and water and determined he was "Highway Worthy."

We made excellent time, snagged a perfect spot in the  MARTA lot from a TSA dude leaving and had thirty minutes to spare. We were standing on the platform waiting for our train when TJ said "I left my airport badge at the house."

Well guess you're not working unless you go back and get it, I said handing him the truck keys.(shaking my head, while I  rolled my eyes  taking a deep breath and blowing it out maybe a little TOO loudly)

TJ needs a wife.

Lucky for him, was bumming a ride in with me and going in two hours before his shift started.

As he turned around to head back up the stairs, out to the parking lot, back on the highway to my house in Newnan and then back for his shift just said "Get me a good spot when you get back."

We had a lot of big flights going out and had a great shift. I got cut before the huge last push of flights at ten and eleven but TJ hit the jack pot. When I left at ten the restaurant was closed but full. Like the good momma I am, helped him out for a few minutes to get the "Deer in headlights" look off his face. I bet he had seven or eight tables going all at once.

Trial by fire...the best way to learn!

The old women really love him, then again so do the young ones. The managers seem to really be impressed with him as well as the co workers (who count).

I got home before eleven and bet he didn't even get off til midnight but hope he banked big.

I was just happy to be home and have the next two days off. I puttered around the house doing things I haven't had time to do in four months. It was even better than staying late and making another hundred dollars...at least it FELT that way to me.

Sewed up sofa cushions which were ripped, cleaned my laundry room for maybe the second time in ten years and wondered if I could make a quilt out of all the lint, dog hair and used dryer sheets I cleaned off the floor?

I organized  everything in the garage and kitchen, put everything in its place,  cleaned two bathrooms and scrubbed the kitchen sinks. I vacuumed and I dusted...really dusted, meaning I picked stuff up and cleaned under it.

What a wonderful feeling to feel like a housewife with just one job AND two days off in a row!

I woke up this morning around seven, always do...panicking for a second wondering if I overslept for an 8:30 shift then stumbled to the newly organized and much cleaner kitchen for a big glass of Nestle' Quik went right back to bed after putting Ziggy out for a romp and hopefully outdoor poop and I semi snoozed til noon.

It was Heaven.

It has been over twenty years since I had two days off a week and both back to back!


I went next door and gave my next door husband all but a hundred bucks for the truck, saving a hundred for the always hungry Verizon giants.

Ran a few errands and came back home. Zach went to the store for me and picked up some chicken and a gallon of milk. I grilled chicken and made creamed potatoes (Zach peeled...I detest peeling)

I'm telling you right now, it feels pretty stinking good to be able to answer your front door and welcome people in without the offer of a face mask or them backing away saying they've changed their mind and will just text you later.

And I still have tomorrow off too!

Never thought I would say this but think I am grateful for all we've been through.

I've learned not only humility but some of the most important lessons of all.

"Do good unto others and they will do good unto you"

"What goes around comes around"

"Always Pay it Forward"

"Never give up."

If this is all a dream, I absolutely refuse to wake up...trust me.

Today was my indoor day and now that my house is almost pleasant to be in will tackle the outside tomorrow.

Three words sum it all up:

"God Is Good"

Til next time...COTTON

Oops... My Bad

I was supposed to go in as a mid shift at one thirty but the GM asked me to come in early to help work a party of forty from Delta Airlines today. I like my mid shifts because can snooze later than six thirty. I slept til nine and shouldn't have but a bed NEVER feels as good as when you SHOULD be getting out of it, so I did it anyway.

Tim's off on Mondays and is really pretty great about ironing a work shirt for me when he's off. Actually he has never refused one time...wish he could say the same about me. (first oops)

I was kinda nervous number one because this was the first party they had asked me to work, number two because it was a really big deal (another blog) and number three I was trying yet another brand new new short cut in my commute out to "Egypt" (or as you would call it, Concourse F).

After my first debacle of trying to park in (the wrong lot) out at International for twelve dollars and having to pay thirty six dollars instead, was going to attempt to find the right lot again today when I went in early for the party.

Shower, four minutes. (there's not much of me left to wash) Make up, three minutes. Hair, ten seconds. I was ready and walking out the door, thanks to Tim. (Ironing work shirt, six minutes.)

As I came down the stairs, with the cup of coffee in my hand Tim had also made and brought upstairs to me along with my freshly starched, ironed work shirt  was bossing out loud what all had to be done because was leaving early for work and have absolutely no time left to spare. For Pete's sake I had to be in Egypt in just less than an hour and hadn't even left Newnan yet!

I still get really nervous about anything new concerning the airport and working there. It's an entire city within itself and a massive place to maneuver, especially when working there for the first time at the age of  "mid fiftyish".

I made it down to the dining room when Tim asked me to sign some papers for the tax attorney. (yes we're still stuck with a $28,000 IRS penalty thanks to former "Partners")

Oh for the love of Pete, I had to GO!

 I didn't have my glasses on and he had to point to the line where I needed to sign and date. I scribbled my John Hancock and asked "What day is it?"

Just like Tim (laid back and low key) quietly said "It's September fifteenth, our wedding anniversary.'

I dated the previously pointed out line , said "Well Happy Anniversary thanks for ironing my shirt taking the truck for an oil change, I Love You gotta go parking at International today so I won't be late." (I don't tend to use use commas when I talk)

He just slowly shook his head and said "Don't park in the thirty six dollar lot and I Love You too."

And I'm off!

Parking at International saves me over twenty minutes on my commute to Egypt and was going in early for a big wig party, working my mid shift afterwards, be first cut and walk out making easily almost two hundred  dollars.Yep, I'll pay twelve bucks to save twenty minutes each way.

This is the parking I usually encounter but breezed on in to what I was hoping was the right lot  and found a spot on the fourth level.

As was leaving the car to walk to the elevator, saw an employee and asked if this was the twelve dollar lot for employees?"

Dang, she acted like it was a trick question. First said no  then quickly said she thought so.

What the hey. I was parked and less than five minutes away from clearing security and walking in to work five minutes early, I was staying.

I heard a voice behind me and was my co worker who was working the party with me.

BINGO! I was in the right lot.

I have to say is a class A-1 operation at Ecco. The executive chef was in charge and all went like clockwork. They started with bruschetta  and grilled romaine salads with candied walnuts tossed in a walnut butter vinaigrette dressing and shaved Grana Padano cheese... followed by fried goat cheese balls tempura style battered, drizzled with clover honey and fresh cracked black pepper. We removed and reset fresh plates and silver between each course. Next was crab fettuccine in a mascarpone citrus sauce, lump crab, roasted corn and cherry tomatoes. Then came out the  butcher steak with frites and Poulet Rouge,  french red feathered hen brined overnight and cooked with fingerling potatoes, olives,  calbrian chiles and Sicillian oregano.

Chef over cooked in preparation and  while the party ate all quickly scarfed down on this wonderful food in the back, wiping our watering mouths before rounding the corner out of the kitchen.

Our eighteen percent was  over $111 and  left us sixty extra. All this before I even started my mid shift.

It seemed kinda slow after that and soon found out why. Some idiot had gone through security with a boxed pressure cooker and dumped it into a waste bin after clearing the check point. They shut down the International terminal and no one was let in or out for over an hour. It was snoozeville until all was cleared and reopened.

I had one table, a single guy a little younger much larger and maybe as attractive as me on a really bad day but extremely nice, and chatted with him quite a bit.  When he gave me his black AMX titanium card after spending three hours left me $25 on top of the $17 included.

Yep, I was done.

Made eighty dollars on the party, over forty on the dude who had a crush on granny, fifty on my other tables and was slow because of the back up from International shutting down for over an hour.

They cut me around seven and by seven thirty was back at my car and headed home.

Dang, this WAS a good anniversary!

I took a break and went to the restroom across the food court. Discovered this message from my daughter she had posted on social media.

'I don't even know where to start... These two people have been married for 24 years, and together for 26. They have the 3 worlds greatest kids, the worlds happiest deaf, dumb, and blind dogs, while managing to survive life with the lost boys AND the hurricane! They've been through so much these past 6 years but they've always stayed positive for their kids. They've given us a beautiful portrayal of true love and shown us the values of marriage. They love us unconditionally and have never given up on us, or on each other. I cannot thank The Lord enough for giving me the worlds greatest life, but most importantly the worlds greatest family. I love you Momma & Daddy!! Happy 24th wedding anniversary!!!"

BAM!

I actually teared up when reading it.

How can such an unlucky person feel so lucky? This is one of the reasons.

So twenty six years later, Tim and I have been through the wringer. Started poor, rode high for a while but ended up poorer with fantastic possibilities.

It hasn't been easy on our marriage and been a slow long six year burn into depths we'll both be glad to hopefully never see again.

Yes there have been times when I simply wanted to walk away from it all just as Tim has but you know what, it was a vow we both took.

Vow: "An earnest promise to perform a specified act or behave in a certain manner."

He's so dead to the world now...  just got home and he has to get up one hour before me at five thirty AM and already knows we used to have great late nights together before turning over with a smile on our face  and can do it again one day in the now closer future.

Good things happen to good people. Do I sound like a bragger?

Dang Skippy!

Special shout out to my little hurricane. My girl made my heart sing when I read her wonderful post today.

When you first have babies, you are handed a clean slate. It's up to you what to write on it...you're the one who brung 'em to the party and is your responsibility to not only show them how to act but inspire them.

Feeling fantastically satisfied.

For some reason he still loves me and dat gummit I love him. We said till death do us part and sticking to our original agreement.

Till next time...COTTON

So THIS is What it Feels Like!

I finally feel like the woman in the photo above again. This was over five years ago  when I still had all the  jewelry Tim had given me over the years and weighed over two digits. The only thing I didn't pawn in desperate times was my wedding set. I should drop by the pawn shop sometime and see if my starfish necklace and bracelet are still there, and I kinda miss those nice Diamond earrings he gave me too. Do they give you a deal when you buy back your own stuff? I wonder.

It's been like starting over these past few months. When we moved in together in 1988 we were broke but managed to pay all the bills, mostly on time.

It's 2014 and are right back where we started.

Call me crazy but I feel wonderful about that! We could be homeless by now, literally but aren't. I could still be spinning my wheels at a job that I loved but couldn't make ends meet with but I'm not. Tim could still be unemployed but isn't. I have a new job which has turned out to be everything I (literally) banked on and then some.

I'm in my mid fifties basically starting from scratch and feel absolutely blessed to be doing so. The 'other shoe' has dropped so many times I don't even hear it hit anymore, just pick it up and put it back on.

All the while had three kids old enough now to realize we were broke, but all three were our champions. They never complained and handled the humility with amazing resiliency.

Shout out to my former "Ankle Biters"!

You know, if it had been just Tim and me, may have turned in my resignation and walked away on the whole thing about four years ago. Not that I don't love Tim. I do !

I said it over a quarter of a century ago in front of God and about fifty people who knew me well and meant it.

I vividly remember the words Tim's former childhood minister asked me to agree to.

The blanks would be... Kelly, Tim, husband.

Been there done that.

I didn't even get a tee shirt but sure got a lot more.

I have three kids who absolutely make my heart sing and only rarely break it.

I have a husband who probably sits in the back of  our walk in closet when I'm not home in a fetal position banging his head against the wall, hasn't killed me yet and still tells me he loves me.

He's a keeper too.

Here's the thing. I tend to  think I'm hilarious and most always right. (usually am and am) DUH!!

In reality all often tell me I'm not that funny and roll their eyes when they think I'm not looking.

Oh, I'm looking!

You see those frown lines between my eyes?

You're welcome!

We almost lost everything and nearly lost my funny bone but all survived in tact, thanks to so many. The number is well over a hundred but every gift, phone call and encouragement was the final push.

Used to feel like this... (cutting my eyes at Tim while saying "Are you kidding me, I gave up my semi virginity for THIS?")

To my new feeling:

Heck Yeah and Woo to the Hoo!

I stumbled (after a lot of pulling) into a totally different world and environment. It was complete insanity from the training and learning to navigate not only the commute without owning a vehicle to the entire one eighty of working behind security at the world's busiest airport in an incredibly prestigious restaurant but guess who made it?

This girl!

Thank goodness I pickled well.

If you can't laugh at your own misfortunes, always strive for success, know Karma (along with many others) is also your friend you simply ain't doing it right.

Trust me, I ain't throwing no "Shade" it's Fo Shizzle this time!

Trifling: Webster's definition is "Of slight worth or importance. Frivolous or idle."

Nope, I gotcha on all four!

Tumbling into bed, jumping out of bed at the last minute, smearing on some war paint, screaming to the airport and fighting the good fight again tomorrow.

Every morning I wake up is a good day...it's YOUR choice to make it so and I'm a "Chooser" fo shizzle.

Til next time...COTTON

Coming Into the Home Stretch

 Four months ago we were on the brink of foreclosure and was at my wit's end. Desperate times call for desperate measures and taking a plunge of complete faith made the biggest change I ever had, threw caution to the wind, pulled up my big girl panties and stepped out on that limb.

Four months later we have not only caught up two months back mortgage but are current and all bills are being paid on time for the first time in almost five years.

God opened that window we've been banging on and is beautiful on the other side!

For almost four months I still worked my other job as well, They had been absolutely wonderful to me and although hated losing me full time , knew it was an opportunity I couldn't turn down.

Three months in working seven days a week proved too much for this ole gal, especially with the stress of now commuting , maneuvering the city known as "Hartsfield Jackson" and battling public transportation wore me "Slap Out" as we say here in the south .

I went down to one day a week at my old place and after another three weeks, all bills were caught up and one morning  woke up and thought, "I'm really tired".

I spent almost three hours on my less than one page long letter of resignation and like a coward, simply left it on the desk in their office.

The wife understood, The husband is Italian and took him a couple of days but can see it in his eyes, he genuinely cares about me as I do him.

I was planning on working out my two week notice but when  stopping by the day before my last shift to see what time to come in saw I wasn't on the schedule anymore.

The owner was training two new servers and didn't want to bother him but he told the bartender to tell me he had relieved me of my obligations. (and said it very nicely)

You know, it kinda hurt, but in a good way.

Now I was not only the proud owner of a fantastically lucrative job, but knew Len wasn't mad at me anymore and was giving me his blessing.

I felt like walking over to him, kneel and kiss his wedding ring like grateful  poor peeps did to Marlon Brando in The Godfather but decided against it. Instead I spoke to him briefly on the way out and could see it in his face. It was okay with Len and he understood.

As I drove home in my still borrowed rental vehicle, it hit me like a wave.

The family restaurant I drove away from was my home for over four years and was a good home.

I was pushed out of my comfortable nest by necessity and despair. Yes I fluttered, flitted about and fell (literally off the Sardine Shuttle one day) but after three weeks was making more money than I ever have as a server after thirty five years...and liked the job!

I keep waiting for the other shoe to drop (which would be shoe number four by the way) but after almost four months feel pretty good about my leap.

Yes it's a challenge and yes it'a a lot to learn but I'm banking on Henry Fonda being right.

Dang, I'm home early on a slow night, still walked with over two Bens and now have two days off a week.

I think maybe God DOES like me!

Maybe He didn't like my often used jokes I've  stolen from others. My favorite one  is from Lewis Grizzard.

This past weekend I was talking with a bartender at my new job. He's a super nice and knowledgeable guy and pretty obviously "Fabulous." Atlanta was having a Black Pride Gay parade and asked  if he went?

He said no and the Phyliss Diller in me came back and said "Geez, did you hear about the two gay guys attacking a woman in Piedmont Park this weekend?"

He looked mortified as I continued to rattle on "Yeah! One of them held her down and the other one did her hair!"

That one gets them every time!

I even exhaust myself sometimes but feeling this great feels so absolutely wonderful after so incredibly long that I come back to this  solution:

Dr. Seuss was a pretty smart man too.

I have God as my Pilot, tons of champions behind me and the rest of my life to explore.

A very HAPPY COTTON

Extra Extra Read All About It!

I woke and got up the first time the alarm went off this morning...it was gonna be a good day! Even had time to let the pups out, leave Ziggy (Houdini) on the cable run out back and give him fresh food and water. Got to MARTA three minutes till eight. Ran to the station and down the stairs to find everybody sitting on the benches or milling around on their cells.

CRAP! must have missed the 8:00 and since it was Saturday would have to wait for the 8:20. Not good when you work all the way out on Concourse F at the airport.

Eight twenty came and went with still no sign of the train. I asked another woman how long she had been waiting and her unhappy reply was "Thirty minutes".

My MARTA app on my cell had said one was due at 8;30 but when I checked again it said the next one was 8:40.

Heck I coulda hit the snooze four times on my alarm and gotten forty more minutes of sleep!

The restaurant gives you a fifteen minute grace period due to stupid things (like this) out of your control when working behind security way out on the International concourse but called them anyway to let them know I was coming.

Another employee out on F and I scrambled our way on to the Sardine Shuttle which luckily sat open and empty.

Do you know how many passengers ride MARTA to the airport for a flight? A butt load, that's how many.

Number one it's totally ridiculous they go down to only one line to and from the airport on Saturday, Sunday and holidays...those are the busiest travel days for Pete's sake!

Number two who's the numb nut that decided if they were only going to run one line, may as well make you wait twenty minutes for a train instead of five.

Sheesh.  MARTA needs some serious help sometimes. Definitely a government run system.(huge eye roll)

I try my daily best to hit that station every day at the exact right time to be stepping aboard the next departing train, they could at least do me the courtesy of showing up when their cute little app on your phone says they will.

They should call it the "Political Promise Poke Along."

Once MARTA backs up  going into the airport, the entire airport begins to back up. I'm still a rookie but even this doofus knew that, so the minute the train doors finally opened up by 8:38 at the airport think I actually made skidding sounds as I raced around the corner for the Sardine Shuttle before all the suitcases, also running late would go in search of the shuttle.  At least I already knew where it was!

The other employee and I scrambled on to the empty shuttle. Of course it was empty, MARTA hadn't stopped at the airport for forty minutes! Full of mostly employees and not too many suitcases she shut her doors and pulled off as a trail of bags on wheels came out of the terminal from the MARTA station looking for the international shuttle.

SAYONARA! Adios and Bon Voyage!

Got to work well before nine and with four of us opening got through in no time. Unfortunately it wasn't super busy but still made friends with "Ben" and left around five fifteen.

One of Massey's textbooks had been delivered to the house and  had finally finished sewing her numerous patches on to her fleece blanket and was taking them both to her after work. Her loft is only ten minutes away from the airport. I called and told her to be downstairs and would take her out to eat. Since it's only ten minutes away from work as opposed to almost an hour from the house it's a nice excuse to visit and get my "Massey Fix."

We just tooled all through downtown Atlanta and chatted looking for somewhere to grab a bite. We aimlessly drove around for thirty minutes and was really nice hearing about all her day and me telling her abut mine.

We finally settled on where we usually do, Little Five Points. She suggested Front Page News and I agreed. I've only eaten there twice and the first time was great. Tonight, not so much.

It was a busy Saturday night in Atlanta, the beginning of football season but got a seat quickly out in the garden area by the fountain.

The waiter (young kid) walked up a few minutes later and asked what we'd like to drink...and that's pretty much verbatim.

Strike One.

He (never told us his name) came back with our drinks and in the exact same way asked us what'd we like to eat?

Strike Two.

We ordered, he walked off and Massey said "Don't tip him good, he's not very nice."

She's right, he wasn't very nice. I don't mean to say he was rude, just totally non engaging and carelessly going through the motions.

He had sunglasses propped up on his forehead and shorts on. He had probably been working that patio all day in the hot ATL sun, sweating out last night's tequilla and was ready for a Jager Bomb. I used to be young dumb and stupid too but always faked it at work...had to.

Strike Three.

Because the service was so lacking and impersonal, the food just wasn't that good either, not that HE brought it to our table.

If he had been as good a server as he was good looking, that kid would be banking every shift.

When we asked for a to go box he promptly came back with it and carelessly plopped it down on the table.

I think Massey wanted to scream but instead looked at him and said we needed the check. We got the finger point and nod letting us know he'd be "Back in a Jiffy!"


You know, I left the schmuck an over 22% tip. I mean  these are my peeps!

I did leave him perhaps some encouragement if he's sharp enough to understand.

Not that I'm all that or some kind of spectacular server but for Pete's Sake Try!

See, if he's smart he'll see what I wrote, see how much I left him, leaving him to realize how much more he could have made if he had been "ON" or even close to it.

BAM!

I've Payed It forward yet again. (if he  can decipher my encrypted message)

So my day was crazy from top to bottom, in other words it's the same ole same ole.

Had a good time with Massey,  miss my Bestie but thrilled she is fulfilling her dreams.

I'm good with a few weeks going by, but by then need a hug. That's not too clingy is it? (not that I care if it is)

Ironing a work shirt again and doing the horizontal until six thirty. MARTA wouldn't be down two days in a row would it?

Let's make that six twenty.

Til next time COTTON

Happy Birthday Old Man

Today is my Diddy's birthday. He would have been eighty nine. I woke up this morning and thought about him first thing while I chugged my daily glass of Nestle Quik at the kitchen sink.

He joined the Navy when he was just seventeen years old by having his younger brother sign his paperwork as his father.

Soon after the Navy he met my momma, and married her. He was a very smart man.

I had the best childhood ever and two parents everyone adored. Everybody loved being at our house and was always full of love and laughter.

It all blew apart when momma died suddenly on August 19, 1977. I don't think any of us ever recovered from that one, just simply learned to live with it.

This is with my younger son , Zach one Christmas.

This is him installing a dishwasher for my sister in the house on Bayard street where we all grew up. He was one handy man and could fix or repair anything. I can't remember him ever having to pay someone to fix anything when we were kids...didn't have to, we had him!

It's been twelve years now since he died. In some ways seems like a hundred years ago yet in others seems like last week.

Last year for  Christmas Massey got an angel wing pendant which holds some of Diddy's ashes. She wears it every day. This is her posting "Happy Birthday Grandpa" on her Facebook status tonight.

One thing I can say with certainty is that I have survived these past five or so years because I was a "Leach".

My parents were never wealthy, far from it but were actually the richest people I've ever known. They loved each other and were loved by everyone. Money doesn't buy that, integrity and honesty do.

If I can be half the person they both were, we'll call my life a Win.

The things we've been through these past years have been trying and draining but were just "Things" nothing else. We're all healthy, happy and counting our blessings.

If the two above people had never met, fallen in love, married and had that final last kid I wouldn't even be here typing this post.

Because of them, I am me. I am a fighter and not one to give up or in. I trust and depend on God and know everything else will eventually fall into place. Maybe not on MY time schedule but on HIS.

Seems like a couple of years ago I was sitting on this station wagon with my brother and sister. See how close we are in this picture? We're even closer today. That's what being a Leach is all about.

Diddy loved John Denver. He had this album and we heard it a lot when all kids, spinning away on the huge stereo in the dining room. It was as big as a small couch, with gold crushed velvet covering the speakers in the front and all it was was a turn table and AM/FM radio.

My momma's name was Ann and this song always reminded me of the way  diddy felt about her.

I was a lucky little kid and am a lucky fifty four year old woman because of it.

Happy Birthday old man!

And just as he always said to us when we were younger, would most probably reply "That's MISTER  old man to you."

Thanks Mister Old Man, for teaching me to know right from wrong and how to love others.

The greatest two abilities a person can have.

Miss you every day and think of you even more.

Thanks for leaving me in such wonderful hands.

Til next time...COTTON

That's a Wrap!

Left the house a little after noon for work. TJ was already there snoozing on the couch after his girlfriend dropped him off around seven. We walked out the front door and schlepped our way across the front yard to my next door husband's house and climbed in my free rental. Luckily he was in his back yard cutting grass and didn't hear his vehicle crank up for the hundredth time with me behind the wheel taking HIS TRUCK  either to the airport or Mama Lucia's.

Like the champ I am got to the MARTA lot just as the TSA workers from the airport exited the station and left in their cars, always in close and prime spots. As I backed ole Ronnie Ranger into a pretty close spot TJ remarked, "Well that was lucky!"

Nope kid, you're riding with a semi pro broke and riding MARTA woman who has learned quickly how to work this airport gig to the max!

(Of course I didn't say that, but he's smart and will catch on a lot quicker than I did.)

For more than a couple of years I've been the bug on the windshield. It got old.

I had a job I loved but simply couldn't work enough hours to make the money we needed.

I got extremely lucky after over five years and landed a job which has turned out to be incredibly lucrative for a server.

Yes I am a Clampett who feels like she's working in Beverly Hills.

It hasn't been easy getting used to the commute (considering I still don't even own a vehicle) and finagling the city called "Hartsfield International Airport". Still have tons to learn about the food and wine I'm slinging but sling it I will and believe it or not am getting better at it every day.

 The above report is from my best night. I sold $1286 and added gratuity was $215. I made an additional $175 and walked with over $400. Wish it was like this every shift but isn't. But as long as I have one of these every now and then, feel more blessed than you can possibly believe.

It's not like I'm getting rich but we are getting ahead. I found this in the pocket of my pseudo carry on bag tonight after work.

On days that are stifling hot (like today) when I go in now, wear nice street clothes. My best capris, tank from Goodwill and my nicer flip flops. I pack my uniform in a small duffel bag of my daughter's and change in the restroom of the international terminal. That way when I take the Sardine Shuttle am welcomed like a passenger and even asked "Are you headed to international? Climb aboard!"

So the job is way over my Granny Clampett head but this ole dog learned you best learn new tricks or be the runt of the litter.

It's the slow season at the airport but should pick up as the holiday travel season begins. I'm so ready for it don't care if have to work Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day or even New Years.

Come to Momma baby! We can always celebrate and eat ham, turkey and dressing later.

I will miss Mama Lucia's, already do but this new job has literally saved and put us so close to almost really actually being ahead,  makes me wake up every day wondering what I did to be so blessed?

I've stayed up way too late but so excited can sleep until I want to and even have an entire day for myself left.

So it's really official. I'm now a "Fifth Group" employee and feel blessed to be one.

Life is never what you want it to be, unless you are a Kardashian.

I'm no Kardashian but am kicking butt like nobody's bidness!

I hear chocolate ice cream calling my name.

It's a done deal.

Til next time...COTTON

Survived and Enjoyed the Tornado

Just got a text from "muh gurl". She's safely back home smack dab in the middle of the ATL, thirteen floors up and locked in tight.

She roars back home for an occasional weekend like a tornado, tells us what to do for thirty six hours and just as quickly is gone again but always love to have her spin back home for a few short hours.


I am gone for work ten hours or more but the time between is filled with pretty much nothing but Massey Time.

Last night I had all three kids here and we sat in the dining room for hours looking through old pictures and telling stories.

Those times are priceless and almost worth having all the gray hair they've given me.

I hemmed a pair of jeans for her while home, sewed up a favorite camisole and started sewing on the eight patches from her stint as camp counselor this past summer onto a fleece blanket.

Took me four hours to sew on all but one. Thank goodness it's still hot outside.

I got up at six twenty this morning, got home early shortly after six tonight.

I think I make MYSELF tired until Massey comes home.

Yep, she's a chip off the ole block.

She's as young as I am old. She's what urges me on and sometimes still even needs me to Momma.

It's a nice mix.

Rolling into bed feeling bone tired but can at least sleep til ten.

My oldest son went on the floor tonight at Ecco and finally making some tips.

Zach is a blessing to still have at home, he is the best house keeper I've never had.

It's still not easy breezy around here financially but sure is looking up.

Boy, isn't THIS a mantra to live by?

Til next time, an up to ninety nine pound COTTON!