Happy Halloween!

Day 68 - Tough Loss for The Paladins

Today's game was a heartbreaker. App State beat Furman 37-26. Too many offensive mistakes. Poor coaching. The defense did everything they could to hold on. Max had another great game but it doesn't feel as good when you lose.

We moved out of the Best Western to a condo my brother is staying in. Much nicer, no urine smell. I'm tired and sad and feel terrible for Max and the rest of the players. I'm also missing my youngest Wy. He's here with me but all grown up. Not nearly as interested in hanging with me as he used to. Tomorrow is another day. I'm planning to just start all over!

Be nTouch

Day 67 - On The Road Again

We are in Boone, NC ready to watch SOCON football tomorrow. App State vs Furman. Big Game! Staying at the Best Western, Banner Elk. Have you ever stayed in a "pet friendly" room? I truly didn't think it would matter . . . IT DOES. Can you say, URINE? OMG. I've learned a valuable lesson. No discount is worth a "pet friendly" room when you aren't traveling with a pet. Yuck . . .

Calling it a night. Go Paladins and War Cam Eagle!

Be nTouch

Day 66 - Political Correctness

In this last year of my 40's I find myself completely baffled by political correctness. The older I get, the less tolerant I want to be . . . of course, PC is almost a required skill to survive and thrive in corporate America. Transparency rarely exists. If you have an opinion, you must find a way to express it so as not to offend or presume or overstep . . . What ever happened to good old fashioned truth? Why are some people threatened by an idea that is not their own. Remember the old saying, "two heads are better than one"? Apparently not any more.

I'm turning it off for today. No PC here! Goodnight world!

Be nTouch

Day 65 - Happiness: When all is right with your children

It is amazing how much joy I feel when my children are happy. I don't mean when they are getting their way and happy, I mean when they are content and confident and feeling good about themselves; happy with who they are. For example, when Wyatt is happy and secure, his smile lights up a room. Pure joy for me. I'm very grateful for the joy I am feeling as I lay my head down for sleep tonight. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Looking forward to tomorrow!

Be nTouch

Day 64 - How do you get to be a morning person?

This is a question I have wondered about for years. Now that I have a son who is clearly NOT a morning person, the difference between morning and evening people is striking. Is there any way to change this pattern? Did I somehow condition him to be this way? What can I do about it now?

Honestly, I have always seemed to thrive a little more in the evening than in the morning. That tendency seems to worsen as I age. (Of course, so many things seem to worsen that it is sometimes hard to keep up with all that is falling apart . . . forgive me, I digress!) Some mornings I could just lay there, peaceful and content to not begin the race on the treadmill that I know is waiting just beyond my closed bedroom door. And then, the alarm goes off for the 5th or 6th time, thanks to my snooze button, and I am eventually jolted into the morning. This time of year is particularly challenging because it is dark when I first open my eyes, and my brain thinks, darkness . . . sleep, light . . . awake . . . drifting back until the next jolt by the radio alarm and consciousness takes over and I sit up and . . . well, you don't really need any more information than that, do you? Just suffice it to say, I would very much nJoy waking up chipper, rested, happy to greet whatever may come my way. I wish there was a pill for that.

Enough about me; to be or not to be a Morning Person, that is my question . . . answers anyone?

Be nTouch

Day 63 - Questioning Authority

It seems as though more and more businesses are trying borderline tactics to get money. Twice, in the last six months, I have had a company try to get money from me for reasons that were clear as mud.

The first example occurred in July. I was actually on vacation and a phone number called my cell phone that I didn't recognize. I didn't answer, but the party called back several more times. Finally, I answered and was told that the magazine company that I had ordered subscriptions from was trying to alert me that there may be another company that would try to sell me the same magazines for a lesser contract price. That may sound more like a good, proactive, customer service call to most folks; for me, I was scratching my head explaining that there must be some kind of mistake because I hadn't ordered any magazines and wasn't planning to order any magazines. [breath] The operator's tone changed to a more threatening pitch and then proceeded to tell me that there was absolutely nothing that I could do, I had signed a contract for 6 magazines a month, to be delivered to me for the next three years . . ."WHAT???? . . . Oh, no I didn't!!!! and Oh no I won't!!!!" . . . at that point, the line went dead.

The long and short of it is this: apparently, I got a magazine subscription for free because I bought something, and this company purchased my information, including my credit card number, and it was time to pay up. After several weeks of research, I finally traced the transaction back and discovered I had in fact used my debit card for the initial purchase and the bank was more than happy to reverse the magazine charges and keep an eye out for any suspicious transactions. I didn't know the company name, address, phone number or location. I had nothing . . . thankfully, no mysterious charges since.

The second example was a few weeks ago. I rented a car for work. I noticed a big gash on the rear side of the passenger back bumper, after I left the airport rental office. I took a picture and immediately called the company to explain that I had just left with the car and the damage must have been to the car prior to my driving it. Not only could I never get a live person on the line, I never got anyone at all. Last week, I received a letter detailing the damage and my part to pay: $275.00. Unbelievable is all I could think. I put it aside to deal with later. Truthfully, I was tempted to write a check and be done. Something stopped me and today,  I put a call into the dispute department listed on the letter. Thanks to two very nice individuals (Hazel and Shane) I am now waiting for an appeal. It may work, it may not, but had I not taken the chance, had I just assumed I wouldn't have a chance to reverse the charge, I would have definitely owed $275.00. Now, I have some time and hopefully, it will get overturned. I nGaged a bit of moxy, mixed in with good ole southern charm, and just might have saved some money!

I'll keep you all posted.

Moral of the story: Don't ever assume, it makes and ass out of you and me too . . . ass•u•me . . . Also, don't just roll over in this difficult economic time. If you think you are right, don't back down. Stand up and fight if you have to. You probably don't have anything to lose, but a lot more to gain.

Climbing down now, from my soap-box that is . . . Be nTouch

Day 62 - A BIG WEEKEND comes to an end . . . Thank Goodness

This was one of those never-ending weekends. Thankfully, it is over, we survived and tomorrow is another day. Quick recap: Learners permit, first time driving, homecoming football game, homecoming dance (with sweet friend from camp), learning to tie a tie, first boutonniere, first high school dance . . . I'm sure there is more that I have either forgotten or don't know about. BIG WEEKEND indeed!

On another note, I really want to get back to BLOGGING. I read the Dooce BLOG this afternoon. She is really good and nSpiring. It makes me want to write better and more often. I think I am a pretty good story teller. I want to be funny and entertaining, nSightful and nGaging. It takes practice and dedication. It also takes time, which I am sometimes short of.  I am determined to make this happen, to create something that people look forward to reading. I know my goal is to BLOG everyday (I have to modify that somewhat) until I turn 50; but I must say that after 60 something days, I have really come to nJoy this. I don't always have the time to devote to it like I would like to, but I certainly have the desire. Look out Dooce . . . just kidding! If anything, I am grateful for what you have accomplished. You have helped pioneer a new way to write and share media. I hope I can hang in there long enough to have a few followers!

Be nTouch

Freshman Homecoming 2010

Day 61 - Big Football Saturday

We aren't on the road again! It's Homecoming at our high school and Furman. Can't be at two games at the same time. We wanted to ask the great Lucy Lerner, football dog aficionado, who she liked in the big games today. Lucy says: Furman and Auburn! Doesn't she look like she knows what she is barking about?

Lucy Goosey

Be nTouch . . . arf, arf, arf

Day 60 - TGIF

What a week! Out of town for business for three days, youngest gets learner's permit to drive, first High School Homecoming . . . I'm exhausted, but happy!

Emotions are pretty high with my Freshman. First serious girlfriend broke up with him last week to go to Homecoming with someone else. Now don't get me wrong, I'm not disappointed about the outcome, just the way it was handled. It is life and it won't be the last time, but "bad timing" doesn't come close to describing the how and when of the event! When it is all said and done, I do think this will serve him well. I just hate to see the pain.

Our high school won big tonight and tomorrow is the big dance. It's still surreal to me.

Be nTouch

Peace

Day 59 - When will my teenager like me again?

Wyatt driving for the first time!

Today marked a BIG day for the Lerners. Wyatt got his learner's permit to drive. He has put it off for a long time. Finally, we went to the local DMV and he did it! Then we spent the next hour and a half going over the basics, getting a "feel" for the car and then . . . Driving for the first time. All in all he did terrific. I looked at him in the driver seat and couldn't help but flashback to when he was a baby. With each new day he moves further away from me. It is sad and yet very appropriate. In a couple of days he will be attending his first high school Homecoming dance. There's that infant flashback again. I miss being the center of his universe. I miss him. We aren't friends . . . I am the boss, the mom.

Be nTouch, please!

Day 55 - Sanctuary Sunday

I have really struggled getting everything DONE . . . To the break down point. Today became the sanctuary day for me out of pure necessity! I almost feel like I've lost some of my touch lately. I think stress can be like a cancer; all consuming until all that is left is worn out nothing. That's what I have felt like lately, worn out nothing. To make matters worse, I have to travel to Houston for work tomorrow. Remember, my oh so stressful JOB.

Okay, enough of that already. I have realized something true today . . . I may have to miss some days BLOGGING. I may not be able to BLOG for the next several. Sadly! I'll have to adapt my nTouch plan. No worries.

Take care out there. Hope to BLOG soon. Until then, Be nTouch!

Day 54- Big Day in Birmingham

Today was a remarkable day! We didn't travel outside of our neighborhood to see Furman play Samford. What a game . . . Max did well and we didn't have to travel. Not that i miss the travel, but it is nice to go straight home to bed.

Go Paladins!!!

Be nTouch

Day 53 - Just Another Day in Paradise!

Do you ever think , what would true paradise be like? No phones or TVs, no computers or technology. Just a beach and waves and life.

I guess everyone has their own opinion about what paradise would be for them. For me, it would be warm and tropical. It would not have to be plush. Raw would be just fine.

It's late so this will be another short one. Tomorrow is a big game day for Furman. I'm not in a hotel room . . . I'm in my own bed. No travel required this week. Furman plays Samford tomorrow at 1:00. I can't wait.
Go Paladins!!!!

Please Be nTouch

Day 52 - Catching Up . . .

Do you think I will ever catch up? I can't imagine that feeling, knowing that I have finished everything and nothing is standing in my way - I would pay a lot of money to be in that position. I wish . . .

One of my nTouch goals was to get caught up. I'm moving in that direction. Patience grasshopper.

Be nTouch

Day 51 - Did you see this?

My Day 51 is Day 70 for 33 miners in Chili. While we have been going about the business of work, school, chores, fun, football . . . life, 33 men were trapped more than 2000 feet below ground. Last night, after midnight, the first of the men were brought to the surface. Unbelievable doesn't come close to describing this unprecedented event. ALL 33 men, now safe and relatively sound. Thank you to God and to all those who worked so tirelessly. Watch this video and see if you don't fall down on your knees to be thankful for all that you have. I have watched footage of this historic event throughout the day. I have cried with each viewing. This video is of the first man pulled out in the middle of the night. God Bless!

Be nTouch . . . Please

Day 50 - BIG WEEK . . .

Do you ever have a week that you just hope you survive? I know that sounds very dramatic, but my goodness, I am worn out and it's only Tuesday! This post is also going to have to be short too. I hope and pray that I will be able to get back into the swing of things next week. I need some rest and relaxation. Now how am I supposed to get that? I'll just have to pray about it.

Be nTouch

Day 49 - TOO TIRED!

Okay . . . please forgive me but I am too tired to BLOG,  BLOG, BLOG tonight. I waited too late. I have so much to say but I can't string several more words together to make a reasonable sentence, much less an entire post . . . so please, forgive my absence tonight! Be back tomorrow, I promise!

Be nTouch

Night night . . .

Day 48 - The Rudest Thing Happened On The Way Out of South Carolina

It is hard to describe this story. To say it is PG rated is too conservative. And, I can safely say that I have never had this experience before. In modern language . . . OMG!!!

Picture this if you will; beautiful Sunday morning, stunning weather, perfect start to the trip back home. We are well rested, well fed and happy to be making headed home. The car is loaded and we pull out of the hotel parking lot, out onto a main street to get gas. As I am about to pull onto this street, I see there are three cars slowly headed our way. I am at the crest of a hill and realize that the front of our Lincoln Navigator is sticking out a little bit in the road. The lead car of the three, begins to slow down, and I slowly back up to move out of the way. This lead car doesn't regain his speed. He continues to come toward us, eventually passing in front of us and he beeps his horn as he passes. I think to myself, "Wow, somebody got up on the wrong side of the bed this morning." 

After the third car passes, I slowly pull out onto this main road and approach the intersection, where all three cars are waiting for the light to change. I pull up alongside the car that beeped, as I am now in the turn lane and the other cars are going straight. Now, here is where everything gets weird, crude, and at least R rated! As I pass the lead car, approaching the line at the intersection, I notice this man, older than me, is holding his right arm up in the air. I can't really see what he is doing as I inch our big car past him by a little bit. Thirty seconds later, he slowly pulls up beside me, waiting for the light to change, with his arm still stuck up in the air. Now I realize the significance, he is flicking me off, shooting me a bird, giving me the finger; how ever you want to phrase it, he is crudely letting me know he isn't happy. As I hesitate, trying to understand what he is doing, he begins to mouth the "F" word, followed by "YOU" while he continues with the finger up in the air. It takes me a few seconds to register what is happening. This is road rage, on a beautiful Sunday morning. Unbelievable is all I can think. And then, I do something totally uncharacteristic . . . No, I don't mimic his poor, crude behavior. But I do mouth the words, "does that make you feel better?" What was I thinking? That this would somehow make him stop this ridiculous behavior. Of course that wouldn't happen, quite the opposite! He continues with his obscenities and I am growing nervous and, embarrassed, because I have three teenagers in the back watching this scene, from a bad movie, play out in front of us, and I looked like the co-star.

I truly don't know what came over me. Before I knew it, this perverted, grown man, was acting like he was undoing his pants, pulling on himself, making awful facial expressions and then he began to stick out his tung, pretending to do, God only knows what. I sat there stunned, frozen, thinking, "this can't really be happening, can the boys see any of this, what if he gets out of the car, how old is this man, why is he so mad" . . . thankfully, the boys saw NONE of what I did. Thank goodness. As soon as the light changed, I turned right and he went straight, right arm and finger up, as if saluting one last time. I pulled into the gas station and as I pumped gas, began to worry about what might be next. Would he turn around and see that I was parked, out of my car? I hurriedly pumped the gas, got back in the car, had a teachable moment with the boys and left Greenville.

The boys had a million questions, wanted to go find him and let him know how wrong he was. Their chivalry was sweet, but it does scare me. This man was crazy. If he had had a gun, what might he have done? I couldn't quit thinking about the set of circumstances, wondering what had happened to him before he rounded that curve in the road and came up on my big car, sticking out in the street. My wave and mouthing "sorry" as he slowly passed by my, didn't serve the purpose I intended. He was VERY angry, probably long before he saw our car. Scary to say the least!

I did pray for him to find peace, comfort, time to heal his heart and find happiness. I hope God reached him through his armor. I hope he didn't hurt any one else.

Surreal!

Be nTouch

Day 47 - Game Day Again

Every home game begins with this ritual. It is one of my favorite parts of the game. Maybe because I'm a proud Mom, a little sentimental . . . who knows, you be the judge . . . Go Paladins!

They won big, although Max didn't get to play much. Actually, that isn't a fair statement, he was in the game the entire first half, but due to the type of plays they call, his position didn't see much action. Then, Furman was beating the other team so badly that the coaches put the second string in. So, Max didn't see a lot of actual playing time. I'm just glad they won!

Be nTouch

Day 46 - Another Friday night on the road.

Too pooped to contribute much tonight! Very excited about the game tomorrow. Since we missed last weekend, I feel like it has been forever since we saw Max play. I know, silly, it has only been a couple of weeks.

We are tucked in an about to call it a night. Good luck to all college teams tomorrow. May everyone stay safe with NO serious injuries.

Be nTouch

Day 45 - Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory

Precious moment, precious film.

One of my youngest son's favorite movies is Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. And this photo captures our favorite moment . . . When Charlie, the impoverished child, finds the last golden ticket, because he had faith and hope that this Wonka bar would reveal the treasure beneath it's outer wrapper. And we all know how this story ends, happily!

Tonight, I found my fifteen year old mesmerized, just like he used to get when he was much younger. He knows the movie by heart, can recite each word. He brought so much joy to a very long day. His faith and hope were being acted out on the screen. I think that's why he still loves the movie so much. It is an affirmation of all that is possible, all that can be . . . Wonderful Willie Wonka!

I am grateful tonight as I lay my head on this pillow. How fortunate I am to have this sweet young man in my life. Words simply don't do him, or the depthnof my feeling for him, justice.

Be nTouch!

Day 44 - Homework

I want to get his very brief BLOG/comment off my chest . . . I don't believe in homework. My child has been in school for 7 hours a day, for 10 years, and the homework increases exponentially with age. Why not get ALL of the work done prior to inviting the bandits to become involved? Anyway, I just hate homework!

Be nTouch (if you feel like it)

Day 43 - More Light

Yesterday I wrote about light, how hard it would be without it and how secure it made me feel. I saw a story on the news tonight about a corner of the world in the Middle East that has no electricity, no running water, no modern conveniences what so ever. No light. Now, my imagination got a little bent yesterday, but what I imagined is real in other parts of the world. No light. Little children growing up, barely surviving, in clay huts, with little food and again, No light. Have I made my point?

I am very grateful to be typing by lightbulb tonight, asking whoever out there, to keep nTouch! No light . . . I can't imagine, not really!

Be nTouch

Day 42 - Light

I took this picture last week. I love this candle in my window. Whenever I see it, I think about light and how secure it is to have a light in the dark. Imagine if all you had was light during the daylight hours. If at night, darkness enveloped us and we could only exist in that darkness; no lights allowed. It would change our world overnight (pardon the pun!) We would be forced to prioritize our day to make the most of the light emitted by the sun, and rest in the evening when we had no more light to live by. Would we get more sleep? Would be suffer from more stress? Would we learn to adapt and choose to slow down? Would we figure out how to beat the system and create light? Would there be black market light rings, coexisting with the drug lords and other shady characters bred from whatever those types of people are bred from?

Okay, how did I go from nJoying my candle to underground, outlaw light criminals? I don't know! I will type this, I love my candle(s) and I am thankful that we have light on demand, not just sunshine. Perhaps a little break from all the stress will do me some good. I like my imagination better when it finds positive rather than dark ideas. Maybe I'll light my candle . . .

Be nTouch

Day 41 - what does it all mean?

Do you ever wonder what your purpose is? I don't usually think about that. I'm normally pretty secure with my purpose, but lately, not so much. As I have mentioned, my job is rough. Sure there are perks, but all in all it is awful. I have a lot if autonomy and I make a fair amount of money, but the stress that goes along with the living is just NOT worth it. I'm trying to figure out what I'm going to do now. If only this BLOG and my website, with bracelet sales, could take off. At this point I feel very stuck. I feel committed to my team and their customers. I wish things were different . . . Believe me when I say that looking for a job now is not on my nTouch list. I don't want to face that probability, at least not tonight!

Hopefully I'll be able to bring some interesting content back to this little space on the web! I know this has been pretty boring lately. Anybody out there? I wish someone would join in. My sister has and I appreciate it! I know she feels the same way about her BLOG. Where is everyone out there?

Be nTouch

Day 40 - Bittersweet Game Day

Unfortunately, we didn't make the trip to watch the Paladins today. It was a bittersweet day for football. The Paladins lost to Wofford . . . ugh! I listened to the play by play through the internet, while I watched the Auburn game on mute. Auburn won big, which was great, but Furman struggled. I'll have to get the details from Max tomorrow. Later, Florida played #1 Alabama. Now, I'm an Auburn fan, but don't cheer against Alabama unless they are playing Auburn or Florida (My Dad is a huge Gator fan). To say it was a disaster for Florida would be an understatement. It was tough to watch. College football can be very stressful, which is a bit ridiculous if you think about it; so don't, think about it that is! I'm just glad it's over and we can look forward to a win form both next weekend.

On a brighter note, check out this new Clapton CD as well as the Zac Brown Band! You can order it from Amazon from this BLOG! Pretty cool!















Be nTouch!

Day 39 - Have I Done What I said I Would Do?

I think not. One of my first promises to myself was to live each day as if it were my last. I can't say that I have done that. Sadly, I haven't followed much of my nTouch list either. I have BLOGGED every day, some posts stronger than others. I'll be excited when people start following. (I'm trying to be positive here) Maybe one day!

I know there is always tomorrow. My goodness I have needy issues. I will begin anew tomorrow.
I have so much to contribute . . . Night all.

Be nTouch