I have read a number of blogs by my fellow bloggers about how hearing a song can transport you back in time....to a specific event, maybe a specific place, or a specific feeling that you have felt.  That happens to me a LOT!  I have always loved and been moved by music.  I feel that music can touch places in our souls that no one or nothing else can touch.  How many of you have been moved to tears by listening to certain music?  How many have just felt the sheer joy of how an upbeat song can make you feel?  How many of you have felt a love of friends, family, God, our country, just by hearing certain songs?  Have you ever just felt "rowdy" and wanted to just cut loose from your inhibitions... get down and dance....just from hearing a song?  Well, folks, at one time or another, I have felt ALL of these emotions just from listening to music.

 

Kat's sister had a project a while ago about naming your all time favorite song...something along those lines.  I didn't respond, because there are just so many songs that move me...in many different ways.  I like opera, country, rock and roll, jazz, the classics, you name it, and I pretty much like it.  I would be hard pressed to name JUST ONE song.  (Kat...I really did like your choice though...it was a favorite of mine too!!)

 

Today, I was just groovin' along listening to my I*pod at work today, when I heard this....

 

       "All your life you've waited

          for love to come and stay,

         And now that I have found you,

          you must not slip away.

         I know it's hard believing

          the words you've heard before,

         But darling you must trust them

           Just once more....

         Cause baby goodbye doesn't mean forever.

           And baby goodbye doesn't mean we'll never be together again."

 

Boy, does that song hit home.  Remember it?  The Goodbye Girl...by David Gates and Bread.   I have to tell you all that it was my "theme song" so to speak for my 20's and 30's.  I saw the movie....loved the song....and just felt like it was written about me or for me or whatever!!  Folks, I didn't marry the first time until I was 33 years old.  I dated more guys (most of them L.O.S.E.R.S.) than I can count.  I used to tell my friends I had a$$hole radar.  If there was one within 500 miles folks, it was like I had a HOMING DEVICE to find them!!  I lost at love so many times it just wasn't even funny.  That is why this particular song struck such a chord in my life.  I could feel it....to my very core.  I had LIVED it!!  So when I heard that song, I was taken back to that period in my life where I wondered if love would ever find me.  Truly, I had just given up.  I was just sure that no one would ever love me....want to spend their life with me.  And, after a time, I was okay with that.  I came to peace with that.  I figured there were a LOT worse things than being alone.  That is true.  There are much worse things than being alone.  Being with someone whose every word is a lie.  Whose very life is a lie.  That's a whole story.  Of the first hubby.  Through him I found that out.  Lesson learned.  I would have been better off alone.  Enough said about him for now.

 

Anywhoooo....I was just transported back to those years.  When I was longing so much for love.  A lasting love.  No goodbyes.  The song still touches something in me.  I remember that woman.  I remember those feelings.  And I am glad that I am no longer there.  That I have found love....with a good man, actually the best man I could have hoped for.

 

So that's one of my stories about songs taking you back to another place and time.  There are more.  One of these days.....maybe I'll post more.

 

Have a great week friends!

 

BBB

 

 

 

We are t-minus 4 days and counting!!  Yepper folks, we are leaving on vacation on Friday!!!  See me doin' a really really happy dance!! 

I can hardly wait to head to Florida.  Just have to knock out this short work week first though.  I am gonna be really busy trying to get things at the office in order for my departure. 

 

First day out we are going as far as Shreveport.  Second day we make our way to Baton Rouge.  Third day we roll on into Destin!!  Then it is fun in the sun!!!  Woooohoooo!!  I intend to get tons of beach time because, as most of you know, Destin has some of the most beautiful beaches around.  LOVE that sugar sand!!!    There are a lot of tall cool drinks in my future!!

 

Hubs and I had a GREAT anniversary!!  I received no less than one dozen white long stem roses.  They are the largest most beautiful blooms I have ever received.  Friday night we tried a new restaurant with great results.  If you have a Red Rock Canyon Grill in your area, I HIGHLY recommend it!  We started out with the absolute BEST bloody marys I have had in a LONG time.  They came with a skewer holding a HUGE piece of shrimp, two delish cherry tomatoes, and green olives stuffed with what appeared to be jalapeno pepper!!  Yuuuuummmmmers!!  We next had their "small" dinner salad which was small.....NOT!!  It was huge and had great dressing!!  We also tried their individual pan of fresh cornbread.  It was very tasty.  Then we got what they call "Cluck and Oink" chicken and ribs, served with garlic mashed potatoes and sweet carrots.  Can you say YUUUUMMMYYY!!  Then we topped it all off with the BEST key lime pie ever!!  It had a glob of fresh whipped cream that was the size of B's fist.  Needless to say....we had lots of food left.  So we enjoyed it all again yesterday!!

 

Well folks....I gotta get ready for work.  I will try to post more later!!

 

Later gators!!

 

BBB

I have a song going through my head this morning.

 

"Happy Anniversary Baby....got you on my mind...

Happy Anniversary Baby....got you on my miiiiiiind!!"

 

Don't remember much of the rest of all the words....but those say it all to my wonderful husband!!  I am so glad to be married to you, B!!  You're the best!!!

 

I will try to blog more later.  If not....have a great weekend my friends!!  It's FINALLY FRIDAY!!  Wooohoooo!!   Love it!!

 

Later friends.....

 

BBB

 Whew!!  It has been a busy few days.....no surprise there huh?  Here's an update on what I have accomplished since my last post.  Hubby and I had a blast at the 1964 concert.  We even each got a shirt to commemorate the event!!  The crowd was a sell-out and I would say that Tulsa has some of the most enthusiastic fans of this group (they say that also, but then you kind of expect them to say that WHEREVER they are).  It was really neat to hear almost the WHOLE audience singing along with the songs.  This time around though, for some reason, they sang quite a few of the more "obscure" Bea*tles songs.  On those particular songs, it was very evident that they were obscure.....because no one sang but the group.  I would have preferred two things:  1) That they would have sung more of the popular hits; and 2) that they had not changed the venue (even though it meant more people could attend).  If you have never been to Tulsa, the historic Brady Theater is just a marvelous venue.  Small and intimate and it has seen some of the greats in music over many, many years.  I just think the 1964 tribute sounded so much better there, and it was just a more intimate setting to get down and party along with the music.  That's just my humble opinion.

 

Saturday morning I went and donated platelets.  The phlebotomist who got my donation going was a nice young man.  However, he was very busy telling me what a sucky phlebotomist had handled a blood draw on his pregnant wife....just blew the vein.  Well, guess what??  He didn't "blow the vein" but he sure had a hard time finding it since he friggin MOVED MY ARM after marking where my vein was!!  First time ever I was clenching my teeth!!  He finally got me hooked up and I made my donation.  I WON'T be going back for a while though.  I have a horrible bruise which NEVER happens.  And I made it worse last night with my workout.  Evidently the vein is still weak and my weight lifting did not help it.  I had to ice it down when I got home.  Thus, an even WORSE bruise now.  Duh!!!  I shoulda known better.  Oh well....twas all for a good cause!!

 

Saturday evening hubby and I had a nice time at the kids house.  We got to see all three of our grandchildren plus got to visit with my SIL's family (Mom, Dad, sister, brother and his wife and kids).  We have gotten to know SIL's family well and they are just lovely people.  His father is fighting leukemia and is really slowing down.  I just hate it!!   Usually "G" is just bustling around visiting and doing stuff with the kids.  This trip he sat on the couch and watched TV and when he walked it looked like it took a lot of effort.  We celebrated first granddaughter's birthday.  Geez I feel old!!  She just CANNOT be 13....but she is!!  In addition to money (which she always asks for so she can shop for her own stuff), I made her a basket of hair products.  She has just enough curl in her hair to be anoying to her (she likes it stick straight) and she mentioned she wanted to cut it because she had such a hard time straightening it.  I told her there were plenty of products to handle that but she says her mom won't buy them for her (not sure what's up with that).  Anywhooo....I went and bought her a couple of different kinds of products that should help.  She was thrilled I guess....because I got an "awesome" outta her!!  That is a high complement in her teen speak!

 

Sunday I managed to get most of my other birthday bases covered, plus went to church.  Yesterday was my dear Daddy's 86th birthday.  He is just one of the most wonderful people around on this planet.  I am taking him and my Mom to dinner for his favorite Chinese food tonight.  He can hardly wait!!  Since they are in an assisted living facility....that is NOT something they ever get.  I also bought him some of his favorite dark chocolates.  He is quite the munchie monster and loves his dark chocolate!!

 

Tomorrow I have lunch with BFF and another long time friend.  We are just now getting to celebrate our JUNE birthdays together!!  It should be fun to see BFF and "R" again.  We have celebrated our birthdays together for many years.  On our 50th....we took a trip to Nashville and just had a blast!!  We may have to plan another trip one of these years!!

 

Friday is hubby's and my 11th anniversary.  I think we are going to just go out to eat at a new restaurant we haven't ever been to.  Other than that, it should be a low-key kinda thing.  It amazes me how fast this 11 years has flown by.  We have been together for 14 years.  We dated for 3 years before we married.  I rushed into my first marriage....I wasn't about to do so on a second try.  Hubby is a good man....as good as they come and I feel so fortunate and blessed to be his wife!!  Are either of us perfect???  No.  Do we have our disagreements?  Yepper.  But when push comes to shove....there is just no one else in the world that I would rather spend my days with.  NO.  ONE.  ELSE.  I sooooo look forward to our upcoming vacay.  Just him and me and the open road to Destin.  Nine whole days to spend with my best friend, the love of my life!  It doesn't get much better than that!!   Yeeehaw!!!

 

Well, folks, I guess I better finish this up!  I hope you are all having a good week!!

 

Later Gators!!

 

BBB

Wow!  This week has just flown by.  It has been really busy at the office and at home.  This is the month for lots of birthdays.  Two of my grandchildren, my niece and my Dad have birthdays,  and I have to get cards for all of them asap!!  Hubby and I are going to see 1964....the take on the Be*atles.  The first time he took me to this, I was not really sure I wanted to go, but he said it was fun.  This time, I called him when I heard tickets were going on sale....can we PLEASE please go????  He got tickets!!  If you have never been and the opportunity presents itself, you should go.  It is a blast from the past.  That first time...the one where I was hesitant thinking it would be "cheesy"....by the second song I was on my feet dancing my fool head off!!  Especially having grown up with that music....I absolutely loved it.  It is a show very well done.

 

In the  morning I am going to the Red Cross and donating platelets.  They have been calling for weeks begging me to give.  I feel guilty that I haven't donated except once this year.  The need is so great, especially for cancer patients.  So, I shall go and be hooked up to a machine at 8:15 in the morning and it will take about one and a half to two hours.  I usually watch a movie during that time.  If you have never considered this, please think about it.  Is there a little discomfort.....yes.  But the gift is so precious to those who are desparately ill.  Nuff said.

 

Once I am done with that little chore, there is SO MUCH I want or need to do.  Get the above-mentioned cards.  Get some other shopping done.  And...it is "The Heart of Tulsa" craft show!!  I wanna go I wanna go!!!  Last year I got the absolutely CUTEST purse in the whole world there.  I mean, people stop me all the time and ask where I got this purse.  I NEED to shop the crafts, the jewelry, the gifts, the PURSES, the clothes!!  And it benefits the Heart Association.   Then.....tomorrow evening, we go to our kids for a "birthday" cookout for the grandkids.  Again....I need the aforementioned birthday cards.  I also need to go see my folks as I haven't been by to see them this week.  I have talked to my Dad several times, but I feel better when I lay eyes on them at LEAST once a week.  That may have to wait till Sunday!!

 

With nothing else going on.....hehehe.....I also need to be preparing my house for houseguests (my sister, my niece and my brother-in-law) who will be coming in the same week we leave for FLORIDA.....which I also have to prepare for!!  I need to buy new guest towels since the towels we have are okay for US....but not a matching set in the WHOLE HOUSE!!  Geez!!!  Not good.  I also need to tackle both bathrooms with a deep cleaning from top to bottom.   Can ya say spit 'n polish?? 

 

Did I mention we are leaving for FLORIDA soon??    hehehe  I cannot WAIT!!!  Hubs and I have not had any vacay time together since August of last year.  We will be gone nine whole days!!  Yippeee!!  Destination???  Beautiful Destin, Florida.  And perhaps on down the coast to Panama City Beach.  Hubs has never been there so it should be lots of fun showing him around.  We are pulling the trailer and have a camping spot right on the beach in Destin.  I absolutely LOVE the beautiful sugar sands, the lovely ocean and just vegging on the beach.  It will be so nice to just be able to spend some quality time with my hubby.  We always have a great time.  On the way we are stopping in Shreveport and Baton Rouge and we have people to see both places.  I have never been to Florida driving it....I have always flown before....so I am really looking forward to seeing that part of the country.

 

While we are gone, my brother-in-law is coming in to stay at our house and will take care of my MIL, who fell and broke her arm and chipped a bone in her shoulder.  Yeah....hubs has been dealing with that during his busiest time of year.  So, this time away will be really good for him and he won't have to worry about his Mom.  My two sisters have promised to look in on my folks as well.  We will kennel my weimie and a friend is going to take care of our other three dogs.  So....hopefully, all bases covered!!  Whew!!!

 

I hope everyone has a great weekend!!  I will need to get back to work Monday to rest from mine!   hehehe  JUST kiddin!!

 

BBB.....over and out!!

 

 

It was off to Arkansas.....and it was a great trip!!  I'm not sure if it was NJaney's "people" or what....but we finally had a weekend of lovely weather.  (In case it WAS NJaney's "people" I say thanks girlfriend....they saved my sanity!!!!)  I was up and at 'em early Friday and on the road to Arkansas in my truck.  I had my Ip*od playing all my fave tunes.  It is so cool how there is a hook-up in the new truck.....just plug it in....and go.....and the pod sits safely in the glove box where no one can see it!!  It was rockin!!!!  It was partly cloudy.  Just enough clouds to keep it from being so hot.  I was at BFF's house by 11.  We loaded up in her 'Stang and off we went to shop shop shop!!!  Yeehaw!!  She took me to a new mall near her house.  Very very upscale and lovely.  Rather than being indoors, it is the old style outdoor mall with beautiful brick streets, shade trees and benches outside.  I loved it!!  She took me to a restaurant which I FELL IN LOVE with!!  We have one here....I just had never been in since I didn't know much about it.  Well, I will be taking hubby there soon!!  If you have a "Mimi's Cafe" near  you....lucky you too!!  I had the best lunch!  Every diner gets their choice of the most huge and amazingly delish home made muffins.  Since I was new to the experience, I followed our waiter's suggestion of buttermilk spice.  It was huge, fresh and yummers!!  I could only eat half since I wanted to be able to enjoy my lunch.  I had crab, sweet corn and asparagus quiche which was just to die for!!!  It was served with salad and fresh fruit.  I ate till I about popped!!  (I feel some really really hard workouts in my future to work off said meal!!!).

 

After lunch we were off to our fave consignment stores to shop.  BFF found a couple of cute outfits for next to nothing.  I came up dry this trip...but usually find lots of stuff.  We hit the cutest little antique shop on the way to her home and I found a little antique mirror/box combo to put up in my house to hold keys and mail.  This shop was an old farm house and was just chock full of lovely treasures.  I will make a return trip there!!

 

Saturday morning found us holding BFF's garage sale.  I nabbed a couple of things.  A beautiful cobalt blue bottle with lights in it....and a window pane mirror with six panels in it.  It will be put in one of the bedrooms.  The sale went well and when we wrapped up, we loaded the leftovers in my truck and hauled it to the helping hands for the blind store which we had shopped at on Friday!!  They will sort through and sell what they want and the proceeeds benefit programs for the blind in the AR area.  Kewl!!!

 

Saturday afternoon I headed home and made it home in time to head to Riverwalk with hubs for dinner.  Turns out it was "Raggeafest" and the place was crawling with people.  Also, our fave group "G-Note" was playing at Los Cabos.  We had brought our chairs, so we set them up and took in some great music and people watching!!  Also our kids met us down there, so I did some dancing with my lovely 3-year old grandchild.  She had a ball dancing with Grammy!!   Good times folks!!  Just plain old good times!!

 

I best be wrapping this up for now.  I gotta get ready for work....and I have two meetings today so it will be busy!  I will try to blog walk if I get any kind of break at all. 

 

Have a great one my friends!!

 

BBB

Yepper.....there is this bright glowing orb in the sky.  I think they call it the SUN!!!  For the past two days....yessirreee....two days....we have actually had some sunshine!!!  I am doin' a happy dance for sure!!  I cannot tell you what a blessed relief this is for those of us in the Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas area.  Eureeeeeka!!  It's like hittin' the lottery!!  I would bet that there are people in other parts of the country who would love to have the rain instead of the heat they have been experiencing though.  

 

I apologize for my previous post....heck...I may go and delete it.  What a downer!!  Sorry folks.  I know you don't visit so you can hear what a draggy butt I have been!!  Onward and upward now though.  Later this morning I am getting my hair done.  Yippeeee!!  I LOVE having my hair done.  I have been going to the same guy (who is NOT umm....you know) for just shy of ten years.  I tell him "S...you are just the absolute greatest hairstylist ever!!"  He just smiles and says "I sure am!!"   Over the years we have shared a lot of stories about our families.  I know his wife R, as she sometimes would assist in his salon.  S usually has some good jokes for me.  In short, I just enjoy the whole experience.  I know you will probably think I am weird, but my favorite part of getting my hair done is having someone else wash my hair.  Something about that...it is just wonderful. 

 

After my hair appointment I am going to get on my gym togs and head for a work out.  I didn't work out at all yesterday....and I can tell I need a good workout.  I cannot tell you how much I am enjoying my workouts.  Even though I am sore afterwards....it just feels good to be working out.  I am learning lots of the equipment back in the weights area of the gym.  What a hoot!!  I actually enjoy that part as well.  Okay... I wanna know who hijacked the old "BBB" who was a confirmed, lifelong, card carrying couch potato, and brought in this new "BBB" who loves the gym??   I never would have thought it possible....who knew???

 

Next weekend I am thinking of taking off on Friday evening and driving over to BFF's house.  She is having a garage sale and I told her I would come help with it.  I may even take off Friday and go help her get everything set up.  BFF always has neat stuff in her garage sales, so I may need to make a few purchases.  hehehe  One man's trash ya know???   I haven't been to her house in over a year.  That is just not usual for us.  She has been over here several times....so it's my turn for sure to go there.  Most likely, Friday night will find us in her wonderful hot tub, soaking and visiting.  Sometimes her hubby makes us a tall cool beverage.  That makes it even more fun!!  Whatever we do, it is always nice spending time with BFF.  She is just one of the greatest people I know.

 

I have been getting e-mails this week from my oldest sister who is in Australia for two weeks with my BIL, their best friends and my oldest nephew.  Can you imagine?  Australia people!!  My nephew is in the Navy and is between postings.  He had already been Australia a week when sis and company flew in.  They are traveling via air jaunts all over the continent.  They started their journey in Sydney, spending two days there.  Day before yesterday found them in Cairns.  They are snorkeling the great coral reefs there!!  I just cannot imagine how beautiful it must be.  Sis and her hubby have worked so hard all their lives.  Have raised all their children to be responsible adults, and have done virtually nothing for themselves.  I am so excited for them for finally doing something for themselves.  Sis said it is the most money they have ever even considered spending in this way.  I told her that life is short...you have worked hard....you MORE than deserve it....go and have the time of your life!!!  And by golly by gum....they are doing just that!!  Yaaaayyyy sis!!  My nephew will be coming stateside for the first time in a long time.  He has had postings in Iceland, South Korea, and most recently a couple years in Japan.  His Japan stint finally found him serving on an aircraft carrier from time to time.  I think he has enjoyed his naval career and will probably stay and retire from the military.  It will be nice to have him stateside for a while though.  I really admire the men and women who so loyally serve in our military.  They are a different breed and it is certainly not done for high pay.  They do it because they love our country and are proud to serve.  Thank God there are people out there like them or where in the world would our country be.

 

Well folks.....hope I haven't bored  you too much!!  I hope everyone has a lovely weekend!!  I think I am gonna go take a little "blog walk" and visit some of you.  Take care!!

 

BBB

 

 

I know this is a strange title for this blog.... First off, I hope everyone had a great 4th of July.  Nothing better than celebrating the birth of our great nation.  Ours was laid back to say the least.

 

I don't know if it is the fact that the holiday was in the middle of the week...and I have had to work around that holiday....or the stupid rain that occurs almost every day....or what.  But I am just feeling totally discombobulated.  Is that a word??  I think it is...if not...it is how I feel.  I feel depressed.  And I am NOT a depressed kinda person.  I just have this feeling in my gut.  Is the next proverbial shoe going to drop??  I don't know.  I just know I do not like feeling this way.  I didn't want to work out tonight, but I went anyway.  My trainer worked me so hard I got dizzy and light headed for quite a little bit.  It was disconcerting.  I can't explain it....can't quite put a finger on it...but I just feel like crying.  And I don't have PMS or anything....am way past that.  I hate this funk.  This sense that you know what is gonna hit the fan.  Anyone out there have those feelings ever??  Or is it just weird little ole me???

 

I am ready for some SUNSHINE!!!  The little we had yesterday was so soothing.  But come morning...I woke up to the gray.  The oppressive humidity.  I know that there are so many people who are suffering from all this endless rain....really suffering.  I've been reading Kat's entries.  Her friends, neighbors and loved ones have truly suffered from the rain.  We really are lucky that we have no flooding.  So I shouldn't be feeling this way.  But I am ready for a break....some sun.....something....anything.  I know I am not alone in this. 

 

Sorry for the downer here.  I just needed to vent.  Just a little.  Now it's all done.  I apologize in advance.  But it's my blog and I guess I should write what I feel...unless it would be hurtful to someone.  That I won't do. 

 

Someone do a "SUNSHINE DANCE" okay?? 

 

I promise to be better....and post something a little more uplifting next time.   Till then...I hope you all are having a good week, whatever you are up to.

 

BBB