The thrill of summer, being young and free, riding around and around on the swings, seeing the sights of the city. The night air, salty and sticky. The breeze blowing bumping hard and fast into the mouth of the dragon. I rememember getting $12 each of us from our granddad on our annual family trip to this city of lights, adventure and waves of excitement. We would take our cash and cross the carlined strip full of honking, music and freedom. We rode the Ferris Wheel together in the early days. They would all come and we would share this moment with the stars and each other stopping at the top, thinking these days were forever and youth was a term we despised. We rode together through the tree of spookiness and then walked bravely through the haunted house. How cool it was to turn the hidden wall and discover the path behind it. The Paratrooper was my brother's favorite ride and I will always remember the excitement in his voice and eyes when it was his turn to get on and spin around in circles. And if the heat of the night became too much we would venture into the Abominable Snowman where it was cool and windy as we went fast and furiously in circles to the beat of the music. But nothing compared to Dante's Inferno or what we referred to as The Devil. Def Leapord blared out Pour Some Sugar on me as we waited patiently in the chewing gum lined cheeks and tongue for our turn to get scrambled. The log ride was a favorite as well. Going up the hill and splashing down in our new outfits. I'll never forget my first ride on the bullett or the fun times on the Music Express and the darkness of the dungeon.
My heart ached when I heard the park was closing. So many lives were forever touched by such a special place and it is such a shame that the changing of the times leaves future generations void of such innocent adventures. However, it gives me hope to think of the rides incarnate at other parks across the world that carry new passengers full of life, innocense and adventure that we once shared. I think it would be incredible to visit one of these parks and again feel the wind blow wide open against my tan skin. But would my heart be able to relive the excitement, the pure joy that comes with being young and would it even mean anything to my child unscathed by the miracles of this one time must do while at the Gulf ?
Saturday, May 30, 2009
A Dreamer's Dream
Have you ever looked back on your life and pondered your dreams-the ones that came true, the ones that burst like a bubble and the ones that changed alltogether?
A lifelong dream for me was to grow up, get married and have children to raise in Homewood. That dream has come true in every way possible. I have no reason to complain about anything because I have everything I ever wanted so why is it that I still complain?
Is it comparable to no matter how high on the salary scale one becomes, and how many possessions he owns, he still longs for more? Or is it that perhaps dreams are no more than a fantasy and hopes are crushed when one believes that his life will be a certain way because in reality it never will be they way he planned it?
A lifelong dream for me was to grow up, get married and have children to raise in Homewood. That dream has come true in every way possible. I have no reason to complain about anything because I have everything I ever wanted so why is it that I still complain?
Is it comparable to no matter how high on the salary scale one becomes, and how many possessions he owns, he still longs for more? Or is it that perhaps dreams are no more than a fantasy and hopes are crushed when one believes that his life will be a certain way because in reality it never will be they way he planned it?
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Help Whip Cancer With the Pampered Chef
May is Help Whip Cancer month with The Pampered Chef. Check out my website at www.pamperedchef.biz/leslee to view the adorable pink products that are only available during the month of May.
Feel free to stop by my Help Whip Cancer party on Sunday, May 31 between 1:30 & 3. It will be held at Oakmont UMC at 916 Oak Grove Rd. Homewood, AL 35209.
Interested in hosting a party? Check out our upcoming host specials on my website. August is 60% off of cookware for hosts only! This is amazing! Check it out!
Feel free to stop by my Help Whip Cancer party on Sunday, May 31 between 1:30 & 3. It will be held at Oakmont UMC at 916 Oak Grove Rd. Homewood, AL 35209.
Interested in hosting a party? Check out our upcoming host specials on my website. August is 60% off of cookware for hosts only! This is amazing! Check it out!
SPREE
Shop
Praise
Relax
Eat
Enjoy
SPREE--June 13, 2009
Oakmont United Methodist Church
916 Oak Grove Rd. Homewood, AL 35209
(205) 942-4622
The United Methodist Women's group at my church has always had a "Trash & Treasures" sale. In recent years it has been in conjunction with the Men's Club BBQ. Last year it was a consignment sale. We were trying to decide what to do for this year when I came up with the idea of SPREE. As a Team Leader for The Pampered Chef, I am always looking for events in the community in which to showcase my awesome products and meet new people. I thought it would be fabulous to provide this opportunity in our community to other people in the same boat as me such as Lisa McCracken with Mary Kay. The event is not exclusive, however to business owners. It is open to anyone who would like to purchase a table. There will be folks selling yard sale items, arts & crafts, monogramming, plant sale, bake sale, wood working, etc. The environment will be laid back and spirit filled and God will be glorified in this event. SPREE will be held in the church gym and the BBQ will be in the fellowship hall. The purpose of this event is to raise money for the UMW as an annual fundraiser for our church. I am so looking forward to this event and all that God has in store for our church through this project.
It has been amazing to see His work as we have been preparing for the event. We wore our bright blue T-shirts screen printed by Jones Sportswear to We Love Homewood Day to advertise our event. Birminghammom.com was nice enough to advertise our event on her calendar for free. Our church members have come together and raised an amazing amount of money for much needed repairs in the gym in preparation for this event. So many have donated their time, money & prayers. It is a beautiful testimony of God's love and the coming together of His people.
If you're reading this, I hope you will plan to come by and see what SPREE is all about. We are looking forward to a great time. Tell your friends to come by as well. For more info visit Oakmont's website at: http://www.oakmontmethodist.org
Praise
Relax
Eat
Enjoy
SPREE--June 13, 2009
Oakmont United Methodist Church
916 Oak Grove Rd. Homewood, AL 35209
(205) 942-4622
The United Methodist Women's group at my church has always had a "Trash & Treasures" sale. In recent years it has been in conjunction with the Men's Club BBQ. Last year it was a consignment sale. We were trying to decide what to do for this year when I came up with the idea of SPREE. As a Team Leader for The Pampered Chef, I am always looking for events in the community in which to showcase my awesome products and meet new people. I thought it would be fabulous to provide this opportunity in our community to other people in the same boat as me such as Lisa McCracken with Mary Kay. The event is not exclusive, however to business owners. It is open to anyone who would like to purchase a table. There will be folks selling yard sale items, arts & crafts, monogramming, plant sale, bake sale, wood working, etc. The environment will be laid back and spirit filled and God will be glorified in this event. SPREE will be held in the church gym and the BBQ will be in the fellowship hall. The purpose of this event is to raise money for the UMW as an annual fundraiser for our church. I am so looking forward to this event and all that God has in store for our church through this project.
It has been amazing to see His work as we have been preparing for the event. We wore our bright blue T-shirts screen printed by Jones Sportswear to We Love Homewood Day to advertise our event. Birminghammom.com was nice enough to advertise our event on her calendar for free. Our church members have come together and raised an amazing amount of money for much needed repairs in the gym in preparation for this event. So many have donated their time, money & prayers. It is a beautiful testimony of God's love and the coming together of His people.
If you're reading this, I hope you will plan to come by and see what SPREE is all about. We are looking forward to a great time. Tell your friends to come by as well. For more info visit Oakmont's website at: http://www.oakmontmethodist.org
Summer To Do List
Help Whip Cancer Pampered Chef Party on Sunday
Need to get over to Homewood Park and get that pool pass
Desperately need to finish painting my Mother's Day masterpiece w/Barrett's handprints on it.
A haircut would be awesome
Beach w/Casey & Alex
Get backyard ready for summer-mucho progress already thanks to Brandon & Placedo
Potty training marathon
SPREE
Parker & Piper's Birthday Parties
Beach trip w/Brandon & Barrett
Get rid of clothes that I'm never going to wear again
Father's Day
Walk
Barrett's 3 y/o check up
Go to the pool
Take Barrett to the zoo
Rearrange & organize
Pampered Chef parties
Go to the lake
Hope to visit Sherry L.
4th of July at the lake
Go shopping for Chicago
Trip to Chicago
Brandon's birthday
Vacation Bible School
Family Beach Trip
Color w/Barrett
Work on letters
Margie's Birthday
Go to the Pool
Cook
Pampered Chef Parties
Dentist
Dr. Prelipcean-I think
Stay up late & watch T.V.
Hope to visit Sherry L.
Start having anxiety attacks about August
Please say it is not here! I want summer to last forever or at least feel like it did when we were kids.
Barrett starts Pre-School
Phillip's Birthday
Alisha's Birthday
Betty's Birthday
Pampered Chef Parties
Once I get all settled back in, I really enjoy the fall...the beginning of school, new clothes, new school supplies, new classes, new beginnings, football...So, long summer. It feels over before it even begins.
Need to get over to Homewood Park and get that pool pass
Desperately need to finish painting my Mother's Day masterpiece w/Barrett's handprints on it.
A haircut would be awesome
Beach w/Casey & Alex
Get backyard ready for summer-mucho progress already thanks to Brandon & Placedo
Potty training marathon
SPREE
Parker & Piper's Birthday Parties
Beach trip w/Brandon & Barrett
Get rid of clothes that I'm never going to wear again
Father's Day
Walk
Barrett's 3 y/o check up
Go to the pool
Take Barrett to the zoo
Rearrange & organize
Pampered Chef parties
Go to the lake
Hope to visit Sherry L.
4th of July at the lake
Go shopping for Chicago
Trip to Chicago
Brandon's birthday
Vacation Bible School
Family Beach Trip
Color w/Barrett
Work on letters
Margie's Birthday
Go to the Pool
Cook
Pampered Chef Parties
Dentist
Dr. Prelipcean-I think
Stay up late & watch T.V.
Hope to visit Sherry L.
Start having anxiety attacks about August
Please say it is not here! I want summer to last forever or at least feel like it did when we were kids.
Barrett starts Pre-School
Phillip's Birthday
Alisha's Birthday
Betty's Birthday
Pampered Chef Parties
Once I get all settled back in, I really enjoy the fall...the beginning of school, new clothes, new school supplies, new classes, new beginnings, football...So, long summer. It feels over before it even begins.
Walking With Pneumonia
I can honestly say that I have been needing some rest but this is not at all what I was thinking. I went to the doctor yesterday to discover that I have Walking Pneumonia. I knew something was wrong. The only time I can remember feeling anything similar to this was in the 7th grade when the flu epidemic hit & more people were out of school than were in.
It has been so long since I have done nothing that nothing is nearly impossible for me to do. I feel guilty doing nothing when I know there is so much to be done. Today, I thought that since I could not go to work that maybe I could clean up and organize. My plan was to get Barrett ready & out the door, take my medicine, then rest a little more. That part went just fine. I rested until around 10:00 and watched a "Snapped" marathon. Then I got up to boil some noodles. After that I was going to get busy around the house. I got so hot and broke out into a cold sweat. My heart started beating fast. I put my head in the freezer to cool off and of course my phone started ringing. I was so hungry for the noodles but so weak that I really did not want to finish cooking them. I made it through and ate them and then dozed and watched more of "Snapped".
I got a little bit done today...unloaded the dishwasher, straightened up the den, put a Pampered Chef order together. However, now I am wide awake. If I could have my life the way I wanted it, I would be a night owl. I love staying up late and sleeping in. "For Keeps" is on right now. It is following "Mystic Pizza". Memories, memories!
So, for all of you that have made fun of me for setting up a blog & never writing on it..this may be my last entry for a while. Too bad it takes Walking Pneumonia to get back to the things you really enjoy in life like writing, 80's movies and of course...sleeping!
I don't think I'll add a pic to this entry! Shower was not on my to do list today!!
It has been so long since I have done nothing that nothing is nearly impossible for me to do. I feel guilty doing nothing when I know there is so much to be done. Today, I thought that since I could not go to work that maybe I could clean up and organize. My plan was to get Barrett ready & out the door, take my medicine, then rest a little more. That part went just fine. I rested until around 10:00 and watched a "Snapped" marathon. Then I got up to boil some noodles. After that I was going to get busy around the house. I got so hot and broke out into a cold sweat. My heart started beating fast. I put my head in the freezer to cool off and of course my phone started ringing. I was so hungry for the noodles but so weak that I really did not want to finish cooking them. I made it through and ate them and then dozed and watched more of "Snapped".
I got a little bit done today...unloaded the dishwasher, straightened up the den, put a Pampered Chef order together. However, now I am wide awake. If I could have my life the way I wanted it, I would be a night owl. I love staying up late and sleeping in. "For Keeps" is on right now. It is following "Mystic Pizza". Memories, memories!
So, for all of you that have made fun of me for setting up a blog & never writing on it..this may be my last entry for a while. Too bad it takes Walking Pneumonia to get back to the things you really enjoy in life like writing, 80's movies and of course...sleeping!
I don't think I'll add a pic to this entry! Shower was not on my to do list today!!
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