TICKLED PINK... Yes, I am!

Most of you that know me... know that regardless of whether I am in a personal conversation or a business one... I am... who I am.  In other words... you cannot take the south out of my "twang or drawl" nor my many southern expressions that I use in everyday conversation.  So today... I was on a conference call... and a colleague was giving an update on a project.     When she finished, several colleagues gave their input and then it was my turn.  The first thing I come out with...is....  "I'm tickled pink!"  Now, for me... If I've heard this once... I've heard it thousands of times, so it really wasn't that strange.  For those on the call, I had to explain exactly what that phrase meant.   I mean, honestly... "tickled pink"... ya'll get that, right?

As I sat there listening in "complete awe" that there were a few on the call who had never heard that.. or even knew what it meant... (did they really think I was tickled pink?)  I realized that ... this is just one of the many southern expressions that I use and never take for granted that some may not understand what I'm talking about whatsoever.  So... it prompted me to ask a question... "Do ya'll think I talk funny? " and I was not referring to the drawl that they all seem to think I have.. which to me...I don't. ...but it led to a whole separate conversation about the southern expressions that people find so endearing.   Several folks told me that when they hear me say "Bless Your Heart", it makes them absolutely wish they lived in a southern state and cracks them up at the same time.  

By the way... I recommended that they all download "Forrest Gump" and "Steel Magnolias" for some definite southern education.  Two of my favorite movies!

So.. now, as I've pondered over my heritage... and the fact that I am truly proud to be from Mississippi and from the South.. I realized that for me... the expressions and sayings are just normal and part of everyday life.  I don't think of them as being "southern" or unique.   I guess, we truly do, have a language of our own and if you've never heard them.. they are "greek".   Like right now.. I am "grinning like a mule eating briars" as I'm writing this post... and I'm sure all of you understood that meant that I am happy, happy... happy with just a smidgeon of smugness thrown in!

I will be quite aware of what I say on future calls, at least,  for a short while, then, of course, I'll forget and revert back to me, being me.    So... for all of you that are not from a southern state.. and are completely clueless as to what this post is all about... here is a short list of  some "southern expressions" that I have heard my entire life. (Trust me.. there are so many more!)  I hope that as you're reading these, they will bring a smile to your face, warm your heart... and make you feel the southern hospitality thats embraced every time someone uses these or any phrase that may seem unfamiliar to you... but somewhere... somebody is whistlin' dixie.

"I'm fixin' to"... (getting prepared to do something) 
"Higher than a Georgia Pine"... (drunk)
"I declare"... (a mild oath) 
"Gullywasher"... (heavy rain)
"Slow as Molasses"... (slow) 
"Ya'll" ... (you all) 
"that put a quiver in my liver"... (awe)
"his elevator doesn't go all the way to the top" (brains missing)
"he's one fry short of a happy meal". (duh..) 
"I got it for a song" (got it cheap) 
"madder than a wet hen" (ANGRY)
"walkin' in tall cotton" (exclamation of happiness)
"if things get any better, I may have to hire someone to help me enjoy it"
"dawg nabbit" (disappointment) 
"for cryin' out loud" (well, i'll be darned)

Thanks for continuing to read my blog, for sharing it and recommending it to anyone who passes your way.  I am deeply grateful and appreciative

... Ya'll come back now!





 

Life's Highway... An Open Road

Life's journey is full of surprises.  It's a wide open road from start to finish.   It's not a planned road map with all the right directions.... we all get lost from time to time even though many of us would like to think that we had every detail down.   We each have a beginning where we are brought into this world.   We have a middle where we are establishing ourselves as individuals - our own thoughts, our talents, our ability to learn... we are finding our way.  As adults, we find that we want things out of life that will enrich it whether its a career, a family, financial stability... and yes, even world peace.    Today... I reflect on the foundation of my own journey. ----  My parents.

I was very fortunate to have two parents who loved me.  They didn't always say the words but I knew by their actions that they did. They provided for me, nurtured me, supported me, encouraged me and even when I had trials, tribulations and everything in between... at the end of the day... I could always go back home.. to my parents ....my foundation.  (and... I definitely tested my parents and in many ways... I think that they tested me.  At one time or another,  haven't we all?    But... through out my entire life, they never showed me anything but unconditional love even when i know they could have locked me up and never let me out of the house again.   As I have often said to my own kids... there is NOTHING you can do, will do or want to do... that I haven't already done... so just shoot straight with me.   I can only hope that I can be the same foundation for my own kids as my parents were to me.

I'm pretty lucky in the fact that I always had a close relationship with my parents.   For 45 years ... I saw them every day that I was in town... and if I wasn't in town, I talked to them over the telephone.  I am sure to many that sounds quite strange.... maybe it's because I am the youngest in my family... but whatever the reason, I wouldn't change it for anything.   Don't get me wrong... we had plenty of disagreements over the years and it wasn't always an EASY relationship.... there were many years when it was just downright hard..... but, even in the good, the bad and even ugly... the older I got, the more time I wanted to spend with them.

Now... I no longer have that opportunity.

As I mentioned in an earlier blog, several years ago, I underwent many changes professionally where I had resigned from my job in an executive management position.  It was a life-changing decision and one that took a lot of soul-searching to make....  at the same time that was going on... my personal life took on some profound changes as well.  My dad was diagnosed with lung cancer in November 2008 - about 2 months after I quit my job.  He passed away in July 2009 and my mother passed away 6 months later .... last January 2010 from COPD.  ( Needless to say, the last 2 1/2 years have been a journey filled with raw emotions, ups and downs and many days, just a struggle to get up,  but,I keep getting up.   For my parents... they had their beginning, their middle and their end in the physical sense.  They went through life's cycle.   My parents were married 51 years (to each other), they worked, raised a family, had grandkids and enjoyed their retirement.   (That in itself... says a lot.)  My road map had a plan... that I wasn't even aware of until it happened and I know that God always leads us where we need to go..... there are definitely reasons that everything in life happens...  even though we ourselves may not understand it... I didn't realize it at the time two years ago when my life had so many changes... but I know that I was given a priceless gift of time to be with my parents to help care for them and to give back to the two people who gave me life.

One year ago today, my mother passed away.  Sitting here today,  I am overcome with tremendous sadness and emotion.  There has not been one day that has gone by that I haven't missed them.  I have found myself in the grocery store calling my mother to ask for a recipe... to realize after a few short minutes....  the phone doesn't ring and that she's no longer there for me to call.   When Ole Miss or another SEC team is playing on tv, especially during the bowl games, which was a favorite of my dad... I can't go up to their house and sit with him to watch.   My children no longer have their grandparents to teach them about their geneology, their history... stories of the past when society was completely different but we all grasp for a glimpse of the days gone by.   Our foundation is gone... but, not forgotten.  Their memories and spirits live within each of us   Their legacy lives through all of us.   Grief is an emotion that has no time limit or procedure.  Each person deals with it differently and for me... its day by day.  There are many days when I am okay, and as time goes on, more and more that are good and great...... and there are others when I am teary eyed, emotional and feel as if I've been swallowed up by the grief.  Those have become less and less, but they still happen... out of the blue, without warning.   There is an emptiness to my life now, a sense of loss and disorientation that you didn't feel before... but, life goes on..... and each day,  it gets a little more bearable than the day before.   

Life is so precious and sometimes I think that we all get caught up in all the negative of it and we forget to be grateful for the many blessings bestowed on us every single day.  We forget that our faith,  family and friends are the true value in our lives... not money, not material items, not career accolades.  (Yes, all of those things have a place in our lives and give us sense of accomplishment, but none of those things define us .)  The news and media ... they play on our emotions day in and day out.  Most of the time.. it's with just depressing news but have you noticed that when there is a good news story... like the one of the rescued Chilean miners -- it is hugely popular... it's inspirational, positive and just made you beam and cry because finally something wonderful had happened in today's society.  I know that I sat up most of the night... watching one by one as those miners were rescued... holding my breath until they had them all.  I don't think I am any different from everyone else ...  People want good.

I've realized a lot about my own journey since I lost my parents.. and quite a bit about the relationship that I had with each of them and I know that I am one of the lucky ones.  So, today, I am choosing to celebrate my mother's life (as well as my dad's) even though the emotions are still raw and I miss them more than mere words could ever relay... deep down, I know they are always with me and I know that in time... my grief won't be as overwhelming.   As I continue my own journey, I know it won't ever be the same.  I can never go back.   I can only go forward and know that they will always reside within my heart and hopefully all the things that they gave me for my foundation, I will pass on to my own children and grandchildren. 

.....For many of you... you are still able to pick up the phone... and have it answered.   You are able to drive down the road and enjoy a visit for no reason at all.   You're able to share a recipe, a ballgame, a trip or dinner.   I hope that you won't waste another minute in doing so. 

Life's highway... is an open road.   We may not have the exact road map... and its definitely full of plenty of surprises for us.   As we travel along, we choose our stops, our detours, our mountains and valleys and most of all we choose our direction.  We hope that the choices we've made are the right ones and if they aren't... we get back on the road... and keep going.  The core of our journey in life is our relationships within in it and it is up to us... to make the most of them.

Home Sweet Home

Home Sweet Home.  How many times in your life have you said those 3 words.   When I am returning from any kind of travel, I say them every time and... I realized some years ago... that I absolutely mean them.  I do live in the center of the universe, afterall or more often referred to as God's Country.    

So, what makes Oxford so darn special?   Honestly - the people.  The community.  The history.   Its a small college town located approximately 70 miles southeast of Memphis.  Home to the University of Mississippi, affectionately known as Ole Miss... and our beloved Rebels. (Archie or Eli, ring a bell? - Yes, both are alumni).    Tailgating in the Grove is definitely one tradition that everyone should experience at least once in their life.  There are simply no words to adequately describe it, although later on... I may give it a whirl, because I do think that could make for a very interesting post.

But why.. the center of the universe as Oxford's square has been dubbed.   The square is directly in the middle of Oxford, which by the way - from one side of town to the other takes about... oh, 10 minutes or less if there's no traffic.   Surrounding the square, you will find some of the best shops, art galleries, restaurants, bars located anywhere in the south.   These are local owned and operated and unique.   A lot of communities lose their individuality, but Oxford flourishes with it.  The square feels like home.  Its the heart of the community and as you walk around it, you can feel the warmth and friendliness.  It truly is... the center of the universe as we know it.   

Arts!  Paintings?  Pottery?  Music?  Books?   It's all here!  As a person who loves to read and write, one of the best bookstores in the South is also proud to call Oxford home - Square Books.   Oxford is known for it's artistic scene, being home to some phenomenal writers, both past and present:  Nobel Prize Winner - William Faulkner, Larry Brown, Barry Hannah, Willie Morris,  John Grisham... and the list of local artisans who share their talents is endless.  From painters, potters, musicians to writers... Oxford is not in short supply by any means. 

And talkin' about food.. yum!   Oxford is home to some great local places and even though from time to time, we all fret because we don't have nearly enough chain restaurants, the choices available are some of the best.  Taylor Grocery tops my list because its known for its catfish, but its located about 7 miles south of Oxford in Taylor.   They have music playing pretty much every week-end and with the BYOB (for you city slickers - that's Bring Yer Own Bottle)... you can enjoy a great time.  Others that I love are 208, Ajax, Volta, Bottletree Bakery and Boure.

Oxford has also been named one of the best small towns in America, along with one of the best retirement towns.   There have been stories of people who came for a 3 day week-end and... well, they are still here.   So, if you're ever passin' through and want a great meal and good time along with a touch of true Southern hospitality... I'll be glad to say... welcome to my Home Sweet Home.