Savy and chic

My very best dream and desire.  If I could change any thing about my persona, it would be savy and chic (S/C).  That means that when you turn sideways, you might fade into the background.
But I know that will never be unless I am deathly ill. so I will settle somewhere in the between.

My friend, TW, is trying to get me to see myself as a potential S/C girl! That means I have to think like I am already there and eat like I am a little bit French.  Savor every morsel of food that enters your mouth, wine also, and count your chews and extract every sensory psyche you can muster up.  When you do that, it is time for the waiter to remove the plate, before you are finished, so you never have the opportunity to clean the plate!!  I have figured out that is how they do it. S/C girls talk fast, walk fast in Stilettos, read romantic novels and shop! TW and I both love Paris.
There is a whole new meaning to savoring life when you are there.  I want that feeling here, with me, on this farm, which is far from citified living.

Dana, the bride from the last post, lived with a family in France when in college.  The mother and the husband of the Matron of Honor came to the wedding.  However, they almost had a problem because of the volcano spew of ashes from Iceland was closing down the airports of France.  They live in the north near Belgium and barely got out.  I knew she was coming and when I saw the bridesmaids, who all wore the same dress as MOH and MTOH, I could pick her out without anyone telling me.  She was sleek, savy and chic., very French....I immediately went into international mode and remembered the secret wish I have and relished being savy and chic (still working on the side view!).

Today is one of those days that you wish you could just cruise. Weather is awesome.  Gator tire has a hole in the side, so gotta go get that fixed, get the suris bred and write to our new friends, the Capps! Loved the visit.
Husband at office while William is getting the colic crap! Now I remember why I had one child!

til next time......

Hava Nagila (Hebrew: הבה נגילה)

 When I was in high school back in the 60's, choral glee clubs were a wonderful form of training,
discipline and performance for young people.  Your choral directors were highly respected, competitive and demanding of your complete attention and focus, or you were out!  Rehearsals were early before and after school , much like the football or basketball teams.  There were competitions that took you to another venue to perform.  We had matching outfits, black dresses.  We were called the ChoraLees (Robert E. Lee High School).

On a side bar, the Jewish kids kinda were kept to themselves and did not go our school.  Knowing of their culture and religious practices were foreign to us. Our choral director thought it important to understand all cultures so we were learning songs particular to Africa, France and the Jewish nation.
As I got older and went to college, my horizon expanded and so did my understanding as I then had a history teacher that was not Baptist!
My choral director, Miss Dudley, taught us Hava Nagila.  I got to sing it for the first time since 1963 last PM at a wedding of the daughter of my husband's office partner.  She married a Jewish boy and the wedding was in that practice.  At the reception, they hoisted the couple up onto two chairs,  we did a Hora dance and sang Hava Nagila (link to words and music below).  I could not believe that I rememberd the words! The folks near me asked me which synagogue I attended.  I just smiled and kept moving.  I am blond and blue, should have been a dead give away, but they included us anyhow! Thank you Miss Dudley for making it possible for me to love, understand and celebrate in this wonderful love feast.
Sherry, my only Jewish girl friend will be very proud when she learns of my singing expression.
Loved the moment. the words to that song by the way can cross any religious or political line .
Rejoice!
Tom, my husband's friend, is now looking for extra work.....such a dad....
Wait til I write about her French friend's family that the bride lived with when she studied in France.

the words savy and chic have a brand new meaning.....

William and his mommy and daddy are doing just fine and dandy, thank you for asking.


Til next time.....

http://www.horaband.com/Hava_Nagila.html

A closed mouth gathers no feet

Have been extrememly busy the last 18 days.  William was born, Heather was adjusting, spring breedings on the farm were in full blast, pollen everywhere, sorting out the shearing harvest and maintaining sanity.

In the midst of of much, when normally my life is quiet, routine and not so full of drama, I caught my foot being in the wrong place many times.
Do not know if inappropriate responses were due to fatigue, fear of turf being threatened, not knowing proper response or just downright being snarky.
I found my self over-reacting to situations where I was not in control. My personal kingdom/business being invaded. Thank you Becky for being there and revealing to me that truth prevails and love endures.
I am here to tell you that once the word is out of your lips, it is gone, gone. Cannot be retrieved.. Now I am not saying you should keep things pent up, for that will cause you to drop your basket! What I am sharing is to be very careful what you think in the first place for that dictates the lip spew!
When I told my daughter that my greatest fears centered on the fact that I did not wish her to cave into, be victim, and/or her kindness being mistaken for an open door.  She is very sensitive right now and opportunists will move in. 
Now that is all I am going to say about that for she and I have for the first time in 34 years discussed various topics and now that we are done with that I have come to this.

   1. I am not the boss of her.  She is 37 years old and if she chooses to do things, well,  that is her business.
   2. I am responsible for my business.  If it means building a moat around this farm, then so be it!
   3.  I am responsible for my joy.  My grandson is now so much part of my daily thoughts that I cannot   remember not ever thinking about him! Weird phenomenon.
   4. Whatever resources I have must be managed with finesse and great care to preserve.
   5.  A closed mouth gathers no feet; keeps you from foot in mouth disesase!

May your spring day be gorgeous. Going to a wedding of my husband's dental partner's daughter.  She begins a new life and I think that is just superb!
My mother, William's great-grandmother, just beams when she says his name for that was her loving husband's name who would have celebrated his 99th birthday 11 days before this baby's entrance into the world.
His birthstone is aquamarine or bloodstone.  Will share what I learned about that in another post.

til next time........

M*I*L- the three best and worst words!

M*I*L= Mother in Law. How is it with you? You may not have one yet, or maybe never will, you may not be one yet, but let me assure you kingdoms are won and lost over these three words. 

I do not know what it is about the relationship between in-laws.  Is it fear of loss of power and influence? Is it fear that the other side will invade your space? Invade your wealth? Invade your once private world with the blood relative?

Yes.Yes,yes and yes....
You do not have ownership of any previous station in life when you become an in-law.
Sometimes you wonder what would be the future of this relationship.  Most of the time, you will feel this is great for my child and I can put up with some quirks;  as I am sure the in-law will say of the other side of the family!
It is all about personnel management.  Remember that old term? When you want something done, get it done through people.  Praise them, support them, guide them, give them good in-service education programs, exhibit with your actions how you want the tone to be in your management circle. In-laws are people, they respond to the tactics of good management and will not realize what is actually happening.  This is kinda fun.
I really like my SIL; I am hoping he keeps my daughter as the only center of his life.  They can flourish as a team as long as both M*I*L (and the cadre et al of other family ) let them alone to seek their own level.

Last week while my daughter was in the hospital, I revisited my ole stompin' grounds for I used to work there.  I was appalled at some of the things I saw.  I would never have let this slide, or that go unattended.  When I was there, 900 emloyees, today over 4000.  (side note: I think our HCB sponsors should visit the hospital industry, that is where the costs are out of control.  Not the doctors, but the hospital administrators who are in cahoots with the insurance companies, boy are we dumb sometimes!).Same CON of beds, but more people giving more specialized services, but the food was less than desirable.  We used to be "the" best food place in town! Cannot go there for too long for I now realize that nothing lasts....

Anyhow back to summarize my musings for today:
                  Mind your own business...that is the biggest and best challenge you can take on!

Pray for Michele; she is in surgery today in Orlando, FL. Things will forever be different, but she is loved...
Prince William is just fine and dandy.....

Til next time

Friendly advice

Do you doubt yourself? Do you think you cannot come up with the right answer to your own questions? Do you have to consult someone before you make a decision? Do you not trust your own gut feeling and judgments?

I would encourage you to listen to yourself.
I am amazed at how expert some folks are when it comes to breast-feeding.  I know this is not a usual subject, but a novice at this gets so thoroughly confused as to how to conduct this act that they do not listen to their own bodies. They do not trust their gut instincts until it become a 20/20 hind sight.
So it is with any decision in your midst.  You have to think through what would the Dalai do? Think what would be best for you and your family, your farm et al.

Thinking about your alpaca herd, your business, your children, you have to know what is normal. You have to know when things feel wrong.  Then act when you have that secure feeling that this is the right direction to go. Do not wait for a concensus of opinions unless it is a cadre of veterinarians or doctors or truly successful business firends. There are a lot of ways of getting things right.  Not all things have one answer.  You have to take the experiences of others and make your own choices.  Weaning for example, many thoughts on this across the animal kingdom.
If you are someone's mentor, make sure you consider their needs and feelings.  They trust your judgments and sometimes get off course for they are not you.  I would think it would be good to encourage friends and others to read, study, gather suggestions and stand on their own mind's decision.

Easter season was blessed.
Herd is shorn.
William is here.
Husband cooked the most delicious lamb from Ranchline in New Mexico,
Del III made the cheeerleading squad for his senior year . Now how good is all that?

Til next time.....

Miracle at Easter

Many of you who read these writings are Christians.  Others of you are celebrating the Passover. Shalom.
This is our high time of the year.  This time of the year we celebrate the Resurrection of Christ.  That act alone has set Him apart.
Join our family in celebrating yet another miracle at this time of year. 
March 31, 2010 will be a date that will go down in history!

William Ross McGee entered this world to make it a better place to live.

The Dolly will be there for him to accomplish his goals.
Welcome precious bundle.

Heather is doing fine and Ross is a very proud father.
We are still at Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Gainesville, GA.  and will go home this weekend sometime.

Praying that all of you have a blessed Easter.

Til next time

Measure twice; cut once

Only a surgeon would automatically know what the title to this writing is all about.
To give you the background, I was discussing with my husband a concern of mine.  I have a job of protecting my daughter's privacy and wishes, to the extent that I am given the duty.  There are a lot of other people in her life that may think they have as rightful a place at her side, equal to mine, her mother.

She is having surgery , a Ceasarean section tomorrow and I know how she is when she comes out of sedation. I know she says and exhibits feelings that she is remorseful for after it is over.  In order to protect her privacy and the health of a new baby, I am dreading that some of the extended family and her girl friends will think they are exempt from an edict as if I am  the Mother Superior.
Once she is over the nausea and the baby is deemed safe and sound, then she can be her own protector.  Even her husband has not seen this side of her.

My husband, the wise sage that he is, said "Measure twice, cut once".
That means if you think you are about to do something (or say something) that might be irretrievable, think about it twice, if it is still a good move, then go for it.  However, do give it the benefit of two passes by. Once you cut (speak), it is done. Especially important when you are a surgeon and cutting tissue; there is no going back
I will heed that advice. I just hope that no one pushes my buttons on this for I too, indeed, am very concerned about the whole event and pray that others will give her the privacy and due respect, including the extendeds.  I guess that some folks though, think they are on equal footing with the blood mama. Not.
I know that the new being is shared genes, but that is as far as it goes. No inherent rights and privileges other than padding his college fund, please!
But, then again, if I do not have the authority to help her in this manner, I may join the ranks of the exiled too!
I guess I had better think twice about posting this for they read my writings and I would be in the cooker for sure!
Maybe I will have to redo my will if necessary.

No matter, welcome sweet baby. You and Dolly will work this out.

May your journey be safe and perfect.

See you around 8 AM 3/31/10!


Til next time.......

Party-David Allen style!

Why is it that we wait until a funeral wake to tell someone how much they are loved and appreciated?

 I think that is way too late.

 I am recommending that all of you, on your next birthday, do what our friend, Dr. J.David Allen did.

1.   THROW YOURSELF A PARTY! Seated  preferably
2.   Invite friends. Put birth date on FB so that those who cannot come will be reminded of your day.
3.   No gifts, unless they know you love single malt scotch or CABO Wabo!
4.   Have in a location so as not to stress yourself (or wife )about catering
5.   No entertainment to clog the friendly vibes or compete.
6.   Be your own D.J
7.   Use place cards.
8.  Tell all your family and guests how much you appreciate them, this is your party so you can start
      the toasting.
9.   The toasting will begin automatically. Some will be prepared, others will be impromptu. Some
      will have waited a life time to tell you some things, or remind you of past antics.  Be prepared,
10.  It is now open season on the birthday person.....
11.  Adjourn before it gets too rowdy! Even among ladies and gentlemen, constraint is a virtue.

This is a suggested Order of the Event.

Of course, you could have a virtual birthday party and invite the whole world on Facebook; now that would be in keeping with the times and keeping the event green without spending the green!

You may hear those things that you wished you could hear, but the best part is that folks get to say things to you while you are upright and not horizontal or in some oriental urn on a pedestal with a bunch of folks in robes standing around.

You might want to repeat this in a few more years and see if folks have anything different to say !

And to those of you who have friends that may not want to go this route, remember their birth dates.  There are all sorts of ways to be reminded.  Even FB has a place for birthdates and will send all your friends a reminder! Even better!

In any event celebrate the day you were born, it truly is memorable (especially to your mother!) and should be treated with respect.

Speaking of birthdays.......sometime between now and Wednesday another birth is anticipated.....God speed little fella...Dolly

Til next time.

Miracle Imaging

This is Baby McGee.  He weighed  8# 5 oz  when this image was taken on 3/27/2010.  Who does he favor?
Is this not incredible? I think he is a very smart boy; he already seems to be thinking about something that will change the world ! (sayeth the Dolly).
The ultrasonographer says he has hair! That would be a first for us blondies from across the pond. This I have to see.
Heather, Ross and I went to First Impressions on Saturday.  Had discussed doing this earlier, but it got by in the melee'.  Heather realized that she was within 100 hours of download and better get 'er done.  This  is an incredible technology.  His head is down, in position, and not moving too much out of his cubby hole for it is countdown. Ross and Heather were speechless. Now that the suitcase has been re-packed, again, I think my daughter is ready......

This topic stands alone.
Til next time.........

The DollyLama

TRIAD OF REVELATION:

Question: What will I want my new grandson to call me? He is due 3/31/2010!

I.  As all of you may know or have guessed, I have a farm.  On this farm the livestock we have as breed stock is the Lama paco, better knows as the alpaca. 

II. Last week, I was clearing out my brain of some old beliefs, turning them around to see the truth of my thinking, I was reminded of an important sidebar by TW .  She said, " now the Dalai Lama would think of that as a gentle precious soul, emerging and blossoming in his own unique way."
I was floored by the pure approach.  My being judgmental was not the way this great man who is best recognized for his sayings, teachings and beliefs and his saffron colored robes of the monks of Tibet would have declared.

I am now approaching all that I think about is how would the Dalai view this?



III.  My mother called Heather, the new Mommy to be, " Dolly " when she was a little girl.
Let's pull these three thoughts together and you will see we now have a name...

This is the revelation:  I should like to be called "Dolly" so as to remind me to continually think, what would the Dalai say, or do in all situations.

Heather told me that Ross, the hubby, would probably call me "DollyLama" to kind of put all the worlds together.

That will be just fine. I am sure that the new grand will begin speaking with 4 syllable words and not mess around with beginner baby jibber talk.....
Now wouldn't that be something?

You can try this one on for size.  It works so well, and I love the simplicity and direction I get when I reflect on what would the Dalai think about this? Sincerely, I challenge you to try it on the next negative thought you have.......

We are shearing our herd of alpacas today.  This will go rather fast and be done for another year.  I have decided not to shear the suri crias.  It is supposed to rain on Sunday and get cold.  This always happens when they get those big fur coats off.  But better for them to be too cool than hot...remember their roots?
I am looking forward to the harvest.

Til next time