Random Dozen Wednesday

It's late and I'm loopy! I've been without a computer for many days and I'm going to do this anyway!

Please stop by 2nd Cup of Coffee and say hi to Lid! Just click on the logo and you will be magically transported to a very happy place (one of those happy places that we all try to get to now and then!)



Here are a few Q & A's that may tell you a little more about my schizo personality!

1. Have you ever fired a gun or shot a bow and arrow?

I shot a bow and arrow at Girl Scout Camp....once!

2. Do you know where your childhood best friends are?

Hopefully, on my bed...where I left them this morning.

3. Do you usually arrive early, late, or on time?

Mostly late. It drives the hubs crazy!

4. Are you more of a New York or California type?

California. I was born there and it's where I spent my first 40 years.

5. Do you have a special ring tone?

Girls Just Want To Have Fun!

6. What is your favorite type of chip?

Fritos, but since I'm not supposed to eat them....anything that is baked.

7. Best comedy you've ever seen is ....

Anything by Mel Brooks.

8. Have you ever cut your own hair? To quote Dr. Phil, "How'd that work for ya?"

Just my bangs. It didn't work well, at all!

9. If you were going to have an extreme makeover, would you rather it be about your house or your personal self?

Gee, this is a hard one, because both my house and I are trashed big time.

10. Are you allergic to anything?

Animal dander and really stupid people.

11. Why is it so hard to change?

Because it makes me step outside of a very comfy, cozy place.

12. One last question dedicated to February love: CS Lewis said, "To love is to be vulnerable." Please share one example of that assertion or share any thought you'd like to about this topic.

If I couldn't love, I wouldn't feel alive. I think that love bonds us to each other, and, that it is meant to be given away.

It feels good to be back!

Sundays in My City - Coffee Time!

Have you heard of Unknown Mami? She has a delightful blog where she shares photos of her city on Sundays. She invites the rest of us to link up with her and share some of our own city's photos. Click on the logo to visit Mami's Sundays in My City!

I live in St. Louis, Missouri. Welcome to my City!

Not far from where I live, there is a small structure in the middle of a parking lot of a strip mall. This small, but powerful structure is a drive-through coffee, snack and lunch shop. Welcome to “More Than Coffee, Helping Challenged People One Cup at a Time.” With each cup of coffee, patrons receive printed scriptures that have been applied to the cup’s heat protector. This is one way the owner glorifies God. Please stop by the website and say hello!



I was privileged to meet the owner of More Than Coffee, Sam Malek, and get a first hand look at the shop. Sam’s kind demeanor and huge heart infected me immediately. He is an extraordinary Christian man who lives by the ideals of paying it forward. After his overhead expenses are met, all of his proceeds are given to local charities. His volunteer employees are capable young men and women who are passionate about their work. Oh, and by the way, they all posses a disability. Sam gives his crew training in many aspects of his business. They participate in food preparation, taking orders, working the cash register, and serving the public with a smile and genuine interest in their well being. These employees take this training with them when they move on to paying jobs as they join the work force along with the rest of us.

Two years ago, More Than Coffee was visited by Ty and his crew from Extreme Makeover Home Edition. Prior to the visit, Sam’s establishment was very small and would not accommodate wheel chairs. It does now…and then some! Everything Sam needs to run his business is at his finger tips.

If you visit St. Louis, you simply must stop by for a cup of coffee. You will leave with a feeling of joy knowing that just paid something forward. If you live in St. Louis… well…get a move on! Your patronage will be a blessing for so many of our local charities.

Thanks for stopping by my City!

I Just May Have Found Journal Boy!

The most amazing thing happened to me today. You know, the kind of thing that makes the little hairs on the back of your neck stand up straight? I was telling a co-worker about my Journal Boy story, and I happened to mention the real name of this awesome young man. My friend's eyes grew very large and she said to me "I think I worked with his stepmother!" After picking my jaw up from the floor, I said "NO WAY!" She said, "Yes! I'm sure it was his stepmother!" The goosebumps were throbbing at this point.

We exchanged dates, places and names, and she said she was going to go check on something. Fifteen minutes later she came back with a name and address for whom she felt certain was his father. I was beside myself, inside myself, and just about to break out of myself! What are the chances?!!!!

So, I emailed Hayworth and told her to meet me for coffee, that I had some amazing news for her. She reacted the same way that I did! We laughed and almost cried together. The thought that we might actually find this guy, get to know that he is okay and possible get to give him a big hug! We talked about contacting dad, and what we should say (actually, I volunteered to make the contact...but not without Hayworth's okay first) to him. Would a call be appropriate, or should we send a letter? He will probably think I am a nutcase and use his caller ID to report me to the police. I hope not! If I choose the right words and take my time speaking (or writing) then maybe he will understand that we think his son was a very special boy 13 years ago, who wasn't afraid to let his feelings show, even if it was privately in a book. We both just want to know that he turned out to be the same wonderful young man, and that we hope that he is happy. And, if he or dad want the book back, we would be delighted to return it.

I'm really scared. I think I'm going to write a letter instead of calling. I'm afraid if I call, I'll get cotton-mouth, like I used to get when I went on acting auditions. I would think I was prepared, but then the physiology of my body would take over and I became a blithering idiot with nothing but air coming out of my mouth!

I will keep you posted, friends!

Random Dozen - Valentines Style

It's been a while since I've joined in the fun of Linda's Random Dozen. She gives everyone 12 questions to answer and by doing so, something new is learned by all. It's always interesting to read the answers of other bloggers, as well as, the challenge to provide my own answers. Please click on the 2nd Cup of Coffee Logo and come party with the rest of us!

Here we go!

1. Are you pleasant when you're ill, or are you a grumpy, fussy patient?

I am not very pleasant; in fact I'm downright witchy!

2. When you find out that school is canceled (due to inclement weather) what is your gut reaction?

I jump for joy until I remember that I don't get paid when school is cancelled!

3. What is one domestic skill you wish you could improve?

Coming up with fresh ideas for quick dinners!

4. Do you decorate your home for Valentine's Day?

No. I only decorate for holidays where I can leave the decs up for a few weeks!

5. What song is on your mind today?

Girls Just Want to Have Fun, by Cindy Lauper.

6. Do you prefer contemporary movies or classic?

Mostly contemporary, but will watch the classics because the "old ball and chain" likes the classics!

7. How well do you "compartmentalize" your feelings? For example, how well can you put aside a really trying moment to deal with the immediate situation which is not related to the trying moment, e.g., putting aside a tiff with your spouse in order to finish wallpapering a room.

Not very well. The Irish in me comes out and explodes. Once that has happened, it's over and I can continue. I usually have to see it through, or it will eat away at me.

8. What is the first thing that attracted you to your spouse? (Or if you're single, to your best friend.)

He looked inexperienced. I thought I would be able to teach him in "my ways"!

9. When was the last time your heart raced?

A week or so ago when I thought Brad and Angelina might break up.

10. What are your memories of Valentine's Day at school?

Candy Hearts, making Valentine boxes and then passing my valentines out to everyone.

11. If you were going to receive candy for Valentine's Day, which would you prefer?

Anything, as long as it was sugarless.

12. Red or pink?

Definitely red!!

Thanks for stopping by!

Patience is Not a Virtue of Mine!

Okay friends! With regard to "Eerie Coincidence" from bizzyliz I think I'm getting tired of waiting for "Journal Boy" (JB for short) to 1) read his classmates message; and 2) respond or not respond. It's been almost a month, and little bits and pieces of a story are making their way in and out of my brain. Just so I don't forget them altogether, I believe I will put them down in some sort of organized manner. I would really love to just say hi to this wonderful young man, but I will have to do so through a story.

There is also a story in my head about kids and cancer. I have an outline for a story that relates to a personal experience, the stories of a few cancer kids who have passed on, together with the courageous fights of the warrior moms and the fictional accounts of events that might have been. I've never written a book; I only write short stories. There is so much I want to say and so many tributes that I feel are necessary to bring to light some of these very amazing people. I guess that's why the dog keeps waking me up at 3:00am every night! "You have to write, mommy, write! Get out of that warm bed and get your butt over to the computer!"

So this is what I am working on right now. It has taken me over a week to get this far with my thoughts. I've been blasted at work (you know, the place I go to escape my family) with registrations for the next school year. At the same time, I have been trying to put together a clever flyer for a Girl Scout event coming up at the end of the month. I'm also going through old photo albums of my parents to collect pictures of my brothers and me to put into a scrapbook at the Celebration of Life for my brother, which is scheduled for the end of this month. My all-time favorite picture of us is shown at the beginning of this post. The quality is not that great, but it was taken in 1955! Hey, I can hear the snickering...cut it out!

St. Louis has managed to escape the big snow showers, but we have had enough to keep this fraidy cat indoors for the weekend. I hope to have something to show by next week. Thanks for stopping by!

Oh, and another three pounds have gone by the wayside (or backside) in case anyone is interested!