A lil something happened on the way to fabulous...

Well, I am NOT GOING to scold you girls. EVEN though I should. Gather your thoughts and SHARE. It is important and I am about to attack a subject that has been on my mind as of late... Got your coffee??... Ok, my subject is WEIGHT... WHY? WHY can't we get in shape? WHY can't we seem to stay on a diet and exercise plan for more than a few days at a time? I have REALLY been pondering this a lot ladies. HERE we are 3 gorgeous women in our middle years. We have wonderful grown children. We have navigated the pitfuls "sometime gracefully at other times stumbling and bumbling" of life... so why can't we get a grip on this for ourselves. We ALL know how much better we would feel. How much better the quality of our life would be. Mid 40's is not old.. it is NOT the Autumn... so, Oh Dear what can the matter be? I just had the most fabulous guy in the world tell me straight up to my face that he wanted a life with me but I would have to commit myself to being fit. In his opinion it adds to the quality of life, health, sex drive and good mental health. Did it make me mad? Offend me? It seems like on some level it should... but in the back of my mind, I know that he is right. Now I have made strides the past couple of years to eat healthier, I think we all have. But until we make regular exercise a part of our daily routine... it is NEVER going to work. I know we aren't lazy, Candygirl, I know for a fact that you work sun up (or before) to sundown. Do we not love ourselves enough? Do we spend so much time taking care of others we don't have time for ourselves? Or maybe it's just because life takes SO much out of us we simply don't have the energy to do this for ourselves? I don't know the answers to the very difficult questions but I WANT to bring it to the proverbial table :) I want energy and vibrancy.. I WANT a good sex life ( OMG do I want that) I want to feel good and dare I say it.... I want to LOOK good. Do I think that worth is defined by numbers on a scale? NO! Do I think that we would all have a better life if we could do this.. YES... with all my heart, yes. I have this picture in my head of Aimee R taking our photo - the blond, red head and brunette... each dressed in various forms of black and white... and shining with health and energy. I am committing myself to doing this... FOR ME... it's time. When I am an old woman I shall wear purple With a red hat which doesn't go, and doesn't suit me. And I shall spend my pension on brandy and summer gloves And satin sandals, and say we've no money for butter. I shall sit down on the pavement when I'm tired And gobble up samples in shops and press alarm bells And run my stick along the public railings And make up for the sobriety of my youth. I shall go out in my slippers in the rain And pick flowers in other people's gardens And learn to spit. You can wear terrible shirts and grow more fat And eat three pounds of sausages at a go Or only bread and pickle for a week And hoard pens and pencils and beermats and things in boxes. But now we must have clothes that keep us dry And pay our rent and not swear in the street And set a good example for the children. We must have friends to dinner and read the papers. But maybe I ought to practice a little now? So people who know me are not too shocked and surprised When suddenly I am old, and start to wear purple... don't know why I felt like posting that... ANYHOW... LOVE LOVE LOVE you 2 so so much! The Gypsy http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VhYL3-xLfK4 WATCH IT

My very dearest darling girls, The light is changing... our light as we get a firm toe-hold on our middle years as well as the light of the seasons. I love FALL... every little thing about it. We haven't blogged in so long maybe we can get back on track. I LONG to sit with you guys and share a cup of coffee and talk about things. Isn't it amazing how quickly time is moving... it's like you can't get a grip on today before tomorrow is already up and over :) my baby is about to turn 21. I can't believe it! I haven't seen him in 0ver 9 months and I miss him SO much but he is doing well... Although this past 15 months since I have been back home has been hard in so many ways, it has been a wonderful time. FINALLY about to start reeping some of the benefits of long days of work, being constantly broke and traveling through, "My Wilderness" Sarah Ban Breathnach has a chapter devoted to traveling in the wilderness in her book, Something More. It is one of my favorite reads. But everything happened so fast when Nic moved and this tunnel vision turned in to this sprawling freedom. Coupled that with the tornadoes and getting so sick... I literally have been trying to build something solid and figure out who I am all by my lonesome... One exciting thing that has happened recently in the singer/songwriter Kirsty Almeida- you will have to youtube her.. ESPECIALLY her soundtrack from the movie Alabatros.. anyhow we paired together and she took a couple of my poems as lyrics and recorded a couple of songs for her new CD. THAT was exciting... I have also started working with the small historical towns along the Alabama RIVER... I can NOT tell you what this is like! The history and stories have my mind ina whirl! Life is really just on big process isnt it? Hope this finds you well and happy my lovelies! Miss you both more than words can say!... All my love, here is the link to one of Kirsty's songs http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u0Q0WIDdkW4 The Gypsy!

Another Bend In The Road

Well My Sweet Southern Kindred's, I found this picture today and thought what an appropriate way to start a new chapter in our blog. I entitled it, "Another Bend In The Road." It made feel very reflective about what the future holds for us all. First I thought about the familiar... The things in life that will always be constants... Our unending Friendship, our love for each Other, for Family, for the South and all things Southern, our love for the change of seasons, especially the Fall... And then it hit me, we're in the Fall our lives, the most beautiful Season of all. Where the richness of life truly begins, the warmth and depth of color permeates everything, it brings to life those things from the previous Seasons and gives you a genuine appreciation for them. And while there is more of our life behind us than there is ahead, that doesn't make me sad. Because i finally understand that the appreciation I have for life now doesn't compare to when I was younger. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that we haven't always appreciated life, but when you're young and life is just starting, you're raising a family, and busy is the order of the day, there is so much that you miss, so much you never fully understand, or appreciate, until you're older. In a sense I feel like life has truly just began. We've all stepped outside our comfort zones and reached for the things our younger selves couldn't... And so, as I look down that beautiful Fall road, with all it's bends, and uncertainties, I know that whatever the future holds for these "Three Coins In A Fountain" it will be embraced, appreciated and lived with all of the beautiful color of the season! Missing You Both, TOWFL

.... and all that JAZZ

My Delicate Magnolia Blossoms,

We have all been remiss in our blogging efforts. I am standing on my soapbox
and saying... AHEM!! Keeping in touch takes EFFORT!! But if you guys have been like me, when you have a little time, you're lacking in motivation.
I swanee... sometimes I can't remember what it was like when I had energy and the drive to set the world on fire...

You to are gonna get a kick out of my Goings On... so as I have been working with my new Clients and have gotten out and about in the neighborhoods, I have been asked to join just about every Civic Organization there is!! Me.. the GYPSY.. a Junior League-R.... hell nawh!! Clutch the pearls but only with my crow necklace and Chuck Taylors... and I am to be a Speaker at the Kiwonis Club... they want me to talk about my ideas for bringing ART to the big city of BM... and ya know... I said, "Why the hell not?" I will always come back here... time to brandish the Gypsy Magik and Bloom where I am planted. Still planning on going to the UK... and bringing something 6'2 and lovely back with me :) I am so deeply, here is me... no make up, muffin top, vunerable, afraid to fall in love for real,
IN LOVE. It's been 4 years :-) and THATS ALL I am saying bout THAT for now...

So anyway the girls from the Gallery and I,a few other in town have now formed the, BM Arts Council!! TADA!! Candygirl, you are a member :-)

I have pulled together a COLLECTIVE and WE ARE FIGHTING THE GOOD FIGHT TO CHANGE THE ENERGY OF THE BIG BM!!! May God be with us and our pearls stay strung... cuz I have A LOT to say... just as the Chaaaabuh and all its members I told off Tuesday :-D

I like this getting older bit in many many many ways... my brain turns sideways sometimes and I get a really deep look at things... not really sure WHAT I am looking at... might be the lack of hormones or summin... I find myself thinking about the part in, Fried Green Tomatos, when Kathy Baites asks for the mirror to help see her vagina.... but I digress...

Anyhow, my lovelies... life is strange, I don't feel the greatest but whatcha gonna do.. fake it til ya make it... maybe

and BLONDIE... WHERE THE HELL YOU BEEN??!!


Love to my girls,

As Ever,

The Gypsy

New Moon Musings for a Brand New Year

Dear Hearts,

I feel ashamed that I have fallen so far behind on my blogging duties. BLONDIE... the water slide sounded awesome!!! How much fun... I wanna do that! Candygirl, I am having right now at this moment a delish strawberry cupcake with light. You were so sweet to do all of that for me and I appreciate it. Blondie, I can't speak for you cuz we havent seen you but I have noticed something about Canygirl and myself... we are changing... and I know that life is a constant state of evolution anyway, but this is a " more comfortable in our skins and our place in the world" changes. I have noticed that in our red headed girl and know it to be true of myself.

The Hotel is a pain in the ass! Good thing I have new clients. Hopefully one that will lead me to the UK this Summer, where I will be staying a while.

I am glad everyone's babies are doing good. I am so proud of my boy for hanging on and learning and finding his way. He is truly and kind kind soul and that makes me happier than anything in the world.

Blondie J's wedding dress is beautiful. Where has the time gone? Although I like getting older. I really do. You learn so much of what does and doesnt work and what YOU'RE worth, what you can put up with and what you WILL NOT put up with.

NOW... my Mr Big....

I am not saying who he is, he just popped back in my life and when he did I felt like a physical punch to the gut. I have NEVER ever responded to a man this way... butterflies are an understatement. He and I have been thru a lot the past 5 years.
And we will see. I do know this... I would follow this man anywhere... anywhere just to be by his side.
Maybe ya'll can figure it out be he is very hush hush... he is on my FB though. Blondie so proud of you for working out!! We all need a little healthy competition to spur us on. I would love to have a photographer take some

pictures of the 3 of us... the blonde, the red head and the brunette... we can all dress in black and white. Wouldnt that be fun and a great keepsake for this very special time in our lives.

Well my girls, we will see what this year brings for all of us. I hope we continue to explore and dream and dance neath the new moon... we are a long way from old... let's grab it while we can

Much Love,

Gypsy

Good Sunday morning, girlies! I hope this finds you both doing well and enjoying life. Here, working on my third cup of coffee and surrounded by a very quiet house and listening to Sunday morning jazz....I love Sunday's.
MB is gone to her Dad's and Ringo is at work and I just kicked that crazy cat "Maggie" out of the house! She was asleep in one of her hiding places ( under the computer desk up on a shelf that I keep paper on and also prop my feet ). My foot landed on her head and hissed at me and clawed my foot and nearly made me tee tee on myself! She is driving me crazy! Sneaking in...lifting her furry little leg to tinkle on my stuff only!!!!...and hiding in Ringo's base drum! She stayed in there all day yesterday....It's amazing that she don't tinkle on any of his music equipment, but has ruined two sets of curtains and tons of magazines of mine! Ugh!!! Stupid cat! And then, we have two more added to the mix..."Pajama Jeans" whom MB rescued from the mouth of hogs she claims were going to eat her. I'm not quite sure I believe that, but she is definitely a character and then there's "Hootie"...rescued by Ringo from work with the claim that Chef Tom was going to have her killed...I am sure the neighbors refer to us as " those cat people"...and I am still holding out for my furry little dream dog that I will probably not be able to get until I am old and senile...lol.
My hubbie got me a Keurig for Christmas and I must admit on days like this it is a little pain in the butt! I think I will have to drag "Fred" ( the old red coffee maker) back out of the closet so I can make a big pot at one time! LOL The new one is so convenient ( although the little cups are sooooo expensive - lucky it has a little filter you can put in it to hold your own Folgers LOL - it is neat to brew one cup at a time quickly )
I am thinking that I won't do housework today...lol...and will instead go pick a bouquet of camellias to take to Mama later this afternoon. I have the most beautiful ones outside my kitchen window. Huge dark pink and white candy stripe blooms. I love camellias! It makes the bleakness of this time of year a little better! Those and the yellow Carolina jasmine and of course the big purple Japanese magnolias. I regret not planting daffodil bulbs in November like I said I would. I was so looking forward to having those this spring. It seems like my " Maw Maw Byrd" is coming out today. I love flowers!!! Especially the old fashioned ones. I wish I had the green thumb of her and Mama. And of course I wish I had more time for my yard! Every Spring we have the overwhelming chore of cleaning up the yard from the neglect of September - March. I'm hoping to have funds and the time to do some projects we have been wanting to do in the yard this Spring and maybe even plant a vegetable garden... Sigh.....
Blondie! It is so good to see you here!!!! I loved reading your blog about the water slide...you know, I have never had the courage to do that! I envy you and C doing that together! What fun!!! I laugh just picturing Ringo and I doing that! LOL
I'm so glad that you have made some great friends there. The couple you described sounded like such sweet people. It makes me feel so much better about you being so far away from home and being surrounded by good friends and family. I can't wait for you to come home! We have so much catching up to do!
Some of what has been happening lately here.....
Notice the cupcakes above? Thought you both would like this...The peacock theme is definitely in... LOL...This was a creation of yesterday....It made me realize that I will be 45 soon and fast approaching the big 50...Yikes!!!!! Fun project - big realization! Geez! I was feeling depressed as I sprinkled the glitter and then realized that you should never be depressed while sprinkling glitter! LOL...So,I smiled, sprinkled more glitter and also realized that I can't do a damn thing about turning 45 much less 50 so I may as well enjoy it and be thankful for it. It also got me to thinking as I placed the little black heels and fabulous black purse on it, that I am in need of a new purse and shoes...so, I am going to go shopping this afternoon after Mama's and get a new purse and maybe that will make me feel better...lol....My thoughts as I bake and decorate go from one extreme to another...LOL...I think I am spending too much time alone at the shop. I also think I am spending too much time working! It has been a very rough 3 months. It has slowed down enough lately for me to get a break here and there. It also has been tax time and after having another major realization that I broke even for the second year in a row, it may be time to let it go. I am going to give it another year, make some adjustments and go from there. We have definitely had the business, sometimes more than we could handle, but not enough capital to buy products in bulk wholesale. Retail killed our profits this year. The whole experience of being a business owner has taught me so much about myself and helped me to grow as a person, but it has just been so hard. Financially, emotionally and physically. 2012 will be the " we shall see" year.
We have been planning my sweet "J" girl's wedding. September 8 is the date. Plans are coming along nicely. We have the venue ( a beach house ) the dress ( a beautiful Audrey Hepburn- type dress in ivory silk with lots of rouching and a sweetheart neckline...it was so pretty on her! ) the bridesmaids dresses ( similar to the wedding dress but tea length and either turquoise or brown)- the flowers ( white hydraengas and shells ) - the men's attire ( khaki's and turquoise shirts ) the catering ( where my Ringo works...LOL...she wouldn't let me do it ) - the cake ( she will let me do that....LOL...vanilla butter cream with lots of shells and hydraengas)- the invitations ( beautiful natural-look rough canvas paper with shells and red sea fans and coral in brown, turquoise, and red ) -and chairs, tables, sashes and centerpieces taken care of! It's coming together!!! The only thing she is having trouble finding is just the right veil. She wants a vintage-look ivory birdcage veil with either silk florals or a vintage brooch fascinator. I have found some beautiful ones on Etsy. Let me know if you have any ideas for this.
Well, guess I should scoot for now and go pick those camellias....I love you both dearly! Gypsy, I will see you this week for coffee, scraps and light....and Blondie...I so wish you could be here for those.
Have a wonderful day!
Candy Girl

Red Dog's, Water Slides & Home

Hey My Girlies,

Well, I see that some two little misses are behind in their blogging, time for a reminder... And can I just say, it's nice to be good girl for a change! :-) I'm usually the one behind!

Life here in old Oz is good, hot as all get out, but good. We just got home from a get-together with friends in our Hall, a farewell to a really sweet couple we've know since I arrived down under. You would both love them, especially her, she's Italian and reminds me so much of a combination of all my sweet sisters. I see a little of each of them in her and it's been really nice getting to know her. They're moving just outside of Perth so, still within visiting distance. :-) They're like us, the kid's are grown and on their own and they wanted a change, something new and different, a bit of a fresh start. I can totally understand that, sometimes you have to live outside your comfort zone and take a step into the unknown, but you know what I find so comforting... All roads lead to home. I think that you can be so busy looking for home in a new town with new people that you can forget it's those same familiar faces and sleepy streets that feed your soul and inspire you to greater things. We were watching this great movie last night called "Red Dog" it's a true Aussie story that takes place in a little mining town in Northern part of Western Australia, Dampier. It's based on a book by the same name by Louis de Bernières. Try to find it on Netflix if you can, it's really worth seeing, but it's what made me think about home, community, and that spirit of family and good friends that so hard to find in this old world.

You two should have been here a couple of weeks ago. I had my first experience on a big water slide. They have one at the Jetty and had left it on overnight so, on New Year's eve me and CC finished our work and spent the evening acting like two little kids! We had the best time! It's this massive indoor slide that's inclosed, like a big tube, and the water rushes really fast... I screamed every time! It was so much fun! I can't believe I haven't done that before, well one thing I can mark off of my bucket-list. :-)

We're in the middle of planning our trip home, went to see the travel agent last week and seeing what prices they can give us. CC thinks we should wait until the first of February, they're having a big travel expo in the City and you can always get some really good deals so, hopefully in the next few weeks we'll have our dates to come home locked in! I'm counting down the days!

Guess I'd better run for now, gotta go to work, but I'll write again soon. Hope this finds you both and all of family doing well. Love and miss you so much!

Hugs & Kisses,

TOWFL