How Nice

Michelle Johnson over at Shades of MJ told me something nice. Nice Matters. She even gave me a little banner to put on my sidebar. How nice.


Thank you Michelle!


Originally I didn't know who should receive this award, but since I've taken two weeks to think about it, I finally narrowed it down to Trevor's Blog. I found Trevor's Blog after the 2008 Bloggies. (Best Kept Secret Weblog Nominee) Trevor is an artist. Each blog is a story and picture - both by Trevor. He has used his talent to help children in South Africa and Central Africa. He has uplifted children who have cancer in the United States and entertained children of officers stationed at Guantanamo Bay.

So Trevor, this is for you because Nice Matters!

I See...Laughter

Eleven years ago, when I left for college, someone told me to enjoy every minute. College would be some of the best years of my life. Although the tests and the papers added pressure, I found the advice to be very true.

One day some friends and I each sat down with a sheet of paper, wrote where we thought we'd be in 10 years and pass the sheet to the person sitting to our right. They then wrote a prediction based on how well they knew the person. Each sheet was passed around until it came back to the original person. It was fun to see where we thought each other would be. I found my list last night and boy, oh boy, did I have people fooled...including myself. Here's what I wrote:

I will be married and living in Hawaii with my twin daughter and son. I will be able to play the guitar well. Um, since when can I order the gender of my children and specify they come as a set? Since when did I want twins?! As for the guitar, I was taking a beginner's class that semester. Haven't picked up the instrument since.

Here are other samples:

Charlotte will be married to a professional basketball player and will run a cooking company in her spare time. Have you seen my cooking?!

Charlotte will have 5 kids and be married to a professional basketball player that is 7'4". So I had a little crush on tall guys. The secret is out. Wait...5 kids?! I don't think we can be friends anymore!

Charlotte will be famous for her high grade in anatomy - never to be equaled. Riiiight. Tell me again why I'm currently taking that class over?

Charlotte will publish a health book directed toward early risers. *Cough, cough. ahem. I think I hit snooze 4 times this morning.

Charlotte will be fashion editor for Vogue Magazine. ha ha. he he. Aha. BWAHAHAHA

Charlotte will be a pediatrician. Husband is international sales rep for Jelly Belly. Will being a pediatrician require me to go to even more college? If so, I'm not interested. Oh, did someone say Jelly Belly? Where?!

Charlotte will be selling jumping rope and chewing gum on an Amtrak train. Chewing gum - that doesn't surprise me. Jump ropes - maybe. Amtrak Train? I'd have to find a station first!

I noticed no one mentioned I'd be living in Georgia, employed by a construction agency, or working on my graduate degree. While Georgia is hot, work is boring, and school eats away at my social life, I'd still say I have a great life. At times I'm glad we don't get to know how life turns out. I'm also glad life takes us down unexpected paths. I might have chickened out if I knew too many details.

Here's to the next 10 years!

A Hallmark Moment

The question foremost on my mind since being accepted to UGA concerns the cost and how I'll be able to pay. I applied, albeit late, for an assistantship but all the positions are filled. While I wait to apply again, I've found several sites that list scholarship opportunities for graduate students. One in particular caught my attention. Applicants submit greeting messages or pictures for an online card company. The winner(s) will receive school funding and their idea becomes a virtual reality.

A few years ago, my bestest friend Elke went to the doctor for some pain in her wrists. The doctor said she was suffering from carpal tunnel. Since we live a few states away, I couldn't physically help her with tasks around the house but I tried to show sympathy with a card. In case you were wondering, there's not much of a market catered to carpal tunnel. I had to make my own.

What do you say? Should I give this company a call? Really, who can say no to talent like that?!

Dreaming Double

It was a typical night. I went to bed, pulled up the covers, and quietly slipped into REM.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

I was on a bus.
Talking to friends.
There was a wreck.
The bus would have to wait.
I got off the bus.
The friends also got off.
We walked.

I glanced behind and saw another friend. It was Greg, who, in my dream, had sprouted another head. *

I yelled out, “Hi Greg!”

Both heads turned and smiled, the sets of white teeth shining.

“Charlotte,” replied one head, “I don’t go by Greg anymore.”

I tilted my head and furrowed my brow.

In response to my confusion, one of the heads started, “I’m Miley,”

"...and I’m Smiley!”

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

I woke up laughing.

And confused. How did that dream come about? Why two heads? Miley? Isn't that a girl name? And Smiley?! What were his parents thinking? So many questions.

Though it's no question now why Greg has a new nickname.

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* 10 Charlottalove points** to the first person to correctly identify this character and movie title.
** Points may not be redeemed. Bragging rights only.

Living with the President

I realize you don't have to look hard to find politics in the news. One practically stumbles over the constant updates just by turning on the radio. And yet, here's another post about politics but I assure you, this you haven't heard.




The neighborhood I live in has several get-togethers throughout the year. December is the month we choose a new president to oversee the following year's activities. Guess who didn't duck fast enough...

Meet the new neighborhood President and his First Lady.

(This picture is from a previous, much earlier campaign.)

Which makes this character the Speaker of the House.

Not so rare photograph of me doing what I do best - talking.