Missing Dad.....

March Madness...........it's always been my favorite time of the year.  This year it is a bit melancholy.  I can't help but think of my dad who spent so many years doing  microphone marathons for the ACC tournament.  Then,  in his tenure as the voice of the Duke Blue Devils, if Duke won the tournament he went on to travel the road to the Final Four.

Last year was picture perfect for our Devils!  We peaked at the right time and claimed the 2010 National Championship!!!  Dad was still on this earth to see that happen!  Thanks be to God!!!!  A few weeks later God saw fit to call him Home.  I remember the last full day of Dad's life the sky was such a vibrant blue.  I told Dad, "Dad,  the sky is DUKE blue,  without a doubt!  Not even close to being Carolina blue!!!!"  God did that as a gift to His faithful servant as he gave up his earthly yoke.

This year basketball season has been a bit different.  For me,  something is missing......and I know it's my dad.  I've wanted to pick up the phone and talk strategy.............but I can't.  I've wanted to vent my frustration........................but I can't.  I've wanted to hear his voice....................but I can't.

Last Saturday Duke played Carolina at Carolina on CBS and it looked like the devils never left Durham.  They were miserable to say the least.  I was with my daughter, Lindsey,  a Carolina graduate, and her main man Geoff.  Bless her heart,  Lindsey was die hard Duke right along with me!!!!!!!!!!!  I KNEW I brought her up right!!!!!

The next day we were across the street at the park playing with their dogs, Penny and Grace.  (Dogs were Dad's other great love and they sure loved him)  We looked back at Lindsey's house and the most vibrant cardinal was perched on her birdfeeder.  He lingered there for ever so long.  It was Daddy.  He has shown himself to us that way in the days since he left us.  He was telling us that he is proud of Lindsey,  and he is proud of the family that we are.

This week Billy and I are traveling in the Tampa area were some of the major league baseball teams are having Spring Training.  Dad always wanted to go to Spring Training but never did.  Guess that's why I'm here.  I'm here in his place.

Dad,  NO ONE can take your place..............................

Give Mom a kiss for me and tell her to eat more chocolate and drink more wine.

Fuffers!

I chose this template because it had fuffers; plain and simple.

Now, don't tell me you don't know what a fuffer is!  Ya gotta fuff the dandelion to make the thingys fly off!  And if they all fly off,  you get your wish!  Today being what it is,  my wish is for Duke to beat the everliving du-da out of Carolina!

Fuffers are a throw back to childhood for me.  My sister, Nancy, reminded me that I was the one that came up with that terminology for the dandelion.  I had quite forgotten that.  I thought everyone called them that.  Oh well.................When I think of Nancy and childhood I have to remember that she made me throw away my favorite blanket when I was just a tike.  Poor girl,  I have tramatized her with all my lamenting on that subject.  She marched me right out to the trash can in the back yard because "big girls don't need security blankets!"

In short order I heard the rumbling of the trash truck and before I knew it,  my security blanket was on its way to parts unknown forever and ever.  I was not a happy camper then and didn't get over it until about two years ago this very week.  And I got over it because of my sister too.  (I didn't know until two years ago that our mother had put her up to tricking me.  By the time I found out,  Momma was strumming a harp in heaven.  We'll have words later!  I promise!)

Nancy introduced me to Private Quarters.  I was feeling a bit out of sorts with the working world in 2009 when the economy took its toll on the promotional marketing business as well as the rest of the world.  Genna was getting married and I knew I'd want to buy MOB items and more.  I had to figure out from whence it would come seeing as Billy has never been one to shake the money tree in my direction.

Nancy told me about a company that had the most lucious sheets, comforters, featherbeds, towels and more.  She said if she ever worked again,  she's work with these folks because the products were so wonderful and the people were so much fun.  I talked with Kay Lafoon,  the area director and Nancy's friend,  loved what I saw and decided it was for me.

That was the best decision I have ever made!!!!!  When I got my first blanket, it was like heaven!  I called Nancy and said, "I finally forgive you!!!!"  I honestly think she was relieved!  It's been so much fun and I sleep in the "lap of luxury" if there is such a thing.

I went to Palm Springs, California last month on a leadership retreat, so I'll post some of those pictures to share the new treasures and fun people!

Fuffing the fuffer; stepping out into the world of Private Quarters,  writing this blog............it's all a little out of the norm for me.  I read a quote today that I think bears repeating:

"Life begins at the end of your comfot zone."  Neale Walsh

Judy Campbell and me

                                                      Some of Laurie Allen's fun crowd!

                                                              New Spring offerings!!!

                               My sweet friend and always #1.......Leslie Allison from California!

                                                 Wouldn't you love to sink into this bed???VVanda  and me!!!  Crazy and fun!!!

                              Fuff your fuffer!!!!!!!!!  Step into the world of the uncomfortable!

It's time.........................

My wonderful daughters, Lindsey and Genna, have told me for quite some time that blogging would suit me.  I have pondered it for quite some time and figured I was too ignorant to figure out this blogging thing.

The three of us come from expert writing stock, as my father was well known for his picture painting with his choice of words on paper and over the airwaves.  So why not?  There comes a time when these creative genes must finally break forth!!!!

What shall I write about?  Goodness knows............probably just odd ramblings,  but that's ok.  Most feature writers just ramble anyway!

Life has been good to me thus far with a few hiccups along the way.  I am an orphan for almost a year now and that has hurt my heart more than I can say,  but I think Add and Virginia would be proud of all four of their children for the most part.

So I'll post random thoughts about life, family,  developing friendships (it's about time don't you think?) the joy of my Private Quarters business and my promotional marketing career,  and of course my sweet four legged companion, Monroe!!!!

If you have a moment,  check in from time to time.  Share a cup of coffee.  See what's up.......

It's time..........................