Confessions of a Tired Caterer: Burned to a Crisp

Well, it is Graduation Season now.... and we have been going to many graduation parties for our neighbors' children, our friends' children and grandchildren. This is a monumental day for any teenager, parent, or grandparent alike and there is nothing like that feeling! A feeling of accomplishment, a scary feeling of the unknown, excitement for the new life beginning, and prayers of thanksgiving for their lives. I remember this day like it was yesterday... Chad was excited, but probably not as excited as we were! Our only child graduating from High School with a College Scholarship and the world was going to be his oyster. It was pouring down rain that day, but nothing could dampen our spirits. We had a big party that weekend with family and friends, lots of food and drink, and of course, pictures to commemorate the day. As I look on him today, 10 years later, I am so very proud of the young man he is becoming. Hard lessons he has learned, and he has had more than his ...

Yes, it is June! Summer has officially begun for most as today is the last day of school for most and graduation parties are everywhere. I am personally going to 3 and I am certain that you are as well. It just made me think about Summer plans, goals, vacations, and expectations. Activities abound, no matter what area you live in. Outdoor festivals, fireworks, picnics, cookouts, swim parties, wedding season, baseball games, etc. all are a part of the summer season which we look forward to each year. Family and friends take front and center in the summer with all of these activities and rightly so, but please do not let them take your focus off of YOUR dreams. There is NO substitute for quality time spent making memories that you have been dreaming about for years. Do not delay in taking that trip or making that visit this summer because of too much work or too little extra cash (in your mind). Do NOT keep promising....SOMEDAY we will go there, SOMEDAY I will take you, SOMEDAY I wil...

Well....here we are at Mother's Day week again. Otherwise known as one of the three top holidays of the year. 1. Christmas 2. Valentine's Day (my birthday) 3. Mother's Day are how I rank them. The reason that I chose to write about Mother's Day is twofold: Yes, I am so very fortunate to have a son who loves me and who has my heart, for sure! But, I also MISS MY MOM terribly on this weekend particularly....how about YOU? I was just in a meeting this morning and had one yesterday as well where the person was complaining about their Mother being such a pain....I just put my head down. I hope and PRAY that I did not say that many times...although I probably did. I feel convicted of that heinous sin EVERY SINGLE TIME I hear this. PLEASE know that I would trade soooo much for ONE more day with my MOM! Charlean taught me so much....my love of cooking CERTAINLY comes from her...my love of entertaining comes from her, my devotion to family comes from her, my love of making h...

Hello again! It has been awhile, right? 5 years to be exact. WHEW! A lot has happened.... but what you need to know is that I am HAPPY and probably HAPPIER than I have ever been, at least as far as I can remember.... You see, I am HAPPY because of many reasons, not the least of which is because I am quite comfortable in my own skin. Yes, I am older and yes, I am considered a Senior now. WOW! Who ever thinks about what that will feel like? Actually, for the most part, I feel the same. I am a little slower now, although my life is very busy and I make people tired just reading my Facebook posts of all the events I attend. But, I notice I tire more easily, and crave more down time than before. I actually look forward to those days when I personally have nothing in addition to my work plans. Speaking of my work, I will update you on my current passion....I am the Director of Community Services for a law firm, Haiman Hogue, PLLC.  That title means that I plan EVENTS! Wow....I have c...

Yesterday, we began the yearly process of cleaning out all the fall decor, clearing off the mantel, putting away all the everyday pictures, knickknacks, etc....to make room for the Christmas decorating which we will start on Friday. As I was doing this necessary chore, with Christmas music playing in the background, I was filled with excitement and anticipation for the 2012 Christmas season while remembering all the wonderful recent Thanksgiving memories of our family and friends gathering together again. Truly, 2012 has been a wonderful year for our family, as well as extended family! We have been very blessed in every way possible and look forward to ending this year with sharing our blessings with others! As I was sitting there formulating a plan for the substantial Christmas decor, it occurred to me how important the clean out phase was to the overall scheme of things. If the clean out were not done and the old put safely away, then there would be no room for the new pla...

Confessions of a Tired Caterer: Burned to a Crisp: YOU DO Make A Difference! : How many times have you thought I am only one person and what kind of difference can I make? Well...I want to give you some food for thought...

How many times have you thought I am only one person and what kind of difference can I make? Well...I want to give you some food for thought on that and hopefully you will realize that we ALL make a difference...we ALL have a part to play and that YOU may just be the difference in someone's life today! First of all....last week I had the privilege (yes the PRIVILEGE) of serving at Minnie's Food Pantry. This is one of my favorite things to do simply because of how it is run and what their mission is: yes to feed the hungry, but in a totally dignified and professional way that should be a model across the country! Minnie's operates just  a few hours a day, completely on donations, and this is why it works. "Guests" line up early (before opening) on benches out front. They are ushered in one at a time, registered (you can only come in so often), and given a shopping cart outfitted with a box of staples (that my group helps put together...canned veggies, soup, past...