Wednesday, September 27, 2006

It's hard to say goodbye!

I am sorry to say this will not be a happy letter about my wonderful life in Georgia or how much I love my husband. Instead I am dedicating this week's letter to my Uncle Ray who passed away Monday night. Many of you had the chance to meet him and knew him for his long, drawn out stories of his past. Ray was one of those special people that could take 30 minutes to tell you something that would only take us 5 minutes. There were plenty of times I thought, please don't tell that story again. There were times I wouldn't pay attention to his story but when he started to laugh I would too. Then there were times I loved hearing about him working in the Feed Mill, or what his ma would cook for dinner (and you ate it or else). I had the privilege of being Ray's pick of the family I should say. At one time Ray, Mama, Pop and I lived in NJ together for about 3 years. I thought I would share some of our good times with you.

When I first met Ray he would only wear dress black pants and button up shirts. I was determined to get him into some jeans if it killed me. So Garth Brooks came to town and I had to go see him. I decided to sleep outside the record store all night so I could be first in line. Guess who  slept on the sidewalk right next to me..... YES, RAY!!!! I was 2nd he was 3rd in line. I am telling you, for a 65 year old man he stuck it out with me. As the concert approached I told Ray he had to go get some new clothes, so I took him down to the store and yes, got him some jeans, cowboy shirt, boots, he was looking sharp for a 65 year old man.

There were times when Mama and Pop would be out of town and it would be just me and Ray home. Sometimes I felt like an old married couple. I would come home for work and he would say, let's go out for dinner. Off we would go to some restaurant and sit across from each other and talk about our day. Then off to the laundromat to do clothes, then home to watch some tv. Ray was always the gentleman and had to pay for my dinner all the time. If we were shopping he would always buy you something you didn't need or want but the thought would get you every time. There is no telling how many knick knacks Mama and I have that we can't seem to let go of.

There was the time he got sick and wouldn't go to the dr. Pop tried to take him he wouldn't move. I came home and said, Ray get in the truck I am taking you to the dr.!!!!!  He looked like a little kid sitting in that truck pouting as I took him to the dr. But I did get him the smoking patch which I am sure gave him more time with us.

Then when Steven was born I lost Uncle Ray! I was no longer the apple of his eye Steven was. According to Ray everyone else in the world was wrong but STEVEN. Whatever Steven wanted he got. That was until about 2 years ago when the two of them started butting heads. OMG!!!!! There were times Ray would aggravate him just for fun and lord knows Steven did the same. But every time we left Ray both of them would be teary eyed.

So for those of you who knew Ray take a moment and see if you can find a happy thought and cherish it forever. Ray was an old man, who was set in his own way, and he had a heart of gold. He loved us all in his own way. Now we all have a special guardian angel watching over us.

So I say to my Uncle, friend, dinner partner, laundry mate, concert pal, story teller. Go rest in Peace with your family, enjoy your new home and new body. Thank you for being a part of our lives. I love you and will miss you.

Love Darlene Brady

P.S. Please keep Pop in your prayers!!!!!!

Friday, September 08, 2006

HEAD ON COLLISION WITH A 747......

OMG!!!! Darlene you're not in North Carolina anymore! Today I went off to drop off an application for a job with Fulton County Schools so I had to travel to an unknown land. My wonderful husband printed out directions from Mapquest. Got there with no problem. While I am doing my cabbage patch dance in the car and singing "who's the MAP READER WHO'S THE MAP READER!!!!" what do I see in the air coming straight for me, but a big ol' 747. Not one, not two, but three in a row. They were so low and me being from a small town in North Carolina, guess what I did? YES--like an idiot I ducked my head down so the plane wouldn't hit me. LMAO.... I am sure I am not the only one to ever do that. Okay, stop laughing cause that is not the funniest part.

Heading back home, I got lost. A panic phone call to Sam and I was on the right road, only to see a huge bridge. At least I thought it was a bridge until I saw this HUGE plane cross over the bridge. I nearly caused a wreck because I slowed down--as if I was really going under that bridge! I was in the PT Cruiser that plane would have ate me for a snack. So I did the only logical thing a woman would do, SCREAM AND HIT THE GAS. Later Sam explained that it was a runway. For us North Carolina folks, who puts a runway across the highway?????????

After seeing all this madness today, I will be on my deck looking for green little men in the sky......Atlanta has everything else!

Friday, September 01, 2006

My first BLOG!

Welcome to my blog! This is fair warning that everything you read on my blog will be about my husband or children, Unless I am mad at the Cable company, the cashier at Mcdonalds, traffic in Atlanta, Mr.Hamburger (Steven's social studies teacher), Riverview apartments for not cleaning their dumpster, or our neighbors who leave a coffee cup in the stairwell for 2 weeks (we finally had Steven to go downstairs and pick it up). Then there are the sales at Kroger I'll have to comment on. Like what in the heck are you going to cook with 20 green bell peppers for $10?????????

By now you have probably figured out this is going to be all about ME! I will try to keep it short and sweet, unless I'm really mad! Then again, when I talk about my new husband Sam Brady, I can write a book. So my first entry should be about him, since he did hound me until I finally gave into writing a blog.

After many years of dreaming of my Prince Charming, MY PRINCE FINALLY CAME!!!!! For the first time in my life I am truly IN LOVE! Sam has totally changed my life for the best and my childrens' too! Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would fall in love and move to another state, for the last 6 years were spent living with my parents and working hard for my children. I love my parents and actually enjoyed living with them. It was the hardest thing I have ever done in my life, telling my parents I was love with someone who lived in Georgia (we lived in North Carolina). After meeting Sam and seeing the love we shared, and many tears later (more like several tsunamis), they gave their blessing, and now here I am in Georgia with a wonderful man who I adore. We are blending our families together, creating an amazing love on the way. Now if I can get used to Georgia 400, the names of roads changing without a clue that they are changing, and our downstair neighbor cooking all that mexican food with some nasty smelling spices, I think I will love it here!!!!!!!

Till next time.......PEACE OUT FROM SANDY SPRINGS..........HOLLA