Oh, my aching back!

I have new admiration for anyone with back problems after this week. After an early morning trip to the emergency room Thurs. for what turned out to be a muscle strain in the chest wall (it was more just below my ribcage), I ended up being out of service for the rest of the week. Feeling much better now, just a little sore. I could barely walk when we went to the hospital -- and I thought I was going to die when they made me get up off the bed to have x-rays. Thank God for drugs -- and we made it home in time for Stacy to go on to school! He didn't have much sleep, though!

If you find you need your screen cleaned on your computer, check out this website. It'll be spiffy in a minute! No, really, go ahead and do it -- it's funny!

Someone sent me these this week -- it's the top 40 things you would NEVER hear an Alabamian say, no matter how much they've had to drink, no matter how far from the South they've wandered:

40. Oh I just couldn't. She's only sixteen.
39. I'll take Shakespeare for 1000, Alex.
38. Duct tape won't fix that.
37. Lisa Marie was lucky to catch Michael.
36. Come to think of it, I'll have a Heineken.
35. We don't keep firearms in this house.
34. Has anybody seen the sideburns trimmer?
33. You can't feed that to the dog.
32. I thought Graceland was tacky.
31. No kids in the back of the pickup, it's just not safe.
30. Wrasslin's fake.
29. Honey, did you mail that donation to Greenpeace?
28. We're vegetarians.
27. Do you think my gut is too big?
26. I'll have grapefruit and grapes instead of biscuits and gravy.
25. Honey, we don't need another dog.
24. Who's Richard Petty?
23. Give me the small bag of pork rinds.
22. Too many deer heads detract from the decor.
21. Spittin' is such a nasty habit.
20. I just couldn't find a thing at Wal-Mart today.
19. Trim the fat off that steak.
18. Cappuccino tastes better than espresso.
17. The tires on that truck are too big.
16. I'll have the arugula and radicchio salad.
15. I've got it all on the C drive.
14. Unsweetened tea tastes better.
13. Would you like your fish poached or broiled?
12. My fiancée Bobbie Jo is registered at Tiffany's.
11. I've got two cases of Zima for the Super Bowl.
10. Little Debbie snack cakes have too many fat grams.
9. Checkmate.
8. She's too young to be wearing a bikini.
7. Does the salad bar have bean sprouts?
6. Hey, here's an episode of "Hee Haw" that we haven't seen.
5. I don't have a favorite college team.
3. I believe you cooked those green beans too long.
2. Those shorts ought to be a little longer, darlin'.
1. Nope, no more for me. I'm drivin' tonight.

The Mom Song and other mystifying things

I've got to stop watching Fox News! It just gets my blood to boiling. If it's not bad enough that now they're using my tax dollars to pay for abortions -- but overseas in other countries where they hate us anyway? And next they want to provide abortions for teenagers without their parents' permission? You can't give a kid at school a Tylenol without their parent's permission -- but they're going to do abortions on them? Where has the common sense gone? And now we have a Treasury Secretary that hasn't got enough sense to know he has to pay taxes? I guess that just confirms my opinion of everyone in Washington. Down, Cary!

My friend Marla in Litchfield, MN, sent me this video today and I thought it was great! My kids will enjoy it anyway -- because they've heard me say all of these at some time during their lives!

So, to lighten up a little more -- thought I'd add my thoughts from a little quiz on Anna's blog . . .

1. What time did you get up this morning? 7:18 a.m. (had to rush to make it to work 3 minutes late!)
2. Diamonds or pearls? Diamonds, they're so shiny
3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema? Bride Wars on my birthday with friend - great chick flick
4. What is your favorite TV show? Design Star or Top Design, my fav reality shows - Project Runway too
5. What do you usually have for breakfast? Lately coffee and pop tart on break at work
6. What is your middle name? Lee
7. What food do you dislike? Oysters
8. What is your favorite CD at moment? Van Morrison
9. What kind of car do you drive? Honda CRV
10. Favorite sandwich? Chicken Pesto Panini or Bacon Lettuce and Tomato
11. What characteristic do you despise? Arrogance
12. Favorite item of clothing? My comfy lounging clothes (without a bra)
13. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would you go? Italy (Tuscany)
14. Favorite brand of clothing? I'm not a brand person - Dress Barn fav store
15. Where would you retire to? anywhere in the mountains (North Carolina or Colorado)
16. What was your most recent memorable birthday? last year (54th) going to see Mama Mia Broadway play in Huntsville with my two wonderful daughters
17. Favorite sport to watch? Auburn football
18. When is your birthday? January 13
19. Are you a morning person or a night person? Night person! Need my down time alone. (Same answer as Anna)
20. What is your shoe size? I've grown over the years - used to wear a 5 - now I'm a 6
21. Pets? None right now - I miss my Ashley (disappeared last May)
22. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share with us? I'm going to be a grandma in March!
23. What did you want to be when you were little? An interior designer or fashion designer
24. How are you today? Ok for a Monday
25. What is your favorite candy? Butterfingers and dark chocolate
26. What is your favorite flower? Gerber Daisy
27. What day on the calendar are you looking forward to? March 3 - I'm going to be a grandma!
28. What's your full name? Cary Lee Stockley Hatcher
29. What are you listening to right now? TV - Fox News
30. What was the last thing you ate? Dove Dark Chocolate
31. Do you wish on stars? No, but I love to watch them
32. If you were a crayon, what color would you be? Cerise
33. How is the weather right now? Dark - was sunny and kind of warm today
34. The first person you spoke to today? Hubby Stacy
35. Favorite soft drink? Diet Coke
36. Favorite restaurant? The Bistro in downtown Dothan
37. Real hair color? 20 years ago, dark brown - now, salt & pepper gray
38. Summer or winter? Winter
39. Hugs or kisses? Hugs, definitely
40. Chocolate or Vanilla? Vanilla milkshakes and ice cream
41. Coffee or tea? Coffee - love my Latte's
42. Salty or sweet? Sweet, that's why I look like I do
43. How many years at your current job? 24 years - only 7 til retirement!
44. Favorite day of the week? Saturday when I can rest and catch up
45. How many towns have you lived in? 5 - Memphis and Germantown, TN - Auburn, AL - Camilla, GA - Hartford, AL
46. Do you make friends easily? Pretty much, I consider myself a friendly person

Inauguration Day thoughts

I've tried to be low-key about the inauguration. Although he was not my pick, I've taken the position of wait and see -- to see just how much change Obama is going to bring about and what kind of changes those will be. I'm afraid that they will be costly for me as a taxpayer -- and my job as an electrical company. I don't think people fully realize just how much "renewable power" and "cap and trade" policies are going to cost.

So anyway, I was watching some of the highlights of the day on Fox News tonight -- and I think I've had enough of the balls now. It's amazing how they can spend millions of dollars on a few parties! Michelle's dress isn't all that (it kind of looked like a chenille bedspread) and she kept stepping on it. She may need a stylist! Someone on TV said she had a Cuban designer -- looks like it!

I was taking it all in stride and not trying to feel like a spoiled sport since my man didn't win -- until they talked about how the crowd boo'd George and Laura Bush and the Cheneys. Good grief, their guy won. They couldn't be good sports and just let them leave in peace? As we say in the South, "bless their hearts, such low class!"

But I've been feeling glad I wasn't packed in that throng of freezing humanity. The older I get, the less I like crowds and loud noise. So I was fine watching snippets on TV. Actually, I turned 55 last week on the 13th! (I also turned 13 and 30 on Friday, the 13th.) Man, how did I get so old? I'm way over half way now! I went out with some friends from work the night of my birthday (and left Stacy at home) and saw the movie "Bride Wars" with Anne Hathaway and Kate Hudson. Very cute -- very chick flick! Very funny -- and all about how awful you can get over wedding planning!

One thing I was pleased with Obama about was his choice of Rick Warren to give the prayer. I admire Rick so much and have so enjoyed the Purpose Driven Life daily devotionals. They have so much common sense about our walk with the Lord and offer real-life suggestions that help keep me in check.

And lastly, someone emailed me this video last week and I thought it was hilarious. Then I saw Anna had it posted on her blog also. I just love to laugh -- and when something has a cute catch to it -- that's even better. So, enjoy . . .

Getting ready for baby "Kate"

The past two weekends have been full of baby showers! An exciting time for Casey and all of us anxiously anticipating the arrival of baby "Kate"! On Jan. 11, Casey's friends in Huntsville gave her a shower at her ex-roommate Laura Rainoldi's. She got so many cute outfits and other "useful" things at that shower, and we were so glad that we could go up for it. Casey has decorated the baby's room in a cute green and pink pattern. She made the bed skirt and her mother-in-law Kaye made the bumper pad in the print pattern. The furniture is a dark color and will "grow" with Kate as she gets older. Very practical!

Then this Sun., Jan. 18, Casey's Hartford friends gave a shower at Gail Justice's where she got so many other cute outfits! Gail's daughter Brooke is expecting her little baby boy any day now and couldn't come, but Jill was there with her daughter Sophie who just turned two -- and Shera and Heather.

Kate is going to be a well-dressed baby! And as these events come and go, it all makes it more real that Kate will be here soon. All of my friends who are already lucky enough to be grandparents keep telling me that you just can't describe the feelings for grandchildren -- and it is so hard to imagine right now. And to think that the next time I see Casey, she will either be in labor or already a new mother!

It was also great to see John's sister Dana's two boys Langley (2) and Landon (7 months). Lang went to church with us and was so good and quiet during church, but as soon as it was over he started talking and didn't stop! He told us he "drove his Nanna nuts" with his talking. He was so impressed with our gas logs, and Stacy got him to blow them out when he turned them off! He's so proper when he talks, that he's just the cutest thing! And Landon was all smiles and went to everyone at the shower. I can't wait to hold Kate!

And oh, how Casey and John's lives are going to change. Sometimes you want to tear your hair out -- but the majority of the time it's so wonderful and such a blessing having your children and watching them grow up -- although they really do grow up too fast. I look at their baby pictures now and wonder where the years went. But I'm so proud of both Casey and Anna and the wonderful adults they have become. I am truly blessed!

I thought the grandmother was supposed to be the one buying like crazy for the kid -- but Anna has gone wild in all her "shop-a-holic dreams"! She has come up with some of the cutest outfits and a pair of Mary Jane shoes and little stuffed animals! I don't think Kate is going to be wanting for anything for some time to come!

So here are the photos from the two showers in the slideshow below!

I just love Uncle Jay . . .

The first "Uncle Jay" video I saw was him explaining Congress -- to explain "big" news to "little minds." It was hilarious -- but so true. Apparently he does these every week. Here's another . . . "Uncle Jay explains year end 2008." You can check out his website -- Uncle Jay Explains the News

Hartford's decay . . .

Well, I guess we've all expected it to happen sometime -- the town of Hartford is falling down around us! Actually, not all, but just a part of the square fell last week on New Year's Eve -- the empty building next to Nick Holley's State Farm Insurance office and across the street from the Browse Around Antique Mall. Rumor had it that the roof had been caving in for several years, and apparently it just took all it could. One fourth of the square is roped off in case it causes a chain reaction or until the building can be inspected. Also on that row, the empty Sorrells Store, Bill Hughes Insurance, and the church in the old dollar store building. And the "Horses and Mules" sign had just been repainted, too!

My grandma name?

With baby Kate arriving in just a couple of months, I've been trying to decide what my "grandma name" is going to be. Of course, if Kate makes up her own version, that will be fine with me! But I don't want to be a Mawmaw or a Grandma. I want something cool and hip -- because I'm going to be such a cool and hip grandmother!

Anyway, I've found several places on the internet that discuss grandma names. There are the original names for certain nationalities, but since I don't have a nationality except Anglo-American, those are out. On the first trip I took to Europe when Casey graduated, one of the girl's grandmother was along and she had to call her "grandmere." I thought it was because we were in Germany or France or something, but that is what she insisted on being called!

I can't be like that. I called my dad's mother "grandmommy." I always thought that's what I should call her, but later after she died my mom told me that she really wanted to be "grandmother." Then my mom's mother, who lived in Missouri and I didn't get to see very often, we called "Grandmother Windsor." I would just die if I was an impersonal "Grandmother Hatcher!"

My girls have always called my mom "Nanny" and Stacy's mom "Mawmaw." I like Nanny, but we can't have two of those -- it would confuse Kate. We started out with my dad and Stacy's dad both being granddaddy, but they got confused. So my dad became "Grandpa Hank" and Stacy's dad was "Granddaddy."

So the names I've found that I like are Nonnie, Grandie, Nini and YaYa. But I think I'm going to pick CiCi (for a double of my first name initial). It's easy to say - not hard to spell!

Now we just have to decide for Stacy! It will have to have "Hatch" in there somewhere! We could call him "Patch" -- short for Pappa Hatch!

New Year's Resolutions . . .

Well, I can tell it's the new year by all the diet and exercise ads on TV! Once the Christmas glutony is over, then comes the guilt! So, in moving into the new year, I was thinking today about -- not necessarily resolutions, because I usually don't keep those -- but maybe my goals for 2009:

• Lose some weight! Both Stacy and I need to drop some pounds and get some exercise. I hope we start back with exercise after work again. The diet starts Monday -- or I won't have anything I can fit in!
• Get organized! I'm doing better than I had been, but I still need a little push to keep things neat.
• Make a family history and recipe book. I got the idea several "years" ago about the recipe book -- I wanted to put in recipes and little stories from all the women in both our families -- some of those family recipes we don't want to lose. For a couple of years after this "idea," my neice Jessi would ask me when I was going to do it. She's quit asking and has probably forgotten by now, but I'm going to do it this year. With all the family changes we're having, I better do it before no one is left!
• The family history book idea came to me when we were talking during Christmas with my brother and his boys about Stockley family history and my granddad's farm (Bampaw). I have several things stored away in different places in the house, and if I could organize and scan it and put it in book form for each of the kids (Casey, Anna, Charles and Graham) -- it would be something they would have for their kids. There are several interesting stories that don't need to be lost!
• And last, but not least, I want to be a better friend and make time for my friends . . . call them and keep in touch and do things together. That's the most important part of life -- family, friends and our walk with the Lord!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!