Ode to JOJ

James Odis Johnson.

I've known Jamey since I was 20 years old and went to work for the lab. He was a lab supervisor and I was the secretary. We didn't really work together much at the beginning. We were all so young. The lab techs used to call him Dad. It was an exciting time with the company; a time when the supervisor would not go home until every last field tech had come in off the road; a time we worked together as a team, when you did your job, and then helped everyone else until it was all finished. I typed reports on a typewriter, I ran TSS's, I knew how to take off and calculate BOD's; we were more of a family then.

When I'd been here a few years, Jamey and I started working more closely together on reporting. I finally had a computer to do my reports, and Jamey checked those reports. I know his signature as well as I know my own. We were both easy going and we worked well together. He liked to make things easy for people. He laughed alot.

The years passed, we all got older, our children got older. Jamey was very proud of his children. All three graduated from college, his son has plans to get married. When they all moved out, things got a bit rough for Jamey. The past three to four years haven't been so good for him. He was unhappy all around and couldn't seem to find himself. Using all the wrong tools to look. He was lost.

When work gets muddied with people you love, it gets hard. Not impossible, but difficult for sure. In the end, he left the company. Only two months ago. He died Wednesday morning.

I will remember the good times.

They Grow Up Fast!

      This picture was taken in August of 2005. My little blue eyes was only four years old. I can remember how her little hands would feel on my neck. Little baby hands, the sweet smell of baby sweat and sunscreen in the summertime, tying little sneakers. Baby sweat and sunscreen is a particular favorite of mine. I would hug her up, close my eyes, and breathe in her childhood.

     She's going to be twelve this summer. She puts on makeup at home, and has gotten around the rules a couple times and worn some at school. She shares clothes and shoes with her 21 and 23 year old sisters. She has A's in school and one B. Don't dare ask her if the B is in math or science, that makes her indignant that one would assume it is math or science that would be her troubling subject.

    

   She is growing up and I am hanging on to those last few kid years. I've signed her up for two different girl scout camps this summer. One close by and the other on the coast. I keep telling myself, she's only 11, she's only 11. But she's only one inch shorter than me and can really take care of herself. She gets up in the morning before I do, because after all those years of having to threaten her to get her to bathe, she now gets up early and showers daily. There are some advantages to growing up.

Spring Madness

I've been getting my hands dirty! I can't stop!

Yippee!

I am coming to you this morning from my back yard. The house is still asleep as they had a late night at the Supercross races. But the birds and I are bright and cheery in the morning sunshine!
Whilst they were away yesterday, I had a couple friends over to do a "little" yardwork.
And there has been an amazing transformation take place on my tiny piece of property.
It's like a blank canvas, just waiting for an artist's brush.
I get to be the artist!
Do I want green grass to grow there? Do I want azalea's here?
What am I doing just sitting here typing?!
I must create!

Bits and Pieces

I'm listening to Billy Joel's greatest hits at work today.
It brings tears to my eyes.
He really has a way with words.

She's got a way about her
I don't know what it is
But I know that I can't live without her
She's got a way of pleasin'
I don't know what it is
But there doesn't have to be a reason anyway
She's got a smile that heals me
I don't know why it is
But I have to laugh when she reveals me
She's got a way of talkin'
I don't know why it is
But it lifts me up when we are walkin' anywhere
 

Doesn't it make you want to be "her"? It does me.
Not for Billy Joel, mind you.

Subject Change:

I heard a quote to live by this week. It goes like this: 
When someone shows you who they really are, believe them.

Isn't that simply brilliant?

How many times have we been in a relationship thinking if we just hang in there, they will change, things will be different, just a little longer. Well this is your get out of jail free card. When someone shows you who they really are, by their actions...and they will...believe them. Believe them the first time.

Peace Out,
susan