Valentine's

My horrible, terrible, rotten no good day

This was me after I got off work today:

A very large part of my job is dealing with vendors. Let me tell you, it can drive one to the brink of insanity. Today was one such day. By the end of my shift all I wanted to was drive away from Target as fast as I could. I did drive home quickly to see my family. They made me laugh and smile and thank God once again for the miracles known as my children. But, God must have known I needed something more because I opened my email and received the cutest video ever from my daughter Angela, starring my grandson. Thank you Angela, Jennifer, Jeffrey, Brian, Stephen, Antonio and Nehemiah for always being the bright spots in my day. I love you all!

Bestill my heart

Yesterday I learned that a team member was promoted to a team lead. This particular team member just turned 21 and she will be handling the Health and Beauty section of our store. It seems like most of the brand new team leads start out in that area. I was walking past this team member last night and she told me she wanted to tell me something. I asked her what is was and here is what she said, "You know, I had to meet with our district manager as one of my interviews. He asked me which team lead at our store exemplifies Target and why. I told him hands down that is Team Lead Jill. I told him you are the most dedicated person I know. I told him that when you commit to something you get it done. I told him when somebody comes to you with a problem you don't just blow smoke at that person, you listen with concern and care and follow up and make sure the problem has been resolved." I was speechless. I could not believe that I had made such an impression on a 21 year old. I thanked her and told her I am there for her every step of the way. Wow, I am still blown away by her kind words.

I've adopted

Yes, you read that right. I felt there was enough love in my heart for just one more, so I decided to adopt a soldier serving overseas. My soldier's name is Chris, he is going to be 21 years old this year, and he is from Mississippi. He is the same age as Jeffrey. I am just finishing up my first letter and care package to him. I'm excited about my new "son". Did you know you can send a 40 lb. package to any APO address for just 12.75? I am sending him baby wipes. Sounds weird, I know, but they don't get to take showers everyday and the baby wipes help them to feel refreshed. So, tomorrow morning when you step into your shower to wash the stink off your body, please think of my new "son". Remember to say a prayer for him, too. And when you go to bed, say a prayer for him, too. For while we sleep in the comfort of our own beds, he is on the move in the middle of nowhere fighting for you and me.

Happy Birthday Antonio James!!!

Oh my gosh, I can hardly believe it! My "baby" is 12 years old today!!!!!! I can't believe that next year he will be a teenager!!!! Sigh. I'm getting old. Tony, T-man, Tonester as he is affectionately called at home, has a smile that can brighten the world. He continues to be a model student for his mom, um I mean teacher, and is wise beyond his years. He is the eternal optimist and peace maker of the family. Antonio, you truly are what keeps me young. You continue to educate me about all the interesting facts you learn. You are the apple of this family's eyes and we love you to pieces. I loved exploring all the countries with you on our cruise this past summer and finding weapons to add to your collection. I love you to infinity and beyond. Happy Birthday and enough of the mushy stuff, LET'S GET THE PARTY STARTED!!!!!

Happy Birthday, Janet

Well, today is my sister Janet's birthday. There are only two of us and we are thirteen years apart. Today she starts her 37th year on earth which means that in a couple of months I start my 50th! When I started college, she started kindergarten. Strange, I know. She was a HUGE Star Wars fan growing up. I will never forget running around town one Christmas hunting down the coveted Millenium Falcon for her. I will never forget the spring after she got the Millenium Falcon my car broke down. The tow truck finally came and she would NOT leave that toy in the car while it was being towed. It HAD to ride in the truck with us. Years later she passed on her beloved Star Wars collection to her nephew Stephen. Imagine the horror on my face when I walked into Steve's room one day and saw Darth Vader's head on Luke Skywalker's body! Steve was kind of like Syd in Toy Story and loved to recreate characters. Janet was a good sport about it, but never let Steve have any more of her toys:) Janet, I hope this year proves to be an especially happy one for you. Happy Birthday and don't forget to take some time to smell the flowers.

Good bye 2010

Hello 2011!!!!!!
It is hard to believe that 2010 is now in the history books. Overall it was not too bad of a year. Of course our highlight was celebrating 50 years of marriage for my parents aboard the Liberty of the Seas cruise ship. Not a day goes by that somebody doesn't mention something about that cruise. To say we had the time of our lives would be an understatement. We said a very tearful good bye to our grandson of eight weeks as he headed back to S. Korea with his mom and dad. I was able to have more days of remission for my fibromyalgia than I spent in pain. We had a record rainfall which caused our basement to flood and a room needing to be rebuilt. We welcomed a grandcat. We helped a daughter spread her wings and move into her own apartment. We celebrated a son graduating from community college. We cried, we laughed, we smiled, we frowned. We trudged along and somehow made it through another year. Hello 2011. A big year for our family. Two of the members of this crazy house turn the bit 5-0 this year and big celebrations are in the works. Another Hunt graduates from high school, and oh what a day that will be. A son turns 21. Another cruise is in the works. We will laugh, we will cry, we will smile and we will frown. We can't wait to see what's in store for us this year. Happy New Year to everybody and may you all be blessed with health, wealth and happiness.