Beginnings

I think I should start explaining the title and it's significance.

To begin with, I was the oldest child of 4. Both of my parents had been the oldest too - so that makes me the first grandchild on both sides. My mom had 1 sister and my dad had 6 brothers and 1 sister. I was the only granddaughter on mom's side until my little sister Amy was born almost 13 years later, and the only granddaughter that my dad's father ever knew. Of all those brothers, a couple never had children and the ones that did are way younger than me.

Is the picture making sense? Do you see a little spoiled girl coming along? All of these people treated me like a princess, especially the uncles and my mom's sister who didn't have any girls of her own. She was always buying me things, purses, jewelry, panty hose (way before my mom did).

The winter break after Amy was born, when I was 13, I read "Gone with the Wind". It was an amazing read - and right off the bad I identified with Scarlett. I mean, wouldn't you rather be Scarlett than Nellie Olson? Anyway, Scarlett's influence has always been there and not always been a good thing, but, not always bad either!! More about the "Scarlett factor" as we go along.

Just for the record, there was never any jealousy over Amy - she was like a real live baby doll to me then. Now she is an amazing woman, beautiful and talented, and the best friend and sister anyone could ever have!!

Harry Potter Spoilers (well a couple)

YEAH!! Amy and Meaghan have both finished the book!

Now, Harry doesn't die - remember what I said about good wins out in the end! I believe that whole heartedly.

And Severus wasn't bad - he did die, poor thing, but his memories helped Harry (and us) to understand what had happened and why.

The best part of me was the epilogue (19 years later) - Harry and Ginny are sending their second child, Albus Severus, off to Hogwarts while Ron and Herminone are sending their oldest child off. Even Draco Malfoy was standing on the platform sending off a child.

I believe we can say they all lived happily ever after!!

AND, I predict that somewhere in the next 8-10 years those in the education field will see an influx of boys named Albus and Severus starting school.

AND, I don't want grandchildren for a few more years, but IF I get consulted about a name, well you know!

People Watching

This morning I went to early vote - we're electing a new mayor and entire council later this week. I wanted to be sure and vote early so as not to stand in too much of a line.

I don't walk around too well - I still have to tell that story - so on my way out of the library I sat down on the bench by the door. I must have sat there at least 30 minutes just watching folks come in and out. Most people acknowledged me by nodding or speaking. I tend to think that's because 1 - Nashville is a pretty friendly city and 2 - I don't think I look dangerous or unapproachable. The second is worth several posts - I think I'm a magnet sometimes for folks who have problems. Anyway, that's another day!

It does my heart good to see parents with their children at the library. If you can read, you can find out everything about everything!! There were many young families coming in and out, bringing in one stack, leaving with another. These children are the future - they must know how to really read!

The other thing I notice alot are shoes. I've always loved shoes. When I was young and single, I had a pair for just about every outfit I owned. I've had the 4 inch heeled Candies that I walked up Mt. Charlotte in and I've had the slip on flats in every color they were made in - I just like shoes.

Now, my feet are definitely the weakest part of my physical being. They've been broken up and patched up. It's hard for me to find shoes that will allow me to walk as well as I can and that don't cause any more pain to two appendages that scream in agony most of the time anyway. So I tend to pay attention to what other folks are wearing on their feet.

It is summer and quite warm so there were lots of sandels. I noticed many many folks wearing Birkenstocks. That's my shoe of choice now, the deep ankle bed gives me the support I need and my toes don't get scrunched up. If you don't own a pair, try them!

I notice too a lot of Crocs - I still haven't bought a pair of these but several of my feet challenged friends have recommended them.

I noticed several people whom I believe had aching feet because of the shoes they had on. I've done this in the past, had to look good no matter how bad it hurt! Take it from me - this will be the best piece of advice I'll ever give anybody - keep your feet happy! Do not worry what a shoe looks like (really!!!), just wear something that fits and doesn't hurt. Your life will be longer and you'll definitely be a much pleasanter person if your feet don't hurt!!

Happy Walking!

Big Lunch Plans

Today I am meeting a group of former coworkers for lunch at Panera. I'm excited - I've never eaten at Panera before. We're going down by the Vanderbilt campus, one of my favorite places in town. It should be a lot of fun.

One of Renee's friends came home Wednesday night from a two week journey through Germany. He brought a bar of REAL German CHOCOLATE!! I've never tasted anything quite like it - I don't know if I can ever eat any other chocolate again, it is that good! I can't imagine life without chocolate so I'm sure I'll buy other stuff, just right now, I want to savor every little sliver of this bar.

Harry Potter 7 - No Spoilers Here

OK - I'm dying here. No one I know has finished the book and I'm dying to discuss it. All I can say to them is I was satisfied with the ending. But, it won't be long I know before we'll have a roundtable!! Hang in there - as soon as they're done reading - I'll post what I think about it all!

Finished in just under 9 hours!

Yes - I finished Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows in just under 9 hours of reading! It's a good read!

It started out a little confusing - it did not pick up exactly where Half Blood Prince had ended, and I guess I thought it would. But, it's easy enough to catch up to the time diference.

I did find it a little slow during the pages 200's - I'm not sure if it was the book or it was just me. But, I knew it would pick back up to the pace I was expecting!

I've decided not to put spoilers in this post - I think I'll wait until about Tuesday or Wednesday - I need to give those readers I discuss it with a chance to finish up!!

Just one hint - don't believe any of the hype about two (2) people dying!

One last ride on the Hogwarts Express!

Today is the day! Book 7 comes out at midnight - I'm sure I'll be sleeping BUT my sister, daughter, and nieces will be at the Grand Hallows Ball enjoying the festivities, drinking Butterbeer, and picking up the books Amy so graciously reserved for all of us.

I've reminded Renee (my daughter) that we have to get some snacks and Diet Coke for tomorrow. There'll not be any cooking or anything else until I know for sure what happens to Harry and the gang.

I don't know what to expect - I realize either Harry or Voldemort must die. My "glass half full" outlook and my own convictions tell me that good always triumphs over evil and that Harry will survive to go on and live a very happy and full life.

I mean, didn't Scarlett? And it took years for us to know what the rest of the story was!

Have a Potter weekend!!

Only One More Day!

Yes - tomorrow night at midnight my daughter will be in line at the local Borders to pick up my copy of the 7th Harry Potter book! I will home sleeping, but as soon as I wake up Saturday I will begin to read and probably won't stop until I'm done. This has been my MO for the last 3 Potter books - I didn't get in on the Harry Potter phenomenon until the third book had come out.

I am very excited - I refuse to even search for anything Potter online right now because I do not want to know until I get to it myself what happens.

There are at least 3 others in my family who'll be reading all day Saturday and Sunday - we've agreed we will not discuss the book until we are done - no calling and saying "Guess what's going to happen?".

While there are people who believe that the Harry Potter books should not be allowed, etc. because of the witchcraft or wizardy involved, I am not one of them. The story itself about a child being orphaned, mistreated by the only blood family he has, befriended by so many others who loved and adored him, those are all very important things. The books are well-written and the story has been wonderful - I hope I still feel this way Monday!!

Have a Potter Weekend!

Rain

Today I am longing to wake up in the morning to rain on the roof and a day so cloudy and dark it looks much like the sun didn't even come up. I want to lay there a few minutes, listening to the rain, and fall back asleep for an hour of the best sleep I've ever had.

My grass is brown, my flowers are all just dead, and water supplies are beginning to be affected in Teneessee by the drought. We need the rain, I'm just missing those mornings when I can enjoy that part of nature by not having to get up and go out to school or work.

The forecast for this week includes 30-50% on rain everyday - how blessed I'd feel if one of those 30 percenters happened to be in the early AM.

One Busy Woman

Today is Sunday - I've just returned home from church and have a full day to accomplish. Our Vacation Bible School starts tomorrow - I'm teaching the adults. It's always fun and while I don't have to do as much as those who have the children, I try to make the room inviting and plan some fun activities for us.

I tend to overextend myself - I call it the "I can't say no" problem. Right now, there's VBS this week, I'm working on an oral history project that lasts until at least next March - and I have a summer intern for that to keep busy and supervise, I'm helping an old schoolmate in her re-election campaign for a city council position, I'm helping another friend put together her business plan in accordance with SBC requirements to get a loan to go into business for herself, I help my brother with his own personal business from a bookkeeping standpoint. There are "Project Stacks" all over my house.

I am the mother of two teenagers, one about to go to college and the other struggling to find himself and be at ease with who he really is - being a mother is all the job I need, but as I said, I am unable to say no when folks ask me for help. I think I must like it when they tell me I'm smart and they trust my judgement and opinions. Those are valuable things to hear from friends.

When I get time, I plan on completing my children's scrapbooks from childhood and school and I have a couple of craft/sewing projects I've invested some time and money into, but have neglected because of my other committments.

And, to top all of this off - I find myself very physically challenged. I'll cover more about that in future blogs - I don't want you to stop reading because I go on and on and on!!

Have a great day!

First Day

OK - it's my first day to blog! I'm very excited - my sister Amy started a blog a couple of weeks ago and I've enjoyed reading her posts. I had a hard time deciding on a name for my blog - I've ended up with "From Tara to Hogwarts". I tried to think of a name that could somehow begin a description of who I am and influences that have shaped the person I am. I'm sure most of you know about Hogwarts Scho0l of Witchcraft and Wizardy- Tara was the home of Scarlett O'Hara in "Gone with the Wind". Big difference - maybe, maybe not!

I have a lot to say, I hope you come along for the ride!