Work and Dinner

I have been working with a realtor and a guy I consider my good friend, Andy. We have been working together on some projects. I think it's a great partnership and I really am excited for what we've been doing. Late last year I started working as a part time assistant for another realtor, Betty. I just adore her and she's almost like a mother to me (okay, like a grandmother). I think she is so wonderful. It has worked out really well because I get most of her closings for the title work, so when I close them I know all of the details. We work well together and it's nice. I get paid a little bit for doing something I enjoy and plus I get the title work.

So Andy and I have talked about our ideas for business over the past year or so. He has been working a lot on short sales and has been kicking butt. He has so many listings that he needs help. So I am now helping him with his files, calendar, leads, etc. and processing the short sales. The deal for the short sales is I get half of the money. Well we're collecting between $3500 and $5000 per deal. If we can just get the bank to approve them then I'll be doing good once again. I'll also be able to do what closings I can of his and make some money that way.

So then Karrie in the office, she's my age, was asking me last week about me working for Betty and Andy. Our conversaton was cut short and I was thinking later that I knew someone who might could work with her. I went to her last Friday and asked her if she was lookin for someone as I had someone in mind for her. She told me that she only wanted someone if it was me. I was flattered. We went to lunch and it's been decided I'm going to help her with some things. Finding potential short sales for her buyers and finding her the potential short sales listings in the upscale areas. She's not use to being a listing agent, so I'm going to get her ready for the presentation and catch up her on the short sales process.

So then this week I get a phone call from another agent in their office (by the way Andy, Betty and Karrie all work for the same broker). This agent started by saying she had heard highly about me and wanted me to help her with her deals and manager her website. I was very flattered. We met yesterday and she went over what she needs. She has 3 short sales she wants me to process, update her website and work on her contact database.

I am working now I guess 5 different jobs. One of each of the agents and then the title business. I think I might have overwhelmed myself. I bought a portfolio and calendar on Thursday so I can keep track of everyone and everything. Best decision I made. Each person has their own tab and section with a pocket folder. Yes, I needed some major organizing.

Right now I'm going to be spending appx. 20-30 hours a week on Andy alone. It's going to be insane and crazy but I'm going to love it. I'm already feeling the pressure but that's okay. I'm going to just have a blast.

So... that's what's going on with work. Whew...

So last night we had dinner over at Andy's house. I had met his wife and 4 kids before but our spouses hadn't met before and I don't think Lee has ever met Andy. It was a good experience so Lee would get to know him. It's important because of the work we'll be doing together. I think Andy's wife, Katie, is so nice. She's from Michigan so her accent sometimes comes off a little cross but it's not that way. I guess the abrupt and to the point. We had a great time. The kids just loved each other. He has Isabella, 6, Benjamin, 5, Caleb 3, and Lauren, 10 months.

I was shocked because Lee took a liking to Lauren. And then she took a liking to him. She actually threw her arms out to him. He then would have her walk to him and he'd pick her up. As we were leaving she just snuggled on his shoulder. It was really cute. Katie said that she doesn't do that to anyone except for her and Andy. I asked Lee in the car if him picking her up, etc. was an "act" because he usually says he doesn't like kids except for ours. He told me he genuinely liked her.

So the whole point was we had a great time. Everyone got a long wonderfully and Lee and Andy really hit it off. I hope that we can get together again sometime soon. We don't interact with other couples so it was really nice to do it.

Going Home to Montgomery

Monday morning I left for Montgomery. I was glad to be going but I hated the circumstances that it was under. Fortunately Lee opened the restaurant Monday morning so he ws able to pick up the kids and then take them to school on Tuesday. The drive wasn't too unbareable and I made it in good time. I stopped at Jana's house to see her and little man Gabe. It was really great to see her. I miss her so much. It made me realize how much by just spending time with her.

I left from there and went to the visitation for Miss Linda. It was such a hard thing to do. I waited outside of the funeral home on my parents. I just couldn't go in by myself. There were sooooo many people there who I've known for almost my entire life. It was soooooo nice to see all of them. It made me homesick for the way things were way back when. I miss my home church so badly, but deep down I know that if I went back it just wouldn't be the same, especially since Miss Linda is gone. Everytime I would go to Taylor Road she was the first person i wanted to see.

I don't know how but I made it through the visitation. I did cry and it was so very hard when talking to Mr. Ruddy and their daughter Tina. This was the hardest funeral my dad has ever done. Miss Linda was his right hand gal and like a close sister to him for 20 years. They had this connection, they got each other. It helped them be successful in what they did. When my dad started to tell Mr. Ruddy how sorry he is they hugged and they both just let lose with tears. I watched Mr. Ruddy's face and it just killed my heart. To see the saddness he feels is just heart wrenching.

When I turned to him I tried to tell him how much I loved Miss Linda. He told me that she loved me very much too and I was special to her. The tears just kept flowing. I couldn't stop them. I ended up talking about the funny things she'd say to me when we were together. It breaks my heart to see him like this. I am glad that Tina is going to stay with him for a while. I just worry for him and that he will just sort of give up. He has the same disease that Mrs. Ussery died from. I'm afraid if he lets the stress get to him then it will hurt him with the disease.

After the visitation I met up with Leigh and we had a fabulous dinner at Olive Garden. It was like old times. I miss my friends, but I am so fortunate to have my life long friends. We pick right up where we left off and if we have silence it's not akward. Jessica came and joined us after we ate. She was late because it was Blakely's 8th birthday and they had gone out to dinner. Man we had such a good time. We eventually shut down the OG. We were all so tired. I went back to Leigh's house where I spent the night. I am very thankful for her giving up a room for the night.

So Tuesday I got ready and headed to Montgomery for the funeral (Leigh lives in Wetumpka now). I stopped in Panera for a muffin. I ran into my Sr. English teacher. We spoke for a little while. I told her again how great she was and the only English teacher who actually made me understand it. She told me she remembered me saying that to her years ago. She finally retired 3 years ago after becoming head of the English department. Man, it just made me miss Montgomery a little bit more.

I went to the funeral home. so many were already there. Mom was there and I went to sit with her. I took some of her gum because Jessica said it was a good tool for not crying. She proved to be right. Michael Jones lead all of us in song singing Miss Linda's favorite hymns. It was so moving. Partly because Michael was singing and partly because I just knew that Miss Linda was in heaven with Jesus.

Dad was the one who did the service. He said it was the hardest thing he's ever done. I could tell. It was easy for him in one way because he had so many wonderful things to say about her. The other good part was she ws such a funny lady and he was able to mix humor into it. There were a few times that Dad got choked up. His mouth did this lip thing he does. It broke my heart. He was right, she was like a sister to him and like an aunt to me. I knew her longer than anyone else in my life with the exception of my parents/grandparents. I saw her every week and spent so much time in her office. I loved getting to church early on Wednesday nights and sitting in her office. I'd do that on Sundays too. She was great.

After the funeral we went back to the church where some ladies had prepared lunch. I had the great opportunity to sit down with Scott Lee, our former minister of music, from way back when. Come to find out he is a real estate broker with a Coldwell Banker office that has offices from Mobile (where he is) to Panama City. We knew some of the same brokers. It actually ended up being a great business contact. I have been doing so many amazing real estate things and told him about some and it is such a great thing. He asked me to call him and wants me to get together with him. I emailed him and he wants to come do Destin and have me go over things w/ him and his wife. Show him what it can do to help is agents and help him personally invest. i take that as a great compliment. That my ideas that I spit out in 2 mins are good enough and innovative enough for someone to want to drive to me.

I have been doing some different real estate things lately. I am currently still doing the title business but also assisting 4 agents. I am a little over extended and am having a hard time catching up with sleep. I worked until 8:30 last night and after we had dinner tonight I worked until just a few minutes ago. I want to pass out. I think I will now.

I am glad to have seen a lot of friends in Montgomery but I am still very sad at the passing of Miss Linda. She was an amazing person who had such a major impact on so many people.

Stick It Brady

Oh yeah! The Super Bowl 42 just ended maybe 5 mins ago. My throat seriously hurts from screaming. The Giants Won!!!!!! Two years in a row one of the Manning Brothers one the SB. Tom Brady was sacked numerous time (okay, so it happened to Eli too but they won so who cares?). This game started off reallllly slow. The first quarter there was only 2 possessions. But man. Wow, I'm on a high. This was amazing. I am so proud of the Giants.

Yeah Baby!

Miss Linda

The tears are still fresh and continue to flow freely down my face. My heart is heavy and sad. A few minutes ago I heard my cell phone ring and saw that dad had called me twice. I scrolled through my email and saw a message from mom asking me to call her because they had some news. I immediately new someone had died. I just knew it. I started thinking about who it could be. My Grandmother Godfrey just turned 87 this week and I wondered, could it be her?

It wasn't her but someone who has had a huge impact on my life. Her name is Linda Melancon. She was my dad's right hand gal and the person who keeps Taylor Road operating day to day. I've known her since I was 4 years old. She is someone who intimidates most people without even meaning to (well maybe she wanted to try a little). My goal was to try and make her laugh. I usually succeeded but only because I say random off the wall things that most people would never say out loud. Seriously though we made each other laugh. She loved me for who I was even with all of the trouble I caused when I was younger.

When I went to Montgomery back in December to hear my sister sing at Taylor Road I saw her. In fact I talked to her and Ruddy, her husband, for quite a while outside the office. She was in her position behind the welcome desk. Her default position I think. We talked about Mackenzie and Jackson and her precious grandbabies. I hugged her that night and told her that I loved her. I do. I still love her even though she loved telling stories about how I was hell on wheels as a kid. There is one story in particular about something funny I said to her when I was reallllly young. She was telling it just last month.

I called her a few weeks ago to get her input on a reunion I was trying to put together for the former youth group members. It was so good to hear her voice. Even though I've been gone from Montgomery for almost 5 years it didn't mean that she means less to me now than she did then. I am so saddened by the loss. She was a wonderful lady that meant so much to me. She was the glue that held the church together. I am going to miss her dearly.

I love you Miss Linda. You will forever hold a special place in my heart.

Paulette Cooper

First of all I have to say I was so pleased to hear from an old friend, Jessica L. (now M. hehe) who told me how she has lately been interested in it too. And not because we are interested in becoming one of the crazies, but because our curiousity has been piqued by the insane nature of this cult and yes, it is a CULT.

I think I wrote about the journalist, Paulette Cooper, who the CoS went after viciously after she wrote an article about them. I put a link to the information about the operation to take her down. I came across something she wrote about her experience. A little bit of the information is slightly different but overall on target. She gave some interesting details about what happened and the "friend" that came in to her life during the time. This "friend" was actually an implant by the CoS. It was a Scientologist using her to gather information during the lawsuits, her writings, etc. It's scary.

http://www.xenu.net/archive/personal_story/paulette_cooper/ This is the link to her own personal account. Definitely fascinating reading.