Wednesday, July 28, 2010

My Side of the Story - A Guest Post

Jeezo Pete, would it ever be fun to pretend that I'm Jaymsy...

Alas - it's just little ol' me.

Mere hours before jaunting off to get her Squirrel on, she made a real boneheaded decision and handed me the keys to this here coop.

So what did I do?



I trashed the place.

I had no choice, really. I went with toilet paper and that squirty foam stuff. I thought about eggs, but I didn't think she'd get it. She'd assume the girls had a kegger and they'd all be grounded and they'd lose their cellphone privileges and she would make them spend the day inside, being schooled alongside Aaron. I couldn't do that to them. Or to Aaron.

But hey, while I've got you by the ear, let me tell you a story.

You may not have heard, but I got to spend the afternoon with The Lady Herself just a couple short weeks ago, along with my Mama and two of my Littles, Calvin and Ruby.

Everything she's ever told you about her homestead? She's downplaying it, ya'lls. She's got a case of the humbles. It blew me away. She blew me away.

Her gardens were breathtaking and I know she very nearly weeded herself into an early grave getting ready for that Garden show, but what I saw was beauty that appeared to be effortless. Nothing hoity-toity about it. For me, it was just what I would have pictured if I closed my eyes and dreamed up a country garden. It was perfection.

(Oh man, I can feel her blushing all the way from here! She's gonna be spitting mad that I spent my airtime bragging her up...but I haven't even gotten started.)

Her family?
Well, they were full of goodness and fun. (It's true - Glenco is real!)



Her feathered friends?
They were so pretty as to look like little chicken and duck statues.

Along with a tour of the grounds, we also toured the castle. It was swoonerific. I wanted to hop up on that bed of hers and sleep a spell. Here's something you might not know about me -one of the highest compliments I can give someone regarding their home is the truthful tidbit that it inspires me to sleep. So cozy. So very, very cozy.

It's true that I made her cross her heart and stick a needle in her eye that she wouldn't make us lunch. It pained her, I could tell. And let's be honest, she baked fresh loaves of oatmeal honey bread for my mom and I, fixed us up some sun-tea and baked us a Saturday Farmgirl cake for dessert. Around here, that's called that passive aggressive defiance. She outta be spanked.

Where was I?

Oh yes, we went down the road to Tastee Top for lunch.

There's something potentially unnerving about meeting a blog friend for the first time. It made my pits clammy and my mouth dry, during the days leading up to the Big Event. Just the thought of it all would drive me into the kitchen for a bowl of anxiety-quelling Honeycomb. But the moment we pulled in and she very nearly yanked me out through the window of my car, I knew - it was all good.

We never lacked for conversation. Case in point? After our cheeseburger 'n fries out on the picnic table, headed back to the cars, Calvin said, "Um...I think someone left their vehicle on."

I froze. She froze. Oh lawd, let it not have been me!

Whew. It was her. That is correct, she hopped out of her wheels so lightening fast at the Tastee Top that she forgot to turn off the ignition. Homegirl left her car running for the entire hour or so that we lunched. That's one for the record books, folks. It's one I will never let her forget.

For those of you who have made it to the end of this diatribe, I'll tell you what you already know. Jayme is a treasure. She is a gift. She is as genuine as the day is long. As sweet as the topping on the cake. She will have you up in stitches and you'll not be loosed until she sees fit, which may be a while.

Oh, and she'll probably make you throw some gang signs. It's ok if you don't know any - she tutors for free.

22 comments:

  1. You're both just a mess... a truly fun mess.

    Di

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  2. Sign me up ...that sounds like a great way to spend a day!

    Now don't start stressing, Jayme...I'm pretty sure you're nowhere near central Texas and therefore probably too far for me sneak up on you.

    : )

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  3. Enjoyed the guest post VERY much. Looks like the party of the year...
    I want to join that gang...Is that the official sign???? I'm practicing!! :-)

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  4. Wonderful post confirming what we already know to be true! Jayme -- to know her is to love her.

    Deborah

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  5. Thanks for letting your friend brag on you. It is about time someone did! How far is it from the Chesapeake bay to your house?

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  6. The picture of the two of you holding up that sign, whatever that sign is, cracks me up. The first time I seen it these words went through my head."Yo, VIP lets kick it, Ice Ice Baby, Ice Ice Baby. That's the only rap song I know. Yes I'm that old. LOL Jayme, I even think Vanilla Ice uses the word bacon in the song. LOL
    Who couldn't love the both of you.
    ~XO~

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  7. you girls are both just too cute!

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  8. I've been waitin' and a waitin' for another post and was thrilled to see a new post headline today! What a thrill to get to read this "guest" blogger! I love the way you both write and feel so privileged that you share your gifts with the world!

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  9. I can't believe you guys had never met. You seem like you've been BFF's forever!! I've never visited your blog before. Headed there presently...

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  10. Loved the guest post today...It is so good to see pictures of Jayme laughing and having fun after all of those hours she slaved to get her grounds in order for the Garden Walk. Thanks for bragging her up!

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  11. You two keep me in STITCHES! My husband's always asking what I'm laughing at!

    So glad you two got to meet!

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  12. P.S. Jayme, do NOT answer this comment. It's just to make you smile!

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  13. I want some of that midwestern punch that you two have been drinking.
    Could midwestern gang members even have a sign? A sign for the middle, not the eastside, not the westside, but the middleside.

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  14. My turn on Saturday! Can't wait to see them gardens up close and personal-like.

    I totally think we need an end-of-summer camp out with all us midwest bloggers. We're an odd bunch, but we like us.

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  15. Love it! Totally love it! Glad you two had such a great time.
    Someday soon I hope to get to meet some of my blogging buddies. Maybe even come up to IN!

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  16. I have to admit, I'm kinda pathetic. I actually woke up this morning at around 6:00 thinking, "I wonder if there is a Coop Keeper post today." I'm a New-B to your blog and want to thank you for sharing all your fun.

    God Bless Ya,
    Heather

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  17. "I wanna spend the day with Jayme too!" (in a three year old whiney voice)

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  18. oh, how I adore the two of you!

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  19. You two are too cute to be believed. I may just have to come see for myself if you're real.
    What a fun day you had. I'm not jealous, I'm not jealous, I'm not jealous.

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  20. FUN FUN FUN...I'll quote the person ahead of me. I'm not jealous, I'm not jealous, I'm not jealous;)

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  21. (Shannan) Ah, ya nut, what fun!

    (Jayme) Your blog looks pretty nifty. How's your car?

    : )

    Julie M.

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  22. Hi Jayme! I just found you through Flower Patch Farmgirl and love your blog! I just became a new "follower" and can't wait to go through some of your archives! Your gardens are AMAZING!

    If you have a minute, I would love it if you would stop by...

    Thanks,
    Jessica
    alogcottagelife.blogspot

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Thanks so much for leaving a comment!