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  • BOTOX: Beauty or Blues

    Hi There, I hope everyone’s Labor Day weekend has been non-laboring. While my girls are blogging about college experiences, I’m chatting about Botox.  Check out Savanna and Diana’s blogs at the end. Topic:  BOTOX (Botox: Beauty or Blues) Have you heard of Botox . I’m not talking about the illness caused by Clostridium botulinum bacteria — the one that paralyzes your face [first] then creeps down to your arms and legs and, if it makes its way to your breathing muscles, well then, kiss your respiratory system good-bye. No, not that botox. I’m referring to the beauty-enhancing (or is it) botox that, chances are, you have indeed have heard about. Maybe you’ve tried it? I have. One time. Why only one time you ask? Because I experienced downright terrifying side effects, that’s why. My Experience I sought botox from a highly regarded dermatologist in Atlanta who was recommended by a concierge doctor to see what the hype was all about. My objective was to remove an expression line between my eyebrows. The following side effects hit me almost immediately: Fainting Severe diarrhea Migraine Headache Numbness in jaw Excessive tearing Deep sadness Each of the above had a depressing story all its own.  Although admittedly, after a couple weeks the symptoms wore off  and in spite of the dreadful reactions, I ended up liking how I looked. I knew deep down it was pure insanity for me to consider going back for round two. But, shockingly, I contemplated doing so.  Thankfully, two people who “went through” the terribleness with me insisted that I was out of my mind to even consider another round of the toxin. Alarming Facts Amidst my botox journey, I discovered that much younger women are advised to begin injections before wrinkles emerge. This fact stunned me.  Did you know that 21,000 injections were administered in 2017 to 13 -19 year-olds. Omg! Read about it here: botox-experts-warn. I’m 57-years-old. As I said, I liked how the result looked. And I think it looks pretty good on much older women. But teenagers; women in their 20s; 30s; even 40s? Have you noticed young women in your neighborhood who have undergone botox injections lately? You can tell who they are from the puffed, frozen, lack-of-expression look on their otherwise perfectly beautiful [underneath it all] faces. How can there not be a detrimental psychological effect when the paralysis wears off for good should a young woman decide to bag botox? Side Point (BOTOX: Beauty or Blues) I’m a pencil portrait artist, or used to be. Wrinkles are my favorite thing to draw. They offer a way to get to know the person by crease-mapping their soul with graphite. I would zone out drawing the lines on the faces below. A beautiful woman. A handsome man. Another handsome man. Another handsome man. Wrinkles represent laughter, sorrow, confusion, excitement, joy, life experiences… something to understand the person with. If a 13-year-old starts botox and has no wrinkles when he/she is 70-years-old, there’ll be no interesting soul map. I’ve found other ways to look healthy and young(er) while embracing character lines as souvenirs of laughter, sorrow, confusion, excitement, joy, life experiences, etc. For example: exercise, organic food, water, dogs, cats, friends, love, simple stuff.  And, then of course, there are filters to give one an imaginary lift.  Paralyzing poison?  No thanks. Thank you for reading! Love, Shelley But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart” ~ 1 Samuel 16:7 Diana’s blog Savanna’s blog

  • Sister Season

    If this is your first time visiting Triangle Park blog, welcome.  We are a mother-daughter/family blog designed to keep in touch online by sharing tastes, travel and time musings.  Having friends and others read is many times more fun. INTRO Every fall, young college women filter through “houses” hoping to impress other young college women with their personalities, conversation prowess, GPA, athleticism, philanthropy purpose, pedigrees, style sense, hair, skin, body-fat ratio, etc. in order to gain entry into various societies and to secure “sisters.” BACKGROUND Most of you know:  I am not a sorority expert.  There’s no way I could be. I did not rush for a sorority, nor were sororities even at the college I attended in Portland, Oregon.  What I am, however, is a mom of two daughters, Savanna and Diana. Both of my girls attend(ed) college in the southeast United States where sororities are prevalent. They both rushed-to-be-judged, one time. CASE IN POINT Savanna went through the rush process at the University of Georgia, a Greek-life capital in the U.S. She had her reference letters in place, skillfully chosen dresses, houses scoped out, 4.0 in tact, etc. Savanna’s ducks were in an enviable row.  She survived several rounds with a final call back to her choice house. Then she dropped. Diana’s story was different. She didn’t rush freshman year but decided to give it a shot sophomore year (the older you are, the tougher it is). Diana did not seek recommendation letters, didn’t dress-to-impress, nor did she attempt to impress otherwise, thus no cigar to her liking. In spite of D not “going for it” or caring about it, ostracizing at the end of the game provided ample dejection. Imagine those who desperately want acceptance and get cut. INSERT This blog is not to discredit sororities. My niece is in a sorority! I have friends who pledged.  I understand the benefits that Greek life offers and appreciate the discipline it requires.  But I do have an issue with female judgment and exclusion. One doesn’t have to be rejected from a sorority to experience rejection. It happens in families too (trust me).  Here’s the thing, exclusion is scary.  It tells me you think you’re better than I am.  Scarier than that is , it tells me you might be jealous of me thus may exclude me from your society in order to feel superior, better than? RECAP Indeed, sister season is upon us. There are many girls who appear happy to belong to various Greek groups. Congratulations! I’m happy for you (and sorry for others — especially if you don’t have a real sister).  Similarly, I hope you’re happy for my girls choosing not to identify with such. GOING FORWARD… The sea of people God provides the world with is limitless.  He offers us people to meet, people to befriend, people to connect with, people to call brother, sister, people to love, perfectly imperfect people to cross paths with every day — the whole process is designed and judged by only Him [phew].  And, it’s free.  Welcome to the club whoever you are, whatever you look like, however much $ you have, whether you gain or lose 10 lbs, whether your GPA is really 3.0 or you cheated, whether you wear Target or Prada, whether you’re delusionally superior or heart-healthy humble.  Welcome — You’re in the only society that truly matters, God’s. Thank you for reading! Love, Shelley Triangle Park Sisters There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus – Galatians 3:28 On a Foodie Note First batch of fall chili sprung from the Sweeney kitchen last weekend.  Unfortunately Sav and Joey couldn’t make it but Diana and her star boyfriend indulged with us.

  • Inspiration – Hosana Wong

    Greetings Everyone, This week, I’m sharing an inspirational suggestion that might help you or someone you know that is struggling with addiction, rejection, depression, isolation…whatever SatanRx it may be. Have you heard of Hosana Wong? Hosana is a young pastor and spoken word artist from San Francisco, California. She caught my attention when I heard her talk about the myriad of social media untruths that deplete young people of their true individual identities, the ones promised by God. Hosana is young and talented.  She is reaching her generation in ways that are difficult for older [cough-cough] people to. But we can ALL be inspired by her. Why the Topic of Inspiration Last week, I read a tragic announcement about a young man who died of an accidental overdose. A friend shared the news and it quickly spread stirring similar stories. One thing is for sure, we all know someone struggling with “something” difficult [keyword: “something”]. Just imagine how many something’s there are in the world. Why Share Hosana Wong’s Talent and Journey I have watched two of Hosana’s videos (below). Hosana struck a cord in me when she used the following words in her video: I Have a New Name: Ugly Unworthy Discouragement Forgotten Garbage Addict Forever broken Second place Gross past Disgusting Those words, coming from a young person (or old), are unfortunate and remind me of words that someone who accidentally or otherwise lost their life might have been listening to just prior.  They also remind me of words that a lot of pressure-packed, confused, wonderful young (or old) people just trying to get by might hear — not knowing why, where they come from, or that they’re lies. My intention is not to reiterate Hosana’s messages but to raise curiosity to watch the videos and hopefully to share them with someone you know who listens to untruths.  I shared them personally with someone I know. The Truth will set you free! Thank you for reading! Love, Shelley Inspiring Spoken Word Video by Hosana Wong Inspiring Spoken Word Video by Hosana Wong P.S.  As Savanna says in her latest blog click here Triangle Park is excited to be working with a friend on renovating our website.

  • Make the Best of Travel Scams

    Besides being blessed to live in the U.S. Bible belt, life in Atlanta boasts plenty of other benefits. Take for example hoards of hustle, busy-busy bustle and enough excitement to keep us Georgian’s go-go-going day after day. Sometimes…you just gotta get away! So, that’s what one of my girls (Diana) and I did two weekends ago. We headed to a favorite get-away, Chattanooga. Did you know there are Amish and Mennonite farm communities in Tennessee? I didn’t. Prior to leaving I googled: Best things to do in Chattanooga and found this:  amish-community I thought: cool, we’ll tour the Amish world — it will be an adventure…off the beaten path… educational…weird! We were instructed to meet the tour guide in Delano, Tennessee precisely where the Amish Community Market is. When we arrived and asked several Amish people where we might find the tour group, we received disillusioned, fearful, bewildered expressions and responses. We worried too. A woman, whose driveway we pulled into to turn around scurried out to see if we were lost and ended up pointing us in the direction of a winery savannah-oaks-winery. That might be where you meet, she said. The man who ran the winery was equally unhappy and clueless about us looking for a tour. We spent an hour and a half under a shady tree in front of the Savannah Winery seeking explanation from Expedia and Viator. We finally secured a confirmation number with an email promising us a $300 refund. I feel certain if we weren’t two innocuous-looking females the winery owner would have called the police. Beware of scams! (Including through reputable companies) Diana told me that she’s heard of similar situations through Airbnb (properties advertised online but don’t actually exist have lead others on tail chases like ours). But it’s all GOod. With a little prayer and innovation we hoisted our disappointed hineys up from under the shady tree and headed back to the Amish market to shop and also to quietly and politely tip-toe around on our own self-guided tour. Here we are with some picturesque Amish landscape: Skipping along on our self-guided tour. (Thank you Amish people in Delano, TN for not kicking us off of your property!!!) I love you and I’m sorry we got scammed Dan! The horse/carriage behind us was simply spectacular. Bright sunshine caused us to inadvertently block them from the photo. This barn is mimicked in the link advertisement. We thought this was the meeting place. lol The Amish are respectful people. Stunning tree and trail. This watermelon was HUGE. The photo is not edited to make it look big. Sorry don’t know the lbs. As you can see in the scam link expedia.com/things-to-do/amish, the ticket price is $150 per person. Wouldn’t you expect a dang, nice afternoon for that price? A huge disappointment it was. But we made the best of it and bought the most delicious spaghetti sauce, sorghum molasses, watermelon, salsa and fruit I’ve had in a loooong time. Inside the very cool Edwin Hotel Finally, we hit the road back to The Edwin Hotel in Chattanooga Edwin. We walked to dinner at the amazing Back Inn Cafe back-inn-cafe and enjoyed a delicious dinner, wine, and lots of laughs. Outside of the Back Inn Cafe Thanks for reading! Love, Shelley Bread gained by deceit is sweet to a man, but afterward his mouth will be full of gravel. Proverbs 20:17

  • Law School Anyone?

    Hi Everyone, I hope y’all are doing well as we all prepare to wind down summer 2019. Allow me to introduce Triangle Park’s guest blogger this week: Katherine Hunt. Katherine is a dear friend of Savanna and Diana, and I might add she is one of the most intelligent, talented and beautiful young ladies I also have the pleasure of calling a friend. [Breaking News: Diana is considering law school when she finishes up at Georgia Tech.] Katherine is about to graduate from Georgia State University Law School. We invited Kat to guest blog because we’ve always wanted her to(!) and to help Diana and others explore law school. There’s valuable information below from someone who is in the midst of all that is legal learning. Enjoy and as always, thank you for reading: Hello Triangle Park readers! I am so excited to guest-blog for some of my favorite ladies this week. I will be answering a few questions about my law school experience and law school in general: Did you attend law school immediately after undergrad?  Are you happy with the decision you made? I took two years off between undergrad and law school. I worked full time during my undergraduate studies and I finished in three and a half years so I was definitely ready for a break. In addition, I was so focused on school during my senior year that I did not begin studying for the LSAT until after I graduated. Ultimately, I am glad that I took this break because it gave me the opportunity to gain some work experience and confirm that I really did want to pursue a career in law. Do most law students work FT/PT?  Which did you choose?  Is working and studying law relatively easy to balance? Most law students do not work or they work part-time. I work full-time and that is one of the main reasons why I chose Georgia State Law. They offer an evening program specifically catered to those who work full time. Although it takes an additional year or two to graduate, it is a great option for those who already have a career or who do not want to take out loans. Working and studying is easy to balance for me because my time is so limited that I value and prioritize study time on the weekends and on weeknights. On the other hand, it can be difficult sometimes because law school is so competitive. I have had to turn down many fun plans over the years because of papers, exams, etc. Finally, almost every law student works at a law firm for the summers during school. The bigger the firm, the more competitive it is to get a summer associate position. These are important because this is how almost every law firm hires first year attorneys. In my case, I have worked at the same law firm for over two years and I am lucky enough to have an attorney job there when I graduate and pass the bar. Otherwise, most firms give out job offers after the second summer so most law students go into their third year of school knowing where they will work the following year. What are your thoughts/opinions of different areas of law to study?  Why did you choose the specialty that you did?  Do you know anything about Patent Law? First, law school is great because less than half of your classes are required so you can really take any classes you want and learn about many types of law. Our school, like many other schools, offers certificate programs in Tax Law, Health Law, Intellectual Property etc. That way, if you know what type of law you want to practice, you can earn a certificate in it by taking the required classes for that program.  Unlike undergrad, you don’t have a major so your class selection is truly up to you and the certificate programs can be a great guide. I am interested in real estate and transactional law as well as white collar criminal law. I currently work in transactional law which covers everything from corporate law to lending law so I have chosen many classes that fall in this range. I surprised myself by falling in love with criminal law during my mandatory first year class. So, I am lucky to be a graduate assistant for a Dean who used to practice white collar crime. She has graciously given me a few projects on this topic and recommended classes to further my studies in this area. Right now, I would like to practice transactional law for a while and hopefully move to criminal prosecution when I am more established. I don’t know much about patent law except that it is an incredibly specialized and growing field. One of my best friends at law school is focusing on intellectual property and patents and he received multiple job offers after his first year! He was flown out all over the country for interviews and ultimately chose a job in New York City. Ultimately, it is great to come into law school knowing what you want to study but you might be surprised at additional interests or changes in interest over the years. For example, I started law school thinking I would NEVER do litigation but all of my favorite classes and best grades have been litigation classes. I recommend keeping your mind open to new ideas and seeking guidance from professors that you admire and trust. Savanna and Katherine 6.29.19 Ansley Golf Club (Law school looks very good on ladies these days!) Your word is a lamp to guide me and a light for my path. (Psalm 119:105)

  • Destiny & Delta L1011

    Hi Friend(s), How are you doing? I hope summer 2019 has been safe, spectacular and not too speedy for you. I struggled to find a blog topic this week. Which is odd because there’s a ton going on in my life right now. Perhaps too much! Analogy: Imagine trying ever so carefully to take a few sips of water from a full-force fire hose. Water surges in your face splashing and landing everywhere, but only a few scant drops make it down your throat. That’s me searching for a topic. There’re so many possibilities my brain can’t hone just one. A girlfriend sent me this article yesterday: airplane-romance  It’s a great story about how a young couple met on an airplane and it inspired me. If you didn’t already know that I met my husband, Jeff, on an airplane now you do. Sure enough, we first looked into each other’s eyes on a Delta L101l bound for Salt Lake City, Utah from Atlanta, Georgia. It was an 8:30 a.m. brisk December morning. Do you remember L1011s? They were ginormous! I was the last person to board the aircraft that fateful morning due to being out late with friends the night before. As I walked down the never-ending aisle I kept my eyes intent on the numbers below the overhead bins, searching for my future 4-hour home. Ahh, at last, there it is…oh my…I do believe it’s a tight, little number right there by [gasp] the toilet room…the last seat in the entire fuselage? Why, yes, that surely is my seat in the furthest back corner of the plane. I apologetically squeezed in by a tall, handsome young man who was already securely seated and buckled in for departure. Thus began my and Jeff Sweeney’s first Delta journey together and first day of the rest of our lives together. I was travelling to my parent’s home in Richfield, Utah for Christmas. Jeff was travelling with a friend’s family for a Christmas ski trip in Park City. His First Move (so to speak): Dick Tracy was the featured movie. I wanted to see Madonna and Warren Beatty in action. Headphones cost $3. I asked the flight attendant if I could write a check because I didn’t have cash. I’m not sure what her answer was, but I am sure that I heard my future husband chime in that a check wouldn’t be necessary. The only problem was…I had trouble watching the film. Jeff wanted to talk from time to time resulting in me missing portions of the flick. Admittedly, I wanted to talk with him also and the movie wasn’t very good. We discovered we were scheduled to fly back to Atlanta on the same flight as well! Shortly after we met When we arrived home in Atlanta several days later, Jeff approached me in baggage claim and said, “We should get together sometime.” I told him I was “in the book” and spelled my last name for him. Two nights later on December 28 we had our first date. Travelling has been a big part of our lives ever since that first encounter. Our favorite destination is the United Kingdom and Ireland. On our latest UK flight, after dinner, while stretching out and slipping to sleep I felt the aircraft gently rocking. We were soaring through the sky, yet comfortable, content and blessed. Jeff was seated behind me. I pictured our first meeting on the L1011. We were currently seated directly diagonal from where we first sat, precise opposite corners, but similar Delta jets. Though I had travelled extensively before we met, Jeff had yet to leave the country. He’s now a Delta Million Miler, Platinum Medallion, Sky Club Member ~ yadda yadda ~. Suffice it to say we no longer fly in the last seat by the toilet room. We remain loyal to Delta – and each other! ALL glory belongs to God. Many years ago, if I hadn’t met my soul mate aboard a Delta aircraft I may have enrolled in a ballroom dancing class. If you’re young and looking to meet someone, try ballroom dancing…and, of course, flying Delta! Thank you for reading, Love, Shelley United Kingdom 2019 Highlights Below: London with Taryn and Bailey Trump Turnberry, a morning walk Headed to stunning Northern Ireland Couldn’t resist a pic along the roadside Cows roaming a beach, Ireland Giants Causeway Giants Causeway with a precious man I met on a Delta L1011 jet That same man at Giants Causeway Back home with our daughters and son-in-law after a wonderful Summer vacay 2019 / UK Fiction is in the works. Snippets coming soon!

  • Sorrow Anxiety Regret: Minuscule

    Hi Friends and Family, I hope when you read this blog you’re enjoying a wonderful day without sorrow, anxiety, or regret about anything. If given a choice (which we are) who wouldn’t choose joy, calm, and happy after a big event such as a wedding? I would!  But, there’s no denying that negative nuances such as sorrow, anxiety and regret weave among us like annoying gnats.  No matter how hard we try to avoid them. Savanna’s wedding has come and gone. The build up was intense; the celebrations vibrant beyond expectations. Prayers were answered…and then some.  It’s time for reflection. What the heck just happened? Like everything in life, there were highlights and lowlights orbiting Joey and Savanna’s marriage. However, it’s humbling to say that the highlights far exceed the lowlights. I was a mere part in what took place during Joey and Savanna’s wedding weekend. There were dozens of us that had blood, sweat, and tears in the mix. My dream would be to have this blog be excerpts of other’s stories. But, since that would take eons to execute here are a few thoughts from the mother-of-the-bride’s [emotional] perspective: Sorrow? A little.  Not in the “grief” sense.  A tad in the “teary” sense. Church of the Apostles is a majestic sanctuary full of beautiful people and biblical truths. Though I knew full well that Jeff would be walking Savanna down the same aisle that our family has taken many strolls down, the site of them stunned me. Savanna is and always has been a Mommy’s girl. To see her holding Jeff’s arm and looking Princess Perfect welled tears that fell from my eyes. Phew, I gathered myself hearing her whisper, “it’s okay,” as she passed me. Oh Lord, all my longing is before you; my sighing is not hidden from you – Psalm 38:9 Anxiety? I don’t savor speaking in small groups let alone holding a microphone to address over a 100 people.  Sharing thoughts and gratitude with an audience is a foreign language to me. But I was determined to publically thank God, the organizers, and everyone else.  A couple things didn’t go as expected:  our planner Sean, whom I aimed to personally thank wasn’t in the room, and the DJ introduced Joey’s grandmother and Diana — both of which were woven into my repertoire. Here’s what I intended: Hi Everyone, Thank you for being here to celebrate Joey and Savanna’s wedding with us. I want to take a moment to thank a few key people who helped pull this off. The first would be: GOD, with a very close second being Sean O’keefe and Rebecca Dey, our wedding planners; also Denise and the entire Ansley staff; and, of course Greg and Mary Ellen Garde and Scott and Sarah Ellyson. I would now like to introduce Joey’s grandmother, Joy, and Savanna’s sister, Diana. They will say a few words and raise a toast and here is mine to all of you! So ya, it went well and swell until the introduction part of Joy and Diana. My heart was full throttle pounding while my hands competed with it by shaking madly.   There was no Plan B.   Up went my glassless hand in the air to toast because champagne would have flown all over the place from all the jiration.  My delivery wasn’t as perfect as I hoped, but I did get my thank you out to God and everyone there and I was grateful to receive heart-felt feedback. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul” – Psalm 94:19 Regret? Not really, but maybe a little. Jeff, Savanna, Diana and I received humbling comments from many people. Several said it was “the best wedding they’d ever attended,” “so much fun,” and even “perfect.” Nothing could make us happier! The food, drink, DJ, flowers, décor, photo booth, cake, weather, bar, colorful sunset off the veranda, silly boas and plastic glasses, amazing wedding designer, dancing with friends and friends of friends and friends of my girls, a fancy golf club, acquiring new family and friends, and on and on and on were as close to perfection as we could ask for.   …But… With all those frilly tidbits being said, there are regrettable instances — a couple big ones, flesh form.  It’s all good though because, in the end it’s clear that those unfortunate instances were for the greater good (thank you!). Everything really does happen for a reason, even bad and sad things. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour – Peter 5:8. At times the planning was intense. Over the past month or so I’ve big-time bribed Diana to elope. But the joy, happiness and aftermath calm that has finally started to settle on our lives has me…surprisingly…ready to give it another go! Guess we better start fattening that piggy bank back up. Thank you for reading! Love, Shelley An intimate ceremony at The Church of the Apostles This is the one I’m begging to elope…but not really… P.S.  Pictures on the way but here’s a link to a few preliminary photos Facebook Here’s Diana’s take with a less dramatic slant than moi’s: SAVANNA IS MARRIED

  • Wedding Planning Pressure

    Dearest Friends and Family, How are you doing? That intro reminds me of years ago when I’d handwrite letters to friends and ask the same question: How are you? The difference is, back then, people would actually write back with an answer. I really do wonder how you are; I’m not just typing that for form and effect. I hope you’re calm, confident, and uncluttered. I’m none of those things. This week I asked God to jump through so many hoops and for so many favors that at 4:01 a.m. yesterday morning he told me he was fed up…You need to back off, start figuring things out on your own, stop asking for so much, suck it up, I help those who help themselves…remember…?” It’s true; I’ve been a burden to God over this final week of wedding mayhem. My stress-meter needle is haywire and my prayers cry out ludicrously: Please Lord no rain on the 29th, if you can’t make that happen, a sprinkle or two is fine? Lord, please make the meat fork-cut tender? Oh, and if everyone’s shoes could be super comfortable that’d be great too… There haven’t been too many planning surprises: dress selection, invitations, cake tasting, hiring a photographer, musicians, DJ, church details, menu planning, etc., — pretty much par for the course. The shockers have been intangibles: Fear Depression Friendlessness Marrying off a daughter is more daunting than I imagined. I wanted little girls ever since I can remember and I’m thrilled Savanna is getting married. But I’m also down that Savanna is getting married. My biggest dream for Sav was to find a wonderful man to love and be loved by. She found that man. And here I sit typing: I’m scared. A friend of mine told me, “When stress strikes depression might too.” The Sweeney/Garde “holding pattern” these final days arrived on the scene with first-class cabin pressure. We’re ready to land this baby and we recognize we’re blessed with the best but last-minute stress has snuck on board, and boy oh boy, do we want to touch down. Pray, pray, pray, every single day! Have you ever felt friendless even though you know you have friends because you just had lunch with one? There’ve been rough roads over the years in cliquey Atlanta for me. At times I’ve been positive that not a single person here, or anywhere else, liked me. Some how an increase in last minute planning pressure brought back my buddy-less-blues days when I didn’t have a single friend for as long as the earth is wide.  Or, so I thought. If you’ve read a few of my blogs, you know I refer to God and bible quotes a lot. I love God and believe in his Word and promises with the whole of my heart. Without God as a near and dear friend, and my human friends too, I probably would have over-dosed on kale and coconut water or something. God has been so good to me and my family that it’s humbling in and of itself. But, ya, most of the time he tells me to figure things out on my own. He’s there for [us] but that doesn’t mean we should sit idly by expecting him to do all the work. Cheers to God by our sides if we seek him. Thank you for reading! Love, Shelley Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you ~ Deuteronomy 31:6. I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world ~ John 16:33 But you belong to God, my children, and have defeated the false prophets, because the Spirit who is in you is more powerful than the spirit in those who belong to the world ~ John 4:4 Oh how I wish they didn’t have to grow up. Savanna’s soft head smelled like heaven’s air.

  • The Good, Odd & Dad’s Day

    Hi Friends and Family, How are you doing? I trust you’re feeling well and swell?  I hope you have the perfect amount of joy and sadness to keep you balanced? Unfortunately, I don’t have fiction tidbits to share this week. The real deal is the game name lately. No pretend drama here, only non-fiction. Last-minute wedding stuff continues to permeate. Frankly, I wouldn’t mind if we kept at it. Savanna and I have an impressive cadence, if I don’t say so myself, with energy to spare. There’s another reason I wouldn’t mind if the nuptial thing kept going: Grandparenthood. Yes, of course, I look forward to being a grandmother…but sometimes more than others. All in good time?? A couple of odd things happened to me this past week. Small children were involved.  [All in good time.] Odd Thing No. 1 Our Team met at Ansley where we went over particular after particular after particular, finalizing details. You’d a’thought we were planning a dignitary dinner. Pros sketched where, how, what, and when everything would transpire, everything. BAM!  When we finished, I slipped into a drained trance and bee-lined it for the ladies lounge, and ice water. Note: Children are not permitted in the ladies lounge. Three women sat near the soft drink counter as I clanked and dug for ice in the freezer, I heard faint voices (I was in a zone all my own.). “Is that your child???” one lady asked me, raising her voice. I looked up to find six eye darts of certainty shoot me with assumption that ~ unbeknownst to me ~ a distressed, runny-nosed, abandoned, whining, crying, toddler outside a glass door of the adults-only lounge we were in, belonged to me. “Excuse me? No, not mine,” I said. Moments later, the child’s mother showed up, claiming responsibility.  Do I look like I want or need small children?  Because I don’t…with all in good time respect and anticipation of course. Odd Thing No. 2 Our final meeting took place in a floral shop. Savanna, Diana and I met Sean to pick out flowers. As we wrapped up, a woman carrying a cumbersome baby carrier walked in. She locked eyes on me and asked if I’d watch her infant while she went inside the cooler to flower browse. “I could leave him in the car…but it’s hot out there,” she said, “and I don’t want to take him in the cooler either.” Presto! A stranger’s baby became my problem. …So ya, there’s a good amount of joy and sadness balancing life over this way. Grandchildren indeed sound heavenly, in good time. I look forward to loving and being there for them. And boy oh boy are we ever ready to welcome friends, family, business associates, new family members and especially JOEY to our family! ~ Father’s Day ~ Father’s Day weekend is coming up! God Bless all the good, Godly Dads. Mine certainly was good and Godly, and my husband most definitely is.  Savanna, Diana, and I are proud of who Jeff is and what he’s become: a kind, gentle, classy, generous, thoughtful, successful, Godly man. Along with Joey and Savanna, their Dad will also shine on June 29. My Daddy was a handsome, kind, gentle man. I always had his back and he had mine. (Florence, CO) Jeff is as good a Daddy as my own was. Here he is with Savanna at my Grandad’s (also a kind, gentle soul) 90th birthday party in Michigan. Thank you for reading! Love, Shelley Do not be anxious about anything – Phillipians 4:16 I recognize this blog is ADHD-esque.  But hey, I gotta variety going on.  The kid incidents straight up scared me. Here’s Diana’s latest blog: The Bachelorette: Savanna

  • Final Stretch

    Hi Everyone, I hope you all are: Super-magnificent Free from body aches Awake before the alarm Not stressed or worry-ridden And, your energy stems from love Our family is all the above and living life in the extreme. Joey and Savanna will soon be married and jetting off into a heavenly, Italian sunset. As most of you know, wedding-planning hoopla has gone on for almost a year. There are only three weeks to go. Virtually nothing has gone wrong [fingers crossed, head bowed]. Our team of professionals is comprised of personable, genuine, beautiful, articulate, intelligent people – one of the many, many blessings we’re thankful for. This team is the sole reason we’ve enjoyed smooth sailing. Along side the crew, Savanna and I have kept meticulous track of everything (food, music, DJ, cake pops, photo booth, mail, and other surprises). As the event nears fruition, I can’t help remembering the very first thing our wedding-designer friend, Sean, said during the initial consultation. Savanna, Sean and I were seated at a round, oak table in his studio. Sean looked right in Savanna’s eyes and said, “You need to know…this is about you…BUT…it’s really not about you!” Everything “wedding-party” jolted into perspective for me. This once-in-a-lifetime bash that Jeff and I are preparing to throw is about YOU, our guests! All the planning, preparing, fussing, and serving are for YOU. Not us! And thank God for that. Doing for others is just so much cooler than doing a bunch of junk for the flesh, IMHO. (As our beloved pastor, Michael Youssef, says: It isn’t yours ‘til you give it away.) Thank you, Sean, for those memorable, true, words of wisdom during our initial meeting. Making it about our guests makes it so much more for us! We’re humbled and happy as we head down the final stretch before welcoming dear friends and family to Sav and Joey’s celebration of marriage on June 29 in AGC’s Ballroom and Terrace. God Bless you for reading this! Love, Shelley You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love – Galatians 5:13 She’s all grown up and about to say “I do” to one lucky dude. I just wanna add a comment about SEO critiquing.  My blogs almost always get a “green” SEO light.  This one did not.  I got a “red” light.  Meaning: it sucks and needs improvement.  The SEO police told me I used too much “passive” voice. #journaling

  • WWII Wait & Ache

    Hi Everyone, Happy Memorial Day weekend! I hope you’re enjoying sunshine, food, friends, family, memories, and gratitude in honor of all who paid the ultimate price for our earthly freedom(s). Have you ever wondered what it was like during times of war before the Internet — waiting patiently for word of whether or not a family member would return home? In general, people were more patient during and around WWII. There was no: Social media Texting Emailing Snapping Tweeting Skyping Face-timing Etc… There was no choice but to be patient. WWII Wait & Ache story In a small New England town that I’ve never heard of, my friend Anna lived with her mom, Ruthie, during WWII. Ruthie was a single parent at the time. Her only son, Henry, was drafted for combat. He fought until the war ended, in 1945. Henry sent letters home. A final letter came with news he’d be coming home. While Henry was abroad, Ruthie slept each night with a small, framed photo of the two of them under her pillow. In the morning she’d move the frame to the kitchen. In the afternoon she slipped it in her purse. The photo of Ruthie standing in the snow, cupping Henry’s tiny, soft hands, neither of them smiling, outside of their home, was always with her. Sometimes Ruthie would misplace the frame. “Anna! Where’s Henry? Help…find Henry! Anna??” Ruthie snapped daily over harmless things…crumbs on the table, shoes not tidily stored, drawers not closed, dust, tardy mail delivery. There was no Internet to retreat to for answers, photos, knowledge, and hope! Ruthie and Anna found hope here: God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging ~ Psalm 46:1-3. Henry never came home to the United States or to Ruthie. Rest in Peace all veterans and God Bless all Ruthies. Thank you for reading! Love, Shelley #flashfiction #fictionwriting #motherdaughterblog Here’s Diana’s blog update: Volkswagen Internship: A Reflection

  • Snake Scare

    Hi Everyone, How was your week.  Did anything exciting happen to you? It seems every day is exciting at the Sweeney house lately. Wedding RSVPs arrive daily. We feel blessed with the best for all saying yes! And, of course we understand no too…you’ll all be very missed. Wedding anticipation was not the only exciting thing going on at our house last week though. A frightful occurrence took place Friday afternoon.  Our security cameras rolled as a portion of it unfolded. Preface – Do you use the “F” word from time to time?  I do.  Expletives aren’t becoming language, are they?  I explain to my girls that I only use “it” when I’m fearful. Yep, F only slips out of my mouth when I’m scared. It’s comforting, go figure. Here’s What Happened – Early Friday afternoon, I was alerted to an event on our front porch. It turned out to be D’Angelo, our dry cleaning delivery man. He was scared…really scared. As he got out of his truck at the bottom of our driveway, he saw a 6ft. black snake moseying its way toward his truck. He bolted to our porch. [Warning: if you’re offended by the “F” word or snakes, do not click the link.] See some of D’Angelo’s reaction here: I’m guessing D’Angelo felt better when F slipped out of his mouth, the way I sometimes to. Snakes are scary! Thank you for reading! Love, Shelley ALSO – We hope you’ll check in with our latest story writing of: The Room: Week 6 We’re conjuring up character back stories.  Please join in by emailing us your ideas: triangleparkatl@gmail.com.  Or email us to say hello and tell us what you’re up to with your blogging or art or life! A Note About Mother’s Day – Hopefully you enjoyed your Mother’s Day last Sunday!  Here are some pics from our day.  We enjoyed food, fun, the club and mostly just loving being together as a family! Savanna, Me, Diana – Ansley Golf Club Jeff, Mom, Me, Diana, Savanna, Joey – Ansley Golf Club Mother’s Day Flowers Mother’s Day rose from Joey Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you – Luke 10:19

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