Something that made me realize a truth.

Okay, now I am going to tell you this experience I recently had but it's not like this kind of stuff happens everyday....PLEASE...

So on Tuesday I am driving to work in traffic (Broadway curve) inching along, when I start feeling like someone is watching me. I look over to notice this nice looking guy trying to get my attention. It was so obvious what he was doing. I just started laughing, do guys really think girls want to be "picked up" while driving? To me it's like when a guy tries to "pick up" on you while you are sweating away at the gym, it just doesn't make sense to me.

Lucky for me his lane moves a little faster, and that is when I notice he is driving a very nice black Porsche and it has Oregon plates. My first thought was, "oh I am so embarrassed, it's probably someone I know from Oregon". So when my lane moves faster and we are next to each other again I look over and give a "warm" smile to redeem my rudeness, only to realize I do not know this person. I immediately drive faster and inch as close as I can to the car in front of me. I, of course, start laughing at myself again. After a few more passes my lane finally moves me along and I on my way never to see Mr. Good Looking Black Porsche guy ever again.

Now I am human...it gave me a real boost for the day. He was nice looking and I think if he would of come up to me in a restaurant he would have probably been given a date. Well, most likely if his personality was as good as his looks. Which made me think about the last time something like this happened. I believe it was in '94 or '95 I was on the Highway and this guy came up next to me as we were probably going 75 miles an hour to stay with me. If I moved over he would, if I slowed down he did too. Finally I looked over and he was telling me to pull over, at first I thought "oh no, something is wrong with the car". I rolled down the window only to have him tell me that he thought I was beautiful and wanted to take me out. Can you image all of this happening on the Highway...yeah...real safe. I was scared to death he followed me for about 10 minutes and finally he gave up. Now by no means did he come close to looking like the guy in the Porsche but it got me thinking about the similarities and differences of both situations.

Interesting enough a few hours later while I was at work I took part in a meeting where a "very good looking" Supervisor was being investigated for sexual harassment. The issue came up that the other employee involved found it acceptable, and didn't consider it to be sexual harassment. After the meeting the Manager and I were discussing the issue. The realization that we came to was that because he was good looking then it was acceptable. Women are accepting of comments, flattery, sexual comments from good looking men more readily because we find it to be a "boost" of self confidence? I don't know but I realized that if Mr. Good looking Black Porsche guy wasn't so good looking I think I would have been freaked out instead of it giving me a "boost".
That is a truth!

Alexander's 3rd Birthday Party - Newell style

If there is one thing my Mother has taught me it's that everyone needs to celebrate their Birthday. If there is one thing my cousin Cyndi taught me it's that you can never have enough BIRTHDAY PARTIES!
Alexander turned 3 on June 4th and I knew I wouldn't be able to sleep at night if I didn't get to celebrate his Birthday with him. Daddy, Zac, was kind enough to humor me and my family by allowing us to have a "traditional" Newell Birthday party. The theme was "CARS" and Grandma JJ (Alexander calls my Mom this) made the cake and it was just about as cute as it could be. We had the traditional "money in the cake", the favorite "candy game", and sang the repertoire of birthday songs. I'm not sure what Alexander thought or his Father for that fact, however, if their is one thing we Newell's believe in it's that we will make up any excuse to have a party.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALEXANDER! We love you.

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A bonus...a REAL BONUS

I received a bonus...yes...a bonus. You probably don't know what a big deal this is to me. Why? Well, a person in HR usually doesn't get a bonus since we don't bring any money to the table. However, after an Acquisition for a new store in my area I was surprised to receive a "Thank you" letter and a bonus check inside. It wasn't the money that made me happy, it was the card. When you think about it the card is the part where a person expresses "feeling" "gratitude" "acknowledgement" and for me that will always mean more, but the money is a nice touch.
A bonus...I got a real bonus!

Introducing my new niece, Isabella Karen

I was so happy to come and be part of Isabella Karen coming into this world. Here are some of her first photos, I think you will agree that she is quite beautiful.
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Our "little" Paige is sick

Today our cute little Paige, my Brother's 5th child and 9th grandchild, was taken to the hospital due to her being extremely sick with the yucky flu that seems to be going around. After she was checked by the Dr's they found out that she has a rare disease called Roto virus. The poor thing will be in the hospital for a little bit, but is doing better. I am not sure if the parents are doing as well.
Hang in there guys! Our love and prayers are with you!

"HONEYMAN SOUTH GANG"

"Honeyman South Gang"

bottom row: Sam, AJ, Jenn, Tate

Middle row: JJ, Cyndi, Craig, William, Susan

Back row: Jill, Carly, Sam, Amber, Aaron

"HONEYMAN SOUTH"

Anyone that really knows my family knows that every Memorial Day and Labor Day they will find the Newell family along with our eternal friends (Lakes, Bevans, Rodericks, Johnstons, Slaugthers, and then the families off of those families) and our beloved cousins from the Toomer side of the family (Mom's side) camping at our favorite Oregon coast campground, Honeyman. It is a tradition that began so long ago that we don't remember not ever doing it.
No matter if it is rain or shine that is where you will find the Newell clan. We have done our due time in a tent, pop-up tent, mini trailer, and currently using the deluxe "2nd home" trailer. You wonder what would keep our attention at such a camp ground? Well, you could catch us hiking Dinosaur Mountain (Sand dunes, and it's not for the faint of heart), eating, visiting Devils Elbow (our favorite beach), playing games, did I mention eating, telling stories of the past and future, taking bike rides, catching up with old friends, and visiting the local town of Florence with a bite to eat at Mo's (famous calm chowder). As Jill put it so nicely in her blog, "TRADITION is splattered all over this getaway".

So what does one do when they can not go or attend such a popular event? Well Cousin Craig decides he has had enough. We will make our own for those of us in the South. Yes, "HONEYMAN SOUTH" was created and developed by Cousin Craig and wife Susan in San Clemente, CA. He invited cousins (Amber and Aaron,me, Sam and Jen with their two kids Tate and AJ, Jill, and Sister Cyndi). We had so much fun!

Okay honestly my fun was put on hold for just a little while. I woke up Friday morning for a quick trip to the Dr's office apparently infections can really be bad stuff and then my body had some kind of weird flu like effect due to the medicine. So to be truthful I was ill and slept all day Saturday and half day Sunday until the effects eased up and I could join in on the fun. However, that did not stop laughter, games, walks on the beach, food, and smores in the Brown's own private fire place in the backyard from taking place. Craig started our own "HONEYMAN SOUTH" special with introducing us to a new dessert called "Woof-ums" (Jill said it best, "I think it comes from the saying to, wolf something down") Even if I did miss out on the beach time on Saturday I still was able to hang out and enjoy the time I had with everyone!

(Much of this is plagiarized from Jill's blog -- thanks Jill)