Right To Vote

TODAY is Election Day!
If you have not already participated in 

early voting, 

TODAY is the day !   

VOTE!!!!!
So many people, sacrificed, suffered, 

bled and died for our RIGHT TO VOTE.

We don't have the right NOT to vote !

Yard Sales : The Art Of The Deal

On my last Diva post, I gave a general introduction and invitation to the joys of yard sale shopping. Now that you're thinking about getting into the game, it would be good to know one of the major rules of engagement.
In the yard sale game, everyone is looking for a BETTER deal.

Even if an item already seems to you to be an absolute steal, it NEVER hurts to try to negotiate for a lower price. Sometimes, you will find sellers who are very firm and stubborn about their prices and say "No" to your efforts. But, more times than not, sellers, will say "Yes" to reductions. So, it never hurts to ask.
Always keep in mind: Sellers want to SELL!

Slight flaws or defects in any item that you are thinking of buying can give you leverage in negotiating for lower prices. If you point out a tear or clip in an item, to the seller, he or she is often more willing to discount that item. Of course, you don't want something that it irreparable and you definitely never want to buy junk. But, an item with some small imperfections can turn out be a tremendous bargain!

In any transaction be sure to ask the seller if they will take any less for an item , Sellers are very accustomed to hearing : " Will you take any less for this?" or "What is the lowest you are willing to go on this ?" So, don't be shy! You can even offer your own lower price suggestion and the seller will usually meet you somewhere in between.
Also, the more items that you buy, the more the seller is likely to go down on individual prices or give you a fantastic deal on the total purchase. If you are thinking about buying three dresses and the price is $5 on each dress. Ask if they will take $2 per dress. You will more than likely get the $2 a dress price that you offered or a slightly higher $3 counter price by the seller. Either way, you have come out ahead.


Furthermore, you can often get unbelievable deals near the end of the yardsaling day. Yard sales usually start winding down after the noon hour, with sellers eager to get rid of their wares and end the day without having to drag items back inside. If a seller was stubborn about the price of an item earlier in the day, and you were not willing to pay that price, it might be very beneficial to stop back by that sale later in the day. The seller will probably be more than happy to give you that lower price that you wanted. I have been to sales later in the day where the sellers were practically giving things away.
So, make your rounds ...and then, maybe backtrack a bit. You might hit the jackpot !
Now, you have a few cards in your hand to play in winning at the yardsale game.
I will definitely be back with more tips that might just be that ace up your sleeve in making that "big score".

Until then...Go Forth and Be Fabulous !
Be You ! Do You ! Shine !

Tupelo Arts Showcase

The Name Game...and Growing Pains

Do you think that me not being able to separate my child's name from my dog's name has scarred him and made him want to CHANGE his name??!!!
Does he not want to be a Henry because his name is Happy Henry...or Henry Happy , too ???!!!
When he entered those tween years , starting at about age 10, Henry all of a sudden started saying James when someone would ask him his name. I would always say, stop saying that, Henry.  Everyone calls you Henry. You should say Henry.  He would say my name is James.  That's my first name. Technically, that is true. But, he has been Henry since he was born.  Dear Hubby is the James in the family, although it is his middle name.  (We won't discuss the first name ...Rufus)
Around that time, also, His favorite words to me, if I tried to help him with anything, were "Mom, stop, treating me like a baby!" Eventually, I learned to start backing away when I had the urge to tuck in his shirt or brush something off his shoulder or ask if he had brushed his teeth.  I have stopped as much as I can, treating him like a baby.  So, I don't hear those words any more.  Just the occasional. "Mom, I can do it, myself ...or just simply "Mom!!!!" I know what that means, so, now, I just have to look at a safe distance at him becoming "this man" that he IS becoming!
When he first started this new assertion of independence,  I would hold my Dear Happy close and cuddle him tight , While saying in a loud enough voice for all in the household to hear : " Happy is my Sweet Baby ! Henry's not my Sweet Baby, anymore, Happy is the only one who knows how to be a sweet baby . He is the sweetest baby in the world.  Henry used to protest a bit ..with sad eyes ( or was he rolling his eye??!!) and say. “I'm still your Sweet Baby.”
Now, when I go through my routine (which I do, often) he just looks at us and smiles ( or is that a smirk?) and says nothing .
In my mind, of course he will always be my sweet baby.
And, to this Mom, he will always be THE SWEETEST BABY IN THE WORLD...and Henry!
No, I really don't think that my son has been scarred or wants to change his name because I call him ...and the dog Henry/Happy or Happy/Henry.   I have come to accept the fact that my sweetest baby is becoming his own man. I am always, still, a little taken aback when all of his teachers address him as James and I have to remember to say James when I am talking about him to them. I really DO love watching him grow into a fine young man, but at times like these when I reflect, try to put my emotions into words as I feel something slipping slowly ( or all too quickly) away from me , I try to keep myself together... and hope that all the tears don't short out my computer .
I am having growing pains!

HENRY

My son's name is Henry,
It's the only name he could be;
He looks and talks and acts
Just like a Henry to me.
His grandfather's name is Henry (James Henry)
And his uncle's a Henry ,too. (Brian Henry)
Three of his great grandfathers
Were even Henrys, too.
He had a great uncle Henry,
He's one we can't forget ;
And I'm sure on down the line,
There are other Henry's, yet .
I hope that Henry will wear with pride,
The name that is his lot,
And always hold most dear to him,
The strong legacy that he's got .

Reflections of a Mississippi Magnolia-

A Life in Poems © 2008 Patricia Neely Dorsey

Age 12- June 2011

2 days before his 13th birthday

 

Hair's to You Our Beauticians and Barbers

I was very honored to have been asked to write 

an original poem for the Beauticians 

and Barbers Walk The Red Carpet Event
honoring the 60th Year Anniversary of 

the Tupelo Modern Beautician's Club.

 

  

Hair's To You

Hair's to you our beauticians and barbers,
You're a cut above the rest ;
With your expertise and talents,
You've helped us to look our best.
Doing it all with class and grace
And extraordinary STYLE;
You've seen us through our ups and downs,
And through our many tears and smiles .
You cut, You curl
You bob, You weave
You edge us and You trim
You've given us renewed confidence ,
When at times it had grown dim.
You've given us a new pep in our step
And often a new glow on our face
You hold a special spot in our hearts,
That nothing can replace.
We salute and thank you our beauticians and barbers
You've made an impact that none can erase;
Your sparkling presence in our lives,
Has made our world a much more beautiful place.

2012 Patricia Neely-Dorsey

Patricia & James Dorsey

 

Greetings from The Magnolia State !

The magnolia tree is Mississippi's state tree and the magnolia is the state flower..thus the nickname, "The Magnolia State"

Mississippi's state flower, the magnolia,
was chosen by school children of the state in November 1900.
It is recorded that 23,278 children voted and that the magnolia blossom
received over half of these votes.
The cotton blossom, promoted by the Mississippi Federation of Women's Clubs,
placed second and the cape jasmine placed third.

Magnolia blossom - 12,745 votes. Cotton blossom - 4,171 votes.
Cape jasmine - 2,484 votes
 
Magnolia grandiflora, commonly known as the southern magnolia or bull bay, native to the southeastern United States.   Reaching 90 ft in height, it is a large striking evergreen tree with large dark green leaves and large white fragrant flowers.  Widely cultivated around the world, over a hundred cultivars have been bred and marketed commercially. The timber is hard and heavy, and has been used commercially to make furniture, pallets, and veneer.  (Wikipedia)

 

Mississippi women are often referred to as 

Mississippi Magnolias.
I am one of those !

Reflections of a Mississippi Magnolia-A Life in Poems - LINK to AMAZON

My Magnolia Memories and Musings- In Poems - LINK to AMAZON