Sugar & Spice + Snips & Snails

There is never a dull moment around these days….this spring/summer we have 4 new babies in the family.   I have two new nieces both born in April.   Madeline Margaret and Sophie Clare.  Both are absolutely precious.   There has been a lot of rocking and singing.   Our Sunday dinners are now more about whose holding the babies instead of what’s for lunch!    Both are already smarter than they should be….just yesterday they both told me “Love you, love you aunt pami”.   I’d never lie about something like that!

This month my cousin Amy adopted an 11 month old baby girl Annie Rice.  You can just call me Aunt Pami !  I haven’t gotten a chance to hold her yet…but will rectify that situation this weekend.  She looks to be such a sweet baby and I know I will have fun spoiling her as well.

With all these girls hanging around…we had to have one little boy.   My cousin Leigh had a baby boy this past week..Braydon Andrew.  He’s a little small and will have to stay a little while in the  NICU…can’t wait to see and hold him as well…I hope he’s working on being a Casanova…cause he’s surrounded with girls.

Anyway….if you need me I’ll be the one holding a baby!   Here’ a few pics.

Hanging out!  Catching up on the latest.

So Precious!

Am I cute or what!!!

Snoozing.  Wake me when it's time for a bottle!

Some good Sleep!

Bath time!

Sweet Baby!

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Twitter Feeds, Heart Surgery, & #pinkalicious

I have been blown away this week. Actually stopped work twice yesterday to have a conversation about how social media, Twitter & Facebook, to be exact have changed my small town (big hearted) community. I live in what could be considered the quintessential small town. I like to think, as a community, we are there for each other with or without Twitter, but honestly Twitter & Facebook have made a big impact this week.

Our Mayor, Mel Pennington & His wife Kerri have two beautiful girls. Mayor Pennington uses Twitter on a regular basis and I started following him when he ran for office. I like having Mel on my list because I am always in the know about the happenings of Hartsville. This twitter feed also gives me insight on any personal tweets and this is how I originally found out about Mel & Kerri’s daughter, Mary Clare. Mary Clare was born with half a heart and had heart surgery this week.

Mel & Kerri both have tweeted since arriving at the hospital using the tag #pinkalicious. I’ve been amazed to watch the Twitter feeds over the last couple of days. Tons of prayers, good wishes, and words of encouragement have come from people far and wide. Because of Facebook and Twitter, Mary Clare's story and updates are available instantly. The Pennington family can feel the love and support of people from all over.

Honestly, I’m vested. I’ve never personally met Mary Clare, but I’ve shared tweets with co-workers and friends.

A tweet the day of the surgery.
@mayorpennington: UPDATE: Off Heart-Lung bypass! Could be in PCICU in a little over an hour. #fingerscrossed #pinkalicious #Hartsville

Or a tweet one day after surgery
@kerripennington: MC has been sipping on juice. Very groggy/out of it still. Hanging in there! Sitting, praying, waiting. Life in PCICU.click here

March 30th was designated as “Pinkalicious Day” my members of the community in Hartsville. People wore pink and sent pictures to show their support. Two news stations have picked up the story via Twitter and have updated on both the 6pm and 6:30am news.

Think of the difference social media made for this family during this time. We are long past the days of phone calls, but this is a great example of social media making a difference for people. Not just for convenience, but truly making a difference. I dare say they have been covered with prayers by people they know and don’t know. Encouraged by pictures, tweets, and postings. Social media has the ability to make a difference in ministry, just as it has here.

Take the time to check out the feeds, tweets, news stories, etc. People were simple using social media to communicate their support for a tiny member of their community. WOW!

Twitter: @mayorpennington @kerripennington
Twitter Feeds: #pinkalicious #hartsville
Blog: www.babypennington.com
News Stories: WMBF news and WISTV news

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Girls vs. Boys

I work with a great team of people here at ACS Technologies. It’s always nice to work with people you not only get along with, but truly like. One of topics we discuss (more than needed) is bathrooms. Girls vs. Boys.

Most nice ladies rooms have a little more to them than just the basics. Here at work we have music, incense, and a cabinet or two. We even sometimes have a occasional sticky on the mirror telling us we’re beautiful or smart or both. Where the guys truly have “just the basics”.

It’s always a lively conversation when we discuss the differences. Recently, a few of us went to Dallas for some training and upon entering a ladies room in the hotel lobby, we saw huge mural and couch. The doors were made with plantation shutters and of course there was music, lavender soap and lavender lotion.

That was exactly what we’d expect, but it also caused us to giggle. We knew the guys would never understand this. A picture was taken and immediately sent back for everyone to see that girls restrooms are always more elaborate.

Why does this matter? It is after all just teasing among co-workers, but if we examine it, there is a reason. Both restrooms are technically usable they both meet the basic requirements needed. However, designer’s know that if “just the basics” are met for the ladies rest room it would be considered cold, clinical, even less clean. It doesn’t matter how clean it is. It’s the expectation of more that has to be met.  Don't we live in a crazy world.

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