Five On Friday

This was fun last week - so you get an extra post today .....

Five on Friday
(random five things about me, mine, or maybe yours!)

1. I sometimes eat a can of cranberry sauce - for lunch -- just cause I love it so!
2. I secretly wish I were living in Italy (okay - not such a big secret for those who really know me)
3. I read at least 3 books at a time.
4. I love late night - when all the house is quiet and asleep - and ON DEMAND lets me catch up on my favorite tv shows.
5. I have a secret!

Bloggityland

Another slow day in bloggityland. I was hoping for some exciting inspiration, but so far today, none has arrived. There is good news though - my friend Tami came through her kidney transplant surgery just fine. All is well in her world today.

Hannah and I spent the morning with my parents, doing some cooking for a church event tomorrow. Had fun making "blueberry pies" and "celery soup" while Bing Crosby sang about a White Christmas. I think my daughter wants to be a chef -- although, I am not quite sure the world is ready for her style of cuisine. It was way fun though!

Tomorrow we ride with Daddy in the black Camaro -- our town's Christmas parade kicks off in the morning, and we are riding and throwing out candy! Will have to write about that tomorrow - so come back.

Cropping tonight with a friend - can't wait for some much needed "girl-time" !

Ciao!

Christmas Comes Early!

My friend Tami is getting a great gift today. She is receiving a kidney. Tami was born with only one kidney and throughout her life this fact had not bothered her too much. Recently, however, her health has taken a turn and the search for a donor was initiated. God has been gracious to her, and this morning, even as I write this entry, she is undergoing transplant surgery.

I met Tami and her husband at one of the five information meetings required by our adoption agency in the spring of 2003. We often joked that we had to travel all the way to Atlanta to meet each other, when actually, at that time, we only lived about 15 minutes apart. We began our journey to motherhood together, and thankfully, both of us are now mommas with sweet little girls.

As you are reading this, please say a prayer for my friend Tami, her donor, her husband and little girl and the extended family members that are standing by to help her recover. She is truly blessed to receive this unconditional gift, getting it at the Christmas season, I am sure makes it even more special.

I feel as though I am also receiving a gift- my friend will recover! She will live a long and happy life, enjoying her family and friends - and we will have many more happy years of friendship. God is good!

Chicken-n-Dumplings!

Today is a slow blog day. My brain must be tired. I don't have much to say, except this - yesterday I made Chicken-Dumplings from scratch. Yes, I said from scratch, no frozen, store-bought dumplings. No tortillas, no cheatin' cut up lasagna noodles (all of which, I might add, are wonderful substitutes and have all been used by moi!) but honest to goodness, down home, country, roll out the flour, cut'em and thrown'em in the pot chicken and dumplings. They weren't bad - even if I say so myself. I probably could have rolled them out a little flatter - but all in all I was pretty proud of myself. I have fond memories of that wonderful comfort food. My grandmother and a wonderful lady in Mississippi used to make them for me. Both of them passed on long before my cooking days and I never really got "taught" how to make the dish. My mother would rather eat an elephant than touch raw dough, so learning how to make dumplings or biscuits from her never happened. I have had to pick it up all on my own. But yesterday, I was proud, really proud of my accomplishment. And the fact that my dear husband actually ate them and cleaned his plate just added to that feeling.

So, if you need a recipe for Chicken-n-Dumplings - call me - I think I have the hang of it now.
Yum, Yum !

Christmas Past

"It's coming on Christmas, they're cutting down trees..."

Just a ode to Joni Mitchell. Now, I am not a big Joni fan, but that song is a favorite and it makes me think of decorating for Christmas. I guess it was the scene in You've Got Mail, where Meg Ryan is decorating the tree and singing that song, who knows, but I like it.

I was thinking about Christmas decorations today as I hung garland at my front door, trying desperately to keep my balance and my quiet so as not to awaken the sleeping child. I love decorating for the holidays. I enjoy Thanksgiving decorations and Christmas ones . I just put all the turkeys away and now the house is glowing with twinkle lights and pretty, well loved ornaments and knick knacks. I have been decorating for almost three days now, and still have an attic filled with more to come. Each year, I change it up a little, and since the baby, somethings don't make it down the ladder at all. This year, we have the usual snowman tree, the fluffy, sing,song, press the button teddy and Santa that delight a three year old - over, and over and over again, we have a wreath on the door, garland at the window, and the kitchen is hosting the Coke Tree, a new collection I started a few years back. It really does look like a holiday is about to happen.

All this decorating made me remember a happy Christmas memory. When my husband and I were newlyweds, we were active in the church where we met and were married. There was a group of young marrieds and singles and we tended to do EVERYTHING together. We also were blessed by some "older" and wiser married couples, who served as our leaders and counselors. One particular couple were older than the rest. Only physically did this difference show up - they kept up with us "younguns" quite well.

Every Christmas, the church calendar was of course filled to brimming with activities and we all participated. But every year, one event really stood out for me. Usually the first Sunday after Thanksgiving, after morning worship, we, the youth and young marrieds, would head over to this couple's home. We would always be greeted with a great meal, usually chili and then the fun would start. Because of health reasons, Ms. Doris was unable to decorate her home for the holidays as she used to, so we all chipped in and did the work. It was always so much fun. There were tons of decorations, for every room in the house. Trees to decorate, garland to string, even an enormous Christmas village to assemble in the dining room - with the cutest little skating rink, and real skating figures. Somehow, Christmas wasn't Christmas until we had been to Tal and Doris' and decorated with and for them.

I thought about them today, and remembered what fun we all used to have decorating their house. Doris died a few years back, and just a few months ago, Tal joined her up in Heaven. I know that they are reunited once again, and probably witnessing some indescribable decorations this year, but they will always live in my Christmas memory. I will never forget the joy of giving to them, and the wonderful gift they gave all of us with their lives and service at that church.

I hadn't forgotten that memory, but it was pushed far back into my brain. I am thankful for this chilly afternoon, and the quiet of my house which helped bring it back up to the forefront again. I am certain that from now on, every time I decorate for the holidays, I will stop and remember Tal and Doris, and the fun of sharing Christmas with others.

Merry, Merry, Everyone!

Well, That Didn't Last Long!

Well, folks, I had to change back to this template -- the other one, although nice, took too much time to pull up -- I guess it had too many bells and whistles. I did manage to keep the slideshow on this template -- so enjoy!

Nothing much happening today in our world. Just a rainy Monday, which always gets me down, hee hee -- not really. It has been a great day -- we are headed to bedtime and then some much needed mommytime!

Have a great evening!

The Countdown is On!

As promised, here is a pic of Hannah on Santa's lap! Yes, she actually sat there, on her own, even climbed up before we had to ask. She told him her list and everything! It was precious - and worth all the trouble we had getting to him and getting a picture printed afterwards.

So now, the countdown to Christmas is on at our house! We have the tree up, waiting on the evening and after naptime to decorate it and best of all, The Christmas Story is on tv tonight. The season is upon us. Now, all we have to do is shop, wrap, and wait. I am finally getting excited --- whoo hoo... Santa Claus is coming to town -- hope you have been good!

Just to Keep You On Your Toes...

my layout has changed once again -- and I have added a slideshow to the sidebar! Enjoy!

Santa Saturday!

Saw Santa today, spent time with cousins... will post pictures tomorrow -- too sleepy tonight!

Five On Friday

Here are five random things about me.

1. I have been in my pj's all day long! (okay - sorry TMI, I am sure!)
2. I took down some kitchen "decorations" today and they were so dusty - I threw them out!
3. I haven't bought any Christmas gifts, yet, - but I did help Santa shop for a certain sweet girl who lives here.
4. I wish I had pursued my dream and become a college literature professor.
And finally,
5. I love to put Cokes in the freezer and race the clock on just the exact moment they turn slushy. Occasionally, I have misjudged the time and BOOM - what a blast!

Happy Friday everyone!

Turkey Day!

Well, it is officially Turkey Day. The meal is cooked and I am just waiting on my parental units to arrive for the small feast. I thought I would take a few minutes and list the things I am so thankful for this year. I know that I will skip some, forget some, it would never be possible to list all my blessings, for I am blessed beyond measure.

I am thankful for my husband. He works too much, worries too much and is the best guy around. The sacrifices he makes for our family appear to go unnoticed, but they are not.

I am thankful for the miracle that allowed me to be a mother. My daughter is truly a gift of joy to our lives. I am so blessed to have a part in her life.

I am thankful for the health of my parents and for my husband's parents. How wonderful it is to have to complete sets of grandparents only minutes away.

I am thankful for the close friends that I am blessed to call mine. For the ones that live here and the ones that live far - for that annual Thanksgiving Day phone call that brightens my world.

I am thankful for my church, the friends that I have there. My Wednesday Bible Study group and all the fun we have together.

I am thankful for my home, the sweetness of a house much lived in and filled with all of my treasures.

I am thankful for opportunities this year to reconnect with old friends.

I am thankful for the mild weather, for the crisp evenings and cool mornings that help you know you are alive.

I am thankful for McDonald's Happy Meals - for without them, my child would starve!! :-) Just Joking, - but they really are handy aren't they?

I am thankful for my sweet dog, Georgia. She is the only one left after a life filled with three dogs - I am glad she is here.

I am thankful for my life, for the ability to laugh and to cry, for all the fun and love that has been mine this year. I am bursting at the seams with blessings. It is too much to try and contain them all on this list.

May your Thanksgiving be grand. May you find some time to count your blessings today.
Happy Thanksgiving!

Mississippi Girls!

Today is the day before Thanksgiving. I am cooking and cleaning and trying to get my home back in order, after being gone for a week. I want to do a blog about all the things I am thankful for this year - I think I will have to tackle that later this evening.

Here is a picture or two of Hannah from our trip. She fell in love with a dog named Bella. Most of the time, she was outside with Bella - feeding her (by hand), loving on her and running to get Bella to chase her. I am sure Bella is thankful for the fact that Hannah is here now. Poor Bella. But she was a good sport and is an awesome dog. If given the chance, I would have packed her up in the car and brought her home with us.

Need I say that the search is now on with a vengeance to find a suitable inside dog playmate for our girl? We are searching for a male, yellow lab - preferably one who is 1-2 years old and already house-trained... know any? If so, send him our way.

My Uncle Nate

Dear Blog Friend,
I have been away, the blog a day has been interrupted. My family has suffered the loss of a dear one and what follows was written this past Saturday, at 6:00 AM, the morning of his funeral, as my tribute to him. Thanks for reading.

I am waking up this morning in the land of my birth. The land of Elvis, Faulkner and magnolia trees. It is a bittersweet homecoming. I love coming back here – and it has been much too long since I have journeyed this way. I love bringing my child here and seeing her face lit up by a horse, or a cow or the dogs that play at our feet. Today, however, I am sad to be home. Those of us who are here, have traveled here to celebrate the life and mourn the loss of one of the best men God ever put on this earth. My Uncle Nate, my second father. I, although technically an only child, have somehow been blessed with four parents and two brothers, three sister-in-laws, two nieces, one nephew, and now one grand niece. How, you may ask is this possible?

Well, a long time ago, my father and mother came to this small town to be pastor of a tiny country church. This was long before I was even thought about in this world. They spent weekends here, and then traveled back to seminary for the weekly classes. It was custom in those days, that the preacher stay each weekend at a parishioner’s home, since the church did not have a pastorium. So, each weekend, my parents headed here, and spent the weekend in a different spot. No real home on those trips. Finally they were able to stay with one couple, close in age to them, who had two small boys. The foursome hit it off, and it was determined that on the weekends, my parents would stay at this one home, and be “at home” – no more guests in someone else’s place. This is how it started. From that time on, there has always been a room designated for my folks, eventually for me, and then some time ago, my parents bought a home here as well. This couple, Nate, Nell and their two sons, Joey and Andy, became family. When I came along, much to my brother Andy’s chagrin, I became family as well. They welcomed me as a daughter, and became my Uncle Nate and Aunt Nell. They were my appointed legal guardians, should something happen to my folks, they were/are closer than any of my actual blood relatives. They are my second set of parents. Although the boys were much older than me – I still have always considered them my brothers, and the women they eventually married have always been to me like sisters. I have always confused people talking about my brothers, nephews, nieces and such. Truthfully, it is just fun to watch them wonder.

The death of my Uncle Nate was expected. But it has hit me in an unexpectedly harsh way. He had been sick for a while, at least three years. These last few years he would rally and then decline, but he has been at home and taken care of by my Aunt Nell, and I am sure that added to his life immeasurably.

I have not known a day on this earth without my Uncle Nate. He was the kindest, sweetest man I knew. He was also the strongest man I knew. I used to sit and watch him mix up all the food on his “platter”, not plate, before consuming it, eat a HUGE bowl of ice cream, and drink a gigantic glass of water all while telling tall tales and laughing around the table. He was bigger than life to a small girl whose only taste of the country life was watching him and how he worked the farm. He was a cattle, timber and chicken farmer who always smelled of earth, chickens (and not the good KFC kind!!) and hard work. He woke up with the chickens (literally) and spent the day tending to them, cutting timber or hay and seeing to the needs of the farm.

He did not hold a college degree, but he held the highest honors in family, farming and pure and simple faith. He was wise, patient and yet, he was also known to succumb to the occasional temper outbursts of the scariest kind. Most girls marry a man like their fathers; I could not find one because that mold was definitely broken, and so I married the next best thing- a man like my Uncle Nate. It is scary how true this statement is. My husband is hardworking, kind, patient, and has a screwdriver throwing temper as well.

I loved my Uncle Nate. He would always take time with me, even though I know he was often busy. And I am sure he would have rather taken a Sunday afternoon nap than take me horseback riding, nevertheless he always did. He used to bring me sugar cane, and then sit in his chair and peel it for me so I could taste the sweetness. He taught me about grease, gravy and skunk fluid, and if I ever get my cookbook published, that is the title, and then maybe you all can know the secret recipe too! He taught me about chickens. I can recall walking with him through the chicken houses, learning all about their feed, their water and what happens to a sick one --- DON’T ask! I can still picture him walking in the pasture, and I can still hear him calling to the cows or horses. I can see him in the old broken school bus feeding the goats. There is just no place on this land that he has not touched, no where that I do not see him in my mind’s eye. It has been his kingdom for 80 years. Now most of the buildings are falling in, broken, in need of repair. They are missing his touch. I guess they always will.

Uncle Nate is gone. This place is different. Even though he has been sick for a long time, to me, his presence was still here – now it is gone. The chicken houses are empty, his beloved cows are gone. If hay is baled or trees are felled, it will be by someone else’s labor. My heart is broken, and I fear that a tiny piece has been forever taken away.

Just yesterday, we stood in the driveway and watched as a runaway calf was herded out of Uncle Nate’s pasture by its owners. Once again dogs, horses and cattle calls were heard in that pasture. I keep thinking that just maybe, if we had looked closer, we would have seen a third horse, a third man, and heard a sweeter cattle call – maybe Uncle Nate was once again out in his beloved pasture, with his cows, calling them home, calling them to go with him as he traveled on to his heavenly home.

I am so lucky to have a piece of this man in my soul. He will always be with me now. I am sad that my daughter will never really know him except through my tales. I hope I can do him justice as I re-tell all I know of him. More than anything, I hope she learns from me of his kindness, his love of his family and of his faith in our God. She is part of my life because of him and his life. He is part of her heritage as well. The thread keeps connecting, the story goes on, and just like life on the farm, the cycle of life continues.

Well, It's Tuesday!

Okay - I have pledged to blog once a day until the end of the year. I forewarned you all that some days would be, well, rather boring. I fear this is one of those days. It was a quiet one, no real idea struck me - just normal mommy and daughter interaction, housework and laundry. The excitement of the day has been trying to determine exactly what outfits we will all wear tomorrow at our photo shoot for our family portrait and Hannah's 3 year portrait. I think I have packed our closet into the car and we will just have to decide it all when we get to the photographer's studio. Fortunately, the photog is a friend, hopefully she will bear with us!

So, that is it folks, it is Tuesday, this is my entry. I am off to get some MUCH needed beauty sleep!

Oh, They were Blue, Red, Yellow and Purple, too!

Oh My Goodness, have we had fun today!

Yes, it was a Wiggly Concert everyone - and worth every penny of the 80 + dollars we paid to attend! Hannah, Kaitlyn, Lisa and I sojourned to Aiken to the Convocation Center for the best hour and forty-five minutes we have experienced thus far. The Wiggles are worth it - go if they come to your town. Our girls had a ball - dancing and singing and watching with glee. Digital cameras were not allowed, so I will have to wait to develop the disposable camera before posting pics - and if they turned out - I will definitely post some here. It was sheer madness, great fun and we are all totally exhausted. It is early and my "sleeping beauty" is already asleep - no doubt, dreaming of Wags, Dorothy, Henry and Captain Feathersword!
Have a Wiggly Evening folks -- whew -- I'm tired!

My Favorite Kind of Evening

Baby at the Grands, eating spaghetti and watching Under the Tuscan Sun on tv.

Not much to blog about tonight. Here is the latest news from our world- quiet Sunday, WIGGLES tomorrow - live and in concert, and our friends have a new dog. Welcome to the clan - Ellie Mae. We get to meet her before the concert! Yipee!

Ciao!

A Tribute

Well, today's post was going to be all about my love of 80's music, but unfortunately you have been spared.

I received a phone call last night informing me that a dear friend had passed away. Our friends' dog Sammy passed away at the ripe old age of 17. He was the second sweetest dog I have known (my Jake will always hold first place in my heart) and he was truly a member of their family. He was Lisa's dog before they were married, and he was thought of as their "baby" before their sweet daughter was born. Lisa and I have been Doggie Mommies together, and she stood by me when my sweet Jake passed onto greener grass. My heart aches for her tonight. I know the path she is on and I am praying for her. It is so hard to lose a dearly loved pet. They come into our lives, are our constant companions and life is never the same when they are gone. Sammy was a sweet little dog. He was a treasured member of their family and I always thought of him as Jake's friend, even though they were rarely playmates. My favorite memory of Sammy is our Doggie Halloween Party in 2001, when he came dressed as a moo cow and won the costume contest! He has also been a great sport with the little ones. My Hannah was not even a year old when Jake passed on - he missed out on her rowdy, run, run, run, days as a toddler. She has however, been around Sammy on quite a few occasions and he was always patient with her exuberant attention.

I know that our friends are grieving over this loss. We are grieving with them. Maybe Santa will be gracious and bless both our families with a new puppy to love this Christmas season. I know that Sammy is at peace and as he entered into doggie heaven, Jake and Sawyer were waiting by the gate to greet him and show him the best spots to take a nap.

Sleep well, dear Sammy - you will be missed!

An Open Letter to Someone I Used to Know.

Preface: I have recently learned of a friend who has made a terrible mistake. This person has lost it all, and has fallen from a very high pedestal of their own creation. I am deeply and sincerely saddened by this news. Not just for the friend,but for all who will suffer the fallout from her catastrophe.This is my way of sorting through it all -in an open letter format. Thank you for indulging my very personal letter for today's blog entry. It might not make much sense to you, but it helped me actually get to sleep and put these thoughts to quiet.


Dear Friend,

I heard about it all. It made me so sad. Incredibly sad. For two days now, it is all I can think about. I began to reflect on when I knew you best- "back in the day", as the kids would say. We were young, carefree, on our own and living life. I knew you first as just a casual acquaintance. Then circumstances changed and we began a new, deeper friendship. You were the one, of the three of us, who I confined in the most. We talked of dates, good ones and bad ones, of hopes for the future, of practical, reality bound snippets of life. We encouraged her, the other, tried to change her life, her course, but we failed. Whenever I think of you, I remember riding, late at night, following the other one, praying we were wrong, finding we were right and then holding our secret. We should have confronted her - she and he were wrong. We knew it, we just didn't want to believe it. There he was, up high, on the moral pedestal.

You confined in me - told me your secrets. I won't air them here, it is not my place. They are yours and I will keep them as you asked. But you had dreams too. Bigger dreams than me. Looking back on it today, I see now that your dreams, were only band-aids. If you could get the right type of man, have the right type of job, the kids,the car, the house in the burbs, you would have it all. Funny, it seems you got it all and it still wasn't enough.

The story I have heard, just doesn't jive with the person I knew. Although you did become someone I disliked. You became - the arrogant, prideful, "holier than thou" one of the group. I used to dislike you - a lot. Most people I know eventually felt the same. Now I look at you and all I find is a hurting person. You never loved yourself. You were a hurting person, walking wounded with a hole in your heart. You were a little girl, trying to be loved. Why didn't someone tell you that money, popularity, and a Southern Living lifestyle would not fill you up and make you whole? I wish you could have looked in the mirror and liked who you saw standing there. You put on "airs' to make others think you were lovable - only it really made you unlovable. If you had truly loved yourself, you would not have been so selfish. You would have taken better care of all of your blessings. It means to me that deep down inside you don't really think you deserved them, because you just don't really like or love yourself. It is more hurt, than selfishness.

I think you got everything you wanted, and it still wasn't enough. It wasn't enough, so you continued to look. You continued to look and saw what someone else had and decided that would make you happy. And now, you, the walking wounded, have wounded more in your path. A good man, your kids, your family, your friends. All are hurt, because you are hurt. It is heartbreaking, truly heartbreaking.

I was your friend, a good friend to you. You were never the same for me, but if you ever read this, and if you ever need a true friend, I will be here. I pray for you and for them. I pray someone can learn a lesson from you. I know I already have. I hugged him a little tighter tonight - kissed the sweet sleeping face of my daughter a few extra times tonight. I am holding them in my heart a little closer tonight. Holding on for dear life, to the ones that give me life. I don't want to lose them, I won't lose them, for I have learned from your lesson. Nothing is worth life without my two precious ones. Nothing!

Friend, I wish you peace. I wish you healing. I wish for you a harbor in your storm.

I'm A Little Bit Country...And I'm A Little Bit Rock-n-Roll...

Now that is stuck in your head, isn't it? Go on, tap your foot, finish singing the song in your head - I will wait!

I watched Oprah today and saw the Osmond Family (all 100 of them) sing, dance, crack jokes and honor their father who passed away this week. It was touching, really, it was. I was a fan of the old Donny and Marie show - I remember looking forward to Friday nights, sitting engrossed for the hour, all the celebrity guests, the songs, the funny skits. It was truly good family fun. And how sweet to have them all on the show today - even though only days ago their father had passed away. They have that "the show must go on" mentality and they did not let us down. I had tears in my eyes just watching them and the love that they have for one another. As an only child, I am completely and unashamedly envious of their large family. I would love to have a sibling or two - to share memories with and grow old with. It is incredibly funny to me that those I know who actually have large families (or even one or two siblings) wish sometimes that they were "onlys" like me. I guess the grass is always greener on the other side. As I watched the Osmonds today and realized that for them, both parents are gone, and yet they do still have each other. They can find people in the world who were raised in the same household, with the same memories and who hold the same love and experiences with their parents. An only child, on the other hand, is truly alone when both parents pass on. I will have no one with which to share all of our jokes, our past experiences, our memories of Christmas, birthdays, etc. Now, before you say it, I know that I will not be truly alone, I have my own family now and old friends, and a lifetime of memories to share with them, but it did make me just a little sad - to think of myself, technically alone.

I remember when I put my parents on a plane to Rome, Italy for one of their extended visits a few years ago - all I could think of was that plane held my whole world. I shuddered as I stood there in the breezeway and watched it lift off into the blue sky. All I could do was pray that the two people who mean the most in the world to me would land safely and return home safely. I didn't want to be an orphan then, and I still don't. My life as an only child has been wonderful -I have had privileges that most do not get to experience. I have no ugly quarrels or battles with siblings in my future - but sometimes I long for a big brother (or sister) to help me through this life when my parents are no longer here.

Now, in case you are thinking I am morbid or morose, I am not - just thinking of the distant future and whining a bit. My parents are happy and healthy and I really think we will all be together when Jesus comes back - but if not, I will miss them when they are gone, I will never get over the loss and I will be leaning heavily on my closest friends when that time comes. My closest friends are my siblings - we won't be fighting over a will, but I will need their strength. That is the blessing of being an only child - we get to choose our siblings and still get the only child benefits! So, old friends - welcome to the family - hands off the china - but thanks (ahead of time) for the future shoulder when I am going to need it.

Where is Thanksgiving?

Just a short blog entry tonight - but did we skip Thanksgiving? I guess I am oversensitive about this, because Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays - but two people on my street already have outside Christmas decorations up and lit and one of them already has a tree decorated inside. WHAT?????? Isn't it only November 8th? What is going on --- why the rush - and what is so great about skipping past Thanksgiving? We definitely all need a day to be thankful for all of our blessings...not to mention the cute pilgrim and turkey decorations that are made for that holiday. I am disturbed! I am so disturbed that I think I need to calm down and write more on this later!
Have a great evening! Gobble, Gobble!

Something Wicked This Way Comes!

"By the pricking of my thumbs,

Something wicked this way comes.

Open, locks,Whoever knocks"

From.. Macbeth by William Shakespeare

I have always remembered the movie "Something Wicked This Way Comes" - it is based on a novel by Ray Bradbury - a thriller, if you will, about three boys, a carnival, some spooky characters and Halloween. It came out in the 80's and I went to see it with a group from the youth group --- it is scary and fun - but that title has always stuck with me. It has no real connection with this particaluar tale I am about to spin - except that it is about a carnival, and a cold, cold night and I love the wording and drama of ol' Willie Shakes!

It is that time of year - my favorite time, the weather is cool and crisp, darkness falls early, and the best holidays are coming soon. It is also FAIR TIME! My sweet youngun is so excited about going to the fair - we are headed there this evening - and she is counting down the hours. We have taken her for two years now - every time she has loved it - even as a 1 year old in the stroller she had a ball. This year we are looking forward to her being able to ride a few more rides and be a little more interested for a bit longer than last year. She sees it set up as we travel by the site everyday and everyday she squeals with delight at the fairgrounds! Can't wait to return home and post about our adventure!
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Well.... hours have passed and we are now home after a FUN time at the fair. It was cold - the coldest night so far this year - but we bundled up and went anyway. Hannah was so excited. In fact, she was so excited that as we were traveling to the parking lot on the far side of the fair grounds, she thought we were leaving and started crying! We quickly reassured her we were just parking the car and she soon cheered up.

We first hit the Merry-Go-Round - she and her daddy rode this not once, but twice. It is always a favorite. Then it was off to the caterpillar and apple ride - she rode this one alone and LOVED it. Then onto to the cars - here, she hopped into a great red convertible, only to be joined by some cute little boy, who,we guess, was WOWed by her beauty and charm and just wanted to sit by her. He never talked to her, just sat - PRECIOUS beyond words! After the cars, she went for the boats, then the flying fish (cause who could resist those!!) and then the elephants! After the rides, we took a little break and went to the petting zoo. Nothing like having billy goats eat out of your hands -- and llamas try to lick your face - YUCK! On our exit, we saw the pony rides - and guess who got on a pony and rode by herself! Yep! She wasn't scared at all and it was worth way more than the $5 we paid! She had a blast! After the pony ride, we were on to watch the racing pigs and by then we were all a little frozen and hungry! Hannah and her daddy rode one last ride - the BIG SLIDE----- then woosh - we were off to find some dinner and of course, ice cream at the local McD's!

It was such fun -nothing like a fair to make it seem like fall is really here -- of course, last night it seemed more like a heralding of winter - but we didn't care! That is what God made coats, jackets, long underwear, hats and gloves for, right?
Enjoy the pics!

Message in a Bottle

My favorite Police song, one of my favorite movies of all time, and a concept that I find fascinating. Question: Da, Da, Da, Da, (hum the Jeopardy theme here..) time's up - final Jeopardy question is: What is Message in a Bottle?

Don't you just love the idea of putting something down on paper and sealing it up, only to throw it into the big, blue ocean. Who knows who might find it, or if it will even be found? And when, tomorrow, next week, next year, ten years from now? How exciting! I have secrets that I would love to share somehow - I am thinking the bottle thing sounds like a plan.

Each year we have vacationed at Edisto Beach, SC, I have bought a cute little beach souvenir. It is a little bottle, filled with a few shells, some sand and piece of paper rolled up inside. The year is always printed on the outside, as well as EDISTO BEACH! I love these little bottles. I have four of them, and everyone of them conjures up a some great beach memories. I have even written on the paper inside a few of them. Just a note or two about that particular vacation. It is silly, but it is my way of marking time, allowing myself the ability to travel back to a great vacation spot and a great week. As I was pondering what to post today, the idea of Message in a Bottle came to me -- how fun it would be to actually do it - write out one of my secrets and send it out upon the waves. What a way to free up emotions, or guilt, or use it as an act of forgiveness. The options are endless. The piece of paper could be filled with sentiments, or just have one word on it. I think tonight I am going to devote some time to writing a letter, or maybe even two. We go to the beach in May - I have time - but I do have secrets to share...

This blog is a little like that bottle for me. I never know who is going to read it or if anyone even cares to read it, but I like being able to put my thoughts out into the world. I sometimes write personal thoughts and feelings and it feels really good to air them publicly. Sometimes I hesitate just a little, but usually the raw, real, stuff seems to make the best writing experience and result. If you are looking for a way to free your mind, boost your creativity and record bits of your life, I highly recommend a blog - it is fun - to read others, to write your own and put a "message in a bottle" out into the world.

So, what will my actual "message in a bottle" say - nothing too extreme - but then again - who knows? I just might surprise you all! Maybe I might just put down that Watermelon Bubble Gum secret. You know you are dying to know that one! Maybe you should wander down on the beach and see if you can find my bottle sometime next year, or better yet, think of your own secrets and send them out into the wild blue yonder to join mine as well.

Have a great day! Enjoy "munching" on your secrets today, and think about sharing them with the world.

I am losing it folks!

I think I am officially losing it! First of all, let me say, I am the world's best procrastinator. I have housework to do - but I feel like writing today - so I have been sitting here during valuable naptime - writing. As I was sitting here a few minutes ago - trying to work out a sentence in my short story - I began to feel really hot. I mean, red cheeks, fanning with scrap paper, completely uncomfortable, type of hot. I knew it wasn't a hot flash - had some of those already, this wasn't it. I couldn't figure it out - just an hour ago I was freezing, sitting under a blanket, teeth chattering. And then it hit me - I am wearing three (yes, I said three) t-shirts, sitting in front of sun-lit window, in a room with the door closed. Oh geesh, is it ever hot in here!

I had totally forgotten that while freezing earlier,I started folding laundry. I pulled a warm t-shirt out of the dryer and couldn't resist putting it on over my other shirt. It felt so good, that I did it again with the next warm t-shirt - thus warming myself up quite nicely. That is until I came in here to write and lost myself in words and sentence structure. But really, don't you think a normal person would have remembered she had on 3 shirts and not have sat here wondering if the next step should be a call to the doctor?

Yes, folks, I am losing it - and I can't even blame this one on the three-year old - she is sleeping soundly. I am off to find a cooler spot in this house, do some housework and hopefully I will remember to take off at least two shirts before I get heated up again.

Strolling Down Memory Lane, Chewing Watermelon Bubble Gum...

There is only one person on this earth who will completely understand that title. I absolutely love that fact. We've actually discussed this and determined that we will keep our secret until we die. Perhaps in Heaven we can share it - it won't really matter then and hopefully people could laugh with us. I have a feeling that most people would probably not get the joke here in their earthly form. So for now, at least on this earth, it is our secret and private joke.

Needless to say, the title of the blog is just a dip into the pool of thoughts swirling in my mind tonight. I know that it will take me a day or so to even finish this entry. When you read it - it will most likely be about three days old. The sentiments, however, are outside of time. It really will not matter if you read three days from now, or ten years from now - love is love, memories are memories and some things will never change.

This weekend I was granted the rare opportunity to step back in time, to visit with old friends and in some small way, feel like I was 25 years younger. Some of the people I spent time with were casual friends from that more youthful era. Relative strangers now, even though we all live in the same town. Some were friends on a bit deeper level, people I see now and again, socially or by chance. These are the friends who I know would be there for me if I truly needed it. The gift of time spent with former youth directors, who helped shape me into the person I am today, was priceless. It is amazing to me how people who are your earliest friends and influences always stay so close to your heart. I guess my life, my brain, and my emotional self, were fresh and new and these people just imprinted their stamp onto my life with indelible ink.

There was also time to spend with my bubblegum friend. Time we never get. It is truly remarkable to have your own memories intersect with another's in such a seamless way. To have someone finish a sentence for you, or start laughing before you can finish a story because they were there and know how the story ends. This particular relationship is sweet, there is no bitter aftertaste left for me. The bad times are so long ago (and truthfully weren't that bad!) and to be in this person's presence, is like visiting a missing piece of myself. We have the instant connect of old friends of the heart - no awkward moments, no stalls, just fun and laughter. Love in the purest form. Agape with a spark. It is only natural I guess that I sometimes wonder what life could have been like for us together. But I am more than confident that we both love the lives we have each made apart. How much sweeter still, to know though that we are still orbiting each other, albeit on the fringe, nonetheless, we are always there. Circles, bubbles, stuck in the same orbit, together for life. I looked at us today, all grown up and watching our children play together, and I was struck by how proud I was of who we were all those years ago and how proud I am of where we are in our lives today. Life is what it is - we are where we are for a reason. There are no regrets. We have our memories, we have our connection. For today, it is enough.

Reunions are fun. They are filled with laughter, good times, and bittersweet remembrances of those no longer with us. Sometimes they take you down paths you didn't even plan to go. The stroll down a memory lane long ago tucked away. No matter what toll it takes on me, I am thankful for my memories and the chance to relive it all again on a sweet, sunny day in November. Those people and our shared past have helped make me who I am today.

I am a wife, a mother, a friend, and somewhere deep inside I am fifteen and chewing watermelon bubble gum...

A Blog A Day...Keeps the Crazies Away?

So, I have committed to blogging at least once a day for the remainder of the year. I hope that most days there will be something to spark your interest - and for the days in between - I hope that you will just bear with me. Sorry, but I have a feeling that today's entry is one of the latter.

I am tired tonight. Physically, mentally, and even surprisingly emotionally. It has been a big weekend. I know what I want to say about the weekend, I just can't get it lined up in my brain to write about it just yet. I am also feeling the pressure of the upcoming holidays. Tonight I am just longing for a quiet beach somewhere, with only the sound of the surf crashing upon the shore, and a few sea gulls flying over my head. I want to escape (if only in my mind, for just a little while)... anyone care to join me? I will put my daughter to bed, grab a good book and see you on the beach! In my world, the beach tonight is lit by a beautiful full moon and the wind is mild and balmy. James Taylor is singing....a private concert just for us, so bring a chair, a cool Coke and join me!

Oh, and if you checked in tonight to see pics of yesterday's youth group reunion, I apologize that they are not up -- my pics amounted to only three really good ones and I am hoping a friend will share her's with me - I will post all of them as soon as I can.

Now, back to my beach fantasy....ahhh...warm sand on toes!! See ya!

It was a great day!

Well, this shaped up to be a great day - youth group reunion day. I am tired, have pictures, and will post them and a reunion update tomorrow!

Tricks and Treats!

Halloween Night, we trick or treat

Trick or treat, trick or treat

Halloween Night, we trick or treat

Oh Halloween is here!

Well, Hannah's favorite time of year has arrived. We are candy-loaded in this house. Any kind you want, you can just about find in our bag of treats gathered last night on Hannah's first official Trick or Treating! We are fortunate to live where we do - you will never hear us complain. We have land, and neighbors, but enough land to only see the housetops of those neighbors. It really is a wonderful country road. But on Halloween, I have always been sad about not living in an actual neighborhood. It is just not the same - no one trick or treats on our road - and we have never had one trick or treater to come by our home. Imagine our delight, when this year, our very good friends Tony and Lisa (aka. Kaitlyn's mommy and daddy) asked us to come and join them on their neighborhood trek! Our girls had such a great time. What fun to see the little ones, all dressed up and running to the doors shouting "TRICK OR TREAT!" and then sweet little thank yous after receiving the sweets! An added bonus was the history involved in Hannah's first trek - she was trick or treating in the same neighborhood her daddy lived in as a child. He found it really surreal to be trick or treating once again in his old neighborhood.

After strolling and looting all the candy within three blocks, we settled in at Tony and Lisa's home for some much needed soft drinks and juice! Then those crazy three year olds broke out the candy and mayhem ensued! Afterwards, we packed up our little one and it was off to visit the grandparents. First stop - my mom and dad's (aka. MeMa and Papa) - such fun again, to see Hannah walk up to the door and ring the bell. Of course, she had her basket filled once more, and even got a special "MeMa-made" pumpkin basket filled with goodies. A short while later and it was onto Danny's parent's home (aka. Gandma and Poppy) for yet again a basket full of treats! Unfortunately our visit was short at this last stop - because, well, because we were carting around a hyped up, sugar fed, tired and grumpy three year old! Thankfully, we all made it home in one piece, and a double thanks that bedtime was so easy -- me thinks she was a wee bit tired!

Here are some pics from the evening! Hannah is dressed as Stephanie from Lazy Town - those of you without a three year old in the house - Lazy Town is a tv show on Nickoloden!

And here are Kaitlyn and Hannah aka "Uniqua from the Backyardigans" and Stephanie from Lazy Town!