Parallels

I grew up in Uniontown, a small town.  A place where everyone knows everyone and watches out for each other.  I lived in the country.  The sun rose in the front of our house and set in the back of our house.  Behind our house was a slough and woods behind and around it.  We had a detached garage that housed Bobby's tools and his treasured BMW.  We lived just down the road from a hog farm.  And, when the wind blew just right (or wrong) we could smell it.  Hog farmers say it smell like money.  We weren't hog farmers.

Photo taken:  July 2006

Today, I live in Baxley, a small town.  A place where everyone knows everyone and watches out for each other.  I live in the country.  The sun rises on the front right corner of my house and sets in the back left corner of my house.  Behind my house is a pond with woods behind and around it.  We have a (detached) shop that houses Blake's tools and his treasured tractor and zero-turn radius mower.  We live just down the road from a chicken farm.  And, when the wind blows just right (or wrong), we can smell it.  We aren't chicken farmers either.
These parallels are what make Baxley feel like home, like I've been here all my life.

Photo Taken:  February 2011

Growing up, Momma and Bobby planted different kinds of trees in our yard.  Each year, they added more.  Blake and I do the same thing.  We've probably planted twenty five trees on our property.  Our goal is to have a "Kentucky Fall" (trees that change color in the fall).  It is what I miss most about Kentucky.  And, after looking at the picture of my Uniontown house, I remember just how green Kentucky is in the summer.  We just don't have that pretty green down here.  Our green is kinda brown.
One thing is missing (besides the in-ground pool- but, that will come).  I'll get sappy for just one second and say:  my family is missing!  We are strewn about and I wish it were easier for us to get together.   So, y'all move south now, ya hear!

Still Recovering

When I made the decision to start a blog, I made no promises to myself about the frequency of posts.  I knew daily wasn't realistic and thought weekly didn't seem often enough.  I don't want to post just for the sake of posting.  I want to share something that's actually on my mind.
Since March 1st, mostly what has consumed my mind is recovering from pneumonia (and the flu).  I'm am better, but still doing breathing treatments and now taking Mucinex DM and Benadryl.  Can you say "DRIED OUT!" ?  Yesterday, I drank over a gallon of water and was still thirsty.  I am still nervous about "over doing" it; scared I will relapse.
Anyway, now that the sickness cloud has been lifted, by brain is working again.  So, I can get back in the swing of blogging.  Leave me some blog love so I know you haven't given up on me!  : )

My Lungs

I have been dealing with the flu and pneumonia since Mon. afternoon.  When I went to the doctor on Tue., I just knew she was going to tell me I had bronchitis again- which would make the fourth time in a year!  I shake my head in disbelief.  I am generally healthy, health conscience, and I don't smoke.  So, what's going on with my lungs?!
This made me think of something I had done about six years ago.  I went to a Southern Living Cooking Show.  There was a lot of vendors there.  One of them was for a place called "Back to Nature"  They do colonics and ear candling and ionic foot baths and massages and iridology.  It was there that I had my iris' read (Iridology, an ancient science)

"Iridology is the scientific practice which involves correlating the markings and patterns of the iris to reflex manifestations and bodily malfunctions among the many organs of the body. By studying the eye, doctors can reveal a patient's overall degree of health, as well as his or her apparent inherent weaknesses. In this alternative medicine technique, the eye is perceived as the gateway to the body whereby its condition reflects the overall condition of the patient."  source:  Think Quest

The lady took a picture of my eye and explained different things about "me."  I only remember one thing she told me that evening.  She told me I had a weakness in my lungs.  It caught me off guard since I had never had any issues with my lungs.
Until December 2009, I had no problems.  It was then, during Christmas holiday, that I developed bronchitis.  I have had it three times and now pneumonia!  I have carried an inhaler since 12/09 and don't need it very often.  It's usually when I get overexcited and laugh a lot that I can't catch my breath that I have to use it.  My Momma and my Sister both have asthma so it shouldn't surprise me. 
It just scares me.  Mainly because you can't live without your lungs.  My Momma's best friend, Tumpy, died from pulmonary fibrosis (hardening of the lungs).  It's another reason why it scares me.
In terms of Iridology.  It's not that I subscribe to the belief in it.  But, it sure is interesting, especially now that I can't seem to kick this problem with my lungs.

Here is a typical Iridology chart.  The right eye tells you about the left side of your body and vice versa.   And, you can't tell anything about yourself from this chart.  You would have to have a reading of your own.  For now, I'm just going to file this one under "It's Always Something!"

Eat, Pray, Love

 I watched the movie "Eat, Pray, Love" several months ago by a fluke.  Patrick accidentally "rented" it on our satellite.  So, I watched it since we had to pay for it.  I am not typically a movie watcher.  But, I watched that one three times.  I soaked it in.  I felt enlightened, spiritually awakened. 
I am concerned with my soul.  I think about my spiritual path and how every decision I make affects my life's journey. I believe in karma.  I know if I put negative energy out there, I get negative energy back.  And, just the same, if I put positive energy out there, I notice my life is a little sunnier.  I believe that I am in control of my own destiny through my life choices!
I have tried to read the book "Eat, Pray, Love" several times.  There is an excerpt in the third tale (of 108) that I just can't seem to move passed.  I've never, in my life, read something (on the topic) that made complete sense to me. That moved me to a "moment."
Here it is:
"Culturally, though not theologically, I'm a Christian.  I was born a Protestant of the white Anglo-Saxon persuasion.  And while I do love that great teacher of peace who was called Jesus, and while I do reserve the right to ask myself in certain trying situations what indeed He would do, I can't swallow that one fixed rule of Christianity insisting that Christ is the only path to God.  Strictly speaking, then, I cannot call myself a Christian....To those who do speak (and think) strictly, all I can do here is offer my regrets for any hurt feelings and now excuse myself from their business."   
"In the end, what I have come to believe about God is simple.  It's like this- I used to have this really great dog.  She came from the pound.  She was a mixture of about ten different breeds, but seemed to have inherited the finest features of them all.  She was brown. When people asked me, "What kind of dog is that?" I would always give the same answer:  "She's a brown dog."  Similarly, when the question is raised, "What kind of God do you believe in?" my answer is easy:  "I believe in a magnificent God."
Maybe you can't relate to that.  Maybe you completely disagree.  Maybe it pisses you off a bit.  But, that's okay.  I think it's okay if we all lead different journeys to the same end path.  Call it what you want to.  Don't we all want to be the best people we can be, doing to others like we would have them do to us?  Don't we all want to take our last breathe knowing we are proud of the journey we made?  You might believe that you will go to heaven.  Another may believe that their soul is reincarnated to another living being only to work on their journey further.  And, the life you live determines the being you will live in next.  Who am I to argue?  I think it's all a great idea.  Whatever works for you to help you lead a journey of goodness.
There.  Now, maybe I can move on to the fourth tale.

Obsessive and Winning!

I am obsessive.  Maybe a little compulsive.  Very far from impulsive.  I'm a thinker, a contemplator.  I obsessively ponder.  When I think about things, it's intense.  I can be found often with a notebook and pencil, sitting outside, meditating on my thoughts.  I'm always thinking of ideas and planning some kind of project!My mind races all the time!  You get the idea?
So, when I saw the contest on Lenny & Eva's facebook page, it was on!  I dove into their blog and their website and facebook page.  I studied the photos, the style, the words.  I wanted my idea to match up with their style of jewelry.  I knew no one could match my idea!  I don't say that in a braggy or arrogant way.  I say it with confidence.  I take pride in my work!  I know how hard I work to do what I do!  No leaf is left unturned when I set out to think.  Know this though:  I am always appreciative when I get compliments.  It makes me feel so good.  It encourages me to do more and try harder.  I'm a show-off.  So, give me a captive audience.  And, I get carried away.
And, even though, I accomplish great things, my mind can get a little tiresome!  Yesterday wore me out...thinking about winning that dad blame contest.  I thought of every access to people that I had.  And, I called on them!  The obvious is my "friends" on facebook, but I went to Clickin Moms and Studio Calico too!
I called my parents and put them on the job.  I told my Daddy to require his employees to vote for me or they would be fired.  I told him to go to the bank lobby and hand out "vote" flyers.  I told my Momma to require her students to like my photo and to stand over their shoulders to make sure they did it correctly!  I even "hacked" into my Mom's Facebook account and took over her status' for the day, asking for votes.  I called my Step-dad Bobby.  I told him to call everyone he knew in the whole country.  Can you believe he laughed at me?  I asked my closest friends to put it as their status to get me more "likes."  I asked my friend Kerrie, who is from Australia, to take it international and ask Australia to vote.  And, some have!  I have written down every name of who "likes" my photo.  I'm keeping track.  That way, I know who to stalk and ask why they haven't voted and properly instruct them on how to do it.  Then, double check that they did it.  Then, thank them!  That's how I roll y'all.  And, that's how I'm gonna win!
I am currently in first place.  I intend to be there Saturday at noon when the contest closes.  Until then, you know what I'll be doing....thinking.....figuring out ways to get more votes!

My Boy

He is a boy, through and through!  He is rough and loud and rambunctious.  He loves playing sports and video games. His favorite possession is his bb gun.  He dreams of having a twenty-two rifle so he can go squirrel huntin' with his cousin Connor.  He is competitive and fully expects to win. He looks up to his Daddy and wants to be just like him.  He is onery and mischievious.  He flexes his muscles and wants you to see how strong he is and show you that his muscles have gotten bigger since the day before.  He doesn't like to do as he is told and as he gets older, he expresses his opinion more and more.  He likes laborious work and earning money for doing it.  He can be wild, but not in an out-of-control way...just in a....boy way!

Today, I signed him up for a wrestling clinic that is put on by the high school wrestling team as a fund raiser.  He weighed in at 50.2 lbs.  He wrestled for the first time last year.  He was in a group with boys who had done it the year before.  He was a bit unsure and sorda pissed that winning wasn't coming easy to him.  He is determined to be #1 this year.  He can't wait to see who is in his group so he can let them know "they're going down!"  That's my boy!

He hopes to go to the University of Georgia for college (where he will study to be a vet).  While he is there, he wants to play football for the Bulldawgs!  I tell him that he can do it, but he has to be the kicker or the bench warmer. 

If he doesn't go to UGA on a sport scholarship, I have no doubt that he will go on an academic scholarship.  He has a desire to learn and a drive to be the best.  He already talks about being first in his class.  He is in kindergarten.  He just learned to read and he loves it.  He is reading "pink labels" which is 2nd grade level books.  He has beautiful penmanship and colors perfectly in the lines.  He takes pride in his schoolwork.  He makes me so proud!

All that boy stuff grates on my nerves.  I think I am better equipped to handle diva attitude more than I am able to deal with rambunctious and loud.  All that running and bouncing around makes me nervous.  When the boys get together and tussel, I just want it to stop.
Even though my boy is a typical boy, he is an extraordinary one!  He has a side to him that only the lucky ones get to see!  He is sweet and cuddley and kind.  He is empathetic.  He is a big helper.   He is loyal.  He wears his heart on his sleeve.  He loves his family.  He sneaks into my bed in the middle of the night and puts his arm around my chest.  He loves animals.  He worries about people when they are sick or sad.  He has his Daddy's cell phone number memorized and calls him whenever he can to see how his day is going and when he will be home. He writes notes to the people he loves to tell them just that.
I'm so blessed to get to be his Momma.  I dread the day when his sweet soul is affected in a negative way by the real world.  I just want to lock him up and protect him forever.  I can't imagine the pain I will feel in my heart when someone breaks his.  I love this boy so much!

His sister is quite fond of him too!  Even if he does pick on her.

A Best Day!

Sunny and 80 degrees was in yesterday's weather forcast. I painted my toenails, dusted off my flip flops, and planned a trip to St. Simon's Island.

We went out to get into the truck and found it to be stocked with a driver and co-pilot! We checked his license, only to find out he is only six. So, we directed him and his co-pilot to the back seat to be buckled in their car seats.

 

When we got to the island, we headed straight to the beach. We found it to be a little chilly with the breeze from the ocean, but the sun shined warmly! How precious to see Blake and Olivia walk down the beach holding hands!

Patrick ran down the beach with his new sneakers.  Size 2 1/2!  My boy has a big 'ol foot!

I tried to get a nice photo of them together.  It's usually easier just to take photos of them individually!

  After our walk on the beach, we went to play putt-putt at the pier.  They have completely re-done that area with an additional playground, grassy areas, picnic tables, putt-putt, a small water park, a nice walking path with an ocean view, new steps down to the ocean, and water spickets to wash the sand off of your feet.

Patrick has played putt-putt before.  He had a good handle on how to play.  He was most concerned about the score.  He made me laugh when he guided the ball where he wanted it to go rather than actually hitting it.  All for a lower score!

The funniest thing was watching Olivia play.  Blake tried to show her proper form. 

 

But, in typical Olivia fashion, she had her own way of doing things.  Feel free to laugh at her cuteness!

She entertained herself when it wasn't her turn.

Next, we headed to the playground.  On our way, we passed this odd sight.  A tree was growing through a fence.  The owners accommodated it by cutting holes in the wood as it grew.

The playground was crowded and it made me nervous that I couldn't see both of my children at the same time.  I was proud to see Patrick go across the monkey bars for the first time.

Olivia's favorite part?  Climbing.

When they had enough, we walked down to the pier.  We saw a guy catch a stingray (don't have an impressive photo).  But, we did run in to this guy hanging out, unphased by on-lookers.

This is as close as Patrick would stand to him.

A beautiful day to hang out together as a family!  We love St Simon's Island!