Moving On

Well, I made it through the "good-byes" without any convulsing. On the other hand, I did embarrass myself quite a bit. I totally ignored Kim all day Sunday, until she finally came up to me and said, " Stop ignoring me!" That's when the water works began for me. I honestly couldn't stop. A little embarrassing. But I feel better now. Although, I still get teary eyed when I think about it. Sounds a little "over the top", I know. I wish I weren't so emotional. Just ask my poor husband.

We left for the beach immediately following the fish fry. We got stuck in traffic in Alabaster. After sitting still for thirty minutes we decided to go on the shoulder to the next exit, like many, many others were doing. The exit was close and we were, of course, going very slow. And then it happened..."The Slapper" appeared out of nowhere. This man jumped out of his car and began hitting my mother's truck with his hand, screaming at us. We thought something may be wrong so Josh stops and opens the door. This guy was a lunatic. He began screaming and cussing at us. It was a little scary. Josh exercised some of the most patience I have ever seen. He simply told the guy to mind his own business and get back in his car. (He later told me how difficult it was not to get out and pound the nut.) The guy threw out the "F" bomb, and we drove away. Poor Landy was scared to death. People can be crazy. She also got to experience college graduates on the beach funnelling beer, throwing up, and dancing wildly. This all took place quickly and we had to divert her attention and then get the heck out of there, too! (She really wasn't aware what all was going on)

Other than that, we had a great trip. The weather was great for two days and nice the rest of the time. (A little on the cool side for me) We found at neat beach on the "Wildlife Reserve". There was nothing around. Very serene. Much better than the bumpin' and grindin' scene at the public beach. We even saw an alligator in the swamp nearby.

Glad to be home. Missed church yesterday, which makes me feel totally disconnected from everybody. Hope to see y'all soon!

(my email still isn't working!)

Big, Black Cloud

There are literally big, black clouds out today. But I am speaking of the one that has been hanging over my head for months now. I know it is there, but I have just avoided looking up. I can't avoid it any longer. May 19th is too close! That's the day our dear friends will be heading west. Wow, I am such an emotional person that I am really scared to go to the party after church Sunday. We will be leaving for the beach soon after lunch, so this will be our final good-bye to the Hills for a while. I am afraid I may really embarrass myself. So consider yourself warned. If you see me and I can't talk, or my eyes are red and swollen, or I'm convulsing a little, you know what's wrong. (maybe I need to be medicated)

I wish I could put in to words what the Hills have meant to my family, but I cannot. I just can't explain what an impact they have had just by living out the gospel in their lives. They are dear friends and we will miss them incredibly.

I HATE TO ADMIT IT BUT...

I like country music...

I take Flintstones Vitamins...

I locked Landy in the car with the keys when she was a baby...

I haven't been to the dentist in...a very long time...

I am a huge procrastinator...

I am horrible with geography...

I wish I had had children when I was younger...

I can't sleep if I don't wash my face first...

I'm turning gray...

My laundry "scares" Kim Hill... it gets bad...

I want a mini van...

Leftovers anyone?

How can I be tired? Honestly. I slept until after seven. I went to exercise. Since then I have been home, hanging out with Heather, Ginger, and Boo. The kids played. I didn't have to chase them around too much. But I am am exhausted. I'm probably just crashing from a sugar high. I did eat one too many Cinnamon sticks ( from Aldi, pre-cooked, absolutely delicious, just heat 'em up in the oven).

Thanks for hanging out today girls. I'm thankful for the opportunity to just hang out with friends. I stepped a little "out of my box", as Mia talked about in her hospitality seminar Saturday. I didn't have any lunch planned. I just opened up my fridge and put out left overs. I usually feel like I must have things planned if I am going to invite people over. Why? I don't know. I know these girls could not care less about how "planned" it is. I love the comfort in that. I have learned a lot about hospitality from ladies in our church. True hospitality. Crissy opens her house every Friday night to whoever wants to come. Kim Hill invites people over spur of the moment all the time because she has left over cheesecake. Mia invites church visitors almost ever Sunday for lunch. They show true hospitality.

I'm not sure if I have the "Crissy, Kim, and Mia gift of hospitality" (actually, I'm pretty sure I do not.) But I am so thankful God has given them this gift. I'm thankful for seeing that hospitality doesn't have to be this perfect package with a big beautiful bow on top.

It felt a little awkward for Kim to not hang out with us today. She had other plans. We missed her. Josh mentioned not long ago that we should try to spend a lot of time with Kim and Quinn because they would be leaving soon. I said, " No, I actually probably need to start weaning myself away from her." It was kind of funny then. The closer it gets to May 19, the less funny it becomes to me. I haven't weaned. I will miss her greatly. To use a Forrest Gump quote, "That's all I got to say about that!"

Up and Running

I finally have a computer that is up and running now! I have felt lost without it over the past few weeks (although I have gotten more laundry done)! Speaking of up and running...we finally ran the 5K. We have been training since January. I have really enjoyed the training. It is definitely "do-able". I was pleasantly surprised at my ability to finish. Although the first mile was a bit "hellish", the second and third miles were much easier. Imagine an eagle soaring over a mountain top. Now imagine a duck trying to fervently flap its way over that same mountain. There were a lot of eagles soaring ahead of me, but I was that duck determined to make it. I felt like a tired, wet duck when it was over, but I felt good enough that I will be running another in May. I strongly encourage anyone who has ever thought "there is now way I could ever be a runner", to join us three days a week for 45 minutes. You'd be amazed at what you can do!

I went "thrifting" today. Man, how I love the thrift store. And it doesn't get any better when you go with a group of women and leave your kids with someone else. I found some great deals. It is a hunt. Only the strong survive. I have always enjoyed shopping the thrift stores, but I used to only buy for the kids. Only occasionally would I pick myself up something. Then I went through thriftstore boot camp with Kim Hill. "Learn how to go thrifting in one hour!" Something else I strongly encourage everyone to do. The only drawback is that now it is really difficult to buy anything at regular retail price. No...I would say it is near impossible! How can I pay $30 for a shirt when I can get a whole bag of clothes for that! Of course, you have to enjoy the hunt.

I've missed y'all in blog world. Thanks to the three or four of you who read my blog :) BTW Anne Marie has a blog now. Let's pressure her to blog more. She doesn't have enough to do.
www.ohwhatatangledwebbweweave.blogspot.com

Computer Withdrawals

Our computer is "fried". Our friend John has it now trying to repair it. It's been almost two weeks now, and I am having serious withdrawals. I didn't realize just how much I depend on the web for all kinds of info! Especially keeping up with the day to day life of my fellow bloggers. I am using my mother's computer now, which I can use whenever I need to, but it's just not as convenient. I have a ton I could blog about (for a change), but I really don't have the time now. I must post pictures of Kim going "freakin' nuts" (those were her own words about me a few weeks ago) cleaning out my closet. I also need to post about our first fabulous camping trip in our pop-up! SOOO much fun! I invite everyone to come with us. I can't wait to go again. Well, I need to check on the kids. They are playing in the basement. You never know what's in the basement. Better go.

Turkey Day Dinner

Oh my yummness! Thanks for the recipe, Kim. I planned this big meal for Friday night and invited Jason and Anne Marie. I had planned on baking the Triple Chocolate Bundt Cake that Kim is famous for, until I remembered that Anne Marie had given up chocolate of Lent. So I made the Brickle Cake instead. Scrumbdelicious!

Yea! I cooked my first turkey too. I have to say it was really good. I enjoyed the whole cooking experience. I don't cook big meals often. It was fun to prepare a "Thanksgiving" meal. My dressing was alright, but no where near as good as my step-dad's famous dressing. I really wanted a picture of the big beautiful bird before it was carved, but I forgot. So this is some of the remains.

We counted almost thirty turkeys in our back yard last week. Too bad there is no hunting allowed! I could cook turkeys every day of the month!

Rambling

Has anyone actually watched this new "game show" I have seen advertised? Something about telling the truth. I can't remember the name. But I love American Idol and it comes on after it I think, so I see the commercials for it. I think they hook these people up to a lie detector or something and ask them the most horrible questions! "Would you cheat on your spouse if you were sure they would never know?" "Are you a better mother to your children than your mother was to you?" "What is the biggest secret you are keeping from your spouse?" ARE THEY TRYING TO WRECK FAMILIES?! I think so. Very disturbing. They must be offering big bucks.

Our neighbor has his house for sale now. I don't know if I'm happy or not. He is a single guy and we don't know him that well. I'd love for a family with young kids to move in. But then again, you never know what you'll get! This house is very close to ours. Right now it is nice and quiet, no barking dogs or screaming kids (that's all at my house). I guess I'll just pray that God puts someone there we can have a relationship with.

Carson is almost potty trained! Yea!! I say almost because I have to remind him about every half hour. But I'm OK with that for now.

I bought a turkey yesterday. I've never made a "Thanksgiving Dinner" before. I'm thinking about trying it this weekend. Wish me luck.

I ran 28 minutes straight this morning. This is a huge accomplishment for me. I've never been a runner.

Hummm.......let's see, what else can I brag, uh I mean, blog about????

Went bowling with Kim, her friend (and mine too now) Missy, Heather and Connie yesterday. And ALL the kids of course. We are very brave. It was fun though. Just hard to explain to a 2 year old that they have to wait for 4 more people to bowl before it's their turn again. Tinsy bit ANNOYING.

We bought a new painting to hang over the mantle today. Trace Donahoo's mom had some oil paintings from a shop she previously owned. She gave us a deal. And I absolutely LOVE it! It's what I have been wanting for years! She's a nice lady. Thanks, "Mrs. Trace's mom".

Quick Post

Josh has taken the kids to the park. I have a million things I'd like to do before they get back. (But I chose to blog, it's been a while). We are getting a pop up camper today! Yea!! I can't wait to take the kids camping. This is my idea of roughin' it. Pop up camper with heat, air conditioner, refridgerator, two beds. That's roughin' it. Right? We are buying it from the Wilkes. I think they may be getting a new one. We've talked about all going camping together. Fun! Anybody else like to camp? Come join us. The next pretty weekend we have, we are heading somewhere.

We had a great time bowling last night. Thanks to all of you who kept our children. It was so nice to pay 4 bucks and not have to worry about your kids all night! Bowling went by WAY too fast. Honostly, we thought we'd get there at 5:30, bowl a couple of hours, maybe go to a quick restaurant, and start to head back to the church by 8:45. We were still bowling at 8:15! Congrats to my hubby for making me proud! He kicked some booty at bowling. Quinn had a nice spin on the ball. Fun to watch. Anne Marie definitly got the award for how high a 10 lb. ball can be thrown in the air. Kim can do a beautiful cart wheel down the bowling lane (yea, she really did). Jason gave us all great bowling tips (he's pretty good too). And I was able to refresh everyone's memory of the "Roger Rabbit" dance. We really needed a camera. FUN times. We'll have to do it again soon!

New Love

I just finished a good book, Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers. I had never read any of her books until several weeks ago when my mother recommended Leota's Garden. Then, Ginger told me she was reading a Francine Rivers book too. She let me borrow Redeeming Love when she was finished. Ginger and I are both discovering that we actually do like to read after all. After years of always saying that I "just don't enjoy reading", I have found that I love to read! I always felt guilty because I was a teacher and wanted to instill the love of reading in children because I knew how important it was, but I still just really didn't care much about it. I would only read when I had to. I look back and think, "How could I say I didn't enjoy reading? How could anyone NOT enjoy reading?". I guess you just have to find books that appeal to you. I have to say thanks to Laura Morgan for inspiring me with her love of books. She has recommended several books to me and I have loved them all.

I'm always a little sad when I finish a good book. Although I get a great feeling of accomplishment, like a kid....."wow, I read a really thick book"! I mourn for a few days after. I really miss the characters. I'm sad that I won't be able to hang out with them anymore. It's like a relationship that is just abruptly over. No phone calls, no short visits, just over. Oh well, it just makes me want to start another book quickly.

When I get really interested in a book, I begin to neglect other things. ie, laundry, dishes, cooking, children, husband............so I need a few days to catch up on things in between. Josh one time told me, "I should have never taught you to read". Funny Josh.

I've also been feeling a little guilty about all of my fictional reading. I get a little intimidated by some non-fiction stuff. I just picked up The Passion of Jesus Christ, by John Piper. It was in a box full of books that Joyce Sullivan was getting rid of. It is a short book. I think I can handle it. I'm going to try to finish it quickly. I'm a one-book-at-a-time kinda girl. Can't have too much going on at one time. Overload!

Carson's sleeping. I think I'll go catch up on all those "in between" things so I can read some more.