Vacation Wrap Up and other mind-numbing rants!

Well, the vacation went just swell. I fully intended to update daily, but the sand and the sea got the best of me! My apologies! The kids had a blast, we all ate too much and after the long ride home, I got to unpack! Unpacking is like the ultimate torture, right? I would make juvenile delinquents do that...right after I made them fold my laundry...oh, and iron it. Ha! However, I returned to home sweet home to discover that it had not been so sweet during our absence. There's been a lot of crime in the area lately and it leaves me uneasy. You may have read my previous blog about how I was followed in a major discount store and how uncomfortable it made me feel. Well, upon our return, we discover that our cousin was at home with her two daughters when two gentleman came to her house and busted her front door down trying to get in. They were scared off when she screamed...but I can't imagine how terrified she must be right now. It seems like it's everyday that there is somethin on the news or in the paper about another robbery, kidnapping or attack. What is the deal? When we were in FL, there was a story about a two year old little girl that has been missing for five weeks and her mother is a suspect. Her mother! I'm astounded. However, on a brighter note, I did get to read two fabulous books while I was wasting away in Margaritaville. Good in Bed by Jennifer Weiner and the follow up to that called Certain Girls. These two books are just wonderful! They'll be perfect for my book club as soon as I get it going! ;) Finally, I attended a Relay for Life Committee Wrap-Up Party tonight. The events were held at the Talladega Superspeedway and it was great! We got to take turns going around the track at 120 miles per hour! It was up there with the neatest things I've done! But, the focus of the evening was for the 'powers that be' within the American Cancer Society to thank the committee that helped raise over $600,000 toward cancer research and funding! It was very nice of them to put it all together and even nicer for them to recoginze the hard work of the members and their families that sacrifice so much to let them be a part of the organization. A few were asked to stand up and give their reasons for why they Relay. I wasn't one of them, but if I had been...here's what I might have said: For my father, whom I didn't know, that passed away with Colon Cancer; For Uncle DeWayne, whose diagnosis hit me like a ton of bricks; For PaPa Sprayberry, who had the greatest outlook right up to the end; For Mike Cooper, who was one of the last great "family men" on Earth; For Kaylie Claire Ellis, who shouldn't even be having to think about chemo and radiation at four years old; But, mostly for selfish reasons...I relay because I get to be a part of something that fills me so completetly with humility and pride that I can't stop coming back. I relay with the hope that my children will never have to think about fighting cancer. I relay because it feels so dang good to know that I'm making a difference...and being on the Committee is only icing on the cake. That's why I do it.

Vacation - Part 2

Today could not have been more perfect if I'd written it that way myself.... The weather was warm, the ocean was calm and clean and I almost finished my book. The kids splashed and played in the Gulf like they've never done before and that was great to see! We rounded out the evening with ribs at Pineapple Willy's and go carts! You can't have vacation in PC without go carts, right?! I'm pretty sure I located the guy with the worst job in the world...he's in charge of the kiddie go carts at the "go cart place" and we were all in agreement that it probably sucked more than anything else in the world...at the time, anyway. Personally, I'm ready for bed...as soon as I finish my book! To be continued...

Vacation - Part 1

Well, we've arrived! Panama City Beach, FL is growing like crazy! We've managed to visit the pool, the beach and the Publix today and that in itself has been wonderful! I want a Publix back home! Our trip down was full of conversation - something I'm not used to because I usually sleep on the way to anywhere! Mom is along for the trip and that is going just swimmingly! I have an ample supply of books to keep me company and I plan to come back tan and refreshed! We ventured down to the beach this evening - Brent, the kids and I - and Hayden went crazy! Hallie buried him in the sand and he returned to "home base" covered in sand! They're sand free now and relaxing to Ratatouille. I'm headed to the chair with my book and my drink... more later!

Ahoy!

What's your most desired profession?

What I mean by that is....what would you like to do (either for a living or not) for the rest of your life if you had no other obligations? No kids to worry with. No significant other to depend on you. No pets to tend to. No strings, whatsoever. What would you do?

Maybe you'd stay right where you are doing exactly what you're doing. If that's the case, I applaud you for doing what you MUST love. For me...that's not the case. I was thinking about this today as I was on my way home from the birthday party of a friends child. My IPOD was on shuffle and several Jimmy Buffett songs were played in a row. It got me thinking...if I could sever ties with my community, house, schools, work, etc. I'm almost certain that I'd like to travel the world by sea. Essentially, It'd be a pirates life for me! Don't laugh...not a pilfering one, I'd be nice. But, to have a life that is free from worry or want....to wander the seas aimlessly....to take in more sunrises and sunsets than my eyes care to see.....to drink myself silly on Captain Morgan's Rum.....what a wonderful experience. I imagine a life of sea salt and spray; a life that is completely uninhibited and lead only by impulse and desire. Where do I want to go today? What do I want to do today? Who do I want to be around today? What would I like to eat today?

All that and I haven't even touched on the amazement found in scouring the many islands in search of the greatest places to eat and dives to visit. Can you just imagine? Close your eyes and think about the adventures at sea that would await! It entices me more and more every time I think about it!

Then, my wonderful kids laughing upstairs remind me that I'm tethered to this role...for now. I'm a landlubber, like it or not! At least until they head off to college. Do you think they'll be embarrassed to introduce me to their friends?

"Hi John...this is my mom, Lola...Capt. of the Hemisphere Dancer." (Several Jimmy references)

Neveryoumind...it's not like I'd give a hoot at that point, right?!

Oh well, there's always retirement. May your seas be calm and your rum plentiful!

Where were you.....?

Do you remember where you were 15 years ago tonight? Were you getting ready for a great weekend in March? Were you headed for a vacation? Were you grounded and stuck at home? Were you getting married? If you were in the state of Alabama, you were in the midst of the "storm of the century" or the Blizzard of '93!

As mentioned many times before, my husband is a bit of a weather geek. It's okay...we've come to accept it now. So, he's been all over the 15th anniversary weather blogs out there!

I remember where I was....on Friday, March 12th I was at good ol' Skate Country. I was ticked off that mom had my ride show up early and ruin my evening! Ahhh....the good old days! My BFF Nichole and I were dragged, almost literally, from the roller rink and carted home. Once it was made clear that we couldn't top the hill to get to her house, we took it back to my house.

The next morning introduced us to more snow than we had seen in Alabama - EVER. We went to Vermont the Christmas before to visit Nichole's family and the amount of snow there was amazing. More amazing was the fact that the entire town operated 'business as usual'. Anniston was shut down for days when the blizzard of '93 hit.

As Saturday morning turned into Saturday afternoon, we lost power at my house. This sucked because now we were going to be forced to entertain ourselves...without TV. We'd finally had all we could stand. So we bundled up, stepped outside and began our journey to meet Nichole's parents at a halfway point (that seemed like 8 miles but was actually probably only about 2-3). We spent the rest of the "vacation" at her house cooking in the fireplace, keeping milk cold on the deck in the snow, sledding down the hill and listening to folks call in to the radio stations complaining that they didn't have cable TV. There were folks without power, heat or water and folks were upset about missing their soaps! We went so far as to start using furniture as firewood to stay warm because we had used all the firewood.

It was an exhilarating experience....and one I'm sure I'll tell my kids stories about when they're old enough to roll their eyes!

Where were you when the white stuff started sticking in Calhoun County?

Tears in Flight!

My job doesn't require much travel for me outside the northeast region of the state. Recently however, an opportunity presented itself for me to tour a printing company that we use and I jumped at it. My trip consisted of two days (one night) of making my way through airports and I must confess: the sense of pride that consumed me as I swiftly maneuvered my way through the countless terminals was a nice surprise. I was more surprised that I ever doubted myself, really. But, after the numerous takeoffs, landings, shuttles and baggage claims I must admit that my book was probably the best part of my trip. What book? Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah. As a mother of two/wife of one and full time employee, reading often falls to the bottom of my To-Do. But, one day last week, my mother-in-law gave me this book that she'd just finished and she couldn't stop singing its praises. I'm a jacket reader. If the cover is enticing I'll want to read the book. I'm a huge believer that catching the reader's eye is the first step in drawing them in. Everything from the design to the font used inside - it must have a seamless flow in order to leave the reader satisfied. Your written words might not be enough. I work in advertising - what can I say? Nevertheless, this book held me captive from the very first line. It follows Tully & Kate through their mostly wonderful, sometimes painful, always truthful friendship. I won't turn this into a book review for fear of spoiling it, but I will say this...don't forget to bring your tissues. The tears started on my first flight - from Atlanta, GA to Grand Rapids, MI. The two flights home - Grand Rapids to Cincinnati and Cincinnati to Birmingham - were no better. Overall, I had three flight attendants, four passengers, two ticket takers and one server ask me if I was okay! That's doing some serious crying, right? But, as I said before...it's wonderful. I already have a list of folks in mind to purchase this one for. I can't wait to hear their embarrassing stories of where they were when they got to chapter 20!! I'm always encouraged when I get lost in the characters of a book - reminds me that I can still dream. Here's to hoping you never forget that either!

Return to reality!

Vacation has come and gone. Now comes the crappy part - unpacking. Everyone had fun! The aquarium may very well have been the highlight of the trip. Not only did the kids enjoy it, we did too!

If you've never had the pleasure of visiting Ripley's Aquarium in Gatlinburg, TN....you should! Soon! It's really cool. A little on the pricey side, but you get your $$ worth and you'll agree once inside. From petting Sting Ray's to the moving walkway that carries you "inside" the tank...it's a great ride!

(That's "Bruce" in the tank at the aquarium - a little eerie to have him swimming overhead, if I'm being honest. I was reminded of the scene in JAWS...yikes!)

In addition to the aquarium, the pool at our hotel was of high interest to the kids! Ober Gatlinburg didn't offer them much other than a cool ride up and back down. Next year, perhaps they'll be more interested in the ice skating (and manmade snow)!

I'm pretty sure I know every word to The Incredibles, Snow Buddies and All Dogs Go To Heaven and I discovered the following: if necessary, I can sit in my backseat for long periods of time....I love my seat warmers....sometimes kids surprise you with their good behavior.....walking is good for you - it won't kill you and dessert is fabulous - always have dessert!

I will say this...and all parties in attendance agreed...the only way to go to Gatlinburg is in a cabin. That's the way we've always done it in the past, but schedule's wouldn't allow for others to come along this time, so we opted to snag a hotel room instead. It just wasn't the same. You just don't get the same 'mountainous' feeling in a hotel room - even if you are in the mountains.

All in all...good food, good company, good attractions and good attitudes made for a great trip! Now I'm off to unpack - ughhhhhh! The reality of being back at home sets in hard.

Road Trip!!!!!

The family and I are headed for a mini-vacation tomorrow! Gatlinburg is our destination. I'm looking forward to the aquarium....the kids are going to get a kick out of that. Honestly, I probably will too! I loved the aquarium in Chattanooga!

The ice skating should be fun for them too....especially now that they're old enough to give it a shot. I love Gatlinburg in the winter - and I hear they're callling for snow while we're there. That will make it even better! I remember how excited the kids were with the little bit of snow we got here in Alabama last month...and that was nothing!

My gripe has to be that I haven't packed anything. I'm a "pack the car the night before" kind of gal...and I don't have it done this time! Granted, I've been busy lately. But, this just means that I'm going to be up doing it tonight when I should be enjoying some much needed rest. Why? Because I won't be able to close these big brown eyes until I know I'm at least half way there. There is something so peaceful about knowing that all you have to do is get ready in the morning....but something is telling me that tomorrow morning won't be that relaxing. Sigh...I'll do my best to achieve premature packing, but I'm also a realist. It's 10:30 pm and I haven't even gotten our suticase down. Odds are against me, ladies and gents.

But, the pitcher of margaritas at the mexican joint this evening hashelped me be OK with the fact that tomorrow might be a bit hurried. Tomorrow morning I might be singing a different tune when I get that overwhelming feeling of not having all my ducks in a row. But, for now, I think I'm just going to call it a night. We'll get there tomorrow - one way or another - and if we forget something, I guess we'll just buy it!

Who am I kidding....that would drive me crazy! Until my return, I wish you a happy weekend! See you Monday!