JustAChick

Until I have words, this will more than suffice

Doors Open LPL Memphis from Rich Kalonick on Vimeo.

Living Proof Live - Memphis from Rich Kalonick on Vimeo.

From the bottom of my heart Rich, thank you.  Truly.

Assignment: What did you do on your summer vacation?

Disclaimer:  My only, beloved sister lives overseas and has lived out of the country for almost 10 years now.  She is the mother to my adorable niece, Hannah and married to my crazy BIL, Bob.  About 5/6 years back, she started to come home for summer visits.  They started off in about 2/3 week duration and has become a 5/6 week respite for my heart.  She's my best friend.  She knows me better than anyone, except for the hubs.  Normal life ceases so our families can focus on each other.  It's become our light at the end of a year long tunnel.  This summer may be our last.  Don't know where they will be transferred next.

   

 

     

Our last dinner together, just the four of us at Grille 29.  Yum food but better company!

So what did you do this summer?

PS.  I thought this would be a great way to remember my father today.  A wonderful summer with family.  He would have been 80 today.  We love and miss him a ton.

Hiatus over, Boo-berry Biscuits and new Seasons

I've been inconspicuously absent from the bloggedy blog world.  It happened quite innocently enough.  Summer, my sister, niece Hannah, and BIL came home for most if not all summer.  So I organically disconnected to focus on family, fun and of course that wonderful thing called my full time job.  I do love it.  I love the team I work with, the Director I work for.. I continue to learn alot.. but mercy sakes alive!!! I was not prepared for how amazingly busy and wide open summer was going to become.

So.. won't bore you anymore about how hard/fun this summer was between work and my sister home for the summer... more on that later.  I am incredibly grateful for how much fun and love I experienced this summer.  But guess what happened next?  School started, my sister left, my husband went overseas on business and this girl had to get a grip!

I've caught up on all my favorite blogs via Google Reader today.  I cried, laughed, saved and realized that I have missed you all so much!! 

To be very honest... Boomama's post about the Boo-berry visit has had me perplexed for weeks.  I read about it via Twitter.  That has been one outlet I have stayed on top of.  Easy, quick tends to keep me in contact with the world.  At least the parts of the world that I want to stay in contact with!

So I had an opportunity this weekend to follow through with the mounting desire to try the Boo-berry biscuits myself.  G sat for the ACT this morning.  Another round to try to raise his score which is much better than this high school graduate could do at this point.  G kept telling me random facts that have stuck with him, such as how eating blueberry's can actually increase your performance on college prep tests.  Ummm, okay.  I'll go with that. 

Fast-forward to yesterday and my 2.5 hour round trip jaunt to watch The Patriots really do well over Florence.  GO Patriots!!! I was mainly interested in watching one little junior march at half time.   I digress.  Athens has this yummy establishment called STARBUCKS and if I was going to be expected to stay awake until midnight this ole girl needed a triple shot of caffeine.  Did ya'll know that them there drinks are nearly $6 now?  WHAT RECESSION?  I ask.  Again with the digression.

Swung self right into the neighboring establishment that makes some yummy Boo-berry biscuits and got two.. one for me that was consumed immediately.. who can wait? and one for the G this morning.  I do believe that he made a perfect score because his momma bought him a blueberry packed southern biscuit that is to die for.  I could be buried with a whole passel of them and not be one little bit upset.

I will leave you with the first day of school that I did NOT forget!  Thank goodness I had a brain since it was G's last first day of high school and L&B last first day as Juniors. 

I've missed you,

Heavens to Betsy... or tomatoes

So... more soon, but OH MY WORD!  We had a stupendous lunch today consisting of this menu:

Mesquite grilled chicken
Sliced tomatoes
Corn fritters
Green beans in onion, crispy coating
Cornbread with real corn...
and this yummy dish

I was trying to catch up on all my bloggy reading today and stumbled across the recipe and OH MY WORD it was so scrumptious and easy.  Smallest twin and double digit niece made it.  Thank you BooMama for sharing your loving Interwebby Awesomeness last week... and THANK YOU Let's Eat for sharing the yumminess.  The recipe is a keeper!

And for more recipe love and random all around goodness, try some of my new favs: Ree Drummond otherwise known as The Pioneer Woman and sweet Sarah Yaw at biscuits & honey.

Have any great and creative recipe sites?  Share them won't you?

Soon,

Random and unexpected happiness

A week ago I joined about a hundred of my classmates from Sharptown's class of 1984 in Houston.  It was our 25th reunion.. that makes me feel really old to type that.  Seriously, it does.  I don't feel much older than 30 on the inside, but obviously I am older on the outside.  Most of us had connected via FB prior to meeting face to face so it made it so much more fun!

I went into to Friday night's mixer a little anxious.  Right before my sophomore year began, my father passed away, and, well... things were a mess for a bit.  My high school combined 3/4 middle schools so there were lots of kids that I did not know.  Tried to make new friends, and did, but then as they year passed, the realization that my childhood was over became reality.  I had to get a job.  So I was one of those kids, in school half a day and worked half a day.

My social life wasn't that great either as my boyfriend of a couple years was in college at Texas A&M.  I limited myself socially and academically. We dated up until my senior year... so...

I am sure you can understand my slight trepidation at rekindling friendships...

Here is the deal though, everyone was/is so wonderful!  My friend, Casey said it best on his FB status:

"You know what continues to amaze me? We had a truly great growing up. Great neighborhoods, great schools, great friends. We had fun, got into a little trouble, but for the most part we were good kids. And 25 years later, you can throw us in to a social event, and it's like time has stood still. We can carry on conversations as if we just saw each other last week.  I can't think of another group that I've been associated with that I can say the same thing about. Hell, I'm less comfortable at my monthly HMBA meetings that I was Friday night. Some of you I've seen or talked to recently, but for most, the last time was finals in May '84. I could have watched the sun come up Saturday morning out on that deck with y'all."

Casey is my sweet friend in the light coral linen shirt... Jay, Becky, Joe, Jenny, Theresa are all in this pic.  My backside along with Stu are in the far back left.

We had a great time.  Yes we did.  I wish I lived closer to these good people and the ones below.  Great friendships regardless of history and seasons are hard to find.

We look ready for more!  Class of 84!



Lifelong friends we be! Leila and moi....

Really can't wait til the next visit with any and all of these great people!

Thank you to Casey, Becky, Deanna & Neala for all their hard work.  It was well worth it.

Fast & Furious

I am sitting in the ATL airport waiting on a flight to Houston.  My sister landed a couple of days ago in our hometown from her temporary home in Doha, Qatar.  She's making a stop to visit with her BFF Linda & her family.  Originally, our plan was for me to fly in, go to my HS Reunion (Sharpstown Class of 84'!) and then we would get in a car and drive home to Madison, AL.  Mostly because she was bringing Grommit.   He's the one on the right.  Ginger is on the left.  We took this picture after getting them ready for our family pictures last summer.

 

Except she decided not to bring him this summer.  He's getting quite old and just doesn't travel that well anymore.  But, I wanted to join her anyway...and heckidoodle doo, who isn't up for a weekend in your old stomping grounds with your very best sister?  She's my only sister.. but still the best sister.

I'm headed to my hometown after not being back for 10 years.  I'm sure much has changed in the landscape, but I am also sure that much is the same.  Traffic, concrete, good food, great shopping, lots of activity.

I'm looking forward to hugging my niece, Hannah and hugging my sister, Lisa after not putting my eyes on them for a year.

What's also crazy is that I get to hang out with High School friends that I haven't seen in 15 or 25 years.  We are different, older, hopefully less hormonal and focused on raising our families and being healthy and whole.  I am really looking forward to putting my eyes on them as well.  It's been great to catch up with some of them on FB and Twitter.  Too fun.

Whirwind, fun trip and then back on a plane home on Father's Day at 5:30 a.m.  I have to.  I just can't stomach not pampering my man on his Father's Day.  He deserves a good meal and some big thank yous.

I'll keep you posted with some pics!  Have a great weekend.  Please keep MckmMama and Stellan in your prayers today and this weekend along with my friend Jenn who just lost her Gramma yesterday.  Praying peace and healing over them and their families!

Til more fun happens,

Killian, the Queen of Mean

For those of you following me on FB or Twitter you know that I became such a follower.  I am an avid blog reader (not so great at my own blog but I am working on it) and when Vicki and Joanne and Mel started Killian's 30 day Shred.. well, I was curious.

I love the Biggest Loser and am constantly motivated and awed by all the contestants and their hard work.  I know, I know, there is editing and the fact that they give up their lives and jobs and are at the mercy of cooks and WACKY trainers like Killian and Bob.  But it's just amazing... amazing they way their bodies and their health changes.  Seriously.

How hard could it be?  And for goodness sakes, it was only 8.99!   I was curious.  Could I manage?

I ordered it. 

I did.

I started it at home and then started talking to gals at work about it around Day 5 after I learned how to sit and walk again.  I AM NOT JOKING!

 

We started to shred together every day at the end of the day.  After day 14 we moved on up (or rather, I let them talk me into) to level 2.  Before you start moaning or groaning... let me tell you just one thing. 

IT'S WORKING!

Really.  This skeptic has turned into a believer.

The scales are moving a bit.  Mostly I feel stronger, more fit and my clothes are beginning not to fit.
I love being a follower especially in this case.  I renamed her Killian, it's a love/hate relationship.  I'm grateful for her and don't like her being around at the same time.  But, you know what?  It's me getting suited up every day, and making the decision to be demeaned and demoralized by Killian.  It's me making the choice to just take 20 minutes to take care of myself.

A girl has to do that in order to take care of her family and herself.  I'm tired of giving up on myself and then feeling guilty.  Goes back to a post I wrote awhile back.

Keep me motivated, okay?

warming the heart....

I think there is almost nothing better(except for actually meeting Him face to face) than seeing a group of people prepare themselves to serve, embark upon a journey and come back changed.

There is almost nothing better. 

It slays me every time. 

I have seen it as I have served on Emmaus Walks.  I have seen it as I have been blessed to serve as a Bible Study Leader.  I have seen it as I have observed mission teams prepare and leave.

But this time it is a tad different.  There were 146 high school students along with many brave chaperones who left Madison Saturday, May 30th headed to VA and DC.  They returned home the night of June 5th.

They performed 7 concerts in 7 days, they worked and served.  They met and worshiped with young and old.  They laughed and had a blast.

My oldest turned 18 while he was on this trip.  My youngest was without her twin for the longest period to date.

But what gets me most of all... what makes me STAND and SHOUT... is that God was present and moved and changed their hearts.  They got it...

They really got it.  The LOVE of Christ was found and found again by most all.

And, yes, of course, it's great to see my children change.  But what's different is that all the seniors are the children of some of my closest friends.  Where did the time go?  When did they shift from having the faith of a child to having an ADULT faith of a child?

It's warming my heart today. Grateful that they all had a chance to serve Him.  Grateful that they feel and know that God loves them.  Grateful that He loves us.  Grateful that his grace and mercy are new every morning.

Thanks Christ Choir 2009...

today......

 "When I became a mother for the first time, I felt clumsy with the responsibility of a job I had no training for.

 How do you train your heart to become commingled with another human being?
 You don't.  You just let the concert begin. 
You are my oldest child, the "practice" one. 
You are the first note in the harmony that is our family. 
You are the first one I held in my arms,
feeling like someone had turned a glow on inside of me. 
The first one to say "mama" and the first baby I ever sang a lullaby to. 
You might think of it as practice. 
I like to say that you are the original, the one who taught my heart to love." - Kippie Palesch &  Annie Loney, HomeSpun Unlimited (LLP)



Happy 18th Birthday Griffin... you truly have grown into an amazing young man.  Your imagination, your humor, your intellect, your compassion, your empathy, your quiet and growing love for God... all those things and more make Dad and I so proud.  I can't wait to see what is ahead for you!

Thanks for being my firstborn.  You've taught me well.  I thank God for you and the way you have changed my heart.

I love you,

Mom

Happy Birthday, Honey!

You have seen his face here before.  About 6 weeks ago to be exact, almost, kinda.  He's turning 45 today.  He doesn't look a day over 45. :-) 

He's two years older than me today.  Trust me, it won't last long. 

His nickname is Grumpy.  He plays it pretty well.  He actually wakes up happy and talkative every day.  I DO NOT.  It takes me awhile.

I am proud to be married to him.  He's a quiet, introverted, intelligent provider.  He loves a few things.  God, his wife, his kids, his mom, my family, techie stuff, wood, how things work, fixing stuff, vacation, his job, his wife, his kids, God.

He's getting grilled pork tenderloin, mashed potatoes, peas and goodies for dinner.

Cause he is just that basic.  No muss, no fuss.  That's my man.

Happy Birthday Honey.  You rock.  Seriously.  I am grateful, appreciative and completely in love with you.