Flashback to 1989, High School Graduation

This was my boyfriend Geoff (now husband!) and myself at my parents house right before our high school graduation...


Okay, yall... no jokes about the big hair and earrings! I am brave enough to post this picture of Geoff and I right before a rite of passage in our lives (!), but I already know what is coming... so, let me explain that I really was so "in style" for that era! If you attended our school then you know that the bigger the hair, the better. As a matter of fact, I think my hair is looking a little flat for what I could do with it back then, but maybe I was running out of my Stiff Stuff hairspray? (That is seriously what it was called... I was addicted!) Or, I cried a lot that day, so maybe it was just squashed down from all the hugs - I tried not to be such an emotional basketcase, but I boo hooed through most all the speeches, and as our whole class walked by to get their hard earned diploma... we were a close group.

Our graduation party was held at my parents house, and in the front field. It was busted by the police, which is funny now, but not so funny then... some of the people in a house far far away called them to find out what all the noise was, and the rest is history. Most of our class headed out for a week of fun early the next morning - to Panama City Beach, FL., or as we call it the Redneck Rivera.

It is hard to believe, but next year (2009) we will have been graduated from high school for 20 years. A lot has changed - big hair for one, and thank goodness - but much has stayed the same... I have been in love with this guy for a very long time. Our paths took some crazy detours along the way before we finally got it all together, but I love that God had a plan for us that began at the age of 14!

(Or earlier if I go back to summer day camp when we were children, but boys were "yucky" then, and he thought I was a silly girl...)

Playing Softball

First of all, I am pretty much finished with the switching of the seasonal clothes, thank goodness! The kids went with Nana last night to see Aunt Betty Jo, and help feed her horses... while they were gone I got most of their clothes swap completed. Now all I have left is mine, and that is not as daunting a task.

Geoff had another softball game last night with our church team... it was a late one, so we didn't plan on going. As I was watching LOST (wasn't it awesome?! I am so glad Kate is with Jack, even though I love Sawyer too...and, I know it ain't over yet!) I looked out to see him hobbling from his car - he had hurt his knee while running from first base to second, and it looked bad. He could barely walk, and I am surprised he was able to drive home as he has a stick shift.

This morning we took him to Urgent Care, and after x-rays the Doc started tugging on his lower leg and knee area. I thought Geoff was going to scream out in pain, and I could tell he wanted to, but he held it together. The swelling was bad, and he had a lot of blood built up around the joints. The Doc went and got a big 'ol needle and a few syringes, plus a nurse ... as I held Geoff's hand, he took out nearly 3 large vials of blood. Have I mentioned I am not so great with the sight of blood? A little bit isn't that bad, but large amounts of it make me a bit woozy. The Doc had to ask if I was okay, which is silly as I was trying to comfort my husband. I am sure the color had left my face...

So, Doc then says he feels it is a torn ACL, and may need surgery. He has an appointment on Monday for more tests with a specialist.

Geoff is really bummed as he knows he can't finish out the season playing softball... but we will be there to support the team as they make their way to the championship!

That is unless they keep having those late night games when the kids should be in bed, and LOST is on!

Since I last sat down to write...

...we've had a busy week! Let's see, the rainbow was last Friday evening... so, Saturday we worked outside a bit after Geoff got home from the Men's Breakfast at church. We also went over to Grandmomma's house to take a few pictures of the old chicken coop in the yard. I bet she was grinning down at us from heaven!


Diddy has "fond" memories of the chickens that stayed in there, and before it falls down he wanted a picture. I remember the chickens too, but I was very young... we also had pigs back at the pond when I was a kid, and lots of cows in the field. The cows weren't really ours as my Grandma rented the land to Mr. R.F. He was her cousin, and he helped take care of things around the house.


While at Grandma's house, the kids were thrilled to have their Grandiddy there to play with them. Since tax season is over we get to see more of him, and that we love! Last Saturday I especially loved watching my Daddy show the kids how to blow "dandylions" and make a wish - I will file that away as one of the sweetest things ever, and I want to remember it always. It was a simple and quick lesson, but they were so excited. Even Grandiddy! Precious...

After more yard work there, we had a wedding to attend that evening. EJ and Cub were thrilled to go visit with their best friends, Kyle and Seth and their parents while we went to the ceremony and reception. It was beautiful, and Uncle BB looked handsome as one of the groomsmen.

Sunday was church (my parents joined by transfer of letter!), then a spaghetti lunch put on by the Awana children. Some catch up house cleaning after that, and Geoff and Diddy helped me plant a little garden in our backyard... Monday was fun as we kept our "cousin baby sister" Addyson, and Geoff played softball with the church. Tuesday was pre -k, cleaning house, a play date with Isabella and dance class... Wednesday was pre -k, library laptime, changing email stress and then church! Nana came in town from Charleston, SC last night as well, so today has been more pre -k and playing with Nana. I know I have forgoten some things, but this is the jist of it...

Is it Friday yet?

I have been trying to clean out the kids rooms and switch seasonal clothes this whole week - I am still trying to accomplish this goal!

Maybe it'll happen before our beach trip? If not we'll be on the beach in our sweaters and coats, but at least we'll be at the beach!

Somewhere Over the Rainbow

This was the view from our backyard late yesterday afternoon...

Our Feline Family

We have always had lots of animals here at our home. As a child I can remember feeding the kittys outside, and when called to eat they would come from everywhere... the field, woods, under the house and out of the bushes. I think at one time we had over 50 cats (!), and many began as strays that folks would drop off on our land because they knew we would take care of them. Of course, before we could get them "fixed", some were pregnant, or got pregnant, and many were the little ones from these litters.

We took some away once to a dairy barn two towns away, but those cats were so smart many found their way back to us... much to my Daddy's chagrin, and my joy!

Oh, and we have had lots of dogs too - and I loved each and every one... Our sweet dog Maddie died just this past December, and we are considering a new one (or two?) for the kids summer birthdays...

Last year was hard on us as we also lost three of our cats - Inkabink, or "Tink" (Momma's cat), Tiger and Whisper.

But, thankfully, we still have these three beautiful cats who are a part of the family. The first one is Sugar... when he was born I swore he was a she, and I learned how to tell a cat's gender when I was Elizabeth's age. When we took the litter to be fixed, the vet told me that actually, Sugar was a male. Doesn't really matter now he's been fixed (!), but he is the sweetest cat I have ever known. He is also the softest, even though he is an inside/outside kitty. The kids can pretty much hold him upside down and he will let them. He used to reside here on this side of the field, but after EJ was born he decided to go to Momma's to live!


I don't blame him really, Geoff probably wanted to move then too... I was hormonal, we just had our first newborn who had severe reflux, and no one slept. Those were some long days and nights... really months if I am honest!

Next up is Sugar's brother, Booger. Geoff gave him this particular name because of the dark spot on his nose. it actually goes under one side, and looks like he has a booger. Seriously! "Boog Boog" as we somehow call him is a true hunter. He loves to go into the field and bring us mice as a way to show his love... many mornings I will wake to find one on my door step! (and yes, I am sad for the mice... that is another story!) He's a great cat who loves to play around.



And last, but not least is Tasha. She was from a litter of kittens that arrived on the scene a few weeks before EJ was born. (We had a lot going on when she was born - adding to the crazy stress that made those first months a wild ride for us all!) Anyhow, in the mix of it all we called her Mustache, for the white around her mouth... later changing it to a more feminine nickname of Tasha. She is a sweet kitty too, more timid than the others, but really wants to be the inside cat. Not happening right now, but I do miss my inside kitty, so maybe one day...



EJ and Cub love each one, and have learned (still learning) to be gentle and and kind when petting and playing with them. Truth be known, Geoff is even smitten with Sugar, and he is more a "dog" kinda guy. They are truly part of our little world here, and have brought us a lot of joy.

The Dragon Under our Porch

The kids came in a little while ago all excited... so excited, in fact, that I couldn't understand a word of what they were trying to tell me.


Something about a dragon under the porch?

Now, we have a lot of animals that find their way to our home, but I have yet to see a dragon...

Lucky for these two, Uncle BB came by to wash his truck off before heading to a bachelor party/ weekend of fishing in the Gulf of Mexico. He agreed to go under the porch and check for any dragons that might have decided to take up residence there.



I'd gone as far as I dared after they tried to get me to take a look... the innocence of children is a beautiful thing, but my mind was imagining all the snakes that could be neighbors to that dragon. I used to have an ivy bed in the front of the house, but it had really taken off a few years ago and Geoff began cutting it way back. We still need to go under the porch and cut it out before it takes over the front part of the house... but it is probably a nice shady, cool place for snakes?! In view of this, I'd told them that under the porch was a new "off limits" area, even the back part that has no ivy. All the while I was flashing back to my childhood, filled with playing in all the old barns and under our house... a place my parents probably didn't want us to be either. Right here, on this same piece of land. Still, country kids and all... off limits!


So, back to BB going under the porch to check things out... he did find an animal under there, but it had already seen it's last meal days ago. I think it was a raccoon, or possibly a stray cat, but the kids now think either the dragon got this animal, or this animal is the Big Bad Wolf. The teeth were rather menacing....

I'm gonna love trying to explain this one tonight before bedtime! Everyone knows that is when the boogie men come out.

Yesterday

Somewhere along the way I have lost my creativity... the title of this post is all I could come up with today...

Yesterday, we went to town and got the annual forest of fern to place on our wrap around porch. When this house was built, I always had a picture in my head of springtime and beautiful hanging fern all the way around the house. It just makes our home more inviting, and it's the southern thing to do. So, every year we go and get these fern... what I never thought of in those early days was the watering it takes to keep fern alive in the middle of a hot Georgia summer.

Lots and lots... and since we don't seem to have lots of water here in Georgia these days, nor do I enjoy watering all those fern everyday, I was in a pickle.


So, last spring Geoff fixed it all for me! He went to Home Depot and got the stuff to have the watering done for me... by itself! Yep, he has it rigged up to where the water is on a timer (you know, for all those rules about when you can and can't water...) and a tubing system that drips into the plants. Somehow, at the correct time/s, the fern get watered and I do not get wet in the process! The plants look great, they were huge last summer, and they even get their daily dose when we are on vacation...


Notice the pretty pink petunias? Elizabeth had to have pink flowers when we were there, so I opted for two of these to hang at our back steps this year... I hope to replant them in a green container this afternoon.

Along with the title of "yesterday", here is Cub at his Laptime Program. The theme was "Ducks", and this is the art he made while there. He loves going to the library for this learning hour, and calls it his "school".


This is Elizabeth last night during Awana at our church. They were at "recess" and she had a great time playing on the newly refurbished playground - can't you tell by that grin?!


Yesterday was a good day!