Memories Are Made of This: 2015

Saturday, October 31, 2015

It's That Time of Year Again

I sit here on this beautiful Halloween afternoon and I reflect on the past few months and the few months upcoming. It is an amazing time in my life and a time of a lot of changes and milestones. Halloween also usually marks the kickoff of the holiday season to me.

I suppose the biggest and most important thing that has happened is that Jim and I are now expectant grandparents. We already have 'gear' in our garage.....the base for a car seat in our car and a high chair for our little granddaughter to use when she is old enough to join us at the table. We have 2 books: "How to Babysit a Grandmother" and "How to Babysit a Grandfather." These books are awesome! Trina brought them over to us the day after we learned we were going to be grandparents. It brought such smiles to our faces! We had to 'hide' them back in our bedroom because Madeline and Eric hadn't told anyone else yet and they wanted to wait awhile. Now, however, the books are in my family room in plain view! I have a couple of items that my friend, Beth, gave me. I can hardly wait to hold little Hannah in my arms!

Another big milestone is that Mom has moved in with us. I hope she has always known she was welcome. It is nice having her here as we can see her every day and check on her often. I tell her she is less trouble than my cat, Leo! She really just does her own thing and so far so good! We just have to finish the job of getting all of the stuff out of her apartment at Stratford Court. We have things all lined up, so I am hoping by Thanksgiving it will all be completed.

It might not seem like a milestone to many people, but to me this was huge......Madeline helped me reorganize my craft room. It is ALMOST finished! It feels good to have it organized and it makes me more excited about crafting.....I know what I have and where to locate it! Madeline also helped me get Mom's room ready for her move in. Madeline is good at organizing and working quickly! Sometimes it just helps to have someone give me a little kick start to gets things going. I can always count on my daughter to do that for me.

Madeline and Eric bought a house and got all moved in. They are settled and have Hannah's room all fixed up. It is adorable and we all enjoyed helping them paint and get moved in. Many hands make light work. It is such a pleasure seeing the two of them enjoying being homeowners and working so hard to make their house their home.

Joseph and Ashley moved into their own apartment and they seem really happy to have their own place. Jimmy let them take the cats, Rory and Tiger, since Ashely had become so attached to them. They took a few things of Mom's and so did Jimmy and Madeline and Eric. Now everyone has a little something of hers. I have grown to learn that through all these moves and packing and unpacking and storing and shifting and rearranging, you just can't keep EVERYTHING! I am so sentimental, I have trouble parting with stuff. That is when I need Madeline, or my sister-in-law, Linda, to help me realize that I don't need to keep it all. After this current move, I hope to finally get things the way I want them and I hope to finally feel 'settled.' I also look forward to parking my car in the garage yet again!

Porter is in his second year at NYU and I think he has found that he is 'home.' I imagine Porter will stay in New York indefinitely. Although he is far away, I am glad he is happy and thriving. That is all that really matters. I know Bob is probably very lonely, but I am sure he is feeling that same way. He wants Porter to be happy. Being separated from your children is tough. I have done it! I feel so thankful that all my crew is here now.....hopefully to stay.

There are so many exciting things happening this time of year! I just look at my calendar for that day. I don't even try to look ahead because every single square has something written in it.....some have more than one thing! But that is okay.
I love working part-time at the Lighthouse. It is a great atmosphere and it keeps me super busy! I know it isn't something I will be able to do for a long long time, but for now, it is working for me. I imagine when Hannah comes into this world, my world is going to change! When everyone you meet tells you how wonderful it is to be a grandmother, I can't help but believe that it is true. I know how I am already feeling about it and she isn't even here yet!

Gina, Eric's aunt, and her two lovely daughters are hosting a shower for Madeline in a few weeks. I look forward to going to my daughter's first ever baby shower! It is so sweet of Gina to do this for her, and I know it will be a blast!
Alicia, Madeline's dear friend, wanted to host a shower for Madeline and asked me if I would like to join her. Of course, I am always up for a party to host, so I said yes! Right before Christmas we are hosting a shower at my house for Madeline AND Eric! We decided that the guys always get left out so we are having a co-ed baby shower/Christmas party in their honor.

Trina and I are hosting our 3rd craft party also in December. This time we will be having it at Trina's house. We are making fabric Christmas trees....the ones that my cousin, Ellen, and I made in Kentucky this summer when I visited her. They are so much fun to make. I have already made 3. For the craft party, I like to make the food....and also the co-ed shower. I will be hosting Thanksgiving and Christmas, so my desk looks like a caterer's desk! I have a legal pad with all sorts of menu ideas and shopping lists planned out. I do love the planning and the cooking, so I am excited about all these events! I did pass on the bridge Christmas luncheon to my friend, Harriet. I decided everyone was probably sick of coming to my house, and I knew she would be the perfect hostess for it! She and her husband always decorate their house so festively for the holidays.

I am excited to have Bob and Porter come here for Thanksgiving. It is always one of the best times of the year. We have so much fun! In fact, I will probably have this blog printed into a book (the 3rd time!) and give them to everyone on Thanksgiving. I did that 2 years in a row, but I skipped last year. I just haven't been writing enough. This book will be shorter than the previous 2, but it is still something traditional that I have enjoyed doing.

I do love having Christmas at my house. It is such a wonderful family time of the year, and having everyone around is worth the so-called trouble! The older I get, the less I worry over it, and the easier it is, almost. I guess I have just done it all so many times that it comes naturally. The worst part, though, about doing it as you get older is that it does sort of tire you out more than it used to. But I always have helpers and since I worry less about it, it all evens out!

My next birthday will be a big one. It's one of those 'decade birthdays.' I will be 60! I sometimes can't imagine that I could possibly be that old, but then I think of all my memories, and I can realize it. I just like to live by my Daddy's rule.....you're only as old as you feel.
Although my body often feels old, my mind and my spirit don't! So I'm going to keep plugging along and I am going to continue enjoying my memories and, God willing, I'm going to keep creating them.

and sayings about sayings about relationships memories inspirational ...

Sunday, October 18, 2015

The Pink Room

With all the moving and transitions our family has had in the past few years, sometimes I don't seem to know which end is up! My car hasn't been in the garage in over 3 years because the garage is now a storage unit. But I am not complaining. This has been a very interesting time in life and with these transitions came some wonderful things. First, Mom moved to Florida. I can't imagine now life without her living here! Madeline left Philadelphia after 5 years and came back to Florida as an engaged woman. She is now a happily married expectant woman! Jimmy moved into a condo nearby and Joseph and Ashley decided to stay here and live in Florida rather than Tennessee where they had been for so many years. Needless to say, the mess in the garage and the constant shifting of boxes and moving pieces here and there is a small price to pay for having all my kids and my mother within a 5 mile radius of me!

When Madeline got married and moved out, we gave her the furniture from her room. We now had an empty room that became storage as well. I had intended to re-create the bedroom of my youth in that room by putting the twin beds that I slept in as a child and painting the walls pink. I thought that would be a great memory for me.

One day we were emptying the storage unit and moving some furniture to Madeline and Eric's townhouse and then we moved the rest of the stuff to our garage and to Madeline's old bedroom. We knew we wanted to sell some of the stuff, disperse some to everyone, and ultimately use some of it. We figured if it was all at our house we could better go through it and decide what was what. So, we closed our account with the storage unit and suddenly 2780 Hyde Park Place was THE storage place. In the moving process, Madeline saw the old Victorian loveseat from Mom's living room on Lynhurst Lane in Shelby. She was oohing and ahhing over it and saying she wish she had a place for it, knowing that she didn't have a place nor did it suit the décor that she and Eric have. I am not kidding when I say I had totally forgotten that piece. I didn't realize we had even moved it from Shelby to Florida. The discovery of this love seat started a total re-thinking of what to do with Madeline's old room!

I decided to make the room a sitting room that would serve no purpose other than to look pretty and to allow me to use some of the pieces from Mom's that I couldn't bear to get rid of but that had no place in any other room in my house. Hence, the new sitting room. I had intended to paint the room pink when I was going to re-create my old bedroom from childhood, since that was the color of my room, of course! The sitting room would be fine to be pink as it suited the furniture I was about to put in there. We now just call this lovely, useless room The Pink Room! (or sometimes Leo's room since he loves to sleep on the floor in there!)

I realized one day that the pieces I decided to put in there were quite eclectic and from several different rooms from Mom's house. Imagine if you will, an antique marble-topped chest from her family room, two floral chairs from her guest room, an end table from her master bedroom, the huge sideboard from her dining room, the Victorian loveseat from her living room, and the carved screen from her living room. There is even a little throwrug that was from......get this.....her bathroom! There is a wooden wastebasket that had been in another of her spare bedrooms, and lamps from upstairs, the guest room and somewhere else I can't even remember! There are white birds from her living room mantle, an oriental stature from her spare room bath, some small porecelain boxes from her powder room, a charger plate from her guest room, and a handcrafted stool from her bedroom. The needlepoint pillows on the loveseat were actually in Mom's living room and her breakfast room!The pictures on the wall are from her master bathroom, her spare bedroom, her living room and out of a cabinet or drawer! There is also a picture from her master bedroom and a small mirror from her upstairs. Almost every room in Mom's house is represented in this one little room. Amazing really! If I were reading this I would be throwing up my hands saying that it must look atrocious! But in fact, it is very lovely and it makes me smile when I go in there.

It was fun putting this room together. It even gave me a better place to put my cherished porcelain clock that Jessie gave me. It looks amazing in this room. I was able to leave the same carpet and window treatments that were already in there and voila! Instant sitting room!

I am holding on to these prized possessions thinking that maybe one day one of my children will have the type of house that would accommodate these pieces, and if not, I will simply continue to enjoy my little pink sitting room! The light in there is great and I have decided it would be a great place to sit and read or cross-stitch. In reality, come January, I imagine there will be a pack n' play set up in the middle of the room and a diaper changing pad on the Victorian loveseat! But that's okay. My granddaughter will love it and she may be the one who in actuality ends up using this furniture in HER house one day.

Whatever the purpose of the room... or what we call the room... or what pieces are actually in the room.... I actually can conjure up a lot of memories from this!

By Ginger Spangler (hanging in entrance to The Pink Room)

Screen and LoveSeat

Marble topped chest

SideBoard, etc.

floral chairs and end table

Saturday, September 12, 2015

I Remember

Recently my nephew, Porter, shared with me an assignment he had at NYU in a writing class. They were asked to write down things they remembered from their pasts without stopping to think. Just let things flow into your memory. They were timed for 20 minutes. I loved what Porter wrote and he encouraged me (and others) to try it. The other night I was home alone and decided it would be a good evening to do this exercise. I timed myself (about 25 minutes by the time I finished my last thought). I realized I could go on and on and decided that being 3 times older than college sophomores, I should have been given 3 times longer! That is 3 times more life lived and more experiences to recall.
Anyway, I did as instructed....no revising or editing. Just thoughts as they arose! Here it is:

I remember Kindergarten and my birthday. I remember the cute jumper and white blouse I wore. I remember my mom came to the class and brought a cake. It had white icing and was covered with jelly beans. That particular year my birthday was near Easter. She also put the porcelain April Angel on top of the cake because I never had a birthday cake without it. I remember my classmates enjoying this.

I remember a friend of mine who is a year younger throwing a brick over the fence at my kindergarten when we were outside for play time. He lived next door. Back then, kindergartens were private and not offered in public schools. I remember the brick hitting someone in the nose. There was blood everywhere. The rest is a blur.

I remember Woodside Drive and my sister and I lying on top of the car at dusk waiting for the bats to swoop down. They did. The neighborhood kids sometimes joined us. I was terrified, but felt a sense of “braveness” because my big sister was next to me.

I remember trick or treating on Halloween and walking along with my sister and probably some other neighborhood kids. I remember getting home and having a ton of candy and my sister having very little. It appears she had a hole in her pillowcase and I was trailing along behind and picking up all the candy that leaked out. Or was it the other way around? Now I am doubting myself.

I remember moving to Ridgeview Drive. We all felt that we had “arrived.” No one realized at the time that my mom gave up her dream of building a house on the lot she and daddy bought. I just know I was elated to have a pink room with my very own pink bathroom and cedar lined walk-in closet. Life was good.

I remember Hammock dying. I remember Jessie moved in with us temporarily and lived in my lovely pink room with me. I had twin beds. I wanted to see her hair down. I couldn’t imagine how long it must be.

I remember hosting a SHS grad party at my house. We set up in the carport. A few of my friends were awesome musicians and they set up stools and brought their guitars and graced us with some incredible music. Thanks, Tommy, Stan, and Rick. I remember that I had an incredibly horrible case of poison ivy on my face. I went to the doctor to get a shot, but that evening I was miserable. Thank God for my long hair. I managed to twirl and twist it to cover a large part of my face.

I remember my high school girlfriends. I know that so much of what I learned about being a girl, a woman and simply what I learned about female relationships I learned from them. They may be far removed now, but are held forever dear in my heart. I know they know who they are.

I remember Elon. I remember my dorm and I remember meeting my husband. Who would have thought? Thank you, Jesus, for your hand in that. At the time, I would not have imagined what I know and feel now.

I remember a seminar class at Elon. 7 of us. Or it might have been 9. We sat around a conference table and discussed Victorian Literature with an often intoxicated professor. I must say that I learned more about Victorian Literature than one might have imagined!

I remember sitting on the steps of the college library.

I remember my sweet and incredibly beautiful roommate.

I remember my sister. I miss her.

I remember my nephew and all the stages of his life. He ran the gamut and he has entertained me immensely. And more than that, I love him so much. He may never ‘get’ the feelings I have.

I remember the night my daughter and her husband came over to tell us they were “expecting.” What a word! What a freaking miracle. God is good.

I remember looking for recipes, games and prizes for The First Annual Turkey Olympics. It was an awesome idea but the reality of it sucked. Trying to make teams and get everyone together is a nearly impossible task. However, it doesn’t stop me from trying to make something silly and memorable happen every Thanksgiving.

I remember a Thanksgiving that wasn't wonderful. I was in the hospital in Cardiac Care. My baby daughter was 3 months old and had never had a bottle and I had to trust my sweet mom to make her take a bottle and be okay without me. I remember my husband’s step-dad dying on that very day and the sadness and stress he must have felt knowing he couldn’t go and comfort his mom and also worrying about his own family.

I remember when I came home from Philadelphia on April 24th and finding an 8 oz. Leo waiting for me.

I remember that my sister died 2 months later.

I remember than my nephew said this exercise was a 20 minute exercise. It has been almost 25 minutes. I guess when you are in college a 20 minute exercise could cover a long period of time. Perhaps for someone 3 times that age, the time should be expanded.

I remember reading my nephew’s answer to this exercise and thinking how awesome. How eloquent. And how determined I was to do it! So I did. I am not proofreading or changing anything.

Porter, here it is.

Friday, July 31, 2015

A Trip of Firsts

Last month I took a short trip to Kentucky. It was a whirlwind and a very fun trip. When I got home to reflect on it, I began to realize that it was a trip of firsts for not only me, but for my cousin, Ellen, who is the reason for my visit.

For starters, this was my very first visit to Kentucky! The part of Kentucky I saw was so beautiful. It was so green. So many trees. So many rolling hills. So much land and so little congestion. I love Florida and never plan to live anywhere else, but there is no denying the differentiating landscape between Florida and Kentucky. Another first was seeing stone walls built along the roadways that date back to civil war times. They were everywhere! It really was such a lovely contrast to the green and plush landscape. And it also made you really stop and think in amazement of the walls being built by hand in a time so long ago. Kentucky is steeped in some rich history.

It was the first time that Ellen and I had ever had a one on one visit like that for so long. No one joined us for anything we did. We had some serious one on one time. We loved every moment of it and we talked about things like being not only friends but "sisters" of a sort. Ellen grew up in Shelby as an only child. She always looked to her cousins as her siblings. The older I grew, I realized what an important part my cousins played in my past and I want to continue to have them in my future. Ellen admitted that growing up she always envied me (and her other cousins) as we enjoyed relationships with our siblings. Bill was an only child, so Ellen has always been able to relate with him regarding that. Since my sister has passed away, I told Ellen I needed her more than ever to help fill that void. We have a lot in common and we need each other even more as we watch our nuclear families dwindle away. Both of Ellen's parents have passed away and I only have my dear, sweet 90 year old mother left. I think it was a first for us as we reflected on that and actually began to see ourselves as "sisters."

This visit was a first for Ellen. I was the first one to visit her new home in Kentucky. She admitted that anticipating my visit urged her to get busy and get her home in order! It was great. I slept like a baby.....so much so that one morning I was lying in my quiet, comfortable room upstairs and I heard Ellen yell: "Mare, are you alright?" I told her that yes I was and I asked her what time it was. She told me 9:15! That was a first. I don't think anyone has ever had to awaken me at 9:15! Even as a teenager, I never was a late sleeper. We had a full day planned, and I know Ellen wanted to get on with it. She had been up about 3 hours.....tended to her dogs and cat, had her coffee, read her email, watched some CNN news, watered her lawn, showered and dressed and who knows what else! I teased Ellen about providing such a comfortable and quiet place for me where I felt so at home.

This visit was a first because I can't remember when I went away on a trip that was just for ME. I am not complaining, but I have a lot of things that tie me to home, so trips and visits like this don't happen often any more. I think that is why I was anxious to cram as much into it as I could. I think Ellen and I did....we utilized our time well with outings, crafts, dining, shopping, talking, watching TV and playing with pets.

The souvenirs that I chose to bring home from this trip proved to be another in my list of firsts. I brought home not one.....but three......cookbooks! I like to buy cookbooks when I travel, but couple that with eating in wonderful and unique places eating different foods and being with my cousin-sister who loves to cook as much as I do, and I was doomed!

To relive my trip, I would love to tell everything I saw, did, ate, felt and experienced, but I am sure I will omit some things. It was a wonderful 3 day adventure and I never want to forget one moment of it!
Ellen picked me up at the airport. Coming down the escalator and seeing her standing there was such a treat! I had a very early morning flight and although the inconvenience of getting up and out early wasn't fun, it turned out to be a blessing. This gave us a really full day to do a lot of things. I can sacrifice a few hours sleep for that!

Ellen had made reservations at a place called The Glitz for lunch. She had been telling me that she knew I would love it. Boy was she right! (but more about that later.....)
Ellen decided that her sweet dogs wouldn't be able to last if we went straight to The Glitz and then spent the day away from home. So we went back to Ellen's and let her dogs, Diamond and Kimber, out for some fresh air and relief. I got a tour of Ellen's new home and I got myself settled into my new cozy bedroom. I also got to see Pablo again. I had always liked Pablo, but when I left Ellen's, Pablo had completely stolen my heart! He is such a sweet and loving cat. Ellen had been telling me about Pablo giving her heart attacks when he would walk the rails above on the second story as if he were walking on a tightrope. I think she was glad that I actually got to see it, but it was about to give me a heart attack too! It was a first for me to stay in a house with 2 dogs and a cat. I like dogs somewhat, but have never been a dog lover. People who know me well know I am pretty much obsessed with cats...an obsession that began when I was a toddler and has done nothing but grow and strengthen (to the point of being called a Crazy Cat Lady!) I must say, Ellen has some great pets and I can say in all honesty, her dogs sort of stole my heart too!

We left and drove to The Glitz. The drive itself was a first! We are driving along this plush green countryside, take a left turn onto a road that is narrow and winding and is nestled between a huge rock cliff and an even larger drop off into who knows where! Thank God Ellen is a wonderful driver. (I still said my prayers until we wound our way to the road that turned to go to The Glitz.) It was like we had somehow traveled to Blowing Rock or somewhere! That stretch of winding road did not seem to match the rest of the landscape. It was breathtaking, nonetheless, and well worth it as it was the way to our destination of The Glitz and Irish Acres Antique Gallery in a remote town called nothing other than Nonesuch, Kentucky. For real. We browsed in the largest, most beautiful antique gallery that I have ever seen while we waited for the time of our lunch reservation. That time arrived and I was not prepared for what I saw when I neared the bottom of the stairs that went into the BASEMENT of this massive antique gallery. I was greeted with glittering white lights from ceiling to floor, greenery, fountains and statues all adorned with white lights and 3 lovely decorated rooms with small luncheon tables with PINK chairs! It truly was breathtaking. It is hard to describe and the pictures I took failed to do it justice. But this charming place with be forever etched in my mind.

The food surpassed the décor. You are seated and greeted with The Glitz's own Spiced Apple Refresher. This drink was as beautiful as delicious! It was pink, sparkly and sweet and served in a chilled fluted glass and adorned with an orange slice. You choose from a menu that changes every two weeks. You choose one of 3 appetizers, one of 3 entrees and one of 3 desserts. Ellen had ham puffs for an appetizer and I had garlic bagel chips with basil pesto spread (which Ellen and I recreated later in the weekend!) We both had salmon in phyllo dough with red leaf lettuce salad with The Glitz's own poppyseed dressing for our entrees and my dessert was the house specialty. It had all sorts of yumminess, including homemade coconut ice cream.....I ate every crumb! Ellen had a berry tart fruity sort of thing that was also beautiful and yummy. We had iced tea and coffee and thus kicked off my weekend of eating in Kentucky!
It was sitting in the Glitz when I experienced another first. I was about to burst a bubble and I was granted 'permission' by my daughter. I got my phone and pulled up a picture and showed it to Ellen. No words were needed. She saw the picture of the ultrasound and immediately knew I was going to be a Grandmother! Ellen got teary eyed and I could see the genuine joy she had on her face. I saw how happy she was for me! She was the very first person I told and I had to swear her to secrecy as it was very early on and Madeline and Eric wanted to wait a little while to let others know. But it is a first that I will never forget!

I mentioned that I bought 3 cookbooks in Kentucky. My first purchase was at The Glitz. They have a beautiful hardback cookbook called "Lunch at The Glitz." I took my purchase to the counter to pay and this lovely lady told me she was the author of the cookbook and one of the owners of The Glitz. She asked if I would like her to sign the book, so of course, I said yes. We began to talk about the delicious food and the recipes and I enjoyed our conversation so much. We didn't buy anything else, but Ellen and I both came close to buying a necklace or two. They had some lovely things.

After The Glitz, we rode out to Tanner's house. He was away so we went to feed his cats. Tanner lives 'out in the country' as I like to call it. The view from his back porch was magnificent. You could see nothing but green, rolling hills and occasionally some wildlife would pop into view. I met Mama and Bob (now Bobbi or Bobbin.....mistaken gender!) and of course, I was in love! Bob was so tiny and cute and so was Mama. She was so tiny to be a mama cat. I grow my cats big! I even got right up close to a butterfly on the door and snapped it's picture. I was loving this laid back life in the country! I think we went out there about 3 times during my visit. We would just sit on the porch and rock and watch the cats eat and then little Bob would dive off the edge of the porch into the grass. I was entertained beyond measure!

(Bob)

(Mama)

Ellen and I went back to her house to freshen up then made a quick drive through Sonic for our diet Cherry Limeades. So delicious! Then we went out to a municipal airport (after a stop at Wal-Mart to buy some lawn chairs) to watch a hot air balloon race. Another first. I had never been to such an event. We sat and talked, drank our cherry limeades, took a selfie, discussed names and why we chose the names we chose for our kids, talked about genealogy and our ancestry and then we saw a hot air balloon just off to our left begin to inflate. Then another. Then another. It kept on and on! So fascinating to watch! We were close and I had never experienced such a thing. Each one that popped up was our 'favorite!' It seemed that the colors and designs just got better and better. There were balloons that looked like footballs, American flag, checkerboards, sunshines, etc. But then I did find my true favorite....a hot air balloon with a PINK CAT on it! Not the pink panther....a cute little pink cat! I had seen it all now. We sat in the cool breeze and watched balloon after balloon float into the air. It was a clear and beautiful evening and this was a sight to behold. It was a first for Ellen too, and we were glad that we were able to share this moment together.

This guy entertained us while we waited on the balloons!

After the balloon race, we went out to dinner. We decided to forego the barbecue and kettle corn at the balloon festival and chose to go to Cheddars. We sat outside on their patio since the weather was so pleasant. It stays light much later in Kentucky than it does here in Clearwater. I had been up since 4 a.m., but I was running on adrenaline and with it not even being dark yet, I didn't even realize I should be tired! Ellen and I enjoyed a glass of wine, a nice dinner and then went back to her house to get our pjs, watch a little television and then we hit the sack. After all, we had just completed only the first day! We had Saturday and Sunday still to look forward to.
Ellen introduced me to another first.... a TV series called "Doc Martin." Apparently, she has become hooked on it since a marathon session on Netflix when she was shut-in due to weather and illness. After watching a couple of episodes, I could see why she enjoyed it. It is a comedy/drama about a doctor in a small English coastal town. I normally don't take to British humor, but I must say, this show has some endearing characters. We watched until we both felt ourselves nodding in our chairs. So we hit the sack in order to be ready for another fun filled day!

Saturday we lolled around, talked a bunch, drank coffee, played with the cat and dogs and decided to get ready for another day of adventure. We had decided we wanted to visit Shaker Village in Pleasant Hill. Ellen was snuggled in her chair with Pablo and she started to get up to get her phone so she could call and make a lunch reservation. I said "No! Don't get up. You are COL." Ellen learned a first.....she didn't know about COL. In our house, if you are COL (Cat on Lap) you don't dare get up and disturb the moment! She told me where her phone was and I went to get it for her. I guess only true 'cat people' understand the importance and reverence of COL!

(Pablo!)

Ellen made a 2:00 lunch reservation for us since we had managed to sit around in our pjs yapping away until almost noon! I went to take a shower and had to call down to Ellen to ask how to make the shower come on! I got water to come out in the bathtub, but I couldn't figure out how to make it come out of the shower. She assured me she didn't know how but she did know that it worked since it had been used before by Tanner. So, I knew that surely I could figure it out. Nope. Couldn't figure it out. So, I took a bath which was fine until time to wash and rinse my hair. Not a pretty sight.....but I did manage to get myself clean and dressed!
We headed to Shaker Village.....a first for both Ellen and myself. What a wonderful afternoon! The village is so quiet and quaint. We first had lunch at The Trustees' House. It was a lovely place and very interesting. I felt that I had gone back in time. The menu was outstanding and although I was very tempted to order Mary's Salad or the Fried Green Tomato Salad, I thought, when in Kentucky......so I ordered my first Kentucky Hot Brown! It was so delicious. I will definitely order that again sometime. They also served bowls of coleslaw and corn sticks, which were long skinny pieces of corn bread....so yummy! After lunch, we went in to their gift shop and you guessed it....I bought not one, but two, cookbooks! They were small paperbacks and they included some history about Shaker Village. How can you resist a cookbook entitled "We Make You Kindly Welcome"? Talking to the clerk we realized that the second cookbook, "Welcome Back to Pleasant Hill" was an additional cookbook with entirely different recipes. So, of course, both Ellen and I bought both books. I also saw the cast iron molds that they use for making their corn sticks. I was tempted, but I also realized I was probably not going to use them often, so I resisted.

We proceeded to walk some of the grounds and came upon a couple of craft shops.....one a former Post Office from 1848. Ellen and I love shopping and crafts so we had a great time shopping and both of us buying a few things. The favorite thing I bought was a handmade wooden mouse. I was looking at them and the clerk told me that a lady had come in and bought a couple of them to put atop her cheese for her bridge club. I thought that was ingenious, so of course, I bought one with the same thing in mind. I put it on top of a block of cheese at a recent craft party I hosted with Trina. Yes, I am pretty sure Trina thought I was crazy, but she didn't protest and let me have my fun! I bought Madeline some honey for cheese and a handmade wooden honey dipper. Madeline loves cheese and honey and I knew she didn't have a honey dipper. I bought some other small things including a pattern for a cross-stitch sampler with an old Shaker blessing. Ellen and I had been talking about how much we used to cross stitch, so I bought the pattern for inspiration. Ellen bought some salsa and a jar of pickled okra. This led us to a great idea that on Sunday night we would stay home, make a craft, eat some yummy snacks and not go out to dinner. More about that later.....
I think the laid back atmosphere of Shaker Village attracted cats. Of course, I thought this was great! I first saw a black and white cat outside one of the craft shops sleeping on the window ledge above some beautiful red geraniums. He was adorable. Later at another of the craft shops I saw a cat jump up in the window INSIDE the store and just snuggle up as if he did it every day.....which I am guessing he did! Cats, crafts, good food, history, the great outdoors....all shared with my cousin-sister.....I was in my glory!
There was a lot more to see in the village and a lot of history to read about, but we had cats to feed and a Brass Band Festival to attend, so we decided that the next time I came we would tour more and take the boat ride they offered.

No wonder this is a dish named for the state....YUM!

Kentucky is steeped in history and Shaker Village is no exception.

After Shaker Village, full and satisfied, packages tucked in the backseat, we went to feed Mama and Bob again. We marveled at how Bob's markings seemed to be more prominent than even the day before. He really entertained us with his antics and we decided both he and Mama were just more accustomed to us and they were warming up to us. I love cats. All cats. All the time. Bob and Mama had my heart from the moment I met them. Ellen tells me now that Lula, her granddaughter, has really fallen in love with Bob. I guess he will be her special pet from now on! All kitties need a little person to love.

Ellen and I had no intentions of slowing down! We went to get our Diet Cherry Limeades at Sonic (large this time!) to take with us to the Great American Brass Band Festival. Another first! I have been to the Clearwater Jazz Holiday, but I have never been to a Brass Band Festival. We parked in downtown Danville and took a shuttle to Centre College where the festival took place on the grounds. We had a nice spot on a hill and it was great watching people....kids were running around playing and having a great time! Centre College is lovely. It is nestled right in the heart of Danville and has a nice college vibe to it. The brass band festival is an annual event. In fact, this year was the 26th annual! I saw posters all over town from past years. It reminded me a lot of the various posters I have seen through the years for the Clearwater Jazz Festival. I didn't know what to expect, but the music was great! They had college bands, high school bands, military bands, professional quartets, etc. We heard music that was patriotic, classic, military, and even a whole segment of Beatles music! It was so entertaining. I think we would have stayed longer if we hadn't been....get this....freezing! I think this was a first. Leaving an event in June because I was freezing! It got breezy on that hill and despite the fact that it is June and the temperature had been in the 90's that day, we got cold! I guess I am a wimpy Floridian when it comes to that stuff! I wish I had taken a sweater so that we could have heard some more music. Instead, we went to a cute little place for dinner uptown. I was marveling at how light it was still after 9:00 p.m. The restaurant was called Cue. It was on main street. We had a great dinner (except for the bug in Ellen's wine glass....TWICE!) and left there quite full and satisfied. It FINALLY got dark, and we went back to Ellen's to get our pjs and watch another episode of "Doc Martin."

I got to experience another first: Ellen's dog sits in front of the tv and watches diligently. Whenever he sees a dog on tv, he starts barking! It was hysterical. I was totally entertained by this. I don't spend a lot of time around dogs, so this was a hoot!

I think Ellen and I had gotten plumb worn out! We had spent 2 days eating, laughing, talking, enjoying lots of firsts, and just having a blast. This is the night I fell asleep and had to be awakened at 9:15 the following morning! Geez.

When Ellen and I took the shuttle from the Brass Band Festival back to our car, the shuttle driver had brought his wife along for company. There were only the four of us on the shuttle (I guess the other folks at the festival.....which lasted past midnight......weren't freezing little wimps like us). We struck up a conversation with the driver's wife and told her we were headed to Cue for dinner and she proceed to tell us about this place called Village Inn Restaurant in a crossroads of a town called Burgin. She said it was a dump but that it had great southern style home cooking for a great price! She talked about some of the food and our mouths were watering. Ellen and I are hometown Southern girls and we like our fried okra, pinto beans, and cornbread and Ellen was excited to hear about Village Inn's wonderful fried chicken livers (not my cup of tea, but I was excited about the other things!). So, once I managed to get up on Sunday morning, we went to the Village Inn. It was pretty much as the lady explained to us, but for once, we were slightly disappointed. First of all, they didn't have fried okra, but I did get my pinto beans. No fried okra? This was a first. A country cooking restaurant with no fried okra! I'm sorry, but Shelby Café puts this place to shame! Ellen had ordered a 'side' of chicken livers (2 or 3) because she didn't want a whole meal of them. She did say they were good. Despite being a bit disappointed with the restaurant overall, we had fun because just being together is fun enough. Ellen just put Village Inn on her list of places NOT to visit again!

Knowing my visit was drawing to a close, we decided to make these last hours the best hours. I might have to say they were! We left Village Inn and went to check on Bob and Mama again. Sitting on the porch with the cats and taking in some fresh air was a great way to digest! I knew I'd be saying goodbye to these rolling green hills soon, so I wanted to soak in the sight.

We had to make another trip to Wal-Mart because we had a plan to implement. Ellen and I had decided we wanted to try to make fabric pinecones. We were going to go back to her place, feast on some yummy appetizers, a bottle of red wine, and we were going to listen to oldies music and work on our pinecones. It was a wonderful plan, if I do say so myself. Wal-Mart did not have the Styrofoam eggs we needed to make the pinecones, but they did have sytrofoam cones. Plan B. Make fabric Christmas trees! We found the pins we needed and of course Ellen assured me that she had the fabric we would need. Ellen is a quilter and this is something out of my realm of comprehension! Good old Wal-Mart also has groceries so we bought tortilla chips for the salsa Ellen purchased the day before at Shaker Village. We bought pimento cheese and celery and the makings for the basil pesto and bagel chips like we had at The Glitz. We bought apple slices and some other yummy things. We went back to Ellen's and opened the wine, made the pesto spread and put all our delicious delicacies out on the kitchen table. It was so good! Ellen had told me how our Aunt Madeline used to make pickled okra with big chunks of garlic in it and how yummy it was. As much as I love fried okra, I had never had pickled okra and didn't think I would like it. Wrong. I ate three or four pods of the okra and loved it! In fact, when I got back home I bought a jar. It is good, but not as good as the okra we bought at Shaker Village. And Ellen tells me nothing tops our Aunt Madeline's recipe! I came home and found Aunt Madeline's recipe in the old church cookbook! I haven't attempted it yet, but I am sure I will one day. Bellies full, music on, we went upstairs to begin our fabric trees.

I chose 4 Christmas fabrics from Ellen's massive collection of fabric. We you-tubed the instructions and Ellen began cutting our tiny squares. I do a lot of crafts, but not much with fabric. That is the place where Ellen feels most at home....fabric and a rotary cutter! We couldn't hear the music up in her craft room (I must say, envy is not a nice thing, but it reared it's ugly head.....I am so very envious of Ellen's craft room.....). I decided to get my ipad and put on some music. It was on random and a song came on and I asked Ellen who she thought it was. I learned something about Ellen. She likes to hear the music, but she is not a fanatic like me. She didn't know the artists even if she recognized the song. Anyway, she heard this song and said it was Bob Dylan. I told her no it wasn't him singing (it was a Bob Dylan song, so Ellen had that much right!) it was my son, Joseph! She was amazed so I proceeded to play a few more of his songs for her to hear. That was fun.

We began our trees....fold, place, pin. It was foreign to both of us, me more so than Ellen, but we got the hang of it. Our trees turned out so cute! I love crafting, and I love crafting with someone else even more! The night went on and we finished our trees about 11:00! I am hooked! I bought fabric (learned all about fat quarters), pins (learned all about sequin pins), the Styrofoam eggs, a rotary cutter (a first!) and a cutting mat and I am ready to go! I don't know when I will find the time to make the pinecones or another tree, but whenever I do, I will always remember this special night spent with my sister-cousin!

When I got home to Clearwater, I put a bow on the top of my fabric tree for the finishing touch! I love it. I am thinking that this might be the next project for the crafting parties that Trina and I like to host. Hmmmmm.......

Some of Ellen's fabric collection

Finished fabric Christmas tree

Leo likes to help me craft

The next morning was bittersweet. Whenever I am gone from home, I am always anxious to get back. There is such truth to the saying "There's no place like home." I love home and I missed my cat and my husband! But saying goodbye to Ellen wasn't easy. I know Ellen misses North Carolina. I know she hasn't had time to make a lot of friends, find a church that feels like 'home,' or establish any sort of routine in Kentucky. It's hard to move, especially at this point in our lives. Ellen was brave to do what she did, but I know she wanted and needed to be close to her only son and her only grandchild. Tanner and Lula are lucky to have her. I had a blast in Kentucky, so it was hard to leave behind a weekend of fun to go home to chores, housework and grocery shopping. Having a little mini-vacation was so much fun! And it was sad leaving Ellen because we had such a wonderful and close visit. I knew I would miss her as soon as she dropped me off at the airport. Ellen and I shared a lot in 3 days. We experienced a lot of firsts. We told each other some secrets and we talked a lot about our pasts. We have both been through a lot of love and loss. I told her how much it meant to me that her daddy was the person with me when my dad died. He was the first person who held me and let me weep. We talked about Ellen's sweet mama and how hard it was for Ellen to watch her go to that 'Glorious Reunion'. Ellen was telling me that her mom was her buddy....they went shopping and had such fun together! It is never easy to lose your mom....at any age. We talked about the joys and difficulties of dealing with aging parents. We talked about how hard it was to lose my sister and how important my sweet cousins were to me at that time. We talked about all the wonderful memories we had growing up and laughed about our bubble gum chewing, our family get-togethers, the birth of our children and the struggles we have gone through. But the most important first for us both was to realize that the weekend we shared was filled with enough to keep us going until the next time! It is nice to share so much with another person even if that person is 850 miles away.

And memories are made of this.

(......and I realized I went on a trip and took more pictures of cats than people.)

Saturday, March 28, 2015

A Lifetime of Memories

For several months I have been thinking about a road trip that Jim, Madeline and I made to Southport, North Carolina to attend the wedding of Lindsey Fitzpatrick. Lindsey is the daughter of Jim's brother, Tommy and his wife, Linda. We are close to them and Lindsey and Madeline are the closet in age of any of Madeline's other cousins. Madeline and Lindsey are good friends, and despite the fact that Eric couldn't go, Madeline didn't hesitate. It was a fun Throw Back road trip.....We hadn't made one like this in years. We did not have a lot of time, so it was a quick trip. Our hours in the car practically equaled the hours we were actually in Southport. We took advantage of the time and did a lot of talking and a lot of listening....to one another and to the radio.

Jim has never been much of a radio listener. That is, until he got Sirius radio and began listening to 60's on 6 with Phlash Phelps. It has become a joke around here because Jim comes home every day (or calls me or texts me) with some words of wisdom, bit of trivia, or better yet......himself on the radio as a caller.....a Phlash Phan! Anyway, Jim was delighted on this nearly 12 hour drive to have his two favorite girls captive to listen to his favorite DJ on his favorite radio station. I tease him that I have never known anyone who turns DOWN the music and turns UP the DJ talk! Madeline and I did become interested as we already knew about the 'regular' callers.....Billy Quinn, some funny old lady, a southern guy that truly does sound just like our friend from NC, Frankie Howell. We loved hearing Jim's commentary before and after the callers and after Phlash shared a bit of trivia about a place he had traveled. When Jim gets excited about something, it is really cute! I looked over my shoulder at Madeline in the backseat often to smile, wink or snicker about something Jim was getting all excited about! It tickled us when a wonderful song was ending and we were singing along (Madeline really loves Oldies) and Jim would 'shsh' us so we could hear what Phlash had to say!
I mention all this to set up what led me into some serious and interesting thoughts.

Even though Jim turned the music down after the DJ talked, I often turned it back up. There were some wonderful old songs. Jim and I would either blurt out the year we thought the song was popular or we would state where we were and what we were doing when we remember the song. So many comments like "teen club in 8th grade" or "CYO dance in High School." I often mentioned people that popped in my head when I heard a song: my sister, Susan Mabry, Terri, Sally, Tommy Propst, etc....It is amazing how a song can truly take you back to a time and place. Madeline couldn't place herself in those times, but she simply enjoyed singing along and she loved hearing Jim and me talk and reminisce. Jim is 3 years older than I am, so most of those oldies had me saying 'Junior High' and Jim saying 'High School'. I did have a sister who was 4 school grades ahead of me, so I knew a lot of the music simply from hearing her play it. Jim had older siblings too, and he admitted to knowing a lot of the music because of them.

At one point, Phlash played the Red Skelton version of "The Pledge of Allegiance." I had heard it before, but sitting in a car as a totally captive audience, the three of us listened respectfully to every word and really took it all in. It mixes emotions such as Patriotism, nostalgia and remembrance.  It is a wonderful recording and is worth Googling or searching You Tube to hear it.

After that Red Skelton piece, I remember saying (because at that point we were many hours into our drive) "you really do cram a lot into a lifetime." I said this because I realized that for hours this song or that song or some bit of trivia or travel information sent us all into stories of our own, memories, laughter and a few tears. I realized that we had done so much telling stories that began with "I remember...." as soon as we heard a particular song or realized what year it was from. It was a beautiful summer day and I gazed out of the window often as I listened to some song as I sang along softly.
At one point earlier, I was gazing out the window commenting on the clouds (I have a 'thing' about clouds), and I started giggling. I couldn't stop. When Madeline asked me what I was giggling about, I told her that I realized that my life is sort of like that of a cat. (Everyone knows how I feel about cats!) I love to gaze out the window, stare at the clouds, and spend long periods being quiet and pensive. I have been teased often enough about how I love to sit outside and watch the butterflies and the birds. I have 3 birdfeeders in my yard and plants that attract butterflies. I get excited when I see a bird or butterfly and I have to comment about it.   One of the highlights of swimming in my pool all summer is watching the butterflies. When I am in the pool I am at more of an eye level with the butterflies. They are so beautiful.
So, I was thinking about the birds, butterflies, clouds, wonderful music, memories and the passage of time. Despite my semblance to a cat, I realized that you really do cram a lot into a lifetime.
I find this concept exhilarating. I also find it interesting that Jim finds it depressing. I guess it's the glass half full/half empty thing. I have always been a glass half full person. I like that I can think back, look at old pictures and talk about memories and see that my life has been blessed and full. Jim thinks of the limitations and what he still has left on his bucket list. There is nothing wrong with that. I know that I often think about that proverbial list and wonder whether I'll cross this or that off of it. In reality, I know that some things will never be crossed off. But I'm okay with that. I may or may not sit on the banks of the Seine sipping some delicious red wine and eating cheese and bread and thinking "oh my. I'm in Paris!" But if I never do, I know it is in my brain....the pictures, the knowledge through research, the books I have read. Yes, I want to go to Paris, but if I never do, I will know that my desire to go there is only through a lifetime love affair with the whole thing....the art, the culture, the ballet, the bread, the cheese, the wine, the museums, the city of lights, the Eiffel Tower.......
I feel blessed that I even know enough to WANT to go there! I know it because I have been blessed with the gifts of knowledge, research, reading and studying. I do cover my ears when everyone tries to dissuade me by telling me that the French don't like American tourists. Who cares? If I am standing on the banks of the Seine, gazing at a lit Eiffel Tower, I will know that it doesn't really matter. I am, indeed, marking something off my Bucket List!
(but I digress....)

I felt compelled to write this blog now, even though our trip to Southport was in July of 2014. I have been working on a huge scrapbook for my Mom.....for her 90th birthday next week. That has REALLY sparked the idea of what you cram into a lifetime. I have been looking at photos that are at least 80+ years old up to photos that are only weeks old. Even though most of us say 'time flies,' when you look at all these photos, time can stand still. I can see what 90 years of life encompasses and how many people are touched along the way. That is why I am not depressed when I look back and reminisce. Yes, I may have been more blonde than grey. I may have had a tiny skinny belted waist instead of a body clad in a loosely fitting blouse. I may have looked tanned and thin and beautiful. But the truth of the matter is, yes I was! And yes I still am....me. I am me that has a lifetime of lovely memories and the rest of a lifetime of creating even more memories! My glass will always be half full.

In my life I have given birth to 3 wonderful children and I have attended the funerals of my wonderful Daddy and my sweet sister. I cried at my Aunt Jessie's funeral and I watched my friends Micki and Chrystal literally crumple down the aisle to the front pew of their much too young father's funeral.   I have experienced puppy love, crushes, what I thought was true love.....until I really found the love of my life. I have experienced the weddings of friends, friends' children, my children, my sister, my cousins, and of course my own....nearly 39 years ago. I have traveled and I have dreamed of travel that I hope to experience in this lifetime. I have dreamed of travel that I probably will never physically make, but can make by reading, researching and listening to the stories of those who have traveled to those places. I have cooked and cleaned and moved and decorated. I have experienced the trials and tribulations of being a 'housewife' and a mother. I have taught young people how to conjugate a verb and how to think outside the box. I have painted and drawn and written and colored and scrapbooked and made crafts to the joy and thrill of my very soul! I put my brain into creative overload, as I like to call it, and although it often results in lack of sleep and a messy house at times, it finds me in the middle of My Best Self.
In my life I have read more books than I can imagine. I often verbalize that I wish I had kept a log of all the books I have read. I am thankful to God, to my teachers, to my own burning desire to learn and experience for the love and passion I have for reading. I have often said to my kids that the moment I learned to read words on a page until the present, I have had at least one book marked with my 'place' and another book 'on deck' to pick up the minute the current book is finished. I have a true love/hate affair with my books. I find a book that makes me want to jump out of bed, pour a cup of coffee and dig in because I cannot wait to find out what happens. Then......I finish the book and I am so sad because it is over. This bears no further explanation because anyone who is an avid reader knows what I am talking about. I love that God has allowed me to cram so many wonderful books into my lifetime. I hope to cram as many more into the life that I have left in me.

Although I have not picked wildflowers in Paris nor have I trekked along the trails of the wine country in Northern California, I have experienced a lot of travel in my life. I love hearing a song or a phrase or about a certain food that sparks a memory of a time and place that was not my home, but rather a place I was blessed to visit. I went to Disney World the first year it was open with my Mom, Dad, and sister. Little did I realize at the time that it was truly an historical moment. Who would have thought Mickey Mouse would attract so many tourists from all over the globe?! I guess the Parisians wonder why anyone would want to travel across the ocean to look at a monument in the middle of their bustling city.
I have been on a cruise to the Caribbean and experienced a lovely 'family' show on the front row with my father....mom and sister....where the acts between the musical numbers consisted of topless dancers. I know my father got easily embarrassed, but his face turned a shade of red that I didn't even know was in the spectrum!
I have experienced my husband pulled on stage in Nassau by a beautiful native dancer. If anyone knows Jim Fitzpatrick, well.....you know how monumental this was!
I walked into a hotel room in Puerto Rico that literally took my breath away when I saw the view from our window.
I gazed across the Grand Canyon with my hubby and three children. Anyone who has ever done this knows what it is like to be speechless and in awe. God's hand was truly in the midst of that phenomenon!
I have shopped at the Straw Market in Nassau, Bahamas and the Straw Market in Charleston, SC. I have eaten Shrimp and Grits (oh law!) in South Carolina and I have licked the barbecue sauce off my fingers after a delicious rack of ribs at BB King's in Memphis.
I have toured Graceland and drooled over the pictures of a young and handsome Elvis. I have petted the 6 toed Hemingway cats in Key West and stared at the typewriter that pecked out the words of "The Old Man and the Sea." I have been to Mt. Vernon and Monticello. I have seen what Christmas was like in The Biltmore House where the rich Vanderbilts lived and I have seen the prison cells at Fort Desoto and in St. Augustine.
I have drunk from the Fountain of Youth and I have prayed in St. Patrick's Cathedral.
I have watched my daughter perform on the same stage where I watched "Wicked" and "Edward Scissorhands." I later watched my daughter (on that same stage) accept her diploma with honors as she graduated from UArts with a BFA in Modern Dance Performance.
I viewed a foggy and rainy Clearwater Beach in a different light when I sat on the balcony of a hotel room....booked and paid for by my newly married daughter.....as she served me homemade appetizers, wine in hand decorated glasses, and blessed me with flowers and gifts as she kidnapped me for a night to celebrate my birthday and Mother's Day. My heart overflows as I think of it.
I have ridden a train in Connecticut gazing at the beautiful Fall foliage and I have ridden a pontoon boat on Crystal River watching manatees in the Springtime.
I have had my breath taken away standing on the bridge at the Hoover Dam and I have had my eyes widened by the lights on the Vegas Strip.
I have had heart palpitations sitting in a theater on Broadway waiting for the curtain to rise on countless occasions.
I have eaten the best pizza in the world in New Jersey and I have eaten the best Barbecue in the world in Shelby, NC.
I have had the most elegant and special meal in my life at the Beacon in NYC.
I have dined at the Edwardian Room in The Plaza in NY and I have walked the streets of Broadway arm in arm with my Daddy to go see "La Cage Aux Folles." (This was another time my Dad blushed uncontrollably!)
I have enjoyed Disney World, Epcot, Busch Gardens, Sea World, Universal Studios, Carowinds, Sesame Place and MGM Grand with my kids. Jimmy and Joe patiently waited in line for 45 minutes for the Dumbo ride with their little sister because of nothing less than love, and Madeline and I years later enjoyed crepes and white wine at a lovely French Café at Epcot. We, in fact, did not miss a country as we walked around the entire place. Norway ride.....dinner in Mexico, coffee in Spain, buying Christmas ornaments in Germany.....ah....
Shamu splashed us so much that it made Madeline almost cry (with delight.....and cold!)
Universal Studios Orlando. Universal Studios Hollywood. So different. Dinner at BeniHana at the Hollywood Hilton...priceless.
Paying less for adults than children at Sesame Place in Pennsylvania so cool....only place that recognized that the park was for the kids....not the parents!
Lots can be crammed into a lifetime.

I have driven a golf cart all over Riverbend Golf Course as my Daddy's chauffeur as he hacked his way around 18 holes telling me I was his good luck charm. I played golf at The Dunes in Myrtle Beach with my husband for our 10th anniversary. It was wonderful until my ball encountered an alligator. I then became the golf cart chauffeur and no longer a golfer.
I sat in Macaroni Grill opposite my older sister as she timidly told me she was pregnant! She was terrified and thrilled beyond belief and it was so weird for me to see my stronger older sister this way....after all, I had 3 children and one of them was already a high-schooler. (little did she know, the baby part is the easiest part! Just wait.....)
I have made wonderful friends....I have kept friends.....I have lost friends and I continue to make new friends. I made a little plaque for some of my friends one Christmas that said "Friends are our chosen family." I believe that like I still believe in Santa Claus (for real) and the magic of a full moon on a warm summer night! My friends are my lifelines and I thank God for them every day.
I have eaten many foods in restaurants and I have cooked many foods for myself, my family and others. I find joy in cooking. I find joy in dining. Jim and I will die on our quest for the restaurant with the best calamari. It's a mission for us. So far, Island Way Grill wins!

I have turned over in a snowmobile in Park City Utah and I have experienced a lovely meal in Robert Redford's restaurant in the same town. I have had my hand slammed in the door of the Tilt A Whirl at the Cleveland County Fair by Buddy Hobbs and have the scar to prove it!
I have eaten the best vinegar fries at the Cleveland County Fair.....and in the latter years done so with two of the bestest friends I could ask for....Sally and Carol!
I have knelt at the altar at Central United Methodist Church in Shelby, NC and I have lit a Unity Candle at my daughter's wedding at Heritage United Methodist Church in Clearwater. I have attended a Moravian Love Feast on a below freezing evening in Raleigh, NC on Christmas Eve and I have attended a small cinder block Pentecostal Church in Shelby as a young teen. I have ministered to young campers as a counselor at The NC Baptist Assembly in Southport.
I have sat on the balcony of my sister's condo in North Myrtle Beach overlooking the ocean and gazing at the stars as we reminisced, laughed and cried and told each other secrets that now exist only in my mind and in heaven with my sister. What I wouldn't give for another of those evenings.....
I have hunted for seashells at Honeymoon Island and I have prayed at sunrise on the wall of Fort Caswell in Southport, NC.
I have laid on the hood of my parents' car in the driveway on Woodside Drive waiting for the bats to swoop down near my white shirt as I pretended to be brave in case my neighbor, Steve Rossi, might see me and take notice of me. (Yes, there was a bit of a crush there). I have gone out on my driveway on Hyde Park Place and lighted sparklers and watched my kids and the neighbors kids shoot fireworks as my husband slept. Yes, he would have disapproved and I was the 'cool Mom' so I let it happen with a promise of 'don't tell dad.'
I have raised beagles, cats and a mutt dog named Bogie. I have loved them all and realized what comfort there can be in being a pet owner. I really should say that there is comfort in being owned by a pet.
I have driven into a driveway that has literally been blown away by a tornado during a blackout in a town and realized the mighty power of nature.
I have seen Homestead, FL just months after Hurricane Andrew and I have seen Biloxi, MS not long after Katrina. I sat nursing my 3 month old baby as I watched a transformer blow in my front yard at 3 o'clock in the morning while the rest of my family slept. I remember sneaking downstairs to watch the TV try to decide if I needed to wake them up. Surprised was I to find that Hurricane Hugo decided to turn and hit in central Carolina in a place where no hurricane had ever been. I am humbled by these remembrances and will never take for granted the forces of nature.

I have walked along the ruins of Ground Zero almost afraid to speak as not to disturb the reverence. I have visited Ellis Island and read the stories of those immigrants who braved to cross the ocean to seek refuge there. I have watched "The Boy in the Striped Pajamas" and I have read "Sarah's Key." I was given a new insight into the Holocaust and I have wondered why a man could be so evil as Adolph Hitler.
I have visited many museums and I have been held captive by the works by so many talents. I know that God's hand was reaching down and touching them. How can such beauty and excellence exist otherwise?
I have experienced holidays with family. I don't know how anyone cannot feel blessed and close to God when they look around the room, across the dining room table, in the living room amongst the wrapping paper or in a restaurant when the waiter brings out the cake and sings happy birthday to the honoree. Celebrations are so special....especially milestone celebrations. Oh wait. Any celebration is a milestone. I truly look forward to next week to celebrate Mom's 90th.

I have experienced the love of a sister. I remember the time my parents went away for a week on a business trip. They always hired this lovely woman named Inez Morehead. Martha and I loved her like a Grandma. She was sweet and jolly and we managed to survive the times without our parents (which were few and far between) with ease when we had Inez. Well, the time my parents had plans to leave town and had Inez all lined up, they were thrown a curve ball! Inez got really sick and couldn't come, so rather than leave my parents in a bind, she employed her sister, Lorraine, to step in. My parents needed to go on this trip and knowing how trustworthy Inez was, they assumed Lorraine would have been likewise. NOT! Lorraine was a terror...to Martha and me, at any rate. The stories that arise because of her require a whole other blog post. I mention it because I wanted to say that during that Lorraine time, I realized that I had the best most awesome sister in the world! She totally stood up for me and was there to explain whatever needed to be explained because she truly understood me. Sisters rock!

I have caught lightening bugs in a jar and poked holes in the lid so that they would live. I have waded in the creek in my yard and lifted rocks to look for salamanders. I have fished off my Uncle Paul's pier at Lake Norman and I have been thrown in the water, skis put on my feet, a rope secured in my hand and away I go....up on skis at age 8! Thanks Uncle Paul!
I have played cards and Scrabble at the lake with my Aunt Margaret. I watched my sister jump off the boathouse at Lake Lure when we would go there with the Rogers family.
I have cruised Lake Lure on a boat and fed the ducks, visited the Dirty Dancing site, and watched the fireworks on the fourth of July.
I have been kissed on the cheek by Payne Stewart (yes ladies, be jealous) at the Heritage Golf Classic at Hilton Head. I have sat in on a session of Congress thanks to Basil Whitener of NC and my Daddy. I have been with my sister when she literally fainted in THE White House and I have flirted with the wait staff with my sister on a cruise ship.
I have seen "Rent" 11 times, "Phantom of the Opera" 9 times and "Les Miserables" several times. I have played Miss Willie in "The Curious Savage" and I have played Juliet in "When Shakespeare's Ladies Meet." I have played many other roles, painted sets, and sought out props. I have enjoyed theater as a performer, a backstage person, a teacher and an observer. I love theater so much.

I remember sitting in the auditorium at Marion School in Shelby. It was awards day for the 5th grade. We knew Joseph was getting an award because we that special phone call urging us to be there. Joseph got EVERY award! It was almost embarrassing....straight As this term. Straight As all year. Perfect attendance. President's Fitness Award. ETC... I think he came home with at least 5 big awards.
And then there's Jimmy. Golf tournaments. Basketball games (my personal favorite). Soccer. This little hyper kid loved his sports! He wanted to play only what he was really good at (kinda like his dad!) I will give this one to the Fitzpatricks.....not much co-ordination on this side. Thanks, Jimmy, for years of watching the competitive side kick in. Watching my little Jimmy, the point guard, bend his wrist in abnormal ways to make those 3 pointers for PHMS is something that my mind can't ever erase! I know his Dad sees (still to this day) Jimmy's Tiger Woods' type swing and innate ability to play golf.
Then there's those ballet shoes. Which led to patent leather tap shoes (which led to leather tap shoes which led to Miller and Ben custom made tap shoes ..... shhhh.... NO one needs to know how much those broke the bank!) Which led to Jazz shoes....tie ones, slip ons, black ones and tan ones. Which let to Lyrical slip ons. Which led to pointe shoes which cost fortune and wore out every few months. Which led us back to plain ole bare feet which got Madeline through 4 years of art school and led to a BFA.....oh my. Memories of all those shoes!
Thanks kids. My memory bank is filled with intelligence, athleticism, and artistry. What parents could ask for more? Life was never dull around these parts!

I have sat behind my Daddy's desk and pretended to be his secretary. I have ridden on a fork lift in the Porter Brothers warehouse. I have gotten a Nehi Grape Soda and a Moon Pie from the vending machine in that very warehouse. I have been in my night gown in the middle of Porter Brothers after hours when the Police came because Daddy forgot about the alarm. I have 'helped' Mary Ann Harrill and Shirley Runyans and I have won the Girl Scout cookie selling contest because Daddy put the sign up sheet on the bulletin board at Porter Brothers.
I have cruised the golf course at night on a golf cart with my cousin Scott and I have chewed more purple bubble gum than any human should have chewed with my cousin Ellen. I have raided the freezer in the basement of my cousin Nancy's home late at night and I have baked cookies with her on any given moment! I have played dolls with Patty and experienced her kindness and generosity when her brother wasn't being quite as kind and generous! (Scott is now one of the most kind and loving men that I know).
I have shopped in Atlanta and New York with my mom and experienced shopping in ways I didn't know about.  (However, I am a pro at Steinmart, TJ Maxx, Target and Bealls!) I have sat in a back room of a little 'shady' shop in Manhattan with Carol Rose as we were being offered wine, champagne and the likes while my mom and Carol's mother-in-law looked at Persian rugs and Swarovski crystal. Carol and I felt almost like we were in some sort of comedy show laughed and talked about being like Lucy and Ethel! And I still think, what's wrong with Lucy and Ethel?!

I have driven through the campus of UNC at Chapel Hill, the school of my choice since I was a little girl, and saying oh no...I'm not going here!   The huge campus just didn't sit well with me. I watched my Daddy do what he did best....be an awesome dad. He didn't react. He didn't panic. He just asked me what I wanted for my college experience and proceeded to find schools that would "fit the bill." We spent the remainder of the weekend visiting schools.... UNCG, Furman, Meredith, High Point, and Elon. Driving through the gates of Elon, I knew I was "home." Finding the love of my life there only confirms that. God is good. His timing is excellent.

I have put myself in uncomfortable situations which all made me into a confident and happy woman. If one really wanted to write about what all they crammed into a lifetime, well, it would literally take a lifetime. I know I feel blessed. I love that my memory is such a source of pleasure. I love knowing I can conjure up things whenever I hear a song, a comment, or when I simply just want to remember. I love that my lifetime has crammed so many things into it. I love having a Bucket List of sorts to use to keep adding to that memory bank. I love that my memories make me happy in that they are a reminder of who I am and why.
I love knowing that on April 1st my Mom can look at her scrapbook and be reminded of the 9 decades she has lived and that her life has been impactful on so many people.

And that, my friends, is what memories are made of.

Random Things That Make Me Happy