Two of the 92,000+......

So, Marcus & I opted to go to A-Day on Saturday rather than making it to his niece's 4th birthday party. (I know some of you are shocked, that means you don't know me & Marcus). Alabama football is very important in our house. It is a form of tradition & entertainment that we celebrate every Saturday every Fall. I actually have not been to an A-Day in a few years, we are usually out of town, & at first I thought we may miss this one due to Regan's birthday (and the fact Regina would not let us make it a Bama-Birthday), but Marcus was adamant from the day he knew the two would occur at the same time that we would be in the stadium not Calera.

The morning began with the Tide Pride luncheon at the Coliseum. The coaches talked, Saban's was short & sweet. We ate & spoke with some wonderful people. We attended it with Aubrey & Cheyenne Martin. (she looks so cute pregnant -they are having a girl!!) Aubrey holds the same feelings as Marcus = Alabama not party. He even has a sister that he doesn't speak to anymore because she married an Auburnite & painted the kids' bedrooms orange/blue!

After the luncheon, we wandered towards the stadium. Stopping at the Bama Bookstore to visit Marcus' old boss & good friend Hal. The walk there was unreal. You would have thought Spring & Summer had just been whisked away & opening weekend was here already. Vendors were everywhere, RVs, tailgaters, kids, music, football chants, students, it was surreal. I truly was surprised the number of people outside the stadium was staggering. Marcus & I had already begun to feel like this was the biggest crowd we had been around for an A-Day, but when we walked into the stadium we were in awe. All but one side of the upper deck & the new section of upper deck was full. I mean full, as in my first question to him was "will we be able to find a seat?" We climbed the steps in the student section and found 2 wedges of area in the middle of a row near where we used to sit when we were students. The band was in the section beside us so the air was full of music & excitement. Of course this is just a scrimmage, catch 22 type of situation. You want your offense & defense to look good, but with a scrimmage it is hard to do that as well as the coaches are only going allow so many plays to be seen since it is televised and your opponents are usually watching. The second quarter rolled around and as I glance in the seats around me the overhead speaker announced that the other two decks were now open. In minutes the seats were flooded.

There we were, 92,000+ faithful, watching a scrimmage covered in Crimson & White. Cheering with the band, the wave flowed through, and I almost teared up. So many of these people will only be able to attend this game (it is general admission), so many children will only see these days. It is a sad yet happy thought. The faithful showing their belief, their hope, their faith, their love of an institution. We had a blast. The game was good, Marcus laughed because I told him I was rooting for the Crimson team (they lost though 20-13).

Overall the beginning of our day, the bulk of the day was a blast!! Don't worry, we did go to Regan's house afterwards to celebrate her birthday... each gift wrapped in Bama paper of course. She had a great day, enjoyed our gifts & company and even kissed me on the cheek & whispered a ROLL TIDE.... what an end to a great day.

Rainy days....

Well this weekend was another round of good ol'crazy Southern weather. Now I know that the northwest & east & middle America get hit too with these things, but this time of year is odd for a cold snap in my area. But when it did occur,yesterday, I actually found that staying inside in the Spring can be as much fun as being cooped up in the winter (well as much fun is a stretch for winter too, but you get me).
Marcus, Bear, Bubs and I had gone to Camden to spend "memorial day & dinner on the grounds" at a community church called Reaves Chapel. Now this is one of those picturesque single room churches that is the epitome of faith: A simple dwelling holding complex variables, but all together they form a bond of belief & strenght like no other. Anyway, it thundered in the distance, threatened to rain, but it held off. We all ate the wonderful 'little old lady' good southern food and packed it in to get home before the storm really set in.
By the time my brother, his twin sons, Marcus & I got to my parents house the rain had begun. The satellite system blinked a few times so we decided to board game it. 1st on the block: Me & the twins playing Clue. After a few rounds it was time to sucker everyone else in. So the big guns were out: STAR WARS Monopoly. Now for those who don't fully know the extent of Marcus & my competetiveness - it can get ugly. Also, Marcus-Monopoly = VICIOUS BUSINESS MAN!! I know you are thinking " sweet laid back Marcus " NO! it is really "shrewd deal making monopolizing corporation man Marcus" And as usual he beat the tar out of us!! lol It was so much fun. My brother Eric has the worst luck & the twins, God bless them their young innocence and learning curves. Me, well Monopoly in my house means Marcus is King. And it seems the same title is met in my parents... We are planning a beach trip this summer, Marcus will take Monopoly and we will all have to suffer to 3000$ rents at Boardwalk (Courasant on this board) and the mischievous giggle of a man who truly understands and loves Monopoly...
-More on the beach trip later-
Needless to say, we had a blast staying in, listening to the rain, talking, winning, losing, and just playing. Thank goodness sometimes for rainy days...

Easter & Spring - New every year, but old traditions...

Every year Easter sort of resignates with Spring in my mind.

Whether Easter comes early or late a palette of pastels, white mary jane sandals, or pants that scream of a linen cotton blend rush at you on Easter Sunday. Azaleas blanketing the road side, crimson clover in the fields, all new flowers & plants but they return like an old tradition every year.

My favorite old world tradition is hats. I love to see the hats come out in stores, you know, normally they are blended into the accessory department with little propaganda. But come the week of Easter & hats of pastels or navy, with faux flowers, mesh netting, and teases of traditions long ago. I have only worn a hat at Easter when I was a little girl. Even then, it was probably once. But when I when I see them, Easter is what I think of. Photos & movies depicting the southern ladies with their widebrim hats and hair perfectly coiffed in an intricate updo come to mind and I smile.

This year was no exception, I went into Steinmart with Marcus's niece to get her an Easter prize and their they were. Some were still just sitting in the accessory department, the berets & cowgirl hats. But in the boutique department with the spring hued clothing they had set up a stand beside a mirror with so many colorful and beautiful hats! I smiled, fingered a couple, and sighed. Now, I am not a slave to fashion, I have my own style and I portray it with pride, for a brief stint around 13 hats were my thing. I wore everything, course that was also when the show Blossom was on tv and Blossom (the main character) and her best friend Six wore them everywhere, so it was sort of the teen girl style. This year though is funny, not only have the hats appeared as tradition holds them to, but due to the temperature drop, shawls & wraps of beautiful pastels, bright bold colors & demure earth tones were on display right when you walked in near the hats. I smiled again. I LOVE a shawl or wrap. I immediately decided that a long white flowy skirt, a brown top and cute ballet slippers that I was wearing to church on Sunday would be perfectly accented with a deep tropical blue solid shawl! to my delight they had the perfect one. This accessory I could wear with ease and no discomfort or over-indulged self awareness as I might with a hat, since I wear shawls and wraps quite often.

Now you must understand Marcus & I have not been home on Easter Sunday in about 7 years. I mean home as Camden. 2 years ago we spent it with my best friend Tracy in our new home in Tuscaloosa, last year Marcus was on a hunting trip, and the years before we were traveling every time. We always manage to acknowledge the holiday, many times with church going activity, but there have been the lapses when we were traveling. So this year we decided to go to Mary Ann's church (next weekend we are going to be with my parents for the weekend). Her preacher is a very nice man, I am not a fire- &- brimstone- loud- hollering (even if on light biblical subjects)- preacher fan. This he is. Worship for me is more personal but with passion, less intimidating. I honestly just don't handle the screaming. I LOVE the music, praise worship is always beautiful be it an a capella song softly sang or an up tempo beat of guitar & piano & drums. But when it comes to sharing the gospel with me, preaching on God's word, I just don't do the intense hollering of the word. Maybe I should I don't know...

Easter Sunday's message is one of those old - new things too. No matter the churches I have visited. Their focus as it should be is the resurrection, the reason for the holiday. Each year you hear the same message, but because some people may have never been to church or read a Bible, or just never opened up their hearts the message becomes new. It creates a beginning. So much like Spring and its flora & fauna. We all know the plants bloom, we see some new flowers that we didn't know existed, but for the most part we just know its there and never really take time to take it in. I took time Sunday, I listened and I remembered the teachings from my youth, the beauty in the story. I am sure that the preacher when he looked at me thought I had no real emotion, for I am not one that stands up and raises her hands to the sky in praise while he speaks, nor prays aloud while he prays. But there are a flood of emotions when I hear the story and think about the message.

My faith is strong, and my beliefs stem from those old traditions of my parents sharing the message with me. Some people think you HAVE to go to church as a child or adult to get anything of the concepts but you don't. Now that I am older I understand the fellowship part of church, but as a child, your parents/guardians/adults around you can teach you in a way so different and so special. Mom has always imparted some sort of Easter message no matter what church we were attending, I always loved to get an Easter basket, no not just the candy, but the card with the message or the subtle gift of the gospel. A bracelet that says FAITH, or a book that has a good teaching of morality. those impressed upon my heart. That they would take the time to share those parts of themselves with me. Church was always good, you learn more of the details there, but the feelings, the emotions, came from mom & dad. This year, I was a little upset because since we are older & we were going to his family, there was no basket from mom & dad, no card, no book. It moved me in a different manner, I was ashamed to have slacked this year as well. Normally I give mom a plant & dad something nice, at least a card. But this year I did not make the time to do so. That is something new that I want to curb before it begins to be an old tradition. I should have at least given them something of the holiday, so that I could impart a bit of my faith back to those who have given me so much....I am going to fix that somehow.

Anyway, I hope you all had a great Easter & I will surely be typing again soon....

Antsy....

Have you ever just wanted Summer to hurry up or for Spring to really set in? I normally am pretty content with each season, though in Alabama winters can be a bit erratic. This year has been no exception. We have finally begun to have this beautiful Spring weather and then this morning I hear on weather radio that the week ahead should see some very cold drops in temp. Now wait a minute. My spring attire has finally arrived in my closet ready to wear, white linens, white purses, pale Easter pastels are quietly waiting their turn to be worn & then you tell me it is supposed to get cold???? again! Crazy. Patience is taught in so many forms that we tend to not even notice the lesson. :)

Well with the chill there is also supposed to be rain. Now we do need the rain, but I really hope the rain makers take the weekend off.

I find myself excited right now. With everything that has been going on: Bear & just regular work week, it is surprising to be feeling so refreshed and ready for... something. I am already getting in the mood to travel. Go SOMEWHERE. Do SOMETHING outside my every day. We are doing a mini-trip to Camden Sunday for Easter, we are doing this holiday with Mary Ann, then the next weekend we go for Memorial Day at Reaves Chapel with my family. Interestingly enough the two mini-trips are getting me salivating to get in the car and travel. I know: Camden = Salivating = Travel???

I am hosting a Pampered Chef party on Friday night, my theme is Taste of the Tropics! Obviously that verifies the readiness for summer & sun. I have never had a 'party' like this so I am a bit nervous, but very excited. Even if only about 10 people get to come, that is okay. As Marcus says " you always like being the hostess" and I do. Something about keeping people happy, seeing them enjoy my home, my company. there is probably some psychosematic study that could be done on me, but oh well :)

Anyway I wanted to post today. Just for fun. Just some thoughts... I hope the sun shines wherever everyone is today....

A new week

Well it is Monday again. The weekend & month has passed as we now head into April.

The weekend was good. Friday night after being so stressed & tired last week, I decided to be productive. See, we have been battling what colors to paint rooms and we have bought all the 'paint' accessories except for the paint. Yes, I know, but committing to color can be hard for me because I redecorate so often. Anyway, there are marks ALL over our white walls from moving in and 2 years of occupation. It just so happens that the builder left a 5 gallon bucket of our interior wall paint when we closed so that we could have it if we needed it. So me, my roller brush and some very loud music went to town. I discovered that once I leaned forward to the wall to correct the marks that already annoyed me, there were millions more everywhere! I repainted every wall in all rooms but the guest room (I needed one room that did not reek of paint fumes for when we went to sleep). Marcus had to work late so from 5:30 to 9:00 I painted and just let all my work stress out into the walls, the trim, everything I could. It was so therapeutic & rewarding. Marcus came home and noticed all the clean walls and was quite impressed. He zoned out for a while and spent some time with Bear.

On the topic of Bear, we are giving him the antibiotics (for fever) & the prednizone pills. So far he has had 3 really good days (FR-SAT-SUN). We decided to give him the pills and watch him closely, so long has he has those good days, where there is no visible pain & no more blindness, we will give him the pills and let him enjoy his last weeks, months, whatever God deems. If for any reason we see serious pain return & his body begin to ignore the pills or he just quits 'living' then we will make that dreaded date and help him find peace. We hope that this is the right decision, it feels right, so with that we will continue to follow the guidance we seek.

As for Saturday, Marcus had to work from 9 to 4 pm, so again I decided to be productive. Turned up the music, the dogs relaxed and enjoyed the company, while I cleaned, then I began on some projects, painting some frames that I wanted for some pictures, hung some wedding photos, began the extremely large amount of laundry deterioration, and just enjoyed the day. I missed Marcus, but I did get a lot accomplished. A husband is a great help, but sometimes it is easy to get in your own zone and just go. Once he got home, we just sat around and enjoyed the evening, we did not even cook or really eat until late just because. It was nice.

Yesterday though we were both productive. We cut grass, I weeded the flower beds and cleaned off the deck. I used the weed eater on all edges and repotted some plants. Marcus really worked on the small amount of grass that we have in the yard and made it look very nice. Once done we wandered inside around 7:30 p.m. just before the rain began. It was a good Sunday. I truly hope that it is a nod towards how this week will be...

Preparation isn't always easy & guidance can be hard to follow....

Preparing for something is what we all do whether we are procrastinators or proactives. Procrastinators prepare to put things off, proactives prepare for everything normally way in advance. Marcus & I have never found that line between the two perfectly straight or clear. Sometimes we lapse into both categories others we seem to fit right into one for a moment then the other...

We all have our different tricks of physical preparation. the mother who ALWAYS has snacks & juice boxes in the car, the guy NEVER without Armor All or washer fluid for the flashy car, the girl who listened to that old sage to keep clean underwear in the glove box for any occasion.

But along with the physical there is a mental preparation for every moment of life. We all know many inevitables: we are ALL going to age, too much sun can create some serious later in life skin issues, children will grow up, parents are sometimes overbearing, love is going to hurt, pain is a feeling associated with more than bumps and bruises.

Teaching a person that those lessons of inevitables & that there will be mistakes made is one thing, dealing with all of these when they actually have to happen is another. Death is something we all know is an inevitable, it is taught that life can be prolonged with certain healthy diets & exercise, and true as that may be, any breath can be taken when God deems it; so no matter how healthy a person is death is inevitable.

Now we as humans tend to try to play that role of God at times (i.e. Doctors, Vets, parents, siblings) or not really play the role but use the divine wisdom as guidance. Marcus & I are at that stage with Bear. We learned this morning that he has cancer. Lymphoma to be correct. We can use chemotherapy to prolong his life for about 18 months but as it is the same with humans it is a terrible treatment to the body. There is prednizone pills that will help him gain a little weight, relieve the pain and prolong his life for about 3-4 months possibly. No matter what he will not be with us much longer. Here is where you pray for that divine wisdom, where you beg for that guidance, that compassion & understanding of the inevitables and all of a sudden you actually wish for things that we all seem to ignore: that sweet sleeping surrender of old age. How we all wish to pass from this life painlessly & comfortably. Those two qualities define so many things. No one wants to see suffering, no one ever wants to acknowledge that he or she allowed someone else to be in pain. Selfish develops new definitions. Marcus & I face those options, those opportunities for divine wisdom to bless upon us, the guidance to help our youngest "child" leave this world happy and comfortable; and for us to not be selfish, but oh how the preparation is not there. Even as I type I know the answer, but there is timing, there is a decision that just should not be in our lowly hands. We are not the divine, we are mere mortals who no more can explain the reasons for why these things happen nor can we understand why time seems so short and against us.

What we do understand is the need for comfort and for that feeling of being whole before leaving this world. So we know we will hurt when he is gone, we will grieve for the loss of a best friend, a protector and "child", but we will know that he loves us unconditionally. We will work to make his last days/week/moments filled with his favorite treats, no fussing, just love. Please pray for us that we will be strong enough when the moment comes and that we will be able to be strong for him. There is nothing in the world that truly prepares someone for this decision all we can hope for is that he lived a wonderful life, that we were good parents, and that we made his time here a good memory to keep him comfort wherever in heaven God needs a watchdog, because he will have the best...

I am so sorry for the sad post, for the ramblings, but I needed to type this today.

Tired & Worried

Well, it is Monday again. Another weekend has flown by. Marcus's father Robert came in to town on Friday. It was great to see him, he brought me prizes!! (Marcus claims he likes me more than him, I just say that I am the cute one and keep on going :) )Glasses, a pitcher, some appetizer plates, cute & funky for me. He did bring Marcus some shoes though, so plhbbbb!!

Anyway, we went to dinner at Mug Shots (GREAT burgers!!) and then just had some pleasant conversation.

Saturday was great, we slept a little late. Robert went on up to Calera to see Rob, Regina & the girls, so Marcus & I went to the store for some items to cook out on Sunday. We rode up Saturday night and met up for dinner, the girls are so cute. Regan was in a great mood and really was a pleasure to be around. Riley can stare a hole through you!! It is freaky. She is so quiet and reserved. Regan was a wild hair from the beginning so it is a different site. Rob did inform us that he has now taught Regan to play World of Warcraft on the computer. Yes, a 3 year old is now playing the internet's/gamer's most addictive game.... and she is good at it to boot. Now the whole video young kid thing is very funny - she told a little girl at a party the other day (because the girl was made at her over something) that she would battle her if she needed to. Yes, BATTLE. hilarious and scary in one breath.

Sunday was so beautiful outside that we grilled and ate out on the deck. It was so much fun and a wonderful welcome into spring. The food was great too. We ended up back in Birmingham at Rob & Regina's last night. Their air conditioner had gone out, but the company was very nice. After returning home we were so tired!! I am ready for this coming up weekend because we have no plans. (so sad to say that) the next few are already mapped out so, here we go into the week.

Sorry for the rambling...

Now in the mix of all this visiting, we have worries. Bear, our rottweiler, has taken ill over the past 2 weeks. He has rapidly lost weight (about 12 pounds) and Sunday, he went blind. We are taking Thursday off to get him to our family vet in Camden. The vet already suspects diabetes, but we won't be sure until tests are run. Now for anyone who knows Bear, knows that he is a boisterous, loving, overgrown puppy. He is our youngest child and we love him very much. It pains us both to watch him seem to wither away and not know what we can do to make him more comfortable. My mind has already begun to prepare for the worst & hope for the best. It is so hard to think of not having my big protector around the house that my eyes just fill with tears, I also worry about Bubbles (our little terrier) and how she would adjust if need be. I know to many people dogs are just dogs, but these are our children, members of our family, so I beg you to pray for these two. That Bear finds comfort & that we can do whatever we need to & that Bubbles finds comfort in whatever happens...

An interesting beginning of the week....

Well, here we are the week of March 19, 2007. It began as the normal Monday, a bit crazy and jumbled as most Mondays are, but as the week is going by it is becoming a bit more crazy & wonderful at the same time.

Let me retrace my steps... Monday was a normal Monday. Work was going basically as it always does, recovering from the weekend. (which we spent at dinner with friends & gambling for St. Patrick's Day - no big wins, but no big losses either) Tuesday on the other hand was like the Monday of all Mondays! Work was insane, people came out of the woodwork on some of my projects and made it a stressful day.. then I get the phone call...

My best friend Stacie who was nine months pregnant and due around April 7, is going into labor. Her parents are rushing to get on the road and to Texas (where she resides) and try to make it before the baby comes. Now her brother David & sister Kristy had just returned from Spring Break in TEXAS!! Boy were they upset that they missed it by one day!!! So as I wait for the call from the fam on when the baby comes & how everyone is, I get a bit sad. I was there for her first child and really hate not being there for the second. She is totally not just a friend but a sister. I tear up a bit and realize that even though my day was stressful and I was so worked up about trivial matters, there is a room in an Army hospital that my new niece is being born in. She is being born to a woman that has always been meant to be a mom. Who has a first daughter that is adorable, loving, and kind so early in life, a testament to her mother & father. For the first time Tuesday, I really smile on the drive home.

Then as the evening developed and I am told that Grace Ellen has entered the world around 7:40 p.m. weighing in at 6 lbs 11 oz, I hurt myself. :) Truly weird evening. I end up crushing my right hand, causing trauma to (as quoted by the DR) my metacarpal II, III, & IV while also putting (get this) STRESS on my hematite (not sure on spelling) and the rest of my knuckles. So I end up wrapped in a soft cast & ace bandage, with broken blood vessels all over my hand and wrist. Yep, clumsy me. Though, my DR did note that it has been about a year since I have seen him for an injury :) Isn't is just humorous when your doctor actually remembers that you are clumsy???

So here I am.. barely able to drive. Typing this is taking me an hour, clothing is definitely in the comfort zone, weird week!

Other than that it is not too bad. Marcus has been at leadership conferences in Birmingham. He is really enjoying them so far. His week has been fairly nice, being able to get home before 7 p.m. is great for him.

We have his father coming into town on Friday from Houston so that will be a lot of fun!

Though due to my current hand circumstances Marcus will be cleaning up a bit by himself and I will tell you he is not thrilled at the prospect. :)

Well, I will leave you all at this point, but I hope you enjoy the photos of the beautiful new niece of mine!

I love you all!