Ordinary Life

See ya'll a little later on...

Ok , so this post has not gone AT ALL according to plan. For starters, I wanted to put it up two weeks ago. And then there's the issue about the RHETT GALLERY . I wanted to spend far more time than I have elaborating about this special couple peddling their wares on Beaufort's river front. They have a Gamecock Sculpture that has to be seen to be believed... the feathers are all hand carved but look hand plucked instead- but they offer so much more than that even. Another real deal American Dream....doing what you love, where you love to do it and with the ones you love to be with (in this case family & Southerners) And I finally got to eat at Kathleen's! (fried green tomatoes) For now though, I must leave these un -noted pictures as a bookmark in the story of my love for Beaufort the Beautiful and return when I have longer to linger over the tale. ( LingerLonger - haha -hello Jekyll !) :

I surprised the kids with tickets to Memorial Health's Hockey Classic @ the civic center last night (in the MLK arena,no less... right after our Civil Rights field trip - how appropriate for the upcoming holiday, eh?) GA TECH played FSU and the DAWGS played the GATORS . FSU and the GATORS prevailed last night despite an early advance on the scoreboard by Georgia and Tech's accompanying moral support troop (a pep band and The Ramblin' Wreck .) The Thrasher Cup will be awarded tonight, after the teams do a little dosi do and play another round- we are still trying to thaw out from last night, so we will catch the results via internet tonight. Here are pictures of mostly ice and blurry hockey players. (But also a blurry pic of LoLeece's new hair do)

Aletheia Academy students got their 15 minutes..er, seconds, of fame this week. We went to visit the Ralph Mark Gilbert Civil Rights Museum , here in Savannah. We didn't even know if they'd be open with the new construction they've got going on, much less that they'd be filming a news spot at the time of our visit. We learned a lot on Friday's Field Trip- a lot about Civil Rights and about Savannah during that period in History. If there was anything for Savannah to take pride in during that time, it was her peaceful, riot-less status and her reputation, as Dr. Martin Luther King JR put it, "the most integrated city south of the Mason-Dixon." Our tour guide, Iman , was wonderful, as was Jason Davis , reporter for WJCL . I wasn't prepared to go on camera and I resisted the urge to primp and apply lip gloss when they requested a short interview...so don't laugh! They said I did just fine and I assured them that was only because hot air is one of my...

"Nature Hike" (and two miles for mom) @ Islands YMCA:

Just some quality time with mother nature and "the Troll" from Terabithia (can you spot her?). The bridge is there too- at our local Y the whole time, who knew?!

Last week, Chandler had his first basketball practice (see Fisher's ) which I missed most of thanks to the great turn out at the blood drive ) But, only a few days later, he played his first REAL game-- "with the scoreboard and everything!" The team was given the opportunity to learn about good sportsmanship as they were down a coupla' baskets when the buzzer sounded- Coach Clay took it the worst I believe :)

Fisher had his first basketball practice last week. Forgive my photography, the flash on my camera has all but gone on strike, and who can blame it really, the way the children drop the thing like a hot potato? I aim to replace the whole set up in the near future--just as soon as my hat catches enough nickels! In the mean time, these dark and blurry pictures are better than stick figure sketches,am I right? (yes,always):

Rather than go down the whole list, I offer my small strides in a positive direction as proof of good intentions (we all know where those will lead me) * Mon & Wed found me at the Y before sunrise. Temptation to roll over and go back to sleep was very strong at 4 AM, but once I had the workout routine behind me, the whole day before me, an infinitely warm shower without the interruption of children in the vacant locker room, there were no regrets :) (this schedule is an excellent way to curb my tendency to keep the moon & stars company too!) *The last 10 lbs is on the way out the window! (little by little of course- but leaving none the less) I get it all to depart, I am sure I will up the ante 5 or 10 more lbs :) *Started a new leather bound journal- using travel stickers from the last few trips as a beginning...it's a start! *Put a placeholder page up for SoHo Events: www.SoHoEvents.com *I am learning Psalm 8:3-4 , I have until Sunday to quote it back to me. Here's wh...

Just finished " The End of the Alphabet " by CS Richardson and " The Almost Moon " by Alice Sebold. Very different books that, upon closer examination, aren't really all that different. Sure one is a literary feast of words and the other has you relating to a freshly snapped murderess, but both explore death and the lives we live before it. A-Z is best administered with tea and perhaps a copy of Levenger . Moon should not be ingested prior to daily meds intake. Either should be read with a question as it's bookmark: How can I drink more deeply what is left of my tomorrows? (Kelly doesn't review over @ Amazon for a reason...)

The first time I went to Calabash , my husband was playing in a golf tournament with his dad. Besides the usual issues that can arise when traveling for any length of time with family members, the trip was a pleasant one. Enough so that I've been wanting to go back. Sometimes, my memory can be sugar coated or rose tinted if you prefer- I'll remember things more fondly in hindsight only to be slightly disappointed when able to recapture or revisit the situation. I wasn't disappointed this time, however. We checked out Ocean Isles first- it was just as we left it- quaint and quiet. We then headed onto Sunset without having to wait for The Bridge. I have renamed the bridge leading to Sunset "The Prayer Bridge" because with only one lane, the one way structure seems to be made of toothpicks that clatter far too much 'neath the tires. It leads one to an instant prayer life. The bridge is also a swing bridge, that rotates out into the water to allow boats through......

We drove up to Myrtle Beach last Friday night(1/4) - it was an "exploratory" trip brought on by certain gypsy bloods. After ruling Myrtle out and scratching her off our list, we went for pancakes in Calabash, NC, then spent the night in Charleston/Mt. Pleasant. The next day, we bummed around Beaufort before resigning ourselves to Savann inev ah. Below you'll find Myrtle and Charles. - they make a dandy couple. Future posts will find my favorites- Calabash & Beau. and hopefully the time to revel in their glory.

We've been some places and I've got pictures I want to jot about- but it has taken considerable effort just to get them onto the computer and sorted, uploade d to F lickr, etc... I am out of steam to convey proper description- so in the mean time I post some shots from our surrounding islands. (These occurred before our trip anyhow and I do SO lik e to jot about things chronologically when possible) Two different days, two separate islan d hops- Isle of Hope and Modena Island. The sunbeams were so beautiful on IOH- of course my camera work does it no justice whatsoever. Modena is also beautiful- and gated- which is why you have to freeze some frames to take with you:

The kids insisted they needed a picture of this because it has to do with weather... cold weather , I might add.

I'm sure that, just like all of those well intentioned New Year's Resolutions I made, checking my actual progress on them periodically with a RezCheck ® ­ will follow the road straight where these types of roads lead- but, why not have a few laughs at my expense before the whole thing burns to ashes, eh?! To refresh your memory- here's what I've publicly aimed to do:( Updates in RED ) Wake up earlier...aim for 5 AM regularly by March 31 It's not the waking up that is so tough actually- it's the not going back to sleep. Every morning the alarm goes off at 5 AM and I wake up, hit snooze and snuggle back into the warmth of the bed till at least 7:45. Increased interaction with kids as a parent and teacher We've been reading together more, but this is definitely not where I want it yet. Lose that last 10 (15?)/eat the way I know I'm s'posed to These pounds have been found to be involved in a very hostile hostage situation... make no sudden moves! Wa...

Music/Art Class Project: APPLE RED HAPPINESS (*note* the children in the above linked video are not mine- but my brother and I came up singing in church in a very similar way. In fact, it was Grammy who taught us Apple Red...and her grand-youngin's too) Apple Red Happiness Popcorn cheerfulness Cinnamon singing inside Peppermint Energy Gumdrop Holidays When you give Christ your life... The benefit of God's great love is Super Satisfying So Throw away your SIN (hand motions of throwing here) Let the Sunshine (Son Shine?) In (open arms here) Then You'll see how you can get... (repeat Apple verse) ==WARNING THIS IS A SONG THAT DOESN'T END== (yes, it goes on and on my friend...ha ha) **It should also be noted that I do see the " false advertisement " that this song could be taken as... "God will make your life as fun as a carnival"... but I am living proof that children who sing and/or illustrate this song can go on to be perfectly normal heathens **...

The P.E. Department is benefiting from the flag football kit that Chandler received for Christmas: Chandler helps Fisher belt up. Even sisters get to play! Logan has a better idea: CATCH! A Good Luck pat! Brothers gotta bump!

An update on our Christmas Tree Training School : The Babies have been released into the Wild (a.k.a. the back yard) Not to worry though, our table top tree is playing chaperon:

The Red Cross held a blood drive @ First Baptist Church of the Islands yesterday. I gave- very slowly - but a full bag nonetheless. Aside from the complimentary juice and cookies (NutterButter!) they gave me something in return: That's right, a BobbleHead! I had a choice between an apron, a book tote, a cd visor wallet or Buddy. I got the last Buddy. Everyone else in the room (a number of them goofy youth pastor types) were so envious. It was great. Still, don't you think a vampire would be a better mascot for this particular endeavor? (my kids didn't think that was funny either- but they did want to know why he wasn't an ELF )

BEAUFORT, SC 1/6/2008 We've made it back in time to return to the daily grind on Monday. I'll have to wait until at least then to collect my thoughts and begin to sort them out somewhat- I can't focus till the laundry's caught up...if then.

A quick weekend road trip before returning back to real life . . . (trying to break every resolution before beginning to keep them)... Myrtle Beach, SC 1/5/08 9 AM

Put on your It's time for a little stroll down Memory Lane. In JANUARY , I was still attempting to find words to re-start this blog. I remember ringing in the New Year on Tybee's Beach, with my parents and family. We watched fireworks and Garrison Keillor on t.v. (amongst other things, like bluegrass) In FEBRUARY , Clay and I celebrated 9 years of matrimony, went to Disney world(again) and as far as the blogosphere - I was still stalling a bit, putting up old "art" and working through the alphabet. In MARCH , I opened up a bit more blog wise - maybe because I had more going on then. Logan turned 6. Rob & Andrea came to visit Savannah. We were in a car (truck) wreck. Some things have changed since that climactic event, like wanting a Miata , increased backseat driver's syndrome and air brake usage and an even greater appreciation for life and those I share mine with. Some things have not- like shunning St. Patrick's Day in Savannah- now I just have a be...