The Legend of Zelda

I am not much of a video game or tv gal. It probably stems from the fact that we didn't have cable until my teens. Our first Nintendo System arrived when my brothers were old enough to enjoy games like Super Mario Brothers & Ken Griffey, Jr.  I remember pretty intense games between Tony & Rusty, some even drew blood.

One game I enjoyed more than others was The Legend of Zelda. I'm not sure what it was about this game, but I found it intriguing that this little character roamed around seeking items from others to help him on his journey.  The more items he obtained, the easier he maneuvered on his path.

Today, I played the role of Zelda. On my quest for writing inspiration, I made a surprise visit to one of my favorite writers, the dirty librarian. Her writing has been extra inspired over the past year due to some adversity in her life. Like a seasoned writing pro would do, she has used these troubled times to enhance her craft. One doesn't have to take my word for it. Ole girl was featured not once, but twice by The Huffington Post. My favorite part of my visit was stepping back in time. She is a legend in her small town, as you see her below posing in front of her lettermen's jacket that is rightly displayed in the trophy case.  I can think of no one better that exemplifies #lifeisbiginthelittlechallenge.  Hence, today's hashtag...

Day 4:  The Dirty Librarian

#tellitlikeitis

For those of you that are concerned about my sanity, do not fear. Writing obsession will end with Fall Break. I do plan to write more frequently than before after this week of priming the pump. 

Ironic

As I continue my writing awakening, I find myself with more perspective. After a great visit with Bobo in Mobile, the kids and I loaded the car this morning to make the 6 hour drive back home. The drive is a favorite time of mine especially with Rae's top down, sun shining, and music blaring. The morning hours were a bit chilly but we struggled through and finally reached perfect convertible temps.

While driving, we approached a place that evoked some painful memories for me. I tried to start a conversation with the kids to distract me from the thoughts, but their iPods prevailed.  I went through my many self-taught coping mechanisms and finally decided to drown out the thoughts. As I have said many times, it's as if I have my own DJ ready to play a therapy song on cue. I turned the speaker on only to hear a classic from my college days. This particular song reminded me of some of my darkest times from the mid-90s. My dear friend, Lea, and I would scream sing the words to Alanis' Ironic, until we forgot the problems of the day.

Here's the ironic part, after listening to the song at least four times, I found my thoughts were still there. There was only one thing left to do. Which leads me to today's entry for #lifeisbiginthelittlechallenge.

Day 3:  The Drive

#lookup

There is only one place to go when sorrow arrives. Thankful for a prayerful end to my drive. 

ao

The Colors of the Rainbow

Today was the perfect scene for my new writing project. What better place for my #lifeisbiginthelittlechallenge than Tropical Depression Karen coming in on what would be our only beach day?  This is how it works sometimes. As a matter of fact, this is what cliches are written about. I can promise you that while making the lemonade, finding silver linings, and tasting the box of chocolates, there is plenty of attitude adjusting going on. But as the greatest cliche goes, "Any day that starts with Krispy Kreme..."  Well maybe it's not a cliche, but it sure does get the day started.

From top left to right:

#timetomakethedonuts

#gatorhunting

#exploremobile

#bobolove

#raincatchingoffthetinroof

#jagswag

#amovieanamedforourday

#thecalmafterthestorm

Stay tuned for more #lifeisbiginthelittlechallenge!

ao

An Awakening

Something's been stirring. Not like a tilt-a-whirl, throw-up in your mouth kind of spin, but rather a circular motion. Like a spin that happens when water goes down a clogged drain.

I stopped trying to figure out why. That makes the spinning worse. I decided, instead, to focus on the how. How does one stop feeling dizzy when things are off-balance, blurry, or just plain weird?

The only thing I know to do is curl up in the fetal position and hold on until it's over. It works temporarily but at the end of the day, the spinning won't stop. Plain and simple, I am the spinning. And the more spinning I do, the less of me there is.

I've been thinking about this blog a lot.  The fact of the matter is I haven't felt much like writing lately. It's been over a year since I've even tried. It goes back to that phrase about "Best Intentions". I have a lot of those. This summer I found my daughter reading the words I had written about her as a toddler. It was then I realized I MUST find my voice again, if only for her sake (and memories).

My friend Meghan has been spot on lately. It's as if she can read my mind and writes exactly what I'm thinking about. You can check her out www.kmaccreations.com.

She recently challenged me (and any of her other readers) to a reflection show-down. A hashtag commitment to #lifeisbiginthelittlechallenge. It seemed like a great place to start for a lover of writing who can't find her voice. So here goes.  Fall Break described in hashtags.

Day 1:  Bobo Time

Top-Left:  #donteverletgo

Top-Right:  #PIGwithBOBO

Center-Left:  #checkingoutUSA

Center-Left:  #sunkissedandsmiles

Bottom-Left:  #butchcassidyburger #atethewholething

Bottom-Right:  #dutchicecreamohmy

Stay tuned for my slow awakening this week!

38

I have never been one to focus on a number.  Age.  Money.  Prizes.  They all seem quite trivial to me.

As I sit and wrap up the last few hours of my 37^th year, I find myself swirling around between a place of confusion and peace.  I know this “teeter-totter” feeling comes straight from experience as I am no stranger to adversity and change.  The past few weeks have given me my share of both.  And yet, I stare 38 in the face and say, “Bring it!”

After a spring break filled with illness, I decided to spend my birthday eve headed to one of my favorite places.  Scattered thunderstorms abbreviated the river activity, but allowed for plenty of reflection during the drive.  I decided to document my drive through pictures in hopes of remembering my thoughts for many birthdays to come.

I stare at this picture and see a woman that I know.  If you look carefully, you will see no makeup, hair tied back in a scarf, dimples and moles.  It brings me pure joy to see the past 37 have not taken those things from me.

Speaking of looking in a mirror, how could one not feel inspired looking in the rearview mirror at these two?  I have a feeling we have many roadtrips in our future.  More about them later…

I am a lover of music of all kinds.  Every few months, I am blessed with a playlist from one of my dearest.  This one (circa September 2011) reminds me of a weekend of absolute joy on Dale Hollow Lake with some of my favorite people.  Hwy 64 would not be complete without a memorable soundtrack.

I made this drive last weekend with some of my oldest friends who came to visit from NY.  They will tell you that my feet have always been my most identifiable feature.  One can quickly find it by the scars and long second toe.  Tonight I found it nestled up by the steering wheel in its most favorite position.

Despite the rain, we found ourselves at a treasured dive at the base of the river.  I am a lover of all things local.  When I travel, I must find the one place that location is known for.  I don’t imagine the ODD is legendary, but it holds its own special place in my heart as it reminds me of my true soul.   Lord knows I’ve always been a sucker for randomness found in the middle of a field.

We found our table and they found their journals.  Each of them immediately started arguing over the black pen that could perfect their own personal reflections.  After some “problem-solving” they nestled in to create a masterpiece of their own. 

Tate settled into the place that speaks to him, anything involving science.  If you look closely at his drawing, you will see spacecraft, satellites, and martians.  I see much more.  I see the intent focus of his daddy and the sparkling strawberry hair of my family.

Lily took a more personal approach with her hearts and American flag.  Her rosy lips and bangs hanging over her eyes give me a more intimate view into the little girl she is…sweet, endearing, strong. 

Both of these pictures remind me that my entrance into year 38 is so much less about me than ever before.

This last picture may appear random to the average person.  I could spout of some relative meaning, but I took it simply because it made me laugh.  Which reminds me…I need to do that more often.

So 38, here I come…ready and willing to take what you got and with it, I commit to be:

·      A better servant to the Lord and all the blessings and trials he affords me.

·      The best wife that I can, listening more than I speak and loving more than I criticize.

·      Present to my two beautiful treasures I was given to raise and mold.

·      Loving to my parents, brothers, inlaws and extended family as they have given me that same gift.

·      Connected to a wonderful circle of friends as they remind me of who I was and who I will be.

·      Inspired in my daily professional walk and make each moment at work MATTER.

In short, I commit to a better me.  Through growth and reflection, I strive for the life that I am led to live.  Happy 38 to me!!!

8 on Tate is GREAT!!!

this boy

he sits

he thinks

he grows

and somehow he is mine

and i know the more sittin' and thinkin' he does

the more he will do

he's just amazing like that

Although delayed, Happy 8th Birthday to the boy I don't deserve and am honored to raise!!!

Good wife. Great mother. Decent Lady. BAD BLOGGER.

I miss it.

I miss the days that each Sunday I could sit down and review the week.  I initially started the blog for our parents so they could keep up with the grandkids.  After awhile, it became more than that to me...a journal of sorts that allowed me time to reflect on life as it happened.

And that is exactly why I miss it.  As more and more of life keeps happening, there is less time to reflect on the life's "happenings."

I will not try a superficial attempt at "catching" up, but as I look through the picture library of the year, there are some things to highlight.

So I present, my list of 2011 favorite things:

{FAVORITE PARTY}

Although we entertain a lot, my favorite gathering of friends from 2011 occurred during the first few moments of the year.  Nothing kicks off a year better than to be surrounded by those you love.  I remember looking around as my parents, dear friends, our children, and my sweet husband rang the start of 2011 in our new outdoor den.

{FAVORITE SURPRISE}

The weather surprised us many times in 2011.  Definitely one of our favorite times was gathering with our neighborhood pals for a huge sledding party.  This picture is with my childhood sled.  It didn't work great in the southern, light, fluffy snow, but it made for great pics!

{FAVORITE FAMILY PICTURE}

Although it was taken at Grandma Dee's funeral, I love this picture of my family.  It is the first one we have had taken in awhile and it is still the screen saver on my laptop.  It makes me not miss them all so much!

{BEST GIRL}

There is no other picture taken that could sum up the complexities of my Lily girl and this year her personality has just blossomed.  Although I can predict some difficult days ahead, I know I'm gonna dig being this girl's mom.  She's a special kinda thing and I can't get enough.

{BEST WRITING SPOT}

We have a friend with a cabin that overlooks this:

And who better to bring along for inspiration than these ladies:

After the death of my grandmother in January, I felt this screaming and yelling of my soul telling me that I needed to write.  Of course, I couldn't do it alone.  We gathered the troops and headed to a place where we could stay in PJs all day and take in some quality "girltime".  Definitely one of my favorite moments of the year.

{FAVORITE BIRTHDAY BOY}

He wanted to celebrate his Kentucky Wildcats so all we needed was a gym, some balls, and a bunch of great friends.  This pic was taken as he displayed his moves during the dance competition.

{BEST PLAYDATE}

This pic was taken outside the Children's Museum in Wilmington, NC.  The kids and I had a great visit with the Hurleys for Spring Break complete with a walk on the dock, catching crab, beach play, and lots of fun pics.  Of course I loved the pineapple salsa from Flaming Amy's and fish tacos from K38!

{FAVORITE SUNSET}

This pic was taken by my dear friend, Leslie, on JoJo's dock, which is one of my favorite places.  It makes me happy every time I look at it.

{BEST FRIENDS}

What better way to celebrate another year of life than with fish tacos from Taco Mamacita and a beautiful group of ladies and their wonderful husbands (not pictured)?

{BEST DRESSED}

We had a wonderful Easter weekend with Robbie's parents.  All year long, Papaw has been working on a treehouse for the kids.  This was the first weekend of construction.  Of course, we cleaned up and took time out to celebrate our risen savior.

{FAVORITE VACATION}

Robbie and I celebrated 10 years of marriage on the beaches of Mexico.  This was our first trip without friends or family.

This is a pic of a sedote (swimming hole).  I was a sad tourist because I didn't get to swim due to a rainstorm.

{BEST COUPLES GETAWAY}

Another great weekend on Dale Hollow Lake with Robbie's college buds and their wives.

{MOST VALUABLE PLAYERS}

Our first spring at the ballpark was a complete blast, especially with daddy as a coach and me as a scorekeeper.

{BEST TOURNAMENT}

I am not sure what goes on there, but Robbie, his brother, Adam and their buddies have a great time at K Day weekend in Paintsville every year.

{FAVORITE CELEBRATION}

What a great weekend in Gatlinburg celebrating 40 years of marriage with Papaw and Mamaw including a great dinner at the Dixie Stampede.

{FAVORITE PASTTIME}

This year Tate and Daddy kept working on their golf game while Lily acted as the best caddy and ate all the snacks.

{MOST MEMORABLE}

The first day of school was extra special this year as our baby went to Kindergarden.

{BEST LAUGH}

The annual girls' weekend is always jam-packed with laughs, but this particular weekend had an added twist.  10 girls and a double-decker pontoon boat on Dale Hollow Lake created a perfect scene for the greatest comedy of the year.

{MOST CHANGE}

To mom's dismay, Tate decided it was time to cut of his strawberry blonde locks.

{CUTEST}

Check out these cutie patooties, featuring both old and new friends, celebrating Lily's 6th birthday.

{BEST COSTUME}

The kids always try to keep their candy away from daddy on Halloween.  This year, they not only had to hide the candy, but they were competing for "Best Costume" too.  Although daddy looked cute as Derek Dooley, he was beaten by the Midnight Butterfly and Darth Vadar.

{FAVORITE TRADITION}

It's been several years since I have spent Thanksgiving in New York, but not a thing has changed.

There's still plenty of food, family and fun to go around.

{FAVORITE DAY EVER}

If you look smack in the middle of the picture, you will see my husband holding three very happy kids.  This year the annual Kentucky vs. Tennessee ended in sweet victory.  My husband and kids were celebrating for one reason, but I was happy for a completely different one.


As Eleanor Roosevelt says, "Happiness is not a goal, it is a by-product of a life well lived."  Indeed it is.


Stay tuned for a holiday update soon!
~ao