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He just felt like running…

13 Aug

Waving at the kids.

In the dark at 4 a.m.

That’s what time Andrew usually wakes up and leaves for his run – complete with a light he wears on his head (upgraded from the small flashlight he was carrying). He does it because it’s the best time for him. Cooler. Not as busy on the road. Great start to his day. But 4 a.m.

These before-the-crack-of-dawn runs are really paying off for him though. He feels healthier, lost weight, gained muscle and entered and succeeded in his first 5 and 10K’s. Now, his goal is to run in a 5K race each month. He says it’s motivation to help him keep running, since he pays money for the races. He signed up for a half-marathon in October and that’s what he’s working toward now (along with another 5k in a few weeks). I know he can’t wait to run on the beach during our upcoming vacation. He’s getting really tired (and somewhat creeped out) about running by the eerily lit cemetery on his typical morning route. That could help him run faster though…

So proud of you, Andrew. The kids and I love to cheer for you and now Nate wants to run in the one-mile kid races associated with your 5K’s. Such a positive example. I’m hoping it has that same effect on me – soon.

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The Usual at Table Two

17 Jul

We ordered our usual at our favorite diner and got a side of kindness from strangers. Although, the waitress/manager sure doesn’t treat you like a stranger. She has your coffee waiting on the table when she sees your car pull up outside. She sits down in the booth with you to take your order. That is, if it’s a new order because she’ll have your “usual” memorized.

Today, she was very busy because the diner was marking its second anniversary and she had to send the other server home because she came to work with purple and black striped hair and some on her skin. I love that she let us know this as she greeted us. What I love even more is that she too had a thin purple streak in her hair.

With or without the hair color obstacle, the celebration included a free blueberry pancake for customers and a whole lot of maneuvering chairs and tables to make way for the eager breakfast and coffee crowd. In one case, an older Navy veteran sitting at a table for three, gathered his coffee and mountain of individual serving creamers to move to the counter so that the family of 5 who just walked in could have a seat together. That same man soon generated giggles throughout the diner as his phone sounded a ringtone of an alien space ship.

Some customers helped clear the tables. Others made sure to let her know they were ok waiting, not to worry. They wished the diner’s staff a happy two years as they left to go about the rest of their Sunday, satisfied with full bellies and hearts.

See you next Sunday…

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Out of My Shell

14 Jun

Hi there.

I like to think of myself as a friendly person. I think I’m pretty nice to people and seem to be able to carry on conversations fairly easy with acquaintances. What I often have a difficult time with is follow-up. Continuing the connection. Letting new people in.

For example, I will often exchange phone numbers with other moms I meet. Moms who seem like nice, fun ladies but I’ll never know for sure because I never dial their digits. It’s often awkward to run into them down the road – both of us knowing I basically stood them up but never speaking of it. There is usually a repeat mention of trying again to get together. That doesn’t happen.

It’s not because I don’t want it to, because I do. I’ve had maybe two super close girl friends since we moved here. Sadly, one moved away with her fun family (thank goodness for facebook) and the other is still, thankfully, living next door to us with her wonderful family. I just miss having a few good friends to hang out with, rely on and share stories not suitable for PG-rated blogs or Facebook. I just don’t go there either because I’m not very trusting or something is just off…until now.

I’ve met some ladies who make it impossible for me to stay in my shell. They are so welcoming and we have so much in common that it’s impossible for me to be a lazy mommy loner. Our families have bonded over tee-ball, baseball camp, the Gwinnett Braves, swimming, ice cream, some church and many email/facebook chats.

I’m so thankful for them and the comfort and fun they’ve brought to our lives. I say all of our lives because what’s even more great about these mom friendships is that our husbands and children like each other too. When that happens, you put their phone numbers on speed dial and buy extra snacks/adult beverages to have in the house – just in case of spontaneous play-dates.

A Man and His Bible

4 Jun

He’s there the same time each day – standing near a busy intersection in our small town. I don’t know his name. I don’t know his history. I only know what I see. A man with many years behind him, a life lived, reading aloud from the Bible.

Reading is actually an understatement though. He is more, announcing it to us. To make sure we hear it. We may not always understand it, but we hear it.

I rolled down our windows as we kept going on our way. Listening to him for the length of the red light. Nia noted how he was reading without looking at the words. She told me, “He must go to church a lot, huh?” I replied, “Or he just reads from the Bible a lot.” “But he’s not reading it, mommy. He knows it.”

And he wants us to know it too.

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Sharing the Word

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In Memory

30 May

Capt. Mike MacKinnon - Photo courtesy: USMA

I met him as we were checking out at the Target near our home in Savannah. He had his children with him and Andrew was really happy to see him. Andrew had served in Iraq with him in 2003 and they were members of The Long Gray Line (they both shared the experience of attending and graduating from West Point – he graduated in 1997, Andrew in 1998).

His name is Mike MacKinnon. Andrew told me how Mike would always watch “The Simpsons” with his children. That it was a special thing. Now, it’s hard for Andrew to watch the show and not think about Mike – and how he can no longer watch it with his kids.

Captain Mike MacKinnon was 30 years old when he was killed during his second tour of duty in Iraq. He died due to an IED. He died the year after I met him in that Target aisle. He left a legacy behind him with the people he met, led and served with – Andrew was just one of them. He took the picture below of Andrew. So very true to Andrew and I’m sure they all had a good laugh about it.

It is captioned: "Andy asleep"

Andrew doesn’t like to talk about Mike’s death – or the deaths of his other friends from the Army. But there are days – like Memorial Day – when he will share a memory with me or share that he’s thinking about them with others. I didn’t know them well at all – but I know that they – and those who miss them the most – will always be remembered.

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They Died for Our Freedom

29 May

Right? And the freedom of others? Protection? Safety? Honor. Country. NOT store savings.

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Makes me sad.

I have a huge amount of respect for stores that do not advertise Memorial Day sales. I’m interested to know when it all began. I’d like to think it started as a tribute to our troops. Good intentions, maybe? It still seems wrong to me though. I suppose we as a society fuel the discount days. We take advantage of it. I suppose some troops do too?

As long as we remember why we are getting those great deals.

Because so many died for our freedom.

I am forever grateful and broken-hearted for our military families and hope that Nia and Nate will always remember the true meaning of our “day off.”

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Must Disregard Proper Social Behavior to Enter

27 May

I mean, the carnival wasn’t all that bad. It’s just, ew. When did I become such a proper adult? I really am not all that proper. In fact, sometimes, my manners are lost behind my belches, holy jeans and loud talking. But:

Why aren’t you wearing a shirt, sir? We are not at the pool, lake or beach. And what ever happened to hygiene? The whiffs of body odor mixed with cigarette smoke made my stomach turn more than the spinning rides. And what about just a little decency for other people? Crowding and foul language are pretty much typical at any event like this but we saw one woman move her child to another seat because she didn’t like her daughter sitting in the same car as another child. (Andrew and I believe it involved a race issue. So disgustingly sad.)

Whee!

I suppose these are all adult things to witness and let influence our experience. Nia and Nate didn’t have a clue about any of it. All they knew was that the rides were AWESOME (especially the pirate ship one that Nia wanted to ride over and over again and the spinning tea cups that cracked us up watching them get dizzier than they’ve ever dizzied themselves before) and that the $5 cotton candy and the $5 funnel cake were AWESOME.

I often try to look at situations through their eyes, so I won’t be such a proper adult. It’s hard though when our children act more proper than so many adults. Even when they are out-of-their minds with excitement because they are having, “the best night ever,” as Nia described it. I’m so glad they did. That makes it all worth it for me.

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Grosser than gross …

26 May

but real and kind of humorous.

That’s how I would describe the accidental discovery I recently spotted in a ladies’ room stall.

I walked in and saw that the can labeled “not a trash receptacle” was open. In this particular ladies’ room, this receptacle (such a smart word) is meant to hold clean bags to allow for proper disposal of, you know, girl stuff. I went to close it (because things such as this tend to bother me) and upon doing so, noticed the contents. Don’t worry, I’ll spare you the unsightly details but this is what struck me as appropriately funny.

There, obviously, was trash in the non-trash can. That trash included:

  • A used girl thing that shall not be named
  • A piece of chewed gum
  • An empty pain pill packet
  • And – an empty Heath chocolate bar wrapper

Yes, I was grossed out. But also entertained. I mean, it all makes sense. All of those things are often necessary during that time. Even flipping off the not-a-trash-can sign. “You’re not gonna tell me what to do!”

I actually think the grossest part of it all is that it’s likely that candy bar was eaten in that stall.

Whoa. Must have been a BAD day.

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Glorious Growth

14 May

She’s had Sunday school after Sunday school, learning about God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit and our church. She’s earned Disciple Dollar after Disciple Dollar for all the school work she’s turned in and questions answered in class. She asks questions to us. Wants to learn more. Says her prayers. Follows along to the readings in church. Sings songs of praise – in church and when at home.

Nia was prepared and excited for today. Her First Holy Communion. She felt so special getting to receive the body and blood of Jesus. She told me the blessed wine shocked her a bit because she got a bigger sip than she meant to. But that, “She tried really hard not to make a face.” I think the Sacrament is already showing her about growing closer to God. Tonight, she added more to her nightly prayer, asking God to please keep her family safe. For a little girl who usually only says, “Now I lay me down to sleep…” this is a wonderful thing.

Our little Bean – growing up in mind, beauty, spirit and faith.

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You don’t like the spicy?

11 Apr

I made some new “White Chicken Chili” tonight after hearing my boss talk about it and it was so spicy YUM. I didn’t have the recipe his wife made but I tried this one and it was so incredibly hot that I just couldn’t pass up the opportunity to capture Andrew’s gasp-filled struggle through his one half bowl. Even I thought it was hot and I love me some inferno foods!

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Getting a sip of beer to douse the flames

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Bearing through the pain

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Sweat was wiped next

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"What did you put in this?!"

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"You had to make this spicier than it said to be."

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Cooling Off

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"Are you taking pictures of me suffering?"

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It's just so hot!

Are you too chicken to try the chicken chili? I have a feeling I’m the only one who will be eating the leftovers. Next time, I’ll go easy on the spicy.

 

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