He is 35 years old.
Father of two.
Routinely runs for pleasure and health.
Registered for the Athens Half Marathon two 5K’s and a 10K ago.
It took him 1:47 to run 13.1 miles.
Finished 294th out of 1,844 runners.
He was the 4th from our town to finish.
33rd out of 118 in his age group.
217 out of 793 men.
Of course, always, #1 in our hearts.
Yay for Daddy! And a beer at the finish line?! Best race ever...
I asked for it for Christmas when I was in middle school. Looking back on it, I’m not sure why I wanted it so much. It was a two-person tent that I spied in the J.C. Penny Christmas catalog at my Grandma’s house. I got it and set it up in my room for the longest time. I would “camp out” in it – surrounded by my stuffed animals and other necessities like my cassette tape recorder. I remember once being brave enough to ask my mom to camp in the backyard. The campsite was so close to my house that I was able to stretch an extension cord from the bathroom window outlet to the 13-inch black and white tv that I used to watch the Muppet Show on when I was even younger. Not really camping. More like – a dare fulfilled.
That all changed this past weekend. Our familyfriends (so close they are like family), the Heidels, have been asking us to join them in their camping adventures at Camp Enota in the Georgia mountains and we finally could. This was not the backyard. This was up a windy and steep mountain that made me giggle with whee but made Nia’s belly turn upside-down and then inside-out before we arrived. Poor Bean. She tried so hard not to get sick.
There she was. Quick change on the side of that stomach-flipping road. Bottles of water and shampoo from the necessity bag grabbed to help clean Bean. Whoops, those are Nate’s jeans, not Nia’s. Creek water to help clean out the car. Nate patiently buckled in his seat and waiting, concerned for Nia and factually stating, “I didn’t get sick.” We’re glad, bud.
She was all better after that and we finally arrived. It was gorgeous. The Heidels were excitedly waving for us and showing us around our site.
Camp Sun
The beautiful valley spot was surrounded by hills of fall colored leaves. Two creeks met there. They made the most relaxing sound. We had a swing to watch them merge and then rush down the mountain. We had a picnic table that they had already table-clothed and made it feel homey. The kids ran to the nearby playground and in-ground trampolines while the adults talked about what it was like to get there (our aforementioned mess and it took Ginger, Lee and Camille seven hours), set up our tent and started on dinner for that night. The kids couldn’t wait for roasted marshmallows. Unfortunately, our first few attempts at fire fizzled out. We had enough for them to heat a few ‘mallows but it was getting late and a chill was in the air. After the youngest campers hit the air-mattresses for the night, Ginger, our fire goddess, finally was able to beat that misbehaving fire-pit and we got some decent flames for us to enjoy good conversation, adult beverages and toasted pepperoni rolls.
Friday’s sleep was a breeze compared to what Saturday’s would hold but Saturday morning brought warm coffee for moms and dads and hot chocolate for kids. There was delicious bacon, eggs and grits and a day ahead that included more trampoline jumping, creek exploring, a hike to a beautiful waterfall complete with a picnic lunch, petting zoo sights, relaxing, grilled meat dinner (ka-bobs) and an AWEsome fire perfect for making the best s’mores ever. Another cherished camp memory: looking at the stars with the kids and counting shooting stars. Then came time for bed on Saturday night. Brr is not even the half of it. Freezer. With a side of slap in your face freeze. (Specifically, lows in the 30’s, not enough blankets and the kids and I cuddled on one full size inflatable mattress because I was worried they would be too cold without mom. Nate’s “I love you, mommy” when I warmed him confirmed it.)
As soon as the Sunday sun was in sight, we were all up and packing up. Restaurant breakfast sounded delightfully warm.
All a part of the adventure. And I would do it again. I will always remember falling asleep on Saturday night and thinking to myself, “This was fun.” I will hold on to that thought. Kind of like childbirth or tattoos, I believe you forget some of the owies you go through when you’re experiencing it. You remember the joy/pride you feel in the accomplishment.
I camped. I was 33-years-old when I first camped. The kids were 8 and 5. Andrew has camped out as a soldier more times than I can count. I guess that makes us all experienced now.
Thank you, Heidels. I don’t believe I would have braved any of it – thus enjoyed it – if it wasn’t for you.
Here’s a peek at the rules in the classroom of Miss Bean, where her little brother is the only “real” student among a lot of make-believe classmates and a famous Smurf. Oh yeah, and don’t forget to “have fun!”
Dry Erase Rules
Keeping an eye on Smurfette - Row 1
I’ve been needing a crash course in decision making and quick thinking. I’ve also been needing a new bedside table for our guest room. I’m proud to say that I scored both at my first visit to an auction.
My friend, Leigh, recently expanded my experiences when she invited me to go with her to the Breffle Auction Company in Statham for one of their monthly auctions. I had no idea what to expect except for what I’ve seen in movies about country towns holding auctions on farmland (there’s always a pig) and on tv – thoughts of that old Micro Machines commercial with the fast-talking man filled my head.
Yeah. Not so much. This was way cooler.
Got What I Wanted!
Rows of people’s former treasures filled the warehouse. Some bigger pieces were on wheeled platforms so that they could easily be displayed at the front while the auctioneer was detailing them. People of all ages and styles were present, ready to act fast and pay their price for the item(s) of their choice. I had my sights on two tables. I’ve been wanting to get rid of the plastic shelf in the guest room that I’ve had since college and I found a unique table that I adore to replace it. I just had to be brave enough to bid on it – without going over my budget.
Trouble was – it all was happening so quickly and I wasn’t sure about how to play the bidding game. They start out at one price and then it drops if no one bites at the high amount but you have to be so fast to jump in on the lowest price, not really knowing if it will get any lower. It helped that I needed to wait an hour or so for my table to be bid on because I got to watch and absorb how the frequent auction goers do it.
Looking back on it, I got pretty lucky. I bought the two tables I wanted for $35 and $45. I’ll still never understand how a big shelf and a dining room table went for that about amount too – or even more wow – an entire office desk suite for $5. Yes, $5!
I hope to make it back there. I have my eye on this little pink vanity and chair for Bean. I just have to make room in her room for it – oh and make sure I pounce when the price is right.
I never thought I would remark that a place had so many fun things to do that it was almost too many. We recently took a short ride down to Loganville, Georgia to check out some farmland now home to fantastic games and activities called Corn Dawgs.
I believe the main attraction is the gigantic corn maze shaped like a Coca-Cola bottle but then there are also the random mazes on the ground to walk through, a unique ring toss game every so often to challenge each other at, horse-shaped swings, ziplines that Nate almost zipped off of, giant slides to scream down, a corn cannon that was bigger than the kids, a petting zoo (we avoided it though – one of the things we put aside over other activities), “whee-fun” jumping pillows and cool gem mining where every rock was cherished by Nia. There were just so many things for both parents and kids to enjoy.
If you live within a 30 minute or so drive, it is definitely worth checking out. They have areas divided for kids 6 and under and those above. Andrew and I got general admission armbands for $12 each (for the things labeled all ages) and we bought the kids the all-inclusive bands for $25 each. We spent a blast-filled four hours there. One hour was due to the awesome maze. One note of caution: don’t go in there hungry! We each took turns leading our family through the maze. That made it fun for everyone and gave us each a chance to praise – and heckle – the leader. If the leader lead us back to where we already were, the turn was over. Nate lead the longest but our Nia got us back to where we needed to be. Go, Bean!
Now that I think about it, I only got to lead once…
Nia recently witnessed a crime. She told me about it very casually as I tucked her in for bedtime. In between her prayers and happy thoughts we talk about so she has sweet dreams, she said:
“I saw someone steal a toothbrush today at the grocery store. A dad took it out of the wrapper and gave the wrapper to his little girl to throw away and then he put the toothbrush in his pants.”
She told me she heard the rip of the wrapper and that’s what got her attention to look that way. I was right there with her but I didn’t notice it. I probably was deep in thought comparing bread ingredients or some such grocery store necessity. She said she’s not sure why she didn’t point it out to me or tell me then.
I’m really surprised about that too. She always tells me all sorts of things. Things I don’t necessarily want to know about what her friends say and do and everything her little brother does to annoy her. The time she should speak up to me, for whatever reason, she doesn’t. I’m actually not even sure what I would’ve done had she told me at the time.
Would I confront him? Unlikely. I’m not the confronting strangers type. Would I tell the grocery store employees? I should, right? They are stealing. But then I think of the little girl. Do I want to cause her any more trouble or hardship than she already may be experiencing? Also, it’s just a toothbrush. Maybe the dad’s mad at the high prices and is making a point? Still doesn’t make it right though… What would you do? Would you confront or report?
I talked to Nia about it, in case it ever happens again. She knows that taking something that isn’t yours – or that you haven’t paid for – is wrong. We also talked about some things that may cause people to steal and how I can sometimes understand why someone in a desperate circumstance would feel they have no other choice. That starts getting confusing for an 8-year-old. Especially one who just watched a little girl about her age have to do as her daddy said and help him steal.
My little girl witnessed a crime but what’s more sad to me is that another little girl was involved in one.
She wakes up but keeps her door closed to the rest of the family. It’s her time. Her time to make-believe.
I wonder what Nia dreams about to make her want to stay in her room as soon as her eyes open and start building lives for her Barbies. I loved to play pretend with my Barbies too. I became lost in their made up lives. I wish I could remember the stories I thought up then. I’m sure they would be good enough for a dollar store book rack.
I asked Nia if I could capture some of her imagination and keep it forever in one of my blogs. She told me sure and then even invited me in to her Barbie world tell me more about what her dolls had been doing at the time she was called to breakfast. Her imagination took a much different turn than mine. I’ll share what I thought they’d been up to and then reveal Nia’s plans for them.
These dolls are enjoying a healthy brunch and then will follow-up with some serious hair makeovers. They must be having a girls get together during an emotional time in their lives – based on the food choices, the messy hair and the proximity of the toilet. (Upset stomach often calls during a roller coaster of emotions.)
Nia’s thoughts: “They are eating breakfast, lunch and dinner all at once. And I made their house out of the special Liv Doll room I had.”
She sets up a nice spread.
Clearly, these two just got hitched.
Not so, says Nia. “I just wanted her to sit in his lap.”
These are girls visiting the pediatrician for their newborns’ check ups. (There’s a baby in that pink stork thing.) The pediatrician is wearing the vinyl hot pants. She has a stethoscope so she must be legit, yo.
Nia sets me straight, “They just visited their neighbors – the girls eating all the food.”
This poor miss just injured her hand in a fire and now must wear a doll-shaped bandage for it to heal. The fire also frayed her hair.
Nia straightens my mind out, “She’s a teacher who just got fired because she wasn’t reading to the students enough. She was telling them a story with a puppet on her hand when she was fired.”
I like Nia’s version of that one much better. I am concerned about the firing though. Seems like a pretty cool teacher to be using a puppet to act out a story.
Me: Hot date to the drive-in movie theater.
Nia: They’re just driving home.
Oh, this one is good. It’s a witch trying to remove the mermaid spell cast upon this Barbie in need of a comb. (The spell will also fix that.) The witch must perform the incantation in a hot tub in order for the mermaid to be the right temperature to shed her scales and form legs. Plus, an adult fruity beverage will also magically appear in celebration after her tail transforms.
Nia had no thought of witches. “The mermaid has to stay in the tub and the girl standing just wanted to warm her feet because she just got back from Kansas City visiting daddy.”
I’m not jealous at all but I like my witch story way better.
All of the children under age 8 must sit on the only child seat in the house. As soon as one gets down they all must stop watching tv. The dogs, cat, rabbit and Cinderella mouse are attached to the children with an invisible leash. They must go wherever the children go.
Nia explains, “They are brothers and sisters watching tv. See the crown on the bike helmet?” (I love the close up picture below. Really shows the placement of each child – and that crown.)
I can’t wait to hear what the next morning of Barbie world holds for me. I wonder if that teacher will get her job back?
Sniff. Sniff. Shaking, chin wrinkle sob. Rub on the back and arm hug from sweet Nia. Yes, I loved Dolphin Tale and I’m so proud of myself for not letting my anxiety with crowded theaters get the best of me.
First, the movie. Nia and I loved it. I can’t reveal her favorite part because it would then reveal some key moments (but it involves something that happens near the end). I’m pretty sure Nate’s favorite part was popcorn and the end. It just wasn’t his cup. He got a bit antsy during the adult conversation and plot development scenes. Maybe too deep for theater viewing for some children ages 5 and under. Of course, his 35-year-old father thought it went a bit long too so again, it depends on your cup. Nia and I were in movie watching heaven.
That is, except for the fact that I don’t do well in crowded theaters. I start feeling dizzy and have trouble breathing as the people pile in and chose seats around me. This was especially difficult because we got there early and it’s opening weekend so there wasn’t an empty seat. When the people sat next to me, I nervously smiled and then felt better when she smiled back and made small talk about how lucky they were to get those seats.
No kidding.
They weren’t the groups who came in late and made others move and miss movie moments. Those same people then got up halfway through to get a snack. Another movie moment missed. On the flip of that though, I really loved the woman in front of us who shouted out in reaction to a scene from the movie and then was the first to applaud at the end. Joyous. Love that.
A tale around a tale. Based on a true story.
I support cause and effect punishment. If you do something you know is wrong, especially after being warned and told not to do it again, there should be a punishment. Whether it’s being mean/hurtful to someone else, refusing to listen/respect adults or tearing the paint off of walls, there needs to be some corrective action taken and guidance provided about what is proper behavior and what is not.
What that punishment is has varied for us over the years. There were a lot of time-outs. There were a few spankings. Too many scoldings to count. Privileges and toys (once an entire doll house) taken away. Even soap (with immediate rinsing). The severity of the punishment depended on the no-no. We rarely had to punish twice for the same no-no. A lot of it was us figuring it out as we went. If it seemed like one thing wasn’t working after a while, we tried another. If it seemed the punishment really didn’t fit the behavior, we altered it.
This is why I’m so confused/surprised that I’m feeling that kids need a break now and then. We give plenty of warnings to allow them to settle down and make a better choice so our need for punishment has dropped significantly because they’ve learned they don’t want to be in trouble and that they want to do what’s right. I believe school does this too. I can count on one hand the number of times Nia had to “pull a stick” during her years in school. Nate is (knock on wood) actually doing great in school as well. He had to pull a stick once for keeping his feet on someone else’s square on the rug, which I’m sure boils down to a listening issue. He’s been doing so well at following all the school rules but then there are even more rules at after-school and I guess – well – he’s just a little tired at that point.
We got a note home from the after-school counselors saying Nate’s behavior is becoming a problem because he’s not listening. They were surprised because he is one of “their best kids.” I called because I wanted specifics so I would know how to help correct the concern. Basically, he’s not listening is what I was told.
Fine. But then I thought about it. So many rules. All day long. When I went to my grandparents after elementary school they never had a report for my mom. “Nikki wouldn’t listen. She sassed her grandpa.” I did that. Yes. But it was never relayed to my parents. After a day of rule-following so well at school, I was allowed a rest from the regime. To not listen here and there, without it being written up.
I guess it comes down to – I just don’t want to be nagging him all the time. Not good for any of us. A break is needed. I feel like it will be ok if I ease up on him for minor after-school issues. I think my working mommy with no family around guilt is blurring my behavior patrol glasses. I may need a time-out.
The worn sticker on his shirt read, “Smile! It’s picture day” but Nate had more in mind than just smiling. “Can I have spiky hair for pictures?” he asked on the way home from after school. “And a tie?”
With both of these hopes, I made him happy with an immediate “we’ll see what we can do” and told him we’d need to test out the spiky do after dinner because I was worried that it was going to be too short.
Sadly for the little man, I was right. He went running for his daddy’s hair “glue” (what we lovingly call the pomade) after dinner and we tried to get his little locks to stand up. His face in the pictures shows how he want from hope to hurt, saddened that his hair just wouldn’t spike.
I reassured him that he looks so handsome and cute without the spikes and that we’ll still put some glue on his hair tomorrow if he wants. That made him feel better. He was also cool that the clip-on tie wouldn’t fly with the color of his shirt. I’m still surprised he didn’t ask to wear a Braves shirt – although he may try to sneak on his Braves armband. As long as he’s happy with his style and smile when the camera clicks. Can’t wait to see his first elementary school picture!
Are You Zhazha? 
Say what?