A Literary Excursion

On the way home from Disney, we stopped for gas around Gainesville, and I realized that we were only about 10 miles from the Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings State Park.

I encouraged Mike to indulge me with a little literary excursion.

The Yearling is a fantastic novel about Florida living, and the movie adaptation is one of mine and my Daddy’s favorites to watch together. A few years ago, I stumbled upon an early edition of her biography, Cross Creek, in Amelia Island and was utterly impressed with Rawlings’ melodic, yet raw writing style, as well as her ability to find beauty in a most rugged and dangerous of natural surroundings.

My family is Old Florida, so I appreciated her vivid descriptions of her neighbors. After all, my people were not all too far away from Cross Creek in White Springs.

We arrived about 3 o’clock on Sunday afternoon. A tour was just beginning under the homestead’s barn, but we did not have any cash on us. I was intrigued about the tour guide, who was dressed in period clothes, but we had the kids and I knew they would be a distraction. The coolest thing, though–as I was inquiring about the tour, a lady from Hilliard (Susan Hallman) called my name and offered to pay my way! I was tickled to death to run in to home folk!

Because we were not on the tour, we were not allowed in Rawlings’ home. A kind docent, however, allowed me to take a picture on her porch where she did a great deal of writing.

The kids and Mike were happy to run around her grove, and the kids loved seeing the chickens in their coop. We even got to take a few oranges from her trees home with us as we left. It was a great experience, and I would like to go back and spend more time if I’m ever in the area again.

My Mommy’s Rocking Chair

My mom received her rocking chair from my great-grandmother, Granny Bryant, when she graduated from high school. She was pregnant with me, of course.

She rocked us all in that chair, including her grandchildren.

My mama did not have much in terms of material things, but I am proud to inherit this chair.

Miss Julia saw it in my bedroom for the first time and exclaimed happily, “That’s Meme’s chair! She held me in it.” What a beautiful moment for me.

Mason’s Mickey Mouse Birthday {Part Three}

Here are some of my favorite pictures from Mason’s special day.

Mason’s Mickey Mouse Birthday {Part 2}

Last week, we held Mason’s 4th birthday party at his “big boy school” so that he could celebrate with all of his buddies. In spite of missing my mom, the party turned out really well.

The morning started off with a visit from Poppy and Peyton, who brought Mason special birthday muffins for breakfast.

Mason got to wear a special monogrammed Mickey Mouse shirt; and, of course, Miss Julia dressed as Minnie.

We held the party at snack time. When the kids woke up from their naps, they were greeted with this!

We had to have Mickey Mouse watching over the fun, too.

You Find Out Who Your Friends Are

I do not want to make a list of Thank Yous, because I know I will inadvertently leave someone out. However, God has not left me alone spiritually, nor has he left me alone physically during this horrible time in my life. I have been overwhelmed by the out-pouring of love, support and kindness from family, church members, co-workers, social media connections, neighbors, and old and new friends.

And then there have been the random acts of kindness, like the owner of Gelling’s Florist in Monticello, who gave me a wreath to put at the accident site; the secretary of the wreck yard who asked to pray with me; the friend of my cousin Kelly who made the video tribute for the funeral; my former pastor and his wife, the Kimbrells, who I have not seen in nearly twenty years, coming up from Gainesville for the funeral…..

I am especially grateful to Mr. Roland Smith for preparing my mom’s hair, Mr. Aaron Tison for playing the piano and singing at the service, and my cousins Steven and Melissa Popwell for singing and also supporting me throughout the last two weeks.

It is in times like these when you find out who your friends are, and I am a very blessed woman.

Cousins

I think Miss Julia looks like her Daddy, but man does she look like my side of the family, too. My Aunt Glade always says how much she looks like my Bomba. She also looks just like my cousin Susie’s girls. There are pictures of Susie’s daughter Sam that are identical matches to Jules, and there was a snapshot of Sara from when she was two that I found and even Julia said it was herself when she saw it. So cool!

I took these shots of Miss Julia and Susie’s youngest little girl, Miss Shawna, on Thanksgiving Day. We are blessed with beautiful girls, and they are sweet, which is what really matters. You can definitely tell they are cousins. Second cousins, to be precise. If you cannot tell by these pictures, they lie hair color is the exact same shade of brown.

Christmas List {2012}

Mike has asked me to give him a list for Christmas this year.  I am honestly stumped.  We need household stuff, but that is no fun, is it?

The only thing I can think of that I want is a Burberry scarf.  Yet, that is completely out of the price range.

Every year, Mike sweetly buys me the Estee Lauder Christmas-edition make-up kit and a new bottle of perfume.  That is more than enough.  But, just for fun, here are some extras to help inspire him and maybe you.

Source: Amazon.com

I cannot believe I do not already own this precious movie!

http://www.amazon.com/Pretty-Pink-Everythings-Duckie-Edition/dp/B000FZETIO/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=3PH2F1ESQFFUX&coliid=I1SZM77QYFIGRJ

I like this delicious bag in red or black.

http://www.belk.com

Ralph Lauren Tote

http://www1.bloomingdales.com/shop/product/lauren-ralph-lauren-tote-bexley-heath-classic?ID=661034&CategoryID=1000930&LinkType=#fn=spp%3D24%26ppp%3D96%26sp%3D4%26rid%3D11

Kate Spade IPhone 4 Case

http://www1.bloomingdales.com/shop/product/kate-spade-new-york-iphone-4-case-la-pavillion-dot?ID=662127&CategoryID=23417#fn=spp%3D6%26ppp%3D96%26sp%3D1%26rid%3D13

http://www.amazon.com/Killing-Kennedy-The-End-Camelot/dp/0805096663/ref=reg_hu-rd_dp_img

I would love a “Happy Everything” Platter from local Tallahassee company, Coton Colors.

This looks yummy!

http://www.potterybarn.com/products/cable-knit-throw/?cm_src=AutoRel2

I adore this!

http://www.potterybarn.com/products/engravable-oval-locket-necklace/?pkey=cgifts-for-her&cm_src=gifts-for-her||NoFacet-_-NoFacet-_–_-

Every girl needs personalized stationary, and I am completely out right now.  And anything from Tiffany works really well.  I would particularly like a pearl bracelet of some sort.

Of course, the old stand-by options are great, too.  I could use some new PJs, some comfy socks, and some candles, bubble bath, and lotions.  I am pretty easy to buy for actually.  Just a tad bit boring.  I would love to hear what you are getting from Santa this year!

XOXO

Trying to Do Good

One of the reasons that I wanted to teach again was so that I could give back to the community. This year, more than ever, God has really opened those doors for me.

Over the last month, I was able to help with two large community service campaigns at school. My students, my friend Kaitlin, and I led our clubs/athletic teams in the school-wide can food drive to benefit Second Harvest of the Big Bend. Together with SGA, we collected over 5,500 cans.

At the same time, my AP students led a campaign for the March of Dimes’ Prematurity Awareness Month. As a school, we celebrated “Blue Jeans for Babies,” wore purple and collected coins in baby bottles along with our Junior Civitan Club.

God is so good! My family is very blessed, and I am a firm believer in giving back. But for the grace of God…

A Challenge to SOUTHERN LIVING

You know what makes me mad? Every Fall magazines like Southern Living do special features on college football tailgating traditions, and Florida State is NEVER mentioned! I do not understand this omission. I have been to many college towns and games and I cannot think of a place with nicer people and stronger traditions than Tallahassee. Our campus is beautiful, our band is world-renowned (The Atlanta Braves use our chop song for goodness sake!!!), and we have one of the most spectacular pregame ceremonies in the nation. We are Unconquered.I think these Southern publications are definitely missing out.

I’ll step down from my soap box and share some more pictures now. The best part of our family tailgate homecoming weekend was watching our kids play with Walker and Blake Smith. This is the future of the Seminoles right here.

Walker, Julia, and Mason Having Lunch

Uncle Michael, Aunt Tanya, Miss Julia, and Mike

Amber, Cherry and Me

 

A Friendly Game of Football

Great Seats for Her First Game