Spring in winter

Awwwww........today is absolutely beautiful! That one perfect day in the middle of winter that makes you long for warmer temps, greener trees, and colorful flowers....better known as Spring!! Hubs and I took the big girl (who has been very naughty lately) for a long walk at a local state park. It seems everyone had the same idea. Who couldn't get out on a day like this?!
January itself is a special month. Many folks in my life, past and present, celebrate their dates of birth during this cold month. For one....my daddy. He would have been 77 yesterday. Instead of being here, he and mama are celebrating his birthday in heaven. I have a nephew who's birthday is tomorrow; he will be a teenager.....wow! Time DOES fly!!! I have a dear friend who would have had a birthday earlier this month, however, she too will be celebrating in heaven. There are others....special wishes to all of you. May you have a little Spring during your winter, too!!

Blessings... G.R.I.T.S. (Girl Raised In The South)

First Snow

This morning we were greeted by winter's first snow; first real one, that is. We had a little snow dust a few weeks ago. I was like a kid yesterday. Looking out the window and checking the weather intermittently...actually frequently! First flakes began to fall as I laid my weary, blond head down for peaceful slumber. It is always so beautiful when it is untouched; it looks like a white blanket covering the landscape. It won't be near that pretty tomorrow as it turns to slush.
I remember the first snow I actually saw and played in. I was 21 and had flown to West Virginia to visit a great friend. They were actually experiencing, what I think is referred to as, a whiteout. Couldn't see your hand in front of your face!! So exciting. And as I bundled up with 50,000 layers of clothes and set out to take a walk, was told I was crazy and way over dressed. How could that be possible?! I soon discovered that all the body heat I was generating was being held in....started shedding clothes. It sure was beautiful and SO much fun. Snow angels, snowmen, snowball fights. But the most memorable were the inner tube rides with the feller down the big hill!!!
For now, I will enjoy the gift of the natural beauty....

Blessings... G.R.I.T.S. (Girl Raised In The South)

Perfect Timing

The year is off to a fantastic start! Have completed the first week of the new job. It's been a great week!! Funny how we have to look back over the years to realize that we are exactly where we are supposed to be. The last 26 years have been spent molding me to do exactly what I am now doing....teaching. I am absolutely going to love teaching. Now I can pass on knowledge, encouragement, and kindness to folks that want to be awesome nurses.
I want to thank a very special friend for all the encouragement, patience, and love during this process. I needed it....you knew it...I love you!!!!
I am exactly where I'm supposed to be; professionally and personally!!

Blessings... G.R.I.T.S. (Girl Raised In The South)

Desk~dolls~doors

What an awesome start to a new year; a new decade. Today was the first day to, hopefully, achieving my long dream of becoming a teacher. It's sad that we don't realize during our lives that we are being prepared and molded for certain things. Some of us eventually come to this realization as we look back over the course of our lives; some, unfortunately, never see this. Maybe it's possible if we new these things as our lives move forward we would make different choices, and if we made different choices we would not get to where we need to be or were destined to be. Is everyone with me? I'm not even sure I'm with myself!! However, I do believe I have reached the destination for which I've been long prepared through life's experiences. And it all started with a little roll-top desk that belonged to my daddy, a bunch of stuffed animals and Barbie dolls, and closet doors that served as my chalk board! .....it's ALL good!!!

Blessings... G.R.I.T.S. (Girl Raised In The South)

"Skippin' Jenny"

Happy New Years to all of you.
I have just finished our annual traditional meal of Hoppin' John. For those of you who are from the South, you probably know exactly what I'm referring to. Nevertheless, I thought I'd share a little educational snippet from Wikipedia:
Hoppin' John is the Southern United States' version of the rice and beans dish traditional throughout West Africa. It consists of black-eyed peas (or field peas) and rice, with chopped onion and sliced bacon, seasoned with a bit of salt. Some people substitute ham hock or fatback for the conventional bacon; a few use green peppers or vinegar and spices. Smaller than black-eyed peas, field peas are used in the Low Country of South Carolina and Georgia; black-eyed peas are the norm elsewhere.
Throughout the coastal South, eating Hoppin' John on New Year's Day is thought to bring a prosperous year filled with luck. The peas are symbolic of pennies or coins, and a coin is sometimes added to the pot or left under the dinner bowls. Collard greens, mustard greens, turnip greens, chard, kale etc. along with this dish are supposed to also add to the wealth since they are the color of money. On the day after New Year's Day, leftover "Hoppin' John" is called "Skippin' Jenny," and further demonstrates one's frugality, bringing a hope for an even better chance of prosperity in the New Year. During the late Middle Ages, there was a tradition of eating beans on New Year's Day for good luck in parts of France and Spain. The European tradition mixed with an African food item to become a New World tradition.

One tradition common in the Southern USA is that each person at the meal should leave three peas on their plate to assure that the New Year will be filled with Luck, Fortune and Romance. Another tradition holds that counting the number of peas in a serving predicts the amount of luck (or wealth) that the diner will have in the coming year.
I am not a fan of black-eyed peas, so we use the field peas grown in our garden. And, we choose collards as opposed to the others. I do have to admit, that I had never met "Jenny" until I did this little research. Have had annual dates with her, just didn't know she had a name!! I also learned of the other traditions associated with this annual feast. I feel new traditions headed our way next year. To top is all off, hubby cooks the absolute BEST collards and peas. My job is the rice and cornbread. I'm stuffed!!
Nice to meet you, Jenny. See ya' tomorrow.

Blessings... G.R.I.T.S. (Girl Raised In The South)

2010....

The new year.....where on earth did it go? And now it's back again!!
The last day of the year, the last day of the first decade of the 'new' century; headed into the new decade....a time to reflect.
It has been quite the year for this old girl! My little girls, 20 and 22, have continued to amaze me; sometimes good, sometimes not so much. Love them with all my heart, none the less! I have, at the young age of 52, ventured out and done very long road trips 'alone', armed only with girlish excitement and wonder about what may occur.  Hubby had major surgery which he came through with flying colors. I stepped out on faith and quit a job only to pursue and obtain a long dream of beginning a teaching career. I have made awesome new friends and re-connected with awesome friends from my past~~~~thank you Facebook!! I am the luckiest gal I know!! Tomorrow begins a new chapter--1/1/11!!  (and in November...11/11/11)
May 2011 be filled with much happiness, great prosperity, and countless blessings for you and yours.

Blessings... G.R.I.T.S. (Girl Raised In The South)

Christmas Day

It's been a couple of weeks since I visited here. And a hectic 2 weeks it's been!! In that short time presents have been wrapped, a trip to Florida has been made, and the Christmas day preparations were finalized......and are now over. It just comes and goes so fast.
This holiday season has been particularly fun and memorable. To start with, I had my girls home...at the same time. That is always special as all of you know that have grown children. Second, I was able to have an extraordinary and special visit with some "friends" from my past. What a great reunion it was!! I was the one blessed by that visit. It is so nice to be able to see how wonderful an already wonderful family becomes. I love you guys!!! One gift I received this year was....
Another gift I received this year was the gift of fulfilling a lifelong dream....I will begin teaching. I hope to share with young (or maybe not so much) and eager folks the qualities of becoming an amazing nurse. I have been blessed and I am eager to share those blessings with others.....paying it forward!!!!
Now the goodies are eaten, the presents have been opened, the rounds have been made. It's time to de-decorate and enjoy the final week of 2010. I think I'll take time this week to take stock of all that has transpired in 2010.....whew, what a year it has been!!!
To my special friend(s), Merry Christmas.

Blessings... G.R.I.T.S. (Girl Raised In The South)

Deck the~~~~great room!

I just love this time of year! It is usually such a positive and festive time. Mind you, there have been years that were a little 'stretched', which most of us have had, but overall it's wonderful!
I am not one of these people that must follow ever-changing 'themed' decorating from year to year. I follow the same tradition year after year (...after year...after year...). One year, being out of sorts for whatever reason, I tried a red/white/blue theme; didn't like it so much and returned to the usual. I absolutely love annual traditions!!
There is a certain order to decorating our home for the holidays; there is absolutely NO OCD involved ;-). This begins with a post-Thanksgiving day cleaning on Black Friday (how appropriate). Then we set out to the nearest Christmas tree farm to carefully select the perfect Griswold tree. We've chosen trees in all shapes and sizes over the years. After we've allowed the tree a long drink of water, it's time to apply the lights. With Christmas music playing in the background I begin the light application process.  This starts with plugging in the strings of lights to make sure they are all working. If not, you know what must be done; the painful process of figuring out which one is the culprit!! Again, there is a certain way to place lights on a tree. And, again, we've done this several different ways to try to discover which works best. Do you go round and round, up and down, or in and out? We use all of the above! Start with in (near the trunk)/round and round, followed by out/round and round. If there are 'leftovers' at the end, they go up and down. It works for us! Just white lights...
With lights placed and turned on, I place the skirt at the base. This, at least, makes me feel like I'm ALMOST finished. I happily begin lovingly placing each ornament in the perfect place on the tree. We do not have just one color or one style. Many are the handmade creations of our children when they were small. It takes me forever to put ornaments on because I stop and look at each one and remember back to when my grown children were precious little ones! I love these memories. A few are ones that hubby surprised me with, as he knows just how much I love this time of year. Others, are special, having been purchased in honor or memory of loved ones. Still others represent friendships and places of our past. This year, the stash was a little lighter. Last year as I was taking down the decorations, I decided to make separate Christmas 'starter' boxes for the girls. In the box, I placed different items that they particularly wanted along with a stocking and ornaments. Keep in mind that mommy kept the ones that are very, very dear to her heart!! Daddy loved putting icicles on the tree! NOW I know where I got my OCD!!! Like everything else, there is only one way to apply icicles to the tree----one by one and strategically placed...I DO NOT apply icicles.
I finalize the decorating tradition with windows, shelves, and doors. I have a Santa Claus shelf, a snowman shelf, and several shelves devoted to the real reason for Christmas. I love nativity representations and have several different ones throughout the house. Don't want to leave out my few little nutcrackers.
Once all this is complete, which usually takes a couple of days, I sit down to enjoy and start working on sending out Christmas cards and begin the 'goody' cooking.
This is such a great time of year. Time for family and friends to come together, leaving the stress and troubles of the world behind and enjoy just being with each other. This year, like all the ones before since we've had children, we will make the annual trek to Florida to see grand-parents (and friends) and enjoy their annual bar-b-q! Did I mention I love this time of year?!
Blessings to you and yours this Christmas season.....

Blessings... G.R.I.T.S. (Girl Raised In The South)

Full glasses

Overall I consider myself a positive and optimistic individual. Been told I'm in a league all my own!! I THINK that's a good thing....isn't it? I enjoy and gain energy from being around others who have this same quality. However, there are those in this world who struggle to see the glass half full; they always seem to have an 'empty' glass and talk like the world is against them. Never have quite understood this. To those folks I say........smile! The glass IS half full!! In fact, it probably 'runneth over'!!!!!!

Blessings... G.R.I.T.S. (Girl Raised In The South)

Life's journey...

This journey called life......it is endless and so full of surprises, some awesome, some not so much.
It isn't everyday that we are given the opportunity to pursue a lifelong dream. I was given that opportunity this week. About 2 weeks ago, I made a personal and professional decision to resign from my job. It was a step out in faith. I had no job lined up but had prayer warriors helping me. A severance gift was handed to me that following Monday afternoon which allowed me to begin my job search. On Tuesday morning, a company called ME and asked me to come in and interview which I did. At this point, over the previous 1 1/2 months, I had interviewed twice with the local university for a position as a nursing instructor. Wednesday, a week later, I had job offers from both places. I have a very special and wise friend. My friend advised me to follow my heart, reminding me that we don't always get a second chance to do that (remember that, dear friend!). Sooooo, I followed my heart which took me to the teaching position.
I remember as a real little girl, lining up my stuffed animals and Barbie dolls and playing school. My closet door doubled as the chalk board. I had my daddy's old roll top desk, and of course this was the teacher's desk. I used to love pretending I was a teacher. Now I will fulfill that childhood dream. I have the absolute best of all worlds; nurse and teacher. I pray I will pass on the experiences and wisdom I have acquired over the years.
This journey has certainly not been a smooth ride, but has most definitely been rewarding. I look forward to the new challenges and rewards that will, no doubt, follow in the years to come.

Blessings... G.R.I.T.S. (Girl Raised In The South)

Happy Holidays

This weekend began the annual passage into the official holiday season. Thursday, Thanksgiving Day,  was the official opening day. This is quickly followed by "Black Friday". I know why it's called 'black' Friday, but I refer to it that way for other reasons! There was a time many years ago that I would load up my babies and make the annual trek to the mall for shopping and pix with Santa. Secretly I think I did this for the primary reason of having the stroller to haul packages. We found the babies at the end of the day when we were loading the car!  I haven't done Black Friday in years; decided to venture out yesterday. Much to my surprise, it wasn't too bad. Great parking place (= one that I know I can find at the end of the day), no long lines, and  few really great sales. All-in-all a good day!
I start listening to Christmas music on November 1st; this gives me a FULL holiday listening season! And Thanksgiving weekend gives way to 'decking my halls'!! Got the tree, now needs to be trimmed.
My family will share in the traditional feast tomorrow. I have so very much to be thankful for this year. Health, happiness, 'old friends' re-newed. I love this time of year. It's a time of celebration and reflection.
Here's hoping each of you has an very happy holiday.

Blessings... G.R.I.T.S. (Girl Raised In The South)

Tribute to Daddy

It seems like just yesterday that I devoted this space to the memory of my mom. It actually has been less than a month. Today, I am devoting this space and time to my daddy.
It will be 15 years tomorrow that Daddy left us to join Mama at the greatest fishing hole ever......Heaven, of course! My mama and daddy were taken from here much too soon. So many things I would have loved to share with them.
Things I remember most about my daddy...
His crew cut! Those of you who knew him, never knew him without this distinctive hairstyle-----neither did I!
His hands. I loved my daddy's hands. I always thought he had the nicest hands. They were strong yet gentle. They disciplined yet loved. They held me as a baby--they held MY girls as babies. That is a priceless memory...
His musical abilities. I am so very thankful I inherited this gift from him. He would be so proud of Caitlin and her musical accomplishments. He always encouraged me where my music was concerned and invested a good bit of time and $$ in, what is now, a hobby. 12 years of piano lessons, voice lessons, sheet music....wow.
His tolerance of my exploration. During that time in my life when I wanted to explore the world, he, like mama, patiently waited for me to come to my senses. He would admire Darby's fearless desire to know more about this big world!
His voice. I used to love to lay my head on his chest and listen to him talk. Resonance.
His tolerance of my desire to have kitty cats. He had to be a great dad to put up with inside pets, because I am SURE he never had that. Not really sure he ever had pets, period.
(I won't resurrect the high school sweetheart thing, again. We remember that ONLY too well----almost received the wrath....remember?!)
Daddy's princess. That is probably the most profound memory I have of my daddy. I ALWAYS knew I was his princess; Daddy's little girl. He made sure that he addressed me as 'Princess', whether in conversation, in a card, or on the inside of a special book that he may have given me. (If he addressed me as 'Linda Kathleen', I knew there was trouble to be had!!).
I love you, Daddy. I miss you more than I can even express.

Blessings... G.R.I.T.S. (Girl Raised In The South)

Weekends

How is it that weekends come and go so fast? The work week surely doesn't move at the same velocity!!
The hubs and I had the pleasure of spending the weekend with 2 other couples whom we are good friends with. This has become an annual tradition with the 6 of us. We head to the mountain for a sighting of the spectacular autumn colors each year. As fate would have it, it wasn't intently colorful this year. We had to fill our time with other activities, instead; hiking, looking for wildlife, eating, reading, gaming, eating, reading, gaming....the geriatric version of girls gone wild.......I feel sure THAT in itself was a sight!

Blessings...G.R.I.T.S (Girl Raised In The South)

Picture perfectness!

It's not often that you get the good fortune of 2 perfect days, especially so close together. Had a perfect day in September while on vacation in FL. Had another today. Don't know what I did to deserve this, but not "looking a gift horse in the mouth".
Getting ready to go take family pix is kind of like getting ready for church on Sunday morning. Y'all know EXACTLY what I'm talking about; don't deny it :)!! I'm just saying.....apparently it really does not matter how old the kids are (mine are 20 and 22!), there is still static in the air when preparing for this annual adventure. During the morning preparation to venture out, we had melt downs about shoes, zits, to bring or not bring the Roxxi girl---the one thing (thankfully) not in the equation was the matter of the girls' significant others...whew! The whole experience actually turned out to be fun; I think even the hubster enjoyed it. We topped that with an old-fashioned roast, taters, carrots, yeast rolls and sweet tea lunch. Even fed a few extra mouths...that's what we do in the South!!
Once a year, at least, my family willingly gives in to a mother's hearts desire...family pix. Nothing like looking back over the years through pictures. A multitude of thanks to my perfectly awesome family....I love y'all!!

Blessings... G.R.I.T.S. (Girl Raised In The South)

Experience the unexpected

Well, I'm wrapping up the last of my, "I've come to love my", 4-day work week. Haven't worked full-time in years, but starting on Monday...that's what I'll be doing. 
As a nurse I've been fortunate enough to NOT have a schedule that is the same week after week after week. Back in the day, I might work a weekend or two, or even nights (which I actually loved). Sometimes I might be on call and experience the unexpected. I think deep down I like living on the edge--I think my very dear friend might agree with me on that one. I enjoy the thrill of the unexpected; the adrenalin rush.
I thought at my age I would be retiring, not headed back to full-time work. Think I might need to reflect on this as 'the unexpected'. I feel the adrenalin starting....or is that just stress?

Blessings... G.R.I.T.S. (Girl Raised In The South)

Monday, memories......Mom

Sometimes we just need to stop and reflect about life. I'm doing that today, remembering the greatest lady I've ever known....my mom. She died October 25th, 1990, at the tender age of 55 from lung cancer. Stay with me here...going to work in reverse. Actually, I remember that day being special. At the time, my girls were 2 1/2 and 6 months. I literally had moved in with my folks to help take care of mom. My hubby was a huge support during all of this, as he and my mom had some kind of special bond! Me and my 2 brothers sat on the bed with her the night before she died, remembering great and funny things about her; she would have loved to participate in that conversation! We could only pray that all of us could have a "send-off" as special as she had, and certainly deserved. Her husband, children, and grand-children, lovingly surrounded her and handed her over to the Lord; he obviously needed her there. To this day, I believe she is my guardian angel. Who on earth could/would have helped me through all those ridiculously stupid tight spots I've been in over the years!!
I still have, and cherish the last birthday present she gave me.
She watched my youngest daughter come into this world...a time I wouldn't take a million dollars for.
She lovingly and patiently answered ALL the phone calls everyday, with questions about recipes, child-rearing, whatever. She NEVER told me she was too busy to chat at that moment.
She patiently waited for me to outgrow the "sowing of the wild oats" knowing she had "raised me right" and I would return to my roots.
She quietly listened to me 'carry on' when my heart got broken.
**She protected me from my father's wrath after he discovered a written private conversation between me and my high school sweetheart** That is the point at which I finally took her valuable advice: "Never put in writing what you don't want the whole world to see"...passed that one on to my kids---they didn't listen, either!!
She attended every music event that I played or sang in, and every ballgame I cheered at, and did that with pride....I could see it.
Again, she protected my from my father's wrath when I broke my arm---after I had done something I knew was wrong, when I was in the 5th grade.  (I really wasn't a bad kid!)
She lovingly made sure I was dressed to the T, whether 'store bought' or from her efforts on the sewing machine---I still have her machine.
There are a couple of things I will ask her to clear up when I see her again: 1) exactly what is a 'cup-o' (she would go to a neighbors house for  cup-o),  2) why do they call it a 'dummy' hand in bridge, and why bother have it?! and 3) did she and daddy REALLY get married on February 24th, or was it 'just a few months later'? :)
I was able to teach her one thing----we learned how to apply make-up together. Funny, the things you remember. I'll bet she learned more than one thing over the years!
I'm happy knowing she is looking down on me each day. Know we'll see each other again someday. One regret---she didn't know my girls. She would have been the coolest Nana ever, and they would adore her...just like I do.


Blessings... G.R.I.T.S. (Girl Raised In The South)

Fall, football, friends

Had a great time last week in the country music capital of the world. Hubby worked and I worked at doing nothing, which really didn't take much effort. We participated in the necessary "make an appearance" events, but we had fun playing as well. For a couple of brief hours I actually thought I might could return to days gone by; my country music phase. It was short-lived then, too! Spent a day touring a little of downtown Nashville. I'd forgotten how quaint it really is. Enjoyed the sightseeing. Mostly, I enjoyed hooking up with a old high school bud and his new bride. It was fun getting to know her a little better and do some reminiscing. It made me smile that he remembers my mom and the great things about her; had no idea. They showed us a little of the Friday night-life. Now I remember why the youngin's do Friday nights!! Ended our weekend with stopping at their house and grilling and visiting just a little more. The drive---beautiful. Leaves are changing; nature is an amazing piece of artwork! All-in-all, great week!! Have I mentioned I love Fall? .....and winter....and spring...and summer!!

Blessings... G.R.I.T.S. (Girl Raised In The South)

get-a-way challenges

Today is my Friday! I know y'all think I've got it all confused, but I really don't. Taking a few days off to accompany hubby on a business trip. Headed to the country music capital--and NO, I'm not a fan of country music.
I start these little adventures by seeing just how stressed I can make him. I don't do this intentionally. It's just what I do. A woman cannot pack the essentials until the day of travel. Don't they get it?!
We should have a good time, just the same. He'll simmer down by the time----we get back!
We are hooking up with an old high school friend and his new bride. Looking forward to the new friend I will make. Not sure it will quite compare the the 'spur-of-the-moment' trip I took a few weeks ago with a dear friend! But it will be okay just the same. Hoping for Fall colors-----updates when we return to reality :/

Blessings... G.R.I.T.S. (Girl Raised In The South)

Mission work

Shopping has never been one of my favorite pastimes. Let me rephrase--browsing is not a favorite pastime.
Unlike many women, when I plan a 'shopping' trip, it is with a mission. It is well thought out and planned. I have specific items I'm on the hunt for and I do this geographically--not just a little OCD!
Today was one of those days. Going on a business trip with hubby next week and needed just a few new items. After an incredible day at the gym (and a quick clean up), I headed out on my mission. Started the scavenger hunt at noon. By 3:50 PM, mission accomplished!! Made 1 big circle: nails, mall (for cocktail dress, shoes, perfume--Beauty  by Calvin Klein, jeans, shirt), see youngest daughter, bank, home------whoooosh!!
~~~~~~wish I had that same approach with housework!

Blessings... G.R.I.T.S. (Girl Raised In The South)

Best Friends

What did best friends do before phones?
My bestie and I talk just about everyday; sometimes more than that! She lives about 442 miles east of me, and it's not like I can run next door to sit down with a glass of sweet tea on the porch and chit chat.......although I wish I could.
It is a blessing in life when you find a "sister" who is truly a soul-mate. Tragedy brought us together and out of that rose the closest friendship ever. Our maiden names are the same, we have siblings the same age...the list goes on. We tease each other about growing old and finding our spot in the nursing home where we'll be roommates and rock the hours away n the front porch!
We've been on that journey ever since we met. I can tell my BFF anything. She can tell me anything. She knows my deepest, darkest secrets. I know hers. We laugh together, we cry together, we've done girl trips, you name it. There is an unspoken understanding that we can call each other for anything at any time of day or night.
It is only once in a lifetime that you find a friend like my bestie. So thankful that our paths have crossed and we are lifetime buds.


Blessings... G.R.I.T.S. (Girl Raised In The South)