I guess it's about time, again...

Time for another update, I guess, since it's been about two weeks. All is going pretty smoothly, really. Nothing much to update on, and that's why I really haven't gone out of my way...

Haven't heard much from Shanna and Kyle, other than that Kyle is working long hours, and Shanna is looking for work. Apparently everything's good with them.

Jessica is in NC, visiting. Don't know when she'll be back. Didn't know she'd left until she'd been gone a couple of days. Guess it was on a 'need to know' basis, and I didn't need to know.

Ian and Krystal are doing pretty good for the most part. Harmony went to AL last week to spend some time with her other Granny, and it gave them a much-needed break, but Krystal overdid it and pulled some internal stitching, so she's under Dr.'s care for that right now. It will probably take her a week or more to heal, and in the meantime, we're all trying to pinch-hit with Harmony. I think Krystal's mom might be coming to spend a few days and help her with the baby. I hope.

Harmony had a check-up yesterday. She's healthy as a horse, and now weighs just shy of 14 pounds! We've got to start putting a brick on that child's head, I swear... She's also starting to smile, laugh, and coo. I love it!

And that just leaves me and Tex. Sunday was his birthday, so I went down and spent the weekend with him. We had a lovely time, and laughed and joked the whole time. A much needed release after the past few months. Nothing like the medicine of laughter to cure what ails ya.

I have started back on my diet and exercise program, so if you see me and I'm not heading for the track....kick my butt, will ya? I'm back up to two miles, and counting! My goal is to hit 6 miles by the end of summer, and then I can work on increasing my speed. I have to be able to run it in under an hour if I wanna get the t-shirt at the Peachtree Road Race next year (my ultimate goal).

Wish me luck!

So Sweet...

It's been a real pleasure to be able to babysit my granddaughter, Harmony, the past two weekends. I've had such a good time getting to know her for the little person she is. There's nothing more inspiring to watch a baby develop and grow into their own little individual personality. They're just such little blank slates, full of potential and possibilities...and it's so sweet and touching to be able to view and experience that innocence first-hand before the world starts corrupting it. Such a blessing from God...

Yesterday was the first time I was able to take her to church with me. I am not often able to go myself, because I'm usually out of town with Tex, but she was such a little angel all day, even with everything that was going on around her, and all the unfamiliar people (even if it was family) wanting to hold her and cuddle her. But she was awake and alert through most of it, and never even fussed. I didn't take her to the nursery, preferring to sit on the back row with the family instead, and had lots of help with her during the service. It was a really great time, and I felt good knowing that Ian and Krystal were getting a much needed break.

Our little girl is growing up so fast...she's almost 12 pounds already, and is getting too big to wear her clothes, so we're moving her into the next size. She's already 8 weeks old...I can't believe time has flown by so fast! There's a part of me that wishes that I could slow it down...at least for this part. Let her be small and trusting and innocent for just a while longer before she has to grow up and face reality. It will be here all too soon as it is...

Who sez you can't go home again...??

Ok, so here’s part two...

A couple of weeks ago, when everything got crazy, I started having a "Calgon, take me away!" crisis moment. I mean, I really, really needed a break. But...alas...no moolah. So I’m in the middle of this discussion with my sister, and I tell her, what I really, really need is to go to NC to visit my friends Bonnie and Scott for a few days. She agrees. Problem is...no moolah. Oh, well, right? I can dream...

...except...God has a funny way of hearing the prayers you think you’ve kept to yourself.

The day after this conversation, I get this text message from my NC friend, Bonnie, which says..."If I give you gas money, will you come see me?"

Say what...?

Yep. I read it right. Uh...yeah, I think I can manage that.

So I made arrangements to go up this past weekend. I left on Thursday night, just after work, and got up there about midnight. Great trip up, made good time. I was so happy to be there again! It’s just like going home for me. The place where everything just feels...right. Everybody’s got one, that’s mine, I guess.

Anyway, we got up Friday morning, and headed down to Atlantic Beach, which is about an hour away. The weather was beautiful, temp perfect for a stroll on the beach, enjoying the scenery, snapping pics, collecting shells, and sharing great company. We also toured the fort that’s there...again. Fort Macon is a Civil War fort that was built right on the beach, and was used all the way through WWII. It’s still incredibly preserved, and if you ever get the chance to go, I highly recommend it!

After that, we had cocktails and dinner at my favorite restaurant, the Channel Marker, which sits right on the water. Awesome!

Saturday was spent being really, really lazy. A couple of errands, and a trip to the cemetery to put out some flowers on my late hubby’s grave, and we spent the rest of the day catching up and reminiscing. Kinston is one of the most peaceful places on the planet, I think. Flat coastal land stretching out so far in places you can see the curvature of the earth, with freshly-turned fields of the blackest, richest dirt you can imagine. Mostly cropland, in the summer you can go by miles upon miles of fields full of tobacco, cotton, corn and soybeans, robust, and ready for harvest. The people are so friendly, they’ve never met a stranger...and no matter how long you’ve been gone, they never, ever forget you.

Sunday morning came all too soon. Before I knew it, we were having to say goodbye so I could get on the road to come home...which I did, right after they loaded me up with baby stuff for Harmony. We laughed and cried all weekend long, and I cannot tell you how much I missed them the second they were out of sight.

Few people are blessed with people in their lives they can call true...really true...friends. I have been very blessed, and with more than just these two. But these two are very, very special, indeed. They are the oldest, and will always have a special place in my heart. Together, we have been through the best...and the worst...of times. And yet, in spite of it all, we’re still here for each other. And I know that we always will be.

Tomorrow, they will celebrate their 20th anniversary. I will not be there to share it with them in person, but they know I will be there in spirit, to wish them many, many more.

I love you guys so much. And from the bottom of my heart, thank you for always being there. Happy, happy anniversary!!!