Day 338...

I guess you could say this post is a milestone of sorts...it's my 100th post on this blog. Gawd, when I first started, I never thought I'd post 5, much less 100! But here I am.
So much has happened in my life since that first post! Who knew the past few years would be so eventful? Every year, my life seems to be getting more and more full. You'd think I'd be slowing down some, but noooo...and Alan's not even home yet! OMG...
I haven't posted it here, yet, but after talking about it for as long as I can remember, I finally registered for the Peachtree Road Race this year, to be run on the 4th of July in Atlanta. For those of you not familiar with this race, it's big. Really big. 55,000 people big. And if you finish all 6.2 miles, you get a T-shirt. Doesn't sound like much, I know. But for those in the know, it's a coveted treasure that you can get no other way than by putting in the hours of grueling training, sweating your a$$ off, and crossing the finish line. With 15 weeks to go before the start, I intend to do all three, and so far, I'm dead on track with my training.
In this season of Spring....the season of the rebirth of all things...it is absolutely apropos that I would seek to make myself into a new and healthier version of myself...before time slips away, and there are no more chances.
My father once wrote a very small poem that always comes to mind this time of year:


"The tender young April leaflets
September will homeward call.
The sounds of Spring are the sweetest
When heard from the hills of Fall."
(c) 1975 by Birl R. Brown, Sr.

He would know the truth of that. And I am learning....all too fast.
Sometimes, you've just got to grasp the nettle.

Day 364...a milestone.

Today is a monumental day. This time next year, my husband will finally be coming home to TN. Today, we stop counting in years, and start counting in months.
When we started this journey 4 1/2 years ago, neither of us had a clue how far we would have to come, or how hard that journey would be. But the one thing I've noticed is how much faster the time seems to go by, the closer we get to our goal.
I have no doubt that this year will fly by. And I am so thankful. But not as thankful as I will be when this nightmare is finally over.
I love you, baby. I can't wait to have you home with me, where you belong. And February 26, 2010 cannot come soon enough.

Happy Birthday, Harmony Grace!

My beautiful Harmony Grace is turning one today. What a year it's been for us all...a year of growth and development, a year of joy and pain, and a year of love....much, much love. We are so very fortunate to have this little angel with us.
Harmony, one day you may look back on this blog, if it's still archived that long, and I want you to know how very much your mom and dad love you, and how much your Nana and Poppy love you and miss you. I'm so glad that although you know us both, you will never grow up remembering that this year was full of separation, because Poppy and I couldn't stand knowing that it caused you pain. We only want you to remember how much we love and care for you, and how much we're looking forward to watching you grow into your future.
All our love to you, our baby, and only good things do we wish for you, for now...and for always.
Just a small edit: Harmony decided to give all of us a gift on her big day...she took her first steps today! Yay, Harmony!!!

It's a Boy!!

As many of you have already heard, my youngest daughter, Shanna Malii gave birth to a beautiful bouncing baby boy this morning, a little before 8am. He weighed 7lb. 3oz., was 21" long, and has a head full of blonde hair. His name is Keith Burnon Riley...Keith, after his Poppy, Alan, and Burnon being a family name on his daddy's side.
Both mom and baby are doing very well.
Welcome to the world, beautiful baby! Your Poppy and I love you very, very much, and can't wait to see you!
I'll post pics as soon as I get some.

Day 382...

Time for my monthly (?) update, I guess. And since I've got the weekend all by myself, it's the perfect time to sit down and do it.
I'm adjusting nicely to life on the Ridge, I think. My job's going well, even though I'm still a temp. They're beginning to hand me much more complex work to do, and that is very encouraging to me, since it's not the type of stuff I would think a temp would be expected to do, normally. So I'm hoping that bodes well for my future there.
I think I'm almost over cold #2...yes, that's right. I've had TWO since I've been up here. One right after the other, with one week in between. I think it was a part of me acclimating. My feet freezing all the time seems to be, too, because although it certainly hasn't warmed up any up here, my feet seem to be to some extent...at least they're not like blocks of ice anymore. Most of the time...
I'm not kidding about the weather...we've had more snow up here this past month than I've seen in Atlanta my whole life! It's beautiful, but it sure does make for anxious driving over these very steep, curvy roads that have no guardrails to keep you from sliding off into oblivion. So far, though, I've done really well getting to work, mainly because driving in snow is so completely different than driving on ice...and fortunately for me, this is actual snow. Thank God. Still...I sure will be glad to see Spring!
My in-laws have gone to Atlanta for the weekend, so I'm enjoying some alone time, which is kinda nice for a change. They're bringing my mom back with them to spend the week with us, which I'm looking forward to. I'll take her back home on Friday, on my way to spend the weekend with my hubby. This will be the first Valentine's Day we will actually get to spend the day together, because it falls on a Saturday! (Yay!) Ian and Krystal will be going down with me, so we can also celebrate Harmony's first birthday together. OMG, can you believe it's been a YEAR already! How did that happen??? I miss her so much...every time I see another baby, my arms ache to cuddle her and kiss on her.
I'm also still trying to adjust to the idea that I'm about to be a grandmother AGAIN in two weeks! Shanna is due the day after Harmony's first birthday, and I'm really bummed that I won't be able to be down there with her. But the in-laws are planning a trip down around the same time, so if it works out, I think at least they'll be there when he's born. No telling when I'll get to see him...it will probably be a while...*sigh*
I miss my kids. But I'd miss them in Atlanta, too, so this move doesn't really make any difference with that, except that I don't get to see Ian's family as much. As it turns out, though, I'll still be able to see them more than either of the girls. I really, really miss my girls.
One day, I'll have my family all together. That is my dream.

Day 410...

Wow, I can't believe it's been so long since I've blogged! I've been a busy girl...
Since my last post, I've found a new job (my old company laid everyone off two days after my last day...if that isn't God, folks, I don't know what is!) in TN, and have FINALLY made the move! So now, I'm settled in on the Ridge with my in-laws, burrowed in for the winter, doing my best to get settled in and get used to colder, wetter, rainier, and in some cases, snowier weather.
My job is through a temp service, for now, but I hold out great hope that they will make it permanent in a couple of months, once they see I have no intention of dropping the ball or walking out. I really like the company, it's an assembly plant for snowplows, and it's very different than what I'm used to...more structured, not as laid-back. No jeans and t-shirts every day, I actually have to dress professionally now...well, except for 'casual Fridays'. I always thought they were a joke. Now I can't WAIT for Fridays when I can be warm and comfortable. Nothing like sitting in a draft all day with nothing but knee-highs between you and the door.
No coffee pot, either. So I have to bring it with me, or drop quarters in the vending machine. And since I don't spend my change because I need it for more important things....I'm slowly weaning myself off of my addiction. The great part is that I get to take leftovers for lunch most days....my MIL's leftovers. And they are amazing.
I'm really getting spoiled living up here with them. I had forgotten how nice it was to live with people who are home, and who live as a family! Living with my sister and brother in law was great, but none of us were ever home at the same time, so in many ways, it was like living alone. I had forgotten what it was like to come home to people, and have dinner as a family and stuff. They are such a joy to me.
This weekend, I spent a lot of time going through my stuff, and putting things in storage for the next year. When Alan finally gets up here, he can get it all down from the attic! I'm done schlepping stuff for a while. I got it all up here...in the rain, I might add...he can do the rest.
Speaking of which...there is a possibility that he may be released from his contract earlier than originally thought. We're holding out great hope for this, although we're not counting on it heavily. Still, the possibility exists, and we're pursuing it for all we're worth. So your thoughts and prayers are greatly appreciated....
In other news, Ian was caught in the layoff that I barely missed, so he is job-hunting right now. Hopefully, he will find something soon, but this economy really has me worried for him. It took me MONTHS to find a job, and he's never really had to look like that before. He's about to get a real education, I'm afraid. He, Krystal, and Harmony are all fighting colds, but well, otherwise. Harmony is pulling up on things, and cruising, getting ready to start walking in earnest. I think it's a safe bet she'll be walking by her first birthday in February (already!).
Jess and Katrina also seem to be doing well. Dakota did so well with his soccer in the fall...I hope he continues to play! I was able to see them briefly on my way up to TN with my initial load...I went the long route so I could exchange presents for Christmas with them, since they didn't get to come down to Atlanta for the holidays this year. It was so good to see them...I hadn't seen them since April.
Shanna and Kyle are also doing well...struggling like most young married couples who are expecting a baby, but ok. She's due in a few weeks, and we're all getting very excited to see the new little addition to our family! I hope to find a way to see him when he arrives, but it might be a while before I'm able to get that far south.
I hate being so far away from them all, I miss them so much. I never thought I'd see the day when my kids would all live in different states, and I'd live in another, but it seems to have arrived. Wow. That's the down side of this move, if there is one...the distance from my kids and grandkids. But I think it might be good for them, too...in a way. It will make them stronger to know they can survive without Mom. I know it helped Jes. I hope it helps Ian, once he gets used to it.
Still...my heart hurts from missing them all.

For Veteran's Day...

In honor of my late hubby, my current hubby, my daughter, and most especially, my late father, I wanted to post this poem written by my father a couple of years ago. My daddy served in the Second Armored Division of the U.S. Army under General George S. Patton as a radio operator during WWII, earning a Bronze Star for his excellent achievements overseas.

Enjoy, and Happy Veteran's Day to ALL our Vets and enlisted personnel overseas!

The Ballad of General George
(c) 2006 by Birl R. Brown, Sr.

(Author's Note: For the purpose of discipline, those under Patton's command were required to wear a necktie, while those of other military units and the National Guard were not. Shelter halves were 1/2 of a regulation pup-tent; two were buttoned together to erect.)

T'was in the southern parishes in Louisiana's heat
That General Georgie Patton's boys learned about 'compete'.
Chiggers, ticks, and okra fields, and skeeters big as tanks,
And a plentitude of gnats abound to aggravate the ranks,
For Louisiana's hot as hell, and only God knows why,
But I am one of Patton's boys, and I must wear my tie!

Generals George and Ed Rommel were classmates years ago
For both attended V.M.I. to warfare better know
But time had sharpened up the sword that cut the cord between,
It's like a guess in Russian chess, before a move's foreseen,
Louisiana's hot as hell, which none at all deny,
But I'm a Georgie Patton boy and I have to wear my tie!

Always, the tie must tuck between two buttons of the shirt,
The third and second only please, or suffer Georgie's hurt.
The tanks develop clouds of dust and respirators clog.
The heavy tanks can lose a track, or stick in oily bog,
Where Louisiana's hot as hell and I'm about to fry,
But I am still a Patton boy and I always wear my tie!

There was a time the General went to check the river's brink
Where a million hungry skeeters live, but he was there to think
And plan just how the units, in a crossing there, could fight.
So concentrated was his thought, he never felt a bite,
And I was wrapped in shelter halves, and just about to cry,
But yet, since I'm a Patton boy, I still had on my tie.

On a night run into Texas we were weary through and through,
The General reached into his Brief and a little flask withdrew.
He offered it to his Driver, who didn't drink, alas! It passed
Around from each to each: He took his swallow last.
I'll remember that 'Old Taylor', when I lay me down to die,
Just close the little coffin, please, but don't forget the tie!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
...We didn't.