Hold Them Close

In my life, I've been lucky with friends. I have an unbelievable collection of good people who sincerely love me. These relationships are like air to me. I have to have them. Besides my sister, most of my dear friends are old but there are a sprinkled few who are new and equally important to me. My point here is that your life will be easier, simpler, clearer and more meaningful if you value frienship. So... I hope when you grow up, you'll have a good group of friends.

I do and they've been there for me too many times to count. In good times and in bad. There is a circle of 5 of my old friends who have been through much with me. We started as roommates in college. We've been in eachother's weddings. Stood by for eachother's labor. Counseled one another during break-ups and make-ups. It's an odd pairing no doubt, but the love we have for one another has not and does not change. We get together as much as we can. To breathe in and breathe out. Recharge. Review. Push forward.

It's a good feeling when you know that someone has your back. To know that someone will tell you the honest truth. To know that no matter what, you'll always have someone to call. All my girls, old and new, give me this.

Find some for yourself. Find them. Keep them. And hold them close.

Are You Gonna?

Big thinks I'm awesome right now. Seriously.

Yesterday, he had a 1/2 day so I decided to bring him down to watch basketball practice. Luckily, the men and women were both practicing so he and Lil' got to see a little of both. Coach Cremins introduced him to some of the players. He brought a t-shirt that Tony White, Jr. slipped him at the game on Friday and got a bunch of the players to sign it. He shot some hoops with Casaan Breeden. Casaan told him how and where to stand. He watched Jeremy Simmons get taped up. He watched Andrew Lawrence and Willis Hall try to out-shoot Drew Goudelock from the half court line. He was introduced by head coach Nancy Wilson to the entire women's team. They thought he was adorable and rubbed his little head over and over like a bunch of old women. He shot baskets with Temple Elmore.

Are you going to think I'm awesome when you grow up? Are you gonna say things like, "It's good but it's not my Mama's." Are you gonna remember to call me on my birthday? Are you gonna say, "She always did it this way..." Are you gonna say, "My Mama taught me." Are you gonna visit me often? Are you gonna take me to the beauty parlor? Are you gonna still need me? Still think I'm cool? Are you gonna?

Hmmmm, Good Idea

What do you use your cast iron skillet for? Fried cornbread? Bacon? Country ham? Well last night, I used mine to make a roast beef.

375 or 325? That's the great debate when it comes to a roast beef. Dear Big and Lil', Mama and her Mama both cook their roasts at 375 for about an hour. Your Aunt Emy who is also famous for a roast, cooks her's at 325. It's amazing how much 50 degrees can be discussed in conversation. One thing we all do the same is flip the roast so you cook it upside down. The severity of this is unimaginable so don't forget.

Ok, back to me. I seared my roast last night and then put it in the oven right in the skillet. Would of made my Mama and my Mabel very proud. I'm loving the Neely's lately. I saw them use their skillet for a roast beef the other day and thought, "Hmmmm, good idea".

I'm Done With That

I've come upon another moment in my life where I'm telling myself, "That's it, I'm done with that. I've put it away and I'm not thinking of it anymore." One time was when my boyfriend cheated on me in college. One time is when Daddy really, and I mean really made me mad. Another time was when I got fat and no stomach bug or weekend binger could fix it. This time its over whether or not real estate is gonna back.

I'm not gonna worry about our bills. It's not that I can't handle it. It's just that I have faith that we'll be alright. Someway. Somehow. I'm not gonna worry about what other luxury we can live without. We're down to the bare bones and its not that bad. I'm not gonna worry about stealing my neighbor's paper for her Sunday coupons. I can steal my other neighbor's paper for a while.

I.Have.Faith. I have never really known a life with a lot of extra money so I'm ok. Yea, sure I'd like to get my haircut and shop at Harris Teeter instead of BiLo but I'm ok. We're ok. Big and Lil' don't and can't see how different things were for us and them 3 years ago. They're ok. They're healthy. They're happy and that's all that Daddy and I ever need anyways.

Times like these will show you what's important. They will show you what is necessary. They will show you that life isn't about Harris Teeter and King Street haircuts. It's about BiLo and Fantastic Sams and that is ok. I'm not worried about it anymore. I'm done with that.

How Bout You?

We've got spirit, yes we do. We've got spirit...



How bout you?

Not So Much

Looks innocent enough. Or is it?

Last night when I was getting Lil' into her pajamas, she heard me sigh a little and she asked me what was wrong. I told her my back hurt. She said, "I have some-ting make u feel bedder." "Oh yea, what' s that" I said. She ran over to her little bunny box that one of her friends just gave her and brought it back to me.

"Oh Lil'," I said, "What's that?" She said, "It's boogas." "Oh, where did you get those?" "They came fwom my nose. Cept dis one." "Where did that one come from Lil'?" "That one came fwom yur nose."

Just when you thought a bunny box with beads was safe. Not so much.

Blue Eyes Even Bluer

Big and his Papa have a special relationship. Big has a thing for tractors and machinery; for the woods and for dogs. Papa has a thing for all those things too. Papa wears a blue denim button-up probably 4 days out of the week. He has more than 1 because he loves them so much. They are faded and soft and they make his lovely blue eyes even bluer.

Luke has just come upon a blue denim shirt that he has worn every day for the past 4. He calls it his Papa shirt and earlier today, I noticed a twisty color pencil hanging out of the front pocket. I thought I might know the answer but I asked him anyway, "Big, what's up with the pencil in your pocket?" He said, "Papa always has a pen in his pocket right there."

Since it's been a long weekend with no school, it's been fine that he's been wearing the dirty and stained shirt. He tried to hide it from me tonight before his bath so I wouldn't wash it. He's scared it won't be ready for him to wear to school tomorrow. I have a feeling I'm gonna be washing that shirt alot. Soon it will be faded and soft and it will keep on making his lovely blue eyes even bluer.