Only a month later...

Back in May, Darlin and I went to Savannah, Georgia, with my Girl Scout troop. We left on a Tuesday and drove the 7 hours with nothing to comment about. We (the adults) thought the highlight of the trip was going to be our dinner that night at Paula Deen's Lady & Sons restaurant. Now, don't get me wrong, the food was oh-so-delicious, but we didn't realize what we had in store the next day for lunch. I'll actually get to that later, but for now, the Lady & Sons.

We sat down and they immediately placed a hoe-cake on our bread plate. This was served with lots of butter and honey. YUM! Then, really before we could eat the hoe-cake, they placed a two-inch-thick, fluffy, light, garlic-cheese biscuit on our plate. This was the best thing about the meal for me, and I am quite the bread connoisseur. We had a buffet full of options - roast, barbecued pork, jerk pork chops, real mashed potatoes, green beans - I can't remember it all now, but you get the idea. For dessert, we had a choice of banana pudding, peach cobbler, or chocolate chip gooey butter cake. I had to go with the peach cobbler and it didn't disappoint.

We had time to swim at the hotel that night and then settled in for some well deserved rest.

Over the next three days, we took a trolley tour, did a walking scavenger hunt, toured the birthplace of the founder of Girl Scouts, Juliet Gordon Low, ate dinner at the Pirate's House restaurant, saw a Broadway-type 50's music show, participated in the Girl Scout Militia at Old Fort Jackson, climbed the Tybee Island Lighthouse, learned about the marine life at Tybee Island Marine Science Center, spent a few hours on the beach, took a dolphin tour, and painted our own pottery!

I think the highlight of the trip (for me!) was the visit to Mrs. Wilkes Boarding House restaurant. We sat down to a table with so many bowls on it, we couldn't fit anything else. Fried chicken, barbecue, turnip greens, mashed potatoes, field peas, cornbread, biscuits, rutabagas, corn, just to name a few. The food was just like your mama made...seasoned with bacon or fat back and WOW were we stuffed when we left. In fact, on the whole trip, every time we were scheduled to eat, no one was hungry! We ate like royalty!

It was a very busy trip, but we only had three days to spend, so we packed it full. It was very educational. And to prove that Old Dogs can learn new tricks, I learned that the Girl Scouts helped train troops during World War I. Girl Scouts were taught the semaphore code and then used to teach it to the troops. This was a code used to communicate during the war, and Girl Scouts had a huge part in it! Really cool!

I hope the girls had a great time and made some memories. I know I did. I feel blessed to be even a small part of these girls' lives.

BlawgHer 2008

So it's all set! Anybody in the Birmingham, Alabama, area is invited to the BlawgHer 2008 get together at Sumo Japanese Restaurant at Patton Creek. Check out The Pumkin Patch for the details. That means you, Kim, Gayle, Wendy, Kent and Caroline.

Overheard...

Man got back from church camp on Friday, and Darlin has been at Girl Scout day camp this week. Consequently, all of the kids have become aware of all sorts of creepy crawlies. Of course, chiggers have been the topic of more than one conversation.

Overheard today...

Man: OWWWWWW!

Buster: What was it, Man?

Man: I don't know. It really itches though.

Buster: I bet it's a trigger bite!

Ya'll be sure and watch out for the triggers, now!

Father's Day 2008

We had a pretty laid back day today. I had to sing both services at church, so I was up and gone by 7:20. Mr. Disty brought the kids to the late service, then we flew home to eat before going to his FAVORITE place...the pool!

I had found a classic, red satin "Alabama" jacket a couple of months ago at Wally World on a season end sale for $20, so the kids gave Mr. Disty the jacket for Father's Day. I know, I know...a JACKET in June? Trust me, the man will take any Bama stuff he can get no matter the season! :)

The sermon this morning was titled, "Spiritual Fathering" but most of it could apply to mothers too. To make and foster the bonds with our children, we must 1) give them attention, 2) give them affection and 3) show them appreciation. To bless our children, we must 1) model good character for them, 2) give them correction, and 3) cultivate the relationship we have with them.

Lord, thank you for a Godly husband and father. Help us both to be the parents you want us to be. Forgive us when we fall short, and give us patience as we shape the little souls you've blessed us with. Amen.

Funny pictures...

Take a look at this... Thanks to Jilian Curtis for this one!

Washington DC - May 5 - 9, 2008

So Darlin and I went to DC with her 5th grade for 5 days, and let me tell you, it was a JAM PACKED week! One of the days, we got on and off the bus 12 times...as in a dozen...as in hop off the bus, run to the monument, spend 10 minutes looking and reading, run back to the bus. We were exhausted when we got home, but we had a blast and made some great memories.

We had a three hour bus drive from school to the big city where we caught our plane. That trip was pretty uneventful since we left at 6:00 am. The flight went well and Darlin loved it. She'd never flown before and was a little nervous, but she loved the free headphones and Radio Disney. Once we hit the ground in Richmond, it was off to the races.

We visited the Glass House near Jamestown and watched guys blowing glass. I forget that these 10 and 11 year olds have never seen this. They were fascinated. We saw Jamestown and Yorktown and Williamsburg and then drove into the DC area.

I don't think I can even begin to name all the places we went, but I'll try so we'll have a record of it here at which to look back. In no particular order...

Lincoln Memorial
Jefferson Memorial
FDR Memorial
Vietnam War Memorial
World War II Memorial
Capital Building (we got to meet with our local congressman)
National Archives
Smithsonian Air and Space Museum
Museum of Natural History (there was a whole section, even a movie, about evolution...don't get me started on that...)
Arlington Cemetery and the Tomb of the Unknowns
Army Fort Myer
Mount Vernon

I know I've left something out, but we went from 7:00 am to 9:00 every day.

My personal favorites were the World War II Memorial, the Tomb of the Unknowns and the FDR Memorial.

I have a special interest in World War II history, so it was fascinating to see the 56 granite pillars which represent each state, territory and the District of Columbia. The most moving thing was the "Field of Stars" where there were 4,000 gold stars on a wall. Each star represents 100 U.S. deaths in the war. Let me tell you, 4,000 is a LOT of gold stars to see in one place. Unfathomable to think of 400,000 men dead. The Field of Stars overlooks a reflecting pool. We were told that in any monument in Washington, still water represents death, and flowing water represents change and progress.

The Tomb of the Unknowns was also moving. We got to see the changing of the guard and talk to one of the commanders of the sentinels who guard the Tomb. He told us how the training takes 6 months to a year. The trainees aren't allowed to watch t.v. or even make small talk with the current sentinels. They completely alter the uniform they are assigned BY HAND to make it fit themselves within one-sixteenth of an inch. They train with a metronome so they can count to 21 accurately, because when on duty, they take 21 steps, pause for 21 seconds, turn, take 21 steps, etc. All that detail is just like heaven for an organization freak like me!

I had never seen the FDR Memorial before. I've been to DC two other times, but this was erected since I was last there. It is divided into four sections, one for each of his four terms in office. What hit me most was what a visionary he was. Some of his quotes were inscribed on the walls, and it was amazing to see what foresight he had at a time when it was crucial for our country.

"Let us never forget that government is ourselves and not an alien power over us. The ultimate rulers of our democracy are not a President and senators and congressmen and government officials, but the voters of this country." FDR

I don't think our tour guide will ever be the same again. Poor Clay has probably had enough of our giggling and sarcasm for a lifetime. Every time he got on the bus, he'd say, "Are we all here?" And someone, usually me, would say, "Close enough." We really did take roll each time...we didn't lose anyone!

So, bottom line, saw lots of historical stuff, had lots of food, lost lots of sleep...Great Trip!

Pure and Accurate Scientific Test

What Your Fridge Says About You

You like to be surrounded by things you love. You aren't exactly greedy, but you can be materialistic at times. You are not careful with your money. In fact, you rarely think about how much you are spending. You don't tend to be a very adventurous person, but you do surprise everyone now and then. You have a bit of a wild side. You are responsible, together, and mature. You act like an adult, even when you don't feel like it. You are likely single - and a workaholic.

What Do the Contents of Your Refrigerator Say About You?

I haven't laughed this hard in a while! This is SOOOOO not me, with the exeption of the responsible part! Some of these quizzes are right, but this not this one.