The Boys Are Back in Town

So that title isn't completely accurate, the boys were back in town and have now left again, is a little better.  While I was catching up on girl talk and celebrating Father's Day, Speed Racer was out having a "Boys Only" weekend.  There was canoeing, there were guns, there was mockery, and there was laughter...sounded like an overall good time.  Wish I could have stuck around a little bit longer before they kicked me out, I love being one of the guys, but alas, they needed to talk man talk.  But here are some pictures I snapped before I left. Obviously you know Speed Racer...

Mr. B...

The Preacher...

Gumby...

And hiding back there is Mr. Hokie.

After a crazy weekend, we high tailed it back to Knoxville.  But before Mr. B left the next morning we got a chance to show him Norris.

All in all it was a fabulous weekend!  It was great to see so many old friends, both Speed Racer and I miss them a lot.

Father's Day

My Dad is a Giver, he is one of the most giving people I know.  As I have grown up he has constantly battled to balance family, work, and everything in between, like most father's do, but it was never a question who came first.  When I was growing up, my Father was always there to laugh with me, hold me when I was upset, to give advice, to tickle me out of a bad mood, to hold my hand through a migraine, and to walk me down the aisle. My Dad is a Provider.  During college, I would undoubtedly find a $20 bill in my pocket, or bag on my way back to school.  Whenever someone in my family mentions something they like, it inevitably finds it's way to them on their birthday or Christmas.   Beyond providing for me, giving me food and shelter, my Dad gave me his undivided attention and his unconditional love.  There was never a doubt in my mind that when I called at 3:30 AM to cry about breaking up with my boyfriend in college (who was actually Speed Racer, but as you see everything worked out) that Dad would pick up the phone and listen.  He was there through countless ER visits, boyfriends, travels, track meets, bad grades, and migraines.

My Dad is also a teacher.  He taught me how to tie my shoes, he taught me to spell, he taught me to drive and to drive a manual, he taught me public speaking, he taught me to believe in the Deep Magic,  but most of all he taught me how to love others.  My Dad gives beyond himself to his family, friends, and church members.  And I have striven to be like him.  He gave me the tools to build a home, to nurture a marriage, to raise our future children, and to love those around me.  He taught me that love matters most of all.

But above all my Dad is MY Dad.  I could not ask for a more loving, devoted, giving, teaching Father.  I am reminded, especially now that I live farther away, each time that I see his wonderful smile or hear his hearty laugh...how truly blessed I am.  Happy Father's Day Daddy.

(Photos provided by Fred Bowman, Emily McAlpine, Barbara Heckman, and some unknown family member...most likely my Mom)

Friday Escape

Today I'm going back to the land that I love.   The land where I fell in love with Speed Racer, and where magical things can happen.  To dramatic of a start?  It's true though, that's how I feel about this place.  Speed Racer and I are going back for a fun filled weekend of canoeing, hiking, camping, girl talk (for me), meeting up with old friends, and celebrating my Father's Birthday and Father's Day!  It's going to be a packed weekend, but much needed.  We're literally about to get on the road, so have a fabulous weekend fair readers, and get out and enjoy the sun.

32 going on Forever

(Photo by Barbara Heckman) Today is my parents 32nd Wedding Anniversary!  After just celebrating my 1st anniversary, I find it hard to imagine celebrating 32 but I also now understand how quickly it can fly by.

When I was little, I was very sensitive to people fighting in our house (overly sensitive).  Any time someone was having an argument, even if it wasn't that heated, I would go to my room and hide in the closet and cry. Even if it didn't involve me.  I still hate to argue at all.  I remember one evening my parents had an argument, and I proceeded to my closet in the usual fashion.  I have no idea what it was about.  But as I sat there crying, the door to my closet creeped open and both my parents faces were silhouetted by the light from my room.  They both pulled me out into their arms and comforted me.  "What's wrong sweetie?" My Mother asked.  I swallowed down the hot tears as I got the courage to ask a question I was deeply afraid of.  "Are you going to get a divorce?"  Both their faces were shocked.  I had obviously learned that word at school because it was never said in our house.  I explained that I had heard at school that other kid's parents had fought and then they had gotten a divorce.  They both held me tighter.  My Dad said, "No sweetie, your Mother and I love each other very much.  Even when we fight.  We're going to be together for a very very long time."  The seriousness and meaning behind that statement reassured me, and I have never forgotten it.

I'm not going to get into whether divorce is wrong or right.  I think at times divorce can be a necessary procedure, and can end up being the best things for families.  But divorce was never an option for my parents from the start.  Their marriage I'm sure has not always been easy, they have had wonderful days and very hard days, but they put their hearts and their hard work into their marriage, every day.  My Father was the minister at Speed Racer and I's wedding, and I remember him saying,"Some people say that once you get married the work is done, but that's not so.  It's like saying you're done building once you've gotten a building permit.  Building a marriage is only as good as what you put into it...when you have bad days, remember this day, and the love you share at this moment."

My Grandmother also used to say, "Never get so busy making a living that you forget to make a life."

It seems that my parents treated each day as their wedding day and honeymoon, each day was special.  And they have never forgotten to make a life together.  Their 32 years together is a testament to their devotion, and something we can all strive for.

Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad, thank you for setting such a great example of marriage these past 32 years, I hope you have many more happy years together.

Momma and Me

My Mother and I are incredibly similar.  We both wrinkle our noses in the same way when we laugh, we both have uncontrollable laughter once you get us going, we have the same shaped lips, we have the same hands, we have the same lanky legs, we both cry at silly things, we both are stubborn, we both get so involved in projects we forget to eat or do anything else, we both love the mountains and the outdoors, and we are both strong.  We each grew up tom boys, with my Mom she played in the creek behind her house, and took trips to the mountains; while for me I tried to keep up with my brothers and race the other girls.  I think it took both of us awhile to grow into our more feminine sides, although Mom swears I went through a prissy streak. I'm not quite sure what she's talking about.

We are different in many ways as well.  I got my Father's coloring: tanning skin and light hair, I have a nose we're not sure who it came from, and I have a streak of rebelliousness that is just pure me.  That streak caused me years of apologizing to my mother for being thirteen.  Thirteen is just never a good year.  My Mother has a beautiful singing voice that is the closest to what heaven sounds like that I can imagine.  It's one of my favorite sounds in the entire world.  I just have an ok voice, I can carry a tune...mostly.  But for all our differences, we always take comfort in our similarities.

My sophomore year of college I found these pictures of my Mother and decided to take some comparison shots.  I had them framed and they still sit in my Mother's living room.  My Aunt saw them one day and could not tell the difference between us.

It's rare for us to go more than a week without talking, but I still miss her.  Now that I'm older and living on my own, I think of her more often.  I'll be in the middle of a project and think, "How did Mom do this? How did Mom figure this out?  Why can't I do this if Mom did it?"  And I don't even have kids yet to ask those sorts of questions.

My Mom was a stay at home Mom, and it was a full-time job.  My Father was equally hardworking so they both had full-time jobs and got a lot done.  But being around Mom so much when I was little was a huge influence, and that influence affects me today.  If my Father was busy, then my Mother would do the handy jobs, and vice versa.  They were partners in every aspect of our lives.   Speed Racer and I both work from home, and that has been a challenge in itself.  But we also view it as a partnership, and I know that things are easier because we can do them together.  It was the same for my parents.  I know that my Mother would not have be the same person without my Father.

Even though I find as I get older that I am more and more like my Mother, I also worry that I won't be enough like her.  What if I don't learn her patients?  What if I don't show love through everything like she does?  What if I can't make custom Halloween costumes?  And although I know she is reading this right now and rolling her eyes, it's true...I worry about these things.  I know that I will find my way, that I will do things differently than she did, but my Mother has been the best mother possible.  I can only hope, that I become more like her each day.

Post from the Past: Warnie and Olie

In December my brother Warnie and (my now sister-in-law) Olie got married.  It was a beautiful ceremony (I'm sure there will be a post later) and we had a great time.  But before that, I had the privilege of assisting my brother in his scheme to propose to this beautiful lady.  We had it all planned out, they were going to come up and stay with me before they headed to their college town the next day for a "museum exhibit."  While they were at the exhibit I would sneak down, and with the assistance of my lovely friend The Twin, set up the romantic scene.  It was fool proof.  Almost.  It was suppose to rain all day.  Warnie was thinking about calling things off, and trying to do it another time, but I could tell he was disappointed.  I mean guys have a lot of pressure with these things!  So I pulled a couple strings and told Warnie not to worry, it would be magical.  And it was.

The tent was the real saving grace.  Luckily my previous employer let me borrow it, even though I'm sure he thought I was crazy.  There was also a terrible wreck, so we thought we were going to be late.  But it all worked out.  Let me add that this was all Warnie's idea, I'm not taking any credit at all, I just set everything up.  But I was so excited to be a part of that moment.  His love and devotion for her is absolutely moving.  I am blessed to have Olie as my sister.  She makes me laugh, she puts up with my craziness, and she is one of the most caring people I know.  I really lucked out with both my sister-in-laws, which is great since I never had sisters.

Thank you Warnie and Olie for letting me be a part of that day, and then posting about it...without asking first.  I love you both very much.

Memorial Day

Memorial Day is a time to remember those who have served our country and those that are serving today.  I can't begin to imagine what these men and women have been through or what they gave for us.  The above photo was taken at my Great Uncle George's funeral in Arlington.  He served at Vietnam as well as in Air Force Intelligence for many years.  He truly gave his life, his whole life, to serving the country that he loved very much. So as we start out today excited about having the day off, perhaps planning our BBQ or ready to hit the pool, take a second to appreciate what this day means.  There is nothing wrong with celebrating and honoring those who died for our country with a day of joy and fun, but just remember we couldn't have that without them.  And maybe take a second to give a call to someone who is serving, and just say thanks, or that you're thinking about them.

My thanks to Great Uncle George and all he did for his country, to Brg. General Bozeman, to Captain Quisenberry, to Matt, to Donny, and to Paul, we're thinking about you guys.  And thanks to anyone else that I missed, we appreciate everything that you do for your country.  Have a great Memorial Day everyone, and stay safe.