Social Security

I'm apparently irresponsible. Somehow I managed to lose not only my social security card, but both of my girls' cards as well. So this morning I had the invigorating experience of spending three and a half hours in the social security office downtown. The system is screwed up and I could go on and on about how after waiting for an hour the other day, I was informed I didn't have the correct proof of ID, had to go back and wait two hours today, only to be put back in the waiting room because the guy could only issue two cards, I had to see someone else to get three... but that's not the point of this post.



While sitting in the rock hard chairs, I befriended a gentleman from the Phillipines. He and his wife and kids moved here to the states because of his job. It's a small world, because we realized he worked only minutes from where I live. He's lived all over the U.S. and has settled here in Mississippi. I asked him where his favorite place to live has been, and to my surprise he said right here in Mississippi. He mentioned how he wished that there were more museums and historical places to tour, but the fact that the people are so warm makes up for all of the state's shortcomings. I found that comforting. On paper, Mississippi may not seem so great, but in person it's the best.

The Subway Lounge

This month Delta Magazine ran a story I wrote on the Subway Lounge that used to be in the basement of the old Summers Hotel in Jackson. This story was so much fun to write because we all know how much I love Mississippi culture and the Subway was the epitome of pure Mississippi music and as I found out, holds a special place in the hearts of so many people in our state. I interviewed the owner, Jimmy King, and had so much fun listening to the memories he had to share. I had the pleasure of spending more than a few nights there before the doors closed a few years ago and I must say, it was like nothing I had ever seen. Such a fun place.

Now, on Saturday nights, Schimmels restaurant in Jackson transforms from upscale dining to a very "Subwayesque" atmosphere and you can hear the sounds of the Houserockers, the Subway's former house band.

So pick up a copy if you see one. I know Barnes & Nobles in Ridgeland sells them. The magazine itself is really great too!

The Rock

One of the coolest parts of our trip was visiting Alcatraz. My history buff of a husband was beside himself with excitement while we were there. I must say, it was very cool and a little eerie. Just to think that Al Capone along with lots of other very notorious and dangerous men spent years walking those grounds was incredible. Standing on the island, you can see in full view the bustling city. This must have been excruciating for those prisoners. One of the inmates on the video we saw said that one of the toughest things was to see what you can't have so close, but yet so far away. If you're ever in San Francisco, go tour Alcatraz. It was very interesting.

We're Back!

We arrived back in Jackson last night after a very, very fun trip to San Francisco and wine country. We had a really great time with some really great friends, but were very glad to be home and hug our babies. Here are a few pics:

The Golden Gate Bridge

Alcatraz - very cool

And we're off...

I'm really bad at doing anything besides spreading cheer during the holidays, so sorry I've not been posting...

I hope everyone had a great, merry Christmas. We had the opportunity to see lots of family and are completely worn out. BUT - we're off to San Francisco tomorrow for a little vacay with the Cruthirds. See ya on the flip side with lots of pics!

Happy New Year!

My Sweet, Sweet, South

Not long ago, as a little Christmas gift to myself, I bought the book My South by Robert St. John. First of all, the book is full of fun little one liners that only Southerners can truly appreciate. Things like "My South uses knives and forks, but biscuits and corn bread finish the job." Second of all, you all know I eat this stuff up...

Here's a poem by Christine Carr from the book:

In my South, there is a spirit, a holy spirit that

heals old wounds, melts the heart,

and brings all people together.

It's that spirit that is the source of our progress.

We are moving - we are moving forward, you know.

And now that we are moving and

We've got all this progress and that's great.

But you know, I can still have my front porch,

my sweet tea, and that good home cookin' -

even on a low-carb diet.

We can hold on to the beauty of this

old, old place, as we're moving.

We are moving forward and we are moving forward together.

I love this. One of the things I like the most about the South is that it is a place that sort of stands still in time. We are really good at preserving our culture, which I think is so important. You can't know where you're going until you know where you came from.

With that being said, I also think it's important that we move on. Let's face it, this is an amazing place, but it has a sorted history. It's a well known fact that the South is by no means perfect. We need to let go of as much of our history as we should hold on to, which I think we are doing.

I love my South, and this poem really sums up how I feel about it. Just because we hold on to what is great about our history, doesn't mean we are behind the times. We can live in harmony and sip sweet tea together. We can let go of our hate, but keep our cornbread, and that's my kind of South.

Ok, this is insane...

The deck in our backyard is covered with snow. When it snows in Mississippi, it never sticks, but this is incredible.

We're supposed to be having a Christmas party tonight, but I'm kind of thinking that nobody will show. I'm not rescheduling. I dipped strawberries in chocolate all night, so the show will go on. My husband and I may end up eating lots of chocolate covered strawberries by ourselves on into the night.

Rude Awakening

This morning I was awakened by a shrill shriek. "It's SNOWING! It's SNOWING!" I thought my poor child was going to have a heart attack. Snow in MS. A perfect Christmas...

Unanswered prayers...hopefully

This was my daughter's prayer at breakfast this morning:

Next time my mommy has a baby in her belly, please let it be a girl and two boys, Alexa, Brady, & Austin. And please let them be in there now.

I know full well that God answers prayers, but in this case, I'm hoping for an unanswered prayer.

I love kids

"Get up! You need to marry me!"

This is my daughter and her friend, sometimes "boyfriend." Breaking up is a regular occurrence in their "relationship." They really act like brother and sister. I love kids. They are hilarious.

The Mustard Seed

The Rankin Ledger just ran my story on the Mustard Seed in Flowood. Stop by and pick up one of their ornaments or ceramics as Christmas gifts to benefit a good cause.

Thanksgiving in Clinton...

I had the pleasure of visiting Brittany Brown's 1st grade class at Clinton Park Elementary to write this story. The kids were so much fun and had lots to say about Thanksgiving. Thanks to Sandi for all your help!

Happy Thanksgiving y'all!

I love Thanksgiving. My daughter got up this morning and was mesmerized by the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade, as was I when I was her age. I remember waking up and watching the parade until my parents made me get dressed to go to either my grandmother's or one of my aunt's houses. I love this holiday. It's a time for family, which I love.

This year will be a bit different. My grandmother was recently diagnosed with dementia and that in itself has caused a bit of turmoil throughout the family. It's my hope that everyone will put aside their differences and come together for her sake, at least. She's a great lady that deserves a great holiday, and I'm so thankful to get to spend one more Thanksgiving with her.

I hope you all have a great day with your families or whoever you may be spending the day with! Be thankful, I know I am.

Black Betty is a creative genius

After the virus, my computer decided to crash. I'm a horrible blogger...

Anyway, Black Betty took some pictures of my girls this weekend in hopes of getting a Christmas card picture... Success!

I couldn't have been happier with the way this one and all of the rest turned out. She did such a great job and is very reasonable!

I was also proud of my girls for being cooperative at the same time, which is unheard of.

Thank you Betty! I love the pics!

The Bug

This week a vicious little stomach bug has taken over my household. This is why I've been absent from the blogging world this week. Baby girl #2 had it first, then #1, then it hit me. And now, my poor mother has it too. Let me tell you, it was VIOLENT. And, of course, it hits us when my husband is out of town. Of course. He's back in town and is quite happy that so far, he's dodged a bullet. Usually, if anyone gets sick it's him. I rarely catch what the kids have, but this week it hit me with a vengeance. Today I've been scrubbing my house from top to bottom trying to get rid of all the nasty germs.

I've been hoping to lose a few pounds, but this is not at all what I had in mind. I'd much rather be fat.

My thumbsucker

I was determined to break my first child of the pacifier before she turned one. This was stupid. DON'T DO IT!

So now she's four years old and sucks her thumb like crazy. We have tried EVERYTHING. Everything. The bitter liquid you put on the thumb, bandaids, shameless bribery. No success.

The dentist says she's fine as long as she stops before she turns five and her teeth start falling out. Our current attempt is saying that Santa will bring a big girl bike if she stops sucking her thumb before Christmas, but it's doubtful.

Anybody have any ideas or suggestions??? Please. Please.