The Story of My Life

Way to go 105 lb. Wildcats!!!!!

One year ago today, just about this time of night as I was getting the children in bed, carrying on my normal, daily routine. I got a phone call to get in my car and drive to my sister's house immediately with a frantic brother on the other end. My only sister is only 15 months younger than me and a shot of fear ran through me. She's OK, my brother said to me, but Chris gone. Chris was my brother-in-law for 10 years. He left this world to find peace at last exactly one year ago almost to this minute. A tortured, tragic ending to a life that few will ever experience in this world. Chris was brilliant, handsome, a Green Beret/Special Forces and had seen things in life that I thought existed only on television. He was addicted to and overcame crystal meth to stay clean for 6 years. He spoke to many groups, changed many lives. He just was never really able to get a handle on or change his life. He bought my son more swords than I can hide, more tents, more camping gear, throwing s...

This weekend we had a Parent's night out and went to eat and listen to some good music with a few football parents. Tracey Tucker and his pal Alan Renfroe were playing at Wine'd Down in Patton Creek and they were fabulous!!! The Jones' and the hometown pals of mine know the musicians and told us how great they were- and boy were they right. One of the coaches and his fun wife came along as well. I did not take my camera and was reduced to cell phone shots, which as you know, I hate. I found them on my space: http://www.myspace.com/traceyandalan Check out these talented guys if you get a chance. Tracey Tucker lives in Helena. There is also a calendar on the Wine'd Down site. The place is not loud, not smoky- just right for some grown up relaxation. The music was fun and a great mix of acoustic tunes- lots of kinds.....including of course, my favorite, a Bon Jovi. There playlist was extensive and their talent was immense. We must do it again. I saw where they were there a...

I had never taken the kids, who are chicken experts, to the Lane's in Helena. We went there after open house and let me just say now THEY HAVE THE BEST Hushpuppies I have ever tasted. Until Thursday night, my favorite Hushpuppies were from Catfish Cabin- 8524 US Highway 431 Albertville, AL 35950 Lane's beats these. They have a tiny bit of cheese in them!!!! And the catfish was lightly yet tastily battered, just the way I like it. Although I could not eat but one piece because I ate 6 hushpuppies. The service was excellent. I had a pouty little girl at my table and a wonderful guy named Haven that works there brought triangle shaped crayons to color with her, they made a rainbow and he hung it in a chain they were making with kids artwork. And I got a refill on tea so I could take it with me and left it on the table. The hostess brought it out to the car for me. What more could you ask for? Except that they take you kids to another room while you eat. I will suggest that to Hav...

It is better to leave your new, orange sporty SUV at the airport parking deck than to allow your wife to drive it for safe keeping. Do not assume an 18 wheeler in a left turn lane is turning left. Do not assume that a bright orange SUV is visible to truck driver wearing overalls and cap over eyes-and waiting in a left turn lane to turn right, where you are stopped at the stop sign next to him. Never, think " Wow, I think that truck is turning YET will make a sharp enough, expertly executed turn not to take the H-U-M-M-E-R grill off my front end". (Think I am the bus in this picture. It was like life in slow motion. Nothing I could do but watch.) You will be amazed how far a grill of a vehicle will travel into the air and on-coming traffic when hit by the trailer of a Semi-truck. And makes a LOUD sound. Never forget that life is much more precious than an orange, newly purchased-only-Saturday SUV that your husband let you drive as he was out of town only to wreck on Tuesday. O...

I understand from Coach Justin that this is the first win in quite a long time for the 105 lb Helena Wildcats. Beating those panthers, who are accustomed to beating us and really quite larger than our boys, was sweet! The boys played their hearts out and the crowd was really into it. Keep up the great work, my little guys.

Remember the place we ate in Pass Christian, MS and had wonderful food and took great harbor shots during Labor Day weekend? Remember how I posted a picture of it after Gustav? Well, my reporter and photographer from the MS Gulf Coast was there yesterday to see what Ike had delivered to our little favorite spot. The place we parked: Under water The place we took those great pics of the kids: Under water The bottom floor of Shaggy's: Flooded Just the sheer force of the storm was pushing so hard on the water, my reporter said this was all not from rain, but the coming surge pressure of the storm itself, still 2 days out. Just because these storms do not "hit" straight on an area does not mean major damage is not prevalent. My heart breaks to think of the damage I saw lingering from Katrina. Now to pile on 2 storms this month is even more heart-breaking. So Shaggy's and all the good people on the Gulf Coast, hang in there. We are all thinking of you...

I am so excited! I have a follower!!!! Follow me! Follow Me. Not literally, because I will get you lost if driving, just ask my son and husband about finding Oak Mt. football game last night. I had been there before, only a few weeks ago and still got lost. I passed the exit on my way to work last week and went 10 miles- YES I SAID 10 MILES- past it before I realized it. In my own little lala land. That is 20 miles out of the way total for you smarty pants math folks. My son had to get me to the bank when we first moved to Tampa. He would say, "Mom, this is not the way the bank was last time. Turn here!!!" Did I mention he was 6 at the time??? Oh, believe me, I could go on about my spatial realtions learning disability. But I won't. So FOLLOW MY BLOG, FOLLOW MY BLOG. NOT ME........

A Discussion of Politics Over Breakfast: "Do you know what the presidents is?" "Um, yep... Mama. The President of the United States but, what does that mean?" "It means he is the "boss" of our country, he is in charge." "Oh, then he gets to eat WHATEVER he wants! Is it a girl or a boy?" " A boy." "Oh no! I do not like boys." At Preschool, her class had Ed's Pet World (Homewood) come and bring pets during this past PET week. She held a snake, a scorpion, a baby alligator, a parrot, a tarantula. Last night, she ran from her room screaming BLOODY murder. She was holding her arm outstretched and I full well expected to find a large gaping wound due to the crying and screaming she was creating. It was a lady bug on her finger. I said, after all you held at school today???? She said, "I didn't hold ANY BUGS. I hate bugs." A little boy was trying to bully her at the football game. I was watching from afar...

Wildcats put up a Hard fight against the Warriors. It was my Little Man's first real game and he was so excited. He got to play more than the 2 plays each player is guaranteed by the rules, so I take it as a success! He had a great time and is getting better all the time. He is under that pile somewhere- I see his leg. I took hundreds of pictures, of course. I will spare you. They all look pretty much the same. GO LITTLE MAN and Go WILDCATS! I wanted to get a t-shirt with his picture and "MY SON IS #..." on it. He said..... " I don't think so MOM!" I love you, baby!!!!!

Here are the top nine comments made by NBC sports commentators at the Summer Olympics that they would like to take back: 1. Weightlifting commentator: "This is Gregoriava from Bulgaria. I saw her snatch this morning during her warm up and it was amazing." 2. Dressage commentator: "This is really a lovely horse and I speak from personal experience since I once mounted her mother." 3. Paul Hamm, Gymnast: "I owe a lot to my parents, especially my mother and father." 4. Boxing Analyst: "Sure there have been injuries,and even some deaths in boxing, but none of them really that serious." 5. Softball announcer: "If history repeats itself, I should think we can expect the same thing again." 6. Basketball analyst: "He dribbles a lot and the opposition doesn't like it. In fact you can see it all over their faces." 7. At the rowing medal ceremony: "Ah, isn't that nice, the wife of the IOC president...

Does anyone but ME know what these things are????? Post answers in comments. Post to explain and expound upon will follow......

While we ate at Shaggy's, many boat owners were hitching up and taking out their boats and the staff was moving everything from below up top. (See post below...if you didn't already....) My husband emailed me this picture- Looks like Pass Christian and Shaggy's was hit fairly hard by Gustav. The article said lots of the damage to the marina itself came from the boats that were left in the harbor being smashed around. So the beautiful harbor shots below were from here- some 12 hours before the storm blew in. I hope my crabcake-making chef there is ok......

Before the storm came, we were able to get in a little bit of food, fun and family time on this last fling of summer. I had not been to Gulfport, MS since I was a child. The kids love anywhere there is a beach and pool...... The worst 20 bucks my husband ever spent.....NOTICE- he paid, I pedaled. http://www.shaggys.biz/ We had THE best crab cake and corn salsa- so fresh and mmm....mmm good.... A cool local spot that was fun and delicious. The Shrimp Po-Boy was EXCELLENT, too. Shaggy's 120 S. Hiern Ave., Pass Harbor, Pass Christian, MS, 39571 228.452.9939 *****Note what his shirt really says....I painted it out in the first shot for the official harbor portrait. Goodbye, summer. It has been a great one ! Oh yes, I almost forgot......this one if for you, my kid's favorite Emm Nanny......WE LOVE YOU !

Business takes my husband to the Mississippi Coast. He has been telling me the conditions there were still bad from Katrina. The children and I went to Gulfport Friday afternoon to spend the Labor Day weekend. On Thursday, the real threat was thought to be Texas and Louisiana, so we continued with our trip. Not only did I witness the conditions that remain after Katrina, but I got to witness the threat of another hurricane and the heartbreak of seeing the people board up yet again. I went out to take some pictures before we evacuated ourselves...... Sometimes it was hard to tell what was left from Katrina and what was freshly boarded. We evacuated via Highway 90, which they were freshly paving Saturday and Sunday. It is closed and flooded today.