still around

Made the big move on Monday. I don't know when I will ever by through unpacking boxes and putting things where they need to go. Rest of the family seems to be fine. Think I'll take an Ambien tonight :)

dern those reality contest shows!

During recent years, I have tried to steer clear of reality tv shows. "TV should be for escape and entertainment (and okay, occasionally to learn something)! I don't want reality!!" So I have never actually seen Survivor or the Bachelor or American Idol, etc. (Yes, I do admit to watching the first Joe Millionaire - but I swear that has been the only one :)

Well, a couple weeks ago my family and I were at our annual cabin at the Lake - where cable only goes to 20 channels (only?!) The owners of our annual rental cabin have graciously left many wonderful movies over the years. Our little 7 year old princess looks forward each year to watching The Princess Diaries ad nauseum during the week. (I did have to explain to her this year that it really was a made up story and that I have never known anyone who actually kicked her foot up while kissing a guy.)

On Wednesday night of our week, I had some kind of bug and was in bed quite early. Apparently, Princess had tired of her trademark movie and Hubby turned on the small selection of cable, settling on Dancing with the Stars. I awoke out of my stupor at some point to hear Princess say, "That is just not appropriate!" I called out to Hubby - trying to monitor whatever situation was going on - and he soon explained Princess' fascination with the dancing and the "inappropriate" costumes the women were wearing. (I'm sure she'll think they're tame in a few years.)

So, Princess has had to watch the show weekly - and the sad thing is I have been greatly sucked in. I almost called to vote even. I absolutely love John O'Hurley and Rachel Hunter. They have just been the BEST over the competition. How could anyone vote for someone who had to go on national tv to find a boyfriend (and eventually husband), some young little thingy soap star, or an Old New Kid on the Block? I just knew the glorious John and Rachel would be battling it out in the end.

I particularly loved seeing Rachel. She's not a skinny sized 0 supermodel. She has real curves, is athletic, and is a sassy gal from Down Under (yes, I do admit marrying Rod Stewart was not one of her better moves, but we all make mistakes). So when Rachel unbelievably was voted off tonight, I was indignant! "NO WAY!! HOW COULD THAT HAPPEN?!" Hubby was tucking in Monster Boy and they thought something was really wrong - could not possibly tell them that I was yelling about the tv.

And yes, Princess was spending the night with her grandparents and watching with them - so I was by myself watching.

Still a little ticked off about the injustice!

Yes, tv should be for pure fun and entertainment and fiction - I can find plenty of other ways in the world to get ticked off...

the big move

I haven't really blogged about this huge, quickly upcoming event in my life - just referred to it - because I just haven't quite been able to deal with it. But - in just over a week, my family and I are moving three hours downstate (and out of my beloved mountains) for my new job. I am honestly very excited about the job - I would not have accepted it if I didn't think it was just the thing for me. And I know things will be great for my family - we have found a wonderful home, the kids will be in a great school, and it even looks like my husband's job situation is working out. Yet, I have become quite settled in Asheville. I grew up here. I have been back for 13 years now. I know exactly where I like to get groceries, gas, shop for various items, and even our dry cleaners. It's rare I don't see someone I know when I go out (which is not always a good thing! especially if I am just making a run to the paint store in the midst of a painting job). I really do like it here - but I also know that this move is without doubt what we should be doing.

I will really miss the mountains. I will really miss Asheville. I will really miss my friends - my book group, my hanging out buddies, and especially my soul friends. I have found some of the best friends in my life during my 30s. I know I will make new friends - but it won't be the same. And I know I will visit (my parents and Granny and brother will still live here after all) - but it won't be the same.

I think I will always consider myself an Ashevillian. No matter how long I end up in Greensboro, I can't imagine I will ever think of myself as a Greensboro - ite (no idea if that is the proper terminology!).

Well, the move is upon me - just over a week away. More boxes to pack, a couple more work items, and more blogs will come about big life transitions!

gotta love country music

Growing up in the mountains of NC, about the only music we could get on the radio on a regular basis was our local country music station. I still listen quite a bit (as well as whatever else I can get - boy, do I wish I had sattelite radio!). I heard the best song last night (and immediately thought of my younger brother). It is a new one by Keith Anderson (went to seminary with someone by that name, but I really don't think it's the same guy...)

"Double X L"
the refrain goes -
"I'm a mean, lean, love machine who likes to be held. Ooooo-hoooo baby, I'm a double XL!"

The rest of the song recounts all the skinny Barbie dolls who just can't stay away from him and need his lovin'.

Still really like Green Day, U2, etc, but really need that country music sometimes!

to wear a blue jean wrap skirt

Sixteen years ago I entered seminary at Duke Divinity School. I was just 22 years old, newly married, and trying to figure out this calling to ministry. During my three years there, I had one instructor who stood out dramatically. Her name was (and still is!) Ashley - and she taught pastoral care (and was great at it, by the way). I remember the first class - the classes were long Tuesday night classes for the semester. Ashley was a young woman in her mid 30s. She told us about her professional experience, and that she was primarily at home with three children (the youngest being just a few months old). She taught classes at the Divinity School and was not serving a church at the time (though quite active in one).

Ashley was just gorgeous. She wore a simple shirt, with a wrap blue jean skirt (I actually currently own one like it and thought of Ashley when I bought it). I couldn't believe she had just had a baby - I thought someone in her shoes (raising kids, teaching seminary classes, etc.) would look rather worn out and tired (much like I look most the time!). But she always looked great. She was so alive and engaged with everyone around her. I knew very quickly that I wanted to be just like Ashley when I grew up - on so many levels and in so many ways.

About 10 years ago, I was fortunate that Ashley moved to my neck of the woods due to her husband's job. After a really tough first church, I was taking some time off, looking after a rather rambunctious little baby boy, and trying to figure out my next step in ministry. I ended up working parttime at a church, and spending most my time being a mom and homemaker. Throughout these years, Ashley has been the best role model I could possibly have - in vocation, motherhood, friendships, and even continuing in fashion statements! I am moving in less than three weeks and won't be around Ashley as much. And I will be "working fulltime in ministry" yet again (something Ashley has been doing, and doing quite well, for a number of years).

I know I will still see Ashley and we'll communicate - and she will continue to be a hero for me. I also hope that when I am working with my college students, wearing my favorite blue jean wrap skirt - that I might can in some small way have such an impact on a young woman.

But I will really miss her a lot...

17 years!

It was 17 years ago today that I was heading to a picnic in Greensboro, NC with the large young single adult sunday school class of the church I had been attending. I had just finished my 3rd year at Greensboro College, and had one semester left before taking off to do a Master of Divinity (and then thinking I would do a Ph.d. and teach religion somewhere - only the M.Div came to fruition, but at least I do get to work on a college campus).

The summer was just beginning, and I was staying in my college town. My romance with one young man in the class had recently fizzled, so I thought I would just be working and hanging out with whatever friends I had in town. But - the picnic. There was one guy who kept flirting with me. He was older (I thought probably 27), but really cute. He had an athletic build and wore "coaching shorts." He also had the ugliest little dog with him - something called a Boston Terrier - but she was pretty sweet.

We were playing games on a field, and this man was obviously the most athletic. During kickball, he kept kicking home runs and no one else was in the ballpark of getting him out. Have I mentioned that I always hated kickball? Don't know if it was because of getting picked towards the end of my class growing up, or because it just seemed like a really stupid thing to play. Well, at one point, I was actually running from 2nd to 3rd base and this guy (Andy) threw the ball to get me out. I ducked, the ball went wild, and I was able to get home. One of the few runs my team scored! Then the very next play - Andy was doing his usual hotdogging, and I nailed him as he was running to 3rd base. (only one to get him out all day)

We talked, found out he was a kindergarten teacher, had worked at lots of camps - and then when we were leaving, he offered me a ride in his beautiful red Mustang convertible (yes, loyal readers, the very same one that I so despererately want to sell now!).

Within a week we were talking about getting married (turned out the guy was really 33, never married, just waiting for ms. right), and then 5 and a half months later - walking down the aisle.

Sometimes it seems like 170 years, sometimes 17 weeks...

trying to be "hot"

I have been greatly distressed over the last couple months by some hormonal changes with my 11 year old son. While he is still really grossed out by the idea of having sex (thank goodness!), he has started to notice and appreciate girls. My parents took the whole family on a four day Carnival Family cruise over Easter, and I spent half my time hiding under a hat, sunglasses and book while spying on my son running around the pool with girls - chasing, pushing each other into the pool, giggling, etc. "No, no!" I kept thinking - please let him hate girls a little longer!

But alas, we are in a new phase. After the cruise, he kept talking about one blond girl (apparently blond hair and brown eyes are the best), and so I asked what he liked about her so much. "Mmm, well I suppose the way she looked on the outside." Truer words...

And yesterday he was explaining to his 7 year old sister what a "hottie" was.

And then this morning I took him to get his hair cut. I told the stylist to do what my son wanted. His only instructions - "I want to look hot!" She said she would give him the Abercrombie and Fitch model hairstyle (and after I boycott that place because of way too revealing teen models).

Think I've lost whatever control I once thought I had...