Beach Day!

Liam has been begging to go to the beach for weeks! We finally had time to take him and his cousin. These crazy kids got in the water. So glad we had a change of clothes. They were frozen.

Thanks Giving

Thanksgiving is the best holiday.  A person can celebrate Thanksgiving regardless of faith or creed.  Family and friends join together to be grateful for each other and for what they have, even if things do get a little lively among our loved ones when we get together for holidays.  There is no pressure to give gifts.  No one anticipates a gift.  The gift is the time that we share.  In the spirit of Thanksgiving, here's what I'm grateful for:

My family.  I love my husband who supports me, who has never walked out on me.  I love my little boy.  When I got home from work today, I walked in the door.  His eyes lit up.  The first thing he said was, "Mommy!  Thank you for coming to my school to have lunch with me today!" His class had a Thanksgiving feast.  Jeremy and I went to it.  Jeremy said he also thanked him in the car for coming to school today.  It wasn't the first time we went to his school for a holiday party.  We make every one.  But, his teacher has really been teaching him about being thankful this month.  My parents, who are 100% human, and in spite of it all have always done their best for us.  My in-laws, who are the opposite of the stereotype and who help us manage our busy weeks.

My home.  There are times when I stress about all the structural issues that we're eventually going to have to cough up money to have fixed.  But, I know my way around this place blindfolded.  It's ours.  It's wonderful.  We have a neighbor behind us, another on one side and the a beautiful park surrounding the rest.  We can play and be happy.  I think that's what we'll do all weekend.

My education.  I was raised to value education.  I have made the most of it.  I was fortunate enough to have a father who could afford to pay for my undergraduate education.  Jeremy and I managed to pay for my graduate degree.  Thankfully, I have no student debt.  The GI Bill has covered Jeremy and anything he pursues after this will be covered by the Hazelwood Act because, thankfully, he is a veteran.

My dogs.  Their personalities and presence are therapeutic.  They are always making me laugh.  They love our son unconditionally and watch him like shepherds.  I don't even mind that Marley has broken the rules tonight to cuddle up next to me on the couch.

My job.  I work with supportive, caring and strong people.  I value their experience and guidance, and their willingness to help me.  I'm fortunate to have a job when so many do not have one.  I love my clients.  I love the feeling of accomplishment that comes over me when they tell me how much they appreciate my work.  

My experiences.  Not to toot my own horn or anything, but listing my experiences is exhausting!  I've done more in 28 years than most have done in a lifetime; and yet I've done significantly less than so many others have done in their lifetimes.  I still have a lot to learn and a lot to accomplish.  I am grateful for experiences to come and I look forward to them.

My siblings.  My sister, who shares my sense of humor.  We can disagree and have "heated debates." However, we will never abandon each other.  My oldest brother (the oldest of the three brothers, but still younger than me by a shot) who struggles more than his older sisters due to changes the circumstances of our lives and our different environments.  He has somehow worked out so many things in his head that I could not have processed when I was his age, and drags me back down to Earth when I lose sight of the things that matter.  The two youngest brothers who, at almost 10 years old, remind me of what it is like to be a child, interested in all that functions and all that lives in this world.  I only regret not having more time with all of them.

The Toy Story puzzle that Liam got as a party favor at Sydney's Birthday party.  Tonight we spread all 100 pieces out on the coffee table.  I sat on a pillow and he got in my lap.  Every time he correctly placed a piece he cheered "Yay!  Look Mommy, I put the piece in the puzzle!  I got it!" And each time I correctly placed a piece he did the same for me.  That little puzzle provided me with so much pleasure, working through it with my little boy.

My friends.  I'm grateful for wonderful supportive friends.  I'm tremendously happy to have met so many wonderful people.  These are people from so many different backgrounds, with different beliefs, spread out across the entire world.  No matter the time or space between us, we are always friends.  They support me and I support them.  I am thankful for what they have taught me.  I am thankful for their tolerance.  

This Thanksgiving I am truly grateful.  I'm grateful for where this place where I was born.  I'm thankful for everyone who has ever crossed my path.  I am thankful for the blessings in my life.

And, I don't want to cheapen things, but I am even thankful for the tequila that Jeremy's parents brought back from Mexico.  He and I have polished off a few margaritas tonight, and I'm now thankful for this classic Sylvester Stalone flick, Judge Dread, that we're watching at this very moment.

Give THANKS!  I am thankful for so much more, but my spidery little fingers would fall off if I tried to type it all.

  

Sent the Dog to the Taxidermist

An insurance agency in North Carolina is holding a "Cute Pet Contest." One of our family friends posted a status update on Facebook for everyone to vote for another girl's dog so that the girl could afford to have the dog neutered.  My brother couldn't resist the urge to try to enter his beloved Sadie.  Here's the exchange (that took place on the insurance agency's Facebook page) thus far:


Ashton Harris:  I knew I would miss my dog Sadie so much that I had her preserved at the taxidermist after her death. Would you mind if I posted a picture of her in her permanent position shes very cute although she was much more cute when she was alive. thanks


Another Facebook User:  Facebook isn't working today...can't share the link. Can you extend the contest dates?


Insurance Agency:  We're sorry Sarah! We counted the votes right at 2PM. Please watch for additional contests throughout the year.


Ashton Harris (the next day):  Why wasn't my question ever tended to?

My poor dog would role over in her preserved state if she knew you had ignored her opportunity to be the cutest dog.
Shame on First Pioneer Insurance for not taking me seriously.

Ashton Harris (one hour later):  She will always be alive in my heart.

Insurance Agency:  We're sorry Ashton! This contest was for live pets only. We weren't able to include photos of animals preserved at the taxidermist after death.

Sheila Ledford (our aunt):  So unfair. Where is this preserved pet?

Ashton Harris:  Sadie currently resides in our laundry room but I hope to move her above my mantle as soon as my fire place is finished. Thank you Sheila for your support!! I couldn't believe they wouldn't accept a photo of my old friend.

Jordan Cooper (our sister):  Ashton, I'm sorry they wouldn't include your sweet little Sadie in the contest. I know how you feel about her still being alive to you. My little Oscar (Yorkshire Terrier) passed a couple of years ago, we had him preserved and take him everywhere with us. (Vacations etc.) As far as I'm concerned he's still the cutest little thing I've ever seen!

Other Facebook User:  Thanks for running the contest and donating to the animal shelters. I'll watch for future events.

Ashton Harris:  Jordan, Im glad im not the only one, I was starting to think these people thought I was crazy or trying to make a sick joke. I haven't thought about taking Sadie on vacation I just hope she would be small enough to be considered a carry on item.

Me:  Ashton, I'm so sorry they won't let you enter Sadie in the contest. Thanks for letting us see her when we visited. We've been inspired and hope to have Marley preserved as well when he goes. The taxidermist did excellent work on your little girl!

Ashton Harris:  I thank you all for your support and id be glad to give you the name of the taxidermist if needed. Im glad that pet preservation is catching on so fast!

Jeremy Jensen (my husband):  Ashton, I remember when I first met Sadie she tried to bite me......by the sound of things I don't think she's doing much biting anymore. I'm glad to hear that she is still with you!

Things I'd like to note about the South (or, I am less ignorant than you think)

The South is full of social graces, friendly people and a lot of different culture . . . or cultures.  I feel and convey a large amount of pride in my native Texan heritage: our diet filled with rice, pork, peppers, corn and fish; growing up hunting and fishing; family get togethers with way too much food; chilli without beans . . .

I also pride myself on my life experiences--my travels to different places in the World.  I've eaten many different cuisines, heard many languages (I can say "thank you" in nine different languages!), and my child took some of his first steps in the Hermitage museum.  He also tried to pull a priceless Henri Rousseau off of the wall.

Since my mom is from western North Carolina, I have lots of experience with the culture there too.  I love the language--the older dialect of English.  I also love the food and how people can drop by without calling.  I used to have fun singing hymns while we'd help our close family friends hang their tobacco after it had dried a little in the fields. 

There are things I notice about outsiders.  Outsiders do not understand why things are the way they are.  They think their way is the best way.  And, they always come to bring a little refinement . . . a little civilization.  As a result of my observations, I'd like to address the following three issues:

1. English should be the national language.  Well!  Clearly you are not from Texas!  I'd like to point out to you that there are families who have been inside of Texas since before it was it's own country and a few generations before it was part of the United States of America; and, that many of these families teach Spanish in their homes and leave it up to the school systems to teach their children English.  I have no issue with this.  Making these families give up their Spanish-speaking heritage would be no different than the movement that all but wiped out French among the Cajuns in Louisiana.  There is a distinction between immigrants who speak Spanish and Americans who speak Spanish.  Spanish and French are just as much a part of our heritage as English (but so are a lot of Asian languages--we're just not going there in the interest of time).
2. People with southern accents are ignorant hicks.  No.  Again, this is part of our heritage.  Please, ignorant outsiders, educate yourselves.  Here are some links to articles about Southern Appalachian English.  The dialect is hundreds of years old, and linguists believe it to be similar to Shakespearean English.  The dialect needs to be preserved.  I love listening to my Mamaw and Papaw speak.  It bothers me to think they may not be around long enough for my son to appreciate it.  Regional accents, grammar, and vocabulary are beautiful.  They need to be preserved.
3. The French are rude.  Okay, what the heck does this have to do with the South?  I speak a little French--enough to get by in France.  I've been a few times.  My husband and I have both found the French to be extremely hospitable.  I never felt they were "correcting" my French, but rather clarifying to ensure they'd heard me correctly.  Even if they were "correcting" who the hell cares?  How am I going to learn to speak it if no one teaches me the right way?  They're French and I'm not.  This applies everywhere.  Before you make generalizations about the place you're visiting and the people in it, maybe you should take the time to shut up, observe and understand.

Now we come full circle and I'll tell you why I'm ranting.  As a kid I formed a lot of opinions that were based on what I heard people say.  These people were adults I admired.  So, the first lesson is to be careful of what you say in front of your kids or the kids in your family, I suppose.  I also picked up on things that friends' parents said and "observations" made by the neighbors about my family members visiting from out of town.

So, I've heard a lot of negative about this area of Appalachia and people often relate it to the film "Deliverance."  Let me tell you, there are some gems.

The music is incredible.  You'll never find such a musically inclined population anywhere else in the World.

The food is incredible.  There's a new restaurant called Frog's Leap Public House in Waynesville that I think might be one of the best in the World.

We visited Dollywood.  Yep, that's Dolly's own theme park.  Take my word for it.  It's the best amusement park on the planet.

With that said, what else is better here than anywhere else in the World?  I'm not sure if I should tell you.  If I caused an influx of anymore damn Yankees my family might string me up and leave me for dead. 

The South is great, especially this little corner of the Earth.

First half of North Carolina '11 trip with REAL CAMERA!

So, I set a budget of $100 for a new camera . . . there's a Fujifilm camera that was under budget, but for just $50 over budget I could get the same model . . . waterproof, shockproof, dust proof, and freeze proof.  Hopefully this means Liam proof.  We took a few photos this evening and I'm looking forward to taking some more over the next few days to share.

Our Trip to North Carolina--so far

And there's more coming because I've decided to break down and get us a better digital cameral since ours is  four years old and I left it at home anyway.

Very professional looking