Relief panicy symtoms--mine--sign up

Going into my usual jittery mode before my fundraiser.  It's less than a month away but I play it in my head from morning until night.  Drives my family crazy---Hedgies are the program this year.  Pray for all of us.  I always envision making a ton of money--wish it was so. I can dream that someone out there has a big check burning a hole in their pocket and just the right moment will occur to make them put it on the table in an envelope or give it to me to wear in my pocket. I always wear pockets because some folks do give me money as they come in the door. I always take it back to the counting basket and not to the KEB fund--which is non-existent.  I pray for calmness but perhaps the jitters are a good way to burn calories? 

The doctor on Morning Joe says walk 10,000 steps a day and 25,000 on the weekend.  Say what?  Gotta get my walking groove on again. May was my high month where I averaged 7700 daily.  That was pre-baptism. 

Great Korea meal last night at the West Point restaurant with the Divine Ms. M and her family.  Cousin Nancy was in town and brought some adorable hooded towels to the Double Hedgie boys that she'd made.  So cute.  She's always fun.

Make plans to "Join us on the Journey"  on August 26th at noon at First UMC in West Point, GA.  Tickets are $35 each and you can buy them from me or any Pastoral Institute Advisory Board member. 

Hope Tuesday is a good one for you. 
Peace from the Hooch.

Ms. M on her 80th.  She always makes me laugh.

Life with Max

Here is a copy of yet another news article.  Can you tell I'm having a fundraiser in about a month.  Yikes!  Hope you all have a great day. 
Love from the Hooch were all the plants are smiling. 

Wahoo, rain, and lots of it.  Duke Boy was doing the happy dance over the weekend.  You know I’m the irrigation system and he was less than enthusiastic when I asked him to be my backup plan in case all my pre-rain planning (car washes, garden watering, and umbrella carrying) fell through.  I went south to visit family which meant he’d have to water if God didn’t. God did a beautiful job. Duke Boy got to play with little Hedgie Boys instead.  I’ve had time to do things other than water since I got home.  Nice.  Plants just love God’s water so much better anyhow. 

While visiting in south Alabama I spent a little time with our newest family member, Max.  Max is an almost four month old German shepherd puppy.  He is probably in the mid-40s pound-wise and has ears that look like he might have some rabbit in him.  Don’t get me wrong he is gorgeous. All that gorgeousness doesn’t negate the fact that he’s a German shepherd.  Bad history with shepherds. Bitten. Twice.  One was a momma dog with new puppies.  My bad.  The other was a bad yard-guard dog from my days of door-to-door social work.  Since Max is in the shepherd family I’m a little concerned about our relationship.  He will be part of family gatherings for years to come.  I will have to walk past him to get to my sister’s house. In a few years I will still be in 60s and slower.  I love my sister and I’m hoping to always be able to visit with her.  My sister has owned some big dogs in her 46 years of married life. They were what I call “south Alabama bulldogs”.  They come up past your waist, are white,  and have heads the size of a calf.  Teeth are usually large and visible or worse yet eyes that appear disinterested. Disinterested eyes are a sign that they are calculating how fast those meaty legs can move. Cell phones were such saving devices from panic attacks when someone would appear after my call to put up the beast so I could get into the house.  Long before cell phones and dog bites I have a memory of visiting my sister and spending time in the car after I’d left something there.  Someone either left something too or noticed I was missing and came to escort me back to the house.  After my dog bite days my personal philosophy became: never buy a dog taller than your knee caps.  This makes the rear and your neck at least a jump away.  Bullet point #2 of that philosophy is: always share your bacon.  Twice this weekend I gave Max bacon.  First I had him sit then said “good boy” then head pat, then bacon.  Didn’t get the second head pat in because he was going for the hand that smelled like bacon.  Welcome to the family, Max.  I promise to always share my bacon and I hope you promise to never bite the hand or any other body part of the one who gives you bacon.   

Speaking of food…

Chattahoochee Federal Credit Union, CharterBank,, Deborah Grossman Law Firm, Shawmut UMC, Lanett UMC are all sponsoring a table for our indoor picnic on August 26, 2014 at noon at First UMC in West Point.  Capital City Bank is also joining us.  The door prizes are rolling in from West Point Tire, Payless Furniture,   Don’t be left out of this fun.  “Join us on the Journey” and hear the Royster, aka Hedgies, Family love story where extraordinary happened.  Our lives go from ordinary to extra daily and the Pastoral Institute is available to help with transitions from birth to death, marriage to divorce, job to job.  The tickets are $35 each, or $375 to sponsor a table. Call us at 334-768-2341 to schedule an appointment or buy a ticket for our picnic.

Karen Erwin-Brown is the director of the Valley office of the Pastoral Institute.  She provides individual, marriage, and family counseling by appointment. Call 334-768-2341 for an appointment.

 

Ordinary + Extra in a heartbeat or two

This is a copy of my news article for today---it's blog style--hope all of you have a great day.
Would love to have you come to our event.  

                                              one side of my extras

Rain…ok...I washed both cars, well M& M Carwash in West Point did.  Thanks guys.  They do a great job. Your car will thank you too.   Back to the rain idea…I watered the front and back gardens, it helps if I don’t think of myself as spending time watering a “yard”.  “I’m sorry I didn’t call you back about the important _______but I was watering my yard.”  No, no, no.  “My garden just had to have a good soaking so I just spent time with my flowers.”  Helps if you add extra syllables to garden and flowers while explaining your behavior.  After all I am the irrigation system at my home.  If you need an out you may borrow my line.   Back to rain.. We need some rain and usually if I wash the cars and water the gardens it helps.  I will also try to remember to leave my umbrella at home today. Unfortunately, we are frightened to death about our day ahead due to the impending, dangerous, thunderstorms headed our way according to the weather channel.    I don’t mean to make light of the weather reports.  I appreciate knowing when my life might be in danger due to inclement weather.  Just ask Hedgie Girl.  I do my best to pass on this important information to her in case she needs to grab up the little Double Hedgies and head for cover.  Don’t ask her about all my lightening warnings.  Yes, lightening can come in a window! Watch the weather channel….it happens…just because I’m over 40 and it’s never happened to me doesn’t mean it can’t… alright…I’m over 50…I am not over 60 yet…not until October.  I really just want rain.  I don’t need all that oak tree on the house windy stuff.

  It’s July and it’s a struggle to stay out of the dismal pit of brown structures in the garden which once were lovely lilies and happy daisies.  On Saturday in Pine Mountain across from the Liberty Bell Pool, Duke Boy and I went to a Farmer’s Market and I bought a Hot Papaya Echinacea, that’s a flower, so I could spruce up a brown spot right at my front door.  Hurrah.  Now I have a happy place there again thus the need for rain.  Check out that market…wonderful produce too and nice folks.

I have a plan to help you beat the lack of rain in August.  It’s an indoor picnic at First United Methodist in West Point.  The Pastoral Institute is having our annual fundraiser.  The Hedgies, aka Lucy and Cody Royster will be presenting the program, “Join us on the Journey” and sharing their love story. Yes, they are kin to me but I wanted folks to know the joy in our family due to new life or lives—two of them—and their story is extraordinary—that’s what you get when you add extra to ordinary.  My day is spent listening to people who lives go from ordinary to extra---birth, marriage, death, divorce, job change, college, and parenting. The monies from this program help us keep these counseling services in our community.  If you’d like to purchase a table for 8 the cost is $300.  Individual tickets are $35.  Table sponsorship is $375 and helps defray our meal costs.  Sid Lockhart is the chef and if you’ve ever had one of his hamburgers then you know you’re in for a treat.  Call 334-768-2341 to make a reservation or for more information. 

Karen Erwin-Brown is the director of the Pastoral Institute in Valley, AL.  She provides individual, marriage, and family counseling by appointment only.  Call 334-768-2341 for an appointment or more information.  She also hobbies a booth at Bluffton Antiques in Lanett where a great sale is taking place.

July and cool morning. Super.

Thank you Lord for that rain yesterday.  First morning in awhile some of my baby hydrangeas have cooed when I walked past them.  BW was under the ottoman when I came home so she asked to please ease up on that thunder.  But I'm loving not having to water this morning.  Also loving this coolness on the porch--the coolness in addition to my personal coolness.   :)

Sat on boys last night.  They were super sleepy because they'd kept their parents up most of the night.  Parents are implementing new sleeping technique without Houdini outfits. Double Boys not digging.  Getting to snuggle with them while they sleep is pretty blissful and provides intoxicating napitus or napmeus, however you choose to construct that word.

Hope you all have a marvelous Saturday.

 West Point Girls All-Stars.  Goooooooooo. Hope they have a great game. 

Me and the Boys

Queen of denial

Did a little speed gardening this morning after reading the post on Facebook from Southern Roots Nursery in Newnan.  A cool spot with neat people running it.  You get a Lott for your $ there.  Go and meet Bob & Sherry.  Their post inspired me to cut my hydrangeas, coneflowers and daisies back.  Hoping I'll get more blooms out of the last two.  The hydrangeas still make a lovely turn the corner surprise jar in your home even though they have brown spots.  They are probably just trying to imitate me.  Yuck, yuck.  Stay with me.  It gets worse.

                              the youngster above is a great nephew and the source of many lovely clothing                      items for our Hedgie boys. Sweet Ryan.

                                                          Thatcher Hedgie and Paw

I was temporarily crowned as not smart for eating a life saver.  Do not bite those things if you are over 40 like me.  I'm definitely there.  Dr. Jenny McClendon in Lanett is a marvelous dentist and saved my tongue from destruction on the broken filling.  Her staff is kind and gentle.  Thanks Y'all.
I will get my official crown and sash in August. 

Another great experience with Joe at Ponder's Nursery.  He's always very patient and friendly while I look at every plant and ask 2 million questions.  He is also good to just let me browse and drive away if I need to.  Shopping for a gift yesterday and came away with a lovely Limelight hydrangea.  Gotta love that Kia when it comes to stuffing things in the back.  My trusty blanket protects the nasty cargo area.  My poor girl so needs a bath. 

Speaking of baths--how about some rain up in here, God.  No storms...just rain.  I didn't water because there's greater than a 30% chance ALL Day!  You can do it.  Which may mean a 30%+ chance of more dying plants if 0 rain.

Prayers for those struggling with illnesses and grief.  Prayers for new parents and their new little humans who are changing daily and requiring more brain power and energy to stay ahead...did I mention praying for the Sughar and Paw too.  I regret not having my phone in my pocket yesterday because I know I walked a mile trying to settle little brother.  All the sweetest of cooing and laughing makes it all a great day.  I did get a good nap in. 

Phone was in pocket for speeding garden--a mile--yes--the gardens are extensive and weedy on the Hooch.

Peace to all.

Writing vs. sittin on the boys

This article appeared in the Valley Times/West Point News last week.  I didn't want to leave you out.  I also wanted you to know about our August event.

Writing has taken a back seat to baby holding.  Baby holding is a lot more fun.  It’s also a great cure for insomnia.  It has also taken precedence over gardening.  Just ask the weeds.  Party—she’s got the boys or she went the Hedgie House to sit on boys.  I did some speed gardening in the front yesterday.  It didn’t take long for the sun reflecting off the siding on the house to run me indoors.  I did manage to get the major offenders pulled up or cut back one more time.  The good news is that the Lord has taken over the watering for me.  Hurrah. 

Duke Boy and I had the opportunity to take a little trip down to the Keys to participate in a wedding.  One of your own, Joey Johnson.  He now has a lovely new family. What a lovely place Key West is.  I’ve visited there once on bus tour years ago but only for an afternoon.  This time we stayed on the water, walked the city, and ate everything we saw.  I made it a point to eat something Key Lime at every meal---Key lime French toast, Key lime muffins, Key lime tea, key lime and mango salad dressing.  The best one of all was in the airport on the way home—Duke Boy got a chocolate dipped piece of Key Lime pie on a stick.  Wow.  He let me have a bite or 3.

Everywhere we went in Keys was very welcoming.  People just seemed to spring out to help you.  This was not our experience at the Atlanta airport where we had to search out the correct security line for our plane.  Enough about that---the Keys are a tourist destination so they seemed to do their best to make us want us to return.  Duke Boy was so impressed with Harriette’s Restaurant in Key Largo that he used them as a sermon illustration.  It was an amazing little place. When we arrived we were greeted with a friendly hello and then treated to the warm smile, and lovely blonde sticky uppy hair of a waitress about our age.  I may have to do that blonde thing again because she was totally rockin my look with her color. The muffin list there had about 15 choices and, of course, Key Lime was one of them.  It was big enough to share so that was our appeteaser—Ms. Blonde’s word.  Delicious.  Only knocked off its’ favorites pedestal by the chocolate pie on a stick at the airport.   We returned the next morning and shared the coconut muffin appeteaser.  Lucky the plane managed to get off the ground with all those folks who’d been in Key West.

Speaking of fun places to be…”Join us on the Journey” on August 26, 2014 at noon at First United Methodist Church in West Point.  The Hedgie Family, my daughter and her husband, will be sharing their love story of bringing double bundles of love into our family.  This will be our annual fundraiser for the Pastoral Institute.  Our Chambers County Sherriff Sid Lockhart will be cooking up burgers for our indoor picnic.  The tickets are $35 each for individual seats.  We also have seating for 8 if you’d like to purchase an entire table for $300 and sit with 7 close friends. Our corporate sponsor tables are $375 and come with lots of fun and accolades for your support.  You can call our office at 334-768-2341 to get a ticket or see one of our board members:  Bill Edwards, Marilyn Stokes, Lessie Beck, Donnie Erwin-Brown, Mary Susan Underwood, Shelly Hunter, Christine Simpson, Sandra Thornton, Marshall Sapp, or Traci Crosby .  They will also be visiting local businesses for door prizes soon.  I hope you will give them a Harriette’s welcome.

Karen Erwin-Brown is the director of the Valley office of the Pastoral Institute. She provides individual, family, and marital counseling by appointment.  She also hobbies a booth at Bluffton Antiques where there is great sale.  Call 334-768-2341 for an appointment or to purchase your tickets for our luncheon. 

Writing has taken a back seat to baby holding.  Baby holding is a lot more fun.  It’s also a great cure for insomnia.  It has also taken precedence over gardening.  Just ask the weeds.  Party—she’s got the boys or she went the Hedgie House to sit on boys.  I did some speed gardening in the front yesterday.  It didn’t take long for the sun reflecting off the siding on the house to run me indoors.  I did manage to get the major offenders pulled up or cut back one more time.  The good news is that the Lord has taken over the watering for me.  Hurrah. 

Duke Boy and I had the opportunity to take a little trip down to the Keys to participate in a wedding.  One of your own, Joey Johnson.  He now has a lovely new family. What a lovely place Key West is.  I’ve visited there once on bus tour years ago but only for an afternoon.  This time we stayed on the water, walked the city, and ate everything we saw.  I made it a point to eat something Key Lime at every meal---Key lime French toast, Key lime muffins, Key lime tea, key lime and mango salad dressing.  The best one of all was in the airport on the way home—Duke Boy got a chocolate dipped piece of Key Lime pie on a stick.  Wow.  He let me have a bite or 3.

Everywhere we went in Keys was very welcoming.  People just seemed to spring out to help you.  This was not our experience at the Atlanta airport where we had to search out the correct security line for our plane.  Enough about that---the Keys are a tourist destination so they seemed to do their best to make us want us to return.  Duke Boy was so impressed with Harriette’s Restaurant in Key Largo that he used them as a sermon illustration.  It was an amazing little place. When we arrived we were greeted with a friendly hello and then treated to the warm smile, and lovely blonde sticky uppy hair of a waitress about our age.  I may have to do that blonde thing again because she was totally rockin my look with her color. The muffin list there had about 15 choices and, of course, Key Lime was one of them.  It was big enough to share so that was our appeteaser—Ms. Blonde’s word.  Delicious.  Only knocked off its’ favorites pedestal by the chocolate pie on a stick at the airport.   We returned the next morning and shared the coconut muffin appeteaser.  Lucky the plane managed to get off the ground with all those folks who’d been in Key West.

Speaking of fun places to be…”Join us on the Journey” on August 26, 2014 at noon at First United Methodist Church in West Point.  The Hedgie Family, my daughter and her husband, will be sharing their love story of bringing double bundles of love into our family.  This will be our annual fundraiser for the Pastoral Institute.  Our Chambers County Sherriff Sid Lockhart will be cooking up burgers for our indoor picnic.  The tickets are $35 each for individual seats.  We also have seating for 8 if you’d like to purchase an entire table for $300 and sit with 7 close friends. Our corporate sponsor tables are $375 and come with lots of fun and accolades for your support.  You can call our office at 334-768-2341 to get a ticket or see one of our board members:  Bill Edwards, Marilyn Stokes, Lessie Beck, Donnie Erwin-Brown, Mary Susan Underwood, Shelly Hunter, Christine Simpson, Sandra Thornton, Marshall Sapp, or Traci Crosby .  They will also be visiting local businesses for door prizes soon.  I hope you will give them a Harriette’s welcome.

Karen Erwin-Brown is the director of the Valley office of the Pastoral Institute. She provides individual, family, and marital counseling by appointment.  She also hobbies a booth at Bluffton Antiques where there is great sale.  Call 334-768-2341 for an appointment or to purchase your tickets for our luncheon. 

 

 

Independent feelings

Fireworks have finally stopped popping.  Little BW had her panic meds but is still hiding under the ottoman.  Bless it.  I don't remember a night with such festivity before. Perhaps everyone was so happy from the lovely day--cool and 86 here--super--low humidity.  Minimal flies.  Peach ice cream and watermelon tea cakes, ribs, chicken, bar-b-que--the patriots on my porch were straining the supports. 

                         Here is MawMaw Brown and all her greats. She had a super day.

Now the fireworks are popping again.  Next 4th our Double Hedgie boys will be trying to follow their cousins up and down stairs and on to the river.  Maybe we'll institute some fishing next year. 

Thanks to all who made my day lovely.

The day Dad burned the toast

My only memory of my Dad ever cooking anything was 51 years ago today.
  He burned the toast that day.  We had a toaster but I'm not sure if he was using it.  I prefer to think it was on a cookie sheet in the oven. 

He grilled in later life when he retired and moved to the new house in Leeds.

But that day we got to eat breakfast somewhere else? No sure where? Perhaps the little café in downtown Birmingham across the street from his office.  He worked for the VA but for a while had an office on a corner near the Alabama Theatre. Or at least that's my memory? Mr. McMurray, who worked with him. would always want to borrow money from me--a dime or a nickel--which of course I had to get from my Dad.  Then a week or so later I'd get an envelope with a quarter or fifty cents--he always paid it back with interest.  Wish I could find that return now. 

Back to the toast story.  After breakfast we went to the hospital--which I think was the West End Hospital where we all first saw the light of day in my family.  I road the elevator up with my sister and brother--the doors open and we walked down the hall--STOP- a nurse called out.  That girl is too young to visit on this floor--I was 10--you had to be 14.  Nancy and Henry were 15 and 14.  Pooh. Sad. 

I needed to see my Momma. I had never been separated from her except when she went to her brother's funeral when I was 5 or so.  She didn't go away over night. 

I was also curious about this new arrival.  Dad said it was another sister.  Bette Eugenia.  In my memory she weighted 8 pounds 8 ounces. 

I was banished from the floor that day.  I'm not sure who went to the lobby with me? 

I didn't see my Mom or new sister for a few days?  In those days after a C-section you got to rest for a minute. 

 Happy Birthday Bette Eugenia--this is last year when she was 50.  Didn't get a 51 picture on my camera.

I did see my sister over the weekend--actually both of them--and my Mom--who was 88.  It was a good visit in Samson, AL.  The land of peach drinks and butter sandwiches according to Hedgie Girl who spent some time there when she was younger.

We took the newest  Double Hedgie Boys to visit their Great Grandmother and to check out a future vacation site complete with peach drinks,butter sandwiches, and fishing. 

I meant to do my work, Emily, but...

A little alone time. Cool, peaceful, chirping birds.  In the distance the mill is being eaten by the big machines.  West Point Stevens ground into dust.  Can hear the groans across the river. 

Cutting devil vines out of the hydrangeas earlier--visiting China--where the roots are--
No Name brushed my leg and I nearly visited the moon.  I've only see one wiggly thing with no shoulders this summer.  Plan to keep it that way.  Particularly when I'm wearing flip flops and shorts. 

Work is calling.  Gotta go.  What did Emily D. have to say about that?  "I meant to do my work today, but."..something about a brown bird in the woods...hmm???  I do have to afford to power that ceiling fan.  However, it is quite cool today...

GO.  STAY.  GO. STAY. GO . stay.  stay...GO, go, I'm gone.

Sitting on babies

Spent yesterday sitting on babies and feeling sad for babies that aren't so loved. One real great grandmother and another great-grandmother from another family but adopted by ours showed up to help hold and gush and coo.  We also go some great napping done with Dex.  Large couch from a former neighbor provides world class napping--the baby lies in the crook of your arm on the back side of the couch and you get the rest of the space. Ample room for a wonderful snooze.

The boys also got to go the Einstein gym where they rode their bicycles, lifted 2 ton whales, and arm wrestled with each other and an octopus.  Hedgie Baby 2 likes to admire himself in the mirror and imagine he's a triplet while he cycles.

Lying on the bed at the end of the day telling stories about the beach was an effective calming experience for awhile awaiting the return of the Hedgie parents.  Duke Boy cooked our supper and babies were passed around as we scooped up our luscious meal.  Babies returned to their home and Sughar and Paw slept like logs. Insomnia can be cured by babysitting twin boys---miraculous!!

Summer rains are making my garden marvelously green and showy.  In a bit I'll have sunflowers--all colors purchases from the Burpees catalogue, blueberries, grape tomatoes, and heavenly hydrangeas.  Hydrangeas are already brilliant blue in spots--love those.

Congrats to my brother and his sweet wife celebrating 42 years of marriage.  In Hawaii.  Sweet.

Peace to all from the Hooch. 

Grand views on the Hooch

Enjoying my morning with Dex.  Birds singing about surviving the storm last night.  Coolness that keeps the air conditioner silent under my chair.  No Name out hunting. 

Paw paw's coat

It's almost impossible for me to wrap my head around all the good things that are going on in my life.  Our baby boys are now officially part of our family.  They have been a spiritual part of our family since January when we first knew they were coming to live in our part of the world.  Now the Judge, who was from West Point, small world, says they can legally stay.  Amazing. 

Baptized Twin Hedgies at the beach kicking up  their heels.

Last Sunday goes down as one of the best days of my life.  We had a beautiful baptismal service at Shawmut UMC with mementos on the altar from our family representing the saints---a quilt from Duke Boy's Grandmother, Hedgie Boy wore Duke Boy's daddy's jacket, other things that fail my mind. Many of the hymns were from our first Hedgie baby, Thomas' service, scripture from our wedding and Hedgie Girl's baptism. One of the best parts was having so many friends and family members there to give witness to God's claim on our boys.  Thanks to all of you.  Ian from Fairfax UMC preached a marvelous sermon--Duke Boy was too overcome with emotion and pride that sermonizing wasn't in him. He did perform the baptism. 

The beautiful smiles belong to my Dentist's family.

Lunch at our home afterwards made all those garden bend overs worth it. 84 people in our river garden.  Great-Grandparents on the porch.  Picture perfect weather, bar-b-que from Duke Boy, sides from Railroads, catering by Railroads--they did the best job.  I didn't have to do a thing.  What sweet, efficient servers.   People stayed and visited and cooed over the boys. What a wonderful day.

Today promises great beauty--singing birds, leafy green oaks, blooming hydrangeas, coolness on the skin. 

Peace to all.  Take some time to drink in the beauty of God's love through His gifts of nature.

Dancing, grasshoppers and spring

Dancing with the Stars finale.  Meryl and Maks.  Want them to win.  Such fun watching them dance.  Have also loved watching Amy and Derrick.  She is amazing to watch with her prosthetic feet.  Maybe I will take up dancing under the stars where no one will hold up a score paddle.  Just saw the GNC commercial on being average. Too funny and so me.  Average is good. No average is average. 
Meryl and Maks just won.  So glad. 

Trying to get prepared to have the 100+ folks at my house for lunch on Sunday to celebrate our boys' baptism.  Such gorgeous weather this week.  Hope it holds for Sunday. 

Trying to get my sunflowers to grow.  The grasshoppers have other ideas.  Some of the leaves only have a few holes.  My tomatoes and pepper plants are looking good.  I love spring!

Time to go to bed. 

Estate sales and snoring connection

Fun time browsing an estate sale today.  Got a great deal on a pick axe--for Duke Boy.  Really wanted someone to buy me a lovely dining room cabinet--no one did--sad.  Maybe it will be half price on Sunday--Ha! 

Kept my boys for awhile today.  Of course, they are precious as ever.  T2 saved his giant pooper until we went to Opelika.  Thank goodness for leather seats and having our Mommy along. 

Duke Boy is snoring so loudly I can barely hear the TV.  Too much pick axe. 

Peace to all from the Valley.

Mom movies,Cow patties, kisses, and catfish

Winding down with Dex after an action packed MDW--Mother's Day weekend.  It began with a celebration of  the premier of Moms' Night Out.  A movie written and produced by my nephews, The Erwin Brothers.  They were very happy young men with happy families.  My fav part of the movie is where Bones, played by CMS, country music singer, Trace Adkins, listens to a stress paralyzed young mother and gives her a dose of grace.  See the movie for his profound delivery of the message.  Love that voice.  I'm gonna have to start listening to his music now.

Andy Erwin Premier of Moms' Night Out in Alabaster, AL

Jon Erwin autographing posters

My Mom and niece with one of the new boys

Top of the River companions

My beautiful Mom before she had 4 kids

 Duke Boy's Mom

3 generations of beautiful women enjoying cheesecake last year.


Next had breakfast with a bestest and older friend---and her sweet younger husband.  Then a tour of their new home to be.  So happy for them.  Got to tour my new bedroom for future spend the night parties--usually before Bama games.  Her only child, Kevin, was 31 on Saturday.  Happy Birthday Kevin.  His baby Hannah will be 1 soon.  Love that family. 

Then on to Camp Sumatanga.  My first visit there in several years.  I spent summers these as a youth.  This time I got to help introduce my sweet grandtwins to nature .  They love the outdoors.  They are having a Grand Camp this summer for grandparents to take their grands. They are a little young at two months.   Gotta be 4.  Sorry boys.

 Discovering that Double Sugharing is a little like childbirth.  If you remembered it then you'd never then think about doing it again.  Saturday night we kept them through "the witching hours" while their parents shot a wedding.  Lovely--we went and took the boys up the mountain at Sumatanga to the chapel.  They were grand and quiet during the ceremony. The reception was at the bride's family's horse farm--I only saw the cows.  It was under an amazing open air structure with a fabulous view.  I got to dance with Tomlin or Thatcher, I forget which, for the first time in public.  We have had several private dances. 

 The boys were so impressed with the cows that one of them went to the room later and tried to replicate a cow patty in his diaper.  Whew.  I thought I was gonna have to hose him down--instead I used 2 dozen wipes. 

After the cow patty adventure--Paw and I tagged teamed and sang many Bible songs, and any other songs we could think of to get them to stop screaming. Bless their hearts and ours. Later after their parents came home they smiled sweetly at us from their zipped tight Houdini swaddlers .

Today we make the trek with 10,000 others--no lie--to the Top of the River in Anniston.  The onion rings were my fav.  Not all 10,000 were there with us--just 500 can be seated at a time.  The other best part was being with 4 guys and one amazing girl.  We parted ways after lunch and Duke Boy and I headed to West Point.

While I was preparing to blog I was interrupted by Hedgie Girl.  She made me hurry outside where I received adorable pix of the boys.  Got in some quick kisses to all before they headed off to bestow blessings on other Moms. 

Great times.  Hope all of you had special blessings this day.  Peace.

Sitting with Dex

Sharing the evening with Dex. What a beautiful time. Did some weedin in Eden today.  We are getting ready for company and I'm trying to reclaim the yard.  No Name (NN) stayed close by this afternoon while I was sticking my hands in briars and brambles so thick that a rabbit wouldn't go---some of you may be old enough to remember that song--fired our guns and the British kept a comin...
name that tune.

Anyhow, I didn't discourage his presence since I know he's a pouncer--I didn't see anything with no shoulders but I'm sure they were there.  My sister, the science teacher, told me about  an outdoor class she took where they put rubber snakes all over the woods and challenged them to locate them.  They missed a lot--this evidently was meant to mimic really life in the woods.  I guess we'd all stay deep indoors if we  knew all of what lurked there.  Or course, that also means the canna lilies, daises, and butterfly bushes are never uncovered either.  Gardening and life--lots of choices and hazards but an amazing amount of wonder too.  Get out there--where gloves--take clippers, check for ticks.  Thought I just felt something crawling on my back...nope. Gotta bathe. 

Chickens on the Hooch

I am a multi-talented individual.  I garden, counsel, hold babies, pay bills, take out the garbage, write---not bragging—just when I see y’all in the community you encourage me with your kind comments--, but I did not inherit the cooking gene.  My Momma got it and her Momma had it—can’t speak for my great Grandmother—didn’t know her.  Many of you have known me for several years now and you just know when you call me—when you do—to bring a dish that it will usually be a salad unless my cook, Duke Boy, is available.  A California supper of fruit, cheese, and sour dough is also in my repertoire.  My church circle had that recently when it was my turn to host.  The first California supper was served on the bed in our hotel room when Hedgie Girl was a child.  We open the doors in our California hotel room and watched the fireworks across the Bay on July 4, 1996.  My Dad, who was recovering from a stroke, had a building dedicated to him at Travis Air Force Base and I was there to speak in his place.  Since that time our family has enjoyed many California suppers. 

Ok, back to the cooking or non-cooking gene.  I recently posted on Facebook a picture of some baby chicken cupcakes that I was taking to a picnic. This was a Martha Stewart idea.  A friend posted moments later, Duke Boy or Hedgie Girl?  Meaning—they must have done that---right???  I immediately posted back that it was me!! Sughar, Double Sughar, to be exact who made those adorable, and delicious cupcakes. Perhaps 60 is not too old to develop a cooking gene?  Granted I am not ready to take this up full-time—I will not be opening the Double Sughar Cupcake Stand next week. We just got a new bakery in town.  However, I am a pro at mixing a mean double bottle Similac for my boys.  They gobble it right up.  You can’t ask them about the truth of this yet—they are too busy napping after the gobbling. 

I plan to limit my cooking to things that aren’t too tried and true—if you do an unheard of recipe then they can’t say, “My Momma always puts ______in hers”, or “the last time I had this it was orange”.  A bereaved family doesn’t need any additional suffering from my kitchen trials.  I will tell you my secret to the baby Easter chicken cupcakes—use Duncan Hines—I didn’t do the from- scratch Martha recipe.

Speaking of chickens….The Pastoral Institute Advisory Board is selling tickets to our Chick-fil-a fundraiser. It will be May 20^th from 11-1 at Shawmut UMC.  The cost of the ticket is $6.  I hope you will kindly buy one in support of the services of the Pastoral Institute in this community.  If your place of business would like a signup sheet then we will make deliveries to sales of 5 or more.

Karen Erwin-Brown is the director of the Valley office of the Pastoral Institute.  She provides individual, marriage, and family counseling by appointment.  She also hobbies a booth at Bluffton Antiques in Lanett where her spring sale is 40% off your next treasure.  Call 334-768-2341 or email her at kerwin-brown@pilink.org.

 

 

Being Easter people

Just realized I only blogged once in April--whew.  Lent is a busy season at our house.  Duke Boy & I took a long nap yesterday.

Since photo uploading is a terrible unskill for me-here are some Easter shots.

On  Palm Sunday Duke Boy preached once, Thursday Duke Boy preached twice, Friday once, and Easter Sunday twice.  He also did a beautiful job throughout Lent of creating a worship experience with crosses, take away pocket remembrances, and on Easter a fabulous display of hydrangeas and a banner.  God's people who came to God's house knew that Shawmut people aren't just Easter people on Easter Sunday. The church also hosted a worship experience for the community on Tuesday and the hospitality committee fed lunch to a 100+ people.

 Today we are chilling--me literally on the porch--we have a garden to spruce up before our twin baptisms on May 26th. 

Two new traditions began in our family during Lent.  Friday night we hosted our first annual flashlight egg hunt.  Unfortunately Good Friday weather was predictably terrible so...we hunted in the house.  Emily, our girl winner, and only participant at this point due to 3 boys who aren't yet walking.  The boys spent time enjoying watching the giggles and screams of delight and possible monsters--only me standing in a dark corner watching---. 

Second new tradition was lunch with Hedgie Boy's side of the family on Easter.  There are bunches of cousins on that side of the family.  Another set of boy twins who have already mastered egg hunting and kickball, as well as others who will make sure they find their share of the eggs.  250 were hidden yesterday--only 249 were found since one had already made its way to the stomach of a cousin who was too old to hunt but not too old to enjoy one of the "real" eggs.  Of course, another Easter tradition of hugs, and giggles from all relatives over the latest additions to our family was an added treat to watch.  The boys did their part of shedding sweetness and light on all who had the pleasure of holding them. 

Easter wishes to all the Easter people who read my blog.  Hope you are basking in the glory of the Risen Lord and remembering to be Easter people daily. 

Rainy day in Georgia

Rainy season here on the Hooch. Praying for all effected by today's stormy weather. Little BW is curled beside me on the couch.  She hates storms.  Good news: our cars aren't yellow any longer.

Did church with my baby boys yesterday.  We sang hymns, did interpretative dances, prayed, and raised our hands over our hands.  Very ecumenical.  We even did some napping.  Just like church.
Just ask Duke Boy. 

Got to visit a pediatrician's office for the first time in about 15 years.  Maybe longer.  She was very kind and attentive to Hedgie Girl's questions.  I remember firing  her first pediatrician. He was very rude and condescending  to me one day after I had a particularly rough night with a child, who slept lousy for the first two years of her life. thus my "good baby" story.  People would ask about Hedgie Girl--"is she a good baby"  aka does she sleep all night?  My response:  "Well she hasn't robbed any gas stations but if you're asking does she sleep at night--No".  It was good to see a new generation of doctoring at work. 

Weekend weather afforded lots of good outdoor time--got some things planted and moved around.  God is now watering them.  Gardening is so much more fun than the treadmill.

Peace to all from the Hooch.

OMW and Double Sugharing

Old man winter is hiding under my porch. I know this because he’s already killed all the plants under the plastic area we created there to protected them from him. He must have decided he liked this new spot that offered protection from the wind and rain but still let him be his old freezing self.  This morning I can feel him giving off a chill as I sit listening to the rain come down as a type from my porch. He tells me that he’s gonna go soon, he’s just waiting to see if I’ve gonna plant any of that seed or that plant I got for Valentine’s—it’s a hibiscus and he thinks it looks tasty.  He can see it through my dining room window.    Those beautiful varieties of sunflowers of all colors and sizes that I order from Burpees are also known to him. They will look very yummy and tender if planted before Good Friday.  He knows how impatient I am for spring to REALLY be here.  OMW aka Old Man Winter has watched me drive past Ponder’s Nursery, walk through the Wal-Mart garden shop, and avert my eyes while driving up 29 in Lagrange past the nursery near The Pig. OMW does this to me every year.  He toys with me.  He knows I’m vulnerable.  I haven’t been to the front garden this morning to see if he succeeded in destroying my tulips.  They’d just put their little heads up this week.  I’d tried to encourage them to stay down and not come out.  They got the word that Angie Robinson’s tulips and daffodils were showing off down on Avenue C and got eager to get into the act.  Tulips are vain and deserve to be.  They are amazing flowers.  Angie’s are red and gorgeous.  Drive quickly past West Point Methodist and you will see them on the right in front of the green house with orange trim.  Her yard is always showing off something lovely.  Probably because she works in it to keep it lovely.  Hmmm….She has time …she only has 9 grandchildren and another on the way..I think that’s a correct #.

     Most of you probably know by now that I have two new grandsons.  Twins, yes.  They are double handfuls and precious.  They are already calling for their Sughar when I come in the door.  It’s so great to not have to share a baby with their Paw, aka Duke Boy.  OMW has made it easy for me to be an available Sughar and not have to worry about my gardening.  I’m looking forward to teaching them to pull a wheelbarrow, dig in the dirt, and eat blueberries from the bushes in the summertime.  I’m also hoping them will be excellent grasshopper catchers.  We have those huge black ones that eat everything in their path for several weeks every summer.  I’m sure you will hear many stories if I take the time to write them.  I may have other interests??

 

Sughar hits the Trifecta

Double Sughar trifecta this morning:

2 babies, 2 bottles and a double boppie.  If u are unfamiliar with a boppee it's like a hug neck hugger pillow but for twins it's a two seater.

Fed those boys at the same time--I am amazing for sure.  I even got to sip a little coffee that was in my Sughar sippee cup when we stopped to burp.  I didn't have to burp--just the boys.

Helped get the boys and their Momma out the door to their first party.  Got Thatcher all cute in his corporate tie onesie and he pooped his pants.  His Momma changed him again while I got his brother dressed.  Tomlin made it out the door with no poopee pants.  Not sure if he got to the party that way ?  The other choice is never leaving the house.  Ever...not a good choice but maybe one for sanity if only one person is doing this parenting thing while the other brings home the Similac. 

I'm not quite sure how my Mom got anywhere.  I was the last middle kid of 4.  My older sister was 5 and my brother was 4 when I was born.  My younger sister is 10 years younger.  There were no car seats when I was baby. Where did you put the baby while you drove if your husband or wife was at work?  I remember holding my sister in my arms in 1963.  I guess I just rolled around on the hot plastic seats in between my sister and brother.  Maybe I rode in the floorboard or in that cool back window.  I did ride a lot in the back window especially coming home from my Grandmother's house.
I didn't ever get my head stuck in the baby bed bars to my knowledge.  60+ years of life with little to no brain damage--at least not during the baby years. One day I'll tell the story of the dishwasher door. I don't think I have?  Like I said brain damage...

Lovely day here on the Hooch.  Glad to have time to share a Sughar thought or two with you. I'm loving Sugharing. Lots of fun.  Peace.