July Recap!

With July ending and August approaching, I must recap some of my highlights. Since July is my birthday month, I am partial to July 3rd and 4th. In recent years, I have celebrated my birthday and our country's birthday with participating in our local Firecracker 5K. It has especially become important to me as I try to set a healthy example for our girls. This year, I asked Scott to bring the girls to the end of the race to celebrate my accomplishment with me.He was sweet to surprise me with bringing them to a point in the race route. It was at a critical point where I was actually considering walking. Just as I thought about stopping, I looked up and saw the girls and Scott waving and cheering me on! What an inspiration!

Here I am about to cross the finish line! I actually shaved 3 minutes off my last year's time! I hope I can do the same next year!

Here's a shot of my best asset crossing the finish line! If only the rest of me could look so fit and toned!

Me and my #1 fans!

Later that night we shot some fireworks. Here's our "brave" Merritt anticipating the fireworks!

Morgan wanted to get the hose in case her parents set the world on fire! July was a great month for our family! We are anxiously awaiting what August holds for us!

A Place Called Murrell's

When I began this blog at the beginning of the year, I wondered what my 100th post would be about. It's only fitting that it's a monumental occasion! When we moved to town 34 years ago, we were quickly introduced to a place called Murrell's. It's been in our community since 1947. Has seen several different owners but has always served the best cheeseburger and chocolate pie any Southern girl could love! I was saddened to hear last week that the doors would be closing.

Although Murrell's hasn't been a part of my life in many years, I have many fond memories of many occasions there. From Saturday morning breakfasts with my family to late night munchies with my sorority sisters.

Poppy couldn't imagine not passing along the "flavor" of Murrell's to the girls so we headed there on Tuesday for their first and all of our last tastes of Murrell's. I was a little nervous about our return visit. Not because of the questionable cleanliness of the place. I was afraid our final meal might not measure up to all the many fond memories I have of this legendary restaurant. Never fear, Murrell's did not disappoint!

Our experience quickly started off nostalgically as Poppy pointed out that the first time I ate at Murrell's I was Merritt's age and Aunt Amy was Morgan's age. If I wasn't already thinking about that cheeseburger, I might have cried. As a child, every Saturday morning we had breakfast at Murrell's. Every Sunday evening after night church, we had dinner at Murrell's. Amy and I always ate the same thing ~ cheeseburger (mayo only), french fries and a coke, Dr. Pepper for Amy. Our love affair with Murrell's ended abruptly the summer of my 13th birthday. I think Sunday evening worship services had ended and my dad at the age of 43 had a heart attack. It was chicken, turkey and tofu from then on in our household!

Murrell's came back into my life in high school and college but I haven't been back much in my adult life except on a few occasions when I got a taste for that special cheeseburger during a pregnancy or friends came back in town and wanted to go there.

So, how do you say goodbye to something you've known your whole life? I guess you just say, "Thanks, it's been nice knowin' ya!" Even though the place will be gone, the memories will always last!

Merritt rings the final dinner bell at Murrell's!

In line to pay the bill.


The final bill!

Tomato Pickin'

When Ms. Jo moved to her new apartment, we were put in charge of babysitting her tomato plant. We have been careful to water it just right, and even encourage it to grow by talking to it. We have 1 success in our crop this year. Lots of flowering blooms but no other prospects on the horizon!

I think the topsy turvy has found a permanent home at our house. Ms. Jo wasn't very impressed with the tiny fruit of our labor. I guess when you are used to a big juicy tomato, 1 tiny little Roma isn't too thrilling!

The girls enjoyed watching it grow and couldn't wait to pick the tiny little thing! Maybe next year's crop will be more bountiful. Either way, it was fun playing farmer!

Grandparent's Day

Today was Grandparent's Day at the Waterford, the senior living apartments where Ms. Jo just moved. She invited us to join her in the festivities. We all had a lot of fun! I think the highlight of the day was bobbin' for apples. The girls had never experienced it. Grandmother and I had fun reminiscing and telling them about fall/Halloween parties we had been to and tried to bob for apples. Merritt was ready to give it a try!

Ms. Jo had the best angle of Merritt's attempt!

Sweet Victory!

I think she liked getting wet the best!

Big sister, can't be out done!

"Girls never give up!"

Sweet Success!

We ended the day's activities with a great hot dog lunch! Here's hoping the Waterford makes this an annual event!

Blood, Sweat & Tears

This morning began grandly with my trip to the Y while the girls were with Mumsie and Poppa playing and having lunch at Chuck E. Cheese! (hence the sweat) The afternoon ended with blood and tears as Morgan picked at an angioma on her chin. Who knew one small spot could hold so much blood! The dermatologist recently told us she could remove it whenever Morgan was ready for her to, most likely her teen years. I think Morgan handled the procedure herself, today! Thank goodness GranMe was still here, visiting with me in the driveway! I don't think I could have handled it without her! Merritt was a big helper to her sister as she came to the driveway and said she needed me. I told her I would be right there. She said, "But, we need you now!" That's when Morgan appeared in all her glory! Thanks for being on blood patrol for me, GranMe! All is calm tonight. Morgan still has a small red spot on her chin but she reports that now she can't feel it! I think she's learned her lesson! No picking!

It's A Bird, It's A Plane.......

.......It's Super-Uncle Rick! Saturday afternoon we had a surprise drop out of the sky! Uncle Rick and Adam landed in our little town during their cross-country adventure. What a thrill it was for the girls to pick them up at the airport! We took them to our favorite Saturday spot, Strawn's for some down home cooking. Now that Uncle Rick has paved the way, we are hoping that Aunt Jane will let him fly her here, I hear he offers great frequent flyer miles! So, here's to Uncle Rick and Adam for making our Saturday extra-special! We loved seeing you and so did my parents and Grandmother!

Opossums Eat Shrimp!

On the way home from Vacation Bible school today, the discussion centered around what opossums eat. Merritt's group this week is the Orange Opossums and Morgan is in the Super Shrimp. The discussion between sisters centered around what the opossums diet consists of. Morgan soon brought me into the conversation. "Momma, what do opossums eat?" I went on to explain that they are probably like raccoons and are scavengers, eating whatever they can find in trashcans. Merritt quickly replied, "I can tell you what they eat.....Shrimp!" Morgan, being a member of the Super Shrimp VBS group, didn't find humor in this!

On a more serious note, at the conclusion of today's bible school which centered around "God gives us life", the children were given the opportunity to invite Jesus into their hearts. Sweet Morgan couldn't get down to the front fast enough! Afterwards, I asked her if anything special happened at bible school. She grinned and told me that she had asked Jesus to be her "forever friend!"

Great Fun at Great Wolf!

We celebrated Mumsie's 70th birthday with a family trip to Great Wolf Lodge! The girls could not have had a better time! From water slides to finding treasure throughout the hotel with our magic wands, we left no stone unturned! Saturday night, Aunt Nancy and Uncle Billy treated us to a wonderful birthday celebration! It was a great weekend!