Memory Making

If you have read more than one of my posts, you now at least know some of my present.  This blog will flash back a little bit, to about 1996.  That is the year that J was born.  At the time, I was teaching at Matthews Elementary School.  I had a lovely class of 2nd-5th graders. My own class taught in a portable and decorated my way.  (If you are reading this as a public school teacher you will know this isn't the case so much any more for Special Ed). Talk about variety. Lesson planning was a challenge for sure.

I taught at Matthews for two years until the hubs and I decided it would be beneficial to our two boys if I stayed at  home with them.  I still loved my job.  This change was something we felt called to do.  At the time, hubs was a teacher as well, so the salary thing was going to be an issue.  I had to find something to supplement, and I chose Creative Memories consultant.  Scrapbooking was already a hobby, and it was about to be a career (of sorts). 

My days as a CM consultant lasted 3 years. I made a little bit, but we also had some extra money from my retirement fund.  It turned out to be a bit more lucrative for me to work part time at a day care and take my boys with me.  A win-win.  I got paid to be around the kiddos.

Even though the consultant career was a wash, the hobby never left.  I still scrapbook to this day, the old fashioned way, the 90's way.  Die cuts and stickers and pretty colored paper, and photos cropped with scissors instead of Photo Shop.  I write on my pages in my own handwriting and use acid free pens of course. 

I tried digital scrapbooking.  I even have two digital books printed out.  At a recent Creative Memories event, I won software for digital scrapping.  I loaded it up.  I tried it out and even made some pretty cute pages.  There is only one problem.  Since I have been doing this since 1995, most of my books are not digital.  In fact, there are twenty-five of them.  When I made my cute digital pages, I realized that they belong in  a scrapbook that I am only halfway through.  I can't switch in the middle, ya know.  That just wouldn't work.  So I am sticking with the slow method some might call it, or the twentieth century method.  It isn't easy.  I used to be able to go to "Crops" once a month.  Attendance has dwindled so much that now those are only offered twice  a year, and this year the date is NHS homecoming.  I won't make that one.  So I keep my supplies set up in my room and do a page (or ten) when I have the chance.  It isn't the same as competing with fellow scrappers to get pages done but it works.

I finished Scott's books this summer.  Though I may have a handful of pictures to add, I am finished with his books.  They chronicle his school years from Kindergarten through Twelfth.  I wrapped them and handed them over.  I sort of expected him to spend hours pouring through them but he didn't.  Maybe because except for the 9th-12th book they have been sitting in the house for perusal anytime.  :-).  I did get a hearty thank you.  It felt really great to finish them.  Now I will have more time for James (I'm currently at 6th grade)  and Hannah (I think I am at 2nd grade).  Not to mention countless vacations.  I'll stay busy.  I'll stay entertained.  I'll have the memories.  I'll have Hobby Lobby close by.  I'll have my consultant to order scrapbooks from.  I'll be happy. 

Empty Spaces and Amazing Grace

I think the mist has finally cleared from my eyes enough to complete this post.  Most of you who might be reading this already know that I/we took this guy to begin his Freshman year at Auburn University on Saturday. 

This event is by far one of the hardest things I have ever had to do.  Our family is very tight knit.  I  teach school at the same high school Scott graduated from.  I always knew where he was going, and even what was on the lunch menu for the day.  I've been involved in our church youth events enough to know what was going on at church as well. 

Guess what?  He went to/visited  a new church on Sunday.  I had to ask what he had for lunch.  I have only met his room mate for about 30 minutes.    I certainly hope I never have to meet any of his teachers :-).   Control lost.

There is an empty bedroom in the house.  There is an empty chair at the family dinner table.  There is an empty parking spot in front of the house.  In six days there will be an empty seat in the van because yes, Scott enjoyed riding to school with me.  There is an empty chair in our row at church.  Emptiness.  There is an empty space in my heart. 

The physical spaces will remain empty; however, God can fill the space in my heart.  Amazing Grace.  It is our song of renewal this month at church.  I couldn't sing it Sunday...too many tears.  Guess what else...Chris Tomlin's version  (of Amazing Grace) was on the radio as I drove home.  More tears.  Sheesh.

So what does Amazing Grace have to do with Scott beginning a new chapter of life as some have called it?    Comfort.  Peace.  Joy.  Fullness.  A reminder of what God did for me.

T'was Grace that taught...
my heart to fear.
And Grace, my fears relieved.
How precious did that Grace appear...
the hour I first believed.
Through many dangers, toils and snares...
we have already come.
T'was Grace that brought us safe thus far...
and Grace will lead us home.
The Lord has promised good to me...
His word my hope secures.
He will my shield and portion be...
as long as life endures.

My job is almost complete. I say almost because there will be visits...and many discussions yet to come I'm sure.   Lowell and I have trained Scott.  He belongs to God.  My influence is fading.  Only God's remains.  Control lost.  What an awesome thought. 


I'll close with a link to Chris Tomlin's Amazing Grace. 

By Bread Alone

Matthew 4:4  Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'"

Deuteronomy 8:3 He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your fathers had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD.


Last week our church youth went on a local mission trip to Lincoln Village in Huntsville, AL.  The Village has quite a story, and you can check it out here.  I was most affected, however, by our time at the Manna House soup kitchen. 
I'm not quite sure what I expected.  Well, take that back.  I envisioned all of us standing behind a counter pouring soup into a bowl with a smile on our faces and offering a hot meal.  I figured we would help make the soup before hand.  After all, we were to volunteer from 3PM-7PM. 

I found nothing like that.  No soup anywhere.  Instead fresh produce, fresh eggs, sandwiches made with care, sweet breakfast treats, bagels, and desserts.  Even cat food and dog food by request for the family pet.

It was about to storm when we arrived.  Faye, bless her heart, was so concerned that those who came would have to stand in the rain that she put us to work immediately clearing a place inside for everyone to stand in line.  It was a short downpour, but almost everyone made it inside.  Men and women made their way through an assembly line.  They were given fresh fruit and vegetables, clothing if needed, sandwiches (balogna or peanut butter), and sweets for dessert.  About four of our girls spent their time cutting cakes and putting them on plates to serve.  They were nasty and sticky messes when they finished.  I spent my time bagging bread and bagels. 

For roughly 3 hours, the bread supply just kept coming.  I know some of it was from Panera, and some from The Mill Bakery in Huntsville, but just as soon as I thought surely there is no more bread, I was given another bag of bagels to sort through and individually bag.  Three young men from Huntsville High School were also helping me.  Problem is they got it wrong.  They were mixing the loaves of bread in with the bagels.  A lovely lady tried so hard to explain to them their mistake.  She was mute.  Yes, that is right.  She used only her hands to try to explain to us our mistake.  I finally got what she was telling us.  I don't even know her name, but I was so touched by her hard work.  Obviously needy herself, she was giving her time at Manna House.  I could tell she had been there many times before.  She knew exactly what to do.  God Bless her!!!

Because I was working with the bread, the verse "Man can not live by bread alone" kept popping into my head.  At the end of the assembly line for food, a few volunteers were praying with individuals before they left the kitchen.  I listened in on  a few prayers.  God, please continue to bless (insert name)'s family.  Thank you for providing for them today.  Please help (insert name) to find a job.  Thank you for providing Jesus as our savior.  And so on.  That completes the verse; "but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God."  Matthew 4:4

After standing for four hours in not the most comfortable shoes, I was sore.  I thought surely I would sleep soundly that night, but my muscles were aching.  The volunteers at Manna House do this three nights a week.  They feed about 2000.  I am not sure if that is daily or weekly, but it is amazing. 

Thank you, volunteers of Manna House, for your ministry.  I hope to visit our local soup kitchen soon. 

For the Love of the Game, and the Hubs

Summer trip number three.  Cincinnati, Ohio.  Reds Baseball.

So of course the minivan did not take me to San Diego, but it did take us to Cincinnati for a three day weekend.  The best part of this trip was the spontaneity.  This three game series against the Brewers was supposed to be a guy thing.  Specifically James and Lowell.  The tickets were a gift to James for his birthday. 

 The past couple of years, our vacations have involved Cincinnati Reds baseball.  Except we have been watching them play on unfriendly turf.  We saw them play the Braves in Atlanta, the Cardinals in St. Louis, the Phillies in Philadelphia, and the Mets in NYC.  We invited our friends, and none of them are for the REDS.  See....



I'm pretty sure James made Eli wear the hat.







BFF's in  spite of Ed's loyalties.









Greg's kids were wearing Cards shirts :-).

So why did Hannah, Scott, and I crash James' party?  Simply because we like to hang out together.  It was much better than staying home for three days without the hubs.  The three of us did not attend any games, so James still had that time with his dad.  We watched the fireworks from our hotel, swam in the hotel pool, ate some good food at Tom + Chee, and went to the zoo.  Do I love the REDS?  Only by default. It is something my hubby loves, so I want to share that with him. Naturally.    Lowell gets his love for  this team from his dad Frank Urban.  Frank, a native of Ohio,  took Lowell to a few games.  Lowell wanted to share the memories with his own sons.  He has accomplished that in so many ways.  What a great DAD!!!



 Thanks, James for letting us tag along.  You and your dad are truly the REDS FANS EXTRAORDINAIRE!!!!  If you follow a team long enough, they have a good season.  The REDS are currently in first place!!!  WooHoo!!!

This is the picture that was featured on the

Better Off Red blog.



So what do you do in the summer? Part 2

Travel.  In a white 2004 Chevy Venture.  That van has been around.  Estes Park, Colorado; Brigham City, Utah; Yellowstone National Park;The Grand Canyon, Arizona; St. Louis, Missouri, Chicago, Illinois;  Staten Island, New York; Boone, North Carolina.  These are just a few.  Kind of like trying to thank everyone at the Oscar's.  I'm sure I have left somewhere out.  Not to mention the other minivans that also took us places.   

I'm not exactly sure when we started packing up and hitting the road.  I think it goes back to when Hannah was about 3.  We traveled to Washington, DC and stayed with a friend of mine from college.  We like to fit in family or friend visits when we can.  That helps the budget, and it is also fun.  We managed to visit family in Baltimore on that trip as well.  The only reason this was tolerable when the kids were that age is because of the DVD player in the van.  I felt so guilty for purchasing the van with this add on.  Not any more.  That thing was great!  It has been broken for a couple of years now but we can still travel.  The kids have replaced movie watching with Nintendo DS and IPods.  I'm okay with that, until there is a video game haze.  At this point the game becomes nothing but frustration.  The youngest is always losing and it is finally wearing on her.  Cries of JAMES!!! resound in my ear.  Time to stop playing I chime in from the front seat.  No really, we are fine.  I won't do that any more.  This lasts about one second and finally the game between three ends.  Time to go back to single play, or music, or even the alphabet game.  On our trip last weekend we played 20 Questions.  After midnight.  I can do a whole blog only on that game.  It was hysterical.  Lowell seems to think that Under Hannah's Bed is a place in the West.  Oops...no we didn't guess that one.  But he answered wrong.  Okay so he had been driving a long time I give him one mistake :-).  Scott came up with the fictional person Ronald McDonald.  Who can guess that?  Mine was Abraham Lincoln and I think they guessed in two guesses.  Oh well!!!

Okay so this summer our family vacation was to the beach.  We didn't do anything except sleep late, swim in the ocean, swim in the pool, eat a nice dinner with extended family.  Repeat.  One evening we went to Adventure Island in Orange Beach. This is our standard Putt-Putt place. Wait, I think it is MiniGolf now.  Putt-Putt is a chain :-).  Kind of like all sodas are called Coke in the South. Then the kids like to burn quarters in the gaming section and earn tickets to be redeemed for ummm... junk.  If only all the kids could get the same number of tickets.  Tough luck for the youngest...again.  Hannah, I can relate.  I am the youngest.  Tough stuff.

This is my extended fam...only missing one nephew. Mark Meador.  He gets his first name mentioned since he was absent.  Lucky guy. From left to right, the Urbans, the Lawther's, and the Meadors. 



Trip number two was a tag along with the hubs to San Diego.  He had to go to a technology conference...poor thing.  We still managed some time together.  Actually quite a bit, including the zoo, and since the trip fell on our 23rd anniversary that was just fine.  I really enjoyed San Diego.  The temp was almost too chilly for me at night so I always kept a sweater close by. Highs about 72 each day I think.  I live in the wrong place, y'all.  I love the water.  I can walk beside a river or on the beach or beside the bay and feel really close to my Creator.  I pray while I walk.  I am reminded of God's beauty, even on the city streets.  I would have been happy in San Diego for a long time.  I walked everywhere.  I even found a mall.  Once I found the mall I walked some more while I shopped .  Nice.  That was vacation, though.  That is what it is for.  Tuscaloosa is home.  When we deplaned it was about 103 degrees.  Ugh!  Vacation ends.  Home is nice as well.  The dogs missed me and maybe the cat.   My kiddos were having their own fun with the cousins  in Huntsville.  But they were also happy to be home.

Stay tuned for trip number three.

So what do you do in the summer?

I get asked that question often.  That is because the beauty of teaching is having the summer off.  I have always cherished this time with my family, an awesome compromise between career girl and stay at home mom.  I did the stay at home mom thing while the kids were little though, until they all reached school age.  I don't regret it, tough as it was at times.  It was lonely...but I digress. 

To answer that question, there are several things.  It will take more than one blog.  I'll start with crafting.  My first big project this summer is dedicated to my mom, lover of all things old.  She was a painter and a crafter and I can remember stopping on family trips at antique stores for her to find just the right piece to paint.  Somehow mom acquired two old milk cans.  One of them still sits in my dad's basement.  The other I brought home a while back.  It sat on my porch and got a little rusty.  I decided to help it out a little this summer. 

This is what I started with.  It was actually solid red...a favorite color of mom's and my grandmother Nanny's, but since I let it rust I had to do some scraping first.  I did not remove all of the old paint because I wanted there to be a bumpy surface to preserve the "old" factor. (you see so many of these around these days)  Ha Ha!  Next, I spray painted the entire can white. 

My plan was to create a stool for our movie room.  The movie room is red...Nanny used to live there...and it is a transformed bedroom.  It has a dual theme, sports and movies. 

After completing the white I was ready to tackle painting a houndstooth pattern.  Then I saw the light.  There must be an easier way.  I own a roll of houndstooth wrapping paper.  That will cover the base nicely.  So off to Wal-Mart I went and purchased some ModPodge. My favorite craft spot is Hobby Lobby, now within walking distance to my house I might add, but I needed something else at Wal-Mart.   For some reason I decided to try the spray ModPodge.  Not my favorite product.  It just doesn't work the same as the kind you brush on.  And the smell is different.  Part of my ModPodge obsession is because of the smell.  Again, it reminds me of mom who was into "decoupage".  I don't know if she used the same product but the smell was the same.  It reminds me of growing up around a crafter.  Our dining room used to smell like oil paints and turpentine, too, because that is where mom painted.  Anyway...back to the milk can. 

Here it is looking a little rough after the wrapping paper was applied.  I had to trim the edges, and push out some creases.  The spray ModPodge mixed with the rust on the can and left some yucky brown stains.  I ended up cutting patches of paper to cover the brown and applying them with the ModPodge that you brush on. 

Once finished with the houndstooth, I found some embellishments online for the top and sides of the can.  I printed them, ModPodged  (is that a word?) them on, and then hand painted them.  

 So here is the finished product. It looks like there is some blurriness...these may have been cell phone pics, but you get the idea.   Roll Tide!!! Only 37 days until kickoff!!!

Why the blog?

I spend more time these days on Facebook.  I love to read bits and pieces of what is happening in various folks' lives.  There are a few bloggers I follow and I love the quick easy format.  So I have bitten the bullet. 
Now I just have to figure this out.  We'll see how it goes.  Kathy may be my only follower.

I love my family.  There are 5 of us.  The hubs (Lowell) and I have been married 23 years now.  WOW!!  My oldest son Scott is about to leave the nest.  He's headed to Auburn.  Yep...sorry about that Tide fans.  But he is a pre-vet major and Auburn is pretty good for that you know.  James is a Junior at Northridge High School.  There isn't much he doesn't like.  Band, theater, choir, church youth group, and even school most of the time.  Hannah will be in 7th grade at Rock Quarry Middle School.  She loves to sing, play the flute and piano, and hang with friends.  She doesn't always like James, but Scott is cool!  (Don't worry...Scott used to be the enemy). 

Here we all are on vacation this summer.  We went to Perdido Key and stayed at Sandy Key Condominiums.  Thanks, Grandpa and Grandma Lawther for planning the family get together. 

I hope you enjoy a few tales from the jungle.