Simple Complexities

I was thinking about our brains the other day, and how amazingly well they were crafted so that we think, speak, and do everything we are supposed to do at exact timing. Don't analyze that too much (there goes your brain working) because I am talking about it in a general sense.

I'm not saying that we necessarily do everything when our brain tells us we should, which if we don't usually forms into procrastination--like picking up the ice cream instead of going to the gym or writing blogs instead of cleaning the house. But, what I am suggesting is that we have this amazing ability to be able to know what to do when we need to do it, like sending an email at work, for example. You know that if someone writes you an email asking for something you need to respond. You can't just (or shouldn't) leave them hanging. Or, perhaps you do because you are procrastinating. But, I'm serious here. Our brains are brilliant.

Our brain knows that in the morning when we check our email, and 6 orders have shipped the night before, we have to send tracking information to our clients for those 6 shipments. And our brains know how to send them, what to say in the email, and how to gather the information we need to do so. It even knows to remind us how to open up a brand new email template. These things are so simple, yet inside our brain millions of neurons are working together to formulate these thoughts for us. It is truly amazing. We do not have to do any in depth thinking or studying on how to get up out our chair to go grab something off the printer. Our brain knows that we need to bend our knees, lift our butt up off our seat, and start walking. This is such a simple part of life, but when you break it down and really think about it, it blows my mind.

On another note, I was in church the other day listening to a sermon called "The Sanctity of Life." It was about how babies are God's creation and that before we were in the womb He knew us. Pastor Bob talked about how babies body parts formulate more and more each week as they grow in the mother's belly and at about 7 months they can start to have REM sleep, which means they can dream while they're sleeping! When I hear stuff like this, it boggles my mind. God can craft one person from an egg and allow it to grow inside a woman, in a perfect habitat--each one with a different DNA that he handpicked for that one being. And then, watch that mother give birth through a tiny canal.

I can't even begin to describe how this struck me when I really fathomed the complexity of the human body and mind...

Inside Jokes

Jim Flidge

Butch Slocum

Bert Scrapney

Shakleem, Shakloom, Shaklum. How do you spell that? "Ummmmm....S, underscore, pound sign, H."

GHS (Gigantic Hiny Society)

Stinky, Stanky, Stynky, Stunky, and Stu

Weave's Auto World

Murkle's Meats

Natural Spring Wuutaa

Hello, my name is Habib.

Hralnk O' Chee

Chu

Dist

Fralk, Neeralf, and a Neepkrane

Dreat Creak

Ice Creed Code

Hot Fudge Sundree w/Extree Nrailts

Pop's Franklins

Holes in socks from heater

Guh

In 19....mmmgggeighty2. (Anna's Clara Barton presentation)

Eggypit

Um, Sally, your van is in our yard.

Cops surrounding house w/guns. "It was your cat, ma'am."

Mom rolling around in the front yard shooing off a bird.

There's Teachers...Jobs.

Yeah, Nana's probably up there in the smokin' section.

Lo

Brail

Hi.

Jis talk dirty to me reedie.

Iodow

Love you w/all my heart and soulsch.

Yes, can I check Earl's schedule, please?

What happened to our naps?

THBO

Things of drink.

Thing on the thing.

Get your crap off my crap!

SHOISH!

Beaker

Crapaw

Gastronology

Akaaaaay?

Growing Up

Carrie wanted me to write a blog about how things used to just show up on our front porch at our house, such as food and clothes. It is funny how my sisters always want me to write about things...

To be honest, I don't totally remember all the details on what used to "show up" at our house, or when, or how many times. I think I was too young to remember. My sisters must have been in middle school and I must've been in elementary school (or just graduating pre-school) during our charity years. So, I can't comment a whole lot, as I say, on what it must have been like, but I do have a few memories.

One thing I do remember was that mom used to have all kinds of different jobs. She did whatever it took to make ends meet and provide for us. She was so faithful...to God, to dad, and to us kids. She did everything from Merrymaids to work in public school Cafeterias. She was, and still is, such a servant. She is kind, gentle, well-spirited, and has such a good heart. She's a good listener, too.

Dad was a hard worker as well. He did real-estate for a long time and then got into concrete pipe sales when I was in middle school, I think. He was always writing something or other, trying to live in the moment of his passions, too. He and mom always put us first and provided for us at all costs.

Most of our growing up years my sisters and I didn't have our own rooms. We never went out to eat out or went on family vacations, either. We made the most of what we had with our love for each other and learned to entertain ourselves. Family was all we had and all we grew to love. We never had fancy cars or brand-named clothes, but I believe it made us appreciate those things all the more. The three of us (Carrie, Anna, and I) all got jobs as soon as we were able and learned to support ourselves. We never expected anyone to pay anything for us and we always learned to save up for things we wanted. I appreciate that now, the older I get.

Looking back, like any kid, of course I wished I had been given new things. I wished I had a new car and new jewelry and cool makeup, and horse-back riding lessons. Who didn't?! I am glad I had to work for what I wanted, though. I'm glad my curfew was at 10PM instead of midnight. I may have hated it at the time, but it was all for my own good. My parents knew what they were doing. Who knows what more trouble I could've gotten into past 10 or how much more selfish I would have become if I were handed things on a silver platter.

Life wasn't easy, then. Mom used to have to go to SERVE for groceries and I think we were on food stamps at one point. We also used to come home from school and there would be bags of groceries on our front doorstep. People just "felt led to buy them" for us, if you will. It's a blur, now, but I'm sure it wasn't a blur to Mom and Pop. I'm sure they went through hell and back to figure out ways to provide for us kids and wished they could have provided more. But, it was enough. It was plenty, actually. Their love and discipline were all we could have asked for. And if and when Isaac and I do have children of our own I will have the wisdom to impart the lessons I learned.

It might have been tough for my parents to provide for us at one stage of our lives, but trusting in God they got through it. And because they stuck to their beliefs and their faith on implementing discipline and developing character, I can say with confidence now that the three of us are stronger people and have the knowledge and life experiences to charge through life with a level-headed approach.

If we, if I, haven't said it enough I'll say it again: thank you Mom and Pop for raising us right, for teaching us well, and for putting up with all of our shenanigans. I know we weren't perfect (by far), and we still aren't, but we love you and we appreciate the love you had, and still have, for us.

Home is Where the Heart is

I love stories...and each house has one.

I was just thinking today about all of the houses I lived in during college. I practically lived in one house my entire childhood and adolescent life with my parents and then BOOM college hits and I move all over the place. Marrying Isaac has been an adventure.

The story on Carlton Arms: Isaac moved into Carlton Arms Apartments after his sophomore year. It was a very small apartment (one-bedroom, one-bath and there was no dining room). It might as well have been a studio apartment. There was no washer or dryer as he had to do his laundry at a community facility (on-site) where the pool was. The pool was really nice. No one was ever there and it was so clean. We'd often invite our friends over to chill because there was no lifeguard to monitor what was going on. That apartment was on the nicer side of Lakeland, in my opinion, which took about 20 minutes to get to from school. I was so excited when he moved into that apartment his sophomore (my freshman) year because it was right after summer ended before I was starting my own sophomore year and I felt like we were becoming real adults.

The story on Peavy: After we got married when my sophomore year had ended we moved into our first place together on Peavy Ct. We refer to it now as "Peavy." It was actually a duplex: a two-bedroom, two-bath joint. It was pretty huge compared to what we were used to, but it was on the crappy side of Lakeland, in my opinion. It was, however, really close to campus (about five minutes), which was so convenient. We loved that place and Isaac found it. He had (and still has) a nact for finding great deals. Isaac saw the place before we moved in (I didn't) and he said the carpet was atrocious. So, he got the landlord to replace it (he's also good at finagling). He also talked him into buying new paint for the entire house. We had to paint it, but what do you want for $423 a month?!

The duplex had a 70s look to it. The kitchen had a yellow theme to it with some brown in the flooring. The appliances were yellow as well and the cabinetry was dark brown. The fixtures were old and a bit scrappy, too, but it was a huge palace compared to my dorm room!

Anyway, we had a lot of great memories there, as our first venture in a new place as husband and wife. We also had a lot of weird and creepy things happen to us in that place. We had cockroaches galore. Every time I got home from class, or work, there would be dead roaches on my kitchen floor. I think they had died from all the bug spray and repellent that was implanted in the ground by our landlord. We had to beg him, at times, to do something about it. We also had lots of frogs, a dead cat in our laundry room, and even a snake that came to visit. The frogs would often succulate themselves to our kitchen windows, or make their way to our cars to scare us when we went out to run an errand. And the cat, well the cat was an interesting story. We found him dead upon arrival to Peavy one day when we came back from vacation. He smelled...bad. The snake was an interesting story as well. We found him under our carport. He was a few feet long and became liver when our neighbor brought out the saw and chopped him up while the neighbor's wife and I watched. It was gross. And that's what we'll always remember about Peavy...the place that brought us creatures of all kind.

My sisters loved that place, too. They visited us a few times while we lived there and grew fond of it. "Peeeaaavvvvyyyy," they always say. "Awwwww I miss Peavy." I don't know why they liked it so much. I guess it's because we always make good memories with each other no matter where we are. Gosh, we had our first Thanksgiving there and first Christmas there too. It was a great place despite the bugs. It was ours. And it was cheap!

The story on Hollingsworth: "Lake Hollingsworth", or "Hollingsworth," as we like to call it, was where we moved to next--this was mid-junior year, I think. We couldn't take the crawlies anymore so we had to move someplace more reputable. It was only a one-bedroom, one-bath, but it was pretty big and just as close to campus (on a nice side of Lakeland). The one thing I'll always remember is that the bathroom had carpet, which made it so cozy. It definitely had it's share of creepy crawlies, too, but not as many and not as often. We had a bat, once, that snuck it's way in the house while I was home alone. I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw it flying around the living room. I locked myself in the bedroom and waited for Isaac to come home. It was disgusting!

But in general, it was a cute, homey, and cozy place. Lake Hollingsworth was right across the street (hence the name). It was a lake that looped 3 miles around and it was perfect for running. I ran it almost every day. And on really hot days (which was almost every day) after I had worked up a good sweat, I would jump in the pool behind our apartment after my run. The lake and the pool were the highlights of this apartment. I loved, loved, loved the lake. Isaac's dad and I would spend evenings jogging it together (or afternoons or mornings depending on our schedules) and often the three of us would go there just to talk or walk or take pictures. It was the highlight of our busy and stressful days. Hollingsworth was a major central spot for Lakeland. A lot of Southeasterners spent their exercise time there. People also boated and jet skiied and fished there. Florida Southern was a College right on the Lake that was right near our apartment and they often had classes on the water as well. I miss the lake so much...this may be inspiring me to write a book!

The story on Buttercup: During the beginning of our Senior Year we moved out of Hollingsworth and moved into dad's house. Or, "Buttercup" or the "Ranch" as we called it. Dad (Isaac's dad) moved to Lakeland when Isaac had moved into Carlton Arms and even lived with him there for a while. Then, he bought the Buttercup house, which was on a lake as well, but was literally right behind the school -- I mean, you could see the school from his backyard. His plan was to live there and go to school. And he did. And now he is an Alumni workign on his Master's Degree.

We decided that it would be great to save money, what little we had, and move in with him. It was his idea, actually. And it's not that we were tired of Hollingsworth, we loved it! But we were winding down our tenure and needed to save money for the move home while we focused on school and while Isaac was interning. So, we packed our things and moved again.

This year, my senior, was the by far the best year of college for me. I loved living on Buttercup with dad. It was no pressure, no worries, just fun, food, family and friends 24/7. We spent a lot of time on the "ranch." It was so quiet there, too. Dad just let us come and go as we pleased and use whatever we wanted. He loved it when we had friends over and made his home a haven of shelter for our friends during the hurricane season. He always kept the radio on, too, all day long. We left for school in the morning, it was on. We came home for lunch, it was on. We came home to get ready for work, it was on. It cracked me up.

The serene moments set the scene for deep conversations and peaceful studying hours. And when he built the sunroom off the back of the house overlooking the lake, it made the house all the more warm and calm. I remember dad and I used to sit outside and feed the ducks with old moldy bread and listen to the birds chirp. The ducks would waddle right up to the house. He spoiled them!

Gosh that was a great house. It brought so many great memories that are like a sweet melody to my soul: The firelit cool nights while studying or watching our favorite shows; the way dad made banana and mayonnaise sandwiches, which grossed me out every time; the endless pots of coffee; the wrestling matches between dad and Isaac; the prayer time; the trying to beat the boys to the bathroom (Rick, another of dad's friends, roomed there too); the nightly ritual of hot chocolate steams; the great stash of fruit; the late-night dinner meet-ups at Bennigans and "Tuesdy Ruby's" as dad used to call it with a coffee order at 9pm; the Saturday cleanings; and staying up late to finish papers with each other. We had SUCH good times that I will never forget.

When we moved home in the summer of 2005, we lived in an apartment in downtown Manassas and made some good memories there too. It was real close to all the restaurants and shops, which we often took advantage of, and a few blocks away from mom and pop. Now, we live in Manassas Park in a condominium that we bought 3 1/2 years ago. It's a 2 bedroom, 2 bath, which we bought new. Having a mortgage is never easy...especially one that will be sticking with you for 90 more years (bought at the peak of the market...&^$#%&*((!!). But I can't say I'm totally unhappy with the decision. It is such a cozy place and the specific area in "MP" (Manassas Park) where we live is peaceful. It's on the newer, nicer part of the city and it suits us well. It's convenient, close to everything, and I'll just face it...our unit is fairly large compared to most condos I'd say. And as with any place we've had our fair share of memories here. One of of important note: purchasing Sandy (our cat). "Sand" is the visible soul of our home: and to it we love, we cherish, we dwell.

Small Drips, Big Results

Have you ever worked out so hard that sweat literally formulated and dripped down your nose or off your chin and onto the floor (and perhaps got in your eye and stung you)? That doesn't happen often, but boy did it ever tonight. It usually happens to me during Spin Class or Boot Camp Class, but tonight it happened during Cardio Interval Training Class. It was when I was doing mountain climbers on gliders while I was holding myself up by my arms on my step bench. When this happens, it is usually a sign that I have gone beyond my normal exercise max and tapped into something more. It also means that I am about to pass out.

I can't explain the feeling that well, but it's a high. Your hair becomes sopping wet and your clothes are drenched in bodily produced fluids that begin to formulate and smell. You are dying, panting, in pain, and don't feel like you can take it anymore. And then the trainer instructs you to push some more which prompts you pass the point of pain. Your muscles become numb and your legs begin to feel like jello. You no longer can feel or sense how hard the task at hand has become because you have passed the peak of the mountain and are going down the other side. This is when you know you've beaten yourself, just for a moment. And when you finally think you're done and are just about to throw your hands up in victory the trainer keeps pressing you and pressing you and pressing you, until FINALLY, you break for that little driblet of water.

I just love it when the sweat drips off my nose because I know that I have worked hard. It reminds me of being in a movie, or in real Boot Camp (which I'm sure is no comparison), when people train and they train and they train until they can go no further.

Let the Boot Camp, Cardio Intervals, and Spin classes keep coming!

A Letter of Recommendation

I had the high privilege of writing a letter of recommendation for one of my good friends slc (Shanna Leigh Cancel, or slj as I knew her, for Shanna Leigh Jager. I can't help but use Jager. It's what I'm used to and it's so striking, don't you think? She's also known as Shannie, Shan, and audio chat buddy. OK--enough). Anyway, sorry for the momentary relapse in history. Gayyyyshhhhh memories. "Seriously, stop Mellie!"

Why did you ask me to write your letter again, Shannie? You could've asked Les, who has far more screws intact than me. She would've done a better job. But then again, I wouldn't have been able to put in a good word for you on all those drunken nights at the Lakeland pub we had where you pulled me off the bar-top while I was line dancing to Coyote Ugly songs. No wait...I meant when you thoughtfully filled up my coffee mug in preparation for late night cramming sessions for Dr. B's unpredictable Comm Law exams. WWTF (Where was The Fun)? Ohhh the joys of Senior year (or was it junior) taking classes that were pertinent to our degree, but we could care less about. Where's the fun in college when you can't complain about your classes and your professors and your schedule and your dorm and your tuition and your Delta Pi? Oh wait...that was me. Sorry...I know the open door policy got on your nerves.

No seriously...here's to Shanna everyone. A great person, inside and out, who deserves the recognition she has earned. Read and enjoy. Audio Chat ya later!

"Dear Graduate Coordinator,

I am writing this letter of recommendation for Shanna Cancel, applicant for the School of Art and History. I have known Shanna for almost 10 years. I met her in college, at Southeastern University in Lakeland, FL, when she became a new resident of the dorm hall that I was assigned to as a “Big Sister”, in a group called Delta Pi. I also co-photographed her wedding in 2007. Over the years, she became not only someone who was just living in my hall during college, but a lifelong friend, a leader, and a confidant.

Shanna is a very hard worker. Not only is she studious and reliable, but also she is creative, talented, and sets very high goals for herself. Shanna has a great sense of humor, as well. She is innovative, has a good moral character, and is lots of fun to be around.

Shanna has demonstrated her creativity through many projects that I worked with her on in college. Since we obtained the same degree we were assigned to many of the same classes and elected to be on the same team for all kinds of assignments. She was always the one who would volunteer to do the graphics, or the artwork, for any group project we were involved with. She loved creating new designs and getting opinions from her peers and was the first to volunteer to help layout the yearbook. She loved getting her hands on anything that involved Art.

I remember during one of our senior projects we had to create an entire campaign from the ground up. We volunteered to help with a natural disaster with her parent’s non-profit disaster relief organization. In developing that campaign I learned a lot about Shanna’s family. Additionally, I learned that Shanna had already been working with her parents in this organization to develop a logo, a website, and marketing material. Her portfolio was already beginning to thicken and we hadn’t even graduated yet!

Shanna told me that she is seeking an MFA in Studio Art because she is ready for another challenge and because she is eager to learn something new. As she has sailed through her undergraduate degree, obtained a prestigious job in the Graphics field, settled into a home, and started a family, she is yearning for more.

I highly recommend Shanna for this program and have the utmost confidence that she will achieve this new goal. Since I’ve known her, she has always followed through on everything she has committed to because her passions are clear and her ambition is strong. I believe that with her God-given talent’s she can and will do great things.

Sincerely,
Melissa Gresham"

There Is Hope

To all those who have struggled, are struggling, or will struggle, be encouraged.

Psalm 55:16-19 and 21:
"But I call to God, and the Lord saves me. Evening, morning, and noon I cry out in distress, and He hears my voice. He ransoms me unharmed from the battle waged against me, even though many oppose me. God, who is enthroned forever, will hear them and afflict them - men who never change their ways and have no fear of God." ... (v. 21) "his speech is smooth as butter, yet war is in his heart; his words are more soothing than oil, yet they are drawn swords."

Isaiah 41:13:
"For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you."

Though many wage war against us, though many have no fear of death, though many afflict our souls with pain and musky toxins we must know there is a way out. We must die daily to try to relinquish control and allow the darkness to be overshadowed by the light. The Lord has you in the palm of His hand and He has never let you go. He will never let you go. He will help you, He will help you, He will help you.