Day 172: Write a letter to myself in ten years

This is actually an assignment I had my creative writing students complete. It is interesting to read their letters as they cannot imagine being 28 much less 38. They can’t imagine a life where their parents are no longer the primary force and they alone are completely responsible for their lives. At their age, adulthood and independence is a foreign concept. As it should be!

To encourage them, I joined them in the assignment:

Hello Shana!
You are now looking at 50. Shit.
Hopefully you established some good habits that have allowed you to continue to look and feel amazing. Hopefully you are still full of zest, enthusiasm, curiosity, and energy.
Hopefully you are enjoying your retirement.  After 25 years in the public school system, you certainly have earned an early retirement.
Ansley is now 19. And undoubtedly she continues to make you proud. She is in college hopefully in Alabama. Allow her to grow and be and do and don’t hold her back. She is going to scare you wit her ambitions and dreams but she knows exactly what she wants. Let her fly.
Zach is soon to be 13. Hold him tight because he too is about to take off. I imagine he is smart, handsome, and well mannered and funny. I bet he is very creative.
Hopefully you and JP are travelling and doing all the things you set out to do.
You are fantastic and have been for almost a half a century!
Keep up the good work for the next 50 marvelous years!
Love
Your very best friend
You

Day 171: Drug Free

Today the doctor told me the procedure I under went over the summer to shut the baby maker down worked.  So today I was able to throw the Loestrins away! I am so ecstatic that it worked. Now, other than an occasional Tylenol, I am completely drug free.

Day 170: Read a novel with Ansley

I completed Hunger Games today. Ansley is reading the same book. She has not yet acquired the love of reading that I possess. I hope she will one day discover that books  are better than television or movies. She is interested in this book. Many of her friends are reading it as well. She is anxious to know what happens so I am hoping she will finish it soon so we can talk about it.

Day 169: Try authentic Asian cuisine

My dear friend, Cassandra and I took our girls to enjoy authentic Asian cuisine. We ordered a variety of things using suggestions from our patient waitress.  We had a table covered with dishes that we shared with each other. I had never had curry and decided that I will try this interesting flavor again. Our favorite was the Vietnamese noodle soup and curry pad Thai.  The girls did not know what to think of their bubble tea. It was a pleasant afternoon trying some new foods and laughing at our own sense of adventure.

Day 168: Go to the Circus

“Keep the circus going inside you, keep it going, don't take anything too seriously, it'll all work out in the end.”

I love the circus. I love the freakish semi dirty nomadic carnies that bring this spectacular show to me. I love watching the Mexicans balance trays of popcorn and coke on their heads as they waltz through the stands announcing the prices. I love the pink and purple died poodles that dance on their hind legs. I love the half drugged and seemingly depressed wild animals, especially the white tigers that seem humiliated.  I love the vagabond clowns that taunt the audience with their flawless Chaplin inspired routines. I love the commanders of the trapeze that glide through the air seductively and effortlessly.  I love the motorcycles that roar magically through the iron cage and I love that little wiry man who has made it his life’s career to end the show by being thrust out of a cannon into a net . But my favorite part of the circus, is seeing my kids sit spell bound at  what is truly the “greatest show on earth.”

Day 167: Get my hair done

I took some time today to have my hair highlighted and fixed. Two hours later, I sured did look better. So naturally, a date night followed where I allowed the hubs to marvel at my beauty while I ate nachos.

Day 166: Take students to an elementary school to read to children

I took a small group of high school students to the local elementary school to read the books they wrote themselves to first graders. I anticipated the 6 year olds to be excited, but I was more surprised about how excited the teenagers were. They were all very nervous at first but soon enough found the tiny audience less threatening. It was rewarding to watch my students share and help younger people. 

Day 165: Hang a wind chime

Today I hung a wind chime. This instrument of peace and serenity creates a sound so soothing to my soul. It makes the wind less transparent. I hang this wind chime to remind myself to be constantly aware of the beauty in the world I can not always see. It reminds to be be open to all of the worlds possibilities and endless mysteries. The music the wind makes should never be ignored.

Day 164: Skip Class

Today, Ansley and I left school early and enjoyed a little time to ourselves. We had lunch and then did a little shopping. I hope I have taught her that its okay to call time out every now and then. Everyone needs time off the hampster wheel to recharge and regroup and shop!

Day 163: Decorate for Halloween

Zach was most excited to see the plastic pumpkins, scarecrows, and blow up ghosts pulled out of the attic to adorn the yard. With his help we got the pumpkin flag flying and everything plugged up. We found a Dracula costume that he immediately put on (clueless as to what/who Dracula even is) and tackled the pumpkins on the porch.

Day 162: Go to a book signing

“Down in Mobile, they’re all crazy, because the Gulf Coast is the kingdom of monkeys, the land of clowns, ghosts and musicians, and Mobile is sweet lunacy’s county seat.”
- Eugene Walter, The Untidy Pilgrim (1953)

Naturally, the adventure began at a midtown package store, where you could by cold beer by the can or keg.  Nina lectured me on the high points and the low points of the century old community she now calls her home. Behind the woods adjacent to her home, are the remains of a 200 year old plantation home that once housed the neighbors to Augusta Wilson. The home was most likely built by some less than eager French immigrants that left the home and the city for a life not defined by heat, mosquitoes, and pecans. Our appointment with the procurers of the posthumously published cook book was drawing near, so we headed downtown. Sitting gin a sea of bow ties and over sized hats, we listened as the publishers of the book celebrate the life of their friend and muse, Eugene Walter.

We were entertained with stories of Mobile’s original Renaissance man which included his feeding cat food to guests and stopping roadside on the interstate to toast the half way point to Montgomery. Eugene Walters cook book certainly promises not only a good read and outlook on southern cooking, but delivers some interesting recipes as well. Afterwards, of course, with our cold beers in hand we visited his grave and gave a toast. While we were there, it only seemed fitting to have yet another toast to Joe Cain himself. The reader will be reminded that Church Street Cemetery was closed in the 1890’s but the city allowed for one last burial: Eugene Walter who was strategically placed by the resurrecter of Mobile’s Mardi Gras. Nevertheless, after toasting and paying homage to two of Mobile’s legends, two half drunk women returned to a porch in midtown and gave one final toast. This time to one another’s company.

"When all else fails, throw a party."

Information about Eugene Walter:

Jonathan Yardley's piece from The Washington Post, August 19, 2001 - The Life of the Party

Moments with Eugene: A Collection of Memories -   "In Memoriam" Piece by Joseph Sackett  

Of Moonpies and Monkeys by Sharman Egan's "Of Moonpies and Monkeys"

Southern Living - June, 1998  -  "An Afternoon with Eugene Walter" by Denise Gee

Piece by Thomas Upchurch, Capitol Book and News Company -
http://www.alabamastuff.net/walters.html - includes two audio clips:  Eugene Walter's presentation "The Front Porch" and Eugene Walter's presentation "Cholesterol."

"Front Porches" by Eugene Walter 

Charles McNair's piece from Paste Magazine.com - "The Booky Man: Eugene Walter, A Man You Don't Meet Every Day."

 http://www.bookrags.com/wiki/Eugene_Walter

Day 161: Attend a Baker football game

A real monumental occasion it was when I attended a Baker High School football game. After several years of working here, I finally sacrificed a very precious Friday night to return to the campus and watch the game.  And in five more years, I might possibly do it again!

Day 160: Leave the gym temporarily

Today I visited the gym and said my goodbyes for at least a month. Time work and weather has interfered with this part of my day. I completed a final walk and vowed to return again, but not as long as the fall weather beckoned me.  

Day 159: Rosh Hashanah

I recognized Rosh Hashanah today by treating myself to three hours of TV in bed and neglecting phone calls, kids, chores, and work. It was fabulous. I love Rosh Hashanah, and not just because it has my name embedded in it.

Day 158: Create a list of my favorite things (Ridiculously too long)

A clean house

A good book

 A goodnight’s sleep

A newly clean car

Achieving

Acoustic Guitar

Ansley’s freckles, hair, eyes, and spirit

 Antiques,

 Appetizers,

 Arriving and leaving

Artwork from my kids,

  Auburn game days

 Awards, good grades, recognition, compliments, and bragging

Awareness, observations, insight, and knowing

Azaleas,

Balloons,

Being in the newspaper

Being inspired,

Being moved to tears

 Bellingrath gardens,

Birthdays

 Blue skies,

Boat rides,

 Bon fires,

Boots,

Bubbles

Candlelight

Canoes,

Chips and dips

Christmas lights,

 Clarity,

Classic rock,

Clean sheets,

 Coffee in bed,

 Cold beer,

Commencement speakers

Completed projects,

 Connecting, bonding, and sharing

Cooking together

Creating

Dancing,

 Date nights,

Decorating,

 Decorative crosses

 Designing,

Diet Coke and sweet tea

Disney World

Down time,

 Dr. Oz, Dr. Phil, and Oprah.

Dreaming

Dressing up,

DVD’s with JP,

Easter lilies,

Eating out, delivery, or drive thrus,

 Elegantly wrapped gifts

 Empty laundry baskets,

 Extra money,

 Extra time,

 Facials,

Fall

Farmland

Feeing beautiful,

Feeling proud

Fire places

Fishing

 Flannery O’Conner,

Flash lights

Flirting with my husband

Flower gardens

Fresh baked cookies,

 Fresh bread,

Fresh cut flowers,

Fried chicken, squash, okra, and pickles

 Front porches,

 Gardenias,

 Gardening in the spring

Getting my hair done,

Giving generously

 Going to church,

Golfing

 Good news,

 Greeting cards,

Grilling out

Harmony,

 Having a tan,

Hearing my kids laugh,

Hearing the sound of the waves from bed,

Heirlooms,

Hiking,

Hobby Lobby

Holding my children

Hot baths,

 Hotel rooms,

Hugs,

Hummingbirds

Hydrangeas

Ice chests, beach towels, and lawn chairs

 Inspirational and funny emails,

Inspirational quotes

 Jokes, joking, and making fun

 Jumping,

 June 1, July 4, and April 24

 Kettle Korn,

Key chains

Knowing I did a good job

Laughing until it hurts,

Laughter,

Learning and getting it, awareness, and understanding

Leaving,

Letters,

Letting go

 Lightning bugs,

Listening to Zach tell a story,

Lists,

 Long days on the beach or by our pool

Lotion,

Love

Lyrics,

 Making wishes in fountains,

Mardi Gras

 Meeting new people,

Monkeys, tigers, and horses

 Mountain views,

 Movies at the theater,

Music,

My backyard,

My books,

 My cell phone,

My desk

My family

My IPod and laptop,

  My photo albums,

New clothes,

 New pens,

New pillows,

New playlists

New tennis shoes

 New Years Eve,

 Nostalgic, and vintage, retro and old school

Oak trees,

 Off days,

 Old cameras,

 Old denim

Old photographs,

Open windows,

Organization,

Our Christmas tree,

Our home

Our home

Packages,

 Packing for a trip,

 Painting,

 Parties,

 Picking blueberries,

Picnics

Picture frames,

Pies:  Lemon, peanut butter, chocolate, turtle, strawberry, and Key Lime

 Plaid, argyle, and stripes

 Planning, organizing, and listing

Playing Uno

Poetry that leaves an impression

Power outages  

Pushing buttons

 Rafts to float on

Really sharp pencils

Remembering, memories, and looking back

Remote control cars

Retro, vintage, and nostalgia

Reuniting

Riding my bicycle in the neighborhood

Rocking chairs

Roller skating

 Room fresheners,

 Room service,

Roosters

Sand, seashells, seagulls, and suntan oil

Saturday mornings,

 Scented candles,

School supplies,

Scrabble,

Scrapbooking,

Seafood: boiled, fried, sautéed, grilled, or baked

Silence

Singing in the car

Slideshows

Smell of leather,

 S'mores,

Snoopy,

 Snorkeling,

 Snuggling,

Songs that I can relate to

Sound of crickets at night,

Spring mornings

St Augustine grass,

Stars

Statistics and facts, the truth, the absolute

 Storms,

Summertime

 Sunglasses,

 Sunrises,

 Sunsets,

Surprises,

Taking pictures,

Teaching,

Telling the story of how we met

Tervis tumblers

 Text messaging, email, Facebook, and phone calls

 Thanksgiving dinner,

The beach at night

The Cathedral,

The colors green, blue, red, pink, white, and black

The Fair

The Gulf of Mexico any time of the year

The Holy Bible,

The library,

The outrageous, eccentric, eclectic, clever, and the genuine

 The smell of lavender, Gardenia, vanilla, and cinnamon

The South,

The zoo

Time together

Time with my friends,

 Traveling,

 Trying new things,

 Walking,

 Watching Ansley dance,

Watching my kids sleep,

Watching the moon

Water parks,

Water skiing,

 Wearing my bathing suit,

Weather days,

 Whispering,

Winning

Winter nights

Writing list, poems, blogs, stories, notes, letters, or plans

XM Radio

 Yard sales with my favorite women

 Zach’s hands, laugh, sense of humor, and smile

Day 157: Be the target of a prank

After a day of bizarre events that included getting lost on my way home and the daycare losing my son, the sign in my front yard seemed to be just one more odd occurrence. Thanks to the Bowles family for successfully getting me back for filling their bed with power tools, Clorox wipes, and bottles of dressing.

Day 156: Take Dad to My Church

After a day of watching football, church seemed more than necessary. It was a inspiring sermon that taught me thinking that life's blessings arent rewards but rather gifts from God. My life is an abundance of gifts and blessings. I am so very grateful for all that I have and even more grateful for all that I dont have.

Day 155: Take Pictures of Football Fans



Dad and his twin



We are so cute!

House Divided

Day 154: Go to a work function after school

After six years at Baker, I finally attended an after school work function. It was a homecoming picnic for the faculty outside of the football field. After 30 minutes we left but I can still check that one off my list.

Day 153: Research Something New

King Tut's tomb is said to have been cursed by ancient Egyptians. The tomb itself is remarkable because when it was uncovered,  it was virtually intact. No other burial tomb had ever been discovered in such pristine condition. Following the discovery, a series of deaths occurred leading to the sensational legends of the cursed tomb. Modern science explains the deaths, as a result of exposure to the bacteria in the tomb. Some theories suggest a type of poison was painted on the walls to punish any violators. Of course, some more imaginative theories include Egyptian black magic. Nevertheless, the story of the tomb, King Tut himself, and ancient Egypt are very interesting. I am glad a certain ninth grader needed "help" with his English report. It was much more interesting than the Satchel Page report that a certain fifth grader needed "help" with last week.

Day 152: Attend the homecoming of the Honor Flight



When Ansley asked why are we doing this, I told her that in ten years this would be impossible. They are both too young to understand just how important these men and woman are. To Zach, a hero wears a cape and a mask and flies. He doesn't yet understand that these feeble, old, wheel chair bound elders are real life heroes. We stood on the sidelines and applauded all 82 veterans as they left the Mobile airport after a day spend visiting the memorial in Washington DC. They wore tshirts that said "If you can read this, thank a teacher. If you can read this in English, thank a veteran." It was truly a moving experience for anyone present. One aged veteran whose wheel chair was adorned with American flags, weeped softly as he took in the crowd around him. Another broke ranks to approach Zach, and tell  him thank you.  Ansley marveled that some of the veterans included a woman who was a nurse overseas during the war. I was glad we gave up a few hours of our time to let these veterans know that they are truly "the greatest generation."



He was crying.



Day 151: Set a Goal

On November 5, I will complete a 5k race.
Here are the things that are motivating me:
A post race party I am planning
The Ipod armband and Nikes I bought
The weather
The extra few pounds I gained while having so much fun this summer.
This "public" announcement

Day 150: Start a club

My list of 365 things to do also included starting a club. I felt led to create a club for teen writers to gather and share their writing, so today I launched the official start of a creative writing club at school. I polled my own students for input and created a basic format for meetings. Today I had my students hang announcements throughout the school. The Writer's Guild of Baker has officially been established!

Day 149: Dinner outside

Tonight we had a family dinner outside on the back porch. It is a rare treat when all 6 of us can sit down together for a meal. It was so "Rockwellian." Grilled hamburgers on the back porch one evening in the final days of summer with four kids, and two very lucky parents. These are the seeds of beautiful memories.