Do it because you can.

Yesterday, to get out of the hum drums of Thanksgiving, we all traveled to Pensacola, Florida for the day. It's not a bad drive - only 3 hours. Besides a person needs to go just because you can. We left early in the morning for an adventure of touring historical sights, playing in the sand, eating good seafood and touring a museum. Not bad plans for a last minute trip thrown together.
Our first stop was Fort Pickens at the end of Pensacola Beach. It's a civil war fort that almost feels like it is frozen in time. The kids had a lot of fun finding the different historical markers and reading about the sites. The adults did their best to work off that Thanksgiving meal with all of the stairs. Apparently, there weren't any elevators installed when this place was built in 1834.
We made a quick stop later to enjoy some time on the sand and watch the waves. There was a hazardous warning for strong tides and jellyfish. Kind of kills the mood to play. The strong cold wind didn't help matters either. The kids did get to gather various shells and the beautiful white sand. If you want to see a perfect beach, I would recommend Pensacola Beach just for the white sands and blue water.
Our travels continued to one of the best seafood places on the beach - Flounders. This place is consumed with atmosphere and the food ain't bad either. It's basically an open air (or slightly enclosed) dining area that opens to the Coastal Waterways side of the peninsula. My kids love playing in the sand while waiting on their meals. If you ever get a chance to go - definitely order the key lime pie.
Our journey continue to Pensacola Naval Base and the Naval Air Museum. We just visited there over Labor Day and there were more exhibits added since then. My brother-in-law had served in the Navy so I think he enjoyed taking his daughters around showing them exhibits he knew something about. Family connection makes things more interesting.
We managed to make it back home by 8:30 after all of that touring. We still had time to enjoy some beverages, watch Polka Party on RFTV and just share some laughs. All in all, I think it was a nice end to a great family time. My husband and I firmly believe you need to keep yourself open to all options everyday. You never know when something fun may step in front of you. Maybe that's our "seize the day" philosophy.

And so it begins.

We enjoyed our turkey yesterday with our family and friends. My husband grilled our turkey to perfection and I must say it was delicious - and I don't like turkey. There was plenty of food on my counter to share with all and we took the time to enjoy each other's company. It was a pretty standard Thanksgiving.
A few of us traveled out the various stores in the early evening just to get out. I found some new Christmas decor and enjoyed my time out. I didn't even bother looking at sale ads. However, many others did and the Christmas season officially began at midnight with many a shopper looking for that perfect deal. I stayed home in my nice warm bed.
We rose on Friday and waited for our breakfast casserole to bake. We casually looked at the ads but still made no big decision to go out and find our perfect gifts. I must admit that I did go out but I focused on the clearance racks and a quick trip through Publix. Other than that, it was a pretty low key day.
However, most of us wouldn't describe our holidays as low key. We all get caught up in saving as much money as we can, the thrill of the hunt for that unique gift and worry over what is the best food to make to share with friends. We all want our Christmas spirit to reflect in our decor and our music on the radio. We count down the days to the big date just so we are ready. We fret on who's house we go to for what party. We start preparing how to write 2012 on our new checks since that is quickly coming. The month from Thanksgiving dinner and Christmas dinner goes faster and faster each year. I sometimes picture the boat ride in the movie "Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory" - you know the wild and chaotic one. That is pretty much the holiday - one big blur.
I think during the Christmas night long ago, Joseph and Mary were more focused on finding lodging and resting before she gave birth. I am pretty sure that I would. Mary wasn't making long lists of food and Joseph wasn't looking for that perfect tree. I know that all happened afterward - that's why it's Jesus's birthday.
I want to stay in the now. I want to focus on each day like it is precious. Christmas only comes one time each year and I want that to be my exact focus. I know that I too will be caught up in the all of the craziness and keep my own lists. However, I plan to take some time reflect on how special this celebration really is. If that includes gazing at my tree and it's lights in the dark, or writing that perfect Christmas thought in a card or baking the best cookie with my kids - that's perfect. The world will always continue. The sun will rise tomorrow but today I want to really appreciate the season.

This is where the memories start.

This year, my family and I are trying a new experience for Thanksgiving. We are celebrating in Alabama with some close friends and one of my husband's sisters and her family. We have never been away from "home" before but I must admit that I am excited about the new adventure. I have always spent time with my brothers and their families along with my parents. We don't get together often but the Holidays seem more special. Since we have been married, we have always been with both of our families. I have missed one Thanksgiving with mine but my mom was touring India at the time and I did host one of my brothers. We have always traveled to my husband's family. We have caught up on the kids and spent good family time together.
This year things are a bit different. We didn't have enough vacation time to travel north and quite frankly, we are looking forward to a different way to celebrate Thanksgiving. My two girls have jumped in and helped me tremendously around the kitchen. My son has down a great job with tidying the house and vacuuming. It's my own special holiday since I don't have to track them down for assistance. Yeah!!
I have often reflected back to a time when I was younger and still living in my parents' home. I am the only daughter therefore, I have spent many a time helping prep the house for company and assisting my mom with various dishes. I think I learned a lot in the kitchen during those times. Special family recipes were pulled out. Previous celebrations were talked and laughed about. A sense of belonging permeated the entire house. This was Thanksgiving. A celebration with family now and celebration of family gone by.
My father passed away several years ago. I think of him often but I seem to have him in the front of my mind constantly during the holidays. I have wondered what his thoughts would be about me not coming "home" for Thanksgiving. He was very much a family man. He wanted to be around all of his family when he could. However, he understood the definition of family. It's who you are with and who you celebrate life with.
As we gathering around our table tomorrow and celebrate all that we give thanks for. I want to give thanks for new traditions and memories. May my children hold dear to their hearts all of their favorite memories and be open to make new one.s

You just don't know the impact

Every time that I have sat through a volunteer training, the same mantra is always said. Be careful for what you say and do because you don't know the impact you have on the people (kids) around you. We, as a family, have had that experience here - it's a good thing.
My middle child is very much the percussionist. She has a decent used drum set in her room and she practices everyday. She took private lessons in Indiana and even started her training on playing the tenor drums. She knows that bells is not her strong suit so she puts more time into area when she can. Her plan is to be in the Purdue All American Drum Line. Her ultimate dream would be to be in the BBD (Big Bass Drum) crew. She has been properly brainwashed by her father and me over the years. She has attended a few home football games and I am sure some of her first words were - Go Purdue. However, we moved to Alabama and I am not seeing the out of state tuition happening in this economy. She still has a chance but there had better be some scholarships involved. She wants to be a nuclear engineer so there is still hope on that front.
We left a not so strong high school band program to one that is massive. The directors at the Junior High are also assistant directors at the high school. Both directors have taken my daughter in and have encouraged her to become her best. In fact, Saturday one director invited us to attend a game at Auburn and experience their band program. It's not Purdue but it's the next best thing. She left encouraged and fired up to continue her studies. A simple jester of sharing made a positive impact on her. It's not Purdue but it is a great program.
My younger daughter has been frustrated with the lack of a true gifted program here in her new school. They don't have the money to properly support her needs. However, her teacher has continually encouraged her to push herself in many fields, especially writing. She pushed my daughter to write her best book review ever for a writing contest. We supported her in any way we could but the teacher was the one who brought the idea to fruition. Over 10,000 students entered this contest and I am very proud to say that my youngest is in the top 10 finalist. She gets to travel to Mobile next week and try another book review to improve the amount of her scholarship. She is guaranteed  at least a $500 scholarship - top prize is $10,000. We don't really care about the amount  - okay, maybe we do. However, this teacher gave my youngest a unique opportunity that she will remember her lifetime.
We don't know the impact that we have on someone and our words often times are much louder than our actions. 2 teachers in Prattville schools have connected with my 2 daughters and offered them something that means a lot - encouragement.

Lions, Tigers and....War Eagle?

Today I had the opportunity to visit Auburn University and watch a football game. This was my first visit to a SEC game. I am a Big Ten girl at heart but my Boilers are too far away to enjoy a live game and reality says I need to be open to a possible fill in - not replacement.
I marched 4 years with the Purdue All American Marching Band. I have tailgated with my friends even as recently as last year. Heck, I even marched in the Alumni Band twice. Today, it was a brand new experience.
Purdue has a proud history of tailgating but Auburn has a wider spread of tailgating. Purdue alums hang out behind Ross Ade stadium in their fancy rigs or under simple pop ups. You can walk the campus and meet rowdy fans and feel the spirit build before the game. Slayter Hill has always been a popular pregame stop for many fans - allowing them to fire up with the band and get their game faces on - sometimes literally. Homecoming is always full of reunions of friends and pure Boilermaker spirit. There is nothing like going home.
Today was Auburn's homecoming. It's mid November and they are just celebrating homecoming. Most students have already left for their homes for the holiday. The rowdy crowd was nowhere to be found. The alumni band marched but they just marched on with the student band and played. There wasn't a buzz of school spirit in the air. However, Auburn band broke down into 4ths and each part took a street and met at the intersection in front of the stadium. That was cool. The fans do love their band.
However, everyone tailgated everywhere. Where there was lawn, even in front of classroom buildings, there were tailgaters. First come first serve. There were steel boxes to dispose of your hot charcoal. There were pop-up awnings everywhere. The RVs were in their own field up the road with their own shuttle service. Corporations bought hospitality tents just outside the stadium. They were hosting various people and offered satellite TV to watch the game. But they weren't the only ones. Many families had their TVs set up to watch the game. Several never even make it to the game.
Football is a family affair here. Families tailgate even at a high school level. Our local team, Lions, will be playing in the state championship next weekend. The game will be played at Alabama since the Tide will be in Auburn for their big match up. I will guarantee that life will stop around here for that game. Many will go but all will be listening in on that game.
Auburn plays Alabama next Saturday, the Iron Bowl. This rivalry is as strong as our Old Oaken Bucket game. Fans from both sides will converge on Auburn campus and tailgate everywhere - parking lots, grassy areas - anywhere flat. My family has been invited to come out for the game. Don't have to worry about tickets. Just pull up a chair and watch with other fans.
Funny thing about the entire day - instead of Go Tigers it was War Eagle. They has a legend about an eagle soaring through the stadium and it gave the team encouragement to win a horrific game. Today they celebrate that legend by releasing a trained eagle in the stadium. They only cheer - War Eagle.
I only have one answer to that - Boiler up and Hammer down. Go Boilers!!

Please don't assume that I am stupid.

When I moved to Alabama, I was proud to bring with me a great list of trainings that I had received and even taught in the Scouting world. I spent a week last summer working with some of the boys from my Boy Scout troop reviewing knots, compass work and fire building. Needless to say, I felt prepared.
I have been a Girl Scout leader for around 20 years and a Girl Scout since 1973. As a girl, I took as much training as I could. As an adult, I was a day camp director for 9 years over 200 girls. I taught my adults good leadership skills, camping skills and ensured that everyone was safe and having a great time. I learned new skills in my Boy Scout troop. I honed my own outdoor skills and absorbed anything new to learn.
I move to my new council and find that everything I learned never really happened. I was told that there aren't really any adults who move in from out of state that have any good outdoor skills. The person likened it to a trip that they took to Jamboree and how dangerous some of the adults were. How the boys didn't have a clue what was going on. How women seemed to slip through the cracks at most councils. However, this person never really asked what I knew - just assumed I was clueless.
I drove 3 hours one way just to participate in a council training just a few weeks ago. I decided during my drive that I would maintain a good attitude and try to learn something from this trainer. Her first remark - you must have camped before because you know how to appropriately dress. Score one for me. We learned knots. I quietly tied my knot then leaned over and assisted those around me. We learned how to start fires without matches. I started mine several times her way then I started it my way  - still no matches. I asked if she had seen a fire by friction set. Not sure if it works - they only produce smoke was her answer. You see, I am a Firecrafter and a proud one too. I have witness young men building their sets then starting their fires. It's a skill of persistence.
We learned to cook in a dutch oven, however she was short a tool to lift the lid - just use a pot holder. A pair of vise grips work too if not welding gloves. We talked about knife safety. Well, we talked that young people shouldn't touch a knife - wow. We learned to set up a tent and that walking on it while laying on the ground is just fine.
Somehow I managed to smile throughout my training. I often thought what the Boys Scouts back in Indiana would say if they saw me learning the skills that I helped some of them with. It turned into my own inside joke. The trainer asked me after our session if I would help her train. Sure, why not. However, I have a suggestion. Instead of assuming a person knows nothing of what you teach, why don't you include their knowledge in your training.
Everyone has skills that they bring to the table. We all have something that we do well and are willing to share. It is an insult to toss aside what the next person knows instead of learning what they know and possibly honing it into what works best for your group or situation.
I must admit that I have struggled trying to fit my round Scout self into the square Scout hole here. I have often thought of walking away and not caring. However, I can't do that. I can't do that to my Scouts. I value the girls in my troop and hopefully I will finally settle into a great relationship with my boys. Youth can teach us all so much but I can't teach them that it's easy to give up and walk away. They have too many role models teaching that now.

It's the Art of the Brew

My husband brewed beer yesterday. He is a proud member of that quickly growing group of homebrewers. It is not a cheap way to make some booze but more like an art form. I liken it to a pastry chef making the best desserts or a chef creating a masterpiece. Let's put it this way, too much time and effort goes into making that perfect beer to be wasted on calling it cheap booze.
He brewed from grains which is more complicated than from any of his malt extract kits. He set up his kitchen just outside our garage and cooked all day. He had to bring his grain to a boil and cook for so long. Even the water is prepared in a caring way. Then he transferred it to another pot and had more cooking to do. Hops were added and the chemical balance of his beer was constantly checked. A couple of more hours passed before his beer was ready to put in his carboy to start its first stages of fermenting. Truly a chef working on his masterpiece.
Can you tell that he has done this quite often? He has been doing this for many years now. Actually, the last few years he basically moth balled his equipment claiming he had no time to brew. With all that was going on with his job at the time, I suspect there was no heart to put into either.
I am an avid sewer. I can get lost in my sewing room creating something special out of a couple pieces of fabric. I have made toys, clothing, costumes and a few quilts. I lose complete track of time when I step into my sewing room. I guess it's like that with my husband and his brewing. Watching that satisfaction the he has as he brews. The constant checking of his latest masterpiece as it ferments. The schedules that he follows to make the perfect brew. His life's wish is to open a bed and breakfast somewhere South and serve his fine beers. I hope we can attain that for him.
However, this time he handed me the spent grains to make something more out of it. I perused several dog biscuit recipes and found the perfect one. Now my dog is begging constantly to get his treats. But he has to fight my kids for them too. Yes, my kids. See, the treats are made with spent grains, flour, egg and peanut butter. This bakes into a wonderful treat that apparently my kids kind of like too. I can't wait to get a phone call from school asking why I am feeding my kids dog treats. I guess I had better check their snacks tomorrow.