Well, Hello There

I probably deserve the award for the worst blogger of the week, but I've fallen on busy times and unfortunately, the blog was placed on the back burner. I'm comforted by the fact that the blogs I most frequent have also been a little slack this week so at least I'm not the only one.

I think I mentioned that when I got back from vacation I was given the lead on a program at work and so I've spent the last two and a half weeks trying to get up to speed on that in addition to my keeping up with the other programs I work on. So, to say that I've been busy at work is a bit of an understatement. I've very grateful for the opportunity and welcome the new challenge. The only issue is that when I get home in the evenings I just don't feel like getting on the computer again so I've got to find a happy medium somehow.

Also this week I've started a new class at the gym. Since January I've been trying to get a Women on Weights Class started at the Y. I actually paid for the class that was slated for a January start, but then it was cancelled because the instructor had foot surgery (I can relate). After she came back from surgery she tried to start the class again but I was the only taker, then I went on vacation and long story short, we finally started the class this week when we had five people (including myself) sign up. It's a strength and conditioning class and we meet with a personal trainer two nights a week for six weeks. So far we've met twice and I have really enjoyed it.

I don't recall if I mentioned it or not, but when I got back from vacation, my lawn mower pooped out on me. I started mowing one night and after about three laps around the yard the mower just decided to stop. Thankfully my cousin Chris and his wife Amy came over on Monday night and Chris was able to get the mower working again. I was thrilled because I did not want to have to pay someone to mow the grass again or possibly buy a new mower or possibly pay lots of money for someone to take a look at it. So, I was and remain very grateful that Chris was able to get it up and running again.

I think that's about all for now, although there seems like there should be more since I've been scare around these parts. I suppose work has taken up most of my time lately and I assure you, that's not good blogging material.

I hope you all have a nice and relaxing weekend and with any luck, I'll do a better job of posting next week! Until then...

The New Winner Is...

So, I never heard from one of the winners of the last giveaway and I've chosen a new winner. Since I'm about 90% sure none of the people who stopped by as a result of Sophie's tweet will check back in, I'm drawing from comments two thru five because I know all of those folks and don't want to have to draw a third time. Hey, it's my blog.

The new winner is comment number 5, islandblessings.

I'll be in touch with the new winner soon. In the meantime, I will attempt to find more than five minutes of free time and post something worth reading soon.

Have a nice Wednesday!

Busy as a Bee

Let me tell you, people, I have been super busy at work lately which makes me a terrible blogger because when I've got my head stuck in front of a computer all day, it's about the last thing I want to do when I get home in the evenings. Nevertheless, I have stopped in to say hello. 

Since I didn't update you much at the end of last week, I guess I should start there. On Thursday afternoon I met my cousin-in-law (or do you just say cousin?) Amy for a matinee showing of the Great Gatsby. I had it on my list of movies to see but since it came out right before I left for vacation, there wasn't much time. So, I was happy to go see it with Amy and we both really enjoyed it. I wasn't sure how I would like it and actually enjoyed it a lot more than I thought I would, which was a pleasant surprise. 

After Amy and I went to the movie, I went home for about an hour and then met Amy's daughter, my cousin Alexandra for some karaoke. It has been years since I've done karaoke and it was one of my favorite things to do years ago. Jackie went too and we stayed for about two hours, leaving for home around 11:00 p.m., which is late for a work night. Thankfully, I wasn't too tired the next morning. 

On Friday, after work, I stopped by Lowe's to pick up a few things for my little landscaping project in the area of the yard where I plan to bury The Tide's ashes. I think I mentioned that my aunt bought me an azalea and so I wanted to get a couple more to plant with the one she gave me. I also needed some other supplies for my little project and so I picked up a few things, and left the rest for my trip to the Home Depot on Saturday morning because there were a few things Lowe's didn't have and I didn't have a lot of time and needed to scoot on home. 

When I finally arrived home, Jackie was waiting on me because we once again volunteered for the Salvation Army truck run to feed the homeless. It was once again an humbling and rewarding experience and we were thankful we had the opportunity to serve others and be more appreciate of all the Lord has given us. After we did the truck run, we went to Ted's BBQ and got some dinner for ourselves. We sat outside as it was a nice evening - somehow we have lucked out this year and the weather hasn't been ridiculously hot yet which has been a nice blessing. After dinner we parted ways and I spent the rest of the evening watching TV and doing laundry. 

Saturday morning I met the care group I was in at my old church for breakfast at Ryan's. First of all, I'm not a fan of buffets, they kind of give me the creeps. Furthermore, the buffet at Ryan's was almost $9 and I wasn't very hungry and didn't want to spend $9 for one pancake and a slice of bacon. So, I elected not to eat and instead just visited with my dear friend Pat and the other people who were there. It was really nice to see all the folks there and catch up with them. Afterwards I went to Home Depot and bought a few more things for my project. 

I spent the rest of the day doing a whole lot of nothing. I did manage to get some cleaning done and finished up the laundry. Sydney came a little before 6:00 and after her mother left she started crying and ended up crying herself to sleep. I put her to bed and thought to myself, "I sure hope she doesn't wet the bed," since she fell asleep so early and sure enough about 3:00 a.m. I was awoken by Sydney who had wet the bed. I gave her a change of clothes, put the sheets in the wash and put her in bed with me. She then proceeded to hog up most of the space in the bed. A four-year old can sure take up a lot of room. 

Sunday we went to church and then had our weekly Mexican lunch with Josh, Alexandra, and Indigo. She left about 1:00 and soon after I was napping away. Sunday night after church I made a grocery store run and watched some TV and that was my weekend in a nutshell. Not too exciting, but not too dull either. 

This week I start a new class at the YMCA which should provide me with interesting material as most all workouts do. Hope everyone has a good week!

And The Winner Is

Thanks to everyone who entered the A Little Salty to Cut The Sweet Giveaway! Thanks to Sophie sending the link out via Twitter I had a lot of newcomers to the blog. Hopefully some of you will stop back by again. Thanks to all of you, I finally have a post that garnered more comments than the infamous Jim Brickman post!

The two winners of the giveaway are Paige who left comment number 23 and Margaret Stabler who left comment number 30. Please contact me at thechroniclesofnat@gmail.com about the details of your winnings.  If I don't hear from the winners by Wednesday, June 12, a new number will be drawn. I also apologize at how dumb these screen shots of random.org look. If you've stopped by here before then you know I have issues with trying to post these pictures.

I wish I could give you all a prize, but you know, money doesn't grow on trees and all that; but, I hope you will all check out Sophie's book because it truly is delightful.

Thanks again for stopping by and have a great weekend!

Ingrid, Is That You?

Monday night was the start of the 2013 season of Concerts in the Park at Big Spring Park in downtown Huntsville. It has been years since I had attended one of these concerts, but Sunday, my cousin Alexandra mentioned she was going and invited Jackie and I to come along and so we did and it was such a fun night.

I sent Jackie a text on Sunday night and asked her if she wanted to walk to the park from my house. I came up with the idea that I could pick her up from work (she works downtown) and then we would go to my house, walk to the park, enjoy the concert and then use her car parked downtown to get back home. She agreed and that's exactly what we did. I picked up sandwiches at Subway before I picked Jackie up so we could also enjoy some dinner while at the park. 

We left my house about 5:15 and headed towards the park. Before leaving we packed a backpack with drinks, our sandwiches and Chex Mix as well as our phones and Jackie's keys. I asked her to bring her key to my house so I wouldn't have to bring my keys along and she checked to make sure she had it before we left and I asked her again before shutting the door - you can never be to sure about these things. 

It took us about an hour or so to walk to the park. I, after all, am a slow walker. I think the distance is a little over three miles, but it's a lovely walk through Five Points, Old Town and downtown and so it didn't seem like it took as long as it did. 

When we arrived we staked out a spot under the trees. Alexandra and Indigo were running late and so I sent her a text to let her know where we were sitting. Our friend Maria, and later Denny, also joined us for the night. Not long after the first band started playing, a nice looking man was standing close by and it looked like he was searching the crowd for someone. He asked Jackie if her name was Ingrid. She said, no, sorry. He then told us that meeting someone for the first time at Concerts in the Park was probably not the best idea. Bless his heart, I hope he found Ingrid and she didn't stand him up. 

Alexandra and Indigo showed up around 7:00 or so and sat with us under the trees. We eventually moved to the grass because sitting on dead magnolia leaves was not comfortable on the backside. The two bands that played were really great and it was such a fun night. It wasn't too terribly warm out and after the sun went down it was actually comfortable. 

The concert wrapped up around 8:00 and we headed to Jackie's car and then back to my house. Jackie put her key in the door and it didn't budge. She tried another key and it still didn't budge, and long story short, she didn't have the house key and we were locked out. So, I called my dad and he graciously pulled himself away from the Women's College World Series and came to unlock the door. 

Concerts in the Park takes place each Monday night beginning at 6:30 at Big Spring Park in front of the Huntsville Museum of Art. It's a really fun event and I definitely plan on going again. The schedule for the rest of the summer is listed below, and I would like to add that I had no idea my late grandfather had a band. I cannot wait to check it out!

June 10 - Cristina Lynn, Tangled String Band
June 17 - Tropical Breeze Steel Band, The Brakers
June 24 - The 911 Reporters, Groove
July 1 - Strings of Pearl, Olde Towne Brass
July 8 - Jimmy Henderson, Bourbon & Shamrocks
July 15 - The Ben Parker Project, DiscOasis
July 22 - U.S. Army Materiel Command Bands
July 29 - Step Heavy, Jeff Whitlow and the Old Barn Band
August 5 - Winslow Davis, Mambo Gris Gris
August 12 - Ashley Smith, Rocket City Jazz Orchestra

Don't forget to enter for your chance to win a copy of Boo Mama's new book, A Little Salty to Cut the Sweet, as well as a lovely set of measuring spoons. Contest is open through Thursday night! Good luck! 

Indigo enjoying the night out on the town!

Book Review and Giveaway - A Little Salty to Cut the Sweet

~~ This Giveaway Is Now Closed ~~

Y'all, I'm so excited about today's review and giveaway. I've been looking forward to it for a long while and the day has finally come. 

I'm sure some of you, if not most, are familiar with The Boo Mama Blog written by the always delightful and hilarious Sophie Hudson. I first learned about Sophie's blog when I was standing in line at The Pioneer Woman's book signing way back in ye olden days of 2009 and started reading it soon after and have been a loyal reader ever since. While Sophie originally hails from Mississippi (and is a fierce Bulldogs fan I might add), she now resides in Birmingham with her husband and son. Today, Tuesday, June 4, Sophie's book, A Little Salty to Cut the Sweet comes out and I'm just as happy as can be to share a little bit about it with you. 

Back in January I emailed Sophie and she was kind enough to put me on her advance book list. I wanted to do a book review and host a giveaway for her debut book. As luck would have it, the day after The Tide went on to doggie heaven, I had a package on my front porch and it was a copy of Sophie's book as well as some other little surprises. It gave me a much needed smile in the midst of such sadness. 

I started reading the book while I was on vacation and finished up soon after and y'all, the book is just as fun as her blog. Sophie definitely has a knack for storytelling and if you love her blog, then you will love her book as well. She focuses primarily on the older generations of her family, telling quirky stories that quite honestly could have come from my own family. As I was reading the book, I laughed out loud and sometimes laughed silently until tears formed in my eyes. Her book also caused me to cry at times and at other times just made me think deeply - I know, it's scary isn't it? Sophie tells her stories with such love and detail that I feel like I could walk into one of her family reunions and just feel right at home with her people. If you are anything like me and love a good story, then you will really love this book. Throughout the book, Sophie also mentions various favorite scriptures or how she felt God working in her life during the time frame of the story she is telling and perhaps it will cause you to look back on your life and see God working through you and your loved ones as well. 

At the end of the book, Sophie includes a few recipes that are suitable for any Sunday Dinner on the Grounds and they all look scrumptious and I hope to cook one or all of them soon. She says in the introduction to the recipes that she originally didn't intend to include any recipes, but decided to and I, for one, am thankful she did because those are some mighty fine recipes she has printed in the pages of her book. Most of the recipes came from her mama, or her mama's friends and since those gals hail from Mississippi, well, you know it's full of Southern goodness. 

I tell you all of this to let you know that this week I am giving away two copies of Sophie's lovely and charming book as well as a set of measuring spoons which she sent me in the package I received early last month. As soon as I received my package, I loved, loved, loved, the measuring spoons and immediately decided I must find some similar to them to give away with the book and lo and behold, I found the exact ones thanks to The Google. The measuring spoons and books are on order and shipping to me soon and as soon as I have everything in hand, I'll be shipping out the prizes to not one, but two winners! All you need to do to enter is leave a comment on this post. I'll leave the comments open through Thursday at 11:59 p.m. Central and the winner will be announced on Friday morning after I crawl out of bed. Good luck everyone and if you happen not to win, please be sure and check out Sophie's book anyway. It is so good - you will love it! 

Adjusting

Well, it was my first full weekend back home after vacation and it had just enough activity to not totally tire me out. Tomorrow, however, will be my first full week back at work and I have no doubt the energy I saved over the weekend will be put to good use on the job.

On Friday afternoon, I took in a solo (that is by myself, not that I was the only one in the theater) showing of Star Trek Into Darkness and it was just as wonderful as I hoped it would be - review coming later in the week if I get around to it. After the movie, I met Jackie at I Love Sushi and we enjoyed some time together. I made it home around 8:30 and spent the rest of the evening watching TV and reading.

Saturday morning, I went over to Jackie's at 7:00 a.m. and we went to some yard sales that we were hoping would be fantastic but turned out to be less than stellar. After the yard sale run, we walked the track at the school to get in some exercise before it got blazing hot outside. We kept hoping the sun would hide behind a cloud, but we had no such luck.

After I dropped Jackie back off at home I stopped by the vet's office to pick up the remains of The Tide. I had her cremated and will be burying her in the backyard in the coming weeks. I have a little landscaping job I need to complete in the area where she will rest and want to get that completed before I lay her in her final resting place. I plan to have a memorial and invite a few people. It probably sounds kind of crazy to those of you who may not be animal lovers; but, to me, The Tide was practically like a person and I just want to have a little ceremony for her. I tried not to cry when I picked her up but, as you might expect, I did. In fact, there still hasn't been a day that I haven't cried. I miss that dog like crazy. When I come home I am so anxious to see her and then it hits me that she won't be there and it just breaks my heart. I meant to take her leftover medicine with me but left it at home so I will have to make another trip there soon to drop it off. They will be able to donate it to people who are not able to afford medicines and I am so thankful for that - even in her death she is still spreading love to others.

The rest of Saturday was kind of lazy. I did some laundry, took a nap and did a little cleaning. Sydney came over around 6:00 p.m. and we watched a couple of movies. She asked me, "Why did Tide have to be put to sleep?" and so I grabbed a tissue and tried not to sob like a baby and explained as best I could that The Tide was sick and she was not going to get better and it was the best thing I could have done for her so that she wouldn't suffer. I don't know if she understood or not, but hopefully she did a little.

Sydney fell asleep during the second movie and I put her in bed soon after. About 2:00 a.m. I heard footsteps which scared me until I remembered that she was at the house. She said she was ready to get up because she just wanted to be sure and get up early. I said, well, you can get up if you want to, but I'm staying right here. So, she pouted her way back to bed and was asleep soon after. Thankfully she didn't get up again until almost 7:00 and I was already awake at that point.

We enjoyed a morning at church and lunch with Alexandra, Josh and Indigo at Casa Blanca. She went home around 1:00 and I took my Sunday nap. After evening service I went to the grocery store. It was basically the first time I have been to the store since I've been back from vacation. I had picked up a few things last week so I could take lunch to work, but other than that I had not bought much so it was a big haul for me this week.

I hope the rest of you had a nice weekend as well. Tomorrow (Tuesday) I'll be hosting a giveaway, so I hope you will stop back by and check it out. Until then, have a great day!