A new bottle bobs among the waves….

Sand castles, seashells, strawberry fields, first roller coaster rides, tire swings, firecrackers, flip flops, sunblock, ice cream cones, moving vans, bubble wrap, sad good-byes, hopeful greetings, green swimming pools with frogs, playgrounds, zoo trips, s’mores, glow sticks, campfires, leaf collections and the sound of rain on our tent.  These memories (and so many more) I will cherish when I look back at the Summer of ‘09.  As I toss yet another bottle out into the swirling currents of our wake, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on my life and how rich it has become.  I am so thankful everyday for my loved ones and the joy they bring to my life.  It’s been a great summer… and now I turn toward the future with great anticipation.  Fall arrives today at 5:18pm EST, and on the horizon I can catch glimpses of all the wonderful memories that have yet to be made.  My favorite time of the year is upon us…  Let the fun begin!

She put the "labor" in Labor Day….

“You’ve got this… You’ve got this… You’ve GOT to GET this!” I muttered to myself as I stood amidst a field of camping paraphenalia that I had hauled from our perfectly good, air conditioned home a few hours before.  In a moment that I can only describe as INSANITY, I had assured my husband that it would be “no problem” to set out early on Friday with two small children and a minivan of necessities to our campsite at Lake Martin while he finished up his classes and lectures.  I would set up everything, play with the kids a while and see him in the late afternoon… no problem!  Fast forward to the present where the sounds, smells, and creatures of the woods were surrounding me… indeed were very nearly eating me alive as I clenched the instructions to our eight man tent in my sweating hand and swatted the air with the other.  Several indistinguishable nylon mounds were strewn about, along with a couple of dozen poles of various lengths.  One could only assume that they were vital to the actual construction of said tent…. The crew sat on a nearby picnic table eyeing me dubiously as I threw what I hoped was a cheerful “Mommy will put the tent up, and then after that we’ll have fun, fun, FUN!”  I cringed as I heard the  desperation from the last word still hanging in the air, and threw a quick glance over my shoulder to see if I had fooled The Crew…. from the look of alarm on their faces, I could see that I had not. 
Two hours, four packs of fruit chews, two juice boxes, several coats of bug spray (12 hours protection my ass!), and one potential deal made with the Devil as he passed thru on his way to Georgia later, I stood back… scraped the sweat laden hair from my eyes, and admired my work.  This small patch of Alabama dirt… had become mine. I had conquered the Alabama wilderness and built my family… well, maybe “home” was a stretch… but a definite zone..yes, "Zone of Comfort”!  Channeling Tom Hanks from the movie “Castaway” I danced around thumping my chest and declaring to the emptiness “I… I have made SHELTER!”  It was a heady moment to say the least.  The Crew who had abandoned all hope and retired down by the lake to throw rocks, and most likely discuss their current chances of survival, came running back and immediately inquired “Are we having fun now?”   Well, I know what our answer to that question is…. now you be the judge!! Happy Labor Day!