Lost

We backed out of our driveway Thanksgiving morning heading to visit family for the traditional festivities. If you remember, Thanksgiving Day was rather cool to point of needing some "bundling" when playing outside. As we traveled down the road about 3 miles, we ran up on 3 cars that had stopped.

While getting closer to the cars, I realized what the situation was. A little boy about 2 years old was found wandering in the road...North Old Canton Road, mind you. Those who had stopped had not even had time to get him out of the road as he was skeptical to approach them because they were strangers. JB and I stopped to offer any help. The one lady that had stopped picked the little boy up and was trying to get him to talk, to no avail. He had a shy face which gave no clue to where he may have come from. Luckily, he had on a heavy coat as if he had been playing outside.

While one of the men was talking to a 911 dispatcher, JB and I turned around to knock on doors of the nearest neighborhood. As we pulled into the neighborhood, we saw a girl about 10 years old running down the street calling his name. We asked her if she was looking for a little boy about 2 years old. With tears in her eyes, she said yes and ask where he was. I told her that he was fine but we needed to know where his parents were. She directed us to her house where 2 adults were getting in there car to search for him. We told them the little boy was up the road about 100 yards. The immediately jumped in their car.

At this point in the story, I need to make note of some things that I observed. I in no way want to judge the adults but found some circumstances questionable. (I call them adults because I don't know if they were his parents.) The lady appeared to possibly be his mom but the man that was with her looked quite younger than she. One of the situations that I observed was that the little boy was dressed in a heavy coat. However, none of those that were looking for him were dressed in warm clothes at all. The young girl and the Mom were dressed in shorts and a t-shirt with no shoes, while the young man was dressed in blue jeans and a t-shirt. I mention this to point out, that none of them were dressed to have been outside with this child. Also, this child had wandered at least 100 to 150 yards away from the house. I wonder at which point they realized he was missing. The little girl was searching the opposite way of where he was. She also had walked a good way in looking for him, while the adults were still at the house. Again, I don't judge nor am I speculating any kind of abuse or neglect. I too know how quickly children can get away from you especially when trying to keep my eyes on 2 toddlers. My heart stops every time I can't find one for a split second and then realize they are only behind a tree or my vision of them is blocked by something else.

The adults raced to the little boy where she hugged him while crying. They never took the little girl, I assume she stayed at the house. JB and I didn't stop to find out the circumstances, instead we just drove on by. The police had not yet shown up and I don't even know if they cancelled the call.

I cried for the next few miles just imagining if that had been one or both of my boys. This child was wandering on a very busy road. It's literally a miracle of God that he was not hit and killed. People do not obey the speed limit in that area as it goes from the city limits to the county. For that very reason, it tends to be ignored by the police and sheriff's department. It is also a miracle that some crazy sex offender or some crazed citizen didn't kidnap him to which no one would have been witnessed to.

This situation further enforced in me the guard that I must keep when my boys are playing outside or playing anywhere that they can easily walk away. I can't imagine this situation happening to me.

I post this situation to also make parents aware of just what can happen, even in our "little, safe" town that was named one of the top 10 cities to live in the USA.

Until next time, keep watch, HB

This Year's Thanksgiving Experience

I'm ashamed to say that I don't even have a picture of us from our Thanksgiving festivities. I left my camera, which is a rarity, at home. Regardless, the memories are still just as personal and sentimental.

Wednesday night, I had my parents, Tiffany and her family over for our traditional Taco Thanksgiving. As you will read, I am an advocate for non-traditional food at traditional holidays. We had a great time enjoying each other's company as the "little ones" played.

We left about 9:00 Thursday morning heading to eat with JB's grandparents, Granny and Grandaddy. We always meet them at their closest Cracker Barrel for Thanksgiving lunch. This is actually rather nice. There is no rush and stress in fixing a huge meal of turkey, dressing, cranberry sauce, and all other fixing that we feel are a necessity in order to have a successful Thanksgiving meal. We actually walked in, waited about 5 minutes and were then seated to eat. The food was good and the fellowship was better. There is no cleaning up afterwards and wondering what to do with the leftovers that eventually get thrown out. We then went to Granny and Grandaddy's house and spent most of the afternoon. The boys wore GiGi out as she usually spends every moment they are awake playing with them. After our visit with them, we left for Nonna's.

We actually rode around for awhile to allow the boys a power nap since they did not take one at Granny and Grandaddy's. We arrived at Nonna's about 5:30 and was greeted with hugs from JB's extended family that we usually only see about 2 to 3 times a year. Some of the men were hunting and didn't arrive until about 7:00. The traditional meal at Nonna's is soup, chili, and sandwiches. Again, I love this tradition. I guess since I grew up eating the traditional meal, I got a little burned out and enjoy the non-traditional meals. We left Nonna's at 9:00 which made for a long ride home. We didn't get home until midnight.

The next morning the boys and I got up and headed to my grandmother's, Mammaw. We visited there for most of the afternoon and returned to my parents about 6. The boys took a nap on the way home. I must admit by this time, I was exhausted. My parents, the boys and I went out to eat Friday night to avoid the clean up that comes along with eating at home. Lazy? You bet, especially by this time. I don't mind admitting it...the easiest way out. Sometimes it pays to "pay" for convenience.

JB left Friday morning heading back to his family for a weekend of hunting. He didn't kill one deer but enjoyed his visit, regardless, with the exception of seeing the Tide get rolled on by the Auburn Tigers. Sorry for the loss to my Tide family.

I have to add, Go Dawgs!

Until next time, I hope those who Gobbled til you Wobbled had a great Thanksgiving, HB

And they came 2 by 2

Things seem to come in multiples for me these days. I have just added a profile to Facebook in order to keep up with more friends. This makes for 2 social networks, Facebook and MySpace. I have 2 blogs that I manage...4 if you count the blogs I post on MySpace and now I can post on Facebook. However, typically the post are all the same from one blog to another. 2 email accounts that I manage. 2 monogramming machines. And of course what keeps the busiest...my twin boys!

I have enjoyed reuniting with friends through the social networks and I enjoy blogging. I even have family on both networks that I tend to keep up more through the networks than real life. Sad, but true. I could actually have a family reunion through MySpace. I have 7 family members as "friends" listed on their and 2 family members on Facebook.

It's fun seeing friends from the past with their new families. And watching their lives continue and grow, virtually. Does that mean we are living in virtual reality? I know it's not personal, but it's the best there is when our lives are so busy and some live in other parts of the country and world.

Well, I must go now. I have to check all my other virtual reality lives.

Until next time, HB

Hollypops Monogrammed Gifts

Here is a blog I think some of you might enjoy viewing. Hollypops Monogrammed Gifts.... www.hollypopsgifts.blogspot.com

Until next time, HB

It's All about God and Not Me!

I have been reading "It's not about Me" by Max Lucado for the 4th time. Those in my Sunday School Class have heard me refer to this book and know how much I enjoy reading it. Every time I read it, I am still amazed at how it speaks to me not only new words but also reminders. In this society we are constantly taught that the world and life revolves around me _______ (add your name in the blank). We have a sense of entitlement, "I deserve better, bigger, more!" We whine about how it's not fair. We don't admit any fault of our own, instead we are quick to blame everyone else for our faults, disappointments, anger, losses, and any other "bad" that happens in our life. Our nation is the most "sue happy" nation proving that we as a society believe in making others suffer for their mistakes and our "bad happenings". Don't get me wrong, I believe in justice and consequences for one's actions, but NOTHING is owed to us. We believe that the church should serve us, the government should serve us, our neighbors should serve us. When the truth is, we are here to serve through Christ.

We all want our voices heard. And there lies the problem...it's our voice and not God's.

Did you know that God didn't create the human race in order to have a universe of comfortable people? As Lucado writes, "our comfort is not God's priority...if we are the marquee event how do we explain disease, slumping economies, natural disasters." "If God exists to please us, then shouldn't we always be pleased?"

He also acknowledges that "when God looks at the center of the universe, he doesn't look at me or you, instead he points to the Son-his Son- and says 'Behold the center of it all!"----This statement knocks to me my knees every time I read it. What a jolt of reality.

And finally for this blog, Lucado further acknowledges and reveals to us, "God does not exist to make a big deal out of us. We exist to make a big deal out of Him. It's not about you. It's not about me. It's all about HIM!" Another knee falling realization.

If you haven't read this book, I highly encourage you to do so. If you are like me and have read it before, I encourage you to read it again.

I hope to post more as I read along...this also provides accountability for my "quiet time".

Until next time, HB

Ways to Maintain A Healthy Level of Insanity

Ways To Maintain A Healthy Level Of Insanity

1. At lunch time, sit in your parked car with sunglasses on and point a hair dryer at passing cars. See if they slow down.

2. Page yourself over the intercom. Don't disguise your voice.

3. Every time someone asks you to do something, ask if they want fries with that.

4. Put your garbage can on your desk and label it "IN."

5. Put decaf in the coffee maker for 3 weeks. Once everyone has gotten over their caffeine addictions, switch to espresso.

6. In the MEMO field of all your checks, write "For smuggling diamonds."

7. Finish all of your sentences with "In accordance with the prophecy." 8. Don't use any punctuation

9. As often as possible, skip rather than walk.

10. Order a diet water whenever you go out to eat. Keep a serious face.

11. Specify that your drive-through order is "to go."

12. Sing along at the opera.

13. Go to a poetry recital and ask why the poems don't rhyme.

14. Put mosquito netting around your work area and play tropical sounds all day.

15. Five days in advance, tell your friends you can't attend their party because you're not in the mood.

16. When the money comes out of the ATM, scream "I WON! I WON!"

17. Have your coworkers address you by your wrestling name, Rock Bottom.

18. When leaving the zoo, start running towards the parking lot, yelling "Run for your lives! They're LOOSE!"

19. Tell your children over dinner "Due to the economy, we are going to have to let one of you go."

Poor Gizmo

The following is a play-by-play test of Gizmo's patience. I must say that she was pretty docile during this game. She usually fights back with a growl, snap, and then running away from the competition. I guess this game she was willing to let the boys win.

Until next time...Run, Gizmo, HB

Newest Version of "My Favorite Things" by Julie Andrews

I received the following through an email. I do not know if it is legit but I will say that it is funny. Hope you enjoy:

Julie Andrews new version of "My Favorite Things!" It wouldn't be funny if it wasn't so true... Julie Andrews turned 69 - To commemorate her 69th birthday on October 1, actress/vocalist, Julie Andrews made a special appearance at Manhattan's Radio City Music Hall for the benefit of the AARP. One of the musical numbers she performed was "My Favorite Things" from the legendary movie "The Sound of Music." Here are the actual lyrics she used:

Maalox and nose drops and needles for knitting,
Walkers and handrails and new dental fittings,
Bundles of magazines tied up in string,
These are a few of my favorite things.

Cadillacs and cataracts, and hearing aids and glasses,
Polident and Fixodent and false teeth in glasses,
Pacemakers, golf carts and porches with swings,
These are a few of my favorite things.

When the pipes leak,
When the bones creak,
When the knees go bad,
I simply remember my favorite things,
and then I don't feel so bad.

Hot tea and crumpets and corn pads for bunions,
No spicy hot food or food cooked with onions,
Bathrobes and heating pads and hot meals they bring,
These are a few of my favorite things.

Back pains, confused brains, and no need for sinnin',
Thin bones and fractures and hair that is thinnin',
And we won't mention our short, shrunken frames,
When we remember our favorite things.

When the joints ache,
When the hips break,
When the eyes grow dim,
then I remember the great life I've had,
And then I don't feel so bad.

(Ms. Andrews received a standing ovation from the crowd that lasted over four minutes and repeated encores.)

Until next time, HB

Be Afraid, Be Very Afraid...

WARNING! The picture below is not for the easily scared. I mean, this picture really puts the SCARY in SCAREcrow.

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BOO!

As you can see, the boys were very scary scarecrows for Halloween this year. Mom and I (mostly my mom) worked on their costumes Halloween Day. It's a wonder they even had costumes this year, as busy as I have been. Regardless, we had fun at our church's Fall Festival. CB enjoyed the hayride, inflatable slide and the playground slide. BB enjoyed the food. JB spent most of the time with CB while I spent most of the time with BB because they enjoyed separate things. Aunt Angie hung out for awhile and Meme and Pappaw were there to show off their "grand-scarecrows". I took the boys to a couple of neighbors to trick or treat after the Fall Festival.

As much as I enjoy the Fall Festival our church sponsors and appreciate the hard work that it involves from the members, I must say that I do miss the old fashion trick or treating in the neighborhood. I think we may try both next year.

I have added a few pics of Alex and Abbey in their costumes. FYI, they are cousins. They enjoyed the old fashion trick or treating as a family in their neighborhood. Alex was a Snow Princess, Abbey a chicken and Chopper even dressed up...he was UGA the Georgia Bulldog.

Until next time, HB