Alabama's Graceland

Before we had jobs, Em and I knew we wanted to live here. Em accepted her job on Friday, and I accepted my job the following Wednesday. It would only be on God's perfect timing that we were both working girls. My friends refer to my new home as the "plantation", and everyone in Huntsville knows of the "15 acres on Whitesburg". The Flemmings are Rocket City Royalty.

Enchanted Entrance. The Last Song when Miles is hanging out of the window.

Wishing Well, come swing with me.

The Plantation.

Psalm 118:24

"This is the day that the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it."

Week of Birthdays

Sunday, July 25: PawPaw

Tuesday, July 27: Amanda

Wednesday, July 28; Doug

Thursday, July 29: Stephanie

Saturday, July 31: La

PawPaw: I missed burgers on Sunday after Church because I was helping with a Bridal Tea, but I called my Grandfather to apologize for missing on his birthday celebration and to wish him a Happy Day. He mentioned my upcoming Birthday and the day I was born. At that time, he owned a tire store in Huntsville, and on August 2, 1988, he proudly displayed, “It’s a girl! Chasley Malena” on his marquis. Well PawPaw, I’m sorry I don’t have a marquis to tell the city of Huntsville it’s your birthday. The best I have to offer is a section on my Blog. Thanks for all the birthday posters you have given me in the past, and I am holding out for a Justin Bieber 26 x 40 this year, so here’s your advertisement on my piece of property.

“Here’s to you Felix Lymon! 204 pounds, 68 inches and Rough as a Cobb. Hope you have a blessed 74th”

Amanda: “If Jesus is my Rock, You are my Pebble.” I couldn’t sum you up any better. Thanks for all those “Seeing the Light” talks you’ve had with me, and Lynette Bellomy would like to thank you too. Thanks for never backing down and giving me your honest, caring opinion, and thanks for answering my almost everyday 12 o’clock phone call. You mean the world to me, and like I said on your Facebook wall, “I don’t know how I am making it in Alabama without you.”

Doug: Readers, I introduced you to Doug back in January. He’s the one I credit for bringing me out of my shell. Doug, thanks so much for still taking the time to meet at the park and for breakfast. Today is your birthday, and I hope you are having an amazing day now that you are back from California!

Stephanie: “Heads Carolina, Tails Carolina!” I love our road trips, and I can’t wait to be reunited for a weekend in Birmingham next month. You are my first forever friend at Auburn, and I thank God for placing you in my Pi Chi group. He knew I couldn't be without you in my life any longer. Never stop being the sweet, sweet girl you are, and thanks for sharing all your good music.

La: Last night we talked and it had been way too long. We were past due for a catch up. I’m sorry I won’t be able to make it to Atlanta on Saturday for your Birthday, but PLEASE know I will be there in spirit, and more than willing to celebrate when you get back to Alabama. It was music to my hears when you said you would be back in north Alabama in August, because I haven’t liked us being apart for the past year. Happy Birthday on Saturday Lauren Janzen. I will be calling.

Singin' B

Every summer when I was growing up, I would spend a week with Derek and Rebecca in Auburn. Rebecca and I would shop in Atlanta, get pedicures, have dinner with her friends and run at the Coliseum. It became a tradition in middle school that carried on until I went to school at Auburn. But the first trip of the tradition was an adjustment. When I was sent back to Scottsboro, my Dad and Bec were e-mailing. She stated something to the effect of I never “shut up”. I never stopped singing. This was before Anna Margaret entered their lives, and they were comfortable with their quite, calm house. But it’s true. I sing all the time. I always have, and I have been involved in a choir since I was a toddler. So when my cousin popped the question, and they started making wedding plans, they asked me to sing at their summer nuptials. I’m preparing myself for August the twenty-first. The song is beautifully composed by Scott Allen, and I am so excited to be singing in my HOME-town.

3 Days of Wishes

On Sunday, July 20, 1969, Neil Armstrong, Michael Collins and Edwin E. Aldrin made history with the Apollo 11 and NASA. These efforts placed the United States a step ahead of the Soviet Union in the Cold War Space Race. But in a small rural town, where clocks tick and cattle graze, it was the Bellomy Reunion, and A.J. Bellomy welcomed his baby girl into the world. No doubt he was moon walkin’ with joy as the “Third Sunday in July” became a celebration of the birth of his daughter. Rebecca Ann completed the day. She’s the best aunt a girl could ever have. She ‘s more than my Aunt; she’s the sister I have never had. Becdie Boo, you’ll never know how much I love you, and I am sorry I am three days late, BUT don’t you know that my Celebration Blackberry Message of your life was bright and early Tuesday morning. Rise and shine to the Birthday Girl, you were the first thing I thought of on Tuesday, July 20, 2010.

Steel Magnolias on Stage

Em the RN

Throughout mine and Em’s friendship, I have had the wonderful opportunity to spend time with and get to know her family, and it was the Fourth of July two years ago when I met Ann. Em’s aunt has a house on Lake Jordan, and it is tradition every year that the Harmon’s spend the red, white and blue celebration together. This also marked the start of Em Driving + Chas Riding = Blue Light Special, and I don’t mean the blueberries on the Flag cake. Ann immediately made me feel like part of the family. She’s one of those people you feel like you have known forever, and she immediately made me feel like I was with my own family. Ann, from day one you took me in as one of your own. Thank you for making me feel like an insider and treating me like family.

Ann wrote this poem for Em and read it at Em’s graduation party at the Lake. It's pretty fantastic.

In Honor of Emily

The time has come for us to cheer!

You have graduated and the real world is “somewhat” near.

It’s on to saving lives and fixing folks

What an awesome responsibility, and that’s no joke.

The genes were there, we knew this was true,

For you to follow in footsteps of only an elite few,

From Great Great Aunt Virginia, to Reaunt, to your truly, Aunt Ann

And lets don’t forget our Jayne Hitt, the best nurse in the land.

In salute of this accomplishment and all of its glory

This historical gift tells the beginning of the story.

So hang your award right along beside these

(If it goes with the room and the eye it will please)

Then stand by admiring; it’s OK to show pride

In knowing that YOU now belong to a very special tribe.

O the things you will see, the things you will do as you begin the journey,

Some good, some bad; and some just plain funny!

The strong and the weak, the rich and the poor; you will care for them all.

Trouble knocks on anyone’s door.

And when you get weary, and trust me you might

You still have a place where there’s really no strife

There’s no stressing or troubles and worries are few

It’s a place you can come if you’re feelin’ a little blue

If there’s just one thing I really must say

In giving the best advice that I know how to say

As simple as it is and elementary too,

Just remember to “Do unto others as you’d have them do unto you.”

For this isn’t a job in the usual way

The work is hard; there’s acceptable pay

There’s so much at stake, the rewards humbling and great,

In knowing for others, what a difference YOU can make

So I’m handing it all on over to you-

The symptoms, complaints, BP checks and the flu.

You’re it for our family-the new nurse in charge

We’re all getting old and our health problems could get large.

Nothing you can’t handle; nothing you ain’t got

I’m sure you’ve paid attention and know QUITE A LOT!!!!

Well once again; I’ve gone too long

I still hate to close and still want to sing a song

But this is about you and not about me, so here are my parting words to our Emily…

You’re called Emily, Emi and Em-bem by your dad,

But from here ever after you’ll have another to add

So use it with pride from beginning to end

‘Cause here’s to you Emily Catherine Harmon, RN

With love and pride on May 14, 2010 and always,

Aunt Ann

Lyrical Truths

When I Get Where I’m going by Brad Paisley and Dolly Parton-“I’m gonna walk with my granddaddy, and he’ll match me step for step, and I’ll tell him how I missed him every minute since he left. Then I’ll hug his neck.”

Feels Just Like It Should by Pat Green-“Well you got your good looks, and you got your style, and I got a reputation, don’t you worry about that. Just give me a chance, and we’re never gonna ever look back.”

New Strings by Miranda Lambert-“All the things make you mad, and all the baggage in you past don’t leave much room for a girl like me to be.”

Sober by Pink-“Silence scares me because it screams the truth.”

Where the Green Grass Grows by Tim McGraw-“I’m gonna live where the green grass grows, watch my corn pop up in rows and every night being tucked in close to you.”

Don’t Get Me Started by Rhett Adkins-“If you don’t want to hear how the waters parted, then don’t get me started.”

Hey, Soul Sister by Train-“Girl, you can cut a rug, and watching you is the only drug I need.”

Love Get Me Everytime by Shania Twain-“I was quiet content just a-payin’ my own rent. It was my place. I needed my space. I was free to shop around in no rush to settle down. I had it covered.”

Legacy by Nicole Nordeman-“Not well traveled, not well read, not well-to-do or well bred. I just want to hear instead, “Well Done” good and faithful one.”

Portions for Foxes by Milo Kiley-“And you’re bad news, my friends tell me to leave you, that you’re bad new, bad new, bad new.”

The Best Day by Taylor Swift-“And Daddy’s smart and you’re the prettiest lady in the whole wide world.”

Don’t Close Your Eyes by Keith Whitley-“Darling just once, let yesterday go, and you’ll find more love than you’ve ever known.”

Shadowfeet by Brooke Fraser-“When the world has fallen out from under me, I’ll be found in you, still standing.”

Only Prettier by Miranda Lambert-“And even though I don’t belong with your high life friends, it doesn’t mean we don’t get together and try to make amends.”

If You Ain’t Got Love by Dolly Parton-“What good is wealth and fame, fine clothes and diamond rings? It’s just don’t mean a thing if you ain’t got love.”

Mama, I'm Alright by Miranda Lambert-"I'm strong just like you'd prayed I'd be."

I’ll Stay Me by Luke Bryan-“My Granny and PawPaw, still missing Hee Haw.”

Glitter in the Air by Pink-“Have you ever hated yourself for staring at the phone? Your whole life waiting on the ring to prove you’re not alone.”

Slice by Five for Fighting-“Have you read my blog today?”

Bed Buddies

I do love sharing the covers, but before we go any further, lets clarify that it has NEVER been with a boy. I will only wake up to ONE guy. Maybe it was two years of close quarters in Mary Lane and Berta Dunn that made me realize I don’t like sleeping alone, so Christmas Break of my freshman year, I nestled myself between my parents for three weeks. There I was between Keith and Lynette chanting, “There was 3 in the bed and the little one said, ROLL OVER, ROLL OVER!” My friends ragged on me after I told them of my “cozy” Christmas, so all this to say, I’m still not over being alone in the AM. My last month at Auburn, I was bunny hopping between Annie, Jordon and Emily’s room. It was great. I never had to make my bed. The girls were together this past weekend for a visit to Huntsville, and the tradition was no different. As Em dozed off while Annie tried to decide whom to sleep with, I pleaded, “Look at Sleeping Beauty, she doesn’t care, I am BEGGING for you!” Anne made the right decision and sweet dreamed under my Bella blanket. Even Anna Margaret sometimes gives me trouble. As I beg her to sleep with me while we are all staying at Mama B’s, she’ll say, “you don’t have a TV in your room”. I try to compromise saying we will just talk, but she won’t have any of it. She’d rather be beside Bec watching Demi Lovato. So, I am packing my bags for a weekend at the lake with my family, and earlier today, I told Bec to tell Anna Margaret she’ll be sleeping with me at the cabin, because I will have a TV in my room.