From Muddy Bare Feet to Glamour and Heels...Okay, Flip Flops

I know I have stated it before, but time really does fly by. I completed my assignment in Meridian, Mississippi. So long mental health. No more threats from patients to stab my eye with a fork. I have had a little break in between and now I am heading to...drum roll please...Union Springs, Alabama. Woohoo!!! So, not my first choice but my only choice at the moment. I'll take it since a pay check accompanies the position. I will be living in Montgomery, Alabama and driving to Union Springs. At least I have friends in the area. It should be fun.



So how have I been occupying my time? I have been able to spend more time with my family and I have truly enjoyed that. I have had a blast with my niece and nephew and can't believe how quickly they are growing. I have also been enjoying watching my brother coach. There truly is nothing like high school football.



This past weekend I went with a group of people to the Bass Masters Tournament which included a free Zac Brown concert at the amphitheater in Montgomery. You would think that we would have been deterred by the rain, but not us. We were going rain or shine. So with chairs in hand and rain gear ready, off we went. Of course, as soon as we stepped out of our hotel to walk to the River Walk, it starts raining. We weren't the only crazy people there. It had been raining most of the day, so there was a good bit of mud. Now don't mistake me for prim and proper girl that is afraid of a little mud. You got it...rolled up the jeans, off with the shoes and right through the mud I went. I eventually gave up trying to stay dry and took off my poncho, which was providing minimal rain protection anyway. We were wet, covered in mud, and having a blast. If we didn't have to walk back into the hotel, I would have join in sliding down the hill in the mud. It was good mud too, right between the toes and on the face, in the ears, in the mouth, etc. It was fun to watch the wipe outs that occurred. When the lights came back on after the concert, it looked like a pasture that a bunch of cows had trampled through. Being the smart people we are and noticing the large body of water before us, we hung our legs over into the river and tried to wash off the mud. The concert itself was fun, but I am sure the rain and mud are what will make it memorable.

Saturday night kinda reminded me of Cinderella. One day all dirty and having to clean up after her step sisters the next day going to the ball. Saturday night we were all cleaned up and heading to the ball. Really, we went to a ball. My friend Seana is in an organization that has a ball every year. So with the men in their tuxes and the women in our gowns, we all headed to the country club to dance the night away. It was fun to have an excuse to put on a formal gown. Now I know that I am still young, but oh do I feel old some days. Me and heels don't do well after a while. Luckily my dress was to the floor and hid the fact that I chose to forgo heels and wear my flip flops instead. We had fun dancing and visiting with each other. It is always fun to bring out some old dance moves and create some new ones. Needless to say, after two long but very fun nights, I crashed.





After a long drive back to Mississippi on Sunday, the couch was calling my name. With football on in the background for my white noise, I took a very needed nap. So I am off to work this week. I am really ready to find where it is that I am going to be. I thought Meridian could be the place but not so sure. I am still waiting for God to take over my Tom-Tom and program my destination. I am sure He has a reason for me going to Union Springs. I will just have to wait and see what that is.

On the road again...just can't wait to get on the road again...

This past weekend I was able to attend my brother's first game coaching for the Whippets. Donning the Whippet school colors, we cheered him on. Laurel in her cheerleader suit and Cole with his football player shirt on, rooted on their daddy. The Whippets won their first game 15-0. I sure do hope this winning streak continues. Saturday I was able to spend a little time alone with Cole playing. He is such a different baby when big sister is not around to make him stay on guard. They are both such sweet children and I am so blessed to an aunt!!





Saturday I drove back to Meridian and started my packing process. The adventurer in me has been getting a little anxious and I decided that on Sunday, it was time to explore. After church I drove out to Dunn's Falls. It was a gorgeous day and oh did I feel right at home. An almost 70 foot waterfall cascades down and makes a decent into the Chunky river. Still standing is an authentic grist mill and working water wheel. While it has been a long time since any meal was made, it still stands as a museum and reminder of it's history dating back to 1857. Now those of you who know me, I have a rule that any time I am near a body of water, I must put my feet in. I didn't hesitate to kick my shoes off, grab my camera and start wading. After hanging out for there for a few hours, I then headed to Lake Okatibbee. I couldn't resist taking a run around the rim of the dam and enjoying the great weather. I made home in time to shower, do my grocery shopping and go to church.



I am looking forward to my trip this weekend with my mom and the ladies from the church that I attended while living in Ashland, Alabama. We are going to the Women of Faith Conference. I know that we are going to be truly blessed and changed! I can't wait.


So my days in mental health care are coming to an end. While I do not anticipate working in this setting in the future, I have learned a lot about it. I think I know where I am going in December to work but not after this assignment. Looks like I will heading to Slidell, LA in December to cover an maternity leave. There may be a possibility that I will go to Montgomery next. Right now, it is just a waiting game. I feel like God is up in heaven spinning a big wheel with different locations on it, laughing, saying, "where should she go, where should she go?" I have a feeling He is about to stop the spinning. Will have to keep you all posted. Hope everyone had a great summer.

Settled In...or Not, Take Two

So it would seem that my time here in Meridian will be short lived. I am a little disappointed. It was nice being so close to my family. I have really enjoyed the church I have been attending and love my new tennis instructor. Oh, I suppose I forgot to tell why I am leaving so soon. They found a therapist within their company...so the pricey contract worker (that's me) has to go. On the positive side, I now have a connection with this rehab company which could be a potential job in the future. Since I started traveling over three and a half years ago (yes, it has actually been that long) I have always wanted to go to Alaska for an assignment. I thought my chance had finally arrived, but as luck would have it, it fell through. I am little bummed but I know that God must have something more wonderful in store for me, where ever that may be.



While this assignment has been an experience like no other, it is not my dream job and I am not sad to walk away. Mental Health is interesting but it is not for me. In one day of work, I was flipped off, almost run over by the guy walking sideways down the hall laughing hysterically, saw a guy in his diaper lying in bed playing a hot pink out of tune guitar, had a patient tell me to go find the tall dark stranger with a gun ready to shoot, got caught in the middle of a patient having a psychotic moment and yelling every profanity there is, and finally, the last patient that day was playing in her poop when I arrived in her room. Lesson learned, don't shake hands with the residents and if you do, wash, wash, wash and wash again.




I had mentioned how nice it was to be close to family. A few weekends ago, Laurel came and stayed with me and we had a girls weekend. We popped popcorn, watch movies, went shopping, went swimming and made cookies. I think my favorite part was when we were putting on our bathing suits and Laurel said, "Deedah, you are skinny like me." Yes, I do love a boost for the ego from a five year old. We had a great time and I truly cherish my time spent with Laurel.






This past weekend I spent time with my siblings celebrating my sister's 40th birthday. All she wanted for her big day was a DJ and to dance until midnight. And what's a party without a theme? The invitations stated, "Hat's off to Melissa. Let's have a wiggin good time." Have you figured it out? Yes, your most creative hat or wig. It was so much fun. I sported two wigs. My short and sassy do...and my Elvira look. Wearing the short wig has made to decide to chop my hair off. It only took three years to grow it out. Sorry, got off subject for a moment...back to the party. My brother-in-law made a hug vat of Jambalaya which was delicious, along with a ton of other foods and desserts. The costumes were entertaining, as well as, the dance moves. And who knew that when Chris took hold of the microphone that he would not turn it over. So, yes...Melissa danced until midnight and Chris sang until 1:00 AM. Don't think that he was alone in his singing. There were others (two microphones). Anyway, everyone had a great time.



On my way back through to Meridian on Sunday I stopped to have lunch with Mom and Dad. I wouldn't pass up the "Sunday Roast". I could smell it cooking when I walked in. I always did love lunch after church on Sunday followed by a nap.



So only time will tell where my next assignment will be. Since Alaska fell through, I have requested to stay in MS or AL. Ooh, I almost forgot that I have my Florida license. Hopefully, I will have my house sold within the next month. Keeping my fingers crossed!! I am so grateful for all the blessings in my life, including family and friends. God truly is good!!

Settling In... or Not

So I am at the end of my third week here in Meridian, Mississippi. You would think that I should be settling in but no. Monday I start at a new facility across town. The one downside to traveling...you go where you are needed. After all, they are paying a lot to use me. While I am not too excited about the change, I know it will be a challenge and I always learn a lot when I am challenged. It should be fun though. They have a program called "Rock and Roll" where they walk the patients followed by their wheelchairs with a boom box playing motivational tunes. So what tune was playing while the frail little 80 year old lady walked down the hall? Oh yeah, "Super Freak." Please someone make sure they play "Brick House" while I am shuffling down the hall with my walker.

So what have I been up to. Close enough to my brother now, so I have been able to visit and play with Laurel and Cole. I was shocked the other day when Laurel stated, "Excuse me, I need to text my boyfriend." She is five years old! I also loved her fake tattoo that she drew on her arm. When I asked what it said, she stated, "Jesus." How can you argue with that? She and I have a date this weekend. She has informed me that we will be painting our nails, going to mall, swimming and watching movies.



Last weekend I went to Mobile for a multitude of reasons. Had a dentist appointment. Was a little nervous about having to see a new dentist since mine was out for the day. Then he walked in...he was hot! I straighten my bib and wiped my mouth. Yep the day was looking up. Next I met with my real estate agent. It was very unexpected but I am selling my house. My tenant decided she is ready to buy. So we are starting the process. Hope to make enough to tuck away into an account and save for a down payment on my next purchase, where ever that may be. I still feel the happiest around mountains. I can picture it...a little cottage on some water and a little land. A view of the mountains in the background. A garden. A canoe. Hummmm. We will just have to see what God has in store for me. Friday night I drove out to the country and visited with an old friend from Mobile Infirmary. Bet is a wise woman and I always enjoy our conversations. The next day I went for a boat ride with a friend out on Mobile Bay and then docked on Dog River to eat lunch before heading back across the bay. What a great day for boating!!! I didn't realize there was light house out there. The weather was beautiful and nothing beats being on the water. Saturday night was girls night out. Me, Wendy and Monica had a great dinner before deciding we are all maw-maws and needed to go to bed.

Sunday I broke away from my baptist roots and joined the Catholic Church. Okay, so I didn't join the church, just attended. Why do you ask did I decide to do this? I drove across the bay to attend the christening of Henry, Angele's son. Angele is one of my dearest friends and I was excited to be a part of this service. After all, I am Aunt Deedah. It was nice visiting with Angele's family before I headed back to Meridian.



I have found a church within walking distance (if it wasn't so hot) from my apartment that I love. I am playing tennis at the North East Tennis Complex and taking private lessons. I truly love the game and I am very excited that my instructor helped me discover that I can hit a ball with top spin. Still trying to find someone to help me improve my guitar skills. I did find a photography class. I hope to start honing in on my skills again. Have "dinner night" once a week with the girls from work. I get to try new recipes and they get to enjoy. I just love finding guinea pigs.




Looking forward to some upcoming trips. Mom and I are going to Atlanta at the end of August for the Women of Faith Conference. We are going with some of my co-workers from my last assignment in Lineville. I am looking forward to visiting with them. Seana and I are planning to go to Indianapolis in October to visit with her friend and see Peyton!!! I just know he will be expecting me at the Colts game. Are you ready for some football?? Gotta buy a Peyton jersey now!!!

Will have to keep you updated on the new facility. Did I mention there are two buildings...one is mental health and the other skilled nursing. I am sure I will have stories!!!!

Hump back...crooked letter, crooked letter...

Is half of this year really gone? Time seems to be flying by with g-force speed. I completed my assignment in Lineville, Alabama. I made some really good friends while there and became very attached to some of my patients. One patient in particular, who provided endless hugs on a daily basis, touched me the most. With his flannel shirt, overalls and John Deer hat, he never failed to hand me a piece of peppermint after giving me my hug. I learned that saying "no thank you" would not work. By the time I left, I had three large cups full of peppermint. When he cried telling me good bye, the water works started for me.
I will miss my new friends but feel certain that I will return to visit at some point. I may even return and compete in a tennis tournament that the town is planning in August or September. I truly enjoyed my scheduled Tuesday and Thursday night tennis matches and will miss that greatly. My tennis partner, while about 25 years older than me still managed to run me all over the court.



I had no problem packing up and leaving the B & B. I had no problem saying goodbye to critters and old musty smells. While I am certain that I will always remember that experience and Virginia, it is one that I don't want to revisit any time soon. I am looking forward to having a place of my own. Speaking of that...



My next assignment will be in Meridian, Mississippi. I have been requesting an assignment close to home. Looks like I hit the jackpot. The kicker is that for the past 7-8 years, my brother has resided in Meridian, Ms. Not any more. Just spent a busy and exhausting 3 days helping clean, pack and move my brother to Kosciusko, Ms. Yep, I move in, they move out. Tell me God doesn't have a sense of humor and that I am not the center of his comedy act. None-the-less, this is the closest I have been to my family in over 3 and half years. My mom is more than elated. I am looking forward to spending more time with my family and friends.



So what have I been doing with myself for the past 3-4 months. Exploring as usual. Hanging out with Seana on the lake. Visiting friends. Shooting my gun. Shopping. Playing tennis. Baking. Cooking. Hiking. Driving back roads. Packing. Dating. Reading. Playing piano and guitar. Working. Going to church. Baseball games. Baby-sitting for friends so they can have date night...I think that covers it in a nut shell. I am not really sure. I am pretty certain that I have developed dementia by osmosis and my memory is not that good any more. Let's just hope that I am pleasantly confused and not angry and aggressive as my dementia progresses. I just have one request of my family and friends. Please for the love of God pluck the hairs from my chin, roll my saggy boobs up into a bra, and comb out my bed head. I may be demented one day but it doesn't mean that I don't still want to look good.



I learned a lot from my last assignment. Nothing like life to give you a good dose of reality. Through experiences that I really don't want to get into, I feel that I am a lot more open minded. I also am more certain of things, including what I want and don't want. Funny how relationships can do that to you. That country girl that I told to take a hike three years ago fought her way back and has emerged. Yes, you heard it correctly. I like the charm of a small town, the feel of a community, and I wouldn't mind living at the end of a dirt road out in the country. My dream...lots of land with a cottage and a place to grow a garden. I want simplicity. And while I think that a man dressed up in a suit and shiny shoes is very attractive, there is nothing like a man in his work boots who is covered from head to toe in dirt. Yes, small town living took me back to when I grew up in a town with just over 1,400 people. There is something about slowing down that is calming. Now I will still complain when I can't find what I need to cook at the local Piggly Wiggly but I know I will survive.



I am looking forward to Meridian and seeing what God has in store for me. I feel more confused than ever about where it is that I am suppose to be but with that confusion also comes anticipation and excitement. I feel that I am closer than ever to settling down, what ever that means (I hope that I never lose my drive to explore). I have learned to be specific with my prayers, to pray often, and I am learning to love without limits no matter what the consequences. Okay, I will stop before I get too deep even for me. Hope everyone has a great summer.

Watch me pull a rabbit out of my hat...

Wow, hello May. Where did the month of April go? Shall we take a look back over the past few weeks. I went to a surprise birthday party Friday. I suppose it was was surprise for all since I really didn't know anyone. I did before the night was over. All the little old ladies made sure to introduce themselves to me and welcome me to Clay County. Turned out to be a fun night. I was pumped up for a hike in Cheaha. Mother nature however, had other plans. On to plan B...a trip to the McWane Science Center in Birmingham with a friend. What a fun place!! The kid in me definitely came out and I had a blast. I laid on a bed of nails and briefly considered a career as a magician. I forgot that and quickly turned to car and body mechanics as I assembled my very on car to race around the magnetic track. The five year old next to me looked very satisfied and delighted that his car was faster than mine. Next it was on to test my reflexes and response time as I competed with a robot. I wasn't so good at the expert level and the little girl that was watching was very quick to inform me, "You are losing. The robot is beating you." Ouch, a shot to my ego from a 7 year old. A quick break for an IMAX movie and then it was on to shopping. I was salivating thinking about lettuce wraps at PF Chang's but immediately lost my appetite after we were told about the 90 minute wait. At the recommendation of my friend Wendy, we drove along Cahaba Heights Road and looked for a unique "mom and pop" restaurant. We chose this little hole in the wall place. Mediterranean cuisine...yummy. I love that our food came out in our own glass casserole dish. I thoroughly enjoyed my food and was not the least little bit deterred by the tornado siren roaring in the background. Who knew that I was living in tornado ally? Watch the radar from now on. Any storm coming from Mississippi rolls right through here and it happens in the afternoon and at night.



The weekend before was fun filled and very much needed. My friend Seana and I decided at the last minute to go to the beach, trying to prove that we are still spontaneous as we age. My mission was to toss a mullet at the annual Mullet Toss. Unfortunately the line was really long and I preferred to relax on the beach. I can't begin to explain how awesome the weather the was. Lying on my lounge chair under an umbrella with the rolling waves before me was heaven. Until the off duty cop from Ohio showed up with his friends. Every other word was an explicative and he stood in a stance ready to pounce. He was not impressive and more like a character in Revenge of the Nerds with his swim shorts pulled up to his chest. Oh the people watching. It was wonderful. I took a book but just could not get involved because I was too busy looking around. Let's see what else. Oh yeah, we got stuck in the sand. Apparently Seana's jeep is not 4-wheel drive and the close parking space was not the rock star parking I thought it was. Lucky for us, there was an abundance of people willing to help us. I easily flagged down a big truck with two eager guys willing to help in exchange for our parking place. A quick connection of a chain, a little tug and we were on our way. Now I am forgetting something...oh yeah, did I mention all the freaks we encountered. Gone are the days of sending subtle cues "I am not interested." Guys seem to ignore those now. Just short of turning our backs completely away from this one particular guy, Seana and I finally had to walk away. I did love his pick-up line though-"It was something in your eyes that drew me to you." Looks like I will be wearing my poker glasses from now on. We ended our beach weekend by visiting some old friends in Mobile and eating lunch with some new friends at one of our favorite restaurants in downtown Mobile.



Two months left here in Clay County. Where to next? Only time will tell. Hopefully I will be working my way back closer south just in time for hurricane season.

Annie Get Your Gun and Glittered Eggs

Wow it has been a long time since I blogged. Please don't mistake my absence from writing as an indication that I have not been doing anything. It has more to do with a pact that I made with myself. I recently completed a book titled "One Month to Live" (a recommended read) which is all about looking at your life from the perspective that you are dying. What would you change? What would you do differently? The question then is why not do all of those things now? Why wait? Anyway, during one of the chapters it has you evaluate your time and determine if it is productive and purposeful. No big surprise, playing on my computer, surfing the world wide web, getting sucked into facebook, ect consumed a lot of my time. I decided then to limit my activity on the computer.

So now that I am not spending as much time playing on the computer, what have I been up to? I bought a pistol and have been practicing shooting it. After my first class, I hit three out of four targets dead on. I have almost talked myself into going back to school to get my doctorate degree and I am currently studying for the GRE. I have been playing my guitar more and finally finishing the stack of books I been meaning to read.

I have recently decided to extend my contract here in Lineville, Alabama. I know you are asking, "what would possess you to extend in a podunk town like Lineville?" Well, I like the job and the people, so I figured I could handle another three months. I am also excited to be in this area for the spring and summer...hiking, fishing, etc. Besides, I feel like a local now. I don't hear "you are not from here are you?" as often, and when I hear gossip in the office now, I actually know who they are talking about. My favorite quote here is, "I don't like to gossip, but did you hear about..." Yep, I have learned the lingo. They don't have breakfast, lunch and dinner. They have breakfast, dinner and supper. They often get "tarred" meaning they are exhausted and they cook over "fars". Forget grammer and rules of English. They really don't exist. I cringe every time I hear a double negative, slang words, or improper use of past tense or plurals. I have learned that sweet milk is the same as buttermilk and goes great on cornbread all mashed up. I also have it on good authority that biscuits are great when dropped into coffee. I am no longer shocked to see an 85 year old lady dipping snuff, and I have just about gotten used to hearing the female anatomy referred to as "pocket book or purse." I just hope that I can tolerate Virginia for three more months.





This past weekend I was able to go home and visit with my family for Easter. As usual I anticipated and welcomed the chaos that accompanies having a house full of kids under the age of six. Being the great aunt that I am, I took the kids to the playground. My instructions were "wear them out so they will take a nap." They had fun pretending Mason was a dragon and they were running from him all over the castle. After a long afternoon on the playground, we returned home to make a big chocolate chip cookie for my brother's birthday. They lost interest with baking when mom decided to let them dye eggs and add glitter to them. Not to worry, their attention returned to the cookie when it was time to lick the bowl. We had a successful Easter egg hunt. I think we only lost one egg. Mom threw a new twist on hunting eggs and put money in some of them. So instead of assessing how much candy and how many eggs they each had at the end of the hunt, they were counting their money. Why didn't mom do this when we were kids? I then endured being tackled by my nephews and loved every minute of it.
Saturday we went downtown for the race and enjoyed some music from a local band. Laurel entertained us all by dancing all around the stage, by herself of course. Yes, I adore my niece and nephews and love spending time with them. They never fail to put you in your place and they frequently say things that make you laugh hysterically. My time off for Easter was too short. Back to work.





I am looking forward to warm weather and being able to get outside and enjoy it. Hope to be able to visit with some of you soon.