Mantras, Musings and Grits

I spent this past weekend in Birmingham, Alabama. While the main reason for going was to attend a conference, it provided me the opportunity to stay and visit with my friend Wendy and her family. I enjoyed the conference and the courses that I attended. My favorite course was about counseling patients and families. I loved that the speaker frequently threw out mantras and I jotted them down quickly. If you should feel like I am analyzing you now when we speak...I am. I also got to see former colleagues, friends from grad school, and vendors that I have met in past. One particular vendor was a husband/wife team that branched out and started their own company. I met them about five years ago and frequently run into them from time to time. Anyway, we exchanged information. They both told me "We would love to have you as a part of our team." That networking thing really does work. Who knows, may be an opportunity.

I also got to go to Wendy's baby shower. She is expecting a baby girl soon. I am so excited to be close enough now attend special occasions like this. It was fun girls night full of oohs and aahs over the cute baby stuff.

The weather this weekend was so awesome I just couldn't stand to be inside. I decided that on my way home from Birmingham that I would take the road less traveled and set out on a adventure. I knew there was a covered bridge near Childersburg and I made it my mission to find it. I love how there are visible signs on the major highway directing you to the bridge but once you are on the back roads you are on your own. I was determined to find this bridge. After taking county road after county road knowing that I was in the vicinity, I "happened upon it." Much to my surprise, there was a grist mill near the bridge. Besides a few bikers taking a rest break, I was the only other visitor. Some would be alarmed by this, but I have learned that the fewer the people, the more questions I get to ask and the more attention I get. A little lady greeted me in the parking lot and the history lesson began. The Kymulga Covered Bridge and Kymulga Mill are listed in the National Register of Historic Places. They are the only pair of such structures in Alabama still standing together in their original location. Lynn would explain to me that at one time nearly every Alabama community had a gristmill. Farmers would arrive in wagons with their corn to be ground into meal. In most mills the grindstone was turned by power from a large wheel moved by the weight of the water. Mills were used less after the Civil War when farmers began to grow more cotton. The Kymulga Mill still operates so that visitors can see the old way of grinding and can purchase fresh, stone-ground meal. It still has some of the original equipment dating back to the late 1800's and early 1900's. It is a three-and-one-half story frame building that once housed five sets of stones powered by four turbines. The middle bean that runs along the ceiling was from a whole tree. Alabama stone was comprised of high levels of lime which left he stones weak and proned to break. Therefore, the large stones were shipped in from all over the world. One of the stones there was from France. I also learned that the left over grain that didn't get sifted into the grits or meal was used to make moonshine. It kept the locals warm and fuzzy on Sundays. Now the left over is used to feed animals.



They typically don't grind on Sunday, but I got lucky and was able to get some freshly stone-ground grits. I can't wait to cook them. I am thinking "shrimp and grits." So my aimless searching for a covered bridge ended up being a fun, history filled day beside the Talladega Creek.




There is a possibility that I just may get my dream job. I will know more this week about a potential opportunity in Alaska. Yeah!!! Alaska. I feel confident that I will be able to quit traveling if I could end on Alaska.

To be continued...

News Travels Fast

How great was it that it snowed today? I will get to that in a moment. First things first. It is all coming back to me now...small town living, knowing everyone, everyone knowing you, no secrets!! This past weekend I went on a date (not with bubblegum boy-refer to previous blog entry). I suppose the one perk of everyone knowing your business is the fact that I knew he was going to ask me out before he asked me out. In fact, I knew exactly what we were going to do on that date before he ever asked me out. Yes, the joy of living in a small town. I can't wait until Monday to find out what I did this weekend and see if the stories match what really happened. Anyway, I had a good time on the date Friday night and we decided to do it again Saturday night. I felt like I was back in highschool. He picked me up from the B&B and came in the B&B and met Virginia along with about five of her family members in town for a birthday party. Actually, he didn't meet all of them. The ones that were not from out of town, he knew them and hugs were exchanged. I don't know why but I felt compelled, but I informed Virginia of my plans and my expected arrival time home. After an enjoyable night out for dinner and a play at the local theater where we watched an interactive Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, we returned to the B&B. We were sitting in the truck talking and we could see someone looking out the window. It was Virginia. Not long after that the front porch light was turned on and off and few times. We both laughed and it was at that point I decided "I better go in before momma Virginia comes out to get me." She and her family (who were staying at the B&B this weekend) were still awake. Actually they were quite giddy from the wine they had been drinking, which is quite comical since they are all in their late 70's. After telling them about the play, I went to bed. Which leads me back to my initial comment. How great was it that it snowed today?


Yep, woke up Sunday morning with a fresh blanket of snow. It was so pretty coming down. I had to work but I couldn't wait until I got to come home and play!! The patients loved it. Some were concerned about the birds, some said they better stay in today, it looked cold outside. Others, were frequently surprised when they looked out their window and realized it was snowing, forgetting that they had just done the same thing about five minutes ago. I quickly made it through my workload and headed home to build my snowman. What fun. I hope it snows again soon. It was gone way too quickly.

Is Your Face Sparkling?

What do you get when you combine cake, balloons, make-up, nail polish, high frequency sounds that could shatter glass, and eleven 4-5 year old little girls in their pajamas? That would be my niece's fifth birthday party. Not just any party though...a Hannah Montana party. It was crazy fun. I went to Meridian this past weekend to celebrate. They all had a blast singing and dancing. My niece who doesn't have a shy bone in her body made the statement,"Hey, I have an idea. Everyone can sit here and I will come out and you can all jump up and scream." No, she has no problem being the center of attention. My brother who stayed in the bedroom most of the night with Cole (because is was a girls only party) briefly came out and at one point made the statement to Laurel that she was being bossy. She quickly replied, "It's my birthday party." It was a lot of fun and very exhausting. After the party was over, DeAnna and I got our own personal make-overs from Laurel complete with crowns. I am still finding glitter in my hair and on my face. I also soaked up every minute with Cole. He just makes me melt.




I have made it through one month already. I have some established routines like eating with the Methodists on Monday mornings for breakfast. Granted everyone has about 40-50 years on me, but they are sweet and it is fun. Thursday night is volleyball night. I am consistently working out at the gym and meeting new people everyday. I even had a first happen the other night. I had a note left on my car at the gym, actually a gum wrapper, with the question "Want to go out for dinner?" Yep, got asked out on a gum wrapper. It was a very attractive guy from the gym but I had a sneaky feeling that he was much younger than me. I think the gum wrapper gave it away. Being as I live in a small town now, it did not take long to ask the right people and I had his life history. Seriously, a gum wrapper? While cute and enduring, I would prefer a man that could ask me out in person. Seana thinks that I should write a memoir about the men I have encountered and dated since I have been traveling. It would definitely be interesting.



I met a girl at the gym who plays tennis. I am excited to be playing again. I absolutely love my patients at work. They are adorable. The people I work with are great. This small town is not so bad but I will be ready for a change of scenery. I have scoped out a few trips to take in Alabama and explore my state. I have really been impressed with how pretty it is here. It is also nice to be so close to my friends Wendy and Seana and spend time with them.

I have decided that Virginia is crazy but I still like her. She stays out in the country most of the time so it is just me and this big old house. It is a little scary at night with all the noises. I am freaked out every time I walk by the stairs leading down to the basement. Last week when we had all of those storms the sirens went off 5 times that night with all the tornado warnings. I made up my mind that the tornado would just have to carry me away because I was not going down there. Especially after the stories I have heard about a little old lady who stayed down all depressed after she lost her husband and son. Creepy!!!



My traveling career is slowly coming to an end. Pray for me as I begin to look for a permanent job. Yuk!! One thing is certain, after interviewing for a job every three months, I am not worried about the interview process.

Teapots, Head Nods, and Country Roads

So where did I end up? Ashland, Alabama. It may be the smallest town by far that I have lived in and obviously will be the most limiting as far as things to do, but I have a feeling it will be one of my most memorable assignments. I will explain why as soon as I catch some of you up. I was really starting to sweat that I was not going to find a job, but for reasons unknown to me, God decided to make me wait a few weeks. Fast forward. So here I am at the end of my first week working in Lineville, Alabama. You don't know where that is? Okay, here's your quick geography lesson. It is 30 miles south of Anniston and about 75 miles east of Birmingham. I spent my first four nights in a motel in Anniston. When you are in small towns, the options for housing are limited. That all changed when my company convinced me to call a lady that owned a bed and breakfast in Ashland, Alabama. Never mind the fact the name of the B & B was Teapots, Lace and Roses (everything that I am not). On the website it looks like someone vomited lace everywhere, particularly in the Bridal Suite. I expressed my concerns with living in a B & B for 3 months (confined to a room, not being able to cook, having to eat out, no privacy, etc). She quickly assured me that I would have access to the whole house, I could pick any room I wanted and I would be treated like royalty. So obviously my curiosity was peaked. Royalty...what's that like? After a quick tour, I decided to suck it up and stay in the B & B...oh dread. Now here is where the memorable part comes in. Virginia, the owner, is a 77 year old lady who is adorable and has diarrhea of the mouth. I just love her. She can't finish one thought before she is on to the next. She knows everyone in town and has made it her mission to introduce me to all of them. She took me out to eat at the "Dary Delight". She proudly told the workers, "This is Daphne and she is going to be staying in my Bed and Breakfast for three months." If we didn't know them before we went in there, we knew them when we came out. She has a little cabin out in the country where she stays most of the time but comes back into town occasionally. Are you curious which room I chose? Yep, the Bridal Suite. It was the biggest with the most storage. We quickly "de-brided" the suite. No more lace, thank goodness. Ashland is a quaint little town. The only places to shop are Piggly Wiggly and Dollar General...go figure. Everyone waves or gives a head nod when they pass you. I will have to admit that this area is prettier than I would have thought. Today I went to Cheaha State Park. Cheaha means "high point" and that's what it is, Alabama's highest point. I hiked on two short trails and stopped to take some pictures and just sit. It was a definite "Go God" moment. I hope to return and hike some of the longer trails or even eat at the restaurant at the top.



I am enjoying the people I work with and the patients are absolutely cute. It is such a small place that I feel certain I will get to know a lot of people. I have already found a group of people who play volleyball on every Thursday night. It is amazing how many muscles you actually use to play that game. I also found a cute art gallery in the square. I think I may take art lessons. At least it will give me something to do. I joined the Wellness center which is very nice and large for such a small place.

I am slowly getting closer to home. But now I will settle for a closer drive. I am certain I will have more stories to tell.